Sabine took the waterskin in one hand and made her way to the opposite edge of the fighting area to Wutanxeex. She looked across at him with alertness, but not panic. She kept that hidden in her heartbeat and her shakes. The strength potion had taken effect, so she felt springier on her feet, but this poison could hinder her coordination greatly. She did not specifically know. There was nothing else for it. Sabine uncorked the waterskin and drank down the poison. It was a sour brew, but she expected as much. As soon as she swallowed the last of it, she dropped the waterskin, held her staff in both hands and dropped into the guard stance that Lorag had taught her.
"Sabine is stronger than she looks. I think she still has a chance." Janius said, looking intently at the bout. Despite his words, he held Kaleeth's hand tightly. He was still worried. If Sabine was to be badly hurt, he felt as if he should take Zharanthixil's memorial skulls and smash them against a rock. When he realised that it was vengeance he was thinking of, he stopped himself, but another thought arose from the idea. Perhaps that was what Zharanthixil himself needed. If his sadness wasn't constantly reinforced by the skulls each day, then perhaps...
Wutanxeex and Sabine began to circle one another, sizing each other up. Sabine had picked a longer weapon, so she would have some reach, but the boy was taller than her. Perhaps reach wasn't the best option. She had strength over him... probably. He had skill though. If she was cautious, she might be able to make it work. Suddenly, Sabine staggered sideways, regaining her balance quickly. The poison was taking effect. Her mind slowed as well, she could hardly think further on what to do. Her vision started to lose focus, but she kept in position. Her hesitation cost her the initiative as she observed Wutanxeex rapidly stepping forward.
Muttonhawk Member
Let Slip the Corgis of War
- Last Seen: 4 mos ago
- Old Guild Username: Muttonhawk, probably.
- Joined: 12 yrs ago
- Posts: 7613 (1.67 / day)
- VMs: 0
-
Username history
- Muttonhawk 12 yrs ago
-
Latest 10 profile visitors:
-
Most recent →
StarfrostedFox,
Scrawl Banditta,
Lord Zee,
SkyeOfStars,
Vec,
corneredbliss,
abc,
LaserGunPewPew,
EliteCommander
Status
User has no status, yet
Bio
Dear Mr Curly,
I have done little travelling lately because I have been so dreadfully weary. Can it be true as the old Ecclesiastes said; that all things lead to weariness? Surely not. Perhaps the opposite is true: that all nothings lead to weariness. I have a peculiar feeling, Curly, that I am worn out from something I haven't yet done and the more I don't do it, the more exhausted I become. How strange. Could it be something I haven't realised? Perhaps it's something I haven't said? Something I haven't finished! It must be very large and true whatever it is and a lively struggle in the doing but I look forward to it immensely. I know I need it. First, however, I must curl up in my chair and sleep deeply with the duck. Perhaps I'll dream of this thing and wake up refreshed and do it. My fond wishes to you Mr. Curly, and to all Curly Flat.
Yours sleepily,
Vasco Pyjama
xxx
P.S. Not having breakfast can make you weary. That's for sure!
Most Recent Posts
After a quick greeting to the people gathered, Janius and Kaleeth stayed out of the way on the sidelines. Janius was surprised to see the Master-Hunter again, but not pleasantly. By the tone of the Jel being thrown between him and Thorantilth, he had decided to stir up trouble. By the physicality of the boy that accompanied him, Janius suspected that he had not taken his plea against harming Sabine into account. Still, Janius didn't speak up. Even though the boy looked stronger, Janius knew for a fact that Sabine was much stronger than her gaunt figure betrayed. It would be a competition of skill versus strength. In any case, Zharanthixil had reduced Sabine's chance of winning. With a concerned whisper, Janius leaned to Kaleeth, "What does your father hope to achieve by doing this? Does he just want to see Sabine getting hurt?"
It seemed that just as Sabine felt like she was regaining some semblance of control, it had come crashing down again. The appearance of the Master-Hunter was enough to make her uneasy, but the translation made her eyes dart around and her heart race. He must have picked a stronger and more skilled opponent because he didn't like the pack. This other boy, Wutanxeex, was not picked as an even match. Meesei's comfort was at least enough to encourage her to shakily pick out a wooden staff from Tunxeek's arms and step forward. Before anything, she uncorked the waterskin that held her strength potion and downed it as fast as she could, almost breathing some in by mistake in her rush. Now she would just have to take the poison that they mentioned and the bout would begin. If she hadn't noticed that she was shaking before, she was most certainly shaking now. She had to hold onto her staff tightly just to keep her fingers still.
Tunxeek himself didn't offer any words to Sabine after upsetting her earlier that morning, but his face showed some fearful concern as well. Father was right, Wutanxeex was not an even match for Sabine. And with the way he parroted the Master-Hunter, he might beat Sabine to a pulp if they let him. At least, he thought. He wasn't sure if even he would go that far.
It seemed that just as Sabine felt like she was regaining some semblance of control, it had come crashing down again. The appearance of the Master-Hunter was enough to make her uneasy, but the translation made her eyes dart around and her heart race. He must have picked a stronger and more skilled opponent because he didn't like the pack. This other boy, Wutanxeex, was not picked as an even match. Meesei's comfort was at least enough to encourage her to shakily pick out a wooden staff from Tunxeek's arms and step forward. Before anything, she uncorked the waterskin that held her strength potion and downed it as fast as she could, almost breathing some in by mistake in her rush. Now she would just have to take the poison that they mentioned and the bout would begin. If she hadn't noticed that she was shaking before, she was most certainly shaking now. She had to hold onto her staff tightly just to keep her fingers still.
Tunxeek himself didn't offer any words to Sabine after upsetting her earlier that morning, but his face showed some fearful concern as well. Father was right, Wutanxeex was not an even match for Sabine. And with the way he parroted the Master-Hunter, he might beat Sabine to a pulp if they let him. At least, he thought. He wasn't sure if even he would go that far.
"Very well," Janius replied. Taking Kaleeth's hand, he walked alongside her to try and find the site of Sabine's trial again. As much as Janius did not want to see Kaleeth-Rei's relationship with her father deteriorate, she was right. It would be nicer just to take the little time they had. It came as some relief, actually. As soon as he was a distance from Zharanthixil's hut, he began to notice the sun's warmth again and began to smile more naturally now.
Over in the trial site, Sabine was so restless that she started tapping her foot against the ground uncharacteristically. She was still nervous, but now also had too much pent up energy. She kept her eyes out for Thorantilth, but also shot glances at the healer every now and then. She had to keep reminding herself not to get so tense just because she wasn't holding the potions she had made. The tension led to thinking about her failed powerful potion on one occasion, but she scrunched her eyes shut and stamped the thought back.
Over in the trial site, Sabine was so restless that she started tapping her foot against the ground uncharacteristically. She was still nervous, but now also had too much pent up energy. She kept her eyes out for Thorantilth, but also shot glances at the healer every now and then. She had to keep reminding herself not to get so tense just because she wasn't holding the potions she had made. The tension led to thinking about her failed powerful potion on one occasion, but she scrunched her eyes shut and stamped the thought back.
Happy 1000th IC post :)
EDIT: Also, g'night!
EDIT: Also, g'night!
Even though Janius' own face showed disappointment, it was directed more to himself and Zharanthixil than Kaleeth. When Kaleeth started to speak of her inaction, Janius closed his eyes and sighed through his nose slowly. He opened his eyes and met Kaleeth's look. "Oh Kaleeth," he said with a consoling tone, walking up to her and wrapping his arms lightly around her neck, "You have nothing to be sorry to me about." He pulled her close to him for a few moments until her heartbeat slowed to a normal rate.
The skulls that Zharanthixil kept struck Janius as glory to his internal suffering, as if he wanted to prolong it rather than have closure and move on. Regardless, Zharanthixil's experiences would live with him for the rest of his life, but to be reminded every day, to punish himself with those memories would make sure that he could never be free of the pain. Janius had hoped he could see past the hateful hunter and see the loving father that Zharanthixil was, but he only exposed the way of most of his enemies. It was because of people of the same mentality as Zharanthixil that lycans like him were ostracised. Now he couldn't even be a plain old Imperial without attracting the ire of such people. It made him feel very unwelcome. Janius felt like saying as much to Kaleeth, but she still loved her father. Janius thought it would be selfish to give her any more reasons to disagree with Zharanthixil.
When they pulled away from one another, Janius held his hands on either side of Kaleeth's jaw. "Was there anything you wanted to say to your father?" Janius glanced at the hut, then back to Kaleeth, "I'm not welcome in there, but he still loves you, it's not ever too late to talk to him. You can take the time to think about it before you go in if you like, then you won't be put on the spot like just then." Janius smiled encouragingly, "Don't be afraid to be honest."
The skulls that Zharanthixil kept struck Janius as glory to his internal suffering, as if he wanted to prolong it rather than have closure and move on. Regardless, Zharanthixil's experiences would live with him for the rest of his life, but to be reminded every day, to punish himself with those memories would make sure that he could never be free of the pain. Janius had hoped he could see past the hateful hunter and see the loving father that Zharanthixil was, but he only exposed the way of most of his enemies. It was because of people of the same mentality as Zharanthixil that lycans like him were ostracised. Now he couldn't even be a plain old Imperial without attracting the ire of such people. It made him feel very unwelcome. Janius felt like saying as much to Kaleeth, but she still loved her father. Janius thought it would be selfish to give her any more reasons to disagree with Zharanthixil.
When they pulled away from one another, Janius held his hands on either side of Kaleeth's jaw. "Was there anything you wanted to say to your father?" Janius glanced at the hut, then back to Kaleeth, "I'm not welcome in there, but he still loves you, it's not ever too late to talk to him. You can take the time to think about it before you go in if you like, then you won't be put on the spot like just then." Janius smiled encouragingly, "Don't be afraid to be honest."
After a quick once-over, looks good. I'll give it a proper read after my shift tonight.
There wasn't anything else to say. Janius had done as much as he could as far as he could see, anything else was falling into the trap of trying to convince the man of something he did not want to believe. Janius glanced to Kaleeth, then turned to walk out. At the door, he looked over to Zharanthixil one last time. "I'm sorry about what happened to your village, Zharanthixil." Janius then walked outside and waited a moment to see if Kaleeth-Rei would come along. She might have some words for her father, but Janius' presence was only making things worse.
Although it didn't seem like it, Janius hoped that he had made his stance clear. It didn't seem like Zharanthixil had any intention of harming him or the pack while the Elder and the Treeminder were around.
Although it didn't seem like it, Janius hoped that he had made his stance clear. It didn't seem like Zharanthixil had any intention of harming him or the pack while the Elder and the Treeminder were around.
His expression remained the same save for looking down at the skulls that he was handed, but Janius' breath was emptied in what he could only describe as pity and sadness. He saw these skulls every day? No wonder he was so fixated. He was reminding himself of traumatic memories each and every single day.
"Kaleeth had told me about your former village, but I did not know that last detail." Janius said after a moment. Even though he had nothing to do with the acts against Zharanthixil's mother, he couldn't help but feel guilt on behalf of the Imperials that were involved. He understood now truly why the Master-Hunter was so enraged. "So, you would indict all outsiders with these crimes? Hmm..." Janius' expression took a turn as he studied the skulls in front of him. Before, it was a sort of pleading, but now it turned to cynical thought. Zharanthixil was just as afraid of outsiders as most misunderstanding people were afraid of werewolves. Just another scarred soul consumed by his own fear. Part of Janius just wanted to leave then. To decide that there was no point and give up.
Janius pursed his lips together for a moment, looking away, then spoke up again. He didn't want to lose his temper this time, but his view of Zharanthixil was mixed at this stage. "Zharanthixil, is everything you know about outsiders written in the acts against these Saxhleel heads? How much do you truly know about outsiders?"
"Kaleeth had told me about your former village, but I did not know that last detail." Janius said after a moment. Even though he had nothing to do with the acts against Zharanthixil's mother, he couldn't help but feel guilt on behalf of the Imperials that were involved. He understood now truly why the Master-Hunter was so enraged. "So, you would indict all outsiders with these crimes? Hmm..." Janius' expression took a turn as he studied the skulls in front of him. Before, it was a sort of pleading, but now it turned to cynical thought. Zharanthixil was just as afraid of outsiders as most misunderstanding people were afraid of werewolves. Just another scarred soul consumed by his own fear. Part of Janius just wanted to leave then. To decide that there was no point and give up.
Janius pursed his lips together for a moment, looking away, then spoke up again. He didn't want to lose his temper this time, but his view of Zharanthixil was mixed at this stage. "Zharanthixil, is everything you know about outsiders written in the acts against these Saxhleel heads? How much do you truly know about outsiders?"
"I'm not here to convince you that my friends and myself are not threats, Master-Hunter." Janius raised his palm to Zharanthixil, keeping his composure and trying not to give any reason for him to become angrier, "Neither am I here to question your loyalty to the village, let alone the lengths you will go to protect it. I'm only here for two reasons." Janius angled his head forward slowly, still looking directly at Zharanthixil. "First of all..." he held out both of his palms facing the ceiling, "...I'm here to apologise." Janius withdrew his hands and brought his head level again, "I insulted you down by the riverside, and did not mean to upset you by laying with your daughter. I don't expect to be forgiven at this point, that much is clear. I just want you to know that none of this was meant in malice. It was all my fault, my friends didn't have any part in it." Janius closed his eyes and shook his head for a moment, "Of course, I don't expect you to believe me either. No, more important is the second reason I've come to speak with you."
Janius' brow creased upwards in an insistent expression. "I know you hate me, I won't try to convince you otherwise of that either. I know that your mind may be breeding intent to act in spite towards myself or my friends, but just... before you do such things, please ask yourself whether you are doing so in the name of the Hist and the protection of the village, or in vengeance towards myself. I understand that the nature of such motives cannot exist together, Kaleeth-Rei has mentioned as much to me." Janius nodded his head to one side, "And even if you want to act in spite and vengeance, I only request one thing, as one protector to another." Janius looked Zharanthixil directly in the eyes and made every word in his next sentence clear, "Leave Kaleeth and Sabine out of it. Leave all my friends out of it. Sabine is my sister, Kaleeth is your daughter and very dear to me as well. My friends, they're also my family, the only family I have. By your honour, can you promise me that?"
Janius' brow creased upwards in an insistent expression. "I know you hate me, I won't try to convince you otherwise of that either. I know that your mind may be breeding intent to act in spite towards myself or my friends, but just... before you do such things, please ask yourself whether you are doing so in the name of the Hist and the protection of the village, or in vengeance towards myself. I understand that the nature of such motives cannot exist together, Kaleeth-Rei has mentioned as much to me." Janius nodded his head to one side, "And even if you want to act in spite and vengeance, I only request one thing, as one protector to another." Janius looked Zharanthixil directly in the eyes and made every word in his next sentence clear, "Leave Kaleeth and Sabine out of it. Leave all my friends out of it. Sabine is my sister, Kaleeth is your daughter and very dear to me as well. My friends, they're also my family, the only family I have. By your honour, can you promise me that?"
Sabine bowed her head forward and waited for the healer to finish scrutinising her potions. As Thorantilth walked away, she thought about what weapon she would use, at least as a mental task to ward off her anxiety. She practiced mostly with a sword with Lorag, but before he allowed her to even draw it, he made her practice with sticks. The first stick was about as long as a sword and she had practiced mostly with that, but she also tried a longer stick with which she was taught a couple of basic spear and staff techniques. The reach helped her quite a bit, but she was still under-practiced. Perhaps it would be an easier decision to make when she met her opponent.
When he entered, Janius quickly glanced around the room before looking back at Zharanthixil. Even though the Master-Hunter's expression was threatening, Janius held a blank and unassuming face. He was trying to be diplomatic this time. He had hoped that Zharanthixil would have been more open, but he still showed anger. "Zharanthixil. We need to talk. I insist. It won't take long." Janius stood up straight and kept his arms by his sides, but he kept his eyes on the hunter in case he decided to lash out. If Kaleeth's words were true, then he would not have to worry, but he still wanted to be prepared.
When he entered, Janius quickly glanced around the room before looking back at Zharanthixil. Even though the Master-Hunter's expression was threatening, Janius held a blank and unassuming face. He was trying to be diplomatic this time. He had hoped that Zharanthixil would have been more open, but he still showed anger. "Zharanthixil. We need to talk. I insist. It won't take long." Janius stood up straight and kept his arms by his sides, but he kept his eyes on the hunter in case he decided to lash out. If Kaleeth's words were true, then he would not have to worry, but he still wanted to be prepared.
© 2007-2026