Did he see her? Did he not see her? The man had glanced in her direction but it was unclear as to if he had really noticed her beside the tree. Her first instinct was to duct back behind the tree and hide form sight and so that's what she did.
From there she waited. She waited for the sound of footsteps approaching or some other sign that would indicate that she had been noticed, but all that she heard was a sharp sound from the other side of the tree and the sound of a bird overhead. The bird couldn't be responding to the man could he? Birds don't speak with men, men kill birds, men eat birds, birds wouldn't help men but maybe the wolf. It was possible that the wolf could be friends with a bird. Unlikely as wolves ate them too, but it was possible.
Birds watched the skies, they warned those without wings of the dangers below. Nia had already been warned by birds once this day about the presence of men. For all she knew the bird could be warning her again. Maybe their were more men hiding in the woods.
As dangerous as she knew the situation could possibly be, it was her sense of curiosity that nagged at her. She wanted to know what was going on on the other side of the tree. She wanted to know that the men who had entered the woods had been chased off or made food for the predators that stalked the underbrush. She wanted to know that her herd could sleep safely this night without the fear that they would be injured by the strange dangers that men brought with them. So acting on impulse alone, Niabi poked her head out from behind the tree again.
Legend Without a Name
Re: Legend Without a Name
Killer of Squirrels
Re: Legend Without a Name
Alistair smiled the wolf man had suddenly taken on a more abrasive demeanor obviously he had struck home yet the man failed to understand the concept of leverage. Living on the streets of Keltaris and as a thief in Ezekiel’s group had taught him one thing people go to thieves because they can’t get the job done any other way. At the end of the day that meant in almost all negotiations a thief had the upper hand.
With a nonchalant shrug Alistair walked over and grabbed his bag clasping it by the hole Aramus made he lifted it and swung it over his shoulder. With a cautious turn he remained very focused on the sounds around him if the woman charged or the wolf attacked Aramus would let him know. “You fail to understand the laws of supply and demand… You require someone with skills…. I require a dog who knows how to stand still and bark when I tell them too. To put it more bluntly you need me … Well then I’m off my price has been named lemme know if you change your mind.”
With a smile Alistair began walking away, every good thief and con-man knew the best way to secure a deal was to walk away.
With a nonchalant shrug Alistair walked over and grabbed his bag clasping it by the hole Aramus made he lifted it and swung it over his shoulder. With a cautious turn he remained very focused on the sounds around him if the woman charged or the wolf attacked Aramus would let him know. “You fail to understand the laws of supply and demand… You require someone with skills…. I require a dog who knows how to stand still and bark when I tell them too. To put it more bluntly you need me … Well then I’m off my price has been named lemme know if you change your mind.”
With a smile Alistair began walking away, every good thief and con-man knew the best way to secure a deal was to walk away.
Re: Legend Without a Name
Every ounce of willpower was being used not to strike the man. But the wolf knew better, he needed him.
"Call me a dog again and you'll see how savage nature can be"
"But I need a job done, and if that means putting fear into the heart of another so you can rob him blind then so be it"
The wolf headed man thought it was time to involve the third party in this little meeting who had seemingly kept to herself until now, and thus why she had been ignored until a move was made, but it was time he took action...
"Call me a dog again and you'll see how savage nature can be"
"But I need a job done, and if that means putting fear into the heart of another so you can rob him blind then so be it"
The wolf headed man thought it was time to involve the third party in this little meeting who had seemingly kept to herself until now, and thus why she had been ignored until a move was made, but it was time he took action...
Re: Legend Without a Name
They were looking at her again. The wolf and the man had spotted her from behind the tree and they were looking at her. This time she knew for certain that they had seen her and she could not hide and watch them from a distance any longer. Her curiosity had betrayed her, it had pushed her to seek out those who had disturbed her home and now they knew of her presence.
The tree she had been hiding behind held no protection for her. Now, she was left to confront the others before they had a chance to sneak up on her and attack her like the predatory creatures that they were. So she stepped away from the tree, she rounded the large truck and slowly made her way into the clearing in a wide arching path that kept her out of arms reach of either of the two men.
She might have trusted the wolf more than the man, being a creature of the woods and one in which she was familiar with, but that didn't mean that he couldn't turn on her if he was hungry enough. Wolves had claimed more than a few of her herd to satisfy their hunger. However, she also knew them not to be the bloodthirsty killers that men were, so they proved to be the lesser threat in such a situation.
Her skirt of furs dragged against the ground as she walked. It picked up leaves, twigs and other debris, as well as a low-laying cloud of dust that followed her around the perimeter opposite the men. At her slow pace she was able to look back and forth between the two individuals, first the man, then the wolf, then back to the man. She focused more intently on him. She looked for signs of aggression, of fear, of anything she could read off of his body language alone.
The tree she had been hiding behind held no protection for her. Now, she was left to confront the others before they had a chance to sneak up on her and attack her like the predatory creatures that they were. So she stepped away from the tree, she rounded the large truck and slowly made her way into the clearing in a wide arching path that kept her out of arms reach of either of the two men.
She might have trusted the wolf more than the man, being a creature of the woods and one in which she was familiar with, but that didn't mean that he couldn't turn on her if he was hungry enough. Wolves had claimed more than a few of her herd to satisfy their hunger. However, she also knew them not to be the bloodthirsty killers that men were, so they proved to be the lesser threat in such a situation.
Her skirt of furs dragged against the ground as she walked. It picked up leaves, twigs and other debris, as well as a low-laying cloud of dust that followed her around the perimeter opposite the men. At her slow pace she was able to look back and forth between the two individuals, first the man, then the wolf, then back to the man. She focused more intently on him. She looked for signs of aggression, of fear, of anything she could read off of his body language alone.
Killer of Squirrels
Re: Legend Without a Name
Alistair turned the wolf’s words still in his head as the woman approached from the woods. Gone was his playful smile, and gone was his anger Alistair stood calm and reserved his eyes burning with a cold fire, not rage, not anger just a cold intensity. Speaking calmly his voice betraying little he spoke first to the wolf. “If you wish for me not to call you a dog what would you prefer? Perhaps a child who threatens in anger when he doesn’t like what he hears. You demand my help and offer nothing but violence in return… You threaten my life, yet still expect me to help you? A hint my brutish friend you can’t force a thief steal, you bargain with him and seems you have nothing to offer. After all, I will have nothing of yours, for it is yours and not mine.”
Chuckling Alistair glanced to the sky the sun was almost down and he would need to scout Marn if he was going to sneak in. Aramus still his faithful eye in the sky the thief walked deeper into the woods away from the clearing his left hand clutching his bag and his right hand clutching the broken pieces of his bow. As he left he shot a glance at the deer woman a big mischievous smile. Alistair couldn't help himself he seemed to make her so nervous it was funny.
Chuckling Alistair glanced to the sky the sun was almost down and he would need to scout Marn if he was going to sneak in. Aramus still his faithful eye in the sky the thief walked deeper into the woods away from the clearing his left hand clutching his bag and his right hand clutching the broken pieces of his bow. As he left he shot a glance at the deer woman a big mischievous smile. Alistair couldn't help himself he seemed to make her so nervous it was funny.
Re: Legend Without a Name
Before Niabi had a chance to try to pick apart the few words she could understand out of the conversation, it had just as quickly ended as it had begun. She was confused as to what the topic had been or why the man was suddenly walking away.
Why was the wolf allowing him to leave? Why was he not jumping on the man and tearing his limbs apart? Was the wolf not hungry? Was the wolf not concerned for his own herd?
She turned to eye the wolf in a questioning manner, but she determined that if he was not going to deal with the threat that intruded upon their home that she was was going to have to deal with it herself. She followed the man deeper into the trees, keeping a safe distance, but still following him.
The deeper he went into the woods, the farther he would travel away from others of his kind and the chances of others of his kind finding him would become slim. He would be an easy kill, or so she thought.
She had seen the way he had looked at her. She noticed that look within his eye, the one that males had around her. Perhaps it was because she looked to be one of their females, with her skirt covering her hooves. Perhaps It was because she wore little other than her skirt and displayed no sense of shame in regards to her nudity. Whatever the case, Nia planned to play off of this look.
Why was the wolf allowing him to leave? Why was he not jumping on the man and tearing his limbs apart? Was the wolf not hungry? Was the wolf not concerned for his own herd?
She turned to eye the wolf in a questioning manner, but she determined that if he was not going to deal with the threat that intruded upon their home that she was was going to have to deal with it herself. She followed the man deeper into the trees, keeping a safe distance, but still following him.
The deeper he went into the woods, the farther he would travel away from others of his kind and the chances of others of his kind finding him would become slim. He would be an easy kill, or so she thought.
She had seen the way he had looked at her. She noticed that look within his eye, the one that males had around her. Perhaps it was because she looked to be one of their females, with her skirt covering her hooves. Perhaps It was because she wore little other than her skirt and displayed no sense of shame in regards to her nudity. Whatever the case, Nia planned to play off of this look.
Killer of Squirrels
Re: Legend Without a Name
Alistair made his way through the woods Aramus high above keeping a watchful eye he released a short cry warning Alistair of the half naked woman following him. Not one to trust anyone Alistair admitted to a certain fascination with the cautious and probably dangerous woman trailing him. Pressing two fingers to his lips and shaking them as he blew he released a short warbled whistle. In response Aramus banked left hitting a thermal a disappearing from sight, the hawk had gone to hunt they would need food for the night.
As he walked through the woods Alistair began picking up dry branches and twigs for kindling he would need a fire. Soon they came upon a clearing and Alistair dropped the load of wood and twigs on the ground squatting Alistair began arranging the wood into a tee-pee shape and piling the kindling in the middle. Drawing a dagger from his belt he began scraping it across a stone each strike releasing a small spark towards the pile of flammable materials. As the wood sparked, Alistair turned towards his pursuer “Care to join me you’ll be awfully cold half naked in the woods at night. Come share my fire have some food.” Alistair spoke plainly and his tone had a friendly connotation, yet his right hand stayed low to the ground ready to summon and fling a knife at a moments notice.
As he walked through the woods Alistair began picking up dry branches and twigs for kindling he would need a fire. Soon they came upon a clearing and Alistair dropped the load of wood and twigs on the ground squatting Alistair began arranging the wood into a tee-pee shape and piling the kindling in the middle. Drawing a dagger from his belt he began scraping it across a stone each strike releasing a small spark towards the pile of flammable materials. As the wood sparked, Alistair turned towards his pursuer “Care to join me you’ll be awfully cold half naked in the woods at night. Come share my fire have some food.” Alistair spoke plainly and his tone had a friendly connotation, yet his right hand stayed low to the ground ready to summon and fling a knife at a moments notice.
Re: Legend Without a Name
If nothing else, men were curious creatures, not creatures because that would imply that they were more than the murdering monsters that they most certainly were, but they invoked a sense of curiosity within Niabi that she couldn't quite figure out. Like a beaver this one had set about gathering sticks and branches for what she could only guess was to be his home of sorts. As to why a man would seek to build a dam outside of the safety of the man herd and their territory, Nia had no idea but it appeared as if that was what this one was doing.
Perhaps this one had been cast out of his herd. It was not unreasonable to imagine that occasionally a man could be cast out of his herd for one reason or a another. Animals did it all the time. If one was too weak or ill or had in some way upset the way of things, they could be abandoned by their own kind so as not to big the entire herd down. It was a way of keeping the herd strong, they could not endanger the whole for one individual.
However, this man did not appear weak in her eyes, nor did he appear ill. From the edge of the clearing, Niabi watched him as he set about his strange man rituals. He built his shelter near the center, one that was too small for him to fit within and in an act that she had no words to describe, the wood was set ablaze. It both frightened and captivated her. Men had to power to control that which destroyed the trees and killed many animals after bad storms. It moved in the wind, it produced a heavy smoke in the air and as much as she wanted to draw nearer to it, she knew that it would hurt, she had seen it before.
So there she sat at the edge of the clearing, her legs and skirt were tucked under her, and she stared into the true power of what made man the deadliest killers she had ever known.
He had spoken to her. The man had tried to offer her food perhaps. Or mention that she was food. Niabi, simple blinked in response. She was observing the curious nature of the man and had not caught on to enough of what he said to understand him.
Perhaps this one had been cast out of his herd. It was not unreasonable to imagine that occasionally a man could be cast out of his herd for one reason or a another. Animals did it all the time. If one was too weak or ill or had in some way upset the way of things, they could be abandoned by their own kind so as not to big the entire herd down. It was a way of keeping the herd strong, they could not endanger the whole for one individual.
However, this man did not appear weak in her eyes, nor did he appear ill. From the edge of the clearing, Niabi watched him as he set about his strange man rituals. He built his shelter near the center, one that was too small for him to fit within and in an act that she had no words to describe, the wood was set ablaze. It both frightened and captivated her. Men had to power to control that which destroyed the trees and killed many animals after bad storms. It moved in the wind, it produced a heavy smoke in the air and as much as she wanted to draw nearer to it, she knew that it would hurt, she had seen it before.
So there she sat at the edge of the clearing, her legs and skirt were tucked under her, and she stared into the true power of what made man the deadliest killers she had ever known.
He had spoken to her. The man had tried to offer her food perhaps. Or mention that she was food. Niabi, simple blinked in response. She was observing the curious nature of the man and had not caught on to enough of what he said to understand him.
Killer of Squirrels
Re: Legend Without a Name
Alistair sat next to the fire drawing the short sword from his belt he slowly stroked the embers the fire died down a little and he removed his blade. Raising one eyebrow at the woman he spoke, “Not much of talker huh? No worries Aramus doesn’t talk much either probably cause he can’t but the principle is the same, then again maybe he can I mean I used to think he was ferret… Well at least allow me to do a proper introduction, the name is Alistair Drake sole surviving member of the infamous red hand gang from Keltaris, though to be perfectly honest that statements probably not one hundred percent true, someone betrayed us after all”.
With a light chuckle Alistair brushed his hand through his hair then placed two fingers in his mouth releasing a high pitch whistle slowly he shook his hand bending the sound of the whistle till it almost sounded like a warble. From the distance a second shriek sounded through the air. “Hmm he’s grumpy today he doesn’t like that we’re going to Marn… I don’t entirely blame him either... Well this has been a lovely chat but lets lay the cards on the table huh, I’m gunna eat your welcome to join me otherwise piss off, quite frankly either you have no where else to go which in that case you should join me… or your planning to kill me, for the second option id suggest otherwise don’t think I woln’t skin you alive just because your pretty and half naked.”
As Alistair finished his statement Aramus winged into view a large rabbit limp in his talons dropping the rabbit in Alistairs lap the bird dived into Alistairs bag shifting back into a ferret once he was out of sight. “Hmmm dinners arrived” Alistair spoke drawing his knife as he began to skin the rabbit in preparation to cook it.
With a light chuckle Alistair brushed his hand through his hair then placed two fingers in his mouth releasing a high pitch whistle slowly he shook his hand bending the sound of the whistle till it almost sounded like a warble. From the distance a second shriek sounded through the air. “Hmm he’s grumpy today he doesn’t like that we’re going to Marn… I don’t entirely blame him either... Well this has been a lovely chat but lets lay the cards on the table huh, I’m gunna eat your welcome to join me otherwise piss off, quite frankly either you have no where else to go which in that case you should join me… or your planning to kill me, for the second option id suggest otherwise don’t think I woln’t skin you alive just because your pretty and half naked.”
As Alistair finished his statement Aramus winged into view a large rabbit limp in his talons dropping the rabbit in Alistairs lap the bird dived into Alistairs bag shifting back into a ferret once he was out of sight. “Hmmm dinners arrived” Alistair spoke drawing his knife as he began to skin the rabbit in preparation to cook it.
Re: Legend Without a Name
Niabi found the bird to be of great interest. She wondered why such a creature would be so trusting of a man. Why it would provide a man with food as if the man were its young. And why it would burrow into his strange not-fur fur thing.
Maybe the bird was hurt, or it was sick, maybe that was why it acted so odd or maybe there was something off about this man. Now that she thought about it, the wolf had acted strange around the man too. She had a weird feeling about him, like there was something different about him. Why had the creatures of the woods made friends with him?
Before she realized quite what she was doing, Nia found herself scooting closer to the place that the bird had disappeared. She wanted to see the creature for herself. "Friend," She called out to the animal. "Bird?"
Maybe the bird was hurt, or it was sick, maybe that was why it acted so odd or maybe there was something off about this man. Now that she thought about it, the wolf had acted strange around the man too. She had a weird feeling about him, like there was something different about him. Why had the creatures of the woods made friends with him?
Before she realized quite what she was doing, Nia found herself scooting closer to the place that the bird had disappeared. She wanted to see the creature for herself. "Friend," She called out to the animal. "Bird?"
Killer of Squirrels