|
Post by Orcus on his Throne on Oct 30, 2019 19:17:51 GMT
After allowing Nata to speed ahead, Hilde rode fast and hard across the landscape towards the city of Mival. Ezekiel's despite his great fitness and speed, though impressive, was no match to the pilot's machine, meaning that Hilde would have to spend many hours traveling across the wilderness by herself rather than in the company of others. At this point, however, she somewhat welcomed it - as helpful a partner Nata had been, her incessant boasting and games was beginning to grate on Hilde's nerves. Why did everything have to be a game with her? Couldn't she just take it easy for once in her life? It drove Hilde mad.
But, that was water under the bridge ... for now. Hilde would just have to enjoy this brief reprieve, even if it meant doing hard traveling to this city.
Eventually, Ezekiel began to slow his pace, obviously tired from how much running he had been doing. Deciding to give her noble steed a break, Hilde dismounted her horse before finding a nice alcove for the two of them to hide in. She then sat down and removed her helmet, letting her hair enjoy what little breeze there was around here. The swampy terrain near this city did neither of them any favors... hopefully it would not take much longer to reach their destination...
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Oct 30, 2019 23:09:31 GMT
A gentle, westward breeze off Lake Sullen made the tall grasses of the scrubby wetland shudder. Drier than the seasonally flooded meadows north yet wetter than the forested swamps to the south, the damp shrubland was difficult to navigate. The ankle- to knee-deep water that stretched across most of it made travel by foot tiring and the uniformity of the water-tolerant grasses that dominated the scenery meant there was few landmarks to commit to memory. Even the raised ridges of solid land that dotted the wetland were difficult to distinguish from each other, each crowded with sapling trees and low shrubs that would one day turn the buttonbush swamp into a true swamp.
This is what made it a perfect hunting ground for the unseen predator that circled Hilde and her steed.
It was not ideal in all ways, of course. The water made it hard to move unnoticed, especially for something as large as the invisible hunter: well over four times the length of Ezekiel. Its great size made for long strides though, and long strides let it easily overcome human-sized prey sloshing through thigh-deep water, if it had to chase down its food at all. Distracted prey- prey that was trying to orient itself, prey that was trying to decide if it was walking in circles, prey that was worried about wet socks and chaffing undergarments- was very, very easy prey.
And the circling predator enjoyed easy prey, almost as much as it had decided it disliked Hilde. The woman's armor reminded it of the dreadful adventurers of its homeland, the so-called heroes who thought killing it would bring them greatness and honor, not just end the life of a creature far more magnificent and great than they. Not to mention her choice in companion. Horses were awful, dull, dim creatures in the hunter's opinion. They received entirely too much attention.
She was far more deserving of attention, the predator decided, so she would start by biting its head off.
Stooping low, the hunter ceased her circling and began to close in. She attempted to find her footing solely on the solid hummocks that rose above the marshy ground, but inevitably one of her hind feet slipped and made a small splash...
|
|
|
Post by Orcus on his Throne on Oct 31, 2019 1:12:35 GMT
The sound of splashing water immediately caught Ezekiel's attention, whose ear visibly twitched at the disruption of water. The horse turned himself around to face the noise, body tense and nervous. Noticing her companion's distress, Hilde turned to him.
"What's wrong, Ezekiel? Is something out there?" the dame asked her noble steed. She knew Ezekiel couldn't answer her; it was more a rhetorical question. However, if Ezekiel was put on edge, it usually meant trouble was afoot. The knight rose to her feet and put her helmet back on her head.
Drawing her trusted sword and raising her shield, Hilde scanned her surroundings. Whatever that noise was had a good chance of being some sort of threat... hopefully not some great beast. She was getting tired of those, if she was totally honest.
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Oct 31, 2019 22:56:34 GMT
The unseen predator froze. She was thankful for the breeze running over her back. Her camouflage was impressive, but not perfect. It was not true invisibility. The swaying of the grasses around and behind her would hide her faint outline.
In the meantime, she needed to distract this pesky little adventurer.
Slowly, the transparent hunter stretched her tail out, dipping it low towards the marshy water. With a sudden flick- a flash of silver then blueish gray the silver once more- she made a small splash. She hoped the knight errant would draw closer to investigate, exposing her flank.
|
|
|
Post by Orcus on his Throne on Oct 31, 2019 23:15:40 GMT
Hilde kept her eyes peeled, observing her surroundings carefully. Sweat dripped down her forehead, obscuring her vision to an extent, forcing her to wipe her brow. The anxiety of an ambush was something Hilde was all too used to... she just had to remember her training and keep a level head.
A splash suddenly became audible to the knight, coming from somewhere nearby. Ezekiel visibly began to panic, letting out a frightened whinny as he rose onto his hind legs and prepared to bolt. Hilde, however, knew better than this. Whatever the creature was, letting it come to them was better. If it were a simple beast, it would either charge headlong in an attempt to get them to break, so it could strike them in the back or cut them off with an ally. If it were a smarter foe, however, it could be using this as a ploy to distract her and strike when she is most vulnerable.
Hilde does her best to keep Ezekiel calm, keeping his eyes focused on her. Deciding to make a distraction of her own, the knight channels flame into her blade before slashing into the air, sending a wave of scalding wind in the direction where she heard the splash come from...
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Oct 31, 2019 23:59:19 GMT
Surprised by the slash of superheated air, the hunter froze, allowing the tip of her tail to be scaled. It left no lasting damage, but stung terribly, so, much to her embarrassment, the hunter could not help but cry out.
"Exicretounisqae ti!" the empty air cursed.
The shrubby swamp fell dead silent for a moment. The birds went quiet. The insects ceased their songs. The frogs their chorus.
Then the air ionized, producing a long, lean draconic shape from nothing.
Scales like mirror shards folded down and rustled into place, producing a low, angry buzzing like that of a rattlesnake. These diamond-shaped scales flashed vibrant silver as they shivered and strobed, but settled on a rather dull blue-gray, like the sky with light cloud cover. The wyrm was large, two heads taller than Ezekiel, but not as massive as the valjornns that patrolled No Man's Land. It was also strangely proportioned, with a short, flattened tail and a long, round trunk that made its head and neck seem small in comparison. Its crocodilian head was encircled by a crown of enlarged scales and curling horns.
"That," it hissed in English, its voice breathy and reptilian, but identifiably feminine, "was unpleasant."
|
|
|
Post by Orcus on his Throne on Nov 1, 2019 0:10:36 GMT
Hilde's eyes widened as the beast revealed itself. It was no mere beast; rather, it was a sacred dragon! hilde's face turned a bit pale as her expression turned to one of confusion. She'd wounded one of Greshlynk's sacred ilk! But at the same time, the dragon had been stalking her as if she was little more than prey. Was this her punishment for going against the will of the king? Or was something else at work here?
Hilde sheathed her blade and slung her shield across her back, before she fell into a kneeling position in prayer.
"Sacred ilk of Greshlynk, forgive what transgression I have brought upon myself in bringing harm to you," Hilde said in a revering tone, before she bowed her head to the blue-grey dragon. "I have committed a most horrid crime against you, o great dragon."
As this was happening, Ezekiel bucked and panicked, but still remained near his master's side despite his immense fear. The horse warily eyed the approaching dragon, clearly holding much less reverence for the scaled beast than his master did.
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Nov 2, 2019 2:55:27 GMT
The great hunter was once again caught off guard, but the surprise was decidedly pleasant this time. Grinning despite her cracked, crocodile jaws, the drake rustled her scales happily, sending silver down her considerable length like a wave. She did not know who this Greshlynk was, but this woman clearly recognized greatness when it imposed itself onto her.
“Finally,” the contented predator cooed. “Someone with proper manners!”
However, the metallic eyes of the huge reptile then flicked at Ezekiel without love. Her voice dropped to a disapproving hiss. “Your beast though... order it away and we shall speak.”
The coil of predation left the drake’s body. Tension became relaxation. Tautness turned to looseness. Like melting steel, the grayish creature sunk to the ground, her huge, barrel-like chest coming to rest on it and support her weight instead of her forelimbs. Her tightly furled wings unfolded some, hanging at her sides like solar panels.
The drake seemed to think for a moment, head cocked, then she gestured at Hilde’s head with a clawed hand. “Remove the helmet as well.”
|
|
|
Post by Orcus on his Throne on Nov 2, 2019 3:17:58 GMT
Hilde looks the drake in the eyes, still apprehensive of its trustworthiness despite her reverence. Nonetheless, Hilde felt it was worth the risk.
"Fine," Hilde replies, before she lets out a commanding whistle. As if on cue, Ezekiel quickly trots away from the two of them, though he still cautiously eyed the grayish predator once he made space between them.
Hilde bowed her head, before she removed her helmet, exposing her sweaty face and greasy hair.
"I have completed your request, sacred ilk."
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Nov 2, 2019 3:42:18 GMT
“So you have,” Moria smiled approvingly, though, privately, she was more amused than pleased. Her heart was smirking, not smiling. What an obedient little scrap.
Arching her tail up, the bluish drake placed a hand wistfully on her breast as she addressed the night errant.
“You are a rare breed,” she bemoaned, her voice a deep, vibrating drone like the rumble in the throat of a huge crocodile. “So many here are disrespectful! Or worse. I’ve been hunted and dismissed so often here. It’s refreshing to meet someone who knows better. Such a well-educated traveler. A true rarity. A gem.”
Steely eyes looked into the woman. “What is your name, little sparkling stone?”
|
|
|
Post by Orcus on his Throne on Nov 3, 2019 6:41:02 GMT
"You needn't praise me, great dragon," Hilde said. "It is tradition for my people to pay respects to your kind."
With a quick bow of her head, Hilde spoke again. "My name is Hilde, Knight Errant of Draxonia. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. And what is your name, dragon?"
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Nov 5, 2019 6:48:10 GMT
"Moria," the drake purred. "And yes, I have heard of your people. Tales of them reach far into No Man's Land. I hear them on the lips of travelers often."
The silver wyrm leaned closer, her crocodilian head hanging over Hilde. "This is the first I have heard of their respect for my kind though. Tell me more."
|
|
|
Post by Orcus on his Throne on Nov 5, 2019 7:04:39 GMT
Hilde smiled at the silver wyrm. "Of course. It would be an honor."
She cleared her throat before she continued. "In my people's mythology, our people were blessed by the primal ancestor of dragonkind - Greshlynk, the dragon who is said to have created the sea and bring both rain and storm. He empowered with control over his divine flame - Greshlynk's Flame, as we call in my kingdom. For his generosity, my people have come to worship him as our creator god. As such, we see dragons as sacred, things to be respected and honored. We believe your kind to be incarnations of Greshlynk himself - his sentinels stationed throughout this world to ensure its safety and prosperity."
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Nov 7, 2019 0:41:51 GMT
Moria worked hard to prevent her crocodile's smile from breaking. Her annoyance visibly tensed her body though, a shiver of tautness running down her length.
"Well," she declared sharply, her breathy voice slightly friendlier than a hiss, "I would like to think I am my own drake, but we dragons always seem to find our way into religions. I suppose we are simply too magnificent not to."
After a moment of cold silence, the bluish wyrm let out a long breath from her nostrils, and her stance relaxed once more. In a refreshed tone, she continued, "Even if I am not a protector of the world, perhaps I shall protect you until you reach your location. Never let it be said that Moria does not appreciate polite conversation! Where are you headed, little Hilde? I have traveled far across this continent. The southern lands beyond are unknown to me, but I have heard enough stories to get you anywhere of note."
|
|
|
Post by Orcus on his Throne on Nov 10, 2019 4:21:41 GMT
"I deeply apologize if I offended you, Moria," Hilde replied with a respectful bow of her head. "it's just what my people believe. I am sure you are free to act as you see fit."
Hilde paused for a brief moment before continuing, raising her head back up. "I was headed to Mival, a city nearby in the south. Me and a fellow traveler were seeking the city for our own answers. On the road, we came across a wounded individual and offered to help them. My partner has taken her back to Mival, while I continued over there on my own. Would you like to join me on my travels there?"
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Nov 11, 2019 3:35:14 GMT
Moria leaned back, sitting on her haunches. White light ripped down her body as her scales reshuffled, and she raised her head proudly, as if accepting credit for the very existence of Mival. "Ah, yes... the grand city of illusions. I've never seen it with my own eyes, only heard the tales. For such a polite little gem, I will change that. And I am not shocked you came across the wounded. You humans are easy prey, even to creatures lesser than me."
|
|
|
Post by Orcus on his Throne on Nov 11, 2019 3:40:40 GMT
Hilde nodded. "Humans are not the sturdiest of creatures. But we are strong of will and of cunning. That's our strength."
Hilde pushed herself to her feet before whistling, calling for Ezekiel to return to her side. "Well, we should get moving if we're to reach the city quickly. I believe I have another four to five hour's ride until I'll reach the city."
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Nov 11, 2019 3:43:11 GMT
"Very well," Moria purred, rising to all fours and stretching her lithe body. Silver pulsed across her muscles. "My presence shall deter the rabble. Few have the gal to face me."
|
|
|
Post by Orcus on his Throne on Nov 11, 2019 5:13:35 GMT
Hilde nodded in agreement with the dragon, just as Ezekiel trotted back cautiously beside his master, warily eyeing Moria. Hilde pulled herself onto her steed's back, before she smiled at Moria.
"Lead the way, friend."
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Nov 11, 2019 5:28:42 GMT
"Do not feel as if you must stay your beast, little Hilde," Moria hummed, her deep chest swelled vainly. "I am quite fast. It will be an easy matter for me to keep pace with this... creature. Especially because it is wounded. I can smell the dried blood on it. It is how I found you to begin with. You are lucky it was I, and not some... mindless predator. You might have been devoured whole, polite little gem."
|
|