| Summary
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| Valeria and Amahle go to find King Kalem when he goes missing only for unexpected events to happen.
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| Location
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| Shadowfall Forest - Santua Kingdom
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| Room Desc
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| The only thing that distinguishes Moonfall Forest and Shadowfall Forest from each other is signs and a dividing path that splits into several others. Some lead deeper into Santua lands, specifically towards the major city of Santua as well as other towns and cities of the kingdom. Others lead back to the Seat of the Gods or to areas less explored. As one would expect of forests it is filled with typical dangers of a forest as well as less typical threats.
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There were reports coming out of the Santua kingdom that King Kalem Santua had come to Shadowfall Forest on some sort of expedition, but that he hadn't returned in several days. It was possible the king was still out and about on business, but friends and family had been told that he'd only be gone for 2 days at most, and now worry was setting in.
A party has been dispatched to go and find out what has happened to Kalem. So far the party has not found anything amiss as they follow the trail of the King and his retainers into the forest. It's early on the second day of their journey and all seems quiet as they journey, and so far nothing has attracted their attention as to what might have happened to the earlier Santuan party.
(OOC: Go ahead and do two rounds of poses!)
Valeria couldn't well let her father go missing- it's not a particularly good look for a daughter to be okay with that sort of stuff. In a scabbard at her side a new blade, purple and floral in design- with strange metallic purple petals that seem to float as a cross-guard. It's hard to miss, even sheathed as it is.
Nash, her dire wolf, is ridden quietly as they enter into the forest, nose twitching as he scents at the ground and gives a chuff. Valeria gives a quiet humming sound as she looks over her shoulder, then to the ground. "Nothing out of the ordinary, yet." she mentions to the others in the party quietly.
Not one that would typically go on adventures is little Amahle. She doesn't exactly have the 'I'm a fighter' vibe that most types who adventure do. But here she is in Santua Kingdom. It is no doubt to support Valeria, since it is her father. Besides, there might be need of someone that has the social skills of a Courtesan. It is the highest likelihood she can barely hold any sort of weapon that is anything but for looking good.
In the cold of the winter forests, it's nice to have a warm wolf under you. Amahle is sat in front of Val, the much smaller woman easily set in that spot without getting in Val's way. It allows her to easily put an arm around the other woman as they slowly ride forward, deeper into the forest. "You'd think we'd see something in the cold. It's usually easier to track in the winter." She remarks, with a bit of a frown as she urges Nash forward slowly. "Keep your nose low, Nash. If you catch his Majesty's scent, let me know." She says softly, taking a slow breath- a hint of worry in her voice. Just a hint. Her father could probably take care of himself.
Probably.
Noticing the hint of worry causes Amahle to give a pat to Valeria's arm, to assure her. "IF King Kalem is anything like you, Valeria, he's probably got things mostly under control." Amahle isn't a creature of the forest nor someone who was raised in one. She was originally from Luminat. Not exactly the biggest of forests in those lands. The Courtesan also doesn't seem the most comfortable with riding.
As the pair continue moving deeper into the forest, Valeria spots some indications that something might have happened. The trail starts to get muddled and tracks move around all over the place, as if animals and riders started moving around in a big clustered gathering. A few tracks go off to one direction, but most of them lead in a north-easterly direction and a little deeper into the forest. As for poor Amahle, she doesn't seem to be paying a great deal of attention and a branch thwaps her on the forehead. Not hard enough to knock her off, but it certainly doesn't feel that good.
Val, living in forests all her life- doesn't even think to warn Amahle of the brush and how to protect herself. It's just so second nature that she kind of assumes everyone knows to shield their face when moving through brush.
"Looks like the North East is where most of them went off to." She mentions, before jumping as the branch wizzes by- she tries to catch it before it hits Amahle in the face... Too late. "Oh.. Are you okay Ama?"
She doesn't curse or even lose the 'social graces' a Courtesan spends years learning even as a small goose egg forms on her head from the tree branch thwack. "That wasn't there a second ago." she insists, not willing to admit she was to busy focusing on something else and placing going through the forest like one would go through Luminat, less concerned for the up and more concerned for the down. She does sway, just a little, not use to being hit with anything involuntarily. One does not do anything that is involuntary to a Courtesan, especially the one who is Second in Command. It never goes well. At Valeria's question she tilts her head back and smiles up, "I am fine. Just a little bump." It doesn't bode well for how things are going to go for Amahle.
Before too long, the pair come to another spot in the forest where a few dead Santuan soldiers kind of lie off to one side. Their cloaks are in tatters and pools of dried blood lie underneath them. Based on the numbers, this is a small part of the party that Kalem took with him, and there is no sign of the King among the deceased.
Valeria frowns quietly as she looks at the corpses of people she possibly knows. Her mood dark as she takes a slow breath. "They're dead. We'll need to come back for them." She says softly, "To perform proper rites, and bring them back to their families for their funerals." She takes a slow, quiet breath. "Rest easy, you died protecting your King." she says softly, "It is an honorable death."
Still, she calls out, "Father! King Kalem?! Are you there, it's Valeria!" she says, eyes sharp now as she puts a protective arm around Amahle. "Guard, Nash." she commands, the wolf moving carefully now- ears flat.
A small wince is given by Amahle at the sight of the bodies and she quickly looks away. "Wouldn't it be easier to look around from the ground?" she wonders of the Princess. She focuses on a spot away from the bodies and instead tries to peer through the trees in hopes of seeing something.
No voices are raised in response to Valeria's call.
Just the quiet of the forest and the sounds of birds and the wind and... something else? It's faint, both Valeria and Amahle can barely hear it, but there does seem to be the howling of some wolves off into the distance and in the direction of the remaining tracks that lead from this small clearing of death.
"Not fast enough. Those wolves are far." Valeria says softly, frowning at the howling- Nash howling in return before they begin off through the forest with Val leaning forward and low. "Lean low. Hold the horn in front of you. I'll keep you safe." She assures Amahle, as one hand takes the reins, and the other holds onto her previous Amahle and they go towards that danger. Towards whatever those howls warn of.
"Are they? Can't say I know anything about such things." Amahle doesn't raise objection to going towards danger. She is the one who wanted to go, despite knowing she would be of no help. She somewhat does as told, not entirely, because there is no way she's going to look anything but refined. "I never doubt that, Valeria." sayys Amahle to the Princess.
"Nor should you. I would sooner die than willingly let harm come to you, my dearheart." Valeria whispers into her ear as they ride towards that howling.
It's not long before the pair emerge into another clearing. The scene is not much better than before, there are dead mounts and dead Santuan soldiers strewn about the clearing. There are also the corpses of several dead wolves, but there are still several large wolves growling and snarling at a figure that is under a canopy of barbed vines. One wolf lashes out with a paw and yelps as thorns bite into its flesh, and the others snarl louder.
King Kalem Santua has seen better days, he appears to be exhausted and is sitting so that one leg is favored. This leg has been wrapped up tightly with Santuan cloaks and he winces when shuffling his weight. "Go ahead, keep trying to dig through the vines, I'll bleed you out and whatever is left can be my dinner tonight." He snarls in a low voice, his hand wrapped tightly around the hilt of his sword. He has yet to spot Valeria and Amahle, his attention locked on the three wolves before him.
"Stay with Nash. Nash. Guard her." Valeria shouts as she brings the wolf to a stop, looking back. "Stay on his back. Hold on tight." She suggests, knowing that Amahle will always do as she desires- but well... Valeria has work to do.
The scent of follows fills the clearing as she draws her blade and gives a shout, "Mongrels!" she barks, approaching carefully- ready to fight.
Again the Courtesan winces at the slight of the of corpses, human and animal, opting to focus on the vines and the backs of Valeria and Kalem. Her gaze slides to the vines. Her face betrays she doesn't like seeing anyone in pain, no matter their species, but if anything happens to the King or his child worse things could happen. So, she focuses on causing the barbed vines to grow even thicker around the king to help protect him and trap the wolves. She can't help but also cause little flowers to bloom amongst them because, things are meant to be pretty when she does it.
"Valeria, be on your guard." Kalem calls out to his daughter as he catches sight of her. "There are not the only three." And as soon as the words are out of his mouth, a large black wolf comes bounding out of the surrounding forest and heading straight towards Valeria as it snarls. One of the three around Kalem breaks off to join it, it too bounds at Valeria!
As the vines thicken around him, Kalem looks past and spots Amahle. "My thanks!" He calls out, but the pain of his leg cuts off anything else he would say
"I am indeed, my King." Valeria says simply, taking to heart the warning- and looking forward slightly into the future. A minute. A lot happens in a battle in sixty seconds- and while the distance has become blurry she sees well enough to know a black wolf is bounding towards her, the floral-themed blade whipping into an attack as the creature approaches.
When she notices Kalem is in pain she grows the vines even thicker around him to limit any wolves getting to him. When she is finally satisfied that they are thick enough and he as little holes to stab out if he needs to, she stops making them grow. "Yo are a King, your Majesty, it is the least I can do." Her head titles slightly, as if she is trying to listen. Everyone knows magic has its drawbacks and no doubt she is experiencing that now.
And Valeria? She can be heard. The cries of wolves can be heard. The scent of sweet Attian flowers and the war-cry of a warrior Princess of Santuan blood. Few men could hope to face Valeria before she had her magic blade- and after? Well. After, she is a beast of destruction, albeit one turned towards selfless protection. The wolves are quickly slaughtered.
"Ungh." Kalem grunts as he pulls himself up so he can fully sit up and be ready. One of the wolves tries to attack the thickened vines and comes away with a bloody snout for it's efforts. He watches his daughter do her work with her blade and nods in satisfaction at how she puts a quick end to the wolves. Once the wolves have been killed, Kalem lets out a breath and gestures to the vines.
"Cut me out when you're finished, Valeria." He shakes his head. "I'm afraid I'm not in much shape to travel though, I think I have a few cracked ribs and I know I have a broken leg. I was knocked off my mount and it's been everything I could do to keep myself from being a damned dogs dinner." He grits his teeth and licks his lips. "Make sure your friend is well too, we owe her a debt of gratitude."
"I will, what will Papa say now, Father? We're both going to get an ear-full." Valeria says with a sigh as she shifts to cut Kalem out, before kneeling down to lift the man- to hold him close and help him to his feet. She sets herself on the side with the broken leg so he won't b e forced to put weight on it. "I'll take a look at you in a moment, once we get out of the weeds." She says, looking over to Amahle, "Ama, you okay?" she checks, "The wolves are dead, and I'm bringing the king over towards you and Nash." Even if she's sure her beloved could hear them moving, she is clearly familiar with the fact Amahle probably can't see so well right now.
"I can't worry about that right now." Kalem says to his daughter. Wincing and grunting as Valeria helps him to his feet, and nods. "Feel free to go slow, the longer we take to get back, the more time I have to think about how I can try to explain things without getting an earful." He almost smiles at that, the smile marred by a wince of pain as he feels a twinge of pain in his leg. "Valeria, I leave it to you to think up a proper reward for your brave companion. Think hard and make it special, then we'll make it happen." He glances to Amahle. "A pleasure to see you, even if these settings aren't so grand as our last meeting, argh." He grunts again and shakes his head.
Valeria looks to her Father quietly, Setting him to stand next to the dire wolf she's had since she was a kid. Nash seems happy enough to see him- giving him a lick to the cheek. The dork just can't help himself as Valeria goes to her saddle bags and starts to pull out gear to work on her father. She starts by setting his leg. Pain is nothing unknown to Santuans, obviously. "Going to set the leg." She states, offering up a bullet of leather for him to bite on as she gives it a sharp *tug*. A splint is made quickly from some wood, tied in place. Likewise the rib is stabilized with bandages, and the King is soon in good enough shape he won't be falling apart of bleeding to death on the way home. It seems that the questing Knight is also a Jane of all Trades when it comes to getting into trouble in the wilderness.
"I'll need to walk, but you two should ride on Nash." Valeria says, "He can't handle three. Too many people. You two are the ones who need to ride right now." she says, as she takes a moment- gets her bearings and then helps the pair onto Nash's back so they can ride safely while she marches through the forest. "The castle should be back this way."
"I am always a fan of rewards." says Amahle with a laugh, dipping into a proper curtsy to Kalem, though, she is a bit off but the intention is clear, even in the middle of the forest while her eye sight is temporarily lost due to her magic, she doesn't forget she is one of the top rank Courtesans for a reason. "It is always a pleasure to see you, your majesty." She doesn't miss the irony of her words. she listens to Valeria tend to the king then shakes her head a little, "I'm far more comfortable walking, unless it is a carriage." A glance in the general direction of Kalem is given, "Besides, the king should be able to rest as comfortably as he can. What I sawn before the vine growing was that he was pretty hurt."
Attia has partially disconnected.
Is it the scent of flowers that fills the air suddenly, intensifying for a moment without getting too obtrusive? There, beside the wolf that Amahle slipped off from just now, materializes the form of a woman. "You should walk," she says in a gentle voice. And her golden eyes find Amahle, even as the blue aura surrounds Attia and gives away what she is - a Goddess and a daughter of Mataya. "If you walk, I shall walk with you." Her hand reaches out to touch Amahle's arm. "You have protected the King of Santua, selflessly exposing yourself to the risks of your magic."
Kalem lets Valeria see to his wounds, looking down at his daughter with a measure of pride in his eyes. "Your siblings could learn much from you, Valeria. You are a credit to all of Santua." These words of praise are cut off as he grunts when she sets his leg. "Guess I'll just be lounging about for a few weeks." He sighs and lets out a little laugh, glancing at Amahle. "People usually are." He ruffles Nash's coat before taking a seat on the dire wolf's back.
It's then that the scent of flowers fills the air. He blinks and bows his head in the direction of Attia. "Divine One, we are honored by your presence. I would kneel but I think my loved one would throttle me if I injured myself further."
Valeria bows her head quietly to her Mother as she appears, just quiet for now as she speaks to Amahle. Silent, really- watching. It isn't her place to step in now, just to watch and listen and help however she can.
"Did I grow more flowers than I thought I did?" she wonders allowed but the desire for an answer fades, which she shows on her expression, when the scent is stronger than what she could normally get from something she grows. Although the Courtesan can't see the glow she can sense the Godly power beside her. Her head turns to where the touch comes from and she smiles, "I did what any would do, my Goddess. Though, Valeria did far more than I. I grew vines, confident in Valeria and that no matter what I did, she would catch me." Rhetorical catching (sometimes). She knows Valeria's touch so she she knows it is not the Princess. She does a bit of a curtsy but doesn't do enough of one to break the touch of Attia. In the general direction Amahle looks of Kalem then back to Attia, well, to where she believes she is, "Can the king's pain be eased for his trip back to his home? It is a big request, I know, but I don't like seeing him well in this case hearing, him in pain, nor Valeria being pain for her concern for him." Amahle is polite and not demanding with her request but her voice is hopeful.
For the fraction of a moment, Attia lets her gaze sweep over to Valeria, and there is that certain warm feeling of acknowledgement, the Goddess sends towards her other daughter. Other daughter?
"King Kalem," Attia addresses the man, "I don't wish for you to kneel before me, especially not when you are in pain as you are right now." She pauses to focus her attention back on Amahle. "It speaks for you, my child, that you ask me to ease his pain. Even if you know that it is my nature." Her hand makes contact with Amahle's cheek, and it is as if energy drifts from Attia's fingers into the touch. "You are of my blood, Amahle." And with that said, the Goddess lifts her other hand with fingers spread, until she slowly begins to make a fist with it... drawing the pain from King Kalem's wounds and taking it upon herself.
"You did very well." Kalem tells Amahle, then directs his gaze towards the goddess, his eyes widening a little when she calls Amahle her daughter, but he remains silent. This was not a moment for him. He just runs his fingers through Nash's fur and pets the dire wolf while he watches.
Though she still can't see what happens she has a general idea of what is happening by the words of Attia. "Thank you Goddess." she murmurs for responding positively to her request. "Were I am, Goddess, I would ease his pain so you would not have too." When the words register, a bit delayed, Amahle blinks in surprise. "Of your blood?" she questions, the meaning not fully registering yet even as she feels the power filtering into her.
"My child," Attia confirms softly, and her touch that usually has a more soothing quality carries some of that divine potency. "This is my task, as you will have yours. I have watched you from afar, I've seen you grow from a child into a woman. The way you speak... You sound so similar to me." The Goddess stands, holding herself upright, but her shoulders slump just a touch forwards as she accepts Kalem's pain and carries it. "I'd like for you to open your eyes and see. See Atharia as it is, in all its beauty. The beauty that is life. You may not understand right now. This takes time."
A few more blinks are given and she dips her head, "There is nothing more honorable than being your child, Goddess, and being called similar to you." Up Amahle's hand lifts to touch Attia in return, "Thank you for giving me life, Goddess. Beauty is always what I seek." Now she glances in the general direction of Kalm and Valeria before back to Attia, "Thank you for all you do for me and those of Atharia."