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THE UNRESTING EXPANSE - WEST OF RESPITE - MIDDAY
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Nesseth hums quietly as he trudges along with the rest of the guards, the warm sun beating down on the group after they've left the more welcoming savannahs behind for the dry, dusty and sandy stretches of land closer to the desert edges in the middle of the continent. He looks around, ostensibly to watch for any incoming attackers by land or sky, but mostly just looking longingly at various large, flat rocks that seem like ideal sunning spots.
Victoria steps next to Nesseth, the sun of last several few days making her consider doing something to her very floofy and very warm fur. She always stops herself before actually doing any such rash action, but the thought keeps coming back. She gives a grumbling sigh as she glances at the glowing orb above them.
Nesseth heaves a sigh as he pulls his eyes away from another inviting rock nearby, then glances over at Victoria. "Would love to just stop and take in the sun... But, ugh..." He tilts his head a bit, "How are you holding up, Victoria?"
Victoria looks at Nesseth and gives a wry, toothy grin: "Holding up. I reckon. If these 'Saurs' have a cave or something as we heard, I'm calling dibs on checking that out." She's not serious. Entirely.
Nesseth chuckles, offering a slightly tired grin in turn. "Heh... well, if there's a cave, then I'll see if I can persuade the captains to let you take the lead in getting the captives out."
Victoria shakes her head: "Gonna go where I'm needed. Don't really know what's waiting for us, but we're not coming back empty-handed, that's for sure." She smiles, but there is definite grim determination behind that smile as well.
Nesseth nods. "Yeah, we'll be coming back with the others no matter what. I just hope things go smoothly, though. We've got about as much knowledge as we can hope about the 'Abyss', as well as info from Louma about the settlement itself, so... hopefully it pans out."
Victoria hums as she trudges forward: "I do wonder if they are all of the small and fast sort. We haven't really seen any bigger ones, but I guess those would not be raidin' our farms anyway." There is an edge of growl in her voice at mentioning the farms, one that's not likely to leave her voice until this is all resolved.
Nesseth shakes his head. "Best as I can tell, not all of them. Baldwin's scouts came into contact with a bunch of them that had full-body wings, and I think Louma mentioned seeing other, larger ones here and there at the town." He shrugs, "I don't know if that's all of them or not, though."
Victoria nods, humming: "Guess we will see. Bigger they are the harder they fall. That's why Garwin doesn't spar with me." She might be aware that the bear is rather a pacifist and doesn't enjoy sparring, but that's the narrative she wants to go with right now.
Nesseth chuckles again. "Cut out their legs, and the fall takes care of the rest, right? I'm sure we'll run into some of the larger ones the closer we get to the settlement, though... I'd bet the larger ones are more for heavy defense than attacking."
Victoria grins: "Yep. We will see..." She glances behind them, knowing Annika is somewhere near even if she can't currently spot the fox in the crowd. "Will be interesting, certainly."
Nesseth hums, nodding along. "Yeah, should be interesting enough to last us for a while, I'm sure. I just hope it's not too interesting for a few folks coming along with us." He glances over towards a spot near the rear guard, where Xochi and Kira are currently moving with the group.
Victoria hmms as she jumps over a small rock just to have SOME variance in her movement forward: "What is our plan, anyway? Try diplomacy and if it doesn't work, try sword-point diplomacy?"
Nesseth flexes his frills a little as he tries to pointedly ignore staring at an inviting rock nearby. "More or less, yeah. Xochi's going to try and lead the effort for a peaceful wrap to this, but if that doesn't work, well... we're all heavily armed, so we'll take the captives back by force."
Victoria frowns, looking forward towards where she roughly figures their destination is: "Either way, it's not going to be subtle." She taps one of her machetes on her hip: "We will see how reasonable these Saurs are."
Nesseth hums, frowning slightly as he likewise pats at the holster keeping his (admittedly fancy show piece) revolver at his hip while also adjusting the strap keeping his trusty crossbow slung on his back. "If they listen to reason, then we'll not have a problem. We're at least prepared if they try to get nasty about it."
Victoria nods, glancing around the spread-out crew as she lowers her voice: "A lot of green ones with us. If push comes to shove, not everyone's coming back home."
Nesseth nods softly. "Yeah... but then, we also don't really have a lot of training in warfare across the entire guard. Fingers crossed for a peaceful resolution, or at least a quick end if things get hostile... just to keep losses to a minimum."
Victoria nods slowly: "Let's hope things don't get ugly. I'm prepared to, but I'm sure Annika would be happier if I did not have to bloody my blades any further." She pauses, briefly inwardly embarrassed at the admission that she cares about someone else's opinion, but doesn't show it. Much.
Nesseth casts a short glance at Victoria, but doesn't comment on her slip outside of just nodding in agreement. "Same... I'm prepared for if I have to, but I think Plume would prefer that we resolve this with as few injuries as possible."
Victoria frowns slightly: "I can not in all honesty believe it will be so, not with what they did to the caravans. But I think I would be happy to be wrong."
Nesseth hums. "Mmh... exactly. I'm dubious that they'll even consider a peaceful wrap to this, considering they started all of it. Still, we have to try, at least." He shakes his head, "And... well, if need be, we have enough folks from the other continents here that could call in assistance if things really get that bad."
Victoria glances at Nesseth dubiously: "You think anyone out there gives a crap about us? We're on our own."
Nesseth smiles a bit as he reaches into the collar of his tunic and pulls out his necklace, which (aside from Vix's charm) contains the Silver-Talon emblem marking him as an agent. "At the very least, Vamas would."
Victoria gives a small snort: "We're probably thinking of a different Vamas, then." She looks ahead, staring towards their destination.
Nesseth shrugs as he tucks the necklace back under his tunic, gently patting at the fabric to make sure it sits right. "Well, maybe not the Vamas navy or military, but the Silver-Talon company would come knocking if anything happened." He looks over at Victoria for a moment, "And, well... last I heard, messing with the Silver-Talons is a really bad idea."
Victoria looks at Nesseth again, then shrugs: "Even then, it'd take time for them to come. Can't really rely on that."
Nesseth nods. "Yup, I remember saying as much when the other Captains were talking about sending out for help. Travel times means we'd be stuck for a few weeks, at least." He sighs, "And a few weeks is time that the captives don't have, I think. We already wasted too much time figuring out where they got taken, and we've no excuse for delaying any longer."
Victoria nods with a bit of a sigh, glancing up at the sun again: "Definitely not. We have what we have, and we have to make that be enough."
Nesseth takes a moment to lift the brow of his helmet up and wipe his forehead. "Yeah... yeah, and just do the best we can." He casts a glance up at the sun for a few moments, "...I just hope the sky is clear and the sun is warm when we get there, if only so we can enjoy it before things happen."
Victoria glances at Nesseth and gives a toothy grin: "Have a moment in warmth before going out in a blaze of glory. Perhaps."
Nesseth gives Victoria a soft smile in turn. "Something like that. Something to enjoy if the worst happens, you know? At least I can go out in some comfort, that way."
Victoria gives a soft chuckle: "Something like that, yeah." She then sighs, silence finding her for the moment as she wades into her thoughts.
Nesseth starts to scan around again as silence settles in between him and Victoria. "But... maybe it'll turn out better than we're expecting."
Victoria glances at Nesseth after a second: "We can hope. For the sake of people more innocent than us."
Nesseth offers a soft smile. "For the folks that got caught up in this for no other reason than happenstance, yeah."
Victoria nods: "For those we're here to protect." She glances again in the direction she thinks Annika is and smiles slightly upon spotting the fox this time.
Nesseth 's own thoughts wander back to Plume and Vix, and he nods in agreement. "Short definition of a guard."
Victoria looks forward again, trying to ignore the effects of heat on her. She continues walking resolutely, feeling nothing else needs to be said right now.
Nesseth does his best to ignore the heat as well, though for other reasons than someone as fluffy as Victoria. He settles into a companionable silence with her, the two continuing their march until the guards settle in for the evening again.
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THE EDGE OF AEPHIX - YZZAYT'S PROMINENCE - BEAST PENS
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Usid returns to the beast pens in a cold fury. Summoning the riders present, he relays the Whisperer's orders to ride by evening, and leaves the preparations and spreading of the word to his subordinates. He marches through the pens, and moves towards his sleeping quarters, pushing the door to his personal room, one of the few luxuries afforded to his station as one of the Chosen, though very rarely used.
Tizza is inside of Usid's quarters, tidying up the place in Usid's absence. She startles when the door opens, "Oh! Usid!" She greets, her expression softening as she quickly reads Usid's body language. ". . .Are. . .You okay?" Tizza tenuously questions.
Usid closes the door, letting the rage drain from him and be replaced by exhaustion. He finally drops the blood-covered knife upon the floor, and slowly turns his closed palm upwards, opening his fist to reveal the wound he inflicted upon himself. "No... I am not." He looks up slowly at her, "...Tizza. ...Saiza is dead."
Tizza spots the knife the moment it is dropped, her eyes following it as it clanks against the floor. She frowns as she contemplates what this means, the thought of more mess entering her head, though she pushes it out quickly in favour of addressing Usid. Her eyes glance to his other hand, immediately setting down her cleaning instruments in preparation to look at Usid's hand. However, she stops immediately upon hearing Saiza was dead. ". . .Saiza?" Tizza quietly repeats. ". . .But, why?" She asks, softy, approaching Usid once more.
Usid 's hand shakes as he stares down at it. "Because of me. My weakness. My failure. Traitor, the Whisperer named him. He ordered me to kill him."
Tizza: "Oh. . .Oh no. . .Usid. . ." Tizza's eyes immediately begin to redden and water as she wraps a winged arm around Usid, quickly ushering him to his bed to sit down.
Usid allows Tizza to move him forward and upon the bed. "We ride tonight... The Ignor-..." He shakes his head. "Those of the Walled City... they march upon Yzzayt's Abyss. We are to defend it with Nyzai and her fliers. For the Glory of Yzzayt. And the Whisperer." He barely keeps the disgust out of his voice.
Tizza: "Usid. . .I. . .I. . .I'm sorry. This isn't your fault." Tizza lowers her head, beginning to softly cry, though doing her best to fight it back in the presence of Usid.
Usid nearly reaches his hand out towards Tizza, but hesitates when he sees the blood dried upon his hand. "Everything I have done has been to be stronger. Other Saurs always kick us around. Bunny Eaters. Scavengers. ...Traitors. No matter our strength... nothing changes. Had Usid not killed Saiza... we would both be dead at the Whisperer's command. This was made clear."
Tizza: "I'm sorry. I. . .This is my fault." Tizza replies through her barely contained sorrow. "I. . .I didn't. . .I didn't think he'd. . ."
Usid tilts his head at her, watching her carefully. He sighs. "It was you, wasn't it Tizza. You asked Saiza to do it. To free Sister Louma."
Tizza looks up in a sudden panic at Usid. "How. . .How did you. . .?" She questions, despite the fact that she was doing a terrible job hiding that fact.
Usid chuckles dryly, "I may not be called 'the Clever'... but Usid is not stupid, Tizza. Weak... not stupid." He sighs, eyes moving towards the knife upon the floor. "Had the Whisperer put you there... I could not have lifted the blade."
Tizza somewhat calms down when she realizes that Usid isn't going to immediately rat her out, though she's still spooked. Still, Usid knows, so there's little point in hiding it. She turns her head to look at the bloodied knife on the floor. ". . .Saiza and I knew the risks we were taking. But. . .I. . .Thought he'd just kill us himself."
Usid shakes his head. "No... instead he sent a warning. To ensure we know our place." He snarls, then grows silent. "Tizza... you. Saiza... are there more?"
Tizza: "Are. . .You going to tell The Whisperer?" Tizza questions quietly. Still, that answer probably tells Usid all he needs to know.
Usid shakes his head. "No. No... I... need help." He looks at Tizza, voice dropping to a whisper. "My hands will slay no more of our clan."
Tizza glances back up at Usid, looking deep into his eyes, attempting to read him while she thinks. She mostly believes him to be telling the truth, plus this is a chance to get a big ally to her cause. "I trust you, Usid." She nods. "There's. . .More of us. We. . .Want peace with the outsiders. That's. . .Why I freed Sister Louma. Why Saiza freed her. So she could try work peace from their side."
Usid nods. "I was made for war. Peace... frightens Usid. No place for Usid there. But would rather find a future for us... for Tizza... than to watch the Whisperer bleed us to death. There is no strength there."
Tizza: "Tizza agrees. I not question Yzzayt's will. I question. . .His execution." Bad choice of word, Tizza. "Tizza and others think that Yzzayt's glory furthered by peace, not by violence. So much more good we can do for our kind by working together."
Usid glances away in pain. If he's ever felt bad for killing before, he certainly feels bad for what he has done this time. "...I must make plans with Nyzai. She cannot be trusted, but we will prepare for our attack upon the outsiders. Usid must be ruthless. Must be ready to kill. Usid will be watched... Tizza... Tizza can spread Usid's orders, to those Tizza trusts?"
Tizza contemplates this for a moment. She's still concerned that this could be an elaborate betrayal, but having one of the Chosen with their cause is too big of an ally to pass up the opportunity. Plus, she personally hopes to have Usid be a part of this. She nods. "Yes. Tizza know many who trust. Tizza can."
Usid manages to smile, finally reaching out with his wounded hand towards her to take her hand. "Tizza is strong. Thank you." He does seem rather weak, and exhausted, and even somewhat afraid here, in the privacy of his room. He has just committed himself to treason, to blasphemy.
Tizza instinctively reaches for Usid's hand, though pauses upon noticing the wounds on it once more. "Here. . .Let me take care of that. . ." Tizza replies, standing up to gather her medical supplies. "I. . .Want to come with you."
Usid hesitates as Tizza gets up from the bed, but slowly he relaxes and leaves his arm outstretched. "...there may yet be fighting. Perhaps against our own. Perhaps forced to fight Nyzai, or Dvirisse. May yet have to fight those of the Walled City. The One-Eyed Wolf, or even Sister Louma herself. Is Tizza certain?"
Tizza: "If Sister Louma is there, then more important that Tizza come." Tizza replies. "And. . .If there is fighting, Tizza not want Usid to be hurt." She returns to Usid's arm with her supplies, beginning to bandage Usid up.
Usid 's smile grows ever so slightly. "Then so be it. Tizza shall ride with us."
Tizza smiles in response. Tears still streak down her face, but she's happy that Usid has accepted her request. She continues to bandage Usid in silence.
Usid continues to watch Tizza as she treats his hand, the wound inflicted by his rage at the situation. "Tears. Do you still fear I shall betray you?"
Tizza nods softly. "Tizza trust. . .But. . ." She pauses, "Much rides on this, Usid. Tizza scared she'll lead others into trap."
Usid brings his other hand over towards Tizza's, resting it atop hers. "Difficult to say for Usid... Usid is scared too. Scared his defiance, his weakness, will harm those who Usid has fought for so long to raise up."
Tizza stops briefly, putting her other hand atop Usid's. "We can only do our best. May Yzzayt judge us favourably in the end."
Usid lowers his head down. "May Yzzayt judge us so, yes. For the Whisperer will not."