[DQ] Legend of the Blue Elk

by **Alori Sai** on October 3rd, 2013, 1:12 am

Alori burst from the door to the dance club and hurried through the warrens. The challenge had been set and the game was now. It seemed that she was one of the last to hear this news, and the tiny huntress knew that she needed to hurry if she wanted to get a shot at finding this thing herself. The teen Endal hurried on until she was blocked off by a group of dek.

"Petch..."

But there was no time to stand and fuss, she had to hurry back home and meet with Durveth and get the Wind eagle saddled up. Hurrying through the Glass Reverie, she decided to contact her Wind eagle mount early to let her know that she was on her way.

Durveth! Get ready, I just got word of a full herd in the forest. And get this, they say it's being led by a blue elk!!

It was her fault likely, Alori had been so excited, looking out the window and trying to talk to Durveth at the same time that she must have not saw the woman coming. It was a hard clash, and for someone as small as she was, the girl was almost knocked off her feet.

"Why don't you watch where you're going?" She snapped back and frowned, hazel eyes ablaze. She took the bump that the woman gave her as she passed a second time, but not without voicing her opinion first. "Petchin old, dek-licking bag..." She was quick tempered and also quick to loose her focus when she was angry.

Alori? Blue Elk? Durveth called back.

Yea..yea I'm coming, I'll tell you in a tick.

She stopped suddenly, when something on the floor caught her attention. A whistle made from bone, simply laying out in the opening as if it belonged there. Leaning down, Alori picked it up and looked it over. It must have belonged to the old woman. At first she hadn't heard the voice of the girl standing beside her as her thoughts were, for the moment, on the bone whistle. "Huh?" she finally said after looking up to the taller girl.

"This isn't a pleasure trip. I'm going to hunt this thing and it might be dangerous. You sure you wanna put your life on the line?" she asked and folded her arms over her chest. The yasi had mere ticks to answer before Alori would answer for her.

x

by **Turrin** on October 8th, 2013, 3:30 am

Turrin loaded his hunting, camping, and talon sword into his saddle bags. He knew this was going to be a couple days hunt, so he had to be prepared for everything. Sliding his throwing ax into his holster, Turrin got on top of Aponivi and said out loud with a smile, “I feel like I am going to battle...It is a good feeling my friend.” Aponivi contacted him back, “Yes, it will be a fine hunt. Turrin what if the large blue elk is true, will you hunt it?” The Myrian thought about for a few chimes and mental said, “Honestly, it will be a judgment call when I see it, but my faith in Caiyha puts me in a bad situations because if the elk is massive and blue, it must be one of her sacred creations, so I will not touch it unless I want to anger my goddess Caiyha.” Aponivi was silent for a moment and commented, “I knew that you had faith in Myri, but you are just as devoted to Caiyha too...” Turrin loved Caiyha just about as much as the Goddess Queen Myri. The half-Inarta was a man full of faith, and he tried to honor all the gods of his father's people and Eywaat of his mother's people. He wasn't to keen on god Ivak after the Djed Storm of 512AV when his sister and mother were taken away from from the world by Dira.

When Aponivi started to grip move towards the entrance to his aeries, Turrin gripped leaned down and gripped wind eagles feathered neck as the bird of prey jumped off the side of the volcano. The wind eagle dived for about three hundred feet and abruptly opened his wings, so the rider and eagle ascended rapidly into the air. Eventually, the both of them plowed straight through a fluffy cloud, and the rider saw the sky was littered with fluffy wet clouds. The sky was mostly clear accept for the occasional cloud here and there. Turrin looked up and saw fast moving clouds moving in the direction that he needed to go, so he told Aponivi to fly towards them, so they could ride the currents to their destination. When the bird finished his ascent, he leveled out and stretched out his wings and tail wings to ride the current. Turrin sat up, stretched out his back, and said mentally to his friend, “Just keep us steady in the current, and I will tell you when to descend.” Turrin and Aponivi rode the wind as he made his way to the valley. During his flight, he saw large flocks of migrating birds traveling south from northern Kalea. It was a sign of the changing season along with the changing leaves, but the migration of Wind Eagles and riders converging on the valley was even more impressive. The mongrel felt a sense of pride as he watched the Inarta move in mass towards the herd. He knew if they weren't such isolationist. They would be a force to reckon within western Mizahar, but they were peaceful people content on spending the rest of existence in Skyinarta.

When Turrin saw the canyon, he told Aponivi to ascend and bank right. The massive bird turned quickly, so he had to turn his body with the movement of the eagle. The decent was rapid because Aponivi acted like a new fledgeling learning to fly whenever he was flying, so he tended to bank quickly and dive as much as possible. It was irritating at times, but Turrin had six years of getting used to his wind eagle’s quirks. Turrin had Aponivi dodge a few causal fliers who didn't seem to happy with his reckless flying. Eventually the white headed eagle opened his wings and leveled out when he was a couple hundred feet from the top of the canyon. He saw a group of Endals and wind eagles grouped together. Turrin circled them and noticed in the middle of pack was Roskil and Intilya, so he landed Aponivi next to the group and call out in Nari, “Hello Roskil. Fine day for a hunt!” Turrin was greeted coolly by the younger Endal who insulted his heritage and hunting ability in the same sentence. The other Endals in the group started to laugh at his expense, so Turrin smiled at the arrogant petch and said in Nari, “Don't strain yourself with that wit of yours. I don't want you exhausted and falling off your saddle during the hunt.” Turrin leaned forward and continued with a amused grin, “If you need a head start, I don't mind. Just remember you need to put the non metal end of the arrow on the bowstring when you are ready to shoot Big Blue.”

by **Kovac** on October 8th, 2013, 11:47 am

OOCMy apologies for the delay, I promise more diligence in posting!

"Good god's girl, you are strung tighter than a bowstring!" Kovac laughed as Azira flinched at his sudden appearance. The huntress' rebuke was short, the scowl on her pretty face sufficient to express her displeasure at his habit of surprising her. Instead she moved on to the topic buzzing throughout the warrens.

"Yes I know, I heard." Kovac's gaze darted around, still assessing his chances of getting in on the hunt. It was Azira's turn to surprised him with what amounted to an invitation to join forces. He looked at her gilded eyes to ensure she was serious. Two heads, pairs of eyes, and bows, were always better than one. "Uh, yeah, sure, lets go."

"Yeah, chances are shyke for getting a ride out..." Azira had already turned to head off, muttering something about stables. Kovac knitted his brow and hurried after the small Inartan. "Stables? Listen, I don't really ride..."

They strode out near the gateway, where Azira spotted the Chiet and their ponies. Like a mad little wildcat, the huntress stalked towards the group, fiery mane bouncing and fluttering as she stomped up to them. Kovac hastened to pull up by her side as Azira demanded the ponies. When she drew her knife, Kovac saw the crimson stain on the uncleaned blade, eyes darting to Azira with a bit of shock. His hand grabbed the slim wrist holding the knife, giving her a warning look, before turning to the Chiets.

"She is right, we will be taking these..." He confirmed, with a bit of a smile, "...now hurry along, before my friend loses her temper." Releasing Azira's wrist, Kovac looked again down at her. She needed to unwind, find a hunky dek and release some of that tension. But with the knife still in her hand, Kovac thought it wise to keep that thought to himself.

Taking up the reins of the other two mountain ponies, Kovac headed for the gate. "Well, I have to hand it to you Zira, you found us a ride." The half-breed flashed a wry grin at his companion.

x

Scrapbook · by **Harrier** on October 10th, 2013, 1:43 am

Unfortunately for Kian, his skills as a tracker were far too low to be worth the effort to most of the Endal. If he even tried to offer, he would be met with scoffing laughter and told to go back to the ranges and let the real hunters do this. They certainly didn't need him. What was worse was that when he sought the stables after, all of the ponies that were usually used to transport supplies up and down the Sanikas road to Thunder Bay were all gone! All except one.

And it was not one that looked willing to share his back with a pesky human. He was an ebony coated Firemane whose luminescent mane practically burned against its inky cloak. The beast had already been saddled, but the intended rider lay unconscious beneath it, a large, hoof-shaped imprint visible on his skull. The ill-tempered mount scowled at the Inartan and snorted in challenge, even stamping a hoof from where he stood in his stall. Would it be worth it or would finding a much safer means of travel be better? Kian certainly didn't have the skills for such a creature but then...stranger things had happened.

---------------------------------

There was nothing particularly special looking about the whistle. It just had three holes and that was it. But hey, she liked music, maybe it would be entertaining as the tried to get the elk. As for Erade, there was nothing stopping her. Besides, if there was any predators stalking the herd, Alori could always throw the Yasi at them as fodder. Some believe Zynx like green-eyed little girls...

OOC :

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Azira's aggression with the chiet wasn't needed for no sooner did she threaten them than the leader yelped in dismay and practically threw the reins at her, running away shouting something about not pumping the iron before he disappeared. The remaining two looked at each other, at the Avora, offered them a grin that sang 'please don't stab me, crazy hunter lady', and likewise ran off.

They now had a free ride. Too bad Kovac did not have his lover to take him there faster; it was going to be a long ride.

Free of the forced walk the hasty Chiet had put them under, the three ponies seemed to share a look with one another and then proceeded to quickly walk away, the lead ponies lead trailing behind him. Better catch them quickly!

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Roskil glared at Turrin as he responded in kind. The youth turned from them all and made to climb up onto Intilya's back only for the bird to turn his great eyes on the young man and give a mighty hiss, communicating to all around, ~You jabbering chicks couldn't shoot the broadside of a whale. No doubt we eagle will have felled the Blue when it comes in sight long before you stupid lot get near it.~ Intilya laughed at their expense and echoed through the minds of the humans, a few of the other more mature eagles only staring at the silly youth.

This was not a hunt for the birds, but for the Inarta. For all that the young eagle claimed, he was most definitely not going after the Blue; maybe some of the other elk, but let the humans have their fun.

As if to reply to the thoughts and words and hostilities occurring at the entrance, a thunderous BOOM rumbled up from the canyon, the voice of the storm resonating all the way to where Turrin and the others stood and into the skies above. It was a terrible yet inspiring sound that such a mighty voice could rise from that of the Elk.

x

by **Erade** on October 10th, 2013, 4:11 pm

"This isn't a pleasure trip. I'm going to hunt this thing and it might be dangerous. You sure you wanna put your life on the line?"

Erade didnt give it a second thought, she was determined to see this blue beast before some Inartan hunted and killed the poor thing. After her little excursion with Azira earlier this season, she found out she is no hunter.

The yasi mimicked Alori's posture in hope to prove she wasn't scared and just as determined,"Yes, I'm sure. However I need to run back to my room and grab my backpack of supplies. I won't be long I promise. Where do you want me to meet you?"

The teen regained renewed excitement now that she still had a shot of going. It all depended on this Endal just saying yes. Erade could barely hold still while she waited for an answer.

by **Alori Sai** on October 13th, 2013, 5:54 am

Alori could see the determination in the eyes of the yasi and she knew that look all too well. It was the burning desire that sparked ambition, and that was something she also knew a lot about. It was that kind of passion that drove her to be the person she had become, and she couldn't say no to someone who shared that ambition. "Alright you can come. Just..." she paused a tick, her gaze falling onto the whistle again. Alori really didn't mind bringing the girl along, but Durveth was an odd and moody Wind eagle.

No..she heard the voice ring inside her mind.

Oh come on, it's just one extra person?

No..

Durveth! It's only for one time.

No...

Gods... you're just... Okay, I'll make you a deal. If we get the blue elk, I'll write you a song about it. Deal?

......

You better hurry up and get here, you'll need the harness this time, and there's no dek here to help me into it.

Alright I'm coming.

The teen sighed softly and looked to the taller girl again. "Meet me in the courtyard, I'll be there in a bit so hurry!" Tucking the whistle into her pocket, Alori rushed off to her aeries quickly. It was good that the herd had been spotted and with so many hunters out to find them, the city would have plenty of meat. But the little huntress was going for the fame, she wanted the elk, wanted to claim that prize for herself. What better way to prove that she had gotten better as a hunter than to bag such a prize before all the rest.

Rounding the corner to her home, she shoved the door opened and raced inside. Skye squawked his usual greeting, but Alori didn't stop to chat and rushed in to gather her bow, quiver, and hunting knife, before going into the chamber where Durveth waited for her. Upon opening the door, the teen was in for a small surprise. There stood Durveth, fully dressed in her harness and all, with a dek lurking nearby.

Surprise! the Wind eagle added before chucking her beak.

"Petch yes!" Alori squealed, racing up and climbing aboard. Sitting up top, she pulled her archery glove on tightly and gripped the reins on the harness firmly. "Okay, let's go!" The eagle thrust her wings slightly, preparing for the move to leave the nest. Booted leg pushing off to grip the stone bridged perch, before she lifted off and out of the aeries. The winds quickly picked up and began tossing the girl's hair about, and it was then that she realized that she hadn't tied her hair back. Durveth soared into a turn, beating her wings every few ticks to allow her to glide around the mountainside.

Where's the dek chick?

She's not a dek, she's a yasi.

Same thing to me.

Durveth! Will you behave.

The Wind eagle soared lower, circling the large area before she descended upon the courtyard. Other Endal and their mounts were also taking off, some with hunters and others alone. Alori gently petted the feathers on Durveth's back as they waited for the yasi. Once she arrived, the teen would help her on and it was off to the canyon.

x

by **Erade** on October 14th, 2013, 7:56 pm

Erade couldn't believe her ears and good fortune. The Endal had agreed to take her along. Bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet, she let out a excited squeal and seriously thought about hugging the other girl but held the urge at bay. Probably wouldn't be a good idea to hug strangers.

The other girl seemed to be having a mental war with herself not realizing she was making slight faces to each part of the small argument. The yasi realized she must have been talking to her bonded Wind Eagle and was amazed that the comunication link could be carried out at such distances. Erade was unsure if she was being rude or not because she was slightly staring but the teen couldn't quite help it. Once it seemed like it was over and Alori had won, she informed Erade to meet in the courtyard and to hurry.

"THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I won't be long!" Erade yelled over her shoulder as she hurried away as fast as she could on a still healing sprained ankle. The teen was used to running through the Inner Warrens but it was odd to see them void of other Inartans. Odd as it was, she was glad there was no one to hinder her by bumping into her or blocking the way.

She reached her room and was glad everything she needed was already packed in her backpack and her bow and quiver resting against it. Pulling her vinati and katinu on, she hurriedly blew kisses to Noralth, with supplies in hand and rushed to the courtyard.

Erade's excitement pushed her faster and to the Courtyard. Reaching it in probably record time, she looked around. Shouldn't be too hard to spot a giant eagle and its rider, right? Her ankle was starting to hurt with a dull throb so Erade stood there like a flamingo to ease the pain some. Ran entirely too much in such a short time, hope this wont cause further problems later on.

by **Turrin** on October 18th, 2013, 2:58 am

Aponivi turned his head to the young wind eagle can sent a communication to just the wind eagles, ~Intilya, do you realize that you are the only one laughing at your joke. Please don't rile up the humans. You know how emotional our human's can be at times.~

Turrin laughed out loud at the wind eagle's joke and said with a smirk towards Roskil, “By Eywaat's tail feathers! Even Intilya doesn't have faith in you. Maybe I should give you a ten mile head start, so you can have some time for a few warm up shots before. You go after Big Blue...”

Aponivi inwardly groaned to himself and contacted Intilya again, ~OK...I stand corrected one person found your joke amusing. Eywaat help me! Why did I bond with a Myrian...~

Turrin wasn't the kind of man to back down from a challenge. Especially, a rider barely old enough to leave the Yasi Quarter. The half-Myrian had no personal issue with the youth even though the young man clearly had a problem with him. Turrin just wanted the young Endal to know that he wasn't intimidated by him in the slightest. He noticed with the male Endals that they have a tendency to “display their feathers” so to speak if they feel threatened, or want to display dominance over another Endal or person. Turrin never noticed it much in the female Endal ranks, but he was a male, so the females could treat each other differently and “display their feathers” in other ways. The half-Myrian knew the young man was trying to prove himself to the rest of the group too, so he decided to send out a peace offering.

Turrin looked at Roskil and said trying to bury the hatchet, “When we are finished with the hunt, I will help you mount those antlers on your wall, Roskil. Do we have a deal?”

After a couple chimes of silence, Turrin looked at the other riders, Roskil, and asked, “Did anyone scout out the herd? Do we have a general location of Big Blue?”

The half-Myrian wanted to know what he was getting into before he started to hunt a giant blue elk. He had a uneasy feeling about the situation since the elk could be a servant of Caiyha. However, he didn't want to let his brothers and sisters in arm go off into battle without him, so for the sake of loyalty to his brethren, Turrin will hunt the great beast with them. Suddenly, Turrin heard a mighty voice in the wind that sounded like a thunder. However, it clearly uttered words for all of the riders to understand. Could this voice be the voice of the elk? Turrin stopped and stayed silent as the voice was clearly directed at the Inarta converging on the valley. Putting a reassuring hand on the side of Aponivi neck, Turrin sat there and listened to the disembodied voice of the Blue Elk.

by **Azira** on October 21st, 2013, 3:02 pm

The huntress shot her companion a smug look as the Chiet ran for their lives. At least her bullying had guaranteed a ride for them, what had Kovac intended to do? Not much judging by his behaviour. What had he thought she'd do? Stab them? She wouldn't have actually caused them any real harm or anything but he seemed to think that was her intention. Thanks, Kovac, she thought bitterly as she wiped the blade on her bryda, clearing it of the blood that stained the metal.

Azira hadn't been paying that much attention and so hadn't noticed that the ponies were trying to make their escapes just as the Chiet had. She jogged after them, dragging at the reins of the nearest one. She was not cut out to work with equines.

"Ah pony no! You aren't going anywhere, do you hear me?" she shouted in the animal's ear as it proceeded to drag her along. She dug her heels in, not willing to allow the creature to get the better of her. Knowing that the creature was too strong for her, she let go, took a few steps back and ran at it, flinging herself at the pony's back. The Avora managed to land on its back and managed not to fall off by holding on for dear life.

It certainly didn't want her there.

"Grab a pony, Kovac!" she called over her shoulder as she tried to keep ahold of the creature with her thighs while holding the reins tightly.

x

by **Kovac** on October 24th, 2013, 3:40 pm

Azira had secured the ponies quickly, and in her usually charming manner. Kovac gave her a brief scowl, the disdain on her face adequate to reveal what she thought of his part in the acquisition. But the half-vanthan's dour features faded quickly as he watched the young huntress dash off after the wandering ponies, one of them dragging her along. He laughed, and jogged after her, grabbing the reins of the other two animals and tugging on them to halt.

Kovac had only ridden a couple of times, both of them following other, experienced riders. So he tried to remember how to mount the pony as he stuck a boot in the stirrup. Grasping the horn and the back of the saddle, he vaulted up, managing to get his other leg on the animals back, the gear on his back threatening to slip off as he hung to the beast. Then Kovac pulled himself awkwardly up until he was in the saddle. Wiggling his back side to settle into the leather seat, he slipped his other foot into the stirrup and took the reins in one hand. The third pony started to wander again, but the mongrel stretched out far enough to grab its reins as well. They would need the third beast to carry back anything they managed to take down.

"Alright gorgeous," he teased Azira, "We need to make time. These little horses will still make better time down the road to the pass then the caravan wagons. Maybe even find some short cuts, they are pretty sure-footed." He lead the spare pony out of Wind Reach and onto the stone Sanikas Road, the Pass below them, the vast expanse of the Unforgiving before them, and a number of Wind Eagles overhead, heading out to search for the mysterious herd of elk.

Quest [DQ] Legend of the Blue Elk