Backscene: Met a Girl Crazy for Me Who: Seda Utheriel, Imenry Barras Where: Lothering When:9:44 Dragon | 20-21 Solis Summary:A normal summer day turns unusual when two old enemies crash into each other. Rating: T Status: Complete
It was a beautiful summer day. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. Everyone in the little town of Lothering was out and about frolicking under a clear sky. Frankly Seda would take the sun but she wished the rest would just go inside and shut up. Really what did a girl need to do to get some sleep in this town? It was so noisy. Opening one eye she glared at a small sparrow sitting above her. Mustering all of her energy she lifted on arm and made a sort of flopping motion with her wrist.
“Go on, shoo. Go pester someone else.” The wretched thing had the gall to chirp at her. Opening her other eyes she glowered even harder. “Why you little beast, may someone come along and roast you.” With an indignant cheep the tiny bird puffed up its feathers and did a little spin on the branch. Facing her once more it returned her glare with equal vitriol and then it dived at her. Why that little… Sitting up she stared after it. That little thing had some nerve. Settling back down onto her current resting place she concentrated on her surroundings. Closing her eyes she listened to the hustle and bustle that was occurring in the small town below her. Over twelve feet up Seda rested on a branch on the far outskirts of Lothering. While a good ways away from the noise and the god forsaken smell of unwashed bodies and refuse she could still hear and see the city in case the rest of the group needed her.
They had just wrapped up a job a few days ago and Henrik decided they should relax and take a few jobs before they went hunting for the next one. She didn’t mind relaxing but she just preferred the open road and nature to being stuck in one of the human settlements. However, they weren’t strapped for money and Henrik was the boss. It gave her plenty of time plenty of time to sunbathe though so she wasn’t going to complain.
Adjusting her position once more she settled back against her branch to do just that. She was incredibly annoyed to find that she couldn’t drift back to her previous trance-like state. Opening her eyes again she laid there staring at the leaves overhead waving in the breeze. The wretched little sparrow hadn’t returned so that wasn’t it. Nothing in the village had changed. Everything still sounded the same. No one was panicking and there hadn’t been so much as the sound of a sword being drawn let alone a fight breaking out. Growing more frustrated by the minute Seda huffed and tried to focus on what was keeping her awake.
She was warm and comfortable and normally she would already be half asleep and on her way to a blissful slumber, but she wasn’t and that bugged her. She had already ruled out the town and there were no other malicious little feather balls in her area trying to torture her. Still something at the back of her mind was calling out to her. It was some sort of warning. Don’t relax it sang. Be cautious and alert. Sighing in frustration she felt like throwing her hands up and screaming. Then she heard it.
A twig snapped to her left, whatever it was it was still a good distance away from her current position. It was getting closer though. If she focused she could just barely make out the sounds of its footsteps. It had a slow and steady gait. A traveler perhaps? It was unusual for people to travel alone and she didn’t think a simple traveler would upset her senses as much as this lone being did. Staying still she continued to listen, trying to figure out what this thing was. Her eyes snapped open as she recognized the gait. It was the slow and determined walk of a predator. Tensing she waited for it to get closer, to come into view.
Which is why she found herself relaxing in shock when the being finally stepped from underneath the shadows for the trees. It was only a person. Turning on her side Seda observed the person as they grew closer. The person wasn’t exceedingly large, at least not compared to her normal company, but it was certainly larger than she. She still couldn’t make out the gender at this distance but the person was carrying a large sword on their back. That weapon could rival Ardal’s Anaan in size. Waiting with baited breath the person came closer and closer to her position. It was a woman, bettered by travel but in seemingly good condition. Something about her niggled at the back of her mind. The sense of alarm wasn’t fading, only growing stronger.
Looking at the woman more closely Seda tried to find out what it was about her that was setting off warning bells. She had a sword which really wasn’t that big of a deal. It was a dangerous world out there, most people were armed. Seda came strapped with over a dozen daggers herself though that was caused more by her profession than the world around her. Still the sword wasn’t an issue. The walk then, was that it? Watching her was like watching the wolf prowling at your door. It was the same walk. Trying to focus on something else Seda settled her eyes on the woman’s face. She was remarkably pretty, especially for these parts. Not exactly frightening to gaze upon and yet that face sent a thrill of fear and panic through her veins. Did she know this woman?
Trying to connect the woman with a memory Seda started to sit up. As the woman came within a few feet of her tree she cursed herself for her poor memory. Who the hell was this lady? As she grew closer Seda leaned in to get a better look at her face and turned as hard as a rock. Images of snarling lips spattered with mud flooded her mind. Oh. OH! Dammit this was… that barbarian woman. In shock Seda released her grip on the branch beneath her. Already leaning forward on her perch it should have been no surprise to her that she suddenly plummeted to the ground. Flailing she tried to grab the branch. A short scream fled from parted lips before the lack of air stole it from them.
It was a dazed and surprised woman who found herself unhurt by the whole experience. Moving her limbs and checking for injuries assured her nothing was broken or harmed in any serious fashion. She did realize though that something hard was digging into her stomach. With a sigh she pushed herself up off the ground and then with growing horror stared at what was lying beneath her. For all that was holy… why just why?