Abanian AU: Ladies of Ramuh
for @invidia1988‘s Abanian AU Wordcount: 2756 Mentions of @invidia1988‘s Divinity and other characters as brief glossovers of @maiden-born-in-snow & @earthlystar
Dark clouds rolled across the horizon of cliffs and plateaus of washed out browns and reds, lightning flashed still bundled within the cocoon and have yet to release a full strike to the ground below. Rain made the terrain under her feet slightly muddy, but it wasn’t something out of the ordinary, it felt nice as most storms were often a source of comfort in its symphony. She could just stand here for hours and just have her eyes closed, listening at the rain washed to the ground, the sound of the roaring waterfall nearby, along with the drum beats of rolling thunder that accompanied the flashes behind her eyelids.
However, something in the air felt different now, the weather starting to shift and as she opened her eyes slowly she saw the darkening clouds were becoming netted in an endless wave of lightning energy, the feeling of static crawling from the tips of her hair though damp were standing on end and the feeling trailed down along her back as if a gentle finger was caressing her bare skin and gave rise to goosebumps along the trail. But it was the smell in the air that became noticeable, as if something was burning...charging, growing all the more hot, but then it came with an earth shaking CRACK that sent her to lose her balance and fall to the slightly muddy ground under her. A bolt of violet lightning struck the ground beneath it not but a few yalms away, once thought to be dampened dry brush catching with a spark. That spark turning into a wildfire blaze that not even the rain could put out. Lightning strikes weren’t unheard of in her home, but none of them sparked a blaze that seemed to grow higher without the aid of other plant life, pillaring and towering, the growing heat could be felt even from her distance.
Higher, higher, twisting, spinning like a tornado of fire as it started to expand outward as if something was trying to break free of binds. A sudden gust of wind rolled across the plains as ribbons of flame burst apart and though a few came within a finger’s breadth of streaking across the exposed skin of her flesh, her eyes were awestruck at the giant avian creature swathed in the same colored flame, rich in reds and golds and a long tail as each flap of what could’ve been a wingspan of unknowable number unless truly seen making small bursts of winds when from its mighty beak it cried. It was high, shrill, but at the same time equal parts musical.
Another beat of its wings and it took off across the landscape, and her jaw nearly hit the ground as it flew over her head, she could feel the heat but almost the grace of the feathers, but she had to grip the ground for a purchase to not be forced back from the buffet. As the tail finished brushing overhead she looked over her shoulder where the direction of it was going and while she was often trained not to rush headlong into the unknown without being equipped to do so, her body felt as if it were moving on its own; something about the sight was calling to her. It was so...inexplicable.
Bare feet splashed into puddles splattering mud and earth in her wake, chasing the glowing avian creature as it seemed to call out again with that same musical cry. She still chased it, following as rain poured heavier and practically getting in her eyes and shaking it off every so often. Her feet could feel a decline under her as sandy earth started to give way to smooth red rock as the bird was flying further out of reach, faster and away over the steep cliff that came with a roaring waterfall and raging river below it. But her eyes refocused on something that was floating down, glowing like an ember and as she reached the edge of the cliffside she had to grind her feet into the ground as she stretched out a hand, toes absently curled around one of the ledges while the other acted as an anchor before she felt what her fingers grasped in her fist.
It was soft for certain, but much like its ember-like appearance it scalded against her skin, but that didn’t shake the resolve as she opened her hand a little. Laying on the flat of her palm was a red feather tipped with gold, it could have looked like an odd colored peacock feather, with the centered eye ringed with gold looking almost like a ruby in the middle. Even as the rain cascaded, it still acted like a glowing lantern, her hand still aching from a burn on her palm, but the rounded question that circled her thoughts was; what does this mean?
Green eyes slowly fluttered open and a soft groan escaped lightly stained lips as Angelique, a bowwoman and daughter of Ramuh reached up a little with a hand to block out the encroaching sunlight that was beaming through the leaves in the trees. It hadn’t rained a bit in the Shroud today, it was sunny and the sky clear and not obscured by clouds. A soft sigh escaped as she gazed at her palm, a little of the hand she had used to collect the feather in her dream, but it was not scarred by flame, no redness, just smooth pale skin. “How strange…” she muttered to herself as she let her hand rest lightly on her face, fingers pinching the bridge of her nose.
Dreams of storms were not unknown to her, they brought her to peace, but this drastic change didn’t sit correctly within. It just filled her with confusion.
“Sleeping one will be late to escort seeing one!” A high voice as Angelique looked down to see a green fairy-like creature; a Sylph looking up at her worriedly. “This one was asked to wake the sleeping one by other ones of Ramuh!”
“I understand.” Angelique replied and reached up to pull her hair up, letting the unruly part of her bangs remain over one of her eyes as she climbed down from the tree, letting herself drop the remaining few ilms before collecting the large harp-like bow that had been leaning against the trunk. For any other person with little skill it could be mistaken as just a piece of junk and unusable, but she was different than some skilled in her bow and able to use it with practiced ease. Today was the day she was to escort the seeres Divinity, another daughter of Ramuh, to the lands of the Lakshmi where they were to have their ceremony. One that she recalled was at times silly as men competed to win the affections of a single woman of their hopeful choice, but she wasn’t one to spit on the customs of another tribe. Silently she strapped the bow into place over the quiver as she walked through the village of the Sylphs and others who were raised under the guidance of the Lord of Levin.
“Heh, looks like the wild one of us woke up late again.” Angelique could hear one of the other ladies speak to another, giggling.
“Hard to believe that she was given a special invitation to the Lakshmis’ event. Much less guard the Seeres.” another one spoke, this one a young man as he adjusted some spectacles.
It was a topic much often raised, Angelique hadn’t been feral, she just worked and clawed her way to where she was chosen in exchange her social skills weren’t always that polite. She was wild, an untamed mare as they said, figuring she would be one of the few who would end up being alone. But...what was a bit of loneliness when she was able to show people she was capable at her job? Angelique shouldered her responsibility for being Divinity’s escort very seriously.
Even as she entered the large purple silk tent-like structure, she kept her manners in place as she was let in and gave the customary bow to Divinity even if she had her back to the hyur. “I apologize for my lateness, seeres. I-.”
“Slept again.” Came a two word reply, soft in voice for the tall Elezen figure.
“...Yes my lady…” Angelique muttered as she glanced away a little bit when she straightened her posture. There wasn’t an excuse to her actions, just something in that dreamstate kept her asleep, unable to wake up fully until it was over. Still she found it best to keep her lips clamped shut on the subject. “But I’m alert as ever for your escort.”
Divinity glanced over and nodded to Angelique, obviously whatever belongings that were meant to be packed for the trip to and from the home of the Lakshmi ladies had been set to go since before she had woken up. The Seeres wasn’t one for probing questions when there was other business to attend to at least not yet. Angelique had been given many a dire warning that protecting Lady Divinity was of the utmost importance and each time spoken a different way she eventually couldn’t stop the urge to roll her eyes at the notions as she helped the Seeres into the caravan that carried with it the no symbol in case someone chose to target the Ramuh escort; that would help take them through the slightly harsher landscapes of the Fringes. It was small and indistinct with the emblems hidden within.
There were a few final words before Angelique would start leading the caravan ahead keeping herself on foot rather than riding along. It was just how she much preferred it, but absently she did glance to her hand a little, as if she still felt like she carried that plume in her grasp, like the searing touch was pushed into her skin like a hot iron brand. All the while a dark bird with vibrant purple wingtips flew high in the air above them as it followed.
It had to be nothing.
The trip over the harsher sand and stone covered lands was uneventful at most, if only mildly interrupted by a few of the more wild beasts, and smaller creatures of questionable venomous levels. The road to Ala Ghiri was clear and dry, a few storm clouds in the far distance that didn’t seem to move with the dry heat, Angelique and Divinity had dressed and prepared for this more humid weather, lighter and easier to maneuver fairs, as some of the Ananta and guards had made to halt the caravan in its pace to enter, all it truly took was showing the invitation and helping Divinity from down the comfort of the caravan and into the noonday sun that could feel unforgiving for some, but the Shroud wasn’t unknown to arid dry summers at times. From Angelique’s gaze she could see the troupe from the Shivan and even the garish gold and red from Phoenix around and she found it safe to bring down the colors of Ramuh to the caravan; the rich dark blues and purple hues as well as the symbol of their representation before they entered into the center courtyard.
“Ah, the Ramuh troupe has finally arrived.” Raubahn had greeted them perhaps much like those of Phoenix and Shiva, the two bowing politely. “Is it just the two of you for the moment?” He questioned calmly and Angelique nodded.
“A smaller number was more sufficient in an unmarked caravan between travels gives less suspicion than a fully armed escort.” She replied, still balancing what looked to be the heavy weight of the bow on her back. “Whomsoever still wishes to attend will follow at their own pace before the fun starts.” she glanced around a little bit and tilted her head slightly, busy as the place was there was little fanfare.
“Seems we must have missed the Shivan prince’s choosing.” Divinity rest her hands just above her navel, standing tall and straight, her face rather unreadable. “Whom did he choose?”
There was a small pause before Raubahn answered calmly, “The prince has chosen the Blade Dancer’s sister. As well as it seems one from Phoenix was taken by one of Shiva’s as well.” He informed, Angelique paused and glanced over her shoulder a bit, green eyes peering up to the high wall, she could see the faint outline of the Blade Dancer standing on patrol near the Princess’s quarters no doubt. There was a small nod in understanding on Divinity’s part. They made small talk for a moment before a Lalafellian man walked his way up, fingers playing with the thin mustache on his tanned skin. He seemed to be appraising them.
“I dare say I have yet to meet the bevy of beauties that have come from Ramuh.” He spoke, eyeing the two of them, Angelique stiffened slightly and could feel her skin just crawl and her stance shifted a little to be more in a protective notion beside the Seeres.
“Ah...Lord Teledji…” the Highlander male breathed out a soft huff from his nose, trying to hide his obvious distaste for the man in favor of keeping things polite. “As you should be aware, the special invitation for the Ramuh tribe was for the more elite of the two; Seeres Divinity and her escort Angelique. This is Lord Teledji Adeledji, a rather wealthy monetarist in Thanalan.” He introduced, but still the hyur could feel his eyes on her uncomfortably.
“Ah, and as an escort, I believed someone escorting such an important person would come with a blade, not a...ah...what is that on your back, dear girl? A harp you have been lugging about?”
Angelique bit back a retort that would border on insulting, letting her fingers absently grace along the strap against her chest. “It’s a bow my Lord Adeledji.” she spoke calmly as she was carefully choosing her words. “A gift to me as a bowwoman of the Ramuh, a show that I am proficient in my weapon skill and my dedication to my home. It's the Gandiva.”
“That’s a bow? From my point of view it looks like something that even someone as lithe as you looks like she may have a hard time pulling on. Perhaps you should stick to simply playing the little strings on it, hm?”
Once more the bowwoman bit down on her tongue for a retort, but her gaze caught something slithering across the sand, it was black like obsidian, scales shimmering in the light, tongue flicking and tasting the air. Then she gazed to Divinity, who was eyeing her from the side and then there came a simple nod before Angelique took Gandiva from its holding, and before one could think what she was doing she had nocked a gold tipped arrow at first blades were drawn in worry that Ramuh was turning on an invited guest, but instead the arrow shot past the Lalafellian and struck down into the black snake who let out a hiss and writhed about, long fangs dripping with venom struggled for a moment before falling silent.
“My apologies for startling you Lord Adeledji.” Angelique spoke, smiling, but there was a reading in her eyes telling the man he could burn as she went to gather the arrow from the snake corpse. “It looked like it was heading towards you, can’t be too careful in the desert.” She even gathered up the snake corpse and slid it into her bag, no use wasting something that could be used for a medicine in the future.
“Y-You dared point the arrow at m-!” Teledji outburst but Divinity would hold up a hand calmly.
“My escort would not raise her weapon unless need be, my lord.” she spoke her voice level as she looked to Angelique and then to Raubahn. “For now we must clean from the travels, if you would be as kind as to take us there Sir Raubahn.” It was obvious the highlander of the area was trying to hide his bemusement.
“Of course Lady Divinity, if you two would follow me, your caravan will be well-looked after during your stay.” He spoke as he would lead the two away, but not without Angelique shooting the Lalafellian a look that could whither a bloom before following into the cool shade of the buildings. It would be known that the ladies of Ramuh have arrived.
