Kari Lewis's Story

The world is waking up, that's what Kari's mother used to tell her as a child when it was time to wake up. She still says it to herself every morning. She let out a sigh before moving to wake her mother from her slumber. "Mother, it's time to wake up. We both have a busy day, you have garments to make and I must go hunting. I will get the bath water ready." She said shaking her mother until she had sat up from her laying position. Kari went out to get water and came back. She helped her mother bathe then bathed herself before getting her mother dressed. She took her time dressing herself since she wasn't in a hurry to go anywhere.

When she was ready she made sure her mother had eaten before kissing her on the cheek "I will be back mother. If you need anything just call for someone." Her mother waved her off annoyed, Kari ma like caring for her mother but her mother hated it. Kari chuckled and left the camp, the first thing on her agenda was hunting. She strapped her hatchet and a couple of knives to her waist and went off into the woods alone as usual.

Sparis finished eating quickly. He would need to find a reliable source of water if he was to make his camp here for the night. According to his map, Southeast was his best bet. He started off in that direction, making sure to be quiet in case he happened to pass by another panther.

He was quite pleased as he reached the riverbank of what looked like a 5 foot wide slow moving river. He drank excitedly, and filled up his two canteens. As he finished, he heard a deer cry out. He drew his sword, and slid himself closer to where he heard the cry. A young girl was in the process of pulling a hatchet out of the animal. She was clearly an accomplished hunter, considering even Sparis didn't hear her until the deer was already dead. He didn't think her to be a threat, but figured he should adress her as one all the same.

"Speak your name, Huntress." Sparis spoke with authority, as he pointed one of his swords in her direction.

"Kari, and yours?" She sounded sincere, turning towards him for a moment before drawing a knife out, and skinning the animal.

"Sparis." He knew his name was known well.

"You were a pit fighter." She spoke with a tinge of disgust on her voice. She knew the story, everyone from the desert did.

"No longer."

She placed the hatchet on her back, making it clear she had no intention of fighting.

And in that moment, he remembered her from days passed. She was the girl who always came to him, trading meat for herbs, during his time as a raider. She was a good woman, careful, honest.

"Come, my camp isn't too far from here. We can sit. I have an excess of meat, and nobody to share it with." Sparis did his best to drain emotion from his words, but he knew he had spoke kindly. Perhaps a grave mistake.

Should she go with him? He seemed nice enough and if she needed to she could protect herself however he is a former pit fighter. She wrapped the skin of the deer and stuffed it in her satchel for safe keeping. "I can not, I must get back to my mother. I do not like to leave her alone so long." She said and removed rope from her bag. She began to tie the deer's legs together, it made it easier for her to drag home. "I am sure you could use the extra meat on your journey." She added once she finished her work on the deer.