Searching the Snows

Writers: Avery, Miriah, Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 17th April 2014

Characters: Corran, Veyter, Lantriv, Petriv, Treslen
Description: Still searching for some clue to where Benani may be
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 6, day 10 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Daihmin, Zathris, Benani

Tugging his cold weather jacket against him, the tall guard looked
over at the assembled group. Daimhin had asked the small group of
guards to begin searching outside the hold after the snows started and
though the weather was biting cold, Veyter was more than eager to
begin. The poisoning of their captain and subsequent missing Lady
Benani had felt like a personal attack to him. He couldn't imagine how
Lord Zathris felt.

Corran had added an extra layer to deal with the weather. He wasn't
looking forward to searching in the accumulated snow, which would
obscure tracks and chill their bodies, making it harder to think. The
whole Hold was worked up over Benani's disappearance, and he knew he
was feeling some guilt over what had happened. He imagined the rest of
his fellows were too.

Lantriv have grim expression on his face when he and Petriv joined the
rest. "I asked my father to help us. Being master herder, he has more
experience in tracking strays than we have Turns as guards in total,"
he explained Petriv's presence. Petriv nodded at them all. Both men
were dressed warmly.

Veyter nodded. "Good. We're working on absolutely nothing. We have no
clues as to where she might have went." He tugged his jacket around
his arms. "Petriv, do you have any idea where to start? You know the
boundaries of the Hold better than we."

"Well, if she was taken by force, there's no way they could have
carried her far. So, wagon or runnerbeast was needed. That means to
check the areas reached by roads first. However, if she walked, well,
we're in trouble. There are lot of places you could hide. Thread
shelters, herders cots, caves," Petriv replied. "The snow isn't
helping, it covers tracks way too effectively."

"Has anyone talked to the stables staff to see if anyone noticed a
runnerbeast disappearing or a wagon showing signs of wear?" That might
have been more noticeable than people walking off.

"I have," Lantriv said. "And I got out that for their knowledge,
people who have recently taken out runners or wagons had legitimate
reasons for it."

Treslen stomped up in his heaviest layers of winter wear. The young
meteorologist had some bad news for the group but wasn't going to let
that deter him from helping in the search. "Looks like another storm
brewing," he said. "We're expecting blizzard conditions by nightfall."

Veyter gave a hoarse curse. "Then we must hurry to find what we can.
Everyone spread out along the roads and paths. Look for anything
unusual. " He turned to Petriv. "Is there anywhere near by, any place
you can think of that is a possibility?"

"I would check the herder's shelters. They've well stocked...firewood,
bedfurs, some dried food," Petriv replied. "Most of them are rather
isolated too."

Treslen shifted from foot to foot and clapped his gloved hands
together for warmth. "Just make certain you have your snow shoes and
get back by dark or if you can't find shelter for tonight and tomorrow
will be white out conditions."

Lantriv nodded. "Beware of frostbite."

With that the group split into search parties, each taking a piece of
the grid that had been laid out to search thoroughly for any clue to
where Lady Benani had gone.

Treslen kept an eye on the skies and at the first hint of lowering
skies called to his party to return to the hold. They were cold and
tired and none of them wanted to report their lack of success to the
Lord Holder. Thankfully, it wasn't _his_ job.

Corran sighed loudly as his group began to head back. The snow was
just going to get worse, making their search even harder. He felt like
this was a personal failure of his duty to the Hold and to Karhal. "I
hope wherever she is, she has shelter," he murmered.

Last updated on the April 23rd 2014

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Searching the Snows