The house of rhapsody (Book 1 Of The Sanctuary and War Series)

Approaching sanctuary

The rolling off-road tires caused the dirt and gravel beneath them to grit and shift as the truck was pulled behind the massive beast. Standing a good 10 ft tall himself, before the horns, the minotaur huffed every so often as a larger rock or tree root got in the way of the trucks path behind him, causing him to actually have to put some muscle into pulling the truck over the obstacle. Alas, nothing actually slowed the beasts pace. The rattle of the chain also joined the silence of the forest every so often as Riley adjusted his grip, making sure to keep a good hold on the vehicle so it didn’t go lurching back down the upward trail he was on. After everything going on, he was not in the mood to back track now.

Movement came to a slow stop as a voice spoke out behind him. The squeaking of the trucks suspension cried out as the front end was let town from the Minotaur’s tow method. Still, he kept a strong grip on the chain with an outstretched arm as he turned around to let ember filled eyes fall upon Valaith. Seeing her posture, and the humbleness of her voice, it was easy to deem that she was no threat to him. Certainly not with the humans! It wouldn’t be easy to hide a beauty like herself from the ranks of humanity. Here in the woods though, she could be free to do as her kind certainly did with such grace during the good days. Here, a centaur alone though, spoke of an ill past. One which Riley could certainly sympathize about. Everyone was alone now a day. Riley was just fortunate that he had taken to the Loner Life a long time ago. He was used to it, though, now he was trying to change it. Times were different, and being a supernatural meant you needed help. That was what the House was hopefully going to provide.

“Only enough chain for one good grip… Im more than happy for some company, though.” A deep voice, perfectly fitting for the hulking beast, spoke out past the truck and for Velaith to hear. “You’re more than welcome to put any of your gear in the bed… Truck just serves as a trailer for now.” The creature smiled, with a glisten of red across his horns and his beard. It was clear that what ever mess was found in the woods, it was caused by him. The last soldier had been gored by his horns, which now let the moonlight cast a glistening hue across his head. He would be in need of a bath…

“Whats your name, beautiful?” The creature asked, while pulling the truck a bit closer so he could adjust the chain in his grip again. His choice of words were not too uncommon for Minotaurs. Rather blunt. Straight to the point. Open minded and not shy with words. Pulling the chain back onto his shoulder, Riley hiked the front end of the truck back up to get back into his Tow posture, so he could continue dragging the truck towards the house. They had a short ways to go, as the sounds of gunfire and other commotion in the distance had just recently died down.

“I appreciate the gesture.” Her voice came softly as she slowly moved around the vehicle towards the front where she could properly talk to him, now that they had both registered the other as a non-threat. She had nodded when he mentioned the chain could only reach one of them. She understood; he was likely alone for so long, who else would he have to help him? Her presence was likely as unexpected as anything else he’d have met out here. And she had long before noted that this Minotaur was the cause of the destruction, the blood on his horns and face only served as a reminder. “No need for me to part with my gear. Hardly heavy enough for me and could be detrimental should we face any more Hunters.” She smiled gently. “But thank you again.”

She followed besides the truck, mostly to give him the room he needed without being impeded by her long form. “My name is Velaith.” She flashed him a smile. Whether or not it took them a few minutes to a few hours it didn't matter. At the very least, her presence could offer him protection in case of an ambush, and his presence could offer her protection in case of heavy fire. Together, she was confident that the Hunters would have more than a run for their money. Likely a run into their graves. And so they continued, Minotaur hauling his goods, the Centauress watching his back.

Approaching the House Grounds, Riley let out a sigh of relief. He could see the clearing for the sanctuary up ahead, which meant they could finally take a load off and relax a bit. Hopefully. Unless the humans had broken through and actually taken the place. That was unlikely though. Humans would probably raze the site before just taking it over. They’d know nothing about how to use what magic lingered around these parts. “Wonder if there’s going to be a welcome wagon…” Riley pondered his thoughts openly, setting the trucks front end back down once they reached the outside edge of the House clearing.

“Im Riley, by the way… I don’t think I mentioned it back there…” He was sure to introduce himself to Velaith while they were still together. Who knew what sort of induction this place could have. Certainly they’d be seeing each other again, if this was to be their new home. He hoped so. First face you meet was often a good one to keep around. Such a pretty thing she was too. “Here’s to a new start, I guess…” He huffed, taking his steps forward while pulling the truck easier behind him now. Much smoother of a tow on flat land!

When they finally reached their destination, Vel couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief. Although the sounds of fighting had died, she was sure, more than sure even, that the inhabitants of the House had succeeded in dying the trueMonsters back. She turned her head to Riley as he spoke again, nodding. It would be nice to be met with hospitality, but seeing as they arrived on such a horrible night, the Centauress figured it was unlikely to have a welcoming party set for them.

Turning her head to the Minotaur once more, she smiled. "Pleasure to meet you, Riley. And worry not, you are hard at work right now. The forest is unforgiving, but rewarding at the end." She smiled at him as they continued on. The smile stayed on her face, nodding. "A new start indeed. And hopefully, one that ends with retribution."

"A new start with retribution? Heh... I'd settle for an ale. We can work towards redeeming this world once we have the numbers." The Minotaur smirked, speaking with a bit of humor in his deep and rugged voice. Still, onward he pulled his truck, spotting the workers that were bustling around the house now. Clearly tidying things up after what ever chaos has befallen the house too. Surely what ever he had personally dealt with out in the forest was just a taste of all that had happened.

A full assault? Riley could see it all. Spent munition casings in the grass. Stray bullet holes decorating surface that were not meant to be. There was that smell of crimson in the air too. The scent of blood, after a battle. There were no hiding some things, and clearly the house was busy at work cleaning up and surely trying to return to a sense of peace. Quite odd to stumble upon a sanctuary in such a state, but, what else was there? The world was fucked, so at least here they had numbers and a fighting chance. It was not too often you even heard about strongholds or hideouts surviving human raids. Rhapsody still stood though. A statement of it's true prowess.

"Fair enough." The Centauress said with a smile. An ale did sound good right about now... She looked around the building, people righting toppled items, she could make out divets in the ground where brawls had started and ended, casings of weapons, not to mention the metallic stench of shed blood. It made her frown, even the House was attacked haphazardly. But it still stood, so it was at the very least formidable to withstand an attack. Velaith hoped, gritting her teeth, that the addition of herself and her minotaur companion would add more strength to their ranks.