Unlikely Companions

[Scorn]

Time: after dark on the 52nd of Spring, 516
Location: the end of the fields south of the Mithrin Outpost

A shadow flew across the starry sky, above the woods just south of the fields of Syliras. Scorn knew it was dangerous, getting this close to the edge of the woods, but she had to know. Had she and her sister finally made it back to the territory their colony had claimed in their childhood? They had spent so much time wandering, navigating only by vague memories and unclear landmarks. The woods had seemed familiar, but there were woods in other parts of the world as well. But if Scorn could prove that the clearings they could see from the sky were the same ones that their father had warned against getting too close to, well, it would prove they were almost home. Even if she did have to break her father's rule to find it...

Her sister Scourge had (wisely) chosen to stay back from the edge of the forest, rather than risk the possibility of getting caught by any Knights that might be wandering around. But Scorn had to know, so she risked getting closer, flying right up to the edge of the deserted fields, gazing down in search of...something. She wasn't sure what she was expecting to find, so she had brought her belt with her, instead of leaving it behind with Scourge.

[Hwyn]

It's funny how life has a way of humbling you when things are going well.Hwyn thought inwardly, he'd finished panicking and had given up any hope of escaping his predicament for the moment. Hands tied together to a rope that was further tied to a tree. All of his possessions down to even his clothing where tied up in a bag that was being held by a rather brutish individual. Thinking back on how he had ended up in this situation Hwyn sighed.

He had gone out to the hot springs in the evening as was his usual ritual as their were few if any people visiting them at such times and he liked to be alone when he bathed. However upon exiting the springs and going to where his clothing had been stowed he found his things missing and as the realization that someone had taken his things a muscled arm wrapped it's way around his throat. The fact that he had gone out alone had finally become less of a boon and a downfall for him. A brigand that camped in the bronze woods had caught him, and had every intent to bring him back to his encampment further into the mountains come the next morning. Saying it would be nice to add another slave to the inventory.

Thus Hwyn stared at the campfire with little hope of escape while the man glared at him from the other side of the fire. With luck if the man fell asleep Hwyn could make an escape but the idea of leaving his things behind saddened him. How could he get out of this? it wasn't likely he was going to get very far if he ran away through the bronze woods with nothing on him. So if he was going to get away he really needed to plan things out. He had a sword wrapped in his clothing but he would have to get to it to make it of any use to him.

Maybe, their must be a way... As Hwyn though the tested the strength of the bonds that held his wrists. The rope was course and it scratched at his soft skin but it wasn't the best knot he had ever seen, if he could suffer through it he might be able to undo his bonds and set himself free, but it was going to be a painful process.

He also had to take into consideration on how he could incapacitate the brigand. if he could get his blade he might be able to kill him but that was only if he could get him while he was still asleep, it wasn't pretty but Hwyn knew winning a fair fight was beyond his abilities.

[Scorn]

Scorn picked up a light in the distance, which she recognized vaguely as something humans made sometimes. She soared high, flying well above the trees near the fire, so she could take in the scene without attracting much notice. There were two meat-slaves in close proximity to the fire; most other prey was avoiding them. One of them looked big and bulky, and Scorn's mouth started to water at the thought of tearing through all that muscle. The other was so scrawny it would not even be worth the effort it would take to hunt down, except for the fact that it was already conveniently tied up, like a present.

After her first pass across the camp, Scorn turned back the way she had come and sent a subsonic message to her sister. I found dinner. Scorn debated waiting for her sister to come back her up; she knew it was foolish to hunt so close to what was probably the land of Knights. But it was night, the Zith time, there were no Knights in evidence nearby, and Scorn and Scourge had traveled a long, hungry way. Besides, It had been far, far too long since Scorn had feasted on her favorite meal, human-flesh.

Trusting that Scourge was on her way, and wanting to impress her by finishing the hunt before her arrival, Scorn angled herself for a dive at the fire-camp. As she got closer, she made minor adjustments to aim her trajectory at the larger prey. Her speed was such that the thick man barely had time to look up as the rustle of wing on her wings before she slammed into him talons first, the momentum knocking him forward despite her smaller size. Digging her claws into his shoulders, she tried to carry him off, but she'd mis-timed it. All her momentum had been used and there was none left to get that initial lift that would help her get him off the ground. She managed a foot or two, but then all the thrashing upset her balance and they both tumbled to the ground not far from the scrawny one.