The Rescue Begins

JP: Gonyaul and Alexis

Alexis turned around to Gonyaul, very shortly putting her hands on his shoulders.

“You have done so much more than I’ve could ever asked. Be safe, take no risks.”

She squeezed his shoulders gently, then turned towards the shouting drawing shield and sword in the process.

Gonyaul looked up calmly to the taller Alexis and blinked in disbelief. What was she saying that for, he wondered. Wait, was Alexis about to do something heroically rash and impulsive? He could see it in her eyes and connected the dots. Her strategy was to run in swinging alone and leave him here to head back home.

Risk she said. Risk was only good or bad depending on the context, and she was taking a bad risk. He watched her run off. He knew Alexis never listened to him when she didn’t want to, so it would have been a waste of words. Instead he took off running at top speeds through the woods around the ceremonial area. He stayed out of sight and in the dark, trying to get around to the other side behind them. He was very fast and carried no armor and equipment so he made faster progress.

The cultists would be distracted by the ritual and most eager to pay attention. His aim was to pop up and make a distraction, IF it came to that.

Alexis moved closer to the spectacle as fast as she could while still be somewhat quiet. It might not amount to much, but she needed to get a view on what was happening and find the most unobstructed venue onto the sacrificial grounds that the dwindling moments left allowed her to find.

Gonyaul positioned himself in the shadows of a tree, having arrived at behind the commotion. He gathered as much information from observation as he could while unwrapping his arm bands.

He then went to work securing the linens between sets of nearby trees bases. Making a tripping wire if you will with them. If they pursued him he would lead them in those directions.

After making them taunt and secure, he began collecting any thick twigs, rocks or easy to carry and throw objects he could find near at hand.

As he scanned the individuals present, he considered that they could be all trained and armed fighters; however, it was also very likely they were majority regular working citizens of Ostiarium.

Stalking along the treeline bordering the clearing, Alexis observed as Islana was dragged through the crowd towards what was most likely serving as the altar and the one in the boar’s mask. The Preacher.

It reminded her sickeningly of the execution. A stage where power was meant to be demonstrated.

The only ‘good’ thing about this setup was that a stage was for the actors, not the audience. Meaning for a few precious moments, likely only the Preacher would be in harming distance to the young woman. Precious moments Alexis needed to make the most of.

She sped up, getting as close to the stone as she could while still hidden and prepared to sprint.

Gonyaul played out the scenarios in his imagination, projecting himself mentally into the future. Alexis needed to get close enough to put herself between the boar head and Islana or else the sacrifice could continue even during a fight. But if she emerged she would be swarmed instantly. She needed a moment to close the distance. He gulped, he was the only candidate that could give her that moment.

Gonyaul stepped out from behind the trees. No one was even looking in his direction. His hands were full of small rocks. He threw them all at once creating a scatter shot of rocks at the backs of the cultists. He was just trying to draw as much attention as possible.

He shouted at the top of his lungs. “Nē, okok on nim'an, ihsataw in ettagatihs iasaduk”

He was hoping that the unfamiliar language, his unusual attire and appearance would scare some of them to think they were surrounded by natives of Arcadia.

When they turned to look he started dancing one of the katas of his people to try and look as bizarre as possible and anchor their attention. If they started coming the trees were one shuffle step away.

And then things went wild. She heard Gonyaul shouting on the other side of the clearing. Islana was pulled onto the stone. The Preacher prepared to strike, and out of nowhere a freaking owl came down onto him, scratching at his arms.
Alexis had no idea what the ifrinn was going with that, but fuck if she cared. She pushed herself into a mad dash, all her focus on one thing and one thing only - be the shield between Islana and the Preacher.