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Post by Hiiaka Séregon on Jul 31, 2007 19:01:17 GMT -5
Hiiaka saw the light from the Tavern and descided to wait and see how croweded it was before entering. She was not in the mood for people, after basically being told to leave her village just because Orophin was intimidating. A couple walked out of the noisey Tavern, It was busy, and the people were drunk, so she descided the this place was no good for the three of them.
"Why can't people get past your looks," She said as she slid off of Sîrfalas's back, "your growl is worse then you bite aye?" Sîrfalas protested that fact that Hiiaka was actually going to walk on her own and nudged her shoulder forcing her to take a few steps in the direction they were all headed.
"Go ahead mare, go on your own, if you feel we are taking to long!" Hiiaka knew the horse would do no such thing, nor did she really WANT the horse to really, but the fact was that Orophin was panting hard, and she knew he wasn't going to make it to the river if she was still traveling on Sîrfalas's back, he was just too fast for Orophin's little legs.
Hiiaka pat the flank on the wolf's farthest side and let her hand just rest there for a few steps before needing to use her hand to help climb over a fallen tree. The wolf and the horse made it over with ease and both stopped on the otherside looking back to make sure she was still coming.
They walked for what seemed like hours before the journey was too much for elf and canine, they HAD to stop to rest. Hiiaka sat in the grass with Orophin sitting beside her.Sîrfalas was showing off as usual, trotting circles around the two, before stopping to grab a bit of grass to munch on. Hiiaka scratched the wolf between his ears, she giggled sofly when Opophin's soft fur brushed her bare leg. Orophin just closed his eyes and his hind foot twitched ever so slightly. A noise caught his attention and he was at full attention, eyes quickly fixed in that direction...
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Tian Kai
Novice
Tian Kai ~ Ranger
Posts: 20
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Post by Tian Kai on Jul 31, 2007 23:03:59 GMT -5
Tian watched Hiiaka leave their little village, they were no longer his people any more, for his people would not cast away one of there own! The time had come, he knew this was the last straw. "They casted her away Galic,"he said later when he and his horse were alone, "I knew that girl, and the wolf, he was only doing what came natural." Galic snorted and put his warm muzzle into Tian's hands.
After giving it much thought, Tian slowly began gathering some provisions from the house which consisted of three sticks of dried meat and a small heel of bread. Without looking back Tian jumped on Galic's back, they were going to accompany Hiiaka, that is if he could find her and she would like the companionship.
Tian raced Galic in the direction he watched Hiiaka take when she left the small village. Knowing she could be anywhere and could have changed direction at any time, Tian followed his instincts and they told him that she was headed toward the Kierngard river.
It wasn't long before Tian reached the same tavern where Hiiaka stood just hours before, should he go in and ask if anyone had seen a woman with a wolf, surely she would have been remembered? Galic reared wanting to know whether or not to stay or to continue on. The tavern was still real busy, there was a centaur staggering in the doorway who by the look of him had drank way too much ale. He hobbled crookedly to the back of the tavern where surely the Inn was.
He nudged Galic on, thundering down the trail, and without hesitation Galic cleared the fallen tree. Tian loved the rush he got when the two were moving as one. Tian pulled back using his grip and the release of leg pressure to slow the horse a bit. there was no point of wearing Galic out.
Galic pranced figuratively chomping at the bit, he wanted to go, and he wanted to go NOW! Tian pat the horse softly on his neck and softly said, "We will get no where if you waste all your energy now, we will compromise!" He sped Galic up into a trot and continued his quest to find Hiiaka.
Tian and Galic were getting close to something, he went from a trot to a walk, and he had his ears perked focusing intently at the clearing up ahead. "Is it danger boy?" Tian asked softly as he gave the horse a reassuring pat on the neck he withdrew his long bow and pulled an arrow placing the anchor on the string pulling it back slightly. Tian was waiting for any kind of threatening man or beast to come out of no where and attack him or his horse.
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Post by Hiiaka Séregon on Aug 1, 2007 11:33:56 GMT -5
As the possible threat moved closer to the three of them even Sîrfalas began to dance nevously behind Hiiaka. The wolf stood up and lowered its head, growls emulating deeply from its chest. Hiiaka didn't know wheither it was really a threat so she grabbed Orophin's fur at the back of his neck, she knew full well that if he decided to charge, he would wait for her to release him.
At this moment Hiiaka was at a definate disadvantage if this was a true attack, she had no weapon in her hand, she would later have to teach Orophin commands. But for now, this was the best she could do, she never thought that the wolf could possably be a weapon of sorts, for he was stiil her (in lack of a better word) baby.
Hiiaka's long bow was still sinched to Sîrfalas haffon and the quiver of arrows also. 'what if this is a standoff? She thought to herself and then yelled to the intruder. "Who goes there? Show yourself, or I let the wolf go!" HIiaka waited a few moments for a reply.
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Tian Kai
Novice
Tian Kai ~ Ranger
Posts: 20
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Post by Tian Kai on Aug 1, 2007 11:57:39 GMT -5
As Tian Kai came closer to the edge of the clearing He could here the ferocious growl coming from a predatory animal. But he thought not of the wolf but of the Lohran, or Yarl, you know all the deadly beasts you hear of in childhood horror stories. These to would put the fear of god into an experienced warrior, let alone an unexperienced Ranger of 20.
Tian swallowed hard and stopped Galic dead in his tracks, but then he realized that maybe the horse had already been standing still, affixed and focused on the snarling beast. Every muscle stood still on Galic, even the flies couldn't pester him enough to make him shoo them away.
Then like a arch-angel Hiiaka's voice came ringing out from beyond in the clearing, Tian threw the long bow across his chest and placed the arrow back into the quiver with the rest of the arrows. "Tian Kai is my name! Hiiaka is that you?" his voice boomed. If you promise to hold Orophin, I will show myself!"
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Post by Hiiaka Séregon on Aug 5, 2007 22:38:44 GMT -5
Upon hearing Tian's voice, Hiiaka knew that it WAS, in-fact him. She sighed with relief and quietly calmed her companions. "Tian....I have Orophin securely in my grasp, show yourself!
When Tian appears in the clearing Orophin relaxes, knowing he is truly no danger to Hiiaka. He whimpers with excitement, wagging his fluffy, black and grey tail. Hiiaka again returns to her spot among the large blades of grass, ripping one from its roots. She looks down and begins fiddling with it with both hands. She didn't want him to see just how hurt she was that he didn't stop her banishment.
She looked in his direction and said, "Why are you here?" A simple question, she didn't think that he would pick up the resentment in her tone. Growing up Tian was ALWAYS there, OK, more like she made sure she was ALWAYS around him. From before she could remember, she had taken a liking to the tall Elvin male, he was the brother she never had to annoy.
And for HIM, of ALL people, to say nothing in her defense was like a stab in the heart. He knew that Orophin wouldn't hurt a soul. He WAS IN FACT punished for killing 10 of her clans-mens' livestock, it was not at all passable, Hiiaka would not, could not believe it.
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Tian Kai
Novice
Tian Kai ~ Ranger
Posts: 20
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Post by Tian Kai on Aug 6, 2007 0:21:38 GMT -5
Tian broke through the edge of the clearing and was truely happy to see Hiiaka. He jumped off of Galic's back and smacked the horse lightly on his hind quaters. Galic trotted merrily in the direction where Sîrfalas was.
Tian Kai laughed softly at Orophin's excitment. "Your doing a good job pertecting your mommy Orophin!" He laughed again, this time turning toward Hiiaka. As his sight turns to the young Zhoan Elf setteling into the tall grass, he notices the again what a beautiful woman she is becoming, and kinda shaking the thought out of his head, he looks around him gathering basic lay - of - land sort of stuff. He has a hard time thinking of Hiiaka that way! after all, he knew her since she was little. She was always like a sister to him. She sure did pester him like a real little sister, as if he needed another one, he had two real little sisters already.
But Hiiaka was a welcomed pain, often out performing most of his friends when they practiced thier archery skills, or equitation. He felt proud of her, out performing boys that were a year to two years older then herself. She worked hard with Sîrfalas often spending hours training herself how to read her horses natural cues. The bruises were the proof of her failures, but she would never admit to anyone that she has ever fallen from that horse, not even to Tian, but he was there, he saw her hit the ground hard quite a few times and not to mention the time she got threw when the horse suddenly stopped short without warning.
It wasn't fun however, when Hiiaka and Tian were going head - to - head in an archery session and she actually made a shot, that not even Tian himself could make. I guess there is no greater motavator then being out done by your little sisler. The guys picked on him for hours, even she poked at him about it, but they were alone, walking home for dinner alone. She was definatly one of the guys when they were growing up and thier friendship grew as they did over the years. No one ever new just how close he and her had become through the years.
Returning to the story...
Tian could see through, and when he looked her he saw she was hurt. but he thought it had nothing to do with him. " What do you mean 'Why am I here?'" He said somewhat defencively, his tone even suprising himself alittle. He began walking toward her and became mesmerized by the way the sun picked up the dark green flecks amid her brown iris's. He shook his head, again, to break the spell she had over him.
" You think I would let you go having all sorts of fun without 'me'?" He smiled coyly at her and quickly looked at the wolf, "We should start heading out soon, we have little time before nightfall!" Tian looked at Hiiaka, and then closed his eyes as a gentle breeze blew across his face, losing himself in the nature that was all around.
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Post by Hiiaka Séregon on Aug 6, 2007 20:41:41 GMT -5
Hiiaka sighed and rolled her eyes, "Why...ummm...Do you think we could make it to the river?" She was really going to ask him why he didn't defend her back at the village, but then changed the topic. She wasn't even sure she wanted to open that can of worms! The fact that mattered most was that he tracked her down and by the sound of it, he was going to stay with them. Some day she was going to ask him why, but for now she didn't need an answer to that question.
Hiiaka never waited for an answer, it wasn't really important to her, quickly changing the subject... "I think Meridian sounds interesting, Have you ever been there Tian?" She was headed toward Orophin, she looked over her shoulder to see if Tian was following her, "By the time we reach it the Circus should have begun."
She turned back the in the direction of the wolf and when she was within arms reach she russeled his ears which set him off in play mode. Hiiaka watched him run toward Galic and Sîrfalas, this time it was Sîrfalas's turn to be the living toy. Sîrfalas knew that Orophin ment no harm in his play. Sîrfalas play kicked in the direction the wolf was aproaching, and began trotting to avaide the prediture on his tail.
Hiiaka turned to Tian and smiled at him, "So what do you think?" Hiiaka started gathering her bearings was ready to leave and face the path she had taen and began to wonder what faced her at the shores of the Kierngard River
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Tian Kai
Novice
Tian Kai ~ Ranger
Posts: 20
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Post by Tian Kai on Aug 6, 2007 21:22:15 GMT -5
Opened his eyes after the breeze had came and went, he was glad when Hiiaka began to talk to him. He knew she wasn't being totally honest with him, but he was ok with it, she was ofter over dramatic, but he liked being around her. He followed her as she began to walk toward Orophin, she blew him away when she turned her head and looked at him. He swallowed hard and continued listen.
"I herd about Meridain on one of my trips to the market district in Thel'finan." He said to her as she started to crank up the wolf. Galic ignored Orophin and continued to eat some grass. Tian smiled and said, "Sounds like a plan!"
Tain called Galic, got on, and waited for Hiiaka to do the same....
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Post by Hiiaka Séregon on Aug 8, 2007 13:46:20 GMT -5
Hiiaka hopped onto Sîrfalas's back, "We to travel slowly, Orophin has been traveling all day and is surely exhausted!" She said to Tain as she took the lead. She then turned, looked at the wolf and smacked her leg gently, she often did this when she needed his attention. Orophin's eyes focused in on Hiiaka, and he followed her onto the trail.
After traveling for an hour or so, something caught Hiiaka's eye, it was a deer munching on a bit of leaves. it paused and watched werily at the travelers, judging whether or not any danger was present. Hiiaka sat back in her saddle, her hand reaching back toward her long bow, pulling it loose from her haffon. hiding the bow on the oppisit end of the horse and with her other hand reached behind herself for the quiver. Alerted by Hiiaka reaching for her weapon the wolf was on full alert. Hiiaka in one slow fluid motion placed the ancor into the string. the deer froze, eyes consintrating on the woman. The woman pulled back on the line, aimed and as the arrow left the string, the deer was off in a full run.
The arrow sunk deeply into the animals flesh, but unfortunatly it landed in the hind-quarters instead of a mortal location. Sîrfalas turned hard and took off in the direction the deer began to in, as if horse and rider had but one brain. Wolf was not far behind her as usual. Surfalas began running at full speed, but Hiiaka had to slow her down, She had lost visual contact with her prey, and now it was definatly time to do some tracking.
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Tian Kai
Novice
Tian Kai ~ Ranger
Posts: 20
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Post by Tian Kai on Aug 8, 2007 18:05:14 GMT -5
"You know... that if we take our time, the greater the chance that we will have to travel at night..." His word were not even worth saying because he got no reply from the girl, not even an aknowlegement that he said any thing at all. Tian watched as Hiiaka began walking down the trail. all was quiet and he was enjoying the sights and the sounds of the forest.
He didn't see what Hiiaka saw, but she was drawing her bow and arrow. He quickly got the bow over his head, this could have been why the deer took off, but Hiiaka got off one arrow and now she was heading off the trail for her prey.
Tian and Galic hesitated for a moment when Hiiaka went out of view with Orophin hot on Sîrfalas's tail. He tracked Sîrfalas's hoofprints and they lead him to Hiiaka alright. There she was combing the ground for deer tracks. He said not a word to her, trying to be as stealthy as possilbe.
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Post by Hiiaka Séregon on Aug 8, 2007 18:30:18 GMT -5
Hiiaka herd some viscous snarling and then the sound of an animal crying for help, As Hiiaka pushed a big leafy branch aside she saw with amazement Orophin and the deer. The poor deer was trying to run for its life, and the wolf's jaws were locked tight around the back leg that didn't have Hiiaka's arrow in bedded in it. Blood gushed out of the wound as the creature tried to get the wolf off.
Hiiaka ran to where the two were, threw her dagger, and the struggle stopped. The deer was dead and that meant a feast tonight. Hiiaka cut the deer and cleaned it out properly. She the cut the deer into pieces small enough to carry. Hiiaka knew that it was time to leave before they became desert to any other of animals in these woods.
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Tian Kai
Novice
Tian Kai ~ Ranger
Posts: 20
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Post by Tian Kai on Aug 9, 2007 16:29:16 GMT -5
Tian helped Hiiaka clean and gut the deer. He praised Hiiaka an the wolf too. "Now lets get outta here, there are bound to be preditors out, surely they are making there way here!" He took what he could easily carry. Tian waited for Hiiaka and they both made thier way back to the little trail.
Tian rode down the trail quietly, he had alot on his mind. He made it to the edge of the forest and took a deep breath letting it go slowly. Hopping down off of Galic's back and after throwing the deer meat in a pile on the grass he made his way down to the bank of the river. Cupping his hand Tian drank the clean refreshing water til he could drink no more.
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Post by Hiiaka Séregon on Aug 9, 2007 17:53:42 GMT -5
Hiiaka threw a chunk of the meat at Orophin, "This is for your help!" She said sweetly to the wolf. She watched as the wolf gobbled up the chunk given to him. He then watched her using a tree stump to mount Sîrfalas. Orophin whined a bit looking back at what was left of the deer carcus. "There will be plenty more for you when we make camp at the rivers edge tonight!"
They all headed back through the bush and made their way back to the trail. They would have to travel swiftly if they were going to make it to the river by nightfall. And that is what they did, the meat Orophin ate gave him the energy to keep up with Tian and Hiiaka.
When they reached the river, the colors of the sunset took Hiiaka's breath away. She dismounted and looked around for something to make a fire with, and when the fire was lit she began to prepare thier dinner.
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Tian Kai
Novice
Tian Kai ~ Ranger
Posts: 20
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Post by Tian Kai on Aug 10, 2007 17:40:21 GMT -5
Tian walked up from the bank of the river, collecting wood as he made his way to the pile that Hiiaka had already started. He then grabbed thier dinner and proceded to skewer the deer on large sticks.
The fire was lit, and he brought the meat to Hiiaka so she could prepare it properly. He looked around, and let them settle on the view of the two horses playing just a few feet from the waters edge.
He could not wait to eat the meal Hiiaka had caught. the aroma was wonderful. When it came close to dinner time, the sun had already set and the horses were quietly munching. He looked at HIiaka and asked her, "Would you like me to get you any water?"
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Post by Hiiaka Séregon on Aug 10, 2007 18:09:56 GMT -5
Hiiaka placed the venisen on the fire and sat down next to it to pay close attention so not to burn it. Hiiaka tended to the meat tentivly, not even to get a glass of water for herself, as parched as she was. It was like Tian read her mind when he asked her for a glass of water. "Yes please," She said horsly and then cleared her throat. " there is a wooden mug in my haffon!"
Hiiaka again turned the meat as Tian went to fetch her some water. She was under the spell of the flames and watched as they nipped at the meat. She wiped the sweat from her brow and looked toward the river searching for Tian and the cool river water.
Finally Tian had returned and the cool water rushed down her throat, cooling her from inside out. "Thank you Tian!" Hiiaka said as she peered from over her wooden mug. "that surely hit the spot!" She smiled softly at him. and took a few more deep gulps from the mug before placing it next to her. She removed the meat from the fire and handed him one of the sticks with meat.
She waited til they were half done before asking him, "What do you think of dinner?" She ate five more bites and then gave the remainder to Orophin, who had been lay but a few feet away, who was watching the meat from the time Hiiaka and Tian had begun to prepare thier dinner.
Hiiaka waited until it was dark so that she could clean herself up a little. She called over Sîrfalas, removed the her haffon, and began to brush the horse down. She whispered "good night" and the horse walked slowly away from her.
She sat down by the fire again and began to un lace her riding boots. She then stood up and wiggled her toes in the soft, cool grass. "I'll be back shortly," she said over her shoulder, "I need to clean myself up a little." She grabbed a stick from the edge from the fire, and using it as a torch began to slowly walk toward the edge of the river.
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