[ORP] "If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise"

For the first time in what felt like a life-time the sun had finally managed to force it's way through the clouds to bathe the Grail World in it's light. Unfortunately for one particular traveller this made the land no less cold, even if it did lift his spirits somewhat. This traveller was Sahmir Iravani and he was currently wrapped in a heavy worn cloak that was just a little too big for him, the hood pulled over his turban as he walked through the forests quietly singing a tune to himself in his own tongue that likely would have sounded pleasing to the ears were it not for the fact that Sahmir's singing ability was somewhat flat. He leant upon his staff as he paused to take in his surroundings, raising a hand to shield his eyes from a sunbeam that had somehow found it's way through the mesh of branches that criss crossed and weaved and entwined to create a create canopy above him. Sahmir had to admit that this sea of brown and green held a certain beauty, even if it was somewhat claustrophobic.

Sahmir was startled from his thoughts when he heard the dull thud of metal against wood in the distance accompanied by what he could swear was a rather complex string of curse-words. His ever-active curiosity piqued Sahmir began to make his way through the forest towards the source of the sound doing his best to duck and weave between the tree branches, although from time to time one would smack him in the side or whip his face, and at one point he had to extradite himself a patch of thorns that had taken a liking to his cape but within a few minutes he had made his way to the source of the sound.

It was a clearing in the forest, an area strewn with fern and low growth and bathed in the cool Spring sun; butterflies and bees lazily going about their business. It would have been an idyllic scene, the sort painted by romantic painters, were it not for the large sweaty man in the edge of it shouting loudly and swinging what appeared to be a battle axe in some vein effort to fell a rather large oak tree. Sahmir paused at the edge of the clearing, clutching his staff and catching his breath as he watched the figure work and apparently getting nowhere.

Sahmir cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted in his rolling accent "Stranger, I don't think you'll get anywhere like that!" deciding it best to make his presence known before approaching the presumably very frustrated man with an axe; although Sahmir had to admit, there was something familiar about the figure in front of him.

Like every other day, Biggus woke up on a cold patch of hoarfrosted grass, cold seeping in  to his bones. He groaned as he got up, promising to himself he would never sleep on the ground anymore. At least the sun was warming his back as he walked towards the marketplace. The streets were empty, except for occasional squeaks of hungry rats fighting it out for bread crumbs. As he got closer to the marketplace he started hearing steps on the stone paved roads, carts being pulled, finally he could see the few early merchants setting up their stalls so that they would get the best spots at the market. Biggus strode towards the first merchant, who greedily welcomed him to his stall, "I want an axe so I can build a house." Biggus stated interrupting the merchant from his sales pitch. The merchant grabbed biggus by the wrist and said "Come this way mighty warrior, I have just the axe for you." Biggus quickly pulled his arm away and snorted "Don't touch me, or I will make more of a name of myself by slaying you where you stand." The merchant taken aback by the hostility the man had towards him, but sensing the easy money he could con out of the fool he kept smiling and replied. "But of course, I wasn't trying to insult a warrior such as yourself, wait here I will go get the axe for you." Quickly moving back behind the stall kneeling down to search for his old axe. "For a house you need nails as well, I got the cheapest nails in town." The merchant said as he was looking for the axe.

Biggus proud of his new albeit expensive axe, was beaming of happines. Who cares if the merchant managed to cheat off few coins, surely an axe like  this was worth the 10 silver. If there was one thing biggus hated, it was those sleazy merchants, why couldn't they just mark the prices on the items and keep things simple? The constant haggling was frustrating. Biggus was whistling as he was walking out towards the edge of the forest where he would build his house, better than anyone else had built, surely everyone would envy him.

How could anyone cut trees if it was this hard? Biggus had been tryin to hack away at the tree for a better hour, with little to no progress, surely he was doing something wrong? He heard a snap of a branch in the distance, paying no attention, guessing it was one of the many animals inhabiting the vast forests. Another snap and soon after followed a yell of a man, he couldn't quite understand what was being yelled, something about an axe and stranger. Biggus quickly turned towards the sound raising up his battle axe in a defensive manner, the hair stood back up on his neck, his whole body in goosebumps. He roared out "Who is i?, I will slay you in an instant if you don't reveal yourself!" He was throwing threats as he didn't know how many there were and what their intentions were.

Araxia was full of wonder.  Her deep brown eyes held the sparkling depths of the most breathtaking of desserts kissed with the golds of the sun.  Spring had the most glorious of welcomes over the realm.  It was the most perfect time to go exploring, and to find certain herbs, and certain flowers that would soon be unable to reattach themselves and grow in new soil.  Today she had a packed herself a full satchel of things to help her.  A small blade, nothing that would be good in defense-but really in the woods, who would need such things.  A bit of food, some wonderful breads, and some easy to carry veggies and fruit.  Her flask, filled with the best kind of ale her coin could purchase...cheap!! There was a few other things, to hold the little seedlings, water, and a few other tools just in case the blade was not strong enough to cut into what could be very strong fibers of vine and twigs.

Araxia had been already out in the sun for a while, her fair skin was warm and held a tinge of rose colouring to it.  The sun always made her skin go red, she never got a golden glow like some.  Though she was a beautiful woman, she never saw such when looking into a mirror, and she never allowed the words of another to make her fall for the nonsense of love and promise.   

Araxia was a woman who took care of herself, and a woman who was very determined.  She was not easily frightened but she had never been in much situation to become tested so.  Naive, and young enough to not know any better, she set forth on her task to gather the young seedlings that would be deep within the woods.  

The woods were big enough, she was quite sure she would find her way home, though if she stood up and circled she could not begin to tell you which way home would be found.  There was comfort in the daylight, comfort in the hidden trees and relaxation in the peace of the sounds that surrounded her.  

That peace was soon thrown off with a rukus in the distance, she heard a faint enough sound of a mans bellowing and it made her stand and listen.   "Bah, mind your own.." she scolded herself, and turned to ignore it, but the sounds continued.   A soft little voice in the depth of her mind gave her the quick weight of guilt.  What if someone is hurt, you can offer help.... your knowledge of herbs... you have food and supplies...

Sahmir recognised the man standing in front of him not because of his oversized axe or large build but rather the fact that figure in front of him had responded to a lone man armed only with a staff with all of the loud ferocity of a cat who has just been caught rummaging through the contents of the kitchen larder. Although if you ever saw a cat that was as convinced of it's own strength as Biggus was then you would likely believe that you had just seen a lion running out your house carrying your freshly caught trout; at the very least some sort of lynx.

Never the less, in the few long moments it took Sahmir to recognise his friend something akin to fear, or at least surprise, crossed his features as he pulled his staff up into a defensive stance, his grip tightening around the gnarled wood as he prepared himself for a fight he would likely loose. Sahmir's relief was palpable.

He slowly lowered his staff and allowed a smile to grow across his face as he waved a hand "Biggus, is that you?!" he shouted before slowly moving towards the axe wielding maniac, using his staff to fight his way through the undergrowth rather unsuccessfully, Sahmir was clearly not yet much of a woodsman, his clothes kept getting snagged upon thorns and branches but he was slowly making headway, amidst a long string of curses in his native tongue.

He stopped in exasperation, having only managed to advance a few feet in what felt like an eternity (if in reality it was only a few minutes) "Well even if you're not Biggus could you give me a hand?" Sahmir said, with exasperation in his voice, not yet noticing that there was a third figure near the clearing.

The noises were louder now, more ruckus and the voices of men were clear enough that she bit her lower lip and made the choice to turn around and go back towards her business and back towards the lower growing herbs and the dark little young leaves that were best to find at this time of year. 

Araxia who normally made sure she had one of her two owned dresses on, would surprise those who usually saw her in tan coloured pants, and a dark blouse with ribbon.   She looked almost tom-boyish if not for her obviously female charms.  Her boots were tattered, almost able to see her toes through the right boot.  But it was what she had, what she could afford and it did what was needed.  

Luckily she was far enough away from the thorns and branches, her main challenge was undergrowth, and twigs and vines that could easily trip anyone not paying them full respect and attention...

Which is exactly what happened.  With a thud and a very unladylike curse Araxia tripped over and tumbled to the ground with a thud.  It did not hurt her, did not even startle her, more embarrassed her, and she was quite thankful no one was around to further the embarrassment.  

What happened next however was a very unfortunate event, that if anyone was around and anyone dared to assume the worst could easily do so...

There she was on the ground, and a very large beetle decided to make best of the road block she had created and climbed up ontop of her arm.  

The squeal that left her, was more like a blood curling banshee cry, and she stood up so fast she hadn't even bothered to notice it had fallen off.   There she stood screaming like the dead had come for her soul dancing around in tears.