With each step deeper into the forest leaves crush beneath the groups of footsteps mixed with the soft clanking of metal on metal for chainmail armor; the steps sound causing a resounding rhythmic drumming in the beating heart of every man and woman present in the dark forest in the late hours. The cold of the night, the true crisp fresh air of freedom awakened something like a sixth sense in the minds of Ebony and Cyrus. A branch rustled ever so lightly to the right, and Ebony spared a quick glance towards Cy on the other side of the party as they both begin to move toward the source of the sound. "Careful, this could either be a fight-" Cy says and Ebony interrupts him by saying "Or our next meal." The depth of twigs and dry leaves would be a dead giveaway, so Ebony releases a quick flicker of magic flurries which makes our newfound groups footsteps silent, as the seven strong souls creep their way towards the small clearing in the trees. After walking for almost two days and fighting at nearly every turn, the members were hungry and wary of anything nearby.
Ebony crouches down behind a tree and Cy follows her lead, the young pairs gaze flowing towards the center, where three deer stood tall. All bucks, peacefully eating berries from the bushes. Slowly, Ebony pulls a makeshift bow from the belt holding her satchel with two arrows from her quiver and resting them against the bowstring, ready to aim at the ones on the right side closest to her. Outside of Ebony's peripherals, she sees Cy making his way over to the buck on the left, his dagger out ready to make a clean kill. A deep breath leaves her chest before Ebony lets loose the two arrows pulled upon her bow, sinking deep into the hearts of the two deer as they cripple and fall to the ground. Cy makes a clean kill on the buck, and then waves the other five members over, and they start getting together in pairs to carry the deer back to camp. Ebony moves from her position, reuniting herself quickly with the group. "Let's be quick. I am sure we are all ready to enjoy a well earned meal." Ebony says, her soft but prominent voice reaching the ears of everyone, as they cheer softly for the soon to be good stew.
Walking behind the group and remaining ever vigilant on her way, Ebony makes sure to cover her groups trail, using what little she knows of her magic to make the forest look as undisturbed as possible. With each step forward, their feet make soft thuds against the slightly damp dirt and leaves, the orange and green tones indicating the slow approach of Autumn weather. One can almost smell the rain coming in the air, each deep inhale a musk filled earthy scent that almost soothes the soul.
As the small but determined group approaches their camp, a couple of the children who were left with their mothers start giggling and charging towards the small party who were bringing food back to camp. The oldest, Malachi, smiles a toothy grin as his excited tone pierces the air. "Miss Ebony! Did you guys catch anything good for dinner?" The young boy tugs at Ebony's soft sleeve, one of the few remaining pieces of clothing she has left from her time as a princess. Her gaze is soft and unwavering as she bends down tot he boys height, almost making herself eye level with him.
"Oh Malachi, of course we did. Cyrus and I wouldn't have come back to camp without something for your mom to make us some grub out of!" Ebony says before reaching her right hand out and patting the young boys head gently before ruffling his soft brown hair. Cyrus laughs and chimes in, "Yeah Malachi! Ebony would have sooner shoved her foot where the sun don't shine before she'd have let me walk back here without food for you and the others." Cyrus's voice fades softly as he walks towards the campfire and the table we use to skin the animals we bring back to camp to prep them for cooking. He carefully pulls the deer he helped carry back to camp up onto the table and grabs one of his knives, beginning his task of prepping the deer to be cooked.
Ebony stands up, her legs a little wobbly from remaining crouched as Malachi laughs and practically darts back over to his small but curated group of friends. Ebony crosses her chest as others from the hunting party walked over to join Cyrus, a deep exhale leaving her lungs as she begins to relax after such a tiresome day out in the woods. She decides to walk over towards Malachi's mother to speak about the deer stew that she could make with the game they brought back to camp.
Malachi's mother smiles softly as Ebony approaches, her gaze soft and comforting to the younger girl. "Hello Miss Ebony. It is very nice to see you made it back to camp safely. I sincerely hope Cyrus didn't give you too much trouble this time." A soft but knowing chuckle escapes both Malachi's mother and Ebony. "Oh well, you know how he is. Sometimes though, his almost immature attitude towards life is a blessing. I felt more refreshed coming back this time not only because we were able to get more than one deer, but because the party is getting more at ease with each other as time passes. I can see us becoming a more formidable unit as time goes on." A soft hum escapes the older woman and a small smile graces her face. "I couldn't be more proud of that. I know that when my boy grows up, he'll be strong. After all, he has you and Cyrus both as role models. He'll be just fine."
Ebony feels tingles of kinetic energy run over her skin as she leans in and hugs the woman, squeezing her close. "Since I've left the kingdom, you've been such a comfort to me in...what is most likely the hardest transition point of my life so far. I will forever be grateful for what you have taught me since I was banished."
"Oh Ebony, you were strong before we met." The older woman says as she gives Ebony a tight squeeze, in an almost motherly-like hug. The two enjoy each others embrace for a moment before Ebony lowers her arms and smiles before walking over towards the small tent she built with the others just a couple days ago. The group of nearly thirty people is harder for Ebony to conceal, so she and Cyrus came up with the idea to use smaller tents to maximize space and prevent them from being tracked as easily by the Yllachi.
Ebony pushes the small covering aside with her right hand, the soft deer pelt texture grazing lightly against her skin as small twigs and leaves crunch beneath her boots as her steps creep closer to her bed. Sliding the tight and uncomfortable boots off Ebony sighs exasperatedly, her mind stuck in and endless loop of wondering what comes next for herself, Cyrus, and the people staying in this small camp with her. The only sounds she hears are the faint words spoken around the cauldron rested above the campfire, and the noises of the forest as she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, trying to ignore the encroaching sound of her heartbeat filling her ears. For a brief moment, she touches the scar beneath her eye, the unfamiliar ridge that she's come to see in her time being banished from the kingdom-her former home, and lets her sadness wash over her in waves. Her magic resonates with these emotions, colorful petals falling around her and dissipating as she watches them fall. Her gaze almost glazes over in a way which makes her feel like she can ignore some of the older more...persistent emotions in favor of the new ones, especially those concerning this man they're supposed to meet and ask about these scars, which she believes will explain why her and the people she's with are being chased by Yllachi. For a moment, Ebony decides to ponder what she knows about the almost demonic creatures while the dinner is being cooked for the encampment.
"An ancient race, that's what the old history books in the castle library read." Ebony murmurs quietly to herself as her left arm moves above her head and bends her arm, the pale skin pressing against her hair as it splays out on the slightly hardened pillow. "Using magic to shapeshift." Her voice is contemplative and exasperated, trying to think of some way to learn more about them without access to books, or even a library.
Her brows furrow as she thinks back to the night of the attack on the castle, recalling the faces of people she thought were just new people employed or indentured under her Father, but if the Yllachi can shapeshift then that doesn't leave her thinking it was her fault anymore. "The attack on the castle was planned." Ebony's voice is a whisper, fear sending shivers down her spine, tingling over her skin as her knees buckle, her fingers trailing up her chin to cover her mouth as tears well up in her eyes.