Author: Blaze, Posted: Wed Jan 6, 2016 11:20 AM, Post Subject: An Uphill Trek

The elf took one long breath, as he drew it into his lungs he pulled back his arm and aimed the bow expertly. As he exhaled he let the arrow fly. It raced forwards down the hillside, its white fletching spinning beautifully as it did; the shining point caught the light just before it suddenly came to an abrupt halt deep inside an orc’s skull. The orc’s companions roared in response to the death of their friend. Blaze shot down two more as they scrambled up the rocks. “Here we go!”  

Blaze abandoned his perch on the side, he rushed over towards Adaeli and drew the falchion at his side. A moment later the first few orcs made it to the summit. Blaze ducked the first swing of a huge axe, the second he caught with his sword, but barely. This orc was huge, easily seven feet tall and armed with an axe bigger than any Blaze had seen wielded before. He kicked out hard with his foot, the orc was knocked of balance and Blaze slashed through his chest spraying foul spelling black blood everywhere. 

The killing of the big one didn’t have the effect Blaze had intended. Instead of running away in fear, the orcs doubled their efforts, as if to avenge their leader. The elf swung his blade at the nearest, and broke his defence. With speed and grace found only in his kind, Blaze hacked off first the sword arm, then the left leg of his attacker. A sly grin crossed Blaze’s face as he shoulder barged into the shield of another orc; he really enjoyed this sort of thing.  

Author: Adaeli, Posted: Sat Jan 2, 2016 9:42 AM, Post Subject: An Uphill Trek

Adaeli studied the Elf, watching a dim veil of nostalgia shadow his face, one that she felt was cast over her own a numberless amount of times. She felt that he was not fully exposing his past but she could careless. They had just met and she herself was not ready to be completely truthful. She nodded in Blaze's direction as if to confirm that he no longer needed to continue, that his statement would suffice for now.

As she had shown her own scars and admitted something she had yet to ever do, she felt strangely proud. Like a child performing a card trick for her parents for the first time; she felt naive, yet powerful. Even more so when Blaze seemed impressed. 

But suddenly, Adaeli's stature had changed. Before Blaze had uttered the words, she had already heard the sound of impending footfalls; clumsy and hard, hitting the packed earth like a stampede of frightened cattle. Adaeli had little time to register Blaze's poise turn from delicate to almost marble.

She reached low into her boot and pulled out a dagger with a carved oak handle, blade glinting in the sunlight. It had been given to Adaeli when she had stumbled across a village that had been torn apart by a pack of mouths of starving Lycanthropes. A dying man had thrust it into her hands to protect herself from the wolves, but they were already long gone and in the end she did not know if she would have been attacked because of her canine scent. She felt the dagger was bittersweet gift, dipped in irony. A weapon given to protect herself from monsters of her own breed. 

Now Adaeli squatted, perched in a stance that gave her the advantage of a high jump. A low snarl had admitted from her throat, her inner lupine ready to bare teeth, "Ready," she said.

Author: Blaze, Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 5:14 AM, Post Subject: An Uphill Trek

The real reason Blaze did not intend to return to Keệpa was because he had been banished for casting what was considered unnatural magic. He considered this for a moment, but managed to hide the true depth of sadness in his face as he did. “There is nothing for me there. I left after an argument with the Aran. ” Blaze answered solemnly. He had chosen not to lie to Adaeli, but instead to just omit a detail of the truth. Telling her that he had been banished for unnatural magic casting was bound to upset the growing trust between the two of them. 

He gave her a polite smile as she pulled at her hems. He hadn’t said it because those clothes were tatty, but simply because he was a talented tailor that was going to need some business. For a moment he considered his clothes, which were held together with several repairs and really didn’t speak much about his abilities as a tailor. Soon as he was settled, he would make himself some new clothes that –did- demonstrate his skills.

“Ah! That’s powerful magic Adaeli I-” Blaze stopped speaking dead. Quietly he crept to the edge of the rock and peered down at the base of the hill. A group of orc scouts were heading up towards them. “We are found, Orc’s climb towards us! Prepare yourself.” The elf’s kind demeanour had disappeared as quickly as the Orc had appeared, his brain had shifted from Tailor to Warrior. Luckily for them both Blaze had been conscripted, and had served as an Officer in the Keệpa Army.  

With his bow drawn, arrow notched and ready Blaze cast his amber eyes towards his new friend. “Are you ready?”

Author: Adaeli, Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 5:22 PM, Post Subject: An Uphill Trek

Adaeli tore a ribbon of fat from the cured meat and lapped it up from her fingers, allowing her gaze to fall from him. Like an animal being warmed by the sun, her eyes closed contently to savor the flavor. It was pretty good, she admitted to herself. As Blaze placed the flask between them, she gave him a nod of thanks. She had a lambs' sack of water in her satchel and knew of several springs in the hills, but the gesture was pleasant enough.

As Blaze spoke of his whereabouts, she brought her eyes to his gaze, "Why is it that you do not plan to return to your homeland?"

Part of her wanted to know if the Elf was dangerous after all… Had he committed a crime? The other half of her wanted to know why the rest of the world would not return to their home, especially if they could. Despite the abuse Adaeli had suffered at the hand of her father and her mother's blind-eye, she yearned to go back; to press her face against the window panes, to gaze in at the world she knew so well and had taken for granted. It also terrified her, the thought of standing before her parents and still being just a monster. 

Adaeli shook her head. What was it about this day that had brought so much of her past back to her? It had been twelve years since she left her father's bindings and each second took her farther away from that time period. 

She acknowledged his offer and became aware of the condition of her clothes. Tugging at the hem of her tunic and noticing its frayed edge, she huffed, "Thank you… It's probably needed."

And what of Adaeli? She had not yet confessed from her lips that she was Shapeshifter and those who had seen her change were usually foe. She noticed the Elf's casually glances over her scars, but also saw his warm smiles encouraging some truth to escape her. The burden of pleasant company suddenly shook her. She did not fancy the fact she might be warming up to someone. 

"I come from a small village 'ward the Southwest. But I have not been there in many moons, like yer'self. I've been a Ranger for 'bout a decade now."

She swallowed. "And these...", she said and indicated to the scars are her hands, "are the marks of being a Shapeshifter". 

Author: Blaze, Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 4:24 AM, Post Subject: An Uphill Trek

Blaze gave her another reassuring smile as she issued him with her name. Trust was a hard won prize in places such as this, however the Elf had a certain demeanour that demanded it of people. Adaeli took his hand and a moment later his wrapped meat parcel. That was a good sign. Blaze fished around in the bag a little longer before pulling out a simple flask. He took a drink of the cool water inside and placed it on the rock between the two of them. 

“I am a high elf, I come from the white cliff citadel in the far away land of Keệpa, I do not intend on returning to there.”

Blaze pushed a long strand of his chestnut hair behind his ear and took another bite of his cured meat. He chewed it and savoured the flavour, it was good stuff from the desert folk of Mamlak. “I used to be a tailor, before I was conscripted. I am actually pretty good at it to be honest, see me to the city and I may offer you a discount when I am set up.” Again Blaze gave her one of his most honest smiles, despite just meeting her he felt comfortable. Maybe she was an outsider too? It was certainly easier to talk to her than many of the others he’d stumbled upon along his way. 

“What is there to know of Adaeli?” He asked. Blaze’s curious amber eyes rolled over the scars on Adaeli’s face, although he tried his best to hide his looking. (Because he was polite to a fault.) He also saw scars on her hands and neck, the more he looked the more his keen eyes picked up the marks. He wondered how she had gotten them, she was still young for one of her kind. It looked as though something traumatic had happened to her. A sadness crept into his mood, but his face kept its harmonic peaceful look. One should never presume anything about a person they’ve only just met. 

Author: Adaeli, Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2015 1:31 PM, Post Subject: An Uphill Trek

She looked at him side ways, watching as he dove into a shallow bow. Elves…, she thought with an internalized eye roll. Adaeli would bow to no other, especially for a stranger who just crawled from the dirt below her own feet. She turned back to her apple, taking another bite. Blaze, what a peculiar name. She turned it over in her head for a moment before realizing the proper thing to do would be to reply with her own calling.

"Adaeli," she mumbled as she fished a seed from her molars and extended her opposite hand in handshake. 

She watched as he dropped his satchel to the ground and began to rummage through it. On the breeze she caught wind of cured meat, maybe prosciutto or capicola. She recounted the days since had a proper meal, let alone set inside a tavern for a portion  of the catch-of-the-day stew. She almost whimpered, but retracted its sound as it made its way up her throat. She was a lupine of the forest, not some dog begging for its dinner.

As Blaze extended his hand out to her, holding out the cured meat, she looked mildly surprised. Kindness from strangers was not something she was use to, let alone interacting with those she bypassed on her travels. But upon realizing how vulnerable she might look, Adaeli quickly returned back to her normal disinterested expression as she took it from his grasp. "Thank you."  

As she unwrapped the paper from around the meat, she listened as he spoke. She narrowed her gaze at him, turning her pupils to dark slits. She needed more supplies and a little more coinage would not hurt. Eventually, she would need to trek into town but she was not one to take job without knowing the rules and regulations of the contract.

 "I don't take on clients who don't tell me a little bit more 'bout 'emselves. We'll be spend quite some time together as those trails are winding and the nearest city is about a good three days walk 'ward the sea."

Author: Blaze, Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2015 10:23 PM, Post Subject: An Uphill Trek

He watched her as she ate the apple, Blaze spent a lot of time stumbling upon armed strangers in the wilderness and so had gained the ability to read danger in people as effectively. Despite the fresh pink scars the crossed her face and hands, and probably the rest of her body; Blaze felt he was safe enough. As she finally spoke he lowered the loaded bow even more. A kind smile spread across his face, his warm amber eyes took a detailed survey of the woman as he closed the distance between them, placing the notched arrow in his quiver as he did so. 

“I’m Blaze.” He gave her a short but respectful bow. He was fairly sure that she wouldn’t attack him, but he still kept his eyes on her as he did so. He was trusting not stupid. With long delicate fingers he grasped his traveling bag and dropped it to the floor before him. 

“I’m heading towards the nearest city.” He said. What he didn’t realise was that he wasn’t in fact heading towards a city but away from one, and that city was perhaps the smallest he could aim for. The Elf was new to these parts though. “I have a few supplies, mostly salted meat but there could be some cheese in here somewhere.” He explained as he started fishing through the bag, pulling out a few small wrapped packages of food, and a flask of water. 

“I could use someone who knows the highland trails, if you do I could pay you a little amount to show me the way.” He added, passing her a paper wrapped parcel of meat. Settling down and startling a new life requires more than a home and business plan. Blaze was also going to need some friends.  

Author: Adaeli, Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2015 10:27 AM, Post Subject: An Uphill Trek

A bed, that was probably what Adaeli missed most from a proper household. Being nestled between cotton linens and resting above the warmth of coals. Where all your monsters could be deflected with a blanket over your head. She sighed. Now monsters were daily obstacles and she thought for a long time that she was one of them. 

Her parents had made her believe so and after years of confinement, it seemed so true that something had possessed her. And even though she now knew differently… Or at least told herself she knew differently, the scars across her frame didn't make her any more easy on the eyes. 

She took another bite from her apple, quickly changing her train of thought to something, anything else besides rolling down the embankment of past memories. Then a voice, a man's voice echoed from downhill.

 Why hadn't she heard him coming? Was she that involved with her own thoughts that she could not hear, or lest smell him coming?

Her emerald eyes narrowed, darting to his sleek form below her. She took him in, first noting that he had a bow ready though it was not aimed at her. Secondly, she took him for an elf which would explain why she did not hear him approach. They were such delicate creates with cores of gold-plated steel. 

Put the two together and with no weapon of her own in hand, his breed and skill could easily overpower her. Elves were quick and very talented at defensive arts. She knew she could be dead he if wished. So instead, Adaeli continued to chew her apple as she examined him. 

She let his words linger on her for a moment, her mind tracing over them. She wasn't going to waste her breath should her next be her last. Only after a considerably moment, she spoke, mouth still filled with apple, "I wouldn't take an Elf for a bandit, anyway. Your kind has standards to uphold."

It was strange, an Elf to be on his own and so far from his land. But she knew an Elf would have to be a bandit in desperation and this fellow did not look like he had hit that point… yet. 

Author: Blaze, Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2015 6:48 AM, Post Subject: An Uphill Trek

With a soft smile across his face, Blaze pulled tight the thread and then cut it. As a talented tailor he had found the simple repairs easy; but the location for his work not so much. He’d hunkered down in a cave overnight. Last night the elf had fought for his shelter when two orc’s had stumbled across it. The fight hadn’t been particularly taxing, but it had cost him his last tunic. 

The young elf had considered his options overnight, and this morning whilst he’d stitched he’d chosen to stick around these parts, to stop running and make a life for himself. There was only so many years one could spend wandering the wilderness sleeping in caves. Before he’d been banished he had owned an impressive tailoring business. It would be easy enough to find a small holding somewhere and start work.  

With well-practiced movement’s he packed away his few simple belongings silently. First he’d find a forest plot, then he could set about gathering materials. When he was almost ready, he heard a noise outside. 

Moving with all the grace of his kind he snuck out of the small cave opening and spotted the woman resting on the hill side. His bow was drawn, an arrow notched, and the string half pulled back; but he spoke to her kindly, and didn’t aim at her. 

“Hello there, don’t panic, I slept in the cave down there, but I’m not a bandit.”  

He took a step towards her, she was armed but he wasn’t worried for his life. She looked a lot like him, someone wandering the wilderness with a few simple belongings. He wondered if she was running from something, like he had been until last night. 

Author: Adaeli, Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2015 8:28 PM, Post Subject: An Uphill Trek

It had been some time since Adaeli had traveled this far north, nevertheless up the sides of mountains. But despite that, she was lithe in her zigzagging, bouncing from stride to stride with bow in hand. She had no destination ahead but she knew eventually she would find peace in her location.

Her mind made waves much like the rolling hills around her and their tides of grass rolled in and out with the constant stirring of wind. Nothing ever slows, she thought. 

The observation exhausted and comforted her at the same time. If she was tired, she had lived another day, another season, another year.  Adaeli, like those winds, was always on the move. Since childhood, she had made her way from one coast to another and back again. Her body never let her rest. 

She contemplated transforming right then. She could make it to…that someplace faster and her human scent wouldn't follow. (She was always sure she was being trailed). But the negatives outweighed the positives at this point. 

She had her bow and arrow, her dagger, and her satchel to carry. What if she needed those at the top? By transforming now, she would leave those things wherever she shifted. And as much as she hated to admit it, she was easily distracted when she was a fox. 

No matter how much she tried to keep focus while in animal form over the years, her human thoughts always gave away to instinct. And though that had saved her life many times in the past, she couldn't swear that she would finish her trek to the top of the mountain should a hare spring by. 

Adaeli sighed and paused on a boulder half covered by earth. She turned her face up to the sun, guessing at which hour it much be and then scanned the horizon. The wind had brought the crisp scent of winter. Soon these peaks would be covered in snow. 

Again she looked around her. No one. 

She lowered herself down to the cool rock, placed her bow at her side and shrugged off the rest of her equipment including her satchel. In it, her hand grabbed an apple and without examining it, she took bite. She looked elsewhere, somewhere far away.

Her mind was doing more trekking than her own legs today.