The edges of the vast forest Fell had been tamed by the sprawl of the city of Elhaven. The crowded urban center of the city segued into the suburban areas, which faded into the farms and pig pens that spotted the rolling hills. It was hard to notice the start of the Fell until one noticed the trees growing closer and taller and darker. By unspoken agreement the locals made sure not to stray too far into the woods lest they be lost to the ancient forest and those that made it their home. The vast network of sprawling trees spanned a distance of hundreds of miles west of Elhaven to the major trading port of Orocola, the next major city. Though there was a safer, larger thoroughfare that curved to the northwest that bypassed the densest, darkest parts of the forest, the quickest route was through the Fell Forest.
It was on the edge of the forest that Jos sat with his mule, waiting for dawn and the rest of his party. He’d only been through the forest a few times before, and like today, he’d had time sensitive goods that needed expeditious shipping. It was more common for larger caravans to make the roundabout trip through the sparser northern regions of the Fell; the rough-hewn nature of the shortcut made it difficult for wheeled vehicles, so most travelers were forced to rely on their own two (or four) legs.
Jos was a wandering merchant, a weather witch, a purveyor of magical goods, and relatively well known amongst those who had need of his services. He’d call rain, braid winds into thread, trap lightning in a bottle—all for a price. As a mage he had a respectable number of tricks up his sleeves, but even he wasn’t so foolish as to brave the Fell on his own if he didn’t have to.
Talis shifted and made a noise, snuffling at Jos’s dirty blonde hair. “Yes, yes, I know,” he murmured, looking away from the small glass orb he’d been filling with the first light of dawn. “But the sun’s up, and we should see our new friends very soon.”
@
syrk @
Crystalloid @
Fenrys @
artemiswanderer
The edges of the vast forest Fell had been tamed by the sprawl of the city of Elhaven. The crowded urban center of the city segued into the suburban areas, which faded into the farms and pig pens that spotted the rolling hills. It was hard to notice the start of the Fell until one noticed the trees growing closer and taller and darker. By unspoken agreement the locals made sure not to stray too far into the woods lest they be lost to the ancient forest and those that made it their home. The vast network of sprawling trees spanned a distance of hundreds of miles west of Elhaven to the major trading port of Orocola, the next major city. Though there was a safer, larger thoroughfare that curved to the northwest that bypassed the densest, darkest parts of the forest, the quickest route was through the Fell Forest.
It was on the edge of the forest that Jos sat with his mule, waiting for dawn and the rest of his party. He’d only been through the forest a few times before, and like today, he’d had time sensitive goods that needed expeditious shipping. It was more common for larger caravans to make the roundabout trip through the sparser northern regions of the Fell; the rough-hewn nature of the shortcut made it difficult for wheeled vehicles, so most travelers were forced to rely on their own two (or four) legs.
Jos was a wandering merchant, a weather witch, a purveyor of magical goods, and relatively well known amongst those who had need of his services. He’d call rain, braid winds into thread, trap lightning in a bottle—all for a price. As a mage he had a respectable number of tricks up his sleeves, but even he wasn’t so foolish as to brave the Fell on his own if he didn’t have to.
Talis shifted and made a noise, snuffling at Jos’s dirty blonde hair. “Yes, yes, I know,” he murmured, looking away from the small glass orb he’d been filling with the first light of dawn. “But the sun’s up, and we should see our new friends very soon.”
@
syrk @
Crystalloid @
Fenrys @
artemiswanderer
Walking so much, much slower. Cade knew this logically but logic had a difficult time convincing habit, which was used to faster means of travel. It was even worse for the draft horse-sized beast which walked with Cade, known as Ehru. As a lycogriff – a half bat, half wolf monstrosity – flight was natural for his kind. But not anymore. One of Ehru’s leathery wings had been bound down securely, though with care to his comfort, against his side. This was to prevent any flexing or movement in the wing. A wise choice since Ehru’s unbound wing was almost constantly flexing and shifting in a sign of irritable impatience. Cade had long since given up trying to comfort Ehru. Until Ehru’s wing was healed, which could only be done Orocola (Cade hoped), then the beast would be in a foul, impatient mood. This was saying something since Ehru’s normal mood was what most would call foul and impatient already.
Forehead furrowed, Cade cast a quick glance to the rising sun. He thought they had left with plenty of time but now he worried that they would be late. He had no idea how long the others who were supposed to be joining this venture would wait. Probably not long. Cade picked up his already swift pace, muttering, “C’mon Ehru, we don’t want to miss this group.” As he didn’t bother to turn his head, he didn’t see the baleful look Ehru gave him. But the lycogriff did, grudgingly, walk a little faster.
Cade scanned the forest which bordered the side of the track, looking for both those they were supposed to meet and for any dangers or interests that the forest supposedly held. Fell had many stories around it and Cade couldn’t deny his curiosity to see if any were true. Still, first and foremost in his mind was helping his companion. In an effort to be kind, he carried his heavy pack over his shoulders with his longsword on one hip and lute on the other. Ehru still had the saddle strapped to his back, tucked under his wings. There was no way Cade could carry it for any length of time, not if he wanted to use his hands for other tasks. Besides the weight of the light leather saddle was negligible when compared to their supplies and Cade himself.
Keen green eyes picked up some distant shapes which were distinctly not trees and Cade brightened. Perhaps they wouldn’t be late after all. Or, at least, the others would be inclined to wait a bit longer once they saw their straggling companions on the way. From Cade’s angle, he could only pick out two quadrupedal forms, one of which caused him to pause briefly in surprise. Another lycogriff? No, that was impossible. He would’ve known if there was another rider in the area…But the shape was remarkably similar to Ehru’s. The other looked more horse and thus much more normal. Cade couldn’t see any people around the shapes of the animals. Probably hidden around their bulk.
Still eying the lycogriff-like form, Cade lifted his hand in an energetic wave and let out a piercing whistle. Ehru grumbled when Cade broke into a smooth jog. For a moment, he retained his slower pace then started trotting, his good wing briefly extending as if he was about to take to the sky before folding up again.
“We’re coming!” Cade called, pitching his voice to carry across the distance. “Don’t leave yet, we’re coming!”
Walking so much, much slower. Cade knew this logically but logic had a difficult time convincing habit, which was used to faster means of travel. It was even worse for the draft horse-sized beast which walked with Cade, known as Ehru. As a lycogriff – a half bat, half wolf monstrosity – flight was natural for his kind. But not anymore. One of Ehru’s leathery wings had been bound down securely, though with care to his comfort, against his side. This was to prevent any flexing or movement in the wing. A wise choice since Ehru’s unbound wing was almost constantly flexing and shifting in a sign of irritable impatience. Cade had long since given up trying to comfort Ehru. Until Ehru’s wing was healed, which could only be done Orocola (Cade hoped), then the beast would be in a foul, impatient mood. This was saying something since Ehru’s normal mood was what most would call foul and impatient already.
Forehead furrowed, Cade cast a quick glance to the rising sun. He thought they had left with plenty of time but now he worried that they would be late. He had no idea how long the others who were supposed to be joining this venture would wait. Probably not long. Cade picked up his already swift pace, muttering, “C’mon Ehru, we don’t want to miss this group.” As he didn’t bother to turn his head, he didn’t see the baleful look Ehru gave him. But the lycogriff did, grudgingly, walk a little faster.
Cade scanned the forest which bordered the side of the track, looking for both those they were supposed to meet and for any dangers or interests that the forest supposedly held. Fell had many stories around it and Cade couldn’t deny his curiosity to see if any were true. Still, first and foremost in his mind was helping his companion. In an effort to be kind, he carried his heavy pack over his shoulders with his longsword on one hip and lute on the other. Ehru still had the saddle strapped to his back, tucked under his wings. There was no way Cade could carry it for any length of time, not if he wanted to use his hands for other tasks. Besides the weight of the light leather saddle was negligible when compared to their supplies and Cade himself.
Keen green eyes picked up some distant shapes which were distinctly not trees and Cade brightened. Perhaps they wouldn’t be late after all. Or, at least, the others would be inclined to wait a bit longer once they saw their straggling companions on the way. From Cade’s angle, he could only pick out two quadrupedal forms, one of which caused him to pause briefly in surprise. Another lycogriff? No, that was impossible. He would’ve known if there was another rider in the area…But the shape was remarkably similar to Ehru’s. The other looked more horse and thus much more normal. Cade couldn’t see any people around the shapes of the animals. Probably hidden around their bulk.
Still eying the lycogriff-like form, Cade lifted his hand in an energetic wave and let out a piercing whistle. Ehru grumbled when Cade broke into a smooth jog. For a moment, he retained his slower pace then started trotting, his good wing briefly extending as if he was about to take to the sky before folding up again.
“We’re coming!” Cade called, pitching his voice to carry across the distance. “Don’t leave yet, we’re coming!”
