An odd Journey, chapter 1: Un-welcome.

As Tristal rode across the lush plains of the Bree-lands, his eyes remained centered upon the Eastern path. All around him, the landscape began to slowly change. The before so beautifull vast plains of flowers and grass, was soon to be replaced by long tough straws - of that kind, which could easily cut trough your skin, were you not carefull. 

Alas the Hunter didn't seem to notice all the changes around him, for he was far too focused on something else entirely. 

But I feel, that I've kept you in the darkness for far too long, and it might be the time that I tell you why Tristal had rode out from Bree so urgently: 

For the reason was quite simple, a mere business opportunity, which should not have proven too large a challenge for the experienced and foremost seasoned Hunter. Yet it brought forth great trouble within Tristal's mind, for he knew - Perhaps better than most - That the woods far to the East crawled with evil in the latest of the night's hours. Alas he knew, that if he could time his schedule right, the hunt would prove no trouble, and no evil would harm him.. Or Tommy. 

Who is Tommy you say? Hah! I must laugh, have I forgot to mention Tristal's merry little companion? Perhaps I have. But fear not, you will soon learn about this curious little being for yourself.  

Now for the business opportunity at hand; It was one of great loot and spoil, for a grand storm in the Eastern regions near the old brigde (That seemed to have existed for an eternity), had awoken a humble amount of bears from their deep hibernation. A rare, yet great opportunity for any Hunter with the wit, and perhaps aswell the foolishness of going to hunt in forests to the East.

"You there!" A voice shouted from afar. Tristal looked up, he had day-dreamed for perhaps abit too long. As he looked around, and finally noticed how the landscape had changed greatly around him. He even had to squint his eyes, as a beam of the late-day sun struck down upon his tiresome face. 

"Say what now!?" He shouted in return, finally managing to catch a glimpse of the figure further up along the road. Altough he was soon to notice, that the figure was but one among many.. 

"You ar' trespassing our land, Outsider! You'd bes' go home." The voice shouted back with a slight  hint of spite. 

"Your land?!" 

"AYE!" The group of vague figures responded in one mighty shout, scarring the Hunter as he made a slight jump, in his saddle. He quickly reached inside his cloak, taking a firm grip around the hilt of a long hunting Dagger, sheathed around his waist in a tender leather-belt. 

He was coming closer, and soon he could make out each member of the group in detail. One was short and wore an attire, which seemed far too large for him to wear. Another one was tall, bearded, and in Tristal's opinion he looked downright nasty. His eyes were small and resembled to that of a pig's, and the way he flashed his teeth as he glared at the Hunter must indeed have looked terrifying. Especially for Tristal himself. 

But there were more than the two, that I have just described. The rest however, looked fairly alike to the normal scouts guarding the savage wilderness, each one as dirty as the other, and each with a drawn sword within their hands.

"What d' ye want 'ere?" Grunted the tall Man with the pig-eyes, as Tristal rode closer. 

"Safe passage?" The Hunter replied in confoundence, eyeing the Man with a smirk. Alas he could not hide that he was amused about the pure irony of how the Man with the pig-eyes, grunted as he spoke.  

"Where to?"

"East?"

"Why?" The Man asked, seemingly persistant and not willing allow Tristal a pass without knowing exactly to where and why.  

"To hunt?" Tristal patted the bow on his back, in effort to indicate that he was nothing more than a mere commoner honing his trade. 

The Man glared at him with his pig-eyes, but soon decided to sheath his blade as he turned around to eye the flock of scouts behind him.  And soon they all sheathed their blades, including the Hunter, who did not longer fear a violent reaction from the strange Men...

Yet Tristal couldn't help but wonder, if the Man with the pig-eyes was some sort of officer. Alas why would there be any kind of Millitia in the Wilderness, where there were no villages nor farms?  

"Follo' us, Hunter. We need t' make sure, that ye' aren't lyin'!" The Man said, waving his hand to indicate for Tristal to follow the group as they left. 

Who were these Men? Yes you might wonder that, and why were they so cautious about a mere Hunter? The answer remains easy, for from their point of view, Tristal had appeared as an archer of sorts. The way his leather-tunic appeared, and the beautifull long-sword sticking out of a bag upon his Horse, sure made him look far more like an archer of the sort that was not welcomed by the mysterious Men lead by the pig-eyed Man.