Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

[Rith Matou]

The crunch of snow beneath booted feet rang through the cold winter's morn as a lone figure exited the treeline. A heavy dark green cloak flapping about him in the breeze, beneath it was rugged armor made of animal hide and fur over a deep green doublet. Off his belt hung an ornate Scimitar and small pouch filled with arcane implements. He trudged his way through the snow onto what could be considered a trail, judging by the hoofprints and wagon tracks from other travelers. Once there, he crested a hill and beheld a sight that made his eyes widen in wonder.

"Avaren." He spoke fondly as his breath visibly exited his mouth and escaped for the sky. It had been so long since he had looked upon this Kingdom. Avaren was a magnificent sight in the winter, with the sun glistening off of the rime and snow. The figure pulled the hood of his cloak off as he pressed onwards towards the town, revealing his wild brown hair and bright green eyes. His face was youthful but with an air of maturity and experience, bearing purple arcane markings resembling three wide claw marks over both cheeks. He had been spending these years since his last stay traveling the lands communing with Nature and becoming more attuned with his powers. Maintaining the balance of Nature where he was needed, as his adoptive father before him did.

After finally reaching the Kingdom's outer walls, Rith observed the cracks and scars it bore, running his hand slowly over a long fissure. Each of these marks had a story behind it and like innumerable times before, he began reminiscing about his past visits to this place. The last time he entered the gates, he was arrested as a Heretic and nearly executed over his powers of Nature Magic. God only knows what adventure awaits him this time around. He would need to be prepared for anything. He couldn't even be sure if he'd be remembered in this place he had more than once called home.

[Zelda]

The days had gotten much colder as of late as winter's chill made its way into Avaren. Zelda the half Drow was still making her living by stealing from those that where ignorant enough to lose track of their money. She made her way to the edge of the city, towards the walls that once protected the city. She felt like going to the tavern for a drink so she was going to make a little withdraw from her hidden stash.

As per the usual Zelda wore her tight leather armor under her thick traveling cloak which was surprisingly warm for how cold outside it was. She had her hood up hiding her face for the most part in its shadow. So as she approached the stranger at that was just walking into avaren the man wouldn't quite see he pale gray face and her pointed ears. Before she attempted to cut his purse and steel what ever small coin he might have.

[Rith Matou]

Rith was then quickly snapped out of his train of thought by the sounds of oncoming footsteps. It would appear that spending several years in seclusion had given him somewhat acute hearing when it came to unnatural noises. Casually, Rith removed his hand from the wall and turned to greet the newcomer.
" Good day to you, miss." He said with a smile, giving her a gesture halfway between a nod and a bow. Whilst doing so, he took a moment to size her up. It was difficult to glean anything from appearances, her body and face mostly obscured by her cloak. Though, he saw no reason to be preparing a Puffer yet, much less favor the hilt of his Scimitar as it were.

[Zelda]

Zelda approached the man as he spoke and then stopped before him and responded in a kind sounding voice. "And good day to you sir, you seem to be lost do you need help finding something?" She asked curiously. She wanted to get the man comfortable enough to lower his guard and maybe find out if he actually had anything to take if not well then it looked like she would be showing a nicer side of herself for no reason.

[Rith Matou]

" Lost? Oh no, not at all. This is far from my first visit to Avaren. I was merely evaluating these battle scars here. Then I suppose I got myself lost in my memories for a bit like a sentimental old man." Rith replied before chuckling a bit in embarrassment. With that he approached the mystery woman casually and extended a hand out to her. " Allow me to introduce myself. I am Rith Matou of the Claw. And who might you be?"

[Zelda]

She extended a pale gray hand and shook his. "People just call me zelda." She said not bothering to explain what she was. "And I have no affiliations. I once lived in aesir and was under the tutelage of a kind sorcerer but, Aesir fell and my tutor died during the war, that made those scars." She said gesturing at the crumbling walls. "Now I am but a humble rogue." She said honestly. "So, what's your story? If you where once a resident, where have you been. Have any adventures outside of these walls?"

[Rith Matou]

"Zelda, huh? A lovely name... has an air of mystery about it." Rith complimented after mulling it over for a second. He took brief notice of the odd, almost grayish-color of her skin. Strange, but not unheard of. He decided not to bring attention to it as he listened to her story. After all, this was the first person he has spoken with that wasn't a Poacher or a Brigand in who-knows-how-long. Wouldn't want to spoil that by offending her. He couldn't help but wonder if he knew her master as she mentioned that he fought and fell in the war.
"'Where haven't I been?' is more the question there. I, like my Master before me, am a servant of Mother Earth. Since my last stay at Avaren, after the dusts of the war had settled, I traveled these lands, communing with Nature. Near and far, verdant Paradise to fetid Fen. Yet somehow, some way, I am always drawn back to Avaren." He explained, probably more dramatically than needed, but that was just the way he spoke when it came to matters important to him.

[Zelda]

Though he couldn't see it, Zelda had here brows raised. So he had been all over the place. "Wow, in those travels of yours you had to have seen some pretty amazing things, and no doubt come across plenty of treasure." No she was getting to the meat of what she wanted to know did this man have anything on him. and as proud of himself as he was he may even reveal where he hid his valuables.

[Rith Matou]

"Treasure? Oh, I suppose so, but I am not partial to such things myself." Rith answered, rubbing his chin between his thumb and forefinger in thought. "Riches tend to be cumbersome and ultimately a hindrance when one is always on the move. It makes you rather popular with bandits, for one. When it comes to it, I take what I need to survive and move on."
Rith was a rare breed of people who was most comfortable living as some would call a pauper's life. Avarice is only another liability to account for when you need to make a quick decision. After all, what can riches buy that nature cannot provide when needed? The animals and plants yield food and protection from the elements. The rivers flow with endless drinkable water. And one can always find a cave when shelter is needed. Really, if there was a task he was commissioned for, he'd always ask for supplies or new gear in lieu of compensation.
"Though, that is not to say there aren't things I hold dear." He added, pulling back his cloak to reveal a small brown pouch and a majestic looking Scimitar hanging at his side. There was a coiling, leafy vine design the color of gold spun about the shiny white sheath, and the handle was emblazoned with Druidic runes incomprehensible to the untrained eye.

[Zelda]

Well, it seemed she had hit a dead end. He had no money, she probably wouldn't even be able to get him to buy her a drink. "So where are you headed now?" She asked the naturalist

[Rith Matou]

Rith couldn't help but notice a twinge of disappointment in the way she responded. He knew most adventurers would be saddened by not getting treasures they discovered, but he never saw one saddened by someone else not getting a lot of treasure. Again strange, but he let it drop as well as he.contemplated her next question.
" Where next, indeed. Well, I have been traveling for quite some time in this bitter weather. This body could do well with a warm fire and a soul-soothing pint. Perhaps you'd care to join me?" Rith responded invitingly. Ah yes, there was one thing nature's bounty could not provide without help, a good mug of ale, and Rith was quite a fan of the stuff. Sure, if one was lucky they could stumble across a fermented Apple or two, but it just wasn't the same. The atmosphere of the local tavern was half the fun in drinking. Truly the best place to observe the true nature of that curious little animal known as Man.