Distant Wanderings

[Adiana Kieron Astraea]

A shudder ran down her spine as she heard the haunting calls of a wolf in the distance, no doubt such a forest as this did in fact have wolves... The spooky ones always seemed to, it was just an odd fact that found the young woman thinking about it. She was five feet, six inches tall with auburn hair running to the middle of her back and violet eyes which showed so much and yet so little. She wasn't the most beautiful woman ever to walk the planet, but she wasn't the ugliest either, in fact a bit far from it. Her build was solid but neither too large or too small, but quite the happy medium.

Behind her to some distance an owl hooted and she shuddered once more. It wasn't fear that caused these reactions for she didn't fear animals, sometimes she even believed she could understand them though that was a very rare thing... Except with her long lost companion whom she had known since said companion was about three months old. The very memory of the wolf caused a sad sigh to escape her lips. She had loved her friend, a jet black wolf with deep sapphire blue eyes that sometimes seemed purple. The wolf was named Serenity. The two seemed a perfect pair after all, both with quite the odd eye colorings. Yet it had been several months since Adiana had seen the wolf, her guardian. She shook her head, trying to shake away the memories. It was the past, she had to move on, had to live in the present. She couldn't afford sadness, she had to keep her wits about her lest she be captured and even killed for being a witch... Which was a new thing for her.

It was only recently that Adiana had realized she was a mage, her only problem was trying to control the sudden outbursts of magic that came from her when she least expected it. Hell, it was all she could to keep control over the power through meditation, and even then she had so much trouble controlling it... It only showed her inexperience. The girl groaned and looked around, starting to grow lonely and beginning to wish for someone to join her, anyone. Company would be so much better than the silence she was currently in, minus the night time sounds of the animals in the forest. Even as she waited for company, if it would come for that matter, her mind began to drift around first thinking of finding a teacher, then finding Serenity... then to wondering if the person who might possibly come to her would be friendly, or fear her 'witchery'... The only solution to that one, though, was to keep a very strong hold on her uncontrolled powers.

[Tyanno Dynam, Allaine mage]

Tyanno was heading back to his camp spot that he had made in the last few weeks of spending so much time out here in his journey of discovery. He had caught some fine quails and was going to start up a fire for his dinner to cook when he heard the foot falls of a passerby on the main path. Tyanno often stayed of the path just for the reason that he often did not want too much company in his self instituted solitude, but someone traveling this hour was either up to no good or lost. Either way, it was his duty as a future Allaine leader to investigate.

So he shouldered his catch and his bow and made his way silently towards the known path. He knew his way well through these woods, both from his travels with Alezand and in his self training out here in the last few weeks. He soon came up on the dirt road enclosed by the thick canopy and was a few yards ahead of his target, which is where he wanted to be. He stood silently as the wanderer came closer and closer. A few strained moon beams cut through tiny weaknesses in the ceiling of the forest and the suspect person stepped into one for a moment, just enough to take Tyanno's breath away.

It was a young woman, and a rather attractive one at that, though very much obviously frightened. He stepped out of the thicket and stood in a shard of light so he could be properly identified. "Young lady, you should not travel here at this hour all alone. Plus you must be tired and cold. Come, I , Tyanno Dynam, shall share my campfire with you. And I shall escort you to wherever you wish to go come the morn. I mean you no harm, I am a guardian of these lands." He bowed in his introduction and held out a hand in obvious generosity. He could not, however, take his eyes off of her uncanny hair and eyes. Enraptured he was, so slightly enraptured by this newcomer...

[Adiana Kieron Astraea]

How old is Tyanno? Oo

So deep in her own mind's wonderings that she didn't even sense the man, nor see him when he came out of the darkness. She wasn't afraid of him but his sudden appearance did startle her and she lost control of her magic, sending a small spark to fall onto the ground before her. She let out a cry of annoyance before stomping out the small flame that was growing. "Damn it," she whispered under her breath before looking up at the man before her. Immediately, she knew him for a mage simply by the way his aura felt. That was about the only thing she could do too where her magic was concerned.

Adiana eyed him carefully and a bit warily at first as she didn't trust others that well. He was taller than she was, though that wasn't too much of a surprise, and had medium brown hair and blue eyes. She cocked her head ever so slightly, blue eyes weren't rare but they weren't that common either. She took in his build as well, solid and perhaps even strong. After she had finished looking at him, she tilted her head up to meet his gaze steadily and listened to his words. A slight smile began to form across her lips. He seemed nice enough, though a little quick to jump to conclusions, and perhaps even a bit attractive as well. An owl hooted behind her and she glanced up at the tree before looking back at the man.

After a few more seconds she spoke in a soft voice of soothing alto tones that may prove a nice voice if she sang, "I thank you for this generous offer, Tyanno. I am Adiana Kieron Astraea and I accept your offer. Though, to be quite honest, I do not know where it is I want to go, but perhaps you can help me figure that out as well." She had applied a very slight roll on the 'Rs' of her name, giving it a more exotic and pretty sound. When she had finished speaking, she gave him a warm smile before taking the offered hand. It was all she could to keep the sardonic smirk from forming across her lips as she watched him stare at her so intensely. At least she could control her emotions and facial expressions if not her magic, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't keep the slightly humorous and mischievous glint from her violet eyes.

[Tyanno Dynam, Allaine mage]

(OCC: 20-21, but it is negotiable, as his age isn't really set just yet.)
Tyanno led her through the thick brush, careful to avoid the patches of brambles. "You have a pretty name. Where are you from, you don't mind me asking?" He inquired as they approached his rather large camp. A circle of stones outlined the proposed place of the fire. A few lines were strung between the trees to create places to hung things, including a tent. The trees themselves formed a sort of enclave, sheltering the place and providing concealment, but not so much that one could not look out of it to watch for intruders. A bundle of hand crafted and well made arrows stood to the right of the tent. A large ruck sack sat near the other side of the tent, from which tools, pots and preserved food stores could be seen poking out from it.

"Do not worry I have plenty of food and materials for another tent and spare blankets. My partner is a well trained warrior and has taught me much about coming prepared during excursions to the field." He commented as they entered the place. There were two blanket covered logs around the fireplace. "Please make yourself at home."...

[Adiana Kieron Astraea]

She allowed herself to be led by the young man and grinned slightly at his compliment. "Thank you..." she said a bit shyly. Then his next question caused her to frown. She wasn't really sure so she sighed and said, "To be quite honest... I don't really know. My family, we moved so much before they were killed three years back... After that I kind of just wandered from place to place with my companion... Until something happened to her too. I've been looking for her since we got separated."

She was referring to Serenity, but Tyanno wouldn't know that, and she wondered if he would ask about it. She sighed again in slight sadness before she set eyes on the camp. It was fairly large for one person though that was fine with her so long as there was no one here who was willing to harm her in anyway, not that she would let them do so easily. She glanced over at the tent and then back to Tyanno as he spoke. Adiana found some relief in the fact that he had spoken of having supplies enough for another tent, that put her slightly more at ease because then that didn't put her in the precarious predicament of having to share a tent with him, or sleeping out in the cold.

Adiana approached one of the logs and sat in front of the fire. She closed her eyes and let a slight smile cross her lips. It was comforting to be near something so warm. Then she opened her eyes and looked at the surroundings of the camp. She did admire his choice of places to choose for a camp, it was quite secluded but not too much. She nodded her head in approval, after all she had learned quite a bit of wood-lore not only from Serenity, but also from her father who was a hunter. Violet eyes then turned to Tyanno and she smiled warmly once more, "I thank you, again, Tyanno for your generosity. It is much appreciated."

[Tyanno Dynam, Allaine mage]

(How old is Adiana? and why were you curious as to Tyanno's age?)

He smiled in return and began rummaging through the ruck, pulling out various utensils and pots and pans. He set them by the fire ad dragged over a rack to which place the cookware over the flame. He carved up the quail on a stump, reaching into his bag once again and coming up with a fistful of rub seasoning. After flavoring the meat, he set to the pan to sear and began to unwrap potatoes and corn. The potatoes went in one pot as the corn another and both were set boiling with water from a large canteen made of cow hide.

The camp soon filled with the scent of good food. "I'm sorry to hear about your parents. My father died when I was young too. Never knew my mother. My partner is the only family I have. He's looked after me for years now. Maybe you will get to meet him when we reach town. I would take you to see Avaren, for it is a grand city. But at the moment, it isn't safe for mages. A religious zealot has taken control of the city, and claims us to be devil miscreants. We are all condemned and arrested on sight. So I will take you the mage city. Its a little farther, but we can make it. So what brings you this way, especially at this hour?" He asked as he added some red wine to the simmering meat.

[Adiana Kieron Astraea]

(Oh... she's 16. I was just curious, I like knowing the ages of the chars I RP with... it kind of makes it easier for me to imagine stuff. btw my brother was in Iraq. Have you been there before?)

Adiana closed her eyes and let out a heavy sigh, it was nice to be near a fire again. She really didn't know how to make them, much less survive too well without Serenity by her side. The she-wolf caught food for her, and Adiana made a fire with flint and steel, the only problem was that she lost her flint and hadn't been able to find another. With the sound of pots, pans, and utensils being clanged together, Adiana opened her eyes and watched Tyanno prepare the meal. The scent of spices reached her nose and she felt her mouth water and stomach rumble. It was then she realized just how hungry she was.

She winced slightly at the empty pang in her stomach which only increased as the scent of cooking quail filled her nostrils. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent deeply, savoring that smell and hoping the bird tasted just as good as it smelled. Tyanno's voice broke through her thoughts and she opened her eyes. "Hm? Oh... It's alright... I was thirteen when it happened... I've had three years to deal with it. I do miss them though." She then frowned as he spoke to her a bit of his own past. "Yeah... I know how you feel, except I did know my mother though... So I guess I don't know entirely how you feel," her voice was both sympathetic and understanding but her own sadness was quickly forgotten when he began speaking to her of what was going on in the city.

She gave a dark chuckle and spoke some what bitterly, "There's a surprise there. It seems religious zealots always seem to find evil in those who are different from them and their own beliefs. It's pathetic and childish. I can't stand it... To be honest that's what drove my family from the last place we stayed at, unfortunately they got killed but I survived... Sometimes I believe I should have died with them..." Her voice trailed off for a few moments before she spoke again, "That sounds wonderful; I can't wait to see the mage city and the school! God knows I need the training. I can barely control my own magic. It's terrible."[/color]

[Shadow]

((so... is it still open?))
Shadow smiled. the smell of food had been drifting through the air,and Chao had originally noted it and gone off, without a word. Shadow, pausing to get a whiff of the enchanting smell, became curious. Who uses red wine to cook with when out on the road?I thought i was the only one who did that... hmmm.... ill investigate.. maybe Chao is there... Shadow, who had been walking along a scarce path already, turned off it and followed his sense of smell... right through an enormous spider web. Spluttering, he crashed through a layer of underbrush, trying to get the thick, sticky, fibers off his face. He stumbled into the clearing, finally getting the webbing off, tripping over something unseen, head almost landing in a glowing hot...bed of coals. Throwing out a quick magical shield, his head was stopped abruptly, hair just hanging inches above the flames.
Quickly righting himself, he looked at the two people who were sitting around the fire. one was a young girl, probably about 17 or 18, and the other was... "Tyanno! hey, how ya doin?" Holding up a finger, he inhaled through his nose. "are you using red wine to cook with? It smells amazing!" He walked back to the place he had thrown his pack when he tripped, grabbing at something in mid air. lowering his voice to a whisper, he chided the invisible dragon dog. "I could have just caught on fire you idiot!" there was a growl, and the invisible creature became visible with a flash of flames. relinquishing his grip with a yelp, shadow backed away. The creature, longer than a tiger, with a crest of flames running down his back, growled again, a puff of flame coming from his mouth. Shadow looked at it sternly. "allright... if you are gonna behave your self, I guess you can stay, as long as these two don't mind..." Turning back to Tyanno and his companion, Shadow shook his head exasperatedly. "Damn Dragon dogs, never listen..." there was a growl from behind him, and shadow chuckled. "OK, so they do listen, but i am besides myself. Whom, may i ask is your new friend? She looks new to the area."

[Tyanno Dynam, Allaine mage]

Tyanno was about to respond when the crashing and snapping of brush alerted him. In a moment, his bow was in his left hand and an icicle formed in his right. His control was growing, as it only took the adrenaline of being intruded to produce the shard with minimal concentration. But he still had a long way to go. Icicles, snowballs and jets of water weren't very much in the way of elemental power, and he was not much closer to being a arcane archer than he was a few weeks ago. But things took time, and he was desperate and patient, a deadly combo.

Tyanno was about to call out a challenge when a darkly robed but very familiar figure came launching out of the darkness and nearly broiled himself before Tyanno could react. Shadow saved himself though and after scolding his cherished, if not handful of a pet, greeted himself and remarked on both the food and the pretty young female accompanying him. "Adiana, allow me to introduce my clumsy yet powerful friend, Shadow. Shadow, this is Adiana, she was passing by on the path and I figured I give her a place to stay for the evening and then grant her safe passage to Aesir. What brings you out tonight, besides the smell of red wine reductions?" He said with amused grin on his face. Shadow was rapidly growing on the two Allaine knights. He had been in their various adventures ever since their return from the border skirmish. The first by accident, when they were all captured by Rianne and her guard, but he turned up again and again, a willing and welcome ally. He was a good soul, and maybe join their ranks when Alezand finally figured out how to bring the Order back. (brb, gotta PATIENT)

[Shadow]

Shadow bowed as he was introduced. "Well, it is good to meet you, Adiana." Sitting down next to the fire, he sighed. "well, I was searching for Reno, who had said that he'd be somewher ein the woods, as he wanted me to take him up to both the new city of Reaper and then to Aesir... but he isnt here, and even Chao can't feel him. But that's not a matter, and neither is the use of wine on the road. I just find it weird that there are other people who use wine on the road as an agent in thier cooking, as most people dont even do it in their homes." A she said this, Chao was looking intently at Adiana. he growled, and laid his head on his forepaws. Shadow looked at him for a moment, but shook his head. "ignore it." Turning to Adiana, he pulled back his hood. "so... Where are you from? Obviously you are a Mage, as Warriors dont generally know about or desire to go to Aesir."

[Adiana Kieron Astraea]

The sixteen year old looked at Tyanno and then jumped to her feet quickly, already forming a spell at the sound of crashing branches and what not. When she realized she didn't even know what she was doing she lost her concentration over the spell and a lightning bolt shot above the newcomers head. She cursed silently and then sat down again. "I really need to learn control..." she muttered to herself and shook her head. When Tyanno introduced her she smiled politely at the man known as Shadow and then looked quickly at the beast that showed up beside him.

Adiana didn't fear the animal, but she was curious by it. "A dragon dog?" she whispered softly before turning her attention back to the two men, though keeping her attention on the beast as she didn't know if he would attack her or not. Then Shadow spoke to her and she smiled and said, "Pleasure is mine, as well." Then he went off on what seemed to be a tangent to her since she didn't know what he was talking about and then looked at the dragon dog and frowned. It was growling at her and she cocked her head at it. Her parents had said she did have a gift with animals, though she wasn't sure if that applied to magical beasts. "Hush you... I won't hurt you or your human."

Adiana purposely referred to Shadow as the Chao's 'human' as she figured that beasts such as Chao appealed to flattery and belief that they did the owning and not the other way around. Then her violet gaze turned to Shadow once more as he spoke to her and a sheepish smile spread across her lips. "Well... to be honest... I only just realized I was a mage and I didn't even known such a place as the mage-city existed. I'm... relatively new to this part of the world, though not to these forests. I've been living in them for the past few weeks trying to find my own companion but I can't find her. Perhaps you might have seen her. She's a jet black wolf with the prettiest sapphire eyes you'd ever see. I really miss her... she's the only family I have left now..." Her voice trailed off as she found herself lost in thoughts once more. How she longed for Serenity to return!

[Tyanno Dynam, Allaine mage]

Tyanno nodded as he removed the cooked bird from the fire and gave it it's last preparations. "Perhaps we can help you in that venture, but for now, it is a time for rest and eating." He said as he handed a plate to Adiana and brought one over to Shadow after fetching and extra one for himself. He sat down on the log across from Adiana and began into his own meal, though mentally remarking the wavering color wash that her copper hair gave off in the firelight and flashing of her eyes in time to the flicker of the flame.

"I am one to know how it is to lose a companion along the way and long in the search for them. i have been there before..." He commented, his memories heading back to before he came to Avaren. That was well almost a year ago. Had they been here that long? And now one was the captain of a new villiage and the other was a student of powerful enchantment. A lot had happened in that year since Alezand and him had first set foot in the city. And how today he couldn't bring this enchanting visitor to the main city when a year ago, he was a new mage striding in the square in search of his companion.

"Do you still want to go to the Mage city?" He asked. Though he didn't think it wise for her to stay here alone in the woods whilst looking for her wolf, he would respect her wishes if she decided to remain, and he would probably stick around to make sure no one unpleasant happened upon her. Vidar's pet was rather restless when it came to catching mages and he wouldn't put it past her to search the forest. And insane one she was....

[Shadow]

Chao looked at Adiana and made a weird noise in his throat. Shadow turned around. "why are you laughing? she's only trying to be respectful." The Dragon dog grumbled, and Shadow nodded. "He says to tell you that he considers me a companion, not a pet or a master." He laughed. "and he says that he is house-trained and-" shadow was cut off by a growl from Chao, which produced a laugh from Shadow. "I'm only playing, and they probably are scared of you anyways." Chao grumbled, and shadow nodded. "Well, She might be, but Tyanno isn't." The dragon dog grumbled once more, stood up, and walked off, disappearing as he left the clearing. Running a hand through his hair, he nodded as Adiana then Tyanno spoke of losing comrades and friends. "I have lost, found, then lost again a few old friends, but they just faded after a while, probably something to do with my memory." accepting the plate from Tyanno, he laughed. "is this an invitation to dinner?" sitting down nonetheless, he sighed. "well, I must say. it looks and smells delicious. When Tyanno asked Adiana if she was still going to the Mage city, he inwardly laughed. She'd better be... that idolatry underling of Vidar's probably wouldn't skip searching the forest...

[Adiana Kieron Astraea]

She took the plate and nodded her thanks before digging in. She was starving, it had been a few days since she had last eaten, yet she some how managed to maintain a somewhat lady-like air when she ate. She didn't eat like a wolf and the very thought did cause a slight smile to cross her lips only to vanish once more. Her heart began to ache for her Serenity. She sighed and then looked up at Tyanno, her eyes locking with his for a few seconds before she looked back down at her food, thankful for the darkness and flickering of the fire that hid her slight blush.

She took in a deep breath and let it out in a wavering sigh, then she looked up once more as Tyanno spoke to her of his own loss in companions. Then her gaze flickered over to Shadow as he translated for Chao, a slight smile across her lips. "It is good to know that I am not alone in the losing of a close companion. But yes, if tonight Serenity does not come to me, then I will go to the mage city. She'll be fine without me, I just miss her terribly and her constant guidance," she spoke softly and passionately before taking a bite out of the bird. "This is wonderful, Tyanno. I can cook, but nothing ever comes out this tasty." She smiled at him before taking another bite.

After a few more moments she looked over at Shadow and said, "Ah, I do not mean to possibly insult Chao, but I do not fear him. Then again, I do not fear any beast or animal. If anything, I feel connected to them in some way or another. Ah, but he is quite the magnificent beast if I do say so." She sighed and finished her meal then looked at her two companions before turning her violet eyes into the flames. She knew she shouldn't subject her eyes to the brightness because then she wouldn't be able to see in the dark, but with the two men sharing camp, she felt a bit safer and no need to be so much on guard...

[Tyanno Dynam, Allaine mage]

Tyanno chuckled at the ensuing complements. "It's not much really. Alezand makes the spices, I stole some from his stash." He said between mouthfuls. "If that is what you wish, then I will take you there tomorrow. But you mustn't give up hope. I'm sure you will find your friend soon enough." He quickly finished his plate and gestured for the others to help themselves to more while he went to the tent behind him.

After a moment or two, he came out with another tent cover and a rollup mat and blanket. He wandered over to the other side of the camp and draped the cover over one of the cords strung between the trees. He knelt inside the tent and rolled out the mat and laid out the blanket nice and neat. He stood up and looked at Shadow, "Sorry pal, but I have only one extra tent, and that goes to the lady. But since I have extra blankets, so you can sleep in my tent tonight, I can sleep outside. It's no big deal."

He sat back with the group. "So, you were looking for Reno, heading to Rapeare? I supposed to meet Alezand and Adrienne there in a few days..."