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With preparations made, meaning getting his sword sharpened, supplies gathered, and the like, Saraf was on his way. He'd left Neued behind, though not too far behind, and was currently stalking the forest of Jauhar in a careful manner. He was searching for signs that there might still be others about from the other side, those who he could hunt down, capture, and bring back to Neued. The more he was able to capture the better he thought to himself as he found some tracks, giving them a once over, before moving to following along after them. There were all manner of various tribes amongst the 'allied forces' and he found himself wondering which he'd most like to capture. Truth be told he really couldn't decide, each of them had their perks he supposed. It all depended really on who he would be giving said captives over to in the end, not as though he wanted the hassle of actually keeping them for himself. Now giving one or two to his mother so that she would have some useful servants, that now was more of an interesting prospect.

As he followed the tracks he found he wondered who they might belong to, how powerful a warrior they might be, and if they were going to be alone or in a group when he finally caught up. There were a lot of factors going into this, meaning that he would need to be careful. As much as he'd love to think that he was ready to take on anyone and everyone that was on the side of the allied forces he knew that such a thing wasn't possible. He'd seen what some of those warriors were capable of, they'd taken down one of their giant beasts after all, meaning that there were some powerful warriors amongst them. Truth be told he'd give anything to actually capture someone like that. Imagine the glory that would go along with taking down one of the North's best? He wouldn't let himself get hyped up though, not when he had no idea who he was following yet. For all he knew it could be some elderly person, something that caused him to shake his head at.

Offering up a prayer to any of the Gods or Goddesses who might be listening that it was anything but that, he continued on forward, going from tree root to tree root, avoiding stepping on the ground since that would make far too much noise. Saraf knew that he had to be as careful as possible if he wanted to catch up with his prey and taken them by surprise. If he were able to take them out before they even knew he was there it would make his job a whole lot easier, giving him plenty of energy for the return trip which was likely to be a lot more complicated, of that he was certain.

It had taken a bit of time, as well as tracking, but he was soon able to find the one that he had been following... and he couldn't really say that he was disappointed. The blue skin and hair combo of this one pointed toward her being a part of the 'Ice Tribe' if he recalled the briefing correctly. They were from a land far more distant then the one that they were already in, likely a target for a future invasion. As it stood though they wouldn't be going there anytime soon making taking this one as a captive a good thing. Not only would they be able to get information from her but she would also be far more rare and interesting compared to the Shifter and Leaf Tribe members who lived nearby. Bringing back someone that wasn't like everyone other person that lived in the area should helped to get him so bonus points with those in charge... or so he hoped. While it made sense in his mind there was the problem that she didn't exactly look like the most dangerous warrior that Zena had to offer, it might take points off in the minds of others.

With these thoughts in mind Saraf drew his weapon in one hand, taking hold of some rope with the other, and started forward whilst sticking to the shadows. The weapon was mostly for show, to intimidate his enemy in hopes that she would give up without issue. He didn't want to harm his captive after all, instead wanting to be able to bring her in whole and healthy... well save for any wounds she gave herself he thought to himself as she suddenly slipped and went crashing down to the damp ground below her. Giving a grumbling sound he found himself hoping that self inflicted injuries wouldn't count against him as she continued to creep toward her.

As he got closer he could hear her muttering to someone named 'Chi' but after a look around he didn't see anyone. A family member, perhaps? A lover? Or even just a pet? No matter, they weren't here now so they couldn't protect her. Jumping onto a root near to her he pushed himself up to his full height, pointed his blade at her, and declared, "Your retreat ends now Zenan, it's time for you to return to Neued with me!"

Saraf's whole body went tense when he saw the knife that the Ice Tribeswoman drew, preparing himself for a battle with her... but instead of coming at him she just threw the knife somewhat toward him. There was a moment where he just stood there, eyes a little wide, mouth slightly agape, before he turned to glance in the direction that the knife had gone. His eyes then slowly returned to the woman who declared that he would be defeated... before he started to laugh. He knew that it was probably inappropriate to laugh at one's enemy, especially since he hadn't even captured her yet, but he just couldn't help it. The whole thing was just a bit too amusing in his mind, especially the fact that she could actually declare such a thing with a straight fair after she failed so miserably to hit him.

Taking a couple steps forward he said, "With aim like that I highly doubt that we will be defeated any time soon." He told her, reaching into his pack to get out a coil of rope, and asked, "Are you going to make this easy on the both of us? The sooner we get back to camp the better." He didn't know about her but he could go for a sit down and some water, a lot of it, to help cool him down. The muggy heat was a lot different then what he was used to and running around through it chasing prey even more so. Still, it would be worth it if he was actually able to get a Zenan back to camp with him, they were from such a distant land after all they had to be rare and special! Much to his surprise he watched her rise to her feet, though the way she did so suggested she might be injured? He gave her a quick once over, wondering where she was hurt and how badly, but didn't give any indication that it was something he was worried about. He could just have her patched up when they got back and surely that wouldn't count against him as far as an impressive capture went, right?

Shaking his head he gave a little sigh and a shake of his head, "Do you really want to try to flee again? Or worse yet try to fight me with your obvious lack of skill?" He'd asked, wondering what it was that she meant to do next. Shifting his stance slightly he tried to prepare himself for whatever she might do.

Saraf starred at her for a long moment, then laughed, "Alright then, I suppose that it should be fine to let you unbound. Not as though you are going to be running anywhere on that ankle of yours." He said after giving him a quick once over. She wasn't really in the right shape needed to escape, especially to escape someone from the Oban military. Saraf was training for the chance to come here and fight for some time now whereas this woman seemed as though they had just scooped her up out of her home and dumped her here? It really made him wonder why she was even here but he supposed he could always ask later, not as though she was going anywhere, right?

Moving forward toward her he motioned toward the direction of the town that the Obans were staying in, "This way then, little Zenan, it's time to get you back." He quite excited, to be able to get his first prize back to Neued, to show her off to the others! They had to be impressed, to find someone from such a distant land here in Jauhar. The only thing that would make it any more exciting was to be able to show her off in Oba, he bet that they had never seen anyone like her there before. The problem being that she might be his prisoner but she really didn't belong to him, he'd be handing her over to those in charge of the Oban army after all. She didn't belong to him, even if he'd caught her, but he'd be sure the others knew who'd captured her.

"Will you be able able to make to Neued?" He asked, not really wanting to carry his prize back, just in case she took such an opportunity to attack him again. The last thing he wanted was to get stabbed in the back by his prisoner, so he would need to be extra careful, even if she was injured.

Saraf glanced over at the woman before they started along, back toward Neued, and there was a part of him that just wanted to whistle in delight. It was something he forced down though, he couldn't let himself get too excited, not when they weren't even back in the village yet. He would be able to celebrate after they got back and after this Zenan woman was back in Neued under lock and key. Making sure to fall into step alongside the Zenan woman, to make sure to keep a good eye on her, since he wasn't binding her at the moment. He didn't think that she would run off, not injured, but it didn't mean that she trusted her by a long shot.

Turning to glance over at his prisoner he lifted an eyebrow, then shook his head, "No, no stops. We are going back to Neued, once we get back then you can get a drink." He told her, not wanting to waste anymore time in getting her back to where she belonged now, which was in the possession of Oba. Lifting his sword he pointed it in the direction of the village the army was resting up in, "Scoot, please don't make me drag you." That would just make everything all that much more difficult for Saraf. Not something that he wanted to deal with when, truth be told, he was all too eager to drop this woman off then head back out into the forests of Jauhar to attempt to get his hands on another prisoner. The more the merrier if you asked him because the more of them that he captured the more prestige he would garner amongst his people.

"I would say that it's kind of you to be so open to aiding the enemy in such a manner, at least if I believed a word your saying. To be honest though it makes it so that I don't trust you in the least bit. More likely you are leading me to the river because you know some dangerous beast lives in it or because you wish to try to drown me. Nobody is so quick to jump to the aid of an enemy with information even if they are a little thirsty." Maybe if they were to refuse her water for a long period of time she'd volunteer information but otherwise it wasn't something that he bought in the least.

Continueing to walk along he said, "We will see how willing you are to share information with my people once we are back in Neued and you no longer pose a great threat to me. If your still feeling so amiable then we can talk, Zenan." He expected a lot more hissing and anger when they returned to the village though, certain that she wouldn't be as eager to show him around and tell him where all the useful things were once she was a true prisoner of Oba instead of just the prisoner of a single Oban.

When the Zenan woman seemed to lapse into fuming silence Saraf couldn't help but to feel rather amused. So it would seem that she wasn't going to be helpful anymore, huh? Not surprising, the only reason she was being 'helpful' previously was likely due to her wanting to drown him in the river. No matter, if she wanted to huff and puff all the way to Neued he was fine with that, either way he would still have his prize which was more then enough for him. Such a beautiful prize to for those who were into that sort of thing. They reminded him a bit of the Water Tribe slaves that one saw around Oba, the same blue skin and gold eyes, but they had their differences at the same time. She had far darker hair for instance, as well as jewels on her skin, the Water Tribe had neither of those two things. She was still different enough, exotic enough, that there would be great interest in her, that much he was sure of.

The silence seemed to stretch on between them, leaving him to compare her to slaves the Obans already had, as well as wonder what it was that she was thinking about. He could only imagine but he couldn't say he cared one way or the other. She was his, at least until they reached Neued, once there he'd hand her off and he'd celebrate the fact that he'd caught her and brought her back safely. The problem being that ankle of hers, it would need to be tended too, there was no need for a hobbled of slave after all... unless of course so rich noble sort took her in and gave her work that didn't involve her walking about a lot.

After a while longer he finally said, "Once we get back to Neued I will see about tending to that ankle of yours, see it wrapped and soaked, I don't want you to end up with a permanent limp." He was in charge of her for the time being and as such she was his responsibility he told himself, that meant dealing with the wound she had. It shouldn't be too hard to bind her ankle and if push came to shove and it become complicated he'd just call for a healer to assist them.

Saraf gave a shrug, "Do you think I care about your belief in me, Zenan? You're in my care and I won't give a hobble slave over to my people. I will tend to your ankle and make sure that you will be of use to whatever master you end up with." He said in a grouchy sort of tone. He didn't care what she thought, really he didn't, but at the same time it grated on him. Not her, no, he refused to let her get to him, it was just his worry about what the others might think if she was brought before anyone important, a General or Lord perhaps, with a limp. If his name was attached to her... it would make him see as though he were terrible at his job.

Shaking his head he glanced over at her, for a split second considering just carrying her back... but that would involve getting in very close contact with her and she'd likely just attack him. He couldn't trust her, not right now, not when she still likely had it in her head that she might be able to attack. They would just continue to walk, "Once we are back you ankle will be dealt with, then you can join the others that have been captured up to this point."

They would likely all be gathered together then sent back as a group to Oba, to be sold off to those who wanted them. Once they were dropped off in Neued though she would be someone else's problem, something he looked forward to. He felt as though he would likely be safer once this particular woman was put in her cage and in her place he thought to himself as he moved at the quickest pace he felt she could keep up with.