Closed Hunting and Concidences

[Poppy Blackburn]

52nd Spring, 516 AV

Poppy had been given leave by her patron, Ser Ramsey Druva to go on a hunting trip upon in the Cobalt Mountain ranges, and she was planning to make full use of it. Ever since her joining of the order, once frequent trips to the Bronze Woods had been reduced considerably, and this was a good opportunity as any for the lass to return once more. Hoping that her meagre hunting and bow skills were not rusty from the lack of use, the squire outfitted herself with a set of leather armour followed by a mailed shirt underneath her regular clothing. Free from the usual burden of heavy plated armour, she would be able to hunt and move around the woods with ease, providing a good refreshing change for once. Slinging her quiver onto her back, ensuring that it was properly stocked with arrows, her recurve shortbow soon followed, along with her longsword sheathed, resting on the belt at her hip.

With the preparations complete, Poppy began to make her way to the Bronze Woods to begin what would hopefully be a good day of hunting. Resting on the flanks of the Cobalt Mountains, the forests stretches northward of the city all the way to the region of Taldera. Although the woods may not be home to dangerous monsters and creatures, what it does contain is a vast plethora of eco-diversity, ranging from a wide variety of both flora and fauna alike. A temperate forest, the creatures and flora in the woods differ according to season, but one thing remains the same entire season round. The place is magical. At the lower reaches of the forests, wild fruits and ripe clusters of mixed berries rest upon plants and trees, simply boasting themselves for all to see.

The shades of green and red that make up the lower reaches of the woods would soon give way into the darker shades of green as the deciduous trees made way for those of the coniferous variety. The upper reaches were also home to the Bronze Watchtower, a timeless piece of architecture from time long past. This long abandoned piece of architecture one of Poppy’s favourite places within the woods, and she would always make it an attempt to visit it on every journey to the Bronze Woods.

Walking as quietly as she could, ensuring to make as little a sound as she could, the brunette trekked through the forests, keeping an eye out for a potential target. Her patience was rewarded soon enough, as her gaze lay on a deer feeding on the undergrowth up ahead in the distance. Unslinging her bow, Poppy mentally repeated the steps in her mind. Stay calm, take a deep breath, aim and keep your focus on target, draw and let loose. Feeling as ready as she was ever gonna be, she reached back for an arrow in her quiver and nocked it onto the string. Taking a deep breath, Poppy pulled back the bowstring, letting loose once she was satisfied that her aim was on target, as the arrow rocketed towards her prey, her fingers crossed hoping that she would hit her target, although she doubt it would.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex shifted his gear about his person. His bow resting atop the leather armour he wore. The loose hood up over his head. At his hip his sword and quiver lie his dagger across his lower back. His armour in a pile next to his bunk with his other blades stowed away beneath it. Alex again was free of things to do. Ser Greyheart being an extremely passive teacher had once again allowed Alex free reign to train how he wished. Believing that allowing Alex to nurture his own talents was better than forcing his upon him. A short walk from the squires dorms to the exit of the bronze woods. On the way he took a brief moment to glance over at the stone garden.

Strange how so much history could be locked away in such a small area. He closed his eyes and gave a small nod of understanding. A slow exhale fell from him as he stepped into the cool clean expanse of the bronze woods. A slow trudge, and with the lack of armour to weigh him down he rolled his steps too. Training he’d garnered and had forced upon him in Sunberth and oddly enough something he had managed to nurture somewhat in syliras. A slow shift through the underbrush and despite Alex’s height he managed to crouch down low enough for it to help hide him amidst it. He closed his eyes and listened for the familiar sounds. Crunching leaves. The whistle of the birds, and something else? Ah the crunch of leaves beneath heavy feet.

Alex snapped his eyes open and shifted around the large tree in front of him. Slowly. Slowly. Alex motioned around the tree and crept up on the source of the noise. Footfalls growing slower and more silent as he got closer and closer to the source. A tumble of brown hair came into vision along with a drawn short bow. He crept up slower and slower taking a passing moment to glance off at her target. A lone deer milling about in the distance. He smiled as an idea took hold of his mind. He crouched lower still almost on all fours as he scooted up right behind her trying to be as silent as a whisper.

He waited and waited until the deer was fully in sight. He waited until she'd loosed the arrow before closing the final inches of distance and with a slow motion he moved up behind her leaning in just behind her ear he held a second and with a small motion pushed his index finger lightly into her lower back. His hood up and masking most of his features in shadow. With a much more solid voice he spoke now trying to change it to sound like anything other than himself.
“Don’t move.” If she did as he asked he’d hold still and wait to see if the arrow hit or not. And half wondering what she’d do now he had her in such a delicate position. “I've been watching you Poppy. Good shot.” trying his absolute best to not sound like himself he wanted to give her a minor surprise and spook her somewhat. As well as let her know that even when focusing it was a good idea to keep your ears open.

[Poppy Blackburn]

Just as soon as she let loose the arrow, Poppy watched as it both rocketed and sailed through the air, but before the projectile could strike home, a flurry of birds emerged out from the nearby grove, chirping noisily, as though sending a warning to its fellow occupant of the woods. Spooked by the birds, the doe quickly turned and pranced away into the undergrowth, sending the arrow flying wide, the area that torso of the deer used to occupy now replaced by the emptiness of air. The lass cursed and swore, as that could’ve been a good shot if not for the birds ruining her day already. What a great start, or not. Not too long after her disappointment, she felt something on the small of her back, the pressure from something pressing down onto her.

Someone’s hand. A deep and gruff voice spoke out, asking her not to move. She did not know that voice. She did not know that person. What could he want? Was he a bandit? She was just about to say that she carried no money on her, when the voice spoke out once more. He knew her name. She was wrong. This was no bandit. Scum like those didn’t use names of their victims. All they enjoyed was liberating an unfortunate person of their fortune, no matter how big or small. He’d said that it was a good shot, which meant that he had been watching her from the beginning.

Who was that, and why was he watching her? Dropping her shortbow onto the ground, Poppy ignored the man’s order to remain still and turned around, twisting her body to face her would-be attacker only to lay eyes upon the features of a hooded individual. He was dangerously close to her, and she used that opportunity to quickly push back, maintaining a comfortable distance between her and the stranger. Now that they were sufficient distance between them, Poppy unsheathed her sword and brandished it scowling towards the hooded figure. “Who are you and what do you want from me?”

The brunette could tell that the man was armed and ready to fight if needed. From the man’s lean and yet musculated figure, she assumed that he was a fighter as well. “How do you know my name?” A sudden gust of wind made its presence, and the sound of leave in trees dancing in response accompanied the silence between the pair. Stray strands of chestnut brown hair whipped around her face, as the folds of the man’s hood moved into the wind, letting in some light into the shadows of his hood.

As more of his features were revealed, Poppy felt that there was something about this man that she recognised. He was definitely familiar. A frown came upon the visage of the lass as she tried her best to figure out who he might be. She was sure she knew him, and he knew her as well. Then it dawned onto her. Could it be Alexander? The build was right and so was the feeling she got off the guy, but his voice was wrong. Going on her gut feeling, Poppy lowered her sword slightly and asked. “Is that you Alexander? What’s with all the cloak and dagger?”

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

It seemed his intimidation tactics would need some refinement. Because Poppy spun around and pushed him back with a single shunt, gaining some room between them. What did he want from her. On two accounts that was a good question. Primarily he wanted to teach her to keep her ears open for approaching threats. Secondly beyond that he didn’t fully know. Contrary to what a would-be attacker would have done he didn’t draw a blade, there was no need. He smiled lightly beneath the hood. His voice unchanging at least for the moment.
“Well for starters, you’ve gotta keep your ears open. You never know who or what’s going to try attacking from a blind spot. As for how I know your name, I think you already know that.” As the wind picked up and flapped the hood of his armour it looked like the game was up as a sharp gust picked the hood up enough to glint the light off of his rather unique green eyes.

The moment he saw the sword dip he knew the jig was up. Her calling him by his name only cemented the fact. Lowering his hood he gave a soft smile. Speaking in his usual light and airy tone. “Well for starters, I just told you what that was all about.” He pressed two fingers into the flat of her sword pushing it further down. “Secondly, right attitude in those circumstances but what if it hadn’t been my hand but instead a blade. That could have ended poorly.” He sighed lightly before glancing over to the place where her arrow had landed.

Stepping forwards he scratched the edge of his jaw lightly. “Also I wanted to thank you again for your help yesterday. Sometimes things just get a little much and it means a lot to have someone to talk too.” Alex paused a moment holding up his hand. One of the knight signs he’d been taught by Greyheart, it meant to stop and listen. In the distance he heard a small crack of twigs. Glancing over his shoulder to Poppy he spoke in a much lighter, and quieter voice. “I think I owe you a deer. Let’s go see if we can get a good handle on getting you one.” He slipped his longbow from over his shoulders. The weight of the dark wood yew in his hands. He crouched down low bidding that Poppy follow his footsteps.

Circling around a large tree he went slowly, evenly glancing down occasionally to look for trigs and other hazards on the ground that might make undue noise. He crouched lower behind another wide and low hung tree. Peering around the corner he spotted another deer. This time a stag not a doe. He shifted his bow lightly and lay an arrow across the flat of it. Peering around the right of the tree he lifted the bow high into the air, silently almost like preforming a prayer of sorts. He drew the bow back and pushed the belly of it forwards in the same motion. His back muscles and shoulders bearing the majority of the hundred and ten pound draw weight. He held his breath, and held the shot taking a couple of ticks to line it up. Slowly, slowly…

[Poppy Blackburn]

The hooded figure that she had guessed to be Alexander, was, indeed the Faircroft after all. The man had spoken once more, nagging to her about how she needed to keep her ears open and watch out for any danger. That did certainly sound like Alexander alright. It had to be him. There were only two people within the order that she knew that would nag to her about the things she’d done wrong, or the things that she could’ve done better. The first one was her patron, Ser Ramsey Druva, and the other was none other than Alexander Faircroft. The fellow squire was one of her first and closest friends, and over the course of her time in the order, the lass had developed a little crush on the lad.

Poppy was pleased to know that her guess was correct when he removed his hood and proved his identity. As he pushed the blade of her sword down, she promptly swung it back to her, sheathed it once more. There was no need for the brandishing of the blade anymore now that she knew who it was. As her fellow squire continued commenting on how dangerous it would have been if that had been a blade and not his finger.

It was just so like Alex to always be teaching and nagging wherever you go. Being around him was definitely a good and enriching experience, for he is highly critical and the mini lessons he provided were always a welcome thought. The pair soon moved along to a different topic as he thanked her for the help she gave him with that little pep talk the lasted into the wee hours of the morning, Poppy sensed that Alex was visibly lightened, and she was delighted to see so. As long as it worked for him,she considered it time invested, not wasted. As the lass was about to come up with a reply, Alex quickly silenced her with a hand gesture, as the faint sound of twigs snapping in the distance sounded in the air. She had no idea what the gesture meant, but she guessed it had to do with something along the lines of keeping quiet and listening, for that was what he was doing right now. Speaking in a hushed tone, he mentioned that he owed her a deer.

He didn’t exactly owed her anything, but she wasn’t going to reject his offer either. Poppy watched as Alexander slipped his longbow from his back and crouched low. Following his actions, she lowered herself and got herself down into a crouch. They circled around a large tree and stopped before a low hung tree. As he peered around the corner, she did the same, and her eyes widened in amazement.

Another deer had made an appearance, and this time it was no doe. It was an almighty stag, with its head held high and its antlers tall and proud, looking every bit as majestic as it could possibly be. Poppy almost felt a pity that they had to kill such a creature. Shaking off the feeling and coming back to her senses, the brunette saw that Alexander was getting ready to fire. The bow was long and huge and required a decent amount of strength to draw it, but the lad seemed to do it with such ease, even taking his own to aim, that she couldn’t help but admire his skills.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex held the breath back feeling the roll of the wind lightly pushing through the trees. Light and even with the power of his bow he didn’t want to chance it. A stray gust could cause a massive upset in his shot. His arms were starting to burn as he held the shot with the wind rolling. And then there it was the large burst of air. Exhaling as the wind died down Alex loosed the arrow. The twang of the bow string snapped loudly as the arrow took flight. However as he fired it was clean and true but the deer shifted slightly. The shot aimed at the heart meant to stay the beast in a single fell stroke and do so painlessly, missed.

The arrow shot out and clipped the antlers, the shot ricocheted up and through the intertwined bones before slamming into the bark behind it. Even a glancing shot would have punched clean through the deer but a ricochet was as unlikely as it was impressive to watch. Before Alex could even knock another shot the Stag bolted with speed and fleetness of foot. Damnit. Alex exhaled slowly glancing over to poppy. “Sorry… Chances of that were… Astronomical. Just bad luck I s’pose.” He let his shoulders slump lightly.

“Well at least we didn’t scare it off?” A lighter word when usually he would have beaten himself up over something like that. But in general he’d been far too impressed with the shot’s rather impressive veer off course. Catching a glance from poppy he handed her the bow. “I saw you eyeing it up. Give it a draw see if you can pull the string back.” He spoke not with a word of arrogance for his skill more one where he wanted to see if she’d been watching him closely enough to actually be able to do it. Or whether she was just watching him.

Alex folded his arms and watched her attempt he pull on the bow. His eyes scanning her form as he watched her His back resting against the large tree behind him. His perfect recall working without his consent as he observed her form. A tingle in his fingers from the soft smooth skin of her cheek. He shook his hand lightly pushing away the thoughts. Perhaps he was growing a feeling of affection for her. After all out of all the squires in the dorms that he knew why did he pick her? Why did he pick her above people he’d known longer and had known could potentially help him better? Perhaps he just wanted to go and see her?

“So mind if I ask Poppy.” He spoke with a light and easy tone, but something else behind the voice. Something he was trying to mask. “Why exactly are you out here hunting deer? After all it’s not like we need too. Knights provide our meals and we don’t need to worry about income. So if I may be so bold, why?” Eyes up. Stop looking at her legs. He snapped his eyes from her legs now up to her arms again watching her pull or attempt to pull the bow.

[Poppy Blackburn]

Poppy watched with bated breath, and the anticipation began to build up within her as Alexander took his shot. She had known him to be quite the archer, but nothing is ever guaranteed in life, and things could always happen anytime. The audible twang of the longbow’s string sounded as he let the arrow loose. Just as soon as she thought it was a bullseye, the deer moved by powers unseen to her, and the arrow missed its mark, clipping the stag on its antlers instead before embedding itself on the trunk of the tree directly behind it. Aw, that had been just a great shot if it had hit!

Alexander apologised for the failure and decided to take light of the situation by taking it positively and cracking a joke. Poppy let out a playful chuckle at his attempt at a joke, and her hazel-green eyes twinkled with delight. She was so proud of him.

It may have been a small thing to others, but to someone like Alexander, who had always harped on his failures and struggled with trying to take matters in a positive light, this was a great first step. Being as impetuous as she was rash, the lass suddenly, without any prior warning wrapped her arms around her fellow squire and gave him an impromptu hug as their chests collided, patting him on the back. “I’m so happy for you, Alex. You’re actually trying! You said something positive for once! Now, you only need to do it more often.” Retreating from the hug, her mind caught up with her body, and a tinge of red flooded her visage as she realised what she had just done to him, embarrassed.

“Um..yeah..” Thankfully the subject was changed, interrupting and preventing any further awkward silence and could now focus onto the new subject at hand, which was the longbow that Alexander carried as his ranged weapon. He must have caught her eyeing him using it earlier, as now he requested for her to give it a go at pulling back the bowstring. While she took the weapon from him and began to give it a try, she gave a glance and saw him sitting at the foot of a nearby tree.

Holding the grip of the longbow in her right hand, she gave it her best attempt at pulling back the bowstring. It required quite a fair bit more effort compared to her recurve bow because of the increase in length that she had to cover. Her arm and shoulder muscles strained at the extra effort, but she eventually managed to complete a pull. Pausing for a moment Alexander posed her a question, Poppy answered him casually.

“Oh, yeah I’m not exactly doing this as part of my squire duties. I used to accompany the Mithryn outpost’ hunters when they went for hunts in the woods and its surrounding areas, and I thought it would be nice to be back here. It’s been a while since I last visited the woods. It’s a rather mystical place, actually, especially the Watchtower. How about you Alex, do you come here often?”

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

What threw him wasn’t the hug, it wasn’t the words of praise. No it was the fact that after she’d hugged him she’d flushed a little. Taking a half step back not out of distaste nor dislike it was just so he could get a better angle. Still he didn’t say much and just let things continue on their course. Though watching her draw his bow was… Almost painful. Interjecting the moment she let her arms fall slack he stepped up next to her.
“Alright if you keep drawing that way you’re going to ruin your arms within three shots. Right now follow the motions I’m going to run you through and it will make things much easier.”

As he finished speaking he’d stand behind her and lightly grab a hold of her wrists. From there he began to walk there through the motions. Lifting her arms up over her head and lowering her left arm with the bow in it slowly but fully straight. Her right he mimicked holding the string moving it straight down whilst bending it at the elbow gently until the bow was roughly level with her eyes.
“That’s the technique. It’s a lot less painful on your arms and it helps build your back muscles a little more.” He finished with a small smirk and then listened to her own words about what she was doing out here.

She used to follow the hunters from Mythrin? Thought it would be nice to visit the woods again? Wanted to take a look at the watch tower? Alex nodded slowly stepping back to let her try the draw again on her own. “Yeah. I visit the woods every couple of days or so. It’s just easier for me to come out here to relax when I need some time to think.” He paused a little a few images of actual good times and events flashing into his mind. “I prefer not to think of the good times. As nothing makes sadness worse than remembering the times we were happy.” He gave a small almost shallow nod with a wistful smile.

Breaking his mild torpor and stupor he glanced in the direction of where the bronze watchtower lay. “Well if you wanted we could go and check out the watchtower, I mean it is still only like the tenth bell in the morning. It’s only a two hour walk to the watchtower. C’mon. I’ll race ya. Looser has to do what the winner says.” Alex gave a small smile. Before she could even begin to object he reclaimed his bow from her and slipped it over his shoulders as he took off at a full sprint. His eyes glancing towards the ground occasionally as he leapt over small roots and other outcropping twigs and logs. Right now he was beginning to feel something he’d not had in a long time. Actual fun.

[Poppy Blackburn]

Poppy saw Alexander glancing over at her with a hint of worry in his eyes, and she began to doubt her actions for just a little bit. What if he didn’t like that and found it weird? She didn’t want to be considered weird, especially not by him. Turning away, and glad for the awkward moment to be over, they could now focus on the new subject on hand. Apparently, the way she drew the longbow was considered both incorrect and ineffective, and he immediately got up from the foot of the tree, walking around close to her back as he lectured her on how not to draw the weapon, saying that if she continued drawing the bow in this manner, she’ll end up ruining the muscles in her arms.

Standing ever so closely behind her, his grip on her hand sent a tingle throughout her body, and he began to walk her through the motions of drawing the longbow correctly. He lifted her arms vertical over her head before lowering her left arm that had the bow in it fully horizontal. Her right was lowered as well, mimicking him as he did a motion of pulling the bowstring back. The lass made sure to bend her elbow as taught, making sure to keep the position of the bow level with her eyes.

This was clearly a more effective way to draw the longbow and she could already start to feel the pull on her arms and shoulders lessen compared to the improper way she was pulling back the bowstring earlier. Alexander concluded the lesson, informing her that this was the correct and far more effective method, lessening the unnecessary burden and strain on her arms, while allowing her to build up her back muscles as well. She nodded in agreement. Now finished with the short but yet effective how to to draw the longbow effectively, the brunette lowered the bow, and listened to the lad as he began answering her question on whether he frequented the Bronze Woods.

Informing her that this was indeed a place that he came to often, like she so thought. He then began to lament on the fact that he didn’t like to think of the happy times as that would make him think of the bad times as well. “Well, we’ll just have to get you more of those good times then, won’t we?” Poppy said with a cheerful smile. After all, happiness is known to be the medicine for a good reason. The joyful emotion has been known to increase and raise energy and mood levels, as well as diminishing pain. Alexander then came up with something, a little game. Racing to the Bronze Watchtower.

Oh, she had this one in the bag. Being a place that she went to often in the woods, she knew the ways to the watchtower, even a shortcut, that she discovered quite sometime back. Her fellow squire took off right away, reclaiming his bow from her arm, and off he went, without any further word. Not wanting to be left behind and potentially lose the challenge, Poppy broke into a run as well, sprinting off into same general direction, before branching off into separate direction that held the shortcut she knew.

The Watchtower may have been two bells away, but running would reduce it to about half. The shortcut perhaps, just slightly a bit more. A bell and ten chimes later, the lass reached the came upon the familiar sight of the Bronze Watchtower, the same timeless piece of architecture she remembered. Calling out Alexander’s name to see if he had reached, her calls went unanswered. Placing her hands over the moss covered stone, Poppy thought about the prize she had in mind. When Alexander came, she would tell him what it was. A simple something that she would give to him in return for his kiss that night, one that she would give him in return.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

He was off, dashing through the woods the trees whizzing past him at pace but he was still fairly new to Syliras. Despite having been here for a year he hadn’t been in the city for anywhere near as long as Poppy had. Because of this he didn’t know he was taking the longer route. The close knit trees marring his path as he delved through the deepest section of the woods. Squeezing through the smaller gaps and navigating the intertwined branches was something that was vastly slowing him down.

The small breaks between the dense foliage were cutting down his time, and it was starting to show. Each and every motion that he took was met with another dense thicket of woodland. His foot slipped and became trapped underneath a root or something similar. His footing lost his balance swiftly followed order. Twisting his shoulder into the fall he rolled forwards faking the brunt of the impact on it. That would smart in the morning but right now he had a race to win. His location was fairly easy to keep track of, thankfully. Despite the dense thicket of trees and other foliage the peak of the watchtower could be seen peering through and looming over the canopy.

A bell passed and he’d made it almost three quarters of the distance. He stopped a moment doubling over to catch his breath. He’d exerted way too much energy in consistently running for the past hour. Nowhere close to a full sprint, but enough to let him know he was moving at a good pace. He took a good chime just standing still, knowing he was jeopardising his chances of winning his own bet. Still it was worth it for him to do so, if he was this exhausted after just a bell of continual moment. Another nine chimes passed and he could see the watch tower looming high in the distance. He heard his name. Damnit… She won… Need to get faster still. Need to keep pushing if I’m going to keep my promises.

Another five chimes passed and he emerged from the woods. Shirt soaked with sweat, chest heaving to keep down breaths. Looking forwards he caught sight of poppy, barely even phased. Still primp proper and clean. How?! He had a look of near disbelief on his face before dropping to his knees. He sucked down another breath and scrambled back to his feet. He pushed forwards towards her before very breathily speaking.
“Well done… You beat me…” He smirked before falling back to sit on a stone, his arms braced behind him to prop up his weight as he recovered. “Just… Gimmi a tick to recover before you make your request.” He tilted his back slightly hearing a loud pop emanate from it.

A good thirty ticks passed and then he spoke again. Looking a little more energized. “Alright, I guess you wanna claim your reward now huh? Go ahead ask. Order me about.” He spoke with a small smile. Unsure of what exactly she’d ask. Lessons? A good word with another knight? Perhaps she had a favour she wanted him to do. Or maybe she’d even hold onto the right and cash it in at a later date. Whatever the option Alex would hear her out.