Rue had silently confirmed where the Keepers were staying. He didn't know if he was making the right choice in telling her, but he had to believe he was. The values of his word and honor were on the line if any of the Greencloaks entered the Keepers camp before the designated time.
Rue pauses when Maya questions the choice. "I can say I trust the Keepers more than the Conquerors at this moment. I'd much rather be confronted or imprisoned by those I've talked to earlier instead of being killed, taken hostage, or carted off to the Howling House by those I don't know and failed to take precautions against. I trust your skill in telling where a good place to rest will be."
He looks at her and tells her earnestly, "I do not have your talent. If you think this is a fine place to camp but don't feel comfortable this close to others, I'm willing to promise that I'll keep a good, careful watch tonight. Unless you want to guard the camp yourself, you could do that too, just don't wear yourself out; you woke up sooner than I did and for that reason probably need sleep more than I do. If you do not think this is a good place to camp, whether it is because we are really too close to others or because it's an ill-suited place of land, say the word and I'll cut my losses- which really isn't a loss if I get to keep my head. What I mean to say is that I'll own my mistake of choosing the wrong spot and we will move on to the next possible one, no harm done. "

Hazel waited for more information on the Keepers' goals. "Is that all the Keepers want? To share Nectar in hopes of preventing another war is honorable." The creed noted is one she is willing to commit to, and the 'pretty much already a Keeper' did not go unnoticed. Yet most groups she knew had more selfish reasons as well as their valiant upfront quest. She was waiting for the Keepers to share theirs.

"I'll keep watch tonight, Rue. You need sleep, besides Strider and I are used to staying up all night and getting up early. Sleep is something scarce for me especially recently," Maya responds, "As for trust honestly desperate people do desperate things and sometimes it sharpens their skills. One example of that I can think of is when I first got Strider. While I was on my way to Green Haven one of my family's enemies came after me because of a debt. He was desperate and his cunning spiked. Strider and I made it, but it was extremely close. The Keepers and the Conquerors might be the same."
Strider looks at Rue and nods once. He remembers the attack all too well.
Kaden quickly catches up with them and checks the surrounding areas. He notices Maya already keeping watch and chooses not to say anything. Going over to Rue he nudges the younger Greencloak, "Cold camp tonight. And if you sense anything let Maya and I know, okay?"



"Yeah, they want to prevent natural bonds without making the spirit animals slaves to their partners. The Bile makes the animals slaves and the person a puppet to Gerathon. Ashia also wants to know what happened to her father, the founder of the Keepers. Ashia will find out alone and she won't drag anyone else into it. I know the Keepers sound too good to be true but so far from what I've seen they're doing their best to keep their word."

(I apologize for randomly disappearing and reappearing. Maybe I'll find a way to make it more scheduled or timely. I can't promise that, though. I'm sorry.)

Rue smiles and nods his head once when Maya says she take first watch. "I'll be ready to take watch whenever needed." He silently chews on his nails when she talks about trust and makes a mental note for himself. From the experience with Mae, he knew he needed to place his trust in better people. The group did not need to go through another harmful occurrence the happens because of his lazy, irresponsible self. He still doesn't know all the reasons why or what makes someone worthy of trust or not but he knows he'll learn more as he experiences more. His father said experience was the best teacher; his mother told him to learn from others' mistakes. Both words are ones he tried to live by.
When Kaden nudges him, Rue's eyes widen and he sticks out his tongue while putting a hand to his chest and tilting, in a very controlled manner, to one side. His goofy, playing dead expression quickly fades. His face heats up with embarrassment. He rights himself and ducks his head, berating himself for not catching and suppressing the childish action. He should know better, should have grown out of the habit. He's already done too many crazy, foolish, childish things. Hands clasped to hide how much they're shaking, he looks back up to Kaden with a more regulated expression. "As you wish, Kaden," he earnestly replies, "I'll do my best."


Hazel nods and thoughtfully examines the facts. It was nice to know all least one group l cared enough to stick to the values they claimed to have. If she was working with a group, she would prefer to know what she is going to be sworn into and not be surprised by any second, secret agendas. "That sounds honorable. I don't think I'd be frustrated with joining the Keepers." She offers a smile. Drummer is in passive state. (I don't remember if that was noted before or not...)

(Anyway, I hope you're doing well and, again, I'm sorry for being absent for so long.)

(I'm not worried about how long it takes, I'm in the same situation right now. Don't apologize for being absent, I'm just grateful you bother to respond to this roleplay. I hope you are doing well as well.)

Kaden smiles slightly at Rue's antics, "Don't grow up too fast Rue. You can be silly around us; you can be yourself around us remember that. And as long as your silliness doesn't get anyone hurt, I'm not going to be angry and neither is Maya, right?"
"Right. It's not a bad thing to let loose sometimes as long it is in the right place," Maya agrees.
"Maya remember to switch out watch tonight," Kaden leaves.
He goes to his tent and tries to get some sleep. Maya keeps watch with Strider beside her. The large red wolf looks up at Rue almost inviting him to stay up with them if Rue wishes too. Strider doesn't look angry and neither does Maya about the incident with Mae from before. If anything, they seem calm, unshakable.


Luka smiles, "Good to know. We could always use more help especially now. And if you ever want to leave the Keepers you can just know that. All we ask is that you tell us."
Luka's spirit animal is also in passive state and the tattoo isn't visible. He can sense that Hazel is beginning to trust them and doesn't want to betray that trust. Ashia walks back to the group with more materials. She helps them finish the decoys before going off to meditate. Before she leaves, she wishes them a good night and tells them to get some rest.

(I've been revived! I can't promise prompt replies any more. I can't trust myself to actually get on in a reasonable time. I'm sorry for the late responses, I truly am.)

Rue watches Kaden leave before observing Maya and Strider sitting together calmly. He places his feet beneath him and shuffles, knees bent and fingers trailing the ground, over to the two. Whatever foggy, sleepy cloud had clung to him or so before had now passed. He seems alert and is keeping track of his surroundings. Sting wanders around the campsite.
Rue reaches a hand out to run his fingers through Strider's fur before he stops himself and puts his hand back in his lap. He could almost hear his parents chastising him about touching other people's spirit animals and how that could disrupt what the spirit animals are trying to do.

Hazel nods her head to show that she understands before she verbally gives confirmation. She doesn't mind the quiet that follows, having said her piece and learning what she needs for the time being.
The decoys being done, she accepts Ashia's offer and goes to get some rest. She curls up beside her brother, the reassuring, reliable pressure of his back against hers eases some of her worries, helping her sleep sooner rather than later.

(Don't worry about it, I understand. I'm not on that often either anymore.)

Strider sensing what Rue is thinking plops his head in Rue's lap. Strider puts the full weight of his head on Rue's leg. Maya looks over trying not to laugh at how much Strider looks like a dog in this case.
"Not many people get that privilege Rue," Maya says, "Just watch out if he goes to nip. Those teeth aren't just for show."
At that moment Strider yawns revealing his large, sharp, white teeth.


Luka switches out with Justin on watch shortly after that.

(Time skip to morning?)

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=96474&page=33#326 Author: Starpup5 Time Posted: 11/27/2022 at 10:05 PM (Don't worry about it, I understand. I'm not on that often either anymore.) Strider sensing what Rue is thinking plops his head in Rue's lap. Strider puts the full weight of his head on Rue's leg. Maya looks over trying not to laugh at how much Strider looks like a dog in this case. "Not many people get that privilege Rue," Maya says, "Just watch out if he goes to nip. Those teeth aren't just for show." At that moment Strider yawns revealing his large, sharp, white teeth. Luka switches out with Justin on watch shortly after that. (Time skip to morning?)

(Boo)

(Aah, scary boo. (But it's a very appreciated boo.) Again, sorry for the absence. I should have more regular time to respond.
Time skip to the three hours before sunrise? Is that what you mean by morning? That's what I have written. If you mean morning as in the sun's up in, then please ignore what is written below. You start at what time you're meaning and I'll jump on.)

Rue jolts awake. For a moment he panics, tugging at his shirt to keep it away from his throat as he feels the general sense of being strangled. He carefully folds his hands over his chest and forces his breathing back to being even. On the outside, he calms as quickly as he startled, but his heart rate is still trying to beat a racehorse.
"Oh, snap." He quietly curses when he realizes he had fallen asleep and, therefore, had lost sense of time. He looks to the others in hopes of knowing how soon they are leaving. Or if they have already left. He had told Maya where the Keepers had made camp. Rue closes his eyes and briskly rubs the palms of his hands against them. Nope, he thought to himself, not those thoughts today. He banishes the idea that his companions would just leave him, rises to a crouch, and chews on his knuckles as he looks to his companions for clues on when they needed to go.

Jay groans as he wakes up, the crick in his neck and the gentle kick that had woken him up killing him. The savage kick to his side, that effectively cuts off any sound from him, almost succeeds in finishing him off.
"Shh," Hazel hisses through her teeth as she scans the surroundings for any threat that could be brought to them thanks to Jay being inconsiderate. "Your fault if we die."
Jay releases his breath in a huff at the unfairness of the statement. Surely it couldn't just be his fault and his fault alone. But he keeps quiet.

(Don't feel bad about infrequent responses right now I'm going through the same with my other roleplays. I'm just glad you're willing to take the time to respond.)

Maya and Kaden are already awake and waiting on Rue to wake up. Noticing Rue's movement Kaden glares at Rue and motions for him to be quiet. Maya looks around before pointing away from the Keeper's camp towards the road. Faintly a couple of lights and the squeaking of wheels can be heard.
Maya whispers to Rue, "Rue did you notice the Keepers traveling with a few wagons?"
Kaden frowns understanding what Maya is getting at before motioning for the group to get moving. He had a bad feeling that the Keepers had either been deceived or deceived them.
"Rue lead the way to the Keepers' camp quickly," Kaden whispers.


Ashia motions for the group to be quiet as she hears the quiet squeak of wheels. She glances over at Luka who frowns and mouths, "They moved early. I'm sorry I didn't know." Ashia shakes her head before glancing over at Hazel and Jay. Justin gently shakes Brandon to try and wake him. Luka quickly grabs the decoys and motions for Hazel and Jay to help him. Ashia motions for Justin and Luka to go together to lay out the decoys. Ashia goes to Jay and Hazel, "We can't wait for the Greencloaks. The Conquerors are moving with the talisman. We don't have time for a full plan so I need you both to improvise during this. Jay you are with Luka on distraction detail, Hazel you are with me we are after the talisman, Brandon is with Justin helping guard and escape routes."

(Of course!)

Rue smiles half-heartedly and mimes his lips being sealed. He understands the tense atmosphere and reassures himself that no one actually hates him. Even if they do actually hate him. Because he keeps slowing them down. He attempts another smile and doesn't rise from his crouched position as he stalks close to his friends. At Maya's question, he gently shakes his head 'no'. Any further commentary he believes is unnecessary. Especially since the uneasy situation seems to call for silence.
At Kaden's demand Rue bobs a nod and starts on the most direct path to the Keepers, though he keeps a fair amount of distance between him and the Conquerors. He doesn't want to get caught today. As much as he can joke about fitting in at the Howling House, he doesn't really want to go there.


Brandon wakes easily. He sits up and watches the group's reactions to unfolding events with wide and wary eyes.
Hazel and Jay quickly set upon their given task of gathering decoys; Jay does so to prove that he can be helpful and Hazel does so because she is less stressed if she has something to do. As they are addressed, they stay still and look at Ashia to show that they are paying attention. Jay nods when the instructions are finished and Hazel gives him the decoys she had gathered. Hazel grabs her weapons and jokingly offers Jay a stick for his defense. He rolls his eyes, shakes his head, and that was the end of the exchange.
Jay heads to Luka's side with a chipper grin and Hazel solemnly goes to join Ashia, both hoping that they would do their job well. Brandon sticks to Justin's side (not literally since he isn't touching Justin) but he and his spirit animal are ready to help. He holds himself a little taller and attempts to look more threatening as he nods and accepts the challenge of doing his job well.