[The Bronze Woods] A Common Hunt {Closed}

[Lynes]

64th Of Summer, 512 AV The Bronze Woods Lynes walked towards the giant gates of Syliras, towards the beginnings of The Bronze Woods. His golden eyes looking towards the sky. It was sunny today, with some rather light clouds invading the sun's space and absorbing its rays, like greedy animals finding their first fresh water for miles on end. Turning his eyes back to the gates, he nodded towards one the people entering the city. She, it being a woman, nodded back and then her eyes looked his body up and down. Causing his own eyes to quickly look down at his body as well. Lynes' body temperature began to rise. Taking note that he was wearing clothes (this time), his temperature began to drop back down as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of head, from his hairline. He often forgot that clothing was a requirement and walked into the street nude. Only to later realize, from the odd looks he received, that he was missing the clothing the was a necessity within the city walls. This would've have been his third offense and he really did not want to get another (hence the sweat). Lynes looked back towards the open gate of the city as his mind wandered back to the woman that had just looked at his body from head to toe. He had no idea why she would do that if the person she was looking at was wearing clothing. Putting it behind him, he walked between the two guards that stood on either side of the gate. Nodding to the one on the left that made eye contact with him. It was common for Lynes to travel in and out of the city to roam freely in the woods or, just as common, to grab a quick meal, if he was fast enough. So, the guards have come to know him and to let him pass in and out without inspection most of the time. As he walked out into the woods he turned a sharp left onto a dirt path, beaten in by the feet of weary travelers as they complete their journey and find the resting place of Syliras. Most likely only to spin their tales at a local pub and travel to another seeking more magnificent sotries. After walking quite a ways , he turned right, on to a far less evident path, but a path none the less. Carved instead of the feed of travelers, but instead only his own, well, and the occasional curious wanderer. After walking to the end of the path, where it abruptly ended at the base of a large tree. He turned left a second time, walking a few feet before turning right to look at another large tree. Sliding behind it, placing the tree between himself and the well traveled road, he quickly stripped himself of his clothing and placed them firmly into a small dug out crevice at the base of the tree. The shadow of the tree hid the clothing rather well, only a corner of his brown shirt could be slightly seen, and you would've had to be looking for it. He shifted into his wolf form and once in it, shook out his brindle fur. Strolling off deeper into the woods, and towards the left, he hit a stream running almost the same path as the well versed road that was now far behind him. He stopped at it for a quick drink, lapping the water into his mouth. Before returning to his travels, following the stream away from his clothing and keeping a keen eye out for any kind of movement that could become his next meal.

[Andresciel]

Walking past the gate, his own form recognized because of armor more then face, the Mage Knight moved towards the bronze woods mounted upon Storm, the jet black nightwalker. The horse neighed beneath the weight of the Knights armor, but she moved forward and into the forest without much complaint. Still, the Knight could only be grateful as he patted the back of the horse, tugging the reigns to the left to guide her down the turn he wished to take, towards the stream, away from the well traveled road. To his meditation spot, the Knight would think to himself, hearing the beating of winds as a small black bird fluttered beside him. In truth, the little hummingbird was in fact his Avavali familiar, Velenor. It zoomed on ahead in its sealed form, darting from flower to flower, as Andre roade off into the forest.

He didn't seem overly worried about wildlife, as he relaxed within the forest. His Patron, Sera Luna Magius, had always told him a single thing "What comes, comes. Accept it, adapt to it, and face it if need be." And Andre still lived by it. This did not mean he was not alert, his eyes still scanned for possible threats now and then, occasionally locking onto a shadow that seemed to move. On his side was a small pouch, containing paper, and a small vial of ink, for Battle Glyphing. He was prepared, and even carried a glyph pre-written to unleash two firebolts.

His sapphire eyes watched the shadows as he patted Storm's neck, "Shh girl. I know. Some spooky things out in these woods. But your safe, I won't let them harm ya." He whispered as he opened his mind to the bond with Velenor "Did you find a flower you liked, my friend?" He sent to the Avavali.

A Slight wave of joy that Andre took as a smile passed to him, before the words came "I like the pretty blue flower. Smells nice. Can we have some?". The Avavali returned, awaiting his masters assent.

Andre shook his head "On the way back Velenor. I promise. I need to meditate on the last few days, and the days ahead." He could feel the Familiars sorrow at it, but Andre's promise brought hope. Andre always kept his promises to Velenor.

Andre, now turning his steed deeper into the forest, moved to turn along side the stream, heading up it towards the clearing in which he normally meditated. Far away from the humdrum and noise of Syliras, he could be at peace out here, in nature. Even the danger didn't bother him from coming this far away.

[Qist Tiere]

A deep, frustrated sigh escaped the redhead's lips. "I hate myself." Don't feel bad. If it's any consolation, I hate you as well. "I wasn't asking for your opinion. And no, it isn't, by the way." No need to be brash, dearie. I'm just trying to help. "You're something like a Firemane. Nice to look at, but completely useless--exspensive, too. And might I add that you have no looks to speak of, so perhaps you're something like an invisible Firemane." Well that hurt. I suppose you strained your mind thinking of that one, heh, what now that you finally are thinking on your own? Why I believe... Qist tuned out the pesky voice inside her head. Normally the two weren't this seething and spiteful towards each other. Normally their relationship mirrored that of quarrelling siblings. Today, though, the pair had a bit of a problem causing them stress. Qist had to admit, she partially regretted snapping at the persona within her mind, though the grief was short-lived as she soon recalled that it was, in fact, wasn't real. Nevertheless, the situation still had the pair, rather, Qist on edge. She turned her head, peering at the ground beneath her. On the ground was her net and javelin--her standard hunting gear. Many would call them odd choices to hunt game with, but it was what she had to make do with. As the wind blew, Qist swayed with it. For a brief moment she wondered if she could ride the wind, somehow freeing herself from her own trap. Just then, the wind ceased. "Oh, I see how this is." Qist muttered. After a day of hanging in a net, Qist found her humor becoming more and more dry, filling each word with sarcasm as another bell passed by. Ironic, isn't it? That the hunter be trapped in her own net? I actually find it quite amusing. "Well of course you do, you're nice and warm inside my head." The femme shivered to add an effect to her words. "There's no wind effect in there." Perhaps if you called out again? Qist snorted in shock. The voice had no insult at the ready? Maybe she was up her longer than she had estimated. "I may as well." Clearing her throught, the Inarta prepped her parched throat for another plead. She turned once more, looking out into the surrounding forest. "Heellloo? Anyone happen to hear me?" Her voice echoed through the trees and, after one more plea for help, Qist sighed. "No one is there." Most likely. "Agreed." OOC : Edit: Oh, hello there Lynes! Long time, no chat.

[Lynes]

Lynes walked along the edge of the stream taking in the sights. The sunlight shone through the bronze leaves and on to his fur. He felt each ray as it beat against his dark colored hair. It was hot, there was no doubting that. He kept himself ready, being wary of both the possible predator in the forest or perhaps the potential enemy that ran across him, unknowing that he wasn't just a wolf. As he walked his ears quickly perked up to a sound. Rather far off, behind him, he heard the sound of another being. Another person, male, speaking to himself? Or perhaps to a companion. The noise was faint, and most likely distant; a normal ear wouldn't have picked it up. He quickly darted off of the edge of the stream, concealing himself among the foliage. It could be an innocent civilian, but that was very unlikely. Few ventured out into the forest like this. Although the voice sounded friendly enough, there was no such thing as too safe. Lowering first his head to the ground and then laying down; Lynes began to wait. He didn't want to leave without sight of the other person, or at least without proof that the male wouldn't cause him harm. As he lay there, even the air became loud; as he felt it rushing through his fur and heard it whistling into his ear. He was on guard, listening for even the slightest sound. Lynes jumped at the sound of yet another voice, this one far closer, louder, and female. At his jump he stood straight up, causing the rustle of leaves and the breaking of limbs that sat upon the ground beneath his paws. This voice was not having a conversation though, no, it was a plea; A plea for help. It appeared to be such any way. He never knew in this forest; it could have just as easily been a trap laid for a susceptible being, to pull them off the trail and consume every ounce of meat on their bones. He wanted to go check, but the first voice kept him still. If he moved now towards the female then the male could catch wind of him, something he would much rather avoid. He hated having to morph back to his “human” form and hold a conversation immediately after. Besides, he liked his wolf form more; There was also the fact that morphing back to a human may not actually save his life. It may only call for his blood. So, he sat, undecided. He had already given away his position, but he hoped the male hadn't seen or heard such. He knew the male would have heard the female though, and if it is a human, or a knight, then Lynes assumed that he would just run to the woman's rescue. Wanting to be that knight in shining armor. That was Lynes' hope anyway. ooc: : Evening Qist, I believed you had disappeared. Either way would you guys like me to change it to a closed forum? Or would we happen to be open to more than us three? It is irrelevant to me, one of my first forums no matter what the conclusion is.

[Aven]

OOC :

Well, I do hope you don't mind my joining you. If so, PM me and I'll delete this post

The exterior of the great city of Syliras was a change of scenery for the young squire who patrolled the northern roads leading up to the city. His gaze swung from traveler to traveler, casual but observant. Where were their hands and what were they doing? Where were their eyes looking? Towards the gate or a purse hanging off an unwary victim's belt? His patrol assignment was a tedium but necessary. The simple presence of an armed man in the livery of the Syliran Knights was enough to stop most of the petty thefts and muggings that happened along the roads. Aven Longknife, squire in the Syliran Knights, sat astride his temperamental Dun Gilding as she slowly inched towards the edge of the road. He kicked her to get her back to the road but often times, Frownie just did whatever she wanted, without a care for her rider. And now, it seemed, she wanted to wander through the woods. Aven pulled on her reins but that seemed to only encourage her to want to go on an adventure. Aven dismounted and took hold of Frownie's reins and looked her in the eyes. "I know you want to play and have fun but we have a job. I can't leave those people without protection unless I have a very good reason." He doubted that the horse knew what he was saying but the stern tone of his voice, he hoped, would be enough to get her to realize that he wasn't fooling around right now. How would it look if a more senior Knight passed through on an inspection and couldn't find him because his horse had decided to run off into the woods for a lark? Both of pairs of ears perked up, master and mount knew they had heard something or someone. It had sounded human. Aven glanced back at the road. Only a couple travelers and merchants were on it right now. He could spare a few minutes to investigate. Better to be sure than ignore it. He tied Frownie's reins to a tree at the edge of the woods and pulled his bow and quiver from the saddle-bags. Aven slung his shield across his back. The quiver of arrows was tied to the right of his belt and hung across his hips, within easy reach for him to draw quickly. Then he patted the sword and knife sheathes on the left side of his belt and entered the forest. He held his bow with a nocked arrow, scanning for the source of what he had heard. "Is anyone there?" he called into the forest.

[Andresciel]

The Knight heard the females voice, and the rustling of bushes as he sat atop Storm, the Nightwalkers head shaking side to side. Without a word, he swings his leg over the horses back, dropping down. The third voice caused him to turn, his sapphire eyes seeming to glow with djed, as he called out. "Aye. But who be you that asks if anyone is there?" He chuckled as he turns towards where he had heard the females voice.

With slow steps, Andre moved deeper into the forest, already drawing out his res, keeping it in liquid form around his body, safe and silent. He cut it off as he felt it begin to spiral around his arms, cutting the wind around him like it was paper. The friction was reduced as Andre moved closer to the place where the female was hanging in the net. "Aye. Lady, do you need some aid?" The Knight would call up, his blue eyes upon the net. He was already seeking a way to get her down without harming her, as he sighs. "I am Ser Andresciel Magius, of the Syliran Knights. And who might you be, my trapped friend?" He called up to her as he spotted the place to hit.

He drew back his right hand, banishing the wind drill, and causing the wind to form a blade. He threw it with all of his might, watching as the Wind Dagger sliced through the rope holding the net into the air. Before it dropped, however, Andre had moved under it, allowing the female to fall safely into his arms.

[Qist Tiere]

OOC : I did for a bit there...work and practice decided to team up and ruin my life for a week or two. Anyhow, I'd prefer the thread to be closed with us four. It makes threading less cumbersome. But whatever you lot feel comfortable with...I'm just here to have fun. Qist let a laugh escape her parched lips. It was partially due to happiness from finally being found, but the sound she produced was mostly from amusement. What were the odds that more than one person had heard her? "Yes, there's someone here!" The femme attempted to turn her body, but resistance, as they say, was futile. Her clothing caught on all the petite knifes the net had weaved into its rope. She breathed some sort of profanity to herself, annoyed by her own ideas. "Why in the name of Kihala did I have to get the net with the damn pricks on the inside?" Because you're just so brilliant. "Well I wasn't planning on getting caught in my own trap!" She whispered her retort, as she had became rather alert by the sound of approaching footsteps. Oh peck! She thought, suddenly alarmed by the thought of being completely vulnerable to a stranger. What if they are a cannibal? Her heart began to pump fiercely. The redhead did not wish to become the dinner of a wandering pauper, so she did the only thing she could think of to defend herself at that moment: she balled her fists. Oh watch out! We've got a frightened 4-foot monster here! She'll deal a nasty punch to your shin, cannibal! Right as she was to respond to the voice, one of the other voices (the one that wasn't, for once, in her mind) broke through the shrubs. Her eyes darted to the man, evaluating his every move. "No, actually. I do rather enjoy hanging trapped in a net in my free time." Sarcasm: her last resort when she was afraid or intimidated. Her nerves, however, were calmed greatly by his introduction. He was a Syliran Knight. Qist laughed once more, never thinking she'd this happy-- or, for however brief the feeling was, fearful, as a matter of fact-- to see a knight. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Andresciel." A chuckle was sent his way as she looked around. "I'd shake your hand, but under the circumst--" Her words were cut off by a the sensation of falling. Before she could scream, however, she had already landed safely in this man's arms. Oh, how cliche... Waving away the pest inside her head, she smiled. "Or not." Her tattooed arm reached out, offering her hand as a greeting. "Qist Tiere."

[Aven]

The reply was definitely someone who spoke Common. Aven tightened his grip on the bow and started running after the voice. But he had no heard what exactly was said so he couldn't tell if the speaker was hurt or simply responding to his call. "Syliran Knights! Show yourself!" he called into the woods. The young squire crashed through the underbrush, looking for the speaker who had called out to him. His head darted left and right, eyes searching through the jumble of trees and undergrowth for any sign of human life. He wondered what to expect. The voice had sounded male but voices could be deceiving, coming from the woods. Aven wondered if it was a hunter, perhaps, who had gotten hurt. Then he started to worry about leaving his post at the road. But then, this did require investigation so.. he hoped very strongly that no one came by to check on him while he was off on this investigation. Then, as he was thinking about how securely he had tied Frownie's reins, Aven burst upon Qist and Andresciel, in their respective positions. For a second, he thought his eyes deceived him. A woman, being carried in the arms of a man, in the Bronze Woods? His face clearly betrayed his confusion at the scene in front of him. Somehow, it seemed... too strange. Was it real or merely an illusion? From the looks on their faces, Aven wondered if they might be thinking the same thing. "Who are you?" he demanded, bow and arrow visible. But his voice held little authority in it, only the confusion and nervousness of being faced with such an uncommon situation.

[Lynes]

Lynes heard a third voice enter the equation, but this one was far more distant than the first male was. He watched as the male turned left, mimicking his movements, the brindle wolf followed. He continued to follow the male until he could make out the conversation between the male he followed, apparently a knight of sorts as he had hoped. He cast some sort of magic and sliced the net that had trapped the girl that had originally beckoned for help. He watched as a third person entered the occasion, walking into the group of two and demanding names. He really didn't want to complicate this event even furthur. Stepping around the knight and to the left side of the woman, he entered the very edges of the knight's vision. Trying not to cause alarm he sat where he ended, Looking at the knight, trying to find his eyes while they instead inspected the woman. He didn't want to fight anyone, but he didn't want to expose his wolf form to two people who most likely resided in Syliras either. If he did then they could recognize him for both forms in the future and he didn't want to give them that power. So he sat, awaiting a response that he hoped wouldn't be extreme. After a long wait he very slowly lowered his head between his two front legs, a show of submission. He hoped if the knight could cast magic then he could understand such a simple sign. Lynes didn't know what he could do once the two recognized his presence and he didn't care. Perhaps after revealing their personalities he would shift back against his own will; Perhaps he would simply walk away. No matter what he did in the future, survival came first, this is where he believed surviving would start.

[Andresciel]

His sapphire blue eyes went first to the woman, then to the man holding the bow and lastly to the wolf. It just wasn't his day. He settled the woman on her feet, smiling at her before turning to the archer "I am Syliran Knight Andresciel Magius, of the White Company, Fourth Regiment, Gold Quadron. And You, son, are aiming an arrow at me." He pointed out before glancing at Qist beside him, "An honor madame." He stated as he turned to the wolf.

If he had been surprised at the appearance of Aven, Lynes startled him more as he blinked. He watched the wolf lay down before he smiled, "You need not fear boy. None here will hurt you." He said before stepping closer, "Andre be my name." A small black humming bird hovered over Lynes head "And that annoying fluff of feathers is Velenor." He watched the creature dash over to Aven, and then to Qist before it settled upon Andre's shoulders. "Now if you be Kelvic, I advise making it known somehow. Or just lay there and try not to eat us. I don't much want to be attacked by a wild animal." How sad that he did not yet know that in a few weeks time, he would be injured saving a beautiful woman from a lion in the wildlands.

oocThats just a link ahead to his injury. Nothing big