(1865-09-05) Sounds of the Forest
Sounds of the Forest
Summary: With Emilia having sought some escape from the city of Four Corners after the recent tournament banquet, Henric is given reason to follow after. His Squire Kaciee and fellow Lancers Kylier and Oberyn give aid to the pursuit. Tracking is slow going through the forest and nightfall brings out the sounds and creatures of the forest.
Date: 1865-09-05
Related: Healing the Rift , Falling into Darkness , and And They Danced
NPCs: {$npc}
Players:
Emilia  Henric  Kaicee  Kylier  Oberyn  

The West

The domains of the west are a collection of Kingdoms, city states, a principality, and the savage tribes of the north. The domains of the west, called the "Civilized West" by the priestly scholars of the One Faith of Rikton, are broken up into three areas. Those are: The North, the Coast, and the South. In these regions are just about every climate that can be imagined, with mountains dotting the landscape, and a long range splitting the west from the east called the Ergonian Range.

The northern domains are home to some of the West's largest forests, and is primarily dominated by rolling hills, lush forests, and is crisscrossed by flowing wide rivers teaming with aquatic life. The Kingdom of Aequor calls the Northern Domain home, and is in a constant state of warfare with the Northern Savages, the Icenaila.

While both Aequor and Galenthia have coasts that border the Great Ocean, the Domain that is regarded as the Coast is the home of the growing City State of Four Corners, the capital of the One Faith: The City State of Rikton, and the Principality of Kentaire. Though well off the Coast, the Island nation of White Hall, home of the Raiders who have for centuries raided and pillaged the West by sea and river, is also considered apart of the Domains of the Coast.

The domain of the south is occupied by the Kingdoms of Galenthia and Partharia. It is the largest domain of the West, but its population is considerably more spread out. The southern half of is considerably colder, and their winters are harsh and unforgiving with thick heavy forests and many large hills. The northern portion has a feel more like the rest of the west, forests with rolling hills dotted with the occasional mountain. Galenthia occupies the Coastal regions and a good portion of the Northeast, while Partharia occupies a small coastal region and the south east and is dominated by a vastswath of land called the Partharian Desert.

5th of Septembre, 1865

Henric spends 1 luck points on For Tracking Purposes.

<FS3> Henric rolls Tracking+25: Great Success.

The ride from Four Corners set off in the morning of Septebre the 5th, which at first initially set off with Sir Cassomir, Sir Crane, and Squire Lady Romante. The pace was not as quick as it could've been, considering the tracking involved was tedious. There had been many coming and going from Four Corners that at some places, Henry had to turn them around and retrace their steps. It was the early evening the same day that Sir Kylier Starn would've joined their group, having had a missive delivered to him commanding that he join the party on the road, at, the Nay Sayer Inn. The Nay Sayer Inn was briefly stopped at for an interlude of dinner and further supplies, should either of them require to stock up on foods for the trip that was likely to lead back to Ironhold. There, Henric explained what details he could, without risking harm to his sister. The details were simple, her dress had been found covered in blood and she seemed quite upset in a letter he found, quickly written. A set of his clothes were missing and by all instances, it looks as if she ran off. He knew her tracks though, as much as it was hard to trace them, he managed. He did lose them out in the bush, which is why they spent the better part of the afternoon going back over and retracing.

They were paused now in the thick of it, a forest, as Henric was off his steed and pawing around in the long grasses, looking for traces of Emilia's trail, as apparently the girl was going by foot - barefoot too. You'd think a Royal Lancer would be able to hunt her down like a hound in a fox hunt, though, there were certain… ways the skilled Lady Cassomir could hide her tracks even for the most skillful of eye. He looks back at the group following him about, hands over his legs, squatted down as they're taking a break. "Looks like her trail veers here… she's in a hurry." She left the previous night and they had only left in the morning and had to back track and then -ate- at the Inn.

Kylier leans forward in his saddle, arms crossed in front of him on the horn. He's no tracker - born, raised and trained in Firen. So it all seems to have fallen on Henric's shoulders. For now. "In a hurry?" He says rather and a real question as he squints trying to see how he figured that out. "So, maybe running from someone or something." He looks in the direction that Henric seems to indicate that her tracks lead.

<FS3> Kaicee rolls Tracking: Good Success.

<FS3> Emilia rolls Stealth: Great Success.

<FS3> Henric rolls Perception: Failure.

<FS3> Kylier rolls Tracking: Failure.

"How long of a head start does she have on us? It is a long walk on foot." Kaicee interjects briefly. Barefoot even, though that part is not mentioned aloud. Surely Henric was worried enough about his family member. Glancing over to Kylier, she frowns but inputs nothing else, getting down off her horse now and again to help with the tracking.

<FS3> Kaicee rolls Perception: Failure.

<FS3> Oberyn rolls Perception: Good Success.

Oberyn doesn't have a bird yet to work his falconry tracking so he's attempting to us his eyes. He stays on his horse back and pats Artex lightly staring at the trail. He stays quiet and lifts his eyes up keeping them on the surrounding heavy cover in case of a surprise bear. He is wearing dark colors over his armor and keeping himself quiet so he wont scare off already flighty Cassomir's.

While it appeared Emilia had fled upon foot, they had gone by horse. Yet she had the head start and it seems they had stopped at an inn for supplies and a meal. It worked in her favour really as did the fact she was raised and trained alongside Huntresses. The fact she was barefoot actually hindered those who sought to track and follow her. There had been signs, small ones, it did make following her slow going. She had indeed been in a hurry, early tracks would have shown that she moved along at a steady lope. Tracks had been a thing that were hard to impossible to find at times to ensure they were still on her trail, she did seem to have a light step and more so was versed in hiding and moving in those ways to avoid being followed.

While Kaicee might spot the trails of rabbits and other game, traces of recent human passing seemed to elude her for the moment. Kylier…the city boy in him seemed to be shining through at the moment for all he was catching. But Henric…for him there was just a hint of a print, the turn of toes in a spot of mud that he would see, pointed yet in that direction of Ironhold. A closer look would see him finding another print showing that she had slowed to more of a walk. Though it was Oberyn who just might a bit of shiney just a touch further past the tracks.

Henric straightens from where he's crouched, rolling his neck from side to side, rubbing the hand against the back of his neck. It was going to be a long trip at this rate. His eyes followed the trail of a bare footed girl, reaching up to pat Keeper's neck. "Well, my guess is she's running from something, though she slowed down here. She's not quite running anymore, likely at a walk," and he won't say what else he believes she is doing. Instead, he steps up into the stirrups and lifts himself up, the leather of his saddle creaking as he straightens up in the saddle, clicking his tongue toward where the trail veered. He was making sure to keep the imprints and over turned leaves and folded grasses to the left of his horse, "So tell me Sir Kylier," he says absently, considering they might as well -talk- while they track, as they're not trying to HUNT persay, "What I should do to appreciate your skills in the melee? I was thinking you should like a new weapon of a sort, if that would be agreeable to you." A look back over his shoulder, just briefly.

Woods, they give Kylier the creeps. On the streets one can see what's about, but here, to many damned trees and to many bushes. He looks from the direction he was studying and begins to scan the trees and brush and bugs and what ever else makes up woods. He will let the other's do their tracking while providing guard just in case. He does frown a bit when Kaicee gets down. He is to protect her, no? He hears Henric's words about what his sister might be doing, listening but more intent on scanning But when his name is spoken he jerks his head from the woods. He has to blink a few times before the words actually register "Sir, you honor me greatly," he pats the hilt of his sword "but I am fine with what I have, it was my father's." And for once there is a hint of pride in his voice. He smiles "Though your words do me enough honor you really don't have to give me anything."

Oberyn slides from his horse and he moves around the tracks. He reaches his hand out and pulls something from one of the bushes. "Henric…" He speaks quietly as he turns and shows the Lord. It's a silver hairpin with a small starfire opal on the end of it. He lifts his eyes to the Cassomir. He tilts his head and hands the pin over to Henric while he walks back to his horse. He pats Artex and lifts his eyes to the place he saw the pin again.

Henric makes a motion for Kylier to ride up closer to him, taking out a high quality dagger that he picked up in the last tournament with some prize money. Since the ornate dagger was certainly all he needed, he hands the dagger hilt first toward Kylier, "I insist Sir. You fought well and stuck with me, although," he hesistates with a grin, "You did try to sneak up on me. That was a good tactic in the melee, for I didn't anticipate it." As they did go into talking about watching eachother's backs during the event after all. It was worth at least a couple crowns if not more. It was a well made, good quality dagger. He seems particularly comfortable in the forest, not unsurprising for a kid who grew up in them, even if he did like to pretend he was a huntress way more often than he was a knight (blame the two sisters for that one). The tone in Oberyn's voice has Henric looking over toward Sir Crane at once, out stretching his hand for the pin to be placed within an excepting palm, "Ah, yes, that is her's. We're still following her and not some rogue. That is a relief." He pockets the pin, "Very good eye Oberyn. I would've missed that completely." He shows an appreciating grin, before he asks of Sir Kylier, "Who was your father? Was he also in the Order?" This is called bonding on the road, likely to preoccupy him from the fact that his sister was -running- from them? Or something else.

While Henric likely didn't spend a great deal of time taking in Emilia's hair the night of the banquet, the hairpin Oberyn offers his way looks just like the ones that she had used that night. Further confirmation that they were upon the right track. As they continue on the trail, signs while still not the easiest to spy, would least be easier then they had been as the young woman they tracked slowed and tired. What energy that had driver her from Four Corners perhaps waning. Just as the light of the day would start to do soon.

Kylier gives a click with his tongue and a slight dig of his heels into his horse to move up to Henric. Once there he slips down from his saddle, putting the reigns into his left hand. A grin comes to him "I was sure you could stop it and I knew it would throw off the other." He gives a wink. Well maybe that's right. "Now in real combat," it is then Oberyn finds the pin and offers it to Henric and Kylier shuts up. "We must be getting closer," he offers hope and not any fact he can tell from what the trail is telling him.. He looks up and tries to see the sky above as the shadows are long and the day is waning. He doesn't say it, but darkness is soon upon them. "I bet it won't be long now."

The dagger is held in his hand, and a bow of his head to the man, his way of saying thanks and more will be said when his sister is found.

<FS3> Henric rolls Perception: Great Success.

<FS3> Emilia rolls Stealth: Good Success.

Oberyn keeps quiet while he watches Henric process the pin. His eyes turn to Kylier and he lifts a brow. "How can you tell we are closer by a pin?" He speaks quietly. "It merely tells us we are on the correct path." He adjusts his cloak again and gets up onto his horse and his eyes turn to Henric. "How fresh are her tracks?" He keeps himself speaking quietly while he asks.

Even as signs might easier to spy for those skilled enough to find them, that the sun starts to fade and taking it's light with it will soon enough start to make it difficult to continue tracking. Though Henric was still able to pick out her track, the mistakes she was starting to make. He could tell that she was slowing in the way of one long tired. There was hints ahead that she'd actually paused to rest for a few moments, oddly…there were small animal tracks that circled about her own at the spot she'd paused.

With the general direction known, perhaps some continuance at true night fall could occur. But Henric would be well aware finding his sister in the dark, if she did not wish to be would be impossible. A thing Oberyn would likely be quite aware of as well, with his history amongst the Cassomirs. Shadows begin to lengthen and bend differently. There are new sounds to the forest as the animals of the day seek to take to their homes or cover for the evening, and the animals of the night begin to stir. In the not to far distance, there is a howl that sings out. That of a wolf. Ten minutes later, there is an answering one.

Back on her horse as soon as she had realized it was a rabbit print she had seen, Kaicee looks towards the others for help. Catching the frown from Kylier, she frowns in response. What was he upset about? Brows lift but she asks nothing verbally as she listens to the others. As for her weapons, she still has her blade at her hip but the rose scabbard remains empty, the one for a place for a dagger. Giving Kylier a bemused smile in memory of their shopping expedition in the market. The hairpin discovery though catches her attention and she looks at Oberyn, impressed. "Nicely done."

Henric seems satisfied when the dagger changes hands, for it was the least he could do for his thanks for yielding. Henric remains in his saddle however, rolling a shoulder as he looks up at the sky, as it's darkening already. Has it been truly a whole day of riding already? He could feel the weight of the strain on his back and shoulders for the day spent in the saddle. He offers a half grin for Kylier, "It was bloody close though. You've a good arm." A compliment as he starts to move them forward again, the signs of her trail taking a damn good eye to continue to track. This time he's making sure to pay close attention, incase anything else came off his sister as she fled or was up ahead. Oberyn's words have him smirk, "We are only on the correct path yes. The impact she makes with the ground, while very light, has become closer together, indicating she is walking now instead of jogging or full out running."

He continues forward, the more they lose the light, the increasing difficulty sets in, for their eyes and for the horses to march through the tensely packed trees and over fallen deadwood. He does rein up near a spot that he takes particular interest in. A place where animals seemed to circled about feet frozen in the center, or perhaps she had simply stood where it was common for animals to gather. Either way, it was strange and he marked it as their continued progress upon his sister. The mark of a wolf call or two has him turning his ear up toward the sounds, as if to mark the distance. In the forest though, it sounds eerily close. "Damnit," he finally curses, still no sign of his sister, "We've lost the light. We will need to bed down for the night." Yes city boy Kylier, out -here- in the woods. Where spooky noises are starting to echo as the darkness descends.

Kylier moves to mount his horse as well looking at Oberyn "Faith and hope," is his response to Oberyn. The horses move out and Kylier moves to the rear. As they move along Kylier glances behind him and a watchful eye to the sides. "Oh great," Kylier mutters when, after a time, he hears Henric talk of bedding down here. He slips from the saddle, and looks around "Well not to bad of a place," he notes as he goes to tie his horse up.

The tracks that had circled about those prints showing a top, were small in size. That perhaps of a chipmunk or squirell. Or ferret, perhaps? Her tracks would show that the balls of her feet had pressed more fully into the ground, as if there had been a bit of a squat taken to for the time. No other shiney bits seemed to be forth coming in showing themselves.

Indeed, spooky noises were abundent as night fell. The hooting of howls, random rustlings of critters scurrying about. And there was more howling, there was a pattern to it. Minutes might seprate them but there was a distinct a call and answer, from different sides and they were drawing closer. There was no mistake of that. And the horses were more than aware of it from how their ears flicked to catch the sounds, the general alertness and tension to the beasts.

<FS3> Henric rolls Survival: Good Success.

This was not the best place to bed down, the sounds of the wolves and .. everything else that was out there. Ah well, Kaicee had her weapons. "If we are stopping here for the night, I can see to the tents while you do a perimeter check, so I will be done with that to take care of the horses by the time you are finished." Logical, the squire is used to doing both for the evening. Holding the reins tightly as her own horse prances in place, she frowns. Usually he was so well behaved.

<FS3> Henric rolls Command: Good Success.

Henric seems to gauge the howls as nearing their location. He's spent enough hours in the woods to know that these damn creatures were closing in on them, for whatever reason, these wolves didn't fear humans as they should. Maybe they had not been hunted long enough in this area to fear men? He didn't have a spear, just as sword, as he had packed light, so he could move swiftly. He looks over at Kaicee as she gives orders, clearing his throat, "Kaicee, are you the Knight?" His brow arches and then adds, "Sir Kylier and Sir Oberyn, it is best you ready your blades. There does seem to be the sound of those wolves nearing our position. They may be just investigating the horses, or perhaps we've ridden through their game trail. Either way, keep at the ready and I'll get a fire going." He slides down from the saddle, loosening the hilt of his sword so it could free easily, as he moves to find a spot, "Squire, gather some of the tinder and dead wood from around here. We'll need a fire quickly to keep off wolves."

Orders..? "Ah, pardon me, Sir Henric." Kaicee looks a bit disgruntled though she dismounts and ties off her horse to a tree branch. When she walks, there is the sound of twigs snapping here and there though she mostly bends down and scoops them up, getting the small dry ones that would catch fire easily. She watches as the others are ordered to get their blades ready and she does not. Hers remains sheathed at her side so she can gather the much needed wood. "I said I -can- do that.. not that…." Sighing, she lets it drop and shrugs, continuing to gather the wood.

Sure Kylier has heard wolves and even hunted them. But these, they worried him. His worry was confirmed when Henric began giving his orders. "Aye, Sir Henric," he replies, giving just a quick glance to where Kaicee is before he turns and draws his sword. He cocks his head to one side and then the other before he moves to the side of the /camp/ that he thinks the wolves are headed to. His father's blade is held firmly, he peers in to the deepening gloom, trying to see past the tree's closest to him and unable to. "That fire would be nice," he says trying to urge them on. There comes a difference to Kylier, perhaps Henric saw it in his eyes during the melee but a coldness comes and he seems to stand ready, even venturing to the very edge of the small opening they are end, trying to see deeper into the woods and giving those behind him a bit more time should the wolves decide to actually come investigate.

Oberyn watches Kaicee while she offers suggestions and then Henric takes over. He humphs quickly and shrugs but grins at Kaicee. "He knows fire duty is my favorite duty. The faster I'm warm the faster I'm asleep." He smiles at her. Though he does pull his blade and move a little ways out of the camp area listening for the sounds of any wolves. "Shouldn't we just start making really loud mean sounds? Wouldn't that startle the wolves?"

With the sounds of the wolves getting closer, and the smells, a thing the horses would be able to pick up on the air, the animals would remain quite alert and restless. The howls seem to come to an end. But the horses only get more agitated as they worry at their bits. For whatever reason the wolves have taken interest in the group, it is an interest that has not waned. And it seems that Kylier as he ventures further out, will be the first to spot a pair of yellow eyes peering back athim over a grey muzzle. For now, it is keeping a distance. The scurrying sonds seemed to have ceased with the prescense of the predators. Though there is yet that occasional hooting of an owl, indifferent to the situation at hand.

"You can bloody well try Sir Oberyn," Henric does tell the other, while he's already piling what dry tinder after digging a little clearing for it. No sense in lighting the entire forest on fire because of a little carelessness. He might find the proper stones to contain it later, but right now, it seemed that light was what mattered for the immediate. His hands reach back into his belt for some flint sticks, cracking them a few times on the tinder he has collected, "Hurry it up squire," he prods, considering that he didn't need to be mauled by damn beasts while his sister was out there. And what about her?! Well, he knew she wouldn't have trouble with the beasts of the night. Not like they did. He clanks the pieces of flint together to send sparks into the small clump of tinder, clack clack clack… a few sparks later seems to have some smoke gathering. He squats lower and blows some air in hopes of getting the tinder to catch. "Come on… come on…" he tries to urge the fire to catch.

As he strains to see into the gloom, something catches his eye as he scans. Kylier's attention goes back to where he thought he saw something. There! "Wolves," he says deeply "They are here." A sword, while a great weapon, is not the best for any charging wolf. But one does with what one has. Kylier gets into his fighter stance, the sword held ready "Any time with that fire," he urges once again. He doesn't look directly at the yellow eyes, more with peripheral vision. Nor does he become fixated on them, quick glances are done for his side of the woods. For they travel in packs and he heard them. If one is seen, there are more unseen.

Oberyn lifts his eyes. He moves to where the wolves are showing and frowns. "We fight them off, squire keeps building the fire. Hopefully by the time the fire is built we aren't chow." He grumbles quietly. "Hey, Henric. At least it's not a surprise bear dive." He attempts to lighten the mood a little as he leans forward and makes a little lunge hollering in the deepest tone possible at the wolves attempting to be as big and aggressive as possible.

A quick smile is given to Oberyn and another look to Kylier which slows her down and Kaicee hears the command from Henric and jumps, bringing what she had collected to the pit he was already making. Dumping it unceremoniously beside him, she kneels down, but does not suggest making the fire, afraid he would think she was behaving badly She begins adding the wood, piling it up as she hears Kylier and shudders, her movements increasing in speed.

That pair of eyes has no qualms about staring at Kylier, the beast inching forward only once in his direction. But it otherwise seems to remain where it is, watching, waiting. The tinder smolders for a bit and then suddenly there is fire! Light again within the dark of night that had fallen. And then it may just become apperant just what that one was waiting for, as easily half a dozen pair of eyes gleam out form the dark. Revealed by the firelight. A small pack having circled and closed in upon them. A few were yet creeping in upon them.

And quite true, the one they tracked was out in the woods alone. At night. But without the burden of a horse, it gave her options they did not have. But what may or may not be occuring with her, an unknown. And perhaps not a prime thought with the wolves circling them and the horses not particularly cairing for this situation. Not at all.

<FS3> Oberyn rolls Reaction+reaction: Good Success.

<FS3> Oberyn rolls Perception: Great Success.

Henric finally had the small tinder, a handful that he had brushed into his fingers from around him, into something of a flame. He starts to grab some of the pieces that Kaicee gathered for them and piles it carefully around the small crackling flames. "How are we doing Kylier, Oberyn?" asking about their situation as he's working with Kaicee to get the fire going. There's a grin to Oberyn, "If we faced an Ice Bear, a few wolves are nothing!" He proclaims with some encouragement, "Fire's going!" Though not that much. He frowns and blows air into the pile and nods to Kaicee, looking over to her, "Be prepared to defend yourself." He hands over to her another dagger, a lower quality one but certainly one that will be some use, "Swords they may get around, keep this close." And he's rising himself from where the wood will just have to naturally catch, turning his hand upon the hilt of his blade and drawing out the broadsword, his other hand on the silver dagger he won at the melee.

<FS3> Henric rolls Perception: Great Success.

<FS3> Henric rolls Reaction+Reaction: Good Success.

A hiss and a growl comes from Kylier as he can tell that the wolf is inching closer. What better defense than an offense and so Kylier also inches in to the wolf. He makes sure he can swing his sword, damn tree limbs. "Yea, I got this," he answers back to Henric "I've got one right here, in front of me."

<FS3> Kylier rolls Perception: Success.

<FS3> Kylier rolls Reaction+reaction: Good Success.

There is a sharp epithet at the signs of the wolves now bearing down on them further. When Henric manages the fire, Kaicee rises to her feet and dusts her hands off briefly on her pants before unsheathing her sword. His words were unnecessary as she had every intention of doing just that. She is not on her horse, having left it tied to a tree where she had been gathering the wood, but she was able to draw her sword just fine and she awaits to see if they will be coming nearer. Of course she worries for Emilie out there, having met her once she was rather impressed with her. But yes, she worries all the The offered dagger brings a frown but she reaches for it and sheathes it at her side, leaving it unfastened so she could get to it easily.

<FS3> Kaicee rolls Perception: Good Success.

<FS3> Kaicee rolls Reaction+reaction: Great Success.

The wolf before Kylier senses the challenge laid out, or reads his movement forward as one and begins to more boldy approach, his teeth bared in a snarl. It may be noted the beast does look a little on the thin side. Perhaps hunting had been poor of late for this particular pack. The others can be seen more boldly approaching, especially with the fire startig to grow, they seem sot sense their advantage is soon to be all but gone. Haunches can be seen tensing, it but certain they will be on the attack in mere seconds.

That is until a sound comes cutting through the night, a dark careening wail that sounds nothing of no animal cry, scream or…well sound that would be commonly known. There was a certain edge of madness within it. It was a thing that caused the wolves to stop dead in their tracks, frozen for the moments the sound came. Everything in the forest seemed to freeze, all sounds ceased, saves that crackle of the fire. And then the beasts were tucking tail and fleeing. The horses, already unnerved by the precense of the wolves went mad with fear, those not tied bolted, those tied…well reins might be broken.

The sound itself caused the hair to raise upon the necks of the four Lancers, their arms…that shiver of cold fear to run up their spines (except perhaps Kaicee!). For one, the sound would have some familiarity. The direction which it seemed to come from was in that continued direction their path was set to take them. And by alrights, Henric and Oberyn might guess the source no more than a mile away.

<FS3> Henric rolls Horsemanship: Success.

<FS3> Oberyn rolls Horsemanship: Good Success.

Ohhh no! The wolves are advancing and her horse was not near.. and the sound. The terrible scream, or wail, whatever the definition, Kaicee did not seem to stop and think about it. She sprints as hard as she can towards her horse and launches herself on top of it. "Lady Emilia!" It is her first thought, it is her only thought. Something was tracking her too.. And she was alone and so sweet and… Another epithet is given and she nudges her horse, quick as she can, blade drawn.. unless Henric orders her to stop.

<FS3> Kylier rolls Horsemanship: Failure.

<FS3> Kaicee rolls Horsemanship: Good Success.

<FS3> Oberyn rolls Strength + Strength: Good Success.

Here it comes! Kylier knows an attack when it's about to be launched, be it beast or man. And this beast is about to do so. He steels himself sword ready and then, that sound. It's only natural to look, to see where it came from. The shiver that runs down his back can be seen if anyone is looking at him. Even under the tunic and armor he wears he can feel the hairs standing up on his arms. "By the one!" he exclaims rather loudly. A hard swallow and then there is his horse and just about all his gear that he carried with him dashing off into the woods. He starts to take a step, but then he recalls the wolf. He swings about, but there is the beast that was about to attack running off as well. Back to his horse, well there is nothing to be seen and the sounds of it crashing through the brush fades as well. It is well more than one foul word that slips from Kylier, his commoner birth coming out fully.

The gray gelding belonging to Henric was -not- tied. The horse was trained to stand for him, without being tied. It was nearly ten years old and had lived long with the Cassomir knight. Keeper was a steady and reliable mount, even in the worst of battles, the gelding had stood firm and resilient. Even so, some noises a horse just couldn't get used to. Maybe it had been privy to it before. Maybe the wolves added the additional tension? Either way, suddenly, the gelding rears up on his hind legs and makes a farting noise as it bolts from the current surrounding, before Henric can react. Or well, the horse is bolting and Henric is suddenly stock still. If anyone had known him well enough, they would know he's not afraid of too much and doesn't show his fear often. Except now. His eyes were wide and his features just stiff and still. And then his arm drops his sword at his side, for the spare hand crawls up to the side of his head, matting in his hair as the wail continues. He shuts his eyes and tries to close out the sound, trying to find the calm. "SHUT UP…!" he yells at the monsterous sound, as if that would help.

Oberyn tilts his head and stands up straight. His eyes widen and his breath freezes in his throat. His sword gripped more tightly and then he hears Artex freak out and he grabs her reigns and grips her tightly. He moves to beside Henric and frowns. "What was that?" He rubs his arm and takes a few steps into the darkness and his eyes narrow. Though it's Kaicee that gets him to realized. He pulls himself up onto Artex and grabs Henric under the arms and lifts him onto his horse and then dashes off towards the sounds. "KAICEE! Grab Sir Kylier! Do not leave a man behind!" He puts Henric in front of him on the saddle and rides into the bush. He grabs Henric's sword, putting it over the youth's lap so he doesn't drop it. They will get the two missing horses later.

That grey gelding, seasoned as it is, is likely to find its way back to camp by morning…or near it and grazing happily on some bit of tasty grass. Kylier though, well it might take a bit longer to find his horse….tomorrow.

For now, the forest has gone quiet, nothing seems to dare to make a sound. After that wail came. Save those who dare to crash into the dark of the forest upon horseback. Twigs and braches grab at them, and the horses may well stumble and trip over the unseen branches that have fallen to the forest floor as well as uneven ground. Whether Henric's yell is of any matter, hard to tell, but what is definite, the wail does not sound again, giving no further guide to the group to follow or charge after. It would be a good twenty or thirty minutes before something dares to sound off again, and then it is that owl that sounds out a single hooting sound.

Henric isn't even really aware of his surroundings anymore until Oberyn's arm is hauling him up into the saddle. There's something akin to shock still on his face when he moves with a spring step to assist climbing up on the other's mount. "The witch…" is all he can say in response as he's jarred forward, as Oberyn's mount is spurred forward and he's scrambling to hold onto his sword and to keep himself upright. It was a little more than awkward to ride double… least of all when you're not used to it. "EM!! Oh god no! EM!" He'll scream out her name … until the point that his voice is failing him and he is doing nothing more but trying to hang on. After a good ride… Henric finally grunts to Oberyn, "Stop! You're going to wreck your horse." He reaches to the reins and tries to pull up, "Stop. We have to go back. Emilia's tracks…!" Impossible in the darkness, "We had a defensible position…" And now, they were scrambling around in the darkness. At least they may be able to find the glow of the fire that was burning to draw them back to camp for the night - doubtful that anyone was going to get sleep now.

That stops her and Kaicee reins in her horse in to return to Kylier. "Get on! Get on!" The squire commands to the lancer. Something wrong with the picture. "Hurry, Ky!" Concern wars with fright and she looks towards where the sound had come from, then to the Lancer.

Kylier stands there and it takes Kaicee to shake him out of what ever that sound was. A shake of his head as he tries to clear the fog and then he slips up behind Kaicee "Go easy, do not have your horse come up lane. Mine is gone, we may find it, we might not but if we don't then we don't want two of us walking." Not his usual voice, there lies with in it a shake to it. That sound, what ever it was, has spooked him to the core.

Oberyn allows Henric to control Artex and he grumbles. "What witch?" He speaks softly to Henric. "You will have to speak more to me about this, Henric." He turns Artex around and leans closer to Henric and pats Artex. "Head towards the light girl, we will watch your flanks." He sits back and he turns his eyes to the man he's double saddling with. "What is going on?" He rides more carefully now.

"The Widow… of the woods…" Oberyn should be acquainted of such stories from the lands of Ironhold and the forests of the heartwood, "She's after my sister…" is all he can think of saying, hearing still the echos of the rasping noise in his mind, the shriek of the wail ringing in his ears, a shivering taking hold of him as he sits there in the saddle and helps to rein the beast toward the fire left to burn. Hopefully the other two will double back to it as well. Surely, the widow of the woods was just an old wives tale! Even so, he shakes his head, hunching forward, "I don't know. I don't know… I…. don't know…" is what he mumbles to the question of what was going on, "She shouldn't be up this way… she should be … We need to find my sister." And soon enough the horse will come back into the clearing where they had been nearly ambushed by a pack of wolves, the fire still burning and thankfully not spreading too badly, the dirt containing it for now.

When she feels him shaking behind her, Kaicee turns slightly in the saddle and looks at him with concern. "Ky?" The question is asked in a gentle manner, the yelling done now with the more immediate concern. She pays no attention to the lancers on the other horse, figuring they had each other, so at the moment the main worry was the lancer sharing the saddle with her. She is reluctant to go back to the fire. "I heard the sound and I know where it came from." Holding the reins, she turns about, preparing to ride towards it again.

"No, Cat," he slips his nickname for her. "Not now, not in the dark." As Kaicee begins to move the horse, Kylier slips his arms on either side and takes hold of the reins. "First we need to find Sir Oberyn and Sir Henric. The horses will either make it or they won't. Go easy and let your horse have it's head. It will do better than us." And with that Kylier pauses. He can hear what he sounds like voices, so a swallow and he nudges Kaicee's horse forward. Not the crash into the woods like Oberyn and Henric did, but a slow careful walk. Now and then he glances back to make sure the fire stays directly behind them.

Oberyn nods to Henric and keeps moving the horse towards the fire. He catches site of the other horse and he nods to the two on the horse. "Sir Kylier, head back to camp, let the squire down and let her tend to the fire with myself. Sir Henric and yourself can ride to find your horses. They will listen to your voices and you can lead them back." He speaks softly. He eyes the coziness of the two and keeps his mouth shut for now

When they're back to the fire, Henric dismounts with some clumsiness to him, grabbing onto Oberyn's arm if the other man let's him to support his jump down from the animal's back. "Keeper might come back if I call him, he's pretty good about that…when he wants to be. It might be until morning until I can convince him back…" A lame look around, "And it would not be wise to split up now. Wolves are least of our worry." And his gear is gone for the night. He'll have to sleep under the stars. Well, most of them will. Packing light often means no tents unless they are canvas that can be rolled and tucked behind the saddle or into the saddle bags. "Anyone have anything to drink?" He will just stumble to sit down in front of the fire, rubbing his forehead, as if he had a headache.

Kylier nods to Oberyn but then listens to Henric. "Perhaps Sir Henric is right, Sir Oberyn. The way my horse bolted the cances of finding him in the dark," he just shrugs right before he slips off the horse and reaches up to help Kaicee off if she will let him. He seems a little doubtful if even in the light of day he will find it. When Henric asks about drink he holds out his arms slightly to the sides "'Fraid not," is all he says as a reply.

Once it seems that things have settled, well as best that the will be after tonight, Kylier stretches "I'll take first watch." Like he could sleep after that anyway. He steps to the fringe of the light cast by the fire, finds a nice log to sit on, his sword placed over his knees.

So many conflicting orders given and Kaicee just looks confused. Oberyn giving her orders, Kylier with the reins, Henric.. going weird over there and not giving any orders at all. "Whatever you think is best, Kylier." Deferring to the person with her best interest at heart at the moment. When he offers her assistance down, she takes it, even if she had done it by herself so many times before. It was nice being treated as a lady sometimes, not just a mule. "I will make the tent after my horse has water and the taller grass to eat." She takes the lead and moves to tie him up.

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License