The tunnel exit is narrow and overgrown, concealed behind an old stack of rotting crates that Striga shoves aside with little effort. The cool night air spilled in around them, a welcome contrast to the musty dampness of the underground passage they'd just squeezed through. Nuri steps out first, boots crunching lightly against gravel and dried leaves. A small grove shieled them from the city's walls in the distance, lights flickering just faintly beyond the trees. Striga followed and without hesitation handed over the thick worn bag she's been carrying. "Here," she said. "Food, water, some coin, and a few herbs that'll help with the nausea." Nuri stared at the bag then slowly looked up at Striga, brows drawn. "Why are you going to such lengths for a stranger?" Striga let out a quiet scuff and glances away as if irritated by the question. "Couldn't exactly leave a pregnant woman to fend for herself in the wilds, could I?"
Nocturia froze, fingers tightened around the strap. "I don't know what you mean." Striga gives her a sidelong glance. "Don't worry, I haven't told anyone. Some Veyrkin have better senses than others," She explains seeing the question on Nuris face. Tapping one clawed finger against her ear, "I caught the second heartbeat the other night when you were sleeping." Resisting the urge to touch her belly Nocturia remains still. "You're mist-" Striga cut her off with a tired shrug. "Used to work nights near the healer's quarters. Learned how to listen. How to notice things most don't. You've got that guarded look in your eyes, too. Same as all the woman who came in scared and pretending, they were just tired." Gesturing eastward toward the barely visible path curling into the woods, Striga says. "There's a small temple two, maybe three days from here. They don't ask questions, and they don't turn anyone away. You'll be safe there. For a while, anyway." Nuri opens her mouth to speak unsure if it was to thank her or continue to deny but Striga was already stepping back, half swallowed by the shadows of the tunnel. "Just don't get caught." She calls over her shoulder. "And take care of that little heartbeat. Worlds rough enough already."
Nocturna hadn't made i far from the tunnels exit, the bag heavy on her shoulders and her legs already aching from lack of rest. The forest was still the air damp and cool beneath the heavy canopy of leaves. She kept her head low, hood drawn tight, moving quickly but cautiously between the trees. Then the sound of low voices hit her and fast steps. She stopped behind a thicket, heart pounding. "There!" A voice growled. She turned just in time to see a group of Veyrkin breaking through the brush, their fur bristling and ears alert. The fox man Rhen at the front, his nose twitching as he sniffed the air. "I knew I smelled that stench again. That's the elf." He said, baring his teeth in a grin. Nocturna spun and ran.
Branches whipped at her arms and legs as she sprinted through the undergrowth, breath ragged heart clawing at her ribs. The bag on her back and satchel at her hip bounced with each step but she didn't dare stop. The snarls and curses behind her grew louder-closer. "She's faster than she looks!" One barked. "Split up! Circle around!" The forest was nearly pitch-black but to Nocturna's eyes it was as clear as dusk. Ahead she spots a natural rise in the land, carved out at its base, like the hollow of a great rootless tree reminding her of the one she'd play in as a child. Darting toward it, dropping low, and crawling beneath the overhang pressing herself back into the cool dirt. Her breathing slowed as she listened, boots stomping claws ranking bark, the snap of twigs then fading. Passing.
Silence.
She waited ten long minutes maybe more. Only when the night returned to stillness did she dare crawl out brushing herself off. She steps into the moon light gaze flickering around. "Going somewhere?" Nocturna stomach dropped. With his ears on point Rhen steps from behind a tree, tail flickering lazily behind him. "Didn't think you could shake me that easy, did you?" He smirks the gleam of the blade in his hand catching the light. Nocturna takes a step back hand going to the strap of her satchel. "You should have run further, little elf." Rhen howls a short whistle as he steps forward. They stare at one another, Nocturina refusing to show the fear inside as her face wears a mask of a glare. "Be a good girl and don't this anymore harder than it was."
She takes a step to run to the right when a voice speaks. "The more fight she has the better," a man with black tiger ears laughs as he and what must be ten other men appear now blocking off all possible escape routes as the close in. Nocturna knows there's no way she can get past them all now. She's done nothing to them yet they insistent on hunting her. The Veyrkin men are all laughing having been making jokes she wasn't paying attention to. "Please let me pass. I mean no harm." She assures them they all glance at one another and laugh as if she's told a joke. "You elves have deemed us unworthy and disgusting for long enough it's time we let off a little steam." A large man that has more bear features than man replies as he licks his snout. "It's your own fault really," Rhen shrugs seething his dagger. "I mean what elf in their right mind would enter Grimholt alone?"
"Sounds like the great Guardians sent you to us for a reason," Another smirks grabbing Nocturnas face with two fingers yanking her hood down and turning her face from side to side as if examining her. "Let's pray you can last till we've all had a turn." Rhen grabs her arm yanking her to him and starts unflattering her cloak. Nocturia mind races as her heart pounds there's no way they'd let her live through this. She'd made this far only to die, her gaze goes to the sky as she prays to the stars and moon for forgiveness.
A deep growl vibrates through the bushes to the left as two yellow glowing eyes appear amongst the leaves, as tall as the tallest Veyrkin there. Its eyes locked onto the fox as it stalks out it's green bushy tail sways in agitation, its lips pulled back into a snarl.
It launches forward in a flash snapping its jaws around one's neck killing the male instantly before turning and towards the others, its growl growing louder. The beast moves faster than they could react killing four more in quick succession.
A giant shadow rises behind Nocturna as a dragon seven feet tall at the shoulder seems to melt away from the forest itself as it bares its teeth stepping behind the girl who was against its chest as its talons score into the earth breaking it apart as its wings flare slightly, its tail sweeping against the ground crushing a tree to pieces in irritation.
Its neck shaped like a snake ready to strike.
The remaining Veyrkin men shoot off in different directions panic crawling beneath their skin. "I thought the best had disappeared so how are there two now!" A man whisper shouts to another as they run. The other only thrones up his hands in confusion.
Nocturina slowly turns around not immediately running in fear she'd draw the beast attention to herself. Her silver eyes go round at the marvelous creature before her. She didn't speak. She couldn't. Overwhelmed by its sheet presence as it's magic was like weight in the air around it. Her breath caught but not in fear, but reverence.
The dragon had followed the woman out of curiosity, he lowers his head warm breath blowing back her hair as he curls his tail around her bringing her closer to his protection as the hound rips into another Veyrkin before taking off after the fleeing ones not wanting to take on the dragon. It sensed the aura of the top predator, and its instincts had it running for different prey.
Once the female is in close to his side the dragon turns its attention to the fox male rumbling coming from its chest vibrating the area as he opens his mouth before flashing forward with his head twisting and biting the head off the last male in the clearing.
Spektor had followed the woman for a while now sensing something different about her and when he heard the child in her belly's heart after scenting it when he had seen her he knew she would need his strength. Even if he wasn't a full-grown dragon yet.
Now that the imminent threat is gone Nocturna steps back from the dragon bowing her head to him. "You saved me. I don't know why you have come but you have my thanks." Down on one knee she doesn't dare look up. She remembers the stories the elders would tell of the great dragons saying if one ever saw one it's an omen of great change to come.
He huffs lowering his head and using a talon to gently help her rise, he was a teen still not worth bowing to. He hand simply began wandering the world to know what it was like, their territory was vast but there where many grumpy elders so he had left to explore. He looks the woman over chuffing at how disheveled she was, it was clear she needed help so he'd stay with her for now. He could see little glowing spots faintly on her face which interested him and she smelt different.
Spektor points a talon at the woman then to his back even lowering himself so she could get on easier, he didn't want her losing the child from stress, dragons felt duty bound to protect all innocent children. He could not leave her when it was clear she was running from someone.
"By the stars and moons I couldn't possibly ask for any more of you aide." Nocturna glances at the remaining body parts then to where the beast had run off. Her empty stomach turns at the sight, and she quickly glances back to the dragon. "I should get going incase it returns. Thank you again." She says and starts walking in hopes to find that trail again. She couldn't have gotten too far away from it.
Spektor huffs snaking his head around her and makes it clear why, it was common knowledge he thought why he'd help. He presses his nose gently to her stomach letting a soft almost purr out as he gently pushes her to his side shifting again for her to climb on. He wasn't asking if she wanted help, he was telling her he was helping. Plus that beast wouldn't dare to come near with him around, no creature would except another dragon which was a low possibility.
"I see." Nocturna replies softly then starts climbing up the dragons' side and onto its back. Once seated and holding on she asks. "You wouldn't happen to know the way to the temple, would you?"
Spektor turns and starts walking in the direction he could faintly smell incense from, he only knew what a temple was because his mother had taken him as a hatchling to one. He disliked the scent of the burning sticks the most and the loud bells.
Taking that as a good sign Nocturna goes quiet as exhaustion starts to settle in her bones after the night's events. She shakes her head to keep it at bay and gazes up to the sky counting all the constellations her mother taught her.
Spektor walks silently, blending into the forest even as he moves, he made sure to step carefully so to not joust the woman on his back, he tucks in his wings against his sides covering her legs with them. He knew he was soft from the moss that grew over him, he had been told by many he felt like a pillow of nature over his scales that blended under the tree branches over him, he was a mix of scale and forest.
It had only been a few minutes of walking when Nocturna have in and laid her head on the dragons back, the smell of nature filled her nostrils relaxing her body until she ultimately fell asleep despite how much she fought it.
Spektor walks through the night and into the next day crossing the distance much faster than a human could . The giant temple could already be seen in the valley below them as he pauses next to a small waterfall stopping to drink some, he turns his head to look at the woman on his back checking on her. Hearing the chitter of small animals and the warmth of the sun on her back Nocturna sits up right glancing around. Spotting the stone temple.
"We've made it here already," Nocturna breaths out and slides down the dragon's leg.
"Thank you," She bows her head then swings the bag around digging into and pulling out the largest chuck of dried meat she can find holding it out. "This is all I have to offer in return."
He shakes his head gently and motions for her to eat it, he could hunt for his food easily enough, seeing how thin this woman was concerned him. He then goes back to drinking the water.
Nocturna takes a few bites if the dried meat before folding the rest back into the baggie and putting it away. Going to the stream she kneels splashing some water on her face and comes her hair hoping to tame some of the fizziness. Turning to the dragon she says. "Until the stars call us to the same sky again, fly far and know I will never forget you." She bows her head then waves turning around to make her trek down the valley.