The Seeker's Report

[UnBaed 8951]

Spoiler

 

 

When light returned, it was red and glimmered with hatred of the Hells as it illuminated

the cold and resolute face of the warlock; the Guide's betrayal of the caravan became known as the

chattering of fiends echoed from the shadows around them.

 

[Art by Egil Paulson]

 

The following is intended as private RP

 

They had been on the road for approximately three grueling and miserable days.  Yet, such is what Alec accepted to face when he opted to join The Seekers; the patrol to sweep over the Inmarilla countryside; it was the duty of these squadrons to scout for sightings of fiends, or to escort what caravans of refugees that were spat out of the smoke-stained horizon of the east.  The few that could be reached in time spoke only of the encroaching future of fire and brimstone; every passing day, the scent of war grew thicker and thicker upon the winds that passed over the moors.  And every passing day, the howling of fiends echoed more throughout the night.  It wouldn't be long until the sun would be choked out in smoke, and the people would need to seek shelter within the bastion in the mountains.

 

The vast and broad landscape provided them with an advantage in spotting strange sights, primarily fires in the night - either from lanterns of survivors, or hell-flame of the demons that reached the caravans before The Seekers could.  Alec expected he would often have to handle the dead, whenever his squadron encountered remnants of lost caravans torn apart by the roving fiends; however, he was treated with a far more disturbing sight than he could have imagined.  At most, there would be two or three ravaged or charred corpses--with absolutely no trace of anyone else, despite counting several wagons.

 

There was talk of folk being taken, yet to where remained uncertain; little is ever heard back from those who would be sent to track them.  With the dark days stalking closer and closer, nothing could go wasted now.  You could try to save any life at arm's reach of you, but any further and the soul is considered lost and you'd be a fool to step after it.  Although there were no souls to save in the charred caravans, they were still suitable for pillaging and bringing material back to the capital; such was the duty of Alec's squadron now.

 

Upon the evening of their third day of riding, smoke was spotted upon the horizon that signaled another unfortunate caravan.  It wasn't too far off from one of the evacuated hamlets, which looked partially charred in parts too.  With the distance between them, they wouldn't be able to reach it til the morning; the nights were hardly ever safe within the moorlands--such is primarily when caravans were ambushed, or even the bands of Seekers.  Each day, however, the invading fiends grew bolder and bolder.

 

How much longer until we're forced to be drawn into the capital entirely? Alec had wondered as he eyed the vague shapes of shacks as twilight faded into night, behind him his men were just finishing up their ramshackle encampment embraced by large stones.  It won't be long, at this rate.  There would be no fire to warm them, lest they wish to be found in the following week by another roaming band of Seekers as naught but ravaged corpses.  Just as Alec was contemplating the cold night he was to spend, a strange sight had caught his attention by the town; a small flicker of white light.

 

R E P O R T   OF   S E E K E R   A L E C

• Swarm of Screechers spotted within the southern territories, no more than seven roaming--too far to pursue, and risky with our numbers.
  • Encountered carcass of an elk, unfamiliar tracks around it suspected to be demonic origin; absence of eyes and gnawed horns support this notion
• Smoke spotted upon the end of the third day near Corswic, remnants of ambushed caravan--four wagons counted. 
  • Survivors highly unlikely.
  • Attack likely occurred night before; no sign of Scavengers.
• Chimney smoke seen in the morning, despite Corswic's evacuation two months back.
  • Led our squadron to locating one sole survivor in critical but stable condition
  • Suffers from serious burns and heavy scratches, though all wounds look freshly treated prior to our arrival
  • Believed to be from nearby caravan
• Survivor is hardly coherent or functional, multiple signs of a second survivor being present
  • Believed to be a woman, due to the mutterings of the first we've found
  • Yet a second survivor was no where to be found, despite intensive searching
• Survivor will be returned to city and kept in custody for questioning and examination
• Copy of material scavenging from Corswic and the caravan will be attached to this report

 

Alec felt odd after sealing his report and handing it off, there was a thought that itched at the back of his mind; something he regrets having left out from his documenting.  Yet how could he have put any of it into words without being dismissed as superstition?  Back in those moorlands when his squadron was readying to ride back to the capital, it had troubled him greatly that the second survivor of the attack could not be located; all signs pointed to her existence with the treatment of the first survivor's wounds, the tracks of footprints around the room and roads, the small fire in the hearth.  Although feverish and hardly conscious, the first woman they had discovered mumbled often; either of demons, lost family, or whoever her companion had been--all while clutching at a small scallop shell as if her life depended on it.

 

His train of thought was disrupted that day of their departure, by another distant flash of white light on the outskirts of Corswic.  Although nothing came from those strange sightings, they must have meant something.  Yet he still left it out of the report.

 

Meanwhile...

Spoiler

 

 

The sound of buzzing static faded from her ears as she recovered from that surging feeling; though the cavern walls still spun around her--likely a product of her immense fatigue and exhaustion.  With a sound similar to a wheeze, the woman collapsed to her knees and pressed her shoulder to the cool stone beside her as she collected her bearings.  That was risky, you know.  Staying there for so long.  Could have wounded up fried or taken like the rest of them.  She offered no response and rubbed at her brow, before realizing how tightly she had gripped something within her palm.  It was different this time, there wasn't so much smoke--do you think we could find those flowers He showed you? Her eyes opened to gaze upon a tarnished and delicate bracelet she held, it still smelled of soot.  A gift.

 

I cannot continue to persist as a passing shadow; our mark will be fading if I do such.  I would not be alive as I am,

were it not for a reason; she might live now, due to my efforts.

......

And yes... perhaps a day will come where we find those flowers again.