Strangers in the woods ( Nidae, Seliarus )

[Seliarus]

"Ssstoryteller?" He thought for a moment, spinning the flute around his fingers. After three spins, the flute fell on the ground, however. The Dhani sighed, as he picked it up. "Ssshare a ssstory with usss, pleassse?"

[Nehsmay]

"Certainly..." Neshamay grinned now that she was truly in her element. Storytelling was her favorite activity and now she had the chance to exercise it. But what story should she choose? She usually made them on the spot... she glanced at Shade and recalled a story she had heard as a child about wild horses. "The story I am about to tell came to pass two centuries after the Valterrian. At that time wild horses ran free all over Mizahar and most of them were smarter than your average stallion or mare. A special herd lived in the Wildlands near Syliras ruled by a Stallion that bore no name as he was free as the wind and no living creature could tame or subdue him. His father had been alpha before him and now he followed in his footsteps. However his freedom would be short lived... the knights of Syliras needed horses and what better place to find them than in the Wilderness. One stormy night in the season of fall, five knights roamed near the place where the stallion's herd lived. Sensing a strange smell, he left the herd in care of his mother and went to investigate. Three of the humans were fast asleep, but two of them stood guard and noticed the horse approaching... they prepared their lasso and when he least expected it, the thick ropes ran across his neck, chocking him slightly and pushing him to the ground. He fought to the best of his abilities, but the other three men woke up and joined in. They cheered for he was a beautiful stallion with silky fur like the midnight sky and stronger than average, perfect for a knight's mount. They took him to Syliras where they did everything in their power to break his will, but he was noble and proud, a true son of the Wild. He fought them, bit them and reared each time they approached, hitting the knights with their hooves. Seeing that he was unbreakable they decided to put him down for surely he was a wild animal. But the stallion received an unexpected help. A young squire took pity on him and fearless of the animal's anger whisked him from the stables one day, just before the day he would have been killed. The stallion bowed to the boy and ran back to his heard, taking them away never to be seen again. However the boy remembered the horse and its unbroken spirit, though no one believed him when he told the tale. For horses where not known to posses a spirit more powerful than that of any other race... "

[Nidassasyae]

"Weird team?" Nidassasyae giggled. "Yep, that's us!" She nodded, accepting Seliarus' terms. When Nehsmay did a face plant in the dirt, she could hardly stifle her laughter. Nidae began to stand, still giggling, about to check if the vantha was alright. She sat back down when Nehsmay picked herself up. "Of course!" said Nidassasyae. "We could hardly just leave you here, we're getting along so well!" She bared her pointed canines in a gigantic grin. As Seliarus began to play, the leopard closed her eyes, a serene smile on her face. She gave a happy sigh when Nehsmay began to sing. She nodded along with the Dhani when he asked the Vantha to continue singing. A story? Nidassasyae's ears would have pricked up if she was in leopard form. Gone was the sleepy contentment, now she was totally focused on hearing the story. It was almost like before her family was taken... When the story was over, she clapped her hands in appreciation. "Wonderful! Never have I heard a story about horses, that is a story I need to remember, for my bone knife," she inclined her head towards her pack.

[Seliarus]

Seliarus listened. the story caught his attention. But not because of the story itself, but because of the color of the voice it was told in. Not much things caught his attention in that matter. He was silent until the end, and when the end came, he backed up Nidae's actions, and clapped his hands as well.

"Wonderful indeed...Your voicssse hasss power..." He nodded, crossing his hands on his chest. "Potencssial..." His head way lowered down, and he sighed, his eyes closed for a moment. He was not dry again, and the warmth worked on him like a charm. He felt, which was new to him, but, he felt quite happy.

[Nehsmay]

Nehsmay bowed her head in appreciation. "Thank you." It warmed her inside to see her skills appreciated. By the time the story was over the sun had completely set and the night had embraced the woods like a protective mantle. The fire was still cracking merrily having been fed woods throughout the time. She went to the deer that was now fully cooked and cut the meat off the bones, making packages and splitting them between Nidae, Seliarus and herself. Once the carcass remained she asked: "What should we do with this? It could attract predators during the night?"

[Seliarus]

The Dhani looked at the remaining bones. He usually didn't have problems with that, then once he ate, he ate pretty much everything. He didn't have much of an idea, so he just tried to think of something. "Cover it with dirt..." He said, thinking it would be for the best if the smell would be covered.

"You two ssshould probably get sssome sssleep. Ssso that we could ssstart early and arrive when the tradersss arrive asss well. If we have luck, we wont be checked." He was thinking, about simply changing into a snake when they arrived in the town, and act like a pet to one of the two. Maybe it would work that way.

[Nehsmay]

Nehsmay nodded and picked the dragged the carcass by the pond burying it in under dirt and leaves. There were plenty of them now that the season of Fall came. "You're probably right." she nodded to Seliarus. Even though she was used to getting up early she hated it with a passion. She turned towards Nidae and asked "The tent is big enough. Would you like to sleep inside or turn into a leopard?" She wasn't accustomed to the habits of Nidae's snow leopard side so she might as well ask.

[Nidassasyae]

Nidassasyae nodded, it seemed wise to bury it. "Your human form does not require sleep?" asked Nidae, frowning. "Will you not rest at least? I can take the second watch, if you wish." "I would prefer to revert to my leopard form," answered Nidassasyae to Nehsmay. "I don't trust these woods. I think it's best to be prepared."

[Seliarus]

Seliarus sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. Once he opened them again, he started to scan the surrounding for any source of heat. His Dhani blood made that possible. "I'll ssstay here and watch for anything that might happen. If I wont be able to do it anymore, I'll come wake you up." He said, looking at his two companions again. The last part, he looked at Nidae and nodded.

He was used on sleeping just for an hour or so, then he had quite some naps during the day. Besides, he could always just hide in a bag and sleep there once they arrived in the town.

[Nehsmay]

"If you need me," Nehsmay said "I can stand watch too. Wake me up if either of you goes too tired. Goodnight!" She quietly slipped into her tent and curled under her blanket pondering over the events of the day. Clearly she has an odd affinity with other races: two Kelvics and one Dhani she befriended, but no one from her kin. Sure she had acquaintances, but none she truly considered friends. Smiling to herself she closed her eyes and fell asleep.