Wild Life

[Tseranc]

He nearly dropped his water skin when she brought out the largest emerald he'd ever seen, and he'd seen a princess wear them once!

He took the necklace into his hand, and examined every bit of it, and discovered that the size of the stone was not the most important part of it. On the back of the silver, and along its edges, was writing he recognized as the old tongue. He could not read it, but recognized the unmistakable style.

And only one group of people wrote in that language; the wizards.

“It's a pendant, likely magically imbued in some way,” he handed it back to her as fast as he could, not wishing to hold it longer then needed., despite it's beauty. “Only the wizards use that language, and they mark their creations with words. Could be a spell or ward, only they would know.”

He sighed, trying to ignore the rift, a world wide, that would one day exist between them. She was a practitioner of the Arts, and he a lonely man in the woods. Her world would come to claim her, if she did not discover it herself, and he'd be swept aside. The best he could hope for was surviving it all.

 

[PaintaPicture]

She took it back, quickly seeing he didnt want to touch it. She didnt really get why he wouldnt hold it. She understood it was special, but not the importance or what it actually did or what it was.
"But..what is it? What does it do?"
She giggled putting things in simpilar terms. Not understanding it was a necklace. She held the chain in her hands as well as the pendant, she thought it was very pretty but just didnt know what it was.

She looked at it, almost staring and her eyes and the stone itself started glowing again and she looked away and it stopped and she rubbed her eyes like she had just stared into the sun for too long.

She shifted her body and leaned against him still inspecting it, not really having done so before, thinking it was just some radnom thing that she would keep. Her thumb rubbing back and forth over it and she smiled up at Latro kissing his cheek and sighing happily.

 

[Tseranc]

Seeing her eyes glow with the emerald, he nearly gasped, but instead held his breath. Clearly the girl and the necklace were connected, but beyond that, he had no knowledge. Only the advice from the wizards to leave magical matters to them. Now he wished he knew enough to help her.

She continued to play with the thing, as she leaned against him, and he figure it was part of his situation, for better or worse (and his bet was the later). Gently taking it form her hands, he unfastened the chain, and draped it over her chest, securing the silver chain again, behind her neck. “It's yours, maybe you should wear it. It looks even more beautiful on you.”

It really did, sitting just barely in her cleavage, bringing out her eyes. Fear it or not, it looked great, like it belonged there.

 

[PaintaPicture]

She felt him put it around her neck as it rested against her chest and she got a strange feeling as it rested on her skin but she didnt think much of it. ALl she did was grin at the way he was looking at her, the way he called her beautiful.

She moved back closer to him and leaned her head on his shoulder yawning. Getting more comfortable she curls her leg against his and trys to keep her eyes opened.
"Are you happy to be going back to your home?"

She listened to the fire crackle front of them as she kept attempting to not fall asleep.
"I bet your friends will be happy to see you."
She said it ever so softly almost asleep wanting to stay up to talk to him. Kissing his neck softly she kept her head on his shoulder.

 

[Tseranc]

He wrapped his arms around her, letting himself be coerced into the embrace. He enjoyed the feel of her so close. “Yes, I am looking forward to being home, mostly for the real bed. I guess I've gone soft, having made all these comforts for myself. But every so often I to roam about with as little as possible and just enjoy the land.”

He ran his fingers through her short, uneven hair, thinking it was divine how chaotic, yet simple, it was. "I'd be surprised if the pup's don't meet us sometime tomorrow. They never wait at the cabin unless I am there, and then not always.”

He hoped the wolves would not feel betrayed, but knew that they would eventually understand. After all it was Hymi that left him for months, and came back with Isan, which he found odd. Isan was not the alpha male, and followed Hymi around as if it were a privilege. Apparently what humans thought they knew about the creatures of the woods was seriously lacking. That or Hymi was just odd.

“It will be nice to get there, but being right here is pretty nice to, don't you think” He placed a teasing kiss against her neck.

 

[PaintaPicture]

"its nice being here..."
She mumbled it softly and her eyes closed and she drifted off to a deep sleep. Like she was almost unconscious. She made soft little noises as dreams came, they werent bad, but they werent great either.

It was her again, and there was magic and she was practicing it...or something. She couldnt tell but there were other women, 4 others and they were doing the same thing. She wasnt alone and was happy she wasnt the only one this happened too.

She woke up momentarily and smiled then fell back asleep quickly.

 

[Tseranc]

Sleep came, and without a screaming woman this time. It was pleasant waking beside a soft woman. He lay there, watching her sleep, and figured he could get lost in such simple pleasures.

Still, with the slower pace, they could not sleep the day away, so he decided to wake her...gently.

Starting sigh kisses along her shoulder, and working his way up her neck, until nibbling lightly on her ear. “Good morning Ferox,” he whispered.

“Sleep well? I didn't notice any kicking or screaming this time, perhaps the fresh air did you some good?” He grinned like he had nothing to do with her improved mental state.

 

[PaintaPicture]

She felt his kisses and smiled as her eyes fluttered open and she stretched her body and leaned over and kissed him gently.
"Good morning Latro...i slept fine...did you?"
Then standing up and stretching her legs and back. She gave him a look that said 'do you mind?' as she held up his water and then took a sip handing it over to him.

She adjusted the necklace and smiled back over at him gathering her things knowing he'd want to get a start on the walk back to his home. She put her things in her bag and helped him get his things. She grabbed her spear and ran her fingers through her hair waiting for him to finnish gathering.

"Are you ready?"
As she held her hand to him hoping he'd take it while they walked.

 

[Tseranc]

Waking to a kiss was another pleasure Latro figured a man could get used to. He laid around a bit longer, watching her move to gather their things. He tried to convince himself at least part of that reason was watching how much she favored her hurt foot, but he knew a solid majority was just the pleasant view of her.

Eventually he got up, and took up his pack. After ensuring that the fire was well extinguished, he agreed that he was ready.

Heading off again north, at a slightly better pace then yesterday, but still keeping it slower then he would go alone, he continued pointing out mineral and plant, as new varieties showed themselves. He loved the way she seemed to drink in the knowledge that took him years of trial and error, sometimes dangerous error, to learn.

Just before the sun reached its peak, they came to a small river. “Lets rest and eat here. We can simply follow this upstream to the cabin, probably in time to make a tasty dinner.” Dropping the pack, he knelt down beside the water, and washed his hands and face of the sweat that had begun from their hike.

 

[PaintaPicture]

As they continued on their walk she saw the smile on his face as he pointed out things and taught her what he knew. Not only did she enjoy learning but he seemed to enjoy teaching. As they reached the small river she set her things down with his and did the same thing. Rinsing her face off and drinking some of the water as well. She dunked her head in getting her hair wet as well and then squeezing the excess water out.

She then, wanting to play a little tackled him down and giggled the whole time as she pinned him down, just being random and shook her head letting the water from her hair spalsh onto him. She Wasnt pinning him down like she had when she first met him, this was her being fun.

She took a deep breath and then just layed down on him and rested her head on his chest and giggled once again.
"What kind of tasty dinner?"
Ferox wasnt sure what made one dinner differnt than another. But she figured it was another thing she wasnt used to that he knew about.
"What is your home like, whats it made of?"
She said softly and once again still wanting to learn.

 

[Tseranc]

Her playful tackle took him by surprise, though he saw her coming, he did not react until he was pinned beneath the wet haired beauty. He laughed, as she shook beads of water at him, but just held her close when she laid down on his chest.

“Well if the pup's left any cursed deer, we'll have steak, with potatoes and some cheese. If not, then there we'll see what else I have around.”

he sighed, and began describing the cabin he'd built. How it was placed at the bottom of a short cliff, so that the north winds blew over the top without disturbing him greatly. He told her of how he'd carved the logs to brace each other, and how it took him 4 times to get the door level. How every year he has to re-thatch the roof, to prevent rain from getting inside.

Most the metal items he had purchased in town, but the rock, wood and leather work were all his own, and on telling her all this he discovered the pride in his voice.

“Listen to me ramble on, I speak like some eager hawker, trying to sell useless trinkets. You'll see it all, soon, and decide for yourself if it's a worthy home.”

Looking at her head on his shoulder, he couldn't resist her lips, and craned his neck for another kiss.

 

[PaintaPicture]

She had to search her mind when he said potatoes and cheese and she remembered that they were something she enjoyed. She could hear the way his voice changed when he spoke about his home and just listened quietly, letting him speak of something he was so proud of. She gave him a funny look when he said she could decide if it was a worthy home, it sounded nicer than her cave so she already liked it.

Feeling his kiss she smiled.
"You really like to kiss dont you?"
And she just kissed him back moving her body off of his stretching and looking at her bad ankle. Pushing her hair out of her face she got some more water to drink from the stream. Looking over at Latro with an eager look she was ready to go despite the little bit of pain in her ankle.

"Are you ready Latro? I'm getting excited to see you're house."
After putting her bag across her chest she leaned against a tree looking at the tree's around her and the surroundings she wasnt quite used too. She took deep breaths as the light breeze made her skin tingle lightly. Her sparkly green eyes looked back over at Latro eagerly.

 

[Tseranc]

“Can you blame me? You're irresistible.” He chuckled, as he got up, dusted himself off, and gathered his things.

He saw her favor the foot, and frowned. “Use your spear for support, and if it gets too bed, you let me know.” Nodding down to the ankle.

He led her across the water at a low point, then put his boots back on, and followed the bank. In less then an hour after crossing he heard two very distinct barks. He stopped Ferox, advising her to stay put for a moment, then walked away from the bank into the woods.

He whistled, and the barking responded, closer this time. Squatting down he waited, and soon Hymi and Isan emerged through the brush. “How ya doing pups? Did ya miss me?” He pet and lightly wrestled with them both, until Hymi stopped, sniffing him, and growled.

“Hey girl, I know it's hard, but she needs our help. We both know Uhei got himself into trouble. We never could keep reign on him like you have Isan here.” At that Isan just looked at them both like they were little more then rocks or oddly shaped trees, then lay down to ignore them further.

As for Hymi, sh stopped showing her teeth, but the low, growl of displeasure did not completely fade away. “Well, guess if that is as good as I am getting, then we might as well go meet her.”

He came back to Ferox, with the two gray canines in tow. Making his way to her, he put his hands on her, as if to show that she was safe. Isan trotted over to her immediately, sniffing; which set Hymi to growling deeper, and lay down where she was, a good 10 paces away.

“She'll warm up to you, I think she's competitive. She's never had to share attention before. I thinks she views me as one of her cubs some days.”

 

[PaintaPicture]

She nodded to him and used her speer to help her walk and smiled as he helped her across the river and watched him as he pulled his boots back on. Ferox felt him stop her as she heard the barks and she dropped her spear and she just stood there as he walked off to meet the pups.

As she saw Latro come back she saw the two wolves and gulped taking a limped step backwards getting nervous. She looked at Latro as he touched her and let the smaller of 2 wolves sniff her and she tryed to relax, he seemed friendly enough. The other one, the female was less than pleased with Ferox being there. She looked down and smiled at the little one than up at Latro.
"What are their names?"

She finally relaxed and her head and shoulders dropped. She was legitmately scared. She remembered how bad her ankle had hurt and how scared she was when she was first attacked. She wanted to turn and run, her instincts were telling her too. She clutched her bag and looked at Latro again.
"Well she knew you first...so i hope she can share you with me."

 

[Tseranc]

“This guy here, is Isan. He's the mischievous one. He thinks its great fun to stalk the goats, and to chase birds. But I've never seen him legitimately hunt something unless Hymi over there approved.”

He rubbed the male wolves head and scratched behind his ears, and the boy sat down, enjoying the attention.

“Hymi, please come say hello to Ferox.” The she-wolf didn't budge. “Well be that way then. I didn't hold it over your head when you brought Isan home. He turned out alright, and so was Uhei, when I brought him from the town. Don't ya trust me girl?”

Hymi finally rose up from the ground, and walked, a long, arcing path around the humans, finally coming up beside Latro, placing him directly between Ferox and herself. He pet her head, but her expression did not change. The occasional low disapproval still came, but she made no threatening movements.

“Well, time will tell. I'm guess she'll forgive me and eventually adopt you too. She's very motherly, which I am sure is no small part of this.” If wolves could glare, he was sure he just received such from Hymi, as she trotted off to lead them all home, and Isan ran after her, ever the faithful shadow; even if he had betrayed her for a moment to get some much vaulted attention.

Shrugging his shoulders, he shook his pack to even the load again, “Shall we?”

 

[PaintaPicture]

She took note when he introduced them and smiled at Isan, seeing he was a simple creature, and would do damn near anything Hymi told him to do. When she saw Hymi, Ferox's heart started to race when she saw the angered wolf. Taking a deep breath she looked over at Hymi and she tryed her hardest to relax and she looked up at Latro.

"Lets go then..."
And she limped with Latro following the two pups towards his home. Her ankle was hurting more, she should have listened to him and rested longer. They slowly approached the cabin like structure and she smiled and her eyes widened.
"It's big...and nice. I like it."

Once the wolves were out of site temporarily she looked over at Latro and kissed him softly wrapping her arms around his neck, shifting the pressure off the bad ankle. Why she didnt want the wolves to see, she didnt know. She saw how they had a mutual respect and love for each other. Her mind then came back to the idea that she would be taking the walk back to her cave alone. She'd have to leave him here where he lived and where his friends were.

Pulling back from the tight embrace she took a few steps to go inside and smiled at him softly.
"I remember you saying something about a tasty dinner..."

 

[Tseranc]

“Glad it meets with your approval,” he grinned as he savored how her lips had been pressed to his again. He even pretended not to notice how much she was limping.

Opening the door and ushering her inside, he scanned the large room. Not much had been disturbed, though the bed, made from thick wooden branches, that had the bark removed, but the smaller branched still entwined into an elaborate lattice headboard, was a mess as the pups had circled endlessly in the bedding to get comfortable. Somethings did not change.

“Have a seat, get comfortable, and I'll take care of everything.” Guiding her to a rocking chair made from antlers and wood, though surprisingly comfortable and strong. Having ensured she was off her foot he went through a small door in the back, which led to a small stone walled room. Here two barrels, which had cost him plenty in town were full of salt and meats, from which he took out 4 large steaks.

He hummed a tune he had probably invented, or remembered parts form his youth, he couldn't recall, or care, as he added seasons and oils to the meat before lighting the fire in the hearth. “We'll be plenty warm tonight, some times this fire gets too hot. In the summer, I cook outside as to not have this going at all.”

He soon had the steaks over the fire, and filling the cabin with the scent of his cooking. He got down two wood carved mugs, sealed with bee's wax, and filled them with a spiced wine, mixed with water. Handing her the cup and a streak on a its roasting stick, he took the other mug for himself.

Latro laid the other two steaks on plates beside the door, and the two wolves entered the cabin at hearing the plates being touched, and began their feast; while he pulled up a stool to sit beside Ferox.

“Welcome to my humble home. I hope you enjoy.”

 

[PaintaPicture]

He quickly brought her inside and she looked arund at the new surroundings finding them amazing. As he sat her she looked at the strange chair she was sitting in almost startled as it rocked back and forth. She eventually relaxed in it as her feet throbbed from the long walk...doing things barefoot was not easy. On top of that her bitten ankle wasnt feeling to great either.

She watched him walking around cooking, humming, and preparing things. Watching him walk around and do things she smiled. As he spoke of the warmth it made her smile wider, the cold wind had been getting to her and being inside an enclosed space would be nice. When he handed her the mug she smelled it and gave him a weird look then sipped it whipping her head back and licking her lips.
"this tastes funny..."
But she sipped it slowly, getting used to the taste and enjoying it. She then bit into her steak and her eyes widened, it was so much better than any other piece of meat she had, had before. She ferociously started eating and continuing to drink looking at Latro and over at the pups once or twice.

"I'm getting full"
She rubbed her stomach and nibbled on a bit more as about a quarter of her steak was left. She looked at it and then at Latro.
"Do you want it...or the pups, would they want it?"
She didnt want things to go to waste and figured someone would eat it. She didnt want Latro to think she didnt like it because she did but it was more than what she was used to eating.

She looked over at them and wripped the piece in two and put it back on her plate and looked back over at the two and stood up slowly and limping slowly over to them, not getting to close and setting the 2 pieces down and then walking back to Latro and sitting down trying to hide the grimace as she did. Unwrapping her ankle she looked at the teeth marks and she ran her fingers over them then just sat in the chair. Her ankle was healing it was just stiff and sore and her feet were torn up from living barefoot for so long.
"Thank you for the dinner...it was really good."
And she gave him a small smile.

 

[Tseranc]

He grinned as she set what she could not eat out for the pups. As for himself, he devoured ever bit of his steak; living off dried meat and whatever small kills for a few days had stirred in him a large appetite. Maybe he was too spoiled to call himself a woodsman now?

As Ferox backed away and set back down, Isan one on the meat without hesitation. Hymi however, got up, sniffed it, and walked away. Isan did not let the second piece go to waist, and came to sit beside Ferox, in thanks, while Hymi wasn't looking.

“Looks like you've got one secret friend,” He chuckled at Isan, who looked at each human in turn, then trotted off happily, to return to his mate's side, and avoid as much trouble as possible.

Watchign the second wolf leave, Letro knelt down in front of Ferox and examined her foot. “It's still getting better, but you could definitely use some footwear.” He patted his boots, “Made these myself, though it took some time to get to this modest point. Tomorrow, I'll make yo some sandals, then get set to work on proper boots. Those will take a while longer.”

He wondered how long she'd been out in the wild, and in her tiny garments. “Have you been out here through a winter?” He asked, almost certain she could not have.

 

[PaintaPicture]

Ferox saw Isan come over and she smiled at him seeing that he enjoyed her left overs. "Well i'm glad you like it."
Seeing him trot off towards Hymi reminded her that they still could easily attack her again and the fear set in again. But Latro wouldnt let them do that, or atleast she hoped not. She watched the two wolves across the room and then back at Latro who was in front of her inspecting her foot.
"whats a sandal?"
Not knowing what he was making, made her a little unsure, but figured it would help since all the things he had done helped her.

To his next question she nodded.
"One winter...i was here one winter. I made longer one of these and bigger one of these." She pointed to the skirt like bottom and vest like top.
"It was very cold, i didnt think i'd live, but i made big fire. and got very skinny."
She sighed remembering how cold it had been. Nearly freezing when she had to get food. She curled her legs to her chest in the chair and looked at the pups getting quiet. Looking back at Latro she muscled a smile trying to relax. But it wasnt working well.

 

[Tseranc]

He shook his head in amazement. “You're one tough woman. Most would have perished in the winters here, with its heavy snowfall, and chill winds. I've known men, who knew more then I, who got caught in the storms and never went back home.”

He got up and fetched a large pot, filling it with water, and setting it over the fire. Soon it was hot, and he transfered the steaming water into a large bowl, mixing salts and oils into it, then setting it down by her feet. “Let your feet soak in that; they will feel great by morning.”

To answer her question, he fetched his own saddles out of the trunk with his summer items in it. “It covers the bottom of your foot only, so it is light, but protects you.” He put it away again, and then began to strip out of his sweaty clothes. In a basin with some of the hot water he washed himself off with a rough cloth and soap. Once done, he pointed at it, inviting her to do the same if she so wished, then put on a fresh pair of small clothes. Even alone, he disliked being completely nude...his cabin was a bit too drafty.

Then, with a sigh, he set to making the bed, and untangling the blankets that the wolves had left in such a state.

 

[PaintaPicture]

She smiled at his amazement in survival. She had struggled so hard in the winter, something she was hoping not to do again. Then, watching Latro boil water and make something once again and setting it by her feet after being instructed to put her feet in, she did. She sighed happily as her feet soaked in the hott water feeling magnificant.

She relaxed and saw the sandal he spoke of and nodded her head. She'd give it a try if it would stop her feet from getting hurt. Ferox closed her eyes for a moment and upon opening them she saw Latro, in the nude momentarily as he washed and then put his clothes back on. With his offer for her she shook her head, she didnt want to move her feet from the pot they were in.

Watching him make his bed was odd she had never seen one before, and didnt know why it was the way it was. She then noticed his clothes a bit more then looked at hers.
"Yours are better than mine." She said laughing slightly and she looked at her clothes feeling them and then looking at him and his.
"Show me to make better ones?" Ferox added a yawn to the end of her statement. After the long journey she was exhausted. She brought her feet out of the pot and walked to her bag laying down her skin next to a wall and smoothed it out and layed down getting comfortable, slightly close to the warmth of the fire.

 

[Tseranc]

“I'll show you anything you like.” He smiled, but knew lessons would not be started tonight. He had plenty of things to show her, but with fall nearly midway through, it would be time to work on winter garments. He'd be damned if he made a friend that he'd let freeze away in the snow. Idea's started forming in his head as to how to craft her some items. He'd need more leather and furs, but also more food for the winter with another mouth to feed, so that should work out well, and she'd learn to hunt as he did.

But her movement pulled him out of his brainstorm. He frowned as she took out her rug to sleep on, “There is plenty of room up here, if you would like.” He patted the bed, tossing back the blankets, now that he had them covering his handmade mattress. “I know I enjoy having you close,” he winked. Which was true, and not just his body thought so. It was actually nice to have a human being to interact with. The wight of loneliness that he had long ignored had been lifted.

Crawling into bed with an inviting smile, he took up just one side, and nodded to the empty space to his left.

 

[PaintaPicture]

She looked at his offer and gave him a weird look but when he pulled the blankets back and winked she couldnt say no again. She got up slowly and joined him in the bed. It was so much more comfortable then the hard ground. and she fell asleep quickly sleeping like an angel. She slept through the night and snuggled close into him.

She didnt even wake up when the sun was up, sleeping like a rock. After she felt the heat coming inside her eyes opened to see Latro and she smiled stretching her long body on the bed and curling her toes and then going back under the blankets to get comfortable again. Like she wasnt going to get up all day.

"Good morning, did you sleep well."
Her voice being soft and sweet as she wiped her eyes. Leaning over kissing him and then relaxing once again.
"what are you doing today?"

 

[Tseranc]

“I slept wonderfully, thank you. Seems the bed did you a world of good as well,” teasing, as he returned her kiss. For such a tough woman, her lips were the most soft, inviting thing he had ever experienced in his life.

“I have no firm plans for today. After such trips I usually take a day or two to just relax.” He admired how cute she looked, curled up under the blankets, though it was far from cold inside the cabin. He snuggled in close to her, and let his fingers wander as he planted kisses along her neck. “Is there anything......that you......had in mind?” He whispered between pressing his lips to her flesh.

The taller woman made his head spin, with ideas and feelings he'd either long forgotten, or never had. Logically it might be impractical, or even foolish to contemplate a real, romantic human relationship with a woman who could not remember her past, and might hit him with a ball of fire. But those almost seemed to be extra positive notions to Latro at the moment.

His fingers grazed down her side, and back up her back, until finally dancing down again over her ass to the backs of her legs. He wondered if he should restrain himself in this manner, but didn;t even know if he could.