1 Chapter 1: Encounter
Sage sighed as he walked along the road. How long had he been walking? 10 days? 20? It didn't matter of course, not on this trek. It never mattered.
He closed his eyes for a moment, the sounds of the world growing stronger around him, brief instances carried on the winds as the world's song slowly edged to life around him. A thousand songs were filling the air, from the insects, to the birds, to the faint breeze, to the… sound of metal clashing?
Sage's eyes snapped open. It wasn't far, though without focus… He'd have to hope they were simply ahead. He moved forward, quickly breaking into a run. No time to hesitate.
.
.
.
Arwen panted as he stood facing the three men, armored and skilled, with nothing but his daggers and his young apprentice behind him. One of the men moved, his blade striking forward at Arwen.
He met the blade with his own, letting it slide off as he guided it away, only to receive a harsh kick from another man, causing him to stumble back. Arwen winced as he fell right into the range of the third man who was already preparing to strike.
Arwen could only watch as the small figure of his apprentice moved around the man, driving her own weapon into the man. "Agh, Damned brat!" *Thunk* He cursed bringing a heavy fist down on the girl, sending her toppling as he held his side. "You're… lucky that you're worth so much."
The wounded man moved, grabbing the girl and forcing her into the dirt, restraining her. Arwen forced himself up onto unsteady feet. The wounded man spoke "Drop them, or the girl dies. Paycheck be damned"
Arwen looked at the two men, guarded and ready to pounce, and the third, restraining his apprentice. Restraining Aine and ready to hurt her.
"If I might make a suggestion. You should let the girl go" A voice rang out as a man stepped through the brush."
Arwen watched, confused briefly as the man's eyes seemed to glaze over, as he stood, releasing Aine, only for him to snap back into focus just as quickly. Arwen didn't waste another moment, pouncing forward and using this distraction to his advantage.
It was surprisingly easy as he moved towards one of the men. There was a moment of clarity as the opening in the man's guard illuminated in his mind. It only took a moment before his blade his flesh, carving deep into the man's neck
"Caelick! Damn it!" The injured man swung his blade down at the girl. His blade met flesh.
.
.
.
"You should let the girl go" The words left Arwen's mouth, the song shifting to fit his words and muddle the man's mind.
He glanced over at the other man facing two men. 'Open his mind. Let him hear the possibility' he mentally recited, hoping it would reach him.
The control was waning. More so it wasn't meant to last. Just long enough for him to close the distance, to put himself between the young girl and the man.
With a hard shove, he put the girl out of danger, only to meet the blade himself. He felt it drive into him, tearing through his body. 'Is this how I die again?' He thought briefly as darkness overtook him.
.
.
.
Aine could sparsely believe what had happened. This stranger who'd saved her had taken a deadly blow for her. She moved back in fear from the man as the world seemed to slow to a crawl. The man took one step forward and then she saw it. Blood.
.
.
.
Arwen wasted no time, as quickly as one fell, the other followed suit. Everything was clear now, unnaturally so, but he didn't have to dwell. Aine was still in danger.
It was a clean throw, straight into the spine, embedded deep. Arwen closed the distance, quickly moving next to his young apprentice. "Are you alright Aine? Are you hurt?"
"I-I'm fine. But…" he followed her gaze to the man who'd saved them, now staining the ground with blood.
He was an almost unnatural pale with unkempt black hair that ran past his shoulders. Arwen moved over to him, looking at the wound. It was a deep cut that hit at the neck, seemingly only halted by the man's collar bone.
Arwen could only offer a prayer for the man. "We should bury him." He said, finally standing.
He turned away, not noticing as the man's blood began to run gold.
