Freedom in the Desert

[Periwinkle]

(OOC: This is an open quest. No more than 3 or 4 people should join.)


The stench of rotting wood, old ale, and unwashed bodies is thick in the air. Perri sits crosslegged, the chains on her arms clinking with the rocking of the ship. The hold is dark and damp, echoing with the shouts of others in foreign languages.

A few hours ago, Perri's only worry had been finding enough dry wood to complete her shelter and make a fire. She'd been making her way across the Ahyark mountains to Knife's Edge to traid for supplies. Unfortunately, Perri got caught up in a shady deal and was taken captive by slavers. Their ship The Bludgeoner, disguised as a means of lumber import but secretly transporting abductees, was making its way to the island Fallien. There the cons would be paid and the prisoners introduced to a life of slavery.


~ Next morning ~ 6:00am ~

Rough hands hauled Perri to her feet. She fell into line with the others climbing out of the hold. As they emerged onto the deck, Perri barely had time to adjust to the blinding light before they were shoved to the edge of the ship. Small boats waited there to be filled and lowered to the rolling green waves below.

"Let go of me!" Perri spat at a particularly rough slaver gripping her arm.

While they were being rowed closer to land, Perri took the opportunity to look at the other prisoners. To her surprise, out of about 10 captives split up between the two boats, there was only one other girl. She looked a few years older than Perri. Perri was horrified to also see chained boys who looked no older than eight. Many were crying.

Finally they came to rest at shore, where four men wearing thin brown tunics and sandals pulled the boats higher onto the gritty sand. They jabbered at the slavers in different languages, switching from one to another in an effort to communicate. They made gestures at the captives, and seemed to be asking questions.

Perri focused on a slaver who was unloading small boxes and cages onto the ground. The cages appeared to be filled with the prisoners' Familiars, as much shrieking and growling came from that general direction. Perri caught sight of Jada and felt a wave of relief.

Looking around, it clicked - the surrounding ocean, the escalating temperature, the natives' clothing - Perri realized this must be Fallien. She'd heard much about this land, with even more humans than in Salvar.

I've got to get away from these people! The Fallien people, whom Perri assumed would be buying them, were closely examining each slave.

Perri formulated a plan. She was wearing leather boots; long pants and an elbow-length sleeved shirt (which she was steadily perspiring under); leather armor strapped on her chest, shoulders, and back; and a belt with two knife sheaths attached but no knives. The slavers had taken not only Jada, but all her weapons . . . Suddenly Perri remembered the dagger inside her right boot. They hadn't thought to search for weapons there!

Meanwhile, one of the slave-sellers was unlocking the cages. He grabbed hold of a phoenix as it was spreading its wings to take off.
"That was close," said a slaver beside him in Salvic. He was clipping the claws off a very irritated cat.

"Snakes like sun, don't they?" the first slaver asked. He had wisely grabbed Jada right behind her head so she couldn't bite. "Hey, you four - wanna buy this from us or what?" He walked toward the Fallian people, swinging Jada wildly.

Perri could not stand by doing nothing any longer. Digging her hand into her boot as she ran lopsidedly, she found her dagger and threw it at the man holding Jada. It found its mark, piercing his hand. He cried out and released the snake, which began slithering across the sand to Perri.

Dodging a slaver and two Fallians, she dove and landed on her stomach next to Jada. "EAAAHH!!" Boy that sand is hot! She snatched Jada and rolled up onto her knees. The men were shouting and running toward her. Perri got up and sprinted toward the boxes with a hunch that they contained the stolen weapons.

They did, and - what luck! The item on top of the box nearest Perri was her quiver of arrows. She swung it onto her back and rummaged through the swords, maces, knives, and whatnot for her bow. One of those slavers probably stashed it away for himself, she thought resentfully.

But there was the tip of a bow poking through the other weapons. She yanked it out, turned to flee--

"Oh no you don't!" A large and surly-looking slaver reached her and seized her arm. Desperate for freedom, Perri concentrated on the particles in the atmosphere. They were different than those in Salvar, but she could still use her magic to form them into sparks of electricity. With her mind, she threw these at the man. Perri knew that she would recieve the shock as well, since he was touching her, but at least she was prepared.

The man yelped and staggered backward. Perri took a deep breath, then ran.


~ Noon ~

She felt like she was in a furnace. After running at her considerable top speed all morning (the slavers quickly gave up the chase), Perri had found shelter in a crumbling stone structure. It was more like a labryinth than a single building. Noticing that plants became more plentiful the farther from the sea she went, Perri picked some to eat. She picked up her bow to see if it had been damaged, and was startled to see that it was not hers! She'd taken one of the other captive's weapons. It was similar to Perri's - also made of yew - but it was slightly smaller and the twine pulled back differently.
Later she tried to take a nap; at least there was shade, but it was still so hot she could see heat waves rising from every horizontal surface. Not to mention the lack of water.

"Crunch." Perri's eyes widened. She stood on her toes and peeked curiously through a gap in the stone. "We're not alone, Jada," she whispered to the viper laying at her feet.

[Ashla]

Ashla was tired and hot, she had been trying to find civilization, but to no avail. Fallien’s desserts were boiling! Ashla hated this, If only I took that left turn too- she then noticed a stone structure up ahead, “We’re saved, Fireleaf!” She cried to her cat, who was walking at her feet.

They ran up to the house and took a close look, “Seams deserted.” Ashla smiled as she entered the building, Fireleaf followed. Inside the first thing she stepped on was a broken pot. Ashla gasped and looked down, then back up again… There was somebody else there!

[Moonberrycat]

Iris was walking around, her kitten, Deer at her heels, she wanted adventure, she got one! She was running out of water, fast, and in the desert. "I hate deserts" she muttered to herself, kicking up some sand, Deer protested with an angry meow. "Meow!" Iris sighed and looked behind her, "Sorry bud, but unless-" She cut herself off, seeing a building, falling apart-ish stone building, looked innocent enough, but she knew, that she'd been in other innocent looking places, and it nearly always ended badly. "Eh...stay out in the sweltering heat, or get some relief from some shade, and perhaps get my head chopped off again, hmm..." She started walking to the building, "I wanted adventure, I'm getting it!" She decided, her heard Deer, meow excitedly and bound ahead, and slip into the building. She sighed, angrily and ran after her naughty kitten, it seemed she now didn't have a choice but to go in! As soon as she peaked in, she saw Deer rub against the ankles of a familar girl, and purr, he only did that if he knew them. It clicked. "Ashla?" Iris asked, suprised.

[Periwinkle]

Perri was confused. It was a strange coincidence indeed that these two girls - both with cats, which Jada was not happy about - would arrive here where Perri was resting. And they were both speaking in trade speech! Although she could see that they both had swords, Perri judged this situation to be safer than the ones she usually got herself into. She moved around the stone and into their view.

"Excuse me . . . um-" Get to the important things, she thought. "Do either of you have any water?"

[Ashla]

Iris!? How come we keep running into each other??

Ashla was about to ask the question aloud, when another, unfamiliar voice interrupted, "Excuse me... um- Do either of you have any water?"

Ashla looked over to see a young girl, older than Iris, but younger than herself. She looked tired and very hot. Ashla immediately felt sorry for this young girl, "I'm sorry, but no... I would love to help you in any other way though..." she then turned to Iris, "And what are you doing here??"

Iris looked nervous for a second, Ashla laughed and drew her into a hug, "Come here, girl! I missed you!" She then turned back to the other girl and asked, "And what's your name?"

[Moonberrycat]

Iris turned, hearing a girl ask for water. She grabbed the bottle with the last of her water in it, she wasn't in any need of it anyways, at least not now. "Here, I have some, you look like you need it more then I do," She said, slightly awkward. She wasn't the greatest at meeting new people and had a tendancy to emotionally shut down if they'd try to pry to much information out of her, like, her past. She'd just stare, blankly, and be unreachable and pretty much freak out if anybody tried to figure out what was wrong, so she was nervous.

Iris smiled uncomfortably at her friend, she felt she was starting to get...nervous and even scared. She didn't know why even, this was Ashla, her friend out of all people! "I'm just...looking around for an adventure I guess, to bored and quiet, needed something to do, that sort of thing," She hugged her back, it felt good to meet up again, but slightly strage that they DID meet up again, they always bump into each other it seems! "I missed you too!" She tried to sound enthuastic, but she as really not exactly in the bestest mood, for one, for two: her kitten was looking up at her all innocent and sweet like he did nothing wrong, and he didn't run off on her. "And you Deer, are a naughty cat for running off on me!" She said, picking him up against his will.

She glanced, slightly curious at the girl, she to wondering who she was. From looking at her clothing she thought to herself, Maybe a runaway slave? She didn't dare say the words out loud though, because she knew how tempers could fly, especially in the heat!

[Periwinkle]

"Thanks." Accepting the water, Perri gulped down almost all of it while thinking of how to introduce herself. Social situations - ugh.

"I'm Perri; this is Jada." She indicated the snake, pouring out the last drops of water onto the sand for it. Giving the empty bottle back to the short, fair-skinned girl, Perri noticed she resembled the slave-buyers from earlier. She must be Fallien.
"This is my first time in Fallien, though I've heard about it. To make a long story short, I was captured in Salvar and brought here with others to be sold, but I escaped." Perri made patterns in the sand with the tip of her boot. "Er . . . I'd like to stay and talk-" Not really, "But there's something I really need to do."

She collected her things - swung her quiver of arrows onto her back, made sure the knife was secure in her sheath, and picked up her bow. Then she offered her arm to Jada, who slithered up it as if it were a tree branch.

This is going to be very difficult alone.

Perri turned back to the girls. "You two aren't particularly busy today, are you?"

[Moonberrycat]

Iris shrugged, "No problem." She took the bottle back, wondering if there was a well or something she coud fill it up again. She wasn't exactly suprised at the fact the girl was taken captive, Fallien....eh...wasn't the nicest place, to say the least. Well, it's better then being back in that place...alone and hated! She mentally slapped her thoughts to stay out of it, but, alas, they were her thoughts and she couldn't do anything about it. So she just tried to ignore them, and tried to be sympathetic to the girl, because being forced into slavery was horrible.

The girl collected her stuff, and her snake, which was a pretty nice looking snake indeed, but details weren't really working to well at this moment, especially since she was getting dizzy from her thoughts arguing with themselves, she hated when that happened. Then Perri turned towards them again and asked if they were busy. "No, not really, I was just hoping excitement would come out and hit my alongside the head." Iris gave a wry look, "Which, it usually does, gladly, and also literally as well."

[Periwinkle]

Perri gave a rare grin. "Good, because I think there's some more excitement in store for you."

She explained in more detail about the slaves. "They need to be set free." Perri turned to the elfish-looking girl, smiled, and asked, "How about you? Are you in?"

[Ashla]

This was terrible! The slave trade going on in Fallien! It needed to be stopped! The subject of slave trade made Ashla furious! Ashla smiled, she was about to say "yes", but a voice in her head broke in:

Dont do it! Don't get into trouble again!

Who said I can't? she responded.

Said me.

Shut up, I'm going whether you like it or not! "I'm in!" Ashla smiled. She was ready for anything! She was unbreakable! Plus, with Iris by her side, things were even better!

[Moonberrycat]

Iris was itching to get a move on, once things started to get exciting, she was ready to bolt! She asked Perri, "Where did you leave the slaves?" She asked, hoping some informtion would be helpful, she knew the docks pretty well, and was once nearly taken captive there...but, besides that, she knew the best alleys to hide in, and who to ask for guidance, and who to avoid, on a usual basis. She figured she'd be one of the better street-guides, not that she didn't believe Ashla woudn't be good, but Iris had lived around these parts for nearly a year.

She decided to explain why she asked now, Perri would probably think she was crazy for asking, or would answer something along the lines of: "Where I'm taking you" Which for the most part, would be honest, and true. "The reason I'm asking is, because I know the docks like the back of my hands, and I know how to get help and a place to rest if needed around those parts." She explained, quickly and hopefully without rising to much confusion, not to mention, she figured she'd raise an eyebrow on Ashla's end of it, but, she wasn't concerned about it that time.

[Periwinkle]

"When I left, they were at the northwestern tip of the island. There wasn't a port or docks or people nearby, so I guess they were trying to keep the slaves secret. It all seemed arranged. I assume slavery isn't practiced often here? But anyway, we can go there to spring a surprise att-" Perri stopped suddenly. She held a finger to her lips, then crept to the corner of the stone wall to look out.

Behind her, in the direction she had come from, two of the four Fallien men were trudging through the sand, speaking to each other. The slaves and other two Falliens were off to the left, huddled on the ground under a small group of scraggly trees. Perri could see them passing water canteens back and forth. I guess they're traveling inland, where they can use the slaves.

The two men, although they hadn't noticed the girls yet, were nearing the shelter.

"Okay, change of plans. Can you run to slaves, while I get these guys out of the way? Your swords should be able to cut through the chains. I'll join you in a minute. Injure the guards if you have to." Perri picked up a chunk of rock about the size of an apple, then tossed it as far as she could down the stone structure. It clattered off the wall, getting the Falliens' attention. The men ran to one end of the building right as Perri motioned the girls to continue on.

[Ashla]

Ashla nodded to Iris, and they crept towards the slaves and their guards; trying their best not to grab the men's attentions. They got up close to the slaves and Ashla whispered to Iris, you distract the guards, I'll cut their chains." Before Iris could reply, Ashla had already started her charge towards the slaves, drawing her weapons, the slaves looked terrified, even when Ashla started cutting their chains, using her agility and skill with her two weapons to do the work quickly.

After she had set them free, she explained, "Don't worry. We're here to help." She then turned over to see how Iris was doing with the other two.

[Moonberrycat]

Iris nodded at Peri, figuring the area approximatly in her head, "Got it! I can tell where they are...which gives me an idea, involving some coconuts," She could tell a few odd looks would be given if Perri hadn't told tell them not to get the slaves free and distract the guards. When Ashla told Iris to distract the guards, she was dubious about the idea, but Ashla wasn't taking no for an answer. She moved to the guards, she figured some flattery would be wonderful, those guards are probably full of bravado.

"Hello!" She said warmly, hoping to catch their attention, which it did. "Excuse me young lady, but these slaves are very wild, we don't want you do get hurt." She smiled sweetly and batted her eye lashed pathetically. "That must be very brave of you! You must be very strong to handle them!" She exclaimed, trying to act amazed. This better be over with soon or Ashla might not- They gushed and looked quite proud, "Why thank you, we've been handling the roughest slaves for 10 years," Another guard grinned proudly. Iris looked in awe at them "That must be so hard!" The guards showed their muscles. "We are quite strong!" One of the youngest guards, not to much older then Iris, "This is my first outing!" "Wow! Your going to be as strong, and handsome as the others for sure!" He blushed. She wasn't lying about the handsome part, he was.

He took her hand and kissed it gently, "You young lady, are more beautiful then a summer sunset," She smiled and blushed. The emotion was real that time, she was quite embarssed and happy that he thought she was pretty. "Thank you sir," She said politly, "My name is Thresh if we ever see each other again," Iris blushed darker, "I'm Iris, I hope we do," They stare at each other for a few seconds until Ashla motioned for her to come over. Thanks a lot party pooper she thought angrily. "You can come to the docks and meet me anytime!" He called when she said she had to go. She nodded happily and promised she would. Going over to Ashla, she muttered to herself, "Your dead meat Ashla, just when I was meeting the most handsomest young man ever!"

[Periwinkle]

"Hey, what's going on over there?"

The two Fallien men at the stone maze-like structure had noticed the growing commotion near the slaves. Perri picked up the pace, sprinting toward the group of adolescents and skidding to a stop behind the dark-haired girl. Perri recalled that the shorter girl had called her Ashla. Her sword was in her hands, and she obviously could wield it well since the ground was littered with broken chains.

"Are you gonna take us back home?"

A boy of about ten was staring at Perri with moist pleading eyes. Perri softened her expression. "Of course."

She started to complement Ashla on a job well done, when it occured to her that they'd suffered no interference from the two guards. Wondering why, she caught sight of the blonde-haired girl on the other side of Ashla. Her cheeks were red as tomatoes, and one of the guards - the younger-looking (and better-looking) of the two - was standing behind her. He was gazing wishfully at the girl.

For time's sake Perri said nothing about this; she simply raised her eyebrows and turned back to Ashla and the former slaves. "I think the men from Salvar sold one of their boats to the Fallien slavers. If they'll all fit in it, I can row everyone back to Salvar. Me or some of the older slaves."

A young man seemingly around sixteen nodded. The only girl slave looked like she was listening closely.

'I need to go back anyway." Perri paused, then addressed both girls. "The men aren't going to be this passive toward us for long."

Shouts came from behind them. "Kill them, you fools!"

"Indeed; those two back there are coming our way as we speak." Perri stroked Jada, still looking at the girls. "Are you staying here, or do you want to go to Salvar?"

[Ashla]

Ashla smirked, this is where the fun happens! "Of course we're ready! But what about those scouts over there?" She pointed at the men running towards them with their weapons at hand.

Iris looked over at the direction she was pointing at.

"Maybe we should go take care of them?" Ashla suggested, winking at Iris, "What do you think?"

Ashla looked over to the slaves, she already had a plan on what do do about the scouts, but she would let Perri decide, "Do you have any plans, Perri?"

[Moonberrycat]

Iris grinned at her friend, "What do you take me for? Of course, let's do it!" She put a hand on the hilt of her sword, excited, and slightly impatient to get them out of the way, she didn't want to hurt them exactly, but she felt they weren't running up to them for a free hug, either.

She said the thought out loud, "I'm just thinking, either way, we should hurry with a plan to get out of here. I just have this feeling their not running up to us for a free hug..." As she was speaking the wind picked up, making the sand rise and swirl around. She was thinking that either, 1. The wind happened to be very helpful today, 2. They hit a patch of luck, or 3. Somebody was making the wind pick up and swirl

"Um...what now?"

[Ashla]

Ashla coughed, "How about we make a dash for it before they get to us, though? That would be a less bloody plan!" I don't like to kill; fighting I'm okay with, but not killing...

Ashla looked to Perri; she was the leader of this group, she should decide, "What do you think, Perri?" The sand blew into Ashla's face, irritating her a lot. "Dang, I hate this sand!" She grumbled to herself, "Should we fight or take advantage of the sand?" she coughed again I think I'm allergic to sand or something! She hated the feeling of this abrasive sand getting into her shoes and hair, Ugh! Yeah, I'm such a girl... "Please decide quickly, I-" she coughed, "think this sand is gonna" she chocked, "kill me!"

[Moonberrycat]

Iris rolled her eyes, "Your not going to die, cough a lot yes, but-" Her own voice got cut off as sand got in her mouth, making her cough herself. "Ugh! either way, don't blame the sand, blame the wind!" She managed out between coughs. Managing to take a deep breath in before the sand blew in she said. "We need to run for it yes, but where to?" She murmmered, just barely loud enough to be heared. Her eyes were starting to sting from the sand, and she quickly rubbed them to keep them from tearing up.

Honestly, Iris only wanted an adventure, not to be choked by sand, in the desert! She blinked quickly to keep the sand out, thinking it would help, which it actully made it worse. "Um, anytime now would be great you guys!"

[Periwinkle]

Perri brushed her hair out of her face, thinking fast. The slaves are here, ready to be taken to the boats to go back to Salvar, but the guards are there . . . coming to get us . . . with all of their lovely expensive weapons . . .

"Well, we came out here for a rescue mission; might as well finish it off with some greatly-deserved looting!" She grinned at her companions, then dashed a few paces toward the approaching Falliens. Perri halted and stretched out her hands at the men, closing her eyes for better concentration. This must look pretty weird for everyone else, she thought. She sensed the particles of electricity in the air, and tried to pull them together and throw them at the men - but she couldn't! Darn it, I already used up my power for today . . . She looked nervously at the Falliens, who had stopped when Perri held her arms out at them. They now looked to have regained their confidence; they took a step toward Perri, then broke into a run.

"Um . . ." Perri turned her head, addressing the girls but keeping an eye on the men at the same time. "A little help? Some magic or fighting would be great if possible!" The Falliens were almost upon her, and had drawn out their swords. She jogged backward. Still clutching her bow, she took an arrow out of her quiver behind her, knowing the whole time that it wouldn't do much good quickly against two angry men. "We just need to stun them at least!"

[Ashla]

Ashla rolled her eyes, amused, How many times have I done the same thing? She placed her hand on her blade, "Need some help?" And she turned her attention to Iris, "Demolition time! Let's show 'em what we've got!" And not waiting for Ashla's reply she ran out, drawing her sword. Now, as impatient as Ashla may have seemed, she was aiming at two particular guards who had bows on them, she ran directly between them and drew her long knife, instantly using her agility advantages to throttle herself into the air and slice at both her enemies at once, they both fell dead that instant.

Ashla smirked and threw her knife at another solder who was coming up to get her; after he fell she took up her knife again and posed, waiting for someone on either side to do something.

[Moonberrycat]

Iris ran out with them and pulled out her swords. This is going to be fun...Or not. She paused, and glanced around her, one was down, the other could use a cut or two to slow him down. She charged in front of him, swords raised and cut both of his arms, not deep, but painful. That was easier then I- She felt something grab her and throw her on the ground.

"Okay, not funny. Somebody must really be in a bad mood!" She snapped angrily.

[Periwinkle]

She nodded to her comrades. "Nice; now that all four are down we can--" Perri stopped, staring behind Iris. One last soldier, a hulk of a man, had stepped out from behind the palm trees and slammed the girl to the ground. Now he was unwrapping a thick black bullwhip from around his fist, and he did not look happy.

Perri gripped her bow and reached for an arrow with a practiced hand. She set it in place and aimed at the Fallien, but before she could fire, a strange whishing sound reached her ears. A young slave had crept up behind the bulky guard; severed chains were in his hand, whirling through the air like a lasso. With a Clunk!, the heavy metal chain end thudded into the man's skull. His eyes growing glassy, he keeled over slowly like a chopped oak.

Perri relaxed her bow arm. Smiling approval to the boy, she knelt by a nearby Fallien body and replenished her arrow supply. She glanced up and saw that an older slave was leading the rest to the edge of the water. He steadied the young slaves as they climbed into the rocking boat. Looking up, the teenager met Perri's eyes and called, "Thank you all so much! We must go back to Salvar."

"Wait!" Fingering a shiny bejeweled dirk lying next to the body, Perri looked with gratitude at Ashla and Iris. "It's over. Though I usually work alone, I've appreciated what you've done. I have to go back with them." She stood up to go; then, on second thought, pocketed the dirk and picked up the soldier's water canteen.

Smiling one last time at the girls, she turned to the shore."Hopefully you'll, too, find something of use here."