The Kingdom of Seven Stars - Encounter at the White River - [Sign-UP]

[Bravo 658]

Grassblade cast a curious glance to Ser Edwards, but turned body to face the Queen when she entered, bowed, then returned to his previous mannequin posture.  Not a sound came from the depths of his armor aside from the quiet clank of his hoofsteps as he turned.

[Laebenal]

Laebenal lies in the camp watching around and thinking how she could escape without getting seriously injured.

[GalvinRoe]

[Grassblade]

Ser Edwards did turn a melancholy head upon the grass colored pony. "What strikes your heart, brave one? Such disinterest and self so secluded, it is unlike you. . ."

But upon the moment, good guard Sameul was upon the hill. He too had spotted the lone green figure, a bright flag upon the white dunes. And finding his good friend in a dejected state he was upon him and before Ser Edwards, with only the slightest of nods.

"My friend, what has you so distraught?! Dear Stars! You look half dead, what ails you!?"


* * *

[Scene - Laebenal]

The many guards around Laebenal were not as attentive as they once were, but many were they and enough to stop any sudden movement or lunge. Before the the soft waving hills of alabaster lay before them and the great trench of the White River.

One of the guards made speech, his tone almost warning but he did not speak to Laebenal. "The Alabaster Planes hold danger in every crevice! The dunes themselves are traps, without trained eyes one might not see the cavernous pitfalls that hide beneath the shifting gravel! Then we've the Scopa scorpions and Millie tudges. Dangerous vermin! Should one of those gigantic Scopa lay stinger to you . . . you'll be paralyzed for days! Without mage or healer chances are you'll lose some portion of your body in a paralyzed state or so they say . . . Be wary of the Scopa for their size as well, twice the size of a pony, they claim!"

A new recruit from beyond the guard circle took interest. "But what about these Millies!? These tudges?"

The guard nodded, long and slow. Turning his full attention to the recruit. "The Millie tudges be dangerous sand-rats, their bodies all clad in thick white fur, as white as the alabaster abouts! They creep from their burrows and dens at night and let loose their enticing pheromones. A whiff of pungent odors and you'll find all desires lead to discovering that scent . . . I've smelled the scent before and I swear. . ." His eyes squinted at the recruit. " . . . I'd cut off my own hoof to smell it again. It stays with you forever lad, but you can't follow it, you mustn't! They are scavengers . . . they draw you where no water or food grows and when you can no longer fight back . . ."

A fellow guard placed a hoof upon the veteran's side, and soft gestures flew from him. So the veteran stopped and spoke again softly. "Watch yourself lad don't follow the smell and urge, stay with the group. 

[Bravo 658]

Grassblade's head slowly turned to face Sir Samuel, and he lifted the visor to show his face.  Grassblade's color was no longer that of grass; pale, almost a green shade of the very sand they stood upon.  "The grass... how long have we gone on without the lively, green grass underhoof?" he asked in a gravelly mumble.  His eyes looked as though he had been crying for some time, but had run dry on tears.  His nose dropped again, and he closed the helmet once more, turning to gaze into the night at the miles-distant land from whence they all came.

[GalvinRoe]

 Sameul's face showed . . . confusion, for a moment, before it was forced into a sympathetic and demure expression. "Oh my friend . . . the grass, yes, I can see it's important to you . . . But come, come look around you! I know it's a little barren but come look at the beauty with me. The glory of different realms it's it's . . . something!" Sameul's hooves flailed in inexpressible emotions.

Ser Edwards stood uncomfortably; shifting from hoof to hoof and opening her mouth every now and again. 

[Bravo 658]

"The grass is me, my friend, and I am the grass.  My story is difficult to understand, but that is the best way I can summarize it for you," he replied sadly.  Grassblade looked over at Ser Edwards and chuckled a little.  "Whatever is the matter with you?  At least my jaw decides to open or shut; does yours need help?" he asked, his mood beginning to lighten a bit.

[Laebenal]

Laebenal listened to the guards speech. "I know what is out there, my only problem right now is these guards." She thought.

[Chirp]

Liaisa walked over towards Laebenal, smiling at her, even if she was looking away. "Hello, Laebenal. How are you doing?"

[Laebenal]

Laebenal turned to see Liaisa and smiled to her showing that she isn't as frustrated as she was in the beginning.

[Chirp]

"Glad to see you're doing fine, despite the circumstances. Don't worry, though. The guards seemed to have lightened up, already and our friend over there." She paused to point at Grassblade. "Seems to have made close friends with two of our queen's champions. Which is good, since he trusts you and soon, they will do, too."

[Laebenal]

Laebenal nodded and turned around to see out of the camp.

[Chirp]

"Have you been here before?" Liaisa asked, while looking the same direction Laebenal did.

[Laebenal]

Laebenal nods again and sighs.

[Chirp]

"Oh, I see. What is this place like, then?" Liaisa asked, lying down next to Laebenal.

[Laebenal]

Laebenal whispers to Liaisa: "At first it looks really peaceful but when it is already too late you realise how dangerous it can be..."

[Chirp]

"Dangerous, you say? Well, that's why we're not alone and not unprepared, either. If this is where we have to go, nothing will stop us, because everything will be over if we don't." Liaisa said.

[Laebenal]

Laebenal shakes her head and whispers to Liaisa: "We survive this place only because these ponies know something from its dangers... Preparing well and the size of the group is important part of surviving but it isn't always enough."

[Chirp]

Liaisa face turned into a frown and she sighed again. "Let us talk about something else, please."

[Laebenal]

Laebenal nods while having a sad look on her face.

[Chirp]

"I, uh." She stammered, unsure what to even speak of. She looked over at Grassblade and called out to him. "Hey, uhm, Grassblade! Why don't you come join us?"