Private Tales On The Hunt

[Skyler]

She sighed.

Fingers rose and raked through rusty locks.

“Okay, Myr.” She was granting him temporary trust. A breeze rippled through the trees. For a moment, she thought she caught a whiff of salty air from the man. It reminded her of her father. It made her homesick.

Lips pressed together.

“You must be good at what you do because you found me quickly. What gave me away?”

 

[Myrdin]

"There are signs of your passing." He told her, glancing around the clearing for a brief moment before he motioned for her to follow. "Do you have anything else you need to grab? We must get going."

The faster they went the more likely it was that they would be able to escape notice from the others. If they could avoid the other Hunters it would be a great boon, though he doubted that they would all be fooled by any sort of ruse.

"It was where you slept, mostly." Myr told her as he began to walk towards the edge of the clearing.

"After that..." He shrugged. "I have done this longer than most."

Part of it was luck, and part of it was his magic, but he would not tell her that.

 

[Skyler]

Head shook.

It was all she had. She didn't own much. And the forest always seemed to provide for her. Anything she needed or didn’t have. Moss for a bed. Nuts and berries for a meal. Shade for a hot day.

It was strange.

“Let’s go. You seem to be very good at your job,” she commented. Couldn't help casting him a curious glance from the corners of her mossy green eyes.

 

[Myrdin]

"I like to think I am." Myr said with a shrug of his shoulders. "It has been a long time of doing it."

Ten years or more now.

He did not want to launch into the story, though not because it was particularly private nor personal. It was just...not the time yet. He motioned for her to follow into the jungles, moving quietly and quickly. "Why were you in Alliria?"

Myr asked.

"Forgive the assumption." He glanced at her feet. "You do not seem the city sort."

 

[Skyler]

"Well," she exhaled. "I was on my way to the city trying to find...a tutor. For my magic." She didn't say what her magic was. Though, he probably had a good idea based on how the ground reacted to where she stepped.

Betrayed by the earth itself.

"I never actually made it to Alliria," she admitted slowly. "I'm from Minaris. First time leaving the island." She left out the part about fleeing a loveless marriage arrangement. Once most folk found out what she could do? They only wanted to use her.

She walked next to him, matching his stride. Weaving between the trees. It was clear her feet were toughed up. Walking along the forest floor didn't bother her bare feet. Perhaps all the roots and rocks moved out of her way, recognizing royalty from one of its own.

 

[Myrdin]

Minaris.

He remembered that city. The Fel had traded with it frequently. Located on the isle of Sheketh and just near enough to the city of the Fire-giants to make it worthwhile going there. He had fond memories, one of the few of when he'd been sailing still.

"A beautiful city." He told her with a genuine smile.

The fact that she had magic did not surprise him of course, anyone with two eyes would have been able to tell as much. Every step she took practically sprouted a new garden in her wake.

Of course, it helped that his own magic felt the pull of hers, though he kept a tight reign on that.

"I am sorry." He said ruefully. "I cannot imagine this has aided in controlling your gift."

Myr felt a pang of sympathy for her. He knew what it was like not to have control, to be unsure of your own body. He'd had to go through much the same when his magic had come forth.

 

[Skyler]

A shrug along her thin shoulders. A spark of interest in her eyes. A sideways glance his way.

"You've been to Minaris before?" She thought only at least half-elves could travel to the city. Though. She wasn't an elf herself. She'd always wondered...

"My whole life I wanted to explore other places and now that I'm gone...I really miss it. Parts of it." An attempt at a smile that looked more sad than joyful. "And I thought I could find someone to teach me. To control what I have and more about who I am. Instead, I found a man who only wanted to use me...," voice trailed off.

She didn't want a pity party. She just wanted a way out.

 

[Myrdin]

"Briefly." A few times though. His people never set foot on land, not unless they were exiled like him.

The thought brought a certain bitterness to his mind, but he quickly shook his head and tried to dismiss it. There was no point in dwelling on that, not now. The next words she spoke made him sick to his stomach, lips turning to a scowl.

"I am sorry." He repeated. "I'm afraid such a fate is all too common."

There was a bitterness to his tone. "I've found the mainland to be...harsh."

He said in quiet admission of his own origins.

 

[Skyler]

"Don't be sorry," she huffed. "And stop looking at my like I"m an injured animal." A flick of vibrant red hair over one bare shoulder.

"I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I can take care of myself."

A stiff cross of her arms beneath her chest.

"I did with him." A simmering anger turned pained. "I mean, I didn't mean to kill." She gulped. She'd never killed anyone before and even though he deserved it, she felt regret. She was haunted by it. A life was still a life.

Throat cleared.

"We should find a place to camp for the night. This part of the wilds is VERY active at night with creatures that like ripping flesh from bone."

 

[Myrdin]

He had the sense that if he continued on his current trajectory there would be violence, so Myr quickly decided to abandon the apologies. It was best that he treat her as an equal, someone who could walk alongside him.

Well, she was certainly capable of that. More, surely.

"I know." He told her softly. "I just want to get a little farther. It's all well and good to dodge Hydra's."

Myr said with a frown. "Won't do much good though if we get a hunter on top of us in the middle of the night."

Just a little bit further, then they could make camp.

 

[Skyler]

"That's fine," she said, the edge of a knife dragging across her tone. "I can walk as long as you want." She was tired but more so emotionally. Nerves frayed.

Walking through the woods?

And this place especially? Seemed to wire her. It called to her. She frowned, pinning down the feeling for a moment. Just as quickly it slipped through her fingers like the mist growing around them.

 

[Myrdin]

They walked for another half an hour before Myr finally began to slow his steps. He moved with the sort of care a hunter would, predator watching out for any sort of prey. After a few seconds he motioned to Isla, hoping she would understand it was time to stop.

"I think here will be fine." He told her softly.

A massive fallen tree lay across what appeared to be a clearing forged by nature. The tree itself was half hollowed out, and it would serve well as a hiding place for the night.

His eyes cast towards the sky.

"I think it's going to rain."He was not sure how to feel about that. "Can you make a fire?"

 

[Skyler]

Isla nodded. A part of her wondered if he’d try anything. But she dismissed the thought as quickly as it came. So far, he seemed to be a man of his word.

Gaze lifted. A sharp breath through her nose. It was hard to tell about the rain. As they stepped into the small, hidden clearing, the trees around them almost seemed to tighten. Branches shifting to shield them further as if sensing what the young woman wanted.

Isla didn’t draw attention to it and instead, asked.

“Do you think it wise to have a fire?”

 

[Myrdin]

He smiled. "A good question to ask."

Had it not been about to rain he would have agreed with her completely, but the storm would mask any flame, and they would need it to keep some of the smaller beasts away. He did not want to wake with Mosqo's eating his throat.

That would be unpleasant.

"The rain will make it alright, and I'll use a Rune." That should be enough at the very least.

"Finding us won't be an issue for some of them regardless." He told her softly. "We just have to be ready."

 

[Skyler]

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you can use magic," she commented dryly. Walking around the perimeter of the clearing, she knelt and stooped, gathering what dry wood she could find. Carrying the bundle over to the hollowed out tree, she began stacking it.

Her father, the man who wasn't even her biological father, had taught her how to build a fishing-line, how to weave a net, how to start a fire. The essentials. She hoped the city leaders wouldn't take her transgressions out on him. Lips pursed to a thin line as she took out a flint and began striking a spark.

One. Two. Three.

The flame grew and began to catch. She fanned it to encourage the spread then sat back on her heels. Eyes darted to the darkened trees around them. Head tilted as if she were listening to something. NO, perhaps a few voices.

"How long do you think we'll have before some of them catch up to us?"

 

[Myrdin]

Myr spent his time quietly etching runes.

They were not exactly the most complicated things, and in fact they would harm no one that passed them by. Their purpose was simply as an alert. That was why he had asked her to start the fire. Carving the runes took time, more than he would have liked.

"I'm not sure." He answered honestly.

Some of the Hunters that had been hired Myr knew, though others were a complete mystery. At least half would probably die before ever reaching the, but it was the other half that truly worried him.

"Could be tonight." He told her as he carved the last rune. "Could be days from now."

A shrug rolled over his shoulders. "I'll keep my promise either way. You'll be safe."

 

[Skyler]

"You can't promise someone that," she looked at him, voice stern. "There are great beasts in these wilds. Though I would argue that men are more dangerous." A push of fiery hair away from verdants.

One palm lifted, finding the warmth of the flames.

She tucked herself into the half-hollowed out tree husk. Back rested against the curved bark. The fallen tree was so wide and large the curved side went well above her head. They would be partially protected here. From hunters, beasts, and the rain.

 

[Myrdin]

"I know." he said with a nod of his head as he came and joined her by the fire. "It's been some years since i've traveled into the Wilds, but I remember some of what lurks here."

He smiled at her. She did not seem a murderer, just the opposite in fact. Her story had credence to it, though she had about as much evidence as the Councilor did. A part of him wanted to believe her though, and in truth...he already did.

Perhaps that was a mistake. Perhaps she was lying, but he hoped not. "A promise, is not a guarantee."

Myr said softly as the patter of rain slowly began.

"You will be safe for as long as I can keep you safe." Until he took his last breath.

 

[Skyler]

She blinked over at him, arms tightly wrapped around herself. She scooted slightly away from him. It wasn't his fault but she was still wary of him. Men in general.

The fire hissed and crackled as the rain dripped down.

It felt as if the sky was releasing a pent-up sigh. Her shoulders sagged. Even here, a long way from home, she felt almost more at home than she ever had. It was strange.

But she was tired from running so long. Worried about what or who was chasing her. And as she leaned her head back against the bark and closed her eyes, she must've trusted Myr more than she'd ever admit out loud because she quickly fell asleep. Chest rose and fell in even breaths and she found her head drifting and leaning toward his shoulder.

If she woke like that she'd be mortified.

 

[Myrdin]

Myr didn't move, deciding that it would be best to let her sway and rest against him.

As the girl slept, his thoughts ran about just what the hell he was going to do. He had taken a contract, and then told Isla he would break that contract if things had not been honest. Something like this had not quite ever happened to him.

There had been innocent men before, women who had not committed the crimes they were accused of...but Myr hadn't escort them back, he'd simply let them go.

This was different.

Not only had he made a promise, a promise he'd sworn to by honor, but he had also told her why. If he left her alone she would more than likely end up captured, or worse. The Councilor had not implied that Isla had to be alive.

A sigh escaped him, her weight shifting against him as she shivered in the cold.

He wrapped his cloak around her, watching the fire as the night passed.

 

[Skyler]

Head shifted on his shoulder. Long red hair shifted around her. The rain began to taper off. She slept most of the night away. It wasn't until the soft light of a rising sun did she finally stir. Head lifted slowly, heels of her hands pushing away lingering sleep from eyes.

She frowned and straightened as she realized she used him as a pillow. Looking down, she saw his cloak wrapped around her.

"Sorry," throaty-morning voice. "Were you cold? Any beasts visit us while I was asleep?"

 

[Myrdin]

"No, the fire kept me warm." It helped that the Jungles did not drop in temperatures too much, though if Isla noticed she would see that the fire had likely burned out hours ago, well before dawn had ever come.

He offered her a reassuring smile.

"No monsters." Not on this night. "No Hunters either."

Which Myr honestly considered to be more of a boon than the lack of monsters. At least the beasts of the wilds could be dealt with in their own ways, the Hunters were unpredictable as could be. "Ready to walk again?"

He asked. "I'd like to reach the coast."

 

[Skyler]

She unwound her tangled limbs and came to a stand, stretching. Fingers went to work out the knots along her lower back. She held out the cloak to him.

"Ready to walk. But the coast?" That wasn't the way to Alliria. "Isn't that the opposite direction of the city?"

 

[Myrdin]

"There are fishing villages all along the coast of the Ixchel Wilds." Myr explained. It was a fact that he knew better than most. His people took safe harbor in those villages from the myriad of storms plaguing the seas nearby.

They were always kind, always more than willing to accept and host them.

Myr was sure that they would be able to find a boat of a ship. The prospect meant breaking his exile...but it would also mean they could travel far more safely than before. One promise broke the force of another. Did it not?

"We'll take a ship." He explained. "Traveling by lands will take months, and we'll be hunted. A ship?"

Faster and safer. "Is that a problem?"

 

[Skyler]

Isla began braiding her hair to one side. Light footsteps carried her out of the clearing and over trees, roots, rocks, and boulders. She was able to match the pace of Myr.

She frowned when he asked.

"I don't know. Sea travel and I don't...mix very well." She'd only done it once before. When she'd left Minaris for the mainland. She hoped it had just been something she ate but something else told her it was more than that.

Her small bag was slung back over one shoulder.

There was a magical tug. A call to her from the trees. Long-legs took her past Myr as she ran ahead.