Chap speaks the words and makes the gestures to cast a spell.
As the kitsune slowly moved through the ruins her natural curiosity is suppressed by the tragedy that has befallen. As she searches carefully for either victims or survivors she pauses here and there to take a moment to search for magics that may yet cling to the areas.
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"I say we fan out, in small teams. If possible, each group should have a healer, a fighter, and a spotter. We should move quickly, in case any survivors remain, and to see if there is anything to be learned before everything is ash."
Shyness waits for direction. She nods in agreement at Cernan's suggestion. "It is wisdom. I will skirt the village looking for those who escaped this destruction or signs of perpetrators, if any exist." She looks to Eli for confirmation and if given the go ahead, will wait for those who are willing to accompany her.
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Eli nods and, to keep at least two together goes with her, keeping pace despite his weakened condition.
Lesith, tears falling from her eyes, dismounts, and moves towards the cart.
Cernan follows after Kayahide, and gestures for Natanja to follow if she wishes.
Natanja noticed Cernan's gesture to follow, nodded and proceeded to move about the destroyed village with the other two close by (doing all the tasks she had listed in her previous postings).
Fret not, Lesith, the absence of the villagers means there may be some hope as to their survival. The ones that didn't make it, may have had their lives cut short, but their spirits have moved on to a better place.
Arriving at the village. Azmaria looks all around at the destruction.
dis-mounting she moves to examine some of the destruction a little closer.
she looks for signs of demon cult activity, or even tracks or trails of demon or devil presence.
Fret not, Lesith, the absence of the villagers means there may be some hope as to their survival. The ones that didn't make it, may have had their lives cut short, but their spirits have moved on to a better place.
Lesith answers Chap.
"I hope so, but I grieve to see that much destruction, and fear for the people..."
Aeryth surveys the seen, as expressionlessly as Eli.
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CS Game Post 8
After being attacked by imps and then finding five people murdered a bit further along the road, you eventually arrived at a smoking field of ash and debris that was once a village.
Only a few partial structures still stood and only a few small fires still burned. Except for the soft crackle of the flames, it was eerily quiet.
You spread out to search the ruins.
Tears in your eyes, you stand watch over the cart, mules, horses, and wrapped corpses, as others spread out to search the ruins. You smile slightly when Aeryth comes over to stand next to you. You don't notice any signs of either enemies or survivors as your allies search the hazy field of debris.
You decide you'd better not leave the little pacifist alone to guard everything, so you step over to stand near Lesith by the cart and mules, while staring blankly out at the field of wreckage.
You slip into the smoky haze and skirt the perimeter of the once-village. You don't notice any enemies or any survivors, and you eventually make it all the way around the smoking field of debris, crossing paths with Shyness and Eli at one point, but avoiding attracting their attention, if you remain stealthy. There doesn't seem to be any significant road leading to this place other than the one you arrived on, except for a short logging trail, which, if you follow it, simply leads to a small, empty lumberjack camp, which has not been burned down, near a little stream.
You skirt the perimeter of the once-village with Eli. You don't notice any enemies or any survivors, and you eventually make it all the way around the smoking field of debris. There doesn't seem to be any significant road leading to this place other than the one you arrived on, except for a short logging trail, which, if you follow it, simply leads to a small, empty lumberjack camp, which has not been burned down, near a little stream.
Significantly, there do not seem to be any particular recent tracks leading to or from the village, except for your own on the main road and some on the logging trail, which all seem to return to the village, not head off into the wilderness.
You skirt the perimeter of the once-village with Shyness. You don't notice any enemies or any survivors, and you eventually make it all the way around the smoking field of debris. There doesn't seem to be any significant road leading to this place other than the one you arrived on, except for a short logging trail, which, if you follow it, simply leads to a small, empty lumberjack camp, which has not been burned down, near a little stream.
With the amount of wreckage in the former-village, it will be difficult to know what could possibly be considered a clue.
You definitely find it suspicious that the imps didn't want anyone to get through and know about ... this? ...yet. This destruction can't be a coincidence or random act of nature.
You search the ruins of the village, your expert eyes picking out plenty of skeletal corpses... several in each former structure you pass, it seems... but no survivors or active enemies. You detect neither evil, nor good (except in your allies), but you do find a small graveyard to one side of the ruined village. It seems mostly undisturbed.
As you search the ruins, you notice neither fiends nor survivors. However, you do notice plenty of skeletal corpses partially covered by rubble, and a few corpses in somewhat better condition, although still badly burned. Your expert eyes search the few better-condition bodies for tell-tale signs of fiendish activity, and sure enough, you find them... imp stinger wounds ... multiple ones ... on each body you are able to fully examine.
With Rex at your heels, you search through the wreckage, examining especially any partially-remaining structures. You find skeletal corpses, but no survivors or enemies. You're pretty certain this was Endurant. There wasn't supposed to be any other village along this road. Endurant was rather isolated.
From the looks of things, a fire swept through the village (which was made of mostly wooden structures) a few days ago, and mostly burned itself out, without spreading to the nearby underbrush and trees, due to a significant firebreak clearing around the village. The villagers didn't want forest fires catching their homes. However, in this case, it seems to have protected the forest from the home-fires. The question remains, however, was the village fire an accident or arson?
You walk through the rubble with Kiwyn, putting out the remaining fires you encounter with your useful orison. You notice Arabeth doing similarly on the other side of the field as she walks with Natanja, Kaya, and Cernan. You don't notice any particular signs of either enemies or survivors. The devastation, however, is staggering, and skeletal corpses abound.
You walk through the rubble with Poterol, as he puts out the remaining fires by creating water with his magic, much like Arabeth is doing as she walks with Natanja, Kaya, and Cernan on the other side of the field. As you scan the areas you cross, you don't notice any signs of magic in the ruins, other than your companion's water spell. You don't notice any enemies or survivors, either. You do, however, notice plenty of skeletal humanoid remains among the collapsed and burned structures, and your stomach churns. You also find the ruins of what was probably a barn of sorts, since it seems to contain the charred remains of livestock.
You walk through the rubble with Natanja, Kaya, and Cernan, putting out the remaining fires you encounter with your useful orison. Poterol seems to be doing the same thing as he walks with Kiwyn on the other side of the field. You don't notice any particular signs of enemies or survivors as you quietly slip through the former-village. You do, however, notice plenty of charred, skeletal remains in the rubble.
You step nimbly over the rubble with Natanja, Cernan, and Arabeth, as Arabeth douses fires with magical water. Poterol seems to be doing the same thing as he walks with Kiwyn on the other side of the field. You don't notice any particular signs of enemies or survivors as you dexterously weave your way through the former-village. You do, however, notice plenty of charred, skeletal remains in the debris. In some cases, you help Natanja lift heavy rubble in order to better search for survivors beneath it.
You walk through the rubble following Natanja, Kaya, and Arabeth, as Arabeth douses fires with magical water. You don't notice any particular signs of enemies or survivors as you work your way through the former-village. You do, however, notice Natanja bend down to examine plenty of charred, skeletal remains in the debris of each building. With this much carnage, you doubt many people escaped before or during the fire, if any. And with this much wreckage, it's hard to know what might possibly be considered a clue.
It seems the fire either swept from wooden building to wooden building, or was started in multiple buildings, but it's hard to know which. It seems these structures first caught fire a few days ago, and have been burning themselves out since then. You detect no particular signs of magic. The surrounding underbrush/wooded area seems to have been spared from the fire due to a significant firebreak clearing around the village, no doubt made by the villagers to help protect their homes from wildfires.
You walk through the rubble with Kaya, Cernan, and Arabeth. As Arabeth douses fires with magical water, you can't help feeling disappointment and a slight loss, though you figure, in this case, it's probably for the best. Poterol seems to be doing the same thing with his orison as he walks with Kiwyn on the other side of the field. You scan for magic as you walk, but you detect none. You don't notice any particular signs of enemies or survivors as you weave your way through the former-village.
You do, however, notice plenty of charred, skeletal remains in the debris of each building, which you bend down to examine. Most of the bodies are too badly burned to possibly be alive. A few badly-burned yet slightly better-condition human bodies cause you to use your stabilization orison in hope, but upon closer examination you determine that they, too, are dead. The majority of the bodies seem to have been lying on what were once beds, so they probably died in their sleep. The fire must have swept through at night.
You would guess that these wooden structures first caught fire a few days ago and have been burning themselves out since then. It's impossible to say, however, whether the initial fire was accidental or purposeful, or a random stroke of lightening, however. It doesn't seem to have been a spreading wildfire, since the surrounding underbrush and wooded areas look like they escaped mostly unscathed, due to a significant firebreak clearing around the village.
You focus mostly on searching for survivors in the rubble of the buildings, so you don't have a chance to examine much of the perimeter of the village, but in the areas you do see, you don't notice any particular tracks leading to or from the village. You're pretty sure Shyness and Eli went to skirt the village to search for tracks, though.
As sunset approaches, you still have a few more areas of ruins and heavy rubble that you want to keep searching for survivors, just in case...
This last spoiler is for Natanja, to be read ONLY AFTER you and all (or most) of the others have posted responses/reactions to the above information...
As sunset approaches, you search through the final areas of debris, struggling to move aside the heavier rubble, even with Kaya's help. When you lift aside what's left of a very large bed with two charred corpses on top, it breaks your heart to find underneath a body still recognizable as a child, a skinny girl who was probably about 8 years old when she died, less badly burned than the other bodies you've found so far. You reach down to use stabilize on her, just in case, when you realize ... she's still breathing.
Walking among the devastation, Poterol feels sick to his stomach. He has never seen anything like this. Even the towns that were forced to pay 'protection' to bandits and mercenaries were not hit like this. This was death for no reason at all, as far as he could see. As he walks with Kiwyn, he is silent, only speaking the prayer for water when necessary. Merry, too, makes no sound from his shoulder.
As night falls, he returns to the cart, still loaded with the dead found earlier. "Kiwyn, may I ask that you build a fire, or else see if one of the buildings around can shelter us for the night? I will prepare these unfortunates for the pyre."
Poterol begins unloading the cart, and saying last rites for the dead.
The hiss when water touched flame had become a constant sound -- an echo moving through the rubble of the once-village.
With each charred body or remain, hope that a survivour could be found among the debris began to dwindle. Natanja laid her hand on each body, but the life force that once lived within could not be kindled -- the fire had spread fast and all were caught in its grasp -- the Flame had a hard edge for all its beauty.
Quietly, among the hissing of fires being laid to rest, Natanja voiced a thought, "At least most died in their sleep"; a small mercy she mused silently. Her healer's mind railed against the inability to save.
Natanja reported her findings to her two companions and to any other kin close enough to hear her solemn words, "The fire has been burning for a few days by the look of the wooden structures and the diminished flame. I cannot discern if it was a lightning strike or some malicious act. See the surrounding brush and wooded areas? They barely caught alight and remain for the most part unscathed. The villagers had built a fire-break around the entire village. So it started within the village proper and was not a wildfire that spread into the town." The information flowed from her lips as a matter of fact.
"I cannot see any tracks here, among the building rubble. Mayhap Shyness and Eli have had better luck further out." The smell of smoke, water and wet ground assailed her nostrils but Natanja did not baulk. She gazed through the smouldering mists which billowed from the once burning buildings.
Natanja stared as the sun began to fall, its fire being banked by the quickening twilight. Looking to Cernan and Kaya she quietly instructed, "There are a few ruins and rubble we have yet to search. By Eth, I hope we can find a survivour, yet. Let us continue, cousins."
She heard Poterol's voice through the hissing asking Kiwyn to build a pyre. It seemed strange that after he doused the flames in the structures he crossed that now he wanted a new one started in their place. He should have left one building dry and simply rekindled the flame for his particular purpose. She watched as he unloaded the bodies from the cart. There would be no rest for them until deep into the night. She ran a hand through her copper hair which even now moved as if it was attempting to find the flames. In the last vestiges of day, Natanja's eyes glowed bright -- twin beacons -- yet no tears fell. It was not because she was not greatly saddened by this loss ... It was simply because tears could not return life to the dead and would only drain the energy of the mourner. She had to keep her mind clear and productive. Eth, let us find one alive or close enough to living that I may heal them. Oko who had remained silent on her shoulder, glowing like soft candlelight, rubbed her head against Natanja's neck -- having acutely felt the Emberkin's emotions through their bond. Natanja lifted her fingers and brushed Oko's warm feathers. "We still have work to do, beloved. Aid me with your keen eyes", she whispered to her spirit animal and continued examining the rubble for bodies or anything else of particular note.
Arabeth treads lightly through the ruin and rubble. Upon coming across the first body, she simply stops... and stares. Frozen in place by the tableau.
Before suddenly staggering away, falling to her knees and being violently ill.
"Grim." Eli explains in monotone to everyone. "There is an empty logging camp in that direction, abandoned." he gestures. "This seems certainly purposeful, with great malice and forethought. I do not believe it was random. The fiends possibly wanted this kept secret, or possibly did this to keep a secret." he explains calmly. "If we need a building for shelter, the logging camp should do." he gestures. "We should rest well, but keep more than one guard for the night, to avoid being taken unaware, like these were." he says.
Marius and Rex wander the ruins in relative silence. Aside from smothering a few embers and overturning debris, there is little to break the eerie quiet that had fallen over Endurant like a harsh winter's snow. Silence and desolation. The empty, chilling solitude of the wilderness - and the dead.
There's no one here. I'm too late.
A sudden dampness ran down Marius' cheek. He reached up and brushed the tear away before any of the others could see. The last thing he needed was letting the others - all his angel-blooded kin, apparently - see weakness in him. God knew they'd likely have enough trouble keeping the group together as it was.
Rex, sensing his master's pain, nuzzled at the hunter's leg. Marius pat him on the head, glad to have at least one other who understood. He too was without a real pack of his own.
Kicking over a piece of wood, Marius slowly made his way back towards the group. Out of the corner of his eye, he watches as Arabeth doubles over.. and looses their traveling rations. Good to know I'm not alone, at least. If he was concerned for his own weakness, then she was probably feeling the same way. Hell, the scene was so grim that he felt it in the pit of his stomach, too. With a quick nod of his head to Rex, he approaches the sickened Arabeth.
"You, uh... doing all right?" Only after hearing the words did he realize the stupidity of his question. He sets his pack down, grabs the pot from it, and quickly - as discretely as he can - conjures a bit of water into it. He didn't really care for magic - wasn't even really sure when he'd picked it up, or where - but this seemed the appropriate time to use it. Tearing a piece of cloth from the end of his shirt, he dabs it in the water and offers it and the pot to Arabeth. "Here. This might help."
Shivering, sweating... Arabeth does her best to regain control of herself. At Marius' words she shifts and turns a tear stained face upwards towards his helping hand kind words.
Still not trusting herself to speak initially. From where she's come to be kneeling, she offers a wan smile in return and takes the cloth, beginning to clean away the mess that the vision has evoked.
"Sorry... " Her voice hoarse from her physical stress, "It's just... I've never..." She shudders again, obviously trying to clamp down on her reactions with some force of will.
And her body again rebels, the horror smouldering around them still overwhelming to her.
Azmaria spends a bit of time examineing the remains she has discovered.
she offers a prayer that they may pass on and with God. She has a look of concern. there is too much here for only a few imps. knowing that they are nothing more than pawns for much more powerful devils. Azmaria starts to worry as to what has been unleashed and who ahs opened the portal.
pulling out a notebook she annotates her findings. attempting to detail the circumstances of the destruction and the dead.
she makes her way back to the group. devils, I believe a cult has brought forth something that they could not control. many of these people were killed before the fires. Imps, soldiers for the greater devils. they are seldom useful alone, they need direction. I fear something larger is in play.
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Shyness and Eli circle the village in silence, looking for clues as to what happened. When they meet back up with the group, she waits until Eli finishes informing them about the lumberjack camp. "No tracks in or out of village. If someone did this, they covered tracks well, or arrived another way," she ends significantly.
Lesith, sensing Aeryth next to her goes to him and looks for comfort by embracing him.
"I am sorry... I am so sorry..."
Returning from her search as the sun sets, Chap takes a moment to witness the weary and tired travelling companions. She doesn't say anything but immediately moves to aid Poterol with preparing the pyre for the bodies in the wagon. "It's wise to burn them unless someone has the ability to speak with the dead prior. The priest of this village was lazy... or unskilled and lazy to not have consecrated the graveyard let alone wherever the prayer house would have been. Of course that's assuming any holy man or woman even lived here in the first place.
Doesn't matter now. There are quite a number of bodies scattered throughout the town, no survivors and no suspects that aren't in a bloody sack already. When I can report this to my order I'll see if the Pharasmans will tend to the funeral rights of all the victims here.
The hunter averts his eyes as Arabeth retches once more. "Yeah, it's uh, rough," says Marius. This whole comforting thing was not his forte. He'd spent too long away from other people, and his past efforts at similar gestures had only resulted in more misery. "Just - try not to think about it. There's nothing we could have done. This looks like it began before we even met back in Vigilant." Half-truths, directed more at himself that at the woman beside him. Was there truly nothing they could have done? He'd just have to hope it was so.
Apparently sensing Arabeth's discomfort, Rex approaches her and sits beside her. "Just look at that," Marius says, partially to himself. "He's saying we should trust each another. All of us, leaning on one another in the wake of this atrocity. So don't worry. There's nothing to apologize for. We're all taking it... our own way."
As Marius walks up, he hears Sister Azmaria speaking of the fiends. "So, devils, is it? I'll confess a lack of knowledge in these things... but don't most fiendish beasts get a little overzealous with fire? And perhaps we should not so quickly jump to evil cultists and grand schemes. Any mortal man can set a simple fire. Perhaps a bandit's raid gone amiss?"
Though honestly, Marius didn't believe half of what he'd said. But if they were right, and Endurant's destruction was part of some larger plan... by all the saints of the heavens, what was it?
Fair enough Marius we should not be so casual to jump to such grand conclusions, but I think the nature of our dreams and the reason we are here at all lends itself well to something grand and evil at play here. We should not turn a blind eye to what our spirits and guts are telling us.
Aeryth hesitates at the unexpected hug. Then returns it. "It's ok, it wasn't your fault, it's ok."
Lesith lets herself cry while embracing Aeryth, sobbing quietly.
Cernan doesn't have a lot to add. "The fire spread fast—no sign of what started it. Looks like the villagers had preparations against wildfires, but not anything like this."
there were signs of devil attacks on many of the bodies I found. a lot more than we encountered. Azmaria pulls out her notebook making sure everything she discovered is annotated. including information others have discovered.
Natanja gave a cursory glance to those either sobbing or retching. She shook her head in disbelief. How would they react in more dire circumstances if they would fall apart at this? She mustered all the tact she possessed before she spoke.
"Cousins, there is a time for sadness and indisposition, glancing at Arabeth with the pot in her hands regarding the latter, and that time is not now. There is still much to do before nightfall. Those who would help Poterol with the bodies, do so. Any other cousin can aid Eli or my group here."
And with that she returned to the task at hand beside Cernan and Kaya.
Eli would leave the organization, briefly, and step up to Natanja.
"Cousin, a word." he gestures aside for a bit.
"I know war and death. Though it was brief, and I was very young, I lived it. I saw it. When I was very small, I lay amid the dead bodies, and watched people killed over nothing, over what amounts to a minor border dispute combined with a cultural misunderstanding." The fact that he sheds no tears, and shows an absolute lack of emotion is really, really weird.
In a complete monotone, he continues, "But most of these have not. Their knowledge of death and destruction is hypothetical. They have gentle souls and tender spirits. Their way is not our way - not yours and mine. Some of them are wrong, very much so. But it is their way. They will need strength in the coming days, but I believe today they need the shock."
He gestures, "This event is large, and terrible. More large and terrible than we could have guessed. Your fire and focus is well-served. But turn it to those responsible, more than your family, please. Your point is valid, and you are correct: steel will need to be forged from base iron. But I pray, give them this time. I believe they will learn." he nods, once.
"You are wise. I simply ask for patience for them, as well. Let us now return to our tasks - we do not wish to be caught unprepared. As you intended. And thank you. As soon as I have finished organizing them, I will continue with you into the night if need be." he states with no emotion.
With that, and a hand placed on her shoulder in a friendly clap, he looks onward and returns to organizing those first to rest: Arabeth, Lesith, and any others who are weak or tired.
Even against the twilight backdrop, Natanja's irises took on a definite yellow hue and the glow of her eyes was more pronounced.
She listened and did not interrupt the leader. When Eli was done and had laid his hand upon her shoulder for a brief time, she remained still and mute.
Then Natanja gave him an unfathomable smile, inclined her head, and in low and measured voice replied, "As you instruct, cousin Eli", and moved away -- back to Cernan and Kaya.
Arabeth eventually recovers herself and her composure. She gently pats and strokes Rex, indicating her thanks at the creature's helping comforting gesture. With a deep sigh she stands and uses her magic and small items to clean/freshen herself up. Orisons quickly cleaning and washing the offered, helpful pot.
She smiles in thanks and gratitude to Marius.
"I'm... fine now...." She offers, clutching at her great cape and pulling it closer. Black feathers rustling softly. She looks around at the devastation, listening to the things people have/are saying about what they've found. Raising her chin she walks confidently/defiantly over to Eli and presents herself.
"What might I do...?" She asks of him. "My skills are... of a more interpersonal nature... Though I can lift, carry and watch..." Glancing towards those with the mules and horses, she offers a smile and moves to help him 'Unpack' anything he needs from the mules and other-wise begins to make preparations for the night's camp.
All the while Arabeth has a slightly distracted look about her, though she never hesitates to ofter her cousin's smiles of friendship, thanks and gratitude.
"You can assist and ensure that the beds set up are both comfortable and secure. Those unloading will need additional arms. If you are able to keep your composure, if you would lay down a circle of water to ensure that the pyre does not spread beyond its intended location." Eli replies, flatly.
He walks her towards where camp is being established.
"After this, you will be one of the first to rest. Weakness happens, but be strong. This may not be the last time we see this. Also, thereafter, you might assist your other hampered cousins. something to sooth the soul and help pleasant sleep would be ideal for those of more fragile current disposition." Eli explains.
He turns to the others. "As previously noted, there is an abandoned logging camp in that direction. It may provide a safer location to stay. I leave it up to the more militarily minded to determine for sure. Either way, we need rest, and we need shifts."
Lesith recomposes herself and says to Aeryth.
"Thank you."
She helps preparing the place for all of them to rest, and, as usual, cook.
Arabeth nods at Eli's words and moves to help haul and carry as best she is able.
Helping to set up camp in a place that should be some what protected from the elements and such.
Though it becomes obvious that her knowledge of such things seems purely academic.
She uses her skills to help settle her constitution, offering such poultices and remedies to others who also might be unsettled by the things the group has found.
"Grim." Eli explains in monotone to everyone. "There is an empty logging camp in that direction, abandoned." he gestures. "This seems certainly purposeful, with great malice and forethought. I do not believe it was random. The fiends possibly wanted this kept secret, or possibly did this to keep a secret." he explains calmly. "If we need a building for shelter, the logging camp should do." he gestures. "We should rest well, but keep more than one guard for the night, to avoid being taken unaware, like these were." he says.
I too found the logging camp. But why was it left alone? My only concern is how it why the imps didn't see it or left it alone purposefully. I can take a watch, just sign me up for one
It had been a long day and the sun had set and still, she and a few of her kin were pushing aside heavier rubble and debris in an effort to find a living soul in the village.
They had come across a very large bed with two charred corpses laying upon it. Oko flew off Natanja's shoulder and landed on a nearby rock. Calling Kaya to her side, together they lifted the bed frame to move it aside and that is when Natanja saw her -- the child! She was skinny and a little younger than her brother Branek had been when he died -- she looked about eight summers old. The child was burned but not as extensively as the other villagers. Natanja sank to her knees among the ash and debris and her eyes glowed as she stared at the little, burned girl. Her heart constricted at the sight of the poor soul and she sat mute not caring that her clothes were now quite thoroughly soiled.
Wiping ash from her hand, Natanja reached down and laid it on the girl's hand and used her magic to stabilise her in case she would live yet. Natanja pushed her face closer to the girl's partially burned one and it was then she discovered there was breath still in the child! Shallow but enough to keep her alive. By Eth's grace!
Shocked by the discovery, she called out to her companions, "Kaya, Cernan, come and help me carefully lift her from this rubble. The child breathes! I would provide her with some healing."
With their aid, Natanja carried the child safely from the rubble and smoke and lay her on a patch of grass a little distance from the structure.
Firstly, she examined the child to assess the extent of her injuries and do what she could for her.
Eth, allow me to save her! Natanja sent a silent plea to the Flame Spirit.
Searching in her pouch, she took out her wand of healing. Touching the tip of the wand to the young girl, Natanja quietly spoke the words of the healing spell.
In case the wand's magic was not enough, Natanja stowed it back inside the pouch and laid her hand on the girl and spoke the familiar healing words. A warm, white light flowed from her hand and into the girl where their skin met.
Eli, having been working with them, rushes over to assist in any way possible.
He would assist her in attempts to help and monitor the girl's condition, if possible, and get "her" out.
"A survivor." he says, simply.
Cernan isn't too surprised. A single child surviving the murder of her whole village... that's almost a cliché. He also offers healing—like a bunch of the other characters here, he can spontaneously cure light up to four times a day.
Marius had gone to investigate the logging camp - anything to get away from the ruins - when he'd heard the yelling. A survivor? Perhaps it was time to start believing in miracles.
Dropping what he was doing (which was really nothing of import), he jogged over to the group to see.
His jaw dropped after seeing it was just a young girl. How had she survived this tragedy? And, seeing the destruction around them, was it really a blessing to have survived?
Kiwyn picked her way around the ruins with Poterol nearby. Biting back the tears that threatened to overwhelm her. ”Even the animals.” She thought in horror as she found the barn like structure.
Finally returning to the cart she nods silently the shaman’s request. But Eli’s discovery of the logging camp makes it unnecessary for her to look for shelter. She instead turns quietly to helping ready the bodies for burning.
Her movements are slow and deliberate, whether to be respectful or from shock who can say, perhaps a both. She soon has to stop herself tho when her hands begin shaking and she can not stop them. Moving away from the bodies and the cart Kiwyn sits beside a charred post that was once the corner of a building. She pulls her knees to her chest and hugs them with her eyes closed.
Shocked by the discovery, she called out to her companions, "Kaya, Cernan, come and help me carefully lift her from this rubble. The child breathes! I would provide her with some healing."
Kiwyn’s eyes snapped open. ”Someone breathes.” She whispers to herself before nearly stumbling over herself to get to her feet. The little archaist ran over to join those gathering around the child. Others had already healed her wounds by the time she got to them but it was a weight off her heart just to see a survivor of such a horrific act.
Azmaria was busy compiling her notes and did not hear the call of a survivor. she does seem rather tired from the day's journey and she is obviously not fully accustomed to this form of travel.
Still she does not complain. every so often as she is writing she glances around at the others. hoping to be able to connect with more of them.
At Natanja's healing touch, the young girl's eyes suddenly fly open ... wide open. There is a sharp, hoarse intake of breath as her eyes dart around the circle of unfamiliar faces, then fixate on the strangely beautiful but frightening woman touching her. She whispers, terrified, as if to herself...
"Is this a nightmare, too?"
Seeing her eyes flutter open and hearing the child draw breath, Natanja almost laughed aloud in joy.
Looking at the girl's frightened eyes and hearing the question, Natanja gently cradled the child's hand and spoke soothingly,
"No child. We will not hurt you. My cousins and I found you beneath the rubble and have been tending to your wounds." Natanja paused and gave the young girl a reassuring smile. "I am Natanja. Will you tell me your name?"
Natanja did not want to let go of the girl's hand so she partially turned to one of her cousins and quietly asked them to bring a waterskin so the girl could take a drink.
"Calm yourself, child." Eli agrees, in his flat monotone.
He removes his mask, and smiles, benevolently.
"We are friends and allies here." he notes, gently.
