Announcement

**jborgon** · 10-08-2014, 12:08 AM

Ranger froze for a moment as he pulled back the caravan's flap. He was surprised to find another person hiding within. A boy, really, he thought, though in truth he wasn't that old himself. After he regained his composure he stood up straight and eyed the boy curiously, trying to get a read on what he was doing there. The simple fact that he had been inside the wagon made him feel like he was more hiding from the men of the caravan, rather than traveling with them. Yet, there was the possibility that he was the son of one of the men they'd killed, hiding in there to be safe from the Stari attack. Either way, it wouldn't do to have him stay in there. "And what might you be doing here?" Ranger started, "A stowaway, perhaps?" It seemed like the boy was having a hard time knowing what to do, so one of Ranger's men's stepped into the wagon, intending to get him out.
"Come here, you," the man said. For a moment, Ranger felt uneasy. Something felt off, with the boy. As if there was something there he could feel, but couldn't quite place in his mind. It was too late to stop the man approaching him, so he just waited to see how the boy reacted to them.

**Shadow wing** · 10-15-2014, 07:53 PM

Eclipse was frozen in horror as the man climbed into the wagon. The boy was on the verge of having a panic attack as the man reached for him. Suddenly, Eclipse's survival instincts kicked in, drawing on his powers. Numerous pure-black spikes shot seemingly from nowhere to impale the Stari man in multiple places, instantly killing him. Eclipse was frozen in shock until as the spikes dissipated, sending blood splattering everywhere. As soon as some landed on his face, Eclipse shrieked and dropped to his knees, holding his head and crying.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!" Eclipse curled into a ball, crying and apologizing repeatedly.

**jborgon** · 11-09-2014, 08:25 PM

Ranger was shocked silent, taking a step backwards as the boy fell apart before him. Silently he motioned for the two new Stari who had approached at the sound of the commotion to take the dead one and move back. He knew nothing good would come from trying to take the boy by force again. After the display of power, Ranger began noticing little details in the boy he hadn't before. His fair skin, the shape of his ears, the build of his body. There was no doubt about who he was. He quietly moved a bit closer and crouched before the boy, careful not to pull any sudden movements. "It's strange to see a Stari so young out here all alone. Are you okay?" He made his tone as soothing as possible.

**Shadow wing** · 12-11-2014, 01:50 PM

Eclipse grabbed the front of Ranger's shirt and cried into it, sniffling apologies the whole time. After a several minutes of sobbing, he settled down and sat back with his legs folded under him and his head bowed.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do it,” Eclipse sniffed. “I just got really scared.” He wiped his eyes on the back of his hand, smearing the blood across his face and hand at the same time.

**jborgon** · 12-29-2014, 10:04 PM

Ranger quietly waited for the boy to settle down before saying anything. When he did, he smiled sympathetically. "How old are you?" he asked. He knew in his unstable state any aggravating words might set off his power again, as it didn't seem like he was very much in control. "You look young." At that time, the other two Stari returned. One looked angry, the other confused. Ranger shook his head sternly, signalling for them to wait outside. He turned back, hoping that the boy would calm down enough to answer his questions properly.

**Shadow wing** · 01-23-2015, 12:50 AM

Eclipse hesitated. He wasn't sure if he should be telling this man information about him. What if he was a bad man?
Come on, Eclipse, it's not like he can do much with your age, Aria chided her brother. Eclipse started somewhat, not having noticed when his sister left her hiding place. Or even where her hiding place was, for that matter. And besides, he seems like a good man; I'm sure you can trust him.
"Alright," Eclipse turned to Ranger. "W-Well, I'm....uh....I'm...." He hesitated. He hadn't kept track of how old he was. To think of his birthday would only serve to remind him of home, something he mostly tried to avoid doing. So instead, he turned to his sister.
"How old am I?" The boy asked.
Thirteen.
"Oh." He turned back to the man who was sitting patiently in front of him. "I'm thirteen!" He beamed.

**jborgon** · 01-24-2015, 11:42 PM

Ranger waited patiently for the boy to answer. At least he could see he was beginning to calm down. When he turned to ask what was apparently empty air how old he was, Ranger's eyes darted across the wagon, but there was no one else there that he could see. Still, he didn't say anything and nodded as the boy delivered his age.
"Thirteen? I'm impressed. Not very many thirteen-year-olds dare travel secretly in a supply wagon out in the middle of nowhere," he mused, chuckling in a friendly manner. "What were you doing in here?" he added nonchalantly.

**Shadow wing** · 02-20-2015, 02:58 PM

Eclipse cocked his head when he saw Ranger looking around, but dismissed it. Adults did weird things.
"Well, I got on here to do something, but I can't remember what it is. What was it, again?" Eclipse addressed his question to his sister, who shrugged. I'm sorry, but neither of us can remember. Hang on, aren't you supposed to introduce yourself before asking someone questions?"

**jborgon** · 03-30-2015, 10:15 PM

Ranger chuckled at the boy's question and nodded. "Pardon me, I was just taken aback by a bit of luggage we weren't expecting in this carriage," he winked jokingly. "My name is Ranger Swiftongue, of the Stari tribe, as you are. What is your name then?" Something still seemed off about the kid to Ranger. As if there was more to him, or as if he didn't know things that he should've. It was very strange, but still Ranger tried to keep from upsetting him again.

**Shadow wing** · 05-15-2015, 11:59 AM

"Swiftongue? Does that mean you talk fast? Aria chuckled at that, and Eclipse couldn't help a few snorts at his joke, which he quickly apologized for. "Anyway," The boy said as he stood up. My name is Eclipse, and that's my sister, Aria. Pleased to meet you!" Eclipse beamed.

**jborgon** · 05-16-2015, 06:40 PM

Ranger tried to keep smiling, but he was taken aback. "Your sister huh? Won't she say hi to me? I swear I look scarier than I am," he asked innocently, though it worried him that there was no one in the wagon that Eclipse could be referring to. Perhaps another Stari with the power of invisibility? He doubted it. Before Eclipse could answer, a Stari woman popped in behind him.
"Ranger, it's getting late. If we don't get moving we'll never make it back before sunrise, and the chance of more of Rhykim's guards stumbling upon us increases," she whispered to him. He nodded at her and told her to give the order to the others to start riding.
"And make sure the bodies are hidden in the trees. I'll lead the wagons on horse, right behind you." She nodded and headed off. Ranger turned back to the boy and smiled just as Dara approached them. He smiled at the cheetah. "This is Dara, Dara this is Eclipse and his sister Aria." The cheetah looked at him funny when he said this, but he shook his head. Dara then walked away. "So, Eclipse, how about you join me at the head of the wagons? It'll be more comfortable there, after all it's a long ride back to camp."

**Shadow wing** · 05-20-2015, 06:37 PM

"Uh, she..." Eclipse started, but was interrupted by the woman walking in, then by an apparently intelligent cat, neither of which he had time to react to before they had already left. He was still wondering about the cat when Ranger started talking to him, intruding on his thoughts. "I guess that would be alright." The hesitation was clear in his voice. "Where are we going?"

**jborgon** · 06-30-2015, 10:40 PM

"Oh, it's nothing special really," Ranger began as they began the walk back to the head of the wagons. "Our camp's in a cave in the mountains. It is pretty spacious, though damp and cold without our fires to warm it. It's been filled to the brim with our things, and the combination of animal smells and people that haven't bathed in days can become nauseating and claustrophobic even. I spend every moment I can away from it, enjoying the vastness and freshness that comes with clean air. Still though, after a while of being there, it's become some kind of home to us." Ranger smiled at the boy as they reached the place where they would be riding. "After you," he motioned, waiting for Eclipse to get on first. Though he described the place to him, Ranger made sure not to give away any specific details of where the camp was. The idea had crossed his mind about a young spy from Rhykim, Stari, conveniently riding in a caravan they intercepted. He thought it doubtful, but still acted with caution. They'd have to blind the boy when they neared the base, but Ranger would cross that bridge when they got there.

**Shadow wing** · 08-14-2015, 01:14 PM

Eclipse was initially hesitant to mount the horse standing in front of him. After all, he had only just met these people less than an hour ago. Although, Aria reasoned, coming up alongside him, It's not like we have much choice. They might kill us if we refuse. And besides, where else would we go?

Eclipse agreed with this logic, and decided that it would be for the best to go along with the Stari for now. Though he did have some initial difficulty actually getting into the saddle, he was able to imitate the others and found himself firmly seated in the saddle as Ranger mounted behind him.

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The Mountain Base

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