Kyngdom Survival Guide
Sybill's Home~
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Sybill's Home~
Sybill's Home~
Here, you'll see a cave with grass and trees growing on its roof. Some roots dangle in front of the entrance. You can see the flickers of a small fire deeper into the cave, and there are voices coming from in the cave.
All around, as far as anyone can see, are woods. It's actually quite pretty. Not to far away from the cave is a small pond that glitters.
submitted by Sybill, age ????, Kyngdom
(December 19, 2017 - 4:14 pm)
(December 19, 2017 - 4:14 pm)
Sybill ~
I can't fall asleep. I pretend to.
Fortunately, I must be good at this. Rose does not notice I am awake. Good.
I think. About Albero being a spy.
About Yin.
And then, I hear wimgbeats outside. I race outside.
There is an owl.
"Who are you?" I ask him in the language of animals.
" I have a note. Your eyes only, " the owl says, effectively ignoring my question. I take the note from him
My heart catches in My throat when I see it is from Albeeo.
Sybill and Rose. It's me, Albero. I can't come back I'm sorr y. I'm a Blessed One now. Really. I think of you and Yin every day. Reply soon!
I run inside, the owl following. Nobody is awake. Nobody sees.
I dip a claw in ink, and write a sloppy reply on the back.
Albero. Rose thinks you are a spy. I know you are not. I didn't show her the note. I hope you understand. Yin has been avenged. Signed, Sybill.
I give it to t o the owl. "Hurry," I tell him . He nods, and flies off.
Morning comes.
~~
(April 13, 2018 - 4:53 pm)
How does Sybill know that Rose thinks Albero is a spy? I know I wrote her bursting out with that conclusion, but I said it was non-canon; something that didn't happen. She does still think that (because paranoia), but she never said anything about it. And Sybill did give her the note... didn't she?
Rose~
Screams.
The ballroom rises around me.
I stumble in heels, in honey.
Lilly, Lilly, Lilly, she's already dead she's already dead
I perform CPR, I cry and go wild. I run out the broken wall. I catch the murderer and stab her in a meadow and she turns to dust, when did I get a silver knife? And why are there so many spider spirits? Lilly floats before me, stretching out her arms, eclipsed in an instant by the enemies. Yin lies impaled in the distance. Sybill burns next to her.
And then I wake up.
It is still night. I can see slivers of sky. I heave myself outside, calm my breathing, stabilize my reeling mind.
I am alone. Sybill is asleep, Ma'ind is--I go to check. Ma'ind is asleep. However, now that the idea has occurred to me, I go to check on Sybill as well.
She is still where I left her, in what was of late the dragon's cave, but her breathing is too quick and uneven. She does not move or cry out, meaning she is most likely not dreaming, and so she must be faking. I leave her be. Heavens know I needed that.
I climb up above the caves, up to the top, the roof, the summit of the stony hill. It is a clear night. I sit beneath the stars, tracing constellations in my mind, and imprints of Lilly come woven into the memories.
As if by some magic, I then see a figure in the moonlight. Draped in white, feather-boned and angelic, her hair an onyx halo around childish, doll-like features.
"Lilly," I say, only half believing it. She is there.
"Karune," she says, mouth lifting into that familiar smile. I rise, but she is already there. Already here.
I hug her, or more accurately, I try. My arms simply pass through. She laughs, and so I laugh, too, tasting salt water and regret.
"Karune, I need to warn you," she says, now again serious. "It's not easy to come here." She tries not to look over her shoulder.
"Then don't," I say. "I shall find a way there, and then you need never worry."
She shakes her head. "No. I--I miss you, Karune, but they're coming. You need to be safe."
"Lilly, I'll be all right. I shall."
She begins to fade.
"No, nonononononono. No. No! Don't go, don't go." I cup my hands around her, unable to touch.
"Karune, don't leave me," she sobs, breaking down, turning transparent.
"I won't, I won't, do not worry, I am right here, I'm right--"
She is gone.
I am struck by doubt, an old voice I know and trust. It tells me that didn't sound like Lilly; after last time, is something using her shape--
I cut the thought off. It is too horrible. My Lilly, my angel. Did she win the battle? What happened after I last saw her? She was here, I'm sure of it. What did she mean? Who is coming? More spirits? I could handle any number as long as I held the silver knife. But what if I lose it?
I remember Sybill in the caves below, and Ma'ind not far off. We all have lost family. Are we all then broken? Sybill's bones are, and I twist my own arm for the pun. It was not even a good pun.
Sybill will take time to heal, both from her wounds and from her grief. If troubles arise, we shall leave. Ma'ind included. I shall need to keep an eye on her. I trust Lilly, and no other. Perhaps not even my own self? No. I trust my self. Myself, me, Lilly and I. Sybill. She trusts so easily. I must keep her safe. I must not fail, as I failed Lilly, as I failed Yin. And if safe is not here, as Lilly says, we will not stay.
~Rose is being very insane right now, in case you couldn't tell. Part of that is me being tired, I think. I'm pretty sure she only hallucinated Lilly. Also, while writing this I realized I gave Rose a dagger and the silver knife while battling the spider spirit folk, when in reality she should've had a sword and the knife. Just mentally make the replacement, I guess.
(April 15, 2018 - 8:14 pm)
Oops. Well, I haven't role played Albero getting the note yet. When I do I can just change what it says. Perhaps it will just be some insane scribblings about Yin and the fire. (I feel bad for Albero. He's been dealing with an awful lot of insane people.)
Sybill ~
I need fresh air.
That's what I tell Rose and Ma'ind the next morning.
Then I go out in the woods.
It's peaceful.
But then--is it really? Is it Yin?
Does this mean she was never dead?
"Oh, Yin!" I say.
But as I run towards her, she vanishes.
I turn around.
Ciaran!
I launch myself at him.
But he vanishes.
Not there, Not there.
And then, fire!
I want to howl, but how do I know if it's real?
Aha.
I walk through it! If it burns me, it's real, if it doesnt, it's fake!
I stomp into it. At first, pain.
But it stops as I realize there are no burns on my fur.
But, suddenly, I splash into watee. How did I get to the rkver?
Fire is everywhere!
I go deeper into the watee.
I shake my head.
Suddenly, the fire is gone. I'm not in the river. I'm in the pind.
Oh, Claaws. I doubt it would be appreciated if I got the caves all wet. I lay down on the bank and sigh.
~~
(April 16, 2018 - 3:19 pm)
Rose~
I fall into dreaming twice more, and twice more the dreams turn foul and propel me into breathless consciousness. At last I wake to sunlight, and decide to remain wakeful.
Ma'ind is already up. She sits with a tearstained face, gazing out at the sky and the wood. I wonder if this will happen often.
Sybill exits Albero's cave, red-eyed and stumbling. She tells us she needs fresh air, and disappears into the forest. I consider following her. She won't be safe. I can bring food to silence my gut, and Ma'ind may be persuaded to come. It would be an opportunity to observe how the latter acts. Perhaps she has some yet-hidden skill.
I am correct, and pick up Sybill's trail easily. We go along unhurried and unhampered.
She is at the pond. I seat myself in a hidden place and listen to Ma'ind's soft chatter.
(April 17, 2018 - 8:00 am)
Sybill ~
My ears alert me of strange noises. I can scent something. Someone is here.
I turn my head.
I walk up to a large bush, perfect for concealing two humans. (One being only humanish.)
"Rose...Ma'ind...I know you're there," I saw slowly .
Rose steps out, Ma'ind seconds after.
"I would have been fine on my own," I say.
" I know, " Rose says. But does she really believe it? I honestly don't think she thinks I'm fine on my own. At least she cares about me.
"Well, Let's get back to the caves," Ma'ind says, a touch of reluctance on her voice.
" Actually, I was thinking perhaps I could do some hunting, " Rose says.
"Oh. Ma'ind and I can go back and await your arrival," I decide quickly.
at the caves, Ma'ind surprises me.
"Do you think she'll be alright?" Ma'ind asks . I nod. I wonder why Ma'ind would care so much about Rose.
It's almost suspicious.
~~~
I had an idea that maybe Ma'ind might be a spider thing in disguise, or is secretly loyak to them or something.
(April 17, 2018 - 4:41 pm)
(April 21, 2018 - 2:34 pm)
TOP TIP TAP TOTAL TOP!!!!!!
(April 23, 2018 - 5:15 pm)
Apologies once again for repeatedly leaving. Good idea about Ma'ind--it'll feed Rose's paranoia and Sybill's if she has any, and create more conflict. Let's say her motive was ambition; to let the king die and kill our duo, but without realizing that they were strong fighters.
Rose~
Sybill finds us. It does not take long.
"Rose, Ma'ind, I know you're there," she says to the bush in front of us. I exhale and rise, revealing myself. Ma'ind follows suit.
"I would have been fine on my own," Sybill assures us, sounding like Lilly.
"I know," I say. She doesn't look convinced, but she lets it go.
"Well, let's go back to the caves," Ma'ind says disappointedly.
"Actually, I was thinking we could do some hunting," I lie.
"Oh," Sybill replies. "Well, Ma'ind and I can go back and wait for your arrival."
I agree, and they depart. I assess my supplies. The silver knife and my dagger, a short javelin I brought in case Ma'ind complained of not having a staff, and a ration of food. Enough.
There are deer in the forest, that I know. I pick up a trail and follow it. It takes several hours; the deer know there are wolves, and are sparse and skittish, besides coming out primarily at twilight. But as the afternoon wears on, I find them; three does and a buck, cropping grass by a stream. I test the wind, move accordingly, and find myself positioned perfectly; slightly above them and away from all eyes. I lift my javelin ever so slowly, slower than a caterpillar crawls. I am still a good shot.
The doe is heavy, although I carry her easily. Her belly is reassuringly too small to hold a fawn. I wonder when the mating season is. I hope she does not go to waste; I read once that wolves do not eat often, and I am uncertain if Ma'ind even feeds at all. I resolve to dry or smoke whatever we do not eat.
When I return to the caves, the sun is low. Sybill greets me.
"Ma'ind asked about you. It was kind of weird," she murmurs. I frown in acknowledgement, letting my brow relax when the one spoken of shows herself.
"Hi! Oh, wow. That's big."
"Perhaps," I say, slinging the deer off my shoulders. "Quickly, while there is still light; we must have a roast, and for that we need wood." I point to the forest's edge, where Ma'ind runs off to, and begin the cleaning.
"Is there more wood here?" I ask Sybill. She shakes her head.
"We never needed any."
I nod, and continue skinning. I have a hatchet; I shall simply cut some dead tree. I ask where I might find one, and Sybill tells me. A moment passes in silence.
(April 24, 2018 - 10:38 am)
Sybill ~
Rose comes back in with some firewood. Ma'ind returns only a second after, and she brings wood tok.
Rose and Ma'ind get a fire going and they begin to roast the doe.
I stare at the fire, and back away. I am frightened.
"Are you all right, Sybill?" Ma'ind asks.
"I'm perfectly fine," I lie quivkly.
Rose gives me a look that says she doesn't trust Ma'ind. Nor do I.
We have a lovely dinner of roast venison. The small amount of leftovers Rose smokes and salts, then stores them in her pack for later.
It reminds me of Yin, who disliked leaving scraps and whatnot without using them. She loved reusing everything.
I clear my throat uncomfortably, and excuse my self. I find myself in what was Yin's room.
Rose pokes her head in to see me organizing Yin's herbs. She would hate to have them all messy.
She doesn't like messes.
"Sybill... I don't trust Ma'ind," She says, " She's been a little nosy about things recently. "
I nod. "I don't know her intentions, but I've got a strange feeling that she's up to no good," I reply .
~~
(April 24, 2018 - 4:32 pm)
Rose~
Once I have the doe skinned, I hack firewood from a tower of an ex-tree, returning at the same time as Ma'ind. We arrange her kindling, and I strike flint and steel into a nest of tinder. The fire goes well, and I let Ma'ind tend it while I gut the doe and set it up. She looks a bit too pleased with my allowance, but Sybill looks afraid.
"Are you all right, Sybill?" Ma'ind asks, before I can.
"I'm perfectly fine," she responds, a note of fear raising her voice. I wonder if it is increased by Ma'ind's presence. I shoot Sybill a look, and she acknowledges.
We consume more of the deer than I anticipated, but there still remains more than another meal's worth, so I set out to preserve what I can. It is very dark here at night, but the sky is clear and I have fire.
I carry a few torches back to the dead tree and enlist Ma'ind to help me, not inclined to leave her with Sybill. She continually attempts to evade my senses for short periods, speaking much to deflect suspicion, but I give her no chance. I wonder if she is trying to poison the meat. Would she have poison? Yin might have had herbs that could kill in large doses, and perhaps she brought something from the caverns. I set her to tasks of lower risk.
The tree will not last long enough for the meat to be fully smoked, I think--I have never previously attempted this. I take salt from Yin's store and rub it into the meat before and after smoking.
Ma'ind is increasingly talkative. She inquires of myself, of Sybill, of Yin and Albero, of the woodland and all that I know. It isn't quite normal chat, and I raise my guard higher. Eventually I send her off to sleep and puzzle it over as I finish the meat. Why does she desire to know so much? What could she use it for?
I check on Sybill after I finish. She is in Yin's chamber, organizing the herbs and medicines.
"Sybill," I say, and she turns to me. "I don't trust Ma'ind. She has been a bit nosy recently."
Sybill nods. "I don't know her intentions, but I've got a strange feeling she's up to no good."
I check that Ma'ind is truly resting, then recount to Sybill as much as I dare.
"That's weird..."
"Agreed. But she has not made a definitive move against us yet. All the same, we ought to be vigilant."
I retire to my cave, and try not to sleep to heavily. I wake up to nightmares anyway.
(April 25, 2018 - 7:17 am)
Hey what if after Ma'ind is... Vanquished, Rose and Sybill go to the Sacred Meadow to visit Albero! That would be AWESOME!!
:)
(April 25, 2018 - 12:47 pm)
Hmm, maybe, but Rose would have to be convinced that Albero isn't a spy...
Sybill ~
The next morning, I awaken to humming. Humming, of all things!
Ma'ind is the source of the humming. She's in the central cave, a small fire crackling in the fire pit, and some fish I assume are for breakfast roasting above it. She has made some what smells like lavender tea. I get closer to the tea, sniff it better, and am satisfied she hasn't poisoned it. As for the fish...I am not quite as sure.
"You're up earlu," I remark lazily.
" I am. I hear your Albero friend liked tea, right? I made so!e for you. Wouldnt want you missing your friend! " Ma'ind says. I wonder how she learned of this, and I carefully study her.
"How did you know this?" I ask carefully, betraying no emotion.
" Oh...um...your friend told me, " she says rapidly. I make a mental note to ask Rose about this later.
Just then, Rose herself walks in. Noticing my face she turns to Ma'ind. "Is everything alright?" She asks.
ma'ind nods far too vigorously.
I frown.
~~~
(April 25, 2018 - 3:06 pm)
(April 25, 2018 - 6:51 pm)
Agreed. She'll be convinced that the caves aren't safe anymore once Ma'ind is exposed, though, and be inclined to move on. If Sybill pushes it, Rose will reason that it won't hurt to know what Albero knows, but she still won't be okay with alerting him of their presence until she has proof that he wasn't spying.
Rose~
I wake long after dawn. It is cooler today, so my first action is to build up last night's fire.
Ma'ind emerges as I am considering what to do next. I might clean my weapons, practice hand-to-hand...
"Hi! What's for breakfast?" she bubbles.
"Nothing yet," I reply evenly. Her face falls. "I suppose I could go fishing..."
Ma'ind brightens again. "Wonderful! I'll watch the fire."
I take this as my cue to leave.
The fish have not yet gone to hide from the sun. I catch two with a bit of patience, and clean them while Ma'ind prepares the stakes. I return to the pond to wash, and when I get back, Sybill sits across the fire, looking suspiciously at Ma'ind.
"Is everything all right?" I inquire.
"Yes, quite," Ma'ind jumps to assure me. Sybill does not agree, nor does she contradict.
"That is good. Are the fish ready?"
Ma'ind prods them. "Yes--oops!" She recoils as one falls into the fire. Sybill jumps, the hair on her neck rising. I step forward to see the damage. The fish is burnt, probably edible in part but not palatable. Ma'ind tries to pick it up, but cannot use her hands and drops it again.
"Sorry..." she says, still attempting to rescure what is left.
"It is all right," I say. It occurs to me that the fish may have been poisoned, and I feel a surge of relief. "I will have venison. Are you hungry, Sybill?"
"No," she replies, staring at the fire. She breaks her gaze from it and walks away. I follow.
Once we round a turn, Sybill addresses me. "Ma'ind said you told her Albero likes tea."
I frown. "I did not."
Sybill's face darkens. "How did she find out?"
I shake my head, thinking. "Perhaps it was written down somewhere... or someone else told her."
Sybill gives me a meaningful look.
"She wasn't a slave, was she," I say quietly.
(April 27, 2018 - 11:16 am)
Sybill ~
"No, she wasnt," I assure Rose.
We both glance into the hallway as the topic of our conversation ambles by.
Ma'ind looks at us. "Oh, is something going on?" She asks.
"No," I say, " And if it was, we would be dealing with it. "
Ma'ind blinks, and for a second pure hatred flares in her eyes. It vanishes, quickly replaced by fake joy.
"Sorry I bothered you, Sybill," She says, holding my base for an odd amount of time. She doesn't leave until Rose clears her throat loudly.
"Do you think she heard us?" Rose asks quietly.
"Perhaps," I reply back.
" maybe we should discuss this else where, " Rose suggests. I nod.
"What about albero's hut? I don't think Ma'ind knows where it si, and it she does, I don't think that would be the first place for her to search for us," I say.
" Alright, " Rose says. We leave the caves immeaditly.
We get there quickly.
"What should we do about Ma'ind?" I ask.
" I think we should watch her, learn more about her. Then, we strike when the time is rightq, " Rose says.
~~~
(April 27, 2018 - 1:17 pm)