Maybe, if left alone, Avalynn would’ve retained her control until she had a chance to hunt. But her interest in Jalsinter was tugged away when an arrow flew past her, lodging itself into a tree. The mantis Fae dropped her stance suddenly, her body lowering, her two front legs sweeping In front of her as a large wings pushed out from beneath her lower body. It was quite a sight- anyone familiar with a mantis would recognize the defensive stance, but the animalistic expression on such a human was terrifying to say the least.
“Pardon me, Jalsinter.” Without hesitation, Avalynn went weaving through the trees, her vibrant lower body flashing through the shades of green. She was already hungry to begin with, and the sign of a seemingly hostile enemy...she was certain no one would mind her snacking on a threat. Oh goodness she hoped it was a human...it’d been a while since she had a lively one, perhaps this one will be pretty too, I’d love a handsome little one—!!
She barreled into the crossroads, her legs clicking on the stone- her antenna twitched and she swooped her head around, “Hello~ don’t be scared, it’s no use hiding!” Usually one didn’t accompany a comforting comment with a threat like ‘it’s no use hiding’ but Avalynn again, was not a “normal one”.
When she was met with silence, Avalynn turned her gaze to the Way Watcher at the fork in the road, examining him with a dissatisfied expression, “Just you again? Pity.” The woman huffed, looking around for a moment. She had lost sight of Jalsinter, and she certainly wasn’t going to remember where he had ended up...perhaps he would follow. Besides, at least she was familiar with this marking...the Way Watcher was a human force, perhaps a deity or hero. The folklore that surrounded him was entertaining, at least, and Avalynn had taken a liking to tossing rocks at the strange thing, as well as complaining to it frequently.
The Fae settled down on the ground (the feat took quite a bit of time, slowly bending her legs beneath her body before getting comfortable, and she looked around, picking up a small stone in her hands. She rolled it along her palms before glancing at the Way Watcher, and again, pouting, “Boring old statue.” And she dropped the stone, kicking it with her front leg and watching it hit his armor with a satisfying clang.
“Pardon me, Jalsinter.” Without hesitation, Avalynn went weaving through the trees, her vibrant lower body flashing through the shades of green. She was already hungry to begin with, and the sign of a seemingly hostile enemy...she was certain no one would mind her snacking on a threat. Oh goodness she hoped it was a human...it’d been a while since she had a lively one, perhaps this one will be pretty too, I’d love a handsome little one—!!
She barreled into the crossroads, her legs clicking on the stone- her antenna twitched and she swooped her head around, “Hello~ don’t be scared, it’s no use hiding!” Usually one didn’t accompany a comforting comment with a threat like ‘it’s no use hiding’ but Avalynn again, was not a “normal one”.
When she was met with silence, Avalynn turned her gaze to the Way Watcher at the fork in the road, examining him with a dissatisfied expression, “Just you again? Pity.” The woman huffed, looking around for a moment. She had lost sight of Jalsinter, and she certainly wasn’t going to remember where he had ended up...perhaps he would follow. Besides, at least she was familiar with this marking...the Way Watcher was a human force, perhaps a deity or hero. The folklore that surrounded him was entertaining, at least, and Avalynn had taken a liking to tossing rocks at the strange thing, as well as complaining to it frequently.
The Fae settled down on the ground (the feat took quite a bit of time, slowly bending her legs beneath her body before getting comfortable, and she looked around, picking up a small stone in her hands. She rolled it along her palms before glancing at the Way Watcher, and again, pouting, “Boring old statue.” And she dropped the stone, kicking it with her front leg and watching it hit his armor with a satisfying clang.
The pebble struck his breastplate with a soft plink, bounced off, and landed quietly on the path.
Something happened in the darkness. Its exact nature was uncertain, only that it made ripples like a pebble dropped in a still pond. The darkness stirred. Ripples grew into waves, their peaks glimmering as they caught ever more light. Then, something broke. The Keeper of Swords, Janus, Lua, the Way Watcher, the Sleeper, who had slept there at his crossroads for longer than anyone could remember ... opened his eyes.
He drew a deep and ragged gasp of air, followed by a violent coughing fit, as if he had lungs full of dust. He tried to move his arms but they didn't work right--every muscle was screaming in protest at suddenly being made to move after such a long rest. His vision was still blurry, but he saw moving shapes in front of him, the deep green shadows and dappled light of a forest, the familiar gleam of steel blades.
Then came the panic: where am I? Who am I? He tried to scramble to his feet to look around, but his legs didn't stretch out all the way, and he ended up tumbling backwards off the stone plinth. If Aynor didn't get out if the way, the armored figure might fall right on him. He looked very much alive now, a sharp contrast to his usual serene slumber--hair skewed, eyes darting, still coughing now and then as he grew accustomed to waking life again.
Something happened in the darkness. Its exact nature was uncertain, only that it made ripples like a pebble dropped in a still pond. The darkness stirred. Ripples grew into waves, their peaks glimmering as they caught ever more light. Then, something broke. The Keeper of Swords, Janus, Lua, the Way Watcher, the Sleeper, who had slept there at his crossroads for longer than anyone could remember ... opened his eyes.
He drew a deep and ragged gasp of air, followed by a violent coughing fit, as if he had lungs full of dust. He tried to move his arms but they didn't work right--every muscle was screaming in protest at suddenly being made to move after such a long rest. His vision was still blurry, but he saw moving shapes in front of him, the deep green shadows and dappled light of a forest, the familiar gleam of steel blades.
Then came the panic: where am I? Who am I? He tried to scramble to his feet to look around, but his legs didn't stretch out all the way, and he ended up tumbling backwards off the stone plinth. If Aynor didn't get out if the way, the armored figure might fall right on him. He looked very much alive now, a sharp contrast to his usual serene slumber--hair skewed, eyes darting, still coughing now and then as he grew accustomed to waking life again.
Jalsinter frowned upon hearing the mantis fae's revelations. There was no doubt that his return defied sense-- the more he thought about it, the more he was sure he'd been dead for a long time-- but he'd hoped that at least his travels into the forest would lead him to some semblance of civilization. Perhaps Avalynn had been lying, but as far as Jal could tell there was no reason to. That, and her story lined up. Beyond them rolled endless shapes of green and brown; a massive, unclaimed territory, just like she'd said it was. It had only been a few hours since his awakening yet the knight already felt tired. How long would he have to walk before finding someone like him?
Her circling movements did little to ease his discomfort. Jalsinter watched her as she examined him, eyes narrowed somewhat. Avalynn's following words distracted him from his predicament, however. Word of another person, bewitched as he certainly must have been, brought a spark of inspiration to Jal's mind. Perhaps his luck in revival might be contageous and this 'Way Watcher' would prove a worthwhile companion? Or perhaps he'd simply continue being a statue. He drew his lips into a thin line. Overthinking would get him nowhere.
So he'd begun to respond finally, only to be interrupted by the twang of the halted projectile; its path was so close to his that it tossed his hair and left a shallow cut across his cheek. Something about its flight tugged loose the ancient cord which kept his hair in a tail; it came undone, leaving his untended mane to drape messily down his back. Mayhap sleep had dulled his senses for it took the knight an extra few seconds to respond, standing wide-eyed with fright and hope alike. It could have been anything that loosed the arrow, but any hint at their humanity restored his efforts to find others in the woods. Reid would find her 'fungal' acquaintance similarly winding through the brush after her, though his lack of familiarity with it all meant falling behind, if for a moment.
Jalsinter caught up with her just in time to watch her settle and throw the stone against the statue's chestpiece. He panted a bit, eyes darting between the trees around them in search of their mysterious assailant. It made sense to him that they might not immediately be found; if the arrow's path was purposeful, it would be in the bowman's best interest not to be in plain sight after the act. But in searching, his green eyes availed him little beyond the blurred, familiar treeline. He cursed his luck, and similarly that nobody thought to bury him with a pair of glasses.
He kept looking until his gaze fell upon a new set of eyes, just opening after years of dormancy. The knight felt a tug of empathy, watching the other man cough, and so when he started to scramble Jal closed the gap between them, hoping to steady him in his seat with a hand on the Sleeper's shoulder. It put him at an ideal angle to notice Aynor, as well.
Her circling movements did little to ease his discomfort. Jalsinter watched her as she examined him, eyes narrowed somewhat. Avalynn's following words distracted him from his predicament, however. Word of another person, bewitched as he certainly must have been, brought a spark of inspiration to Jal's mind. Perhaps his luck in revival might be contageous and this 'Way Watcher' would prove a worthwhile companion? Or perhaps he'd simply continue being a statue. He drew his lips into a thin line. Overthinking would get him nowhere.
So he'd begun to respond finally, only to be interrupted by the twang of the halted projectile; its path was so close to his that it tossed his hair and left a shallow cut across his cheek. Something about its flight tugged loose the ancient cord which kept his hair in a tail; it came undone, leaving his untended mane to drape messily down his back. Mayhap sleep had dulled his senses for it took the knight an extra few seconds to respond, standing wide-eyed with fright and hope alike. It could have been anything that loosed the arrow, but any hint at their humanity restored his efforts to find others in the woods. Reid would find her 'fungal' acquaintance similarly winding through the brush after her, though his lack of familiarity with it all meant falling behind, if for a moment.
Jalsinter caught up with her just in time to watch her settle and throw the stone against the statue's chestpiece. He panted a bit, eyes darting between the trees around them in search of their mysterious assailant. It made sense to him that they might not immediately be found; if the arrow's path was purposeful, it would be in the bowman's best interest not to be in plain sight after the act. But in searching, his green eyes availed him little beyond the blurred, familiar treeline. He cursed his luck, and similarly that nobody thought to bury him with a pair of glasses.
He kept looking until his gaze fell upon a new set of eyes, just opening after years of dormancy. The knight felt a tug of empathy, watching the other man cough, and so when he started to scramble Jal closed the gap between them, hoping to steady him in his seat with a hand on the Sleeper's shoulder. It put him at an ideal angle to notice Aynor, as well.
Somewhere in the wilds of the mountains, there was a small, still-water pond that had once been fed by the brackish runoff of a narrow creek and was now all but cut off by a collapsed tree that was coated in fine white webs. In some season passed, this great cypress finally succumbed to the presence of a parasitic insect that had arrived in this land on the backs of travelers generations beyond the memory of any mortal bird or beast of the woodland. All then, except perhaps the very old and very wise, or those rare creatures who had been blessed by spirits and those mysterious beings the humans called Gods.
Among the latter of these creatures, was an ancient water fowl - a great snowy bird that somewhat resembled an egret, and was at present irritably stirring the surface of the water with their long, needle-like beak.
While the still-water made for a plentiful hunting grounds, fishing for brunch is hardly a glamorous affair, as the flashy frogs and patient spiders may have you believe. This is even more true when you are hungry, and tired, and do not particularly enjoy the taste of fish flies.
In what seemed like an instant, the white bird knocked her head back, feathers poofed. She shook her head like a tremor, and snapped down a thick, wriggling bug. Immediately afterwards she dipped her beak back in the water, lifted her head, and began to groom her feathers fussily. Evidently this was not an uncommon behavior - small patches of white were missing here and there along her body.
All at once, a great wind and horrible sound broke the silence of the otherwise quiet day, scattering in fear both the white bird and many of the other denizens of the lake.
The bird hopped away and flew quickly overhead, suspecting a huntsman or some unfamiliar predator. She wheeled far above the tree line faster than a boy could run, her eyes wild and cast about, as she sought out the source of the noise - and found it. Far below her, something very unusual was happening. She bore quiet witness as what seemed to be the gateway to another world opened, and somewhat gracelessly deposited it's passenger on to the unstable grounds below.
And promptly sent her careening into the depths of the earth.
The white bird watched all of this for a moment, and seemed to hesitate before gliding down to the pit and fluttering through the hole to investigate further.
Large white fowl are not often associated with stealthy or particularly sneaky behaviors, although this one was certainly trying their 'hand' at it. Staying what she hoped was a safe distance behind Lucy, the long-legged bird stalked after her, occasionally searching the tunnels around them for snacks.
Among the latter of these creatures, was an ancient water fowl - a great snowy bird that somewhat resembled an egret, and was at present irritably stirring the surface of the water with their long, needle-like beak.
While the still-water made for a plentiful hunting grounds, fishing for brunch is hardly a glamorous affair, as the flashy frogs and patient spiders may have you believe. This is even more true when you are hungry, and tired, and do not particularly enjoy the taste of fish flies.
In what seemed like an instant, the white bird knocked her head back, feathers poofed. She shook her head like a tremor, and snapped down a thick, wriggling bug. Immediately afterwards she dipped her beak back in the water, lifted her head, and began to groom her feathers fussily. Evidently this was not an uncommon behavior - small patches of white were missing here and there along her body.
All at once, a great wind and horrible sound broke the silence of the otherwise quiet day, scattering in fear both the white bird and many of the other denizens of the lake.
The bird hopped away and flew quickly overhead, suspecting a huntsman or some unfamiliar predator. She wheeled far above the tree line faster than a boy could run, her eyes wild and cast about, as she sought out the source of the noise - and found it. Far below her, something very unusual was happening. She bore quiet witness as what seemed to be the gateway to another world opened, and somewhat gracelessly deposited it's passenger on to the unstable grounds below.
And promptly sent her careening into the depths of the earth.
The white bird watched all of this for a moment, and seemed to hesitate before gliding down to the pit and fluttering through the hole to investigate further.
Large white fowl are not often associated with stealthy or particularly sneaky behaviors, although this one was certainly trying their 'hand' at it. Staying what she hoped was a safe distance behind Lucy, the long-legged bird stalked after her, occasionally searching the tunnels around them for snacks.
The newly awoken figure was held fast in his seat by Jalsinter's hand, protecting Aynor from getting squished. His was the first face that the sleeper focused on: the dramatic nose, intense green eyes, long straight dark hair. His own eyes flicked frantically and he raised a hand to loosely and clumsily grasp at Jalsinter's elbow. Several times he attempted to produce words, but only a dry wispy rattle emerged, followed by, "Wo ist ... who ... hhh, uh ... hhhurts ..."
Drip....drip....drip. A pair of eyes opened slowly, its owner not fully registering what was happening, sending their brain into panic until it...she, finally remembered where she was. Lucy felt the side of her face with a hand, feeling the wet slickness of whatever it was that had been dripping on her. As she grew more and more aware of her surroundings she realized just how dim it was, a sudden thought permeating through her as her head snapped to the once blazing fire, now a slowly dying collection of embers. Desperately she searched around for twigs, leaves, or fuel of any sorts, failing that she tried reigniting the fire to bring back its warm comforting flames, but it changed nothing. A small cry of hopelessness escaped her throat. If she couldn't see she'd never be able to open that door. She'd be forced to give up and retrace her path. As she huddled by the wall she brought her knees towards her chest wrapping her arms around them protectively as she watched the embers sputter and then finally, die.
As soon as the last ember was out a sudden blue light emerged, gentle but bright enough for her to see her surroundings clearly. Her heart pounding in her chest she slowly stood once more, not trusting her knees to carry her, and not truly believing the sight in front of her. Lines of a gentle blue outlined the door into sections, and each section into swirling patterns. Lucy wiped a stray tear before moving slowly towards the door. The more she studied the door the more her heart began to pound, she understood the patterns, each section relating to the next, she would have to move them around until they could be strung into a singular sequence. The dry taste in her throat and feeling of empty cold had left her by now, replaced with a feeling of excitement and giddiness. Her journey could continue, all she needed to do was fit the left piece to the final right piece and.......
A loud cranking noise reverberated throughout the tunnel as the door became lit in a golden light before slowly creaking backwards and then into a crevice in the walls. A small path lit by many colours and shades, each one slowly forming into a sort of mural. A story she could only partially make out. Blue circles in the middle of golden towers, green lines beside a grey pillar, reds and oranges, and finally a blue box with a grey figure inside it. Whatever it meant was lost as her attention was taken up by a chamber at the far end of the hall. Before she could make her way towards it she stopped. A sound of skittering had echoed from behind her, she wasn't alone. Bringing up her bow she spun around bringing forth an arrow and aiming into the dark corridor from which she came.
"I know not who you are, but I am not afraid. Show yourself" She yelled out to the darkness, listening as her voice echoed. She had made it this far, she wasn't about to let anything stop her.
As soon as the last ember was out a sudden blue light emerged, gentle but bright enough for her to see her surroundings clearly. Her heart pounding in her chest she slowly stood once more, not trusting her knees to carry her, and not truly believing the sight in front of her. Lines of a gentle blue outlined the door into sections, and each section into swirling patterns. Lucy wiped a stray tear before moving slowly towards the door. The more she studied the door the more her heart began to pound, she understood the patterns, each section relating to the next, she would have to move them around until they could be strung into a singular sequence. The dry taste in her throat and feeling of empty cold had left her by now, replaced with a feeling of excitement and giddiness. Her journey could continue, all she needed to do was fit the left piece to the final right piece and.......
A loud cranking noise reverberated throughout the tunnel as the door became lit in a golden light before slowly creaking backwards and then into a crevice in the walls. A small path lit by many colours and shades, each one slowly forming into a sort of mural. A story she could only partially make out. Blue circles in the middle of golden towers, green lines beside a grey pillar, reds and oranges, and finally a blue box with a grey figure inside it. Whatever it meant was lost as her attention was taken up by a chamber at the far end of the hall. Before she could make her way towards it she stopped. A sound of skittering had echoed from behind her, she wasn't alone. Bringing up her bow she spun around bringing forth an arrow and aiming into the dark corridor from which she came.
"I know not who you are, but I am not afraid. Show yourself" She yelled out to the darkness, listening as her voice echoed. She had made it this far, she wasn't about to let anything stop her.
Aynor scrambled backwards taken aback by the statue that now had suddenly come to life for no good reason and was depriving him from the much needed shelter.
Upon seeing Jalsinter and Avalyn, he unsheathed his swords and held them firmly, ready to strike.
"Did Tron the Terrible send you here? Are you working for that murderous lord knight too?" Frowned and demanded Aynor wearily
Upon seeing Jalsinter and Avalyn, he unsheathed his swords and held them firmly, ready to strike.
"Did Tron the Terrible send you here? Are you working for that murderous lord knight too?" Frowned and demanded Aynor wearily
Avalynn seemed pleased that her new friend had followed her; strangers with stories tended to grow on the woman and Jal had piqued her interest greatly. And of course the Way Watcher would prove to be interesting enough that she would restrain herself for as long as she could.
When the strange knight had first awakened, the mantis woman suddenly stepped backwards, her body lowering and the wings beneath her lower body creeping from under her shell. A low hissing crept from her throat as the woman prepared to lunge, but stopped as her companion moved to grab the Way Watcher.
Slowly, she watched their interaction, and she would be rather pleased that her humble little pebble had finally had some kind of effect- briefly, Avalynn pondered if he had aged like a sweet wine, better as the years went on, but decided that eating this one would too prove detrimental. Besides, she at least needed to know if he had remembered her stories. She had complained quite a few times about... underperforming prey. Knowing this ancient stranger could recall these stories would fluster the fae to a degree.
But when Aynor jumped out, the mantis altered her stance once more, bending back and picking her hind legs up; a quick response to aggression and threats, including her mouth beginning to salivate as a pair of pincers began to creep from inside her mouth. She gave a wicked hiss, slowly beginning her advance on Aynor, “I suggest you put those little swords away, Human.” The mantis had begun to creep her way towards him, her legs clicking on the stone pathway; briefly an eye moved to Jalsinter and this new stranger, the Way Watcher, and she offered a pleased grin in their direction, “Allow me to take care of this pesky little snack, yes? I’ll make it quick, certainly, so don’t trouble yourselves. I’m quite hungry as it is and I fear you strange creatures won’t make a very delicious meal...I’ll need the energy too while we travel.” She turned her attention to Aynor once more, her sharpened teeth and the pincers from insider her mouth clicking together, “Well, what kind of human are you? Northern, Southern? I tend to enjoy those from the South more...”
When the strange knight had first awakened, the mantis woman suddenly stepped backwards, her body lowering and the wings beneath her lower body creeping from under her shell. A low hissing crept from her throat as the woman prepared to lunge, but stopped as her companion moved to grab the Way Watcher.
Slowly, she watched their interaction, and she would be rather pleased that her humble little pebble had finally had some kind of effect- briefly, Avalynn pondered if he had aged like a sweet wine, better as the years went on, but decided that eating this one would too prove detrimental. Besides, she at least needed to know if he had remembered her stories. She had complained quite a few times about... underperforming prey. Knowing this ancient stranger could recall these stories would fluster the fae to a degree.
But when Aynor jumped out, the mantis altered her stance once more, bending back and picking her hind legs up; a quick response to aggression and threats, including her mouth beginning to salivate as a pair of pincers began to creep from inside her mouth. She gave a wicked hiss, slowly beginning her advance on Aynor, “I suggest you put those little swords away, Human.” The mantis had begun to creep her way towards him, her legs clicking on the stone pathway; briefly an eye moved to Jalsinter and this new stranger, the Way Watcher, and she offered a pleased grin in their direction, “Allow me to take care of this pesky little snack, yes? I’ll make it quick, certainly, so don’t trouble yourselves. I’m quite hungry as it is and I fear you strange creatures won’t make a very delicious meal...I’ll need the energy too while we travel.” She turned her attention to Aynor once more, her sharpened teeth and the pincers from insider her mouth clicking together, “Well, what kind of human are you? Northern, Southern? I tend to enjoy those from the South more...”
The warlords finally arrived with over fifty men at arms, the leaders having recruited any swords for hire available and managed to track down and close in on Aynor at last.
"We found you at last... ranger... there's no place for you to hide from us, even at this cursed forest... best you do as she asks and put your weapons away. You wouldn't want anyone else injured on your account after all..." noted Geriant causing Aynor to mutter a low curse and sheathe his weapons behind his back after his eyes quickly took a fast headcount, far too outnumbered to try to take anyone on.
Vortigern remained seated on his horse, a sly victorious smile across his face as Aynor gave up the fight already, though his hand held a loaded crossbow, ready to be fired, should Aynor try to make a run for it.
"Missy... meet Aynor the Slayer... I'd say he is an injured outlawed, a fugitive sentenced to death. A hunted dead man standing, waiting to become your meal if you'd still fancy a meal out of him. We won't kill him, if you'd rather go first... ladies always go first after all... more so if it will save us some running, more searching and some wasted arrows too" agreed Vortigern
"By all means, don't let us interrupt your supper... but be quick about it... missy... I'd like king Conrad and his fierce lord knight Pentre know that Aynor has been dispatched so we can claim our hefty reward before sundown... all I want is a token from him to prove to them he's dead." urged Alator
"If you'd rather give it a miss, then let us take him back to camp where we can dispose of him in our own ways... we do have many outstanding business and matters with him" offered Karadok cracking his knuckles and clearly thirsty for revenge.
"We found you at last... ranger... there's no place for you to hide from us, even at this cursed forest... best you do as she asks and put your weapons away. You wouldn't want anyone else injured on your account after all..." noted Geriant causing Aynor to mutter a low curse and sheathe his weapons behind his back after his eyes quickly took a fast headcount, far too outnumbered to try to take anyone on.
Vortigern remained seated on his horse, a sly victorious smile across his face as Aynor gave up the fight already, though his hand held a loaded crossbow, ready to be fired, should Aynor try to make a run for it.
"Missy... meet Aynor the Slayer... I'd say he is an injured outlawed, a fugitive sentenced to death. A hunted dead man standing, waiting to become your meal if you'd still fancy a meal out of him. We won't kill him, if you'd rather go first... ladies always go first after all... more so if it will save us some running, more searching and some wasted arrows too" agreed Vortigern
"By all means, don't let us interrupt your supper... but be quick about it... missy... I'd like king Conrad and his fierce lord knight Pentre know that Aynor has been dispatched so we can claim our hefty reward before sundown... all I want is a token from him to prove to them he's dead." urged Alator
"If you'd rather give it a miss, then let us take him back to camp where we can dispose of him in our own ways... we do have many outstanding business and matters with him" offered Karadok cracking his knuckles and clearly thirsty for revenge.
((OOC I posted to introduce the warlords... if it feels too soon in this story PM me and I´ll edit my post))
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