The Forest Mage

[Kairi]

As she she went around her long legs taking hurried strides she mumbled to herself. "Alright who's gone and pissed off the deer this time, if it was that stupid wolf again I'm gonna cast it into nest years pelt design." As she climbed over a fallen tree she let her soft leather shoes feel for foot hods, her soft shoes protecting her from the sharp rough bark while still giving her the ability to feel around.

Continuing along the path her bright green eyes spotted a man kneeling, his attacker the beast from the cave. She'd sealed the beast away a couple days ago, but her seal must have grown weak and the beast must of been hungry. Anger fueled her as she dashed forward her long, silver blond hair trailing behind her as she chanted a spell. Grabbing a potion she'd made, she used her powers on the potion shifting its colors from a deep, moss green to a bright, toxic yellow.

The creature brooded as it stared at her and then turned stomping away. "Are you alright?" She asked the guy in front of her. She looked down at him waiting for a response, she saw his wounds unsure of his abilities and if he really even needed her help. She contemplated her actions ready to dart after the monster ready to eliminate it if she was no longer needed, after all she was still pissed the thing had sent those deer stampeding and knocking her from her napping tree.

 

[nladisha]

Aldren felt like a fool. The Guild had warned him the Black Hills could be dangerous, but like an impetulant child, he'd refused to listen. Even his own sister, the Guild leader, had warned him, but he'd just been afraid she'd hog all the glory for herself. His mission had been to escort an important dignitary across the Hills to a neighboring kingdom. That went well. It was only now, on the return leg, when things went sour. The creature came out of nowhere and killed his horse. Aldren must have broken his leg when the animal fell on him. The beast then reared up to defend its kill, and Aldren found himself frozen from the pain in his leg, his shock, and his fear. Unable to reach for his sword or dagger, and too overwhelmed with fright to reach for his shield, Aldren cringed, ready to die.

Then, as if the Great Goddess wanted to add insult to injury, the girl showed up. She had to be at least his age, or a year younger than his 18 years. She was dressed very simply, and armed only with a bottle of bright yellow liquid. She must have been a sorceress or a witch. Whatever she was, she possessed enough authority to frighten the creature off. Aldren raised himself as best he could to answer her question.

"Yes, I'm fine," he grimaced, trying not to show pain. "Just help me get this brute off me!" He tried to push the bloody carcass of his horse off of his leg.​

 

[Kairi]

looking at the trail of broken branches and dented earth she sighed. "Well what did you go and piss him off for?" She asked as she pushed against the horse's hind end trying to lift it enough the man could get out from under. Her attempts were slight but she managed to push the beast a few inches. "Geeze I should of let him finish eating this thing before saving your hide!" she huffed as she gave the horse another shove managing to lift its body just enough the warrior could slide out.

"Better hurry!" she said dropping the horses body right as he moved and sighing as she fell to the ground. Her cloths were soaked in blood, the short robes letting her exposed legs shine with blood. the yellow sash that held her pouch of items was bright and vibrant with blood while her dark colored robes hung dark in contrast.

The lose thin fabric clung to her now. The clothes she wore were exotic, the top being that of a more traditional sorcerers' out fit the sleeves loose and coming to her mid forearm the strangeness how ever laid with the bottoms which left her legs exposed. Almost as though they were baggy shorts cut high so they didnt fall past maybe a school girl skirt length they were light around the hem leaving for a loose but secure fit.

 

[nladisha]

Aldren winced as he tried to move. The pain in his leg was intense. He slowly and painfully managed to drag himself free. He tried to stand, but the movement caused him too much pain.

"My leg," he whimpered, more to himself than anyone else. His boyish face grimaced in agony. Most of his features were hidden under his armor, all except the face which appeared soft and childish. He completely forgot about the girl. He was no stranger to broken limbs, but in the past, he'd have his sister to help drag him off to the healers', while comforting him in her sisterly way. All he could think of now was how much pain he was in, and how he wanted it to end. If only he could just stand up!​

 

[Kairi]

"Oh quit your whimperin' you'll piss me off. Now hold still I'm not exactly a healer but I have mended a few legs, just deer and such but it cant be that hard to try it on a human." She leaned over unsure of herself as she looked at his leg. She hadn't intended to be a healer so her skills weren't the best but she couldn't very well not try. "Alright it looks like the break is around here, I cant fix it but I can help." She closed her eyes muttering an incantation, the swelling eased along with the pain, a sort of numbness spreading through the leg.

As she finished her spell she left appearing a few minutes later branches in hand as well as some vines. "These should make a splint to hold it in place and I have no idea where your from so I hope you can pay a medic when you and I get there. You owe me." As she wrapped his leg she sighed feeling guilty for her rudeness. "I'm Tally, dont forget it!" She said to him smugly not yet ready to drop her guard.

 

[nladisha]

The mage, Tally's, spell seemed to ease the pain on Aldren's leg. In fact, Aldren couldn't even feel his leg anymore. Perhaps it was a good thing. His pain was embarassing, especially in front of a pretty girl like her. Never mind she was a bit prickly - Aldren had an older sister, and he was used to that sort of attitude. And for that attitude, she was actually quite gentle as she wrapped his leg in a makeshift splint. Aldren managed a weak smile as she worked.

"I suppose I should introduce myself," he said. "My name's Aldren. It's nice to meet you, Tally. Thank you for helping me." As he spoke that last sentence, his face started to turn red with embarrassment. He was a knight, and was supposed to be the one doing the helping, not the other way around.​

 

[Kairi]

Tally looked up at him a gentle smile appearing on her face as she watched the night struggle between his formalities and his pride. "Well where are ya heading? I'm not to sure which route would be the quickest in your condition." She swung his arm over her, grasping Aldrens' hand tightly as her other arm wrapped around his waist. "We'll see how well you do walking and decide from there ok?"

She picked the more easy path way, although its roads were longer they were gentle slopes and flat terrain. "What brings a guy like you to a place like this anyhow? That demon could of killed us both ya know." She teased him referring to his looks and suggesting that he would be better suited in a castle with his kingdom.

 

[nladisha]

Aldren accepted Tally's help. For such a brash attitude, she was surprisingly gentle and caring. It also tickled him slighty when she wrapped her arm around his waist. He managed to keep up with her, albeit he could barely feel his injured leg. He didn't hear the jest in her voice as she spoke.

"I was on my way home from escorting an important noble - a diplomat, I think - across these hills," he said. "I didn't even see that demon until it was practically ripping my horse's guts out. What was that thing anyway?"​

 

[Kairi]

Rolling her eyes she just held tighter to him. Blushing slightly as she noticed his strong physique she shook the idea out of her head. "Well the beast was nothing more than a messenger demon. It might bring havoc on us later, but hopefully we run into some luck, maybe find a horse or something. Who knows. If we dont get closer to town before it gets dark that thing will come back and it'll have its 'friends' with him. He's kiiinda pissed cause I kiiinda locked him in a cave so that his little demon buddies would stay away..." Looks away pretending like nothing was her fault. Her green eyes scanning trees.

As she was scanning she noticed a few broken branches, but they were different in a way. To many to be from any of the creatures but to few to be from any of the herds that roam this area. Slowing her pace she looked around for other signs disguising her slower pace by seemingly caring for her 'Knight in shining armor' she let go of his arm leaning over tightening the wound on his leg a little.

 

[nladisha]

Aldren had never thought demons were real. Some people said the Black Hills were home to demons, but Aldren never believed them. Besides, as he rode through the woods, he wondered how such fearsome creatures could exist in a setting so peaceful and quiet. Then the beast attacked. In his head, he wished Tally had done a better job locking that monster in the cave. He did not want to have deal with it again - much less its "little demon buddies".

Aldren noticed Tally slowing her pace and shifting her grip on him. He could sense she was becoming more alert and tense. He looked around too, fearing the demon was coming back.

"Is something wrong?" he asked Tally, instinctively reaching for his sword.​

 

[Kairi]

Giving him a hard look she heard a twig snap as a group of thugs rushed in. "Damn! I thought so!" She said making efforts to pull him backwards. "Hope you dont carry much of value cause I dont think were getting away." She said to him as the two thugs who she assumed were lackies wrapped their arms around them. Their breath smelled like rotten meat and they stank of filth and sweat. "Get off-a me! Smelly pigs!" She said to the one attached at her side.