Cody was more than willing to leave, he didn't even feel a need to finish his food. He wasn't sure what had Drake so upset, but he didn't really want to find out. Out of the city he wouldn't have to worry about anyone sneaking up on them. Once they had stepped outside of the town he had felt relieved enough he felt like running, not in fear but simply because it felt good. His pace picked up, running ahead of Drake a few steps, waiting for him to catch up then jogging off again.
"Drake...what was it that you felt?" Cody took the offered fruit, sniffing at it before taking a bite. He glanced in the direction of the town, curious and wary all at once.
Everything could be perfect right now, perfect if they weren't worried about someone chasing them for...he didn't know what. "Why do you think someone is chasing us? Do you think they would give up?"
Forgotten Faces
"I'm not sure, but I think it was magic of some kind coming from the town's graveyard." Drake sat down and leaned back against a tree.
He thought about Cody's other questions for a moment. "I'm not sure why they're after us. It may be someone that I've hurt or caused problems for in the past. It could be someone that's after valuable things like my sword. Maybe someone saw you shift forms and wants to capture you for some reason. If we're lucky we'll never know why they're after us." He started munching on another piece of fruit.
"The person that's looking for us would have to be offering a pretty hefty prize for professionals to keep looking for very long. It appears that we gave them the slip very easily, so I'm beginning to question their skill level. Don't worry about it though, try to get some sleep." Drake laid down and shut his eyes himself.
He thought about Cody's other questions for a moment. "I'm not sure why they're after us. It may be someone that I've hurt or caused problems for in the past. It could be someone that's after valuable things like my sword. Maybe someone saw you shift forms and wants to capture you for some reason. If we're lucky we'll never know why they're after us." He started munching on another piece of fruit.
"The person that's looking for us would have to be offering a pretty hefty prize for professionals to keep looking for very long. It appears that we gave them the slip very easily, so I'm beginning to question their skill level. Don't worry about it though, try to get some sleep." Drake laid down and shut his eyes himself.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
If whoever it was wanted an object he'd personally say to let them have it. Drake liked his items however and Cody wasn't about to tell him to get rid of any of them.
If it was Drake's past...there was nothing he could do to help that. If they wanted Cody...it would be better for Drake if Cody left. Cody sighed and shifted into his horse form. No, he wasn't about to leave the friend he'd made behind.
Cody nibbled idly on some grass for a while before closing his eyes and relaxing. Cody didn't particularly feel like sleeping very deep so he didn't bother to lay down. Truth was he had never dreamed anything while standing, so it seemed the best thing for the moment. Not that he had ever dreamed much but still...there were dark shadows in the back part of his mind, and if he went to sleep he was scared they'd show themselves.
Shadows chased him, the widow of his owner stared at him coldly. Cody shook out his head and closed his eyes again. Even awake he could come up with the visions in the quiet night. He nibbled on a few more pieces of grass and tried to doze again. He didn't require that much sleep anyway really...oh sure he took a lot at points, but at others he'd take short naps through out the day with only an hour or two of sleep.
No, with stalking shadows and visions of hidden threats Cody kept to that light sleep, and occasionally eating a few more pieces of grass.
If it was Drake's past...there was nothing he could do to help that. If they wanted Cody...it would be better for Drake if Cody left. Cody sighed and shifted into his horse form. No, he wasn't about to leave the friend he'd made behind.
Cody nibbled idly on some grass for a while before closing his eyes and relaxing. Cody didn't particularly feel like sleeping very deep so he didn't bother to lay down. Truth was he had never dreamed anything while standing, so it seemed the best thing for the moment. Not that he had ever dreamed much but still...there were dark shadows in the back part of his mind, and if he went to sleep he was scared they'd show themselves.
Shadows chased him, the widow of his owner stared at him coldly. Cody shook out his head and closed his eyes again. Even awake he could come up with the visions in the quiet night. He nibbled on a few more pieces of grass and tried to doze again. He didn't require that much sleep anyway really...oh sure he took a lot at points, but at others he'd take short naps through out the day with only an hour or two of sleep.
No, with stalking shadows and visions of hidden threats Cody kept to that light sleep, and occasionally eating a few more pieces of grass.
Drake slept very lightly that night. His eyes had flashed open at every sound, including Cody's eating. Now, however, he sat against the trunk of a tree in the early morning light thinking.
"Cody," he eventually said, "I'm going to go back to the city. I need to find this Maximo person. If you want to come you can, but you'll have to wear the cloak." He looked at his friend, hoping against reason that he would come. "We'd just be going straight to the blacksmith's shop then back here."
"Cody," he eventually said, "I'm going to go back to the city. I need to find this Maximo person. If you want to come you can, but you'll have to wear the cloak." He looked at his friend, hoping against reason that he would come. "We'd just be going straight to the blacksmith's shop then back here."
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Cody seemed more content in the morning. Grazing was a good way to let a horse calm down, and apparently it was true with Cody. No one had attacked them, Drake had been sleeping and the night air against his coat had felt good. Cody should his thoughts quite plainly about the city and the cloak with a deep snort and ears that flattened back against his skull. Perhaps humans would understand each other better if they could move the ears in the same ways a horse could.
Cody wrung out his tail mildly stressed with this choice. Here he felt safe and content with things. If Drake went back to the city it wouldn't be as nice, but it would still feel safer than the city. If he went with Drake he'd have to wear the dumb cloak and be more wary of attack. What type of choice was this anyway?
Cody lowered his head planning to go back to eating, then raised it looking at Drake. He was really going to walk off without him to go back to the city? Cody gave in and shifted back to his human form. "I don't like the cloak." This was said because obviously Drake hadn't caught onto it the prior night. Still, he'd take the horrid thing and put it back on.
Cody wrung out his tail mildly stressed with this choice. Here he felt safe and content with things. If Drake went back to the city it wouldn't be as nice, but it would still feel safer than the city. If he went with Drake he'd have to wear the dumb cloak and be more wary of attack. What type of choice was this anyway?
Cody lowered his head planning to go back to eating, then raised it looking at Drake. He was really going to walk off without him to go back to the city? Cody gave in and shifted back to his human form. "I don't like the cloak." This was said because obviously Drake hadn't caught onto it the prior night. Still, he'd take the horrid thing and put it back on.
"Don't worry, it'll only be for a little while. I promise. Plus, you won't have to put it on until we get near the city."
Going back to Marn http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic ... &start=105
Going back to Marn http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic ... &start=105
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
Returning from http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic ... 1072#11072
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Cody first went at a high stepping trot only going at this slower speed till he found the tree the lady had mentioned. He sniffed at it more for curiosity for one part of his mind to digest as he tried to remember the rest of what the scary lady told Drake. Circle of stones he believed...that would do. If Drake wanted to suggest a change of direction that would be fine, just as long as he didn't try to demand anything.
Cody took a few steps at a walk to let Drake get use to him moving, picked it up to a jog as its a smoother gait to learn. Once he felt Drake was doing well enough he moved into a ground eating lope. If Drake ever started to feel unbalanced Cody would slow down, he was of course highly trained to notice the riders balance on his back. Still, what Cody was working his way up to was the all out gallop that he had deprived him self of at a time when he would normally be using it. Fear drove the urge to run, it had been incredibly taxing to ignore the urge but now....now this was how things should be. Cody was snorting once in a while seeming to be thoroughly enjoying himself.
Perhaps a time or two he got off track to choose his own path, or to circle something just to add a bit more to their journey, Cody was sure it would end soon enough.
Cody took a few steps at a walk to let Drake get use to him moving, picked it up to a jog as its a smoother gait to learn. Once he felt Drake was doing well enough he moved into a ground eating lope. If Drake ever started to feel unbalanced Cody would slow down, he was of course highly trained to notice the riders balance on his back. Still, what Cody was working his way up to was the all out gallop that he had deprived him self of at a time when he would normally be using it. Fear drove the urge to run, it had been incredibly taxing to ignore the urge but now....now this was how things should be. Cody was snorting once in a while seeming to be thoroughly enjoying himself.
Perhaps a time or two he got off track to choose his own path, or to circle something just to add a bit more to their journey, Cody was sure it would end soon enough.
Drake held on tightly as Cody picked his speed up a little. Eventually he was leaning low over Cody's shoulder, an ear to ear grin plastered on his face. He had forgotten how exhilarating it was to ride at this break neck speed. He closed his eyes and savored the feel of the wind in his face.
Cody was starting to weave and circle more now. Part of him worried that they'd get lost, but the part that was reveling in the experience drowned it out. A branch brushed across the back of his head and made him open his eyes. He had no idea where they were now. "Are you keeping track of where we're going?" he asked. He didn't expect Cody to hear him, but he figured that it was worth a try.
Cody was starting to weave and circle more now. Part of him worried that they'd get lost, but the part that was reveling in the experience drowned it out. A branch brushed across the back of his head and made him open his eyes. He had no idea where they were now. "Are you keeping track of where we're going?" he asked. He didn't expect Cody to hear him, but he figured that it was worth a try.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Drake would be easy to throw. Cody knew he wasn't permitted to and would never want to throw Drake, but it didn't mean he wasn't aware of how balance and counterbalance worked when rider's were on him. Of course if Drake only got on horses' that had given him permission he imagined no horse would try to throw him anyway. He knew some rider's did bend down low for wind reduction and he imagined that or simple enjoyment was the reason for this posture. Still, maybe he'd mention it to him later.
Cody snorted in response to the question, his ears flicking back for a moment to show he had heard. Cody pivoted a couple of degree's to his right, resisted the urge to do a playful buck of energy release and pushed himself forward. As much as he'd like to try and beat any old speed record he had, in the woods was unlikely the best place to do it since he had to swerve not only the tree's that would bother him but those that could harm his rider as well.
Eventually they came to a circle of stones were Cody stopped to look around curiously. He sniffed at one of the stones, snorted at some dust getting into his nostrils, and raised his head to look back from where they came. He took a few steps towards the appropriate path but then stopped. Yah, he felt better the need to run was now out of his system. He turned his head to regard his rider thoughtfully. He hadn't exactly told Drake any specific signal to suggest he get off, but he imagined the man could figure it out.
Most of Cody's body was dampened with sweat, especially the chest and underbelly. It diminished his appearance some once he was coated in sweat but he didn't mind really.
Cody snorted in response to the question, his ears flicking back for a moment to show he had heard. Cody pivoted a couple of degree's to his right, resisted the urge to do a playful buck of energy release and pushed himself forward. As much as he'd like to try and beat any old speed record he had, in the woods was unlikely the best place to do it since he had to swerve not only the tree's that would bother him but those that could harm his rider as well.
Eventually they came to a circle of stones were Cody stopped to look around curiously. He sniffed at one of the stones, snorted at some dust getting into his nostrils, and raised his head to look back from where they came. He took a few steps towards the appropriate path but then stopped. Yah, he felt better the need to run was now out of his system. He turned his head to regard his rider thoughtfully. He hadn't exactly told Drake any specific signal to suggest he get off, but he imagined the man could figure it out.
Most of Cody's body was dampened with sweat, especially the chest and underbelly. It diminished his appearance some once he was coated in sweat but he didn't mind really.
Drake lifted up to get more comfortable as Cody slowed down. "I guess he did know," he thought to himself.
He looked around the small clearing. Just as the woman named Maximo said, there was a circle of stones right in the middle. The trees here seemed almost to be afraid to come near the ring. All around them massive, healthy roots could be seen above the ground, except on the sides facing the stones. Even their limbs were sparser on those sides.
He looked back to the circle and noticed that Cody was staring at him. "I suppose that means get off or fly off huh?" He gave a short, almost nervous chuckle as he slid down off Cody's back. He walked out into the center of the clearing, the center of the stone ring, and looked up.
Even the birds flying overhead shied away from it. What was it about this place that struck such fear into the heart of nature? It couldn't be magic, he would have felt that. He thought about asking Cody if he sensed something wrong with the place, but was unsure of whether it would make him look crazy, as he was sure the incident in Shim had. He shook his head. If Cody thought him crazy he was still with him despite it.
"Cody, can you sense anything strange about this place? Look at the trees and the birds in the sky. They all seem to have some aversion to this place. I figured that you might be more attuned to nature and be able to sense what I can't." He was still studying the clearing as he spoke. No, it couldn't be magic.
He looked around the small clearing. Just as the woman named Maximo said, there was a circle of stones right in the middle. The trees here seemed almost to be afraid to come near the ring. All around them massive, healthy roots could be seen above the ground, except on the sides facing the stones. Even their limbs were sparser on those sides.
He looked back to the circle and noticed that Cody was staring at him. "I suppose that means get off or fly off huh?" He gave a short, almost nervous chuckle as he slid down off Cody's back. He walked out into the center of the clearing, the center of the stone ring, and looked up.
Even the birds flying overhead shied away from it. What was it about this place that struck such fear into the heart of nature? It couldn't be magic, he would have felt that. He thought about asking Cody if he sensed something wrong with the place, but was unsure of whether it would make him look crazy, as he was sure the incident in Shim had. He shook his head. If Cody thought him crazy he was still with him despite it.
"Cody, can you sense anything strange about this place? Look at the trees and the birds in the sky. They all seem to have some aversion to this place. I figured that you might be more attuned to nature and be able to sense what I can't." He was still studying the clearing as he spoke. No, it couldn't be magic.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Cody watched Drake check out the circle. He snorted flicking his ears and made a slow trot around the stone circle. This finished he turned and trotted a circle around the stones in the opposite direction. More at a walk he entered the circle, stopping directly in the middle and got a good luck at the surroundings. After a few heartbeats of standing there, getting that near 360 view he shifted back into his human form.
"It' doesn't feel normal." He imagined that wasn't much of an answer. Cody shrugged helplessly and walked outside of the circle. "Its...something that you shouldn't go near." He paused as that wasn't completely right. Cody turned his gaze back to the circle considering it. He turned his head to consider the circle yet again, it was like a nearly finished puzzle but the only remaining pieces didn't seem to connect.
"I don't think its dangerous...but...it doesn't feel like you should be in it. I...I'm not scared of it, the animals I don't think are scared of it." Of course this was a guess, after all he was only half animal. "More like aware that it doesn't really belong here, so they avoid it." He turned his head back to Drake then down towards the ground feeling his lack of confidence once again in himself. "I think anyway...I'm not sure."
"It' doesn't feel normal." He imagined that wasn't much of an answer. Cody shrugged helplessly and walked outside of the circle. "Its...something that you shouldn't go near." He paused as that wasn't completely right. Cody turned his gaze back to the circle considering it. He turned his head to consider the circle yet again, it was like a nearly finished puzzle but the only remaining pieces didn't seem to connect.
"I don't think its dangerous...but...it doesn't feel like you should be in it. I...I'm not scared of it, the animals I don't think are scared of it." Of course this was a guess, after all he was only half animal. "More like aware that it doesn't really belong here, so they avoid it." He turned his head back to Drake then down towards the ground feeling his lack of confidence once again in himself. "I think anyway...I'm not sure."
Drake stepped out of the circle quickly after Cody's explanation. He half expected some horrible mangling trap to spring up out of the ground at any second. "No, I think you're right. It doesn't seem like they fear it as much as they just don't like it. Maybe we should get out of here just in case."
Drake spun around looking for a familiar landmark. He couldn't find anything familiar. Outside he remained calm, but inside he began to panic. Where had they come in at? "Cody, which way did we come in?"
Drake spun around looking for a familiar landmark. He couldn't find anything familiar. Outside he remained calm, but inside he began to panic. Where had they come in at? "Cody, which way did we come in?"
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Cody didn't give the stone circle to much after thought, he imagined this was one area where it helped to have the mixture of animal instincts and human logic. He still looked curiously at the tree roots unsure of what would make a tree grow like that. Tree's didn't really think as far as he knew, oh well whatever it was didn't seem to pose a threat to him. "Really...I think its safer here than in the city." Just a slight hint of what he thought of how safe Marn seemed to him. "Do you think this person is going to be dangerous?"
Cody actually had the chance to feel useful! Drake was turned around and Cody wasn't...it was nice to know he was useful. Of course if not for him running them in circles Drake probably wouldn't feel disoriented. He raised a hand to point off in the direction they had come. "We exited the tree line there, " he shifted a bit to point in a slightly different direction, "Marn is in that direction."
Cody actually had the chance to feel useful! Drake was turned around and Cody wasn't...it was nice to know he was useful. Of course if not for him running them in circles Drake probably wouldn't feel disoriented. He raised a hand to point off in the direction they had come. "We exited the tree line there, " he shifted a bit to point in a slightly different direction, "Marn is in that direction."
"Alright, I'm glad you remembered. Turning round and round to look at this place got me all mixed up." He looked around and found the proper direction for them to head in order to find this mage. He started toward the tree line, and stopped.
"Don't worry, we won't be going back into Marn any time soon. Unless we have to for some reason, that is. I think it best if we stay clear of the city until we have some clue about who's after us." Drake thought about the fact that they were being chased by someone. If Cody was the one they were after, he would stay with his friend and try to help, but if they were after him, would Cody stay? He had stayed with him so far, but he had no idea where Cody's limits rested. He dismissed the thoughts as something best dealt with later.
"I'm not sure if this guy is going to be dangerous or not. I doubt it though. I mean, I'm only asking him what he hired me for. He shouldn't react too badly to that." He continued to walk into the woods.
The trees started to get denser the further in he got. Thorny vines were snagging on his pants every few steps. He stopped beneath an opening in the canopy of trees and looked up at the sky. It had already been nearly two hours since they left Marn. "I wonder how much further it is," he thought out loud.
"Perhaps you should get Cody to carry you the rest of the way," the voice in the back of his mind said. Drake looked over his shoulder at Cody. He was far enough back that he wouldn't hear him respond, plus, he was concentrating on the placement of his feet.
"No," he whispered, "I won't ask him to do that in this area."
"Suit yourself." Drake carried on walking for a moment and then came to a stop, waiting on Cody to catch up to him. "Cody, you want to give moving through the trees a try? The limb are close enough here that it would be easy. I'll help you too. I wouldn't normally ask, but it's getting a bit hard for me to get around down here on the ground."
"Don't worry, we won't be going back into Marn any time soon. Unless we have to for some reason, that is. I think it best if we stay clear of the city until we have some clue about who's after us." Drake thought about the fact that they were being chased by someone. If Cody was the one they were after, he would stay with his friend and try to help, but if they were after him, would Cody stay? He had stayed with him so far, but he had no idea where Cody's limits rested. He dismissed the thoughts as something best dealt with later.
"I'm not sure if this guy is going to be dangerous or not. I doubt it though. I mean, I'm only asking him what he hired me for. He shouldn't react too badly to that." He continued to walk into the woods.
The trees started to get denser the further in he got. Thorny vines were snagging on his pants every few steps. He stopped beneath an opening in the canopy of trees and looked up at the sky. It had already been nearly two hours since they left Marn. "I wonder how much further it is," he thought out loud.
"Perhaps you should get Cody to carry you the rest of the way," the voice in the back of his mind said. Drake looked over his shoulder at Cody. He was far enough back that he wouldn't hear him respond, plus, he was concentrating on the placement of his feet.
"No," he whispered, "I won't ask him to do that in this area."
"Suit yourself." Drake carried on walking for a moment and then came to a stop, waiting on Cody to catch up to him. "Cody, you want to give moving through the trees a try? The limb are close enough here that it would be easy. I'll help you too. I wouldn't normally ask, but it's getting a bit hard for me to get around down here on the ground."
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours