Selibas
Hero
The Little Wolf
My Word is Iron.
Posts: 455
Etruria Fame: -1
Bern Fame: 4
Illia Fame: -3
Profession: Khan
Guild: Tribe of Sacae
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Selibas
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Post by Selibas on Jun 29, 2016 21:57:49 GMT -6
The short Khan on his short horse rode deep in thought, formulating a strategy he hoped could somehow beat out a force so much bigger than the one that he headed. A slinking giant of massive size, coming for them, burning as they went, slaughtering everyone along the way. His people. How could he allow a force, however big, to do that. He didn't need a plan to beat them, he needed a plan to put them down. To put them down into the very dirt of the plain they lit with fire. Passing death even to the Etrurians could not be a happy task, but it was one that had been made necessary. Still, as he rode and thought of it, he couldn't force a smile. Riding, thinking about the mass of death that swirled on either side of the battle field, and of the slaughter that had already been carried out in the name of the Etrurian's god, he doubted anything could make him smile.
Then however, the Little Wolf saw a figure sitting a horse in as nonchalant a way as possible in front of the bustling mass of Sacaens. As the plainsmen rode closer, he made out her face, a face he hadn't thought he'd ever see again. She was a woman who'd been the first woman he'd ever talked to and felt safe while doing so, and among the first people to show him any real kindness.
He smiled.
Kicking Lightning, the Khan raced forward, and as he rode, he shouted, "Mana!" He tugged at Lightning's reins and brought the horse to stop almost alongside the young woman's horse, and when all of Lightning's hooves rested on the ground, the Khan threw his arms around her and said, "Of course I do! Those Ostian Cavalrymen set me on the path to get here, I remember everything about back then. I can't believe we're both here, how long it's been!" By the time he'd finished speaking, Dale and Kaichun had rode up to him, and both circled the pair of riders as the rest of the Sacaens followed.
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Post by Midori on Jul 7, 2016 9:59:01 GMT -6
Midori continued on her way with the rest of the group. She was starting to feel tired from a combination of healing the distant man and the heat. The riding was also a bit monotonous. The healer frowned softly and put her cloak back on. The cloak was made of slightly heavier fabrics in order to help deal with the elements. It was hot and damp with some sweat but she needed to keep her back, neck, and shoulders covered. She did not want to risk sunburn. She grabbed her canteen from the saddle bag and took a drink. The cool liquid helped to refresh her. The canteen was returned to it's place in the bag. The troubadours thoughts wandered a bit through the journey. Part of her wished she was back at her village.
While this task of healing and providing medical attention for those on the front lines was honorable. She was afraid. It was part of the human condition to show fear to things that are new. To show fear to things that one does not yet understand. War, while ancient in it's practice, was something new to Midori. She was familiar with combat. She had healed Ashes' former owner after a bandit attack. She was in combat a few times before. She was unsure of what to expect in this situation. War is a grand affair. There will be people she simply cannot save. She understood this and yet she was still fearful. She was not afraid for her own life. She glanced over at the Chaklai group. She knew each of them by name and occupation. She shared meals with them. She tended to them when they were hurt. And yet the thought of losing any of them as this war progressed filled her with some dread. She wished that she didn't have to see any of them harmed. If she had the power she would whisk them away to safety at the first sign of trouble. She would do the same to any innocent man, woman, and child if she could. The scriptures would have this fear.. this desire for power.. while with good intention.. would be labeled as greedy. Unbecoming. I must.. learn to accept that not all things can be saved. To accept that death is not an end.. but a crucial step towards a new beginning.. a rebirth.. Her mind flashed briefly to the scroll she remembered reading the scripture on. It described the body of a dead man being engulfed in a white light and reborn as a tree. She shook her head lightly. Perhaps.. I should find someone to talk to.
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Post by Mana on Jul 10, 2016 14:01:12 GMT -6
"Whoaa..." Mana didn't expect Selibas would be this excited, his strong embrace almost made her fall from the horse. The girl nonetheless returned his greeting with a friendly hug and a pat on his back. "Well, this is nice to see you more spirited than the last time..." She didn't mean to be rude with that remark, the swordswoman was simply a bit surprised because he had more vigor and spirit compared to the last time. He seemed to have gotten "bigger" somehow, not the height or physique, but more like he had the aura of an adult and refined warrior now.
When the Khan mentioned Ostian Cavalrymen, Mana remembered of Reylan and Cebrail, and some other companions who had shared some hardship and adventures with the two young Sacaens. She wondered what had actually happened because that time she had gotten separated from the rest before eventually meeting with Aaron and Elias. Until now, she had been keeping eye on news and rumors that might have hint about their whereabouts but so far she had only heard about Selibas, mostly about his part in the rebellion in Bern. Mana smirked as she felt delighted by his explanation....Reyland and the others were probably still doing well.
"One year? Two years? I am not really keeping count..." Mana took a quick glimpse of Selibas from the bottom to the top. "...but it seems many things have happened. We have changed much, haven't we?" she said as she freed herself from his arms. "Also...of course I am here. I have to defend our homeland. Can't let those Etrurians trampling on our people and our land. So much talks about goodness and stuffs but they are actually egoistic invaders...not saints or whatever they claim to be." There was determination within her words as Mana spoke. The girl had lived most of her life in this plains so it was more than a mere home for her, this place was too special for her. Her attachment to the plains was almost as strong as her desire for adventure and her dream to be the best swordswoman. Those Etrurians would have to kill her first if they wanted to conquer Sacae.
Mana finally realized that the mass had gathered around them. It was kinda unnerving somehow. "So...uuuh..." she spoke stammering. "...I heard you lead this coalition?" The girl was in awe how these many tribes were willing to follow someone who nt Kenshin, even with common cause and common enemy.
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Selibas
Hero
The Little Wolf
My Word is Iron.
Posts: 455
Etruria Fame: -1
Bern Fame: 4
Illia Fame: -3
Profession: Khan
Guild: Tribe of Sacae
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Selibas
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Post by Selibas on Aug 5, 2016 15:57:25 GMT -6
The young swordsman smiled and nodded as the Maiden of the Blade discussed their changes and her motives to return to the plain. "Aye, I didn't have the beard last time! And you certainly look different. It feels like it coulda been a few hundred years since back then. I- I don't even know what happened to you all after I left." Selibas almost stammered halfway through speaking there. Sky father, that was a shock. He hadn't had a stammer when speaking to women since the first time he'd been imprisoned by the Ilians. Now looking at one of the first women he'd never been able to speak to without reason for fear (though he'd still been terrified) he was back to being the fourteen year old boy, terrified after leaving a hiding spot to speak to a group of young warriors looking at a fort they planned to attack. He needed to keep his tongue loose. He was a Khan, his word needed to be as fierce as the hand that gripped his sword. Though it had been quite some time since he'd swung the blade.
As Mana gave him the full run down on her motives, Selibas became aware again of the riding mass of Sacaens behind them. "You're right. I'm planning to make sure they know that if they ever set foot in Sacae again, their hands had better be empty of sword or torch." When Mana mentioned his position of command, the young man sprouted a wide grin, and said, "Yeah, big step from a scrawny sellsword eh? Though that's almost nothing compared to you, I heard you killed a dragon!"
Before Selibas heard Mana's answer, Dale brought his horse closer to the two and said, "Selibas Khan, should I sound a halt?" Selibas looked to his cousin, then back to the mass, now almost to where he sat atop Lightning. "No, we'll keep moving. Just catching up with a friend." When he turned back to Mana, he smiled again and said, "If you'd like, you c'n ride with me, or," he looked over his shoulder and pointed into the army, "I think our Crimson Demon is somewhere around there."
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Post by Mana on Aug 6, 2016 16:37:39 GMT -6
Even after finally realizing that she was speaking to a Khan didn't change Mana's attitude. The girl knew this Khan personally so it was a bit difficult to see him as someone different from the boy she had met a few years ago. Maybe she would fix it eventually but for now she just couldn't suddenly become super polite and rigid with Selibas. That would be awkward!
"Hmm...right. You didn't have it last time. Not bad look, though. You look manlier than the boy I knew. Although I must admit I think you will look better without that beard...just saying. That beard makes you look old," Mana remarked casually and laughed. She didn't mean to be rude with that comment, just her being her usual blunt self. And her comment about his look wasn't to flirt with the young Khan, too. One of Mana's bad habit was that she had tendency to say what she was thinking without even filtering her words. Selibas then said something about what had happened to her since their parting. "Not much...I just went to several places and explored Lycia and a bit Etruria. I met some new friends and also had some adventures and exciting battles." Actually there was more that what she had explained but good in storytelling wasn't her strong point. Also, summarizing all those events in just a few sentences was impossible, after all. All of her adventures were exciting and important for the Sacaen girl so it would take more than one or two nights if she really had to explain all of those in full.
Someone then came and said something to Selibas, whose then replied to him a bit before he returned his attention to Mana again. Failing to catch what they were whispering, Mana just stayed there and watched the mass moving while the two men finished their conversation.
"Sure, I would like to have a chat with you, after all. You won't mind catching up with an old friend, will you? Of course I want to go there and talk to Kenshin but I also want to talk to you," Mana said as she turned her horse to the same direction everyone was marching. For some reason, being in the head of the coalition with the leader felt super weird and awkward. It wouldn't be a big problem for her, though. Mana ignored that feeling and stayed where she was to talk with Selibas. "Just a little comment about what you said... I didn't kill the dragon. And honestly, I barely did anything in that chaos. I just got one hit and that couldn't be counted as killing blow. Wyatt and Valcrist, and a lot of wyvern knights, did most of the job and it's hard to tell who got the killing blow," she said, looking a bit dejected when she was reciting her incompetency in that famous battle. People kept saying that she had killed the dragon. Well, the Sacaen swordsmaster didn't believe that she deserved such merit because some people who had participated in that chaos had done and achieved more that her. "So uh...I actually shouldn't be mentioned at all since my accomplishment in that battle was insignificant," she added.
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Selibas
Hero
The Little Wolf
My Word is Iron.
Posts: 455
Etruria Fame: -1
Bern Fame: 4
Illia Fame: -3
Profession: Khan
Guild: Tribe of Sacae
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Selibas
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Post by Selibas on Aug 6, 2016 21:40:40 GMT -6
As Lightning picked his pace up beneath the short Khan, Selibas smiled and stroked his beard. He liked the look of his beard, on the rare occasions he managed to catch his reflection. It made him look more like Chlane, and the way it grew on his face was nothing like Cinderfelt. He'd rather look like the man he'd looked up to as a father than the man who actually was his father. When he was shaved, he knew he looked a lot like the old Wyvern Lord, so the beard would stick around for some time. Besides, if the beard made him look older, that was a good thing. He didn't command respect from anyone who saw him as a child, let them think of him as eighty if it helped them follow him.
"Oh please, you don't have to be so modest. I've heard a hundred versions of that story. A lot of them I dismissed right off, but every account of it I heard you were center stage for the fight with the big lizard. It's hard to imagine the girl I met back in Ostia becoming a dragonslayer, but I can tell from looking at you now that you've change in more than a few ways." Selibas smiled. "I didn't slay a dragon in my time in Bern, but I did accomplish a few things, I was a commander in the rebellion y'see..."
The camp had gone up almost immediately after they had come to a halt. Sentries had been positioned, and fires and gers had been set up in clumps, so that the units were forced to sleep near each other. If there was going to be anything this march accomplished, Selibas would see a Lorca smile at a Chaklai, and a Gula would hug a Juyin. That much he was certain of.
For now, in the interest of unity, nearly all Sacaens not working as sentries or scouts were gathered in the center of camp, to share in a small feast. There was roasted mutton from the herds of sheep that Selibas' own tribes had once guarded, and elk that had been hunted for, as well as a small array of vegetables traded for back in Bulgar. Meat was far more plentiful in Sacae, and the vegetables were rationed more severly. But still, for the night, the had roasted carrots and steamed snap beans to go with their meat, and Selibas was sure that any who didn't wish to tear into the mutton would be happy for it.
He himself sat with crossed legs, in between Khasar and Kaichun, who were arguing over which of them had been a better shot before Khasar had stopped using a bow. They'd been arguing a lot lately, Selibas suspected it was because Kaichun had been spending more time with Bekter's son, who was almost as quiet as his father. Khasar had many friends, but he was used to having his brother close at hand, so he was more and more annoyed when his younger brother was actually around.
Selibas rifled through the bag of mutton that had been passed to him, but only picked at it. He didn't have much of an appetite, he was too busy thinking of the message Dale had brought him as soon as they'd made camp, and how it was obviously a trap. A trap he'd walk into.
The Khan looked around at the assembled Sacaens, all eating around the low tables that had been set out. He decided he'd go for a short walk, simply around them, to try and listen to them, get a feeling for them. He stood, and both brothers began to rise. "No no, it's fine. I'll walk with Delger. You two sit, talk to each other. Maybe about something more recent." The thin wraith rose, a smile stretching the scars across his face. With that, the pair of Sacaens were off. A small smile touched Selibas' face as he heard Khasar ask his little brother about his new companion.
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Post by Midori on Aug 7, 2016 11:17:17 GMT -6
Midori spent the rest of the day's march in quiet contemplation over things. Her mentor and childhood companion occasionally spoke to her about things and she responded in turn. Midori was fortunate that today seemed to be a relatively slow day combat wise. The evening hours were also quiet. The Chaklai tents and Ger's were set up. Some had volunteered themselves to act as scouts. The healers had their tents open to tend to the people. Little injuries that were collected upon the march were mended and tended too. Sprains were healed. Cuts were mended. Blistered feet were soaked in herbal waters. Those that had hurt themselves sparring were treated as well. Midori was happy about this. People were coming towards them. The other tribes were starting to recognize them for their talents as healers. Conversations were being had between the tribes and slowly the Chaklai were being accepted among the group. These were crucial first steps towards what the Chaklai believed to be a grand unified Sacae. A Sacae where the tribes were unified in brotherhood under peace rather then war.
The work with the people was also a great learning tool for Midori as well. She was seeing common injuries. She was healing common injuries. Her speed and potency with the staff was steadily increased with each cut she mended. The elders described this as endurance training. Eventually, healing with the staff would become second nature to her. It would be like breathing or moving. She took a break from the healing tent in order to eat dinner. The pink-haired maiden washed her hands then made her way though the sea of tents and out towards the tables. She was glad for a simple meal of cooked meats and vegetables. The Chaklai donated a sack of their own grain to be used to cook for breakfast as a sign of gratitude.
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Post by Mana on Aug 7, 2016 14:20:11 GMT -6
"Really...those stories exaggerate things." Mana replied, sighing and ruffling her hairs in frustration. She wasn't sure she was worthy of such fame. The girl swore that if people kept calling her dragonslayer then she would really set out to find one and slay it. Okay, that sounded evil. "Yeah I have heard that. I was surprised when I heard you became involved with the rebellion in Bern. But what surprised me even more was how you became a chief of your tribe. We are at the same age. Wait...or you are younger than me? Whatever... What I am trying to say is that it's rare for someone so young to be accepted to lead a tribe. So yeah, you have done very magnificent feat," she said.
Mana continued to converse with Selibas until they finally stopped to set a camp.
"Leave me alone!!!" Mana shouted in frustration as she ran around the camp with a group of men and women pursuing her. It wasn't because she did something wrong OR accidentally stabbed a random lady OR cut someone's finger in her drunken rampage. No! Those people weren't going to crucify the poor girl for bad deeds or worse, they simply had requests. Those people who chasing Mana were Sacaen warriors who wanting a spar with her or wanting to see the legendary Falcatta. But how this ruckus started? Well, it had begun one or two hours ago when she had tried to mingle with her fellow Sacaens. Mana had accepted a few requests to spar and skilfully dealt with the challengers, collecting victories and gaining attention of the crowd. The increasing requests had become too much for her eventually so she had decided to run away.
Mana ran among the sea of tents hoping to outmaneuver her crazy fans but her hope was shattered by how some of them was able to keep up with her speed. Damn...why all Sacaens ran very fast. Her escape eventually led the girl to the area where the Chalkai camped. It seemed she would never be able to shake off her pursuers so she needed to think better idea. Turning around a medium-sized ger, Mana arrived in where Midori was eating, her breathing becoming rough after all that running. Her eyes quickly scanned the area looking for possible hiding spot. Aaaaah!!! There was a huge barrel near the table. Nice! A barrel was everyone's friend!!! She could probably hide there until her pursuers passed by. Thank you barrel! Mana would definitely reward it later.
When Mana ran toward the barrel, she looked to Midori and said, "You never see me, do you understand? Don't tell them I am hiding there!!" The pink-haired girl looked like a nice person so of course she wouldn't help her, riiight? Anyway, she needed to do it quickly as those people would Wasting no more time, Mana made a high jump and then headed down into the barrel. It was nice that the top was left open so there was no need to break anything. And the barrel was pretty big as well that Mana small body would fit perfectly inside it. She just had to make sure she wouldn't shake it much when landing.
One second before landing, Mana noticed that something...a dipper...was floating inside the barrel. Weird. Waaait... a dipper? Floating??? That means the content of the barrel was... Oh great, nothing to worry about, it's just water......
Mana didn't even have time to scream or curse her luck as her unlucky self entered the barrel perfectly. A huge splash of water came out of the barrel and sprayed onto the grasses and the gers around it. Luckily Mana's pursuers came a bit late and didn't see the embarrassing scene. They simply stopped and searched for the swordswoman for a few seconds before they eventually left the area. Nice...Mana probably wouldn't be able to hold her breath longer, after all.
Mana's figure appeared from the barrel, completely wet, and then she slowly jumped out of it. It was clear from her expression that she felt humiliated. Maybe because she felt tired both physically and mentally, the girl unconsciously headed to the table and took a seat across Midori. "Aaaaw....today isn't my lucky day..." she muttered weakly, leaning on the table.
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Post by Altani on Aug 8, 2016 10:35:06 GMT -6
Altani heard Chelsea's words. She heard her speak on about her own difficulties The verdite haired Sacaen felt a slight pang of regret. Most of her friends were Temulun. They were always around her. Even for a large tribe, they moved and frequently interacted with one another so often that it mattered not. Even if they went to hunt, it was not long before they returned to boast and duel and wrestle once more among the tribes best. Chelsea however was different.
She was of another tribe. She traversed Elibe. She did not remain in the rolling green of Sacae. Altani did not believe she could ever leave her home. Not out of a desire not to, but because she was proud of her people and her role as a provider of them. She would always be one of the first to hunt. One of the first to defend for them. In this regard, one of the first to fight for them. Chelsea had visited from time to time, but not often enough. In earnest, she knew little about Chelsea's romantic arrangements. Not out of a lack of interest, but because of how odd it was. Every culture did pairings differently, but the Temulun perhaps most of all.
It was a pact. Bound in oath and blood, to stand by one another. The tribe may have come first, but no individual in the tribe became higher in priority than the one bound to you. Both became hunter, and protector of the other as they fought to preserve and progress the tribe. These.."marriages" were different. They spoke fancy flowery words and focused on the wrong priorities. Altani had a great distaste for that aspect of the outside world. They could shake your hand with one arm and prepare to stab you with the other while your mind was clouded with complicated words and.."Government". She did not understand this word entirely. However her father had mentioned that it disrupted the outside world.
Chelsea's hand had clapped to Altani's rear, which drew a grin from the young Sacaen lancer at Chelsea's boldness. Had anyone she knew less attempted such, she likely would've had one spear pinning their shoulder to the ground and the other shattering the bones that connected their upper arm to their lower arm. However she'd known the nomadic archer for so long that she could never even harbor the notion of such acts against her. As Chelsea winked and began to stride backwards, Altani clasped a hand to her chest with fire in her eyes and spoke in her usual tone of ferocity.
"Keep yourself safe in combat. I hold all to their challenges! "
The armor clad sacaen woman flashed a wider grin before turning on her heel at the already stirring bodies of her people. Her voice instantly climbed to reach among the mass of Temulun as she broke into a jog. Her right arm snapped back to grip one of her twin spears, before thrusting it to the havens and shouting furiously in her native tongue.
"Oya! Oya Manda! Oya'Karir'La!"
The Sacaens marched, but the Temulun jogged. A rippling cry of shouts and cheers from the entire gathered tribe shouted out, returning her phrase like a chant. Spears, and swords, and axes raised high while they beckoned to the top of their lungs. Oya was a phrase, that meant to hunt. Her words had called for a great hunt. To the Temulun, it would likely be, the greatest hunt. These Etrurians were beasts after all, and beasts, were merely meant to be hunted.
The march was ended for a time once more. However this time, Altani could not seek out those she wished to speak to.
Chelsea, whom she wished to converse with further.
Selibas, the short Khan with loud voice.
Her cousins.
For she had a greater matter to attend.
Other Sacaen camps were fast to raise, but the first part of the Temulun camp established, was the dueling circle. No sooner had it happened, that she was stepping into it however with her armor still on and two spears drawn. A weapon in either hand. This was no casual matter of fun trail though. This duel..was different.
A challenge to her authority. She was accepted by most of her tribe, but some of the older men had felt her younger age warranted her too green to lead. To direct. It was the most out-spoken of these men, that she now stared down upon. An older man, and a swordsman of her tribe. A man who fought with blade and mind perfectly melded for years. However, his sense of respect had clearly waned, for when she ordered them to halt, he snarled and brayed like a pony lost from its kin. He hated that she had to command them. By the time his burning gaze had locked onto hers, she almost knew what to expect. He had spat at her. An great insult in any community, but more so in the Temulun who thrived on respect. This, combined with him turning his back to her upon confrontation warranted what he ultimately knew would happen. A duel.
Not a duel of peaceful terms though. One to the death.
So it was, that Altani stood at the edge of a circled ring drawn to be thirty feet in length. Torches were lit ablaze and mounted upon wooden totems which stood seven feet tall, fifteen in total spaced around the ring. Some stood, others sat, but all watched. This elderly male with single blade drawn at the southern tip of the ring, and Altani at the northern most. Everyone waiting..to see who struck first.
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Post by Midori on Aug 8, 2016 19:20:40 GMT -6
Midori was enjoying her meal of meat and vegetables. She was munching on them with her own personal chopsticks. she was a bit too focused on her meal and didn't notice the young woman approaching the barrel. It wasn't until the woman said something about her not being seen. Midori didn't really catch it as she was busy chewing a particularly hard bit of carrot. The healer was about to warn the woman about the liquid in the barrel.
"Ah wait that's a.." She raised her hand up to address her but it was too late. The woman was already in the barrel and then there was the splash. Midori closed her eyes as if she was in pain and then turned her attention back towards her bowl. She sighed softly and tried to keep eating. A few other people came did a quick search of the area and left. Midori watched them leave. The woman in the barrel emerged and slowly shuffled herself out of container. Midori looked at her for a moment. The pink haired healer had a soft frown on her face. The woman in her need to hide inadvertently just contaminated a barrel of fresh drinking water. Not that the woman herself was a source of bacteria, but rather the "mud" from her feet could be. Midori also felt bad at the woman's bad luck. Fortunately, the water was replaceable at the very least the animals could still drink from it without getting sick. The woman now sat across from Midori, lamenting over her bad luck. Midori casually took off her sleeve cloak and handed it towards the woman.
"Use it as a drape to help prevent cold. Are.. you ok?"
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Post by Chelsea Dagger on Aug 9, 2016 20:01:20 GMT -6
Finally, they were stopping for the night. Chelsea enjoyed riding as much as the next Sacaen, but even she needed a break every now and again. She slid of Spirit and gave a stretched that lead to a number of popping noises. There, now that was better. She grinned over as her father dismounted his horse with a grunt. "Uh oh, sounds like someone sure is getting old..." She burst out laughing as her father gave her a few sarcastic laughs before giving her a little shove. She just kept grinning at him as they began to set up camp for the night.
Before long, camp was made and the horses were fed and watered. Chelsea gave Spirit a few extra rubs on the nose. She then turned her attention to the mob of Sacaens around them. It still didn't feel real that this was happening. So many different tribes here, intermingling. It felt like a dream. She watched as several members of another tribe tried their best to converse with Barton, only to be met with one word answers. Chelsea grinned. What a chatterbox he was. She then spotted her father flirting with several women. She made a mental note of that one for later. She would get some usage on that for teasing him.
In the meantime, there was someone who Chelsea needed to find again. There was still catching up to do with Altani. The resume of the march earlier had prevented them from catching up as much as she had wanted to. Plus, she just liked being around her. So she set off through the ocean of Sacaens in search of where her friend had made camp.
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Post by Kenshin on Aug 13, 2016 22:45:00 GMT -6
The Sacaen army had spent majority of the day riding, Kenshin had purposely placed himself in the middle of the pack. He was wanting to reinforce the fact he was just a 'soldier' and not a leader, even though many looked to him to be a keystone in the battle. He rode with his head down, not speaking to anyone even if they had tried, there was only one thing stuck on his mind. Defending his home land to protect his family, his tribe had recently took a great hit not only to their homes but their moral.
To many he was a hero, but he saw himself as something different, he knew the Bandit attack was because of him. Was it because Hargus knew Kenshin would recklessly charge into battle and if he died there would be one less rally point? One thing he had saw the past couple of days, even without him somebody is willing to step up and take his place when needed.
Night time had came before he had realized it, still keeping to himself he set up his tent. Stepping outside he had seen a sea of tents with fires spread out in it. He wasn't sure how much of an effect he made with his speech or the fact he was supporting the man who introduced himself as Selibas, but that sight had brought joy to him.
In the vast amount of faces he saw, there was a couple he recognized, including Yaen but he hasn't seen him since they began to match. Not that it mattered much to him, but he would like to lend support to those he knew personally, he knew a good number of them didn't necessarily need him but he didn't want to hear news of their injury or death.
He began to wonder around the camps, it was the first time in many, many years people weren't star struck seeing him. It was as if he was a normal person again, as if their minds were concentrating on something else.
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Post by Mizuyuki on Aug 15, 2016 13:25:14 GMT -6
The quiet plains had never seemed so..lonely. It was odd to think about it really. Quietly atop the nameless Sacaen steed he'd managed to tame in the days of wandering he'd taken to since his personal calamity. He had no real belongings, besides some small arrangement of clothes he'd gathered, and his weapons. As such, the chestnut brown steed he rode was without a saddle, and the small collection of garb simply lie wrapped within a cylindrical bundle tethered to his back along a strap. The celestial blanket strewn across the sky let the twinkling candles of starlight illuminate the heavens above..but only the pale soft light of the full moon guided his path. The lunar beams held a more serene beauty, solemn and somber in opposition of the cruel harsh candesenct sun that had hung high in the sky for the day prior.
Absent fingers combed through the blonde main upon the steed which cantered along dusky plains, veridian hills all blending together into a blurred setting of rising and dipping elevations of the same green field. The steady clip-clopping with the muffled impacts of the grassy surface augmenting the rhythmic sound. It was the only sound he could hear though, and had heart for the past two days. He hadn't encountered a single other living soul. He'd not seen any other game. This left him in solitude, which might have been preferred, had it not been for that which was unleashed unto him within his own mind. Those events...how they replayed.
The sound of ringing steel. Blades clashing against one another, before fleshy impacts met gargled resistance of flesh and meat and bone. The lingering sight, burned into his very core, of his fallen khan stumbling against the screen door; A silhouette of blade spraying along the side while the body buckled down and slowly slid to a lifeless slump. The soft yellow and crimson hues of burning fires spreading along the houses and the flames casting dancing shadows onto the blood soaked plains below. The heavy rains that came down during the massacre. It haunted his every waking moment, and when he closed his eyes..the vivider images that flashed before him were enough to force them open.
He couldn't remain within the ruins of his home though. Had he remained, he'd likely have been petrified within that moment. Forever replaying it, wasting away while obsessively idling within the graveyard his home had become. No. He recalled his Khan's last intent. To bind the two tribes of his people together in brotherhood, and move to join the great host being lead by Selibas. A green haired Khan of Sacae. Mizuyuki remembered him well. He'd never seen someone so...short. He had to inform the small Khan however, of the great betrayal that had befallen his tribe. He could not allow the oathbreaking false sacaen's to set upon any other as they had his people. He would travel the distance of Elibe and back to ensure that the right individuals knew. Luckily..he simply had to travel the length of Sacae instead...
After all. An army of Sacaen's was not hard to find....
He was weary from travel. His stomach'es tremors with an ache of no sated hunger in almost two days were beyond unpleasant. It threatened to consume inwards, or so it felt. Combine with his predominantly nocturnal sleep cycles so as to avoid unnecessary heat in travel, and preserve the stamina of his newly trusted steed. As such, he wore an ashen hued Yukata that was slightly larger than a suitable size. It was parted down to his mid-torso and exposed the fringes of the twin dragon tattoos which coiled around his shoulders and along his arms and chest. His skin was slightly paler than usual, as his constant nocturnal patterns had left his body denied the solar illumination that usually tanned the skin of most sacaens. He had an almost ghostly look to him.
An army of Sacaen souls was not something Elibe was likely to see often. It was also easier to navigate than one might have expected. Mizuyuki recognized some of the individuals among the horde. Tribes congregated into the same clusters of tents. He felt a certain relief, when he was able to dismount and feel the grass upon his feet once more. For the sake of distance, he'd been able to cover a great distance upon the steed and endured the discomfort of a long ride. However, the relief that washed over him when he was able to stretch his legs with long strides and the straightening of his back without the pressure of a hunched poise. Guiding his quadrupedal mount through the web-way of tents, combing through and occasionally speaking when necessary to one or another, to find his quarry; Mizuyuki found the sight of an emerald haired Sacaen standing far shorter than those around him.
The taller swordsman approached the young Khan, regardless of his company he seemed to take with him. His slightly deadened gaze found the young Khan's visage as the quiet swordsman moved to an intercepting path before quietly speaking.
"I greet you, Selibas Sacae. I must speak with you."
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Post by Mana on Aug 17, 2016 6:30:56 GMT -6
Mana raised her head slightly to look at Midori. She remembered her. The healer had been there eating her meal when Mana had made the worst choice for a hiding spot. Sighing tiredly, the swordswoman extended her hand and grab the dry cloak. "Thank you. I really need it. I will wash it later," she muttered softly, still feeling embarrassed for that wet incident. Mana made sure to take off her wet cloak first before wrapping herself with Midori's cloak. Her fingers ran through her hairs to get rid most of the water that still dripping down from the strands. "I am fine...just tired and wet, I guess. Don't worry...I won't catch a cold just from something like this." Well, she really hoped she wouldn't. Getting sick after such foolish incident would be very frustrating, especially when there were heading into a battle.
Mana looked at Midori then at her surroundings. For the first time, she realized that she didn't recognize in which tribe encampment she was now. It was a bit hard remembering every tribe and where they camped n this vast army. Sacaens usually had a few unique traits and cultures among the tribes that made them noticable but the plains was a home for hundreds Sacaen tribes so it might be impossible to memorize all of them. This was the Sacaen swordswoman's first interaction with someone from Chaklai tribe so she still didn't know about their custom and other things. "Mana of Hawkeye tribe. I am sorry for the water." The girl quickly apologized after making short introduction. As dumb as she might be, even Mana was aware that she had just made a barrel of clean water undrinkable. Well, not that she brought poison or anything dangerous into the water but people wouldn't want to drink from it anymore. "I must admit I am not aware which tribe you are from even after looking at those paintings and symbols on the tents. Are you from the eastern side of the plains? My tribe spent most of our life in the western plains so I don't know much about tribes from the other side," she asked. Her attempt to start conversation would have been better if she wasn't feeling affected by the cold water dripping down her skin which made her shivering. Well, at least the cloak made her warmer a bit.
"I guess I have made a good first impression. Jumping into the barrel like that...no wait, actually...it might make me look dumb," she said, laughing. Mana did feel a bit depressed for it but she eventually found it funny after imagining the scene repeatedly in her mind. "It wouldn't have happened if those guys weren't pursuing me," she added, this time shrugging and making long sigh,
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Post by Midori on Aug 18, 2016 19:54:33 GMT -6
The swords-woman seemed to be genuinely happy that she had something dry to put on. Midori had a soft smile on her face at the gesture. Midori didn't know why the group of people were following her or why she had to hide herself. It wasn't the pink haired troubadour's place to ask. It was her place to help the woman push past the situation.
"You may want to find a quiet place by the fire if anything. Cold has a funny way of sneaking up on people." She paused for a moment to look at Mana. Midori didn't recognize the clothes she had on. Which meant she did not recognize the tribe the sword woman came from. Whomever she was, she seemed to be very popular.
Mana, of the Hawkeye tribe. Sorry about the water. Ah that's her name. And her tribe. Even with that mystery solved, it seemed that Midori still had no idea whom the Hawkeye were. And it seemed that the feeling was mutual. Mana did not seem to know anything about the Chaklai tribe either. Which was understandable. There were plenty of tribe gathered here. And Sacae was large. It is impossible to know each and every tribe that has existed.
"I am Midori. Midori of the Chaklai. It nice to meet you Mana." She bowed her head lightly.
"The Chaklai tribe are located in the South. We are close to Bern and share her mountain ranges." She spoke casually. She frowned softly at Mana's shivering.
"You are shaking. Here.. let me escort you to a bonfire. Or perhaps towards your tribe's tents?" Midori got up and moved over towards's Mana's side of the table.
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