[The Bronze Wood] The Hunters Meet. (Miharu)

by **Sturlin** on April 13th, 2010, 3:19 am

"You are quite welcome, and thank you for the meat. I haven't caught much large game lately," he said. He reached forward to help show her where the first jerky had been placed, as it was prepared for her to pack it away in her gear. "Today I have no pressing matters which require my attention," the hunter said as he smiled to her. "You are welcome to stay, until your travels call you away that is."

Noting that the fire had begun to burn rather low, and they no longer had need of it, he tossed some dirt onto it from a nearby earth pile which had been created when he'd dug the hole. He would mix the dirt later and then remove it again when he was ready to use the pit for evening. As he did this Mr. Pickles walked passed him and slunk into the tent to seek the warmth of some blankets. Being naked often left one chilly in the breeze.

by **Miharu Mindi** on April 14th, 2010, 12:56 am

She peered over at the dried meat, and shook out the length of muslin that had previously held the raw meat and rinsed it with another splash of water from her skin. That was wrung out and laid to dry beside the meat, and would be used to wrap it up once all the moisture was gone.

"I'll probably just stay the night," she said, a little more cautiously. It wouldn't do to get too accustomed to his presence, not when she'd already purchased tickets to bring her far away from here. "But I'd be grateful for the company even for the evening," she added, and that was said with a surprised little smile, as if she hadn't quite expected that.

by **Sturlin** on April 14th, 2010, 1:15 am

Watching her prepare the packaging he sits in silence, but when she says that she will probably stay the night he stands and moves over to the tent. Reaching inside he begins pulling out small bundles of sticks tied together with loosely knotted vine. "It looks like I have plenty of firewood, but I will need to gather some more water at the stream. Would you like to walk with me or wait here?"

Turning to face her he rested his hands on his hips to await an answer. The smile on his face was a little bemused, as he too was surprised by this turn of events. Two guests spending the night in only ten days. If he did not move deeper into the woods he would never succeed at being a hermit, apparently.

by **Miharu Mindi** on April 14th, 2010, 1:19 am

She chuckled and bounced to her feet, grabbing up her waterskin. "Of course. I could certainly use a quick bath as well. Feels like I'm still covered in blood. Do you want me to carry anything?" she asked, looking around for a bucket.

by **Sturlin** on April 14th, 2010, 1:24 am

He shook his head, and no bucket was visible. Moving over toward the tree where his horse was tethered he began unwinding it so that he could guide the horse away from the campsite. The rattle of the horse moving through the undergrowth of the forest immediately woke the cat, who slunk out of the tent to follow them. "Francis will want to come along, though. He has desired a good watering since early morning I expect."

by **Miharu Mindi** on April 14th, 2010, 1:28 am

She chuckled and peered at the horse, nodding to it as if it were something worth nodding to, but made sure to keep Sturlin between herself and Francis. Not because she was afraid of horses, she just didn't understand them. At all. Or their allure for people.

She sniffed delicately to find the scent of water, and searched the edges of the clearing to see where the faint trail of hooves meant a regular trip to the watering hole. Then she simply started off towards where she now knew water to be.

"How far is it?" she asked, turning her face up to the warm sun with a smile, glad to be moving again. She wasn't used to sitting still for so long, but she didn't regret it.

by **Sturlin** on April 14th, 2010, 1:34 am

"A brisk ten minute walk, on two legs at least." he said as he offered her a lopsided smile and began to follow her toward the stream. Francis moved alongside him in a docile manner and Mr. Pickles took up his customary position trying to catch the horse's tail. Sturlin allowed Miharu to set the pace as he was in no hurry and she seemed rather comfortable being in the lead.

When they came to the stream he moved forward to begin filling several water skins, letting the horse choose his own place to drink and giving Mr. Pickles the same privilege. As he did this his eyes scanned the area to be sure that no one else was nearby.

by **Miharu Mindi** on April 14th, 2010, 1:52 am

When she finally caught sight of the stream, she gave a laughing sigh and ran forward, one hand reaching up to pull off the toga that wrapped her tall frame. There was a flash of pale skin and gleaming muscles, and then she sprang naked into the stream with another laugh. In moments, she was dripping wet and smiling, working the blood-spattered tangles out of her hair.

She was a Kelvic, after all, and anyone without experience with them would likely be surprised by their complete disregard for clothing.

"This is a nice set up you have," she giggled. "Very convenient. However did you find it?" she asked.

by **Sturlin** on April 14th, 2010, 2:11 am

"Uhhh..." Was the only response he could muster. His hands paused halfway toward his mouth and the water that was previously cupped within spilled out as he stared at her like a poleaxed cow. It wasn't that he'd never seen a naked woman, because he had. It was just that he was not prepared to see a naked woman. Not by any stretch of the imagination.

For a few moments his eyes drank her in and his mouth worked like a fish beached on the sand gasping for air. Finally he tore his eyes away and splashed water on his face several times. The part of his face that was unscarred blushed bright red, further highlighting the difference between his left and right. "Ahh, well, yes," he stammered, "I found the stream before I went searching for the glen. It is important to have a source of water, and also such sources make for good breasts...I mean good hunting!"

by **Miharu Mindi** on April 14th, 2010, 2:26 am

She sat down cross-legged in the middle of the stream, her eyes glued to his face as she watched him stammer and blush. She looked curious, and a little confused, and stared at him unabashedly. Meanwhile, clean spirals of blond curls twisted between her breasts - not so well-endowed as most men liked their women, but there was certainly nothing wrong with her body.

"Are you all right?" she asked, leaning forward to catch his chin in her hand and lay cool fingers along his cheek. "You look fevered."