RP:Escape Plan Kenway

From HollowWiki

Part of the Thy Kingdom Come Arc


Summary: Pilar gets a message from Linn to search for a rainbow feather. Finding it calls Kenway, Hildegarde's loyal mount. He offers her and Aira a way out of Frostmaw. (Credit to Hildegarde for playing Kenway)

Into The Woods - Frostmaw

Pilar sat down underneath a tree, a bottle nestled in the crook of her elbow, and sighed. Well, she'd finally done it. She'd gotten Aira's rum. Since she figured she wasn't welcome in Drargon's tavern since the last debacle, after sneaking through the gates with the returning hunters, she stayed invisible as she entered. Carefully, she slipped behind the counter and pilfered a bottle of rum from the shelves. She was halfway out the door when guilt set in, and she returned to the counter, where a few coins seemed to materialize. Then she had to wait until the western gates were opened again so she could sneak back out. All for some booze. As she pondered whether or not Aira would mind her taking a sip, she noticed a soft glow in her bag. She dug through her belongings to find Linn's crystal, the one he used to contact her. Soon the light formed words. "Go to the woods out west of Frostmaw, look for a rainbow-like feather. Be careful." What did that mean? What could be so important about a feather? With a groan (she really was tired), Pilar stood up, brushed the snow from her dress, and went in search of this mysterious feather. These woods were so big, where should she even start looking? She walked through the forest, her keen vampire sight helping her greatly in her quest. She had gone further into the woods than ever before, and soon, she caught a glimpse of something in the snow, something brightly colored. She knelt down and picked it up. It was the feather.


Hildegarde had given Linn that message to give to Pilar in the hopes that the vampire would heed her words and find the feather. Of course, there was no guarantee that Linn had said the message was from Hildegarde or that she was alive; there was a good chance he had just told Pilar to go do this. But the feather was large enough to put in a cap and still look fashionable; it was soft to the touch and vibrant in colour. It exuded a magic of sorts. Like a gentle sort of pulsating, nothing invasive or forceful. Just a sort of pulsating presence in Pilar’s hand. Pilar is deep into the woods. The light of the day has mostly faded away and now she’s kneeling in the snow with rum and a feather. The fading light of the sun flickers momentarily, but should Pilar look up she would see nothing at all in the sky. Only that when she looked back and away from the sky would she see the large winged serpent, coiled a small distance away from her and watching her warily. The creature was huge with scales of teal, large iridescent wings spread out as if to make the creature appear all the bigger. The forked tongue appeared briefly, flickering forward to taste the air before the beast stared at Pilar in silence.


Pilar got to her feet, still looking at the feather curiously. When the light of day flickered, she looked up in confusion. Seeing nothing, she lowered her gaze, and gasped. Before her was a beautiful, powerful couatl. It was a stunning creature, and intelligent too, if that stare was anything to go by. Pilar had never seen one so close before, except for that one day, in Xalious... She squinted at the creature. No... it couldn't be the same one... Could it? The Steward's mount? It would certainly explain what it was doing here in the cold of Frostmaw, but it was too much of a coincidence... Her eyes went back to the feather. Coincidence indeed. She looked back up at the couatl, still watching her. She gingerly took a step towards it. "H-Hello..."


Kenway’s large eyes stared at Pilar, glancing to the feather as she glanced at it and then back to her face once she looked back up at him. Ever the honourable and dutiful beast, Kenway dips his serpentine head down and lets his wings stretch out slightly as if in a most elegant bow towards the lady. ~Forgive the intrusion, my lady, but my kind speak via the mind. Shut me out if you wish, but I ask your permission to speak freely mind-to-mind,~ the couatl’s mouth never moves apart from when that forked tongue flickers forth. The voice, though psionic and deeply powerful, is gentle and indicative of politeness. The couatl would not force contact.


Pilar was used to mind-to-mind contact. She had formed bonds with those she'd fed from, and could speak to them over great distances telepathically. She was not, however, used to being spoken to by random creatures. "O-Oh! O-of course it's alright," Pilar replied. She spoke to Kenway mentally, as she thought it was only polite to do so. "Are... are you... Lady Hildegarde's... friend?" She'd almost said 'pet.' That would have been awkward.


Kenway’s iridescent wings shivered as if to signal his content, his serpentine head rearing up in response to Pilar’s reply. ~She is my friend, I am her friend. We are bonded, she and I,~ he explained with sincerity. Kenway is careful to control the flashes of memory and emotion that accompany his telepathic words; images such as Hildegarde taking care of his egg, feeding him at a young age, Hildegarde fighting the wizard Svilfon to prove herself a worthy guardian of him… There is much love there for the Steward. ~My connection to her, however, has weakened since her death. But with her return, we can share some small feeling. We meditated, she and I, to help ease our communication. She wanted you to find my feather,~ the plume of rainbow feathers atop his head and the little gap would suggest he had plucked it out for Pilar to find. ~She wants to know that you are safe. Who you are with and if you wish to be taken from here safely.~


Pilar's eyes widened. "It's true then... she is alive?!" Pilar wasn't close to the Steward, but she knew Hildegarde as a good woman, and she was genuinely happy (and not a little amazed) to hear that her resurrection was a success. She was also surprised to hear that the Steward was asking after her. Pilar figured that she had more important things to worry about than a pair of stranded strangers. "Tell her... tell her I am fine, and... my friend and I would love to get out of here." Pilar could hardly believe her luck. Soon, she and Aira would be safe and sound, someplace warm, and far away from the xenophobic giants.


Kenway’s forked tongue flickered as Pilar replied to his words. ~Hildegarde will not rest until Frostmaw is safe, even if that means escaping the eternal rest,~ his tone implied amusement, but obviously that couldn’t be read from his scaly face. ~You only have one chance to leave Frostmaw, you and your friend. Hildegarde is sorry and sad that you have had to endure such hardship, but she is glad to know you have been safe; you and this friend.~


Pilar felt a chill when Kenway mentioned that they had only one chance. If they failed, what would the consequences be? Would they merely be stuck in the woods until the war ended? Or would they be captured by giants? She wouldn't allow Aira to be imprisoned again, worried about even risking it. But she had to at least know their options. "What do we have to do to get out of here?"


~You need only consent, the two of you. You must leave at the same time, as I cannot make a return trip for one,~ his tone is sad. Clearly, Kenway would rather be the hero and get them both out of there on time and perfectly. But he knew he had only one opportunity to rescue them, that he would have to take them both at the same time. ~If your friend does not agree to leave, I cannot make her.~


Pilar nodded. That wasn't so bad. She'd ridden him once before, she could manage it again. She just hoped Aira didn't refuse, just for the sake of being stubborn. And of course, Pilar would never agree to leave Aira behind. She hoped he didn't come find her for nothing. "Okay. That, that's a good plan. Thank you."


Kenway’s serpentine head dipped down low as if to get a better look at Pilar, ~You have the feather. Keep it. If you need me, you think of me and hold the feather. I will come to you.~


Pilar thanked him again. "This is, this is amazing, I cannot say how much this means to me... I'm sorry, I do not think I ever got your name."


Kenway’s wings shivered again contently, ~I am Kenway,~ he replied, ~but now, Miss Pilar, you must be on your way. The giants will come this way. I will cover your tracks, but you should go.~


"Kenway. Thank you." Pilar took off in the direction of the camp she shared with Aira. She could hardly wait to share the good news! And unload this bottle of rum.