The soft music could be heard long before many would see the young elven woman, as she was up in one of the large trees, laying along a branch staring up into the canopy of leaves. The melody was sad and almost haunting, though there were no words, yet it was the feeling that was conveyed by the notes. Yet another morning arrived finding Aedra Ilyan with nothing much of importance to do, seeing as she'd already managed to forage up enough berries and raw vegitation to carry her for the next couple of days. She rarely had anything to do though, seeing as she truly was a wanderer and rarely found much she needed, though when she did she knew she could entertain the patrons of any friendly inn or tavern for the coin to obtain the items.

She was comfortable in the forest, as the branches of any tree seemed to suit her for a resting place and shelter her from the elements well enough to keep her comfortable. Ever since the day she decided she had no real home within the village where she'd grown up, she had lived out on the road, learning to live amongst nature's creatures. Only once had she ever stayed in one place for long, and that had not been by her own decision, the thought of that period of her life bringing her to touch the small choker around her neck. The thin vine strands that made the weaving of the choker still felt just as alive as the day he had placed it around her neck, the flowers still felt velvety soft, as if they were morning fresh.

As she continued to hum the notes of the song, she saw random images of those days and of the man who'd kept her bound to him as his own personal muse. She'd spent two years of her life singing whenever he wished, entertaining his guests and doing his bidding. Dinner, wine, cheese or whatever else he wished, he had but to tell her and she'd get it for him and somehow she never grew tired of this. To this day she was still unable to decide whether she hated the man or missed him, as over those years she'd come to enjoy being in his service and often she found herself lonely and missing the bond they came to share. His death had been one of the few tragic events in her life, leaving her with this song, one of mourning and of lonliness and also leaving her searching.

But for what? It was the same question she asked herself every time she found herself looking back, and the answer never seemed to come. Was she searching for another who would claim her as their own, or perhaps she was seeking a companion, someone she could spend the days with and never have to serve. Like every time before, she simply continued to hum, watching the way the leaves swayed as the breeze blew through them, listening to the sounds of the forest and letting yet another day pass on by.

Zydus had been travelling far and wide. He had never really come to Norwood Forest before, as he prefered the open land, rather than being squashed in between all sorts of trees. This was an unusual visit by Zydus. He wondered through the outskirts of any thick treeline he could find. He knew of the stories here and was constantly on the lookout for any dangers that may stalk the forest.

Zydus walked calmly in the open areas of the forest. He trying to find his way through to Norwood Village, where he was planning to stay the night, if he could. He wasn't an expert at navigating places like forests. That was always a Ranger's job, as he would frequently say. Unfortunately for him, there were no Rangers present around this part of the forest. He didn't even know if there were any people at all around here.

As Zydus drew closer to some tall trees, he heard a sound. A strange sound which he had never heard before, but he walked slower as he came closer to the source of it. He finally reached a group of quite tall trees, and heard the music coming from the top of one of them. Looking up, he decided to call up. Probably hoping it would be a local who could give him directions to the village. Shouting he said, "Hello? Who's up there?"

She let the notes fade away as she heard a shout from down below her resting place. Curiosity began to settle in as she sat up, leading her to find a better clearing between the leaves where she could look down to see just who had called out. As she moved easily from branch to branch, she saw the first glimpses of the man and decided it would be safe enough to climb down. After some rustling of leaves and shaking of branches, Aedra appeared, giving a somewhat quizical look with a grin, "I do assume it was you who called up into the trees? To answer the question you asked, I'm Aedra, just a roamer of the forest, or wherever else I might happen to be," the answer ended with a bit of a giggle.

She took the chance to brush the leaves that had caught on her cloak and tunic during her descent from the trees, glancing up at the man, wondering just how he ended up in the middle of the forest, seeing as he didn't seem the type to be out here.

Zydus watched as the Elven woman approached him. He listened to what she said, and she introduced herself as Aedra. "Well, hello Aedra. I'm Zydus...and well as you can probably see. I'm lost." He was quite embarassed at having to ask someone for directions or help. He rubbed his hands, and looked about slowly as if trying to look like he wasn't completely lost. "Well, would it be possible...if you could maybe help me find my way out?" He smirked embarassingly. He didn't even know why he had come to the forest now, as it has gotten him lost -- and it isn't too common for a Knight to venture around places like this.

Aedra giggled softly, wondering just what the man was doing out here in the middle of nowhere, and was far from surprised that he was completely lost. Once the curiousity passed from her mind, she attempted to remember just what direction he'd have to go to find that village she'd last seen. Suddenly she stopped, then turning her back on him she motioned for him to follow, "Come, come Zydus, this way, there is a village, one that you might well have passed right under!" As she began to head in the direction she believed was right, she called back, "It is an elven village, perhaps that's why you wouldn't have seen in, seeing as we are sneaky types and our cities can be hard to find even when you know just what you are looking for." She giggled a bit again, her eyes searching amongst the trees for the first sign of the village.

Zydus followed Aedra. He noted that she giggled quite a lot, but this didn't concern him. "Yes. Well, if Norwood Village is the only one in Norwood, then that's the one." He smirked, thinking what could happen if he ended up in the wrong village -- if there was another village in the forest. Zydus looked around as he followed the woman. He didn't hate forests, he just didn't like to live in them. "May I ask, if you're a local in the area?"

"I suppose it's the only village in this forest, at least I've never found another village anywhere around here, but then, I just happen to be roaming myself." She continued to walk forward, keeping her eyes up to the tree tops, and then the break in the canopy came and she saw the first hints that there was a village above. Stopping, she considered his question, "No, I am definitely not a local, but then, I keep no home, other than the tree top I sleep in or the inn where I perform for the night. Here, right above us, is the village I had once found." She pointed upwards, to the platform peeking out between the cover of leaves.

Zydus listened to her speak. She was just a wonderer. he thought, but it didn't bother him -- he just hoped they'd find their way to Norwood Village. When she spoke, pointing upwards, Zydus looked up to the sky, and saw some signs of a village. Relieved, he looked back at Aeydra. "Yes! We've made it." He felt happier -- well, he wasn't lost now. Zydus looked back up towards the trees, wondering how he'd get up. Smirking, he said, "Uh, do you know the way to get up into there?" He was thankful thwy had found signs of the village, but he just wanted to get into it to feel completely relieved.

She gave him a bit of a puzzled look, then spoke, "Well, I'm not sure how you'd get up into the village, seeing as you don't look to be the type who would climb a tree. I'm quite sure they must have a way for visitor to reach the city. I simply surprise people and drop in from some random branch." Perhaps it sounded like a joke, but Aedra said it rather matter-of-fact in tone, seeing as she wasn't quite the type to do things as people expected, but then, she was just the right type to be up a tree.

Zydus smirked. He imagined Aedra jumping down in front of him, from some tree. He also imagined himself doing it...which wouldn't be as successful. "Yeah...I'm sure they do." He continued to look around the trees for any sign of another way up. He would have to try and climb up if he had no other choice, but he may as well look anyway. "Well, shall we go looking for another way?"