Through The Woods (Closed)

[Vaan]

A man on his horse rode through the woods that had a fog rolling through it. The sun was just rising over the woods, casting the fog in a eerie glow. Vaan was wide awake, he had slept well lately. He looked around at the fog that obscured his vision through the tree line and scowled at it, trying to burn it away with his eyes. That of course did not work and he resumed petting Chaos. He saw something move in the corner of his eye on his right, but when he looked, it vanished into the fog that seemed thicker than when he last looked. Sweat started to form on his face. Then, something rushed on his left. He turned quickly to try to see what it was but it was one his right again and when he got around to see it, it was also gone. His horse grunted, annoyed by his companion's pointless shifting. A cold sweat was now dripping off Vaan. He kept looking left and right, telling himself that there was nothing there. Nothing at all, it was just his imagination, but the fog seemed to keep closing in, closer and closer.

Suddenly a huge thin monster loomed over him! He gave a shriek and reeled backwards, falling of Chaos and hit the ground with a thud. Chaos, perplexed by his random falling off, nudged him to see if he was fine. Vaan was stunned for a second and when he sat up the fog had seemed to lighten. He looked at the monster which was just simply a sign at a cross road. He stood up next to his horse and rubbed his eyes, trying to forget the nightmarish illusions. That is all they were, just illusions.

[Tamaya]

Tamaya rode slowly and carefully, Shikoba's footsteps echoing dully through the forest as she followed the path, bow drawn and arrow nocked, listening carefully for any sign of danger. It was a bad time, riding in the fog... The wisps of clammy vapor sent a chill down her spine, and she couldn't see past a meter in any direction... There were always shapes appearing and then fading. She had no idea how far she'd gone, or even what time it was anymore. She was a little bit apprehensive, to be frank.

Suddenly, a piercing shriek rang out and Shikoba spooked, rearing up and kicking at the air in fright. Tamaya had already drawn an arrow and was looking around, trying to spot the attacker. Wait... Somebody else was being attacked! Tamaya spurred Shikoba and they cantered forward for a few meters until, all of a sudden, a black-robed figure appeared on the ground, and a wiry-looking assailant seemed to be coming from the fog in pursuit "Have no fear! LIGHTNING!" Tamaya shouted, loosing her arrow directly into the 'man.' The menacing figure didn't even move. Tamaya drew and shot again. It still didn't respond. Carefully, she inched forward, until the outline of the sign, with two arrows protruding from it, was clearly and plainly visible. "Oh."

[Caim Thyodor]

having already gotten lost within the forest, the fog merely had made things worse for me, since I pretty much had no clue as to where I was going at this point, as usual I suppose. it didn't take long for me to be close enough to hear a shriek of some sort, which honestly at this point caught me extremely off guard, especially since it sounded as if it was somewhere close... would it be a good idea to investigate? maybe not, but I guess it's the best option I have at this point.

cautiously drawing my sword and slowly advancing to where I had heard the sound, I was glancing around constantly, having a feeling of being watched almost constantly, which can't be good. eventually being able to see two people, both with horses, and a sign, with arrows protruding from it... I couldn't see anything that would cause someone to shriek, had the fog been confusing someone? or had they just ran into each other and one attacked due to not seeing it was another person? I really don't know, but better safe than sorry I suppose.

[Vaan]

"Have no fear! LIGHTNING!"

Great now he was hearing things too. But usually they were screams and moans, that sounded like a living woman. He shook his head and tried to block it out. He did not need to have visions running amok. His horse did not miss the arrows that were shot though and when Vaan would not respond to his nudges, he gave a light nip to Vaan. When this got Vaan's attention, Chaos snorted and beckoned at the arrows in the sign. Those were real.

Vaan reached into his saddle bag and pulled out his flux tomb as the mounted archer formed from the fog. Vaan asked his horse, "So what about them?". His companion snorted and he might as well said in words to Vaan, "they don't seem to have bad intentions". He remounted and addressed the new comer. "I have no ill will but i will warn you, I am armed. Could i ask what your doing out here in the fog?"

Chaos suddenly whined and started digging at the ground with a hoof, his way of pointing out possible danger to Vaan. He looked and saw a metal sword, but could not see the person holding it. Pure instinctual reflexes kicked in to Vaan and a windless breeze blew a little as a flux spell melted off into the ground. He sent the spell to go and attempt to disarm the sword and bring it closer to him, so the owner would have to be seeable in order to get it. It took Vaan a moment to even notice what he did. He called out a little confused by his own actions, "Sorry, could please come out. I meant no harm." Well, looks like he was not alone.

[Caim Thyodor]

"Sorry, could please come out. I meant no harm." i had heard the man say.

having listened in on what the man said to try and work out what was happening here from among the trees, what he said about meaning no harm confused me since I had seen him use some sort of spell moments earlier. my guess was that he had detected me, I assumed he wasn't speaking about the girl due to a somewhat simple reason, which was wouldn't it be easier to not send it into the ground and just towards her given the close proximity?, however I was more confused since I couldn't see the spell anymore, all I knew was it had gone into the ground. deciding to back up slightly since I presumed the spell was heading towards me since I hadn't seen it be aimed in the girls general direction, turns out it was right to do so, since as I did the spell burst upwards, barely missing me due to me backing up, however I hadn't moved back enough to avoid having my sword be pulled from my grasp due to the magic's tendrils, before I did have a chance to react to try and take it back it seemed to carry it over to the man.

being disarmed kind of put me in an even more cautious state, even though the man said he had meant no harm, still better to be safe than sorry, especially since he has my weapon. approaching somewhat slowly, exiting the tree line in order to reveal myself, I kept my eyes on the two people, ready to flee if I have to, although hopefully I'd be able to get my sword back before then. "if you wouldn't mind, I'd like my sword back" I said to the man, doing my best to appear calm, since I doubted showing fear of any kind was going to be a good idea.

[Orcleous]

"A thick fog", spoke Orcleous as he wondered through the with mist. It was the first time he had ever been into fog this thick. He had heard about it from other warriors on the battlefields that fog could become so blinding, but never experienced it himself. Still this fog bothered him. Through Orcleous many travels he had been attacked by both bandits and monsters and a place with a thick fog like this seemed as if it was asking for such beast to appear. " Best keep my hand on my blade", spoke Orcleous as he placed his right hand on the hilt of his sword. The mercenary walked forward through the fog every wary of attack, but suddenly he heard a scream. It sounded like a cry out of fear.

"What in the world was that", spoke Orcleous. The young swordsman kept his blade in his sheath and began to move forward toward the sound. Though his blade was sheathed he was still ready for battle. Over time Orcleous was starting to favor keeping his sword sheathed till the right moment. It seemed to make his blade swing faster, or at least he though that. As Orcleous moved close to the noise he heard the sound of horses and noticed a spell going off. The mercenary immediately lowered his body and crouched lower to the ground. He could not tell exactly what was going on, but it seemed that a shaman and someone else were having a confrontation. Which was more like the shaman disarmed the man with little ease and the person was asking for their sword back. The two seemed peaceful enough, but things could change on the drop of a hat. Still it would not do him good to simply skulk around here. If they ended up seeing him without them knowing he was here they might mistake him from some monster or a bandit.

"Hello there", spoke Orcleous as he rose off the ground and pushed through the fog. The mercenary still had his hand on his sword hilt just in case. He would be ready if they decided to attack him thought he doubted that would be the case.

[Tamaya]

Tamaya whirled around at the sound of voices, and saw a Flux spell neatly disarm a hidden assailant. Wait, no, they were friendly. This accursed fog made everyone seem like they were villains and bandits. What an awful situation... It was cold, clammy, and she was with two strangers, both of which were men... She felt a little uncomfortable, to say the least. Suddenly, without warning, another man appeared, dressed in armor. Could this be a trap? Were these men bandits, who had lured her into an ambush? Tamaya slowly drew an arrow, trying to be inconspicuous as she nocked it and tensed, ready for the fight. She then began to speak, wincing at the sound of her own voice cutting through the hiss and rustle of the trees. "I... I mean no harm. Please, don't attack me... I don't have much coin on me, and my bow is a family heirloom. Please, do not attack me... If you try, I will fight you, even though you outnumber me. I am not so weak as to be a free kill. I warn you!

[Vaan]

Sure enough, the sword came clanking out of the tree line. He ready himself as the owner came out, and, it was just a boy.

<font color=​"#1928e6">​ "if you wouldn't mind, I'd like my sword back"​</font>​

Vaan nodded to him to go ahead and get his sword back which was only a few feet away from Vaan. "Okay, just slowly." He put his Flux tomb away and pulled his staff out, worried he might have hurt the boy. But he seemed fine, and oddly calm. A little too calm considering he was unarmed. He was pondering that when another figure emerged from the fog. This one came out with a sword ready to be drawn, but a simple "Hello there".

Vaan's mind started racing as he started to doubt his own vision. This entire thing seemed to much of coincidence to be happening. First, a mounted archer, which he was pretty sure was real, shows up after an imaginary monster attacks him. Then a boy shows up in the middle of the woods. Then a mercenary just walts in. To top it the entire area was under a fog that was already playing tricks on his mind. Could all of this be just that? Another awake nightmare?

Hold it together! Stop panicking and pay attention! He listened to the voice in his head and calmed enough to see the women acting distressed, like someone was threatening to attack her. Not seeing anyone else he was sort of confused, and sort of nervous about that too. Feeling a need to reassure her, but mainly himself, he took his staff and pointed it at each one of them including a spot where there was not anyone, as he spoke. "Hold on. No one is attacking anyone. So why don't we put our weapons away, and share our names. My name is Vaan."

He put his staff in his lap. He hoped they would listen and the situation would calm down before anything happened to anyone. Traveling in the woods in this fog was not very safe to do alone. Predators and bandits would be on the hunt. But mainly he needed to be able to feel safe enough to stop the visions before they got worse.

[Orcleous]

Hmm, from what Orcleous could make out it seemed that there were three people in the fog. The first was the swordsman who was disarmed. The second was the mage who seemed reluctant to kill the person he disarmed. This meant that he was not malicious and that his disarmament came probably as a self defense. From the bits of conversation he picked up it sounded like the young swordsman had no intention to attacking the magic user. The two seemed to be in a miscommunication. The last, the archer, seemed to be more confused that the rest of them. It only made sense in the eyes of Orcelous Archers are use to being able to see. Take their sight away from them and then they have almost no offense or defense. This fog was the worse thing that could of happen to the maiden.

The mage however seemed to have a good head on his shoulders. He remained calm and moved to stop the archer before she accidently shot one of the other three. A wise decision as a fight in this fog would not end well for anybody.

"Fine I guess I will go next", spoke Orcleous as he removed his hand from the hilt of the blade.  "My name is Orcleous. I am from the glorious nation of Bern", spoke the crimson mercenary.

[Tamaya]

Tamaya slowly lowered her bow, placing the arrow she had drawn back into her quiver and trying to slow her racing heartbeat. "I am Tamaya. I am from the plains of Sacae, raised in the Cathecassa tribe. I am the niece of the tribe leader, and their ambassador to the outside world." Tamaya gave a small nod to the others, noticing with alarm that the boy with the sword had disappeared. "The boy... He's gone. Could it be a trap? Please, stay on guard, everyone."

Tamaya looked around carefully, then motioned to the mounted man to continue with the introductions. She didn't exactly know what to do, and he had taken charge with a smooth and effective manner. Tamaya respected that. The mercenary looked a bit cocky to her, but seemed quite confident in his abilities. His armor was shined and gleamed, and the many scratches seemed to attest to his experience and prowess.

[Orcleous]

Orcleous took a moment to look around at the situation. Things seemed a bit tense around here really. The fog was causing miss communication and people were coming in and out. It did not seem like the safest of places to be, to be truthful. All it really took was for a single bandit to rush in and attack and everybody might explode with suspicion. It would not be the first time Orcleous seen a group of travelers turn on each other and he was sure he was not going to see it this time. The mercenary decided to take the better route out of this situation.

"Though I have just introduced myself I will be taking a leave", spoke the Mercenary. "No hard feelings or anything, but this fog and a group of strangers is not the best combination. I will try my luck some place else", spoke the mercenary as he began to walk into the fog and away from the group of people.

Orc leaves thread.

[Vaan]

Well she was right, the boy had buggered off. He gave a quick scan for the boy's sword but he had manged to get it and get away rather fast. He looked for where he might have gone but he had simply disappeared into the fog. That was a little interesting. Then the mercenary took his hasty leave. As the mercenary said, this was not an advantageous situation. In the unlikely, but possible chance, that one of them were scouts for bandits, he needed to get going, with or with out the mounted archer. He pulled Chaos into position to continue down the road and called over to Tamaya. "Would you like to accompany me to the next village? It would be safer than traveling alone." Yes it would be safer but he also desperately wanted some company. He had been stuck alone with his own head for quite some time now and while Chaos was a great listener, his chats were mostly one sided.

[Tamaya]

Tamaya looked at the man quickly, then nodded. "Yes. I would appreciate the company. And I am intrigued... Growing up, I was told that shamans and users of black magic were evil, to be scorned and feared... But you seem to be a kindhearted person. I am confused..."

Moving Shikoba up next to the man's horse, the nomad placed her bow on her back, still watching carefully for any sort of trap. "Let's move quickly, then. This fog unnerves me. I would rather not spend any more time in it than necessary."

[Vaan]

"Well you can not just judge people that quickly by simply them using the dark arts, Tamaya. People have their own reason for using the dark arts. Some are evil and desire to be feared and happen to arm themselves with the dark arts. Others use what ever means they can to protect what they hold dear."

Vaan gave a grim nod in agreement about the fog. "Yes, lets try to get through this fog quickly. I don't have a very good history with this kind of fog." He got Chaos moving at a fair clip as they moved into the fog. He kept and eye around the shifting fog, but the real one looking for him what his loyal mount.

[Tamaya]

"...Mmm. Yes, I see. So what do you hold dear, Vaan of the Fog?"

The nomad fingered her arrows, debating whether or not to give one to the man. Maybe later. First, she would talk with him and learn about him. Wiping the muggy air away from her and smoothing her hair out of her face, she turned to the Seer as they rode, telling him about herself.

"I am Tamaya, daughter of the Cathecassa clan. My family holds a high position, although we are not the chief's family. We have long served as the judges and arbiters of disputes, and the mediators at meetings. Our family prides itself on its connection to the plains and tribe, and our steadfastness in preserving our way of life. I have been using a bow since I was a young sprout, and now that I have grown, so too has my skill increased."