Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » The Hunted (1x1)

There had been nothing left for him in that place. He had realized, only to late that there had never been any reason to return. Betrayed once again, there were no ties holding him to any place or any person. It was sheer stubbornness that kept him going, a refusal to die at the hands of agents of the Otherworld. He would not let them win. He would not fall. No longer did he hold any notion of being able to overthrow the tyrannical High Council. It was just him now, after all. Decipere was gone. Caeros, despite his best efforts.. He had not been able to sway the man into joining him.

But what now? What was really left for him other than managing to survive what was hunting him? He had made a mistake in getting close to the girl. First, he'd placed her in danger and then in the end she had cast him aside as though he was nothing to her. He had taken the East road once he'd reached the mainland, traveling with no real goal in mind.. He simply wanted to be somewhere else, far away from anything that reminded him of what was lost.

He had one the last battle against 'them.' He'd beaten the Verator Knights that had been sent from the Otherworld to hunt him down.. But it was not over yet. There would be more, and the next time, they would not merely send a handful of Knights to deal with him.

He'd bought a horse in the first major city he'd come across. A tall and sturdy dark blue roan. Around seventeen hands, the animal was not made for speed, but he was quite strong and sturdy. More useful, Ravilth felt that the light and sleek racing animals that would have cost him almost twice as much.

He kept his armor on as he traveled. Better to be prepared just in case he ran into trouble. It was far different from the pitch black heavy armor edged in gold he'd once worn. Far lighter, it was a mixture of scale, chain and leather. His sword was far different from the one he'd once carried as well. Plain and nondescript, but well made, it hardly stood out. The man himself however stood out a bit more. Looming in height, he was just barely under six and a half foot tall with his boots on. Broad at the shoulders, well muscled, dark hair falling to just past his shoulders.. A strong jawline and masculine features.. a face that would have likely been called handsome and bordering on beautiful, had it not been for the ruin of the left side. Scarring marred that side of his face, and left one eye milky and near sightless, giving the man a somewhat unnerving stare. No one along the road ever bothered him. From merchants to mercenaries, they tended to give him a wide berth and often, they looked the other way so not to be caught staring.

The town that appeared in the distance just as the sun was getting low, was not a very large one. A single aged gate guard gave him a wary once over as he passed, but said nothing. He stopped at the first inn he came to, merely because it was the first, and it had a stable. Dismounting, he tossed a coin to the stableboy, and headed inside.

Thankfully, the place was mostly empty. A pair of rather rough looking men with unkempt hair and scraggly short facial hair sat in a far corner, talking among themselves. They cut their eyes over to him whenever they thought he couldn't see them. The Innkeeper, was a portly balding man, which Ravilth felt was a good sign. He'd heard a saying once that one should never trust a thin innkeeper. The only thing worse than a thin innkeeper, was a thin cook. He paid for a room, ordered a bowl of stew and an ale, and found himself a table at the other corner of the bar. He sat with his back to the wall, where he could see the door, and settled down to the meal. He wasn't going to bother asking what sort of meat was in the stew.. He was better off knowing.. But at least it was warm, and the ale was cold.";

Why was it that the coming darkness of night could hold such beauty yet hide such evil? The darkness always seemed to follow her- You know what they say, your only paranoid if they aren't out to get you. Unfortunately she wasn't paranoid, more's the pitty. She already had encountered three shadow beings, all intent on making her their own personal 'singing bird'... at least in one of the cases. One of them actually wanted to possess her... to the point where her soul would have to find another vessel to call home. She shivered just thinking about it.

Clutching her white cloak closer about her and ruffle her feathers to clutch at the warmth, she urged her mare to a faster pace. She did not want to be out ing the open tonight. Thankfully she still had enough coin for a few nights at an Inn. Not that she was likely to stay there for more than one. She knew there was a small town just ahead, and it was but a few moments before it revealed itself from the turn of the trees.

"Just a little farther Mer, you can do it. I promise you some nice oats as a treat." The white mare seemed to perk up a bit at the promise of a treat and her speed increased as well. It was not too long before she was riding up to a stables outside a decent looking inn, the light nearly gone and the horizon painted a dark indigo hue.

"You will take care of her, won't you stable boy?" She held out a coin in tip to drah him near, and when he grasped the coin she showed a few others. "Feed her some oats as well. If she is in good spirits when I leave there is another tip in it for you." Her words held no nonsense, but they were delivered with a kind tone, understanding that the boy would work a bit better with the promise of a 'treat' much like her mare... oh, now that was horrible. She was putting everyone on the same level... or was that normal? Lady willing she might get a good night sleep tonight and figure it out in the morning.

There was a chill coming into the air as she made her way to the inn door. She hoped there weren't too many of the 'rough types' in this place, but allas that didn't seem to be the case. As soon as she walked in she gained the attention of quite a few rough looking men... thankfully the innkeeper wasn't one of them. She heaved an interal sigh at the contents of the common room and made her way to the innkeeper. "I would like some apple ale if you have it, and a meal would not be amiss either. I will also need a room. Single." She placed the coin needed onto the counter and took away a mug filled with the cold ale.

Now the question was... where to sit?

He had positioned himself at an angle where his near-blind side was turned somewhat away from the door and the other patrons.. Less out of shame over his disfigurement, and more because he did not see well out of that eye. When the odd looking woman came in, he merely arched a brow slightly, giving her a brief once over, and cutting his gaze over to the innkeeper, noting the lack of reaction. It seemed they were in a somewhat more accepting part of this world. Ravilth had seen places where someone with an unusual eye color, or some odd quirk about their features brought suspicion. And he'd seen the other extreme, where demons and all manner of hybrid creature could walk about and no one so much as batted an eye. He was however, aware of the two on the other side of the bar, who seemed to take a good bit more interest in the female than he did. His eyes narrowed, but then he scowled. Not his business after all was it? If some woman was foolish enough to go traveling alone. He took a swig of his ale. He was no blasted hero.. and he was done being involved with others.. And yet.. He watched the two men.. a flicker of anger rising up in him when he saw them point, and then lean closer together to whisper among themselves.

Might as well follow with tradition. Walking with sure steps, making barely a sound in her bare feet- a habit from her mother(Amazon's hated wearing shoes of any kind as it left them severed from the earth)- she moved to sit at a table near the hearth of the commonroom. She was all too aware of the stares of the men. Their leers that they thought were 'oh so subtle' were really rather not. It wouldn't be the first time she was targetted as easy prey, and it would surely not be the last. In some ways, she was every bit as vulnerable as she seemed, and in others, she was an overpowered being set up to explode. She had still not found an eligible teacher to help her with her newfound abilities, and so have been going on instinct. That wasn't necessarily a good thing. That made her abilities very unpredictable.

All she would do for now though, was ignore the two. No point in instigating something from staring too long at them. Giving them her attention could only encourage the behavior. If they decided to act upon it, she might have to put them in time out like the bad children they were. If she could.

Taking a sip of her ale she watched the flames of the hearth flicker and dance. Fire was such a destructive force, yet so beautiful. That seemed the way of the world, didn't it? Always having two faces.

Making sure to keep the other men in her perifery vision she noticed the other seemingly not nearly as interested in her. Good. She didn't need trouble on all sides. Going back to her hearth watchings, she took another sip and listened, waiting to see if they would make a move. Her bodyseeming at ease, but her muscles tense for any action that needs to be taken.

Ravilth continued to eat his meal in silence. An occasional glance up allowed him to keep track of what was going on.. And so far, nothing. He was mostly done with his stew when the two men stood, and started over towards the woman's table. His eyes narrowed. Both men were armed, one with a short sword, and the other with a pair of long knives that might as well have been short swords for the size of them. Ravilth's eyes narrowed slightly. So much for just a quiet evening. The innkeeper, was not a bad man, but he was also not a brave man. The short and portly man suddenly took a very strong interest in the dishes he was drying, holding a mug and looking down at it, continuing to 'dry' it even though it was completely dry.

"A pretty little thing like you shouldn't be alone." said the first, leering at the girl and standing a bit closer than what would have been considered polite. The other, circled around to the other side of her.

"Terrible things can happen to a girl like you.. traveling alone." Said the second.. Who seemed to be talking to her chest more than anything else.

"Maybe you should come sit with us."

Everything in their mannerisms reflected them having anything but her best interest in mind. Ravilth pushed the bowl aside, and downed what was left of his drink, which wasn't much at this point. He was already studying the two.. experienced gaze picking up on weaknesses.. reaching out with more subtle perceptions, and verifying that neither of them had any sort of magical ability. He stood up. The innkeeper, had vanished at this point, hiding in the kitchen, if the former Verator Knight had to guess.

There goes the slim chance they wouldn't do anything.

With practiced grace she turned in her seat until she was able to look at both men and had the table mostly to her back. She took another sip of her ale and raised her brows over her citrine eyes. If nothing could hammer home that she was not a normal woman, her inhuman coloring would.

For the first time that night she gave the two a good once over. Her original judgement stood, these were not nice men. "While you two gentlemen seem very... nice, and I appreciate the concern for my well being, I am afraid I must decline your most generous offer. It has been a cold ride and I would prefer to warm my feathers by the fire."

With the utmost of nonchalance she could muster she took another sip of her ale, her slight nervousness given away by a little spark that danced across her fingers. Well, she didn't mean to do that, but maybe if they saw they would back off.

One of the men, sneered a bit. "Well maybe you just don't know what's best for you." Said one. "We'll treat ya real nice.." The other chimed in. The smug smile of one did fade a bit, as he caught that spark.. But he seemed to be trying to decide if he had imagined it or not. Neither one seemed interested in backing off.

"I believe I heard her tell you she wasn't interested." Ravilth said speaking up from a short distance behind the one who now had his back to him. The man turned abruptly, putting a hand on his short sword, the unkind smile becoming a snarl. "Ain't no one askin for you're opinion." He said, angrily, although his words came fast, hasty almost. Ravilth, standing just barely shy of six and a half foot tall, in dark armor, longsword at his side.. Dealing with him was likely a good bit different than teaming up on a small frail looking woman who was alone.

"Mind yer own business!" The other one snapped.. although now their eyes and stance shifted about, unease rolling off them both. Ravilth however, remained dead calm. A looming and imposing dark haired figure clad mostly in black.

"You will walk back to your seats.. Or you will be rendered unable to walk." The scarred stranger said flatly, as though he was bored and merely commenting on the weather.

Lharue found herself a bit surprised at the tall- very tall- man who came to her rescue. It was a rare occurance that anyone bothered themselves over a 'damsel in distress'. She only allowed herself a glimmer of graditude, after all, she didn't specifically know what his intentions were. Somehow, though, she felt like he wasn't an immediate danger to her person... as long as she wasn't an idiot. She was pretty sure she wasn't one of those.

Taking another sip of her ale, she smiled at the tall man. "Maybe I wanted his opinion. Maybe you should do what he says." She moved her gaze over to the other two men, far less in stature and worth. "But life is full of choices.... don't let me stop you from making a wrong one. I hear you learn the best from those."

It might have been a combination of his appearance, the fact that he was both armed and armored.. and the stranger's baring, but the two men seemed rather unsettled, on edge and uncertain. "You can't threaten us." One said nervously, griping the hilt of one of the long bladed knives. Then a sharp click sound came from the right, over by the bar. The pot bellied, balding tender held a crossbow up to his shoulder. "I don't w..want no tr..trouble here, got it?" Said the man, his voice as shaky as the hands holding the weapon at the ready. "You two, get out." The men, who had been seeming less and less likely to fight, and more likely to retreat by the second.. had finally had enough. "Yeah we're leaving.." Another one muttered. "You let us catch you alone somewhere, pretty lady.. " They left, hastily, having only come in to drink, not to stay the night. Ravilth.. without a word to either the girl, or the tender, turned and started back toward his table.

At the aboutface of her rescuer, Lharue's eyebrows crept up her face a bit in suprise. Well, that was different. With a shrug she got up out of her seat and headed to the innkeeper. After giving him a reassuring smile she spoke, "I would like my dinner now. Another mug of your apple ale would not be amiss either... And whatever he is drinking." She tilted her head to indicate the man in the corner, than overpaid the nice man. "For your trouble."

It took some doing, but she managed both mugs and her dinner over to the tall man's table. "Thanks for your help. People with your kind of chivalry are rare nowadays." She settled both mugs on the table so she could grasp just hers and leave the other free for him. "Do you mind some company? Or would you rather be alone to finish your dinner?"

Ravith made his way back over to his chair and sat down. When the woman started over to him, his expression soured a bit more.. Then again, it wasn't as though his normal expression was exactly pleasant. Some of this could be attributed to the fact that the scarring down the left side of his face pulled that side of his mouth down into a more or less permanent slight scowl. The one milky pale eye didn't help matters either. "I tend to do most everything alone." The man said flatly. He might have saved her, intervened where most wouldn't have.. But the man was as prickly as a cactus in terms of demeanor. He thought about telling her to just go away.. He didn't make 'friends' after all. But after a pause.. "Fine, sit, if you must."

He'd clearly been traveling rather light. Apart from his armor and sword, he had only a battered leather saddlebag with him, and a fairly small one at that. He'd left it sitting on the edge of the table. The armor he wore was plain and practical, no emblems or insignia of any kind, and it clearly had signs it had been used, and it had been repaired.. Showing signs of wear in several places.

Lharue couldn't help the slight twitching of the corner of her mouth threatening a smile. Definitely the grudging gentleman. She had never met one before. Someone who knew what was right, yet at the same time wanted nothing to do with others. "Sounds lonely..." Not that she didn't understand, no, she did most everything alone as well to the point that her bast friend in the world... was her horse. In a way, that was kind of sad. "...Thank you."

She sat with care, making sure both her tail and cloak were out of the way. Once settled she took a few bites of her own dinner and looked her savior over. He seemed to be a Knight... but with no coat of arms and with such dark armor he was most likely a Knight with no Lord. She was sure there was a story there, but she didn't think it would be one he would tell her. However... Nothing ventured nothing gained as they say.

After taking a drink from her mug she looked again at the man. "What brings you out this way, Sir Knight?"

One might wonder if the man ever smiled. His featured were hardened, almost outright cold. He was difficult to put an age to, perhaps as young as early thirties, or as old as late thirties. Physically at least. He was a good bit older than that.. In fact he wasn't even completely sure how old he was. He remembered nothing of what or who he'd been before he'd been a Verator Knight.. And even those long decades spent in the Otherworld under the rule of the High Council had blurred together.

"I find it's better that way.. Not to have to depend on or worry about anyone else." His eyes narrowed slightly. "Traveling.. Heading east.." Which was in fact away from most major cities and well.. Much of anything really. A few more town were scattered here and there, but after that it was miles of rolling hills that would eventually turn into mountains. "I'm not a Knight. Not anymore." He added.

Lharue placed down her spoon and looked the man straight in the eyes. His scarring didn't even make her pause. We all had our scars, this man just had them out in the open. Besides, he was still sexy, if anything, the scars made him more rugged and dangerous looking. Which he obviously was.

Taking another sip from her mug, she then turned her head to the side, still trying to make sense of this man. "As you say. Still, I stand by what I said, it is a lonely exhistance. People grow the best when aided by another. Conviction is stronger when in protection of those you love. Joy and happiness is made all the better because it has to overcome sadness and pain. Ah... but I am getting all philosophical. My apologies. There has been too much time to think these days." She would blame something else, if she could. Her ability to see the future? To see the past? They made her contemplate the world, yes. Gave her things to think about on the long rides when she traveled.

"Once a Knight... Well, if you say you are not, I must believe you. All I will say is, to me, you certainly still uphold the honor of a Knight."

The man's expression soured a bit more at that. "And if I have anyone else with me when I .. travel. Then I have to watch out for them as well, and not just myself." He did not want to mention, at least if he didn't -have- to that he was possibly being hunted. It was difficult to tell. He had not sensed the 'others' in quite some time. He would know when the veil between this world and the world he had come from had been breached. He would know when the Verators were close.. Although it would be difficult to tell exactly how close, typically he'd just be able to tell 'less than a half mile' and more or less what direction. He was no longer a Verator, but the connection had lingered, even if it had faded with time. The words brought a spike of irritation however. He had been close to someone, and it had ended in betrayal. And his former enemy who had slowly turned to somewhat of an ally had vanished as well. "I don't need anyone... And I won't drag anyone else into my business." He took a drink of the ale.

Lharue hid her small smile by taking another drink from her mug. He was such.... such a male. "Could that not also be said for your companion? That they no longer had just them to worry about, but you as well? It is not always one person against the world. It can be two. Or three, or however many companion's one wants...." But then he said that. A self sustaining.... well, she could not call him an idiot without calling herself one, now could she? After all, she was alone too. And while she had no idea of this man's perdicament, it could be just as bad if not worse than her own. Only he really knew, and it seemed as if he was not speaking of it.

Letting out a little sigh she took a few more bites of her cooling down food. HE might not need anyone else, but she was rather hoping that SHE could find someone to travel with. Having no one to watch her back was draining, and her insomnia was getting worse as the nights grew longer. "Well, as you say. Your business is your business and only you can share that burden." With an empty hand she made a vague gesture, an invitation to share, if he so chose. Something told her he would just scowl and give another one line refusal. Men.

Ravilth's expression darkened again. "I will not put someone else in danger by dragging them along with me." He just seemed to be more or less repeating himself at this point.. Quite stubborn, and rather adamant about being alone. He took a drink of the ale. Perhaps if he told her a bit about it, she might have some understanding of how serious the situation was? Then again, he'd never been one to 'share' with random strangers. He'd only really told one person about it.

"There is something.." he began, not sure how to explain it. He wasn't exactly being 'followed' not at the moment. "I don't know how many there will be the next time.. Only that there will be a next time. The last time there were four of them. Three Verator Knights and a Mage. I used to be one of them.. But not anymore. Leaving is not exactly something one does.. And now on top of that the Council wants revenge because in the last attack the Mage and two of the Knights died. They are able to track me because I used to be one of them." Vauge yes, but it was a start. There was a lot he wasn't telling her.. Then again, there was a lot he didn't even know. For much of his time spent in the Otherlands his mind hadn't even been his own, not really. Sometimes the lines blurred between what had been 'him' and what had been because of the Council's mind control abilities, and then later, Ishtal's influence. He took a drink of ale, and set the mug down, perhaps a bit harder than necessary. "Anyone who travels with me.. Or associates with me in any way, could easily be used to their advantage." Common tactic after all.. Hell when he'd been a Verator he'd tried that tactic against Decipere, had he not?

Lharue couldn't help but feel torn. Should she laugh? Shake this man who was so obviously the poster boy for stubborn male? She settled for a sigh. "You too, hmmm? What is the world coming to when a male such as yourself is so easily chased? I am in a similar predicament but, I admit it is rather more complicated. Or perhaps it isn't. Hmmm, never mind. I can see you are quite serious in your conviction to remain alone. I will leave you to your drink and dinner then. Pardon the intrusion."

Picking up plate and mug, she stood carefully and.... tripped. It was part cloak, part furniture, part wings, all getting in the way as she turned to leave the table. The only thing she could think of as the floor came rushing towards her.... was she would have to pay for the broken kitchenware... and she hoped she didn't bleed too much if she hurt herself.

Ravilth's jaw tensed slightly. He did not like the woman's tone. To him, it sounded quite patronizing, and even a bit insulting. He took another swallow of his ale, and was just about to tell her exactly what he thought of her attitude when she suddenly tripped. Now, had he been standing next to her, yes.. He likely would have reached out to catch her. But seated, on the other side of a heavy oak table.. He was fast, but not that fast. She was suppose to be able to help him, when she couldn't even walk across the floor without falling over herself? He set his drink down, and peered over the table at her, still scowling.. But then again his face did seem rather stuck like that. "Are you always this much of a danger to yourself?"

Lharue smacked into the floor far less gracefully than she would have prefered. She barely even noticed the light crashing sound as the crockery met the floor much like she did. It took a moment before she sorted herself out, needing to take off her cloak so it would stop inhibiting her limbs. After a moment she felt a dampness on her cheek and acknowledged the smarting sensation that pointed to a scrap on her cheekbone. She stood as she reached up to try and catch any or her dark green blood that might drip. Unfortunately she was just a tad too slow and a drop landed on her seat. Silently she cursed herself as the drop promptly grew a flower where once her blood had been.

"It certainly is not one of my more graceful moments, but I do not make a habit out of eating floor, no." Her feathers ruffled a bit as she rolled her cloak into something more managable, and bent to pick up bits of broken plate and mug. She did not need to step on those with her bare feet. "And as far as posing danger to myself, well, don't we all pose some in one form or another?" Personally, Lharue just thought she had bad luck.