Quest [Regional Quest] Stranded

[Arandolya]

"I can handle myself." The tone was blunt and frustrated, though Arandolya only raised a brow. The other one only sprayed them with loose gravel before storming off. She frowned after this one, and shook her head slightly. There were too many here just trying to prove themselves, and not enough with a clear mind. The other young woman dropped it all the same - Arandolya really wished she knew their names! - something Arandolya had to applaud her for, as the outspoken Inarta rarely let something go that they believed 'threatened their honor' or something of the like. "All right let's just move on." After a brief pause, their eyes swiveled to the young man climbing, Ardal did she call him? "Do you think you think you can handle it? It's your judgement on this one. You are an adult after all." The stress of the word caused Arandolya to chuckle under her breath, though she kept her gaze on Ardal, who climbed with hesitance but general accuracy.

The redhead turned to look down at them, and his gaze was determined as he called down, "My whole life ... no one ever believed in me; no one gave me a chance to be an Avora; and no one thinks I can do this. I have been climbing the wall of the city my whole life. I volunteered to aid my city, and that’s what I’m going to do." He added something else in Common, though Arandolya only caught a small portion of it, enough to scramble together he would keep going. Another one more determined to prove their worth than anything else, she thought. All the same, Arandolya inclined her head all the same.
"I don't believe we can stop him as he's already quite high up, and only pray Priskil sees him safely," she murmured to the Chiet beside her, casting her amber gaze to the woman briefly before smiling and departing. There was no need for her to idle around and anxious watch the boy climb.

Moving off, Arandolya listened as ideas were thrown back and forth, revolving around the idea of moving the boulders. She had to admit, though Ardal might be able to get a rope over, some of them would not be able to climb. And the horses, how were they to get over? It seemed the young man wished to do something, and she saw no harm in allowing him to try. Maybe it would give him a small measure of confidence that would make him more perceptive later.

"Before we start pushing around boulders, and dismantling the place, why don't we see if Ardal can reach the top. We don't want to disturb something down here that could harm him up there," Arandolya said, pitching her voice over the general noise. "Trying all these different ideas is just going to end up with someone getting harmed, we need to decide on one, and stick with it before moving to another," she continued. Looking to the female who had offered the services of her Windrunner, Arandolya paused, taking a moment to ensure she translated the Common correctly; she'd forgotten not everyone here would be fluent in Nari."I ... do not thought ... ah, think, going all the way back to Wind Reach ... would help; we ... just have more people in, um, this ... narrow space, and more chance of something happening. Even a wing of Endals ... hard time lift ... lifting, some of those rocks, also, we, um, would have to create some sort of ... stringed hold, oh, net for them to actually move it with," she said in a softer voice in her broken Common shrugging lightly. "It is good ... to know we have a fast horse here ... in case going to Wind Reach ends up being ... best option."

Arandolya leaned her weight on her heels, and looked around herself to the bustling Inartas. She wasn't sure if she was being heard, but finished anyways, speaking in Common for the benefit of others, "Before going into action, let us get ... plan first?" Looking to Kaden, Arandolya tilted her head slightly, either waiting for him to agree, disagree, or just order them on what to do.

[Whimsy]

If there was one good thing to be said for the Inartan people, it was that they were driven. If there was a bad thing to be said, it was that that drivenness didn't always work in sync with others. Kaden watched, with impassive expression and a sinking heart, as his team of volunteers descended into a mess of individual action and thoughtless reaction. Iosha wandered off in her own direction, starting her own plan, expecting others to follow. Elna suggested a plan: one that had merit, no less, but one that Ardal took and ran away with, as fast as he could, so that none could catch him. The others stood around and watched, either silent and brooding, or red-faced and yelling. The only ones who had any sort of control or composure were those he had set with specific tasks.

Still, though, he did not intervene. This was his group to work with, whether the Valintar should like it or not. With his arms crossed, he stayed silent, and watched in wait. Hoping one individual would step forward and become a natural leader, one that they all could follow. Ever, though, was the Valintar conscious of Thunder Bay, and the destruction that may be awaiting them there.

He watched Ardal climb, loosely and without precise skill, and waited for him to fall. It was inevitable: the boy had not enough skill and experience to be able to climb this pile of rubble. Still, if the boy should fall to his death or certain injury, so be it: this was Wind Reach, and the Inarta would push themselves beyond boundaries until they hit a wall, or were killed.

Ever through the squabble of the different ideas and personalities in front of him, Kaden was conscious of the Wind Eagle that soared above the group, with Alori and Ishgrameer by his side. Breaking into his mind, Kaden heard Sira's voice echoing through recesses, relaying messages and information with ease. And what he heard made his heart pump faster. Silence and waiting were no longer called for: action and leadership were what mattered now.

"All of you, HALT!" Kaden's voice commanded such presence and demanded to be heeded, as he spoke to the rabble-rousing group before him. "Enough fighting and squabbling like children. Sira has just informed me that the rockfall on the other side is not as dangerous as this, but that something lurks there, in the trees." For anyone who knew anything of the animals of Kalea, that should have been enough to make the blood run cold. Sure, it was close to Wind Reach and its settlements, but that did not mean the very brave predators were too fearful to venture close.

Sira, return, and tell Ishgrameer to stay out and vigilant. Leave Alori with her bow and arrows to protect the group. Kaden called for the Wind Eagle in his mind, asking the majestic beast to return to the group in their hour of need.

Kaden raised his voice, and projected his thoughts at the same time, so that the Wind Eagle and the group both could hear him. He spoke quickly, aware that they could waste no more time. "All those with experience in weaponry or combat, step forward now. Sira will fly you over the rubble and place you where she deems best to defend against whatever lies out there. The rest of you without skills in weapons, or not enough to fight against the dangerous, stay with the horses and the Dek: use their strength to pull a path from the rubble that the rest of us may climb through. And quickly, quickly!" As the rest of the group sprung into action, he yelled up to Ardal.

"Keep climbing, boy! Reach the top and throw us down the rope, then begin moving rocks! Don't fall!" Kaden turned, and with a swift swirl of his cape, began to help those who remained behind clear a path through the rubble.

And on the other side, two full grown Yanus lay in wait, ready to defend their four Yanus chicks: young, but fast and poisonous. With just Alori set down on the other side, and Ishgrameer hovering close-by, one of the Yanus, large and colourful, darted from the trees and took to the skies, hovering in front of the tree-line, where the chicks lay in wait. A terrible cry let forth, a warning: a tense moment, and he could attack at any time.
.

[Ishgrameer Windwalker]

From where he was perched atop the rocks, Ishgrameer could hear with strange clarity the power and authority that rang through Kaden's words. He was truly a man befitting of his title and position among his people. Sira had departed from his side, leaving him and Alori behind to keep watch over the group, and whatever yet stirred in the trees beyond. It was then that it all changed.

The rainbow hued feathers shimmered with the rays of the sun. The piercing screech raged upon the wind. A warning. Yanus. He had grown up in fear of these birds. While not to most dangerous creature to be found prowling the wilds it still held its on set of dangers. Where there was one there was bound to be another. Mates likely. He wondered if they had chicks, or were simply trying to be provoking given their nature. He felt a predatory urge flood through his bones, and his blood. It was a urge to establish supremacy among the creatures who took to the skies. Alori would surely be readying her bow in preparation for an attack, and given the venom of the Yanu, she would do well not to miss. He took to the air beside Alori, and a little bit ahead of her, while still keeping distance from the Yanus.

He loosed a series of screeches. Warnings of his own. Stay back, more or less towards the Yanus. He did not have his bow, and so until Iosha made her way over the rubble to give it to him, he would have to rely on his other means of defense. He would have to be careful, for if it came down to melee, he would have to be careful of the poison. It was a dangerous predicament they were in, for the Yanus could simply acid spray anyone who was trying to get over the rubble.

They needed to move with haste. He flew quickly back within site of the group below, and loosed a screech. Something to the effect of Hurry!. Then returned to his guard position ahead of Alori, and higher up in the air. He would guard her, and the group with his life if it came down to it. He just hoped they would hurry, they needed numbers now. Numbers and bows.

[Kane]

The sudden shout from the Valintar was startling. Something was approaching from the other side of the rocks. Well that’s never good. Kane climbed off his horse, keeping a hold on the reins. It seemed the whole situation just went from bad to worse and solutions were needed now. So they had to move fast. He could work with that. He gazed at the landslide, assessing it again, and with a more critical eye. His brain went into overdrive, as it often did when the situation turned dire. This was good though. This was when he did his best work. Kane turned back towards the others. He wasn’t sure who all was staying and who was going to fight, so he spoke loud enough for the whole group to hear. “I have a plan for those of us moving the boulders.” Speaking with confidence, he tried to emulate the powerful tone he’d seen his father give when he spoke to his fellow knights. It always seemed to aid him in gaining others trust. “If someone can find another rock like this one...” He reached down, picking up a rock that fit comfortably in his hand. “We can secure a rope to both of them. The weakest spot in those rocks is the area where two of the large rocks meet.” Turning, he pointed up at the top of the rockslide. Kane flinched at the sudden screech from the Kelvic, before continuing to speak. Now was not the time to let his discomfort of birds get in the way of his thoughts. Besides, the screech sounded desperate. Whatever was on the other side of those rocks was bad. “We can throw these on both sides of a single boulder, where they meet the others. And then if we pull, we should be able to pull down at least three boulders at once. Or at least shift them and make them easier to move.” Nodding to himself, he turned his plan over in his mind for a tick. It was the best way he could think of to clear the way. It had the biggest effect with the least amount of effort. Efficient. Though not without a certain amount risk. Kane faced back towards the others, focusing his gaze on the Dek. “Also, you guys are gonna want to use your longest rope. Cause when those things go down, you don’t want to be anywhere near them.”

[Elna]

It hurt Elna to hear Kaden referring to her as childlike. Like usual, in her attempts to try and make herself look good she's came out looking worse than before. However, she couldn't let her mind linger on those words when his next ones created a more immediate priority. They were about to be in for a fight, so it seems taking the group's collective time in getting past the pile was no longer an option.

There really wasn't much Elna could do in a fight, she still couldn't hit stationary targets reliably, never-mind moving ones. Her bow was really only brought along in the case of a real emergency. With a practical firing squad of better archers, there was really no need to waist Endal Sira's time by getting her up there. She would need to stay with the ground team.

One of the outsiders started calling out an idea for moving the rocks. Elna was going to have to put her distrust in foreigners away for a moment and help him out. Seagdhl started flapping his wings in a panic from the all the rucus. Elna was going to need to put him aside before she could start looking for the properly shaped rock. She took a few steps towards a low hanging branch and removed his hood. She tapping on the branch, instructing him to move on to it. Seagdhl was having none of it however, and simply continued flapping and screeching on her forearm.

"Come on, Seagdhl. Now isn't the time to be stubborn." Unfortunately, his proper lack of training, and her low end knowledge of falconry, was making Seagdhl more of a burden then an asset. Eventually he flew away on him own, high up on an entirely different tree. "Fine, be that way. Just stay put." She told him before turn to look for a proper rock.

Her eyes swept over the ground looking for a match. Her head turning like a pendulum in a frantic effort until her sight locked on one that seemed to fit the need. She snatched it up and scampered over to the outsider with the plan. "How's this, will it work?" She asked him using Nari, looking up at him with cautious hope.

[Eilea]

As the Valintar spoke, Eilea's body tensed. There was something out there, something threatening the city. Something threatening the people. Something threatening those that she cared for. The hair on the back of her neck rose. She ran her hand through her short, dark, black and shimmery purple cropped hair out of nervousness. “Oh great...” She whispered in Vani. Immediately, she led her horse towards Kane as she listened to the orders. She knew that she could fight if it came down to it, but her skills weren't the best. But she could help out. She took her bags and secured them against the saddle and saddle bags on Wine's back. "Come on girl, I know what to do." She urged, stopping close to Kane. “Kane!” She spoke softly when he looked at her and touched his shoulder. “I'm going to take to the fight. Please care for Wine, keep her near you and Ansel.” She handed him the reins after he nodded an agreement. “You know how important she is to me. About as important as you are.” She smiled, speaking common with her accented musical voice. “And please, my dear, be safe. And don't let get hurt, okay?” She said the last bit in Vani, but she knew he'd understand her, or at least what she meant. They spent enough time together, after all. The young Vantha moved smiled at Kane, before turning on her heels and moving quickly towards the Valintar. “Sir,” She began in Nari, using the small amount of the language that she knew, “Let me fight! I know not every thing, but I can shoot.” She messed up with bits of the whistles in the language, but hoped the message would come across clearly. She wanted it to be known that she was with Wind Reach in everything. It was her home. She held her short bow to her side, with only her quiver of arrows strapped across her back, then looked up. As the Valintar went to help the others clear the path, she looked around for those others willing to fight. “Let us do this thing." She said to herself and anyone that was near. But how will we get up there? The woman looked around, carefully studying the surroundings. They had to act quickly. She looked up towards the sky, taking in a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. How was she going to get up there? Climb? The Vantha swallowed. Her eyes glowed a blue green tone and she looked to where the Inarta boy had been climbing. Excitement flooded her veins. I could climb. Yeah... I could climb. She swung her bow over her shoulder and moved to the rocks near the side. The girl looked towards anyone near by. "I am going to try to climb up, like he is!" She gestured to Ardal as she spoke in Nari. "Could someone spot for me?" She asked, but before waiting for an answer, her hands reached above her and slowly, stepping carefully. I can do this! Using her arms and legs to support her, she began to move upwards. NoticeI talked to Kane before posting

[Arandolya]

It seemed Kaden was indeed going to order them, as his authoritative voice rang out, "All of you, HALT!" They, of course, all froze. "Enough fighting and squabbling like children. Sira has just informed me that the rockfall on the other side is not as dangerous as this, but that something lurks there, in the trees," he continued. Arandolya's hand clenched around her bow at the thought, and her eyes narrowed. What threatened them now?

"All those with experience in weaponry or combat, step forward now." Arandolya hesitated, wary of offering her bow only to find out what needed to by fought might come close to the point she wouldn't be able to shoot. Vowing to train herself in a talon sword, Arandolya took a step forwards.
"I can help, perhaps this creature can be taken down with some arrows," she said hesitantly, shifting from one foot to the other. The young woman looked to Trith who fluttered upwards and disappeared past the barrier of rocks, trilling a sharp song as she flew. Turning her gaze to Kaden, Arandolya bowed her head slightly and then moved off to help organize the Dek, wanting to make herself useful until Sira was able to lift them over.

A man's clear voice called over the din that had risen once more, and Arandolya turned to face the man. Not Inarta, that was for sure. Or a mix, like Kovac was. She blinked at him as he offered a tactical plan, nodding agreement to the logic. The young woman from before was quick to respond to it, and others that were part of the ground team began to move. It was becoming a bustling hub of activity once more, and Arandolya blinked as she struggled not to drown in it. "Can someone spot for me?" Another climber? This one was a woman, who didn't seem to realize nothing could break her fall if she tripped at that height. She was one of those who offered to fight as well.
"Ah, maybe you should wait until Endal Sira is able to lift you over," Arandolya called up, running a hand through her hair as she looked up to the woman.

[Ardal]

He continued to climb he was well past the point that if he fell he’d surely brake his legs if he fell or even perish. He had to push that to the back of his mind now; he was nearly at the top. The Valintar shouted commands and words of encouragement but he was too focused to hear him he just kept on climbing he heard the plans to attach it to the horses that Kane proposed and it would be easier and safer than his original idea to have people climb over with aid of the rope.

Closer still to the top the rocks were looser than before without the weight of the other stones to hold them down he reached for the and once he grabbed hold the rock slipped and shifted the pile causing stones to fall and his grip to slide. His heart was racing with terror as he thought his life would be forfeit. He only slid a few inches but it felt like hundreds of feet in his mind. He took a minute clutching the cold stone wall as if he was a frightened child holding on to his mother for protection and warmth. “Why did I do this? My new found bravery will kill me! I should of stayed home.” He thought to himself. He took a moment to catch his breath and regain his senses before moving the last few shaky feet having more fist sized stones fall until he reached the top.

He was terrified but victorious. Out of breath he shouted to the group below in the best Common he could muster “I am go to put on the rope to… so the horses can make it fall now!” He saw the Yanus on the other side. However he left his bow at the bottom so he’d not be able to help fight from the height advantage he had so he just made himself as unthreatening as possible hoping they not bother him if he didn’t bother them they had more important problems with others who were actually attacking them after all.

He started by making a simple loop he’s seen others do many times before but never did himself. He lowered the loop and put it around a large boulder that looked like it could take it a good size of the blockage down with it. The loop tightened as he slid it over and tugged. He gave a few strong to make sure it was tight and it unraveled as he did so. “Aw fletch!” he swore, “it’s not a complicated knot it can’t be that hard.” He tried a few more times to make the loop and several failures later it seemed to finally hold.

He dropped it to the other side where the others were waiting in common “tie this to the horses if you can” that’s when he noticed Eilea he’d seen her face before in the town but did not know a name to place with it. she was an outsider so he assumed that she would know common better than Nari. “Hey you! It too much danger up here! I was lucky to hold my life! so be safe; no climb.” he lied out on top of the pile not wanting to climb down and fall to his certain death and just waited until Sira was done with bringing people to the other side to fight. He shouted to Sira “Excuse me! Madam Endal, is it okay if you help me down once it becomes convenient for you to do so?” he sat still not wanting to have it shift or slide under him until he could be rescued.

[Eilea]

No one could argue that Eilea was a patient person. Hence, the whole reason she was climbing. She didn't want to have to rely on anyone. She didn't want to wait on anyone. When people objected, one from above and one from below, she felt herself hesitate, and her grip on one of the rocks faltered. Her fingers of her right hand lost ahold of the edge. She swung back, the body twisting, trying to balance herself against the side of the rocks. She let out a cry, then used all the strength she could muster to move back, her right hand extending to find another piece of rock. Once she found one securely enough, she moved one of her feet up to find a better place to balance herself. The Vantha made a point to notice that Ardal had made the climb to the top. She narrowed her eyes, with the mentality that if he could do it, she could too. “I will be okay!” Eilea called up to him in common, and took another step, moving very carefully as she did. Truth be told, she was startign to question her ability to climb. “I'll be okay.” She repeated to herself in Vani, trying to keep herself in line. Then, as she reached up to grab ahold of another spot, her foot slipped and her hands scrapped against the side of the rock hill as she began to fall. The drop was only a couple feet until she was able to grab ahold of something else. The Vantha knocked her head against the side, leaving a small trail of blood right above her right eye. She let out an annoyed sigh, before looking down, at the people a bit below her. “Yeah, waiting for Sira WOULD have been a better idea.” She confessed, loud enough to be heard, but it was mostly meant to chastise herself. Eilea looked up. “Now, it's just waiting.” She glanced around at the rocks, trying to see if there were any places she could go, but nothing looked stable enough for her. She sighed, and leaned in, towards the rocks and just decided she'd have to wait. Trying to move could end with her falling to her death. “I'm so stupid.” She spoke to herself again.

[Aradia]

Aradia stood around looking at the people going off in different directions, some yelling at others, and she was not sure what to do. So, she stayed silent, waiting for a plan for action. Becoming lost in her own thoughts, as she stared at the pile of rubble, wondering what course of action would be best to make a path. The Singer’s silent reverie was soon broken, with a loud voice that seemed to rattle her bones. Aradia jumped up and yelped slightly, as the commanding voice made silence in its wake. The Singer gulped, and turned around, giving Kaden her full attention. His comments made her frown slightly, but it was understandable. The group was not acting very maturely about the matter she supposed, but she nodded her head, a little frightened as to what exactly lurked in the trees on the other side. Kaden wanted those experienced in a weapon to go to the other side, and take down what ever was there waiting. Aradia was torn between staying and helping with the rock pile, and going over the wall to help fight. She was only a novice at the short bow, she was not sure how much help that would actually be, or if it would only be a hinderance. The Singer chewed on her lower lip, as she watched Sira fly people over the rubble. Aradia decided that whatever creature was there, may be dangerous, and at that thought she heard a cry bellow out, echoing against the rocks, making all around her go silent for a moment, or maybe it was just her heart in her chest pounding so hard she couldn’t hear, either way, it was time for action. She would only be a hinderance with the creatures more than likely, so she would stay with the Dek and help them make a pathway, hopefully they would be able to make one soon, and get on their way instead of being trapped, easy prey for the predators crying out. Aradia inhaled a deep breath and walked over towards the group staying behind, listening to a dark haired male she had never seen before, nor knew his name, explain that he needed a rock the same size as what was in his palm. Aradia nodded her head, ”I will go look for the rock, if the rest of you can find some long rope so we do not become flattened by the rocks.” The Singer said in a soft tone, giving a smile she went to the rock pile, shifting through various piles of rock, until she found the size the male wanted. She lifted it up with both hands, since his hands appeared larger, it would make since it fit his palm better than her own rather small palms. She set the rock down beside the dark haired male, ”Alright, found the rock, since it seems you are taking the authority of this group, what would you like to do now?” Aradia asked in a friendly tone. She was glad to see someone step up and lead them, Aradia could be a leader if she wanted to be, but the fact remained that she preferred to be told what to do, so she did not royally screw things up. Aradia took a step back, and watched as Kane put his plan in motion, stepping further back, just in case the rocks were more unsteady then they assumed.