LunaRei_SilverBlood
Cedar locked to the door to her shop as the sun was starting to set. The summers meant the days were longer which she liked. She wasn’t too fond of walking back to her home in the dark, through normally Lea would come back to the store after his classes to walk with her. But lately he seemed to be a little bit more distant… Well not really lately. More like ever since the kidnapping. Cedar could understand, she was still a little shaken up about it. And her arm and collar bone area still ached once in a while with a reminder of what happened but Lea seemed to take it a different way. Cedar had decided that she needed to see Emrys. She felt like her insides were in knots and she needed to regain balance again and Ermys was the only one she could confide that too. He was the only one that was able to calm her soul. Letting her olive eyes glance over the shop’s front once last time she headed straight ahead toward the forest. Luckily it was only a few blocks from her shop, the warmth of the air caused her to take in a deep breath and exhale before she turned onto a side street. The late afternoon was quiet, maybe the sun had zapped peoples energy or something.
She shifted her way through some of the back alleys but suddenly realized she got herself turned around. She didn’t know the back routes as well as some others. She would normally take the main roads but some of the neighbors gave her strange looks nowadays. And as she turned another corner she sensed that familiar feeling… She glanced to the side. The feelings she got weren’t entirely clear even to her. The feeling was ‘familiar’ which could make her feel as if she knew where she was going, but in fact just like when she bumped into Kei. She was sensing another druid, not that she knew where she was going.
Valdmir Talamore
The day had been a good one so far for Bane. He had created a new poisonous wine that smelled and looked sweet. He couldn't wait to see if it was easier to test such a mix on unsuspecting souls. That and he wasn't sure how this one . would work. Would it cause vomiting or skip strait to worst things like internal bleeding? Would it be fast or a horribly slow death? Would the doctors be able to think of a cure in time? Oh these questions got Bane excited enough that he had to make a trip to the city without further delay. He picked out a disguise and packed it with his wine before starting his journey to the city.
It was unknown to him that a brother of one of his victims was looking for Bane. All he knew is that Bane was a druid so he had set up many trap for druids along the forest lines closer to the city. It actually wasnt unheard of for people to hunt druid. Their curiosity about the enclaves and secret druid magic would drive them to do desperate things sometimes.
Normally he would have been more cautious but he had let his excitement get the best of him. One moment he was walking along then all the sudden snap!. He was pulled into the air by something and he could no longer most his hand. Bane cussed as he realized he had just walked into a trap. Its ok though he thought as he concentrated on his gifts will the plants and trees around to aid him, but nothing happened. He took a closer look at what held him and suddenly began to panic a little. The restraints were made to block druid magic. Bane was screwed if they wanted an enclave he could not even really remember where the one he had been banned from was and if they wanted Bane they would kill him for sure. What could he possibly do though? Calling for help might attract the attention of the hunters and who would come help Bane anyways. He struggled although in vain he hoped just maybe he might figure out how to get loose.
It was unknown to him that a brother of one of his victims was looking for Bane. All he knew is that Bane was a druid so he had set up many trap for druids along the forest lines closer to the city. It actually wasnt unheard of for people to hunt druid. Their curiosity about the enclaves and secret druid magic would drive them to do desperate things sometimes.
Normally he would have been more cautious but he had let his excitement get the best of him. One moment he was walking along then all the sudden snap!. He was pulled into the air by something and he could no longer most his hand. Bane cussed as he realized he had just walked into a trap. Its ok though he thought as he concentrated on his gifts will the plants and trees around to aid him, but nothing happened. He took a closer look at what held him and suddenly began to panic a little. The restraints were made to block druid magic. Bane was screwed if they wanted an enclave he could not even really remember where the one he had been banned from was and if they wanted Bane they would kill him for sure. What could he possibly do though? Calling for help might attract the attention of the hunters and who would come help Bane anyways. He struggled although in vain he hoped just maybe he might figure out how to get loose.
Weaving her way along the streets in a way that Cedar seemed amazed herself, she came to an opening that faced the forest. It was a little ways off the normal better worn path she normally took. But she looked forward and saw something rather interesting. There seemed to be a person that was caught up in something. Well Cedar wasn't about to let them just hang there so she headed toward him.
The closer to him that she got the stronger that feeling got. It was hard to have these bonds with a group that didn't like her. She exhaled at the thought, but she wasn't going to hold something like that against this druid. So long as he didn't hurt her. She scratched at her cheek. "Looks like a well thought out trap." She said up at him, olive eyes trying to figure out how this thing worked so she could help him.
"Someone really wanted to catch someone, or something." She blinked a couple times and then looked up at him. "Though being this close to the city it's not surprising they caught a body, not a thing." She walked around him trying see where everything was connected. "Although if they were trying to catch you... Maybe I shouldn't let you out." Her lips tightened. Maybe he was dangerous to everyone... A rogue Druid or something? But Emrys wouldn't like it if she just left him there either. But with everything that happened maybe getting a scolding from him would be better then getting attacked again. She rubbed her bandaged arm and felt the ache on her collar bone area.
Bane could hear someone coming he really wasn't in the position or mood to fight but he would be damned if he would go willingly either. He struggled in the bonds more hoping by some miracle he would come loose. The foot steps he heard coming were light and didn't seem to be a hurried one. He started to have a feeling it was not the one who had set the trap which made him hopeful.
When Cedar spoke Bane wiggled so he turned to face her. His look was both defensive and a little frightened much like a trapped animal. "Its a trap to block druid magic." Bane replied she may just be his only hope. Rather he wanted to or not he needed to be nice to her in every way shape and form. "People always try to capture druids trying to get the location of our enclaves and take our magic secrets by force." Bane said in a desperate voice as he struggled more. True this one may have been set for Bane but he was not lying about that fact. "I'm doomed in this fact." Bane said deciding to be truthful in hopes she could sense intentions some how. "I don't have an enclave and even if I did I wouldn't take them there! I've heard of people torturing us to try and get information they wont believe me when I say I know of no enclave. Please help me if you can....." Bane pleaded with the most desperate face he could manage.
Bane also took this time to study the girl there was something interesting feeling about her. He could not place his finger on it though. He simply brushed it off as the blood rushing to his head.[/green]
Well now Cedar just felt guilty for leaving him up there. "Well I guess my guide would be upset if I left you there." She frowned pondering over what he had said. He said he didn't have an Enclave. Maybe he knew of the Druid Ermys had been looking for. That was all the more reason for her to hurry up. Whoever was looking to trap who or whatever could be back in just moments.
Cedar followed the branch that the trap was hung from with her eyes. Once she found the trunk she walked over to it, leaning her body again and without warning the branch that he was held by lowered to the ground gently and with a mild shake the restraints on the branch came off. Once the tree was back in its natural position Cedar gasped for air. It was tough for her to use her magic. But she had to learn to use it more so it didn't pain her as much. With a little shiver Cedar made her way back to Bane, kneeling she helped pull the restraints that were binding him off.
"Ah, that should do it." She smiled at him standing back up. It was then that she noticed just how tall he was. She was always a bit awestruck with the druids heights. "Those were kind of tricky. I wonder how they're made." She eyed the restraints.
"Your guide?" Bane questioned as she watched her his face getting hopeful that she was going to help him. He watched her carefully as she moved around him betraying that he probably didn't trust her either.
Bane blinked not really having been prepared for the tree to move. She was not a druid after all and he had never come across someone with nature powers before that was a witch or otherwise. He looked at her with a tilted head if the fact she saved him wasn't enough those powers just made him curious enough that he wouldn't even be attempting to poison this girl, least not until he knew more.
Bane sat up rubbing his wrist a bit. "Thank you...." He said standing and looking down at the girl. "I'm not sure but I know they were letting me speak to any of the plants around me.....I'd love to chat more but I fear staying in this area.....is.....is there something I can do to repay you though?" Bane had some morels though when he remembered to use them was questionable.
Good, he was able to stand and seemed in good condition. So the trap was just something that blocked his magic usage. "Ah yes, he's a wonderful man, a druid in fact. I've known him for many years now. His name is Ermys." She gave him a sweet smile. Well it seemed in the end she did the right thing and the more she thought about it she couldn't have left him there in good consciousness.
"Actually there is something... And it shouldn't be to demanding. My Guide, he's been looking for someone." Her eyes lit up as she started to ask the question. Cedar wanted nothing more then to be useful to Ermys. He was always so giving to her, and she rarely got to give back. And he didn't know that she was asking the Druids she met about Mononachi but she knew how much it meant to him.
"His name is or at least was Mononachi. He was banned from his Enclave... So I was hoping that maybe you might know him?" She peered up at him, She felt very comfortable in his presence and that itself was trouble. Druids could be very dangerous... But that feeling was always so misleading for her. She would blindly follow him not knowing any better until it was to late.
Why were there so many people that knew druids these days? Or spent time with them or were raised by them. Bane wondered as he rubbed his wrist and start walking towards a path back into the forest. He stopped dead in his tracks when she said Emrys name.
Bane turned to the girl trying to hide the fact that that name was doing something to him. "Oh?.....And who is this druid friend of yours looking for?" He figured he knew who Emrys was looking for but he was going to try not to let her know that.
"Never heard of him." That was a lie and there was no way she wouldnt notice it. Bane looked bothered really bothered he turned and started walking away. Emrys was still looking for him after all these years? Why? Bane would have thought him to have given up or decided Bane was dead. It tugged on his heart that his childhood friend was still looking for him. He put a hand to his chest without releasing it he wasn't used to feeling this sort of pained sorrow anymore. It hurt just to think about Emrys and what happened. He couldn't let her know she had found the druid her friend sought after. Bane could not face Emrys it would hurt more. Bane had become more evil since they had been separated. He wouldn't want his childhood friend to no how far down the rabbit hole he had gone. "Thank you again for your help, I'm sorry I have no information for you." He said trying to save face.
Cedar looked hopeful as she listened to him. But then her lips turned into a small frown. Sure she hadn't met too many other druids but it was disappointing every time. "Oh alright..." She reached a hand up to her collar bone out of habit and winced having forgotten about the wound. "If... You ever hear about him. Could you tell me?" She raised her voice after him. He seemed to want to avoid looking at her. "I know it's a lot to ask but... Ermys, he has done so much for me and I just want to help him in any way I can. This druid means a lot to him." She leaned up on her tip toes. But her heart sank. He was polite enough but like most of the others he was probably just brushing her off.
Glancing to the side Cedar caught wind that the Druid had placed a hand to his heart and his face seemed to change. Cedar watched him with her head tilted. “Is everything okay?” She asked, not even thinking it had anything to do with their conversation but that maybe he didn’t have all this strength back from the trap. “They’re saying you might need to rest?” 'They' meant the trees. They were worried about it.
"Sure....its the least I can do for you helping me....I'll keep and ear low...and all." His pace was that of a snail he was so tempted to ask her questions and yet the pain that was welling in him was almost to much to bare and he wanted to run. Like he always did from anything that reminded him of his past. That's probably why his actions had only gotten worse with no one to tell him what other he should do then what had gotten him banned in the first place.
At the mention of the trees saying he might need rest he stopped at looked around. He could hear them again as his inner voice calmed. Bane was thankful these were not his own plants they would know the whole truth and had a tendency to call him by his real name not his nickname. He removed his hand and moved to lean on one of the trees. "I'm alright..." Bane answered which was physically true, His yellow eyes finally went back to Cedar. There was something familiar about the uncommon color of the eyes. It was a trait of Emrys's enclave. Save Bane's seemed to have an odd shaped pupil that made them feel more fox then human if the light hit them right. "Maybe just hanging upside down messed with me more then I thought." Bane replied trying to decide rather or not he should admit to who he is so he can ask questions or jump around it. He certainly didn't want Emrys to find him he couldn't actually face his one and only childhood friend.
Cedar walked toward him as he leaned against the tree and when he turned to look at her she had missed it at first. But the eye color was very similar if not the same as Ermys. Cedar wanted to dismiss this, a lot of humans had the same color eyes. But she wasn't so sure about druids and how the traits like that run.
"The blood might have gotten to your head and standing up so fast.." She tilted her head again and placed a hand on her hip. "You know your eyes look lot like Ermys." She sounded as if she was reminiscing, her fondness of Ermys surfacing. But in the current situation Cedar didn't exactly find the druids behavior strange. There were reasonable explanations for all this right? But there was a tugging voice she was hearing that said the druid didn't speak the whole truth.
Pressing to much could put her in danger but what would he have to hide from her? "You said earlier that you didn't have an enclave. What happened?" She didn't even think to much on that comment at first. This was certainly turning into a strange afternoon.
"Yeah that's probably it...." Bane said looking out into the forest he really didn't do well when faced with these kinds of emotions. The cool headed murder went from calculating to bumbling in no time flat at the mention of his old friend.
His head snapped back when she mentioned his eyes, he hated them a constant reminder of his enclave which he hated and yet deep down missed in a way. Going back was not an option though even if they forgave Bane for what he did then he could not stop what he does now.
Bane now fidgeted visibly how easily could he lie and this girl would believe it. She was far to trusting and sweet to have helped Bane in the first place. So why in the world did he want to tell her the truth. Tell her that he was the druid Emrys's was looking for? Did he want Emrys to know he was alive for sure? Then again he didn't want to see him or for Emrys to even know he got worse.
"I was banished." The words slipped from Bane's mouth and he regretted it right away. He had to decide fast what his next answers would be for she was sure to ask more questions now. Specially if she was already hoping Bane could be the missing druid. Alright....he would tell her it was a big forest he could still hide from Emrys easily.
Cedar nodded at him in an understanding manner. He had been banished. Ermy's friend had been. But he was a child then and might not have known any better and it sounds like this one too, had a similar situation. Cedar wanted to know why, she was sometimes to nosy for her own good. But it seemed like she had kept control of it for once. "Well I won't ask what you did, or why." She started. He would tell her over time, if he chose too or even if he chose to speak to her again. But some people had secrets... She unconsciously rubbed her scarred arm.
The witch wouldn't judge him on what he did in the past but rather who he was in the future. Her moral code was a little strange. So long as someone didn't do anything against, or against a greater good. She didn't care, people and druids too deserved second chances. Ermy's was probably responsible for that idea. Cedar wasn't always so understanding when she was younger.
But back to the matter at hand. If this was the druid Ermys was looking for then... The last thing she wanted to do was scare him off by being to pushy. "My name is Cedar." Introducing herself was a good step. Since this fellow had stayed and talked even just a little bit maybe he wouldn't shun her like so many others had. Rocking onto her heels and then onto the balls of her feet the girl strode forward and leaned to look at him.
He was handsome in a more mature manner. She eyed his scar and leaned back. "Can I tell you a secret?"
