We find a stream a few hours after leaving the town. It's surrounded by a forest, and thick under brush. Duncan starts to make a camp, he erects his tent and starts on a fire. I tell Duncan that I'm going for a swim, and run to the bank.
I strip down to my underwear, leaving my bag near my armour and weapons, and dive in.
I squawk as I hit the cold water. I'm pulled to the bottom by my momentum, and kick off the slimy rocks. I break the surface, blustering as I do so.
"Nessa?" Duncan calls from the bank.
" Oh sorry! The waters cold!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, you're bathing, I'll just... Leave."
I wave him goodbye, and continue swimming around.
ooOoo
A few minutes later I swimback to the bank, to get my soap. I jump out and run the soap over myself, then jump back in the river. The suds quickly dissapear down the stream. I then carefully, and painfully, pull my hair tie out. I wash y hair with the shampoo concoction and then peacefully float in the river, paddling my legs lightly to stay near our camp.
I step out after a few more minutes, andshiver as the wind cuts through me. I look around for a towel, then remember where I am.
I grab my shirt and dab myself dry.
I tie my damp hair back into a ponytail and start putting my armour on.
I have one boot on, when an arrow whizzes past my face.
" Oh god!" I yell as I fall backwards onto my bag. I grab my weapons and jump up.
"Hey Duncan!" I call as I dodge another arrow.
"I might have a slight problem." I see Duncan out of the corner of my eye. He readies his weapons as he sees my wary stance.
" What is it?" He moves next to me, thankfully ignoring my attire.
"Bandits probably." Another arrow shoots past. Someone yells out a battle cry and breaks through the underbrush. Their face is covered in a helmet, and he brandishes a sword.
I lower my stance and as he runs for me, Duncan trips him. He falls and I move forward, kicking him in the head. Sadly, I use my bare foot. I yelp and jump back, cradling my leg in my arms. He laughs from the ground, and Duncan shoots me a worried look, before knocking the man unconscious.
Forgetting about the archer, I lower my weapons slightly and pay more attention to my injured limb. An arrow spins out and lands in my hand with a muted thunk.
I stare at it in confusion, before the pain registers.
"Ow. Ow! Duncan! OW!"
I crouch down and cradle my hand. Duncan glances from me to the brush, and throws something in.
I hear glass shatter and a man scream. He stumbles out of the forest, clawing at his face. He drops his bow and falls to his knees. He lands near the brush, but closest to me.
He suddenly moves pulling a knife from his armour and leaps at me. I grab the fallen bow and rip the arrow out of my hand. I scream in pain, but manage to nock the arrow. I aim at him, close my eyes and let the string go.
Something falls to the ground next to me, and tears fall from my eyes. I fall back and someone grabs me.
" Nessa, quickly, we have to get you back to camp." He picks me up carefully, and carries me to to the fire. He lays me down on his bedroll and digs around in his bag.
I curl up around my injured hand, ignoring the fact that I am lying in my underwear, bleeding on Duncan's bedroll.
What have I done? I sob.
'He would have killed us if you hadn't done what you did. He was asking for death, you just gave it to him.'
Duncan asks for my hand and I move it for him. He carefully rubs something on the wound, I gasp at the pain. I grit my teeth and soldier through it. The pain ebbs away. The concoction must have aesthetic properties. I sigh as the pain disappears and fall into an uneasy sleep.
ooOoo
Well. Shits going down.
Hopefully you've all had an awesome day, and weren't shot in the arm.
Bye!
-FMI
