The last rays of light start to fade into the deep blue of night. The clouds that fill this unfamiliar sky speak of heavy rains to come. At this time of night, the forest seems to be filled to overflowing with the sounds of life, a steady and constant symphony of white noise speaking of calm and safety.
Zilvar sits down, his back to the small pile of supplies that have been packed, sorted, catalogued, labelled, and otherwise manipulated several times during the day. "Morning. We can head down in the morning."
Kibra sits across the fire from Zilvar, mending her old set of clothes. "What's that?"
Ben_Mouse rests quietly, out of the way, still unconsious. His wounds have proved to be slight, although he has suffered quite a knock on the head.
Zilvar looks up, "Oh..nothing. I am just tired of seeing this clearing. For all that it is a nice spot, with pleasant company...I do not know. I just cannot wait to move on."
Kibra tilts her head.."Feeling restless?" She looks at Zilvar.."You know, you don't have to stay with me..we can always split up."
Zilvar glances at Ben_Mouse, who has been resting in an impromptu bed since his arrival. He blinks a few times and looks up. "I..." He stops for a moment, "Why do you think that I would want to do that?"
Ben_Mouse moans softly, the first sound he has uttered since his 'arrival.'
Kibra doesn't look up from her sewing as she says.."I don't know..just that I'm not moving very fast yet..and with another injury..you might want to strike out on your own and not be held back."
Zilvar looks rather shocked. He just stares at Kibra and blinks.
Kibra hmms, looking up. "Wha?"
Zilvar shakes his head and moves over beside Ben_Mouse, "Back with us, 'Mouse?
Ben_Mouse blinks, even the twilight seeing bright. "Y... yes. Zilvar?"
Zilvar halfsmiles. "The one and only. I think."
Ben_Mouse says, "What hit me?"
Kibra puts her mending down.."He is awake?"
Zilvar rocks back on his heels. He doesn't look up when he says, "Yes. Seems to be."
Zilvar says to Ben, "The ground, at least. Beyond that I have no idea."
Ben_Mouse nods and covers his eyes. "Ow."
Ben_Mouse says, "Who else is here?"
Ben_Mouse tries to sit up and somehow manages. From the look on his face, it's not a pleasant victory...
Kibra says, "Kibra..I am Kibra."
Zilvar raises his glance a little bit, "Kibra is here, Ben." He pauses for a moment, "What do you remember...about how you got here?"
Ben_Mouse gasps softly. "Kibra... here? Where are we..."
Zilvar leans forward, "Lay back down, Ben, before you hurt yourself. I have no idea where we are, and yes...Kibra."
Ben_Mouse lays back panting a little. "I remember... everything being undone. There wasn't time to do much, so i dove through a portal... THE portal..."
Ben_Mouse says, "Something happened to me Zilvar. My whole body aches. A deep core ache. I'm"
Zilvar raises his head and looks around, eyes narrowing. Almost absently he asks, "Which portal?"
Kibra listens quietly.
Ben_Mouse says, "... fine... but... something odd happened... don't remember. The Watchfire... the Trade Portal.... don't remember...."
Ben_Mouse rambles more softly, and then is silent, his arm covering his eyes.
Zilvar rests a hand next to Ben, "Calmly, Ben. Do not kill yourself to tell a story that is not going to change."
Ben_Mouse quietly says "There was... a lot of magic. You went through the portal... you looked like Wyn."
Kibra says, "Do you need some water, Ben?"^"
Ben_Mouse says, "Yes... water..."
Zilvar says quietly, "I went through the Trade Gate. I was nowhere near the Watchfire.
Ben_Mouse is silent.
Kibra brings a small cup of water to Ben.
Ben_Mouse says, "My link to the Coves is gone..."
Ben_Mouse reaches for the water and guides it greedily to his muzzle. he thanks Kibra after he finishes.
Zilvar looks northward, toward the mountains.
Ben_Mouse says, "I don't think we're going back, Zilvar."
Kibra's eyes are dark and she busies herself away from the other two, packing her things into her bag.
Ben_Mouse rolls his head to the side in an effort to see kibra. "Where did you come from, Kibra?"
Something is happening to the sounds in the forest..there is a lull that stretches into a silence. Something sweeps through the woods nearby, heading south, and like the single stone that starts an avalanche, it is followed.
Kibra finishes with her bag.."A ship..I came from a ship."
Zilvar stands up slowly, looking generally northward. "Something is coming."
Kibra blinks, standing up.."What?"
Ben_Mouse sits up again. "i know that tone of voice, Zilvar. You think we should leave?"
Zilvar turns and runs for the pile of supplies, grabbing one overstuffed pack and throwing it over his shoulder. With a casual toss, a lighter pack flies toward Kibra. "Put it on."
Kibra oofs as the pack hits her. "Hey!"
Zilvar crosses the distance to Ben in a moment and nods, lifting the mouse from the blankets. "I think if we do not leave now, we may not get the chance."
Ben_Mouse halfgrins. o O { We should leave. }
Kibra puts the pack on, going over and picking up the blankets.
Ben_Mouse holds back the complaints his battered form bids him utter as he's handled. "Shoulder, Zilvar. I can hold on. Don't worry about me."
Ben_Mouse looks back to Kibra.
The forest to the north is falling silent, feeling as still as a grave.
Kibra folds the blankets and stuffs them into her pack. "I'm ready."
Zilvar looks at Ben for a moment, then pads over to Kibra, "Can you carry him? I do not want to jostle him too much."
Kibra nods, holding her hand out for Ben.
Zilvar eases Ben into Kibra's hands, "Do me a favor, little friend. Do not let go."
Ben_Mouse grins a little. "I shant, Zilvar. I am in good hands."
Zilvar smiles a little bit in spite himself.
Kibra lifts Ben to her shoulder.
Ben_Mouse grips Kibra's collar.
A shrill scream tears out of the north, an animal sound of pain that draws on for long moments before it fades into the night.
Ben_Mouse says, "Sheesh!"
Kibra startles at the sound, flicking an ear.
Zilvar looks up, "Go. Now."
Zilvar starts to move toward the edge of the clearing.
Kibra nods and begins to move away from the campsite, walking quickly.
Ben_Mouse whispers to Kibra with a neverous urgency. "It's good to see you."
Kibra flicks an ear.."And you, Ben."
Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { In case I don't have the chance to tell her later. }
Zilvar follows, just a few steps behind. "Follow the creek. It should be easier than breaking a new trail."
Kibra nods, moving rapidly.
Two more screams break the still night air. These are much closer.
Ben_Mouse ducks the branches that threaten to sweep him off his perch, glancing behind Kibra and Zilvar, into the bush behind. He can afford to, he's not running....
Kibra starts to run, "Hold on, Ben."
Ben_Mouse erps and is nearly tossed. He redoubles his hold on Kibra's shirt.
Zilvar stays behind the two of you, acting as rear-guard. Though the night is dark, he does not comment when Kibra starts to run, only matching his speed to hers.
Kibra slips around trees and obstacles, running along the creekbed.
Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { Thank goodness for cat-sight. }
More screams of pain fill the air. The thick woods twist and distort the sound until it seems as if the sounds are all around.
Kibra's body tenses at the screams and she slips a little, picking herself up to continue running.
Ben_Mouse feels his heart rise in his throat, his neckfur standing on end.
Ben_Mouse looks behind, trying to get s sight of what the thing is... and not wanting to all the same...
The ground near the creek is a thick muddy bank. The going has not been easy tonight. As Kibra takes a step onto a patch of drier ground, she stumbles, her foot refusing to move from the spot. The going just got tougher.
Ben_Mouse erks and holds on. "Calmly, Kibra... Zilvar is right behind us... no sign of the thing yet..."
Kibra gasps a bit, trying to free her foot. She nods to Ben.
From above Kibra comes a thick stench. A huge spider-like creature drops out of the tree above, it's fangs fairly dripping with venom.
Ben_Mouse acks and draws his poisoned foil, his head still pounding from his injury...
Kibra gasps and freezes, unable to move at the sight of the thing.
Ben_Mouse tries to climb up on Kibra's head, to meet the thing. "Kibra...."
Kibra says, "I see it, Ben..I'm stuck."
Kibra struggles to free her foot. Giving up she draws her sword.
Zilvar tears out of the brush behind you and leaps up, ripping into the side of the ugly thing. In the dark, it is impossible to see what occurs as the two tumble through the air, but when they land, only Zilvar is still moving.
Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { Great. This is how Tom Thumb bought it... erp! }
Kibra says, "Zilvar!"
Ben_Mouse says, "Kibra's foot is stuck! Webbing of some sort!"
Ben_Mouse sheathes his foil.
Kibra uses her sword and cuts at what her foot is trapped in. Finally, her foot is freed.
Zilvar rolls over onto his back and tries to stand up. He leverages his back against a tree, but cannot seem to get any further. His left arm dangles limp at his side.
Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { Grand. }
Ben_Mouse says, "Kibra... Zilvar needs help."
Kibra nods, throwing off her packs. "Watch for more of those things, Ben." She kneels next to Zilvar, trying to look at his arm.
Strangely, the forest starts to come alive again. As quickly as it started, the mass exodus southward has ended.
Ben_Mouse scans the area.
Ben_Mouse says, "kibra... maybe... that was a part of the spider's trap."
Zilvar's head is thrown back against the tree and his breathing is shallow. Two puncture wounds mark his arm, just above the wrist.
Ben_Mouse blanches at Zilvar's wounds...
Kibra nods.."I think maybe so, Ben." She shakes her head, looking at Zilvar's wounds.."Zilvar..when will you stop being so chivalrous?" She sits down, closing her eyes..
Ben_Mouse continues to scan. He remembers Kibra setting his broken leg...
Zilvar swallows, sinking the rest of the way to the ground, "W-when I..'m...d-dead."
Ben_Mouse says, "I wonder if technology works here... wait... you came here in a ship? A starship? And your med supplies work?"
Kibra sighs softly at Zilvar. She shakes her head.."We left them in the clearing, Ben."
Ben_Mouse says, "I know... but... well, there's something about Zilvar."
Kibra says, "You mean that he was probably poisoned from whatever that was?"
Ben_Mouse says, "In the meantime, we could try to stop the blood flow... yes.... look at the fang marks on his arm."
Kibra says, "I'm doing what I can, Ben. "
Ben_Mouse says, "We need to tie something around his upper arm. Tight."
Kibra snaps.."I'm trying, Ben. Or would you rather do this?"
Ben_Mouse nods and stops talking, trusting kibra... erk!
Only a few minutes have passed, and the only sign that anything at all happened in these woods is the dead spider-creature and Zilvar leaning against the tree. It would appear to be back to business as usual in the wild frontier.
Kibra ties her headscarf tight around Zilvar's arm, and quickly makes two cuts over the bites. "I'm going to try to get some of the poison out."
Ben_Mouse continues to scan the surrounding area. o O { She didn't mean to snap at me, and i was being rather bossy, if only out of concern for Zilvar. We'll be ok. }
Kibra puts her lips over the bites, sucking very hard. Suddenly she spits, and repeats the process.
Ben_Mouse watches.
Zilvar's body is hot to the touch, as if burning from within.
Kibra does this several times, then washes the area with water. "There."
Kibra quickly bandages the arm, tieing it firmly. "Zilvar? Can you speak?"
Ben_Mouse patpats Kibra's neck.
Zilvar opens his eyes, "..be...ok. soon."
Ben_Mouse tilts his head. "We might be safe here, if that was the only spider. I would imagine that under normal circumstances, the other flora avoids this place."
Several minutes pass and Zilvar's breathing grows slowly stronger.
The corpse of the dead spider fills the air with its stench. It is likely that any native creatures would recongize it and avoid this spot.
Kibra nods, eyes worried.
Kibra says, "I'm sorry I snapped at you, Ben."
Zilvar finally opens his eyes and swallows. "Got any water? My mouth tastes terrible."
Ben_Mouse nods and combs his fingers through Kibra's neckfur. "And i am sorry I was bossy. I was just over concerned..."
Kibra nods, uncapping her waterbag and putting it gently to Zilvar's mouth.
Zilvar swallows some of the water and pants a few times. "Guess I should have said watch your step, huh?"
Kibra chuckles softly, but her eyes are worried.
Ben_Mouse says, "Well... I don't think anyone could have forseen giant spiders..."
Zilvar closes his eyes again, "I will be ok. If I am not dead by now, then it will not kill me."
Kibra pulls a cloth from her bag and wets it, putting it on Zilvar's forhead. "I certainly didn't..that thing was awful."
Ben_Mouse halfgrins. "Now you know what it's like when i sometimes deal with 'normal' spiders."
Zilvar skin is still burning hot to the touch. He chuckles softly. "That is an ettercap, Kibra."
Ben_Mouse blinks. "How do you know, Zilvar? Have you been to this world before?"
Zilvar shakes his head a little, "Just..what I call them."
Kibra frowns, lightly touching Zilvar's cheek. She takes the cloth, rewets it and again puts it on Zilvar's forhead. "An ettercap? You..you've seen them before?"
Zilvar halfsmiles. "Yeah. I told you we were near other hunters."
Zilvar shivers a little, "Ahh..I hate poison. Feel like I am on fire."
Kibra nods.."I guess I didn't realize that's what you meant." She hmms, looking around.."We can put you into the creek.."
Ben_Mouse looks concernedly at his stricken friend.
Ben_Mouse says, "Careful when moving about. There's probably webbing ll around us."
Zilvar shakes his head, "Burns inside. My body is fighting the poison."
Ben_Mouse says, "Would water to drink help?"
Zilvar smiles, "Maybe. Not sure. Not often I get poisoned."
Kibra gives Zilvar a bit more water.
Zilvar raises his arm up to help hold the waterskin as he drinks. "Thanks. Did help some."
Ben_Mouse says, "Perhaps we could camp here?"
Kibra frowns a bit.."Zilvar..I can try to heal you with magic.."
Zilvar looks up at Kibra. "The thought bothers you?"
Kibra smiles a bit.."This is a new world..I'm not sure how my powers will react."
Zilvar halfsmiles. "Well...might want to hold off. I have been told I am not easy to heal."
Kibra tilts her head.."oh? Who told you that?"
Zilvar's voice and breathing has been getting steadily stronger, but his voice is very quiet when he says, "Kamots did."
Kibra blinks a bit, her eyes darkening. She sits back as if struck.
Ben_Mouse frowns a bit and strokes Kibra's neckfur very slowly.
Zilvar says, not really looking at anyone, "I can barely move. We may not have any choice but to camp here." His tone is an affirmation to Ben's question.
Kibra nods, lifting her hand to Ben.."Sit and watch him, Ben." Her voice is low and shaky.
Ben_Mouse nods softly. "The scent from that thing will mask us."
Ben_Mouse nods and climbs into Kibra's hand.
Zilvar looks up, "Where are you going?"
Ben_Mouse says, "Don't wander too far, Kibra. Please."
Kibra doesn't answer, but slips her sword from it's scabard. She takes one piece of the webbing and unstrings it carefully, then makes a circle, stringing the web about one foot above the ground.
Ben_Mouse sits, drawing his foil. His head begins to pound as the adrenalin in his body wanes.
Kibra pokes the spider once, just to make sure it is truly dead. Sheathing her sword, she looks around, satisfied. Working quickly, she lays out the blankets and some food. Finally, she breaks up some wood for a fire.
Ben_Mouse watches kibra thankfully.
Kibra starts the fire with a small kit retrieved from her pack. The fire flares into life, giving off a comforting glow.
Zilvar closes his eyes and rests.
Zilvar sighs softly. "Not quite the beginning I was hoping for."
Kibra sits down across the fire from Zilvar.."What do you mean, Zilvar?"
Ben_Mouse halfgrins. "Any landing you can walk away from..."
Zilvar opens one eye. "Well...I was ready to get out of that clearing...but this was not quite what I had in mind."
Kibra nods, absently feeding sticks into the fire. "How do you feel, Ben?"
Ben_Mouse says, "My head hurts... but I'll feel better in the morning."
Ben_Mouse grins a bit. "If you two had moved on, I would have been on my own out here."
Kibra smiles.."It was good timing."
Ben_Mouse grins and nods. "For which I am very glad."
Zilvar nods slowly. "Very lucky timing, Ben."
Ben_Mouse says, "Kibra... where have you been, since you left Genesis?"
Ben_Mouse watches, wondering if this is a taboo subject for the snow leopardess.
Zilvar winces.
Kibra's eyes darken.."In stasis..most of the time."
Kibra sighs softly and breaks out the food. "Everyone should eat something."
Ben_Mouse nods quietly, not asking further. "Thank you, Kibra. What do we have?"
Kibra says, "Just ships rations for the time being..I don't think it's a good idea to hunt here."
Zilvar opens his eyes and smiles a bit. "I think I would use as much energy eating as I would gain."
Kibra looks up at Zilvar for a moment, then closes her eyes. She concentrates...
Ben_Mouse covers a bit of a grin. "Ok, Zilvar. You can split your ration with me..."
Zilvar blinks a few times. He turns his head a little to look at Kibra strangely.
Zilvar smiles a little bit and straightens against the tree, "Oh..uh. That is very nice of you, Ben."
Kibra opens her eyes, looking at Zilvar.
Zilvar nods to Kibra. "Um. Thanks."
Kibra says, "Better?"
Zilvar nods again, "A little. Some food will help now, I think."
Kibra nods, rising and handing out food.
Zilvar looks at Ben and crooks a finger, "I hope you are not expecting me to come over there and get into your leftovers." He smiles a bit.
Ben_Mouse chuckles. "No..."
Ben_Mouse grins and carries a large portion of carbo-bar to the wolf...
Kibra sits down a little ways from Zilvar and Ben.
Zilvar takes the bar from Ben and munches slowly. "Yick. Tasteless and healthy..."
Kibra smiles a bit as she finishes her own bar.
Ben_Mouse laughs sits, munching on his own chunk. "Well, we could carve up the ettercap..."
Kibra shudders. "No."
Ben_Mouse winks to Kibra and grins.
Zilvar shakes his head, "I will pass, if you do not mind."
Ben_Mouse says, "Kidding. Probably not edible anyway."
Ben_Mouse curls up near the fire.
Kibra gets up and kneels next to Zilvar, softly feeling his face and forhead with her palm.
Zilvar looks up at Kibra. His skin is still warm, but nothing like the raging heat from before. "What is the prognosis, doc?"
Kibra looks down at Zilvar, eyes shadowed. "I think you need rest, but you'll be fine." Her palm is soft and cool against Zilvar's warm skin.
Zilvar smiles a little bit. "Right. Guess I do not have to stop being chivalrous yet."
Light snoring sounds come from a tiny lump near the fire.
Kibra lightly strokes Zilvar's forhead and cheek.."Thank Goddess for that." She whispers softly.
Zilvar reaches up and covers Kibra's hand with his, "Sorry. Did not mean to worry you."
Kibra looks down.."It's allright."
Zilvar smiles a bit. "Hope I did not scare you."
Kibra nods, leaning over to check the bandage. "A little. I am fine now."
Zilvar squeezes your hand. "Good.
Kibra smiles a bit, sitting down next to you.
Kibra smiles a bit, sitting down next to you.
Zilvar looks over at you, "Well. I was a little scared, too. I was not sure I would get to you in time."
Kibra reaches out and hesitantly strokes your forhead.."I know..I could feel it."
Zilvar's eyebrows get lost somewhere in his hairline, "You could?"
Kibra nods, softlyl rearranging the wet cloth.."Just for a second..I thought.." She looks confused.."Maybe..it was Ben."
Kibra shakes her head.."I'm sorry..I shouldn't have said anything. I'm not sure what I felt."
Zilvar catches your hand and leans over, staring into your eyes, "What do you THINK you felt?"
Kibra's eyes search yours, a frightened look in them. "I.."
Zilvar calms himself, easing his grip a little bit.
Kibra says, "You..are hurting me.."
Zilvar lets go of your hand, "I..sorry..."
Kibra nods, looking down.
Zilvar reaches out and puts his hand on your knee. "What did you feel, Kibra?"
Kibra looks up at you.."I felt..concern, I think. A little fear..for me."
Zilvar halfsmiles, the jest in his voice evident, "Oh..well, that could not have been me. I was scared half-to-death for you."
Kibra tries to smile, but can't seem to manage it.
Zilvar moves his hand to your cheek. "What? You act almost like you are still scared."
Kibra looks at you, nodding silently.
Zilvar draws his hand back, "Of what? Me?"
Kibra shakes her head.."no."
Zilvar relaxes a little, "Of what, Kibra?"
Kibra smiles a bit, looking at you.
Zilvar smiles a little in return. He looks at you with open concern.
Kibra reaches up to softly touch your cheek. "Me..I'm afraid of me."
Zilvar covers your hand with his. "Why? I do not understand."
Kibra shakes her head, eyes sparkling in the firelight.
Zilvar pulls your hand down and cups it in both of his.
Kibra's hand is trembling a bit.
Zilvar strokes the back of your hand with two fingers, watching your eyes.
Kibra's eyes look into yours.
Zilvar says quietly, "What is frightening you, Kibra?
Kibra squeezes your hands.."Phantoms and shadows."
Zilvar sits quietly for a moment, "Are you afraid of what they are telling you, or what they represent?
Kibra says, "What they represent."
Zilvar squeezes your hand gently, "What do they represent?"
Kibra tilts her head.."Old memories. A past life, long ago left...the future..possibilities."
Zilvar smiles a little bit, "You should never be scared of possibilities or the future. Those are the only things that we can change.
Kibra nods.."True."
Zilvar lets go of your hand and stumbles to his feet. He slowly pads over to the packs and digs out one of the blankets, which he hands to you. "We should rest. Changing the future takes a lot of energy."
Kibra nods, taking the blanket and stretching out on it.
Zilvar lays a second blanket over you and sinks to his knees nearby. "Phantoms and shadows can only frighten us if we give in to them.
Kibra reaches a hand up to you, gently stroking your arm. "I won't..I promise."
Zilvar cups his hand over yours for a moment, then stretches out close to the fire. /I will hold you to that./
Kibra's ear flicks../I hope so./ She closes her eyes and begins to fall asleep.
Zilvar smiles...That smile stays with him as he falls into a deep and much needed slumber.
Kibra soon follows into slumber, her tail twitching a bit as she dreams.