(Can relate)
"Me too." The path leveled out not too long after they ventured down it. It widened, opening up into a large, lush green field surrounded by trees on either side. The path seemed to stop there however on closer inspection there were other trails leading out of the wide area, "I wouldn't get your hopes up though. Always best to be cautious."
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"I suppose." Bernon shaded his eyes and inspected the view. "Huh….well these trails look fairly used. I wonder if people really do live around here." He glanced at the sun, then at Tanrial. "Think we should risk going a little farther? We have plenty of time before we need to head back."
"Could just be animal tracks," Tanrial suggested, wandering further into field, "Or maybe it could be that bandit tribe. If they knew of this secret path then surely they use it when they need food or new resources, it's the smart thing to do anyway." She turned to Bernon with a grin, "Just a little further, for the hell of it."
(Do you have an idea for this part, or shall I figure something out? I'm good either way)
"Well all right, if you're sure." Bernon started off around the edge of the field, watching his surroundings carefully. "I don't think the bandits live here, though……or not right now anyway. Their chief said they used this area as a winter refuge, I think. But I guess we won't know until we find out, huh? Do you smell any woodsmoke or see any chopped trees? That could be a sign of human life."
(sorry for disappearing! shit got crazyyy. I hope you've been okay! as for plot maybe we could introduce another set of magic users? Like another race or clan or something along those lines?)
The field in front of them was void of human life. No footprints, no burn marks from fires or makeshift shelters. The surrounding areas seemed to close to the main field to tell if any other sentient life form had crossed these parts days before them. One track seemed to be more worn down than the others, "Over here!" Tanrial called, "Could just be animals using this track more than the others but it's a sign of life."
(Eyyy no worries fam! Glad to hear from ya! More magic-users sound fine to me ^^ While we're on the subject of plot, I'll go ahead and let you know that Ven is also a new kind of magic-user. I won't yet say whether he's evil or not tho ;) )
Bernon trotted over. "I'm game to check it out. If nothing else, maybe we'll find some delicious wild berries to bring back to Mike, as an apology for making him wait." He grinned. "And at best, we'll find something so cool, he'll thank us for poking around out here."
(The tensions riseee)
Tanrial grinned back, nudging Bernon with her elbow before heading down the path, "Let's just hope we do find something then, otherwise we're never gonna hear the end of it. 'You can't just disappear' and 'you should have come back before heading further, you could have died.'"
(Lol yesss XD)
Bernon laughed, following her. "He would say that, wouldn't he? You know, it's funny—for a guy who acts like he doesn't care about anybody, he sure can be a worrywart. I mean, I know it's the end of times and all, but after everything we've been through, I bet it would take a lot to slow us down." he elbowed some branches out of the way and came to walk next to Tanrial. "Hey, is that another clearing up ahead?"
The trail widened the further they walked. The trees became denser however it didn't stop another clearing opening up in front of them. This one was smaller, more shaded. There were less signs of animal life around but more signs of what could be human life. Small patches of burnt grass from fires and tracks that could not have been made by any animal in the area, "We might have to be quiet around here.. just in case there's other human life."
Bernon blinked in surprise and curiosity, slowing down so he could take in his surroundings. "Huh…..does look like there are people living here. I'll be honest, I didn't expect that. Do you…..think we should keep going?"
"I don't see why not," Tanrial headed towards the clearing, stopping where the trees ended and the clearing opened up, "As long as we're quiet and careful we'll be fine."
"Definitely….." Bernon didn't seem too certain about that all of a sudden, but he didn't argue either. "It's probably good that we scout these people out, actually. You know, in case they're planning to sneak up on our cabin later and cause us trouble."
"I feel like whoever is here," She said, taking a few cautious steps out into the open, "Would have already scouted us earlier. But I didn't hear anything in the night, did you?"
"No, I didn't. And Mike would've spoken up if he'd noticed anything." Bernon crouched down to examine one of the old fire pits and the trampled ground around it. "Looks like quite a few people, if I'm not mistaken. Maybe it's a traveling caravan, or maybe it's a whole village somewhere farther down the path." Regaining his bravery, he straightened and started off around the edge of the clearing. "C'mon, let's see if we can catch up to them."
The path they followed trailed deeper into the undergrowth. Even though by this point it was nearing mid-morning, it felt al lot later than that. The tracks grew more noticeable, easier to spot and signs of life became more obvious the further they traveled. It was clear that whoever had been camping near them were close, however still could not be spotted.
(missed ya last night, sry)
Bernon glanced at Tanrial. "I just thought of something. Do you know any magic that could tell us from a distance where these people are, or what kind of people they are? Or are we walking in blind on this one?"
(All good)
"I haven't traveled this far away from home in a long time," Tanrial replied, "I'm not quite sure who resides in this parts anymore."
There was a rustle in the trees and then the world seemed to fold and ripple, sending a small sock wave out from the point of origin. The wave was small enough to be recognized as a gust of wind, however there was something about the wave that any magic user could notice.
Bernon slowed to a halt, frowning. He still wasn't very experienced with his magic, and didn't quite understand what had just happened. "….Tanrial, did you see that? Or hear it, or…..whatever it was?"
(I know it's a few days late but merry christmas!)
"I certainly felt it alright." Tanrial replied, "Get your magic ready, just in case, let's keep moving just… slowly." And quietly. From behind them came another ripple, stronger this time, but at the same distance away as the other.
(You too! Hope you had a nice holiday ^^)
Bernon nodded and focused on his magical center, prepared to shapeshift if necessary. That was the magic he had the easiest time with. "Now, I know you're not as stubborn as Mike about this," he whispered as he started forward again, "But remember: Let's try to befriend whoever it is first, even if they don't act totally friendly. Deal?"
(sneaks back in hi :) sorry for the disappearance once again, i kinda lost all motivation for anything for a moment there)
Tanrial glanced over at Bernon, almost hesitating for a moment before she nodded, "Fine, fine. But if they attack hard I'm gonna fire back." She replied, "And you're doing the talking." The pair crept forward a few more paces, the energy bursts seemed to have disappeared before there was a loud bang and then a ball of blue energy shot past Bernon's head.
(ah no worries, I know the exact feeling ^^; Hope you're doing better now!)
Bernon yelped and ducked to the side, hurriedly throwing up his hands to show they were empty. "Wait! Don't shoot! Nobody shoot!" Regaining his balance, he went back-to-back with Tanrial and looked around, trying to figure out where the blast had come from. "So sorry to bother you but I promise we're peaceful travelers and we're just passing through so don't kill us please!"
(I am thanks! Hope you've been okay :))
There was a small wisp of smoke that had come from the direction of the shot. A gun, probably, some sort of advanced weapon by the looks of the blast. Silence fell for a few moments before two young men walked forwards. One had dark skin and was holding the gun that had made the shot, the other light skinned with his own gun in its holster, "Who are you?" He asked, a frown etching into his features.
(Yeah been pretty good! ^^)
Bernon took in the two strangers' appearances for a minute, then cautiously lowered his hands and tried for a smile. "My name's Bernon. This is my friend Tanrial. We're both wanderers heading west, and we came through these woods foraging for food and so on. There is one more to our group, he's in a cabin about a half-mile back. Well, uh, I guess technically there's a fourth guy as well, but we just met him." Bernon quickly ran down his mental checklist of essential information. "We're just a small, peaceful group, and we apologize if we trespassed or startled you without realizing. We'll be moving along soon, don't worry." By now his nerves had settled and he was back to his usual cheerful self. "And who are you guys, if you don't mind my asking?"
(That's great :))
The man who spoke motioned for his friend to lower his weapon, the other doing so however reluctantly, "My name is Drayce, and this is Aston." He said. Taking a step forward, he looked the two travelers up and down, "You shouldn't be in these parts. Are you magic users at all?"