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[Jonathon DuFraine]

13 of the Day, Fall of 511 A.V

Jonathon creeped through the bushes, short blade out, bow in the other hand. He was the very picture of savagery; long, unkempt red hair, rough stubbly facial hair, with a pair of tattered leggings and no shirt. The only thing other then simple clothing on him was a shiny glass pendant around his neck.

Jonathon dropped his sword silently and drew back his bow, knocking an arrow. Nearby, a deer serenely dipped her head into a stream, drinking from the fresh water. Stomach growling, Jonathon prepared to let loose...

A gust of wind went through the clearing. Loaded with human scent, it passed straight under the deer's nose. She was gone in a flash. Jonathon fired vainly after her, but only succeeded in landing his arrow in the stream. Growling in anger, Jonathon retrieved his short sword. Reaching into the stream, he pulled back a split arrow; it had hit a stone in the river. Further incensed, Jonathon stomped back the way he came, making his way through the woods of the mountains.

Jonathon had lived in the Cobalt Mountains for about a season and a half, by himself. He rarely went down to the nearby city of Sylaris; only to buy his arrows and clothing, and sell what he didn't want. The effects of isolation were deepening in him every day; how he dressed, how he acted, how he thought.

Jonathon's eyes shifted away from the ground to the bushes. Did he just hear something?

[Siola]

Dappled green sunlight spilled through the thick canopy above as a lone figure walked carefully through the thick undergrowth, attempting to follow an old sheep path, worn into the ancient rocks beneath her feet. The rest of the land lay undisturbed, not many a being passing through on many occasion. A lone beast maybe, but even that was rare. The Cobalt Mountains were not known for their population at the best of times, and the figure knew that only hunters lay in it’s hold, waiting for their prey to walk by.

She sighed, her expression pulled into a frown, as she looked around, trying to figure out which way she was going, and where she had just come from. She couldn’t hear the hustle and bustle of the city now, even though it couldn’t be more than a few miles away at the least. The noise had been blocked by the leaves, by the wind that rustled through them like a spirit awakened.

‘Not again.’

With annoyance, Siola shoved her fringe out of her eyes for what seemed like the thousandth time that day wishing with all her might that she had foreseen that it was going to be such a nuisance. She knew she should get it cut, but she hadn’t had the time or the money recently.

Pausing for a second to listen for the woods, she began to walk again, her thin shoes letting her feel every dip and rise of the earth beneath her. She was glad of her history of working on the ships for the Svefra. It had gifted her with light feet that could tread where was needed, without causing excess noise.

As she made her way uphill, a lone deer swept past her, nearly knocking her off her feet, it’s eyes were wide with fear. Something had startled it. Siola let out a squeak of fright when she staggered backwards. Righting herself, she glanced around, seeing what caused the commotion. She heard footsteps in the distance, walking away, she began to follow them quietly, scared but curious.

[Khaled]

The clip-clop of hooves on rock began filling the air as Nidal began scaling the narrow path up the Cobalt Mountains. Days of much adventure had already been had since Khaled's arrival in Syliras. He had already made friends with a few people, and it pleased him greatly. But the hustle and bustle of such an active place took its toll on him, there was no space to be one self, only in the confines of his own room did he feel like someone wasn't breathing down his neck. He wasn't used to that many people, and neither was Nidal used to the constraints that he had endured for the past weeks. So, on this bright day, Khaled had decided to take a short trip to see the mountains, and also to take a peek at Syliras from the heights. He had ridden for a while now, time mattered little in the wilderness, only the light did, and of that there was still plenty. It was nice to feel the movement of Nidal underneath him again, the days he had spent riding on the great colt were innumerable and he knew of nothing else that brought him such a sense of freedom as this. As he rode, a song came to his mind, an old wanderers song that he'd heard Zachary sing from time to time. First, he began humming, and eventually broke out in to a low song, his voice a light baritone. ”Across the mountain through valley deep My legs they pain me so None have seen the treasure which I seek But even so, I must go” Time passed, and after he'd ridden up the mountain for some time, often having had to get of Nidal and steer the horse, for the sake of both their safety the rustle of leaves filled his ears, followed by sound of rapidly moving feet. He paused for a while, looking around and then saying ”hello?”

[Jonathon DuFraine]

Jonathon blinked. Someone was talking! An upsurge of feelings rushed into Jonathon; he hadn't talked with someone in weeks. Carefully creeping 'round a bush, he takes in his first sighting of the man.

He appeared to be an ordinary traveler, with a horse to match. Certainly he would be a nice person to talk with; travelers generally were. Generally, the only people found up here were travelers, bandits, hermits, and people looking for a quick and easy vacation. Or a combination of the four.

After a moment of though, Jonathon shouldered his bow and stepped into sight, revealing himself. "Hail." The voice was more then a little raspy and quite; Jonathon had not said anything in some time. Clearing his throat, he tried again. "Hail!" Now it was too loud, but he couldn't rectify that. Feeling much less embarrassed then he thought he would, he waited for the traveler's reply, not rushing with questions or introductions.

[Siola]

Suddenly, an old song began to flow through the sound of the trees rustling. She had heard it before, a long time ago, back in Zeltiva. Someone had sung it in the hotel when she was little. Another merchant, passing by, telling his tales to anyone who would listen. Caught in memory, Siola stopped, trying to locate the direction where the sound was coming from. She strained her ears, but yet it was all in avail, she could not pick out which direction it was from. She took a deep breath and concentrated, letting herself fall back into old routine, sitting in the crows nest of the ship, listening for bird song to mark when land was near. Her eyes snapped open. She had found it, she began again at a pace, determined. She tripped over a number of times, not looking where she was going. She heard someone yell ‘Hail!’ Rather loudly soon afterwards, meaning that someone else had joined the person she had been following. In her determination she nearly walked into the horses side, only stopping herself just in time. It was a grand horse, one of those Siola saw frequently around Sylaris when she was walking around. It’s coat was deep black, obviously cared for often. Realising suddenly that she had been standing there for a few minutes simply staring at the horses side, she blushed a deep red and turned, slightly too fast, and stepped away from the horse. ‘Afternoon?’ She greeted the two of them, not knowing exactly who she was greeting as she didn’t dare look them in the eye. And as for the time, it had been a wild guess what point the sun lay in the sky.

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[Khaled]

And so, quite unceremoniously, two people showed up around Khaled. First, a man of the wilderness, it was clear in his look. It was that of someone who had spent some time away from civilization. Nidal neighed and scraped his hooves, but Khaled simply reigned him in. ”Hail” came a quiet voice, so Khaled leaned in, perhaps the man was out hunting and could not speak any louder. As a result what happened next was a little more startling than it would have otherwise been, the man's loud exclamation rang in Khaled's ears, causing him to move back as Nidal once again became disquieted, in need of reassurance. He patted the horse and smiled kindly, ”Hello” said he in return, his common crude and jagged like splintered glass, carrying a heavy accent. But before he could continue, the second stranger appeared, a young woman, so preoccupied with her own thoughts that she nearly walked into Nidal. Once again the horse began trudging around, and this time Khaled leaned in and whispered in the language of the Benshira, ”calm down my friend, you need not be upset, there is no reason.” Although he was pretty sure that would do little to assuage his companion. For the third time that day, and in about as many minutes, Khaled was greeted, ”hello!” Replied he with a great big smile, his curiosity sparked and his mood uplifted by the breeze of the wilderness, ”you here to enjoy mountains as well?”

[Jonathon DuFraine]

Jonathon stared at the newcomer, utterly amazed. Here Jonathon was, a hermit who encountered people twice a month. And now he not only runs into two people in the same day, but two people in the same minute. It was too much.

Jonathon stepped forward cautiously, wondering for a split second if perhaps he had not simply gone mad and was imagining the whole thing. He dismissed the idea; Jonathon was quite lucid. In fact, he had had so much time to clear his thoughts, it was quite probable that he was more lucid then either of the two travelers, although he might be terrible at expressing it.

Jonathon nodded and waved to the woman, should she look his way, but otherwise he stood apart from the two travelers. Meanwhile, he scanned his surroundings, hoping for a glimpse of some creature. Unlikely, but he was ever on the lookout for more game.

"You came at a good time; the woods are quite beautiful this time of the year..." Jonathon might have been a mite awkward about saying this before his seclusion, but he so appreciated the beauty of the Bronze Woods that the sincerity of his statement rang out clearly.

[Siola]

Siola finally returned a color which could be deemed normal before addressing the men properly, one was obviously from the woods, his torn trousers and shirtless chest spoke for him, as well as the way he seemed un easy with the sound of his own voice. People like this were alien to Siola, she was used to being around people all the time, every day. Being bombarded with voices and questions, needing to speak to be heard. At the same time as Siola was figuring out how the person from the wood lived, the man behind her on the horse began talking, in a tongue she had had never heard before. This man was obviously from the city, although she didn’t recognise him from the many hours she sat in the market place. Mind you, many people didn’t go there. ”You here to enjoy mountains as well?” The man on the horse spoke, a question. Siola remained quiet and glanced at the forest dweller, not knowing exactly who the question was addressed to. The man seemed to glance around, as if he wasn’t suer where he was, lost, perhaps. He had stepped forwards, and then stopped, as if something else had distracted him before he nodded at Siola. Siola waved back, slightly cautiously. "You came at a good time; the woods are quite beautiful this time of the year..." He spoke. Perhaps not a reply to the other question, Siola wasn’t sure, she guessed it was her time to speak, as previously she realised she had spoke. She smiled ‘Indeed I am, and I agree, they are beautiful.’ She answered with ease. She couldn’t locate where the two of them were from, their accents didn’t give it away. ‘I came from Sylaris earlier. I’m Siola.’ She introduced herself. Guessing that such would come to harm, she wasn’t someone who’s name would immediately be known, why would it? She glanced behind her as she spotted the forest dwellers eyes scouring the woods for something. ‘Have you lost something?’ She enquired, turning back around.

[Khaled]

Once again Nidal stamped his feet, trying to reposition himself, probably to attempt some kind of violence on either of the newcomers. Khaled, intend on not letting that kind of thing happen, dismounted, there wasn't really anywhere he had intended to go beyond anyway. ”It gladdens me to hear” replied he to the man, his accent still making a mockery of the common tongue, but he ignored it, as he always did. The woman affirmed that her intentions had been the same as Khaled's, and then she remarked upon the beauty of the mountains. It was quite true, not only were the area serene, without any noise but the faint breeze, which brought the faint smell of moist dirt and leaves with it. The area had also seen a fair amount of disuse, so the flora had sprung up all around, filling the area with plenty of color. And the view was magnificent, It brought Khaled great joy. Then she named herself and presumably her home, ”Khaled from the tents of Shahazerad of the sons of Hirim” stated he calmly in broken common, putting his left hand on his chest, more than likely brining to attention the opal snake of Rak'keli weaving around his hand. ”I am Benshira.” said he then. And then it sounded like she asked the man what he was seeking, and Khaled said ”you need help finding?” Meanwhile, Nidal, taking advantage of Khaled's attention elsewhere, was trying to make a meal of the wildman's hair.

[Jonathon DuFraine]

Jonathon listened more closely to the man's method of speech. He wasn't very good at placing accents, but this one was quite heavy, and his common appeared to be rather poor. Jonathon made a note not to speak too quickly, to avoid confusing him.

They both seemed to be up here for the view. Looking about him, he certainly couldn't fault them for that. The Bronze Woods was deserving of it's name, even this early in the autumn.

Jonathon listened to both their names, pondering over them. Siola seemed like a regular name, if a good one, but the other was something of an oddity. It would seem that Jonathon's assumption that he was a traveler was correct, if the accent, poor common, and strange name were anything to judge by. They both seemed nice enough. Briefly Jonathon wondered how he must appear to the two of them; a wild woodsman to a traveler and Syliran. Briefly, because he really didn't care.

After a moment, he remembered that this was the point where you introduce yourself. "Ah. I am... Erm, Jonathon." It took him a moment to remember his name; longer to remember the last one. "DuFraine. Jonathon Dufraine." They both seemed to be curious if he was looking for something. Once again, Jonathon processed this, at his own leisurely pace, and found an answer.

Sidestepping the traveler's horse's attempt to eat his hair (why he would find it tasty was beyond Jonathon), he spoke. "Nothing in particular. I have to catch my own food, so I always keep an eye out for animals... and there was a rustling..." Jonathon vaguely indicated the bush before turning to Khaled. "I do not need any help. But thank you."