The woods are lovely, dark and deep (Open)

[HG]

The morning had begun with optimism as the Expedition made its way into the rainforest ahead of them. There was chatter amongst them and an amiable spirit to the entire group. Even Nevarre felt himself become strangely light hearted. They were clinging to hope that the dragonriders would not take long to find. After all, dragons were big and easily found...right. He looked up into the canopy and knew that there was no way come Fall or Fire that they would be able to see through that foliage to the sky above them. He felt himself slowly letting go of the good mood he had been in.

Shooting a glance at Koldyn he guessed the other already was aware that this was a foolhardy mission. The dense undergrowth had him getting his clothes ripped and tangled in all kinds of thorns and limbs. "I'll be happy when we're out of this crazy undergrowth. Have you ever seen any foliage this thick? I have a really bad feeling about this..." He added to Koldyn though those near him could probably hear him. Nevarre was making no attempt to disguise his discomfort. As if getting scraped and weary of walking he felt himself sweating so that his hair clung to the skin nearest it.

There were bugs too. More than one variety that bit. The bites on his arms were itchy. He thought that this was going to be better than the ship but it was obviously worse. So much worse. Nearing what he thought to be evening, he decided they needed to set up camp for the evening. Everyone looked weary, the chatter from earlier in the day was gone and a feeling of complete desolation hit Nevarre.

"Lets stop here for the evening. There seems to be enough undergrowth cleared for a camp. Two buddy groups need to collect firewood. Cooks can get to work on food prep and I'll not pretend to know what that entails. Rolgar, take whomever you need to get something for these itchy bites. Everyone else is setting up blankets and getting cups ready for dinner. Koldyn and myself will collect water and bring it back." He did not wait for nor expect a response.

[Marnark]

The day had started out pleasant, and then gradually got worse. Not due to the terrain getting worse but due to the sinking spirits and growing irritation of the people. Rolgar could only heave a slow sigh. Sometimes, being the Healer in the lot was more tiring than any of the other jobs! Not only trying to keep everyone's spirits up (which technically should have been Nevarre's job, but he was such a grating pessimist who had no idea what he was doing ....), but patching up everyone's whims. Some of them real, some of them imagined.

Like ... bug bites. Duh! It was a forest. They're gonna happen. Of course, everyone was being all concerned at the moment, but give them a week to adjust and they'd not care anymore. Bug bites were part of the terrain.

Thankfully, he didn't have to go find anything for that. Rolgar dropped his heavy, bulky load off his shoulders, allowing it to swing around as he set it down gently on a nearby log. "I've got numbweed for the basic bites. If any of them are more aggravated than typical bites - you know ... you got stung? I have something for that too." He answered, unlacing the top of his pack to pull out a few blanket rolls and then some carefully padded jars. Of course, being bigger than most of the others, he and Cemar had shouldered some pretty massive loads. Not only weight, but bulk. As even a light pack, if bulky, could upend a smaller person.

What his jars were packed in was one of the tents, all carefully nested in such a way that he could move all his medicines intact, safely. It served a double purpose. Setting some of the jars down on the mossy, thickly bedded, mouldering treelitter that padded the ground, Rolgar set the pack down where it would not dump over on its own. Imp unwound from around his neck, and slipped down his arm to sit on top of the pack like a guard dog. Only, he was there cause Rolgar was bending over too much, more than because he was trying to guard it.

Crouching down, Rolgar started scooping out a suitable spot on the ground to start a fire, even as Cemar dropped his similarly sized pack next to Rolgar's. "I'll be back with wood." He stated simply, before trotting off into the forest with another askance glance at Imp.

Cemar still hadn't finished kicking himself for having been off fetching wood when the flitters had been found. Clearly, he wanted one. It did not take him long to find dry-ish wood. It was a jungle after all, wood was all over the place. Cemar snapped off dead branches and carried them back, already aware that wood on the ground was never going to burn, it was so saturated.

"Here." He said, dropping the armload next to Rolgar before heading off on short forays to get more. Rolgar absently reached over to grab a stick and start breaking it up into more manageable chunks, placing them carefully into the hollow he'd dug in the damp leaflitter to find bare ground. Once he had a well-built starter heap, he started unpacking the carefully-packed coal he'd thought to bring from the old camp's fire. Almost cut off from air, the coal had stayed warm and lit, burning only enough to stay a coal. Dumping the bit of glowing red wood out of the tinder-lined leather pouch that could be very nearly sealed off from air, Rolgar set to having it light the tinder in the new fire.

Within minutes, the whole heap was burning away, Rolgar carefully adding bigger pieces until it was a decent sized fire that could be easily cooked on, and would take a concerted effort to put out. "Alright, who's got the pots?"

The water should be back, too, but first things first. Pots.

[firethorne]

After finally entering the dense jungles, Koldyn had been excited to begin their true journey at last. The boat and beach were merely stepping stones to the true mission, and with his first step into the rainforest, the Igen felt a sense of true purpose finally strike him. For once, the holder was in a fine mood, even the fact that most of the expedition members hated his guts not deterring him in the least from being cheerful about the whole thing. As the day wore on, everyone visibly grew more miserable than they had on the boat, even the ones who had been seasick. Well, most of them appeared to be in a foul mood, but there were a few exceptions.

Sighing, the boy reached back and rubbed his palm against the myriad of bites on his neck, the sweat that gathered in the creases making them sting uncomfortably. Even though Koldyn hailed from Igen, the hottest place in the North, this jungle was sweltering, causing his hair and clothes to become damp. Squall, who was seated on his shoulder and content to stay there, cheeped once and stared at the boy, as if to ask what was wrong with him. After all, this was the blue’s home, and he found nothing wrong with it. Grumbling slightly at the flit, the holder then turned his head as Nevarre spoke, nodding his agreement. “You and me, both.” Kol hissed, glaring at the offending undergrowth. He had never been this miserable in his spoiled life.

Glancing around, the Igen tended to agree with the other holder on the sinking feeling. “These plants are so thick it makes me feel like I can’t breathe, let alone see any dragon, feline, or person. Maybe it will clear a bit later.” Even as he said it, the boy doubted it was true, but even so they needed something to help cheer up the group. As Nevarre called a stop for the day, Koldyn grunted to himself, dropping his pack on the ground unceremoniously. After all, it, along with his clothes, was already filthy, ripped, and soaked with sweat. It couldn’t get much dirtier than it already was.

Hmph. Well at least the healer had something for the multitude of bug bites that everyone was sporting. That would bring them all some relief, at least, and would hopefully improve the mood all around. Waiting until Nevarre was finished speaking, the Igen approached him and they made their way into the jungle. Now where the Fall were they supposed to find fresh water? In a way, Koldyn wished he had taken some sort of survival training now as he had grown up, but there was no time for that after his father had set him on this quest. Scowling, he tilted his head towards Squall, still perched on his shoulder like a king and rather indifferent about the whole thing. “I don’t suppose you can smell where there is fresh water, can you? Water?” Blinking, the blue only stared back at him and chirped in confusion. “Yea, didn’t think so.” Kol grumbled, turning to look at the other holder. “Guess we’re on our own.”

[HG]

There was little that anyone could complain about. Nevarre felt he had been perfectly clear with instructions and it was not like he was sticking around to micromanage their every moves. He was sick and tired of the lot of them. Nevarre felt they had no respect for authority even the healer who should have known better felt he was in charge. Personally he hoped that they all learned a lesson in listening to someone appointed to be in charge. He had not asked to lead this mission, he was chosen to. As if anyone would ask to be in charge of these whiny complainers.

Like many of the others, he set his pack down and grabbed the water buckets. “Kol, I'm fairly certain they learn these things as they go. Just like us.” He said looking at his own green who was sleeping on his shoulder soundly. “Besides, the water is this way.” The young man was certain it was this way. He had seen a stream and had been keeping somewhat parallel to this stream as they fought the dense forest.

“Ah yes, its just over this way a little....” Nevarre shut up and he shut up quickly. What was that? He could have sworn he saw something in the trees. “Did you see that?” He whispered to Koldyn. Then there was another strange noise. The sound was a low rumble and obviously came from an animal. “What animal can make a sound like thunder?” There was a stream this way, he reasoned with himself and animals drank water.

The noise grew louder.

His voice remained soft and barely audible to human ears,“Can you see where it is coming from?” Nevarre did not see anything through the dense foliage. The small amount of light coming through the trees did little to help him find the beast. He turned his head to the right and to the left, slowly scanning with his eyes. They needed to get water but he was reluctant to move. Even moving to go back to the camp could be risky. Not moving could be risky too but they had not been attacked yet so he was betting that whatever it was could not see them.

No wonder they had banished the dragonriders here. The whole place was miserable...air thicker than a wher's hide, heat that made Igen feel like a cool breeze, more bugs than you could find in the Nerat rainforests and now beasts that made thunder in their throats. Death may be prefferable to this mess he had gotten himself into. Leading a mission through the South to find dragons they would never be able to see. Who knew where they were. Following water had seemed like a good idea up until now. He was afraid, more afraid than he had ever been in his entire life. This mission might just get him killed.

[Marnark]

The thunder-sounding animal-noises were hard to miss, even in different parts of the jungle. Mostly because other jungle noises tended to stop when they happened. Rolgar and Cemar both stopped what they were doing to look up in the direction of the sound.

"That ... doesn't sound good." Rolgar said, under his breath, paying no mind to the fire crackling in front of him anymore.

Cemar glanced at him, shook his head, and pulled a hacking blade from its sheathe where it hung at his side. Originally brought along for firewood type purposes, it would make a good impromptu defensive weapon as well. A tad longer ranged than a dirk. If by far cruder. "Everyone get back over here, whatever that is, it's less likely to bother us in a group." He advised, quietly but firmly enough to be heard.

Rolgar glanced at his nephew, but did not contest it. He was pretty certain Cemar could and would wield that blade to good effect ... not only being strong from his smithy work, but also having made more than a few blades, he'd know how to use one.

[Yuu Kanduet]

Jerezen briskly marched through the jungle as if he had been born to. The heat was thick and cloying, but at the same time, Jerezen liked it. The thick air was hard to breath ,and it tested him to its limits. Jerezen really couldn't think of anywhere else he would rather be. Sure there were bugs, but the apprentice harper had worn long sleeves and thick pants. His boots were thick, and a pair of gloves covered his hands. Sabastian was wrapped around his neck snapping at any bugs that got too bold and tried for Jerezen's face.

Singing under his breath, Jerezen stroked the cooing lizard. The group had just been given orders to rest, and Jerezen chose a sturdy looking stump to perch on until everyone was ready to go again. The healer was setting up a little area for the expedition members who had been feasted upon by the blood-thirsty insects. Jerezen thanked his father for being born a harper. Otherwise, Jerezen would be sharing their miserable fate instead of reading and preparing ahead.

Perhaps they would listen next time Jerezen tried to speak of the dangers of the South. What if these insects carried diseases? Jerezen wouldn't put it past the buggers. Everything else on Southern was trying to kill them, why not the bugs?

Just as that thought occurred to Jerezen he heard a low growling. Freezing, Jerezen thought of the huge cats that prowled this continent, and he stepped closer to the fire. Beasts instinctively feared fire. Perhaps the blaze, albeit a small one, would keep the thing at bay for the moment.

[firethorne]

Shrugging, the Igen followed the other holder away from the group, eyeing his little blue occasionally. “It was worth a try.” He grumbled, beginning to wonder just what the little nuisances were good for if they couldn’t find water or dragons. Chirping with confusion once more, Squall eyed him with a slowly-whirling gaze, trying to comprehend just what all the fuss was about. Quirking a brow at Nevarre, the boy felt a slight bit of surprise as he announced he knew where there was water. Now, how did he know? Oh well, Kol wasn’t about to ask, especially considering how tired and cranky he was. All the holder wanted to do was eat and sleep, and in that order, too.

Absently glancing around the thick foliage as he and Nevarre made their way deeper into the forest, the Igen suddenly froze, his whole body going cold. Amber eyes darting around in panic, Koldyn tried to keep himself calm. Swallowing audibly, the boy shook his head with a slight jerk. “No, but I heard it.” He whispered, knowing that a rustling noise had dashed through the undergrowth, and it was not him nor Nev. “I’ve never heard of such a creature. Do you think it’s dangerous?” The holder, had he been perfectly honest with himself and his companion, would have admitted he thought it was likely very dangerous indeed, but Kol was trying to keep himself from panicking too much.

Squall did not care for the noises either, squawking in fear and trying to hide under his bonded’s shirt. As the growling grew closer, Koldyn suddenly wished he was back at camp with the others and beside a fire. Somehow, he felt they might have been safer in a large group. Or at least, there were others there for the animal to hopefully target besides him and Nevarre. A selfish, macabre thought, but one he had nonetheless.

His eyes scanning the trees furtively, the Igen tried in vain to make out anything between the dense foliage and thick undergrowth, but it was useless. He could hear the growls and the occasional rustle of leaves as the creature moved, but what good did that do when he could see absolute nothing? Koldyn knew they had to have water, there was no way around that. They were all thirsty and ready to collapse, and soon they would die without it in a few days. However, the holder also knew that moving could prove to be a fatal error, but so could attempting to make their way back to the expedition.

Oh shards, the expedition! This had been entrusted to him by his father, a man he respected and constantly, secretly vied for approval from. The boy did not want to die like this, not when he still had nothing to show for his life. A sudden burst of energy flowing through him, Kol slowly reached for his twin longknives fastened to his belt, drawing them out as gently and as silently as possible. “I cannot, but maybe between the two of us, we can kill it.” Did Nevarre carry any weapons on him? Moving slowly, Koldyn offered one of the short swords to his friend, a determined look in his eyes. He was afraid, oh shards and shells he was afraid, but they could either die as cowards, or as men. Or, more preferably, they could live through it.

[HG]

The hold youth was completely unsure of what to do next. A feeling that he had become more aware of since leaving home. There was uncertainty in himself building up. What could he do against an obviously large beast. “I'd rather assume it was dangerous and be prepared.” He added to the other boy, still in a whisper as if that would keep them from being found. Nevarre did not think of his own scent or the fact that animals could see better in limited light. Who knew if this beast was nocturnal. His eyes searched endlessly through the ferns and small trees, trying to find whatever it was making the noise. To no avail. The light was fading, they had better try to make it back to camp.

The green firelizard had followed the blue's suit, although in a much quieter manner and was now under the tunic Nevarre wore. Great, they were good for nothing little squawkers. “Best thing to do would be make it back to camp. We have to make sure the supplies aren't eaten!” Although if they lost a member or two, he really would not be too put out, so long as he was not that person. He took the weapon handed to him by Koldyn. Why had he not thought of that sooner? Smiling Nevarre stood tall. “Lets make a run for it. If the beast comes out to get us, we can try to kill it together.”

The plan did sound good as it came out of his mouth. He was a bit naive about things here in the South. Who was to say they could take it on? What if the woods hid other more menacing things within them? Maybe the camp had been destroyed and no one was left? They could be running toward their doom. He let out a long breath. This was going to be difficult. The heat, the mugginess and the foliage were not going to be on their side. Neither was the fact that they were tired and in need of sustenance which they likely would not get without water. Water which was too far away to risk getting to with the light fading and a creature possibly after them.

“You don't think we are being cowards for not finishing this task of getting water do you?” He could imagine the rest of their faces when Kol and he came back to camp without water, completely worn out from running and possibly with a creature of unknown danger and proportion chasing them. Maybe they could chance it. The two of them could fight it together. They had some combat training from being Holder's sons. Lord Holder's had to be able to defend themselves. He was not sure that all his practice fencing was really going to be of much use now.

[kaemi]

((This seemed like a boy's party. Which is completely unacceptable. xD))

The jungle was hot, and musky, and there were a lot of undefinable plants and bugs that Essa worked hard to avoid. It wasn't working too well, but she was trying. There were bug bites all over her arms, and she was just waiting for rashes to appear all over her body tonight. It would be absolutely terrible, except... it wasn't. Essabellona was actually quite enjoying her adventure throughout the jungle. Although she wasn't entirely sure where Phaerie was (bad thing, considering she was supposed to be with her buddy at all times) she was sure that the other girl was... somewhere near. Essa had wandered off to look at this plant and that plant awhile back, and had never found Phae again. She would look for her, probably getting lost herself, as soon as they had food.

They decided to stop, and Essabellona was searching for her buddy when she heard the call go up for pots. Grasping at the pack, she followed the voice that had called for them. Seeing Rolgar, she brandished the packs that held the majority of the pots. Some of the other cooking girls (you know them- they're the actual apprentices in cooking) had the rest of the pots, but these should handle the majority of tonight's supper. "Here you are. What are we doing for dinner tonight?" she asked with a smile. Well... before they thought about actually cooking, they would quite truthfully need water, which Nevarre and Koldyn were supposed to go get.

But then there was that noise, which woke Query from his perch on her shoulder. Rubbing his head against her cheek, the brown stretched his wings. It was obvious that the creature wished to go explore, and see exactly what made the noise, but one look around the camp told Essa all she needed to know. "Nope, Quer. No one seems to have any idea what that noise was... so there's no way you're going to go find out. I'd rather you not get eaten up, thanks," she told her companion, scratching his headknob fondly when he creeled in disappointment. It didn't take long before he was fascinated by the pots, however, and completely over the monster sounds.

"Where's the water?" She turned to Rolgar to ask, although she knew that he would know no better than her. They would need that if they were wanting to have any semblance of a real meal tonight, and the light was fading quickly. Very quickly.

[Marnark]

Rolgar looked over at Essa when she turned up with the pots and her questions. "Thanks. We'll probably be having stew, if we get the chance." He answered. Probably a bit of watery stew, but stew none the less. Probably use some of the fish they brought with them, some of the dried veggies from the packs, a touch of herbs. Despite being technically a Healer, Rolgar was not a half bad cook himself. If simply because he knew his herbs, and exactly what each would do to any given dish. Quite often he'd disguised his treatments in some really awesomely flavorful dishes for more finicky patients who did not like to just drink their teas.

He accepted a pot, and then looked out into the woods again. "I don't know about the water though. I assume we still have some watersacs that have something in them, I hope?" He asked. "Because I don't know in how many pieces our esteemed leaders are going to come back in."

If they came back.

"Should I go find them?" Cemar asked, oddly enough showing no fear at all, just readiness.

"No." Rolgar answered. "If you had someone to go with you, I'd say yes. But you're not going out there alone. All of us charging into the woods is only going to get us separated, lost, and disoriented." Then they'd all really be screwed.

"I have an idea, then." Cemar answered, taking a moment to look around. "There are enough of us. Let's go together."

"And do what?" Roglar asked.

"We'll go the way they went. Smack the brush, yell, shout, bang pans. All the noise we can make. Stomp our boots. If this place is as wild as it seems, whatever that thing is won't know what we are either, and we'll sound huge. So it'll leave. We should be able to get them back, and get water safely." Cemar answered, logically.

Rolgar considered it, before nodding. "Sounds like a better plan than sitting here hunkering like scared wherries." He answered, banking the fire quickly so it would not go out, but also would not get away.

The two rather big, stout fellows then gathered up anything they could use, and tried to round everyone up, explaining the idea. Rolgar handed Essa a stout stick, since he didn't know if she was any good with a blade. It was harder to hurt one's own self with a stick, and easier to make more noise.

"Come on, let's go get them."

And with that, Cemar led the way into the forest, taking the trail that the two hold lads had left, making such a racket as he went that it shocked some people. As he went, brush was beat and rattled and snapped and busted, his massive lungs letting out such a hollering and bellowing as he made no secret that he was on his way. Taking the youth's example, Rolgar followed after him, armed with a knife in one hand and a stick in the other, though Cemar had a stick and the big brushknife.

[kaemi]

Stew sounded good to her, especially if she wasn't the primary cook! Although Essabellona wasn't too sure about Rolgar's ability, she was willing to try everything at least once. Plus, he seemed to know what he was doing, and so she would trust him and devour whatever food he offered her. “We had one full and another only half-gone when I last checked, but that had to have been a half-candlemark ago, and we've all been mighty thirsty,” she told him. Far as she knew, they would be down to one sac at best, and it wasn't wise to use their drinking water for cooking. They really needed for Koldyn and Nevarre to come back with plenty of water. Holders just weren't used to being thirsty.

Shells and shards, they were truly going to leave camp? Despite accepting the stick and agreeing to come along, Essa certainly had her reservations about joining this mission. It sounded like a good idea, but she wasn't very familiar with the idea of going towards large, frightening sounds that were out in the wilderness. Granted, she wasn't in the wilderness often, but when she was, she tended to run in the opposite direction.

But alright. She'd join them.

“We should probably either leave people behind to guard the food, or take it with us,” she mentioned to whoever was listening. Realizing that Cemar and Rolgar were about to leave without her, she cursed, and said, “Last thing we need is to scare off whatever that creature is, find Koldyn and Nevarre, bring back water, and then find that some other creature has stolen away with out food.” Pointing at two apprentices, who were only a little younger than herself, Essa ended up delegating. After they told her that their names were Shantor and Eslett, or something similar, she told them to stay with the food and not to let anything touch it.

And then she walked into the woods, despite her reservations, following directly behind Cemar and Rolgar. Dropping her voice as low as she could to meet Cemar's, she added her voice to his own, yelling and wielding her stick, all the while hoping that she didn't hit anyone with it. Query was absolutely delighted at the idea to be going into the woods, and sat proudly upon her shoulder, his head cocking with every movement and sometimes chirping along with the random beating on the pots. He liked this!!

[HG]

Patrolling outside of the Weyr had been easy enough. Now though they had gone out farther than usual, tracking a feline. Jarshan and Martred were out there too, going a seperate route through the jungle. They were not more than ten minutes from one another should they need help. The dense forest was only closing in about them more. Kyrah liked the jungle for its solitude. A solitude that was being interrupted! Eve sat up on her shoulder head moving about in irritation.

Fall and fire what was all that commotion? Kyrah looked around trying to figure out where the noise was coming from. It had to be human made. There was no other explanation that she could think of. Looking over at her partner she wondered if he had an idea. They were too far from any of the cotholds for that to be someone from there. Whoever this was they were making too much noise for someone who did not want to be found. The heavy forest had grown thicker as they grew closer to the noise.

Her Gold sent a message to Jarshan's Gold. She and Martred would come to help in case this was a large group. Eve's message was as clear as they came, she made certain that they knew Eriol and Ky were investigating noise and would likely need back up. They saw some people from a distance in the small clearing. Better not to alert them before they found the ones making the noise. She looked to the other side of the camp. Hmm they were leaving the area it seemed. She wondered if there were others out there.

Not wanting to seem overeager the young woman waited for Eriol to give a command. Kyrah was used to this by now, he was in charge and she must be patient. Patience was not her strongest trait. She did realize that they needed to observe how many people were there and if they were armed. It seemed they were not for the most part. Maybe a few of them had some sort of weapon. They did not look like professionals when it came to combat training. As much as she wondered where they were from and who they were, she was somewhat more concerned as to why they were making that noise. The time for asking questions would be after they had them in the custody of the dragon shield.

[firethorne]

Eriol’s steely-blue eyes were trained on the ground as he and his partner tracked a rather large feline through the jungle, having marked the creature as a danger to Refuge. Thanks to the Dragon Shield, the feline attacks on the weyr’s outlying farms and cotholds had been lessened by half, or maybe more, and that was a record he intended to keep. As Captain of the Shields, Eriol prided his men, and women, on their exceptional skills, and by Fall they would never allow their rather pristine reputation to be sullied. This particular creature had been prowling around far too much, and had attacked a herdbeast last night. That, they could not ignore.

Stilling as the raucous noises began, the Captain’s eyes flicked over to Kyrah, confusion evident upon his features. What the shards was that supposed to be? No human should have been out this far in the jungle, aside from the Shields, and it certainly wasn’t any of them making that racket. As his partner’s eyes found his, Eriol pointed two fingers forward, and they moved towards the noise as one. Kaiden, his bronze, was tense on his shoulder, ready to act if anything should go amiss, particularly warn their contact back at the weyr if they needed aerial support.

Working with the woman for as long as he had, the Captain knew Kyrah had already informed Martred’s team of their situation, just as Kaiden was ready to relay any crucial information back to Refuge. As they neared the scene, Eriol’s eyes narrowed further, trying to place the odd group. They were not riders, that was certain, but…he had never seen these people in the cotholds either. As impossible as it seemed, to look at their clothing and supplies, it almost appeared as if…

Brows meeting in a scowl, the Captain stilled, holding his hand flat and lowering it slowly to indicate that he and Kyrah should lay low for a moment and observe the situation. Eyes wandering over the motley crew, Eriol did not find many real weapons among them, from either the ones staying at the camp or the ones that were apparently leaving. However, preferring to be safe rather than sorry, the Captain had his bronze call for Martred and Jarshan to accompany them. Why on earth were they making such a racket? That part concerned him, and even more so, why they were venturing further into the trees doing such? They would need the other two Shields to keep an eye on the ones at camp while he and Kyrah took the others into custody.

Jerking his thumb to the right, Eriol instructed his partner to fan out a bit while he moved in the opposite direction, preparing to take the group by surprise when their backup arrived. Certainly, they did not appear to be all that dangerous, but who knew if there were more out there? However, nothing could take on four Dragon Shields, that he was certain of. Tensing, he had Kaiden prepare to give the call to attack when everyone was in position.

(Hehe, aerial support. I got a kick outta that. XD)

_________

As his friend took the proffered weapon, Koldyn hesitated, amber eyes intense as he stared at the other holder. Honestly, he didn’t want to run back to camp empty-handed. How long would they survive without water? And who was to say that creature would leave them be when they did return to camp? It could follow them for days, just waiting for one of the Expedition members to wander off so it could have a snack. Of course, the Igen wouldn’t mind losing a few, particular deadglows from their group, but there were others he didn’t want to lose. Then, there was one…he really, really didn’t want to lose. To be honest, his feelings for Nevarre confused him, greatly, for they were like nothing he had felt before for another man. It was friendship, but, at the same time, he was almost…attracted to him, like he didn’t want to leave the other holder’s side.

Oh, this was not the time to be contemplating that! Shaking his head to clear those thoughts, the Igen focused his attention back on the situation at hand. Staring at Nevarre, Kol shook his head at the query, an odd little smile appearing upon his face. “I’m not so concerned with being called a coward, but I don’t think we can go back without the water. We aren’t going to make it long out here without it.” Eyes darting to the side for a moment at the sound of yet another growl, his licked his lips, tensing his muscles.

Torn with indecision, the holder was so edgy that he jumped violently at the sudden noise, eyes widening. “What the fall, fog, and fire!?” He snapped, stepping closer to Nevarre. Amber gaze fastened intently upon the direction it came from, the boy suddenly realized just what it was. Nearly groaning, Koldyn abruptly began to laugh in relief, an odd, nearly-hysterical tinge to it. “Sharding crazy, the whole lot of them.” He hissed, finally mastering himself. Twirling his sword restlessly in his hand, Kol quirked a brow, his eyes meeting those of the other holder. “Well, what now?” He asked Nevarre, just ready to follow his friend whatever he decided to do. Today had been too sharding weird, shaffit!

_________

Unlike many of the others, Phaerie had spent nearly her entire life outdoors, which gave her a certain advantage when it came to their jungle-trekking. Of course, the bugs here were unlike the North, and it was certainly hotter, but overall, the trader was more at home than most of the others. The bites on her arms itched like mad, but it was a small discomfort, for she had known worse. The only thing that truly bothered her as she dropped her pack on the ground was the absence of her buddy, Essa. The other girl was one of the most pleasant people she had ever met, and the trader counted herself lucky to have partnered up with the holder’s daughter. Settling her things quickly, Phae rolled her eyes at Koldyn’s disappearing back as she went about looking for the other girl.

Pausing, the trader suddenly turned around quickly, digging through her pack for a certain…ah, there it was! Pulling out the flask, Phaerie took a couple of quick swallows before stowing it away again. If there was one thing she had learned, it was that a few gulps of that special trader brew could do wanders for a fatigued girl at the end of the day. Feeling a bit more refreshed, she spun around, wandering through their small camp. Finally spotting her buddy, Phae stilled as the ominous noises began. They were…frightening to say the least, but something within the trader did not like to be bullied by a force she could not even see. Hey, no one had ever accused her of being the brightest thing ever! Just the most curious and defiant.

Scurrying to join the little group, partly because she wanted to go with Essa, but mostly just wanting to see what was going on, Phaerie grabbed a nearby branch and quickly followed. Coming to her buddy’s side, the trader grinned slightly, more excited than afraid. Living her entire life outdoors, the girl had developed an adventurous personality, and she was either too brave or too foolish to be scared right now. “Hey buddy.” Phae said, then raised her voice like the others, trying her best to make as much noise as possible. No, nobody invited her, but hey, she was supposed to stay with her buddy, right?

[Marnark]

It did not take the group long to catch up two the two Holder's sons, standing around in the brush like frightened ovines. "Nevaree. Koldyn." Rolgar called, when he came across them. "Are you both alright?" First things first, make sure no one was hurt. Cemar went in a short arc around the area, making sure there was nothing nearby as he whacked a few more bushes for good measure.

"I don't see anything yet." Cemar stated, somewhat pleased and somewhat disappointed. He had sort of wanted to see whatever it was, even if that was strictly a bad thing to have happen.

Not seeing any gaping or openly bleeding wounds, Rolgar decided that if they weren't one hundred percent, they were good enough to move out. But which way? Off to get the water first, or to head back first? That wasn't his area, though. He was the healer, even if it would do their leaders wise to listen to him. The authority was on their shoulders. "Which way, now that we're here?" Rolgar asked.

---

Jarshan glanced at Torc when the bronze poked her ear with his snout. Pausing in her soundless stalking through the bushes, she listened to his little flash-images message, relayed from the other team.

People? Out here? She crouched where she was, and listened, while holding up a fist for her partner to see, and know she was holding position. Being farther from the area, it took a bit more for her to hear the racket that was going on. Well ... whatever it was, it wasn't normal. Definitely not for the area. Jarshan signed for Martred to follow. They had something to investigate, as well as back up Eriol and Kyrah.

Moving swiftly, silently, as graceful as the feline they pursued, Jarshan flashed through the jungle. Her skin-tight leather outfit was well oiled to the point where it didn't squeak, and certainly brushed aside thorns, twigs, and insects as if they were nothing. Streaked in black and brown dyes, it was almost as good as camouflage on top of her stealthy abilities. Furthermore, it had allowed her to sneak up on many an unsuspecting predator, as the suit changed her scent.

Coming close enough that she could hear individual voices, Jarshan slipped up a tree trunk and into the foliage farther up, feet braced on branches there as she leaned around to take a look. Not a lot could be seen from that vantage point, so she lightly paced along the branch to the next tree over, crossing from one stout branch to another before stopping near the main stem of that tree to crouch and have a look-see.

People. Sure as shards. They were paler people, too, than she was used to seeing. Just where had these folks been hiding, and what in Faranth's name were they doing, flailing the brush like that? Quite a way to make one's self known to the whole area. She prompted Torc to flash a message back to Eriol, letting him know that she was in position, and that from where she was, she could see six people. Four males, two female.

Her ears told her there were others nearby though. Farther off, apparently separate from this group. Just how many people were wandering around in the jungle any way? Not one of them were properly attired for the trek they were attempting, either.

She held her breath for a moment, listened as one of them spoke.

That was a sharding odd accent. Her eyes narrowed considerably, as she flattened out on her branch. The rag she had stuffed into her quiver kept her arrows from spilling out everywhere, and could hold everything in place even if Jarshan suddenly took a notion to hang upside down. Which she did sometimes do. She could even shoot that way. Accuracy was not as good as when she was right side up, but it was good enough to shoot down running animals in most instances.

Again, she prompted Torc silently, having him ask the question: What were her orders?

[kaemi]

Wielding her stick, which probably made her look like a lunatic, Essa was beyond frightened. She was sharding terrified. Not a country-girl to begin with, she had very rarely traveled in the woods before. And so she definitely did not understand the concept of going towards the big scary noise. But she had joined this Expedition, and she had agreed to go with Cemar and Rolgar, so... this was where she was. Steeling herself, the girl continued to follow them, making a general ruckus as she continued walking through the jungle.

Happy, therefore, would probably be an understatement of how she felt when her buddy found her. Phaerie seemed much too excited for the task at hand, but it was better than her being eaten alive or something of the sort, as Essabellona had begun to fear. “Hey Phae,” she greeted cheerily, before darting her glance at the surrounding trees. Forcing her focus back on the other girl, she tried to return the grin. It didn't take long before she gave up. “This is freaky,” she confided quietly. Nope, she didn't like this at all.

Query, on the other hand, was quite enjoying this. He would leave her shoulder for brief periods of time, examining the trees and darting between branches, before coming back and crooning softly at her in reassurance. It didn't help much, but at least one of the two was having a good time on the adventure. It was obvious that the brown greatly wanted to find the monster and... do something with it. Essa wasn't sure what his plans were, and she doubted that he had any to begin with. She just hoped that, on their way to find the boys, they didn't run into the creature.

Thankfully it didn't take long to find their fearless leaders. Nevarre and Koldyn were together. They didn't seem to have any water, but at least they seemed unharmed. Personally, now that they had the two boys, Essa was all for going back to camp, and looking for water... later. It was true, though, that they needed it- if not now, then soon. Biting her lip and hesitating for only a few seconds, she decided to speak up. “We need water tonight, or we will tomorrow morning. We're not only out of cooking water, but our drinking water, too.”

She ended this confident statement and then darted her gaze around at the trees again. Either way, whatever the boys decided, Essa wanted to move on before the creature-thing found them and decided to eat them alive.