Solo A Slow and Steady Farewell

[Akasja]

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34th Spring, 516 AV
Morning

The second week of travel had arrived for Akasja and her guide. Following the Run, already they had reached the river's end and were passing below the northern city of Kenash. In about two more weeks' time, the pair would be passing over the western border of Sylira. In the meantime, Akasja focused on moving forward and keeping alert as her horse navigated the huge expanse of plains.

Travel was not new to Akasja; it was something she had done for her whole life. It had not been so different in Endrykas. The moving city had been good to her. The horse-people traveled as her own Chaktawe did, following the migrations of animals, keeping abreast of foul weather to the best of their abilities, and tending to the lands as needed. In some ways, it was quite easy to settle in among the clans and acclimate to their ways of life. The Drykas were a sturdy, respectable people, and although Akasja recalled the kind faces of those she had spent the past year with, she also found herself glad to be moving on again. Now she had connections in new lands, with new people, but she knew that she was on an important journey and had to continue. The spirits of her ancestors were always with her, and her people had sent her away with love and blessings, but sometimes Akasja could not help but feel like a lone wolf.

"River ends and summer grounds start," spoke Akasja's guide suddenly. She turned to look at the weathered, moustached man and saw a twinkle in his eye. Akasja nodded in acknowledgement. It was interesting to Akasja to see the land that Endrykas would soon settle upon for summer. It was fertile, as always, and would certainly transform as the warmest months approached.
"Plains very open here," he added. "No more big rivers or lakes. Not many streams until Syliras and forests begin."
Akasja pursed her lips slightly. "You know where we can rest?" Concern, danger, protection.
The Drykas man nodded and replied affirmatively without hesitation. He had proven an excellent guide so far, and Akasja had no reason to disbelieve him. They had traveled and rested in relative safety, with no major issues to speak of.
"I know small cave in hill," he assured. "We reach by sunset."
Akasja noticed a change in his expression and kept her gaze upon him until he spoke again.
"...But must take care," he continued slowly. "Maybe...wild beasts in cave. We must clear them."
Akasja sighed and looked ahead into the distance. For now, the landscape was free of dangers. But the guide was right. There was no reason not to anticipate such hard work to come, even needing to kill wild beasts in order to sleep. Akasja hoped it would not come to that. She and the guide had torches; that was usually enough to scare most animals away.
"I understand," Akasja replied after a moment's reflection. Appreciation, teamwork.

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[Akasja]

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34th Spring, 516 AV
Just before sunset

As the sun began to melt closer to the horizon, Akasja wondered just how far she and her guide were from the cave he had mentioned several long hours ago. If the sun set before they came upon it, the dangers of resting for the night would increase.
As if on cue, the guide spoke again, his voice low and contained, so as not to alert any predators of their presence: "Cave is ahead, around hill."
Akasja squinted and realized the ground dipped severely in the distance, so what looked to be flat ground actually led to a drop-off. Following the guide, Akasja quickened her horse's pace just a little, approaching the dip in the land. Before descending the slope, they both took a few moments at the top of the hill to gaze out around them, watching for any signs of danger. So far, there were none.

The guide signaled for Akasja to wait for him as they approached the mouth of the cave. It did not seem to be too deep, but regardless, it was an unfamiliar landmark to the Chaktawe, and she would need to be on her guard. Dismounting her horse, she untied her spear from the knapsack and stood ready to use it. The Drykas guide, already free from his horse's back, held a lit torch in one hand and a long axe in the other. He signed to Akasja, pointing at her: Help, hands, feel.
Akasja paused, then realized the man wanted her to use her fingertip sensors for the cave. It was a better idea than going in without scanning the area first.
Akasja held out one of her hands and took a few steps toward the cave's mouth. She stood still for several moments, feeling for any vibrations of movement inside. There were none. Akasja finished, then turned to the guide.
"Maybe empty. Maybe something in cave, but not alive. No can tell. But...no moving."

The guide shone his light into the cave, illuminating the tall, dry walls. Akasja noticed unfamiliar words and crude pictures etched into the stone. People had stayed in here before -many times probably. It looked homey enough.
The guide then spoke a greeting into the cave. His voice echoed slightly, but there was no response. Akasja waited silently as he ventured further into the cave, straining her ears to hear what was going on. After only about a chime, the guide spoke again, "It is safe."

It took a relatively short while for the pair to construct a fire for the night. Akasja dug a shallow pit in the ground just outside the cave and surrounded the space with any small rocks that she could find. As the guide worked on making the fire itself, Akasja erected a tarp behind the fire pit, so the warmth from the flames would be reflected back into the cave. After the flames were crackling, the horses, resting gratefully outside the cave, were watered and fed.

Akasja and the Drykas guide took turns keeping watch, as they usually did each night, keeping the fire going and making sure that there weren't any impending dangers. The cave was extremely cozy, and Akasja found herself drifting into a deep sleep without much effort.

A low, mournful sound shook Akasja from her slumber, and she awoke suddenly to the sight of the Drykas guide jumping to his feet. The mournful sound came again, and Akasja realized it was a wolf's howl. The nervous snorts of the horses outside could be heard unmistakably. Akasja watched the guide slip out of the cave mouth quietly, a torch in hand, and waited to hear the other wolves' rejoining voices. To Akasja's surprise, there were none to be heard. The wolf was solitary. Why, then, was it howling? Perhaps it sought to find its pack -or any pack.

After a few chimes, the Drykas guide returned, his expression relieved.
"I chased it off," he explained. "Damn stubborn thing. But only one."
The rest of the night, Akasja listened for the wolf's call to come again, but it did not. The camp slept til morning, undisturbed.

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[Jasmine Stormblood]

Let me know if I missed anything

 

Akasja

XP

• Socialization: 2 XP
• Riding- Horse: 2 XP
• Navigation: 2 XP
• Wilderness Survival- Plains: 1 XP
• Fire Building: 1 XP
• Stealth: 1 XP

Lores

• Akasja: feels like a lone wolf
• Wolves often travel in packs