The Dusty Trail(Aiyume)

[Seayn]

The day was quite nice out, the sun beaming, the wind gently blowing, few clouds to interrupt the view of the brilliantly blue sky. A man covered in armor had decided to gaze at this scenic view from underneath a tree, the leaves gently rustling in the breeze. His silver armor was brilliantly polished, the light reflecting off of it in a dazzling manner, a white cape blowing in the wind behind himself. Seayn fancied himself a knight, moreso than he considered the so-called Hylian knights to be among the upholders of chivalry, a white knight in particular. He dreamed of being a beacon of hope to those less fortunate, admirable virtue in those with the ability to change events, and a staunch ally to those who were in need at the moment. He wasn't quite so sure that others saw him the same way though. The young man could only imagine that very few people even knew this particular Human Warden by name. He hadn't done anything of note, nor had he particularly flaunted his position over others.

Seayn stood reflecting upon the current state of things, his left arm crossed over his chest, although his right hand was up to his chin, giving him the look of being in deep contemplation. His scabbard dangled by his legs, the weight seeming to be comfortable to the knight, perhaps a sign of the fact that he was, at least, accustomed to wearing weaponry. His light brown hair gently fluttered in the wind around his head, his dark brown eyes fixed upon the horizon with a distant look as if he was completely lost in thought. His shield, bearing the typical Hylian crest upon the front of it, leaned against the tree, completely ignored. There were quite a few dents and dings in it, as if often used. The knight's jaw was clenched as if angry, due to any thoughts that might be drifting through his brain at that moment.

The shadows of the leaves made the sunlight dance almost merrily off of his armor, a strange contrast in comparison to, what appeared to be, his grim mood. If one paid more than a little attention, they could tell that the knight's armor wasn't marred by any dust or travel, as well as the fact that he seemed completely at ease, other than the intense introspection that he seemed to be performing at that very moment.

[Aiyume]

Indeed, the day was a beautiful one. The combination of the warm sun and the cool wind made the perfect mixture of temperatures that could please any built so meagerly as she. The sky was in fact brilliant. It was welcoming. Calling. Unfortunately, it was all ignored by this particular individual. Her current plight allowed her no moment of refuge in nature. No, she had to keep moving and stay focused.

Aiyume felt rushed. The sooner she reached the tree line, the sooner she was out of sight of the city, and the sooner she could feel at least somewhat comfortable again. Nervously, she glanced over her shoulder to assure no one was behind her. So far it seemed that she had done quite well in her escape, but looks did not always mean everything. The moment she allowed herself to be calmed by something like that would be the moment an army came pouring from the city. Her life depended on her feet now. As quick as she was trying to be, she did not run. Running was too suspicious. The look of her was bad enough as it was. Her wrist was bruised, dirt littered her clothing, and her hair had fallen from its bindings and now flowed wildly amongst her shoulders. Whether wrong was being done to her or she had done wrong, it looked as if she fled from captivity. That in itself would gain her attention, and that was exactly what she wanted to avoid while sneaking through the city.

Now that she was in Hyrule Field, she felt even more exposed. She was a lone traveler padding through high grass. A woman in tight revealing clothing headed straight for a forest all by herself? Sure, she could take care of herself rather well, but it wouldn’t appear so. Her build was so miniscule. She was an average height, for a woman, but skinny, though her muscles were deceptively toned. Simply based on her appearance one might not think her capable of lifting a stone. For this reason, noticing her all by herself heading for potential dangerous grounds was noticeable. Surely, when she reached the trees she would have to change directions. Maintaining a straight path in a direction she could be spotted heading in would be most unwise.

Strangely, despite all the glitter and splendor to his gear, Aiyume somehow managed to utterly fail at detecting anyone ahead of her. Perhaps it was because her focus was solely aimed at whether people were behind her. Still, she was heading almost directly for him. In her hurried walk, she would pass by him without ever noticing were he not to speak up.

[Seayn]

The young man wouldn't even notice the traveler until she was nearly upon him. The hurried look, the bruise upon her wrist, the wild hair, the dirty clothing, and what appeared to be a general lack of possessions that would be needed by any person deigning to go down the route of travel were an indication that something was amiss to the knight... The form fitting clothing might also have had some small effect upon the amount of attention that he directed towards the rapidly approaching female but he would deny that to anyone that accused him of such things.

Seayn went through a short list of things that might cause a woman to be so frantic and in such a condition when leaving Castle Town. The noble's mind immediately jumped to the conclusion that she was some sort of damsel in distress, fleeing some cruel, unjust circumstance in the city. Being the idealistic young man that he was, he had already decided to come to her rescue, little did he know that she was on the wrong side of his boss Ryan Green. He made a move to interpose himself in between the woman and the forest, making a bit of a clatter in his heavy armor.

"Milady, what's the matter?" Seayn asked, keeping his focus upon the female, rather sharp in his scrutiny now in comparison to his contemplative look from moments earlier. The young knight decided to wait to introduce himself, figuring that would be best for after he had determined the cause of her hasty retreat from the town. He kept his arms folded over his chest. He could assume that her problem more than likely had something to do with an abusive male, although that would be stereotypical. He decided to stay away from assumptions, not wanting to seem foolish for suggestion a solution for a completely different problem.

[Aiyume]

It truly was quite a wonder that she had not noticed him sooner. Really... how could she miss all of that? His armor reflected the light in all directions and his cape waved like a flag beaconing his position. And yet... she ignored his existence. Alas, the surprise that struck her when the clatter of his armor sounded as he moved from her side was like a slap in the face. An evil dose of fear was injected into her chest in that moment, but as he came around to interrupt her path her heart seemed to stop cold.

It startled her to her very core, nearly causing her to lose her balance and fall backward from how abruptly she had to stop and then step away from the stranger. At first, she did not know what to do or how to react. All that she could do was stare in dire fear. Swallowing away the lump in her throat, she glanced over the man and deduced that he was in fact a Knight... He could be under the employment of the ones she had fled from - Perhaps he even knew who she was. Could she take the chance in assuming that he was not? He called her a lady and asked her what was wrong. He seemed sincere enough in his worry. She was not much of a manipulator, in fact she hated the thought, but she had to escape.

“P-please don’t hurt me,” she begged in a strained tone. It was hardly necessary to put on an act to cover any lies, because she was already full of heart-wrenching fear.“I-I just...I just want away from him. I don’t want to be hurt anymore...I just want to leave,” she cried.

Nervously, the girl glanced over her shoulder, looking back at the city to ensure that a horde of guards were not piling behind her. It was making her edgy that she was still within sight. If the authorities came after her it would definitely make her look guilty... How could she twist that? Anxiously, she moved to the side as if she were trying to go around the Knight in her path to use him as a shield, stepping slowly as she went to not be suspicious of simply running from him. “H-he’s too powerful,” she choked out. “No one will let me leave him.” So far, it was all true. Vague, but true.

[Seayn]

A pang of guilt reverberated within the young man as he noticed how he had startled and frightened the poor girl even more, although he hadn't known that she hadn't seen him. Seayn made an attempt at a placating grin, hoping to calm down this young woman. His first glance had revealed that she was woefully under prepared for travel, upon closer inspection he realized that it was even worse than he had first assumed. She was small, lacked weaponry, and didn't seem to have the experience of a traveler at all. He frowned, shaking his head for a moment as he wondered what must be behind if this alternative was preferable. She was quick to start explaining it though.

"I might look intimidating in my armor, but I assure you, I have nothing other than your safety on my mind." Seayn's frown deepened into a grimace, her words causing his stomach to roil. He detested violence in such a pointless manner. "In my company, nothing shall harm you, I promise you that." The knight said, his tone solemn perhaps even grim.

The young man could tell that she had assigned the entire city as an area that was dangerous to her well-being, using himself as somewhat of a shield against its threat it seemed. "Let us start with names then. I am Seayn, I have more than a small amount of influence here. Tell me what this man's name is and we can go take care of this matter, I promise." Seayn stood, feeling as if he should attempt to comfort this young woman but knowing that his armor more than likely made him seem somewhat less compassionate.

[Aiyume]

The Knight’s grin caught Aiyume off guard a little. She was not sure if she should smile in return or be worried. In the end, his smile accomplished what he had hoped it would. It made the worry in her face evaporate somewhat, though it was still very evident. His words further eased her mind as he told her it was his intention to aid her. It was sweet how sincere he seemed. It almost made him stand out from any other guard she had encountered so far. If she was not being looked at as a half-naked woman she was questioned as suspicious.

She had inched her way all the way around the Knight so that most of the city was blocked from her view. It only gave her heart an ounce of ease, but it was plenty to allow it to calm into a more coherent beat. Still, she did not stop moving. She backed up slowly as she faced the man, taking one hesitated step after the other. Her movement stopped, though, after he mentioned his name and stated his influence. So, he was a Knight of this city then? What if he knew of her and was simply hiding it? He could be plotting to drag her back anyway.

“No..” she complained, her tone now more whiney than anxious. “I do not wish to stay a moment longer. I just want to leave this place.” Her gaze scanned his own for some clue of hidden intention, but found none. He simply seemed far too genuine not to trust. “Maybe...” she mumbled as her gaze fell to the ground to gather her thoughts. She looked up at him to continue, begging with her eyes before the words ever left her lips. “If you truly wish to help me, you would do so in aiding my retreat. Do you have a horse?” It was clear he did not have any animal with him, but if he lived here, perhaps he had one at his disposal back in the city.

[Seayn]

Seayn was pleased that he could manage to ease her worries, even if only a small amount. He took a moment to glance up at the sun, wondering what time it was. She still looked as skittish as a fawn though. He couldn't quite tell what was wrong with this woman. The knight had assumed that she would jump upon the first offer of help quickly yet she seemed reluctant, almost as if she thought he might in fact be dangerous. It nagged at him, some of the facts weren't adding up but that was mostly because he was missing over half of the equation. Seayn took a look back towards the city, wondering if she was afraid of some kind of pursuit.

The only problem he had with this is the fact that she was still retreating, and he could no longer tell if it was from him or from the city. The human took a step forward, holding his hands up in a gesture to show that he meant her no harm. "Ok. I can understand that. Do you have any where to go? I want to know that you're not blindly fleeing into more trouble." He didn't want to let this poor frightened girl run off into the woods only to hear of a more dangerous plight she had fallen into only moments later.

Seayn shook his head, trying to keep his gaze locked on to hers. "The only horses I have are in the city. I suppose I could always procure one from a bypasser on the road or a stable nearby but I would rather not do that unless absolutely necessary. What I can do is escort you to somewhere safe." He spoke in earnest, sincerely wanting to help her regardless of the fact that she had told him nothing of her plight at all.

[Aiyume]

Aiyume tried to be calm. Everything about the Knight’s demeanor pressured her toward it, but it felt too urgent. She just wanted to run and get as far as she could to put one more city behind her. Eventually you would not have any left to turn to... Still, there was enough room between the two now that she could simply turn and book it. He would have to be inhumanly fast to keep up with her in all of that metal. Her feet ached with the desire to be rid of the situation. She was so close and so far away...

Yet, she felt obligated to remain and converse with the Knight that seemed so earnest in his plea to aid her. “Blindly flee is all I know how to do. It is not the wild that troubles me, only people.” It was true for her, at least. She was not quite as unprepared as she appeared. True, she was not exactly traveling with large obvious weaponry to protect herself. All she had at the moment was a single dagger on the inside of her boot and her own skill. She was more used to making it out in the wilderness than resting easy in civilization. The only difference between now and any other day was that she did not have her pack of things. It included simple things like soap, small otherwise useless items that she simply found pretty, and her instruments...

Oh, her instruments! It had just now struck her that she had left them behind... Now she was broke and without her usual form of making money. Her heart and expressions sank in the thought, though it would appear to Seayn that she was simply disappointed by the news that a horse was out of reach, since she looked back up at him just as he was suggesting the possibility of taking one from a passerby. “No...I would rather walk than add equestrian theft to my problems,” she admitted quickly.

Aiyume swayed to the side, attempting to briefly glance around the armored man before her in hopes of seeing nothing and easing her nerves further. Unfortunately, she was not so lucky. She saw what looked like a group of people gathered at the exit of town and instantly assumed it included guard on the look-out for her. They’d be spotted here!

She looked back at the Knight with pleading eyes. “I would like that very much,” she uttered hurriedly, trying to say it as calmly as she could, but she desired too dearly to make the run immediately.

[Seayn]

The words struck Seayn like a blow. People had caused her more trouble than any monster or beast in the forest? It sickened him to think that there were humans that were so unpleasant as to make a girl feel more at home running away in a forest than in a house with a comfortable fire. He couldn't understand the reasons why people were so hostile, especially toward each other. The young man felt at his belt, his hands lightly clasping the hilt of his sword and both pouches upon it. He rubbed his gauntleted hands together. Seayn turned to glance towards the town, just running his gaze over it for a moment.

The knight frowned, knowing that a horse would have hastened their retreat had he thought to bring one yet he had only meant to come out here for a short walk today. "I'm sorry that you seen to have met such misfortune in this city." Seayn couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt, knowing that it was his jurisdiction to take care of the inhabitants of this city, at least to some extent. He shook his head, grimacing at the thought of stealing a horse from some poor farmer. "You misunderstand me. It would not be theft. I would make sure that the owner of such a horse would receive fair compensation."

Seayn nodded at her acceptance of his offer to travel with her, taking a glance back at the city. There seemed to be some sort of commotion yet he was sure that the guards could handle it without his help. He approached her, only to pass her by, obviously meaning to take the lead on the trail. "Any general place you plan on going?" He asked, trying to keep his questions from being too prying. The girl seemed skittish and although he had already introduced himself, she was reluctant to do the same to him. He glanced back at her, mostly to reassure himself that she was going to follow.

[Aiyume]

That desire to run ate away at her conscience too quickly. It was plain in her face as she anxiously looked up at the Knight. Her own morals felt like they would be her downfall. She could not deny him the decency of facing him while he spoke to her, but she desired so to just make a break for it. After spotting the people outside of the city, his words seemed to be far too plentiful. Her anxiety seemed to make every moment feel like a lifetime. Oh, it seemed like it wouldn’t end! That is, until he moved toward her only to pass her up and begin their journey. Her heart lifted a little in that moment, she could not deny it. It was quite a relief that after all the time that passed between them he was still going to help her and that her escape from the city could be continued.

The relief was short lived...naturally, as his moving past her made the city open to view. The people were still there. None were running toward them, which was a good sign, but there was still time. It was too much of a threat for her not to talk herself out of feeling comfortable. So, she promptly turned on a heel and chased after the Knight that had taken the lead. His pace was not quite as hasty as she would have liked, but what could be done? If he went any faster his uniform would make so much noise it would alert the entire realm of their existence.

Of course, her naïve little heart was incapable of letting the situation keep her down completely. This new turn of events was just what she needed to maintain her faith in humanity. It was sweet how promptly he came to her rescue without knowing who she was, any real details about her situation, or demanding for something in return. Sure, such demands might come up later, but there was no hint of such a thought being entertained that it added to her comfort. Her only worry that kept a smile from taking over her otherwise grim expressions was the possibility he might turn on her for the sake of the law. She would have to keep him blind to her reasons for fleeing the town. Sure, she thought she was completely innocent, but there was an entire police force that thought otherwise.

His glancing back at her alerted her that he had voiced a question that she had not yet answered. What the question was, she was not immediately certain of. It took her a few moments to work out the sounds her ears had caught into an understandable sentence. He had mentioned something about plans... “P-Plan making isn’t exactly my strongest feature,” she mumbled as she trotted behind him. The only plans she had set out ahead of her was disappearing into the tree line and getting as far from this city as she could. Survival in freedom. That was her plan.