Hunger had been ailing him for some time. Survival was not his best skill, that he had to admit as there was no way to deny it. He was tired, and the pain in his stomach was not anything he couldn't get used to, despite the frequent sleepless nights, the weariness in his blood and bones. He could feel the unexplained magic rushing through his body a little more as he came to depend on it to keep him alive.
It was in that state he dragged himself to the borders of a town, and sagged on the doorstep to the local INN. The rain came down in torrents, and he was soaked through more thoroughly than a puddle. Jonas' clothing was covered in mud and whatever grass it managed to capture from the hills he had struggled over. The smoke billowing out from the houses had been a beacon in the fading light. And that night he slept on the doorsteps, his pockets far to empty to afford a room.
In the morning he found promise for a better day.
He had caught rumours around the countryside; from passing traders to sellswords, about a brigand that had a bounty on his head. A sizeable bounty. Jonas needed that money, and he couldn't think of any other way to get it quickly. He had gained some knowledge on the road on how to defend himself, and there was a fire that seemed to constantly burn in his heart that kept him from quitting when all things seemed lost. It saved him more than anything else.
Redfort keep. It was a name on many tongues in the town, and it didn't take him long to find the information he needed. The local rat, not literally the animal, twisted his hands and fidgeted when Jonas brought up the subject; his pudgy fingers playing at the hems of his tunic and his face flush. He wasn't the only one asking about Johnny-two-toes it seemed. But it didn't stop him.
Jonas quickly found himself on the road, with only his feet to bring him along through the muck. The rains had let up, and the sun began to shine through the cracks in the clouds. His guard had been down, and his heart sized as an arrow shot by his ear. Jonas plunged into the nearby brush, and found that someone had the same idea.
"Lovely weather, isn't it." He said.
She hadn't been on the road long. In fact she was finding things out more and more. It seemed in a town one needed money to buy things like food. She had her first lesson the hard way as she almost dove into an apple before paying for it. Having returned the apple unharmed the guy let her go.
Alerri wandered around looking for ways to earn money. It seemed there wasn't an easy way of doing that when you were a stranger in town. She still had much to learn, and she was planning on staying alive meaning she would need money for food. She had no use for it before and knew very little of it now.
Hearing there was a wanted man roaming around she didn't think much of it. When someone mentioned capturing him would get her some money though she was ready for it. She had no idea how to capture someone as she wasn't that good at hunting. She sighed and headed out immediately.
Her night had been horrid. Nothing to eat no place to sleep. She was used to the outdoors though. She wondered maybe she could change into her dragon form and scare this guy into coming with her. It might be the easiest way to get him. She would have done so had it not been for the arrow set loose in the air. She ducked into a bush hoping that she wasn't the target. It would be the last thing she needed then.
She was about to leave the bush and see if it was safe when some guy darted into the same bush. She heard what he said wondering why he would ask about that. She sighed and shook her head at him.
"We have arrows whizzing by our heads and you want to know about the weather? Really?" She said not sure what to make of him. She wasn't some warrior she had no idea how to get rid of the guy with the arrows.
"It was a joke." He said. But it seemed he managed to become brush buddies with someone that didn't have a sense of humour. Oh joy. Jonas' jovial expression had be replaced with a frown and a furrow of his brow.
He kept low in the bush, not daring to move too sharply and draw attention to whoever was watching for him. It was a difficult task, as his feet were sliding towards the ditch they were precariously perched on the ledge of.
"Can you see anything?" He whispered, not entirely sure who he was speaking to, given the leaves and twigs were in the way of the majority of his sight, but by her voice earlier, he could guess she was a woman. And not a very pleased one.
Alerri was still trying to get used to human humor. It was something she hadn't seen before. Humor yes, but there was a difference between what humans and dragons found funny. She was learning.
She wondered if the shooter had moved or if they were just waiting for someone to stick their head up. She had never felt hunted before but she didn't like the feeling. It was as if whoever was after her and this guy knew they would be walking down that road. It made her wonder if the shooter was actually after whoever walked down the road. She hated the person already.
"Actually I can't see much. The shooter was hidden when the first arrow went by my head. Nothing is moving and everything is quiet. I'm thinking whoever is shooting is waiting for something to move again. We either wait them out or try to take them down," she said not liking the fact that she had to work with this guy to get out of this jam.
That was disappointing. Jonas strained his ears to hear alien footsteps, but his senses could only catch the song of birds and leaves drifting lightly to the ground. She was right about everything being quiet. His heart beat was the loudest sound in his ears.
If he could assume, that was one of the bandits in league with Johnny-two-toes; no passerby would shoot at strangers if they didn't have anything to hide - or protect. It made Jonas wonder about their information ties; it was exceedingly quick that they knew what he looked like. The rat could have had different loyalites. Or perhaps they just shot at everyone and hoped for the best. Gods help him he didn't want it to be the latter.
"Take him down?" He echoed back, his face scrunching up. How exactly? They were not in the best position to do that. They were vulnerable. Trapped. The archer had the advantage that they didn't. Jonas moved slightly, being careful of his footing, and used his hands to pull back some brush.
He couldn't see them.
Probably because they were sneaking up from behind.
Alerri sighed not liking being a sitting duck. She wasn't used to being prey for anyone but being on the top of the ladder. She wondered if this was how human's actually felt when they were trapped. She hoped so it would mean she was getting the information she sought.
She wondered where they were and couldn't take the suspense any more. Using her mind she sought out the shooter. There was one ahead and three of them behind them. She had no idea how to get out of this mess wishing she could just blink them out of there. Unfortunately she hadn't learned that draconi skill just yet.
"Yeah that might not be a good idea now. The shooter is still in position and three men are behind us. Don't ask how I know I just do."
"Behind us?" He hissed low, and looked over his shoulder. Now that she mentioned it, were those footsteps he heard? Crunching on the ground? His heart caught in his throat as it tried to flutter away from his body. Or at least that was what it felt like. His mind was spinning.
He'd rather take the one in front of them than the three behind. If he kept moving, the archer would have a hard time getting aim on him.
With a deep breath, and a quick prayer to his gods, Jonas slid from underneath the brush and into the ditch below. He landed heavily on rocks with the side of his hip, and he cried out, much to his regret.
Alerri sighed wondering what this guy was thinking. Had he asked she could have told him that was a bad move. It was something she considered when she first got into the bushes. The ditch helped her in the fact that the three guys couldn't come directly at them.
She had a feeling she would regret this later, but there was no other course of action. Springing up fast she darted for the trees thinking it safer there. She also knew that might bring only one of them on to her. There at least she could change into her other form without anyone seeing her. It gave her the advantage.
I hope he doesn't think I've abandoned him. Can't worry about that right now though gotta keep safe. Why do I get myself into these messes? She thought wondering what blunder would come next. She thought for a second on leaving the guy behind and going after her goal. That just wasn't her though as she removed her clothing and changed into her magnificent orange scaled self.
Blood was welling up from underneath his fingers as he pressed his hands against the side he fell on. It took him some time, but he wreathed his body into a sitting position. Awkwardly on the rocks were they dug in uncomfortably. His clothing hadn't been torn, but they were quickly staining with red, Jonas' set his jaw, determined to keep moving. He couldn't stand still, not when there could be the target of multiple nasty individuals. He looked up to see long shadows stretching down the hill he slid from, and heard hoarse voices in the air. His heart took to wing again, and was grateful to feel the magic in his body coming to tend to his hurts.
An blur of orange caught his sight from the corner of his eyes. The woman was moving, but away from him. He didn't hold it against her. His idea was possibly not the best. But the thought of being too near danger gave him the motivation to being his ascend up the steep ridge. He hoped with all he could hope that an arrow was not trained at his skull. Jonas doubted he'd be able to heal from that.
Instead, as his hands, bloodied with his own life, grasped at the top of his climb he began to hear screams and shouts.
"Dragon!"
He froze, hearing the snapping of trees and the pounding of boots on twigs heading away from where he was. There was cursing rife in the air. They weren't the words he would choose, but they were close enough. His body felt cold with anxiety, but he pulled himself up and while on his belly, he saw it.
The dragon.
She heard them running away. It made her laugh that men would be so afraid of her it wasn't something she was used to, but she was glad to see them tripping over themselves instead of shooting at her. She had a feeling the arrows would still come, but she wasn't worried about them. True to form the archer and shot at her twice.
Idiot. She thought as she caught them in her mouth snapping both of them. Alerri only did this to scare him make him flee. It worked. She had no idea who had hired them, but she didn't care. Her life and that of the man in the bush were the only thing that mattered just then.
Once she was sure he was safe she went back to where her clothing was and transformed putting them on. She had a job to do and as a dragon that might hinder her work. At least now she knew men would cower before her. She had only heard stories before.
Heading back to the man she had protected she wanted to see if he was okay. She also wanted him to see she was okay too. He might try to fight for her, and that was the last thing she wanted. She had heard of that too knights and such trying to protect the innocent from dragons. It was a laugh though considering she was hardly innocent and yet the dragon.
"Are you okay?" She asked as she neared him.
It was an orange and blue majesty. For all his years, he had never seen a dragon. In books, yes, but not in cold flesh. Scales shimmered in the daylight, birds took to the air at grave speeds; groups spinning out of the trees to escape the giant. The men where rushing away, and Jonas' own fingers dug deeper into the moss laden ground he clung to. He did not dare to move, and yet his eyes kept staring at the beast.
He prayed it would not find him. He missed the cradle of the tomb around him, and the dreams that eased him through hundreds of years. He was not afraid then. He was at peace after a weary life. But now he felt alone, away from his gods as the footsteps of the dragon thundered and shook the earth.
Then he witnessed something remarkable. Through the cracked trees the monster lumbered away its weighty form, and disappeared. And what came out in its place was a woman. A woman with orange hair.
Jonas brought himself to his knees, the coldness of the moss seeping through his clothing. He stared wide eyed as she approached him, mouth gaping open slight. His hair was stuck to the side of his face.
"I'm... Fine." He hesitated with the words, his mind not up to speed. "You...Did you just..."
((Ugh shoot, I hit quote and not modify. |: My bad))
She wasn't sure what to make of this guy. He seemed okay until he spoke. She could have sworn he was injured when he went down into the ditch earlier. Maybe something had happened or she had heard wrong she didn't know. It seemed strange though.
Alerri heard him putting two and two together. It wasn't pleasant what came next. She knew she would have to make it seem like it wasn't true. She couldn't have her secret spread far and wide by anyone. Especially someone she didn't know or trust.
"Did I just what? Curl into a ball in fetal position and wait until it was safe? I'm not dumb enough to take on four men one with a bow and arrow not to mention that dragon. I was lucky it didn't see me," she said shaking her head. She made it sound like it wasn't something she saw every day. She just hoped it was enough to convince him.
He wasn't sure what to make of her either. Jonas looked her up and down, gathering an impression of her demeanour. More confident than his was, that was for sure. Her orange hair gathered down her shoulders and was in a slight tangle from the brush she walked out form, but nothing glaringly. It did not take away her looks.
"Right." He said, giving her a hard stare. Jonas didn't believe her story. He was certain that she was the dragon hidden in sheep's clothing. But he could play her game if it kept her from gobbling him up like a breakfast. He wouldn't make much of one, he noted. It would be lying if he said he wasn't afraid. Knowing that there was such power behind a pretty face made him all the wary of how she used it.
Jonas stood up, dusting off his knees.
"Thanks to the dragon then," He said. "I'm Jonas, it would be a pleasure to meet you if it were under any other circumstances, I assure you."
She noted that he was looking her up and down. She didn't have much to look at for her to do the same with him on his knees. She wondered what he was thinking, and knew she could find out if she wanted to. The think was she didn't intrude on human thoughts unless she had no other choice.
"That sounded convincing. I take it you don't believe me," she said placing a hand on her hip. Sure she was lying through her teeth. She didn't want him to know that though already he was posing more of a problem than anything else. She sighed and brushed some of her hair back behind her.
"Yes, thanks to the dragon. Are you hurt that looked like a very bad fall," she said hoping he was okay. She didn't like seeing others harmed if she could help. She noted he seemed okay when she stood up from his knees. She wondered why he was worried about the dust on his pants it shouldn't have mattered considering they were already dirty from the brush.
"I'm Alerri, its always a pleasure to meet someone new. What do you mean other circumstances?"
No, he didn't believe her. Jonas gave her a sheepish sort of smile at the accusation, not looking to defend himself, but not willing to blow his rouse outright. There were stranger things in the wilds. And he was one of them.
"Hurt?" He echoed and remember where he fell. His fingers grazed slightly over the splotchy red stain of clotted blood on his clothing. The wound was gone; he could tell from the lack of blood running down his leg, and the absence of stinging pain.
"I got better." He said, and ran a hand through his tangled white hair. "I meant no offense, Alerri. It's just not the best way to meet people, you know? Jumping into bushes, fending off bandits. Not a lot of room for howdy-dos."
She knew there was no fooling him, but she wasn't about to admit all to him either. There were several reasons in her mind that she should walk away and never worry about him again. He wouldn't dare tell another soul what he witnessed she could eat him if he tried.
"I'm glad you're healed. I guess I'll be on my way then bad guys to catch money to collect and such," she said not believing she just said that. It was the truth though. No sense in telling another lie if one didn't have to.
She was about to depart when she heard this very loud rumbling noise. What she didn't know was that it had been her own stomach to talk this time. It took a moment before she realized what was going on making her blush. She hadn't eaten yet and thought maybe she better go quickly before he thought she was really going to eat him.
He was gladdened by the fact the dragon woman did not take offense. Anyone would be. Though the magic that flowed through him made him stronger, he could not even begin to take on a dragon bare-handed. It would be a tough enough problem to take on bandits weaponless, but he was worse with a sword, honestly.
She began to turn away, her words ringing in his ears. Though the flurry of her speech, he at first didn't quite grasp what she said, as shown by the expression on his face. But his eyes widened when he gained insight.
"W-wait!" He called out to the woman a few paces ahead of him. Not the best idea he had, as the grumbling of her stomach echoed through the forest. At least he hoped it was her stomach and not the dragon growling back at him. He caught up to her, testing his bravery.
"You too?" He said, walking around to stand in front of her. If he had a dragon on his side, then those bandits would be than an arrow through a bear. Was that even a saying? He swore it used to be. "Want to work together? Lets work together."
Alerri hadn't expected to hear him call for her to stop or at least slow so he could catch up to her. She was hungry and needed to find a way to calm her stomach for now until she could get enough money for food she needed. Sure she could hunt, but that would require the dragon something she did best not to bring out unless necessary.
"Me too? Work together? Why should we work together?" She asked as she turned to him. If they worked together they would have to split the money. She had a feeling that wasn't a good idea wondering if she would be able to feed off of what the money would be if split.
She didn't know this man. He could be one to desert her in the middle of nowhere without any aide. She had a feeling he didn't believe her story about the dragon, and thought maybe he would betray her later so some town folks could run her through. There was always the chance that he would run her through the minute she closed her eyes.
Why should they work together? He was wondering about his words the moment they left his mouth. They would have to split the bounty money, but it would still mean he would have more than he had now. The thought tasted bitter on his tongue, he had to admit.
"Exactly what I said." He continued on, using his arms to gesture wildly. "We split the coin, and get through the job without dying." Hopefully. The dragon just might gobble him up after all was said and done. Why didn't he think of that before?
"I don't understand why you'd want to split the money. As for without dying I can do that well enough. Why should I have your assistance in capturing this man?" She asked knowing she had walked into the ambush. Now that she knew about ambushes though she would be more careful.
Alerri didn't understand. This man wanted her help and was willing to work together. She didn't know him nor did she trust him either. It didn't help matters that he didn't believe her at word value. She sighed wondering what more he could say.
She was making it awfully hard to cut a deal. The main reason Jonas had been wanting to team up was because he was dreadfully inexperienced in how to stay alive. It was a wonder he wasn't dead all ready. He needed the coin, even just half of it. It would serve him for a while.
But it looked like he was getting nowhere.
He sighed.
Up from the brush he heard a shout, and chills ran down his spine when the words reached his ears.
"There they are!"
Alerri knew she was making it difficult on him. He was a stranger who could make a deal and then break it two minutes later for all she knew. She was waiting to see what he would say to make this happen. He seemed to be the type who had an answer for everything.
It seemed she would be waiting forever when the words reached them. She sighed wondering how stupid humans could be. She wasn't up for trying to run away and change into a dragon.
"I suggest we head for the hills and fast," she said trying to also make her story about the dragon seem true. If she didn't change again it might make him doubt that.
"Looks like we have no choice for now we stick together," she said as she turned to run. It wasn't long before she was heading away from those chasing her.
They looked angry.
Really, really angry.
Jonas couldn't make out their faces as they rushed towards them. Thick beards covered their features, and in his head he quickly gave them names. Beard one, Beard two...
He wouldn't argue with Alerri's idea. Running was a good choice. The brief check he made of their arsenal assured him that they wouldn't have arrows soaring into their backs. So, he ran along with her. Jonas' heart pounded in his ears, and his breathing was quick; always on the edge of losing his breath but not quite. After some minutes they took a detour through the brush in hopes to slow their pursuers down. Leaves and twigs whipped at his face and tangled in his stark white hair, but they couldn't stop.
The dragon coming out and gobbling up the men would sure seem useful right now, he thought to himself as his legs grew weary. Alerri was ahead of him, moving through the brush far better than he was. And all it took was a falter from Jonas for the bandits to be on him.
A blade dug into the back of his shoulder. The pull out was worse than it going it. Blood spilled down his clothing, and the pain made his adrenaline race. His left arm was useless, but it hardly mattered as he gave a good crack to one of the bandits' face. Literal crack. He broke a nose.
Alerri heard him behind her. She wasn't getting tangled up too badly. The detour didn't seem to work though. She sighed glancing back. Things went from bad to worse. She knew going dragon would solve this quickly, but she was learning sometimes the quickest answers weren't always the best.
She heard him slowing down behind her wondering if he wanted them to get caught. She didn't like this one bit. She heard the bandits catching up to at least him. Thoughts of leaving him behind that she didn't need him crossed her mind quickly. She looked back seeing the sword go through him.
She stopped wondering if perhaps she should help him. He wasn't anyone to her - yet. She wasn't sure what she could do to help him she was no solider or fighter. Sure she could turn into some really scary creature, but right then wouldn't be good. She wouldn't want anyone knowing she could do that. He thought he knew, but if she didn't change it might prove to him her story before was right after all.
Alerri was beginning to think he didn't need her as she hit the goon in the face. She sighed and went back for him. There was no way he was going to make it hurt like that. She would be surprised if he did.
"Come on we need to find some place to hide and quick," she said sounding like she was scared. She knew in this form they could hurt maybe even kill her. She didn't want that. Perhaps teaming up isn't such a bad idea after all.
The broken-nosed bandit stumbled down to his knees, cradling his broken facial feature. In the end, the man wouldn't have much to worry about; it wouldn't make him any uglier in the least.
Jonas stepped away, barely missing the blade of the other man. Pain surged through his shoulder, and he could feel his warm life's blood spilling out from the wound. It was unnerving. He heard Alerri's footsteps coming up from behind them, quickly.
"Alerri, stay back!" He tried to shout; to warn her. The uninjured bandit had a glint in his eyes that told him he wanted revenge for his partner, but would settle at taking a jab at the woman with the pointy-end of his sword as she became in arms reach.
She had been thinking it would be easy to get him and get out of there. She hadn't seen the other guy nor knew where he came from. She heard the warning and stopped immediately. Watching this she wasn't sure what to do.
Again thoughts came to leave him behind. She couldn't do that though. Saving her own skin or scales seemed to be the last thing she wanted to do. He needed her help, but the problem was she wasn't sure how to help him.
Alerri didn't want to change into the scales. There had to be another answer. She just wasn't seeing one. She carefully looked around to see if there was anything she could do to distract the man with the sword. Nothing was coming to mind.
She wasn't moving. Didn't she realise the man coming at her with the sword could kill her? Jonas set his jaw and lunged at the armed bandit, using his weight to knock him to the ground. The man's sword hand smashed on a rock and he let go of the weapon. Jonas was not as strong as he would have liked to be, having his arm momentarily out of order, but it was enough to disarm.
"Grab the sword!" He shouted, knowing that time was pressing down on both of them as the bandit struggled underneath him. The rasping bloodied voice of the one with the broken nose was close by and not unarmed.
Alerri wasn't used to seeing someone fight. It was a first for her. Nobody had bothered to save her before either. She didn't like the new feeling all of this was giving her. She saw Jonas lunge at the guy and pin him down. She heard what he was saying and acted on it.
Once she had the sword she was completely at a loss though. Was she suppose to give it to Jonas? Was she suppose to keep and use it? How did one use a sword? Too many questions and not enough answers.
"Now what?" She asked not sure what he wanted from her just then. She thought maybe it would have been best to just leave him after all. It would have been less trouble for her.
Relief filled him when Alerri grabbed the sword, but it was fleeting; it left as quick as it came. She wasn't doing anything with it except for standing and letting it lay in her hand. He wasn't used to fighting, and it didn't look like she was either. What a team they made.
"Alerri-" His voice was cut off as the man he had pinned freed an arm and caught him in the chin. The alien anger swelled in Jonas, cutting off his natural line of thought. With a quick movement of his right hand, magic crackled on his skin and blue hued smoke rose out from it. A blinding light flashed in front of the bandit's face, and less than a blink he was knocked out.
"Don't move. Or I'll do the same to you!" He shouted, his voice taking on an eerie hollow echo. His arm was stretched out to the other bandit raising to his knees, and he stopped mid action to stare at Jonas. What a sight he must have been. A deep wound to his shoulder, the blood running down his side and down his lip where it was busted. His eyes held an unnatural glow to them, like a monster.
She heard him say her name but not much else. He was tangling with the guy pinned again. In an instant there was a flash of light. She sensed the magic that was around. She noticed what Jonas looked like right after he was done with the one man and threatening the other. Any normal person would be afraid.
"I'd ask to look at that shoulder but I'm certain I won't need to. You could have said something about being magical," she said sounding a little hurt in that. She wanted to be of some help now she knew she would just be a burden.
I should have just left him. He didn't need me, and I only made matters worse. She thought leaning against a tree. She still had the sword in her hands.
The bandit held his broken nose as his eyes grew wide with panic. He shuffled quickly to his feet and began to run in the opposite direction, stumbling along the way. Jonas still felt the heat of the anger rushing through him as he watched the man's backside disappear into the brush.
"You!" He shouted, and turned to Alerri. He sat atop the bandit he still had pinned, and the eerie hollow tone to his voice was not making a point to fade away. His heart beat ran in his ears like the hooves of a dozen horses.
"You did nothing!" He said, the kind and calm man was there no longer. "What a wry remark, assuming that I don't need help." He struggled to his feet, using only one arm to help him up. The blood loss made him dizzy but the magic inside him was quick to kill the pain in his shoulder. It left him more time to steep in his rage.
Alerri wasn't sure if she should chuck the sword, hand it to him, or keep it for later. She wasn't sure she liked what he was becoming. He hadn't shared anything at all about using magic himself. She should have seen it or at least felt it had she been concentrating on him. That bothered her.
He had turned on her. Her eyes became more slit like but not completely as he was blaming her for doing nothing. At least she hadn't done something and ended up getting him harmed. It took her by surprise that he could hear her thoughts. She would have to sensor those or block him if she should. She had a feeling since she never did it before she wouldn't be able to block him now.
"Well from a lady who has never fought in her life I figured you were doing fine. Perhaps this is why its such a bad idea to team up after all. As for my thoughts stay out of my head," she said not happy about this at all. She waited to see what he wanted to do. As for her she was ready to call it quits on this little alliance.
His anger simpered down at her words. Completely rational words. She had never fought before, it made sense that she didn't know how to use a sword, or what to do when two brazen men came at her ready to kill. Despite being a dragon, she was a rabbit. Why in the world did she agree to go after bandits?
Another thing struck him odd, though. Not just her lack of prowess.
"Out of your thoughts?" His voice was returning to normal, and the magic was fading away. His brown eyes were staring at her in disbelief. "I meant...I meant my shoulder. Like you said."
Was she that naive? Where in the world did she come from?
He stepped over the unconscious man at his feet and took a few paces towards Alerri. His free hand gripped onto the arm he couldn't use. The bleeding had stoped, but it would be a while yet before he could move it.
"Or...Did you think I didn't need you? At all?" He said, the expression was sad as the old Jonas seeped back into control.
Alerri sighed. This was turning out to be one huge mistake. She had been in this for only one reason - to make some money so she could at least eat. She wasn't sure how else humans made money. She had no idea she would need fighting skills to get the money.
"Oh," she said realizing how embarrassing this was. She hoped he wouldn't ask her any questions. She wasn't prepared for anyone to ask her about her past. Alerri wasn't sure she would know what to say no matter what was asked.
"That's exactly what I'm thinking. I'm just in your way," she said still feeling useless. The only time she had done any good was when she transformed into her scaled self. She wasn't about to do that though on a whim and not in front of anyone. It was the last thing she really needed. Someone to be afraid of her just because she was different.
"Am I wrong?" She asked noticing he had come closer to her. The man who was lying on the ground didn't even stir. She knew he wouldn't be trouble for them for awhile.
"Yes, you're wrong!" He said, if a little too forceful. "I mean...No, that's exactly what I mean."
She wasn't good at fighting. He got that. But neither was he. It would be a miracle if they made it out alive with such little wealth of experience. He got mad too quickly at her. And he regretted every moment and cursed the magic flowing in him. Jonas shifted his wait to a different foot, and the movement jarred enough of his shoulder for it to hurt.
"I can't fight either." He said, his eyes looking at her, wishing for her to believe him. "You just...y'know, tackle them and hit them, and hope they stay down."
Alerri hadn't expected the outburst. She was feeling sheepish at being wrong, which was weird for a dragon. She had a feeling he wouldn't be doubting her dragon story much longer. If she had done that again she would have lost all credibility as a human.
She heard him say that and wanted to laugh. He had just done it before her eyes. He actually knocked out one guy and scared the other one away. She wasn't sure she should believe him on the part where he didn't know how to fight.
"You could have fooled me. I thought what you were doing was fighting. As for me, well I've never done anything to anyone before. What is this tackle? Hit them? I don't know these words. What am I carrying?" She asked her curious nature coming out again. She couldn't help it.
"Trust me. I was surprised too." He said, grinning sheepishly at her. He still held onto his arm with a hand, half-afraid that if he let go it would fall off. Jonas looked like a wreck standing there, covered in his own blood, like he shouldn't be walking upright at all.
"You don't...Know these words?" He echoed, dumbstruck. She truly was naive. But he didn't have time to teach her. No doubt the man that ran off would be back with others. They wouldn't leave a threat alone. They had to move while they still could.
"It's a sword." He said hastily, his eyes darting to and fro trying to look for signs in the brush around them that told them they were not alone. "You stab people with the pointy end."
Alerri listened to what he was saying. Being surprised did make humans do some strange things. She noticed how bad he looked, but figured his magic would heal him it must have before. He didn't look happy that she didn't know these words. She never had to use them before nor had any other dragon used them. Her human experience was limited at best.
"No sorry," she said wondering what they meant. She knew what he had done, but she didn't know the words for what he had done. She felt very unlearned wishing he would teach her. She had a feeling though he wasn't going to.
She listened to what he said about the sword in her hands. She kept it thinking it wouldn't be a bad thing to have considering bad men were coming after them. He was watching the bushes for some reason. She sighed.
"We should get moving that guy we are after isn't getting any closer," she said shaking her head. It was a wonder that he hadn't suggested such. She looked at him again, "unless you aren't able to?"
The tingling of magic beginning to heal his arm reached up to his shoulder. It was an uncomfortable feeling. Like having your foot fall asleep, only worse. But Jonas had no right to complain. He wasn't dying.
"Yes," He said. "We need to keep moving. But I have no idea how we're going to do this. Lets lay low to the brush and keep out of as much sight as we can." He paused and added with a sheepish smile: "I don't know how well that will work considering your orange hair, and my white."
Alerri listened to what he was saying. She sighed knowing he was right it would be impossible to hide with her hair. It stood out and there was nothing she could do about that. She was glad she had something now that she might be able to help with. It wasn't much but enough for now.
"Well I was heading east. It's the best thing I could think of unless you think this guy is somewhere else," she said not sure what had drawn her that way. She was thinking about his plan and their hair. It was dead giveaway no matter if they hid or not.
"Wouldn't they expect us to hide? Shouldn't we do what is not expected?"
"I don't know." He admitted, a frown was deeply cradled on his face. He didn't know. He truly didn't know what to do. He had survived the tomb of Sala'ful all those long years, and yet he was going to die to this. No. He was not going to die. And neither was Alerri.
"We keep low as we can. They have archers." He said, "They could be anywhere, and they know this forest better than we do." That was a big problem. Jonas tentatively moved his shoulder, wincing at the stiffness of the joint. "I'm healing, but I won't be much in a fight as I am."
"Where ever their camp is, it must be near water." He said, give a point to a trickle of water rolling down the ditch he recently fell into. "It would save them from travelling to a source. If we find a river, then we might be able to follow it to them."
Alerri didn't like this not knowing business. Sure she hadn't been a human long, but surely this man had been one long enough to know something. She listened when he spoke to her. He was forming something, and it seemed to be a good idea.
"What do we do when we find them?" She asked not sure which 'them' he was referring to. It was all just too much for the naive girl. She wanted the money, but this was getting hard. All she really wanted was food. If she could find a way to be fed she wouldn't care about money.
"Well if we do get in another fight I'll try," she said not sure how that would work. She hoped nobody else would challenge them. She waited for him to lead the way hoping he would show her how to keep down.
What did they do when they found them? Jonas highly doubted the both of them could simply walk into their camp and say 'oh hey we're here for the bounty, don't mind us'. It wasn't going to work like that. Only in whimsical children's tales did it work like that. And unfortunately, they weren't in any.
"We'll...Have to come up with a plan." He said. "For now, let's keep moving. We're like sitting ducks here. And you'll be fine, Alerri." He hoped. Jonas didn't want to hurt anyone anymore than he had, if only his magic were stable and he could call on it when he wanted it, then maybe they stood a better chance.
Jonas took the lead, and waved Alerri to follow him to the brush. It was thick with leaves and berries, and he was quick to tell her not to eat any. He had no idea if they were poisonous or not, and that was the last thing they needed. While their hair stuck out like sore thumbs they were able to not draw attention as they searched for a river. And soon enough, they found one. Or it found them. Jonas stepped right into it, with the water rushing over his ankles and driving the warmth from them. He had heard it first, but his eyes were not quick enough, and when he stepped out of the brush. There it was.
"Look at what we found." He said. Part one of the plan. Now what about part two? He wasn't sure how far away they were from the camp, or even if this was the right river. Jonas rubbed at the stubble on his face, trying to think.
"Y'know," he ventured. "If only we could find that dragon again..."
Alerri followed Jonas through the bush. One time she hadn't realized he was that close or that the point was up and slightly poked him in the butt with it. She put it down to the ground when she realized what she had done blushing a little.
"I know not to eat those I'd prefer to be awake and alive," she said shaking her head. She wasn't that dumb. She felt she had seen them before, but she couldn't remember where. Soon enough they were at a river one he had walked into. She wondered why he did that but didn't ask. Her questions brought nothing but anger out of him.
She listened to what he said and frowned. He still wasn't believing her story. She hated this thinking more and more how this had been a mistake.
"Instead of finding that scary dragon why don't we make one of our own? If we wait until night and then use a flame of some sort along with sounds we could make them believe there is a dragon about. They don't look that bright," she suggested. It was all she was willing to give. Sure she could change, but that would give up her secret. She wanted to preserve that secret along with this guy actually believing her story.
"That's s-" He was about to say, 'that's silly, who would ever believe that was a dragon?' but he stopped himself, his eyes widening in realization. He grabbed onto Alerri's arms with excitement drawing on his face, having the use of his own arm return to him. "That's brilliant!"
Jonas sloshed out of the water and onto the bank, grinning ear to ear. If she wasn't going to play the part of dragon, then they had to do what dragons did. Set things on fire. It was so simple!
"We could smoke them out. Set fire to their camp. " He said, yet as the words left his mouth, a problem arose with that plan. How were they going to do it? As night fell, and it was a long ways off yet, they would see the light of their fire before they could act. Jonas rubbed at his face. "How do we do that without them spotting us?"
Alerri wasn't sure what he was about to say. She didn't look amused though. He seemed excited about the dragon, but he went on to confuse her. She sighed wondering if she would ever understand humans.
"Don't we want them to see the dragon? Or do you have something else in mind? What is this smoking out?" She asked quickly before she could be stopped even by herself. She thought they were good questions.
"Why would we set their camp on fire? I don't want to burn down the forest," she said having thought the dragon would be enough. She wasn't sure what he was going on about. One thing she did know though was if they were to build a dragon of any sort they would have to get working soon.
"Oh right." Jonas was undoubtedly crestfallen at Alerri's logical, and reasonable explanation of why he couldn't go around setting fires. Really, he should have known. Being inside a forest while it was alight was not the brightest of ideas. He must have hit his head sometime when he was sleeping in the tomb. Or he was simply getting to excited.
He chewed on the inside of his cheek as he glanced around their surroundings. There was not much for them to work with, and they didn't have proper tools, or proper much of anything. Jonas' face was red from embarrassment, and he kept his eyes shyly from Alerri.
"How are we going to make a dragon?" He asked. "With just twigs and leaves?"
Alerri could tell something was amiss with him. He seemed kind of sheepish just then. She wondered where this came from and why he was displaying such behavior. Desiring to ask she knew better than to open her mouth with a question just then. Besides he beat her to it with one of his own.
"Mud too. A large mound of mud along with some twigs and leaves. It'll be dark so they won't know exactly what they are looking at. We will need a contained fire if possible so that the smoke will be real enough for them," she said hoping this kind of deception would work.
"Then lets get started." He said with a small smile, finally meeting her eyes. This was going to be a long shot, and he knew it, even if they managed to create something that even remotely looked like a dragon. Why was she so hesitant to be one herself? Did she hate that part of her? With that thought, he could empathize, and a twang of pain rushed down his arm from where he had been wounded. He wondered if he imagined it.
The work on their dragon was slow going, and they spent more time gathering materials than building it. It was more trial and error than he could handle, but they had to press on, and it didn't look like Alerri was readying to give up. He wasn't about to, even as he hurt his fingers peeling off bark on twigs to use for twine. Mud was used sparingly after they found it didn't work so well once it dried. The sun drove higher into the sky as they charged on, Jonas could feel the sweat on his neck bead and run down his back. The dragon would be more of a silhouette, pressed against the light, and he hoped it would be enough.
Once they were finished, dusk was beginning to settle around them. Jonas stood back, muddy and tired.
"Think we're done? We don't have much light left." He said to Alerri.
Alerri was amazed what they could accomplish in a few hours. The mud had proved to be a bit difficult, but oh well. No idea isn't without its flaws. His smile was small as if saying something. She just didn't pick up on what it was.
She wouldn't give up on this idea. There was only one alternative left if this failed. She wasn't ready to change or try to make a good excuse on her disappearance if she did change. He hadn't bought the last one either. She could tell that no matter how she tried to explain it away he would know. She didn't know how he knew she just knew he did.
"Almost there is only one thing left to do. We need the fire to make it more convincing," she said standing back looking at their dragon. It was a sad looking one. She sighed wondering if this had any chance at all.
It might be sad, but it was their dragon. And it was a cutey-pie. Abloo bloo. Jonas put his hands on his hips and waited for Alerri to finish her part. Then she stepped back with him to admire.
"And hope it doesn't catch on fire." He said. "I think we should name her Twiggy. And there's still the problem of moving her. We're still a ways from their camp." Further along the river he could see the orange glow of campfires. No doubt it was the bandits. If they were wrong it would be some poor souls that would be attacked by a dragon made out of sticks, leaves, and mud. He'd be rooting for Twiggy, either way.
Alerri listened to what he was saying. She wanted to yell about why they didn't make it closer to the camp site. She sighed instead at a loss for words. How in the world would they get Twiggy over there without destroying her?
"Mud catches on fire?" She said never having heard that before. She knew it wasn't made completely from mud. She wasn't sure about all of this now. This wasn't looking good.
"Do you really think this will work? Is there another way I'm not seeing?" She said waiting for it to come out. She wasn't just going to make it easy on him. If he wanted her to transform he would have to say it.
"No...Not the mud." He said with a small laugh on his voice. If she truly thought mud could catch on fire, that would be adorable. With how naive she was. Not because of anything else. Honest. At her next question, he rubbed at the stubble on his chin.
"This was your idea." He said painly. "It's as good as any. Better than us charging into their camp. If we can use her as a distraction it may be enough for us to take someone hostage, better if it was their leader. Hey, do you think they have obvious telltale signs? Like, the leader wears some funny hat?"
Alerri was relieved to hear that mud didn't catch on fire. She knew some of this would survive and that pleased her. She had never made a dragon before sure she was capable but not like this. She sighed wondering if that would ever happen. She'd probably have to go back home if that were the case.
"Yes, I know it was. But what I'm asking is there a better plan that I'm not seeing? I ask because I'm sure you've more experience in these things than I," she said hoping he would just say how rotten it was and move onto the next one. She heard his questions.
"Sorry I have no idea how to tell the leader from the others. I just figured he'd be the one bossing everyone around."
Jonas frowned slightly. "I guess going after the guy bossing people around will do just fine. At least it's something."
They were doomed. It would take a miracle from the gods for them to push through this, and Jonas was saying his prayers silently at the back of his mind. Not that they could hear, dead as they were. Some part of him wanted to believe his words didn't fall on deaf ears.
"Here, you take this end, and I'll take that end. We'll be moving slow." He said, and squinted up to the sky. "We don't have much light left either."
With that, they began to move their dragon, Twiggy. It was difficult, they lost an arm along the way, but sooner that he wanted they came in sight of the bandit camp, and in the brush, they began to set up. As quietly as they could. And abrupt movement could be the end of them.
Aleeri helped him push the dragon over to the right place. She didn't like that Twiggy lost an arm. She sighed wondering what else might go wrong with this. She shook her head carefully before gathering some wood. They would need it.
"Here's some wood," she whispered hoping that it helped. She had no idea what they were getting into. Trouble she suspected that seemed to follow her pretty well recently. She wondered if he would light the fire right away or wait until after dark. She was just following his lead now.
"Great." He said to Alerri as she brought the wood. "That was quick."
And haste was what they needed. The sun would completely set soon enough. Jonas' heart was pounding, and his mouth was dry with anticipation. He sat down on the cool grass, his weary bones welcoming the rest, however short.
"We'll have to keep our voices quiet." he said, his voice nothing but a whisper. "They could hear us from here if they strained their ears." and he was worried about that; getting jumped before they could jump them. Jonas peered through the brush beside them, his hands pushing away the thorny bush. He could see dark figures moving around their campsite, he swallowed hard against a lump in his throat. So far, so good.
It would take him some time to start the fire, if he wanted to be quiet. As much as his body didn't want to move, he had to, and he knelt by the wood and arranged it. Jonas drew out a flint from the small satchel he kept strapped to his side. It wasn't much, but it was better than trying to rub two sticks together and pray for a spark.
"You have to be ready Alerri to start moving Twiggy. Once this fire starts, the smoke and the light is going to give away our position if they're paying attention." After long moments, what seemed to be eternity, a spark lit up the wood, and Jonas began to nurse the small flame.
"Understood," she said still whispering. She knew they would have to be quiet. One didn't surprise somebody by yelling. She heard what he said and frowned. She was getting tired and Twiggy was heavy.
"Wouldn't she be a better distraction if she's right here though? We'd be able to move around the camp and take them from another place while they try to figure out what this is," she said regretting this plan now. It was more work than she thought it would be.
She saw he was nursing the flame and sighed knowing she would have to move the huge mud thing again. She wasn't sure she would be able to though.
Jonas squinted at her when she asked the question. Truly? "Dragons move," He said. "It won't be very scary if it simply stood still. You don't have to pick it up, just...Y'know give it a little rattle."
Everything was counting on this, he found himself thinking once more, his doubts growing more wild by the second. The fire grew on the wood, and he felt the hot smoke raise up and touch his face. It was almost here. The moment of truth. He wasn't sure if he had the guts to face it. Too late now.
The hand-made dragon's silhouette cast itself over the ground and it's breadth drew onwards with the fire. Anxiety was running cold through Jonas; through all his limbs and making his mouth dry and sticky.
"Now!" He whispered to Alerri, and he himself began to rattle the brush, thorns and all.
Alerri realized he wasn't talking about the dragon leaving that position. She sighed relief and then wanted to laugh. Was he serious about this? Yes dragons moved but not like this. She would know, but she couldn't tell him that. Dragons not scary without movement? That's a laugh. I barely had to move earlier when saving your skin and they were scared witless. She thought.
She did as she was told not sure how this would work. If they were both there then who would go around and grab the guy. This didn't make sense, but she was just going with it. Saying something didn't work out for her with this guy. He had an explanation for everything.
She shook the mud thing, Twiggy, as best she could. She wasn't very strong in this form. This is bound to fail. Nobody is around to catch the guy we need. I should move and let him do this he's far better at it. She thought and remembered she still had the sword.
OOC: Feel free to take the lead and make stuff happen, too!
He could feel the bile rise in his throat, and his stomach churn like the foamy seas. Jonas counted five men in the campsite, and he prayed their leader was with them and it was not some scouting party. He couldn't hear what their voices said, but their low rumbles carried over by the wind, soon enough even that was drowned out by the noise they made.
Please, please, please, please
"Now!" He said to Alerri once he heard a shout rise up that were neither his nor the woman's. Jonas pulled her by the arm to get her to follow him. "Get your sword ready, we're going to need it."
He lead the way through the underbrush, keeping their forms out of sight from the light of the camp. The ring of swords unsheathing echoed in the air, and he realised how much he didn't want a belly full of steel. They came up around to the other side of the camp, crouched low. Wet grasses brushed at his legs, and his senses were more than aware that he still smelt of blood. Blood and sweat.
"Dragons!" He heard men cry, all except for the one that stayed back. His hand was on the hilt of a dirk, and his thick jaw was chewing jerky. His eyes were away from them, and Jonas took the opportunity to slip behind the man and steal the weapon from his very fingers. Magic surged through him, and tingled down his limbs. The bandit had no chance against the speed and strength that aided Jonas. For once, he was grateful. His heart was thudding through his ears, he could hardly believe what he was doing, and how he was doing it. He was a scholar for gods sake! But even so, he pulled one of the man's arms back and held the dirk to his throat.
"Are you Johnny-two-toes?!" Jonas said, in his most threatening voice, or would have been threatening if it didn't crack in the middle. He cursed himself.
Alerri heard what Jonas said and grabbed the sword ignoring Twiggy now. She had served her purpose and she was glad this plan seemed to have worked. She had no idea what to do with the sword having never held one before. She remembered how the other man held it though and did the same.
She heard and observed what these men did even what Jonas did. She was a little impressed at how he subdued that man. She was glad she didn't have to pretend how to use this sword. She could see that might have proven disastrous in the long run.
"No I'm not him he wasn't even here tonight. Good luck finding him now though. I'll get free and then he'll be warned although he won't have much to worry about especially that female," the man said carefully chuckling a little. Alerri sighed at this.
"Well then where can we find him?" She asked figuring that was what was more important. She didn't care what the man thought of her.
"Lady, I wouldn't tell you even if you were a dragon. Eat me," the man answered before falling silent again. She sighed not sure how to make a man talk. Turning dragon might do the trick or might make him faint. She wasn't sure that was a good idea. She looked over to Jonas figuring maybe he had an idea.
"Damnit!" Jonas was visibly shaking, the adrenaline coursing through him like hot cider. Those were not the words he wanted to hear, and in response he pressed more with the knife, its steel smile digging at the bandit's neck. Jonas could feel him flinch under him.
"What good will it do if you kill me?" He chortled, spitting out grime from his mouth as he spoke, his hoarse voice igniting the air. "There's more, and they'll be back. Y'all see."
He was right. Jonas knew he was right. He didn't want to kill, either. Jonas didn't want the blood on his hands, nor did he want it on Alerri's. But there was only so much they could do. He shifted his feet, digging his stance firm into the ground. His eyes flicked towards Alerri standing there with the sword dangling from her hand. She didn't have an answer for him.
Crashing and shouts were heard from a distance, and through the dark Jonas could see the faint forms of the others taking down what was their only defence. Twiggy. Sweat began to bead on his brow, his white hair sopping it up. They were running out of time.
"You're right no reason to kill you. Your family though they might never forgive you if one of them was killed though. Perhaps you should consider them and give us the information. I have ways of finding them your sister perhaps," she said taking a gamble. It seemed to pay off a little.
"You leave her out of this," the man hissed. His eyes narrowed at the mention of his family. She had hit the right notes after all.
"No, I don't think I will. She should wonder why I'm going to kill her. I'll just have to tell her that you let her down when she needed you most. Too bad really I bet she's a nice girl who shouldn't have things like this happen to her," she said waiting and watching the man. Sure they were running out of time, but perhaps this would pay off and they could be on their merry little way before anyone noticed.
Jonas wouldn't have believed the threats coming out from Alerri's mouth if he wasn't there to bare witness to them. He stared at her, the light of the bandit's campfire dancing on the features of her face, giving her a shadowed look to go with her words. He moved his fingers around the grip of the dirk's handle, thanking the gods her words were making the bandit flinch under his rotting clothing.
"What?" The man choked out, his Adam's apple bopping up and down uncomfortably against the blade to his throat. "You leave her out of this!" Desperation ran in his voice, and he began to use his free arm to try and draw away Jonas' hand. It was a feeble attempt. The magic was coursing through his veins, and he prayed it stayed that way. Just a little longer...
The effort had the bandit panting, blood trickling down his neck. "Fine, fine..." He gave up. "It's two miles west of here. But you're never going to get out of here alive."
Shadows were closing in on the camp.
"Run!" Jonas shouted, and let go of his hostage.
Alerri heard his words and said nothing more. She would let the man sit on her words. It seemed to be working which surprised even her. She noted that Jonas was looking at her strangely. She would ask more about that later on. Right then they needed an answer. It didn't take long before he gave them the answer they wanted. She then heard Jonas yell to run.
She did as she was told running away again. She was tired of running away from all threats surely there was a better answer. It made her feel like a coward and she was no coward. She just wasn't sure how to do anything different.
After running for a bit she stopped and looked around. She wasn't sure if Jonas was right behind her when she ran. She looked to see if he had kept up.
There was no better answer. If he had one, he would have gladly took it. They were outnumbered sorely, and even if he had a dragon on his side, the orange haired woman was reluctant to show her scaly hide. Jonas' feet plowed hard against the ground, mud flinging around his boots. His calves burned as he ran keeping pace with Alerri. He heard others footsteps, and the singing of blades being drawn from their sheathes, how he could over his own pounding heartbeat he didn't know. Maybe he imagined it, for he didn't dare look behind his shoulder to see if their pursuers were closer than he thought. He had never ran so much in his life. His chest was burning with the flight.
But at least they had their answer, and no doubt they were heading the wrong way. In their current state, they had no chance against the bandits, and Jonas was not of the right mind to think of a plan. He was more concerned with getting away with their lives. Some may call it cowardice, he called it strategic planning. Which he knew nothing of. He was no tactician. But so far his brief wits had helped them, along with Alerri's cunning. There was no concern dancing on the woman's face when he held the knife to the bandit's throat, just calm. He wasn't sure how he should take it.
"Over there!" He hissed, hoping the woman would hear him. Jonas strode down a path in the dark, the moon shining their way over head. He could see the mouth of a cave rearing open, moss tickling along its gum lines. Jonas steered toward it, seeking safety. He crouched down low against the mouth, his heart ready to beat through his chest.
"Alerri?"
They had managed to get away. That seemed enough of a victory for her although they now knew which direction they needed to go. She sighed wondering just what craziness she managed to get herself involved with.
She heard what he said to her in a high whisper and followed him. It wasn't long before she was crouching down near him. She heard him say her name wondering why he wanted to talk now. She thought they should be silent at a time like this after all bandits were after them.
"Yes?" She whispered showing she was nearby. She figured that would be good enough until the bandits had given up on finding them. She had a feeling that could take awhile. She also felt that maybe she wasn't cut out for this line of work after all.