Iagothal: An Old Menace (2/3)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[154] Nymaya: Iagothal: An Old Menace (2/3)
Mon Jun 19 15:02:37 2017
To: Verminasia ( RP Imm Chaos )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lightning arced overhead and thunder cracked soon after. 

A few younger, skittish horses pawed the ground or tossed their heads but most sat still and unfazed while their riders watched the surroundings, soaked through and through but hooded and stalwart.  Many of the men wore crests denoting the House of Kayen, some of Atennim, a few were unmarked - like herself - but all of them were focused. 

They all knew they were being hunted.  Watched. 

It was a feeling that tingled up the back, raising the fine hairs at the base of the neck and made one's shoulders itch between the blades.  Not one of them would rest while that feeling lingered. 

She heard it then, between the howl of the wind and the rush of the steady cold torrent pouring out of the clouds - the snap of wings.  It was on the move, but to merely circle or lead them off on a tantalizing trail yet again? 

She ground her teeth, feeling the deprivation of sleep biting at the frayed edges of her patience.  She -knew- it was a beast of similar origin, it had to be.  The outline, the sound of the wings, the sinister feeling it seemed to relay.  Even its choice of prey, which appeared to be primarily humanoid though no remains had been found of those reported missing, seemed on the mark. 

It would not approach though.  In three days of presenting what should have been an irresistible target, it had either circled them widely or lead them off deeper into the province.  This night though, they were back near the border.  The storm had shifted twice; from deep humid mists to dark cold rain and with this last trail, into a growing threat of powerful winds and untamed lightning. 

Speculation ate at her and she glared into the storm even as her head turned slowly, tracing the sound of it - beyond the border?  If so, it was leaving the province, which was just as well but to be sure they'd have to wait until the storm passed. 

More questions arose, adding to those already brought forward previously, but most heavily on her mind was the query that may have mattered most: Is it of Chaos?

Her inability to soothe the concerns, especially of those who resided on Iagothal lands, bothered her to no end but with the trail lost in the storm now all she could do was rally the hunting party and head to safety.