Chapter two:

With a small groan I awaken from a deep sleep, and I go to rub away the last dredges of dreams from my eyes, when an aching pain erupts from my left shoulder. Whimpering, I carefully pull myself into a sitting position and crack open my eyelids. Bright sunlight streams into my eyes, so I take a few moments to adjust and asses where I am.

Abruptly my memories of the fight come rushing back to me, from the fires to the fight, and finally, to my collapse on the forest floor. This recalling of events brings two thoughts to mind; it's morning, and when I went unconscious it was morning, so how long have I been sleeping, and most importantly HOW THE HELL DID I GET HERE?!

This last introspection has me on my feet in a split second and ready to fight as I survey my surroundings. However, my sore and tired body is not yet ready for this sudden movement, and I sway unsteadily on my feet. A pair of arms in circle my waist to help support me, but naturally, this causes me to flip out. Despite my wavering, I push my attacker of off me, then swing around and kick them squarely in the leg.

However, before I can get much farther into my onslaught, the man, as I have now gleaned to be a man from my interaction with him, grabs my wrist and says in a calm voice,

" Please, my lady, do not be rash. I am here to help you, not to harm you. I found you unconscious on the ground, and brought you back to my camp. We can talk things over, and then you can decide wether or not you want to kill me."

These last words are uttered with a hint of sarcasm clinging to them, yet in my rather frenzied state I don't catch this detail. Trying to compose myself, I take a few deep breaths and examine my... Captor? No. Savior?... No. My... Acquaintance, let's just call him that, shall we.

As I scrutinize this man, I can deduct these three things; he appears to be in his thirties, with scruffy brown hair and kind grey eyes, he is wearing the green cloak of a ranger, and has probably saved my life.

However, no matter what circumstances I met him under, I was still wary of this man.

Hesitantly, I ask " And what is your name?"

The man smiled warmheartedly at me and said " I am known by many names, but you may call me Strider. Now would you mind if I inquired what your name is, my lady?"

" My name is Adlanna," I simply replied.

" Come now, Adlanna, and join me in breakfast. I was just about to eat when you awoke," Strider invited.

Turning away, Strider padded back to his fire, where some dried fruit, meat and bread were laid out. My stomach grumbled, and so I walked, still rather painfully, over to his encampment.

Strider seemed to notice the stiffness in my pace, and inquires " Adlanna, I noticed that you were wounded when you came into my care, would you mind if I check up on your shoulder?" Instinctively I shy away from him, but I know that I can not rewrap my wound with one arm, so reluctantly I allow him to examine my shoulder.

Coming to sit down in front of Strider, he perches behind me and gingerly flits his fingers across my shoulder.

" This wound is rather deep, would it be acceptable if I asked you received it?" Strider gently probed.

He took my silence as a no, and focused his attentions upon my gash. Moving my now bloodied and torn tunic down from my shoulder, he set about unwrapping the wound, applying a healing salve, then placing more cloth around my shoulder.

After this task had been completed, I ravenously consumed the breakfast Strider prepared for me. During this time he questioned me some more, yet only succeeded in receiving the bare essentials. I recounted how the Orcs had ransacked my village, and how I had barely managed to escape. I would have told this kind man more, but years of being neglected by the people I lived with had drilled a mistrust into my very bones.

Strider then excused himself, and wondered off through the woods. As I watched his form disappear into the trees, I started to ponder my future.

What would I do now that my whole life had gone up in flames? All the people who can even remotely cared about me had perished, and now I was left with nothing.

Thanks you so much for reviewing, xXBlack'BladeXx! I'm glad you liked the story so far :)