I smiled lightly, pacing through the dense forest landscape: trees, soil, grass... it seemed so familiar, like I was having deja vu. I really didn't know how I had ended up here, but I was here, and it was best to make the most of the scenery. It was quite beautiful... rays of dappled sunlight filtered through the trees, casting the orange glow of dawn onto to forest floor, prosperous and healthy soil and plant growth... that faint smile lighting my face turned into a grin. I had always loved beautiful things.

I felt at peace, something that I hadn't felt in a while. I was a lone wolf, traveling alone, not accepting help from anyone. I knew that was quite strange for a woman of thirty years old. I should be married off to some fine lord, and have children my now.
My parents believed I had been killed, and no one else knew of my existence. I had concealed myself well, but I was missing something that I had never truly had.... companionship.

I put a slender, lily white hand to hip gently, midnight, wavy hair swirling around my waist. I was feeling that my sword was still there. I had owned it for nigh twenty years, and it was still as beautiful as the day my mother had given it to me... I remembered her grin as she handed it to me, my father's stern look, and in turn, my appreciation... I shook my head violently, squeezing my eyes shut. I didn't wish to be caught up in old memories that were long since gone.

(I'm sorry it took so long! I still might not be able to post.....we'll see.)


It was completely and utterly ridiculous. I was lost in the woods and I couldn't find a way out. To think, I was so clueless I couldn't find my way out of a forest. I stumbled past tree after tree, my sword, utility belt, and overcoat weighing me down. I couldn't very well get rid of them, so I had to just out up with it.

There was something vaguely familiar about the forest, but I didn't care about that. All I cared about was getting out of there.

I had figured that the forest was void of life, so I was a small but surprised when I ran right into a girl.

My train of thought was severed completely when I felt a presence near me, before it bumped into my small frame. Almost immediately, from pure reflexes, I pulled my sword out and took a blow to the side of the intruder's head with the flat of my blade. I didn't know who I was up against, so I did it more gently than I would have normally, but it was still quite firm. My melodious, crisp voice rang out through the forest as I spoke. "Who are you?" I didn't expect that anyone would be wandering around this forest, far from the outskirts of town, except for the occasional small animal.

I was surprised when she hit me, but I was quick to react. Faster than she could possibly comprehend, I grabbed at her sword and pulled at it hard. She fell forward and I got the sword out of her hand. Then, I used her own sword and pinned her to a tree a foot or so away, pressing the sword to her neck. I spoke in my raspy voice.

"You first."

I am always wary of people, especially if I find them wandering around in forests by themselves. She didn't help herself by hitting me in the head with her sword.

"Stupid, stupid Airi!" I said to myself, hitting my forehead with the palm of my hand. "How could this've happened?!"

I had been casually strolling through the forest, enjoying nature, like I had many times before. And now I was lost. Lost in this dense, green, dishevelled, yet somehow oddly familiar wasteland. The trees blocked most of the view in front of me. I thought I saw something moving a little further in front of me, but I ignored it. I kept walking, pushing tree limbs and what not out of my way.....

(Hmmm....I believe El should post next....)

I kept a straight face, but wanted to laugh at what he was trying to do. He thought he was quicker than me? I managed to pull a hand up and swatted at the flat of my own blade. With the grace that only a feline could match, I leaped out from his grip, stepped behind him and grabbed the hilt of my sword. Unfortunately, I only managed to add a scratch to his hand while pulling my sword out of his grip.

My dress was a definite hindrance, the red fabric swirling around me, but I didn't expect an attack. it was quite a fine dress. A brown leather bodice that tied at the back covered my torso, and under it was a chain mail shirt. A red, silk skirt flowed from my waist to a small bit above my feet, which were garbed in brown leather boots. The dress skirt was trimmed with fine gold embroidery. I was covered from head to toe in a black, hooded cloak, as to keep my identity sealed, and that was obviously a plus.

Holding my weapon, I spoke. "You think you can defeat me?" I asked solemnly, moving quickly every so-often so I wouldn't be caught out planted to one spot. He was a skilled fighter, I could tell, and one wrong move and I'd be cactus, my life would be finnito. I narrowed my eyes, glaring at my opponent... no one challenged me and got out alive. I wrapped my slim hand around the hilt of my sword tightly, curling my fingers so they dug into my palm.

Her quickness reminded me of somebody I had once known, but I couldn't remember exactly who.

I wasn't about to let her get the upper hand, so not only did I grab for my sword, but I also pulled one of my bo-staffs out of my utility belt, extending it. I watched her movements carefully. She was good, but I was better. I watched her, then used my sword to swipe at her side. Of course, she dodged to one side, but I used my bo-staff to block her movement. I narrowed my eyes, my permanent frown not even flickering to a grin.

I brought my sword onto her side, putting a gash in it(her side).

I hardly flinched when his sword made a move for my side. I was lucky that I WAS wearing my dress, because under it was a chain mail shirt. I flinched at the sound of metal upon metal, but I shook my head and leaped back. I moved swiftly, maneuvering myself so that I was behind my target. I took a short swing of my longsword, brushing past his head. I moved around more, searching for some kind of opening. He was well guarded, I could give him that, but my fighting skills outweighed his. He seemed over confident, and held himself proudly, obviously thinking that he could beat me.

I heard metal under the dress, and found she was wearing a chain mail shirt. I spoke.

"I only your name," I said, keeping my voice steady and monotone.

"I'll tell you mine," I said. She was obviously an expert, and I wasn't sure if I could beat her with a sword and bo-staff alone.

"It's Jonathan." I said.

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Jonathan?" I asked slowly, hardly daring to believe. "I don't suppose you ever knew someone called..." I trailed off, speaking slowly, wistfully. "Elandri?"
That was the only way to confirm my suspicions, that this was the Jonathan I knew fourteen years ago. As far as I know, Elandri isn't at all a common name, and I'm the only one I know of with that name. I kept a steady stare on him, in case he tried something incredibly stupid. Or mildly stupid, for that matter.

(Star! Where aaare you? This would be a good time for Airi to come in!)

I lowered my sword a little, and blinked. Elandri? The name sounded familiar. I searched my mind, and a few moments later, I remembered. All those years ago, I never thought I would see her again.

"Elandri?" I asked, almost a little confused. "Yes, I knew an Elandri. We fought...in a field. You left in anger from where you, myself, and.....what was her name? Lynn? Yes, Lynn." I said, confirming it myself. "You stormed off in anger from where we had been staying in this forest." I said, confirming it was the Elandri I had known.

(heh, I just noticed something. When I said "I only your name." in the post before my last, I meant to put "I only wanted to know your name,")