Jaci couldn't believe her eyes. She had been tracking a small orc scouting party through the woods for days, perhaps a week away from her village, and now this. Wandering along in the middle of nowhere, oblivious to the events unfolding around him, wandered a fancy dressed boy singing away and strumming away on some sort of harp.
The orcs had also turned and were watching their new prey wander aimlessly through the woods. Jaci hadn't intended on killing these orcs just yet, hoping to see how large of a raiding party they were scouting for, but she could not allow this boy to be murdered before her very eyes, no matter how foolish he was.
Two of the orcs had their bows out and ready, she would have to move fast if this fool was to live. Stealth was no longer an option, she urged Jasmine to protect the boy, and headed for the orcs.
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Detric's peace was quickly interrupted. He heard the brush part off to his right and was startled to see a midnight dark panther dive at him and pin him to the ground, and more startled yet when it did nothing more than pin him down. To his amazement, another panther darted from higher up the path, tearing back into the thickets on the other side, darting between..arrows? “What have I stumbled into now?” he groaned aloud. Then from the left thickets, he heard the sounds of combat, a panthers growl, and strange screams he had never heard before.
The second panther emerged from the woods as the first one allowed him up. Detric stood shakily, unsure as to what would happen next, and nearly fell over once more at what he saw. Where the second panther had once stood, there was now a beautiful woman, possibly the most beautiful he had ever seen, flowing dark hair, piercing black eyes, tall and slender, standing before him
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The boy looked as if he were about to die from shock, as he stuttered “wha....what....wh...who are you?” Jaci smiled at him “I am the one who just saved your life, you should be more careful in these woods, and by the way, who are you? You are not from anywheres near here, or you would have been a little less foolish wandering about these lands. You're welcome by the way...”
“Detric....my name is Detric, and I am an adventurer” Jaci could not contain herself, and began to laugh “An adventurer? I could see that! Were you planning on singing the orcs to death?
“Orcs?”
“Yes, orcs...three were waiting to ambush you, and they would have gotten quite a take from the looks of you...adventurer indeed, you dress like a prince and act like a fool”
“I'll have you know, I am a prince....or was, before I left to seek adventure, and you should speak to me with some respect!”
As he said this, he moved in Jaci's direction, only to be nearly swatted to the ground once more by the panther behind him
“Jasmine! let the fool be, what is he going to do, hit me with his harp?” Jaci laughed “I am Jaci, and you are not in your kingdom anymore, and you are well on your way to finding what you seek, silly boy”
“Boy? I'll have you know-”
“Ah yes, I'm sorry, I killed three orcs and you....sang and screamed like a maid...boy, you may come to my village if you wish, or continue wandering and be killed by bandits, orcs, or whatever else wanders this wilderness”
At that, Jaci walked past him and strode south, Jasmine following close behind. After walking for a short time, she turned and saw him standing where she left him, looking confused
“well?” she called
He hesitated, then ran after her, deciding if what she said of these woods were true, he would rather be in a village than wandering alone....and besides, he was intrigued...a shape shifter? In his homeland they were tales of legend and bedtime stories....but here was a real live, and beautiful at that, shape shifter inviting him to travel with her.
For the first few days they traveled in silence, Jaci never speaking, and silencing him when he attempted conversation, not harshly, but silenced all the same....One thing Detric could not stand was silence, so he began to play his harp..which to his amazement made no music...when he attempted to speak, no words came! Jaci laughed at him, and whispered “The time for talk and music will come, but for now, silence” It was then that Detric noticed, though they moved through thickets and brush, they made no sound. He pondered this, and attempted to ask, but found he still could not speak.
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