Closed The Hunter And The Hunted.

[Archailist]

52nd of Winter, 514.

They'd all heard it - another one gone. The fourth well-known person reported in the season and alerting a number of wings that something serious was starting. Two of them were wandering travelers; another was a hunter going out in search of what scarce game that he could find. A scavenger had set out the previous day in search of berries and other oddities that found strength in the snow, yet she'd never returned. People were growing restless, and they had every right to be, as well. There was no telling what had taken up residence in the Bronze Woods, and whatever it was, people were no longer comfortable even breezing along the outskirts of the woodland. It was a threat to the entire city, and the longer it remained out there, the more power it gained.

It didn't take long for the knights to begin assessing the situation and creating a plan. It wasn't even a very complicated one. A small group of knights would be selected based on their abilities and previous experience, informed of the crisis, and then sent out to either bring back information on it, or kill it outright and be done with it. They'd meet outside the city, with as many squires as they had in their disposal to act as support and back-up, close to the edges of the Bronze Woods and begin their march directly through the middle, towards the far end of the woodland at the Aylasa Caves. Here, just bridging Syliras territory and close to the Wildlands, was the most likely spot to find whatever it was.

All the strange things ended up there one way or another, after all. Even as the brave group prepared themselves and alerted their respective squires for the upcoming dangers, others whispered of Balicani, Chaon and Journeymen that feasted on the blood of the pure and corrupted the minds of those they did not murder. One couldn't live in a city that worshiped the will of a talking tree without becoming a little bit superstitious. In truth, though, it was the lack of knowledge that frightened even the hardiest of the knights. So far, patrols into the area hadn't even found a trace of the bodies - whether they'd been dragged off, or simply devoured entirely, was anyone's guess.

Within barely three bells of the original call to arms, arrangements were set and available precautions ready. Horses were prepared, necessary weapons and armour distributed, for both knights and their respective squires. They were to set out as soon as they prepared themselves and no later. When they'd return.. well, that was to be seen. Whatever happened, they could be sure that the prayers and thoughts of the city were in them as they began their trek.

[Nivel]

Nivel had just finished a quick round of solo training and was ready to spend the rest of the day inside playing with her kelvic mount Patcha. These plans were thrown out the door however when Sera Grey caught her just as she was exiting her room. "Get prepared, We have a mission in the woods today" The mysterious masked Mage knight commanded "I will meet you at the front gates...try not to dally" The tiny squire was caught off guard for a moment but nodded her head swiftly before heading back into her room. The mage squire found less and less reasons to wear armour, and since she was in a hurry she didn't bother looking for it. She did however look for Grick, her resin pypole cast in the shape of a skeleton key. The mage still found barely any use for it but it was more of a safety blanket than anything and didn't encumber her like the armour did. Nivel had to search for a bit to locate the object but found it under the patchwork dress she'd been sewing. Patcha had already found her saddle and was nudging it with her tiny snout. Nivel ran over and helped the small black dog put her saddle on and off they were to the front gates to see what all the hubbub was about. When they arrived there was a small gathering of people that were prattling on about mysterious monsters and other dangerous phenomenon. Nivel was of course instantly absorbed in what they were saying, being a fanatic about bizarre monsters of legend and simply learning things in general. The Pycon was so focused on what they were saying that she didn't notice the massive hooves of Sera Grey's Nightwalker mount gallop up near her. "Ah good you beat me here" Sera Grey sounded pleased but it quickly faded when her Squire failed to notice her presence. She listened to the nonsense that was holding the squires attention and needed to stop the filth from invading the impressionable squires head. "Nivel...Nivel!" "Oh sorry Sera Grey! I didn't notice you there" The pycon apologized but her attention was already being drawn away again. "I noticed...anyway lets find out who is joining us in the mission" The knight replied dryly. Sera Grey searched for any other knights or even people who looked like mercenaries but none seemed to be around. Sera Grey didn't usually have to look, she wasn't the best Knight or even Mage knight around but most knew who she was. Many knew of the knight that always wore masks and having a Pycon as a squire certainly helped give one notoriety amongst the order. She didn't have one of her usual masks on but her armour had a built in steel mask to keep up with her reputation.

[Aldhran]

Aldhran felt queasy in his stomach as he walked out of the stables. Clad from head to toe in his heavy armor, a large shield hanging on his back and a heavy axe at his hip. He was gently leading a black stallion with him. He knew that it would be faster to get on the horse. But he didn't really dare risking his neck for just a little bit of speed. He hadn't ridden a horse a lot. Only one time and he barely managed to keep in the saddle at that time. He had asked for the same horse from the stable master, hoping that if the horse knew him it might go a little bit better this time. He arrived at the meeting spot pretty soon. A small group of people where already gathered there and Aldhran got closer. Spotting his own patron making his way towards a lady wearing plate armor and some strange steel mask melded with her helmet. He walked over there. Eager to hear something about the reality and not the rather frightening rumours about monsters spawned from rhysol himself, or worse. Bertrund noticed him fairly quickly. “Watch out for sera grey's squire Aldhran.” He said as he pointed towards a small dog and a small thing of clay sitting on it's back. “oh, right. So sorry about that.” He said with an apologetic look on his face. Unfortunately for him, he had forgotten to lift his visor. So his apologetic look wasn't visible. “So do we know anything about what we are going up against?” Aldhran asked, hoping that they knew something, anything about this creature. Bertrund just shook his head. “Nothing except that it isn't just wildlife. So keep your eyes open for anything strange. Unlike what you have been doing up till now.” Bertrund admonished him and he “Just do what I always told you. Keep your guard up and stay on your toes and you'll get out of this alive.” Aldhran knew the man wasn't joking and he really tried to ignore his stomach turning around from nerves. This was what he wanted. Doing dangerous things so others shouldn't be doing it. He took a few deep breaths to try and calm himself down and looked at the pycon. He probably should introduce himself. “Name's Aldhran tiller. Yours?”

[Marrick Corvis]

It was a dark and frigid morning. A cruel winter had gripped Syliras this year, and it made everyone on edge. It was as if all that moved and breathed felt its torpor. The sun was not yet risen, but when stories had reached Mithryn that there was something in the bronze wood that threatened all a group of knights and their squires were selected to investigate. Ser Whitevine had volunteered to Bolster Syliras’s main force in this effort to keep their home safe. Marrick had grown used to the idea of facing danger head on. A year of combat, had helped normalize these things, so it came as no surprise when Ser Whitevine sat with him in the mess the night before and spoke with him of what needed to be done to prepare. “We’re headed out tomorrow little brother. Five cups of water tonight, we have an early morning.” David loved the water method of wake up calls. Marrick found rather quickly that it always left one with an urgent need to start ones day, and earlier than when the cock crowed. It had been deadly dark when he met with his Patron in the Managerie of Mithryn that morning. Icicles clung to the eaves, yet the night sky was clear. Leth hung pale and serene in the sky like a medallion of pure ice. Both Patron and squire felt her pleasant gaze, and it gave them a strange calm. As if riding out to face what sounded like a ghostly monster was as normal as eating hot pancakes eggs and bacon on a Synday. The rode was a purple ribbon as they rode. The hooves of their horses kicked dust into the air as both of their Tiaden’s thundered down the road. Kiter seemed strangely placid. Normally the great War Mare was spirited yet gentle with him, and the pair shared an oddly personal relationship for horse and rider. It was this that struck Marrick as strange, the great bulwark of horseflesh was not in her usual mood. It left Marrick with the strange feeling that the horse felt something he didn’t. As Leth laid down to rest, and Syna rose like a bright beacon of warmth in the morning sky, the spires of the Storm hold rose to greet them as they made their way to Syliras. The tall towers rose higher and ever higher, until the wall obscured their base and the massive new gate appeared ready for their arrival. Both Knight and squire saluted the guard as they passed. Mercy on their minds, they halted their horses for a quick rest, and watering. The gate was bustling with knights and squires preparing for the trip. A small group had already begun to gather, readying themselves. Marrick spotted Patcha in the group, atop her Nivel was conversing with what Marrick took to be her Patron. He’d heard of Sera Grey from the little Pycon, but had never met her before. A shallow and swift exhale escaped his nostrils casting wisps of mist into the cold morning air. It had been a hard ride to get here this early, in time for their ride out into the wood. There would be plenty of time to introduce himself on the ride out, so the Kelvic busied himself with checking the Kiter would manage the trip. He checked the massive Mares hooves, each time she leaned against him, he felt like a twig beneath an anvil. Though, that was the only way he knew how. He removed any stones he found with his dagger, and gave her a quick brush down. She was ready again, but she’d earned a treat. A handful of oats from his hand, always the subtle reminder that he cared about her and trusted her not to take his fingers off. Ready for another long ride, the Kelvic stepped into the stirrups and swung into the saddle with the creak of rubbing leather. A long cleansing inhale and exhale escaped his nostrils before he made a little kissing noise with his pursed lips, coaxing the Tiaden forward to rendezvous with the other members of the order. As he approached he tossed Nivel a smile, and raised a hand to her in greeting. A momentary distraction before he put his attentions forward to listen to the introductions of the group. There was a young squire there who introduced himself as Aldhran. The name tickled at the Kelvics pleasure of rhetoric. ‘Ald-hran’ he thought as he disassembled the man’s name in his head. Apart from a pleasant sounding name, the man bore a large scar across his face. It made the Kelvic cock his head as he tried to divine its source. The Kelvic was no stranger to the lash, or cane. He’d seen cuts before, and scrapes and gashes. This though was different. The gentle nudge from his Patron, gave him the subtle reminder that he was staring inappropriately and he straightened his posture and continued to listen. Nivel introduced herself as she often did. Full of pip and vigor. The little Pycon was truly a bright spark, and Marrick identified more with her than Archailist, though that little bit of clay had a Matrix of gold. He just didn’t want to show it. “A pleasure the meet yeh Aldhran.” He said with a little smile before he turned his pale gaze upon Nivel and her little mount. “Hello again little big cup.” The Kelvic said, his smile growing into a playful beaming grin as he nodded to Nivel. “Oi’m already feeling better about this mission knowing you’re here.” He nodded once more for emphasis before he turned his attentions to Sera Grey. “Yeh must be Sera Grey. Oi must admit Oi’m disappointed that yer naught wearin a mask.” The Kelvic stroked his chin a moment as he considered his words. A philosophical spur tickled his mind for a moment before he spoke again. “Though, Oi suppose our true faces are never revealed until we are ready teh show them…” with his obscure mindless meanderings, he realized he was getting some blank stares from a couple of the knights including his own Patron. The Kelvic removed his helm and brushed his hair back nervously as he chuckled awkwardly. “Roight, too early fer that sorta shyke. Apologies, if moy reputation hasn’t preceded me yet, Oi’m Marrick Corvis.” The Kelvic held his helm under his arm so that he could better see everyone as the conversation continued. “Oi hear tell we are after some sort’a monster or ghost? Should Oi have packed an extra set’a pants?” The Kelvic grinned the broad grin of a fool. Though he hoped that all would use it to lighten the mood. Superstition had a way of running rampant if it was let off a leash. Humor, tended to whittle down the fear that came with it.

[Nivel]

An armoured man almost trampled Nivel with his massive steal steel feet. The pycon quickly alerted her mount but Patcha’s sensitive ears already knew and she was able to sidestep the danger with ease. Nivel was about to shout at the knight but his apology sounded sincere so she simply accepted it. The squire went on to ask Nivel and Sera Grey what they hypothesized was the situation but both pycon and mage knight were fairly stumped. They both had a bit of knowledge on the monsters of the world but so far none of the information available pointed to any thing in particular. “There seems to not be enough information to really jump to conclusions as of yet” Sera Grey responded politely before Nivel could interject. The squires introduced himself as Aldhran Tiller and while Nivel liked the name she felt like she wanted to give him the nick name Aldy. She of course didn’t know him well enough to give him such a name but it stirred around in her nexus none the less. “Pleasure to meet you Aldhran Tiller, My Name is Sera Grey Baxter and this-“ The courteous mage knight responded before Nivel interjected “Nivel! and this is Patcha she's my loyal stead..a bit shy though, but we’re working on it.” Nivel looked up to the sky to see the smiling face of Marrick approach from atop his massive horse Kiter. After greeting the new squire Marrick brought his attention back to Nivel except he referred to her by a different name that confused and delighted Nivel. She didn’t know where he had come up with the idea for “little big cup” or what it meant but she enjoyed that he had though up a new name for her. She would have to return the favour with a nickname of her own creation, as it was only fair. “em glad you’re ‘ere too, old bear” Nivel joyfully replied. She wasn’t sure if her nick name was up to par and waited for his reaction to see if she needed to go back to the drawing board. Marrick had also turned his sights on the Sera Grey, starting some banter about masks. “Quite true squire” Sera Grey replied softly with a subtle bow of her head. “Everyone wears a mask I just prefer mine look extraordinary.” She gave an elegant flourish of her armoured hand. “Oh I hope we aren’t fighting a ghost!” Nivel ranted after Marrick’s subtle joke “The last time I fought one it was just a mage using illusions” “Well that would be an Illusion then and not a Ghost” Grey corrected her rambunctious squire with a light chuckle “I would not fret my dear as I am certain we are not dealing with a spectre of any sort.” There was an awkward silence for a few moments “Are we going to leave soon?” Nivel blurted out impatience. The pycon didn’t want the fear of this unknown creep back into her nexus before she had even seen it.