In the early hours of the morning, as the day was just dawning, a rustling is heard in the forest near a farm. A dwarf steps out onto the edge of the field, a muddled look upon his otherwise stern face; pulling back his hood with one hadn and looking around.
"A farm? 'Ere? There should'nae be a farm 'ere..."
Reaching to his hip he pulls a small spyglass out, surveying the surrounding area.
"I should 'ave o'ertaken them by now... I could'nae taken a wrong turn..."
Collapsing his spyglass the dwarf turns back the way he came heading back into the forest, muttering and grumbling to himself.
[several minutes pass]
The selfsame dwarf steps out of the forest, back onto the edge of the field, his previously muddled look now replaced by anger, his face taking on a deeper red color.
"What form of trickery be this?! There was'nae another farm back this way-"
Seizing the spyglass as he quickly surveys the scene.
"No- not another farm... the same farm... I dun'nae know what be going on 'ere... but I dun'nae like it..."
Setting his gaze upon a mountain in the distance.
"Perhaps I'll be finding better luck if'n I can find a more suitable vantage point than this damnable forest..."
Collapsing his spyglass again, the dwarf sets off towards the distant peak.
Caught off guard the dwarf instinctively grabs an ornate firearm, hefting it and adopting a braced but open stance, unsure of the voice's point of origin. Before he can speak the form of the urodeq warlock is before him. The dwarf does not lower his weapon, eyes narrowing as they meet those red ones, his mouth turning into a sneer:
"Urdek-"
He says it with the kind of voice a dwarf might adopt if served a beer turned sour with age, spitting out of the side of his mouth.
"Is'nae typical of yer kind to present yerselves in such an open and forward manner- I suspect this be an ambush then? Lying in wait to finish what yer kin started? Ye'll find this dwarf will'nae go quietly."
Akon let forth a low, dark chuckle of amusement, the corner of her lip upturning in a smirk, seeming entirely unphased by the firearm pointed towards her, her own stature relaxed. "If I'd wanted you dead, dwarf, you would not be breathing. Had I wanted you silent, you would not speak, had I wanted you helpless, your limbs and arms would fail you even as you stand, but nay, you remain with all three because -I- allow it. For now.
"And my kind? Last I checked you and yours still have hold over the land of my people, though I'd be glad to finish anything I wish to start...." Her tone dipped darkly malicious towards the end. "But while I've still allowed you chance to speak, answer my question dwarf, for the land you tread upon will not greet you kindly should you so wish to threaten those that reside within it. Speak. Who is it you search for."
The dwarf grits his teeth as he listens to the stranger, glowering at her as he lowers the rifle.
"Aye, as much as I hate t' admit it, I b'lieve yer words. I dun'nae claim t' have any knowledge of lands other than my own; that and the hearsay that travels through. Yer welcome is as warm as one'd expect- but tis enough t' convince me yer not who I seek, nor are ye close to them; I'd not be standin' 'ere yet if 'twere true. So to yer question I'll say this: yer not who I seek, nor do I think I'll find them 'ere; wheree'er 'ere is.
Seein' as I've g'ven you an answer, perhaps ye'd give me one. What lands are these? This terrain is unfamiliar t' me; yet should still be well within range of me maps- I tried returning whence I came, and only succeeded in somehow stepping out of yon forest in the same place again."
"You haven't answered me at all, merely side stepped my question. Seems you've stepped through a span, and are no longer close to where you once were. And immortals help you in getting back. You might as well get used to the idea. You're stuck here now. That is..if you're story is to be believed.
"Tell me of your intentions, and perhaps I will show you a safe place to rest your head. After all, this forest will likely make sure that you don't wake up again, should you choose to seek shelter in its boughs. And do not bother lying to me, dwarf, I'm rather good at seeing through that type of foolishness. Give me reason to distrust you, and I'll remove your head myself." She answered casually. "State your name and purpose, traveler."
The dwarf huffs, pulling a pipe out, packing and lighting it.
"My story is naught but truth; my intention is t' find something dear t' me, something that was taken. I'd been trackin' them fer three days now when I stepped into this- span?"
The dwarf takes a long inhale on his pipe.
"I imagine you would indeed be quite familiar with lying and such types of foolishness- but that is another matter. My name is Esgir, and who might you be?"
Akon held her smirk. "My name will be discovered to you soon enough, Dwarf. It's up to you if it finds you in good favor or not. Consider me gaurdian of these forests, one who keeps vigiliance over the town ahead. Walk twenty paces back in that direction." She pointed behind him. "And you'll find path there. Take the path right, and you'll see the walls of Jastrey not far. Treat its citizeny well, and you shall have no trouble by me. Cause harm, and I assure you, my hand will not hesitate to strike." And as the last words lingered on her tongue, the figure of the warlock vanished before the dwarf, and he was left alone with his own thoughts and the sounds of the forest.
"Looking for someone?" Came an eerie voice drawn out along the shadows. Then in the dwarf's focus would first come the burning red eyes of the warlock staring at him, and then the outline of her black clad, cross-armed figure.