Beyond the Castle, part one. (Two person.)

Araline:

We reached a small lake much closer than the stream had been. It was surprisingly clear but had a lot of rocks.

Ario:

I looked at the water then looked at Araline. "Want a bath?" I asked smiling slightly.

Araline:

“I was thinking that exact same thing.” I said with a smile and a happy sigh.

Ario:

I chuckled and took her hand. "Lets find a place for camp, and then you can take the first bath." I said smiling at her as I led her a bit away from the lake. I wanted to find a place that could give her privacy.

Araline:

I smiled and nodded following him.

Ario:

I found a campsite inside some thickets. And there was a small cove in the lake where we could take a bath. "Go on, away with you." I said taking her pack and setting it on the ground before playfully shooing her away. I winked at her before starting to work on setting up camp.

Araline:

I laughed taking my dress from my bag before heading back to the lake. I hung my clean dress over a branch close by the water then stepped in. I took my dress off once I was deep enough in the water and swished it around to get it clean.

Ario:

I gathered fire wood, making sure that I kept my gaze away from the lake. I had a brief thought of looking but I quickly shoved it down.

Araline:

I scrubbed my skin clean then washed my hair out. After I while I got out wringing my hair out before pulling my dress over my damp skin.

Ario:

I had a cheerful fire going and was debating what to make for dinner with what we had left supply wise. I yawned and stretched lazily before justing laying back and looking up at the sky.

Araline:

I walked up to Ario and leaned over him, my wet hair dripping on his shirt. “Your turn.” I said smiling.

Ario:

I looked up at her and smiled cheerfully. "Ok Araline." I said getting to my feet. My head brushed against her cheek as I was getting to my feet. Going over to my pack I got out a set of clothes for me before waving cheerfully and heading to the lake.

Araline:

I smiled at him as he left then leaned against a tree looking up. Now would be the perfect time to climb a tree. I turned around and reached up to the first branch and wedged my foot in the trunk then pulled myself up.

Ario:

Once I reached the lake I undressed before walking into the water. I went down till about waist hight then dived into the water. Under the water I quickly washed myself before surfacing and just standing in the water.

Araline:

I didn't get the chance to climb up any further seeing as my ankle was grabbed and I was yanked down. I thought it was Ario at first then realized he would never handle me this way. My mind was in a fog and my back was crushed against someone. Their arm was wrapped tightly around my waist in a way that made it difficult to breath. I sucked in a breath as best I could and let out a chocked scream to quiet to even reach Ario. "Hush, hush." Said the voice of whoever had me, their breath warm against my skin. "Make another sound and I will cut your throat." I blinked. I was more mad and upset than scared. My whole life I had never had to be afraid of some one, if some one hurt me they'd be the one punished. But right now I had no idea what would happen or even what was really going on. He twisted me around so I could see his face. There actually were people living out here, and this one was threatening my life. My expression turned sour, as if I had bitten down on something bitter. His face turned into a look of furry and he pushed me hard making me fall to the ground. I took a deep breath as I scrambled to my feet. A knife was already in his hands. "Ario!" I shrieked wasting no time in getting away. I was a short distance away when I realized he wasn't chasing me. I risked a glance over my shoulder and saw him face down in the dirt. I paused backing up against a tree watching from a distance. Where he had been standing was another man, a bow and arrow in his hand pointed to the ground. I was utterly stunned,

Ario:

I heard Araline scream my name and I quickly got out of the water. Throwing on my new clothes, but leaving my shirt and my old clothes behind I took off running. I slowed when I got near and crouched moving to the side trying to assess the situation as best as I could with the short amount of time I had.

Araline:

I took in a shaky breath starring at him. He looked down at the guy on the ground with an arrow sticking out of his back then back at me and smiled softly. "I won't hurt you. I'll move even on if you like. You just seemed like you needed a bit of help." He said calmly, seemingly at ease.

Ario:

I spotted the man and Araline and stayed out of sight, watching the man. I was trying to figure out who he was or what he wanted.

Araline:

I continued to stare at him, my back against the tree trunk. I was trying to regain my composure enough to say some thing, any thing. “Where are you from?” He asked. I bit my lip, I didn’t know how he would react if I told him the truth but I didn’t know what else I could say that would sound believable. The silence hung in the air for several long moments until he sighed and said, “If you are scared I leave you then.” He turned away slightly.

Ario:

The man didn't seem threatening, but I drew a knife anyway. I doubted I would be able to hurt him in time with it if he threatened me or Araline. It wasn't that I doubted I could hit him, it was that I doubted I could do it before he shot one of us.

Araline:

"No! Wait!" I said quickly and took a couple steps toward him. He stopped a satisfied smile on his face.

Ario:

I tilted my head a bit. He was the first person I had seen out here, and that intrigued me. He looked older than both Araline and I, by a lot. My guess was around ten to twenty years older. But it might have been from living out here that he looked that old. It was hard to tell.

Araline:

“Thank you.” I said evenly taking a deep breath and moving closer. “No problem.” He said watching me curiously. I glanced in the direction of the lake then looked back at him. I was about ten feet away now. “Where are you from?” I asked his question.

Ario:

I cursed inwardly. Why was Araline moving closer to the guy with a weapon? Shouldn't one move away?

Araline:

“I am from a village way up North. I am sure you wouldn’t know of it. I don’t live in any specific village though, I’m a messenger. I thought I knew you at first, you look familiar. What is your name?” I held on to my wrist absently. “Araline.” I answered slowly.