Against all Warnings [PK]

[comatoseprincess 507]

 

The wind whispered through the tall grass, the scent of the earth being carried through it. Tightening her grip on the dagger in her hand, Camila’s eyes were wild and aware of her surroundings. She knew this wasn’t the smartest idea, coming out here all by herself in a foolish attempt to prove herself to her family, perhaps more so to herself. She’d been told again and again, do not hunt alone, Camila. However, she had disregarded their words, tossed them to the side as she stood here now, seeking out an animal she doesn’t know the name of. Bow strapped to her back, something she so rarely used, she was not prepared for this in the slightest, but she was hellbent on proving herself. 

 

Instead, now she stood by the entrance of the cave. The darkness looming just a few feet in front of her. The tracks led here, what could possibly be lurking in the cave? For a moment, a small moment, she did not want to know. She wanted to turn back and head home, yet fought against her instincts as she stepped closer, grip on the hilt of her knife growing stronger. “No, Camila.. Don’t, this is pathetic!” Shaking her head she stepped back, finally turning around. Snap. The woman came to a halt, that one sound sending shivers up her spine.

 

Frozen in place, she didn’t run, she didn’t turn. She merely stood there for what felt like an eternity. And before she knew it something came running, heavy steps echoing out behind her. When she finally turned around to see what it was, it was too late, it was right in front of her as the manticore she’d once hunted with a group, now stood there facing her. The lonesome woman. Suddenly it all went dark, one moment it ran at her, the next her head was hitting the rocky ground which just a moment before was beneath her feet. A pool of red began to form around her head, the cloudy sky above her becoming a blur of colours. The dagger she clung onto tumbled onto the ground, and the beast she did not think she would face now standing over her. 

 

Going into this was a hopeful woman, a woman wishing to prove herself to those she loved, and instead she met her demise.

 

[Lirinya 4021]

By the time they had heard the cries of the creature and by the time the sightings had been reported to the guild, it was all too late. 

 

The Venatys group of hunters and fighters made their way swiftly toward the mountains that overlooked the village of Silasia. Scouts had sprinted breathlessly to report the Manticore, and Justus had rallied a group together in what felt like seconds. But those seconds had been too long.

 

When they had reached the cave of the creature, its nest and its home, Justus had not once considered the sight they might behold. His wife, in the maw of the creature, lifeless and limp. "Camila," the Whitewood bellowed. "Shoot at it," he instructed to the hunting party, "it needs to drop her."

 

And so they did. It took several Venati and cost countless arrows, but eventually the Manticore was clipped, and it dropped the woman to the ground. Justus ran to her, but it was by now far, far too late. The others chased the creature away, leaving the Whitewood to aimlessly tend to his dying, or dead wife.

 

"Vy absolute moron," he wailed, coming the bloodied hair from her face, "what were vy thinking? Why would vy come here, alone!" 

 

Justus lofted her into his arms, gently as though she were still alive. He held her close. The last time he'd get to hold her.

 

He made his way back to Silasia.

 

 

[Captain Jester 238]

Rozalija thought of many things, but her mother’s death coming so soon was not one of them. She was ten. How could she? Upon hearing the news, would the young girl realize how much of a luxury good parents can be?

She saw the flaw in her father’s demeanor - solemn and heavy, but perhaps that was her over-observing. After all, grownups were supposed to be serious when they’re not talking to a child, not their child at least. She just figured Justus had hit his head again; he was a silly man after all, until that day.

He had tried to break the news gently to his daughter, but Roza knew better than to jump to his conclusion—if her mother got into a bad accident, surely it can’t be as bad as death. Soldiers die in war, old people die eventually of age; that’s expected... not people going through their daily life; especially mothers.

As the news came to her, she had to wonder with burning tears. Why would GOD take over a job she was supposed to have? Wasn’t she the one supposed to take care of her mother before death came? If GOD knew that her mother would suffer, why didn’t he stop it before? Was he not supposed to be good? When did GOD take over her home and took away what was already familiar?

Roza wanted to ask her mother about what breed of dog she should get. She didn't want it small, in case something bigger tried to hunt it.

The news weighed heavily in her heart as the young girl walked through the town, keeping her head held high. She needed to stay calm like her father was trying to be. Truthfully, Roza doesn't think she'd ever be like Camila, but if her father wanted to try then so will she.

Though a fresh wave of tears came when a new question came: do puppies cry when they're taken from their mothers even if they're going to a new home?

Edited July 18, 2025 by Captain Jester

[Jayphynph 279]

Charles Reye slowly approached the body. The corpse of a woman he had seen grow up, who he had called daughter and whose children called him grandfather. Every step echoed throughout the room, thundering in his mind. The covered slab seemed to shake and whir, clouding his vision, an effect only worsening with each step as the aging man drew closer. Finally, he dared himself to lift the sheet from Camila's face...

 

She seemed so... peaceful, he thought to himself. Despite the massive gash on the back of her head and bite marks on her body, she almost looked to be sleeping. Nevertheless, Charles collapsed on the floor at the sight, immediately breaking into tears.

 

"I'm so sorry, my child..." - "I'm so sorry," was all he could say through the cascade of grief and pain now falling from his eyes. After what felt like an eternity, Reye managed to rise to his feet, looking Camila in the eyes. He took a deep breath, muttering a prayer before covering his daughter's face with the sheet once more.

 

Beyond the many preparations for the funeral, Charles would have to sharpen his sword and tune his bow. He was going hunting, after all.

[Bethinwonderland 2213]

 

Valencia stood at the aviary, checking her mail with letters that had come in.

Charles  was walking around aimlessly, back and forth from the church, the house, the keep… As he turned the corner, the sound of pained coughing gave him away, throat closing upon seeing the love of his life. Once his brief fit of illness was over, a single word escaped his lips. “Val….”

Valencia had turned at the sound of the cough, her eyes softening as she fully faced Charles with a letter in hand “Mi amor” she spoke with a love in her voice “You didn't wake up with that cough, are you alright?”

“I'm fine,” he croaked, furrowing his brows. “I- I-” Charles was noticeably struggling for words, not quite knowing what to say or do.

The Hyspian Princess almost seemed to glide over to her partner “You don't sound it, should we go back to the house for some tea? You sound like you need it, honey at the very least.”

Charles suddenly embraced her in a deep hug. “My love, I'm so sorry,” he mumbled in her ear. “Camila, she… She had an accident”

Valencia hugged him back tightly, a slight smile on her face… Only for his words to ring in her ears. There was an instant pull back with her hands on his shoulders.. Searching, her eyes searching his.. His face… his tone “What type of accident?”

Charles' tone would be one of deep grief, his face laden with sympathy. He seemed to almost sink into the ground, grabbing one of Valencia's hands with his own. “She went after a manticore alone.” he murmured, the words echoing in his ears. The usually pleasant sounds of Silasia faded out, Valencia's face being the only thing visible as tears swelled in Charles' eyes. “Val, she's- she's dead,” he finally said. The tears now fell ever so slowly down his face, looking to Valencia for her reaction in fear and worry.

There was a long silence that filled the air between the two. A look of perplexity on the woman's visage that was followed by a sudden laugh “Bhahaha-” Valencia's head inclined slightly, a thin lipped smile on her aging features “mi corazón y comienza, just because I'm laughing doesn't make that a funny joke” she gave his hand and shoulder a squeeze, not believing what just fell onto her ears. A more serious nature came about her “Por favor, don't make it again” her smile dropped… Deep down though, she knew there was most likely truth to his words.

He didn't react much to the sudden burst of laughter, instead just shaking his head. The grip on Valencia's hand remained firm. “Mi amor, I'm so sorry,” he merely repeated, tears now streaming down his face like a waterfall.

Confusion. That was the word to describe it. The woman blinked a few times as searched him once more “Charlie.. I told you this isn't funny..” Her words of denial come forth like a gentle river “You can stop making it now.” Though as his tears flowed. Her's did not. Words from long ago echo'd in her head "There will be time for grieving when the killers are dead."

An emotion washed over Charles' face. A rare emotion, that of grief and… anger. The Reye furrowed his brows in confusion, perhaps struggling to accept her reaction. “Val, I'm not joking,” he said gently, taking a deep breath.

There was a simple, small word uttered “how..?” Her tone might have been accepting? She moved to hug him once more. Within the hug Charles wouldn't see the devastation on the taller woman's face.

He had taken another deep breath. “She went after a manticore alone,” he mumbled. “Justus found her, the kids know.”

Valencia’s breath hitched  at those words.. Camila would have had the dangers of those drilled into her since she was but a young girl.. So many of the de Pelears line dispatched by their claws and jaws “is it dead?” Were the only words she spoke.

“I don't know.” he continued, voice trembling at the thought of his daughter's body in the maw of the beast. “She's in the church,” he mumbled. “Would you like to see her?”

“We have work to be done then” still, the Princess shed no tears, but a silent nod was offered at the offer to see Camila.
 

Spoiler

Thank you Comatose for playing my daughter.