Taking note of the prints, she set off in that same direction, treading carefully, as to not create her own set of prints; she needed to be wary of any enemies nearby, or if she was following one herself...
Things in the forest seemed relatively quiet, at the corner of her eye Tallia could spot smaller critter also eyeing her from their tree homes and under the brush. As she continued her pace, she could make out the little camp clearer and clearer. It was indeed a small fire, but Quick was still no where to be seen.
She was beginning to approach the outer perimeter of this new camp and could just barely make out a lone figure sitting next to the fire; she wasn't noticed yet.
Tallia "There are some things... that we all can't escape from..."
Although she wasn't able to determine whether the figure was friend or foe, she decided to approach anyway. If things got bad, she could always run; she had the darkness to her advantage. She stepped slowly enough for one to be alert, but no more than to be suspicious.
There was a man sitting there on top of a fallen tree, with a grey beard and mane like hair. His eyes glowed with the fire as if tempering their steely look about them. He was a broad shouldered man who seemed to have great strength in his upper body. The stranger wore a black cloak with steel plate covering his body and just under the garment Tallia could see the hilts of two swords.
He barely looked up when Tallia approached and still didn't bother to give a glance when she introduced herself. The man stoked his fire briefly before finally looking at her.
"Be gone, I wish to be left in peace. Unless you're here to mug me in which case I'll add that you're doing it poorly."
His voice was slightly low and gruff and he spoke rather bluntly as if he found Tallia insignificant.
He was rather well equipped to be a simple camper or traveler.
Last Edit: Feb 10, 2012 4:24:11 GMT -5 by Serenity
Tallia "There are some things... that we all can't escape from..."
The man seemed to hold a growl before checking his fire again. He seemed to be contemplating his problem for a moment before speaking up again.
"You're the first to run across my camp, and I don't know these lands well enough to help you. There is a road East of here, you can follow that to your heart's desire. I'm sure it'll lead you to someplace." he said again rather plainly.
A sigh escaped the stranger as he looked back at his fire, almost as if he regretted his tone of voice. Though that's unlikely. He rubbed his tired eyes and spoke up again, this time a bit more calmly.
"Who is this man you're looking for, your lover?"
Tallia "There are some things... that we all can't escape from..."
While the thought of considering Quick a lover lit her face up, she was determined to let the man know that was not the situation.
"N... no... he's...."
She had to stop herself for a second. Who exactly was this man...? She didn't know a thing about him, aside from his orphan mercenary status and his metal magic.
"...h-he's... a b-business... associate... If... if you h-haven't... s... seen him... th... then.... where...?"
He... didn't just leave her... did he...? Tallia brought a hand to her chin, as she became consumed with even more worry. She wanted to stay and chat with the man a bit more, but, as he clearly indicated, he would like to be alone right now.
"Um... t... thank you... f-for your help... kind sir... a-and.... s...sorry again for... bothering you..."
Giving a bow to the man, she started in the direction of the road he had pointed out, moving slowly, still absorbed in thought.
"Wait, don't go North of the road. If you do you will encounter a large caravan with many armed men. If you must go that way then be sure to let them know that Regis Howle let you through. You look petty enough to be a thief." he snorted that part out, almost sounding like a laugh."
He seemed to mutter something under his breath but Tallia couldn't catch it as she walked away.
Tallia "There are some things... that we all can't escape from..."
Her ears twitched in annoyance, not being able to pick up what Regis had said. But... that caravan... could it be...? This was going to be the only lead she'll get; she was running on a schedule, and didn't have the time to search in the dark for hours for a man that may or may not be anywhere close by. Turning back around quickly to issue another bow to Regis, she continued upon her path up the road, seeking answers...
As Tallia walked away from the camp, a cloud was forming at her feet, a darkness she couldn't comprehend. Suddenly this blackness clouded even her night vision and she began to move at it's mercy. A strange sensation fell over her as if she was being consumed and before she could panic for more than a second it was over.
"You still lost lass?" said Regis.
Tallia somehow found her way back to Regis camp, on the other end where she walked in before even.
Tallia "There are some things... that we all can't escape from..."
Regis raised an eyebrow, "I saw nothing, I figured you just got turned around, lass. Happens to those who get lost easily or have no sense in direction." his tact was beginning to show.
"When's the last time you slept? You might just be tired."
Regis had continued to play with his fire after he tossed another few sticks in.
"Your man, your 'business' partner," he said it as though he didn't quite buy Tallia's explanation before, "Is he a fighter that one? Doesn't seem to be anything particularly dangerous in these woods, besides myself of course." he chuckled with his little self praise.
Tallia "There are some things... that we all can't escape from..."
She now had Regis' full attention. Earlier she mentioned that she was looking for her 'business partner' and now admits that he's a mercenary, out here in these barren woods with nothing remotely interesting that he knew of, other than the train filled with a family's treasury.
He stood up, "Is that to say that you're a mercenary then lassy?"
Not a second sooner, the swords erupted from their sheaths, and not by Regis' own hands. Like arrows they shot forth so fast that if Tallia had blinked she would have been skewered....if these were intended to kill.
The blades crossed each other as they struck the ground in front of Tallia, "And I know something about metal magic, now why don't you tell ol' Regis Howle what mercenaries would be doing in these woods?"
Last Edit: Feb 10, 2012 19:41:17 GMT -5 by Serenity
Tallia "There are some things... that we all can't escape from..."
So much for honesty being the best policy... She expected him to do something, but she didn't expect it to be so... sudden. Looking down at the blades in front of her feet, then looking back to Regis, she had to say something... Either that, or run, but that would only cause even more trouble than it's worth...
"A... ah... um... S-Sir R-Regis... w-w-we w-were... m-m... making our w-way... th... through... I... I-If there's... any... t-t-trouble... I... I am sure... w-we can... w-w-work it out... C-could you... p-please...?"
Her hands pointed shakily at the swords in front of her. She wasn't looking for a fight, but she wasn't sure if he was in a talking mood right now...