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Post by Rin on Jul 25, 2015 6:06:58 GMT
The world under the ocean was so much quieter than the surface world, and Phaedra was glad of it. She sat in a lobster crate deep beneath the waves, eyes closed as water rushed over her skin. The hull of the ship above her creaked deeply--Phaedra thought it sounded something like a whale. One end of a thick rope was tied to the ship's keel, and the other to the front of Phadra's crate. The ship pulled her along like a child pulling a wheeled toy.
It was a strange mode of travel, Phaedra knew. She'd never traversed the sea in such an unorthodox vehicle before. But if a person meant to reach Tyrosi's Chain in under a month, the queen's flagships were the only way to go, and Phaedra could not board one. Not if she valued her freedom. And by the goddesses, she did.
She was almost there, if the warmness of the water was any indication. Phaedra opened her eyes and sat up in the crate, stretching her arms above her head and yawning. It had been a long few weeks, and her food was nearly gone--she'd had to limit herself to a few squid tentacles a day to survive. But the pain in her stomach was likely nothing compared to Brisa's pain. Worry twisted in Phaedra's chest. I'll make it back in time, she assured herself, chewing on a salty bit of squid.
The flagship reached the island by nightfall--Phaedra swam a full mile eastward before going ashore. The air felt so strange on her skin, so light. She'd traveled under water so long she'd nearly forgotten what it felt like to fill her lungs with air.
The moon was high, but she had no time to lose. She paused briefly to split and gut a coconut, and then stole off into the trees, following the land's upward slope toward her destination.
What little light filtered through the trees illuminated green, green, green. Even some of the animals were green--Phaedra tried to place her hand on a tree once, but instead scattered a congregation of tiny green frogs, thinking they were moss. She could still feel them crawling on her fingers when she reached a clearing in the trees.
She froze. Someone was in it. Something was in it.
Monster, Phaedra thought, trying to slip back into the trees. How stupid she was, to think she'd be safe traveling the forest at night.
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Post by Gallus on Jul 25, 2015 13:01:05 GMT
Lizardmen weren't known for their boats, and Sobak had been unable to leave the islands. Days of living in the wild, far from the protected grounds of the tribes, made him feel anxious. If he couldn't get off the island, would he have to return to his tribe? Would he be forced to break his vow to find the Beyond? It was a chilling thought.
He'd set up camp in a clearing and waited for the night to fall. The spoils of a recent fishing venture were slowly cooking over a makeshift fire. His axes rested next to his bedroll, dripping with water. He was looking forward to the meal, having spent a few hours looking for and catching the perfect fish.
The sounds of movement between the trees made him look to the trees. There was something there. Whether it was hostile or not, he would find out what it was. Snatching up his axes, he moved towards the trees.
"Who's there?" he called in the harsh language of his people, tensing himself for some sort of attack. There were many hostile creatures in the jungles. He'd learned that the hard way.
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Post by Rin on Jul 26, 2015 5:30:17 GMT
The monster let loose a strange, growling hiss. Phaedra picked up her speed, but walking backward at a fast pace was rarely a good idea. Her heel caught on a root, and she went tumbling to the ground, landing with a grunt.
She sat up quickly, struggling to untangle her ankle from a vine. "Goddesses damn it all," she hissed, watching the monster approach her from the clearing.
"Please," she finally said. She doubted the beast could understand her, but she'd rather not kill it, if possible. "I bear you no ill will."
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Post by Gallus on Jul 26, 2015 18:53:48 GMT
It was a person, or at least something that looked like a person. Sobak had never seen a creature like this in all his life. Perhaps it came from the Beyond, or maybe it was just another type of predator.
As it spoke, Sobak comprehended the words. He'd been taught some of their words by the wizard, and knew a few words and phrases, but some of the noises it made defied his understanding. Yet he could tell that this creature did not mean him any harm. He lowered his axes and stepped back towards the fire. Lifting one of the fish from the fire, he took a bite out of it. It was cooked well, and tasted great.
"Come, eat," he called to the strange creature-person, gesturing to a spot by the fire.
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Post by Rin on Jul 28, 2015 4:37:48 GMT
(OOC: Edited wording slightly)
Phaedra half expected her heart to burst through her chest as she stared into the lizard creature's eyes. Its expression seemed neutral... But what did she know of lizard emotions? Perhaps it only appeared neutral, and really it was planning how best to--
The lizard person lowered its weapons. Phaedra released her pent-up breath in a rush--when had she stopped breathing?--and watched the beast return to its fire. It--he?--lifted a fish from the flames and took a bite. Doesn't that burn? Phaedra thought, cringing as she watched the lizard chew.
"Come," it called, gesturing at the fire. "Eat,"
Phaedra said nothing for a moment, stunned. "Thank you," she finally managed. "But I have no time. My friend is very sick. I need to bring her medicine."
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Post by Gallus on Jul 28, 2015 21:52:05 GMT
"You travel far," Sobak replied, taking another bite of cooked fish. "You need rest." He found that he always needed to rest after a long day hunting and looking for ways off the islands. Whatever this creature may be, it was surely not much different than he.
Besides, he'd caught a good amount of fish. To not eat it now would surely be a waste.
"Sit, eat," he said again, "look for help when strong."
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Post by Rin on Jul 31, 2015 3:57:48 GMT
"You travel far," the beast replied. "You need rest."
Rest. Phaedra's limbs felt heavier just thinking about it. The lizard was probably right. She could use a few minutes of relaxation.
"Sit, eat," the lizard said. "Look for help when strong."
Phaedra smiled in spite of everything. Though she still wasn't sure she had time to dine with it, this "monster" did seem genuinely kind. "How do you know I traveled far?" she asked, drawing a thin, decorative file from her hair. She used it to saw at the vine around her ankle as she waited for the lizard creature's response.
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Post by Gallus on Jul 31, 2015 17:10:06 GMT
"I see many things on these lands," Sobak replied as he finished off the fish, "many creatures and strange things. I have never seen you or anything like you. Do you come from the Beyond?" She probably didn't, but it was worth a shot.
He tossed the fish bones into the fire, which flickered and spat a few sparks over the ground.
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Post by Rin on Aug 1, 2015 22:23:41 GMT
"I see many things on these lands," the creature replied. Grease dripped from his scaled chin as he ate, speaking around huge mouthfuls of fish. "Many creatures and strange things. I have never seen you or anything like you. Do you come from the Beyond?"
"The Beyond," Phaedra repeated flatly. The Beyond, as in... beyond the ocean? If that was the case, then--"Yes, I do come from the Beyond," she said. She stood and and replaced her file in her bun. Gods, but her hair was dirty. How embarrassing.
"Again, I thank you for your hospitality," she said, smiling, "But I must go. Perhaps in the future we'll have time to dine together. Do you have a name by which I can remember you?"
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Post by Gallus on Aug 2, 2015 19:26:41 GMT
"You are?" Sobak's eyes widened and he scrambled over to her, leaving his axes by the fire. Now that he knew where she came from, he had so many questions for her, but didn't know all the words for them.
"I am Sobak Ak-Hanif!" he said proudly, lifting himself to his full height. "Can you take me with you? I need to see the Beyond." This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. If he passed it up now, he may not get another opportunity to leave.
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Post by Rin on Aug 18, 2015 5:23:32 GMT
"Oh! I..." Phaedra wasn't sure what to say. The lizard man wanted to come with her? Could she risk letting him slow her down?
Unwilling to forsake her mission for the sake of this strange, scaly sweetheart, Phaedra opened her mouth to decline the his--Sobak's?--request. But before she could speak, a thought crossed her mind. This rainforest seemed rather a bit more... wild... than the last time she visited, and having someone big and lizard-y on hand might prove to her advantage. Perhaps she could bring him along.
"Alright," she finally said, extending her hand out to Sobak. "I'm Phaedra. It's a pleasure to meet you."
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Post by Gallus on Aug 18, 2015 23:30:08 GMT
Sobak recoiled from the outstretched hand. It was a custom that he wasn't familiar with, although it was clear that she meant him no harm. He cautiously extended his own hand in response, ready to act in case she tried to cast a spell on him or do something else harmful.
"Phaedra," he repeated. Not a name he was familiar with, and it didn't roll off his reptilian tongue well.
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