BonFire

[Nandon]

William nodded and handed her the bow, now that his adrenaline had warn off he felt even more so now the urge to sleep, so lay down on the soft grass that was in-front of the assassin, now if he tried to escape he would have to step directly over the knight. And william then realized, if he tried to escape again. He would not get off as easily as he had the last time.

[ᗩпїra]

Naomi nodded, gently digging her ankles into the side of Windkissed who immediately set off again. She quickened the pace by a lot, her side aching not only from the damage under the skin, but with the sharp pang of hunger from not having eaten since yesterday. She strung her bow, gently bouncing along the back of Windkissed who continued forward at a steady pace. They'd hunt all day if they had to, Naomi was just looking for something to make a decent meal for herself and for William. A deer would be nice, yes?

After a few short hours of strolling through the woods, she had acquired quite a few rabbits with clean shots through the head, one squirrel who had me caught eating quietly to himself, and one type of bird that she had yet to know the species of. It was a decent catch, but she was still determined to acquire a deer.

Aha, there she was! The doe, grazing quietly in a meadow clearing surrounded by thick woods. Naomi drew back the string and arrow, opening both eyes and focusing on her target intently. Her lips faintly touched the smooth string, three, two, one, release. The arrow seemed to fly in slow motion, slowly, slowly, bam! Head shot, and victory.

Naomi set to cleaning the deer, taking the meat and stuffing it into a rucksack while taking the hide to salt and dry to trade with once they reached the nearby town. She mounted Windkissed, grasping onto the rucksack before quietly turning her steed towards the direction their new camp was. Naomi stopped along the way to wash her hands, cleaning the meat out and even taking some inside of the rucksack itself to be used for a stew.

By the time she got back, the sun was already setting. "Will, I'm back." She murmured softly, seeing him sleeping intently beside the crushed attacker. Naomi decided not to wake him, quietly gathering the pots and pans from a supply bag they managed to bring along and set to cooking part of the deer meat she had succeeded in getting. She owed him one.

[Nandon]

William was fast asleep when she returned. But he awoke when he received the smell of food cooking in his nostrils. He woke up and saw the assassin still slumped against the tree held up only by the ropes. Then looking over to the fire he now noticed he saw Naomi cooking, this was a very strange occurrence, Even though they could both cook, It fell to William to cook most times, mainly because he loved doing it.

He sniffed the air and smelled dear meat “Your cooking?” He asked surprised. That’s when his face turned to a slight cringe, he looked down at his knuckles and realized they where bloodied and torn from where his skin had been hitting bone repeatedly. Both his fists where messed up but it mainly fell to his right hand since that was where the strongest punches had come from.

He thought back for a moment and remembered his late guardians words of him being a bear and dimly he realized it was true. Then looking up once more he spoke “Would you like to use some of my spices?”

[ᗩпїra]

"Yes, since you deserve the sleep. You can take over from here though, it's just been softening up for about an hour, getting rid any excess fat and such." Naomi knew how to cook quite well, though she preferred her brother's cooking over her own, since he seemed to always enjoy himself while doing it and usually found an array of spices that worked well together. If he hadn't become a knight, he would have made a great chef, though Naomi knew that neither of them would settle for such a plain job.

Naomi arose from her seat, gesturing towards it and resuming his place near the intruder. She studied his beaten and worn face with a slight smile. You got what you deserved. Her thoughts were left to wander, watching Windkissed and Nighthood graze in the haze of the sunset, what a beautiful sight it was. The two brothers were never separated, unlike most foals that'd be taken away from each other and go different ways when sold to various owners.

I owe you a carrot when we reach the town, more like a hundred but you'll have to settle for one for now.

[Nandon]

William moved forward quickly, moving off towards the stream for a moment to wash his hands before moving back, she had already started frying the deer meat so he figured he would continue that. He moved over to knighthoods saddle and grabbed several potatoes and a stick of butter, only a couple days old, and some salt and pepper. He placed the potatoes inside the fire towards the edge letting the coals broil them in their jackets.

Then moving to the deer meat he grabbed some spices from his kit and tossed that onto each side of the meat. Then flipping it a couple times he turned to Naomi. “I’m sorry…” he muttered, “I shouldn’t have taken my eyes off of him and now you are hurt.” He said his voice showing tender care.

[ᗩпїra]

"Nonsense! You were worn out, tired, and I didn't get hurt that bad, did I?" Naomi leaned back, resting her head on the soft moist ground to watch the stars overhead. The moon resembled a cat's claw, lithe and thin yet pointy and sharp. She stargazed for a while, pointing out various constellations and keeping an eye out for shooting stars. Most were quite common, it was just having the sharp eyes to spot them through the gloom. Naomi gave up after about twenty minutes, staring expectantly at the stew that simmered with a delicious smell.

"I owe you one though, taking him on like you did. Probably would have bled out without knowing, faint, and then be a soul victim to him. Could have been held as ransom even, or plain killed." Naomi sat up, cringing slightly at the irritated scream of her muscles. "Do you think we'll find this family that wanted us dead, and why do you think they did it in the first place?"

[Nandon]

William looked at the deer and then at the potatoes. Both where now done and he grabbed at a couple plates. Dolling out helpings, the larger helping he gave to naomi knowing she needed her strength. Then he gave himself a lesser portion. Then buttering the potatoes he poured salt and peper onto it and handed a couple to naomi.

Then sitting back he shrugged before answering her question. "I dont know....by now word will have spread that we didnt die in the fire....But they may have wanted us dead because we are such a large suporter of the varden...."Willaim said shrugging slightly

[ᗩпїra]

Naomi shrugged, taking the place with a slight nod of thanks before leaning back down heavily against the same pine the assassin was scrunched up against. It didn't seem like he'd move anytime soon, probably in a coma or still knocked out from the harsh beating he received. Naomi took a bite of the deer stew, savoring the array of flavors in quiet contemplation. The potatoes were just as wonderful, and she left her plate of leftovers near the assassin out of the kindness of her heart. Just because he tried to kill her, didn't mean she wouldn't show any less sympathy. Besides, it looked like he suffered worse than she herself did.

"We are large supporters, that is true, but it's a silly reason really. There has to be a vast explanation, but I guess everything will fall into place when we arrive to pay them a visit." Naomi scanned the ground, picking up a tiny pebble and weighing it on the palm of her hand. She gripped into her flow of magic, sending it through and acknowledging the fact that she wanted the pebble to rise. No movement, though a slight shimmer was visible. Naomi tried once more, managing to hold it in the air for almost a minute before it dropped back into her palm.

"I feel so powerless not knowing magic that well." She murmured, casting a glance at William who still sat at the stump besides the crackling fire.

[Nandon]

William ate his own food looking up as his sister spoke, he nodded agreeing to her point then sighed a bit as he watched the pebble rise into the air, it wasn’t fair. Simple folk like him and Naomi would always be pushed around by people who had magic.

“It isn’t fair!” William said with a bit to much more force than he had intended. He paused before continuing. “I mean, No matter how hard you or I work to be stronger physically it wont matter! I mean what does brawns matter if a little wizard can muter a word and hold you in place.” William gripped at the sword, still in its sheath, that lay on his lap, gripping the hilt with force causing the newly formed scabs to crack, Sending fresh blood trickling down his hands.

A moan came from behind them as the assassin woke up to both the smell of good food, And the pain now coursing through his entire body. He looked down slightly at the woman at his feet, noticing the plate of food he dimly wondered if he could even eat it now.

[ᗩпїra]

"That's true. We'd always be one step behind, fighting our way through an army until we come across a magician or just mutters word and we're gone, or knocked out, held in place, binding, or whatever else they can do." She mumbled quietly, clenching the peddle with an enclosed fist before tossing it off to the edge of the camp without a second glance. "I don't get it really, it's unfair, yet it'd seem fair the other way around wouldn't it?" Knowing more magic would be more than useful, or maybe even becoming a Rider.

I shouldn't think like that. Being a Rider takes skill, she wasn't much more than a tiny speck in a world full of giants. A Rider would also have to be specially chosen, though she knew little about it. Maybe the egg itself chose, or the parents of the egg? Eh, too little information to guess.

A dragon wouldn't ever pick her, and dragon eggs didn't happen to pop up often. She scratched that off the list, and practicing magic could be down over time. The two weren't much use to the Varden except for financial matters. It really isn't fair.

[Nandon]

William gripped the sword tighter as he grew angrier at the situation. He quickly stepped up, not wanting to explode in a fit of anger in front of his sister. “I shall return in a moment…” he muttered through slightly gritted teeth. As soon as he was out of sight he punched a tree, leaving a bruise in the wood and even shaking it, causing several leaves to fall down. He moved further away from the camp till he stood near a river, he looked down into the clear water seeing his reflection.

For a moment he recalled the moment in his youth where he had met the bear, “He never mentioned I would be constantly frustrated as I tried to protect my family, only to be thwarted by more and more dangerous weapons…” William muttered kicking at a slightly large rock, then muttering a curse when he felt the rock being more firmly in the ground than he thought.

Kneeling down William grabbed a bit of water from the stream and splashed it on his face. The cool water helped chill his temper and he began to think a bit more rationally.

[ᗩпїra]

She grinned softly, amused slightly at her brother's protective and minor anger issues. Not issues really, just his inspiration of being a bear. The two protected each other, balanced one another like Yin and Yang, though William might do a lot of the protective part. Naomi was quite better at the mental part, calming him down when needed and even getting a laugh out of him when times were swell. It's been a while since they've been out on the road, always being near their home.

We have no home now, nowhere to stay or live. What happens after we pay the family our "visit"? The questions burned in her memory, sorting them out precariously. We could easily rent one for a while, or we could just continue on our adventures. Naomi would be more than happy to continue onward, being stabbed the most exciting thing that's happened to her in a while.

Windkissed trotted up to the camp, rocking his neck back and worth before settling down near the fire. It wouldn't be safe to sleep like regular horses out in the wilderness, especially with bears, wolves, and other creatures lurking about. Another thing that had been added in her training, and a slight smile broke the edge of her lips as pride for Windkissed overcame her.

[Nandon]

William took a couple more moments to calm down then he returned to the campsite, noting that as the darkness grew, knighthood had drawn closer to the camp. He smiled at the horse and received a whinny in response. Then he crossed across the campfire to the tree that held their prisoner.

The assassin watched as the young knight that had utterly destroyed his face, and torso approached. His eyes showed nothing but by body language he guessed he was calm, though after the last out burst and the last fight he had been in with the knight. He was not eager to lie to him and deal with that temper now.

“I’ll tell you wha’eva. Ya want kno’.” The assassin muttered defeated, his words slurring slightly from the pain.

William nodded satisfied. “Good.” He said simply. His eyes portrayed no approval though, still the cold silent, Steely gaze he had always received, other than the look of blinding fury and rage when he had failed to assassinate the Knights sister.

“Now. Who sent you, and Why.” William said in a neutral voice that the assassin knew could change in a moment.

“I wa sen by the Duncan family.” The assassin muttered. And Williams eyes flashed angry and he punched the tree that lay inches from the mans head.

“Don’t lie to me…” William growled

[ᗩпїra]

Naomi watched on silently from her little perch on the side, glancing over precariously before closing her eyes once more. A soft sigh broke from her lips, a serene wave flushing over her as she ignored the conversation and focused on the dead of nighttime. It seemed much easier to relax out in the depths of the large forest, though it was quite loud with the multitudes of noises from all around. The noises were like a loud lullaby at the same time, the crickets chirping, the hooting of the nearby owl, and the silent howl of wolves in the distance.

No predators would approach the fire, unless they were starving of course. Only a bold one at that. Naomi would wait out her shift for the night, listening to the sounds intently around her. She turned her attention to the conversation, speaking gently against the haze of wind,"Speak the words in the Ancient Language." It'd be the only way to ensure that the assassin was speaking the truth, no one could lie in the language.

She crossed her arms over her stomach, feeling the patch of torn cloth and soft skin where the stab had been. Not so much as a sign, though the throb was still occurring. Too bad you couldn't heal that inside and take away the pain with the same spell, it'd make everything so much easier.

[Nandon]

The assassin gulped before repeating the phrase in the ancient language. Then he finished what he had been saying.

“tha king sen me to hel dem.” The assassin said in the ancient language. Scared by Williams quick flash of anger.

Sighing William turned away, his back towards the assassin he whirled around quickly, his fist smashing into the assassins jaw, sending him into unconsciousness once more.

“There, now we can talk and not worry about what he hears and if he gets free later.” William said looking back to his sister he moved over to his place across the fire.

“Now what do we do?”

[ᗩпїra]

"He's told us the truth, he's beaten pretty badly, and he's tied up. Maybe we should just leave him here, tied up? Unless you don't want to risk the chance." Naomi stated the facts, lining the up in her mind and considering each one evenly before narrowing out her choices one by one. She didn't really want to kill the assassin, because what if he had a family out there somewhere? Naomi traced little lines in the dirt, making a small map of the miles they had to go to reach the town where the family resided. A little math, subtracting, adding, comparing, and viola! Only to have it blown away by a strong gust of wind, Naomi huffing in response with an amused smile.

She sighed, glancing at the nearby moon with the stars reflecting in her gaze. "Let's decide in the morning. I'll keep watch."

[Nandon]

William nodded as he thought about what to do with the assassin, (( Another ranger apprentice idea…)) “I have a idea…but lets go over it in the morning.” He said smiling devilishly as he thought about his idea.

He then nodded yawning he walked over to the tent and fell asleep, yet not two hours later he was awoken by the same dream he had previously, though this one was non interrupted and he watched in great detail his parents death.

He stepped out of the tent silently, he noticed Naomi’s back was turned to him and he used this to his advantage, slipping away quietly, or at least the Knightly way of quietly which is basically breaking several tree branches and sounding like a wild animal. He made his way to the stream where he set himself down, before laying down fully. He looked up at the stars. Then he sighed.

[ᗩпїra]

Naomi glanced over her shoulder at the sharp snap of branches, shrugging it off as she thought it was just William out for a nightly stroll or a wild animal wandering through at the black of night. Her eyes watered quietly, a small yawn breaking from her lips as she tucked her legs into her chest and wrapped her arms around the bundle. It was an uneventful night, quite lonesome indeed. She had to do her part though, a tiny smile rising with her head teetering to the side to lean on the rough bark of the pine.

What would happen tomorrow? Naomi wasn't quite sure what could be done, but their childhood home was gone. Destroyed, by that fiend. A sharp pang of anger rippled through her, quickly being calmed when a sharp hoot of a nearby owl interrupted her thoughts. Whatever happens, we'll continue on like normal, or the best we can anyway.

[Nandon]

William returned a short time later and took over the watch from Naomi. He watched the assassin as he slept and grinned thinking about the morning.

As soon as Naomi stepped out of her tent William began untying the assassin, confident he would go nowhere.
“You may want to look away sister…” he urged before ordering the assassin to strip down to his under garments. Then, he wrapped it in a bundle and walked deep into the woods and tossed it into the river, soaking everything instantly.

When he returned he tied the assassin up again, though loosely this time sure that he could get away eventually. Then he began packing up the camp.

[ᗩпїra]

Naomi quietly closed her eyes without any protest, turned, and guided her way back to her own tent to gather her small amount of items.She strapped the bow across her back, stashing arrows into their holder that hung loosely around her shoulder. Naomi gripped at the hilt of her long sword, sheathing it quietly before a large splash rang in the air. Ah, so that's what he's doing. Smart plan, my brother. Her thoughts praised, taking a hold on a think blanket that she had strewn across the ground and adequately folding it up to store into her saddlebag near her tent.

She pushed back a strand of her blonde locks, emerald gaze flickering with a sunlight yellow as the light bounced off it into an array. For a few mere moments, it seemed like it was the true gem itself, stunning and shimmering. The clouds slowly ruined the creative second, covering the fiery sun.

"Almost ready."