Opening Nightmare [Repost]

WhiteWolf

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007

 

“I do not know why they have contacted us Aleeza, all I know is that there is a Wanderer who is in need of our help and that we have to go now. It would be a difficult trip at the best of times, but to come in this unexpected fashion only adds more concerns.” Owen removed a pouch from a pocket in his breaches and removed several coins and handed them to Aleeza. “We need supplies, enough so that we do not need to slow ourselves down hunting for our food. I want to stay away from the well-used roads and only take back trials if we can. We will be travelling hard Aleeza so make sure you consider that when choosing our supplies. Now be off with you, I will go and check on our horses and makes sure the rest of our gear is in good order.” Aleeza quickly gathered her things and left the room they were in. Owen made sure there was nothing left in the room and then made his way to the stables, stopping off on the way to pay their bill. Owen worked quickly, checking each horse for any sign of lameness or stones in their shoes. By the time he had finished with their gear Aleeza had returned and they quickly packed away their supplies before heading out of the Stables.

 

They mounted their horses on the road outside of the Inn and continued along the road, heading in a westerly direction. When Aleeza asked why they were using the road and not taking a more direct heading. Owen explained that you never knew who might be watching, although they had been received well at the Inn that could have been a ruse and Owen had not relaxed his guard, nor would he now. They continued for half the morning along the road, and then when it ran through a copse, Owen signalled for Aleeza to follow him and they turned northwest. Once they were well away from the road Owen picked up the pace and they started to cover ground as quickly as they could, without winding their horses. Owen knew the best pace to set was a fast trot for an hour, then walk the horses for half an hour then trot again. Owen decided that while they were walking he would continue with Aleeza training in the use of the silent hand code the Rangers and other members of the Wolfkin used. He would show her four hand signals when they were walking, then wait until the next walking period before asking her to reproduce them.

 

This helped pass the time for both of them and made the journey almost bearable. They rode late into the night, and were up before first light and after a hurried breakfast they were off again, eating their midday meal in the saddle, or while they were walking. Eventually, after 8 days of hard riding, and low rations, they saw Breem Woods in the distance. Owen hoped the Wanderer was still there and had had the common sense to lie low.

 

 

Estel

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007

 

Aleeza rolled out of her saddle with a very audible groan.  She let her body collapse to the ground, the pain of rocks and roots in her back nothing besides the throbbing in her thighs that was driving her insane.  Why in the Light anyone would ride some bloody beast that tore up one’s thighs just to save a few days’ time was completely beyond her.

 

The sores, opened again by the day’s hard ride despite the bandages and salves she applied everyday, bled through her breeches and made it seem as if she lacked certain hygienic skills learned by all her gender.  A few moments of lying on the ground whimpering, clutching her inner thighs and she was limping over to her saddlebags to pull out her bandages and ointments for her sores.

 

“You smell awful you dumb animal.” Aleeza told at her annoyed chestnut gelding.  The poor animal was normally as placid as they came but having such a poor rider obviously irritated it to no end.  Going over to a thick clump of bushes, she changed breeches and tended to her legs.

 

Having taken care of herself, the young woman muttered under her breath as she unsaddled her horse and picketed him for the night.  When she tugged particularly viciously at one of the straps of his nosebag, he attempted to bite her but was restrained by the cloth bag.  “Stupid bastard.” she snarled in response.

 

Camp made for the night, Aleeza set about the task that brought them here.  Leaning heavily on her quarterstaff, she opened her mind to the wolves.  Being in the uninhabited Braem Wood, one of the last sanctuaries for the solitary wolves as the world of men expanded, meant a flood of images came rushing to her mind.  Wolves lying down to sleep, wolves chasing down prey, cubs nipping at each other in play…  Showing them an image of a sun rising over a mountaintop, at the moment where it cast long shadows just before it would bathe the mountain in gold; Dark Sun Rising, at their acknowledgement she showed another image, this time of a lonely cub, howling and crying for its mother and pack.

 

Understanding, a flood of images came from wolves in his, she learned his gender if not a physical description from their images, vicinity.  Following streams and directions given using the setting sun as a compass, she went towards him, wondering at his condition and how much he would be like she had been during her own Howling.

 

 

ObliviousShadow

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 20

 

Keyl awoke to the strange sensation of loneliness. The last few days he had been feeling the urge to seek out something. Wolves it seemed. Images had kept running through his head of hunting with them, lying with them, and just being with them. But today there was nothing. And it was making him uneasy.

 

He gathered his sling and set off to check the traps he had laid the night before. Finding that only one of his traps had done their job, he began to skin the small rabbit that had been caught. Finishing he wrapped the little meat he could take from the small animal in the dried hide of another of its kind he had captured.

 

Returning to the hole he had made beneath a tree to sleep in he heard the slightest rustle of leaves behind him. At the same time he smelt the blood. Human blood. They've found me! He thought frantically. And with that he turned and threw himself at his unknown opponent. Now he knew why the wolves had abandoned him.

 

 

Estel

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007

 

This close, Aleeza no longer needed the wolves’ directions.  Thanks to Owen’s training, she could smell him through the woods and it wasn’t just because he hadn’t taken a bath in a while.  Besides the usual smells of sweat, blood and other “human” odours, his feelings were carried on the wind to her nose.  Predominant was fear, the emotion was hardly new to Aleeza and rampant among Wanderers, as were the anger and sadness almost hidden under his layers of fear.  Unusual though was the strong loneliness.  The former Tinker could perhaps sympathise with loneliness, but never empathise.  While some people needed attention to function, the more attention Aleeza got the more miserable she became.  Some days in the Stedding she missed those three years she had spent alone in the woods with only the wolves as company.

 

Making no attempt to cover her approach, she got her first view of him through the thin trees.  She could have snuck up, to avoid what she knew was coming before his weight took her to the ground, she was downwind after all and knew enough about the woods to avoid cracking the sticks crunching under her soft boots and echoing loudly through the forest.  However, how was he supposed to trust her if she was sneaking up on him?  How was he supposed to trust her if she fought against him?  All he was doing was protecting himself against a possible threat.  He’d realise she wasn’t, even if it did take a punch or two.

 

Aleeza steeled herself against his hits, ignoring the dull throbbing where her back had landed on a tree branch.

 

 

WhiteWolf

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007

 

Events had taken an unexpected turn of events and Owen was quick to react to them, but not quick enough to prevent Aleeza being knocked over. Owen restrained her attacker then glanced over to where Aleeza sat with her back against a tree. “This is no time to be taking a rest Aleeza.” There was no need for seriousness, Owen had control of her attacker and Aleeza appeared to be unhurt from the encounter. His captive squirmed in Owen’s grip, doing all he could to break free, but Owen was a few years older, and much stronger so he did not have a chance against superior strength and technique. “Calm down young one, you will only end up hurting yourself, and we do not want that to happen.”

 

Owen maintained his grip until he was sure the Wanderer would not attack him or Aleeza. Realising the fight had left him; Owen released him, but remained on guard. “Well now that we seem to have that little misunderstanding out of the way let me introduce myself. My name is Owen, called by some White Fang. The person you attacked goers by the name Aleeza, and she is a friend of mine, so please do not attack her again. I would hate to ruin what could be a future friendship by having to restrain you again.” Owen grinned at the young man, trying to show him he had nothing to fear here if he behaved himself.

 

“Now, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself, your name would be a good place to start.” Again Owen kept his voice light, although he was not a Tracker he had been around some of the best and their knowledge had rub off on Owen. “If your camp is near here, maybe you could show us? I am sure you must be hungry and thirsty and we have brought plenty of supplies with us. If you want I can cook something while you tell us about yourself?”

 

 

ObliviousShadow

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007

 

Being grabbed from behind had startled Keyl greatly. He wasn’t sure how the man had gotten there without being heard or smelt. While attempting to free himself from the grip the one who held him spoke. “Calm down young one, you will only end up hurting yourself, and we do not want that to happen.”

 

Not wanting to hurt him? Who were these people? Realizing he couldn’t free himself Keyl gave up and to his surprised, was released. He turned and backed away a few steps keeping the pair in easy sight. Then the man spoke again. The mention of friends almost made him laugh. No one wanted to be his friend. Then came the comment on names and food.

 

Perhaps they truly were not here to kill him. "My name is Keyl. I am sorry about my reactions but it is not a good idea to be sneaking up on people unless you know them. As for food and water, I have enough of both to last me as long as I need." As he was speaking he watched for their reactions. "Now if I may ask. Why are you here if it is not to attack me?"

 

 

Estel

Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007

 

Suddenly the weight was lifted off her, flailing and kicking against some yet unknown power.  Aleeza got to her feet, rubbing her back.  She saw Owen restraining the Wanderer and an unfamiliar flicker of anger, devoid of fear and bitterness, was kindled inside her.  Light blast him, if he wanted her to grow any, he had to let her do this!  Burn him, she had this under control!

 

“Give me a moment and I’ll answer you questions.” she said holding a finger up to stranger to indicate that she would be a moment.  She leaned over and almost on the verge of inaudibility hissed at Owen’s ear.  “Why’d you do that!  I knew what I was doing, it’s not like I can’t take a punch.  Now he doesn’t trust us.”

 

She knew both men could smell her irritation but she didn’t bother to hold it in, despite any consequences from her mentor.  “Hello Keyl, I am Aleeza, also known as Dark Sun Rising.  My companion is Owen, who is also known as White Wolf.”  Aleeza kept a respectable distance from him, holding her hands out as a sign of no ill intention.  Having said her piece, her irritation slowly ebbed away and she focused on keeping her scent open and calming.

 

“I did not try to sneak up on you.  Your ears and eyes should have told you I’ve been coming for a while now.  And my presence was no secret to the wolves.” she smiled at the shocked look on his face.  “Look at my eyes Keyl and tell me why we’re here and don’t want to hurt you.”

 

 

ObliviousShadow

Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007

 

Keyl admitted to himself that he should have been paying more attention to his surroundings. He had gotten too used to the wolves telling him when danger was near. But as he looked in the two newcomers eyes he saw what he had seen when he looked in his drinking water just yesterday. The reason he was now hunted by his friends and neighbors. The eyes of wolves shone back into his.

 

He knew his mouth was hanging open but didn’t bother to close it. "I..I thought I was the only one," he stuttered. "But why are you here? What reason do you have to seek me out if you mean no harm?" No sooner had he asked the question than did he begin feeling the wolves return in his mind. A cascade of soothing images ran thru his head and he began to relax. Settling on the ground he watched the two of them with interest waiting for one to speak.

 

 

WhiteWolf

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007

 

Owen folded his arms across his chest and let Aleeza scold him, almost as if he was the one under instruction from her. He managed to keep his face straight, otherwise Aleeza may have thought he was not taking her seriously and would lose what confidence she had in herself. But when she turned to face Keyl Owen could not help but smile at her back. For a moment he had the thought to stick his tongue out at her as well, but that would never do, not here and not now anyway. So instead he stood there and let her do the talking.

 

When Keyl started asking questions, the same ones Owen had heard many a time before, Aleeza turned to look at Owen, a questioning expression on her face. If she thought he was going to answer them she was wrong, this was her show now and Owen would not intervene again. Inclining his head to her, Owen made a slight bow and then returned to watching Keyl, the clearing and as much of the area as he could. This would be an interesting step in her training and Owen was wondering how she would handle it.

 

 

WhiteWolf

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007

 

It had taken them well into the night to answer all of Keyl’s questions and that combined with the lack of sleep either Aleeza or Owen had had in the past few days made the decision to spend the night where they were easier. Owen had cooked the evening meal using the supplies they had brought with them. Keyl seemed more at ease after the meal, and so Owen proposed an early night and an early start the next morning. But the best-laid plans of men always go astray when dealing with imponderables, and that was how it was this night. No sooner had Owen closed his eyes than he was contacted by a small pack of Wolves, they were tracking a Wanderer on the fringes of a large wood. Because they had contacted him in the Dream, Owen was able to get a good idea of the location of the Wanderer.

 

”WhiteWolf gives his thanks Wind over the Water. May your pack grow strong and live long.”

 

Owen did not actually speak, all communication with the Wolves was done using images and the Wolfkin had to interpret these images to understand what message it was that the Wolves were sending them. Even for the more experienced members of the Wolfkin, talking with the Wolves could often be a battle. Thankfully this night Owen was able to easily understand what he was being shown.

 

Waking from the short sleep he had had, Owen quickly gathered his gear, and then placed his saddle on his horse before strapping his gear to the horse. When all his preparations were complete, Owen quietly woke Aleeza and with her still clearing the sleep from her blurry eyes Owen recanted his Dream. “Is this not unusual Owen? First our being sent to find Keyl, and now this?”

 

“If I live to be a hundred years old Aleeza I doubt I will ever fully understand the minds of the Wolves, even Ice is a mystery to me at times. But we will have to leave discussions of this nature to a latter date, I must be off. You know how to get yourself home, make sure you stay out of sight and travel as safely as you can. I will do my best to catch you up, but do not tarry for me, not unless you have no other choice. Find me in the Dream if your need is urgent and I will do all I can to find you.”

 

With that Owen mounted his horse and slowly rode off into the darkness, his pale skin shining with the glow of the moon when it broke through the trees, his golden eyes burning with a passion born of many years of responsibility to the his brothers ands sisters of the Wolfkin.

 

 

Estel

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007

 

Being awoken in the early hours of the morning, however gently, was not exactly something Aleeza enjoyed.  She rubbed at her eyes groggily and attempted to roll over and fall back asleep before Owen rid her of that notion with a gentle nudge in the ribs with his boot.  “Wazzama’er?”

 

“Another Wanderer in the woods.”

 

Owen continued packing while Aleeza pestered him with questions.  “You’re leaving me alone with the Wanderer… Keyl, then?”

 

“Is that a problem.”

 

“No.” Aleeza said defensively, much to Owen’s apparent humour.

 

While the hooves of Owen’s beast were still thudding off into the distance, Aleeza went to gently wake the Wanderer.  “Hullo there, good morning.  Owen’s gone off to pick up another Wanderer, so it’s just you and me.  Breakfast?”  Aleeza asked, offering a rind of crusty bread and a canteen of water.