Race To Aquilo

The Evening Prior
Voah learned from Alexis that Gonyaul had set up a tent for her but laid himself down in the wagon. Voah cherished that and as much as she wanted to talk to him, now wasn't a good time. They were all still recovering from injuries.

Voah retired to the tent and noticed the beautiful pattern he had left behind, not really knowing it had any meaning. She found it beautiful anyway. There was also extra padding. If her heart could melt any more at this point it would be liquid. He and Alexis both seemed to have such endless patience with her and this gesture was another example of Gonyaul's boundless optimism. It was the best sleep she had since her natalday in Aquilo. She prayed for all of the friends who stood by her and saved her life, even if they didn't have faith.

This Morning
She woke early, a residual side effect from trying to stay alert in the caves. Her mind actually felt rested, but her body was still bruised from the beatings she took.

She relieved Alexis from her guard and paced the fort looking out for anything strange and examining the ancient stonework. When morning came, she readied as many of the supplies and horses as she could before she began hearing things again. The echoing steps of feet on damp stone, the sounds of Neph'Kin approaching from the dark tunnels, but she swung around to find there was... nothing. Then there was quiet ridiculing laughter in her ears. She ignored it. As she was finishing saddling up Gonyaul's horse, she heard another sound. Again it sounded like something fast approaching, then she felt the tremors in the stone beneath her feet, the whistling cries of the tribes headed toward the fort. She would have ignored it had it not been for the frantic calls of Gonyaul and the quick reactions of everyone else to gather up Wim and flee with whatever they could muster.

It was a race to Aquilo and Voah hadn't ridden that fast in a long time. There was never a need. But these people wanted more than to drive them off it seemed. It was all that she could do to hang on during the full gallop but after a while it became easier as muscle memory kicked in and her mind started to wander about other things. Blackwolf. She wanted to confirm his death which could have perhaps been a hallucination by Wim, though she doubted it. She would have to prepare some words for him. If it was ever possible, she would return to give him his last rites. Prayers from afar would have to suffice for the time being.

As for the others... Voah didn't know much about Islana, but she was convinced that Hunter would be able to take care of himself. He was a capable fighter, but she worried that his leg might still not be at its best. Voah didn't like the idea of splitting up again anyway, especially after the last incident in the ruins of Ypogeios...

Voah stayed near the back of the group, not wanting to have to worry about losing anyone. At one point she saw Gonyaul slipping off of his horse. Even the injured Lord seemed to have an easier time in the saddle of his grey mare. Gonyaul was either an inexperienced rider or his injuries were getting the best of him. Voah wasn't going to let him go now. Not like this. She rode up next to him and helped him get into a better position, trying to give him some pointers, but the noise and the language barrier may have been too much. He managed to prove his resourcefulness and figure out his own way to stay on.

The group didn't slow down until reaching the settlement of Aquilo where the beating of their horses hooves stirred up confused excitement in the Odinine. There were shouts and hoots among the miners who became alert and ready with tools in hand to defend against their incoming group.