Draven and Sicily had been in the Barrens for so long they had forgotten what it was like to be back in Homewood. Though while they were there, Siscily had heard that her friend Wanderlust had found a new place the explore. With a grin on her face, she went to find Draven whom was getting supplies from those who bartered. Mostly food and some herbs, though she had the ability to heal he still insisted on having herbs handy. Just in case. "Draven my love, Wanderlust has returned from another trip. They bring news of a new forest that is open for exploration." She said as she just about bounced around the buck in foalish glee.
"Didn't they learn the last time about traveling to strange places?" Draven asked as he tucked a pouch into the basket strapped to his side. "But if you are wanting to go, best get more geared up."
Bluebell had been resting in Draven's back and there had been another strange strap. While is wasn't exactly hidden, Draven had gone a head and found the basket makers to acquire on for Sicily. It seemed that the doe was insistent on carrying things herself. When Draven mentioned gearing up, Bluebell hoisted the smaller baskets from their places.
"Draven found you a couple baskets to carry your own things." she said as Sicily seemed even happier then ever.
Sicily could fall for the buck all over again as Bluebell tossed aside Sicily's cloak to wrap the straps around her. With them snug to her sides, she needed some things to put into them. The baskets, while not as large as Draven's, were large enough to carry a couple jars of water and food. As well as fold up her cloak and store it away.
"This is the best gift you guys could give." She smiled before getting her own supplies for the journey ahead.
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Days of travel through the barrens, the trio found themselves on the edges of these new lands. The Mistfruit Forest laid just ahead of them. The bone like trees reaching towards the skies as the ground around them laid in ruin. It seemed that even here the Others had reached out with hands and took what they should not. Sicily's hide flickered as she shrunk back against Draven as even he surveyed the area.
"This place seems as void of life as the Barrens. Only there was green here at one point. Just, it wasn't nurtured like it should have been..." Sicily said as she looked up at the trees.
"Lets see if we can't find anything. Something that might interest your friend Wanderlust. Seems they like stories and exciting things. Perhaps you can find them a trinket that not even the Ruins have." Draven suggested as he headed towards what was left of the trees.
Sicily frowned slightly as she watched Draven go, Bluebell perched pointedly on his back. Shaking her head she followed him into the din. Upon entering she stopped again and looked at the dead trees, the grey that laid everywhere awaiting for someone to come an paint the color back in.
"Don't stand there too long." Draven cautioned. "Wouldn't want you getting lost again."
Snapping out of it, Sicily shook her head and picking up her pace and followed behind Draven. Her heart went out to the place even the long dead stumps made her sad. Her vision almost as grey as the surroundings. She had to wonder if Draven could do something to help the place. While she herself could do little in the means of healing the land. Healing another's body, that was where she excelled.
"This place is worse then the Barrens, While it is not as hot or as desolate. It is still just sad. Did the Others have no morals? Did nothing here even mean anything to them? Or was it just seen as something that could be taken without recourse?"
These were all questions that doubtless could never be answered. There were no Others left, just the pieces that they could not take with them. The large buildings from Erli and now the bits left here. This made Sicily only shake her head in shame, a slow simmering anger bubbled beneath the surface. Draven stopped and glanced back at the black doe that followed him. There was worry in his steely expression, turning he nosed at her a moment. Perhaps this hadn't been the greatest of ideas. but there was little time to turn around now.
Glancing up at the skies, it seemed that the sun was starting to set and the night in this new strange place. Well he wanted to find a more defensible place should there be creatures here should prove hostile.
"Come on, night approaches and we need to find a place to set up camp." Draven said as Sicily nodded and followed him numbly.
"Do you think there is any life here? Besides those that come to explore?"
"You can find out that better then I can." Draven said with a small grin. "Have you forgotten already the gifts that the Tree gave you?"
Sicily stared at Draven for a moment before looking like someone had hit her in the face with something before she looked away. If her face her been any lighter it would be as crimson as the blood that flowed through their veins. Of course she could see if there was life here, she had that ability. Perhaps it was just the idea of the grey that clouded her thinking. Like the mists that were flooding the old forest off the nearby lake. Either way, she could find out of things lived there.
"Lets just find that space to sleep. The morning we can do more then gawk." Sicily said still as embarrassed as a moment ago,
She stormed ahead, her eyes closed before she bumped into the taller buck who stood between her and a tree she just about run into. Seemed that he was looking out for her in more ways then she realized. Looking away still, the pair followed the winding trail of stumps until they came to what was left of the dam. They glanced up at the water that spilled from one of the few breaks that lead down to the river below their perch. The rapids were enough to sweep anything away and smash it against the rocks beneath and sides. They would have to find an easier way across if there was one.
"Lets camp here, seems well enough. The mists will hide use from anything that should come prowling." Draven said as Bluebell whom had remained a silent sentry started undoing the ties that held the shelter bundle and soon the baskets from both Nouls.
"Sounds fair enough to me." Sicily said as she sighed after being released from her burden.
A good nights rest was what the both needed and Sicily was going to take every opportunity to sleep after that near sprint across the barrens. Her idea of course, it had almost cleaned them both out of water in the process. As it was, she watched the pair swiftly set up the shelter, they always worked quickly and effectively. It always made her smile watching the buck and jack hop work. She hoped that someday she could have a companion as int uned with her as they were. Someday...
Shelter set up, Draven had settled himself inside, such as it was, there was still room for Sicily and Bluebell always found a space. Giving one last look to the waning light, Sicily too crawled her way under the shelter and curled up beside Draven for the night. she hoped that in the morning that things would be brighter...
Wc: 1296
