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 Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:19 am
Alrighty so she wanted to use him for support and she almost seemed repulsed by the idea she was allowing him to aid her. Well he supposed it made sense since the alkidikes were a rather proud race and showing weakness generally was frowned upon. About to step forward to assist her, he was then instructed to pick up her weapons, looking over he spotted them still sticking out of the ground where she had been trapped. Moving over quickly he pulled both the blades out of the earth and tried not to marvel at their balance and weight. They were perfect weapons and felt comfortable in his hands, there was some part of him wondering of going for the great sword was a bad idea..these blades just felt perfect.
Shaking his head he then went to his pack and pulling out a coil of rope went about strapping the weapons to it. Once done he slipped the bag onto his shoulders and then went to be the woman's support. Slipping his arm around her back and allowing her to use his strength to carry them forward.
"I know the quickest way to the beach, so if you would allow me to lead? Unless you know of a place where there is a raft or canoe that we could row across to the isles?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 1:22 pm
The woman watched closely at the way Gerraden was holding the blades. The last thing she needed was for him to ruin them in some way after the time she had been having so far. But he seemed to do alright, and from the way he held them she could see the wonder in his eyes. She held a small smirk on her face. Of course weapons such as hers would strike awe and envy in others. They were some of the finest the Alkidike could produce.
He finished packing his things and the woman sighed a small huff of impatience as he wrapped his arm around her back. "I've been gone from the islands a while now. No doubt the raft I left is moved somewhere. Just get me to the beach and a Sister will have left something for us." She pulled on Gerraden, hurrying him and not letting him lead completely, even though she was in his total care as soon as they were to leave the safety of the tree trunk's sturdiness. She could already feel that this was going to be a long journey, but it would have to be as short or long as her legs would allow.
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Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 9:28 am
Gerraden nodded his head, still offering the woman a small smile before they started forward. It would be slow going as he didn't want to risk more injury to her leg, but as they went on he had the feeling slow just wasn't in her vocabulary and thus he picked up the pace. He could tell she wasn't the type to allow a 'man' take the lead..her pride was rather high and in her condition it must be a bit humiliating to have to resort to asking for help to someone outside her species.
Of course...he was part of what she was, but if he had been a woman she may of not of been so hostile to him. As they walked he felt that he should say something...anything...
"So how did you injure your leg? It looks like it got burned." Gerraden politely inquired as they moved. He allowed her to lead though he tried to make sure they were still going straight and at a decent pace.
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Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 10:02 am
The woman's face was hard as they continued on their (rather painful) trek through the forest. Her leg was throbbing and stinging and every move, brush, bite, even just the feel of the air was enough to sent a shock through her spine. By the time Gerraden had spoken up, she wasn't in a very good place to be talking.
She half snarled at Gerraden. "Good eye. Perhaps you should mind your business." Her voice was mean, though it was the pain talking and once she had realized how it sounded she put her hand to her face and breathed deep. She had to calm down. This boy had done nothing but ask what any person would have asked, and if it had been a Sister, she would have spoken right away. Though she was hesitant to reveal too much too soon.
"What has happened is between me and the elders of Ekene. It is not my place to tell you." She said this with a weariness in her voice, as if she wouldn't apologize, but she did regret her snapping tone earlier. "I will say though that if I were you, I would be very careful being alone in the forests." She spoke carefully, trying to give the boy fair enough warning, without letting slip what seemed to be a secret.
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Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:56 am
He shouldn't of been surprised by her sharp tone, apparantly she didn't want to indulge him with what he should be careful about that lurked in the forest. He was familiar with the typical dangers...the menzuri for example were pretty dangerous but last he recalled they didn't spit fire or shoot lightning so he was still in the dark about what it could of been that hurt her.
It slowly dawned on him though as they made their way to the beach....the fire tribe. Why didn't he connect the dots sooner? After all she was burned, the fire nation had declared war..could it be that they sent out small raiding parties? Chewing on his lower lip he wondered now if it was safe to leave his family. Granted his mother would never let any harm to either herself or his father but...he couldn't help but worry a bit.
Left to his own speculations he stayed quiet and when his feet touched the sand he looked about for a raft that this alkidike was positive would be around.
"Alright...so I shall take you to shore and accompany you to Ekene?" Gerraden mused outloud before he spotted what he thought was a canoe. "Is that it?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 9:34 am
The woman walked with Gerraden in silence the rest of the journey to the beach. She had to admire some traits in the boy. She could see the work and concentration behind his eyes, as if he were trying to puzzle out the big secret, but he kept his mouth shut. She had said drop it and he was leaving it alone. It was a good trait, and one that was undoubtedly passed on through his Alkidike lineage.
The sand stung the blackened skin on her wounds, digging into the cracked and charred flesh with every step and minor puff of wind. She winced and stopped walking near the water. "That would be it." She huffed with exertion as she attempted to sit on the floor. "Bring it this way and we will prepare for the waters." She inspected her wounds first with distaste for the weakness it showed, and then in anguish as she knew what it was that they would have to do to remedy the situation.
"We don't have much time. Hurry." She looked into the sky. "The weather looks fine enough. We should be there shortly."
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Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 4:18 pm
Casting a glance into the sky as if he was just making sure that she was accurate with her weather forecast though as she went to sit he didn't protest or try and force to to move so instead he dumped his back pack into the bottom of the boat before he used every muscle he had to drag the boat into deeper waters. Once it managed to float he climbed into it with little grace.
Dripping sea water from his calves he felt the familiar itch which was the salt drying on his skin. Paddling he felt his arms beginning to burn from the effort as he tried to keep a fast and steady pace without pausing. He knew he was going to pay for it later, tomorrow he would probably be very stiff. Watching as the island shores got closer and closer he also noticed there were people, or rather alkidikes watching them as they approached.
His heart was racing, after all it had been his life's goal to reach these shores to prove himself worthy but now he had other things he needed to worry about. Looking back to the woman he was escorting it looked as if her pain tolerance was reaching its limit, he really wished she would of let him take her to a his home...shifter village or not...she seriously needed medical attention.
"We are...almost at the shores...but your sisters...don't look too happy to see me." He murmured wondering just how to approach this situation without getting one of those arrows in the throat.
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Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 9:32 am
The Alkidike woman grimaced slightly as they approached the shore and she saw the welcoming party. She was in no position to lift herself from the boat in order to have them stand down. This would be interesting to say the least, but she hoped that her Sisters had enough common sense to see her first. "They'll stand down soon enough." She murmured to Gerraden.
The boat touched shore and the women on the island circled around, weapons pointed. It didn't take much to realize that at first glance it looked like a male shifter approaching their island, and it was easy to overlook the seated Alkidike woman. But once surrounded, a series of simultaneous events unfolded before Gerraden's eyes. The crowd parted for Yansa to come through to the center, the woman in the boat with Gerraden pulled herself forward to get to her feet on her own, and the Alkidike Sisters surrounding the boat dropped their weapons only slightly in realization of who was with Gerraden. To most of them it looked like a recurrence of a previous encounter involving an Alkidike, a hybrid, and an unwelcome shifter who had come with news of illness. That was until they saw the woman's leg.
Four of the Alkidike women dropped their weapons and pushed forward through the crowd to reach out for her. The woman allowed herself to be picked up under each arm and pulled from the boat. Yansa touched the woman on the shoulder. "Erieya. Welcome home." She nodded her head to the other women, an unknown signal to take her to the infirmary. Yansa turned to Gerraden, seemingly about to speak before Erieya spoke up. "He comes with us." It was all she said before she returned to her silence and held her gaze steady. Yansa was somewhat taken aback with the outburst from a respected Sister, meeting Erieya's gaze steadily before complying. "Come."
The Sisters surrounding Gerraden outwardly showed their confusion before slowly lowering their weapons.
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 9:05 am
Gerraden wouldn't admit that he was nervous, after all there was a large tribe of angry looking warrior women standing on the beach and all of them seem to be holding some sort of weapon (wither it be a spear, bow, or knives). He didn't want to look cowardly though and attempted to seem impartial at them being a rather distinct threat to his health. Even as they came to surround the boat, he tried to keep himself in a relaxed state.
He knew his help wasn't wanted as the woman dragged herself to a standing position and thus didn't rush to her aid. She was a proud woman and having him help her probably would of been deemed offensive. As the sisters gathered around to help her he was surprised that Erieya demanded he accompany them. He was trying very hard to suppress his smile, after all he was beyond elated if a bit a curious to why she demanded that he come with them.
He didn't argue however as he climbed out of the boat, dragged it on shore so it wouldn't float away and then proceeded to follow them. Looking around as they walked he couldn't help but he a bit dissapointed, some how he had envisioned that the islands were like some magical place, but beyond the rather large tree he could see while paddling towards the shore there wasn't anything particularly different about the tree's and plants here than at home.
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 2:23 pm
The Sisters took Erieya into a hut nearby. The woman with her two human crutches entered first, followed by Yansa, and then Gerraden was allowed to enter, before the entrance to the hut was closed off from the rest of the world. It seemed that whatever was to happen next wasn't to be seen by the rest of the Alkidike.
A woman was waiting inside the hut, an old Alkidike with many wrinkles on her face. graying hair, and seeming to be as wise as she looked. She took one look at Erieya's leg and ushered her onto the bed in the middle of the room before shooing the two women who had carried her out. She attempted to shoo out Gerraden before being stopped by Yansa. The woman spoke in the ancient tongue of the trees while looking over Erieya's leg and poking and prodding in places. Erieya struggled to keep her composure, it was plainly obvious that the poking and prodding was causing her a great amount of pain.
Yansa turned to Gerraden while this initial assessment of the leg was going on and gave him a stern look. "What happened in Jauhar?"
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Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 10:39 am
Gerraden was surprised to see that he was allowed into the hut and then the doors shut behind with him still inside. He couldn't help but look surprised, after all why should he be allowed to stay when others outside probably were wondering why he was allowed to stick around at all. In fact when the older woman tried to shoo him away it was as he had expected and he was fully prepared to go, she was a healer by his gathering and Erieya certainly needed attention to her leg.
But he was surprised once again when he was requested he stay. Alright....though he was happy to be allowed to stay he now couldn't help but wonder...'why'. When the important looking woman turned to face him a look showing...a rather displeased expression on her face the question hung in the air for a bit before he finally gathered enough fragments to put together an answer.
"It was pouring rain in Jahaur, I heard a sound in the forest of pain.. and I went to investigate. I discovered Erieya near the base of a fallen tree that had recently seen much damage. I was instructed by her to bring her here, and would not allow any aid besides me allowing to act as her crutch. She warned me the forest wasn't safe....but that is all I know."
Truth he had his speculations, the fire nation could be on the verge of attacking..a gorilla party having been sent out to scout and then attack the alkidike upon being discovered. He had no idea that there could be something else...something more dangerous and immanent than them.
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Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 1:55 pm
Yansa looked over Gerraden with narrowed eyes. It was hard to tell what she was thinking. Did she believe him? Did she think that he was the one who had caused this to Erieya? But Erieya had demanded that Gerraden was to come with them; and no right minded Alkidike would bring her attacker to the island, let alone let them live. Yansa seemed to make up her mind that he was telling the truth, and nodded her head once. "You didn't see how it was that she was hurt then." Yansa said this as if it could be taken as a question or a statement, before turning back to Erieya.
It was obvious to see that she was trying to figure out why it would be that Erieya would want the hybrid here with them. Erieya was currently laying in the bed with her eyes clenched as the elderly Alkidike finished her examination. "The leg will not survive. It must be removed." She said it with a great sadness in her voice. Yansa also seemed to suddenly be overcome with a sorrowful face. "If that is what must be done."
Erieya laid back in her bed in defeat. She had known that this was coming. She turned to Yansa and Gerraden before they could move along with the newly acquired plans. "Sister. They've moved further south. And in larger numbers. Now might be the time." With her final words she nodded towards Gerraden, as if acknowledging a secret agreement between the two women. Yansa nodded as well, turning to Gerraden and looking at him sternly. "What has to be done will be done. We will leave them in peace; follow me."
She allowed Gerraden to say a farewell if he liked and exited the hut, moving towards and larger hut towards the center of the island village.
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Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 2:31 pm
Shaking his head he gave a slight gesture in the womans direction, "No I discovered her in this condition trying to stand. She was in a rush...and wouldn't allow me ..." Gerraden trailed off, wondering if he should speak out, if she had allowed him to take her to a shifter village her leg may not of needed to be sacrificed. A healer there would of been able to wield magic and perhaps the leg could of been saved. "To help her beyond escorting her here..." The hybrid finished slowly.
The young man figured he would probably be instructed to leave the island. Or forcible removed. When it was time to leave it seemed...insulting to wish Erieya a 'feel better' comment, so instead he gave a nod to the woman. "I am sorry." Was the only thing he could manage, perhaps if he had been more persistent about seeing a shifter healer...things wouldn't of turned out like this. Turning he then went and followed Yansa out pondering the wounded woman's words a moment before. Greater numbers? It certainly sounded like someone was getting a force together to attack. But once again he was left in the dark.
Giving a look over his shoulder once more before the door to the hut was shut he sighed and wondered what exactly was going to happen next.
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Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 2:52 pm
Gerraden was lead into a larger, circular hut that held what seemed to be a stage area and a series of chairs along one side. It was the council hut that was used to convene meetings. Once they were both alone and behind safe walls Yansa turned to Gerraden, her face more serious than he had seen yet.
"Erieya was one of our best warriors. She held great promise and her journey as a fighter has now been cut short." She breathed in and let out a heavy sigh. "Something greater and more terrifying than the Fire King is invading Tendaji... something that even the great Alkidike warriors cannot fend off alone. Gerraden, you have Alkidike blood in your veins. It is time that you stand and fight with your Sisters, and possibly with the rest of Tendaji if it comes to that." She put a hand on his shoulders.
"Gerraden, the biggest threat to us is soon to be upon us. They are an ancient evil that the Alkidike have spoke of in legend. They lay dormant, but when they become active, they can swallow Tendaji whole. They spit fires of intense heat and have pincers and claws. Legend says that they are the male castaways of Aisha that were spurned from the earth and left to slumber. No one knows exactly what they are, but they are evil incarnate." She let the word soak in.
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Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 3:15 pm
Looking about he couldn't help but marvel at the space of the larger hut. He tried to envision what it would be like to come here when many had gathered hotly discussing tactics or news that had traveled on the sea ward breeze. The young man's thoughts however were interrupted as Yansa spoke again, her face even more serious than he could possibly thought possible.
When she spoke about the fire nation he felt a brim of pride that he had guessed correctly, only to have it taken away in an instant as..no it wasn't them that had attacked the warrior woman but something else. An ancient evil of sorts. Some part of him wanted to chuckle at the idea of this 'evil' being male alidikes come to seek their revenge but ...the way Yansa spoke this was hardly appropriate.
Trying to find the right words he wondered just...why this elder had decided to inform him on the impending danger, why not keep him and the rest of his people aloof? Well that was already stated...she had mentioned that the warrior women couldn't fend them off by themselves.
"I am privileged that you will bestow upon me this information," He spoke carefully, after dealing wit his own mother all his life he knew he had to pick and choose his words with care. Respect ran deep with him and his parents, even if his father could be a goof at times.
"Of course ...I will need to inform the people in my village of the danger...perhaps we could work together? My mother Bo'shi can be an inbetween, or I can do what you require for the task at hand." Gerraden was of course more than ready to prove himself.
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