Completed [The Kabrin Road] Rain, Rain, Go Away

[Kayelin Mannering]

513 AV, 63rd Day of Spring Kayelin sat just off the edge of the Kabrin Road, picking absently at blades of fresh spring grass. Her pup was stretched out on her side next to her, tongue lolling as she panted with exhaustion. They needed a substantial break after trekking so long without pause. It had been gray and overcast all day, leaving the thick forest around them in a dark gloom. Moisture was heavy in the air, and she was sure that it would rain, just not when. Hopefully they would reach the next traveler's shelter before then, and if not then she'd have to pray for a drizzle. But the skies looked far too full for just a light spring rain. A storm was brewing, and it wouldn't be a gentle shower. Kayelin leaned back on her elbows, looking up at the thick canopy of leaves overhead. They rustled in a breeze that had growing slowly throughout the day, continuously distorting the shafts of soft light filtering through the branches. "We're probably going to get a bath sometime soon. Makutsi's orders." The young Falivan paused momentarily in her panting, looking up at the sound of Kayelin's voice. Her tail thumped a few times in recognition before her head dropped back to the grass and she continued her tired breathing. "I know you don't care. I shouldn't either. I smell horrible. A rain shower will do me some good." Cleaning up was the last thing on her mind each day. Making sure they had enough food, water, and were safe was at the top of the list. A bath was definitely at the bottom. She laid her head back on her backpack and closed her eyes, absently petting the pup's fluttering sides. It was a good thing the dog was old enough to keep up. If it'd been any younger she wouldn't have been able to bring it with her to Syliras. When their rest was over they'd be back on the road again, heading northward to the city. They were more than halfway there now, but it would still be at least two weeks before arrival. Kayelin didn't want to dwell on that, so she tried to relax, which was no easy feat if she imagined what might possibly be watching from the forest. The wind in the trees and her Falivan's panting slowly coaxed her into a light sleep, though, which she was grateful for.

[Kayelin Mannering]

Her dog's shrill wine jolted her from her sleep. It was darker, much darker. How long have I been asleep? Kayelin looked around wildly, pushing herself up into a low crouch. Adrenaline banished all the fatigue from her body and mind in record time, leaving her tense, heart pounding. The wind rattled loudly through the leaves, and branches creaked through the forest around them. Birds were chirping as they flew quickly to safety from the approaching storm, but there didn't seem to be a sentient threat in sight. Everything was seeking shelter. "Shyke!" She grabbed up her pack and rocked to her feet, stumbling back up onto the road.

"Come on, pup. We have go, and quick." The sky looked very angry. It was one of those rare storms, where the clouds actually looked a little purple. Gods, everything was so dark. It made her skin crawl, looking at the forest on either side of her as she jogged along, and seeing almost nothing but shadow. She shrugged her backpack onto her shoulders, readjusting it when the shield tied to it kept banging on her lower back. Her dog trotted briskly along in front of her, whining softly every handful of yards. That wasn't a good sign.

Her heavy footfalls, the wind, her dog, the creaking of the forest, and distant rolls of thunder was all there was to hear. She'd heard of people who actually liked to live out in these wilds, away from the city. How could someone like living out here? It was pretty terrifying when it looked like this. Kayelin tried to swallow her fear, but jumped and gasped when a loud crash roared in the clouds above. Shyke, shyke, shyke! "Keep going, girl. We really can't be that far from a shelter." But oh, how wrong she was. The closest was still seven miles, and she'd never make it in time. Deep down, she knew it, too.

She lapsed into silence then, pushing herself along, listening to the thunder growing closer and the erratic winds whipping all around them. I shouldn't have napped. So stupid! Suddenly, a fat raindrop hit her on the cheek, making her flinch. "Oh no," she groaned aloud, redoubling her pace. Kayelin was practically sprinting by the time the skies opened up. It was as if the Gods sudden dumped an endless bucket on the forest. One moment droplets pattered the leaves and ground, and the next, torrents was water rained down from the sky. And it was freezing. Within chimes, her body was soaked. Clumsily, she dashed off the road, slipping and sliding in the grass leading into the gloomy trees.

She heard her dog pass through the underbrush, but couldn't see her. "Stay here, girl," she shouted a little fearfully over the wail of the storm, as she dropped to her knees next the treeline, shrugged off her pack, and started fumbling with the leather thongs tying her tent to the top of it. "Oh, come on you blasted little things. I didn't tie you that tight this morning!" It took a few extra chimes to work the knots loose, but she finally manged to retrieve the tent, with her thick blanket bundled inside the rolled canvas.

[Kayelin Mannering]

Her dog's wet head suddenly snaked its way under her arm and rested on her thigh. The pup's sides shivered against the pounding rain, and she gently fondled one of her floppy ears. "I know, just give a moment and everything will be right as rai-," she tried to reassure, but cut off. Bad choice of words. Rain was not right, at the moment. Quickly, Kayelin started to busy herself with pitching the tent. She stuffed the dry blanket inside her pack so it wouldn't get quite so wet, then shook out the water repellent canvas of the tent. The wind blew wildly, making the fabric flap erratically and uncontrollably. She wrestled with it for several chimes, until her dog let out a bark of warning.

Kayelin stopped dead, heart pounding. She could hear something underneath the sound of the storm, coming closer. She looked around, back the way they'd come, down the road. It was coming from that direction, the sound of thundering hooves. "You've got to be kidding me," she hissed, then looked at the pup and pointed at the trees. "Go!" When it didn't move, she raised her voice higher, feeling a little panicked. "Now!!" With her tail tucked, she obeyed, slipping into the undergrowth like she'd been struck. Now was no time for Kayelin to feel bad, though. The horse was approaching, close enough for its shod hooves to be heard rather clear pounding through the mud.

Quickly, carrying her bundled tent and stakes under one arm, and her pack under the other, she made a mad dash to the trees. Low branches smacked and clawed at her face while brush clung at her clothing, their thorns scraping her skin. Clumsily, she dropped to the wet, forest floor once on the other side of the thick roughage. "Come here," she ordered her dog, who snaked up onto her lap in a shivering, whining heap. "Shhh," she murmured, dropping her gear and wrapping her arms around the dog, one hand clamping over its muzzle so she couldn't bark.

The wait was agonizing and terrifying, sitting there in the pouring rain, holding her quivering dog with equally unsteady arms. Kayelin had no idea of knowing what kind of person this approaching rider was. Bandit, murderer, or just someone like her, trying to get out of the storm. But finally, they galloped by in a thunder of hooves and spray of water. They urged their horse onward with a shout and jingle of spurs, with a distinctly male voice. Her dog thrashed momentarily, startled by the sudden passage, so she pinned it to the leafy ground. "Quiet," she hissed, holding the pup tightly until it stilled and the rider had passed.

Under the thick canopy of leaves, the rain wasn't as heavy, but it still beat her back like little pebbles. With the possible threat now galloping ahead of them, around the bend, she loosened her grip on the dog, murmuring praise, apologies, and gently stroking her soaked fur. She felt a tongue on her cheek, her nose, eyes. Obviously all was forgiven. "Come on," she murmured, groaning as she stood and wiped the wet hair from her face. Kayelin led her little companion several meters deeper into the woods, carrying the gear in both hands. She found a thick oak, still in sight of the road, and sunk down with her back against it.

Thoroughly depressed by their current situation, she unbuckled her sword and rested it against the trunk next to her shoulder, wedging her backpack and tent stakes up close to the scabbard. Then, feeling she had no better alternative, she pulled the canvas of the actual tent up and over her head, covering herself and her gear. Her Falivan wiggled its way up into her lap, thrashing awkwardly until it found a comfortable position to settle into. So there they sat, listening to the rain hammer the canvas over their heads. At least it was keeping them more or less dry. Or rather, keeping them from getting wetter.

[Radiant]

Kayelin :

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Observation	+2 XP
Running	+1 XP
Animal Husbandry	+1 XP
Wilderness Survival	+1 XP
Stealth	+1 XP

Lores

Lore Earned

Relaxing At The Kabrin Road

A Storm Is Coming

Loots

Notes :

I wonder who that guy actually is...

My radiance is not bright enough?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, beam me a PM and we can work it out.