Emerald And Aharon

I hummed to myself as I walked down the forest path, sunlight filtering through the trees. I felt a cold wave wash over me like someone had thrown ice water on me. I drew my sword, looking around trying to find the source of the cold wave and said, "Whoever you are, come out and fight, don't hide in the brush." A man came down out of a tree near the path, a good head taller than me, and the cold washed through me again, and at that moment I assumed it was because this man was a young immortal. Amongst immortals I wasn’t the oldest, but I was getting up there in age, and this one felt like he was fairly young, but it also felt off. He had his sword in his hand and swung it at me, and I blocked it with my own pushing any thoughts about the off feeling to the back of my mind. There was a loud clang as they met, and sparks flew. I wasn't surprised; sparks often flew when immortals fought. What did surprise me was what he said. "You won't live to harm my family," he said pulling his sword back again and he sliced at my neck. I ducked below the swing, and as I popped back up I swiped at his thighs to put some space between us. I asked, "Why in the hell would I want to hurt your family? I'm interested in you, unless your family is immortal like you. Then it's a whole different dagger in the mud." He quickly stepped back and paused, staring at me with an odd look on his face, "you're not of the Isilk or an undead?" My eyes flashed, anger pulsing through me for a second before stating coldly, "I am not a zombie or vampire, and I hate the Isilk almost as much as most druids. You're not immortal?" He shook his head, "nay, why?" I studied him for a moment, debating whether to believe him or not. I decided he was telling the truth then sheathed my sword. I now realized what felt so off about the cold sensation, the harsh sting that came along with it wasnt there. "Because that's the only reason why I would fight you. I sensed something, and thought it to be a fellow immortal watching for a chance to surprise attack me, hoping to manage to take my head before I took theirs. I don't like sneak attacks, so I said to come out." He looked at me, and you could see that he was debating I was telling the truth.  I sighed and asked him, "You want me to prove it? I can cut off my hand and have it reattach itself." He shook his head in response but stayed silent. I tilted my head to the side and arched an eyebrow at him, "You have a name to go with your looks, mortal?" The way I called him mortal was half a challenge and half not, depending on how he took it.  Part of me hoped he took the challenge and responded; he intrigued me. He looked at me for a few minutes and opened his mouth, "Aharon," was all he said, and I smiled. He was a man of few words, but the way he was standing and watching me, I could tell he was interested; definitely in what I was doing there and possibly more. He was attractive, not in the pretty boy sense that would have the women flocking, but the rugged bad boy fighter. What drew me in the most were his eyes, they were very dark and expressive without revealing anything.  I had a feeling it would be hell playing Avan Poker against him. I held out my hand to him, "I'm Emerald," and smiled. He took my hand and shook it once, but didn't release it right away as he studied me some more.  I smiled to myself, I wasn't a knock out beauty like my sister Tresa was, but I wasn't a slouch either. "Where are you going?" he finally asked as he let go of my hand. I shrugged, "nowhere in particular.  I just go where my feet take me; I never know what interesting things I will see or who I'll meet." His dark eyes studied me and I wondered what he was thinking, but I wasn't too worried about it. "Come with me," he said finally, and started back into the tall grass and bushes. I hesitated for a moment and then followed him, having to halfway jog to keep up with him. We soon came to a large clearing, and a village within it. I looked around, still following Aharon, and he turned down a side path and stopped in front of a house that was at the end. A woman with flaming red hair looked up from watering the garden in front of the house as we approached and studied us.  I eyed her up and down and figured the woman was his wife, and she was pretty, but there was almost a haunted look to her as her eyes followed Aharon’s movements. "Emerald, this is my wife Desiree." He said, gesturing towards the woman. Aha, so my silent assessment was right. I smiled at her, "a pleasure to meet you." I said as I extended my hand to her and she took it. We grasped each other’s wrists, and for a second I was surprised that she knew that kind of hand shake.  The woman was full of surprises it seemed which made me inwardly smile. I could be a friend with this woman. A young girl came out with dark hair and stormy gray eyes and she eyed me with curiosity.  Desiree touched her head and said to me, "Emerald, this is Alleyne, our daughter; her baby sister is asleep inside." Alleyne spoke up, "her name is Fire, by the way." I knelt down so I could look the young girl in the eye, and I extended my hand to her "A pleasure to meet you, Alleyne." The girl looked from my hand to her father, and then finally took it and gave it a shake. I stood back up and looked at Aharon, "you have a nice family, and I can see why you are so protective of them." "Would you like to come in?' Desiree asked and I nodded my head and followed her inside as Aharon picked up the watering can and took up the chore of watering the garden.