Closed Capture!

[Kaie]

35th of Winter, 513 AV
14th Bell

Did it ever end, this constant traveling? Could it be her curse to jog from one end of Mizahar to the other in hopes of finding the coin, the resources, and the means to pursue a grander journey? Thus far, it sure seemed like the Fates were leading in her circles. She was like a dog chasing its tail. For one reason or another, she couldn't ever quite catch it no matter how fast she turned. Her targets were always one step ahead, and she two steps behind. What a vicious cycle.

Trent had convinced her to hold off leaving Ravok. She should've never crossed his path again. To be honest, she was pretty set on the conclusion she never wanted to. He found her one day in the forest outside the city anyways. Reluctantly, she had agreed to hang around until he assembled another caravan to head southward. Had she any wits at all, she would've declined. There was something malicious he brought out in her. Something unnecessarily evil. Whatever it was, it was unbecoming. She could see that from a mile away. A fire ravaged face reminded her of her wrongs and the monster caged within her soul for some time. Even when the man succumbed to his wounds and was removed forever from her sight, she still felt the weight. At least he hadn't appeared in her recurring nightmares yet.

This time, Kaie swore, things would be different. She would not let him turn her into some loyal dog whose sole purpose of surviving was to heed his wishes. It was an armed caravan of travelers, not her personal army. He was leader but not general. Trent would know the Myrian woman was not a new recruit to be brainwashed. It would be best if they stayed out of each other's way when they cooperated. In an attempt to avoid potentially maiming a member of the newest group, Kaie accept Trent's offer. She would become his scout. Their previous experiences together had proven they were always lacking in that area, and he thought she had a keen eye. It was as good a chance as any at keeping her hands moderately clean. They could be the thieves and outright murderers. Not her. Not anymore.

It was as good a time as any to check out the lands ahead. Luckily, they had cleared the boggy areas of Nyka a while back and entered the familiar landscape north of Syliras. Pretty petching far north, but the idea of being closer to the City of Peace than the domain of Uphis was a welcome one. With the caravan stopping just along a stream west of where she was headed, Kaie felt confident enough to take a look around. Every once in a while as she navigated the changing gradient, she would mark a deep line around the trunk of a tree. A simple measure to ensure she kept her bearings.

Her footsteps were moderately controlled. The layer of snow under her feet crunched rhythmically regardless of her balance, but it was far quieter than foolish stomping. Observant gaze scanned the treeline regularly at every pause or sound, waiting for the worst to make its appearance. So far there was nothing but a startled snow hare, which Kaie's spear missed by a long shot. Still she had much ground to cover until she reached the precipice of the cliffs she was eyeing from the glade. If she was right, it would give her a valuable eagle-eye view of the area they were traversing. More importantly, it would give her full range to spot a too smokey campfire.

Just a little farther...

[Kaie]

"Gods damn you, Zeke!"

"Oh, quit whining! You sound like a bloody woman!"

Broderick grumbled something incomprehensible and undoubtedly foul beneath his breath. He liked the young Drykas man, he really did, but petch did he get on his nerves. To him, Zeke was still naught but a boy. The bonding with a strider and earning of windmarks meant nothing to the apathetic (and often restless) businessman. There was one thing on his mind and one thing only: Mizas, and lots of them. While Zeke's clever idea about climbing over the mountain rather than taking the pass where bandits more than likely preyed, Broderick was a strong believer in the notion "time is money." Despite the obvious fact their small band was emerged unscathed from the treacherous climb, he just couldn't get his mind off the lost bells. That and a much needed rest. Their horses certainly worked hard that day.

"Pretty ain't she?" Zeke grinned at Broderick as he rode up beside him, a dark hand patting the horse's neck with pride.

"You know, most men find pride and dignity in their wealth and possessions. You dote on that animal like some sort of precious gem!"

"That's because she is a precious gem to me. Oh, I know! How 'bout this. When we get to Nyka, you can buy me a weapon just as shiny as yours. Then you won't have to flaunt that lifeless piece of shyke around alone!"

"Awe, petch you! This here sword is made of Isurian Steel! I swear you wouldn't know a fine weapon if someone buried one in your skull!"

Zeke laughed and shook his head with a mirthful expression. With the two unlikely partners taking point, the rest of their merry band rode several paces behind. Fortunately they weren't packing any real merchandise. Just packing along bodies looking for a change of scenery. They were fools, the whole lot of them. Two original travelers had died along the way, and with the snow coming, the Drykas was sure a few more would drop dead before Nyka. Vayt always had his days in winter. Let no man ever forget it.

"Looks like the summit coming up. Lucky we didn't have any horses slip. Good eye on the trail, mate," Broderick commended lightly, one hand slipping from the reigns to stroke his growing stubble. He'd make a mental note to trim it back at the first water source they ran into. That's assuming there were not accidents finding a way down.

"Shhh! Shut your petching mouth for a second!"

"Petch you!"

"Shhhh!"

Before Broderick could spin his horse around to angrily cut off Zeke's advance, the Drykas pointed forward. Taking the hint, the proud pragmatic man shut his jaw and took a look for himself. At first there was nothing. After scanning through the thick patterns of tree trunks, though, he did see something. Without a moment of hesitation, the older man shot his hand back to gesture the others to stop where they were. The two leaders turned heads to stare at one another. They need not speak to voice their shared question: What would be their next move?

[Kaie]

It was stunning quite honestly. A far better view than the Myrian woman had originally anticipated. The forest around her was quiet and empty. She made sure of that before she dared approach the steep cliffs she had come to see. Kaie's feet crept forward cautiously, steadily, until she finally stepped upon the exposed grey rock. It was slick. Immediately she caught herself imagining a fatal fall from the edge. At least she'd feel the sensation of weightlessness before the agonizing crash, and the shattering of her entire body. She crouched down and eased forward to look over the side. The drop was absolutely merciless. Better to keep an extra step back just in case.

The first thing she did was study the landscape. She eyed the way the mountains began to rise and fall, the way the trees leaned as the gradient steepened beneath them. Most importantly, the Myrian tried to spy a body of water. At that particular spot, she saw very little as far as lakes went. If she remembered correctly the direction she came, she could just make out the area she believed her caravan to be resting. With Syna where she was in the sky, the Myrian woman bet she had a few ticks to kill before she made her final descent. With winter setting in with all its unique perils, Trent wouldn't dare risk what numbers he did have for a lost scout. Not even if it was her. At least she could stay there crouched above the world, feeling the wind wreck havoc on her reddened cheeks and give rise to gooseflesh along her body, before she returned. She could enjoy the scenery just a few moments longer...


................................................................................................................................................................................



There was quite a bit of deliberation on their end. After all, there was a damn wild woman sitting right there in their path. Not to mention she had a spear of decent quality. Who knew what else she was hiding beneath that cloak? The most dangerous thing about her presence wasn't necessarily her, per say. The problem was they simply couldn't risk her giving a shout to any potential allies. Broderick and Zeke were pretty confident in themselves, but if they were outnumbered, they'd be in a world of hurt. It was rather obvious she needed to be eliminated. The order to take her out right where she crouched plenty far from their position should've come. But Broderick was indeed a restless, ambitious, businessman. He wished to seize a very different opportunity. There was no sin in his eyes in wanting a heavier coin purse.

"For the love of Xyna, don't hit her like that! You'll knock her unconscious right off the damn cliffs, you fool!"

"You're right. Shyke. If only she'd move from the edge..."

Zeke sighed and eyed the woman meaningfully. It was almost like he was willing her to move with his thoughts. Whatever he was doing, it wasn't working. She was still there perched on that clifftop. He could just make out her long, curly hair brushing across her shoulders in the breeze.

"I have an idea," The Drykas finally offered after a moment of brainstorming. He patted his strider and dismounted quietly, hanging the still mounted Broderick the reigns. "I can't hit her clean from this range anyways. Give me a chance to move in. The moment she moves from that cliff, she's mine."

"Have at it. And try not to scare this one off. I saw you try to flirt with that wench in that tavern. Should've been an easy catch. Still trying to figure out how your screwed that one up."

"Petch off will you?"

[Kaie]

It was hard to pull away. There was something so calming about the summit of that nameless mountain. The way the world ebbed and flowed in rolling giants made of stone and deep valleys of soft streams running cold in the winter. The soft dusting of angelic powder across the tops of coniferous branches only added to the world's allure. Had the wind not blistered her cheeks and bitten like angry dogs at her fingers, the Myrian woman might've found a reason to remain. It would be best to return before Leth made his appearance anyways.

Just as Kaie rose, something felt wrong. It was immediate, like a warm, soothing blanket yanked from one's body in the early hours to expose them to the reality of the cold environment. Quickly, the woman realized, she was not alone. Her fingers relaxed and then tightened their grip into a vice around her spear. The plan would be simple. All she had to do was ignore the possibility she was being watched until she spun around and threw her weapon. May Myri bless her in that the tip of her spear would not miss its mark...

One step, two step, three, and she was away from the edge approaching the forest. Then, sharply, she pivoted on her heels toward the very tip of the summit and raised her spear. Yet she saw no one. Not a single soul was in her view at first. Actually, she was just about to lower her spear and laugh at her tensity when a sharp pain attacked her throat. It was unexpected and oddly small. All she could compare it to was being latched onto by a Winged Leech back in Falyndar. Last she knew, Sylira had nothing of the sort...

It came again, this time on her exposed arm that lacked protection by her cloak. The Myrian blinked twice in surprised and stared in the direction she believed the sensation originated. This time, she saw a man. Slowly he rose from his crouched position behind a snowy boulder, staring at her with a blank expression. And that's when she began to feel something. It was unnatural. Like she was losing sensation in her limbs and then the rest of her body. Her head began to fog and she found when she took a step and made a vicious growl in her attacker's way, her feet were clumsy. Her world became wildly unbalanced and a haze glazed at her eyes.

Kaie lifted her arm to spy an odd needle with a feathered end in her flesh. With her free hand, she tore it out and brought it close to her face. It spun between her fingers once before she dropped it and snaked her hand along to her neck. With a wince, she yanked that one out, too. No others came. Apparently, no more were necessary. For as she held the last needle-like projectile in her hand, lowered it to spy the assailant coming closer, she collapsed on her side. Then it all went black.

[Kaie]

There were moments of light she remembered. Flashes of consciousness she hardly recollected. The sensation of rocking here and the sound of an unfamiliar voice there. All was a blur. When Kaie did return to the waking world, however, it was by the calling of a hot blaze against her cheek. A natural warmth she was accustomed to all her life that rid her of the freeze threatened to possess her body. Slowly the haze began to lift, eye lids flickering open and orbs squinting at the radiance of the firelight. After a moment, she was sitting up with her head in her hands. Around her she heard the whispering of men she was sure she'd never met. And no gurgling water of a near frozen stream.

Just as she went to separate her hands to rub her temples, Kaie found resistance. Much to her disdain there was rope around her wrists. She was bound. A prisoner of some sort. What profit was to be made in her life? Who went through all the trouble to keep her alive? Idiots, that's who. Apparently they weren't foolish enough, for when she slipped her hands down inside her cloak, she found her entire weapon belt removed. Not even the most carefully hidden blade was left behind for her use. Nothing to cut herself free. Goddess, was her head pounding. If only she could focus...

"Looks like our little princess quit the beauty sleep."

"Oh ho ho, look at you!"

"Exotic little thing ain't she, boys?"

A thicker man with stubble and meaty fingers crouched beside her with a sinister grin. He ran his hands through her curls and caressed her cheek with his thumb, before settling with grip her chin. He turned her head toward a darker man, whose windmarks distinguished him noticeably as a Drykas, with a raised brow and mocking smile.

"How does she compare to your ladies in the Sea of Grass? She's like a desert flower."

Kaie snapped her jaws at him in an attempt to catch one of his fingers between her teeth. The man yelled out in surprised and yanked his hand away just in time. The Drykas man folded his arms across his chest and chuckled with a gleam to his eyes.

"More like a desert cobra, wouldn't you say?"

The Myrian spun to face the crowd, finding her legs bound together too. Her lip was curled in silent fury, muscles tense as if she planned to break free with brute force. Trent was no where to be found. For once she was pretty certain he wasn't to blame for whatever was going on. The good news was it looked like she was back down on the right side of the mountain.

"Thanks for the lift, guys. Now how about cutting me free?" She offered sarcastically, reaching her wrists out and arching a brow their way. All she got in return was a round of chuckles and glancing eyes.

Bastards. All of them.

"Okay let me do us all a favor and save time. Whatever you're looking for? I don't have it. So if you're going to kill me, get on with it."

That seemed to get their attentions. The Drykas and the thick man eyed her curiously as if shocked by her response. The few others behind them looked uncomfortable as if they weren't sure whether to laugh at her or let the surprise register on their faces.

What's the matter? We back to this "all women are meek" shyke? Give me a break...

"We're not going to kill you."

"Then what the petch?"

"We're selling you. It's nothing personal. Just business."

Slavers. She should've known. Her expression darkened to reveal an unbridled hostility in her already intense features. Her lip curled in disgust. Nothing but fury and hatred mirrored in her amber eyes. Immediately, she felt the urge to tear free of her binds and lunge right for his throat. She didn't need a weapon to kill him. Her teeth would do just fine. It's not like she minded the blood. Maybe if going after him didn't involve her bouncing over with bound feet like a frog, she might've gone after him.

[Kaie]

Several bells had passed since her awakening. Most it had been used up by her vicious insults, taunts, and curses aimed at her captors' ways. Some of it in Common, most of it in Myrian. Eventually, their incessant arguing had ceased leaving nothing but silence around the fire. Some already occupied their tents in preparation for the night. Only a few still lingered in the cold, open air. Kaie remained where she had been since she came to consciousness beside the fire. Since her silence, her brooding was done with eyes angry enough to conjure flames of her own. If the Drykas didn't insist on sitting by the fire still, she might've found a bit of peace. Maybe.

"You're Myrian aren't you?"

"What was your first clue?" She growled at him with all the malice her voice could carry. Her eyes shifted to his face once and it was enough. The man leaned back when their gazes met as if her dirty look was a real threat.

"Myrian? I know a guy supposedly in Sunberth now who has a special interest in your kind. Told me if I ever caught one to sell to him before anyone else. Promised me double," The thick man said suddenly upon exiting his own tent, a piece of bread in hand. The Drykas let out a groan.

"Sunberth? It's a shyke hole! Why in the name of Semele would you want us to go that far? There's plenty around Nyka and Ravok who'd pay just fine."

"You have to think big, Zeke! Risk and reward! Why sell her for a mediocre price when we can earn something worth our troubles? Besides, I heard a man say slavers make out like bandits in that filthy city."

Zeke tossed a twig into the inferno, brow furrowed in deliberation. He said no more to protest though. Kaie said nothing either. The stare she gave them was enough. She had heard about the troubles that plagued the anarchist society out east. If they thought she would be slave to any master, especially one from Sunberth, they were about to get a rude awakening. Until then she could remain silent and let her fury churn like lava beneath Wind Reach. Although when she felt along her bottom lip with her fingers, she found herself suddenly speaking again.

"Why was my lip bleeding before?" Kaie suddenly asked, tongue licking away the dried blood and feeling the cut in the tender flesh. This time her expression was one of utter bewilderment. She couldn't remember cutting anything at all the past day or so.

"You can thank Broderick over there for that. He dropped you," The Drykas man said with a chuckle, running a hand through his hair. He didn't even bother looking at her that time. He was too busy subduing his laughter at the very memory. It must've been quite a sight.

"Off what?"

"The back of his horse."

You've gotta me petching kidding me...This is going to be a long night.

[Matthew]

Kaie

Experience Points:

• 1 Intimidation
• 2 Observation
• 1 Socialization
• 1 Stealth
• 2 Wilderness Survival

Lores:

• Captivity: The Rage of Being a Helpless(?) Captive
• Combat: The Feel of a Small Stinging Dart
• Fate: Sometimes Leads in Circles
• Observation: Higher Vantage Points Lead to Better Observation
• Poison: The Sensation of Being Drugged
• Stealth: Controlling Footstep Pressure
• Traveling: It Can Feel Like Forever
• Wilderness Survival: The Calm Hidden in the Wild
• Wilderness Survival: Marking Trees to Make Personal Landmarks
• Wilderness Survival: Using Syna to Tell Time

Additional Notes :

Excellent thread, Kaie. It was a pleasure to read.

If you have any questions or concerns relevant to your grade, don't be afraid to send me a private message so that we can work it all out! Please remember to mark your Grading Request as Graded.

A shout-out to Ollic Rimesage, who was kind enough to make this template for me.