[PQ] [RQ] [split] antler-taining the thought

DEIMOS And in your darkest hour, I hold secrets flame The stretch of the Citadel in the distance was a relief; a reminder their journey wasn’t so far any longer. Between snagging at the herd, then their sojourn through the forest, there’d been some harrowing highlights, and perhaps, they’d managed to evade any more serious interludes. Deimos didn’t let those thoughts go too far though; pragmatic at best. The herd stayed close together, still tied to each one alike, the sled full of food luring them ever closer to their destination. However, towards the front of the group, came a call of “Memory mud!” and several horses, and luxere counterparts, suddenly stuck within the grime. Most were able to veer away after the initial outcry rang up, but there the issue of the muck sticking to hooves, and potentially roaming up legs, remained an issue. Deimos dismounted by those currently bogged down, tying his deer to Zuriel’s saddle horn, sighing, knowing the deer were going to be skittish while he acted. “Some of you can keep everyone else grouped over there,” pointing to where he’d left said unicorn and her curious counterparts, “and if anyone wants to help, by all means.” Then they could be off again. -- Help group the luxere/horses/people together to avoid the memory mud, or help get the memory mud off of horses/deer. master of nothing place; of recoil and grace

the harder the rain, honey, the sweeter the sun

With his gelding having returned to his usual plodding gait, Amhran has found the rest of the journey so far to be rather uneventful - not that he's remotely complaining. Hiding a wide yawn behind his hand and shifting in his saddle a bit (he's going to be sore tonight, not that he knows it yet), it's just as he glances up to see the Citadel looming closer that he hears the call about the memory mud and, lo and behold, as he glances down he can see the stuff trying to cling to luxere and horses alike. 

"I can help," he calls back immediately, dismounting his gelding and beginning by carefully stripping the mud from the horse's flank and legs, caring little for getting his hands dirty. He has to launch the memory mud quite some distance to stop it from wanting to cling back to the animals, which makes it rather slow going, but Amhran is nothing if not patient. When it comes to the luxere, he opts not to touch them if he can help it (he doesn't want to be kicked), but focuses on the mud creeping towards the herd from the ground instead.

---

Amhran helps to clear the mud off the horses/luxere!

Marcus

The quiet places remember

Finally he saw it. The Citadel, carved against pale winter sky, a promise of safety and an end to this trek, rising out of Snowcloak. The sight eased something deep in him, loosened the coil that had wound tighter with every mile. They were close. Close enough to believe none of this would fall apart at the last moment. He heard the call about memory mud, and sighed.

“Right,” Marcus murmured, clearing his throat. He guided his gelding toward the spot Deimos had indicated, helping coax the still-mobile luxere into a tighter cluster away from the hazard. “Easy, easy, now, keep with me,” he hummed, slipping into the familiar cadence of song to soothe their skittish edges.

---

Marcus helps keep the luxere calm and in formation!

The Sentinel of the North

You see the things they never see
All you wanted I could be

Noah had never dealt with this much mud in Halo in his life. Memory snow, sure, but not memory mud. Not to this extent. There had been times when the spring had given them a random, bright thaw that gave way to the sentient nuisance before, but this was nearly overwhelming in the way it seeped into his everyday this season.

With a sigh, Noah dismounted, boots slipping slightly in the muck and the slush. He secured his luxere to his steady mount and began to help Amhran. His breath puffed as he approached the closest luxere, a steady old doe whose flank trembled beneath a heavy smattering of sludge. He laid a hand against her neck, grounding both of them. He moved from luxere to horse to luxere, fingers aching with cold, gloves stained dark.

---

Noah helps clean the mud from the luxere/horses, while using his compulsion to keep the luxere steady as he comes to them.

Now you know me and I'm not afraid
And I wanna tell you who I am

Noah

DEIMOS And in your darkest hour, I hold secrets flame With several of them helping to rid the group of memory mud components, the slightest bit of tension eased from his spine. Home was close. The task was feasible. Everything could go according to plan. Gently assuring horses and luxere, the rest of the party could join back together, free of the memory mud (for now, anyway). He gave the indication to lead onwards, and they could remount, and head on, towards the gates. From there, it was a relatively easy trek – deer led on, equines and Halovians eager to be back within familiar confines. Once the soldiers upon the wall and watch tower had spotted them, it was only a matter of moments before the front entrance unfurled, granting them the ability to go through and into the Citadel’s protection. Deimos gave them all a wave and a nod of his head from the saddle, before directing them again. “Head towards the springs. Figured we could make an area for them there.” Of course, they’d attracted a crowd within the interim – delighted smiles and excited glances, little feet running towards them in glee. One would hope lighthearted circumstances would ensure the luxere would be able to handle the sudden procession. “We can keep them calm.” Deimos assured. “Perhaps start singing again?” He granted a small smile, but figured it would help with the onlookers and bystanders too. -- Help get through the crowd and reassure your luxere! master of nothing place; of recoil and grace

the harder the rain, honey, the sweeter the sun

Watching carefully to ensure the memory mud didn't creep back towards the herd or his gelding, once Amhran is satisfied with a job well done, he does indeed remount his horse and join the larger group towards the Citadel gates. Having not minded the trek out into the wilderness (though perhaps that's simply because he's not as clued-in as everyone else to the dangers they've just skirted around), he's nevertheless still happy to see home so close, and he also offers a wave to the soldiers as they plod their way through.

A smile curls across his lips to see the attention they're getting - he can only imagine what they look like from those watching, leading a herd of glowing-antlered reindeer through the city - and he gazes across to Deimos at his suggestion. "Sure," he says brightly, giving his gelding's neck a gentle pat and beginning to sing, soft and low once again, the melody carrying across the herd and the crowd and almost begging for harmonising voices to join in.

---

Amhran sings!

The Sentinel of the North

You see the things they never see
All you wanted I could be

Halovians lined the approach in thick ranks, eyes wide with curiosity as the glow of the herd spilled across the stone and frost. The noise alone was enough to set nerves on edge with murmurs, the scrape of boots, a child’s startled laugh quickly hushed. Noah reached for his saddle and mounted back up, following the herd. 

He kept his pace slow, deliberate, giving the herd something solid to press ahead. Amhran started them in a song, and after clearing his throat the Sentinel joined in with his own tones that bordered melodic. He walked the narrow path between people and light, senses stretched wide. Whenever a shout rose or someone leaned too close, he smoothed the flare of tension before it could spread by keeping himself between the people and the herd. 

---

Noah stays between the herd and the people and sings with Amhran.

Now you know me and I'm not afraid
And I wanna tell you who I am

Noah

Marcus

The quiet places remember

Suddenly there were people  lining the approaching herd, bundled in furs, voices hushed as the luxere were brought forward. The animals sensed it too. Their steps faltered, antlers brightening as nerves rippled through the herd. Marcus swallowed and urged his gelding closer, positioning himself along the flank where the glow threatened to fracture into panic.

Then Amhran began to sing. Marcus didn’t hesitate. He joined in, matching the melody a best he could. Marcus kept singing as they passed between the watching crowd, gaze fixed on the glowing racks ahead rather than the people pressing close on either side. He could feel the weight of the moment, but the song carried him through it.

---

 

Marcus does too

DEIMOS And in your darkest hour, I hold secrets flame At the notions of song, the deer settled; heads raised not with tension, but relief. Deimos did much the same, following along on the renditions with his low rumble, probably the most singing he’d ever committed to in the course of a day, as the rest joined and combined. Between Amhran, Noah, Marcus, and the rest, it seemed to stir even some onlookers to carry forth with similar stanzas, especially the children eager to giggle and laugh alongside, until they could filter the herd off a side street, and the route narrowed to Palace walls nearby and the cosmic display of the springs. “There, we escaped,” he grinned, wrinkling his nose to show amusement over the semblances, trying to rankle the remains of the tension out of his frame. As Safrin’s creation came into view, things Deimos and several others had preemptively distributed would be visible; portions for future, makeshift lean-tos, some minor fencing, piles of more hay and food to be layered out and coax the herd to stay. Dismounting from Zuriel once again, he brought her and his tethered luxere over to the display, waving the rest of them in. “We can start assembling some of this,” pointing to the fencing and perimeter, then the lean-tos, amongst a myriad of tools. “Or keep the herd entertained.” -- We’ve made it to the springs! Tasks for this round (everyone pick one each please – you’ll have NPCs with you to assist and supplies already there): - Assist in helping assemble the lean-tos - Assist in helping build the fence perimeter - Help entertain the herd and keep them calm while others work master of nothing place; of recoil and grace

the harder the rain, honey, the sweeter the sun

Grinning to hear the children joining in and tagging along with their procession, Amhran's voice continues to carry through, softening to meld more seamlessly with the other harmonies that thread into the melody. By the time they cut through the side street and the springs come into view, he feels warmed not only by the crowd and the safety of the Citadel, but by the sense of community they've fostered with their little walkthrough.

"I am happy to keep the herd entertained," he tells Deimos with a smile - surprising no one at this point, perhaps. Continuing to hum under his breath, he dismounts his gelding and supplies him with some hay and water, before heading to the nearest bale to begin distributing it for the luxere. "Come on - you must be tired and hungry after that," he coaxes, ensuring the hay and fruits and vegetables are spread out enough to encourage the herd not to fight over it.

---

Amhran keeps the luxere entertained!

Marcus

The quiet places remember

Marcus slid down from his saddle with a grunt, legs stiff from hours in the cold. With the luxere at the springs, there was work to be done. Hopefully, Marcus thought, moving around would warm him up.

He accepted a bundle of posts and wire without complaint, shrugging off his gloves long enough to get a better grip despite the bite of the air. The ground was packed hard with frost, and Marcus encouraged the workers who helped him pound in and place posts. Between posts, he kept half an eye on the luxere, watching how they huddled carefully around Amhran.

As the fence line began to take shape, Marcus wiped his brow.

---

Marcus helps with the fence!

The Sentinel of the North

You see the things they never see
All you wanted I could be

Once the herd was guided into place, Noah wasted no time turning to the next task, even as he flashed Deimos a grin of satisfaction and agreement as they brought the herd to the final destination. Amhran tended to the herd and Marcus quickly shuffled in to help with the fencing.

Noah worked shoulder to shoulder with the other Halovians, taking the tools handed to him without much more than a nod of acknowledgement. The work was efficient, and mostly wordless. Noah was sure fatigue was starting to fall over each of them from these long tasks and the journey from the wilds into the Citadel, and each of them craved the feeling of their own beds. But they were nearly done. They worked to set poles, stretch canvas, and tie strong knots.

---

Noah helps with the lean tos

Now you know me and I'm not afraid
And I wanna tell you who I am

Noah

DEIMOS And in your darkest hour, I hold secrets flame As Amhran kept the herd occupied – especially with the further rapture of more food, the animals quickly filed in, following after the demigod, hardly noticing the fencing or lean-tos being presided and provided while they munched, quietly content with the newfound arrangement. Marcus joined Deimos and many other brethren as they tended to the perimeter, placing the wooden beams and posts carefully along the solidified and snowy foundation. More than once the Sword had to use his earth and water magic to ensure they could place the stakes within the hardened soil – but eventually the reindeer would have a secure amount of space to reside within, and the Halovians wouldn’t have to worry about them wandering off throughout the town (though, Deimos made a mental note to ensure there were check-ins amidst the upcoming days). Meanwhile, Noah and his crew built the lean-tos, granting cover and shelter for the reindeer. Though they’d be used to the environment of the Tundra, given the fence, they were taking away from their natural inclination to find a secure area; this would be an adequate substitute for now. Once those were secure, the creatures would at least have a spot to get out of any wind or incoming storm. Once all of this was completed, Deimos stretched his arms, glancing at the area around them. Proud of their arrangements, there were only a scarce amount of things left to be completed. “This is looking good. If some of you want to help me with the water troughs,” especially in maneuvering several braziers nearby, in hopes of keeping said areas thawed and ready for the reindeer, “the rest can assist Amhran in dispersing the food.” -- Nearly done! Help set up the braziers, light them, or disperse the food into lean-tos or along the open portion of the enclosure. master of nothing place; of recoil and grace

the harder the rain, honey, the sweeter the sun

Having been thoroughly preoccupied with getting the luxere situated, by the time Amhran looks up to spot the fences and lean-tos, they are as much of a surprise as anything else he's come across in the trek across Halo back to the Citadel. "This looks really good!" Grinning and glancing to Deimos, he nods readily at the leftover tasks. "Sure, I can do that," he says, approaching the last of the food they'd brought along and beginning to cart it towards the lean-tos.

With the help of a few animal-loving NPCs souls, he's able to manoeuvre the majority of the hay bales under the lean-tos, stuffing a few nets with it to make it easier for the herd to start munching their way to home sweet home. With that done he grabs the last of the fruits too, scattering some for the luxere to enjoy and arranging more into crates to be distributed at a later date. "I think that should do it," he announces when he's finished, wiping his gloved hands off on his pants.

---

Amhran disperses the food into the lean-tos!