2nd of Summer, Sapphire Clan Pavilion
The sun was just beginning to break over the horizon as the whole of the camp began to stir. This morning it was a bit chilly for summer, but no doubt it would warm up during the day, and the life of the planes would continue to go with the cycle of the new day. Merchants of the caravan had already discussed leaving early the previous night, and so the pickets they had placed around the camp that very night to protect them from predators where quick in returning, and getting their own supplies in order.
They where only a few bells away from the marvelous city of Endrykas according to their drykas guides, and the merchants were eager to be within the safety of the city. Their carts where loaded with trade supplies consisting of anything from leather working tools, to weapons of all grades, the owners of the supplies wanting to try their luck in Endykas before continuing on to Riverfall, which was the true destination of their trip.
Anything for a profit was as the saying went among the men, and soon even the merchants rose uncustomary early, ready to get on the road again, and to see their pockets heavy with coin. The other's within the caravan rose similarly but their reason differed, like those who had bought their way on, it was simply a means to a end, whether their destination be Endrykas or Riverfall. For Anya Blackheart, her reasons where simple, she needed to go to both, having a meeting with a drykas of the Sapphire clan, before continuing on to Riverfall to look for work where she may find it.
It had been a fairly uneventful trip from Sylira for her so far, the guards keeping them rather safe from any danger that might get near them, and otherwise keeping any entertainment well from her eyes. To top it she didn't know anyone here, and didn't really consider those that were traveling with worth talking to, keeping to her tent whenever they camped. She was ready to already be far away from these people, among the first to rise and already having packed her sparse supplies and carrying them on her back.
She never imagined she would have left Syliras, but then again she didn't really have a choice in that matter, even if what happened wasn't her fault. There was no need to pout about it though she shrugged walking over to her horse, its deep gold coat shining in the dappled sunlight streaming over the horizon. The steed nudged his head into her hand, and she stroked its sloping muzzle lightly, rubbing his neck with her other hand. " Good morning Seraphim" she greeted warmly to her sole companion on the trip. Seraphim neighed as if in response and bucked its head. It resembled a very humanistic action to her, similar to a nod. She offered a smile and whispered " good now go get you something to eat "
The camp was well on its way to its own preparations, and Anya chose that time to meditate, and clear her mind for the day’s events while making a mental list of what she needed to do that day. Her staff still rested on the grass outside one of the smaller tents a merchant had been kind enough to let her borrow. She didn't think of it as a kindness though considering how much she was paying him to take her to the cities. By the time she reached Riverfall her pockets would be empty, and she'd need to find work soon as she could or she might find herself starving or worse, indebted to an Akalak.
She preferred not to owe anyone anything and that’s the way she liked to keep things but if it was a choice between owing a debt in exchange for feeding her and Seraphim she would swallow her pride and do what was needed. A bead of sweat trailed down her temple at the thought and she quickly stood up, no longer wanting to be left to her thoughts. She needed to keep busy; they needed to be on their way now. Turning around she saw her tent already being rolled up by the guards, her staff in a similarly outfitted man observing the work. With a determined look she stomped off over to the guard.
" If you would, I'd like to have my staff back now " she said in a rather impatient tone. She thrust her hand out, tapping her foot incessantly wanting to know why the guard as taking more that a moment to give it back to her. " Well maybe if you didn't leave your pretty stick lying on the ground their you wouldn't need to be asking me now would ya? " the man questioned her, his tone icy. Anya's other hand instantly went to her hip, and she gripped the steel hilt of the dagger that rested in its sheath.
She struck quite the picture of defiance standing there in her all white cloths, her cloak the most prominent feature with the fine furs that composed its innermost layer, the rest of her clothing consisting of dyed leather. On occasion she chose to wear a white gown, but her dress she was saving for her meeting with the drykas. It wouldn't do to get it dirty traveling on the road. The dress was among the only things left from her old life, and was among her most prized possessions, the only thing more valuable where her weapons like that staff the guard was carelessly holding like a toy.
The tension rose between her and the man, and Anya opened her mouth to retort when another, distinctly male voice interrupted her. " Calm down their Anya, and you Kraous, give the lady back her staff or find yourself without a job " the voice said, and slowly she turned to see that it was the very same merchant that she was paying for the trip. Fuming but not daring to speak out against his employer the guard thrust the staff into her hands before stomping off and Anya mocked punching him in the back of the head as soon as he turned around.
" Not so lady like are you Silvan added, seeing her playing out her rage. " What's it to you? " she asked her voice carrying a sharp edge as she turned around to face him.
" What are you doing here anyways, I can fight my own battles " she said, and she tightened her grip on the staff, a bit upset that she didn't get to teach the guard a lesson or two in obedience. " Well it looks like I’m saving a whining girl from getting kicked off the caravan " he retorted not at all phased by her threat. She stood motionlessly in front of the man, her lips pursed tight together like she wanted to respond but couldn't think of anything.
Growing quickly tired of the silence Silvan added, " We leave within a bell's worth of time, and none to soon, I'm eager to get you out of my hair for the few days that we are in Endrykas " he said in a bitter tone, before turning on his heel and walking off.
Seeing him leave she similarly stomped off back towards her horse to grumble to Seraphim about what had transpired.
They were within sight of Endrykas now, and relief flooded through her as she looked upon it. To her it looked like a wild city, unorganized, impossible to navigate, and full of strangers who would take her behavior the wrong way, but it was the possibility of the city that filled her with hope. The chance of a new start among these people was alluring in and of itself, and to be away from those that remembered her, judged her, that was all just a bonus. She stared forward with a smile, patting her horse’s neck. " This might be our home one day "
It was well into midday now, the sun high in the sky, and the temperatures faring those that chose to dress light. Even still Anya seemed as comfortable as anyone bundled up in her thick furred cloak, though now even more so tightly wrapped around her since she was wearing her elegant white dress underneath it. Her meeting with the drykas had gone well, business being discussed, and an agreement reached upon. She was allowed to stay in the pavilion till it was time for her to leave, and in return she would do work for them for the length of her stay. If they found her work pleasing enough, opportunities for future employment would be granted to her.
Satisfied with the way things went she decided to stretch her legs for a little bit, and simply work her way around the city, and see if she couldn't make sense of the jumbled mess that it was. The drykas had been very pleasant to her, stabling Seraphim, and allowing her a place to keep her stuff. Maybe working for them wouldn't be too bad at all; they had an interesting enough thing going on here.
She handled there kindness like she did everything, with a cool look, and curt responses. Anya was always one who enjoyed forging her own way. It wasn't really that she was impertinent or self centered it was just that she only wanted to depend on herself. It was simply her way of doing things, and her family had never taken offence.
That was not the case now though, and as she learned with the guard she was not back home in Syliras, not among friends here. She would have to watch her words carefully from now on if she was going to survive and earn herself her keep.
News of the arrival of the young spiritist quickly spread by word of mouth, first only among the drykas, whom commented either on her apparent haughtiness or professing a desire to see if she really was as talented as she claimed. Soon though to any other prospective person with their ear to the road they would hear news of her as well, grand tales of her exploits, and words more personal for those who talked with her. By the evening the majority of the people within Endrykas would at least know her name and how she dressed strangely, a few with open ears knowing where she was staying and other details concerning her attitude.
oocSorry about the typo, their is only one spiritist amongst the group. Accidently added a S.
The sun was just beginning to break over the horizon as the whole of the camp began to stir. This morning it was a bit chilly for summer, but no doubt it would warm up during the day, and the life of the planes would continue to go with the cycle of the new day. Merchants of the caravan had already discussed leaving early the previous night, and so the pickets they had placed around the camp that very night to protect them from predators where quick in returning, and getting their own supplies in order.
They where only a few bells away from the marvelous city of Endrykas according to their drykas guides, and the merchants were eager to be within the safety of the city. Their carts where loaded with trade supplies consisting of anything from leather working tools, to weapons of all grades, the owners of the supplies wanting to try their luck in Endykas before continuing on to Riverfall, which was the true destination of their trip.
Anything for a profit was as the saying went among the men, and soon even the merchants rose uncustomary early, ready to get on the road again, and to see their pockets heavy with coin. The other's within the caravan rose similarly but their reason differed, like those who had bought their way on, it was simply a means to a end, whether their destination be Endrykas or Riverfall. For Anya Blackheart, her reasons where simple, she needed to go to both, having a meeting with a drykas of the Sapphire clan, before continuing on to Riverfall to look for work where she may find it.
It had been a fairly uneventful trip from Sylira for her so far, the guards keeping them rather safe from any danger that might get near them, and otherwise keeping any entertainment well from her eyes. To top it she didn't know anyone here, and didn't really consider those that were traveling with worth talking to, keeping to her tent whenever they camped. She was ready to already be far away from these people, among the first to rise and already having packed her sparse supplies and carrying them on her back.
She never imagined she would have left Syliras, but then again she didn't really have a choice in that matter, even if what happened wasn't her fault. There was no need to pout about it though she shrugged walking over to her horse, its deep gold coat shining in the dappled sunlight streaming over the horizon. The steed nudged his head into her hand, and she stroked its sloping muzzle lightly, rubbing his neck with her other hand. " Good morning Seraphim" she greeted warmly to her sole companion on the trip. Seraphim neighed as if in response and bucked its head. It resembled a very humanistic action to her, similar to a nod. She offered a smile and whispered " good now go get you something to eat "
The camp was well on its way to its own preparations, and Anya chose that time to meditate, and clear her mind for the day’s events while making a mental list of what she needed to do that day. Her staff still rested on the grass outside one of the smaller tents a merchant had been kind enough to let her borrow. She didn't think of it as a kindness though considering how much she was paying him to take her to the cities. By the time she reached Riverfall her pockets would be empty, and she'd need to find work soon as she could or she might find herself starving or worse, indebted to an Akalak.
She preferred not to owe anyone anything and that’s the way she liked to keep things but if it was a choice between owing a debt in exchange for feeding her and Seraphim she would swallow her pride and do what was needed. A bead of sweat trailed down her temple at the thought and she quickly stood up, no longer wanting to be left to her thoughts. She needed to keep busy; they needed to be on their way now. Turning around she saw her tent already being rolled up by the guards, her staff in a similarly outfitted man observing the work. With a determined look she stomped off over to the guard.
" If you would, I'd like to have my staff back now " she said in a rather impatient tone. She thrust her hand out, tapping her foot incessantly wanting to know why the guard as taking more that a moment to give it back to her. " Well maybe if you didn't leave your pretty stick lying on the ground their you wouldn't need to be asking me now would ya? " the man questioned her, his tone icy. Anya's other hand instantly went to her hip, and she gripped the steel hilt of the dagger that rested in its sheath.
She struck quite the picture of defiance standing there in her all white cloths, her cloak the most prominent feature with the fine furs that composed its innermost layer, the rest of her clothing consisting of dyed leather. On occasion she chose to wear a white gown, but her dress she was saving for her meeting with the drykas. It wouldn't do to get it dirty traveling on the road. The dress was among the only things left from her old life, and was among her most prized possessions, the only thing more valuable where her weapons like that staff the guard was carelessly holding like a toy.
The tension rose between her and the man, and Anya opened her mouth to retort when another, distinctly male voice interrupted her. " Calm down their Anya, and you Kraous, give the lady back her staff or find yourself without a job " the voice said, and slowly she turned to see that it was the very same merchant that she was paying for the trip. Fuming but not daring to speak out against his employer the guard thrust the staff into her hands before stomping off and Anya mocked punching him in the back of the head as soon as he turned around.
" Not so lady like are you Silvan added, seeing her playing out her rage. " What's it to you? " she asked her voice carrying a sharp edge as she turned around to face him.
" What are you doing here anyways, I can fight my own battles " she said, and she tightened her grip on the staff, a bit upset that she didn't get to teach the guard a lesson or two in obedience. " Well it looks like I’m saving a whining girl from getting kicked off the caravan " he retorted not at all phased by her threat. She stood motionlessly in front of the man, her lips pursed tight together like she wanted to respond but couldn't think of anything.
Growing quickly tired of the silence Silvan added, " We leave within a bell's worth of time, and none to soon, I'm eager to get you out of my hair for the few days that we are in Endrykas " he said in a bitter tone, before turning on his heel and walking off.
Seeing him leave she similarly stomped off back towards her horse to grumble to Seraphim about what had transpired.
* * * * *
They were within sight of Endrykas now, and relief flooded through her as she looked upon it. To her it looked like a wild city, unorganized, impossible to navigate, and full of strangers who would take her behavior the wrong way, but it was the possibility of the city that filled her with hope. The chance of a new start among these people was alluring in and of itself, and to be away from those that remembered her, judged her, that was all just a bonus. She stared forward with a smile, patting her horse’s neck. " This might be our home one day "
by andygoth6.6.6 of deviant art
* * * * *
It was well into midday now, the sun high in the sky, and the temperatures faring those that chose to dress light. Even still Anya seemed as comfortable as anyone bundled up in her thick furred cloak, though now even more so tightly wrapped around her since she was wearing her elegant white dress underneath it. Her meeting with the drykas had gone well, business being discussed, and an agreement reached upon. She was allowed to stay in the pavilion till it was time for her to leave, and in return she would do work for them for the length of her stay. If they found her work pleasing enough, opportunities for future employment would be granted to her.
Satisfied with the way things went she decided to stretch her legs for a little bit, and simply work her way around the city, and see if she couldn't make sense of the jumbled mess that it was. The drykas had been very pleasant to her, stabling Seraphim, and allowing her a place to keep her stuff. Maybe working for them wouldn't be too bad at all; they had an interesting enough thing going on here.
She handled there kindness like she did everything, with a cool look, and curt responses. Anya was always one who enjoyed forging her own way. It wasn't really that she was impertinent or self centered it was just that she only wanted to depend on herself. It was simply her way of doing things, and her family had never taken offence.
That was not the case now though, and as she learned with the guard she was not back home in Syliras, not among friends here. She would have to watch her words carefully from now on if she was going to survive and earn herself her keep.
* * * * *
News of the arrival of the young spiritist quickly spread by word of mouth, first only among the drykas, whom commented either on her apparent haughtiness or professing a desire to see if she really was as talented as she claimed. Soon though to any other prospective person with their ear to the road they would hear news of her as well, grand tales of her exploits, and words more personal for those who talked with her. By the evening the majority of the people within Endrykas would at least know her name and how she dressed strangely, a few with open ears knowing where she was staying and other details concerning her attitude.
oocSorry about the typo, their is only one spiritist amongst the group. Accidently added a S.
