Just Wait (Jaeden)

[Aello]

Aello kept on cutting her food into smaller and smaller pieces, before finally spearing one with her fork, and taking her first bite. The meat was chewy, yet juicy. Not the dry or burnt rubbish she always made. She smiled weakly, to show her appreciation as she nodded from time to time in agreement with what Jaeden said, or perhaps, understanding. She kept on eating as she spoke, until he began to ask questions. At which point, she shook her head. "Wouldn't know, I never bothered to delve into reimancy. Although, if it's like any other magic, I'd imagine the user simply likes to show off or practice. Or perhaps, they experience sweet whispers. Things that tell them to keep on casting even though they may be bordering on overgiving." Aello's eyes sparkled as she speared another piece of meat. "It happens on occasion with me, even though I use a safer form of magic." Aello paused a moment, considering the rest of what he asked. "The second person you describe sounds like a projectionist. They're common in Lhavit. Part of their excessive practice seems to do with their order, the discipline required of their mind and body. They practice often, so that they may be strong. So that when faced with a threat, they may end it swiftly." Aello took another bite of food, allowing what she said to sink in before continuing. "You fight with a blade, you can't honestly say you'd only reserve practice for battle. You need to prepare yourself. Mages are the same. We practice the use of our skills so that we will be stronger for battle." The girl shrugged, "the same with sight. It has to be nurtured to be of use. I wouldn't say that makes anyone dependent on it though. We could function well enough without the magic I suppose, we seem to choose not to though, because we grow addicted to its use, or, we want to make ourselves stronger." The girl paused. "Besides, everything comes with its price. You can't honestly say you haven't cut yourself at least once on your own blade, when you were still learning how to wield it, can you?" she asked, before falling silent, and continuing her meal. Falling silent so that she may listen to what Jaeden had to say. "Many are marked by the gods. Many too, have met them. I have met the one I adore. The lady of death herself," the girl smiled weakly at the memory. "She's just as I always imagined. Pale. Grand. Strangely beautiful, and so alluringly powerful." Aello shrugged. "The gifts she and the others may give us mortals can be of great help to us, or a hindrance. They could be a curse. It seems however, that the gods have smiled upon you Ranuri." Her face blushed as she thought of the Konti she knew, the first one to show her. "We will never touch then, for we wouldn't want to set it off." With that, Aello fell silent again, eating, listening, considering. She had no need to explain her past. The reasons she used magic. She simply had to use it to benefit the each of them, so they could escape whatever was to come, alive. When Jaeden finished speaking for the last time, Aello nodded. "A few things. As soon as Red catches their scent, she will tell us where it's coming from. At that point, sight can be of great use to us, if we work together. Her sense of smell is far greater than ours, as is her hearing, I'd imagine. If I know where to look, and just how many to look for, I can tell you just what we'll be up against, so that we can formulate a plan of attack. Obviously, as you yourself have mentioned, taking out the archers first would be ideal, and they should be easy enough to spot, considering how difficult to conceal bows are. From there, we should pick off any ranged magic wielders they have, and then so on and so forth. You and Red may not know who these people are, but I will. By interpreting the things their auras have to show, I should be able to pick out a few physical features, so you know who to attack. I should be able to figure out just about how skilled they are. Who to beware of. Weaknesses. We should be able to determine just how these people will strike, should they get within my range, and how best to counter it." Aello paused, "as you said, the traps may thin their numbers. Perhaps, together we can determine what other things they may fall for. Surely, they're not all the brightest. From my perch, I should be able to pick off anything your traps don't finish, if you and Red don't get to them first. We'll leave the rope curled up in the branch next to me, so they can't see it. My sight will remain silent until it's absolutely necessary, so as not to tire me needlessly long before they come." Aello paused to consider her words. "You fire first, know that anyone who tries to sneak up on us can easily be detected with my sight. My range is great, for I have practiced for a long time. Unless you depend on your hunting skills, your knowledge of tracking, you will have the most trouble with that, it seems. For Red can smell them, while you cannot." Aello's eyes sparkled. "Make sure you're always looking, listening, but don't let yourself get too distracted." Aello chuckled. "But you don't need to be reminded, you've seen enough of battle to know to proceed with caution, and never get too cocky, for that's when they get you. When you wind up either bloodied or dead." Aello paused for a second, allowing her words to sink in. "Should you seem to need help, I can scurry down the rope and run to your aid. Daggers can be just as deadly as a bow." Aello smiled as she turned to Red. "She will be fighting in her fox form, no?" she asked. "For it comes more naturally doesn't it? Nex seems like that too, when he is drawn into a battle. She'd like him..." she added, allowing her voice to trail off for a little while as thoughts of him flooded her mind. The day they met. The way the fought alongside her. Trained with her. The way he looked when he bested her that time in the forest. It felt like so very long ago, when she first truly began to notice the gleam in his golden-colored eyes. She missed him now. She wished he was around to help them now. She sighed, comforting herself knowing that soon enough, he would be. Finally, Aello turned back to Jaeden. "Just watch your back, and leave the magic wielders for me. I know how to counter them." Her eyes sparkled mischievously, as she set her empty plate aside. "Sound like a plan?" she asked, as she extended her right hand for him to shake, or clutch, or do whatever it was he did when he pledged his agreement. OOCAbout the traps, I don't know if I misunderstood something. I figured it'd be ok though, since Aello doesn't know shyke about them anyway.

[Jaeden Kincade]

Jaeden gave careful listen as Aello went over her additions, tapping his chin slightly with a gloved hand as the battle began to play out in his mind. Faceless opponents, outnumbering the three of them, running around trying to rush and circle about. Arrows flying as some get pierced in the heart, others simply the mid chest, a couple fired from Aello striking the center of men’s brows. His own arrows flying, some of them missing in the excitement and adrenaline of battle, others hitting debilitating areas. His own sword being drawn as movements appeared to flow in slow motion. Attacks made and deflected, cuts deep along various parts of the body.

The disastrous began to appear in his mind as well. The numbers appearing to be overwhelming. Arrows fired at Aello while in her perch, Jaeden unable to run interference against the shooters. Red falling to an opponents blade. Several swords piercing Jaeden through his entire upper torso as he fell, helpless to help others. He slowly let out an exhale, a fogged breath escaping his lips and trailing along the air. Everyone had a plan. It was when the events didn’t go to plan, as they often did, that things went to hell and others began to get hurt or die. “Some traps will be laid off to the side of their approach, to prevent flanking and maneuvering.” Jaeden said calmly as his fingers laced together and rested in front of his mouth for the moment. “You hit for their ranged mages before their archers, and I will focus on mainly their archers first. With the magics I’ve seen so far….. Well, an archer’s arrow can be quicker, but a lot of magics cover a lot more area sometimes. I’ll start off with hitting their tracker. I’ll be able to recognize which one it is simply by the way he observes things.”

Jaeden then refilled his water cup, taking a quick sip. “Red typically tends to shift back and forth between Fox and Human form.” Jaeden then said, nodding towards Red. “The flashes of light, coupled with the sudden appearance of a nude women very often tend to surprise and distract most opponents. Red knows this, and uses it to her advantage that way.”

"When she discovers them coming, she’ll let us know from where, and be able to give us a rough number on how many based on how many scents she picks up.” Jaeden explained as he reached over, filling up Aello’s cup and then Red’s as soon as she held it out to Jaeden. “We’ll let your sight give the specifics as they draw closer. Still, the most likely route will be the trail you left in your travel. If they aren’t following your tracks, then it’s likely they’re trying to predict where you’re heading based on direction, and find a way around to reach there first, and catch you off guard.”

Jaeden then slowly stood, tipping his glass back then as he drank down the rest of the water in his cup. “As for my mark,” Jaeden said before giving a slow shake of his head. “You don’t need to worry about that. It takes direct, physical contact. As in skin to skin. As well, I’m already connected to Red’s desires, and subject to only serving one person at a time through Runari. So, I won’t become subject to your desires if you should touch me.”

Jaeden then slipped over to the smoker, checking the doe meat he had dehydrating, slowly making its way to jerky status. He then slowly stood up strait, giving a slow stretch. “In any event, we’re thinking along the same lines as far as the plan goes.” Jaeden then said before letting his arms fall to his sides. “Provided there are no serious undiscovered elements that could turn things into a cluster petch, we stand a pretty fair chance I imagine.”

“In any event, I need to get some sleep. Need to wake up early tomorrow to begin working on those traps.” Jaeden said before circling around the fire and heading towards the tent. “Feel free to crawl in there out of the cold that’s creeping in as night falls. You can use Red’s bedroll and blanket. She and I can share mine as we normally end up cuddling during sleep anyhow.”

Jaeden then slipped into the folds of his tent, where the rustle of clothing being removed could be heard. The results of which left Red and Aello alone on the outside of the tent. Red slowly looked through the fire at Aello as she leaned forward, her chin resting in an open palm as her fingers tapped along her cheek. There was a long moment of silence before Red finally said, “If you plan to spoon with Jaeden during sleep, you get to sleep at his back. I’m the one who sleeps at his front, wrapped in his arms.”

[Aello]

"It seems that way," Aello whispered, as she returned her hand to her side. She felt somewhat silly for offering it, but given Jaeden's nature, felt that he would be the first out of the pair to stick to manners. She shrugged absently, as he poured her more water, causing her to lift her glass to her lips and drink a little to hide her embarrassment. After a time, she lowered her glass once more, and simply stared at Jaeden, until he got up to tend to other things. She listened to the sounds he made, his footsteps mainly, thinking he favored the right foot over the left. "Sleep well Jaeden," Aello called over her shoulder to him, as she forced herself to stop concentrating, and instead, allow her gaze to settle upon Red. As the Kelvic spoke, Aello chuckled. "There's no need to worry about that Red. All I really want to do is rest and make sure I'm prepared for tomorrow. If cuddling with your bondmate helps you do that, then that's what you should do. Dira only knows we'll all need the rest, especially you, considering the nature of your shifting between this form and your more natural one." Aello smiled, her eyes glimmering pleasantly as she listened to the fire crackle. "It seems to tire you guys out. Transforming, more so than anything else you may try to do." Aello paused for a moment, as she took the time to place her hand on Red's knee. "Don't worry, no one is going to take him away from you," she assured Red, as she removed her hand. "Anyway, we should probably be getting to sleep soon. Unless you want to prepare for tomorrow? Fetch some herbs or something in case one of us should be injured. You're the medic after all, right?" she inquired, trying to be polite. "I could try to help you, if you want, but I'm afraid I don't know much about plants." She shrugged. "Maybe if we had more time you could teach me something, but our paths will split soon enough." Aello shrugged. "Maybe we should put the fires out for the night..." The spiritist's voice trailed off for quite some time. She wasn't sure she had enough water left to put the fire out even if she wanted to. She guessed, she'd just have to let it dwindle away into nothingness on its own. Aello sighed. "On second thought, maybe I should just go to bed. A tired mage is bound to be of little use." Aello turned away from Red. Distracted by the magnitude of their upcoming challenge. "Sorry for upsetting the balance of your life Red," Aello whispered. "I know it can't be sitting well with you, no matter how much you try to deny it." She listened to the crackling of the fire as it cast long shadows across her delicate form. "Fighting to help preserve the life of a stranger... just know I'll be out of your hair as soon as I can, and things will go back to normal." She smiled weakly. "Pleasant dreams," the girl finished, as she pressed her hands into her knees, and eased herself onto her feet. Her knees cracked as she straightened herself out, and moved over to Jaeden's tent. Aello's hips swayed with her step, nearly silent now that the ground was hardening beneath the cool weather's touch. She reached it in a matter of only a few strides, and pulled the flap back. She stared down at Jaeden's body a moment, noticing the gentle curve of his form as he slept, or tried to sleep. Aello couldn't tell. After a moment, she pushed through the tent's flap, and moved over to Jaeden's side. The section of him that would offer only his back, allowing Red to stay in front of him, so the two could cuddle. Aello felt a heaviness in her heart at the thought. She couldn't remember the last time she had cuddled with someone, and to think they did that every night... In an instant it had seemed, without removing a single item from her figure, Aello had slipped into Red's bedroll, beside Jaeden. She glanced up at the top of the tent, thinking it seemed so very dark and uninviting. She could hear Jaeden breathing deeply next to her. She thought she could hear Red too, moving. Dira, please deliver us all from death, Aello thought, as she folded her hands over her chest. It is not our time to die. Aello closed her eyes then, and soon enough, was drifting off into a dreamless sleep. ______________________________ Aello awoke early the next morning, shortly after the sun had risen. Her muscles ached, as did the length of her thighs. Resting atop her daggers had not been a very good idea, but she wasn't too concerned, as soon as she started walking, the pain would ebb and flow, and then, cease to exist. She balled her hands into fists, and raised them to her eyes, closing them, as she rubbed the rest of the sleep crystals away. "Morning you two," she whispered, as she pulled her hands away, eased herself into a sitting position, and looked around the tent. Aello could just make out the dark outline of both Jaeden and Red huddled together. His arms encasing her protectively. A pang of jealousy shot through Aello's heart at the sight, but she forced herself to ignore it, she simply didn't have time. She watched them a moment, in silence, taking in the slight rise and fall of their chests. The sound of their breathing. The way Jaeden's chin seemed to rest atop Red's full head of hair. After a few bells at most, Aello extended her right hand, and pressed it into Jaeden's right shoulder blade. She nudged him a little, pushing up against him lightly with her hand. The entirety of her palm against his bare skin. "Wake up Jaeden, it's time we set a few traps." OOCOk, a few things, I realize this may have rushed things into day two. I don't know if you wanted that to happen, so, if you need me to backtrack a bit, feel free. Also, if you think the morning after is inappropriate for any reason, say you think your pc would be up already or something, feel free to message me and I can tweak this a bit.

[Jaeden Kincade]

Jaeden’s body gave a quick jerk in reaction to Aello’s touch, as if being roused by a peaceful dream, but eventually settled for a moment, as if not fully awake yet. At the sound of Aello’s voice, Jaeden soon rolled over, draping his arm over Aello’s lower body, his fingers curling around her outer thigh for a moment as his thumb slowly stroked lightly along her leg. “Five more chimes, dear.” Jaeden muttered in a lucid tone.

The awkward wouldn’t end there, as Red soon began crawling under the covers, crossing over Jaeden’s body as her form began to wrap around Aello, embracing her as well, her face nuzzling lightly along her torso for the moment. After a couple more chimes, or another attempt from Aello to rouse Jaeden from his peaceful sleep, Jaeden would slowly rise into a seated position, the winter blanket falling off his upper frame, not only revealing the physique that clothing had been hiding the previous day, but the several scars that lined his body as well. Some of them from arrows, others from swords and other bladed weapons, and some still from claw and bite marks from nature itself. Jaeden took a slow, deep breath, both of his hands falling to the floor of the tent before his entire body stiffened into a stretch that caused the already decent definition to almost appear as though his skin had been spray painted over his body, rather than a thick layer of tissue and fascia. “Right,” Jaeden said, slowly opening his eyes, blinking a couple of times. “Traps.”

Jaeden’s hand reached down, grabbing a palm full of blanket before a quick jerk sent the blanket totally free from his body, which unfortunately to Aello’s vision, was totally void of any clothing. Jaeden slowly scrambled to his feet, crawling towards the tent exit before stepping outside. “Sort of brisk this morning.” Jaeden’s voice mumbled from outside as Aello caught the sudden appearance of goosebumps rising along the skin of Jaeden’s calf.

As Aello looked down, suddenly feeling the movement of her other impromptu cuddle buddy, she would notice Red was fully nude as well. It wouldn’t end there as Red began to rouse from her slumbered state, her movements still lucid, slow. Her eyes still closed. Her hands began to walk up Aello’s frame, resting along her shoulders as an alluring smile crossed the Kelvic’s lips. “You need to give me my wake up call, Jaeden.” Red muttered, barely awake before her face leaned in, kissing Aello full on her lips.

Red’s then gave a satisfied moan before she lowered herself once again, laying across Aello’s lap, wrapping her arms around Aello’s waist. “Five more chimes, baby.” Red then muttered, nuzzling once again.

Jaeden then suddenly burst back into the tent, looking around quickly. “Right! Clothes.” Jaeden said, his tone more alert now as he grabbed his clothing pilled up in the tent’s corner. “Red, be a dear and check the snares after you’ve finished molesting our tent guest.”

Jaeden then began moving back out of the tent, slipping his socks on first as he hopped along one foot. “It’s really is brisk this morning. May want to put on an extra layer of clothing.” Jaeden called from outside.

[Aello]

Aello's flesh chilled. She thought she could feel goose-flesh rise beneath his touch. Her eyes grew wide as her body grew rigid, and her heart skipped a beat. "Fine, but only five chimes," she whispered uncomfortably, as her heart began to race, and Red began to nuzzle her chest with her cheeks. Not knowing what else to do, Aello simply ran her hands through the Kelvic's hair, feeling all the more like a mother comforting her young child. She kept her eyes on the top of Red's head, marveling in the silky texture of her hair. "Good morning," she whispered, as she looked over at Jaeden, who had just whisked his blanket away, giving her a bit of a show. Instantly, Aello grew warm. Her face reddened, causing her to cast her gaze away as she shut her eyes lightly, and pulled her fingers out of Red's hair. "It wouldn't be so bad if you put some damn clothes on," Aello responded, her voice reminiscent of a whispered growl. She could feel Red's hands trailing higher and higher, as she finally opened her eyes, and then... there was a kiss. That only caused her eyes to grow wider, as her tongue danced across the Kelvic's lips. Starting at the bit where the middle rose into a low hill, and trailing off to the left side slowly. The girl moaned a little, as she placed her hands on Red's hips. Aello's hands circled the bare flesh slowly, building up a slight sense of heat beneath them as she pulled her lips away from Red's. She stared into the Kelvic's eyes, wondering where the mood had come from. Wondering why her arms were snaking around her middle. She rested the top of her head against Red's. "Five more chimes nothing," Aello whispered. "We have things to do, and both know you didn't honestly enjoy that, considering you don't seem to like me much. Or other women for that matter," Aello chuckled, as she brought her hands back, following the length of Red's arms as far as they would go before stopping. Before she wound her fingers around her flesh, and forced Red's arms away. When Jaeden came back in, Aello looked up. "We were just finishing," she whispered, before mumbling something about him needing some petching clothes before. Slowly, Aello extracted herself from her position beneath Red. "We have work to do love," she added, as she eased herself onto her feet. She shook her sore body out a bit before stepping outside behind Jaeden, into the cool winter air. The subtle breeze which wove its way between the spaces that lingered between the endless sea of trees. "It is a bit nippy, but what I have on should do. Unless you think it too cool," Aello smirked. Her eyes took on a mischievous glimmer. "You don't seem to think much of clothes... maybe you could lend me something," she finished with a wink as she slapped his butt playfully before sweeping past, her hips rocking as she glided across the forest floor. The girl went straight for the rest of her things, whatever she had failed to shove within the confines of Jaeden's tent. She laced everything into their proper places, and gripped her bow tightly in her left hand. Her thumb danced over the smooth wood, reveling in its familiar touch. The way it made her skin tingle. "So what do you need your 'tent guest' to do for you?" Aello called over her shoulder. She had turned her head to the side, offering Jaeden her profile, as she glanced at the site of their two fires. Now, long having been snuffed out. She seemed innocent then, for once, as the sun framed her delicate features, causing her pale skin to glow a little. "Should I watch your back while you set a few traps? Or do you need me to do something slightly more domestic perhaps? Start a fire maybe, and put together something tasty to eat?" Aello paused, "Dira only knows how much we'll need it."

[Jaeden Kincade]

Jaeden began slipped his pants on, giving a slow shrug as he looked to Aello. “It will warm up a bit as Syna climbs higher in the sky. If you feel you’re comfortable in the weather as it is now, you should be fine.” Jaeden said before reaching for his shirt next. “And it’s not so much that I don’t like clothes, just that I don’t see a point to them when they’re not necessary. Cuddling during sleep is much better if you feel the skin of the person your cuddling with, as well as the heat that said skin gives off.”

Jaeden the looked around for a moment, his eyes traveling to the sky next as he sniffed the air. No real bad weather seemed to be on its way. He thought on Aello’s query for a moment as he began to strap on his gear and gather up his supplies. A slow turn of his head was given as Red came stepping out of the tent, rubbing her eyes slightly as she gave a slow yawn that had the hint of a fox’s whimper to it. He gave her a soft embrace as she approached, rubbing his hands along her back and pressing his cheek to the top of her head as she wrapped her arms around him. Many would see their relationship as something deeper as a bond of Kelvic and Human, and for the most part, they would be correct, but most wouldn’t see the many subtle levels that the relationship that had developed between Red and Jaeden. In the end, it didn’t matter. The main fact was, that the pair of them had something that was very unlikely to be shattered.

“Yeah, some food sounds good. How about you and Red get some breakfast in you.” Jaeden suggested, running his hand along Red’s cheek for a moment before looking back to Aello. “I have to head into the forest and search for a few things for my traps, as well as some locations.”

Jaeden then began gathering a few last moment things before looking to Aello once again. “After the two of you get some food in you, you should likely scout the area of your travel path before we met. See which tree would give you the vantage point best to your liking for the fight we’re heading into.” Jaeden suggested before looking over to Red. “Red, after you get some food in you, I’ll need you to scout at least two to five miles along Aello’s trail. See if you can pick up the scents of anyone that might be tracking her. Don’t cross her trail, but leave it as unspoiled as possible. Don’t want anyone tracking Aello to catch wind that someone else is involved. The moment a scent of anything other than forest and wilderness hits your nose, you head strait back. Alright?”

“Gotcha,” Aello said as she began feeding the cooking fire with a few more branches.

“Anything else before I head into the bush ladies?” Jaeden then asked before looking to Red and Aello.

[Aello]

"Be careful, and do try to eat something on the way if you can, you wouldn't want to be caught by an enemy mage on an empty stomach," Aello replied. "They can be nasty little buggers," she added, as she moved closer to Red, to the site of their old fires. Both of which had gone out during the course of the night. When she had come beside them, Aello lowered herself onto her knees, and extended her right hand towards one of the fires that had gone out; the one that Red wasn't trying to build a new fire upon. The remnants of leaves- charred, brown shreds. Strewn here and there. Curled sticks, covered in dark soot, and larger sticks, their undersides filled with holes. Their soul having been burnt away, darkened. All of it rested upon a bed of mud and ash, which Aello dove her hand into, before lifting it against the underside of the wood. It was still warm, causing her to think that the fire hadn't gone out all that long ago. Sighing, Aello pushed the wood away, clearing the area out a little. Making more room beside the living fire, which she could see, with Red's help, was slowly coming to life as it licked the underside of the fresh wood. After a time spent watching it dance, Aello bent down a little more, and blew on it lightly. Fanning the flame, watching it grow in silence. "Do you have anything left to cook or shall we make a meal of... was it jerky Jaeden made yesterday, and perhaps some dried fruit?" Aello asked, as she lifted her head back up and peered at the Kelvic. Aello waited a moment in silence before pulling her bag off her back and setting it beside her. Before reaching inside and pulling out the last of her dried rations- a few apricots and apples, which she ate in a matter of a few moments, before washing it all down with a few swigs of water. "On second thought, I'm not too hungry. I think... maybe once they're all dead, my appetite will return." Aello offered the Kelvic a small smile as she put her bag back on her shoulders and got to her feet. "Anyway, I'm going to go search for a good tree, or maybe a set so Jaeden can help pick, based off where he sets his traps and intends on fighting." Aello paused. "I don't know if you wanted to walk part of the way, or catch up with the two of us later or something... it's up to you." Aello's eyes glimmered with the light of the morning sun as she made her way past the fire, and into the forest. She just wanted this to be over. For her to find her tree, shoot all the 'stryfe men dead, and move on. She thought Red would be more than happy with her when she did. "Oh Dira, please grace us with your favor on this more than morbid day," Aello whispered, as she moved along through the endless sea of trees. OOCUm... sorry this is short. I don't know how many posts you need to do everything you need to do with the traps and what not. Um... if it's going to be more than two or so, it may be helpful if you told me... so I can figure out what to do if Red doesn't come along? P.S. Also, in my previous post I mentioned both fires going out... I suppose Red started one up again?

[Jaeden Kincade]

Jaeden shook his head slightly. “I’ll be bringing some things back here to make some preparations, rather than out there. So I’ll be eating when I get back.” Jaeden said with a bit of a wave as he began making his way into the forest. “If you don’t find me out there, meet back in camp in about half of a bell. Red can tell us then, that if they are out there, if they’re close enough that we won’t have time to set up traps. If they‘re not, then we can send her on a broader sweep and begin choosing final set ups.”

Red slowly looked across the camp as Aello began relighting a fire. It took her a little longer, considering Jaeden started the fires most of the time at camp. But eventually, the small smolders of embers were once again heating the small jerky contraption Jaeden had erected in camp. If it was akin to anything, it looked like a small teepee, with only small opening at the top and along the front to feed more wood into, as small racks lined the inside, holding slices of meat.

Red slowly looked to Aello as she spoke, as she gave a slight scratch to her cheek, moving to take a drink of water herself. “The first batch of jerky is ready, and there’s still some preserved meat from last night. Though I can’t cook. I’ve normally just let Jaeden do the cooking, or eaten my prey raw.” Red explained, crouching beside the nearby fire. A slow nod was then given as Aello decided to dive into her own rations, eating them. “Likely just as well if neither of us can really cook. Besides, your rations can be restocked after this whole incident is over. It will be nice to be fighting someone who isn’t after Jaeden for a change. They at least won’t be expecting the threat of an extra two adversaries.”

When Aello asked if Red wanted to walk part of the way with her, Red fell silent for a moment, hugging her knees as she looked back into the fire. “I’ll be going into fox form when I start my search.” Red replied, lightly rubbing her hands along her shins. “Besides, I get the feeling you’re somewhat uneasy around me, for some reason.”
_______________

It wouldn’t take long before Jaeden began searching the forest grounds, his feet carrying him in random directions as his gaze swept over the ground. He thanked Caiyha when he found something suitable to his needs that had already fallen to the grounds from the trees, and asked her forgiveness when he needed to cut something such as vine or branch from trees already around. In the end, he didn’t need to cut much of anything, as most of what he needed could be found in random areas along the forest grounds, knocked they by either storms of the past, animals doing things that came natural to habit and instinct, or just the plain fact that some trees lost some limbs with age and growth path.

It took Jaeden just about twenty chimes to gather the initial pieces he needed. Prepping it all and then setting things up would be the more lengthy process. Jaeden carried a bundle of branches, varying in different sizes, along his shoulder as he began making his way back to camp. His gaze swept over the forest surrounding him, watching the bush, tree lines for signs of movement other than his own. At some point, he had been looking for Red or Aello, but overall, he had strayed from the trail Aello had left before they had met up. He could figure out where he wanted to set up when examining the tail later on after Aello had spotted a couple of potential places to perch in the trees.

Stepping back into camp, Jaeden dropped his bundle nearby the tent before finding himself a seat by the fire. It was there he began prepping what he had gathered, as several thick branches were rested along his shoulders and back of his neck, gripped by both hands before bending them slightly to give the branch a slight amount of flexibility. Each one was then bent and strung by vine or rope, giving it a crude bow like appearance, but much larger in scale. The draw of each of them would likely run close to two hundred pounds, and obviously not something Jaeden would be using instead of his own bow. After, Jaeden spent his time sharpening the ends of several, thinner, longer branches, each of them relatively strait, and carving a notch into the end of them. Already, one of Jaeden’s traps was becoming evident. Both Red and Aello would notice it when they came back. How, or where it would be set up would be a question answered for the regrouping as Jaeden waited patiently now at camp for the two of them to get back.

[Aello]

Aello crept through the forest in silence, Red's last words to her playing over and over again in her head. She simply could not understand what the Kelvic had meant. She didn't feel uneasy around her. Perhaps a bit of longing to be around her own companions, her bondmates, but no true unease. Unless, she was simply referring to how shy she seemed now, after that morning, when the woman had practically thrown herself at her. Sighing and shrugging, Aello forced herself to keep on going. The Kelvic and her companion didn't seem like a group she'd ever come to understand. Shaking her head to rid herself of thoughts of them, Aello forced herself into a deeper portion of the forest, so that she may concentrate on the task at hand. The girl kept her eyes open for a few things: the first was any other sign of life be it an animal, Red or Jaeden, or those who were on the hunt for her. The second thing Aello was looking for, was a suitable tree to hide in, so she could shoot everyone before they had time to do the same. She ignored anything which was as thin as herself, or only marginally larger. She'd consider trees whose width was about twice her size or more. She wanted something old, something strong. Something she could depend on to carry her weight until the deed was done. If the tree seemed to be a suitable size, at least in width, Aello would look up. She'd check to see how high its lowest branches were, and if they rested about eleven feet or higher, what she assumed to be out of reach for most people, she'd study it even further. If the next set of branches seemed to be stepping ladders, leading off, further into the tree, she tended to ignore it. She wanted to be able to quickly move about from section to section of the tree, in order to get a better angle on her opponents, or even, to escape them should they try shooting her. If the branches were grouped close together however, she was more likely to consider it. If they branched out of the trunk, largely from one central portion of its expanse, so that it formed a sort of nest or canopy, Aello knew it was an option. Unless the branches seemed thin and incapable of holding her. After Aello had found a few trees to her liking, she began to head back. She figured having a few options at the ready would be better than having only one. That way, she could decide with the others which tree would give her the best vantage point. Which would be the best area to make a stand. She supposed a lot of it had to do on the terrain nearest her trees, and where Jaeden set his traps, but she wasn't truly sure. She'd have to check with him, considering how he seemed to be the man with the plan. Considering how she had never truly fought like this before. Silently, stepping lightly on the ground, Aello made her way back to camp, only to find that Jaeden had beaten her there. "How'd it go?" Aello asked him, as she strode up to his side. "Find everything that you need, or do you still need some help with that?" The woman paused, awaiting an answer, as her grip tightened around her bow. "I found a few trees that may be suitable. I figured we'd decide on one once all the other preparations had been made." The girl smiled sweetly as she scratched her head, tousling her hair a little with her free hand, before returning it to her side. "Did you eat?" Aello asked. "I could make you something... or er... do something else..."

[Jaeden Kincade]

Jaeden gave a slow nod to Aello as she came back into camp, already in the process of sharpening another arrow for his bow traps. “I got pretty much everything needed between my own supplies and what I picked up in the forest.” Jaeden commented as he looked over the several piles of lumber and wood he had strewn about him in camp. “We’ll head back to the trail once we’ve finished with the initial preparations and pick a spot based off of Red’s confirmation of them tracking you.”

Jaeden then looked about, before motioning to several “Y” shaped branches that were laid along the ground near the camp fire. “If you wanted to, how about starting off by cutting the stems on each of them to even length of each other, then sharpening the end.” Jaeden explained as he set one of the crude, make-shift arrows for the trap aside, moving on to the next. “They’ll be propping up a couple of the traps. I figure on making six in all, most of which will be laying along the ground. Maybe one or two set up in a tree. Though, those will be a pain to set up. Doubly so than the ones on the ground just for the simple draw strength of them alone.”

Jaeden began cutting into another long, narrow branch, sharpening the end of it as he inspected it every now and then. “They won’t be terribly accurate, and if it hits armor stronger than hard leather, it won’t even penetrate.” Jaeden went on to explain as he began to cut a notch into the arrow. “It could, conceivably make its way through the spacing of chain mail with the amount of force it’s loosed, but I wouldn’t hold my breath for it. All in all, depending on how they group together when traveling, I’m optimistic that all of them fired together may be able to take down two of them at least. Three if we’re lucky.”

Overall, it looked as though Jaeden wasn’t very interested in eating yet, as well he still looked as though his energy levels were still pretty high all considering. As he sat there, quiet for the moment, Aello would notice a certain concentration he put into working on his traps. She may have considered it similar to the type of focus someone had for study in lore, or casting a spell. Eventually Jaeden looked up from his work, lightly setting down another crude arrow. “So, provided we survive, where does your next road take you from here?” Jaeden then asked, somewhat curious.