Huntress

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 5:07 am

The waves broke and rolled, frothing caps roaring down beneath one another, the occasional fish able to be spotted in the deep endless swirls of green and blue. The crisp cool ocean air was filled with the spray of salty mist, and the smell of kelp and sea weed.

The beauty of the sea was interrupted though. The once blue skies ripped into a swirl of ominous black clouds, as from the centre of the waves, broke a spiralling funnel of flames which quickly broke through the clouds, lighting the skies with a deep powerful orange glow. Another funnel broke up from the waves, flames licking up past the white caps of mist, as if mocking them with it’s great furry, and the seas incapability to reduce the flames, as they only grew stronger, like tornados.

From between these great funnels appeared a ship, it’s sidings covered with what almost seemed a dragon skin outer, and huge white sails seemed not touched or harmed by the fire that licked them, and over the crashing sound of waves, the yell of men could be heard, pulling ropes and barking orders, until the powerful, yet soothing voice of a woman broke out over the sound, commanding all to stop, and let the ship drift through the flames calmly.

Once the ship had left the flames, and drifted over the new violent sea, a woman in a black cloak, gilded with dazzling patterns of gold around it’s hem, walked out from the depths of the ship and to the front bow.

“I’m not risking my life again…” She muttered to herself as the ship broke over another wave while she leaned her arms against the railing. “If that damned rogue wants Inwë, then by all means, he can have that demon.” She was more or less speaking to herself as the ships hands rushed about trying to keep the ship steady on the heaving waves.

“Maybe… he is still alive… still out there.” She whispered nearly silently as she started to see the dark unmoving mass that could be nothing more than land, so far off in the distance that even the mortals who ran the ship, with their equipment could not yet spot it, but she kept quiet, she didn’t want to go back… not just yet.

She pulled her black cloak around her shoulders, fastening the gold ties at it’s neck before letting the deep hood fall back around her shoulders, letting soft clean red hair flow out behind her in luscious waves, and her soft, now pale face, holding eyes of emerald which glistened as the sun reflect off the water into them. She ran her hand over a gold ring in her lip, pierced smoothly through her skin, and another gold ring in her nose. She had changed, she had changed so much, and yet so little. She had learnt everything, and yet nothing… and now, with her vendetta put away. She pondered on returning.

Her hands still bore nearly black hunters gloves, and beneath one glove, resting softly on her finger, was the ring. She had never taken it off, and she never would. But then again, would he even recognise her, with her entirely new stance her shoulders held back, and an almost dark powerful air about her, even without the influence of Inwë within her, this was who she was, not weakened by her lack of control, just her raw strength. She was no longer who he had known.

She took in a deep breath, still enjoying her freedom. Perhaps she would return, a new life… try again. With no demon, with no plague to burden her, she could have a life, she didn’t have to watch her back, at least not yet.

She smiled.

“Head East, the island is there.” She said strongly as she turned back to face the ships hands, still dashing about.

“We can’t see anything there, what do you mean?”

She smiled sweetly, almost mockingly. “Sweet little human… turn to the East, in an hours time, you should see it.”

And at that she walked up to the top deck to look back over the breaking waves as she watched the great vortex behind her close, leaving the seas alit with bright flames, until the waves slowly beat them down into submission.

She had no intentions of returning there again.

She was Iekka Sallou-m’Arri, once a huntress of old; now born anew a huntress of today…

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 7:40 am

The ship stopped quite far off from the land, and the ship’s hands never commented on the accuracy of the Elven woman’s eyes, once it became apparent that she was able to see it hours before any of them could.

Iekka paced the ships length over and over, her black cloak gently falling around her equally black clothing, she stopped facing a large gust of wind that ripped across her face, blowing her hair back into a furry of blood red waves, her cloak following in the pattern, being swept up behind her in billowing of soft black fabric, the gold glistening occasionally in the rays of the warm mid day sun. She waited for the wind to die down, her hair falling back around her shoulders, and her cloak falling smoothly around her body once more, only the gently breeze dared again touch her, letting her hair seem to dash away, only to return, shooing the breeze away.

The crew was quiet, watching her; from the young sailor lad, to the old veteran, they all watched her, some stopped at the ropes, holding them and quietly casting their gaze over across the deck to where she stood, or peering out from the cabin windows below. Not a single sound, other than the continuous rhythmic pounding of the waves against the bow. Their breaths could nearly be heard, the constant beat of their wary hearts.

Iekka turned back to face the crew, letting her emerald eyes scan over the many faces before she smiled softly.

“One of you, step forward.” Her voice sung out sweetly, as though mixed with the fluidity of the waves; she seemed so calm, like a black angel standing before them, every bit of her controlled, and every bit of her so fluent.

Slowly on unsteady legs, one of the braver lads, who looked no older than ten, stepped forward, stopping a few feet from Iekka, and Iekka smiled sweetly down to him.

“What is your name, young ‘un?” She asked soothingly.

The boy bit his lip, then, taking the poorly stitched brown hat from off his head, and holding it against his chest he stammered. “’’tis Griff, milady, Griff Thomas.”

Iekka could only smile more, her air so welcoming, yet the crew about her held such fear, which filled the ship with an ominous cloud, rising every hair up upon one’s arm.

“Are you afraid, child?” She asked calmly as she gazed down upon the lad with soft emerald eyes, holding no menacing, or poisonous cast to them. She gently rested her hand upon his shoulder, and upon contact he shivered with little control and looked back up at her with wide eyes.

“Y-yes milady.” He was able to stammer out, but he couldn’t move, as though he were frozen in shock, white knuckles holding onto his hat now firmly pressed against his chest, his body tense.

“And you have all rights to be.” She said, her smile seeming to darken as she ran her hand over the child’s chest, then pulled away, like strands of a snake like smoke, in whips and strands, what looked like an orb; a soft white orb of light, which wrapped around her hands, playing between her fingers, and licking around the child’s body.

The lad went perfectly still, like stone, a statue, he didn’t move, he didn’t breath, he was just there, just existed as the orb floated in Iekka’s opened hand, above her black hunter glove. She closed her hand slowly and the orb vanished, and the boy let out a weak sigh as he seemed to crumble to the ground.

“Now…” She looked around the crew, her air still as sweet and fair as it was before, but now, the crew’s fear was even stronger. Whispers filled the deck from all angles.

“A demon… she’s a demon…”

“What did she do? ...is he alive?”

“It’s them elves… poisonous creatures; with their sorcery… they are ageless…”

“Such darkness… why…”

“…someone get her off the ship…”

Iekka let her eyes gaze over the crew, her eyes gaining the piercing poison that they once carried and she took in a slow deep breath.

“So, loves, what do I owe for this kind passage?” She asked, her voice still sweet, still elegant.

“Get off my ship…” A deep strong voice muttered fearfully from the top cabin, where an older man stood in the doorway to the captain’s quarters.

“As you wish.” Iekka smiled coldly as she turned, looking to the docks as the ship drifted nearer and nearer to the shore, moments later the hull bumped softly against the wooden supports, and a few of the ships mates quickly hurried at getting the ladder lowered down to the docks, before scrambling away as Iekka slowly approached them.

“What did you do to him?” A man asked, crouched down over the lifeless child on the deck, his voice shaky and his face askew with rage and slight fear, but his rage had filled him to surpass the sickening feeling that shrouded his being.

“Took with me an item of value.” She responded as she took the first step down the stairs towards the dock. “Let him go. He is no more, not without this…” She allowed the white orb to lick around her hand before encaging her fingers around it once more, causing it to vanish.

“Now I bid you all a very fond farewell.” She spoke sweetly as she finally stepped from the stairs onto the docks, only to pull her black hood up over her head, and walk off as the shimmering waves casts reflections of golden sunlight over her body.

It was not long before she was again cast under the shade of the trees, as she traced her memory to make it back to the town, she let her hands run over the bark of the trees with a smile and a deep sigh.

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 11:07 pm

A woman clad in black found her way to the tavern, sitting down silently in a far corner of the room. She did not pull her cloaks hood back from shadowing her face, but rather pulled it further down so that all that could be seen were the two bright green eyes peering out from the black hole of shadows.

In her hand appeared a pipe, thin, long and elegant, black wood softly glossed and along its length was covered with gilded vines of gold. She placed onto the table a little wooden box, opening the clasped lid to reveal a mix of dried herbs, which she placed a small quantity into the pipe and pressed it down, then put the box away before she lit the pipe. Sucking on its end a few times to start the herbs into a soft red glow, she slowly opened her mouth and let out a soft stream of the sweet smelling smoke as she leaned back, watching quietly over any activity.

((Open for Reply))

Cliu Beothach · Post by **Cliu Beothach** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 11:19 pm

Exhuasted, Aokan walks into the tavern and looks to the woman sitting and nods politely to her. With relief, the man sits down and breathes heavily.

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 11:23 pm

The woman returns a slow elegant nod as she takes another swill from her pipe, letting out a small thin trail of smoke again from where she sits. Around her shoulders and from out of her hood, her long soft blood red hair falls over her shoulders, and her emerald green eyes seem to lock onto him subtly.

Moirear Sian · Post by **Moirear Sian** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 11:25 pm

A figure stepped into the tavern. Messy black hair and for a kid of nineteen summers of age, a rather militant expression in his face. It was however mingling with a shade of exhaustion, and the beaten up, presumably ransacked suit of leather armor, the dented chain helmet in his hand, and the rusty old scimitar on his shoulder revealed he was no good news and probably just coming from a recent failure of negotiation. Filthy, unsympathetic, unfriendly, was how he looked. At the very least of anything possibly positive about his air, he seemed completely sober.

"Sellsword for hire," speaks the youth in a low voice, groaning of dreary nights sleeping achily in leather armor and little to no business to live happily ever after. Still his voice is smoky and fiery, with an uncanny inherent confidence of never having done anything his whole life but swing sharp objects and face the origins of his visible scars. The rest of his physique appeared well-toned, mayhaps from being able to escape whatever he had not faced down completely.

Large, dark, hazel eyes—that remind more of a beast looking about for prey—scan the tavern's interior, most likely for possible customers.

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 11:27 pm

The woman's eyes drifted to the youth slowly from over her pipe, but still she stays silent, watching.

Cliu Beothach · Post by **Cliu Beothach** » Sun May 01, 2005 12:02 am

Aokan nods to the familar lad and slowly takes out a note from his pocket, longingly reexamining it.

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Sun May 01, 2005 12:11 am

The woman’s eyes slowly drift back to the first lad, and she picks out a couple words on the note that he reads. Slowly, from in the shadows of her hood, a smile forms on her lips, as her interest is suddenly perked.

Again she sucks back on the pipe, letting out a strand of sweet ivory smoke, the soft glow of her pipe occasionally lighting up her shadows face, letting her smooth carven features peer out, then fade with the glow. While from about her, even in the ivory smoke, the sweet fragrance of gardenias fill the air.

Moirear Sian · Post by **Moirear Sian** » Sun May 01, 2005 1:00 am

"3 copper chins to get you anywhere on the isle, folks," adds the youth; his eyes only glanced briefly over the two by the table, and already turning to leave, concludes: "Call for Alavan; no questions are raised."

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Sun May 01, 2005 1:09 am

The woman smiles, then in a silky voice she speaks.

“Well, Alavan dear. Why do you not have a seat? You look as though you might need a drink.” She does not lower her hood, nor turns her head as she speaks, the mouth of the pipe gently against her lips, and she lowers it slowly.

Though not moving, one could tell that her bright emerald eyes were directed towards the youth as he turned.

Moirear Sian · Post by **Moirear Sian** » Sun May 01, 2005 1:13 am

He paused in the doorway and only slightly turned his head to look back and speak through a cautious side-glance.

"I disagree, for drinking clouds the mind. I don't drink, I think, woman," he replies, narrowing his eyes at her. He turns fully and makes way for the table, despite his words.

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Sun May 01, 2005 1:20 am

The woman’s eyes do not leave him, and though her face can not be seen through the shadows, her bright eyes pierce into his; she speaks again, her voice just as smooth, though almost in an eerie way.

“Boy,” She emphasized the word in defiance of his gesture of ‘woman’. “A drink, such as water, or milk does not cloud the mind, and can come to be quite refreshing. And from the look of you, it seems that it might do you some good.”

She let her eyes follow his movement as she pulled the pipe back to her lips, but did not take a swill from it.

Moirear Sian · Post by **Moirear Sian** » Sun May 01, 2005 2:04 am

Arriving at the table, Alavan sits down heavily, the chair aching under his weight, seating himself rudely next to the other man without any ado. He nods to him briefly and glances back at the lady. Staring into her eye over a grimace that revealed how reluctant he was feeling that moment.

"Make it quick, tell me what you need," he mutters to her, lowering his voice to a husky hushing as to futily not attract too much attention.

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Sun May 01, 2005 2:09 am

The woman lets her hand vanish from sight, before pulling out a canteen of water, setting it on the table. She seems to by-pass his words as she speaks.

“Water hun?” She smiles sweetly, gesturing to the canteen with a black gloved hand.

Moirear Sian · Post by **Moirear Sian** » Sun May 01, 2005 2:14 am

Alavan stares at her cooly; then slowly but clearly shakes his head without any other form of reply.

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Sun May 01, 2005 2:18 am

“Please, I insist.” Her voice was sweet and elegant, and her eyes had lost their pierce, as they softly gazed out upon him, a soft smile could be seen from the shadows of her hood.

Again she gestured to the canteen.

“You look as if you need some, and do not hesitate with the thought that I would mean you any harm. For you seem a wary soul.” Her air remained calm and welcoming.

Moirear Sian · Post by **Moirear Sian** » Sun May 01, 2005 2:23 am

Finally he blinked before he muttered: "And I insist I do not want it. Stop beating around the bush and name your task for me. Else I shall be gone again."

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Sun May 01, 2005 2:43 am

She let out a slow drawn out laugh, which emitted from deep within her throat as she, while holding her pipe, drew her black hood back with her other hand, letting the light of the tavern flood over her softly carved features, and letting the rest of her hair fall smoothly over her shoulders. She smiled, the ring in her lip and nose glistening slightly.

Her appearance was strange and exotic; soft red hair falling around a pale face, and her eyes, seeming shadowed in them selves, were a rare green, seeming to be like stone and water, and on second glance, seemed to always be moving. It was her ears that truly gave away her race, slender and raised gently beyond her hair, though, over all she seemed ageless.

“Always in a rush, that is how everyone is now a days, always in a rush. Everybody needs the world spelt out to them, everyone needs to know, and no one wishes to dwell, to converse. A pity.” Her voice was hypnotic as she spoke, slowly pulling the pipe again to her lips as she took a swill, letting the smoke roll around in her mouth before she allowed it to escape, in sweet smelling waves of Gardenia.

Cliu Beothach · Post by **Cliu Beothach** » Sun May 01, 2005 3:05 am

Aokan leans back in his chair and listens to their conversation

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Sun May 01, 2005 3:12 am

The woman looks over, catching the movement of the other man in her eye and smiles to him, and with a slight tip of her pipe as a gesture to him, she asks: “And you dear sir, what might be your name? Since I feel it rude to leave everyone unintroduced.”

Cliu Beothach · Post by **Cliu Beothach** » Sun May 01, 2005 3:24 am

The man stands up slowly and moves closer to them

"I am Aokan Folkbjorn. Who might you be?"

He says as he sits down and nods once more

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Sun May 01, 2005 3:28 am

“My name may come in time. For now,” She smiles, motioning to him, as a gesture to the note that he had. “You may refer to me as ‘Huntress.’.”

Talaena Landessi · Post by **Talaena Landessi** » Sun May 01, 2005 3:39 am

A figure glides into the tavern. the figure wears a long black hooded trench coat that reaches to her knees, the rest of her legs and feet are covered by tightly laced black leather combat boots. As she makes her way to an unoccupied table positioned in the oposite corner as the rest of the people she keeps her face covered in the deep hood of her coat.

Cliu Beothach · Post by **Cliu Beothach** » Sun May 01, 2005 3:47 am

Aokan shoots a quick grin and unfolds the copied noted, similar to the one signed "Huntress". Sliding it across the table, he presses down firmly and looks to her.

"So, you can tell me about this then"

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Sun May 01, 2005 3:47 am

The woman seems to ignore the other who had entered, but for a brief moment, poisonous emerald eyes cast up towards her, then back soothingly to the men, where she smiles once more.

"Perhaps..." She let the words flow from her mouth. "But it was you who came of intrest to it, so it is ye, who could tell me how so are you intrested?" She smiles slyly.

Moirear Sian · Post by **Moirear Sian** » Sun May 01, 2005 4:02 am

"I only wish to dwell as long as I know I will get some pay," Alavan interrupted suddenly and stubbornly. All the while he had ignored everything around him, simply staring at the lady across of him through two hazel eyes that burned a stare at her own. "If you seek company for conversation, I am the wrong person to hire," he continues, standing up slowly to leave again.

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Sun May 01, 2005 4:12 am

Without turning her gaze towards the lad, she spoke.

“Sit boy, this might concern you too.” Her voice seemed cold and controlling.

Moirear Sian · Post by **Moirear Sian** » Sun May 01, 2005 4:21 am

Alavan seats himself again, emitting a slight groan muffled through audibly gritted teeth, and his face darkening into a grimace of impatience and reluctance. He waits quietly though for whatever might concern him, still burning a hole into the lady's head with his stubborn, ignorant glare.

Iekka · Post by **Iekka** » Sun May 01, 2005 4:24 am

Suddenly she turns and looks at the lad, her bright emerald eyes holding a poisonous hint to them as she equals his gaze, her entire expression becomes apathetic, and her eyes though continue to hold the dangerous note. She looks at him silently, almost as if challenging his gaze.