[gremlin]

closed

[Rosekitten]

(I thought it was fine :) not sure if i like my intro or not xD)

Flashes of a not so distant past ran through his mind. Corpses on a battlefield the screams of the innocent these scenes plagued his mind. A woman was before him on her knees pleading to be spared, her request would not be granted as his blade struck out against her. The face changing mere seconds before the blades impact, to a more familiar face one he had once loved. His hands quivered as he stood there looking at the corpse of this woman, the face never returned to it's true form it remained that familiar face. Fire quickly engulfed the area catching anything that was flammable on fire and consuming the corpses around him.

His eyes shot open as he gripped the reins tightly, the steed snorted in protest at what it's rider was doing. His eyes were wild for a few moments searching trying to find that area he had just visited, but realizing that it was a distant memory. Releasing his grip to allow the horse a bit of freedom. The shire took the leeway as it shook it's head in protest to before.

He held one hand out to his side and looked oddly at it as a snowflake fell into his palm. 'Snow?' He questioned it, surely he had not gone that far north. Regaining himself Abel glanced at his surroundings, this was nothing like the area he was in not two days ago. The gods really must have forsaken him he thought as he made a movement to get the horse to keep pressing forward. Deeper into unfamiliar territory, he had no choice not with his supplies being low and the horse could use a moments rest.

Keeping the massive steed at a slow walk he decided it was safest to stay on a path, surely it lead somewhere. A small town was better then being lost in the wilderness, especially when he had no idea where he had ended up. His snooze had cost him this time, or had something drawn him here. No that wasn't it nothing was here not that he needed.

He had passed a few humans, or at least from the looks of them they were humans as he kept to the path. He never bothered to ask for directions, but he didn't need them either. Though his steed seemed to pause a moment when they passed a ... woman from the structure, he wasn't sure due to the hood she had up. He never paid this any mind at all getting the shire to press onward. There had been a sign not too far back saying there was a tavern and general supply store in this direction. That's all he needed to know, somewhere to rest the steed and himself then he'd move on to restocking on the essential supplies before going about his business. It was probably a good idea to go ahead and ask the barkeep as to where here was so he could get back on course.

Once he reached the tavern and dismounted he left the horse untied before walking in. He got a few odd looks, they probably thought he was drunk already to leave such a prize untied and unattended. Though most didn't know this beast was a trained war steed, following it's rider's commands is what it was taught to do from a foal. Most seemed to stay clear of the horse even though it seemed calm enough to pay more attention to the water trough at the buildings side then to care about the passerby's.

The room seemed to refocus it's attention on Abel when he walked through the door. Though his weapon alone seemed to be enough to deter anyone from trying their luck against this newcomer. Not that this town was violent but there were still a few who'd gladly try to over take a new face. He walked with heavy steps towards the counter before taking a seat, he seemed weary. The man behind the counter eyed him before leaning against the counter waiting for this stranger in armor to order.

"The strongest you have... and a water" Was his only reply to the barkeep. Not that he needed to say more as the order was placed before him. He placed a few coins on the counter, whatever the amount it seemed to cover the costs of his order. His weapon was beside him against the counter but within arm's distance and he seemed to keep his guard up. Even as he started drinking the liquids he did so, though he wasn't here to get plastered. Just a quick drink to clear his mind and then he'd go about his other business.

Someone had gotten too close for the horse's comfort outside as it made a snap at him. Pawing it's hoof at the ground before snorting and returning to it's resting pose. The horse was even lightly armored, though both rider and steed didn't bare any of the kingdom's colors. It seemed they weren't among the army, but it wasn't suck a common sight for a traveler to be in full armor. It was probably the reason Abel got so much attention when he traveled, not that he cared. He had one goal in mind and what he sought wasn't here.

Most didn't know his story and never would, to them he just looked like a average middle aged male. Probably being around 30 if not a few years older. His eyes showed he wasn't a innocent, and his weapon supported that all the more with wear and tear shown on the handle that supported the well maintained head. He wasn't overly tall but he was tall enough to be above average at 5'10, his frame seemed built enough or at least in shape. His face and hair were well kept, at least for a traveler. His brown hair just short enough to prevent them from getting in the way of his forest green eyes. The eyes that had seen so much blood shed over nothing, things that couldn't be taken back.

[gremlin]

It wasn't surprising that no one had ran our after her to offer their services. Most had wives and if they had wives then they had children. They had people to care for and if anything were to happen to them then it would be a tragedy. She couldn't imagine how she would feel if she made a woman a widow and made his children fatherless. Olivia looked up at Sebastian, he didn't seem to be in such a good mood this morning. Perhaps he was getting sick of the cold as well. She ran her hand down his strong neck gently. "Stop making a fuss," she whispered to him softly. The horse snorted at her and pulled his head away from her. He was probably not happy with the weight that he had to carry around.

Olivia stopped as she saw an unfamiliar face. Her eyes followed him examining his odd choice of clothing and the way that his horse was dressed as well. He was definitely a traveller, if he was a villager than she would have recognized him without a doubt. She wiggled her toes inside of her boots wondering if she could perhaps convince him to escort her. Surely he didn't know what had been happening in this little village for the past three years, no one here really travelled other than to purchase supplies. Though even if he had heard of the rumours then he wouldn't know that she was the woman who the villagers suspected to be the Goddess. She would just be another villager. Olivia pulled her horse back and tied him up.

When she entered the bar the same men looked up and were confused by her presence again. Though they didn't make any comments, they kept to themselves and continued to drink and speak to each other. Olivia approached the traveller, the men who sat around him looked up for a brief moment curious as to what she intended to do. "Excuse me," she said softly to the man. She smiled at him then pulled her hood down from her head. "I was wondering if I could ask you to help me." Olivia reached into her pocket and played with the coins that she had. "I wish to travel but not alone and no one else here seems interested in escorting me even if they know they will be paid. Do you suppose that you could escort me?" she asked, a smile still on her face. She hoped that he would say yes, it would be very dangerous for her to travel alone. Not only was she was a woman but if anyone discovered what she was then that could be a problem, too.

[Rosekitten]

(kicks self for a short post~ D<)

He seemed to ignore her at first as he finished his drink. Sitting there a moment he was taking in the reactions from the people around the tavern. 'odd... to refuse payment' He thought this over a moment, not that he had any right to judge anyone based off a small towns reaction to them. A few of the men close by muttered that the traveler is a fool if he accepts or that it's asking for trouble.

He never did bother to look at the woman, his eyes stayed fixed on the empty glass on the counter. He made a slight gesture towards the barkeep before the man took the glass and refilled it. "Heh... cruel mistress you are lady fate" he said aloud though such talk was not common in these lands. He sat up a little before speaking to the woman still looking over the glass. "Depends, what direction are you headed." He paused a moment as a few men near by picked up conversations with one another saying he was a fool.

"If your going north I could be convinced to assist you." He never explained why, but he had his reasons, his own mission so to speak of why he needed to get north. His last reason to live was up north or that's what he was told. Though he didn't know if it were mere rumors or the truth. He'd have to go there and see with his own eyes. "If you accept my terms then after I get supplies we'll leave. Seems like the best course of action" He was referring to the murmurs and whispers the town seemed to do behind her back, surely she knew and he wasn't deaf.

He waited for the woman's answer as he picked the glass up and drank it's contents as well. He remembered seeing her and her steed on the road when he came into the town. Truth be told he was curious why no one here would take such a beauty up on her offer. Even in his gut he knew he was asking for trouble but his life was hardly worth living in it's present state so why worry about such things.

A few of the men near the bar got up and left. He was sure they thought he was damned or crazy one of the two. But he hardly cared, why bother caring. truth be told he didn't want the woman's money he wasn't going to baby sit her the whole way he was just going to provide traveling company. Long as she didn't ask too many questions they'd get along just fine.

[gremlin]

( It was fine! xD )

Olivia knew that the men were speaking about her, did they think that she was deaf? Even though they were whispering they were still quite loud. A few seemed to think that she didn't feel their eyes on her or that she had caught them looking at her. They could have at least tried to be subtle. It was a little surprising, their behaviour, usually they kept to themselves and didn't openly speak about her when she was around them. Perhaps they didn't care too much anymore because she wouldn't be here any longer, with or without the travellers help.

"I have no real destination," she replied to the man, her smile still on her face. She wouldn't allow the other men around her to see that she felt nervous by their whispers and their looks. Besides if any of them tried anything she could easily defend herself. She liked the villagers but if they became a threat then she wouldn't have a problem with hurting them at all. "Though that is where I would like to go as well. I don't mind waiting for you to gather supplies, I insist that I pay for them as well." her eyes remained on him, even if he refused her offer she would go through with it anyways. "Of course I will pay you every day that we spend travelling together as well. How much would you like?" Olivia had plenty of money to spare, whatever he wanted he would certainly get.

She brought her attention to the men who were leaving, as her eyes wandered over them they looked back at her. Though they turned when she didn't and as they left she brought her attention back to the man who she could potentially be travelling with her. "May I have your name?" she asked him, it only made sense that she knew his name if they would be travelling together. She would give him hers if he wished to know it.

[Rosekitten]

He listened to her before standing from his seat. "I can very well pay for my own way, I wasn't looking for payment when I said you could come along... don't expect me to slow my pace for you to keep up either" He spoke in such a commanding tone it was almost intimidating, though he never bothered to meet eye contact with the woman. Really this whole time he had avoided looking at anyone keeping his expressions and personal thoughts on the matter at hand well hidden.

He had started to walk towards the door when he stopped briefly to answer her question "Abel Leinguard milady" The name in this area didn't seem to spark anyone's attention, that gave him a good idea of his current location. Certainly outside of the kingdoms reach. Really the fact he got no reaction to his name made him breath a little easier, it would make leaving all the easier.

Some of the people in the tavern were still watching the two as he spoke again. "I don't care for your name, it's not important, as I said you slow me down I'm leaving you behind." With that out in the open he walked out of the door and patted the black and white shire outside of the building who happily walked up to him.

He never said a word to the horse as he walked past it and towards a supply building making a mental list in his head of what they needed. The horse didn't follow him, not for the moment as it stayed near the water trough. It was still odd to see a untied horse in this area let alone one of this build, it was a heavy horse so it's speed wouldn't be that of a standard horse.

The shop owner watched Abel as he entered, though his thoughts were put aside as he walked towards the counter and told the man what he needed out of the blue without a second thought. Though one request was a little odd as he asked for a few bags of salt in the mix of everything else. He was getting enough dried food supplies to last a while in the case they didn't cross paths with a town. This supply list also included water and the salt as well as a few other odds and ends that would prove useful in the case they were needed.

He seemed to ponder if that would cover everything, he had taken into account there was a extra person as well as horse he was assuming. Unless the girl planned to walk the whole way. "Should cover it... if we run out of supplies and don't cross a town by then I guess that lady fate really did forsake me" He spoke to himself a little to wort his thoughts.

[gremlin]

Olivia was a little thrown off by the man's attitude. He didn't accept her offer to purchase his supplies for him, he didn't want to be paid for his services and then he told her that he had no interest in knowing her name. She also felt a little worried about not being able to keep up with him. Perhaps she would bring herself to unpack a few things and leave them behind, she would feel guilty for pushing Sebastian harder than she usually did with all of those things strapped to him. The horse was also stubborn at times and when he wanted to rest he would refuse to go any further. She let out a sigh, maybe she would bribe him with treats to continue going if he decided that it was suddenly time to rest. Would that even work?

"I understand," she said to him, she would tolerate his behaviour for the company that she wanted. "I can assure you that I will not be a hassle and I will not fall behind." she wondered if the man knew that she was lying about that. Olivia could be quite the chatterbox and this man didn't seem interested in speaking to her for more than a few minutes. How would she be able to travel with him? "My offer still stands for paying for whatever is needed and for paying for your services." she said before he left.

Olivia left the tavern shortly after Abel did. She brought herself to Sebastian who seemed restless. "Calm down," she said to him, Olivia ran her hand from the top of his head to his nose and smiled. "We won't be here for much longer." she looked over at Abel as he went to buy supplies. Olivia decided not to follow him, she didn't want to annoy the man and get in his way.

[Rosekitten]

Sure he knew that he'd have to slow his pace with the woman to keep up. But he doubted the steed he traveled with would mind at all. 'What have you gotten yourself into this time' He sighed a little after paying for the supplies and taking a few of the sacks with him as he walked outside. The shire walked up to him and seemed use to this treatment as it turned it's side to him and stood there.. waiting.

In truth he didn't mean to be that harsh with the woman, but he needed to lay out group rules for her to follow. She could chat all she liked but there was no promise that he'd answer. For a human he seemed different as if his will to live was broken. A soul-less human was probably something that should be left alone no will to live meant he had no fear of death.

After the supplies were fixed to the over-sized horse he double checked the ropes before he was satisfied. Patting the horse on the side of the neck it looked at him as if it expected something. Rolling his eyes he finally did give in and gave the beast a sugar cube. It would seem there was hope still for this stranger to regain his humanity.

He walked over to where the woman and her horse were, being followed by the shire. Stopping a few feet from her he cleared his throat. "If your ready we're going now, we'll make a few good miles before dark falls." His tone was a little less commanding this time around, he needed to remember he wasn't in the same position as he was before. There was no point in trying to push a civilian like he did his men.

Once he was done talking he quickly hosted himself up into the saddle of the horse and waited for her to do the same. He seemed to be looking over the horse maybe thinking he was sorry for the creature having to carry that much. But really he was seeing how far he thought he could push it without over working the animal.

[gremlin]

( I'm sorry this was horribly short. o__o )

She couldn't help but be curious about how his shire behaved. It was not tied up but didn't run off like Sebastian would or any other horse would. He seemed calm and followed Abel obediently. Olivia nodded and hoisted herself up on to Sebastian, the horse pulled back his head a little bit in protest of carrying around so much weight. Olivia didn't weight much, though that didn't mean that she didn't add to the weight that Sebastian was carrying. She was afraid that adding anymore weight would break her poor horse's back. She ran her hand gently down his neck calming him. "Be patient, Sebastian." she whispered then tugged on the reins lightly. "Did you train your horse to do that?" she hoped that he wasn't annoyed by her question. Olivia was just impressed by the shire's behaviour. She wished that Sebastian was obedient like that.

Olivia looked over her belongings making sure that they were strapped on properly, she didn't need them to fall off during their travels. Olivia didn't feel like being left behind by Abel. Most of her belongings were clothes, though she did had a rather large sword strapped tightly to Sebastian's side. If needed then she could easily slip it out from it's place to defend herself. Though if she couldn't reach that in time she could use her abilities. Sebastian began to walk slowly as she tugged once more on his reins making him pay attention to what she wanted.

[Rosekitten]

(your fine :P)

He had already started moving forward when she had asked her odd question. Though from the area he guessed they didn't commonly see armored troops or any mentions of war for that matter. Really he wasn't annoyed he laughed instead out of the oddity of it. "It's a war steed, they are all trained in this manner... a knight has to be able to rely on his steed as a extension of himself." He didn't go into details aside from that, but each knight did have to train his own steed so the beast would know who it's master was.

He had noticed her over burdened steed, and the weapon she had attached to him as well. Though he hardly thought she'd need such a thing while she was in his company. But he didn't know much about her either.. there must be a reason. The village seemed overjoyed that she was leaving the town. Sure the mutters gave him a few clues but he wasn't sure how reliable the information was.

Once they were a few miles outside of the town he finally spoke again, he had kept his weapon in hand, seemingly use to this form of travel. "you said you had no destination in mind.. why bother traveling. Let alone to the north one of the harshest regions in the lands." He didn't really care if she answered him or if what she said was the truth but it was something that his mind had been pondering.

Though it was odd, the further they got from the village the less snow there was in the area, it was like the snow had just been around the town. Was that even possible? It was the middle of summer wasn't it? Surely his travels hadn't changed the seasons even in his dazed state. Maybe some of the remarks from the villagers were true about this woman.. He wasn't one to judge someone though so he'd wait to see for himself.

[gremlin]

When he told her that his horse was a war steed it caught her attention, her eyes ran over his horse curiously. The horse was much larger than hers and it would explain how he had dressed it. Olivia was naturally a curious person, she was almost as bad as a child. If she could ask questions for hours without annoying the other she was speaking to then she would. Though she wouldn't do that with this man, he didn't even wish to know her name and didn't seem to be a chatterbox like herself. "Perhaps you could show me how to make Sebastian more obedient," the horse snorted as if he knew she was talking about him. "He is a good horse, though he can be stubborn and restless sometimes." she looked over at Abel and smiled at him warmly.

"I don't really enjoy staying in one place for long," she said then shrugged. Of course there was other reasons but she didn't feel the need to tell this man them, it would give away who she was and she couldn't really trust anyone. The people inside of the village didn't mind her kind even though her behaviour had been tedious but she didn't know how people outside of the village would react to her. "I can never really find a place that I can truly call my home. It never feels quite right."

Though it was very odd and something that seemed impossible, the village did seem to be surrounded by clouds the most. As they went farther from it the clouds slowly went away and eventually there was no snow. Olivia turned to looked back at the village, the clouds that had surrounded it began to slowly drift apart and the sun peaked out from them. For the first time in three years the snow had stopped. Olivia smiled to herself, she wondered what the villagers thought of it. It probably filled them with joy to finally feel warmth upon their skin.

[Rosekitten]

He didn't seem to reply to her asking if he could help with her steed. Though he did glance back at her for a moment. The shire hardly seemed affected by any of this conversation, though it had gotten what it wanted out of Abel before they left the village. About the time you could probably give up on him answering the question he finally did speak up again. "It's easier to train them as colts.. but you could use sugar cubes for when he listens or performs exceptionally." Over all he was saying you'd have to bribe the horse, it'll learn that good behavior is rewarded and if it misbehaves that it gets nothing. After a while of this the actions will become second nature to the animal.

He listened to her talk about not liking to stay in one place for long, he didn't understand that. He rather missed his home but there was little to nothing to go back to now. "I see.." was his emotionless answer to her as he kept his eyes forward. She wasn't telling him everything, but he didn't care so long as she didn't try to cross him. "So you look to find such a place in the northern lands?" He seemed amused by this, there were little to no inhabitants in the northern reaches, aside from a few beast men clans and then one or two villages of humans.

He didn't pry further into the woman's mind, he had no need too. If she found what she was seeking they would part ways. Or if he located what he was after first he wasn't going to risk his neck any further then he needed to. Though if she did manage to keep up with him for that long of a journey she might find out his own reasons for wanting to travel to such waste land of snow and ice.

[gremlin]

"Well, I'm not too sure what I'm looking for. I at least want to find some place that is interesting. I get very bored easily," Olivia brought her hand to the back of her horse's neck and began to pet him gently. "I would like to go some place where there are very little people. I have always found it difficult to live with others, I enjoy the company of others but for only so long." Olivia had enjoyed her time spent in the little village, she had even thought of remaining there for longer until she started to feel unwanted. "I'm quite nice to people and polite, most people are nice to me and are polite as well but sometimes there are those who prefer for me not to be near them." it had bothered her that others didn't like her for what she was but there wasn't much that she could do about that. People would always find a reason to dislike those who are different. She had to learn to accept that some things would never change.

"Why are you travelling out here?" she asked and looked at the man curiously. "If I may ask of course, I wouldn't want to make you feel uncomfortable and you certainly don't seem too interested in me. You didn't even want my name earlier." she added then laughed quietly to herself. Olivia looked up at the clear sky, the sun was touching her skin for the first time in three years. It felt odd to feel warm from the sun, it was different. Olivia wondered if she could get use to such a thing. She would have no choice if she had to go into hiding of course. She valued her life more than anything else, especially when the number of her kind was slowly sinking.

[Rosekitten]

(my poor slightly emo character x'D)

He at least seemed to be a good listening as he made no comment to her story. He knew sort of what she was going through, but on a different level. He almost felt a bit of pity for the woman. Someone of her age should have a place to stay or at least the age she looked to him. Though on that note someone of his age shouldn't be traveling the corners of the world either.. he should be stationed up near his family and be among his ranking officers.

"knowing your name would not change matters any, but if you wish to say it then don't let me stop you" Was his first reply blowing off the first question all together. He seemed to get irritated when she asked it, though he had his own past he was running from or rather it haunted him. "My reasons do not concern you, not to be rude but there's no need to drag you into my affairs." He left it at that, really he didn't have a real reason just a rumor that he should go to the north... he had no town name no direction or location nothing more then the words go north.

Probably a death wish but it was all he had, the slim hope he had a reason to live in this forsaken world still. A reason to keep fighting and moving forward. Surely a stranger wouldn't understand such a thing, let alone a woman who seemed to have no family or friends.

[gremlin]

Olivia wondered if she should even bother telling him her name, they would only be together as they travelled and that would probably not be a very long time. She wondered how long it would take to reach the next village, perhaps a week if they rushed it and she felt irritated when she tried to come up with how long it would take if they took their time. She wasn't the most patient person and Sebastian wasn't a very patient horse. "My name is Olivia," she finally said bringing herself back to reality. Her mind always seemed to wander and she hoped that he wouldn't find it rude. Olivia's eyes wandered over the surrounding area, the weather was much warmer here and the grass was healthy and green. "Though I suppose it really doesn't matter if you know my name or not. I'm just temporary company." she said then looked at Abel smiling.

It only made Olivia more curious when he refused to share details with her, though she did understand why he had chosen to keep to himself. She had chosen not to share some things with him as well. Besides, he didn't know her and had only just learned what her name was. Why would he want to share anything with her let alone want to build some sort of relationship? She was just another person to her and nothing more. For a moment she was afraid that she had upset Abel, though he didn't seem too upset or even angry. Really she couldn't tell what he was feeling, he seemed like a shell of a man, empty inside. Olivia wondered if she should have just travelled alone, perhaps this man would end up causing her more trouble than helping her. He seemed a little bit on edge.

[Rosekitten]

He never said a word when she poke her name, he heard it but he was more focused on watching the road ahead it would seem. Though her next statement made him sigh a little before he spoke. "No it doesn't matter.. though even as temporary company your still my charge for the time being." There's a statement you didn't hear out here so far from the kingdoms rule. Sure he wasn't accepting payment from her and he didn't expect her to do much of anything but he still wasn't going to let harm befall her if he had breath left. Not tat he truly cared for her well being but it still was against his nature to let a companion fall into harms way.

After what he had gone through it was almost amazing he didn't just break down and allow death to take him. Though he didn't show it his armor hid a few wounds that were still in the healing process. He could still fight well enough to protect this woman, or that's what he thought. Though if he failed he'd hardly complain about death taking him. If this journey he was on proved to be fruitless what more would he have to live for anyway.

Even though he didn't answer her for the time being if they traveled long enough she might get his story, or if his past came back from the grave to haunt him. Though his tale was hardly something you would want to hear. A man pushed to the edge of breaking having lost everything, he really was a shell of his former self. If it wasn't for his soul being anchored to his body it would probably forsake him as well.

The war steed snorted a little before taking a few steps forward and shaking it's head once. "You think so.." Abel spoke to the creature like he understood what it was saying, the horse shook it's head again in a up and down motion of sorts as it's answer to the man. This probably looked odd to most, though not so odd from where he hailed from. But even going back there was lost to him, nothing remained aside from painful memories.

Though he did finally speak again seeing as the day was slowly turning into dusk. "We'll stop in another hour.. there's a grove ahead that will provide cover till daybreak" He said nothing more about it, though he wasn't looking forward to the time during the night, sleep brought dreams ... and with them images he'd rather forget. It didn't help that this woman would probably chat his ear off in the process.