< @Jorimel @Valonox > Talis, a learned artist, was onto shading and detailing the larger flying beast when Avrielle came up and asked if he could help her. He smiled and was just about to accept when one of the others, a ranger - he thinks - got into doing it all. Although he realized that the other Eldar didn't seem to quite be doing what she had asked for. "If you still desire my help when he has finished, I would be happy to teach what I can." although his confidence in his ability over the older male didn't seem to be that high. Even as he spoke he sketched, although no offense was meant to anyone. If she wanted his help, is was pretty obvious he would jump and start right away
The scouting party made swift progress under the watchful eye of the drone and the two Rangers. Valandil took rearguard after stepping in to assist the radiotech. Avrielle gave the party a small wave as they left her sight, then turned back to her tasks. The warriors moved with purpose, each according to their Shrine's teachings or what they had learned over time. Some they held in common, like alertness and watchful movement. Others specialised - the former Banshee, Astarielle, nimbly climbing corners of the terrain, climbing the seemingly sheer rock wall oftentimes to get a better view. Amriel stalked the centre of the path, taking point with a grim solidity that almost dared any enemy to show its face. The Rangers roamed more freely, reporting back from a short distance ahead or guarding the rear. Lysandriax walked with the Warlock, just behind Iktomi, whose nature wouldn't allow him to lead from the back. At least, not this time. Yareli was close to the side of her beloved Captain. However, this was no stroll in the park, and she kept her blade and her wits close to hand. Llyr sat on Morvan's shoulder, unusually still and wary, his eyes darting here and there. The hills grew steeply into mountains, and the air thinned. This was the best route out of the lake basin, but it was uncomfortably exposed. Soon the lake, and the Chance, were far away. The path narrowed, tall slabs of natural rock making a claustrophobic passage beneath a teetering overhang. Just the place to - Faenkon saw them first. Small, oval charges, nestled deep in fissures in the rock. He held up a hand. The drone's pict-feed whirred. They were old: the casings were weathered over many winters. Unlikely to go off. As Amriel took in the way ahead, under the overhang and past the charges, something stirred in a primal part of his soul. The ancient connection to the dragon-kin that surged through his War-self writhed under the surface of his perceptions, struggling to break free. His attention darted ahead, up. Just as the scouts caught sight of a flicker of movement, the Aspect Warrior identified it. Threat. Dragon. Brother? Over the rocky cliff, faster than an Eldar, moving with the subtle fluidity of a serpent, yet the same colour as the stone. Marbled with the patterns of the lichens, it was nearly invisible, and moving in at speed. Yellow eyes snapped open as the creature launched itself forward, gliding on membranous wings that extended under its forelimbs, mouth open and hissing. The rock-serpent is about fifteen feet long. It is not capable of flight, but can glide a short distance. It has long, sharp teeth used for breaking bones and large claws on its four feet. It has a sinewy tail that may also lash as an attack. The lakeside party are out of hearing/sight distance of this event. It is coming in fast.
<at the lake, before leaving> Valandil swiftly identified the plants Avrielle could find, but the meal would lack essential protein. He sighted down the scope of his rifle. The little gyrinx might have been reliant on the weapons Kurnous gave him, but not so the Eldar. He took down one of the waterfowl with a quick shot, wading out into the shallows to collect it while the rest of the flock took flight. "It was quick, it felt nothing," he said, handing the still-warm bird to Avrielle, who took it, too surprised to do more than nod her thanks before he rejoined the advance scouting group. "I," she turned to Talis, the waterbird still in one hand, "I am sorry to interrupt your study, but I am afraid I have no idea what to do with this. Avrielle didn't look upset so much as surprised, her mouth open slightly, her eyes wide. Talshin could see the tiny drama from his viewpoint beside the Chance, perched watchfully in the shadow of the hull. Certainly the bird looked big enough for the party to have something more substantial with tonight's meal. The noise of the kill itself was minimal, the resettling birds could be part of the usual flight-and-feed pattern of the wildfowl. It was, as hunts went, discreet. That was the way of the Ranger.
"What's in it for you?" The Harlequin tilted his head slightly, taking up a stylised pose of contemplation. "Consider Cegorach. Consider, if you will, the fortunes of the last free god. Consider his favour. Does that not seem a good thing to you? Should one not pass up such a chance?" "Of course, if you care for baubles, such tangible rewards as arcane weapons could no doubt be found. We are subtle people, we Children of the Laughing God, and we know where to find many things." "But perhaps there is something rarer you seek, something not to be found in the artisan's craft, not yet framed or tempered in wraithbone or steel?" "You could offer him his life," the Death Jester suggested. "No no, dear Coraielle, that would not do at all. There must be no coercion in this. And in any case, the other is not so obtuse." "My life and soul for the Eldar. My wrath and violence for the enemy. Hurry us onward then, we cannot tarry." avowed Alo, his passionate nature coming to the fore. "His mind is swayed. Khaine spoke within, Favoured Son, tall as the standard he stood. The War-God favoured him, bright Winterheart, Wrapped in his cloak of deeds, that all might know him." This figure was slender, not as tall as the Death Jester in her uniform of bone, but his mask was a mirror, and the hooded cloak he wore swirled around him although there was no breeze. "You could just say he agrees," Coraielle remarked. "Pardonable theatrics, Lady of Death, surely Cegorach must have his due, not only Morai-Heg?" the Shadow-Seer replied, stepping over an imaginary boundary. Or at least, one no-one could see. He extended a gloved hand to Alo. "One for the cause. I shall lead you to your fate."
Certainly a threat, a threat from a brother perhaps, but a threat nonetheless. "I will take no pleasure from your demise." Amriel drew up the fusion gun, shouldering it and tracking the rock serpent. It was headed right for the group, right for him and he stood his ground. When it got close enough, he would pull the trigger, the fusion gun more than enough to likely obliterate its head at about ten feet.
< @Jorimel > Talis had gone back to sketching, as he only had a small amount left to do as the ranger hunted the waterfowl. The young exodite still didn't want to interfere too much. But once all was done and Avirelle stood stunned, Talis smiled and placed his pen and journal in their pouches. "Alright, I would be happy to help." he said, looking for a flat enough stone to where they could work. Once found, he led the female to it and smiled. "First, we want to pluck the feathers and then drain the blood." Talis explained, beginning to take the feathers out. "If we keep all the blood and insides inside for too long, the meat will begin to go bad..."
@Jorimel Artarsi only offered a shrug of his shoulders as the two Jester-things kept on babbling, "Alright, alright. Let us get this over with, we'll ensure this party of yours gets that sword."
@Jorimel Alo looked at his hand, as if searching for teeth that it'd bite. He shook it after a moment. " You know my fate?" Alo shrugged his other shoulder like shaking a weight off it, the cloak replied with a swaying motion. Suddenly the zeal in his breast ebbed, bringing the lessons and myriad advice Farseer Salianna of Il-Kaithe forced on him back to memory. Alo winced at the memory. "How come you know so much? Have you spoken with her, our farseer?"
It seemed that the current threat was moments away from being handled by one of the new warriors that had joined them. Faenkon quickly scanned the surrounding area with his rifle, the rock-serpent seemed incredibly aggressive which hinted at it being a solo hunter, but one could never be to careful. Perhaps they had just walked into a nest, after all this path had seemed to be abandoned for quite some time. Regardless he was ready to make a follow on shot at the serpent if the fusion gun was unable to bring it down.
@Jorimel | @DaKaptin | @kanila | @MetalDog4 | @Valonox | @Avenging-Angel | @High_Adept_Zeth "Demise?" Yareli asked perplexed out loud, hearing the Fire Dragon speak, also Faenkon getting into position. An enemy must be near, she looked in the direction of their rifles, pushing the further analysis of the ruins to a later point in time. Bravely she drew her blade and took position between Faenkon and Amriel. Sword was held not theatrically high like in paintings, but parallel to her body as she took a sideway stance for increased stability. Was the serpent come close enough, she would attempt to duck under it and pierce it through the lower jaw, perhaps lift her blade instead straight up and rip it wide open as it would glide above her. Then again.... She wouldn't want to be covered in serpent guts, so the pierce would hopefully be enough. There were no orders from her, no boasting or senseless provocations. She was a warrior of honour, or she would like to believe to be one if she ever would be a fully dedicated warrior like her aunt. Nonetheless it was a moment of combat approaching and her sapphire eyes focused on the swift moving target. Uncertain in mind what would happen, she hoped strongly that the Rangers and their Fire Dragon would kill the beast before it would reach them. It was not just a foe, it was a fifteen feet long enemy. And it was a beast, not a humanoid. If it was an Ork she would be more than willing to charge it, but how does one fight a beast with a blade?! Then again the Exodites probably did it, so there had to be a way... Yareli shook her head and focused on her target. 'Empty your mind. No words can save you in battle. No thought will affect it. Listen to your instincts and nothing else.' The Banshees voice from a distant, but strong memory reinforced the young diplomat.
