On the run

Jp between Omni and Bandorchu

Alexis swiftly fixed her shield on her back. It wouldn’t do her any good until her was arm a bit better off. Her father’s dagger and her agility would have to do in the meantime.

She took lead, signing to Voah to stay close to her and made her way trough the underbrush as fast and as stealthy as possible.

She strained her ears to listen for who- or whatever was lurking in the jungle close to them.

Not an easy task, as the previously muted background sound of wildlife had returned full force with the conclusion of the fight.

So it might just be paranoia, but she thought she heard voices and steps of several people following them.
Given the situation, paranoia seemed like a decent advisor.

Whenever the opportunity presented itself to throw them off of them - a small flow of water to cross, rocky terrain - she adjusted directions. Every moment their pursuers had to invest to find their trail again was a moment they could put some distance between them.

As long as she wasn’t sure they had lost whoever was chasing them, Alexis didn’t want to risk putting them on the trail of the rest of the party. She did hope they had not come across Tarmen and the others yet, given they had arrived from the general direction of their temporary camp.

They did not speak but moved as one, Voah on the tail of Alexis, following her unspoken commands. The jungle seemed to be full of sounds, some she couldn't make out and the ones she could were disheartening. Growls of animals in the distance, the sound of foliage moving and footsteps in pursuit not terribly far off.

Were those the cannibals, the fire wielders? She was uncertain. Either way, they were magik users and dangerous enough to control animals and blind their enemies with ash.

She hoped the others were safe, especially Till, but that was seeming less and less likely. Should they leave the men behind? She didn't like the sound of it but if there was a village and their warriors on their trail, the fact that they were outnumbered was going to make the decision for them.

Were they gaining? Falling behind? Over the sound of the jungle and her own breath as well the drum of her heart it was hard to tell.

But Alexis could still hear them and that meant Voah and her were still neck-deep in manure.
Their pursuers were at home here and as such at an advantage.

And that meant the women would loose this game, if they didn’t manage to change the rules. Now, if only an opportunity to do just that would present itself.

Maybe… something like this.
To their right their was steep rise, upon which a mighty tree rested, its roots reaching down to their level.

Front and to the left there was rockier terrain, less prone to show signs of passage. Just the way one would choose when trying to throw someone off their trail.

Alexis hoped the natives would think so as well when she turned to Voah, pointed up the steep incline and crouched down.

“I’ll give you a boost, get up there!”

She had no doubt Voah could get up there on her own, but less climbing, less tracks.

When the Arbiter was up Alexis raced towards the rocky terrain, forcing herself not to overdo things. Tracks too obvious would be detrimental to her haywire plan.

She moved a few steps into the rocky terrain, then turned back towards the incline, now moving carefully, meticulously to avoid leaving any tracks at all.
It took time she very much didn’t know she had, but they were running out of options.

She reached the incline with her heart in her throat, the sounds of their pursuers definitely much, much closer now.
Alexis climbed up as fast as she could, diving for cover as soon as she reached the top. Finally she sneaked back to Voah and hid behind the massive tree.

If nothing else they would have the high ground here for a moment.
She slowly got her bow ready.

The Arbiter steadied her breathing but her heart still raced. Now it was a deadly game of hide and seek and she hated to be the one to hide. Seeing the soldier arm herself, Voah pulled out two daggers and they waited.

They didn’t have to wait for long.
From their hiding space Alexis counted seven natives.
Two archers, two spearmen, and three carrying clubs.

They easily followed her tracks as intended. Thankfully Voah in her effortless grace had not left any clue of her ascending.

Alexis knew of course that her efforts were imperfect due to the lack of time.
So there was a significant chance that they saw through her ruse.
If they didn’t, good. Voah and her could sneak away in the shadow of the massive tree and look for a proper hiding spot to plot their return to the beach in.

But if they did turn around…
Alexis crouched down, knocked an arrow and aimed for one of the archers.