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[h1] [color=f7941d]Bardulf Siegfried[/color] [/h1]
[b]Time:[/b] Afternoon
[b]Location:[/b] North Pass Wilderness
[b]Interactions:[/b] Annya [@princess], Ismael [@Th3King0fChaos], and Bron [@GingerBoi123]
[b]Equipment:[/b] Leather armor over smallclothes, tooth necklace, warm boots, winter cloak, halberd, and 
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One bedroll
a mess kit
a tinderbox
a waterskin
1960 amas
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As Bardulf looked at the now slightly charred body of the animal that was teeming with life but moments earlier, he couldn't help but feel just a tinge of empathy for the creature. However, he knew it was the way of the wild...to hunt or be hunted. Annya's question grabbed his attention, prompting yet another moment of thought as he went over the options in his head.

[color=f7941d]"We are rather close. Maybe a quick jaunt back into town before we meet up with the others. They might think we're lost or something."[/color] He let out a single chuckle before leaning over and reaching a hand out. [color=f7941d]"Could I perhaps....borrow some rope?"[/color] He felt a tad embarrassed after seeming so prepared and not having something as trivial as rope with him. However, he knew Annya would have his back, and felt a sense of relief as she pulled the rope from her things and handed him a lengthy portion.

He moved fast, tying a harness of rope around the elk's torso. With a sudden [color=f7941d]"Hnnn!"[/color] from Bardulf, he began to drag the elk through the snow as he motioned the way they had just come. [color=f7941d]"Just make sure nothing is....watching us..."[/color] He said with a slightly ominous tone. Something was indeed there, just on the edge of his perception. It seemed to move with them so it clearly wanted to observe the pair. He kept himself alert and pulled the elk, finding it quite the hefty and obvious task as a trail of blood was left in the snow where the animal's wound was still emptying its bodily fluids.

After what felt like quite the walk, Bardulf and Annya made it into town, attracting the attention of several townsfolk. Some look at the sight of a dead animal carcass being dragged through town with disgust, others with admiration, and some with a look of hunger as they anticipated just what kind of a meal the meat could make. He took the game with Annya over to the hunting stall that was buying fresh kills and let the rope hit the ground. He let loose a strong pant as he looked up at her with a smile. [color=f7941d]"We did it! Our first actual hunt in such a long time. This is really...nostalgic."[/color]

Bardulf was cut off slightly as a man in a white robe rushed to the pair, a letter in hand. [color=azure]"Your Highness! A letter from the King! It is urgent!"[/color] A slightly surprised look came over Annya's face as she took the letter and hushed the courier. [color=fff79a]"Not so loud, would you! Now let's see what-"[/color] Annya's expressions continued to warp and change as her worst fears had been addressed to her. Everywhere war had broken out. Scouts reported Orc and Dark Elf collusion as well as several advancements on allied territories. Her presence was going to be needed in the days to come, so the King had sent for a royal escort to bring her back home post-haste, with or without her friends. Bardulf noticed the change in her looks, still trying his best to read just how serious this might be. She did not speak a word until she folded the paper back into its case. She smiled at Bardulf and spoke quickly yet directly. 

[color=fff79a]"Bardulf...it saddens me to say this. But I am needed back home. I'm not going to lie. Things will be tough. The war is escalating and I don't want any of you in harms way yet. So I need you to tell the others to remain here. Continue your training. Follow every one of my rules...and don't even think of doing silly things like running about by yourself in the midst of night!"[/color] She paused to give Bardulf a serious glare, as if to scorn one of her children. But her tone returned to a more somber one as she continued. [color=fff79a]"I will send for someone to get you once I deem it safe, or you may inform me if you all leave the island. Just please...be safe and don't keep me in the dark if you all choose to leave. I know I can't force you to stay here forever but...I can't stand the thought of losing you all."[/color] Her eyes became slightly wet for a moment before she sniffed her tears back into her ducts. She breathed slowly, her chest filling with air before a slow and calming exhale washed over her. She reached her arms out and gave Bardulf a firm and unexpected hug, lasting several moments. His expression immediately changed as he seemed unsure just what to do or where to place his arms. An awkward attempt at returning the hug came from him, his arms slowly wrapping around her as if to join her in saying goodbye.

[color=f7941d]"I know what it's like to do what needs to be done. I pray you have the strength to see your people through this hard time. And know that we are all plenty capable. If we're going to get through this...it'll be because of you Annya."[/color] Bardulf smiled and released from the embrace, eyeing the courier who seemed to be feeling just as awkward for witnessing the heartfelt moment. Annya composed herself and immediately began commanding the elf to find her things and bring them to the nearest ship while she settles her affairs with the town leadership. Before he could say much more, she was heading off to do greater things. He couldn't help but feel sad to watch her go, but knew that it wasn't without purpose that she was leaving. She at least wouldn't be gone for good, like so many others that had left him in this shallow existence he called life. 

He shook his head slightly and collected his pay from the gamesman for the elk, and began the trek back out to the meeting spot to share the news with Ismael and Bron about recent events. Even so, as he wandered further and further away from town, he couldn't help but feel that same feeling of being watched. Normally he wouldn't be so bold as to walk out into the woods alone with an obvious predator lurking about, but he knew his friends were still deep in the woods, and he couldn't just leave them. He pulled his hood over his head and began to shift through the trees as best he could, wanting to shake the tail of whatever or whoever felt the need to observe his every move.
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