Closed The Greens and the Browns

[Ivandra]

44 Fall The leaves to the trees parted softly, slowly. Ivandra, who knelt behind the huge trunk of the tree, pushed her fingers forward even more until she caught sight of the rabbit. Disappointment hit her. It was a pathetic thing, both small and skinny. Even if she caught it, it wouldn't be sufficient enough to fill anyone's stomach. She muttered a curse underneath her breath. Did the gods mean for her to die? It wasn't as if she could always afford fresh food from the marketplace. She had a cousin to care for, a cousin who was suffering from an illness and who she was also burdened to look after. It wasn't necessarily easy for her to escape into the forest like this for a lengthened period of time to practice hunting without any guaranteed results. This was time But no matter. There was no point in hesitating. If it was there, then it was there. She drew her bow and arrow, winding it back quietly, and pointing it in the direction of the rabbit. Squinting, Ivandra narrowed her eyes, then released and allowed the arrow to fly. It shot towards the rabbit, which was nibbling on a small patch of grass, but landed on the ground just next to it. Then the last thing she saw was the rabbit's gray tail moving away as it retreated back into the safety of the undergrowth. Ivandra let out a sigh of frustration then stepped forward, picking up the arrow and slinging it back across her shoulder. She had just purchased the bow and arrow set from the marketplace with her meager savings and was still learning how to use it. Her hope had been that it would save her money in the long run as she learned how to improve her hunting skills. But there was a pressure even to prove that point. She needed to demonstrate that it was a profitable purchase, both to herself and those she lived with. And the only way to do that was to improve on it. She had never considered that it would be too difficult. It looked easy when the Knights used their bows. They just drew the arrows and released. But now, with hours of hunting practice and an empty bag, she realized that clearly was not the case. She shook her head and sat down at the foot of a tree. It was too frustrating. She needed a break from it.

[Ferrin Al'Mandrikan]

Ferrin

Ferrin was just a natural hunter just like everyone else out in Syliras. The chilly winds caught onto the exposed parts of the hunters skins that wasn't protected by his cloak. Spreading goosebumps throughout his bode. He wanted so badly to catch some game, but embarrassing as it is, Ferrin isn't a master with the bow and arrow. Although he has had it for some months now one might think that they should have mastered this tool.

Ferrin gripped hard on his longbow, the fact that it was manufactured for a custom touch the bow weighted as heavy and Ferrin didn't appreciate that fact of the heaviness it just brought him more agitation with his aiming. His muscles though, allow him to carry things as heavy as a stack of bricks.

The trees, shift their leaves and branches with the gusts of winds as the winds blow all throughout the Bronze Forest. Just another typical day of hunting for the city. Nothing beats fresh meat. A couple of yards away, the young hunter spotted... A small rabbit. It's colors blending with the colors of fallen leaves, more so brown then any other leaf that has fallen.

Ferrin got down into a crouching position passing trees with cautioned steps. Avoiding the twigs that can be a distraction that have fallen to the earthen ground by the same very winds that pushes the leaves. Ferrin inhaled a small worried breath. Exhaled and pulled out an arrow with from his quiver.

'Ok got to keep that aim at a certain angle. And time it perfect.' Ferrin knocked his carefully crafted arrow into his bow, placing it on the bowstring and having the arrow tip rest on the bow itself expsing its full extent.

Still crouching, Ferrin took another good luck at his game. A small bunny rabbit with a bushy white tail. Ferrin kept that animal as a target in his head. He pulls back the bowstring with the connected arrow, and aims, then releases with a breath of hope.

The arrow zoomed through the woods, avoiding adjacent trees that the arrow can make contact with. 'Shyke,' Ferrin tells himself. 'Another failed attempt.' Ferrins arrow was luckily saved from being buried beneath all of the leaves. 'Time to find another game.' The young hunter thought with a sigh of agitation.

Ferrin picked up his arrow and began walking at a normal pace now hoping to find something that he can take back to Syliras. He decided to take a turn and strolled through the woods searching for bigger prey, or at least something that is more filling than a rabbit.'Let's hope I find something worthwhile.'


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"Pavi" | "Common"
"Tukant"

[Ivandra]

Ivandra had straightened herself up again and once more continued shifting quietly through the forest, scenting the air periodically for any traces of other prey. She caught onto several trails. There were several faint rabbit trails, here and there, supported by tiny pairs of prints in the muddier areas. And then there were also tracks of the larger prey. But she wasn't experienced enough with that type of tracking to definitively know, as that would have taken much more time in the forest. She moved through the trees again, this time catching a much fresher scent of deer. Yes, she thought to herself. Perhaps it could be something substantial, something that would be worth her purchase for the bow. She quickened her steps, while still trying to keep her tread soft against the earth. And she moved forward, forward, following the trace, until she stopped at a small clearing. And sitting there was the deer. Just one brief look at it told her that her chances at killing it were already against her. She wasn't very experienced overall, and the deer was already standing straight with its ears pricked forward and its eyes alert. It probably heard me. But she had no more time to lose there either. She reached towards her back for her bow and arrow and strung it quickly. The movement was becoming more fluid and familiar to her, no longer carrying that foreign and strange feeling she'd started with when she had first ventured into the woods after her new purchase. But her luck was no better than before. Just as she was about to release, the deer leaped away and took off at a run, as if it had heard something out of the ordinary. Ivandra remained in her position in frustration, her eyes narrowing into a glare. It was only several moments later when she realized that her muscles were straining under the pull of the arrow that she finally relaxed. I can't do this. It's not as easy as it looks. Even hours in the woods can't yield any result this way. The thoughts in her mind became increasingly cluttered, increasingly worried. I can't just allow things to remain like this. Something needs to change. I need this food. My cousin needs this food. But then, in the midst of her worries, there came a crunch of boots on leaves behind her. Instinct took over immediately. Ivandra whirled around to find herself poised with an arrow drawn, ready to shoot at a man she'd never seen before in her life. Never mind the fact that she likely would have missed would she allow the arrow to fly. He didn't have to know that.

[Ferrin Al'Mandrikan]

Ferrin

The young hunter, oblivious to the fact of game around him was lost deep into his thoughts thinking hard of his failure. He usually doesn't get so hard on himself this much. Winter is nearing and most if not all of these creatures in the Bronze Woods are near to hibernation. Ferrin wanted so badly to catch some game and something worthwhile.

His thoughts brought him back to the present from the sound of hooves running in the distance. Ferrin looked up and spotted a deer running from whatever noise it had feared from. And not only that, a female was poising her bow straight towards Ferrin. He stopped abruptly in his tracks. Observing the girl and her movements. A nice little tactic that Ferrins father taught him.

Ferrin didn't know what to do next though. Her arm looks as if it is shaky from the strain of pulling the bowstring. She seemed flustered a bit, her grim expression tensed across her face. She has a right to be agitated. Ferrin messed up some available game on the field.

The young hunter didn't want to screw things up any more than he has. Should he apologize? How much difference would it make if he did, the lady would just shoot him probably? Ferrin took his own bow, and set them on the ground. Allowing this event to not become anymore dangerous as it already is. Even though this lady has the advantage so far.

He then took out his sword belted to his waist, now showing the lady that Ferrin can't be as bad as an occasional bandit. Especially bandits these days are worse than ever. Raids of caravans have been noted as more common and thefts have been common as well.

"I mean no harm miss, just been lost in thought. Would've realized sooner..." His words trailed off with fear. Hoping that the lady isn't thinking that Ferrin is giving an excuse for her to kill him. If so, Ferrin can always react too in a way. He never v intended to harm this fenales' hunting session.

But a lot of blame was Ferrins' too. If he wasn't lost in his thoughts so deeply. He wouldn't be stuck in this position now would he. But sadly this position puts him at a complicated situation, one that Ferrin can't muster to get around. It's time for the decision to be made, death vs spareity. Which shall win?

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"Pavi" | "Common"
"Tukant"

[Ivandra]

As she faced Ferrin squarely, arrow pointed straight at him, a part of her screamed at herself for being so stupid. Why was she even standing there, attempting what surely would have come off as a challenge? She should have known better. She should have simply taken off after she had seen him rather than whirl around with an arrow poised and ready to fly at him. There were plenty of stories of lone trekkers in the woods who had never returned. Of course, she wasn't that far into the woods, and the Bronze Woods particularly weren't known for being too dangerous. And it wasn't like she was particularly apt at self-defense with her lack of knowledge with the bow and arrow. If it came to a dual of any sort, she would surely lose. And it would have been her fault for instigating the whole thing. But still, she couldn't change her actions. She couldn't take back anything at this point. So Ivandra could only stare at the man in the eye, her muscles twitching and about to give way, as she waited for a response. What she got in return relieved her slightly, but she was still cautious about letting down her guard too quickly. It would seem unnatural if she, so defensive just heartbeats earlier, suddenly began socializing with him just after his explanation. Ivandra lowered her bow and arrow slightly, though she her stance remained firm and hostile. [color=#008040]"Then what are you doing in the forest?" she asked. "Not many folks passing through the forest too often, I'll say. And you did chase away the deer I was stalking. You know that right?" But for all of her harsh words, she realized as she looked him up and down that he was likely telling the truth, that he likely was innocent and meant her no harm. Her reflexes that time had been just a matter of instinct, but there wasn't any real danger. The expression on his face was rather plain and easy to discern. He seemed, to her relief, one who was just as unfamiliar with his surroundings as she was. He did not appear any more comfortable or competent, necessarily, than she was. After all, what experienced hunter would have allowed himself to be placed in such a position with an arrow pointed straight at him? But deciding just several seconds later that her tone was likely a bit too harsh, she added, "I'm Ivandra though, by the way. And you are...?" Her voice trailed off towards the end, giving him the opportunity to chime in with his response.[/color]

[Ferrin Al'Mandrikan]

Ferrin

It was just an occasional day, or for what it was a couple of chimes ago. After Ferrin let down his weapons, the lady realized that he meant no harm. Ferrin noticed that she loosened her grip a bit on the bow, but still pointing it at him. The young hunter found that a bit, dangerous still.

Ferrin smiled, one of the warmest smiles be could pull off before speaking, trying to gain some confidence of his back."It's, Ferrin. Nice to meet you Ivandra. I don't think you need that bow to be pointing at me still. I apologize for the loss of game. " Gods, is this leading up, or down?

Ferrin felt trapped, and there is no way of getting out of this one. If he messed this up, Ivandra would probably want to kill him. Ferrin realized that Ivandra reduced her grim expression to a more so, calm but still agitated look.

Hunting this season was slowly becoming a decrease as the weather is getting nearer to the winter season. Game is more difficult to get these days in the Fall, and the game that we do find is either rare or something very small in size. " Maybe if you show me that you won't possibly kill me, we can work together. Tracking down that deer. And maybe split profit or..." His words trailed off as the thought of sharing the profit of the game wouldn't moat likely to benefit him.

Ferrin has about enough to purchase his own home thus far, but the Ivandra lady? How come she purchased something that gives her a lot of difficulty for use? Wouldn't one want a handcrafted crossbow as a beginning weapon to start being used to the ranged technology?

Maybe if Ivandra chose to not kill Ferrin he can probably give her a few tips. Some that he even learned from his father back in Kenash. But that is if she doesn't kill him."Is it alright with you if I live? I mean. There will be a day where I die, but I do not want it to be today please?"

Ferrin almost sounded desperate. He never really thought about being in this situation before. Not much to remember form his father's lessons, most of them were lectures of metaphors and fighting tactics. But Ferrin isn't in a fighting position now is he?

Will Ivandra end up shooting him, or will she allow the two of them to work together?
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"Pavi" | "Common"
"Tukant"