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 Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 7:49 am
It was a humid morning, the heavy air around Anahita making her skin crawl with anticipation of an afternoon storm. In the depths of the forest bordering Tale and Sauti there was very little room for the sunlight to shine through save for the clearing that was just up ahead. The mixture of pine needles and crystalized leaves made her nose twitch, the fresh scent of the evergreens hopefully masking her scent from any nearby hunting animals while the crystalized leaves that chimed softly with each fresh breeze covered up any hint of her boots moving across the ground. Anahita had been tracking a band of rogues for a few days now and after finally locating their recent spot she had gathered up a few supplies and headed out from her family home while the moon was still in the sky to investigate the area more. It looked like the camp was quiet for now as she had hoped the bandits were still on their way back from whatever recent raid they had accomplished.
While the rest of the rangers were busy escorting merchants towards Oba, Anahita had taken it upon herself to get rid of these rogues or to at least make their lives hell for even trying to invade this forest. She had thought to maybe burn their camp or find something that could help her better identify how many were in this particular group before reporting back to her father. She was old enough to join the ranks of the youngest rangers, the training period starting at the first of winter when most of the world was quiet enough for some leisure. It gave the rangers time to relax at home while mentors began gathering talents to train for the upcoming spring months. Anahita hoped to prove herself so that she could become mentored and in the spring she planned on helping with an escort group, her very first. Now all she had to do was check out the camp before the bandits returned for the day. Her biggest worry was honestly just making it out of the camp and home before any storm hit. The heavier rains marking the end of summer and beginning of autumn could be quite troublesome to travel through after all and Anahita had no time to waste if she was to report back home before the bandits moved again. Still, before she could move forward a slight rustling in the bushes towards her right gained her attention. Her hands curved around her bow, her senses on high alert before she whipped around with an arrow posed at whoever had even dared to try and sneak up on her. “Stop right there.” She hissed through clenched teeth, her bowstring tight as she kept her arrow focused on the row of bushes.
[Anahita 1]
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 7:49 am
Ezili loved to race around and to find whatever she could in her family’s village. Sometimes the hyper child would be found clinging to the inside of a cabinet, a trove of treasures collected from various rangers and her own family piled up around her, while other days there was a string of forest animals racing through her room as she allowed them all inside to play. This particular morning the girl had woken up super early because she had noticed her oldest sister drawing a lot the last couple of days. Eventually she had sneaked into Anahita’s room and found the crude maps and after conversing with Zerynthia the girl had decided to consider it a treasure hunt of sorts. What else would Ana be making maps with ‘x’ for?
So sneaky as usual the girl had tagged along behind Anahita, her gaze bright and her steps surprisingly silent as she darted from tree to tree after her sibling. She was confused about why Ana wanted to go so far to the western part of the forest, away from the much cooler area with waterfalls and cliffs, but Ezili figured it had to be some awesome treasure or something. “H-hey! Rude.” She had not expected to find herself the target of an arrow but here she was. The youngling pursed her lips and looked at her older sibling, arms crossed at the situation. She was so close to figuring out the treasure too!
[Ezili 1]
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 2:49 pm
Nimia 1
Experiences from her childhood taught Nimia something. Even if her sister and cousin didn't share blood, at their core they couldn't leave well enough alone. Whatever had drug Ana out in the middle of the night likely wasn't anything good and since she couldn't very well sleep with Ana traipsing about she'd snuck out after her.
Nimia had just enough practice to keep herself hidden for a while, but most of her lifeskills came from being heard not quiet. Even if Baba could sense souls he still didn't like to be snuck up on if he was working on a project so it was better to make it easier. Of course, out here, every little twig or rustle of grass made her hair stand on end. Where was Ana going anyway?
And then...there were other sounds and Nimia found herself turning toward them. Before she could even think about someone else being around Ana was spinning on them, but it was Nimia who squeaked.
Even if the arrow wasn't pointed at her it was scary!
After taking a breath, Nimia stepped out of the brush to Ana's right.
"...Ezili?" And to the left of Ana, Nimia could see blonde hair peeking around. "...Zerythnia?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 2:57 pm
Zerynthia 1
Wherever Ezili went Zeri wasn't too far behind. While she wasn't as prone to causing the mischief as Ezili, Zeri had a knack for getting them out of it or at the very least causing a diversion grand enough to let them slip away.
Anahita going out to train with the senior rangers? Bah, what did she care about that? The maps in her room? Now that was fun. She'd stayed up for a few nights just swapping theories with Ezili and gathering all the information they could before moving out on their own 'mission'. It was going really well, too, until they were caught.
"There you are, Ana! We were so worried when you weren't in bed; it's not safe out here." Instead of panicking, Zeri instantly turned a 'relieved' sigh to Ezili and then looked back at the older girls. "And Nimia too? Papa wouldn't like it if she knew you were out here...all alone...chasing something you shouldn't...so maybe you let us in on it and we won't say anything?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 3:52 pm
"Izzy?" Anahita lowered her bow, a frown crossing her lips as she studied her younger sister. Out of all things...why had Ezili followed her all the way here? Of course it shouldn't surprise her considering how mischievous her sibling was, but Ana was definitely not happy that this was the moment Ezili had decided to show up. This couldn't possibly get worse...oh it got worse. A frustrated sigh left her lips as more of her family members showed up. The little tell-tale crease between her brows of her growing temper was deepening as every surprise companion revealed themselves until Zeri's words brought a groan from Ana. "Seriously?" She hissed as she glanced around the group. The last thing she needed was for her younger siblings and cousin to get involved in her secret mission! It would be one thing for Papa to be upset at her if she messed up, but another thing completely if her younger sisters and cousin got injured because of this! She could already imagine all of the ways that this could go wrong, especially with Izzy and Zeri involved.
Nimia...now that was a surprise. Anahita glanced towards her Matori cousin and pursed her lips. She had not expected her to follow her out into the depths of the woods. The girls were a lot more reckless but Nimia's presence truly surprised her. "This isn't a play, Zeri." Anahita found herself explaining as her attention went back towards her sister. "All of you should return home, now." Her frown deepened as she glanced back over her shoulder, the teen moving to the side as if that would hide the camp in the clearing behind her.
"I appreciate the concern but I can handle myself." She glanced pleadingly towards Nimia, "Can you escort the girls home? I'll be right behind all of you."
Anahita 2
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 4:00 pm
Ezili's gaze instantly brightened whenever Zeri appeared. Like usual her sister always had her back which made her the absolute best in Ezili's eyes. "Right, right!" She chimed in with a grin as she nodded towards her sibling, her grin spreading with every word leaving her Zeri's lips. "We're good at helping and can totally keep a secret." She glanced towards Nimia. "And it's more bonding time with Nimia! Why go home now? We don't get to see our cousins that often, Ana. We totally should explore together cause of safety in numbers and all that."
And in typical Ezili fashion, the youngling didn't give anyone a chance to move before she was already darting around Anahita towards the clearing. "Look at all the stuff here. Wow!" She chirped as she disappeared into one of the several tents set up around a cooling campfire. Even if Anahita was racing after her, Ezili didn't even pause as she started to dig through a pack of things. "Eeew." She crinkled her nose at some dirty laundry before moving over towards something else in the camp. Where was all the treasure? Surely something good had to be here!
[Ezili 2]
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 4:32 pm
Nimia 2
"Sorry, Ana; I can't do that." If her younger cousin were just going to the market or working on aim then Nimia would have easily taken over. Still, regardless of whether they were there or not, she was still here because of Anahita. She reached out to grab her left arm with the right, awkwardly taking a step forward and giving in to a little sigh. It was either she fight the girls to get them home or fight Ana to get them all home so Nimia had to tread carefully.
...Besides, what was the point in discussing a plan when Ezili was just going to barge in anyway? Nimia's heart leapt into her throat and soon enough all three of those girls were moving toward the encampment with Nimia on their heels. "Stop touching things." She hissed, trying to keep her voice low despite herself. What were they doing here? "Ana, we shouldn't be here; you shouldn't be here. We need to leave."
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 4:36 pm
Zerynthia 2
"Are you sure Ana? Because I see a pretty big fool riiiiiggghhhtt here-" She pointed to her big sister as Ezili maneuvered around her. Her grin was practically devilish and within seconds she was following the pair into the clearing.
What kind of place was this? It didn't look old enough to be mystical ruins and there wasn't anything nifty enough to be a witches cave. It was just a bunch of junk and old boots. Curling her nose, Zeri lifted the lid of a pot that hung over the fire and looked down at the remnants of some kind of stew. Once she had the lid back on Nimia was grabbing her shoulders and pulling her back.
"Hey, hey! Let go!"
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 5:16 pm
"Why not?" Anahita snapped at Nimia, her worry creating even more frustration as the other girl refused to leave. Why did any of them tag along? The girls were far too curious for their own good and honestly she was still trying to figure out why Nimia seemed intent on staying. What happened to just enjoying a good book or something back at home? "For spirits' sake!" A curse left her lips as she shook her head at Nimia and chased after the younger girls. This was definitely not how she had anticipated today going! It was one thing to take on bandits and another thing completely to deal with them and protect her family at the same time!
"I was fine." Ana retorted sharply as she shot a look towards Nimia. "I had this all planned out. I was just going to go in and check on the camp, see if I could find any plans for future movement and then report everything after maybe trying to sabotage some of their supplies. Most of the rangers are away so it couldn't wait!" What if the rogues settled somewhere else or got away with something big because Ana had simply ignored the signs? As much as she wanted to wait on her father he was away and she refused to let her family get injured....yet here they were. A sigh left her lips. "I wanted to be helpful, I'm so close to being an apprentice ranger but now this is just a mess. Can't you just have some faith in me, Nimia?"
She quickly shook her head at the question. "Anyway we don't have time to squabble. They'll be back soon enough and we don't want to get caught. Ezili get over here!" She hissed as she crouched and started to move after her youngest sister. Everything about this situation had her tense, a hand lingered on a hunting knife while her bow was tucked securely back against her back so that she could easily grab either of her younger siblings. Thankfully Nimia had hold of Zeri and even though Ana was irked at all three of them she was at least relieved to have Nimia around to help with the two wildlings.
Though if she was already here....Anahita's gaze skimmed over a few things scattered about the camp. So far it didn't seem like they had gotten away with anything yet. That in itself made her even more nervous. Was it simply a rogue group of travelers or bandits traveling light because they were fleeing trouble and seeking treasures elsewhere? Eventually she caught sight of teal hair and the girl reached out to nab her youngest sibling. "We're leaving, Ezili." She demanded before seeing a nearby bundle of parchments resting on a chest, Anahita quickly tucking them in a boot before dragging Ezili after her back towards the other two.
[Anahita 3]
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 5:21 pm
There had to be something here, right? Why else would Ana make such a big fuss and even create a map to this place? Ezili scrunched her nose up at a few more boring pieces of things, ignoring parchments to instead try to open a few chests scattered about the current tent she was exploring. "I'm not touching them for long~" She sang as she jumped from place to place, a few shiny things catching her eyes that she quickly gathered in her arms. Of course her fun was ruined whenever Anahita caught her and Ezili let out a loud squeal as she dragged her heels into the ground.
"No fair! I was collecting things." She whined as she found herself returned next to the other two. A pout crossed her lips though she couldn't help passing a few pieces of jewelry to Zeri whenever the older two weren't looking at them. Her sash was full of random pieces she had found, including a nifty chain with a huge red gem hanging from it. She wondered if it was simply glass or something rare like what her grandmother sometimes wore during those really fancy performances. "Can't we look around a bit longer? Weren't you looking for something, Ana?" She mused before sudden noises in the distance caught her attention. "That's an awfully loud herd of deer. You'd think they were wearing boots or something!" She commented before getting quickly carried behind some crates by her older sister. Jeez! She was getting manhandled a lot today. You'd think they were in some sort of tricky situation or something....Oh.
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 5:52 pm
Nimia 3
The Matorian flinched, but honestly, her own ire was starting to rise. How many times was Anahita going to go off on her own before something really bad happened? Would it take an arrow in her gut for her to slow down and wait for help? "Just because they weren't here doesn't I wasn't." Nimia snapped back. Just because she was the reserved one didn't mean she lacked bite, and if Ana wasn't going to listen to well meaning words then maybe she could hear that! "Or do you not trust me to have your back? Trust goes both ways, Ana."
Sure she was frailer than her cousin, slower, far less adept at stealth...generally, a bad idea on stealth missions but at the very least she could be posted as a lookout!
Even as she bickered with the older sister her arms were stationed on one of the younger's shoulders. When Zerynthia's voice raised Nimia didn't hesitated to put her hand over the paler girl's mouth. Was that...? They were coming back! Nimia kept her hand over Zeri's mouth as she all but tossed the younger girl behind a crate a second before she was spotted.
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE GIRL!"
Nimia's heart stopped.
"Keep searching! I know I heard another voice! And you; tie her up."
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 5:57 pm
Zerynthia 3
Gagged or not, Zeri's hands were free to catch everything Izzy tossed her way. A few pretty baubles, a few with big blue gems like the sapphire's she'd seen in Sauti markets. They couldn't be real though, right? Something that nice wouldn't be in a dump like this. Still, she stashed them away, keen on using them in some performances later on.
And then a whole bunch happened all at once and she could barely keep her head straight! One moment she was being pressed against Nimia, the next she was being chucked behind a crate with some big men moving toward her cousin! Zerynthia didn't dare move. She could see a little from her vantage point, just enough to see a thick Talean grab her cousin's thin wrists and pull them behind her back as he started wrapping them in rope. Oooooh this was bad, really really realllllly bad.
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 6:15 pm
Trust goes bother ways...
The comment left a sting in Anahita's heart, but at the same time she simply held her tongue. Trust was nice and all but how could she prove herself if she constantly relied upon others? Ana's gaze burned at the thought. There was so much pressure since she was Jhin's oldest and then the fact that others had taunted her growing up because surely she would receive special treatment without proving herself first. Who knew what she deserved if she was just handed the world on a silver platter and helped out at every step?! You don't understand. She wanted to express it but at the same time her words stayed knotted and hidden in her chest. This was no time for an emotional outbreak or any type of conversation, not when danger was lurking around the corner.
She was just ready to go home, but now....well they were definitely in a bit of a bind. A gasp nearly left her lips whenever Nimia was caught and Anahita felt her heart pounding her ears as she watched her cousin get tied up. What did they do now? She had her younger sisters here and then there was Nimia...no rangers were nearby and her father was gone for another day at the very least! She realized that she had been squeezing Ezili's shoulders tightly and slowly Anahita let go, her expression solemn as she stared at Izzy and Zeri both. "You both have to run whenever you see my first arrow, okay? I need you to go home and stay there until papa returns. Let him know what's going on and I'll see you soon." She pursed her lips thoughtfully before pulling the parchments out of her boot. "Izzy. Do not lose this and give it to papa." She glanced between the two girls and reached out to rustle their hair at the same time. "Just consider it a race, ok? First ones home get treats later."
Anahita pulled her bow out and peered around the crates once more. Three on the left...another on the right and one in the middle..so five? She had no idea how many more would arrive but for now it seemed like there were just five rogues currently. One of the burlier ones, a leaf earthling, was tying Nimia up while two more were walking around the edges of the clearing looking for them. These were definitely not innocent travelers simply walking through their forest. Anahita swallowed thickly before glancing back towards the younger girls. All she gave was a final nod before darting out from the crates, a flurry of arrows leaving her bow and nicking a couple of the bandits before she disappeared back into the trees. Maybe just maybe she could give the girls enough time to run before she was caught! And then she would figure out a way to get Nimia out as well.
"STOP HER!"
[Anahita 4]
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 6:21 pm
This would definitely be an 'oh shiz' moment as her mother like to call them. Ezili could only watch as Anahita raced away from the crates and got the attention of the nasty looking earthlings. There was even one lady that had a long scar cutting across her face who uttered a string of swear words that Ezili had only heard some of the tougher rangers say whenever they didn't realize she was nearby. Three of them went after her sister while one stayed closer to Nimia and the original speaker didn't chase after Ana either. Instead he got closer to Nimia and seemed intent upon studying the Matori, tugging at her chin and whispering words that Ezili couldn't catch. She had the feeling that they weren't too pleasant either.
The youngling took a deep breath and quickly stuck the parchment down her outer tunic, securing it in her layered clothing. While it was rare for Ezili to listen to her sister's orders she would definitely hang onto the papers for her. It seemed super important even if Ezili didn't quite understand why. "We aren't leaving them, are we?" She asked Zeri quietly as she hunkered down even further behind the crates, watching as the rogues continued chasing after Ana. She knew her sister wouldn't leave Nimia and it wouldn't surprise her if they came back with Ana soon enough, but she did trust her sister to at least put up a good fight until then!
[Ezili 4]
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Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 6:54 pm
Nimia 4
Now that keeping quiet was pointless Nimia didn't hold back the cry that brought out once her wrists were pulled back. When she turned around to the look at the gathering rogue's her golden eyes were wide with unveiled fear and the lenses that sat atop her nose had worked down to the tip.
"Matorian, eh? Little far from the ocean to be nosing around where you don't belong." The Talean started to loop the rope around her wrists, but even as he did so Nimia was working through a catalogue of spells in her mind. What passed for stunned silence on the outside was a perfect mask for a wizard biding her time. She needed something strong, something she could do with her limited training and it needed to happen fast.
Every time Nimia tried to concentrate on it he would rub the rope a little tighter against her skin and break through her thoughts. At the very least the quickening of her heart was real, as was the near panic in her blood, but Nimia kept trying. She wasn't a fighter...wasn't an archer or a healer....and she was scared of big animals...
...but she was a mage.
The flurry of arrows was enough to get her assailants attention away from her. In an instant a ghostly, skeletal hand appeared from behind him and began to attack the Talean. It's grasp was enough to scare him away from Nimia, though the chill it left sunk deep into his bones. She hustled away from the man, arms still bound behind her, but the spell actively seeking out targets closest to her.
[Chill Touch - Wizard Cantrip]
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