Aira smiled as she looked around the clearing she had inhabited for the day. It was not often she took the chance to pratice her magic. The weather was nice and the sun making it past the trees warmed to her skin. She concentrated about fire forming in her hands. She smiled as she saw it happen quickly as it had been of late. She would make a mage out of herself yet she thought as the flame vanished.
"Darn it! Almost had it"
Aira tried again and this time sent it at the rock target she had made. It hit and made a flash before extinguishing on lack of fuel. She cringed as she remembered the tree she hit and started aflame not to long ago. She was getting better, just not that much better. She started at it again hoping to hit her target again.
Tyr arrived at the spot he had been told to, and had been watching the women who was about to hire him. He wanted to know exactly what he was getting into, he found very few people trust worthy. Finally he stepped out of the shadow, his armor nearly glowing in the sun and his white markings made to stand out even more by the light.
"I'm assuming you are Aira," He said, his voice low and husky, almost stern sounding. He didn't tell her how long he had been there, and he didn't name his price as most men for hire did. He had to know the details of the job, he never went into a situation blind.
Aira jumps a bit at his appearance sending her fire sprialing at a tree which thankfully only singed. She recovers and manages to get out some words. " That I am" She manages to get out as she looks out and takes in the sight of the man. She fiddles with her hands as she realizes this must be the man who was suppose to help her.
" Yes, Yes, Are you the one who i corresponded with?" She said a bit nervous. She didn't like meeting strange people in the woods, but she found here self here on rumors of something that could help her and couldn't do it alone. She didn't normally go on adventures like this.
"Tyr," he replied simply, his white eyes taking her in, memorizing her. He honestly didn't trust mages, having had a bad experience with one in the past. He figured though, he could take this one, his armor was fire proof.
"Why are you nervous?" He asked simply, noticing her nervous fidgets, making her appear suspicious. His hand naturally went to the sword on his back, not knowing if this was a trap. He was always suspicious of traps, having been set up in several before.
It was the right person. She was so glad, her nervousness went away until his hand went for his sword. " Sorry, I just haven't done this sort of thing before. I tracked down the rumors of where we need to go as somewhere near by. It should be in a cave or ruin near by depending on which rumor you go by." She hoped mentioning the reason he was here would convince him to not attack her. She had heard of men for hire who would rob their would be employers. She sincerely hoped this man wasn't one of those.
" I know if we head east, We will find it, of course who knows what else might be there. "
She resisted the urge to put her hand near her longsword.
He motioned with his hand to the east, as if telling her to lead the way. Tyr had not issue with killing but he was somewhat honorable, and a man of his word. He would never kill the person who was trying to hire him, unless he had a reason. Like if the person was a slaver, he frowned as the thought crossed his mind. Tyr absolutely hated slavers.
Tyr's armor started to clink slightly as he stretched, watching Aira, waiting for her to start to move. The longer he was near her, the more of a sense he got of the girl. She didn't appear to be a threat, she appeared more of the innocent, afraid to kill a roach type of person.
She sort of stood there for a few seconds before realizing what he meant. She then quickly grabbed her bag and began to walk towards the east. "So you do this sort of thing often?" He was the straight to business type, it appeared, but he seemed nice in his own way. She had had many thoughts to how the man who responded to her request might of been and she was glad none of them came to be true.
She of course couldn't believe her question after it left her mouth, of course he did... Well it was out there. She just smiled and kept her eyes ahead, trying not to run into any trees, not that she ever had that problem.
Tyr let the fact that he was there answer her question. Most people beginners at his precession wouldn't start out with this kind of job. There are too many unknowns and chances for traps and dark magic. Especially for a hidden object the is magic it's Self.
Tyr's mother use to always say, what is hidden and locked away is usually done so for a reason, and only fools would go after such a prize.
"Do you know any spells that wood be protecting this object?" He asked simply, his mind on getting the job done with out any injuries or casualties.
Before the girl could answer Tyr tackled the girl, landing on top of her, shielding her unarmored body with his. Several arrows shot above them right as they hit the hard ground.
"I'll take that as we're getting close."
She had an answer, and was about to say it but then he was on top of her. She didn't know what to think, one second they were civil next he was tackling her. She squirmed out from under him to find out why. There were some not so friendly faces nearing her. She cursed as she rolled to avoid another arrow. She sort of panic'd and didn't know what to do, as she rolled again. She need to think, as she tried to imagine fire again, hoping she could throw it at someone. She rolled again and this time fired a stream of fire at the bowman, hitting his bow which promptly lit on fire. with luck he was burnt too she thought.
Tyr was up in a matter of moments, running fearlessly into the for of the archers. Tyr pulled his large two handed sword from his back, slashing through the archers. The sick sound of the crunching bone and squirting blood filled the area as Tyr mad a quick work of the men.
Tyr then turned and looked at Aira, he was covered in dark crimson blood.
"Are you okay?" He asked, offering her a hand up. Though his voice was stern and husky, it did offer a hint of concern.
Aira couldn't believe the ease he seemed to dispatch the archers she barely remembered to fight. She took his hand and brushed herself off. " Thank you so much! " She was obviously shaken, " I think I am fine.. " She looked her self over and noticed a couple light scratches from the tackle,she also saw how close to being shot she had been, and cringed. " I can see why i needed you, I would of been a goner. "
She seems still a tad in shock and then seems to get over it. Aira approaches the bodies and looks over them sheepishly. She gingerly approaches one and timidly searches for gold or anything else of value but finds herself sick soon as she finds her hand in gash. She falls backwards in surprise and vomits off to the side losing the wonderful lunch she had had hours before.
Tyr lightly chuckled at her, she clearly wasn't a fighter, and he didn't even know why she carried a sword. He walked back to the bodies, finding their coin purses and tossing them to her. He also grabbed a some what clean cloth, wiping as much blood off him and his sword as he could. Tye then tossed Aira his own personal handkerchief, figuring she would want to get the blood off her herself, and wipe her mouth.
"No use to death mage?" He replied, much more of a statement then a question. He adjusted his armor and placed his sword back on his back, popping his back as he did so.
"Lets keep moving shall we."
She blushes as she recovers and takes the handkerchief cleaning her mouth and her hand. She looks at it and notes it is not from the bandits. " Thank you..". she remembers a little bit of magic her mother taught her to clean bits of cloth, Useful for stains. She mutters something and its as if she had never used it for cleaning up blood.
Aira handed it to him, hoping he appreciated the state of it. " Well... No... " She sighs, Training was one thing... it was another, to actually fight a foe. She was more glad she had paid for Tyr to help. She started walking back towards their direction. she transferred the coin purses into hers and placed it back on her person and threw the extra bags in her sack. She couldn't believe she had had such a reaction. Way to impress she thought.
Tyr didn't take the handkerchief back, "Keep it, with your weak stomach I'm sure you will need it more then I," he replied, the most he had said at one time since they had met. He looked the bodies over one last time before finally turning and following her, his eyes analyzing everything around them.
It was true, if he wasn't there she would have died, not even an hour into her journey. He knew they had to be with in a mile of this place, old stone ruins started to become more and more frequent.
Aira was a bit offended by that mark, hopefully she didn't need it again. She gave him a bit of a dirty look and then kept walking. She grew excited at the sight of the buildings. She couldn't believe it, she had found the place. Her pace quickened and her face showed her excitement. She tried to temper it down, and kept her hand on her sword with a spring in her step still, Knowing that most likely the closer they got the more likely they would find more trouble.
The ruins had grow quite thick, They seemed to be approaching a large building or two. One was a tower, while the other a large building. Aira looked to Tyr to see if he had any thoughts about how they should approach. She paused taking in the sight, the architecture still partly intact was still wonderful.
Tyr grabbed her shoulder, stopping her from moving forward. He wasn't a rogue, but he was good at spotting traps. He squatted down, inspecting the ground.
"This isn't good," he spoke more to himself then to her. The ground was full of traps. He could tell there were pressure plates and gods know what else.
"Are you sure that this object is worth it, it's worse then you had originally thought it would be," she said looking up at her from his squatting stance.
Aira stopped and observed him squatting. " It is worse? how so? " She looked around not seeing anything out of the ordinary. " It is valuable to me, I would like it plus we have made it this far. It can't be that bad. " She looked at him with her best pleading look. Aira thought to her self.
" I can help with my magic if you want... " She squatted down to try to see what he saw. " I don't see anything... What am I looking at?"
"You truly are helpless," he mumbled, he then started pointing out certain spots, "Those are pressure plates, step on those and only gods know what will happen, and I'm sure there are other traps I'm missing, I'm not too knowledgable on ancient traps. The only reason I can spot these is that they haven't changed over the years."
Tyr sighed, standing, thinking about how they should go about going forward. He crossed his strong arms, his face filled with determination as he pondered ideas.
Aira sighed as Tyr pointed out the traps. She was some adventurer it seemed. " I could throw some rocks... shoot some fire at them. We could walk around... and look for a place with less traps... " She looked around seeing what he meant about traps. How did she not notice those... Her green eyes moved around looking from place to place. " what if..." She froze she thought she might notice some sort of path and then shook her head " never mind I suppose it would never be that easy. "
She debated throwing fire at a pressure plate for no other reason than to try, but then thought again as surely that would be something stupid.
Tyr sighed, "I wouldn't suggest throwing anything at the pressure plates, you don't know, what they will do, but if you see a way,be my guest lead the way, you are the Mage after all," he spoke, his words were only held a hint of condescension.
He figured she would have studied the texts of the place and be more familiar with finding a way safely inside. He knew he should of hired a rogue for this. He mentally bashed himself for a moment before pulling himself together. He motioned with his hand, pointing her to lead the way.
Aira sighed and noticed a symbol she had seen before, and then saw it in some other places. She quickly set her bag against Tyr and grabbed a book. Aira looked in it and read what looked like some strange language. "Hmm Your right.. they do mention something about a way. It seems to speak of some path or way, depending on the translation you use. " She then jumped on one of the pressure plates after putitng her sack and book back on her back.
It was a relief when nothing happened. " See I was right! " She almost lost her balance and moved to the next one in a hurry as a way to not step on a wrong one. "See its easy" Aira was just glad it seemed to work out. She looked for the next one and was a bit embarassed for a few minutes until she found the next plate. " Well come on! adventure is calling. "
"More like death," he mumbled, speaking more to himself then his employer. He followed her n silence, just one step behind her. He started to notice a lot of symbols that looked extremely close to the ones that they stood on. So he started watching were Aira was stepping, double checking her to make sure she wasn't going to step on the wrong thing and end up killing herself, or both of them. He started to him softly to himself, he reached out and grabbed Aira out of instinct.
He saw her foot head to the wrong symbol, "I don't think you want to step there mi'lady," he spoke, his warm and surprisingly gentle hands lingering on her waist for a moment, making sure she still had her balance.
This grab didn't catch her by surprise at all, Aira was really glad he was here as she noted that he was right. " Good catch" She was thankful for his lingering grasp as she caught her balance. She hated to admit it but he was the only reason she was here. she would be sitting full of arrows or something right now. "hmm well then " She stepped on the right one and noticed there wasn't many left as she stepped on the stair. She then smirked and looked to Tyr and then pulled out her book, she was learning. " Hmm.... It seams, that the next challenge is really fun " She laughed and looked at the door. That was the fun part, it had an intricate lock that looked something out of a arcana book.
Aira wiggled her fingers over parts of the locks and then did something over a symbol. That was when noises sounded as several layers of gears and magic opened the door slowly, air full of dust and age filled her senses as she looked in, it was full of tatter books and strange looking objects most of them probably trapped as she guessed. " Well I say you lead the way in. " Truth be told she didn't trust her self to not see a trap or something.
Tyr sneezed when the doors opened, shaking his head slightly in an attempt to clear it. He took his time as she looked in the room, letting his eyes slowly run over everything, absorbing the scene very slowly.
Again he squatted down, taking a good look at the floor, figuring that's where the first traps would lie. Most people at this point wouldn't expect traps until they found the item.
"Don't touch anything," he warned simply before taking an extremely causious step I to the room.
"We are looking for a couple things, though mainly a book about elven magic." She thought that was obvious but figured he had a point for stating it. Aira followed him and saw some stairs that led to up. They looked mostly stable. The room looked like the lock and traps had kept most if not all out. "I wonder how many of these books and things have to tell us! I trust you to get us upstairs and into the tower, as that is most likely where anything to do with magic its. I don't understand mages and towers But they seem to go together.
Tyr didn't move, "I'm not moving until I know exactly what I'm looking for and what it looks like, the longer we're in here the more likely it is that you will be killed," He spoke, his words stern and demanding.
"I assure you there are more traps with in this building, so do not think yourself out of the woods yet," He continued, turning slightly to look at her. His face was stern and his eyes piercing, his square jaw line was strong and set. It was clear there was not humor in him, at least not at the moment. He was on a job.
Aira sighed " I assumed there were more traps, good sir, and we are looking for two things in paticular, a chest with a symbol like the one we followed on the plates, and a book that should be near by it. With runes, and such over it. Both should radiate magic if you can sense it at all. " She could tell there were many magical objects near by. A stupid mage would try to hoard them all. but Aira knew that if she was going to survive and activate the least of this places defenses then it was best to minimize their targets.
" I suppose now would be the time to tell you, that some magical guardians may or may not awaken on our exit. " On that note she waved her hand and said a word she had learned in her research and the the air seemed different, as if she had just dispelled some sort of ward from in front of them. " There we go, Now shall we?" She took a step forward and twisted last minute to avoid an arrow that would of hit her had she not had the reflexes of an elf. " Hm interesting, they are rather ineffective. "
Tyr shook his head, her arrogance striking his nerve. He was part elf, there for he had magic blood and could sense magic. If she was so unobservative that she didn't notice the tell- tale f ears he had, that just showed how young, naive, and overly self confident she was. He decided he wouldn't say anymore, he wouldn't let her die, but pain from an arrow or a broken leg would do her good.
He followed a few steps behind, taking his time looking, but not touching anything.
Aira sighed not liking having to take the lead. She moved carefully avoiding what she could. She was going to make it without incident, She then noticed something about his ears. She felt stupid, how did she not notice that he was an elf which meant he was some offshoot of what she was. Well it was too late about that.
Aira cursed as she fought for her balance as she carefully avoided a magic trap. She needed to be careful. It was when she got to the stairs she relaxed a bit. She took a step on to the first step.
Tyr seemed to be right behind her in just a moment, grabbing her around her waist tightly, keeping her from falling to her death. The first three steps were false, a magical hologram. Beneath was certain death. He pulled her back quickly onto the floor, being only slightly rough with her.
"Never over estimate your abilities," he spoke only partly stern.
Tyr took a deep breath, "Are you okay?"
Aira screamed and clutched Tyr for life pressing against him with her body as she realized her mistake and almost death. She clung to him for a bit, before she recovered from her shock. "Thank you" she managed to get out. Her face red, she couldn't believe she almost died again. Aira only hoped that this was worth it.
Aira jumped up to the 4 step and then began to test her steps, hoping that none of the other ones were false. She found two more half way up and then none others. she looked around and saw the hallway she reckecned was the one. " I suppose there are some more traps in this hall way." She studied the hall way, noting a couple wires and other traps. She took a deep breath and waved her hand again dissipating another ward with some words. She made it past the wire and began her way down the hall.
Tyr shrugged, watching Aira silently. He watched her, leaning against the wall slightly. He wondered what could possibly be worth dying for, definitely couldn't be some stupid book. He adjust his hair and scratched his ear slightly, knowing she would probably be okay. Well until they started to leave. Leaving was always the hardest part, twice the number of traps all coming at you at once.
Aira smiled as she saw the end of the hall and the door. It was covered in runes and was what she was looking for. The crest of a ancestor of hers as on the door. She smirked that she had found the place and the door. She only hoped it recognized her and didn't set off the surely deadly spells and traps placed on it.
She held a signet to the door and chanted a few words and waved her other hand. The door began to glow, the wood it self becoming white, It seemed to shake for a period of time and then it suddenly stopped as soon as it stopped. It worked She opened the door carefully and saw what use to be a tower's main chamber. It as full of strange equipment and dust and broken items, and there is a stair to the top chamber of the tower.
Tyr waited in the hallway, he was letting her get the objects. He on the other hand was planning how they were going to get out. He examined the lay out, memorizing it. He would be able to run it with his eyes closed, ensuring that he would not only be able to fight, but be able to protect in the space so he could get the girl out.
Aira walked carefully through the room and up the stairs. She was nervous, hoping it was still there. If so, it was her families heirlooms, a spell book and some other things that helped with her type of magic. She was the first person to show the gift since the one who had lived here. She saw the crest on the box in the room upstairs and let out a slight squeal of excitement. She held her hand over the chest, and opened it with the necklace she wore. It was the chest.
Aira pulled out an bracelet, a staff, and a book. Everything else was rusted to disuse or crumbled into dust. She put the bracelet on, and put the book away and grabbed the staff before finding in her haste the suit of armor near by had woken up, as had several throughout the complex including in the hall way near tyr. She screamed as she blocked a sword with her staff, pulling out her longsword with her other hand. This was not going to be fun.
Tyr had already started to fight them, running to Aira, they had to get out now. Tyr grabbed Aira's arm roughly, not worried about leaving a bruise on her, but about getting them out alive. He started practically dragging her out of the tower. swinging his heavy sword with one hand, making it slightly less effective then usually, but still it was getting them out of the magically enchanted place, with the magically enchanted armor soldiers.
"Damn it girl, put that new spell book to use," Tyr yelled, his aggravation elevated by a newly acquired cut on his cheek. He continued to drag her down the stairs, swinging her towards the door before casting a spell. Blue flames emerged from the ground, the heat was so intense it was nearly unbearable. The flames cut off the path of most of the armor soldiers.
"Okay, lets go," He said turning to her, the white markings on his skin glowing a soft blue light.
Aira was startled being pulled away from her foe, who she was ready to fight. While being dragged away she was able to parry a couple blows before being amazed by his magic. Then her mind flowed to the comment. " Yes because I can instantly know what spells it has. " she said sarcasticly. She did however launch scorching flames at the things in front of them distracting them enough to run past them.
The tricky part was now, the stairs. She just loved the stairs, She jumped past the false stairs, and then past the other set. Where she scanned for the path out and launched another wave of fire out, this time though her new bracelet glowed bright red, and she set off several arrow traps, and the approaching armor became red hot, and was pushed backwards. Aira was startled, She had never seen her magic been amplified like that. She knew that it supposedly helped one use their magic but she had never guessed it worked like that.
"Stop admiring your new jewelry and run girl!" Tyr yelled, pushing her in front of him until they were standing outside of the lock doors and before the tiles. He pulled her behind himself, placing his self in front of her. He took a deep breath and started running, setting off any trap that the wrong tiles had hidden.
He ran full force, but wasn't unscathed. He just hoped that she would be able to run with out having to face any traps, allowing her a quicker escape. If she just made it to him she would be okay, when he ran past the tiles he could feel his self leave a barrier, the barrier that would hold all of the magic with in it. He collapsed on the ground in pain, having several arrows, cuts and burns over his body. He hoped she had some healing abilities, he made a mental note to charge her more, but knew he probably wouldn't.
Aira suddenly thought that the man must be mad, as she watched him run straight through the panels. She shrugged and followed, luckily everything had been set off by him. She spoke a few words as she left and the doors slammed shut. The clinging of the guards would last a while as they tried to get to them. She ran towards him and looked at his sorry state. " You yell at me all day and then pull a stunt like that? " she shook her head not beliving the man, that she had hired had pulled it off, and still lived.
Aira activated the healing spell built into her sword, and healed the worst of his cuts, and she looked behind them. She didn't see anyone but that didn't mean anything. But in his state, she doubted he would make it far. So she helped him up and brought him over to a nearby ruin. First checking it for traps, she put a ward around them and looked at him, with a look that meant disrobe, so I can tend to your wounds or else.
"Its my job," Was how he answer Aira's comment, letting her tend to him. When he sat down on the ruin he looked at her, chuckling slightly, then abruptly stopping after it caused him pain. He started to take off his chest plate, then the chainmail, then last a blood stained white cotton shirt. As he revealed his upper body it was clear he was a warrior, his body littered with scars.
"Okay, lets start with getting the arrow out," he stated, looking down at the arrow stuck in his chest. It wasn't stuck in anything major, or at least that he could tell. He was pretty stoic when it came to pain, it was something that he had grown accustomed to.
Aira rolled her eyes at him and helped take off his plate. She was surprised, at his scars, She didn't say anything though she just looked for wounds. She probably had her fair share of scraps from stray swipes of swords, but nothing she noticed.
Aira grimiaced as she looked at the arrow. She didn't think it was anywhere important. " I can break off the end, and push it through, or do the same and dig it out, your choice my friend" She knew this was going to hurt like heck and wished she had something for his soon to be pain. Perhaps she could find a spell in her book, but until she had time they would just have to make due.
"Break off both ends and pull it through, I'll be okay," Tyr assured her as he took a deep breath, preparing him himself, knowing the pain he was just about endure. He hoped her wouldn't start bleeding out as he clinched his teeth and balled his fist. Nodding to Aira to let her know he was ready.
He closed his eyes and opened his mind, trying to get his mind as far away from the pain as he could. He started to try to think of anything that would distract him, going to natural, nearly animalistic needs that everyone has.
She broke off both ends and pulled it through. She grimaced and held back vomiting as she did so. She didn't know if she liked this but it wasn't nearly as bad as last time, She of course quickly used his handkerchief to clean her hands of his blood, as she tried her hardest not to get sick. "Now, I used all the healing my sword, has for the day, Maybe the book has some spells. " She said looking at any other wounds where she decided to pull out her healing herbs and apply them over his gaping hole. She delicatly set it over his wound, and then placed a bandage against both sides, finishing it off with a long piece tied around his torso. " Now no moving around much, your hurt and if you do so, you won't be able to protect me much longer. as you will bleed out " She said, strangely concerned about the man, she gave him her bag as a pillow and instructed him to lay down, as she pulled out her book staring at it.
"Don't use anymore magic on me," He replied simply. He was a warrior, and he naturally healed fast. Pain wasn't an issue for him either, he had a high pain tolerance and knew how to deal with it.
He knew the the holes where the arrow had pierced him would scab and close soon, though it would stay sore for a long time. He didn't lay down, but rather stretched what he could, being careful not to stretch anything that would cause the arrow wound to open or bleed out.
"With all that magic stuff you should be able to protect yourself now," He joked softly.
"If you wish, I suppose I won't " She sighed, looking over the book, it had all sorts of spells, more then she could learn anytime soon. She set it aside though and looked at Tyr. " I suppose, But its always handy having someone like you around. " Aira then sent a message via her mind and an owl flew down. Aira smiled and fed it a piece of jerky from her pack. " Good boy" With that, Aira wrote down somethings on a piece of paper, and attached it to her friend. " take it home quickly and safetly now! " He said as the owl flew off. She smiled towards Tyr, " That is my friend, an Companion through and through. " She said thinking of the owl. Now what will we do, as we should let you rest, for a while and of course I will need to pay you. '
"Why did you send what ever message you just sent, bragging about getting those material things, you could die, get killed by bandits or something before you make it home to show your new toys off," Tyr replied, a hint of sarcasm and dark humor in his voice.
He couldn't help it, he didn't like mages, yes he could use magic, but he didn't rely on it, and usually only used it when trying to protect someone else. Though his point of view might have been hypocritical he didn't care.
He was constantly hired to find something that would help someone with their magic, so he saw magic as corrupting, at least to most.
Aira sighed, "I was letting my mother know I was ok and had found what I was looking for. if you must know Tyr, Though I suppose you don't have anyone worrying about you. " She sighed, " They are family heirlooms, and I was suppose to find them if I could " She like how they helped her but that didn't help her make her way in the world. She was an inexperienced mage and adventurer, this journey had shown her that much. She decided to ask Tyr something. " Tyr, You seem like you are skilled and wise. I was wondering if you could teach me. I know how to use a sword, and a bit of my magic, but as you noticed, I am missing some rather essential skills. "
She looked at him with her best cute pleading face. She put out of her mind the cost he would probably charge.
"Lesson one, when trying to get something, don't try being cute, men will take full advantage of it, so unless your wanting to give up the goods, find a different approach," He replied simply, almost completely non schelont. The subject didn't seem to bother him at all, though he figured it would call a blush to her face.
He then sat back down, it was clear on his face that he was tired, he as going to camp there that night, whether she did, that was up to her. He picked up his cotton shirt, pulling it back over his head.
"What if I am? " She said trying to hide her blush. He had a point she supposed, it had worked at home but the world was a different place. Men would probably do as he said. Aira unrolled her bedroll and laid down She hadn't realized how tired she was. She spoke up at him. " Thank you for everything today, you were amazing. " She sighed looking up at the crumbling ceiling. Compared to him she seemed so pathetic. She fingered her new bracelet wondering what it did, and why it was so important that she was sent to get it.
"Well if your willing to give up the good to every half decent body and face you have much bigger problems," He replied, laying back slightly. He told himself he would get his bedroll in a bit, but he was too tired and comfortable at the moment to gather the inspiration to move.
He wondered why the girl wanted to be like him, it wasn't the best existence, he would probably eventually try to talk her out of it, tell her to go back home, meet a nice boy and settle down. Being an adventurer was a lonely, hard existence, full of pain, so much so that it clearly out weighed any advantage that it could ever boast.
She sighed knowing that he was right but ignoring him. She never had plans to give the good to anyone really, at least not in the near future. She just wanted to be useful, to grow more powerful. She opened up her book and started to read it. when she fell asleep, the book pressed to her chest moving up and down as she breathed, she was at peace, dreaming of adventuring and meeting new people.
Tyr fell asleep rather quickly, his body naturally pushing him into a deep sleep so it could heal itself more efficiently. He didn't snore, or really make any sound, he also lay perfectly still, abilities adventures gained after a while. He dreamed as he use to when he was a boy. He pictured how his life would be different if Adrien hadn't been there, ruining everything.
((forgot she is an fey and doesn't sleep :D ))
Her trance ended before he woke up. She had heard that they needed less sleep than humans and half elves but she had never seen it first hand. So Aira went to her book looking it over. It had so much information. She read through several techniques and such and got excited about praticing. She tried to not wake Tyr, as he needed his sleep. She fiddled with her stave and her bracelet a bit, examining their magic. It would seem that she would be way better prepared next time she had to fight.
Aira's stirring woke Tyr, but looking at him you couldn't tell. He was listening, seeing how she was when not being watched. Would she be someone that he could learn to trust enough to teach his techniques too? Still that fact that she was so young and innocent weighed heavily on his mind. Did he really want to watch that be taken from her, because in the profession she seemed to be going in, it would be. He shook his head slightly, in the end it was up to her, he could try to warn her or scare her off, but if that's what she decided in the end she would need his training.
Aira, looked over to Tyr, Glad he was sleeping. The Gods knew he needed it. She would have to check his wound when he woke she thought. Aira set her stuff down and walked out of the ruin collecting scraps of wood. She began to pile it up and then used her magic to start it, as it was a bit cold due to it being early morning. She took out some dried meat and placed a couple pieces by Tyr. She hoped he liked it, It was something she had picked up before she left. She ate some and continued to read her book, looking out and around every once in a while.
Aira was glad to have company, She had been lonely out her by her self. She tried a new ward spell and as she did, the air around any openings in their ruin glimmered for a few seconds. She would of tested it but she didn't want to wake Tyr. So she was content to let it stay up.
Tyr finally sighed, sitting up slowly, he really should have got up and got his sleeping roll. He flinched slightly as the soreness in his chest when he moved. 'The next few days were going to be long', he thought to his self, running his fingers through his messy snow white hair. He picked up the pieces of dried meat and walked to his pack, tossing her pieces of some sort of flat bread. The bread had bits of dried fruit inside as well as herbs. He grabbed a few pieces for his self before returning to sit down, slowly eating the meat and bread. Once done to took off his blood stained shirt, and started to remove the bandages. It was clear he was use to taking care of his own wounds, and didn't have help or no one he trusted enough to tend to his wounds.
Aira tried the bread, It was good, not nearly as good as anything she had back home but good. She then figured she wouldn't get far if she compared food like that. That was when she noticed that he was tending his bandage alone. " Here let me help you, " She said moving near him ready to help bandage him. " You should let my help you, it will go faster" Aira thought about the man, He seemed so strong and sure of him self. She wished she was more sure of her self and ready for the dangers in the world. It seemed she was very unready for this line of work.
He looked up at her her face slightly stern, "You gag your self to death pulling out an arrow and now you want to tend to something that may be infected, which is a lot worse?" it was more of a statement then a question. He was definitely going to have to toughen her up if she wanted to do what he did. Blood, guts, and general unpleasantries came in the job description. He pulled off the bandage in the front looking down at the wound. It wasn't infected but it did look slightly angry. He stared at it for a moment, as if contemplating something.
He then reached into his bag and pulled out a list of herbs from his pack. "Go find these herbs, if you pick the wrong ones I die, because there are a lot of plants that are actually poisons that look like these herbs. Lesson two, self confidence, you rarely have time to second guess yourself, and others lives generally depend on you."
Aira sighed and walked off, leaving her ward up, it would stop any attacks from afar such as magic or arrows, at least a couple that is. She looked at the list, She was familiar with most of them. Looking around she realized that it would be a bit tougher, as he was right there were some similar but she could tell the differences.
Aira smirked, as she checked another of the list. She had most of them, She double checked them, as she found the last one. She had been away for a while as it took time to gather and find them. She was postive she had the right ones. So she brought them to Tyr. " Here, you go, " She was going to let him prepare them figuring her way was different than what she had planned.
"Your trying to poison me," He laughed as he threw some of herbs to the floor.
"Look at them, find the difference between them and the real herb, lesson 3 attention to the smallest of details," He said as he took the herbs he had and grinned them up into a paste. Her put a little paste on the wounds, he then added ale to the rest and proceeded to drink them. With the look on his face it was clear that they were not pleasant.
Aira cursed to her self " I am sorry, I was sure they were the ones" she couldn't believe it, she had almost killed him instead of helping him. She looked over the herbs noting the lines in some , and the shape, and how they differed slightly from what she remembered one looking like. " You have interesting lessons. I will have to start taking notes. She then realized one of her cuts had been bigger than she thought and noted how her blood stained dress stuck to her leg. She had been so busy she didn't even notice it. Aira used her magic on it, a white glow going up. She had no aversion to magic and now would have to stitch it up. She glared at him for a moment " look away or prepare to hurt she said as she tossed her bedroll over his face in a quick fashion. She tried to stifle her giggle as she removed her dress and got out a purple one. It was a bit fancier, not something you normally wore out in the woods. She would hate herself if it got ruined. Aira took the hankerchief and began to wipe off any blood from some cuts. She than put on the purple dress and looked at the sorry state of her green one. " Its safe to look again"
Tyr shrugged, as she said to look away, though he did put his back to her. "Seen one women naked you've seen them all, so it isn't like I don't know what you have," the monotone in his voice only making what he was saying more funny. Tyr didn't turn around though, he couldn't see the aroow hole in his back, he figured she would look at it. She did seem like that type of person. Tyr looked down over his abdomen and all the scars that lingered there, recalling to himself how he got each one. Then the white tribal style tattoos that littered his body, he wish he didn't remember how he got those.
Aira turned to see his back and figured she was suppose to tend to it. She took some herbs to it, the safe ones, not the bad ones. She pressed a little hard on one of her applications and cringed as she saw the wound react. This was not pretty work, She quickly covered it with a bandage, and cleaned off her hand. and then cleaned the hankerchief off with her spell. " There you go, good as new. " She looked at this scars, and the tattoing. " I can't imagine what you have been through to get these... " She had ignored his comment about seeing women naked. It was the thought... Aira sighed and opened her book back up. Her head was going to explode, she thought. There were so many intricacies. and such to learn about each spell, and its application.
Tyr popped his neck rather loudly and stood before putting on his shirt, chainmail and armor.
"Lets get to a town, I need a knew shirt and I'm sure you don't want to be wearing your fancy dress around, would be a pity to get blood on it," He replied before grabbing his pack, not seeming to be affected much by the wound. He thought about her comments on taking notes, it made him chuckle. In his profession you had to learn the lessons by heart, turn them into instinct, you rarely had time to think, let alone read some notes. He walked to the entrance before turning to Aira, looking at her as if asking'Are you coming?'.
Aira couldn't believe how strewn about her things were, as she tried to gather them quickly. She hadn't thought he could travel today. It seemed as if all her stuff had spread it self out. She quickly put them in, and put her sack on her back. She then strapped on her sword, and took a hole of her Stave, and smiled until she had noticed he had started without her. She ran to where he was now walking, trying to keep it calm and collected even knowing that it was obvious she wasn't. Over all she thought this had gone well, she didn't get completely sick now from blood, and she got her stuff. Now it was time to follow him. She now had a spring in her step as she walked along side him.
"Next lesson will be what to bring, and when to know you have too much stuff," He replied his voice rather stern as he kept watch. His eyes seeming to take in all the details that surrounded him.
"We're going to play a game, it takes both memories and being able to pick out details. Count every animal we pass, and your not allowed to write it down, you have to be able to remember it all," She said as he continued walking, he himself counting, but it was something he always did.
Aira Scowled at him for his comment, and then decide to play. She counted the bird and the some bugs, just in case they counted, and kept doing so, she wondered when she would have to stop counting, adding more and more to her count. Was she at 30? or 33? She cursed her luck of lossing track. This game would be more enjoyable had she been able to write it down. Notes were so useful, she was so tempted to pull out her field journel, she had missed a few, in the time her thoughts wondered. She had to concentrate, so Aira kept counting , hoping to have a good answer.
Tyr sighed with a smile, he was already past three hundred. Of course he had done this so much that it had become completely second nature to him.
"Just wait until I have you talking and playing this game," He said with a chuckle. He was happy that they seemed to be slowly nearing civilization.
"We will end the game here, first off, what animals did you spot?" Tyr started looking at her while he continued to walk.
"Birds, bugs, foxes, rabbits, um a deer " She said with a smile guessing she failed this game. " she had seen around 200 things she thought... Aira wasn't really sure, and didn't like this game it seemed pointless. She than had a thought but ignored it. She was excited at the prospect of a town. She loved visiting new towns. She could make some money selling some small enchantments, and spells, she thought. She looked at him, in his armor and everything, he was a fierce warrior. She wouldn't want to mess with him.
"You might have potential after all" Tyr replied chuckling. He then turned and face forward, he wasn't counting bugs, they were not animal, but even with out that she did better then most. He had some apprentices that only counted twenty the first time, of course they were killed before the end of his training. She actually had a chance, not much of one, true, but still a little was better then nothing at all.
She smiled, and kept behind him, This might be fun after all, as it seemed she might have potential. She also wondered how much she owed him, surely that much trouble was costly. She smiled as she started walking side by side with him. " So Do you know where we are heading? "
"Maladean, it's a small little village, they have good smiths and good merchants," Tyr started with a nod. "You will be able to buy suitable cloths for adventuring, with some light armor," he suggested seeming to be thinking out loud, more to himself then to her.
"They do have a nice inn so we can spend the day gathering supplies, I'll plan how I will teach you then in the morning we can leave," he continued before looking at her, judging her reaction to his words.
What was wrong with her clothes? and her dress... She didn't like where this was going, but she supposed she had asked for it after all. " It sounds perfect! " She still didn't know how she felt about the idea of her in light armor, but she supposed she could do just as well in armor as she did in her dress. But would the armor be as good as the elven armor she had learned to use was another question. Aira wondered what Tyr thought of her, over all.
Tyr nearly read her thoughts by the looks that passed over her face and shook his head. He was an elf too and knew how good elven armor was, but just like every other armor it had its advantages and disadvantages.
Tyr sighed deeply, having a feeling this was going to be a long day. She seemed to be slightly whiny, and he would have to purge her of that, or she would never make it.
Aira wondered what he was thinking as she followed. " So, we go get some stuff, and then we head out, Sounds like a fun time. " She smiled at the thought of a real bed. She loved inns, and their comfy beds. She was excited now, and couldn't wait till they got there. Her speed picked up as she knew they would get there faster if she walked faster.
Tyr didn't pick up his speed, he was in no hurry. The quicker they got into town, the sooner people starred at him, feared him because of the white markings on his skin. He watched her, though she had potential, she also had a lot to learn. He popped his neck and stretched, flinching at the pain it caused. He would have her look at it again that night but would ignore it until them.
Aira sighed when she noticed Tyr was still slow. She slowed to his pace seeing no point in going faster than Tyr. She didn't know what he might be up to but she thought she saw a bit of pain in his face. She knew his wounds must be bothering him. She hoped they were somewhere close to the town.
"We'll be at the edge of town and right on the door step of the inn in less than a half an hour, there is no need to rush, we have plenty of time and rushing will only waste energy," Tyr spoke looking at her.
"do you have any questions for me?" He asked, they would have to get to know each other sense she was going to be his apprentice.
" Yes, how much do I owe you? and since your going to all this trouble I am assuming you will teach me. Do I need to pay you for that? " She was wondering, as if so then she better get busy selling some charms and such as she didn't think the over all price of her training would go very well. She was sure she could afford it but if he charged to much or something and long term it wouldn't be in her favor.
"Five gold pieces, as we discussed in the letters," Tyr started with a sigh, thinking about what to charge her. "I wont charge you anything, my price will be three fourths of all the loot we get while you are my apprentice," Tyr answered after a short hesitation. "does that sound fair?"
" Yes! " She was excited that meant she was in fine shape. She had no problem with it. It was fair as well, wondering how much they might make adventuring, she didn't know much about the money one could make, but she was sure it was plenty. She dropped 5 gold pieces in his hand without a second thought. This was going to be a great day. she just had a feeling.
Tyr slipped the gold into his coin purse. "The inn is up the road, just around and beyond that corner," Tyr said pointing. He half expected her to take off running like a child, but also wouldn't be surprised if she didn't. He was ready to go in the inn, had a strong drink and take off his armor, it would feel good to let the wound breath.
Aira laughed as she saw the inn, imagining the bed. "I can't wait! " She also knew that she would have to find armor and stuff, and wasn't looking forward to it. Armor was no fun getting fitted for women. Men had it easy. She also knew that it would be fun shopping and trading. The whole idea filled her with excitement. She looked at Tyr and ran ahead, ordering a room and dumping her stuff. She was glad to be in a room again.
Tyr got himself a room before finding Aira, "Would you like me to go with you to find armor, wouldn't want the smith to get to handsy the first time you were in town," He replied with a slight chuckle at the thought. He knew the people there feared him, so if they thought anything at all existed between them, most wouldn't even look too long. Tyr leaned against the door frame heavily, contemplating what drink he was going to get from the tavern.
Aira thought about it and then decided that he would know better than her so why not. " Of course, I don't see why not. I think it would work out well. She let him lead the way, not wanting to have to pick the smith they went to and such. She was rather unskilled in that area. It was all new to her and she was excited. This was the beginning to a important time.
Tyr seemed to know exactly where she was going, a female smith from Connloath. She was a strong broad women with red hair. When she say Tyr she smiled, it was clear that they were friends. "I need your lightest armor for this girl, and mend mine," He asked straight away. Tyr handed the women his chest plate and she took it, laying it in a shake. She then turned and looked at Aira, seeming to judge her sizing mentally.
Aira looked at the smith. Wondering what was going on in her mind, waiting to see what she needed to do, Aira turned when instructed and then prepared for any other measurements. Aira hadn't done this in a long time, She still didn't see why she needed armor but here she was buying some. " I can put some spells in any armor you need" She offered randomly.. it just seemed like a good thing to say. Aira was no good a this.
"I don't put magic in any armor, if my clients want magic in there armor, they have to do it themselves," The women replied only taking two measurements. She walked into her for forge returning with a part leather part light plate armor.
"This should work best for your build and purpose, unless you you plan on becoming a battle mage, then you will need something heavier," The smith started.
Tyr walked to the armor, looking it over. plate armor over the shoulder to the collarbone, then harden leather for the beast plate, then plate armor starting back just before the rib cage ended. He nodded, it would work best for her.
" Why do battle mages need heavier armor? " She had always thought they used armor like this . She looked it over, wondering what magic she could put in it. She wished she was by the smith that made her sword, She looked at it, noting its magic. Well you got what you got it would seem. She would wait till her question was answered before the gold came out. She liked the look of it she supposed, but was hoping for lighter armor still, It wasn't elven that was sure she thought, elegant, light and supple. It was too much to ask for in a village such as this.
"So they can take a hit without falling to the ground, half dead," The women said simply.
Tyr seemed to grow frustrated, the look on the girls face had struck one of his nerves. He turned, leaving her there, he bought himself a shirt before stopping at the tavern, buying himself several bottles of strong alcohol before returning to his room.
He was starting to doubt he wan't to work with the girl. She was like every other elf he had met, thinking that they are above everything, that if its not elvish its some how not at good. He gulped down some of the alcohol before he began to remove his armor.
Aira sighed and gave the woman her gold and learned how to wear it. She didn't know how she felt about it. But it was what it was. Aira would just have to be on the look out for better armor. She bought some pants, to wear with it, and moved around. Aira found a place to pratice, and moved around, It wasn't as free she was use to but she adjusted. She ordered food and took it to her room. Where she took off the armor and went to bed, shortly after eating. She dreaded the morning.
Tyr considered leaving the girl there in the morning, he would be able to get a lot more done a lot faster by his self, plus he would get all of the loot he found. He cleaned out his wound slowly, flinching a bit as he did. He continued to drink through out that day, finishing off all be his last bottle in an hour. It was getting rather late and he knew that. So he left the last bottle, saving it for another time and climbing in the bed.
Aira was out of it, Her reverie didn't want to end. Even though she didn't need to rest for so long she was going to take advantage of the nice bed she happened to be reverieing in. It wasn't often she got to enjoy the comfort and safety of an bed. Her armor discarded on the floor somewhere and her pack and such hidden somewhere in the room she was content, and didn't plan on moving until she had to.
Tye woke up early that morning just like he always He looked at his wounds, they actually didn't look that bad. He washed off in the basin in the room, running the water through his hair with a sigh, this was nice, but because of his job he didn't see very many luxuries. In way though, his job made him appreciate more. He put on his clean shirt followed by the chainmail and armor before heading to Aira's room.
Aira ignored the sun and the morning and kept to her reverie. She didn't want to get out and in her armor. Staying in the bed she was intent on lounging until she had to leave. yes she was being selfish a bit but she didn't want to go yet. She wanted to relax and enjoy the morning. As it was probably the last one she would have in a while.
Tyr knocked on the door, "You have ten minutes, if your not ready, it was nice to meet you, if you are, I'll be waiting in front of the inn," He stated simply. He didn't care ether way, if she showed up she would be able to go with him, and learn the trade. If she didn't, well, she would probably go home with her loot.
She put on a undershirt that was still rather exposing and tried to put on her armor but it didn't happen. She sighed at her lack of skill to latch a couple straps. She grabbed everything else and came down in front, blushing but still trying to hold her pride as she approached in just her under shirt. "Can you... Help me please?" She smiled sheeplishy knowing she must seem patheic. " I don't quite get the straps yet. " She put on what she could and turned around hoping he would help with the strap.
Tyr raised an eyebrow, before sighing. He then began to buckle the straps, explaining each one as he did so. When he finished he slapped her on the back rather roughly, "that would have hurt if he didn't have armor on," he said simply. He then began to walk out of the building clearly expecting her to follow.
Aira hunched over as he hit her on the back, the force still hitting her. which she then proceeded to follow him. She still wasn't use to the stiffness of the armor. she much prefered the free flowing of her dress. But she would have to live with it, she moved around her arms a bit, trying to get use to the idea of wearing the armor. She wasn't sure she liked the idea of this anymore.
"The more you wear it the looser it gets, it takes a little while to break in new armor. It's a hassle, but worth it, trust me," Tyr spoke as if reading her mind. "With in a week or two you won't even be able to tell the difference. Plus, I would rather you wear that and be a little stuff for a while then have a cut up, afpoe filled apprentice. I was much like you when I was younger, that's when I got most of my scars. So learn from my experience," Tyr continued to speak.
Aira was glad that the armor would soften up. She was a bit relieved and winced when he mentioned how he got his scars. She wouldn't let her self get any scars. she wouldn't let anything mar her appearance. Aira was ready to figure out where they were going. She just followed, ready for anything, trying to keep her eyes out. waiting for danger.
Tyr continued to walk in silence, seeming to be at peace out in the wilderness. "So Aira, do you like the out doors?" Tyr asked softly. If she didn't she better start soon, if she was going to make it, she had too.
Aira sighed " I don't mind it, I am fine with the outdoors, I prefer, the indoors of course I am a mage after all. " She didn't mind the outdoors that much, but she did like the indoors. She loved a warm comfy room and bed. " I survive them I suppose, but give me a room any day over a bed roll.
"Well then, I hate to break it to you, but I doubt this is a profession for you," Tyr said simply, stopping and turning to her. "Are you sure you want to do this, you could always return home, get your wonderful elven armor, and practice your magic in the safety of your home so you'll never worry about scarring your skin!"
" I can and will do this" She stated matter of factly. She hated that he had dare go there. " I might perfer that but this is about getting out of my element and learning how to survive in the world. I don't go telling you, that you should be getting your armor enchanted, with absence of a enchantment you risk an enemy putting a enchantment to his benefit while your wearing it! Did you know that? no I bet not, I could put something on your blasted armor that burned any thing that came in contact with it. " She glared at him. " I don't go telling you that sleeping in a room without a magic ward could get you killed before you can even react. I could of lit just your room on fire last night.. and It would of been and "accident" She walked past him angry and frustrated, walking the path they were taking before he stopped.
"Actually you little self centered immature brat, for your information my armor is enchanted," he started, grabbing her shoulder roughly, spinning her around facing him. "If you think you can take me, do it, if your feeling big come at me because I would love to put your little bratty ass back in it's place. Remember you are my apprentice unless you would like not to be, because that can be arranged. If you haven't caught sight of my god damned ears, I happen to be an elf myself and I know a hell of a lot of magic, but I'm a good enough fighter that I don't have to rely on it!" He finished, his voice stern and strong, his white eyes piercing.
Aira cursed it again. She just assumed and now was showing how much of an idiot she was. She cast the spell she was saving for someone she didn't like and regretted it soon after but unless he countered it would make his armor turn red hot, The metal would actually be so hot it was red. and would burn anything it touched. That and she drew her sword and held it ready for him to react, her staff in her other hand, she thought about casting something else at him for good measure but she didn't want to kill him. Just show him she wasn't to be trifled with.
Tyr's armor flashed, her spell not working, "Oh yeah, that enchantment, protects against fire spells," he replied before grabbing her hand with the sword in it, pulling her close to him. "You are not strong or skilled enough to beat me yet, so best for you to shut your mouth and suck it up or go home, you would be dead just as quick as those archers," he warned, so close that there nose were nearly touching.
She knew it was downhill at the flash of the the armor. She resigned, knowing she was beat. "you win.... " She said wincing from his grip on her wrist. She didn't like it but she knew it had to suck it up and live with it. He was a better fighter. and she hated to admit it.
"I know I win, I knew I would win the moment I challenged you, you must take into account I am older and have much more experience," Tyr said letting her hand go.
"You assume too many things and let pride and anger cloud your judgement and make decisions for you instead of making them for yourself," he stated as he walked past her.
Aira put away her sword and followed, shamed and cooled by the hard reality of not being that good of a fighter. She couldn't believe it had been over so quick. She needed to train... That meant harder work. She would take advantage of not needing as much sleep. She would not lose to this man next time she had to prove her self. Aira was ready to dig in. Now they just needed to get somewhere.
"Tomorrow I'm going to set up a course for you to run, some mock traps, they won't hurt you that bad, but it will let me see where you are on your own with out my guidance," Tyr stated, his voice sounding completely different then a few moment before.
She nodded, wondering what the course would be like. It would be hard for sure, but she thought she could be up to it. " So what made you choose this line of work?" She wondered why he did do this. It would be intriguing to learn she thought.
"It's what I'm good at, I've always been good at it, plus you can make good money if you up for it," Tyr replied. He kept walking in silence for a while, "any other questions?" He asked after a slight hesitation. He turned to look at for a moment, then turned to face forward again.
Aira followed in silence, as she didn't have any other questions, She just wondered where they were going as she didn't recognize the terrian and didn't know where on the map they were. She just knew what direction they were going and that they seemed to be walking forever. She ignored the pain in her legs and kept going. She wasn't going to show weakness.
"First off we're going to get you into shape, because you have to be your best, and walking is a big thing when it comes to this. So we're going to get you use to it. It's going to suck today, it's going to feel a lot worse tomorrow," Tyr started talk as he continued to walk.
She laughed knowing she was in decent shape.. It shouldn't be that bad. She had walked to their last adventure just fine, just at a slower pace, She could keep up with him though, Aira would not give up. She kept up and tried to keep a smile on her face and an air of confidence. She would not go down in this challenge.
Tyr started to jog, seeing if she could keep up. He did this on a regular basis, so this to him, was really nothing. He could run a couple of miles and not really even push himself. He looked at her, trying to judge to see if she was doing okay.
Aira kept up, this wasn't bad yet, though she didn't know how long till it was a struggle. She found out... after a mile or two, she found it a struggle just to keep jogging. It wasn't a can't run anymore, it was a I don't want to run anymore. She hoped she got a break at some point, but she would keep trying to go. She wasn't going to quit!
This is when Tyr started to run, nearly a full sprint. He was going to push that girl until she either dropped or begged to. His breath was only slightly raised, a slight sheen of sweat on his brow. "How yah doing? You actually quiet, it's nice."
Aira, ran with him and started to huff, But she wasn't going to quit, she kept running with him. Over all she was slowing but she kept running, not jogging. She ignored him and kept running. Aira wasn't going to quit.
"Getting tired?" He asked laughing as he continued to run. He embraced the burn that started to grow in his calves. His armor jingled slightly as he ran, he finally stopped when he felt his wound ache, if he continued he would probably make it worse. He stopped slowly, turning to look at her.
Aira wanted to take his challenge, She kept running, pulling out all the reserves, she kept going. granted wouldn't be for long. She kept going until she found her self looking up from the ground at Tyr, It seems she blacked out, or something.. She was sort of confused, and her head hurt.
Tyr passed Aira a bottle of ale. "Don't get up, lay there and breath, take a drink of the ale," Tyr instructed before he stretched. "Not bad, I'm actually impressed, you've done better then any other apprentice I've had," he said with an encouraging smile.
Aira took it and drank some, trying to drink while laying down was hard.She was still gasping for breath, " Did I make it far? " she asked wondering, also wondering if she really did better. IT was a legitimate question but some how she figured she had.
Tyr shrugged, "depends on your definition," he replied with a rare smirk. She stood up, he could feel his wound. At the least it was leaking. "I will have to stop, the arrow wound is seeming to be more trouble then i thought it would," Tyr said, contimplating taking off his armor to inspect it.
"Are you ok? " She wobbled as she was a bit dizzy. but then was fine. " how is your wound? Do you need me to look at it? " She knew exercise could be brutal to wounds, and hoped he hadn't over done it. she wished he would let her use her magic on his wounds, they would of been healed by now. She
Tyr pulled off his plate armor and chainmial. A oozy red liquid stained his shirt. Tyr cursed under his breath darkly, he considered trying to become a noble, he had enough money. At least if he was a noble he would be able to have clean cloths, he thought with a frown. She the. Raised his shirt, revealing the wound to her. "Maybe I should have you burn it closed."
She fought back a weaker urge to get sick than usual and decided to do what he suggested. " Well prepare your self then! " She then smirked and healed it instead, The wound sealing shut with her most powerful healing spell. " All better! " Aira hoped he didn't mind too much, it just seemed simplier, and if he was mad at her oh well, she wouldn't be able to cast that again for a bit.
The shook his head, "it isn't polite to lie, what if I knocked you out and left you beaten and nude on the road side? I doubt you'd like it, I see ever lie at the same calibra, from the smallest white lies, to the most horrid plot of treason," he spoke with a sigh, thinking up a pumishment.
Aira sighed " Sorry, I was trying to help you, I didn't think you would mind. It was causing you pain and the fire would of hurt like hell, I thought it was better just to heal you outright. " She knew he was right, a lie was a lie, and she had just lied. Aira cleaned his shirt with her little charm and slipped his clean hankerchief into its pocket, handing it to him. Here, you should put your armor back on.
Tyr nodded, pausing, reading her face, " just don't lie again, and ask," he said simply before slipping his armor back on. "So do you have any range skills, with a bow, of magic that is accurate?" He started to question, needing to get a good view of her skills.
She looked at him with a face that wondered why he bothered asking. " Of course I know how to use a bow, and I can shoot fire for some distance, never checked how far. I can use my staff to use water, move some rocks... " she didn't know of any other ways to do things yet. Maybe she might learn some new tricks from that book of hers.
"Well lets see how good you are with a bow," He replied. He kneeled down, drawing a symbol over the ground and mumbled a few words. An ornate bow rose up from the ground as well as a few arrows. Tyr handed Aira the bow and arrows, call what your going to shoot, and try to impress me."
Aira took the bow and looked for something to shoot. She wasn't the best but could shoot decently. " Tree!" As she shot at a tree that was 100 or so feet away. She smiled as it hit.. not straight on her mark but it hit. " She debated yelling tyr and turning towards him but decided against it . She looked around " robin" She tried to hit it, mising " Rabbit" She missed that too, She sighed
"I hope your better with your magic then you are an archer," Tyr started with a chuckle. Tyr took the bow, using the last arrow. He pulled back the string, taking a deep breath before letting the string and arrow go. The arrow hit true in a rabbit, "Well, looks like we have lunch, do you know how to skin a rabbit?" He asked, starting to walk towards his kill.
she smiled knowing she hadn't and figuring he knew already... " no..... " She had never had to, She usually ate plants and such she had found or bought prepared food. Aira was of course better with her magic. She was normally better with her bow.
"Well it is about time you learn, while plants and all of that are good, if you are going to be fighting a lot, which this profession requires, you need lots of protein," Tyr started leading the way to the dead animal. He made quick work of skinning the rabbit, explaining each thing he did so she could learn the process.
Aira sighed and held back the feeling of vommiting as they skinned the rabbit. She tried to fake a smile. She knew he was right, but didn't want to do it, She tried her best following his instructions. She knew that this would probably be one of many lessions she wasn't thrilled about. "So, now we cook it? " She asked
"Correct, unless you would want to risk a stomach parasite," Tyr replied with a nod. "You start the fire and get it going good, I'll fix the skin so it will dry correctly, so we can keep it or sell it later," she spoke as he started working the skin.
Aira gathered some pieces of wood and started them on fire with ease. She did like how here abilities let her start things on fire with such ease. Aira smiled and set up a spit, for the meat, and began to forage a bit for some things to go with the hare. She could get use to this, she thought.
Tyr stretched out the skin to dry, and handed Aira the meat. He knew how elves were with killing and eating meat. He was determined to break her of the habit quickly. You could always catch game and eat it. You couldn't always go out and pick herbs. Learning the herbs of an area took time, if you just go pick something that looked appetising or something that looks familiar it could kill you.
Aira sighed and took the meat and put together a spit, and speared the rabbit on it. She turned it a little as it began to cook. " So, this is the life of adventurers" She laughed, and decided that she was going to have a little fun " So, how is your wound? did my spell help it heal up alright? anything else that needs tending? " She said, realizeing now that she sat, that all her muscles were sore... and getting stiffer. She was going to hurt in the morning. Hurt bad. She didn't want to think about the pain she was going to be in.
Tyr shook his head, the girl really needed to learn how to word things better. He was rather a kind man and respected women, other men she would be around once he was gone wouldn't. He would hate to have the girl learn that lesson the hard way.
"I have no other wounds, and we have finished moving today. It is time for you next lesson. As a girl, even as a Mage and a warrior you are vulnerable. You need to be more persice in your words and the way you phrase things. If not you are going to get some man thinking the wrong way later down the line and it will not be pretty. So instead of saying anything, say any wound," he tried to explain in a more delicate way than he usually would.
Aira was confused.. " what do you mean? " some man thinking down the wrong line.. and then it hit her... " oh...." she blushed red, appearantly Tyr's mind was down the gutter.. she hadn't thought of that. Now that he pointed it out it was obvious, how could she of said something so stupid. Well what was said was said.. as she was still red. She kept turning the rabbit. " So do you have any other wounds that need tending.." still red.. she was embarrassed.
Tyr closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "No, that was the only wound that had yet to heal and it seems it has healed up fine, we will know for sure tomorrow when we start training," he spoke after releasing the long breath and opening his eyes. He would have rather wished he didn't have to point that out to her. She was a girl, it would seem a rather sheltered girl. The world was a rough place full of people who would try to use anybody and everybody they could. While Aira was his understudy he would protect her, but after that, she would be on her own.
Aira always felt so stupid around Tyr, she wondered why she always seemed so stupid to Tyr. She sighed and kept cooking the rabbit, it was going to be a long training she felt, hopefully she could impress the man who seemed to look down on her. She hated the fact she was so naive.
Tyr looked at Aira, reading her face for a moment in silence. He looked away, judging whether or not he should say anything or just let everything drop and cool off before morning. Finally, after a few minutes he made up his mind and her turned to face Aira once more. "What is on your mind, you are clearly upset, I can read it on your face. If you are upset you aren't at your best emotionally or mentally," he spoke softly.
She didn't know if she was comfortable talking about this out loud.. but she took a deep breath and spoke. " I just feel I am always letting you down and doing something stupid in front of you. I just feel like everything I do is wrong.." She took off the rabbit and offered it to him first, he was probably going to eat more of it than her, and so she looked at him. and wondered what he would have to say.. She just wanted to impress him for once.
A small rare smirk crossed Tyr's face. He was honored, she wanted to impress him. "If you knew how to do everything and you had all the skills I would be unneeded and I wouldn't be here. You have impressed me. You can't compare your abilities to mine, not yet anyway. You must compare yourself to other apprentices. I know I am tough on you, but I know that makes you want to push yourself, you are strong enough to take it. You aren't doing everything wrong, you are learning, there is a difference," He spoke, taking half the rabbit and leaving the rest for her.
Aira was relieved and glad to know that he was impressed. She looked noticeably calmer. She smiled and began to ate some of the rabbit and looked up at the stars, laying on her back. It was a beautiful night out. She was glad she had met Tyr, he was a good teacher and she hoped she would learn alot from him.
Aira kept getting up to grab some more from time to time as she leaned back and observed the stars, figuring she should study her book soon.
Tyr ate quickly, not because he was famished, but out of habit. There had been plenty of times in his life where he didn't have to enjoy a meal so he had learned to eat while he could. Once he finished he adjusted his armor as bit before lying down. He had slept under the stars so many times he basically had them memorized so instead of looking he closed his eyes. He let his bed relax, falling into a restful state, but not asleep.
Aira went into reverie, knowing she would probably wake up first. She was still aware of their surroundings but was in a sleep like state. Being an elf had its perks. She wondered what went through Tyr's mind as he slept.. and she wondered what sleeping was like.
It was the wee hours of the morning when Tyr started to hear the noises, he didn't move though. He laid there, he didn't want to give any indication that he was awake. He could tell by Aira's breathing that she was deep in reverie and probably wouldn't hear the noises.
Aira kept to her thoughts, working through spells and all the knowledge she had retained from the day, she didn't hear the the noises in combination to her tiredness from the run earlier, she had ran her self out.
Tyr could hear the steps getting closer. The noises weren't loud, they were soft, it was clear who ever was making them was trying to be quiet. Still Tyr heard them, but still he lay silent, pretending to be completely asleep. He had learned sometimes the best action was to take no action at all. There was no need for unneeded killing though he had a feeling he would be doing some kill soon.
Aira awoke suddenly her, reverie ending quickly. She had heard something she didn't know what. She was pretty sure she had gasped when she had awoken, she looked around but didn't see anything. She looked to Tyr who was still in reverie. She wondered what was going on, as she heard something again.
Tyr opened one eye, hoping that Aira would see that he was awake. If she reacted right now it could get both of them shot, she needed to relax and calm down.
Aira saw he was awake and took a deep breath trying to make it look like she was in reverie again. She mentally prepared her self for magic though, if something was going to happen, she had a spell or two that was going to help them.
Tyr had a feeling that Aira was about to learn her next lesson. That when you can talk your way out of a situation you should do that. Violence was always left as a last resort.
Aira sighed as she heard the footsteps and the jingle of armor, she didn't like the sound of it. She cringed as she tried to pretend to be in reverie, wondering what Tyr had up his sleeve.
For the large size of Tyr's sword he had it hidden well underneath the thin blanket he had. Considering where they were he figured magic wouldn't be the best route if violence was called for. His ears twitched as he heard whispering, hearing something about the girl. He frowned, and knew he would have to fight, the marks on his skin started to glow.
There were 7 men in all around them, Aira didn't know that though she just laid still waiting for some sort of signal from Tyr. She didn't want to die, either she half shot some fire or something around them but decided not to. She was anxious, she wanted to know what to do, she was hoping Tyr had a plan.
Tyr hoped that Aira would remain calm, he didn't want to accidentally hurt her while fighting the men. Plus he was used to fighting alone. He took a deep breath as he felt the tingling sensation of his powers flowing over his arms.
She restricted her breathing as she tried to stop thinking about what might happen, it was time to wait for a signal, she was prepared to shoot fire at whoever she might need to, she waited patiently and awaited some sort of sign, perhaps in the future they could talk in their minds, she thought trying to distract her self from the obviously getting closer sounds.
With a swish a chain was wrapped around her and it was obvious that is wasn't any ordinary chain. Tyr jumped up, his eyebrows furrowed. The chain was white and had a similar hue to Tyr's markings when they weren't glowing.
"Aira, you're going to have to trust me... If you use magic, you will end up killing yourself, just close your eyes," He spoke in a rushed whisper. The men started to laugh.
"Now don't be greedy we will share the girl, though you will probably get last dibs considering we have her chained up," The man spoke with a deep authoritative voice. He was clearly the leader and the mans appearance explained why he was. He was a giant of a man, easily seven feet tall.
Aira screamed as the cold chain wrapped around her, her sword dropped, and exclaimed some rather profane words towards the men in Elvish. " Let me go! " She hated this, why couldn't she have just attacked them before this.. was this part of the plan? to let her get captured? and how did they know she knew magic? She squirmed and looked to Tyr, with a pleading look. She hoped he would save her.
Tyr seemed completely calm, it was clear that he was rather used to staring danger in the face. "Close your eyes," He repeated again as he looked at the men.
For a minuted there was silence as if the men were sizing up their enemy. Tyr looked towards her staff and her book. Knowing the two things were pretty big indicators of magic. He looked over the men faces, finding a few of them a bit familiar from the town they had left.
Aira closed her eyes, she wondered what this had to do with anything but figured she couldn't do anything anyways. She prayed that she ended up alive at the end of this. She waited still paniced but trying to hide it.
"Now fella's," Tyr stated shifting his weight to one leg. "Let's not be stupid, if you let the girl go and leave now you won't have any trouble. You will leave with your life and all of your limbs," He continued.
"What are you going to do, your sword is over there on your bed mat," One man called out in a loud laugh.
The tattoo's on Tyr's skin started to glow white and a different look filled his eyes. The men would die now, he would have no mercy. He took a deep breath as he gave the men once last second to change their mind.
Aira just hunched into a fetal postion the best she could covered in chains and did as Tyr said closing her eyes, and wondering what he was doing. It was strange being so useless so helpless, she hated it . She never wanted to feel this way again. That was for sure. She just prayed and curled up.
The men didn't change their mind so Tyr would take no mercy. He pushed his arms through Aira, all she would feel was his chest pressed against her and an off tingly feeling. He grabbed the man behind her, pushing his hand through his chest and grabbing his heart. Pulling it through the mans chest before pulling his arms out of Aira. Most of the men stood in complete shock, not moving, scared stiff. He didn't waste time in grabbing his sword. His sword was huge, nearly as long as he was tall and the blade was broad and sharp. He heaved it around as if it were as light as a feather though.
Once he started with his sword some of the men seemed to gain there wits. Most ran, a few fought. It didn't take him long to dispatch the men that fought, it was clear they weren't career bandits, just men mistaking him as an easy target. It took him longer to chase after the men who ran, but he caught up to them one at a time, taking a sick twist to killing each one. He did leave Aira there, but once out of the chains she could defend herself well enough.
Aira had got out of the chains and glared at the men she could see, and soon flames filled the air, Men were screaming as they burned alive. She had no mercy for the men who had chained her up and made her feel that way. Here bracelet and staff glowed as power flowed from her, she had never used her magic like this. She started the last man on fire though and as he ran off and died, she returned to the camp, noting that some men were still on fire, it was rather gruesome but she had no pity for them. She then wondered if she should search the bodies, perhaps they had valuables on them.
Tyr searched the bodies of each man as he returned, not finding much of anything that would be useful. Dull cheap blades, weak and worn armor is all that most had, all which was not worth the weight of carrying.
When he returned to camp he was hit with the strong stench of burning flesh. A smell that even after all of his years as a bandit made his stomach turn. There was just something about that smell that got to him. His eyes quickly found Aira but he waited a moment before saying anything.
"Are you okay?" He asked slowly, looking over her. He wasn't just looking for wounds, but looking at her face for reaction, there were wounds that went far below skin deep and he knew that well.
Aira's face was back to normal, her mean expression gone, she cringed a bit as she realized the damage.. and the smell of her flames. She had killed before... but the thought of those chains.. being helpless... she winched, Aira did not want to feel that again. " why couldn't we blast them before they wrapped me up in chains? " She said with a glare, trying to turn her feelings for something useful. She then stopped as she noticed the air around her was warm.. she took a deep breath and kept her glare though it held no real malace.
"It is always best to try to work things out with words, it is best to see what you are about to dive into before you dive, or you might break your neck after you leap," Tyr spoke seeming exhausted but relaxed.
"Plus, now you can learn how to use those chains, they can be very useful when facing someone who relies on magic," He added as he made his way back to his bed.
She shook her head, and went wondered what he meant. " those chains? whats so special besides their obvious part of them not being ordinary chains. She packed up her stuff and began to gather the chain. She then dropped it near Tyr, "Here you go" She said trying to make a quick exit to read her book. She smiled as she slunk off to a tree and began to read wondering when they would leave.
"These chains are made out of the same things that makes up the tattoos on my body. And the chains are specifically made to kill magic users. If you energize the chains they can move through your body, then the moment the magic stops they become solid again. Just like may hands, " Tyr spoke looking at Aira with hard eyes.
"But won't they kill me? if I use them?" She said looking at the chain, wondering what he meant just like his hands. Were Tyr's hands made out of this metal? She thought about ways to hide the chain on her, she could perhaps hide it on her body if she kept it energized. It would take some pratice though she thought, but she could do it. though it would be heavy... She looked at it and then at Tyr, wondering how he knew so much.