Darkest Shadows, Brightest Watchtower (Closed)

[Creeper]

Timestamp: You Decide (Middle of Summer)
Time: Morning
Starting Location: The Sanctuary
Who: Kavala, Raiha, Ronan Windsong


At the Third Bell

A dark, marked man was fleeing across the open field that was his home of Cyphrus, his arms pumping as he ran, sweat blinding him, as he looked backwards over his shoulder. He didn't see his pursuer, but he knew that meant nothing. His eyes began darting around, looking for something, someone. His long, bounding strides brought him over a knoll, when he let loose a relieved shout. Sprinting toward him was a yvas mounted Strider, a horse he had known for many years, his partner on the Sea. He felt the joy and celebration exploding within him, he wanted to dance and throw parties at the sight of her. Then his eyes grew wild. The pursuer was near, he knew it, and soon the joy was replaced by overwhelming fear. He ran in a direct path to his Strider, knowing she wouldn't stop, nor would he expect her to after all the training they'd given each other. The mare neared and angled off to the side, as the man leapt from his run, an arm extended to grab hold of his rescuer. Then he saw the eyes, glowing red eyes, then felt the claws rake across him from shoulder to hip, nearly gutting him in midair. He had managed to get ahold of his yvas and pull himself into it, before passing out, his Strider pushing herself as hard as she could westward, toward Riverfall.


At the Fourth Bell

Kavala would find her dreams and slumber interrupted by the flash of a vision. There was a candle resting atop an old wooden table, burning brightly, illuminating the entire room, despite its small flame. Then a fierce wind blew through the room, and the flame stuttered and became a glowing wick. And for many long chimes, the room was much darker. But, then the wick began to glow a bit brighter, sputtering at first, and finally burst into a flame brighter and more brilliant than before. And for a moment, it felt as if the entire world were illuminated. But there was a shadow at the base of the candle, and it began to creep its way up the side of the candle, stopping at the pool of melted wax. It reared up, over, and enveloped the flame, snuffing it completely, not even the remnants of smoke remaining.


At the Fifth Bell

Raiha would find the beginning of her day filled with unusual chatter from the shadows she'd grown mildly accustomed to. The shadow from under her bed, the one that hid in the corner of where her door was hinged, even the one that followed Diallo around, all the murmurs were similar. Something was scaring the shadows. Many were trying to appear as small and unassuming as possible, others that had been quite talkative were now stone silent. She wouldn't be able to get any information out of them as to what was actually disturbing them, perhaps they themselves didn't even know.


At the Sixth Bell

Ronan would be the first to see a cloud of dust kicking up from the tall grasses, nearing the Sanctuary. Soon his trained eyes would make out a powerful Strider, one of the most impressive he'd ever seen in all his years among his people, running in a full out sprint, a rider slumped over her back. The Strider stormed through the main entrance, past Ronan, who would see streaks of blood dripping down her sides, much of it beginning to turn black from exposure to the air. The large mare came to a stop in the center of the complex, knelt down, dropped her unconscious rider to the ground, and dropped dead next to him, her heart long gone from the strain. The man was still breathing, but only barely, with four long claw slashes etched deep into his chest and stomach. Ronan would recognize this man from Endrykas, his name was Jerika, and he was one of the fiercest fighters, and most renown men.

[Ronan]

It was a warm morning, the world around Ronan well into Summer now. The sun was far from fully risen, but a dull amber light cast itself over Riverfall. In the Sanctuary courtyard, Ronan was up early, practising with the earth as he often did. He held his hand out, the one which bore the dreamstone Semele had placed there. He focused on extrapolating the djed that swirled inside him, twisting it into the res he could work with. It was a tenuous feeling. Sweet delirium, that he had to focus on for a moment to grasp. The balance was becoming easier with practise. He would grab that hook quicker each time. When he did, the immaterial turned into material fluid, oozing free from his hand. He stamped a foot, reminding himself of the solid ground beneath, and turning those thoughts of the earth upon the res. At first, a sprinkling of sand. But he focused on the earth, mountains, boulders, canyons. The solid foundation of all that was. The grains grew larger, until several small stones scudded to the ground. He was pulled from his focus by the noise. And when he looked up, he saw the dust rising from the grass. Something was moving towards Sanctuary with speed. In a heartbeat, the Strider was upon them, hurtling into the courtyard. He caught sight of the rider atop, who had relinquished all control of the beast. As it rushed past, crimson droplets scarred the ground. The horse was covered in the blood, the scent of some horrific injury. Suddenly, the Strider stopped, collapsing to the ground, and dropping its rider. By the Gods... Semele sustain me. He ran over. Though the horse was gone, the rider still had the breath of life within him. The injuries were dire. Four claw marks, with scarlet agony pumping from within. When he saw the face, he gasped aloud. Jerika. A Drykas known for his strength and ferocity, oft compared to a Myrian. Though the man breathed, life was ebbing from him quickly. "I will return," Ronan said, before taking flight back into the bowels of Sanctuary. He cried out for Kavala and the other staff, many of whom were healers, hoping they would hear him before it was too late.

[Logos]

Ronan Skill and Lore Rewards Skills Lore Reimancy (Earth) - 1xp Reimancy: Mental Connections With Earth Observation - 1xp Praying At A Time Of Need Additional Notes : It's a shame this thread never got anywhere but I loved the way you described things in it, made it very imaginable - especially his reactions. You have an easy style to read it is very evocotive Any questions or queries, please PM me.