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 Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 8:50 pm
While the queen spoke to Umeko, Rallie glanced sideways to Rhamiel. Though they both were queensguards, truly he did not know the fellow cerynei well. Rallie had arrived to the herd later than Rhamiel, so he didn't even know how he came to travel with the khalasar. It seemed that they were about to be fighting in battle alongside each other, so perhaps it was time to at least ask a few questions.
"Have you ever fought a kalona before?" he asked, speaking quietly so as to not talk over Daenerys. His question was out of honest curiosity. He had dueled with other soquili before, but he had never fought an actual kalona. Maybe Rhamiel had some experience to pass on on the matter.
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Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 9:03 pm
Umeko hadn't turned around so she had no idea of the expression that her mother wore as she offered her services for the hunt to come. Although at Daenerys's first question Umeko shuffled on her feet awkwardly. There had been no battle training for the mare during the time with the Padmapani herd. She had actually shied away from violence. However she did brighten a little at the suggestion that was then offered.
"I could patrol the skies ahead of the main hunting group. I don't have the greatest combat skills though. Will that work against me?"
Umeko inwardly hoped that her lack of fighting skills would not affect a decision by Daenerys. She wanted to help.
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Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 9:46 pm
Daenerys had to consider this. She could find no fault in Umeko's bravery, but she didn't wish to put the mare in a position where she might be attacked. As she thought, she glanced over the other soquili of the khalasar. Seeing them, an idea came to her.
"We could badly use eyes in the air," she said, considering herself how much more could be seen from aloft. "But we must have regard for your safety." She spotted a brightly-colored bird flitting about and smiled slightly. "When you are within sight of the herd, Brandt will accompany you, so that he might turn and swiftly carry a message back if needed." Her second stipulation would be a little more difficult since they had few fliers to spare, but she hoped Umeko would understand. "If you wish to leave sight of the herd, I ask that you take with another flying herd member, in case of kalona attack."
Her smile turned dry as she gave her own leathery wings a flutter. "Kalonas can fly too, after all."
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Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:47 pm
 For being a draft mare, she was quite good at making herself difficult to notice. She didn't like drawing so much attention to herself. And River Nocturna was still adjusting to being around such a larger group like the khalasar. But she didn't dislike it. Especially not with their Queen. River looked up greatly to Daenerys. The mare was a strong individual with a caring soul to her and River was drawn to her. She may not be very good or useful at anything but healing, but at least that was a skill she was confident in.
However listening to her Queen describe such a horrible kalona in the area, and expressing a desire to hunt it, River was uneasy. She was not a fighter. But she couldn't help feeling a strong desire to help. As much as she could anyways.
"M-My lady?" The grey unicorn shuffled forward a little, ducking her head shyly. "I... I m-may not be a f... f-fighter. But I would o-offer my healing to those that h-hunt?" It wasn't much, in her opinion, but it was something, right?
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Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 10:08 pm
The group of soquili around her was starting to thicken. Daenerys looked away from Umeko to the newest arrival, River Nocturna. Along with being the newest arrival to the kalona hunt party, River was also the newest arrival to the herd. She was so withdrawing that Dany had sometimes wondered if she was going to stay with them. Of course, Daenerys didn't force anyone to remain in the khalasar longer than they wanted, but it made her a little sad to see their herd members depart.
It pleased her to see River participating, and pleased her even more when she heard what the offer was. River was the first pure unicorn to have come across the khalasar and her healing magic could possibly save a life.
"We would be glad to have you," she said to River. "Kalonas are dangerous beasts, and I am certain that more than one of us will benefit from your healing."
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Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:58 am
Rhamiel glanced sideways at the other Cerynei, "I have not fought a pure blooded Kalona but I have had encounters with half bloods." He had barely survived a fight with a Gryph Blooded Kalona and had the scars to prove it. This was well before he had joined with the Khalasar and he hated speaking of the encounter with the half blooded monster. "I am quite aware of the damage they can cause, and out of honesty I fear this creature we are going after." He sighed deeply and looked at Rallie, "Just stay clear of those awful horns, if this thing gets a good charge he can gore quite fiercely."
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Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:58 pm
She felt herself trying to shrink down even more as their Queen now directed her attention to the grey unicorn. But she flicked her pink eyes up to see there was only appreciation on the lady Daenerys face. And River offered a tiny smile in return, feeling her cheeks darken.
"I... I will d-do the best that I c-can, my Lady." She said quietly, ducking her head - careful of her horn - as she stepped slightly out of the way for others to approach. She felt... frightened, but not for herself. For the others that would hunt this beast.
But at least she could heal the wounds. That much she was confident in.
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:58 pm
Umeko considered the stipulations that Daenerys had given her. In all honesty both conditions were sounding quite reasonable. Until being reminded of the fact that the quarry could also fly Umeko had not thought much on that. Truth be told she had gotten used to the sight of the fliers in the herd remaining on the ground. All except Illyria that is. She had seen the mare off in the distance, working on regaining her previous flight prowess.
Bringing her mind back to the present Umeko gazed at Daenerys and spoke. "I can accept these precautions. When would you wish for me to start?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 8:31 pm
Rallie nodded to Rhamiel's advice. Eying Daenerys' horns, he could imagine what sort of damage a violent kalona could do with a set of their own. He was armed with his own cranial weaponry, but that wouldn't help him if the kalona attacked from the side. A good jab from the horn might be able to puncture straight through ribs and into the important parts beyond.
"The tails too," he added to their conversation. "I've heard that some have tails like whips." He supposed it was probably too much to hope for to find a kalona with a regular hair tail.
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 8:39 pm
While Rhamiel and Rallie talked, Daenerys was able to focus on the two mares that had volunteered thus far. From the way River seemed to shrink in upon herself just from talking, Daenerys wondered whether she would be able to stomach the frantic pace and danger that being a battle healer might pose. She thought about calling River back and suggesting that she stay uninvolved, but decided against it. They needed to test her skills at some point and this was as good a time as any.
"I will speak with you and Yayo'jin about what we will need from healers later," she told River as the mare drew back. Yayo'jin had proven her ability to stay calm in a crisis, but she was only able to heal with herbs and not with magic.
Then, she was able to switch her focus back to Umeko, briefly pausing to gather her thoughts. "It will be no easy task to find the kalona," she considered. "It would be best if you set out as soon as you were able to, even while the rest of us prepare." If they waited too long, the kalona might move. Worse yet, it might claim another victim.
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Nyx Queen of Darkness Crew
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 9:47 pm
Charon listened to the speech, but paid more attention to this Lady Cregga. He didn't trust her, not that he particularly trusted much of anyone. He was still alive wasn't he?
He naturally mistrusted any of the Khalasaar splitting up. He was all for the cowards staying behind--forever, but he knew the Queen's intention. She would come back for them, no matter the cost to her. She was too kind and too gentle when she needed to be stern.
But her people loved her well enough, and he wasn't here to have opinions of her. He was bought and paid for, loyal to her cause by payment and the beginnings of a begrudging respect for her.
She was smart for one so young, and brave. The dragons helped.
He walked forward, inclining his head at her. He wouldn't miss this fight for the world. But then a thought struck him, what if this...kalona was a part of his old herd?
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Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:12 am
A grim look was etched upon Jorah's features as he listened to his queen's and the lady Cregga's words of the lone, bloodthirsty kalona threat that was plaguing these lands. Although he was not entirely sure of this Cregga Rose Eyes, the queen seemed willing to trust her and to aid her in dispatching the tyrant. And so Jorah would offer his help too, but he would keep his guard up and and an eye upon her, just in case. You could never be too careful.
The swiftness in which many of the khalasar headed the queen's call to arms brought the faintest of smiles to the large stallion's muzzle. It stirred a certain swell of pride within the old knight. Daenerys was well loved, and it showed. Many believed in her and her cause and many would lay down their lives for her. Stepping forward, Jorah then bowed his head low to his queen as he addressed her. ''I offer myself and my skills for whatever you may decide is best, khaleesi.''
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Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 6:14 pm
Astúcia was beside the herd, in the shade of the trees. In the right light, his eyes were all that flashed from the shadows. Although he had been with the herd for a short while now, he still wasn't one for crowds. Never feeling like he was truly trusted. Though he knew Daenerys would never stand for a member of the herd speaking such nonsense of him. He had spent time with herself and Umeko such a short time ago, having saved the smaller mare from the icy depths of a lake.
Astúcia felt a low growl start to form in his throat. He hated the thought of going up against another Kalona, one so blood thirsty was going to be hard to take down. Being a full-blooded Kalona himself, he had seen things that would make others hate their kind all the more. Being one who didn't believe in the killing of lessers, he had made his own path helping them long ago.
He looked over at Umeko when he heard her speak and smiled a bit. She was a brave little one. It would do her good to take on a responsibility such as this. He thought her stong enough to do much. Having survivng such cold weather made her more than a lesser in his book. He shook himself a bit and made a decision.
Stepping forward from the side of the herd and out of the shadows, he spoke up, clearly and loadly.
"I will help with the hunt my Queen."
He stood tall, hooves firm on the ground. Wanting to look as imposing as a full-blooded Kalona truly should.
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Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 6:46 pm
 Mizuki had stood somewhere in the middle of the herd. While she wasn't entirely comfortable with everyone yet, she did try to stay relatively near the Khaleesi in case she was needed. Daenerys had taken her in when she had no where else to go and in return, Mizuki did all that she could for her Khaleesi and the Khalasar.
As her fellow herd members stepped up one by one, Mizuki had remained still. It wasn't that she didn't want to help with the hunt, she simply didn't possess any great way of helping. The mare wasn't strong or a good hunter nor did she have any wings to fly and scout ahead. Not to mention she had only begun to learn the basics of healing and had no horn to aid her. What then could she do?
She was startled then by a tail brushing against her belly. Looking down, she spotted her calico kitten rubbing against her legs. Giving a little sigh, she lowered herself so that her companion could easily jump upon her back where she promptly curled up and fell asleep.
If she couldn't fly or fight, she might as well offer her services as a healer. Or at least attempt to. Even if she couldn't heal she could try assist the healers in gathering and offer any other support.
The little Nymph took a step forward. "I can't fight. Nor can I fly. I've only just begun to learn healing but I can help gather materials and offer any other assistance that I might be able to provide." It wasn't much, but all she could do was try.
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Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 7:14 pm
Daenerys had to admit to herself, there was a little something strange with the situation. She had kalona ancestry herself, and in her service were two pure kalonas as well. It could be easy for some soquili to lump kalona all into one fell breed, but she knew better. She hoped they would not feel poorly at having to fight one of their own kind, but Astúcia and Charon seemed resolute enough.
It was enough to make her stop and think, though. She really had no evidence to show that Cregga wasn't misleading them. Certainly a kalona couldn't be judged as evil based on bloodline alone. That would be one more matter to discuss with the scouts before they left, to not engage in hostilities without provocation.
"Astúcia, I would ask you to accompany Umeko in scouting." She was hoping that he would volunteer so that she could ask this task of him. He had saved Umeko's life, after all, so she imagined they would work well together.
"Charon, I will ask you for your council later," she said to her sellsword. She expected he would have something to report on kalona attack strategies, and at the very least. "And of course, you are welcomed into the vanguard."
She saved her last greeting of the three warriors for Ser Jorah, who she favored with an especially warm look. "I would have been surprised if you had not volunteered, Ser Jorah." She still felt a little safer whenever her old friend was by her side. "Perhaps you can be my personal guard in the battle." She let her eyes linger on the stallion, before finally they settled on Mizuki. She had been surprised by River's offer, but was perhaps even more surprised at this one.
"You may come if you wish." They had enough warriors that protecting one nymph mare shouldn't be a problem. Besides, Daenerys doubted that Nicoletta would want to come and it would be nice to have another person to speak to on their hunt who wasn't a warrior. "We might have use for your speed," she added. She had heard it said that nymphs were among the fastest creatures that lived in this land.
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