Terre Haute expedition: Camping Day 1

[lord_wizard]

[It's been a more or less uneventful day of travel for the expedition team. Not unexpected for the first leg of such a trip, and with any luck, it will stay that way.

As the sun starts to get low in the sky, Felix signals the group with a sharp whistle to stop, shortly after he feels the change. They've entered the Dead Zone. That sudden loss of power for anyone used to that sort of thing. Not an easy thing to adjust to, at first.]

"We've crossed into the border of the Dead Zone now. We should stop here for the night. Those of you with experience, help set up camp as needed. And I recommend a few of you working out a watch schedule. You never can tell what might be out here."

SET UP | CAMPFIRE | IN THE NIGHT

Comments

[wolfskin]

[ The ride was hard and fast, both destrier and direwolf seemed to relish the challenge of catching up with the expedition. His hopes were to find Arya and return her to the castle before they went out too far, and if he could not convince her of returning he would remain until the expedition itself returned.

It is the dead in the night when the king happens upon the group, though they arrival was everything but grand. The direwolf approaches first, ears flat and head stopped low, soon followed by Robb himself dismounting as if injured.

No one saw fit to warn him of the Dead Zone, so naturally when he cross it felt as if someone had both winded him and tore one of his arms off. Grey Wind did not fare any better.

Worn, confused, and frankly uncomfortable Robb leads his horse into the camp. Wolf moving a few paces forward only to return to Robb's side.

...So, where is that sister of his? ]

[ino]

[ she was on watch, so it surprises her when someone new comes in! she's silently wary at first, ready to pull a weapon, but ... right, she remembers this guy. so her tone is friendly, almost amused when she speaks from a little ways away ]

You're a bit late.

[wolfskin]

[ Grey Wind growls at the voice, though it is hardly threatening. He does not like it here, that much is obvious. He does not like it at all.

Robb waits for his eyes to adjust before speaking. Ah, he remembers her. ]

A bit, aye.

[ino]

[ she's noticing the lethargic, almost wounded look about him now -- she'll move to get up, though she doesn't get too close, for grey wind's sake ]

Are you alright? You look ... [ like shit ]

[wolfskin]

[ Robb's fingers tighten around the reins in her hand, trying to force himself to look better than he feels. It is difficult to say the least, he flexes his free hand a few times to assure himself that it is there - yet the feeling that his arm has been torn from him does not flee. ]

I am... well. [ He is not much for lying, but pride dictates it as a necessity. ] It was a long and hard ride.

[ino]

[ she doesn't really believe him, and so one of her eyebrows is raised when he finishes that sentence, but ... she won't make a comment. she looks him over for any signs of blood or a broken limb or something similar before she speaks up again ]

Well, you'll want to get some rest before we get going in the morning.

[wolfskin]

I will. [ Half a lie. ] Once I find Arya.

[ino]

[ she jabs a finger over towards where arya and zelos are presumably sleeping ]

I think she's alright, but there she is, if you want to wake her up.

[wolfskin]

[ Grey Wind looks first, walking a few paces over with a whine before again returning to Robb's side.

The poor light makes it hard but he spots Nymeria first, muscles relaxing somewhat. ]

No, I will let her sleep. [ Waking her now would not be sound, nevermind it is far too dark to ride back to the castle. ]

[wolfchild]

[ yep yep. baby sister is conked out. spending a day warging plays havoc on you.

nymeria, though, wakes. she lifts her head and call forlornly to her brother. the dead zone sucks bro can we go 8( ]

[wolfskin]

[ Grey Wind whines, breaking free from Robb's side to hurry over to his sister's. Nuzzling her slightly before lightly nudging Arya with his head, come on lets go this place is the worst. ]

[wolfchild]

[ Arya makes a sleepy sound of complaint. She bats her hand, thinking it just a bug. ]

[wolfskin]

[ A huff and Grey Wind tries again, this time harder. Wake uuuuup. ]

[wolfchild]

[ Arya startles awake, hand going to Needle before she sees it's only Grey Wind.

…Oh fuckballs it's Grey Wind. ]

Seven hells!

[wolfskin]

Arya.

[ Grey Wind seems pleased with himself, tail wagging behind himself as Robb approaches from behind. What little rest he allowed himself did not change much, he still looks pained and generally uncomfortable.

But hi Arya, here is your brother looking quite unimpressed... or as unimpressed as he can manage. ]

[wolfchild]

[ So.......a lot. ]

Hello, Robb. You remember Zelos?

[wolfskin]

Aye. [ Leave Zelos alone, he's asleep. ]

[ensorceler]

[ She's watching that direwolf and it's master as soon as they enter camp, perhaps a little more than she does the others. Because...that is bigger than the other one, she thinks, and she's surprised the horses haven't been more jittery over all these wild animals being so near.

Oh right. "Pets". Catelyn, your husband is crazy.

Anne keeps her distance as she wanders about the camp, but her gaze is hardly shy. ]

[wolfskin]

[ Robb made a point of acclimatizing his horse to Grey Wind's presence, as such the destrier is not as fussed as other horses may be. Nevertheless Northern Son snorts in irritation as the wolf paces only to return to Robb's side, the wolf has been odd since they crossed into the Dead Zone... just as his master.

He feels the eyes upon him, it is hard not to, and he looks up gathering the reins into his hands in part to simply have something to hold onto. ]

It is quite later to be wandering, my lady. [ Yes, he has noticed you. ]

[ensorceler]

[ She stops, vaguely recognizing the voice. But having only spoken to him once, Anne doesn't place it immediately. ]

Should you not follow your own advice?

[wolfskin]

There was little choice left to me. [ If he waited they would have been too far for him to catch up. ]

[ensorceler]

You do not look well, sir. I hope this is not a choice you find regret with.

[wolfskin]

[ He tries to straighten. ] It was a long and hard ride.

[ensorceler]

Would you not rest by the fire, then? There is no shortage of rations being shared.

[wolfskin]

[ The direwolf whines, pain shooting from a wound he does not have. ]

Mayhaps for a time.