[P] between a rock and a hard place

[Luvena]

Luvena

She had told Liam, but she still needed to meet with the other sovereigns. Israfel had urged her to send letters, save herself the trip, but she needed to meet them in person, and she wanted to get it done before winter set in. That window was closing.  She intended to make the trip to delumine next, spend some time at the wedding festivities, and then speak to callynite - a woman she had met briefly - about her newfound position. 

The trip through the mountain pass, though, became harder as the end of the year grew nearer. Even the low slopes of the pass were beginning to gather a slight dusting of snow, and it funneled westerly or easterly winds through with a ferocity that she despised. She had brought both the dogs with her, letting one bound up ahead, leaving large paw prints behind, and the other stood beside her, letting her brace herself when needed. 

It was one such strong gust of wind that sent a cascade of events into motion. It happened far too quickly for her to react. It had sent her stumbling just a step to the side, where she felt a rope snap tight against her fetlock, pulling her leg out from underneath her. Her rough scream was cut off with a huff as her side slammed into the hard rock. She looked up to see that the rope that should have dragged her upwards was caught on a ledge of rock, and to the side one of her satchels was just barely hanging on to a small jut on the ground, the combination of the two keeping her from being pulled any further. She kept deathly still, laying on her side, the back leg with the rope fastened on stretched out behind her, knowing that one movement could dislodge either piece of security she had right now. 

Yara had fled quickly, and now stood with her sister, both barking furiously at Luvena.  It was then that the snow fell, coming down off the ledge above her. Thankfully there wasn’t enough to cause a serious issue, but it was enough to blanket her coat with a sheet of it. Her side heaved as she tried to get her breath back, having had the wind knocked out of her. “Quiet” she finally huffed to the dogs, who did thankfully fall silent. 

She ran through the scenario in her head. She assumed the trap was set out by one of the many trappers who sold in the markets. Probably trying for hare pelts. Though why they had set it along the main pass she could not fathom. She was stuck. Though she tried to comfort herself with the knowledge that the pass was used frequently by those travelling to and from Denocte. She laid, still and stiff as a board for hours, watching the sun pass through the sky. She shivered with every gust of wind, as the snow had melted into her coat, leaving her soaked, and freezing in the pass. Both Yara and Mithra huddled beside her. 

Suddenly both jumped up, and lu had to keep herself from startling. Worried that they would move either the satchel or the rope. They were barking again, towards something headed up the pass towards her. Her ears perked slightly as she strained to listen for hoofsteps. “Hello?” she called, hopeful that it was someone friendly making their way up. 

@Creamsicle

Table © Camy

[Creamsicle]

can you feel my heart?

It was getting later on in the day and Creamsicle knew he should be finding a place to rest soon. He didn't exactly have a "home" just yet, here in Novus, despite having been here a long enough time to most likely find one. He spent most of his days just wandering, exploring this new place. Alone. Always alone. He was used to being alone now, after the deaths of his family. He should have died, too, but it was by some random miracle he had recovered from the sickness that had harmed his family to the point of killing them. He had been weak, so very weak, but he'd survived. He would have rather died as well, in the few weeks after he'd recovered, because he'd had no idea what to do with himself. He'd never been entirely alone in his life. And now he was. Novus gave him a fresh start, he supposed, but he still carried that lingering depression with him.

Walking up the mountain trail, the spotted brute sighed and shook his head, mane flopping against his neck as he walked. He wasn't expecting anyone to be here on this trail, since he wasn't sure how often this trail was used, so he became startled when he heard the sound of dogs barking. His steps faltered slightly and he paused in his walk, head lifting and his ears perking forward. He blinked slowly, squinting in the direction the barking was coming from, and that was when he heard a woman's voice. “Hello?” He snorted softly, nostrils flaring, and then began to walk forward again.

"Uh, hello?" he called out as he walked, picking up the pace slightly in case this equine was in some sort of trouble. He ended up stopping short when she came into view, eyes going wide as his head cocked. He took in the sight of the woman, leg hoisted up by a rope, shivering from the snow and the cold. "Oh, dear. Are you alright? Are you hurt?" he questioned, inching toward her carefully, making sure there was not another rope in the pathway that might ensnare him as well.

@Luvena | "Speech" | notes