The Chronicles of 'Team B' - Chapter 29 - The Pack's Pursuit
General Summary
After the Serpent Slayers split up, Augusta leads the navii that are pursuing her deeper into the woods. She calls upon Gaal to show her a safe place, where she may abide until the danger has passed. En route, she rebukes five of the navii that pursued her, and outruns the final one prior to coming to the place God indicates. She rests there, though her rest is interrupted by the sounds of growling wolf shapechangers passing by. Not sure whether these are enemies, or her companions Alden and Lokan, she prefers to stay hidden.
In the meantime, Yuri, with Svetlana seated behind him, leads another horde of navii away from his companions, and toward Sitnitsa. He rides Zorina's horse into the village, and to Cherniava's compound, on the village's north edge. He finds no one there, but soon hears the sounds of a loud conversation elsewhere in the village. Secreting the horse in Cherniava's barn, he hides behind the fence and listens. The voices seem lupine, but they do not appear to belong to any of his companions. They are looking for someone, however. Yuri and Svetlana lay low in the house, listening to what the hunters will do. Soon they depart, and Yuri remains in the house, waiting for his companions to rendezvous in the village, as agreed upon.
* * *
Soon after these events, Zabav, Zhelan and Tserg return from their hunt, only to find that Vagran, Iar, and Lokan have successfully returned with their quarry. Finally, the ritual can begin. As preparations are being completed, Lokan asks Danifa how the wolves plan to stave off all comers after they have consumed Agapia, but his adopted mother seems unconcerned. They are top predators, and will command any and all creatures of darkness who are drawn to them. Then, drink is passed around, and the wolves begin to howl, in expectation of the sacrifice. Their howling is soon interrupted by moaning coming from the woods. Climbing the roof, the wolves see a large group of navii coming from the direction of the village. They begin to fire upon them from the roof, in order to keep them from claiming the pack's prize. During the commotion, Lokan manages to sneak up into Agapia's loft, undo her bonds, and stealthily, slip her out the window. He then leads the girl through the dark woods toward the village. They make their way back to the church, and once inside, locate a trap door that leads down into a cellar. Here, they find some candles, and scented oil, which they take.
As if on command, the howling navii soon arrive. Agapia and Lokan climb up the horizontal beams to a small, high window. Lokan secures a rope, and descends, as the navii pile in. Agapia has poured the scented under the wall that they climbed, and ignites it, before shimmying down the rope Lokan has tied. Lokan, meanwhile, props up the back door and the front door. The navii hammer on the door, trying to get out, but the church is soon ablaze.
Yuri, in his hideout, hears the commotion, and with Svetlana in tow, rides toward the blaze. He hears the wailing of many navii voices, as they burn, and soon sees his two companions on the outside of the church. The east wind is quickly spreading the flames to neighboring buildings, so the companions flee south. In due course, they pass near Augusta's resting place, and she hears their voices. As this place was indicated by the Lord. they spend the rest of the night there, somehow safe from fire and wolves.
The following morning, not able to locate the rest of their companions, they continue making their way east and south, toward Malinka. Guided by Lokan, they make good time, and encounter no obstacles. At the end of the second day, as they look for a place to camp, they discover a large tree with a sizeable hole near the roots. Agapia drops a small object in the hole, but it doesn't land. Augusta then attempts to create light inside the aperture, but it does not illuminate. Suddenly, the pack, led by Tserg and Zhelan reemerges. They express disappointment with Lokan, and Yuri dares Zhelan to fight him. Agapia utters a prayer, and then...Rewards Granted
- 10 candles
Missions/Quests Completed
- Agapia and Lokan escape from Lokan's family
- Many navii are burned, and a few are rebuked
Character(s) interacted with
Report Date
30 Aug 2019
Secondary Location
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