RP:Free Couatl Rides
Part of the Thy Kingdom Come Arc
Summary: Aira and Pilar escape from Frostmaw on Kenway's back. The couatl is wounded, but manages to get them to Gualon safely, where they meet with Hildegarde and report on what's going on in Frostmaw.
Into The Woods
Pilar walked through the forest, following her nose. Aira was constantly on the move, always trying to stay ahead of the giants that would come out here to hunt. Pilar couldn't blame her. Even if they weren't hunting for elves, there was no doubt they would drag her back to Frostmaw if they found her. And she'd be LUCKY if all they did was beat her. Pilar had heard rumors of lynchings during her last few trips into the city. Uncorroborated, because Pilar didn't dare make herself known, but still frightful. Eventually, Pilar found the elf. The vampire smiled at her and held the bottle of rum aloft.
Aira spies the bottle of rum, her metallic irises focusing solely on the glass bottle for the moment as she hops down from the tree branch she was crouched in. She winces slightly when booted feet hit the ground and grabs at her stomach unconsciously--the wound healing nicely but still tender with certain movements. Once the alcohol was in her hand she smiles at Pilar. “Thanks,” she offers before pulling open the bottle and taking a swig. “Glad you made it back safely. Any news from the city?”
Pilar didn't bother chastising Aira for not taking it easy. She didn't listen the first hundred times, why would now be any different? She gladly handed the bottle over to Aira. Maybe now she'd be less grouchy. And hey, a smile! It was already working! "Things are getting worse. Giants are forcing other giants to work for Balgruuf... I heard they tried to force outsiders out, and now they have moved onto violence." Pilar shook her head. "It is a mess. But, there is some good news." She managed a small smile. "I may have found us a way out."
Aira takes another swig of rum before recapping the bottle and placing it in the snow. The high elf begins to stretch out her body, the time spent in the tree having tightened up her muscles. Her smile soon fades to a scowl as Pilar relays the news of a deteriorating Frostmaw. “Gods only know what they would do if they found me,” she snorts. The vampire’s announcement that she found a way halts Aira’s movements. She quirks a brow. “Oh? How?”
Pilar pulled a rainbow feather from her bag. It was a thing of beauty, shimmering in the day's fading light. "Steward Hildegarde's couatl, Kenway, can take us down the mountain. He told me to use this to call him... " She closed her eyes and thought of the winged serpent, just how he had told her. She probably looked rather silly, standing there clutching that feather. But all that would be forgotten when the couatl showed up.
Kenway did not appear immediately, but it was evident that there was haste in his eventual arrival; as he descended from the sky in a curling motion until he gently landed amongst the snow. ~Miss Pilar,~ he greeted in that gentle yet strong mental voice, serpentine head dipping momentarily. ~I must know your decision now, unfortunately. The giants have spotted me and some are keen for couatl hide. This Balgruuf is afraid I will spoil his plans.~
Aira is skeptical of Pilar when she pulls out a rainbow feather. Aira would not deny it’s beauty but she wasn’t actually sure how it all would work, yet the high elf didn’t have the heart to tell the vampire how silly she looked just standing there. Aira waits, her copper eyes darting around as if waiting for something to happen. She is not disappointed when the aforementioned couatl shows up much to Aira’s surprise. The huntress is truly unsure how to handle the situation so she merely looks between the couatl and Pilar waiting for some further instruction.
Pilar walked up to Kenway and placed her hand on his side, her heart leaping to her throat. The giants were coming?! She looked at Aira, a bit of fear etched in her face. "Aira, this is Kenway. He says he was seen, and that he needs our answer now. Will you let him take us from here?" Pilar was ready to hop onto the couatl at a moment's notice, but she would not leave without Aira.
While Kenway was not a cat and could not purr with content at the touch, he made a noise that would suggest a sort of contentedness at Pilar’s touch. Couatls were not adverse to the contact, after all. Though Kenway was large and intimidating, particularly with that horned mithril helm, he was a friendly soul. ~They will not arrive any time soon, but their surface thoughts indicate that they will come looking soon. They question why I am going this way. If we leave, I will take you to Hildegarde so she might see you are safe and learn what you have experienced here in Frostmaw.~
“Er…” Aira’s expression is etched with doubt. Her hand reaches up to brush the sheared part of her hair idly. This couatl was supposed to carry them out of Frostmaw? The only thing that kept the huntress from scoffing and turning away was the mention that he was Hildegarde’s. “Hmm…” Aira was simply making sounds to show she was still present. She had never seen a creature such as this before, although it shouldn’t surprise her; her best friend was a large, murderous saber tooth. “Where is he planning on taking us?” She finally asks before reaching down to grab the bottle of rum once more. She needed some more alcohol to make this decision.
Pilar didn't need to read minds to be able to tell that Aira was having trouble with the decision. Oh, no, she had better not end up being contrarian about THIS. "To Hildegarde. She is alive, Aira. They brought her back." Crazy as that sounded. Pilar hoped this didn't give Aira more reason to back down from this, their one shot to get out safely. "I have ridden him before," Pilar added, hoping it would help. "He once carried four of us from Xalious to Frostmaw. You do not need to worry about if he can bear the weight."
Kenway would not push for a decision, his large serpentine head instead focused on the distance to listen carefully for anyone who might be approaching. ~We go to Gualon. From there, I can take you wherever you need to go.~
Aira stays quiet for sometime considering the option before her. She knew she was stubborn...probably annoyingly so to those who had to deal with her on a regular basis. She felt allegiance towards Frostmaw as it was the first place to offer her freedom. Not to mention her title as hunter (although she was still fuzzy on whether or not that still held true). The mention that Hildegarde was alive once more, drew a heavy sigh from the high elf, a breath she didn’t know she was holding. Aira wanted to take down the giants, but she knew she couldn’t do it alone and she couldn’t very well take instructions from the Silver while she was hiding in the woods. Another slug of rum is taken, and then an extra for good measure before she recaps it once more. “Alright, let’s go,” she concedes quickly before she changes her mind.
Pilar could have kissed Aira for finally making a good decision. She settled for a hug, instead. "Thank you, Aira," she said, relieved. "Come on, let's get out of here." She offered her bag for Aira to stash the rum away in. She then climbed on the couatl and hugged him. "And thank you, Kenway."
Kenway’s body flattens against the ground, as if to make as easy as is physically possible for the pair to take a seat upon his scaly back. The couatl instructs them both with his mental voice, ~Hold on tightly. It will become cold and it may feel like it is hard to breathe, but do not panic,~ he instructs, knowing that at least one of his passengers definitely needs to breathe. Within minutes, the great serpent has begun to slither forth as his great iridescent wings beat in order to lift him and his passengers off the ground once they’re comfortably and securely on his back. ~To Gualon!~ he tells them both, soaring high into the sky and speeding through Frostmaw. His flight is swift and graceful, though as they pass by Frostmaw Fort, it becomes dangerous. “Fire!” a gruff voice screams, as arrows ‘whoosh’ and spears shudder through the air in the direction of Kenway. The couatl twists and twirls in the sky, making his evasive movements to try and escape unharmed. But the fort is well equipped and capable of taking a fully grown dragon down. The couatl’s blood peppers the streets below as he flies off over Xalious and further away from Frostmaw.
Aira settles on patting Pilar’s back when she hugs her close and merely grunts in response, afraid to talk and change her mind at the last minute. “You have to go,” she tells herself internally. “Pilar won’t leave without you. If anything, leave for Pilar’s sake.” As Kenway flattens in the ground a small groan escapes her lips as flying was certainly not her most favorite way to travel. Knowing she has no other option, she stashes her rum in Pilar’s bag and secures her bow and quiver of arrows as well as the knife at her hip. Taking her place behind Pilar, she wraps her arms around Pilar’s waist, clinging a bit tighter on the takeoff. Her sun kissed skin turns a pale shade of crimson as soon as the cold air stings her bare flesh and she cannot help the chattering of her lips. The call of “fire!” as they cross over the fort draws her attention to the ground and she ducks, attempting to push Pilar down as well as weapons are hurled their way. All seem unscathed, though, save for poor Kenway, but the further they travel, the better the huntress feels.
Pilar's stomach was left on the ground as they took off. No, this wasn't any better than the last time she rode Kenway. She gripped the couatl tightly, tighter even than Aira was holding on. She, too, heard the cry of "fire!" and she shrieked as projectiles flew past them, Aira pushing her down. She saw a spear clip Kenway's side, saw his blood falling to the ground in crimson rain. "Kenway..." she murmured. How dare they? This brave creature had harmed no one. As the distance between them and Frostmaw grew, she began to really realize what was happening. They were free. She smiled, then looked down at the ground. "Eep!" She closed her eyes and clung to the couatl. Okay, so they weren't out of the woods yet. But they would be, soon. The swamp was growing ever closer.
Gualon City Plaza
Kenway flew over Xalious and beyond, finally reaching Gualon but he was already beginning falter in the sky. ~Please, hold on tight,~ he advises kindly, his body floating lower and lower to the ground as his energy left him in a hurry. He was coming up on Gualon’s plaza, the beautiful bronze tree in sight and the orphans playing their silly game on the human sized chess board. But when they saw the huge winged serpent flying towards them in an uncontrolled fashion, they were swift to leave the board and scream about a monster! The screams of the children drew out concerned orcs and a concerned Hildegarde. “Kenway!” she screamed as the couatl crashed into the ground, skidding along the obsidian ground with his blood streaking behind him. It was one of the spears, wedged in his side and close to Aira’s leg. If it had not been for his evasive movements, it might have been Aira who had lost a leg. “Kenway, no!” the knight roared, reaching for her friend.
Aira felt something seeping into her pants leg as they continued to fly and chanced a look down to notice the spear wedged into Kenway near her leg. The high elf was no healer but had suffered enough injuries to know that the wound needed attention and fast. Unable to do anything while flying through the air, she did her best to hold her leg tightly against his side hoping the spear wouldn’t wiggle as much while in flight. The descent was tumultuous and Aira knew they were going to crash. As soon as the impact was made, the huntress was thrown off, landing on her side with an oof. A moment of disorientation is afforded before she hurries over to the couatl’s side as well, wanting nothing more than to help, but unsure of what she could do.
Pilar felt Kenway wavering in midair and prayed to whatever gods were listening not to let them fall. Her eyes were still screwed shut, and they did not open as they rapidly lost altitude. Her grip was like iron, and she was not thrown from Kenway's back, though she felt them skidding along the ground painfully. With a groan, she opened her eyes and got up. Stiffly, she knelt on the ground and pulled Kenway's head into her lap. She ran her fingers through his plumage, hoping to try and offer what comfort she could. She looked at his wound with eyes beginning to brim with tears.
Hildegarde had no time to help Aira, her focus was purely on Kenway. Aira would be okay with a short fall such as that, but Kenway had been wounded. She could feel his pain through their mental link, she could feel his distress… and his love. He had been happy to help rescue the pair from Frostmaw. ~All will be well, Miss Pilar,~ he said soothingly, his mental voice able to keep the pain from seeping into his tone. Hildegarde had ran to his side, her hand grasping the shaft of the spear. “I’m sorry, Ken,” she said gently, before tugging the spear free and casting it aside. “Rohk! I need medical help!” she called to the orc who had been accompanying her as of late. “Someone let the Governor know that this couatl is my friend!” she didn’t want Tristram to worry about some weird invasion or incident, after all. She must be respectful to her host. “Aira, help me put pressure on the wound.”
Aira does not hesitate when Hildegarde bids her to put pressure on the wound, immediately crouching down and putting her hands over the injury and pressing down. She chances a look a Pilar and frowns to see the tears in her eyes. Should the vampire catch her metallic gaze she would offer a weak smile, a small reassurance, albeit not one she would be able to guarantee. If not, Aira would simply look to Hilde for further instruction on what she could do to assist, all the while maintaining the pressure.
Pilar stroked Kenway's face gently. He might have been doing a good job of hiding it, but she knew he had to be in pain. Catching Aira's smile, she nodded, then took a deep breath and wiped her eyes. This was no time to be crying. She had to be strong. She continued to rub his face and side, wishing she had the magic to heal him. That would be the first thing she did when she got back to Larket, she decided. She was tired of her friends being hurt, with no way to help them.
Hildegarde maintained pressure along with Aira, knowing full well that while a wound of this size would not kill the couatl, it would hurt him horribly. The clinic is, thankfully, not far away and Rohk is swift to return with one of the local healers who swiftly shoos Hildegarde aside to get in and take care of the wound. The Silver makes her way along Kenway’s length, reaching his head and kneeling beside him to touch his scaly head. “You brave fool,” she told him sadly. ~Anything for you!~ he retorted. The knight laughed, a sad little bark of a laugh. “You’ll have a scar, you know,” she told him, hand stroking his head. “Pilar, Aira… It’s good to see you again.”
Aira is shooed away along with Hildegarde and follows the Silver to Kenway’s head, plopping herself down next to Pilar. She smiles down at the couatl when the mention of a scar comes into play. “Scars are good storytellers. Yours will tell of a harrowing journey to Frostmaw to safe an assumed wanted elf and her persistent vampire friend.” She pauses for a moment before reaching down to pat him in what she hopes is an affectionate manner. “Thank you,” she murmurs before lifting her head giving Hilde a half smile. “It is most certainly better to see you up and, well, alive.”
Pilar felt awash with relief when the healer came. She dipped her head respectfully to the Silver. "Steward," she said. She managed to smile at Aira. Persistent? Yes, she supposed she was. She could be as stubborn as Aira was, when the safety of her friends was concerned. She turned her attention back to Hildegarde. "Thank you for sending him." She then placed a kiss to Kenway's snout. "And thank you for coming." She really could not thank the couatl enough for what he'd done.
Hildegarde smiled at both Aira and Pilar, chortling at some private mental comment from Kenway when Pilar pressed a little kiss to his snout. “Don’t you charm him too much, Pilar, or else I will lose my good friend to you!” she said, amusement in her voice. “But it would not have been safe to keep you both in Frostmaw any longer… Tell me, what’s going on up there?”
Aira merely shrugs her shoulders as she draws her knees to her chest. “My knowledge is minimal as I’ve been in hiding in the wilds since Kahn escaped. All I know is I shot some giant in the arm at the cages and Leone bid me to chase Kahn and try and bring him back.” Aira’s story stops there, she didn’t see how a self inflicted stab wound or her bonding with the feline, an escaped prisoner, added to what was going on in Frostmaw. Clearing her throat she quickly turns to Pilar to pick up the tale.
Pilar sighed deeply at Hildegarde's question. She figured she had to do her best to report. Once Aira finished, the vampire began. "It is not good, Steward. They tried to force outsiders from the city, or that is what I have heard. What I have seen myself is not much better. Giants who belong to this Balgruuf, forcing other giants to follow. Homes broken into, ransacked, destroyed. Random attacks..." Pilar swallowed. "I have even heard of... of murders. Of giants and of elves." She looked up at Hildegarde. Her own personal feelings on Frostmaw aside, she knew how much the Silver loved the city. "I'm... I'm so sorry."
Hildegarde steeled herself for such news, but it is nonetheless a stab in the heart to hear such news. “I’m sorry that you had to see that. To experience it, both of you. That is not Frostmaw. That is not *my* Frostmaw,” she insisted. “But please. Stay in Gualon for the night. Let Kenway rest up and yourselves, before you travel onward. Aira, I have someone in Gualon who you will want to speak to.”
Aira nods her head in agreement with Hildegarde. What was going on right now, was not the real Frostmaw. “I look forward to the day it is your Frostmaw again.” The huntress unconsciously begins to wipe her hands on her pants to try and get the blood off. She had never been in Gualon before but would definitely be staying for the night. When the Silver mentions having someone who she would want to speak to she quirks a brow curiously. “Me?” Aira didn’t know anyone in Gualon.
Pilar didn't know Frostmaw well enough to be able to say what it was *really* like... but if both Hildegarde and Aira said the racist, xenophobic Frostmaw wasn't the real Frostmaw, she'd believe them. Pilar was itching to return to Larket, to see her lover again, but the day had been long and tiring... Plus, she had no idea how to get there from Gualon, and her would-be ride was wounded, so she supposed one more night away couldn't hurt.
Hildegarde nodded at Aira, “Orikahn is here,” she informed the huntress. “But we’ll talk to him another time. In the meanwhile, I have a wing at the Governor’s house. You are welcome to make use of the many rooms there to rest for the night. I will stay by Kenway.”
Aira was thankful she was sitting because had she not been she was sure that Hilde telling her that Kahn was there would have caused her to fall over. “I...uh...hmm,” is all she managed to stutter out. She sits in stunned silence for a moment before shaking her head and slowly standing once more. Reaching down she pats Kenway once more and nods to Pilar. “Coming with me?” Turning to Hilde she gives the Steward a genuine smile, a rarity for the rough huntress. “It really is good to see you, Hilde.” Assuming Pilar was also staying, the two would walk together.
Pilar carefully removed Kenway's head from her lap and stood. She dipped her head to the Steward once more before following Aira.