Into the Unknown, *For Candidates Only

[Dragoon]

"Alright, gather round you youngsters!" The burly man shouted at the small group. Once things were settled, he cleared his throat loudly before beginning. "Today, we're going out to chart the lands around the weyr, hopefully, we'll find some good spots to set up cotholds and what not. No guarantees about what's lurking out there, so everyone needs to stay together as a group. No gettin' separated or only Faranth knows what'll eat you out there. Look sharp, we're headin' out."

The air was humid once out of the tunnel leading into the weyr. The man led the group off the trodden road into the forest, swinging a long blade to cut back the shubbery and undergrowth that got in the way. "Keep up and don't fall behind." He shouted over his shoulder, hacking his way through a thick bush.

[Rye]

"Alright, gather round you youngsters!"

For once, Thalon was in the front of the group. No, he hadn't finally changed his ways; he was just determined not to get lost, and he figured that by staying close to their guide he'd have a decent chance. Running a hand through his hair, he listened as their leader explained,

"Today, we're going out to chart the lands around the weyr, hopefully, we'll find some good spots to set up cotholds and what not. No guarantees about what's lurking out there, so everyone needs to stay together as a group. No gettin' separated or only Faranth knows what'll eat you out there. Look sharp, we're headin' out."

Well, Thalon wasn't exactly one to look sharp, and with his lips pressed into a firm line he strode after their guide as he hacked his way into the forest. He wasn't paying much attention to those behind him; after all, the only one who mattered was right in front of him, and if Thalon had his way it'd stay like that for this whole expedition.

"Keep up and don't fall behind."

That was one command Thalon had no qualms about following.

[nerdtron]

Aralex followed behind Thalon ,using the trail he cut to avoid having to waste any extra energy, and listened absently to the man that was leading the group of candidates as he wondered what kind of creatures were out in the forest, watching and waiting for the perfect moment to spring out and attack any one of the candidates.

One of the first things to cross his mind was "what would we do if our guide were killed?" As he pondered what might happen, his over active imagination making him think of impossible things, such as a wild dragon swooping down and carrying the man away.

Suddenly he hear a noise off to the left in one of the darker recesses under the trees. He paused, listening intently and fingering the small dagger he had attached to his belt.

When he heard nothing else after a few seconds he decided that it had been nothing and turned to catch up with the rest of the group. Falling back in line with at the back of the group, he wonder if maybe the noise hadn't just been one of the many sounds of nature. as he thought he altogether stopped watching the trail and slowed down.

After a few hundred feet, He heard someone yell to him to hurry up, so he took off running while still looking at the ground, when he finally looked up he saw the tree growing on the edge of the path just a few seconds too late to stop from smashing his nose right into the tree at full force.

[Dragoon]

The guide paused, listening. Shrugging his shoulders, he continued hacking his way through the forest, occasionally looking back on the group that followed him.

---

((This is a separate event for Aralex))

The brush nearby shuddered, a flash of something flitting past. A vicious snort came from another bush, then another on the opposite side. Then, whatever it was fell silent. Minutes passed, then a loudly shuffling came from directly Aralex's left and a massive, gold colored creature emerged. Its glass-smooth eyes glared at him as it towered over the boy, lips curled in a snarl.

Curiously, the wher sniffed at him, blowing hot, rank breath on him. Finally satisfied, the wher bumped her head against his shoulder.

You hurt. Do you need help?

[nerdtron]

Aralex tried to yell out when he saw the creature over top of him, but all he could do was gurgle the blood that had seeped into his throat from his nose. The creature then leaned down and bumped his shoulder.

Aralex started to scramble back when he heard what sounded like a voice coming from his head, You hurt. do you need help?

What is this thing!?!?

I'm a wher.

I thought whers were extinct?

I haven't seen one of my own kind in a while.

Can you find the group of people i was traveling with and bring someone back?

I will try.

And with that the wher moved away as fast as he could along the path that the group had taken.