The Nomad|Rivenway, Ronduin

[stillborndream]

The waters surface lay calm, reflecting the image of a traveler who's skin had darkened from long weeks of travel from no where, to no where. The reflection smiled as a hand plunged into the water and broke the surface in a series of ripples. The wanderer pulled his hand up, full of the clear liquid to his lips and quenched his long thirst. With a satisfies sigh he put his canteen to the water, filling the empty container.

He had lost his bearings sometime back on his path, though he neglected the use of a map as he valued a path not guided. The nomadic youth lay down a ways from the lake bank, staring upwards at the sky, wondering just where he should wander next, or for that matter where he was at that moment. He closed his eyes and breathed deep the air with a smile spread wide across his lips. Deciding that all would be figured out after a breif rest.

[Kender Bard]

Though the day was quiet and the wind did not blow, the distant sound of some splashing carried to the man's ears, coming from somewhere out on the lake.

[stillborndream]

Curious at the sound, the man lifted himself up from the ground, turning toward the source of the sound. He strained his eyes outward to the lake. He began to wonder what would be out there, but of course, the only way he would find out would be to go. He removed his boots, his shirt and scarf and rolled his pants up above his knee, leaving the rest of his belongings in a neat sack where he had lay. Jumping off from the shore, he dove into the water head first, swimming toward the sound.

"Hello? Anyone out there?" He shouted outward from the water, treading in place.

[Kender Bard]

At the sound of another's voice, a young man began to flounder tiredly in the water, splashing and waving his arms to catch attention. "Over here!"

[stillborndream]

The traveler paddled out to the stranger in the water, he looked as if he needed help out there. He grabbed the young man around his chest and started swimming toward the bank of the lake.

"Hey, you okay there? You shouldn't be out swimming if your not a strong swimmer you know?" He layed the young man on the side of the lake and plopped himself down on the ground.

"So what were you doing out there anyway?"

[Kender Bard]

The man, for a few long moments, just lay on the land and shut his eyes. If it weren't for his steady breathing and the fluttering of his eyelashes, one would think he'd passed out or was mortally wounded. Eventually, he rasped, "I just swam all the way here from Ronduin. Thank you for helping me. I hadn't energy enough to make the shore."

[stillborndream]

"Why the hell did you swim the whole way? I mean if you over there don't they have a boat or something you can use? Unless your hiding from people. You know, maybe it would be better if I just asked your story"

He realized after all the inquizition that it would be simpler to ask so he planted himself next to the stranger and awaited his tale.

[Kender Bard]

The man licks his lips and ponders where to start. "First of all, my name is Skrash. I'm one of the Ice types that was stationed in Ronduin to serve the Clears."

He adds, quickly, "But I deserted them. I couldn't stand there and watch a whole race of people being abused and forced into slavery, even if it's to save my own skin. I couldn't just ask to go home because they'd ask me why and I don't have a plausible reason. I couldn't steal a boat because they were under heavy guard. So I swam."

[stillborndream]

"Well well, when it rains it pours, but being in service to the clears? I couldn't imagine the sort of life where you follow them around. Anyway...... wait isn't there any sort of chance that they followed you out here or something?"

He scratched his head, pondering the good chance that it might have happened, but shrugged it off.

"Anyway, maybe theres something that can be done for your friends?"

[Kender Bard]

"Maybe," the ex-soldier mumbles. "By the way, my name is Tram. What's yours?"

[stillborndream]

"Oh, how rude of me, Im Tian Taalansen. Im a drifter." He gave the other man a nod and a slight bow.

"Well, on account of the informal situation, call me Tian. Well, now that youve escaped for your servitude. What do you plan on doing? I mean you did think this out I trust."

[Kender Bard]

"I'd like to go back home," Tram admitted sheepishly. "Even if I can't stay or I'm not welcomed, I want to make sure my sister is holding up well without me."

[stillborndream]

"You know what, that sounds good to me, so lets get going." Tian started picking up his belonging and packing them away.

[Kender Bard]

Tram raised his brow curiously as he got up, a little drier now that he'd sat in the sun while he told his tale. "You want to go to Khelek? Have you ever been there before? I assure you, it's not a place for those not used to harsh climes."

[stillborndream]

"Hmm... nope, I've never been there, but I planned on going eventually. See I make it my place to go everywhere, so its no big deal no matter how messed up the conditions I'll go. Besides, traveling alone is dull, I figure you could use a traveling companion."

Tian smiled at the stranger and lugged his minescule ammount of baggage over his shoulder and shealthed his sword at his hip.

"Ready? Im sure if we stay too long your soldire friends will come looking for you."