Zion: Light of the New Moon, Ch 5.1 Bannihar
Zion - Light of the New Moon Chapter 5.1
Bannihar The Zombie Apoc-Fur-Lypse
In a very close race of votes it appears that Bannihar will be encountering a nasty plague of undeath... let's hope they're up for it. In other news, sadly, there were not enough supporting votes to provide any character with an exp bonus Based on the limited votes by the contributing readers, it appears that the Axe of Battle goes to Roarg, the Ring of Beguilement goes to Iskiy, and the Elemental Anchorpoint goes to Elias. Congratulations!
After the exploration team returned the wagons were back on their way. The caravan was quiet over the course of the next several days as those who had observed the wonders and the dangers of the dwarven ruins each processed the experience in their own ways. Roarg withdrew, maintaining a watch toward the front of the wagon train, keeping a vigil for any incoming danger. Sebastian joined him from time to time, but mostly even the gryphon left him alone.
When not circling overhead or scouting further down the Highway Sebastian spent most of his time riding atop Priestess Delier's carriage alongside Alexander. They each perched there in silence, or casually looked around at the passing countryside; on rare occasions they even exchanged a word or two. More often than not, however, their attention was focused on the covered wagon that carried within it a specific kangaroo, unconscious and caged once again. All in all, things had grown quiet. Below them, and inside Kayte's carriage, however, things were not quite as serene.
"It's like nobody has any sense at all!" Elias fumed, chewing on a piece of Talber Root as Kayte slowly began unwinding the cotton bandages from one of his hands, "How anybody could do something so stupid--"
"Elesin DID end up saving our lives." Kayte pointed out.
"Things could have ended worse if she went out of control again." the armadillo countered, spitting a few loose fibery grains into a small cup he held in his uninjured hand, "The fact that the guards released her--"
"It might have ended poorly, yes." the priestess interjected, "but it didn't."
"I'm not much for gambling." he stated gruffly, setting the cup down in order to pick up the hunk of root seated beside him. He watched Kayte continue to unwrap his bandaged paw as he took another bite of the damp, medicinal plant.
"Everything is a gamble." she countered, undoing the last of the bandage and setting it to the side. The wolf began brushing the dried herbal infusion away from his flesh, "If they HADN'T had let her out then one or more of us might not be alive right now." She applied a little pressure to the tips of each of his fingers, "Tender?"
Elias watched as she worked, shaking his head, "No... it feels fine." and he withdrew his hand, rubbing it, "Thank you." and he remained sitting there for a few moments before adding with a scowl, "Just because it worked out this time, I hope people don't get to thinking that we can trust her."
"Elias..." Kayte countered with a frown, "We CAN trust her."
"Not when she turns into--"
"Elias." the priestess interrupted him, "We might not know when she's about to change into... her other form... but we can trust HER."
The armadillo paused, raised a finger and opened his muzzle to speak, then closed it. His focus went to the floor, thought awash on his face as his ears lowered in consideration, then looked up at her, meeting her gaze, and announced quite plainly, "I'm failing to see the difference."
"Whatever's happening to her isn't her fault." Kayte stated.
"Whether it's her fault or not, it's happening." Elias pointed out, "And the fact that she chose to come on this expedition shows that she doesn't care about others like she cares about herself."
"You still want her dead... don't you?" the priestess asked.
"Want? No." the armadillo denied, rubbing his hands together again, "But I can see that it will probably need to be done."
"Even though she's innocent?" Kayte countered.
"I hardly think she qualifies as--"
"Even though she's innocent?" the priestess repeated.
"She might end up being the cause of hundreds of deaths!" Elias exclaimed.
"Just like her coming down into the ruins MIGHT have ended poorly." the wolf noted.
The armadillo let out a deep sigh and raised a hand to his face, rubbing the bridge of his muzzle, "Can we... maybe talk about this later?"
"Why not now?" Kayte questioned, fur sticking up a little at that.
"Because sometimes I say things I regret when I get..." Elias paused for a moment, then added after a second thought, "...cranky."
The priestess flicked an ear, "I'm not trying to argue with you Elias... I'm just saying--"
"Later, please?" he reasserted his earlier request.
"I just want you to understand that--"
"Later, woman!" the armadillo barked, then quickly shirked back in his shell when Kayte scowled.
The priestess stood up, grabbing a pawful of bandages, and made her way to the door to the carriage, "Then by all means, Mr. Hewen... your hands are looking much better and the worst of your wounds are gone." her tone was one of forced courtesy, " I'm glad I could be of service and provide you healing." she opened the door, "Now, if you don't mind, I have other people to attend to... and sermons to offer to those who don't mind listening."
Elias slowly got to his feet, ears alternating between back in agitation and down in shame. He opened his muzzle two separate times to speak, but didn't manage to say anything until he got to the door, "Kayte..." he held out a hand.
"Here." she noted, depositing a small square paper packet of herbs into his palm, "Combine that with water and bathe your hands in it twice a day... it will keep your skin pliable and help reduce your chances of scarring."
They stood facing one another for several moments before Elias lowered his head, "Thank you for your help, Priestess... I appreciate it."
"You're welcome." she replied curtly, and closed the door after he hopped down.
Letting out a sigh, Elias made his way slowly back to his own wagon beneath the gazes of both Sebastian and Alexander, "Mind your own business, Ta'alia take you!" the armadillo cursed, grumbling to himself as he pulled out a small black rock and began bending it and twisting it, molding it with harsh, deliberate blows. Growling, the Geomancer threw the abnormally shaped rock against the side of the nearest wagon before holding his hand out, calling it back to him.
"What was that?!?" Iskiy suddenly sat up, gazing around the inside of the carriage in the muted light. The antlered wolf pulled at the blankets on him, bleary eyes looking around before focusing on the only other occupant, who spoke up.
"A rock." Lord Raes announced. He was seated by the window, glanced out through the curtain, then turned to meet Iskiy's gaze, "Are you feeling better?"
The scout nodded, "Yes, thank you, Lord Raes..." he sat up a little straighter, running his paws around the bandage that circled his midsection, "It... doesn't even feel sore now."
"That is because the Moon Goddess loves her children, Corporal." the dog announced, moving a little closer to the bed.
"I always thought that broken ribs would take weeks to heal..." Iskiy mumbled, sliding around so he could sit up in bed, his feet resting on the floor boards of the carriage.
"They would, naturally... but Tah'Aveen provides her grace when one of true faith prays for her intervention." Lord Raes acknowledged, "Haven't you ever been under the care of a priest or priestess before?"
The antlered wolf shook his head, "No, sir." he stood up and looked around the carriage, "Um... my breeches?" and he went to the footlocker beside the cot when Lord Raes pointed. As he got dressed, Iskiy clarified his answer, "Usually the barracks had access to a priest or maybe two, but they were always reserved for the worst injured."
"You've never been seriously injured?" the dog questioned, raising an eyebrow as Iskiy began to slip his leather armor back on-- armor that had numerous signs of patching and sewing of breaks and tears.
"The Watch Commander didn't seem to think so... sir." Iskiy clarified, his voice a combination of hesitant distrust and matter-of-fact honesty.
"It was left up to the Watch Commander to determined whose need was greatest?" Lord Raes questioned, one of his ears turning sideways, "And I assume that Captain Howlford was not your Watch Commander?"
Iskiy nodded, "Yes, Sir... she is the squad leader and captain of the unit, but Major Weltyn was Watch Commander."
"Ah yes... I know Weltyn. Older-looking mandrill... tall fellow with dark fur and an intimidating gaze." Lord Raes reviewed, rubbing the end of his muzzle in thought.
"Yes, sir." Iskiy sat down, tightening his boots, "That's him."
"Well then... I'm not entirely surprised." the dog stated knowingly, "He always DID have his favorites..."
"Lord Raes, do you--" Isky began, but their discussion was interrupted from the sound of a watch horn.
"That came from the head of the caravan, Corporal." the dog announced, grabbing his sword from its place beside him, "Come with me." the two wasted no time in getting out of the carriage and making for the head of the wagons.
* * * * * *
This chapter starts out for Bannihar with a little bit of character development. At this point, things are just about to get started. Keep an eye out for Ch 5.2 coming next week-- readers are going to have some input there! Meanwhile, this week it appears that there's a little bit of soap-opera style drama, and a tiny amount of humor.
Since this is the last chapter before the Milestone, there will actually be 4 posts instead of the usual three.
Until then, questions and comments are, of course, well-received!