Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Tristan heard Sephora's whistle pierce through the woods, and he grinned as he leaped from his hiding spot. "There's the signal! Time to draw the noose closed," He shouted to all the other thieves in hiding. They all stood from their respective hiding spots and closed in on the cavern, forming an impenetrable ring. As they approached, Tristan slashed his blades across each other, resounding with a loud metallic ring. The other thieves began to make noise too, alerting those inside the cavern that they were completely surrounded.

-------

Telwyn's information seemed sound. Micah could hardly disbelieve her after she had proven her knowledge of all that had happened. A part of Micah's subconscious suggested she could be a spy; but then, a spy would act more innocent. Telwyn seemed deliberately enigmatic, even laughing at their dire predicament. A spy would play the part of a more sympathetic ally, would they not?

It seemed clear that the only thing Telwyn wanted in return for her warning - at least, as far as she let on - was the opportunity to join their group and help further. After debating the issue in his mind for a few moments, Micah finally made a decision. "If you are honest, and are offering your services benevolently, then I'd be a fool not to except. I admit I am still a bit wary, but if what you say is true - and I have little doubt that the Hunters are returning, as you say - then we don't have any choice. I'll take you back to the hideout, and let the others decide whether we will trust you with our lives." He wondered for a moment if the "almost omnipresent" Telwyn already knew where their hideout was, but didn't let the uncomfortable thought take hold.

Vayond

Edmund stared back at Quill, Drawing out his knife. "How is it that you found this place? What do you intruders want with us?"

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

"Silence!" Sephora snapped, her blue eyes narrowed. Her hand was firm on the knife and had she pressed it against Shyanne's neck any harder, it would have drawn blood.

Shyanne's hands clung to the sides of her skirts, knuckles white as her fear-filled face.

Sephora looked at Edmund, "If you want the lady to see the light of day again, I suggest you drop your weapon and leave the cave. How we found this place doesn't matter. Preserving Miss Shyanne's life is the only thing you should be worried about at the moment. If she dies, I will make sure you suffer the consequences. Lord Henrik, I'm sure, will be quite mad with rage when he finds out that his lovely daughter was killed by the blade of one of your swords."

Vayond

Edmund was frozen in horror. What could he do now? He could run out, then get Micah. Then he got a better idea. He placed his weapon down, then walked out, looking for something in the woods to get Sephora with.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Tristan grinned as the first of the victims clambered out of the cave. He motioned to the other thieves to stay on guard, as he himself stepped up to confront the young man. He looked youthful, energetic; probably a skilled warrior, but at the moment he was unarmed. Tristan was glad of that.

"Well, well, what's this? The little old lady isn't so innocent as she seemed?" Tristan chuckled patronizingly. His face became a bit more serious, as he brandished his knives dangerously. "Alright, stand aside over there. As you can see we've got the whole place surrounded, and we outnumber you by quite a lot, so don't try anything funny, alright? We don't plan on killing you - not unless you force us to. And if it must come to that... well, that would be quite a pity."

Tristan waited for the others to come out as well; so far, everything was going smoothly as planned.

Vayond

Edmund jumped at the sound of the man's voice and tried to ignore his taunts. He really didn't want to be killed just yet but he didn't want anything happening to the others either. "Hi. What a lovely afternoon. Care for some tea?"

~^*^~Remember~^*^~
Now, no matter what day it had been when they had stepped through that stone arch in what was thought to be the longest standing monument all of the chosen adventurers arrived on the other side at the same time. And not only was it the same time, but it was what seemed to be a very busy time; there were crowds of people standing about and not much space for more. Somewhere in the center of that crowd a ceremony had begun, somewhere in the center a sacrifice was being made, and somehow they would have to push their way to the front to see exactly what that sacrifice was... and what it was for.
~~~~~

Mathew Regallion was startled when the first thing he saw was a crowd of people, how unexpected, he reached down to stick his hand in his coat pocket and grab his pad of paper and a pen, this a perfect journaling opportunity. You can imagine his surprise when he discovered that he was no longer wearing his jacket, instead he was wearing a dark grey woolen tunic with matching trousers and a black leather belt at his waist held a small multi purpose dagger in it's decorated scabbard, and there were- What do you call those things that archers wear on there wrists, like fingerless gloves? ah yes... gauntlets- he had gauntlets around his wrists and over part of his hands; all this was covered with a heavy woolen cloak and across his chest was a leather strap that was attached to a sheaf of arrows at his back, by his booted feet were a heavy duty satchel and the most beautifully made bow he had ever seen (Not that he could remember seeing any real ones before). He swung the satchel of his shoulder and lifted the bow reverently in both his hands.
~~~~~

Katrianna McDaougan wasn't so very surprised when everything changed so rapidly, she had fully expected something like this to happen. She was surprised howver when she realized that there were so many people, she had thought that this was some sort of temple, a place where there might be just a few priests or druids... but this... this... this was beautiful, all the people here at the same time... humanity, she decided, hadn't changed much in the past few thousand year... it was the same longing to be with other people that she saw here. There was a roof overhead, unlike the walls arches (that served to mark where the temple/ palace/ whatever it was ended and where it began) it was made of timber, probably it was temporary and only there because it was raining (which it was doing... and rather hard too). Kat started to take a step forward so that she could push her way to the front of the crowd and found that there was something laying across her feet. She looked down to figure out what it was and was shocked to find that she was wearing a long (Though from what she could tell not to cumbersome) dress which was woolen and light blue, what was prohibiting her from walking was a leather sack of medium size and had a strap that she could only assume was so that she could have it held to her back too keep her hands free, at the waist of her gown was a brown leather side-belt (The kind that goes down slightly farther on one side than the other) and attached to that was something in between a dagger and a normal sized sword, it's scabbard was plain but durable, handing on her arm was a burgundy cloak which she promptly put on because she was more than a little chilly (even in this crowd), the cloak draped most beautifully around her, though it was quite obvious that it was not meant for formal attire. She felt now as though she were playing the leading part in the most authentic medieval play she had ever seen.

~Lady Fiona

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Tristan chuckled dryly at the young man's attempt to throw him off guard. "No thanks, I just had tea for breakfast." With a grin, he lifted one of his knives so the tip was pointing directly at the young man. "But you're right, it is a lovely afternoon. Getting better and better."

Vayond

Edmund felt a twinge of nervousness. "Hey, hey. I was just being a little friendly."
He wished desparately he had his dagger with him now. "Um, what can I do to avoid being killed?"

~*~~Terribly Secret~~*~

Lewis took a deep breath and tried not to notice the girl across from him. She couldn't really be who she'd said she was, after all. And if she was...well, he couldn't think about that right now. She couldn't be. It just wasn't possible.

"Lewis?"

It was her.
Emily Shrouder.
Talking to him .

"Uh...please go away. I need some peace and quiet."

"Lewis, listen to me. Don't you believe me?"

"No, I don't." I can't...

***

This was my first one, so hopefully I'm getting it right.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Grace looked into Liam's eyes, "Good bye...", is all she could manage to say. She really liked Liam, but she wasn't going to try to keep him. She kicked herself for allowing her feelings for Liam to go so far. She knew from the beginning that he would leave. She knew nothing about him, really. He never talked about family, or a home, or a job. He had nothing for all she knew... But what she felt for him was something new, exciting, and she didn't want it to end so soon.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Liam brushed his lips again'st the back of Grace's hand, then looked into her eyes once more. I promise that I'll come to see you again

With her image forever printed within his mind he turned away, his heart burning with every foot fall. He risked peering back to look at her, to get that final glance, before stepping out of the inn. He drank in a long breath of thick morning air, heavy with that weight of dew, then approached Stendar, who was holding the reigns of their horses. The older man had left the inn while Liam had been saying his goodbyes.

"Ready?"

"Yes." Liam mounted smoothly. He yanked the hood of his cloak over his head, and watched Stendar as he mounted and nodded.

"Let's ride. Dawn is fast approaching"

Liam spurred his horse, and sent it into a fast canter. At the sound of hoof beats, several people appeared standing outside, but when they reached the street only the backs of the two riders could be seen, riding into the rising sun.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Viris and his soldiers had left the plains two hours ago, riding hard to reach the small village located in the forest. The scout had pinpointed it on their map, and since the stupid fellow had no horse, Viris had left him on the plains to walk back to the Capitol.

The trees whipped past them quickly as their horses pounded down the road between the massive trees that loomed above them. This was one of the oldest sections of the forest, where the trees were taller than many other parts, and their shadows covered everything except where motes of light stabbed through to p***k the dirt and grass.

The scout had said he had left the town a week ago. The chance of them finding any clues leading to the fugitive was slim, but they were determined.

Ahead, after cresting a hill, the village came into view. A cluster of houses and small shops filled the clearing that the villagers had made. He slowed their approach, but did not disperse his men, they would ride into town proudly, as a soldier of the king.

As they broke from the cover of the trees, the sunlight caught their silver equipment, glinting, reflecting. A mere few moments more, and they were on the main street (not to mention the only street) in the village. They slowed to a walk, and came up to a building that looked to be a tavern. "Dismount!" He barked.

They complied, getting off the horses and forming into an orderly group, all watching and observing the town and few inhabitants that were milling about because of their arrival. Viris turned toward the door to the tavern, and motioned for his Lieutenant to follow him. The Lieutenant took a roll of paper from his saddlebag, and they entered.

Once inside, Viris took the paper, and raised his voice, "Attention! In the Name of the King! We are searching for a dangerous fugitive that has been reported in this area." He unrolled the paper, "This is his likeness, as close as we know. If anyone has any knowledge of this individual, please step forward now. There is a reward for his capture, which will be delivered to the person that gives information leading to his arrest. Any person providing shelter to this person, who does not come forward, will be arrested as an accomplice."

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Jack was sitting at a corner table in the tavern, swigging down a tall glass of ale, when the guard's entered. No townsfolk around this area of the country had ever seen such pristine king's men. Their armor shone, even in the dim light coming from the establishment, and they stood at attention, in perfect posture. Several tavern goers marveled at the sight of them, others kept their distance eying them cautiously.

Jack was in shock for several moments, until the captain produced the wanted poster. His mouth dropped open and he swallowed his eyes fixing on the sketch of the man. There was no doubt he knew who that was. It's that guy! That guy that Grace was seeing....no wonder he left! This resentful farm boy had discovered that morning, after rising about 7 am, that his 'rival' had left. He had found this out not by questioning Grace, but by doing his own investigating and finding their horses gone, and their room (which he had found they were staying in) empty.

This could be my chance! I could get back at both of them! Grace for betraying me, and that guy for coming in the first place. Yes. This is my chance...and plus there is a reward

Getting up from his seat, he ignored his friend's warnings, and came walking straight up to the captain. "Sir! I know something of that man!"

Yes, it's true, many other of the people in the building knew Liam. Knew that, that was him on the wanted poster, and also knew he had been staying in the inn, but all of them had grown to like Liam. Especially after he had saved the small girl from the obnoxious guard in the street. So, known of the others had spoken up, but as Jack did, several of the people glared coldly at him.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Viris was watching the people, his Lieutenant was as well, when a young man spoke from the back and shoved his way forward.

The Captain raised an eyebrow as Jack approached, and then lowered the paper, "You say you know something of the man? What information do you have?"