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 Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:03 am
{Insert random history crap here} *Too Lazy right now.*
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Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:07 am
Character Notes: In case I ever get around to putting them in.
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KnightLord Zero Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:50 am
Tristan was a part of a mercenary group. Though young, he was a skilled sword user. He preferred using his father's blade. It was the Turas family Heirloom, and a powerful blade. Some people thought it was dull, since it was gold; but that was a mistake not to make. When not fighting, the blade stayed sheathed. Tristan was rather tall for his age, he was the second tallest in their mercenary group; reaching six foot four. He had short blonde hair, and hazel eyes. Strapped on his left shoulder is a leather pauldron. His blue sleeveless shirt was tucked into his light brown pants. His leather boots, had a dagger strapped to its side.
Tristan was in a small mercenary group for a year now. Their leader, Byrna, was like a second mother to him. Giving him the guidance that he needed. She also pushed him to becoming stronger. "Its natural for a Turas to keep growing stronger." She would tell him. So they would only accept high paying jobs, in order to stay in top physical condition. Those who weren't able to take the pressure normally quit within the week, but those who remained became stronger. Their latest mission was to escort a large amount of gold to a Crimean bank. It wasn't too bad for once, the worst they had was a thief or a few brigands. Nothing serious, and it was good practice for the new recruits. Once they were paid for their mission they decided to head back home to Daien.
On their way back to Daein, they were ambushed. They fought hard but were no match to these assassins. Tristan watched as his comrades fell one by one, and then the assassins turned to him. For the first time he froze in fear. Not knowing what to do. He held out his sword to block as one of the assassins charged him. Suddenly blood splattered on his face. Tristan looked up to see what the cause was; it was his leader, she used her body to shield him from the blow. "No!" Tristan yelled as his leader's body hit the ground. The assassins turned on him once again, stabbing their daggers deep into his thighs, until a loud crack came from them.
Tristan yelled as he dropped to his knees. A female assassin, walked behind him mocking him. Then she slowly drove her dagger into his chest, and dug it to his heart where she pulled out; stating that she wanted him to suffer. She smiled as she slashed across his face, leaving a large gash across his face. Blood poured out of the gash, yet he could do nothing about it. He tried lifting his blade, but she rammed her knife into his shoulder causing him to drop it. The Assassins dragged him to a tree and leaned him up against it, letting him see what they had done to his comrades. Tears streaked down Tristan's eyes. The female assassin came up to him, she had his blade in her hands. She pinned him to the tree by stabbing the blade through his left shoulder and onto the tree. Afterwards they left, the only thing Tristan could hear was the woman's laughter.
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Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:57 am
For a time the surrounding land had been rather peaceful, this was not lost on Aki and she was grateful for it. After what seemed like an endless time of running and hide, avoiding humans and hiding herself away, she had discovered this cave at the top of a small mountain overlooking a wooded area. There was a river not far from the base and plenty of game in the valley below. A testament to her hunting skills, even though she’d only been there ten days, she had already managed to construct a nice bed out of wood, hide and grass. The only other signs of habitation were the fire pit and a large rock where she’d sit. She had not intended to even stay the ten days like she had, it was safest to travel but, what was the point now? She couldn’t go home with the mission a failure and the King and Queen dead and their whelp missing. She would not be accepted on the surface world, eventually she knew no matter where she went there was only death waiting.
Aki was pulled out of her reverie by the sounds of combat from the valley, this terrified her because it meant humans were nearby, possibly even slavers.At just over six feet, with a slim but lithe build, her deep sapphire eyes and silvery hair was a dead giveaway of what she was even if she hid her tail and wings. Kin moved with a natural grace equal to their noble birthright and a seemingly unnatural speed compared to a human. Sadly, she had never mastered the art of pretending to be human well and her every movement just screamed Kin. She crept to the edge of the cave and peered out into the valley, surveying the battle below her. As expected she recognized one group of the fighters, hunters from the Terenas Keep. A private army kept by its Lord which was now being used to slowly take over the country and rout the last of the surface Kin brought by the King and Queen. She watched as a young man was about to be cut down by the head assassin, only to be saved by the sacrifice of the group’s leader.
This surprised her deeply, for she’d seen a human consider such actions before. Humans were such selfish creatures after all, taking their homeland from them and driving the Kin underground like animals, making other Laguz slaves and servants. She turned away from the battle, deciding maybe it was safer to slip away in the din of the battle before they got her next. Yet, her eyes were irresistibility drawn to the fate of the young man now that did not turn and flee, instead still trying to fight and enduring the torture that made those of Terenas Keep so famous now. Humans sickened her; they never changed even after centuries had passed. The assassin pinned him the tree with his own blade and laughed about it, just as he had when killing the Royal family. She turned away; the scent of so much bloodshed would drive away the game and stain the area permanently. Aki noticed the band of assassins continue their journey westward deeper into Daein, she would head south and put as much distance between them as she could.
It was not like there was anything to pack; she carried some supplies and hunted for her food and water. As she slipped her way down the mountain as silently as if she was part of it, she considered looting the dead, after all they were dead. It wasn’t like they would not have stripped her of her hide if she was dead so what was the real difference? She edged along the valley and pitied the poor man that Assassin had gotten a hold of, Joan, Aki remembered her name to be. As she moved into the clearing the sound of breathing drew her from her self appointed task; the man on the tree was still alive! She froze, looking in fear at him. Something else got her attention then, three more of them were still alive, one being the leader and she was struggling to get up. Aki began to back away, before they discovered her but, it was already too late, the leader had spotted her. No words needed to be exchanged between the women; both just seemed to understand the fears of each other: Aki being discovered and the leader losing her whole group because she was not good enough.
Aki watched as the woman collapsed again, probably from her injuries. Now was the time to turn and run, still she felt a strange and newfound sense of duty, to take care of these seemingly innocent humans. She understood that it was more likely Joan had been after her and happened across them instead, it was Aki’s responsibility to at least do what she could. She went over to the leader, listening carefully for the sounds of breathing to pick out the dead from the living. “The… Young one… Tristan…” Aki looked from her to the boy on the tree. “Barely, I doubt he’ll live much longer. Not injured like that.” She shook her head, and was surprised when the eyes of the leader implored her to take care of him first. “I will do what I can then.” Aki knew what she could do was very limited indeed and being around four humans was such a risk. She rose from her crouch and walked over to him, gently laying her hand against his neck, there was still life in him, if little. “I am so, so sorry.” She murmured as she fumbled her way though freeing him from the tree, maybe it was his mercy he was unconscious.
Over the next week, Aki and the leader whose name was Bryna, took care of the two other men and Tristan. The other men recovered swiftly and Aki sent them just as swiftly on their way, for she did not trust them. Men could be swayed and her life, if discovered could make their very rich men. She did not trust Bryna all that much truthfully, though she seemed to at least have a sense of honour. It was difficult to keep even her around and with Tristan not recovering as he should; it was hard to get rid of her. There was certainly loyalty in her, Aki had to admit that. Finally Aki hit on something clever, telling Bryna that she should probably go warn the nearby towns of what happened and for them to prepare. She knew the men, for she could smell them on the wind from the cave still, they were only a day ahead after a two day start. Bryna didn’t seem to want to leave Tristan, at least until he’d recovered. “Look, it’s going to take him time to even be able to move. He’ll never fight again with the damage to his heart if he even survives. I’ve survived long enough on my own to be able to protect him and the longer you stay, the more likely we’ll be discovered. You have two other hapless members that clearly need your skills more then what you can provide Tristan right now. I’m not going to just abandon him the second you get out of sight.”
Aki could just tell that was what was preying on Bryna; would this woman take care of him? “I am the one with all the medical expertise, why do you think I will not stay in the villages anymore, too much bother.” It was a half truth, it had been her skills keeping him alive but, she’d never been to a village before. “They on the other hand are so witness they likely will get eaten by a bear or wildcat if you are not there to save them.” She had a point; they seemed to be pretty green and terrible at defending themselves or surviving in the wild. “You will take care of him…” She said both hesitatingly and imploringly at once. “Until he is well enough to travel yes,” Aki answered and then she knew she could get rid of him safely. Bryna turned and gathered her pack before leaving, worried for the newest recruit of her team and feeling like she’d failed them all.
Since Bryna’s departure a day ago, Aki could focus more on Tristan then making sure he was not discovered. He certainly was not healing as fast as she would have liked but, he was healing better then she’d expected and more surprisingly wasn’t dead. The gash on his face as going to scar, she wasn’t sure he’d ever fight again, it depended on if it was his sword arm Joan had stabbed the blade though, he’d lost a great deal of weight and muscle, and if anything worried Aki the most it was the deep cut in his chest. It was a miracle that the knife had not punctured his lungs. It had however; nicked his heart just enough that she knew it would always trouble him. She sensed that he was a fighter and always would be, such an injury would likely be his downfall and that stirred pity in her. She was lucky that no bones were broken, only fractured. She hoped the severed muscles and tendons healed correctly, she couldn’t be sure. All she could do for him was keep the bleeding down, infection away, make sure he didn’t starve to death and try her best to keep him comfortable.
She walked to the mouth of the cave and looked out over the valley, the game had become hard to find as the army of Terenas Keep had been mobilized and was heading their way, give it a day or two and they’d be here. The previous bloodshed had not helped their cause and even she had lost weight just trying to keep everything together. The broth in the pot over the stove was so thin, more water than anything else, she just didn’t have the skills to hunt in human form and with people about she could no longer shift safely, what was she going to do? Since there was not much to do but, wait for the broth to get warm again, she curled up on a hide on the floor and pondered what to do. Tristan could hardly be moved, without reopening his wounds or causing him pain. Even in the bed she knew he was probably not as comfortable as she wished… A thought came to her, why did she care? He was a human; she should just kill him and go. Likely if he knew what she was, he’d do the same. She knew it was honour that was keeping her here and for once she hated her noble dragon heritage.
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KnightLord Zero Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 2:55 am
Finally Tristan was able to open his eyes. "Wh-where am I?" He tried moving his left arm, but it was in too much pain. So he looked around the room, noticing that he was on a bed in a cave. Lifting his head, he noticed that his legs were bandaged. The golden blade rested by the fire pit. The blood was cleaned off it. There was a sharp pain in his chest, and on his face. With his right hand, he felt the bandages on his face and chest. They must have been put on within the hour. Tristan continued his search around the room, until his eyes caught a silver haired woman by the fire pit. "Are you the one who saved me?" Tristan's voice was still weak, but also gentle.
The silver haired woman turned around to see him. "She's beautiful..." Tristan thought to himself. Luckily the bandages were covering his now red cheeks. Shaking his head, he looked back up at the woman. "Thank you miss for taking care of me." Tristan closed his eyes. "Was their any other survivors." He asked, fearing the answer that she was about to give. Instead, she told him that their were three other survivors. He gave a sigh of relief. Being over joyed that Byrna was still alive. Tristan finally opened his eyes again to see that she was now standing over him. "Forgive me for being rude, but I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Tristan Turas, I'm a mercenary under Byrna." He took a deep breath. "What is your name?" Tristan's words grew to a whisper. The pain was too great to keep a conversation going for long.
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Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:06 am
"I am afraid you would be best suited to thinking of another line of work Tristan, I doubt you'll be able to fight again... At least not near as well as you used to." Aki stated bluntly, unnerved by the gentle tone he carried and the fact he was awake. "I was yes, the one that rescued you and your allies; your leader Bryna and two other men. I know what happened down in the valley, I saw the slaughter from this cave here." She rose, appearing at his side, seemingly confused at the fact he had some manners... for a human. When he asked her name, that was the end of his questions.
"Who I am is not important, safer if you did not know in fact." Aki stated quickly as she studied him for a few moments. "What is important right now is that you focus on getting well, the Terenas army is on the move and I wouldn't be surprised if they found us. You cannot fight and I haven't a clue on how to use that sword of yours, been here too long as it stands." She sighed softly, knowing her anger was not suited to take out on him. "That is my charge however, not yours." She looked tensely at the mouth of the cave, swearing she heard something.
"Rest now, I am not a skilled healer, I can do so little about your pain. For this I am so sorry; it has taken all I know to even keep you alive. I do not know if your heart will heal properly, it was not enough to kill you outright, just enough to damage it, possibly permanently." She sounded surprisingly remorseful about what she was telling him, considering how blunt she'd been before. "You've just been injured too severely Tristan, you need time and rest." There was the sound of several stones and dirt falling to the stone below. Her eye was surprised to notice that even as hurt as he was, his attention to her was absolute; he was well aware that she sensed something amiss.
"Get some sleep, there is nothing to worry about." She said as she crept to the mouth of the cave and peered outside, sniffing the air and listening tensely to the sounds of the valley below her. "They are on the move again, closer now, not even a day way..." Aki returned to the fire to check on the broth and ponder over what was the wisest course of action; he would be dead if caught with her and dead if she left him. Self preservation or loyalty... Where would she stand against this coming threat?
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KnightLord Zero Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:02 pm
Tristan closed his eyes, but couldn't sleep. Something was wrong and Aki wasn't telling him. In a way he was thankful for it. But something was telling him to get her out of here. "But how can I. My body is in no condition to fight and I'll be too slow for her.. Should I tell her to leave me?" Tristan thought. "She has shown me so much kindness, and she didn't abandon me." Tristan looked over at his sword, and slowly was getting an idea of what to do.
It took all his strength to roll off the bed, and catch himself with his right hand. Squinting in pain as he crawled to his sword. "Almost there..." He was breathing heavily, but the only thing on his mind was to get out of here with Aki. Slowly lifts himself up and puts most of his weight on the sword's hilt. He was able to walk, using the sword as a crutch. He found Aki outside, she seemed to be deep in thought. "Miss.. you want to leave, yes?" Slowly approaching her. "I seen the worry in your eyes, I may be young but I'm not ignorant." He begins to walk away from the cave, away from Daien. Only to stopping to pick up a long stick. He sheathed his blade, and started using the stick to support his weight instead.
Tristan gazed back to see that she didn't budge. "Miss, by the look in your eyes I can tell that we need to leave and quickly." He said; Not moving a muscle until she started to follow him. "Before you ask miss, I am a sell sword. But I'm also a Turas.." He began to cough violently, but it didn't slow him down. "You saved me miss... for that I am eternally grateful." Tristan looks back at her. "My sword arm is still strong... luckily. My body may be damaged, but miss I want to help you... and repay you." After that was said, he began walking again.
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Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:36 pm
Aki paid him little mind, she could smell her now and now understood why she was what she was. She did not even notice him until he was at her side; she she looked more surprised then before. "Tristan..." She could feel how much pain this was causing him and Aki was fearful for him, it might be too much strain and with his heart hardly healed. This she could not allow, it was unsafe for him. His reasoning was sound, leaving was their only option and needed to be done now if she could only get him away from here before she came. "We do." It did not take her more then a minute to put out the fire and pack a few things before he joined him.
Aki said little while they moved out, her attention was drawn to him at the cough but, he pressed on anyway. "I have not saved you yet." Was her comment as she dropped back a little, catching the scent on the wind. "Then whatever you do Tristan, do not look back." Without another word her pack fell to the ground and her punch landed squarely to Joan's face. "Thought I smelled you." Aki was surprised to see that her punch had little effect on the woman who had in moments delivered a well executed sweep kick, grabbed Aki mid fall and threw her several feet away to the ground.
"So the kid is not dead after all? You are surprising that much I attest to. You could have been great you know, but we are not recruiting." She drew her own curving blades, "hand over the sword and I might consider letting you live." Before Tristan could even ready his sword, Aki had lept on Joan and tried to throw her in a sleeper hold, only to find herself thrown over Joan's back and just missing Tristan by inches. "Impossible!" Aki muttered scrambling to her feet looking to the woman. "Is it?" Joan stated boredly as she dodged Tristan and went after Aki, who was backing away from Tristan and leading Joan away from him while deflecting her slashes. The reflexes of the two women were almost untrackable to the eye.
For a minute they seemed deadlocked until Joan managed to land a deep gash to Aki's forearm, the blade came out covered in a thick silvery liquid. "I thought you were... Not one of them are you? Living history before me I see." Aki looked to Tristan, the blood was not red but, a light silver, he could not fail to notice this. "And you are a half breed, so we are certainly even right?" Joan nodded and Aki knew she had to run, lead her from Tristan before she got a hold of his blade. "If you want me, then come and claim me!" Aki pivoted and bolted, just as swiftly it seemed Joan was right on her tail, the human could wait for another time.
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KnightLord Zero Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 12:47 am
"These are only flesh wounds miss... they will heal over time." Tristan coughed violently again. Out of no where she said to not look back. "W-why?" That's when Tristan heard the fight break loose. Tristan listened to Aki though, and didn't turn around. Although he wanted to badly. He would only get in Aki's way. "Why am I so weak..." He thought. Suddenly a unforgettable voice was heard. The voice that belonged to the female assassin that took pleasure in torturing him. Tristan froze as she continued to talk. Slowly he placed his right hand on the blade's hilt, getting ready to draw it at any second.
That's when he looked to the ground to see Aki. She looked angry as she hopped up and charged the woman once again. "Aki..." Tristan's eyes were filled with worry. That's when their dance began. Aki was swiftly deflecting her blades, and gracefully dodging her attacks. Their movements were so swift that he could hardly see them. "Are they even human?" He thought. That's when he saw it, the assassin dug her curved blades into Aki's arm. What surprised him was the color of Aki's blood. Instead of being red, it was a light silver. "She's no beorc." Tristan thought, but that didn't bother him. She was hurt, that was his only concern.
Tristan was confused when Aki began to run away from him, letting the assassin follow her. "Why would she do this for me?" He thought. But there was no time for that now, he had to help Aki. Even if he was weak, he could still do something. Slowly he began heading in their direction, hoping that he would be able to get their before it was too late. Although each step seemed to get harder and harder, he found strength in helping Aki. He couldn't explain it, but he felt the urge to protect her from harms way. Yet, Aki proved that she could easily best him in a fight. He still wanted to protect her.
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Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:54 am
By the time Tristan found Aki and Joan, both were locked in combat at the foot of the valley. Surprisingly, Aki had found herself a thick and somewhat pliable staff out of a branch and was fighting back against Joan with a lot more vigor then when Tristan had been around. "So, you're a branded? I suspect Goldoa dragon, since you knew your history." Joan laughed, looking to Aki. "Sub-human traitor! Cowards, ran and hid when my father fought and slaughtered the humans, carving out Goldoa as a symbol of your might! Now look at you, living under the earth like spineless worms, catering to the will of man! That's why you wont ditch the dead weight right? You cannot be found by either kind and I doubt he knows what you are..."
Both woman circled the other, staying bladed to the other refusing to present an opening. "It is safer for him to remain unknowing. His life is forfeit if he knew, its people like you that make it impossible and dangerous for him to be around me. Our King once believed that maybe this world was ready for our return, it is not." It was Aki that broke the stalemate first and rushed Joan, Aki had picked up on the scent of Tristan and wondered if humans really had no sense. Joan seeing the rush sheathed her left dagger and rushed Aki, dropping into a slide and grabbing the staff, taking her down using her own momentum.
Joan was up first and went right for Tristan's blade. Before he could even act she'd dodged behind him, wrapped her hand around the hilt and drove her knee into his spine, throwing him to the ground while his fall unsheathed the blade in time for her to bring it up and drive it into Aki's ribs. Time seemed to stop there as the silvery blood patterned down the blade. Aki looked down to Tristan, coming to understand the stories were true. "Dragonsbane, even you Tristan?" Aki pulled herself off and fled, distrusting even him now.
"Perfect. Have to thank you kid, you are such a witless wonder, everyone knows dragons weak are to yellow gold. Only thing that cuts through their hide clean enough to make skinning them worth a fortune. Please do yourself a favor and don't get up, I have to go track your-" Joan was cut off by the fact she was no longer there but, on the other side of the valley and picking herself up. There was a snarl from above Tristan as Aki's tail flicked back again, hitting Joan had felt good. "A silver one, now there's something you don't see in Goldoa often! You'll be worth almost double for certain." Aki snorted, her breath cold against Tristan's body.
Aki moved forward as Joan pulled off her gloves and whistled, it was high and piercing. Aki knew the notes and snarled again, both women studied the other intently, waiting to see who would make the first move. It was Joan this time as she rushed Aki, barely dodged her jaws and jammed the blade into the dragon's collarbone. From there she kicked off Aki herself and flipped up onto her back, driving one of her own daggers into Aki's back and wrenching out the blade hacked away at Aki's neck. It was a spot Aki could not reach and the gold was making short work of her scales. It must have hurt dearly, except Aki knew better then to make a sound and help the army find them. Her tail too short, she couldn't claw her or bite her, it was looking dire for Aki if she couldn't think of a way to shake her soon, her neck was bleeding badly already.
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KnightLord Zero Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:50 am
MiTristan watched as the two continued to fight. Something was urging him to press forward, to help Aki. That's when it happened. Aki was taken down by the assassin; the Assassin was also the first to get up. Once she was up she jumped behind Zero; wrapping her hand around the hilt before smashing her knee into his back, causing him to fall over on the ground. She drew his blade, and stabbed Aki. Tristan's face went pale, as he gazed down at Aki; paying no attention to the assassin. "Aki forgive me..." This was all his fault, and he new it. Aki was injured because of his blade, because of his decision to come to her aid.
She told him to stay on the ground, but before she could finish her sentence she was sent flying by a silver tail. "What in the world.." He gazed up to see a silver dragon standing over him. Her breath sent chills down his body. But he only had time to look into her eyes, before she went back to attacking the assassin. All he could do was watch helplessly as they fought. "I must do something..." Slowly he rose from the ground. Looking up he saw what the assassin was doing. That's when he snapped. "Get away from her!" He jumped onto the dragons back, and sank his teeth deep into her neck. She screamed, and began jabbing at his ribs. But Tristan quickly wrapped his left arm around her and sunk his teeth deeper into her neck.
Now that he had a hold of her, he swiftly drew the knife from his boot and dug it into her right thigh. Twisting it, until he heard a loud cracking noise. When he heard the crack, he pulled up with his head; taking a large chunk out of her neck before jumping off the dragon with her. Tristan rammed his knee into her kidneys and threw her back. Spitting out the chunk of flesh, Tristan walked in front of Aki and glared down at the woman. "If I were you, I'd run away. You're not going to win with a injured leg." Tristan said as he watched her attempt to walk away.
That's when he turned around to look at Aki. "Forgive me... this is all my fault. " Tristan lowered his head. "Let me help you.." Tristan, slowly removed his blade from her collarbone, making sure it didn't hit anything else. Then he hopped back onto her back, and removed the daggers. "Can you please revert?" Tristan said weakly as blood dripped down his chin. Aki shifted back, and Tristan took off his sleeveless shirt. He ripped it evenly three times. "Hold still miss..." Tristan wrapped her wounds tightly with his shirt and studied her. He sheathed his blade, and lifted her into his arms. "You are in no condition to walk. I'll carry you until its time to stop..." Tristan continued walking, with Aki still in his arms.
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Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:58 pm
"None of this was your fault" Aki said softly, "you know what I am now." She had actually stepped away when she reverted, torn between running away and trying to protect him. He was weak from the exertion, this she could tell and the army would not be far away now summoned by Joan. "We really should-", pausing when he began to cut down his shirt. As soon as he came near she tensed and half readied herself, distrusting him. When he began to wrap her wounds, she could not hide her surprise and confusion. He would be admittedly the first human that ever handled her and most would have said it would have been Tristan's death, instead Aki fainted for the first time that she could remember.
She wasn't sure how long she was out for, she hoped it was not long. One thing troubled her as she came around, it was Tristan's heart. "Tristan..." She murmured quietly, looking up at him. "You cannot do this, its too much stress on your body, you're barely healed as it was." Only then did she remember his wounded shoulder and she was so fearful for him, she was light but, still if he tore anything it would be a huge set back. Then something else struck her, her pack with their supplies was back there. "We have to stop, I have to go back for my bag." She looked up at him, "there are some herbs in there that do not grow upon this surface that I've been using to combat infection. You need them, without them I don't have a way to help you heal and you're likely starving..." She knew she'd have to try and hunt for them.
It was unsafe to break camp and it was unsafe to press on with the pair of them as badly hurt as they were. Aki was startled to find herself exhausted and rather content in his arms; even if he was a little to warm for her icy taste, she was several degrees lower then he was. "It really is not your fault, that night... I think they were searching for me and happened over you and your party. If I had picked a different area, then maybe you might have slipped away unnoticed. However, once you're well enough, I am going to have to send to back to Bryna. Even you must understand that it is far too dangerous for you to be around me, people would pay a great fortune for me and having you around is risky. They might hurt you to get my location out of you or use you against me." She was trying to break it to him gently, though it seemed she was failing at it.
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KnightLord Zero Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 3:09 pm
Tristan continued to walk on when she passed out. He didn't stop at all, and continued through the forest for what seemed like three hours. Although exhausted, he knew what would happen if they were to stop now. After the third hour had passed, Aki began to stir in his arms. Tristan looked down at her, smiling. "Hello sleepy head." Tristan said gently. She had a worried look in her eyes, and told him that he should not be doing this. Tristan nodded his head in agreement, but refused to set her down. "Miss, you are in no condition to be walking right now. You're collarbone is still injured, and your back.. I'm sorry." He continued walking.
She said that they had to go back for her bag."We cannot go back for it. The chances of them setting up a ambush is really high. Its best to keep pressing forward. We'll stop by the river to clean our wounds and wash the blood out of our clothes." Tristan closes his eyes and begins to think. He remained silent as she tried to convince him of going back, stating that it was too dangerous to be with her. Which made him laugh. "Miss, life is a dangerous game; we never know what's going to happen next." Tristan looks down at Aki. "Do you really think I can go back? I attacked the assassin who is in league with the army. If I go back, I'll be trailed for treason and will be executed within the week." Tristan told her.
Her body was freezing, so Tristan held her closer; trying to use his own body heat to keep her warm. It felt right with her in his arms, although they were in severe pain. Just holding her in his arms made him happy. Although he tried his best to remain as serious as possible. Constantly looking around, making up a somewhat lie by saying he was searching for a good spot to rest. Soon the sound of a flowing river could be heard. "We're almost their." Tristan said. Finally they got to the river. It seemed calm enough to cross. Slowly he set Aki on the ground, and knelt. "Hop on my back, and hold on tight." Tristan told her. She refused at first, stating he'll only hurt himself. Tristan looked up at her. "We will be safe for at least a night if we cross the river. Passed this river we will be in Crimea territory, and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't start something there; not yet at least." Tristan told her.
Finally Aki agreed to it, and got onto his back; wrapping her arms around his neck. Tristan used his left arm to hold her up on his back, so it would be less stress on her. Slowly he began to walk through the water, becoming deeper with every step until it got up to his stomach. "I'll have to swim the rest of the way, so hold on tight." With that Tristan pushed himself forward, and began to swim. It was difficult, and very tiring but he had to do it. Although he was limited to only one arm, he was able to make it across the river without any difficulty.
"Miss, I need to rest..." He was breathing heavily, but once again knelt down so Aki could get off him. With that Tristan laid on his back, and closed his eyes. "Welcome to Crimea... well a Crimean forest that is." He began to cough once again. "Miss, give me an hours rest. Then we will head off. Until then, you should clean your wounds. No worries, I will go rest behind this tree." Tristan forced him self up, and slowly walked behind the tree. Carefully setting himself down and leaning his back up against the tree before drifting off to sleep.
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Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 5:38 pm
Aki took this moment to do exactly the opposite, she headed into the river and she herself swum back. Aki was a Dragonkin, she had taken so much worse from her own kind. She knew Tristan did not fully understand the extent of her powers or that there was no safe place for her in any country, though now that he was in Crimea he was more then likely safe enough. He could rest and heal, maybe find work as a Merc or something else. The swim was easy enough and she covered the three hour distance in two. Alert and tense, she moved as swiftly as her injuries would allow her. She was just going to get her bag and get gone, maybe head to one of the islands on the far side of Daein.
She could smell the blood, they were not far from where they'd just been fighting a few hours ago. The smell of the army was near, she had to be silent about this. It did not take her long to find her bag and tie it on, she was making her way to the other side of Daein when she tripped over a sleeping guard, probably the one that was supposed to be watching her bag in the first place. "Damnu air!" She cursed as he looked up in surprise at her. She turned and ran as he whistled, already she could feel the horses breaking into a run after her, she'd have to admit the human was right.
It didn't take her more then a few minutes to realize she was not going to be able to out run these people, they were hunters of Lagaz, possibly cats. Their mounts were swift and seemingly tireless, she had one choice, she took to the air. Skirting the tree tops, she was quicker then they but, more exposed. She knew it wouldn't be long before she'd hit an archer or two. Why she was heading for Crimea was foolish, but maybe she could find some shelter there. They hunted her relentlessly, the only problem was she'd have to break cover to make it over the river and for the last mile and a half they'd been shooting at her. They'd only gotten her once and it had not been bad enough to worry about.
She broke cover and as she did, spied the bow paladin too late to do anything. He was ready for her and his aim was true, the shot lodged into her wing joint, now she couldn't fly; she certainly did fall well enough. The ground met her a lot harder and faster then she expected, actually stunning her. It didn't take them long to surround her, one even attempted to spear her with his lance. He missed but just barely, she pushed herself up and was not surprised to find her wing broken. It didn't matter now, all that mattered was getting over the river. One of them was smart enough to shoot her in the back, not enough to take her own, just enough to make her swim that much more painful. Ungracefully she crawled up the bank only to find an arrow just missed her skull and the unlucky archer was getting yelled at.
This did not stop the others from shooting at her from the bank. Aki forced herself up and sprinted into the forest, out of their range before they killed her. Leaning against a tree she wrenched out the arrows they had stuck her with, trying to judge how long she'd been gone by the sun, maybe three and a half or four. It was getting dark and she was bleeding, it wouldn't take long for any carnivorous creatures to find and kill her; never mind that she could not fly!
Aki sighed and rested her head against the bark of the tree, finding herself worried about Tristan now. Had he been fool enough to go after her? If the army got him, they would use him against her. Was it possible he was just behind one of these trees or was he well gone into Crimea and safe like she hoped? A few moments to collect herself and she'd make an effort to go looking for him..." She closed her eyes and half fell asleep, half passed out from her previous and now the new wounds.
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KnightLord Zero Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:34 pm
Tristan woke up a couple hours later. Using the tree to lift himself up, and once up he kept his back to the tree. "Miss, have you finished washing up yet?" He yelled. Waiting several minutes before getting no reply. "Somethings not right..." He thought to himself. Quickly he turned from his tree to see no Aki, but something far worse. Moving back behind the tree before they noticed him. "What in the world is going on!" He thought to himself. He didn't move a muscle for at least thirty minutes. Checking to see if the coast was clear, Tristan noticed that they were gone. With a sigh of relief he looked to the ground and saw a trail of blood.
"Miss..." Tristan whispered, as he walked down the path of blood. The farther he followed the trail, the more worried he became. "What happened to her? Is she okay?" Were the only thoughts in his mind. Finally Tristan reached the end of the trail, to see her sleeping and to see a figure approaching. It walked on fours, and hid in the shadows. Tristan quickly drew his blade and slowly approached Aki. That's when it attacked, pouncing out of the shadows and slashing its claws into Tristan's right side. Turning around, he was able to identify the beast. It was a large mountain lion.
Tristan, covering the wound on his side with his left hand, got into his stance and studied the beast. Staying as calm as possible, he gazed deep into the lion's eyes. Waiting for it to make the first move. After a minute of circling Tristan, the mountain lion pounced one again. This time Tristan jumped out of the way, and drove his blade into its side; stabbing deep inside the mountain lion. Quickly withdrawing his blade from its side, and watches it fall onto the ground. He noticed that it was still barely breathing. "I'll end you're suffering..." With a quick slash, Tristan decapitated the animal; ending its pain.
Afterwards, he walked next to aki, and noticed that she was bleeding badly. He also noticed the wings. "So you are a dragon..." Smiling, he drew his dagger and walked back towards the lion. Carefully skinning it and disemboweling it. "Never had mountain lion before." He chuckled as he looked down at his work. To keep the skin off the ground, he threw it onto a tree branch for now. Then he began to work on a fire to keep them warm for the night, and to tan the skin and cook the meat. Using his knife to cut away the fat and to debark a few sticks. "I hate to waste such a meal..." Tristan said as he pierced the meat with the stick and held it over the fire. "I also wish I had a pan to cook this on... but we must work with what we got."
Tristan put Aki's peace on a taller stick, so it would cook slower. "She'll need water...:" Tristan thought, as he looked around for something to carry it in. Their was nothing though, he had nothing. "I'll have to take her to the river soon." He sighed, as he began to poke at his meat. Taking the first bite into it. It was rough and chewy. But it was all they had and he was happy with it. Once he finished his piece, Tristan stood up, and took the lion's skin down so he could work with it. It took him an hour, but he was able to make a blanket. Although it didn't look too nice, it would serve its purpose by keeping her warm. Kneeling at her side, Tristan tucked her legs and hips in the blanket. Leaving the upper part loose for her wings.
Gently brushed his hand through her soft silvery hair. "Don't worry miss... I will protect you from harms way." After saying that, Tristan walked over to the fire to try and stay warm. He leaned up against the tree, and laid his blade beside him. He wasn't going to rest until he knew she was safe. Soon the fire died out; he was too exhausted and cold to make a new one. Two hours later, he was finally able to sleep. Knowing that they wouldn't pursue onto Crimean soil just yet.
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