((OOC Note: It was actually my fault for not notifying Clover about needing to reply. Ignore her humble post ¬o¬   I'm very sorry for the inconvenience, everyone)
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Andre quickly released his hold on the girl and swapped it instead for a tight and perhaps uncomfortable grip around her wrist. He launched himself away from the tree with a sudden jerking motion and hurried forward with a swift pace, his exposed fingers tethered to the girl who struggled to keep up with him. Clover did well to listen and follow his instructions closely, but even so, he would settle for no less than to drag her along behind him if necessary. If they were spotted by the two Ixali then it was all over; for them and possibly even the others to whom they were the only witnesses of their capture. After all, there was simply no way that either of them could even hope to fend off such powerful beasts while unarmed.
The distance in which they needed to traverse was rather short but for the hyur, each second seemed to drag out to an eternity of its own. He cursed every tiny hollow that had been engraved into the soil and every tangled bramble that would attempt to trip him were he to dare take his glance away from them for even a moment. His mind was in a total state of chaos as too many questions raced through his mind at one as he led Clover to the nearest “safetyâ€.
Were the Ixal still running toward the decoy?
Were they making enough noise to cover the movements of their prey?
Had they been discovered already?
Would stopping behind the log only ensure their death?
Each question would sting like a pin-prick as they continued to hound his mind without rest in the final few seconds before they finally reached the log. Once they stopped to take cover however, he would have his answer to all of them.
Leaping over the final obstacle, Andre immediately dove toward the ground, bringing Clover along with him to come to a stop on the forest floor next to him. The ground had grown a little damp from the weather and the leaf litter in this particular area seemed to ice perfectly over the soil like an emerald-coloured frosting, offering them the tiny grace of a softer, and more muffled landing.
Andre quickly reached his arm over Clover's lower back and latched her down forcefully to ensure that she made no attempt to move.
Seconds passed as the pair lay side-by-side on the ground in silence for a moment as they anxiously listened for a particular sound; the oncoming sound of trampled leaves and twigs that would have all but confirmed their detection. The wind in the forest was growing progressively stronger by the minute as the oncoming storm drew nearer, causing the massive branches to sway and creak loudly overhead. Nesting birds chirped happily above in response to the gentle rocking of the canopies as they remained completely oblivious to the scene below and the low rumble of a distant, tumbling river could be heard as it reverberated dully against the maze of trees around them. The sounds of nature carrying on harmlessly around them gave way to an uncomfortably peaceful and inappropriate image, but even so.. they were in fact the only sounds that could be heard.
Nothing seemed to be approaching.
Raising his head slightly, Andre peered through a small crack in the log that allowed him to see out ahead of himself. It wasn’t quite large enough to see through at an angle, but the rotten wood appeared to be flexible. Bringing an index finger to his lips in an effort to instruct Clover to remain still and silent, Andre released the arm that had unconsciously pinned her down toward the ground and reached forward to peel back the damp bark that obstructed his view. A soft sigh of mild relief pressed past his lips as the wood obliged without much complaint, allowing him to get a much better view of the area ahead. Hawk-like eyes scanned the woodland before him, adjusting minutely to overlook the shrubs that hugged the fallen log they resided behind. Andre’s heart began to race once again the seconds continued to pass before finally the Ixali returned to view, an almost strange sight to be grateful for. The hyur sighed heavily to himself as a wave of relief washed over him.
So, they really had made it. For the moment at least, they were safe.
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A short distance away, a loud ‘thunk’ echoed through the woodland as one of the Ixal sliced at the nearest tree in frustration, allowing a low grumble to roll out of it’s throat at the same time. The other Ixal blinked calmly, his demeanour and body language giving the impression that he were oddly unafflicted by their lack of fortune in their pursuit and instead continued to sample the air around with him, creating soft yet indicative snorts with each long and drawn-out breath it took.
“Enough time has been wasted here, let us return with the others†the first Ixal finally stated after having apparently thought on the matter for a moment.
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“Their scent still fills the air…†was the other’s response as he continued to suck at the air and slowly survey his surroundings, his head gently bobbing with each inhale.
“And even so, we could spend much longer merely trying to seek them out†the first debated with insistence. It was clear, even from his grated voice, that he was not eager to abandon their prize so hastily but he seemed to understand that they longer they tarried, the more risky it would become for them.
“The featherless-ones will surely be here soon in numbers, we must make away†the first repeated, suddenly turning to make a hasty retreat without so much as confirming his companion’s obedience.
The remaining Ixal took one step back in the direction the first had run off, and then another... though something seemed to have caught his attention. He was more insistent than the others about sourcing whatever scent he had captured. A third step backward was taken as his head slowly revolved for what seemed – judging by his arched posture – to be be a final glance around before retreating.
Suddenly, however, his eyes fixed on something.
The Ixal made no immediate movements but it was clear that something had definitely earned his attention. The Ixal slowly took one more step, and then another… and another....
But this time he wasn’t moving backward; no.... this Ixal was steadily moving directly for where Clover and Andre were hiding. His pace calm, yet accelerating.
"....!"
Andre withdrew from the log suddenly as the Ixal began marching toward them. He grimaced with apprehension as he realised that his hand may have been forced. His eyes reached for the floor as he began to scan frantically among the leaves in a vain hope of finding a more reassuring solution, but he quickly realised that there was simply no choice left for them. Without warning, Andre suddenly spun around, gripping Clover roughly by the collar and pulling his face in close to hers.
"Clover, you need to run. Now" he spoke darkly in a tone very unfamiliar with his character, allowing the girl no room to argue with him.
"Do not look back and do not stop for anything. Get to Gridania and inform the authorities of the ambush."
Without releasing his grip on her, Andre quickly turned to peer through the log once more. The approaching Ixal appeared only to be suspicious of their hiding place for he was still only walking and hadn't even attempted to call for his fellow scout when he was still within range, but even so, there was absolutely no avoiding it now. They would be found.
The blonde hyur shot his glance back to meet with Clover once more. His eyes burned with a fiery determination as he focused his mind on the one, remaining task at hand.
"Now, as fast as you can! Go!" he ordered in an elevated whisper as he pushed Clover away from himself with a forceful shove. His eyes followed the girl for what he believed would be the final time as she clumsily pushed herself back to her feet and hurried away through the trees, before he himself, while still crouched and hidden behind the fallen log, turned forward once again.
As expected, the Ixal had quickly launched into a charge as he beheld the sight of his prey fleeing before him. The sound of the twigs and branches being crushed under his massive, clawed feet grew increasingly louder as he quickly closed the distance between them. Andre's drew in a long and shaky, deep breath as his hand slowly glided along the ground to reach out to reaffirm his grip on the object he had spied earlier.
The young and inexperenced knight's anxiety was difficult to suppress, but he was ready for what came next.
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Andre quickly released his hold on the girl and swapped it instead for a tight and perhaps uncomfortable grip around her wrist. He launched himself away from the tree with a sudden jerking motion and hurried forward with a swift pace, his exposed fingers tethered to the girl who struggled to keep up with him. Clover did well to listen and follow his instructions closely, but even so, he would settle for no less than to drag her along behind him if necessary. If they were spotted by the two Ixali then it was all over; for them and possibly even the others to whom they were the only witnesses of their capture. After all, there was simply no way that either of them could even hope to fend off such powerful beasts while unarmed.
The distance in which they needed to traverse was rather short but for the hyur, each second seemed to drag out to an eternity of its own. He cursed every tiny hollow that had been engraved into the soil and every tangled bramble that would attempt to trip him were he to dare take his glance away from them for even a moment. His mind was in a total state of chaos as too many questions raced through his mind at one as he led Clover to the nearest “safetyâ€.
Were the Ixal still running toward the decoy?
Were they making enough noise to cover the movements of their prey?
Had they been discovered already?
Would stopping behind the log only ensure their death?
Each question would sting like a pin-prick as they continued to hound his mind without rest in the final few seconds before they finally reached the log. Once they stopped to take cover however, he would have his answer to all of them.
Leaping over the final obstacle, Andre immediately dove toward the ground, bringing Clover along with him to come to a stop on the forest floor next to him. The ground had grown a little damp from the weather and the leaf litter in this particular area seemed to ice perfectly over the soil like an emerald-coloured frosting, offering them the tiny grace of a softer, and more muffled landing.
Andre quickly reached his arm over Clover's lower back and latched her down forcefully to ensure that she made no attempt to move.
Seconds passed as the pair lay side-by-side on the ground in silence for a moment as they anxiously listened for a particular sound; the oncoming sound of trampled leaves and twigs that would have all but confirmed their detection. The wind in the forest was growing progressively stronger by the minute as the oncoming storm drew nearer, causing the massive branches to sway and creak loudly overhead. Nesting birds chirped happily above in response to the gentle rocking of the canopies as they remained completely oblivious to the scene below and the low rumble of a distant, tumbling river could be heard as it reverberated dully against the maze of trees around them. The sounds of nature carrying on harmlessly around them gave way to an uncomfortably peaceful and inappropriate image, but even so.. they were in fact the only sounds that could be heard.
Nothing seemed to be approaching.
Raising his head slightly, Andre peered through a small crack in the log that allowed him to see out ahead of himself. It wasn’t quite large enough to see through at an angle, but the rotten wood appeared to be flexible. Bringing an index finger to his lips in an effort to instruct Clover to remain still and silent, Andre released the arm that had unconsciously pinned her down toward the ground and reached forward to peel back the damp bark that obstructed his view. A soft sigh of mild relief pressed past his lips as the wood obliged without much complaint, allowing him to get a much better view of the area ahead. Hawk-like eyes scanned the woodland before him, adjusting minutely to overlook the shrubs that hugged the fallen log they resided behind. Andre’s heart began to race once again the seconds continued to pass before finally the Ixali returned to view, an almost strange sight to be grateful for. The hyur sighed heavily to himself as a wave of relief washed over him.
So, they really had made it. For the moment at least, they were safe.
Â
A short distance away, a loud ‘thunk’ echoed through the woodland as one of the Ixal sliced at the nearest tree in frustration, allowing a low grumble to roll out of it’s throat at the same time. The other Ixal blinked calmly, his demeanour and body language giving the impression that he were oddly unafflicted by their lack of fortune in their pursuit and instead continued to sample the air around with him, creating soft yet indicative snorts with each long and drawn-out breath it took.
“Enough time has been wasted here, let us return with the others†the first Ixal finally stated after having apparently thought on the matter for a moment.
Â
“Their scent still fills the air…†was the other’s response as he continued to suck at the air and slowly survey his surroundings, his head gently bobbing with each inhale.
“And even so, we could spend much longer merely trying to seek them out†the first debated with insistence. It was clear, even from his grated voice, that he was not eager to abandon their prize so hastily but he seemed to understand that they longer they tarried, the more risky it would become for them.
“The featherless-ones will surely be here soon in numbers, we must make away†the first repeated, suddenly turning to make a hasty retreat without so much as confirming his companion’s obedience.
The remaining Ixal took one step back in the direction the first had run off, and then another... though something seemed to have caught his attention. He was more insistent than the others about sourcing whatever scent he had captured. A third step backward was taken as his head slowly revolved for what seemed – judging by his arched posture – to be be a final glance around before retreating.
Suddenly, however, his eyes fixed on something.
The Ixal made no immediate movements but it was clear that something had definitely earned his attention. The Ixal slowly took one more step, and then another… and another....
But this time he wasn’t moving backward; no.... this Ixal was steadily moving directly for where Clover and Andre were hiding. His pace calm, yet accelerating.
"....!"
Andre withdrew from the log suddenly as the Ixal began marching toward them. He grimaced with apprehension as he realised that his hand may have been forced. His eyes reached for the floor as he began to scan frantically among the leaves in a vain hope of finding a more reassuring solution, but he quickly realised that there was simply no choice left for them. Without warning, Andre suddenly spun around, gripping Clover roughly by the collar and pulling his face in close to hers.
"Clover, you need to run. Now" he spoke darkly in a tone very unfamiliar with his character, allowing the girl no room to argue with him.
"Do not look back and do not stop for anything. Get to Gridania and inform the authorities of the ambush."
Without releasing his grip on her, Andre quickly turned to peer through the log once more. The approaching Ixal appeared only to be suspicious of their hiding place for he was still only walking and hadn't even attempted to call for his fellow scout when he was still within range, but even so, there was absolutely no avoiding it now. They would be found.
The blonde hyur shot his glance back to meet with Clover once more. His eyes burned with a fiery determination as he focused his mind on the one, remaining task at hand.
"Now, as fast as you can! Go!" he ordered in an elevated whisper as he pushed Clover away from himself with a forceful shove. His eyes followed the girl for what he believed would be the final time as she clumsily pushed herself back to her feet and hurried away through the trees, before he himself, while still crouched and hidden behind the fallen log, turned forward once again.
As expected, the Ixal had quickly launched into a charge as he beheld the sight of his prey fleeing before him. The sound of the twigs and branches being crushed under his massive, clawed feet grew increasingly louder as he quickly closed the distance between them. Andre's drew in a long and shaky, deep breath as his hand slowly glided along the ground to reach out to reaffirm his grip on the object he had spied earlier.
The young and inexperenced knight's anxiety was difficult to suppress, but he was ready for what came next.
![[Image: ecec20e41f.png]](https://puu.sh/xvMxb/ecec20e41f.png)
Characters: Andre Winter (Hy'ur) / K'nahli Yohko (Miqo'te)
