Thread: Scouts of the Inquisition (Alvis & Sync)

How long had she slept? Loriel had no idea. She even felt it was a near-restful sleep, too, other than her body creaking a little as she began to stir. Her mind felt refreshed, mostly, but her body was aching lightly. She wasnt used to sleeping on the ground, even with a bedrollit was one more thing shed have to try and adjust to. She was slowly becoming aware of a presence near her, but her mind was still waking and then a hand was clamped firmly over her mouth, starting her too quickly to full wakefulness. In a panic borne of fogginess she struggled to move, to sit, and a much-muffled squeal sounded from the back of her throatbut as her eyes adjusted to the dim light she recognised Disa, and it was apparently his hand over her mouth. He wasindicating for her to be silent. She understood, nodded slowly as her heart slowly settled. Then he spoke, a quiet voice, and her heart began pounding again as she digested his words. They were likely to be attacked, and soon. There was need for haste. She nodded again, and he removed his hand from her mouth. She reached over, took her staff in her hand, felt the grip suddenly become reassuring in her grasp. Fortunately, she travelled light. But what of their tents, their gear? Theyd not be leaving it all behind, surely? Disa was gone, moving to find a hopeful safe path. Loriel was out of the tent a few seconds later. She had her staff in her hand and her bag of nuts in her pocketsthat was it. Garret was near her, gesturing towards Disa. The other hunter was already moving as well. Come, Loriel, the man whispered hoarsely to the young mage. Quickly. We may not have much time. Leave the tents. If we have time and good fortune, well come back for them. The young mage nodded her understanding and followed the scout without word. Her hand tightly gripped the shaft of her staff as she followed the scout closely, trying to make her feet do as his did without a whole lot of success. Were her eyes playing tricks on her? She was sure she could see shadows moving near them, as if they were closing on them, gaining on them. They werent corpses too smooth and precise in their movements. They looked likemen, perhaps, but there was no-one else out here, so theyd been told. Chasind, perhaps? Maybe not if so, Disa would have seen the signs and acted accordingly. Her knowledge of the area was limited to books, not-always complete books at thatAvvar, maybe? The idea didnt sit well with her, although the Avvar were written to be reclusive and polite mostly. Then she saw the glint of light on steel, a faint shimmer in the half-light of the very-early morningand she knew their time was up. Garret was aware, too, and the pair reacted almost simultaneously. Attack! Loriel cried out, even as she was drawing on her will. It was possibly the stupidest thing she could have said at that moment, but it was the first word that came out of her mouth that might have held any meaning to this exact point in time. Then a faint thump sounded as her magical barrier settled on the foursome, surrounding them and protecting them for a short time. Garrets daggers were drawn as he took a defensive posture. It wasnt going to be enough, she knew, so she tried the only thing she could, even though she had no idea if it would actually work as she hoped. The soft, spongy ground grabbed at her boots as she shuffled her feet to get a better stance. A small explosion of magical fire erupted in the place shed seen the glint of steel, catching two men in its blast, and the air was quickly permeated by the smell of burning flesh