Shattered Binding SQ 1 - Finding the Nyxthorns

Another guttural scream ripped through the cavern, followed by a thud and cracking of stone against the floor. Panting came from all directions, but it wouldn’t last long.

“I am sorry, great Mother… I promise we will get you out of here.” An orange, green and white haedian rested a hand on to the quivering side of the ginormous being in the wall.

“She has been more amped up than last time… Have any more of her little Nyxthorn pets run away again, Caliu?” A scarlet and turquoise runner pad up to the haedian, a worried expression clear in his features as he looked up towards the Matriarch.

“Unfortunately they have again. More than last time too. And this time, we can not even locate them easily. They seemed to have run even further in to the cave systems.” The haedian hummed as he set himself down before padding away from the place they were working.

“Hmm. They might have gone to different clan territories to escape the sounds the Matriarch has been making.” Wassail hummed, following behind the Haedian as they make their way through the tunnels away from the leader.

“Perhaps…”

The pair made their way through the Caregivers lair when they noticed some fallen purple and yellow crystal quills on the floor, just a few feet from the entry way.

“Caliu! Looks like they went this way!” The winged runner called out, brushing over the quills with the fluff on his tail and held a wing out over them.

The orange, green and white haedian bounded over when he heard the runner call. Caliu bent down to take a look at the quills, a smile appearing on his face. He carefully picked the quills from the ground and put them in to a safe pack on his flank.

“Yes! They definitely have. Let’s see if there are any other signs of them around.” He grinned, turning towards the winged runner who was already nose to the ground and sniffing.

The pair traveled through the tunnel system towards where the Keepers were, Khaldor greeted the pair with a warm smile as they slowed their pace.

“Welcome you two, how can I help you this night cycle?” The green and gold haedian tucked his wings against his sides as he watched them approach the libraries.

“We were hoping to learn if you have seen or heard any of the Nyxthorns pass through here? A large cohort of them have scampered off from the Matriarch’s cave and we wish to return them in hopes of calming her pain even just a smidge while we work to continue freeing her.” Wassail mflowed tucking his wings as he met the gaze of the Keepers leader.

“I have not seen them myself, but a few of my fellows have in fact. They passed through a few hours ago, they did leave some of their fur caught in between the crystals and the shelves as they ran through.” He pointed down a long hall where there was a small gathering of haedians of all ages bunched together.

“Thank you so much, Khaldor.” The winged runner bowed towards the leader and pulled Caliu towards the gathering.

“Once we figure out the route they were taking away from the Matriarch, we can team up with one of the other clans to head them off and get them back to the care of the Handmaidens.” The green, orange and white haedian spoke, thinking aloud his plan.

“Exactly.” Wassail nodded as he trotted up to the group, “Excuse me, I was just wondering if you happened to see any of the Matriarchs Nyxthorns pass through.”

“Hm? Oh! Yes! We did, actually. They scurried their way towards where the Brutes lay claim, if you are quick you may beat them there.” An older blue and orange haedian smiled as they pointed back towards another tunnel.

“Thank you so much! Let’s go, Caliu!” Wassail bounded away with the orange, white and green haedian hot on his heels.

The pair shot off once they were clear of the crystal library running past the pool entrance of the  Deapthstriders and under the ceiling tunnels of the Watchers. They slowed when they heard soft scratching in the thin walls near the Brutes home grounds. Caliu stalked slowly towards a small hole in said wall, where he saw more shed quills.

“They went this way.” The green, white and orange fluffed haedian pointed towards the small hole in the wall.

“Perfect. We can probably lure them out with some of their favorite food or something similar.” Wassail hummed, looking through the cave system closely.

“They do quite enjoy snacking on the glowing mushrooms when the Handmaidens are not looking, and I spotted some while we made our way here.” Caliu offered as the runner continued to search.

“Let me get some then and I’ll be right back.” The runner sprinted off in the direction Caliu pointed.