1x1 - Fruity and Astra

[astrasinthewild]

“I said RESTING, you argumentative toad.” Ely’s voice echoed, refusing to even address the rest of what the guard said, his irritation clear in his voice. Under his breath, he grumbled “Not that you bothered to listen to some “villager”. What do I know, I’m just some “villager” who has lived around dragons all my life.”

Tsena had opened the trap door as soon as the horn sounded and let the guards leave first, the villagers following after. Unsurprisingly, she followed the guards as they were going the same way Ely and the other guard had gone. She paused as she heard the agitated cries of birds above her and sped up, moving around the guards as they reunited, dashing into the underbarn “Elym?” she called as she stepped into the shade of the cavern. The horses were riled up here as well, snapping at their leathers and stamping their hooves in irritation. She could do nothing about that. Her skills worked on humans and magickind alone. Moving further into the cavern, she found Elym venting his frustration on a saddle that had come loose “Elym.” her tone was stern now and he glanced up at her, his frown turning apologetic as soon as she put her hands on her hips “Mother.” Ely’s voice was equally apologetic and he took a deep breath as she walked over to put her hands on either side of his face “You fix it. Right now.” she said sternly, before pulling him into a tight hug “But be careful.” she whispered and he nodded into her shoulder, feeling himself calm down in her embrace.

Standing a little away from Tsena, Ely breathed in deeply and then exhaled. Immediately, a change began to take place in those animals closest to him, with the horses returning to flick their tails and calmly circle as they waited to return. The calm spread further out, spreading to the rodents and then to Midnight before washing over the upper stable. The birds quieted and took flight, leaving with a little more grace than they had arrived. Tsena nodded briskly and walked past him, giving her son a loving pat on the cheek before moving to the gates “I believe you all were wanting rooms. Is that still the case?” she spoke to the guards, standing a little ways from them with a hand resting on her hip and the other hanging loose at her side. Behind her, stablehands entered the underbarn and began moving their charges out. Among them, Elym came with Fainne, the horse bumping him in the shoulder as they walked. Ely took note of Cyphren and then pointedly turned away, rubbing a hand on Fainne’s shoulder before stepping into the stirrup and mounting “Mother. I’m going to check the watchtower.” he hated being in the village when strangers were about. Even more so now that it included this particular stranger.

BlackFruity

 

[astrasinthewild]

Tsena turned to Elym as he spoke, noting his behavior, a pang in her heart the only pity she allowed for her son and herself “All right.” she didn’t ask him to come home after, feeling his anxiety growing as the village began to come to life again. Tightening his knees to spur on Fainne, the stallion surged forward under Elym’s touch and broke into a canter past the guards. He rode tall, his back stiff but he seemed much more at ease on the horse than he had earlier. As he passed the guards, Elym met the glance from the female guard briefly, the angry set to his eyes making his eyes seem darker than they were. Tsena watched him a crease between her eyes the only sign that she was unhappy before the guard who was in charge spoke, the woman “All of you.” the words were delivered deadpan, Tsena’s expression unreadable “All right. I can’t guarantee you’ll be comfortable but I have a room.” with that, she walked back to the tavern, figuring they would follow if they wanted to. Either way, she had a tavern to run and no time to play sitter for strangers. A stablehand closed the gate to the underbarn, the doors closing crisply and with a single tonal ring as the metal clicked together to seal the cavern.

Elym rode carefully through the village, keeping Fainne at a canter until they cleared the last house. Without a word or gesture between them, Fainne burst into a gallop, neighing loudly at the freedom. The wind raced by his face, Ely held the reigns loosely but close to his chest, allowing Fainne to guide himself. He closed his eyes briefly, burying his nose in Fainne’s mane and breathing in the wonderous smell. This was really all he needed. A horse and a road that never ended. Straightening, he slowed Fainne with a touch of his emotions, allowing the stallion to slow down at his pleasure. The watchtower was still some distance, perhaps an hour, and he intended to enjoy the time away from the village, from strangers, from irritating questions.

Elym’s gaze was on the sky when he felt it. Like nails down his spine. Hatred and spite. His eyes widened and he sat up sharply in his saddle, pulling Fainne to a halt. He didn’t know where the emotion was coming from, only that it was tinted with a bloodlust that he’d never felt before. It set his skin crawling and made his stomach turn, forcing him to swallow hard. Fainne nickered softly, a tremble of fear going through the big stallion. He was approaching the watchtower but the feeling was growing stronger. Glancing around, Elym dismounted and held Fainne’s reigns, walking to the watchtower. As he got closer though, he realized that Wilkath and Wyla were not on the platform. The feeling, the emotion, was growing stronger and Elym felt his stomach heave. Turning, he vomited, startling Fainne who pulled free from his weak grasp “Fain-” he turned, wiping at his mouth, and felt a blinding pain that drove him to his knees. Fainne reared, letting out a terrified cry, then turned and fled. Ely blinked in the pain, trying to figure out where it was coming from and reached back to touch his head. Feeling something wet, he blinked at his blood soaked fingers What is- a second burst of pain, accompanied by light and then darkness. He tasted dirt and then nothing else.

2 hours later

“Myse, go make sure those guests are fine with their quarters.” Tsena ordered the young girl, who jumped up and rushed over to the group. She turned to finish filling a pint for a local, nodding in sympathy to his woes but not actually caring. Myse stopped near the guards, her bright red hair neatly coiled now and out of her way “Miss Thatcher wants to make sure that you ain’t got any complaints for the room.” out of ear shot, she clearly didn’t care to keep her grammar correct.

BlackFruity

 

[astrasinthewild]

Myse grinned at Talon’s reply, her delight at being addressed as “ma’am” evident as she puffed up a little with all the importance that a young girl could. Tsena smiled from behind the bar, watching the interaction carefully, and turned to put a dish away. A strange wave came over her, a feeling that was like a knife twisting in her breast, and the plate slipped from her hand and shattered. Myse jumped, frightened, and the tavern went quiet, murmuring at the disturbance. Tsena stared at the shattered plate on the ground and took a breath No. immediately, calm spread again out from her, filling the tavern. It wasn’t enough to settle already anxious minds but most of the villagers went back to their normal conversation. Myse, though, was holding her arms close to her chest “Tsena?” she called hesitantly and got a wave from the older woman as she bent to pick up the pieces. Glancing at Talon, Myse darted over to behind the bar to help Tsena, her nervousness making it hard for Tsena’s ability to calm the young girl.

At the watchtower

The watchtower was burning. Elym stared at it in a daze, head ringing, trying to comprehend what he was seeing. That was ironwood. It didn’t burn. Shouldn’t burn. It was grown to withstand dragon fire. Wilkath and Wyla’s bodies were hanging from the burning platform, hands clasped in death as they had been in life. He didn’t see Theo. He tried to lift his hands but which way was up? He closed his eyes as nausea overwhelmed him and slipped back into the darkness.

When he gained consciousness again, Elym knew he wasn’t alone. The feeling was back, sickening, and he could only retch weakly into the dirt, unable to lift his head. The presence was overwhelming, driving the air from his lungs and he gasped, choking, as fire lanced up his ankle. Then darkness again.

The third time he woke, the watchtower was no longer burning. The two corpses had fallen and he could, blurrily, see the ruins of their burned bodies laying on the ground as the tower collapsed. The oppressive presence was gone, the hatred and malignancy, and Elym felt like it had taken a portion of him with it. His body was weak and he pushed himself up onto his hands and knees, arms shaking at the effort. Slumping back, he nearly toppled over only to fall against something soft but unyielding. He looked at it in a daze, his head lolling A dead owlbear? the sight confused his already addled thoughts, wondering where it had come from. Owlbears rarely left the forest and were even harder to kill than they were to find. This one was massive, standing at nearly 7ft when it was alive and easily weighing as much as Fainne. Its body was still warm and he closed his eyes, sinking into the fur Get up. You have to get up. the voice in his head sounded like his father. That was stupid. His father was dead. Still, Elym opened his eyes and focused on breathing. His face was sticky and he felt like he had rolled in filth. He brought a hand up to his face, pressing it into his forehead, feeling the sticky not yet dried blood stick in his hair. Elym tried to stand but there was no strength in his legs, he couldn’t even rise “Mother…” he muttered, trying to stir something, anything, to get him moving.

He felt, more than heard, the thunderous approach of a horse coming towards him. Gritting his teeth, he gripped the owlbear’s fur and dragged himself upright, leaning heavily on it. His vision was distorted and he couldn’t see the rider, only the dark shape as it came towards him. But the feeling wasn’t there, the malice and hate. As the rider got closer, Elym recognized the feelings coming from the horse. Or rather, the stallion “Midnight.” he managed to mumble, giving his head a little shake to try and clear it.

[Elym is: covered in dirt and ash, badly beaten around the head and shoulders, his shirt torn, and his hair matted with blood that is also on his hands. There is vomit on his pants and one boot is ripped, his calf and ankle bloody like something had grabbed his leg to drag him away.

Environment: it’s a dirt road leading to a crumbled structure. Two corpses, burned, are near the remains of the watchtower. There are smaller dead animals, badgers, foxes, snakes, two large red deer, scattered around Elym, who is leaning on a massive and very dead owlbear. The animals appear to have died fighting something. From how they fell, it appears they had come to Elym’s aid and died facing the opponent.]

BlackFruity

 

[astrasinthewild]

Tsena dumped the broken pieces of the plate in an old barrel for refuse, her eyes distant, wiping her hands on her apron afterwards. The tavern was back to its normal rumblings, but it felt forced as the patrons avoided looking at her. Myse had gone back to helping serve drinks, disguising her anxiety with a smile and quick jabs of humor. Tsena’s gaze swept the tavern, noting that two of the guards had left, and her eyes hardened slightly. She seemed to be debating something before coming to a conclusion “Brance. Take the bar.” she said to one of the younger men who immediately got up and went behind the counter as Tsena walked out from behind it. She moved through the throng of the villagers, releasing a scent as she went that made them move out of her way, subconsciously, as she walked to the table with the remaining woman guard “I’m going to sit.” Tsena’s voice once more gave no room for argument but she didn’t take the chairs that had been emptied, pulling one from another table instead to sit across from Loren but without blocking Loren’s view of the tavern. Her arms crossed over her chest, she examined the woman with an unreadable expression “…” a finger tapped thoughtfully on her bicep. Then she let the fierce façade fade, her eyes suddenly tired and weary, her shoulders softening. It was clear that keeping up the strict and strong tavern owner was something she wore for a reason. Equally, she was releasing it in front of Loren for a reason “The horn sounded.” she started, still speaking in that short and to the point manner. It was just her way “There should be no reason for unease. And yet.” she lifted one hand to gesture at the tavern.

Dropping a plate was not something that should unsettle the villagers. And Tsena should have been able to settle them back with her ability. But many were starting to leave the tavern, driven by an unknown worry to be back in their homes before dark "Thunders live in every valley in these parts. We're used to them." but even she could not deny that this thunder had been different. For one, it came from the east. It shouldn't have. That was where Lunerial was, a magickind town that was on easy terms with Isleven and even better terms with the thunders around them. If something had happened in Lunerial, Isleven would have been told. Unless whatever it was had happened so quickly that they hadn't gotten the chance "They should not have come from the east." she said finally, her hand going to the table. It was rough from hard work and there were calluses, distinct, from holding the leather wrapped hilt of a sword "Lunerial, that's our closest village, is a half a week ride from us." her nails, trimmed neatly, tapped the table, her eyes meeting Loren's "I'll not fault you leaving, if you have a mind to." she said eventually, standing "I can give you back half what you paid for the room if you do leave. But, and I'm just giving you a suggestion, wait for my boy to get back from the watchtower before you leave." Tsena watched another patron leave, seeing the fear in the way he feigned calm "Best prepared for anything than prepared for nothing." Her piece said, she left Loren to consider her words. She hadn't expected the guard to speak to her so she moved back to the bar, sending Brance home as she did so.

…

Near the outskirts of the village, a woman held a crying baby and watched with other villagers in shock as Fainne walked, riderless, into Isleven and to the nearest water trough. His muscles trembled in fear, a splatter of blood across his side but no obvious injury, and his eyes were rolling in quiet panic. The woman and the baby rushed inside, passing the two guards, Gard and Talon, as she did. No one dared approach the stallion.

…

Elym’s fist was buried deep in the owlbear’s fur, holding it to center himself as Midnight and the rider approached. He was still unsteady, his legs weak, but his eyes were slowly gaining more focus and as the rider dismounted, he recognized the guard from earlier. The blood drying on the back of his neck flaked off, leaving the skin stained, as he lifted his head to watch the guard dismount. Elym shook his head, the motion nearly toppling him, when Cyphren said they should leave “Fins thee.” his voice sounded weird and the word slurred. Irritated, he tried again “I huv fins thee.” his expression went from irritated to exasperated as Cyphren mentioned predators. They wouldn’t need to worry about animal predators, if that was what Cyphren was worried about. As Cyphren reached out, Elym waved off his hand and turned his head away to try and clear his throat. He coughed and a clot of blood from having bitten the inside of his mouth splattered on the ground. Elym found he could breathe better though, and he wiped his hand on his shirt before pressing it to his head. Hand still pressed to his forehead, he spoke slower now “Theo. I have…to find Theo.” He remembered the corpses burning, Wilkath and Wyla, and felt tears well. They had been like grandparents to him. Angry, hot tears ran down his cheeks as he shoved himself up “Four guards. Always four on the watchtower. Only W-Wilkath and Wyla’s bodies are here. Myse is in the village, her brother, Theo, he-” grief made him stumble over Wilkath’s name “Theo, he’s-” His voice broke and Elym looked at Cyphren, hearing his name, his voice breaking again “He’s just a kid.”

…

Outside the village, an oily smoke was starting to rise in the east. The other village, Lunerial, was burning.

BlackFruity

 

[astrasinthewild]

Hovenia Forest
Theo crouched in the hollow of a dying tree, hands pressed against his mouth so hard his teeth were cutting the inside of his lips. His eyes were wide, silent tears coursing down his cheeks and mixing with blood from the small cuts around his cheek and throat. He’d run through the forest, fleeing the watchtower, and cut himself on branches and leaves of ironwood trees. He didn’t even feel them.

When the thunder had begun, he’d merely watched, enjoying the glimmer of jewel-toned underbellies as they flew overhead. They’re shadows were cool as they broke up the unrelenting sun and he’d listened to Wilkath and Wyla talk quietly about the dragons. He’d closed his eyes for a second, breathing gently, when suddenly Wyla was shaking his shoulder. She was a frail woman, slender in youth and more so now that she was nearing the end of her life but her hands were strong from wielding a corn scythe in the fields in her youth “Theo, get to the forest.” Wilkath was standing, his eyes on the east now, gaze hard. He was not as frail as his wife, his body strong from working with metal and ironwood, and he held a short sword now. It was one of the few weapons that were kept in the watchtower and Wyla already held the bow, the other weapon, as she knelt “What? Why? What’s happening?” Theo said, confused, before he realized what was wrong. The dragons. They were all leaving. He stared up at the sky, dark with their bodies, and heard their cries as they flew. No. As they fled. A chill started to build in his stomach and he felt himself being pulled to his feet by Wilkath “Get to the forest. Hide there till we come for ye.” the old man said, helping him to the ladder as Wyla pulled the quiver of arrows to her side and knelt to ready herself. As he started down, Wilkath shoved the short sword into his hands “I-I don’t know how to use it!” Theo cried out, feeling less like a boy nearing manhood and more like a child. Wilkath gently patted his cheek, the old man’s rough hands scratching at his skin “I’m hoping ye don’t need to. But just in case.” with those final words, Theo had finished climbing down and taken off to the south, to Hovenia Forest.

It had only been about a half of an hour when he heard the screaming. Theo had not gone deep into the forest, hovering near the edge with the short sword clasped between his hands. As he heard the sounds, he stood, hesitating, before deciding to venture out. He had passed a mound, a former nest where a dragon had buried her eggs to keep them safe while eating, and as he climbed it, the watchtower came into view. A glimpse was all he’d gotten before he flattened himself to the ground. What was that? His mind was racing, trying to process what he had seen. It had only been brief. Carefully, he lifted his head to peek over the mound top. Soldiers. Dressed in dark armor and darker leather were mounted on strange beasts that were horses and yet not. Wilkath! Wyla! They were crouched under the watchtower, under guard. He couldn’t see properly but it looked like the soldiers were putting something around their heads. A beast was on the other side of the watchtower and Theo watched as one of the soldiers started to lead it away. And Wilkath and Wyla were dragged, struggling against the noose that was slowly pulling them off their feet to hang from the watchtower. Tears rushed down Theo’s face as he watched, unable to turn away, seeing their bodies kick even as they sought to keep holding each other’s hand. Then one, followed by the other, went still. Theo felt his stomach turn and covered his mouth, feeling bile rise and spill out between his fingers. The soldier did something with the beast and the hanged corpses twitched and jumped, eliciting a laugh from the other soldiers. Finished with whatever they were doing, the soldier and the beast returned to their group who split up to stand around the watchtower. Their voices were indistinct, impossible to hear at a distance, but the effect was noticeable. The watchtower shuddered and then green/yellow flames began to flicker up the beams before engulfing the structure completely. Theo had never known ironwood could burn until that moment. Something else was happening too. As the soldiers began to mount their beasts, the fire appeared to leap onto the hanging figures and then melt to the ground, moving as if it had its own will. The soldiers appeared to speak to it, motioning to the east, away from Isleven, the fire reacting and thickening. Unable to hold back any longer, Theo vomited at the sight that was rising from the fire.

He'd fled after that, running as fast as he could into the forest, the short sword still held uselessly in his hands. Now, hiding in the hollow trunk of the dead tree, Theo didn’t know if he’d been seen or if the soldiers were looking. He’d heard the horn blow, knowing that it was a lie, and wondered if his family, his village, was even still alive. The soldiers seemed to be going to Lunerial, if the motion they had made was any indication. But he didn’t know. And now…he was deep in the forest. Lost. But not alone. A sickening smoke was starting to fill the forest, sending animals and insects, birds and beasts, fleeing. He’d watched a dozen insects flee from his hiding place, as if driven by terror. The short sword he still cradled in his lap. He didn’t know how to use it. He was only 17. But if what had come from the fire was in the forest…he’d use it on himself.
 

[astrasinthewild]

Tsena was wiping the bar down when the tavern door opened. She had left the woman guard to her own thoughts, watching as the tavern started to empty save for guests who were staying and villagers who lived in some of the rooms. The dread had been growing in her chest the whole time, a feeling that she tried to keep from infecting the remaining occupants. Hearing one of the guards address her, Tsena stiffened her back and turned, matching his gaze as he spoke. A riderless horse. Fainne. Her son, gone. The guards immediately left, the woman following, no doubt to join their third companion. For a moment, Tsena simply stood, letting the fear and despair wash over her. Then she carefully put the rag down. She walked up the stairs, going to the rooms she and Elym shared, leaving the bar empty.

As Gard and the others came back in, they’d find a very different woman coming down the steps. She wore light leather armor, woven with nightspider silk to be resistant to direct attacks from swords, over a shorter skirt and pants tucked into over-knee boots with armored shin guards. Her straw blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail, a loose blouse under an armored corset. She wore a pair of short gloves. And strapped to her hip was a broad sword in a well-worn sheath. The armor was older but maintained impeccably, with the few blemishes carefully polished and repaired with a deft hand. She stepped onto the tavern floor and gave the guards a level look, silently appraising them for a moment “He’s my son.” was all she said as explanation before striding past them “You’ll have to double up on one of the horses. I only own three aside from Fainne and he will only let Elym ride him.” she walked through the tavern doors and glanced around. Fainne would find his way back to the tavern when he wanted but if he was still near the village outskirts, he would follow them. Then she stopped. Her heart went to her throat as she saw the sky darkening in the east. Smoke. Tsena swallowed hard “Lunerial…is burning.” she said softly before turning her back on it to go to the stables Elym, my son, be safe. Please. Be safe.

Inside the stable, two stallions and a mare were dancing in their stalls at her approach. The stallions could have been twins of each other, dark with a single starburst on their chests in a cream tone. The mare was almost as large as the stallions and she whinnied at Tsena’s approach, her coat a soft grey. All three were lightly saddled already.

…

Elym was starting to get his sense back but the grief was still fresh in his eyes as he nodded at Cyphren’s order to stay put. He still held tightly to the owlbear corpse, using it to keep himself up right as he gathered his strength. Noting that Midnight was staying, he carefully moved closer to the stallion “It’s all right.” he said, his throat raw, speaking to the horse. Elym was still in the same spot when Cyphren returned, though he’d managed to rip a sleeve off and was tying it around the wound on his ankle. He glanced up and swallowed “Ironwood. It should not have burned.” he replied glancing at the crumbled ruins They should be buried. his mind drifted to Wilkath and Wyla, wanting to go to their bodies. But he knew better. And then “That-” he stopped. Elym suddenly stood, nearly blacking out but gasping, staring east. An oily smudge was blackening the sky “Lunerial.” he groaned, feeling a deep despair start to grow. He pushed away from the owlbear corpse, standing unsteadily as he stared east “Lunerial is burning.” his chest ached at the smoke blackening the sky. Elym felt his jaw tighten "We have to find Theo."
 

[astrasinthewild]

Tsena rode behind the guard, keeping pace with them as they galloped eastward. As they left the village, Fainne had followed, the stallion keeping pace with Tsena and her mount. Tsena held out a single hope, that Elym’s nature kept him safe.

…

Allowing himself to be sat upon the dead beast, Elym kept his gaze on the smoke rising. He knew so many of Lunerial, from the youngsters that had chased Fainne and he every time he visited to the elders who knew him and kept him company when he was exhausted. That their ashes might be rising alongside that pall of smoke deadened his heart. Hearing Cyphren mentioned the wood, Elym took his eyes off the smoke to turn his gaze to the other man. Elym was, oddly, glad that he was still filthy from the attack. Having a man kneel at his feet was…awkward. He was right, irritatingly, but was focusing on the issue at hand “I refuse both those options.” he said, his tone matching his mother’s bluntness “If you’re going to look for Theo, so am I.” he could just as easily stay atop midnight and accompany Cyphren as he could go back to the village. Besides “Fainne returned to the village alone. That alone will be enough to alert them and someone will be coming this way. If Theo comes back while we search for him, then they will find him.” as for whether the attackers were still nearby “Whoever attacked me is certainly gone.” he couldn’t say if it was the same people who had attacked the watchtower. But the malignant energy that had dropped him earlier was gone. His eyes drifted, finally seeing the dead animals littered around them I’m so sorry, my friends. he shook his head, a little more gently this time and then focused on Cyphren again “…if W-Wilkath and Wyla were with Theo before they-” he ground his teeth, speaking through the grief that continued to claw at his soul “Before this, then they will have told him to go where all the elders tell us to when there is danger. Hovenia Forest.” He jerked his chin southward, to a distant dark section of green just visible above mounds and hills “It’s the closest safe refuge if you can’t reach Isleven.” the forest was a mix of ironwood and giant elderwoods, a tree that could grow as wide as a house if left unchecked. Much of their wood in Isleven came from shaving away the outer bark, which was as thick as any plank of wood. Elym gave his attention back to Cyphren “You can’t stop me from coming, unless you want to finish what someone started.” he motioned at the bloody mess that was the back of his head “So help me get up and let’s go.”

BlackFruity

 

[astrasinthewild]

If the indignation hadn’t silenced him, Elym would have screeched at the other man I’ve probably been around more horses and animals than you, you walking piece of decorative metal. he thought, feeling rage boil in his chest. He immediately pushed himself off the owlbear as Cyphren walked away, standing unsteadily. It was true, as much as he would refuse to admit it, that he was unbalanced. Gritting his teeth, he was silent as Cyphren returned and sassed him. Fine. They would do this the hard way then. He closed his eyes, appearing to give in to the other man’s words. As Cyphren and Midnight started away, Elym called on his nature. To be precise, he called on the nature of his father that he had inherited. Midnight would feel it first, an urge to turn back and go to Elym’s side but it was not Midnight Elym was calling out for.

About a yard away, a red deer was slowly returning to the land having been spooked earlier. Fur a thick and dusty red, with bright dark eyes and a mask of ivory fur across it’s face, the buck lifted its head, ears turning toward a call. It was a feeling, an emotion, a call to bring it to help another. It hesitated then started forward, breaking into a canter and then a gallop. Within a few minutes, it had crossed the distance and leaped over a piece of the broken watchtower to come trotting to where Elym and Cyphren were. It gave Midnight a curious glance, elegant horns arching back and over its shoulders, before stepping gently through the dead to Elym.

Lifting a hand, he pressed his palm into the buck’s nose as the red deer stood before him, its eyes closed Help me. Please. it was a simple request, an actual request, and after a moment the deer straightened and met his gaze before bending its forelimbs to kneel. Ignoring any look that he might be getting from Cyphren, Elym gripped the rack of horns and used it to sling himself over the red deer’s broad back. Gripping the shaggy mane of darker fur that ringed the buck’s neck as it rose, digging his fingers into it for stability and tightening his thighs to stay upright, he glared at Cyphren “Toad.” he muttered as the red deer walked past the horse and rider, heading for the forest at a gentle pace. Despite his earlier infirmity, he could sit up well enough to keep himself steady on the buck's back. What's your name? he thought, only to be assaulted with a sense of emotions and feelings from the buck "Pevya." he said softly, speaking the red deer's name and earning a happy flick of its tail.

BlackFruity