I Need A Hero

[Korrina]

It was afternoon and Nadya was in a rare circumstance. She was alone. She did not often stray from her people, as small as the group she was with was. There was only her, her two children, and about five other druids. But they were traveling in the hopes to encounter another druid camp. So that they could all unite and remain together. Safety in numbers after all. And in such dark times, no one should be alone. But for the moment, she was. She had a basket she had created out of sticks and twigs so that she could put the plants and flowers she was collecting to make medicine. One of the companions she was traveling with was feeling unwell. She knew just the remedy to make, however the plants were obscure. Yet no place offered them better than the Forest of Balor. A place of danger, but for now, one of necessity as they must go through it in order to get to their grander destination. But to say that Nadya was unscared, would be a lie. The forest of Balor had a reputation for hosting some of the most dangerous and vicious creatures of magic.

Ones that thus far, she had been fortunate not to make acquaintance with. But every snapping of a branch made her jolt her head up and search her surroundings. Every distant sound of an animal, made her freeze with fear. She had no strength when it came to defense... other than running. She hurried her actions, quickly gathering as much as she could so she could return swiftly to the others. However, as she was doing so she heard a sound... this one different from all the others she'd heard. Because it was louder, indicating that it was closer in proximity. She felt her entire body paralyze with fear, forcing her in a state of trepidation and fear at what that screeching sound was. She slowly turned around, her already wide eyes even wider when she saw what awaited her. Scorpions; or serkets as they were more commonly known. Not one, not even two... but a group of four of them. She held her breath, hoping that her still movement would direct their attentions elsewhere.

But no. They saw her; she was within their target range. They advanced closer toward her, and so, Nadya did the only thing she could do. She dropped the basket, and ran. Ran as fast as her feet could carry her. She would either be an easy victim for them by remaining still and awaiting her death. Or she could have that semblance of hope by running. The fear had clouded her judgment, or perhaps enhanced it, for she was running in the opposite direction of the camp. Her sense of her surroundings was not overly keen, so as she ran in whatever direction she took... little did she realize she was getting more lost as she raced deeper into the woods. It was to no avail either, for the serkets moved quicker than her, and soon, they surrounded her. Encircling her, so that there was no where left to run. A predator, narrowing in on its pray. She felt tears form in her eyes as she fell to her knees, curling into a small ball. In these last moments, she prayed for her children, for her family, for her people... and for a quick and painless death.

~ Tag Connor! ~

[Connor]

Connor was tracking these creatures of the woods; that were more magical and deadly then wild and free. He knew not whom had summoned them nor why they were in this area. A merchant had come to one of the border towns from northern Escetia; crossing the line into Camelot just a day earlier. Connor did not often work in Camelot due to the king's own hate of magic; and the kings seeking and killing all there was. It left him in a conflict of place; for hunting here his way meant death; but he would not leave them to kill longer and breed before calling the attention to the king--if ever! For these creatures hunted and leave no one to tell of how or when they were sighted.

Bending low to rest on his haunches; Connor rested his axe over his knees and reached down to inspect a track to see which way they were moving. It was then he heard the shifting of feet; the quick crunch of dried leaves and the movement of something not as light on their feet as the quick serkets. Moving forward at a dead run; Connor advanced toward the sound. Passing by a fallen woven basket he didn't not pause to inspect it further knowing damn well that it was something only women carried.

They were hunting her.

Connor reach the sight up them just in time to see her fall to a ball; and the serkets begin to close in! dropping his axe; Connor pulled a powder known as cordite from his vest and threw some of it on the back of the nearest serket, before using his flint and tender to spark a stick and then he threw it as well. It cause the serket to jump and twist and spin as the fire began to over take it. Wasting no time; Connor yelled at them to draw their attentions; and the other three began to advance. "Woman! Run!"

[Korrina]

Just when Nadya was uttering her final prayers... she heard the sound of, something. She was not certain how to describe it. It caused her to jolt her head up to see one of the creatures catch fire. Her eyes widened with surprise, knowing that even in this distressed state, it was no coincidence. A voice pulled her out of her shock and she abruptly turned her head to see a man. A, rather tall man. Who looked even more towering over her petite figure when she was curled up in a ball preparing for her death. Or, maybe not. It took her a few additional seconds to realize what he was saying... run. She rose to her feet and glanced at him. Part of her wondered if she should leave him, yet the other part, the more dominant part, knew that he was capable of taking care of himself. Besides, what could she possibly do? And so she ran. She ran as fast as her adrenaline could force her legs to move.

She wanted to thank him for saving her life... so couldn't help but keep turning her head behind her to see if he would follow. Was he injured? Was he well? Would he be severely wounded in the attempt to save her? Nadya was used to being on the run, but she was not used to being alone. Maybe it was cowardly of her, but she was accustomed to being around people. Family. And now she was alone, running in whatever direction seemed most convenient and furthest from the serkets. Not entirely wise but she was alive... thanks to this stranger who had come just in the nick of time.

[Connor]

Conner used more of the power; though this time to fist it; and blow into the air at the neared creature. He then backed up quickly; dodging it's blow from the tail. Grabbing a stick; he moved close enough to the inflamed one to light it and threw it at the one he coated in powder. His hand burned slightly from touching the fire for a moment; but it wasn't enough to cause more then the skin to burn. He knew it would be well in a matter of a week.

Two down; two to go. Connor waited for the other two to come toward the fire; but they retreated. He would have advanced; for he knew how to win; but the woman was out there and he needed to move her out of the dangerous area. Connor followed quickly toward the area that she had disappeared into; looking for signs and sounds of where she might have gone. It took less time then he'd liked; but more then he wanted to spend to find her; and he ran quickly to catch up and over take her run.

Catching up to her; he put one hand around her waist and one to silence any scream she had over her mouth. "Don't scream; you're moving deeper into their breeding grounds; we need to go back!" He hissed in her ear; and let her go. "There are not too many left; and it makes them desperate. We need to hurry!" Before they joined them here.

[Korrina]

Nadya was so focused on moving away from the serkets, that when she heard the rustling of leaves behind her... she assumed it was them. Which only made her go faster. But then she felt an arm move around her waist and pull her to him. She gasped, and probably would have screamed had he not covered her mouth. Her surprise was evident in her widened eyes, staring at the man who had saved her. Oh... how utterly foolish of her! In running from the serkets, she was running toward them at the same time! Despite his heroic actions, the discomfort of his touch made her heart beat faster. As she was not used to having another man's hands on her... not since her husband's. Even if it was not intimate, she was still modest and... well, he let her go so no harm was done. Before she could catch her breath they needed to apparently hurry in another direction.

Wh-Which way should we go? She asked, telling him that he would be the one who needs to take the lead for she had no idea where she was going. Her people were nearby, at the same time... even while he had saved her life, were his intentions truly noble? Would it be safe to have him around her children and the other few companions they traveled with? Your hand! She suddenly realized, looking at the blistering area of it. Was that because of her? Oh dear! Whatever his intentions, noble or not, she did not wish anyone to get hurt for her. Is there another path to return from where we came? Where her basket was. She had the necessary herbs for healing... as it was better to use that method first before relying on magic and thus, exposing her true heritage. These were dangerous times... not only because of magical creatures, but because of those who hunted practitioners of magic too... like her.

[Connor]

Wh-Which way should we go? Connor could tell she was frighten; or at least out of breath for she stuttered slightly when asking which way should they go. He took the moment to look around them; gaining his bearings and making sure nothing dangerous was close enough to take them by surprise. Since the creauters were so dangerous; they were the only predators in the area; and that at least served to their purpose.

Your hand! Looking down; he noticed the burn; but knew it was minor compared to others he'd gained over the years. "Will heal; unlike our lives if we do not hurry along." He didn't mean to sound short; but his hand pained him and he felt uneasy being here. After his wife; he wished no woman dead if he could stop it. Is there another path to return from where we came?

"Which way is your town?" He asked; trying to see which way they needed to go. "We need to head west;" He pointed the way; "And then can circle around once we are out of their hunting grounds."

[Korrina]

Nadya mad not keep the company of many men, but she knew what they were like. Dismissive of their injuries. And it only motivated her further to care for them. Her husband was much the same way, though he seldom had reason to become injured... mostly by accident during his work. I come from no town she admitted. I am a traveler. My companions are.... Her eyes looked around, having no idea where they were. She was not the navigator of the group. So she was unaware as to which direction they were in... though she had some hope when he said that they were to go west. At least his sense of direction was far more keen than her own. Where do you come from? She asked, wondering where his own village was... and what he was doing in the middle of the woods. but the latter question was irrelevant.

He had saved her life, and that was far more important to recognize than whatever motives he had for being out here. And seemingly prepared for the dangers that lurked within the Forest of Balor. She heard the screech of another serket, indicating that there were more nearby. She felt that familiar fear surge through her, yet not to such a great extent... for he was here. And she felt more protected for the time being. We must hurry then She agreed, though still waiting for him to lead the way. He had said west, and that was the direction that she turned her body toward, in preparation to make another run for it.