The Wolf and I - Part I

As a struggling, guildless archer, trying to make ends meet wasn't easy.  I had traveled to Ape City from my home in Twin City in the hopes of gaining some money or a few items to sell.  However, as I found out, trying to hunt was an ordeal in itself and my hunts just kept going from bad to worse.  There were sneak poison attacks by ninjas and PKs by stronger, more senior archers and Trojans.

Upon returning to Ape City from visiting the Market, where I had dropped off my latest slim gains, I decided to attempt one quicker hunt before giving up and returning home for the day. I was now wary of anyone approaching or passing near me and flinched away from any ninja that passed by.

As I was completing a transaction with the local Pharmacist, out of nowhere a ninja loomed right next to me.  In a glance I took in his tall, lean frame and dark hair. My hunters' instincts fairly screamed danger and to run.  I turned and hurrying down the steps, I made for the gate of the city and the safety that lay beyond. Expecting any second to hear the dreaded sound of a lethal poison attack.  I could practically feel his gaze burning into my back and the spot between my shoulder blades twitched

I made it to the gate and no attack had come...yet.  A couple of more steps and I would be free and safe to disappear into the wilderness.

Then his voice came to me in a whisper.  It was a simple 'Hi', yet its timbre and resonance stopped me cold.  I was frozen where I stood.  My mind raced, trying to find something that might explain why I had earned this mans' interest.  If interest was what it was...many attacks had come using such a simple ploy.  My legs remained frozen and though my mind screamed to move, in that moment I did the only thing I could, I answered back.

"H-hello," I whispered back, then closed my eyes and waited for the inevitable.