Alexander "I know how to people" the Great (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
towards_okeanos) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
middaeg2020-01-12 01:45 am
towards_okeanos) wrote in middaeg2020-01-12 01:45 am
Entry tags:
Upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all. [Open catch-all, some closed prompts]
Who: Iskandar and whoever he drags into his nonsense
When: Ieneuer
Where: Aefenglom, Dorchacht Wilde, Aefenglom Wilde, Wilde in general
What: One King of Conquerors is physically unable to sit still
Warnings: Violence, language, alcohol, outrageous acts of (heroic) stupidity. Will add as need arises.
As the new year begins one King of Conquerors dangerously grows restless... so he's going a-questing.
Prompts will appear in the comments below. PM or poke on plurk![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
bitweaver.
More may appear later.
Iskandar has a top level on Return to Dorchacht Event as well.
When: Ieneuer
Where: Aefenglom, Dorchacht Wilde, Aefenglom Wilde, Wilde in general
What: One King of Conquerors is physically unable to sit still
Warnings: Violence, language, alcohol, outrageous acts of (heroic) stupidity. Will add as need arises.
As the new year begins one King of Conquerors dangerously grows restless... so he's going a-questing.
Prompts will appear in the comments below. PM or poke on plurk
More may appear later.
Iskandar has a top level on Return to Dorchacht Event as well.
slow turtles go!
So when they walk their pace is light and absolutely sure. They know how this works.]
Yes! And that is the most exciting of all. [Enkidu spins on their feet and throws their arms in the air to emphasize what a good idea this is.] To make the city more aware of all that is outside. I cannot imagine them preferring grey buildings above green! [Well, the ground isn't that green now. It is more cold and a little snowy.]
Have you brought something to note things down in. And I need small pots so we can transfer small bits of the plants we find here. Perhaps we can get them to grow somewhere else.
the glacial pace continues
Look at you! Two steps outside the city walls and you're all sunshine.
[He pats the leather strap on his arm. He repurposed one of his saddlebags as a backpack. Not the ideal solution but it works.]
Yes, yes, I have enough paper to document two trips like this one.
[His mood sours a little at the mention of greenery.]
I think they appreciate green. As long as it's really green and not trying to eat them. Or infect them.
[He pauses watching the pair of Wilders cautiously poking the seemingly healthy bush with their sticks.]
That's why we need to be extra careful with anything we bring into the city.
it does indeed!
[The smile on their face is a bit melancholic.]
Hmm... [Enkidu stops for a moment so they can rummage through the bag they're carrying.] ...I have brought some food for us both and a flask of water. And potions.
[When they see the Wilders stopping to poke at some bushes they stop inspecting their bag.]
Have you found something? [Their eyes flash between Iskandar and the two Wilders before they crouch down.]
no subject
By the time he realises what it is exactly Enkidu is already crouching to take a closer look at the bush. He doesn't, he cannot, see a thorny vine that snakes behind his back.]
Fall back! All of you!
[Iskandar slashes the first vine but there are already another two crawling on the ground in their direction so he chooses not to fight entire overgrowth but grabs Enkidu by the collar and yanks them back.
First of the Wilders has more luck as he gets startled into consciousness by Iskandar's yelling and jumps back, eyes wide with panic, on pure no will but a pure flight instinct. His friend is less lucky. She was the one closer to the bush and its sickly sweet smell. The vines get to her first. But there's no sign of infection, nothing sickly about this plant.
It seems it is just a predator.]
no subject
And yes, they do take a couple of steps back, their hands tightening around the handmade spear they are carrying. Still, they do not act. Not even when the female Wilder gets taken.]
Have you seen that? [Enkidu moves to stand next to Iskandar again.] It seems these plants lures their prey in first before they attack. [There is no worry in the tone of their voice, no panic, nothing really.] Perhaps it has been hungry.
no subject
[Iskandar is already at the attacked Wilder hacking at the vines that try to envelop him too but recoil as if burned when the first couple gets slashed. He frees the woman from the snares and drags her back.
Enkidu's calm commentary only infuriates him further.]
Clearly! [He spits out.] How terrible of us that we don't want to offer ourselves as its dinner!
[With prey out of reach thorny vines disappear inside the bush leaving only beautiful flowers in sight. The whole incident couldn't have taken more than a couple of minutes.
The other Wilder takes aside his friend to check her wounds. She's unconscious so they will need to carry her back to the city. Her clothes are thorn and there are shallow scrapes on her arms and legs, in places where the vines got to her but nothing serious. Nothing Iskandar can't heal on the spot so she at least stops bleeding. When he's finished and comes back to check on Enkidu he's already calmed down.]
You weren't exaggerating. You really care more about plants than people.
[Iskandar lets out a sigh. He can't really be mad at them. It's not that he wasn't warned. He has a growing suspicion that the strange bush didn't try to eat Enkidu. And they don't seem to be affected by the smell at all. So he has to ask.]
How do you feel? You were so close to it.
no subject
Perhaps it is a logic thing that he expected Enkidu to jump in and save the unfortunate woman. Or for them to react. But wasn't that the folly of a human being? That they always thought themselves above nature just because they possessed intelligence?]
I am sorry. [Their gaze focuses on the bush and its beautiful flowers.] I should have acted. I am aware of the scent and I suggest you should cover your nose and mouth.
[That probably isn't the answer Iskandar wants to hear and while he accommodates the Wilders they carefully crouch down to study the bush, contemplating if they should cut off a bit and take it back to the city.]
I care for humans. After all, I am their weapon. [They smile now.] But humans deem themselves above nature. After all, they possess more intelligence than a plant or a tree. [A sigh.] The smell is overwhelming. It does things with our minds... [They aren't entirely unaffected...]
Ah...are you alright?
no subject
[Iskandar scratches his chin, just a bit embarrassed by his outburst. Enkidu's reasoning is entirely logical. He is not wrong. That is exactly what people always do. Iskandar laughs earning himself deeply quizzical looks from both of the Wilders. That's what he gets for dealing with one created directly by the gods. He couldn't have wished for a better companion on this treat. He bows to Enkindu.]
Indeed we do and you are right to berate us for it. [Hubris can lead even the greatest to their fall.]
Yet it is in our nature to do so. So do not think too harshly about us for it. [He smiles.] I am. What's more, I think we might want to take a sample of this plant to study. For scholars in both of the cities. I do wonder how it makes people fall asleep so instantly. I can easily imagine situations where such a thing could be rather beneficial.
[Like hospitals. Maybe this plant could be harvested or cultivated if they only knew which part of it is responsible for the sedative effect.]
no subject
I do not mean to berate any of you. I am well aware that not acting is frowned upon and it is expected to care for others...humans. Truly.
[So they bow right back at him.]
I know it is like that and I should learn from it as well. [The smile on their face turns a little warmer. More familiar.] That is a good idea. It seems a helpful sort of plant...when you look beyond the barbs and the vines. [They nod before they step forward in a slow but graceful manner, carefully tiptoeing through the bushes. Normally they could listen, they could feel. Now they couldn't do much, really.
They move to cover half of their face with their sleeve and in the meanwhile they hum a soft song. A song they used to sing for every being that lived inside the Cedar Forest.]
Iskandar, will you prepare a pot?
no subject
Just give me a moment to retrieve it.
[Fortunately, they are prepared and all he has to do is to retrieve the appropriate equipment from the baggage. He jots down a couple of lines noting where they found the plants and when. He adds a rough sketch of the surroundings and a small map showing how it relates to the city too. Just for better recognition of the place in the future.
The Wilders pair apparently decided that nothing can surprise them anymore. So they help him fill two pots with soil. One for the Dorchacht's Coven, one for Iskandar to take back home.]
Is it really safe?
[The woman is more suspicious of the two. No wonder, she was the one more affected. So it's only natural that she is the one to ask the question they both had on their minds. Iskandar just smiles. He was expecting some reaction. He's fine with them asking. He prefers they ask instead of forming some misguided opinions on their own. Because he'd hate for them to lose trust in him and what just has happened might have been the first but it certainly won't be the last time they saw something odd while in his company.]
It should be studied. All the dangers around your city should. That's the only way to learn how to defend against them.
[That is your first lesson future Dorchacht's Wilders. Study your enemy. Study him close. With both pots filled Iskandar goes back to Enkidu.]
There you go.
no subject
[And when they hear him speak to the female Wilder they nod, agreeing with Iskandar's words.]
He is right! This world is very dangerous! But I rather see these plants alive than ruined by the cwyld. Maybe they will be useful to humanity.
[They move to stand on their toes as they reach out to take the pots.]
Thank you. [Before they turn they hesitate a little and finally they stop halfway, looking over their shoulder.] Do you want to watch my back? In case they might lash out? Perhaps you can paralyze them with your sorcery.
no subject
[It is not the best time to admit he knows no paralysing spells and the stunning one that he knows hasn't been tested on plants. At least not to his knowledge. He could use fire but then Enkidu would be sad he'd hurt the vines. And making them sad is definitely something Iskandar would prefer to avoid.
The Wilders might not be much help as they, quite understandably, now keep their distance from the lethal greens.]
no subject
[Enkidu trusts him. After all, he is strong and has a lot of love for all that grows and blooms.
So yes, it is a bit of a weird sight to see someone tiptoeing through the bushes, humming some strange, old song. They balance two pots in their hands as they thread deeper. Yes, the scent is overwhelming, luring them in but they focus on their singing, on the spell they've taught themselves.
It isn't much, but it might just do the trick.]
Let us stay calm...
[Slowly, very carefully, they crouch down in front of the plant. They aren't afraid, not really. But they are definitely aware of the danger, in fact, their head feels a little light.]
Please have some trust in me. [Yes, here they are, starting a conversation with a murderous plant.] I used to be able to communicate with the earth underneath me but now I have to rely on being a witch. Allow me to take some of your saplings. [Still, they're very oblivious to the vines sneaking up to them.]
no subject
Meanwhile, Iskandar is paying attention to the creeping plant than culture shock they are causing. Still unwilling to use fire he goes for his usual solution, he drives his sword through the vine closest to Enkidu, pinning it to the ground. The effect is immediate, all others recoil instantly.]
No, you don't.
[Erm ... Did he just threatened a plant? Must be the scent. It messes with his mind.
Iskandar shakes his head but pulls back his sword. The pierced vine retracts dragging its limp, injured part in a way that more resembles a wounded animal than any greenery he's ever seen.]