[Eviia Hawk]

beyond the shore somewhere past the sea Eviia took a deep inhale of the forests air, savoring its earthly sweetness. It smelled lush here, which meant she was closer to the Alaré River. She had been hard at work, guarding the Portal and guiding those brave enough to cross its borders. Her mind was weary, and her body was soon to follow. She had been relieves of her duties for a short while, offering reprieve from her ever constant obligations. Eviia decided to make a trip northwest, to the port. Her parents had met there, many moons ago. She had started to forget what their voices sounded like.  Eviia crested over the hills, finally able to see her destination. The river carved and bent around the forest, nourishing life of all kinds. Even from here, she could see silver fish leaping from the water, their scales ringing like chimes. She felt the tightness in her chest ease, just for a moment, to appreciate the view. It was midday and she still had much ground to cover. And so she continued on.  Eviia followed the bank of the river downstream, she knew it would eventually lead to Alaré Port. She'd speak with the fishermen there and hear their stories, perhaps she'd even hop on one of their boats. There was a small cottage with accommodations, like fishwine and first aid supplies. She wouldn't dare try the fishwine. Eviia giggle smartly to herself at the thought, distracting herself like she always did. She hadn't noticed the low hanging branch, that swatted her head.  Eviia's winced, throwing her arms up to prevent her face from getting cut, and stepped to the side. The wrong side. Her foot landed in a soft patch of earth, which had crumbled from water erosion, and fell through. "No!" She cried out, before her voice was lost to the water.  The river had differing strengths depending on where it bent, and she had fallen in an unlucky spot. The current swept her away, dashing her cruelly against rocks and protruding earth. Eviia flailed her arms, attempting to find anything to hold on to, but to no avail. She felt her panic at the realization, and then she felt ease. Accepting her fate. Everything went dark.  Eviia washed up almost 2 miles down river, bruised and battered, but alive and unconscious. The sun moved steadily across the sky, marking it late afternoon.  [ open thread ] [ notes ]

made by abby of adox.

[Adrea]

Up to this point Adrea's day had went well. She had spent the evening away wading around the shallows with Chook, once in a while dumping him with water using an old turtle shell. Just as she decided it was time to head back she spotted something odd: A person washed up ashore. The body was that of a women's and was badly hurt, covered in bruises and gaping cuts. If Adrea had been a few years younger she would have probably just stepped over the body and went on her merry way. But now, older and a little more wiser, she had a strong urge to do what was right.

With a lot of help from Chook, Adrea managed to gather up enough driftwood to create a circle around the body, leaving a large enough gap at the side facing the river. Keeping at a steady pace she filled the turtle shell she had played with earlier up with waters from the river and a few floating leaves. Then she poured the water on the body.

Adrea stayed silent as she repeated this step a few times. How could she say anything about someone she didn't even know? But she did know one thing: this women had to have atleast someone who cared for her. With that, Adrea let out a soft hum as she poured one last bout of water over the body.

Content with her work, she picked up the women's legs and proceeded to drag the body back to the river.

[Eviia Hawk]

beyond the shore somewhere past the sea She was having the loveliest dream. She was reunited with Larken, and they had finally been wed. Eviia's smile touched her eyes, and the wispy tendrils of chocolate locks danced around her face in the breeze. This was all she ever wanted, all she dreamed of since she was a young girl. Eviia couldn't imagine a time where she could be happier. Larken smiled warmly at her, leaning his lips towards hers for a kiss. She leaned forward to meet him, when water spilled from her lips.  Suddenly, the dream was gone and she was alone. Or was she? What happened? She remembered walking into a branch and falling.. Eviia woke up slowly, groaning as the sensations of pain and soreness wracked her frame. She was still soaked, her clothes sticking to her skin, making her cold. Her pants and shirt had been ripped, leaving nasty cuts filled with silt and rock. Her lip had split and she could feel a knot forming on the side of her head. She was alive - but for how long?  Moments passed before her eyes could focus and she had an awareness of being dragged by her legs. Eviia was in no condition to fight, and she didn't know this persons intentions, so she croaked out, "Who are you?" The pain of speaking sent flames of sensation around her ribs.  The girl looked young, with brown hair like hers and a cute, round face. Surely this woman would be her savior?  [ open thread ] [ yay adrea!! ]

made by abby of adox.

[Adrea]

She had barely managed to drag the body even a little bit forward when her ears caught the sound of a rough, raspy voice.
She focused on the women's face, noticing that her eyes were now wide open and full of life. "No, no, no. This isn't right. You're dead."

Adrea lowered the women's legs back onto the ground, brain working on what was going on and what to do next.

She let out a sigh. "Well, you're going to be dead soon."She stated firmly as she crouched down beside the woman, elbows resting on her knees.

"You're body has taken a heavy toll," Adrea grimaced. 'And...I'm sorry, but...I just don't have the ability to help you."

A pause as she turned her head towards the center of the river, where the current was the strongest. Should she go get someone to help? Would she be able to find someone who would want to help? Probably not.

"Everything dies eventually, right?" Adrea turned back to the woman, a gentle smile on her face as she attempted to lighten the mood. "My name's Adrea, by the way, and I'm here to help your soul reach the tree."

Chook trudged up, his beak clamped on to the turtle shell. "You're probably in a lot of pain right now so let's try to make this quick." Adrea took the shell and and trickled the small amount that the heron had collected onto her forehead.

"Wait..uhhh...Please, before you go, can I have your name?"

[Eviia Hawk]

beyond the shore somewhere past the sea Dead? Eviia didn't feel dead. She felt pain, and because of that pain, she knew she was alive. Pain of the heart, pain of the body. What if she had died in the torrential waters? Her eyes bolted to the river, which continued to flow as it always had. Would there ever have been a chance she could see her family again, or Larken? She didn't even have a familiar, after her loss she severed her bonds with everything. Eviia wasn't sure she would ever have one again. Maybe death would have been a mercy.  Eviia refocused on the task at hand, finally emerging from her stupor. She struggle to stand, but forced herself up anyways. She would live to see another day, and see herself returned to her post. Nothing else mattered. She listened intently at the woman spoke to her. "Everything dies in it's own time. I will not allow my time to come to pass here," Eviia responded with determination, allowing herself a few brief moments to check over her body. From what she gathered, her wounds were superficial, her gashes not deep enough to rip muscle from bone. She was lucky this time, and would not make the same mistake again.  Eviia ripped the sleeve from her shirt, taking one end of the cloth between her teeth as she tied it around her palm, spots of blood soaking into the material. She would need to find a healer somehow. "Adrea..." She spoke, clearing her throat from its soreness of swallowed water. "I am Eviia, and I fear I will still need your help. Tell me of your tree?" She watched intently as a bird approached them without fear.  It must have been the girls familiar. How peculiar, she thought. As the girl was handed a shell of water, she poured droplets upon her own forehead. Was this a new type of religion? Was she an enchantress of some kind, or did the water have healing properties? The more she explored the realm of Aeron beyond her cities borders, the stranger things got..  [ open thread ] [ i love adrea LOL  ]

made by abby of adox.

[Adrea]

So this woman's name was Eviia. As she tucked that info into the mind Adrea noticed that the woman had torn her clothes up into shreds and had wrapped these shreds around her hands. Eviia certainly was determined to continue on living, wasn't she?

"Hmm?" Her eyebrows pinched together in confusion when Eviia asked about the tree. What did she need to know about such basic knowledge?

"Sure, I'll tell you about it," Adrea responded with a shrug. Hopefully her explanation would help to distract this poor battered woman's mind

"The tree I'm talking about is a very special one that grows in the center of Sela. The Tree of Allways."

Adrea nodded curtly as her familar dropped a chunk of algea coloured a fresh bright green onto her thigh. It was a good enough idea.

"I've never seen it myself, but I've heard descriptions of how grand it is. Of how it towers over the forest canopy as a thick mist full of magic seeps from it's very roots."

As she continued her story she pulled this algea apart bit by bit.

"This tree is where all life begins and ends. When you die your soul leaves your body. It will then make it's way back to the tree to restore it's energy.

"After spending time in the midst of the Allways Tree our rested souls come back into this world...though not always in a way that one would expect."

Adrea ended with a reassuring nod. Starting on a terribly bloody cut, she began to plug Eviia's wounds with the algea pieces, making sure to squeeze any excess water out of them beforehand.

"Now, explain to me how you ended up like like this."

[Eviia Hawk]

beyond the shore somewhere past the sea Eviia listened as the woman explained the place she knew all too well. She tried to not look dumbfounded, and probably failed. This coincidence was going to give her a migraine. She almost dies, and then is rescued by a woman who wanted to take her back to the very place she was trying to escape from - temporarily, of course. And not because the will of her own, but because of command. Eviia realized her mouth was hanging open, and she shut it promptly when Adrea approached her with chunks of green algae.  She winced slightly as she pressed the chunks into her wounds, and noticed it helped stop the beads of blood that welled from her cuts. Eviia nodded her thanks to Adrea's familiar, the heron. Smart little creature, that one. Eviia realized there might be more than meets the eye with these two. She was grateful for their presence. "That feels much better. Thank you," Eviia said, poking at them gently. They felt funny on her skin, but she knew better to leave them alone to heal.  A shiver ran down her spine as a soft breeze reminded her of her soaked clothes. She hugged her arms across her chest, rubbing warmth into her arms through her sleeves, looking towards the swell of water beside them. "I was heading to Alaré Port, from Nythalaê, where I live. I thought best to follow the river.. alas I lost my attention elsewhere and paid the price for it. I'll need to be more mindful of my feet next time."  Eviia turned to face Adrea once more. "How well do you know this river? Is there someplace we may rest and build fire? My clothes are still terribly wet, and the sun begins to move to the east. Before long, it will be dark.. and cold." Uncertainty laced her voice at the idea of being caught at night while injured. She may live, but how much fight would she be able to muster if something were to happen? Her eyes focused on Adrea, hopeful that she was willing to travel together.  [ open thread ] [<3]

made by abby of adox.

[Adrea]

Even if it was Chook's idea, a certain pride still swelled inside her chest as Eviia expressed that she was feeling better. Making someone feel better always brought joy to her.

But as soon as a pretty heavy weight was lifted off off Adrea's shoulder, a new one was placed right in the same spot when Eviia asked for somewhere to take shelter.

"You're right," Adrea quickly rose to her feet. "The sun's almost gone." It was time to settle down. Though as she wiped her hands clean on her sun faded tunic, she noticed the bits of algea and drops of blood splattered around. Felt the nudge of the turtle shell lightly against the side of her foot. No, this wasn't a good area to spend the night away.

"How about we just find a good creek to stop at and rest? There’s lots of them around here. Shouldn't be too hard to reach one."

And in the morning Eviia would could hopefully finish her trip to the port. It was about half a day's walk from their current location.

Adrea smiled and nodded, content with her plan. Only, there was one obstacle in the way. "Do you think you can you walk any at all by yourself?" she questioned cautiously.

[Eviia Hawk]

beyond the shore somewhere past the sea Eviia breathed a gentle sigh of relief as Adrea agreed with her. The forest was equal parts lovely and dangerous, and she didn't feel like tempting the danger in her state. She heard tales of some of the fearsome creatures of the woods, who slept beneath the soil, waiting for when they were called to action. If disturbed, they would attack relentlessly at anything. Eviia winced at the idea of her body being crunched by a being immensely more powerful than she. She shook the thought from her head, attention turned to her new friend.  Eviia nodded her agreement to Adrea's plan, if they camped here and the waters rose, they would surely be swept away while they slept. "I trust you know the lands and waters here?" She asked, taking a quick look to survey their surroundings. Behind them, thick brush lined the bank. Eviia eyes scanned until she saw a small opening, most likely an animal path, close downstream. She nodded towards the direction, asking if they should make their way.  "I don't know these lands, but I can make us a fire once we get somewhere safe with cover. Perhaps we'll even get lucky enough to catch dinner," She mused, doing one last check over her body, and finding no new wounds or broken bones.  Eviia nodded to Adrea, as long as her will was there, she could make it. And the human spirit is indomitable. "As long as my feet can carry me, I can walk. After you?" She gestured to the path.  [ open thread ] [<3]

made by abby of adox.

[Adrea]

"Yes, the forest and I are good friends. We won't get lost."

Adrea tried her best to ignore Chook's nagging as she started her way down the path that Eviia pointed out, glancing back behind her shoulder to make sure Eviia wasn't having any trouble following. Yes, she knew that she needed to get back and that she was bringing unnecessary worry to everyone. And they had every right to be worried. She would be worried if the flow reversed and someone else went missing.

Yes, she knew of the dangers and creatures lurked around at night. This fact became twofold with Eviia hanging around. The monsters might see her as easy prey. In spite of this, Adrea really didn't feel like she needed to worry.

After all, "If you respect the river and all of the waters that flow through it," Adrea spoke her thoughts aloud, idly brushing a hand against the trunk of an old oak as she passed by. "Then the river will respect you."

Chook flew off with a huff, mood sour. Oh well, it never took him too long to cool off. Adrea continued down the familiar enough trail, keeping any more thoughts inside as she trodded through the underbrush and occasional fallen stem. Nothing a strong women like Eviia would have trouble traversing.

Just as the day's brightness was replaced with light of the full moon, a split in the path was revealed. One was quite overgrown while the other seemed much tamer. "Let's go visit Edoba," She insisted with a bright smile, motioning for Naviia to follow as she headed down the tame path.

[Eviia Hawk]

beyond the shore somewhere past the sea Eviia felt her sore muscles relax. Her new guide, although a little eccentric, had enough knowledge of their surroundings to guide them to a safe haven, above the churning waters of the river, hopefully nestled within trees and bushes for cover. She bent over, her muscles sending signals of subtle pain to her brain, but she grabbed a large palm sized rock all the same. It was slate gray in color, freckled with a metal known to send fiery crackles when struck. Fire. One of the only things that could secure their survival. She tossed it into the pack tied to her hip, which was still damp with water, belt held steadfast.  Eviia's heart felt a twinge of loneliness as Adrea's familiar chirped and squawked at her. She no longer had a familiar, having fell into such a despair that she closed her heart off from all connection. At the end of each day, she only had herself to watch her back or rely on. Eviia remarked at how silly it was, but grief acted in its own way, and she was simply being dragged through the currents of it, just like in the river earlier. "Adrea, I'm curious." Eviia chimed in as Adrea spoke of the river. "Do you consider the river alive?"  She made sure to keep her head on a swivel as they navigated the brush. Tree branches hung low, with sweet ripe fruits dangling above the forest floor, which was littered with grass, soil, bugs, and lichens of all kinds. They were in the old part of the forest, where the trees grew large enough to fit people inside their trunks, and the sounds of the birds echoed. The canopy growing every thick here, she barely noticed as the sun began to set and cool air settled into her bones. "Edoba?"  Eviia had never visited such a place before, and she wondered if they were friendly towards unknown visitors.  [ open thread ] [<3]

made by abby of adox.

[Adrea]

"Yes, the river is alive. Maybe not in the same way as you and me, or the plants and the creatures, but it's full of life." Adrea stated. "Pity that this knowledge isn't shared anymore, don't you think?"

Not waiting for any reply, she swooped under a low hanging branch and diverged from the trail. After trudging through a thick bunch of ivy that covered the forest floor her ears finally picked up a slight sound. Right on track.

"Gooood evening, Edoba!" She called out in a rather loud sing-song voice as she pushed past a young pine. Pretty soon a small creek came into view, running clean and clear as it snaked it's way around thick roots and moss-covered stones. Adrea kicked off her boots, made from the same thin leather as her clothing, and hurriedly stepped into a water that barely reached above her ankles. "Sorry I haven't-" She couldn't stop the hitch in her breath as a strong coolness sent a shiver down her spine and numbed her mind. "visited you in a while. I've just met...someone who's fallen...into hard times on her way to the port and now...we just need somewhere to rest. Mind if we spend a night...beside you?"

A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she stepped out. "Why don't you go ahead and introduce yourself, Eviia?" Adrea suggested as she started to clear a space for their fire, the already chilly air of the early night slowly melting the literal chunks of ice that had formed around her toes.

[Eviia Hawk]

beyond the shore somewhere past the sea Eviia nodded at the woman's reply, half expecting to hear as much. To be alive is to have a form of expression, and a rivers flow is exactly that. She wondered in that moment if the water had desires of its own. If it yearned to carve shape into the land and rejoin the vast ocean, if it even knew that it was trying to return home. Eviia responded, "If only we all thought the same way." The world might be an easier place to live in. These days she had to worry about people who sought to bring chaos to villages, destroy entire ways of faith and life, and worse.  Eviia followed Adrea slowly, her feet dragging across the soft forest floor with exhaustion. She was nearly at her physical limit, each movement ached more than the last. She breathed out a great sigh when she saw the cove that Adrea led them to. The creek bubbled gently, with water so clear she almost couldn't see it. She'd thought the bed dry until she saw the moons reflection in the rivulet. Eviia's breath caught in her throat as Adrea waded into the creek. The last thing she wanted to do was be anywhere near or in water. Just the sight was enough to make her lungs seize.  She studied Adrea closely with a suspicious eye. She knew there were many faiths in the land, some as ancient as time and some new as a freshly borne babe. Eviia had no idea what she was practicing, but she could respect it all the same. Then Adrea asked her to go next. She felt a wave of emotion erupt from her chest, tightening her muscles and closing her lungs. Eviia felt frantic for a moment, before the familiar chill of the air cut through her thoughts.  The water isn't deep. It's not deep. It's slow and meandering, she could get out if she wanted to. She cast a nervous glance to Adrea, who had begun clearing out space, nestled into the trunk of a tree surrounding by soft vines. She could do this, and get it over with, have a fire and sleep as long as her body needed. Eviia was made of stern stuff and this became a trial for her now. She didn't noticed the frost and ice that collected around Adrea's ankles, as she heaved herself down into a sitting position to remove her shoes.  Her muscles strained and fought against her as she peeled her boots and woolen socks from her feet, which had pruned from being wet for so long. Eviia muttered out a groan as she grasped a branch to heave herself back up. She tapped Adrea's shoulder, handing her the flinted rock she took from the river earlier that day, before half-limping to the edge of the creek. She felt the soil leech warmth from the bottom of her feet, and her entire body broke out in goose flesh. She shivered, and took one tentative step in. She wasn't sure if she could feel more pain, but she could.  She groaned again as her feet prickled in the frigid waters. Eviia's teeth began to chatter, her muscles twitching and shivering in an attempt to keep her warm. "T-thank you.. for.. keeping us safe, f-forest," Was all she could think to say, before lurching herself back onto the bank, stumbling as her head began to get fuzzy.  [ open thread ] [ notes ]

made by abby of adox.