William
**The Greenheart Forest! The largest in all of Lucidien, and with it carrying all manner of treasures and discovery. With the Adventurer's guild just neighbouring the land at the North East, a reputation certainly found itself! And of another, its unbearably large scale. With wonderful sights, comes prowling predator. With a famed history for Adventuring, comes the inexperienced finding themselves on the wrong trail. One such case, came not from the North East but the Southern Sands of Khisfire! A Horned Trickster, with a hunger for adventure! Lands, yet uncharted to her.**

**A Forest so large, so far spanning. - It was a sight this Khisfiran could rarely imagine. And especially, never to find herself so deep in the middle of it. Shamefully lost.**

**A hand crossing a stray illustration spread far between both hands, bravely angling it to face what brightness Solaris could offer with the natural cover that were those towering trees above her. Finally a glint of vision, and yet her path remained ever the mystery. Attention shifting instead to the natural cues of the land around her, the Tiefling could do little but see the place as a winding labyrinth. It was a struggle to despise her very own prison however, its beauty holding no understatement. Still, she envied the past Vayra that stood at the entrance of this Forest! So eager, so prepared. - Oh, how she imagined her disapproval at the state she was in now.**
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**And of her state, it was a certainly unique one! Long raven locks descended down to the upper half of her body, free and loose with little need for a braid or care! Hidden within lurked the sprouting of her pointed ears, Tiefling fashion and clearly of devilish design. And from the top of her head, sprouted two clear horns of a darker complexion. Mirroring perhaps, the ashen tones of her skin darting along her face and body. A colour so dim, yet covering a most welcoming smile. Fanged and cheeky was the usual description, only reflected further by the golden hue of her observant eyes. Mirroring the Khisfiran Sun, some would eye. Always carrying a piece of her homeland with her. The dash of makeup remained light for travel, a dash of dark around her eyes.**

**Of her clothing, now there she seemed most shameless. Even in a forest like Greenheart, the desert had decidedly followed her. At first an unassuming cloak danced over her form, clearly intended for Alynthi but not hiding everything from underneath. No, instead the bright colours of Khisfire would remain subtlely revealed. Her garb painting the similar style to a Khisfiran dancer, grey skin meshing with the vibrance of her culture. Form fitting wear adapted for a lightweight Sorceress, and in particular an Illusionist who found clear fun in her casting. A sash of items hugging at a sizeable hip, this was the clear description of the Illusionist Vayra Vakara!**:

**An Illusionist, so clearly out of her element as she struggled with the next path. Thankfully, untouched by the dangers that certainly lurked. For now.**
Lynn
Home rarely comes calling, or rather, his home away from home. The Letter from the House of Lions came in earlier this week, and Ehkan had read through it twice to ensure he understood it clearly. 

 The Drogons attacked one of the settlements, and it was not the common savage raid that they were accustomed to, but rather, organized chaos. There were no casualties, but they fended them off with major injuries. The Drogons often kept to themselves, living far away from the elves, but now this makes the second attack within the month. 

 That was worth the worry of the elders, and whatever the elders found worrying often became worrying to Ehkan as well. 

 Ehkan needed to clear his head, so he went to the one place that often gifted him with distractions, the Forest. He did not want a hunt, he had no interest in taking out his frustrations on some poor animal going about its day, so instead, he sat on a high branch and closed his eyes, allowing nature to sing him its song. 

 He stayed there for most of the day, ignoring most creatures that came about and tried to bother him up until he heard the unmistakable sound of a twig being snapped. 

 It could have just been an animal, but it caught his attention, so he opened an eye and looked around beneath him, nobody was in sight, but he felt a presence somewhere. He sighed, stretched, pulled his spear, and hopped off the branch to the forest floor below. 

 He figured it could be just another adventurer walking through the forest, but lately, this forest has held a few nasty surprises for him, like that boulder that turned out to be a golem, or that demon ritual he stumbled into.

He kept walking towards where the sound came from, careful not to step on any branch, then eventually he spotted a figure holding what he figured to be a map. He kept his distance and even circled to get a better look. 

 A tiefling woman, that seemed completely out of her element. From the dressing, he could tell she was much more used to hotter climates, but here, he feared the mosquitoes were certainly having a meal out of her. Khisfarian, he guessed. 

 The beauty that came from the land of Sand and Sun was always noticeable. 

 "Now what would you be doing out here by yourself?" Ehkan muttered. He took a moment then stepped into view with his spear pointing toward her, beauty should never be a reason to let his guard down, he'd made that mistake before. 

 "Easy," Ehkan told her in common as he pulled off his cloak's hood to reveal his face. "No sudden moves. I don't intend to hurt you, so don't give me a reason to."
William
It was always the snap of a twig. The victim of careless feet, and one so focused on her map. Oblivious to the circling of the intrigued individual, her attention would only be caught when he planned it. And of course, came in that perhaps taunting question of his.

Naturally, surprise overcame her expression, a belief clear that the sounds of nature typically never spoke common. With a shift of her head and general form, her eyes soon lay upon a figure closing in. The origin of these words!

With a squint, Vayra soon clued in to this figure. A Man. His attire showcasing experience, and looked to be quite well built. Oh, and that he was pointing a spear right at her. 

"Oh! Uhh.. Hi..?" - In the awkwardness of the situation, that was all Vayra seemed to muster. It would seem her voice held a particular accent. Khisfiran to be sure, likely one of the more pronounced in the Towns neighbouring Alynthi. Her hands slightly raised mocking some act of surrender, a tilt at her head as she watched the Man remain ever cautious. There, now able to get a good look at his face and the ears that spoiled his Elvish origin. "Okay, okay. No.. Sudden moves, mhm!"

An attempt to reassure reflected in her move to offer a recovering smile, her golden gaze flickering between the spear and the man in question. By how close he was getting, clearly that attire of hers was Khisfiran. The protection of her cloak remained faintly evident, masking little in the way of weapons or armour. Perhaps she was unarmed, or a Mage? Who truly knew..?
Lynn
Definitely Khisfarian. 

 Ehkan stared at her momentarily, making sure his stare was stern enough for her to be worried, before looking down at what she had dropped when surprised. A map, he could tell from a glance that it was very dated, the Greenheart Woods was an ever-changing maze even to most monsters, Ehkan's advantage was his familiar who he sent over the canopy to guide him through. 

 She however seemed to be lacking such an advantage, and from how easily he crept up on her he figured she'd been at this for maybe the better part of an hour. 

 Ehkan lowered his spear and circled her. No weapon caught his attention, perhaps they were hidden from view, but so far she seemed cautious enough to attack him, but then again, she might be a spell caster. He had no advantage against spell casters, he always said he would widen his horizon but he hasn't found the time nor the interest. 

 "What are you doing all the way out here, fellow child of the Sands? Khisfire is a while away, and this weather is no place for..." He gestured to her clothes before stopping in front of her again. 

 "You're not in trouble," He promised as he finally put his spear aside and leaned on the tree behind him. "Yet. But it is mighty suspicious."
William
Of all that she expected in the Greenheart, it was never this. Feeling herself forced to lower her eyes upon that stern stare of his, her attempts at a reassuring smile seemed to fade aswell. Map now littered on the ground infront, the Khisfiran Mage felt those eyes of his stranger all around during his circling. 

If push came to shove, she wondered how well she'd fare. Maybe this was a Bandit of some kind, intending on stealing her goods! Could she vanish in time, or trap him in a temporary maze? Her mind spun in circles at the possible conclusions, yet seeming to slow as Ehkan brought her to reality. 

A fellow child of the sands, he would say. A reaction, almost instantly, as her eyes seemed to brighten up. A fellow Khisfiran! Brought to halt upon his words however and the obvious glance, Vayra following it with a brief gesture at her quite blatant showing of skin. - Ever common in the lands of her origin. 

"They say that you can't take Khisfire out of a Khisfiran, heh? But uh, yes.. This Forest is no fan. The Cities were, though!" 

Vayra seemed to start her explanation, relaxing herself upon the lowering of that spear. A step would be made, hands formerly raised now used to gesture and explain herself.

"I came from the North of Khisfire, met a travelling group in Nazucar. They offered to take me along to see some of Alynthi. The flowery Willowdale, then to the Capital of Varilon! Well, uhm, I was about to head back. - But some man offered me this map! Said I could go through the Greenheart Forest as a shortcut, and avoid the busier roads." 

Likely the work of a conman, no less. - An older map that Vayra was clearly oblivious to. Her ability to trust anyone was truly a fault she struggled to get rid of. Watching the Elf lean on his tree, a smile would be made then falter upon his threat of suspicion.

"Tsst, seriously? I'm harmless! I was just following the map, mhm! I guess, not very well? Still! I'm Vayra, by the way? Uh, Mister Forest Guard..?"
Lynn
Ehkan listened to her story attentively. He did nothing but nod and smile as she spoke about how she had obviously been sold a terrible map and was now lost in these vast woods. In truth, he was surprised nothing had chased her this deep in the forest, then again the beasts here tended to avoid mortals unless they stepped into their territory, or were starving. 

 "There is no true map of the Greenheart woods, my dear." He gestured to where she had been walking through. "There are no proper paths, and whenever anyone had tried to build any sort of road the guardian entities such as golems and the like come about and rip it apart. The best way to get out of this place is by not coming in here at all."

 He got off the tree and poked at the map. "This man just needed a few coins and sold you something bogus, it's not your fault though, maps are essential to travelers." 

 Ehkan leaned his spear on his shoulder and began walking away, only stopping to gesture that she should tag along. "I am not a Forest Guard, and I do not believe we even have those. I am Ehkan Norran Kippat of the House of Lions, Journeyman in the Adventurer guild, and I just happen to be here to... Clear my head. Stumbling into you is more of a pleasant coincidence."
William
No true map of Greenheart woods. The tale bewildered her, yet seemed to excite all the same! A shameless look of wonder that rushed across her face, at the very dwelling she found herself within. It should have frightened her, these tales, but her mind was set upon adventure! And now, a surprised frown as she found herself tricked by the man who sold her the map.

"Huh? He was lying to me..? But he seemed so friendly! Gods, tch." - Ehkan's reasoning seemed to brighten her mood at the very least, enough for Vayra to cease her pouting as she watched that map become useless in her eyes. Her former guide, now discarded upon the prod of this strange Elf.

One, who looked to be walking away mid speech! A daunting thought came to mind, of being abandoned while thrown that hurdle of being conned. Now left to her lonesome, atleast until that welcoming gesture that invited her to follow. The Tiefling couldn't help but smile, an appreciative look as she ever so eagerly followed after the Elf that would be her new guide! A smile clear as she inspected Ehkan within her previous silence.

Cloak brushing against the wind to reveal traces of more ashen skin and her Khisfiran attire, Vayra soon grew comfortable enough to get close enough at the other's side. Attentive enough, her devilish ears twitched in contemplation at the words she heard. No Forest Guard, but an identity that seemed to intrigue her all the same! 
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"Ehkan, huh? I like that name! House of Lions? Adventurer's guild? Much more than a Forest guard, heh!" - The Tiefling's Khisfiran accent caught a tinge of cheekiness, playful in its own right as her golden gaze watched at the Elf she followed. To be a pleasant coincidence had amused her enough, eyes scanning that meaning with a tinge of intrigue. Meanwhile, her lips parting once more for a taste of that Khisfiran accent again. 

"Pleasant? Dont act like you don't see Khisfiran Tiefling all the time in this forest!" - Vayra snickered, tease implied as she quickly added. "Oh! I said I was Vayra, but never the fancy titles like you.. Vayra Vakara! Illusionist. Adventurer, and uh.. Aspiring performer, some day! Mmh, is this the right path out? Wherever we're going.."
Lynn
Ehkan chuckled at Vayra's playful demeanor, it was far better than the somber attitude that he had when entering the forest earlier, hearing her joke about his titles made him think of home for a moment, but not with sadness, rather he remembered how fun it was to be there.

 The people there saw him, as she had put it, fancy, the children there would race to his side asking for gifts and tales of his adventures across the lands, and the elders, though they still saw him as a tad too childish, did somehow respect him in their odd way. 

 If the attacks continued... All that would be lost. 

 He would need allies to face that task beyond just the House. But that was a worry for tomorrow, but he was thankfully distracted by the lovely woman, who also reminded him of his first home.

 It had been an age since he was there, Vayra's accent, her clothing, and even her smile mimicked the warmth he recalled. 

 "Believe it or not, it's rare to even run into people this far in," He told her. "I'm surprised you made it this far without anything taking an interest in you. Though with your illusion magic, I guess you could escape without an issue. As to where we're going, since you're here you might as well get to see the sights, no?"

He kept walking, ensuring that neither of them stepped on any twig or fallen branch, and this went on until the sound of running water filled the air. 

 He guided her down the steep drop that led to the river bank, then into a large bush for cover. At first, he said nothing, only placing his finger against his lips as a sign that she should remain quiet, then he opened the bush so she could see what lay beyond. 

 Across the river, either unaware of their presence or not bothered by it, were three Tetyrons. Incredibly massive regal-looking creatures that Ehkan had been tracking just so he could ensure their pup had not been snatched away, and there the pup was in between her parents, lapping in water without a care in the world. "I haven't seen them in about a week," He whispered to Vayra. "They're stunning aren't they?"
William
Unaware of the effect her words secretly offered, the Tiefling seemed to remain at peace in the calm of the Forest. Meeting a stranger, and now guided by him. No tone of suspicion, but a carefree smile that invoked the clear case of her trusting mindset. 

"Rare, huh?" A brow perked in surprise, likely taking the friendliness of Ehkan as a sign of the attitudes within. It would become a realisation of the chance encounter she luckily found herself in, saved by an expert of this Forest. Of his surprise involving her avoidance of creatures, the boast of her magic would come with a smirk. 

"Mhm! Missed any nasty surprises, luckily. Though, you're not entirely right. I did catch one person's interest, heh..?" - By her tone, it seemed quite who she was alluding to. Cheekiness on display in all a friendly manner, her tail swishing against her Khisfiran garb happily.

The path he was leading her through was an intriguing one, and his explanation surely brought more surprise. Vayra felt quite flattered under it all, a former spear wielding Forest guard now an eager Forest guide! A remark she wanted to joke about, but the anticipation of a lovely sight brought her into action over words. 
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"Oooh..?" - The mutter of intrigue playing at her lips, as she followed quickly and closer to the Man than before. No longer did she fear the spear, but get excited at the adventure ahead. Fallen branches avoided by his guidance, until her devilish ears caught on with a subtle flex. The sounds of water, then the steep drops downward through the clearing obscuring vision. 

A grand surprise awaited her, further enhanced by his gesture towards her. To keep quiet, and such reasoning would be answered as the bush opened and out sprouted nature in its most wondrous form. Vayra's eyes visibly widened, any words cut to silence as she sighted the large and majestic creatures. Parents with their child, enjoying the sweet calm that the inner Forests of Greenheart typically hid. 

Ehkan's whispers caught a particularly notable smile from the Horned one. Something genuine and warm to the senses, absolutely caught up in the thrill of this sudden adventure. "Stunning..? They're.. They're amazing. What are they?" - Whispering back, naturally she kept close while her eyes kept pierced upon the wondrous sight. Vayra was surely an adventurer, but didn't know everything. There was no guild that she stuck to, to assist.
Lynn
"Tetyrons," Ehkan answered as he watched the three animals drink their fill. "They aren't endangered or anything, but time and time again some person believed themselves capable of taming them and often tried to abduct their pups. It always ends up horribly wrong because a Tetyron can smell its offspring from miles off, and though they're often gentle they have a mean ass temper." 

 At the end of his sentence, he noticed the male was staring directly at them. He forgot that their hearing was also a perk they had, but fortunately, all the beast did was gruff and guide his family away from the river. Ehkan muttered a silent prayer, he wasn't sure how he would deal with them if they became aggressive. 

 "It's safe," He told Vayra. "I think they know I mean no harm, otherwise we might have needed your illusions."

 Ehkan stood and picked the leaves off his body then stopped and did the same for Vayra. "Come on, we're losing daylight, and I think you would enjoy the city once the moon shows her face." 

 He jumped to the top of the steep drop and offered his hand to help her up. "Though, because the people here as less... I will say fashionable than us desert folk, you'll probably need a change of clothes. I know a great tailor who owes me a favor if you are comfortable with having to dress differently out there."
William
Tetyrons. She always liked to learn something new, however simple or filled with explanation. It seemed she wouldn't earn just the name, but a detail of Ehkan's findings. Poachers, their reference earning a frown as she eyed the innocent animals within their domain. To be plucked from it was a terrible fate to her, that much clear as she quietly scoffed at Ehkan's mention of pups being taken. 

"A deserved temper." - Vayra replied simply, whispering evident as her gaze focused back to Ehkan. His sudden caution alerted her but seemed to calm upon his reassurance. A snicker in kind at the thought of casting and sneaking about. 

The Tiefling seemed to be enjoying this little adventure so far, the attention Ehkan had offered her. - Seeming to cause quite an affect on the Young Khisfiran. Rather surprisingly, the Elf Adventurer looked to have more for her, as the brief removal of leaves caught her by surprise with a playful scoff. 

"Tst, Hey..! Huh..?" - Surprise at his offer, one so subtle yet Vay catching on quick. An invite to see the City with him. Much more than simply leading her out of this vast Forest. 

Seeing him mantle up upon the steep they originally dropped, Vayra couldn't help but stop just as the hand was offered. A sly look, practically betrayed by her smirk as she watched Ehkan's face very closely. A moment to ponder.

"You.. You really wanna use that favour all on me? Heh, okay!" - The Tiefling expectantly took his offered hand, presumably waiting to be supported up as her words seemed to continue. Now this was a new adventure all together, and one Vayra didn't seem to be refusing just yet. 

"Could he make something nice for me..? I don't quite get Alynthi style.. Maybe you'd like to be the judge?" - Vayra seemed to poke at Ehkan's interest in her, words vague yet offering all subtle meaning to try and get some answers from behind his sweet gestures.
Lynn
"My dear, left to me, you're as perfect as you are right now," Ehkan told her without skipping a beat. He would not hide his attraction for a woman unless she asked him to, and by her tone, he figured that she was quite right with a little flirtation. "But yes, the tailor is well up to speed on the latest Alynthi fashion, and using the favor on you is very okay." 

 "Besides, he would probably want to have a look at you, not a lot of Khisfirians venture this way. The Kingdoms are understandably not on good terms with one another." He shrugged as the politics between them was of no interest to him, and regardless of nationality, he knew better than to judge someone solely on where they called home. 

 Like Stormborne for instance, the man was a swashbuckling madman and Ehkan would rather die fighting beside him than with some members of the Guild. Hmm... He might be interested in checking out the jungle if Ehkan were to mention it. 

 "Anywho," He continued. "You need not worry about paying back the favor, as it is a favor, and as a guest in Alynthi it's only right that you are treated to its delights. Afterwards, I will get you a proper map from the Guild Cartographer so that you won't stumble into a more dangerous forest, or run into far less handsome elves." He flicked his dreadlocks playfully at that part and grinned at her.
William
"..Oh." That silvery tongue out in action, Vayra simply unprepared to contest! Helped up and while close would she be caught by those words, the Tiefling fluttering a shameless rose at her ashen-skinned cheeks. It seemed she recieved some confirmation, and confidently so. No words would be offered in regards to that topic, simply a coy smile as she eased back and out into the familiar Forest view. 

"..Mmh, I'd love to meet him. A new style might be fun while out of the sands, heh." - Vayra spoke of the other topics, yet his first tone of flattery still muddled her mind. The Tiefling seemed to avoid the politics, aswell, simply tracing the familiar path of the Forest in expectation of Ehkan's further guidance. 

But Ehkan's addition of finding a map for her seemed to genuinely add on to that surprise. The Tiefling seemed more and more intrigued by this stranger in the Forest, showering her with offerings and gleeful guides. Perhaps he needed the company? Or perhaps he was simply too kind of a soul to ignore her..? 

Regardless, Vayra couldn't help but lose herself to a giggle. - eyes spying towards Ehkan's shameless grin. 

"Heh, really..? Seems like the bad map brought me alot more luck than expected, hm? Okay, okay! Let's go, before you get too crazy with your gifts! Lead the way, Mr Forest Guide." Playfully, her words concluded with a gesture to the Forest beyond. It seemed she wouldn't be rid of this Adventurer yet. - And it seemed like she didn't mind at all.