#rinohaholt

[levvnightfall]

The fight in the forest

Levv limped back to his estate small drops of blood trailed behind him, the bandages Rinoha had patched on him did the trick but now they were soaked with blood but Levv had a location, “Raven Hill Inn.” How did he find this out? Four would be assassins attacked him and Rinoha coming from her estate…

The morning was fresh Levv and Rinoha ate their breakfast at her estate and left to ride from Duskwood to Stormwind. They decided to give the horses a break and walk through Elwynn Forest.  A loose arrow barely missing Rinoha’s neck alerted them to danger, Levv quickly grabbed his daggers as a large man blocked their path, Rin told him to run but Levv ignored her request, “I ain’t going anywhere Rinoha.” As three more came up behind them, Rinoha stood close to Levv drawing her own daggers.

The Large man just pointed with a command, “Kill them both bring the female's head.” Levv glanced around, “Four verses one…” he turned around facing the three, “That doesn’t seem fair.. there is only four of you” he taunted.

The three bandits, two males and one female growled attacking, the female rolled at Levv to attack his ankles the other two ran at Levv.

Levv quickly used the female as a springboard jumping off her to drop kick the man holding the axe to the chest as he tried to roll away, “Run Rin!” he commanded.  Rinoha took the command and ran off but she was chased by the large man.  Levv saw this as he rolled away a bit more from the man with the axe running after him.

It was a few moments before Levv caught up but he had grabbed Rinoha and had a dagger to her neck, Levv stopped and raised his arms in the air.  Levv looked at Rinoha he saw what she was about to do, use her magic.  Levv quickly grabbed his goggles allowing him to see in the dark, Levv had a feeling that Rinoha would use some magic to black out everything in darkness.  It only took Levv seconds to get around the large man stabbing his dagger between his shoulder blades bringing him to the ground as Rinoha ran off.

The man with the shield was brought down once Levv had tackled him to the ground putting his dagger in his neck, the man with the axe? Levv stabbed him five times in the chest, the three men were brought down too easy.

“One left” Levv thought to himself as he looked around for the female assassin which Levv was greeted with a knife into leg, it dropped Levv down but he pushed himself up the female was already on him he just dodged the females knife that was aimed at his neck, Levv decided he would try and take her alive.

“Who taught you to fight? Your hooker mother?” he taunted the woman growled as she tried to knee him in the groin with Levv counted by bringing his dagger into her knee cap twisting the blade to sever her leg.

The woman screamed in pain “At least we got one..” she groaned in pain, Levv was slightly confused looking at Rinoha, “She is safe.”

“Not her..” as the woman picked up a branch stabbing it into Levv’s stomach.  Levv let out a grunt of pain as he brought his dagger into her other knee doing the same thing, but before Levv would question her she pulled out a knife and slit her own throat.

“Damn it!” he cursed as Rinoha ran up to him, doing what she could to patch him up but Levv didn’t make it easy on her as he searched the woman finding a note.  “Stop moving!” Rinoha yelled at him as she patched him up.

“Raven Hill Inn where is that?” Levv looked at her asking.

Rinoha finally finished patching him up, “Duskwood” she said softly.  “Rinoha are you okay?” Levv asked, she shook her head, “no but Rodther is on his way to get me.”

Levv sighed, “Okay but I am going back to my estate I have things to do now…” Levv walked off knowing Rinoha is going to be okay.

[levvnightfall]

First night on The Pathfinder

Rinoha lay in the Captain’s bed listening to the songs resonate from below deck of the crew and their Lord. She laughed quietly as to not disturb the Commander who slept only a few feet away. It did remind her of celebrations that the staff held in Morae after hours, and it was comforting. However, she could not sleep there was something she had to see, and so without a word to anyone she tiptoed her way out of the door and disappeared from her quarters.

Severa jumped up with a sudden feeling that something was off she grabbed her mace looking around carefully waiting for her eyes to adjust to the lighting of the room, ‘no one’ she thought as she went to lay back down then she shot up, “No one!” she screamed realising she was meant to be guarding Lady Rinoha.  Severa gripping her mace ran out of the Captain’s quarters heading down stairs and bursting into the crew’s quarters giving everyone a shock waking them all up, she ran over to Levv, “Lord..” she bit her lip for a second. “Rinoha.. she is missing..” Levv’s eyes shot open as he jumped up putting his boots and leggings on dagger in hand he ran out of the crew’s quarters sailors following after him.

Levv looked around, checking the sides of the boat. One of his crew members tapped him on the shoulder pointing up, Levv looked up seeing Rinoha up in the crow's nest.  He gave out a sigh and waved people back to go to sleep. He glanced up again with a sigh, he slipped his dagger into his belt as he climbed up to the crow’s nest, once at the top he said with a smirk, “You gave me a heart attack!” he sighed slipping down sitting in the nest.

Levv watched Rinoha pace back and forth like she was a cat, “Forgive me,” she said, “all I wanted to do was look around” she said hopping down in the crow’s nest to join Levv “I didn’t think it would of been an issue if I climbed up and had a look.” Levv gave out a small laugh, “You will have plenty of time to look around tomorrow, at the moment you can’t see anything but black.”

Levv glanced up at the sky then back down to Rinoha when she started to talk, “Still a wonderful spot to think,” she added. Levv gave out a small sigh while shuddering slightly, the cold wind made him realise he was sitting around in just pants and boots, “What are you thinking about Rinoha?” he kept his focus on her.  "Just ... Well, everything. How my life has been so secluded off in that estate when there were things like this I should have done years ago. I am glad I get the opportunity to do them now." she softly shook her head.

Levv gave her a small smile, “Well you get to now and when we marry we can sail around the whole world if you want.”  Levv reached out putting his arm around her bringing her close.

“I think that would be a good adventure” she giggled when Levv brought her close to him, their eyes meeting. “"I am sorry I frightened you it's just I rarely get the chance to slip away so when I see the opportunity I go..." “It's alright just next time tell my Commander, she won't care and it will save me being woken up and having a panic that you are gone." Rinoha gave him a little laugh that brought a small smile to Levv’s face. “It's nice to know you worry ... Though I wonder if it is because you fear of actually lose me, or if it’s in your own head." Levv let a few moments pass thinking of things as she placed a hand on his chest he put his own over hers, “Of course I was worried I actually had lost you Rinoha, if my crew member hadn’t have seen you I would've dived over the edge looking.”

“Next time try calling for me” Levv let out a small laugh with a smirk at her comment she was clearly smarter than him at times. “You never know pirates could of gotten you all quiet” he tried to come with a come back. “Oh I would of screamed” Levv gave his head a little shake like he was beaten. “Is it always clear out here?” Levv glanced at her seeing that she was looking up at the night sky, Levv’s own eyes soon followed looking up at the sky seeing how clear it was. “Normally yes unless the weather is bad.”

Moments pass as the cuddling couple just gazed up at the night sky admiring the stars, Levv broke the silence “We should get to sleep, plenty to see and do tomorrow.” Levv’s hand slowly rubbed her arm in comfort, “No” she shook her head, “I am content here with you” her words soft spoken.

“Well we can’t really sleep up here it's too cold.” Levv’s head was forcefully lifted up a bit as she tucked her head under his, “I know...” she commented. Levv smirked, “And I can’t really carry you.”

Rinoha gave out a little laugh “Well not up here” she said standing up giving room for Levv to climb down the mast first, he did carefully once at the bottom he glanced up watching carefully to make sure Rinoha didn’t slip. Once she was on the deck with him he walked up to the Captain’s cabin. “Get some sleep, I will be here in the morning.” Rinoha looked up at him, “We have one more night on the boat yes?” Levv gave a small nod, “Yes we do, we should be getting to our port by Sunday Morning.” Levv watcher her carefully trying to pick up on any hints, “I..” she spoke softly “I was thinking..” she looked up at him their eyes meeting, “you’ve gotten the results from the medic yes?” Levv nodded still trying to figure out what she was hinting at, “I did.” Levv watched as Rinoha glanced at him and the door, Levv’s eyes followed even though he tried to pick up on the hints he didn’t understand what she was hinting at. Her next words quiet and soft spoken, “Would you consider… staying with me?”

Levv smiled bringing her in for a hug, “I guess I can sleep in the same bed,” he masked any excitement. Levv opened the door Severa jumped up with her mace in hand seeing Levv and Rinoha she gave a bow, "Lord and Lady" Levv just smiled, "Everything is fine here Commander, go sleep in the crew's quarters." he smiled. Severa didn't fight or even say anything back she just nodded grabbing her things and leaving the cabin. Levv looked at Rinoha, "Don't worry she will be fine, the crew are more scared of her.” Levv gave off a small laugh.

Levv walked over to the bed placing his dagger on the bedside table kicking off his boots he pulled back the sheet of the bed laying down in it.  Levv slowly looked over at Rinoha just standing there, “You know how to sleep right?” he teased her which was only answered with a pillow thrown at him. “-Just- sleep right?” she spoke in a firmer tone on the word ‘just’. Levv gave out a playful shrug “Of course Rin, just sleep.” He watched smiling as Rin climbed into the bed he wrapped an arm around her as she cuddled up to his chest his hand slowly running up and down her arm as he laid there thinking how lucky was at the moment as sleep slowly drifted over him.

http://rinohaholt.tumblr.com/

[xanerivers]

Just In Reach

An entire day had passed as an anxious shadow crept upon the lands, overturning any rock and peering at every blade of grass or spec of dirt that passed beneath his eyes. On and off the shadow went from his path, and cold his trail went only to be brought to life once more by mere luck. Each time he’d thought he lost the marks and the splotches of blood he’d grow mildly disheartened by the delay and possibility that he would not pick it up ever again despite his efforts.

As night began to settle in, the darkness began to consume what little light there was to go off of forcing Xane to stop for he’d be unable to see the path he’d need to take to reach Rinoha, and although it angered him, he sat still at the base of a tree reasoning with himself that it was best not to fumble about in the night for he’d surely get los. While he waited impatiently, a terrible thought crept into his mind… what if this time being late meant she’d perish? He shook his head of the thought only to have another replace it. What if when he woke the dew washed away his trail. Clenching his jaw, he shut his eyes and beat the back of his head against the tree in a lazy manner then exhaled through his nostrils.

When he opened his eyes, a startling sight greeted him. A faint light shimmered in the far distance and brought him to hold his breath out of fear that he may be seeing things. He had two options to reason with. The first option that crossed his mind was to go, and the second option was to stay. Both weighed heavily in his mind for the second was the most logical but he was always rather impulsive, and trying to talk himself into the logical choices was rather difficult. The first he wished to do most as his reasoning behind doing so was that it was the only sign of life he’d seen in the woods since entering, it was secluded or at least appeared so, and it was in the vicinity of his path.

Coming to a decision, the shadow reached for a hidden blade he’d kept at his thigh then fumbled around his pouch until his fingers brushed over the tool kit in his possession. Biting at the end of a finger tip of his left glove, he tugged the item free then spat it out so he could feel around the interior of the kit to find his pick and the small hammer. Next, he felt the edges to the hilt of the blade then stripped it of it’s leather casing before running his left index finger from pomel to cross-guard until he found the seam. The green eyed lad pressed the pick into the seam then smashed the hammer down on it, repeating the motion in a couple other places until he could pry off the wood casing that held the blade secure. With the iron free, he grasped the blunt end in his left hand to test its weight and capability of wielding it. A frown crossed his features as he held the blade but there was nothing he could do. Quickly, he shoved all the other items back into his pouch, tossed aside the wood and the leather then set the knife on his lap so he could unbuckle the straps to his jerkin to allow his right, mechanical arm to be free. A panel along his tricep housed a thick bundle of wire but he was able to slip the knife’s blade in without too much effort nonetheless. With a weapon safe in place upon his person, he quickly stripped out of his leathers for their color would not help him in the task to come. Bundling them together, he shoved them in the bush that grew beside the tree he sat beneath, and then crept toward the light. He was left in thin, dark pants and a dark shirt, clothe he wore beneath his leathers to keep him from chaffing terribly, and upon his back remained his twin swords. He had the sense to keep his comm strapped to his left forearm in case he’d need to report in soon. Time seemed to pass slowly as he drew nearer to the light for he couldn’t move quickly or else he’d risk tripping among the uneven ground. What greeted him once he drew close enough was the light of a farmhouse though he couldn’t make out much else other than the vast, empty space of pure darkness to his left. His assumption was that is where the field was--and that is when he recalled the hay that stuck to Bullet’s coat. Farms typically had hay, more accurately, stables to farms had hay. Xane spared a look at the window to see if he could spy anyone and found no one. Not a single sound was made either and that did nothing to settle his nerves but he had to move lest he be caught. Careful to remain among the tree line, the alteraci shadow passed over the terrain quickly, almost incapable of restraining himself from just sprinting down the end of the field. As he drew closer, a structure began to became prevalent in the darkness and from what he could gather, that must have been the stables. Each step closer to the stables felt as though an eternity had passed, but once there he was careful to survey the area for any potential guard. There was no one. Xane eased the door open to one of the stalls and found nothing so he moved onto the next. Again, nothing. Each he tried contained nothing. Finally, he reached the last. When he pushed back the door a sudden wave of relief passed over him as he was met with the sight of Rinoha’s unconscious form. “Maven,” he whispered into the comm, “I’ve located Rin in some f--” his words were cut short by the sound of snarling behind him. Paling, Xane turned and reached for his twinblades but was slow to react for he was pinned to the ground by what appeared to be a ferocious worg. The animal snapped its jaws at him while he shoved back against it, and trapped his left forearm in its maw. His cry and their struggling were like to be the last thing to be heard over the comms as it was promptly crushed in the beast’s jaws when it bit down.

“How’s the little bitch,” came the deep baritone voice of a man. “She won’t die but be more mindful to not kill her, you idiot. We still need her,” replied a woman. “Has the sneak woken yet,” came another man’s voice. “No,” replied the woman. “I tended to his arm after I treated the girl.” “Why? We can just kill him. He’s useless to us,” replied the first. “If he came for the girl he has to know something,” muttered the second man. “I thought I recognized him,” a second woman spoke. “After I pulled my worg off of him and I got a closer look, I could have sworn he was one of the men there… during the attack,” her voice faded. “Fine, we’ll question both and as soon as one of them spills who did it we can finally just get rid of both of them.” Xane was fully awake now and fully aware of the throbbing in his left arm. He could only imagine how mangled it was, but what truly worried him was the exchange he overheard. As they departed, he was able to inspect his surroundings. There was light but not much of it so he assumed the sun was setting. He couldn’t move for he found himself bound and from the cramped space, he could only assume this was one of the stalls. He had failed Rinoha once more. adhelin rinohaholt

[xanerivers]

Chasing A Trail

((I’m sorry for my poor writing. I am not very strong in this suit.))

A thin canopy overhead blocked out vision of the sun that lingered lazily in the afternoon sky, yet could not keep out the persistent rays of warmth and light that illuminated Elwynn Forest. Somewhere near was the river that divided both lands, and from the hill on which Xane sat he could see the gnarled trees of Duskwood jutting out of the land as if to protest against the very soil that sustained them. In the distance he could hear the hum of the forest’s creatures partaking in life, and for a moment he was at peace simply enjoying the feeling of existence, something he was not able to do in so long. In his company was Kat, the small pup that had been in his care for some months though never seeming capable of growing more than the foot or two that she did. Lethargic and silent as she was, it piqued Xane’s interest when he caught her sniffing at the air though he was quick to dismiss the action as she was likely only smelling the dung of a nearby cow. Too soon had he waved away his interest, for she was quick to bolt away from him when he reached for her. Stricken with surprise, the auburn haired lad sat there in a daze before the sounds of his pup brought him to his senses. Never before had he heard her even make a sound. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. Immediately he was on his feet and chasing after the pup. The growls of the wolves near fell on his ears and his heart began racing. As he crashed through the brushes he was met with the sight of a midnight black horse and the wolves that surrounded them. “Kat,” he called to his pup, rushing in with blades drawn. Luckily for him, the pack was weak and filled with smaller canines than other wolves he’d seen for they ran off without much more than his and his pup’s presence. He waited a moment to be sure they would not return before sheathing his weapons and drawing his attention to the unlucky horse. There was no shadow of a doubt in his mind as to whose horse this was, and the state in which Bullet was in made him pale. “Fuck…” he whispers as he presses a hand to the horse’s neck, just above the wound there. “Imon!” He called the name as he drew his bracer to his lips to speak into the comm. “Imon, I need ya out here right now. Elwynn, near the border to Duskwood on the path to the Maclure farm! I’ll take ‘im right over an’ meet ya there.” He wasted no time in scooping up Kat then tried leading the injured animal toward the farm he’d mentioned. As he did, he noticed the stray hay attached to Bullet’s coat then the trail of blood that followed him. One thought lingered in the back of his mind as he pressed on with the horse in tow. Rinoha, where was she? He could feel his heart pounding in chest and hear it amplified in his ears. It did not take long for them to arrive at the farm and once there, he’d left special instructions with the farmhand to keep watch over Bullet until Imon arrived. “Sorry, lil bud,” he said to Kat as he set her down then patted her head. “I need ya to stay here. Stay.” And with that, he left his pup with the horse and farmhand so Imon would know he’d been there.

With his mind racing and his heart thumping from the adrenaline that coursed through his veins, the auburn haired lad backtracked to his original encounter with the horse and searched the grounds, there had to be a clue, had to be a trail.. and there it was! Among the forest’s floor was the soft indents of where the horse had stepped and the small droplets of blood. Some prints were harder to follow and indistinguishable but the blood was still apparent making it easier to track where the horse had come from and what path it had taken though in order not to miss it he had to move painfully slow making him mildly frustrated as well as impatient. When he came to the border of Duskwood, his heart stopped, and he peered up at the monstrous trees that loomed overhead as though ready to crush him beneath their imposing figures. He could only imagine what awaited him inside where not even light ever seemed to want to go. However, there was something inside he had to find, something he held more dear than the strength of his fears.

toddingston

rinohaholt