Flashback I'm No Damsel! (Nalik)

[Mihiya Darkmane]

She nodded, the sadness in his voice reflected in her dark eyes. She signaled to her mount to come and quickly, and the mare obliged. Mihiya tangled her fingers in the mane of the mare, but looked to Nalik before she mounted up. Something seemed to crackle in the air around him, tension which was only exemplified by the fact that he had drawn his bow. She froze, but sprung into action the moment, he shouted, vaulting onto her horse quickly and straddling the back of the mare.

"Nalik!" she screamed as she recognized the animal biting into Gruff. A Snarlwing, she'd never seen one before, but she recognized it for its beautiful coat. [color=#004040]"Damn it!" she cursed as she dismounted. What could she do? She watched as the dog and beast tumbled into the man, knocking him off his feet. She watched them tumble and mentally thought of things she could do. What could she do? She thought desperately as she tried to think of a way to fight.

She had no weapons. The stupidity in that reverberated in her brain as she desperately sought a way to help. Finally, she took a chance, launching herself at the Snarlwing, grasping for its wing and tugging at it. She gasped as the creature turned it's dark eyes on her, the creature snarling. She backed away rapidly, and the creature turned from her, back to the immediate threat, the dog.

"No!" she screamed, as she caught a hind foot of the creature, wrenching it from the dog, knowing there was a good chance that the creature would rip the pelt of the dog as it was drug from Gruff's back. Still, she hung on, knowing that it would be better that the creature was torn from the dog quickly rather than it continued to bite and tear and rend.

However, she was not prepared for the creature to take flight and turn on her, baring it's evil fangs and glaring at her with angry eyes.[/color]

[Nalik Fallingleaf]

Nalik let go of the bow as the creatures slammed into him, sending him sprawling across the grass. He slammed onto his back and rolled, Gruff rolling off him landing just next to him. His leather chest plate protected him from most of the damage but it still winded him a little and he took a long gasping breath as he rolled up and pushed himself off the ground facing were Gruff was.

The noises were terrible. Horrible snarling noises emitted from the creatures, painful yelping and growling coming from Gruff, who was trying desperately to get him, his legs thrashing and he jaw snapping at the two creatures embedded into his side.

In hindsight the creatures were small for their species. Maybe they were having a harsh winter, their ribs starting to show through their shimmering fur. Maybe that is why these two had broken away from their colony when Gruff ran past, lack of food pushing them into moving away from the scavenger ways and going for more 'lively' prey.

But at the time Nalik was gripped with fear. He was not used to physical confrontations. He was usually the one to surprise his target it and take it at the safety of range. Not like this. This was completely different, and Nalik was not sure he could handle himself in such a situation.

He was spurred into action as he saw Mihiya jumping off her Strider and running towards the scene.

Move Nalik! You are the elder here, you have a duty of care for the girl that is acting braver than you! Stop being a petching cowards and do something!

His breath returned, short quick breaths, and he groped his waist hoping that the dagger had stayed in place. It had and he un-sheathed it from his belt and gripped it in his right hand. It felt uncomfortable compared to his bow, but he dare not fire an arrow for fear of hitting Gruff.

One beast was tearing at the dogs ribs, whilst the other was slashing and biting its hind. The dogs body was covered in gruesome cuts and gashes, his fur matted with blood. Their wicked little mouths covered in his life juices. Literally eating him alive. The scene nearly made Nalik physically sick, but he suppressed it, decided to go for the one that was on the ribs.

It noticed him as he approached, its head turning, eyes filled with hate and hunger.

Nalik froze, fear stopping him from moving. This was not how hunting usually went. He felt like the roles had reversed and he was now the hunted. It leapt, an ear splitting screech emitting from him, straight at Naliks chest. It claws tearing skin as it pushed itself off Gruff. Nalik winced his right hand pushed out in front of him and his left instinctively shielding his face.

But it didn't hit him. He lowered his left hand, surprise on his face as he saw the beast just in front of him, half its left wing missing, the other in Gruffs mouth blood oozing from it.

Gruff must have snapped at it as it passed! Even in pain he fights. The Snarlwing fool! It is injured and vulnerable, get it now before it has chance to recover! Now!

Nalik closed the gap between him and the creature. It was flapping on the ground, struggling to co-ordinate itself, the mixture of pain and the loos of limb causing it to thrash in a panicked flurry as the Drykas approached knife held in his sweaty right hand. He was right above it now knife posed ready to slam down into its long writhing body, but then a flash of movement and a cry of 'NO!' distracted him at the crucial moment.

Mihiya!

The foolish girl had charged the second creature, and was now trying to tug it off the wounded dog. Fool! She had yet again gotten herself into danger, not seeming to realize the peril of the situation.

But then again hadn't he?

Nalik did not have time to follow that trail of thought, nor did he have time to see what happened to Mihiya because he was suddenly distracted by agonizing, crippling pain in his left leg, falling backwards onto hit bottom, pain contorting his face and causing him to drop the knife he was holding next to him.

The injured Snarlwing had somehow propelled itself upwards and onto his left calf, were its razor sharp claws and fangs now tore through his clothes and into the flesh and muscle beneath. Blinded by pain he screamed out loud, his vocal chords straining with the force of the cry. Frantically his lent forwards and thrashed at the creature with clenched fists, completely forgetting about the knife next to him, in a desperate attempt to get it the petch off him!

His first blow did nothing, but his second hits its injured wing with enough force to cause it to let go of him in pain and roll of his leg to his left. It bared its fangs, looking at him with uncontrolled rage.

This was how he was going to die. Because of his own stupidity. Because he didn't practice what he preached.

He scrabbled backwards, his hands pushing against the grass, trying to force himself backwards away from the save creature. It advanced, it was almost comically uncoordinated on the ground, its one good wing getting in its way as it slowly stalked its way towards Nalik. He kept scrabbling backwards, fear now completely in control, his mouth dry, breaths coming in short fast burst. The grass felt soft beneath his hand and, hard? How could grass be hard?

No, the dagger!.

His right hand had rested on the dagger that he had forgotten about and clammy fingers gripped its hilt, lifting it up in front of him.

Still the creature approached, he swore that it even seemed to smirk at the shaking right hand that held the dagger.

Nalik joined his left hand with his right hoping it would help to steady the shaking. Just as he did it leapt. Straight at his face, it was all he could do to hold the dagger out in front of him, fear causing his eyes to shut, and just wait for this life to end and the next to begin.

Sudden impact shot through his arms and up to his shoulders, causing him to fall backwards onto his back and his arms to buckle at the elbow his wrists hitting flat against his sternum. Pain erupted in his chin, his chest feeling like something was pressing down on him. His fingers were numb, still gripping on to his dagger.

He opened his eyes. Wait he could still open his eyes? he wasn't, dead? He couldn't move his chin or his arms, so instead he glanced down. He didn't know whether to cheer or throw up at the sight he saw. The Snarlwing was on top of him, its head almost in his mouth its fangs must be the cause of the horrible pain in his chin. He couldn't confirm his hypothesis in the position he was in but he presumed that as the Snarlwing had launched himself at him it had impaled itself on his dagger.

It didn't matter. He was alive. And it was dead.

[Mihiya Darkmane]

Fangs and claws dug into her flesh as she battled the thing away. It was attached to her arm, it's jaws clenched around the skin there. With a scream of pain, she tugged at it, pulling it off and throwing it on the ground. Momentarily stunned, the creature was down for just long enough for her to get a grip around it's throat and begin to strangle it.

The creature snapped at her arms as she pressed down on it's windpipe, small claws on its back paws scratching down her arms. Blood welled from the wounds and splattered the white hide of the snarlwing. She gritted her teeth and pressed harder on the windpipe and the creature began to weaken. Snarls became infrequent and the lashing of the paws weakened until it passed out. She released only when all movement and breathing had ceased. Only then did she allow herself to look up.

"Nalik," she gasped, getting unsteadily to her feet. The man was in worse shape than she, though the skin on her arm was torn to ribbons by claws and she was bleeding from about a hundred different cuts and bite marks. She stumbled over toward him and dropped to her knees beside him.

"Nalik, are you okay?" her voice was concerned, verging on panicky as she shook the man's shoulder, "Nalik?" She couldn't fend off attacks alone, not even if the beasts were smaller than those weasel creatures. The skin on her arms was extremely tender and she knew that she was dripping blood as she sat next to the man.

"I'm sorry," she whispered finally, tears welling in her eyes, "I'm so very sorry."

[Nalik Fallingleaf]

Nalik lay staring at the sky, breathing shallow quick breaths, the adrenaline slowly leaving his body. The pain in his leg was agony and his chin felt slightly numb. How had a survived? How had he been so lucky? He lay still and silent trying to recover from the shocking experience.

He was absorbed within his own mind for what felt like bells but in reality must have been a couple of tics before he was brought out of his shock by someone shaking his shoulders and crying out his name.

Nalik, yes Nalik that's still my name for i have not passed. But who is shaking me, and why are they appolo..... Mihiya! Of course you fool snap out of this and accept you're fate, you are alive but still in danger there is no time for a breakdown now!

His hands still gripped the dagger, no feeling in them so hard was his grip, and he shoved up wards and to the side forcing the beast of him. He gritted his teeth an explosion of air propelled through them as the teeth ripped out of his jaw. He had forgotten about that.

He winced and turned to the girl, trying to smile and regain his composure. [/color]

"Are you ok? You're arms! What did that creature do to you? We are still in danger here, we need to get back to Endrykas".

He grunted whilst he pushed himself up of the floor, leaving the knife buried in the Snarlwing. He looked at his leg closing his eyes as he saw the amount of blood, hoping ti was less serious than it looked. He glanced at the girls arms, they were cut up pretty badly, but didn't look too deep. Still they would leave hideous scarring.

He didn't look at Gruff, he could here the poor creature whimpering as at lay in its own blood. If he looked he would loose composure. He needed to stay strong for a little while yet.

He whistled for Rivain, who had been standing close by not knowing what to do to help his rider, fear of crushing him had stopped her from intervening and she nuzzled his neck concern causing her to snort loudly.

He tried to soothe her as he used her neck to pull himself onto his feet, wincing and crying out in pain as he stood on his good right leg, holding his left just above the floor.

It was agonizing

He slowly made his way to the back of Rivains Yvas and pulled the skinning knife, rope and tarp from it. He sighed, pain threatening to overwhelm him. No he had to stay strong he was still responsible.

He signaled Mihiya over, hoping that she would be able to help him with what he had planned. His medical knowledge was limited. Extremely limited. But when he was younger he had accidentally cut himself with a knife and his mother had put pressure on the wound.

He planned to do this. Granted the cut when he was a child was a lot smaller, but surely it would still be the same principle?

With Mihiya's help he planned to cut the tarp into a size that would go over their wounds, and then bind it on with the rope. That was the plan anyway, whether it would work would have to be seen.

But it was going to be painful.

[Mihiya Darkmane]

"Oh thank the gods," Mihiya whispered. She was not a particularly religious woman, but when Nalik stirred and spoke she felt great relief. The blood from her arms was no longer dripping, but the pain was still extremely prominent and she knew that she would bare many scars on them for years to come. Perhaps they would fade in time, but it could be awhile.

"They appear to have...bit...and scratched...and such," she replied as she tried to think of a way she could Nalik. She glanced over at Gruff, blanching as she realized how terribly torn up the dog was. Oh, gods...what had she done. She wanted to comfort the whimpering beast, but she knew it would never help. She was torn between helping master and beast, but ultimately settled on Nalik. He seemed to have an idea.

"What can I do?" she asked as she whistled for Komali. The mare came and Mihiya patted her, wincing as one of the cuts began to ooze blood from where it had broken open with her movements. Nalik appeared rather unsteady and she noted that his leg was definitely not in the best shape. Neither of them were, she supposed. They were in danger if they couldn't get back to Endrykas and soon.

It was unfortunate that Mihiya had never taken the time to learn healing from Briseni, who had been a rather adept healer. She sighed. She would learn healing skills when she was no longer in this predicament. Maybe she could venture to the Opal Clan and see what the healers could do.

"We need to get to Opal Clan," she whispered as she tried to move her wrists experimentally and felt blood ooze out over her hands at the movement, "Gruff too."

[Nalik Fallingleaf]

Mihiya responded to Naliks gesture and volunteered her aid. Together they cut a piece of the tarp just wide enough to cover the wound on Naliks leg and the wounds on Mihiyas hands. They worked as quickly as they could for two injured people.

Nalik did Mihiyas arms first. Wrapping the tarp round the wounds, and cutting a length of the rope, which he then wound round the tarp, tiring the two ends together t finish the makeshift dressing. He tried to not do it so tight that it would hurt her, but he still senses that he caused her some pain.

It would be better than bleeding to death though.

He lowered himself down to the floor. He knew this would be painful, but they did not have time for him to be a child about this. Darkness was now almost completely over them and the air was smelling strongly of blood. It wouldn't be long before creatures started to converge on their location.

He lent forwards gritting his teeth, bracing himself as he put the cut out tarp over the wound. He forced himself to push don on it, and slowly starting from the bottom he wrapped the length of rope round and rounds, tugging it tight grunting out in pain. He didn't stop until the rope was tight and the tarp was pushed against the wound and when it was done he looked up at the night sky, panting with pain and exhaustion.

Now Gruff.

The poor dog was still whimpering, and it made pitiful efforts to try and get up. It was clear he was in a bad way, but Nalik knew that they didn't have time to be delicate. He wasn't even sure that Gruff would recover from his wounds, he just knew that his best chance of survival was to get to Endrykas as quickly as possible.

He hopped over to the remaining tarp, the had used a quarter so about 7 foot of tarp remained. With Mihiyas help he slid it under the dog, ignoring its yelps of pain tears tainting his eyes. He kept his mind focused on what needed to be done, and several times it crossed his mind that it might be kinder to end the dogs life now.

He couldn't do that.

Once they had got it under him, he tied the to corners by the dogs head together, and the corners closest to the doges hind end together. The knots were rough, he didn't really know what he was doing, but he hoped that they would hold. It made rough cradle that would enable the dog to be carried on horse.

It wouldn't be comfortable, but it would have to do.

He cut the weapons harness that held the dagger in half, it was a simple leather belt that went around his waist with a knot that the dagger fitted in. now it was one long piece of leather it would do as rope to hang the cradle from Rivain. He threaded it under both knots, and then with help from Mihiya he tied it onto Rivains Yvas.

He almost stopped several times because of Gruffs yelping and whimpering, but he knew that this was the only way he was going to get back quickly. The yelping and whimpering quietened until they were know more, and Nalik did not look into the cradle for fear that Gruff had passed away.

He nodded to Mihiya when it was done, and agreed that they needed to get to the opal clan.

"Yes we need to get there as fast as we can. We are 5 chimes ride from Endrykas, I have taken into consideration that we will be riding slower because of Gruff and my leg. Come. Lets go.

And with that he pulled himself up onto Rivain, pain lancing through his leg as he did so. HE glanced one at Mihiya, and once at Gruff, before he tugged on his Yvas gently initiating Rivain's movements.

[Mihiya Darkmane]

The bindings on her arm were secure, pressing against her cuts painfully, but the blood had no doubt stopped now. She helped Nalik with everything that he needed, hoisting Gruff and securing him, even though her heart felt sore as she did so, the whimpering of the dog causing tears to prick at her eyes. She wiped them away. She was the cause of this. This was her fault. If Gruff died, it would be on her. She almost vomited when she took a look at the wounds.

Once they had Gruff secure, she mounted Komali, her dark eyes scanning for any further threats. She could see nothing in the darkness that was settling about them. They needed to leave. The darkness, the lure of blood, added together posed a perfect scenario for any would be predator. She urged Komali on, aware of the fact that 5 chimes would be a long time for them to be riding with the injured dog.

The smoke of the fires in Endrykas was the first thing she saw. She sighed in relief once she saw it. They had been riding in silence. Now she saw an opportunity to speak. She turned to glance at Nalik, took a look at Gruff and felt more guilt welling in her stomach. She wanted to apologize again, but she knew that no matter how many times she apologized, it would never be better.

"I can see the smoke from the fires," she said finally, pointing at the stream of smoke. She could only assume that this news would somewhat brighten the otherwise solemn trip. She felt as though she had gained ground with Nalik, only to lose it in the Snarlwing attack. If only she knew more about fighting. It was a shame she didn't. Perhaps she would learn.

[Nalik Fallingleaf]

The two rode in silence. Nalik tried to ride gently, not just for Gruffs sake but because he leg hurt every time Rivain moved as the jerking movements caused his leg to jolt painfully. He had never before not enjoyed riding, but he definitely did not enjoy this ride.

Not only was it painful, but the atmosphere was uncomfortable. The two had been making progress to becoming friends before the attack. Now all that seemed to be gone, only tension, guilt and accusation left in the air.

The grass was getting lower, less thick. Endrykas was getting closer.

They were going to make it.

Nalik looked at Mihiya trying to keep a neutral expression. It was hard not to blame her for what happened. After all her actions were the catalyst that caused all this. But the look she wore now almost quelled Naliks anger at her. Almost. She seemed so sad. Repentant. But Nalik had never been good at reading people, so he could have been wring. But he hoped he wasn't.

He nodded when she spoke, however he couldn't see what she saw it was just so dark now Syna's light gone, replaced with the gentle glow of Leth. The terrain was changing, the grass lowering still until it was now only just past Rivains hooves. They were almost there. Almost to safety.

Nalik slowed, he could just make out the outlines of the tents now, and tension started to leach out of him, replaced with exhaustion, pain and worry. No he didn't have time to indulge on his own concerns now, he still needed to get help. Still needed to save Gruff. If it was possible.

He shook his head, expelling the foul thoughts. No, everything would be fine. It had to be.

Before they entered the confines of the city he turned to Mihiya, tiredness takeing pride of place on his face. He almost looked like his face had aged since they had first met, stress getting to him.

"Do not forget the lessons from today. Learn. Live. Stay living. Everything happens for a reason, but everything starts from something too. Remember you're actions effect more than just yourself.

Do not forget what happened, but do not dwell either. Do not blame yourself, accept what happened and learn from it. This is the lessons the sea of grass gives. This is why the Drykas are the race they are. Forged by the Sea of Grass. Now, no talking we need help."

The girl seemed to accept his words, they seemed to strike a chord within her and he only hoped she heeded his advice.

The riders turned and rode towards the healers that would try to help them. The lessons from the day both racing through their heads.

The experience had changed them both. Hopefully for the best.

[Praetorian]

Your Diligence Has Been Rewarded! Nalik Fallingleaf Observation +5 XP Socialization +5 XP Tracking +2 XP Land Navigation +2 XP Weapon: Dagger +1 XP Medicine +1 XP My daughter! You must find her! Mihiya: Adopted, Part Chaktawe Chaktawe: Two sets of eyelids Starving Snarlwings: A Fight to Their Death Mihiya: Young and Reckless Mihiya Darkmane Inactivity : Mihiya has not been active since early in July. With such in mind, she has been classified as inactive and will thereby be put on hold for any grading. If she becomes active once again and messages me or another Cyphrus mod, her posts will be graded. Notes : Very solid thread! I like the conflict both socially and physically. I hope Gruff is ok <3 ;D Anyway, nice job, keep it up. Have any questions, comments, or concerns? Feel free to message me.