New in town (open to all)

[Malachy]

As dusk approached the ski darkened an the few clouds in the sky became pleasant shades of gold and red. The air was cool and filled with the scent of the near by trees and soil. There was not much to be heard or seen except for the beauty of the nature. and this is the way he liked it.

Who is He? Well He, is Malachy Thunderoak. He's a Half-Elf who's run into a few mishaps that have driven him from his own home. A home that had been invaded, the place where his parents where killed in some domestic rivalry. One that Malachy didn't care to understand. There was nothing left for him there and he had been walking miles through wood and mountain to reach the grand kingdom of Avaren.

He walked down the long dirt path, one, which according to one of the traveling rangers, went strait to the entrance of the kingdom. One thing he had learned in his travels, was that Rangers could be trusted. it was because of them he had survived the wilderness on his way here.

As he walked he listened to the light cling of metal on metal of his chain mail. Under was a shirt of dark padded leather, and he wore simple pair of lose leather pants. At his side attached to his Belt was a sheathed long sword. and tied to his back was a short bow and a large sack of food as well as a few tools for the trail. He also had a metal buckler strapped to his forearm. He was well versed in how to use his weapons. And he wasn't quite as afraid of the night as he use to be.

Finally his month long journey from home was coming to an end as he saw the gates ahead. He Grinned as they neared, knowing that he would soon be able to rest at the local tavern and spend his night in an actual bed rather than on the ground, though the ground wasn't all that bad but the small luxury of a bed would be a nice change.

He approached that guard that was standing at the gate and after a brief introduction, was allowed in with a stern warning about not breaking any laws. Once inside however his mode changed. he was in a totally new place with out a map or guide. Also this time of day was sure to be plentiful with pick-pockets and muggers. Yes this new challenge would be a challenge indeed.

[Færys Tiranas]

Stomach growling, Færys Tiranas stumbled along, quite unable to keep the growing pain in her stomach from clouding her thoughts. She noticed a young man, with oddly pointed ears, standing near the entrance, looking... What was the word for it? She just couldn't place it... Oh, right, lost. She wobbled over to him, collapsing at his feet, before using his cloak as a means to pull herself up. Once again, she collapsed, but this time on top of him. She asked rather meekly, "You look... er... um... lost... Do you need a... guide?"

She picked herself off of him for a moment, her usually thin body even thinner than usual, she almost looked like a skeleton. It would have been rather frightening to most, but she hoped he would accept her offer. "I would ask for... some... money in return... or a bit of food..." She clutched her flute in her hand, and staggered a bit, before re-composing herself and continuing.

"Maybe... a gold piece?" She asked hesitantly. Her price wasn't that high, but she was desperate for anything she could get her hands on. "Or... a pair of loaves of bread?" She looked at him in a way that suggested her all too eager to help him find his way around.

[Malachy]

The half elf spotted the starving woman as she staggered over. at first his hand gripped the handle of his sword ready to defend himself. but when she stumbled and picked herself up he knew he wouldn't need the blade to defend himself to he relaxed and as she tried pulling her self up by his traveling cloak, he leaned down and helped her up. Her body was so light, too light. and thin. this woman was starving.

Oh, how he knew the pains of famine. He himself had nearly starved in the woods. He knew how to fight with a sword, but that said nothing to how to hunt. It wasn't until a young Ranger, calling himself Horus. Found him and helped him get food. Then taught him to survive on his own, and helped him fashion the short bows that was now strapped to his back.

He would have gladly pay that kindness back, but now he would settle for paying it forward. He was about to offer what was left of his rations, which was no more than a strip of jerky, and some dried fruit. When she had asked for it. He smiled kindly at her. "How about this. you show me to the tavern and I will gladly pay for some food, drink and a days board for the both of us, and tomorrow when i go to restock my supplies I'l give you what's left of my rations, in return for showing me around." His voice wind and concerned. The two of them where only half a race apart. And he was a women, but that's not where his mind was. he really wanted to help her.

[Færys Tiranas]

She looked at him, a sense of relief in her face, and began immediately deciding upon which way was best to go. She stood for a minute, trying to clear her mind enough to remember the way to the tavern. She raised a hand, and then lowered it, in an almost indecisive gesture, before a sudden burst of clear thought filled her head. "Ah! Right! This way!" She hurried along the road, as best she could in her condition, wanting to get moving before her head filled itself with the pain in her stomach once more.

She walked in almost a straight line directly toward the city square. She was familiar with the tavern. That had been... But, that crazy woman wouldn't be there, now, nor the strange priest. Maybe she could even enjoy herself, this time. She walked along the sides of the square, to avoid the crowds gathered in the center, listening to some announcement or other. Whatever it was, she couldn't tell. Like a beast that had been set loose upon its prey, her mind had but one focus.

She would have paced herself normally, to avoid losing her benefactor, but she could not move as quickly as she would have had herself anyways, so it didn't matter. She was quite sure, without even looking back, that a man such as himself could follow easily someone who had to stop every few meters. She knew she wasn't the best guide, at this point, but she knew her way around. After all, she had been given a wonderful tour herself, marched along the street in silver bracelets and chains.

Casting matters of the past aside, she stopped suddenly, realizing that, in the midst of her thought, she had arrived at the destination. She let herself down gently in front of the door to the tavern, letting her blue hair hang down over her shoulder oddly. Upon finding her resting place, she looked back in the direction in which she had come, waiting for the man who she was guiding.

[Malachy]

The light was dimming more and more as the nights went on. A human would have quickly lost this woman, had they been in the same position. Malachy, however, was only half human, He had inherited the ability to see well in some of the dimmest amount of light, from his elven mother, and He easily kept track of his guide.

As he followed her his mind wandered to what had been his own village. He too had been the victim of a church that refused to understand their own beliefs. His family had paid dearly. He blamed himself as much as the church at times. after all the was the reason that church became to angry. However, now he hoped those troubles where over.

By the time his thoughts turned back to what he was doing they where at the tavern. The woman was waiting for him. He walked up to her. "Thank you kind woman. I don't believe I introduced myself. My name is Malachy, I'm a half elf from a town about a months journey from here. Wh,o might i ask, are you?" He spoke kindly.

[Shadow]

An interesting fellow indeed...
Shadow had been watching this young... being since he first entered the town.

He moves with an inhuman grace, and he kept track of that girl... better than I'd have been able to... wonder where he's from?

Stepping away from the wall, he looked around. There were no good pickings at the present moment, as all the sane aristocrats and nobles had retired to their houses for their dinners by now. "I might as well have dinner at the pub. Maybe I'll run into some old friends there."

Shadow stretched a bit, his gold eyes scanning his surroundings constantly. he looked up into the sky and sighed. Avaren has changed so much since that battle... i wouldn't be surprised if the people i once knew here were all dead. they did have that streak of foolish bravery in them... Oh well. As father always wanted, i guess I'll just have to make new friends.

He ran a hand through his black, shoulder length hair once more and raised his hood. Shadow was a tall man, about six foot five, and his lithe body showed from beneath his reinforced leather jerkin. He had a pair of leather boots that were light enough to effectively be utilized offensively, yet heavy enough to keep his feet warm in snowy conditions. His pants were slightly baggy, and the ornate belt of unknown origin that held everything together housed his knife Cordia.

He may have seemed underarmed for someone of his lifestyle, but the majority of his weapons were concealed. There were two throwing knives in each boot and on each shoulder, and a pair of gauntlets that each concealed a retractable blade.

As the shadows cast by the sunset deepened, Shadow made his way towards the Tavern, drawing near to where the Not-So-Human Being was with his guide.

Maybe i might even be able to convince them to go on an adventure with me. Life has been so dreadfully boring lately...

Deciding to be abnormal, he walked up to the strange man with the slightly pointed ears and looked him over. The man was evidently used to dealing with ruffians, as every item that hung visibly from his body was too obvious to lift without notice. Shadow cursed inwardly.

This means i actually have to introduce myself... damn.

Pulling down his hood, Shadow sighed and walked up to the human-like character. Bowing respectfully, he put on a pleasantly puzzled face. before speaking. "Excuse me sir, but my curiosity has gotten the better of me. I have watched you from your entrance to the city, and it was rather obvious that you aren't entirely human. I do not seek to anger you or make a fool out of myself, yet iIstill must pose this question. What are you?"

((sorry about the delay in responding))