A BAD PRESENCE | tiilyer.

[Alraunina]

Alraunina had set out from very northern edge of the infected section of Du Weldenvarden at the very break of dawn. Her target was to inspect how the infection was near the very edge of the lake, something that they had previously failed to inspect completely. Though she had been offered a mount, she chose to run. It would be easier and less of a burden for her to walk freely toward the lake and though she hated to admit it, she craved the silence of being alone. After all, she had spent years separated from her race, secluded by the giant tree trunks. To be added back to their ranks so quickly was strange and she felt unadjusted and at times, confused on the customary way to converse or greet somebody. Often, she found herself standing her ground when she should speak first, or refusing to admit to herself that somebody would have a higher standing than herself.

The work didn't bother her, the spellweaving, magic and constant questions were all part of each other. If other people didn't ask them of her, she would ask them of herself. If she didn't weave the spells she would have to create them for somebody else to. It seemed like an inescapable destiny and she would rather embrace it than reject it and further her life alone and secluded from those whom she was close with. What annoyed her - the one thing that constantly persisted to beat down at her sanity was the crying. Elves traveled from the farthest points of Du Weldenvarden to see the devastation and cry. Weep their pitiful helpless tears onto the white, rotten ground. The crumbled stumps of trees fallen through weakness, bleached white with abnormality cared nothing for their tears. The infection was merciless and their pointless display of emotions only got in the way of those trying to help.

A faint sigh escaped her lips as the midday sun cast it's rays upon the shimmering slither of water that was visible. It was the first glimpse of the lake since setting off hours before and it was a welcome relief. She had taken a long route through the outskirts of the infection rather than running directly through the center which would be to risk spreading it even further. Through the silence of the few hours passed however, she had managed to compose herself somewhat and the anger had subsided. With renewed vigor, she increased the tempo of her legs, her leather Armour rattled slightly, the chain mail draped over it swayed loosely until she was forced to tighten it. As she approached closer and closer to The Empire she decided it was better to prepare herself and she paused to untie her leather wrist guards with their inlaid moonstones charged with energy. She loosed her daggers on her belt and ensured that she could draw the feather shaped sword strapped over her back. Carrying the sword and daggers had taken an extra toll on her whilst running and the hard leather Armour wrapped tightly with chain mail was also heavier than her usual tunic but she was reluctant to leave Du Weldenvarden unprotected, even if it was just a few leagues. Her hair, perfectly straight and black was half tied back with a leather strap which was enchanted with wards for protection and her face kept it's usual striking appearance. Blood red lips, smooth cheeks, sharp eyes and shapely eyebrows. However her features were somewhat softer and less angular than most Elves but her eyes held an unnatural hardness to them with their striking emerald green colour.

The lake was calm that day and as she approached it slowly she noticed that the infection reached to the very edge and she predicted spread the complete eastern side toward the human city of Gil'ead. Her shoulders tensed slightly as she inspected the damage before an instant later she busied herself with working on the very edge of the lake and attempting to see if it had spread into the water.

[Tii]

Somehow Za’lyyr had developed a personal attachment to the forest he’d been spending time in. He was following Shruikan about, as prescribed by the king. He found himself thankful that he was in shape. Had it not been for that, he doubted he would have been able to keep some sort of sight on the dragon. Well, also his horse and Shruikan’s tendency to wander about. With the time he had to meander, the elf had taken to learning as much as he could within the Spine. It was a mysterious place that had few solid things understood about it. Maybe that would have been a better life work for him…studying the unknown forest and learning its secrets. That was, of course, if it was willing to divulge secrets to him. He certainly wouldn’t force it and he wouldn’t try to pry information from the trees. They were old souls that knew more than he ever would.

The elf had long since abandoned his typical light body armor. That may have been the wrong word for it. It was more like leather padding that wrapped around him. It was all bundled together and tied to his pack. He preferred to run around in his light tunic and breeches. It was easier and far more suitable to the environment. He could jump between branches, weave his way between trunks, and move more easily than he did when the leather was strapped to his body. His sword had been removed as well, leaving him with the pair of daggers, one on the outside of each calf; as well as his bow. The string was at his chest, making it rest on him over a shoulder like a backpack. He was still agile in the forest with what he carried. He’d been spending his time becoming acquainted with the land. There were so many creatures and plants. As he wandered, he found himself in awe of the land he loved so much once again. It was beautiful and perfect in his mind, despite the obvious dangers.

Za’lyyr was never the type to be trusting. He didn’t try to see the best in people or look for the positive traits in them. Instead he took what he saw and expected the worst. His mind was far from humanity as he moved among the upper levels of the forest, moving from tree to tree with graceful jumps and steps. He went from limb to limb, making the least amount of sound he possibly could; sounding more like an animal that was wandering about than an elf or human jumping around between trees. He felt at home there as the leaves brushed over him and pine needles fell. If there was anything he would ever love, this was it. If the time ever came that he would leave Galbatorix’s employment, he was sure that the Spine would be where he would do… Or he’d wander east, through the desert to see what was past it. He didn’t know if he would survive that kind of a voyage, but he wanted to know what rested east of Du Weldenvarden. His curiosity always would get the best of him. He wanted to know the land better than anyone ever had.

His movements became pointedly slower and quieter as a sense of alert spread through the forest floor. The animals were scurrying around and alert. There was someone there. He frowned some… what were the odds that someone would be so near to him? The Spine was massive and they just so happened to be where he was. His Imperial training had him suspicious of being followed. What if someone was after Shruikan? What if they were after him? He was suddenly on point, his motions smooth and silent as he slipped from tree to tree, heading towards the area of the disturbance. He moved closer and closer, the lake coming closer into view as he did. Eyes came to rest on a form that kneeled at the water side before him. The bow was removed from his back and an arrow was knocked. He pulled it back quickly and easily, drawing it in time with the breath he drew. His eyes travelled down the shaft of the arrow and pass the point, to the person kneeling not far from him. For the moment he was deciding how to handle the moment. He wasn’t going to just loose and arrow, he had no idea what kind of person this was. They could have wards that would end up hurting him if he didn’t combat them fast enough.

As he stood there, his back against the trunk of the tree while he stood on an enormous branch. To make his presence known, he adjusted his aim the slightest bit. As he let go and loosed the arrow, it shot down at the other and embedded itself in the ground at their side. It happened in the blink of an eye, the only sound being a slight whistle as it travelled quickly through the air. Another arrow was knocked in a moment, this time trained on the person once again.