[Endrykas Entrance] Journey Across the Sea of Grass

[Serpente Morsus]

Day 58th, Summer, 511AV Serpente moved swiftly over the sea of grass towards the caravans, he had never been there before but heard stories of it and knew what to look for. As he got closer he saw a man coming against him on a horse and he slowed down his speed. "Ho, traveler" "And hello to you", he answered the man. "Welcome to Endrykas. If you're lost, I'll be happy to guide you to where you'd like to go. Tell me, what brings you all this way?" "I am simply here to restock my supplies and stay for a few days to do some buissnes", he answered and enter the city.

[Khasr]

Khasr didn't like Endrykas, not giving thought to the fact that he was barely on the outskirts. His entire pavilion was in a tilt at visiting the city and meeting friends, relatives, buying themselves nice things, and Khasr had decided that he would not like it just to spite them. He didn't particularly expect them to notice, but it didn't matter a great deal to him. It was the thought that counted, right? He saw riders approaching, most likely watchmen, and at the sight of striders he automatically ducked behind the closest wagon. No one noticed. Words were exchanged at the front of the line and Khasr sighed in relief as the riders departed. They entered Endrykas, and Khasr was determined to dislike it.

[Mortemor Thane II]

[Flashback] Summer 509 AV “We’re lost aren’t we?” Mortemor Jr. murmured grudgingly from the front seat of the carriage. Her father could feel the burning of scornful eyes on his back, which earned a sigh from the older man. “We’re not lost! It’s just very hard to tell where we’re going….” Sr. assured his fussy eighteen year old daughter, who sat pouting at the front of the cart. Scolding him every step of the way and complaining about all forms of bugs and pests that plagued her hair, or the heat that made her sweat or the wind that was too cold!! Mortemor Sr. was really beginning to rethink taking his daughter along as an apprentice. “—we’ve passed that rock like seven times already!!” Mortemor Jr called to her father, pure annoyance in her tone. “Patience Sr… Patience….” The older man had to whisper the words to himself in order to remain calm. A flash of him flinging the rock at his daughter’s complaining mouth flickered through his mind’s eye. As if the gods had smiled mercifully upon him, a few figures emerge on horseback and approached them. "Ho, traveler," he says, slowing his horse to a stop with an easy tug of the yvas. "Welcome to Endrykas. If you're lost, I'll be happy to guide you to where you'd like to go. Tell me, what brings you all this way?" Sr. sighed, looking up to the sky in relief and mouthed the words “Thank the Gods...”

[Safera]

80th Day, Summer, 511AV

"Welcome to Endrykas. If you're lost, I'll be happy to guide you to where you'd like to go. Tell me, what brings you all this way?"

Familiar words drifting on the breeze drew Safera's gaze upward as she passed by the edge of the camp, always curious of newcomers she slowed her pace just a little to allow her attention to linger. She let her eyes play over the horses, the caravan of wagons, the unfamiliar faces, offering a smile up to a shy child peeking out. That smile was met with a grin and a chorus of giggles, the happy sound contagious enough to cause a laugh to bubble up from Safi even as she turned away and made her way towards her own tent.

[Raine Swifthooves]

Under a blazing sun with barely a breeze to soothe the inhabitants lay the familiar sight of Endrykas bustling despite the heat. Raine was curious to see the newcomers that had arrived since her last visit to the city, she was usually so busy with the horses in her pavilion and so she welcomed the chance to return to her old home.

Raine inhaled deeply and smiled at the familiar scents of horse, leather, dyes and all kinds of food. Gently she jumped of her dun Strider Bolero and let him stroll around freely as she walked over to the stalls to see what new wares was available.

[Merena]

Merena entered slowly...it had been a long time since she had been in a place like this, a place like home. The smells filled her nose and made her stomach growl, good food had been a long time gone. The residents of the city eyed her with curiosity, but for the most part carried on about their chores and duties. So she wandered and pitched her tent in an area that seemed clear enough to not interfere with anyone, and tried to summon the courage to go out and speak to others. These were her people after all. Her strider munched on grass, having plenty of confidence and no doubts at all. Just like him cocky... She walked away hoping to find her words

[Nidassasyae]

Summer 50

The young woman stumbled forwards on wobbly legs, desperately trying to appear strong and fighting the urge to cling to her Bondmate. She and her companions had taken the Underpass, led by a man who called himself "Tain". The miles of underground tunnels had deprived Nida of any balance that she normally posessed, sending her stumbling over her own two feet. Her pale face had a greenish tint to it, and she was gulping down mouthfuls of fresh air. But for all the relief her expression showed at being above ground again, her eyes were narrowed in suspicion towards the "city" before them. Cities had lots of people.

You couldn't trust people.

Her eyes narrowed even further as the Watchman approached her and her friends. The sharp pangs in her stomach made her look at his mount with desire. What prey! Not like big horses of the North, but this one was meat nonetheless. The Watchman's voice went unnoticed, an unpleasant and distracting buzz in her ears. Her vision was taken up entirely with thoughts of her imminent meal, until she noticed something with shock. Unlike Nehsmay and Shade, who road together as trusting friends, this strange human and horse walked as if they were one being. Almost as if they could read each other's minds.

It was not too unlike how Nida and her Bondmate moved in relation to each other, constantly orienting themselves exactly where the other wished them to be.

That thought was enough to take the edge off her appetite, but other thoughts of the wonderful meal the horse - and possibly his rider - would make wormed themselves into her mind. But she was distracted enough to catch the last of the Watchman's words.

Why were they here? Well, the answer was easy enough: because Nehsmay wanted to be. But she didn't want to talk to the man, her predatory instincts were urging her to take him as her next meal. That didn't make for a very conversational mood.

Nida glared at the man and his horse, shrinking back beside Seliarus. Just like a good pet. Let Nehsmay and Sel do the talking.

Nida was much too hungy for such trivial things. She wanted them to be on their way.

[Seliarus]

The Dhani kept his pace, slowly and silently. Just like predator, he followed the company of the humans, even though he disliked every moment of it. For the most parts, he stayed silent. He still had the torch in his left hand, even though it wasn't burning anymore. He kept it just in case for the usage as a blunt weapon, or maybe to lit it up again if they'd find some fire. Without the fire so close to him, he felt cold. And no fur could take away the feeling of distrust and betrayal he felt following these humans. Even though, they'd get to the City sooner or later, and the Dhani didn't even feel like observing his surroundings. Even when the guard asked about why he was here, he didn't answer. Once again, he was the mute poor man in a big city, trying to play his flute to get a few coins. Let them believe that. He merely looked up at the guard, and then lifted his free, right hand up, and motioned with his index finger on his lips, then slowly shaking his head, indicating that he can not speak. Or at least, that's what they should believe.

[Vileia]

1st of Fall, 511 AV By now the sight and the greeting of the watchman was beginning to feel familiar. It had been half a season since she had been brought into the large encampment, though most of the time she had spend it beneath a tarp, resting in the marginally cooler shadow. She had spent her days eating and sleeping, eating and sleeping and not paying any attention to the bustling sounds of the two-legs that roamed around with purpose-filled strides. Recovering from the emaciated state she had reached while on the run had been her only thought. That, and waiting for the gold-hair two-legs to come and see her. Laria had taken good care of her, and the affection Vileia felt for the young woman was strong, almost too strong. The way she clung to her presence like a dying to a strand of grass... it just wasn't healthy. The mare looked much better now than when she had been led into the encampment with tousled mane and the skin pulled taunt over ribs and hips, her mind wracked with fever and amnesia. Half a season of doing nothing but eating and resting had rounded the hips and the neck, for the most part filling out the hollowed muscles and giving her new strength. She was still far too skinny, but at least the silvery gray coat was glossy again and the milky white mane and tail were combed soft and silky. It had been nice to stretch out the legs for a bit. Energy was definitely beginning to return to her, and while the apathy and listlessness still hid within her golden eyes the young mare tried her best to cheer up and act happy whenever the girl was around. She didn't want to make her sad, didn't wish for her to worry. This was the reason why Vileia had started to take a walk around the outskirts of the encampment every day, strolling slowly under the sun as she enjoyed the scent of wind and grass; and lately also the distinct touch of salt to the wind that gave her a prick of nostalgic sorrow whenever she felt it. The cry of gulls, the rush of the sea, a memory of running over a beach with the hair whipping into her face and the sound of laughing voices... It was all things that wouldn't come back to her. And the sorrow within her was so fresh, so new still that her mind recoiled from the images whenever they appeared, the distance necessary if she wasn't to loose her mind. A gentle snort greeted the young watchman, a chiseled ear twitching from quite amusement at the startled look he have her as she passed along into the tent city. He should be used to her by now. Maybe she really should do as her two-legged life saver had suggested and start making herself known to the other Drykas. She was reluctant, the thought making her feel uneasy; last time she had encountered large amounts of humans her family had been taken away and her life turned upside down. Even so. There was a debt to be payed. The dainty little mare set course for the Amethyst pavilion where her benefactor lived, her stride slow but determined as she pondered the prospect of acquainting more people. On the whole it would be impossible to avoid if she were to continue staying with the Drykas, and it wasn't like she had anywhere else to go. Nothing remained for her in other places... Upon reaching the tent that was her goal, the horse stopped for a moment, head lowering almost as if in thought; then suddenly a glow seemed to envelop her, shimmering in silver and pearly hues and covering her completely from sight. It only took half a chime, if even that, and almost before the glow had dissipated under the strong sunlight the shape of a small, skinny girl could be seen pushing the flap of the tent aside, with a thick mane of pale white hair as the only thing that shielded her naked body before she disappeared into the pavilion.

note :

Was brought to Endrykas in this thread. At the end of the road

[Nehsmay]

35th of Winter, 511 AV Everything seemed foreign to Nehsmay during what she now perceived as her Awakening. She could not understand how she could have been to weak to succumb to the voices in her head and the sadness in her soul. The city seemed every bit as foreign to her as it had been in Summer when she had first arrived there together with Nida and Sel. Now she was alone and soon she knew, she would have to leave the wandering city and move towards Riverfall and then north... north towards home. Home... the world rolled foreign on her lips as she gazed at the tents surrounding her, the caravans, the horses, the bustling intensity of the moving city. She did not even know how she had been capable to move together with the rest of them in her numb state. She would probably never know. Where was home, she wondered as she took in the scenario. Could she truly return to Avanthal and pretend nothing had happened after all she had seen... all she had felt? Her sweet, kind mother who had lived her whole life in the Hold would never understand how different her daughter had become. Perhaps seeing her faraway look, the Watchman believed she was a newcomer lost in the way of things when it concerned Endrykas. The second was true, the first not necessarily so. The Vantha woman smiled pleasantly and declined his offer. Her tent was just a few steps away from what she perceived to be the Entrance to the city. "I'm simply travelling," she replied with the same faraway look in her eye. Nehsmay then turned around and headed back towards the only two points of stability that were left in her life... Shade and her tent.