Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Sekkai Fractures. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Its the journey never the destination; Jackin I think
Topic Started: Jan 24 2016, 11:32 PM (221 Views)
Santanna
Egg
"Aye kid don't forget you pack, you ever know what you can find in those woods." A little leather pack was dropped to his feet. Dropping to his knees on the dusty road rummaging through the little bag. There was extra bottles, a spare set of clothes, some coal to write or draw with and some flint. Not much but enough for him, if the world was going to test him he was going to be ready. " Are you sure you don't want to wait a rider might come through here in a few days. You can catch a ride with them." Smiling into his pack, dad was always worried too much, especially when it came to him. "I can't stay, the world is too big for me here remember." Tossing the pack on his back, pulling the straps tight across his chest rolling his shoulder to get used to its weight. The spent the next couple of minutes looking at each other. Iairos was never good at these moments and his dad was worse. The sun was just about to rise, so he gave him one last hug turning away to the Jungle. It was going to be a long journey he might as well get started in the cool. Leaving the gate of the village, raising his hand in goodbye tom his dad, starting his way down the dirt road.

It was mostly a pleasant walk there were a few families heading into Lihn, it was a nice place to visit. It was nice to see, he even stopped and stopped to help one of the families. Their son had sprained his leg playing around, something about him tripping in a ditch along the road. Stopping to help the boy the academy wasn't moving, after all, he could help. Stooping down next the boy with his usual grin plastered on his face. "Hurt your leg ?" The boy just nodded at him blinking small tears from his eyes." Hmm, ok, I'm going to need a piece of wood about the same length of the boy. It will help him to walk until you can reach the city." He was staring at the ankle, gently grabbing the joint to try and figure out how much damage he had managed to do to himself. It didn't seem to bad, then something hit his hand knocking it away for the boys ankle. That's when he looked up and saw what appeared to be an extremely anger mother, who was about to hit him again. That didn't make sense though why would she be hitting him if he was helping her son. It was that same thought that was running through his head when the slap connected to his face. His next thought was along the line of "oww". Bracing himself to stop his face from hitting the ground! He was sure she had turned the ring on her finger around so it hurt more, he couldn't take a next one of those. Waving his arms in front of his face in an attempt to stop her hitting him again. " Wait, wait, I'm trying to help him." The hand stop a fraction from his face, pointing down to the ankle." Your son sprained his ankle, I need to wrap it up to prevent any more damage." Moving her hands from in front of his face, resting them on her waist instead. "And how do you know this hmm ?" " My dad works as a surgeon in one of the outer villages and anyone can see that if they look." He was pleading with her now in both any attempt to not get hit and to try to help the kid. She took a step back no long blocking access to her son " Ok but I'm watching you." Right, that was pressure he needed, moving back towards the kid. Dropping his bag on the floor next to him, reaching in and grabbing the spare pants. Ripping it apart to create some warps for the boy, winding it around his leg keeping a gentle constant pressure. It had to be tight to stop him from damaging the leg any further, but if it was too tight it would cut off circulation to the foot. After that the mother seemed to believe him she started talking nonstop, it seemed that they were from Vien coming down to the city for the hot springs. It didn't take too long to finish wrap up his leg just. Biding the family goodbye and continuing on his path. Snapping his tome from his side to jot note a little note on its first page in block capitals. FEMALES THE MOST DANGEROUS THINGS IN ALL OF SEKKIA, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

The road winded and twisted into the jungle until it stopped, the path now no longer marked with dirt but just ended in green. " Into the woods I go, may I land where I want to go, for the world is a sight to see." So off he went into the jungle, it wasn't so bad. He was writing a piece about an odd mushroom that he had found growing atop a stump. It was bright blue with orange, so he didn't really see the drop. Then there was a nice feeling of weightlessness then rolling a lot of rolling. He was sure that he had bounced at least five times on the way down. Holding his head trying to clear of its pain, until he heard a shuffling in front of him. He knew what the sound meant, well, at least, he would get to see it in person. Yep he was right it was a Scutra, well this might hurt. It was just staring at him so far with those compound eyes. Inching for his staff, trying to stretch is arm so it wouldn't notice the movement. He was almost there just a little closer, he almost that it when it lunged for him. Charging at him with those claws, it was trying to kill him and all he could think about was how he didn't get a chance to sketching it asleep. Rolling over to grabbing his staff hoping that it missed, but he knew the chance it was too fast and he was too slow for it to miss. He was right for a second later he felt something tear through his side. It was a sharp pain, reaching his staff rolling over to face the creature waving it in front of him. Grabbing his side with his off hand, feeling a new pain shot through his side. Yep, he was bleeding but the cut wasn't as deep as he thought. " Stop that Iairos is no one's lunch, well you're not exactly anyone ... no creature then? Not the point off with you, get, scram." Slamming the staff down in front go the bug running it away. Once he was sure that the blast bug was gone, raising his shirt to look at his side. It was a task seeing as the blood had begun to stick to the cloth and peeling it up felt like he was ripping a piece of his skin off. The Scutra had a nastier cut than he had first, though, it was going to require cleaning. Walking over to the next side of the ditch, running a hand across the wall. He wouldn't be able to climb back up it was to smooth and he could go left the scutra had left that way. The best option his only option was to go wrap up the wound and go left. Pulling his spare shirt from the pack holding his now bloody shirt in the teeth so he could clearly see the wound. If he didn't do it now there was a chance for infection. Leaning against the wall, gritting his teeth he started wrapping once twice thrice, he had to make sure it was tight to help the blood clot. At one point he had to stop as the pain was getting a bit much. Sucking down a lung full of air he continued tying it off in a final knot. Picking up his staff he walked on he need to find a place to make camp before nightfall. He dropped in a clearing it seem that is legs were tired of walking and the night was just around the corner. Taking shelter under a log he properly passed out from exhaustion. He woke up in the dark of night for one reason.

He was cold, well cold wasn't the best word to described him at the moment. The best words to describe this would properly be freezing, uncomfortable and interesting. Yep, that was the word he though interesting, Iairos was hiding under a log trying to take cover from the howling winds and the whatever was making those noises in the dark. They were making an unusual sound in the dark however, he was certain he could hear some crunching. Maybe whatever it was eating bones, or maybe be was stacking him. There was also the possibility of it just being leaves. What to do he could leave the general warmth of my little fire and my log. If he did this he would lose the little of heat he was able to to gather and brave the cold. If he took refuge in that tree, he would be safer than if he was on the ground but then he would have no way to keep warm. Pushing his way from out under the decaying log, shaking off the dirt from his clothes. Getting off the ground resting some of his weight on his staff, taking a look around. The fire was providing a small amount of illumination. he could see that there was movement in the shadows, something that decided to walk on four legs instead of two. "Safety is the better choice, I'm going to have to let the cold come." Grabbing his staff from under the trunk and kicking some dirt onto the little blaze to smother the flame. Leaving him standing in the quiet light of the moon, it breathing the forest in a soft glow. It almost seemed safe like this, but knew better the day had proven that. He could barely believe that the day started as it did. "No can't climb the trees and more dangerous." Curling back under the log, trying to keep the dirt from out of his cut, he watched the shadows in the night.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jackins
Member Avatar
Curse the fiends, their children too...
It had been a long several days just outside of Lihn for the earth pair. A water tower on the outskirts of one of the noble’s property had succumbed to a leak that had no doubt been present for many months. Maul’s best guess was that it had been too full during the winter months and cracked several times from expansion; the shoddy patchwork along the sides had confirmed her suspicions, though she said nothing as such criticism would lessen their pay. In the end, it was unlikely that the man would make the same mistake again. He had lost half of his field of winter crops and severely damaged his property all in one fell swoop. The sudden deluge of water had sunk into the already heavy soil and caused the whole of the earth to shift, buckle, and slide forward as if someone had taken a fork to a chocolate lava cake. Alas, the results were less delicious, and far more disastrous. If Maul and Bucephalus had not already been in the city, there was no real telling how much worse the damage would have been.

Though the pair could do little to repair the small water tower on such short notice, the earth was a far simpler matter, at least for Ceph. The great behemoth with his drumlike towers and crenelated fins reveled in such tasks-and the nobleman grew pumpkins, what could possibly be better? The great, dusky earth rolled up his proverbial sleeves before setting himself to work upon the fields with Maul ever present to tend to the tasks too delicate for his massive bulk. They dug up the footing of the water tower and created a new stone pad, twice as wide as well as deep to better offset the weight. If ever the noble had someone come out to rebuild the tower, there was a far better foundation for it to rest upon. Satisfied his first task, they moved on to the second, far more entertaining one; that of eating all the smashed gourds he could find. Waste not, want not; a little mud-or in the case of this small mire-never hurt an earth. Maul chastised the oaf of course, but there was little that a jovial punch could do to a creature roughly twenty-seven times her size.

Satisfied with the impromptu snack, they moved on once again to the bulk of their task and settled in to regrade the field that had been so thoroughly decimated, ensuring that it would once again drain properly. The earth was churned, tilled, and tamped back into some semblance of normalcy-and strangely pumpkin free by the time they had finished. But their work was not done yet, for the deluge had warped the slope of the landscape so thoroughly that the weight of the landscape could no longer support itself. With the realization in mind, the industrious pair set to work at what was the new base of a hill. Maul carefully dug out a trench along the underside of the wall whilst Bucephalus busied himself with sculpting the necessary cantilever retaining wall that would eventually support the landscape once again. With proper drainage and a level resting place, the work came together in due time, leaving the noble with an eight foot high retaining wall and proper drainage around the backside of his field.

They did not leave the farm empty handed. In return for their services, Bucephalus had been laden with several barrels of pumpkin ale, bread, and fine gourds. All in all, it had been a pleasant job, even if such destruction could have been easily avoided. Their work finished however, there was no reason to linger near the capital any longer. The academy was a ways away for the pair and dallying further would only make the trip that much longer. Without much delay the pair said their goodbyes before sauntering carefully off into the wilderness, mindful of the passers-by. It had never been a pleasant experience to squish people between his toes before, and Bucephalus would have an absolute fit if by his own carelessness, he managed to crush a civilian.

They made good time, and there was plenty of warning at their passing. It was nary a possibility of keeping the earth from rumbling at Bucephalus’ hexapodic locomotion. Nestled neatly upon the saddle at the back of his head, Maul kept the gentle giant entertained by reading through the various chapters of one of the books that had caught his eye whilst in the city. Though she did not care for the tome herself, she could tell by the whirling blue of Bucephalus’ eyes that the earth was utterly smitten with the contents; such was the life of a hopeless romantic. They paused for a short meal, a brief respite of bread and cheese for Maul whilst the earthen brute decimated yet another pumpkin with much relish. Before striking up their journey once again, Maul lit the sconces built into the dragon’s spines so that they had a better idea of where they were headed-but also to continue reading from the book, lest she have to listen to Ceph’s complaints that she had stopped-or worse still, be drawn into conversation about the finer points of the literature itself.

It was not until the light of the sun had petered out and dissipated beneath the horizon that the pair noticed anything out of sorts. The moon’s radiance did not penetrate the canopy beyond a few faint slivers of silver as they passed, and with Ceph’s sconces lit they had plenty of orange firelight to keep the pathway lit before them. But it was not the ambiance that left the colossal dragon concerned as his six plodding feet came to a slow, even stop. His angular head lowered and snuffed against the earth as his barrel chest rumbled with curiosity.

“Maul, I think there may be something here,” the earth chuffed at the ditch once again, noting the signs of someone having tripped and fallen. Despite his large size, the earth had tried to keep his voice at roughly a whisper.

“... gone, Elizabeth, as if intending to exasperate herself as much as possible against Mr. Darcy, chose for her employment the examination of all the letters which Jane had written to her since her being in Kent. They contained no actual complaint…”

“Maul!” He raised his voice slightly, turning his head a bit to find his rider still reading aloud, much to his minor frustration.

”...nor was there any revival of past occurrences, or any communication of present suffering. But in all,and in almost every line of each, there was a want of that cheerfulness which had been used to characterise her style…”

"VORA!" Ceph raised his voice in earnest finally, snapping the brutish amazon from her intellectual hypnotism as his rider startled and nearly dropped the book. He flinched at the crinkled pages, but there was little he could do about them in the meantime as his rider finally roused herself from her recital.

“Great; I’ve lost my place...what’s the matter?” Maul glanced down the from the saddle as she waited for Bucephalus to explain why they’d stopped. The earth rumbled cautiously as he glanced first from her and then towards the ditch.

“You were on chapter 34; we can start over later.” He didn’t miss her look of dismay having hoped that Ceph wasn’t paying attention. “More importantly however, I think someone fell here. I smell blood and a bit of wood smoke, from the left of that ditch.” he rooted forward towards the left as Maul let down the rope ladder that aided in her dismount, stomping onto the earth below. Once on the ground she struck a torch to life before looking over the ditch herself.

“That’s a good ways down without a handhold to climb back up. You think you could shore it up for the next unlucky sod that might take a tumble?” Maul gave her dragon a brief but affectionate tug of his horn before the earth reared back his head and spat forth a glob of malleable stone, making a set of crude stairs along the leftmost wall for future passersby. It wasn’t perfect, but given that the ditch was not meant to be traversed regularly, it would suffice in the meantime. With a pat of thanks Maul took the steps down into the ditch before searching the ground below. There were footprints immortalized within the damp soil, as well as a few spots of blood-whatever had happened here in the pit, it didn’t seem too life threatening, but not all disasters needed to be. Careful not to ruin any sign of the potentially wayward traveler, the brutish woman almost tiptoed through the underbrush as she searched for signs that someone might be present.

“Hello? Is there anyone out here?”
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Santanna
Egg
He was starting to freeze under the log, maybe putting out the fire wasn't the best idea, at least if something ate him it would be quicker. No he could think like that come on Iairos think it through, how long does it take the body to enter shock from both cold and blood loss. He knew this he just had to think it out, first the cold. It takes, at least, a total of a day to enter shock in temped waters and he wasn't in any. So that should give him, at least, two days..the cool wasn't a worry for the moment. The main thing was the possible blood loss, the wound was well wrapped and it was clotting so there was no danger there.

Wait by a fire breath infection, he was forgetting the likelihood of infection. The chance of infection was much greater, well that was wonderful. If he was to die from an infection would anyone find his tome. He could die but what if some beast took his tome, that was an idea he wouldn't stand. He would last the night if it killed him, cringing slightly at his choice of words. Not the best choice of words he would last the night so he could write for tomorrow. That was much better phrasing, a well throughout statement that explained his motivations. Yes, that was the best thing to think about which you're under a tree in the middle of a dangerous jungle, while something in the dark is stalking around your camp. It could be worst he could he bleeding out or dead. So all thing considered... no, it still wasn't good if he didn't clean out the cut then the chance of infection was still too high. He had to take the chance this was going to hurt a lot. Pulling up his shirt to get a better look the wound, the blood had indeed started to clot but the bandage was stuck to the flesh like a sap. Yep with was going to hurt in a large amount, and he couldn't scream if he did it would attract whatever was in those wood to him. He would need something to clean it out with, snaking his hand out from under the log running it along the bark. Grabbing what felt like a nice study piece and pulling hearing it come free with a soft crack. Okay got the edge now here come the hard part, grabbing the wraps yanking them off the wound. It was like someone had decided to pour alcohol on the wound without any painkiller, he almost bit clean through his shirt. Blinking tears out of his eyes sucking air to calm himself. Ok, he had to clean it now easing the bark over the wound, yea there was dirt in there. He started to scrap twice them stop let the pain ease down then repeat. It was slow work, slow and painful work sometimes the bark broke leaving little pieces in the flesh those had to be picked out. Finally, he was able to get most of the dirt out and was rewrapping the wound when he heard something.

Well, something was moving outside, something that sounds very much past the level of large Iairos was comfortable with right now especially with the current state of his side. Maybe it will walk past him not even notice that he was under there. Yea not likely something that be would have equally large sensory organs, and he had been bleeding for a decent period of time in the ditch. Well, one could always hope right, wrong for whatever it was had stopped moving. Hopeful it wouldn't want to eat him, he wouldn't make a great meal way too stringy. Not good eating at all, there was some odd though running through his head this night maybe be it was the mushroom? Something that large was speaking nyushian, well, at least, that meant whatever it was it was intelligent. No use staying under here he would go with plan B. Rolling out from under the log staff in one hand tome in the other arms spread to the corners of the world. "Well let's eat me and get it over with, however, do me a favour before you do. Try to get no blood on the tome please the pages are a wonder color already ."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jackins
Member Avatar
Curse the fiends, their children too...
There was absolutely nothing dainty about Maul. The notion of nearly seven foot tall amazon trying to move gracefully through the underbrush was discarded the moment she caught a boot on an exposed root. There was a growl that that might well shake the bowels of a bear as she caught herself without eating a mouthful of underbrush. The whole ordeal sent her torch waving wildly in front of her as the barbarian of an earth rider went stumbling forward before finally catching herself. She pulled the heavy horse pick from her side and stuck the torch into the loamy earth for just a moment before felling the offensive root with a single, swift motion, kicking it aside with a grunt she retrieved her torch before sweeping it across the ditch to make well and sure it was out of sight and out of mind. Satisfied, her perusal of the dark resumed, seeking out the wayward tracks as she yanked the torch back from the side of the ditch. Whomever it was that was out in the wilderness was not familiar with the jungle at all, and it showed. There was no blood when there had been before, and that was a good sign-at least they were smart enough not to bleed to death.

She caught the scent of woodsmoke as her rooting in the ditch took her further away from Bucephalus’ presence. In the distance she could hear the earth rumbling his malcontent for her stepping out of his sight, but he knew better than to think that she could not handle herself. She was getting closer to the source of his concern, and that was what mattered. A snap nearby sent her dreads to rattling as the brute turned toward the source of the sound. She could smell blood now, but the source she’d still yet to find as she stepped off to the side, no doubt leaving heavy footfalls to rattle Liaros’ nerves. She fumbled in the torch light in search of the wayward traveler, frustration furrowed across her brow as they continued to vex her efforts in providing assistance. there was another of what might be bark snapping. She wasn’t terribly certain as she simply hadn’t damn well found the culprit yet.

Maul's irritation was starting to get the better of her as she moved through the underbrush. It was as if the concept of someone being potentially helpless and lost hadn't quite fully dawned on her that the "lost portion also made them harder to find." It was not until something large moved in the detritus of the jungle floor that Maul finally discovered what she was presumably looking for, and even then they had more likely found her than the other way around. Grimy, covered in dirt and debris, looking worse for wear judging by the makeshift wound wrapping covering their midriff, the young man looked about as dangerous as a legless scutra, and for all she knew that was what had done him in to start with. The staff was far too ornate for someone out on a familiar stroll, and well, she'd only seen books that large in Bucephalus' daydreams; she highly doubted the text was sized appropiately to match. Nervousness rolled off of him like waves and Maul held up the torch a little higher so that he could get a better look at who was in front of him...there was a lot of her to cover.

"Well let's eat me and get it over with, however, do me a favour before you do. Try to get no blood on the tome please the pages are a wonderful color already."

It was almost as if someone had broadsided the amazon as the young man's words picked their way through her thoughts. Her crass response was absolutley a kneejerk reaction as she looked him up and down. "...Actually you're a bit young for that, I think..." her brow knit itself frustration and no small amount of bewilderment as she took in the specimen carefully before attempting to find more sensible words.

"My name is Voralius Megalos; most people here call me Maul. I'm the rider of Earth Bucephalus. My companion noticed what I assume was your little fiasco from earlier...unless it wasn't you that tripped into a ditch and spattered blood all over the forest floor?" She paused and gave the young man a bit of time to process her words.

"We're headed back to the Academy at present and have plenty of necessities; first aid, food, shelter, and the like. If you wish, we can escort you home or to wherever else you might be headed. Unless you would prefer to freeze to death in the dirt, in which case I'll likely just throw you over my shoulder and take you to the Academy anyway."

Judging from the woman's size...it was not an idle threat.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Santanna
Egg
There a number of responses that ran through his head when she said that, he could have commented on the fact that he was still alive or that he had yet to freeze to death however that could only work if there wasn't a through that stood atop all others. One idea that was making it hard to put together thoughts. That was she is a lot of women, Iairos was craning his neck to look into her face coupled with the height she seemed to be glowing... at night. What, how could that happen was she using a type of oil or cream that attracted light to her skin, no that would work this well. She did say that she was a dragon rider so that meant she was human if people got that tall. She had to be wearing boots or heel or something, how could she be that tall?

She had to be wearing boots, letting his arms drop down kneeling on the ground trying to get a closer look at her feet there was no way she was tall. He had treated grown men that were shorter than her. There had to be some type of boot or heel something but there was nothing she was just that tall. There was the scent of some type of oil, however, earth aroma kinda like a pumpkin patch in bloom. Dropping onto his behind letting the dirt hold his weight gazing up at this Amazon of a woman. He had to say something she was a dragon rider and was willing to carry him to the academy, come on brain form words say something. "Umm, you are a lot of women who seems to be glowing." You are a lot of woman all those hour in the books, practice formulas and reciting treatments and that's what he come out with great just great. Was she wearing fur and metal who wears fur and metal, who wears metal with studs? He was staring now there was no mistake about it, was that a scar on her stomach?

"Okay Iairos were going to put this together, either you have passed out from the cold and this an intense hallucination. If so good job brain, a little bit too much woman but good job brain. The other option is this is a real person and she can hear me and I should stop talking right about now." He was going to go with hallucination the cold and blood loss combined had sent his body into shock cause there is no bloody way anyone could be the sculpted. If he was going to freeze to dead he would do it will out the dead aid.

Turning away from Maul and starting to walk away into the darkness back tom his little campsite. " You know me and you need to have a talk later brain I know fantasies come up and the weirdest times but that is too much woman. Other than that nicely done again bravo, great work." Reaching under the log to fish out his pack and throwing it on his back wincing a little as he strapped it up. Might as well get his near death experience over with, using his staff as a crutch he starts to hobble away from her a half step at a time feeling that bandages pull on his side with every step. He had to give to whatever part of his brain dealt with fantasies that were a nice image to kick off dying with but why did it have to make her so tall. " Oh and thank for making this near death thing nicer, also for not getting any blood on the tome. See you on the other side."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jackins
Member Avatar
Curse the fiends, their children too...
Maul watched the young man as he seemed to have difficulty processing his surroundings. Despite his ability to articulate and stand, she had begun to wonder if perhaps he’d hit his head after spilling into the yawning mouth of the earth. Still, she did not move. It would do no good to startle him and he was in no condition to be running around in the dense jungle, terror stricken. She stayed still, one gauntleted hand still holding the torch above her as she watched the wayward traveler as vexation slowly shifted towards pure concern. When he dropped down to the ground Maul startled, bringing the torch lower as she reached out to potentially grab him, but his words drew pause as the barbarian puzzled over his bizarre exclamation.

"Umm, you are a lot of women who seems to be glowing."

There was no denying that Maul was in fact, positively huge. Though she had met other women that shared a similar lean for the massive, not everyone looked as though they spent their free time juggling bar maids. She arched almost sculpted eyebrow as she looked down at the man. “Well...I’ve certainly heard worse before. Mind your manners, boy. there’s nothing to see down yonder.” her bear claw hands lingered in indecision as she debated whether or not the young man would be safe to pick up. He seemed more concerned about the state of the massive tome slung across his shoulders and the staff he carried was certainly no weapon; it was far too ornate, and the newness it possessed suggested that its care was too well mended for beating off assailants. As he remained low to the ground, new phrases continued to tumble from his mouth that only further made Maul question his stability.

"Okay Iairos were going to put this together, either you have passed out from the cold and this an intense hallucination. If so good job brain, a little bit too much woman but good job brain. The other option is this is a real person and she can hear me and I should stop talking right about now."

He had a concussion. It had to be a head injury, not just the gash at his side. With a sigh, Maul resigned herself to getting physical. She couldn’t risk leaving the man in the woods and she couldn’t trust him to pay attention to what was right in front of his face. Carefully, she backed away before embedding the torch in the loamy soil again so that she had both hands free. There would likely be a struggle, given how far this “Iairos”-if that was even actually his name-had gone off of his rocker. In the short time that it had taken her to light their path back to the trail the young man had gathered his own things and was trying to hobble in another direction, spouting further absurdities.

" You know me and you need to have a talk later brain I know fantasies come up and the weirdest times but that is too much woman. Other than that nicely done again bravo, great work."

It was times like these that Maul wished she had a phoenix. Sending word ahead to the academy that she either had a civilian with a severe head injury or a long term psychosis would relieve a lot of stress. But such a boon was simply out of her gasp, and she was likely too heavy handed to deal with such a creature anyhow. As the young man continued to blather to his obvious hallucinations, Maul moved over and ducked under him with a large arm moving between his legs before tipping him into the most ungraceful fireman’s carry possible. There wasn’t terribly much she could do, but judging from the way he hobbled and the placement of the bandage, at least his weight wasn’t right up against her broad shoulders. She wobbled for a moment as the tome hanging from his side tipped her balance slightly before she kicked the staff from his hands enough to grab it herself. The bag of supplies, if it had anything of value, would simply have to stay where it was as she made her way back to the poorly lit trail.

Bucephalus watched as the strange amalgamation that was his rider and a thin body slung over her shoulders staggered out of the darkness. Without much overthinking, the great mass of dragon stood upon his six pillar-like limbs before turning around carefully. He slid his bladed tail into the ditch and flexed the crenulated ridges of his back as Maul reached the tip of his tail and climbed upon the ramparts with a practiced ease. This was not the first time she’d had to carry someone, willing or not up, up a steep slope, but despite her physique it wasn’t exactly a cakewalk. She was winded, but no overly so by the time she reached Bucephalus’ shoulders and she took the stairs carved into the hollow spines before ascending to one of the drum towers.

“How bad is he hurt?” the dragon’s voice seemed to rumble from everywhere within the mostly hollowed space.

“To be honest, I’m not entirely sure.” Maul carefully laid Iiaros on the flat, impromptu bed carved from Ceph’s large spine. Her moving castle was quite accommodating, though for the moment, they hadn’t expected guests and none of the cushions were in place. Still, Ceph’s warmth, while not as prevalent as either a fire or a lava, was palpable within the confines of his drum tower. It was still preferable to the prevalent chill of the dense jungle outside. With the young man no longer a burden across her back, Maul gave a stretch, popping enough bone and sinew that one might have thought she’d hurt herself. There was a brief trip back outside as she lit a new torch from one of Ceph’s sconces, Returning to the tower itself to light the ones that lined the interior as the spine filled with pale orange light. She unstrapped a heavy case from one of the far walls before dropping it unceremoniously at the foot of the bed.

“So, now that we’ve established you’re coming to the Academy with me. Let me see the wound, unless you want to risk infection, yeah?”

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Santanna
Egg
Iairos would have been contended to wonder off into the darkness and lay down an die seeing that he was almost there already. Receiving vision of glowing people did not happen when on was alive or, at least, conscious yep fever dream was the most likely situation. That would explain the dirt that seemed to press up against his face, it was some nice dirt to a good mixture of detritus with the soil this ditch would make a great garden. He should come back here to plant some flowers they would look wonderful in the spring. Was he rising now? Oh so somehow the hallucination was picked him up in a firemen's carry wait how can a hallucination pick him up if it was a figure of his imagination that shouldn't be able to happen.His eyes shutting in embarrassment, he might have just said extremely weird things to a real person...wonderful. Well at least that it was a very nice view he could plan out his garden from this height. Maybe some night jasmines, a few birds of paradise and some every green shrub? He could see it now it would be a wonderful little rest spot for travellers in the jungle, somehow she had even carved out steps on the side of the ditch. A little crude if anything where was the artistry? Maybe some iron worked railings, and maybe some tiling on the steps, no that wouldn't be the best for this weather solid stone steps would have to be smoothed out with a nice pattern on the floor. He could make a story out of the images, a little thing to pick up a person day if they found it. Some benches over there hard wood maybe with a nice glossy stain a fire pit in the centre with a spit. Yes, he could see it a nice little spot in the hellish jungle, he should hold a picnic here.

They were out of the ditch now and walking towards a massive six-legged city no wait she called herself a dragon rider. So thing had to be her dragon her really big dragon, he might still get eaten wonderful. How was she suppose to get him up there Iairos wasn't the lightest person in the world and that was a steep slope maybe there were hooks in one of his legs. He had treated a mountain climber who had broken both of his legs before too while he was working on him he explained how he was able to get that high, someone how they put hooks in the stone they pull themselves up from there. That's when the thing moved, it turned around to lower its tail that just happened to be as big as him and she was climbing it? First there were so high that he could see straight above the canopy it was nice at night maybe the jungle was only dangerous cause he was inexperienced. No something else had to be the reason but that was the most likely situation. He might have just made a fool of himself and was being carried through a living castle by said lady he had just made a fool of himself in front of great, well at least his old man would find this funny. Was he on a bed now? Well if nothing else this dragon was a wonderful sleeping area. Then a voice that seemed to echo off the walls was talking.

" How bad is he hurt?” well that was nice of him maybe he would talk to him later it would make for some great information. He even knows what he would call the title of this chapter life the earth dragons eyes, no that was too clichéd. He would have to think of a better title later though Maul and the dragon were talking. What was that sound was she breaking a bone on her back, that was the sound of way too much tension. She needs to have someone work on her back, maybe dad would be willing to come on the dragon? No, he would be too busy if he left those idiots would kill each other trying to fix the problem. She was lighting the walls now hmm it was a spacious area for being in a dragon, what were the walls made of that he could control them dimensions so easily. A castle of though and a rider of the day yea that was better. It rolled off the tongue better that was he was going to call the book.

“So, now that we’ve established you’re coming to the Academy with me. Let me see the wound, unless you want to risk infection, yeah?” She was back now and for the risk for more embarrassment she wanted to see his wound, well she did have a rather impressive medical kit, well what he was assuming was a medical kit.

" No, an infection would be bad, it might lead to horrible pain and fever. I really don't want a fever today that would be horrible how would I write this done in my tome if I'm delirious? I'm going to need a sharp edge metal if you have it, some clean water and bandages. you wouldn't have a holy basil would you, no that important rare to be found in a travelling kit, then I'll take any painkiller you have. Oh and some tweezers if you have them and some boiling water. Yea that should be everything." Pull off his shirt at folding into a neat little square before resting it on the floor. He was pointy not looking her as he started to unwrap the bandages, taking it gingerly to avoid a bit of pain. If he couldn't do anything else he could treat himself.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jackins
Member Avatar
Curse the fiends, their children too...
For a brief moment, Maul had done a double-take as she regarded their wayward passenger and patient. His gums were still flapping visibly, but the words coming out of them were more sensible than they had been before. He was aware of the consequences of infection setting in if the wound wasn’t treated promptly. Fever and horrible pain were the absolutely unwanted and the young man was in unanimous agreement. After expressing his immediate distaste for such a predicament however, the young man began spouting of a need for various medical implements; sharp metal blades, holy basins (must have been a local thing), tweezers, boiling water. The list was making Maul’s head spin as she glanced first at the pack and then at her impromptu patient.

“Alright, alright.” She gestured for him to hush. “Slow down there, Short-stack. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that you have some history as a healer of some sort.” She watched him carefully before a short moment as she looked the young man over for any signs of recognition. “However, given your confused state upon our meeting, I’m not prepared to take the responsibility of you attempting to operate on yourself. So here’s what’s going to happen.” She gestured to the medical supplies before looking over his wound, the sight of it making her visibly flinch. That was definitely a scutra’s handwork. Any deeper and Maul wasn’t sure they’d be having this awkward conversation at all. “I am going to clean out your wound and field dress it to the best of my ability. In the morning, if you seem lucid and sensible, you’re free to redress it yourself. For now however, you’re stuck with my big ol’ ham hocks.”

Maul took off her gauntlets and waggled her fingers for a moment before pulling out a small skin and a metal basin. It reeked a bit of white wine and vinegar as she washed her hands, dried them, and pulled on a pair of gloves.

“Maul, aren’t you forgetting something?” The tower rumbled slightly as Bucephalus interjected.

It was convenient enough that he could hear what was going on in his spines; there was not telling what might have been missed. Maul paused for a moment before sighing. “Yes, of course. Here kid, take a few of these.” she handed the young man a pair of troches for the pain and and a canteen, waiting for him to choke the awful things down before she made any move to start cleaning out his wounds. Once satisfied however, all bets were off and the great brute of a woman set her attention to a far more delicate task. It looked as though her guest had rubbed a big old piece of wood in the awful gash and the thought of it made her wince as she took a water skin and cleared away the debris, using a set of tweezers to get all the large wood chunks that she could see out of the wound. She flushed it again with clean water before looking fairly satisfied with her progress. She couldn’t see anything untoward, but then again she was only a soldier and her years of basic training would only go so far.

She flushed the wound with the vinegar and wine solution and remained fully prepared to have the young man lash out. Both were painful, doubly so when you couldn’t simply drink the wine instead of sloshing around in it. After patting it clean and dry she dove back into the mess of supplies before returning to her barbaric task. The bandage that she had was less a bandage and quite obviously some for of cloth tape. She tore it into small strips as she pinched the edges of the wound together neatly. The stickiness was not friendly to any amount of body hair, but it seemed serviceable enough to work temporarily in the place of stitches, with the young man likely needed. With the wound temporarily fastened, she unrolled a length of bandage before slathering it with some form of unctuous cream, taping it over top of the whole wound before shuffling the young man about and wrapping his waist up like a part time mummy. Satisfied, she removed the gloves and gathered up all the scrap cloth and bloodied garments before shoving them in a bit of burlap to be discarded later.

“Annnnd there you go. All better, either until tomorrow morning or we reach the academy.” she let out a hefty sigh and wiped her brow. It wasn’t pretty and it probably wasn’t professional, but it would do in a pinch.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Santanna
Egg
She wasn't the quickest on the uptake it seemed, he had spelt out exactly what he need from her to fix this and she was just staring him. It was starting to make sense why dad never let one of the villages help with getting the herbs. Her kit should have at least the basic if nothing else the blade and the tweezers and some sort of alcohol she seemed like the type who drunk in large amounts if her size was an indication. Her finger was in front of his face, her metal covered finger was in front of his face. The universal symbol of shutting it for a second.

“Slow down there, Short-stack." Short stack who was she calling short stack he was, at least, five ten she was just too tall.

" Amazon woman with their height thinking there so tall." she was right however even if she got the name wrong he did have some experience with fixing people up he just been doing it for the all of his life. She was going to do what ?! Okay calm down let's think about this logically she is clearly strong then you and she have the supplies, and she does know some type of field treatment. Uguhh he needs someone to take a better look than he had in the dark, so he had to trust her with even if that fact that someone else was working on him other than his two hands made his skin crawl. He knew that he had done horrible work under that log, he didn't even get a chance to clean the wound. Blasted health beats pride he had to let her clean him up.

“Maul, aren’t you forgetting something?” At least, she had the sense to clean her hands before trying to deal with this, and he must thank the dragon in the morning or else that could have been an extremely painful situation. Maybe Bucephalus would take a story as payment from him, he worry about it tomorrow. The women Maul was about to start and he wasn't going to allow her to make this any worst. She was handing him some type of pill, five in total well if taken in the context of the what the dragon said earlier then this was some type of pain killer. Well, at least, she has those biting each in half and forcing them down his throat with the water. Then draining the rest of the water, to make sure those things stay down, well that and he was extremely thirsty. He had just spent the day hiking through a dangerous jungle and just avoided being killed, tossing the empty canteen on his shirt.

Well, she was cleaning the dirt out with some water well that was good, that proved that she knew something about how to work on this. She was starting the painful piece now, he could feel the tweezers pulling at one of the splinters. She needs stronger painkillers. He could feel each one she pulled out, it was like little hook holding onto digging into his flesh. He had twenty different splinters on his side he feel each one as they came out of his side. It was around the fifth one that the tears started to fall, streaming down his face he wasn't crying but the pain was getting to him and as a result, his eyes was watering in protest. She was trying to be gentle he could tell how she pulled them out, He would have to thank her for this she was not a healer but she was trying to spare him from unnecessary pain that effort meant something. She had to disinfect it how he could smell the mixture from here wine and vinegar this was going to burn. He was right it was like the fire of a forge on his skin by the crystals it hurt! A scream almost escaped him but he caught it in his throat, his body wanted to move to from the pain but he wouldn't get up. The pain had him trembling but he wouldn't move, she was trying to help him and he wouldn't make it harder for her. He could barely see out of his eyes the tears almost blinding him, but he could feel that she was close to finishing. Leaning his head back trying to blink the tears away as she worked she was closing the it up now some kind of stick cloth. It would do it would seal the wound stopping him from bleeding out in the night, he could always put in stitches in the morning. She even took the time to wrap it up in fresh cloth it was a well done job. He was embarrassed and was sure that it was plain on his face but he had to thank her, she did him a service.

“Annnnd there you go. All better, either until tomorrow morning or we reach the academy.” Right, he had to thank her before anything else it was what should be down. His staff was too far away for him to use it right now, pulling himself to his feet, legs shaking with the effort of support him at this moment. Clearing his throat, he began to speak

"Maul I .. owe you an apology for how I treated you earlier." He stopped there catching himself from falling flat on his face by grabbing the bed's edge, pulling himself back straight to look at her. " You have treated me with nothing ..but kindness and I thank you for it." He would stay standing until she accepted his apology, the sweat pouring down his face his body staring to shake slightly with the effort.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jackins
Member Avatar
Curse the fiends, their children too...
For the life of her, Maul could never quite place what an “Amazon” was, but it seemed to be a favorite phrase for strangers or the offended commenting on her height. It was all water off a duck’s back as far as she was concerned. If Amazon seemed to mean “tall angry woman” then it would behoove those that tossed the word around that they never found them in a large congregation. Even if she had taken some manner of offense, she could not blame the young man for his irritation, he was about to suffer keenly at the hands of a stranger, and with the manner of his wound, she could not even offer him booze to dull the pain for the risk of bleeding. She never commented on the tears that welled in his eyes, or the screams that did not come to fruition. When all was said and done she finished cleaning up and tucked the kit away.

"Maul I .. owe you an apology for how I treated you earlier. You have treated me with nothing ..but kindness and I thank you for it."

That caught the rider off-guard as she blinked and looked back at her charge. “ Ah, so you were lucid when we spoke earlier.” her face split into a small grin as she fussed about the room to pull down the rolled mattress and pillows for the stony bed that Iiaros rested upon. She offered to help him up but she’d already impinged upon his dignity enough by means of tasking herself to his profession. “Let’s get you off that flat surface before you break your back, Short-stack.” She mused a moment as she tethered the bedroll to the posts. “Or shall I call you Iiaros? Whilst you were speaking to yourself you mentioned it, but I am not yet certain that is your name.” She fluffed the already spartan pillow and tossed it on the bedroll for the young man to use as he saw fit. “I might have a few extra but the accommodations here are kept fairly sparse when we’re not actual on patrol. No real need keep people cozy if I’m the only one here.”

The brute lingered for a moment to ensure that Iiaros was as comfortable as he could make himself before gathering up her gauntlets. “Wait here, and I will grab some food, then perhaps we could do each other the honor of introducing ourselves properly?” She didn’t linger much longer as she went to dig through their provisions, returning in short order with dried fruit, a loaf bread, a fresh skin of water, and a healthy serving of salt pork. She didn’t bother with plates or utensils; fussing with a mess kit in the dark while forty feet above the ground was simply not her concern. She split the rations unevenly , giving Iiaros the larger portion. He was still in her own estimation, a child, as well as injured. A good meal would would do him well, but he would have to settle for militant scraps for the time being.

“There, now...if you’re of a sound mind; tell us about yourself.” She settled comfortably against the wall of the odd tower as the earth dragon rumbled contentedly. “Bucephalus loves a good story himself, but please, don’t over embellish.”

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Santanna
Egg
Again with the short stack what was this women and name calling maybe it was the air at that high? It could lead to excessive name calling as a result of the air difference but no that couldn't be right maybe it was just how she related to new people?She was bringing down cushions this was good that meant she knew that the bed was uncomfortable, he should offer to help. This was here home and he was more than a guest a patient really, but the painkillers were starting to kick in and any heavy activity, especially in his condition, could bring what was unwanted back so he was going to stay still. She had found a bed roll well that was nice good back support was good.

“Or shall I call you Iiaros? Whilst you were speaking to yourself you mentioned it, but I am not yet certain that is your name.” Right, he had to yet to induce himself properly, the pain was slightly distracting from rational though and he might have been a little delirious in the ditch. He should correct that as some as possible, his dad would saying that he was being rude to some who even if he didn't want to admit saved his life. Grabbing the pillow placing it under his back to ease some of the weight off the muscles it wasn't the best thing he had ever laid on but it was better than the jungle floor. She was saying something about food now, right back later focus on the woman. She was going to get something for them to eat, would she have stew, stew would be good. He was about to ask her but she was gone for a woman that big she sure could move quickly. If there were going to do this, however, he should make the best effort to be on even ground with her, shuffling off the bed and onto the floor. Letting his legs stretch out on the warm ground, this dragon was really something. He wonders if they would have a chance to talk later. She was back now armed full with bits and pieces ahh there was bread and she had brought more water wonderful! She had set more of food in front of him, no that's not right if this was her dinner he couldn't and wouldn't take most of it, they would share it but that bread was as good as gone. Grabbing the loaf and ripping a substantial chunk off biting through the hard crust before washing it down with the water.

“There, now...if you’re of a sound mind; tell us about yourself.” He could do that it was a simple enough task be if she wanted him to keep it simple that was easier to him he didn't have the skills his dad had. The man could weave the most boring tale into a grand epic, he could only do that with one story and there was no reason to tell her that one. " I can do that ... a story even mines is a simple task. My family come from the tent city, just me and my dad...mother died giving birth great birthday gift right. Right .. my dad raised me on his own was the village surgeon, I know he made up the word but it did describe him perfectly. When people cut themselves open he stitched them back up. For ten year of my life I work under him, making powder preparing equipment and the like, it was a fun time you know? Then around my birthday last year, we had a patient with a badly broken leg he might had lost it if he had gotten there and later. It was something my dad would work on but he refused to say that this was my job. It took me two days of constant care to keep him from losing the leg and he did even stay as soon as the swelling was done he was loaded up and ready to go. He wanted to pay us but father opted to take an item instead. I got my staff and he got the tome. I spent a year at his side after that working on his table fixing people back up it was a great year....... Anyway there came a time when a man has to leave so my father kicked me out tell my life was headed in a different direction that in the city so he told me to leave to fill up my tome with the world secrets and I chose to start at the academy "

He wasn't looking at her anymore or even around at the wall of this incredible dragon, no he was looking at his tome with something both go a fondness and a fear. " That tome well be all that is remember of me when I'm gone, they might not remember who I was or what I did. My family line gets lost too ages and forgotten, so I want to know that when I have become dust in the wind at least some part of me will remain in this world." He was done that was his story there was nothing else he could add to it. Closing his eyes he knocks back a swig of water descending into silence.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jackins
Member Avatar
Curse the fiends, their children too...
Maul was silent as Iiaros shared his tale, not for lack of words, but dried meat and fruit were not the easiest to chew. It was in many ways similar to so many of the stories told by other candidates and Iiaros was not the first that she and Ceph had escorted to the Academy grounds. She could not disagree with any of them. The Tent City was hardly suitable living space for anyone and the reparations they had been making were simply not moving fast enough to meet the needs of those that lived in the squalor. What was military service in exchange for a place to sleep, decent meals, and the rare chance to possibly bond to a dragon? For five years the academy could keep a prospective youth-or anyone else for that matter-safe and sound. In that time as well, one could develop all manners of skill, from trades and scholarly pursuits, to martial prowess. It was an impressive arrangement for those that could make the journey.

“Your father sounds like a wise and respectable man,” Maul finally offered up as she finished the last of her quick meal. She begrudgingly washed it down with water rather than ale, though it was not Iiaros’ fault that he could not partake of alcohol in his situation. She was not about to imbibe herself when he was denied such a pleasantry. “though as you describe it I would be very surprised if he denied you a means to return home.” she considered rolling a bit of tobacco before winding down for the evening, but given their present company, she thought better of it and kept herself from reaching for the tin in her back pocket. “So, you’re seeking a chance at candidacy with the Academy, yes?” She gave a stretch and settled back in on the floor. “We should be there within a day or two, faster if we have a need to rush, but we are rather leisurely with our travels and Ceph doesn’t want to slosh his pumpkin ale into barrels of froth.

My pumpkin ale?” the Earth rumbled incredulously.

“...Okay...okay. My ale. Besides, the last barrel that was split took ages to clean out of your scales. You were fragrant for a week.” She gave the floor of the strange little tower a pat, though she knew Ceph couldn’t actually feel anything.

“It was all the rage with the ladies,” Ceph insisted.

Maul rolled her eyes in exasperation as she turned her focus back to her patient. “Since you’ll be staying with us for the journey, feel free to ask any questions you might have.”

The walls rumbled gently once again “You are much too young to be having an existential crisis. Plenty to see and do, I am sure that’ll be fine.” Bucephalus was quite the optimist.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Santanna
Egg
" Yea you might right the man has saved more lives than I can count and as a dad he did right by me..." Laying back on the floor of the tower staring up into the darkness. The academy that was the place to say that he was looking forward to the experience was an understatement but at the same time, it was scaring him. All he knew about the academy was that it has one of the best libraries in the world and an extremely talented team of healers. There was still a fear poking at the back of his mind though and it had grown during the night in this jungle. What if he wasn't good enough his old man trained him how to treat people and he couldn't even treat himself. Running his hand along his side feeling the bandages stuck to him. He was this close, if she didn't come along this wound would have gotten infected and he might have died tonight.

The candidacy right that was the reason he was heading to the academy. What was the need to get there slow was alright with him, you never wanted to rush when treating someone after all plus it would give him a chance to work out what was going on in his head.

"No a slow place is fine, I'm in no rush to get where I have to be beside the academy isn't moving anywhere." That was enough about him, however, yes there was still a dull throbbing in his side bit, more importantly, Maul. This Maul seemed to be interesting if anything and the dragon Bucephalus was quite the gentlemen better than many other people he has met on the table. Them tend to just stream and shout there was a lot of wishing him to a horrible death, well seeing that they were cutting them out and stitching up their flesh it was understand able. This was dragon was such a great beast but with an out look like that what thoughts would he have Iiaros ponder, the sheer size to crush a person under foot but the delicacy of a flower.

"It was all the rage with the ladies" A giant of a dragon was saying that it was all the rage with the ladies. It was so absurd that for a few second he forgot how to think. Then the laughter started a little thing in his chest then grew in this throat, amplifying in his mouth and burst out into the world. It was just so unreal a statement he could help it. It took him a few minutes to calm down and regain the ability to speak. " Okay, then just two question then what's the situation between you two and if your will can you tell me more of the academy all I know is that it has a great library."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Dense Jungle · Next Topic »
Add Reply