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]

[ 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.

[ensorceler]

[ It unnerves her a bit, and she wants to step back but resists. ]

What is the matter with your wolf? Merely the strain of the run as well?

[wolfskin]

[ Robb looks to Grey Wind, free hand resting on his neck. ]

I do not believe he likes this place, mayhaps he is as strained as I and will be well upon morning.

[ His gaze moves back to her. ]

Worry not, my lady, he will not do you harm.

[ensorceler]

Are you...certain it is not because of such a large progress? Is he so accustomed to people?

These people are under my charge. I cannot allow them to be put in danger.

[wolfskin]

Yes, I am certain. [ He understands her concern. ] I trained him myself since he was a pup, he is more accustomed to people than any horse.

Your people are in no danger.

[ensorceler]

It is a direwolf? It is not my first...

[wolfskin]

Aye, he is a direwolf. [ A beat. ] Do you speak of Nymeria?

[ensorceler]

[ She nods, and her smile is forced. Sorry. Arya really is a trying experience. ]

Yes, with her mistress the Princess Arya.

[wolfskin]

[ Robb laughs, though he tries to hide it. ]

She would be most unhappy if she heard you call her such. [ But that is not the subject right now. ] Not all the direwolves are like Nymeria, I will ask you to forgive her simply... understand that she has a great distrust for men.

[ Aka, she's gone a little wild since she left Arya's side at the Inn at the crossroads. ]

[ensorceler]

[ She knows Arya doesn't like it, and doesn't give a fig. A princess is a princess. ]

I believe the wolf was more welcoming of me than her mistress.

[ Finally risking stepping closer, to get a better look at this much greater wolf and his master. The campfire can only provide so much light at a distance. ]

I pray that is not to be the case here.

[wolfskin]

Arya can be prickly.

[ Grey Wind stands close to Robb's side, peering at Anne with yellow eyes. ]

It is not, my lady. I think he may like you. [ Regardless of the wolf clinging to him like a child clings to their father during a storm. ]

[ensorceler]

[ There's a touch more hesitation before she finally steps closer to really see them, and not just the eyes that seemed to glow. ]

Just him?

[ As if he were a dog, she tries to hold a hand out, doing her best to keep it from trembling because THAT IS NOT A DOG. Regardless, she keeps her smile forced. Well, it is not quite as forced once she properly finds Robb's face and build. Another with a direwolf, a child of Catelyn, she now knows who this must be. ]

Not his master, the great King Robb?

[wolfskin]

[ Gently he pushes the wolf forward, watching him pad closer and sniff her hand.

Realization hits him swiftly and he blinks, surprise quite obvious on his face. He thought her voice sounded familiar, but he could not place it. Only now does it come to him. ]

His master also, my lady Anne Boleyn.

[ The wolf then headbutts her hand lightly, almost a sign to say she has been approved of. ]

[ensorceler]

[ It makes her flinch, her smile shaky for a bit but not entirely evaporating. When she sees her hand hasn't been torn off, though, she lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. She looks back up to Robb, and that helps again. ]

Then you are both most welcome. I insist you go and treat yourself as well as possible. We rise early on the morrow.

[wolfskin]

[ Grey Wind returns to Robb side then, nuzzling his arm like he is trying to reconnect something that is missing. ]

I will look after myself once I am certain my sister is safe.

[ensorceler]

Worry not overmuch, Your Majesty, for I have seen her just recently, though I admit it was not closely. I have no doubt she is near and making the most bold of impressions on some wandering soul.

[wolfskin]

She is my kin, I worry as any brother should. [ More importantly he is the leader of their House and her king. ] I will not be able to rest easy until I see her with my own eyes.

[ensorceler]

[ That makes her smile come easier, and she steps aside to wave her arm out. ]

As I know my own brother would insist were he here to love me with equal vigor. I will not be the one to keep you apart.

[wolfskin]

My thanks. [ He bows his head. ]

We shall speak again soon, my lady.

[ And with that he ventures further in, horse and wolf by his side, in search of his little sister. ]