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CAVRO'S HOME - CONCURRENT WITH YZZAYT'S FLYOVER
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Cavro wasn't feeling up to his usual self today, ending his usual routine of guard gear maintenance a little early to hang around near the Oldhammer, and then giving up on that as soon as the clouds had started rolling in. He'd taken a little bit of the heavy downpour just before reaching his home when the badger looked up to the sky, wondering why the rain had suddenly stopped. Now his plans for the day consist of hunkering in the space under his cellar stairs, the visage of Yzzayt diving toward the town still fresh in his mind's eye. His haste to get inside left the front door standing ajar, and his house unlit by cold lanterns.
Erika has been running around the town here and there, trying to calm people about the... whatever it was that she refuses to think about, while trying to not think about it herself too much and thus panic herself. Somewhat succeeding, she has found her way towards Cavro's home. She gets to the door and peeks in: "...Cavro? You in here? You sorta left the door... open..."
Cavro lets out a squeak when he hears the door opening, almost sounding like the hinges would if he didn't take such good care of them, but he speak up when he hears Erika's voice. Well... He quietly responds, but the home is so silent he's more than loud enough.. "Cell cell cellar... I I I I'm in the cellar. Beast... Tear tear terrifying beast... Come in, it it it's not safe." He pulls his knees in up to his chest, eyes on the sole narrow window across the cellar from him.
Erika comes in and descends towards the cellar: "Y-yeah, d-dunno what that was... but are you okay? You don't sound okay."
Cavro hunkers his face closer to his knees when the steps above him creak, before looking toward Erika's legs through the gaps. "Of of of of course not... The the the town is destroyed... Doomed... I'm not not not okay but how are you so so so calm?"
Erika looks behind her at the relatively clear skies, just a little afternoon drizzle. She blinks, then turns back towards the stairs: "W-whatever it is, it seems to have gone past. I'm not sure if we are doomed, and if we are I'd prefer to not think about it - that's how I survive." She smiles almost without forcing it too.
Cavro remains curled, sitting against the wall as he looks at her with a little incredulity, then turns to that lone window again. "I... It did? Are are are you sure? I... I don't want ad ad adventure to come to to to me... "
Erika glances behind her again, then looks at Cavro with a smile in the low light: "Pretty sure. Sun's shining outside." She steps closer and then kneels in front of Cavro, offering her hand.
Cavro looks from the window to Erika's hand, shivering a little. It takes him a minute to shake his head, looking toward the window again. "I I I don't... It was huge, Erika. Did you see it? It it it was HUGE and coming for for for us... Why? Why would it it it do that? And why would it it it turn away?" He shudders again, "Respite is supposed to to to be safe... First those those those attacks, and now..."
Erika tilts her head: "I admit that usually the dangerous things stay out there..." She shakes her head, smiling once more: "I didn't see it, just heard. Doesn't matter why it just came by.... important thing it didn't stay."
Cavro closes his eyes, shaking his head. "It it it was all teeth and and and claws and wings and lightning..." He looks back up at her, his eyes shining with fearful tears remembering the dragon in a rather exaggerated form. "What what what could I do?"
Erika shrugs: "Hide. That's what I do out there. Stay upwind, quiet and out of sight."
Cavro lets out a single quiet laugh. "I I I did that, still don't feel safe..."
Erika sighs, then offers her hand again: "It is what it is... can't always be perfectly safe."
Cavro blinks away the few tears that formed, still hesitating to get up. "That that that is not as reassuring as as as you think..."
Erika sighs once more, sitting down. "The danger seems to be past. We can either go greet what's left of the day, or stay here just in case."
Cavro watches Erika sit, drawing his legs in tight again. "I... Would like to to to stay. Will you stay with with with me?"
Erika smiles, scooching closer: "I will. I stayed with some others too, earlier. And you're my friend, Cavro."
Cavro leans toward Erika instinctively, staring at the lone window. "You're my friend, too. Thank you..." He looks a little less freaked out as the two sit together.
Erika leans on Cavro, holding her arm over his shoulders. Memories of a more 'together' time attempt to claw their into her mind, but she blocks those from surfacing. She lets out a quiet sigh: "Yeah... we're gonna get past this."
Cavro closes his eyes, appreciating the closeness and support after a rather long period of uncertainty, which itself was punctuated with this bit of terror. As his nerves untwist, Erika may find the badger asleep under her arm within a short time.
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RESPITE FALLS - WESTERN GATE OUTSKIRTS - MIDDAY
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Narrator: The remaining forces of the Respite Falls guards, as well as the Saurs that are accompanying them back to town from the former site of the Prominence, are now less than a day's walk out. The previous day, there was a discussion among the captains and medics about whether the medics should make a push overnight to get back to town earlier, but it was ultimately decided that, even though they were close to home, it would be safer for all if the group all stuck together, just in case. Anyone with a scope or a sharp eye could likely see the approaching troops from the wall, by now.
Nesseth is currently being carried on a stretcher by a couple of medics, not exactly unconscious, but also not exactly fully lucid as he continues to find his body lacking the strength to do much more than move his head as he continues his convalescent rest.
Usid is further behind the medics, accomanying his clan and the other Saur. The uncertainty has grown with the distance from Yzzayt's Transgression, and Usid himself has been quite busy, trying his best to keep up spirits, and strengthen ties with Respite and the Saur accompanying them. He watches the walls grow closer and closer in a strange mix of fear and anticipation... this is their new home, it seems. The Walled City they so long plotted against.
Louma was alerted as requested, though with the other leaders out with the envoy, she'd have received word of their approach either way. The events of the stormy night have left her just wary enough to use her travel armor when out on duty, just so she wouldn't need to waste time getting it, and if she were asked, there's no way Louma could deny regularly flying with it wasn't a welcome workout. Scanning the ground in all directions, she now flies straight for the approaching group, acting as a lead for runners with extra medical supplies and water should they be needed. Allowing them to catch up, Louma circles overhead before landing among the lead crowd. Within ten minutes she's caught up with the other Captains, and slowly slithers against the flow of the envoy until she spots a familiar frill. "Tsk." She mutters, turning to move alongside the stretcher. "Still sleeping on the job, even after all this?"
Nesseth isn't immediately responsive, but he does manage to slowly open his eyes after several long seconds. He tilts his head a bit and offers Louma a bit of a wry smile. "At least... not dead, hm? You can't demote me, now."
Louma hums, glancing over Nesseth's injuries, shaking her head as she finds some undamaged scales to prod. "Don't try to tempt me. You are out of uniform right now, that is a severe violation while on duty." She chuckles quietly, glancing around them. "I don't have to, though. I imagine Doctor Plume is going to have a few words for you. When Kira warned me that you were joined by some of the saurians, I didn't expect so many..."
Usid watches the familiar figure fly over the wall and towards the group, descending towards the head of the column. He feels a particularly strange bit of guilt in the back of his head, for the last time he saw Sister Louma, and calls over a few of his most trusted warriors, issuing a few orders before he begins to move up through the traffic to find her.
Nesseth lets out a little noise of discontent at the poke, but rallies with a chuckle after another moment. "Strange... I could swear you were out of uniform when Baldwin and his scouts found you out in the forest... As for Plume... I'm sure it'd be far worse if I actually came back dead. I can handle a few words." He nods a bit, "And... yeah. It was just... Usid's clan, but a lot of others are refugees now. The Prominence is gone."
Louma looks down at Nesseth, her good-nature-for-morale facade shaken by that bit of news. "Gone? That storm... The dragon came from that direction." She sighs, shaking her head. "We are not equipped for this many..."
Nesseth nods. "That dragon was Yzzayt, sleeping deeper in the Prominence. Xeilzrus woke it up, and it turned the whole place into a crater when it emerged." He tries to shift a little, but grunts at the effort and gives up for the moment, "We'll... have to figure something out. They've nowhere else to go."
Usid approaches from behind, having posted Louma speaking with one of the wounded. He approaches from behind, but stops a short distance away before raising his voice. He seems much more subdued than Louma may recall, a harsh change that has come not just from his change in allegience, but from the tragedy he's witnessed. "Usid's clan is used to hardship... we will aid the others who came with us. Any aid you can spare will be appreciated, and we shall do what we can to repay whatever you offer." He sighs, bowing his head deeply, "Usid is glad to see you survived, Sister Louma..."
Louma hums, laying her spear across Nesseth's abdomen for a moment while her hands busy themselves adjusting the lizard's makeshift pillow a little. She pauses on hearing the familiar voice, though she's not convinced she's hearing it correctly until Usid mentions his own name. Taking her spear back up from it's temporary lizardy shelf, she turns her torso to face Usid with the weapon resting against her shoulder, still slithering alongside the stretcher. She moves just a little away to not trip up the medics carrying Nesseth. "And Brother Usid still lives, not a terrible surprise. I heard a brief word about your clan and their involvement in the events from my peers."
Nesseth lifts his head just a touch as Louma adjusts his pillow, and he turns his head as he hears Usid speaking up. "His clan helped us throughout the campaign, Louma. If that ambush went as planned, I'm pretty sure the guards would all be chained up at the Abyss, right now, if not dead."
Usid hums, averting his gaze from Louma's. "Usid is not asking for thanks. Usid found reason not to fight. Did little, but to ensure Usid's own survival, survival of his clan. And now..." He shrugs. "Found reason to fight too late, or could have done more. Should have done more. Usid... is sorry. For... much. For Usid's treatment of Sister Louma especially."
Louma hums, sizing Usid up and letting out a quiet sigh. "It's a start toward repayment. Sparing one life is not an equal value to taking another, but it is a start. As for your treatment of myself, well. I'll think of something." She gestures to Usid to walk next to them, if he wishes. Slithering backward is dangerous and uncomfortable in armor.
Usid glances back, nodding, and increases his pace to come up alongside the two as they move forward.
Nesseth chuckles a bit after letting the silence linger for a few seconds. "So... do you want a report now, or should I wait until I can write it all down?" He grins wearily, "The latter might take a bit, though."
Louma turns forward again, glancing from Nesseth to Usid. "You could recite it and have Usid here transcribe for you." She grins at Nesseth. "His handwriting is neater than yours, after all."
Nesseth raises his eyebrows and looks over at Usid with curious surprise. "Huh, really? I mean... if he wants to. I'm not going to tell him to scribe for me."
Usid tilts his head, clearly confused by the banter. Perhaps not too surprising considering his own type of banter with Nyzai was usually death threats on the edge of violence, "Scribe? Usid... is no scribe? Usid can do his best, if this is required?"
Louma scoffs, looking at Nesseth with concern. "You... Hit your head, didn't you? It was... Nevermind." She looks to Usid. "That wont be necessary, I don't think my lieutenant is in any condition to recall everything since he's forgotten what a joke is."
Nesseth smirks a bit, then grins as he turns his head back to Louma. "Or maybe... maybe the electrical burns just made me more convincing. You used to see right through that before, Louma." He shakes his head, "And to think, I'm the one currently laid up and hardly rested, but I could fool you."
Usid watches the two talk, "This... joking... you two are... friends?"
Louma shakes her head, resting her hand on Nesseth's forehead. "Poor, broken lizard. He's become delusional." She turns to Usid, her smile still falling a little any time she looks at him. Hopefully a habit she'll break in time. "We are, and comrades in arms for 6 years despite his protests at first."
Nesseth sighs rather dramatically, his gaze drifting skyward. "Oh, how delusional I've become. Plume might need to keep me off-duty for a month or two for evaluation, even. How dreadful that'll be!" He smirks again and casts a sideways look at Louma, watching her reaction, "For you, anyway. And yeah, Louma and I have known each other for a good while, now, Usid. Pretty good friends, I'd say."
Louma looks back from Usid to Nesseth. "Three."
Usid just seems more confused with the two's antics back and forth, resulting in a sigh as he looks away, ahead towards the wall of the city. "Such strange friendship. You seem to mock one another, but derive enjoyment? Usid has no friends such as this..."
Nesseth gives Louma a cheeky grin. "I give you a month and a half before you wish I was back around the barracks to help." He nods at Usid, "It's a lighthearted sort of mockery, and not every friendship's going to be like that."
Louma chuckles, shaking her head. "I already wish you were back at the barracks. Unfortunately from what I've been told, electrical burns take a lot to properly heal, if they will at all." She looks to Usid. "Unless some of your healers would know some techniques?"
Usid considers. "They may. Balms. Some plants that grew around the Prominence..." He cringes at the mention of the crater, then sighs. "Perhaps they are found here as well... Yzzayt's power was always of the storm... It was strongest in Dyvrisse... and Xeilzrus, of course. We had some ways to aid in it's healing that may help, if those of our tribe have not already shared them."
Nesseth hums thoughtfully. "Those, plus Tarbin and Melia helping with their magic...? That might get me back on my feet faster than normal."
Louma shrugs, chuckling quietly. "Oh sure, if you want to cut your vacation time. Please do."
Usid: "Usid is not sure he understands much of this... but there is much to learn. Usid hopes..." He shakes his head. "Usid will try to do what is best for Respite..."
Louma looks to Usid, nodding. "You'll have time, if you want to. Honestly, you don't have to change yourself just to live alongside others in Respite. As long as your heart is on pushing up the community, not destruction." She pauses, smiling a little. "Of course, friendly fights are still allowed with some rules, if you get bored."
Nesseth smiles. "I still intend to take vacation time. Just... not stuck in bed if I can help it." He looks back over at Usid, "Sparring at the training grounds is pretty common. But... yeah, Respite is welcoming, and you don't have to change who you are to live here. As long as what you do is in support of those that live here, including the Saurs that now call it home, it can work out really well."
Usid nods, "We are lost... confused. Usid had already thrown away hope of returning home, but to see it destroyed..." He shakes his head. "Many will wish to do all they can to ensure this new home..." He pauses, looking at Respite again as slowly something dawns on him. "Yzzayt... Yzzayt flew towards this place? It survived unscathed?"
Louma nods, looking ahead to the wall in the distance. "Yes, our town has quite a few surprises. Not least of which is a powerful ward conceived by a peppy kobold and our brilliant resident engineer." She lets out an involuntary sigh thinking of May, her expression softening considerably.
Nesseth sighs a bit. "To be fair... the Prominence was Yzzayt's sleeping spot. Shield or not, if Yzzayt was sleeping under Respite... it wouldn't have survived either."
Usid looks upon the walls in a bit of awe. "A ward...?" He nods towards Nesseth, "Even if that were true... it is... disheartening in some ways to hear your words. Usid is glad your home has been spared, at least."
Louma hums, looking beyond the city, toward the SouthWest. "For now, at least. Who knows where Yzzayt flew off to after his visit?"
Nesseth looks up and scans the sky a bit. "Skies are pretty clear, so... nowhere near here, at least. Might not even be over the continent anymore..."
Louma grunts. "Hopefully."
Usid sighs. "Hopefully, yes." He clears his throat, "Usid... does not know what to expect inside. Many of Usid's people do not, and Usid must guide them. We shall camp outside the walls for now, until we know where we can stay... if Respite is able to aid us."
Nesseth hums quietly. "From what I saw of the Prominence while there... probably not much different, even if the buildings are a bit more spacious. Marketplace, businesses, craftshops, lots of homes, guard barracks... It should hopefully look a bit familiar, at least."
Louma nods. "Fairly similar. I honestly don't think it will take long to acclimate to our structure. The issue will be meshing with the people. It's going to take time for many of them to trust your people, Usid. Striving to make amends is something that you'll have to focus on."
Usid: "Usid will do his best. Those who came already have pledged to do what they can..." He forces a smile, "And if we cannot... we take over town, yes?" He holds up his hand. "Joking? Yes?"
Nesseth can't help but chuckle a bit anyway. "I mean... it's a pretty sizable group of Saurs you're leading."
Louma laughs, nodding, though her jovial tone is underlined by a biting note that begs the challenge. "You can try."
Usid grins, "Perhaps. Sister Louma did promise Usid to show him her strength."
Nesseth gives the two a lopsided grin. "Easy enough, really. Just gotta set up a little sparring session in the training grounds." He shakes his head a bit, "Let me know when you two have at it, though. I want to watch how it unfolds."
Louma nods, tapping the spear against her shoulder. "We'll see. I'll show you how to get from the gate to there, and perhaps a few other important places first. Once we're all home." The walls and buildings of Respite loom ahead of the entire group, only a couple hours walk out now as the sun starts drifting well past the peak of noon behind them.
Nesseth hums quietly and leans his head back onto his pillow again. "It'll be nice to be back home after so many weeks... I hope Vix and Plume are okay."
Usid hums. "Yes... in time... home." He seems slightly more content with how this reunion with Louma played out, and eager to see his people begin to settle into some kind of new routine.