Beasts of Prey [Miharu Mindi]

[Siiri]

Siiri held up a hand. “Calm, Sister Wolf. Not all are unwelcomed in Myri's domain. Some are accepted, even encouraged, to come here. Especially one such as yourself.” She gave the Kelvic a once over once more, her eyes admiring.

“There are a number of my people who bi...bond with those of your kind,” she said as way of explanation. “I myself have never had the pleasure, but being bonded makes you one of us. Not that it's a requirement for your kind.

“Have you a name? I am Siiri, of the Snapping Jaws clan.” The Myrian touched her left hand on her breast where her heart would be, displaying for the Kelvic to see the intricate tattoo of a crocodile wrestling with a serpent on that arm. “Come, walk with me. There is plenty still for my fang to do.” As if to emphasize her point, she barked at Amir in their native tongue to silence the horse she had decapitated earlier. The man complied by smashing the creature's skull in with his greataxe.

Siiri led the Kelvic to the two people that had brought them all together. The slaves had come to while they were conversing, and now the male crouched protectively over the female as both stared at their new captors in apprehension and fear. Onna and Kai stood over them, one with bow and arrow ready, the other wielding dual bone scimitars. Garou was nowhere to be found again.

“What do you think your fates should be?” Siiri asked the slave pair. Both had leathery brown skin that suggested they spent their days too long under Syna's glare. The Myrian got the feeling that their native home was not the mountains of Kalea.

“We...we are sorry. We did not mean to trespass. We only wanted freedom. But -” here the male glanced at the bodies of the slavers, four of them bloodied, “-we were chased.”

“I see. Do you know what happens to trespassers in Myri's lands?”

“Y-y-yes,” the male stammered. He could not look straight at the Myrian's eyes.

“Good. Kai, give me your knife.”

The youngest member of Siiri's fang pulled out a weapon from the small of her back, its blade a good handspan in length, and handed it to her superior without question. The male slave watched the exchange in horror, then closed his eyes and hugged his female companion tighter, waiting for the inevitable blow that would end their lives.

But it did not come.

The male looked up, puzzlement in his eyes. Siiri still stood before them, but she made no move to strike them with the knife. In fact, she held the weapon by the blade. “Stand,” she instructed. As the man struggled to obey, Siiri grabbed him by the wrist and pressed the knife's hilt in his hand. “You have four bells before it gets dark. You do not want to be here when Leth's orb comes out. Leave, never to return on pain of death. You only have this one chance. Go!” she exclaimed, pointing to the general direction of the Northern Pass. The man immediately ran off without even glancing back, clutching the proffered knife in one hand and dragging his female companion in the other.

“You're just going to let them go?” Kai asked, her tone not challenging, merely curious. She still spoke in their native language, perhaps not comfortable speaking of such things in the Kelvic's presence, perhaps to keep the shapeshifter off-balanced.

Siiri nodded. “No point killing those two. Hardly any meat on their bones anyway, and I don't want to insult Myri by offering their hearts for the victory ritual. No, they are better off away. They will not return here. Besides, they brought us dinner.” She jerked her thumb at the bodies that littered the jungle floor. The two Myrians shared a grin at that. “We must not be ungrateful.”

She instructed the two women to bind the unconscious men and to strap the bodies of the dead on the remaining horses. They were to call the tiger riders to transport the live ones back to Taloba for sacrifice and to gather the other scouting groups in the vicinity to them. The clearing seemed a good enough place to break camp, large enough to hold several tens of people. Amir, in fact, was already starting a fire.

“I invite you to join us for the evening meal, Sister Wolf,” Siiri said, switching back to common as she addressed the Kelvic. “We are having horse tonight it seems. A rare meat; we do not often get the chance to taste mounts you see.”

The Myrian's words were light but something in her tone suggested that declining the offer was not an option.

[Miharu Mindi]

She followed along behind Siiri as the savage woman dealt with the slaves, and was satisfied with how that turned out. They were obviously good at running, since they'd made it all the way here.

Golden eyes turned back, though, when the two women started speaking their own language, and she stared at them unabashedly. Once, half her lifetime ago, someone may have taught her the finer points of politeness and how to behave around people, but she had been a long time alone in the wilderness, and such things were easily forgotten.

A hint of a smile crossed her face when Siiri discussed dinner, though, more an impression of a smile than an actuality. She had a face that was made to smile, but it had been long and long again since she actually had.

"My name is Miharu," she said softly, ducking her head as she scratched at an old scar that looped over her left shoulder. "Horse is fine. Better than what I've had this last season, surely. I've been a long time on the road," she chuckled dryly. She had been afraid her first meal in Falyndar would be some strange snake or unrecognizable beast, and the prospect of something familiar made her relax a little.

She turned to look around a moment, and then pointed. "I've a pack, over there. I can dress if you'd prefer," she said, though there was some growl underlying her words that said she'd rather not, but would do so if this pack's alpha asked it of her.

[Siiri]

“Miharu,” Siiri repeated. The name was unfamiliar but she found that it flowed easily enough in both common and Myrian. She clapped her hands, once. “A fine name. I had thought we would have to resort to calling you 'Sister Wolf' were you named in some strange unpronounceable tongue.”

The Kelvic's offer to clothe up made sense (Siiri had noticed that Amir was already having a hard time keeping his eyes off the wolf-woman's breasts), but she somehow sensed Miharu's desire to stay uncovered. Siiri herself was tempted to keep her that way but it would be a lot more trouble than its worth to have to constantly explain to the arriving fangs why a pale-skinned woman-child was walking around camp naked. She thought of Miharu's animal form and realized the Kelvic was uncomfortable in the jungle's heat. Any human clothing the girl might have must be suited for the mountainous climes as well.

“Perhaps you should; the men might find it difficult to keep watch tonight otherwise,” the Myrian advised. Reaching into her own pack, she pulled out a folded white bundle. It was a blouse, if one could call it that, but tight-fitting and rather revealing. It served to display a Myrian woman's battle marks and her figure, as well as keep her cool in the region's tropical climate. “Here. We are almost of the same build. This should service you well enough. You can trim any breeches you have with a blade to function similarly.” Of course, she didn't offer the Kelvic a knife. She would either have one of her own or Siiri would offer to trim any of her pants herself. One simply did not give a stranger a weapon, especially if one was keeping said stranger nearby.

Pretty soon, other Myrians started pouring, until their numbers swelled to just a little over twenty. Most arrived on foot while some rode spotted leopardbreds. Others still broke through the clearing astride massive tigers that seemed to dwarf even the largest of the equine creatures. Siiri separated from Miharu for a while and conferred with these riders, reporting her fang's brief encounter with the slavers as well as their meeting with the Kelvic.

She returned to Miharu's side in good spirits. “I have spoken with the fang leaders and they have accepted your presence. I have vouched for you,” she indicated, as if it was a matter of some great importance. “We feast tonight, rest, then leave for Taloba at first light. Some of us anyway. We will escort you there. That is why you have come here, yes? It's the only city worth coming to in these parts.”

She did not mention that there was another city, Zinrah, home of the hated Dhani. But then no Myrian would in polite conversation.

OOCYou can add the Blouse in your inventory. I've crossed it off in my CS. ^^

[Miharu Mindi]

She took the blouse, eying it suspiciously as if unsure what exactly to do with it, but she cradled it against her chest anyway. "No, I was born among humans, so I've a name and some familiarity with how their world works. I've just... been in the wilds a long time now."

She peered down at the blouse, and then simply turned and walked back into the woods, pale skin glistening in the shadows beneath the jungle greenery. A few sniffs of the humid air, and then she adjusted her trajectory and headed straight for the tree she'd hidden her pack in when all this started. She pulled out half the contents of her pack, then frowned at the blouse in her hand. What was she supposed to do with this? If she needed to shift quickly, she'd have to cut it off. Which might make the Myrian woman angry - but then again, she'd seemed to understand much about Kelvic ways, so perhaps she wouldn't take offense.

So she pulled the blouse over her head, struggling a little since she hadn't put on real clothes in ages. It was a bit too tight around the ribcage, and too loose across the chest since her breasts were a little smaller than Siiri's. She was wholly unaware of what she might look like as far as the Myrians' stares went, for she'd yet to realize the human lust that ran in her veins. She'd been the wolf too long, knew only the practical side of such things, and since she'd no desire to breed it didn't occur to her to think of mating. And, most luckily for her, she'd managed to avoid anyone who would have forced a lesson on her.

But such thoughts were beyond her, crouched softly beneath the branches of the jungle trees. Instead, she just pulled out the toga she wore as a dress and drew her knife out to hack at it. She finally managed to get it down to a small length of cloth that would serve as a skirt, which she wrapped around her hips and knotted on one side. It fell to just above mid-thigh, leaving her with more skin showing than covered - which was what she preferred, really. The tightness of the blouse made her uncomfortable, but she could get used to that if they made her wear clothing all the time.

Her belt was tied low around her hips as well, and she rammed the dagger into its sheath. The last thing she put on was a long chain of thin steel links, a tarnished silver ring hanging from it and no visible clasp, as if the chain had been knit with the ring on it. It hung down to her naval, long enough that it wouldn't choke her if she shifted, but for now she just shoved it into the front of the blouse, letting the cool metal pool beneath her breasts. When she was finally settled, everything was repacked, and she slung the backpack over one shoulder and jogged back to the clearing.

Which was just beginning to get visitors. She found a spot on the edge of the clearing and sat to watch them all arrive, her head peeking up every time she caught the scent of some new animal - always a second or two before it appeared. Amber eyes widened to see the tigers, and she scrambled up to put her back against a tree the first time one broke through, but after a few moments she understood that this was usual. So she sat back down, though still leaning against the tree.

When Siiri finally returned to her, she relaxed to see her in such good spirits. "I had heard of Taloba, yes," she said, rising to her feet, "but I had no real plans. I came..." She paused head tilting to one side before she shrugged. "I had nowhere else to go, and I thought this might be a good place to hunt. There's no purpose driving me, so I'll abide by your convenience."

Didn't want to put them out by having to go to the city, but was sure this pack of hunters didn't want to be burdened with her either. Golden eyes flickered up to meet Siiri's, then shuffled away just as quickly. Something bitter twisted her mouth for a moment, and she distracted herself by lifting her pack up between them so she could untie a smaller bag from its side. "What foodstuffs I have are for your pack-- your fang," she corrected herself, "as payment for the escort. If you want them."

[Siiri]

Siiri laughed, loud and unabashed. She didn't know much about Kelvics, but Miharu must be younger than how her human skin looked to be so naive! But Myrian toned down into softer chuckles, not wanting to give offense at the girl.

“Keep your foodstuff,” she bade. “As you can see, we have plenty meat for food. The horse will sustain all of us, for now. If it is not enough, we can always hunt for more or have the foreign steeds of the outsiders. Caiyha provides. You will never lack for food here, if you respect her laws.

“As for escorting you to Taloba, it is not a favor but more a duty for us.” Siiri paused then, formulating how best to explain the situation to the Kelvic without making the woman-child feel like she was some sort of prisoner. She was in Falyndar now and must be made to understand the unspoken rules that governed the region. “You kind is tolerated here, yes, even accepted, but you are still outsider – non-Myrian – until you are fully embraced by the people. You are still watched.”

She pointed up at the trees then, indicating at last the other Myrians that surrounded the clearing in their hidden perches. At least ten of them could be seen, Onna and Kai among their numbers, and Garou as well, who gave the two of them a lewd wink as he hanged off a branch upside down like a bat. Their formation was such that they could keep an eye out for any man or beast approaching the camp as well as monitor each other's position so that everyone of the sentry network was guarded by at least two of their fellows, a setup that prevented ambush and sneak attacks from any aggressor.

Sirri continued.

“My people, we are suspicious, yes? It takes time for... how do the humans say... outsiders to grow on us. You are not a prisoner here, Miharu. You can leave, anytime. But I think the jungle calls you, yes? We are the same, you and I. Hunters. Beasts of prey.

“I have vouched for you to give you more freedom in movement. You will be watched but you can move around camp, even a little outside, and our warriors will not mistake you for the local wildlife. I would hate to have to kill the stupid one who accidentally hunts you for the pelt of your wolf form, yes?” Siiri concluded, the last part an attempt at humor. But it was Myrian humor, with morbid undertones, and she doubted the Kelvic would have caught it. She shrugged, unconcerned.

“But do not let such things worry you. You are welcome here, upon my word. Come, let us be the first to taste of Amir's cooking. He makes fine roast, no matter what meat is on the spit.” She tilted her head to where the man was slowly turning the dead horse under a blazing fire. The beast's innards cooked and sizzled in a separate grill. The scent of herbs and spices wafted from both. “The intestines should be right about done.”

[Miharu Mindi]

Siiri's laughter won her a flash of teeth, lip curling in a snarl that was pure reaction without the threat that it might have been had there been a growl tucked behind her teeth. So she shoved her food back into her pack and followed her towards the smell of cooking meat.

"I'm not one of your pack," she said in agreement. "There is a kinship, perhaps, as you say, but... we are not the same." Again that bitterness rose and threaded through her words, but no trace of it changed her expression. "And I would hate to have to hamstring the stupid one who accidentally tried to hunt me for my pelt," she said with an upward thrust of her chin, amusement sparkling through golden eye though it didn't touch her mouth.

She padded along beside Siiri as she headed for the meat, just behind her shoulder as if she were guarding her back. It came so naturally to her, she likely didn't even know she did it. "I'll have to remember what meat tastes like when the blood's been burned out of it," she chuckled dryly. "It smells... good," she said, her first real attempt at politeness, more as if she'd been told such smells were appetizing and so she repeated it now.

[Siiri]

“Perhaps,” Siiri said noncommittally at Miharu’s mention of being different. She rubbed her chin, emphasizing its sharpness, as she considered the Kelvic’s words. When she spoke again, her words came out slow and thoughtful. “In my scouting forays, I have seen many lone wolves…wolves here, they do not have as thick or fine a pelt as yours… roaming the jungle. Many times they avoid the territory of those wolves with packs. Those who are found trespassing are often torn to pieces by the pack the territory belongs to. Other times, I watched them, expecting the one wolf to die, but the pack adopts this wolf, makes it one of their own. Perhaps the jungle called you here to find your own pack, maybe?”

By the time she finished speaking, they had reached Amir’s makeshift barbeque pit. The slain horse’s intestines were sizzling nicely on one side, cleaned of their contents and treated with the creature’s blood and some spices. They were cut into equal lengths and served on sticks. The rest of its innards were similarly barbequed. Those waiting their turn on the fire marinated in a deep pot filled with the horse’s blood. Amir roasted the gutted carcass on a different pit, one with a larger fire. He gestured for the two women to take their pick from those that were already cooked.

Letting her companion pick her choice of meat, Siiri took the nearest two for herself and wolfed down the strips of horse guts skewered on the sharp sticks and twigs, not pausing until the last bite. Once she finished chewing, she suddenly sucked in great amounts of air through her mouth in quick succession. “Bastard overspiced those. Get the ones from the other side,” she advised her companion. Despite her own words, Siiri took two more of the hot kabobs.

As they ate, Siiri pointed out to Miharu the different Myrians known to her. Members of her own fang were the first: Amir, Garou, Onna and Kai. Then there was Goro, a massive man who looked like he could wrestle a bear and win; Kala, almost undetectable in the background with body paint; Kreesha, one of the tiger riders, a woman even larger than Goro, was tugging away the mangled corpse of one of the slavers from her mount. And there were many more. Each one, whenever they caught their fellow warrior pointing them out or gesturing towards them, would nod or offer a salute. They still eyed the Kelvic with a little apprehension but Siiri's presence beside the shapeshifter seemed to alleviate much of their misgivings.

The Myrian explained that most of them would return to their scouting routes while her fang will escort Miharu to Taloba in the wake of one of the fangs with a tiger rider, probably Kreesha, who would ride ahead bearing the captured horses and the remaining slavers.

“You will be among those few who will get to see the glory of Myri's city.” Siiri glanced back at the captive slavers, drugged men who knew not where they were, then shrugged at Miharu almost apologetically. “At least, one of those few who will get to see it and live to tell the tale,” she amended. She offered the Kelvic one of the sticks she procured earlier. “Kidney or liver?”

[Miharu Mindi]

She said nothing to this speech about finding a pack, a place, a home. If nothing else, her face grew more blank, a porcelain mask over flesh and bone. No, she would not let herself hope again. It had nearly killed her the last time.

"Ooh, kidney," she said, gladly taking the one offered. The heavily spiced intestines were a bit too much for the Kelvic, unused to anything more than freshly-killed meat on a wolf's tongue, but the kidney was delicious.

Golden eyes cut over to each person she was introduced to, and the gods knew she'd likely forget most of that. Names, numbers, all things she was no good at. But she would remember their faces, and their scents, the way they moved across the clearing and how their eyes watched those around them.

"I am not... I don't like cities much," she said, an apology threading her voice because she certainly didn't mean to insult Taloba, "but that's usually just because of the crowds. I understand it will be an honor." She tilted her chin a little to look over at the captives, and her brows drew down a moment. "What will you do with them?"

[Siiri]

“Don't like crowds?” Siiri echoed. She waved her have, a quick gesture, encompassing the camp. “Just more of the same. People who do different trades, but deep down, all are warriors. Hunters. Predators. We are Myri's children.”

She sensed the uneasiness of the Kelvic and did not pursue the issue. Taloba wasn't exactly the most welcoming of cities, and Miharu was entitled to her own opinion. Besides, she was in Falyndar; there must be some part of her that wanted to go to the city of the Myrians.

Siiri tried to read the expression on the girl's face as she asked the fate of the captured slavers. Was it concern that touched her features? Anxiety? Fear of the human men? Or was she merely curious about the ways of Siiri's people in dealing with trespassers? The last part should have been obvious enough in the way her fang dealt with the rest of the captives' companions. The woman finally conceded that the Kelvic was an enigma to her. She had to remind herself that the creature was more a beast that could turn into human form rather than the other way around.

“They will be sacrificed,” she answered simply. She kept her eyes on Miharu as she spoke, taking in every little detail, trying to grasp the nature of this wolf-turned-woman within their midst.

[Miharu Mindi]

She turned to focus amber eyes on Siiri and blinked at that answer, the only sign of her surprise to hear of sacrifice, the first real crack in the mask. "Sacrificed?" she asked, curiosity finally threading through her voice. "Oh. I see. Meat for your goddess then, their strength to her."

She knew nothing of religion, didn't really understand. Oh, it had been explained to her when she was young, but such things were really beyond her ken. Gods and goddesses, the breaking of the world. It meant little to her. There was the earth and the sky, the hunter and the prey, the Master and the Companion. That was all she knew, and all she needed to know.

Finally she grinned, wide and bright, and it made her something more familiar, more beautiful. "I think I will like it here," she laughed.