Exploring [open]

[Scarlett Windsearcher]

OOCI think an order's perfect. Since the order's begun why don't we do, me, Ember, then you Mealla? I think it'll be easier that way as well. Scarlett was in no mood for one to be cursing at her, especially while she was saving her friend and the girl herself. She ordered no halt to Rocky and instead turned around and hollered back the girl whom Scarlett believed was very foolish. Especially to talk to her that way. Anyone whom knew Scarlett knew she had quite the bad mouth when she was pissed. One of those times would be right now. She didn't respond lightly to insults even when they were almost in the teeth of death. "ME!?!?! PETCHING STUPID!?!?! Are you petching kidding me? There's only two petching glassbeaks chasing us! Not the whole petching lot of 'em! And most of those I that are familiar with me know my distressed call! And any Drykas running to camp at petching full speed on their STRIDER would know something was wrong! In case you don't know the Amethyst Clan, which you obviously don't, they'd be ready within a petching heartbeat if I know my brethren! Plus, once they see this they're going to have to turn around! They're smart and know their no match! Please Zulrav! Have mercy on us! The color of white and silver truck her eye as they neared camp. Scarlett let lose of Rocky's yvas then looked at the glassbeaks. One had already turned back towards the way from which it came, moving slowly. She sensed it had tasted defeat and that they were not worth it and had given up. Yet, one was still in for the chase. It was either a relentless one for revenge or hadn't had a meal in a decade. However, with persistence like the amount it showed, it was definitely hard to believe it couldn't catch a deer or two with ease. The grass was moving with much ferocity as the glassbeak sped to catch up. "Rocky, smoother pace and go west of the tents once we get closer." The horse snorted but obeyed orders and the ride got smoother, almost flawless. The Strider was good at what he did and she was proud to call him hers. Letting go of the yvas, she grasped with her knees then swiftly removed the bow and arrow from her back. The new arrows she had bought in Riverfall were exceptionally deadly. They were armor piercing and exceptionally sharp. She placed one in her bow, ready to fire at any given moment she got. The glassbeak and gaining and Rocky's free heart couldn't go on forever! The other glassbeak had changed course and had now joined the other once more. She wasn't sure if her Clan could hear her but she tried. The relentless glassbeak lunged at Rocky from the grass behind him, but the glimpse at the movement behind him caused him to jut forward. His ears were pinned back, his teeth were bared, and sweat was beading off of his body. The bird lunged again and Scarlett let the arrow fly, planting a good shot in the crevice of it's underarm and chest. However, it's claws had scraped Rocky's hindquarters, barely missing Ember. Blood began to pour from the cracks of the Strider's new battle wounds. She quickly grasped another one then placed it once again.

[Ember Watergrove]

Ember saw the Glassbeak swipe at the Strider's hindquarters and that Scarlett had her bow and arrow ready. However, Ember knows it's not enough. The Glassbeaks are now too close to hit properly with the arrow, no matter how much faster Rocky had run. She looked between Ember, the camp, and the wounds on the hindquarters and, without any guide or second thought, she knew what she had to do.

Grabbing a few more arrows, Ember took a deep breath and then jumped off the Strider. Moving quickly, she started to run as soon as she landed, but she felt something in her foot go 'pop!'. Despite her pain, Ember kept running and screaming for the Glassbeaks to come and catch her, diverting their attention from the injured Rocky and the camp. She took her arrow and begged for whichever God was watching over her to help her overcome this battle as she threw one of the arrows at the Glassbeaks remaining.

Thankfully, the arrow hit a Glassbeak in the leg, terminating the Glassbeak from any more movement. The last Glassbeak, however, was still unharmed and continued to run at her. Ember took another arrow and, by this time, she had to use it as a sword as she swiped it across the Glassbeak's face. The Glassbeak temporarily stopped and absorbed the shock while Ember continued praying that she would survive the day.

[Mealla Stormsong]

Mealla had to bite down on her lip to stop herself from snapping a retort. Did the girl know nothing? Did she really think she was that good? The Amethyst Clan were not warriors, not like the Diamond Clan. They were horse-breeders. They weren’t as good. And no matter how much warning you got, there was still a risk of danger, of a life being lost, especially with children about. The girl really did know nothing. Many capable warriors and hunters left for the Sea of Grass and never returned, because of creatures such as the ones they faced. Glassbeaks were deadly, fought harder than most warriors, and it only took one slip... Zulrav have mercy on them indeed. She turned and spun Andraste despite the horse’s reluctance back towards the Glassbeaks, using just her legs to command the mare. She continued to clutch onto her bow, ready to use it, as her eyes moved to the last Glassbeak. She was surprised that two out of the three were down. There had to be something wrong with them – they were over seven feet tall, large and powerful; too powerful for an inexperienced girls to down. There had to be something wrong with them. Had to. Drawing her bow once again, Mealla sent an arrow towards the last Glassbeak. It missed, plunging into the ground instead, but Mealla did not notice as she drew the next. It missed again, glancing the Glassbeak this time, and the one after that finally hit, though barely, and the one after that, and the one after that, again and again. Six arrows.The Glassbeak went down, thrashing, struggling to rise, and Mealla kicked Andraste towards it. She could feel Andraste tremble beneath her as she dropped her bow and drew her scimitar. She slowed her pace, cautious, wary. The creature might be down, but it still had legs that could break bones, and a beak that could maim. The sword slashed down clumsily, slicing the creature’s throat, leaving a jagged line of red. Again, Mealla did not spare it a glance; she was already moving, already turning, and she learnt to the side and then down, stretching, arching her back, using the yvas and legs to keep her anchored as she picked the bow from the ground – an almost acrobatic move, though that too was not the most graceful. Not like Sama’el. Upright once again, she moved to look at the girl, and, now that the danger was gone, she let loose her tongue, shoving her hair behind her ears, her eyes stormy. “Yes! I called you stupid, and I don’t regret it one bit! I’ll add ‘arrogant’ to that, shall I? Reckless. Impulsive. Foolish. You never, ever lead a predator to a settlement, much less two of them. You cannot guarantee that everyone will be prepared. One mistake is all it takes to lose someone. You should know that as a Drykas.” She stopped beside the other Glassbeak and pointed at an old, infected looking wound at the base of its neck. “It’s a good thing that these were already injured. They clearly got in a fight and were looking for easy prey.” Even so, she was surprised she was still alive. She was surprised she wasn’t badly wounded. Glassbeaks were deadly. “You should be glad you’re not dead!” Her temper had snapped, and she was giving into it. "Because you're petching lucky you're not!" Only then did her attention turn to Ember, and she slipped from Andraste’s back, drawing in a deep, calming breath. “What’s wrong? What happened? You’ve hurt yourself.” It was not a question.

OOCSorry. Just trying to take into account that they’re all still pretty much ranked at novice where skills are concerned.

[Ember Watergrove]

Ember's pain resided in her left foot. Cautiously, she tried to take a step, but her foot painfully gave out as she fell to the ground with a slight wince. Ember looked up at the girls and said, "Yes, I'm hurt. But I feel there's more of a pressuring question at hand: how in the name of the Gods did I just survive Glassbeaks?" Ember tried to stand up again, but her left foot refused to assist her and she once again fell to the ground.

"This is funny." Ember stated. "I've been in the Sea of Grass multiple times but this is the first time I've actually been hurt. Where is the nearest place where we can recover?"

[Scarlett Windsearcher]

OOCSorry about Scarlett. She's a uh- an arrogant bitch sometimes. Scarlett snapped "I can't petching take it anymore! Yeah as I matter of fact I do know how much of a false move one can make! Especially with petching glassbeaks! Everyone's petching gone because of the glassbeaks! My aunt, my uncle, my mother, my father! All petching gone! Gone I say! Foolish? Yeah maybe I was foolish. Foolish enough to save your petching ass from them! And really, Reckless?!? Says the one who went out in the Sea of Grass alone with no experience?!?! You should have more respect for the other clans! Like you have room to gloat, you petching nobody! You act as if you are a damn warrior or something. Well guess what, princess? You're petching wrong! In so many damn ways!" Rocky slowed to a halt once he saw that the glassbeaks were now all dead. Scarlett was faced away from them on Rocky's back, gripping the yvas so tightly her knuckles were snow white. She had to bite her tongue to prevent herself from saying any more and to hold back the tears that threatened to trickle down. She believed tears were a sign of weakness and if she were to break down right here and now, she would assume the other's would think so as well. Scarlett held back the need to sniffle, the want to cry. Her thoughts were directed back to the other Drykas who had fallen. Scarlett turned her head and Rocky followed but instead turned his entire body. The horse held his head as high as possible then heaved a deep breath followed with a snort. He could understand Scarlett was flaming, that she was on the verge of breaking down, and the best way to cheer her up was to act in his best posture. The stallion had his ears pinned back as he swished his tail to ward off the several flies bothering him. "Atleast we own great horses." was all she said. Scarlett could not believe the girl had insulted her as much as to the point where she recalled if it would've been for her, the girl with no horse would be dead and possibly her herself. Scarlett squeezed with her knees once and Rocky almost perfectly walked forward towards the girl. With concern she sighed "Looks broken."

[Mealla Stormsong]

Mealla wished that she could be sympathetic as she spun to face the other girl once more, but she couldn’t; she was still too mad. What was it with sob stories? Everyone had lost someone on the Sea of Grass; it was part of being a Drykas. Death was something they had to live with every day of their lives, and this girl was complaining and whining and using it as an excuse for her behaviour? It was not on. At all. “If that’s the case,” Mealla said instead, her eyes hard as she pushed her hair behind her ears once again and moved to rest a hand on Andraste’s neck – an action she always did when she wanted reassurance, comfort, “then you should have been more cautious about leading petching Glassbeaks to a settlement if you didn't want a repeat! And I have respect for the clans. Oh, I do. What I don’t have respect for is arrogant little girls who don’t think about what they’re doing, and instead lead danger right to their doorways. Have I hurt your pride? Or I have I hit a nerve? Is that why you’re acting like a spoilt brat? Where you hoping I’d hail you as a hero? Praise you for rescuing me?” She snorted. “Not happening. You didn’t think. You endangered more people, more lives. “And I’m of the Watch,” she added, though she did not mention that she was just an apprentice. That bit did not need to be said. “And-” She pulled down the neck of her tunic to reveal the swirling hurricane mark ingrained into her skin, and gave a tight smile, her tone mocking. “Stormwarden.” And the Drykas respected Zulrav. “So, yes, I’m a nobody with no experience whatsoever, oh definitely, but what does that make you? What comes below a nobody, I wonder?” With that said, she turned away, letting her hand fall from Andraste’s neck as she pushed the girl from her thoughts and refocused her attention on Ember. She didn’t think it funny at all. In fact, it was probably the opposite, and she bit her lip, her entire body tense. The breezes had yet to quieten. There was still danger. Still something wrong. “It might just be sprained. Maybe even dislocated.” She didn’t have a clue. She wasn’t a healer; wasn’t one of the Opal Clan. “But it’ll have to be seen to. Hopefully someone within the tents can help us. D’you think you can stand and climb onto my horse’s back if I help you? You can ride Andraste.” And she turned her attention back to the other girl who was still sat on the back of her horse, the mocking smile still on her face. Her temper was still very there, pushing aside her usual friendliness. “Maybe you can help with that? Since you know the ones within. I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to help. “Once you’ve apologised.”

[Ember Watergrove]

As the two girls began to argue, Ember cautiously massaged her left foot as best as she could. She looked over at the Glassbeak who still had the arrow in its leg and sympathized with it. Hopefully Death will be kind to the creature, especially with the life that it lead. Immediately, she scorned herself. What is she doing sympathizing with a petching Glassbeak?! Glassbeaks are killers: cold-hearted killers that have killed hundreds of Drykans, in fact, its a miracle all three of the Drykans and the two Striders are still alive from that ordeal.

The Glassbeak looked back at Ember, and seeing that she was also hurt, began to inch towards her, cautiously and as softly as possible. Ember began to panic. "Uh...guys?" Ember asked quietly, not sure as to the predator's ultimate goal. It looked hungry, and this worried Ember. "Guys?" she asked a little bit louder. However, the girls' argument was getting too loud for them to remember that Ember was down and hurt, save for a few remarks. The Glassbeak's beak now reached Ember's hurt foot, but instead of chomping it, the predator began licking it tenderly. "What?" she asked, surprised and appalled at this strange behavior.

Ember saw the arrow still sticking straight out of the Glassbeak's leg, and without thinking, she reached over and jerked the weapon out of the leg, causing the Glassbeak to shriek in pain.

[Scarlett Windsearcher]

The girl showed Scarlett the mark of which she respected so much. She needed to lock up her pride and throw the key away. Zulrav was the God she admired and loved dearly and for her to have a mark signified that she was within ranks of Zulrav. Scarlett swallowed hard then through bared teeth said "I'm terribly sorry for insulting you. However, why didn't you use a small wind to throw them off our trail or something?" The glassbeak showed no care and the actions it showed were possibly just to get the arrow our of it's leg which of coarse Ember pulled out."Ember! What the petch are you thinking?"Scarlett ran over to the glassbeak but stayed out of striking distance. "It's in misery and there's no way I will try to help or even allow a glassbeak to live if I can help it. I'll do the honors I suppose. Like I said, it was a pack of already injured glassbeaks and this one seems to be the worst of them all. By killing it, we'll put it out of it's misery." Scarlett grabbed her sword and looked at the glassbeak up and down then examined it's body "Take care in the afterlife, bastard." Scarlett raised her sword then stabbed as hard as she could, barely breaking it's underbelly skin. It was jammed into it's skin causing another large shriek of pain from the glassbeak which Scarlett ignored with narrowed eyes "Rocky, back up and kick the sword in as hard as you can." Thank the Gods Drykans' horses understood Pavi or else they'd all be dead. It took two times for Rocky to actually hit the sword's hilt deeply into its flank to cause any serious damage however, the Glassbeak was already suffering from blood loss and was weak. The blow Scarlett dealed had caused the Glassbeak's life to end. However, it's nerves fired off and it lashed out, causing the sword's hilt to seriously injure Scarlett's lower torso from the impact. "We've got to get to the tents over there. Mealla help me get her up. Ember me and you will ride on Rocky if that's alright." she managed to scarff out. Scarlett slowly and painfully walked over to Ember's left side then looked at Mealla.

[Ember Watergrove]

Ember looked back at the now dead Glassbeak and scowled at herself. How dare she sympathize with a killer?! That thing couldn't have possibly had a heart or even a soul for that matter. Why would she think of something like that? Ashamed of her behavior, Ember sheepishly helped herself and reached for both Scarlett and Mealla. Hopefully they could put their petching pride aside and help out a fellow Drykan, or they'd be stuck out here for hours.

[Jackalope]

Ember

Award

Skill	XP Earned	Lore Earned
Observation	+1	Mealla is a Watch Apprentice
Longbow	+1	Better Lucky Than Dead

Inventory: -1 Longbow
+1 Broken Longbow

Injury: Fractured Ankle, recovery time approx 30 days if treated and more strain isn't put on it


Mealla

Award

Skill	XP Earned	Lore Earned
Shortbow	+2	Ember Wanders in the Sea of Grass?
Riding	+1	Better Lucky Than Dead
Observation	+1	Arguing in the Middle of an Attack

Witty Remark Here

Alright guys. If Scarlet hadn't retired, I'd need some serious rewriting on this thread. The situation you guys surivived, well, how you survived it, rather, wouldn't have happened. Looking at you alls skillset, one, let alone three would have tore you apart. I'm not upset about how the thread went, and I've posted a blurb in the OOC about the increase in people taking on glassbeaks and basically getting lucky to survive. Glassbeaks are 300-400 pound 7 to 8 feet tall apex predators. Throwing an arrow at it isn't going to stop it. Swiping an arrow across its face won't stop it. A novice in a bow dealing with the most feared creature on the plains isn't going to drop it.

Like I said, I'm not upset at you guys, it's just something that I'm making a point to enforce. You guys eluded to how dangerous they were, but reading this you'd think they were easy to handle, you know? So basically I'm treating this as a mulligan of sorts. Don't overplay your skills and don't underplay the dangers of these beasts, or the Sea of Grass in general. Future threads will require editing before I'll grade.

All of that negative aside, it was really an enjoyable read. Ember, if you could put a little more detail into things it would be easier to get XP and Lore for you. Keep at it guys, and feel free to PM me and let me know if you want to discuss anything I said. I'm more than happy to open discussion, hear any disagreements or give any clarification you may want. Thanks.