05-18-2018, 08:43 PM
The sun bounced endlessly off the freshly fallen snow, the evidence of winter's close seemed to become more and more apparent. “Life and death, all things belong to our mistress Meistra. Even thy seasons, winter is death, and spring, life. I walk the cusp between both. Alone, and unwavering.” a small voice could barely be heard over the sounds of the wind blowing through the snow covered trees. The sturdy oak trees stood as a simple but meaningful symbol for the young woman, the strong limbs provided the wood for her simple long bow, the heartwood of the sturdy tree had always been the core of each weapon she had. Even her shadow name had been based on the tree. Everything about the tree was symbolic to her and those in her inner circle, and yet now the same trees that she coveted so much also provided cover for her prey.
The crunch of snow underfoot combined with the creak of her leather pants was hardly noticeable over the ambient noise. The sound of bucks calling for their doe’s filled the gaps of silence with each passing step. Carefully stepping over the knobby roots of the stalwart trees. She knew the dangers of even such a simple journey. The roads were wrought with bandits, cutpurses and even natural hazards. However even now she knew nothing of fear as she looked on each tree with varying degrees of familiarity. She had strode through these woods numerous times exploring each and every location, studying every single rock. The dyed leather armor she wore nearly blended in seamlessly with the fallen snow creating the illusion of a hooded whisp moving through the snow. She had always maintained a deep appreciation for working her craft in the snow, the perfect white made for the best concealment and the deep hood helped keep her identity concealed but also served to help keep her long hair from interfering with her task . Her target was not far she could feel it deep in her bones.
Carefully pulling the bow from her back and sliding one of the wicked forked arrows out from the quiver on her waist. The simple weapon was perfect for her purpose “Slowly, calmly,” she thought to herself as she nocked the vile arrow on her string. Pulling tightly with the first three fingers on her left hand she felt the bow bend as it built resistance to her draw. She held the bow at its full draw, her capable muscles holding tight, unwavering. A light breeze blew through the trees as she stood taking careful aim at her unwary target. Hints of condensation exited her nose as it mingled with the frigid air forming and then dissipating as the wind blew it away. She used it as a guide helping her judge how the wind would affect the arrow. As with every kill, this had to be perfect lest her target take off through the woods and elude her.
With practiced calm she released her breath, leaving her lungs empty and with a single motion, loosed her grip on the bowstring. She felt the string snap against her forearm as it propelled the deadly projectile towards its target. A loud “Thud” broke the silence as it confirmed she had hit her target. Taking a moment to inhale once more, she swung her bow carefully back around and made sure that the strong oak weapon was resting firmly on her back. Taking a moment to glimpse around her to make sure there was no one stalking her. When she felt confident there were no peeping eyes around her she strode towards her mark confidently but with every hair standing on end as if looking for the slightest change.
Blood stained the snow as it flowed freely from the twin wounds. Taking her knife from its sheath at her side she bent over and began cutting away at the neck. There was no ceremony, no prayer offered, Just what had to be done. Blood spurted up as the knife bit deep into the thick neck severing tissue and muscle with ease, Blood glistened on her gloves creating a vivid contrast to the soft dull white leather.
The bag with the head in it was exceptionally unwieldy, still she took no time carefully retracing her steps back from whence she came. As she carefully stepped along she made sure to keep an eye on her surroundings, it was not uncommon for bandits to patrol the area, especially with the sun nearing its low point in the sky above. Dark clouds held off in the distance creeping their way over the ridge of the Keplan mountain range to the west. “More snow be coming” she mumbled under her breath as she hefted the bloody bag over her back, she had plenty of time to clean her armor after she got back within the town walls. She could tell she was going to be back to the thick stone walls soon however she also was well aware that no matter how swiftly she reached the walls she was not going to make it before the thick wooden drawbridge was raised for the night.
She halted her progress near the forest’s edge, the sun had finished its daily descent over the horizon, and sister moon had made her appearance in the night sky. The stars dazzled brilliantly overhead spanning the dark sky, The dark clouds from earlier that day had seemed to flow through with little pause leaving a thin layer of freshly fallen snow. She knew she had to find shelter or at least make a fire, however with all the snow finding tinder to start the flames would prove difficult. Still even now caught between winter and spring she knew she would be risking her own death if she couldn't find warmth within the next few hours.
Once again, the strong oak tree’s provided the answer to her dilemma as she chipped at the bark of one of the larger oak tree’s with her knife. She felt remorseful to use the knife in such a way but it was her own fault that she was out stuck in the middle of the night. Cursing her own persistence in going on this foolish hunt she got to work with some flint to get the damp bark lit. It took her only a few tried to get a spark in the bark strong enough to build a fire. She carefully blew on the small ember as it began to grow. Not long after she had a full fire going, huddled over the small flame she carefully kept the melting snow at bay while it grew. Adding just enough bark to make the fire large enough to keep her body warm. She knew all too well she was not going to get much sleep this night having to tend the flame as often as she did. Inside her mind she could picture how wonderful of a setting this would be for bandits, but unless they were half as stubborn as she was she knew they would not be out and about “There be none who would find profit in accosting me this night” she mumbled as she watched the fire blazed in front of her. The Flickering flames danced before her while she mused on this latest kill.
The darkness of the night was slow and drawn out, the sounds of predatory animals in the distance kept her alert, even though the fire was small it was providing enough illumination for her to see the yellow eyes glaring at her from just beyond the trees. She struggled to hold off sleep, her mind awash with worry, for she knew that if these animals came after her, no matter how fast her blade was and no matter how true her blade hit, she was but one person, and all it took was one bite, one claw to create untold problems for her. Madness wounds seemed to be commonplace, the bites festered creating wounds that would create a fever that seemed to cause the stricken one to lose his mind, often attacking even those he loved before succumbing to the fever himself.
The call of wolves calling to their pack, jolted her awake, she had managed to sneak a few moments of rest however it had cost her much of her fire, the small flame remaining had to be tended carefully to keep it from dieing out. The smell of the smoldering oak bark was a small comfort to her, knowing that morning was fast approaching she steeled herself for the next few hours. The rustling of plants around her made her skin crawl, each passing moment her attention was pulled from one sound to another. She knew she could be overreacting, but with the ever looming threat of getting the sickness from the animals around her she opted on the side of caution. She kept the palm of her hand resting firmly on the pommel of the long blade on her side, ready to draw it should she find there be need. The tense standoff seemed to drag on without end, until finally the glaring yellow eyes seemed to go off in search of easier prey. Even so, her eyes continued to scan the trees around her watching, and waiting.
The eyes seemed to fade in and out of view as her eyes closed and opened time and time again.
“Elizabeth Vi Laticar, you have interested me, as such you are here now. My name is Omni.”
It took Elizabeth a moment to wrap her mind around what she was seeing, one moment she was in a forest the dead of night on the verge of being devoured, another she now stood amidst this blackness that consumed all light, and yet before her was a grinning figure robed in white.
Her mouth opened to ask the strange creature questions, words failed, even the effort of moving her mouth was impossible. What or whoever this Omni was, seemed to be able to break even the most devout of Meistras followers. She would need to be careful.
In the span of one blink everything shifted, the lonely black void was gone replaced with the clean look of white, white everywhere. It was like hiding in the snow, her white leather armor and hood blended in even now. Though anyone who would look at the young woman would see nothing more than a primitive looking woman.
The crunch of snow underfoot combined with the creak of her leather pants was hardly noticeable over the ambient noise. The sound of bucks calling for their doe’s filled the gaps of silence with each passing step. Carefully stepping over the knobby roots of the stalwart trees. She knew the dangers of even such a simple journey. The roads were wrought with bandits, cutpurses and even natural hazards. However even now she knew nothing of fear as she looked on each tree with varying degrees of familiarity. She had strode through these woods numerous times exploring each and every location, studying every single rock. The dyed leather armor she wore nearly blended in seamlessly with the fallen snow creating the illusion of a hooded whisp moving through the snow. She had always maintained a deep appreciation for working her craft in the snow, the perfect white made for the best concealment and the deep hood helped keep her identity concealed but also served to help keep her long hair from interfering with her task . Her target was not far she could feel it deep in her bones.
Carefully pulling the bow from her back and sliding one of the wicked forked arrows out from the quiver on her waist. The simple weapon was perfect for her purpose “Slowly, calmly,” she thought to herself as she nocked the vile arrow on her string. Pulling tightly with the first three fingers on her left hand she felt the bow bend as it built resistance to her draw. She held the bow at its full draw, her capable muscles holding tight, unwavering. A light breeze blew through the trees as she stood taking careful aim at her unwary target. Hints of condensation exited her nose as it mingled with the frigid air forming and then dissipating as the wind blew it away. She used it as a guide helping her judge how the wind would affect the arrow. As with every kill, this had to be perfect lest her target take off through the woods and elude her.
With practiced calm she released her breath, leaving her lungs empty and with a single motion, loosed her grip on the bowstring. She felt the string snap against her forearm as it propelled the deadly projectile towards its target. A loud “Thud” broke the silence as it confirmed she had hit her target. Taking a moment to inhale once more, she swung her bow carefully back around and made sure that the strong oak weapon was resting firmly on her back. Taking a moment to glimpse around her to make sure there was no one stalking her. When she felt confident there were no peeping eyes around her she strode towards her mark confidently but with every hair standing on end as if looking for the slightest change.
Blood stained the snow as it flowed freely from the twin wounds. Taking her knife from its sheath at her side she bent over and began cutting away at the neck. There was no ceremony, no prayer offered, Just what had to be done. Blood spurted up as the knife bit deep into the thick neck severing tissue and muscle with ease, Blood glistened on her gloves creating a vivid contrast to the soft dull white leather.
The bag with the head in it was exceptionally unwieldy, still she took no time carefully retracing her steps back from whence she came. As she carefully stepped along she made sure to keep an eye on her surroundings, it was not uncommon for bandits to patrol the area, especially with the sun nearing its low point in the sky above. Dark clouds held off in the distance creeping their way over the ridge of the Keplan mountain range to the west. “More snow be coming” she mumbled under her breath as she hefted the bloody bag over her back, she had plenty of time to clean her armor after she got back within the town walls. She could tell she was going to be back to the thick stone walls soon however she also was well aware that no matter how swiftly she reached the walls she was not going to make it before the thick wooden drawbridge was raised for the night.
She halted her progress near the forest’s edge, the sun had finished its daily descent over the horizon, and sister moon had made her appearance in the night sky. The stars dazzled brilliantly overhead spanning the dark sky, The dark clouds from earlier that day had seemed to flow through with little pause leaving a thin layer of freshly fallen snow. She knew she had to find shelter or at least make a fire, however with all the snow finding tinder to start the flames would prove difficult. Still even now caught between winter and spring she knew she would be risking her own death if she couldn't find warmth within the next few hours.
Once again, the strong oak tree’s provided the answer to her dilemma as she chipped at the bark of one of the larger oak tree’s with her knife. She felt remorseful to use the knife in such a way but it was her own fault that she was out stuck in the middle of the night. Cursing her own persistence in going on this foolish hunt she got to work with some flint to get the damp bark lit. It took her only a few tried to get a spark in the bark strong enough to build a fire. She carefully blew on the small ember as it began to grow. Not long after she had a full fire going, huddled over the small flame she carefully kept the melting snow at bay while it grew. Adding just enough bark to make the fire large enough to keep her body warm. She knew all too well she was not going to get much sleep this night having to tend the flame as often as she did. Inside her mind she could picture how wonderful of a setting this would be for bandits, but unless they were half as stubborn as she was she knew they would not be out and about “There be none who would find profit in accosting me this night” she mumbled as she watched the fire blazed in front of her. The Flickering flames danced before her while she mused on this latest kill.
The darkness of the night was slow and drawn out, the sounds of predatory animals in the distance kept her alert, even though the fire was small it was providing enough illumination for her to see the yellow eyes glaring at her from just beyond the trees. She struggled to hold off sleep, her mind awash with worry, for she knew that if these animals came after her, no matter how fast her blade was and no matter how true her blade hit, she was but one person, and all it took was one bite, one claw to create untold problems for her. Madness wounds seemed to be commonplace, the bites festered creating wounds that would create a fever that seemed to cause the stricken one to lose his mind, often attacking even those he loved before succumbing to the fever himself.
The call of wolves calling to their pack, jolted her awake, she had managed to sneak a few moments of rest however it had cost her much of her fire, the small flame remaining had to be tended carefully to keep it from dieing out. The smell of the smoldering oak bark was a small comfort to her, knowing that morning was fast approaching she steeled herself for the next few hours. The rustling of plants around her made her skin crawl, each passing moment her attention was pulled from one sound to another. She knew she could be overreacting, but with the ever looming threat of getting the sickness from the animals around her she opted on the side of caution. She kept the palm of her hand resting firmly on the pommel of the long blade on her side, ready to draw it should she find there be need. The tense standoff seemed to drag on without end, until finally the glaring yellow eyes seemed to go off in search of easier prey. Even so, her eyes continued to scan the trees around her watching, and waiting.
The eyes seemed to fade in and out of view as her eyes closed and opened time and time again.
“Elizabeth Vi Laticar, you have interested me, as such you are here now. My name is Omni.”
It took Elizabeth a moment to wrap her mind around what she was seeing, one moment she was in a forest the dead of night on the verge of being devoured, another she now stood amidst this blackness that consumed all light, and yet before her was a grinning figure robed in white.
Her mouth opened to ask the strange creature questions, words failed, even the effort of moving her mouth was impossible. What or whoever this Omni was, seemed to be able to break even the most devout of Meistras followers. She would need to be careful.
In the span of one blink everything shifted, the lonely black void was gone replaced with the clean look of white, white everywhere. It was like hiding in the snow, her white leather armor and hood blended in even now. Though anyone who would look at the young woman would see nothing more than a primitive looking woman.