Although her people had originated from another dimension, Haryiel and her kind had found their way into this world long before the Revolution took place. For over hundreds years, Haryiel had spent her life in Northwestern Europe. There she spent her time alternating between playing the roles of a benevolent spirit presiding over the mountains as its guardian, and a malevolent imp who finds amusement in terrorizing humans. One fine summer night, many years later, however, Haryiel had met her match in a hunter by the name of Alaric Emrys. Of course, Alaric was by no means a normal hunter. His prey had the tendency of being the supernatural kind, and a Fae like Haryiel was pretty much fair game to him.

As a Púca, a shapeshifting Fae, Haryiel was capable of taking on the form and abilities of other mortal beings. It was this ability of hers that had drawn Alaric’s attention. A creature with the skill to turn into and gain the abilities of man or beast at will would certainly be useful in his endeavors. The fact that she was also able to work basic Fae magic didn’t hurt either, if anything it only increased Alaric’s desire to obtain her. Haryiel’s meeting with the hunter was by no means a chance encounter, and by the time the sun had risen to signal the start of the following day, the Fae found herself to no longer be a free spirit but an oath bound servant instead, with the brands to prove it. From that day on, she spent the rest of her life at the beck and call of her master and his successors.

Her time with the hunters, however, hadn’t been all bad. They treated her well enough and rarely resorted to using any form of physical punishment on her. Living among them, although tedious and frustrating at times, had been an educational experience for her. Her prolonged exposure to the Emrys’ had taught her a lot about the inner workings of humans, more so than what she could have learned on her own. Haryiel had never given much thought about the humans she’d interact with in the past, but over the years she’s learned to be more considerate towards them. To empathize with them as a human would.

Along with this, the Emrys’ also taught her how to be human. Not just in form, but in spirit as well. Just as well though. Most people are unaccustomed to dealing with Fae, and since it was often required for her and her master to split up and still be able to communicate with the locals during hunts, it was of the utmost importance that Haryiel could blend in amongst them. Acting human, the shape shifter found, required much more effort on her part than it would if she were to act the part of any other creature she could transform into. Haryiel had improved plenty over the years, had learn to keep her more disruptive tendencies at bay, but she still struggled with the impulse to attack any disrespectful man, woman or creature she’d come across. A bad habit that had landed her in trouble countless of times in the past, and will undoubtedly continue to do so in the future.

Presently, Haryiel is living with her current master in Ashmill, serving as a hunting companion and guardian under the guise of a family member. The pair have only recently moved there and are still in the process of getting acquainted with the city and its inhabitants.

Taking in a deep breath, Azrynn relished the smell of the crisp morning air, immersing herself within the comfort that she always felt whenever she traversed through the forests of her home. Her sense of smell was immediately overwhelmed by the scent of wet earth, fresh air, and the local wildlife – a combination that was ever so familiar to her. It had rained earlier on, a light spring shower with a cool breeze. From the glimpses she could see of it through the forest, the vast sky was still tainted a gloomy purple-grey. The sun not yet in a position where its rays could penetrate through the dense forest. The forest itself was silent and still, many of its inhabitants yet caught in slumber.

Although she had taken the time to arm herself and had donned her hunting garb, when Azrynn set off into the forest she had done so without any clear destination or purpose in mind. She held her bow in a relaxed grip as she made her way leisurely through the forest, relying fully on her muscle memory to navigate through the darkness as her eyes adjusted to the dimness of her surroundings. The lack of lighting tainted the usual forest greenery an eerie blue. To be perfectly honest, she rather liked it that way. It was quiet, peaceful – the ideal setting for her to just unwind and have a bit of personal time.

If the temperature had been just a tad bit warmer everything would have been perfect.

For all that the season had slowly drifted into the warmer climates of spring, the days still cold enough for winter – clinging still to the remnants of winter’s frigid embrace. It might not be freezing, it was chilly enough that Azrynn wished she had thought to bring along her cloak. While they provided her with all the freedom of mobility that she desired, her simple attire of brown leggings, dark green tunic and soft leather boots provided her with little heat. If only her dear brother was there with her – she could have clung onto him for his body heat at least.

And then he’d kill me, and dump my corpse somewhere for the animals to feed on.

”Now that’s a lovely thought,” she mused, lips forming a bemused half smile. Something about the imagery just tickled her funny bone. Now, she had great doubts that her twin brother would kill her over something so trivial. Though perhaps if she had-

The sudden sound of the rustling of leaves broke her from her train of thought, and, without pause, Azrynn instinctively drew her bow, nocked an arrow and aimed in the direction that the sound came from and released. It was aftershe fired the arrow that it occurred to her that the creature/person/thing she shot at might not have been hostile. The thought of hitting an innocent bystander only slightly made her cringe.

”Oh, sorry!” she called out, sounding for all intents and purposes genuinely apologetic. ”If that shot connected at all feel free to scream and threaten me if you’re a friendly!”