Flashback I'm No Damsel! (Nalik)

[Mihiya Darkmane]

Timestamp: 21st Winter AV 512

A long dark braid whipped behind the copper colored Drykas girl as she urged her dun Strider on faster. She had been riding since she was very young, but this speed could be dangerous for the Drkyas half breed, especially since the wind blew strongly in her face and stole her breath from her. When she finally sat up and slowed her mare, her cheeks were burning from the wind burn. She was deep in the Sea of Grass now, not the best place to be alone, but she had always been interested in exploring, and why delay that.

She laced her fingers through Komali's mane as they trotted along. Briseni had commanded that her adoptive daughter return immediately, but Mihiya had flown from Briseni as quickly as she could. She was born to a woman of adventuring spirit, and Mihiya could not stifle the desire to adventure as well. She knew her family worried for her. Would she ever settle down? That last thought made the girl bark out a laugh.

"Be some man's wench, please!" she exclaimed to the open sky. Her mare snorted in response. The dark colored Endrkyas had desert dweller blood in her, and the cooler whether caused her to shiver as the biting wind cut through the cloak she had draped about her shoulders. She felt slightly guilty that she had neglected to bring a weapon with her. She'd been taught that the Sea of Grass was no place for anyone on their own. An unarmed anyone was at even greater danger.

Finally, the girl shrugged and sat up straighter, scanning the horizon.

"What to do?" she asked the mare. It was still early in the day, but night could sneak up on a person and even though her freedome was valuable, she knew that she could not be out when darkness settled over the grass. She would have to return, and she intended on seeing what ever she could see before that occurred.

[Nalik Fallingleaf]

Timestamp: 21st Winter 512 midday

Nalik had risen early that morning, planning to be finished hunting by midday and have some time to take care or Rivain, she hadn't had a good groom in a while and he wanted to spend some time with her.

The trip had been a relative success, considering it was winter. He had managed to bring down 2 rabbits and a bird he thought seemed familiar but he couldn't remember what kind it was, maybe somebody at The Spit Fire would be able to tell him, at least that's were he was heading.

As he walked through the makeshift streets of the great roaming city, he couldn't help but be affected by the solemn atmosphere that the city was exuding.

The Pox.

It was on everyone's mind. After all why wouldn't it? So many friends, family and loved ones had died already and the pox showed no signs of stopping its relentless onslaught on the nomads. The Drykas were a strong race, usued to hardships and challenges in their life, but this was different. This was something that could not be overcome in the usual way of the Drykas, many people even questione dif it could be overcome at all.

Is this really how it ends? Dying of something that cannot be seen. Cannot be fought, left to just accept you're fate and hope the next life is kinder?

Nalik shook his head tearing his eyes away from a woman, who held a small bundle of linen in her hands tears running freely from her eyes.

No. This will not be the end of the Drykas. We will find a way to beat this sickness, this curse that has been sent upon us. We are strong. We are free. This is who we are. We are not going to be beaten by an enemy too coward to have a physical form. We will fight this.

And we will win

Nalik was so consumed in his own thoughts he did not notice the woman standing in the entrance to the Spit Fire until he was untop off her, his body hitting against her back, causeing her to stumble forwards.

Nalik immediately reached out grabbing the woman's shoulder, steadying her so she didn't fall. The woman turned, an apology already on Naliks lips. She was older than him, maybe twice his age, and there was a sadness under the surface of the look she gave him.

"I am so sorry i did not mean to uproot you like that, i was lost in thought and was not paying attention. Please accept my apology and the truth that i wished you no harm" He accompanied his words with the sign's for apology and regret.

The woman did not respond at first but instead examined him. She seemed to linger momentarily on his kills and the bow slung over his back. At first Nalik thought she was going to ask for one of the rabbits, understandably it was a hard time and food was always more scarce in Winter as it was without the Pox.

Instead the woman surprised him by signing the word 'Hunter' followed by 'Help' and 'please'

Nalik nodded, previous thoughts now lost to curiosity and concern. The women spoke quickly, fear and worry causing her words to cascade from like a waterfall:

"My daughter, Mihiya, she has gone into the Sea of Grass, foolish girl loves to explore. I warned her, I warned her! It's dangerous for one so young, she even left her bow in the pavilion. And the Pox! What if she had that? It comes so suddenly she could be out there somewhere sick and I am here, helpless, left to worry. She doesnt think! She should ahve been back bells ago."

"Please, i do not know the Sea of grass well, but you. You do. Please I beg you go and look for her, we have already lost so many i can't bear to th-think what i would do I-I-If...." Her words trailed of as a stifled sob escaped her lips.

Nalik could not help but feel a lump building up in his own throat, and he had to take a deep breath to steady his emotions.

He might not be able to do anything to aid those with the Pox, but this. This woman he could help.

He didn't take more than the space of a breath to decide and he was soon sprinting through the makeshift streets, the description and vague direction the girl set off in racing through his head. He soon made it to his tent, his breaths long and ragged from running, and emitted a high pitched whistle, knowing that Rivain and Gruff were close enough to hear, dumped his kills inside and waited, bow quiver and dagger all still on him.

Ready.

Both took no more than half a chime to appear and he swiftly mounted Rivain and signed a quick 'follow' to Gruff, wheeled his strider in the direction of the Grass Sea and soon the pitched tents gave way to long grass whipping at Rivains legs as she made her way through at a pace that allowed Nalik to keep an eye out for any tracks made by the young rider and strider.

[Mihiya Darkmane]

It was nice to be alone sometimes, the girl reflected as she swayed on the back of her dun mare. Komali whickered quietly, occasionally snapping a bite of grass as they passed it and chewing it. She stopped the mare entirely, dismounting. The world was full of dangers, this she knew, but the world was a large place where good things could be uncovered. Her mare whickered to her softly as she treaded through the grass, paying no heed to how loudly she stepped. She was not hunting, nor was she trying to keep herself concealed, she was merely walking and looking and touching. She wanted to experience the world fully, and yet her family held her back. Her family and her responsibilities.

"Komali!" she called out and the dun mare stepped from the reeds toward her. She brushed a hand on the nose of the mare and gently stroked underneath the mane, where the mare was the warmest. She shivered, the wind was still biting, though not as noticeable once down from the back of her mare. She let herself be lost in thoughts for awhile before she signed to the mare that she should follow. She stepped forward, once more determined to explore the Sea of Grass.

Perhaps, she was merely unattentive to her surroundings, perhaps it was that she was so taken by the area that she cared little for watching her surroundings, but the girl paid little attention to anything around her. The bells sounded and she ignored them, distantly she could hear the sounds of a bone being broken, some animal perhaps being slaughtered. Even as she walked, she did not listen as closely to more than the wind whistling in the grass.

As if in a trance, she walked on. Exploring, tasting the freedom. She could have walked forever, had she the stamina or the means, she could have lost herself in the Sea of Grass for days, and yet...and yet...she paused. Perhaps it was time to return to Briseni and to her Pavilion, perhaps it was time to turn her back on this Sea of Grass. Still, it called to her, the untamed wilderness, it spoke to her. And if no intervention occurred, it would swallow her up.

[Nalik Fallingleaf]

Nalik had easily spotted were the grass had been trampled down by a horse as he entered were the girls mother had said she left. It was like she wasn't even trying to be carefull.

Reckless.

But after a while The trail was becoming harder to fallow. Fortuanlty the ground was fairly hard due to the cold weather and that meant the hoof prints the girls horse made were left slightly visible on the tramppled grass. They were spaced apart indicating that the girl was travelling at speed.

Well Nalik assumed it was a girl, the fact that she had not taken a well made path helped narrow down the possibilities, and as this was the only track Nalik had seen he assumed it was the girls. He just hoped he was right and that he wasn't too late.

The sea of Grass was so vast she could be anywhere. He just hoped that the tracks remained visible and that this was her's.

He rode as fast as he could whilst being able to keep an eye on the trail, which seemed painfully slow but was ultimately necessary. A couple of times they came across a clearing, a break in the vastness of grass, and Nalik relied on Gruffs sense of smell to pick up the trail again.

I hope Gruff knows what he's doing, i need to spend some more time training him. If only i was sure this was the right trail! I know the sea well but to a point t all looks the same! Damn this girls foolishness! At least she does not seem to be hiding her path.

For now.

He rode on with his hands resting on the grip of his Yvas, pushing gently up in time with the movements of Rivain. Up. Step. Down. Up. Step. Down.

He didn't know how much time had past before he heard faint sounds of rustling grass off to his right. He turned to face , hope lighting up his face. But before he had time to try and peer over the tops of the long grass, a new different noise caught his ear.

Crunching. The faint cry of something in pain.

The feeling of hope was replaced by the sick feeling of despair, and Nalik was torn between which direction to pursue. Hope wanting him to go the way he heard faint rustling, but grim logic saying he should go to the more aggressive noises in case the worse was happening.

Torn as to what to do the Drykas let his frustration out in a loud shout that echoed around the vast grass plain. The one thing he new for sure about the Girl.

Her name.

"MIHIYA!!"

[Mihiya Darkmane]

Her name brought her out of her trance and she jolted. Komali, knowing the name of her mistress nudged her. The masculine voice confused her, it was not that of her brothers' nor was it of the Ankal that ruled over her. It meant the inevitable, Briseni had sent someone out after her. She sighed and mounted. He would find her eventually, no doubt, and it made more sense to come willingly than to fight the inevitable.

Moodily, she nudged her mare's side and started out toward the voice. She made no effort to keep the mare silent, and instead made as much noise as she could, grumbling under her breath. A man had been sent to fetch her. This was unfair. Still, she grew cold and the night would be upon them. It would do no good to die before she had even lived.

"Who are you?" she demanded of the man as she approached him. Definitely Drykas, astride a dun mare. Komali reached out a curious muzzle to the mare, it had been awhile since she had been around other Striders and no doubt the mare appreciated the company. Mihiya sat stiffly, however, and Komali picked up on this wariness.

"Who told you my name? Why have you followed me? Was it my mother, Briseni. I can handle myself, I'm nearly 16...a woman in my own right!" Her body language could not be mistaken, she was riled up, tense and suspicious. She had never met this man. She appraised him.

Long hair, as was custom, a pale brown, much lighter than her own black mane. He was smaller than some of the men she had encountered, but she could not discount the fact that he was still larger than her. Probably capable of hauling her rebellious self back to the city if he so desired. That was, if he could catch her. No, the way he sat in the saddle...he was comfortable. This was his element. She wanted to pout. Briseni had captured her as easily as a snare traps a rabbit once again.

[Nalik Fallingleaf]

Everything about the situation Nalik had somehow got himself in screamed to his better sense. So much noise. Too much noise. No space to hide. No close safety to run to.

Why had he called out! Had he panicked? Had fear really blurred his senses so much that he had bellowed out in the middle of a dangerous, unprotected place?

Foolish.

There would be time to chastise himself later, for now he had to react.

He signaled to Gruff to head towards the noise of confrontation. He hated to use the animal as a 'meat shield' as it were, but his choices were limited and at least the retreating dog would give them slight advanced warning of predators.

Gruff gave only a slight growl and a quick glance at his master before he left skulking slowly through the grass, sniffing the path before him.

Naliks attention was drawn suddenly to rustling, louder this time, again to his right. The grass was tall, even on Rivain he had to push himself up on his Yvas just to see the very tips of the grass. Even then it wasn't enough to give a clear view of what was coming.

He cursed under his breath and shifted Rivian to face the threat, drawing his bow. Even though there was a biting chill in the air Nalik felt sweat building up on his brow, clinging to his flesh and giving an uncomfortable feeling as the wind chilled it.

The noises got louder cutting through the quiet winter air, tension causing the quiet sounds to seem much louder than they were in reality. Cautiously he notched an arrow, his fingers pulling the sling slightly. This would enable him to fire quickly if needed.

It seemed to the Drykas Chimes before the noise was close enough to take shape, when in reality it was less than half a chime. A vague outline in the grass. It was tall whenever it was, he could just see the top breaking through the grass.

Then, like a blister being drained of fluid, the tension was relieved as a high pitched obviously female voice cut through the plains.

I have found you

Relief

The shrill 'who are you?' was fallowed by the young girl astride her steed appearing through the grass just in front of him, almost seeing to flow through the green sea.

The first thing he noticed about the girl was her skin color. Dark. Darker than any Drykas he had seen before. Her hair was long and dark, and kept in a braid that he presumed ran down her back, for he could not see well at this angle. Her Strider was of dun color, like Rivain, but was slightly smaller. Not that this seemed to put the mare off as he curiously reached out towards Rivain, who in turn pressed her muzzle out in a form of greeting.

The girl seemed annoyed, and before he could respond to her first question she through more at him in a flurry of heated words:

'Who told you my name? Why have you followed me? Was it my mother, Briseni. I can handle myself, I'm nearly 16...a woman in my own right!'

She seriously did not appreciate the possibly danger of the situation they were now both in.

Youth!

He looked down at the young girl as he stowed his bow and arrow back into their rightful place and stared at her, annoyance fighting grief for pride of place on his face.

Annoyance won.

"Not now. Not here. Now we must go you have made enough noise to attract predators from miles around. If you were using the senses you were gifted with you would already have picked up warning signs, but instead you blunder through the plains like a newborn babe. I will answer you're questions as we ride, now come we must go".

He finished his rebuke by signing the word for urgency and speed.

He turned and gave a short quick whistle, hoping this would be enough to return Gruff to him. He turned facing the way he came, turning his head towards Mihiya to make sure she was ready to follow.

[Mihiya Darkmane]

She growled under her breath at the man. He may have been older than her, perhaps more experienced, but she still chaffed at being treated like a child. He clearly thought her unintelligent for leaving on her own and she was tempted to point out that he left Endrykas on his own as well.

"Explain," she demanded as they began to ride, quickly for it seemed the man had no desire to remain in the Sea of Grass for any longer than they already had, "I'm assuming you encountered Briseni who sent you out after me, but I do not trust all strangers. So tell me who you are so that you're a stranger no longer." Dark eyes followed the man. He was handsome, she supposed, as most Drykas men were, fit and designed for the hardships that the horseclans faced. She was not immune to the looks of her own kind, but those feelings she considered silly and not worth her time.

"Briseni worries too much," she grumbled after a moment, "she still thinks of me as a child. I'm not a child." The protest was immature even to her own ears and she fell silent for a moment. However, even angry as she was, her curiosity could not be reigned in.

"You are good at tracking," she admitted grudgingly, "What is her name?" She gestured to the Strider as she asked.

[Nalik Fallingleaf]

Nalik sighed with relief as she followed him, some of the tension he felt leaving him.

Good she is not going to put up a fight. Maybe she has seen sense in her actions. I hope Gruff catches up quickly, as stubborn as he is i rather enjoy his company.

He glanced back again, the brisk pace of their ride causing his hair to be blown back into his face.

Still no sign.

He was torn. He wanted to hang back and wait for Gruff but at the same time but some distance between himself and the noises that his hound was sent to investigate. He settled for a speedy canter, Rivain moving beneath him in a fluid motion which Nalik again fell back into time with.

He was torn from his own thoughts by Mihiya who had sidled up beside him and thrown more questions at him.

She was persistent.

'Briseni'. That must have been the woman's name. He had not thought to ask hers. It did't seem important at the time, but it was nice now to put a name to the face.

He felt dark eyes examining him, whilst the girl demanded to know who he was, annoyance clear in her tone. He let her stew in her own since before answering, but as he opened his lips to reply she added:

'Briseni worries too much. She still thinks of me as a child. I'm not a child' She paused as if sensing the immaturness in ehr own words an begrudgingly added 'You're good at tracking' then pointed to Rivain and asked what her name was.

Nalik couldn't help but turn his open mouth upwards into a faint smile at the girls words, full of petulance and immaturity.

Her demeanor betrays her words. She is still young, some allowance should be made for that. However she still needs to be informed how foolish her actions were, however I do not think chastisement is the way to go. I think I need to start answering some of her questions before she starts to get more annoyed than she is already.

He turned his head to face the questioning eyes of the young Drykas, a slight smile still tugging at his lips.

"My name is Nalik Fallingleaf of the Emerald clan. I am a hunter and a tracker, you're mother bumped into me on my way back from a hunt and told me of you're plight. It did not take much persuading for me to help, however on finding you and seeing you clearly have no sense of the dangers surrounding you, i cant help but wonder if I should have left you to you're fate".

Ok so maybe a little chastising.

"Her name is Rivain. May i know the name of you're Strider? She is a nice color and you look comfortable riding her. This is good. Come let us increase our pace slightly i want to get as close to Endrykas as possible before day gives into night"

[Mihiya Darkmane]

He seemed concerned about something as he kept looking back. She wondered if there was something that he had left behind them. She glanced back over her shoulder trying to see if there was anything behind them, and couldn't see anything.

"Nalik," she repeated swirling the name around in her mouth as she said it. Emerald Clan was known for the tracking and hunting adeptness that many Drykas were known for to the outside world. She frowned as Briseni was referred to as her mother. Briseni often called her daughter, but Mihiya would never call her mother.

"Briseni is my adoptive mother," she interjected, "My mother died when I was born and I never knew my father so she adopted me." She winced at his hard words and lowered her head. She had been foolish, but she had been desperate for an escape from her family. The Pavilion seemed overwhelming at times. Especially since her Ankal was considering another wife...

"This is Komali," she murmured, gesturing to the mare who flicked her ears back at her name, "We bonded when I was just a toddler." She smiled at the memory as they cantered along. She was comfortable in the saddle as they continued toward Endrykas. He was right, the city would be much safer than the Sea of Grass at night. She blushed as he complimented her riding skills and her mare.

"Thank you," she murmured, acknowledging his compliment. "Briseni, when she had you find me...did she mention anyone having come down with the pox?" The pox frightened her, as it no doubt frightened most of the Drykas. She wondered how many more would die before the healers found some way to cure it.

[Nalik Fallingleaf]

Nalik frowned as the young girl interrupted him mid speech, only adding to his frustration and therefore the force of his words. Upon finishing his tirade he turned back to face the direction Rivain was travelling, waiting to see the girls reaction.

Silence.

Well it seems i have gotten through to her that her action were reckless and could have cost needless lives. Our lives are so precious at the moment it is stupid needlessly throwing them away.

The wind was rushing swiftly against his face, the crisp air chilling his skin and causing his long hair to flow behind him. He almost missed the faint voice that she spoke with next:

'This is Komali. We bonded when I was just a toddler.'

The confidence and bravado was lost from her voice, giving way to a meekness that Nalik found more appropriate to the situation. A little anger left Nalik's voice as he praised her and her mount, urging them to pick up their pace slightly the long grass buffeting Rivain and him as they forged a path through its clawing embrace.

It wasn't long before Mihiya had another question for Nalik, this time of a more somber nature:

'Briseni, when she had you find me...did she mention anyone having come down with the pox?'

Naliks face hardened immediately, his eyes focused on a point in front of him, not turning to face the question.

To him being in the sea of grass was an escape. Somewhere he could forget about the troubles affecting his people and just be free to enjoy the wilds that Caiyha had created for them.

Her question did not belong in this ideal he had created. It did not belong.

"No"

He said it in a tone that had a distinct finality about it and he nudged Rivain forwards so they were no longer riding side by side.

They rode in silence for almost a bell until Nalik began to recognize some off his surroundings. A fallen tree. A small circular clearing and just beyond.... Yes a stream who's bed is that off white rock. Nalik pulled up just before the stream, not because it was too wide to jump or wade through. No he stopped because he now felt comfortable with were he was, and he knew that they were not far away from the protective enclosure of Endrykas.

They had not traveled back the way he had left, he had been more concerned about leaving than following his tracks but he was pleased that luck appeared to be on his side today. He glanced upwards at the darkening sky, guessing that they had around a bell, maybe a little more, before darkness fell upon them

He looked over his shoulder, locking his eyes onto Mihiyas, and speaking to her in a softer tone than he had previously.

"We are not far from the city now, I know this part of the plains relatively well. I hunt Navira Pigeon's here for they seem to like this area even in winter. The fishing in this stream is also good, and i find its appearance both pleasing and relaxing to behold. We shall stay here for a moment and let our Striders rest. We are slightly safer here."

He looked past her then, eyes searching for any signs of his hound, hoping that this break would give him chance to catch up and find them.