The Nexus

'The Fool - The card of new beginnings... of new adventures and new opportunities. This day would hold unlimited possibilities. A chance for pleasure, and passion, but also for thoughtlessness, and rash decisions. All in all, the fool foretells of good things to come... of good changes...

'So why in the HELL am I being chased by blood thirsty beasts?!'

That was really the only thing going through Eevi's mind as she was dashing down the quiet main road. Horrible beasts didn't come near the main roads often, because of the numbers of travelers, yet here she was, being chased by them, with NO travelers to run into. She couldn't keep running forever, and even if she could, wolves easily outran her.

The was growling and snapping apparent behind her, as they slowly closed the gap, seeming to not even be trying, because they knew they would catch her in the end.

'Damn you cards... why did you lie to me!' Being feasted upon was not a good day to her. Not even close. The snarls behind her, ever closer, finally brought a cry from her lips, though she felt no one would hear. "Help!!"";

The day was bright and Zennar did not like it. It had been nearly two years since he was forced out of his home and living top side had not diminished his wounds. The sun hurt his eyes and burned his skin if he stayed in it for too long. Luckily, he had a cloak and cowl to cover himself from its harmful rays. Grumbling to himself, the dark figure pushed through the forest. He had no love for the lush woodlands as his cousins did; give him cold stone any day and he would be pleased.

Zen was hastily trying to get through the underbrush without it snagging his black cloak. Thankfully, he could see the road's clearing up ahead and he pushed forward towards it. He was just about to break the tree line when something caught him. Turning, he took a handful of the fabric cloak and tugged at it. The branch had him firmly attached and though Zen tugged with his gloved hands, he wasn't getting free. The elf found himself standing in the road, putting against this tree and cursing to himself.

Something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye and he turned to see a woman---was that a woman?---hurtling towards him.

"It's always wolves! Damned creatures!" she said loudly to herself, as she dared a glance over her shoulder. The bared teeth were countable at the distance the wolf was at, and Eevi gasped loudly and pushed on harder, though it hurt greatly in her chest and her legs. She literally felt as if she were about to pass out.

Up ahead, she caught sight of someone in the road. "H-Hey!" she shouted to them, hoping they would see her, and help. Most travelers had weapons, right?

But she realized the person was not just standing there for a reason, but rather, they were caught on something. That wasn't going to help her at all!

"Damn it! I hope you can defend yourself!" she yelled, her hand falling on her sash under her long tattered cloak. It fell loose and she pulled it free, turning on her heel with speed still with her, auburn hair fanning out around her.

The sash whipped toward the closest wolf, as Eevi fell back into the person, hopefully pushing them free of their holding, and the blade that had been tied on the end of the sash pierced the side of the wolf.

The beast let out a yelp and stumbled to the side, while the others continued their attack on the two people.

Zennar saw that this woman was human--what else had he been expecting? The sunlit world was infested with them! And they were not a very giving bunch, he found. He tried harder to get himself free, but it was too late. She was yelling something at him and then she was hurtling into him. He'd just managed to put a hand out to stop her from getting closer when Eevi slammed into him. He heard a ripping sound and found he was no longer attached to anything and was now over balanced and falling over.

The elf barely caught himself before completely tripping and found that he was set on by wolves. Zen threw up the tatter of his cloak to confuse the animals before they could clamp down and loosed the sword from his hip. He was rather skilled with it, and once he fully regained himself it took mere moment to dispose of the threats. Panting, the elf stood with his cowl half fallen and his features smeared with blood.

Eevi had fallen to, managing to roll a bit further behind him... conveniently placing him in the line of fire. She stood quickly, getting herself out of the mess of cloak, and looking just as the man slayed the last of the wolves. There had been four total, the one she had taken care off had run off though.

"Well," she said, dusting herself off, like this was suddenly not a big deal at all. "That went better than expected. She was still out of breath, and panting heavily, but she made an effort to make herself presentable.

Best make a good first impression.

"Sorry about that... just, uh... panicked. Wolves and all..."

Just a tad bit awkward, since she had almost gotten him killed. "Thanks, though."

She looked at him for a long moment, taking in his features. She then looked surprised. She had seen elves before, but none like him. He seemed very different.

Zen shied back from her, wiping the blood off his sword with the remnants of his cloak. The cowl slipped and his face was exposed to direct sunlight. He winced and pulled it back up. He was a very handsome creature with fine features and deep purple eyes. His hair was black as night and longer than perhaps he wanted it and parted on the side. He was wearing a black leather tunic with obviously expensive silver filigree with a belt across his middle. His sword belt hung there as well and he hasty replaced his weapon in it's sheath. Beneath his tunic, he wore riding breeches and boots, long sleeves and gloves. Every inch of him save his face was covered.

He backed off further, almost landing himself in the woods again. His dark brows were furrowed and he scowled at her. "Why are you staring?" His voice was deep and he pulled himself up straight, looking rather imposing.

That seemed to catch Eevi off guard, because she hadn't quite realized she was staring. Her cheeks flushed, and she shook her head, frowning. "I wasn't staring. Merely making sure you were well, and not harmed. You seem well indeed, so..." She took a few steps back, retying her sash around her waste, as she began to turn.

But wait... if there was one set of wolves that dared chase her... there might be more. She eyed his sword for a long moment, but not longer than needed, since he might give more harsh tones to her.

"Well! Why on earth are you out here traveling alone? Doesn't seem safe at all. You know what they say... safety in numbers!"

She moved just a little closer to him. "We should probably stick together... until the next town. That makes the most sense."

"I am not going to a town." He had a sort of haughty air about him, like he was used to being listened to. But within it a vulnerability, as if he had not yet gauged if this woman would do as he said or not. The outside world had been somewhat cruel to him in that regard. He had thought he could rally people to his cause.. But no one knew the dark elves in this world, not really. There were too many stories about their cruelty and evil. All unfounded Zen had tried to assure them... But they would hear none of it.

His expression dimmed and he frowned. "I am not going anywhere."

Eevi was staring again, but this time, not because of his looks. But because of his words. "I understand that you aren't going anywhere. I'm like that as well. I just travel. But, you have to be traveling some where to restock on supplies... sleep on a nice bed... eat warm food?" The end of her statement seemed to turn into a question, because she wasn't sure if he was looking for any of those things. People were sometimes fickle.

She had to talk him into going to the next town at least! She didn't want to go alone!

Her eyes shifted to look around them. "Oh! What about your cloak? Surely you need that mended!" It had sounded as if it had ripped, after all.

He shook his head and his shock of midnight hair fell into his face. "I can get all of those things on my own. I do not mind the cold." He shifted his weight and looked about to walk away from her, but she had a point. Looking at the tattered hem of his cloak, he realized it only fell to mid thigh now. It would be useless to use as a blanket as he had been. It also offered much less coverage should the sun be blazing. Frowning, he narrowed his eyes on Eevi.

"You will show me to this town," he stated. Clearly, he did not think that she would protest, now, as she seemed to want him to come to the town.

Eevi was excited at first, but then frowned when he nearly demanded she show him to the next town. She bit her lip from throwing a retort at him, because she didn't want him to change his mind on going with her.

"Of course!" she said, through nearly gritted teeth, faking a smile.. She didn't know how far the next town was... but follow the road, and it would take you there, right?

She quickly turned on her heel, muttering under her breath. Damned cards better not have been talking about him...

He nodded at her acceptance of this task and smoothed his tunic. If she looked a little closer she would see just how travel worn his looked. He might be clean shaven and combed, but his clothing showed that he'd been out here on the road probably by himself for some time now. The cloak he'd ripped was so threadbare it was probably a surprise it had not ripped sooner.

"What do you call yourself?"

It was probably a good thing that she was not facing him, when he spoke, because she rolled her eyes at him. "You mean, what is my name?" she said, still trying to hold polite. "My name is Eevi."

Might as well continue the conversation... "What do they call you?" she asked, reiterating his exact words.

"Eevi," he repeated, less gruffly. He probably didn't mean to come across the way he did, but he'd only recently got a handle on the common tongue and sometimes it was hard for him to put sentences together correctly. He understood most everything he heard, however.

"My name is Zennar Da'ohr, Prince of the underdark kingdom Carrion-dur."

Eevi stopped, and turned to look at him, letting out a loud laugh. "Please! You don't really expect me to believe that, do you?" she asked. "A prince?! Why on earth would you be out here, wandering about, with no need to go to a town?"

Please... she wasn't an idiot. Besides, his clothing looked less than princely... at least, at this moment in time. Maybe once, a long time ago...

Zen flushed a soft pink that was very noticeable on his pallid skin. His expression darkened as he was sure he was being mocked. "I do not need you to believe me, human. It is the truth. I am rightful heir." He brushed past her to start walking down the road. As he moved the cloak pulled back with the wind and he grabbed it to pull around him.

He was not going to stand here and be made a fool of a peasant human.

"Oh, of course, your Majesty," she said, following behind him with a grin. If he wanted to have a god... rather a prince-complex, she'd be more than happy to give him one. She hadn't much liked the tone he spoke to her with, and that may have swayed her mood toward him.

"Sorry that I am not properly dressed to escort the Prince of... Hrm... Carrier or whatever." Perhaps she should listen better to poke fun at someone.

Zen sniffed at her, but would not be put off by her tone. "Keep up, human. You don't want to be left behind for more wolves, do you?" He strode with an air of dignity and grace, even if it was a bit hesitant since he had no clue where he was going. The elf held his chin high anyhow.

"You ask for my name, yet you don't use it. That doesn't seem very Princely either!" she said, still following behind him. She was near ready to point out that he was the one leading as well, when he seemed unsure of where to go. But she held her tongue for now.

"Why should I waste my time speaking kindly to a woman who does nothing but mock me?" He shook his head. "Perhaps I will just find my way alone. At least I can fend for myself."

He put on speed and just pretended he knew where he was going. Following the road couldn't be too hard, could it?