Winter's messenger

[Anadwen]

"Actually, I might be searching for something. For example food. Or breakfast. Or a snack." he shrugged. "I would wait for Maigrod, but what he'll bring will most likely be just chewed bones. Or nothing at all..."

He leaned back at the table, putting his hands behind his back, and looked up at the ceiling. He'd waste as much time as he could - after all, Maigrod isn't going to return any soon. He might be forced to spend all of today here, and maybe even rent a room in an inn to spend the night. It was unsafe to travel through the night in winter, since it was cold and even a dragon and an elf couldn't see as far into the darkness through the falling snow.

[wolfie]

"Yes, food is a good idea. Lets see what I have," she said knowing that there wasn't much in way of servants. She got up and stretched. Julianna wasn't much of a cook, but it was better than nothing. She went to her pantry and opened a couple doors seeing a few things to work with.

"What would you like? I can make something out of these eggs or if you want I could heat up this meat," she said giving him options. She wasn't sure what an elf ate as she never had one as a guest before.

"Out of those options I think I'd prefer the nothing."

[Anadwen]

Athran looked at the food with a bit of disappointment. There wasn't much of it... "I'll take the meat, please." he said eventually. He always favored meat over other meals, and this time was no different - even though some would think elves more peaceful, he ate like a wild beast, lot of meat, and only a little of the other things.

His eyes checked the food around once more, and suddenly stopped. He gave the shelves an empty look, and collapsed onto the floor like a log of wood.

[wolfie]

She watched him not sure what to make of what he was doing. He seemed to be looking over the shelves as if something would appear out of thin air. She remembered doing that when she was younger. She was used to them being empty. They got by here, but not easily. She often took so little so her people could eat.

"Sure," she said getting the meat ready for him. She worried more for him than for herself just then. She heard something hit hard on the floor and turned to see what was going on. She left the meat on the table moving over to his side.

"Are you okay?"

[Anadwen]

He stared at the ceiling, unsure what just happened, but in one moment, an incredibly intense wave of sharp pain simply smote him down. Maigrod... It must have been something with Maigrod. There was no other explanation for this.

He raised himself to his elbows. "I guess. I don't know what happened..." he muttered, slowly standing up. What could this mean? Maigrod was supposed to be hunting somewhere in the nearby woods. There was hardly any danger for a big dragon like him...

At least nothing natural could have caused something like that.

[wolfie]

"Is there something I could do to help?" She said not sure what was going on. She didn't get that many guests but she liked to have them healthy. Julianna was watching him as he got to his feet again. She too stood.

"Perhaps you should sit down while I prepare some food for you," she said not sure what else to do. Hunger pains had felled more men that she cared to see. She figured he fainted because of hunger and nothing more. She just wasn't sure what else it could be. There were many things she still had to learn about.

[Anadwen]

Athran nodded, and dropped down onto the nearest chair. He delved into his hair with his hands, and the raven-black strands slipped over the dark metal of his gauntlets, when he spoke again. "I don't know what it was, but I suspect something has gone bad with Maigrod. Dragon riders share a spectacular bonds with their pets... When he gets hurt, I feel it." he explained her calmly, but his voice was quiet.

"I'm not hungry anymore. But I'd appreciate a glass of water, if you could find one."

[wolfie]

Julianna wasn't sure what to do. He plopped down and seemed concerned with how he was looking. She didn't know if that was normal for him, or not. She didn't ask.

"Do you need to check on Maigrod then?" She asked then heard he didn't want food. She put it away and grabbed a glass opening the door for a second she scooped up very white snow. She placed it by the fire.

"That should melt quick enough. Water coming up," she said making sure she had closed the door again. It was how she drank water, and the only way she knew how to get some in a hurry. She was always careful to make sure the snow was white. Otherwise the water was no good.

[Anadwen]

Athran closed his eyes and gave her a nod. "I can feel the connection with him quite close, though he is definitely not in the town. I can't, however, speak to him... He's either too far, or unconscious." he replied.

"Could I get the water before it's completely melted, please? I need it cold." he asked. He needed something cold, and that was the best thing he could do if he didn't want to shove his face into the snow. He felt tired, clenched in pain coming from strange parts of his body, and all he managed to do was unbuckling a few parts of his armour to make himself more comfortable.

[wolfie]

"I'm sorry to hear that. I hope he is okay I'd hate to have anything happen to such a majestic creature," she said not worried that it might be happening on her lands. She could take care of whoever was doing harm to this dragon. They would be punished she would make sure of it.

"Of course," she said giving him the glass of somewhat melted snow. She stayed close in case he wanted anything else.

"Is there anything I can do?"

[Anadwen]

Athran took the water and slowly drank the contents of the glass. It was cold like ice, but the coolness cleared his mind. He handed the empty goblet to Julia, and thanked her. "I don't know if there really is anything... I should search for Maigrod." he replied.

"I'd use a guide around the town and forests that surround it. I don't think I have been here before, and the terrain is confusing." he admitted.

[wolfie]

Julianna heard the words and noted that he drained the glass easy enough. She placed it on the nearby table and wondered who knew this place the best. She couldn't just expect her people to help him without something though. Times were tough enough.

"Then let's go search for him. I know this place well enough and can guide you. My people are not in need of me at the moment. I am sure I can leave someone in charge though if something pops up," she said glad to be of any help.

[Anadwen]

Athran fastened the armour again, deciding that he has rested enough. He pulled the thick black fur on his shoulders closer to his neck, and hid his head in the hood, lined with the same kind of fur. The armour was thick and could shield him both from wind and snow well, what was an advantage, considering how heavily it was snowing outside.

"I can feel his presence somewhere in the north..." he informed Julia, and pointed at the door. "I think we should hurry up. I'm losing the connection."

[wolfie]

She grabbed her wrappings and put them on ready to head out. She almost wished she hadn't volunteered herself for this, but knew backing out was not an option. He needed help and she was there. Besides she didn't often get to roam about.

"Well then lets waste no time. To the north we go," she said and opened the door feeling the cold go right through her. She paid it no mind though as she waltzed outside hoping he was behind her. She wouldn't be able to find the dragon on her own. She hoped everything was alright.

[Anadwen]

The cold wind blew snow into Athran's pale face, but he paid no attention to it. He let Julia lead him north, walking right beside her. Despite being garbed in such heavy armour, he was light on his feet, hardly sinking into the snow at all.

The hillside they walked up was rather steep, and as they left the town, trees surrounded them, occasionally shaking some snow onto their heads. It was freezing cold, and Athran's armour was beginning to get coated in frost.

[wolfie]

She felt every step the wind went straight through her. Her coats and all her winter wear needed replacing if not fixing. She didn't say anything though. Soon enough they would be back in front of a warm fire, and she would have helped these two. That was enough for now. She focused on that rather than the cold going through her.

"How close are we? Is the connection getting stronger?" She asked. Julianna could tell him what was where, but she had no connection like he did. It surprised her he didn't just go in the direction of where he felt his dragon instead of needing a guide. It made her wish she had an armed escort just then.

[Anadwen]

Athran nodded. "He's somewhat closer... I can dimly sense him up north, but now I will need your help. I don't know the paths in this forest..." he admitted, peering into the distance.

As he glanced at Julia, he noticed that her clothes were far from well-accustomed for this weather. Without saying a word, he took off his black scarf, and handed it to her. Complicated ornaments adorned the exquisite fabric, picturing vines and leaves, and it was thick and soft, already warmed by his body. He didn't really need it, as his neck was still covered by leather armour underneath.

[wolfie]

"Oh good. What path do you need? With the snow the paths are kind of hidden," she said being honest. She then noted he handed her his scarf. She put it on glad for anything that was warm. At least her head would survive for awhile longer.

"I'll do my best, but its hard to see what path is where. It's better to just roam in the winter. I do know where the dangers are."

[Anadwen]

Athran pointed into the distance, somewhere over the top of this hill. "I can't feel it too strong. It's not too definite. I know he is somewhere north, maybe northwest from us." he explained, gazing at the indefinite horizon afar.

"If you would be too cold, notify me, please. I can borrow you my cape." he offered her before he begun walking again. He didn't need it too much, anyway.

[wolfie]

"Then we should head in that direction. Oh," she said blushing a little she hadn't expected him to notice her predicament with the weather. She was grateful but it was a little embarrassing not to have the right stuff. She wished her lands were better off. She had to find some way to help her people. She could do without, but they couldn't. She wondered who else was freezing because of winter gear being inferior. She would have to check into that.

"Thank you, I'll be okay for now, but I will let you know. Watch your step there. If you hit that patch it will send you into an old mine. I'm surprised the snow is still covering it."