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Post by The Great Eye on Jan 11, 2005 1:32:38 GMT
There he lay. On the dirt tracks on the lonely trail, never used, seldom seen, but now a blood stained mess lay there. He was beaten pretty badly. He jaw was set in his throat, and entire upper lip and teeth had vanished, and his left eye was swollen shut. His right ear lobe displayed a rip, and his dark black hair was stained and pasted back to his head. As the killer's eyes moved down his prey, he saw the wound that killed him. Where his full muscled nexk was, now lay a bleeding mess, with a chuck of flech torn out. He had lost his breathe, literally. The lone arrow punctured his trachea, and the poor man and gasped to death. The man was named Ithilen. An old friend of the killer's.
Abram perched himself carefully over his prey. His old friend. Some friend indeed. A loveless anger burned within Abram as he remembered the heart-wrenching feeling when he stepped into his dimly lit bedroom, with Ithilen standing over Abram's wife. She was dead, and in Ithilen's grasp dangled a dripping elven blade. Ithilen's most prized possession. The veins in Abram's neck pulsated. His face flushed. Abram charged at Ithilen, as he had so many times before. Yet those times had been in play. Abram and Ithilen had been friends since childhood, yet nothing had prepared Abram for the spectacle he just saw. As always, Ithilen was faster then Abram. Darting past him, Ithilen ran out the door and out towards the woods. Thinking quickly, Abram grabbed his bow, quiver, pitch black cloak, and long wooden staff, and he ran out the door after Ithilen. He was going to die. Always the better shot, Abram began almost instantly after he saw his old friend dash into the woods. One. Two. Five arrows. All misses. Ithilen's speed was to his advantage. Finally, Abram nailed Ithilen square in the back, yet he kept running, so Abram fired one more shot, and grazed the side of Ithilen's neck. That was the shot that took him out. Abram grinned.
Abram laughed as he stood by his prey, searching him for weapons and supplies, for he knew he could not return home. There would be consequences for what he just did. Abram took his friend's elven dagger, some coins, and the few crumbs of food he had on him. And Abram ran. For he knew the authorities would be on his tail. The murder of a prince does not easily go unnoticed.
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Post by Elindir on Jan 11, 2005 22:54:28 GMT
Dirgrin quickly bent down to check the tracks before urging his companions to hurry. They were less than a day behind.
Once the woman had been found dead, and her husband missing, a search party had been quickly gathered. From evidence found in the house it appeared that Abrams wife had been murdered by the Prince and that the Prince ahd then chased Abram into the wild. At least that is what Dirgrin felt had happened.
Dirgrin was a stranger in this part of the world but had much experience in traveling the wild lands. So after the alarm had been raised he had volunteered his services as a tracker to help save Abram. But things had been slow at first, the rest of his companions wanted to gather water and supplies first and say goodbye to their loved ones. In his experience Dirgrin knew that you keeded to find the tracks while they were still fresh.
Other than a few arrows stuck in trees and some snapped twigs there was very little to go on. Afterall there were many hunters in this area who could have fired the arrows or broken the twigs. But it was on the morning of the second day that Dirgrins group had stumbled onto the paths and seen the few drops of telltale blood.
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Post by The Great Eye on Jan 24, 2005 20:08:28 GMT
((Sorry it's so late Eli))
A trembling fear pulsed through Abram. What had he done? He had murdered a Prince. He had murdered the heir to the throne, and stained the forest floor with his blood. Abram needed to get away. He needed to find a spot to hid for a few days and rest. He knew of a place.
Deep in the wooded realm, Abram had an old friend by the name of Cass. She would help him. Abram knew it. But the question thumping through Abram's mind was, did she remember him? It had been so many years since Abram's lsat visit, and they had not parted on the kindliest of terms. She was one of the most rogue people he had ever met. A thief. A liar. And someone who would stay with your until the end. As long as you do what they say. Abram liked his edgy friend, and he believed she liked him. So that is where he would head. Her secluded cabin deep within the woods.
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Post by Elindir on Jan 24, 2005 20:17:26 GMT
Dirgrin waited respectfully by the side of the track while the village men mourned the loss of their prince. It was with heavy hearts that they made a simple stretcher of blankets and two sticks. The majority of the party were going to carry his body back to their village. The king could collect it from there. Oh how he would rue the day that he let his son live a simple life in one of his hunting retreats. Now he would die childless.
There were not many men left to accompany Dirgrin in the second leg of the journey. But with the handful of men, Dirgrin plowed back on into the woodland, following the faint tracks of a panicing man.
((Come on guys, join in ;D))
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Post by The Great Eye on Jan 24, 2005 20:30:40 GMT
As Abram made his way through the thickening trees and limbs, he began to remember the old times with him and Cass. That was before the days of Abram's marriage.
Cass and Abram used to rummage throughout all the woods, finding new and interesting things to do or accoomplish. Time and time again, Abram thought of Cass as his love and forever friend. But many years later, she told him that would never be a possibility. That was the last day Abram saw her, with a tear in her eye, and a rip in Abram's heart. He was the one woman he fancied, and it was all gone in an instant.
He though about keeping in contact with her, but Abram thought may be worse. It was a very impersonal way when they lived so close to each other.
But now he was in need of her assistance. He was in a jam, and only she knew the way out. He inly wished he knew if she was home or not. She was always off on some fantastic adventure. But thought age may have crept up on her a bit. It had on him.
After about a half hour, Abram was in view of her house. Still exactly as he remembered it. The moss covered roof, extending slightly over the rotting wood walls. The sepia of the wood barely showing now through the years of plant life making it's home there. Her front door stood a bit ajar, as it always had, and Abram smiled. She was home. There was smoke silently fleeing the chimmney.
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Post by Tinorfithiel on Jan 25, 2005 15:20:30 GMT
Cass had just returned from yet another adventure, she was thinking that maybe she was getting a little old for it, but no she wouldn't live any other way, she was free and happy to go about her life.
Her latest adventure had taken her right to the borders of the wood. But she was back now relaxing infront of her fire having a nice hot drink and planning on a few days at home before heading off back into the woods in search of more intresting things.
She looked over at her bag on the table, what was in there should keep her comfortably for quite a while. She had been quite successfull and planned to enjoy it, though she definetely wouldn't be heading out that way for a few years.
As was her normal way after a successful trip when she relaxed at home she wandered through her memories of friends and people she had known over the years. This particular day she was remembering a guy she had known a long time back, she remembered the adventures they had had and the good times, she also remebered their parting and how she had tols him that his hopes of love were unrealistic, yes she cared for him, but she had far more love of adventure and freedom and would NOT give all that up for a family life and a man.
They hadn't spoken in a long time but she wondered how he was getting on and whether he had found someone to marry and live with. She thought about possibly visiting the area he was said to live in. After all she could disguise herself and rumour had it a Prince lived there, now a Prince could be an intresting one to have an adventure around...
(((feel free to post after this, it supposed to show that my thoughts are continuing along that thread until an interuption, hint hint)))
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Post by The Great Eye on Apr 11, 2005 19:26:26 GMT
((Whew! Wow is this really late. I hope everyone is still interested.  ) Abram wandered aimlessly through the wood in search of his old friend until he finally found her house. He really did hope she remembered him. They had not been able to speak in many years. Mainly out of location distances, and because they just didn't want to. Abram needed to talk to her now. It had been long enough and it was time they saw each other. He was tired of hiding from his love. His want. His desire. Abram knew his wife had been just a distraction. He knew that. She probably even knew that, but Abram needed something to take his mind off of Cass. His wife had worked. But now that she was gone, Abram had nothing else to think about. His mind usually drifted to Cass nearly once a day. The man peered in her house, wondered for a moment if she was even home, until he heard a creak from the back of the house. "Cass...?" he asked to empty room. |
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Post by Tinorfithiel on Apr 13, 2005 14:15:39 GMT
Cass found her thoughts interupted by sounds approaching her house. She was always wary about people finding where she lived, too many people didn't understand her and the way she did and arguements about it tended to get nasty. She quickly took the bag off the table and hid it at the back of the house then grabbed her knife and stood behind the wall by the door quietly.
Just as the footsteps reached the door she heard a floorboard creak in the other room and mentally cursed the sound.
"Cass...?" she heard, she thought she knew the voice but it took her a few moments to place it, to her shock it belonged to the very guy she had been thinking about earlier. "Abram?" she replied, caustiously looking round. "Abram!" she then said pouncing out of the shadows and dashing round to hug her old friend.
As she looked him over though she could see something was wrong, something had caused him to come back to see her, but what was that something she wondered.
"Why don't you come in? The kettles about to boil, we can have a chat and see what's been going on in your life." Cass knew that whatever had brought him must be important, but hoped they would have time to catch up, for one she wanted to know it was the same old Abram before she decided to help, they may have been good friends, but how well did that still hold up, she wasn't going to risk her neck for nothing.
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Post by The Great Eye on Apr 13, 2005 19:02:17 GMT
Abram was shocked at first by the friendly approach of Cass. I mean wow! She just went right up and hugged him. Abram lovingly returned the embrace. It had been so long since they had hugged. Why...the last time they had had such an embrace was probably about ten years ago - the day Abram and Cass parted their lives with each other.
"Oh Cass!" Abram exclaimed with delight, "Tea would be wonderful, absolutley wonderful. I would love to chat with you for a while. I may be a hurry, but for right now, I am free." Abram's mouth split int o a grin, which he doubted he would lose anytime soon.
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Post by Tinorfithiel on Apr 14, 2005 12:51:08 GMT
Cass grabbed the kettle of the heat and made them some tea, seating Abram in one of the chairs and serving the tea and some snacks out of a bag she had left by the door when she had come in.
"So; what have you been up to?" she asked with a slightly wicked grin. She was fairly sure that it was something not very good that was bringing him here, and left it up to him as to how urgently and quickly he told her the reason he had come to visit, and how long they spent catching up on what had happened since their lives had started following different paths.
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Post by The Great Eye on Apr 19, 2005 15:03:16 GMT
What have you been up to...?
What a question to ask. There was just so much to tell! Where was he to start? Shall he begin where she left him heartbroken so many years ago or when he took a wife?
"Well..." Abram began, deciding to keep out his feelings, "I have married since I last saw you, and I have borne one child thus far. He is a magnificent babe, my wife and I named him Byron. My wife and I lived a many years in happiness. In fact, we were happy all up until yesterday. But that is another story." Abram swallowed hard, hiding his sorrow, "Enough of my trials though, my dear. How have you been all these years?"
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Post by Tinorfithiel on Apr 19, 2005 21:22:23 GMT
Cass sat there sipping her tea and listening to what Abram said, it was pretty obvious that he didn't want to say much about what had happened since they had last met, and from the sound of it, the thing that had brought him to her was something that had happened only yesterday, still too close to grief was her guess from his reactions.
Hearing him call her dear again brought back all the memories of their times together and the reason they had parted. I've been up to my usual tricks she said with a smile and a glint in her eye living the life I've chosen to live, it is fun. Remember when we visited that village in the south east of the forest? She didn't know how long Abram would need to get over what had happened and to tell her why he was here, but if there was time to chat, then she would chat. Though she certainly wouldn't be telling him all she had got up to over the years.
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Post by The Great Eye on Apr 21, 2005 14:23:37 GMT
Abram chuckled in remembrance. "Of course I remember that little village! It was fantastic. That was one adventure I doubt I shall forget." Abram sighed with apprehension. He knew that he needed to tell her why he was here. He needed to let her know his circumstances eventually. Why, whithout her help in the past, he didn't know where he would be. Possibly even dead. He didn't know, but Cass had helped him out of so many tough situations that she deserved to know the truth.
"Cass..." he began slowly, "I know you know that I am in trouble. I have come to you for help, and hope that you can do just that." the man sat up in the chair and looked into his old friend's eyes. He stared into their deep intensity, which he knew all too well. There had been many times that she used her looks against him, but today was different. Today she looked all aglow and happy with the world. He guessed that it was a good time to tell her. "See...yesterday..." he started "I killed my best friend. I killed him because he raped and murdered my wife." Abram hunched his shoulders, feeling somewhat bad for what he did.
"Cass, I killed a Prince."
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Post by Tinorfithiel on Apr 26, 2005 15:23:11 GMT
Like always Cass remained outwardly laid back. It took a lot to break through that look, and even this shocking news didn't do so. The only reaction the whole speech got was a blink.
While her outward facade remained calm her mind worked furiously. It had always been so, when things got worse she became more calm and her thoughts raced faster. Abram was obviously in major trouble killing a prince, but the prince shouldn't have raped his wife, well that can be dealt with later, right now Cass knew she was going to have to get him away from here, and that her cottage was going to be found and searched, too bad, Abram needed help, they needed to change identity and head out, Abram would have to keep up, hopefully she thought he remembered the woodcraft skills she had taught him long ago. There was never any doubt, Cass might be a Thief, rogue and full and full scoundral, but she did stick by her friends.
"I'm sorry about your wife, and you friend"she said "but you cetainly know who to come to, we can stay here tonight, but tomorrow morning we're going to have to go, we need to lay low for a while and find out what's happening, then we can work from there."
Cass then got up and started moving her furniture around, she set up a palet on the floor, and put dinner on to cook while she organised her things. She would have left that night, but she was tired after her latest trip and Abram looked tired out both emotionally and physically. "You can have the pallet" Abram knew she was all that talkative on general principle. But she moved round hiding her valubles in secret hiddy holes under the floor, in the walls, and even some in a gap in the well. Shortly other than the pots and pans, beds and lack of dust the place looked abandoned. When the meal was done she took him his portion and as she ate it in the seat opposite him she thought 'what am I getting involved in and why am I doing this for him.'
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Post by The Great Eye on Apr 27, 2005 17:04:52 GMT
Abram looked at the pallet with some desire, yet slight disgust. He would and will enjoy his sleep, but he would have liked more than a simple pallet. Abram had been running for quite some time and was more than exhausted from his suspicions that he was being chased. Although he wanted to sleep, Abram would wait until Cass was either tired with him or tired from lack of sleep. He was still not sure on her trust or love for him. He needed to remind himself that it could only be friendship love, no matter how he tried. Though...maybe things have changed over the years...
Maybe they could be something more. Maybe they could try... But of course Cass would say no for reasons known only to her. Abram wanted to be friends. He wanted to know her. But he wanted to love her more than she knew. He wanted to instill in her the same feelings he felt for her. But alas, that would neer happen. Not on Abram's life...
"I thank you for your kind hospitality Cass. You have no idea how muchI doubted your want to help me. We did leave on slightly bad terms. I do apologize for that, my friend." Abram sighed with relief of finally getting that off his chest.
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Post by Tinorfithiel on Apr 27, 2005 23:51:55 GMT
Cass looked over rather sharply at Abram when he said that he had doubted she would help, even that they had left on bad terms, to her own mind they had stopped being together because he had wanted things she didn't. She didn't see her refusal of love to be anything big, she had said the truth and waht she felt. She did not want to be attached, she knew she had feelings for him but they were the deepth of friendship, and a deepth of friendship that few woudl know, for Cass even being the person she was was absolutly loyal to those she respected, and was friends with.
"Abram; never doubt that I will be here for you. You have nothing to be sorry for, you wanted something that could not be and were free to find what you wanted in whatever way pleased you, as was I. From the sounds of it we both found what we wanted, you your wife and child, me my life of adventuring. Our paths may have taken different routes but we will always be friends" Cass spoke this with passion and belief, she wanted Abram to realise that she had never realised anything was that wrong, he had left to find the life he wanted and that was his free choice, she didn't mind, and in fact had wished him well with whatever had come, even if those wishes hadn't lasted.
Cass sat and ate her meal thinking and wondering what Abram must have been thinking these past years that had made him say such a thing, to her the idea was foreign, though thinking from his perspective, maybe it was true, her lack of interference in his life, her lack of visiting, the way he had left after she said that she didn't love him. It lead her on to thoughts of why she had even listened to him and not laughed it off as she normally did. This night would probably not be a very restfully one for Cass, she had a lot to think about not foremost how she was going to keep the two of them alive and away from those following.
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Post by The Great Eye on May 3, 2005 17:05:55 GMT
"I guess Cass..." Abram said solemnly, "You got exactly what you wanted, and I got a dead wife and some kids who will never know their father." he picked lazily at his meal, concentrating on things more important than eating. Could him and Cass ever be anything more than friends? Would she want to? Has her adventurous life run out? Could he join her if it hadn't? For some reason, his thoughts did not revolve around his predeciment. They revolved solely around Cass and her future...and possibly his.
But what to do about his current problem? Was he just supposed to run away from it forever? He knew he couldn't do that. Abram wad taught better than to run...he was taught to fight for what he believed in. Yes, he killed a Prince. Yes, it was a capital offense. Yes, he had good reasoning behind it. The Prince had been aroused to the point that he was unable to control his lust, and that was also a capital offense. Rape did not go unnoticed very easily.
"I better get off to bed now Cass. We have a big day ahead of us if we are to lose my trackers." Without waiting for a reply, Abram stood up, and walked over to his homely pallet and began to undress somewhat, down to his underclothes at least.
Abram covered himself with the blanket provided, and, trying to get warm, snuggled up and tried to sleep.
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Post by Tinorfithiel on May 4, 2005 10:57:27 GMT
Cass listened to what Abram said and couldn't help but feel sorry for the way things for him had gone wrong, she wished they hadn't, and wished his kids could get to know him as she had, maybe just maybe they could stay ahead of their persuers and gather enough evidence to proove him unguilty, after all she wasn't known to be connected with him, and maybe if her remembered how to disguise himself properly they would be able to go back to his village and proove him innocent or provoked or however the law ran.
To his sugestion of bed Cass couldn't help but agree, he needed his sleep even if she had too much to think about. She quickly cleared up the dishes and wiped them clean before returning to her own bed/pallet in the back room and lying down fully dressed to sleep, she could remember seeing Abrams body as he undressed, she had marked his muscles and state of fitness, lack of major wounding e.t.c. to her his body wasn't that of a man, it was that of a friend and companion who needed to be in top shape. She never slept undressed though in her life she had always needed to be ready to run, and hat habit would certainly die hard if it ever died at all. As she lay there though she pondered over what she would do the next day, it was obvious they needed to move away from her cottage and quickly, he hadn't exactly covered his tracks brilliantly so her cottage would be searched, hopefully they would find exactly what she wanted them to including Abram and Abram alones footprints leading off North. There was a good stream that way which they could loose their trail in and double round and head south, even if she hadn't consiouly been thinking it at the time Cass had remembered that village that they had visited when they were younger, she thought it was about time it was revisited, she needed some things, she also needed news and if she remembered correctly which she normally did, the village sat at a major crossroads in the area and would be a good place to listen for information about what and who might be after them.
The next morning Cass was up well before Abram silently making her preperations to go, she had got them some breakfast and packed her sack and even made one for Abram including some clothes she had that she thought would probably fit him."Good morning" she said when she noticed him stiring "we need to be heading off in about an hour if we want to keep ahead of your trackers, there's water outside for a wash then breakfast is ready" Cass had already noted that he was out of pracitce for this way of life and she was going to have to get him back into it quickly if either of them wanted to survive this.
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Post by The Great Eye on May 4, 2005 19:27:37 GMT
Dreams filled with uncontrollable emotions, feelings and urges purged Abram’ mind during his restless sleep. It was the first time he had slept…the incident. Within his fitful dreams, Abram saw images of which he never wished to witness again, not even in a dream. Images of red-hot fire burning all around him and mocking laughter filled the air, bringing about a hideous turn of events. Ithilen, Abram’s old friend, bloodied and looking horrific, stepped forth from the mist and flames around them, a look of pure evil intent embossed upon his rigid face. Standing next to him, hand-in-hand, stood Abram’s wife, Sofia, grinning like a mad woman. She almost seemed…happy to be with her murderer, but why? Why would she ever be happy with that man? The entire time Abram had known his wife, she had held a deep resentment for Ithilen. Nevertheless, she smiled. A smile of love.
“Abram, my love.” Sofia lovingly said, her faint ended sharply with, “You fool!” and with that last exclamation, she laughed. Laughed with hatred, pain and an incredulous notion of giddiness, unknown to Abram. “You and your foolish, naïve ways have brought ruin to both of us.” She continued. “Why could you just have not come home early? You see…” she looked over lovingly at Ithilen, “Your friend and I never hated each other, you stupid man. We were lovers in times you could not provide for me. Could not…fulfill my desires. My needs.”<br>
“If you had not come home early…none of this would have happened.” Ithilen continued. “You are to blame for your wife’s death. You are to blame for your ruined life. Your coming home shocked me into believing I was almost caught with interfering in your relationship with Sofia here.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, the blood in Ithilen boiled, “So...I killed her and was going to claim her attack to me. Luckily, it was only you that came through. And…I knew I could outrun you, or so I thought.” He pawed at his gory neck, “you are a better shot than I anticipated, bravo. But…as for your life…it is ruined forever. As for your wife though, she is mine.” A smile grew on his lips as Abram’s irrepressible anger drove him to charge, dagger drawn, at Ithilen. The blade dropped. A scream was heard. And sweat dripped from Ithilen’s face as he shot up in bed. That could never be true…my wife loved me…cared for me…needed me. She would never have turned to Ithilen for comfort and love…Thoughts reeled through Abram’s head, bringing about stirring of emotions, ranging from hate and love for bother Sofia and Ithilen. His thoughts drifted in an out through a good portion of the night until sleep overcame him and darkness was brought to his consciousness. ~---------------:::---------------~ A mixture of clangs and bangs awoke Abram slowly. He lazily opened his eyes to see Cass rushing about the house, busying herself with one task or the next. She soon noticed him stirring and greeted him, in which Abram returned with a cheery “Good Morning.” He had not need to bother Cass with his livid dreams. He listened to her with rapt attention, as she knew best what to do about his situation. That is why he came to her first. A quick washing up sounded wonderful to Abram. He was still very dirty wrong the sand and brush silently still clung him as he ran from the scene of his crime, leaving him to be quite the messy sight. “Thank you Cass.” Abram said as he pulled on his shirt. He did not know why he was doing it, as he would be coming off again in just a moment, but nonetheless he dressed pretty much all the way, save his boots. “I will take that opportunity for a wash.” Abram grabbed soap from his bag and walked outside, leaving Cass to herself.
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Post by Tinorfithiel on May 5, 2005 17:56:13 GMT
Cass watched Abram dress and noted the way he moved, the way the muscles flowed, altogether checking her assesment of his physical readyness for what she was going to demand of him. Though she wouldn't admit it to herself she did like the look of him, all she thought though was that he wasn't a bad specimen of the male gender.
She continued to cook breakfast and finish the things she needed to do, she packed away some food and went outside briefly to put some foods out for the local animals to eat and so depose of that evidence. As she had stepped outside however she had caught a glimps of Abram washing though very quickly looked away, she may not mind looking at him with few clothes on, but when he might not have a few clothes on.... that's a very different matter. Finally all was packed into the packs and breakfast was just about ready, Cass knew there was still one more thing she needed to finish sorting out before they went, her herb bag. Cass had learnt quite a bit about the wild and it's resources partly through trial and error and partially from the people she had chatted with, she often met and travelled with and got to know things about the people she was going to rob, she needed to know a fair amount if she wanted to remain alive and keep her loot. Herb lore had been a great asset to her though, when wounded or ill she could manufacture a variaty of cures and helping salves e.t.c and though nowhere near as good as a healer she could make a fair job and keep herself healthy. She checked her herb bag and decided before they went she would gather a few more of some of the herbs.
When Abram came back in after his wash however Cass was sitting fingering knots and pouches and measuring powers. "Breakfast will be ready in a moment. Oh and I would advise you not to touch these." Cass was not going to explain all her secrets to him even if he was her best friend, he still had lived in a village, and Cass didn't want the villages to become aware of some of these substances, and what they could do.
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