Returning to Sarvas Part 6 - The Stalkers

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As the plains gave way to foothills, and then to mountains, unease gnawed at Ahsch. Over the course of three days as they approached the range that cradled Sarvas and the Forest, the hrafthi felt as tense as he had upon first setting out - if not more, due to not knowing what, if anything, was out there. Waiting. Watching.

Ahsch blinked as the thought crossed his mind. Watching? he repeated to himself, before almost slapping his forehead. Watching - and making fucking bonds.

He swept his bond-sense out, and immediately locked-on to almost two dozen foreign, unfamiliar bonds, one-directional, and cautiously… predatory.

We’re being watched, he informed his companions, sending the spacial awareness of their stalkers’ bonds through Daydreamweave. Probably have been for a few days running. He paused, then glared at Rwnil. I suppose you were only going to say something if I really messed up, right?

The ascendant gazed back impassively, though Ahsch could see the amusement - and slight disappointment - that his mentor felt.

The question is, what do we do about it? Ariin said.

They aren’t quite actively hostile, Ahsch said. At least, not yet. Predatory for sure though - I imagine they’re monsters, possibly feral ones, given how remote we are. Focusing with his sense, he confirmed it.

So, they’re probably after you and Dorin, Kirasiel concluded. Odd that they haven’t attacked us then. They outnumber us by quite a bit.

We’re unknowns, and given that they likely saw us vanish into Ahsch’s demi-plane, they probably assume we’re quite powerful, Rwnil stated.

Ahsch nodded to himself. It’s not like we’re leaking Mana or imposing our presence outwards, but being able to access demi-planes isn’t simple stuff.

That still leaves Miss Ariin’s question, Dorin reminded them. What do we do about it?

Ahsch frowned, then side-eyed Rwnil. You wouldn’t let us get hurt, would you?

_I doubt very much they would hurt you,_ came her humorless reply.

His eyes narrowed. You know what I meant.

And you know that I am not your keeper, boy.

Ahsch fell silent, thinking. Several minutes passed before he finalized a plan. Dorin, Rwnil, any of the other ‘sections’ of my demi-plane appeal to you over the others?

Confusion bloomed in the servant’s emotions, though Rwnil just seemed amused, the ascendant humming a small laugh.

It was closer to an hour that night before the group emerged from the demi-plane, and Ahsch quickly turned towards where the leader of the monsters lurked - copious amounts of sensing and studying the bonds between the monsters had given him a surprising amount of information on their stalkers. “Ivrine, come out,” the hrafthi called. “We know you’re there.” With some guidance via Daydreamweave, Ahsch guided the others into a circle facing others of the monster troop, in such a way that they each faced the densest concentration of monsters, yet were looking perfectly at one.

It was a long, tense few minutes, as the monsters tried moving around, testing the group’s perceptions - Ahsch kept everyone on-target, though it was only a minute in when Ariin complained about the individual poking and prodding that was going on to get everyone situated, and Ahsch tried sharing his bond-sense’s perception itself - which amazingly worked quite well.

Finally, three of the monsters approached, Ivrine and two others, respected among this troop. They emerged from a copse of trees along the road, and Ahsch took in their satyr stalkers. Lithe and toned, with curly, thick hair from which their curled horns sprouted, and shaggy fur sheathing their forearms and from the hips down to their cloven hooves; their eyes were oblong like a goat, and while it might have just been a feature of these three in particular, they all possessed noticeably round faces, slightly upturned button noses, and were deeply tanned - or were simply of a darker, slightly redder complexion. Ivrine had sandy blonde hair and fur, with brilliant amber eyes and pure white horns; the one on her left had mud-brown hair, rich green eyes, and light-wood colored horns; on Ivrine’s right, dark auburn fur, pale blue eyes, and grey horns. With the way all three of them had their kinky hair cut short, and the subtle muscles on display from under their rather limited armor - mostly just chestwraps and some leather pauldrons - Ahsch had a single thought that set Mahat snickering in his mind: Tomboys.

Ivrine and her two companions stopped a few dozen paces away, planting the butts of the light spears they bore firmly in the ground and standing proud. “How do you know my name, male?”

Ahsch raised his chin. “I can read bonds,” he replied simply. “There’s much to be found in the bonds between herdmates.” He glanced at the other two satyrs, on Ivrine’s left, then right in turn. “Xitia, Felori.”

All three narrowed their eyes at him. “Why do you confront us?” Ivrine asked.

“Because I’d rather not be ambushed. Because I’d rather not fight.” He paused, double-checking the bonds he could sense one more time to reassure himself. “Because I know you’re only male-hunting out of desperation, and I’m willing to offer seed, employment, housing, and more, in return for your service.”

Ivrine's eyes widened. “You… what?”

“I’ve found that I’m in need of bodyguards, and while I’m not willing to trust you with my life to that extent right away, I believe that we could reach that point fairly easily, with a minimum of drama. From what I can tell your herd is… shall we say ‘spirited,’ and quite willing to crack some skulls when needed. But you’re also willing to abide by the Kingdom’s laws, at least in general - as I said, I know you’re only looking to matenap as a last resort.”

Ivrine narrowed her eyes and gave Ahsch a once-over. “You speak boldly for a single male.”

Ahsch smirked. “The reason we were about a dozen minutes late coming out of my demi-plane? A two-hour orgy between myself, my sister, familiar, betrothed, and the angel.”

Surprise and reevaluation went through Ivrine, and a shot of lust filled all three. “Two hours and four females does not match up against my herd,” the satyr replied dismissively.

“We each got, oh… at least three of his climaxes in us?” Ariin said, a teasing smirk on her lips.

“I got four,” Mahat boasted.

“Shut up, bitch,” the hrafthi shot back. “The point is, he could easily have kept going if we weren’t in a little bit of a hurry. We’ve done closer to six hours before, and with more girls.”

Again, Ivrine reconsidered Ahsch. “And you offer to breed us?”

Ahsch nodded. “Again, not right away, but I believe we could reach a mutually-beneficial partnership.”

She hummed thoughtfully. “Protection in exchange for work, a home, and potential breeding, yes?”

“There is more - I’m not certain if you’ve heard of Enochiel?”

Ivrine turned up her hand. “The name seems familiar, but I cannot place it. Something about a religion in the Capital?”

Ahsch nodded. “Perhaps you’d care to walk with us as we go? As my sister mentioned, we’re rather eager to get to our destination, but more company would not be unwelcome… assuming we can agree to be friendly with each other?”

The satyr stared long and hard at Ahsch before nodding to Felori, who ran off back into the forest, and approaching with Xitia.