... The times of darkness were abroad, as any one soul knew. Times were not those to play outside, travel for fun, or in some cases even to trade to provide for your families, unless you were a privileged Goron. It was dangerous to wander around at any time of day... for any shadow could be your death - an Exile, or member of the Dark Order, ready to plunge at you, for a purpose of carrying out their dark plans.

Raids. Pillaging the local villages. No wonder people remember all of the lesser villages in Hyrule without looking them up. None were safe.

And providing food for the helpless would require talented hunters. They traveled in packs, but some were ambushed by the evil awaiting behind any of the trees of the woods.

The Rauru citizens were in constant fear. To merely hunt meant tempting your fate. The very prospect of life and death was at random. Times had never been more risky in this Age of Chaos.

So to hunt in the middle of the night, alone, with a drawn weapon, was not a wise thing... but his hourglass eyes were intent on his silent trek. His hunched form, slithering and crawling though the undergrowth of the night, running at times when he was sure he was safe, but his patience and haste balanced for him to safely reach his goal.

The Rauru Forest... it was like a haven to all things evil... but this did not keep the the hunter's goal.

He was at last near the outskirts of the other side of the accursed woods... his goal... and at last knew that he was not alone. His eyes, the only thing that could reflect the light of the moon, which he narrowed to get a better look around. In an underbrush near a tree, he sank down, hiding, and he removed his hood. And finally, in a sharp whispered, he called, "Show yourselves."

And there his company rose, whom he had expected. Carefully, the man held his weapon tight, and turned behind him, cautiously checking his surroundings, then looked back to whom he knew were the only souls near...

... you... the ones whom he had asked to meet in this evil place. He had told you earlier that it was urgent. It seemed a bad place to meet, but he had his reasons, and you knew that it was vital to the task of overthrowing the enemy you both wanted to defeat.

He crawled over to you, and hissed, "Are you being tracked? What did you find?"

OOC: Just another fun topic to come to . In this one, there's no such thing as god-modding, except to actually MAKE this character do something. We all effect the situation in whatever way we want, and take it in a fun, unexpected direction. Savvy? ^^

OoC: Hope I do alright. Trying to get back into the swing of things.

IC:

"Tracked? Me?" The thief let a trace of amusement creep into her voice as she whispered back. "As for 'what did I find,' nothing but a misguided Vassal sneaking around at hours he shouldn't be."

Arrika sighed, wondering how she had ended up here. "You do know I used to be the enemy, right? And yet you would trust me here, alone with you, where everything is clearly in my favor, being a Sheikah and a thief?" Her words were more of disbelief than disdain or annoyance, although they may have come off unintentionally as being irritated. But in this situation it seemed better to show confidence, topped with a bit of arrogance, than anything else. "So tell me again. What in the name of Din are we doing?"

"I did not find it, but I got some clues." Announced a shadow in the branches of a nearby tree. The figure dropped silently out of the concealing leaves and into the somewhat brighter light of the moon. The light revealed him to be Leth, Sheikahn archer extraordinaire, and one of the few remaining members of the Ranger Order.
"Apparently it is being very well guarded in a fortress to the north. I was... unable to extract the exact location of the fortress itself. But it shouldn't be to difficult to find; a fortress isn't exactly easy to hide."

Nogare was the one whom they had returned to, and he perked his head up at the approach of them. First Arikka had arrived. He spoke in a hiss. "The main reason I'm placing any trust in you at all, is because as a Sheikah you should be have deep in your veins a conflicting loyalty, an instinct to serve the Royal Family. Serving anything else is agony. I'm half Sheikah, I understand even that much. And we're here looking for what we can. These forest bear more secrets than any scouts have cared to notifying us of, us being the select few of us who fight in Hyrule without having to be told by a man in a golden tiara. Now, if we find anything unusual, we should take it into account, and deal with it accordingly. However, if you still aren't up for it, Arrika, then you may go, I won't bind you to this task... but as a sheikah it is slightly easier to hide in the shadows. Do as you will. No one will bind you, no matter what."

Moments later, while Nogare continued searching through the wilderness, opening his mind to anything alive, he felt the presence of Leth nearby. He approached, and gave his report. This sparked a split second of excitement, of anticipation being met, but then he faced the ranger and spoke carefully, such that only a Sheikah would hear it, or understand it. "Are you referring to the Underworld Entrance?... That's nothing new, but it's definitely on the do to list do invade. We first need a means to get inside, but for now, we should remain within these woods more. But if this is a separate fortress, we need to check it out as soon as Sheikanly possible. Let's get a move on. I wouldn't be surprised if there are secrets beyond knowledge in whichever place you're talking about."


OOC: Okay, as we continue this after such a bloody long wait, here's what I had in mind with this as I first posted it.

Think about it. Look at the world map. Right now, seriously, pull it up. I see three forests in North Hyrule, and MAYBE four if you include that little keese/ache tree right near Tantari. We've got the North Forest, and the Thicket/Deku Woods. Then what's that one directly west of Rauru? That's basically what this topic is about; trying to explore that forest without having an actual page to put it to.

Dunno if you guys are still around, but at any rate, I'll put this up in the Crazy Seer in a sec here. And Leth, are you mad at me? I'm kind of under the impression that you are, what with the lack of Leth's theme being around and my failed topic in the courtyard, the dark coming. Just want to clear any quarrel up if we have any, it's hard to tell.

Nyre was on her way to Rauru when her keen sense of Sheikan hearing tuned into a group of maybe three or four talking about a Entrance to a new World. She became quickly interested with this Entrance. She creeped her way through the underbrush, around and behind rocks. For the most part, Nyre kept to the shadows, she very rarely showed herself in the Wilderness unless threatened or the need arose. She made her way through the Rauru forest, breaking into a run until she was only meters away from the small group.
Well, well, well... look who we have here. Nogare, Son of Grey Blade... interesting. What does this door to a new world have in store for you Half Sheikah.... She crouched down into the underbrush as Nogare circled the group, there was him, a women, and another male.
She had just caught the last bit of a meaningful argument between Nogare, and the women. "...However, if you still aren't up for it, Arrika, then you may go, I won't bind you to this task... but as a Sheikah it is slightly easier to hide in the shadows. Do as you will. No one will bind you, no matter what." Nyre was suddenly aware of Nogare's mind sweeping his surroundings for any others, she forced her mind into dead silence, and let his mind scan over her, she quirked a brow when he said nothing, nor came over to her position, she took a deep breathe, then she caught sight of a man from above them in the trees, he hopped down to the earth. His landing was smooth and clean. Nyre made note that those two would make good allies in the future.
She heard Nogare and the other man talking, mentioning the door once again, but this time, by another name... Underworld Entrance Nyre was intrigued, her curiosity was getting the better of her. She wanted to see this for herself. Her previous mission forgotten, she silently made her way ahead of the group and waited.

Nogare paused, and grinned. Nice try, sweetheart...

He turned his back to his other companions, and looked directly at Nyre. "Can't fool me, Nyre. I suppose you were here for the same reason I am, then...?" He read her mind a little more before she had a chance to shield herself more. "Okay, well, Rauru Forest isn't a place for the faint of heart, so either you're really determined to die or to help." He spoke in a teasing voice.

There was a pause. Something was different in the air. It wasn't foul like the dew of the woods or the stench of goblin-kin, or any abomination of Ganon's service. It actually scented of gale seeds and roses. Absolutely unsuited for such a forest. Wrong, in fact. Something was out there... something attempting to fool their senses into lowering their guard. It only fortified Nogare's.

What's out there?

OOC: Alright, love, your turn, to see where this turns out lol. This topic isn't already decided on, like ours in the Hostel, and unlike Encampment, so yeah. ^_^ Enjoy

And if you other two are in, please, reply lol.

Nyre stopped in her tracks when she felt Nogare's mind impede her thoughts. She smiled and shook her head. C'mon Nogare... gimme a chance here. Maybe you'll need my help. Who knows. All I know id that I doubt a group of three is going infiltrate this 'Door to the Underworld' without more people. So you might as well just leave my presence be. She smiled again and started moving, only to stop again after only three or four steps. She sensed something, dark and angry. What's out there? She heard Nogare's thought just as the same words crossed her own mind.
She turned, just in time to see their torchlight start moving, toward her no less but moving none the less. She sprinted through the trees now, heading toward this spot they were all thinking of. This Door to the Underworld. Something like this might hold answers she was looking for. She rounded a corner of a thick patch of dead looking trees and found her saddled mare. She straightened herself and patted the beasts muzzle. Whispering, she consoled the creature, "Hello again Myrah... I was not gone long, as I told you. What do you think? Should we join Nogare's group? Or stay hidden for a while longer?" She loved this horse, she seemed to have a special bond with her. Much like the Hero of Time... with his Mare Epona. She mounted and folded herself into the saddle, straightening some and looking around, she nicked her cheek with her tongue and had Myrah in a silent canter within seconds.
She followed a path she had no doubts that some creature that lived in this forest had created. She slowed Myrah when she had caught up with Nogare's group and sat in the saddle silently. Waiting....