Rise of humanity: The Saga Of Steel

Arden on the other hand with his trusting nature accepted some, and the man in the hood dug a bowl out of his pack, a well worn knapsack. Arden thanked the the man as he was served and ate the stew, which was pretty good he tasted rabbit too, certainly hardy and warming. "So what brings you two out here? man and elf don't travel together often." The man asked with a cheerful smile

Vesryn decided that he was either deaf or stupid, as Arden had referred to her as "My wife" not two minutes beforehand. It was better to make up some bullshit story than actually say what their plan was. Knowing Arden, he will probably blurt it out without thinking. "We have business in another town," She replied vaguely, keeping an eye on him while she wrapped all the layers tighter around herself and huddled closer to the fire.

(he didn't ask how they knew eachother, he just said it was uncommon)

(Hush)

Arden sensed there was something off about this man the way they could feel his eyes on them without looking, and the way the cave felt just the right temperature despite the cold outside, not to mention with that campfire the cave should be filled with smoke. At the same time Arden felt no fear or sense of danger. "Sounds important" the man said adding more sticks to the fire

She made no reply, just narrowed her eyes at the man. She felt uneasy inside this cave, the man put her on edge; her body was poised to either flee or to attack. The heat caused her fingers and toes to tingle as blood returned to them, yet she was exhausted. Sleep sounded great. But not here, not when this man was near.

"You have good sense for danger Vesryn, and danger does follow you." The strange man adjusted the fire with a traveler's staff "You are being hunted, but not by a foe you can face with your blade"

Vesryn froze, her pulse hammered in her throat. He knew her name... But that wasn't the most pressing matter at hand. His knowing her name could be easily explained, discovering that was relatively simple. It wasn't terribly impressive; he could have been from the kingdom which would mean he would know it rather easily. Or he had gone digging around in her or Arden's heads. She hoped it was the former. "Tell me more," She demanded, leaning forward, hand sneaking towards a concealed blade.

"Calm yourself " Arden said to Vesryn, as he put a hand on the arm that was reaching for her blade, something told him drawing on the bloke was a poor decision, a very poor decision, this man didn't smell like a human or elf, and spells to dig in one's head typically required incantations or preparation. Still the man in the robes seemed not at all bothered as he took another bite of soup. "I appreciate your instincts moon child, but I would not take it personally ." he said to Arden then spoke to Vesryn "Your exploits attract attention from beings beyond your realm, the storm outside was not born of natural means."

Vesryn stole a glance to Arden briefly when he grabbed her arm, setting her jaw. She didn't like being prevented from reaching a weapon, and this was made clear in her expression. "What created it?" She asked, focusing her attention back to the old man. Her exploits? But what had she done to elicit a, a storm? She did not understand.

"They go by many names" The man said vaguely before continuing "We all saw how you turned the tide of the battle with the elves at the pass, and how you foiled their plot with the undead hordes, some are pleased,and some are rather displeased, but it's clear you have the potential influence the coming war."

"What are they?" She asked, a crease appearing between her brows. She couldn't help but wonder if this man had just lost the plot, and was speaking absolute bull.

"Powerful" The rather mysterious man said to them in a fairly cryptic way and took another spoon of soup, then set the bowl down "You should rest for the road ahead is long" He said and as he did an unbearable weariness oppressed both her and arden, the big guy was out like a light in seconds.

Despite the fact that Vesryn is usually equally as vague in her replies, she finds it incredibly irritating when someone else is. Especially when they give some information but doesn't elaborate. "You can't just..." but her mind fogged as a great exhaustion washed over her, and her eyes drooped. She tried to resist, she really did, but eventually she couldn't help but give in.

Vesryn was the first to wake in the cave, though she could clearly remember the enounter with the hooded man there was no sign anyone had been camping there, so sign of a fire even, no smell of food either. It was early morning though, the storm outside was gone, and she felt as refreshed as she had ever been.

Vesryn woke up with a start, and immediately shot up, her sleepy eyes searching around for danger. Finding none, she briefly pondered who that strange man was and where he had gone, before she went over to wake her husband. "Arden," She said gently, hand resting lightly on his cheek.

Arden who had been snoring , and sleeping came to gently. "Huh, what?" He asked as he yawned and slowly sat up

"He's gone," Vesryn told him, standing up and casting her gaze to the outside. "There is no sign of him."

"Well that was a bit strange wasn't it?"  Arden seemed surprisingly unsurprised, and more thoughtful at the whole thing. "Better than freezing to death though, good rest, good food" Arden stood up and stretched looking around, no storm either, he had no complaints

"Arden, you cannot just dismiss this," Vesryn rebuked. "What did he mean?" The question was less directed to Arden and more thinking out loud. His words repeated over and over in her mind. If what he said was true, if they were truly being hunted, then they'd need to be more careful. Perhaps they could travel by night, and rest during the day. They'd have to be more wary of people they meet. Perhaps this trip was not such a good idea after all.

"Well i got the since he meant something like spirits since he said beyond the realm, and rthey can aparently summon snow storms." Arden commented to vesryn still being rather casual all things considered "In which case there's just not a lot we can do except press on with resolve."

"Yes, yes," She waved her hand dismissively. She had come to that conclusion also, but there was still the question of who the man was and what these, these spirits wanted. Still, despite the man having disappeared, she was still very much on edge. "We should go."

"Seems like they're interested in the outcome of the war to me" Arden comented as he collected his things an went to exit the cave

"Yes," She agreed, collecting anything of hers before following him out of the cave.

The guild leader whose insanity equaled how blood-thirsty he had become had never forgotten how Mori and Rowan had stolen precious armor from his possession. And since then he had become crazier and crazier until finally he gathered other wizards to put an end to them, for they had created an unsanctioned academy together.