Hunted (Open - please PM before joining)

[DeliciousMaiden]

Introduction:

This is revived in part from one of those threads that didn’t get chance to take off.
I thought I’d throw it in and see where it leads…

I’m totally open to ideas for storyline, but
please PM me with an outline of your character and how (s)he would fit into the existing “action” first.

You contributions are welcome, but please do not post without permission.


OOC:

Name derivation:

ALEXIS:"Helper." Used as a short form of Alexandra, though it has a different root.
Variants include Alessa, Alessi, Alexa, Alexi, Alexia, Lexi, Lexie, Lexy.

KENTON m English
From a surname, which was derived from an English, place name meaning either "town on the River Kenn" or "royal manor" (Old English).

Alexia Kenton is 21.
Height - 5 ft 4
Long fair hair and blue eyes
A loner, but a survivor.
Strong willed and determined to protect herself from the evils and injustices the world has thrust upon her.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

The footsteps retreated, the mark of their tread could still be seen in the soft earth around the barn, yet the two travellers had not noticed her own imprint left the night before.
Alex let out a slow breath and cursed her own foolishness, whilst thanking the Lord for the fortuitous storm, which had washed away the clue to her whereabouts.

Cautiously she raised her body, her straw coloured hair was barely discernable amidst the hay stacked in the loft, which had proved to be a wise vantage point. She watched the path for many minutes, until; satisfied at last she sat up fully and pushed the worst of the dry strands that clung to her aside. She ran a hand through her hair in a vain effort to untangle the thick mass that hung below her shoulders, but choosing a more worthwhile occupation, she reached out for the apple, the only remainder of the food she had "acquired" yesterday.

She bit into it thoughtfully, considering that she was now many times criminal and trying not to think how long she could stay running and hiding without the means to support herself and unable to take the risk of seeking even casual employment.
… witch, murderess, thief… she would be doomed if they ever caught her…
She reached down to her worn boot and ran her fingers over the blade hidden there.
No she would rather die by her own hands, than let herself be taken.
Sin upon sin was to be piled on her head and yet she felt herself was merely a victim of circumstances…of necessity…

She glanced out and saw the sky was still heavy, though the clouds held their water.
Alex calculated that it must be past 8 am already and time she was on her way.
She let her eyes run over the secluded barn, regretting the need to press on to follow the torturously muddy road, yet she had to put as much distance between herself and the village of her birth… and now as much distance as she could between herself and this place.

She pulled her now tattered garments about her:
Her long heavy skirt was mud stained and damp, her white blouse torn and dingy. The manly woollen over shirt providing an additional layer of warmth and discretely disguising the obvious swell of her womanly breasts was in an equally distressed state. She turned and pulled the heavy black cloak and shook it free of the cloying hay.

The garment had been her father’s, the heavy skirt her mother’s. They were the only physical reminders she had now of her dear dead parents. Still burdened with the loss of her long-ailing father, Alexia had been faced with the rapid demise of her mother; helplessly watching as the only person left to her was subjected to such pain and suffering: death did not come quickly enough to spare her Mother from unspeakable agonies, nor Alexia from immeasurable guilt.

Alexia stood up and pulled her cloak about her.
She knew she must not think of such things.
She must not allow those memories to paralyse her.
She had had but three days to grieve and then…
She closed her eyes and blanked her mind.

They had believed her to be evil long before she had committed any crime, any sin.
She’d know as she’d pulled the blade back out of his chest that any explanation of the circumstances would fall on deaf ears … and so she had run… covered her tracks seized her few possessions and fled.

She could not believe that all that had happened a mere week ago.
But finally last night, driven by cold and hunger, she had gone to seek out civilisation for the first time.
She had foolishly dared to enter the isolated inn and warmed herself by the fire.
She had allowed herself the indulgence of food and drink.

She had been sure not to draw attention to herself and had not lingered, much as she had longed to, yet now she knew that this was the gravest mistake she could have made.
She knew that her presence could be reported; she knew that she could have been tracked back to this place.
But what she found more disheartening this morning as she awoke to the cold unwelcoming surroundings of the barn, was that the whole experience had made her ache for company, comfort, rest and such desires were not going to help her stay alive.

She had been a solitary child and a solitary teenager and now solitude would be the only state that would ensure that she could elude those who would surely be seeking to bring her to account...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

OOC:

Chase me! Chase me!

::ggls::

Anyone feel like playing the bounty hunter, figure of the law intent on tracking Alexia down?

Keen to hear your ideas!

Enjoy!

{{{huggs}}}

DM x

 

[Steiner]

OOC:

Brinn Cenheolm
Age: 23
Hair and Eyes: Blonde hair, cut short. Green eyes. Clean shaven.
Build: Muscular but a little underfed.
Appearance: Clothes are fair quality in the main, but badly patched. Boots are the newest piece of equipment and are worn in but well made. Has a wooden shield strapped to his back and a sword belted to his side in a worn leather scabbard. Long travelling cloak with hood.
Disposition: Outwardly fairly cheerful. Body is a patchwork of small, fine scars from nicks, cuts and near misses. A few larger scars from more telling blows, but not many.


IC:
Brinn found himself whistling as he sauntered up the woodland track. He should have been more careful, he'd heard that there were bandits in the woods around these parts, but to be honest it would be a poor enough bandit who would consider it to be worth their time to risk their lives for his meagre possessions. In addition he knew he was approaching the edge of the forest - there were farms less than a couple of hours up ahead, where he would be able to swap some of his hard earned coin for fresh food and maybe a good nights sleep. After four days on the roads, he was looking forward to a tub soak and a good nights sleep on clean straw with a roof over his head.

The morning passed quite uneventfully and the farmer was more than happy to barter, but unwilling to allow Brinn to spend the night. Apparently there was an Inn an afternoons walk further up the road where he would be welcome to stay. Brinn passed the money over and thanked the land owner, pulling his now full pack onto his back and heading for the gate, past the farmers barn.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

Alexia took out the ladder she had hidden beside her and climbed down from the hayloft. Scanning the old barn she moved the wooden object to the far corner between the other tools lodged there. Once satisfied that the place did not look disturbed, she took her cloak and drew it about her, making sure to keep her unruly hair well trapped beneath, she pulled the hood forward and wrapped the cloak tightly around her slender form.

The road was a mere track. She picked her way carefully over the holes and stones and tried to dodge the puddles where the water had gathered. Alexia eyed the sky warily, but was relieved to find that the rain had in fact now ceased and looked like holding off for a while yet, but despite this her boots were sodden already as she warily approached the small settlement where the inn lay.

No one seemed to have ventured outside this morning. Glancing round surreptitiously, Alexia was preparing to scamper quickly across to the path leading out of the place when her eyes were drawn to the inn door. She could imagine the fire jumping cheerfully in the grate and could already smell the food being served to the regular patrons who would be partaking of an early meal before going about their business.

Alexia turned her eyes determinedly away from the coveted warmth of the inn and took a tentative step out to cross the green.

 

[Steiner]

The old farmers idea of "an afternoons walk" and Brinn's were clearly very different, because it wasn't really fully afternoon when he arrived at the tiny village the man had told him of.

True to the old mans word, there was indeed a small country Inn, nestled between a few long wooden houses and by a stone church. Brinn headed into the Inn, and slammed a few small coins on the counter, to secure a hot meal and a cold tankard. He'd taste the food and decide whether he was going to push on this afternoon or get a room here.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

”Good day Miss..”

She turned quickly towards the soft voice of the youth, realising that she had been recognised from the night before. She could not imagine that her gender was identifiable whilst swaddled in such clothes, but decided to use her femininity to her advantage. Smiling charmingly at the young man, she allowed her hood to fall back slightly as she approached him slowly, trying not to let her nervousness show. She had been recognised already, so it would cause no further harm if she attempted to purchase food, for if followed she might be days in hiding once more.

Standing before him she noted that his height was already greater than hers. She put her hand upon the horse’s back and glanced upwards shyly. He was young, she noted, yet the deepening timbre voice showed that he was nearing manhood. She was shy of people, having not been much in general company, but was reassured to see that he appeared tongue tied as he turned questioning eyes on her.

She spoke softly as she explained that she was in great haste and wondered if she might purchase food for her journey, enough to carry with to the ailing aunt she must attend to as soon as possible. The story was an unconvincing fabrication, yet she allowed enough concern to mark her features that he was convinced of the necessity for this errand of mercy.

She allowed the ready tears, usually kept well in check, to swim in her eyes, so easy was it to dissemble concern about a sick loved one as she thought of her ailing and dying parents. Seeing this he was moved to compassion and assured her that he would take care of her needs personally. Alexia pressed a coin into his hand, her last, and assured him of her gratitude.

“I will go to the kitchens myself and bring you what I can,”

He assured her, attempting to lead her to the inn.
Drawing away she insisted that it would be quicker to wait outside for his return.

”I will be but minutes, Miss,”

he assured her,

”It would be wise to warm yourself whilst I prepare your victuals..”

He glanced at her boots and damp skirt as she conceded with a nod.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As soon as she entered the inn, Alexia felt self conscious.
The room was not crowded as it had been the previous evening and her presence was all the more conspicuous in the half empty room, but it was not that.
She glanced round, but moved quickly to the fire and held out her hands to warm herself.
She heard the music playing in the opposite corner, but stood as if concentrating on a sound much further off.

Shaking herself mentally, she tried to think clearly.
This was the risky part, but with food she could make greater distance, hide out more securely. Her meeting with the young man had indeed been fortuitous.
Hearing the door beyond the bar opening, she saw the familiar face and noted a sizeable bag held by his side.
She turned with a warm smile and made her way towards him.
She grabbed at her hood as if fell back further than she intended and hastened to his side.

Handing her the food, she spoke softly,

”’Tis a generous serving indeed considering the size of the coin I gave you.
I suspect the generosity is your own Sir… you are very kind… “

She smiled softly as he blushed due to the warmth of her gratitude and partly due to being addressed as “Sir”.

”I shall not forget your kindness..”

She spoke with sincerity, but drew away replacing her hood announcing that she must speed on her way.

 

[Steiner]

Brinn couldn't remember, off hand, the last time he'd had worse beer. For the price charged, the state of the food and drink was appalling, and he couldn't believe that a room here would be any more value for money.

Standing up, he slung his shield onto his back with a grunt, cinched his sword belt tighter, and settled his cloak onto his shoulders. There was some sort of domestic scene in the doorway between a young lad and what looked like it might be a woman under the kind of cloak more often used to move ships or cover carts. He brushed past the pair as he moved out of the inn, suprised to feel that, under all the wool, the woman was quite shapely. Perhaps their transaction was of a slightly different nature, he mused - either way, his way led along the road.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

Alexia was sure to wrap her cloak tightly around herself.
She pulled the hood forward ensuring that she had hidden herself in its depths. Satisfied with her anonymity she began to move rapidly across the village green.

Once she had reached the opposite side, she would consider the pathways open to her. As yet she had not decided whether to take the open road or the path, which cut through the woods. The former was easier, but she would encounter more people. The latter would be more isolated and as such would be both safer and more trecherous....

She drew the bag of food close to her body, satisfied that it was hidden, well concealed and secure for the journey that lay ahead...

 

[Steiner]

Brinn pulled a wry face at the churned mud of the trade road - this would wreck his boots, tire him out, and cover him in mud up to his waist if he walked through it for any length of time!

Spying a smaller track running parallel to the trade road, he knew he'd found the hunters track that probably ran alongside the newer trade road. It would take a little longer, and there was the danger of bandits, but he doubted that bandits would chance an obviously armed man, like himself. They would be watching the trade road and travelling by the track he was on now.

He strode slowly, armour squeaking and jingling, his sword slapping his thigh as he paced. The day was still fairly warm, given the clothing he was wearing, and the light made the track seem bathed in a lambent green. Sounds of forest life came from all sides... ...wait, THAT was no forest animal moving on the path behind him.

Walking into view around the bend came the woman from the Tavern. She seemed alone, and was on foot, so she was probably visiting some local friend. Perhaps she knew how far this track went, and to where? Brinn decided to wait for her, and ask directions.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

Alexia hesitated when faced with the choice.
The open road looked easy to negotiate, but if someone were to come in pursuit there would be nowhere for her to hide, no way of escape.
She looked at the entrance to the wood.
The road was no more than a track, it seemed to her, yet surely anyone following her would assume a young woman travelling alone would never dare to enter such a wood in order to cross to another settlement.
Besides, she told herself, the route would be more direct than the circuitous open road, yet as she took her first steps towards the dense foliage, Alexia realised that the ground would prove treacherous after the rain and the journey would therefore be time-consuming!

So intent was she on surveying the ground and avoiding the worst of the mud holes, that she did not see the man until she were almost upon him.
Glancing up as she smoothed her damp skirt and catch her breath, she raised her head to find her eyes locked with those of a rough looking stranger.

In a flash she remembered all the stories of vagabonds, robbers and footpads who lurked in the wood. She had hardly given that danger a thought as she tried to negotiate the path under her feet. She knew the best thing to do would be to be calm, to greet the stranger.

She tried to smile, but everything in her look communicated fear.
When her mouth opened to express the greeting, merely a hoarse exclamation escaped her…

 

[Steiner]

Brinn jumped at the girl's startled exclamation, turning his head around to look behind him, he realised that she was so afraid of HIM, not some shadowy figure behind him.

"Easy there, milady. I'm no brigand out to steal your... ...well, whatever you have."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

"Easy there, milady. I'm no brigand out to steal your... ...well, whatever you have."

Alexia stood watching the stranger.
His words had not eased her fear.
She looked him carefully up and down.

She took him for a fighting man, well used to travel she surmised.
She eyed his sword warily.
She thought of her own concealed blade, which would be no match for this weapon.
She glanced over her shoulder. She would waste time going back and besides that would cause suspicion.
She had no choice, but to stick with the fictional explanation of a sick aunt and hope that the man was not talkative or inquisitive.

Summoning her courage, Alexia replied softly;

"Good day Sir... "

She inclined her heavily hooded head civilly and made to walk past him.

 

[Steiner]

Brinn rolled his eyes - you could see the tension in the woman's body clear through the thick cloak she wore. She went to brush past him, and continue up the track, so he turned and easily paced her, walking close by her as he went.

"Good? Well, not TOO bad I suppose milady. A little wet, and that inn down yonder trail was very disapointing to a man returning to civilisation, I can tell you."

She performed a kind of shrug, and duck, responding in a neutral sort of way, as she quickened her step. This amused him too - she was lightly encumbered, but wearing that cloak, on this terrain, there was no way that she could hope to beat him. As she almost jogged, he simply lengthened his stride to keep up, the effort hardly putting a sweat on his brow.

"Is it far to the next town, Milady? Do you often make the journey at this speedy pace - for you would put the Kings own scouts to shame with this march!"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

"Good? Well, not TOO bad I suppose milady. A little wet, and that inn down yonder trail was very disapointing to a man returning to civilisation, I can tell you."

Alexia looked at him and brushed off his comment.
She had meant it as a meaningless greeting, not an opening to a conversation!

Deciding to make it clear that she did not mean to invite his company, Alexia strode on, her head down, making sure she did not stumble. She did not want to make a fool of herself and endure his attention.

It was with irritation that Alexia realised that the man had easily kept pace with her and was walking companionably alongside.
She dare not hasten more, as the ground was causing her enough trouble already.

"Is it far to the next town, Milady?"

She was irritated by his need to make pleasant conversation.
How was she to remain anonymous, unremembered if this parlous man continued to question her...?

"Do you often make the journey at this speedy pace - for you would put the Kings own scouts to shame with this march!"

Alexia halted immediately. Her natural reaction would have been to laugh at his remark, yet the mention of the King... the scouts ... alerted her.
What manner of man was he?
Anything to do with the king must suggest the law, the authorities, even as a simple country girl she understood that much.

"I wouldn't know about that, Sir... I merely go to visit an ailing relative ... you will excuse me if I do not wish to converse... "

So saying, she moved off once more, trying to conceal her worry.
As soon as she saw an alternative track she would take it, she decided.
Far better to delay than have this man find out that she was on the run, for she had no doubt he would feel duty bound to bring her to justice!

 

[Steiner]

Brin was a little put out at the woman playing the "simple peasant girl" routine on him. He'd done the same, often enough, to noble born officers to recognise a brush off in that vein.

"Oh come now, milady - it's been awhile since I had a companion on the road. I'm a sellsword, you see, passing through on my way North to look for a hire - so I'm no bailiff, to accuse you of shirking your work, no brigand to take your meagre possessions and no priest, to labour your ears with talk of your soul. I just want travel advice for this location, and some companiable chat on the way."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

"Oh come now, milady - it's been awhile since I had a companion on the road.
I'm a sellsword, you see, passing through on my way North to look for a hire - so I'm no bailiff, to accuse you of shirking your work, no brigand to take your meagre possessions and no priest, to labour your ears with talk of your soul. I just want travel advice for this location, and some companiable chat on the way."

Alexia sighed in frustration.
This man would not leave her alone!
Inquisitive and talkative were characteristics she did not wish in a travel "companion"!

"I don't know this place... well... "

Alexia amended quickly and continued in her fabricated identity:

"And.. as my aunt is gravely ill, I am sure you can understand why I am less than talkative... I merely wish to hasten to her side to provide what relief I can... "

She could not act too defensively, be too unforthcoming as that would equally raise suspicion!

 

[Steiner]

Brinn looked confused "You do not know this place well, yet you are taking this back road? You aren't local here, but you travel on foot and you are unaccompanied?"

He looked highly dubious.

"You must know the tales of evil men that lurk in these woods - why would you turn aside companionship?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

"You do not know this place well, yet you are taking this back road? You aren't local here, but you travel on foot and you are unaccompanied?"

Again Alexia shrugged and tried to ignore his comments.

"You must know the tales of evil men that lurk in these woods - why would you turn aside companionship?"

"I have not had ... cause to ... visit much before... "

Alexia improvised, the excuse sounding lame even to her own ears.

"...as for men... I have no posessions... what else would they want from me?
... and besides, I am used to solitude... and quite capable of taking care of myself...!


So saying, Alexia tripped and staggered to regain her footing...

 

[Steiner]

Brinn bent down and helped her to her feet, getting a chance to see her face as he did so.

"Milady, there are rough coves hereabouts who would hold you at the point of a knife for little more than a night in your company. And oftimes for desperate brigands, it's best to rob first and count the haul after."

He made a decision on the spot.

"What ever else you say it is clear to me that you are NOT a seasoned traveller. You may as well be reconciled to the fact that we are following this trail together - to leave you alone here would be as much as murdering you myself."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

Alexia was not foolish enough to decline the help offered her.
She allowed his hand to take her arm and aid her in regaining her balance.

Alexia looked up at him unable to hold back a soft smile in acknowlegement of his kindness.
She then pulled the hood further forward, afraid that he may glimpse just how young she was.
In her borrowed trappings she fervently hoped that he would mistake her for 30.... 40..? well... nearing 30 at the very least!

"Milady, there are rough coves hereabouts who would hold you at the point of a knife for little more than a night in your company.

She blushed rosily at his words.
She wanted to say that he was making up the gravity of her unescorted status, yet deep down, she knew he was not!

"And oftimes for desperate brigands, it's best to rob first and count the haul after."

She opened her mouth to assure him that she had nothing worth stealing, yet he cut her off...

"What ever else you say it is clear to me that you are NOT a seasoned traveller."

He suspected her of.... falsehood... ?
He was certainly not convinced by her story!
She frowned, worrying how she could keep her identity and crime from him...

"You may as well be reconciled to the fact that we are following this trail together - to leave you alone here would be as much as murdering you myself."

Alexia looked up and gasped.
The word murdered echoed in her head.
Did he know? Could he guess?
In her shock, her hood fell back revealing her mass of straw coloured hair...

Her eyes remained locked on his, searching his face for clues as to his suspicions, his intentions.

Hoping the stranger took her response as fear of being murdered thus, Alexia belatedly moved her hands to scoop up the hood and conceal her locks once more...

Finally she conceeded softly:

"Indeed... Sir. As you say we share this path... and by necessity, must share the way together, for some of our journey at least... "

 

[Steiner]

Brinn gave the woman a wide smile. She was a strange one, no doubt about it, but then he was viewed as passing odd himself in some quarters, so what was the use of worrying?

He fell in step beside her again, and started up a cheery chatter to fill the silence that lay between them. She was very quiet for a village woman, most of the ones that he had met in the past had wanted to talk his ears off once they knew he'd travelled the lands a bit. Novelty was in short supply in this world, and Brinn had been known to be invited to sit at the Lords table at dinner because of the fine travel stories he had to tell - some of them, he admitted with a grin, were even true. At least mostly true, anyway.

Eventually he asked the woman a question.

"Miss, if you don't mind me asking, why do you cover your face so? I've seen you when you fell down, and you don't strike me as ugly. You don't smell like a leper. So why hide yourself away? Most Brigands wouldn't give a tinkers cuss whether you were ugly or a beauty - after six weeks in the forests all women look good to a man!"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

Alexia and the stranger walked along side by side companionably enough. Alexia sensed his curiosity, but refused to meet his eye, though his glance often strayed over to her.

Indeed the path was difficult and Alexia had no wish to fall or injure herself, certainly not as this individual seemed to feel strangely responsible for her.

"Miss, if you don't mind me asking,"

His enquiry broke into her thoughts.

" ... why do you cover your face so?
I've seen you when you fell down, and you don't strike me as ugly. You don't smell like a leper. So why hide yourself away? Most Brigands wouldn't give a tinkers cuss whether you were ugly or a beauty - after six weeks in the forests all women look good to a man!"

Alexia turned to stare at the man beside her.

"Sir... I do not give a "tinker's cuss"? was that your phrase, to what you think about women and lepers and such like..."

Secretly her pride was hurt by being termed not ugly and likened to a leper...

"I have no interest in looking good or otherwise to men...
I travel as I will... and if I choose to retain my hood in this foul weather, then surely that is wise.... ?"

She turned from him then and strode onwards, the question being obviously rhetorical...

 

[Steiner]

"I have no interest in looking good or otherwise to men...
I travel as I will... and if I choose to retain my hood in this foul weather, then surely that is wise.... ?"

Brin tillted his head back, letting the fine drizzle bead his heavy stubble. The weather wasn't even noticably bad, to a seasoned traveller "I'm sorry, sister, I hadn't realised from your dress that you were in religious orders." he ventured, guessing at why she didn't care what she looked like.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

"I'm sorry, sister, I hadn't realised from your dress that you were in religious orders."

Alexia heard his words and could not hold back her mirth.
A very chuckle burst into a very unladylike guffaw of laughter, which echoed about the silent woods.

The irony, that she, accused of witchcraft, guilty of murder could be mistaken for a nun was just to hiliarious to contemplate!
Virgin she may be, but nun...!!

She fought for composure and failed totally.
The face she turned on her strange companion glowed with merriment.
Unable to hold back from the sense of mischief, forgetting temporarily what a foolhardy act it was, she threw back her hood fully allowing her long tangled hair to fall in a blonde curtain about her shoulders.

"Tell me, Sir... do I truly strike you as a Holy Sister?"

She enquired, a teasing light in her eye as she surveyed him allowing her irrepressible sense of fun to bubble to the surface as she continued to chuckle at the expression on his face.