Atharen, A Fantasy Roleplay Forum

The latest leg of her trip was supposed to take her as far as Chalis, although it was hard to make out what exactly was agreed with the tightlipped caravan master. She was fairly certain they would be taking her at least over the great river, but everyone’s explanation got muddied up after that. Regardless of who was asked, the answers kept shifting, adjusting to the wind coming down the wagons. Positioned further down the line, she understood her position and acted the part. She made sure all her marks of control were suitably covered even though it might’ve been too hot for the additional garments that caused.

Horse was a comfort and it was good to know that she wasn’t completely alone out here. It wasn’t a very complex companion, but an honest one. Hungry, tired, good mood, bad mood – like a book. Unlike some people at the front of the train. She was still struggling with accepting how loosely organized everything seemed to be. The hand she was dealt wasn’t the perfect one, but she had to make proper use of it.

The train’s inhabitants looked simple enough, but it was still wise to keep your bow at the ready. There were many who would bleat and meek only to bare teeth once your neck was exposed. One learned that traveling for as long as she had. It was a lesson bought either in blood or experience, and those who paid in blood seldom got to be experienced.

She hoped for swift and safe trip towards the next leg of her journey.

Looking down at the woman addressing her, she could faintly recall mention of upset stomachs around the camp. Sickness and attrition were always a general part of travel, but she still resisted the desire to pull at the hem of her shirt. Finding the position strange, craning down at the stranger, she’d dismount. The action a bit awkward, she was still showing signs of inexperience in the handling of Horse. Feet awkwardly plotted into the ground, she recalled a couple of food vendors in the wagons both ahead and behind her.

“You as well” she’d point back towards the woman. “I remember a couple close by, but eating here may not be our wisest choice. Have you heard the rumors?” she wondered how many of those were overblown. Something learned with many years on the road was that most rumors had a significant basis in reality, but mouth to mouth and ear to ear, it mutated as it spread. Hyperbole was the most likely of changes, but every so often one could find information that instead aimed to diminish itself.

It was possible that admitting the rumors so openly wasn’t very wise. And yet, if they’ve reached her ears near the end of the train, almost everyone had heard thus far. The woman’s unstringed bow reminded her that she needed to keep her own gear in better maintenance. It was hard to ever take herself with a complete degree of seriousness as an archer when there were so many other weapons at hand.

Perhaps it was how the conversation left hanging without a resolution between the two, but she did follow the other woman as she moved further. It wasn’t very clear as to why, but she did catch herself wondering already mid-motion. Luna, as she discovered, was somewhat new to these situations and further implications of them. For the older woman this had felt bitterly familiar – those who didn’t eat what was on hand had the personal responsibility of feeding themselves. This train of thought encapsulated all life, not just this journey.

“Velx” she introduced herself as briefly as ever, her free hand gesturing towards her chest. She wondered why she never gave out her full name or Auna’s or her chosen name – as it might help the search for Davanor – but it always felt entirely too personal. “Many things could be done” taking note how they were both armed for food gathering, she’d nod towards Luna’s bow and tap her own. “There is always a way to feed yourself …” her further thoughts cut short by the growing commotion beside them.

The rumors they’d both heard were taking on a nasty life of their own right before their eyes. It was true that some mold could be cut off and the rest of the food eaten without adverse effect. It was also true that other kinds of mold would put you in a physician’s care even when disposed of. No one was willing for a sacrifice of this magnitude without a significant motivation. Trader wanting to move his stock lacked said emotion.

As they were arguing, other people gathered to the fanning flame.

“I bought meat from you and it gave me the runs!” said a man atop one of the carts. It could have also been the overgenerous helping of spices he smothered the meat in while siphoning his own supply, but that part was kept quiet of course.

“And you sold me that jerky earlier at a really cheap price!” another woman noticed, face going white, wondering if she’d poisoned herself on a bargain.

A few more came through to deposit similar complaints. While none of them had any punch by themselves, they consolidated into a very bad situation for the man in front of them. Vocal complaints were transformed into a bunch of angry sounds of confirmation, going quite often enough for more fuel to be deposited into the fire.

“I am not risking the food” she told Luna. “Have you ever been hunting?”

She wondered if the man was innocent or guilty. Whatever would happen along the train would likely be too harsh a punishment either way. Yet, there wasn’t a good way for her to stop them without anyone getting hurt and then keep traveling safely with them.

Velx was not normally of the chatty sort, but the woman seemed genuinely inviting. Her presence seemed to be encouraging interaction rather than dampening it. Allowing herself to be lured into the conversation, she would find herself open. As they distanced themselves away from the ruckus, she couldn’t help but notice the signs of escalation. The added hands and weapons they either grasped or eyed wouldn’t go down well. If blood was to be spilled, it would decidedly not be her own.

As the two moved away from the train and the beaten path, they would soon start to notice the rise in vegetation, shrubs and lower foliage at first, but soon growing in both height and density. It seemed like Luna was very optimistic of their chances. Something everyone could eat was likely either rattled away by the noise, or long exterminated for the danger it posed to passing travelers. Still, she fostered Luna’s hope as her own. Food substitute would indeed be a good way to stuff everyone’s mouths shut.

“I come from Ganeron” she extended her arm towards what she knew was northeast “Far away” she explained. She never knew much of Verdiven to truly think about the woman’s home, but she had seen enough of Daravin to believe it was not the best place to build one’s home. “I think we share the search for a home, Luna” the fact that one woman needed a new one, and another an old one, wouldn’t pass her lips. The thought still haunted her. She wasn’t sure if bringing Horse along was a good idea, but it seemed worse leaving him unattended with a bunch of riled up and hungry folk. People who were prepared to eat anything would surely ponder it as well.

“We cannot be quiet enough with Horse and our own steps and the ruckus of the trail behind us, but we can be quick” as the surrounding grew wilder, she got her weapon ready. Pulling out an arrow and holding it between her knuckles was as close to firing as could come without actually nocking the missile. Normally using resonance wasn’t her first thought when in foreign company, but she let out an enlarged yawn which echoed from tree to tree before landing back into her mind. “Four legged. Two. Our paths are likely to cross” she vocalized.

They were downwind, which was good. The beasts were at least knee high at the shoulders and not backing away from the noise they were making, which was bad. With the encounter pending, she wondered whether she’d be using the bow or herself to launch the projectiles.