northern winds [i]

[Eric]

I can't lie no more I can't hide no more
got to be true to myself so I'll be on my way

The wind that bit at the young lord's face was cold, much colder than he was used to in Ylisse.  The land that lay before him was a rolling landscape of hills and trees as far as the eye could see.  The large evergreens looked to grow on the distant hills like grass, the young man thought.  He was much more used to the flat plains of Ylisse which were perfect for agriculture.  The cold mountains were a stark contrast only providing him small comfort in the similar game that called the region home.  It was easy enough to hunt for food and he was more than capable of crafting traps to catch his quarry.  Though a nobleman, he was familiar with surviving on the countryside-- a skill he'd picked up in his time touring the duchy.  Making fire, catching and cooking game, making shelter; it wasn't something he did for long periods of time, however it allowed him brief respite from his responsibilities back home.  The young lord's breath hung before him in the air, his breathing steady and coming slowly.  His violet eyes following a wild pig that was sniffing the ground.  Eric made no movement, watching his prey as it took a tentative step forward.  He cast a stone quickly, the object landing behind the pig.  The animal made a startled noise and skittered forward.

"Gotcha."

The animal's eyes widened as the trap tightened on its leg, the rope tripping the animal before lifting it up into the air to hang it upside down.  The 'squee' the animal made was loud and signaled the young lord to move in.  Without a word, the young lord approached and quieted the animal.  Before long, the crackling fire would fill the piercing silence made by the passing of a life.  Even if it was a beast's Eric couldn't help but feel that quiet was even more painful than the cries.  But it couldn't be helped, this was simply the price of living out in the wilderness.  He shook his head silently berating himself.  That wasn't right.  It wasn't just in the wild, this was how it was even among the 'civilized'.  Nobles lived in luxury at the expense of the commoner, wars won at the expense of the enemy.  He turned his catch on the spit cooking the meat, his sword leaning against a leg.

Cain

[Cain]

Man, where the hell were these bandits? Cain clicked his tongue in annoyance as he wandered through the hills of West Ferox, his right hand coming up to ruffle his hair lightly. Halting in his tracks, the mercenary would allow himself to scan his surroundings, wondering if he would ever be so lucky to finally come upon his marks. Having being hired once again, Cain was this time tasked to take care of a small band of bandits that had been taking refuge in these hills, only leaving to prey on passing convoys and merchants. The average kind of bandits, really. Not anything that Cain had not faced before, and really, these sort of bandits were becoming rather cliche in his life. Just how many times would he have to kill the scum that his country had birthed? Of course he blamed his country for this plague. The country was entirely based on strength. Either you were strong, or you didn't matter. Those who didn't make it far as soldiers, or mercenaries, often turned to thievery. Besides, that act itself was a show of strength, and some bandits, he knew, had made it far doing what they did. In a country that saw strength as one's value, such a feat was possible. As for Cain, he was just a sword-for-hire. A good one, sure, but not anyone famous. Not yet, at least. He simply did what he was asked to, for a price, and lived his life as he saw fit. Nothing really remarkable to it. A sigh escaped his lips, as he noticed that night was beginning to befall upon him, and he had yet to find even the smallest clue about his mark. Now this was a troublesome predicament. Should he make ca-- ... What's that? Cain narrowed his eyes, as he stared into the distance. There was... Light? A fire? Was someone else here? That much was obvious. Why else would such flickering light be existent in a forest with weather as cold as this? Was it the bandits? A soft frown came upon his lips, as he allowed his right hand to rest upon he pommel of his blade. With that, he wandered forward, making no effort whatsoever to cloud his presence. "Oi, anyone there?"

◀ MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS

[Eric]

I can't lie no more I can't hide no more
got to be true to myself so I'll be on my way

The crackling of the fire was welcome as the warmth spread through his hand seeping through his body. He didn't despise the cold, but he didn't exactly like it either. If he had to choose, he'd rather be stuck in a desert in unbearable heat than this numbing chill. He poked the pig's thigh with a twig testing it. Wasn't ready quite yet. His stomach let out a low grumble in retort as though willing the pig to cook faster. He allowed his mind to wander a bit as he waited, remembering that his teacher had warned him against coming in the first place with crime having picked up especially in the uncivilized areas where population was scarce. More and more were turning to the life of a bandit from what he'd been told, especially the younger generation. With poverty growing and war breaking out in every corner of the continent, it was no surprise people no longer felt safe when their governments seemed to have stalled. This wasn't to say people weren't trying-- but even now the state of the countries were deteriorating... At the very least he hadn't run into any thieves during this trip into the wilderness be it by good fortune or some other works of the gods.

Eric's ear perked, snapping the youth to the present as loud footsteps approached him. It wasn't but seconds later that the young man stepped into view. He looked toned and carried a sword on his back, a hand poised to draw the weapon. There didn't seem to be anyone else with him, or if there were they didn't make their presence known. At the very least, it looked like this man was like Eric more or less, just a traveler who'd wandered into the same neck of the woods as the young lord.

"It would seem there is." Eric responded as he nodded a greeting at the stranger. He released the spit with his right hand allowing his arm to rest next to the grip of his own sword. "You wouldn't happen to be hungry, would you? I caught a bit more than I can eat on my own." He gave the man a small smile. Of course Eric was curious about this stranger and didn't exactly trust him, however he was willing to share some of the fortune he'd stumbled upon. "The name's Eric. What brings you to this neck of the woods?"

[Cain]

"It would seem there is." Cain furrowed his eyebrows lightly, as he stepped into the light, both parties now having a clear view of each other. There, on the other side of the fire from where he stood, was a long-haired male, sitting idly beside a sword. The smell of the roasted pig finally reached his nose, and momentarily, the young Mercenary's golden eyes would divert to it, before snapping back to meet Eric's. It was at that moment that his eyes caught hint of the placement of his hand over his weapon, and Cain's lips tugged into a smirk. Cautious, wasn't he? Yet, he wasn't outright violent and impulsive, much unlike most bandits that Cain had tussled with thus far. Of course, there could always be those who were a tad bit more clever and cunning. Cain remained where he stood, wary of the man's solitude. Did he have compatriots? Hidden somewhere, for this elaborate trap? His following words suggested otherwise, though, for two people could have sufficient of a meal from that game that he had caught. So, if it was indeed too much, then that meant that he was alone? What kind of idiot would wander in these forest alo--... Oh, right. Never mind that thought. Cain sighed, giving a soft chuckle, before lowering his hand from his weapon. Despite the gesture, though, his guard was never dropped, as he remained extra sharp regarding his surroundings. "Well, ain't that just a friendly offer. Sure, I wouldn't mind a few bites." Cain replied with a soft chuckle, evidently portraying a loosened and casual individual, but mentally, he was far from it. With that, he would pace forward, allowing himself to be seated on the other side of the fire from Eric. Respectful gesture, yet at the same time, it gave Cain a good vision on the other individual, and also a safe distance from him with an obstacle in between. Just in case. "Eric, huh? Pleased to meet you, Eric. I'm Cain." The Mercenary replied with a soft reassuring smile, giving a nod of his head as his personal form of greeting. At the same time, he would ponder on the following question that came after his introduction. "Oh, I'm just hunting. A few bandits apparently made this forest their hide-out. Know anything about that?" He inquired, raising an eyebrow, the question being asked for two purposes, really. One would be to see whether he really knew anything about it or not, and another was to help Cain identify if he was actually one of such bandits.

◀ MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS