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Marcus took work as it game up, and wasn't that picky. When work came it came, and if he wanted to get what he wanted, (like a good woman or some not piss wine), Marcus would need to take what came his way. Jack of all trades master or none. The problem now was having a tiny fawn that followed him around, demanding attention and pushing him in this direction and that direction. It was a bit sad how well the tiny fawn could direct the grown man.

Word from a man he'd worked with in the past told him of a trapper that needed a helper for a short while up in the Wardwood. There was hesitance at the offer, even if work was work and work got him gold and women and wine and all the fine things he wished to indulge in. The Wardwood held mystery, one that he was reluctant to revisit after getting the totem.. and then the tiny deer. But, in the end, the event had past, he'd go. Plus it might help unravel his own little mystery from the menace that was Blood Runner.

Getting his gear ready, the ex-slave went to the location, and looking for a man that matched the description. It was the deer to look for her was told. And finding the doe- "Theron?" Marcus nodded at the man geared up. His white streak was undyed. No point in it when trapping for a week. "Marcus Delacroix. I believe you were the one that hired me?"

The grown guardian got a curious look. Normal deer wouldn’t be with a trapper after all. It seemed a bit odd to have paired a trapper with a magical deer but there you go, yet another mystery of the wardwood and it’s workings. Why give an ex-slave one, why a trapper? Questions Marcus could hardly answer. Blood Runner was just as curious of Stormstruck as she was with him. Jumping around Marcus protectively, puffing out his chest as if to say ‘Back off! I saw him first!’ Marcus just ignore the little fawn’s antics. He let the blue marked guardian circle as she liked, he doubted she’d attack. “Blood Runner. If I have to guess however, he might run and hide if there is to be any blood.” The fawn bumped at his legs, clearly not agreeing with the remark.

“Still, our… companions aside, you hired me to help you for the season. I’ve got the supplies I need, as well as some extra in case we run afoul of the weather. Happened to me once before. Not keen on having a repeat of my past mistakes.” A shrug, a hand went to hair, ruffling the patch of white. “Wasn’t told what we’d be trapping in particular. Just this and that. Anything I should kno- Blood Runner what are you even doing?” The tiny fawn went to Theron, nudging him before trying to find what was in the man’s pockets. His chosen just shook his head and rolled his eyes at the deer. “Sorry, he does that at times.”

The nose bump had Blood Runner hopping back, snorting at Stormstruck. The little fawn could try to act like he was above such things but really, he wasn’t. The sugar cube was met with a gleeful feeling, edging their way into Marcus’s head. Something he still was getting used to. It came on small bits, but when it did it seemed they were about the most mundane things. Now if the guardian could warn him of danger, that would have been a lot more useful. Sugar cube taken, the little fawn went back to investigating the other guardian and chosen. Mostly giving looks to Stormstruck and trying to keep his flank from her nose.

Marcus shrugged. “I’ve only been once before. For.. obvious enough reasons. It’ll be my first time back. Not my first time in the woods in the winter however, but that was more to the east.” At the mention of his last trip in the Wardwood Blood Runner came back up, shoving his head under the ex-slave’s hand. “If we take down a deer I’m not sure how they would react. Mink or hare- Don’t think it would bother them.” Blood Runner didn’t seem to mind too much the talk of trapping or killing ‘forest creatures’. “Guess my lingering thoughts are mostly on these two. If we might have to worry about them. Wolves are the stuff of legends as I understand it, but it terms of trapping- they won’t get caught in any themselves will they? Or… shy from our work?” His gaze went to Stormstruck. “I hazard not but this little one has never seen just where most my food comes from after all.”

Bouncy described Blood Runner rather well as Stormstruck began to tease him. Blue eyes were wide open as he shuffled hoof to hoof, trying to avoid the doe’s touch. Marcus was content to let him work himself up. Less fussy he’d be later with that energy burned off. At Theron’s answer Marcus nodded, thinking to the change of coats in the animals. It would be interesting to see what the wood had to offer compared to what he’d only read about and seen in a few book illustrations. “Never caught otter before. Beaver either. Most my mas- my lord would go for hare, boar or for stag. Gentleman’s game, though, I thought it a bit odd to hunt when he had us who were trained to do it for him.” He’d never quite grasped the lifestyle of nobility, but then, he’d always been reminded of his status. Looking to the doe, and then to Blood Runner, “He thinks he is ferocious, kicking up a storm but really… that is it. He kicks up a storm, fusses, and then dies down.” A small chuckle as Stormstruck huffed followed by Blood Runner mimicking the action.

“If he doesn’t like the blood I’ll leave him behind. Or he’ll have to cope with it. Cowardice over some blood- I hoped his name would be a bit more fitting in the other manner. But, no. I took a job, I’ll see it to the end. You’ve work to do and needed someone on board. The fact I get a bit of coin is.. good. Will keep me from doing less savory things they have floating around.” A shake of his head. “A man like me is ill suited for some things. Both in stomach and in.. appearances.”

Hopping hoof to hoof, the fawn bumped into Marcus, making the man frown as the little guardian began to use his legs as a defense. Stormstruck was teasing him, and so the fawn was sending waves both happiness, frustration, and playfulness towards his chosen. Feelings Marcus was doing his damnest to ignore. He was in the middle of a conversation after all. The fact that Theron had caught his slip up was a little more pressing than Blood Runner’s antics, (even if they threatened to trip him up). “….” A deep breath Marcus tried to think of how best to phrase it. After all.

He was technically a slave run from his home, even if they might think him dead.

“…Master.” He reluctantly admit. The fact Theron didn’t seem the human selling type and wasn’t holding himself like he would retaliate… Hand to his face, he pulled back the mismatched hair, the faint scars from the fire exposed near his eye and forehead. “I believe they, he, thinks me dead. I was trapped in a burning building but managed to escape unnoticed.” He looked around them, Blood Runner no longer interested in playing but bumping into the back of his chosen’s leg’s, attempting to be reassuring. “It shouldn’t be a problem. If it is, I’ll leave you be before you get caught up. If you’re wondering the reason I fled, I kept a secret I shouldn’t have.”

He’d done it to protect his master’s happiness, but that had hardly turned out well now had it? “I won’t be much a bother if I can help it. Plus, can always abandon me in the woods. I have my own things after all.”

The retreat of Stormstruk had Blood Runner relaxing, though the fawn refused to move from behind his chosen’s legs. He was safe there, plus, he could watch them and not have to worry much about Marcus tripping over him. Marcus was more focused on Theron’s words slight shock apparent on his face. “I- That is very kind of you. I try to stay out of trouble. Thankfully my old master is still a whole country away… I think.” He could never be sure. He was a marked man after all, not to mention if word ever got back that he lived and what he looked like? He’d be all that easier to track. White patches were hard to miss in a crowd.

“Freedom came at a heavy price. While we should all have it… It’s a bit hard to explain. There is a security in being owned. Knowing that you have a place. Then again, I was raised as my master’s man servant more or less. I was his companion, and counted him as a friend. It was… difficult to come to the choices I made but all in all.” Glancing down to the fawn, a small smile graced his lips. “Can’t say I regret them. I’ve seen things I would have otherwise never seen. I’ve met wonderful people, made a few friends, true ones at that. I’ve come to enjoy my freedom, even though it cost me a great deal.” His smiled widened. “Even luckier it didn’t take my eye. But yes, I can fight. Trained to defend my master should the need arise, plus well, bandits don’t bother a man who can look to hold his own. I should be fine, but really, don’t try to die on my behalf.”

Shrugging Marcus looked back over to the woods. “Anything else or will we be heading out soon?”