Completed A Road Less Traveled {Orion}

[Hadyn Skellig]

The bells passed in comfortable silence. It suited her. Forced into conversation she could probably maintain a lively dialogue but thankfully he didn't seem interested in trying. There was no need. Even the horses seemed to quiet as the day waxed languorously, the sun moving ponderously between the trees. Hadyn barely needed to touch the reins, the gelding moving along the trail without much assistance. He seemed pleased to just be out of the city. In truth, she was too. A homebody by nature, Hadyn did get the occasional urge to leave Syliras if only for a change in scenery. She did not seek adventure or intrigue, but deep down there was a desire to journey elsewhere. Not that she would admit it because she liked her quiet world in the city. But it certainly was lovely to be out of the walls, the weather warming as they proceeded. It didn't take much to make the woman happy. Indeed, the silence couple with a chance to travel made her quite pleasant. His words almost surprised her, but he was correct. Receiving the waterskin with an appreciative cant of her head, Hadyn returned to the present. They'd been riding for a while and it would do well to take a break. Nodding, she too halted and dismounted. To save the potential of bickering, she tethered the gelding to a different tree so he wouldn't antagonize Orion's mount, though they were within view of each other. She smiled and returned the skin to the squire as he spoke. "They can be petulant," she agreed with a glance to the chestnut, who pointedly ignored her. "But y'do well enough with yours." Hadyn paused to rummage through the saddle bag before finding an apple. She didn't eat much during the day and hunger was not at the forefront of her mind yet. Nonetheless, she turned to face Orion, fruit in hand. This could easily wind up being an awkward journey - considering their mutual desire to keep conversation strictly superficial. Personal questions and pasts were dangerous topics. It was almost amusing. They'd met, petched and done each other friendly favors and the most uncomfortable silence came from not wanting to know too much about the other, despite knowing quite a lot about each other. "How long till you reach your Knightly goal?" In truth, Hadyn knew very little about the process through which squires underwent to be come Knights. There were so many running amok in the city she didn't bother with curiosity. Squires become Knights. She half wondered if his age would affect the time span of training. It could hinder him or give him a boost since most squires were simultaneously learning to be competent adults. Standing near her horse she bit into the apple, the other hand scratching a spot of caked dirt on the gelding's shoulder as she eagerly awaited an answer.

[Orion Michaels]

He regarded Hadyn quietly as she moved to tie her mount a distance away. It was somewhat odd, somewhat awkward, this whole trip. He’d agreed to it so quickly that he hadn’t even considered the fact that he’d be with her and only her for a couple of days. He was so excited about the idea of being off on his own, doing his own work and proving himself to the knights and Dinah. He hadn’t thought about escorting her, in all honesty. Thankfully she wasn’t brining up anything which truly made it difficult.

“It’s luck more than skill. I hardly know where to put my feet. It’s a miracle I crawled on facing the right direction. Hopefully time will help, huh?” He was somewhat hopeless when it came to animals. It was a relief that his mount was tame. Otherwise he’d have been thrown from or fallen from the horse a dozen or more times already. “At least I can carry a sword.” Sort of.

She delved into her supplies to seek a snack for herself, though the apple she procured attracted the attention of both their mounts. Truthfully, it caught Orion’s attention too, as his stomach rumbled in desire for a little nourishment. While digging through his own supplies for a meal, he replied to her inquiry.

“You know, it’s really hard to say how long I’ll be playing squire. It’s safe to say that I’m basically starting from the ground up. I hardly had anything to offer them, after all. I’m going to try and squeeze some forty plus seasons of training into as small a timeframe as I can. It really comes down to when my patron knight decides that I’m ready to go off on some grand quest. Makes me chuckle, just thinking about myself actually being a knight. Life is unpredictable sometimes, wouldn’t you agree?”

He was a doctor turned cook turned doctor turned squire. He’d hardly taken the normal path to knighthood. They didn’t cut him any breaks on account of his skills. He’d have to be just as combat competent as the rest of those young men and women who took up the blade like he. So many of them had the lineage of warriors to back them. Hereditary knights, proud families of guardians. Not Orion. Not him at all.

“Not to change the topic from me..but actually, that’s my whole intention here, do you know a Tourmal Firemane? I’m not sure how connected all you smiths are in the city, as it seems you’ve got quite a few more places to work than I had. He’s a good friend of mine, and I need to see if I have to give him a hard time about having kept a pretty woman from me, naturally.”

[Hadyn Skellig]

The woman couldn't help but notice Orion's longing gaze at the fruit. Without a second's pause she was ferreting through the satchel again, fruit secured in her teeth, before pulling a bag of almonds and a second apple from its depths as he spoke. When she turned around she saw he too was searching for food. With a tch of her tongue, she moved away from the horses and found a nice sunny patch surrounding a rock. Seating herself unceremoniously upon the stone, the blacksmith looked up at the squire as he continued. She indicated with a tilt of her head that he might join her, lifting the bag of almonds to tempt him. "Never heard of anyone's life bein' predictable," she agreed with a solemn nod, stretching her legs before her. Taking a bite of the apple, Hadyn considered his statement. While she'd never actually come across a squire of his age she could at least admit he was a fair sight more mature than the lot of adolescent squirelings peddling about Syliras. He would, she decided silently, make a decent Knight. His question caught her off guard, mid-chew. Looking at him with a half-assed smile, Hadyn took an index finger to the juice slipping from the corner of her mouth before speaking. Ever a lady. "Tourmal, hm? I am recently acquainted with t'man, yes." The brunette paused to finish the bite, swallowing before opening her mouth again. "Seems we run the same social circles. S'ppose it was fate we meet eventually." Hadyn took another bite into the apple, ignoring the indignant glare from her horse as she chewed thoughtfully. Orion seemed almost unsure of how to conduct himself around her. Admittedly it was strange to be on such strict terms as far as personal information but it hardly bothered her. In fact she had no problem addressing the awkwardness, perhaps even tease him for it. There wasn't much in this world the blacksmith couldn't make a lark about. With that, she eyed him with mock suspicion. "Don't tell me I'll need to fight you for Tourmal's affection."

[Orion Michaels]

“Aha, no, you don’t have anything to worry about there, Hadyn. We’ve a gentlemen’s agreement.” He left out the details there, unless she was to ask, of course. They didn’t go after the same woman, at not least on purpose. Occasionally they would stumble upon the same woman on different days, but that was the risk with both of them having frequented the same tavern. Tourmal’s time in the Ironworks had built him up pretty well, and he’d caught more than one ladies’ eye. “It’s a small city, huh? Yet kinda huge at the same time. You run into all sorts, that’s for sure.”

As he munched on some food he’d procured from his pack, the squire leaned up against a tree and lost himself in the serene wilderness. He knew there were dangers out here, lurking, ready to strike and kill, but at least for now, it was calm and it was beautiful. The city was always the same. People were always running back and forth, doing what they needed to do to survive, all under the watchful eye of the knights. It was a good life, at least in Orion’s experience, but it held nothing to the outdoors. As long as you didn’t meant one of those dangers, there was no one watching over you and you could just let loose. Though, truth be told, Orion’s experiences outside the city in recent seasons had been far from good. “You know,” he said, breaking the silence. “I was going to ask why you asked me to come along, but when I thought back, you didn’t really, did you?” She’d just asked if there was any availability, after all.

“I guess I got a little eager. I get really into things when I start off and I miss some details,” he said, a somewhat embarrassed grin on his face. Whether it was medicine, cooking, massage, or knightly training, he would give it his all. The only thing he was worried about was peaking in interest. Was there really any turning back form the knights? Was this the rest of his life? “I hope I don’t bore you by talking your ear off this entire trip,” he joked, sighing softly. It was going to be a mostly quiet journey. Or so he thought.

Orion heard the sound of rustling on the other side of the tree, coming from some bushes just a dozen feet away. Eyes widened slightly as he straightened himself up and turned to face it, taking a few steps as his hand rested on the hilt of his weapon, ready to draw it against a threat. “Oooh boy. Hadyn, looks like we’ve got company. Stay behind me.” He interposed himself between the woman and the impending danger, deciding to pull his blade free so he wouldn’t be fumbling with it if they were attacked. The rustling got louder, and Orion’s heart rate picked up as it was about to emerge. He hadn’t expected to actually have to fight on this trip.

As the deer emerged and looked at him, it was quite apparent he wouldn’t have to.

“Gods…There we have it. Orion Michaels, slayer of doe. What exactly am I doing here again?”

[Hadyn Skellig]

Gentleman's agreement, hm? Hadyn didn't bother to ask where that put her considering her brief interaction with Tourmal. She could certainly see why the two men had become friends though she couldn't yet decide which entertained her fancy most. Probably Orion considering she knew him more intimately and she was rather fond of his curious character. He continued on about the city but he'd somewhat lost his audience, the blacksmith engaged in chewing and ruminating. Was it worth it to confront him about Shiress? Yes, the girl was her friend and there was an innate desire to defend her. But it really wasn't any of the woman's concern and she had no intention of ruining a perfectly decent accord over drama that didn't involve her directly. Moreover Hadyn could genuinely empathize with Orion's desire to keep his past from his present as far as women were concerned. Did she agree with his behavior? Certainly not. But her gentle advice to Shiress was enough that the girl seemed to understand, at least somewhat. As it stood there was enough to worry about with attention to Shiress' love for the squire. That itself was troublesome enough. Looking at the man in question she barely caught the tail end of his diatribe. "Well I am appreciative it was you," she answered earnestly, holding the core of the apple between her fingers as she used the back of her hand to wipe the corner of her lips. "I'm loathe t'go through the song an' dance with a stranger." She didn't extrapolate on this statement, letting him come to his own conclusions. His comment had interested her, however. For all his appearances Orion Michaels displayed flashes of youthful guilelessness contrasting starkly against the bravado and charisma denoting maturity. Admitting that he was easily caught up in things (likely activities and women both) such that he overlooked detail encouraged a complex picture of the man. "Ah well," the woman smiled as she stood. "If you weren't 'ere to talk, I'd be talkin' to m'self." She caught herself at the sound of rustling, frozen to better identify the sound. Orion too was taken to a response, moving toward the noise and placing himself before her. It didn't present as particularly menacing, this noise, but his command to remain behind him received a small nod. Sure there were a few weapons conveniently located on her person but she hadn't expected she'd need them - especially this early in the trip. For his part the squire was reacting as she might expect though he didn't seem entirely confident in his conviction as the noise increased and the enemy prepared to show its face. Blinking in the light the newly emerged deer stared at them before chancing a glance to the horses who were equally unimpressed by the two humans' clear lack of poise. Hadyn couldn't help by grin as the doe turned away and took her leave, all threat diminished. The man remarked bitterly on the situation as their steeds returned to munching. Moving toward the horses, the woman placed a hand on Orion's shoulder as she passed. "I'll be sure to regale your patron with this tale of heroics," she assured him with a sardonic smile, her hand falling from him as she went. Extending the apple core to her gelding she let him take a bite, severing the fruit in half before feeding the other half to Orion's mare. Untying the rope, she cast a sly glance over her shoulder at the squire. "Best stick to Orion Michaels, slayer of womenfolk, yes?" Checking the girth and halting the horse in the sun, the blacksmith mounted up. The sunlight glinted warmly off her dark hair, highlights of auburn and chestnut radiant in the morning rays. She couldn't deny the unseen deer had raised gooseflesh on her and while she did feel relatively safe in Orion's presence it was more owed to the regalia he sported. She had no idea if he was any good with a blade and by the self-deprecating tone he took about it, she had her doubts. But she offered him a light smile, gathering the reins loosely in one hand, stowing the bag of almonds in the saddle bag with the other. "Don't y'worry none, Master Michaels. Any vagabonds, highway men or ruffians come upon us, I'll see to your safety."

[Orion Michaels]

oocCrappy post. Sorry! Looking forward to whatever it is you have planned!

She just had to take a shot at him, didn’t she? Not that it wasn’t well deserved. A proud squire, ready to wage battle against all manners of creatures, docile or otherwise. Dinah would be thrilled to see he was such an accomplished warrior, wouldn’t she? “At least let her know how it was breathing flames at us or something. Sera Lorene might make me run sprints all on account of the ridiculous story.” It seemed that Hadyn had the right of it. His real skill was something she was familiar with, and he could wield it much better than he could even dream to hold a sword. “Well, the word is mightier than the sword, or something like that…”

In a matter of chimes they were on the road again, Orion having mounted up his mare, ready to travel on the way to their destination. “Oh? What great skills do you boast, Miss Skellig? I’ll assume it’s your charming tongue, hmm?” If she had any skill with a weapon, she was likely better off than Orion. Besides his eagerness, the other reason he so quickly accepted the job was the general safety which existed this in this region. The road to the outpost was rather close to the city, oft patrolled, and of little concern to the former doctor. “Or do you have some hidden talent besides holding down your booze, and impressively so, might I add.”

Another half a day’s ride was all that was left. Except when prompted, Orion fell into silence again, preferring peaceful silence rather than the dangers which could pop up when conversation journeyed a tad bit too deep. Keeping control of things and allowing natural flows to come and go were vital to the continued pleasantness of their ride together.

[Hadyn Skellig]

The woman could only grin in response, the gelding falling behind Orion's horse. There wasn't much she could say, acknowledging his comment about her charming tongue and drinking capabilities with a smile and a nod. It seemed her interest in talking was significantly diminished the closer they came to their goal. The blacksmith didn't linger on the comments the squire made, opting instead for silence, which he appeared to desire. It wasn't uncomfortable by any means - two people on the road having run conversation dry for the moment. The lack of words exchanged between them gave Hadyn the time to consider their destination. Honestly she didn't imagine Orion would object to her true intentions for making the trip. Delivery of a parcel was ambiguous though understandable given her profession. But the fact that he'd inquired earlier and her response being somewhat enigmatic no doubt raised questions in the squire's mind. But Hadyn was sworn to secrecy and she couldn't forgo that simply because the man was nosy. The woman decided, however, once the delivery was made, she would explain the situation should his curiosity tempt him to further inquiry. The sun dipped below the horizon as they traveled on, the horses content in the pace and quiet nature of their riders. For her part Hadyn was enjoying the scenery and finding the open air relaxing compared to the hustle and bustle of Syliras. Present handsome company was most assuredly appreciated as well despite the lack of words. As they rode the forest faded to gently rolling fields, the grasses rustling in the slight breeze and shimmering golden in the dying light. It was truly a sight to behold. A change of pace from city life was always something to cherish, especially when it was so rarely achieved. An appreciative smile touched the woman's lips as they passed the crops, growing healthily in the late spring season. It'd been at least fifteen years since Hadyn was last here, having traveled with her elder brother once before to deliver a commission. And much had changed in that time, such that she scarce remembered this place. She couldn't help the slightest twinge of embarrassment at her childlike wonder. No doubt the squire was quite used to this and here she was wide-eyed and grinning like a simpleton. Shrugging it off, the woman allowed herself to enjoy it - there was no telling when she might have another opportunity to leave Syliras. Soon enough the walls of the Outpost stretched before them, bidding entrance in the coming nightfall. Hadyn expected Orion would see to it that they were admitted by the resident Knights, the Grey Company, some of whom stood guard before the walls. Pulling her horse up short before the gates, Hadyn reached around and dug into the depths of a saddle bag to retrieve her contact's location. She wasn't terribly familiar with the layout of the community and thus had to rely on written instructions. But they'd first need to enter the well guarded outpost, which was half the reason she required the squire's presence. Glancing at him with a smile, the woman encouraged the chestnut to follow his horse once more. "Hope you know the password into the town," she remarked congenially as they came upon the gates, her glance to him bolstered with an encouraging smile. A few folk were filling in with them by foot or cart, returning home after a long day in the fields. Hadyn took note of the interested glances the pair received. Clearly visitors were not commonplace in this tiny village.

OOCSorry for the gods awful post and the pitiful length. Wanted to get things moving and get them into Mithryn so the plot could move along.

[Orion Michaels]

This was actually Orion's first time coming to this outpost. For all the years he'd lived in Syliras, for all his occasional trips outside the city, none of them had brought the former doctor over to the any of the communities which worked so very hard to keep the city fed. It was a very different place than the walled city of Syliras. While it still had protection, it wasn't nearly to the level that his home provided. It was almost, refreshing. There was something out here more to see than stone and metal. The greenery could almost be overwhelming at times if he sat to think about it. It was a rare thing indeed to sit back and think on it like this, so Orion was almost relieved when they came to the guarded area. Couldn't just let anyone in the outpost, right? "Password? I don't think so. I might have to see if I can use my good looks to get in."

"Hail, Ser," Orion yelled out in greeting. The knight on guard nodded in reply and Orion continued. "I'm Squire Orion Michaels, training under Knight Captain Dinah Lorene. I'm escorting this citizen to the outpost and would like to request entry." Though squires had no markings on their cloaks and capes as a full knight would, the full plate he wore seemed to be enough to vouch for his statement and the gates were opened to Orion and Hadyn. "Not so difficult, Miss Skellig. Though I do hope you aren't bringing something unsavory here. It wouldn't look good for my endeavor to become a knight if I were responsible for problems at an outpost." Orion flashed a grin and gave his horse a soft nudge to get it going again.

Once inside Orion turned to look at Hadyn, waiting to follow her lead. She was the one with the super mysterious delivery, after all. "Where to? Or do I need to meander off so you can have your secret exchange of goods?" It didn't matter what she was actually transporting, Orion just had to keep the wisecracks going so he felt in control. That simple. "I can fill up our water and get the horses tended to, if that works?"

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn could only smile at his comment as he preceded to gain them entry. Admittedly not the most difficult of confrontations but it probably served her well to have a Squire along for the ride rather than charming the gateman herself. The gelding followed Orion's mare without reminding, the brunette's eyes sweeping the village. She cast the man a wry glance for his statement, choosing to ignore it and continuing into the outpost. It was a sleepy town, nothing compared to Syliras but there was a quaintness to it. Hadyn could envision a life here and found herself partial to the thought.

So lost in her imagination was she that she nearly ran the chestnut up the other horse's rump as Orion halted and spoke to her again. Moving the annoyed beast to flank the Squire she cast him a dubious glance before shrugging a shoulder. His query was blanketed with sarcasm, a trait he seemed to use when the chance of vulnerability crept in.

"No meandering necessary," she replied with a simpering grin. "Besides, what would I do without you if danger were to strike? The doe may be trailing us yet."

She threw him a wink to reassure him she meant no harm. She didn't easily retreat from an opportunity to tease him. But with the matter settled the woman held the reins in one hand while she opened the dusty scrap of paper that would give them a heading. After scanning it twice, looking up once and then rereading the scribbles, the blacksmith finally moved her horse west. The houses were the same and the dimming light made her task difficult.

Peering into the houses while trying not to look overtly creepy Hadyn finally stopped at a tiny cottage off set from the rest of the homes. It was dilapidated and clearly in need of care. A candle burned within, illuminated through a grimy window near the front. Glancing around Hadyn found the place almost entirely deserted, folk returning to their homes for a hearty meal and sleep. As the sun sank below the trees the woman dismounted and approached the house. After securing the gelding to the rickety post with a quick release knot, Hadyn dug around in her bag before her hand located the parcel, wrapped with care and shielded from prying eyes. Catching Orion with an encouraging upward quirk of her lips the blacksmith's teeth flashed in the growing darkness.

"Shouldn't be more than a chime or two."

Crossing the grassy margin between the hitching post and the house Hadyn held the item loosely in one hand, dropped by her thigh. She halted at the door and thudded her knuckles softly twice against the wood. Shuffling and scratching occurred on the other side until the door was cracked open. A woman about seven years Hadyn's senior emerged, barely visible in the night, though a candle flickered behind her. Blonde hair was pulled back into a severe bun, the planes of her face suggesting a beauty in her prime, but stress and fatigue plagued her visage. She immediately grasped Hadyn's upper arm, her voice creaking hesitantly into the evening.

"That was quick," the blonde remarked, hazel eyes flicking to Orion's shadowed form. Hadyn smiled and placed a hand over hers gently.

"'Course it was," the blacksmith replied affectionately though her voice was equally hushed. "I make it my business t'be prompt. And don't worry none about him," she indicated to Orion with a subtle tilt of her head. "He's not a threat."

The blonde woman continued to stare at the Squire until relenting a chime later, her expression washed with relief. Hadyn presented the wrapped parcel to her, slipping it forward into her hands. Looking down at it the older woman cracked a smile laced with sorrow, the lines in her face deepening. She stared at it for some time before speaking, her face tilted downward.

"I 'ppreciate it, Haddie."

"Y'sure you don't want me to stay?"

"No," the woman's eyes jumped back to the brunette's face quickly. "I don't do this now I'll never see it done. Can't stay here any longer."

"Portia," Hadyn began gingerly, brow knitting as she glanced to the side. "Where will you go?"

"Oh gods, I don't know," Portia smiled again, this time with a bit more warmth as she stared at the item in her hands. "Away, though. Zeltiva, if they'll have me. Further perhaps"

Averting her gaze to the ground, Hadyn stared at her boots for a tick a frown pressing her lips. Portia extended her hand again to squeeze the other woman's arm, drawing brown eyes up. Shifting on her feet the blacksmith released a sigh before crossing her arms over her chest in the manner of a stubborn child.

"I'd do it for you."

"I know, lass. But," the blonde paused with another glance to Orion, her voice lowering several decibels, an anxious timbre to her speech. "Y'don't need blood on your hands. An' it's my path to take, eh?"

Hadyn frowned once more but nodded stiffly. Portia shook her head and smiled slowly. Only a moment later she was pulling at the fabric around the item, anxious as she'd been the moment she'd opened the door.

"You best be on your way now." The woman stepped over the threshold to look at the Squire, her voice throaty and nervous. "I thank you for bringin' her this way. There's a tiny Inn yonder. They'll put y'up for the night. Best not travel late."

Turning to Hadyn Portia clasped her arm one last time before dropping her hand.

"I'm in your debt, Haddie."

"You're a fool for not lettin' me help further," the brunette muttered with a scowl, her gaze on the poorly built house behind the blonde. With a tired laugh the other woman nodded.

"Aye. Y'keep yourself well, Hadyn."

Without much more than a ghostly smile, Portia backed into the house once more and shut the door, the sound of locks sliding into place then silence. Staring at the door for a moment before turning, Hadyn returned to the horses, expression grim. Looking at Orion in the near darkness, the woman untied her horse and spoke with quiet curtness of one not wishing to answer questions presently.

"To the Inn, then?"

She began walking in the direction Portia indicated, the chestnut sidling after her with a flick of his tail. She kept her pace slow so Orion might follow, ruminating to herself with a concerned and displeased visage.

[Orion Michaels]

“Worry not of doe or bird. Should they reveal themselves, I’ll simply hide myself behind you and lean upon you for protection. Or something else, if you fancied a man in armor.” He stuck out the tip of his tongue playfully as she began to ride again, searching for her destination. It seemed like she roughly knew where she was going, and that was good enough for now it seemed. Orion was her escort, so it didn’t really matter. The long ride he’d pushed through and the ultimate purpose of this trip were of no consequence, other than making sure Hadyn did whatever it was the smithy needed to do.

Syna’s rays were barely peeking out from the horizon, and Orion ignored the moments of frustration that seemed to creep on her face from time to time. Perhaps she didn’t know where she was going, by her constant referencing some scribbled notes she held in her hand. “It’s a good thing you’re a smithy and not a courier,” he prodded, his tone jovial and light, if a bit tired. Soon, what appeared to be their destination came into view. A run down old shack. Even it was out of place in this outpost. It needed some attention, and it also seemed to be right where Hadyn was directing them. After a smile and a quick quip, the woman was dismounted and heading off to the hovel, leaving Orion alone and unsure of what exactly to do.

So he sat there awkwardly, mounted near the entrance of the middle aged woman’s home. Hadyn and her clearly had business to discuss, so Orion would just…well, what was he doing here? “I guess I’ll make sure they have their privacy.” While his presence seemed to make the home’s owner slightly uncomfortable, all he could do was nod when Hadyn regarded him as no threat. That statement applied to more than this business transaction, didn’t it?

When Hadyn returned, it was plain enough to the former doctor that she was less than pleased. He didn’t need to be able to read her face to recognize that posture. His previous employment was all about reading people, and he wouldn’t invade whatever she was dealing with by pestering her with questions.

“To the inn,” he replied, a forced smile on his lips. He was never horribly talented at comforting people longer than it took to get them bedded. “I think we could both go for a drink huh?”