Open New Lands

[ashley hale]

Ashley pulled out the eating knife that was in her bag as she crouched on the branch of a tree that kept her out of sight with foliage. She kept her eye on a deer below as she waited for an opening. As it bent to eat Ashley slipped off the branch quietly and down lower and lower. Once she was in range she dropped onto the animal and lunged the blade into a lung.

She cut out meat, tied it with a piece of rope and placed it gently in her backpack. While skinning the deer Ashley heard the rustle of leaves nearby and tried her best to slip away into bushes nearby.

[ashley hale]

Looking through the leaves Ashley tried to get a look at what had made the noise. She couldn't get sight of the source so she tried to reposition herself by sliding to the left and laying down. Seeing a paw print before her she lessened her breath and narrowed her electric blue eyes. Ashley had left her belongings by the tree which left her almost entirely unprotected.

Knowing the animal would sniff her out sooner or later she considered shifting, but wasn't entirely sure if it was safe. Ashley let the thought drift away as the creature got her scent. As quick as she could she slipped out of the push and up onto a branch of a nearby tree.

Climbing the tree she gained balance on a branch leaded toward the tree she was on before. Ashley stepped back against the trunk of the tree and let out a heavy breath. She moved her hair out of her face and pushed off the tree. She lunged forward and onto the neighboring branch and didn't land with grace. Ashley slipped and smacked her shoulder on the branch as she fell flat on the branch beneath.

She pulled herself up into a sitting position trying to ignore the pain in her. Ashley noticed the blood on her hand after she felt her forehead. Looking down she saw no other choiced, but to take her chances. Putting herself over her backpack she lete her self fall back, leaving her hanging by her legs.

Ashley kept her eyes on the wolf, eating the deer. Grabbing her bag she released her legs and fell to the ground. She scrambled to her feet while taking in a deep breath. Feeling the cool wind on her face she closed her eyes and let out a breath. When she opened her eyes again the wolf had acknowledged her, but she was ready.

The wolf lunged and she shoved the knife forward, lodging it into a rib. Her arm had gotten scratched as her and the wolf both fell to the ground. Ashley pushed at the animal as it snapped at her, looking for anything to help she tried to grab a rock.Ashley shoved the rock into the wolf's mouth and pulled the knife out. Kicking the wolf away she tried stabbing it in its head, but only left a scratch.

She prayed for something to help her, but didn't truly believe her prayers would be answered.

[ashley hale]

Ashley awoke to see she was no longer in the woods, but rather in what seemed like a cabin. She sat up and felt pain surge through her arm where the would had scratched her. Ashley looked down at the wound, now wrapped in a strip of cloth, and could see the stain of blood. She looked around for her backpack, but didn't see anything, but a fireplace sending a dim light and fair warmth into the small building. Ashley stood up and grabbed her dress, which had been cleaned and laid out.

Ashley put the dress on to keep from walking around in undergarments. She walked to the door and pushed it open to end up in a room where two men were sharpening rusty swords. They got up and were around a foot taller than her with muscular bodies, short brown hair, and matching marks on their left shoulders.

One of the men walked toward her and said," well hello... what are you doing up? You still need to rest." He smiled and went to put his hand on her shoulder. Ashley stepped back with her eyes widening and kept focused on the men. She would've rather been with the wolf right now, but was also fairly thankful that the men had saved her.

The other man had gotten behind her and she bumped into him. When she looked back she could see an idea brewing in him. Without hesitation she albowed the man behind her and spun around the guy in front of her. Ashley picked up a sword and held it with her shaking hands.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! There's no need for that, we just wanted to make sure you were okay. A delicated thing such as yourself should not be alone in these woods." He held his hands up slightly and seemed honest, but Ashley kept her gaurd up when she set the sword on the wooden table beside her.

The other man held up her backpack and she looked at it as if it were life or death. Thinking for a moment she sighed and moved her hair out of her face gently. She smiled at the men and said," thank you. I truly would've died if not for you two. May i know your names?"

"Well I don't see why not. I'm Faelrick and this is my brother Relkit. You are lucky we found you when we did, that wolf was standing above your body. We were almost sure you were dead." He handed her the backpack and then rested his hand on her shoulder. Ashley leaned in to him and rested her head on his chest.

Faelrick led her back into the room after he told his brother to wait there. she laid back in the bed and listened as he left the room. Once he was gone she silently got up and moved to the fireplace. Trying not to burn herself Ashley pulled out a burning log and rolled it under the bed. She grabbed another and slid it into a corner. Watching the room light up she screamed in an innocent tone.

The men ran into the room and she slipped out while putting a sword in the handle to stop them from getting out. Ashley grabbed things from the cabin and put them in her backpack.She put her cloak on and pulled up the hood. Ashley left the cabin with a sense of relief and let out a breath. She jumped into the trees and moved along swiftly through the woods.

[Air'a]

Aira hid behind a tree, silencing her breathing and listening to the woman running. She was sure she had just seen through a window the woman set a small house on fire and trap two brothers inside.
Aira moved from tree to tree as fast as the girl ran. Then, Aira made her move. She ran out in front of the girl, her white aura making a bright light in the dark forest. Aira needed to know more about this girl.
"Who are you?"

[ashley hale]

Ashley stopped dead in her tracks and looked at the strange girl.
"That would depend on who you are," Ashley said firmly. She thought of exit points while she looked at the glowing girl. Ashley put her hand on the hilt of a blade she had stole from the cabin and waited for what happened next.

[CameronParks]

Seeing a white light in the woods below him, Cameron landed Furox, his eagle, a distance away and headed in the direction of the white light. Trying not to be seen he walked behind a nearby tree and listened in to see what would happen next. Cameron pulled out his bow and readied an arrow just in case someone decided to do something rash.

[Air'a]

"I... Well, I'm Air'a." Air'a admitted, "You don't know me. I'm out of place here, I belong near the Isle..."
Air'a's fingers laced the area on her neck where her gills used to be. All was left now was slits.
"Or at least I did... But, anyway, I'm sure I saw you just burn down a house! With two innocent looking boys in it! I'm rather curious, I know, but what was that for?"
Air'a's fingers now fell on her dagger's sheath, hidden neatly by the folds of her white cloak.

[ashley hale]

"Self defense," Ashley replied firmly. She let go of the hilt and continued," those men picked me up from the woods and brought me to their house. They didn't let me leave the room they brought me back in and told me to sleep when i tried." Innocent is not the right word. Ashley kicked dirt up and hid before Air'a got the chance to see her move.

[CameronParks]

Watching from the surroundings Cameron saw where the girl moved. He looked back at Air'a and watched. Knowing he was safe he put the bow over his shoulder and the arrow in the quiver. Cameron grabbed onto a branch and ulled himself into the trees. He climbed into a spot above Air'a to get a better view and was curious on how the events would play out.

[Air'a]

Air'a's ears perked suddenly when a rustle sounded from above her.
"Just... a bird." she muttered.
Ever since she had escaped the Isle, her water senses had left her and her land senses had switched on, occasionally being hypersensitive. She had a different mission now anyways. Find the girl. She never actually heard her name.
Air'a's silvery green eyes (which had also been curiously changing color ever since she left her home land) scanned the landscape hungrily. She had to find out more about this. Luckily, her vision was quite good, and one toe out from a hiding place and she would see. A small bit of a cloak stuck out from behind a tree.
Air'a smiled to herself. Her chance. She acted disappointed and started to walk away, in the direction of the tree, but looking as she would simply pass it. When she was roughly four feet away and her back was facing the tree, Air'a turned around sharply, whipping her sheet of hair and giving the girl no time to hide.
"What is it you aren't saying? I can... sense it. If it's for good I could help you. If it's for evil... I'm afraid I might stall."
Once again her pale, spindly fingers fell involuntarily to her silver dagger handle. The opal on the tip of the otherwise smooth handle glowed faintly also, but only for a split second.
The air was heavy with suspense.