Nearly Caught (Open)

[Jordan Hielo]

It was Jordan's favourite day. The one day out of the week where he did not have to go to work. And it was not as if he disliked working; truly he enjoyed it. But sometimes he just needed away from people, even in such a lonely time as this.

But it was no longer such a lonely period. He was beginning to truly get over this bump in the road. The elemental could be seen through the windows of his house, rummaging around, placing things into the fire or into a box. All of the things Myra had left behind.

It had been a while since she left; she wasn't coming back. There was no point in keeping such useless artifacts that he felt only reminded him of his slight loneliness.

Besides, quite a bit of them looked rather ugly.

He brushed his hands together as he straightened himself out, looking around the room. And he had to admit, it put a sort of ease to him. The room, once cluttered and difficult to move around in, was now a more comfortable home. You could see all of the furniture and more useful things around, except for the occasional decoration Jordan had gathered himself.

With a satisfied smile he brushed himself off, before picking up his elfwood bow and arrows, his dagger, and heading out the door.

The elemental walked on through the little village he resided in. The sun had barely risen already, and people were getting on with their day. Some would see him and wave, and he would wave back, as he wandered closer to the edge of the village. He stretched, the leather and cloth surrounding him bending with his body. He had to brush his growing hair out of his face, as it began getting into his eyes.

I'll need to cut that soon, he thought to himself, before directing his attention back to the pine forest surrounding him.

He made his way deeper and deeper into the bush, silently moving through as if he were a shadow. Slowing down when he thought he saw an animal.

Sure enough, a rather large doe stood eating some grass. Carefully scraping her hoof against the hard forest floor. Her ears would flick once or twice, ever so slightly, but not enough for Jordan to see if his hiding place was found. Silently he removed the bow from his back, carefully taking an arrow out of its quiver.

He pulled back the arrow, aiming to hit the doe straight for the head, when suddenly she lifted her head in a sharp manner. At first, Jordan thought she had heard him, and silently cursed to himself. But then he realized she was not looking at him.

The hunter prayed, and sent the arrow flying. But it had been too late. The door ran, missing the arrow by an inch. Jordan scowled, but still made no noise. He watched the doe take off with lightning speed, knowing he would not catch her now.

He stood once more, stepping out into the slight clearing and onto a rock, looking around for the spot the deer had ran from. Another hunter? Being? Beast? Though it was not exactly wise, he wanted to find out.

So there Jordan stood. Watching.

[merlinus]

Meryl watched the doe run at the presence of him, something he was accustomed to though he knew perfectly well that it was not because of his bloodline. Still the memory was there Squeeker on his shoulder gently nuzzling his cheek to push aside the thoughts in his masters mind, a soft pat to the drakelings head brought a small smile to Meryl's face. He looked about the forest unaware there was another in the forest with him.

He took in the clean air and fresh scents in one breath and he pulled off his cloak and opened the upper part of his robes chuckling softly as squeeker whined in compliant about whatever he was about to do. "Oh behave there is no one else around." Cooed Meryl finding himself a small pond and sitting with his legs crossed, there was a small shimmer around his body as a glamour was dropped revealing the terrible scars across his body some old and some that looked like they were still healing.

"This land...its strange isnt it? The worst we have gotten is a curious stare....there seems to be no hatred for any of the races....I'm almost tempted to get hopeful..." Said Meryl rubbing a particular set of scars going around his wrist and he sighs softly looking into the water with his red eyes. "I'm not that foolish though Squeeker I'm not gonna be fooled." Said Meryl splashing some water onto his face.

He began to meditate focusing inward and the wind picked up softly as he gathered his magical energies. Fire igniting the grass around him as a dark cloud formed above the small area sparking with lightning. Whispers were cast into the wind which could not be understood at this time.

[Jordan Hielo]

Jordan looked and looked, almost ready to give up, before he heard speaking. He squinted his eyes, determined to see who exactly had scared his dinner away.
Perhaps it was not exactly wise to go searching, but Jordan was a curious man with few problems.

His curiosity sparked more, however, when a dark cloud formed just above the trees, straight ahead.

The elemental placed his bow and arrow back onto his back, focusing his energy and turning into his elemental form.This did not look good; he would have to be at his strongest if he was to face anything dangerous. His hair shimmered with blue, as his skin looked as if it became ice. Breathing out let out a puff of condensation.

With that he took off silently into the woods, ready to fight off any danger to the pine forest.

He slowed as he approached the area, eyes squinted as he peered out from behind a bush. Spying was not exactly polite, but this looked as if it were dark magic. And Avaleur needed no such evils, if they were for bad intention.

His hair danced in the wind as he observed the scene before him; grass lit on fire, to Jordan's dismay. An odd man with an odd creature, seeming to cast a spell as indistinguishable words were cast out. He tensed, not knowing what was happening, or what he should do.

The elemental sat in his hiding spot and waited.

[merlinus]

A monster...a blood thirsty mongrel... Finally the words were becoming more understandable as Meryl meditated inward. He should be put down like a dog! Lightning struck hitting the water infront of Meyl scattering it into the sky and it came down like rain putting out the fire around him. He stood slowly as his magic caused actual rain to start falling.

He looked to the sky with his red eyes as the utterings on the wind came to a stop and let the rain soak him. "Tch...I really need to stop looking to then..." He whispered before the wind came to an odd calm as a breeze hit the elemental, Meryl's eyes sharpened and he looked to the bush.

"Only a foe hides from sight to spy on someone." Said Meryl in a soft shout as a threat, a fireball swirling in his hand as he spoke a soft fire incantation.

[Jordan Hielo]

He flinched as he noticed the rain, but ignored it as it continued to come down. Some of the smaller drops instantly froze on his skin and hair, which he did not bother to brush off yet. His breathing slowed as the man talked.

What was he talking about? This was truly suspicious...

His eyes went wide as the shout was called, and he silently cursed. Eyes now narrow. He should not have strayed so close to the man. Otherwise, perhaps he would not have been caught.

And although the fire probably would not hurt him too much, he did not want to take a chance. After all, he might bring back the dead and send them upon him, or some other dark magic.

No, Jordan was not one to take too many chances.

"I am no foe," he called, raising his hands as he slowly stepped out of the bush, one eyebrow furrowed.
"I am but a protector of these woods. When one does suspicious magic here, I'm not one to leave them be."

Of course there was no such thing as an official 'protector'. But Jordan did his best in keeping things balanced. Putting out forest fires, leading groups to chase out bandits.

At this point it felt like a third job to him.

[merlinus]

Meryl quirked his brow at the mention of being a protector, his eyes wondering over the form of the elemental. His lack of surprise or curiosity revealed that he was familiar with elemental. "You're a bit out of your nature here, shouldnt you be protecting a frozen tundra or snowy region? This is kinda a nature spirit type domain." Said Meryl letting the fireball flicker in his hand as he watched Jordan remaining cautious and not dropping his guard.

"This is one of those things you should leave be. But that would just sound ominous if I warned you to keep on walking." Said Meryl with a shrug as he looked away for a moment. "Nothing of malicious intent going on, just a simple meditation." Said Meryl with a faint smirk still distrusting of the stranger. He did not know any other way to be when facing a stranger alone in the woods with no one around to stop Jordan from burrying a knife in his back.

Unfortunately this was burned into him from a life Meryl doesnt like looking back on. All he cared for was not to trust anyone who watched him from the shadows. "I'm not an easy kill, just a warning." Said Meryl closing his hand and the flames vanished, for now atleast he'd give this elemental a little wiggle room.

[Jordan Hielo]

One of Jordan's eyebrows shot up as Meryl told him that he was not an easy kill.
"And neither am I," he replied, lowering his hands. Despite all that Merlin had said, he seemed that he could still be dangerous. Attempt to burn him the moment he turned, or summon a creature from the underworlds.

"I protect this forest because I live near here," he explained, coming a bit more out of the woods and into the clearing before stopping.
"The kingdom of Avaleur has been attacked many times in recent years. Is it truly that odd that I am suspicious of you, given that I'ved lived through some of these things?"

He looked around the clearing carefully, wiping off the bits of rain that had frozen onto his skin.

"Likewise, you can hardly expect me to leave you be now. Seeing as how that did not look like normal meditation on my part."
Jordan shrugged, a small smile on his face.
At the very least at least the 'meditation', or whatever it is, had stopped for now.

[merlinus]

"Well you can judge everyone the same for the actions of others. You have to give them a chance." Said Meryl with a soft shrug hiding his inner distaste for his own words. Oh how his own hypocrisy was laughable. He saw no one to trust and always assumed the worst of others yet he always seemed to spout this crap when it was turned on him.

"Still a little odd...Ice Elemental...forest...considering the climate I'd say you have a hard time. But hey...thats just logic speaking." Said Meryl obviously teasing the poor guy. "You want to protect your home thats nothing I can realy hold against you." Said Meryl stretching for a moment and taking a seat near the water again.

"Merlin of the Magus Society, He whom the Queen is helpessly in love with, greatest sorcerer to have walked the three realms, and guild master of only like the best guild in the whole world." Said Meryl stroking his chin seeming to actually believe all his own lies. "A magus' magic is a reflection of inner state of being. When I meditate I bring that being outward...lets just say I have some skeletons that dont wanna be buried..."

[Jordan Hielo]

His eyebrows were partially furrowed at the man's remark of climate. Truly, how much did he know about elementals? Sure summers were tough. But the forest was the best place to be at that time. Lots of shade.

But, Jordan ignored it. At the very least he was reasonable as to why Jordan was protecting it.

And then, he told Jordan who he was. What he had done, what guild he belonged to. A few moments passed by. Slowly he tried to hold in his emotions, before he burst out laughing, trying to contain himself, Wiping a single tear from his eyes.

"Well Merlin! I am Jordan Hielo, He whom the Queen has never heard of. Former Noble of Hielo, and guild founder of the Hunter's Circle," he finally stopped laughing, but the big grin was still on his face.
"And I won't go digging into whatever skeletons that may be. Just try not to let them get out, eh mate?"

[merlinus]

Meryl laughed and shook his head for a moment looking at Jordan. "Hunter's circle? Well isnt this a lucky meeting!" Said Meryl stroking his chin for a moment. "The two founders meeting up! We could forge a guild alliance!" Said Meryl with a grin on his face.

"Dont worry bout that, I'm keeping them out...got some issues to work hence why I do this." Snickered Meryl as opened his bag and pulled out some dried meat. "Hungry?" ASked Meryl tilting his head to the side slowly. "If you happen to need some mages for your hunting I can send some your way." Cooed Meryl with a wink.

[Jordan Hielo]

Jordan perked up an eyebrow at the sound of a guild alliance. He hadn't really ever thought of such a thing. But at the very least, if this man was the leader of a guild, he could not be that bad. At least, Jordan hoped.

The man moved forward, taking the dried meat from the man and inspecting earnestly. Whether or not the man was trying to poison him did not bother Jordan; he just wanted to know what the meat was from. Satisfied that it seemed like the sort of game he hunted, he bit into it, chewing vigorously as he slid down to sit beside the mage.

"We haven't needed any mages yet," Jordan spoke in-between bites, gulping down another piece before he spoke again. "Though it's good to know I know where to go if we do."

Which was quite true, seeing as how some beasts could only be killed by magic. And although Jordan knew magic, many others in the guild did not. Werewolves could not do magic, and neither could Roland. Jordan had not really thought of it before; really, they should have been looking out for more magic-users.

"And I suppose I should offer up our services to you as well. If you need any herbs or beasts feel free to ask," Jordan took another bite, pleased at the progress they were making towards bettering the guild. After all, business in the hunter's circle was slow.

[merlinus]

"Yet, there are big games that can only be felled by magic." Said Meryl with a smirk on his face as chewed on his own meat, he looked back to the water and poked it softly and the water started to dance for him.

"Well I suppose there is a favor you could do for me to start our business dealings!" Said Meryl with a large grin on his face, recalling the night with Aerin and Elle. "I know a promising young lady who doesnt want to be a mage. She could be a strong hunter if you dont hit on her." Said Meryl stroking his chin softly.

[Jordan Hielo]

His ears perked up at the mention of a favour; he turned his head to the mage, finishing off his meat before wiping his hands clean on his pants. Curious as to why Meryl had a large grin on his face.

"Although I don't know why you would think I would hit on her," Jordan began, an eyebrow raised, "I can try to convince her to join, if you'd like. We need all the hunters we can get after all."

Jordan chuckled at the thought.

[merlinus]

"Awesome! I think Elle will like that. She'll most likely be swooning even more for me." Said Meryl with a now larger grin, he stretched and fell onto his back looking upwards. "You know...I'm curious. Why a hunter?" Asked Meryl rolling onto his side watching Jordan with a quirked eyebrow.

"I mean you're an elemental after all...I dont know how Avaleur elementals are but where I'm from they dont exactly use bows." Said Meryl waving a hand infront of his face with a large smile.

[Jordan Hielo]

Meryl seemed a man of many lovers; or at least, a man of many fibs.
Jordan took out a small apple from his bag, suddenly hungry from the meat. He took a bite as Meryl rolled onto his side. He too stared up at the sky.

He was curious to meet this 'Elle', and hoped that she was both a good hunter, and willing to join the circle.

The elemental turned back to look at Meryl as he asked about Jordan being a hunter. He took another bite, gulping it down before he spoke.
"Well I do use my magic sometimes," he replied, "I mean that's how I was trained in Hielo. Use your element so you don't have to rely on anything else. And I do use it when fighting real people. But for everything else I usually just walk in my human form."

He chuckled, taking another bite and shrugging.
"And besides, I own a shop where I sell weapons and my hunted wears. SO I sort of need to be able to use my own weapons, y'know?"

[merlinus]

"My sweet Elle is so cute! And skilled! She'll be awesome." Said Meryl going off topic again but snapping back on topic when Jordan started speaking. "My mother never assumed a human form or mettled in their affairs unless she was tending to me." Said Meryl with a nod. "So I was just curious."

"Kinda just stayed in her realm really." Said Meryl stretching again as squeeker floated down from the sky and landed between them squeeking softly. "You hungry?" ASked Meryl petting his dragon.

[Jordan Hielo]

Jordan's curiousity peaked as Meryl spoke of his mother, and how she never stayed in her human form.

He watched as the curious creature descended from the sky, right between him and Meryl. He stared at the creature a moment before looking up again.
"And what exactly are you then? I had assumed you were human yourself."
He took another bite of his apple. Curiously staring at both Meryl and what he assumed to be his creature.

[merlinus]

"I'm human." Said Meryl quickly and almost defensively as he watched Jordan stopping the petting motion he was doing to his little dragon. "Vivien adopted me." Said Meryl looking off to the side quickly.

Squeeker once again berated his master for what he took as being rude to Jordan. "Quiet you." Said Meryl bonking his pet. The two were suddenly in a fight, Squeeker having grown to the size of a dog and jumping meryl sending the two rolling into the water.

[Jordan Hielo]

Jordan raised an eyebrow ever so slightly at Meryl's quick reply, but paid no attention. If he did not want to say, then that was no business of Jordan's. Though he could have been telling the truth, his pet seemed to think otherwise.

Soon the pet had jumped onto its master, changing into the size of a dog, and the two were barreling into the water. Jordan jumped up in surprise, taking a small step forward with both eyebrows raised.

"Ahh-" he began, then furrowed his eyebrows.
"Do- do you need help?"