HSI: The Island

Mauve shouts at Fafnir, concerned for his well-being, fear written all over her face. "Are you ok?

Meanwhile, she hopes Gwydion's spell works and that Fafnir's arrows work well for Gonner's bow as she flings her knife at the closest bird the likes of which she could never have imagined.

What kind of island is this that such birds exist? she wonders.

The lead bird squawks and prepares to leap. Just as coils to spring forward, Gwyndion intones his spell. The creature prepares to bound forward, but it's eyes change. They almost appear to slacken, then widen. The massive bird stumbles forward, then turns and rushes back into the trees.

The other two birds have come in from the sides, towards the rear of the group. They most likely had planned to separate a weaker member of the herd and go in for an easy kill. Gonnar's arrow drew the attention of the bird to the left, but the other bird charged in for an easy shot.

It zips out of the trees just as Gwyndion finishes his spell. The bird rushes by without stopping, lashing out a beak at the mage as it moves past.

The arrow draws the attention of the bird rushing from the left. It veers towards Gonnar and leaps into the air just before reaching him. The flightless bird sails over top the barbarian and slashes out at his face as it leaps past.

"Still alive," he said nonchalantly, flashing her a grin. It had been a while since somebody cared if he lived or died, but he tried not to think about it too much; the murderous birds kicking the shit out of them demanded his full attention.

I'll show you murder...

Gywdion swiftly brings his staff around and jabs at the bird managing to keep it at bay.

Casting aside his bow as the bird-thing comes at him, Gonnar grimaces as he rushes to meet its charge bare-handed. His strong grip finds the creature's neck and he shoves it from him violently, preventing what would be a nasty bite.

Gonnar shoves the bird aside. The push forces it towards Fafnir and Halor. The creature keeps its footing and tries to escape to the trees, but ends up in close range of the two. They both slash at the bird.

Halor's hammer strikes first. It smashes into a leg. The crack of the bone is audible as the hammer connects. The creature screeches in pain. It is quickly silenced when Fafnir slices through the neck. The bird crashes to the grass. It's legs continue to pump for a few more seconds, then stop moving.

Gwyndion jabs at the bird as it attempts to attack him. It lashes out with it's beak, but only catches air. The bird continues running towards the trees, but is struck by Mauve's dagger before it disappears into the dark brush. The blade is expertly thrown and strikes the creature at the base of its head. It stumbles into the brush and disappears into the tall grass.

Fafnir cleans the blood from his blade. The Bloodlust was still in his veins and he revels in the feeling of being alive. It felt good to have his sword in hand and stalwart allies at his back.

"Well fought! Everyone okay?"

He reflects on how much he's wasted away on the voyage. He replays the battle in his mind and remembers how it felt like he was swinging through honey rather than air. What more, he is out of breath. He hopes the Bloodlust will spur his appetite to return, and then his vigor.

Mauve also cleans her blade on the grass and looks in the direction that the strange bird fled.

"Those birds will probably make some good eating. We should track the one I got and eat it. It couldn't have gone far.

Sheathing her blade she answers Fafnir. "I am well. But if these birds are any indication of what the inhabitants of this island are like, we might be in for some big surprises, and by big I mean just that. Are we to presume everything is oversized?"

"Aye, giant chickens, ha! Both in feather and in spirit, judging from how fast it fled. But now that we have a bloody carcass, we'll be attracting everything with a nose and a taste for blood. Let's move quickly, I don't want to meet a giant wolf!"

"HAH! That's what you get!" Halor shouts after the battered birds.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine. That creature nearly raked me bloody, though." He looks at Gwydion, "That was you, wasn't it, mage? Very well done!" He clasps Gwydion's shoulder and gives it a hearty shake.

He notes Fafnir already looking to take on the trail of one of the wounded birds. "Can't agree more - I'd like to eat that thing over the giant rat. Giant rat, giant centipede, giant birds - I think you're on to something, Mauve. I don't relish running into a giant cat or something - we'll need to be ever vigilant."

Hunting for his arrow to retrieve it, Gonnar takes up the bow again but shoulders it. He'll need some practice before he loosens his grip on his hammer.

"Agree," he says gruffly when they start tracking the injured bird. "Lots of meat on that bird-thing."

"Fafnir," Gonnar says from where he kneels at the side of the dead bird-thing. "We have this one. Do we need two?"

Gywdion smiles at Halor's praise. "Glad you all put down the other so quickly." He adds. "So, roast bird with mango sauce?" He asks the group. "Happy to do the butchering while someone gets a fire going."

"A little hunting's good for the spirit! Hand me your bow and my arrows and we'll be back before you get the fire going. Who's with me to hunt it down?"