Harbinger
Warrior Hunter
Death Is Only The Beginning
Posts: 63
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Post by Harbinger on May 6, 2008 2:35:52 GMT -5
Chestnut looked at Matt briefly before turning her head back round, her four large hooves planted firmly in the ground. Why does she seem so amused, Raban? Because she has thought the male would refuse I disagreeistance.[/I] Ahh Even though she had been with him for a long while, she was still learning a great deal about humans and other species.
"I will hold you upright so that you will not fall whilst you place the foot of your good leg into the stirrup," he pointed to show what the stirrup was, unsure Matt knew about horse tack. "Shift your weight and then do your best to rise. I will help with the rest. Is that okay with you?"
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Post by Enchant on May 7, 2008 1:17:22 GMT -5
"Inhaling deeply and slightly impatiently, she looked over her shoulder toward the direction they needed to go. She wasn't sure exactly how that horse was suppose to walk through it, but then again, she wasn't really sure how they made it this far. Horse must be spelled. She had seen many things in her life. Some of the most amazing things. But for all the wonderful things, she has seen as much, if not more, cruelty at the hands of enchantments.
Glancing back at her three companions, "We need to move it. That damn boar took too much of our time." She looked over at Raban, "Your horse can lead the way, you next and I will follow the rear." She preferred to keep an eye on them. She didn't trust easy, and these two conveniently stumbled up on them with ease. Spies? Thieves? Assassins? Various scenarios flowed through her minds as she waited for the mini convoy to begin through the dark trees.
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Nemaisare
Warrior Hunter
The farther you are from the edge of reality, the closer you are to my world.
Posts: 157
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Post by Nemaisare on May 7, 2008 22:11:21 GMT -5
Umm, no, it wasn't okay with him, but Matt could make do since it was likely his only chance. Charity was growing impatient to be off, he could see that clear enough and, if the horse went with Raban before he was on it, well then, he would have a difficult time staying with them. So, rather then bother to debate the niceties of the situation, for all the good that would have done him anyways it wouldn't have been worth it, Matt the advice offered along with the support. Eyeing the stirrup thing when it was pointed out to him, the youth wondered how anyone could get their foot up into it. It seemed rather high...
But the woman's next comment about wasted time pushed him into action. While he would have liked to stay and perhaps feed a bit to get back some energy, Matt knew she wouldn't give him the time, knew he shouldn't be thinking about taking the time either, but he couldn't help regreting the waste. The beast, brainless though it was, had fought well and deserved better than to be killed and left so disrespectfully. Eating it would at least give its death some point, apart from protecting themselves of course. Matt sighed, then brought his leg up, leaning heavily against Raban to keep his balance, then, once he'd gotten his foot snugly into place, he pulled himself up.
It took a bit of work, as he could not leap up using his other leg, since it was splinted and would have taken such treatment badly, nor did he have any desire to relinquish his hold on the cat-head pendant to get a better grip on the saddle. Still, he managed it eventually and swung his other leg up and over, copying what he had seen other riders do when the mounted the beasts. Chestnut was not a comfortable seat, indeed, she was almost too wide across for his thighs to grip properly. Not that she was fat, she was simply well proportioned and her proportions were rather on the large side. He snorted and squirmed about, but finally gave it up and simply hunched atop her like a great, brooding bird.
His brown eyes were miserable, but there was, at the least, some small amount of satisfaction in having accmplished the feat, for all that he supposed these two thought it simple as they had both obviously ridden before. But he did not try to direct hestnut, she could do as she wished so long as it led to the mountains eventually. Instead, the youth turned his thoughts back to Charity's reactions to the broken binding and he took to wondering if she would help him, could he but get it across to her that he wished it.
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Harbinger
Warrior Hunter
Death Is Only The Beginning
Posts: 63
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Post by Harbinger on May 8, 2008 14:32:43 GMT -5
"Doesn't bother me," Raban grunted as he helped Matt the best he could. He had noted that Matt was clinging on to some small thing, nit that he was judgemental. He moved to a saddle bag and rummaged through a multitude of small items. Chestnut had grounded her weight as she was being mounted and she could never get used to the feeling/ She always wondered if all tamed beasts were used to it or not. However, heavy horses weren't natural favourites for travel horses. Her kind were better suited for war, an affinity she fully agreed with.
"Here, you'll need to hold on tight. Use this to keep your trinket safe," Raban said, offering the small leather pouch which had a string attached long enough to put around one's neck. "She walks fast for her size," he added as he gave it to the other male before going around and adjusting the stirrups so it better suited Matt.
He then moved and picked up the boar by the back trotters before nodding. His nod was only made clear as to who it was directed when the black shire horse gave a distinctive nod and began to walk in the direction Charity and Matt had been going originally. Hoisting the boar over a shoulder wordlessly, Raban followed leaving Charity to pick up the rear. He knew Charity might make comment about him carrying the boar, but he would be hungry soon and so would they. Besides, it was such a waste to leave it to a opportunist character.
The boar looked heavy as it was large and muscular. If it hadn't, Matt's fight with it would have been a little easier. However, it didn't appear to be bothering Raban weight wise whatsoever.
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Post by Enchant on May 16, 2008 13:27:36 GMT -5
What does he think he is going to do with that? She watched as Raban lifted the carcass onto his shoulders. He was a muscular man, a bit to scruffy for her liking. and she was uncertain if she even liked him, but she definitely didn't trust him. Time will tell.
Charity watched as the others lead the way and she brought up the rear. Thoughts of the recent journeys flooded her mind, as she stepped over the blood soaking into the ground, where the boar once laid. So much has happened and for what? She instinctively reached for the canister assuring herself that it was still there.I hope that what ever it is, it is all worth it. Her eyes began to water, but before they leaked she inhailed deeply, she pulled back her emotions and composed herself.
Watching her companion ride the horse with aggrivation, she couldn't help but noticed his ripped cloths and exposed feet. While there was a true beast within him, he currently looked almost feeble. She sympathized with him and remembered all too well.
"Get up", boasted the tall Shadow Guard,"Someone wants to see you". He signaled to the two guards with him to unchain her from the wall. As the first arm was released, it unwilling dropped to her side and thrusting her forward, causing her to hang from her other wrist that was still chained. "Easy", the guard yelled to them, "He wants her intact". One of the guards caught her, when the other arm was unchained.
As they held her up, one on each side, the tall Shadow Guard moved closer. He placed his long extended finger under her chin and lifted her face up into the light up. A look of delight formed, as he studied the bruises and cuts on her face. Sick Bastard! "Not so smug now are you?", thrusting her face to the side and dropping his hand. "We will get what we need from you and you will be begging us to kill you." He turned around and walked out the door and the two guards carried her behind him. Unable to lift her heavy head, she could only see the boots of the guards and her torn blood stained clothes and exposed feet.
Something must have shifted within the dense woods, because it snapped Charity out of her flashback. Looking up at the ceiling of trees, she noticed that a good amount of time had already past while she was lost in her thoughts. She looked forward and observed that Matt was still on the horse and Raban still followed. How is that horse traveling on this path?The thought puzzled her.
She sped up her pace to walk beside Raban. "So tell me, who or what are you running from or to?" She looked at him almost knowingly, "No one enters here without a reason. No one."
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Harbinger
Warrior Hunter
Death Is Only The Beginning
Posts: 63
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Post by Harbinger on May 17, 2008 4:15:01 GMT -5
"I am not the only one trying to make things more right in the world you know," he muttered lightly, heaving the boar higher up his shoulder watching his demon friend pick her way through the narrow trails. She was using some of her demon abilities to fit though but just like him, she was not willing to leave him behind. She couldn't leave her equine entrapment yet. Raban and Chestnut had not yet figured out how. They were hoping to find someone who did know but they were also unwilling to reveal what they both really were.
"What's your reason?" he asked, glancing at her sideways as he walked at a decent stride. As if sensing what he was, crows took to the air letting out their rough calls into the air above. Raban glanced up to them and then smiled with soft amusement. He knew that sometimes animals could scent his wolf-like scent and it was more than enough to ward them off or fill them with fear.
He looked back to her, waiting patiently for her answer.
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Nemaisare
Warrior Hunter
The farther you are from the edge of reality, the closer you are to my world.
Posts: 157
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Post by Nemaisare on May 19, 2008 21:25:29 GMT -5
((So sorry about the delay, I meant to get a reply in before the weekend, but I got busy and I didn't actually log in except once, then I only had time to read your pm, Enchant... *lesigh* Ah well, back to normal now, sorta, hopefully))
He snatched up the little bag and investigated it one handedly, then, hearing the explanation and seeing that it had a cord, he promptly dropped his pendant inside and quickly looped it all over his head again, the way it had been before and he felt the change immediately. The binding had been made to keep him human and the magic had been shaped rather like a collar since he had been an animal before it was made, so even this makeshift little necklace worked better than simply holding the pendant had and the binding was now back in place.
The youth sighed in relief and no small regret, then he grabbed for the saddle as Chestnut started moving beneath him and just barely managed not to fall off. He kept his balance resolutely and regained his seat in time to become distracted again by the sight of Raban with the boar slung over a shoulder as though it were nothing more than a travelsack. A heavy one, certainly, but he still handled the deadweight with a surprising lack of effort. Still... Matt offered him a huff in approval as the horse carried him past, if the man was going to bring it with them, and could carry it, he was not about to object. Though now he had to wonder again at the sort of creatures these two were. Exactly what was it he was sitting atop of and who was that man?
He shivered, then ducked his head to avoid the branches coming for his face and hunched his shoulders. His leg was already throbbing at its unnatural position, though it had stopped bleeding, which he assumed was a good thing and, since he was stuck up here without anything to do... This was going to be a long day, a long, uncomfortably bouncy day. Matt sighed heavily, then, like any cat with nothing better to do, he closed his eyes against the light, curled his no longer clawed fingers around the saddle to keep himself in place and dropped into a doze.
He was tired and hungry and his dreams were pleasant, wishful things at first as he drifted between waking and full sleep. His first was of chicken, chicken and rice, very like what he'd eaten the night before, given to him by Charity. It might not have been, in his opinion, the best meal he'd ever had, but it had been easy and relatively bother free, which he had to admit made up for the strange taste. Then he was eating fish, nice and fresh and he could see other food behind that, as much as he could ever eat. His second dream was closer to the reality of his situation, he was tied tight around his legs and something was carrying him while others followed and he couldn't tell what they were. He didn't like that dream, with its edge of danger and fear but as he struggled to get free he bumped his bad leg against Chestnut's side and came fully awake with a jerk and a wild searching gaze about the forest.
But when nothing proved wrong, he shook away the fear and tried to relax again, Chestnut seemed unaffected and the others were talking quietly behind them, so he assumed it had only been the dream and nothing else. Then, he dozed again, needing to pass the time in some fashion and having no other way to do it. This time, he didn't dream, or if he did, he doesn't remember them.
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Post by Enchant on May 21, 2008 19:24:53 GMT -5
He's evading the question. "What's your reason?" he asked. Charity was about call him on it, when she heard the commotion above. Instantly, the birds perched above began to scatter about and causing a loud ruckus, as if a predator had come into their path. It wasn't a good sign. The large cackle of birds leaving the shelter of the trees would surely give away their position to anyone who was watching the forest tops. Not to mention a predator apparently was roaming about.At least the Shadow Guards will think we are going around the mountain. The thought gave her a small bit of comfort, till she remembered their true path, up the mountain. A shiver climbed up her spine. They had a long and very dangerous journey ahead of them, she needed to know who to count on and who was expendable.
Refusing to go any further, she spoke directly at Raban, "Listen, we do not have time for evasive games. We,.." glancing over at Matt wobbling his head as he drifted in and out of sleep, " are on a quest. I can't tell you the details, because frankly, I don't know them." That wasn't entirely true, but close enough to the truth."and to be honest, I do not trust you, I am not sure I even like you.Liar! You just happen to stumble upon us and now traveling beside us. You do not think that is a bit odd?" Charity was resolved in getting her answers. She didn't need all of them, but something to assure her that they were not out to deceive her. "Put yourself in our situation, wouldn't you be a bit concerned?" I need to know why you are hear, are you spies?"
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Harbinger
Warrior Hunter
Death Is Only The Beginning
Posts: 63
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Post by Harbinger on May 22, 2008 5:05:43 GMT -5
Chestnut tossed her head angrily to being called a spy and snorted loudly. "Hush, Chestnut. It's a fair question," he mused with a chuckle and stranger still, the horse peered at him reproachfully before flicking her ears and quietening down. "Perhaps it is odd, and perhaps it isn't. Do you not wonder why the crows took flight? Predator, maybe? Chestnut would have alerted us to that already. You do not have to trust me. If you knew my whole story I would be very surprised if you did. THere's no one else here sides us four."
"Quest, hm? I could say the same of myself I suppose. To right a wrong. One gets tired of the guards," he winked softly and sniffed the air before nodding with apparent satisfaction. there was no other around. At least not yet. He knew his kind were everywhere and likely to be patrolling soon. It was close being a full moon soon and that meant the night would be awake with wolf howls that weren't quite true to the wolf.
Raban wouldn't be joining them. He wasn't welcomed by his kind. Thus his loner lifestyle.
"We're not spies. I am part of no faction that this place here tell. I travel alone with my friend and that is all that pleases me. I take orders from no man or beast," He looked at her again with a smile, his face just ruined the appeal for its gauntness.
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Nemaisare
Warrior Hunter
The farther you are from the edge of reality, the closer you are to my world.
Posts: 157
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Post by Nemaisare on May 22, 2008 18:38:08 GMT -5
Time passed, as time always does, whether it was swift or arduous, it passed and the moments went with it. Matt, as the case was, didn't notice it moving along save during brief moments when he grew aware enough to note the sun's position or scent the change in the wind. But mostly, he slept through the day, borne safely, if grudgingly, atop the steady, more than somewhat strange Chestnut while the other two walked and filled the air with the low burr of their voices that drifted in and out of his dreams. Their words took on strange tones and cadences, sometimes making sense, sometimes he recognized them and sometimes he thought the birds above were talking, or that flies were close and buzzing their death dirge.
Finally though, he could not stand sitting any more, he was growing stiff and restless, besides which the day was turning towards dusk and they'd have to stop somewhere. Matt shifted in the saddle uncomfortably, then eyed the ground and wondered if he'd keep his feet beneath him. The youth turned around and stared back at Charity and Raban with such a miserable yet hopeful contenance that his meaning couldn't have been more clear had he used words and then leapt off the horse. He did neither however, since he would hardly be leaping anywhere and he couldn't speak. Nor did he know how to tell Chestnut to stop and, as much as he disliked admitting it, he probably needed help if he was going to get down without falling flat on his face.
However, there was one upbeat thing about it all... Raban still had hold of that boar and Matt's stomach woke at his noticing the meat slung so carelessly over the man's shoulder. He was still slightly sleep-addled and his mind fogged so that he did not immediately indentify the difference he had sensed that had woken him to his desire to stop here, but now his nostrils flared as his brown eyes widened and he quested from side to side but the scent was elusive and had only come in passing, a hint of the wind and nothing more. He snorted then turned his gaze back again to plead for some aid from one of them, Charity preferably, he trusted her.
He wanted down and now he wanted to investigate this news he'd received. That certainly hadn't been cat, but they were well enough with the borders of the woods that they should have past into one's territory by now and the meat and strangers should have brought whoever claimed this place creeping over to investigate. But there hadn't been anything of the sort. Matt frowned at the puzzle but shrugged to himself, a territory did not have to be permanent.
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Post by Enchant on May 23, 2008 10:35:45 GMT -5
The day had been filled with distrust and caution. Being aware of every movement and alert to the unfamiliar sounds coming from within the shadows, it had been an exhausting one as well.The long day had finally turned to dusk and it was time to rest.
Glancing over at Matt, Charity observed that her young companion was finally awake and looking a bit skittish. It was apparent, that he was trying to get down, but was hesitant. Hasting up her pace, she moved up along side the horse. She reached out and pulled on the reigns. "Whoa girl. Whoa" till the steed came to a halt. She then looked up at her companion, "Have a good nap did you?", she reached up and extended her hand. "I don't suppose you need help down, do you?" she asked.
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Harbinger
Warrior Hunter
Death Is Only The Beginning
Posts: 63
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Post by Harbinger on May 27, 2008 6:45:14 GMT -5
Raban moved over but stopped three strides in. Chestnut began to, or appeared to, grow nervous, shifting upon her large hooves.
Raban! They're near! They're hunting! I know. I smell them too...
He gently eased the boar to the ground not bothering to hide it. They would know instantly where it was for the smells and flies. Instead he made a point of making it obvious.
"We're not alone. I think your friend knows it too. You best hide with him in the bushes. Quickly!" He stated to them, going over and keeping his tones low. "Quickly. Hide and don't move from the hiding spot."
He moved to help Matt off Chestnut and she moved back into the small clearing once he was off her. Raban quickly removed all her tack, dumping it all in a bush. Chestnut watched him.
Ready, old friend? Ready when you are, wolfie
He snorted at the namesake and looked back at Charity. "What are you waiting for? Hide!" he hissed with added urgency. More birds fled into the skies as trees bustled around them. Raban shed his heavy coat and tossed aside reveal a thin tattered shirt beneath. Raban's eyes had changed slightly, going a bright dusky yellow.
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Nemaisare
Warrior Hunter
The farther you are from the edge of reality, the closer you are to my world.
Posts: 157
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Post by Nemaisare on May 27, 2008 21:22:16 GMT -5
He was admittedly very pleased when Charity quickened her strides and got Chestnut standing still, he even offered her a grin and a quick nod in the affirmative as to his having had a good nap and wanting help down. He caught hold of Charity's hand and started trying to swing his leg over, but he was stiff and unused to riding, so he couldn't coordinate the efforts enough to actually make it work, nor were Chestnuts sudden fidgets helping. But then Raban was there, hauling him off and setting him aside as though he were an irritating burr the horse had picked up during the walk.
Matt squeaked in fear and nearly toppled before he managed to brace himself on his good leg. Then he started to understand what the big man was saying and it pricked his queasy attention into caution. Not being alone wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but when it wasn't a cat and it made a horse nervous, not to mention a man of Raban's size and apparent confidence, well, that was very different. Matt understood the value of his words and was hobbling away as quick as he could to be down wind and out of the way almost before the man finished talking.
It scraped none of his cattish pride to skulk in shadows when a threat appeared, it was only common sense if you couldn't fight back. And with a leg out of order, Matt most certainly couldn't. He crouched and eased his way as quietly as he could between the low branches of the bush he'd chosen, perfect in the fact that it was up against a tree and wouldn't let anything sneak up behind them. Then, turning around to look for the woman, he peeked out and hissed softly at her, poking one hand out to gesture her quickly to him or at least away from man and horse. He didn't know why he was fearful, but he kept catching that strange scent and it set the hair on the back of his neck on end and sent shivers down his spine. Had he been cat, Matt's ears would have been flat to his skull and his tail twitching ominously.
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Post by Enchant on May 29, 2008 9:00:24 GMT -5
As Matt reached out to Charity for assistant, she couldn't help but notices the subtle smirk on his face and was pleased to know that he did appreciate her help. She was half unsure at times, because his primal nature always seemed to be in the forefront. Then again, they had been in one dangerous situation after the other since they met. It was good to be able to see that underneath all the caution that there was a personality. But that pleasant thought was short lived.
All her companions seemed to be highly agitated. Sniffing the air, they all seem to be scattering as if they were prey from a hunter. Charity began to sniff the air as well, to see if she too could smell the danger. But after a moment, she realized that she must look foolish in front of her companions, she was after all only human. She heard the soft grunts of persuasion to hide. She she ran over and hid next to Matt.
After searching the area with her eyes, and watching for the danger to pass, she glanced over to Matt. Her gaze froze. He was literally transforming in front of her.Whoa!. She had known that he was a shape shifter of some kind, she even seen the result of it, but this was the first time she had seen it happen in front of her eyes. She didn't know if she was more frightened of the current danger or amazed at Matt's transformation.
Common sense knocked back into her when she noticed that Matt was looking at her. Mentally shaking it off, she then looked for Raban and the steed. Both were hidden well. That was until a small fraction of light reflected off Raban's eyes. They were not of a human. They were not like Matt's. Is everyone I know a shape shifter?
The silence of the deep trees made time go on forever. Shadow guards? Wood Nymphs? Her military training, taught her to be silent and watch. Silently, she reached down and placed her hand on her blade's handle.
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Harbinger
Warrior Hunter
Death Is Only The Beginning
Posts: 63
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Post by Harbinger on May 29, 2008 17:02:44 GMT -5
Glad that Charity had not argued and had done what he had asked, he allowed his body reactions to take over. He grunted as the tail grew longer, head elongated with his teeth grew into vicious daggers.
Howls fill the area around and Chestnut let out a fiery neigh, rearing. She would have to protect Raban during his transformation to his true self. Sure, letting Charity and Matt know what he was in reality wasn't on his list of preferences but he preferred that than them being turned into one and the same.
Where Raban, a human male, had been standing, a glossy black furred lycan now was. His fingers and thumbs flexed, tail swinging from side to side.
Here they come "Ready or not," Raban growled his reply instead of speaking on the telepathic front.
Swift forms came in from nearly everywhere. Two. Three. He was beginning to lose count as he saw one sniffing out to Charity and Matt. He lunged at the brown werewolf with a deep throated growl, knocking it over to one side. The two fought with heavy snarls.
Chestnut, instead of fleeing like an ordinary horse, was joining in on the fight. Werewolf affliction did not affect her. She was too much of a demon still and she was a feisty one. She reared, bucked and bit at the Werewolves that surrounded her. Her eyes shone with anger, almost dancing with the fire that lay within her.
A resounding click signified a broken neck and Raban tossed the body aside, which started to change back it who it had been once. He helped Chestnut with her scraggly lot receiving many wounds and injuries of his own.
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