the cold wind

[Inara]

Inara

Her ears pinned back against her crown, the painted mare giving a way glance into the open mouth of the maze before her. The cold wind made her reconsider her position, the daylight shrouded by the looming walls of this place and the foul breath of fog made her shudder. In truth, she would not have sought out this Shaman on her own -- the one that was rumored to have found the coveted relic that had sent all of Novus into a frantic search -- except that she had been following another, until she had lost them in this foggy mess. She had not the slightest inkling of her companion's whereabouts now, but it left her in quite the dilemma. Did she continue the search, just for a glimpse of something rumored to be powerful? Or did she allow her fears of the unknown to send her running with her tail tucked like a kicked dog.

The mare frowned at the thought, ashamed. Her life thus far had been ruled by fear and uncertainty -- and yet a rational part of her reasoned that it was the reason she had lived so long. Caution had been her saving grace, and her unwillingness to venture into the unknown had kept her from harm. But it had also kept her from living. Inara cast her green eyes along the left side of the entrance, her nares flaring as her heart thundered in her ears like a thousand of her kind running full speed before her. Hell. Utterly at a loss, the wind blew at her tresses as she stood indecisive.

idk this is trash
@Random Events


coding by Avis

[Random Events]

The Shaman Has Appeared!

The day grew still around the maze, the wisps of fog within seeming to tighten and converge in a thick blanket upon a single point: the entrance. From far off you hear a hacking laugh, resembling more a cough than anything else as it rises unevenly in its pitch. It grows in volume, indicative of its owner drawing closer, until his outline begins to take shape between the two rows of hedges. As the mist begins to settle, you can see his lanky, angular frame more clearly, a dark and heavy pelt seeming to swallow him whole as it lays draped across his skinny shoulders. With a clearing of his throat he draws silent, facing you off in a silent showdown.

”Will you just stand there, Inara?” he asks, his voice youthful despite his aged appearance, carrying a lilt you cannot place into any of the Courts. You do not know how he knows your name, for he is a figure you have never seen before, and you can only wonder what more he knows about you. ”Or will you be brave and follow me to the relic of Tempus.” It is no longer a question, but a statement, as if he already knows what your choice will be. And with that, he turns and takes off further into the maze, ever leading you northwards. His speed belies his age, for he is constantly just ahead of you, sometimes disappearing into the dim but never venturing far. As he disappears around the next corner, you become aware of another creature lurking somewhere behind you, one of the many beasts to have make the maze its home.

---

@Inara you’ve found the Shaman! However he is not one to stay and chat, and has already taken off into the brambles. It is up to you to hunt him down or not, but be warned: the maze contains many hidden dangers and beasts lurking within it that you might just get caught up in!

Feel free to write in your own obstacles or beasts, or tag the Random Events account and specify if you would like one given to you! You have until Wednesday, July 19th to get your next reply in, at which point the Shaman will again respond.

Happy writing!