Cornaith Iliven

The pair had been an entangled mess cradled in each other's arms - tongues twisting to savor one another, breath being swirled and shared ensnaring the other, a satisfactory groan or whine here and there the only true language shared. Cornaith could remain here well into the next day however, their time together would be cut short. As the warmth of her touch quickly evaded his own and she’d begun to squirm beneath him the male would pull himself back and off of the female to allow her the hasty dismissal she was fighting for. A slight pang of guilt coursed through him, for surely the more seasoned warriors would begin to question the whereabouts of their stand-in chief at the dismissal of the apprentices.

It had grown deathly quiet as the familiar vocals of Valae were the only sound to stain the air. His sharp pointed ears would twitch at the sound of a hiss and drag of Catori’s left leg. He hadn’t noticed the injury before, granted it did not seem as though Catori had any spare time to spar with anyone anymore, not that he cared.

“I need to get back.”

The male would reign any sign of guilt or concern from his mask, soon shifting it to its more familiar stern characteristics.

“Understood. It was not my intention to keep you away.” He chided, clearing his throat, soon offering himself to aid her through the forest.

Once again, her touch sent the male on a frenzy for more, but he would fight the urge to proceed any further keeping his mask unphased as he allowed her to place her weight against him. Upon nearing the clearing toward camp, he would guide her to the closest tree, giving her a look of understanding and respect for his decision to linger back a bit and allow her to go forward without him. Once she stumbled out of the treeline and into the clearing he’d walk back a ways and wait a decent amount before entering the clearing from an entirely different part, so as not to bring any sort of attention to himself that would give away Catori.

He’d glance about watching the frenzy of parents and kin alike running towards their apprentices bidding them good grace, affections, and protection. Naith had his own half-sibling to bid farewell to and saw the curly-headed blonde meshed into a circle of sorts with two other males and another female. He would walk with strong strides and clap his hand upon his half-brother's shoulder.

“Baiyen. You were loved by our father more than I ever could be so I know you will do just fine. Even with the little training I was able to gift you, I have faith you will do and be nothing but great. Stay strong brother, and never let your guard down.” He would proudly state, staring down at the male before him.

He would offer to give his far younger brother a hug, however, with time evading the pair ever so hastily he wouldn’t blame the teen if he were to have run after Valae and the rest of the apprentices. For the moment that he stood alone his gaze would shift over toward Catori who’d been standing at the very center of camp, then towards Cyrus quickly dismissing himself from the madness that was the early unexpected departure of the apprentices only to be followed up by an Elariel who’d gifted Akith’ki with an item of sentiment and a hug only a true son of a loving father would know.

Syllivanna Zylqirelle

“Syllivanna, Esen, Glad to see you two made it through the crowd.”

The low yet warm vocals of Aelion were always music to the young female’s ears. She’d supply a light-hearted laugh only to find herself soon slightly blushing, having caught the male’s gaze lingering upon her. She had selected a rather bold attire for herself but did greatly enjoy it nonetheless. A deathly silence had interrupted the warmth of the group before any more interactions could be supplied. Soon it would be the vocals of Valae commanding the apprentices to be dismissed. If her pupils had once been dilated beyond all reason they would now constrict, adrenaline would now course through her body as they were now being sent on their way to face the trials with little to no sleep. Apparently, change would be brought quickly within this group of apprentices, more hastily than anyone would like judging by the looks of everyone else. She’d grow eerily still pointed ears dropping back slightly. She would give her cousin a wary glance as if to share a similar sentiment of concern, her outward affect now becoming more neutral.

"I suppose we should get moving before the crowd thins out too much. Give me a moment."

Her gaze would soften and shift toward Aelion as he spoke. He always had a commanding air about him, one of which was well-balanced, as if to be more of a suggestion or proposition than a true order with little to no harshness behind it. Upon his dismissal to an approaching Elariel, her own attention would be pulled away at the sound of her name spilling from the mouth of none other than her mentor Catori. She had noticed the limp the stand-in-chief presented with and raised a slightly puzzled brow, though returned to her face of neutrality upon the speech that Catori supplied, listening attentively to every word the female had to say to her.

“You will return to me stronger than ever. Do not let fear cloud your head or let confidence make you blind to danger. You show them what you can do.”

Catori’s first statement was an order, commanding her to return. While there was no guarantee of such a thing, the best and only thing she could do is fight like all hell to return back to the clan. The first statement was also a promise that she would return stronger than when she left. She took the next set of words as advice to survive the trials - fear would render her useless and being too confident will result in her demise. It was Catori’s last set of words that caused a grin to etch itself upon her facial features. She would allow a small breeze to pass between them before dipping her skull.

“Thank you Catori, for everything. I know I will return more knowledgeable and more experienced than I am now.” She’d retort proudly, as the motherly grasp gripped upon her shoulders was released would she soon slip away glancing over her shoulder a final time before slinking behind the Elders with feline grace.

The once darkened sky would now begin to shift in colorations supplying the group with a breathtaking palette of creamy oranges, light purples, faint blues, and a vibrant yellow of the sun beginning to rise. As the group neared the very edge of the forest all that now lay before them was scorched earth barren at its very bones. The heat radiating from the flats came in waves contrasting and assaulting the humidity that was familiar to the group. It was a miserably dry heat burning against them, it would only take probably thirty minutes if that for dehydration to settle in.

“We have reached the beginning of your trials - The Scalding Flats. Miles and miles of nothing. A desert of scorching heat, where the air itself seeks to burn you, and the ground shows no mercy.”

Syllivanna was listening intently to the cold harsh tone of Valae. Had the scenery not given away what to expect The Elder did not hold back on providing that information. As Ula now stepped forward, pulling out what appeared to be a scroll from her robes, proceeding to hand it over once more to Valae.

“Our gift, to you. Use it wisely. Navigate your terrain with caution but bravery.”

Syllivanna would tense slightly as The Elder approached her cousin to give her their gift. Her face of neutrality faltered a bit having noticed a wink supplied by the Elder toward her kin.

“This is no ordinary map - It’s glamoured. If you do not complete the trial and retrieve the artifact, your next mark will remain hidden. Only when your task is fulfilled will the map reveal your next destination—and the next artifact you must recover. By completing this..? Oh, you will obtain your true forms."

The Elders tone had shifted from stern and commanding to a near hiss and would soon begin to grin. Her own tension would refuse to cease until Ula had approached to grant her a blessing. Her touch had provided a soothing and calm aura granting the same blessing to all the apprentices before returning to Valae’s side.

“Know that we are all proud of you. We thank you for your sacrifices. May the Gods bless you and keep you safe.”

These would be their departing words as the sisters now vanished into the treeline making their way back to the tribe. Her tension had finally seized, head now gaining clarity at what was at stake. She’d peer over toward the group of apprentices and then back toward the treeline. Most of the apprentices lacked heavy clothing which surely benefitted them in this initial test. However, taking water or something of the sort and ensuring anyone whose skin was exposed to the elements would have shade to avoid sunburn was the first thing on her mind.

“Well, now that's out of the way. I think we should grab a couple of large leaves and place them in someone's satchel as a source of water. I also think those of us with exposed skin should lather up in a thick layer of mud to prevent sunburn.” She would suggest lightly.

It would be too early in the trials to deny her suggestions inappropriate, they were valid concerns. It wasn’t her intention to take a commanding or leading role but she’d at least try to her best ability to grant a healer’s perspective on the potential hazards they were to face. She would return to the treeline to strip a leaf of a singular fiber to tie her curly hair up into a bun, a few strands remaining free from being tied back. She’d return, waiting for the group to deliberate and begin some form of planning.

Alvaerelle Wynzorwyn

“I’ve never been good at expressing feelings when it comes to any kind of relationship. Everyone complains that they can’t read me, but I can’t even read myself half the time.”

“I beg to differ. I think your heart is just wary who it chooses to open up to. Seeing you with Samblar it was obvious you viewed and loved him as a brother. Surely, several others presumed if I were not to have ended up with Samblar than it likely would have been you considering how close we are as well, though admittedly I suppose our duties have drifted us apart some.” She’d state a bit saddened, but shifted slightly to meet his own gaze upon her, now swirling circles upon her swollen belly with a feathering touch.

Upon her recognition of his absence in her life as of late she’d noted the eagerness in his vocals as he’d soon sit up beside her with an outstretched hand. She would allow her gaze to slip to his hand then to his face, a warm smile spilling upon her face now. She would scoot herself a bit closer embracing the warmth radiating between them and bring her own hand to set itself atop of his, her fingers gently curling between his guiding him toward the small flutter that had been, not too long ago.

She’d peer down, her hair falling the slightest bit over her shoulder as she now released her grasp from his only to return to swirling her dainty finger just above his hand. No sooner did a shift arise to meet his hand, it would appear to be a very dramatic shift having altered the shape of her protuberant abdomen. She’d grin, leaning her skull upon the males shoulder as he continued to probe the lone triplet writhe beneath his touch. She’d close her eyes temporarily to allow the peace and tranquility of the moment to take its effect. His scent danced within her nares intermingling with that of her own, once more.

It was only up until now that she realized the best of the drums had ceased. Usually, they’d go on well into the sunrise, by then most if not all apprentices had managed to slink off and gather some form of rest, whatever form they could muster. Therefore it had been odd for the music to simply stop. Her lilac pools would gently wink open, her head lifting off Ivan’s shoulder once more. She would turn her skull to meet his face, bringing her hand up to the side of his face once more. Her gaze would slip from his pale blue-grey eyes and meet that of his lips. She pondered long and hard whether to grace him with the smallest taste of her.

After the night she had how much worse could it possibly get if she were to grace him with something he likely longed for quite some time now. To hell with the consequences. Cyrus was likely more than dead to her anyhow and would have to work beyond his own means to fall within her good graces - let alone truly prove to her she was more than a mere plaything.

Making her final decision she would lean over and kiss his cheek, her paint leaving the faintest red line.

“Thank you Ivan, for this,” she would state in a near purr, “I do think we should probably be heading back.” She’d add, soon allowing him to raise himself up, herself soon following afterward with his arms wrapping themselves around her frame to assist her in getting up.

Her flesh wound had apparently dried over. She’d nearly forgotten it, were it not for the slightest sting radiating from the site. It was hot, raised and reddened, agitated by the salty sea air that met her skin. She’d clean it upon their return.

As the pair made their way back to camp entering the clearing she’d find Catori bidding farewell to Syllivanna, Elariel sauntering over towards Aelion with haste, Cornaith bidding a final farewell to a presumed family member, and Cyrus stalking off. At the sight of the male her ears would burn, her own gaze giving away her displeasure with the male. Everyone was bidding farewell to the apprentices, so the music had stopped because they were leaving early. Alvaerelle, remained neutral on the subject of The Elders though would strongly disapprove of this early departure. A fierce mask would now emit from her as she hoped to find her Esen prior to her final departure. She spotted the teen not too far away from The Elders.

“I greatly enjoyed your company tonight, Ivan. I do hope we are able to do such, more often and very soon.” She’d chide toward him, allowing her facial features to soften before returning to meet that of her niece.

She would hastily waddle over shouting after the navy blue haired lass.

“Esen!” She would nearly bark toward the girl, soon clasping her hands upon her shoulders.

“I would never abandon you in a moment such as this. You are my brave, strong, and smart girl. You will return home an even stronger and smarter girl than you already are. I am proud of the woman you have grown to become and I know your parents will guide you through these trials. Djarinn and Alkyre would be so proud of you.” She’d finish, allowing the skinniest sliver of silver to line her eyes, before giving her niece a soft kiss upon her head and a motherly hug, smiling after the teen as she’d now follow after The Elders.

Her gaze had slipped, losing her fiery haired miniature, had she missed bidding her other niece goodbye she had already exchanged everything she needed to say to Sarolta. Alvaerelle actually wouldn’t have been surprised at all if the teen had decided to lead and follow after The Elders as soon as their announcement had finished. She had little doubt that Saro wouldn’t make the trials, so long as Esen kept her fiery temper in line. In the trials of years past it truly was every man for himself, some permitting the deaths of individuals who were viewed as weaker - so it was a bit of a surprise to hear that this years trials forced these apprentices to work together. It was a change that surely would be worthwhile, should all apprentices return.

With a small sigh and the growing darkness spilling before her she would turn toward the clearing where pottery was crafted to cleanse her wound. It had grown empty and quiet, a new location of peace and tranquility as she’d begin plunging a piece of pottery into a basin of water, rinsing and delicately rubbing her wound to rid it of any sand and salt from the sea.