Stories By Firelight (Nira'lia, Sylkra)

[Sylkra]

She walked back to camp with them, her insides all washed out. The water was cool, crisp, and refreshing. Perfect for a spring night like this. She ran back to camp, enjoying the fine night. She ran gracefully, not tripping at all. Her feet felt like they were in tune with the world, landing perfectly in every surface possible. Soon she was back near the fire, the bedrolls perfectly laid out. She sat back down on one, ptting her hands over her knees. Sylkra smiled at the fact of how kontis could only have girls. She had heard so little about them, but never knew they were all-female. But maybe that's why she had only seen girl ones. Then they both asked at least a dozen questions about Kelvics. She smiled, not many people ask about them. She loved showing off her amazing wolf skills. "Well, you see, kelvics sometimes pick masters and sometimes don't. They can be treated like slaves if unlucky enough, being bought and sold like a peice of furniture. But the ones who are blessed, like me, get to ask people to be their masters. Though they aren't always lucky. Well, I like to think of it as me and my master were always meant to be. I feel like the gods find someone perfect and make me stumble upon them." she added, "I will serve anyone though. It is my duty as Kelvic." She smiled, just to reassure them that she liked the job. And she did. She knew that the other races, some of them, thought that it was cruel to the Kelvics to be slaves. But that's why they were born. Protecting someone made them feel proud, and happy someone was safe. As a kelvic, it was her destiny to find someone to protect and serve. Soon her stomach was feeling a little nauseous, probably because of all the water. She got back up and went over to some of the tall grass surrounding them. She ripped some out and chewed on it, coming back over to the mat. She eventually finished it, licking her lips. It certainly wasn't the best taste, but neither the worst. And she needed to clear out her stomach to feel better. Although her peaceful expression stayed on her beautiful face, her eyes shined with happiness when the Drykas added her last words. What did they mean? Did she want Sylkra to be her Kelvic? She would certainly be happy to serve her. But she had met up with Eorar... and he was debating on whether or not to have her as his companion. But, still, there was a chance that that wasn't what the Drykas meant by that. It was a 50 50 chance. She decided to go against the odds and whispered under her breath, "Do you want me to be your master?" She whispered it softly, but just loud enoough to make the Drykas hear.

[Nira'lia]

Sariana had a way of describing her race with such passion that Nira'lia couldn't help but admire her. A clan of warriors... the Drykas seemed like a powerful race. The konti smiled as she realized that Sariana's race was very different from her own. When they got back to the camp, Nira'lia plopped down on her bedroll and wrapped her blanket around herself. She looked at the two girls blankly as they spoke. Nira'lia liked listening about other races. She found the stories enchanting, and was amazed at how people could be so different. To be honest, Nira'lia could not understand Sylkra's longing to find a master. She had been a slave, and it had been against her will. The first half of her life had been a terrifying nightmare that she just wanted to escape from. However, the konti kept her mouth shut and forced a smile as she listened to Sylkra. Luckily, Sylkra would find a master that would treat her as an equal. She saw the eyes of Sylkra lighten up, saw the excitement in them. She understood Sariana's words as an invite to be her master. The konti blinked and looked at Sariana, awaiting her answer. That would be splendid, wouldn't it, if Syklra was able to find the person she was looking for at a time like this? It would be a magical turn of events, and Nira'lia herself wondered if Sariana would want that. However, wasn't Sariana speaking about Vrathetu...? Nira'lia wasn't entirely sure, and she understood how Sylkra would arrive at the conclusion. It would be an awkward situation though if it had been a misunderstanding on the kelvic's part... even if Nira'lia couldn't blame her for it. The konti felt at a loss for words, and she stared at Sariana with a smile, awaiting her answer. OOCSorry for the lack of dialogue on my part, I just thought it fitting to have her watch this part of the conversation. *dashes*

[Sariana]

Setting down the waterskin, the drykas reached for her holster for her raipers and pulled it off, setting them down beside her bedroll. Dropping down on the soft furs, she reached up and began to braid her long hair as she listened to Sylkra. Still it made her angry to hear that the treatment of her race was so poor, but something in the way the wolf spoke about herself made the brunette smile. She was making her choice, not letting someone make it for her.

Turning her gaze to the konti, she looked at her face, trying to read her expression. It barely changed, hardly moved...but there was something there. A...deeply buried chord struck by Sylkra's words. Her hands worked quickly through the raven strands, allowing the silvery wrap that was usually hidden under the tresses to shimmer softly in the firelight as it was woven into the braid. Tying off the end with a soft piece of leather, her eyebrows raised slightly and she turned to the kelvic. Had she heard that correctly. Taking a moment, Sariana thought about her words carefully. Indeed, her mind had wandered this path only a short moment ago...but it was with restraint - what if Sylkra had other plans? A soft whisper of wind touched her face, guttering the fire gently and swishing through the trees. The warrior closed her eyes and breathed deeply, feeling for the guidance that had brought her this far. Was this part of her journey? Opening her eyes, Sariana turned to face Sylkra with a serious expression.

"Sylkra, I want to be your friend and your companion. I would love to share with you all I have learned and explore your amazing abilities as both a human and a wolf. If you wish it, I would be honoured to be your Master, but I need to make sure you would truly want this. My path in this world is not my own, I walk where Karithus' spirit guides me until we reach Avanthal. We may not stay in cities long, or we may stay for months. There will be long travel and sometimes it can be dangerous. But I swear to protect you and cause you no harm." Pausing, she smiled proudly.

"In Endrykas, our animals that we take on the Sea of Grass are not our pets or our servants. They are our Guardians, and our companions. I do not call myself Vrathetu's master, I call him my friend. We are bonded, spiritually and emotionally. I would share that kinship - that...form of Master with you. If you still want it."

OOCNira'lia, totally fine. Quite the opposite for myself though regarding my posts!! I'm sorry if I'm writing novels. I get so caught up in my posts I have to forcably stop myself!!!

[Sylkra]

Sylkra was peacefully chewing on her grass, but almost choked on it when Sariana said she could be Sylkra's master. Could she really be the one? It was only coincidence they had met at Zeltiva... or was it? She stopped and thought about it for a minute. This wasn't coincidence they met, she decided. No, the gods formed them a bond that would last a lifetime. Sariana went on about how it wasn't her life, it was her masters. Sylkra was the same way. She was no longer in control of herself, Sariana was. She would do anything for this kind girl and nothing else. She would give her life to Sariana if it came to that, because she was her master. She ran it through her head a couple times. Sariana is master. Master will not be disappointed. Sariana won't be disappointed, she is master. She smiled so hard she thought her cheeks would rip. Sariana was master! During her little party in her head though, her stomach got even worse. Yay! "Excuse me." she said with a grin. She got up and ran into the woods, stopping at a tree to vomit. Once her insides were al cleaned out, she came back to the camp, same as always. Her stomach felt fine now and she could go to sleep. "I will do anything for my master. I will die for you if it comes to it." was all she said, trying to act more serious. She then shifted, leaving her skins in front of her, and drifted off to sleep in a little ball of fluff.

[Nira'lia]

Nira'lia continued to simply sit back and watch the scene unfold. She blinked, feeling out of place, but she also felt happy that she was able to witness such a magical moment between her two friends. Syklra and Sariana were now bondmates! The konti looked at Sariana and grinned widely, even as their ears stayed sharp enough to hear Sylkra vomiting in the distance. Nira'lia laughed, "Well, she fell ill at the worst possible moment, but I'm happy for you two!" Syklra came back and pledged her loyalty to Sariana. It was a moment that flashed before Nira'lia that she wouldn't forget... she couldn't help but compare it to her call. They barely knew each other, but they were simply following fate. What else were they following... their hearts, or perhaps their instincts? Nira'lia couldn't tell, but she knew how it felt to do something just because it felt right. Sometimes there were explanations to things that were beyond her mind, but Nira'lia always believed that was okay. The konti watched as Syklra curled to a ball. She took a look at Sariana. "I'm happy it was you... to be honest, being a slave to someone is the most horrible experience. So, yes, I'm glad you're here, because I see you right now and I know you won't treat Syklra as such." Nira'lia stretched. Sylkra had gone to sleep, and she felt pretty tired herself. She bid Sariana a good night and disappeared beneath her blanket.

[Sariana]

As Sylkra suddenly left the camp to empty the contents of her stomach, Sariana's blue eyes met Nira'lia's and she returned the womans smile. The drykas felt a little awkward, knowing the konti hadn't really been included in that conversation. But the Winds sailed along the grassy landscape with a sweet jasmine scent and a cool touch. There was approval in their caresses and a feeling of clicking...of one piece of a puzzle locking into place - deep within. There was no doubt to the brunette that meeting these two women, that bonding with Sylkra had been no coincidence.

Nodding to the konti as she congratulated them, Sariana reached over to brush Sylkra's hair back away from her face and smiled. She was so childlike in her actions, a strong sense of protection swept over the drykas. Looking back at Nira'lia, she frowned a little.

"Slavery is abhorrent. No one should suffer such a fate." Her saphirre eyes held the pale woman's for a moment, searching...gaining some small inkling that the comment the konti made was deeply personal.

"This woman, this wolf..she is no slave. She is a companion, and in time she will be a great hunter and warrior, it is in her blood. If she chooses another in time, I would not stop her. I see her potential, and her innocence. The choice I make tonight is predestined. I am sure of it." Smiling again, she watched as Nira'lia stretched and lay back for sleep. Sitting cross legged on her furs, the warrior looked up at the stars above them, listening to the breeze and watching over her wards as the night deepened. Reaching into the fire, she pulled out the hard charcol that had been her rabbit-on-a-stick. With a shrug, she tossed the stick back in the fire. After a while, she banked the fire and lay down and tucked her blades against her like some cherished lover. Closing her eyes, she dozed, keeping herself ever ready for whatever would come.

Around the sleeping women, the winds gently blew, a small white flower swirling across their prone forms and over the dozing strider. With a hearty gust, it twirled into the air and out into the darkness, leaving the three wanderers to their dreams.

[Templar]

Sariana: Cooking: 1 – Storytelling: 2 - Lore: Konti Call – Konti are Peaceful – Konti only have Daughters – Kelvics are Unfulfilled without a master – Kelvic Bonding - Sylkra: Observation: 2 Lore: Konti Call – Konti are Peaceful – Konti only have daughters – Drykas’ Culture – Getting a Master Nira’lia: Cooking: 2 - Lore: Kelvics are Unfulfilled without a master – Drykas’ Culture Additional notes: Great thread! Feel free to send me a pm if you believe I missed something!