• Mature • (Viden Wilderness) Tales of Blood II

[Sybil Malach]

I

31st of Vhalar 719

Getting the camp set up was easy. With enough laborers, anything can be done according to a time slot. Sybil had the trusty hands of two men and one women, all of which had some semblance and understanding of how to properly set camp. While it was not something directly favoring the likes of a wilderness, it was something that brought the comforts of home, to the wilderness itself. There were some decisions that were somewhat impractical, bringing along preserves rather than hunting for the fresh meat of the tundra, but there were no hunters directly.

The only one that was in the camp proper that understood how to do that trade, was a man that had been unconscious for some time.

Since Wald had first lost consciousness, he has been moved several times. Once from the carriage: there were concerns over both comfort and heat conservation. Second from the bedroll to the tent: the bedroll laid out in front of the campfire was more used for a temporary shelter for the man. The tent itself wasn't nearly as good as what Wald had access to. Shelters that insulated temperature perfectly with an almost unnatural grace was something that wasn't exactly the most common, let alone anything that was publicly accessible at the last minute.

But that was, in the end, what the group had to work with. A running fire, supplies, and a tent. It wasn't too bad, for something that was intended to be a temporary solution.

Sybil sits across from Wald. The man is covered in many blankets of cotton and rough hewn fabrics. There was no real comfort to the scratchy materials, but they gave enough insulation that, to the people of the camp, they at least thought it would give Wald a fighting chance. The Exorcist leaned back against the tent's wall, eyes trained upon the larger man. They hadn't slept. But that was natural. At this point, they had no clue what Wald would do if he woke, nor did they fully understand how long he would be asleep for.

So they simply wait for Wald's eventual wakefulness. For the time, flipping through a leatherbound book would be enough to keep their mind trained enough to withstand the urge of sleep.

[Wald Lowca]

Wald's body was moved about, no resistance was given with these movements. Each time he was moved though, his body would give a strange warmth. Even next to the fire, his body did not change its temperature. He was always the same, though it was slightly hotter then a normal person, almost like a fever. He kept a temperature a couple of degrees high. Eventually he was placed within the tent, wrapped in cloths of many sorts. He did not stir in the place he laid, it was as if he was one of the dead. His only signs were that of his breath and heart beating.

It was unknown to Wald how long he was out, but his mind still wrapped within an illusion it had crafted. The engulfing darkness that enveloped his thoughts, slowly filled as his body rested. His mind was tired, his body seemed to have shrunk over the past trials. Lack of proper nutrition, and the forcing to fight often took its toll on the man.

Soon his mind traveled through what his life had been the last few Trials. The events that led up to where he was now, the people's faces that burned into his mind. A jolt came into his body, as the hunter woke suddenly from his rest with a shout. "Rasul!" His breathing was panicked, as his eyes looked around him. He sat up where he had been sleeping, his head searching what looked to be a tent.He saw someone reading a book in the tent, Wald slowly backed away towards the wall of the tent.

His mind was not fully awakened, as his eyes were wide open. Searching the tent for an exit, he did not know where he was. Though his body took that moment to let out a rumble from his gut. A hunger pain Trials in the making moved through his body, as the hunter gripped his stomach leaning over.

[Sybil Malach]

II

31st of Vhalar 719

The book was on a treatise on advanced concepts within alchemy. Though Sybil made no error in pretending to understand what was within these pages, the simple fact of the matter is that they simply didn't, it was more to confirm a driving concept surrounding the idea of magic that they held. There were things that were used as essences of magic, or alternatively, the blood of magicians could be used for some concoctions that seemed to mimic abilities and feats. However, this book covered the ethics and morality of harvesting such materials from participants, rather than anything genuinely scientific.

Sybil's brow furrowed, however, as they considered a simple fact that this book affirmed. Magicians, mages, sorcerers, whatever the name, were altered in physical ways that change the body on fundamental levels. So much so that one's blood could hold some level of potency when it comes to alchemical properties.

The problem? Sybil did not understand enough of the subject to make a call on the matter. They knew no recipes that involved this. They knew nothing that in practical science, could alter the thinking of others, outside of surface rhetoric. But it was a start, something to instill in the uneducated to perhaps cause greater social divides to the usage of magic.


It's not long before Wald begins to thrash.

A word is shouted. A foreign swear? A name? A place?

Sybil's eyes settled on the larger man's features, as he backed away from their silhouette. Their attention is brought up from their book, and more centered upon the man that was just on the line when it came to hysterics. Their head, slowly, began to cant to the side. Something was off. That much was clear. But this was unlike the normal Wald that Sybil was used to. This was a different situation entirely. That much they could see, just by his innate reactions. The manacles, the writ, and the reactions all began to fit the pieces of the puzzle together without Wald even uttering a phrase in explanation.

But it answered no question that lingered within their mind. Who and how were important. When, where, and why were not. They had built up Wald to be a man previously impervious to this. To see him brought low by the actions of mere men, was something that they could not sit well with.

Something was wrong.

"Wald." They say, finally speaking, as he begins to press his spine against the tent's walls, "You're with us now. There's no-one here that'll hurt you. Whatever did this, I presume, is leagues away."

Sybil's familiar frame was remaining cross-legged upon the rugs of the tent. Familiar cloak, familiar braids, but perhaps the most telling of their regalia, the brass pin that gleams in the dim reflection of barely seeping in light. Their expression knit into one of vague worry, restraining the sensation through tight knit discipline.

[Wald Lowca]

Eyes shaking back and forth, as he gripped into his gut. Wald continued his search around him, even as hunger pain seeped into his core. His eyes wondered on the rugs of the tent, slow confusion could be picked from his expressions. It was placed in a mixture of panic of his situation. He heard the familiar voice, the changed voice. His eyes slowly rose from the ground he was looking at. Rising up the silhouette of the person across the tent.

His eyes slowly rested in looking directly into Sybil's. Wald looked into the jade eyes with his of a wolven brown. A film of unknown could almost be seen on his face, his mind slowly trying to understand. Despite his rest he was still very tired, he was lost within himself for so long. Confusion slowly entered, as he slowly opened his mouth. "Why are you here, Rasul?" Wald spoke with a voice that seemed to begin to scratch its way from his throat.

Wald's eyes slowly blinked, not moving from where they were staring. It was as if he did not see any other part of Sybil, only locked upon the eyes of the person across the tent. A growl could be heard from the man who silently looked at Sybil. Though it was interrupted once again. "Sy... Sybil?" He spoke slowly in his confused state, his eyes blinking trying to understand what he was seeing. His head moved slowly to the side, as he looked to the book that was in the figure's hands. I slow realization of who was in the tent with him.

[Sybil Malach]

III

31st of Vhalar 719

Slipping the book closed, the way forward was clear. Their eyes leveled with Wald as he finally seemed to be waking, and gaining some form of cognizant. Their head slowly returns to its original cant, before they just simply give the man some space and time to come back to his own senses. Sybil's form remains clam and even, not playing into the easily available hysteria that could be available. They avoid the flurry of questions and nonsense that would only serve to cloud the other man's mind with issues upon issues.

Instead, a more slow and steady approach is given. Wald is allowed to react however he wishes. There's no strict dogma of behavior that's expected from Sybil. Even as he calls them what is now confirmed to be a name, the same name he had muttered just earlier, the only thing that's offered is a cocking of the brow. That name wasn't familiar to Sybil. Nor was it particularly common. Though they had to take a moment to process the mistake, their eyes returned to him once he managed to get their name correct. At least he wasn't living with his delusions and confusion.

A slow nod of the head is given, in the half light of the tent, "Yes. It's me, Sybil." They offer, patting the side where they sit. It's an offer, but just by their relaxed posturing alone, it's clear that it's an offer, rather than anything else it could be taken as.

"What happened to you, Wald?" They ask of him. Gaze settling against him, cool greens meeting with his own eyes, "You ran to our carriage in the wilderness. We were trying to find you."

[Wald Lowca]

He listened to the voice once again, confirm it was in fact Sybil. Their voice was still stained with whatever happened those seasons ago. The memories of loosing time, and the fear of those tremors shook his core. Wald felt his weakness again, not being able to protect the ones he cared for. Water began to pool in the corners of his eyes, as memories moved to and fro in his mind. Till something slowly pushed the thoughts away, leaving only two streams of water to roll away from his eyes. They could be passed off as tears from the exhausted state he was in, if no other signs showed from him.

The figure began to move, and ask a few more questions to the hunter. Wald gave a tilt to his head, unaware of the small streak of water on his cheek. He seemed to be confused by what Sybil said. The questions or statements of the events, did not add up in his mind for right now. The blanks being drawn in his mind, as he tried to give an explanation of events, but being unable to do so. His mouth opened slowly, though his voice seemed to be strained by thought. "I was brought to the mountains. I..." Wald's head looked around him, as he trailed off of what he was saying. He began looking for something, his movements were quickened.

Wald scrambled around the tent, he did not turn things over. What ever he was looking for was not something that could be hidden under objects. Soon his body moved to bolt into the cold snowy wilderness, as he looked around him moving around the camp. Before he could search more, the pain in his legs caught up to him, as he slipped in the snow falling into the snow.

[Sybil Malach]

IV

31st of Vhalar 719

The first thing that Wald would see, is the gaze of four sets of eyes, the moment that he stepped out of the tent. Two of them bore new scents.

Slate Abbot was sat next to the fire, a boiling pot of water roiling before him. He only cast Wald a partial glance, as he dipped an old rag into the pot, and brought it up to his rapier's blade. He was washing a crimson fluid from the gleaming, thin steel. In despite of this, his attention was measured, and not quite paying the man much mind. He bore the attitude of a man that was informed of Wald's potential reactions. His gaze was the first to switch from Wald, to the prior focus of his attention.

Warrick Bowman was standing by the fire. A man of a disfigured face, the sort that even a mother would cringe at, his pale gaze tracing the man as he scurried out of the tent. Giving a wolfish tilt of his head, it was almost bestial, the level of mild curiosity that he bothered to give. There wasn't anything particularly odd about his stance around the fire, but the fact that he was just... Standing there, might be a bit off putting, considering the man's overall stature. He made no effort to approach Wald as he ran out of the tent.

And finally, the two that Wald were familiar with. Faces illuminated by the glow of the fire as they attempted to get some food going, Old Man Karl and Shank were attempting to get things set up for dinner, starting off by boiling some snow. Likely in some attempt at boiling the salt out of the meat they had brought, to make it more edible.

A distinct silence hung over the camp.

As Wald fell, Sybil managed to make it out of the tent. The dim light of the dying twilight painting the snow in purplish orange streaks, but only affording the Exorcist some violet shadows. Their eyes searched over Wald, as though trying to make sense of his frantic actions. Peeling the flaps of the tent back behind them, they reached out, to place their hand on the fallen Wald's shoulder, "... Wald. I need you to tell me what happened to you."

[Wald Lowca]

Wald looked around the came, trying to understand the new faces that were here. The unfamiliar mixing with the familiar cold of the Videnese Wilderness. His eyes glowed with a yellow hue in the fire light, his wolven markings piercing the darkness that started to envelope the realm. He slowly gripped into the snow trying to rise, as his calf began to pulse in pain. The muscles under his skin began to twist and rive, as the pain kept him to the ground. The hunter still looked through the camp, searching for something even as he laid there. A hand softly touched his shoulder before speaking out to the man.

The glowing embers on Wald's face turned to the young student. The look of worry, could be seen outlining the man's face while his lips slowly tried to part. Gathering the strength to speak seemed to be an ordeal, as his body barked in pain. Though it seemed like he could finally ask the question. "Where is the child that was with me Sybil?"

Wald tried to get up once more, though his leg was not working with him. Causing him to slip deep into the snow reaching the frozen earth. He looked around, still not seeing any sign of a child in the camp. He could feel the confusion of others at this point at the question. His eyes looked back to that of the student. "I escaped with a child, where is he?" Wald asked one more time, in a mixture of confusion and panic searching for the answers. His mind was drawing blanks through out his memories, as if pages were torn out to be scattered to the wind.

[Sybil Malach]

V

31st of Vhalar 719

Perhaps one of the worst parts of being part in a tragedy as a bystander.

One doesn't understand the depths of what's just occurred, in the slightest.

Sybil's mind churned, as there was a distinct pause between the two. Sybil's voice was no longer as existent as it once was. It was nearly impossible to speak. Wald had mentioned that there was a child involved with his escape. And, in the half light of the dying eve of the day, Sybil glanced to the party that had gathered. Their gaze stared back at the exorcist, and in this very moment, they were strapped for vital information surrounding something so important. The only thing that they knew, was that someone had sold out Wald's place of living. The 'who' of the situation had been entirely blank, aside from that. There was only the last camp, that Sybil had any sort of guide towards.

"... There wasn't a child with you, Wald." Sybil finally answered. Their eyes returning to the man, they realized the implication of their statement. Whatever he had brought back with him, was no longer here. The idea that, perhaps, it never existed in the first place, was not something that they considered. Despite Sybil's knowledge of the mind, it was all practical science. The idea that such fabrications could exist on such a lucid scale was the stuff of... Genuine psychopathy, or worse yet, complete fiction masquerading as scientific fact.

Then, Wald asked the same question, a second time.

"Wald... There wasn't anyone with you. You need to tell us, where you left this child, or we won't be able to help you." They finally offer, as the man starts to writhe in pain. Gripping Wald by the lapels of the newly-added shirt upon his body, they tried to help him to his feet, "Stammering won't get us anywhere. Forward, Wald. What gets you closer to what you need? Which direction?"

[Wald Lowca]

A blank expression was pasted upon the hunter's face, as he was slowly raised to his feet. Though he needed to lean slightly on Sybil, as Wald was not able to put to much wait on his right leg. His mind was turning the pages of his thoughts, searching for what had happened the night before. He remembered flashes of his travel's through the forest, the pain of the cold metal pulling on his flesh. His expression stayed still, as he reached over to his left shoulder. Finger tips gently touching his mark that laid upon it, he tried to think of what happened.

Slowly, similar to when he was in a dream, his mind pieced things together to make since for him. The blank expression seemed to soften slowly, the edges leaving his face. "He should be at my camp... Ylfa should be taking care of it..." His voice was shaky, but it did not seem he was uncertain of the truth. To him he was speaking everything honestly, the blurry mind was just from exhaustion.

His hand slowly moved down his shoulder, as he gripped the shirt that was placed on him. With his expression moving to something more in pain, his body let out another growl. His eyes looked over to the food that was being prepared, this in itself caused his eyes to open wide. The hunger in his eyes were clearly visible, as he had not had a good meal in so long. With the last thing he ate being rejected out of his body before he passed out.

Wald wobbled over next to the fire, towards the salted meat. His body was screaming at him, he did not bother asking for anything. He snatched a piece of meat, and began to gnaw and rip at it like some kind of animal. Though in the middle of eating the piece of dry flesh, he gave a pause. He looked at the chunk, his eyes tried to gather liquid but could not. He slowly pulled the meat to his chest, almost coddling it. "I had not eaten in so long." Wald's voice was sad, but at the same time grateful.