A Wild Displacer Beast Has Appeared.. and Appeared.. and Appeared..

[rassafraggin]

A frown touches Autumn's lips. A spell is murmured and a whip of water appears in Autumn's hand. She frowns as the magic moving through and around her shifts like current in an ocean. She looks from Ruby then to Gaval. "There is a change."

Miriam turns to listen to Gaval's words on the subject, and nods to him as she gives all that some thought. About the time later that he frowns, her forehead wrinkles and there's some tension to her. There's a look around, and she reaches to rest her hand on her sheathed sword. Just so she knows exactly where it is in case of need. "Hm." she says quietly.

RPG: Miriam declares that she has the Danger Sense (SKL-DS) gift.
RPG: Miriam declares that she has the Divine Aura (FTH-DA) gift.
RPG: Autumn declares that she has the Mastery of Water (ARC-MW) gift.
RPG: Autumn declares that she has the Danger Sense (SKL-DS) gift.
RPG: Autumn declares that she has the Divine Aura (FTH-DA) gift.

Gaval reaches up to pull his second blade from it's place on his shoulder and his eyes narrow. "Something is wrong! Be ready!" He calls out and back to the group.

The land still shift forward with each of Gaval's steps on the starpath. The 'jerking' motion easier to take in large doses when one looks forward. But even Gaval is taking his eyes from the star ahead to check his surroundings.

It starts from ahead of them to the North and East. A small bit of movement that disappears after a step forward. Then after several steps appears again only closer. Gone ...there but again much closer, as if it too travels like the caravan does. Gone once again.. appearing once more but this time as multiple blots.

Ruby looks to the faces of those about her, confusion and alarm. The movement finally catches her eye, and she shifts, alternating between the two directions, unsure of the nature of the threat. "Ready for whut?! Whut be comin?" She balls her fists and hunches a little.

With every step Autumn takes a quiet pool seems to form around her, a shimmer of soft sheen of moonlight seem to make itself known for a moment and then fades away but the quiet pool remains. She holds the water whip in her hand. Each shift in the star path she can feel through her feet. She looks over at the other in the group. "I am not sure, the magic is shifting, the star path is different. Like shadows warning or reaching out."

Seeing as people are pulling/creating their weapons, Miriam draws her blade from its sheath. Attractive, and distinctive for those familiar with shatterglass. She looks around them often, just waiting for the moment.

The blots shift in and out of local reality as they get closer. Then for a moment it looks as if they're just gone but they appear just as suddenly all about the group. Their forms finally clear as strange and wicked horse sized creatures of shadows fused with the three dimensions. Lion-like paws with claws sharp and protruding. The 'manes' about their heads a nest of razors. They run along side and behind the caravan even though the caravan itself walks. The strange distortions of time and space along the star path causing unique views as one of the creatures is almost close enough to strike out only to blip...and be gone for a second before returning further ahead.

Gaval's eyes get large. "I've never seen anything like these things!" He calls out. "I don't dare stop the starwalk! Protect yourselves the best you can!"

Ruby tries to anticipate the movements of the things. Their unnatural visual distortions confuse her. She makes a number of ill-timed swings of her fist, and then balks at committing over-extending herself. Her next attempts to lash out with foot or fist come without the full force available to her to avoid going too far from the convoy and off the path. "Bloody nightmares! Stay still blast you!"

RPG: Autumn declares that she has the Arcanis Battlemage (ARC-BM) gift.

Merri, having not felt nor heard anything of concern apart from the very strange gait of the caravan's locomotion, only straightens up and looks around when the sounded alert ripples back down the line. He tries to pin down the nightmarish predatory mirages phasing in and out of perception, if they'd just linger long enough for him to gauge their general size, speed and threat level... No matter though, when Gaval declares his intent to forge ahead, as though they might outrun the raiders, Merrisol reins his camel to the left and calls out, "Maggie and I will hold the rear flanks!" He draws his sabre with awkward care as his mount gallumphs along with a irritable bellow.

While Miriam looks like she knows how to use her sword, it's possible she has no idea how to use it against creatures like *this*. Her eyes are huge as she tries to get some sense of how to fight the things, then just starts off by trying to keep them blipping away from the caravan instead of focusing too hard yet on actually hitting them.

Like Merrisol, Maggie is not really aware of danger. Her attention has been on the star walk for the magic is novel to her. When the alarm reaches her, she lifts and extends all of the magic sensing faculties she has in order to see what can be learned. Knees hugging her camel's back, she guides the animal in a tight circle to head to take her place at the rear opposite her husband. Even with the movement and the grumbling of her mount, she seeks knowledge of the approaching beasties. Anything gained witll be shouted forward to the other defenders.

RPG: Maggie declares that she has the Blood of Pathi (BLD-PA) gift.
RPG: Maggie declares that she has the Analyze Magic (MAG-AM) gift.
RPG: Maggie declares that she has the Analyze Power (MAG-AP) gift.
RPG: Maggie declares that she has the Spellbreaker (MAG-SB) gift.
RPG: Maggie declares that she has the Intuit Power (PAT-IP) gift.
RPG: Maggie declares that she has the Observation (SKL-OB) gift.

RPG: Ruby challenges a difficulty of 8. Ruby chooses Force and the gift BLD-OB. Ruby succeeds.
RPG: Merrisol challenges a difficulty of 8. Merrisol chooses Wits and the gift STY-SW.
RPG: Maggie challenges a difficulty of 8. Maggie chooses Resolve and the gifts BLD-OB and SKL-OB. Maggie succeeds.
RPG: Melina challenges a difficulty of 7. Melina chooses Wits. Melina succeeds.
RPG: Autumn challenges a difficulty of 8. Autumn chooses Wits and the gift MAG-SB. Autumn succeeds.

Ruby manages to pass her fist through one of the creatures and she's rearing back from the strike looking frustrated and fearful. She tries with a foot as well, and the same thing happens. The initial expected hit, but then what shouldn't give so much, gives and it appears she isn't able to feel anything near as satisfying as she was hoping or expecting. She can't take any succor from the wisdom of not going full force whallop. "This ain't fair!" She shakes a hand and blows on her fingers for good measure. Ruby throws herself away from the next one that comes too close, careful of defending herself rather than the caravan.

The shadow creature moves towards where Autumn is, a large paw out to swipe at her. The whip of water in her hand looks like silver moonlight in this light. There is a light movement of her hand and the whip licks out at the creature with a crack like thunder rolling in off the ocean, she snaps the whip at it again, the ozone's scent grows more potent. The whip connects with the creature snapping at its fragile being but still moving through it and taking small wisps of shadow with it. She moves to the side, getting ready to get out of its way.

Merrisol's liiiightsabre gleams with a sizzling chemical reaction over its emulsified blade. Fully revealed and held high aloft, it must certainly be an impressive sight and invoke high hopes among the frantic caravan drivers. The Rebman watches the creatures strobbing nearest for identifying markers with each fluid appearance, anything to analyse the pattern of their physics and possibly predict where one might show up next. After a mere handful of moments, he takes a calculated risk and leans right out from his dromedary, with only one stirrup and the reins keeping him anchored. The sabre describes a wide flashing arc..... through thin air... a split second before the clawed beastie pops in and swipes! "Aarrh!" Dragged clean from his hronking camel, Merrisol just manages to keep hold of the reins and is trawled through waves of kicked-up sand with the predator pouncing in and out of space in hot pursuit.

Melina has one mode of operation here--if something comes at you get the hell out of the way, which is easier said than done with targets who appear and diappear. Nonetheless she manages to abandon the camel she's currently walking in frony of and do a ni non to graceful yet effective sideways dive to avoid a claw that takes a swipe as she hits sand

Although she is not actively watching her companions, Maggie is aware of the tactics taken by the others. She has her cutlass in one hand and is holding the reins in the other. Autumn's experiment seems most successful. Leaning close in to her dromidary's side, she whirls her cutlass into the oncoming snout of the nearest beast. At first, the blade passes through the creature and she grimaces with frustration. Then, the creature is 'there' rather than not and fire blooms along the cutlass' length, culminating in a whoosh of fire, orange and bright, in a halo of magical combustion around the silver metal of the blade. Moonlight hugged by the sun. There is a crackle, a spark, the scent of burning flesh and tiny fringes of fire fillow along the blade's path out the other side of the creature's head. Without looking to see if the thing died, she hauls herself up onto the dromidary's back again and tries to lead the panicky animal around in a circle. That is when she spots Merrisol's predicament, "Kerf!" Her cry is loud, lent power by her blood's natural amplification. Storm blood is really a thing. She aches to go after him, but they were the flank's guards. Resolution gels within and she growls frustration as she hauls the dromidary around for another try at the here and gone again beasts.

Gaval still walks with his face towards the star he is guiding upon. Focuses and intend on keeping up the star-walk path and a pace they can all move together with. When one of the creatures bounds up to one side of him and he lashes out with his black blade, scoring a line that bleeds shadow before the caravan's next step pushes them all forwards and away from the beasts.

The camels, normally stoic and stubborn critters are now growing more then a tab bit alarmed at these shadowy creatures that appear and then vanish on either side. That alarm grows as one the creatures swipes out at the dangling Merri only to be yanked back at the las moment but scorring a trio of claw marks on the hide of a pack camel who bleats out in pain and fear.

Disturbingly the creartures react to their smoking wounds only when first struck and without any sounds at all. No panting even though they've been running for minutes at least. No roars or cries of pain. Nothing but the sound of clawed paws digging into the sands.

OOC> Gaval says, "camels upset. now 8 to defend and maintain control of camel or camels in your area.. who will run you over if you're in their way. :D 9 if you wish to counter attack."

RPG: Maggie challenges a difficulty of 9. Maggie chooses Resolve and the gifts BLD-OB and SKL-OB. Maggie succeeds.

RPG: Merrisol challenges a difficulty of 9. Merrisol chooses Grace and the gifts FGT-BL, STY-CC, and STY-PI. Merrisol almost succeeds.

RPG: Ruby challenges a difficulty of 9. Ruby chooses Force and the gifts BLD-OB and STY-DF. Ruby succeeds.

RPG: Autumn challenges a difficulty of 9. Autumn chooses Wits and the gifts ARC-EM and ARC-SM. Autumn fails.

RPG: Melina challenges a difficulty of 9. Melina chooses Wits and the gifts ANI-EM, CHA-MM, and CHA-MU. Melina succeeds.

Ruby gets angrier, and swings her head about, tossing it around like she was an equine wanting to bolt. There's not a particular target that she singles out, but when something that's not two-legged is passing close enough, she lashes out. Forget this aiming for center mass nonsense. With as much grace as those foul smelling camels, she barrels in close, gouging her feet into the sand. Ruby kicks out with her legs into the legs of the otherworldly creatures in an attempt to do terrible things to knees and joints.

The crack of thunder, the smell of ozone, the fire, the sound of and feel of fear, it is too much for the camel that Autumn is riding to handle. The beast grabs the bit and shies to the left and then bots away from the direction they need to go. Autumn, the face is hidden by the veil, but there is a mix of annoyance and fear in her eyes. Struggling, she tries to get the camel back under control, failing to so she throws herself from the fleeing animal. She falls for what feels like a long time, and then she she finds hitting the star touched sand. The wind rushes from her lungs, and sand gets everywhere.

Merrisol gets both hands on the reins, saber blade jutting safely away from the camel's long knobby legs. "I'm fine! Just keep going!" he yells through the sheaves of flying sand, possibly in an urgent directive towards his mount, so they don't get left behind in the next star-shift. The camel tosses its head, flopping its unfortunate ex-rider like a landed fish, and plods along regardless, because safety in numbers. Merri makes like said fish though, his weaving, dodging slide over the dunes ironically keeps the dimension-hopper guessing as well, its lunges preternaturally mistimed to end up on either side of him - at least the first few times. Eventually, another tags in to the fray and that particular area becomes lost in a dust cloud of savage kicking, yowling, and slobbering. Then Jo Camel emerges from the smoke.... sans Pirate!

RPG: Miriam challenges a difficulty of 8. Miriam chooses Resolve and the gift SKL-WM. Miriam succeeds.

Maggie, you idiot, you are supposed to share intel. Drawing in a breath, Maggie arches a call over her shoulder aimed up the line, "Use magic! They don't like it." Refocusing on her mount, she struggles to keep the beast under control. Fighting stomps and snorts, she ducks to the left to avoid being spat at by the upset creature. The spittal flies over her, stinking and gross. It splashes an incoming nasty. Or, it would have, but the nasty isn't into being slimed and blinks out. Urging the dromidary into another circle, Maggie rides it in a tight circle, one way, then completes an eternity symbol as she dances along in another circle. Completing that maneuver, she slices down through the back of one assailant, then up again through the same creature. Righting herself, hair and eyes wild, she adds, "If you need a blade, you can use mine. I have other options." As she is no longer facing the same way, that could have been offered to anyone or no one. Even with the swirl of dust, sparkling fire, shadow mist trailing from the beast she battles, her mount's skittish desire to flee and her own wild-eyed attention to her own situation, Maggie is aware of her companions. Autumn's fall, Ruby's slice, Merrisol missing... Wait. What? Her growl is one of irritation more than pain, for now she is torn in several directions at once. First priority... Trust her husband and friends. They will be okay. They are resourseful. Second. Get through this with as little damage as possible. To that end, she uselessly shouts at the beast she is fighting with, "GO AWAY!" Like that will help.

Melina blinks as chaos erupts around her. She may not be good at fighting shadows but calming things that she can do. She sens both calming thoughts and soothing melodies in the direction of the herd dulcet tones belie the concern in her eyes as merri's camel emerges riderless even as the beasts begin to calm. she heightens her volumes as if doubling down her efforts for the most stubborn beasts

First, Miriam needs to focus on just fending them off. For that, she slides off the camel so she can move more easily alongside. Her free hand is moving in a way that suggests she's trying to get some sort of handle on how to predict some of their movements. And, perhaps, use it for something in addition to the sword in her other hand. What was that, Maggie? Magic? There's a nod from the Tirian princess as she prepares that something more.

The caravan is in chaos and gaval knows it, especially when a camel trot-runs past him as the guide and then is lost..completely when the group as a whole shifts forward on the path. Not there behind them.. but completely lost to the Shadows. Gaval growls in his throat and slows the pace lest they loose someone or more beasts.

The beast Ruby smashes into folds and then flips end over end as it's running stops abruptly when it's leg is cracked and crumples. Again the only sounds it makes are the smacks into the sands and then it is gone and behind them.. then gone altogether.

Almost all the beasts are now smoking from one or more wounds. Possibly four more of them are left. though it's still hard to tell with all the blinking back and forth. How they are able to keep up to the group is a mystery. One most likely Gaval would give good money to know. Several more camels are threatening to move beyond the confines of Gaval's set control, one even kicking out with a hind leg at the air, fearing one of the beasts is there.

RPG: Maggie challenges a difficulty of 9. Maggie chooses Resolve and the gifts BLD-OB and SKL-OB. Maggie succeeds.
RPG: Merrisol challenges a difficulty of 9. Merrisol chooses Resolve and the gift PAS-DE. Merrisol succeeds.
RPG: Melina challenges a difficulty of 9. Melina chooses Wits and the gifts ANI-EM, CHA-MM, and CHA-MU. Melina succeeds.
RPG: Autumn challenges a difficulty of 9. Autumn chooses Wits and the gifts ARC-EM, ARC-SM, and MAG-SB. Autumn succeeds.
RPG: Ruby challenges a difficulty of 9. Ruby chooses Force and the gift PPL-IN. Ruby succeeds.

Ruby is up on her hands and knees, craning her head around to look for the beast she dropkicked, and finds it gone, of course. "Bog's blasted..." The chaotic star-walk and the panicking beasts garner her attention. If she was level-headed she'd let the others concentrate on saving the camels in much more effective measures. Nice soothing measures in fact. So Ruby's up and scrabbling forward like a horror just recently crawled up from a well until she's got enough momentum to get on two-legs, and rushes to the back of the column and starts flapping around straggling camels. Her motions like a murderous lunatic doing jumping jacks. "Move! Move tha way you shit 'eads! Faaaaaaah!"

RPG: Miriam challenges a difficulty of 9. Miriam chooses Resolve and the gifts SKL-DS and SKL-WM. Miriam succeeds.

At least one of those four remaining raiders, perhaps two, are occupied with the downed straggler on the verge of being abandoned in the endless shifting sands of shadow. Determined to dodge around his stabby blade and make quick work of him before leaping forth to pick off other camels and travelers from the edges of the caravan. Choked and blinded, his wounds filled and stinging with the grainy molecules, Merri curls inwards to protect his belly and concentrates all his senses on the blips of his assailants, coming... going... and kicking out at them just as they return. Finally a solid-ish strike -- although the double blow doesn't so much cripple the beasts as it propels him into a backwards somersault and gets his hands beneath him, enabling Merri to use the magic-hardened saber to springboard to his feet! They're on him, he slices through their pouncing forms... and the shift takes him away before either party can determine the outcome. Either way, he's running to catch up, coming upon a fallen Autumn - maybe - and trying to aid her own escape while Ruby appears terrifyingly at the rear as well. "We are moving, damn it!" he rasps.

If there is one universal truth about Shadow walking, regardless of method. Never leave anyone behind. Never. Cutting her dromidary's reins to the left, she kicks the beast into faster motion. While she brings her sword down in an arch that leaves sparkling after images, sparks and flickers of flame and silver, the creature she connects with is far too close to her right side. Though she tries to remain focused, intent, she jerks away from that falling beast, teeth gritted against sand and flashing, slashing motion. Her assailant falls to the sand and flickers out but whisps of shadow smoke linger in its wake. Sheething her blade, Maggie refuses to allow anything to deter her from her current goal. Her mount heads back along their path to where she last saw Merrisol and Autumn. She anticipates catching up with one, then the other but relief fills her when she sees her husband with the fallen mage. Drawing the animal to a trot, then to a stop, she moves far forward in its back. "Come on, love. Both of you. We've got you." At least long enough to get back to the herd. Noting Merrisol's wounds, her expression turns sober. His injuries appear to be far worse than the scratches she has suffered.

Now that Miriam's had some time to feel out how they attack after her danger sense tells her they're about to, she can start trying to put attacks to appearances instead of just trying to drive them off. Her sword arm moves as she's alerted to something coming her way, but it's not only her sword arm. Her other arm has started moving as well, in a small circle as though preparing. With it, a wind starts to swirl up around her, in most dramatic fashion causing her robe and scarves to flutter. Then, once she's swung her sword she spins to also lash out with the wind in the hopes of reaching it when it re-appears at distance.

RPG: Miriam declares that she has the Wind Strike (WIN-WS) gift.

Autumn is weaving a spell when Merrisol and Maggie reach her side. Her eyes are like moonlight now, and the air around her crackles with energy. Sand clings to her clothing. She does not speak except for words that are a mix of primal cant and arcanis for those that may understand her. She is willing to be taken or moved but no sooner is she ready to leave with them when the energy is released and where one of the creatures stands the very sand changes and begins to pull it down and away off the path.

Melina keeps her focus on caming the animals as she sees maggie turn back for Merri and autumn continuing to sing and hoping to prevent some of the creatures from disappearing into nothingness

One of the beasts finds itself hlaf sunk into shifting sands. It struggles to escape and continue to run after the caravan and it's prey, but with the next blink forward it's left behind to the Shadows beyond the starwalk.

Of the others, sabers and swords as well as wind strike out. And each and every one of the attacks is of a magical nature or origin. The beasts that Maggie and Merrisol are dealing with fall back. The first laying dead, it's 'blood' smoking upwards into the air and fading away as will the body, slowly and over time. Merrisol's beast runs slower now having lost a leg in their sand-fulled skirmish.

Miriam's attack smashes wind from one driection int othe beast while sword slashes in from the other, making it impossible to dodge. That beast too is left hobbling, clawing at what's left of half it's face. The three beasts vanish in the next blink after leaving one beast left who suddenly grows wise and hangs back in it's chase. Nipping at the heels of the caravan.

Merri draws short of reaching for Autum once he realizes she is in the midst of spellcasting. It's something in the air rather than what he can make of her gestures through sand-encrusted eyelids. Turning to gauge the distance to the caravan by the intermingled sounds of Ruby's ravings and Melina's mysterious vocals, he does spot Maggie camel-cantering close to give them a lift. "Just one sec, Hotstuff.." He resheathes the sabre, unable to tell whether it trails black vapour from wounding a beastie or two. Neither can he say for certain what it is Autumn is doing or whether the magic has really saved their hides. "Allow me," he says when it seems she's done, and hoists her up to sit behind Maggie. Then he sways for a moment as though uncertain if he has strength left to haul himself up as well. Sand cakes where he's been struck, like streaks of clay. "Go, I'm right behind you!" He gives the camel's hindquarters a smack and an empathic push to boot. And drags himself into a headlong trudge.

The magic clings to Autumn, like a heady perfume. The air around her crackles with energy and the same energy pools around her. She is in essence, an open channel of arcanis. The moving Autumn to sit with magic brings the energy with her. Both Marri and Maggie can feel it; it radiates off her. "Thank you!" She gets out in Thari.

Ruby does not want to be left behind. Her self-preservation instincts kick in and if there was any altruism in her lunacy she's ready to be dispensed with it. Unsure whether her actions have helped, hindered or merely shoo'd flies, Ruby double-times it to overtake the rear elements so she can be somewhere within the safe sandwich middle-ish part of the starwalk. The comfy nougat that avoids either extreme of forwardmost or rearwardmost. "Did everyone make it?!" she exclaims in the way that doesn't actually expect an answer, just an excuse to hear herself so she can take an attendance for numero uno.

Maggie helps Aurors on, then loops one long encd of the reins back to her with the intent of letting Kerf use it to get on and help hold Aurora up. She glances back as her husband chooses to trudge along rather than ride. The dromidary reacts to Merrisol's smack and push by squeeling and cantering forward several paces while Maggie fights to get the beast back under control. Curses begin to form in Maggie's mind, festering in her throat. She slows the beast's forward motion to a walk that her husband can keep up with. WHen she glances back again, she senses Autumn's magic, allows it to flow to her and sooth her jangled nerves. Yet, when she takes in her husband's form, sand caking injuries or sweat, his eyes hidden behind yet more sand, she growls in frustration and fear. Not allowing her emotional turmoil loose, she keeps the camel on as calm a path as she can, even with her stubborn mate if possible. Ready to leap off the blasted beast if trouble looms in whatever fashion.

While there seems now to be only one, it's hard to be certain. Miriam, though, lets herself lag towards the rear to try to keep an eye on the one that's hanging back. Staying with the group, certainly, but watching carefully. The breeze continues to swirl around her, waiting to be used again.

The last shadowy beast stays at the same spot. Hovering just behind without approching for the attack. And then just as suddenly as the group of attacks came, the single beast slides to a stop, rear leags sliding to the side in a spray of sand while it's eyes glare silent hatred at the caravan. Another blink and it too vanishes.

The camels which were slowly getting under control with assistance of the party, quickly becomes soothed as the threat leaves their senses. Then even more slowly they fall back into line to travel.

Gaval glances back quickly, face tight with worry, taking in and counting heads and beasts of burden. "Next star is ahead. Be ready to change direction adn then we'll have more time to assess hurts and losses durring the next segment of the walk."

Melina has also elected to walk at this point. Her main focus using both mundane and magical senses to make sure nothing lies in wait during her best to keep up with merrisol so the don't have to slow even more to accomodate her, turning to Gaval "Do you think those things were sent after us, rather than appearing out of normal happenstance

RPG: Melina declares that she has the Observation (SKL-OB) gift.
RPG: Melina declares that she has the Analyze Magic (MAG-AM) gift.

Maggie keeps her beast plodding forward with Autumn on behind her. Her attention drifts frequently to Merrisol, concern for him dividing her focus between the three concerns. Hearing Ruby's query, she half shrugs, "Depends on who it was, I think. If trumps are available, they could return here or go home. Depending on what trumps are available. If not... then maybe they would have the opportunity to start a new life." Hopefully. Looking at the others, briefly, she tilts her head, "Sent for us? As in... somoene knows we are on this path and intend stopping us?"

Their attackers might be gone, but Miriam keeps her sword in hand and her eyes moving. She returns to her camel to walk alongside the animal, and nods to Gaval's words about not taking care of other things until they change direction again. Her free hand comes up to rub her temple as her step briefly falters, but then she's moving again and seems alright. It's not that unusual for her, given her tendancy towards visions.

Gaval concentrates as the next star grows closer in small leaps and bounds. Then the star is just behind the group and the Alhambran stops to get new barrings, twenty some degrees to the left he finds the next star and starts walking towards it, only then does he answer Melina's question. "They were after us. I've never seen anything like them and I could sense they were partly of shadow. And it is the shadow beast that wakens. How it could sense us or know of us I do not know. But it makes me fearful in a way. Until the shadowy one is delt with one way or another I would ask you to watch what you say. The shadows have ears."

"They were sent for us," Autumn calls out Melina from where she is perched. Her moonlit colored eyes look with concern at Merri and Maggie. The magic that was there before is still there. Entwining itself around her like a lover.

Ruby trudges along with the occasional glance back the way they apparently came. "Odd...things." She narrows her eyes over the lack of pursuit. "Faster than our lumpah beasts, though I guess these droopy jawed things be more de-pendable. Wonder what would 'ave 'appened 'ad someone been 'angin on when they all...ooply-bloop-away."

Melina nods and keeps silent, though she notes everything including miriam's momentary break. the princess's sensory skills are not like her own so the fact she senses nothing herself doesn't mean the other woman hasn't. she meets miriam's gaze unspoken question there

Ruby rubs her nose with a raised wrist, her shnozel feeling all itchy. "Oh aye, one way or another." Her eyes dip briefly to her own feets and if shadows are cast by the convoy.

Maggie's right hand leaves the reigns, leaving guidance of the animal to her left. The right drops to her thigh and she beging to absently scratch along what must be where one of the animals she tussled with got in a good swipe. Rusty flakes and sand fall from where blood dried, revealing long, raised welts. It is these that she scratches. Noting Miriam's stumble, she frowns briefly but lets it go as Gaval reorients on the next star. At least it isn't the second star to the right...

Merrisol dusts his hands off, and scrapes gingerly at his face, clearing his eyes somewhat so he can look up at Maggie as she rides alongside. He smiles to show he's holding up, though there's some apology there as well for making such a mess of his flank's defense.

Autumn is quiet as she rides behind Maggie. She nods her head. She looks between to the two and seems to be lost in thought at the moment.

There's some distraction to Miriam, and for now she returns her sword to its sheath. Melina's look is given a brief smile meant to reassure, but then she returns to whatever has worked its way into her mind. She simply continues to follow for now.

Gaval quickly checks over his shoulder to inspect everyone, not wanting to take his eyes off the starpath too long. "How is everyone? We're down one camel and supplies. Anyone else serriously hurt? We've still got a long walk ahead of us. I can slow down the walk if need be so folks can be taken care of."

"One is injured Lord Gaval." Autumn calls out to him. "Perhaps slow enough so another can tend the wounds, or we can wait until we need to stop a the next star." Her voice reaches him with little effort. she then murmurs to Maggie. "I hope I did not hurt your ears." She says to the woman she riding behind.

At first, nothing tangible changes. They all continue to walk, following Gaval's lead. There is... something, though. A growing something, for those that can sense the building of magic. For one in particular, the magic gathers and brightens. Even those that can't sense it but are otherwise perceptive might feel a certain something. Anticipation? Dread? Perhaps it's the way that the silver-haired Tirian seer among them drifts in her steps. They carry her a little apart from the caravan, perhaps ten feet. Far enough for the parting to be noticeable, certainly. Miriam has either not noticed, or is not capable of noticing.

Maggie notes Miriam's smile for Melina and lowers her gaze. She is in time to catch Merrisol's glance, his smile warming her soul. Returning it, her countenance softens, warms. Reassured, a bit, she lifts a shoulder to offer him a half shrug. Then, a brow lifts in a silent query. Her gaze drops to his stomach, then lifts to his eyes. Even Gaval's question does not draw her from her concern for her husband. Autumn's report does bring her attention around to her passenger. Shaking her head, she replies, "No... Or, not enough to be concerned about. I am fine." Still, her right hand rubs absently at her thigh, worrying the sliced edges of her jeans and her thigh beneath. Looking back, she tilts a nod to Merrisol. "If you are injured, Autumn, then perhaps two?" Her attention snaps to Miriam as the seer shifts away from the group. "Miriam? Is everything okay?"

"I am well thank you, Lady. I have taken worse tumbles." Autumn says softly to her. "I worry about you and your husband. So yes, you and him." The magic is what pulls her attention towards Miriam. Pale eyes rest on the woman for a moment and she watches her.

RPG: Miriam declares that she has the Oracle (MAG-OR) gift.
RPG: Miriam declares that she has the Omens (MAG-OM) gift.
RPG: Autumn declares that she has the Omens (MAG-OM) gift.

Merrisol looks up toward the front of the caravan, perhaps interested in this notion of slowing the pace... but only slowing? Not stopping? He glances back at Maggie and tracks her gaze to the others still marching or riding along the camel train. There's his camel still plodding along.. but seems they are one beast short. "I took a number of swipes from their claws," he presently acknowledges, nodding to Maggie. "It felt... like ice.. but now they're beginning to burn." Figuratively. He puts a hand over his torn left sleeve, brushing away clumps of rust-coloured sand. "I'd hate to interrupt the trek... er, beg pardon?" He stares at Maggie when Autumn points out she's been wounded as well.

Melina looks at everyone with concern, lingering on miriam most of all "How much longer?"she inquires of Gaval "Can we not stop a moment, Tend to their wounds. Get some water. I know it's urgent, but we'll not fair well in this state

Ruby frowns and directs her peepers around to see what's going on. Her advice is caustic. "Rub some sand onnit, you forget all aboot it once yer feets start barkin. I seen you all deal with worse wounds." She points towards Miriam. "Aye, we gots tah be careful you don't goo wha way 'o tha doomed camel...aye!"

RPG: Miriam declares that she has the Gift of Moonlight (TIR-GM) gift.
RPG: Miriam declares that she has the Wisps (GLA-WI) gift.

Gaval turns his head and then shakes it. "I can not stop. I /could/ but then I'd have to travel to another place I knew and start a new walk from there. If I'd been to the place we're heading before then I could stop anytime and pick it back up again. I'm not sure I'm explaining it right..." He sighs. "The best I can do is slow us to a crawl so you all have more time between each bound forward."

The Seer does not answer.

Empty-handed, Miriam's arms raise slightly ahead of her as though in some manner of reception or welcome. The lack of expression to her eyes and faces are well-known to those familiar with seers caught in the grip of something more than casual vision. The magic continues to intesify about her, and the glow of moonlight that is a part of her heritage causes the gemstones set in her clothing to sparkle. The silver embroidery of her scarf and robe shines like the stars they emulate.

Still she keeps in step with the caravan, somehow. Connected to those here, perhaps. Or, this is for them, and so she cannot stop. When she finally speaks, though she does not shout, her voice reaches all among them. "Solid sand sleeps soundly broken. Four foes lay festering nigh. Balance broken will break yet further, should pathways and history remain untied."

It is the magic that pulls Autumn's attention to Miriam. Her sliver eyes come to rest on the woman, and she watches her with a steady gaze. Her eyes have a thoughtful, inquisitive look in them as she listens to what the seer says, a small of her head is given. "Aww they may be speaking of the Lord Rimal and Lady Qualb, yet he and she are better than the Shadow lord and Fire Lord. Perhaps what was in the past must be rewritten to fix what happened. I know a node was mentioned. Sahal and Kelam are bad ones." She muses aloud.

Ruby sucks in air past her teeth and the skin at the corners of her eyes wrinkle. Mention of a Node has her attention. "I don't understand a lick 'o any 'o tha, but...let's not stop. Walk tha wounded or cart tha corpses. Can't be worse than walkin tha Pattern, roight? I carry anyone tha can't move faster than a zombah. We can endure loike Gaval gots tah endure for 'is magic stars tah doo their things. If there a chance we can balance things, well, we gots tah, for tha greater goods...though I don't understand a lick 'o any 'o tha...yet."

From the front Gaval's brows furrow and he again glances back to note Miriam taking her steps through the sand and prophecy. He mutters it a few times to himself, trying to make sure he remembers it for later should it be important. But for now he focuses back in on the 'path' and the star ahead. "Going slower for now. See if everyone can bind any wounds that need it. There were kits spread through out the camels."

The encouraging peptalk from Ruby batters the back of Merri's head to no avail. He nods slowly and considers Gaval's explanation, however. With another glance at Maggie, he speaks up, "No need to stop. Press on. We'll figure it out en route." He stumbles ahead to catch his camel, exerting some of that special beast-feels (read: begging) for the animal to slow down and lower to its knees long enough for him to mount up. He hunts up the waterskin and medical supplies in the glove compartment, while casting a concerned look Miriam's way. "She usually faints dead away afterward when the omen is dire.. let's get a camel under her, yeah..?"

Her pronouncement done, the energy around Miriam drains away, dissipating into the sands. The light that shines from her fades, leaving her seeming somehow diminished for the moment. With their departures, she stumbles and is suddenly aware of the world again. Mostly, she's aware of the sand rising to claim her. Or, more accurately, her dropping onto it. Someone might want to pick her up on their way past.