Worldly Wisps, Whispered Words (Solo)

[Aello]

Summer 67, 512 AV The cloaked man's oars dipped into the water. Still lake, which seemed not to lap up against wooden frame. Aello could hear beads of moisture dripping from a paddle's end as it leapt from the surface, before returning to rippling bed. She could see a thin, lapsed line of white crawling across the water. Light cast by the moon, which hung fully over her left shoulder. Everything it touched seemed to glisten, soft illuminations which sank into shadow fading as ravosala man continued to bring them across. Muddied eyes grazing as fingers fumbled with the supple curve of her father's old bow, folds of cotton clothing which seemed scarcely to breath. Clods of dirt clinging so heavily, it blocked both nostril and mouth; clogging the lungs. The girl smiled weakly as she sat, impatiently. She could see the docks looming in the distance. A thin line stretched from one side of the horizon to the other; lit only by the flickering lights of candles resting in nearby window sills. A pair of lanterns strung onto elongated pillars, which marked the ends of the docks. We shall be there soon, Aello thought, as she cast her gaze skyward for a time. Allowing the gentle rocking of the boat to calm her nerves; agitated by a long day's work. ___________ The boat's hull tapped against the side of the dock, spurring its master to leap from his vessel to the shore. With braided hemp in hand, the man took but a moment to knot rope to cleat; harboring for the night. Aello smiled weakly as she came to her feet, and gathered her things. Reached for gloved hand and was gently led onto the dock. "Thank you for seeing me safely," she said as she bowed her head in thanks and moved away. Too tired to allow herself to linger long enough for him to catch another glimpse of her frustrations. For today, although she had taken great measures, and spent a lot of her time hunting, she had returned empty handed. She supposed the crazed wolves had gotten everything. Shrugging as her grip tightened on her father's old bow, the girl glided through the night. Heels clicking against wooden boards as she made her way along. Ignoring the majority of the conversations spoken by sailors mooring. Drawing in as night's blanket tucked tightly against the corners of the sky. As she moved, the colored vapors rose. Tendrils wafting beneath flaring nostrils. Their intoxicating scents overwhelming the aurist as moon beams cast light on clinking chains. Silver shimmering in the night. Aello watched them idly, the cuffs binding several weather beaten woman together. Heads hung, hair splaying across dirtied features as they were prodded by iron staff. A man holding it in one hand, while another, cast in shadow, stood ahead of the group. Motioning them forward while another remained behind. Slavers, Aello thought, as she subconsciously sank into the shadows, so as not to draw as much attention to herself, lest they try to come after her. With body weary, she wasn't so sure she could take them all. And it looks like they've got quite the catch. Such a shame, the majority will probably be brought to the mighty houses, and a few of the younger to the brothels. But at least there, there is a chance they would be treated fairly well. She took another step to the right, forcing her back against the wall. Her gaze unwavering as the train of captives was led away, into a darker alley. One she made a mental note of not to travel down; for it was not worth the follow. It was when the first man had been lost to the city streets, and the other two left behind that Aello took the step back out. Only to pause when they picked up in their conversation. For their was something about each, something hauntingly familiar which drew her closer. Bound her legs with invisible strands of rough silk, so that she was incapable of taking heed of what her magic displayed. Made her of incapable of turning her tail so she could run.

[Aello]

They were both hypnotists; graced with ice blue eyes. Another chill shot up the girl's spine as a gruff voice cut through the summer air. "That'll be the last of them for at least a fortnight." Through her connection with magic, Aello could tell that the other man was nodding in agreement as he proceeded to tidy up the boat. To lower the sails. "But it's no matter, they'll be more than enough to sustain us for quite some time. Especially the Kontis. Unspoiled, they'll go for quite a bit of gold." The man's companion merely grunted as the aurist took a few steps closer, and then slipped into the shadows as each man looked up, as though hearing her. Or perhaps, simply sensing her eyes boring into their backs. "Aye, but it's not the prize our master is after. It will do naught to sate his lust." The man's companion said nothing for a time as though considering. His hands fumbling with the ropes he was coiling. "What do you mean? There's plenty of women for him to choose from before he ships them off to market." "Aye. But none of them are her." "Who is this mysterious woman?" the first man inquired. It was then that the second man looked up. "Can't say as I know her name," he responded as he scratched his scraggly beard. "But she is force enough to be reckoned with. Keeps foiling with the master's plans. As you can imagine, this doesn't sit well with the master." He paused. "Doesn't sit well at 'tal." The first man nodded, offered a grunt in agreement as he went back to his work. For a long time they were both silent as a subtle breeze swept through. Causing the boat to sway as the water rippled. Rocking its passengers into a lull; a seamless slumber from which they were roused seconds later. By the sound of a bell tolling. Marking another hour's passage. Finally the first man looked up again. "This the one the little boy is supposed to bring in?" he asked. His fellow nodded. "Aye, the one who forgot who he was. What a fool." His companion nodded as a laugh escaped his lips. Even so, he said nothing, supposing it was enough. Finally, his laughter died down, leading him into another question. "How long has it been since the boy promised to bring 'er in?" "Nearly a year now," the other man replied. "The master grows restless... if his kind can be said to grow impatient." The other man nodded as he finished up his work. Waved a hand for his friend to follow. "We'd best get in. Tell the nuit that the girl hasn't come in yet. The boy hasn't brought her with the others." "Aye," the other replied before stepping off the boat and slinking off into the darkness with the other slaver. It was then that Aello released the breath she hadn't so much as realized she had been holding in. Her eyes long having grown wide. "Could it be? Are they... referring to me?" she whispered as she backed away. As though the very air had caught something deadly. "Am I the mystery girl? And Clyde... he... betrayed me?" Aello's hand sprang to beating heart as she took a few more steps back. She couldn't be certain of course. But she had a sinking feeling that her time was running out. Unless of course, she found one of them first, and demanded her answers.

[Verilian]

Aello +1 Stealth +1 Observation You Question My Logic? : Any questions, ask away. Lores: The Hypnotists are Hunting "the Girl", The "Boy Who Forgot" Betrayed Her Notes: And the plot thickens some more... Notice As per the request of the Founders, threads cannot be graded unless your CS is up to date. This means you need to add threads to your thread list when you make new threads, keep your skills up to date, ledger, living expenses, ect. If you aren't up to date, you'll get a PM from me before i grade your thread. If you are up to date, disregard this notice.