R* [SRP] Everything Changes (Indira & Aisling)

[Ellanoire]

That morning everything in Vykeli had been normal for Indira. She'd been at the market, gathering supplies to take Aisling to Grandfather Tree, so Aisling could receive her gift and begin her journey of healing. And then everything had fallen apart. It felt like a different lifetime, but in truth it had been only hours ago that she'd first made it to that grassy knoll and seen all the blood. It felt like it was an entirely different noulicorn that had come upon that scene. Before, Indira had had doubts about the council, and felt they weren't doing enough to heal Vykeli. Now she doubted their intentions entirely. Setting dangerous resurrected beasts loose in Homewood with no precautions appalled her. Homewood should be a safe haven for foals and the elderly, a place to grow needed supplies for trips into the damaged lands beyond. A place to return and rest, to recover from injuries. Not a place where you could be torn apart, eaten. And the council had let it happen. This weighed upon her, pressed her down, as she walked to the grove Fleet had said Aisling had taken shelter in.

Indira fervently hoped she was all right. She'd only been able to send Fleet with a quick warning, telling her to get somewhere safe, as Indira's skills had been needed in the rescue effort. Saving the Ascended had trumped ensuring her strange charge was safe in that moment. Plus Fleet had been able to carry the message to her. Indira hoped it had been enough. Loosing a noulicorn before they got their gift, before they performed any healing, would be a heavy blow to Vykeli.

Fleet's feet dug into her back. "I told you. She hid well, she's safe. She'll be okay. They wouldn't waste their time on one little noulicorn, when bigger targets were available."

Samhain chirped in ascent. "Wanted bigger meat, they did." Indira was grateful for the little faery's bravery, but wasn't sure what his eventual fate would be. She already had a bond, and she was quite sure Fleet wouldn't be too please to have another familiar hovering around. But that was a matter to consider later. Right now all she had time to do was find Aisling, tell her the news and be on her way. Indira's work wasn't done. She'd promised to take the beasts from Homewood, and she'd keep her word. There was no real time to wait. She'd only slipped away now while more scouts and adepts were found to escort the monsters. To banish them.

Indira entered the grove, and looked around. No noulicorns were apparent. But there also wasn't anything obviously disturbed in the area. Perhaps all would be well here. As well as it could be, considering. Fleet hopped off of her back, and zipped towards a dense little thicket. Perhaps that was where Aisling had sheltered ...  

[Ellanoire]

The day had had such a promising start for Aisling. Indira had told her she thought she was ready to go to Grandfather Tree. Coming from someone as dedicated as Indira, this was a huge compliment. And it made Aisling feel like she was really part of something. Indira had been picking up supplies when it had happened. Aisling had been back at their camp, enjoying the morning as Indira had told her to do when suddenly Fleet appeared, with no Indira in sight. To suggest that was unusual was an understatement. The bonded pair were rarely out of eye shot of each other. A little knot had formed in Aisling's throat right then, and it hadn't gone away. No, that knot had just grown bigger and bigger, as if it was trying to suffocate her.

Fleet had told her something terrible had happened. Something dangerous. And that she needed to hide. Fleet had helped her find a secluded thicket, and backed her up against a tree, so she could watch for danger. Fleet didn't say what danger it was, beyond that it could kill her. That was certainly enough for Aisling. Since that moment she'd been rammed up against an old tree, afraid to even blink. her mind raced, and it would constantly circle back to Indira. Indira rushing head long into danger. Indira possibly rushing into death. The knot in the throat constantly threatened to choke her. It was all she could do not to cry out.

Suddenly, the brush ahead of her started to move. Aisling clamped her teeth shut, and readied herself for a fight. She had no idea what it was that she needed to hide from, but she was ready. She'd do Indira proud, and fight bravely. Suddenly a pair of ears popped up. Aisling let her breath out. "Sorry if I scared you little one, it's just me." Aisling could hardly believe her eyes, there was Fleet, apparently no worse for wear.

"Indira?" Fleet nodded, and Aisling shoved through the undergrowth. Was she hurt? What had happened that had required her to hide for the best part of the day. As she burst out of the brush, she caught sight of Indira. She didn't appear injured, but had mud all up her legs. And she looked tired. Very, very tired. Aisling ran to her. Indira was the closest thing to a mother she had. She wondered if Indira even realized that ...  

[Ellanoire]

A deep sense of relief washed over Indira as Aisling came running at her. The young doe paused for a moment, and then leaned into her. Indira let out a long breath. "I'm glad you're safe. Others were not as lucky."

Samhain chittered on her head. "Some of 'em became dinner. Not you though. Who's she, Indira?" Indira could feel the faery craning forward, for a better look at Aisling. "Some nice little doe. Just a young one. Good you kept her safe." Samhain flitted from her head, and landed firmly on Aisling. "Think this one might need me." He cooed and stroked her ears.

A certain level of surprise registered for Indira, but it was so minor compared to everything else that had happened that day. Perhaps that settled what would become of the faery. Aisling having another set of eyes looking out for her would be appreciated, to say the least. Indira surveyed the clearing. She wasn't even sure where a safe place was anymore. She supposed they could talk here, before she took Aisling ... somewhere. Where could that even be? It needed to be a place with a lot of eyes, so someone could watch at all times. Nannies? Maybe a scout out post? She'd figure it out.

"Aisling, I have a lot to tell you. Things have changed. And I have to leave again, I only have a few minutes, so I need you to listen." Aisling nodded, face still and quiet. She was a good girl. Indira knew that. She'd take what she had to tell her to heart. "The council has resurrected monsters. They eat noulicorns." Aisling gasped. She didn't say anything, but Indira could see the fear in her eyes. "I don't know how many there are, but there are more than one or two, that is certain. They are huge - far larger than us. We're going to drive them out into the Barrens, but I'm not sure we've located all of them - more could be anywhere. We don't even really know how many were resurrected. They're very powerful, Aisling. They killed Ascendeds, and took others captive. We cannot underestimate the threat."

Indira let out another long breath. "We need to get you somewhere safe. Then I need to be off again. Once I come back, we'll get you to Grandfather Tree, somehow. I may need more help, but we'll get you there." She look at the little black and orange faery perched so casually on Aisling. "Samhain, you'll help keep her safe while I'm gone?" The faery bobbed up and down. Well, one small good thing at least.  

[Ellanoire]

Aisling listened quietly, struggling to take all the information in. Every now and then Samhain would have something to add, and would whisper it to her.

"They bit a leg clean in half, little one!"

"They tried to claw me out of my nest!"

"Flew to get help, I did!"

"Their wings were only tatters. Eaten off them, little one!"

It was all enough to make Aisling feel entirely queasy. Homewood was supposed to be safe. For everyone. This was supposed to be the Barrens, full of risks at every turn. Her thoughts immediately turned to all the nurseries, scattered throughout Homewood. How could nannies keep herd of little foals safe from anything? Her ears wilted. Samhain gently stroked her ear, trying to reassure her.

"Awful it was, but Indira helped fight them! They can be beaten, little one." That was almost enough to put a smile on Aisling's face for a second. Indira was already shifting, and seemed to have come up with a plan. "You'll stay with the scouts. That will be safe. For now." Without any additional explanation Indira was off, and Aisling quickly followed her. She had no desire to be alone right now. Today had been enough alone time and terror for a good long while. Though, by the sounds of it the terror was just beginning.

"Keep your eyes open. Samhain, you too." Indira's short command didn't leave any room for dispute. Aisling was only too happy to comply. The pair and their familiars made their way through Homewood. It was haunting to Aisling how the other noulicorns they saw just seemed to be going about their days. Like this was just a normal late afternoon.

"They don't know ... do they?" Indira only shook her head. Fleet glanced back at her, as if to reassure her.

"But you know little one." The faery chittered into her ear. "You can tell them all." That nearly made Aisling balk. She did not love speaking with stranger. The faery seemed to feel her tense. "Maybe I tell them for you. But you carry me there." He stroked her ear again. He was a funny little thing, Aisling thought, but kind.

Before long, they arrived at a scout outpost. It bustled with activity, as was usual, Aisling supposed. She'd never visited a place like this before. The noulicorns around her looked prepared, in shape, ready. Perhaps this was a good place to be. Indira immediately approached a grizzled looking noulicorn, and spoke with him in a soft voice. Aisling watched his reactions. He seemed outraged. Indira didn't speak with him long before she returned to Aisling.

"I have to go, but I'll be back for you. My duty isn't done just yet. Once I'm back we will get you to Grandfather Tree. You'll be safe here, the scouts will care for you. Be safe." She touched her nose to Aisling's. In was perhaps the most tender gesture the young doe had ever witnessed from her. "Samhain, keep her safe."

With that, she turned, and took off running, back into Homewood. Aisling could only watch her go. "Grandfather Tree be with you ..."  

[ll Grandfather Tree ll]

REDEEMED

rolling for exploration

 

[ll Grandfather Tree ll]

Jack Hop Searching

Nothing found.