The Red Cape

I.

Volume I.

She walked on the forest's path, her feet crunched the leaves softly, and her blood-red cape swept across them. She walked quietly, but swiftly. She kept the hood shadowing her face, so you couldn't see her evergreen eyes, as if she were hiding from something.

Hiding from what? Something that would be blinded from the prominent red cape.

Her clothes were a dark brown and a plain grey, quite modest, but she still kept the rich-red cloak close to her figure. What was visible of the girl was her pale chin, nose, and her rosy lips. You could only see the entirety of her face, which was quite beauteous, if you lifted her hood.

The girl walked on, and she approached a rather tall tree, which branches hung broadly, and its roots tucked into the ground with stability. Once she had neared it, just to the right of her, not very far away, a young man, with a faded green cape, came flying down from the widest branch of the tree.

He crashed to the ground quite loudly. The girl, jumped back in fright, breathing hard, but she did not let loose the scream of surprise that she was feeling from her lips.

The man groaned, then sat up, he rubbed his head.

"Well that was graceful," he said.

He had dark and rather messy hair, paired with cocoa eyes. He wore an over shirt and brown trousers, tucked into black boots. He had a brown leather belt strung around his waist, which bore a shiny sword.

He then stood up, and flicked his eyes over to the girl. He raised his eyebrows and eyed her cape.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" He offered his hand to the girl to shake, quite casually.

She did not take it, however, she stood far back from the stranger, eyeing the sword warily.

"Come now," he said kindly, "I won't harm you, I swear it."

She stood still as ever, much to the annoyance of the man.

"Would you at least lift your hood, so I can see your face?" he asked.

She still did not move forward, but she did lift her hood off of her head. Her shining eyes were now visible, as were her auburn locks, braided out of her face a bit.

The man's eye's twinkled with admiration.

"Why would such a lovely lady such as yourself be doing walking alone in the South Woods?" he asked.

"Nothing peculiar, I'm sure," the girl said, flattered and amused. Her voice was smooth and fluid, like a cool spring.

The girl started forward, but the man stopped her in her tracks.

"But, where on Earth are you going?" he said. "You seem to be in quite a rush."

The girl frowned slightly, becoming wary again. "I don't think that is any of your concern."

"Come now," he sighed, "I know that I am but a stranger to you, but I feel, in these woods," he gestured to the trees, "One could use the company- and, the protection may be of use to you."

"Who says I need protection?" the girl abruptly stopped, looking offended.

"Well, you have no weapons, as far as I can see," he noted.

"Not all weapons are sharp objects, you know," she pointed out, walking forward once more.

The man huffed. "Can you at least tell me your name?"

"How is my name of use to you, good sir?" the girl asked in mocking politeness.

"I was simply being civil," he shrugged. "For you and I should travel together, since I am going to follow either way, to make sure you are no possible enemy."

The girl stopped again, looking defeated. "I suppose I see your point." She was going to keep a watchful eye on him as well.

"So," he said, "What is it then?"

"Rose," she said, "What is yours?"

"Hunter," he responded simply. They shook hands.

"So, Hunter," Rose waved her hands in front of her, "How can I know that you are trustworthy?"

"How can I know that you are trustworthy, Rose?" he said playfully.

"Are you always this infuriating?" Rose asked, smiling.

"Not all the time, I can assure you," he responded. "And for the matter of trust? Well, I suppose I can swear not to harm you."

"What good will that do?" Rose laughed.

He shrugged, "They say if you make an oath in this forest, you can't break it, or the trees will claim you."

"How can I know that your word is true?" Rose asked.

"I suppose I'll just have to prove it is."

"But, I do not even know you," the girl said, chuckling admirably at him

"But you will," he smiled warmly.