The Journey

[Nex Paciscor]

76th of December, 510AV

There were two-thirds of the way to Syliras by now, and the sun was beginning to fade as the day was close to ending once more. The soles of Nex's feet where sore from all the walking, but he trucked on without complaint, and when they finally got the chance to break for camp, he stopped and rubbed the soles of his feet with his hands. It felt good as he individually massaged them and soon he was walking around the parameter of the camp, and gathering twigs for the fire. The camp wouldn't be too hard to make, and it needed to be hastily brought down when they left, so Nex didn't pay too much mind to adding more than was needed for them to spend the night there. He knew he could sleep on the hard ground comfortably but he wasn't so sure about his human companion. Still he had a bedroll and maybe that would supply him with the comfort he desired.

After gathering an armful of twigs, he set them down at the center of the camp, hoping that Ricky knew what to do with them, and then walked off to search for some clean water to fill up his water skin. They had been walking all day, sometimes even running and because of this he had worked up quite the thirst today. Even though he was used to such rigorous travel it still drained him when he did it long enough, and he found himself looking forward to a nights rest. He estimated that they were five days out from Syliras but he couldn't be possible as he didn't know the terrain as well as he would have liked. Still with a capable companion like Ricky by his side, he was sure they wouldn't get lost, and he found pleasantly that the man could keep up with the blistering pace he had set.

Some part in his soul drove him so urgently, and he wanted no more than to be in Ravok already and help out his friend. It was something that he felt to his very core, and no matter what he couldn't shake it. At last he found a promising looking pond, the waters looking clean enough but a bit muddy on some of the outside parts, but he figured it would be well enough to drink, and he uncorked the top of his water skin and dipped it below the waters, watching intently as the air bubbles filtered up from its nozzle as the skin slowly filled with water. When it was filled up as much as it could be, he hoisted his water skin up from the water corking it again before slinging it over his shoulder, and diving deeper into the pond.

The water felt cold and refreshing against his body, and he stood up in the waist deep pond, whipping his hair back, and causing the loose tangles of wet hair to sling all around him. He enjoyed the occasional swim when he found a body of water, but what he didn't enjoy was sailing, as he learned on his boat ride to get him near Zeltiva. The water was nice, and the sun was warm so seeing no harm in it he laid on his back in the water and back paddled lazily while staring up at the sun. Crystal blue seas surrounded the yellow orb, and it brought him back to a time in a meadow he found near Lhavit, it had been an enjoyable day and one that went peacefully.

For a few moments he closed his eyes, but then he remembered he had left Ricky back at the camp, and he quickly swam out from the pool, and walked back to the camp. “ Greetings friend, how was the walk for you? " he asked cheery.

[Ricky Maze]

"It fares well my friend, but the blasted fire will not start." He replied, an expression of rage directed toward the pit of wood before him. He stood arching his back so the tension from crouching for so long would ease off for a bit, but that didn't make up for all the other ache he felt in his body. His muscles everywhere were sore, a some not as much as others and some were muscles he never knew existed. Mostly it was his legs that felt sore, with his feet and ankles on the top of the pain list.

Odis lay next to Ricky's bedroll in a peaceful sleep, the dog was just as tired as they were even though he was full of energy all the time. The progress they made with Nex was actually pretty well, Ricky didn't know if it was the sailor's blood within him or the passionate desire to meet the crafter of his necklace; but either way the progress they made was great for him and he wanted to continue onward. The problem being would be that they would all be fatigued if they did, so he knew better to not press it forward.

Nex was a great companion to travel with, they shared many conversations that were deep if not funny. The more Ricky felt Nex as a great friend the more he didn't want to part, but one thing reminded him that there was always the possibility of meeting again; and it was the spare key he gave. So long as Nex has that key, then there will always be that chance Nex will return to that little shack before or after Ricky's travels. He noticed Nex couldn't help but laugh after Ricky's remark to the wood, which he couldn't help but chuckle as well.

"Maybe you should show me again, and this time I'll inspect every detail so I can remember in the future." He joked, waiting to see if Nex would do so.

[Nex Paciscor]

Nex offered a good natured laugh at Ricky's remark about the wood, and he smiled confidently even though he was no expert at fire starting. Technically that seemed to be the exact opposite of what his nature desired him to do, and as always he found starting a fire rather difficult, physically as well as mentally. His brief stay with the merchant caravan taught him very little about how to make a fire, and the few times he had managed to during their trip, he claimed as merely luck, for that were what it was. Still Ricky had set up a decent fire pit and it would do for the night, as he knew Odis, along with Ricky would need it to ward off the chill of the night lest they freeze to death. Nex could cope with the temperatures because of his larger body, mass of hair, and the fact that he found it easy staying up long nights to keep watch, but he would enjoy the fire none the less.

Slowly he bent down and picked up the two sticks that had been thoughtfully been made, and he held the smooth straight one between his palms while placing it's tip on the flat of wood, and rubbed his hands fast together, forcing friction between the two pieces of wood, and eventually it started to smoke. What... its working, but, but, how? Perhaps the gods truly bless me on my trip he thought as he saw the wood smoke further and a tiny flame appear after what seemed like a quarter of a bell had gone by. His hands starting to cramp, he gingerly placed the smoking wood under the pile, and heaped the tender on top of it, the pea of flame quickly blossoming into large licks of the hot light till the entire wood pile was engulfed in the blaze.

Cautiously Nex backed off from the blaze and sat back on the ground, stared into the flickering red light, mesmerized by the swirl of colors. It looked so majestic and at the same time so destructive and it sparked more than a little instinctual fear inside of him that was hard to suppress. As inconspicuously as possible he slowly backed away from the fire till he was on the fringes of it. There we go much better he thought as he stared at the flames and then up into the night sky. " It feels quite wonderful this night " he said briefly to Ricky as he lay out on the grass.

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky studied Nex and the process of lighting the fire, keeping a bold eye on the actions made until the fire finally engulfed the pit. A good amount of heat radiated from it as Nex took a spot down in the grass; Ricky sat not to far from Nex or the heat. Odis had taken small interest in the bright flame, watching it from where he lay and giving a huge yawn to follow. Tiny flames danced within the pendant, a reflection from the fire before them.

" It feels quite wonderful this night " Nex remarked, Ricky smiled in agreement. "Aye, it's startin' to warm up alright." He talked like the sailor in him, but it was only natural now since he and Nex had become close friends. The journey has been long and chilly, but only recently has it started to slightly warm up. "Spring is comin' early." He gazed up to the stars, looking at the gems of the sky with a well peaceful mind. "We're not too far from Syliras, and after that..." He left off from that sentence, his mind tracing to the farewell to come. "Say Nex, you think we'll find each other somewhere out there? I'm mean I know you can always return to the shack, but still..."

He didn't want to part from Nex, he proved to be valuable company and indeed a wonderful friend. Not only that but Ricky would be alone with Odis, and the world is a scary place to feel alone in. Zeltiva was full of enjoyment when he was learning to grow into a man, and it made him tough if not smart enough to live. However that did not he he enjoyed it, and so Nex was one of the few he trusted in a long time; which was a major release to him.

[Nex Paciscor]

" Aye, it's not as bitterly cold anymore " he responded his eyes on the flames licking up into the air, contrasting the night sky around in a spectacular way. The smell of smoke hung in the air around them and filled Nex's nostrils, a smell he tried to ignore, but still the alien odor invaded his senses. He shook his head briefly but failing to dislodge the smoky odor he stopped and simply chose to deal with it. " Yes, Mizahar is a big place, but I'm sure we will run into each other one day " he said, though he wasn't entirely sure of the truth of that statement. He was heading into dangerous times, his life was on the line and nothing was assured. Still if he survived he had no doubt that he would try and find the man someday, or perhaps their paths would simply cross by accident, he didn't assume to know but it was a pleasant thought.

Perhaps his paths would cross one day with that nuit as well, he had unfinished business with that one and was more than eager to sink his teeth into that one. Maybe he would be in Ravok and he could try his luck there, but he doubted that he would be there. No, the nuit would be somewhere else more isolated where he could perform his experiments. Oh how he longed for that one’s death, but he quickly brushed those thoughts out of his head for what he heard.

A soft rustling of a pair of bushes bordering their left rang clearly in his keen ears, and so he wasn't surprised when a black bear came bursting through the bushes on their left. He quickly rolled to the side in a attempt to get out of the way of the beast, and got firmly planted on his feet. Nex knew he didn't have enough time to strip and turn into his wolf form so he would just have to make do with his training in human form. He looked over to Ricky to see if he would make the first move against the beast since all he had were his fists.

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky, startled by the bear, braced himself for the worst. He pulled out his longsword and gripped it firmly with both hands, Odis barked at the big animal before Ricky and Nex like a maniac. The bear took little attention to the dog, instead it shifted it's attention to Ricky and the longsword. This made Ricky feel completely vulnerable, as if the bear was intimidating him with it's power and massive body.

The power of the bear would easily injure them if they weren't careful, and the idea that the bear was going to attack them cause the fear to bubble up in Ricky's body. His sword started to tremble as his hands shook, as he stepped a foot back away. The bear started to roar at him, moving toward Ricky with fearsome eyes. There was no getting out if this, if Ricky were to run the bear would attack the other two; but if he were to stay? No, there was if to the situation. He was going to stay. The thought of abandoning Odis or Nex was OUT of the question, there was no way he'd turn away.

His trembling calmed just a little but the sword still shook a little, readying himself he placed his feet into a position where he could jab the creature while trying to avoid any slashes the gruesome bear would throw. Readying himself for the initiative he felt fear be accompanied by a desire to protect his two companions, and the bear must've seen this happening because it tried to intimidate him again. This time it stood on it's hind legs roaring it's fearsome cry, and Ricky took his chance. He lunged forth at the creature and for a moment everything in the world seemed to slow down, like time itself was slowing down to watch this attempt.

Before he could make another step in his attack something attached to the bears neck, and the bear bellowed with pain and anger. Ricky was stunned by this but kept his attack going, as that something was Odis sinking his teeth in the bear.

[Nex Paciscor]

As the beast rose up to reveal Odis caught against his thought in a vice grip with his jaws, and Ricky lunged forward, Nex examined the situation and did the only thing open to him. Speed and distraction where his allies and he slipped towards their campfire that was on the far right side of the bear. He didn't break his jog, reaching down as he went to scoop up a stray log from the campfire, and he clenched his eyes closed as the sparks inevitably rose from the disturbed fire. Standing still again this time much farther to the right of the bear, he watched the scene before him, the orange glow from the campfire masking the bear’s visage with disturbing shadows, as well as the scene before him with Ricky rushing in to help Odis. It was all so dangerous, Ricky was taking a massive risk, but it was a risk he could understand. Gritting his teeth he feared that if he didn't go in to help, Ricky and Odis might not survive this encounter.

With firm resolve Nex rushed on, the makeshift torch firm in his hand, and soon as he was upon the bear, coming from slightly behind it he swung the heavy stick over his head to slam in the back of the bear, slamming hard against the nape of his neck. A shower of sparks scattered all around him as the hot end met with the bears thick skin and bone, and silently he hoped that the fire would injure and wound the bear, making it more persuade to run away. In any case it would be rounding on him any moment, so as it fell towards the ground he threw the hot stick under were it would be coming down, and threw himself to the side. He felt no swipes following him as he rolled across the ground, and as soon as he had his feet set, he turned on his heel to see how much he managed to help.

[Ricky Maze]

The bear came down to meet the burning hot wood under it's body, as Nex rolled over and away. The smell of something burning was fowl as the back of the bear looked black, infuriated the bear roared; and Ricky's advance finally came to a standstill. His blade had pierced the animal in the shoulder, as the bear began to bellow even louder with more rage.

Odis was pushed off under the bear in a split second, and his left hind leg came too close to the wood. After Ricky's jab and the bear's roar Odis had to scrambling away. However it didn't work out so well for him, as his leg met the scorching wood. A whine was heard as Odis finally came free, and that set Ricky off. Within a moment he drew back the blade, and stumbled back from a swing the bear threw at him. The bear jumped toward him, ready to pounce onto Ricky.

Ricky waited for this moment, he felt sure the bear would take a chance to go at him. In a quick reaction he went in, angling the blade to a degree so he would plunge it in the bear's chest. He would not let the bear get Odis or Nex, he will finish it. The bear came down with a powerful force, as Ricky felt something scathed his left shoulder. After that he saw the bear come down on the sword, and with a dying roar it fell on top of him. He felt crushed under the bears heavy body, but he didn't worry about it. He squirmed as hard as he could, amd worked his way out from under. One thing was on his mind, and that was to help Odis.

[Nex Paciscor]

The wood splashed up with sparks as the bear landed on it, and he hoped that the heat would be enough to get through the thick padding of its paws and really do a number on it. Nex really had no other option if it beat Ricky and Odis besides turn into his more natural for and try and kill it from their but even that was very risky. Blood splashed everywhere though wherever Ricky's sword meet the beasts flesh, and he though he heard Odis yelp as well, but he couldn't be sure since he couldn't see the dog behind the titanic battle before him.

Suddenly the bear lunged, but Nex saw that Ricky was prepared angling the blade upwards to meet the bear in the hollow of its chest and erupted from its back in a shower of gore. However even with its dying breath the bear seemed to have successfully managed to pin Ricky under its vast dead weight. His feet pounded across the ground as he ran to Ricky, and set his hands against the side of the bear pushing with all of his might against his side, and smiled when he saw it gradually tipping over to the side, and eventually roll off of Ricky. Looking down at Ricky, he extended his hand to help him up. " Good work with that bear " he said with a smile.

[Ricky Maze]

As Ricky finally caught his breathe after being pulled up, he noticed his arm was wet with blood. No doubt when the bear got him earlier in his last attack.The sword was still pierced into the bear's chest, Ricky was happy that his last move was the bear's undoing. He gave a small grin, then rushed over to where Odis laid. Odis wagged his tail as his brave companion came by, but he still looked like a sad injured pup. "Hang on boy, let me take a look." said Ricky, examining his leg carefully.