First Steps

[Anonymous]

Kenavi did exactly as the other instructed. He stood motionless alongside the long-haired half-breed. His heart was fluttering like the wings of a hummingbird and his pulse was racing. Adrenaline coursed through his veins like a fish swimming downstream. He even forced himself to quit panting like a dog and attempted drawing slower breaths. The breathing helped a little.

A faint glow radiated from Jarrah's clasped hands and interlacing fingers. It wasn't nearly as bright as the glowing sphere or the blinding flash of white light he had conjured earlier to impair the cougar's vision. He wasn't quite sure what Jarrah was doing, but there was no time for questions – only trust; a trait the young elf normally would have had a hard time with had this not been such a dire situation, but Kenavi reminded himself that Jarrah hadn't failed him so far.

He could feel the presence of magic, although he could not see it aside from the dim glow. It warmed him as it enveloped them both. What was going on here?

Kenavi reverted his attention back to the cougar, which was once again crouching and waiting for the perfect chance for another attempt at a potentially fatal swipe of its deadly claws. It stared at them through narrowed eyes, trying to intimidate them with a purring growl. This cougar wanted its late-night snack badly. This time it was more confident as ever, clearly evident in the assured victory underlying its chilling glare. It must have thought there was nothing else the two could do except wait to be eaten. Who could blame it? Kenavi wasn't doing anything except standing there, staring back at it with uncertainty and terror in his own quivering eyes.

Just a few moments later, the hunger rumbling in the feline's stomach got the best of it. It leapt towards them once again, both claws extended. Kenavi clenched his eyes shut, balling up his fists and waiting for one of two things – life or death.

[Anonymous]

It wasn't hard to tell the big cat was certain it had them cornered. Perhaps it thought it was intimidating them by waiting to pounce again - but that was all right. It couldn't reach them, and it gave Jarrah more than enough time to be ready for it. He wanted to wait, though, for the animal to make a move so that he could catch it more off-guard.

As the cougar leaped forward, it only met with the invisible wall he had put up a few moments earlier. There was a small flash when it came in contact with the barrier and the creature was forced to bounce back. It paced back and forth for a few seconds, clearly confused by what had happened and growling the entire time.

The second he saw the flash, Jarrah closed his eyes to listen for the cougar's movements. Then, while it was still trying to figure out why he and Kenavi weren't cat food yet, several lights shaped like throwing knives appeared and and shot for the animal right through the barrier. Or rather, they shot for ground directly in front of its feet, and they would continue to follow the cat a short while if it ran away.

With some luck, this would surprise the animal enough to scare it off. If one or two happened to hit, it wouldn't be the worst thing, either. The lights wouldn't leave any physical marks on the cat, but they would sure sting like hell.

[Anonymous]

Kenavi's teeth were gnashed and his head turned away, his eyes still shut just as tight as his fists were clenched. This is it. he thought shaking in fear. The end. And just when he had gotten out of that forest he had spent his entire life in, too.

But moments passed and there was no sound of flesh being ripped apart. There was no pain, either. He certainly didn't hear the cougar licking his chops after devouring the other. "So... am I still alive?" he wondered aloud, opening one eye to find that he was indeed, still alive. He then opened the other and unclenched his fists. "But..." he started, but cut himself short after remembering the magic he felt penetrating and enveloping them. He turned to Jarrah with a bright smile, having figured out what had just happened. "You conjured a barrier!" he exclaimed proudly, and thankfully.

After being startled by the cougar's growl, Kenavi spun back around to face the beast. It was much less frightening now that he stood behind a barrier of magic.

He watched as blade-like magic chased after the cat, snapping loudly as it struck the ground before the cougar's paws. It only backed up at first, but after a quick sting from one of the magic blades, the cougar immediately turned and ran off growling, chased steadily by Jarrah's spell. Kenavi couldn't help but chuckle with amusement.

The young elf then turned back around to Jarrah. "That was close." He sighed with relief.

[Anonymous]

The blades soon faded away, but Jarrah waited until he could no longer hear any hint of the animal before lowering his hands and dropping the barrier. "Very." A little too close, actually. Something about the fact that a cougar was wandering this far from the mountains still bothered him. Well...guess he'd have to make a mental note to watch out for these wild cats more often on this road in the future.

The globe of light appeared in his hand again as he scooped up his bag, which had slipped off his shoulder after being pushed. This time, though, he kept it a little dimmer - as dim as he could manage and still be able to see where he was going. Who knew if the light had been what attracted the cat, but better safe than sorry, right?

"Come on," he said, turning to head down the road again. "Let's get going. Before it decides to come back." They should be able to get to the town within the hour if they kept up a decent pace.

[Anonymous]

Kenavi nodded and gathered himself and swept a few brushes at his sleeves to remove the dirt collected in their folds, then ruffled his fingers through his hair to get the rest. He blinked with a curled smile at Jarrah and stood still. Come back? Immediately he regretted the thought and thought it best to move forward.

He remained striding alongside Jarrah for the entire next hour. Excited Kenavi couldn't wait to see this town Jarrah spoke of. He imagined what it might look like, who might live there, what kind of lifestyle the residents must live, how did they dress? All of which would soon be answered once they drew a little closer.

[Anonymous]

[[good grief...sorry for goin' poof...got busy preparing for college courses... >.<]]

Jarrah couldn't help giving a silent sigh of relief once the lights of Larkdell came into view. Now they wouldn't have to keep their guard up for the hazards of the road. Even the hungriest of wild cats didn't brave coming this close to the town.

Once inside the front gates, the magic glow faded from his hand. Granted, the few lanterns that dotted the street weren't exactly enough to allow him to see very well in the darkness - he could make out shapes and figures, little else. But he was very familiar with the layout of the place, enough that he could navigate it without his sight. He passed through here whenever he needed to cross the mountains, after all.

By this time in the evening, most businesses were closed and the majority of the residents had retreated to their homes - save for the occasional street urchin and lady of the night. For the most part this town was clean, but every place had its flip side... And those who were out at this hour didn't give off the best impression of the place.

Turning to Kenavi, the medic motioned down a nearby street. "There's an inn down this way that's open all night. Should have some rooms open."