The First Blight: Curse of Dumat [RP/Closed]

[ShadowFolk]

Lost in thought, the mage barely noticed the passage of time. The sky had darkened and they all needed to sleep. Sulahn'nehn pushed off the floor and headed out to the barracks, saying her good nights.

She thought leaving on another mission might actually improve her mood. Better than being stuck in the women's barracks. After a change of clothes, she climbed into bed for another night of terrible sleep.

 

[Slycne]

Frittering away the day was a skill sailors learned well, and any military soldier doubly so. When orders might be as simple as 'go there and report any strange activity', you quickly adapted to the hurry up and wait mentality.

As shadows grew long and the sun waned over the horizon, Jarrik waved Diocles and Ulrin on ahead and remained. "Aye, I'll be along later." Knowing that sleep would not come easily on only his second night Joined, he was in no hurry to turn in early for the evening. At least not without a proper drink first. He sat watching the sunset, taking pulls on a sweet honey mead that a servant had brought him and singing softly to himself.

So, heave her up and away we'll go
Heave away, Afsaana
Heave her up and away we'll go


Noticing that their griffin instructor was the only soul remaining, aside the feathery sort. "So how did the they fair?" He offered up the half full bottle of mead for her taking.

 

[FortyThree]

Wishing Ulrin a good night as respectfully as he could, Diocles unequipped and undressed for the night, mildly agitated. Another night in his bed alone. It was getting.. difficult. How did Ulrin manage staying chaste? No wonder the elf was so grumpy and violent.

Nevertheless, he was tired. It was not long before he was fast asleep.

 

[Cinnonym]

"Ah--Thank you."

Nadja took the bottle from the man's hand and leaned against the wall beside him to take a swig. The view from the tower made the world seem so small, just mountains and darkness for as far as the eye could see. One could almost forget the Darkspawn. Almost. She took one more pull before surrendering it back to Jarrik's care.

"The two of them are very good. Komnenos is... skilled and agile enough to keep himself and the poor fool who has to ride with him alive, and that Ulrin is a natural-born flier. He belongs in the air." The woman turned to regard Ironface, seeing him now for the first time outside of the context of "bunch of students". "So. You're not from around here."

 

[Slycne]

He responded with a smirk, a melding of tanned curled lip, white teeth and a gray metal stud inset beneath his mouth. "Aye, my charmin' good looks gave it away?" Half a bottle of mead loosening a bit of flirtation from his tongue.

"Jarrik de Avalos, from the shores of Rivain." He took a long drink, enjoying the taste of honey, a hint of rose hips and some spice he couldn't quite place. Whoever stocked the wine cellars of Weisshaupt had fine taste. "And it's a pleasure, Nadja, wasn't it? From where do you hail?" As he handed the bottle back in turn.

 

[Cinnonym]

"Oh, quite the opposite of islands, I'm afraid. What isn't sand is a rock in the Anderfels." Nadja did take the bottle back from him, but held it by its neck at her side. "But the Darkspawn touch us all, isn't that true? And there are no Grey Wardens greater and more loyal than the Anders. It's only a shame that the Tevinters are more... natural leaders."

Now she put the bottle to her lips and drank, downing the remainder of the mead in a few measured gulps before handing it, empty, back to the Rivaini man.

"You should get to bed, Jarrik de Avalos," Nadja said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, "going to be a long day tomorrow. Yes?"

The griffon rider left him there, leaving the roosts for the stairs down to the dormitories. Fidelity remained, observing in silence for a time before it, too, chose the staircase.

 

[Slycne]

"Aye."

Holding up the empty bottle, Jarrik let out an impressed whistle. A good fourth of the bottle had been left and it had been strong stuff. As Nadja left, he half expected that she slept up in the roost among the griffins, though perhaps that was just the mead muddling his thoughts. A good sign he'd had enough to make sleep more manageable.

He found his way to the barrack and swung into his hammock for another night of restless sleep.

 

[Cinnonym]

At dawn, Nadja stirred her fellow Wardens and informed them that Constable Aurelius was waiting at the roosts. Atop the tower, four beasts had been drawn from their stalls and saddled, one for each of the capable fliers. The one belonging to the Anders woman was a great snowy creature that she called White Fury.

"There are three of you who can't fly worth a damn, so I suggest pairing up quickly. I'll be around to strap you in, if necessary."

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles had been a bit grumpy this morning-But he cheered up when he recognized one of the griffins. Smiling, he mounted Ser Flufferkins with many a cooing whisper to the beast, stroking his neck affectionately.

 

[ShadowFolk]

Sulahn'nehn, reasonably, had trouble waking but eventually got up, dressed, and ready.

As she figured they would need to double up on the mounts and her eyes naturally went to the archer. He was a decent flyer, but spending hours holding onto him was probably a poor idea and she did not want to invite that trouble. She didn't know Delphina at all and spending the same amount of hours holding onto Jarrik seemed just as awkward. The upside was that Ulrin was a natural and she was certain he would not oppose to being paired with her.

The elf tapped Ulrin on the shoulder, "Would you mind?"

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin looked over the beast, he too felt a bit of joy at seeing the griffin he'd ridden yesterday was one of the ones saddled and ready to go. He walked over to it, reaching out to stroke his neck greet it accordingly. He knew there was was a rush to get going, so he did not linger at playing with the creature. The elf pulled himself up into his saddle and looked down at those they had to partner up with.

He extended his hand to Sulahn'nehn when she came to him, "Not at all, my sister." He took her hand and helped her up onto the saddle behind him. "Make sure you hold on tight, I do not want to lose you."

 

[Slycne]

Sleep had once again not come easily, Jarrik was still shaking nightmares loose as he climbed the tower steps dressed for battle, stifling a yawn. He managed to crack a smile to the thought that the morning sun was going to look stunning against the warm gold of his armor.

At the roost, Sulahn'nehn selection unfortunately left him a bit perplexed. Fidelity and the young elf would have little trouble applying their magical skills while flight, but he required a more up-close fight. "Do we suspect we'll see any fightin' while mounted?" He stated openly, discussing the problem. "The Constable and Komnenos will prefer to stay a'flight to feather the 'spawn." His spear butt thudded against the ground to make the point that he couldn't fight at range.

"Would you mind the double? I assumed you'd prefer to fly alone." He asked the only other fighter among them, Nadja with her glaive. "Or does one of you want to risk droppin' me off?" He turned his head back to address the two with bows, Diocles and Delphina.

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles watched the elves with a sullen expression, but Jarrik's words drew his attention. He made a point of avoiding eye contact with the knight. Ser Flufferkins didn't need the extra weight and D would like to remain high so he could analyze tactically and shoot over any cover. He looked between Nadja and Delphina, whistling a merry tune he'd heard from Trajan's bard.

 

[Cinnonym]

Nadja gave him a nod, grinning. The man wasn't bad, and she was the best equipped for the job of putting him on the ground. She, too, fought at close quarters--though she did it mounted. The Constable would need to retain height.

"Certainly. Wait by White Fury, there, let me strap the buxom elf girl in 'fore she falls off the back and gives poor Ulrin a fright." The woman came around to offer Sulahn'nehn a leg up onto the back of Ulrin's griffon, a mottled brown female by the name of Weaver. There were straps that hooked to the stirrups, two that both looped around her waist and were affixed one to each side. "We don't want you tumbling, yes? Rest easy. Ulrin is a truly gifted flier."

Fidelity lingered among them, looking blank as usual, before finally approaching Delphina's side. "I would prefer the privilege of riding with the Lady Constable, if I may."

 

[ShadowFolk]

There was something terribly embarrassing about needing to be strapped onto a griffon, but it was likely for the best. No one wanted to keep her from falling more than she did. "Thank you, ser. That puts my mind at ease."

Mostly.

The most she could hope for was smooth flying until they needed to touch down, it was all a step above sailing at the very least.

 

[Slycne]

Jarrik let loose a short laugh at Nadja's comments as she went to assist the elf.

The issue settled, he took a place near White Fury. Getting into the saddle would not have proved much of a challenge, but it also might have proved quite rude to mount without permission. So he took the opportunity to make sure every vambrace, greave, sabaton and all the rest were properly strapped tightly, ensuring nothing slipped free during flight.

"Going to get lonesome by yourself there Komnenos?" He cracked while adjusting his tasset for the ride. "How long will it take us to get to Antiva any ways?"

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles did look a little lonely, but he answered with a casual tone and a playful wink.

"Some time alone won't do me any harm."

He nodded to the elves and Delphina, expecting them to agree on that, if nothing else.

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin focused on keeping Weaver steady while Sulahen'nehn was strapped on behind him. He hoped he'd be able to handle the beast with the added weight of the other elf. He knew he could fly just fine by himself, he supposed compensating for his friend would just have to be a lesson as they journeyed. Nadja certainly had confidence in him, and that gave him a bit of assurance. Something about the confident Senior Warden made him feel comfortable. Or perhaps nostalgic for their lost friend. He certainly thought better of her than Delphina.

Any woman that so easily laughed and carried on with Diocles was not right her mind.

"I will take good care of both Sulahen'nehn and Weaver." He nodded to the woman.

"Flying alone will help you focus on leading us,you will not have to worry about losing anyone off your mount, just on making decisions." It was all Ulrin could think to say to Diocles. In actuality he wanted to warn him that if he had a partner he'd waste his time thinking of what they could do in the air a top his griffon. But then again maybe the beast would toss them and he'd fall to his doom. No, Nadja said she would catch them.

Either way, so long as he did not have to make this journey dealing with Diocles' flirtations being displayed in the air, he did not care.

 

[duckflesh]

Delphina nodded, showing no apparent discomfort at Fidelity's presence. She climbed up to mount her griffon before offering her hand to Fidelity, pulling him up if he accepted it.

"Stick by me or Nadja during the flight," she called out. "Do not lose sight of us. If you get separated, you'll have to land and make a smoky fire to signal us, or else do your best to get back to Weisshaupt on your own."

 

[Cinnonym]

The spirit clutched firmly to Delphina, the thought of their inevitable altitude causing some concern.

Nadja swung up onto the back of White Fury and helped Jarrik aboard as well, reminding him how to keep himself steady in the stirrups. "Three days, about. Just avoiding the road through the mountains saves us time enough, you can't imagine. Don't worry, we'll be taking plenty of rest along the way for the birds' sakes."

The woman nodded to Delphina; the Constable was the first to take to the air. Nadja instructed her students to follow, and she and Jariik took up the rear in the event the two new riders took a plunge.

The journey was quiet, swift, though there was much excitement in the mere act of flying. Enough for Nadja, who had seen it a hundred times before. Every period of rest held a sense of urgency, a prodding by the Senior Warden, an insistence to continue. Only when they stopped overnight were they allowed a full sleep. By the evening of the third day, Antiva City was once again a column of thick black smoke.

"Well," she shouted, to be heard above the rushing winds, "that doesn't look good at all!"