Starting a Journey

[IzaliaFox]

It had been a week since Shinon and Luna left Arien. Since then Shinon had noticed things about him were changing. His senses seem to have sharpened since he left home. They had been hiking through woods next to the town they had passed the day before. Shinon had been trying to trap him and Luna a rabbit for their supper when he tripped over a large root. He fell and twisted his ankle. "Agh! Gods that hurts." Shinon yelled as he tried to lean himself againsta nearby tree. Luna stared at Shinon, curiousity and worry filled her eyes. "Don't worry girl. I should be fine. I just need to sit for awhile." Shinon comfortingly as he slid onto the ground seitting with his back against the tree's trunk. Luna curled up next to him, her eyes never leaving him. An image of a rabbit cooking on a fire filled Shinon's mind. "Sorry Luna, but I couldn't catch one. We'll have to have jerky tonight." Shinon said as he reached out and ruffled Luna's fur. Luna nudged Shinon's hand and he scratched behind her ears. He then reached into his pack and pulled out a bowl and his canteen of water. He poured some of the water into the bowl for Lune to drink. When Shinon sat the bowl down, he almost jumped out of his skin. "MY EYES! They're yellow!" He said startled. Luna looked at him and shook her head. She then began to drink out of the bowl. As Luna drank Shinon reached into his pack and pulled out the last couple strips of Jerky. They needed to get more food soon, or they would be in trouble Shinon noted. He fed a strip to Luna, when he suddenly heard a twig snap from behind him. He could tell that it was at least 20 yards off. "Luna... hide." Shinon whispered. Luna looked up at him then snuck off into nearby brush.

Shinon heard the soft pat of boots on the forest floor. "people..." He muttered as he suddenly felt afraid. The footprints got closer. Shinon reached for his knife and slowly peeked around the trunk of the tree. "I hope whoever it is is friendly. I'm in no condition to fight" He thought. out of the corner of his eye, he saw Luna nudge closer towards him from the brush. Her eyes peered out at him. Shinon slid away form the tree and dragged himself into the brush next to Luna. He hoped the person wouldn't come close enough to notice them. He watched as the hunter came closer. He held his breath, heard rustling come from nearby. The hunter brought up his bow and aimed it at the brush Shinon and Luna were hiding in. "uh oh..." Shinon whispered. The hunter thought he might be game, he became even more worried and fearful for both his and Luna's lives.

Sensing his fear Luna whimpered quietly and drew back farther into the brush. The hunter heard her, he smiled and approached them. "A nice Wolf coat will catch me a fine penny." the hunter said to himself. upon hearing this anger filled Shinon, he lifted his knife and threw it at the hunter. The knife hit the hunter in the stomach, causing him to drop his bow in pain. "HOW DARE YOU!!!" Shinon yelled as he managed to stand up and limp over to the hunter. "What did she do to you! nothing!" He continued. The hunter looked up at him with fear in his eyes. "your eyes... you... your a shadowspawn!" The hunter cried out in fear as Shinon approached him with Luna flat on his heels. "I'm not a shadowspawn! And Luna didn't do anything to you! but you were willing to shoot at hurt! how dare you!" Shinon said angrily his fists clenched. He heard another snap of twigs coming form his right. Luna looker towards the sound, but she didn't seem afraid of it. Shinon put his foot on the hunter's chest pinning him, and looked where Luna was staring. "Luna... what is it?" Shinon asked. The image of a wolf filled his thoughts, and the feeling of safety flooded his emotions.

[Nynaeve]

Winifred walked into the open, making sure to make as much noise as possible so as not to startle the Wanderer. She had been tracking him for quite a while, and per usual, debating the right moment to approach. In this instance, though, random events seemed to have simplified the decision, since this unexpected interruption had to be dealt with. Midnight was walking by her side, alert yet curious about the presence of another wolf. Winifred was sure to greet Luna before she allowed herself to come too close.

 

~ She's pretty, isn't she? ~ Winifred transmitted amusement through the words.

 

~ Shut it ~ Midnight replied. He was used to their usual banter but he got particularly grumpy when she bothered him about romance. Wolves were odd ones.

 

Keeping the amusement out of her expression, Winifred kneeled down next to the man and examined his wound. He was unconscious and his chest lifted up and down in shallow breaths. "He's already dead. He just doesn't know it yet. If I had to guess, I'd say your blade found his liver. Oh well." She dusted her pants and straightened. "We should clear out from here. He might have been accompanied by others. And in general, being around a dead body wouldn't usually result in anything good."

 

Winifred turned to leave and then smiled when she realized the Wanderer wasn't moving. She turned her head, letting her grin grow wider. "Luna would have told you by now that I mean you no harm. If you don't trust anything, at least trust that. We can talk more once we've found safety." With that Winifred walked away, with Midnight by her side.

 

 

 

Winifred

Head Tracker

[IzaliaFox]

Shinon was hesitant to follow Winifred, but his curiosity at how she new Luna had told him that they were safe, won over. Shinon beckoned to Luna and the two of them followed Winifred, and her wolf. "So... um... I noticed your travel companion.... are you like me?" Shinon asked hesitantly as the walked.

[Nynaeve]

"So... um... I noticed your travel companion.... are you like me?"

 

Winifred kept walking. "No." Her lips curled into a smile. "You're like me." She walked quicker, making it so the Wanderer would have to hurry up to keep up. They kept at the same pace for a long while in silence, until they came across a little cave, its entrance covered by vegetation. It was hard to spot for someone who didn't know it was there. "Stay hidden in there. I will be back in a bit. I have to backtrack and cover our tracks, perhaps even add some misdirection, just in case there's a half descent tracker out there. Sit tight!"

 

And with that she was gone.

 

 

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Walking back into the cave, Winifred dropped a lot of twigs and branches on the ground and started to build a fire, as she spoke. "Midnight got the first watch. He'll make sure we're safe, though there is no real risk that we've been followed. Either way, best be safe than sorry. But first's thing first. My name is Winifred. I apologize for not introducing myself before, I swear I usually have better manners!". The fire lit up and Winifred started rearranging the twigs with a branch.

 

"What you're going through, it's hard. Trust me, I know. It's a transition. Unfortunately there's a tendency to be afraid of change. But you shouldn't fear it, but rather embrace it. There is NOTHING wrong with you. It's just nature taking its course. Whether you want to believe it or admit it, you are a Wolfkin." Winifred eyed the Wanderer for a long moment, her golden eyes twinkling in the darkness.

 

"What is your name, Wanderer?"

 

 

 

 

Winifred

Head Tracker

[IzaliaFox]

Shinon looked at Winifred questioningly. "I'm Shinon, and this is Luna" He said as he gestured to Luna. "What is a Wolfkin? How can I be kin with wolves? My parents are human..." Shinon asked as he put down his pack, and sat on the floor by the fire with Luna.

"What is happening to me. I can suddenly see farther and clearer than ever before, smell things from long distances, and hear the most silent of noises..."

Edited May 7, 2011 by volke