[Apple] Finding Haven in Hell [Lala]

[Lala Kitty]

Synopsis:
Ava Wenham is currently doing what she considers to be the dumbest thing in her entire life. After he saves her from certain death, she is honor bound to help the mercenary Andreios in a request. Sadly, his request is that he wants her help in killing... her. Apparently he hates magic of any kind, & will stop at nothing to kill all of her bloodline, which is already dwindling thanks to the efforts of people like him. She's going to have to stop him now, one way or another. But she's going to have to do it without letting him realize who she is.

"She's this way!" Ava heard a loud voice over her shoulder, renewing her efforts to run faster. A bunch of slave traders had noticed her in town, & like an idiot, she'd let it slip that she didn't have an escort. There was no quicker way to get scum like that to try & tie you down for the highest bidder. If only her magic wasn't so suppressed during twilight hour, she'd trap these bastards into a pit of quick sand, or at least tie them up with vines. Anything to slow them would work. But alas, she was stuck trampling through the trees & bushes, getting covered in mud & foliage all along the way.

Off in the distance, Ava heard a river & felt excitement run through her body. She could use the water as a power amplifier for her spells! Ava began to push herself to run harder, knowing that the slavers were still catching up. Were these guys even human? Finally, Ava made her way into the clearing, only to be dismayed at the sight of a man sitting before a burning camp fire, right next to her precious river. She couldn't do magic in front of a complete stranger.

All she could see on him was his brown hair & tanned skin before something slammed into her from behind & she was flung into the ground. Her vision blacked out for just a moment before a searing pain from the feel of her hair being jerked on made her rise to her knees, an involuntary yelp escaping her lips. Two other men besides the guy pulling her to her feet by her hair came into the clearing, brandishing their long swords to the man at his camp. The man moved his hand to the back of her neck & used his other hand to securely hold her arms behind her back in a vice grip.

"& who the hell are you?" one of the slavers drawled confidently, "If you know this girl, let us know if she's a harlot or pure. Virgins catch a higher price on the market." The men snickered at their little joke, Ava still having enough sense to rip the skirt of her dress out of the hand of one of the slavers. She didn't want their disgusting hands on her; she felt gross enough being humiliated in front of a stranger, with no way of using her magic to defend herself.

[DumbApple]

Andreios had been enjoying his dinner, a simple rabbit stew when a panic girl came into his camp, her brown hair a mess and her dress ruffled. His first initial response to that was why did fate lead her to his camp, he sensed nothing but trouble from her. He had put down his bowl and stood when the girl was attacked by a group of men, this was likely the trouble he sensed. He frowned, listening to what they were saying, no he did not know the girl, but he was not about to let slavers have her either. Slavers... an old bitterness prick at his body and Andreios drew his sword. His blue eyes slits as he approached them.

"Put the girl down." His voice gruff and hoarse.

The men laughed save one who was studying Andreios carefully, "Hey... I think thats-"

Andreios had moved quickly, giving the men no time to respond silencing the speaking man with a slow yet forceful swing of the great sword. He counted five, he had taken on more before, this was naught but child's play. He would have to kill them all at this point he reason, one evidently recognized him, it was only a matter of time this other slavers would too. It made sense that slavers would be the ones to know who he was, he avoided or killed them. In no way did he want the past hindering his life now. He would get back to it in his own time to crush it, he simply needed to wait for it.

The next target was the men around the girl, it was likely if he gave them time to think they would use her as a meat shield so he acted quickly. He swung his sword just missing the girl taking out two men, however his sword was lodged into their necks, for time sake he let go the sword and swung his fist into the other man in one quick motion. The impact caused him to fall to the ground , there Andreios snapped his neck then slowly turning to the last one who had watched everyone died in a matter of seconds by this man.

"Shit..." The cowering man muttered and stepped back falling to the ground having lost balance.

Andreios took him by the collar of his tunic and pulled him up to his eye level, the slaver's feet dangling over the ground. This was a chance to find out what was happening. To get updated on the search of him, but he doubted the man knew anything about it. His eyes were narrowed on the slaver, he could not let him go either for chance of being found himself. As the slaver begged for mercy, Andreios silenced him for good.

The man then looked over to the girl, he knelt over her, his dark blue eyes looking over her, making sure she was just fine. His face would have been considered beautiful if it were not for the weather worn skin and multiple scars, it was obvious by his appearence he had somewhat of a difficult life, and by what she saw he was capable of, he had the means to take care of himself.

"Ma'am, I hope you are not hurt to badly."

[Lala Kitty]

Ava kept her eyes shut & stayed completely still as she felt the stranger's presence before her & a single hand on her shoulder. He didn't hug onto her & touch her inappropriately like the monsters that tried to trail her, but stayed an understandable distance away to let her breathe. Her only problem was that she knew there was blood everywhere now. She could smell it, & even feel it on her clothes, clinging to her skin through the fabric.

"I-i'm going to be sick," Ava barely let out before her eyes shot open & she almost tripped over the man to run a little downstream. She fell before the river & threw up pretty generously into the running water, still feeling light-headed & dizzy from the blood smell. She hadn't expected to be saved by the stranger, rather had accepted her fate & used her magic to escape later on. But there was no telling what those men would have done to her in the meantime. They did seem overly interested in her marital status.

Ava leaned forward & pressed her forehead on the ground, mumbling the tiniest prayers that would allow her to escape the scent of blood before she washed her hands & arms until they felt raw. After she felt a little cleaner, Ava shakily stood & made her way back to her savior, who was now thankfully sitting away from the corpses that still lie at the entrance of the clearance, not even half a mile away. he looked calm & composed, to the point that it almost scared Ava as much as the slavers.

The young sorceress wiped a bit of dirt that surely covered her face away & approached him anyway, knowing that she was honor-bound to help him now that he'd saved her live. She somehow managed to sink to the ground & bow in a graceful manner, addressing him as the savior he was to her.

"I thank you," Ava said in a more steady voice, ignoring her stomach as it clenched again, "As a custom performed by my family, I would ask that you allow me to travel with you until I can repay the favor, Milord."

[DumbApple]

Andreios raised an eye brow to this, he had no interest to have this girl follow him around. It was likely that she would slow him down in one way or another, but the gesture was kind. There was not harm in it he supposed, having more eyes would make his job easier for him.

Now the fact that she said she was going to be sick and vomited in the river somewhat amused him. He was not bothered by the blood nor the stench of death. During his life he had become accustomed to it. The blood dried on his leather armor his sword lay now next to the fire. He had moved the corpses a little away so animals would leave them alone. He saw the girl cringe again, "I am not sure you would cope well with my life style miss. I am a mage hunter after all. But if you wish to help me you can aide me in my search for a certain young sorceress."

[Lala Kitty]

Ava felt a chill run through her being as the man told him what he was. How could he be a mage hunter of all things? On top of that, he was actively in a search for someone, undoubtedly in her family. This area was still Wenham territory, if she was correct. The family magic was found everywhere in these parts.

"Who is your target, Milord?" Ava asked in a quiet voice, her eyes fixing hard on the fire. Who on earth could he have possibly picked up on in this area? Most of her family kept a low profile, & even kept their names secret. There was a gnawing feeling in her stomach now, like she had to do something to stop this man. But she couldn't directly confront him. it would just end with a sword in her gut.

[DumbApple]

"A young woman, she was said to be more open than more mages. Normally I would not bother with mages who keep to themselves, but when they start to come out and showing the world their powers usually means something bad. That is, when a mage becomes more open they usually are doing so to make a statement, and may attempt darker magic and harm innocents. Aside from that, they are simply to dangerous to go around unchecked. I am not aware exactly of who I am searching for exactly, but I expect she will stand out." He poured another bowl of his stew and offered it to her, 'Hungry?"

[Lala Kitty]

"I do not understand this hatred towards mages," Ava said quietly after a long silence, "Not all of them are out to hurt people. I've met countless myself that help people." Ava graciously accepted the stew, simply holding it in her hands for the time being. her nerves & stomach had yet to calm down. Maybe she could convince the man not to kill this mage he was after. If not...

Ava felt the familiar pulse of one of her amulets. It would give her the ability to subtly control the man until her magic found strong roots in him & she could physically control him. It was a last resort, of course. Using magic to affect free will was looked down upon unless the situation was dire. If Ava knew that it was the only way to help her people however, it would be considered the right time to use it.

"Where do you believe this mage is, Milord?" Ava finally asked, "I don't suppose you could be persuaded to stop this hunt of yours....?"

[DumbApple]

"No." His word were harsh and final, "You could not convince me otherwise. Those with magic will always miss use the power that was bestowed on them, whether they are aware of it or not. They will jump on any chance to manipulate one for their own needs and wants. They would jump on any chance to take advantage of another for their own entertainment... " He seemed to feel passionately about his hate toward mages, as if it was more than business, but personal. His hands seemed to flick in annoyance, he stripped off his gauntlets and popped the joints in his hands and wrists. On his hands were black inkings following his veins, and from the look of it it seemed to run up past his wrists too.

[Lala Kitty]

Ava paled a bit when she saw the tattoo, her own searing in pain at the sight of it. She'd seen tattoos like that before. She'd read about them at the academy, & thought they were just a terrible myth. They were a cruel, dark magic, never meant to be used on people.

"Where did you get those markings?" Ava asked, "Please tell me that magic user is long gone...." She couldn't help but get closer & grab the man's hand, studying it closely. She had been right; this tattoo was a strong, terrifying magic. It made her own feel weak painful in her veins.

[DumbApple]

Andreios took his hand back rather quickly glaring at the girl. One, he hated to be touched, and two, he rather people not mention his markings. It was a sore subject, they often caused him pain, but they did what they were meant to do. He was stronger, quicker and more resilient than other humans. Still, had he had it his way he would have been killed rather than been a test rat. He detested recalling his time before his escape and chose to pretend it wasn't real a lot of the time to try to comfort himself.

"No, he is still alive and well. I only barely escaped with my life." he looked over the girl carefully, "But I have to wonder how it is that you know what my markings mean?" He looked over her with suspicion. But if she was the mage wouldn't she have protected her self from the slavers?