[Bronze Woods] Wrought with Worry II

by **Noah Amuel** on February 5th, 2014, 12:52 am

Noah's gaze lingered on the women down below as he circled above them. He was focused on them so much that he had failed to see the lumbering bear sauntering in their direction. His heart dropped out of the sky and he almost called out in warning. There was no way he'd be able to fight a bear, he had barely escaped a lynx the size of that bear. If he hadn't taken the chance to fly upwards at that moment he'd be the lynx's next meal, blood on the dire beast's jowls. Mentally, he shuddered at that thought. It made him queasy.

Still he focused on the bear, swooping low now should his assistance be needed but regret filled his throat as the thoughts of sacrificing himself came to mind. Would he have the courage to do that? To end his life that had only just began, independent of the influences from his family: father, mother, brothers, and sisters. Undecidedly, he was not. He'd help but he would not die. The decision made him feel uneasy, did he feel guilty for being selfish? Everyone had the right to be selfish one time or another... right? It was his life after all. But on the other hand, it was theirs too.

Luckily for Noah these thoughts were unneeded as the bear stood on it's haunches, sniffing the air. The beast wasn't that far away from the girls but its interest led it elsewhere. It wobbled onward and after a silent moment Oriah and Altaira followed. Noah wondered the motive of their actions but kept his opinion reserved as he descended to hug the bare branches of trees, following the women closely, and quietly. The beating of his wings could possibly be heard but his voice remained unspoken.

Ahead Noah could see the bear digging at the thawing ground before reaching in with his muzzle. The Kelvic couldn't see what the bear was doing but he made a guess and that guess led him to an inference of what Altaira and Oriah were doing, they had hoped to follow the bear to find the herbs that they had been seeking and the bear was helping them do that. Noah couldn't help but a be a little jealous, some wild animal was doing something he had hoped he would be able to do, yet he lacked the proper knowledge to help them adequately -- not knowing an herb from a tree's leaves and all.

He perched himself on a branch nearby, overlooking the area Oriah and Altaira were approaching. He settled and coddled his wings close to his body for warmth, watching them curiously. Once they came he cooed, letting them know of his presence. He observed as Altaira came to the hole the bear had dug and from that hole she pulled a ravaged collection of green, a plant that he couldn't identify. Is that what their looking for? Noah wondered, ruffling his feathers to produce heat. He knew, however, that they couldn't possibly used that worn and ragged plant for their concoctions, thus they needed to find more. Possibly a source? He didn't know how plants worked. Mentally, he shrugged and kept about his quiet thoughts.

He toyed with the possibility of a nap, if time would allow. How much do they need? he asked no one in particular. Noah settled himself and blinked heavily. Sleep would come soon and a few winks never hurt anyone. He dozed.

Speech | Thoughts | Fratavan | Eagle

by **Oriah** on February 6th, 2014, 3:09 am

Oriah considered Altaira's question concerning Noah's clothes, only to answer with silence. She hadn't, after all, the faintest idea. Where was their avian savior anyhow?

A strange, soft sound cooed from overhead. The Benshira looked up in surprise, then visibly relaxed as she saw it the large, impressive form of their feathery new friend. She sighed in relief. So far, they were all together, unharmed, and out of danger's way. So long that lynx had opted for easier prey, and the bear stayed upwind of them, everything was going to be alright, Oriah told herself as she scanned the forest floor.

It was a bit of a mess. Clumps of snowy dirt, leaves, roots, and all manners of rocks and insect life were smattered everywhere as though an angry child had come and wreaked havoc on his toys. Except, of course, this had been the doing of a giant, brown bear hungry enough to eat literally anything.

Her heart sank a little as Altaira noted that the bear had more or less ruined the Tolm. And though the Kelvic's next words were none too comforting either, at least it offered a practical glimmer of hope.

Together, they searched a ways off from the bear's chosen target, leaving Noah, who had likely taxed himself a great deal in rescuing them, to doze contentedly. It wasn't long before Oriah did a double take and waved her hand excitedly in Altaira's direction.

"Look here!" she exclaimed in as hushed of a voice as she could. "Are these any good?"

She was pointing at a ragged maze of roots with jagged leaves and a tangle of vines. It looked quite healthy despite the cold temperatures, and there were even small, pinkish flowers budding here and there. Oriah beamed at her companion, praying to all that was just and good that this was something they could potentially use.

by **Altaira Readva** on February 7th, 2014, 6:00 am

Bird Speak | Common | Vani | Others | oocHaha, sorry! I had to find the willpower to trek through the price list for herbs, only to realise in hindsight how much easier it would have been to just ask Ori XD ... and on that note? I hope I'm right >.> I can't see half of the explanations in the far right columns -_-

For all the problems and worries that had thus far hit them, Altaira found that things were finally looking up.

A short look to Noah and his state had the kelvic make a silent promise to give him her share of rations, knowing full well the ravenous hunger and surge of tiredness that came with switching forms too often. For being such as herself, those on the herbivorous and omnivorous sides, there was little to worry for, but a predator? Hunger could turn even a friendly beast to a twisted enemy.

'Are we unlucky for all the danger that has so far come, or lucky that we've made it through unscathed?' She considered, trying to keep close enough to Oriah and Noah that separation was not a dire issue, but not so close that it would take a dozen chimes for a mere small portion of land to be thoroughly checked.

The Benshira, it seemed, struck luck quickly, her tone holding a certain command or beckon, despite it's whisper, and it took Altaira a moment to quite process the words and gestures before scuttling towards her. "Those?" she said, trying to emulate the same strength and quietness, before scolding herself for falling into childhood habits.

She half considered whether or not it would be wise to seek the attention of Noah, if only a word of warning of their slight wander. Her usual moment of indecision ended with Altaira deciding against such an action, breath leaving her in a rush as she neared Oriah, the smile taking to her lips small, but noticeable.

"That is..." Altaira crouched once more by the plant, the melting of snow and protection of the region through rock and sheltering tree alike promising signs to the plant's health, and Altaira caught herself marveling at the shape of the plant for a half chime too long. "Belltor?"

She let the thought of the plant sit with her for a moment. She was still rather novice in her work, but the simple fact that she could come up with a name that felt right as she spoke it was a sign well enough, and she didn't rush herself as she thought on the uses that she'd been taught.

Was it one to make dyes, or perhaps incense? For internal discomfort or blemish? No, no. Headaches? That sounded better. Perhaps something of use to man?

Then there was harvest? Harvest was... the whole thing. Roots and all. "We need the whole thing," she said, before glaring at the base of plant, a sigh left her at the thought of the work that had to be taken. "I'll need some help here," She groaned, practically spilling the contents of her bag onto a jutting rock nearby, sorting through her knives and dagger, putting the rations and shirt aside before thinking better of it. "Noah?" she said, whisper quick and harsh, hoping to stir the kelvic from his short rest. "Eat this," She set the small pouch aside, before deciding that her kopis was best for use.

by **Noah Amuel** on February 11th, 2014, 3:16 am

Noah stirred from his shallow dreams at the call of Altaira's voice, pitched sharp through a whisper. He brought his eyes open, quick and alert, unsure if danger had fallen upon them or not but when his golden irises landed on Oriah the feeling crept away. Apparently they had found what they were looking for, much to Noah's relief. The cold to be a weary friend, overstaying its welcome; when in actuality it was them overstaying their welcome in the cold.

He shuddered his feathers and opened his wings and with one powerful contraction of muscles he soared across the gap that sprang between him and the women. Once landed on the jutted rock, pale and flat, that doubled as a workbench and storage for Altaira's tools and bags he bobbed about curiously. First he looked to Oriah, turning his head slightly so in curiosity, silently asking what was going on then Altaira's past words rang in his head as the vague smell of food came about his nose.

He abandoned his gaze of Oriah and found the bag that Altaira had set aside for him. Noah unstrung the bag with a calculated pull on the strings with his beak before burying his head inside. He pulled out a chunk of bread and devoured it with haste, hunger annoyingly nudging at him to be sated. The poking went away as he filled his belly with the near stale pieces; it bothered him none though -- the quality of the bread. He was just happy to have something in his long empty stomach finally.

Unsure if the whole bag was for him, however, he halted his feasting short, making sure to leave what little he managed for the girls. I hope that's enough he thought, pulling back from the rations bag and returning his attention to the girls. Had their scouting been fruitful?

In another swoop he moved from the rock to the ground, standing beside Altaira. He looked to her in silent perplexity, head tilted slightly.

Speech|Thoughts|Fratavan|Bird Speak

by **Oriah** on February 12th, 2014, 2:10 am

Relieved that they had found something useful and salvageable at last, Oriah got on her knees and began helping Altaira harvest this so called Belltor. She used one of her Tamos to saw certain bits off, making sure to emulate the herbalist to the best of her abilities.

When Noah stirred from his sleep and landed on the rock with an impressive display of feathers and talons, Oriah smiled at the sight. He was heartily eating the food her companion had provided. She wondered for a moment if all Kelvics had appetites this voracious. It was no wonder the squire was always as ravenous as he was; if he was scouting at the outpost on top of his training, she imagined he must have received quite few jibes thus far for his appetite.

Such thoughts always lent her a bit of warmth in the wintry weather and she dug at the roots more vigorously. Stealing a glance at Altaira as well, the Benshira tried to picture the herbalist wolfing down food. Tried, and failed. Perhaps one of these days she ought to treat her friend to a great, big meal and see for herself. The idea widened the grin on her face.

Several chimes passed, but they were making wondrous progress. Despite her fingers going quite numb and sore from the labor, Oriah felt proud of their growing pile of roots. Pretty soon, they ought to have enough to bring back without having to hang their heads in shame.

"Come here, little roots," the Benshira hummed as she worked. "If we make it back with all of this Belltor in one piece, I'm treating you both to dinner. Hear that, Noah?"

It was just a matter of time, now. And, with a bit of luck, they just might be able to return home minor heroines and heros with all their limbs in tact.

by **Altaira Readva** on February 12th, 2014, 1:11 pm

Bird Speak | Common | Vani | Others | oocHaha, I actually wouldn't mind a sweet little followup thread. If only because the plans I have for Alta next season aren't very nice, and I'd like to have her happy before shyke really hits the fan! Wow I need to stop getting so excited about these kinds of things...

It could have been better, could have been worse.

Belltor would aid the man well enough, help with sleep, if her memory served her well, though she didn't quite know how else it would set the man at ease, or aid with sickness. Winter was on the brink of closing, at least, so if the man and his family could hold on for a couple of days, until proper care was far easier sort... yes, yes that should be fine. It would aid them enough to give them the rest required and hopefully boost the immune system, and with any luck, perhaps promote the body to heal itself in due time. It wasn't much, but it was all that they had to work with.

'Today, today. What an unlucky day. Any other and it would have been fine, such worry and efforts unwarranted.'

A short glance to Oriah, and the impish little look she gave put a look to confusion straight to the kelvic's face, dividing her time between working at digging and gentle tugs and putting thought to her companions and how they were fairing, a small smiling taking to her as she noted that Noah seemed to have had at least a decent fill, hunger lurching when the Benshira voiced thought of a dinner, and thoughts of fruits and meats and vegetables came fresh to mind, her mouth watering slightly as she weighed which one she'd rather feat on.

"Drink will be on me, then," she chuckled, shifting around awkwardly before she gave a girlish smile, choking down a giggle as she thought about how tender and lovingly Oriah spoke to the plant, almost feeling back for her own strong tugs and pulls as she ensured the earth was loosened and was not taken with as she readied to extract the plant as a whole.

"We'll get Noah his clothes and venture home, then? Hoping to grab a last herb of use?" The question was left up in the air as she hacked at the remaining roots on her side, glad that her trusty kopis hadn't seen so much use to be blunt at such a time, though more so for her own crazed cleaning of her tools and weapons every time she felt that they might have been dirtied.

With that, her own section was cleared and ready for the final pull and tug, the kelvic scrambling to her feet and taking her backpack, figuring that she could always just carry the daggers, or give one or two to her fellow kelvic. She brought the bag to the Benshira's side as she made sure that the final work could be done, but not without throwing Noah another glance to ensure she'd not missed the answer, and even reeling her mind back in thought to see if she already had. Her mind wasn't one that did well multitasking.

by **Noah Amuel** on February 14th, 2014, 6:41 pm

Noah had watched Altaira and Oriah dig up the root of the herb they called Belltor. He watched with interest, taking note of the tiny pink flowers and various root systems from the plant they dug. He'd want to learn something from this, though his mind couldn't keep focused on the harvesting itself. The joy that subconsciously crept into his mind as the pile of roots grew called to be heard and Noah's stomach was aflutter with anticipation. A warm meal, a warm fire, and a now hopefully warm friends to share it all with. The promise was well worth the wait.

When Altaira looked to him for confirmation in her words he nodded, or bobbed his head up and down as birds do. He even let out a cry, pitched high and cheery and even swayed slightly to Oriah's little song, quiet and gentle. These acts of companionship kept him able to handle the cold's annoying presence. He saw himself with these two in a glimpse of wishful thinking, they were nice, from what he could tell, and welcoming of his company. The thought brought warmth to his being.

With what would be a smile he gazed back at Altaira, golden irises gleaming, before retreating from the girls and taking off into the sky from the ground in a powerful contraction of muscles. He gained altitude quickly and once he was high enough to see past the tree tops his eyes scanned with a careful gaze. No predators in sight and the road wasn't that far off, a quarter bell's walk, if that. Where they found the road, they'd find his possessions.

Here was to the hope that his clothing was still intact, untouched by nature or robber. All that was to do now was wait for the girls to finish their harvesting and they'd be on their way.

Speech | Thoughts | Fratavan | Eagle

by **Oriah** on February 15th, 2014, 11:08 pm

"Could use a drink to warm up my frozen bones after this," Oriah grinned, digging and clearing away.

She stopped after some time, sitting back on her haunches to assess their handiwork so far. They could see a good portion of the roots now, and the focused labor had lent some warmth back into her body, though her hands were still icy cold. Altaira moved as though she was ready to tug the plant free now, so Oriah followed her lead.

"Let's pull at the same time, so we don't destroy any of it," she suggested. Grabbing onto her side of the roots, she counted, "One, two, three, heave!"

The Belltor ripped free from the ground, raining bits of dirt, snow, and other debris as it dangled in the air. Oriah gave a whoop of victory, then smiled up at her Kelvic companion. All they needed to do now was find a way to transport the roots and they were cleared to begin heading back to the city.

A few chimes ago, Noah had taken the skies once more, presumably because of Altaira's suggestion. He certainly would need some clothes; it would be hard to get him through the gates in his enormous, eagle form, and any more extreme exposure to the elements might leave him returning to Syliras covered in frostbite.

Once they had everything stowed away safe and snug, their next task was to take to the road again and follow after Noah. Oriah still kept her gaze actively searching the ground, in case there were more herbs to be harvested. They wouldn't be able to go out any farther after this, as Syna was already beginning to make her slow descent, so any medicinal plants they hoped to gather in addition to the Belltor would have to be found on their way back.

After a span of companionable silence, the Benshira found her mind wandering back to a question she had mulled over a little when they had first seen Noah in his human formed. She turned to Altaira with an expression of curiosity on her face.

"Are you ever able to tell if someone else is a Kelvic?" she asked her companion. "I wonder if Noah has any inkling of an idea, and how he would react once he knew."

by **Altaira Readva** on February 16th, 2014, 10:35 pm

Bird Speak | Common | Vani | Others

With the plant wholly uprooted, a light breath of relief left Altaira's lungs, the intake of icy air that followed sending a sharp shudder through her as she slowly began registering her surroundings once more.

A grin took to her lips as she saw the look of pleasure that lit Oriah's features, a light chuckle escaping on her white hot breath as she moved to brushed off and remove as much of the earth from the roots as she could manage, unsure whether or not she was pleased in knowing that the plant was significantly smaller than the usual.

It fitted well enough in her backpack, she found, with room spare should luck strike them and they found something else salvageable. Of course it meant that Altaira had the fun enough game of hiding and stashing her daggers where ever she could put them, though bags smaller and more irritating to carry still had room, the kelvic found she had little to complain for.

After she was set and ready her line of sight followed Oriah's, the Benshira asking a question that the kelvic found to be fair enough in terms of interest and curiosity. "We vary," she stretched her limbs and took a pace around their little grounds, giving the area a quick, keen sweep as an inkling of worry swept through her, dismissing the thoughts as rather irrational, "Some are uneasy in the presence of their own kin, others flourish."

She turned and stood squarely facing Oriah, finding juggling both deep thought and active surveying were pushing her into the reaches of irritability. "For good reason. More so with predator and prey," She gave a gesture to the sky and an awkward look, wishing to play and joke but knowing full well how not-funny the situation may seem to some. "As for actually telling m-our kind..." Her words trailed and she tilted her head, sorting through the dozen of examples that sprung to mind.

"Some of us look very much human," she said, slow and cautious as she sought for an example other than only Noah that she thought the Beshira knowing of. "Like Noah, or like myself with little more than certain strangeness," she rolled her shoulders and took caution, her gaze on Oriah hardening as she waded into uncertain territory. Though some found her kind thoroughly intriguing, others took a certain horror to it. "Then there are those who boast sharp teeth or startling eyes, perhaps misshaped noses or other forms. Depends on base species and luck. Though all predators, none of my older siblings were born with looks too wild."

ooc :

by **Noah Amuel** on February 20th, 2014, 2:00 am

With wind flowing beneath his wings Noah teetered back and forth in the sky, dancing with it almost and having fun while doing so. He rolled to and fro on it, pushing along gently with the weak wind that was present. The air had grown colder and more still since his chance encounter with Oriah and Altaira and the sun was beginning to set. Darkness crept across the land in a slow advance, all of which he could see on the horizon from his place in the sky.

With the day ending and night beginning its claim on the world Noah's eagerness to find his clothing became much more important. He stopped his playing and scanned below for the trees by the road. By now, he'd look like a speck in the sky to Oriah and Altaira if they were looking for him. His altitude was perfect for scouting the nooks for trees below where trunks split into two or three thick branches.

He recognized a landmark, a tree long dead, cracked and crashed into the ground years ago. His clothing was there, precariously placed beneath the tree's fallen trunk where foliage had taken root.

Noah, now satisfied after locating his belongings, turned on the empty air and looked to the ground. Oriah and Altaira were approaching the road now, their mission had been a success and void of another predatory attack. He called to them and began his descent towards them by tucking in his wings and angling down sharply. He came to them fast and closed the gap to only a couple of meters above and in front of them. He cooed this time, and pumped his wings before rolling to turn and aimed to lead them further down a less flora populated trail to the fallen tree.

Once there he shifted and felt the soft crunch of snow beneath his bare heels. The cold instantly ran through him and he instantly wanted to be back into his feathery form but he knew his own clothing and shoes were a mere stride away.

Noah approached the fallen tree. The tree was large, perhaps hundreds of years old, and still clung to its bottom half where the wood was splintered and decaying, battered by the elements and time. Because of this the tree formed a decrepit arch and from the top of the arch, vines flowed down, once green and lush, swayed in a curtain of tangled brown by a gentle wind. With a hand he parted the vines and they shuddered against one another in a rustling as they let him through.

Quickly he located his clothing and obtained his small clothes, a nondescript pair of underwear, before stepping into his pants, a grey pair of wool trousers. He hoisted them up to his waist and then tightened them by the draw string. From his pile of neatly folded clothing he retrieved his wool tunic, another grey trimmed in white along the bottom and shrugged it on, covering his bare chest and back. Also covering the swirling marking on his back, etched in gold and silver on his left shoulder blade; a marking from Zulrav.

The tunic came just above his knees in terms of length and that was covered by his dark leather jerkin. Noah pulled and strapped the belt of his jerkin comfortably above his waist and picked his cloak, white like the snow and made from the same fabric of his other articles to keep in the warmth, up from the ground. He looked up and found, hanging from a large splinter in the trunk of the fallen tree, a necklace. The necklace was silver twine charmed by a smooth gray rock clasped in silver around the middle. It resembled a rounded crescent.

Over his head the necklace went and from behind the gnarled curtain he emerged, cloak thrown over his arm reserved for Oriah or Altaira, should they need or want it.

Speech | Thoughts | Fratavan | Eagle

Completed [Bronze Woods] Wrought with Worry II