Closed The End Of A Wild Heart (Jackalope)

[Scarlett Windsearcher]

Fall 86th, 512AV There was nothing like the amazing feel of wind blowing through your hair and fingers as you sit in an open sea of green green grass surrounding you for miles on end. There was however, the occasional risk of predators but they rarely were even spotted by Scarlett's eyes. Her golden locks were flowing in the wind but the breeze soon died down and Scarlett was left with nothing. She dismounted Rocky and leaned up against a thick stalk as she slid down to the ground and sat down, relaxing. It had been a while since she had done this and it was nice to get out of the norm every once in awhile. Scarlett took a drink out of her waterskin and sighed, wiping her chin off. She looked at Rocky then held out the waterskin "Would you like some Rocky?" Scarlett wasn't near as thirsty as Rocky and even if he drunk the entire thing of water Scarlett wouldn't mind for she wasn't even close to that thirsty. Consider the fact that she was just riding Rocky rather than actually carrying someone and running she definitely had respect for him. Rocky nodded his head violently, tossing his head up and down with that happy expression Scarlett knew. This made her smile and she held the waterskin to his lips and as he raised his head, she poured a gentle stream into his mouth in which he gulped down since it was like sips to him. In less than two minutes the waterskin was empty and Scarlett laughed when she emptied the last tiny drops into his mouth. Rocky looked at her with an amused expression and nudged Scarlett happily. Everything was perfect and quiet and so peaceful. The Strider pawed at the ground and tossed his head with a slight whinny. It was his way of laughing but in a more unique and... horse-like way. His golden/orange coat shimmered in the sunlight almost giving him a glow like presence. His black stockings, muzzle, mane, and tail all stood out casting a black like glow that beautiful and almost intimidating at the same time. The horse stooped down to her level and eventually laid down beside her with a short and sweet snicker. Scarlett smiled and braided a part of his mane and then braided a blade of grass into it, giving him a new accessory. He snorted out of annoyance then horse-like smiled and nudged her. The horse soon lost all expression and his eyes grew wide. Within a second he was on his feet and turning his body every which of a way looking into the Sea of Grass more deeply. He snorted loudly and looked down at Scarlett, grabbing her shirt and pulling her up. She soon hopped on his back unaware of what was going on. She had suspicions but she wasn't 100% sure. She stroked Rocky gently and simply reassured him everything would be alright.

[Jackalope]

Rocky's instincts and senses were correct. There was a reason to be alert, a reason to be wary, and more so, a reason to be afraid. Rocky didn't react to Scarlet's attempts to sooth him, as he began trotting in circles, eyes wide and fearful. His strong, powerful muscles were tense under her body, his mannerisms unusual for the usually reliable horse. A worried whinny escaped from her strider's mouth. Rocky had already heard them coming, and soon Scarlet would, too. Rocky turned to face the horrific creatures, another whinny bursting forth, as Scarlet was startled by several piercing shrieks. There were four of them, which she recognized as Glassbeaks. Dangerous predators of the Sea of Grass. Tall, ranging from seven to eight feet tall, with powerful beaks which glistened like the glass they earned their names from. Thick powerful legs, with razor sharp talons, beat against the ground as they closed on them at alarming speed. Worst of all, they'd moved around to encircle the two. They were known for utilizing ambush tactics, especially on lone hunters, and this was just such a situation. Scarlet found herself in a dire situation. There was no where for them to run. Scarlet's heart would begin to race, as the powerful creatures came down on them. Rocky raised back on his hind legs to lash out with his hooves to protect himself and Scarlet, but the creature passed by, out of reach circling around, preparing to strike in unison with the rest of it's terrifying brethren. The pack almost seemed to be toying with them, preparing to take down their meal. She realized her chances of surviving weren't good, so she would need to act quickly, but there were no clear paths away.

[Scarlett Windsearcher]

Scarlett looked at Rocky as he leaned her head back and looked at her. They both looked at the circling glassbeaks slowly enclosing on them. There were four of them at least. She was sure of it. Scarlett was unsure if she should use her bow or her sword. The close range they were at she would probably have a hard time knocking them away with the small arrows she had carried with her and plus they were running at 60mph. There was no was a girl with so much small skill in a bow that could take one out let alone four. She unsheathed her long sword and held it with both hands. She let loose of her Yvas and sighed looking for any sign of the first attacker. She knew she stood a very extremely slim chance of coming out alive. One of them would die, and she hoped it was her. If this is where the road ended, then this is where the Windsearcher name would end forever. Scarlett pulled out her waterskin and tossed it far out hoping it would attract at least one of the glassbeaks over that way but it was a pathetic attempt at surviving. Scarlett swiftly untied her purple sash resembling her clan and tied it to his mane tight enough to where it wouldn't come off but losse enough to where it would come loose when untied. "Rocky, if they get me, I want you to run! And when I mean run I mean RUN! Don't look back and go as fast as you possibly can! I'll be dead and this is where my trail will end. However, you still have your life ahead of you! Do you hear what I'm saying?!?! Do NOT turn back! Your faster than them and have thrice the willpower! Go wherever you need to but try to make it back to our clan and after they see the sash I want you to do what you please." The Strider looked at Scarlett with glistening eyes then looked at the glassbeaks strongly. His golden flank shook and he grew very tense. He was waiting for the moment for he would not disappoint her. He would do as he was told and run gracefully and elegantly carrying his rider's sash. Scarlett blinked quickly as a tear, glistening in the sun's rays, fell down her face and onto the ground. So this is where it ends. Scarlett knew she wasn't coming out of this and she wanted Rocky to be the one to go free. If she had to, she would rather die by causing a distraction than her Strider. "Go Rocky! Now!"

[Jackalope]

Sometimes a life is taken too soon, and that 'sometimes' was all too frequent for the people of Endrykas. Scarlett wouldn't see the glassbeak as it slammed into her, sending her sprawling to the ground. Rolling through the thick grass, and struggling to get up, the sound of the other beasts circling grew closer and closer. The Drykas woman's breathing was heavy, as she forced herself to her feet, taking her long sword up again, ready to fight to protect her Rocky. Rocky had loyally listened to her commands, though he was slow to move, turning in circles a few times, looking at her expectantly and snorting. The hesitation gave the horrendous grassland creatures the opportunity to come down on the magnificent strider. Scarlett was able to react quickly enough to lash out with her blade, forcing the glassbeak to change it's focus as the cold steel sunk into its flesh. "Run, Rocky!" She yelled, slapping him on the rump to send him off. Scarlett would strike again as another beast came close, but the creature was too powerful and too fast for her size. A horrific pain raced through her body as the creature's strong beak pierced her shoulder, driving her back to the ground. This time there was no reprieve as the other glassbeaks had all gathered around the fallen woman, leaving her nowhere to crawl. Scarlett could take some solace in the fact they were all looking at her, leaving Rocky to run free. They all let out a horrible screech before beginning to tear into their pray. As the pain overtook her, Scarlett could swear she heard her strider whinnying sadly in the the distance. oocFeel free to play out a dramatic finish if you so choose. I'm sorry you wished to retire a Drykas, but I'm glad you wanted to play it out a little! Hit me up if you decide to play in Cyphrus again.

[Scarlett Windsearcher]

OOCYeah it's sad to see her go, but I'd rather make more progress in Mizahar than have an alternate PC sitting around collecting dust. I'm sure I'll be in Cyphrus sometime so don't worry about that. And glad you liked me playing it out! Scarlett was done for. She was gone and she watched as her Strider left her and ran in the distance, hearing the loud whinny that she knew was her Strider's sad cry. The Drykas saw his tail and mane waving, carrying that purple sash of her's away. She struggled but knew it was no use. Before she knew it she would begin to be eaten alive. However, she did try to get through the pain by memories. Flashbacks of her parents reached her mind. They were there again, her mother inches away and she felt as though she could reach out and grab them. She screamed out in agony as a glassbeak bit into her shoulder. Next was her aunt and uncle and the day they brought her Strider home for her. Her blonde headed aunt was there as well as her bright eyed uncle. Her uncle and aunt smiled at her and reached their hand out to her but it soon flashed away in a flash of white light. Next, she saw Rocky. She saw the images of her young Strider come to what he was now, a large horse running through the Sea of Grass to complete his Drykas' orders. Another large pain shot through her body causing her to shout out pitifully and she knew she would be going under any moment now. Then she saw everyone. Her mother, her father, her aunt, her uncle and in the middle she saw Rocky. This of course was a hallucination but to Scarlett it was her life's last seconds. Simultaneously, they all smiled at her then held out their left hands, with the exception of Rocky. Scarlett looked at them, wide-eyed, trying to ignore the glassbeaks then with one last breath, she reached out her hand to join them. The hallucination of Rocky reared and neighed happily then everything went white.