Carantathraiel

Wanderers

Ysaryn grinned at her, her slightly longer canine's making her look fox-like. "As Chief-daughter, it is in the best interest for them to get along with me. I do not always play nice." She said with deep amusement. After a few minutes of thought, she stood up, brushing leaves and dirt from her backside as she turned to face Kire.
"To a non elf, the city will be nice. I think you will enjoy it. Much food, clothing, pretty things. If I were a woman and not an elf, I would have no money there." She grinned, then sobered. The fact that she was an elf who resided there made life far more difficult than it had to be. Her fingers brushed against the bruises on her neck with a frown. Getting a break from having to go back would be nice. She couldn't hide in the slums when they were on hunts for furniture and blankets.

"Be careful." Ysaryn said after a moment of quiet. "Both in the city, and with him."

Wanderers

When she reached the stream, Ysaryn crouched at its edge and rinsed her face and neck. "No, just elves." She admitted. "Hard to be a trade city if you hate outsiders." She pointed out, drinking from her cupped hands to swish before she spat into the stream. "I have seen more with Zeck beside me, but not alot. I can't look, or I attract attention."

Retreating, she sat on the ground, looking at Kire. "Bigger than Ziad was, from what I saw when at the ruins. People are ... people. Ocean men. Drinkers. Cookers. Travelers. No king or chief, but." She blinking, thinking of the word. "Council? Many men. Rich. Dictators of the direction of the city."
Then she grinned wickedly. "We find supplies. Many abandoned houses. Many tossed things that are perfectly useful. A city of abundance wastes much. I take advantage."

When Kire offered to pass along messages to her family, Ysaryn chuckled. "No. Do not find my family. Men hate elves, my elves hate men back. They would not invite you near them." She shook her head. "I can go back whenever I choose to see them. Bolym, maybe, will go with me, and I can leave him." She grinned again at the thought of his angry face.
Tilting her head toward Kire, Ysaryn leaned back onto her hands. "You partner with the blond? He doesn't smell so bad anymore. You get along?"

Wanderers

Ysaryn smirked and shook her head, small tendrils of her hair waving as she did before they touched her neck and stuck. "Not really." She answered.
As Kire went on, her expression went neutral as the elf considered what this meant. She wouldn't be going home every few days, but, on the positive side, she wouldn't have to travel with the angry man. Instead, Kire would be going with the quiet blond one.
"You are to go to Cordon?" Ysaryn asked, tilting her head. She clicked her tongue and tilted her head, inviting Kire to follow as she strolled away from the cave and toward the stream.

"Ask away. I will answer. It will be be nice not to have to tolerate Zeck." She admitted. "Or the people of Cordon. They do not like us. Me." She said, pointing to her ears again.

Wanderers

The only one awake when she was was Ruli, who had taken himself to the kitchen to work on breakfast for a time, doing what he could with what little they had in order to begin preparations on a meal that would be tasteful and spread along the many mouths here. It was a constant reminder of her, and how he'd brought her into the city and she'd used him to destroy it. His home. Their home. Gone.
He refused to even consider the condition of his family. Those they'd lost. Those who had lived but he had lost, regardless.

When he did what he could, he went outside, desiring a workout or another hunt, but he stepped outside and noticed Kire training with herself, running drills and sweating under the barely rising sun. Out of curiosity to her form, he watched her for several minutes before he left her bed, going back inside.

The cavern woke, the traffic in the pathways thick as people went in and out of the kitchen cavern to grab a bit to eat, finding a place to eat when they had their plate. Ruli took two plates, and went into Envy's room, hiding until the elf woke.
Ysaryn, after a bit of a search, was out through the kitchen tunnel under the shade of the mountain. She had had the same idea as Kire, and was dressed in leathers as she sparred with Bolym. No weapons, only hand to hand, as too many people had complained about the noise of their swords or training batons this early in the morning.
Her pink hair was pulled up into a plait to keep it out of the way, sweat running along her skin and into her clothing. When Bolym spotted Kire, his eyes shifted, his expression turning into an unhappy -or an unhappier- one. Ysaryn pivoted on her feet to look over her shoulder, and her counterpart pounced, wrapping his arms around her, his arm hooking around her throat. With a snarl, Ysaryn grabbed him and threw him over her shoulder, staring down at him as he sprawled on his back at her feet.

He scolded her, judging by her tone, and she said something back that at the very least made him smirk. It was short lived, as Ysaryn stepped over him to join Kire. He sat up, scolding again. Apparently he had not decided they were done. But Ysaryn ignored him. Stepping up to Kire, she had more than a few dark bruises marring her already dark skin. "Well met, Chieftess." Ysaryn greeted as Bolym got up and stomped into the cave in annoyance.

Wanderers

Envy made a weird face. "Don't go saying that to Zeke." He requested about her and Ruli being better suited. Zeke still had pride, and hated to be considered useless. He'd have to think of something else for the man to do to keep him occupied. Preferably something that didn't involve Ysaryn.

"You should talk to Ysaryn about the city. Maybe she'll even take you. And Zeke would be able to give any further questions, if you feel like asking him. As far as I'm aware, the city isn't too different. Its a port city, lots of travelers. You'll have to ask Ysaryn where they're getting the supplies."
He had always wondered himself, but had always been hesitant to ask. There was something about the elf that made him wonder if it wasn't given freely. Not that he would judge, as the majority of their supplies in Ziad had been stolen until he found good connections. Even then, items had been introduced due to bribery.

He shoved the many, many questions about the dragon she fought down into the back of his mind. It nearly bit her in two! Rude as it was, he wanted to see such a thing. Not her being bitten, but a beast that large, and someone like this presumably average looking woman taking it on. Sparing its life either out of kindness or necessity, and letting it go into hibernation. He sat quietly, thinking on if for a time.
"I'll talk to Ruli tomorrow. Something tells me he won't come back inside for a while, or he's already asleep. If you care to, Ysaryn may answer you questions if you have any further ones." He raised the candied fruit pouch. "I also promise to give these to Aeron tomorrow. Thank you for them, and all you've brought."

Wanderers

Envy shook his head. "No. I mean yes, I know about dragons, but I doubt they are the same thing as what you're thinking of." He admitted. "I've never seen one, but in books they're described as rough skinned lizards, only ever as long as six feet, depending on species. Like crocodiles and lizards."

He took in the information about her magic, his clouded eyes shifting as he thought it over. It would explain why she was able to disappear for long periods and return here with armfuls of supplies. Much more adept than Ysaryn and Zeke. He earmarked his request about that for a later moment.
"A world traveler." Envy said in awe. "I never thought they'd exist. Or that I'd meet one. Or that one would be responsible for the destruction of my city. Frankly, I always thought it would be my bloodkin." He added bitterly. "The more I hear about this man, the more I want to hurt him, myself, which is not like me."

Entrusted. "So, you're not born with this power, like myself and Ruli? You were given to it?" He paused, thinking. "...Because of your dragon-blood?" He pictured for a moment lizard-bred people with forked tongues, and suddenly very much wished he could ask to see Kire's. "Ysaryn, she can do what we've come to call Shadow-Walking only because she had the genetic disposition to do so. She traveled to Ziad on foot with Bolym and a few others, and when she managed to get here, I was able to help her learn. I imagine this dragon-blood is treated much the same?"
His eyes went wide and he raised his head slightly. "Can dragons travel between worlds like this?" He wondered, suddenly both thrilled and terrified by the idea.

"Regardless," Envy shook his head and waved a hand. "I have a request of you that may make you uncomfortable. I know you've done plenty already, but." Envy inhaled. "Ysaryn goes to her home-city for supplies. However, they are incredibly racist towards elves there. Well, in Ziad, as well, but that isn't the point. So, she takes Zeke, because he is able to guarantee her safety. But, due to his injuries, he cannot carry much, and she cannot carry much because of her magic's strength. If you wouldn't mind, I would have Ruli accompany her one day to learn how to get there, and then if the two of you, you and Ruli I mean, wouldn't go to to give the duo a break. Their, erm, cover story infuriates Ysaryn, and I really do worry she'll kill him one day. You saw her reaction when I asked her to go." It went without saying that he didn't want to lose anymore people.
The plus side, getting Ruli away from Zeke, and away from the cavern might help his mood improve.

Wanderers

Envy listened with a gentle expression, nodding along. He was deeply curious about her admission about her country. Country, or world? But he didn't ask yet, not in such a crowded place. People were finishing their rations and wandering around to stretch their legs, take brisk walks outside to take advantage of the weather before nightfall, but he didn't doubt they were listening.

"My sincerest condolences for the loss of your parents, and your cousins, more recently." Envy said. "Six months ago, does that mean your Ikegai is responsible for their deaths, as well? I certainly understand your determination to hunt him down, if that were the case."
Finished with his meal, he gathered the candied fruit and stood. Knowing someone would swoop in and eat Ruli's unfinished portion, he left that for whomever decided to take it, tucking his empty plate beneath it.

"I think, had things been different, Zeke would have found you infinitely charming, and would have likely tried to keep you by his side." Envy said with a teasing grin as he invited Kire along with him. He directed his feet toward his chamber, his steps slow and cautious. "Showing up in the dead of night, armoured, armed with a blade, and judging by Ruli's attitude towards you, a sharp tongue to boot. You have just the right amount of mystery that one finds alluring. You'd have been perfect in his little guard unit." Envy added with another grin.

When they stepped through the sound ward, the chatter of the others fading immediately, he turned to look in her direction. "Now that we're away from prying ears, I've questions, if you'll not mind?" Envy sat himself carefully on his pile of straw. "Amria? Where is it? And I'm curious about this magic you have." He smiled cryptically. "You wouldn't offend my wards if you didn't have something. Even Ysaryn triggers them, and she is rather weak compared to a few others, magically speaking."

Wanderers

Envy inhaled and shook his head. "They were close enough once to call one another brothers. So I would guess you're correct. The pain is deep." He didn't elaborate, the fight between the two men not his story to tell. But he could explain something else to give her a better idea.
"I fled from my people a long time ago. A lifetime, compared to a mortal. I made it to Ziad and made my way underground for shelter. As you may know, my people do not tolerate sunlight." He gestured to the burns on his skin, and the useless eyes that were now irreparably damaged.

"I intended to move on somehow, make my way here to the mountains, and then on, but I discovered the cisterns there and stayed a while to recuperate and learn about the world. And one day a small child found his way into the cisterns; starving, broken, hopeless. In time, we trusted one another, and he brought another. And they brought more. And suddenly the cistern was an orphanage of sorts. I had somehow created my own underground city, the one above completely oblivious to our existence. Ruli and Zeke grew up together there. Helped me care for and train the children so that when they were old enough to leave, they had skills enough to secure jobs. But the two of them never left. Many didn't, deciding to remain and help those who came in. Sid is one of them. Aeron's mother another." he shook his head regretfully.

"One day, we'll settle and create our own paradise again. Those who dwell in here in the cavern are those who lived with me. Those in Little Ziad are the few from the surface city who survived. Only a handful go back and forth. Like Zeke. He got himself a job working for Ziad's late king to keep himself close to the seat of power, and became captain of the guard at a young age, thanks to an unfortunate circumstance. The people still trust him because he got them out, so they obey his orders not to retaliate against me because of what I am. Truthfully, I think he told them I'm a prisoner." He gave a grim smirk, which said he didn't mind pretending to be such a thing, but was bothered that it had to be said.

"More than his anger at what happened, Zeke suffered a grave injury. A Kartaian struck him in the head, and his helmet buckled into his skull, causing that scar on his face. In a way, he's lucky, as a hair more to the left and he'd have lost his eye." Envy admitted. "He fought despite it, taking near-fatal injuries, and it was days before we could cut the helmet off his head. There is a headache that won't recede, and his other injuries may limit him from ever being a proper soldier again. No amount of herbs we find relieve the agony he's in. It is no excuse, but I don't berate him for his harsh tongue because I understand."

Envy grinned at Kire again, the same grim expression. "Enough about us, though. I do not know much about you. Where are you from? You have family there, if I recall you mentioning?"

Wanderers

Envy grinned softly. "It has all been a great help." He said, raising his chin slightly when she opened the bag and mentioned a treat for the children and a sweet tooth.
"They're candies." Ruli muttered to Envy, who nodded, and smiled more broadly.
"I do have a sweet tooth, but I tend to avoid, because I have little self control around sugar." He said with amusement. He set his giant hand on the bag when she placed it beside him, feeling the quantity. "I'll see that its shared between them. Aeron will enjoy it, I hope." He nodded. "However, I don't drink, but I'm sure there are many in Little Ziad who would enjoy such niceties."

When she asked about Ysaryn, Ruli snorted softly, his brow furrowing. Envy ignored him. "Yes. They came back again this morning. She and Bolym were not in the best moods and went out to hunt a few hours ago. If they're back, they're in Little Ziad."
"We need a new name." Ruli complained.
"Says who?"
"Says ... Ziad means abundance. What we have there is anything but."
"It will grow, Ruli." Envy argued softly. "Ziad wasn't always a busy city. It started small and grew. Give it time."

Ruli looked up to respond, his black eye gleaming, but he caught sight of someone over Kire's shoulder and dropped his head again. The figure approached, tossing a small satchel at him. It thumped heavily against Ruli's chest, and he snapped his hand up to catch it before it landed in his plate. "There. Don't ask me for anything else." The figure snapped. The knuckles on his right hand were bruised.

He was about Ruli's height, fit, and tanned. He had black hair that grew about as long as Ruli's, which was pulled back into a bunch at the back of his head. The ends of it curled lazily. His grey eyes were cold as he shifted his attention down to Kire, dislike etched into his features. He bore a vicious scar at the corner of his eye that was jagged and, despite months of time passing since the injury was received, the skin was still red and healing.
"I don't have to ask if you're the one." He said icily.
"Do try to be nice, she's been getting us supplies." Envy said indifferently, as if this man's attitude was nothing new.
"And what the fuck have the elf and I been doing all this time?" He turned back to Envy. "You force us to go to the city, and that bitch wants nothing but to cut my throat over the arrangement."
Envy looked up patiently. "You have Ruli now."
The man stiffened, curling his lip at the blond. Ruli didn't look up from his plate. "How about you send the two of them together." He snarled. "They can kill each other and we'd be rid of them both."
"Zekiel." Envy said firmly. "That is uncalled for."
"Its less than he deserves, Envy." The man, Zekiel, answered before storming away.

The chamber had grown quiet, watching the exchange. Envy sighed, looking disappointed, while Ruli looked very interested in the satchel the man had tossed at him. His cheeks were red, barely visible as he kept his head low.
"I'm ─" Ruli began, before realizing he had no obligation to explain. He set his half eaten plate on the ground between Envy and Kire and got up, heading outside.
The Kartaian sighed again. "I was hoping they would be less cold toward one another." He admitted quietly to Kire.

Wanderers

Dinner had the cave in a buzz of activity. Most of them took their shares and ate along the walls, others wandered back and forth between here and Little Ziad, desiring to converse. Envy was among the many along the wall, the elf choosing to eat with them rather than hide himself away. Beside him, Ruli bent over his food, quiet and reserved. No one but Envy bothered to speak with him.
Ruli did look up when Kire appeared, muttering quietly to Envy about her approach.

The Kartaian raised his head. "Welcome back." He greeted her. "Thank you for everything you've brought us. I can honestly say this is the largest and most tasteful meal we've had in a while." He raised his plate. Despite being much larger than everyone else, his portion was no bigger than what everyone else received. Which could explain why his frame was so much smaller to his bloodkin.
"We've actually had enough to store and reserve. We're indebted to you." Envy grinned, and a few people who were close enough to hear nodded in agreement. All but Ruli, who kept his head down, ignoring everything.