The First Blight: Curse of Dumat [RP/Closed]

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin moved around the barbarian as she drove the Darkspawn back, with the mages and the archer picking off the others, he circled around to stab the last one in the chest. He moved back startled to find the creature still moving and willing to put a fight.

 

[Cinnonym]

Thaedrin's blood magic stole the fading lifeforce of their fallen foes and lashed around the Shriek like a whip, tearing it away from Sulahn'nehn and slamming it so hard against the ground that its spine snapped. Completely devoid of harm, his mount leapt over a corpse to stand between Diocles and the elven girl. His acidic glare spoke volumes, but he used words as well regardless.

"What is wrong with you!? That was a clear shot--and your legs, how did you manage to get such wounds when you should have been in the rear?"

Ghil, meanwhile, hurried to Sulahn'nehn's side.

 

[ShadowFolk]

She didn't see it until it was just a few inches from her and by then it was much too late. In the split second she had to react, the elf attempted a spell but the Shriek had already ripped at her skin with its blades. She screamed out in pain, her horse reared and she toppled off, falling straight on her back.

For as cold as it was, her arms felt like fire from the gashes and she groaned in pain. But wait, the thing wasn't dead. She blinked her eyes open. The staff. Where was her staff? The elf had dropped it in her tumble. Even now she fear the damage she could cause in a state of fear without a catalyst. She scampered backwards, patting the ground in search as the Shriek prepared for another attack on her when it suddenly was not there anymore. Thaedrin, no doubt. But there would be no thanks.

Sulahn'nehn gripped at her arm as if it would make the both of them stop throbbing. She looked up at the advancing barbarian, brow knit in concern, "Are you alright?"

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles stared past Thaedrin a moment at the elf, then looked to his bow as if it had betrayed him. Finally he locked eyes with his accuser. For once, he didn't hate him. Not right now. He didn't have any comebacks, or insults, or even rational logic. He found he could only say one thing.

"..Thank you, Constable. I mean... Good work."

 

[duckflesh]

Alrik was covered in blood, though he didn't seem bothered by it. "Be quiet, Constable. Is no worry," he said, inspecting the ruins of his horse and beginning to unstrap the saddle bags. He started transferring them to Ulrin's horse.

He clapped Ghil on the shoulder, nodding at her gravely, before looking at Sulahn'nehn. "Alrik rides with you. You are lightest."

 

[Cinnonym]

Thaedrin had a great number more accusations to fling at the archer: You're undisciplined. You risked your teammates. You're worthless. You should have listened to me. Instead, Diocles seemed so stunned and genuinely remorseful, that for once the blood mage had nothing he could say to make the man feel any worse. His lips pursed into a thin line and he turned the mare around, sliding down from the saddle gracefully. He was the only among them that had taken no damage, but he could offer the others his strength.

"All of you. Come to me for healing."

Ghil met Alrik's eyes; she didn't return the nod, but neither did she reject his gesture of good will. They were of a clan, now. She snorted at the elven girl's words. "I am always. Look at you. You are hurt." She looked over her shoulder to Thaedrin, who was giving aid. Still, she seemed reluctant to let Sulahn'nehn accept it.

 

[ShadowFolk]

She looked up at Alrik when he spoke,"I- Yes. That is fine." She couldn't exactly say no. They had a long way to go and the man's horse was dead. Still, there would be worse things than having to share a horse.

And just like that, Sulahn'nehn had moved passed the word that had upset her earlier. "It hurts something fierce. I am just grateful I was not run through so far from a healer." And speaking of healers, she thought she'd heard Thaedrin say something about that. He had helped her once before with his blood magic, but he had also been terrible to her recently. And he could have very well saved her life just a few moments ago. She did not budge from her spot. She only eyed the blood mage.

 

[duckflesh]

Alrik presented himself to Thaedrin for healing, clapping the man on the back once his wounds were closed. He gestured at one of the decapitated Shrieks. "Ugh, ugly knife-ears! Kill horse!" He shook his head in exasperation.

Finally he mounted Sulahn'nehn's horse; she'd have to mount behind him. Once everyone was ready, they would continue on the trail.

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin came to stand with Ghil and Sulahn'nehn, his own expression confusion mixed with concern. "Sulahn'nehn... I am sorry. I should have been more aware. If I had not failed to strike that creature down you would be in better health." He glanced up at the barbarian and then over to Theadrin. "I-I do not think we can make it with you as you are," he turned his attention back to the female elf. Though she was hurt he was not going to suggest Theadrin heal her. Last time she was on the verge of death, and there was no choice. Last time he had also not stolen her away to use his magic on her for devious purposes. "What do you think the chance are he will let us take you back to Vol Dorma for healing? Perhaps we can convince him using his magic so much may leave him to weak to fight?"

 

[Cinnonym]

Thaedrin closed his hand into a fist, turning away from the group to climb back into the saddle. "If you would rather bleed out, then so be it."


As the blood mage trotted to the front of the line and continued south without them, Ghil lifted Sulahn'nehn easily in her arms to set her behind Alrik on the saddle. "Hold tight. Let me see this." The woman pilfered through the elf girl's pack, finding her nightgown and ripping it apart in her hands. The crude bandages were wrapped around her wounded arms tightly, and would have to do for now. "We will get those cuts the fixing when we can. Ulrin, come. Back to your horse."

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles sat silently. He wished Sul would accept the aid offered, but right now he just couldn't meet her eyes for some reason. He set got his steed following after Thaedrin at a slow pace.

Solemnly, he eyed one of his new arrows. It must have been them. Perhaps, despite the care that went into the heads, the fletching had been of poor quality. Perhaps he would refletch them himself. Yes, that was it. He'd never liked the four-feather style anyway, it was for amateurs.

 

[ShadowFolk]

Oh, how fantastic. Not only was she a knife-ear, but she had to share the name with darkspawn. Darkspawn!

Sulahn'nehn shook her head, getting to her feet. "I doubt he would approve of us turning back for one elf. We would waste our breath and time."

Leaving the gashes unattended would probably not be in her best interest. But, once again being treated by the blood mage didn't seem and more appealing than it had before. "I wish they would have sent us along with a proper heaLER." She was not excepting to be hoisted off the ground so quickly. And to her horror, Ghil was tearing apart her clothes. The elf opened her mouth to complain but changed her mind as the barbarian bandaged her up. She definitely meant well. "Thank you."

She then slipped her hands around Alrik's hips for balance. But if she heard knife-ear out of him one more time..

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin watched Ghil work, she was quick about it wasn't she? When the barbarian ordered him to his horse he went without question. The faster they could get on the road, perhaps the sooner they could find Sulahn'nehn a healer. Though he found himself staring at Alrik's back as they continued on. He could not imagine it pleased the elven mage to be riding with someone that had used that term. Were all the barbarians going to be like this? He turned his attention to Ghil, she was not like that. No, she was far from it.

He rubbed his shoulder slightly sighing. For now he'd just focus on moving and trying to keep from feeling the cold air pricking at his own wounds.

 

[Cinnonym]

Thaedrin led the line at a swift pace, partly due to the distance they were required to travel and partly to work off his irritation. Part of him still smoldered inside, remnants of a half-finished lecture threatening to boil over. It was just nerves, he reminded himself. After this long, with their Darkspawn detour, there wouldn't be much left of the day to use for progress.

Eventually, he broke the silence and called over his shoulder, "Three hours more, and there will be a town called Solas. The Imperial army has it well-fortified, we can rest there for the night."

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles had fallen back to the rear of the formation, constantly scanning the horizon. They'd sense darkspawn, but the monsters were not the only danger. While brigands would have to be desperate to attack Grey Wardens, they were injured, and blood draws predators. He was glad to hear they'd have a safe place to rest, reassured by the promised presence of the Tevinter military.

"Glad to hear it! I never thought to ask, but how many days will the journey take in all?"

 

[ShadowFolk]

Thank goodness. Her backside was beginning to hurt from the saddle and while three hours was still a long wait, it was good news to know they'd have a safe place to rest. And there might even be a capable healer to do something about her wounds that didn't involve the use of blood magic. The chill had set in and left them dull and achy, but she knew they still ought to be taken care of. If they would agree to treat an elf. Maybe she didn't think that refusal all the way through.

 

[Rosen2012]

He remained clos behind Sulahn'nehn's horse, just in case there was more trouble. This time Ulrin promised himself to be more alert and not let anything get the drop on him. Ulrin was glad to hear they'd be in a town soon. He did not like the idea of them camping out here, or worse having to ride through the cold night with their injuries.

It had not crossed his mind to wonder just how long this journey would take. If they encountered more Darkspawn like what sprang up today, he was not looking forward to Theadrin giving a long answer.

 

[Cinnonym]

"Three days' hard ride--or sooner, if the Alamarri find us first." The ride along the Imperial highway, at least was quicker and smoother than the mountains from which they'd descended. Still, the hours were long and silent, and the journey wore thin on them all. The sight of Solas in the distance was welcome when it crested the horizon, but it only took a moment for Thaedrin to see the smoke that was rising from it, and then the orange of flames.

"Fasta vass! They're already here...!" Thaedrin jerked the reins and his mare whinnied in frustration as she beat her hooves to a halt. Mount and rider circled in agitation before the blood mage turned to his allies, eyes narrowed. "Is your pride still worth your life, I wonder? We've no choice but to intervene here, and half of you are yet wounded."

 

[FortyThree]

Nodding to Thaedrin, Diocles had his mount approached the mage. He gave Sul only a quick glance, hoping she would do the same.

"My wounds are not dire, but if you can spare the power, Constable, the aid would be welcome."

 

[ShadowFolk]

Another place was burning and options running low. Sulahn'nehn chewed her lip in thought, glancing back from the fire in the distance to Thaedrin, truly considering not allowing his magic to touch her. But she was not ready to run into another battle in her condition. She abhorred that she needed his help again. What were the odds of getting through the impending battle unscathed and finding a healer before any complications arose?

She sighed once Diocles spoke up.

So be it.

"If you would."