Mavarion continued to watch her as she fell asleep, as it gave him the opportunity to study her more. He didn't move, as he didn't intend her harm, as yet. He simply watched, keeping an eye on his surroundings as he continued to rest.
It dawned on him slowly over a matter of nearly an hour. The memory stirred again, the face popped back into the forefront of his mind. After a few moments, the name no longer mattered as the memory of previous moments of his life flooded back.
It was dark, as night usually is, but even the full moon was hidden by the storm clouds in the sky. The air smelled of rain and the tension of a storm unleashed, while the clouds grumbled their displeasure.
The young man circled Mav, stalking. Mav circled as well, sharp-edged shield on his right arm, hand and a half sword gripped firmly in his left hand. It was a large sword for a human to wield with only one hand, but evil powers gave him added strength, and he handled it as if it were a regular long sword. The battle surged around them, ebbed and flowed, but it was obvious that none in the battle wanted to come between a predator and its intended prey. The real question was ... which was the predator, and which the prey?
Mavarion moved confidently, matching the man across from him step for step. Neither made the fateful move to begin the fight yet, each still taking the measure of the man across from them.
The young man across from Mavarion carried only two small daggers, but Mavarion had seen those daggers tear through the weak spots of the armor of his companions, plunging into throats and under armpits to reach the heart. All of this accomplished as the young man snarled menacingly. He wore no armor either, and his slightly lupine features showed a slightly underslung jaw, and sharp front teeth.
Flashes of lightning lit the battlefield, outshining even the roaring fires raging through the town not far from the struggle. The young man began to pant, growling louder. With a sudden step back, the young man threw back his head and howled. Mavarion watched, stunned momentarily, as the skin of the man actually rippled. His face elongated as the daggers fell from his hands. The jaws rippled as they parted, and fangs practically sprouted from the young man's mouth. Replacing the daggers, claws began ripping from his hands as Mavarion stood, too stunned to move.
It all took a matter of seconds, and the werewolf was suddenly charging. Mavarion took one step back, then another, quickly, one right after the other. For the first time in recent memory, he was worried.
Worry, however, did not slow his instinct. He knew that only silver could really keep these creatures from healing, but he had to keep it at bay, if only until some of his men could corner it. If the creature were brought to his side...
The wolf bounced off the shield, claws raking at Mavarion's exposed face. He had lost his helm much earlier in the battle, but the wind in his face had been exhilarating at the time, so he hadn't bothered looking for it. The sharp edges of his shield dug into the exposed flesh of the werewolf as it tried to come past the shield, but Mavarion kept the shield between them. He was forced back by the sheer power and ferocity with which the creature attacked.
Snarling in outrage, the werewolf stepped back, again beginning to pace. Mavarion watched, waiting. He realized now that he heard other howls, louder growls coming from the field of battle. There were more, and they had all changed.
The werewolf charged again, a slight snarl the only warning Mavarion had. Again the creature bounced from his shield, claws raking across Mavarion's face, just deep enough to draw blood and cause a twinge of pain, which was ignored by the dark warrior. The sharp edged shield again took it's toll on the werewolf, but as it disengaged this time, Mavarion followed, two quick steps forward to keep pace with the slowly backing werewolf, and a quick sweep at the creature's feet with his sword. The creature leaped to avoid the sword, which stopped at the far end of it's sweep to come back with deadly speed and force, and at a higher level.
Blood sprayed as Mavarion's quick feint and attack worked. The sound of the werewolf's head hitting the ground was drowned in the clap of thunder that drowned even the screams of the dying and the shouts of those who still lived.
Even a werewolf, impervious to wounds except those caused by silver, couldn't live without its head. Mavarion smiled grimly as blood dripped down his cheek.
That was the oddity that he had recognized. The slightly lupine features, the heel to toe walk of a stalking animal, the yellowish eyes. Gia was a werewolf.
Plans whirled through his head as he thought for the next hour and wondered how he could turn this to his advantage.
Hideout
Gia yawned and streched as she woke up, instantly reaching for her bow to ensure that it was still there. Her eyes blinked the sleep from them quickly. Her senses didn't register anything strange and dangerous about where she was, and so she relaxed a little back into the corner she had slept in. Gia rolled her shoulders and arched her back, loosening her stiff muscles. She dug into the small pack she carried, pulling out a small bit of dried meat.
She bit off a a chunk, thinking as she chewed on it, Well, it's certainly not as good as fresh, but I highly doubt that I'll find any fresh meat around here. As she swallowed the meat her eyes met Mavarion's.
"Good evening, Mav." She greeted. She felt a little safe around him. She guessed that it was because she had just slept well without getting an unwelcome wake up call with a pitchfork. Like that mad cattle farmer had done.
Gia, having been bitten at a young age, was intensely loyal to those whom she trusted. And, as Mavarion had just let her sleep without problems, she was feeling a little grateful to the human. And he was a human who hadn't done anything bad to her. Those were always rare. Granted, she'd only known him for a few hours, and a few hours was nothing, but still... He hadn't asked her any annoying questions that she'd have to lie to answer. And she was a bad liar.
So Gia felt a little indebted to Mavarion. Even if there was something a little strange about him.
She bit off a a chunk, thinking as she chewed on it, Well, it's certainly not as good as fresh, but I highly doubt that I'll find any fresh meat around here. As she swallowed the meat her eyes met Mavarion's.
"Good evening, Mav." She greeted. She felt a little safe around him. She guessed that it was because she had just slept well without getting an unwelcome wake up call with a pitchfork. Like that mad cattle farmer had done.
Gia, having been bitten at a young age, was intensely loyal to those whom she trusted. And, as Mavarion had just let her sleep without problems, she was feeling a little grateful to the human. And he was a human who hadn't done anything bad to her. Those were always rare. Granted, she'd only known him for a few hours, and a few hours was nothing, but still... He hadn't asked her any annoying questions that she'd have to lie to answer. And she was a bad liar.
So Gia felt a little indebted to Mavarion. Even if there was something a little strange about him.
Mav blinked as Gia began to move, then realized that he was having a hard time seeing her. His gaze slipped to the door and noted the long shadows thrown by the setting sun. Irritation bubbled within as his brows drew down in a frown. He had meant to be in the temple tonight, but that might have to wait. He thought it might be best to stay here tonight.
"Good evening, Gia. You slept well, I trust?" he asked.
His old bones protested as he stood. He had been sitting for longer than he originally thought, since early afternoon had changed to early evening. He straightened quickly, never one to show signs of weakness, no matter how his bones protested. The work of dragging that young man far enough away from the collapsed building had left him sore and tired.
At the thought of the young man from the collapsed building earlier, Mavarion turned to look at him. He still lay where he was, unconscious and breathing. Mav shrugged to himself, then stood in the doorway. He could already feel the darkness approaching. The time of change was coming; he could feel the magic brought by the sun seeping from the land as the magic of the night forced its way in. The change of night to day and day to night was when much of magic would be at its strongest. He would miss this change, but he would catch the next. He needed the extra power of the change to aid in calling the demon from the Astral Plane.
He turned, silhouetted in the doorway by the fading sun. His smile, again not touching his eyes, was nothing less than friendly.
"Good evening, Gia. You slept well, I trust?" he asked.
His old bones protested as he stood. He had been sitting for longer than he originally thought, since early afternoon had changed to early evening. He straightened quickly, never one to show signs of weakness, no matter how his bones protested. The work of dragging that young man far enough away from the collapsed building had left him sore and tired.
At the thought of the young man from the collapsed building earlier, Mavarion turned to look at him. He still lay where he was, unconscious and breathing. Mav shrugged to himself, then stood in the doorway. He could already feel the darkness approaching. The time of change was coming; he could feel the magic brought by the sun seeping from the land as the magic of the night forced its way in. The change of night to day and day to night was when much of magic would be at its strongest. He would miss this change, but he would catch the next. He needed the extra power of the change to aid in calling the demon from the Astral Plane.
He turned, silhouetted in the doorway by the fading sun. His smile, again not touching his eyes, was nothing less than friendly.
"Very well, thank you." Gia responded. Her eyes followed him as he went and stood in the doorway, looking out at the setting sun. Gia felt the need to be her lupine self, but restrained it, thinking that that might not be the best way to build good relations with Mavarion.
She rose and padded over to another corner of the building, sniffing quietly. She hoped that it was quiet. Humans tended to make strange noises and throw things at her when she got caught doing something out of the ordinary. Gia sighed. That was the last thing she needed, even if she wasn't tired anymore.
Gia took note of Mav's smile as she looked at him, standing in the fading light. She had almost heard his joints creaking when he stood, due to her hearing powers, but had dismissed it as her imagination. He wasn't that old.
"Hey, Mav?" Gia asked as she looked out into the twilight. "Where are you from?" Sometimes Gia was very nosy, even when she shouldn't be. Even when she knew that she shouldn't be.
She rose and padded over to another corner of the building, sniffing quietly. She hoped that it was quiet. Humans tended to make strange noises and throw things at her when she got caught doing something out of the ordinary. Gia sighed. That was the last thing she needed, even if she wasn't tired anymore.
Gia took note of Mav's smile as she looked at him, standing in the fading light. She had almost heard his joints creaking when he stood, due to her hearing powers, but had dismissed it as her imagination. He wasn't that old.
"Hey, Mav?" Gia asked as she looked out into the twilight. "Where are you from?" Sometimes Gia was very nosy, even when she shouldn't be. Even when she knew that she shouldn't be.
Her question caused the smile to falter, fading from the friendly smile to a wry, sickly smile. Mavarion shrugged offhandedly as he turned back to watch the fading sun.
"I was born far west of here. In Caelteth Eyrop. It was a long journey to get here, and I try not to talk about it too much. As old as I am, the past is something I try to ignore. It's the present and future I am concerned with."
His smile returned to friendly as he turned back to look over his shoulder at her, to take the sting out of the minor rebuke.
"What about yourself, my dear? As I, don't feel you have to tell me anything, but where were you born? Perhaps where have you been? We have some time before that fellow wakes up."
Mavarion turned in the doorway and leaned a shoulder up against the door jamb. He would definitely have to stay here tonight. The demon could wait until tomorrow evening.
"I was born far west of here. In Caelteth Eyrop. It was a long journey to get here, and I try not to talk about it too much. As old as I am, the past is something I try to ignore. It's the present and future I am concerned with."
His smile returned to friendly as he turned back to look over his shoulder at her, to take the sting out of the minor rebuke.
"What about yourself, my dear? As I, don't feel you have to tell me anything, but where were you born? Perhaps where have you been? We have some time before that fellow wakes up."
Mavarion turned in the doorway and leaned a shoulder up against the door jamb. He would definitely have to stay here tonight. The demon could wait until tomorrow evening.
Gia smiled a little, although it was a rather sad smile. She thought of her home, but not wishing she was back. "It doesn't matter to me if you know about my life. It's not too interesting, but it's all I am.
"I was born to the north of here, my father was a trader who swindled everyone he traded with, then took his profits and my mother and moved north, into the mountains. I was born there, and was somewhat happy as a child. Although, I had no friends, and so no one to play with. I had no siblings either.
"I met a boy one day. His name was Kellan. I--I don't know how he came to be in the wilds of the north, but I never met his family. As I was just a little child, five or six years of age, things like that didn't bother me. So we played together, made up our own little worlds and had our own type of fun. We used to dream of going out and conquering the world on our own. We didn't ever really talk about what style of conquering we'd use, but just knew that together we'd take it all."
Gia stopped, wondering wether or not to tell Mavarion about the whole werewolf aspect of her life, then decided against it. "Kellan went away one day, and I haven't seen him since." Gia hoped that Mavarion would believe her, although she wasn't sure of her lying prowess. She usually wasn't too good of a liar. It was a skill that Gia knew that she'd need to work on. "I left my parents of my own will--I wasn't thrown out!--" another lie "--and wandered off, looking for somewhere to go. I met up with some roving traders in a caravan type group, and stayed with them, learning how to wield my bow and take care of myself. I left them after a few years and headed here, to Marn.
"I also met up with a mad cattle farmer who didn't have many cows. it's a rather long story, but in the end he drove me from his farm with a pitchfork and curses aimed at me. I don't like that story much." Gia sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. She blinked out at the sunset, suppressing the lupine instinct in her.
"That's about it. I came here looking for work of any sort really, and I'll take whatever I can get. Or if I can't find any work, I'll just... I don't know." Gia trailed off, thinking what he options would be if she didn't find any work. She had a bit of money, but not enough to last her long without work. "I'll find something."
"I was born to the north of here, my father was a trader who swindled everyone he traded with, then took his profits and my mother and moved north, into the mountains. I was born there, and was somewhat happy as a child. Although, I had no friends, and so no one to play with. I had no siblings either.
"I met a boy one day. His name was Kellan. I--I don't know how he came to be in the wilds of the north, but I never met his family. As I was just a little child, five or six years of age, things like that didn't bother me. So we played together, made up our own little worlds and had our own type of fun. We used to dream of going out and conquering the world on our own. We didn't ever really talk about what style of conquering we'd use, but just knew that together we'd take it all."
Gia stopped, wondering wether or not to tell Mavarion about the whole werewolf aspect of her life, then decided against it. "Kellan went away one day, and I haven't seen him since." Gia hoped that Mavarion would believe her, although she wasn't sure of her lying prowess. She usually wasn't too good of a liar. It was a skill that Gia knew that she'd need to work on. "I left my parents of my own will--I wasn't thrown out!--" another lie "--and wandered off, looking for somewhere to go. I met up with some roving traders in a caravan type group, and stayed with them, learning how to wield my bow and take care of myself. I left them after a few years and headed here, to Marn.
"I also met up with a mad cattle farmer who didn't have many cows. it's a rather long story, but in the end he drove me from his farm with a pitchfork and curses aimed at me. I don't like that story much." Gia sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. She blinked out at the sunset, suppressing the lupine instinct in her.
"That's about it. I came here looking for work of any sort really, and I'll take whatever I can get. Or if I can't find any work, I'll just... I don't know." Gia trailed off, thinking what he options would be if she didn't find any work. She had a bit of money, but not enough to last her long without work. "I'll find something."
Mavarion remained relaxed as he listened to Gia's tale. It always amazed him how often people told their entire life story when asked a simple question. She had asked him where he was from, and he had told her in no uncertain terms. He had even gone so far as to let her know not to continue in pursuing the subject of his life, and she had at least taken to that.
However, she went into her entire story, even as succinct as it was. He doubted that she had simply left her parents, and thought that perhaps this mysterious "Kellan" boy had something to do with her being thrown out into the world. Perhaps he was even the reason she was a werewolf.
All of these thoughts flitted behind a face that showed none of it. He nodded at appropriate intervals, though his expression never changed. When she was finished, he spoke again.
"I know that you, as I have done in my own 'tale', have much more to say that you wish kept secret. You don't often get to be my age," he said, mouth twisting in a wry smile, "without finding the ability to read people. No, no," he raised a hand to forestall any comment she might or might not be about to make. "Do not feel you need to explain anything to me. I understand that there are things that are better left in the past in order to focus on the future."
Mavarion pushed off the door frame and strolled back inside. The sun was nearly set, and the pulse of magical energies almost made his skin tingle. He seated himself on the ground again, a little slower than a younger person would, but he stalwartly ignored any twinges in both muscle and joint. Once settled to his satisfaction, his back leaned against the wall, he decided to make Gia the offer he'd been tossing around in his head.
"You are certainly welcome to stay with me for a while, child. I have enough money to support the two of us for some time, and I may need some help in certain endeavors that I find myself a part of. Yes, even one at my age gets entangled in the currents of the world."
He offered a wink, which would be disconcerting to most people, especially with his pure black eyes. He waited for his response even as he watched for her reaction to his offer.
However, she went into her entire story, even as succinct as it was. He doubted that she had simply left her parents, and thought that perhaps this mysterious "Kellan" boy had something to do with her being thrown out into the world. Perhaps he was even the reason she was a werewolf.
All of these thoughts flitted behind a face that showed none of it. He nodded at appropriate intervals, though his expression never changed. When she was finished, he spoke again.
"I know that you, as I have done in my own 'tale', have much more to say that you wish kept secret. You don't often get to be my age," he said, mouth twisting in a wry smile, "without finding the ability to read people. No, no," he raised a hand to forestall any comment she might or might not be about to make. "Do not feel you need to explain anything to me. I understand that there are things that are better left in the past in order to focus on the future."
Mavarion pushed off the door frame and strolled back inside. The sun was nearly set, and the pulse of magical energies almost made his skin tingle. He seated himself on the ground again, a little slower than a younger person would, but he stalwartly ignored any twinges in both muscle and joint. Once settled to his satisfaction, his back leaned against the wall, he decided to make Gia the offer he'd been tossing around in his head.
"You are certainly welcome to stay with me for a while, child. I have enough money to support the two of us for some time, and I may need some help in certain endeavors that I find myself a part of. Yes, even one at my age gets entangled in the currents of the world."
He offered a wink, which would be disconcerting to most people, especially with his pure black eyes. He waited for his response even as he watched for her reaction to his offer.
Gia would have been a little unnerved by his wink, but had just accepted Mavarion as something out of the ordinary. She smiled a little at his thought. Gia was used to those type of things, unusual things. She responded to his offer in an appreciative voice. "I think I will stay with you, if you are sure that you don't mind a young, occasionally curious young person tagging along. Other people tend to find the need to... kick me out, as it were, both literally and figuratively. I've had a hard time with that." And that was more than Gia had meant to say. she ducked her head to rummage in her bag again, pulling out another bit of jerky.
Gia did wonder what Mavarion had meant by 'needing help in certain endevours.' That sounded promising... in a strange sort of way. She wasn't going to ask questions, though. Those coming from her usually prompted a returning series of questions about her. She knew that Mavarion had probably seen right through her skimmed over version of Kellan and her parents, knew it by his words. She was used to that, but hoped that he wouldn't pry too much. She knew that she was a horible liar aout nearly everything except her lupine friend. A nice term for her werewolf side.
And then here was that. Gia knew that she couldn't contain her wolf for long, maybe another night or so. She hadn't had the chance to change in a few days as she had been approching the city of Marn, and didn't want to scare the locals into thinking that a huge wolf was on the prowl and needed to be killed. So Gia had silenced her wolf side, but that couldn't last. Gia wondered how Mav would react to that, when the inevitable time came when he figured it out. If he hadn't figured it out already.
But he's not throwing things at me yet... Gia thought. Of course, he's a little different as well. Gia sighed and dragged her wandering thoughts back into her control.
"So, we're staying here tonight?" She asked of Mavarion. She frowned a little and motioned to the other, still passed out man in the corner. "And do you think that he's going to wake up?"
Gia did wonder what Mavarion had meant by 'needing help in certain endevours.' That sounded promising... in a strange sort of way. She wasn't going to ask questions, though. Those coming from her usually prompted a returning series of questions about her. She knew that Mavarion had probably seen right through her skimmed over version of Kellan and her parents, knew it by his words. She was used to that, but hoped that he wouldn't pry too much. She knew that she was a horible liar aout nearly everything except her lupine friend. A nice term for her werewolf side.
And then here was that. Gia knew that she couldn't contain her wolf for long, maybe another night or so. She hadn't had the chance to change in a few days as she had been approching the city of Marn, and didn't want to scare the locals into thinking that a huge wolf was on the prowl and needed to be killed. So Gia had silenced her wolf side, but that couldn't last. Gia wondered how Mav would react to that, when the inevitable time came when he figured it out. If he hadn't figured it out already.
But he's not throwing things at me yet... Gia thought. Of course, he's a little different as well. Gia sighed and dragged her wandering thoughts back into her control.
"So, we're staying here tonight?" She asked of Mavarion. She frowned a little and motioned to the other, still passed out man in the corner. "And do you think that he's going to wake up?"
Mavarion nodded as she talked. He often had an unnerving effect on people, causing them to talk more than they usually would. Gia seemed to control it well, and it seemed that her discourse was self-commited, instead of a result of her nervousness around him.
The thing was, Mavarion knew he was insane. He welcomed it, and it often allowed him to come up with ideas rational people would never think of. He cast spells much differently than others, using the world around him instead of the force within him. That force was ebbing slowly, as his life continued to plummet headlong into old age.
Mavarion's attention moved from Gia to the stranger on the floor. He shook his head slightly and lifted his shoulders in what might have been a shrug.
"I do not pretend to aspirations of healing, my child. He is breathing, but I do not know if that means he will wake up soon, or at all. In truth, I do not even know the man, and only dragged him out of the collapsed building because I thought he might be able to help me."
Mavarion didn't even have the good grace to look chagrined about the fact that he had intended to use the man for his own purposes. Instead, he looked rather amused by the subject, his blackened eyes turning to gaze at Gia.
In a voice that any regular human wouldn't be able to hear across the room, he murmured, "But I think you will be of more help than he would."
Mavarion's smile was sincere as he looked at her. He was genuinely pleased that she had chosen to remain with him of her own choice.
The thing was, Mavarion knew he was insane. He welcomed it, and it often allowed him to come up with ideas rational people would never think of. He cast spells much differently than others, using the world around him instead of the force within him. That force was ebbing slowly, as his life continued to plummet headlong into old age.
Mavarion's attention moved from Gia to the stranger on the floor. He shook his head slightly and lifted his shoulders in what might have been a shrug.
"I do not pretend to aspirations of healing, my child. He is breathing, but I do not know if that means he will wake up soon, or at all. In truth, I do not even know the man, and only dragged him out of the collapsed building because I thought he might be able to help me."
Mavarion didn't even have the good grace to look chagrined about the fact that he had intended to use the man for his own purposes. Instead, he looked rather amused by the subject, his blackened eyes turning to gaze at Gia.
In a voice that any regular human wouldn't be able to hear across the room, he murmured, "But I think you will be of more help than he would."
Mavarion's smile was sincere as he looked at her. He was genuinely pleased that she had chosen to remain with him of her own choice.
Gia tensed slightly. She had heard his last line; one of the side effects of being a werewolf was enhanced hearing, even in her human form. She decided to pretend that she hadn't heard it, however. If she could be of help to Mavarion, he wouldn't try to get rid of her. And anyway, a human wouldn't have heard that line.
And I am a human, I am a human, human... Gia kept reminding herself. But she couldn't lie to anyone, let alone herself. She decided instead to try and concentrate on what Mavarion had said. "How could he have helped you?" She knew that it might be a bad thing to ask, but she had warned him about her tendancy to ask questions.
Adn Gia did know that if she could get Mavarion to tell her how the other man could have helped him, she'd have more of an idea about what he meant by her helping him. Of course, Mav probably wouldn't tell Gia what he meant. She knew that about him by now--he wasn't too forthcoming with facts about himself, or about his plans.
But it wasn't for her to question. He'd shown her kindness, and so she owed him her loyalty. It was simple to her lupine frame of mind. They constituted something like a very small pack, even if Mavarion could not transform into a wolf. A human pack, then. He was pack leader, she'd do as he said. This unquestioning loyalty could be dangerous, but if Mavarion thought that Gia would be of help, he wouldn't kick her out.
She waited for his answer, holding his gaze calmly. She would be a little frightened by him on the whole, but she felt like she couldn't judge anyone by looks, especially this strange human who was kind to her.
And I am a human, I am a human, human... Gia kept reminding herself. But she couldn't lie to anyone, let alone herself. She decided instead to try and concentrate on what Mavarion had said. "How could he have helped you?" She knew that it might be a bad thing to ask, but she had warned him about her tendancy to ask questions.
Adn Gia did know that if she could get Mavarion to tell her how the other man could have helped him, she'd have more of an idea about what he meant by her helping him. Of course, Mav probably wouldn't tell Gia what he meant. She knew that about him by now--he wasn't too forthcoming with facts about himself, or about his plans.
But it wasn't for her to question. He'd shown her kindness, and so she owed him her loyalty. It was simple to her lupine frame of mind. They constituted something like a very small pack, even if Mavarion could not transform into a wolf. A human pack, then. He was pack leader, she'd do as he said. This unquestioning loyalty could be dangerous, but if Mavarion thought that Gia would be of help, he wouldn't kick her out.
She waited for his answer, holding his gaze calmly. She would be a little frightened by him on the whole, but she felt like she couldn't judge anyone by looks, especially this strange human who was kind to her.
Mavarion held her gaze for a moment, pure black eyes meeting yellow-tinted eyes. After that moment, his gaze flickered to the stranger again.
"To be honest, my dear, I'm not sure how he could have helped me. I find myself in need of ... companions. To help me accomplish things I no longer can with the trappings of age." His voice was bitter on the last line, though an ironic smile ever so slightly curled the corners of his mouth.
"However, that is aside from the point at the moment. For the more immediate future, and to answer your previous question... yes, we will be staying here this evening, no matter how my old bones cry for the softness of a feather bed. I find the nights unbearably hot anyways, and a night in the fresh air will probably not go amiss." His smile was without humor, and his next words carried no emotion whatsoever. "Besides, we cannot simply leave him here for the animals to get after him, and I doubt between the two of us we will have an easy time carrying him to a healer or an inn. Yes?"
He remained leaned back against the wall, eyes hooded, watching the shadows creep their way across the room. The cloudless sky would be bright tonight, with a moon nearly three-quarters full.
The moon. Mavarion's eyes flickered to watch Gia a moment. Could she control her animal instincts at night? Or might he end up dinner for a werewolf? Mavarion's humorless smile widened as the irony of keeping a creature as notoriously unstable as a werewolf near him struck. Even at his age, life still held surprises.
"To be honest, my dear, I'm not sure how he could have helped me. I find myself in need of ... companions. To help me accomplish things I no longer can with the trappings of age." His voice was bitter on the last line, though an ironic smile ever so slightly curled the corners of his mouth.
"However, that is aside from the point at the moment. For the more immediate future, and to answer your previous question... yes, we will be staying here this evening, no matter how my old bones cry for the softness of a feather bed. I find the nights unbearably hot anyways, and a night in the fresh air will probably not go amiss." His smile was without humor, and his next words carried no emotion whatsoever. "Besides, we cannot simply leave him here for the animals to get after him, and I doubt between the two of us we will have an easy time carrying him to a healer or an inn. Yes?"
He remained leaned back against the wall, eyes hooded, watching the shadows creep their way across the room. The cloudless sky would be bright tonight, with a moon nearly three-quarters full.
The moon. Mavarion's eyes flickered to watch Gia a moment. Could she control her animal instincts at night? Or might he end up dinner for a werewolf? Mavarion's humorless smile widened as the irony of keeping a creature as notoriously unstable as a werewolf near him struck. Even at his age, life still held surprises.
"I could carry him to an inn, if you think that that would be the best thing to do. I'm not anything of a healer myself, so..." Because Gia could heal herself quickly, she'd never bothered to learn anything of healing others. And that didn't really bother her.
Her gaze left Mavarion's dark eyes, and drifted to the doorway, where the first few rays of... Damn it, Gia thought. I forgot about the three-quarter point tonight... She shivered a little, trying to keep a feral light out of her face as the rays of golden-white light crept into the building. She could feel her senses, already heightened enough, raise even more, and the smell of someone somewhere cooking meat over an open fire made her shake slightly with adrenaline.
The wolf side of her wanted to hunt for a meal, chase down some unsuspecting prey and rip the life from it... but not a human, no... not yet. Gia drew in a sharp breath at this. She had reached full maturity finally, human and wolf sides of her both, and to the lupine point of view, it was high time to make someone change into what she was. The human perspective on this, however, was the exact opposite. Leave the humans alone.
Gia, during her thought process, was unaware that she was panting slightly and still shaking with adrenaline. She wrenched herself out of her half-dream of chasing down some animal... or human... for sustenance and looked back at Mavarion.
"Cold tonight, eh? I'm shaking." Of course, it had nothing to do with the heat, cold or otherwise. A wolf's body temperature is higher than a humans', and hers, as a werewolf, was higher still. And she had completely forgotten the fact that he had just said that he found the nights unbearably hot.
Her gaze left Mavarion's dark eyes, and drifted to the doorway, where the first few rays of... Damn it, Gia thought. I forgot about the three-quarter point tonight... She shivered a little, trying to keep a feral light out of her face as the rays of golden-white light crept into the building. She could feel her senses, already heightened enough, raise even more, and the smell of someone somewhere cooking meat over an open fire made her shake slightly with adrenaline.
The wolf side of her wanted to hunt for a meal, chase down some unsuspecting prey and rip the life from it... but not a human, no... not yet. Gia drew in a sharp breath at this. She had reached full maturity finally, human and wolf sides of her both, and to the lupine point of view, it was high time to make someone change into what she was. The human perspective on this, however, was the exact opposite. Leave the humans alone.
Gia, during her thought process, was unaware that she was panting slightly and still shaking with adrenaline. She wrenched herself out of her half-dream of chasing down some animal... or human... for sustenance and looked back at Mavarion.
"Cold tonight, eh? I'm shaking." Of course, it had nothing to do with the heat, cold or otherwise. A wolf's body temperature is higher than a humans', and hers, as a werewolf, was higher still. And she had completely forgotten the fact that he had just said that he found the nights unbearably hot.
Her offer of carrying the stranger would have been touching, had Mavarion cared. However, he didn't, and that meant that he would remain here, no matter if the fellow died for it.
He shook his head before he realized that she wasn't paying attention to him. She was staring out the window, a glint in her eye. After a few seconds, she began breathing quicker and shallower, and shaking. Mavarion's brow lifted slightly, but he said nothing. The moon had just begun to shine in through the doorway, and now it was a test of control for the young woman.
Mavarion just watched, until she pulled her attention from the doorway and met his gaze.
"Unfortunately, I have delayed too much as it is. Another day has passed, and I am barely closer to getting the things I need to do done. Lives are at stake. Besides, perhaps simply moving him will kill him. We do not know what injuries he has."
He shifted slightly to one side, then slid his back down the wall until he was lying on his side, against the wall. He shifted again, onto his back, unmindful of the dirt he was getting on his robes.
"I need to get some rest, Gia. Do you mind taking first watch?"
He shook his head before he realized that she wasn't paying attention to him. She was staring out the window, a glint in her eye. After a few seconds, she began breathing quicker and shallower, and shaking. Mavarion's brow lifted slightly, but he said nothing. The moon had just begun to shine in through the doorway, and now it was a test of control for the young woman.
Mavarion just watched, until she pulled her attention from the doorway and met his gaze.
Mavarion didn't reply, simply lifting his brow further and offering her a small smile. He did, however, speak about another matter.Gia Rilan wrote:"Cold tonight, eh? I'm shaking."
"Unfortunately, I have delayed too much as it is. Another day has passed, and I am barely closer to getting the things I need to do done. Lives are at stake. Besides, perhaps simply moving him will kill him. We do not know what injuries he has."
He shifted slightly to one side, then slid his back down the wall until he was lying on his side, against the wall. He shifted again, onto his back, unmindful of the dirt he was getting on his robes.
"I need to get some rest, Gia. Do you mind taking first watch?"
Gia drew in a long breath. To his comment on watch she replied, "Not at all. I'm.. not too tired anyway." And she wouldn't have been able to sleep anyway, even if she had wanted to. She needed all her control to keep the wolf side of her at bay through the night. And of course, to have control was hard enough when she was awake and the wolf was this active, and so, to sleep would be... not the best plan of action.
He might die... Gia looked at the still unconscious man in the corner. So what would a little bite do? She gave her head a violent shake and took a calming breath. I can't bite him, that's stupid. I don't even know who he is. It'd be horrible of me to turn him into what I am, without him requesting it first! Like I did with Kellan... hmm, should I wake him up and ask him if he wants to be a werewolf? Gia shook her head hard again. She wrenched her probably hungry gaze from the unconscious man and looked out the door again. The moonlight was growing stronger, and where she was was going to be in the full light of the moon soon.
Can't have that. Gia thought. I'm having enough trouble as is. She picked up her bow and pack and, skirting the moonlight, walked to right beside the opening in the building, sitting down right beside the wall the opening was in. Unless there was a window on the opposite side of the building, which Gia sincerely hoped that there wasn't, she'd be out of the moonlight tonight.
Of course, that brought up the question of where they would be traveling to. She could always slip away for a little while and change, hunt something (not a human) down and eat it and come back, but that would take a while. Gia sighed. She'd deal with that in the morning... in the meantime, she went back into her guard mode. Gia decided just to ignore her lupine friend until the morning. It had worked before, and it damn well better work again.
He might die... Gia looked at the still unconscious man in the corner. So what would a little bite do? She gave her head a violent shake and took a calming breath. I can't bite him, that's stupid. I don't even know who he is. It'd be horrible of me to turn him into what I am, without him requesting it first! Like I did with Kellan... hmm, should I wake him up and ask him if he wants to be a werewolf? Gia shook her head hard again. She wrenched her probably hungry gaze from the unconscious man and looked out the door again. The moonlight was growing stronger, and where she was was going to be in the full light of the moon soon.
Can't have that. Gia thought. I'm having enough trouble as is. She picked up her bow and pack and, skirting the moonlight, walked to right beside the opening in the building, sitting down right beside the wall the opening was in. Unless there was a window on the opposite side of the building, which Gia sincerely hoped that there wasn't, she'd be out of the moonlight tonight.
Of course, that brought up the question of where they would be traveling to. She could always slip away for a little while and change, hunt something (not a human) down and eat it and come back, but that would take a while. Gia sighed. She'd deal with that in the morning... in the meantime, she went back into her guard mode. Gia decided just to ignore her lupine friend until the morning. It had worked before, and it damn well better work again.
Mavarion's dark eyes glittered in the tiny amount of light that reached him. He watched as Gia padded across the room and avoided the moonlight. She settled down in the corner by the door, in the darkest portion of the building. Other than the open doorway at the back of the room, which led deeper into the building, there were no windows or doors leading outside other than the one which she sat next to.
Once it was apparent that she would be staying there, Mavarion closed his eyes. His old body needed more sleep than it had when he was younger, which irked him, but it was to be expected. He was not worried about sleeping around the young werewolf because he was a light sleeper. Not only that, but if she wanted to kill him, he wouldn't have a chance to fend her off in the first place. She could have his throat before he so much as tried to move away.
He drifted for a few moments, before dreams of blood and glory, of gods and goddesses, and of things beyond simple human imagination pulled him into a deep sleep.
Once it was apparent that she would be staying there, Mavarion closed his eyes. His old body needed more sleep than it had when he was younger, which irked him, but it was to be expected. He was not worried about sleeping around the young werewolf because he was a light sleeper. Not only that, but if she wanted to kill him, he wouldn't have a chance to fend her off in the first place. She could have his throat before he so much as tried to move away.
He drifted for a few moments, before dreams of blood and glory, of gods and goddesses, and of things beyond simple human imagination pulled him into a deep sleep.