Thread: Another Life {Cheshire Smirk & Blinkk}

Winter was ending, come and gone like it did every year. Most of the citizens of Trept had survived the harsh cold and came out stronger, more willing to survive. That's what this city was known for after all. The stronghold was practically made up of survivors, many of which came out after their own homes were destroyed by some of the worst raiders in their history. The Baarskor tribe came in to a coast, swept once and took out all in its way. They took what was needed, let that be supplies or people, and destroyed all that could be used by others. The lucky few who got away never turned out to be as lucky as they thought they would. They were haunted by the memories and their own self hate of letting their loved ones pass in such a way. But they quickly learned to treasure their lives and what they had, making the best of what Trept offered them and doing what they could to start over. During the winter months, the city backed up on what supplies they could, slaving over their fires to forge all the weapons they could manage as a way to no only keep war but to prepare themselves for what may come. It had been years since there was a raid on the area of their city and they continued to hope and pray the Baarskor tribe would look them over and take the lives of another city instead of their own. Like with most in the country, the holy people of the city were in charge of giving the offerings and making their needs known to the gods above. Yvonne, the elder priestess had remained behind during the colder month, sending one of the lower girls out to do what was needed in the snow and bring in the stragglers left out in the winter. Lea Vollan was gifted with that job this time around. The young woman made several trips out to their farthest border, bringing back all who were looking for shelter. Each time, she had listened to their horror stories, made her own judgement of the barbaric tribe and continued to help those in need. And when the snow began to melt in the warmer weather, she made sure to settle those people into farms, jobs or find what they needed. It was her duty to do so after all. On one particularly lovely day, the red head left the city on her own, bringing a bag of basic supplies and a lunch, a book and several writing implements and started out on her own to the highest cliff outside of her home. In an unlady-like fashion, she scaled the side, her boots slipping several times on the loose stones, but eventually she made it up to a spot high enough to look over the sea yet sit protected from the elements around her. A gentle breeze blew the smell of the sea towards the girl, pleasing her senses and her strange sense of adventure. Hours went by as she watched the water, did a good bit of reading and even dared to try her hand at sketching out what she saw. Most of the ice had broken free of the land, leaving small remaining chunks in the warming water, but a path was beginning to clear. That meant the trading routes would be opening soon. Being on the edge of the ocean had its advantages but its risks at the same time. Natural storms came through the city at the most inconvenient times, not to mention the steady risk of attacks. Most of them, Trept could hold off and chase away to live another day. With minimum effort at that. But when a new set of sails were seen on the horizon, the priestess' eyes narrowed, straining to take a look. She didn't recognize the design, not to mention it was a bit early for most ships to be coming out. The sea seemed still in contrast to what it was doing before, blowing around and swirling beneath her cliff-side seat. She recognized that feeling all too well. The calm before the storm. Wasting no time, the woman pulled her skirt up into her belt enough to safely make it down the cliff, touching land and breaking into a solid sprint all the way back to the city. Ships! she called to the guards, choosing to run right past them, despite their looks and efforts to stop her. Ships are approaching! She could only pray to the goddess now. There was no way a man would let her pick up a weapon, despite the bits of training she had from over the winter. Her job was to hide in the temple and wait it out with the rest of the women. No arguing. The feeling in her stomach told her that not even that would help. She hoped it was wrong.