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 Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 12:47 pm
The inn was just inside the border of Sauti. They'd been traveling so hard that they'd given in and taken rest at the first place they'd found.
After a night, Dex had spent the day doing odd jobs for people to earn coin while Shade remained at the inn under cover. However, by the time he got back to the inn that night, he was met by a rather frantic Sauti native.
"Oy, you Dex?" the blond called, skirt fluttering around her ample hips as she ran toward him. As she got closer, he saw she was sporting a black eye, as though she'd been hit... She was talking so quickly, Dex could barely make sense of her words. "It's about time you showed! Your girl, Shade. She was tellin' me about you. You've gotta help her. We were performing was all. She wanted to get the tips to help out. Some big Oban punk came and grabbed her. Said something about her uncle wanting her home. She didn't want to go, and I tried to help. I'm sorry I couldn't..." Brushing carefully at her bruise, she looked up at the stunned Matorian and stomped a foot. "Get goin', Dex! She needs ya!"
And that had been the extent of it. The woman didn't know anything further. Dex had little to go on. He couldn't even remember if Shade had ever told him where she'd been from in Oba... and Oba was huge. How was he going to find her?!
He had to try. He had to find her. He'd promised...
Darting back out, Dex saw a courier post not far off. Xaraan. He remembered seeing them in Oba.
Not long after, Dex was gripping one of the xaraan tight as it sped down the main road. He certainly wasn't used to riding these things! He'd seen them often as a slave for delivering messages, but riding them was entirely different. The creature was running smoothly, yet he felt like he would fall off at any minute!
Of course, he did fall off at least once, but it was a stroke of fate. Dropping down into the sand, he groaned and rubbed his shoulder. Thankfully, the xaraan was well trained and was on its way back to him. As he pushed himself up, his knee pushed the sand off of a bit of cloth. That color... Could it really be a piece of Shade's? "Hey, can you track this?" he asked, holding the strip up to the xaraan's beak.
The xaraan simply cocked his head to look at the fabric and gave a confused squawk.
It'd been worth a try... With nothing else to go on though, he hopped back onto his ride and took off again, eyes peeled for more strips of cloth.
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 7:00 pm
The last thing she remembered was dancing.
The melody that her friend had played was so perfect with the way it matched her movements on the stage. Shadiya had never felt so free. Oba was behind her and Sauti laid before her, a vast country to explore. Here she could find more ways to express the dance that she so loved. Such thoughts and feelings shattered into terror as the Oban male pulled the hood of his cloak back. She had seen the glint in his gaze and had tried her best to get away before he could catch her…
Unfortunately for her there was no escaping someone who already had people wrapped around the building. Instead the girl found herself pulled away from her friend and slung over the man’s shoulder. Flailing and screaming she had tried her hardest to get away, but a thud to the back of her head had sent her spiraling down into darkness….
Dexurn!
Gasping, Shadiya found herself tied to a Quahar. She still felt woozy from the bump to the head and the movement of the beast disoriented her. Even more disorienting was the feeling of a man’s arms wrapped around her.
“What do ya think, Jier? Will the old man still cough over all that gold?”
“Almost gave up hope. Glad ye could remember the poster we picked up moons ago.”
“Funny. Thought it was supposed to be his neice, not some exotic dancer.” A chuckle escaped the older of the two men riding alongside of them, “Who knew even nobles could move like that?”
“I could appreciate a dance or two ‘fore we return her.”
“Might be more worth just to keep ‘er and have her work with us.” Commented another with a smirk. Their leering gazes sent a shiver down her back. Honestly, Shadiya had done her best to seem unconscious during the ride. At least this ‘Jier’ fellow seemed intent on keeping his men away from her. He had even gone through the troubles of wrapping a dusty old cloak around her body while they rode. It was far better than the loose silks that she had worn while dancing. Silks that now were tattered and torn from her fighting and travel. The thought made her fingers tear at another piece which she discreetly dropped into the desert sands below.
Desert sands…after a few days of nonstop riding the girl found herself back in Oba. She had been so close to her freedom, but the desert had reclaimed her. A futile tear escaped her weary gaze as she just laid her head back against her Oban captor. Not like she had much choice since they were riding the same beast and she was tied to it. Before he had attempted to leave her be, but after several escape attempts Jier found it best to just tie the girl to the best and even to his own belt as necessary.
Eventually they would stop for the night and he would tie her instead to a tree at the oasis, “You know I would leave you to eat and bathe yourself, but after last time…” The Oban male smirked and pointed to the bruise decorating his cheek, “I think the tree fits you fine.”
Shadiya just spat at the sand next to him.
“Such a wildfire. I’m surprised your uncle didn’t just leave you be.” The male wiped his brow with a chuckle, “Then again I suppose he’s eager to make his connections. You’d make a pretty bride for a noble brave enough. Must be why he specifically said no one was to harm you, at least physically. Hard to sell damage goods, right?”
If only her stare could burn holes into flesh.
Shaking his head the male just turned away before rejoining his two companions. Left alone Shadiya pulled her legs up to her chest protectively. How was she to get out of this? Would Dexurn be able to find her trail and save her? The girl’s long eyelashes touched her cheeks as she tried to hide her watery gaze from the world. What was she hoping? She was useless and weak….soon enough the chains would be back around her ankles and she would be paraded through as some bride to a rich noble. The thought before had frustrated her, but now with the thoughts of another on her mind it completely tore at her heart.
She didn’t want this…she wanted to be free!
Why couldn’t her uncle just leave her alone? He already had taken her family’s fortune and her home…so why her as well? Sighing, Shadiya closed her eyes and laid her head upon her knees. She hated being so weak…even more she hated being so alone and so separated from her companion. Would she ever see him again? The thought completely tore at her and the girl had to stifle the familiar tears that escaped her eyes once more…
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 8:34 pm
The more Dex and the xaraan ran, the more he could see the strips of cloth; and eventually, the faded tracks of the group ahead were becoming clearer. Then, it didn't matter how many of the cloth pieces blew away or were buried. While he would have preferred to keep moving, the xaraan needed to rest. Each break was a small torture to Dex, pacing back and forth through the sands. Sometimes, he would even keep on walking and let the xaraan catch up to him when it was done!
Of course, Dex had to rest as well sometimes. In his haste to catch up to his friend, he hadn't exactly packed up properly. He had one canteen on him that could only be refilled when he came upon a source, and food only came with the water. It was a good thing he hadn't let himself get used to gorging on meals. Though, he had come to enjoy being able to fill his belly when he did eat, so the trip was rather miserable.
He wasn't going to turn around though, no matter what. He had to go help Shade. He had to do something.
As the tracks became clearer, he felt his nerves shake a little. He could climb steep ravines without a problem. He could walk through a herd of janarim. He could even face crossing a desert, apparently! However, the clearing tracks revealed three beasts walking. The girl back in Sauti had said it was at least one Oban who'd taken Shade, but three mounts probably meant at least two...
The uncertainty made him slow his own mount down a little. Despite his training.. he still wasn't very good at fighting against others. What if there was more than one? What if he couldn't help her?
He had no more time to wonder when they rose over a small rise of earth and saw the little camp. Breath catching, he yanked the xaraan back and dropped to the ground. From here, with the sun setting, he could peek over and actually get a look at the camp.
One.. two.. three..... Three men?! How could he do this?
Then he saw Shade tied to the tree, and his doubts were shoved to the back burner. He wasn't quite sure how, but he had to make it work. He had to make it work for her.
And what was worse.. was the darkness in the distance. Forms of clay buildings looked like tiny blocks from this far away, but that was a city... Probably thee city. He couldn't wait much longer.
A few hours later, after it had gotten dark, he rode the xaraan as close as he could before slipping off. The bird continued forward toward the camp for the light of the small fire while Dex hurried up behind the tree. His hope was that the xaraan would be enough of a distraction to the thugs until he got Shade free. ...Well, for a guy who'd never done a rescue before, it wasn't too bad of an idea.
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Posted: Fri May 06, 2016 8:19 pm
It was dark and the two thugs stayed drinking by the fire speaking of their upcoming payment. All the way they would just horde the prize money before gambling it away or wasting it on more booze and women. The thought made Shadiya crinkle her nose in disgust. Out of all the filthy barbarians to catch her...they probably wouldn't have realized who she was if it weren't for Jieri. That was his name right? She vaguely remembered the others speaking to him...
He had went out for a stroll of his own. Maybe even to just relieve himself. The thought made Shadiya's brow furrow. If only there was a way out of this...perhaps while they were being drunk idiots...her wrists burned but the girl began to rub at them furiously. She had slender fingers, but they were also long and nimble. So for the rest of the evening she had 'slumbered', but secretly her hands had never stopped moving. Her wrists were even beginning to sting and she could feel the faintest trickle of blood on her fingers.
Yet the blood only helped her to become more slippery against the ties of the rope. Wincing Shadiya bit back a cry and was surprised when something else covered up the noise of her pain. A Xaraan here? Frowning, Shadiya watched as the two men stumbled away from the fire towards the beast.
"Da hell this doin' here?"
"I dunno."
While they had their backs turned Shadiya pulled on last time and with a sharp hiss pulled free of the ropes. But where had that Xaraan come from even? Still, I best not waste time...
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 10:42 am
His eyes darted between Shade and the men as he snuck around, keeping low to the ground. It was intolerable, seeing her restrained like that. Shade was meant to move freely... He would make sure she could again!
Carefully creeping forward, Dexurn frowned and froze when an important detail registered. There were only two men looking at the xaraan? Between counting the men and formulating his plan, one of the men had wandered off, and he'd completely missed it. He couldn't see the other man anywhere...
When he looked back at Shade, he was shocked and relieved to see her hands suddenly come free. Good girl. She wasn't a quitter! "Shade!" he called softly, trying to be loud enough for her but not for the two men further ahead. "Shade! Come on!"
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 11:50 am
How was she supposed to run away?
Imagining herself in dance the girl reached out a tentative leg before following along with the rest of her body. Even though she felt like her whole body was shaking the girl managed to take a few steps away. It wasn't so hard to be quiet by drunken standards. Thankfully they were too flustered by the Xaraan which was running around the camp. Just don't come this way please...
The faintest noise caught her attention and the girl almost cried out. Who? None of the men knew to call her Shade...."Dex?" The girl's gaze widened with glee. "Dex!" She turned and started to run towards him. Seeing her friend brought hope back to her and it showed in the way she rushed forward.
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 12:33 pm
Seeing Shade's delight only helped to bring up his own. Dex smiled with relief and ran forward to meet her. Once she was in his arms again, he felt like he never wanted to let her go... "I'm so sorry this happened. I'm so sorry," he murmured rapidly, hugging her tight.
He forced himself to let go though, taking her hand so that they could put a little ground between them and the two men. He wanted to get further away before calling for the xaraan to get them. Feeling the wetness of her hand, he looked down and flinched. The moonlight was enough to reveal the results of Shade's attempt to free herself. "There was a third guy," he said, focusing on something other than the blood. "Do you know where he went?"
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 12:53 pm
Despite the pain in her wrists Shadiya never wanted to let go. Happiness bloomed in her heart as she clutched at Dexurn, "You found me..." Tears escaped from her blurry gaze, "I was so scared...Dex." She didn't want to go back. She didn't want to become someone's prized pet! She belonged out here traveling the world with Dexurn. She didn't want to leave him...it was strange how the thought of leaving him scared her even more than the thought of being locked away had before.
As he took her hand the girl took in a deep breath. She wanted to hiss at the pain, but Shadiya kept it locked away. Pain was something she could zone out as long as she imagined she was in a dance...dancing you never revealed your pain. No matter how many sprained wrists and ankles she had suffered before the girl had never revealed any of them. This was the same...she couldn't give herself away now.
The reminder that Jieri was still out there sent a knife through her chest, "Probably on a walk or actually he may have went to the city to prepare for our arrival." She whispered fearfully, "He's the leader while those two goons are just there for brute strength..." Though speaking of the goons once the Xaraan would begin racing towards them it would be obvious that their prize would be gone. Surely a race would begin then.
"Can your Xaraan carry two?" She hissed quietly, "Or should we prepare to truly stretch our legs?"
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 7:41 pm
Hopefully, the third man had gone to the city... Keep him out of the way for a while, and give them a better chance to escape. Too bad they didn't know for sure.
Brow knitting, he glanced back at the goons trying to corral the xaraan. He couldn't help smirking upon seeing one guy get close, and the large bird retaliated with a hard kick to the man's gut. "It can get both of us. We're not too big. It'll just have to rest more often, probably." He picked up his pace, more jogging now than walking. "Let's get as far as we can first. Over the hill there, preferably. Then a whistle will call it to us, and we'll have a better head start if they do try to chase us."
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 8:04 pm
"The hill?" Shadiya's skin tingled with nervousness, "If you say so." She bit the inside of her cheek before nodding. Surely if they ran now and got some distance then things would be alright...but what when she got to Sauti? Would they follow her all the way there? The thought made her clutch at Dexurn's hand. So much for her hopes of being able to dance as freely as she pleased.
"Let's get far away from them then." Lacing her fingers in with his the girl ignored the throbbing pain that went through her wrists as she began to jog alongside of him. Soon enough she had picked up speed and the scattering of sand behind her bare feet managed to cover up the loose tracks left behind. She just prayed that the wind would continue its loose dance around them before they got lost in the desert sands.
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 9:15 pm
It wasn't long before they were running. He was grateful that he'd gotten the xaraan. His stamina would only get them so far.
Nearing the hill, he heard one of the thugs call out. The one that had been kicked had went to return to the fire for rope to catch the creature, and saw the empty tree.
"That's it," Dex murmured, giving a sharp, quick whistle. He saw the Xaraan look up and turn for him. "Keep running, Shade. It'll catch up to us. We'll have to hop on as quickly as possible. It.. sounds like they're going to follow."
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Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 8:24 am
Shadiya cursed softly, "Too bad I wasn't one for leaving behind a dummy, right?" If only she had clothing or something to have left around the tree. Even a bit of a lumpy shape could have deterred the men for a moment more. She just hoped that this Xaraan had the strength to carry two passengers.
"They just have Quhars so hopefully that will help us." She commented as she pushed herself forward. Her whole body was aching and her breath was coming in short bursts. Would she even be able to make a jump? Turning her head she watched as the Xaraan approached them. She hoped so...
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Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 6:26 pm
"It'll be okay," he panted out, eyes forward again. As the xaraan closed in, he slowed down so that they could pause long enough to get onto the creature. As he reached for the large bird, he saw the men climbing onto their own beasts. Yanking himself up first, he leaned over to grab Shade's arms and help her up, setting her to sit in front of him.
The xaraan gave a little glare, and Dex gave its neck an apologetic pat. "As far as you can take us. Please!" Thankfully, the xaraan was smart enough to notice the urgency of the situation and took off running. Dex focused on getting his breath back, as well as keeping his balance.
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Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 6:56 pm
Wincing against the pain, Shadiya seemingly flew up into Dexurn's arms. Had this occurred in any other situation then the girl would have taken a moment to appreciate the sensation of being on Dexurn's lap with his arms around her. Still her light flush was hidden in their urgency, "You sure he can handle us?" She questioned one last time before letting out a squeak of surprise as they lurched forward. Being on the Quhar had been far more calm and far slower than this!
"Dex!" Shadiya called out as she glanced up at the Matori who was supporting her, "They're pretty drunk so perhaps if we swerve here and there it might make it more challenging for them? Let's see how good their reflexes are..."
That stated the chase was on. Even though the Quhar were not the quickest of animals the extra weight on the Xaraan made it far more possible for them to keep pace even if they couldn't out run them just yet...
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Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 7:43 pm
Hearing Shade's hurried idea, he nodded and reached for the freely flapping reigns that he hadn't exactly grabbed onto when they'd hopped on. Outmaneuvering the blokes was a good idea. He hoped the xaraan had enough energy...
The trio zig-zagged through the sands, and he could tell the men were slowly falling behind from confusion. Having traveled a bit out of the way, he saw a distant line of small, sparse trees and a thin river that ran from the more hydrated north. Feeling about ready to pass out, he encouraged their tired ride on.
"Just a little longer," he tried assuring, feeling a refreshed spark of hope as the xaraan splashed into the shallow waters. They ran along in the water, the prints hopefully getting washed away faster than those on land. He wouldn't leave the water until they were well away from their tracks leading into it. He hoped it would be enough...
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