Ooc: tags to
@SpiritDragon M tag for mature: blood and probably language
Blood. There had been so much blood. It coated him thickly, from head to toe,making his black skin and leathers appear red, even the white of his hair was soaked crimson. Not all of the blood was his, but the heavy wound he clutched at his side certainly blended in naturally with the rest of the carnage.
He wasn't sure when it all went wrong, but has he'd known his enemy was playing with
dragons he would have considered asking for more coin. Damn Adelans. Sometimes he was surprised surface dwellers could be as conniving as drow.
The gash on his head wound began to seep into his eye, and he simply closed it, not bothering to wipe it away. He simply continued to limp forward through the dense wood, breathing heavily, despite the need to be discrete. He wasn't sure if any of those damn creatures had survived, but he sure as hell wasn't about to go back and check. If they had, they might be on his trail, but from what he could tell, all that remained if the flightless beasts was blood and carcasses.
Soon he might fair the same, the thought made him grunt as he limped along. He was never so lucky. Vlint'ner
the crow, boasted the worst of luck. Some might say it was good luck he survived the insane encounters and carnage that he did...
But those were the idiots that embellished his stories that made
the crow moniker all but legendary. Shelly, one particular tavern keep who also doubled at giving Vlint jobs from time to time, was certainly one to blame. Although this conundrum was a whole other beast, and the tavern keep was not to blame. Infact, Shelly
had warned him. Bastard.
Vlint wasn't sure how long he has walked before he collapsed within a thicket of dying wood. The trees were tall and dense and heavy shadows blanketed his heavy breathing form. It had been a cloudy night and as he lay there, closing his eyes, the clouds began to break and soft moonlight filtered through the trees and danced across his form.
It was a small, serene moment at the end of the chaos. The night wind smelled sweetly of dew and decaying moss, earthy and peppered with ferns and pine. He rather liked the coolwinds of the night, and the cool touch of the moon.
He supposed if he died out here, atleast his last few moments might be in peace. And that's when he drifted off into a listless slumber, his blood bathed body barely visible were it not for the winds and the waking moon.
Isabel walked the night, usually she'd be running in her wolf form. But something told her not to use it right now. There was a restless air about the night, the partial half moon, and the echoes of the night. She had her usual forest green outfit on and carried her bow, and her quiver across her back, her strawberry blonde hair glowed in the moonlight so she hid it with her green cloak. Deeper into the woods and farther from Ketra, she was only a few miles away, but with what knowledge she did have it wasn't supposed to feel this unsettling.
Roars sounded from the deeper part of the woods, she lifted her head and took to the trees to try and get better views. Jumping from branch to branch, sometimes was a nice skill to have for her elven blood. Smirking she stopped....standing on a large branch she steadied herself as she heard crunching of footsteps, of a person not likely to care where they were at. She reached for an arrow, and was ready to draw fire when the shadow came out.
Tilting her head she, was taken aback....A Drow........here? She watched him collapse, contiplating on helping him, she'd heard much about their kind. Though..... Isabel thought about it a moment before withdrawing her arms. Climbing down the branches and then the trunk of the tree she slowly etched closer, her hood still up she was just making sure it wasn't a trap.
Isabel stopped and examined him, standing practically next to him. Isabel knew alittle healing techniques but nothing this serious.....she'd have to get him back to town somehow..... only her wolf form was strong enough to carry him.... Wincing and throwing her arms up in the air. "Don't go hating on me if you see something different if you wake up," she needed to wrap those wounds up first though she dug out some cloth she always carried in her bag, started wrapping the wounds...
Vlint'ner must have drifted off, and when the elf woman began to move his body he grunted, groaned and stirred awake. She was perhaps halfway through binding one of his arms, he wasn't sure, when his own arm shot out and clutched onto her's savagely. Red eyes peered out behind his blood streaked fast as they focused on the woman, a dagger produced by his other hand that now pressed close to her face.
"What are you doing?" His voice came out as a gravily growl, gutterly and almost inhuman. He was surprised he could even speak, his throat felt raw and he bared his teeth, which shown snow white against dark flesh.
She stopped wrapping, her hands up in surrender, as he asked the question. Sighing, Isabel lowered her hood gently, and let the moonlight shine on her hair. "Easy, Easy.....I'm just trying to help you, I've gotta get you to Ketra and get proper treatment for your wounds it's not far.....but I'll have to carry you..." she explained quietly so he wouldn't be overburdened with information.
The last thing Isabel wanted was for him to attack her "the only way to do that, without blood all over is to wrap them," she wriggled the wraps of cloth, why must she get into this sort of thing with people....sighing lowering her hands gently.
He only just got a look at her face, shadows still fluttering as the breeze ruffled the trees. A human? Naturally so, they were near the capital. Humans tended to live in cities in troves. He couldn't have discerned she were a half breed in his condition nor these shadows.
He made a face narrowing his eyes at the mention of her help.
"You intend to drag me all the way there?"
It hurt to talk. Damm it all. He swallowed thickly and moved painfully so he was sitting more erect.
Perhaps that wasn't the best idea to bring him that close, the next best thing would be to bring him to her home, which was on the outside of the city, she could never fully live inside the city. Smirking at her new plan she, smiled at his question, "no I can carry you, but not in this form, I have a wolf form, I can carry you that way...." She said honestly it was the only way, then from there she'd carry him. "It'll be outside of Ketra....my home." stating she added "but I can't get you there unless your wrapped, we don't want followers..." she added... showing him the wrappings in her hands flat.
Being as she wasn't an immediate threat, he slowly lowered the dagger he held. But his eyes never left her.
"Wolf? You're a shifter?" He asked, still moving to right himself, despite the pain, but he moved forward as if to take thr cloth she held.
"I can bind my own wounds," he growled. "And I can walk myself."
He had worse before, and typically was alone. "I'll just need herbs... ointment and rest." He shook his head. "No sense in bringing your animal, druid." He addressed her as such, assuming as such. "Unless it'll help me walk better."
He held his head a moment, feeling light headed and waiting for it to pass before he sighed.
"Give me the cloth."
He didn't need to be fussed over.
Isabel sighed and gave him the cloth and dug out some extra rolls she had, "Fine, fine, that's the thanks I get for trying to help...." Isabel said closing her bag getting up and walking away for a minute, she was lucky Gideon and his men weren't on the prowl tonight, at least she hoped. With all the ruckus he'd caused just maybe it's stir up something worse. Scanning around with her arms crossed, she had his back to him, when he mentioned if it's help him walk. She glanced back at him, "It could....but you'd have to be nicer....." if she were to help him it was the least he could do if there wasn't payment involved.
Vlint was working on binding his wounds when her words reached his ears. He frowned and paused as he studied the woman. Had it been so long since he'd been around company willing to help him. He supposed She didn't deserve his annoyance, even if it wasn't exactly directed at her, it ended up that way just the same.
"You'll have to forgive me. I usually work alone."
He felt like utter shit, in more ways than one, and moved to tie off some wrappings on his arms.
"I should be asking where the nearest river is. Would clean this blood up easy."
He'd hate to use a bath. The entire thing would stain.
"You said you're a local? You live close by?" Perhaps in his state he should just thank his luck she wasn't a hunter. He was used to many flinching away from a drow. In the surface, to most he was like a shark out of water.
Isabel narrowed her eyes slightly, but forgave him he was in a horrid state after all and probably didn't feel that great. Turning back around, she said "I'll forgive you, this time..." she said smirking, she winced when he said the river, that was nearing Gideon's territory, making a face "Yess, ah um....That's probably more dangerous then the things you killed earlier.... The river I mean..." She wasn't comfortable leading to a possible death, if she could help it. "And yes to both, I have a smaller creek that would be safer by my cottage. It's a protected grove, believe it or not this close to a city..." she stated, she even had a spare bedroom for situations like this, so he'd be comfortable. Her gloved hand Isabel wasn't used to his kind, she probably had heard folklore about him but never met one in person. It fascinated her, more then scared her. Of course she was a little afraid, however she was helping him, in the matter...
Vlint grunted.
"Any running water will do."
But he was curious at her statement. She looked a little naive to be making an assessment over someone dangerous, considering she was helping a drow. However, the mention the area was protected was comforting, or at least was something.
He had bound most of his wounds and moved to stand, pressing against a nearby tree to support his weight, as he was still very much weakened.
Having said that, she watched him get up already stubbornly, sighing and shaking her head. Why was his kind so stubborn. The resilience slightly impressed her on the inside. Now was not the time, "would you like help walking?" She asked a bit worried that he was up already. Her home was just three miles away it was a bit of a walk. "It's about three miles, are you sure you just don't want to ride on my wolf form?" she asked stepping closer...to try and help. Isabel's wolf form could carry a person, it was big enough.
Vlint made a face, straining at the pain before shaking his head.
"Maybe if I pass out, you can carry me. For now, I'll try to pull my weight." He took a few wincing steps before he could adjust to the pain before looking over at her. "You don't have to aid me. I'm still well covered in blood." Although perhaps she was not as squeamish as most.
Isabel crossed her arms and frowned "I'll be right back, at this rate you'll be there by a week..."she walked quickly behind a tree, and a flash of light she jumped out into the clearing, her large red wolf form was big enough to carry him. Her head came at eye level. Walking beside him on all four paws she thought to him "get on, it'll be faster, I won't drop you," she thought to him, "I do have to warn you I've never carried anyone before," she huffed, as she stood beside him, bending down her shoulder, waiting for his decision to trust her.... Once they were at the cottage they'd be safe, her her wolf ears flicked back and fourth nervously listening.
Vlint'ner frowned but nodded with a grunt.
"I suppose that's practical. " He turned towards the changed beast and eyed her a moment before calculating the least obstructive way to climb onto her back. Then he held on.
"Alright. Let's go."
She didn't move except to bend downward so he could get on, she felt his stare. After killing those beasts, earlier she wondered why it was so easy to trust him. Feeling him get on was weird to her, she shook a bit after he got on, adjusting to the feeling. Shaking her furred neck. Thinking to him "Alright, make sure you grip tightly, and hold on." when she was ready she walked around in a large circle, resting her reaction to him on his back, seemed steady enough. Nodding and lifting her head up she smelled the air for her cottages scent. There....she followed an invisible path trying to be steady since he was injured she wouldn't show off, a jogging pace she went southward from the river and westward from Ketra.
"Almost there...." she thought to him, a small creek began to appear, she trotted through it. Taller trees were beginning to appear, and the forest was thicker. Then just as her wolf form looked minuscule compared to the tall trees, a clearing appeared past the barrier. A circled clearing of a couple of acres. Full of flowers, and a small path that lead to a cottage, it held a charmed look. Inside it had two bed rooms a living area with a fireplace, a kitchen, and a storage room. A small stables was behind it, incase she had larger animals. Nodding as they came to the entrance. "My home, it's not much but it'll do....it's also one of the safest places in the forest...."
It was a strange thing to just.. trust , and to trust a stranger. He supposed were the odds in his favor, he wouldn't have given the shifter the time of day, but turns out he found himself being aided by a rather large wolf (well shifter..) who could probably have torn him apart if she wanted to.
The wind felt good against his aching body as the beast ran, cooling off his heated, sore flesh.If he weren't such a paranoid individual, he might have enjoyed the ride further by napping. But his eyes took in every rock and tree he could on their journey, mentally mapping their route the best he could in his state. The denser thicker, taller trees were a welcomed sight; the woods of old were always calming to elves and the dark ones in their own right.
When her place appeared he was impressed. He supposed he shouldn't have thought so little of the shifter woman but most lived simply that he knew in these woods, and though her place wasn't grand, it was practical, well kept and almost seemed a natural tamed garden of sorts.
Once the wolf had stopped moving, he gave himself a moment before slipping soundless off her back and grunted softly when he landed in a crouch. He continued his observation before turning to the wolf.
"I suppose I ought to wash off the blood and filth."
"Very well, I'll get a fire going and a meal...." She thought to him, rounding the corner of the house and shifting back into her elven self. Stretching her arms up, Isabel was tired. There was some daylight left, she had meat stored, and herbs. Thinking a moment watching him struggle. "I'll find some more cloths, then start on some supper."She said. "Relax, you'll be safe here, it's shielded," she said pointing to a nearby markers, they held a glow anytime someone was inside the circle. The only way for it to be broken was if someone damaged the stones themselves.
Isabel nodded and walked off letting him be, only brining back some cloth and towel. She'd also brought a bar of soap if he chose. Quietly heading back in to tend to the fire she'd started for cooking and soup making. Once everything was cooking she sat in one of her furred chairs, her sleepiness catching her, she drifted off...
The drow took in the runes. Impressive. He nodded once as the now elf form of Isabel made her way back towards her home, and Vlint'ner's gaze swept the vicinity. From what he could tell, he detected no threats. But he'd seen dark mages cheat wards before. He suspected they were safe none the less, but he always kept one eye on looks out at all times as he made his way towards the small creek.
He'd have preferred deeper waters but he was glad he atleast had any sort of water. He stepped into the widest and deepest most portion and maneuvered a few rocks to make it deeper still. It was barely deep enough to brush against his calves but he knelt down and began to wash himself off, clothes and all. Then after a time, he shed himself of all his clothes and began to scrub his body down with the soaps and did so atleast twice, scrubbing from head to toe until the bar of soap and most of the water finally ran clean.
Then he moved and began to scrub down his leather armors and clothing, and despite his exhaustive state, he took a militaristic focus to keeping the leathers cleaned and did not finish the job until the waters were clear again. Then he washed his limbs again and once more, his hair and redressed and headed back to the elf woman's lodgings.
Once inside, he was surprised how hungry he was once the smell of food hit him, but also equally surprised the woman was asleep. He studied her for a moment in silence before rapping his knuckles on the wall in hopes to awaken her.
Was a pity, he felt almost as if it were a sin to awaken an elven lady in her sleep...
But he was a guest, and he'd rather not simply walk through her home unless she was fully aware. He didn't need to startle her and end up with a knife in his back.
Isabel felt eyes on her as she dozed, waking up. Wiping her sleepiness off, she jumped as he was standing there watching her. Remembering that she had a pot probably now boiling over. Jumping up as she remembered, she rushed over to the kitchen area, the pot was just starting to boil over. She sighed and put a hand on her chest. Her mittens on she carried it over to the center area of the kitchen. Adding some herbs from the hanging bits above her.
Walking to the cabinets, Isabel grabbed some wooden utensils, she didn't have fancy pottery here. Just essentials. Grabbing two spoons, she also grabbed a salt shaker. Something she always had on hand because of meat curing. Smiling she waved Vlint over and offered him a chair. "Here, we go. It's ready,"she said, grabbing a basket of stale bread from the day before. "The breads a bit stale but will go good with the soup," she said as she sat down. She watched, he cleaned up nicely......she blushed, eating some of her soup, it really hit the spot and the deer meat was tender, she added a bit of the salt. It made it more savory.
So much for not startling the elf woman. Although it didn't show on his lips, there was a slight smile to his eyes. The look almost made him look different, but it could also be that now only the red of his eyes remained on him since the blood had been washed away.
The man was still damp when he was offered food, the went rivulets from his hair glistening in the subtle light within her home. It forced his hair to stick against his head and neck, where as the drying parts on his shoulders curled and feathered out in small fringes.
His leathers were drying much faster than his hair, but glistened as well and caught the light in ways that amplified his muscular form. Most drows were far litter than he, his muscles resembling the more layered look of humans. But his work was rough work, and he hadn't the need to be more agile and keep himself thin to crawl about and navigate the darker, narrow caverns of the drow world.
As be sat, he had enough manners to pass on the surface, taking up the soup and actually using the spoon between dipping the bread.
"Thank you," he went on, between a few chews before swallowing. "My name's Vlint'ner. Vlint'ner Mlezzir." He figured a proper introduction was in order.
Isabel looked up, "Isabel Nighthawk, pleasure to meet you....can I call you Vlint for short?" She asked, blushing lightly, it's been awhile since she'd had a guest. The fire crackled, startling her. Isabel "what's happened out there....where I found you?" She asked, brining the subject up, she had assumed, but it was only a guess. It was only a matter of time before he asked why she came here instead of the main river. Which was fine but it wasn't a subject she liked to dabble on too much.
Vlint grunted in acknowledgement at her name, but stilled when she asked about the nickname.
"You can..." he began, very carefully. "Not many address me as such, but it's not an unwelcome nickname."
Then at her question about his situation he grunted again.
"Do you want the long version or the short version?"
Isabel nodded that she could call him the shortened name she abbreviated. Relaxing in her chair, she thought a moment. "You can do the long version, I'm not in a rush." She said, "we're you still hungry did you want another bowl?" She said, there was plenty for tomorrow as well. She was tired but only from being full, she'd wash the dishes later.
Vlint stared at her and actually smirked.
"I wasn't told there'd be dragons."
Sadly... That was his longer version. Vlint'ner wasn't much if a man to embellish details and was probably more cut and dry than he ought to be.
But he was exhausted and everything ached. Infact, a cut on his lip reopened and glittered with blood when he has smirked, and when he used the back if his hand to wipe at his lip,he frowned at the blood.
"Seems I'm still mending. "
The large gash on his head seemed to be scabbing over ,as were many of the other large clawed marks across his face and throat, but he knew it would take time for them to properly heal and the deeper would scar.
Then at her inquiry about more food he shook his heas and drew in a long breath.
"No, but thank you. I think I just need rest after I apply salves to my wounds "
She tilted her head at his vague story, leaving the rest for the imagination. Nodding respectfully, she got up and remembered that she had some of her own herbal salves she sold once and awhile to people in Ketra. Grabbing a medium sized jar she said, "this is made with a honey salve full of added herbs I grow myself. Your welcome to use it, I have more if needed," smiling, as she put the jar next to him, and took his bowl and set them over by the sink.
She'd gather some water for washing dishes later, for now... she turned and leaned on the countertop, "I can show you to your room if you'd like, there's plenty there, I'll find some fresh bandage cloths for your wounds," she said, it was different treating a person usually it was an animal or the like. So she was trying to be as hospitable as possible. Her room was across from his it was straight forward. But it's be guest friendly to show him around later when he was feeling better.
He found it interesting she hadn't pressed further at his story. Most elves he had ever run into tended to be overly curious. Then again, he wasn't like most drow either.
When she brought out the jar he stared at her, then the jar curiously.
"It seems my half dead ass ran into the right woman in the middle of the woods. Is there anything you can't help me with?" He asked in a gruff jest.
Isabel leaned against the counter, she laughed lightly at his joke. "I'm sure there isn't.....just one thing...." She said frowning, rubbing her arms embarrassed. It was an embarrassing thing to bring up the one man she couldn't stand, the one enemy that could hurt her, and anything she held dear.... "Why I wouldn't take you too the main river earlier....." she said sighing...she figured he should know the dangers....at least with that group....
Whatever smile had been there was gone, his frown deepening as he studied the she elf.
"There's someone that hunts you? Or brings great danger to these lands?"
She looked up at him with emerald eyes, wiping away a tear, nodding. The last time..... she tried getting her head wrapped around it. "Just know he's
dangerous, and has many connections.....if his goons don't get you first then others will...." She said, she was thankful she could hide in the trees from Gideon and his men but it only did so much, it made life difficult. Looking up at him worried "Just please.....be careful..." she said, it felt like she didn't want to loose him already.....why was she feeling this way with a stranger?.....
Vlint'ner grunted.
"I've fought vicious men and beasts and dragons and wicked things of the underdark.. "He eyed her, studying her obvious fear and tension. "A man and an army is only a man among men. And men are created to fall. They are not immortal in the way of the elves and fae, nor prolonged of life like those of the drow. If man is made of meat like dogs... then one day he too, will be destined to rot with the maggots and writhe in earth's shit."
Isabel listened, he had a way.....different way of explaining it.... But he was right. Not everyone was invincible. She smirked sadly at the last part, she'd been alone too long.... Her tiredness catching up, "I think, I'll turn in for the night, you're welcome to stay up and make yourself comfortable. I'll leave your door open so you know where to go..."she said, it was helpful advice, but with her tiredness she was just....Isabel had a bit to think about. She went around the corner of the kitchen, and down the hallway, propping the door open to the spare, she went on the other side of the door. Once she entered her bedroom she crashed on the furs. Isabel was tired shifting like that took a lot of energy...
Vlint'ner was practical. His advice reflected that. He had no reason to sugar coat his explanation. So when she stated she was to retire for the night he nodded. "I can see myself to bed."
But as she disappeared into her room for the night,something pulled hid attentions elsewhere.. outside.. and towards the direction of the river.
He stood out in the night air, unphased and even welcoming of the cool, night air. He was more at peace in the night, and found himself a comfortable station to keep watch. He may have been exhausted beyond all measure but the she elf was terrified of something and he'd be damned if she'd fall prey to those fears this night.
So once he found a quiet place, high and hidden in the solid nook of an old oak tree, way, way up high in the trees and set up his bow, an arrow ready and just simply.. watched. And true to his unspoken word, he guarded the woman a night.
Isabel slept in her bed and outside towards the river trouble was brewing. Near the main river, plans were being made, a tall heavily built man full of scars and an eye patch across his left eye. Stood at a table, under the tent he had a map placed full of x's. 'Where you hiding, lass....' He thought, the dogs he'd sent after, all failed or ran back towards their groups.
"Sir, there has been word that the dragons have been slain, they are brining them as we speak," his second in command said, a tall man lean and fit had red hair and was high strung once going, "good, we'll make a plentiful bounty on that one...." He said.... "Soon, we'll have her in our sights...." He whispered, she'll come out of hiding or be pushed out.
It was only a matter of time, "give word to the magic user, he'll want to be apart of this...." The second in command nodded and went to deliver orders. The sorcerer was a part of the plan....smiling savagely he stuck a knife in a bare spot on the map, marking the potential safe haven she was hiding in.
Vlint'ner hadn't wandered far from her home. He couldn't protect her adequately if he had gone too far, but from his perch he could see out as far as the trees would let him. Ad thick as they were, it unfortunately was rather limiting and for the moment, the drow was non the wiser of Gideon and his men's presence.
Perhaps her stones were that good of a deterrent, to ward off the man she feared. Even still, it was the least he could do, and he would remain perched and at the ready all night and into the morning.
Sunshine flowed on her in the morning. Her brain was tired, she ached all over. She groaned, stretching, getting up she'd slept in her clothes which wasn't an uncommon thing to do. Wiping her sleepy eyes, she couldn't guess what time it actually was since the trees throw the flow of time off with darkening earlier in the day.
Sighing she remembered she had a house guest, rolling to the side she stretched again and looked in the mirror along her wall in the corner, a mess. Taking her brush she did a quick comb through, and going through a normal routine felt wierd but she felt refreshed, getting some of the dirt and grime off of her. Her clothing was a simple legging and green blouse, with bare feet since it was her home.
Going to the spare bedroom she found it empty, frowning, had he left? She shrugged it was uncommon for her to have visitors but she needed to start breakfast. Grabbing a bucket by the door she went and grabbed some water from the stream, she was worried about her guest but had to at least trust him that he'd come back....she bent down and gathered a full bucket full of water to wash and cook with.
Feeling at peace with her barrier home, it was easy to get carried away, a butterfly floated past and landed on her shoulder she noticed and picked it up gently, letting it crawl on her hand till it decided to fly away.... Smiling it must be nice life to live free....the flowers were extra pretty in the sunlit dew morning. "it's a beautiful morning...." she said to herself, if he was still around she wouldn't know where to look...
The night had proved uneventful , and come morning he was nearly falling asleep at his post, so when the she elf left her home, his eyes were naturally drawn towards her. He supposed now that she was awake she was safer, and slowly he began his quiet descent fron the tree.
It seemed the elf was none the wiser of his presence. He figured it would be unwise to startle her as he took his bow and rapped it gently against a tree.
Isabel turned and heard some rustling, scanning the area for the noise she, tilted her head. Frowning, "We're you up all night?!" She asked, it seemed obvious but wasn't used to the habits of his kind. Tilting her head smiling, "I'm starting breakfast, eggs sound good?" She asked, Isabel felt good but was worried when he looked more tired when she found him. Frowning she let him do his things and went inside.
He inclined his head at her words.
"My kind typically do. At least on the surface, " he said, stretching out his limbs as he scanned the area. Then at the mention of food, he turned his attention back to her.
"I wouldn't turn down a free meal," he said with a nod. Tired as he was, he was also very hungry. Jobs often took a lot out of him, especially when a hoarde of beasts were involved.
Isabel thought a moment about what hems said about his kind. Frowning in thought "I'll have to remember that, I'll get started on a meal," she said happily, it was good to have his company, even if it's only been one night. Smiling she carried her bucket of water and washed the dishes then she got started on a meal, fresh eggs were collected slightly beforehand so it was fine. Some scrambled eggs and light meats.
She had plenty stored from hunting. However she frowned as she placed his portions on the table, with a glass of water. She helped herself tot he food as well, the only thing missing were vegetables that when's run out of, "food's ready!" She said, "so besides hunting or odd jobs do you have any regular hobbies?" She asked, if he was going to stay she might as well get to know him a bit better.
As Isabel prepared the food, Vlint'ner disappeared around the property to do another surveillance check. In his profession, one could never be too careful. His eyes and ears were sharp and focused, so when he felt satisfied be returned to her home where the aromas of eggs and meats filled his senses.
As was proper, he took his prepared seat at the table. He atleast understood surface manners well enough, unlike many rougher men of his kind and profession that preferred to remained ignorant.
He had only a sip of water when she began to ask him about himself and he paused to study the woman. It was strange.. she seemed happy, well off, but part of him wondered if she was that lonely to entertain a drow without flinching.
But he wasn't about to lie to her and he wasn't good at sugar coating his words.
"I have a horse." He said, as if that explained everything. "Sometimes we'll just travel. The surface has many interesting things to see."
"Ahhhh, so you like to explore. I would.....if I wasn't confined to this area...."She said frowning between bites of egg. Her words were honest at least, "there'd definitely be more to see out there...." She said looking towards her doorway, she glanced back at him, "Maybe we could travel together sometime..." she said, "Traveling alone.....is just....Lonely..." she sighed and remembered all the lonely times she was hunting or being hunted..... she also didn't have a horse, not for many years, "I don't have a horse, someday I'd like one to travel with...." she said. It was nice to get to know someone other then your own shadow.
He supposed her assessment was true enough. It's one of the many reasons he had left his home behind, aside from the fact he had a seething hatred for the cruelty of his kind. He can't deny his own demons, his own skill at handing out death...
But he always tried his damnedest not to become that which he hated. But somedays he wondered if he's fooling himself. Maybe all drow are drow.
He remained quiet when she suggested to travel with him. And he found himself simply staring at her.
"Do you believe yourself to be a prisoner here?" He asked, taking a bite of his eggs.
Isabel looked up from eating, feeling his handsome stare on her. She sat up, thinking a moment. Playing with her hair, "A little....." she said, knowing her enemy could be closing in on her location at any moment in time. "Only because of what's been happening recently, in the past couple of years...." She said, barely making it about the time she nearly got captured and got out just by luck.... Setting the fork down, she'd almost been done it was fine, she couldn't understand why Gideon has been so obsessed with her, but it was becoming scary.
"Being hunted is definitely more challenging to escape from...." she said sadly. She turned in her chair away from him, it was embarrassing enough, especially since she never asked for help, or couldn't. "this has been a safe zone for awhile, I don't know how much longer it will be safe...." she admitted....Isabel wasn't stupid, she knew her days were numbered....
Vlint remained quietly neutral as she spoke, studying her mannerisms more than her words. He didn't need to be able to smell fear to pick up ok it.
"How long?" He asked, swallowing his food. "How long have you been hunted here?"
Vlint asked, she winced just out of spite, it'd been a long time.... Thinking back, "Three years...." She said softly, gazing at him. Each day felt like an eternity as her doom days got closer. Days slowed as fear grew. Isabel gazed into him, something was there some feeling she couldn't shake. She felt safe with him, she wasn't afraid of his kind or even him.
Vlint'ner's eyes never left hers.
"Three years is a long time."
Now it made more sense while she was on edge. But it didn't explain why she was so willing to help him, and when he was so close to her safe grounds. Her enemy could use that weakness of hers to their advantage. Especially considering she so easily helped a drow of all races.
He persed his lips in thought as he looked over towards the windows.
"Your magics must be impressive if this man hasn't yet found you. "
Isabel nodded, watching him, was she the only one starting to have feelings.....had she been that lonely? "The magics we're here before me....i just found this place five years ago, but the magic remains strong.....for now. There are cracks forming in the stones themselves." She said, once those stones broke all together this place wouldn't be safe anymore. Gazing into Vlint he seemed calmer now then yesterday, she gazed down at his wounds.... "Do you need more cloth for your wounds? I could help wrap them properly?" She said blushing. It wasn't unprecedented, but she just couldn't shake those feelings off....
Vlint nodded. So she was established here. He seemed lost in thought when she asked about his wounds. He had almost forgotten he was injured, and also very very tired.
"New dressings would be wise, but I wouldn't want to be a further inconvenience. "
Were he a more ambitious man, he might have seen an opportunity, but as it were, it was lost on the drow as he finished his food and moved to lift a wrapping to check on one of the more deeper cut across his chest.
"I might need more of your treatment. The wounds had been deep. They'll scar, but I don't think they're deep enough for stitches."
Isabel nodded, feeling a bit cold, but she brushed it off, maybe it was nothing. He sincerely seemed to not notice, even if she tried. 'Oh well....' She thought. Just brushing her ego aside and getting up to grab some more ointment in one of her bigger jars. She'd made this last spring, with the honey she'd found..... she'd need to restock it soon, either with farmers honey or wild. It'd take forever to find a wolf hive.
She didn't have that kind of time. Frowning she grabbed a bigger jar and nodded. She didn't want payment, his company was more than enough for her. "I'll be right back, I'm going to grab some more cloth out of the wooden chest." It was mainly used as storage, for things like this. She smiled slightly as she walked around to clean things up, their new routine. This would be a quiet life if Isabel would have him as a regular guest.
Washing the dishes she put the scraps in the bucket for the hens. Which she needed to feed later. "I'll have to go into town and re-supply with a wagon load soon but.....with the danger it's been hard to make due with what I carry..." even in wolf form it just wasn't enough supplies. She'd need fresh honey, herbal mixes she couldn't get here, and cracked corn for the chickens, and whatever veggies she'd need to feed the both of them. It'd be a costly trip.
By the time Isabel returned with more clothe, Vlint almost seemed to be sleeping, but when she began to talk about heading to the town to get supplies, he perked up and turned her way.
"Allow me to go. I've got plenty of coin. And you wouldn't have to put yourself in any danger. "
Isabel stopped what she was doing, blinking, then thinking, putting her hand to her chin thoughtfully. "I don't know, it's be a couple of days till you'd be back....if at all...."She said, how was she supposed to trust him, when they'd just practically met. It'd take some prepping to get a wagon around and a horse. "I'll probably just wait, it takes too much time to prep, you're still free to visit town though! You don't have to stay here, just because of me..."she said, a bit saddened, but it was after all probably just reliant on a dream or some stupid feeling....she leaned against her counter facing him.
"I think we might be at an impasse,"he said, his lips turning up at the corner in the smallest of smiles. "Why don't I help you prepare, then escort you to protect you on the road? Think of it as repayment. I am in your debt."
Isabel liked the idea.... She looked between him and out the window....she was scared....crossing her arms, worriedly.... Running her fingers through her hair, "I'll need some time to think, why don't you go get some rest,"she said, she noticed he'd smiled just a little. She almost wanted to believe....... She walked over and set the jar of honey balm on the table for him. Isabel was worried, worried it was no longer safe to even travel.
"I'll rest once my wounds are redressed."
Vlint had pushed his chair back and was beginning to work at his bindings. A lot were soaked through and sticking to him, as if the dried blood turned to glue. He grunted with some effort, before it seemed he might behaving trouble reaching a few bindings across his back side, but he was either too stubborn or too self absorbed to consider asking for help, and his dark, heavily scarred muscles tensed with the strain.
Isabel nodded, thinking, she could accept the offer, but what if they got captured? She eyed Vlint, watching him struggle, smirking, she didn't say a word and brought the bucket of water over and went to his back, "you know I could help if you'd like.... I have a gentle hand, Promise..." she said behind him.... She'd dressed her own wounds before but the back definitely needed some help.
Vlint paused a moment to eye her. Even if her hands would be rough, that would be the least of his concerns. That's when he produced a knife, and swiftly cut one piece he had been holding, then another before he set it upon the table.
"A little help couldn't hurt. Use the knife if you need it."
And he moved to fuss over the bindings on his arms, unwrapping them with more efficiency than he had the few he had cut from his chest. The only revealed part of his dark frame, but even in their blood soaked state, the original wrappings were still a great contrast to how black as night his flesh was.
Isabel nodded, she dunked a rag in the bucket, wringing it out, watching him use his knife to cut more gauze. She wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of him....ever. She started peeling the rags off, his cuts were deep, lifting her eyebrow as she gently cleaned the wound with the cold water, "I'm surprised you're not requesting stitches." She said jokingly.... She worked her hands around the wounds and softly cleaned them. Once they stopped bleeding a bit she reached for the jar of herbal honey, using her fingers to dab some ointment in she grabbed a cloth, and covered the wound with the gauze. It stuck easier with the honey, she didn't need to apply any adhesive. "It's looking a lot better already." she said happily. Wounds unless they were life threatening didn't bother her very much, maybe it was the wolf in her.
Vlint grunted at her assessment, nodding. His leather shirt had been shredded, but not completely; at least not beyond repair. He had left that in the room she had designated him the night prior. There was no sense in wearing the thing when it needed a good mend and cleaning.
"No. I wouldn't waste the time with stitches." They always ripped open for one reason or another
But the ointments and her cleaning of the wounds made him feel better, he even grunted a soft moan when she was delicate along his back. It had.. been sometime since he had been close to anyone, specifically a woman. He avoided most drow, females in particular, as he wasn't found of their sense of matriarchal ruling over the men. Many just saw the men as breeding cattle. The hell he'd ever settle for that.
He had gotten to work to cut new pieces of wrappings once the old were completely removed from hjs body and now he was just coated in the honey healing lotion. No doubt he'd be a feast for the insects. But he'd deal with that later.
He quietly began to rewrap his arm, starting over a particularly long cut down his bicep.
She swallowed, he had to groan like that.....closing her eyes she continued with soft movements. Making sure things were clean and both honey drops and lotion applied, it looked a lot better already....if this was what it was going to be like between them..... she shook her head... how was she to know he'd stay? Loosing herself in thoughts, she remained quiet..... finishing once he started wrapping his arm after she cleaned her hands, "If I go into town.....you said you'd come with me?" She asked again thinking, she really didn't want to be alone right now, when things were very rough between her and her enemies.....stepping to the side. Cleaning gathering the dirty gauze in a different spare bucket. "Fine...we can go into town, it might take a few days to find everything, for that we'll have to go to an inn." she felt safer with him, but there was always that risk, that Gideon was already in town.... It was a risk she was willing to take....
She was moving around, busy like a worker bee. But he could almost smell her trepidation and moved to grab her arm firmly, to hault her action, not harm her, but enough to gain her attention.
"You have my word, if you so need it, I shall accompany you to town. But if you have such reservations and fears, you should trust me to do this task alone. I know we have only met, but I am a man of my words. I will not let you down... but the choice is yours. I will not force you.I..." he finally retracted his hand, frowning. "I am as I said, in your debt."
Isabel was stopped, turning towards him..... it didn't hurt, it was just unexpected. She put the bucket down and put her hand on her chest in shock. But before she could say anything.... His words, every word flowed into her, he seemed still as worried as she was. She gave him a trusting, longing look. His ruby eyes lent every word, she nodded, thinking a moment about what he said, as he let go she reached for his hand, holding it, "Can I ask you....to come with me?" She asked sincerely...perhaps it was for the better she needed out of this trap of a house....she held his hand firmly but gently. Then she let go, it was different having feelings for someone she'd just met.....
He nodded, eyes never leaving her's. Surface dwellers felt your sincerity more if you kept eye contact, a little trick he picked up while leaving up with the sun dwellers.
"Very well, we can make preparations whenever you feel is necessary. "
He felt.. strange as she held his hand. Most would rather not touch him. This she elf was giving him a lot of firsts.
Isabel nodded, making eye contact, it didn't feel awkward like she'd thought... she felt mesmerized by him, she'd never seen his kind before only heard rumors. Being alone did things to her she didn't like. I fleeting thought....no not when they just met. She needed to get to know him a bit better first, if that was even possible.
Romanticizing things weren't helping her, giving her heart something to hope for. Nodding at his answer, "I feel within the next two days, to give some time for you to rest," she said, smiling slightly, he needed it.
Vlint raised a single brow at her.
"You intend to keep me around for so long?" It was a gruff jest, but still a jest none the less . He studied her face briefly before looking away.
"I suppose I ought to rest." He made a face and slowly rose from the table. The wounds would never heal if he wouldn't rest.
He gave a nod towards Isabel. "Come find me if there's trouble. Other wise, let me sleep." And he moved towards his assigned room.
Isabel, smirked, nodding. She would keep him around as long as she could. When she was relaxing, during the two days he spent sleeping, she was surprised how long he could sleep. The day came, and she started gathering and packing for the journey alone, it was tedious. She gathered furs on her wagon incase she had buyers. A couple of covering reverse skins for when or if it rained, she organized the wagon as it was, sues on the seat to make it comfortable, she brought empty sacks to fill them with grain. Some of which she was second guessing to even come back....
Now she just needed something to pull the cart, and get them there. She waited for him to wake jumping down from the wagon. There was an eerie feeling in the air. Isabel was anxious to get going. Something just wasn't right, a blast hit the barrier, then again. Setting her stuff down she went inside, heading to Vlint's room, "Vlint?! Vlint! There's something wrong with the barrier!" She said quietly, she looked around his room, as he lay there she wondered if she should shake him awake.... She could hear another blast, as it shook the house.
The drow had nearly slept most of the two days away. He had awoken at midnight, where he collected mushrooms and other ingredients for his poisons out of habit. Then he stashed them away and had passed out again. He had even checked the perimeter, so he was a little more than surprised when she awoke him.
"Someone's attacking?"
And they were very forceful, powerful attacks as the whole ground shook. Vlint was quickly throwing on his shredded armor as he slunk towards a nearby window to get a better look.
Outside the barrier, the sorcerer pounded attacks, strong attacks that would disintegrate a man. The force was weakened but still there, he stopped, thinking, he hadn't seen many of these old barriers. It was from people before them. "What did you stop for?! Keep going!"Gideon ordered. The sorcerer knew better, "I need time to figure out it's source then, then I'll be able to bring it down," the sorcerer said eyeing the man, "have your men ready, I'll bring this down within three days."The sorcerer said, "I didn't pay you to take your time...." Gideon said walking up to him. "Fine, three more days, then we bring it down!" his cooperation would only go so far, if the sorcerer couldn't pull through. While they rambled on past the tree line and back into the forest.
Isabel held her breath, the last few attacks nearly had her cringing at the thought. "I think it's done...." She said obviously, she hid behind the door frame, she couldn't hear anymore. However she still no longer felt safe here. "We have to go, the further we're away from this place the better...." she said.
Vlint gestured for silence, listening intently in the aftermath.
"I should investigate. Whoever is making these attacks might just as easily follow us outside the barriers protection." His eyes returned to Isabel's and he rested his hands on her shoulders.
"Wait here, and don't leave the protection. "
Then he hesitated.. as if he might say something more, before he turned to leave.
With natural speed, he was armed and out the door, making his way low through the brush- his body a dark camouflage in the shadows as he crept with soundless speed. His red eyes were ever alert, and a hand was always trained near the poison coated throwing daggers at his side.
Isabel hesitated "But..." she stuttered, forcing her silence. Easing out of it as she listened, she could hear faint talking but couldn't understand it. She pressed against the doorframe. When he spoke....her heart leaped at him, when he touched her shoulders, she reached up. Before she could even do anything it was gone, he spoke once more. Isabel nodded, seeing his hesitation.....she reached a hand out slightly but stopped the moment he was gone.....damn it.....she thought. Feeling more confused about him rather then the attacks, she had a bad feeling she knew who had found her....
Gideon and his men were working their way back to the camp. He held a crossbow in one hand and arrows in the other. He was prepared for the worst, if that girl had magic.....it gave him a fire for her, he wasn't prepared for and it excited him. Laughing loudly, Gideon went back to his tent once they arrived and poured his attention to his plans on the table. While the sorcerer was studying the outside of the barrier tracing where it was with a piece of chalk.
Vlint'ner stayed low, creeping along until he spotted the man drawing chalk circles. Vlint knew enough about magic to know the chalk circles were unwelcome and would likely be used to further destroy Isabel's safe guard.
Like hell he'd let them. But he remained quiet, as a shadow, and tried to see what other men might be lurking near this mage.
Isabel, stood by the door she could see the barrier ripple. It was weakened, but still..... she felt worried. Why was she worried? It wasn't like this was her home....she slammed a fist lightly against the door frame, she crouched down and hugged her knees in the doorway. Watching with her emerald eyes, the ripples, she wrapped her cloak around her gently.
The sorcerer marked each sigil, each calculation to bring the barrier down. It would take some time, there were two guards present that the Baffon left him. He sniffed, cowards, they were afraid of a girl....who probably had no magic. Standing up his black and red cloak, waved in the sudden wind. His dark brown eyes glinted, as he stopped for the time being, "come I must do some research, I need to study my books..." he ordered the two men. They scoffed at him, hardly respecting him. The man lifted a hand and grabbed the air like he was grabbing the nearest man's throat. The man scuffed for air, grabbing at his throat before being let down to the ground. "Do better to show some respect."The sorcerer said. They went back to the campgrounds.....
As Vlint 'ner watched, his frown hardened at the magics. Of he needed to take this wizard out, he would have to do it quickly, and before any others could raise their own defensive barrier around him.
Magics were always a bit tricky for him to handle. He wasn't a fan of mages, even if he had some magical talent himself...but those magics.. he'd rather forget about.
Carefully still, he followed the mage and company for as long and stealthily as he dared. He didn't want to travel too far from Isabel, but he also needed answers
He did not want to go into a fight, blind.
The sorcerer held still on his way back to the camp, he listened, shooting a fireball in the air at a tree he thought he heard something. The area was quickly scorched, and the branch started to break. His eyes narrowed at the spot, but decided to move on once the moment was gone. Moving quickly, he ordered the two to be on guard. They were about halfway to the campsite. He would see his job through. He was paid good money for it. He could hear the branch fall, smiling coyly. That should give a warning, or at least a good scare.
They arrived at the camp, he quickly went to his tent, putting up a barrier of his own, digging through his texts until the books gave information....
*back at Home*
Isabel was worried....what if he didn't come back?! He was so stubborn, he needed to let it go. What ever was happening she needed to be prepared to leave. Getting up from the doorframe she decided to pack essentials. Grabbing a scatchel, she grabbed anything she could think of, food, all the coin she had and supplies. Plus any clothing items. Sticking it in the wagon, she'd pull it in her wolf form if she had to. Once she felt the need to be ready she waited by the doorframe once again.
Vlint tensed, eyes closed tightly as a swell of heat from the fire blasted over his form. He grit his teeth, ignoring the flash of pain as he flinched away. His form remained rigid, even after the fire died away. He hardly even breathed until the men were farther away.
That was a close one. Had he been closer, he would have been roasted alive. But he had a job to do and once he spotted the campsite, he frowned.
He was sensitive the magics, and the thrumming of the barrier could be felt. He scowled. He wouldn't be getting any closer this day. He needed to get back to Isabel. And let her know they needed to move fast
Vlint'ner returned, gently knocking on her door. It would do no good to slip inside without warning. Both he and his host were on edge enough.
"Isabel," came his voice, low and rough. "I've returned."
Isabel heard his voice, excitement rose in her and out of lack of self control. She opened the door standing there staring as if it's been ages. She ran and hugged him. A deep hug she rarely gave, closing her eyes a moment and muttering "don't scare me like that again...." She whispered... it was weird having feelings after this short time. Isabel let go after remembering about his injuries, "sorry, sorry, I um...you ok?" she rubbed her arm nervously at what he'd do.
The drow was taken off guard and made a noise as he caught her, tensing as arms wrapped around him tightly and...
Was.. the she elf ...embracing him?
He... wasn't even sure how to react to that. Hugs were almost a foreign language to his kind. Affection was often shunned. Yet he couldn't help but react naturally to how any male would react to a woman being so closely pressed to his body.
He inwardly cursed himself. He need not be thinking about this woman as a mating tool. She was an she elf, besides. Their kinds were mortal enemies to his own since the dawn of time. No... this was merely gratitude. He had to remind himself that.
"Yes, I'm alright. But I return with some disturbing news. It seems your enemies have a skilled mage among them. I tried to follow them back to their camp but he raised a barrier. "
Her happiness quickly soured at the new, she thought. "He's never hired a sorcerer as long as I've known him......" she could see that this was troublesome news. "They've always been anti-magic user people from what I've learned..." she said, "this is definately new and dangerous by the sounds of it..." She stated obviously, thinking out loud, " we'll good thing I have the wagon packed, we just need to move out. There's supplies and the furs I can sell later... I've got nothing left here.... The chickens can take care of themselves for a bit,"she nodded, "when ever you're ready, I can pull the wagon with my wolf form if we need until I can purchase a mount." Isabel said nodding towards the wagon.
He frowned at the idea but had to wonder...
"Does this man after you know you can change? That you're a shifter?"
As far as he knew, they also didn't know a drow was assisting her. She'd atleast have a leg up on them that way.
Isabel shook her head "He's seen both forms but dosn't or hasn't figured out it's me..." she said smirking at him, "he dosn't know you're here..." which was an added bonus on both parties, the sooner they left the better, if they brought that barrier down while she was here....that would end wry badly if magic was involved. She had no experience with that kind of magic. He sounded powerful....how was it that that man was able to hire someone like that? Shaking her head in thoughts, she went past Vlint and stood next to the wagon. She was ready if he wanted to grab his things. "I'm ready when ever you are..."she said.
Vlint regarded what she said about this man.
"Would it be possible to trick this man? To make him believe he's stumbled across the home of a reclusive drow either than a young she elf?"
Sure, he's had his experience fighting , but drow were much better at being conniving and thinking outside the box during confrontations. Sure, his kind could be truly vicious, but what many feared was their cunning instincts and trickery. It's why he was surprised the woman was trusting of him at all.
Then again.. it was also a nice change of pace that she wAS.
Isabel lifted and eyebrow at his suggestion, anything was possible, but how long would it work? She shrugged, her plans were up in the air at this point and she was willing to try anything to stay safe a bit longer. "It's possible, I.....don't know though..." she said, she didn't like the idea of putting him in danger in the first place for her sake.
Vlint considered their options.
"If we have the time to spare, allow me to.. redecorate?"
He didn't have much on him as far as personal belongings, but he was crafty enough to know how to set a place up. Certain things in her home gave away it was distinctly her. It might not work.. but it could buy her some time in thwarting her pursuers, who were getting closer and closer to her home by the day.
Isabel lifted an eyebrow at him, "I mean it could....work...." She said as she crossed her arms thinking, what if he got killed? Or worse captured? Was it worth the risk, just for something that could be replaced? "I just don't like the idea, of you getting possibly killed....." she said in a worried glance at him, since they were after her, they'd most likely capture him to get to her. In the end she would have to get the wagon as far away as possible in order to have this successful.
Vlint frowned. Perhaps they didn't have time for such a plan. But he wasn't sure why she ought to worry about his life. He was proposing the idea to protect hers.
"We do not need to trouble ourselves and can depart more swiftly, I was just considering the long game of these men. Although if they are as dangerous as you say, moving to a new home wouldn't be a terrible option to consider as well. But what I proposed..: he went on, studying the woman's face. She was a pretty thing, far nicer than he ought to be partners with, or so the world might perceive....
But no, he couldn't consider those factors into this moment.
He had to push down anything primal or objective because he had one goal in mind..
To get this she elf to safety no matter the costs.
"We move swiftly if you have no intentions to return here. But if you wish to keep your home, pretending it's not yours I'd the only solution I can think of short of any goof veiling magics, which seems to be no option for us."