The Ebonwood
From Camp to Taltfallow to Battle
Interacting with: @Fyrra and everyone else indirectly (kind of)
Amaroq had awakened shortly after Chidori. He's gone to walk through the woods, foraging for fruits and berries while scouting for any unsavory individuals who might serve to attack his companions or master. The time had also been allotted for a bit of early morning exercise. He'd felt the warmth of the sun wash over his skin before taking a bit of time to feel it warm the fur of his wolf form. Sometimes it was hard to tell which form he preferred. He loved being able to lounge about as a wolf; he loved how powerful he felt. But it was a temporary power. He'd always need to turn back. Even so, he returned to camp soon after his stroll with berries and other things he'd been able to scrounge up and catch to help add to their supplies. He doubted that anything would go unused before it reached the point of no return.
From there he would help Roland clean up their tent as Ferice ran out for a bit to stretch his legs (and wings presumably as he would eventually return from the air). Roland rubbed the sleep from his eyes, yawning as he moved at a slower pace than Roq. The mess got cleaned all the same before they left and that was all that mattered, even if Roq ended up doing a bit more of the work.
Still, he rode his horse as Roland rode Ferice first to Taltfallow. The two took note of the state it was in. In truth, Roland hadn't been all too sure about going to through the Ebonwood upon the warnings of the local, but he couldn't let the fear he felt stop him. Especially not when Roq was so determined to help.
Roq had been sympathetic of the struggles of the people and had been glad when Beatrix had stated they would cross the Ebonwood. However, the thing that caught his nose was a familiar scent. He'd been prepared to mention it to Velita but they were soon on their way again. Besides, it didn't matter as they soon came into contact with her brother, Khirel. He'd was glad to see them reunited, and also glad to have yet another companion. The problem was, it didn't last. He growled as the area around them darkened with an ominous fog.
Ferice's eyes narrowed. He and Roq, who were generally at odds, were equally on edge. Roland pet Ferice's head a tad bit oblivious to the change before the rumbling began.
"Be on guard, master." Roq said calmly. He didn't feel like he'd need to tell everyone else the same; especially after the warnings they'd received. He glanced around before beginning to transform. He wanted to be ready if something came to attack them. However, nobody could have prepared for what came. He was shocked as he jumped out of the way, Ferice bringing Roland to safety immediately in response.
To Roq's surprise, Dustice was incapacitated almost immediately by the-
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" He shouted, his initial shock causing him to speak aloud. The wolf shook his head, bringing himself back to his senses as he steeled himself for the battle they were being thrust into. He wanted to yell for everyone to jump out of the way, but this wasn't like the bandits though. Beatrix managed to cut its leg. One of the newer members of their rag tag group was attempting to tend to Dustice.
"Wait! Chidori no!" Roland shouting, pulling Roq back to reality as the young ninja woman released their horses.
"Master, we don't have time to worry about the horses." It was an annoying fact to have to state, especially when the better course of action would have been to allow Pascal the time to try and calm Azure and Sapphire. Then, they could have attempted to draw the monster away from this area, even if only a bit. That would have spared the horses and decreased the chances of Dustice dying, even if only by a little bit.
"I know!" Roland's previously jovial and cheerful manner of battle displayed when confronting the bandits was gone. He was clearly out of his element as he readied his lance and tightened his grip on Ferice's reins. That's when he noticed Isra. He gasped. That was an incredibly smart idea. Or incredibly stupid. There really was no telling. Upon Roland's mark, Ferice charged forward. The Ebonwood restricted the wyvern rider and his partner's mobility, but they'd just have to make due. They moved forward at incredible speed attempting to reach and help Isra. As they approached the tree, Roland pat his wyvern's head and whispered softly.
"Isra! Here's hoping we can pull this through." He said, managing to force a nervous smile, trying to put on a brave face. Hopefully with Ferice's strength they could knock down the tree rather quickly.
"I'll try and buy a little bit of time." Roq said to the two, having gone with Roland and Ferice to try and help and to have his master's back. The thing was, he would have to take a different approach at attacking the beast.
"Please cut face though." Roq growled as he stared down the monster and ran towards it. He couldn't just charge head on though. He began to weave through the trees to try and take advantage of the layout of their surroundings before emerging to try and flank the hellish cervidae from its right side. He leaped off the ground, lunging at the monster to attempt a twofold attack. He would try to sink his claws into the monster, followed by his fangs to try and distract it. If he was lucky, he would wound it too. At the same time, he was hoping he might be able to keep the deer monster in place long enough to provide some time for Roland and Isra's plan to work.
In truth, the chance for success was really low. But maybe there was even a chance that somebody else would be able to attack it as well. After all, now would likely be the best time for others to attempt to attack it if they hadn't already. Or to, at least, take the time to prepare something themselves before he was either swatted away or shaken off the monster. This was especially important since Chidori had taken it upon herself to rid them of a possible means of escape. So, fighting was probably their only option at the moment. Even so, as the Laguz attempted his attack, hoping others would join as he, Roland, and Isra attempted their plan as well, he couldn't help but think that this hadn't been how he'd planned the day when he woke up. He figured they'd face something more akin to the bandits or perhaps have an easy day altogether. Wishful thinking at it's best.