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Post by jessimyre on Oct 1, 2009 18:39:01 GMT -5
John refused, politely. He knew he was injured and he knew that he was incredibly weary but he could not ride the mare. She wasn't particularly large and was used to carrying Anika's slight frame. He was tall and heavy and would have been quite uncomfortable for her. This was the reasoning he gave in any case.
In actual fact John couldn't ride whilst Anika walked. Injured or not, it wasn't proper and he suspected he must have been taught to be respectful of women by somebody in his forgotten past. Stubbornly, John plodded on, only conceding to having a hand on a stirrup to aid his travel.
They moved on, north as Anika had said, one footfall after another through the endless desert.
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Post by twilightblade on Oct 7, 2009 23:49:09 GMT -5
It made Anika...annoyed. Very annoyed. But she at least understood where this man was coming from. So she took th other stirrup and they moved on across the desert in silence until she began once more seeing the signs of a nearby waterhole.
Even as they started to reach the top of the sand hill they were climbing, the grey mare's head came up and her nostrils fluttered. Before Zuleika could whinney and give them away, Anika clamped her hand over the mare's nose and pulled them all to a careful stop. She leaned under Zuleika's neck to give John a fierce warning stare to keep silent, then eased to her knees on the sand, giving the mare a pat as the grey bobbed her head but stayed quiet.
Settling the water bags and other items on her belt, she wormed her way up the slope on her belly and peered over the ridge.
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Post by jessimyre on Oct 11, 2009 18:22:54 GMT -5
Following his guide's lead, John stayed silent as breathing would allow. He was sore and weary but obviously in dangerous country. Unsure of Zuleika's training he remained with the mare, ready to prevent her calling again if necessary. He stroked her neck, whispering to her. Her ears flickered, she heard him as quiet as he was.
He watched Anika carefully, waiting for a sign of what was going to happen next.
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Post by Kage Chaos on Oct 21, 2009 3:30:42 GMT -5
Cull dragged the corpse of his bounty behind him through the desert sands.
It had been a troublesome job, finding Dak, the leader of the desert bandits. Bringing him back alive would have upped the reward money, but the desert didn't give him much of a choice. His water supply was limited. There could be no sparing any for the likes of Dak.
Cull knew he was getting closer to the only water hole for miles and miles. Those were some of the skills he was proud of: Good memory, and good sense of direction.
He climbed over yet another dune, the weight of his bounty wearing him a trifle more than his bastard sword ever had. It's not really the weight, he told himself, it's this damn desert. No matter, I'm almost to the water. That'll be a good place to rest.
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Post by twilightblade on Oct 28, 2009 5:19:51 GMT -5
For a long moment Anika simply stared, trying to make sense of the scene before her. A man, no horse in sight, sword belted to his hips, and dragging a dead man, was approaching the water hole. The face of the dead man was turned up to the sun, and she could just see...
Dak!
The man was one of the most notorious leaders among the bands of the desert bandits, and his would not have been an easy death. Hard to find, harder to kill.
She lifted her gaze back to the face of the man who dragged Dak, studying his sun-weathered features. This man was very dangerous...both as a fighter, and as one who might bring trouble with him. Dak had rarely gone anywhere without a few of his trusted men, and it would have been more than difficult to find him alone, much less for long enough for a fight to the death. And while sand would soak up blood, the stain would be left. Dak's men could not let the death of their leader stand; they would be on this man's trail.
The man who had killed Dak seemed wise to the desert and tough, yet with a burden and on foot as he was, he would have trouble making his way through the desert. The water hole they had just left and the one before her were the last easily distanced water to be found back in the direction she had come from. Without a horse, this man would not be able to reach the waterholes beyond them. ...And he would have at least twenty well-horsed bandits doing all they could to kill him. It would be child's play for them to guard the water holes so that this man could not get to them even if he somehow managed to make it that far.
It was foolish and dangerous even to make contact with him and yet...
She glanced back down at John. At least one of them should stay out of sight if this man proved to be one who would try to make prey of them. She put a finger to her lips and waved for him to stay back--keeping both of her motions well below the skyline and out of sight to the stranger.
Anika turned her attention back to the lone man then, just now nearing the water, rising to her knees, then her feet.
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Post by Kage Chaos on Oct 28, 2009 13:07:28 GMT -5
Cull saw someone rise slowly out of the corner of this eye. They weren't far away, so he stopped and turned to face them. His fierce green eyes met theirs.
A woman. Surely she would give him no trouble, if it came to that. He didn't say a word, but nodded and approached slowly.
Then, "There's no way some'n like you'd have anythin' to do with dead Dak here...so what'r you doin' this far into the sands. It's gorram hot out here."
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Post by twilightblade on Oct 29, 2009 2:52:54 GMT -5
Anika eyed the man's movement toward her, only half-listening to his words.
"There's no way some'n like you'd have anythin' to do with dead Dak here...so what'r you doin' this far into the sands. It's gorram hot out here."
Somone like her, was it? On the moment, she started to take a dislike to the man. "You are also present. It is of no matter." She returned his green stare with her own strong black gaze. "It would be of interest how you intend to leave this desert...with no horse."
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Post by Kage Chaos on Oct 29, 2009 9:32:16 GMT -5
Cull just nodded again. He looked down at Dak, almost grinning.
"I 'av mor'n a couple tricks up m'sleeve. Plus I don't av'ta make it all'way out. Meetin' some'n bout halfway. Be fine 'til then.."
He paused, "Tho..could be som'money init for ya if you help carry this bastard. An' you don't av'ta worry about his lackies. Took care'a them before I even found the sonuvabitch."
With that, he looked back to at Dak, then met the woman's eyes once more, then looked past her, "Name's Redrynn. Cull Redrynn. I'll be gettin' som'water now, f'ya don't mind."
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Post by jessimyre on Oct 29, 2009 17:54:13 GMT -5
John listened carefully to the exchange. His mind rebelled at remaining in hiding whilst Anika strayed out into possible danger but he couldn't very well leave the horse... so taking her along he crested the rise and stood beside his friend, towering above her.
At least now Cull would know that Anika was not alone and easy prey.
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Post by Kage Chaos on Oct 29, 2009 23:09:34 GMT -5
Cull sighed, looking at the man climbing over the rise, then back to the woman "I'm hope'n yer not gonna try'n stop me. Av' no trifiles with you. An' no reward t'boot."
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Post by twilightblade on Nov 1, 2009 23:56:49 GMT -5
Anika shook her head and put her hand on the mare's nose as John stopped beside her. "Stop you? And why?"
She started down the slope of the dune toward the water, circling a little so as to come toward it on the other side from where Cull stood. She spoke as she walked, keeping her gaze mostly on John, the mare, and the water, but glancing aside at Cull every now and then as well.
"I cannot help you carry that man. We are looking for a bay horse, somewhat taller than my mare. And our way lies deeper into the desert. Yet, it is good to hear that you are able to make your way from this place, as your survival seemed in question."
She stopped at last on the other side of the waterhole, nodding to John as she stepped aside to let the mare drink, then shifting to face where Cull stood on the other side of the water. "This is John, and I am called Anika."
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Post by Kage Chaos on Nov 2, 2009 12:32:56 GMT -5
"Don'think yull 'av much luck. Havn't seen a horse since'I left the band'ts' camp. Shame, too. Dak told'em ta kill all the horse so I'd be strand'd. Dumb bastard."
Cull was sure he'd seen a few bays in the mix, but mentioning that would do no good. Hope was a frail footing to tread upon these days, at best.
"But go'n look'f ya want. Besta luck to ya."
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Post by twilightblade on Nov 6, 2009 22:19:12 GMT -5
Anika took a slow breath and glanced at John, then nodded to Cull. "I thank you for the knowing of this. We may yet continue our search. The desert is not kind."
She took down a half-full waterskin from Zuleika's saddle and handed it to John. "We may yet seach. Is this your wish?" she asked, low-voiced. "My way will pass by this place, yet it is still near my path."
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Post by jessimyre on Nov 8, 2009 21:09:36 GMT -5
John nodded at the bounty hunter as Anika introduced him but otherwise remained quiet, content for Anika to do the talking as his head was pounding terribly and his various injuries were making themselves known.
"Certainly. We may find that not all of them were slaughtered. If the bandits are gone they will need care, water and fodder. Mine may be among them but if not, any live horse is better than none at all."
John answered Anika, crouching to fill the waterskin as full as possible. They'd need every drop they could carry and he again mentally cursed his misfortune that left him in the desert with nothing. Now he was draining Anika's precious resources. He owed her a lot.
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Post by Kage Chaos on Nov 9, 2009 0:11:06 GMT -5
John and Anika. The names meant nothing to Cull as far as his job was concerned. Neither name appeared in the contract or in the list of Dak's allies. What mattered was what Cull knew, and what they didn't.
Many of the bandits had run off during the fight. Cull had left that part out. He hadn't thought they'd still wish to go. He couldn't be sure if the bandits would give any trouble to these two, but it wasn't something he could risk. As far as he knew these two were innocent, more or less, and his conscience wouldn't let him go back there alone.
"Only the corrup' d'serve death," he mumbled to himself, reminiscing, too softly for anyone else to hear.
As he knelt down to fill his waterskin, he spoke up, clearing his throat in an effort to speak more clearly, "I'shd com'ith you. May'be sum'bandits yet. Can't be too careful."
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Post by twilightblade on Nov 12, 2009 0:12:43 GMT -5
Anika nodded at John's words, and pulled out another half-full waterskin to hand down to where he crouched. Zuleika snorted and pricked her ears, alerting Anika that Cull had spoken, so she was already listening when he spoke again.
"I'shd com'ith you. May'be sum'bandits yet. Can't be too careful."
Anika paused in the midst of handing the waterskin to John. "Some have run, of course. And they would have taken horses." She smiled, the first smile she had truly felt for a long time. "If you come, it will be seen if you shall kill them first or I."
She patted the mare's neck, still smiling, and glanced down at John. "You will have a horse."
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Post by Kage Chaos on Nov 12, 2009 0:36:55 GMT -5
Cull nodded at Anika's words, but didn't reply with any of his own. She hadn't threatened him so her ability to fight was no concern of his.
He took a few gulps from his waterskin before refilling it and standing up.
"Ready'wn yer ready."
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Post by jessimyre on Nov 12, 2009 6:21:16 GMT -5
John stood with a sigh, every particle of his body aching with pain. He squinted his eyes against the sun, securing the top of the waterskin.
"I hope you aren't going to drag the dead body along with us as well?" he spoke to Cull for the first time.
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Post by Kage Chaos on Nov 12, 2009 10:49:41 GMT -5
Cull looked up at John, nodded, and proceeded to unsheathe his bastard sword, "Hmm.. ges'll just lop his head off righ' here. Shoul'be goo'nough. Gotta get m'bounty, you understan.."
He pulled the body a good distance from the waterhole before performing the deed, then dropped Dak's head in an empty sack from his pack, "Ain't been dead mor'n four'r'five hours.. D'hydration's a nasty way'ta go."
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Post by twilightblade on Nov 14, 2009 23:46:44 GMT -5
"Now that this is done, we should be ready in a moment," she rose from filling two more waterskins and packed them away, patting the mare. Zuleika snorted, then began to drink deep, and Anika stood with one hand on her shoulder, smiling softly down into the mare's brown eyes.
Only a moment dd she spend at this, then while the mare drank, she reached behind the saddle and began to unwind a bow from its wrapping of cloth. That done, she slung a full quiver over her shoulder, then added a visible short knife to her belt. After a glance at John, she pulled out another sack of dried dates and offered him a handful along with a piece of dried meat. "We'll eat while we go." The mare raised a dripped nose and wuffled at her shoulder, so she gave the gray one of the dates before taking the reins and moving to the mare's other side and starting to walk.
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Post by Kage Chaos on Nov 17, 2009 4:28:39 GMT -5
Cull turned to lead the way. He had, after all, just come from Dak's encampment.
"So.. who beat'ya up?" the question directed at the man named John.
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Post by jessimyre on Nov 17, 2009 17:45:15 GMT -5
John gratefully accepted the food from Anika, setting off with her for more walking. Cull turned and fell in leading the way.
"So... who beat'ya up?" he asked.
"I don't know." John answered truthfully. "It seems I suffered a blow to the head and I cannot remember much at all."
They trudged up a dune and then shuffled down the other side, following the tracks in the sand. The sun was lowering in the sky. Nightfall was only a couple of hours away now.
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Post by twilightblade on Jun 22, 2010 23:16:21 GMT -5
Zuleika had almost faded completely into the shadows, her grey coat shining faintly against the sand. Anika had made sure that John had drunk enough water as they traveled, supplementing his strength with the dates. If there was time, and it was safe enough, she would hunt tonight and get fresh meat to help him regain his health. And it would doubtless even be welcome to their bountyhunter friend. It was worth the risk of a fire, especially with the predators that head he carried might call in with its scent.
The tiring mare suddenly flung up her head, nostrils wide to the light wind, and Anika put a quieting hand on her neck. The mare's nostrils fluttered with the faintest of questioning whinnies and she stood tense and still, ears pricked sharply with interest. A soft whicker came in reply and then quick, nervous hoofbeats came toward them. The dark horse blew softly, head going high as it saw them, and Zuleika stamped a hoof, bobbing her head in welcome.
As the other horse came closer in the gathering darkness, a body could be seen slumped over the saddle, a dark stain down the horse's side indicating the reason for the rider's death. An untended wound could be a deadly thing.
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Post by Kage Chaos on Jul 29, 2010 3:01:09 GMT -5
Cull stepped forward to examine the dead rider. The clothing resembled that of a nobleman.
"This'n ain't a bandit, I'cn tell that much," Cull muttered plainly.
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Post by twilightblade on Aug 25, 2010 20:02:53 GMT -5
"Killed by one then." Anika nodded at Cull's words. Perhaps a friend of John's, or merely another fellow traveler? She compared the clothing, but couldn't tell much other than it had a good weave and was well sewn. She went forward with Cull, leaving her mare with John, and coaxed the black into letting her gather up its reins.
Once the horse was secured, she checked the saddle and found various bags, waterskins, and a roll of cloth. She left them where they were for the moment; no use in going through the packs when there were bandits around. One hand on the black's neck kept the horse calm while she pulled the dead man from the saddle. He wore no obvious weapons beyond a short knife, and his sword belt was empty. Must have dropped the sword somewhere.
She searched the body quickly and with care, tucking all useful items into the black horse's pack, then turned to John. "You should take what clothing from him that you can wear. You will need it, and he no longer has use for it."
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