Thursday, August 17, 2017

Iagothal: A New Menace (4/4)

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[ 97] Nymaya: Iagothal: A New Menace (4/4)
Tue Feb 24 02:43:28 2015
To: All Verminasia Reklah Ashtiel
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In the silence that fell between them, he shifted his armored weight and dismounted.  The lance he left couched with the unholy steed but the smooth sound of metal announced the drawing of his blade and they both made their way to the side of the still beast. 

"Do you know what it is?" He asked, his sword point drawing one of its crippled wings outward. 

She shook her head slowly and remarked, "I've been to every end of Algoron, studied more creatures than most but this - no.  It looks..."

"Twisted and demonic." He finished in a low tone, which had her nodding in agreement. 

The flies that had swarmed her and her steed earlier continued to make a nuisance of themselves but appeared largely confined to the body of the beast now.  An interesting development she found herself contemplating but one without answers as long as the origin of the creature remained a mystery. 

"There have been enough events of recent to warrant new creatures emerging." The tone made his words sound more like a suggestion but it stood to reason. 

The stillness of the night was abruptly broken by the sound of many horses and voices.  The patrol.  They both turned as lantern light fell over the clearing and a dozen men dressed and armored in Kayen livery rode in from the forest. 

She called to her steed as Reklah began issuing orders to the men at arms.  The query of the strange beast would be answered but not this night.  It was late and there was little more that could be done until the body could be seen in light. 

With the rush of adrenaline gone, the deep chill of winter's evening became more apparent and she couldn't restrain the shiver that took her while she brushed a hand gently over the insect bites that riddled her steed.  It brought her thoughts around to the rent cloak she had discarded for the brief battle but before she could turn to find it, his hands slid the familiar weight of it back over her shoulders.  He clasped the fabric back in place and set a chaste kiss to her cheek while she reached up to brush her fingers affectionately over his hand. 

"Thank you" She said with a slight smile, turning to regard him.

He tipped his head and replied quietly.  "Let us return now."

(fin)

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