The Fugitive [Talwyn, theseawitch and I]

[dust]

A few weeks after Al-Dan Zei, the fire mage, left Tamasha village, he had reached the forest. He wandered there for some time and thought on what to do next. He had nowhere to go, he had run out of money and he was tired.

He wandered around and followed a dirt path which led straight through the forest. Wondering what he was about to encounter.

I gotta find a place to rest sooner or later, or I'm gonna collapse... he thought. ...Though it's dangerous. Who knows what bounty hunters are waiting for me, to arrest me and turn me in. It's a risk, but I need some rest and I need it soon."

He sat down on a rock at the side of the path and opened up his bag. He had not much food left, but he took a bread. He was .

[Talwyn]

Gwilyim was enjoying his walk through the magnificent forest as did is familiar, Ishalla. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of the great hawk tumbling through the air while twisting and turning around the trees. He just wish he could remember what the name of these woods were. Oh well, he'd remember sooner or later, for now he was just enjoying this lovely day.

A cry from Ishalla brought him back to reality. Yes, the forest was beautiful, but he was a stranger to these lands and thus he had to be a bit careful. Especially because Ishalla had spotted a man sitting on a rock at the side of the very path he was following. Of course, he had gotten the warning well in advance as the bird had a slight lead on him, but still.

Looking through the eyes of his feathered friend, he saw the man was alone, and decided to take a slight gamble. The man didn't seem like he would be cause him any trouble and besides, he'd have to make contact with the people living here sooner or later right? Thus, he told Ishalla to return to his shoulder using the telepathic link between them and continued walking. As he came into view of the man, he raised his empty hand in greeting. "Greetings friend, mind if I join you?"

[dust]

Al-Dan Zei looked up as the stranger asked him if he could join him. The fire mage nodded, "Sure."

He made some room for the stranger to sit on the rock.

"May I inquire who you are, sir?" he asked.

He wondered if this one could be trusted but he did not seem like a direct threat. If this stranger happened to be a bounty hunter, Al-Dan Zei could fry him or run away. He decided that if this man did not realise Al-Dan Zei was a fugitive, he had nothing to fear.

[Talwyn]

Sitting down, Gwilyim grabbed the water filled wineskin he always carried and drank a bit. As the man asked him who he was, he gave a friendly smile. "Naturally good sir. My name is Gwilyim and I'm a simple traveler." Well it was sort of true. Naturally, the staff with the blue glowing crystal, his peculiar accent and, of course, the magnificent bird accompanying him would make anyone doubt the "simple" part about his description of what he was.

The great bird let out an insulted cry causing Gwilyim to eye her. "Yes yes, I was getting to that, hush." Facing Al-Dan again he went on, but not before scratching the birds chin. "And this impatient avian is my partner and best friend, Ishalla." Reaching into one of the many pouches in his cloak, he took out an apple. Looking up at the bird again he nodded as he took a bite and spoke with his mouth full. "Ofcwof, go aheaf." And with that, the bird took off.

Swallowing his apple he spoke as his eyes followed the bird "She's , so I told her she could go hunt. Now my good man, might I inquire who you are? And if you could tell me just where exactly we are that would be lovely as well."

[dust]

Al-Dan watched the bird and smiled. This man seemed to be of the friendly sort, though he still was on guard. His name was Gwilyim and he said he was a traveler.

"My name is..." he began, but he hesitated. If this man was a bounty hunter, or if this man knew about Al-Dan being a fugitive, he could not just say his name. He remained silent for a while and then decided to take the risk anyway: "My name is Al-Dan Zei. I am a traveler as well. And... we are somewhere in the Selkia Forest, I guess." He decided not to tell about him being a fire mage, yet. Nor that he was a fugitive.

"So, where you're heading?" he asked.

[Talwyn]

Snapping his fingers Gwilyim almost shouted. "Selkia forest! Of course. Oh eh, sorry. I had forgotten the name of these beautiful woods. As you most likely already guessed, I am not from this land. As for where I am headed... I am not sure. I." He stopped abruptly and jumped up looking in the direction Al-Dan had been came from earlier. A second later, Ishalla emerged from the woods and landed on his shoulder. He looked at her and remained silent, but constantly shifted his gaze towards the path Al-Dan had come from. "Ishalla has seen a party heading this way. I am not sure what they are... They don't seem like soldiers, but they are to well armed and organized to be mere bandits."

He hesitated slightly before facing Al-Dan. "They seem to be looking for someone and I highly doubt its me they are after. Now, why are they after you... no wait, I don't need an explanation right now. I do want the truth though, are you some sort of criminal?" As he said that, his eyes narrowed and it almost seemed like he was looking straight into Al-Dans mind.

[theseawitch]

(Thank you ^^)

The gentle murmur of voices drew Alice's attention as she moved through the woodland. The flowers bursting into bloom at her every steps grew more and more vibrant as she increased her speed to a lively trot, ears pricked, the huge creature surprisingly puppy-like as she stepped into the dapple of sunlight and the company of the speakers.

[dust]

Al-Dan raised an eyebrow and got up too.

"I am not a criminal! I am a fugitive, but innocent. I swear. And I'd better get going before those people are here. If they are after me then I should not let them catch me. I must clear my name. Now, will you help me or not?"

The fire mage seemed to be carrying no weapons nor armor. He made himself ready to leave the spot, to find some cover.

[theseawitch]

Alice watched serenely.
"Fire is strong,"she acknowledged, "But tell me who can quench eternal flames so effectively that it sends you fleeing as a rabbit before my jaws?"
The crescent around her eyes exuded cerulean light as she spoke, wind rising around her.

[Talwyn]

Gwilyim slowly raised his staff, seemingly aiming at Al-Dan with a grim look on his face. A burst of sapphire blue fire erupted from the crystal, however instead of hitting Al-Dan, it went straight passed him and hit the man that was trying to sneak up on them square in the chest. Gwilyim had made his choice when he heard Al-Dans answer. Naturally he had no way of knowing Al-Dan spoke the truth, but he hadn't sensed that the man was lying and he was a pretty good judge of character. For now, he'd believe this man. Smiling, he nodded at him. "Right, lets get going then shall we?"

Turning around, he suddenly muttered a curse as he was shocked at the sight of the giant wolf that had somehow crept up behind him. "Al-Dan... like I said, I'm a stranger to these lands. Do wolfs in this land usually grow to be this large?"

[dust]

OOC: I did not see Talwyn's post. Wait a second please, I will edit this post soon.

EDIT:

Al-Dan was grateful for Gwilyim's understanding. He nodded friendly. "Just realise you're helping me makes you a fugitive too... But... Thank you. Thank you very much. Let's-"

Suddenly he heard a third voice. He looked over to where it came from and it seemed to be a... wolf?

"Excuse me?" he said. He did understand what the wolf said but he acted like he did not. He just wondered how this wolf knew about his fire magics.

[theseawitch]

A ghost of a snarl rippled Alice's jaw.
"I am a wolf spirit,"she said, the wind ruffling her fur, her eyes flashing. "Speak to me directly; I am not as animal as people assume."

[dust]

OOC: The thread almost messed up as I did not see that Talwyn had already posted. Maybe it's better to say that I post first, then Talwyn and then theseawitch. Does everyone agree? And I guess I'll make this thread closed before anyone else joins in.

IC:

"A wolf spirit? Either way, we should not stand here. Let us go unless we'll get caught by those bounty hunters up ahead. If you want to, you can accompony us, oh spirit."

That said, he began to move through the bushes and cruised right through the woods. Hoping the spirit and Gwilyim would follow. Companions is what Al-Dan needed. Alone, he would never make it.

[theseawitch]

The wolf nodded and followed. She realised with dismay how her natural alacrity would cause her tumble ahead and have to wait for the others.
"Do you want to ride on my back? We can flee faster that way,"she offered, before whirling as a man bearing a scimitar appeared at her flank. She whirled, tore his throat form his neck in one swift movement and carried onward.

[Talwyn]

Gwilyim looked in awe at the magnificent wolf. In fact, he had to run to catch up to his companion. After catching up he gave Al-Dan a friendly smile. "No need to thank me. I am not certain why I am aiding you, I just know I have to. Mages from my order often have these flashes of insight, where we just know something even if we don't know why, and eventually you learn to trust this... instinct I suppose. Perhaps in aiding you, I can fulfill my own goals."

Jumping aside as the wolf suddenly jumped at a scimitar wielding man he nodded as she offered to let them ride on her back. "I believe that to be a wise decision, kenja ohkami. I shall accept your offer." Quickly climbing on the back of the beautiful beast he looked at Ishalla, who was following them by air. Search the area Love, see if you can find a place for us to hide. Letting out a cry, the bird flew off to see if she could find a place where her master could hide. "Can you follow my familiar oh kenja ohkami? I have asked her to find us a safe haven"