Quest Restoring the Web (Team 2)

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

Sama'el was not quick to return to his body. Solicah had already done so much, and the young Ankal wanted to pull his weight. While adding some finishing touches to their weave of tethers, he engaged his gnosis and flew high above, tying this vision into their temporary web. But between his Inavalti and his facility with the Web, he saw the Zith coming. Looking down, he saw Solicah already reclaiming his body, and Sama'el dropped to earth like a stooping kestrel. At the same time, he tugged on that gossamer strand that linked him to Hodei, who was flying hereabouts. She could not take a Zith down without Kelwyn's own luck, but she might distract them at just the right moment. Though he was rushing, he could not help but notice the look Solicah gave his body before picking the inert form up and moving it over toward Bigarren. It was disorienting to climb back into his body while it was being moved, but he did begin to stumble and fumble along, clenching his fists over and over again to get feeling back in them. He needed his bow. He needed arrows. He had to knock them out of the air before they killed anyone. "Thanks," he mumbled, his tongue thick in his mouth. His eyes sought out Mealla, then, to be sure she was safe. She was, and she was loosing arrows at the Zith who were far too close for comfort. And then he looked to Ronan too.

[Ronan]

As Ronan came into his body, he felt the movements that were not of his own making. Solicah had deposited him on Tairell, and around him, all things were in motion. He made a motion of thanks to the golden haired youth, momentarily gathering his thoughts, before his eyes snapped to the arrows Mealla now loosed upon the attackers that had come from nowhere. The Zith. Always the Zith. His brow furrowed, cursing as he grasped for the saddlebag and his shortbow within. It seemed the skills he had taught himself so very recently would be birthed into the actions of reality today. He had a job to find the things, head still groggy from the Web. He caught Sama'el's gaze, and share a look of solidarity. He glanced around, twisting Tairell, while nocking an arrow. His movements were clumsy and flustered, but somehow he found himself aiming in the right direction, string pulled back with the arrow readied. It was one of his prepared arrows, coated in a thin layer of earthen reimancy. Solidified, and yet just light enough to still carry in flight. He pulled back, eyes narrowing, praying they would escape this mess. And then he fired. The wings of his parent's killers batted the air before him.

[Solicah]

*
Solicah's head spun helplessly as his body struggled to balance the numbing effects of his out of body experience and equip him with the adrenaline he would need to survive the ambush. His thoughts were only on the safety of the group, and himself as he glanced around, trying to focus his vision on the smears of foreboding azure swooping toward them and the small projectiles trying to quell their numbers from afar. He took solace in the fact that Ronan would be safe, Aureunna could ferry him faster then a Zith's wings could ever hope to race, but still Sama'el and Mealla were stubbornly slinging arrows without thought of what might happen if the Zith reached them while they were still ground bound.

In Solicah's mind if they hoped to escape without risking their lives in melee they would need Semele's gifts, but the only chance of carrying them all along Stider's grace flitted away without hesitation after Ronan. Tairell cared more for Ronan than Solicah, which was expected, but Solicah had no way to express with his limited experience to the panicked animal that it was Sama'el and himself that needed assistance, not Ronan who already fixed safely to Stider back. Still, it was against the Strider's nature to remain when the herd began to move, and so dictated the nature of Sama'el's horse as well, moving to pursue the other two as quickly as it could, though dwarfed in mobility by their blinding speed and rapid hoof beats.

One Strider remained close by, Maella's, but which of him or the Sunsinger would ride with her to safety remained her schoice not Solicah's, and so presuming nothing he did what his Drykas training taught him. When one can no flee, one fights. He strung his bow with slowly strengthening fingers and focus, then knocked an arrow with trained speed. A deep breath drew into his lungs and he fixed the point upward before staring upon the face of a rather attractive Zith twisting toward them with leathery wings. With little luck he loosed an arrow and felt his tension drop to the pit of his stomach as winds took hold and spiraled the arrow chaotically off course.

He knocked another, prayed, and fired again as the small group's time dwindled, and the beasts approached with malicious intent.
*

[Jackalope]

Mealla's arrow sunk into the leg of one of the assaulting Zith, only serving to infuriate the beast. She would die now, by the vicious end of its spear. Skewered, and then eaten, leaving the Zith satisfied. At least that's what he thought. Another arrow from Mealla combined with the one from Ronan, newly returned from the web, ended the dreams of their attacker. Crumbling to the ground in a heap, the Zith rolled to the ground infront of them. The three foes who had waited back immediately sprung into action upon seeing their brethren fall. Two of them headed at the mass of Drykas, but one of them split off. He had spotted movement, and none could escape. That Zith went towards Khasr's rock. The remaining of the initial attackers thrust forth with it's spear, glancing against Mealla's left arm, leaving a nick in her arm, causing blood to begin to stream forth. It then landed int he midst of the group, letting out a low, guttural roar as it reared back to end Mealla's resistance. If none acted, the Watch apprentice would meet an early demise. The two reinforcing Zith circled around slowly descending on their prey, leaving three at the larger group while a lone Zith stalked for a potential escapee. Four remained, and for many, that was four too many. This would be a fight to the death. Khasr would see the Zith land, a twisted wooden spear in his hand. He pushed against the tall grasses, trying to flush out his dinner. He was close to Khasr, but unaware of his presence. Zith were known for their perception, however, yet as long as he had remained still, it seemed to take no notice. What would happen if he moved to strike, however, would have to wait to be seen.

[Ronan]

OOCJust keeping this moving Ronan's arrow soared through the air, and by a stroke of luck, bolted straight into Mealla's attacker. The Zith's eyes were bloodshot and dark, swirling with fury as Mealla's bolt struck it too. The beast began to crumple. But there were more. "Shit! Watch out guys!" Ronan shouted. Suddenly, another of the Zith were upon Mealla, and it nicked her arm. Amidst her own defence, the creature turned from the group and went to strike her again. Ronan acted quickly, dropping his bow and vaulting from Tairell's back. Mid jump he pulled his dagger free from its sheath and slashed out at the thing's neck. He cried out, a desperate strike. The others were locked in their own fight. He twisted desperately, eyes falling on Mealla, and the others - dreading a grisly sight.

[Mealla Stormsong]

OOCSorry. RL has been really chaotic. Mealla hissed in pain as the spear glanced off her arm, leaving behind a burning trail of pain as blood welled from the cut. Her grip on her bow loosened as she gritted her teeth and jumped back, attempting to stay out of the way, the pain making her want to cry. They always said the smallest cuts hurt the most, and she had to think of it like that, otherwise she knew that she would start to panic. Her heart thudded desperately in her chest as she heard Ronan’s shout, just in time to see the Zith striking out towards her. She fell back, letting go of the bow, and hit the ground with a thud. She scrabbled backwards, trying to stay away, to escape, to regain her footing, but even she knew what death looked like when she saw, and she was staring it in the face. This was it then. She was going to die. For some reason there was no fear, just a determination to face her death bravely. The pain when it came was intense, and she cried out as she clutched her side where the spear had struck, hands gripping the spear. She expected the Zith to pull it back, to strike again, but there was no such move. It had fallen to the ground beside her. Mealla bit down on her lip, fighting the pain and the darkness that threatened, as the Zith continued to circle.

[Khida]

Shahar Dawnwhisper

Skill	Points
Endurance	+1
Foraging	+1
Land Navigation	+1
Stealth	+2
Subterfuge	+1

• Endurance: acclimating to exertion over time
• Foraging: picking and skinning prickly pears
• Stealth: dismounting to take cover in the grass
• Subterfuge: a stone thrown for distraction

Others

Ronan, Sama'el, Solicah, Mealla: should any of you return, PM me and I'll grade your posts.

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Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade. Also, Shahar, please edit your request to show this thread has been graded.