The Fae's Capture (closed to eklectikchik and Zom_Dom)

(Special thanks to Zom_Dom for entertaining me so well. You've been a great partner!)

Tamara sank to her knees and smiled as her eyes caught site of the mushrooms she had been searching for. She was always careful to keep to the edge of the woods when the sun began to dip in the sky. With the dimming light, creatures came out to stalk for food and while she had never been overly afraid of such things, she had been taught to be cautious and Tamara usually followed the rules. She was still a young apprentice of magic, small and slight of frame. Even at 18, Tamara was tiny compared to most of her friends. Being fae gave her delicate graceful features and soft curves, with a wealth of dark hair that fell in a heavy silky mass to her hips and iridescent eyes that reminded most of opals.

With her knees sinking into the rich soil around a thickly rooted tree, she began plucking the little mushrooms that popped through the rich soil. Like most Faes she had felt a deep connection to the earth and often dabbled with her inner powers, sinking her hands into flower beds and areas that she scouted around the woods, watching little blooms pop up. It gave her joy to make things grow.

Humming to herself, she gathered a few herbs that her mother had also specially requested, breathing in the cool fresh air and sighing contently. Children ran through the village streets, giggling and laughing, some yelling as they played games with one another and close knit neighbors, friends and family worked well together. Tamara was glad to be part of such a village where squabbling was minimal and everyone helped each other out. It was the way of things, Fae, Elf, Human and whatever other race alike.

Dusting off the dirt from her knees, Tamara wove her way through the vegetable gardens and between houses when suddenly loud shouts broke out and a scream rang through. She gasped and shivered, the basket she held dropping to the ground as she took off running to see what the commotion was about. Centered in the village, a group of large, beastly looking were charging the village. She had never seen anyone quite like that, massive in height and girth, with green colored skin that resembled something close to an ogre. She stood frozen in place as one particularly ugly one picked up a human and shook the poor man before throwing him aside as if he were merely a rag. The man hit the side of a home with a sickening crunch as bones shattered and he fell to the ground, lifeless.

With a thudding heart, Tamara clutched at the soft material of her skirt and glanced around frantically. Her friends were scattering here and there, trying to seek shelter. Women screamed for their children and the beasts roared, demanding their valuables. That's when her eyes landed on the toddler that stood before them, trembling and too frightened to move. Tamara knew him, a sweet little boy with laughing eyes and impish grin that was always getting into trouble. She watched in horror as the hulking figure sneered at the boy, spit flying from his upturned lips and a large hand reaching up to the sky to come down and swat the boy aside. She screamed, unable to stop herself and took off after the little boy. Her quick feet reached him just before the ugly creature smacked Thomas. She grasped the boy, shoving him between two buildings and screaming for him to hide when suddenly she was plucked up from the ground.

“Well well well...look what we have here.” The leader grinned as he held her squirming body up by an arm. She kicked and gasped as pain shot down her arm, his hold unrelenting, almost crushing her delicate bones. She squirmed, her breaths coming out in frightened pants as she stared at the dark eyed monster that had captured her. “I think I found myself a little treasure boys. This village bare, lets take this bitch instead.”

Grunts and growls were exchanged and Tamara's beautiful eyes widened in sheer horror. “NO!”

The oaf laughed at that and threw her petite body over his shoulder, knocked the breath right out of her. She coughed and wheezed, the screamed again as his great big hand smacked down on her upturned bottom...

Grey sighed softly as he drew a hand slowly along the broken branch, pushing it gently back into place before letting it slide slowly back down to rest. Something large had come through that way quite recently and scared off his quarry. He’d been tracking the buck for almost two miles through these woods, drawing closer and closer until something had spooked it and sent it bolting deeper into the forest. At that point he was faced with a crossroads. He could either follow the deer, keeping after it for who knew how long and who knew how far, and even then he might be faced with the undesirable prospect of lugging it all the way back to ‘camp’ on his own if he were too far to call the others for help.

Grey sighed again, this time in frustration of another sort. He’d been following and loosely associating with this band of cutthroats and rogues for a while now, and though they’d come to accept him for the most part, he still didn’t feel comfortable around them. If he were to ask them for help in retrieving the buck they’d most likely eat it then and there. Spying a promising bush of berries, he hunkered down and began picking them, drawing forth a small pouch and filling it as best he was able with the bright red fruit. It certainly wasn’t venison, but at least he wouldn’t starve that night. Despite being a part of the group they never shared their food with him, usually because they had a hard enough time finding enough for themselves to eat, given their large, somewhat monstrous forms. As Grey picked the succulent little rubies from their branches and deposited them in the old, worn leather pouch he listened to the wind rustling the leaves and branches around him. Somewhere in the distance a rodent chattered to itself, and at the very edges of his hearing was the gentle lapping of a small brook or stream.

Rising to his feet, Grey stood tall and straight, allowing the gentle wind to caress his skin, dancing across the bristles on his face and ruffling his unkempt hair, which hung loosely almost to his shoulder and fell across his haggard face. Eyes as dark and hard and cold as obsidian scanned the environment, searching for the barely perceptible trail he’d followed out this far. Somewhere to the north was a village, one that most likely the others had already come upon and where he’d most likely find them, so he set off in that direction, rather than retracing his steps. Brushing past large stately oaks and sturdy, defiant sentinels, he made his way slowly towards the edge of the forest. When he finally reached it, some time later, he was rather less than surprised to find the village not too far distant, curls of smoke wafting through the air above it. Either they were in the middle of a festival or his traveling companions had already been through the town. Either way they would be continuing west, along the edge of the forest, and making camp before nightfall.

Shrugging the small hunting bow he carried across his shoulder, Grey consigned himself to another hungry night and sped his pace, loping evenly over the rocky ground in an effort to catch up with them. If they’d found anything of value they would be in a good mood by the time he reached them, and if not they would surely be as surly and crude as ever. He cursed himself for following the buck instead of making for the town, like he should have that morning, and tied the pouch to his belt so as not to lose it during the travel. Their pace was slow enough he would catch up soon enough, but he didn’t relish the idea of coming back so close to empty handed, especially if they were in foul moods. His leather booted feet made quick work of the now level ground, eating up the distance with ease thanks to his long legs and stout frame. The old, worn breaches were comfortable enough to move swiftly in, and coupled with the dark shirt and deep green traveling cloak, almost blended him perfectly into the forest beside him. Still, it wouldn’t be good to come upon them unaware, so he made an effort to snap a few twigs and rustle leaves, kick a few stones when able to alert them of his coming.

Tamara struggled and squirmed, crying out when the oaf who held her smacked her already tender bottom. The screams and cried of the village began to fade as the hulking figures lumbered on with surprising ease. She kicked and pounded her tiny fists on the foul smelling beasts back until she was so exhausted, all she could do was lay limply over his shoulder. Her long shining hair trailed over her head, tears dripping from her eyes and hitting the ground, her magic creating little snow white buds to pop up only to be crushed by the ones that followed.

Her mind raced, though her body was tired and too weak to fight them off. She needed to conserve her energy and make a run for it. She just had to get away! Fear crawled up her throat and choked her. What would they do?! Strip the flesh from her bones and eat her?! The thought send a shudder than even her captor felt.

“She's just a quivering, men! Eager to please, I am sure!” The leader threw over his shoulder and laughed at his own disgusting joke.

Dread made her skin prickle and she renewed her fight, wanting to get away now – not later. Now before it was too late! That seemed to amuse the the leader further. He shrugged his shoulder and her slight body lifted and fell back, knocking the air fresh out of her lungs. She wheezed and coughed, making them laugh. “Toss her here!”

Their cruel games were beginning to amuse the lot and Tamara yelped as she was plucked from his shoulder. Holding her beneath her arms, he tossed her through the air, making her shriek as she hit a solid wall of muscle and stench. She gagged and struggled against this new assailant as he wrapped his large fist around her wealth of hair and tugged until she bent backwards and stared into the dark eyes of another beast that seemed to practically drool. He sniffed her skin and rubbed his crotch lewdly. His grin showcased a wealth of rotting filthy teeth and she cringed.

“I don't think she like ya!” The other roared and Tamara spun on her toes, trying to wrench herself free. The sting of his hold sent her to her knees. “Oh ho ho! Now the wench is on her knees!!”

As it happened, the band of rogues hadn’t gotten nearly as far as he’d expected by the time they came into sight. They must have found something worthwhile or amusing while in town. Grey sighed softly to himself, taking a moment to rest against a weathered old oak tree and catching his breath. He’d been pushing hard to catch up with them and there was still a fair amount of daylight left, which meant he would be with them before they even made camp for the night. If they were still only this far from town it surely meant they’d spent a fair amount of time in town, most likely causing a ruckus and probably causing some damage as well. They weren’t exactly the most subtle of beings, especially when they wanted something, and if they’d gotten it into their heads that there was treasure about… Grey shuddered at the thought of what he’d seen in the last village they’d “visited.” So much needless violence, all for such meager gains.

As he started up again, he kept to a slower pace, content to trail slightly behind them for a while, not really wanting to be a part of the group again so soon, especially given the way his morning hunt had turned out. The group tromped across the gently sloping terrain, through the meager fields of dry grasses spotted with solitary trees here and there. He drew closer as they marched through a small stream, seemingly oblivious to it even as the water ran past their ankles, soaking the old animal skin boots they wore. Grey stopped to fill his water skin, knowing unlike they that another clean, clear brook like this might not come along for quite a while. When he resumed his trek they were still only perhaps a quarter mile ahead of him, and his long, easy stride ate up the distance easily.

The late afternoon sun began to peak through the clouds overhead, casting sharp yellow rays down over the landscape, illuminating patches here and there like spotlights. When they reached a small stand of trees set apart from the rest of the forest they stopped, hunkering down and beginning to set up their makeshift camp. By this time Grey was only a short distance behind, and he could easily see that they had not come up with much during their foray into town earlier. A few sheep from the look of it, maybe a few baubles taken from farmers (in lieu of their heads no doubt) and something else… It was hard to tell, as it was being passed between them frequently, but as he drew closer to the circled men it became apparent. It was a girl, a maiden from the look of her, and she did not look pleased or even complacent; rather scared and frayed and harried, no doubt from the rough treatment she’d received along the trip. What were they planning on doing with her?

As Grey sidled up to the camp, one of them spied him and called out, “Ahhh, they grey one returns at last! Where is the bounty, oh fearless hunter?” He had of course told them about the buck that morning, at which they’d all laughed in disbelief. He grimaced as he replied, “It was too old, not worth the trouble.” He didn’t want to show weakness in front of them, explaining that he wouldn’t have been able to carry it by himself. “It looks as though you’ve fared better than I, my friend. What have you there?” He nodded slightly towards the girl who was being held and toyed with by the band’s leader.

Tamara was breathing hard, her chest rising and falling as she strained against the hold of her captors cruel hand in her hair. She couldn't see the newcomer to the group, but her senses prickled with fear. Not another one. Please!

“This here,” the brute holding her yanked her back up, making her scream as pain sliced through her scalp. “Is just a little wee thing we picked up through our last pillage. I think she wants to play.”

The gravely voice laughed again and shoved her small frame back to the leader who spun her around to face all of them. Her hair clung to her cheeks and eyes blazed beneath the dark tresses as she struggled. His large filthy hand slid across her chest and grasp a small plump breast and it a squeeze through the gauzy material of her dress. She bucked and struggled, “No! No!” Her voice chocked with fear.

“She's a spirited one and will be fun to break in...”

She gasped in horror as she heard her pretty dress being ripped to expose her chest, the cool air hitting her skin and making her shudder. Her milky white skin practically glowed in the setting light, her breasts softly rounded and tipped with pink nipples. She sagged, straining as best she could, but becoming too tired to keep up the fight. “Please...please stop...”

Grey watched the oaf yank and shove the girl about, a grim expression crossing his face as his lips tightened in frustration and his brow knitted in anger. The entire band was crude and sometimes bloodthirsty, and he did not hold with them in that. He believed that there were better ways of getting information than through force, better ways to get what you wanted than simply to take it, and that had set him at odds with them from the beginning. Still, their leader held the map he needed, so he put up with them, followed them, hoping that sooner rather than later he’d be able to lay his hands on it and make good an escape, leaving them as far behind as possible.

At first it seemed as though they were merely having a bit of sport with her, and Grey wondered why she would have chosen to go with them. Her frightened voice rang through the still air, standing all the hairs on the back of his neck on end. When the leader spoke Grey reached up and stroked the rough bristles of his chin in thought. Why would a girl like this come along with this band of louts and ruffians? She made a truly startling contrast, struggling against her much larger opponent. He was full of hard muscle, stretched taut beneath olive tinged skin, greasy hair hanging in tendrils and falling across the tattered skins which served as clothing for his kind. She, however, seemed barely a slip of a girl in comparison, small and light and soft… Despite her obvious fear she was graceful where he was ungainly, soft where he was coarse, radiant where he was dull…

As the soft material of her dress was ripped from her body, exposing her soft, smooth flesh to the late afternoon air, Grey saw a look of tired defeat enter her movements, and a flash of gleeful lust and eagerness cross the face of her captor. It clicked then, like puzzle pieces falling into place. She had been taken, quite unwillingly, and Grey simply could not abide that. Quick as a flash he drew the small bow from his shoulders and cursed himself for not carrying a blade longer than his small dirk. The leader was too entranced by the vision of soft skin to notice him at first, and Grey knocked an arrow, pointing it squarely at the leader’s own equally exposed chest. “Let the girl go.” His voice was low yet stern, leaving no doubt as to the surety of his words much as the drawn arrow left no room for doubt about his challenge.

The leader grinned a wide toothy smile, throwing his head back as his hand gripped the girl tightly. “You want the first round? Maybe if you had something to trade…” The idea of being the first of many in a long line sickened Grey; he’d never taken a woman unwillingly in his life, and didn’t intend to start now. Whatever fight was left in the girl seemed to leave her at that moment, and she sagged against the large arm that held her, a slight whimper passing her pursed lips as she trembled. Grey’s muscles tightened with rage and he almost let the arrow fly then and there. He did not wish to kill the other, for then he would surely lose his precious map, but if it were the only way to make him release the girl, then so be it. “Let. Her. Go.” Grey repeated, taking careful aim and pulling the bowstring taut. The other laughed, long and loud, before drawing the crude sword from his waist and giving Grey a steely eyed stare. “You want her, grey one, take her.” At the growled challenge Grey let loose the arrow and drew another even as the large oaf threw the girl aside and roared, charging at him. The next arrow found its mark, striking the other’s heart dead center, pitching him forward onto his hands and knees.

Without another second’s hesitation, Grey rushed to the girl’s side and grabbed her arm tightly. “Come on, we’ve got to go.” His voice was the same, low yet commanding, not allowing for comment or argument. As the girl rose to her feet, stumbling and attempting to pull her tattered dress up across her chest, he gave her more of a yank than a tug back the way he’d come in. “Make for the tree line and don’t look back.” As they bolted towards the protection of the forest, Grey thanked the goddess of luck that the ground was flat and even, otherwise they’d surely be stumbling and the girl would fall. He wouldn’t be able to carry her and outrun the band roaring and crashing about behind them. He could already hear the patter of heavy feet behind them, and hoped they would be able to escape from in the forest.

Adrenaline spurred Tamara to move. With her dress in tatters, she resorted to crossing an arm over her full breasts and running as fast as her feet would take her. She ran along side him, then dipped behind, following as his long legs ran impossibly fast. Her lungs tightened and she struggled to draw in a decent breath as she heard the shouts and thuds behind them. However, while they were large and strong, they couldn't cut through the dense forest as nimbly as the two of them.

When some distance had been gained, the flow of fear ebbed a little and Tamara stumbled, crashing to her knees with a small cry. “I can't...I can't keep running.” She wheezed, clutching the remains of her dress up against her front. “Please...”

Her brilliant bright eyes shone with light as she stared up at his own heaving back, his hands on his knees as he sucked in a deep breath. She hadn't really made out his features, but he had an air of danger to him. She had been taken away from the horrid creatures that aimed to harm her, but what did she know of him? A chill ran down her spin following a thin trickle of sweat and she tried to squelch the urge to give into hysterics.

Grey rose from his slump, standing at his full height once more, straight and tall. Leaning against an oak, he drew in another deep breath of cool air, savoring the smell of the sentinel’s long green needles and the earthy musk of the oak’s bark. The forest had such a distinct smell to it, one that he’d never been able to get enough of, which was part of what kept him returning to it time and again since his youth. No two forests were the same, of course, but many in that area had the tall, ancient oaks with their lofty branches and thick leafy cover intermingled with the comparatively stock sentinels, tall yet bushy, prickly green needles sprouting from every branch. As he turned his eyes upon the girl once more he was entranced by the rise and fall of her chest, the gentle sway of her lithe young form. There was something about her he couldn’t quite put his finger on, something different…

Perhaps it was her eyes, shining brightly in the faintly glimmering rays of the setting sun, like diamonds or a prism, catching and reflecting and refracting the light, making them somehow brighter than they had a right to be. Maybe it was the way the fading light caught the odd tatters of her dress, which she clutched tightly and protectively across herself in an attempt to maintain her modesty and dignity. It could have been the grace which seemed to inhabit her every move, making her seem like a dancer plucked from the stage. Whatever it was, she had drawn his attention and his eyes were fastened tightly to her. As he lowered his head, long strands of russet and grey hair fell across his face, obscuring his vision. He brushed them aside and cleared his throat, taking in a deep steadying, calming breath before addressing her.

“I think we can rest here for a few minutes, they’re not near as fast as we are and we’ll lose them much more easily in the trees. They have a horrible sense of direction. Nonetheless, we can’t bed down here for the night, we’ll need to find something better, further in…” Running a hand through his hair, he pushed back the long swathe of silver that was his namesake. He’d been born with the streak of grey and despite whatever name he’d been originally given, from the time it his hair started growing, everyone had called him Grey. He’d suffered his share of jokes about it during his youth, which dropped off when he sprouted up much taller than the other boys much earlier and began to fill out. The girl seemed to still be in that flush of youth, her body transforming from a pretty young girl to a ravishing maiden… It wasn’t hard to see why they had grabbed her and brought her along; even he felt a twinge within his chest and a pang of hunger, though he quickly buried it. His principles would not allow him to act as they had, indeed that was why he’d thrown away his chance at reacquiring the map, in order to save her from those louts.

“Can you walk?” he asked, grimacing as he studied her. They would have to mend the dress, at least partially, otherwise she would be unable to continue much further into the woods. Ahead the trees grew tighter together, the bushes cloying and the underbrush thick. She would need both hands free in order to traverse it. As he took a hesitant step towards her he saw her shiver and tense up, so raised his hands in supplication between them. “It’s alright, I don’t mean you any harm. We need to take care of that dress, otherwise you won’t be going much further and they might catch up with us…” She relaxed, but only a fraction, and he drew a small pouch from his belt, pulling a small length of gut and a bone needle usually used for stitching and dressing wounds. It wasn’t ideal, he thought as he threaded the needle, but it would suffice until they could find another town and hopefully something better.

Tamara sat back on her heels, tense and clutching at her dress desperately. He was much taller than she had first thought, having been too preoccupied with escaping to notice. But from her stand point now she could tell that he was formidable and it made her insides quiver with fear. Still, she had little choice but to try and trust him and he drew closer she resisted the urge to flinch away or bolt. Instead she squeezed her eyes shut a moment gathering whatever inner strength she could muster.

She heard him murmur softly trying to ease her nerves and opened her eyes. His fingers brushed over her back and she gasped and flinched, turning to look see that he was just trying to grab a scrap that lay at her hips. He didn't meet her frightened gaze, but seeing now that he was trying to stitch the front to her back over her shoulders, Tamara gathered her long loose tresses and gathered them up with one hand while the other kept her modesty intact.

He worked quickly and efficiently even through the awkward and strained silence until the scraps of her dress at least covered her front again and she was able to to free her hands.”Thank you.” She told him softly and accepted his hand as he helped her up. “I'm fine...lets go. I don't want to stay if you think they could possibly find us.”

Dusting off her knees, she wrapped and knotted her hair out of the way, twirling it neatly behind her back and following him into deeper woods. The sun was quickly setting and they would soon need to find shelter and food. A place to sleep off the fatigue that already nagged at her senses. Still she was worried. Where was he taking her? And could she return to her home?

“How...how do you know them?” She asked from behind his broad back, watching the play of his hair brushing over his shoulders as he walked...

Grey worked quickly, sewing up the dress as best he could, murmuring soft nothings to her to calm her nerves, much as his mother had done when he’d been a child. It didn’t much matter the words, he’d found, it was simply the tone, and the same approach worked with animals. He’d found a hundred subtle tricks like that living in the woods and wilds for as long as he had, and many of them had kept him alive when a hotter head would not have prevailed. Trying to keep his eyes on his work was difficult, as they seemed to keep straying towards her soft, pale skin; down into the valley she tried so desperately to conceal with the torn material. Finally, though, he finished and stood back to check over his work, then helped her up.

Her voice was calmer, and almost musical with its own tone and cadence. He wondered briefly what such a girl would be doing in a small village like that, then shrugged the thought off in favor of focusing on their present situation. Grey nodded and turned smartly on his heel, pricking up his hears and listening for some sign of their pursuers. Nodding towards a slightly darker stretch of the forest, he turned and spoke softly over his shoulder, “Come, this way…” then started off. If the girl could not keep up they would be in trouble, but not nearly as soon as if they stayed and simply waited to be found. Perhaps they could find a place to shelter for the night, maybe even a little food…

As they walked, quickly but carefully, through the underbrush and low hanging branches, Grey kept an eye and an ear out for signs of trouble. He hesitated at her words, tensing up and stopping short. Surely she had started putting pieces together; she’d seen that they knew him, and assumed he was traveling with them. Did she think him a monster like they? He turned to face her, taking a deep breath and leaning against a nearby tree. “Not in the way you might think. They… Have something of mine. I wished to get it back, but it was closely guarded, so the only way was to follow along, wait for the right time, and then…” He trailed off and turned once more, continuing on along their way.

What felt like hours passed, the little light they had glimmering through the leaves and branches overhead slowly fading and finally disappearing, leaving them in soft darkness. Grey could hear the creatures of the night beginning to stir, and slowed his pace, glancing over his shoulder at the girl to make sure she was still keeping pace. “They’ve surely lost us by now. All we need now is to find a place to bed down for the night, maybe find some food…” He tried to reassure her before starting up again, plodding much more slowly now thanks to the lack of good light. At least the moon was out that night, it cast a few feeble silver rays down through the leaves that kept them from total blackness. Grey still wouldn’t feel better until he’d found a place to rest for the night, though, where he could build a small fire and rest his tired bones.

After an unknowable amount of time had gone by, they finally stumbled upon a small outcropping of rocks sticking out from a rise. They were approaching the hills, then, and the rocky country beyond them… “This will work, at least for tonight.” There was a space, maybe five feet tall and ten feet wide, beneath the outcropping and Grey bent and slipped into it, motioning for the girl to come and rest. “We’ll need some dry twigs and leaves, maybe some moss for tinder… You’re in no shape to search though, so stay right here.” He turned a steely gaze on her to show he was deathly serious. “There are things out this night that would surely kill for a tender morsel such as you.” He added, further impressing his point on her before slipping back out from under the rock. “I’ll be back shortly.” With that, he turned and walked off, searching for elements with which to make a fire.

Tamara watched him leave and hugged herself. A tender morsel like her? She shivered at the thought. Though wasn't usually frightened of the woods, there was something almost sinister about them in the darkness. She sat on the ground, tucking her skirt around her legs to try and cover as much of her flesh as possible and rubbing her arms as the air began to cool without the rays of the sun to warm them. Her eyes searched the area around them, glowing like a cats beneath the slivers of moonlight.

She ached to be home, with her family, sitting by the warmth of the fire while her mother brushed her long silky hair and braided it for the evenings. A twig snapped and she practically jumped out of her skin, hunching over her knees and trying to make herself as small as possible. She was still, so still that she barely dared to breath and then almost screamed in sheer terror when something brushed up against her bare hand.

She swallowed to the sound, chocking on it when she stared at the small furry head of a bunny. A soft laugh escaped her lips as relief flooded her senses. The little critter had nudged her fingers and she smiled, sitting back up to glide her slender elegant fingers over it's soft coat. She had a knack for attracting wild life. Rabbits, birds, deer and all sorts of other things, but usually only when she concentrated hard enough and had the urge for a little company on her walks. Perhaps he had sensed her fear and she took great care, closing her eyes and giving him thanks through the soft flowing power she wielded. After a moment, worried that Grey might snare him for dinner, she gave him a little nudge and sent him on his way. A good sign, she smiled again and combed her hair with her fingers, pulling it around to braid it for the evenings. It wouldn't be near as neat, but she would at least not get tangled in it.

Her thoughts drifted to Grey and her pulse quickened with nerves. He seemed sincere in his explanation. She wondered what it was they had of his and why it would be so important as to risk his life being around such nasty creatures. Though curious, she felt as though it was none of her business and should keep quiet. He might not be one of them, but he was still very much a stranger who could easily turn on her. She would do her best to not push him and hope to somehow find her way back to her people...

The search for firewood and dinner took longer than Grey had expected, but in the end he’d managed to find enough for at least a decent little fire, and enough to eat so they could calm at least most of the hunger pangs. He’d pulled clumps of moss from the driest trees he could find, as well as strips of flaking bark from the tall oaks. Dry branches were harder to find, though he’d happened upon a creaking old sentinel, leaning frightfully to one side and long dead. The ground around it was littered with old brown needles and the branches cracked and broke easily in his grasp. The snap of old dead wood was audible throughout the forest, and he hoped that it wouldn’t attract the unwelcome attention of the larger, hungrier predators out on the prowl that night.

Returning to the rocky nook took more time than he’d imagined, as well, as the moon had moved across the sky and threw less light than before when it was on the rise, making the way dim and sometimes hard to navigate. Eventually, though, he returned, and found the girl curled up amidst her clothing beneath the rock, shivering slightly. Frowning at his lack of foresight, he knelt and placed his bundle of sticks and moss and bark on the ground and took the long green traveling cloak from about his shoulders. As he crept up beside her she gave him the same wary look as before, not exactly trusting but not fearful enough to run away, at least not yet. Reaching out and wrapping the thick, heavy cloak around her shoulder, he muttered “Here, this should help with the cold, at least until I can get a fire up… See anything while I was gone?” He gave her a wry, questioning look, arching an eyebrow. When the girl shook her head fiercely back and forth he didn’t question her, despite the vigorous response, but simply started piling kindling and building the fire at the edge of the rock. Pulling a pair of small flint fire lighters from his belt, he struck them until the sparks caught and a small fire began to glow, pushing back the blackness around them and giving off the faintest radiation of warmth. “Come on, closer, it’ll warm up shortly.”

As the girl scooted along the ground, drawing herself towards the fire, he sat back and examined the meager amount of food he had on his person. Their options were a few wild berries, dried jerky, a hunk of stale cheese and a crust of old dark bread. It wasn’t much, being only his emergency rations plus the berries he’d found earlier, but it would hold them through the night. “Hmph…” he muttered softly to himself, rubbing his hands together over the slowly expanding fire. Carefully splitting the tiny meal into two piles, he pushed one half towards the girl atop a small piece of leather, the bundle seeming to glow in the soft yellow firelight. Somewhere in the distance a rodent broke through the bush, unsettling leaves and snapping twigs as it darted off to who knew where. A few nightbirds called to each other across the forest, their calls soft and distant as they echoed amidst the leaves and high branches. The two ate in near silence, listening to the sounds of the forest at night and the crackle and hiss of the fire.

After finishing, Grey settled back onto his elbows, propping himself up and looking the girl over. She was quite beautiful in the firelight; that certainly hadn’t changed anything. He could see easily, now that he took the time to actually look at her, why the band had taken her. She was far and away much prettier, more graceful even in the most mundane of movements, more enchanting than any woman they’d encountered before. He wondered idly if who her parents were, and felt a twinge of regret and pain. Did the girl even have parents to return to? It was possible, but they wouldn’t be able to return that way for a while, at least not together. He had more important matters to think of than returning her to her home, at least for the time being. He needed to retrieve his map… Letting out a long, slow sigh, he gave the girl the gentlest look he could manage. “Get some rest, we’ll be up and moving on at first light.” Settling down onto his back, he closed his eyes and clasped his hands gingerly behind his head, shivering and twitching slightly as a gust of wind blew across him while he tried to relax and rest.

Tamara watched him lay back and close his eyes. She wanted to talk to him, to find out what he had planned and where he was taking her, but she worried about pushing the wrong buttons. What if he grew angry? What if he just left her behind? The thought terrified her. Although she was adept at gathering foods and weaving simple spells, she hadn't been taught anything of survival. Their village had always been peaceful and the women although trained in different arts hadn't been taught such things as self defense, tracking or any of the things that the hunters and warriors might need to know.

She inwardly sighed, wishing she didn't feel so helpless. A little mouse scurries close to her feet and she stilled it with a small wave of her hand. She could practically hear it's frantic little heartbeat which instantly slowly as she traced a delicate finger across it's head and then sent it scurrying away. Laying on her side, she turned watched the flames dancing, but couldn't bring herself to shut her eyes. Instead she took comfort in the warmth of the fire and stokes the flames when the died down with a little flick of her wrists. Elemental magic was something she was rather adept at, it came naturally to her and was fun to toy with, but she kept everything subtle as to not disturb Grey as he slept.

Gazing up at the stars, she shifted, her bottom was now cold, as were her feet, so she rolled onto her other side and tried to get comfortable. How in the world was he sleeping, she wondered vaguely. After her kidnapping and escape and now in the thick of night in a strange place, Tamara was having a hell of a time relaxing.

Frustrated after some time, she sat back up and drew her knees up again, resting her face against them. Grey seemed to be breathing evenly, once in a while a small shudder running down his large frame. A twinge of guilt plague her. He was cold because of her, but without his offering, her slight body would probably freeze. Rubbing her cheek against her knees, she closed her eyes and let her mind drift back to a happier moment, willing herself to relax and only then did she drift off to sleep...

Grey huddled against himself slightly, forcing himself to relax despite the way his mind seemed to rush hither and yon with no rhyme or reason… An entire chorus of thoughts assailed him, battering at his slowly fading consciousness, sending him questions and statements, odds and ends and bits and pieces. He pushed them all away and willed sleep to come, though it took him longer than usual to drift off that night. As he finally felt the warm, inviting arms of sleep wrap about him and take him into their embrace, he shivered as a night breeze brushed across his skin.

He dreamed that night, about a time when he was younger, though not by much. He was hunting in the woods near his homeland, far away across the tall red stone mountains, where the trees were all yew and ash and the sunlight streamed in past the thing branches and small, fickle leaves. It gave the entire forest the impression of being part of some magical glade, not a true forest at all, and allowed him to see for what felt like miles. It also meant his quarry would see him that much more easily as well, and he crouched behind a small copse, bow carefully nestled in his lap as he drew an arrow from his boot. Grey had never trusted those who kept their bolts and arrows slung across their back, always preferring to keep his nestled into his tall leather boots, circling his ankles like decorative splints.

Ahead, not far off he heard the sound of snapping twigs, and he tensed, readying himself to spring up and let an arrow loose at his intended target. There was a rustle of leaves and the sound of shuffling through the underbrush, at which he sidled slowly backward, further down the rocky little hillock which hid him from view. When the other was perhaps twenty feet away he sprang to his feet, drawing his arm back and pulling the bowstring taut. The girl stood stock still, a look of shear surprise and abject terror written plainly across her face. Her eyes seemed to plead with him then, just as they had when she was being manhandled in the camp… A second passed, and neither moved, then another, and another… Far away a thrush called, long and high. A bead of sweat broke across Grey’s forehead, then trickled down and into his eye, stinging as the salt burned at his eye before falling across his cheek. The girl’s cheek was similarly wet, though it was obvious she had been crying, her eyes were a deep bloodshot crimson and her tattered dress was pockmarked and darker where the tears had fallen on the flimsy material. Letting out a long, slow breath, Grey eased up on the string the tiniest fraction and began to lower the bow…

Suddenly, as though by magic, the leader of the horrid pack burst through a band of trees to his left, arms raised as he brandished a large broadsword and charged Grey. A deep, guttural scream of challenge echoed through the formerly still and calm forest air and Grey fell back and away, landing on his back as the giant bore down on him. Time slowed as the arm bearing the weapon swung down at him, coming closer and closer until just as it was about to pierce his adam’s apple---

Grey woke with a start. He hadn’t moved, but he could feel the tension in his arms as legs as though he’d just finished running five miles. Slowly raising himself to a sitting position, he peered about, searching the forest around them for some sign of trouble. “Only a dream… Doesn’t mean anything…” He reassured himself, glancing in turn at the fire and the girl curled up beside it, hidden almost entirely beneath the folds of his cloak. The fire seemed larger than it had before, and it glowed with a cheery warmth. He wondered idly if she’d gotten more sticks and twigs while he’d been asleep, then dismissed the idea just as quickly. If she’d moved, he would had heard her and woken up. Sighing softly, he lowered himself back down and tried to relax once more. Only fools believed dreams held meaning, fools and madmen… Still, it was a long time before he managed to get back to sleep, and the little he managed was fitful and restless. When the first morning rays broke through the trees he woke again, stiff and cold and sore. The fire had burned to ash, leaving not even a few cooling embers to help warm him, and he stood slowly, walking over and crouching by the girl, reaching out a tentative hand and touching her shoulder gently so as not to wake her with a surprise and scare her. He spoke softly, “Come, we must be up and away soon. We may break our fast along the way…”

Tamara jerked awake as soon as Grey touched her shoulder. A soft gasp escaped her lips and the cloak slipped off, pool around her feet and bottom. She blinked big bright eyes up at him and shuddered as the cool air hit her skin. “Oh...” She mumbled and slowly stood, testing her sore and stiff limbs. Beside her, Grey scooped up his cloak and offered it back, but she shook her head. “I'm alright, thank you.”

He looked a lot more uncomfortable than she felt. Stretching her arms above her head, she reached for the sky and then relaxed her shoulders. Her thick heavy braid waved this way and that, a little unkept and and loose in spots, but it was the least of her concerns.

She was tired, having slept little and then when darkness had finally given her peace, she had slept hard. She yearned for something warm to drink, some fresh bread and cheese, but had no room to complain. She was alive, at least, for now. Gazing at him wearily, she watched as he covered their little camp sight and did his best to cover their trail before motioning her for her to follow. She fell in step behind him, her stomach cramping with hunger. She watched his feet moving and followed in his steps, noticing for the first time that she truly was out of her element. From her tattered dress to her soft slippered feet, it was going to be a rough journey if he planned to drag her along.

When finally the silence between them was too much to endure, she spoke, her voice soft and almost enchanting. “May I please as where we are going?”

Grey stopped short, turning around to face the girl slowly, giving her a questioning look as he studied her. She was clearly not used to walking long distances like this; her face was already flushed and sweat had broken out across her forehead despite the coolness of the morning. No doubt her stomach was twisting and growling in much the same manner as his, and she wasn’t as able to deal with the sharp pangs of hunger as he. No doubt she’d come from a farm, or at least a home where food and shelter had been readily available, not something one wondered about and pushed from the mind when they were unavailable… His lips twitched as he fought to keep from smirking at her, standing there, hand outstretched against a tree as her chest rose and fell rather prettily beneath the tattered dress. Fighting to move his gaze from it, his eyes traveled slowly down her lithe body, taking in the soft curves that pressed and strained against the flimsy material from the morning’s exertion. “Let’s take a moment to rest, we still have a ways to go before night falls.”

Leaning against the tree, he reached into the small black pouch tied at his side, prying it from his belt and undoing the complicated knot which held it closed and usually water tight. The pouch itself was blackish leather from the hide of a boar, and cracks ran all across it, crisscrossing like varicose veins of chocolate brown where the weather proofing lacquer on it had cracked over time. He pulled down a large fat oak leaf from a low hanging branch and tore it into a more or less rectangular shape, holding it between two fingers with the same hand that held the pouch. With the other hand, he dipped a few fingers in and produced a small pinch of strong smelling tobacco, rich and pungent in aroma and soft to the touch. He didn’t smoke often, as it was a luxury, only when he needed to think. Spreading it along the leaf and rolling it into a rather ragged looking dogend, he put it to his lips and produced the two small flints once more, striking them in a practiced manner so as not to send errant sparks into his eyes. After a minute of effort he toked softly and blew a small cloud of rich, pungent smoke up into the morning air, regarding it thoughtfully as it rose through the yellow rays of morning sun streaming down through the leaf cover.

“We have two choices, at the moment…” He spoke softly, cocking his head to one side as he watched the high branches above shake gently in some unseen breeze. “If we keep going the way we are, we’ll come across a small village just the other side of this forest. They’ll take you in readily enough, they always have need of help this time of year… There should be a pond in a glade up ahead; if we turn south there we can make for the black mountain range…” He trailed off, his brow furrowing in thought. The sensible thing would be to drop the girl at the village and then continue along his way towards the mountains alone. That’s where he was headed when his map had been pilfered, and now that there was little to no chance of getting it back, he’d have to get along as best he could without it. He was hesitant about leaving the girl on her own in a strange place, but what choice did he have? It was either that or take her with him, and that wasn’t much of a possibility either…

He crushed the tattered dogend into the soft, loamy earth beneath his feet and strode over to the girl, crouching down beside her and looking into her eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but found that the words had left him. Instead Grey simply looked into her eyes, sliding deeper and deeper into them as she looked back, losing the feel of the world around him. Finally, she blinked, and the spell was broken. He blinked rapidly, his jaw working up and down as he fought to catch the thread of the thought he’d had, the question he’d been about to ask. A new one jumped to his lips before he could stop it, “What do you think?” Shaking his head to clear it, he averted his eyes, looking around at the way they’d come and the barely perceptible path he intended to continue following, at least to the lake ahead.

Tamara listened to him talking, his rich voice strangely soothing even if he did look rather intimidating. Her eyes studied him as he smoked, lost in thought, letting his eyes rove anywhere but on her. This gave her a moment to study him clearly. Without even realizing it, he exuded power and yet he had been able to blend in with the other group without drawing too much attention to himself. But while his much larger size and unkept rough look frightened her to a degree, a sudden pang of realization hit her. He seemed so...lonely.

His words broke through her thoughts as he mentioned the village and leaving her there. She stiffened and pressed her lips together, listening to his words fade off before he stood up and then came to her. She looked away until his face came into focus and his eyes held hers. For the longest moment she lost herself in his eyes, unblinking. Her own widened in surprise as she felt herself drawn into their depths, into the darkness and the light that struggled within him.

A tendril of magic within her seemed to unravel and reach out to touch his soul with her own, to sooth and comfort him as she often did with forest creatures and those she cared about, but in one blink, the spell was broke. She watched him withdraw and blink rapidly, looking a little confused. She felt instant relief flood her senses when he asked what she thought. Tilting her head back, she took a long deep breath and drew some strength from the soil around her. “I want to go with you. If you're not taking me home yet, then don't leave me behind. I don't want to be stupid in a strange village with those I do not know.”

Moistening her lips, she touched his bare wrist lightly, “Please Grey. I know I must be slowing you down, but I can do better. I have certain...skills.” she paused and almost winced at the idea of helping him hunt, but they needed more than berries to stay alive and healthy. “And when reclaimed your map, you can return me...right?”

Her bright eyes couldn't read his face as he focused on their path until she moved her delicate hand to his cheek and gently nudged his face back to focus on her for a moment. “Right?”

“With me…” he whispered softly, curiously, the words coming out as more a comment than a question. How had she known about the map? He didn’t remember telling her about it; he didn’t really recall even telling her his name… Granted, that much she might have been able to determine from the way the band’s leader had spoken to him, but how had she known about the map? His brow furrowed in thought as he mulled it over, and he began chewing at his lower lip, wishing he hadn’t ground out the dogend so quickly so he’d have something else to focus on. Something had happened during those brief moments she’d looked into his eyes; something deeper had passed between them. He thought briefly about what it could be, but the only thing that came to mind were old stories from his childhood and the hushed superstitious mutterings of drunks and old women. A flash of realization dawned on him and his face brightened into a wry smirk momentarily before he pushed the thought aside. “Fae…” he muttered, glancing past her shoulder so as not to meet her eyes again, just in case…

She was right, she would slow him down, but if these other “skills” she professed to have were anything like what she’d just demonstrated, she might actually be good to have around. What’s more, he didn’t really feel right about simply leaving her in the company of strangers, it was blatantly obvious she didn’t like the idea and had probably never left her home village. He couldn’t be sure when he’d be back that way again and he’d always wonder what fate he’d left her to… Grimacing, he chanced another look at her face, catching her gaze and fixing it with his own steely eyed stare, daring her to see inside him once more. “Alright, you can come along. I don’t know how you found out about the map, but we’re not going back for it, we’re going to find something better.” Reaching up to take the hand that still gently clasped his chin, he stood and gingerly tugged her to her feet once more. “Come on, let’s get moving, we should be able to find something to eat down by the lake, and we can take another break there.”

Turning, he took a few hesitant steps before stopping and facing her once more. “I don’t know how you knew my name, and I suppose it’s really not that important, but if we’re going to be traveling together, I wish to know yours as well.” His gaze traveled down her slender form once more, searching for some sign of the power he’d experienced moments before, finding it hard to believe that it resided in this young slip of a girl. The thought from earlier nudged and prodded at his mind, but he wouldn’t let it back to the forefront, at least not until he’d had some more time to mull it over. He’d heard stories of the Fae, and he knew they’d once inhabited the entire area, but they’d all died out, hadn’t they? Died out or taken to hiding, the rest all having moved beyond the black mountains… The black mountains toward which they were both now headed. Grey sighed heavily, his hand resting on his hip as he looked her over. It was possible…

Tamara had spoken without thought. Only wishing to express herself and quickly realized the error in her ways. He had no ideas of what gifts she possessed and how easily some information came to her. It hadn't much mattered in her small village because everyone knew one another and had nothing to hide. So Tamara had never had any issues and had really only marveled in her powers through the forest creatures, wild life and the ground she worked to help feed her family.

Grey looked at her both startled, a little muddled by what had transpired between them and curious. She was a little surprised when he turned and met her gaze again and asked for her name. She flushed a little, trying to cover up the slip the only way she knew how. “I'm sorry...I must have heard it when you found me earlier.” She told him, keeping her voice even and a small smile on her lips. She was happy that he had decided to let her follow, even if the thought of returning home sounded better at that moment, she didn't want to be left behind with more strangers. One was enough to contend with! “I'm Tamara.”

He tested her name to himself, letting it roll off his tongue and gave her a short nod. Clasping her hands together, she studied his dark face and wondered for a moment how old he was and what he would look like without all the stubble. It was almost startling how dark his eyes were...more than likely as startling as her own light ones. She had earned her share of stares when strangers wandered through, but had never paid much mind to it. “What is it that we're supposed to be finding?” She asked him as he turned to leave again and then pressed her lips together, cursing her inner curiosity.

“Tamara…” He sounded the name out, rolling it around in his mouth, letting it slip from his tongue almost reverently. It seemed somehow to fit her, much like the bright eyes and long hair, it just seemed right… If he didn’t know better, he might start believing those odd, flitting thoughts about the Fae, and the even more unlikely idea that she was one of them… Nodding softly, he gave her a tightlipped smile, then turned and took a tentative step along the trail, her inquisitive voice flowing after him. Grey kept silent for a moment, deciding that though her explanation might not stand up to close scrutiny, he was hardly one to reprimand someone for keeping secrets. He was hesitant about telling her too much of what was going on; but, as she was going to be accompanying him for the near future at least, and she would find out soon enough, so there wouldn’t be any harm in telling her a little… “We’re going to see someone, a woman, who might be able to help m— us.”

If the girl, Tamara, had really been able to see inside him as he thought she might, then she probably had at least some vague idea of where they were headed and why. Nonetheless, he didn’t feel comfortable unfurling the entire matter personally, not knowing much at all about her beyond her name and her home village. It was a little disconcerting, and he walked tensely through the forest, still careful not to trample bushes or break the low hanging branches as they passed. Once or twice he threw a glance over his shoulder at the girl, watching as she stumbled here and there and struggled to match his pace, at which he slowed a little to accommodate her. He cursed himself inwardly for agreeing to bring her along, but now he was stuck with her and so would have to make the best of it. The gentle birdsong of morning grew louder as they drew closer to the glade, and Grey could see the sunlight streaming down a little brighter ahead, the soft yellow rays reflecting off the water’s surface, illuminating the trees that ringed the edge and making their leaves and needles shine.

When they finally reached the small lake, the sun had been covered by a thin layer of grey clouds, high above the tree tops, but the area still glowed as though illuminated from below. Grey had visited the area once or twice in the past, always in passing, as it was good to know where a good, clean water source was when traveling. The pond itself was a crystal clear, shimmering blue and it glimmered beneath the soft morning sun. He quickly took up a position down by the bank, filling the large water skin slung across his back and glancing about. There didn’t seem to be any fresh tracks, but perhaps they might be able to find a rabbit or two in the bushes. If nothing else, there were at least abundant berries and roots in the area, and what looked to be wild onions a little further off, so they wouldn’t starve… As Tamara drew up behind him, Grey turned and offered her the skin. “Drink up, and rest. We won’t make the village by nightfall so we’ll have to find food to sustain us until tomorrow. See what you can find around here, I’d like to keep moving the rest of the day without stopping.”

Tamara's eyes skimmed the water and awed in it's beauty. She had always enjoyed the play of water in streams and ponds, but had never seen anything quite so big or pretty before. She took the skin without a word, her eyes never straying from the beautiful view as she tipped it back and drank. The cool clean water sated her thirst and left her feeling refreshed and a little more alive. Now she only wished she could remove her tattered clothes and sink her body into the cool waters. The sun making travel warmer than she would have liked and she cursed her small frame. Although she had some conditioning, she knew that she was still slowing him down.

Several times she had let her eyes follow his fluid, long strides and wished she was so sure of her footing as he was. While he fumbled and tripped here and there, he seemed naturally at ease, his large body moving with controlled grace. It irked her because it was a short coming she knew she would have to rectify.

With a soft sigh, she returned the skin to him and licked the moisture from her lips, then turned. The rabbit tracks had not gone unnoticed to her, but she was still now quite sure she could bring forth 'dinner' for him to slay. The thought made her shudder, even though she had eaten rabbit and other meats in the past, the fact that she had not killed the little creatures made it easier to consume. Her eyes quickly found a variety of berries, roots, a few wild onions and mushrooms. Taking the hem of her already dirty dress, she made a small pouch out of it and began to fill it with a variety of vegetation. As she picked, she slid her fingers into the dirt and weaved a little magic to replenish the area for more growth.

Lost in thought, she found herself humming to herself, softly and barely audible...

Grey watched Tamara as she drifted slowly off along the bank of the river, searching through the greenery and picking her way back up towards the treeline. Evidently she knew at least a little about foraging, for she was picking things up and placing them in an improvised basket made from the tangle of her long dress. Nodding softly, he started scraping away the dense undergrowth a few feet back from the edge of the crystal pond. His boots dredged up soft, dark soil and sent a chorus of scents up into the air around him. The loamy soil, soft and rich, the fallen leaves and clumps of river moss, deep and musty, and the fresh water itself, clear and bright.

He made a small fire of collected twigs and small branches, and after the addition of the flints, a small fire soon began glowing in the center of the small, clear circle. Grey produced a tiny tray of battered metal, unfolding it out and setting it atop two rocks, just next to the dancing flame. When Tamara returned, they’d be able to cook their bits of forage into something resembling a meal, and hopefully it would be enough to hold them through the long walk. He hummed a soft, lilting little tune as he waited, walking down to the water’s edge and refilling the skin once more and peering about for a few more berries to add to his bag.

When she returned, it was with a decent little haul, and he quickly set to work, paring down the onions and mushrooms and roots, mixing everything in the tin with the point of his dirk. “It may not be much, but it’ll be better than starving.” He gave her a sheepish smile, unaccustomed to cooking for anyone more than himself. He divided up the small meal, putting his own in a tin mug he pulled from his cloak for lack of anything else to put it in. He picked up the hot tin and set it on the ground before her, handing her the dirk, “I’m afraid I don’t have anything else to eat with. Not something you generally consider out alone in the woods.” What was it about this girl that made him think he had to justify these things? Was it because he’d rescued her and wanted her to think him some knight errant, off on a great and noble quest? Or was it some lingering effect of that soul-gaze she’d laid upon him earlier…? Whatever the reason, he grimaced in thought, it wouldn’t do to keep up with it. Life in the wilds wasn’t like life in the towns, or even the villages…

When they’d finished their small repast, he poured out the skin over the fire, dispersing the cold, wet remnants and brushing a cover of twigs and leaves and moss over them, then refilled it one last time. “Let’s go,” he offered, giving the girl a hand up and pulling her to her feet. He sighed as he cast a glance out over the lake once more, wishing that they’d had the time for some fishing, then turned and started off towards the village, Tamara in tow. The way was a little easier, as he tried to pick a route that wouldn’t hinder her as much, not to mention the wonders a full belly could do, but it was still a hike more than a walk. More than once he stopped as she stumbled, helping her through rockier patches and holding large branches aside so she could pass. She wasn’t an ideal traveling companion, but he was already beginning to see she was a hundred times better than the oafs he’d been with before. On a whim, as they passed a brightly lit clearing, Grey turned and called back over his shoulder, “What did your family do, back in your village. You don’t look like the usual farmer, nor a tinker… Maybe an innkeeper’s daughter?” Grey figured that if they were going to be spending the foreseeable future together, he might as well find out a little more about the girl. After all, how else was he supposed to find out just what she’d done to him earlier?

Tamara was startled by Grey's question. He hadn't really spoke much and seemed lost in his own thought most of the time. She was okay with that, although more accustomed to people she could actually converse with. Still, she respected his privacy...and she knew that she had worried him some earlier when their gazes had locked and held. She hadn't intended to pry into his thoughts. It had been merely an instinct she didn't quite have control yet. She seemed to make him a little...uneasy. Which amused her a little and let her guard slip just a little. Even as she trudged along with him, he kept watch over her steps, kept her from falling flat on her face and pushed her along the harder parts of the journey. Her thinly slippered feet were aching something fierce, but she didn't dare complain.

An innkeeper's daughter? The idea made her smile. Well...it was close. Her father did have guests on occasion, but an Inn they did not have. “Um no...” She wondered if she should be completely honest with him when she knew little of him. “You could say he's a teacher. He dabbles in different things, but is a gifted teacher he is.” That was fairly true, she told herself. “I help some and tend to gather a lot of herbs and such for my mother who is a healer and midwife.”

She found herself smiling as she thought of her family and sighed softly, wistfully. She knew they would be worried and yet here she was on her own adventure that had been forced upon her. She had once wished to explore the world...and here she was doing it with a tall, dark stranger who had his own agenda in mind. “It's truly frightening and amazing.” She grinned, thinking about her elegant mother in her white apron and pretty blond hair, so unlike hers which she had gotten from her father. “The first time she let me witness a birthing, I was horrified and was sure I would be deaf by the time the woman stopped screaming. But in the end, it was a complete marvel.” And little Thomas whom she had rescued was the result.

A branch snagged at her braid and she winced, stalling to untangle herself with a frustrated sigh. In the evening she would have to manage to comb it and braid it tightly.

Grey didn’t look back, simply kept walking, trudging over roots and stones and clumps of fallen leaves as Tamara spoke. When she described her home and her family there was a softness to her voice, a reverence that showed true love the likes of which he hadn’t heard in many long years. When he’d spoken with farmers or traders in passing, about their lives and homes, most had been resigned, the traders even more so than the rest. Caravan leaders, travelers, all like him wished to put that home behind them. Even the farmers, the younger ones anyway, looked at the roads with a kind of awe, a yearning to move past that next horizon and escape the confines of the place they were rooted to. Tamara was different, though… He hadn’t much considered the likelihood of returning her to her home, but the way she spoke of it made him think twice.

It seemed wrong to deprive her of it, somehow, and he felt a pang of guilt stab through his gut like a knife as he walked, each footfall taking them further and further away from those she loved. At the sound of a branch snapping he stopped and turned, watching as she struggled to disentangle her long hair from its cloying grasp. Frowning slightly, he stepped up to her and broke off the thin, dry twigs that had become caught up, freeing her once more. She gave him a hopeful smile but he simply turned and started along their way again. For a long while after silence stretched between them again, the only sounds those of the forest around them, their steps muffled by the thick underbrush through which they hiked. After a while even the sounds of the forest began to fade, slipping into the outer fringes of his hearing as he grew more accustomed to them. He was ever vigilant for a sight or sound that might warn them of coming danger, but it seemed the forest was calm that day, and he was thankful. He didn’t relish the thought of combat of any kind, be it with a wild boar or huntsmen or something more dangerous. The girl would be a hindrance, if anything, and an easy target.

When the sentinels and oaks began to thin, giving way to ash and yew, Grey knew they were approaching the end of the forest. He stopped and leaned against one of the last great stately oaks, turning his gaze upon the girl once more. He still wouldn’t meet her eyes, not completely anyway, as he addressed her, “We’re almost there, and we should make it before nightfall. The woman we’re meeting should be able to give us a room for the night, though it may not be as comfortable as you’re used to, but it will be better than another night on the cold ground and the food will be better.” She seemed to brighten at that last, and he felt the beginning of a smile twitch at the corners of his mouth. He slung the waterskin from across his back and handed it to her, “Drink, and rest for a few. Then we’ll make the rest in one push.”

Adjusting his stance, he leaned against the tree and sighed, a long deep exhalation of breath as he turned and looked up at the afternoon light filtering through the high leaves and branches above. When he turned to her again, she had an expectant, curious look on her face, which he returned with a blank stare, his face a frozen mask devoid of emotion once more. Silence stretched out between them as they looked at each other, both seeming to will the other towards speech. Realizing that she was still probably not comfortable enough around him to speak outright on her own, he started. “Look…” His jaw hung slack as he struggled to find something to say. He’d never been good with words, and seldom spoke when he was traveling, reserving most conversation for the campfire or when he was in town. “Hmmmm... Did you have something you wanted to say?”

She shook her head, loose strands catching on her dark lashes and she carefully pushed them away. “Um...no...well, maybe...yes.” She pursed her lips and took a moment to gather herself. “Since we are traveling companions for the moment...would you mind terribly, if we found something more suitable to wear?”

She picked up the edge of her once pretty dress, the once white gauzy type material was smudged with dirty and hung limply and awkwardly on her frame. For a moment she watched his dark eyes slowly slide down the length of her body again and her body hummed at the attention, tingling strangely. She shifted, feeling extremely aware of how unkept she looked and flushed a little.

“I will pay you back somehow, when I can.” She added and sighed as she took a sip of water and leaned against a large tree, watching the play of the setting sun play on the different colored foliage. A place to sleep, warmth, perhaps some real food and if she dared hope, someplace to wash.

“Is this woman...kin of yours?” She found herself asking, her eyes brightening as the light above them dimmed, giving them a beautiful, but almost eery glow...