And The Sky Did Rain Blood (Lariat, Vanator)

[Khiara]

76th Day of Summer, Midday

Everything about the world had changed, had become more alive and more wonderful. Khiara felt like everyday was a blessing from the Goddess. Finally, she had conceived, a child of Vanator's and her own flesh and blood. So far now, judging from her morning sickness waning the past few days, the healers had estimated she was close to two months into the pregnancy. It had been an amazing discovery, instantly lifting her spirits after seasons of fear that perhaps she was truly barren. The morning sickness had been dreadfully violet, keeping her confined to the pavilion for most of the time - but now that it had worn off, the vantha was eager to join the drykas - her people - and celebrate with them.

After some discussion with the healer, and Kashik, Khiara had been given the light task of joining some of the other women in collecting the wild wheat just outside the city. It was a safe task, a group of at least ten women moved out with dogs at their command, carrying baskets around their necks and wearing light loose clothing. When they reached their destination they would set up a small shelter where they could get away from the sun, and then go out into the grass. Pulling the stalks through their hands, the wheat would peel off into the basket. It was a rhythmic task, and once you got a flow going it was easy.

Khiara wore the soft white dress she had brought with her from Riverfall, sheer fabric allowing the wind to cool her legs as she worked and the halter style top giving her skin plenty of exposed space for the same reasons. To protect her skin from the harsh sun, the girl wore a wide brimmed hat quickly woven out of grass. Working at a steady rhythm, she hummed softly as she pulled off the wheat, thinking of the next few months ahead and content in her actions. It was wonderful to be outside, even if it was hot. She could smell the grass, and around her the other women chattered and laughed. It gave her a sense of home and community.

Around the women, the dogs lay in the grass, tongues lolling and eyes ever watchful. Although they looked at rest, the hounds could fly into action at a moments notice. There was no real reason to feel unsafe, and none of them did.

[Lariat]

All seemed peaceful on the grass, a casual breeze gracing the grass and offering some respite for any found in the sun. The wheat shifted with every toss of the wind, creating a wave amongst it and the grass making it quite look up to its name, the sea of grass. Animals that might have been roaming the grass where harmless, soaking in the contented air just as much as the women where, and thus roaming in the grass minding their own business as they munched away. It was a day to be enjoyed, a feeling of ease that relaxed the mood, but didn't make anyone careless.

The sound of the pounding of hoof beats on the soft ground sounded somewhere from up ahead, a group of riders fifteen strong, approaching like a living wall. The dogs perked up at the strangers approach, standing up and a few of them growling, since these were not drykas men. A call came out from the band as they approached, crisp and cool, seeming to buzz in the quiet summer air. " Ho, we come in peace " called the man that was the pivot in the line of men as they slowed to a halt just before the group of women. At this greeting the dogs seemed to relax, resuming their languid positions on the grass. The same man who had called out urged his windrunner forward so he could be easier heard by the woman, and he looked at them all in turn. " We were hoping to reach Endrykas before now, but maybe you could help us. On the grass not too long ago we found a boy with strange eyes, and speaks a language that we know nothing of. Do any of you have talent in a language not your own? If so, please come with us, time is pressing for we do not know what ails the boy, only that he cringes in pain every few chimes " he said softly, his magic laced commands giving the spoken words weight.

[Khiara]

As the riders approached, Khiara stopped her work, glancing at the dogs as they growled to life. The women were drykas, born on the grassland and trained by those before them. They didn't fear the men, and once the dogs seemed to accept the riders, slight defensiveness turned into genuine curiosity. The vantha listed to the lead riders words, her heart fluttering in her chest. A child, foriegn with strange eyes...and hurting? Looking at the man, Khiara held her tongue until she felt like screaming. The tone of the strangers words almost commanded a response.

"I speak vani of the Northern Ice City. Perhaps I can help." A feeling of curious doubt swept over her, gone again just as quickly. One of the older women raised an eyebrow at her, as though to point out the madness of leaving with strange men into the dangerous Sea of Grass. But the lead horseman's words were like milk and honey - going down like silk and giving those who listened no reason to fear. 

"We will send for help." Said one of the women, to which others nodded. Khiara's mind remembered one danger. Whistling to one of the dogs, she nodded to the man as she removed her basket.

"If we can bring him back here, a healer could see to him." Vaguly, an idea came to her, and the girl hesitated.

"Why didn't you just bring him in the first place?"

h

[Lariat]

The lead rider put on a look of genuine distress, his horse equally restless. Beside him the men stood calm and at the ready, as still as statues one and all. In the riders perceived near panic his eyes found Khiara's and immediately softened and grew calm. " If you would come with us we would be deeply grateful. Time is short and we are about a half days ride from our camp " he said, his words and eyes now seeming to project a manifest urgency with every breath taken. As if in agreement, the lead rider's windrunner trotted so that it's right side faced her allowing the invitation for her to come ride with him. He heard out the other woman's suggestion well and seemed to brighten at the idea. "Yes, the faster you fetch a healer, the better chance there is for the boy. We must return to our camp with haste, and with your help lady if you would. Half of you could ride with us if we still seem strange and untrustworthy to you " he said in a strong deep voice, loud enough to reach every ear. Again he looked to Khiara, and extended his hand to help her onto the saddle, but her words halted his hand mid reach, causing him to retreat it back to his side. " Strict orders from our leader told us we could not move the boy though we surely pleaded that this was the best option. At least we where allowed to go search for help, though I now realize how odd this must seem. We can't waste anymore time though, I fear the boy might come down with a fever soon because of whatever ails him " his words blurted out, as if speaking them fast would allow her to see the truth in them.

Behind him riders shifted around, some moving forward to allow rides for any who would take them and others moving out, spreading in the circular fashion of outriders who made sure the parameter was secure. The innocent, reassuring light of the sun still beat hard down on their heads causing more than rider to pull at his armor uncomfortably. The grass blew almost parallel to the ground now as a stiff breeze swept across from the right. A silence pervaded the grass as the rider awaited her words, concern etched on his strong face.

[Khiara]

Khiara glanced up at the man, her swirling sunset eyes shifting to his hand as he pulled it back. Immediately she felt guilty for her hesitation and her implied doubt. There was a child hurt, maybe dying - and here she stood putting their life in even more jeopardy minute by minute. Unconsciously she rested a hand on her belly.

Silence hung in the group and a strong gust of wind swept across the grasslands, tugging wildly at loose strands of hair and giving futile relief to the brutal heat. Finally, Khiara nodded.

"Of course. Forgive my delay." Reaching out, she took the strangers hand and hoisted herself up into the saddle behind him. A feeling of relief washed over her as a handful of the other women joined them, one being the older woman whom had raised her eyebrow. Already, the younger girl that had spoken of fetching a healer had set off with one of the dogs towards Endrykas at a ground covering lope. Looking after the retreating woman, Khiara picked her as Vanator's cousin Jinna - a girl still in her teens and only freshly joined with the women's groups, away from her twin brother for a change.

"I am Khiara, by the way. Now, please, take us to the boy." Looking down at the dog beside them, she whistled it to follow.

[Lariat]

" My name is Lacal " he said simply, turning his steed around, and making a light spinning gesture with his hand to his men. With a slight squeeze of his knees he sent the horse into a trot that quickly turned into a run as he grasped the reigns taking his place in the center of the group, with the rest of the riders bearing the foreign women, while the others in his group fanned out around them giving them a wide berth and circle of protection. Clouds of dust welled up around them, and they pushed the horses hard with silent urgency, none speaking a word except to simply gesture to one another from time to time. For anyone that had a semblance of how to navigate the grasses they would see the group slowly steer themselves to the south east, following a trail they had disturbed recently until nightfall was coming down on their ears.

The large, silvery orb that was the moon loomed before them yet, painting its slivery glow across the grass in all of it's brilliance. All seemed calm across the grass as the steady wind blew its way across and brought only the rustling of grass to everyones ears. The rider before Khiara seemed to take on a calm as well, gripping the reigns easily as they rode on. By now if it wasn't noticeable already, there group was significantly smaller, riders having split of in pairs or solo every so often so to avoid suspicion, and leaving only ten to escort the women That had been much earlier, now the slightly smaller group left clung closely together, keeping their eyes directed outwards from time to time to look out for trouble. Mostly though there attention was focused on the women they had with them, sparing a casual glance at each other every so often, and sometimes even signing. Faint shadows flickered in the glowing moonlight and went unnoticed by the group as a whole, as their focus was now completely consumed by the large blaze that lit the grass before them, and the sight of an abandoned wagon tilted over on it's side.

Lacal gasped, his eyes looking hard at the destruction before them, and more importantly the litter of bodies on the ground. " I didn't say they could burn the patching carav... " he started but was cut short by the shaft sticking out from his throat. He slumped and fell from the horse, confusing the horse with a multitude of mixed signals, and cause it's gallop to become clumsy and slower. All around her, men and women alike screamed as now flaming pitched tip arrows zoomed out from behind the collapsed wagon, striking man and horse alike and sending them into a frenzy. Somewhere off to the side, a horse cried out as a arrow stuck it in the leg, and bucked fiercely tossing the rider, and woman down in a heap on the ground before running out into the darkness. The woman Khiara rode on bucked similarly, too confused by the lose of its rider, and the battle to know what to do on it's own. Even in the darkness made deeper by the firelight, shadows in the grass approached, longbows in hand as they fired as one, and took out two more riders. The shadows threw down the bows after the last barrage, and brandished blades, and torches, waving them around as they encircled those that remained left, a little over 4 men, and the women that they had brought with them, while others grabbed the reigns of the horses that sought to escape in their panic, and where quick to try and calm them. Khiara was yet in the middle of the closing circle, and behind her approached a man clothed in black leather, reaching out to arrest her horse's erratic trot.

[Khiara]

The ride was long, and silent. Khiara looked at the other riders from time to time, and the women who had come with her. All of them mirrored her concerned features, save for the gold swirling brightly around the black of her pupils. Beside them, the dogs loped, tounges out and ears alert. As midday turned to afternoon, the vantha felt a pit of concern in her stomach. Would they reach the boy in time? Glancing back, she felt some relief that the way they had come was easily seen. It wouldn't do well if the healers couldn't find them.

Day settled into evening, and the moon shone brightly in the cloudless sky above them. Thankfully, it was a little cooler too. A breeze swept across the grass, rustling through the dried stalks and caressing her olive skin. Everyone was calm, and there was no sense of danger. Only a small tightness of concern. For the boy. Briefly, Khiara looked around again and frowned a little. There were now only a handful of riders with the women, when before there had been many more. When had they dissapeared?

Her inner thoughts were broken by the sight of an overturned caravan, and a bonfire blazing golden in the night. It was like a homecoming beacon, and Khiara sat up a little straighter. She didn't feel concern for just the boy anymore. Lacal shifted too, his voice showing something akin to confusion, before his voice was cut short by an arrow to his throat. Instinctivly, the young brunette screamed, watching the rider fall from the horse as it began to buck in terror and confusion. All around her, people were screaming and arrows flying. Khiara leaned forward to grip the horses neck, holding on for dear life and trying to reach the reigns. Beside her, one of the dogs yelped and fell to the ground in a bloody arrow filled heap. Around them, there were shadows with torches and blades, herding the remaining horses, women and riders into a circle.

A hand grabbed for her horses reigns, and with wide golden eyes Khiara spun to stare at a leather bound man. Her heart pounded in her chest, and as the horse settled the girl pulled back.

"You..you killed them." She said with disbelief, not daring to look away from the stranger. Goddess, what was happening.

[Vanator]

Sweat beaded up on Vanator's brow, even under the shade of a canopy. A warm breeze had picked up, and helped to evaporate the sheen on his forehead. Bare chested, the muscles of his shoulders, arms and torso bulged as he strained to tighten a leather strap around a section of hi yvas' wooden frame. His concentration was broken, though, when he heard the voice of his young cousin calling to him. The Denusk sensed the urgent tone of the girl's voice. A bark accompanied her cry, the bark of Ruhl, one of his Luvanor Grassland Hunters. Grabbing his tunic, Van ducked out of the temporary work shelter set up outside of the pavilion. He met Jinna as the teenager ran up to him, the hunting dog at her heels. The horseman knew she had accompanied Khiara and some of the other clan women on a short trek outside the city. A rush of concern suddenly overwhelmed him. "There were men." She blurted out frantically, panting as heavily as the dog. "They said they had a sick boy. Some of the women went with them, including Khiara. They sent me to bring a healer." "What?!" Vanator roared. "They went with strangers?" His concern elevated to near panic. Khi, now carrying thier first child, riding off with outlanders. a tightness siezed his chest and he struggled to keep his composure. His tone lowered, but was edged with stony sobriety. "Jin, please fetch Nyx, then you can find a healer." Obediently, the girl trotted off to retrieve her older cousin's strider. Van donned his tunic and rushed into the tent. He threw on his armor, seized his field pack, weapons and waterskin and ducked back out of the pavilion. Jinna had the stallion waiting, having already thrown his yvas over the horsed back. Van tightened the strap around the beasts girth, strapped his gear to the yvas and vaulted into the seat. Jin returned with a loaf of bread and several strips of dried venison. "Here cousin, you may need these." Then she gave him the rough location where the men had appeared. "Find Kashik, tell her I need her, to come ready. Tell Bolden and warn the Storm Watch." The girl nodded in understanding as Vanator turned the palomino strider away, galloping towards the Knotted Gates, then out into the open grass.

[Lariat]

Beside her, a man with dusty blond hair held a finger to his lips, as his right hand squeezed her ankle, urging her not to make a noise. The mace on his belt was dripping with gore, just a moments reach from the hand gripping her ankle firmly. All around harsh whipsers could be heard rasping through the night, accompanied by gasps of fright, and a scream when one of the guards was skewered by a spear right in front of a woman's eyes, and all of it was to the background noise of small skirmishes still going around, the few guards still drawing breath having to fight for their lives against the merciless men at arms.

As the last guard fell a handful of the black clad men weeded themselves amongst the group, followed shortly by a swaggering aged man, his hair far on the decline. One by one the men inspected the horses and women checking for injuries among other things. It got quiet quick, the men that had previously escorting the women now either dead or among the fatally wounded on the ground, still gasping for their last breath. Now men with cold faces, black armor, and bared weapons prowled around securing the area with a in a mechanical way speaking of much practice at it. Only one of the women had been killed in the fight, her body a broken heap on the grass, simple dress torn and stained with her life blood while dark bruises riddled her tanned skin. A blading man that looked in his late forties stayed crouched before her, staring listlessly into her glassy eyes for several chimes before abruptly standing up and spitting in disgust.

"Who shot this horse?" The aged man grunted, his eyes narrowly scanning the collection of men around him, numbering twenty in total. A black short haired youth was pushed from a throng of men, his comrades having no qualms about exposing one of their own. The young man that overbalanced and sprawled face forward into the grass, only managing to crawl back up to his knees before he was shoved back down by the broad shouldered man who had asked the question. His heavy leather boot dug painfully into the youths spine as the older one took his time to grind his heel into tender flesh. He seemed to grow quickly bored of it though as his foot rose up and he stepped aside to let the man get up fully to his feet, saying not a word nor making any movements as he stared on unblinkingly. "Make sure it doesn't happen again, or next time it will be your head" the veteran groused, his eyes narrowing at last as the youth bowed awkwardly mumbling out a apology and turned around to return among the group of men. It happened in a flash, the older mans sword was all to suddenly in his grasp, and in the same breath he thrust forward punching the steel through the young man's back, a wet smacking sound and a gasp immediately coming forth as the blade sunk in. The man at her side reflexively dug his nails into the tender flesh of Khiara's ankle as his boyish face was quick to darken. "Keep your mouth shut, and I might not cut out your tongue later" the blond man whispered, his eyes flickering up to hers to get a good look at her, and fix her with his cold stare.

* * * * *

Five men riding hard abreast of each other where the first to meet Van, even before he got to the grounds where the women had been gathering before everything happened. They circled the drykas, but held nothing in their hands but the reigns of their steeds, there faces masks of concern and worry. The man in the center raised his hand high above his head, speaking in a loud, deep voice. "Ho drykas, are you the healer we sent for?"

[Khiara]

As the man's hand gripped her ankle tightly, Khiara stared at him with panicked golden eyes. What did they want, and Godess why did they kill everyone? Her eyes shifted to the mace, heart beating in her throat. Around her, people were drying and the armed intruders were searching through them. A womans scream had Khiara spin her head to look, brunette locks shimmering violet and gold in the orange firelight. Tears formed in her eyes, before she watched the men come together. One woman had died, an older woman whom which Khiara din't know well enough to even remember her name. Still, she felt sorrow for the woman and said a silent prayer to the Goddess for her safe return to the heavens. Her lips trembled as the men talked.

One man, a youth, was thrown forward and planted roughly onto the ground. He and the veteran argued, discussed the horses. Khiara took the chance to glance at the women and remaining horses. The animals were skittish, but calming down, and the women looked just like she felt. Terrified. Brow furrowed, she blinked away the tears blurring her vision. Vanator, he would know by now they had gone. And surely he and the healer would be on their way. Her heart sank, and she prayed they wouldn't stumble upon these men. These killers.

It was with shock she was dragged back to the scene before her, as the younger man was skewered in the back as he walked away. The start of a scream started in her throat, before the painful gouge of nails in her ankle stopped the girl. Her golden eyes stared at him with the same wide gaze, and the vantha could do nothing more than nod quickly, swallowing back the urge to scream. Her heart felt like it would break against her ribs it thumped so hard.