Isles of Myst Mid-day, today On the road back to Mishakal temple
Kylie Jonas had not prepared for anything quite like this since the fateful journey to retrieve Sephyr all those years ago with Lex, Jinnai, and the group. But since that evening in the inn last week when she sensed the culmination of tensions between Myles, his elder Marriska, his childe, Vash, and Carinda, Kylie had worked diligently to prepare herself physically, mentally, and most importantly, emotionally for what would inevitable arise. And now the time had come for her to stand and protect those she cared for and her very way of life. For if she did not do so now, it would be too late when Myles came for her daughter or her husband. After all, this had all begun between her and Myles; where and when would it end? Form-fitting, well-worn black jodhpurs would give her the cover of night and enable her to grip her knees against the horse and lean closer to gain that extra ground when speed might be an issue. The lightweight burgundy cloak would offer sufficient protection from the mist and night air to come. Beneath that and over a short black shirt of tightly woven cotton, Kylie wore a finely constructed breastplate. Made of a combination of sacred True Essence elderbone threaded in thin intricate lines with elven mithril. A thin ornate line of silver dragon scales ran along the center, protecting her sternum and keeping her focused. The armored vest was a gift, given to her by her adoring uncle, that she had often chuckled about as being entirely ornamental in her house. But in having trained for days in it, it was now like second skin to her and brought a sense of immense inner peace and confidence. The piece had been blessed in ceremony to both the goddesses Chauntea and Mishakal, her creator and the healer. Aside from her ever-present emerald-jeweled dagger strapped at her right thigh, Kylie also wore a short sword at her right hip, a coil of rope diagonally across her chest, and two silver-bladed, poisoned-tipped throwing daggers concealed tightly, sheathed and nestled at the back of each shoulder beneath the cloak. Kylie glanced to the dark mouth of the cave where the elder kindred, Marriska, had taken refuge from the punishing rays of sunlight. "I must rest," had been her last ragged words as their brief conversation came to a conclusion. "So be it," Kylie spoke quietly as she stood still, her fingers tightly gripping the leather reins to her horse's bridle; the equine pranced behind her uneasily in the presence of kindred. The woman with the wolf spirit shining through her eyes calculated that she had at least 7 hours of daylight. She would return to this very place tonight and keep the word spoken to Marriska as well. Kylie knew well enough that wrong-doing within a closed community should be handled with elder intervention. She'd faced a tribal council of her own kind, years ago when she'd chosen her path to walk among humans. However, Kylie would bear witness to the exchange between her and Myles, for Kylie's stake in this was too high and too personal. The pain in her dear friend Vash's eyes flickered back through her mind as she mounted the horse once again and headed to the temple to offer a prayer, speak with Vash, and seek council with the light. She felt assured that this dark evil seeking to infect her life would be stopped from spreading and the success would further strengthen the belief that no harm would ever touch her beloved Emma. It was a vow made between her and Jackson the day their daughter came to this world, and Kylie would give her life before that vow would ever be broken. ~*~ It was on her way back along the well-travelled road that she caught the first scent in the air as it wrapped around her tongue. The wolves. Myle's wolves. Her nerves sharpened, her horse pranced, and Kylie turned off the road. At least three of them. Were they following her? Were they guarding their twisted Master's soul while he slept? She breathed in deeply and her sharp eyes scanned the seemingly silent, empty forest as she quieted the horse with a soft cooing. Mid-day rays of sun filtered through the tall isle trees and cast goddess' light upon the forest floor. Though they indicated no sense of containment or possession through their presence, Kylie could not comprehend why they stayed loyal to one who went against the very codes of wolf society. Kylie quickly dismounted and tied her horse securely to a solid tree branch. She rustled through a saddle bag and drew out her sack of food. ~Come sweetlings...you hunger I can tell. I sense your restlessness in the heat of the day.~ There was no question that a natural wolf could recognize her true scent, though she was not of their pack and known to them already. Kylie walked to a canopy of thick-leafed trees that provided deep shade and sat down at the base of a thick trunked one, her cloak billowing out like a blanket. With an easy sigh of contentment, she drew out a piece of fresh rabbit and began to nibble while quietly and gently calling to those she felt were her kin, her brothers and sisters though perhaps misguided. And wolf packs held tightly to a strict order, such that an alpha would not offer to lower herself to the betas and omegas without a challenge. But this was not a normal pack nor a normal set of circumstances. She sensed no alpha among them. Thus, sharing a meal was the greatest sign of respect. ~The same blood runs through our veins silent ones. Come and see. Do not be blinded by the darkness. Let the sweet light of Chauntea show you that I mean you no harm. I offer my meal to you as proof.~ She tilted her head back and gave a howl of greeting, certain that within moments she would be surrounded by images of her own true self. She knew her own kind was a curious, inquistive, and intelligent species - at least those that were not tricked into believing in dark powers. To learn more about the Kylie and her family: http://www.islesofmyst/bittersweet/kylie/ ~~~~~~ "she looked so fine, i said baby what's on your mind? she said 'i want to run like the lion released from the cages, released from the rages burning in my soul tonight...' " -- To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Archives & Other DMI Lists: http://islesofmyst.com/lists.php3
