[The Aylasa Caves]Both sides of the coin.(Eris)

[Weyliss]

Weyliss continued with both lines of thought as he stood there considering his companion. The smallest of ideas was starting to form.

"Hmm..."

Turning, the young man sort of let his sword dangle form his hand, his index and middle finger resting just under the bottom of the 'balled' pommel. His arm weighed down under the weight, and as he stood there the young man flexed the arm, up and down, starting a rhythm in tune with his thoughts.

Weyliss knew nothing of family life, he didn't understand much of anything regarding love, or relationships. Would Mr. Alcherion just up and leave his family? The impression Weyliss had gotten was a man who lived for his family. Moving from Sunberth to Syliras, starting a business. Maybe it was all a front?

It certainly wasn't his expertise. At times like this, when a conclusion couldn't be had with one line of thought, Weyliss like to switch to another, an outside of the box theory, could fit closer to reality, or gain perspective. Still dangling the longsword, the man looked about. What did he feel right now?

Well... he was getting a bit tired of holding this damn torch? Maybe that was why he had started playing with the sword? Hmm... too far off. He needed perspective, not complaints. Objectivity would be good as well.

The man gave his companion a good long perusal. Not in the literal sense, more in that he would look at certain points around her, and then across to another point, giving him a good view of her person as he did.

The first thing he realized, was that he was slightly canting his head upwards when looking towards her face. Meaning she was a good few inches taller then him. The pale skin spoke of a life indoors, or perhaps in shadow. The face was quite pretty, beautiful even. The eyes had a rather interesting quality, as if they where taking in things, and dismissing them just as fast. Her posture also caught his attention, the pale skin, and almost regal features made him think of someone with standing, yet her posture was... almost 'slinky'. As if she would rather flow then shine. Her outfit didn't give Weyliss much in the way of eye-candy, so he looked up to the ceiling.

Boy loves girl. Girl marries boy. Boy and girl have a boy. Father takes boy and wife to city. Too far ahead... he needed to go back. To sometime, before.

Well. Looking at his companion as a girl, instead of a hired killer, she was attractive, not unlike what Mrs. Alcherion back in her day. Now, how would he woo a girl? Having been on a handful of dates, Weyliss could only guess. In Eris's case, he would... take her somewhere, her being the creative type. It would mean more to her then a simple item. Yet, Mrs. Archerion was a woman of... expensive tastes. Her wedding ring had been rather lavish, and... new.

Weyliss blinked.

What if Eris' ring was in fact, a memento, the only ring a young man could afford. She would have thrown it out, but it might have meant quite a bit to the giver. Then why was it in bandages?

"No. I don't think he would leave his family. They meant to much to him. I think that ring might be a memento or something. From a simpler time. Now, what if your boy, knew mine before hand, and learning that he was newly arrived in the city, asked for a favor in identifying some documents, or maybe threatened his family?"

Both lines of thought exhausted, Weyliss decided for a more tactical approach.

"Hey. Is there a way to exit these tunnels? Maybe farther down?"

[Eris]

She felt his gaze on her and fidgeted a little. People appraised other people either when they were about to strike or for personal reasons. For her, it was always the first option. Except of course, in Sylvan’s case. But that was so long ago – hardly worth thinking about. It came to nothing in the end anyway. He had been so naive and so insufferable... And yet, Eris couldn't help feeling a pang of saddness at the memory.

Deciding to take the opportunity offered by the silence, Eris let her own gaze slide over to her companion. He isn’t handsome in the way most men are handsome. He doesn't have the height nor the striking facial features. But he does have something – something unique? She couldn’t quite pinpoint it, but there was something in the determined set of his jaw and the way he walked… She shook her head slightly, dispelling the thoughts. This was not the time.

Eris nodded slowly, turning over the idea in her mind. “That’s possible, yes. And after the favor was complete, he decided to keep him close by…” Eris trailed off, lost in her own thoughts.

She nodded a second time, this time responding to his question. “We should be coming to a fork in the tunnel right about now. To the left, it’s only a few minutes’ walk ‘till the outside.” To be honest, she felt like getting a breath of fresh air. So used to the cool, night air, she felt uncomfortable and more on edge than usual in the enclosed cave system.

[Weyliss]

Weyliss smiled as Eris confirmed his suspicions. They must have escaped the cave... but where would they go next.

Raising an eyebrow, Weyliss started walk, as he did, he guided the sword back over his shoulder, and into its scabbard. As he did, he came upon the fork Eris had mentioned. Pausing, he looked to the left. He couldn't make out any light, but that didn't mean that there wasn't an exit. It had been getting dark after all. Still leading, Weyliss waved Eris in after him, as he took the torch.

"Alright, lets say they have horses waiting, and they are already on the move. Do you have any ideas?"

His horse was back at the entrance to the cave, and he guessed hers was as well. It was a rather unhappy line of thought. What if these men had escaped? Was he willing to hunt them down all the way to Sunberth? It was a rather sobering thought. Eris would probably leave, and give wild chase, and he would be left here in Syliras to tell the families he had a whole lot of ideas, but no answers. The second part, he was certain he didn't like that. The first?

Weyliss turned for a second, shooting a look over his shoulder at Eris.

Well, he wasn't sure how he felt about that

[Eris]

Eris walked on brusquely, considerably picking up her pace. She found that as they neared the opening of the tunnel, the feeling of dread that had been building in her stomach had only intensified.

“If that is indeed the case, I will follow them on foot or at least try to establish which direction they are heading in. Once I lose track of them, I’ll return to my horse and pursue them on whatever road they have chosen.” She said all this with a degree of confidence that she did not feel.

It was all well and good to talk about following galloping horses and a cold trail, but it was much easier said than done. But ultimately, Eris wasn’t willing to give up this easily. She would have to find some clue – some indication that would give her an inkling of where her target may be heading. Once she had that, she would be satisfied to catch up to him at his destination. Rhine was well-rested and surely full on grass by now – she would be able to cover a lot of ground.

She wondered briefly whether Weyliss would follow them as well. It wouldn’t matter really. He would only slow me down. .. Or he may prove to be helpful… She told herself that she really didn’t care whether he resolved to continue the pursuit if necessary or not. But in some far-off corner of her mind, a little voice told her that she did.

The darkness began to recede, and the glow of the torch was replaced by a faint natural light. Eris realized that it wasn’t a light, per se – just a lessening of the dark. She wasn’t sure how much time they had spent in the cave, but she guessed that it must still be night outside. She could make out an exit at the end of the tunnel. The view of the outside was obscured by a tangle of branches and leaves that seemed to have woven themselves around the opening. Eris squinted, trying to see whether the foliage had recently been trampled.

“What do you plan to do if they have taken off?” she asked, wanting to have an idea of her companion’s intentions before they stepped into the fresh air.

[Weyliss]

Weyliss laughed, turning back to his companion.

"Are you telling me to get the horses?"

Still grinning, the warrior turned back and moved to slide past her. It one was one of those times when he really didn't bother with deep and complex thoughts mapping out his each and every action. Sometimes, decisions are best made on the fly.

This being one of those times, he gave his companion a wink.

"I'll meet you on the other side. If you see anything... please don't stab it."

He gave her a meaningful look before heading back the way the two had come. It only occurred after he had entered the cavern that her horse may be less then cooperative. He'd probably have to do a fair amount of coaxing and threatening. He REALLY needed to talk to that horse boy about the finer arts of dealing with beasts of the four legged variety...

Blinking, he found himself back in the cavern, and paused to spot the tunnel. As he did, he couldn't help but laugh at himself. Really, who in their right mind went about chasing shady figures in the dark of night. He should be drinking himself into a stupor, or chasing some tail, or... well anything else really.

Eying a particularly gruesome looking stalagmite, he reflected that maybe he was... in his own way.

[Eris]

Eris let out a surprised laugh. She had not meant to hint at his retrieving the horses, but it was certainly a welcome idea. She wouldn’t have thought that he would be so willing to go running back for the animals – considering the dislike he had expressed for them the last time they met. But how would Rhine feel about being lead away by a stranger? Hopefully, the horse wouldn't choose the moment to be her usual mischievous self and use her common sense. And yes, Eris strongly believed that her horse possessed common sense.

“Thank you,” she called after him softly as he disappeared from sight.

She cautiously approached the thick mass of shrubbery at the opening. Eris drew in a sharp breath as she noticed flat indentations in the bushes where boots have doubtlessly stepped. A few of the twigs scraped her arms as she pushed them aside, slipping through the opening. Staying in the shadow of the cave’s mouth, Eris surveyed the clearing at which she’d arrived.

It looked to have been another campsite, with a fire pit burned in the center, and trampled grass around it. She drew her dagger from its sheath, twirling it in her hand a single time before she stepped out of the shadows. Her lips quirked up slightly at the request Weyliss had made – “don’t stab anything.” That definitely wasn’t something she could guarantee.

Moving closer to the charred bundle of twigs, she realized that smoke was still rising from the ashes. They must not have been gone for long. Her eyes scanned the rest of the clearing for anything that was out of place; anything that would hint at where her target had gone from there. Mayhap he had not even left yet. He could still be in this very clearing – waiting. It was then that she noticed the subtle movement coming from the bushes across from her. Dagger at the ready, she shifted toward the shrubbery, conscious of every faint noise her feet made on the forest floor.

The movements in the bushes were way too small and subtle to be human – especially for a large man. Besides, surely a human would have already showed himself – either running or attacking as she approached. Raising her dagger, Eris swiped her free hand at the leaves, parting the shrubbery.

It was a rabbit. Just a rabbit – small and fluffy and obviously still unaware of the survival instincts it should have. Eris let out a string of curses under her breath. She was about to shoo the animal away when she heard a branch crack behind her.

[Weyliss]

Weyliss emerged from the cave with a blink. It had gotten rather dark out, or maybe he was relying on the torch too much?

Emerging from the cave, the young man made his way down the small rise, and found himself looking at two horses. His own was tied to a nearby tree, while the other simply stood there, both eyed him as he gingerly approached. To his unpracticed eye, her horse looked like every other horse he had laid eyes upon. Certainly nothing special. He tried to imagine her on it, and found that it still looked like an average horse. Shaking his head, the warrior approached his own animal, and moved to untie the reigns.

As he did, he moved to make sure all of his items where in the saddlebags, not that he didn't trust Eris... but she hadn't known that it was his. All items accounted for, the man clicked his tongue and pulled on the reigns. His horse only complied out of boredom, sort of stepping in the direction he pulled. Despite his conversation with Sam, he had never actually gone out of his way to name his own horse... maybe he should call it 'horse'.

He approached the other horse with a bit of trepidation. He wasn't entirely sure it wouldn't gore him as soon as he got close. The realization that 'goring' required actual horns, didn't comfort the man any. Clicking his tongue at the horse, he put his hand on its mane.

"C'mon ...er.. horse. We got places to go."

The animal simply eyed him for a moment, before bending down at nibbling at some of the nearby grass. Judging from the uneven growth, he guessed the animal had been doing this for quite some time before his appearance. Sighing inwardly, the man tensed his legs a little, and then climbed up into the saddle.

Riding. Riding wasn't his problem. He had been taught how to ride since long before he'd felt a woman. The problem was personality. Horses had very little in common with humans, or even dogs. Apparently they thought they could do whatever they damn well pleased. Weyliss had never understood why anybody would domesticate animals, that simply didn't care. He could beat this horse until the sun came up, and it probably wouldn't move.

Clicking his tongue, and digging his heels into the beast's side the slightest bit, he motioned for it to move forward. The animal however, was doing no such thing, and simply sat there, grazing away. Trying again, this time Weyliss clicked his tongue several more times.

"Oh c'moon, I havn't got all day."

The horse however, did. Munching at the grass, it then looked up, and eyed his own horse, who simply looked on the proceedings with what Weyliss took for amusement.

"Ivak's lover, I'll be damned if you two beasties are going to ruin my ni-"

Apparently the animal was ready to move, and at his next irritated behest, it suddenly lurched forward. Weyliss barely held on, almost dropping the torch in the process. His own horse simply trotted along, until Weyliss stopped, and grabbed its reigns.

Thus encumbered, the man started to make way for where he guessed Eris was.

Horses, he hated, horses.

[Eris]

Eris whipped around, dagger held close to her chest and slightly tilted forward. Her eyes met with the slightly slumped figure of a man, standing right in front of her, and not making any movement whatsoever. She couldn’t tell much of the man’s features due to the surrounding darkness. He could very well be Telther of Weyliss’s runaway bookkeeper or nobody of importance at all.

She stared at the man and he stared back at her. Shouldn’t he be saying something? Shouldn’t he at least acknowledge her presence in some way? The man looked so jaded that she would have thought he was unaware of her presence if he wasn’t looking directly at her.

After about half a minute of the staring contest, Eris finally spoke. “What is your business here, sir?”

She tried to keep to a civil tone, not wishing to agitate someone who might not even be an enemy. But even as she tried to keep her words calm, her blood was boiling with the prospect of a fight.

However, the man’s response seemed to be indicate anything but violence. “Could you be so kind as not to point that knife in my direction, young lady?” the man asked in a high-pitched, shaky voice.

“Knife? This is not a knife. I’ll have you know-“ Eris cut herself off before she let her insulted pride catch her off guard. Who knows, perhaps from the man’s point of view in the darkness, the dagger really did look like a simple knife.

She wondered if Weyliss had taken care of the horses yet. She did not know how much time she had spent looking over the clearing before she was distracted by the rabbit, but she felt that he should have been on his way already. Unless, of course, Rhine had decided to be difficult…

Eris lowered her dagger by a fraction of an inch and repeated her question, “What are you doing here at this time of night?”

The man stayed silent – whether it was out of obstinacy or fear, Eris couldn’t tell. Could it be that he is simply drunk? Eris nearly laughed out loud at the absurdity of the situation. If this was indeed the dangerous killer or the elusive bookkeeper… Surely neither of them could be so stupid as to run all this way only to succumb to the temptations of a long night’s drinking.

[Weyliss]

For his part, Weyliss was moving through the forest at a slow pace. Apparently, they had walked much farther then he thought. Still atop his companion's horse, he noted that the torch was fast running out of cloth and fuel. Even the smallest of breezes threatened to end the flame's life. Holding the torch close, he tried to steer Eris' horse in the direction he guessed the exit was. Looking back, he noted his own horse was steadily trudging along.

Then he heard voices. Or... a voice. By now, Weyliss couldn't make out much, but apparently Eris' horse was entirely sick of its new rider, as the animal suddenly made a sharp left. Blinking, Weyliss felt weary arm let go of his horses' reigns. His eyes needed barely a second to adjust, and then, years and years of drill, and training took over. He could almost hear Sir Marrius' voice.

Dismount.

The warrior didn't so much, get off the horse, as ...fall. Standing up quickly, the man grabbed the saddle with his free hand, and swung his right leg up and over, as he pushed with both his hand, and his left leg. Then he let himself go limp, dropping to the ground in a crouch.

Cover the distance.

His vision went hazy as his peripheral's took over. If he noticed the torch finally succumb as it slammed into the ground next to him, he made no notice. In less then a second, he was pushing upward, using the momentum to hurtle forward at a crouch under the horses' neck. As he did so, he could see Eris and the stranger coming up fast. Throwing a hand over his back, he barely kept his balance, and then ripped the sword wildly out of it's sheath. He barely held on to the handle, as the momentum of the pull threatened to rip the sword out of his hand. Yet, as he brought his left foot down again, he dug the steel toe in, still several feet away. The longsword covered the rest of the distance. His single arm pointed the blade straight at the man's chest.

To say the warrior was fast? That was an understatement. He wasn't fast at all. To admit he was fast, one had to admit that you could see him. To the unpracticed eye, this man had just fallen off his horse, and then blind-charged the stranger and Eris. To someone with a bit of combat knowledge, this was a manuever that benefited from years of practice. Something that was ingrained into the very muscle fiber. His reward for such practice, was a blinding speed, and a near perfect balance.

The warrior realized he was still holding his breath, and slowly exhaled as he grasped the hilt of the longsword with his other hand. His voice was clear, if the tiniest bit shaky.

"Now. Criminals on the run, they only stay to silence their followers. This would be a good time to call your friends in."

He barely saw the man, instead focusing around him, and even on Eris out of the corner of his eyes.

[Eris]

Eris was still deciding what to do about the man. She wanted to establish his identity and whether he was a danger before attacking. Experience had taught her that slicing first and asking questions later did not always work out. She was about to speak again when she heard a muffled sound coming from somewhere nearby. Probably that rabbit again.

But rabbits did not carry swords.

Eris blinked in surprise, her eyes barely registering the moment when Weyliss suddenly came to stand in front of the stranger. Where had he come from? She hadn’t thought the man to be so well trained as to do…well, whatever it was that he just did. Eris couldn’t be sure what exactly this maneuver of his had been, but she was more than a little impressed.

“I do not like p-people p-pointing things at me. I have already explained that to the young l-lady,” the man half-slurred, half-stuttered.

He did not seem to be phased by Weyliss’s sudden appearance or his accusation, only tilting his head forward a bit as if his neck couldn’t support the weight of his head. He waved his hand sluggishly in Weyliss’s general direction, as if the sword aimed at him was merely an annoyance.

“Nice entrance – very dramatic,” Eris smirked at Weyliss, then added, “This look like your bookkeeper? Frankly, I have trouble believing he’s my man, so he must be yours.”