The Jump RP

[Evee]

He smiled sadly. "Barr's been on edge of the late. I had a day off an tailed him and a bunch of others. Things aren't looking good Akila, especially since the death of Phetees(Barr's father) heir. Barr wasn't ready to take on the responsibilities of his brother when things. . .happened."

He huffed with an annoyed air as he remembered something, "And then you show up here calling him out like a blooming shield-girl. I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I saw you. Do you know how many men were eying you? Even with your skills you wouldn't have lasted 50 men."

[Poet in the Dark]

"I've been practicing," she puffed, folding her arms. "What has been going on? Barry is acting like a defenseless girl."

[Evee]

Haben threw back his head and gave a bellow of a laugh. When he had control of himself again he finally grew serious. "A good retreat isn't always cowardice, Akila. That's something you've yet to learn. Truth be told your lucky. He and anyone else who's known you had orders to kill you on sight, and you know Barr wont disobey his father's orders."

Haben grimaced, "Even if had wanted to. If you want my advice I say you should keep a low profile for now." He held up his hand stopping any attempt she might make to speak, "We went give up on your friend though. I'll approached Barr about buying her. After all a raid only requires a captive. He doesn't have to keep her."

[Evee]

Jaelyn was furious. Her stomach was bruised from a too swift horse with no sense of smoothness. Her neck ached from hanging and she was ready to bite the next living human whose unfortunate body part came within range of her mouth.

Barr was silent, unlike he'd been before. He seemed to be deep in memory somewhere else. Unable to carry out her previous thoughts once she saw him she settled for craning around enough to spit in his face. He startled from his thoughts and wiped the spit away in disgust. "Camel." he muttered, lowering his hand a little. With glee Jaelyn took her opportunity.

[Poet in the Dark]

Akila sighed and nodded, rubbing her neck. She still felt as if she ought to help Barr.... she still had feelings for him, which infuriated her because he seemed to hate her with all get out.

[Evee]

Haben grinned, "Then we'd better move quickly. Around down this path there is a horse. Mount it and wait there for a moment. I'll be right back." he said.

[Poet in the Dark]

She nodded and took off silently down the path. She swung onto the horse's back and waited impatiently for Haben.

[Evee]

For a few minutes things were silent. Then in the distance there was a clang, a clang of sword against sword. A horses shrill whinny pierced the air and someone screamed. Something had happened back at the encampment.

[Poet in the Dark]

Akila was startled at the sudden sounds, but not entirely surprised. She waited a little more patiently for Haben to appear.

[Evee]

The screaming continued and she heard the sound of something dragging itself up the path.

[Poet in the Dark]

Akila trotted the horse down the path, hand on the hilt of her sword.

[Evee]

A bloodied man came in view, bleeding down his arm, several arrows sticking out of his stomach and a slash along his collar bone, within that red the red hair of the man before her was unmistakable.

Determination pierced Haben's eyes, "Get out of here." he managed to whisper before collapsing. Behind him she heard the definite clip of several horses coming up the pathway.

[Poet in the Dark]

Horror struck her and she pulled Haben up onto the horse in front of her, then galloped away. She urged the horse to maximum speed.

[Evee]

Bloodthirsty cries echoed behind her, gaining speed.

[Poet in the Dark]

Akila grimaced and spurred the horse on faster, trying to keep Haben in the saddle.

[Evee]

The man was heavy, the saddle smooth, and the ride bumpy so despite her best efforts to keep him up he gradually started to slid.

His face was pale. He was loosing blood quickly. It was apparent he couldn't last much longer with his wounds on the jolting horse.

Things were bad for Haben, if this continued on the better solution might be capture for him. Death seemed to grow closer every moment on this side.

[Poet in the Dark]

Akila didn't know what to do. If Haben was captured, would they keep him alive? Or would they execute him? Making a split second decision, Akila stopped the horse and gently leaned him against a rock."If you die, you will receive the highest honors. Everyone in Paytah will know of your bravery." She kissed his forehead, left him a pouch of water, then swung back into the saddle and galloped away.

[Evee]

The night echoed emptily as she rode on, alone. As she passed the jagged rocks of the dusty plains she realized that she was heading for Kimero. By luck she passed and indentation of rock that still contained water. It must have rained recently.

[Poet in the Dark]

She stopped to fill her water skin and let the horse drink. She wiped sweat from her brow and sighed.I wish Barr had never- she cut off the thought with a shake of her head, then mounted and continued the ride.

[Evee]

At that moment she thought she heard a swish. It was the sound of something light being drawn across the sand.

[Poet in the Dark]

She stopped the horse and listened, hand on the hilt of her sword.

[Evee]

Out of the darkness stepped a man. A black mask covered his face and a light cloak covered his shoulders.

[Poet in the Dark]

"Who are you?" Akila demanded, drawing her sword.

[Evee]

"Death." was all he said forlornly, "Death surrounds you. So much death." he whispered.

[Poet in the Dark]

"How do you know that?" She asked, her voice softer.

[Evee]

"Their souls follow you. Neither you or any of them has let go of their former life."

The man started to shake violently, "If you do not disperse these spirits and properly send them to the next world. . ." He stumbled back away from her in terror as if some horrifying monster had appeared. "Dark Omens!" He shrieked, "Dark Omens!"

[Poet in the Dark]

Akila stepped back, surprise and horror in her eyes. She mounted the horse and took off again.

[Evee]

Far into the darkness as she rode his shrieks followed. After a time, though, they faded away, left only in her memory.

She had a decision to make. With Haden gone what was she to do next?

[Poet in the Dark]

Akila knew she had to get Jaelyn back, and free the people of her country. She needed to talk to Barr...

[Evee]

((Akila had to get Akila back?))

It was then that in the distance she heard a wail. It sounded like a child.

[Poet in the Dark]

((Gah! Typo!))

She frowned and nudged the horse faster, in the direction of the cries.

[Evee]

It was then that she came upon a strange form. A dark haired child wept deep inside a cavern in the slot canyon infested territory. The boy, for that is what the child was, had dark dark blue eyes and tan skin. He looked to be only 10 years of age and he held himself in fear.

[Poet in the Dark]

"Hello?" Akila asked."Are you all right?"

[Evee]

The boy shook his head savagely, saying nothing, but just cradling a limp, strangely angled arm in front of him.

[Poet in the Dark]

She dismounted and crouched next to him."May I see?" She asked, looking at the arm and holding out her hand.

[Evee]

((SOrry I haven't commented in a while. I was sick and then had to catch up on daily stuff.))

As she got closer she noticed that the boy had beautiful dark blue eyes, as well as smooth, flawless dark skin. A leather collar was around his neck, half covered by his shiny shoulder length black hair.

There was fear in his eyes as he shook his head violently again.

[Poet in the Dark]

((It's okay.:) ))

"I won't hurt you," she said gently, offering him the water skin.

[Evee]

The boy went almost frantic, struggling as she came closer. She realized that he was chained down to a rock nearby, the chain connected to the leather collar. He opened his mouth, his face looking like he was screaming. Not a human sound came from his mouth, just silence.

At that moment a weighted metal net fell down from the ceiling, landing directly on her. It's weight was staggering. At least eight men sprung from shadowy spots, converging on her. One man came forward, forcing some kind of herb mixture under her nose. Immediately she felt heavily drowsy. As things faded she caught a glimpse of the boy again, he stared at her, his mouth closed, in complete horror.

[Poet in the Dark]

She slumped to the ground, unconscious and upset.

[Evee]

Akila woke to a sharp slap. A woman stood in front of her. Her hair was matted and greasy and her cloaks smelled and were ragged. She grinned, revealing black and gray brown row of teeth in her mouth.

"Milay recta." She sneered, pointing to a sad pile of rags in the corner. As Akila saw her surrounding she saw that she was in a tent of brown cloth, probably skins. They were a faded brown, though, with rips and stains.

She woman slapped her again, "Milay recta." She repeated, this time more angrily, pointing again.
Seeing Akila's confusion she grunted and turned away for a moment. Akila realized that there was something around her neck. A leather band. (If) She touched it and felt markings on it.

The woman turned back, dragging a young girl by one pigtail. She was older than the boy had been, but still much younger than Akila. "Tessa mi milay i recta." She said savagely to the little girl. The girl whimpered and spoke quickly, "She says you must dress."

The woman repeated her words, grinning this time. The moment she said this a strange chill ran through her.

((The collar is a magical device for controlling. Is that okay?))

[Poet in the Dark]

((Sure))

Akila frowned, but got up and dressed in one of the clearest skins. Her mind was whirling with plans of escape, and she suddenly wished Barr was with her. She shook the thought away and looked at the woman again.

[Evee]

The woman was gone and the little girl sat in the corner, shivering and trying to huddle nearer to the fire. It was strange, she wore no collar.

[Poet in the Dark]

She moved a little closer to the girl and the fire. "Where am I?" she whispered so quietly most wouldn't have been able to hear.

[Evee]

She looked up towards her and then slowly whispered, "Carine."

((Cario is a tribe that is known for their involvement in slave trade. Carine is one of their more infamous sections of the tribe. Notorious at hiding their encampments and always being on the move. Rumored that they were born from the sand because their skin is the same dark color. If there is anyone who would be experts at traversing the sands anywhere in the desert it would be them. Though notorious for their trading that isn't their only means of trade or living. They trade other strange artifacts that no one else has an inkling where come from.))

[Poet in the Dark]

((Interesting. What about the collars?))

Akila frowned and her mind whirled, but she asked "What's your name?"

[Evee]

((They were designed by the Cario tribe. Made exclusively by them. (So the prices sky rocket) It's rumored that the power originates from one of their secret places.))

"Mika." she whispered.

[Poet in the Dark]

"I'm Akila. How old are you, Mika?" She was still thinking about escape, but she had heard of these collars. They were said to have controlling powers, so if she was to escape, the collar would have to ne removed.

[Evee]

She straightened up a little, her eyes looking at Akila questioningly, "I'm eight." There was a crash outside the door and the woman from before appeared. Without so much as a word she grabbed them both by the arm, violently dragging them outside the tent.

[Poet in the Dark]

Akila scowled up at the woman and looked around. Where are we going? She thought to herself.

[Evee]

Mika gasped in pain as she woman pulled them into the open. She nearly was being lifted off the ground.

Akila saw a group of woman huddling to the side of the tents inside a small wooden lean to with bars. They all wore collars and the woman threw her with them.

Mika whimpered as the woman dropped her to the side, "Nita les to riimest." She growled to the child. Mika whimpered again and nodded. The woman huffed and locked the door to the building and left.