Smoke Raven stands watching the path of their travel. Occasionaly glancing over his shoulder to watch the progress of the surveyors. Seeing Cruach and Cairn huddled together and tense, he begins to feel uneasy...
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Smoke Raven stayed to the back of the group and kept his eyes open for anything (especially immortal ants) that may prove dangerous approaching from the rear.
"I will cover our path from the rear." Colross simply stated as he pulled his bow from his back and set to re-string it. After a few moments he walked over to Atin and motioned for the young man to place his burden upon the travois while handing him the reins. Giving the boy a solid look of approval Colross pulled and arrow from his quiver and knocking it he moved to the rear of the group.
Colross rose feeling well rested. The exhausting battle the the freakishly huge insect the day prior had allowed him to sleep like a newborn. First he tended to the mule and made his way back to the embers of the fire to break his nights fast. He sat and watched the faithful of the group practice their rituals with a look of misunderstanding and much head shaking.
Colross finished eating the dried meat, cheese and bread that he had stored on his sled. Pulling off his chain hauberk he laid it over his pack and unfurled his bedroll. Laying down crossing his fingers behind his head Colross gazed at the stars and thought of his brother and father, as he drifted off to sleep...
Looking at himself as if unsure, Colross scanned his limbs, raised his head to the Corporal and shook his head slowly. It took every bit of skill he had to keep the creatures pincers from crushing a limb or removing his head from his shoulders. When the storm came he was not sure if anyone would find him. He's lucky the Inquisitor did.
Smoke Raven collapses upon his knees and hands onto the wet sand, panting and cursing under his breath. It was not discernable what was said due to the lack of knowledge of the obscure Shoanti dialect but if one listened closly they would just make out the varisian word for ant....After a few moments of hard breathing, Colross slowed his rate gained his strength, stood and began walking in the direction he believed the rest of the group was located, following Caern. When he caught up to him he rested his hand on the mans shoulder pouldron to get his attention, made eye contact and nodded in gratitude... "Silly me...I thought the Corporal said deter them or kill them...one I accomplished and one I failed. However, I did not fail. Every failure is a success. I just learned how not to fight a Giant Ant!" Colross said with a widening smile...
Wide eyed with disbelief over the never ending battle insuing, Smoke Raven presses the attack as before, trying to protect himself from the huge pincers...
With all his attention focused on his elusive assailant, Smoke Raven presses the attack as before, trying to protect himself from the huge pincers...
Smoke Raven presses the attack as before, trying to protect himself from the huge pincers...
Smoke Raven presses the attack as before, trying to protect himself from the huge pincers...
Voice: Still attempting to defend himself mostly Smoke Raven lashes out with another quick attack with his right hand Talon...
Voice: Trying to stay blended into the surrounding, using the storm to his advantage Smoke Raven moved to the side of the ant that he believed to be furthest from the party and attacked...
Smoke Raven began to slow as he figured he had put enough distance between himself and the rest of the group. The storm was something he had never experienced before or even considered. Talons still in hand Smoke Raven thought to himself... "Charon...you may have found me but Trelmarixian has erected a wall if sand to deny you, and claim me for his own. You both may have found me on this day...but you shall not have me!"
Voice: Smoke Raven continued to run from the ants leading them away from the group. He new he had succeded at drawing them away. He had not experienced weather such as this before. He decided to keep up the pace for a bit longer to make sure the others were safe. As he ran he slipped his bow over his shoulder and slipped his wrists through his talons weapon chords, pulling them free...
Smoke Raven breaks out at a full sprint heading right towards the ants. Moving in a south-east/westerly (which ever draws then away) direction in an attempt to grab their attention and lead them on a course away from the surveyors and the rest of the group. Stopping briefly only once to fire an arrow in the lead ants direction...
Pulling his knees up underneath him, Colross gets into a crouch. Hooking his finger over his arrow shaft and tucking his bow under his left arm, he seems to tense up...
Not taking his eyes off the figures to the south and remaining prone Colross extracts an arrow from his quiver and knocks it on the gut string, watching the creatures movement intently.
Colross remains silent as he removes his bow from his back. wedging the recurve on his instep he unfastens the string and flips it over pressing hard now on his foot to nock the bow string. Without pulling an arroe he begins to gaze around the surrounding landscape to see if their are any places to hide the party or brush to provide some sort of screen of concealment...
Stretching out his and pointing to the shapes on the horizon Colross draws a line from the Corporals nose down his arm to the shapes at the tip of his extended finger... "Two creature multiple legs and antennae ranging this way from the south..." Gazing back at the surveyors he squints and says to the Corporal... "What do you think he's playing at?"
Smoke Raven crouched as soon as he spotted the silhouette on the horizon. reaching in his pack a pulling out a small steel mirror, Smoke Raven is careful to turn his back to the alien creature and angle the flash back towards his companions. taking notice of the first one to catch the flash he will give the signal to get down. Then lie prone on the ground himself waving the Corporal to his side.
Grunting after the Corporal gave the order, Smoke Raven adjusted his head scarf and moved southward a bow shots range from the rest of the group. Wrapping the scarf across his mouth and nose he squinted toward the southerly approaches to the city...hands absently resting in his Talons...
"My name is Colross Sormul. My true name is Smoke Raven earned through the respect of the people of the Shoanti Clan of the Hawk. The weapons I don at my waist are the Raptors Talons, designed by my people to mimic the fearsome birds of prey my people so revere."
Smoke Raven walks over to Atin and pats him on the back forcibly... "You do not have to tote that burden yourself lad. Take that pack off. Its about to buckle your knees. You won't make it to the end of the day at this rate. Place it here on the travois, the beast can handle this and much more this way." Smoke Raven offers Atin the reins and tries to help him off with the pack...
Having already broken his fast earlier in the morning, while making preparations, Smoke Raven partook of a few pints of small beer and swallowed a few of the salt tablets that he traded during his arrival. Listening intently and eyeing their new charges, he remained silent still contemplating the awkwardness of the Corporals behavior. As the Corpral rose and order everyone to fall in outside, Colross stood drained his cup, wiped his chin and walked outside.
After hearing the Corporals words, Colross leaned towards here slightly and spoke... "Hey, what you said before about moving fast...is the pack mule and all the extra food I got for the group going to be a burden?"
Looking over at Jaqen, see the man waiving his fingers and making a series of hand movements. After he finishes, Colross pauses for a moment and considers it meaning...
"That may bare truth. If so, it is not a good thing. A Murder could not function without open lines of communication. Any lack of information could find holes in the units armor. Maybe we should confront her during our departure." Gazing at the other Colross shakes his head to confirm that Jaqen and Ceragia have come to an understanding.
Colross rolls up the scroll and places it back in the Corporals kit as he had found it. Walking over to Ceragia he sits back down across from her a gazes into her eyes. With her questioning glance, he says... "She has studied that scroll everytime she has been in our presence. It pained me to think that there was something the Corporal was not telling us. It was not as such. I will not doubt her again."
Colross continues eating only stopping long enough to attempt a smile at Ceragia as she settles in, seeming some what distracted he is dividing his attention between the Corporal and Ceragia. Amused and somewhat fascinated he watches Ceragia's interactions with the little Brock. The thing has knowing behind it's eyes, intelligence and more so that of a camp dog.
Colross rises slowly, walks outside and splashes some water on his face. Looking up at the sky, he sees the brewing stormhead... "It is time to be moving on." Smoke Raven heads to the livery to retrieve his pack mule and leads back out to the front of the billet house. Walking under the front awning Colross lifts the Travois off the ground and attaches it to the pack mules harness. Reaching just inside the top flap he extracts a cloth bundle, sits on the ground, and unfurles the contents of his breakfast. A little hard tack, salted meat and wedge of cheese.
Nevermind. Looks like game is still on.
Okay, I'm good. I want to stay. I like the group and everything that's happened so far. Just anxious to get started. I'm not desserting my squad unless the game stalls out completely. Plus I do not think Colross would fit well with those dandies in squad 2...;<)
Well if some people go AWOL...maybe I could transfer from Squad 4...not much happening over there.
Is this game still on? Looks like people are dropping out of Squad 2, maybe Smoke Raven could transfer if this mission is scrubbed.
"Alas, the community of the People of the Hawk provided me with all that I needed to survive. My role of the people was that which was given to me free from distraction, a single minded role...that of murder. To protect the people from those threats that were of a mirrored purpose. This my companions is all I can offer. And that comes with a curse of it's own."
Colross eyes the coins in his palm...lines in his forehead form as he contemplates the information provided. He turns to leave and pauses next to Ceragia. Leaning over he asks her... "Find out if we will be an escort to a group of surveyors or reporting back ourselves. I will return anon." After a a couple turns of the glass, Smoke Raven returns with a loaded down pack mule carrying what looks to be a couple of lengths of bolster and a few yards of canvas. Without hesitation he begins unloading the items and going to work. Within a matter of minutes he fabricates a travois and attaches it to the mules harness. As he finishes this, a older Garundi man in a blue bisht and white thwab topped of by a soiled white kufi arrives pulling a cart behind him laden with sacks and cloth wrapped bundles. Colross immediately begins unloading these items with the assistance of the Garundi and placing the items on the travois. When they were finished Colross handed the man a silver and sent him on his way pulling the empty cart. Covering the items with canvas and lashing everything down with chordage, he staightens himself dusting off his hands and breeches. Walking back into the billet he gazes around and simply states... "Smoke Raven is ready for the journey."
Still here. Checking everyday. Went back the rack house and went to bed just in case our city excursions were dragging everything out.
"It is obvious Ceragia that I have much to learn from your people. I have gazed upon you and heard your words, but now I see you. Thank you." After finishing the drink and food. Smoke Raven escorts Ceragia back to the rack house and retires for the evening.
After watching the locals dig in with there hands, Colross tried to emulate their mannerisms. Balling up the rice and beans with his finger tips he began shoving the food in his mouth. Much better than the fare he was served at the Souk. After rolling the meat into a piece of flatbread and taking a bite, he took a long stare at Ceragia. After a few moments of chewing and gazing, he spoke... "You are obviously Garundi. And by your trappings, most definately a practicioner of magic. Probably from Nex at least, if not Quantium itself. You don't mind playing the role of the helpless women, although I doubt that is the case. We have women such as that in our tribe. The men use them. But they do not take them as partners and have children." Colross looks at her intently. Trying to gauge whether he is offending her. "Most men in my clan desire women such as the Corporal, hard in body, mind and spirit. Many women of the Hawk become warriors." After another long pause, he leans towards her across the table. "Why are here? Why the Blood Hawk? Why now?"
An uncomfortable silence seems to stretch out for a solid minute as Colross gazes at Ceragia contemplating the words that were spoken. He then straightened on his seat and says... Thank you for the food and hospitality Ceragia. The markings on my body were placed there by the Hawks Shoulderwomen during the ceromony of my naming day. It is the bond that exists between me and my totem spirit, the Raven. All of the People of the Hawk bare such markings. The ink on my face was given later on my first blooding. It is the proof that I am worthy of my name. As for the rest of your question. It is more complicated. I do not intend to offend you or your people. Colross takes a deep breath and sighs...he begins again... Our people's history and it's traditions are past down from one generation to the next through song. Long ago our people would use magic much the same way that your people do now. Eventually there were those who would abuse the arcane and become sick. Driven mad with the ease at which power came to them. These men and women became corrupt and enslaved all of the people of the Shoanti as well as the savages that dwelt on the ice to the north. They used our people along with their foul corrupted magic to raise great keeps and monoliths in their image. Eventually they grew isolated and paranoid and began to lash out at each other. Wars the devastated and reshaped the world we live in today. At last their greed for power brought everything down. Destroying themselves in the process. Some time afterwards. The people of the Shoanti found each other again. And their spirits told them what had happened. It was decided that the people of the Hawk would not be corrupted in such a way again. Now our Shouldermen and women only barter magic with the spirit world. Taking only what we need, so no one man can climb to such power as before and risk the madness that comes with it. Our most powerful magic is that of the songs and the drums. In our rituals the drums beat till the earth shakes and the shoulderwomen cry out so loud that wildlife flees before the sound. When the will of the people of the Hawk are behind such a "Song of Ritual", the mountains can rise to the heavens, the sky can be brought down to the ground, the water can burn all before it and the fire floods the ravines and valleys. I fear for your people Garundi. From what I have seen here they are on the path to madness.
Feeling the twinge in his recently emptied belly, he nodded with approval. He turned towards the direction of the Bandeshar and said... "That I undertand was Lord Nex's Palace. I would wager we may find some more interesting arcane areas there. Who wouldn't want to peddle their wares in the shadow of Great Nex's domain.
Where the hell did everybody go?
Colross guides Tycho over to the water barrel located next to the rack house, and splashed some water over his head and shoulders. After doing the same he slaps Tycho on the back and says with a coy grin... "The people of the Hawk Clan are proud horse lords. But even now I do believe the beasts would be foaming at the bit." Smoke Raven heads back into the rack house, checks his kit and claims an unattended bunk. After donning his padding and chain, Colross heads back out to the street to talk to some of the others in the troupe. Approaching Ceragia and Jaqen he asks... Any plans while we await further orders?
Damn. Looks like I will need an editor and proofreader as well.
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