The Continent

[Tyrael]

Varinthyr brings a flat hand to rest upon his brow, shielding his somber emerald eyes from the light of the sun that bore down upon the sparse dirt and sand. Vegetation still popped up every now and again as this land was still some distance from the beginning of true Desert. The Elf was clad in a sleevless leather tunic adorned with a simple leather belt. Petite charms clinked as they hung on braided cordage connected to two pouches woven of magically enhanced foliage. He scratched with irritation at the peeling skin along his exposed shoulders. Slick with perspiration, his tunic did not fit as firmly as it might, becoming a mild annoyance as he moved. Varinthyr's stomach complained loudly at the lack of adequate food. Skillful as he might be, a boy strung across his back became a useless burden when there was no game to be hunted. Only scaled creatures darted among the rocks and sands, leaving frustrating evidence of what was now long gone.


"Quiet yourself, no amount of noise you make shall suddenly conjure up food." He frowned at his own body, talking as casually at himself as one might a peer. His abdomen gave no response. Varinthyr pressed onward along the changing terrain, scratching absent-minded at the few freckles along his pale cheek. A small knife of honed bone and petrified wood sat tightly secured on his right hip. "Bah," He exclaimed in minor anger as he tread forward. "I had not expected to be so miserable in this damnable heat. Not even a cloud comes to give a moment's respite." Some trees dotted the horizon far to his right, but those would be a days venture away. The only shade he would find would come from his tunic lifted above his head. Even that would not do, for he did not wish a burned torso as well. Varinthyr did not hate the lack of food so much as he did the constant of the scenery. It become a great bore to behold after a few days.


After another hour of monotonous walking and sweating enough to fill a wash basin, the sun had gotten closer to the horizon and dusk began to fall. He let a great sigh out and took another drink from his already almost empty flask, trying to not ponder what he would do once it ran dry. He hadn't seen much water since a day back. As the earth seemed to finally allow him, Varinthyr decided to make camp and rest. Finding the most solid patch that was more dirt than sand, he unslung the weapon from his back and set it against a rock, pulling out the small tinder bundle, his last one, from the pouch at his side. He also retrieved the flint piece as well, frowning as it was obvious that the enchantment on it would only last for this final fire, and struck it along the tinder bundle to light it aflame. Setting the now gently smoldering piece on the ground, he reached for about four of his remaining ten arrows and broke the heads from them, setting the shafts in the shape of a teepee. He had no other choice for firewood, and this would have to do for the night to keep him warm. Finally, he allowed himself to rest, not easily falling asleep.

 

[Ranix Aurus]

How long had her feet took her in this journey? It felt like an eternity. It had been a while since the last time she met with civilization. Everywhere she walked was grass, trees, and scorching heat from the summer sun. But at least the forest was kind. Foliages shielded her from sunlight, the dirt was soft and welcoming for tired body, and water source was easy to find. It was a few days ago. Now there was nothing but sands everywhere she looked.


She still couldn't understand how come the patches of life stopped so abruptly, where green pastures exchanged with the yellow-colored sand in an instant. In fact, not any soul in the Kingdom knew why it happened. Legend told that it has something to do with the Dark Wood in the center of the Continent, and the disaster that happened in the past. The sun had went down at the horizon, replaced by the moon. However, while the dark robe that she wore was enchanted with Magic to fight cold, even that could not keep up with the desert night's chilling wind. It was the least of Reynn's concern at the moment. Her supply was growing scarce. If she couldn't find someone, anyone, in this lifeless place, then she would be a dried corpse to be eaten by sand lizards and Scarabs. She shuddered upon the thought.


No, she couldn't die here. There is something that she must do. She clutched the dagger on her hip, used for self-defense, and stepped forward. Only to have the sand sunk beneath her feet.


What she first thought as soft sand was actually a Scarab's burrow! As her body sank deeper into the sand, the Scarab pulled out from its hiding place. It was a tall, humanoid creature covered in shiny scales. In place of human hand was a three-digit long claw protruding from the tip of its arms. The scales was bluish hue, reflecting light from the moon up above. Her eyes were fixed on its gaping maw, filled with saw-like thorns resembling teeth.


It was do-or-die situation. She pulled out her dagger quickly, stabbing the Scarab's body right where human heart should be. The Scarab's movement stopped for a bit, but that was it. Seems that human's weak point does not apply to Scarabs. It lunged its claws toward Ryenn. However, the girl had pulled out something else from her pouch. A reddish stone. She threw it at the Scarab's incoming claw, and at the moment of impact produced an explosion.


What she had thrown was a fire magic stone, produced by the Dwarves of Mount Dragnir. The sudden heat and light was effective at disorienting the Scarabs. Ryenn took this chance and pulled herself out of the sand with all her might. That kind of weak explosion wouldn't be able to hurt the creature; at most it would just buy her a few seconds. She decided to ran. Anywhere is fine, as long as she could get away from it...


Smoke. She could somehow see a faint smoke in the distance. By focusing her eyes at that direction, she could spot some kind of light. Was it flame? A campfire? Was someone over there? The Scarab let out an angry yell. There is no time to think anymore. She decided to run toward the light. "Help! Someone!" She screamed, hoping that the ones near the light, if there was any, could hear her.

 

[Tyrael]

The elf stirred uncomfortably in a fetal position on the hard ground. What little dirt and grass made up his bed had been useless and left his back without support. Finally sighing, he right himself, sitting up against a large rock, resigning himself to a night of drifting in and out of slumber. Varinthyr shook his head at the pitiful fire sending trails of smoke up into the air. It provided next to no warmth and the temperature had dropped considerably. Gooseflesh rose along his exposed skin. Even though it could be the death of him, the cool night air was as sweet as a lover's embrace. He welcomed a change from the inevitable heat that would come at sunrise. A pale crescent hung high in the dark sky, the moonlight illuminating him and the immediate area around the camp. "This damned heat has become unbearably," He muttered to himself. "Should've kept moving through the forest until I reach the border of Arion..." There was little he could do about it now, though. Varin simply drew his knife and begin to pick beneath his nails with the blade.


He nearly jumped out of his skin when the silence of the barren landscape was broken with an exclamation in the distance. Immediately turning towards the cry and putting a hand at his bow, Varinthyr squinted to focus upon two silhouettes moving towards him on the horizon. The continued cry seemed to be a voice of something in desperation. He gasped slightly as he noticed the furthest silhouette seemed to be twice or thrice the size of the other. It moved with an odd, bow-legged gait, a large backside swinging as it did. Retrieving and knocking an arrow into his raised bow, the elf swiftly rose to his feet, set in an offensive stance. Moving to stand just beyond his campfire he called out, bow resting at half draw. "Who comes!? Who charges me!?" He shouted to the closing pair.

 

[Ranix Aurus]

This old, weathered soldier once liked to tell her that the desert was not a good place to have a run. She finally understood what he mean. The sand sunk by each steps she took, which took her more energy just to pull them back up. Her legs hurt. Her arms hurt. She was gasping for air. Her body screamed, begged, yelled for her to stop. Yet she can't. She would take that next step even if she had to die for it. Because she literally would die if she don't.


The Scarab was better-suited for the desert. While she had made considerable distance when she made her escape, the monster managed to close the gap in seconds time. She didn't dare to look back; all she focused on was the light in front of her. Now that she had gotten closer, she could see that it was the light of what looked like a campfire. Weak, but fire nonetheless. And she could also see a silhouette of something...someone? Someone. She could hear the person shouting at her.


"It's a scarab! Help!" she shouted with all the might left on her.

 

[Tyrael]

Varinthyr strained to hear the words of the flailing figure, watching the further gain on it. He took a few steps out from his camp, edging closer to the two rushing at him. They were now just fourty meters from him, and coming quickly. He pulled the bow tight and dashed forward, the dirt giving way to sand that hampered his movement. After about six meters he stopped, steadying himself and drawing the string to his cheek. From the shouting he was able to glean the word 'Scarab' and realized suddenly what the problem was. Training the arrow at the largest figure, he waited for them to come closer. Now they were only thirty meters out. Varin couldnt make a shot like that in the dark. He waited, watching what he now discerned to be a human or elf struggling through the sand towards him. The pair finally came into the a beam of moonlight, completely confirming Varin's fear. A Scarab indeed was chasing this person with a ravenous hunger apparent on it's face.


"You need to get closer! I can't make a shot from there!" He shouted to them. The sand had begun to pull at him, resting in one spot for so long. Tugging them out and moving to the left. Now he was angled almost directly at the Scarab without the person in his path. Yet he still could not shoot. Twenty meters. Still he waited, training the arrow towards the throat of the creature.

 

[Ranix Aurus]

Her side hurts, burning as if she had ingested a thousand flame stones. Her legs started to get slower. Even with adrenaline pumping through her body, this was her limit. "Get closer!" She heard the person near the fire shouted. Easier said than done, she wanted to yell that but had no energy left to do so. Her throat felt so dry.


Only a few meters more...just a few more steps...she kept on chanting in her mind, forcing her body to keep going. The Scarab was practically right behind her. She could hear its claws cutting the night air, desperate to get one clean cut at her. No. She won't let it. She was already this close. The flame's light had begun to reach her, and she could see the person better now.


It seemed to be a man. A human? She couldn't make out his features as the fire behind him casted a shadow. What she could discern was that he was armed with a bow, seemingly ready to shoot at the Scarab. Get closer. Get closer so he could shoot that monster. She widened her leap, eager to reach his place as fast as she could.


Perhaps it was just a streak of bad luck. The sand sunk at her next step, tripping him down face-first. And it was just a few meters from the fire...she struggled to get back on her feet, but the Scarab didn't waste the chance. It swung its arm downward, aiming at Ryenn. She rolled to her right, barely dodging the blade-like claws. That was all she could do. The monster had readied for another strike.


She closed her eyes, afraid to see what would happen next.

 

[Tyrael]

Varin cursed as the Scarab still wasn't as close as he would've wished, but he had no other options. The person had fallen and didnt look apt to get back up to their feet in a timely manner. A final time he had to rip his feet from the sand and reset his feet, quickly focusing on the Scarab's throat with his bow. He was no master marksman by any stretch. However, he did have years of practice and a basic understanding of the things that one needed to factor in to the flight of an arrow. When Varin was about to make a shot, it seemed that the few instants that it wold take would feel like minutes. Time itself flexed and slowed. His breath was cut, one eye open, arrowhead leveled half a meter above it's intended home. The two were still illuminated by the silver light, it glinting off the scales of the beast, allowing him a better view.


Varinthyr didn't even know this person or their intentions. Why should he help them if only for them to slaughter him on their way up? Were they expecting refuge? Food? All things he couldnt offer even had he been willing. This choice was one that perhaps saved one life, and ended his own. Few wander in the desert but vagabonds and thieves. How could he know this one was not such? All of this went through his mind in the time it took the person to fall and roll onto their back, the Scarab having reared it's claws back. Pushing the thoughts from his mind, his fingers extended in a snap, the bow string thwang-ing in the night. He had immediately reached for another arrow in his quiver and knocked it as the first struck home. He had over estimated, causing the projectile to sink into what passed for the creature's upper abdomen, rather than squarely in it's throat. Being a softer area than those covered with scales, it would give the creature pause, letting out a high pitched cry, shifting it's focus at the source of it's pain.


By the time the Scarab had faced Varin, he had already drawn back the bowstring again. A loud screech marked the beast's charging towards the elf, much more fleet of foot than he could've ever been on the sand. It took Varinthyr by surprise, startling him and causing him to attempt to step backward, unable to as his feet had sunk once more. In the struggle and his fear, he released the bowstring by accident, sending the arrow ten meters away to his right in the sand. Regaining his footing and hastily drawing another arrow to knock, the creature was now five meters from him, swinging it's razor sharp appendages wildly with death in it's eyes. Steeling himself as best he could, Varin quickly drew the string and directed the next arrow at it's throat and let it fly. Being much closer to the creature now, this arrow would hit home in the center of the beast's throat, punching through to the other side. Varin threw his bow in the direction of his makeshift camp and sluggishly tried to move from the beast's rampaging path as it screamed and flailed out with guttural sounds and wild movement. Hindered by the sand, his left calf was sliced as the Scarab barreled passed him, bleeding profusely and wretching.

 

[Ranix Aurus]

She had waited for death to pass. Closing her senses from the outside world. Trying to cope with the coming end. Yet it never came. What she imagined would be the sound of her flesh ripped to shred was exchanged by the creature's high-pitched scream, as if it was suffering from extreme pain.


She opened her eyes. The Scarab was no longer in top of her. She quickly sat back up. It had changed its target to the person who had helped her. She could see his feature better now that he had the fire illuminating him. He looked like a human, yet the nimble body and, more importantly, slightly pointed ear told her that this person was an Elf. His ear was not as pointy as the other Elves, though, which made her a bit suspicious...no, wait, that's not the important thing at the moment.


He was a good fighter; at the least, better than her. Another arrow hit the Scarab right at its weak point. It didn't go down without a fight, though, and she winced when the beast managed to hurt the man with its claws. However, that was the only thing that it could do. The Scarab was already weak from the pain and bloodloss. It shuddered for a bit before finally fell. Dead.


Ryenn scrambled over to the man's side, worried about his wound. "A-are you okay?"

 

[Tyrael]

Varinthyr let out a bit of a yelp as the creature's claws sliced clean through his calf, about three centimeters deep. He tripped as his feet got caught in the sand and fell to his hands and knees, the wound burning a bit as sand flew up against it. The man would worry about it later. He relaxed as he had heard the beast's dying wail as it collapsed. The bow lay to his left, having almost been stepped on and crushed by the rampaging Scarab. Varin thanked the Three above for that small favor. What is a hunter without his bow after all? Rather than lament for his wounds, he was thankful for his life and that the creature had not rode him down. Perhaps that thing was a blessing in disguise, he began to think, for it was meat. How safe was it to eat though...His mind continued to drift until the person, now obviously female, spoke up at his side. Little could be made out about the figure of the girl, beneath the robes she wore. In any case he looked up at her with a smile, a bit pained, sweat beading across his face from the fear of the encounter.


"Well enough..Although that thing ruined my trousers, and I may have twisted my ankle about in this damnable sand." He spoke with a few minor pauses while crawling slowly over to the dirt patch where his now almost dead fire lay. Happy to be on solid ground, he collapsed onto his back, wincing at the wound.

 

[Ranix Aurus]

"Ah," she gasped at the bleeding wound. "I'm...sorry. Also, thank you for saving me."


Not knowing what else to do, she scooted closer to the fire as well. From his pouch she pulled out another reddish stone. It was her last flame stone, but it's better to use it up rather than freezing to death. As soon as she threw the stone to the almost-dying flame, the stone reacted. The fire immediately grew bigger, strong enough to fend off the night wind.


"If you don't mind, may I tend to that wound?" she pulled out a piece of cloth and then soaked it with water from her pouch. Slowly she cleaned his cut from the blood and sands, being careful not to cause unnecessary pain.

 

[Tyrael]

Varinthyr nodded slowly, extending his leg and gripping the hem of his trousers, pulling it up to expose his bare leg for her to clean it. He rubbed his shoulder a bit to work out some of the knots. A twinge of pain shot through his left ankle as well, protesting against the horrible treatment in the sand. The elf felt more comfortable knowing he had not lost his bow as he gazed upon it sitting near his small pouches. Finally he spoke up, giving the female a small, friendly smile.


"It's not as if i could not allow you to be brutalized by that beast with no others around to help you." Even with her attempts at gentleness, the agitation of the wound still hurt in a very small sense, a slight twinge of pain crossing his face for a moment. "I must admit great surprise at your presence. What are the odds that others would be traveling along the desert just as I am, in the same place I am?" The elf gave a slight chuckle.

 

[Ranix Aurus]

After cleaning the wound, she fashioned a bandage with another piece of cloth. "It's done...I think. I hope it's not too bad," she blushed when seeing her work. As she was not accustomed with treating people's wound, the bandage was wrapped in a weird way. It's passable, but just felt not right. Well, at least the bleeding had stopped, although it was because the cut wasn't that deep to begin with. She doesn't know what to do with his ankle though. Perhaps it will heal with enough rest?


"Let me say this again. Thank you for saving me, kind sir," she got up to her feet and bowed down. She was taught to show respect where respect is due, and life-harming incident was not a reason to forego it.


She smiled when hearing him being surprised with her sudden appearance. "I was surprised as well. I'd never had thought that there would be an Elf traveling the desert like this. I thought that only Orcs would move around the desert? Oh...where are my manners? My name is Ryenn. I am a simple traveler who are searching for someone who could take me north, toward the Orcish territory," she curtsied, lifting her robe as if it was dress.

 

[Tyrael]

"That should do well enough. All I required was for the bleeding to be staunched. My thanks for the help." Varinthyr patted the wound gently, looking at her with curiousity. Again, her robes gave no hint as to what lay beneath, which piqued his more primal side, causing him to chuckle a bit at himself. He was sure that this looked weird to Reynn, and tried to continue on with a smile. His ankle may have pained him a bit, but it would work perfectly fine when he needed to walk once again. Laying completely onto his back, he stretched his arms and crossed his ankles. "You have no need to thank me so profusely Reynn. I also was taking into account what the beast might do if it decided it wasnt happy with you anymore." Varinthyr shifted his rear end off of a mound of dirt that he had been laying on, getting more comfortable. He wished for some sort of sleep, but this night would not provide any for him. So he might as well make the best of the time they had. "Orcish territory further north? What possible reason could you have to be heading up there? All youre going to find are Scarabs and some unpleasant brutes if you ever arrive."


He held back a laugh at her little curtsy. It amused him to see formality of such a kind from other poor folk out in this wasteland. Varinthyr held his cupped hands to the fire, trying to warm himself on it as the temperature had continued dropping as the night pressed on, only maybe an hour or so from it's peak. His pouches and charms seemed to have stayed untouched beside the fire. This brought him relief. Poor he may have been, but he had not wished to lose what few things were -his-. His eyes passed over her face curiously as he looked up at her in the moonlight.

 

[Ranix Aurus]

She decided to sat near the fire across from the Elf. She was still wary of him, as she would with any other strangers. However, she got a strange feeling that this person was...safe to be around. She owed her life to him anyway. The flame grew weak quickly. It seems that one flame stone was not enough to last the night. She tightened the robe around her body, trying to keep any warmth from going away.


"I...I have my own reason. I'm sorry, but I could not tell you." She felt a bit guilty that she could not answer his question truthfully. As much as she wanted to repay him, she still couldn't disclose her reason. Not to anyone. Not even to her family back there. "I know that the desert is a dangerous place. That's why I'm trying to find a guide. If I keep on going west, surely I would find someone who will take me to the Orc's place."

 

[Tyrael]

Varinthyr sat up, propping himself with his arms. "That is well, I would not expect you to spill your guts to a stranger. You do realize, however, that the orcs are to the east, north, and northeast as well as the west? They are everywhere around the Dark Wood." The elf shivered rather violently for a moment, his sleeveless tunic providing very little way of protection against the cold. He pulled his legs up to his chest and scooted towards the fire, trying to absorb any warmth possible from the almost dead thing. Varin gave her a bit of a wry smile. "If I might be honest, you are ill equipped to be travelling through the desert by yourself like this. Perhaps you should have found a guide before you entered the Sands? Even with a guide your chances are slim against more than one Scarab at a time." His arms were rippling with gooseflesh in the night air, forcing him to lean forward more to use him hands to rub them.


"What have you for skills to defend yourself? You spoke of my own being better than yours, which must mean they aren't particularly honed for my own are barely a basic set of knowledge needed to survival." A yawn escaped his lips, his eyes feeling a bit heavy as well as he fought off sleep. As he would speak to her, Varin still eyed the girl and tried to figure out who she might be. Probably a peasant from a bit of a wealthier city. Maybe the daughter of a man that was lord only in title, with nothing else to show of it. She had the look of a farmgirl almost, but the mannerisms of the lowly cousins of court. It mattered little, for why would those of court wish to leave their pretty little marble castles? He just shook his head and chuckled quietly to himself at the thought.

 

[Ranix Aurus]

He spoke as if his ability was not good enough. She had seen him defeating a Scarab singlehandedly with only a bow. For her, it was already a testimony of his skills. "You are too humble, sir Elf. Killing a Scarab by yourself is a feat worthy enough of praise. What would a person of your caliber do in this desert, alone with no companion? Perhaps...ah," she stopped. "...Forgive me. I should not pry into your problem, especially after I refused to tell mine."


The night wind was not a pleasant one, and more so in the desert region. Like Varin, Ryenn moved closer to the dying fire, trying to get that last bit of warmth. How much longer could the flame hold? Her body shivered from the unforgiving cold. Just like Varin had said, it was such a pathetic display of survival skill. "It's...it's not like I wanted to enter the desert...I was heading west from my hometown, treading through the forest between Arion and the Elven's abode. Some people showed interest on leading me northward, but no one dared to take me into the Orcish's camp. So I thought that if I just walked north, I would find the camp by myself. I...I know, it was foolish. I wasn't thinking straight that day."


Her cheek flushed red, embarrassed at her silly process of thoughts. "I know that there are a lot of Orcish camps around the desert, but the one I'm going to is particularly located in the northern area. It is the Orc camp led by the warchief Orgrim Warthog. That's...my...destination..." Her eyelids felt heavy. While the night wind was harsh to her body, it also lulled her consciousness away. She willed herself to stay awake, but it was ultimately a lost cause.

 

[Tyrael]

"I have no particular destination. Simply wishing to see the world as soon as I was allowed. It makes no matter to me if you had not wished to share, for my reasons are simple and overt." He hugged his legs tight against his chest, rocking a bit on his butt. A stiff breeze ruffled his dirt colored hair and flapped the pant leg of his trousers. The flames seemed to almsot gutter out for a moment before enduring. Moonlight no longer bathed his camp, the crescent being on it's descent from the height of it's path. Varinthyr frowned while looking over his three remaining arrows. What would he do once he no longer had any? The chances were slim that their would be a fletcher in his path while in the desert. "I have yet to encounter any Orcs, but this is my third Scarab to come across. Thankfully the other two were travelling away from me and never saw me."


Varin brought his hands up to rub some of the practically pooling grease and grime on his face. He really didn't like having to disregard basic hygiene, but water was far too scarce to waste on a trivial thing as bathing. The elf was surprised that she had such a specific clan in mind. His knowledge didn't encompass specifics of the Orcs culture, so it intrigued him a great deal. "You already know of the Orc you seek? Well i can't say it was best to mentioned your yearning to meat with an Orc, however. Elves prefer not to treat with them if possible, so I can't imagine Humans would regard them highly either." At the mention of her finding a camp, he chuckled to himself, trying to hide how naive he thought it was. "I'll be a bit honest with you and say that you practically signed your own death warrant by venturing unprepared into this waste." Varin rolled his neck about, letting out a sigh as it cracked and released the tension he felt.


"You have far too little food if you wish to finish your trek now. As much as i wish i wouldn't have to, my only option, as well as yours, is to retreat back into the forest or Arion and restock before heading further north. Even then we would do much better to make most of our trek through the forest before tredding out into the sands again. A few highwayman are much easier to reason wit than a hungry Scarab..." Finally he let his eyes rest on the dark lump in the distance. "Speaking of hunger...I think out only option to avoid starvation is to carve something from the beast. I've a final Stone with me that will allow us enough fire to cook some of the meat. The rest will have to be eaten raw." He had a bit of a look of disgust for a moment before looking back at her and giving a tired smile.

 

[Ranix Aurus]

"Hmmhm..." Ryenn responded absent-mindedly. Seeing the world...that actually was a good reason. Ever since she could remember, Ryenn had always stayed within the confine of her hometown. Her family, the citizen...that was all that she would think about. Her world was as large as the walls of Arion would reach. It was...too small. She had heard stories about the world beyond the Kingdom. Of large trees and foreign plantations in Elven's abode. Of weird rocks and stones with mysterious powers excavated by the Dwarves. And by chance, at that moment, she had met a warchief of the greenish humanoid, the Orcs. At that moment she realized that her world was but a tiny portion of what could be seen beyond human walls.


Ignoring the dirt and sands, she laid down facing the flame, or whatever was left of it. Drowsiness had caught up on her. Weary from her travel, and being able to finally relax after the sudden burst of adrenaline just now, it was natural for her to be lured into sleep. "Yes, that would be good..." she replied when Varin said they would need to eat the Scarab's meat. Hunger was not a concern for her at the moment. She was fine with whatever.


"Now that I think of it...I haven't...heard your name...sir Elf..." she said as she dozed off. Sleep had finally took over.

 

[Tyrael]

Sand had blown up into the elf's eye, causing him to screw up his face and rub at them with the heel of his hand. The urge to sleep had begun to claim him as well when he eyed the girl laying down near the flame. His stomach still protested against the lack of sustenance, but he would worry about it in the morning. It was still uncomfortably cold, but perhaps pure exhaustion could allow him to drift off. Varin yawned greatly and shuffled into a comfortable position on the ground. "Perhaps i'll...worry about the food..tomorrow." Before allowing the dream world to envelop him, he reflected upon what his life had amounted to so far. Growing up among a small farm and wishing to see more of what he had read from the few books they owned. While the story of great castles and valiant knights interested him little, the land of the humans seemed a mysterious treasure to discover.


This adventure had begun to be more interesting than he originally would have anticipated. He still looked over the female as she lay across from him on the ground. Varinthyr had not been in the company of females other than his mother more than a handful of times. Neighbors were few and far between on the farm, and he knew little of how speak differently to a female than to a male. With a small laugh to himself, he would drift off to sleep.


Fast Forward to the Morning. Roughly 8:00am





Varin had to turn his head away as his eyes opened to avoid scalding his retinas. Sweat was already dripping down his face and through the sand stuck to his cheek. Brushing it off and his entire side which was coated with sand, the man stood up and stretched. When did the sun become sun hot. The sand itself seemed to be melting away as he gazed upon the horizon. Bah, he thought to himself. Such things would have to be endured for a few days longer if they were to make it back to the forest. Seeing as he had awoken first, He figured it would be his job to finally answer Reynn's question. As he scratched his backside, he moved over to Reynn and gently touched her shoulder. "Ma'am? It is time to wake up."

 

[Ranix Aurus]

When she opened her eyes, the world was no longer dark. Right across her was the charred remains of campfire, and not too far from it the dead carcass of the Scarab. She jolted up. Her mind was still foggy from the sleep. She couldn't believe that she could fall asleep so easily in the wilderness like this. Remembering the touch that woke her up, she turned to look at Varin. "Good morning," she said groggily.


The next thing that she noticed was the glaring hot sun. Since when had it been up so high? She wasn't looking at it directly yet it still managed to hurt her eyes. She pulled her hood down over her face, trying to block the sunlight as much as she could. Nothing could be done for the heat though. Her clothes was literally soaked with sweat.


"What do you plan to do now, sir Elf? Are you going back to the forest?" she asked Varin.

 

[Tyrael]

"Well I thought I would finally introduce myself. Varinthyr is my name." He gave her a smile, raising a greasy brow at her attempt to hide within what must've been sweltering clothes. Sweat already began to accumulate beneath his tunic and on his forehead. His stomach protested loudly and seemed to twist in a knot, causing him to bend over a bit, holding it. He feared the Scarab would've spoiled by now having been in the sun all day...But he hadn't a choice if he wanted to live to make it back into the forest. Questions still swam through his head about this girl, about the etiquette for behaving around her. What was her life truly like? What of the human lands? His curiosity would be the death of him he swore. It was simply in his nature to wish for knowledge, especially firsthand. A shame it was that she did not wish to return to Arion, but sought out the droll and dry wasteland of the north. After the pain passed, Varin proceeded to gather up his few belongings around the camp, replacing the two pouches and plethora of charms at their place on his hip. The bow slung over his shoulder along with the small makeshift quiver on his back. Only four arrows remained. A shame.


"I do indeed. Game is far more scarce in these sands then i expected, and I wish to survive until the end of my journey. My plan is to retreat there and then make my way to my destination through a land that actually has some life," He extended his hands out to encompass the desert. "Unlike this forsaken graveyard. My destination is north, as you said you needed a guide through the land on your way to see Orcs. I would provide such if you might wish, as I can't say I would mind some company." Varin shifted uncomfortably in his chaffing trousers, limping slightly on his sprained ankle.

 

[Ranix Aurus]

"Varinthyr..." she familiarized herself with the name. It was a wonder that races in this world could maintain a stable communication thanks to the Common Tongue. While each race has their own local language, most intelligent being in this world was trained and able to speak in Common Tongue ever since they were young. The way she pronounced his name might be a bit off in Elven language but it should be acceptable at the least.


"Yes, I agree. It would be foolish to continue on the desert with this much supply," she nodded in agreement. She would need to go back as well. The meeting with that Scarab already proved to her that she really need a guide...either someone who could fend off danger or someone who could avoid them altogether. To cross the unforgiving desert alone would be insane. Guess it is where they would part ways then...


...Wait, did he said that he would be her guide? "R-really, Sir Varinthyr? You would be my guide?" the prospect was delighting for her. She had seen his abilities firsthand, not to mention that Elves held wisdom far greater than humans. "But...I don't want to trouble you with my problem, oh a-also I don't have much to offer you right now," she felt the pouch on her belt. Her supply of coins had trickled away slowly along the journey. She wouldn't be able to offer much.

 

[Tyrael]

Varin gave a week laugh as she fumbled with his name. Naming conventions among the elves tended to be softer and roll off the tongue better. Personally, he thought them much more exotic and interesting than that of the simple human names. The evoloution of the singular language had been interesting as it branched off into the separate dialects of the races and such. It lead to some comical situations at times when interpretations of various words changed slowly for each races then they did for others. It couldnt be helped, and all of the dialects were similar enough to allow intercommunication. His thoughts began to muddle as the sun still beat down upon his head, his hair plastered against his face with a mix of grease and sweat. Focusing on anything other than getting out of the damn sun became nearly impossible for him. Varin turned away from the light and composed himself for a moment. Nodding slowly at Reynn, he gave a weak smile. "Yes..I indeed would guide you. While you travel elsewhere then my intended destination, It is no matter. It will be an adventure nontheless." He Did a double take of his camp before deciding he was prepared for the journey. Sweeping the barren land, his eyes finally found the barest hint of the forest tree line far to the east. They shimmered in the heat almost making him wonder if they were just a mirage.


"It is alright, i ask for no payment because I have nothing to spend it on out here. I catch, kill, and dress my own game, so I have little reason to want for coin. I only require company from you." His smile was weaker and less sincere than he wished, as he began to pace between the camp and the end of the dirt, eager to begin moving. Much was going through his mind at the moment and he wished to get the journey underway.