A Nymph Back in the Forest

[Rowan Llyri-laer]

Calla wandered through the forest, her ivory feet mottled with dirt and decaying leaves. The forest should have been the last place in the world she felt at all uneasy around. It was her birth place, after all. It was her home. The young nymph had traveled more of the world in the last year than she had her whole life previous.

Why then, did the woods seem so...unsettling? The way the setting sun cast a reddish glow beneath the pines didn't help much. The wind whistled high above the girl as she walked down the path that appeared to have been reclaimed by nature a century ago. Roots and leaves entangled themselves all over the rocky, little clearing. Calla was not familiar with this side of the woods.

The trees loomed over her, half of them seemed malnourished, what with the way their spiny reached out at her like a skeleton's arms. The nymph stopped, her breath catching in her throat as she realized she might have taken a wrong turn. There had been a sign about two miles back, hadn't there? She could have sworn that it said this was the way to La'marri...

Not long after she stopped walking did tiny bunches of clover and daisies start to sprout from her feet, offering a shade of green this part of the woods was not familiar with.

[UlricusBurgstahler]

Ulricus would be sitting under a nearby tree in what he thought was the quiet part of the woods when all of a sudden he heard the woman approaching. He'd slip the blackened dagger that he was sharpening back into its sheath, peeking his head around the tree.
"Madam? Are you lost?"
He'd ask, hopping up from his nook behind the tree. Quickly however he'd realize how menacing he looked at the moment, bristling with weapons and bloodied up from a recent bout with an angry rodent whose tail he had stepped on. He'd brush himself off, offering the woman a bright smile in the rather dismal forest.
"I'm no good at directions," He'd murmer. "But I'd be more than happy to help you if you are."

[Rowan Llyri-laer]

Calla didn't jump back as the formidable stranger hopped into her path. She'd tilt her head to the side, nearly at a ninety degree angle, like an owl would. "Lost..." She echoed him, her voice soprano and melodic.
"Yes, Calla is lost. Very lost." The girl's hands were clasped near her bosom, thumbs twiddling subconsciously. She skipped over to the man, leaving behind the small patch of emerald plant-life. Her skirt blew rapidly in the dimming light as another gust of air blew through the trees.
"The signs...they were confusing." She gazed up at him with large, kaleidoscopic eyes. Several dead leaves and vines were entangled on the antlers growing form her head. She must have wandered from the path a while.

[UlricusBurgstahler]

Ulricus nodded, looking around the forest.
"The trees all look the same to me around here... But I do happen to know where the nearest trail is." He'd murmur, starting off in one direction, hoping that she'd follow, and that he actually knew where he was going. After a bit of walking he'd stop, the curiosity eating away at him.
"Erm... Ma'am? I don't mean to be rude... But what exactly.. Are you?" He'd finally manage.

[Rowan Llyri-laer]

Calla skipped along behind the young man as he led her through the forest, "Calla is a nymph!" She too came to a halt and peeked up at him through her thick, ivory tresses. A braid interwoven through flowers was visible at the crown of her head. "Is nice gentleman a human?"

The nymph didn't seem to stand still for more than a moment at a time as she pranced around, awaiting Ulricus's response. She wandered over to a tree and pressed her pointed ear against its discolored bark.

[UlricusBurgstahler]

Ulricus would nod, "Indeed, human I am." He'd watch as Calla bounced around the forest, pausing to think for a moment which way they were headed.
"Erm.. Calla?" He'd murmur, hoping not to anger her. "I'm afraid we are lost... very lost."

He'd sit down at the foot of a large weathered tree, finding a stick and beginning to draw up a map, hoping that by memory he'd be able to map out the area. "I need to buy more maps." He'd mumble.

[Rowan Llyri-laer]

The nymph frolicked over to the human boy to stand beside him, "The trees are so sad here... Calla does not like it here." Her large eyes followed the stick as it struggled to sketch out a map, hoping they'd be able to find a way out of the unsettling section of the forest,
"Does the gentleman have a name?" Calla suddenly piped up, trying to ease the silence.

[UlricusBurgstahler]

Ulricus would straighten out, seeming to return to the real world for a moment. "Burgstahler." He'd croak before clearing his throat. "Ulricus. Ulricus Burgstahler."
He'd lean against the tree, slowly lifting himself to his feet and turning around back the way they came.
"Onward Calla! The nearest village is over yonder!" He'd exclaim, beginning to trot off.

[Rowan Llyri-laer]

Calla danced ahead of the human boy, stopping every few feet to make sure he was following behind her, "Ulricus, Ulricus!" She chirped as she skipped down the root-entangled pathway. The sun had nearly sunk below the jagged silhouette of the pine tree, the sky darkening to twilight as the pair headed toward the distant village. At least, hopefully they were heading toward the village. Nevertheless, the young nymph seemed oblivious to any danger they might be in at they walked.
"What is Ulricus, Ulricus doing in the forest?" She called to him, a good ten feet ahead of the boy.

[UlricusBurgstahler]

Ulricus chuckled, trotting behind her hardly able to keep up to the girl, laden as he was. "I came here to clear my mind." He'd say finally.

Up ahead he'd spot the twinkling lights of a village. "Town ho!" He'd cry ahead to her. He'd break his pace and begin running, tripping over ruts and roots as he ran, finally stumbling under the archway and into the glorious town ahead... Or rather the previously glorious village. The last vestige of civilization in this part of the woods had been reduced to nothing but ash, the twinkling lights coming from piles of relighting coal. Ulricus fell to his knees, staring over the rubble.

[Rowan Llyri-laer]

Calla tilted her head to the side, baffled by the way the boy sprinted ahead all of a sudden. She bounded after him, coming to a sudden halt beside the kneeling boy. A choked, and yet high-pitched gasp could be heard as the glowing embers reflected in the girl's glassy eyes.
"Oh...Oh my..." She stammered faintly, tiny alabaster hands clasping each other. "This is not a town at all..."

In the distance, behind the brush and thick row of pine trees, rustling could be heard, like the sound of branches being cracked and pushed aside. It was growing louder by the second.

Like a deer, Calla's head snapped up. She let out a terrified squeak and dashed into the brush herself, fast as any wild animal. Ulricus was left alone.

[UlricusBurgstahler]

Ulricus would drop his pack, tightening the harness holding his zweihander across his back. He'd begin running after Calla, hoping to death it wasn't as he thought. "God damnit Calla." He'd curse under his breath as he pulled the katzbalger off his belt to slash through the brush. He kept running until he reached the clearing where he knew they'd be. "I should've told her."

At the edge of the clearing the nymph would be tied up, foot to hand diagonally across her back, suspended from a tree by the ropes. There would be a fresh burn mark across her face. "Calla where is he?" He'd ask urgently, his eyes darting around the clearing. Under a tree he'd see a small man sitting with a wide brimmed hat over his eyes.

"Calla run!" Ulricus would yell, throwing his short sword through the ropes running across her back, hoping he hadn't cut her open as well. The sword would plant itself firmly in the tree she was hanging from. He'd draw the large sword off of his back, charging the gnome under the tree.

[Rowan Llyri-laer]

Calla fell to the ground with a thud, dried grass and dandelions working their way into her hair as she face planted with as much grace as a warthog. Almost immediately, though, the nymph hopped to her feet and fled toward the end of the clearing in fear. She was very spooked at this point, like a deer fervently chased by a hunter. As she reached the brush, however, something beckoned her to stop and glance over her shoulder.
"Ulricis, Ulricus..." She breathed softly, expression softening. The fear overwhelmed her quickly enough where despite the internal conflict, she'd once again start toward the forest, but this time her ankles were snagged in roots. "Oh, please let Calla go..." She murmured to the plant life, tugging at the roots with her hands. As if answering, the tree roots grew further from the soil and pointed their twiggy limbs in the direction of Ulricus and the short man.
"B-But..." Calla whimpered, but the roots would have none of it. They wrapped tighter around her legs and finally she'd relent. "Okay, okay... Calla will go help..."

The roots gave slack to her teeny ankles at last and she headed back toward Ulricus, a trail of blossoms sprouting behind her. "Oh please don't hurt each other!" She shouted, the burn mark still visible on her forehead.

[UlricusBurgstahler]

Upon reentering the clearing, Calla would be met with a burst of heat, likely coming from the massive swirling cortex of fire that seemed to have consumed the two men. Shouts could be heard from within, but flames and haze would obscure her vision.

Meanwhile inside of the fire:
Ulricus and the gnome were locked in combat, Ulricus struggling the get past the gnomes fiery defenses to land a solid blow with his sword. After what felt like days, the ring of fire would slowly dissipate as the gnome grew tired and couldn't keep up both attacking and channeling the vortex. The gnome would spot Calla out of the corner of his eye, aiming a fireball directly at her, however before it could escape the gnomes hand, Ulricus jumped in front of the attack, taking the full force of it. He'd fall to the floor, a burn mark spreading across his chest.

[Rowan Llyri-laer]

"Ulricus, Ulricus!" Calla cried and scurried to him as fast as willowy body could carry her (which was indeed incredible fast.) She dropped to her knees beside the fallen boy and gently placed her hand on his arms to comfort him. "Oh no... Oh no, no... Ulricus Ulricis is very hurt..."

The nymph's eyes darted up, though they didn't have to go far, to meet the gnome's gaze. Her pointed ears would fold back in fear as she attempted to block the injured boy from any further damage, "Why would the short man do this?"

[Ouity]

Shrewd eyes watched the battle unfold, dark green and brooding. They were emerald chips shadowed by a cowl which blended with the forest around it, only a thick beard revealed to the light. Ouity Deathsbane stood partially concealed by the trunk of a tree, surveying the scene. He was new to this land, and knew not the quarrel before him. Ignorance made him wary, and his feet were stated momentarily, fingers drumming against the heavy staff of oak he carried.

As the fireball spewed from the gnome's hands, however, Ouity's brow pinched in disgust. Magic. Disgusting. Though he himself wielded a particular brand, the slinging of fire was in his mind an opposite pole from the woodcraft he had dedicated himself to. His heavy woolen cloak fell to the ground with a muffled thump, the silver pin that held it fast stowed in the pocket of simple brown trousers.

The grizzled young man stroked his beard for a moment, giving the situation a once-over one final time as the nymph rushed over to her fallen comrade. With a fatalistic shrug, he padded forward silently across the forest floor towards the struggle. He did not call out just yet, waiting to hear the words of the gnome, though he knew sooner or later one of the two would spot him.

[UlricusBurgstahler]

The gnome would laugh maniacally, lighting both of his hands ablaze. He'd speak quickly, the dynamics of his voice bouncing around through each phrase.
"The boy and I have a long history." He'd say, taking a step forward toward the two on the ground. He'd idly toss a fire ball toward the girl trying to scare her away from the body.

Meanwhile on the ground, Ulricus would be writhing in pain. He'd look past Calla for a moment, spotting the approaching stranger. A look of terror would be plastered across his face as he mouthed the words "help me" to the man approaching. He'd then look up at calla.
"Run." He'd say flatly to her, getting louder to repeat it. "Run!"

[Rowan Llyri-laer]

The nymph jolted back as diminutive fire balls scattered near her feet, but the stubborn creature refused to flee as the boy had instructed. Her brow furrowed as she traced Ulricus's gaze over her shoulder to the approaching man, clad in earthy hues.

Hope and optimism enveloped Calla as she watched the hooded man make his way through the clearing, though an iota of distrust was ever present with the way she tilted her head just slightly and cupped her hands against her chest.

"Please..." She called to him, words short of breath, "Please, Ulricus, Ulricus needs help..."

[Ouity]

Ouity cocked his head at the pleadings of the pair, his gaze moving to the pyromancer. Disgust lit his features, those not obscured behind the hood.

"Ye cast magic in a protected forest, gnome. Fire, no less. These are great crimes."

Though his voice is not raised as it leaves his mouth, it seems to carry across the clearing, carried on the wind, ushered on by the waving grass. Here, in the heart of the uncharted forests, Ouity seems to carry a great presence, as if the trees stood merely to accentuate his height. Ouity continued to stride forward, stave held in hand, though an acute eye would notice that it vibrates ever so slightly, as a cat might purr in the face of a meal, or a dog might shiver as he coils up to leap.

"There will be no more fighting in my Grove." The stranger says. Though it is a command in nature, it is voiced as fact- the voice of a man used to having his way. "Strangers, stay close together." He commands the besieged pair. I would not have ye unduly harmed before I learn the meaning of this."

[UlricusBurgstahler]

Whether the gnome was merely trying to provoke the man or whether he genuinely didn't notice him will forever be left to question, however his course of action was definite. The gnome would drop his staff, walking toward the pair on the ground. He'd draw a small knife, whispering a few words before watching it light on fire, and he'd plunge it deep into Ulricus's exposed leg, watching as the boy writhed in pain. He'd ignore the other two in the clearing, like a hunter oblivious to the world around his prey. "Goodbye dear boy." He'd say in a mocking tone, sliding the knife up Ulricus's thigh toward his torso.

Ulricus opened his mouth as if to cry out in pain, however no sound came out. His eyes rolled to the back of his head. He could feel the knife scratching his bone as it moved, however the pain was paralytic and thus he had to rely on the two to help him.