Sapphira tries to hide her excitement, "Alright, time to kick some goblin butt!" Looking at Muriel as she gathers up her things, "Thanks for everything while we were here. We'll see you later, hopefully with your sister." She says, following the others to the door.
Kelda tries very hard not to laugh aloud at Sapphira's excited outburst, but somehow a slight chuckle still erupts from her. While she didn't want to encourage Sapphira's excitement for bloodshed, she understood where her feelings were coming from all too well.
Kelda just hoped she could keep her own anger and grief in check, so that she could set a better example for Sapphira and her sister. She felt awful that they had lost so much at such a young age, and as much as she wished she could have stopped it from happening....Kelda knew that they couldn't possibly be everywhere at the same time, or save everyone, but she would do her best to help these girls save as many as they could find, along with rescuing Muriel's sister from the goblins.
Getting caught up to Basil she asks, "So, from which direction should we enter the forest?"
Sapphira looks over her shoulder at her sister, "Come on Jade, shake a leg. I wanna kill some goblins before we make camp tonight, and we're losing daylight." She gets out that sounds somewhere between a plea and a whine.
As an afterthought she adds, "Oohhh, don't let me forget to add cold to some of your arrows and stuff. I can do about fifty total I think, so that's like some of mine, and whatever arrows you want me to make cold to pump into those little buggers. That should chill them out for a while." Sapphira laughs at her own little joke, not even noticing how dark she sounds.
"We'll take the main road and go into the forest that way," Basil replies.
Kelda nods, "The most direct path is probably the best, and will give us a clear starting point for mapping out the area as we go. This way we won't backtrack over areas that we've already covered."
Basil leads the way to the wall and has one of the men stationed there lower a rope. He climbs down first and helps down anyone who needs assistance.
Jade's expression clearly acknowledges her sister's dark enthusiasm, though she remains silent, simply nodding as she settles her gear and joins the others, her focus clear, as she climbs down the rope, bracing herself along the wall.
Taking a time to take in the view from the top of the wall, getting her orientation of their starting point from a high vantage point, Lysithia climbs down the wall after securing her staff on her back.
Sapphira settles all of her stuff on her back before grabbing the rope and attempting to climb down it.
Sapphira repels down the wall fairly easily, before landing next to her sister and waits on Kelda.
Kelda waits for everyone else to get down the rope, before climbing down herself.
Kelda makes it down fairly easily as well, and goes to stand by Lysithia. "Alright, do we need to start the map from here to note where we entered the forest at, or should we just fill it in as we go?" She asks, never having made a map before.
Going over to her sister she says, "I know I can be kinda loud sometimes, and you probably feel like I express myself enough for the both of us....but, I don't want you to feel like you can't express your own feelings or concerns sometimes. It's what I need to keep me in check so I don't go off the deep end. I just....I wanted you to know you're just as important to me, as I am to you. Now, let's make sure we keep up with everyone. If they're gonna be mapping out the forest, I think you should take lead with Basil since you have Daddy's compass to keep us from going in circles. That way, you can help them make the map. I'll be okay back here with Ms. Kelda. She doesn't look like the type to let much get pass her." Knowing how much her sister worries about her, for several good reasons, Sapphira attempts to reassure Jade.
Going up to Basil and Lysithia she says, "Jade is real good outdoors at not getting lost, and since she has a compass to help keep us going in the right direction, maybe she can come up front and help you Basil? Might make it easier to map it out from a directional standpoint? I'll be okay in the back with Ms. Kelda." There's obvious pride in her voice as she speaks of her sister's abilities.
Giving her sister a smile, Jade takes out the compass, taking a reading from it as she moves to where Lysithia has parchment. Taking in the direction they look to head, she begins taking notes, jotting down little details that can later be translated into a proper map, and jotting down sketches of any prominent feature worth noting.
Looking towards her sister she asks, "Anything interesting Sis?"
Jade is able to make a pretty detailed map as you reach the crossroads. Even as the last light of day fades, you can see the forest about a mile ahead.
"We'll camp out here for tonight," Basil says. "Only two of us can see reliably in the dark without giving away our positions."
He nods at Kelda and Lysithia before setting down his pack and unrolling his bedroll.
Sapphira holds up her hand, "I wouldn't mind staying up and keeping watch with one of you that can see better in the dark. That way, we all still get a chance to rest, and it's not just up to the two of you to keep us safe." She says, checking her crossbow to make sure it's locked, loaded, and ready for anyone that would come up on them with less than honorable intentions.
Kelda looks at her love as she takes out their bedrolls and trail rations, "How are you doing love? Are you tired at all? Would you like to take first watch, or would you like me to stay up while you rest?"
As Ms. Kelda, and Ms. Lysithia converse, Sapphira starts taking out her own gear and setting it up. She takes out her collapsible chair and cot and sets them up close to her sister. Unfolding her chair, she sets it in a spot that she feels is the most advantageous for the direction that danger would most likely come from.
Going back to her cot, she unfolds it and sets it up with a bedroll for extra padding and an extra blanket. Once satisfied with her bedding set up, she goes back to her chair and sits down with some rations and her waterskin.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Actually I can see in the dark as well...it's odd, but I've always been able to . Jade says to the others before turning toward her sister. "Besides, you know your magic doesn't work properly if you don't get enough sleep." she says to Sapphira.
"I could use a bit of rest, and then get up for the second watch." Lysithia replies, rolling her shoulders with a small yawn, as she takes off her armor, crouching down over the ground where she sets it down and conjuring a small deluge of water to feed the thorny vines wrapped around it.
Sapphira sighs a little before putting on her pouty face, "Oh poo, just rain on my fun why don't you? I don't know how I forgot you could do that." Waving a hand dismissively she rolls her eyes slightly, "Fine, I'll get some sleep so I don't accidentally give you frostbite anywhere. I just...I feel bad just sleeping away while everyone else takes watches though. I guess I'll have to get over it though if you're gonna be a meanie about it, and use things like logic and common sense against me." It was obvious that she was excited about being out on a real adventure, and not happy about having to miss out on part of it.
Sighing sadly, she puts takes her crossbow and puts it on top of her bag, next to her cot. Just in case she needed to get to it quickly in the middle of the night. "If something happens though, you better wake me up."
Going back to her chair, she works on eating a little bit more and drinking more water. Jade was always on her about staying hydrated, amongst other things....but Sapphira worked really hard to not give her big sister too much to worry about.
As she sits in her chair, she watches Lysithia with a curious expression on her face. Not understanding why Lysithia would put her armor in water she asks, "Whatcha doin' Ms. Lysithia?"
"My armor is wrapped with rose vines, a means of protection against anything trying to grab me." Lysithia explains, looking up from what she's doing to answer her curious new companion. "The vines are alive, so they need to be watered regularly to keep them healthy."
"Wow...that's pretty cool. How do you wear it without getting poked?" She replies, intrigued by Lysithia's answer as well as armor that's also a living thing. She had never seen something like that before, and it really worked up her curiosity. Besides, she was still too excited to go to sleep right away, and needed time to calm down before going to bed.
"I'll take first watch since I can still see," Basil says. "I'm sure you can work out the other two shifts between yourselves."
Kelda nods, "Aye, that'll be fine."
"Wow...that's pretty cool. How do you wear it without getting poked?" She replies, intrigued by Lysithia's answer as well as armor that's also a living thing. She had never seen something like that before, and it really worked up her curiosity. Besides, she was still too excited to go to sleep right away, and needed time to calm down before going to bed.
"Honestly, just practice." Lysithia replies with a chuckle."I definitely have a scar or two from learning to wear it."
Sapphira makes a hissing type noise, "Oohhh ouch...I bet that wasn't a fun way to learn. I can't really wear any armor, but Jade says that's okay cuz I don't get too close to people anyways. Someday, I'll be powerful enough that it won't matter and I'll have other ways of protecting myself anyways."
Shrugging slightly she stands up from her chair and stretches, "Before everything went sideways, I was studying in hopes of being accepted into studying at the tower....but, I don't know if I even still want to do that anymore. I've got plenty of time though before I'm really old and just wanna sit in a rocking chair all day, so I don't have to decide anything right away." She says, unsure why she's talking so much around someone that doesn't even know her.
Once she's finished with her rations and Sapphira stops talking she says, "So, since Basil is taking first watch, I can take second with either you love, or Jade. Whoever wants to take second watch with me can, and then the other can take last watch. Does that sound alright?" Kelda then waits to see what they decide as she gets their bed rolls ready. Looking over at Sapphira, she felt for her. Being so young and already having lost so much, she imagined that Sapphira had to talk to keep herself distracted from what happened to her home, the rest of her family, and any friends she might have had.
Giving her love a smile, Kelda lies down on her bedroll and tries not to let her own thoughts wander too far.
"Well you definitely have the time." Lysithia replies with a nod. "Sometimes, what you're supposed to be doing, just happens to find you."
Turning to Kelda, she smiles. "That makes sense, Love. I think I should take the last watch, and Jade can take the second watch with you." she says before heading over to lay down on her bedroll beside Kelda.
"Fine by me." Jade says stretching as she removes her armor. "A few hours sleep will be welcome."
Sapphira moves over to her cot as they discussed the watches. She leaves everything on save her boots which she kicks off. Bending down she takes a small stuffed rabbit out of her bag that her mother had made for her out of scrap material, before climbing into her cot and covering up with a blanket.
Looking at the two women laying next to each other, sort of reminds her of her parents for a moment somehow, and she feels a twinge of longing. She really hoped that her parents somehow survived the attack, and maybe they could find and save them someday. She would give almost anything to see them again, and she would stop at nothing to destroy those that tried to take them from her. She would make them pay for all the pain and suffering they had caused.
Holding the stuffed rabbit tight against her, Sapphira tries to shake the thoughts from her head.
Looking at the couple again she says, "If you're going to take the last watch Ms. Lysithia, I can take it with you. Four eyes are better than two, and by then I will have had enough rest....if it's okay with you?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Kelda smiles and kisses the top of her love's head as they snuggle together in their bedrolls, "I think you have a fan love." She whispers softly in her love's ear, before giving her cheek a kiss.
After everyone has fallen asleep, Basil sees a duo of dwarves patrolling the road in the dark. They look over the small camp for a moment before giving Basil a small nod and going on their way.
---
As Lysithia and Sapphira watch the sun begin to peek over the horizon, the silence is broken by the growls and shrieks of goblins coming from the direction of the woods.
As soon as Sapphira hears the gobblins she up and out of her chair, crossbow in hand. Not seeing anything immediately running at them, she folds up her chair and puts it up before turning to Lysithia with a gleam in her eyes, "Should we wake up the others and go after them? They could maybe lead us to one of the camps or something? Worse case scenario, we take out a few of the jerks." She says, contempt for the creatures dripping from her words.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Of course it would be alright, Sapphira! I welcome the company." Lysithia says with a smile.
Settling into their bedrolls, she grins as her love whispers her thoughts as she gives her a kiss goodnight. "I suppose so. I'll try not to disappoint."
Staring off into the distance toward the sounds of goblin activity, Lysithia holds up a hand, cautioning Sapphira to wait. "We should wake the others, yes, but we should have a better idea of what's going on before rushing in. We don't know how many of them there are as yet."
Sapphira nods, "Okay, I wasn't gonna just go chasing em' down on my own ya know. I know better than that, and Jade said I'm not allowed to run off by myself, "or else"." She replies, using a different voice as she imitates her sister.
Having already packed up her stuff after getting up for watch, Sapphira goes to her sister and shakes her shoulder, "Jade....Jade, wake up. We heard goblins in the forest."
Quickly jerking awake, Jade instinctively grabs the axe beside her cot as she come up into a sitting position, ready to fight. After a moment to get her bearings, her mind replays her sister's words as she looks around.
Cocking her head to listen for the sounds, she nods, swiftly slipping on her boots and moving to don her armor as quickly as possible. "How long?"
Moving quickly to where her love lay sleeping, Lysithia gently shakes Kelda awake. "Wake up Love, sounds like there're are goblins nearby."
She looks over to where Basil set up his bedroll, ready to move over to wake him as well.
Sapphira steps back as soon as Jade comes to, "Not that long. It's only being going on for a minute or two. We're not sure of the number of them, or the situation. Like if it's them fighting someone else or whatever, or just them being loud and obnoxious....but on the off chance that they're attacking someone else that could be in the forest, I think it's a good idea to check it out." She reports, as her sister gets herself together.
Having grown up in a logging town that was noisy all the time, Sapphira doesn't even know what an 'inside voice' is, or how to be quiet as she describes the situation such as it is to her sister.
Kelda wakes up fairly quickly as she hears talk of goblins, "Okay, get Basil up while I hurry up and get ready. I'm sure whatever they're up to, it isn't anything good so we should probably try to find them and make sure they aren't attacking more innocent folk." She says, getting up and getting her armor on as quickly as possible, followed by her boots, and picking up their gear.
Nodding, Lysithia moves over to gently shake Basil, waking him up. "Goblin sounds nearby, we're going to see what's going on." she says quickly as he awakens.
Basil quickly rolls out of his sleeping position and gets on his feet. He pulls his quilted armor around him and starts securing the buckles. "Let's determine numbers first. Don't want to start our day taking on a warband."