The Sword through the Wyrmwood (A new beginning).

[Kiga]

Much farther from the warmth afforded by his favourite tavern in Lothregar, a stranger sat by a fire - he guarding it against dwindling and in turn, the amber flames guarding his gaunt frame against the surrounding cold. It was Fall now and whilst the brittle leaves fed the fire, he had little in the way of proper lumber to keep it alight for long. He cursed, inwardly at the ever growing frost that stole through the night, then sighed as he laid back against his pack to once again take up both the meagre stick and utilitarian knife he had been using to whittle with.

"Another blasted night in this never-ending Wyrmwood."

He was right too - the Wyrmood was peculiar in two notable ways. Firstly, in that it was often said to be never-ending and secondly, in that it had no real name but was referred to as Wyrmwood, due to it not being the only forest of such nature within the realms. Our stranger sat alone, ill equipped it would seem against the weather but somehow undaunted by the very real risk of exposure. His blanket remained rolled with his pack and there was very little of particular interest about this scene, save perhaps for the foreign sword that leaned upon a rotted (and consequently of no use in a fire) log, but a few feet away.

People rarely travelled the Wyrmwoods but should any be as daring, or as defiant as this particular person, his fire might at least be enough to help them find their way in the deep night.

[Eden]

The scrape on her knee stung and burned, as did the one on her palm. There were thorns caught in her cloak and she could feel one in her sleeve, occasionally scratching at her arm. Something in her pack dug into her spine as she leaned against one of the countless old trees, the list of complaints just as unending as the forest.

The fire light had drawn her in like a moth, the promise of warmth and some comfort. She'd been in the forest for at least three days, walking straight as she could after being told it was the quickest way to the next settlement rather than following the road. Clearly, she'd either been walking in circles or the villages in the tavern had simply lied to her for their own amusement.

All she'd wanted was to travel a bit, see the world rather than be stuck within the port city that was her home. Traveling by ship would have been easier she imagined, though quickly threw that thought from her mind as she pushed away from the tree and began to move forward towards the light once more. The nausea from sitting in her father's fishing boat had been more than enough to put her off ever journeying by sea.

[Kiga]

The stranger by the fire (who doesn't have a name yet, as I haven't thought to think upon a name) was clearly visible should anyone venture close enough to see through the trees, the forest momentarily giving way upon a modest glen. But a sliver of moonlight struck through the canopy but did little to illuminate and instead, it was the struggling fire that painted him a notable silhouette but lent him no features.

He tugged the woollen blanket tighter about his shoulders and prodded at the fire with the stick he had been whittling, before tossing it with a grunt of dissatisfaction to he flames. Sparks broke free and spiralled quickly skyward and his gaze followed them, before he sighed and rocked his shoulders against his pack, looking to find some comfort.

All else was still.

[Eden]

Hesitating slightly at the sight of the dark figure, Eden slowed her footsteps and tried her best to be a little quieter, though the limp she harbored made that almost impossible. She could see the glint of the blade that rested near by, but no bow, and unless he had daggers hidden behind his blanket, she was pretty sure she could run if necessary.

Breathing deep, she stepped out from the trees and into the small clearing, tentative steps taking her closer to the fire. The warmth on her face and hands was a welcome reprieve, though she refused to relax just yet.

H-hello... May I join you? At least for a few moments? If you prefer I leave, would you be able to point me in the direction to the nearest road? I was supposed to be taking a shortcut and I'm pretty sure I've gotten myself terribly lost.

The girl was babbling, a stream of words as her hands went out towards the fire, her fingers shaking and a deep pink from the cold. Now she had stopped moving, her joints and feet sent a new wave of aches and pains through her, urging her to drop her pack to the ground.

[Grayell]

"She's injured." comes a voice in an almost hushed tone, followed by the stranger in reply.

"Aye, so she is."

The man makes no move, he remains with his hands folded behind his head and one leg lazily draped over the other, but he does at least shift his head to look upon the newcomer. He studies her for a moment with an expression that suggests he isn't at all alarmed or at least, isn't showing as much. He then looks back to the pitiful excuse for a fire.

"There's little warmth afforded by my fire, but you're many miles from what might pass for a road. Help yourself."

"That's reckless, you don't trust her?" came the other voice again, certainly not from the man who just spoke.

"I trust no one, Iago. Hush."

The apparently disembodied voice seems at least compliant, as it says nothing more. The stranger seems unbothered by the intrusion and again, looks to the stars, though they're not at all visible through the clouds beyond the treetops.

[Eden]

Her eyes darted around the camp, looking for the owner of the second voice, suddenly a lot more on edge. The man made no move and while she continued to look around and behind him, she lowered slowly to ground, sliding her pack from her shoulder.

There's more than what's to be found out there, so I thank you.

While she wanted to kneel by the fire to allow herself a quick get away if needed, the pain that shot through her knee as her weight pressed on it forced her to sit with her legs outstretched. Turning her towards her pack, she listened for that other voice, trying to make out the direction it came from as she reached for the almost empty water skin,using a few drops to clear some of the dirt from her knee. Through the torn fabric of her breeches, she could see the bruise was ugly, but it would be fine, just hurt like hell.

With that seen to at least, her attention was drawn back to the fire, small as it was. She could already feel the tips of her fingers again and she flexed and curled them to encourage the blood flow just as she wiggled her toes within her boots to do the same. The arrogance and confidence of youth had left her without everything she'd needed for her adventures, excitement caused her to rush her planning, and now it left her here, aching and sat by a fire with a strange man and his seemingly invisible friend.

This was the sort of thing parents warned their children about, surely.


I don't know how far I've traveled, I just kept walking, hoping to find my way out. A silly notion... But you don't seem to be lost out here like myself, you and your... friend.

[Grayell]

"Iago knows the way. In a manner of speaking."

The stranger rolled his head toward her and managed a smile. It didn't convey happiness but instead was more cordial, an effort to put her at ease. It surely wasn't enough.

"My name is Connor. Well met. Your knee, is it bad?"

He'd turned his attention to her nursing her injury but made no other effort otherwise. Connor would appear all too comfortable with meeting strange company in a strange place but to him, it were smarter to retain his composure. He didn't know what this newcomer were capable of, nor what her intentions were.

Lost in the Wyrmwood was a plausible enough excuse. Having found him though, that was somewhat unusual.

[Dionne]

The voices, even though quiet, was more than enough to startle the huntress. Gripping her bow tight, she hid to consider her options.


The last few days since she arrived were not as fruitful as Dionne has hoped. Having heard tales about a vast forest, she figured it'd be enough to make by on her own - yet the wildlife was smarter than she was it would seem. With not a single catch and her supplies running low, maybe these strangers could, if nothing else, provide her with information about this land.

Notching an arrow, she kept her bow down - Dionne has learned that being prepared is a requirement at times, but did not want to appear an aggressor. As she slowly made her way towards the origin of the conversation, seeing the fire reminded her of the chill within the forest. Having tightened the leather she was wearing, Dionne considered holding her fur cloak closer - not letting it go with the wind. Yet just as the wind the thought was a fleeing one as the stance of the stance of the strangers she did not know.

She walked closer, head held high. Should they be hostile, having at least a demeanour of confidence would've been helpful.


May I join you? I'm looking for..information for a lack of better term about this place. Not quite what I've expected.


Dionne kept her distance, making sure to not come across in an intimidating manner, but close enough so that they could see her in the open. 

[Eden]

My name is Eden, the knee isn't as bad as it looks, I'll be fine. And that's... Reassuring. Where exactly is your fr-

The rustle and woman coming into view cut her off, her eyes widening. In what had to be three days, this Connor was the first person she had seen, or even found a trace of, and while this woman seemed to be pretty good at being quiet, to be in close enough proximity to find them, there would have been some sign. Though this forest seemed strangely unearthly at times, never-ending and extremely disorientating as she'd had the misfortune to find out.

The hold on the bow hadn't gone unnoticed either, with how on edge she already was, Eden realized how quick she was to reach for the dagger under her cloak. While she didn't draw it, her hand stayed where it was and her gaze flicked briefly towards Connor to go with the slight nod in his direction.

Umm, I don't mind, though it's his campfire... And I doubt I'd be any help. I think I've been going in circles.

[Grayell]

(I should have replied sooner, but today was housechores day!)

The appearance of a second (and apparently more tightly wound) stranger immediately struck Connor as unusual. He hadn't encountered another person this last few days and to suddenly have them sprouting from the brush seemed all too... unlikely. More than that, that arrow could loose much too quickly and in such little distance, he was immediately uncomfortable. Not that he blamed anyone for being cautious in such hostile surrounds and in the company of strangers. He shifted to squat by the fire now, side on the newcomer and across from Eden.

"By all means, there's little in the way of campsites in these woods." Connor managed a cursory smile and gestured with his hand as though offering a chair.

"I don't have much in the way of information. But I do have some tea." He looked to them in turn then, with earnest curiosity.

"If you're both partial to tea. It might help ward off the cold, at least for a time. This is Eden. My name is Connor."

[Dionne]

A warm drink would be nice, shame there isn't anything stronger about.

Dionne put the arrow back into the quiver. The two didn't seem hostile despite the surroundings, the last thing she wanted is to come off as such. Walking forward. she knelt by the fire - a welcoming change from the icy winds.

Dionne. What brings you two into this...strange to say the least forest? I can only hope the lack of game is due to bad luck on my part and not real lack of wildlife.

She was going to be clear with her intentions. She needed information and these two seemed like the best bet - trusting them was not something she felt she had a decision in at this point.

[Eden]

Eden looked back and forth between the pair of strangers, still slightly shocked that she had found one, let alone been found by another. Apart from insects and bird song, she hadn't seen so much as a squirrel running up a tree, though she hadn't exactly tried to be quiet, stomping through the leaf litter. She assumed that she had scared anything away long before her eyes could catch it.

If it wasn't for the birds, I wouldn't have known whether it was night or day some times, the trees are so thick in places, and I've seen neither hide nor hair of anything resembling game. I'm sorry, I'm not much help at all.

Despite still being a little miffed by the lack of form to go with the voice of Igor, the girl started to calm and settle. With weapons put away and her mind off the aches, she could feel her stomach start to protest, reaching for her bag and digging through it before her company would hear it as well.

[Connor]

Connor made busy with rummaging through his pack, then tending to the pot upon the fire, he had a well-worn brew kit containing his favourites concoctions, having cultivated them after much experimentation in such camp sites as this one - sometimes with more company, sometimes with less.

"I'm on an errand to return Iago to his owner. He seems to know the way, though I can't say I'm altogether convinced."

"I assure you I know where I am going." came the voice upon the air, as though an unseen person occupied the same space. Connor glanced across his shoulder with a dismissing look and then continued the conversation with the newcomers.

"Pay him no mind. You two surely have business of your own, the Wyrmwood is unsuitable for sight-seeing and hunting alike. It's also much too dangerous to venture alone, most of all at night. Are the three of us surely lost, but chance has us yet find one another?"

If there was a hint of suspicion or suggestion in his words, it was quite deliberate. Chance was a cruel bitch but remained the lesser sister of hidden intent. He had no desire to insult either of them but rather, to voice what all three of them must surely be thinking.

[Dionne]

The second voice startled her a little bit and Dionne made very little to hide it. 

Chance or not, we're here that's for sure. Hunting was my purpose but if that's out of the question then I guess I am indeed lost.

Learning that the information she gathered was so inaccurate made her wary. Hunting was her escape and a hobby, something she was not very willing to give up on - even if temporarily. After a second or so of thought she added;

Say then, is there anything but danger in a land like this?