A Little Vacation

[Alydia Ettermire]

They weren't actually into the jungles until the late afternoon, and although the rain hadn't stopped, the thick foliage of the ancient trees that stretched up to the sky kept most of it from reaching the travel party. After hours of slogging through pouring rain, of pulling their boots out of mud and muck, and general misery, it was nice to get to an area that was merely damp.

Deangain was the first one to shrug off the rain, shaking himself off roughly and sending water splashing every which way. A complaint from Maith was cut short when he flicked his large wings as well, relieving himself of the burden of the extra water.

"We're all right here! We don't need the extra rain!"

The Draconian snorted. "If you are already a drenched rat, a little extra water will not harm you."

Maith just grumbled, removing his cloak to wring it out as much as he could. He was slightly brawny, for a human, and the muscles in his arms bunched beneath a few intricate tattoos as he tried to give himself some small amount of physical comfort. "Never been out on such a day as today. Don't think there could be a worse day t' travel," he muttered. "And it's darker than a basement at midnight in 'ere."

Up ahead, Alydia had taken her hat off just long enough to fling the water off of it, and then her coat to shake it out. "Watch your footing then, Maith. And at night in Raiaera is a much worse time to travel, unless things have wound down in the last month."

The human's expression softened, and then he looked chagrined. "Aly, y' know I didn't - "

"I know. It's been a long time since we've been out at all, and never in rain like that. Get used to being damp, though. This sort of terrain and the distance to our target...we'll be out here for days."

Deangain gave a soft growl of amusement. "Time. Effort. Danger. Legal."

The Alerian ahead turned around after climbing up onto a root that sprouted up from a nearby tree. The part that had managed to push up was almost as tall as she was and as wide as Aly's two associates put together...and only one of many thousands in this boggy jungle. A smirk etched across her face as she regarded her monosyllabic man.

"I know...it's not normal. But we'll probably find something good. And if not...I still get to spend time with my boys."

[Izvilvin]

Izvilvin said not a word throughout their morning trek, his eyes and ears focused on their surroundings. Through the harsh pounding of the rain, so loud in his sensitive ears, the drow could hear the movements through the trees - through the decades he had trained his senses so thoroughly that he could focus them in such a way.

Thankfully for the group, no danger came their way but for the looming threat of catching colds.

When it came time to take a break beneath the canopy of thick, leathery leaves above, Izvilvin's boots had been repeatedly swallowed by sudden holes packed with extra soft mud. He peered above and about the party, seeing hopeful rays of sunlight sneaking through the thick overhang, overcoming cloud and tree alike to shed light on the jungle.

The scents of the jungle took him back, reminded him of the brief time he'd spent in Dheathain. If it weren't for the fear that had always haunted him, the drow would have enjoyed his time here, among the dangerous creatures, the abundant flora. It was both similar and different from the Kachuck Mines, where he'd spent so many years pretending to be dead, hiding from the Ettermire military branch headed by general Vortudin. It was dark here, sometimes dank, always dangerous, but offered an airy freedom that being in hiding never could.

He longed to rejoin that band of mercenaries and make a home here, for a time. When he'd had his fill of the lifestyle, he would leave, perhaps travel back to Fallien and experience life there once more, this time as a free drow. Being free gave him the opportunity to make such decisions.

And it was time to visit the graves of Laix and Palmer once more, the first real friends he had ever made. Laix had been the owner of Icicle, Izvilvin's most trusted and reliable blade, qualities which so truly mirrored those of his murdered friend. It was the sword that ended the life of Laix's murderer, a vicious wizard by the name of Sasarai. Izvilvin longed to return to that hot and dangerous land, to see if he could still brave the heat and extended patrol sessions.

A drop of rain hit him on the nose, and Izvilvin was snapped from his contemplation. A quick look at his traveling companions told him that they were preparing to make camp, so the warrior set down the heaviest of his weapons against a nearby trunk and prepared a pit for their fire. The dirt was firm due to the leaves above, so it was quick work. A search of the immediate area bequeathed little dry wood, but a dagger and some work on a tree trunk supplied him with enough to at least get a fire going - a process that took only a few short minutes.

He was sitting by it, hands outstretched to protect the flames until it got going, when another crack of thunder filled his ears.

[Quentin Boone]

Where in the World? receives:

• 660 EXP
• 66 [b]GP]

Izvilvin receives:

• 924 EXP
• 66 GP

Congratulations!

[Lye]

EXP & GP Added!