[gremlin]

Olivia's eyes curiously looked around the current area that they were in. She wondered if they would find shelter or just set up a temporary camp. "Where will we sleep tonight?" she finally asked, she wondered how it would feel to sleep on the cold ground. It had been some time since she had done that, she didn't travel too far usually, this was one of the few times that she would have to sleep then continue her journey. "I see a few mountains, perhaps there are some caves." she suggested though she wasn't sure if Abel would find a cave suitable for a night's stay.

Olivia nearly fell off of Sebastian when he suddenly stopped, the horse lifted his front legs and let out a loud neigh, he seemed frightened. "Sebastian!" Olivia yelled, she pulled on his reigns attempting to stop him. "Calm down, stop!" she said softly. The horse stomped his front legs against the ground and shook his head almost violently. She brought her hand to the back of his neck and began to pet him gently. "What's wrong?" she whispered to him. She looked around to see if she could see what had frightened him but nothing seemed to be there.

[Rosekitten]

"where ever we find a safe place to do so" was his short answer to her question, it was true enough he had supplies to make a camp if they couldn't find some form of shelter before night fall. After she said something about caves he thought on it a moment, though he didn't speak again. It was a good idea it would give them the advantage and disadvantage of having a wall to their backs, though a roof of some form was a blessing on it's own.

He stopped with the sudden outburst from the other horse as he made his mount turn and walk over to her instead of keeping the distance he had been. "If he that poorly trained?" He spit out before looking the horse over, it seemed it had fear in it's eyes. Getting his mount to face forward again he seemed to look for something, even his horse seemed on edge about something.

"tell me.. is there any tales of these woods?" He was asking if there were rumors or tales of people going missing or being attacked, such information might explain the horses uneasiness at the moment. Though with the sun slowly fading he could hardly see anything in the forest ahead. He'd have to keep his guard up, and hope that her horse wouldn't throw any further fits like the last one. The less noise the better off they were.

[gremlin]

"I-I'm sorry about that," she said softly then looked over her horse, she seemed embarrassed by his sudden outburst. "I should have trained him more, but I'm an impatient fool." she laughed softly then ran her hand along Sebastian's neck gently. The horse's breathing returned to normal and he seemed calm for now. "Well, every forest has a tale of course. Though that can be said about anywhere in the world. People like to tell tales and fill each other's heads up with nonsense." she let out a heavy sigh and looked up at Abel. She was a bit surprised that he had stopped for her, even if it wasn't for too long. Considering how he had threatened to leave her behind if she wasn't quick enough. "Most tales are made just to keep the children from wandering too far from the village and to keep them in their beds at night." she added then shook her head, hair fell in front of her face and she brushed it away. "They say that a beast lives in the forest, it's big of course and very strong. It's cruel and enjoys eating small children, women and men." her eyes wandered over the various trees. Did Abel think that something could really be in the forest? "It sleeps during the day but comes out at night. That's why everyone who has to cross through the forest resists doing it at night."

Olivia remembered that her own parents had told her tales to keep her from misbehaving. Though once she became older and learned that they were just tales she being a little rebellious. From her times spent in various villages she always heard the same thing. Monsters here, beasts there, but they only come out at night so you better go to bed and not wander off at night. Sometimes if the children didn't do their chores or misbehaved the parents would tell them that the beast stole misbehaving children from their beds at night.

[Rosekitten]

he listened to her telling him of the tale for this forest, sounded about like any other tale. Though he had his own reasons to be weary of such tall tales and to not shrug all of them off. "are you sure it's just a tale?" He seemed to question her, like he had crossed blades with a beast of myth and legend before. This was a world where the gods walked among the mortals so it wasn't that odd to think there were some beasts in the dark..

He made a slight click noise before the horse seemed to walk a few paces faster ten before so he got his distance back, though he also wanted to have enough room if he needed it... his weapon was a poor choice at close range that was certain. Something did seem off about this forest. Granted the beast of her tale might not be what lurked here.. the tale might still have some form of truth to it. He did finally speak again to explain why he questioned her. "Some tales are not just tales.. travel enough you will find some that are very much true and that's when you wished you had listened to such warnings." He never spoke of what tale he had encountered or what the beast was he had lived through but he probably wouldn't tell her either.

They needed to hurry then while they had sunlight if they were to reach the mountains edge to check for caves. Though they were rather close to the forest still it might not be safe there if something lurked in the darkness of the woods. "I'd advise picking up the pace unless you wish to test that tale of yours" He said to her noticing she was falling behind a little, sure he had threatened to leave her behind.. but he couldn't just do that it went against his nature. Even if he wasn't the nicest person on the planet.

[gremlin]

"Well, it could always be true. The tale could always be based off of the truth, though it's mostly just made up things to scare children and to keep people in their homes at night." Olivia wondered how many years it would take for her kind to become nothing but a legend. Eventually if they continued to be picked off one by one then there would be so little left that it would seem like they didn't exist anymore. Then stories would be made and passed down through generations, eventually people would laugh at them and say how silly it is that they could be true. It wasn't necessary a bad thing though, if Olivia managed to find somewhere to live where she wouldn't be bothered then she could live to see such days come. Then she could live a normal life amongst humans because they wouldn't even think that anyone could be a God or Goddess.

"Come on," she whispered to Sebastian and pulled on his reigns. "Don't worry, I will protect you." she added, Sebastian hesitated to move at first but then began to walk. She could tell that horse wanted nothing to do with the forest. Either because maybe the tales were true or because there could be other creatures that he didn't like. She hoped that they could travel through the forest quick enough to avoid any creatures.

[Rosekitten]

"I see.." was his short reply though he wasn't sure but something was bothering the horses. And it was a known fact that animals were more in tune with nature then anything else.. aside from maybe druids but he was hardly a druid. Either way he wasn't going to test this myth.. as he kept the horses moving till they cleared to the other side, it wasn't a overly fast pace but it was good enough, as he didn't want to wear the steeds out.

Once they got to the other side he checked behind them to make sure, it was getting darker by the second. After he dismounted he started to walk towards the mountain side, there were a few small caverns but he followed the edge till he found a larger one, so it could fit the horses as well. "Well this should do" He finally said before he looked back towards the forest, he didn't trust the shadows.

"get inside I need to prepare a few things before we settle for the night.." He seemed agitated a little that he had to preform this task but it was better to be safe then wish you had done so after the fact. Once she was in the cave and the horses as well he took a few steps out and pulled a small pouch from his belt. Opening it he pinched a small amount of what looked to be green light or dust from it and then closed it once again. quickly drawing a symbol in the air he stepped back from it as it glowed for a few seconds in the air before vanishing.

he walked back towards where his horse had picked to lay down as he sat and leaned his back against the beast. "That should do well enough.. or at least give us a fair chance to prepare ourselves." He sat there a few moments before speaking again seeing as she didn't seem to move much after he told her to get in here, sure green magic wasn't common placed and only druids could use it but it wan't that odd was it. "You can make a fire can't you? At least try to be useful"

[gremlin]

Olivia could feel that Sebastian didn't want to go into the forest, she was afraid that he would panic and knock her off of him. "Stay calm," she whispered to him. All she could really do was stroke the back of his neck gently and assure him that there wasn't anything to be afraid of. Olivia would give him something for his good behaviour after they got through the forest. When they go through the forest she let out a sigh, she was relieved that thy had made it. Olivia really didn't want to find out if the tales were true or not. She brought herself to the ground once they reached the mountain side. Olivia took hold of Sebastian's reigns and made him walk behind her. She didn't say much, Abel probably knew more than she did so she didn't argue that they could possibly find something better. Olivia stepped inside of the cave, it was cold and damp. She brought Sebastian inside of it with her, the horse breathed out a sigh. He was tired from all of the walking.

She watched Abel curious as to what he was doing. Her eyes watched the symbol as it lit up, she wondered what it meant. Though it probably gave them some sort of protection. Olivia was brought out of her thoughts when he spoke to her again. "Oh," she said it almost shyly. "I'm sorry, I will do that right away." she patted Sebastian on his nose and told him to stay here. Olivia took one of the empty bags that were strapped on to Sebastian. When she returned she had filled them with wood and rocks. "I gathered as much as I could," she said softly. She hoped that Abel didn't get mad at her for not getting enough. She dumped the wood and rocks out of the bag, then she made a circle with the rocks and placed the wood inside of it. "I hope that that's alright." she said then looked up at him nervously.

[Rosekitten]

He waved a hand lazily at her, she seemed nervous for some reason. Though it wasn't like they knew much about one another for all she knew he could be a murderer and was just luring out to the woods to kill her. Not that he was, but it was still possibly.

"Relax, that's fine. I just don't have the energy to go about gathering stick at the moment." He'd go out after he had a moment to rest and gather more, considering it was at least a good start of a fire. He moved a little and fiddled a little with the wood inside of the circle before he lit it, the arrangement would hold the flame a little longer to buy him some more time.

The horse that was behind him snorted as it sat down on all fours. It seemed tired but not like Sebastion was, then again it was use to walking long distances and with it's rider in more armor then he was wearing currently. The horse hardly seemed bothered by any of this aside from it being a little uneasy close to this forest. Maybe there was something in it after all if the horses were both a little spooked.

He moved back again and leaned against the horse before speaking "Do you commonly go about asking strangers for assistance or is that something you just started?" He seemed amused oddly enough as his face held a slight smirk. Normally he didn't ask such questions but it was odd that the village had rejected helping her even with pay. This woman there was something about her he couldn't put her finger on. But truth be told he didn't care to know that much about her. This bit of small talk was to get her to calm down.

He kept looking out towards the forest each time the horse shifted, like he expected something to jump out. Though maybe he did, she had no idea where his travels had taken him or how long he had wandered the lands. Hell truth be told she didn't know anything aside from his name.

[gremlin]

Olivia smiled at him nervously she hoped that he wouldn't want to leave her if he thought she was a threat. "They don't really like me," she waited for Sebastian to lay down on all fours then she brought herself to sit against him. He snorted seemingly annoyed by her doing so but she did not move. "I have lived there for three years perhaps they just got fed up of me being there for so long. I.." she went quiet trying to think of what to say. "I was kind to them all, I don't know why they would dislike me." she lied, really she knew why. They had just become fed up of the constant weather that she caused.

She looked over at the forest, Olivia wondered if they would see the so called beast though deep down she doubted it. What was it about humans? They spoke of monsters and beasts... they filled their heads up with nonsense. Did they like scaring themselves and others? They seemed to get some sort of thrill from it. She brought her eyes back to Abel and smiled at him. "Thank you for putting up with me," she said softly though she knew he would probably shrug what she had said off. "I really do appreciate it and I still wish to pay you. I think it's unfair that you have to drag me around without getting something in return."

Her heart jumped in her chest when she heard a sudden noise, it was odd. Something that she had never heard before and she couldn't even think of a way to describe it. Though it only happened once... she waited to hear it again but she didn't. Perhaps she was letting the idea of a beast in the forest get the better of her. She was simply being paranoid.

[Rosekitten]

He listened to her story but he didn't think she was telling him the whole truth. But for now he'd let it slide she'd probably tell more later with how much she talked. "I see... well I can understand why you would want to look for somewhere else to live then. Though it's still taking a risk to trust a stranger who wandered into town." He was just going to say she was lucky he wasn't that type, most would have tried to take advantage of her in her situation. On top of things her looks were far from something that you could just shrug off, that could have landed her in trouble as well. Yet at the same time she seemed to have some aura about her that said she could handle her own if it came to it.

"hrm?" He looked at her being drawn out of his thoughts. "Don't thank me yet, we haven't gone that far." He never mentioned a word about her still going on about paying him, he didn't need money he had enough to cover whatever they'd need easily. Though that was thanks to his past even if he didn't like thinking about it he did have it to thank for tat at least. "Your hardly anything to put up with.." He laughed a little though it was weak sounding and had a slight hint of sadness in it, it seemed he thought of a memory that he'd rather not.

The sudden sound caught his attention as well as he stood from where he was, his pole arm in hand as he faced the forest. "guess we'll see if this village has one as well.." he said it more to himself then anything but it wasn't under his breath so she surly heard it. There were such beasts as the ones in myths and legends but they were very rare. Really he hoped it wasn't one such beast they were hard to kill and it was rather a shame to put down such a magical being.

The odd noise didn't sound again but there seemed to be movement in the forest near the edge, it was too dark to see so pinpointing where the rustling was from was next to impossible. It may be silly to believe in such tails of two headed monsters and horses with horns.. but he had learned a few things in his travels. Some such tales shouldn't be shrugged off.

[gremlin]

Olivia looked up at Abel as he stood, he must have heard the noise as well. "I don't know what that was," she said quietly, Olivia stood as well but she didn't bring herself to stand beside him. "It sounded odd, I can't even describe it." she tilted her head and looked around the area curiously. It felt as if something was watching them, were they being hunted? "I think that we should take turns sleeping tonight, I think that something really is out there. I can," she paused and looked at Abel again. "I can feel it." Olivia became nervous, she could defend herself. She had her blade and she had her powers though she had wanted to keep her powers a secret from this man. The last thing she needed was for him to try to take her life or for him to even leave her to travel on her own.

"Look!" she said suddenly disturbing the silence that had fallen. "Over there, by the trees!" she lifted her hand and pointed. There was sudden movement and a loud rusting sound. It seemed as if whatever it was was making it's way to them. "It's headed over here, it must have seen us come here." Sebastian let out a loud cry that startled Olivia. The horse stood, he appeared to be uneasy. Olivia took a hold of his reigns not wanting him to run off.

[Rosekitten]

He glanced back at her when she said she can feel it.. what did that mean humans couldn't sense beings or creatures that were near. Was she even a human? He would worry about such a question later as he stood his ground. "it would be wise, I'll take first watch if the creature doesn't attack by then i doubt it will." More or less he was giving her the easier watch it would be closer to dawn by the time he would bother switching.

"Stay here" He told her after she pointed he had caught the sudden movement as well as he rushed forward a few steps just outside of where the rune had glowed in the air. His weapon was held and ready to strike but his stance seemed to be relaxed and calm. By how he acted towards her earlier it was certain he was going to just kill whatever this beast was without a second thought.

A sudden cry could be heard similar to the one before as a large creature burst from the forests edge into the clearing Abel was standing in. Bearing it's fangs as it growled and cried out again. The creatures eyes were a blood red and it's fanged were the size of small daggers. It stood a few moments on two hind legs before dropping down to all fours and moving slowly to start to circle to Abel's side.

The beast seemed to be mostly wolf yet it help some human characteristics. It was at least 7 feet tall when standing on it's hand legs and even on all fours it's arched back was taller then Abel. Claws and fangs both seemed to shimmer in the moon light above as it walked and growled it's warnings towards the man. Though for now he didn't strike at it, instead he seemed to watch the poor creature a cursed being.

[gremlin]

Olivia struggled as she held Sebastian back from running off. The horse threw his head back and forth snorting as he did so. "Stop it!" she cried and tugged on the reigns, when he threw his legs out she became worried that he could potentially kick her. "Sebastian please, please calm down! I don't want to hurt you, I don't want you to hurt me!" she breathed out heavily as he continued to behave recklessly. Olivia pressed one hand to the horse's neck and the spot under became cold, a thin layer of ice formed. "Stop it before I turn you into a damn popsicle." she hissed. She tugged on his reigns once more and the startled horse let out a whine. Olivia's eyes grew wide as his head swung towards her own, she couldn't move in enough time. Her hands let go of Sebastian's reigns and she fell to the cave's floor with a loud thud. The horse ran away into the night, he ran in the opposite direction of the forest. She cursed under her breath, why had she stuck with such a stubborn horse for all of this time?

Olivia stood and rubbed the sore spot on the back of her head. Abel would yell at her for having such a horse and she feared that he would leave her behind. What was she going to do then? No horse, no weapon other than her powers and no idea of where she should go. She gritted her teeth as she touched the back of her head, it was sore and maybe she was bleeding from hitting it so hard against the cave's floor. Her head was also pounding from Sebastian's head hitting hers.

She couldn't just stand here and do nothing as Abel risked his life. Perhaps if she helped him then he wouldn't mind her riding on the back of his horse with him, what a thought! She brought her hand away from the back of her head, she was bleeding lightly. Hopefully it wouldn't become a mess and she didn't need stitches. Then her eyes wandered over to Abel, she found her feet moving as she approached him slowly. Though she stopped a few feet behind him. "You're going to get yourself killed!" she hissed.

[Rosekitten]

He heard the noise and fuss with her and her horse but he was keeping his eyes forward. He needed to watch this beast. as he made sure his front stayed facing the creature as it moved. He frowned a bit hearing her move up behind him a little and hearing her speak. "mind your own and I said stay back" He spat at her suddenly.

The beast growled and went to make a lunge forward but he moved and held the weapon in front of him his eyes were a bright green in the moon light as he faced the wear beast "this is dark magic at work... this creature is not of old.. it's soul is tormented to keep this shape." He seemed to be speaking but he wasn't directing his words to anyone as he took a few steps forward towards the creature.

"forgive me but your true form is lost... this is the only way you can rest." He seemed to bow his head a moment staying there as he held his weapon, why was he saying sorry to such a beast a creature with nothing but blood lust. this human who had no direction in life yet seemed to know some of the old ways.

The beast lashed out again though Abel was ready for it this time as he stepped again and trusted his weapon forward as the spear tip on his pole axe buried it's self deep into the beast's chest. In the same motion he quickly slammed it to the ground pulling his weapon free before spinning the weapon once to his side and slamming it's full force down upon the grounded creature's neck.

After ensuring it was a clean cut through he drew the blade back away from the creatures corpse. Letting out a heavy breath he brought the weapon to his side before bringing both of his hands together and doing a sort of prayer from the looks of it.

Mere moments later he turned and looked at Olivia with the same soulless expression he had from before when she first encountered him. "we'll rest for now, I'm sure your horse will turn up down the road" He hardly seemed worried then again there seemed to be more to him then meets the eye anyway.

He walked past her and returned to his seat next to his horse without saying another word. He didn't feel like explaining why such a simple weapon killed a beast of dark magic, ones said to be immortal. Though he was sure she was going to question him anyway even if he didn't want to answer.

[gremlin]

She jumped a little when he told her to mind her own business. Olivia wanted to help him though she would stay back until he seemed to be in distress. She watched him battle the creature curiously, he was an older man and she was curious where he had trained. Perhaps she would ask him after they had settled back down. Right now wasn't an appropriate time to ask questions. When the beast became lifeless she felt relieved that she had not had to expose her powers. She watched Abel silently as he went back to the cave, Olivia retreated back to it.

Olivia brought herself to sit on the cave's cold ground. She pressed her hand to the back of her head and whimpered quietly, it did hurt quite a bit. If she ever found Sebastian he was going to be scolded to death. She looked over at Abel, she really wanted to ask him so many things. She felt like a child. "Where did you learn to fight?" she finally asked, she chewed on her lower lip nervously wondering what he would reply.

[Rosekitten]

He frowned a little hearing her slight whimper as she touched her head. He stood once more almost at the same time she asked her question. Walking towards her he looked down at her for a moment before kneeling. "let me see it" He took a little nicer tone then the one he had barked at her earlier with, he needed to make sure she wasn't really hurt being a head wound that could be fatal.

After checking the wound a moment he walked back towards the horse who was still laying down and pulled out a small vial that had some cream of some sort in it. Taking it he walked back towards her an handed her the vial. "it'll keep it from hurting, the wounds not that bad your lucky the horse didn't kick you."

He fell silent after he was done speaking about the wound, he knew she asked a question but he was debating on answering it, what would it matter. He sighed finally as he moved and kneeled down on one knee next to where she was watching the flame flicker. "I was a knight, the kingdom's power doesn't reach this far." He didn't seem keen on saying more then that, but that hardly explained why he spoke in riddles almost or where he learned the barrier that he cast earlier that night.

Really he didn't want to tell her that much his name was slandered in the kingdom he was a traitor according to the king a outcast. His life had been torn apart and he was suppose to stand aside and watch it happen? Yes they expected him to but that's hard what he did.

"what does it matter where I learned to fight from we're both alive be grateful" He said before standing once more and taking the vial once she was done with it. Walking back towards the horse he put it back in the bag he had taken it from before sitting once more. In truth he was one to talk, he wasn't grateful to be alive it was a curse to him anymore.