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Post by Bloodrose on Dec 14, 2016 3:00:13 GMT -5
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 14, 2016 11:38:08 GMT -5
"Yeah, I want to come!" Esca said, excited "Of course I do. I can't wait to start training and I want to help you learn Celtic. And I like that forest. It's very pretty in the sunlight. Mother says it's scary but I don't think so." Truth be told, the boy was growing extremely fond of Damianos and extremely tired of meeting lots of new people he never knew about. It was all quite overwhelming for him so he figured he should deal with it one person at a time. He blinked down at him, straining to translate in his head what he'd said. After a moment he'd worked it out and slowly nodded. 'I like that forest too.' He said, before he began to walk. He waved at Aedan and his sisters as he began to leave, walking at a slightly slower pace for Esca to keep up. One quick goodbye from Idelle, Aedan and Eoghann and Esca was leaving with Damianos, happily walking alongside the older man. "Uncle Aedan told me to wish you good hunting. And he told me to make sure we don't get lost"
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 14, 2016 11:38:42 GMT -5
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 14, 2016 11:41:20 GMT -5
"Oh, yes, a lot better. Things have been a lot better recently. And thank you for Lucien, he is treating me very well, and he's been very helpful" Aedan replied. Lucien had treated him better than most people he had met in a long time. He was straight-talking but he didn't look at Aedan like a lesser person, and he didn't treat Aedan like a lesser person. In fact, he treated him like an equal. The only person that had treated him like that apart from Lucien had been Sabina, and Aedan was perhaps starting to think that there were people who didn't look at him like some sort of animal. Here he he was just called 'Celt' most of the time. He only heard his name when the crowd cheered it, but even then it was 'Felix' and not his real name. But Lucien and Sabina knew his real name, and they used it for him. That was a small thing, but it was vital for Aedan "Im glad, has everyone been kinder to you? I told remus the be kinder, if he hasn't ill have lucien talk to him if he isnt." She said defensively. She pushed her veil back showing her black hair that had a butterfly pin in the side of her hair. "Everyone has been kinder, yes," Aedan replied "and I want to thank you for helping me, but you have to understand that every slave goes through these things. What made you choose to help me, of all the slaves?"
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Post by Bloodrose on Dec 14, 2016 12:03:46 GMT -5
He blinked down at him, straining to translate in his head what he'd said. After a moment he'd worked it out and slowly nodded. 'I like that forest too.' He said, before he began to walk. He waved at Aedan and his sisters as he began to leave, walking at a slightly slower pace for Esca to keep up. One quick goodbye from Idelle, Aedan and Eoghann and Esca was leaving with Damianos, happily walking alongside the older man. "Uncle Aedan told me to wish you good hunting. And he told me to make sure we don't get lost" Damianos burst out laughing. 'I won't get lost!' He exclaimed, grinning widely at Aedan's concern. He ensured he had everything as they headed towards the woods, feeling more relaxed now that they'd left the village and it was quieter. 'What do you feel like hunting for?' He asked, looking down at the boy.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 14, 2016 12:15:23 GMT -5
"I do know," the little boy replied "I usually only do hunting with the other boys, and we don't usually catch much. I think we are too loud. So what do you want to hunt for, Damianos?"
The little boy didn't know what he wanted to hunt, and he thought it would be easier for him to learn if he just let Damianos pick and then hunt with him. After all, he wanted to get out of his comfort zone.
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Post by Bloodrose on Dec 14, 2016 12:27:15 GMT -5
"I do know," the little boy replied "I usually only do hunting with the other boys, and we don't usually catch much. I think we are too loud. So what do you want to hunt for, Damianos?" The little boy didn't know what he wanted to hunt, and he thought it would be easier for him to learn if he just let Damianos pick and then hunt with him. After all, he wanted to get out of his comfort zone. 'The deer I caught last time was good.' He said. 'I will have to teach you to be quiet.' He added, smiling down at him warmly. 'You'll be the best hunter in no time.' He winked, then began to carefully scan the forest for tracks as they walked through it, lightening his footsteps.
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Post by вєвє on Dec 14, 2016 12:31:38 GMT -5
She blushed and quickly turned away clearing her throat, "When i first saw you, you looked so small in the cart and your eyes seemed so sad. I want to help all of you but you opened my eyes to it all. I guess..." She crossed her arms over her chest looking at a torch. She could feel his eyes on her and she really hoped that was a good explanation, she could just out right day 'I am helping you most because i want to see you happy, i want to see you succeed and live past this horrible experience and go on with your life.' She sighed and rubbed her arms feeling goosebumps, the temperature was mild even for it being the middle of fall, maybe it was the realization that she really cared for Aedan.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 14, 2016 13:44:20 GMT -5
She blushed and quickly turned away clearing her throat, "When i first saw you, you looked so small in the cart and your eyes seemed so sad. I want to help all of you but you opened my eyes to it all. I guess..." She crossed her arms over her chest looking at a torch. She could feel his eyes on her and she really hoped that was a good explanation, she could just out right day 'I am helping you most because i want to see you happy, i want to see you succeed and live past this horrible experience and go on with your life.' She sighed and rubbed her arms feeling goosebumps, the temperature was mild even for it being the middle of fall, maybe it was the realization that she really cared for Aedan. "Well, thank you for that. I want you to know that I'm glad I opened your eyes to what was happening. But I can only move on with my life if I am given my freedom. There's only so much you can help me. I hope you understand that. I don't want you getting false hope for me. I moved past that a long time ago" He couldn't help but feel that she wasn't really helping anyone. After all,cshe was helping him, but she might never be free.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 14, 2016 13:49:42 GMT -5
"I do know," the little boy replied "I usually only do hunting with the other boys, and we don't usually catch much. I think we are too loud. So what do you want to hunt for, Damianos?" The little boy didn't know what he wanted to hunt, and he thought it would be easier for him to learn if he just let Damianos pick and then hunt with him. After all, he wanted to get out of his comfort zone. 'The deer I caught last time was good.' He said. 'I will have to teach you to be quiet.' He added, smiling down at him warmly. 'You'll be the best hunter in no time.' He winked, then began to carefully scan the forest for tracks as they walked through it, lightening his footsteps. Esca smiled and nodded, trying to match the lightness in the older man's footsteps. He froze as he caught sight of a track, which he pointer out to the man. "Is that a deer track?"
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Post by Bloodrose on Dec 14, 2016 14:20:54 GMT -5
'The deer I caught last time was good.' He said. 'I will have to teach you to be quiet.' He added, smiling down at him warmly. 'You'll be the best hunter in no time.' He winked, then began to carefully scan the forest for tracks as they walked through it, lightening his footsteps. Esca smiled and nodded, trying to match the lightness in the older man's footsteps. He froze as he caught sight of a track, which he pointer out to the man. "Is that a deer track?" He blinked and walked over to it, slowly sinking into a crouch and running his fingers over it. He examined the area around, then smiled widely. 'Yes.' He said, standing and tightening his belt. 'Let's go.' He said, following the tracks: he examined every broken twig or snapped branch and taught Esca to know how the animal would have been moving from the deepness of the hoofprint. He showed how the toe-hoofs of the deer would spread out when it jumped or began to run. 'And there are none of its usual food here, because it is too dry.' He added, pointing west, where the forest grew even murkier, the fog much deeper. 'The deers food tends to grow on river banks, or at the sides of streams; so that's where we go if we are seeking deer.' He finished, smiling down at Esca. 'Water is also where we set traps; as is at food sources, like berry bushes. I will show you later a simple snare.'
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Post by вєвє on Dec 14, 2016 15:02:43 GMT -5
She turned sharply, "Aedan, I will get you out of here, whether it's tomorrow or next year you wont die a slave. Even if I have to break you out of here and take you to Briton, Ive let this go on for so long and even though i cant end it, but I can make up for my ignorance and help you survive. If you make it perhaps I can continue to help others, I walk down these streets and see people enslaved fighting to survive..." She shook her head, "I have to do something..." Sabina fixed her dress and sighed once more. "I must leave soon... I will visit you during training later this week but i have to go with my mother to Bononia to visit her sister so I will send Wila to take care of you, though i wont be gone long." She said, she then walked over and kissed his cheek before going to walk out.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 14, 2016 15:50:43 GMT -5
Esca smiled and nodded, trying to match the lightness in the older man's footsteps. He froze as he caught sight of a track, which he pointer out to the man. "Is that a deer track?" He blinked and walked over to it, slowly sinking into a crouch and running his fingers over it. He examined the area around, then smiled widely. 'Yes.' He said, standing and tightening his belt. 'Let's go.' He said, following the tracks: he examined every broken twig or snapped branch and taught Esca to know how the animal would have been moving from the deepness of the hoofprint. He showed how the toe-hoofs of the deer would spread out when it jumped or began to run. 'And there are none of its usual food here, because it is too dry.' He added, pointing west, where the forest grew even murkier, the fog much deeper. 'The deers food tends to grow on river banks, or at the sides of streams; so that's where we go if we are seeking deer.' He finished, smiling down at Esca. 'Water is also where we set traps; as is at food sources, like berry bushes. I will show you later a simple snare.' Esca had been fascinated, watching everything the man had done as he explained how to search for the deer. "So do you think the deer is nearby, then?" he asked "Do you think it's big enough to be worth our catching?" Esca understood that if you were going to go hunting, it was only worth hunting large animals. Otherwise you were expending a lot of energy for very little reward. Esca had learned little, but he knew the fundamentals.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 14, 2016 15:59:54 GMT -5
She turned sharply, "Aedan, I will get you out of here, whether it's tomorrow or next year you wont die a slave. Even if I have to break you out of here and take you to Briton, Ive let this go on for so long and even though i cant end it, but I can make up for my ignorance and help you survive. If you make it perhaps I can continue to help others, I walk down these streets and see people enslaved fighting to survive..." She shook her head, "I have to do something..." Sabina fixed her dress and sighed once more. "I must leave soon... I will visit you during training later this week but i have to go with my mother to Bononia to visit her sister so I will send Wila to take care of you, though i wont be gone long." She said, she then walked over and kissed his cheek before going to walk out. "I don't know how you're intending on doing any of this, but I do appreciate it. I'm hoping that you can help, but I think you'll have to forgive me for not letting myself get my hopes up. Half of the scars you were tracing when you first met me are because I tried to escape. I did it a lot when I was eighteen and nineteen, and they punished me for it. I know this is a very different situation, but that's why I was trying not to let myself get my hopes up" he replied. When she said she was going to leave, he nodded "Alright, I would love to meet Wila. I hope to see you soon" He tried to hide the heat he could feel rising in his cheeks after she kissed him on the cheek, trying to hide his blush because he knew his pale skin would betray him if he let it, magnifying any hint of redness.
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Post by Bloodrose on Dec 14, 2016 16:06:18 GMT -5
He blinked and walked over to it, slowly sinking into a crouch and running his fingers over it. He examined the area around, then smiled widely. 'Yes.' He said, standing and tightening his belt. 'Let's go.' He said, following the tracks: he examined every broken twig or snapped branch and taught Esca to know how the animal would have been moving from the deepness of the hoofprint. He showed how the toe-hoofs of the deer would spread out when it jumped or began to run. 'And there are none of its usual food here, because it is too dry.' He added, pointing west, where the forest grew even murkier, the fog much deeper. 'The deers food tends to grow on river banks, or at the sides of streams; so that's where we go if we are seeking deer.' He finished, smiling down at Esca. 'Water is also where we set traps; as is at food sources, like berry bushes. I will show you later a simple snare.' Esca had been fascinated, watching everything the man had done as he explained how to search for the deer. "So do you think the deer is nearby, then?" he asked "Do you think it's big enough to be worth our catching?" Esca understood that if you were going to go hunting, it was only worth hunting large animals. Otherwise you were expending a lot of energy for very little reward. Esca had learned little, but he knew the fundamentals. 'I don't think it's close.' Damianos replied. 'By the look of the hooves it's a decent enough size.' He confirmed, starting to walk again. 'Pay close attention to what I've shown you.' He then said, sliding with ease into the role of a teacher as he looked back at the boy. Damianos felt it would be okay for them to hunt small game as they continued tracking this deer; it was normal for hunting trips to span one to even seven days, all in pursuit of one or a herd of animals.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 14, 2016 16:10:18 GMT -5
Esca nodded, and pointed in the direction of the hooves "then we follow it that way."
The boy had a little bow on his back, small enough for a child but still deadly and not to be underestimated. It was a weapon he knew how to use and him being a child made it no less dangerous.
The boy halted when he caught sight of a rabbit, dropping to his haunches and grabbing his bow; it wasn't huge but if they were travelling for a long time they would need food for their journey and a rabbit like this would be perfect.
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Post by Bloodrose on Dec 14, 2016 16:12:41 GMT -5
Esca nodded, and pointed in the direction of the hooves "then we follow it that way." The boy had a little bow on his back, small enough for a child but still deadly and not to be underestimated. It was a weapon he knew how to use and him being a child made it no less dangerous. The boy halted when he caught sight of a rabbit, dropping to his haunches and grabbing his bow; it wasn't huge but if they were travelling for a long time they would need food for their journey and a rabbit like this would be perfect. Damianos noticed at the same time as Esca, and ever so slowly sank down into a crouch; being much taller, if he were to move quickly his bulk would most definitely be noticed by the little creature. 'easy.' He whispered to Esca, once he'd lowered himself into the crouch to hide. 'don't forget to breathe when you fire.' He murmured. 'The strength comes from your back, and not your arm.'
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 14, 2016 16:18:05 GMT -5
The boy moved only to make a slight nod, eyes focused on the unaware animal as he slotted an arrow into the bow.
Esca straightened his back, drawing back his fingers and feeling the bowstring graze his cheek. Like Damianos had taught him, he took a deep breath, eyes on the rabbit as he loosed the arrow, watching it fly and the animal fall prey to it.
"I did it!" he whispered triumphantly "I've never hit that well before"
(Lol Esca has no empathy for the poor little rabbit)
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Post by Bloodrose on Dec 14, 2016 16:25:11 GMT -5
The boy moved only to make a slight nod, eyes focused on the unaware animal as he slotted an arrow into the bow. Esca straightened his back, drawing back his fingers and feeling the bowstring graze his cheek. Like Damianos had taught him, he took a deep breath, eyes on the rabbit as he loosed the arrow, watching it fly and the animal fall prey to it. "I did it!" he whispered triumphantly "I've never hit that well before" (Lol Esca has no empathy for the poor little rabbit) (He's cute so he gets away with it x'D) 'That was great!!!' Damianos laughed, sweeping Esca up to lift him above his head. 'Alright, go get your spoils. Do you know how to skin it?' He asked, putting the little boy down. Damianos felt pride swelling in his chest for the boy, feeling the happiness radiating off him. 'That really was a brilliant shot.' He added, brushing the dirt off of his knees.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 14, 2016 16:29:52 GMT -5
"A bow is the only weapon I can use right now, especially for hunting" Esca shrugged as he went to retrieve the rabbit "I got good at it I guess. I trained with it a lot. My father taught me how to use one."
It was the first mention of Esca's father the boy had ever made, but it was the last one he would probably make in a while.
"No. I've watched other people skinning animals, but I've never really properly tried it." he replied when Damianos asked if he knew how to skin the animal.
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Post by Bloodrose on Dec 14, 2016 16:32:31 GMT -5
"A bow is the only weapon I can use right now, especially for hunting" Esca shrugged as he went to retrieve the rabbit "I got good at it I guess. I trained with it a lot. My father taught me how to use one." It was the first mention of Esca's father the boy had ever made, but it was the last one he would probably make in a while. "No. I've watched other people skinning animals, but I've never really properly tried it." he replied when Damianos asked if he knew how to skin the animal. Damianos listened intently as Esca spoke, and didn't push the subject of his father; he knew that, in time, and with trust, the boy may open up to him. 'I'm not that good with bows; I'm too strong, so I usually either bend or break the bow before I even get a chance to shoot.' He said, glancing at the longbow on his back. 'But it's a useful thing to have in a pinch.' He smiled as Esca brought back the rabbit; Damianos tied a leather strip around its feet and hung it from the boy's belt. 'When we set up camp later on, I'll show you how to skin the smaller animals.' He promised, 'and which parts you can use.'
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 14, 2016 16:41:00 GMT -5
Esca laughed "I can imagine that you would break a bow. My mother said that Uncle Aedan used to be good with a bow when he was a teenager and that he never missed a shot, but she said that he trained so much with a sword that he isn't used to a bow anymore and isn't very good anymore. But I think he just liked the swords better."
They were following the tracks again, which were leading into the kind of soft muddy ground that hinted at the presence of the river. This was soon accompanied by a roaring and crashing sound from the water.
"That's the River Wear. It's very big and has lots of fish in it. We get to use it for a lot of our food"
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Post by вєвє on Dec 14, 2016 16:51:59 GMT -5
"Goodbye Aedan." She said before walking out pulling her hood up before leaving into the darkness on her black horse. *After the family visit* She walked into the colosseum in a black dress with a silver sash around her waist, she watch for Lucien and Aedan smiling as she saw them. Then Remus came up to her and began chattering about his training and how there haven't been a single issue with the gladiators since she started paying for them to have more food and clothing. "Its my duty and honor as a princess of rome to help those in need, these men may not have the choice to fight or not but they should be given the best opportunities to fight properly. SPeaking of which have you spoken to the blacksmith? I heard about his son losing the finger, how is the boy?" "Princess he is doing fine, already back at the anvil. Your friend Livius came by actually and donated a small fund to help the blacksmiths create finer weapons. He actually told me to tell you that." Remus smiled. "Legion Captain Livius? Next time he comes around you find away to warn me ok, I wont have him snooping around the colosseum when he is suppose to be completeing his military requirements and defending our borders." She said then turned back to Lucien and Aedan fighting.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 14, 2016 16:58:19 GMT -5
Aedan's fight with Lucien was going well, both men having to grunt with the exertion of the fight. That was, until a crafty manoeuvre from Lucien had Aedan toppled, the practise sword at his throat.
"Come on, Aedan!" said Lucien "You're off form today. You have to be prepared for things like that"
Aedan didn't reply, just grinned as he kicked up. Not enough to harm the other man but enough to cause enough confusion that Aedan could grab the other man's sword from him and jump up. Lucien now had two blades at his throat.
After the other man conceded defeat, Aedan passed the other man his weapon back.
"Not prepared, was I?" Aedan laughed
"Don't get sarcastic on me know, I can still beat you any day" joked Lucien
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Post by вєвє on Dec 14, 2016 17:14:27 GMT -5
Sabina was led by Remus into the sand pit, she held her black dress up with her Sandles in one has she walked to them smiling at the other gladiators as she walked past, She and remus spoke about the next tournament that was coming up at the solstice. As she walked closer she saw what Lucien and Aedan did and giggled, "Lucien don't you hurt my champion." She flashed a smiled at Aedan.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 14, 2016 17:19:35 GMT -5
Lucien did a pretend pout "Come on, not even a little bit?" and both he and Aedan laughed before Lucien continued "Not to worry, my lady, he will be on top form at the next fight, uninjured and everything"
Aedan did a bow of greeting to Sabina, flashing her a smile, before turning to bow too before Remus, giving both of them a friendly and respectful greeting.
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Post by вєвє on Dec 14, 2016 17:42:35 GMT -5
"Good, I have the fullest confidence in you Aedan but just to be sure Ive reserved a healer in case you or any of our home gladiators become injured." As she said that she only looked at Aedan her smiled bright and her eyes glittering. "I wont keep you from your training, i just had to see how you were progressing and if Lucien was actually training instead of just escaping to a brothel." She smiled shooing remus away so she could speak with them.
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Post by Bloodrose on Dec 14, 2016 17:58:01 GMT -5
Esca laughed "I can imagine that you would break a bow. My mother said that Uncle Aedan used to be good with a bow when he was a teenager and that he never missed a shot, but she said that he trained so much with a sword that he isn't used to a bow anymore and isn't very good anymore. But I think he just liked the swords better." They were following the tracks again, which were leading into the kind of soft muddy ground that hinted at the presence of the river. This was soon accompanied by a roaring and crashing sound from the water. "That's the River Wear. It's very big and has lots of fish in it. We get to use it for a lot of our food" 'Wear.' He repeated, the name strange in his mouth. 'The deer probably passed this way.' He murmured, as they emerged and came to the gushing river. He crouched, amused by its tenacity; when he looked up, he froze, seeing a pair of Amber eyes and a black tail disappear into the fog on the opposite bank. 'Was that a wolf?' He thought to himself; 'or was that a Lykos?' Brushing it off as nothing he got back to his feet. 'Alright... the tracks went... this way.' He pinpointed them and began to continue travelling, feeling nervous but in his element here in the wilds.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 15, 2016 2:41:26 GMT -5
"Good, I have the fullest confidence in you Aedan but just to be sure Ive reserved a healer in case you or any of our home gladiators become injured." As she said that she only looked at Aedan her smiled bright and her eyes glittering. "I wont keep you from your training, i just had to see how you were progressing and if Lucien was actually training instead of just escaping to a brothel." She smiled shooing remus away so she could speak with them. Lucien just laughed "Yeah, Aedan, this is more for me than for you. They have to keep me out of trouble somehow." Aedan laughed before turning to Sabina "Thanks about the healer by the way. We mostly have to deal with stuff ourselves when we get injured so it would be good to have a proper physician around to see to us"
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on Dec 15, 2016 2:46:58 GMT -5
Esca laughed "I can imagine that you would break a bow. My mother said that Uncle Aedan used to be good with a bow when he was a teenager and that he never missed a shot, but she said that he trained so much with a sword that he isn't used to a bow anymore and isn't very good anymore. But I think he just liked the swords better." They were following the tracks again, which were leading into the kind of soft muddy ground that hinted at the presence of the river. This was soon accompanied by a roaring and crashing sound from the water. "That's the River Wear. It's very big and has lots of fish in it. We get to use it for a lot of our food" 'Wear.' He repeated, the name strange in his mouth. 'The deer probably passed this way.' He murmured, as they emerged and came to the gushing river. He crouched, amused by its tenacity; when he looked up, he froze, seeing a pair of Amber eyes and a black tail disappear into the fog on the opposite bank. 'Was that a wolf?' He thought to himself; 'or was that a Lykos?' Brushing it off as nothing he got back to his feet. 'Alright... the tracks went... this way.' He pinpointed them and began to continue travelling, feeling nervous but in his element here in the wilds. Esca didn't notice the possible wolf and just followed Damianos, looking at the tracks carefully as they went. "Do you like it here in Britannia?" the boy asked "I guess you must miss your home sometimes." He still couldn't understand why Damianos had come here when he could have gone back to Greece, but he supposed the man had his reasons, and he might not want to share them with him yet.
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