an entrance (( naa/open ))

[Dawby]

The young mare narrows her eyes slightly at Harily.

And why do you ask? Out of meager curiousity? Or do you, like these two, believe you are capable of succeeding where others have failed?

[Nyx]

Harily took a step back. Well. . .I. . .ummmm. . .I was just curious, but maybe there /is/ something I can do to help.

[sera]

We are the Kaigaihen, Solearth replied simply, the implications of the word deep though perhaps not all of them were clear. We have capabilities others do not. Broken-shin, tell us wot you know. He gave the mare and stallion before him an apologetic glance, for this would likely be a hard reminder of wot had been lost to them. He turned to Harily, letting the stallion know this was for his benefit as much as the rest of theirs.

The mare didn't raise her head, gaze set on Solearth and shooting daggers. There was once an affluent and strong I'er named Scu'e Liyores for the springs that abounded within their land. They were unbonded and free; ready and willing to roam as needed. They were known for their strength, for their kind leader, for their intelligence. Almost a year ago, ten months, the I'er vanished. All of them. No one could pinpoint the day or time or even the week, but their disappearance was marked unto the Kaigaihen who sent one of their number searching for answers and clues. The Kaigaihen scout searched the home grounds, but to no avail. The scout searched the surrounding areas and found nothing. She searched and searched until, three months ago, she found something strange. An abandoned data plate, perhaps lost, perhaps left behind on purpose to lead the Naa after their lost ones. The scout returned to her I'er with the information and soon they had discovered the secret of a strange organization as well as a set of specifications for four Naa and the changes wrought upon them. The scout was partnered and that pair has continued their Wanderings, in hopes that they may find yet another clue to the lost I'er. This is all that I know.

Solearth was silent, watching the other Naa with a carefully blank mask. Bismark had winced everytime the I'er was mentioned and even now his head was bowed. It cut the Kaigaihen's heart to see the same and despair overcoming the strong and brave stallion, but nothing he said or did could help. His eyes slipped to the small mare in speculation.

[Dawby]

((*glee* secret organizations! yay! I wanna kick secret organization butt! X-Files style! lol oo, the Derby's gonna start soon. stupid work with no tv.))

Solearth's gaze is returned with an impudent stare.

And you think we can lead you to the rest of the I'er? Nameless tosses her mane in derision. I tell you, the Scu'e Liyores is no more. I never saw any friend or cousin, no naa but Bismark while I was imprisoned.

A sort of bitter smile flitters across her face. And whatever may be left of the I'er you wouldn't want to rescue. Trust me.

[sera]

(( *tries to think of a good name for said organization* ^^;; hehe ))

Bismark winced at the mare's words, but didn't disagree.

Solearth met her gaze, though his was still tinged with sorrow, Be that as it may, we cannot leave them there. Better to find them and remove them then to leave them in the hands of those torturers. He hesitated, shaking his head. How can you even bear the thought of one of your I'er remaining there? After wot you've gone through, after all that's happened. . . the Kaigaihen couldn't finish the thought.

[Dawby]

The mare's temper snaps almost visibly.

How do you dare lay judgment on me? On us? There was no choice in the matter. Nothing to be done for anyone else.

She looks wildly from Solearth's sorrowful countenance, to Broken's cool contempt, to Harily's pitying expression, and back to Bismark's guilty gaze. She would go on if she could only remember more reasons why she was blameless in this tragedy, but she can't even remember exactly how she came to be out here among the trees in the sunshine and clean air while everyone else remained underground in the dark.

Tell them, Bismark, she orders angrily. Tell them there was nothing we could do.

[sera]

Bismark sent her an almost terrified look, then sighed deeply and stared off into the surrounding trees, unable to face any of them.

I don't really remember being taken, he finally began, his mental voice a deep baritone, and seemingly even lower with sorrow. I remember before, when everything was good and happy. I remember some of the during, wild bouts of pain, and the anguished screams of the others. Ben'niel. . . I heard him screaming over and over 'I cannot breathe!' But he could not die. . . and then they silenced him. But he wasn't dead, I could feel him there, caught in his body. He broke off, a deep keening noise sounding in his throat. His brother! Gads, his own brother! He couldn't continue for several long seconds, then his voice was montone and flat. We were kept separated. Large, barred cages, but not. You couldn't push through the bars; something blocked them. If you displeased, you were punished. His hide twitched in rememberance. Our escape was pure chance. Our wings were attached; they didn't think we could fly with them. I rushed our captors, we broke the lines and flew away. The others were still locked inside. We couldn't reach them. . we couldn't- he broke off again, still staring at the trees, a maelstrom of emotions humming around him.

[Dawby]

Little Nameless stamps her back hooves in frustration, shooting daggers at the other naa as if to say, Look what you did!

Even if you had an army you could not defeat them. They crawl everywhere, know everything, see everything. You would destroy more to fail at saving those past hope of being saved? She shakes her mane, eyes shut tightly. I will not join you.

When she opens her eyes, there is a deadly white-hot fire in the depths of the blue. I will not go back!

[sera]

Solearth watched the pair for a long moment. He was not oblivious to their pain, the evidence was swimming in his eyes, but more remain there than could be understood. You are justified. He finally said flatly. We go on without you. The Kaigaihen began walking again, in the direction the pair had come from.

Bismark swung closer to Nameless, ears flat, sorrow pushed aside to protect the mare, but the Kaigaihen paushed long enough to incline his head at them, murmuring, May peace be with you. Then he moved past. Oddly, this small ritual did bestow at least a level of calmness upon the pair. Bismark turned his head to watch the other stallion moving off, wondering at the feeling of regret within his heart.

Broken hesitated a long moment, slightly surprised by Solearth's reaction, then, she trotted to the pair, also inclining her head, May sorrow receded. Then she was off after her partner. This ritual did the same as the last, though it could not lessen their pain, it put a little bit of distance between their emotions and their memories.

[Dawby]

They won't be back, says nameless bitterly. Madness for them to even think they can make a difference. And they don't even know where they're going. They can't find it without us or they would have already.

She turns to the flabbergasted Harily, purposefully using him as a sounding board instead of directly addressing Bismark. Absolute madness.

She paws impatiently at the ground as Bismark continues to watch the Kaigaihen grow smaller with the distance.

Gads, she mutters.

Come on, Bismark. Don't tell me you want to follow them.

[sera]

Bismark sighed turning his gaze back to Nameless, not saying anything, but worry and concern were evident in his eyes. He didn't want to go, but. . . he found himself thinking that maybe perhaps the Kaigaihen could help, somehow. At the very least, perhaps they could give the remaining Naa peace in death. He shuddered, remembering Ben'niel's still body and staring eyes.

[kchan]

geocities.com/mightytawnberry/syneh.html

Sounds ahead caused the scarred mare to perk up her ears. She quickened her pace, though she was still cautious. She emerged from the woods in time to see a pair of Kaigaihen split off from a group of five. She wondered what business they had in this area. She also wondered what why there only seemed to be one normal-looking naa in the bunch.
Wait, she mind-called to the Kaigaihen.

[sera]

Solearth paused, glancing at the new mare with a hint of curiousity. Yes? he responded. May we be of assistance?

Broken just eyed the new mare flatly.

[kchan]

Probably not, the mare answered. I don't actually need assisting. My name's Syneh. I thought we might travel together for a ways. She caught up with the Kaigaihen. The temptation to stick her tongue out at the other mare was great. She refrained.

[sera]

Your company will be appreciated, Solearth answered quietly, beginning to walk again. We are, perhaps on a dangerous journey, I must warn you. We would not see you injured in our care.