Category: Vaenuth

North of Nokire was a dozen mountain passes of varying safety and distance, winding from smooth jungle terrain into the harsh rise and fall of foothills and cliffs.  The moss became scarce, and soon a grey sand covered everything, save where rocks showed their ribs in the sides of ridges.  Vaenuth’s caravan trudged onward, through the bones of the mountains and onto the edge of the desert.

The south side of the Expanse was a rocky underbelly to the endless dunes of the north.  Their scouts plotted a path through the winding crevices and hills and, during the middle of the 6^th moon, they began to ride west. Continue reading Vaenuth 4

The road town of Nokire was nestled against the gradual slope of a Yurna foothill.  Even more than Rainrest, the village was built amongst the forest, with enormous trees rising from between and sometimes within the wooden buildings, casting shadows upon the makeshift dirt streets.  Having seen more of the world than many of them, Vaenuth often marvelled that no matter how many leaves were between her and the sky, the heat was hot enough to burn the water out of her.  She drank so much, as they rode, that she found herself eager for the next break to relieve herself.

Some of the others drank less than her, and some drank more.  Once they began the real journey, she’d manage their supplies and ration drinks, no matter how harsh that was.  In the Expanse, control was the difference between life and death.  She smirked.  It seemed to be so, even on the rainy side of the Yurna mountains. Continue reading Vaenuth 3

Outside of Rainrest, the caravan camp was abuzz with activity.  With supplies purchased the day before, their wagons were heavy-laden and seating was an important process for the thirty men and women of Vaenuth’s caravan.

“Vae,” said Tagg, stepping into her tent.  “Want me to start packing yours?”

Most of the tents and pavilions were already packed up. Continue reading Vaenuth 2

Vaenuth waited at the bottom of Master Kivrad’s estate. An enormous log wall surrounded the yard, but a grey stone building built of massive bricks supported the nearby staircase.  She sat, with long legs crossed, in a silk cushioned armchair beneath a green forest canvas.  The relief from the sun was nice, but the city of Rainrest was brutally humid.  As always.

“Kivrad is making us wait,” said Banno, a massive man that had accompanied Continue reading Vaenuth 1