Victory over the sun

Stalking a beast through a forest and stalking a single woman on an open road had seemed like an easy enough transposition of Teague's skills. Follow the hoof prints, it should have been as easy as that. Billy and Silisia were not a heavy pair by any means and their tracks ran shallower than most. It was an easy task for the first several hours. That was until the rain came in, washing them away, and several dozen other men and woman upon steeds cantered past the leather and fur clad ruffian creating a litany of different tracks. While Teague was left without a trail to follow except, of course, the road. He knew his companion's destination and, from several gruff conversation with passersby, knew this way to be the road heading for Byzantir. With stubborn determination the Woodsman of the Dark Woods gave chase, walking the well worn path for nearly three days with little rest. 

As he trudged over the Great Road on his third day he found himself pacing far behind another lone wanderer, lagging nearly two miles. From the lithe figure he'd assumed it to be a woman, though with the hood drawn and the distance as it was it was difficult to tell. From time to time he began to wonder if he might have unnerved her and if he should have left the road. Several travelers had informed him that he looked the part of a wild brigand. Bound in leather leggings and a course homemade jerkin he was rather rough. While most of his tools of husbandry and hunting were hidden beneath a fur lined cowl and cloak the bearded ax dangling from his side begot wary looks and the large oddly shaped bow on his back even more. He considered allowing more distance between them, but decided against it. He needed to reach Byzantir as quickly as possible if he was to have any hope of reuniting with Silisia and repaying his debt to her. His thoughts turned inward, cursing the fact that he'd even allowed themselves to get separated. His quite muttering nearly distracted him from the scene that played out a head of him. A cry echoed forth and two figures on horses galloped forth, one fleeing and the other giving chase. Unfortunately, the quarry wasn't the most coordinated and fell from their horse, landing in a rather undignified heap. From his current distance Teague could only make out the slightest of features, enough to know that the figure was a woman and her pursuer a man. Teague was entirely ready to assume the mantle of a simple bystander and walk by. 

The trio of traveler's had all come to a stop, which caused Teague to take pause. In that moment several things transpired. The purchase of a book and the drawing of steel, being the most pertinent to Teague. Slowly, the hermit drew closer to the group, snatching up pieces of their conversation inadvertently. It wasn't until the woman who had fallen had spoken that the man came to a full stop.

Silisia

Irritation and relief washed over Teague's body in equal measure as he lumbered up directly behind the woman who sold the book. Teague wondered if girl was a more apt description. Even from behind he could tell she was young, younger than him by at least a few summers. He spent little time debating the subject, his focus placed intently on his charge.  While he wasn't the largest of men, Teague still stood almost a head taller than most and life in the Dark Woods had hardened his frame. In conjunction with the heavy clothing he wasn't quite a mountain, but a veritable hill of man, fur, and sharp objects. "You left." The words came out neither as a an accusation or a question. Reaching up Teague tore back his own hood revealing the mane of hair that shrouded his face. Hazel eyes examined the man that stood beside her who'd drawn his sword and chased her down. Considering the fact that things had seemed rather peaceful at the moment Teague assumed there was some sort of rational reason for the exchange. That or the Woodsman would soon find use for the ax upon his side. The man, Teague had to admit, was decidedly handsome. He looked the part of the prince in the stories he'd heard when he was younger, but he was just as road weary as any other traveler. "And picked up more strays, I see. It seems you can't go anywhere without saving someone's life." The man suppressed a sigh, as he rested his hand upon the head of his ax. One of these days Silisia was going to save the wrong person.