The acrobat kept pace with the big man as they travelled the woodland path. Relieved of her burden, she moved nimbly and quietly, her keen eyes trained the road. She avoided the snap of fallen branches and the rustling of dense patches of foliage with graceful steps or the occasional deft leap. She noticed that his eyes were trained to the road, for this was brigand country, and kept her eyes and ears out for any sounds foreign to the forest.
Her hips sang their relief to her, as she had not removed the chain from her waist in many months. She felt the pain of taught muscles and tendons ease as her blood circulated, stimulated by the brisk pace the pair kept. She hadn't felt so free in a long time. She didn't initiate any conversation, and the only quiet remark she made was in repose to his.
"Odd to have a farm isolated from the community, especially in these times. I'd wager they have fled, or are baking bread for brigands now."
As they neared the farmhouse, her eyes scanned the landscape. She was no farmer, and was unaware of the poor state of the crops. The dilapidated farmhouse was plain for her to see, however. It looked empty and hollow, and she briefly pictured what it must have been in a previous era, one not so cruel as the present. Perhaps now it served as a hideout for their prey. She crouched as soon as her companion did, and she flicked a glance at him, before focusing on the farm.
"Stay here. I'll sneak up and see what's afoot." she whispered, her gaze not wavering from the house "I'll return and tell you what I've seen. If I'm discovered, I will raise a great shout."
Without a moment's delay, she moved into the field. She was crouched, but moved efficiently between the stalks, at pains to ensure her small frame caused only the lightest of disturbances. It required concentration, and by the time she reached the other end, Rukh was covered in a light perspiration.
First she scanned the area, then darted from her hiding place to the wall of the house. She was careful not to lean on it, lest it creak and give her position away. She sidled up to the window, and slowly peered inside.
There were five forms lying on the warped floor, that looked to be men under rough blankets, next to the ashes of a fire. Not so abandoned, then. There were weapons laid out on the floor, rather neatly, although they were in a very bad condition themselves. Rukh thought for a moment, torn with indecision. She could creep in and murder them in their sleep, or she could do as she had said and report back to Aryn. There didn't seem to be a watchman...
Without warning, there came a clang of metal and a male voice raised a great shout. She had been spotted! A burly man in rough leathers was rapping his sword against his shield and shouting, in an effort to wake his comrades. As he did so, he approached her carefully, his shield raised. Frantically, the acrobat rolled away from the house, drawing her sword in a fluid motion as she came to her feet, immediately weighing her options.