a key, a trap, and a house

while walking through the forest pippa sees something shiny on the ground. it reflects the light, giving of a metal sheen. after some careful examination, she can find a key under some leaves that apparently someone lost.

it is a bit strange, the material looks like black glass but it is incredibly hard for that. also it looks rather new, it didn't get lost long ago.....

"yay, a treasure. And shiny!!"

Pippa grab that key of sort and try to keep it in her clothes

then she looks around if there is more to notice

looking closely, Pippa can make out a trail

pippa follows the trail but misses the cleverly disguised boobytrap. the sling closes around her ankle and pulls her up in the tree

"heeeee"

after the surprise, Pippa tries to flex to get to the knot on the rope, hoping to cut it or unmake it. But with her belly, it would not be as simple as that

while she fiddle with the knot she hear footsteps approach her

she fiddles faster, she need to avoid being captured again

While she try to loosen the knot, which is hard since her weight hangs on it, a humanoid person comes into her field of vision. it looks like an average ranger, with a bow and sword, long cape and practical clothes

"Hey. How is the air up there, gnome?"

the voice is male and slightly amused

"hello there. May I hope that you are a honorable hunter that I just accidently set your animal trap... and not some scum rogue that traps people to harm them?"

"Half right.

That's not my trap and i am not honorable, but i don't intend to harm you."

he grins

"here, take a sharp knife, it might help"

he offers her a knife made of metal

Pippa catches the knife and get on to cut the knot, slightly worring about the fall that should happen in conclusion

as she fall, the strong arms of the huntsman break her descent and they are let to the ground

"careful there"

"well, thank you for the help. here, your knife"

Pippa gives back the knife

"well, where are you headed?"

"I really don't know where i'm going. I'm sort of get lost to wake up in this land, so... you may say that i'm looking for an exit... if you have directions or suggestions?

I'm Pippa by the way"

"Call me Zephyr.

i don't know a way out of the forest, but i know my way around in a forest. there's some folks nearby that might be willing to let you stay. and i am not talking about the fishmen"

he points to the boneknife she got

"well that seems to be an idea good as any..."

he walks the trail she found before taking a branching path and leads her up some wooded hills

"I got to other people living nearby. Boreas and Ostea. They are lost, like us, and they decided to settle instead of running into more and more danger."

"that's a way of life, sure."

nestled between the hills in the forest you can see a wooden hut and a charcoal kiln. close to it is a small garden with some vegetables growing.

"quite a lovely place you did make of it"

he laughs

"oh, i am not a builder. Ostea is the master behind that. "

he takes Pippa to the house

it still bother Pippa that Zephyr did say that he's not honorable... could there be a trap further?

at the house she sees a man, not much differently built from Zephyr and as she gets closer a woman comes out of it. she is much sturdier built than the two men, her arms are toned from physical work and she has the look of an intelligent person

"Hello."

the woman waves at her, while the man comes closer

"Hello there. it seems zephyr found another lost soul in the forest."

zephyr next to Pippa nods

"I'll be on my way then."

Pippa waves at Zephyr

"Thanks again"

she gets back to the woman.

"So what the situation here? what do propose? is there a way for me to stay some days here? at least to get better."

the woman nods and the man answers

"Sure you can stay for a bit.

Sorry, Ostea is rarely talking. I am Boreas. If you want to stay for a while you can help out as much as you are able. Ostea is always happy for help in the garden. Maybe you have some experience in gardening or even agriculture?"

"well, i don't have gardening knowledge per say, but i'm capable if it's not too complicated..

still, i know how to fix objects, tools, stuff... it can be quite useful."

"That's good to hear!

Now, let's get inside and we'll see to it that you get some better clothes and a full meal."

Pippa enters the house

Boreas ruffles through a few things and most of the clothing is too big for Pippa until she find a dress that should fit her.