And The Sky Did Rain Blood (Lariat, Vanator)

[Vanator]

The sense that something was wrong grew stronger with every meter of grass that sped by beneath Nyx's pounding hooves. There was reason for concern, though no indication that any harm had come to Khiara. Though the dyrkas claimed the Sea as their own, or more accurately, under their guardianship, bands of slavers, raiders and those who flee the consequences of their evil deeds found refuge in the grasslands as well. It was the constant prayer on the horseman's lips to both his goddesses and his wife's that no harm had come to the vanthan. He understood at some point, he may need to stop and search the Web for Khiara. But that took time, and he was reluctant to slow as the strider consumed the ground beneath him. Horsemen appeared in the distance, saddle-riders who burdened their mounts with bridles and reins. Adrenaline pumped through Van's body as he saw the band alter their course to intercept him. The notion to turn and flee crossed his mind, for the strider stallion beneath him could easily outrun the outlanders. That was probably the wise thing to do. But there were strangers in the grass, and Khiara was with them. Perhaps these men knew her whereabouts. So, slowing Nyx to a walk and reaching down to grab the battle ax hanging from his yvas, Van moved to meet the riders. His mount halt as the men moved to surround Vanator. His ax was held down but at the ready, confident he could hack his way out of the circle and escape on Nyx if necessary. But the travelers did not wield weapons, and the drykas made no move to provoke them. As the leader spoke, Van realized these were indeed the men who met the drykas women. The Denusk concealed his anxiousness, responding in Common with the authority of a man who claimed to champion the very land itself. "No, but one has been sent for. Where are the drykas women that went with your men. I must find them. Tell me, and I will direct you to where you can find your healer."

[Lariat]

"Men, get the women on the ground and properly tied. Our friends are on their way." The salt and peppered man announced before stalking off towards the edge of the group. Men all around wore disgusted faces at the mention of their 'friends' arriving but they gathered up the women all the same, but the mood had certainly changed. Even the young man so full of youth grimaced, his face cold and unresponsive. He roughly grabbed Khiara's elbow before promptly tearing her from her seat and tossing her to the ground. Another man grappled with the horses reigns to keep it calm and dissuade it from bolting off. Hand now firmly around her wrist he didn't even wait for Khiara to get up as he dragged her forward across the grass roughly before coming to a stop and tossing her next to the other women who now kneeled lined up. "Recruit, come handle this one" the man's voice echoed behind her in a deep voice, before he walked off in the direction the leader had went off to. A large hand firmly wrapped tangled itself into her hair and wrenched her up on her knees while another man promptly pulled her arms painfully high behind her and tie them off tight. "Stay quiet and we won't have to gag you." the man behind her whispered, his voice smelling heavily of whiskey and onions.

A call came from across the camp, and behind her the man promptly straightened up and jogged off after in that direction. She was alone now save for the other women lined up with her, some crying to themselves softly and others whispering ideas about who exactly the older man alluded to.

There was stirring on the other side of the camp where the assumed leader, and the other man had disappeared off to, the two men now surrounded by eight others. A leathery snap of wings, and a low pitched growl sounded the arrival of their guests as from the night's darkness came down humanoid shapes from nightmares. Having bodies of men, but with wings stretching out from their backs the zith descended from the skies and promptly spread out, dividing their force amongst the men evenly. The largest one of them, a monster of a thing with scars striping it's black fur. As the men and zith talked in hushed voices, man and zith alike stirred uneasily as they gazed at their counterparts, hatred bared and plain to see. None proved foolish enough to draw a blade though so for the moment they kept at a stand still, the tension in the air obvious and palpable.

* * * * *

The man who spoke up seemed to sigh at this, shaking his head slowly before nudging his horse to turn around, his neck craning to the side to view behind them the grass from which they had traveled across. Moving his arm up, he pointed at a random point in the distance, not really paying any mind to where he directed the man while his left hand opened up the saddle bag and wrapped itself around the handle of the crossbow kept there. Nudging the horse back around again to square up with Van, he turned as he did so, a slight frown on his face now. "Well now thats too bad. Healers fetch a fair price on the market these days." He replied softly, his eyes almost seeming apologetic as he moved to pull out his crossbow motioning for the other men to do the same.