Beasts in the Mist
42nd of Summer, 518 AV
8th Bell
The citizens of Lhavit were in danger. Whatever strange phenomenon the mist that had invaded the city and the Misty Peaks was, it seemed to be affecting the wild Zith that inhabited the mountains, for indeed they were being bold. One too many Lhavitians had been lost to them; it needed to stop.
"Enough is enough," Allius Tanka spoke, his voice grave, concern etched into every line of his weathered face. "We have put out the call for volunteers, for indeed this may be a very dangerous mission; but no longer can we stand idly by." He stood at the head of the table in the meeting room at the Shinyama Pavilion; seated at the table were several Shinya, along with John Lhutav, his second in command.
"Agreed." Kagaya Ona spoke up from the other end of the table; she was already dressed and geared up to enter the wilderness. Leather pants and a leather jacket clung to her lean frame, her tiger hook swords sheathed at her sides, pale hair pulled into a severe ponytail to keep it out of her eyes. "We have had a few citizens come forward to aid us. They all claim to be willing to accept the risks that come with the task. I must admit, I am hesitant to involve citizens in such a dangerous outing, Allius; but we need all the help we can get."
There were murmurs of agreement around the table. Allius nodded, his hands clasped in front of him. "You are exactly right, Kagaya. Now, all of you, go; fetch what supplies you may need. You will meet by the Gate and wait for those who wish to accompany you. Kagaya will lead the expedition, and Aysel will be accompanying you all as well."
The various Shinya sitting around the table stood, talking in hushed tones as they began to depart. The mood was somber, heavy with uncertainty and caution and perhaps even a little bit of fear.
10th Bell
Those who were going on the expedition had been given time to prepare, and were beginning to meet at the Amaranthine Gate. Kagaya stood, arms folded over her chest; she had been the first to arrive. A half-dozen Shinya milled around, talking in subdued voices. Finally, Kagaya spotted Aysel walking towards them; he wasn't as easy to pick out of a crowd during the day, for indeed a small crowd had gathered to send off the party and wish them well, but she was familiar enough with the Eth to recognize him.
Aysel slipped through the crowd, his thin form clad in black from head to toe. His dao sword was sheathed at his side, a rucksack on his back; his piercing blue eyes met Kagaya's gaze, and the two exchanged a solemn nod. "Strange times," Aysel spoke, without greeting, as he approached Kagaya.
"That is indeed one way of putting it," She murmured, uncrossing her arms. "This is concerning, Aysel. Do you have any idea what is happening?" She dropped her voice, not wanting to be overheard. "It started at the end of last season...I wasn't a part of the expedition that went searching for the Constellations, but something must have happened."
Aysel narrowed his gaze, his eyes meeting Kagaya's, but the woman was stubborn, and she didn't back down; she met his gaze unblinkingly, fiercely. "It is my duty to protect this city and those in it, and if you are hiding something from me and the others, then it's wrong. We need to know what is going on to be able to help."
Aysel was silent for a long moment. "It is not of your concern, Kagaya; all you need to focus on is keeping the city safe, and right now that means hunting down some rogue Zith. Don't ask me again." He turned away sharply, signalling the end of the conversation, and Kagaya scowled at his back.
All that was left to do was wait for the brave few who had volunteered to accompany them; the volunteers, upon making their way to the Amaranthine Gate, would see a small crowd that they would have to make their way through. They would then find the group they would be accompanying waiting for them. Kagaya and another half-dozen Shinya of varying genders and even races stood in a loose cluster, all equipped with backpacks and their weapons, and Aysel stood to the side in his mortal form, impatience etched into his features.
The citizens of Lhavit were in danger. Whatever strange phenomenon the mist that had invaded the city and the Misty Peaks was, it seemed to be affecting the wild Zith that inhabited the mountains, for indeed they were being bold. One too many Lhavitians had been lost to them; it needed to stop.
"Enough is enough," Allius Tanka spoke, his voice grave, concern etched into every line of his weathered face. "We have put out the call for volunteers, for indeed this may be a very dangerous mission; but no longer can we stand idly by." He stood at the head of the table in the meeting room at the Shinyama Pavilion; seated at the table were several Shinya, along with John Lhutav, his second in command.
"Agreed." Kagaya Ona spoke up from the other end of the table; she was already dressed and geared up to enter the wilderness. Leather pants and a leather jacket clung to her lean frame, her tiger hook swords sheathed at her sides, pale hair pulled into a severe ponytail to keep it out of her eyes. "We have had a few citizens come forward to aid us. They all claim to be willing to accept the risks that come with the task. I must admit, I am hesitant to involve citizens in such a dangerous outing, Allius; but we need all the help we can get."
There were murmurs of agreement around the table. Allius nodded, his hands clasped in front of him. "You are exactly right, Kagaya. Now, all of you, go; fetch what supplies you may need. You will meet by the Gate and wait for those who wish to accompany you. Kagaya will lead the expedition, and Aysel will be accompanying you all as well."
The various Shinya sitting around the table stood, talking in hushed tones as they began to depart. The mood was somber, heavy with uncertainty and caution and perhaps even a little bit of fear.
10th Bell
Those who were going on the expedition had been given time to prepare, and were beginning to meet at the Amaranthine Gate. Kagaya stood, arms folded over her chest; she had been the first to arrive. A half-dozen Shinya milled around, talking in subdued voices. Finally, Kagaya spotted Aysel walking towards them; he wasn't as easy to pick out of a crowd during the day, for indeed a small crowd had gathered to send off the party and wish them well, but she was familiar enough with the Eth to recognize him.
Aysel slipped through the crowd, his thin form clad in black from head to toe. His dao sword was sheathed at his side, a rucksack on his back; his piercing blue eyes met Kagaya's gaze, and the two exchanged a solemn nod. "Strange times," Aysel spoke, without greeting, as he approached Kagaya.
"That is indeed one way of putting it," She murmured, uncrossing her arms. "This is concerning, Aysel. Do you have any idea what is happening?" She dropped her voice, not wanting to be overheard. "It started at the end of last season...I wasn't a part of the expedition that went searching for the Constellations, but something must have happened."
Aysel narrowed his gaze, his eyes meeting Kagaya's, but the woman was stubborn, and she didn't back down; she met his gaze unblinkingly, fiercely. "It is my duty to protect this city and those in it, and if you are hiding something from me and the others, then it's wrong. We need to know what is going on to be able to help."
Aysel was silent for a long moment. "It is not of your concern, Kagaya; all you need to focus on is keeping the city safe, and right now that means hunting down some rogue Zith. Don't ask me again." He turned away sharply, signalling the end of the conversation, and Kagaya scowled at his back.
All that was left to do was wait for the brave few who had volunteered to accompany them; the volunteers, upon making their way to the Amaranthine Gate, would see a small crowd that they would have to make their way through. They would then find the group they would be accompanying waiting for them. Kagaya and another half-dozen Shinya of varying genders and even races stood in a loose cluster, all equipped with backpacks and their weapons, and Aysel stood to the side in his mortal form, impatience etched into his features.