She slipped him a note ''There is jink to be made within the Hall of Records. See if the wood elf will join us. She may prove useful despite being out of her natural habitat.'' He smirked at Lyra, made joke about her attempt in delegating the work, but he nodded, resupplied and talked to the girl.
They made their way to the Hall, talked to the female at the desk and received the task to determine more about the Khaasta culture in the Outlands. Lyra hoped the jink would be decent, with three of them to share it.
Within the maze, she received more of the girl's blessings from Silvanus. The first time the wood elf had cast this upon her she had done so without permission and Lyra had not been happy. The second time she had asked permission. Better. Now if they ran together, Lyra would point to her skin and the mottled effect would help her blend into the trees or to the wall, it worked well for natural environs of growth and stone. Lyra liked it and wondered how to get it for other times.
She arched brow at him taking point, the raised hand to give silent indication for them to halt. She had no objection for him to take lead, he was the old fox after all with some 30 years upon her. But she rolled eyes at his comment returned. More silent than a shout..as if she would be shouting. Her quiet sardonic humour in expression caused a retort from the male. So be it. Accept that they did not understand each other and leave it at that. She trusted him enough to take point, used her ears and listening skills to track the footsteps of the enemy and she and the wood elf supported with burst of arrow fire when attacked.
Slowly they made path and tracked through the maze, the two females excelled at bringing down the Khaasta sniper positions with swift and steady bow work, supported by skilled crossbow fire of the male. The route was barred by a priest and its guard. The fist was raised again from distance and their plan discussed quietly. NOW! was the order and in that instant the bows let fly again into the priest, notably the most dangerous soon followed by more arrows and firey blade into the bodies of the guards.
Between the ruins lay their training grounds and the three worked carefully around, taking out stragglers and routing around the camp, Lyra rummaging through the tents in hope of good prize. One made comment that the mine entrance begged to have a sign KEEP OUT against it, which was good enough reason for a hardy adventurer to look within. The three took the challenge, sign or no sign and entered.
Larger more resilient guard soon heard their steps and two more priest were upon them before they had gone too far, sneaky magic prevented their arrows and blades from damaging easily and they soon found themselves fighting shadow creatures and helpless to defeat the caster. A miniscule opening between the spell work gave opportunity eventually and the priests fell. But one of their group had fallen severely injured.
The wood elf offered scroll, but Lyra was already tending and healing, stepping back quickly soon enough to let the elf find his own feet and recovery. A search of the area and they found another chest with the item that they sought. Dealing with the enemy Khaasta on their return, lesser in number than on the journey there, they made it back alive again to the Hall of Records. In Lyra's opinion, the jink for their efforts was slight but better than nothing.
Lyra Fereth
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*Pashan01
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She had no idea how many of these abilities could be crafted into a bow and had to leave that to the old man's skill and creativity of craft. The two branches were wrapped in cloth and lying tucked under her trestle bed in the tiny attic room above the parlour. The single spider gland she had hunted and retrieved was carefully placed in another sack bag and placed too, under that bed. 'Carefully' - because she had killed many spider queens but most of the glands had burst upon the kill and the silk damaged and lost. Another couple of trips to the Beastlands would bring her more branch to ensure the old man had plenty to choose from. A continual hunt for glands in undersigil, close to where she lived would soon bring her a good amount of spidersilk. The main problem was going to be acquiring the shadow material. Her skills as a hunter were inadequate to retrieve such items from such creatures.
She considered for a moment her resources and acquaintances. Her mentor she had not seen in a while and training was slow there. The moon scarred elf, knew of her quest for bow but not all the details, might be useful but again, she did not know of his skills in shadow hunting. The wood elf, was likely to be completely out of her depth in such a place also. No, there was only one she knew who walked regularly in that place, who might help her acquire the shadow component, might already have some to hand and be willing to part with it....for a price. She had shown to him once already that she was willing to pay that price to achieve her goals.
Lyra sat upon the floor by the bed sorting her gear, checking arrow fletch and bow string by candlelight in that tiny room and thought to the eleven abilities that she had read upon that page of lore given to the old man.
Drowseeker
Eyes of the Shadow
Longstrider
Hidden hunter
Solace from Weakness
Friend to Shadows
Shocking Shot
Deny the Demonweb Pits
Escape the spider's Bonds
Mindarmour
Pierce the Black Heart
The likelihood was that many of these magics would be impossible to replicate and infuse into a single weapon that was not the original legacy weapon. She would have to rely upon her own skill and training, thoughtful purchase and crafting of other item from the bazaar and merchants there, to replicate what she believed was needed. Much still depended on how well she could learn of those other two and how quickly she could do it now that she had determined her path. But she had patience. She'd had some 60 hard years waiting for this time when she could think of acting.
She considered for a moment her resources and acquaintances. Her mentor she had not seen in a while and training was slow there. The moon scarred elf, knew of her quest for bow but not all the details, might be useful but again, she did not know of his skills in shadow hunting. The wood elf, was likely to be completely out of her depth in such a place also. No, there was only one she knew who walked regularly in that place, who might help her acquire the shadow component, might already have some to hand and be willing to part with it....for a price. She had shown to him once already that she was willing to pay that price to achieve her goals.
Lyra sat upon the floor by the bed sorting her gear, checking arrow fletch and bow string by candlelight in that tiny room and thought to the eleven abilities that she had read upon that page of lore given to the old man.
Drowseeker
Eyes of the Shadow
Longstrider
Hidden hunter
Solace from Weakness
Friend to Shadows
Shocking Shot
Deny the Demonweb Pits
Escape the spider's Bonds
Mindarmour
Pierce the Black Heart
The likelihood was that many of these magics would be impossible to replicate and infuse into a single weapon that was not the original legacy weapon. She would have to rely upon her own skill and training, thoughtful purchase and crafting of other item from the bazaar and merchants there, to replicate what she believed was needed. Much still depended on how well she could learn of those other two and how quickly she could do it now that she had determined her path. But she had patience. She'd had some 60 hard years waiting for this time when she could think of acting.
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*Pashan01
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The cut she made had not been deep and was now healing well enough. The mingling blood licked and wiped away soon after the cut was made. The meaning of the cut and the gesture made to each after that....she hoped would last longer.
She hissed softly when they spoke of a prospective meeting place. This place she had used before for that first pact and would likely do so again to acquire the spider silk. Tricky. Lyra thought of the options and realised she would need to try to persuade them of another location.
She was coming to enjoy the hunting made in the Beastlands. Urban hive-dweller that she was, the time spent in the woodlands and forest brought her distance memory of times past, a hint of what was and used to be. She was slowly becoming adept at stalking through the long grasses in shadow of the trees, easier than merging with the icey cool and blending with colours of the elemental plane of ice. Still some work there to be done but one had given her idea.
Training in the sewers continued. Keen and silent observation was paying off, checking for tracks in the dirt and dust, listening for the sounds of battle, watching interesting use of certain herbs and methods for calming the prey. She made careful note to research more on that particular herb. She was hopeful she was of some use, provided she was not complete hindrance all well and good. She had things to offer, they just had to realise and see her potential. Once they did, then she would be on equal footing, and not merely a tool, not merely a little girl or a kiddo in their eyes.
She hissed softly when they spoke of a prospective meeting place. This place she had used before for that first pact and would likely do so again to acquire the spider silk. Tricky. Lyra thought of the options and realised she would need to try to persuade them of another location.
She was coming to enjoy the hunting made in the Beastlands. Urban hive-dweller that she was, the time spent in the woodlands and forest brought her distance memory of times past, a hint of what was and used to be. She was slowly becoming adept at stalking through the long grasses in shadow of the trees, easier than merging with the icey cool and blending with colours of the elemental plane of ice. Still some work there to be done but one had given her idea.
Training in the sewers continued. Keen and silent observation was paying off, checking for tracks in the dirt and dust, listening for the sounds of battle, watching interesting use of certain herbs and methods for calming the prey. She made careful note to research more on that particular herb. She was hopeful she was of some use, provided she was not complete hindrance all well and good. She had things to offer, they just had to realise and see her potential. Once they did, then she would be on equal footing, and not merely a tool, not merely a little girl or a kiddo in their eyes.
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*Pashan01
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- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
She pushed the bag of glands, now counting to two underneath her bed. Nearly had she obtained a third...the last, but his sword had burst the silk-bearing-sac. Still. Grateful she was for that second.
She wondered how then to get in touch with that other acquaintance to further her need for the shadow component. She knew little of his habits. Some time spent hunting in the gray waste might offer that opportunity. She just had to avoid the other two in so doing.
She wondered how then to get in touch with that other acquaintance to further her need for the shadow component. She knew little of his habits. Some time spent hunting in the gray waste might offer that opportunity. She just had to avoid the other two in so doing.
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*Pashan01
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They had eventually discounted the gray waste location on account of ..as the one described it...of it having the ability to turn a person's mind to goo....Lyra reiterated this knowledge by swirling a finger at her temple in agreement. She only spent short amounts of time there in search of that other acquaintance and was relieved that the other two had agreed upon it not being suitable. It really was not ideal for a more permanent base.
In the end they were left with three choices, each favoured by each of the three. Whether one would be chosen over the other only time would tell and it seemed to Lyra that this first choice and decision might also bear relationship to the group dynamics in this early stage of association...if this first decision was made well and done right, then it held promise for the rest of the ones to come. While a lot less experienced than the other two, they did seem to heed her point of view. She was not without certain natural skill and cunning, even if she were not as....trained as they both were.
But that would change.
Lyra held up the arrow and studied the sharp point and head in the candle light. The poison she had applied was evenly coated, nicely absorbed as she had so recently been taught. Practice was needed, careful practice to manage the application in less simple circumstances...such as in darkness and in haste...until she had mastered the technique and lessened the risk of spillage of the venom.
''...what will you do after this training, will you work with me or follow your own path?''
She had made a shrug, an initial hesitation in her answer then glanced to that fading scar at her palm and raised it up to show again to him. If she could have spoken she would have said ''Early days brother'' her motion of hand making reference to their joint pact. Perhaps their paths would overlap further but Lyra could not foresee that far ahead yet.
In the end they were left with three choices, each favoured by each of the three. Whether one would be chosen over the other only time would tell and it seemed to Lyra that this first choice and decision might also bear relationship to the group dynamics in this early stage of association...if this first decision was made well and done right, then it held promise for the rest of the ones to come. While a lot less experienced than the other two, they did seem to heed her point of view. She was not without certain natural skill and cunning, even if she were not as....trained as they both were.
But that would change.
Lyra held up the arrow and studied the sharp point and head in the candle light. The poison she had applied was evenly coated, nicely absorbed as she had so recently been taught. Practice was needed, careful practice to manage the application in less simple circumstances...such as in darkness and in haste...until she had mastered the technique and lessened the risk of spillage of the venom.
''...what will you do after this training, will you work with me or follow your own path?''
She had made a shrug, an initial hesitation in her answer then glanced to that fading scar at her palm and raised it up to show again to him. If she could have spoken she would have said ''Early days brother'' her motion of hand making reference to their joint pact. Perhaps their paths would overlap further but Lyra could not foresee that far ahead yet.
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*Pashan01
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- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
She took a risk. She accepted a task for jink from a creature, whose master had sought the 'mute elf' out. Her funds were short, there had been few coming for tattoos, paintings or piercings of late to the parlour asking for her services and instead of drumming up business, her time had been spent in training and in search of those items for that special bow craft. Her quiver of arrows was not nearly as full as she would have liked and that winged merchant in the bazaar was a joke when it came to decent prices for replenishing it. Approaching others to sell arrows more cheaply to her, was no easy task either and the merchants she favoured were not often around the bazaar of late.
The servant gave her description of the items its master required her to obtain, handed her a parchment with a drawing that showed the style of some of them. As instructed, she destroyed the parchment later in her room after studying it further. The first item was relatively large and awkward and would be the most difficult to find but she had an idea of two places and would scout them out. The third part of the task was the easiest though the servant did not know it. He sought one who could create tattoos of power and could be trusted. Cowled and hidden as she was she smirked at that, of course she knew someone who had that ability and could be trusted...herself.
She nodded to the flying imp, agreed upon time and place for delivery of these items and then negotiated by use of hand signals a more appropriate fee for these services, certainly higher than the one that was first offered. The fee was comparable to two or three large tattoos or paintings. Another fee would be forthcoming if this 'master' desired such tattoos to be created upon his person. Lyra would need to be ready for that and research further some of the more difficult aspects of tattoo creation, carefully discussed with Lervak perhaps...carefully, so as not to arouse his suspicions. This was going to be her commission and her jink.
She had seen little of her 'brothers' recently. She assumed one must have gone into hiding, the other possibly too such was the nature of their past and operations, she would not be surprised. Patience in this game was important if she wanted to succeed in her own plans, though it irked her that her training was progressing slowly. So, in the meantime, she had taken to following another a couple of times, his manner had attracted her in an unusual way, to pad quietly behind him and share the simple, mutual benefit received during a few travels to undersigil and the ice plane. She decided that she would give the man one more time without incident and she might think to approach him to ask for his help in one matter pertaining to the craft of her desired bow.
The servant gave her description of the items its master required her to obtain, handed her a parchment with a drawing that showed the style of some of them. As instructed, she destroyed the parchment later in her room after studying it further. The first item was relatively large and awkward and would be the most difficult to find but she had an idea of two places and would scout them out. The third part of the task was the easiest though the servant did not know it. He sought one who could create tattoos of power and could be trusted. Cowled and hidden as she was she smirked at that, of course she knew someone who had that ability and could be trusted...herself.
She nodded to the flying imp, agreed upon time and place for delivery of these items and then negotiated by use of hand signals a more appropriate fee for these services, certainly higher than the one that was first offered. The fee was comparable to two or three large tattoos or paintings. Another fee would be forthcoming if this 'master' desired such tattoos to be created upon his person. Lyra would need to be ready for that and research further some of the more difficult aspects of tattoo creation, carefully discussed with Lervak perhaps...carefully, so as not to arouse his suspicions. This was going to be her commission and her jink.
She had seen little of her 'brothers' recently. She assumed one must have gone into hiding, the other possibly too such was the nature of their past and operations, she would not be surprised. Patience in this game was important if she wanted to succeed in her own plans, though it irked her that her training was progressing slowly. So, in the meantime, she had taken to following another a couple of times, his manner had attracted her in an unusual way, to pad quietly behind him and share the simple, mutual benefit received during a few travels to undersigil and the ice plane. She decided that she would give the man one more time without incident and she might think to approach him to ask for his help in one matter pertaining to the craft of her desired bow.
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*Pashan01
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- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
She narrowed her eyes catching sight of the imp as it fluttered closer with heavy leathery winged flaps, snarling in her direction. She followed it deeper into the alley as it gestured, keeping some distance, ensuring her face cowled and well hidden.
The creature asked whether she had what its master sought, listing the requirements once more. She nodded curtly and brought from her pack a bundle of items and off her back she layed down another piece to the table. The imp fluttered closer to examine the various clothing and staff. It quizzed her then on the other items, the information and the larger request. She thought it impatient and raised her index finger at it accordingly. From her pocket, she then brought out a folded parchment note and handed it to the imp. At her gesture, the imp growled slightly, but took the parchment and unfolded it to see its contents. After a pause it looked towards her and asked if the note contained the requested information. It was apparent to her that it could not read common. She nodded to the creature as it folded the note and set it amongst the clothing.
With an eye upon imp and a glance back along the alley way, she moved to the dark passageway within the alley. She tugged at the small cart bearing a blanketed object some three feet in size from out of the shadows and rolled it slowly back towards the imp. She slipped one edge of the blanket over revealing the object to the imp, the little light there was in that alleyway reflecting off the domed glass of the jar, then swiftly she flipped the blanket back over again to cover it once more.
The imp crawled to the edge and looked at the jar, it nodded with a grin on its face, gestured to the items upon the table and upon instruction from the creature she took the bundle with the note and the staff from the table and tucked them all beneath the blanket folds upon that cart. Muttering dark language the imp drew patterns to the air, seeming to slice it in two where its boney finger moved. Lyra watched, listened carefully, her eyes narrow slits above her cowl as the imp drew from the parted air a pouch and tossed it to the table making a loud thump. The air seemed to stitch itself back up then disappear once the imp had withdrawn its hand.
Fluttering up to the cart, the imp made final check of the contents therein as Lyra counted the gold within the pouch. The imp turned its snarly face towards her again and in its scratchy voice, informed her that its master was most pleased with her services and she could expect another assignment soon enough. She inclined her head slightly, keeping her expression clear of any emotion. It drew a larger tear to the air and Lyra could this time hear distant cries from that cut and she caught site of a blurry image of fiery plains. The imp stepped through somehow managing to pull the cart with it. The rift in the air closed behind swiftly leaving no trace of either imp nor cart.
Turning on her heel, she padded quietly away from the alleyway and let a smirk cross her face underneath her cowl, pleased with the transaction, feeling the weight of the gold in her pocket.
The creature asked whether she had what its master sought, listing the requirements once more. She nodded curtly and brought from her pack a bundle of items and off her back she layed down another piece to the table. The imp fluttered closer to examine the various clothing and staff. It quizzed her then on the other items, the information and the larger request. She thought it impatient and raised her index finger at it accordingly. From her pocket, she then brought out a folded parchment note and handed it to the imp. At her gesture, the imp growled slightly, but took the parchment and unfolded it to see its contents. After a pause it looked towards her and asked if the note contained the requested information. It was apparent to her that it could not read common. She nodded to the creature as it folded the note and set it amongst the clothing.
With an eye upon imp and a glance back along the alley way, she moved to the dark passageway within the alley. She tugged at the small cart bearing a blanketed object some three feet in size from out of the shadows and rolled it slowly back towards the imp. She slipped one edge of the blanket over revealing the object to the imp, the little light there was in that alleyway reflecting off the domed glass of the jar, then swiftly she flipped the blanket back over again to cover it once more.
The imp crawled to the edge and looked at the jar, it nodded with a grin on its face, gestured to the items upon the table and upon instruction from the creature she took the bundle with the note and the staff from the table and tucked them all beneath the blanket folds upon that cart. Muttering dark language the imp drew patterns to the air, seeming to slice it in two where its boney finger moved. Lyra watched, listened carefully, her eyes narrow slits above her cowl as the imp drew from the parted air a pouch and tossed it to the table making a loud thump. The air seemed to stitch itself back up then disappear once the imp had withdrawn its hand.
Fluttering up to the cart, the imp made final check of the contents therein as Lyra counted the gold within the pouch. The imp turned its snarly face towards her again and in its scratchy voice, informed her that its master was most pleased with her services and she could expect another assignment soon enough. She inclined her head slightly, keeping her expression clear of any emotion. It drew a larger tear to the air and Lyra could this time hear distant cries from that cut and she caught site of a blurry image of fiery plains. The imp stepped through somehow managing to pull the cart with it. The rift in the air closed behind swiftly leaving no trace of either imp nor cart.
Turning on her heel, she padded quietly away from the alleyway and let a smirk cross her face underneath her cowl, pleased with the transaction, feeling the weight of the gold in her pocket.
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*Pashan01
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- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
"...and where the sod have you been?" her hastily scribbled note included this question amongst others.
Dragons! hells. The man was an idiot, she thought, as she watched him wash the bloody scars off his shoulder and back. She didn't move to tend him. The danger was passed, he was back in the Cage and she knew he could very well sort himself out. Next time, he should take help. But she knew how difficult it was for one such as he or she to trust in companion to help. But wasn't that what this 'brotherhood' was for? But that contract...sounded...lucrative. She hoped next time he would take her.
Few could rile her, annoy her. He seemed to be able to do it easily and she...had to watch that. She followed him for a while, stalking one darthir to the graywaste for short time but they didn't make further move upon it then.
Dragons! hells. The man was an idiot, she thought, as she watched him wash the bloody scars off his shoulder and back. She didn't move to tend him. The danger was passed, he was back in the Cage and she knew he could very well sort himself out. Next time, he should take help. But she knew how difficult it was for one such as he or she to trust in companion to help. But wasn't that what this 'brotherhood' was for? But that contract...sounded...lucrative. She hoped next time he would take her.
Few could rile her, annoy her. He seemed to be able to do it easily and she...had to watch that. She followed him for a while, stalking one darthir to the graywaste for short time but they didn't make further move upon it then.
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*Pashan01
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- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
She used a fine sharp needle to pierce through the eight old piercings indents that were now skinned over. She offered only a small piece of Sannish, estimating the quantity based on her experience of piercing mere earlobe and assessing the size of the halfling customer. She indicated by showing the girl a bottle of distilled alcohol and her shiney needle that her instruments were clean. The amount of jink for this work, in this bodily location was minimal but it was regular and easy to do compared to the more complex tattoo or the more intimate, sensitive piercing location or indeed compared to her other artistic talents that she did not openly advertise.
The halfling had approached her after she had made her first distribution of advertising leaflets of her trade. The bazaar had been fairly busy and she managed to pass a few leaflets on.
"Advertisement - Tattoos & Piercings. For all your tattoo and piercing needs, seek out Lyra at the tattoo parlour". A simple note, it didn't list all the artistic work she would do but it sufficed.
She returned to the bazaar but no other custom appeared forthcoming and on a whim, she decided to return to that tree in the Beastlands. She didn't dwell on her reasons for doing so. Before she made tracks up the slopes and through the grasses she heard distant sounds of battle and instead slipped to the shadows of those grasses and followed the group but made herself known and visible a little later, hiding again when they were attacked to avoid being hurt herself as she had gone in unarmoured, uncovered for a change, only sporting her bow. One had caught her interest and it was he who she followed. She smirked at the sharp tongued lady who warned her off from stalking.
She followed the group back through the portal, but left them to it, to return to the market place hopeful of more custom. Her eyes fixed upon the darthir sitting to the bar and she made her silent mark of intent again to the cobbled ground. Soon....
Two cousins came upon her, one after the other. The first, held her curiosity and she didn't hesitate to show it, it was his eyes that held her attention and she frowned in some puzzlement unsure of what it meant. His manner and easy going questions were acceptable, she felt no immediate threat nor felt inclined to make her own. The manner of the second was less so and her instincts came to the fore to have caution. The first departed and the second cousin showed interest in her work and they negotiated price for one small tattoo before Lyra led him to the parlour.
The pattern he requested had her pausing in thought but she carried on with the basic tattoo soon enough, after offering the herb. Her hands were precise and deft in piercing the skin with the tiny pricks of the needle, applying the inks and swabbing the 'wound' with alcohol to cleanse. His slight attempt at familiarity, to distract her from her work had her narrowing eyes and frowning but it was easy enough to slide from the hand and light touch and continue with the piece, her actions in evasion drawing a laugh. The whole procedure for this simple tattoo pattern and small size took only a half hour and though she was glad to be rid of him, she was still left wondering over that choice of tattoo that he now bore upon his arm.
The halfling had approached her after she had made her first distribution of advertising leaflets of her trade. The bazaar had been fairly busy and she managed to pass a few leaflets on.
"Advertisement - Tattoos & Piercings. For all your tattoo and piercing needs, seek out Lyra at the tattoo parlour". A simple note, it didn't list all the artistic work she would do but it sufficed.
She returned to the bazaar but no other custom appeared forthcoming and on a whim, she decided to return to that tree in the Beastlands. She didn't dwell on her reasons for doing so. Before she made tracks up the slopes and through the grasses she heard distant sounds of battle and instead slipped to the shadows of those grasses and followed the group but made herself known and visible a little later, hiding again when they were attacked to avoid being hurt herself as she had gone in unarmoured, uncovered for a change, only sporting her bow. One had caught her interest and it was he who she followed. She smirked at the sharp tongued lady who warned her off from stalking.
She followed the group back through the portal, but left them to it, to return to the market place hopeful of more custom. Her eyes fixed upon the darthir sitting to the bar and she made her silent mark of intent again to the cobbled ground. Soon....
Two cousins came upon her, one after the other. The first, held her curiosity and she didn't hesitate to show it, it was his eyes that held her attention and she frowned in some puzzlement unsure of what it meant. His manner and easy going questions were acceptable, she felt no immediate threat nor felt inclined to make her own. The manner of the second was less so and her instincts came to the fore to have caution. The first departed and the second cousin showed interest in her work and they negotiated price for one small tattoo before Lyra led him to the parlour.
The pattern he requested had her pausing in thought but she carried on with the basic tattoo soon enough, after offering the herb. Her hands were precise and deft in piercing the skin with the tiny pricks of the needle, applying the inks and swabbing the 'wound' with alcohol to cleanse. His slight attempt at familiarity, to distract her from her work had her narrowing eyes and frowning but it was easy enough to slide from the hand and light touch and continue with the piece, her actions in evasion drawing a laugh. The whole procedure for this simple tattoo pattern and small size took only a half hour and though she was glad to be rid of him, she was still left wondering over that choice of tattoo that he now bore upon his arm.
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*Pashan01
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- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Two moon crescent scars....two pointed teeth bearing traces of blood...an image of loviatar on pale skin, shoulder blades distorting the colours of the flails and blood....a dagger dripping with poison....the breath of a dry cough colourlessly wending its way around the image of a black bow....a naked male prone on bench, oils strewn around.....a muffled stutter and a slatted helm........eight silver rings and the glint of sharp needle.....a small image of an arrow piercing a black spider.....a pair of crimson eyes.....
She awoke suddenly from her reverie and sat up upon her trestle bed and breathed deeply as the last of the images, symbols and sounds faded. The sounds of shuffling feet came from the room below. Lervak was up.
She stretched her arms, circled them in her shoulder sockets. The slaughter of the day before came back to her now clear mind and she smirked, the aches in her arms from her bow work would soon fade, the expense of the arrows she used had been worthwhile for a number of reasons.
Another risk taken. If her two 'brothers' had seen her, they would have berated her for it. But they were not there and she made her own choices and had her own goals to attend to. She saw the potential of this cousin, studied his own 'art' as they laid slaughter in the dark tunnels beneath the hive ward. He would do for what she needed, she thought.
She paused reflectively, pulling out that sack from under her bed. She now had all the spider silk sacks, the last one given to her the day before, her foray two days earlier into the Beastlands achieving two more treant branches. Just the shadow material now. Her search for the first with whom she had made pact had been unsuccessful, it was time to make other arrangements to obtain them, several trips likely necessary and it was not without danger.
He had agreed to help in exchange for a promise of certain information about her. She might tell him some of the truth, perhaps a half-truth or she might lie, she had not yet decided. Probably the latter, likely as not he would be gone, planetravelling soon enough and it did not pay to reveal much to those that travelled through the Cage, or indeed to any Cagers for that matter.
He would not answer her own question, she remembered with a grin as she slipped her tunic over her head and plaited her white hair to a bun, tieing the blue ribbon about it to a neat bow. She would continue to stalk him until she found answer to that puzzle, that slight concern. If it took too long, she would consider using a drug to extract what she wanted to know. She was due to make more deliveries of drug supplies within the hive and her own stocks were running short...another trip to Mniitvak would be required soon, assuming he still lived, she would check his supplies for something appropriate....just in case.
As she slipped down the wooden ladder from her attic room to the second floor of the parlour, padding swiftly towards the staircase leading to the main parlour, her thoughts turned to the image of the arrow and the spider...something there she wanted to explore too, carefully though.
She awoke suddenly from her reverie and sat up upon her trestle bed and breathed deeply as the last of the images, symbols and sounds faded. The sounds of shuffling feet came from the room below. Lervak was up.
She stretched her arms, circled them in her shoulder sockets. The slaughter of the day before came back to her now clear mind and she smirked, the aches in her arms from her bow work would soon fade, the expense of the arrows she used had been worthwhile for a number of reasons.
Another risk taken. If her two 'brothers' had seen her, they would have berated her for it. But they were not there and she made her own choices and had her own goals to attend to. She saw the potential of this cousin, studied his own 'art' as they laid slaughter in the dark tunnels beneath the hive ward. He would do for what she needed, she thought.
She paused reflectively, pulling out that sack from under her bed. She now had all the spider silk sacks, the last one given to her the day before, her foray two days earlier into the Beastlands achieving two more treant branches. Just the shadow material now. Her search for the first with whom she had made pact had been unsuccessful, it was time to make other arrangements to obtain them, several trips likely necessary and it was not without danger.
He had agreed to help in exchange for a promise of certain information about her. She might tell him some of the truth, perhaps a half-truth or she might lie, she had not yet decided. Probably the latter, likely as not he would be gone, planetravelling soon enough and it did not pay to reveal much to those that travelled through the Cage, or indeed to any Cagers for that matter.
He would not answer her own question, she remembered with a grin as she slipped her tunic over her head and plaited her white hair to a bun, tieing the blue ribbon about it to a neat bow. She would continue to stalk him until she found answer to that puzzle, that slight concern. If it took too long, she would consider using a drug to extract what she wanted to know. She was due to make more deliveries of drug supplies within the hive and her own stocks were running short...another trip to Mniitvak would be required soon, assuming he still lived, she would check his supplies for something appropriate....just in case.
As she slipped down the wooden ladder from her attic room to the second floor of the parlour, padding swiftly towards the staircase leading to the main parlour, her thoughts turned to the image of the arrow and the spider...something there she wanted to explore too, carefully though.