Monkshod. (closed)

[Lu-Nai]

The walk home lay ahead. It took days across country, and weeks by road. It didn't seem like Lu would get very far tonight, despite the perfect conditions for traveling - It was already getting dark, he'd need to set up a camp and get a fire going.

The sky was a beautiful gradient of orange to pink to blue, and even the stars watched over him this night. The air was soft and cool, and there were no sign of clouds to issue bad weather. Further more there were no biting-bugs out tonight!

Lu trotted on, the small sack on his back wobbled back and fore. It contained a loaf of bread, a small wad of string, and some flint, vital for any trip.
A sigh escaped him; What would the future be for Septrem? It held such beauty, and also such brutality...

The meeting he'd just escaped from was a wake-up call for him, warning of Wars and more anguish for the Five Factions.
He knew, too, that the Minisu could not stand by and do nothing, dipomatically that would be foolish, plus they were far to loyal to their good allies - The Shirezei. However, this did not mean they would go into combat blindly. The Monks would try hard for peace.

Lu reached the top of a slight ridge and trudged down the other side, his sandles gripping well considering the decline. A lone fox call rolled up the hill and back towards the forest, before echoing around the quiet landscape. Just ahead was a small patch of Monkshod, a small but deadly plant used in many poisons, but it was also the main ingredient to Alma Tea, surprisingly. To make this tea, first the plant is boiled heavily, then left in water for a few days. Next the plant is taken from the water and left to dry for a few days. Then the petals are ground up and boiled again. Unfortunatly if not boiled for the right amount of time, the petals are extremely deadly.

The tea it makes helps mask pain, and is often drunk after a sparring session.

He decided to pick some - it always helped to keep a steady stock. Lu was very careful not to split the plant and get any of it's juice on him, it was an irritant, but also if he was to touch his mouth with the same part of the hand later on he would most certainly die.

He accumalated a few bunches, bound them together with the string and hung them from the bag he carried, before continuing his long journey ahead.

[Enyo]

The starts jotted the night skies like the very eyes of from the gods themselves were watching the mortals from above, impassive and content. Enyo however didn’t believe such gods nor did he care for things that do not involve him. However as Enyo trudged on through the wilderness he felt the cool air pass his face that felt nice and heavenly under the night sky. The moon light night was the only light that gave him any guide of direction to go wherever he pleases. The cloak bellowing behind him from the soft wind and Enyo only felt peace being away from the political games. He held a leather bag behind him filled with camping equipment and food supplements for his training. From the web of lies he weaves around him from harm from the many that might mean him threat or harm. However such burden was drifted from the winds as he walked through the heavy forest, his foot steps so soft and light that even the branches he stepped on didn’t give in under pressure.

As he walked Enyo contemplated his current situation. His current living conditions in the Ganura area is small but clean and the working hours are fine however staying there any longer would only annoy him only further. He was truly a neutral character when it comes to the five fractions and the only reason he even came to live within such an area is to learn all he can from the great Ganura. Though the great nation is small and not yet ready to face against there enemies, it makes for there great combat warfare and efficient tactical skills of ingenious plans that levels there playing field efficiently.

Enyo shook his head a little in order to clear his thoughts and continued to walk forward. The only reason he was out in the wilderness and miles away from the base is for his training progress. His training there is difficult so as not to cause any suspesions and questions as to why such a menial laborer had skills of a proficient warrior however would be troublesome. So he raided the library and read everything he could while watching the trainers train there students without causing any suspensions. Being a genius does have its benefits thought Enyo.

However as he continued further his eyes dawned upon a stranger picking a patch of plants and hung them from the bag he carried. This brought a curious raise of questions to his mind. ‘Why in all the worlds would there be a lone man out in the cover of darkness?’ The thought left before it even came. “Then again I should be asking my self the same question.” Muttering to himself before his footsteps took him towards the curious stranger.

“Hello stranger! It is…strange meeting a fellow man within the woods under the dark sky. Is there anything that you may need of my help?

[Lu-Nai]

Lu-Nai stopped dead in his tracks and looked at the man adorned in slight armour and armed with a blade.

He swallowed, then said; "No. Thank you, sir, but i'm on my way home." The reply was short, and closed.

Lu had no idea who this man was, perhaps he was one of the Outlaws the others had told him about...

[Enyo]

The answer he got was…interesting which caused his mouth to twitch. ‘Was he so intimidated that the answer was only few. “If you are sure then, I shall be on my way then. As should you, there are many bandits out there that would not hesitate to kill you on the spot if your not careful.” Placing his hand upon his chin as if something of a realization dawned upon him gave a frown married upon his face. “In fact, I met some of the bandit’s scouts that I had to…dispose of. And I’m afraid if you continue any further tonight you might just be a victim. You should rest here for the night to pass so you may be able to travel well in the morning without any harm. What say you?”

[Lu-Nai]

The Monk was purplexed with the forward nature of this warrior.

"I'll keep on my toes. It's a long way, and to camp here would waste much time..." came Lu-Nai's reply, again it was closed, he did not wish to talk any more, but rather desired to be back at the Monestary.

His fist tightened on his staff, he was getting nervous.

[Enyo]

Enyo sighed and shrugged in annoyance. "Well, whatever you may say it is your own fate to decide. I only gave you a warning. Pray that you don't get devoured in the darkness." Enyo replied cryptically. And with a smirk, Enyo took couple of steps pass the monk to leave. "It's your choice monk. Your choice." He said quietly, almost a whisper as he passed him and turned to leave.

[Lu-Nai]

Lu-Nai frowned.

"What say you? Devoured in the darkness...What do you mean? Are you trying to set my fate?" The Monk realized his nerves had suddenly hardened, and he now spoke with resolve and strength.

[Enyo]

Enyo paused within his footsteps as the hardened voice of the monk reached him but never turned around. "You know" He began, his voice calm and neutral with a hint of curiosity behind his voice. "For a monk such as your self, one would think that you are nothing more than a weakling that passes through dangers of the forest with no fear of being hurt who is more naive than a child within it's cradle. However another one would think that you are very skilled who hides his skills upon the world of enemies one might have." Cocking his head to the side, his eyes watched him from the corner of his eyes with a smirk. "Which one are you?" Enyo asked in a singsong voice. Deep within his mind, his split personality woken from it's deep slumber as it felt it's dominate host emotions stir.

[Lu-Nai]

Lu-Nai gripped the staff now in both hands.

"I do not wish for trouble." He stated peacfully, "But if there is a great danger ahead I would like to be notified. The Forest possess no danger to me, however, so if the trees are the Darkness of which you speak, then I am far from hurt..."

[Enyo]

His smirk thinned and no smile came upon him. "If i wanted trouble i would have picked one already. Seeing as one of us is not bleeding yet you should have already assumed that i do not want any trouble." Enyo felt annoyance rise within him but repressed it with a force of will. "Really, either you are a foolishly brave or just damn good but i do know one thing, you seem to be wary of strangers and too much paranoia is not healthy." Sighing a bit Enyo fully turned around. "I already told you of the dangers. Don't make me repeat it again." Enyo replied before once more taking steps to leave.

[Lu-Nai]

Lu-Nai frowned and watched as the man walked away.

One of the many strangers Lu would encounter on his trips home, and by far the most arrogaunt.

Not that it mattered, for all Lu-Nai knew he would never see the man again.

On that thought, the Monk propped his pace and continued his journey.