Grass, Blood, and New Beginnings.[Merenwen, Ronan Windsong]

[Matthial]

Matthial came to a stop as Ronan forcefully grabbed him. Trying to keep his composure, the wanderer listened to Ronan's plea. He had never been one for divinations or gods, they had little to no play in his life, and he was fairly certain that he would die having never seen a god. Magic was something pratical, and something you dealt with on a daily basis, but even this was hardly something Matthial put much stock in. After all, if Divination was so important, why didn't someone just divine all of the bad things before they happened. Surely the Valterrian could have been avoided? Standing still, Matthial spoke slowly and deliberately. "Ok. So.. what does this change? What would you have me do?" The fact remained that the child was being taken away, and Matthial was going to rescue him. If the danger was elevated then so be it. Sigmund Matthial had MUCH to answer for, if this was his day, then so be it. "I don't care if the mad-dog Ivak is among the caravan, I WILL rescue that child."

[Merenwen]

Merenwen crossed back over to the two men and sat at their feet, watching Ronan intently. She had heard of divinations, but had never seen one done, and had never been involved in one (that she knew of) but was certainly intrigued. She could tell Matthial wasn't at all amused. She yawned heavily, cocking her head to one side as she did. Again she looked up at Ronan, becoming slightly frustrated that she had no exact way to convey to him that she was paying attention to him. Instead, she rubbed her head against both men's knees,. Though it was more of a action issued for her own comfort, she didn't want them to forget she was still there and could certainly still hear them loud and clear.

[Ronan]

Matthial continued to deny - heading off again blindly. And Ronan's rage grew, his warning unheard. Then so be it, Matthial. There will be no glory walking into this heart of darkness. He sighed, leaving a little gap between himself and the swordsman, and began to walk off again. Merenwen was suddenly nuzzling at his knee, before bounding off again. She was a strange creature. Did Kelvic's think like humans, or animals? He wondered that as he continued along the Grasses? "Merenwen," he finally said, "did you hear what I said? This isn't just any danger."

[Matthial]

Matthial knew he shouldn't have brought these two along. Why couldn't the just do what needed to be done? He had even told them up front that it was dangerous, so why, oh WHY where they bringing stuff up just a few short hours before the plan had to happen? Matthial shook his head, and quickened his pace. It was the middle of the night, and the pitch black didn't allow him much in the way of landmarks. Luckily he knew where they were headed. He gave no notice to the two behind him for the time being.

[Merenwen]

Merenwen let out a short yowl in response to Ronan's inquiry. Yes, she was listening to him. She couldn't reply to him, but she matched her pace to his in hopes of conveying that she understood him. Although there wasn't much she could do, and she had no knowledge of divinations, she remained alert and focused. She would do everything in her power to assist in seeing Matthial, Ronan, and herself through the mission.

[Ronan]

Merenwen seemed to agree, moving swiftly beside him. At least someone understood. He almost laughed aloud - the Kelvic in animal form understood his warning, yet the proud swordsman had marched on, blind to his pointer. The night was thick and black, a sky so hazy that he could barely make out the stars. The grasslands had become cooler, yet a remnant of warmth still remained. Ronan pushed up his sleeves and strolled onwards. Whether Matthial listened or not, Ronan would help save this child. He'd lost his own childhood to his Pavilion's tragedies - perhaps he could save someone else's from the horrors he had faced...

[Matthial]

It was a good hour or three of marching before they finally came upon the caravan. At first it was hard to tell what exactly was different about this patch of plain as opposed to any other. The grass was tall, and the sky was just as dark as everywhere else. The overhanging clouds blotted out the stars, and just as soon as Matthial thought about it, it started to sprinkle. Cursing his bad luck, Matthial finally spotted what he was looking for. A large rock with a chalked 'X' in the center. Crouching down low, the man peeked out from behind it, and motioned the other two over. When they arrived, the three found themselves staring at a rather large encampment about half-a-mile past the rock. The lights of the torches helped show the group the wagons and tents comprising a circle. Despite the drizzle a large fire was burning in the center of the wagons. Outside of the circle guards patrolled, and several horse-riders rode in a small group on the outskirts. Again motioning them to follow, Matthial ducked down again and twisted amongst the grasses. He traced a gloved hand along the ground as he walked, and stopped at a smaller rock barely jutting out of the ground. Peeking his head out from the grasses, the man grinned to the other two. This time a different scene was found. Four guards led a small string of people out onto a tiny plateau ahead. The grasses in this area had been killed off by some sort of fire. As the guards dragged their prisoners up the natural ramp, Mattial started to count. Then he cursed quietly. It was that damnable caravan leader, obviously checking his stock. With him where four guards on foot armed with spears. Two archers walked on the outskirts of the line, with one final swordsman talking with the caravan leader. "I count eight. They will lead them up top, and have them walk in circles. The guardsmen won't all charge at a distraction, instead, some will stay behind to protect the prisoners, and a few might run the mile to the encampment and warn the other guards. Anything I missed?" The wanderer looked back to his two companions.

[Merenwen]

Merenwen's golden green eyes reflected the light of the torches with an eerie sheen. She looked lazily from Matthial to the encampment, where she stared for a solid moment. Then, she looked to Ronan, waiting for his say in the situation. She expected he would warn Matthial once again about his divination. Merenwen laid down on her belly, crouching low near the men's feet. She was nervous, now faced with the circumstances. She couldn't let them know.

With a huff of air, she nursed at the ground with her claws. Apprehension began to set in as she waited for Matthial to give her further instructions.

[Ronan]

Ronan listened to Matthial carefully, fear drumming louder and louder inside of him. Merenwen moved about agitatedly. "Then we're supposed to fight our way to the caravan? Even if we're only facing a few attackers, I'm hardly armed for the job. Maybe you should fight and I'll rush into the caravan and get the child?" He watched Matthial's expression. The moment had come to act. Fight or flight, he thought to himself. "And I'll warn you again Matthial - whether you choose to listen or not. Something isn't right. There might be more to this than a simple slavery ring."

[Matthial]

Matthial thought for a second. He wasn't a leader of men, or a general. He knew little to nothing of warefare or inspiration. What he did know was improvisation. "Scratch that. Ronan, you think you could sneak up...." He paused, looking around in the drizzling rain, he didn't see any immediate branches or sticks. Because you are in the middle of grassy plains you idiot. "er... sneak back to the main camp and get close enough to light one of those tents or wagons? The drizzle will make it a pain, but if you can light something inside, the smoke will be enough to cause alarm. You get out, and get back here. That will get these guards moving, taking the slaves back to the camp. While they are walking through the taller grass, Merenwen, when I give the signal, bite one of the guards and dive back into the grass. I'll cut the boy free, and we all run like hell." Matthial didn't feel like facing an army. It didn't matter what the hell the caravan was, or whatever Ronan was blabbering about. It didn't change anything. Worst came to worse the guards would try to trail them. He doubted ANYONE could track out among the plains, near the home of the Drykas. "Yeah, I heard you. I'll keep an eye out." He waited for their responses while eyeing the targets in question.