Grass, Blood, and New Beginnings.[Merenwen, Ronan Windsong]

[Matthial]

If you are even a man at all. Matthial blinked, there it was again. That voice... Then he was awake. Someone was shaking him. Peeking out from under the cloak Matthial found Ronan sitting over him. Shooing the other man away, the chainmailed figure rose to his feet and secured his cloak and shield to his pack. Taking another swig from the canteen, the man sat atop the pack and let the sheathed sword rest across his lap. Doing so he looked over and found Ronan already bedding down, while Merenwen was lounging about. Still trying to awaken fully, the man remained silent and looked up at the sun.

[Merenwen]

Merenwen observed the two men switch shifts from where she sat. She stretched once more and let out a long, yowling yawn. Watching Matthial stir from his sleep was not quite interesting. She continued to watch, though, as Ronan bedded down. She couldn't help but wonder what sort of past these two had. Thinking back for clues, she remembered Ronan's voice, declaring that he had "saved" Matthial again. She dismissed the thought almost instantly, and rolled over onto her stomach, facing away from Matthial and Ronan. She fiddled with the grass again, tying little knots of different sizes and shapes. She discarded them one after another until she had created a small pile. This was going to be the longest day she had had in a while. She hated to admit it, but she was enjoying company, whether she was getting along with them or not. Another spec of civilization that didn't fall into the category "food" was a switch.

[Ronan]

Matthial slowly rose, yawning, as Ronan laid down to sleep. At first, he had decided he would not be able to drift off, but the tables quickly turned. He was exhausted, and as the looming fear began to subside, the wistful land of dreams took him in its feathery gasp. OOCSimilarly to Matthial, you guys feel free to carry on for a bit - I figured Ronan could do with some sleep lol

[Matthial]

Matthial took another sip of his canteen as he leaned back. The sun was still fairly high in the sky, telling him it would be several hours before his watch ended and he could move on the caravan. He was still trying to work out the finer details in his head. He wasn't entirely sure the Kelvic had any use at all beyond some form of distraction for the slaver guards. An animal could draw several off, leaving him and Ronan to deal with the remainder. The tricky part would be the escape. He knew several of the guard had horses. They would have to use the grasses for cover. Leaning back some more, the man made sure Merenwen was still lounging about. She was, and tying 'grass-knots' to boot. He really didn't feel the need to say anything to the beast-woman. She had her ways, and he had his. In all likelihood they would never cross paths again after this little 'misadventure'.

[Merenwen]

Other than the lump digesting in Merenwen's stomach, there was but one other thing bothering her.

Matthial.

She turned back over onto her back, and sat up, observing him. She had fumed over his remarks, and couldn't find it in her to accept him. After some careful reflection, however, she did manage to conclude that they were different. There had not been a day in her life in which she had felt like she understand anyone but one of her own. And deep down inside, she knew she had to start working towards being more accepting. Her own fiery personality forbade her the ability to see anything she had done wrong. Instead she inched a little closer to Matthial, and drew her knees up to her chin. She wrapped her arms around them and watched him intently.

She wasn't sure what she would say, but she would say something to him eventually. Something that would hopefully ease the situation and make her assistance in his task evident. But she convinced herself, they would have to meet in the middle.

[Matthial]

If the man on watch noticed Merenwen's new position he gave no indication. Instead he leaned back on his pack, balancing his shoulder-blades on the shield while stretched his legs a bit and steadying the sword with his free hand. Inwardly he was still a bit tired, and reflected that he probably needed more sleep when engaging the more violent people on Mizahar. Still looking up at the sun he gave a bored yawn before looking to the grasses surrounding the small group. "You grew up here, among the grasses?" He didn't look at Merenwen as much as put the comment out quietly.

[Merenwen]

Merenwen hadn't expected Matthial to speak, and she wasn't even sure if he was talking to her. On the other hand, she assumed he knew Ronan's story, as they appeared to have some backstory. She cleared her throat and tightened her grip around her legs, resting her chin on her knees. A personal question indeed.

"I-I'm not sure, to be honest. It has been far too long since I left. My parents were slain, and my siblings and I fled. There was... Snow. I remember the contrast of their blood spatter against the white blanket of snow..." She paused, her eyes blank and distant. "I ran until I collapsed of exhaustion. I don't know why they were killed, or why they were after my brothers and myself. I laid in the snow for days, waiting to die, sulking in my sorrow." She shuddered and shook her head. "I have been running since. These grasslands prove easy cover, and are a bountiful source of food. I prefer it."

She wasn't sure if she had answered his question in the fashion he had hoped, but she was sure he would find something to say back. He always seemed to have a rebuttal up his sleeve.

Merenwen hoped he would be kind. She had shared a tender piece of her history with him, thus reopening a wound in her heart she had long searched to seal for good.

[Matthial]

Matthial paused, giving the woman a once-over as he considered. His first thought was that she might have been from near Avanthal, but she didn't have the coloring for it. If animals relied on natural camoflage she would have white fur. He tried to remember what little he had been taught of the creatures, but it was vague, and very one-sided. He knew they didn't live long, and they 'bonded' with individuals in a fashion, but he couldn't remember how they lived. Still leaning back, the man took another sip from his canteen as he considered. "I don't know. Times are beyond hard, and the world is chaotic. Your kind are welcome in my home in Syliras, but you are rarely treated as equals. I know nothing of how you Kelvic's live. I am sorry for your loss." Another sip of the canteen, and the man considered the flask in his pack. Something stronger would be nice, but it would also dull him for tonight's activities. "Say, you are the huntress, could you distract the guards so that Ronan and I can collect the child?" It wasn't so much as a plan as a ploy to get the woman's mind off of other matters.

[Merenwen]

Merenwen chanced a look back up at Matthial, slightly relieved that he hadn't made a jab at her past. She even shocked at his asking her to be the decoy for the night's raid on the caravan for the child. There was a sense of unsettling anticipation in her stomach now.

She nodded and replied, "I have never been a part of such a plight. But I am certainly willing to help in any way I can. Just tell me what to do."

A curious thought intruded her mind, at that point. She pictured herself, in all of her hunts, and realized she had never once used her forms to frighten another. Her kills had always been quick and necessary. She did not delight in playing with her food, only wearing it down for an easy catch. How could she attract the attention of the caravan guards without any sort of menacing behavior. She shook herself from the thought.

I'll think of something.

[Matthial]

Matthial grinned at the Kelvic before looking back to the sun. "Eh, it ain't hard, anybody near the slave-walk will be downright violent, just get into view, and catch their eyes, they will come running. While that happens, Ronan and I will attack the remainder, grab the kid and run for this spot. You should be able to lose yours in the grasses, and then we can all head for Endrykas. The moving city of the horse-clans." It was a tentative plan, and one that allowed for alot of leeway. It was a bit of a mess, but Matthial had faith that it would work out for the best. "You know, far be it from me to tell you whats what, but maybe you should catch some shut-eye? Its gonna be one hell of a run once we get the kid."