For the first time in three years, Celeste had done something that only her wife had been doing. The only reason Celeste had not been doing this was being trapped for two years in Drow captivity, and spent the last year recovering from the mental and physical abuse. Not to mention reacquainting herself with her natural gift of water, since they had drugged her to prevent her use of it. Celeste had accepted a mercenary contract.

One of the deciding factors was the group of bandits that she was hunting was far too close to home, and her daughter, for comfort. Naturally, her employer mentioned some terrifying tales about some kind of witches, giants, banshees. He also cautioned weariness around the villages on the Highlands, as many are hostile towards outsiders. Leaving home had been difficult, and Larka had been reluctant to let her venture forth alone. If she didn't do this, would Celeste ever consider herself completely recovered?

Armed with her bow, a couple of blades on either hip, a knife hidden in her boot, Celeste was virtually a walking armory. Dangerous, skilled, and a force to be reckoned with, or at least she was in the past. Once in the Highlands, she found a river with ease, and did what no sane person would do. She submerged her pack that held much of her supplies within the brisk water. "Sathan ama ra eth, elgar'man."

According to her employer, this group of people have made their establishment somewhere in one of the dense forests of the highlands. Thus, she started to head further south, keeping an eye on both the river, and the horizon for such a forest.

The horse he used was not the most powerful or beautiful. It was no thoroughbred, but it was what the townspeople had been able to come up with and so he had accepted it graciously. As he didn't own a horse himself, he was not about to look a gift one in the mouth. He smiled faintly at his own joke in his head as the stallion clopped along at a steady pace. He was following the trail silently, occasionally dismounting the horse to check for disturbances in the earth that could lead him to his targets. The townsfolk had not had much, but they had been able to pull enough together to hire him to enforce the law. He would have done it for free, but they had insisted and he would not turn their money down.

The discoloration in the scenery was not difficult for him to spot. Clearly another, humanoid definitely, but he was unsure if it was human or not. Not very many people wandered around out here, and as he was here to end the activities of highwaymen and bandits, he could not leave this stone simply unturned. He He redirected his mount, heading toward the figure near the river. As he approached, he could make her out more clearly.He cautiously approached, resting one hand on the dagger at his side just in case. Things could get unpredictable around these parts every once in a while.

She looked like she was an elf and… washing her rucksack? He smirked faintly at that, not sure why he found it to be amusing. It certainly wasn't something he encountered very often.

She looked like she could handle herself, and he was unsure if that was a good thing or bad thing. Very visible bow across her and two extra blades he could spot. Her armor was well crafted, nothing royal, but not the cheap stuff either. He stopped a respectable distance from her, tipping his head slightly. "Salutations, Lady elf."

[Please note, she left her pack in the water]

There was a presence nearby, as a cold shiver tickling at the nape of her neck. Celeste had been aware of the approaching figure for a short while, with the clopping of the hooves, and a single snort from the horse. Yet, she was not worried about them, though she couldn't quite say why. Was it for the fact her targets were to the south? Or perhaps, she doubted that whoever it was following her was a member of the group?

Furthermore, he greeted her. Pausing in her tracks, Celeste turned and regarded what she was able to discern was human. He appeared to be approaching middle aged. Being mounted upon the equine made it hard to judge his height. The stranger was also equipped, and was making his own judgements upon her. However, the thought of a dagger being enough to protect him from Celeste was almost laughable.

"On dhea'him, alin," she greeted friendly enough in elvish. Celeste stood still as she scrutinized the beast and man before her, save for the slight twitch in her fingers. In her mind's eye, the magical thread to the water was winding tight around her philangies, ready to mold the liquid to her will. Sadly, her time away has made her short, and sometimes quite abrasive. "We can stand here all day and scrutinize each other. Unless you are my prey, which I doubt, I'm rather busy. You'll forgive me if I go my way."

Vallano did not speak elven fluently, but recognized a greeting in turn. Her speech was a bit gruff, as was her manner, but that was to be expected out in these wilds. He stared into the distance momentarily, his attention being drawn by movement in the corner of his eye. Focusing and seeing only a wild bird taking off again he relaxed and turned his attention casually back to the elf. He silently observed the pack sink below the surface of the water but said nothing. Why woiuld she leave her pack in the lake. Was she trying to hide something. He pondered quickly… if it was something illegal, he should investigate. But what if it wasn't? He had the authority to find and wrangle the these bandits but he hadnt any writs allowing him to conduct searches on random citizens.

There was the possibility he could try something and just end up making a fool of himself. He decided to shrug off her suspicions of her for the moment. If indeed she was one of the bandits or some other criminal, he would find out eventually and turn about to her if it was meant to be that way.

He nodded politely to her after she spoke, "Of course. I should warn you though, it might not be too safe out here. I don't know what prey you hunt, but if you are after any big game or plan to spend much time in these wilds you might be set upon by some highwaymen who've made this place something of their… playground, for the time being anyway."

The stranger seemed distracted by something. It was difficult not to search the horizon for whatever it was. However, his gaze turned toward her pack as the water claimed it. Celeste could see his wheels turning, judgments being made, and she could only guess it had something to do with her intentions. Tension was palpable until he seemed to have made the decision to skip over that part of the conversation.

A small chuckle escaped from her. It was cute he seemed to be worried about her, a small little lone elf out in the big bad wilds with unknown dangers. The image was adorable, yet very few could guess that she had been put to training since she was stable enough to swing a sword, and strong enough to pull the string of a bow. Training for her clan started early. More than that, she was the best huntress of her generation.

"It is sweet you find the time to warn me. However, my prey is no game. Those highwaymen you spoke of? Their days are numbered. Before I seek them, tell me, stranger, what is your business in these wilds?" The thought of Akira probably running up to him to inspect the horse or say something childlike crossed Celeste's mind. Internally, she gave a sigh. Was this how she wanted Akira to treat strangers, regardless of trust issues? "I'm Celeste Vendethiel-Nash. Perhaps… If they are in your sights, we can… assist one another?" Her complete demeanor had changed, and she seemed reluctant about it as well.