Awakened [Closed]

A long breath slowly escaped his lips as he crouched on the bough of a tree, watching the forest with a careful gaze. His meal was somewhere in these woods, and he had been stalking it for no small amount of time--it had been several hours at least. He had tracked its movements with a measured gaze, attempting to follow its tracks with care. He had chosen this specific beast due to its age; it was too old to father any more beasts, and was simply grazing away the last of its life. He was aware that the meat would be difficult to chew, but he could tenderize it and salt it--preserving it was little issue. The skin could be used to patch any holes in his bags and shelters, and those majestic antlers would fetch a pretty price at the nearest town. The bones, of course, would be buried away from his camp to ward off predators. The beast had lived a long life, but tonight would like be its last. Adrian produced a light shortbow from his back and checked the string. He was not a particularly good archer, however he did not need to be one in this situation. No, he simply had to be adequate enough to get the mark.

The beast finally came into view, and Adrian stepped through the trees and nocked an arrow, staring quietly down the shaft at the creature. Time seemed to slow as he aimed for its heart, wishing to end it in one shot. He took in a light breath before loosing it, the shaft streaking through the trees and meeting its target. The creature bellowed, stepped forward in confusion and then fell to the ground. Its heart had stopped quickly, and it had died painlessly. Dropping down from his position and moving his hand to the knife on his thigh, Adrian hurried over to the creature and began the gruesome job of skinning it. He made certain to treat the creature's body with respect as he did so, having learned that every piece was important. He hung it up to drain it of the majority of his blood, and decided to set up camp for the night.

He began with setting up his shelter. It was a particularly simplistic shelter that he'd been carrying with him. Didn't really take long. He went back to his beast and started to cut it up into pieces, and prepared the preservation techniques, leaving some of it aside to prepare for a hot meal. He left extra aside, in case he was hungry--or in case he had company. You never know what might happen. The skins would be laid out to be dried out, and then he would take another thirty minutes to bury the bones in several locations nearby, but not too close to the camp. By the time he was back at his shelter, the light was starting to get low--so he would light up a fire, place his swords next to it and produce a pot, filling it with water from his waterskin, setting it to the boil. Chunks of meat were put in, with salt and some flavoring. The stew was set a-simmer, so Adrian placed his back against a tree and yawned. Today, for some reason, seemed like it was going to be interesting--especially now that he had finally left home.

They had believed themselves to be stealthy. Frankly, he would have thought nothing of the gust of wind if they had not managed to snap a few branches with it. The direction, having changed so immediately, was wrong. The wind had been blowing one way, and then another, and then the same way once more. It did not take long for him to get to his feet and quietly stare at the stranger, who had her weapon drawn. "Stand... and we will fight." The relaxed atmosphere of his small camping zone was quickly removed as he watched them. He did not recognize them, so they did not seem like an opponent. When she spoke, he did not reply. His weapons were on the ground, and he didn't seem to move to pick them up with any real haste. He had a few things on his mind--first and foremost was the identity of this sudden assailant. He would have thought about the next few things had she not immediately moved to press the assault on the still-unarmed Adrian. Her first swing came down at his shoulder, and the man moved to the side in order to avoid it. He dropped into a roll past his weapons and picked up the black blade, gripping it tightly and flicking it down by his side. It would not be fair to fight with two blades, and unless this weapon showed signs of enchantment he would only use his unenchanted sword.

Taking a moment to step up at her, Adrian ducked down slightly and sliced at her side--while she may not have been using her strength, Adrian was. He was unaware of the nature of this fight, and would be mostly fighting to survive--if she was stronger than he, it was likely that he'd take further precautions. No matter the outcome the attack he would turn his body and attack her other side in a full swing.

He had realized that she hadn't gone to attack him when his back was opened up, instead watching him take up his blade. That immediately caused him to question her motives, though he was not going to outright speak of those worries yet. Instead he would continue to press his assault, making his attack at her side--she very quickly broke his hit with her own block, causing him to stagger back slightly. He narrowed his eyes as he moved to attack again, but yelped as she pushed his weapon back and crushed his momentum. Another movement from her, and a foot was struck at his chest. It moved quickly, not giving him the chance to react. His free hand struck out as he attempted to catch it in mid-air. He felt his fingers tighten around her boot, but was too slow to catch her completely. The motion pushed him back and caused him to fall, letting go of her leg. He stumbled back and felt his body press up against a tree behind him. Realizing his location, he grinned and put his foot against it, launching himself at her with almost reckless abandon. He swung at her once, before continuing to press his attack.

"So why are you holding back? You seemed so ready to attack me, and you've missed opportunities to kill me. Something seems off!" He was confused. He wanted to dispel this confusion.

"I did not say I would kill you. I said we would fight." He raised an eyebrow. She made a good point. He didn't make an effort to lower his weapon just yet, unsure of her motivations. She stared in silence, and Adrian felt himself stepping into a more defensive posture, entire body ready to jump to reply if she decided to make an attack at him. She stared for a short while longer before opening her mouth and speaking again. "Now, tell me..." He raised an eyebrow and blinked, biting his bottom lip to keep himself focused, "What is your name?" She stepped towards him, Adrian raising his blade upwards in preparation. Her blade, however, lowered. Was she getting him to lower his guard? He frowned and lowered his weapon downwards, not letting go or relaxing, but allowing himself to stand a bit more open against her. She had attacked him, and was now asking his name? That confused him. "I'm Adrian. Adrian Sturmschwert." No point in lying to this one. "So what is your purpose in attacking me?"

She sheathed her weapon, which was enough for Adrian to return in kind, sheathing the blade in one of the two scabbards on his back. He narrowed his eyes at her and stepped forward slightly, showing a more relaxed posture. He would be able to pick up his enchanted sword in a quick motion if she tried anything stupid. "Adrian, is it? I am Asahl'Idakemelia." Huh? He tilted his head to the side slightly, "Asa.. uh... Hm. I'll need to practice that." He sighed softly and watched her cautiously--and her appearance began to change. The elf-like ears shortened, and she seemed to take on a far more human appearance when she did. Strange, but interesting. Shaking his head, Adrian simply watched while this occurred. No need to interrupt. "Now that we have introduced ourselves and I can blend in, I will begin traveling with you and it will be that way for some time. I would like some food, if you have enough. If not, I can go find my own. Either way, I will aid you in hunts from now on." He blinked.

"Are you... out of your mind? You attack me out of the blue and then tell me that you're accompanying me?!" He sighed softly and turned away, "You must be insane, lady. You can stay tonight," he motioned upwards to the fast-fading light, "since it's getting late, but tomorrow you're either going to explain your damn motivations, or leave." A look in her eyes told him that this wasn't going to be as easy as that, but whatever. He picked up the Vertreiben from the ground and sheathed it as well, before motioning to the pot, "Luckily, you didn't make me kick any dust into it. So if you'd like to eat, help yourself--I made enough for two anyway. Call it an old habit."

She had offered to guard overnight, which was something that Adrian accepted. Retreating beneath his shelter, he closed his eyes and prepared to allow sleep to take him over--however, he would not let it come entirely. His mind would remain somewhat active, prepared for any attempt to attack him. He was still unsure of this woman. However, nothing happened overnight--and he slowly opened his eyes to feel her hand on his shoulder. He started and looked at her carefully, watching her face. "It is time to wake up and move. Where is it we are headed? I will follow your lead." He shook his head and got to his feet, demolishing the shelter and packing it up before putting it away. "Not moving yet. Have to be ready for anything." He'd nod and start packing away the salted meats, moved to the skins and then properly cleaned up their camp. If she offered to take up any of his burden, he would refuse her. Once they were completely packed and ready, he'd sling the pack over his shoulder and point in a direction, "I was told to go in this direction, so I am following that path. I have a quest I need to complete."