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**Peeps** · 05-06-2013, 03:08 PM

"Okay then," Donovan replied as he climbed onto Chadur's saddle. It was a bit of a struggle to get on, but once he was seated, Donovan was relieved to take the weight off his legs. He might have wanted to take a break from riding for himself if his whole body hadn't still been aching so much from before. "I guess I can take another passenger if anyone wants to ride." Donovan said. He figured that they would be moving at a walking pace and it wouldn't be too difficult to take a stranger.

As Inga was beginning to get used to the new group, her alertness jumped again when she noticed a shady figure, and then one of Sephira's friends aiming an arrow at it. With everything that had happened previously in the day, she had no idea of what to expect next. She still wasn't sure what was up with the giant bird and Castle Town. And of course, she hadn't expected to meet a Stari or her whole group of mixed race friends. She calmed a bit when the man turned out to be another friend of Sephira's, but she couldn't settle down completely. When Sephira brought the Kokiri over, Inga helped lift him onto the saddle in front of her. He was small enough that it wouldn't be hard using the reigns, and she had ridden with children a couple times before. She wasn't sure how young he actually was because of how Kokiris aged, but couldn't help thinking of him as a child.
"Elwood, was it?" Inga said, remembering James introducing him. "What a nice name." She meant it, but it sure sounded like the cliche phrase you tell a kid. She was surprised to be riding with a Kokiri--she couldn't recall a single conversation she had ever had with one. She never have a reason to.

**jborgon** · 05-15-2013, 01:05 AM

Elwood became surprised, anxious, fearful, and amazed all at the same time. There were so many emotions going through his mind being on a horse that he said nothing as Sephira placed him on it. He'd seen the large animals before, when adventurers came to the Kokiri Shop to get their first swords. However, he'd never been brave enough to go close to one, let alone be on one. He felt all over the back of the horse's head with his small hands, getting used to it. When Inga spoke to him, he turned, momentarily forgetting about the animal under him. "Thanks!" he said happily. He had liked the complement, never having been told that in his life. Then, as he was about to say something else, he felt at a loss. As much as he tried, the women's name didn't show up in his records. He had obviously not been paying attention when she had been introduced. Ashamed, he said, "Um, I'm sorry but I don't recall your name..."
James raised an eyebrow at Sephira's comments. He quickly shook his head. "I'm fine, Sephira. Don't worry about me, I've walked longer distances in worst conditions," his voice dropped to a whisper so Sephira and Sephira only could hear, "besides, I'm not too trustful of them just yet, whether they be on the horse on not." He smiled at her, "But really, don't worry." He knew she'd probably keep arguing with him until he complied, but when he was about to say something else he heard a familiar voice. After a few seconds, his memory placed a name to it. He could see the stranger had in fact been Tennor. If he wasn't mistaken, it'd been months since he'd last seen him, maybe even a year. Instead of saluting the man, however, his mind drifted to those days long ago. Elliot, Rose, Amaterasu, David, among other names came rushing back to his mind. Elliot and Rose were now gone, so much for his dream of living a long and happy life as a family with them. He didn't know what had happened to Ammy, or if she was dead or alive, and after David turned crazy-evil and attacked him and Elliot he had had no news of him. He couldn't believe how long it'd been. With a sigh and a dry mouth he turned his attention back to the current events. He suddenly realized how dirty he was due to the desert air and wished they could find a lake or river to bathe in.

**Peeps** · 05-16-2013, 05:42 PM

"Inga," she gladly responded to the Kokiri. Sometimes as a Sheikah, it was a good thing for people to not remember your name. Sometimes you weren't even supposed to give your real name at all, but Inga hadn't been in that situation often. And with Elwood being such an innocent looking little boy, she couldn't help gaining his trust quickly. She watched as he seemed to be admiring the horse they sat upon, and realized that Kokiris rarely rode horses. "Ever ridden a horse before?" she asked Elwood, guessing he hadn't.

**DekuNut** · 05-18-2013, 12:31 PM

Tennor smiled, "James! Long time no see!" He stood, knowing that at least some of those he had met were friends. However, he didn't sheath his knife. He still wasn't sure about the others that were with them. However, he put on a convincing smile and nodded to them, "So, what's been going on?"

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 05-18-2013, 09:26 PM

Kaida eyed the newcomer warily. There was starting to be too many of these Hylians for her taste. She was tempted to hop back on the horse with Donovan and leave these people behind. But her legs and back still didn't want her on horseback again. She fanned herself, hoping the group would move out of the brutal heat soon.

Sephira scowled inwardly at James. Didn't trust them? That was a paltry excuse to her. She didn't trust anyone! Of all the people presently in their group, she trusted no one but her animal partners and James. She trusted Elwood's youthful innocence to keep from betraying her, but it was that same childishness that she distrusted. And of course Ea didn't like Star and Midnight, who were Sephira's family, so naturally she didn't trust the huntress. And these new people and Tennor, who'd been missing for goddesses knew how long? Please. Nayru had gifted Sephira with suspicion perhaps too much so after him.
No. She only smiled and greeted them as friends so she could use them. Ea's skill with a bow to protect them. Donovan's gift of horses and his female companions. Inga's Sheikah abilities, although she disliked Sheikah. Kaida's strong sword. Tennor she wasn't sure about, but she remembered him well enough to accept his assistance.
Sephira sighed, allowing a wisp of smoke to escape her lips with it. "Fine. But if it starts slowing us down, I will put you on a horse." In an undertone, she added, "And don't use mistrust as an excuse. I have more than enough." Turning a beaming smile at Tennor, she said, "Well I'm glad you're back. Do you want to come with us? We could use your help." She put an arm around James' shoulders. "We're leaving Hyrule."

"Long as we leave soon," Zarola muttered.
"Agreed," Midnight said, moving to stand by Inga's horse. He wasn't going to let Elwood go off on his own.

**DekuNut** · 05-22-2013, 04:58 PM

Tennor shrugged, "I have nowhere else to go. Where exactly out of Hyrule?" While he spoke he surveyed the group. He sensed an uneasy tension throughout them. Giving an inward sigh, he nodded to some of them. He sheathed his knife.

**jborgon** · 05-28-2013, 03:31 PM

"Inga, I'll be sure to remember that," he smiled sincerely. He could tell the girl was one of those likable people who he had no problem trusting. Unconsciously he wrinkled his nose, trying to get some sand off. The heat was not too pressing on him, but he wished they could get out of the desert soon. He shook his head promptly in response to her question. "I've seen them. I think they're gorgeous animals, but I've always been too scared of them. In fact, I would have never gathered courage on my own to come onto one." He smiled again, hoping she understood the way he felt. Looking down at the wolf, he felt giddy that he'd acquired such a loyal and great friend.

James smiled back at Tennor's comment. "Yes, a very long time," he added with emphasis on the very. He noticed that Ammy wasn't around Tennor, either, even though the two had been very close during the times of the camp. Once again, he wondered what'd happened to her. He wondered where'd Tennor had been all this time. However, he didn't feel the need to ask this very instant. He was getting anxious and would have liked nothing more than to get a move on a soon as possible. James made no attempt at a response to Sephira's comment. He knew she was right, but he felt better this way. He wouldn't slow them down, even if it hurt him in the process. He also grinned at Tennor when Sephira answered his question. "As far away as we can," he replied, nodding slowly, "We ran into some...untimely circumstances. So it seems we will be better off far away sooner rather than later."

**DekuNut** · 05-29-2013, 05:58 PM

Tennor shrugged, "I have not hing left here. Let's go." He could tell that James was holding back some questions but decided to let him ask them in his own time. He kept watching the others, trying to judge their characters.

**Peeps** · 05-31-2013, 03:21 PM

"Yeah," Inga responded to Elwood. "I didn't jump onto my first horse too quickly." She recalled her disastrous first horse ride. She was a little kid, and Lyxa lifted her up onto the horse. In a matter of seconds the horse had kicked his back high in the air and rolled Inga onto the ground over him. Since then she has grown to trust horses much more, but still has a bit of a grudge against the animal in general. "Once you get the hang of riding though, horses can be the best thing ever."

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 06-05-2013, 04:10 PM

Kaida finally relaxed and released her sword hilt as the new guy, Tennor?, put away his knife. She thought she saw other people relax as well, although it was difficult to be sure.

Sephira smiled as she caught James' comment and the emphasis he placed on the "very". It had been a long time since they'd last seen the man, and by emphasizing the length of time, James was informing him that much had changed. They'd almost be building their relationship from scratch again. His comment about "untimely circumstances", however, sobered her. Are you sure I'm doing this right, Elliot? she silently asked, willing the goddesses to send her message to her friend. Protecting your killer, leading these people to unknown lands, exposing myself to James? She shook her head. Later, she told herself fiercely.
"Agreed. Let's go. I might like heat better than you all, but even I can't stand the desert at noon." She turned and started moving through the sand. She didn't know where exactly she should be heading, but she knew there had to be a break in the cliff wall. They just had to find it.
Star hurried to her side and fell into step with her. "Something wrong, Sephira?" she asked. She had sensed the Stari's uneasiness and fear.
Sephira sighed and reached up to touch where her pendant normally rested. "I want to tell him," she said, feeling the absence of the piece. "Elliot said I shouldn't be afraid to open myself up, that we both deserved to be happy. I want to, but I want him to know what he'd be getting into. He deserves to know why I'm so afraid."
Star looked up her, amber-colored eyes filled with pride and warmth. "You should tell him everything. Just how close you were, and what you did after. The greatness of your fear, and the depth of your desire."
"I will put this ghost to rest," Sephira promised, glancing back at James. I won't let him keep me loving again. I won't let you, Vincent." She shivered as the name rolled from her tongue, for the first time since he had betrayed her.

**DekuNut** · 06-06-2013, 08:49 AM

Tennor picked up hos meager belongings. He could tell that something had changed since he left... that a lot of somethings had changed. He couldn't place it, however... what was wrong?

**jborgon** · 06-07-2013, 01:32 AM

James began walking and matched his pace to Sephira's, but kept just a little bit behind. He had reached a point of tiredness in which his mind was continually losing focus and drifting off. He dragged along, sparing just a quick glance to make sure no one was missing. He blinked and his eyelids remained close for too long, so he shook his head fiercely and forced himself to remain awake. Just a little longer... Stay focused, we're almost there. I can feel it. He stood up straight and began asking questions to himself in his mind to keep himself busy. Unfortunately, one question decided to pop into his head that brought his tiredness into focus once again. How long has it been since the last time you really slept?
Elwood listened to Inga, and he believed her. By simply being on a horse he felt much more adventurous than before. It might have been the fact that he was finally at eye level with the others, but he knew the horse also had something to do with it.
As James kept keeping his thoughts busy, he came upon one that was one of his best, but also made him feel regretful for a lot of things. It had been the day of his birthday, one year before. Now that he thought about it, he couldn't believe he had forgotten today was his birthday. Not that he cared too much about it. One year older meant one year closer to dying, even if he was only 16. That day he had spent with Elliot at the beach was filled with great memories, and he missed it. He took a deep sigh and kept walking. Suddenly an urgent jingling interrupted the thoughts of both Elwood and James. Nia flew up into the air in front of Sephira, and Elwood, startled as he was, felt sure the fairy had something to tell them. "What is it, Nia?" he asked from his place on the horse. Nia jingled again.
"Over there, look!" She moved further away, a direction a bit altered to the one they had been going in. Then Elwood saw it, and James too. It was hard to spot, hidden between the formations of the desert. Still, James was sure it was what they had been looking for. The very same reason why they were in the desert in the first place. The opening Elwood had seen. Their exit out of Hyrule.

**Peeps** · 06-07-2013, 03:38 PM

Inga silently rode along with the group, admiring the view around her. She had always thought the desert was strangely beautiful; it was so much different from the rest of Hyrule. The heat didn't bother her much and as much as she likes people, she enjoyed the solitude. One of her favorite things to do was to just camp out in the sand under the moon. Gerudo Desert seemed almost like a different place today though--she had never traveled across it in a group like this, and she would soon be entering foreign lands that she never knew were linked to the desert before. She wondered why she had never ventured beyond the desert on her own before, out of curiosity. Probably because she had things to do back in Kakariko. Then she started thinking about the Sheikahs. I wonder when they will realize that I'm gone... she thought. And when they will begin to worry. How will I return? They'll definitely be ticked... but this is better than anything I could be doing at home right now.
She then noticed the Kokiri in front of her and a few others looking at something up ahead. She followed their gaze and was sure she was looking at what they were: an opening in the ridge along what could have been the edge of the desert. She smiled, excited to cross territory and not feeling much for the land she was leaving behind. She was happy enough that she might have sped up her horse without noticing.
Donovan wasn't able to pay attention to the other people around him much as he rode. His pain seemed to be getting worse and worse, like something was closing in on his soul. He kept watching ahead for an exit from the desert. The heat only made everything worse, and he just wanted to rest. The sun hadn't moved much, but it seemed like a week or two had gone by when he noticed people looking at a possible exit ahead. The hope of reaching a more peaceful place took a tiny bit of mental pain away, but he still felt overwhelmed. "Kaida," he grunted, trying to point ahead and smile.

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 06-08-2013, 05:41 PM

Sephira flinched as something suddenly flew up in front of her, jingling as it did so. She quickly recognized it as Nia and snorted out smoke to let Elwood's fairy know that it wasn't very wise to startle her like that. She did follow the fairy's excited motions and saw the small pass through the cliffs. She grinned. "We're actually going to leave Hyrule," she said quietly, almost disbelievingly. "Goddesses keep us safe as we venture on in our quest."

Kaida jumped as there was a sudden noise intrude on the quiet desert. She looked up to see something moving around and jingling. She frowned as she realized it was a fairy, but it seemed to be a more purplish color than the recovery fairies in Clock Town. Did that mean it'd be worth more? Did the different color mean it had stronger recovery abilities, or different ones altogether?
Then she noticed what the fairy was trying to gesture to. The exit. A grin spread across her face, even as she heard Donovan say her name. She glanced over at him, curious, and frowned as she realized he was in pain. But from what? "Almost home," she whispered, touching his knee. "We'll put these bizarre lands behind us soon."

(Peeps, if you'd post a new thread for us to move to in Ikana, please?)

**Ser Soup** · 06-10-2013, 03:59 PM

hey

Gerrard was not extremely social, so in the midst of all the emotion he sat back and listened. He did not trust any of the new people, and he decided from there on out he would watch his back at all hours. He was relieved when Sephira came back and he was intrigued with the conversation. They started moving again and then he saw the way out, he thought he would never see this place, but some part of him knew he had to go. He took a deep breath and stepped forward into the unknown.

Announcement

The Mournful Kingdom of Sand

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