Forest Wanderings

[Diana Silver]

Dappled light fell through the branches of the old, oaken forest. The morning air was calm. The faint scent of wood smoke wafted through the air.
Diana was stirring up the last coals of her campfire from the previous night. Sparks erupted forth and spiraled into the air, fire spirits’ released into the sky. Diana sat down leaning her back against a fallen log, and let out a contented sigh and took a sip of water from the leather bound container she’d picked up in nearby village.

It had been a little over a week since she’d landed on this land. Slowly, she was exploring the area and finding out that it was not so much different than the place she’d come from, very similar in fact. The forest here for example was rich with life and she’d found many of the pants to be quite edible. She munched quietly on a piece of bread she’d perchance along with the water container. The village was not far from here, and she was grateful to have found a friendly community.

Midnight shifted his weight and chewed lazily on the sweet, tender, spring grass that covered the ground around them. The beast was a little over fourteen hands tall, and rippled in muscle of unnatural strength. He could hardly have been mistaken for a mortal animal, his jet black body pulsed with underlying power, and his eyes glowed brilliant crimson. He was bound to Diana by an oath of loyalty and protection. She had saved his life.

Taking a few last bites of bread, the elf rose and began to pack her meager belongings into the saddlebags Midnight carried. If she was going to continue exploring this land, she realized she should get a move on; the sun was almost at mid morning. There was a trail just north of here, she planned to see where it led.

[Admin]

Thump. Thump. Thump.
"...makin' me off to the forest, eh?" Orik muttered to himself, swinging away at an old oak. "Them an' their 'Oh, we got nothin' ta do so you get us some wood' talk...I'll show 'em, I'll show 'em all!" he shouted with a hard swing of his axe.
Thump. Thump. Thump.

He was halfway through the ancient oak. He let his broad axe down, only to take a swig from his flask. Sweat beaded upon his brow as he contemplated his meaningless task. While the rest of his clan were probably back at headquarters playing cards in its bacchanalian way, he was out in the Selkia Forest, hacking away at random oaks. "When I get back...." he muttered. Thump. Thump. Thump.

The old tree was now ready to fall. Without bothering to yell "Timber!", the dwarf watched the oak fall to the ground with a crash, lying with the others waiting to be cut.

Orik walked over to another oak tree, prepared for more tedious labor. As he readied his axe, Orik was interrupted by a dull thud. He looked at the tree, and a small dagger was embedded in the trunk. He looked out of the corner of his eye just enough to see several more daggers flying out of the darkness toward him. Orik quickly responded and jumped out of the line of fire. The daggers stuck in the exact spot Orik was only a moment before.

Without words, Orik stood up and armed himself with his broad axe, ready for the threat that lies beyond the remaining trees.

[Diana Silver]

It was less than an hour down the trail that the keen ears of the lady elf pricked at an unmistakable sound. Thump, thump, thump…. And then a crack and the sound of branches breaking. Someone felling trees. Diana urged Midnight to step off the trail, towards the sound. Mostly curious, she would take a quick peek to see what kind of person/creature it might be, and then be on her way. It was to her advantage to learn about the locals.

The sound paused, and so did she, pulling up on the reigns, and then listening again. Perhaps they were moving on, and that was just as…. She stopped mid-thought, the sound changed to a different kind of metal on wood. The dulled thud, of a dagger, then more…. An ambush of some sort? It was with a quick motion that the lady drew her sword, and began to urge the horse back, keeping her eyes on the darkened forest, around her. That last sound had been rather close.

[Admin]

"It's been quite a while, Orik," a voice said.

The dwarf opened his eyes into the darkness to see a shady figure approach from the shadows. As a faint glow of light peeked through the array of trees and cast itself upon the figure, Orik jumped. Dressed in tattered black robes and a pointed magician's hat stood Alex, Orik's long-time friend from Telipa. Alex had fled from the troops of orcs and goblins that sabotaged his hometown, and took refuge in Telipa. Found weak and unable to perform magic, Orik took Alex into his secluded cave in the mountainous village and restored him to full health. Once Alex regained his strength, the two had become fast friends. He now looked nothing from what Orik remembered: his robes were torn and ragged, his hat was moth-eaten, and he stunk of ale. He almost reminded Orik of his fellow clan members.

"Alex?" Orik asked, bewildered. "I can't believe me eyes! Last I saw ye, ye were new as new can be. What's happened to ye?"

Alex gave a weary smile. "Too much to explain. What did you think of my little test?"

"Surprised me, if that's what ye were aimin' for," Orik replied.

"As sharp as you ever were, Orik," Alex said. He raised his hand and the daggers withdrew from the old tree, the damages they left mended. With a flick his wrist, the many daggers melded magically into one. It floated to his hand and he sheathed his at his side. Alex gestured to the fallen trees. "What activity of sorts are you leading here?"

"Long story. I'll get inta that later. What have ye been doin' with yerself?"

"A long story as well," Alex replied.

"Well," Orik said, "we be havin' a wee bit o' time on our hands. Let's talk."

"Gladly," Alex answered.

[Omio]

Also having been close enough to hear a log come down crashing, (and kinda having to dodge it.) listening to metal pierce the log that crashed, and the barely audible words, Omio first was threatened twice, then relieved of both threats. He thought he stumbled upon a fight! However, it was merely a change between past and present being showed. He was indeed impressed with the knives being thrown and such.

Those were some skills. Very useful ones at that. All he could do was remain stealthy, and out of sight - he'd cause too much a disturbance, otherwise.

Omio thought of what would happen if he did 'magically' show up. First, the Dwarf would be trying to make mince-meat out of him with that gigantic axe, then he'd end up into cubes with that many daggers being flung at him...

((1] These are my OOC marks. XD
2] I don't want anyone locating my character. I'm just making his existance there for later on so that people can plan ahead if needed.))

[Fecatah]

Fecatah peered down at the dwarf and his friend. He had been watching the dwarf, who seemed to be named Orik, for quite a while now from the protection of the branches in a tall tree. He had always felt an attraction to being so close to nature, perhaps it was that he liked having great knowledge about the places he traveled to, but he had a strange feeling that he was similar to that of a druid.

Not having noticed the wizard approach, even Fecatah was given quite a shock when the daggers began to fly. Though he did think he heard a sound from a place where there was no creature... But he did not think much of it.

Rearranging himself to be more comfortable, Fecatah sat calmly in the great oak, determined not to be noticed. He did not know why he distrusted the people below him, but thought it may have had something to do with his early childhood...

He supposed it was best to wait untill the two had vacated the area before he slid from the depth of the trees branches, after all, how would it look if he had suddenly appeared out of the tree after being concealed and spying upon the dwarf for so long?

Shifting once more in his sitting place, Fecatah believed he would be safe for a while yet to come, and he closed his eyes, allowing the peaceful breeze to play around his cloak.

[zero]

A man a cloaked walked down the path in the forest as there were sounds a falling trees near him. He lifted his head taking his gaze away from the ground looking ahead of him. He quietly left to himself as he walked past the dwarves.

Looks like a couple of strong people around here. A elf, dwarf, and a wizard how interesting...hmm....

Zero looked at the dwarf as he walked by giving him a hard stare. He didn't like being around people when he needed some food or water. He needed only one or two so it would be easy but the bounty would be great.

Zero had been wandering the world for some time now, and for two weeks he had gone without food. Water was easy if there was a lake or river nearby. But in this case he needed to steal something or his stomach would burst from no food.