by Kai » Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:00 pm
With a silent, gracious nod John winked out of sight behind Zea. Left alone with Sorune now, the possessed young woman gave Sorune a quick glance. "I'm not going to damage her. I just need to get home, and she can help me. She knows that." As she spurred the horse harder and harder, Sorune could see that the animal was starting to show the strain. He was willing to run himself ragged for Zea, but no amount of obedience and loyalty could keep a horse going forever.
Meanwhile, John sped back toward the others as best he could. He couldn't get a sense for them as quickly as he could for Zea, if he got close enough he might be able to sense them magically. At the very least he could cover ground more quickly than they could. The closest one was Michael, mainly because he'd ended up wandering forward to the burning structure.
Not bothering to manifest himself visually, John simply ensured that his voice could carry to mortal ears. "Master Michael," he began. "Take care with this fire, but wait around here and Zea should be along shortly."
He did not wait for a response, instead diving back through the trees to see who was still nearby. Such things were easier without a body to worry about, and he could take straight lines through whatever objects came his way. Eventually a great light passed above him and he shot straight up to meet it, still little more than a voice on the wind with a very dark astral signature. "Good of you to head back, Miss Cerene, but I think we could use your help up at the source of the fire.
He swung by Solis and Goren with a brief, "Make a circuit round and go ahead and to your left for the source of the fire. Zea and Mister Yohlm are likely already there by now, and if you'll excuse me..." At which point his voice stopped and the dark aura he carried sped off to find Zea's father.
This one was easier, and John noted it with some surprise. He didn't know Zeke Mazuo very well but he certainly knew his daughter, and the two felt somewhat similar. "Thank you for your assistance, Mister Mazuo," John told him, this time manifesting visually to travel alongside the Valthi mercenary. Running was too complicated an action to mimic, so he simply stood with his hands in his pockets and sped along with him. After a short pause he continued, "Zea's gone on ahead and I've sent the others as well. The source of the fire seems to be on ahead, but I've no doubt that it'll be taken care of. Meanwhile, when we get there... don't be alarmed but Zea's picked up a guide of sorts who has more information."
Unlike with the others, John didn't vanish immediately. He still wasn't sure how to feel about this paternal figure, though he seemed well-intentioned and reliable enough considering he'd only spoken twice to his adult daughter. A pressing question was just how useful Mazuo would be until he became an unwelcome distraction. John hadn't quite figured that out yet, but it was worth mulling over while he still had the chance.
Ahead of the others, Zea and Sorune finally found their way to the clearing with the burning building at the center. There were about a dozen young people standing outside, ranging from a five year old to a twelve-year-old holding a toddler. Zea/Redda yanked Azrael to a stop and cursed in frustration as she had to unknot herself from her saddle with fingers she wasn't used to operating.
As soon as she'd freed herself she jumped down from her exhausted mount. "Kids!" She yelled. They turned to look at her with the numb expressions of people who couldn't quite believe what they were watching. "Redda sent me. Are you guys okay?" They looked at each other and nodded before glancing over to Sorune. Evidently choosing not to question it, they said nothing further. "I'm going to try and figure out what happened, okay? You guys just stay back."