OOC: The Kinsfolk go in search of their Chief Kathal and Lawgiver Edelhan 
Tielan looked down at her metal-plated boots as they flashed in the sunlight and swore quietly under her breath. The bright colours in her armour didn’t help either, but it was all she had, her only set. The rest had been lost when she fled the Dun at the height of the winter storms.
Before they set out this morning, she’d run to change into what armour she had left, but she was regretting it now and as she scrambled down the embankment to where they’d seen the wolfmen prowling, it was hindering her movement badly too.
Taking them by stealth wasn’t an option so they charged together and within minutes the small group that came with her had cleared the area of all but one of them - The Alpha Wolfkind. The one Kathal Chieftain and Lawgiver Edelhan had set out to kill. Or was it the same one? She’d heard them tell how they could reform themselves even after being killed and she’d quietly disregarded it as yet another tall Cimmerian tale. But now, as she eyed the menacing figure that loomed over them, she wasn’t so sure. Even so, five against one and it didn’t stand for long. Without waiting to see if the tales were true, they turned to make their way back to rejoin Lachann and the rest of the Clansmen.
Something in the grass nearby caught her eye and she moved closer to investigate. Stooping down to retrieve a complete wolf pelt she studied it carefully, then held it up to Dimie. “This” she said, the worry in her voice growing “This look like Chief’s helm” The look on Dimie’s face told her all she needed to know and the group turned back quickly to rejoin the others.
For a moment, a sense of panic as they reached the place they’d left the rest of the Clan and found it deserted. Then, down below, they spotted a line of figures walking slowly along the river valley floor, Lachann at the head of them.
“What are they doing down there?” she shouted in exasperation. “They’re heading South, we need to go North, to the ruins”
“They’re following the line of the river, keeping out of sight. It’ll bend round to the North soon.” Dimie said.
“Aye.” Added Galok. “Let’s join them, quickly”.
For the second time in as many hours, Tielan swore quietly to herself again and led the group back down to catch up with others. She’d been set to cut a path directly over the hills and past the old settlements – and they’d have been seen from a mile or more away if she had. Two basic mistakes already, she winced. She’d been caught offguard by Wolfskin Alpha Lachann’s suggestion that she led the Clansmen out into the burial grounds to search for Kathal and Edelhan while he watched the rear, and she wasn’t prepared.
“Pull yourself together, woman” she muttered angrily to herself as they jogged along the icy but shallow river bed, looking for the others, “THINK! If they died fighting the wolfkind, then they’re dead and that’s that. But if they lived , then they must have carried on to the ruins they were pointing at from the lookout last night, though feck knows why, the silly sods”
As she caught up to the main group she found Lachann and handed him the pelt. She watched him anxiously as he turned it over and over in his hands, his face grim. A hurried discussion and they were agreed. Move North towards the ruins and try to find some sign of the pair. Lachann gestured to the front of the line of Clansmen and returned to his position protecting the rear. “Feck!” she groaned quietly to herself as she took up position and carried on along the river bed.
Sure enough, as if to spite her, the river did turn Northwards back on itself and they were able to rejoin the path she’d been looking for as it twisted through the foothills and up past the higher burial mounds.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
They’d seen glimpses of the huge and ominous ruins in between the mounds but nothing prepared them for the sight that met them as they turned a corner and the ground opened out before them. A massive granite hewn structure loomed into view, darkly foreboding and seeming to stretch skyward. Crawling over and around it were Vanir, dozens of Vanir. “Crom’s House!” she heard whispered around the group, and could sense the apprehension in the hearts of the Clansmen that gathered around her, though none showed sign of wanting to turn back.
At the base of the ruins, they could see a huge cavern, and a number of small campfires within and around it. If they were anywhere, the Chief and Edelhan were most likely to be there. Once more, with there being no chance of stealth, the group steeled themselves and on a word from Lachann, launched themselves at the first group of Lookouts and began to work their way towards the cavern.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
They’d found Kathal unconscious beside his dead horse and while they tended to him, others had moved on further in search of Edelhan. Tielan watched the ruins nervously while they still worked on Kathal. They were split into two groups now and easier to pick off. “Hurry up!” she hissed, “We have to get him further out while we wait for the others” As they dragged the Chief to a relatively safe spot, she saw with relief figures returning, one carrying Edelhan, who also looked in a bad way. She noted briefly that they had another injured traveller with them too.
All three were heavily battered and bruised though seemed to have no major wounds – yet they seemed affected by something and drifted in and out of consciousness. With two people each taking hold of the wounded, the group set off again to make for the Lookout Camp and safety. As Tielan checked the path behind them, she caught sight of Lachann fending off a group of three Vanir and ran back to help, though two were already dead by the time she reached him and the third fell quickly.
“FRONT! NOW!” Lachann barked at her, and she doubled back to rejoin the slowly moving Line of Clansmen, resuming her position at the head of the column. “Shite!” she whispered quietly to herself, and felt a knot in her stomach as she imagined the words Alpha Lachann would have to say to Kathal about her actions once he recovered. Not one of her better days, she mused, as they made their way slowly back towards camp.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The inside of the sleeping tent was a hive of activity as they laid the three out and tended to them as best they could.
In his semi-conscious state, Edelhan had managed to explain he’d been poisoned and Artair had tracked down an antidote from the instructions Edelhan had given him. It had caused a violent reaction in Edelhan when he drank it, but all three seemed to settle and showed signs of moving into wakefulness.
When the familiar figures of Elder Evaine and Varissa appeared in the doorway, Tielan took the chance to find herself a bedroll and grab some rest.
She sat herself down wearily and pulled off the troublesome boots and gauntlets, throwing them to one side. Loosening the straps on her chest armour, she rubbed at the wheals on her shoulders and lay back against the wall of the tent, watching Evaine and Varissa tend to the wounded.
Peace and Quiet. At last. Then her eyes narrowed as she remembered. Scipios. Scipios of the snowy white robe and impeccable hair, who’d come gliding into the tent in the midst of all the chaos serenely demanding to speak to a near-lifeless Kathal about something insignificant. She smiled slightly as she recalled the look of mild shock on his face when she led him out of the tent and put him right on a few scores.
And then there was her armour. She glanced to her left at the discarded boots and rubbed at her painful shins where the metal had dug in and blistered her skin. Suddenly she understood why so many of her newfound kinsmen had foregone the protection of metal for the comfort and speed of well tanned hide and strapping. The metal plate would have to go - but that could wait till the morrow. Tonight was for sleep.
Grabbing the pelt by her side she pulled it around her and finally allowed herself to give in to the exhaustion.
Age of Conan Europe Forums
Clan Koragg [Heavy RP]
#
Fury PvP
*dives back in*
