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)
Rose~
"No, she wasn't," Sybill says.
Just then, Ma'ind appears, moving towards us.
"Oh, is something going on?"
"No, and if it was, we would be dealing with it," Sybill jabs. A flash of resentment crosses Ma'ind's face, followed by a forced smile.
"Sorry I bothered you, Sybill."
Ma'ind stares intensely at Sybill, unmoving. I clear my throat, and she glances up at me before stalking off.
"Do you think she heard us?" I murmur.
"Perhaps," Sybill responds.
"Maybe we ought to discuss this elsewhere," I propose. Ma'ind is still within earshot.
"What about Albero's hut?" Sybill suggests. "I don't think Ma'ind knows where it is, and I doubt it would be the first place she'd look for us."
I assent, and we leave. The hut stands dark and withdrawn, half-hidden in the surrounding trees.
"What should we do about Ma'ind?" Sybill inquires.
"I believe we should watch her, learn more about her. Then, if she is indeed a threat, we strike when the time is right."
"Sure, but shouldn't we do something before she can?"
"Like poison?" I ask.
"Like poison."
I think. "You don't need to eat every day, correct?"
Sybill shrugs, winces. "I like to, but I don't have to, no."
I nod. "Then don't eat anything you think she might've poisoned. I'll do the hunting, and we always keep an eye on the food. I am uncertain of any of my supplies now... So I will eat fresh, and so shall you and Ma'ind."
~I looked it up, and wolves can go for weeks without food if absolutely necessary. A lot of the reason they need it is how much energy they spend hunting, too, so with Rose taking over that, Sybill should be fine.
(April 27, 2018 - 4:13 pm)
Sybill ~
"Wait, take out your supplies. Maybe I can sniff out poison. And besides, we can replace them with some stuff from here," I say, gesturing with my tail at the shelves of food and healing stuff.
Rose takes out her supplies on the table. I inhale deeply.
Vension...smells normal. So does that and that and that...and wait!
"This is poisoned. Really, really poisoned. And so is this," I say , and point my nose at the fish, and some of the vension.
"did you find any poison in the rest?" Rose asks. I shake my head. She carefully wraps the poisoned venison and fish in a cloth from the hut, then tossed it in what appears to be Albero's trash can.
We head back to the caves, wary. As soon as we get there, Ma'ind is at the entrance.
"Had a nice walk?" She asks.
" Yes, " Rose says carefully.
"Excellent. Here, I picked some berries for your supplies...I promise they're perfectly safe," Ma'ind says cheerfully. I look closely at the berries, and I cannot help but blurt, " Those are birdberries! They're really poisonous! "
Ma'ind swivels her head to glare at me. "I assure you, they are not poisonous."
" Really? " I ask, feeling reckless.
She scowls, then turns to Rose.
"Sybill and I have a ...problem to discuss." Ma'ind says. Rose opens her mouth to object, but already Ma'ind is guiding me into the woods. I give Rose a reassuring look.
we stop in a clearing, next to the cliff we saw when Yin was taking us to Albero's hut.
"Would you like to explain to poison berries?" I ask , venom lining my voice.
Ma'ind smiles, a hideous and grim smile.
"Id rather...eliminate threats," she says slowly.
and then she attacks.
~~
(April 30, 2018 - 4:15 pm)
Most poisons can't be smelled, but I guess whatever Ma'ind would have access to out here could be scented. Even the make-her-eat-it-before-you-do might not work if there's something she's immune to that Rose and Sybill aren't, though.
Rose~
"Wait, take out your supplies," Sybill tells me. "Maybe I can sniff out poison. And besides, we can replace them with stuff from here."
I happen to have my pack, fortunately, and I lay out its contents for Sybill to examine.
"Venison... smells normal. So does that, and that, and that, and--wait! This is poisoned," she says, indicating what remains of a fish and a haunch of deer.
"Did you find any poison in the rest?" I inquire. Sybill shakes her head.
I wrap the bad meat and throw it away, and we return cautiously to the caves. Ma'ind stands awkwardly in the entrance nearest us.
"Have a nice walk?" she asks pleasantly.
"Yes," I say, keeping my expression neutral.
"Excellent. Here, I picked some berries for your supplies," she smiles, offering them in cupped hands. "I promise they're safe."
Sybill squints, then exclaims, "Those are bird berries! They're really poisonous!"
Ma'ind glares at her, not shifting her body. "I assure you, they are not."
"Really?" Sybill accuses.
Ma'ind does not reply. "Sybill and I have a... problem to discuss," she informs me. I begin to respond, but they are already walking away. Sybill shoots me a confident look.
I stand for a moment, thinking. Then I drop my pack and collect my sword, my shield and the silver knife.
They are not difficult to shadow. I am careful enough to fool an army of wolves, and the fact that they are moving as well offers assistance. I do not think Sybill would thank me for interfering, however, and so I remain hidden while they stop at the cliff.
"Would you like to explain poison berries?" Sybill spits. Ma'ind smiles unnaturally.
"I would rather eliminate threats."
She strikes then, with claws. Sybill dodges, but yelps as one of her injured paws hits something. I prepare myself to pounce if Ma'ind is winning.
Sybill recovers and bites Ma'ind's arm as she swings it (with bad form) to claw her again. Her jaws clamp down, and she swipes with her own claws as Ma'ind struggles. But at this range, Ma'ind is guaranteed a good hit when she goes for Sybill's ribs. Sybill releases her arm with a cry of pain and drops back.
Something tickles at the edge of my senses, and I realize Ma'ind has begun whispering.
~Play it however you like. Ma'ind will take full advantage of Sybill's injuries, and if she pins her, Rose will jump to the rescue with no hesitation. She'll also come out if they get too close to the cliff.
(May 3, 2018 - 8:01 am)
Sybill ~
Ma'ind slashes at my ribs. I yelp, get away. Her mouth opens to reveal a forked tongue and fangs. She began to whisper, quitely, slowly getting louder and louder.
Surrender now, before I have to deal with you. Surrendee...surrender...
She slashes with her claws that are steadily growing longer. I leap away, and as I do I manage to land a small cut on Ma'ind's leg.
I expect her to yelp, but instead she releases a hideous roar. Her once pale skin is hardening into black scales, a strange shadowy mist arising from them.
Her hair hardens as well, forming into huge spikes. Her eyes go from small black dots to slanted red lines.
She wastes no time, lunging repeatedly, screaming, pausing only to whisper on occasion.
We slowly advance towards the cliff.
By this point, she is neither human or spider spirit. She is a monster! Her snout is that of a dog's, except scaly, and her nose is curled back. Spikes are all over her. Her feet end in monstrous claws. She can barely stand on her back legs. She has grown a tail smooth and black. It ends in a large spike.
ma'ind's jaws snap in front of me. She suddenly leaps. I desperately try to get away, but in her monster form she easily pins me down.
my head hangs over the cliff edge.
Suddenly, Rose leaps from the woods. In a second her sword is out. She slashes at Ma'ind's hide. A black, ink-like substance drips from the wound. Must be Ma'ind's "blood".
Ma'ind rears up, and she claws at Rose. Rose dodges, though is unluckily caught off-guard by Ma'ind's tail. Rose falls to the ground.
I am on my feet in a second, and my teeth sink into Ma'ind's leg. She screams, and stumbles backwards. I share a look with Rose, who has just stood up.
we charge at Ma'ind, slamming into her, sending her flying over the cliff.
she screams, a scream that would permanently haunt me.
we hear a thud and the snapping of bones as Ma'ind crashes into a rock ledge on the side of the cliff.
Help me...
Rose and I turn away.
~~~
(May 3, 2018 - 3:38 pm)
Rose~
Sybill and Ma'ind swipe and slash at each other, but Ma'ind is beginning to transform. I do not recognize the horror that her form slowly twists into. Towering spikes adorn it, presenting at once an advantage and a challenge; they make it more difficult for her to move, if only you can avoid them. A spine-tipped tail reveals itself in the grass, whipping menacingly through the air as its owner pounces.
Sybill lies helpless, trapped between the monster and a sheer drop. The... thing that was previously Ma'ind snarls above her.
I abandon my cover and strike with the full force of my sword.
The dark monster rears back, bleeding, and swipes clumsily at me. I miss its claws by a good few inches, but underestimate its tail and pay with my balance. However, Sybill has recovered enough to take the creature's attention and a bit of its blood while I regain my feet.
The monster falters, exposed to the cliff. Sybill and I look at each other. I make a slight motion with my head, and she reciprocates. Our charge outmatches our foe, and she--or it--tumbles down the height with an unearthly cry. Sybill and I only watch long enough to be sure of the death.
I realize my chest is heaving. I glance over at Sybill, sagging as her adrenaline flows away. We walk a few paces from the edge, then fall to the ground. My limbs begin to shake with the aftermath of victory. Sybill winces as she looks down at her new wounds.
I inhale deeply, then let it go in a broken rush that somehow resembles a laugh. Sybill notices and chuckles a sigh. I cannot help a grin. We laugh softly together for that moment, lying at the edge of the trees.
I find my strength first, and rise to a kneel.
"Stay here. I will fetch bandages."
Sybill nods reluctant compliance, and I walk to the caves, quickly gaining speed. I arrive at a jog, and return at the same pace. She lies quietly as I tend her injuries, changing old wraps and adding the new. I break the silence to distract her.
"Ought we to leave?"
(May 6, 2018 - 1:58 pm)
Sybill ~
Rose interrupts my half-formed thoughts with a question.
"Ought we to leave?"
i pause.
"We need a healer," I reply, " And it's clearly not safe here. So yes. "
"Do you know any healers?" Rose asks.
" hm... Hey, what about Albero? " I suggest. Her gaze darkens.
"We don't know where he is. And besides, can we really trust him? I feel as if he made up that little story about flowers and mermaids," Rose replies harshly.
" Rose, he buried Yin. He didn't even know how to hold a sword! " I protest. She gives me a look and I quiet.
"Well, do you know anybody?" I challenge .
"Well..."
" Exactly! Albero's the only choice! " I insist.
"That's not true, Sybill, and you know it," Rose replies.
" I know. It's just...I kinda miss him. But you're right-- we thought we could trust Ciaran and look where that got us! Same with those voices, and Ma'ind, " I say.
"We can leave when you feel ready, Sybill," Rose decides .
"How about tomorrow morning? I don't want to stay long," I suggest.
~~~
(May 6, 2018 - 6:21 pm)
YESSS! See you on the Sage RP thread! :P
(May 6, 2018 - 10:28 pm)
I drew the spider spirits' domain.
(May 7, 2018 - 2:27 pm)
Oo, cool!
Coco says hhoi. Are you saying 'hoi '?
(May 12, 2018 - 3:48 pm)
Rose~
Sybill takes a moment to answer.
"We need a healer, and it's clearly not safe here. So yes."
I consider. "Do you know any healers?"
"Hmm," Sybill muses. "Hey, what about Albero?"
The name clips weights to my brows. "We don't know where he is. And can we really trust him? I feel as though he invented that story about mermaids with flowers."
"Rose! He buried Yin. He didn't even know how to hold a sword!" Sybill snaps defensively.
I shoot her a look, parrying her outburst.
"Well, do you know anyone?" she mutters. I cannot reply. I am not from the area. She takes advantage of this.
"Exactly! Albero's the only choice!"
"That's not true, Sybill, and you know it," I counter. She makes a face, turns it to regret.
"I know. It's just... I kinda miss him." The fire has left her tone. She sounds almost like Yin. I suspect she is trying to manipulate me. "But you're right. We thought we could trust Ciaran, and look where that got us! Same with those voices, and Ma'ind." Ceding a point. Very sweet. Very deceptive. And she's right. Ciaran, Albero, the spider spirits, Ma'ind. All have betrayed me. Everyone I've met since I met Sybill, except for Yin and Sybill herself. Did she... Can I trust her? ...I will need time to decide.
"We can leave when you are ready, Sybill."
"How about tomorrow morning? I don't want to stay long." Afraid of something here?
"Perhaps the day after. We shall need fresh supplies, and the longer we wait, the more time you have to heal."
(May 14, 2018 - 8:56 pm)
Sybill ~
I begin to protest, but before I can, my side suddenly screams in pain.
"Sybill?" Rose asks .
"Ah, my side hurts," I say. I crane my neck and look at it. The scar on my side has opened up again, and is bleeding onto the ground .
"Oh, Claaws, you're losing a lot of blood. Do you know where Yin stores her bandages?" Rose asks. I nod, weakly.
" Yeah. They're in her cave. In a pile near the one corner, " I reply. Rose races off into the woods. She comes back not too long after, a bunch of bandages in her hand. She wraps them carefully around me, over and over.
"Thanks. You know, maybe you should put some of Yin's herbs in your pack. If we find a healer, maybe they could teach you how to use them," I muse.
" Perhaps, " Rose says.
~~~
(May 20, 2018 - 2:54 pm)
Ha, the way Rose was raised, saying "Claaws" is like invoking the pitchfork guy downstairs.
Rose~
Sybill opens her mouth to answer, then suddenly pulls back the corners in a grimace.
"Sybill?"
"Ah, my side hurts," she gasps. I follow her gaze to where a scab I missed has reopened, allowing a stream of blood to mat her fur.
"Oh, Claaws, you're losing a lot of blood," I curse. This is what, the third time in as many days? My hand falls to the grass, but I have used all the gauze I found previously. "Do you know where Yin stores her bandages?"
It occurs to me as Sybill nods that I spoke in the present tense.
"Yeah. They're in her cave, near the one corner."
And again I am off, running through the forest and back. The box is easily found, free of dust and exactly where I expected it. Even for all my speed, Sybill lies in a veritable puddle when I return, barely slowing as I draw near.
I wrap the wound until I cannot see red, and then I wrap some more. Sybill winces at every movement she has to make, so I make them for her, lifting her torso to pass the long strips of cloth underneath.
She thanks me when I finish. "You know, maybe you should put some of Yin's herbs in your pack. If we find a healer, maybe they could teach you how to use them."
"Perhaps," I reply, not bothering to mask the fact that I do not believe this. My craft is in fighting people, not fixing them.
"Oh come on," Sybill begins.
"You could be a healer just as well as I, who have no interest."
For that, she has no answer.
I carry her back to the caves. The sun has not yet reached its apex, and casts a bright glow of victory through the yellowing trees. We have defeated the monster who called herself Ma'ind. But whenever we overcome anything, something more always seems to take its place.
For now, that thing is the simple matter of what way we had best spend our time. Enough of our supplies are untouched that I need not go hunting today, or tomorrow if I do not wish to. And in fact, tomorrow it rains, but the next day it is merely cloudy, and so I attend to the matter then.
At night my dreams are not easy. Neither are Sybill's.
(May 21, 2018 - 8:41 pm)
Sybill ~
My dreams are plagued with visions of Yin dieing, again and again. it is a relief to wake up each morning. And this morning was no exception.
yesterday it rained all day. I am glad that we decided to wait until today to leave.
"I plan on doing a little hunting before we leave," Rose explains.
" Mm. Anything else we need to do? " I ask. She shrugs. "If you can think of something, go ahead," she said.
Rose leaves , into the woods.
i silently leave as well, heading to Yin's grave. A final farewell.
i close my eyes, rest my nose on the top of her gravetsone.
"I miss you, Yin."
I open my eyes, sigh . She is gone, will be gone. Forever. I head back to the caves so Rose won't suspect anything is wrong.
i get there not too long before her. I have enough time to search the storage cave for anything useful, which there wasn't anything useful, and get back to the entrance cave.
rose sees my weary eyes.
"Find something to do?" She asks .
"I guess. I checked the storage room for supplies," I reply, leaving out the part where I visited Yin's grave.
" was there anything of use? " Rose inquires.
"No," I sigh.
~ ~~
(May 22, 2018 - 4:05 pm)
I just looked up how long it takes for broken ribs to heal again, and not only is that 4-6 weeks, but the injured person will have pain every time they breathe. It's the sixth day now, but I'll go ahead and add a few more.
Rose~
Sybill is eager to be gone. I do believe she lies when she tells me she is not in pain. I have broken many bones, and they take weeks to heal. Still, I cannot deny that I am eager to be gone as well.
We visit Yin's grave together on the eighth day. Fresh flowers. Some silence. A few tears.
"Rose, can we leave tomorrow?" Sybill asks on the ninth day.
"Are your ribs healed?" I reply.
"Yes. I think so."
"Nice try, but no. Not yet."
Sybill groans.
"Soon, I promise," I tell her. She mopes back to her cave without reply.
On the tenth day, her mood remains dark. She fusses with her bandages and cannot sit still. I decide to take some time to speak with her. Not to tell her the importance of behaving and that she's doing a good job but I expect her to step up her game. No, that is something Mother would tell me about cotillion. I intend to speak of past and future, memories and possibilities. To give her something to think about.
"Where do we go?" I begin, plopping down next to her.
She stares at me. "To Albero... in the Sacred Meadow?"
I nod, patiently. "Do you know where that is? And where do we go after you are healed?"
(May 23, 2018 - 7:12 am)
Sybill ~
"Do you know where that is? And where do we go after you are healed?" Rose asks. There is no anger in her voice. Just patience , and calm.
"Uh...I'm not sure. Albero could send us a map or something if I sent him a letter, or maybe we could ask a bird or something. After that... I dunno. Maybe we could... Like, go to a market or something," I said . It never occur to me that I had said something an awful lot.
"A market?" Rose asks.
" Well, I dunno. But we might find something interesting for sale or whatever, " I replied.
"Is there anywhere else? an exact spot you wish to go to?" Rose inquires .
"Not really. Maybe albero will need us for something," I reply .
"Well, where would we go after that?"
" I dunno. We could decide when we got there. I guess it all depends on what happens, " I say.
There is a moment of silence.
"Is there anywhere you want to go?" I ask. Rose pauses.
~~~
(May 23, 2018 - 3:17 pm)