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

Ario:

I twirled the knife in my hands still watching. As far as I knew neither knew of my presence, which suited me fine. I winced a bit when a flash back of the castle came into my head. Araline was always surrounded by people, and talking, or laughing. Most of it had been forced but a few moments I saw that she meant the actions. Beyond her, I really didn't have anyone. Except maybe the wolf, but I hadn't seen her for a few days.

Araline:

"I'm Brian, nice to meet you, I don't see many other people out here." He said swinging his bow over his shoulder and holding his hand out to me. It was such a quick movement that it startled me and I stumbled back. I tripped over a stick but before I could fall Brian caught my wrist keeping me from plummeting to the ground.

Ario:

I stepped silently out of the bushes my head tilted slightly as I leaned against a tree watching the man. I felt a number of emotions towards the man. The biggest one being plain curiosity.

Araline:

I pulled my wrist away and took a step back following his gaze. “Ah, I was wondering when you were going to show yourself.” Brian said nodding toward Ario.

Ario:

I shrugged and watched him. "I thought it would be better to keep out of the way. Not having people know what I'm about to do, sometimes helps." I said smiling a bit.

Araline:

“Of course.” He replied. My first instinct was to immediately go over to Ario but I waved that away and stayed close to Brian though I didn’t want to. I was not dependent on Ario; I didn’t need to hide behind him, that wasn’t the way I should act.

Ario:

I continued to twirl the knife in my hand. "What did you want with us? Or I probably should ask, what did he want with us." I said gesturing the the dead body on the ground.

Araline:

We both looked down at the body. Brain looked slightly surprised to see him there but shrugged. “Nothing good I imagine. He was probably exiled from whatever village he came form and most likely got exited when he saw some one else.” He said glancing at me then back to Ario.

Ario:

I nodded slowly. So there were other people out here in the woods. A lot of people if there was more than one village. I glanced at Araline for a moment, knowing that she was hoping that there were people out here.

Araline:

I caught Ario’s look and it suddenly dawned on me. “How many villages? How far? Do you ever get... new comers?” I asked as he watched with eyebrows raised. “Where are you from kid?” He asked again.

Ario:

I was going to let Araline answer this one. It was up to her if she wanted to say where we were from. I kept my eyes on her, absently tracing her face as I let my thoughts run.

Araline:

I didn’t say any thing. I was scared of how he would react. He continued to watch me like he was working a puzzle. “Francis? Is that your last name?” He asked and my eyes went wide. “You know my dad? You’ve met him?” I asked my eyes lighting up. “You came from the castle.” He stated and my delighted smile turned to a frown as I realized he wasn’t giving me any thing I wanted, just solving the puzzle.

Ario:

This guy was sharp, he figured it out. Then again, depending on how close the nearest village was, it probably wasn't all that difficult to figure out. We were what, four days or so away from the castle?

Araline:

Brain watched me for a while then said, “I knew you looked familiar. You look just like her. And yes I have met your father if he is who we are both thinking of. Of course I have heard the stories countless times. It took you a while to follow him, though I guess you can’t be that old.” He said. I let my eyes wonder around the forest. It seemed this was a one person conversation even though it was mostly about me.

Ario:

I stopped twirling the knife and also stopped leaning against the tree. I stretched upwards absently, appearing completely at ease, even though inside I was anything but.

Araline:

I looked at Ario and held my hand out to him even though we were a little ways apart. “I can show you the way to the village.” Brain said snapping my attention back to him.

Ario:

When she held her hand out to me, I smiled a bit and walked towards her. I stopped a foot away from her, when the guy spoke.

Araline:

I reached for his hand without looking. "How far?" I asked. "Depending on how fast you go and which way you take, it wouldn't take you more than a month or two." He said smiling. "I can take you as far as the beach, then from there you just head South and some one should find you if you stay on the right path.”

Ario:

I laced my fingers with hers as I stood next to her, watching the man. I wondered how much he knew about, in relationt to living out here, in the woods.

((*Stares at the screen noticing some thing is off* Oh! How long have you had your signature changed? Please tell me not long otherwise I feel rather dumb.))

Araline:

I glanced up at Ario briefly. “Brian.” He said holding his hand out to Ario studying him carefully.

((I changed it today.))

Ario:

I looked at the man then at his hand for a long moment before taking it and shaking it. "Ario." I said softly.

((Oh good, I was worried it had been there for a while and I had completely missed it >.<))

Araline:

I looked down at the dead body and sighed. “It’s nice to meet you two.” Brian said with a smile. He saw where my gaze was settled and added, “Well we ought to take care of him, or leave him.”

Ario:

I knew what I would do with him, but I would let Araline choose. My choice would be to leave him, and let him rot.

Araline:

“Let’s leave him here.” I said not wanting to have to deal with him. “We can camp closer to the lake.”

Ario:

"I'm just glad that both of us got a chance to bathe, before this guy came." I said giving Araline's hand a squeeze before starting to pack up camp.