Zion: Light of the New Moon, Ch 2.3 Bannihar
Zion - Light of the New Moon Chapter 2.3
Bannihar The Serpent's Eye
The caravan moved quickly through the Wurms' hunting ground; Iskiy was pleased with the time they made, but even more so that they didn't have to fight with any of the draconids because of it. Being a city scout, Iskiy was much more familiar with traveling in small groups of trained rangers; the trip to Zion was his first time being out in the Wild Lands with any real kind of caravan or wagon train.
Several miles out of the Wurms' territory the caravan was finally able to stop for a break. Most of the livestock hitched to the wagons were tired; they had moved double-time to get out of the Wurms' area of influence before they could risk stopping. Despite the fact that there was safety in numbers, the antlered wolf found himself worrying a lot more; there were things one had to be wary of in a caravan that usually wasn't as much of a concern in a small, tightly knit military unit... like talking.
"Corporal Iskiy..." Lord Raes hailed.
The scout's ears went up immediately and he turned in the direction of the caravan's commander. The large dog was almost twice as wide as Iskiy... and none of it was fat. Standing a good half a foot taller than the wolf, Lord Raes was an impressive (and imposing) sight. Normally most imposing figures such as the commander would intimidate the quiet wolf, but Iskiy found Lord Raes to be a rather mellow presence... that was, until he wanted something.
"Yes, Lord Raes?" Iskiy inquired. Most military members would bow to a Champion of Bannihar, but the scout had long-since learned better of that; antlers could cause far too many problems if lowered the wrong way. Iskiy saluted instead.
Lord Raes returned it, unphased, "Captain Howlford recommended you for this assignment."
Iskiy couldn't deny his interest, and made no attempt to hide his surprise, ears perking as his eyebrows raised, "She did?" A number of thoughts ran through his mind, not the least of which being that she had finally had too much of his differences cause problems within the guard ranks. Maybe she'd just grown tired of looking after an unusual, Wild-Lands wolf among a regiment of other, less-antlered soldiers. In the end, Lord Raes dispelled those thoughts.
"I told her that the caravan would need one of her best, most skilled rangers... one with an exemplary record at Wild Lands survival." Lord Raes rested a large, gauntleted paw on the wolf's shoulder, "And she rightly sent us you."
It took Iskiy a moment to realize what the champion was saying, and, only then did he realize it was praise. The words were a little unfamiliar at first; he was unused to being praised by anyone other than Captain Howlford, who had practically been his adopted mother ever since he was moved to Bannihar. He felt his ears start to blush, and realized he'd have to excuse himself from the situation before he started to make some unseemly gushing comment about receiving affirmation of his good deeds, "Thank you, sir." the wolf managed to say quite simply, "Is there anything else?"
Lord Raes smiled patiently from beneath his helm, "No, Corporal... that's all."
"Thank you, sir." Iskiy saluted once more and, after the huge dog returned the gesture, the antlered wolf about-faced and aimed straight for the treeline; receiving credit for a job well done was embarrassing, so he went back to keeping his mind busy with a quick, circular patrol around the wagons. The scout wasn't too concerned about any real extreme dangers considering the caravan was still relatively close to the Wurms' territory, but he knew very well that there could still be certain 'problems' if he didn't remain on watch... like travelers wandering into a patch of Spitebrush.. or laborers making jokes about his antlers... or Blood-Beasts carrying off some of the herd... or... worst of all... casual interaction.
"So... what's YOUR problem?" Iskiy heard the rather insistent comment from off to the left. It made his fur stand up on end, especially considering the accusatory tone. He was used to hearing greetings like that directed at him, but he'd halfway hoped that he'd be able to escape it out on the road. Turning to address the speaker, the antlered wolf was surprised that Elesin wasn't even looking at him. She was standing next to a tree, leaning against it, gazing at Alexander, who was seated on a rock, casually whittling away on a piece of wood.
"I don't think I've heard a peep out of you since the caravan formed up." she pointed out, still looking at the cat, "You have a story or something?" she gazed at Alexander's back, but the only response she got was a casual shrug of his shoulders. "Oh... so are you mute, or just rude?" she challenged. When Alexander shrugged his shoulders again, the kangaroo scowled, "Maybe you just think you're better than everyone else." she challenged, then waited for a response; none came.
"Maybe he just doesn't like talking?" questioned a voice from the trees. Everyone present looked up, and Sebastian sprang from a broad, forked branch, to the ground.
"Or maybe he hasn't had a chance to get a word in because you're always talking." Elias added, emerging from the trees.
"Mr. Stoneclan." Elesin acknowledged Roarg, who came into the clearing behind the Geomancer, "Elias..." she acknowledged the armadillo second, then motioned back to Alexander, "The cat here thinks he's better than the rest of us."
"Maybe he thinks he's lesser than everyone and that he's not worthy of speaking to you." Sebastian countered.
"That's a stupid thought." the kangaroo dismissed it.
The gryphon puffed out in response, "Well so is thinking that he believes he's better than you just because he's not talking." Sebastian flopped his rump onto the ground, "I didn't used to be able to talk, but I don't think I'm better than anyone here... well... except for Roarg..." he offered a beaky grin, "I'm way better than Roarg."
"Better at getting on peoples' nerves, maybe." the badger countered, "This isn't about you so tighten your beak."
Iskiy emerged from the underbrush, clearing his throat, "In the Wild Lands, usually people only talk when they have something important to say."
"See?" Sebastian inputted spryly, "He has low self-esteem, so he doesn't talk because he doesn't think he has anything important to say!" his tail lashed in satisfaction.
Elesin glanced at Iskiy then Sebastian then Alexander, "Hmm... maybe I'll accept that for now, but you listen good, cat." she poked him in the shoulder with a finger, "I don't take well to people who--" and she paused as he turned around, setting a small, carved wooden kangaroo in her paw. Elesin's muzzle remained open, but no words came out. She turned the statuette around once, then twice. From his vantage at the edge of the clearing, Iskiy could tell that it had numerous runes carved into it, roughly at the same spot as the tattoos on Elesin.
"Oh my goddess! That's just TOO CUTE!" the kangaroo immediately gushed, reaching forward to give Alexander an ENORMOUS hug. The cat's eyes bulged and his tail immediately stuck straight out, every last piece of fur standing on-end. It looked to Iskiy like Alexander was just about to reach for his knife when Elesin finally set him down, "It's me! Oh! And it's such a great likeness too!" she made a point to show it to Sebastian then Roarg, adding as she passed Elias, "It looks like I got a special carving... just for me." she flicked at his apron casually with her tail, "You don't have a carving."
Roarg quickly reached out to take hold of Elias' paw, which was in a fist. A large, stone gauntlet was just starting to rise up from the ground behind the kangaroo, but it lowered back into the earth as the badger lowered the armadillo's arm. "Relax." Roarg added quietly, and Elias let out a deep breath, obtaining an almost zen-like expression. Elesin whirled around upon impact when a small pebble lauched itself at great speed at the back of her head. She glanced at the badger and the armadillo, neither of whom was facing her-- which helped to hide the zen-like expression (plus wide grin) on Elias' muzzle.
"You need to learn how to relax." Roarg offered, patting the armadillo on the shoulder after Elesin had left.
"I know how to relax... it's just hard to do with that kangaroo anywhere nearby..." Elias responded, "You get no warning before something erupts into a fireball."
The badger chuckled in response, "Find something that helps calm you."
"Peace and quiet... hot baths..." the armadillo listed off.
"Yea... and you won't find either of those out here." Sebastian remarked.
"You shouldn't let her get to you." Roarg interjected, getting back to the point as he, Elias, and Sebastian wandered off back toward the caravan, "She's not that bad."
"She'll lead us to ruin with her attitude." the armadillo responded, "She's too high-strung, she's too rash, and she's too--"
"Everything you're not." Sebastian interjected.
Elias opened his muzzle to respond but, in the end, the only thing that came out was a laugh. The three of them went out of view, all still laughing.
Once everyone else was gone, Iskiy slowly emerged once again from the undergrowth. Alexander glanced at him once, and then went back to more wood working. Without exchanging a word, the scout made his way over to the cat and took a seat beside him on the log. The two remained in silence for some time, neither bothering to so much as glance at the other. Alexander continued whittling away while Iskiy pulled at a loose piece of grass and began dissecting it. About the time they both heard the sound of the caravan's blown horn signaling a readiness to move, neither had said anything.
Alexander stood and brushed the flecks of wood from his clothing. As he walked back toward the wagons, he simply noted, "Thanks."
Iskiy stood and followed, eager to be on the way once again. Despite himself, his tail was wagging.
* * * * * *
The Banniharian Group has completed Chapter 2.
For once, the Bannihar Group made it through a chapter without any combat. Everyone finishes the chapter with no damage and no fatigue. Congratulations!
The Iskiy focus on this chapter certainly led to some interesting interactions.
Please watch for upcoming contribution opportunities as Chapter 3 will soon begin. Congratulations to the Bannihar party for surviving Chapter 2!