The Hunter

[Slaner]

Tristran made his way through the forest, keeping off the main road and out of sight. He scanned the terrain for any source of movement. All that stirred was small animals scurrying around the forest floor. Tristran narrowed his eyes and peered into the sky, looking for his flying companion. Arnon flew overhead, watching the the forest for life. Tristran whistled a strange tune up into the air, and Arnon answered by swooping down on top of Tristran’s shoulder. “See anything up there?” Tristran asked. The eagle turned its head down, as if to say ‘no’. “That’s alright,” replied Tristran. “We’ll find them sooner or later.”

Tristran continued through the forest. The sky began to turned orange and red, signaling night’s approach. Tristran cared little whether he was traveling in light or darkness. It all was the same to him. Moments later, tristran finally found some luck. Footprints. The prints were pressed into the ground deeply. “Orcs were never that smart,” Tristran smirked. He was growing closer and closer to his prey. “It will only be a matter of time.” He rushed off into the direction of the footprints, deeper into the heart of the forest.

Tristran slowed his pace and made his way carefully through the forest now. The foul stench of orc was strong and he didn’t want to give himself away just yet. He noticed a faint light in the distance. He made his way toward the light, hiding in the shadows to keep himself concealed. He reached the light to find several orcs sitting around a fire, laughing and speaking in their filthy piggish language. Tristran made his way up a tall tree next to the camp. He sat upon a large branch, out of sight of the orcs, and waited for the right moment to strike.

The sun had fallen over the horizon long before the orcs finally fell asleep. The time is now, Tristran thought. He lowered himself to the ground and slowly made his way into the camp. Tristran kept his steps light and quick, but it did not matter for the snoring from the oafs was so loud he could have screamed and it would have been muted by the loud snores. He came up to the first group of orcs. Three were lying side by side down on the floor. He took his curved sword from its sheath and placed it in his hands. He quickl slashed through their necks, making their screams of pain turn into quiet gurgles. Tristran turned to find two more orcs laying next to the diminishing fire. He sheathed his sword and pulled his bow, along with two arrows, out and aimed at the orcs’ heads. With a quick pluck from his string, two more orcs silently fell into eternal darkness. Tristran heard voices behind him. He quickly put his bow away and unsheathed his sword once again. He ran behind a tree and waited for the new arrivals to come.

[virgillius]

Evander was walking slowly trough the forest thinking out loud like most of the time. "I am sure it was this way." He started to look at the sky trying to coördinate himself with the stars but the trees hid the sky from his sight. He sighed and decided to continue walking.

After five minutes walking he saw a small campfire burning in the bushes not far from him. "Maybe i can ask them where i am, Valaer just has changed to much since the beginning." When he arrived at the campfire he saw a scenery he was used to see, but was a little shocked not the less.

He found five dead orcs on the ground and questioned himself what happened. He looked around and investigated the scenery. "Hmm, not much signs of any struggle... so they didn't expected the company." he scrathced his forehead while thinking.

"Maybe the deceased can help me with this." He kneeled near one of the dead orcs and laid his hand on the corpse's forehead. Talking with the orcs passas soul gave him the information he needed. They were killed in their sleep and the killer was still here. Quickly he raised his hood of his cape trying to cover his face. "You can come out, i know you are here. There is no need to hide yourself, as you can see i am unarmed" Evander said on a cold tone.

[Slaner]

Tristran turned from the safety of the tree, sword still in hand, and walked in front of the new arrival. “What business does a stranger like you have in a place like this?” asked Tristran in a harsh tone. The man was strange in character. Blue markings covered one side of his body and it seemed as if he had never seen the sun with his pale skin. This one, Tristran thought, should be watched carefully.

“Whatever your reason here is, I’m sure it does not involve me or these orcs,” continued Tristran. “Now if you would excuse me I have a bounty to collect.” As Tristran began to walk off, he heard rustling in the bushes some paces away. He quickly raised his sword in a battle stance toward the noise’s direction. “I suggest if you know how to fight to do so, or else run.”

Orcs rushed out of the bushes all around the pair. They encircled them, leaving no gap for retreat. “Well this will be exciting,” Tristran smirked. The orcs greatly outmatched the two, and Tristran could not depend on a stranger for aid. He quickly sifted through his pocket and found a small circular object. He threw it to the ground and it instantly exploded, sending a cloud of fog over the group. “Move!” yelled Tristran to his companion. He found an opening in the orc formation and made his way through, taking an orc down with him. He rushed off into a clear part of the wood and whistled the strange tune once more. Arnon flew from the sky and fell right in the middle of the cloud of smoke. Orc screams of pain as Arnon dug his razor talons into their flesh could be heard across the forest. “Let’s go, my friend cannot keep this up much longer,” roared Tristran into the heavy smoke.

[virgillius]

Evander coldly looked in the stranger's eyes. "What i am doing here is not for you to know." When he was about the let the stranger pass, orcs jumped out of the bushes.

He sighed. "This is a drag." when the orcs encircled them. Before he knew it threw the stranger a smoke bomb, cutted himself out of the circle and the orcs targeted Evander.

Evander crossed him arms and frowned. " I don't wish to fight. Let me pass and no harm will be done to you." But still Evander stood ready for an attack. Orcs weren't exactly the talking type and there is more inteligence in a peanut then in an orc. The orcs were about to charge him, but Evander wanted to avoid all conflict if posible. Around Evander black flames slowly started to appear. When they grew in numbers and in size they started to form the shape of a scythe-wielding, cloaked human with red glowing eyes. Lucky for Evander, orcs are quickly startled by things they dont know but he has to hurry before one of them discovers it is just an illusion. Now Evander followed the voice of the stranger that called him because of the smoke he coudn't see much.

When he was standing in front of the stranger Evander dropped the illusion. "Friends of yours?" he said while pointing back at the orcs with sarcastic tone.

When he dropped his guard, an orc suddnely charged him and thrusted his spear trough Evander's left flank. He fell on his knees and in an eyeblink black flames started to suround his hands and when he whispered a word in an ancient language a skeleton hand, two times the size of Evander's body, came from beneath the ground, grabbed the orc and crushing jim and pulled him underground. When the hand dissapeared, Evander inspected the wound inflicted on his flank. It was nothing he can't heal but he wasn't going to die from it anyway. He removed the spear and laid his hand on the wound. Slowly the muscles and the flesh that was ripped open started to heal till the wound was completly gone. Slowly he stood up and saw the stranger's suprised face.

[Ariana]

The night's full moon rose high overhead and cast an eerie glow through the trees. You could only see parts of the forest using the natural light from the moon due to the fact that the trees acted as a blanket. They protected the ground from the night sky. However, perhaps it would be safer for all if the trees allowed the moon to shine through every now and then. No matter, the way the trees and the moon work is nothing for mere mortals to decide.

Of course, if given the option, Ariana wouldn't move a single leaf. She enjoyed the way the moon tried to shine through the the ever few holes. It was almost like a game. Plus, it added a certain tranquility that couldn't seem to be matched by anything else. Except, perhaps, the forests at night back home.

Stop it, Ariana. You mustn't dwell upon the past anymore. This is here and this is now. You have a mission. You'll be home soon enough. The girl took one last, long look at the sky before venturing deeper into the forest. She was looking for food to last her a few days. Her gold was running low, so she couldn't keep buying every meal and bed from the inns. She needed to budget her money and save for supplies and weaponry. The weapon smiths in her own land were so busy and flustered, their work often came out poor and incomplete- therefore resulting in the fall of more of her people. She needed to get fresh armor and supplies for her fellow elves. Even if it it was the last thing she ever did.

No, she mustn't talk like that. She'd find a way to help her people, and they'd win the Great War. Ignoring the single teardrop that landed on a fallen leaf, Ariana pressed on. She made sure her steps were as quiet as possible. Any subtle sound could scare away the animals. She had to be extra cautious. A northern wind blew past and brushed her cheeks and caused her blond hair to fly in all directions. There was no denying it...tonight was extra cold. Tabeth'El was a cold land, so it wasn't as bad as the grueling heat that often plagued this land, but it still was a major discomfort. She hugged her arms for warmth and let out a shiver. Normally, she would be wearing her cloak to keep her warm. However, since the thing was so much larger than she was, it limited all her reaction and movement abilities. If she saw a panther or some other animal, she'd never be able to catch it in that thing. So, she had to suffer. But, she didn't mind. Being cold braced you and kept you tough...and she needed all the toughening she could get.

All this time, her head was kept down and on the lookout for tracks. For a long time, nothing. But then, she found something the likes of which she'd never seen. Curious, she crouched down. The ground was cold on her bare knees. But, that was besides the point. The track in front of her was unlike any she had ever seen before. It somewhat resembled a human foot; but it was larger and differently proportioned. Plus, it was more eschew and...for lack of a better word...ugly.

Whatever made this certainly wasn't any animal. But, what was it? Unsure, she hastened to follow the mysterious trail. Finally, it led her to some sort of strange campground. A huge fire was in the center, and some strange, green monsters were talking in a language the likes of which she never head. In that second, she knew just what they were. However, that didn't mean she liked it.

"Orcs." She formed the word with her lips but never uttered a sound. Based on what she was taught and on what she read, she knew that orcs were an evil race capable of great strength. However, they weren't very bright. So, if she just kept quiet, they most likely wouldn't notice her presence.

As careful as possible, Ariana made her way to a tree that surrounded the clearing and climbed up. While she wasn't raised to be a climber, when you live in a place like Tabeth'El, where everything is trees, things like that just sort of come to you. You may never need them, but at least they're there. Now that she was a safe distance away, all she had to do was wait.

Not long since she was up there, she noticed a man walk into the clearing. Curious, she leaned her head over to get a closer look. He seemed to be waiting too. He also climbed up a tree to await some event. He was taller up than she was, but she still kept to the other side of the branch...just to be safe. At least they weren't up the same tree.

After a couple hours, the orcs finally passed out. They snored so loudly, Ariana had to cover her ears just to think. The other man wasted no time. He quickly lowered himself and made his way toward the camp.

What happened next was nothing Ariana could've expected. She watched as the man silently killed them all off. One by one. His technique was amazing. Nobody in her land could kill in one swipe like that. Then again, her land wasn't human. Maybe what he was doing was perhaps some human trick. She shrugged. She had yet to master all of the human ways yet.

While he was eliminating the orcs, Ariana could swear she heard some rustling in the bushes. Dismissing it as some animals, she continued to watch. However, after another few minutes, Ariana began to hear voices. She began to grow tense. The man must've heard these too, for he hid behind a nearby tree.

Ariana watched as a newcomer made his way into the clearing. For some reason, he found the other man right away. And yet, he had no idea she was there. Perfect. Now, all she had to do was remain dead quiet. After they talked for a few minutes (what the conversation was about, she wasn't sure), Ariana swore she heard more rustling. Only this time, it wasn't animals. Orcs came at the two in every direction. The girl did all she could to hold back a gasp. She was just about to fight and help them, but then she saw both of them attack with amazing force. Only after ten minutes or so, all the enemies were dead. They both used powers the likes of which she had never seen before. Especially the new-comer. How did he summon that giant hand to defend him? Whatever it way, it was surely nothing she ever knew about.

Ariana gave a silent sigh and continued to stare at them in amazement. But, just then, she heard more rustling coming from behind them. Both their backs were turned, so neither of them could see, but she could. Two more orcs were coming at them. And these ones looked deadlier than before.

"Look out!" As quick as she could, she pulled two arrows from her quiver, aimed her bow, and fired. The arrows soared and hit the orcs square in the heart. If they weren't dead on contact, they'd be dead soon. Ariana knew all about the body, what was strong, and what was weak. Of course, until now, she only learned about humans and elves. However, orcs had to be the same in that case.

Oh great. There went her cover. In a moment of fear, not only had she screamed at them, she sent two deadly arrows whizzing right past them and to their attackers, who now laid limp on the ground. They had to know she was there. But, she decided that she'd wait up there and come down when asked. Maybe, just maybe, they'd fear her and leave her alone. However, she highly doubted that.