| The grasses get lower and lower, until they reach knee-height, at which point they stay fairly constant. Your eyes are drawn upwards, and you find yourself closer to the mountains than you thought you'd be at this point. They are imposing; you can pick out what are probably paths here and there, but it doesn't exactly look like an enjoyable climb. "It is no easy hike, especially for one unused to traveling upon anything besides a packed-down path." You whirl around, and find yourself face to face with a rather impressive creature. |
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He stares back at you, proud, but not arrogant. After a moment, he takes a few steps towards the base of the mountain. "Shall we begin?" he asks. "Wait," you say. "What-- and who-- are you?" The creature turns back to fully face you, unsurprised by the question. "I am Hawk Facing Vicious Storm. I am a Frondari, hailing from the Nameless Forest. I am to be your guide for part of your journey." "Frondari?" you question. "Yes. Follow me." You follow, still a bit confused, but he only walks a short distance away, in front of a tree with the typical piece of parchment upon it. Name: Hawk Facing Vicious Storm Head: ll, Wd Eyes: bb Mane: LL, SS, GC Wings: Yn, Yn, S*T, CC Antlers: AA Tail: Hd, SS, GC Feet: DD, NNNN Markings: pp, ll, bb, uu, N*N*, WW Color: LR Mutation: n*n*n* Gender: Male Parents: Wild From The Nameless Forest His genetics really only serve to confuse you more, but he seems impatient to be off, and you follow him towards the mountain. His stride is long, and as you walk a bit behind him, your eyes are drawn to his horns. He glances back, and notices your gaze. Turning back to the mountains ahead, he speaks once more. "Apologies for being so brisk with you, but it is best to reach the safe point of the mountain before darkness falls. It would be an inconvenience to need to protect you, while, at the same time, helping you pick your way up the mountain in the dark." You note with a touch of frustration that no one has actually bothered to tell you exactly what the danger of the mountain is, nor does it seem like Hawk is going to. "To extend my introduction... I was not always a guide, nor do I think I will always be." He stops talking for a few minutes. "My past spans many places. I have met many creatures, some whom's memories are still clear in my mind, others of whom the memories have faded. Never have I taken a mate, and only once have I taken a companion." For all that what he tells you is fairly vague, it is also rather intriguing, and you listen with interest as he continues. "My one companion was a forest elf. He had wandered for a long time, as had I, and fate brought our paths together. It was a time of need, a time when each of us found ourselves persued, hunted. Together, we escaped the tracking of our hunters, finding ourselves in a new land, one filled with many beauties, but much danger as well." He pauses as the two of you begin ascending a fairly well-packed path up the mountain. "We traveled together, for years, and together we shared a brother-bond. As a way of showing this, we exchanged gifts. I gave him hair from my mane and tail, and while I could not braid it myself, he soon wore the braided strands proudly in his own hair." You can feel the fondness in Hawk's voice, and can't help but smile a little. "In return, he gave to me these horn decorations, made entirely by his own hands, as he was skilled in many crafts." You smile, telling the Frondari that the decorations are indeed beautiful. He raises his head a trifle more, proudly, obviously pleased at your admiration. "For a long time, we wandered together, exploring, surviving, enjoying our lives. We measure time differently, but I believe it would be considered over four years in your measurement," Hawk says, glancing back at you. "From caves to cliffs to waterfalls to oceans, we discovered so much together. For so long, we encountered no other sentient being, but that did not matter. We had each other." Hawk's steps falter briefly, and his head drops for a moment before he regains himself and stares ahead, leading you onto a steeper path. You wait for a moment, but the Frondari stallion says no more. You can't help it, and you voice your question. "What happened?" Still staring straight ahead, the stallion takes a moment to answer. When he does, his voice is calm but quiet, and tinged with pain. "He was killed by those who had, so long ago, hunted me." You ask for no elaboration, but lapse into silence as you follow the Frondari up into the mountains. Continue Back |
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