Seasons of the Lich » Places

         

Nevae
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The small crowd dissipated at leisure, splitting off in singles and pairs and disappearing into the trees. Last words had been dismissal, directive given and direction taken. Slender femme had paused for escort, eager for small chatter to help sands of time slip quicker through the glass. The journey would be long, and no doubt arduous, but promise of fortune helped to grease the way. The drow and fighter combination promised amusement in the lull between tasks. Her smile was pleasant as she waited with false patience, first steps falling behind the bulkier of the three and followed lastly by her favourited companion of recent.

Still, scant few steps were taken as cerulean eyes scanned the tree line ahead. Another member was quick to join the entourage. The figure was swaddled in navy robes, hood drawn to shadow face from view save lips which had just finished moving; was the stranger speaking to himself? Curious. Quick glance slipped from shaded head to clothed toe taking in bow and staff, and settled on glistening trinkets. The slim male had an aura of maliciousness, though not quite as prickling as the recently departed Crowcatcher. From staff to herbed-pouch, and less than battle-worthy attire, Nevae would bet her prized possessions on a magic user, though she’d never been a gambling woman. Her hand rose, lips parting to call out in friendly greeting, but movement was stopped short by a rather more drawing entrance.

It was heavy footfall reminiscent of beast that drew gaze from wayward newcomer. To say new sights were revealing was an understatement at best, figure emerging from trees stark naked in all his morning glory. One fell look was taken before blonde locks turned head in feigned modesty, delicate fingers moved from started wave to block view. The feel of thick, coarse fur and a grunting omission was what drew her gaze back to her, a pelt thrust into her arms with lew remarks punctuating the gift and promise. Or was it a threat? Nevae mused it was dependent on point of view. Azure eyes rose to the hulking half-orc, friendly smile quickly vanishing.

Scarred features were quick to return flashes of the evening before, memories she had buried with a good night’s rest. Still, the violation and depravity of action returned to present mind, and while the hard jolt of her knee slamming into the offender’s package brought forth unending satisfaction, her mood was sobered. Ugluk was barbaric at best, a distaste for less than refined manners clear in Nevae’s drastically altered mood. Dainty nose wrinkled and gaze dropped to the twenty-pound skin that had been thrown into her arms unceremoniously, disposition further marred by innuendo. "That ought to keep you warm till I can."

It was only with practiced patience that she managed to swallow the anger growing within her breast. Warm? She was the Frostmaiden’s priestess, devoted to the cold winds, originally born to the nomadic tribes of the northern frosts, she quietly mused, dry irony still not lightening atmosphere.

“Auril granting, I’ll stay cold until the day I die.” She quipped shrewedly.

For a brief moment she examined the gift, an item of much more value to her than the ‘package’ that delivered it. The pelt was untarnished, expertly skinned and cleaned in a skill that seemed out of place when taking in the brutish hand that carved it. The fur would need to be bleached and dyed to colours appropriate to faith, but it would fetch a pretty penny. Perhaps she’d find use for the orc yet. While her dainty frame gave impression of encumbered on view of shield, mace and monstrous skin, she was stronger than she looked and had an arsenal of spells to aid her. Regardless, the idea of traipsing through thicket with arms full was foolish and something less than ladylike.

Vision, once more, shifted to the large half-being (who had just returned, slightly more decent) with expression softening. Eyelashes batted in manipulative exhibition, lips softening to pull at a smile—though whether to lighten mood or in response to Caine’s relief it wasn’t clear. ”Carry this, please? I hardly have the strength to carry around this carcass all day, and the Captain has disappeared with that bag of holding. ”

A pause, before she threw in her own innuendo just for good measure; ”And well, you’re just so large, I’m sure this little thing is nothing for you to throw around.”

Smile pulled a little wider, amused again at the play of words. Head tilted to her companions, urging them to continue. Nevae let the skin fall to the ground before starting after Veilyn again, there was still a ways to go before the caravan and something told her that the walk just got a little longer. The cleric sighed softly to herself.

         

-=Araina=-

Events unfolded at the camp once more. Some of the recruits left, whether because the task itself proved insurmountable to them or their employer filled them with distaste was left unknown. Yet just as swiftly as people exited the camp, more people seemed to file into it. Perhaps this was all a part of the Crow’s game? Placing pieces of the puzzle together in separate ways until he created a picture that he wanted? With the last of the members entering the clearing, in a rather prominent way, the elven druidess averted her eyes and turned to enter the woods.

And so the merry band made their way through the forest in the general direction of the Coast Way. Apprehension flooded the druidess’ lithe body. Despite her off the cuff and almost condescendingly aloof remarks about heading to a human city, the elf was actually affected by the thought of leaving nature. She had spent her entire life without entering the man made stone and steel creations that humans prided them selves on but now her path led her directly through the very things she despised.

If she were a more sociable creature she might try to befriend one of her traveling companions and tell them her fears to ease her mind, yet her innate hostility towards all other races prevented that from happening. There were no friends of nature in this ragtag band with the exception of the Ranger who had fled into the woods on her steed as soon as the party started moving. Whether she had decided that she was unable to deal with their newfound allies or if she was simply taking another path through the woods, Araina couldn’t be sure.

As they moved, the druidess hung back to take up the rear. In part, because she wanted to stay in her haven until the very last possible second and also, so she could observe the newest members- the bard, the sorcerer, the assassin, and the barbarian. Intriguing men, all of them, in their different ways but she stayed observant until her keen sense of hearing picked up the sound of voices in the distance and at the same time, the foliage broke way to open plains and a winding dirt road.

Within sight yet quite a fair walking distance north, her eyes could pick out a caravan moving slowly onwards. Their smaller group could easily gain on the gypsies if they were to pick up their pace.