The Hunter

[Angelus]

The year is 1766 and I have been alive for three hundred years and I have a miserable existence. My name is Thomas Kingston and I have been cursed with immortality. I have the unwanted ability to never age, never get sick and never die.

For the past one hundred years I have had the identity of a bounty hunter which is not a bad existence and I am a very rich man. The only thing that I hate about my existence is that I have lost the one person that I love and I have been searching throughout my three hundred years to find her.

Her name was Alexis and she was the most beautiful woman that I had ever laid eyes on. From the moment that I first saw her I knew that we were meant to be together and I struggled to make that happen. It took three years until we were finally together and married but then something happened that would forever change my life.

I was in an inn one night when a scoundrel, well known to the area came into the place to rob it. There was a struggle and I stopped the robbery but as he left he vowed revenge. I did not think anything of it until one night later I saw the whole sky lit up and recognized the area as that of where my home was. I ran to my home to find it engulfed in flames.

As I stood there and shouted Alexis' name I heard a noise behind me. I turned just to see the scoundrel that I had stopped standing there, a torch in one hand and a sword in the other. Before I knew what was happening he stabbed me in the chest and I fell to the ground in front of what was left of my home and life.

But I didn't die, I awoke several hours later to find myself in a sack due for burial. I ran from the only home that I had known then and I have been searching for that which I have loved for the last three hundred years.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

OOC:

PMed you thread idea - will wait to see if it appeals before posting, if not, will read along.

{{{huggs}}}

DM x

 

[badbabysitter]

If this is some kind of Highlander style thing..I would be interested for certain

 

[Angelus]

Yep.... it's a Highlander type thread; that's what is going to make it fun. All I need is a villian, someone to come after me.

 

[badbabysitter]

I'll be that villain


but Highlander needs supporting characters and other immortals too, as well as watchers and other mortals

 

[Angelus]

I know..... I'm seeing if other people want to join which hopefully I can get.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

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.

*******************************************
IC:

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 which 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, then 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 frightening sound of men on the path outside her hiding place 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...

OOC: Pic of Alexia Kenton attached.
Hope this is ok Angelus x

 

[Angelus]

As I rode back into the town I couldn't help but feel totally and utterly miserable. The storm had broken it seemed straight over my head it seemed and in less that thirty minutes I was soaked to the bone. All I wanted to do was get home, get out of these wet clothers and sit in front of a fire. I spurred my horse forward and he gave me a nasty sound before he began to move even slowly.

I had the feeling that he was moving slower just to annoy me and because I had spurred him to move him faster. I leaned forward and said, "Come on boy, please move. Don't you want to get home so that you can get nice and warm?"

With that he began to move faster and I breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly he stopped and I wondered why until I saw some lights down the road. I knew that it was an inn as I had passed it on the way out of the town and it seemed as if my horse wanted to go there but I leaned forward and said, "Please.... I want to get home and get some rest. Don't you want that."

As an answer he headed straight towards the inn and I let out a sigh. I knew it would be best to let him go where he wanted to or I would be thrown off and woiuld have to walk home which would make this miserable night of mine complete. I pulled on one side of the reins and he made a sound that meant that he agreed with the decision. I let out another sigh as we moved towards the inn.

As soon as I got to the inn however I heard some music from inside and saw that there was a fire in the large hearth there. I reined my horse towards the stables and after giving the stableboy a one pound note for which he smiled at me for I walked into the in and headed straight towards the fire. As soon as I sat down I pulled back the hood of my cloak and let out a sigh of relief as the change was almost instantaneous.

I closed my eyes and sat down in front of the fire, feeling as I began to slowly warm up. I then heard a noise behind me and looked up to see a serving girl standing there with a smile on her face.
"Is there anything that I can get for you..... oh Thomas, I didn't recognize you for a second."
Before I could answer the innkeeper came up and said, "I don't want you coming in here and busting up the place just to get someone again. Just because you're a bounty hunter doesn't mean that you can bust up my place any time that you feel like it."
I smiled at him, "Johnathon, don't worry. I am not here to do any harm. I am just here to get something to drink, hopefully warm, enjoy the fire and hopefully get a meal."

Johnathon smiled at me and walked away quickly which meant I hope that he was getting my meal and drink. I sat back again and was about to enjoy the fire when suddenly something washed over me and I looked around, wondering if there was another immortal around here. But then I noticed that this feeling was different, I couldn't quite place what it was but there was something very familiar about it.

 

[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 saw a young man, who she calculated to be but 15 or 16 years old tending to a weary looking horse. As she scanned the village preparing to scamper quickly across to the path leading out of the place, 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.

”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 disquiet.
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.

"I don't want you coming in here and busting up the place just to get someone again. Just because you're a bounty hunter doesn't mean that you can bust up my place any time that you feel like it."

The raised voice cut across the bar and her face paled.

“Aye, make haste Miss, afore there’s trouble, there’s like to be bother soon, always is when he’s about… “


Alexia nods and gives a semblance of calm, but feels as if she all but runs out of the inn. Heart pounding, trying not to make her flight too noticeable, she pulls her food parcel beneath her coat and scurries across the green and dodges swiftly along to the track, which leads through the woods.

Pausing for breath, Alexia takes stock of her predicament.
She had intended to use the open path through the fields knowing she would make more progress and be surer of her distance, but her mind now races and rapidly changes her plan.

Eyeing the woods she calculates that they offer more places of hiding, but cannot ignore the fact they are more treacherous for a woman to venture through unescorted.
Glancing back she imagines the bounty hunter chasing her.
Fear overpowers common sense and drives her on.
She dashes nimbly along the pathways, breathless, but trying to put as much distance between her and the violent man as possible.
All the time she tells herself that if she can defend herself if necessary and bends down to touch the hidden blade to reassure herself.

Over and over she repeats a mantra telling herself that she can take care of herself, that she must keep vigilant, that she will be able to keep away from the bounty hunter and vowing never to let herself be taken…

 

[Angelus]

I sat there and looked around, wondering where or who this feeling was coming from. Was there another immortal close by that wanted to take my head and kill me? I slowly got to my feet but before I could go anywhere I heard some footsteps come closer to me. I turned my head and smiled when I saw Johnathon coming closer with a plate full of food and a steaming mug full of what smelled like tea.

He looked at me with a slightly sad look on his face, "You weren't going to leave were you?"
I looked at him and then at the food before I sat back down, "No way.... with that food and tea you think I am going to leave here?"
Johnathon smiled before he put the plate down in my lap. I looked at the food down on the plate and smelled the aromas coming from it before I picked up the mug and took a sip of it. I looked at Johnathon and smiled which he returned. He turned around and walked away from where I sat.

I began to eat the meal and as I ate it I began to wonder what I was going to do when I got home and if the person who had gave me that strange feeling. I had the feeling that I was going to have to be extra careful for a while and I knew that was one thing that I did well- be careful. After all I had had three hundred years of practice in doing so.

I looked down at the meal and found to my shock that it was all gone and I looked over at Johnathon to see a bemused look on his face. At first I didn't know what to say but then I asked what had happened to the meal.
He looked at me with a smile, "You ate it."
I looked at her and at first didn't know what to say until I looked at him and laughed. He looked at me and began to laugh to, it felt good to laugh after so long.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

Alexia collapsed on the ground, realising belatedly just how damp it was.
Pulling herself up with a grimace, she shook her skirt and tried to get her breath.
It seemed she had been walking forever, but in truth it had not been long.
The sky above her looked grey, but still the rain held off. Picking her seat more selectively this time, she perched on the edge of a tree stump and put her head in her hands.

Initially she had been nervous, jumping at every noise as she hastened through the woods. Commonsense had then taken over. She knew she could not maintain that pace and besides the pathways were treacherous making it necessary for her to pick her way carefully.

She was fortunate that, although the wood was dense, the main pathway cutting through the trees was clearly defined. She was sure that she would not misread the direction and would possibly make better time taking this route. The main risk now was that she might meet up with travellers or…. She did not allow herself to dwell on any other characters who might choose to inhabit the woods.

As Alexia sat and mused, she realised that her fears of being followed had quickly evaporated. She could not explain it, but somehow she felt that the bounty hunter was not pursuing her...not yet … she corrected herself as she opened the bag of food.

Her eyes remained vigilant as she ate a portion of the food.
A short break for rest and food, she assured herself and she could continue onwards.
She had no real idea of how long her journey would take, but hoped that she would be clear of the woods before nightfall…

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Where did everyone go?

*bump*

I'm assuming this one had died the death of all sad threads... what a shame...

PM me with any ideas for continuing or comments / offers re: story line...

DM x