A sharp cold wind cut through the three travelers. Though it probably had not done much to the falcon as she followed the tracks. The two drykas however would have felt a piercing cold hit all the way down to their very bones it seemed. A loud thunder over head reminded them that if they all did not move quickly there would be no more tracks to follow. Zulrav was preparing to send down his rain on them once more. Lightening passed over head illuminating what could not be seen through the dark light of Syna. The clouds above were becoming heavier and heavier with rain. As the group tended to any wounds on the horses and Drykas small drops of water fell from the sky. Both still striders were ready to move and not just stand around in the cold rain.
Once the group finally got moving everything seemed to pass by quickly. The later tracks began to branch off in many directions, but converged back together leading farther and farther from the city. No birds called out or flew past to get out of the rain. No animals were moving around any longer, the wolves had been driven away and were likely looking for easier prey. But the strange quiet put all the horses on edge. Several bells passed as the group continued on down the trail. Occasional bones could be seen off to the side of what appeared to be different dinning areas along the way. The most foreboding sight however was not the carcasses, but that of a forest before them. Thin scraggly branches reached from tree trunks as if trying to drag them inside. From between their bottoms came an eerie fog seeping towards the three striders, falcon, and two riders.
Trails in between the trees that could accommodate the horses would be few and far between. Even when found the pathways would not be big enough for the three animals to walk through side by side. The riders would have to get the creatures in a single line to have any hope of making progress. However the tracks seemed undeterred and went straight through the brambles and thorn bushes. After nearly ten chimes of straight riding the bushes finally give way opening up to clear forest floor. Thunder boomed over head startling all three horses causing them to dance in their places. The equine wanted to run from the danger that surrounded them and return to the safety of their homes. Prints to the parties prey would not be hard to find as it seemed that the three had stumbled upon the walking trail of the creatures. Muddy, large, deep foot prints lead the group farther into the trees, farther away from the open grass, and closer to the danger that lies within.
A quiet crunching noise could be heard as the group went farther inside. Rain began to drizzle down on them turning the journey annoying, miserable, and cold once again. No birds or small animals could be heard or seen. It was as if all of the creatures had been scared away or possibly even eaten. The trees slowly opened up to present the group with a terrifying sight. Four strange human looking creatures pulled the skin and meat off of some poor creature that had been captured. Only it was not completely dead yet, agonizing sounds of pain and anguish came from what appeared at a distance to be a deer. Up close the animal turned out to be a deer indeed, but not just a doe was present. There was also a young fawn that had already been ripped apart with blood and uneaten meat spread around the body. Any who could get a close look of the humanoid creatures, would see that they were covered in dirt and even had pieces of rock embedded within their skin. Sharp teeth lined the inside of the mouth, it was obvious that they were not very observant when eating. One had stopped and just stared into the chest of the female deer before reaching in and taking hold of her heart. Slowly it pulled its arm back removing the heart; just staring at the organ as if it had never been seen before. After the heart was removed the animal went still her head slapping to the ground causing just a little mud to fly up. The group could tell that it would not take their opponents long to finish her off, before turning towards them. If ever there was a time for a plan, now would be it.
Once the group finally got moving everything seemed to pass by quickly. The later tracks began to branch off in many directions, but converged back together leading farther and farther from the city. No birds called out or flew past to get out of the rain. No animals were moving around any longer, the wolves had been driven away and were likely looking for easier prey. But the strange quiet put all the horses on edge. Several bells passed as the group continued on down the trail. Occasional bones could be seen off to the side of what appeared to be different dinning areas along the way. The most foreboding sight however was not the carcasses, but that of a forest before them. Thin scraggly branches reached from tree trunks as if trying to drag them inside. From between their bottoms came an eerie fog seeping towards the three striders, falcon, and two riders.
Trails in between the trees that could accommodate the horses would be few and far between. Even when found the pathways would not be big enough for the three animals to walk through side by side. The riders would have to get the creatures in a single line to have any hope of making progress. However the tracks seemed undeterred and went straight through the brambles and thorn bushes. After nearly ten chimes of straight riding the bushes finally give way opening up to clear forest floor. Thunder boomed over head startling all three horses causing them to dance in their places. The equine wanted to run from the danger that surrounded them and return to the safety of their homes. Prints to the parties prey would not be hard to find as it seemed that the three had stumbled upon the walking trail of the creatures. Muddy, large, deep foot prints lead the group farther into the trees, farther away from the open grass, and closer to the danger that lies within.
A quiet crunching noise could be heard as the group went farther inside. Rain began to drizzle down on them turning the journey annoying, miserable, and cold once again. No birds or small animals could be heard or seen. It was as if all of the creatures had been scared away or possibly even eaten. The trees slowly opened up to present the group with a terrifying sight. Four strange human looking creatures pulled the skin and meat off of some poor creature that had been captured. Only it was not completely dead yet, agonizing sounds of pain and anguish came from what appeared at a distance to be a deer. Up close the animal turned out to be a deer indeed, but not just a doe was present. There was also a young fawn that had already been ripped apart with blood and uneaten meat spread around the body. Any who could get a close look of the humanoid creatures, would see that they were covered in dirt and even had pieces of rock embedded within their skin. Sharp teeth lined the inside of the mouth, it was obvious that they were not very observant when eating. One had stopped and just stared into the chest of the female deer before reaching in and taking hold of her heart. Slowly it pulled its arm back removing the heart; just staring at the organ as if it had never been seen before. After the heart was removed the animal went still her head slapping to the ground causing just a little mud to fly up. The group could tell that it would not take their opponents long to finish her off, before turning towards them. If ever there was a time for a plan, now would be it.
