The twisted branches of the ancient trees reached out like skeletal fingers, ready to snatch her away, and the eerie silence was a shroud of deathly quiet suffocating her senses.A deep-seated fear of the woods had always clawed at Aviana's heart. In her mind, the woods were where nightmares sprouted wings, and danger slinked behind every tree. It was a realm where the impossible became possible, and the only witnesses were the stoic trees themselves. Despite this fear, Aviana found herself inexorably drawn to the sprawling cities that punctuated the countryside.
The larger the city, the safer she felt. The well-constructed buildings offered a sense of security and familiarity that the woods never could. As a dancer, her nomadic job led her from city to city, the constant movement a shield against the lurking danger. She knew peril could spring from any shadow, her scars a testament to the fact that no place was truly safe. Yet, the woods held a unique terror for her, an unexplainable dread she couldn't shake. She ran a hand back over the tight braids Kaelan insisted were more practical than how she preferred to wear her hair - a cascade of mahogany waves. The practicality of the style kept her hair neatly secured during long walks, yet the occasional unruly strand hinted at the untamed spirit within. A few loose tendrils framed her pale face, adding a touch of softness to her otherwise focused face. Kaelan could walk effortlessly through the trees while they would lift their roots to trip her over.
Although, she would admit that she improved at travelling through the trees. Still, her heart belonged to the city's safety. Aviana's travel attire, crafted for both comfort and grace, draped elegantly on her lithe frame. Cinched at the waist with a weathered leather belt, the tunic, which was a blend of Earthy hues, bore faint traces of embroidered patterns depicting delicate leaves and vines. The remains of the beauty that had once been etched into the fabric could be stuck in the stitching, but many people had worn this cloth before it came to be in Aviana's hands. It might not be pretty, but the clothes offered protection from the elements, which was what Kaelan had reminded her of when Aviana scrunched up her nose at the folded clothes on the seller's table in a market many summers ago. Loose-fitting trousers of a similar fabric flowed down to her ankles, their practicality evident in the way they allowed for easy, unencumbered strides.
On her feet were sturdy yet well-worn knee-length leather boots; their soles echo tales of countless journeys before her, and she had added some scars of her own travels. They hugged her calves, offering both support and a shield against the uneven terrain she often encountered.
Her choice of attire spoke of a nomadic lifestyle, each thread woven with memories of landscapes explored and cultures encountered. As Aviana moved gracefully through the medieval setting, her outfit resonated with a harmonious blend of practicality and a subtle, enchanting elegance—a testament to the seasoned traveller she had become.
Aviana wrestled with her fears as she followed Kaelan through the forest, attempting to focus on the ranger's steady footsteps. He guided her off the well-trodden animal paths onto a hidden walkway only discernible to a trained ranger. The dense canopy above-filtered sunlight cast dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air held the thick scent of pine and earth; the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and occasional twig snaps. The darkness seemed to close in around her as they ventured deeper, and a shiver raced down Aviana's spine. Yet, she steeled herself to move forward, eyes scanning for any signs of danger. She couldn't allow fear to control her; instead, she fixed her gaze on the point between Kaelan's shoulder blades.
Strapped across his back, a well-crafted leather baldric held a quiver of arrows, its surface adorned with subtle carvings telling tales of his exploits. At his side hung a sheathed hunting knife, a practical tool for survival in the untamed wilderness. Despite the lack of visible armour, Kaelan's attire hinted at a careful balance between protection and mobility, embodying the ranger's keen instincts and adaptability.
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Kaelan moved with a silent grace she could never hope to master through the expanse, clad in attire reminiscent of the ranger class that he belonged to. At the core of his attire was a weather-beaten, long-sleeved tunic in muted shades of forest green and earthy brown. The fabric, a sturdy yet flexible material, bore the marks of travelling —faint stains, patches, and subtle signs of mended wear. The tunic hung loosely, allowing for agile movements, and was secured by a wide leather belt cinched firmly at his waist. The belt served both as a practical tool, holding pouches and small necessities, and as a symbol of his ranger status. Over his tunic, Kaelan donned a hooded cloak, its deep, rich hue a fusion of forest greens and midnight blues. With its worn edges and discreet camouflage patterns, the cloak provided an additional layer of concealment in the wild. The hood, which Kaelan often pulled low so the branches could not swipe at his face as they trudged deeper into the forest. Bitterly, Aviana believed he wore the hood so he did not have to deal with the tight braids he forced upon her. Under the hood, his long, light brown hair was tied casually at the nape of his neck,
Beneath the tunic, Kaelan wore fitted trousers, practical and durable, tapering down to meet a pair of well-worn leather boots that would soon need replacing. The boots, weathered by the elements and their minimal frightful encounters, rose to just below his knees, offering protection and stability as he led the way through the challenging terrain.
"Almost there, Ava," Kaelan's voice called back, soothing despite her racing heart. Travelling with him was her lifeline as they journeyed between towns. Aviana couldn't shake the nagging fear that the woods might be her end, but she had learned to trust Kaelan's guidance. A man of his word, a protector proven since they'd banded together.
Aviana couldn't resist teasing him as they walked, poking the spot at the centre of his back. "We're running out of paths, Kae," she quipped with a grin, a running joke between them, a reminder of the night he had saved her.
Without warning, Kaelan led her to a pocket in the trees, a clearing where a dilapidated cottage sat to one side. To Aviana, it was a palace. "How long has it been since we had walls?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder. She couldn't contain her joy as she raced across the open space, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow on her skin. As she approached the cottage, Aviana took in the details of the crumbling structure. The thatched roof was patched with moss and wildflowers, and vines crept up the walls, clinging to the stones like ivy. The door hung crooked on its hinges, and a few shattered windows let in the cool breeze. But to Aviana, it was perfect. It was shelter, a haven from the dangers that lurked in the woods.
Returning to Kaelan with a grateful smile, Aviana casually kissed his cheek. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. Moments like this made all the hardships of their journey worth it. They had found a sanctuary, a place to rest and recharge before their next adventure.
Aviana hesitated at the worn threshold, her gaze darting around the clearing as if she half-expected a threat to leap out from the shadows. The air was thick with the scent of must and mildew, and she wrinkled her nose at the sour tang. But as Kaelan assured her of the safety of their new shelter, she tentatively stepped into the small space. The atmosphere was surprisingly cozy, a warm refuge from the cold and damp outside. Sunlight filtered in through the cracks in the roof, casting dappled patterns on the earthen floor. Aviana scanned the room for any signs of lurking threats, her senses on high alert for any danger that might threaten their safety. Though she was no expert like Kaelan, she had learned to trust her instincts in the face of adversity.
Aviana's trust in Kaelan was unshakable. As a ranger, he was an expert in locating traps and navigating dangerous terrain, and she knew he would never lead her into harm's way. She stepped into the small cottage with a deep breath and was pleasantly surprised by the cozy interior. The front room had a large heath that served as both a cooking station and a source of warmth, while the bedroom contained a pile of bedding and a small table. Though the cottage appeared to have been abandoned for years, the little touches of homeliness suggested it had once been a haven for weary travellers.
Aviana relaxed further, relieved to have a place to rest finally. As she admired the scrap of fabric hanging by the window, caught in a stray breath of the wind, a sense of contentment washed over her. Aviana put the curtain back into the nail. A soft, satisfied noise escaped her before Aviana turned on her foot to help Kaelan with the gathering of wood.