On the Hunt

[Serethiel]

Serethiel was on the hunt. She hadn't eaten in two days and was hunting for rabbit, but the light was beginning to fade as twilight approached. The relatively young elf (she was less than 1000 years old) paused for a moment on a hilltop to look out across the valley below. There was a little breeze and it gently ruffled her long, dark brown hair that hung loosely down her back. The elf warrior was slightly out of her element in this open area. She had been born in the eastern forested Elven kingdom of Alysian, which stretched for hundreds of miles in all directions. The trees there were some of the most beautiful in all of Celair and the water that ran through the rivers was pure.

Serethiel had been born to two high ranking elven warriors of Alysian and had been brought up to fight. The relationship between the elves of the east and the humans of the west was fragile at best. War seemed to break out every few hundred years and so Serethiel was taught swordsmanship, but excelled at archery. In fact, she became one of the best archers in Alysian and soon held a very high rank herself. She commanded a large border guard unit and was highly respected by the King and Queen of Alysian.

Serethiel didn't know much about the humans. She had engaged in battle with them several times, but every time she attempted to learn more about them and their culture she received little or no information. She grew tired of the fighting and bloodshed and wished to find a way to make peace with humankind. However, this suggestion was not well met by her King and Queen. In fact, she was quickly considered a traitor and exiled from her homeland. Her parents did little to help her.

Serethiel had been on her own for a few weeks now. She wore her long, forest green tunic that was split down the front of her legs, allowing her to easily move and fight and her doe skin breeches. Her boots were of a soft, well worn leather and she wore intricately designed leather bracers on each arm. She was quite beautiful, even for an elf, but had never settled down and married, though she had taken a few lovers over the years.

Looking out over the landscape before her she suddenly felt utterly alone in the world. She wasn't sure where to go exactly, but still felt in her heart that this war needed to be stopped. Suddenly, she heard some movement to her left and out of the corner of her eye she spotted a small, grey rabbit. In the blink of an eye she drew an arrow and fired, killing the rabbit instantly. She found a more secluded area and built a small fire. Believing herself to be alone she began to sing softly in elvish as she prepared and began to cook the rabbit.

[Breyan Norrey]

The smell of roasted rabbit was too delicious to avoid investigating, even if Lord Norrey warned the girl not to stray too far from camp. The day had nearly concluded as dusk began to creep its way across the sky, when Phoebe set the bushel of dry twigs down and slowly inched her way towards the distant flicker of a campfire. The ominous voice of her new master echoing within her head to only fetch firewood, attempted to convince her to turn her attention back, but the girl skulked forward.

Upon reaching the edge of the small clearing, and well hidden behind a large fallen tree, Phoebe cautiously lifted her eyes above the timber to get a closer look. A glazed rabbit sat skewered over an abandoned campfire. A bedroll was laid out, and a bit of equipment was next to it, yet no one seemed to be present. The young girl lifted her head higher to get a better look, and her nose smelled the roasting hare. Her eyes closed as she took savored the aroma, and a grin curled about her face.

Snatching dinner for Lord Norrey would surely make up for the kindness he had shown her. Paying her bond a few days ago and freeing her from the rusty gibbet was a debt that she could never repay. Yet a small token such as cooked rabbit would be a nice start.

Phoebe glanced back towards the direction of her own camp, possibly a few hundred yards in retreat, but saw only darkness looming across the forest. She'd have to move quickly if she wanted to snatch the meal and make it back before dark.

[Serethiel]

Serethiel had stepped away from the fire only for a few moments in order to gather some more firewood. Even though she thought she was alone in this area she took her bow and quiver with her. She believed in always being prepared for the unexpected. When she was younger she had not quite taken this idea to heart and as a result she had been the target of an unexpected attacked by a group of humans. Thankfully, the rest of her group had been close by and had come to her aid, but she still bore several scars as a result that now served to remind her to be prepared for anything.

As she was returning to her campsite her keen elven ears picked up the sounds of someone nearby. She dropped the kindling and instead drew an arrow and nocked it, but kept it pointed down for the moment. She stepped almost without a sound towards her encampment and spotted the form of a girl taking her cooked rabbit off the spit. When the girl turned around she would spot Serethiel standing about 10 feet away from her. She was unmistakably an elf. Had the tips of her pointed ears not have been showing, it would have been her eyes that would have given her away. They almost glowed in the falling darkness and were of an intense green.

"Who are you?"

[Breyan Norrey]

"Who are you?" A voice was heard from the corners of the forest.

Phoebe spun around from her act of thievery, only to see a shadowy figure just outside the campfire light. The form was feminine, but her eyes glowed with a yellow light that sent chills down the girl's spine. Phoebe stumbled back a few steps and rolled her foot on a large stone encircling the fire, causing her to fall backward narrowly missing the flames. Holding the cooked rabbit high, saving it from the dirt, the girl hurried awkwardly to her feet and continued to take a few slow steps backward.

"Im no one." She replied, not sure what to say, before looking down at the rabbit in her hands. "Um... " She wanted to explain why she was stealing the woman's dinner, but no reason could justify the theft. The Phoebe did what she was best at... evading and hiding.

Turning on one heel, the girl made a break for the treeline. She tucked the meal under one arm and raced headlong across the small clearing towards the darkened forest. She winced, anticipating the pain from an arrow striking her back, but when she jumped past the first bit of tree cover, there was no retaliation felt. No missile flying past her, or anything other than silence.

Phoebe did not turn back as she jumped and weaved through the first bit of trees. It was then something sprang out at her feet and wrapped itself around her ankle. It moved with such speed and force that it swept the girl off her feet and dragged her across the ground, eventually pulling her high into the air. Phoebe screamed and dropped the rabbit as she was carried upside down into the air. The girl had triggered an animal snare and was caught.

Hanging upside down, she flailed for a bit until she realized there was no escape. Slowly rotating around, she watched as the strange woman approached.

[Serethiel]

Serethiel eyed the young human woman before her. She quickly determined she was not a threat to her, but kept her bow nocked. She couldn't help but wonder what this woman was doing out here alone. There were no large cities or villages nearby that she was aware of and she did not appear to be prepared to be out in the wilderness if she was stealing food and not hunting herself. She was curious, but wary. She had been brought up to believe that humans were all evil beings who were not fit to share Celair with the elves. However, Serethiel highly doubted this woman had a ounce of evil blood in her body...apart from stealing her rabbit that is.

Serethiel opened her mouth to tell the woman she meant her no harm when she suddenly turned and fled into the darkness, taking the rabbit with her. Serethiel stood there for a moment, deciding not to go after her, when she suddenly heard the woman scream. She quickly followed after her and came across her hanging upside down from a tree, having been caught in an animal snare she had set out. She sighed, realizing she had just lost not only the rabbit but would now have to sacrifice a perfectly good snare in order to release this woman.

She put down her bow and quiver and effortlessly scaled up the tree to the branch from which the line had been secured. She moved with a grace and elegance that was only found in the elven race. Pulling out one of her long daggers from her belt she grabbed hold of the line tightly as she sliced it free from the branch. The snare was meant for smaller animals, although the elven rope she had used could hold hundreds of pounds easily, and there the woman was not too high off the ground. Serethiel eased her down to the ground before jumping down and landing soundlessly beside her. Then, in a strange act for elves and humans, she offered the young woman her hand to help her up.

"Are you alright?"

[Breyan Norrey]

The girl stared at the woman standing above her for a moment.  Fear enveloped her with the realization that a wild forest elf stood before her.  As a girl she learned of the wars between humans and elves.  It was taught in every school throughout the human kingdoms.  Phoebe did not attend for many years, but these lessons were common knowledge.

But this elf was different.  Her face was beautiful.  Her features were warrior-like, yet kind and gentle.  Phoebe didn't take long before slowly reaching out a cautious hand.

The elf warrior pulled the girl to her feet and examined her like a master examined a slave at an auction.  The elf's yellow eyes looked her up and down before returning to Phoebe's freckled face. Nervous, she brushed a lock of dirty blond hair behind her ear, clearing it from her dirt ridden forehead.  The strand was as stubborn as she was at times.  Her face might yield attractive features if not for the months of city grim that painted it.  Evidence of life on the streets of a human city.

"Are you alright?"  The elf asked.

Swallowing hard, Phoebe nodded her head not sure what the woman would do next.  The girl had been locked up for stealing before, but stealing from an elf might surely be worse.

Just then, Serenthiel sensed the presence of another.  Her eyes darted to a distant tree.  There stood a man in the shadows.  Watching.  His grey hooded cloak masking his face.

[Serethiel]

Serethiel could sense the fear and hesitation from the girl. She wasn't sure if the girl was going to accept her hand or not. There was a moment of silence between them. Serethiel knew she was taking a risk, but this girl posed no threat to her and she thought of this as the first step towards peace. Finally, the girl accepted her hand and Serethiel was able to pull her to her feet. As she did, Serethiel was able to get a closer look at her. Her face was dirty, but behind that dirt and grime she could see a pretty face with delicate features. She once again wondered why this girl was out here.

She was about to ask the girl if she was alone, when she suddenly sensed a nearby presence and eyes upon her. Her keen, elven eyes quickly spotted the figure of a man up in one of the trees watching her interaction with the girl closely. Her emerald colored eyes met his own for a long moment before she looked over at the girl.

"You are free to go."

[Breyan Norrey]

"You are free to go."

Phoebe looked a bit surprised at the woman. The girl was caught red-handed stealing her dinner, snared in her trap, only to be forgiven and released. Phoebe swallowed hard and cleared her throat finding her voice. "Thank you." She whispered taking a step back.

The tiny thief watched the elf warrior for a moment, thinking this might be a trick. As soon as she turned around, the elf would stab her in the back. She was taught the race was wild and could not be trusted. But something about this elf seemed to indicate the opposite.

Serethiel's eyes moved away from the girl, and back towards the male figure in the forest. She had not let her guard down even in the least. It was then she saw the man quickly raise a bow from concealment and loose an arrow at her.

With lightning reflexes, Serethiel twisted her body from the waist up, as the arrow narrowly missed her left shoulder. She heard a 'thud' and a squeal behind her, as the attack hit its target. Phoebe gasped and jumped in place as she witnessed the attack.

Spinning on her heel, Serethiel looked back to see a Beastman falling limp with an arrow in its skull. Further back were several more similar creatures advancing from the wood. She knew immediately what they were... orcs.

[Serethiel]

Serethiel may have seemed relaxed but during the entire interaction with this girl she was on alert. She kept on eye on the hooded man in the tree while she watched the girl begin to step away from her. She was curious about the man and wondered if he was this girl’s master. She could not see the man’s face, only his eyes which made her wary.

Suddenly, she saw the man move and draw an arrow and take aim seemingly right at her. In the blink of an eye she moved and twisted out of the way of the arrow, which narrowly missed her left shoulder. She heard the arrow strike something fleshy and heard a yelp of pain. Turning around she saw a Beastman fall limp to the ground with the hooded man’s arrow sticking out of his skull. Just behind the body her keen eyes detected more figures advancing towards them and she knew them immediately to be orcs.

“Orcs!” she called out to the hooded man as she drew not one but two arrows. “Get to safety!” she yelled at the girl before turbans firing both arrows at once. One hit an orc in the neck and the other went right through the second orc’s left eye.

[Breyan Norrey]

Phoebe stood frozen for a moment before her body responded to the order to flee.  

Breaking through the treeline in front of the warrior elf was raiding party of orc beastmen.  Their guttural cries of hatred roaring in the early night air as they raced passed their three dead comrades towards the lone elf.

Serethiel knew she could easily loose them if she allowed them to pursue her into the forest, but the human girl would surely be captured... or worse.  No, the elf would make her stand here.

She drew two more arrows and drew back her bow, just as a second figure darted passed her charging the enemy.  It was the man she had turned her back to.  

He moved with a flued swiftness, as he cut down the first row of orcs.  His long sword beamed in the slight moonlight, dancing its way between the grouping.  Two more fell quickly, as another took a blow to the arm.  Within seconds, the troop was surrounding him, attempting to overwhelm the human soldier.  Yet he fought on, bravely wielding his sword with two hands when he struck with force, then switching to one hand when he needed a bit of balance to evade an attack.  

"I have them!  Run!"  He called back towards the elf, as if he was now her protector.

[Serethiel]

Serethiel had no intention of going anywhere. To flee a fight was to be a coward and she was no coward. She had never run from a fight before and she had no intention of doing so today. If this hooded man didn't yet realize she was a warrior, he was going to once this fight was over.

Ignoring his command, she stood her ground and continued to fire more arrows at the hideous beasts. She hated orcs with every fiber of her being. They had often crossed over into Alysian and she had hated their presence fouling her home...well what once had been her home. She took down three more before switching to long daggers when some of the troop broke off to attack her. She moved with a fluid gracefulness, but with deadly accuracy and strength. She was beauty and death wrapped in one package.

She slit one orcs throat from behind and then turned around to stab another in the head with the same blade. She had never fought alongside a human before and was impressed by how well he was handling his blade. She had gone from fighting and killing humans to now trusting one with her life.

[Breyan Norrey]

Breyan took the weight of the orc attack, holding his own with a fragile confidence, as the enemy encircled him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the elf warrior, fighting with her back to him, wielding two smaller blades. He smirked to himself at the fact she did not flee, but joined the fight. Somehow he had predicted just that about this elf.

Breyan glanced up towards the treeline where Phoebe had escaped, and saw the trace of his young squire. He was hopeful she had begun the hastened journey back to their original camp.

The two fought together for several seconds, ending the lives of several foul beastmen. They moved in unison, as if they had trained for this very moment. One able to almost read the others mind.

Suddenly, Breyan felt a slice high across the back of his leg, just under his glut. Then the burn of a fresh wound. He winced in pain, as he heard the roar of excitement from the enemy. They knew the strike had weakened their prey.

The two lone warriors fought on, until eventually the small camp was quiet. Breyan's left leg buckled under his weight and he dropped to one knee. Bodies of over a dozen orc raiders lay spewn about them, as the silence of death washed over the field.

The ranger reached back with his left hand to feel the gash. Instinctively he inspected his hand, finding it covered in blood and a thick black ooze. He winced again at the sight knowing the scratch was much more serious. It was infected with Black Scour. A deadly orc poison.

[Serethiel]

Serethiel ended the fight by taking the last orc's head nearly completely off with her long dagger. The beast collapsed to the ground and Serethiel took a moment to examine the scene around her. Over a dozen of the foul beasts lay around them. She spotted one that was still breathing and she moved over and ended its life with one quick movement of her blade. She then stood and glanced over at the man she had fought with. His back was to her and she could see a large gash across his upper left thigh. Even from where she was standing she could see and smell the poison.

Without a moment of hesitation, she rushed over to where her bag lay and dug through it for a few items. Although she knew that there were plants in the area that could help treat such a wound, there was only one that she knew would save his life. The plant only grew in the forests of Alysian and was known to be so powerful that humans risked their lives to venture into the forest to retrieve some of the delicate looking plant. Humans had attempted to grow it, but none had survived. The plants needed the touch of the elves in order to thrive. She had taken some before leaving Alysian and thankfully only a little was needed as it was so potent. She used a small bowl to make a poultice of the plant with a few other ingredients.

She had him lay down on his stomach and if he did so she used one of her daggers to cut away some of the fabric around the wound. She then used clean water and a rag to wipe away most of the black ooze and blood. Once it was clean enough she used her fingers to delicately apply the poultice to the wound. If he listened closely, he would hear her speaking in Elvish softly. The language was almost as beautiful as she was and he might realize she was almost praying or chanting. Her touch was soft and gentle and she ensured that the entire wound was covered by the poultice before using a bandage to wrap up the wound.

Once she was done she looked at him and was quiet a moment before speaking.

"You will live."

[Breyan Norrey]

Breyan listened to the elf and lay down onto his stomach, in a rare display of defeat. Laying there, he attempted to look back at her as she stood over him.

Pulling her long knife, he grit his teeth uncharacteristically, and allowed her to continue. Being defenseless was uncharacteristic for him. But if the woman wanted to kill him, she would have done it already.

She cut away his leather pants and exposed his wound. Breyan turned away and put his face back into the ground. He felt her hand slide inside his trousers and explore the length of the wound around the curvature of his leg. The burning pain began to slowly creep its way down his leg and up into his waist. "The poison is spreading." He spoke.

Serethiel was well aware of the seriousness. He moved to her pack and withdrew a few items. Making a paste she gently applied the ointment to the wound and his leg. She then began to speak in Elven. The words beautiful in their rhythmic flow. He didn't understand the words, but believed she was part healer.

The cool feel of the medicine seemed to immediately clot the bleeding and numb the pain.

"You'll live." She said before standing back up and looking down at him. Breyan lay there for a moment, feeling the injury begin to heal. Rolling over onto his backside, he looked up at her as she stood among the dozens of orc bodies. The contrast of her beauty against the death they caused was intoxicating.

"Thank you." He whispered, looking deeply at her features. Then it dawned on him... proper etiquette was for the gentleman to introduce himself first. Even in the Elven culture. He shook his head at his lapse of judgement.

"I am Breyan Norrey of the House Norrey. I was hired by Lord Wellington himself to scout the eastern most forest." He advised, attempting to introduce himself and explain his reasoning for being there. But the elf maiden simply starred at him and said nothing. He squinted at this, as if she didn't understand his words.

"Did you understand?" He questioned, before attempting to stand. Placing his weigh onto his leg caused a jolt of pain to race through his body. He gasped through clenched teeth and held the back of his leg. Not waiting for the elf to answer, or even introduce herself, he turned to look for his young servant. With the forest dark and silent, he feared the worst for her.

[Serethiel]

Serethiel was indeed part healer. She often spent days or even weeks in away from the main kingdom of Alysian, which was located in the center of the forest, and therefore had to know how to heal herself and the rest of her guard if she of one of them was to become injured. She had been trained by the head healer of Alysian and had learned much from her. She now always carried at least a few ingredients to make poultices or for steeping in tea. As an elf she was not touched by sickness, but she could be injured or killed. She was immortal, but only to an extent.

She watched him with both a level of caution and interest as he turned over to look up at her. She could see his eyes studying her face as she studied his. His features were more rough than an elf's, but his face still held a level of attractiveness to it that even she was affected by.

Suddenly, he began to speak and introduce himself. She listened quietly as he spoke, continuing to study him closely. He was injured, but she wasn't so sure that meant he wasn't dangerous. She could see him begin to get frustrated with her and start to get up.

"My name is Serethiel," she replied in the Common Tongue. "You remain here and rest. I will go find your friend. What is her name?"

[Breyan Norrey]

Introducing himself, he pulled back his hood and lowered his scarf in order to reveal his face. A proper gentleman would not shield his face when addressing a lady. Even if she was an elf.

He watched the elf maiden look him over as he spoke, and questioned to himself her apparent stare. Finally she replied with her own introduction.

"My name is Serethiel," she replied in the Common Tongue. "You remain here and rest. I will go find your friend. What is her name?"

Breyan shook his head and waved her invitation for him to rest away before turning towards the forest.

"Phoebe... but the young girl is my responsibility." He said with a sigh. "Ive purchased her from the town magistrate, pardoning her sentence and by law... " He sighed again like a disappointed father would towards an unruly child. "Never mind about our laws..." He told the elf before taking a painful step forward, limping severely on his left side. "We camped 200 yards west of your camp. Which would explain why I didnt smell your fire... Northerly winds off the mountains... " He muttered mostly to himself.

Eventually making his way into the treeline he easily picked up her trail.

Behind him, he noticed his new elf friend gingerly, wanting to approach again, possibly to help steady his balance on that wounded leg. Though he'd never admit it, he could use the help. The elf was quite a bit smaller than him, but her healing arts and fighting style were most welcomed.

He glanced back to her. "Would you like to join us back at our camp? It's the least I could do to thank you." His eyes glanced back towards her fire. "You could bring the rabbit." He smirked.

[Serethiel]

Serethiel blinked at Breyan, attempting to understand what he was telling her about Phoebe. Although she didn't understand the law, she did understand that he had helped her and that was what ultimately mattered. It meant that he had a good heart, even if she remained somewhat wary of him. This was the longest she had been in the presence of a human without killing it. She wondered if he was as curious about her as she was about him.

Realizing that he wasn't going to listen to her insistence that he stay and rested while she went to look for the young girl, she began to follow him after seeing how poorly he was walking. She knew he needed help, but hesitated. Breyan then stopped and glanced back at her and invited her to join them at their camp.

"You could bring the rabbit."

Serethiel smirked. "I would, but your friend dropped it in the dirt."

She glanced back at her camp and hesitated at his offer. She wanted to trust him and up until this point he had given her no reason not to.

"However, if your offer still stands I will join you. I just need to gather my things."

If Breyan waited, she would go back to her camp and put out the fire before gathering up her weapons and her bag. She walked back over to him and, if he allowed, she let him use her to help keep his balance.

OOC-I'm not sure if you meant she was quite a bit shorter than him, or just less overtly muscular, but I wanted to mention (since I don't think I have) that Serethiel is actually probably about 5'8", and although not obviously muscular, she is quite toned and stronger than she looks.

[Breyan Norrey]

Breyan grinned at Serethiel's agreement to join him. It felt like the days back at the local tavern, when he fancied a young lass and she agreed to bed with him for the night. A conquest of sorts, but this was far from that. A beautiful woman joining him at his camp. The fact that she was a forest elf made the acceptance of his invitation almost historic.

The dark ranger leaned against a tree to help support his weight. He watched the woman walk away and was able to enjoy the way her body moved. Her form was perfect. From the back, she nearly looked human.

While she gathered her items, Breyan looked westward. He had spotted Phoebe's trail, but something in his gut worried him. When the elf healer returned with her pack over her shoulder, he smiled at her. "I hope you like salted beef. It's all I have to offer. But if you help me, maybe I could find some chocolate." He said lifting his left arm as if inviting her to act as his crutch.

Breyan stood just over 6' tall, and Serethiel seemed just the right height to fit nicely under his arm.

[Serethiel]

Serethiel was well aware of Breyan's eyes upon her as she walked away from him. However, she chose to ignore his stares as she gathered together her things. Serethiel walked back over to Breyan and hesitated slightly before moving over to his left side to allow him to put his arm around her shoulders to keep his balance. She glanced at him slightly when he mentioned chocolate.

"What's that?"

[Breyan Norrey]

Breyan lowered his arm over the elf's shoulders, but tried to keep the bulk of his weight off the woman. Within seconds, he realized Serethiel was quite strong and very sturdy. The infection from the wound sent bolts of pain across his body, and he found himself relying on her quite a bit. It was when she placed her right arm around his back that he felt close to her. Her embrace was soldier like, but still sensual to him.

The two walked gingerly through the forest towards his camp. Less than half the way, Breyan had lost any sign of Phoebe's trail.

Serenthiel glanced at him slightly when he mentioned chocolate. "What's that?" She asked.

He smirked at the question. "I forgot... elves are not as cultured as humans. I suppose it's more of a dessert than anything."

His dry humor fell on deaf ears, and may have even been offensive. But to him, elves were their enemy, and he didn't care much to educate them on human food. But with this forest elf, he felt different. She did, after all, save his life.

The two moved into the next clearing and saw the small campfire barely alive. Only hot coals remain. Two bedrolls lay out stretched on the grass next to the fire and his lone horse remained tied to a distant tree. Phoebe was no where to be found.

[Serethiel]

Serethiel pretended not to hear Breyan's comment, but she did. She felt like saying something in response, but opted against it...at least for the moment. Right now they needed to focus on getting to his camp and finding Phoebe.

As they reached his camp Serethiel quickly scanned the area and realized that the young girl was nowhere to be found. She looked around more closely and then looked at Breyan.

"Do you think she could have run away?"

[Breyan Norrey]

"Do you think she could have run away?"

Breyan heard his new companion, but chose not to answer right away. He had noticed more orc boot tracks in the forest, and his assumption was now confirmed.

He added a few logs to the campfire then grabbed a fire iron and stoked the coals. Within seconds the wood caught and the fire blazed a healthy heat. Then he sat down next to it and grimaced in pain once again.

"No... she didn't run off. She was a street urchin... and would not survive more than a day out here on her own." He forced a hard grin. "I fear we did not kill all the orc raiders, and they had attempted to flank us when they found her."

He reached into his backpack and pulled out an item wrapped in cotton cloth. He unfolded the wrap and tore off a piece, holding it out for his guest. "It's all I have to offer, but it'll fill you up."

Serenthiel was beginning to realize the man was not going after her. He was simply going to eat dinner.

"I actually liked her." He shrugged. "Orphaned a few years ago, and left to fend for herself on the streets. She turned to thievery and sentenced to death. That's where I found her. A bird in a cage literally wasting away. She would have been dead by the weeks end. I suppose I felt pity for her, and since I received orders to travel to the westernly wood, I figured Id bring her alone. I told her she could train a my squire, but I had no real intention of seeing that through.
She was the daughter to dairy farmers... destined to be a dairy maid her entire life. Uneducated and a nobody."

He glanced up at the elf maiden.

[Serethiel]

Looking to the ground Serethiel spotted the orc tracks leading away from the campsite and realized that Phoebe must have been taken. She felt a twinge of guilt since she had been the one to tell her to get to safety. She should have realized that there would be more orcs out there. She had allowed her attention to be pulled away by this...man and now this young girl's life was in danger.

Serethiel was about to suggest they gather what items they could and quickly track the orcs, when she suddenly saw Breyan begin to stoke the fire back up and then sit down. He was going to do nothing! She felt a wave of anger and, surprisingly, disappointment flare up inside of her.

"No one is a 'nobody'," she replied angrily as she threw away the piece of dried meat he had offered her. "I cannot believe that I stood up for humans to my Lord and Lady and suggested we find a way to end this war. I was exiled for it! I believed in the good of humans, but now you have just shown me that instead of being the 'cultured' beings you think you are, that you are nothing more than selfish and judgmental beasts! I will find her and ensure she remains unharmed."

She turned and began to walk away from the camp in the direction of the tracks without looking back at him.

[Breyan Norrey]

Breyan took the tongue lashing with a quizative look. The beauty had surprised him with her affection for a young criminal. When she tossed the piece of meat to the ground, he almost scolded her, before being distracted again by her continued rant.

The elf grabbed her pack and stormed off as Breyan processed all she had said.

"Exiled?" He questioned towards her back, but she did not turn around.

The ranger took in a deep breath and let it out slowly closing his eyes. He knew that the night would not end so easily, and his leg would not heal if he put weight on it, but he couldn't let Serethiel handle this alone.

"Wait!" He called out to her as he attempted to stand. He grabbed his sword and hopped towards her, but this time she did not return to help him. "Wait." He called out to her again, but this time in a more hushed tone. He did not want his voice to carry far into the forest.

"Great Goblin balls!" He sneered through clenched teeth. Many a man has gone to his death following a beautiful woman. He thought. But what better way to die?

ooc: I'll be spending the day with family today. Wont be able to post until late tonight. Have a great Thanksgiving.

[Serethiel]

OOC-I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. I spent the day with my family as well.

IC-Serethiel ignored Breyan's calls for her to wait. She wasn't going to wait for him and she certainly wasn't going to help him. He had made his decision and she certainly didn't need his help finding Phoebe. She was an excellent tracker after all.

She continued to walk, picking up the trail. Orcs couldn't move too quickly so she knew there was still time. When she realized Breyan was attempting to follow her she stopped for a moment and turned and looked at him.

"I don't need or want your help and if you were just going to allow these orcs to kill her then Phoebe clearly doesn't need you either."

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