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 Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 11:15 am
 After several days of travel the band had finally encroached upon Pirate lands. True to the word of the forward scouts, the place had been completely deserted and no signs of life remained. However, just as with the mermaid territories, there didn't appear to be anything that was inherently wrong with the region. At an immediate glance the plant life seemed to be thriving and there were signs of prey activity in the nearby forests.
With enough exploration, Tethys was confident he could probably find fresh water as well.
"...It's the same thing," he murmured quietly, mostly to himself, though Iloziya might have heard him. Tethys was of course comparing this region to the last, though he was attempting to find any subtle differences that he may have missed before. So far he was coming up blank, on the surface there was absolutely nothing with this region and in recent months there hadn't been reports of any foul weather that might have sent everything fleeing for its life.
"Spread out!" his Captain ordered. "Stay in pairs," he added.
Granted his instruction was mostly to the younger ones as the brothers often seemed to split off into pairs or smaller groups to explore, but one could never be too careful. On this occasion, Tethys was on his own, though he didn't seem overly troubled by this as he began to proceed towards what he thought might be of interest to him, an outcropping that might have held similar features that the mermaid lands had contained.
They didn't have long left in this day, there would be enough time to explore for a while but eventually the light would leave them and they would need to regroup until the following day. It was in his best interests to make the most of it...
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:14 am
 *Approved Freeborn - waiting on SB cert.*
As they approached their destination the group broke up - which made sense - that would be much easier to have more ground covered before night fall. Iloziya made a choice though a followed Tethys, quietly, at first and sought some more answers - before him he could see the way the pride had been left and it was clear where the most activity had likely been many moons ago. In fact everything appeared fruitful, there wasn't a reason in sight for these lions - healthy or not - to leave these lands that were definitely healthy.
"What do you think we might find?" He inquired, his next stop would be the beaches - perhaps the water was tainted, if the pride consisted of prey from the waters than they may have encountered an illness. Mentally he praised himself for thinking outside the box - though he hadn't noticed the flourishing plant life as Tethys had.
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:47 am
Tethys glanced over his shoulder abruptly as though he hadn't realised Iloziya had selected him to pair with. Still, once he had taken note that he had in fact received company he took it in his stride. It was logical to expect that Iloziya would probably not want to be with the youngsters, some of which had banded off... no doubt in search of their own perceived notion of glory.
"Depends on what you want to find," Tethys replied wryly and motioned for Iloziya to follow as he headed towards the cove. It was the 'structure' that had seemed most familiar to him, there had been something similar within the mermaid lands, and as such he considered it a possibility that it might house similar treasures. The pelts and jewels had gone down an absolute storm when they had brought in the last haul so this might bring the same sentiment.
"If you're looking for reasons why they left?" he shook his head and furrowed his brow. "We're probably going to find nothing," he stated. He had no reason to lie in this, the mermaid lands had exhibited all the same traits and short of finding a pirate or a mermaid, they'd probably never get an answer. "But if you're hoping for something decent to bring home..."
He paused.
"Probably a lot of that."
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 10:04 am
Ears were pulled forward to listen to the pale male speak and Iloziya followed, cautiously, towards a structure that Tethys seemed excited about. "Well I hadn't been sure what I'd like to find." He spoke honestly, head tilted to get the whole area into his vision.
"I suppose I need to stop looking for answers and simply focus on treasures." A hesitant smile broke his face, almost looking out of place. He was rightfully nervous, something like this back at his old home could have called for heavy investigation and likely meant plenty of death. There had been no signs of death, no signs of invasion and yet Iloziya couldn't shake the feeling of mass murder.
"So what do you think is in there?"
His voice became a bit more chipper as he concealed his worries that his past had created - he convinced himself that he was wrong, for the moment.
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 10:12 am
"Well," Tethys leapt up onto the nearest ledge as they reached the cove and began to inspect it for entrances. "If it's anything like it's neighbour then we'll be seeing a lot of jewels and pelts," he replied. He knocked several loose stones out of his path and poked his nose into a number of the holes to see if they were hidden entrances. Suffice it to say that none of the rocks moved willingly and he abandoned that notion quickly.
"All we found at the other spot were signs of wealth, and some general hints at their daily life," he rolled his shoulders and sprung across to another rock. He didn't want to go in to detail about what else he had found. He hadn't wanted to have the newer Reaver panic while she was in those caves, she wouldn't have been ready for it. Besides, the corpses hadn't been fresh, they'd be so old that he was confident that those who had killed them had moved on long ago.
"If we can find the same thing here then you'll be mighty popular when you get back," he chuckled. It wasn't long before he let out a small 'aha' as he discovered an entrance and promptly pointed his paw towards it. "So if there are any pretty lionesses that you may have your eye on, you should consider asking the Captain if you might have one or two trinkets," he advised.
"Looks like we can get in here, there might be a few other entrances as well though."
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 10:35 am
Patience. Something Tyfu had taught him and his siblings, sometimes things required it even when you didn't have it. Though she meant it towards some of the tasks she had intended them to complete and certainly not waiting on possible baubles.
Iloziya decided to follow Tethys, giving a tap or two to the stones that had been of interest for all of a few moments. "Jewels and pelts." A little mental note he made for himself out loud - this pride sure did like their material goods and so will you in time. The thought wasn't convincing, but he held onto it. "Was anything off about their daily life? I realize its a stupid question, but something might have stood out?" Golden eyes peered about at the path they were taking and continued to follow.
Popularity? Now there was a contest he was used to seeing, finally something familiar. "A lioness?" Sure, of course. The prizes could be used to win hearts and show how able you are. He had almost rolled his eyes, but held quick, he couldn't falter his appearance now even if he wanted to gag.
"Well, we will need some pretty big baubles to get the heart of a lioness I'm sure. Would you think the Captain would be willing to give away such things?"
Ignorance wasn't bliss, ignorance made him feel simply ignorant.
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 10:46 am
Tethys paused to recall his stint in the mermaid lands. Iloziya had asked a perfectly reasonable question and it deserved at least some consideration. However, as he pieced together the previous viking his head began to shake very slowly. In regards to their way of life, nothing had seemed abnormal, what he had found seemed to have aged differently indicating that those bodies had been placed at a different time.
Whatever had happened to this pride of lionesses was unknown to him.
"Honestly, not a single thing was amiss," he said finally and sighed. "Your guess is really as good as mine on that one," he grimaced. "I'm aware it sounds utterly strange and highly suspicious but there are no avenues of investigation, none that we've found anyway," he explained. "Short of locating a survivor there's no real way to tell," he murmured.
Still he had to laugh at Iloziya's hesitation, perhaps he would prefer a pretty bauble to hand to a male? Tethys wasn't one to judge and he had heard of far stranger pursuits.
"We usually get a cut," he gave a nod. "If we find a large amount of treasure then it's likely we'll get a fair chunk of it, he's a pretty decent guy..."
He headed further into the caves and when it did indeed seem to contain a network of tunnels he nodded and hazarded a small smile. This seemed like it could actually be good.
"I think we've got ourselves a good spot, we can explore it properly tomorrow," he gave another curt nod. I'll make sure there are a few thralls waiting outside to collect whatever we haul up," he added as he strode back out of the cavern for the time being...
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 11:08 am
Alarm bells started to ring again, he mentally tried to brush them aside.
"There must be at least one survivor somewhere." Or would there be? It was becoming clear that he was focusing on the wrong things though and that treasures should take precedence. The laugh had thrown Iloziya off, had he said something funny? Yet another thing to puzzle out later.
"Well sounds like the Captain is fair." Iloziya nodded slowly. "Oh?"
He crept forward to spy at what Tethys had found - amazing.
"Yes, I'm due up for at least a sit down."
Golden eyes didn't look the least bit tired, but he had felt mentally drained from trying to piece together what was going on here and those damn alarm bells ringing in his head wouldn't leave him be. "We go back and tell the Captain, or do we handle this ourselves?"
Again, his ignorance was showing.
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 11:14 am
"There could be," Tethys agreed as he dropped down from the cover. "You could probably request some time on another viking to pursue it as well if you felt so inclined," he pointed out. He'd been given permission to wander off on more than one occasion to settle a few bits and pieces. If Iloziya genuinely wanted to uncover the fate of the prides by locating survivors then it was highly likely his Captain would permit him.
After all, if he found out, whichever warband he was part of would be able to take credit for the intel.
"We handle it ourselves, by the way," he answered his question with a smirk. "The others are bound to have found things they want to present, it's up to us to present this one. We picked the spot, now we have to show what came of it," he pointed out. While Iloziya may have felt sheepish asking 'foolish' questions, they weren't exactly stupid so much as something he did actually need to know. Should he ever become a Captain himself, then he'd be able to change the rules to suit his own band.
"Either way, we'll need some of the thralls," One they reached the 'camp' he lay down and stretched his toes out with a sigh. "Fortunately we have pretty solid ones, they're good at what they do," he added reassuringly.
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 11:29 am
"I may just do that." He replied. "To get some time away to find this out and hopefully come across someone to explain what exactly happened." Even if it would be from one individuals point of view he'd appreciate any kind of information to close this out in his mind.
"Ah." He noted as the pair discussed what happened with the jewels. "I'll look forward to seeing what our finds are." After having resolved his questions in a satisfactory manner he found himself following Tethys to return to camp. This all seemed simple enough, going on Vikings.
"Sounds good, well - tomorrow is another day. Do not die in your bed."
His goodbye was quietly said as he chose a place to retire.
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 11:42 am
Tethys had given a nod as he settled in for the night and one by one each of the band had returned to take their place. The Captain had assigned the first watch and as he hadn't been called upon, the lion had permitted himself to drift to sleep quickly. As far as he was aware he had the second watch, so if he was to feel rested enough in the morning to get a good haul, he needed to sleep now.
Eventually the excitement from the young bloods had quietened down and a stillness had fallen over the camp as anyone might expect from the first night after a long march.
...Alas, it wasn't to stay that way for long.
As the darkness had truly closed in upon them and all light had abandoned them for the evening, those that had followed them for weeks had once again managed to locate them. It was a mystery as to how the band had evaded them on the first trip home, but on this occasion they would not be so lucky. It was in silence that they came, as was always their habit, and it was in silence that they drew their first blood.
No sooner had the red eyes gazed at the startled young Viking, than a roar of alarm had escaped from his mouth, and his throat was swiftly cut.
Tethys's eyes snapped open.
As did everyone else's...
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 10:39 pm
Iloziya, who had become accustomed to being only half asleep, a habit he was thankful for in this moment had gotten up like something had shocked to stand. His golden eyes glowed in the darkness that surrounded them and they sought out enemies, but with all of the sudden commotion all he saw were familiar pelts.
"Tethys." He whispered in a voice that gave no signs of worry - instead he was prepared, on guard and looking to defend. "Tethys, do you see anything?" It was fortunate that he had stayed nearby that pale companion of his for his pelt didn't vanish into the night much like most of the others who hailed from the Vikings.
"I can't see a damned thing."
His last words were spoken with a low rumbling growl - had there been much light he'd have been a display - fur raised and limbs tensed. His golden eyes narrowed as his brow furrowed, what the devil was going on. In the back of his mind there was delight though and the same thoughts were nearly sung, what was going on?
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Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 2:12 am
It was a fact that troubled him, the lion couldn't see what was nearby and this was of grave concern. If anyone could, they certainly weren't letting on that they did. Nearby he heard various vikings as they rose to their paws and began to stride towards the outskirts of the camp... he however, seemed to have found reason to remain still.
"No," he replied after a moment or two, his tone measured. He might have been concerned, deeply so, but Iloziya didn't need to know that and nor did any nearby youngsters. He could trust the veterans to keep their cool even if he expressed his discomfort, but there was every possibility that the young would panic. This was not supposed to be a dramatic outing, just one that brought intell and treasure home... essentially it would have been a 'perfect' one.
"And I don't think we're meant to," he said finally. No sooner had he uttered those words than he detected a flicker of movement off to his right and what seemed like a swarm of shadows set upon a set of the young. They hadn't even had a chance to turn round before they were descended upon. If he'd known better, perhaps if he'd quizzed his father more, then perhaps he might have been able to bark instructions to save them.
...But when would a Viking ever stand down?
It was against their pride.
No, baring his teeth the white lion said nothing more as he lunged towards where he had seen those shadows. He might not have heard them, but he had seen enough of a flicker and with the two young bloods still struggling underneath, whatever it was, was still there.
He let out a roar, a war cry so that they might acknowledge him and set about freeing the young, something that it sounded like a fair few had also started to do. He surmised in those moments that they appeared to have been surrounded.
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Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 7:08 am
The darkness appeared to be their advantage, the attackers that was. Iloziya watched as Tethys reacted to some movements that had over thrown a number of youthful Vikings. This would be a blood bath in no time and had he looked away perhaps the partner he'd gained in this venture would be among those brutally murdered this night. One moment he saw the back of his companion, pale as could be then it was as though the night moved to cover him.
If Iloziya was ever going to admit to fear today might have been that day, but fortunately there were no takers for conversation and instead he had adrenaline to push him forward. "Tethys!" He beckoned loudly, eyes narrowing at the figure that clearly stood between him and his companion - a roar that competed with Tethys' was bellowed with the same hopes as he leaped into action at the figure not holding back even a small amount of his mass. This was an attack.
Iloziya was rewarded with flesh and plenty of it - these were full grown lions, not a piece of youth about them and took an effort to knock free from getting a full advantage of the pale lion. His claws and teeth continued to seek flesh until he tasted the coppery flavors that was unmistakably blood of course he didn't get away scott free, his face had been safe from the assault, but his fore-legs were battered by clambering paws caught off guard, but well trained enough to find a way to wound.
As his moment fell silent that brief second he peered over to still see the active back of Tethys and heaved a sigh of relief.
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Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 7:21 am
He might have been active, but he wasn't active for much longer.
They invisible beings he had managed to tear off the youngest hadn't been killed in his assault. While he was certain they had a 'form', he simply couldn't see it, and it was a flash of red eyes that he found himself swarmed. They came from every direction, having retreated briefly, only to come about and assault him in much the same fashion as a pack of rabid dogs. In hindsight, he should have ensured his blows were significantly harder.
Nevertheless they knew exactly where to hit and he could soon feel the searing hot flesh as claws tore into his sides and back. Big as he was, he could only throw so many off at any one time and the more he struggled, the more wounds seemed to open. At this point, he didn't even notice as the hair was torn from his tail...it was all very much the same sensation.
...But he knew those eyes.
"Get. Off." he hissed, taking a much more assured swipe. It was enough to thrust whatever had been in front of him into the rocks with a sickening crunch. Well, he had gotten one at least, even if the others pressed their weight onto his back again. Alas, this was not the duel he'd once had with Naima, she had clung to him and for a time he had struggled to come up with a strategy... now he simply knew.
"Get. Off!" he thundered, flipping on to his back with another loud thump as he crushed the lion beneath him.
...Though this did rather leave his stomach exposed and those formless shadows were all too aware of that.
It seemed that he was not alone in such experiences though, this seemed to have become the norm for most of them.
"For the love of the gods fight in pairs!" The captain's voice bellowed from somewhere nearby.
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