OOC:This is going to function as a backstory for my first character, Maria. This first post will be a setup, and if you want to get something going just go ahead and add on. I'll leave this open and write it pretty open ended.
BIC:
Maria trudged through the snow, weary and tired. She had made it through the mountains about four days ago, so she was definitely is Serendipity. She hadn't found anyone since the first days of her journey, back in Connlaoth. And of course, there was the Demon. She still was unsure if she regretted taking his deal. Sure, she have perished without his help, but this new form,...
What did she think of this new form? She had never heard of anything such as herself in her limited tutelage. Body covered in scales, snakes for hair, and a gaze that turned others to stone. Literally. It appealed to her innate curiosity, she wanted to experiment and figure the boundaries of her newfound abilities. It overwhelmed her, the amount of information coming in from her hair. Twelve extra pairs of eyes, and an acute sense of smell. It was certainly useful, but she had a hard time dealing with it all. Besides, she was unsightly, to tall and lanky, features carved in haphazardly like a poor statue. And the brand on her back, visible to her through her snakes (who she had to admit, she was slowly growing fond of) serving as a constant reminder that the Demon was not done with her.
Her thoughts were interrupted by her stomach growling out in desperation. Maria suddenly realized she hadn't eaten for a while, and decided to go a hunt. She steeled herself, and lowered herself to the ground, taking careful steps forward. She listened, watched, and smelt carefully, watching for any signs of wildlife.
Birds chirped in the trees. They were to small. Squirrels jumped from branch to branch. To, squirrelly. Soon, she found it. A doe, off in the distance drinking from a river peacefully.
Maria reached out to the arcane, and felt the all to familiar buzz of the unmistakable power at her fingertips, now tainted with the Demon's stench.
Maria seized control of the water in the stream, and shaped it into a slick blade, and slit the Doe's throat.
Hungry, she fell upon the corpse. She used her sharp claws to cut open the carcass, and yanked out bits and shreds of meat and shoveled them into her mouth while her snakes busied themselves by tearing into the still warm flesh.
Suddenly, Maria heard an object drop to the ground behind her. She turned around out of habit, the gesture of no practical value while blindfolded, to see a small boy, a waterpail at his feet, staring wide eyed at her feast.
"Hello." Maria said, her voice much more hoarse than she remembered it.
The boy turned around and ran.
Maria sat, at a loss as to what to do next.
The Character (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=20854.new#new)
A heavily armor-clad man sat at the counter of a small town's tavern. He was thoroughly frustrated, and made no attempt to hide this as he tightly gripped his empty mug. It had been days since he left Connlaoth, hunting for a runaway mage. Despite his best efforts, there was simply no sign of the girl from his contract. This village was the first sign of civilization south of the mountainous border. Logic dictated that those traveling this way would have to visit for supplies at the least, if not for more. Yet, not a soul here had seen a person matching the description on the contract. A search of the surrounding forest had also turned out fruitless.
Travel through this terrain was considerably harder in the colder months. Perhaps her escape had failed, and she was laying dead and frozen somewhere in the wilderness. It was a possibility, but not one the man welcomed. If he is unable to find his quarry, then all this hassle and effort will be further soured by a lack of payment. This entire situation annoyed the man, but more annoying still was the lack of comfort the drink before him offered. His hearty constitution as well as the many days spent drinking before meant that more alcohol was needed to achieve any effect. More alcohol meant more money, and this mission was already a financial loss.
Reluctantly, the man handed in the money for a refill of ale. As he brought the mug up to his lips, the rest of the world disappeared. This was his break, and it would not be ruined by anything going on around him. Not by the conversation that took place beside him, not by the rolling of dice on the table behind him, and certainly not by the sounds of the young boy screaming outside...
Maria sat in the snow in silence, watching the drops of frozen water flitter to the ground peacefully. It was a perfect contrast to the inner turmoil churning her stomach.
What now? What now? What now?
Anxiety ate away at Maria, as her mind scrambled about to reach some sort of conclusion. In her mind, she had three choices. Run, stay put, or pursue the boy.
So, first off, run. Running was completely counter productive. She had come all this way to find a new home, not to live in hiding all her life.
Next was stay put, the path of least resistance. It was undoubtedly the easiest option, but that was precisely what made Maria skeptical of it. If living in Connlaoth had taught her anything, it was that doing nothing always accomplished nothing.
The third and final option was the most frightening. Pursue the boy, hopefully back to his village. The thought of confronting a large group of people terrified her. The boy obviously hated her, why would she seek him out? However, they may come after her, and if they did, it would be best to midigate the damage while she still could.
With her decision made, she wiped the blood off her hands and face, and set off towards the village. Soon after she spotted the small town. Old, run down shacks covered in snow, small pens for livestock, and a large circle of people murmuring and whispering fervently.
Well, this was going to suck.
Gasps outside in response of the approaching creature went unheard by the armored man. What did catch his attention however, was the increasing volume of conversation inside the tavern once news was brought inside. Apparently, some "monster had been sighted" entering the village, and no one knew what to do about it.
Curiosity took the man. Or rather, it offered an alternative to the dreary and boring scenery around him. The wooden stool creaked as the man rose from it. He took one last swig from his mug and readied his mace and shield. He walked for the door, ignoring the looks he was getting from the townspeople around him.
The cold air hit him like a swarm of tiny knives as he left the crudely constructed building. From the top of three stone steps, he looked past the wary crowd before him at the "monster". Sure it was hard to look at, but it did not appear hostile. At least not yet. The crowd looked just as warily at him, wondering what the fully armored stranger would do next. Some even fled, anticipating a combat they did not want to get caught up in.
Awkward silence fell as the man looked over the creature, evaluating it. The shield was suspended in front of him. The mace was gripped firmly at his side. After some moments of icy tension, something happened that not a soul expected:
The man turned, and went back inside.
Maria let out a sigh of relief. The last thing she wanted now was a fight, especially with, whoever that was. She raised her arms, calling the crowd's attention over to her.
"I, uh, mean you no harm." Her voice was still much to hoarse for her liking. " I am simply a refugee mage looking for a new home."
The crowed stirred. Distrust riddled their features. One man, an old farmer with a stocky build, stepped forward.
"How'd you end up like that?"
Maria found herself at a loss for words. She couldn't just tell them she had made a deal with a demon. The hatred people felt for them transcended all borders.
"I was Cursed, by a powerful mage in the woods."
The crowd broke out into another chorus of murmurs. Maria caught a few voices of dissent in the crowd, and her nerves started nipping at her.
After a few minutes, a woman stepped forward. "Come with me. You must be tired after your long journey."
Maria followed the woman obediently into a building behind her, ignoring the stares if the concerned villagers. It was a little homely place, but Maria's eyes were immediately drawn to the hulking man in armor at the bar: it seemed everyone else's were, as well.
"So, you said you were a refugee mage? Where from?"
"Connlaoth."
As the seated man contemplated whether or not to waste any more of his money, he heard the tavern door opening behind him. In the doorway was the same monstrous creature, guided inside by one of the townsfolk. He kept it in his sight as it moved between tables and chairs.
He was certainly surprised at the hospitality of the people living here. There were many little backwater places like this would have driven such a being away. If the armored man had actually cared to, he would have questioned this. However, he didn't. It did not really matter to him whether or not the villagers welcomed this... "visitor". He knew only that he would have to sleep with one eye open tonight.
The man's gaze once again found the empty mug in front of him. That's when he heard some key words breaking the awkward silence of the befuddled tavern: "...refugee mage?" "Connlaoth."
The man reflected on those words, wondering if he had heard them correctly. Although that sounded like the person he was secretly hunting, the appearance was nothing like what was described on the contract. It also stated that the runaway posessed elemental magic, nothing that would alter her form in such a way. This was... unusual...
The man elected to abandon his attempt at knocking out his senses. He needed them to follow this lead. He would need to monitor this monster, and do so cautiously. He needed to find out anything useful. What she called herself, what abilities she had, what she planned to do here, and so on. There was one contact, a local who had helped him many times before. He was an expert at finding such information, for a price.
Although his focus was shifted, he continued listening as best he could. Just in case...
The barmaid let out a grunt of understanding, and the pair settled into an uncomfortable silence. Neither was paying any mind to the armored man in the corner, though it was doubtful they would have noticed his peeked interest even if they had.
"So, I've been wondering," the barmaid began, "what's with the blindfold?"
"Oh, this?" Maria tugged on the offending piece of cloth with one claw. "Its part of the curse. I-"
She stopped herself. I turn things to stone just by looking at them! Something told her that that wouldn't go over well.
"Let's just say it isn't pretty behind this blindfold."
The barmaid gave a nod of understanding. "You seem to get around well enough. Is that some sort of magic?"
"No, that's thanks to these guys." Maria gestured to the snakes on her head, two of which were currently engaged in a mock battle. "They're a part of me. I can see through them, feel through them. They're like extra limbs, almost."
The barmaid nodded again, and then fell into silence. The still air made Maria uncomfortable, so she struggled to fill the silence.
"I was a blacksmith, back in Connlaoth. I was the best in town. I was always full on orders. Everyone wanted my work." She grimaced. "Of course, that all changed once they found out I was using magic to make them. For a country that boasts innovation, they're extremely close minded."
The barmaid didn't respond, at least not verbally. Her head hung low, obviously in deep thought.
"What's your name?" The barmaid questioned.
"Maria. And yours?"
"Addison. Anyway, Maria, I think you should leave."
Maria, was taken aback, but before she could respond, Addison continued.
"You have to understand the situation. Small villages like this, we don't have many mages or experiences with magic. Having someone cursed in the village will make everyone uneasy. It'll be better for everyone this way." She paused. "I can give you some supplies, some food and water for a few days, some new clothes. I'll give you a map to the nearest city; there should be someone there that can reverse whatever curse has done this to you."
"No, there won't be." Maria snapped. "I-I don't know what's happening to me, but I know one thing. There's no way to fix it. I'm stuck like this, forever." Maria let out a bitter laugh. "It's funny. I came all this way looking for acceptance, but all I did was make myself more of an outcast than ever."
The two women sat in silence.
Conversation began to pick up once again, despite not rising to the volume it had once been. The gentle droning of chatter masked the soft conversation between the barmaid and creature. The armored man cursed under his breath, his eavesdropping attempt thoroughly foiled. The only information he was able to discern was an interest in the cloth that covered her eyes. That only added to the listing of questions the hunter had about this one.
The man arose once again, and with heavy footfalls he made his way to exit. He realized that this was not information he could find on his own. The armor made him far too conspicuous a spy, and there was too much attention on the both of them for subtle confrontation. Unfortunately for his purse, this was the job for a professional.
There was no surprise that the agent in question was just outdoors. News spread quite quickly throughout the village, and this one eagerly placed himself at the source. The armored man was greeted almost immediately by the local, as well as inquired about the truth of such rumor. The only response was some hushed words and a discreet payment. With that, the informant went inside and planted himself as closely to the creature as possible. Doing his best not to arouse either woman's suspicion, he listened intently.
The man waited in the cold outside, in case the creature left.
Awkward silence hung over the two women as the rest of the bar carried on without them. Addison turned to another customer, refilling her drink silently. The action gave her enough levity to continue the conversation.
"Do you want a drink? You've obviously had a rough day."
Maria gave a sullen nod, and as Addison continued toward the other side of the bar, a man next to her raised his hand.
"Grab me a quart of ale while you're back there, if you will."
The strangers voice caused Maria to jump. She hadn't even noticed him approach the bar. Addison returned with their drinks and the man took a large swig, mumbling about how he loved the stuff.
"Maria, I'm going to be honest with you. The reason I brought you in here, offered to help you leave, is because I don't want trouble. Not for you, not for me, and not for my village. And that's what you being here is going to cause."
She paused, and Maria silently drank the frothing liquid that had been placed in front of her. It had a bitter taste, and it stung her tongue when she drank it, but she supposed that wasn't really the point of alcohol.
"I just want everyone to walk away from this without scars, that's all I want. My offer stands, in case your interested."
Maria set the mug down quietly. "Where will I go?"
"If you follow the road South out of town, there's a city about two days away on foot. Someone ought to have a use for a blacksmith there."
"What if they react the same way you did? Honestly, I don't blame you people for reacting the way you guys did, considering the way I look." Maria asked.
Addison didn't answer.
"What if someone came with me, to vouch for me. To tell them that I'm not a threat. You could come with me." Maria offered.
"Me!?"
"You said you didn't want any trouble; this is the best way to avoid trouble."
"There are many, many other ways to avoid trouble." Addison interjected.
"Well this is the one I'm going with." Maria shot back. "I need to make sure I'll be safe."
Addison shot out a sigh. "I can't just disappear like that. I-I have a job to do."
"Addison, please, I need your help." Maria pleaded. "This is what you want, isn't it? Your village will be safe, I'll be gone. Everyone is happy."
Addison stood in thought for several moments. "Fine. I'll go with you. There's a room upstairs. Wait for me there. I'll come at midnight and we'll head off."
Maria nodded enthusiastically and went upstairs. Addison went to to tend to other customers.
Neither noticed the the man next to them slink outside.
The two men met outside the tavern and began walking down the road, to speak far from the subjects in question.
"That was quick. You better have gotten the information I need..." the man growled, keeping a stoic disposition despite the cold steel of his armor.
"Any longer, and you'd frozen stiff! Can't do no future business with an icicle, after all!"
The informant gave a modest chuckle. This humor was not returned by his employer, who glared unceasingly at him at they tread down the village streets. His smile waned as he got the hint to continue.
"You really gotta learn to lighten up... Yeah, I got your info! Snake lady's name is Maria. Her and the barmaid are leaving midnight tonight for the city."
"Maria... you're sure?"
"That's what Addie said! Could be a fake name-"
"Nope, that's it." the steel-clad man interrupted. Maria Swellsmith was the name on the contract. With that, the clues lined up. Despite her current appearance, this was the young mage he was looking for. All that was left was to apprehend her. Without a word, he split away from his informant and continued without him.
"Nice... Uh... doing business with you?" he said halfheartedly as he went to his home.
That night, the man would wait with shield and mace. There was one road south, and he would not let his quarry escape down it.
The sun set, and the moon rose, and soon it was time for their departure. Addison made her way upstairs, and knocked lightly on the door.
"Maria, are you there?" Addison said in a small, shaky voice.
"Yes." Maria cracked the door open, letting one snake slither around to peek at the barmaid. After confirming who it was, she opened the door to let Addison inside. "I changed into those clothes you gave me."
"I can see that." Addison took a step into her room, clearly nervous. "Are you ready to leave?"
Maria nodded.
"Alright, let's head out." Addison said quickly, and stepped outside. "Follow me. I want to get this over with." Addison hurried down the stairs with soft steps, Maria in tow.
Addison grabbed a pair of thick cloaks to fight against the bitter cold. They set out towards the city, following an old beaten path out of town. They walked in silence. for a time before spotting a large silhouette of a man.
Addison stopped Maria with her arm. "I don't like the look of this."
Maria nodded. Whoever this person was, they weren't on their side.
The sound of clanking metal echoed in through the forest as the heavy steps approached. It was the man in the armor, waiting for precisely this moment. As the footfalls drew nearer and nearer, a bladed steel mace could be seen clutched tightly in his hand. The towering shield was held facing forward. It almost appeared as if he was expecting conflict.
"Maria Swellsmith? You are going back to Connlaoth to answer for you crimes."
The armored man dug in, and readied for a more violent confrontation from either of the two women.
"Ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you to return home. Leave this to me."
"Look, sir, we don't want trouble." Addison began, but before she could continue her thought, Maria shoved her to the side.
"What crimes?! Do you mean the crime of using my skills to raise my family out of abject poverty? The crime of arming the nation with the best weaponry they've ever seen? The crime of failing to conform to a broken system, intent on destroying itself?!" Maria was visibly shaken, and the cloth covering her eyes was dampening with tears. "What gives you the right? What gives you the right to decide who people can and can't be? Answer me!"
Addison stood in shock. This didn't seem anything like the awkward, shy girl at the bar.
Addison was sure, however, that the armored man would not be as impressed as she was.
"Save it." The man growled with annoyance. He advanced slowly, readying to react to any retaliation Maria or her companion would attempt.
"Such trivial details are not my concern! I am charged only with taking you back to those you have offended."
He moved in closer, until his massive form nearly towered over his target. The shield was positioned between them, ready at a moment's notice to move defensively where it was needed.
"Submit now, and the journey will be easier on you..."
"Never." Maria spat back.
Addison stood still, frozen in fear.
Maria tensed, her snakes rising up and hissing at her pursuer.
Then, with an astounding suddenness, Maria whipped her form around and sent a huge block of ice hurling at her opponent's head. She grabbed hold of Addison's hand and ran for the forest.
This was not the reaction the man had hoped for, but it was the one he expected. Therefore, he was prepared for it. He raised the shield up in defense, blocking his view of the pair as they fled. The ball of ice melded into the heavy metal, its magic energy thoroughly absorbed by the shield's enchantment. Once he was clear, the hunter looked in the direction of rustling foliage. They were mostly obscured by a combination of brush, snow, and darkness. Yet, they made no effort to move silently in their haste.
Positioning himself at the treeline, the armored man held his shield up once again, and used the secondary power of its enchantment. He aimed in the approximate direction of his quarry and fired a focused beam of cold magic. It glanced off trees and plants at shoulder height, freezing all it hit. The hunter hoped this would incapacitate his targets, and spare a woodland run from the already agonizing effort needed to complete his contract.
Once the small amount of captured magical energy was spent, he took off. Progress trough the underbrush was slow, but not as slow as expected. The great weight of the man broke most of the plants that got in the way. It was only larger bushes and the trunks of the trees he had to avoid. In case the ice had missed, he readied a trusted bolas instead of the mace.
"Look out!"
Maria pulled Addison to the ground as a pale blue beam froze the foliage above them. Luckily, her snakes had great vision in the dark, and she had seen the noticable change in light as soon as it appeared
Much more interesting was the sight of her attack being swallowed by the man's shield. She wasn't sure what sort of magic it was, but she probably should have expected something like this from Connlaoth. She was interested in knowing how it would effect her gaze, but not enough to test it.
"Let's go." Maria pulled herself and the barmaid up and continued to run through the forest.
"W-wait! Do you even know where you're going?!" Addison screeched.
"Yes; away from him."
They continued to run through the forest, Maria searching her brain for any ideas. Suddenly, she pulled the other woman to a stop. "I have an idea."
Maria laid her hands on the fresh snow, and assumed control of it, of the air, of the world around her. The snow flew upwards, winding like one of her snakes through the air. It multiplied, and grew into a flurry, obscuring even her own keen vision.
She let the flurry expand, the forces of nature taking hold and taking control away from her. The flurry grew into a blizzard, wind biting into their skin and howling in the night.
"Maria!" Addison yelled, barely audible. "Where are you!?"
Maria felt around, and eventually ran into the other woman in her blind search. Addison tugged on her arm, pulling her deeper into the forest.
(Sorry for the long wait)
The man hesitated only for a moment as the winds whipped up around him. The already hostile cold was made worse by this unforgiving blizzard, testing the hunter's resolve to catch his prey. Using the last known direction of the two women, he charged headlong through the biting wind. The sheer temperature severely tested the man's great constitution to its limit, slowing his movement and freezing the steel encasing his body. Willpower alone drove the mage hunter forward, until he found either the targets or a break in the swirling ice.
Maria and Addison collapsed in the freshly fallen snow, the blizzard finally letting up after what seemed like hours to the two women.
"We need to keep moving." Maria said, pulling herself on to her feet. "He might still be following us. Come on, let's"
"No!" Addison screeched, freezing Maria in place. "I didn't sign up for this, Maria. I said I'd go to the nearest town with you. I didn't say I was going to fight some mercenary with you, I never thought I'd be running for my life in a forest during a blizzard, I-I didn't think," Addison paused for a gulp of air. "I didn't think I'd die here."
Maria didn't respond. How could she? She managed to squeak out a weak "I'm sorry" and the two women sat in the snow, the blizzard having blown over and leaving them with only the sound of their thoughts.
Eventually, Addison turned to Maria with the intent to make amends, but she was interrupted by the sound of snapping branches behind them. Maria and Addison shared a quick glance, and readied themselves for the oncoming storm.
Legs moved autonomously through the snow laden brush. The harsh conditions tested utmost limits of the man's body and willpower. He moved only subconsciously, body responding without thought. The frosted iron of his outer shell groaning in protest as he did so. As he pressed on, it mattered less and less to the man whether or not he found these two. He craved what any sane human would in this condition, to be far from the bitter chill wracking his body.
Branches broke as the man lumbered over to the two women laying in the snow. There was some relief here at least, knowing the chase was over. Wearily, he reached for the bladed mace at his side. He pointed it at his quarry with what strength he could conjure.
"It's... over. Don't... make this... Make this harder than it has to be..." he said, unable to summon the air to say any more.
Maria opened her mouth, then shut it again. The man didn't seem like he was in any position to fight, but appearances hardly ever bore reliable fruit. Addison seemed uneasy, ready to sprint off at a moment's notice.
"Please don't make me do this." Maria said, raising her hands in defense, hoping to bluff away any further resistance
The expression on the hunter's face was harsh. Everything this girl had just put him through utterly destroyed any patience he still possessed. Her continued persistence was actually insulting at this point.
The man began moving forward, spiting the exhaustion in his muscles. One after another his feet slid through the snow. They never once left the ground. He raised the mace up with a shakey hand.
"If you want... You... Y-You can..."
The man took a breath. His mace arm dropped a bit.
"You can d-die here... I'll be... paid... either..."
The mercenary leaned on his tower shield, fatigue finally catching up to him. His hand dropped to his side, mace still firmly clenched in it.
"...way."
Maria scrunched her brow, trying to gauge the man's strength properly. He didn't seem in any position to fight, but it wasn't like Maria was holding up to much better. Her entire body ached, and she felt like her limbs would freeze and fall off any moment.
"You know I can't go quietly. I've come much too far for that." Maria responded. "Please, don't make me hurt you."
Maria dipped into the arcane, ready to fight at a moment's notice.
This resilience was almost something to admire. Had the man been in better humor, maybe he would have respected this. However, he was in no mood for any more of the creature's defiance. Anger was quickly taking him, lighting a fire within that would grant him just enough strength.
"Hurt me? You're in no position!"
The warrior regained his footing, and advanced until he nearly stood over the girl. With mace held high once again, he cried out.
"Let's see how well you can cast when your hands are broken!"
Oh shit oh shit oh shit!
Maria was surprised with the expediency with which man had recovered. In her surprise, she grappled with the energy around her and formed two chunks of ice. She hurled one at each side of his head.
The twin chunks of ice were drawn into the enchanted shield like iron to a magnet. Normally this would be no problem for the man, who was strong enough to retain his posture against the kick this process produced. However, he was on his last legs, his second wind ending here.
The hunter stumbled backwards. The fall was like that of a tree, ground shaking as the great iron mass impacted with it. The man lay defeated, incapacitated under the same cold steel that previously protected his body.
Both women were stunned. Even in his beaten state, the man was still intimidating. His sudden collapse had taken both of them aback. Maria made her way back to her feet, and turned to Addison.
Addison, ever the diplomat, spoke out to their pursuer.
"Sir? Are you ok?" She cautiously spoke, trembling.
The man was visibly conscious as he lay on the cold earth, yet he was still. His outburst had sapped every last bit of strength from his muscles. For the time being, he was essentially paralyzed. His eyes were trained upwards, watching flakes of snow float gently downwards onto his face. The silent calm he had been begrudgingly feeling was interrupted by the sounds of shifting movement on the snow and brush. The mercenary cursed himself, for he was powerless to persue the women any longer.
In response to the question, there were naught but audible growls and groans coming from the man. Not a single intelligible word was made, but the aggravation and exhaustion was blatantly apparent.
"He's still conscious." Addison informed Maria.
Maria stepped forward, still cautious, and put a foot down onto the shield, firmly planting its surface into the snow.
"What are we going to do now?" Addison questioned. "Are we going to leave him here?"
Maria turned to her companion, deep in thought.
"We need to disarm him first. Maybe bind him. I'm not too sure." Maria answered absentmindedly.
"I'll get some rope."
The two women went about making their former adversary their prisoner, Maria's eye never leaving the man.
The entire process was extremely demeaning, but there was nothing the man could realistically do to resist. At this point he lacked even the energy to be frustrated at his situation. His head hung limply downwards at the end of his neck. His blurred vision was only on the snow he sat upon.
All that could be done here was wait. The fatigue was slowly claiming him. In time, his strength would return.
"What now?" Addison asked.
Th pair had gone through the process of restraining the man. His hands were tied behind his back, legs bound together at his knees and heels. Addison had taken his shield and mace, for fear of him finding a way out of their binds.
Now, the pair was exhausted, and the night had ended, the sun now peaking in over the tips of the trees. They had brought meager supplies with them, much of which was lost during the chase.
"I'm not sure." Maria responded, truthfully. "I'm hungry, though. Do we have any food?"
Addison shook her head. "I dropped it during the chas e." Addison crossed her arms across her chest, rubbing her shoulders for warmth. "I wish we could get a fire going. It's freezing out here."
"I can start one. I'll just need some firewood."
Addison wordlessly set about gathering firewood, stacking it in a small pile on the center of the clearing.
In a few minutes, they had started a small fire, and Maria had set out to find some wildlife for them to eat. Addison sat back at camp, watching the man's belongings. Her eyes were weary, and her stomach empty, and soon she found herself struggling to stay awake.
Maria returned a half hour later, a small bird in tow. She set about cooking it. She turned to say something to Addison, but stopped once she noticed her head dropping and snapping back up.
"You can go to sleep, if you need to. I'll keep watch."
Addison nodded silently, and curled up next to the fire under the small blankets they had brought with them, and fell to sleep. Maria turned back to the fire, idly poking it with a stick, making sure to food didn't burn, and casting an occasional glance over to the hunk of metal they had restrained.
Hour after awkward hour passed, with the man fading in and out of consciousness in the cold winter air. The fire was small. It did little to protect the metal-clad warrior from the harsh surrounding elements. Still he persisted, his stubbornness knowing no limits.
Focused on the fire to keep himself awake, he spoke to break the icy silence.
"I wondered why you did not just kill me. Now I know you mean to let it happen slowly..."
Maria jumped at the man's unexpected jaunt. She turned to him, swift to deny the accusation.
"I was not. I was trying to help you, you ungrateful slug." Her words were laced with venom, her patience running thin.
"Help me... Why?" the man asked, voice wavering from the onset of chill.
"I have been hunting you, to bring you back kicking and screaming back to those who will probably see you executed for... whatever power THIS is." he gestured to Maria's new and monstrous form the best he could with his hands bound behind himself.
"What's the point of keeping me alive?"
Maria opened her mouth, and then froze, realizing that she had no logical reason to help this man. He was right; it would be more simple the just kill him and be done with it, but the thought had never crossed her mind.
It made sense that this man would, however. He was a jaded warrior, someone who had been in and out of combat and chases for years now (At least, that was the impression Maria got). Maria was just a teenage girl looking for a home.
"Call it an act of mercy. Besides, my 'help' has been taking your stuff and tying you up, so." Maria chuckled. "You know."
"So, what's your plan for me, then?" the man asked.
The man shuffled around for comfort in his chilled armor. His stoic glare never left Maria, as he staved off his tired feeling.
"I guess we'll just drop you off somewhere. Somewhere where you won't be able to hurt us."
Maria thought for a second.
What would Addison do? She wanted to go back to her village, but as long as she stayed there, he could find her. What would she do?
Maria shook off the thought, and turned back to the man. "We're keeping your stuff, by the way."
"I've been doing this a long time, princess." the man said, adjusting himself a bit.
He jostled around, renewed energy allowing him to move his legs in a more agreeable position. Slowly but surely he began to lift his heavy body off of the frigid ground. His eyes focused on the creature before him, eyes filled with determined vigor.
"There's no where either of you can go that I will not find you..."
Whatever Maria was going to say died in her mouth. Stupidly, she let her weakness show through, and the fear clearly written on face was absorbed by the man. He didn't seem to enjoy it, as much as was affirmed by it. He knew he was going to get his prey.
Maria stopped that train of thought. She had the man at an advantage. He had no weapons, no magic stopping shield, and was restrained. What's more, Addison was asleep, which meant Maria didn't have to hold back.
"You might want to rethink your position." Maria began, and slowly reached up to her blindfold. The man visible stiffened in response. "If this is the only way to stop you, I have no qualms about doing it."
Her demeanor was calm, but on the inside she was barely stopping herself from shaking. She was putting all her eggs into one basket, hoping that he didn't call her bluff.
"Oh? And what exactly is that?"
The armored man was completely upright now, yet still bound. His suspicion had been confirmed. There was something special about that blindfold, but he did not know what. He had seen many different magics in his travels, and knew how to handle most of them, even without his shield. The only hard part was not knowing...
"Is it more appropriate than a dagger? I'm here. You have me."
Maria froze, unsure of herself. The man was trying to bait her out, which seemed, strange. Knowing this man to be an experienced bounty hunter, she wasn't sure if he was bluffing or if he had an actual plan.
A bluff didn't seem to be a smart course of action, and he didn't seem like man with a death wish. So Maria racked her brain for what he could be planning. What did he have to gain from this? Maybe he was trying to bait her closer? But he knew she could attack from a range...
Once Maria failed to piece together his plan, she took a step forward. She summoned two long tendrils of water from the surrounding ice, sharp at the edges and aimed them at her captive's neck. Her fingers gripped the cloth of her blindfold tighter, ready to yank it down at a moment's notice. All of her snakes stood on end, hissing at the armored man.
"Last chance. Give up or die."
The man let out a gruff exhale in defiance. His expression was as stalwart as his form, unfazed even in what seemed like a dire situation.
"Here's the thing, princess..." he growled.
"I give up, and I go without pay. That's a much slower death."
Maria grit her teeth. She was really banking on him giving after her little bit of intimidation.
She wasn't sure what to do, bit she couldn't let him think she was trying to weasel out of this. Her threat couldn't seem empty.
"I can make this as slow as you like, Knight in Shining Armor."
With that, she shot one of her tendrils of water into the leather patch of his armor, aiming to wound, not kill.
Restrained and weighed down by heavy armor, there was nothing the hunter could realistically do to evade or deflect his former prey's attack. He took the full brunt of it. His teeth gritted together and hands squeezed each other behind his back.
He resisted falling back onto the ground, but only just barely. The man's great constitution allowed him somewhat to stand the piercing bite of the tendril as it entered his flesh. Defiantly, he stayed on both feet, doubled over as much as the armor would allow. He stared down at the snow-laden earth as drops of blood fell onto it.
Maria's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't expected him to take the hit. After seeing him as such a threat, she had expected him to avoid the attack.
Maria grit her teeth, hands shaking. She retracted the tendril from the armored man, and summoned another one from the surrounding air.
"This can stop whenever you want it to."
The sound of the water whizzing through the air was unnaturally satisfying.
It made Maria's stomach turn.
The man straightened himself, looking directly at the blindfold of the creature before him. A determined look remained despite his situation and injury. He still considered this one to be his quarry. He took a single step forward, more for balance than to advance. A light chuckle began from his stomach as an uncharacteristic smirk formed on his face.
"You know, I've never questioned this work before today...
Those stiffs of Connlaoth need someone caught, and I bring them in. That's that."
The man flattened more snow with a second heavy step. The injury causing him to falter and steady out his stance.
"But now I see what scares them so much...
They're afraid of something like this getting loose in the world."
Maria scowled.
"Are you KIDDING me?! I've spent so. Much. Time. Trying to find a way to not kill you, and this is the thanks I get?"
Maria fumed. This wasn't getting her anywhere. This man was to stubborn to even begin to rethink what he'd done to her. Well, so be it. She was tired of this. She had people who were important to her she needed to protect.
"I'm done with this. DIE."
Maria summoned a swarm of water tendrils, each reeling upeard and preparing to plunge into her adversary's flesh.
"Maria! Wait!"
Maria nearly jumped out of her skin. Sometime during the fight, Addison had woke up, and she had put herself in front of the armored man.
"Addison get out of my way! If I don't finish this now, hell kill both of us!" Maria yelled, banishing her arcane blades.
"Maria, if you do this, you'll never forgive yourself." Addison looked straight into Maria's eyes. "I can't let you do that to yourself."
Maria was stunned, far to surprised to formulate an adequate response. Unfortunately, in all the commotion, the armored man had completely been forgotten.
The man readied his stance for what was to come. His plan to aggravate his captor had worked, coaxing her into recklessness. He knew his timing and movements had to be perfect, as it had been on similar previous occasions. The hunter was set. Although he would not show it, he was ready for this.
At a moment before, something happened the man had not expected. The other had woken up, shielding him to deter the coming attack. An opportunity presented itself then. Not the one he was waiting for, but an opportunity nonetheless. The rope that bound his hands landed on the snow behind his heels. They had been cut as the two were talking. The hidden blade that cut them was exposed now, as he moved forward towards the one that shielded him.
"Got you." said the mercenary, grappling the woman with his heavy arms. The razor edge of the blade rested softly against the carotid artery.
"A slip of this knife, and you'll never stop the blood. I've had enough games. Surrender yourself, and this one can go back home."
The man contemplated in the back of his mind if it was still worth it to take his prey alive. Of course, he would be paid more. Still, this one was quite strong-willed. With all the trouble she had already put him through, further escape attempts would only make the journey more arduous. He shot a glimpse at the shield that rested on the nearby tree. He would need it if his new hostage proved useless...
Maria was stunned. In just a few moments, she had gone from being in control of the situation to being at a complete loss.
She managed to choke out her companion's name, desperate for a way out. Addison looked back at her, terror in her eyes.
Maria couldn't save both of them. Maria couldn't die here. Maria couldn't let her die here.
Maria was lost.
She raised her arm, and swore she saw the man stiffen at her movements.
"Please... Don't do this. Don't put her in the middle of this." Maria felt tears welling up in her eyes. "She doesn't deserve this. I'll do anything, please don't hurt her."
"I've been more than patient. With the both of you!" he replied with a growl. Despite the obvious frustration in his voice, the blade remained inert.
"You know damn well what I want. We're going over those mountains, I'm dropping you off, and I'm getting paid my due."
Still retaining his stance, he looked over to his belongings. The most prominent one besides the shield was his pack. He signaled to it with his eyes.
"My effects, girl. If I can even still call you that...
There are manacles with a blue symbol on them. Put them on."
The man tensed up. He would exploit this position of power as long as he held it, knowing full well it could be lost at any time. He was far too experienced to believe a trick like this would work indefinitely, but it suited him as long as it worked.
The manacles in question were a common tool many used against spellcasters. Steel shackles, enchanted to suppress magic in their wearer. Only when the he heard them lock closed and saw the rune begin to glow would he know he had his mark's full compliance. Until then, he readied himself for any change in the situation.
"You know what happens if you do anything else..."
Maria shook. She knew what the man was speaking of. She'd seen those shackles on a few mages during her time in Connlaoth. Once she put those on, she was doomed.
She could never give in. She had to escape. She had to leave Addison.
The thought made her naseos. Giving up Addison to save herself. What type of person would she be if she did that?
She was trapped between two impossible choices. The weight of situation pulled her down. Her throat went dry and clammy. Her stomach twisted into knots. Her hands trembled.
"Addison, I-I, I can't, I-"
Tears rolled down the young girls cheeks. She wasn't ready for this. She couldn't handle this. She fell to her knees, sobbing, completely forgetting the mortal peril she was in. Her sobbing and shrieking snakes made a horrible cacophony of tears.
It was truly a horrific picture to behold. The mass of writhing and wailing snakes before him was a sight that would utterly repulse others. Even the hardened brute with his hostage found himself fighting the urge to cringe.
Fight it he did, though. He steeled himself against what lay before him and tightened his grip.
"Enough of that. Get up! Move! You two have tried my patience enough! I'm being very generous letting the both of you live after all this! Now go, before I realize that's not worth it!"
Maria shook heavily, telling herself to just breathe. Just. Breathe.
She tried to run over everything again in her mind, but still got caught on the same thing. She was stuck.
"I've never understood you humans." A terrible, raspy voice said. It was him. The demon.
Maria swing her head to look at her benefactor. He was a tall beast, over ten feet most likely. His body was shriveled and pale, his ribs poking several inches through his skin, blood trickling out of the ever present wounds. His head was flayed, showing his skull, covered by just a few tendons. He had three horns poking.out.of his head, each engulfed in putrid black flames. Under his torso we're two twin serpentine legs, armed with talons at their ends.
Maria was shocked. She hadn't expected him to show up again, and not here of all places. What would Addison think of her? Even the armored man would be disgusted with her deal.
She turned to the pair to find... Nothing. Just blank emptiness, as far as her eye could see.
"We're in your mind. Once we're out, it'll be like.nothing happened at all. I wanted us to be able to have our chat, undisturbed." The demon answered her question without her asking.
"How are you here?" Maria asked, almost yelling.
"Maria, dear, you sold me your soul. Did you honestly think you'd never see me again?" The demon chuckled.
Maria was silent. The demon let out a sigh. "Anyway, back to the issue at hand. Are you going to kill Talbot or not?"
Maria's head snapped up. "I... Is that his name? Talbot?" The demon nodded. Somehow knowing that made her situation even worse. "I... I don't know. If I do, hell kill Addison."
"Yes, that seems to be the issue." The demon snarked.
"I... I don't know if I can do it. But if I don't..." Maria trailed off.
The demon was silent for a moment. "Maria, dear, I honestly couldn't give less of a damn about your moral dillema. All I care about is my herald's safety. If you don't do something, Talbot will kill you and haul your corpse to Connlaoth for a meager ramson. If you feel like you can't kill him, surrender now, so you can at least live."
"But..." Maria trembled. "I'm scared."
The demon sighed. "For what it's worth, I promise you won't die in Connlaoth."
Maria sat silent. "Take me back. I'm ready."
The demon smirked and with a wave of his hand, Maria was back in the forest.
"Okay, you win. Just please, don't hurt her." Maria hoped she could take the demon at his word.
The man watched as the girl put on the manacles, and the rune glowed. It was a satisfying moment. A sight that he did not expect to see. He stayed resolute, successfully hiding his contentment to maintain his stern and unforgiving facade.
"Perfect." he said, dropping Addison to the floor.
He stowed the knife away again, and went for his equipment and rearmed himself. Once that was done, he grabbed hold of the chain connecting Maria's wrists.
Maria dropped her head in defeat. She heard Addison whimper, obviously still worried for the younger woman's well-being.
"It's ok, Addison." Maria shot her a weak smile. "I have a feeling I'll get through this. Thank you. For everything.'
Addison nodded, and turned to the armored man, weakly. "Can, can I leave?"
It hurt Maria to see her turn around and focus on her own well-being so quickly, but she couldn't blame her. They both awaited Talbot's response.
The man nodded, replying with a solemn "Go..."
Despite everything that had transpired, Talbot Blithe somehow managed to maintain an air of cold indifference. He had endured a lot over the past several hours, but he chose to remain professional. His mission was to take the one woman. What became of the other was not his concern.
"I'm here only for this one."
With that, he tightened his grasp on the manacles and pulled. It was not a cruel or sudden yank, but rather a firm tug. He meant to guide the young mage as one did a stubborn animal.
"I'll warn you though, girl..." he started at Addison, almost growling his words. "Once we get to your village, stay out of my sight."
Addison nodded, and scurried away. She shot Maria one last sad glance before she disappeared into the trees.
Maria stiffened once she was gone. Now she was alone with the man... Talbot. She was still afraid of him, and wondered what he would do to her. After all, he only needed her alive, not unharmed.
She complied with Talbot's physical directions. It would be stupid to be difficult so early on. She would have to wait for an opportunity to escape, if it ever came.
The creature's new compliance made the man more weary than when she was resisting. He led her along, half expecting her to try again for her freedom. Slowly and silently, the bounty hunter led his charge in the direction Addison had gone. She knew the way back to the village, whereas the man did not. He had no patience left for getting lost, and had no intention to spend another night in the snow-covered wood.
The man walked without a word with his bounty in tow. His armor clanked loudly despite himself. They had already lost the woman, but the fresh trail she left was more than enough to find the way back. Before too long, the familiar village was in sight once again. Talbot paused, and looked to his deformed captive.
"Not a word to anyone when we get there. Understand me?!" he threatened.
Maria nodded. She looked towards the few villagers on the outskirts, some of which had already turned and looked at her, their faces scrunched together in disgust. She wasn't sure who it was aimed at.
She walked silently alongside Talbot, heart nearly beating out of her chest. She knew that of there was ever a time to turn on her captor, it would be here. Talbot was obviously still weary of her, and if they fought again, blood was sure to be spilt.
Talbot Blithe walked the captive mage through the village like a pet on a leash. His pace was neither relaxed nor hurried as he marched unyieldingly towards the target. The man made no eye contact with any of the residents, looking only towards the tavern ahead.
Stepping inside, the man entered as subtly as one could while leading someone against their will. Time passed as the man argued with the building's owner.
"I paid for a night here!"
"You paid for LAST night! You should've shown up!"
The interaction continued thusly. Anyone that was not already looking to the back of the building had their attention drawn by the voices of the two men progressively rising in volume. Tensions rose to breaking point. The conversation ended when Talbot brought his mace down onto the wood of counter with a heavy swing. The owner relented then, threatening with no seeable effect on the fighter to go to the marshal.
The armored man took his leave, and practically dragged his charge to the room.
Maria let herself be dragged to the backroom. She felt demeaned beyond belief, to be paraded around like an animal. Worse still, she was tired and hungry. She had walked for nearly half a day without pause for food, and with no rest.
Without being bothered to pay her own situation mind, she looked to Talbot. "Do you think I could get some food?"
Talbot Blithe took his time settling in the room he had acquired. The bed was actively tempting him, challenging his mind after the night he had just endured. He was able to resist the temptation as the heavy armor was removed bit by bit. Once he was clear of the heavy metal shell, Talbot meticulously organized his limited belongings in the corner of the small room. He refused to look over his shoulder as his charge addressed him. Still, he replied.
"In time, you'll get food and water. Until then, settle in. This may be the last comfortable night we have in a long time..."
Maria only grunted. She sat herself down on the bed, and flipped over on to her side. It seemed like she was going to have to spend the night in the same room as her captor. It wasn't the biggest concern she had right now, but it was still unfortunate. She wondered why he didn't just lock her up in a different room, and wait for the morning to fetch her.
She turned to Talbot. "Aren't you concerned to have me in here with you? What if I tried something while you were asleep?"
The man looked sternly at the creature on the bed.
"This trip has cost me enough already, and there is still quite a way to go." he replied solemnly.
"The more I spend, the less I get for you. You don't wanna know what happens when you become worthless to me. Especially after all you put me through..."
Grumbling his threats, Talbot began for the door and produced a key.
"You can try what you want. There's not much you have over me with those shackles."
With one hand on the knob and the other pointing to the magic-sapping manacles, he made one more threat.
"All I will say is this... You better succeed, or else I will drag your lifeless corpse back to Conlaoth instead."
With that, the mercenary left and locked the door behind him.
Maria was taken slightly aback. She hadn't expected a threat from the man. She was hoping to maybe trick Talbot into letting her have her own room, but clearly that had backfired. "I..." Maria began, but caught herself, opting for silence as to not potentially anger her captor. Instead, she simply flopped onto her side and began to drift into a restless sleep.
Talbot arrived back to the room. He carried two metal tins, each with scraps of bread and wooden cups. He scowled silently at the sight of his charge already passed out on the only bed in the room. He unceremoniously dropped hers on the floor beside the bed with a clatter. Few scraps of bread tumbled off the metal disk, and some water slashed out of its container, but the dish as a whole remained for the most part intact.
Talbot then pulled up the wooden chair, positioning it to face the doorway. He set up there with his mace kept beside him, and began to eat. This would be his bed tonight. He had to sleep light for several reasons. First, he had his quarry, and had to be wary in case a locked door would not be enough. Secondly, her friend had raised some dissent in town. While getting food for the two of them, Talbot had overheard some grumbles of disdain. He had to keep vigilant against some idiot villager attempting something "heroic".
Once he was satisfied, the man took up his mace, and let his eyes grow heavy...
Maria woke up the next day, dreary. Talbot seemed to still be asleep. Maria wasn't sure how to react, pulling anything now seemed to dangerous. She slowly sat up, making sure to be quiet as to not wake her captor. She hadn't gotten any food last night, so she was still... Oh wait, there was some food on the floor. Their was an identical tray next to Talbot, so she assumed it was for her. Luckily, Talbot was seeming to not be needlessly cruel. She grabbed the tray and set it on her lap, and began to eat. Not to long after, she heard the door creak. Maria froze, startled and worried. Maria turned to the door to see a stranger. The stranger, and elderly man, put his finger up to his lips, and slowly waked up to Maria, an envelope in hand. He handed the envelope to Maria. The only thing on the outside of the envelope was the name Addison.
With some light in the room, Talbot began to stir. Once the man realized he was conscious, he slowly rose from the wooden chair.
Despite the early hour of the day, it was already much later than he preferred to be awake by. Cursing himself quietly, Talbot went over to his effects and inspected them carefully. Surprisingly, his prisoner had done nothing to them, as others have attempted in the past. As quickly and steadily as possible, the giant man armored himself up and took up his equipment. It took quite some time, but it was obvious that he had done this many times before.
The last thing the hunter did was take the key from where it was hidden and went to the door to unlock it. To his surprise, the wooden door was not completely sealed, and freed itself from the frame when the metal key was pressed against it. This meant only one thing: they had a visitor sometime in the night...
Talbot was livid. With blades mace ready, he stomped over to the bed where the woman was.
"Someone was here last night! Who?!" he yelled, taking a violent hold in the chain between manacles.
"Your girlfriend? Some townsfolk? What were they here for?!"
Maria stammered, not knowing how to respond.
"I, I don't know what you're talking about!" Maria screamed. "I didn't see anybody! I swear!"
Maria put her hand over her heart, where the letter from Addison was hidden. Her heart beat furiously in her chest. How would she convince Talbot that nothing had happened? Letting him have the letter wasn't an option. She would just have to keep playing dumb and hope he would think he was just being paranoid.
At this point, there was no time to lose. It was better to avoid any conflict than wait around for whatever surprise the townsfolk may have been plotting.
Talbot grabbed the woman's manacles by the the chains and pulled forcefully. With haste in his heavy step, the bounty hunter hurriedly made his way for the door of the inn. His intention was to leave town as quickly as possible, but first he had to make it outside. With his tall shield readied in front, he opened the door to the street.
Maria decided to stay silent as she was dragged out of the town, bot wanting to make her captor any angrier than he already was. On the way out of the inn, she noticed Addison giving her a sad look, before she quickly turned around, not wanting to attract Talbot's attention.
None of the villagers tried to look at her.
As always, the world had decided to ignore Maria in her time of need.
She felt the letter that had caused all this rubbing against her skin, almost burning with forbidden words of hope and mercy, and Maria wasn't sure if it was worth it.
The brutish man had expected more. Some apprehension he had made in small villages like this had seen opposition by the locals that did not know the whole story. Despite the pleasant lack of action of the villagers, they were not yet clear. Talbot took the shield off his back and held his mace at the ready.
"Walk." he commanded to the prisoner.
He was cautiously watching everywhere. He readied himself against any that would interfere. He became especially alert whenever anyone came within several feet of himself or his quarry.
"Clear away! Move!"
The man shouted this - and other things like this - whenever the roads became too crowded for his liking. Before long, they approached the outer reaches of the village. It seemed this part was over. The real journey was about to begin.
Maria avoided eye contact with the man as she was dragged out of town. The hidden letter against her chest felt heavy, heavy as the manacles binding her wrists. She gulped back tears. She would wait. She would bide her time until she could get these god forsaken shackles off, and when she did she wouldnt hesitate to kill this man.
Talbot shoved his quarry onwards. He would stay wary at least until the small village was out of sight. Only then would his defenses be lowered, if only a little. For now, all they had to do was follow the path that lay before them.
The man kept them both going at a steady pace as they marched forward. He was silent, letting the clanking of his heavy armor be the only sound to exist in the forest. He relished the lack of human life around him, but was not foolish enough to believe there was no longer any danger. Cautiously, they went on.