It was here that Alezra decided to become the gaurdian of earth. In the desert, where few would dare to make their way here. Few knew this oasis even existed, and even less knew of the creatures that lived here. There were of course, the more common animals. A few wolf packs that ran in the forest, deer they hunted. All manners of fowl i nthe air and fish in the many streams, lakes, and rivers. But, there are also many creatures of myth here. Mermaids swim in the waters as well and unicorns, pegasus, in the forest. And a chimera guarded them all. This was her land now, her territory. The other animals all knew that, and respected it. She would gaurd this place, and no one would ever bring harm to it. Alezra wouldn't let that happen.

She was in human form, right now, walking; making sure all was well. She understood what the birds were singing about, and what that lone wolf's howl along the borderline of trees, really meant. It was, simply, life.

Sleeping upon one shoulder, was a cat. A kitten really, and a young one at that. It had been Alezra's only companion for the longest time. Suddenly, her attentions were diverted from it, and a sound in the forest. It was an animal's cry, that few would understand. Alezra knew what it clearly meant though. Someone was on the edge of the oasis.

Alezra set the kitten gently down, and quickly shifted to her original form. She ran, through the plains and past the forest, leaping over a river and skidding to a stop just at the edge of the oasis. She crouched, and hid in the brush. A slightly human figure approached. A wanderer, lost in the desert perhaps? If it was, then they probably did not believe this place was real. If they desired no ill will towards any of the inhabitants of the oasis, then Alezra would be more than willing to lend aid.

She’d fought the desert, battered against its winds and stung by the sand flung at her in angry rages. The woman had fought it though, pushed on when most would have given up and lay to die. That was not her nature and never had been. A child to a loveless man, her mother dead at her birth, she’d grown up against all odds pushing herself to become one of the cabin boys to become accepted. Her efforts had paid off, just as they always did. An oasis, she had reached a piece of heaven amidst the sea of sand and hell. Throwing back her head she howled with laughter, dry much like the place she’d been venturing in, it cackled with unnatural fervor.

A Siren of the land was this woman, sun burnt and frazzled she had an unusual appeal that caught eyes filled with both admiration and spite. She was…popular with men and hated by woman. It wasn’t her fault though, daughter of a half Siren it was near impossible for her to miss out the enchanting gene that caused sailors to wreck their ships upon the rocks of the Siren’s island. Tangles of ebon hair had caught grains of sands and they in return glimmered in the unrelenting sun. Titled eyes shone with a wild excitement at finding something that most believed did not exist.

Exactly how long it had taken her to make it to the oasis Auryon was not sure, a hell of a long time was a good enough answer in her opinion. Why she’d come here too was a question she could not answer but it was something to do. Boredom was something the woman had not been used to but now it had become a constant companion and one Auryon rather disliked. Perhaps that was why the woman had dared to cross the death trap all for the sake of visiting an oasis. It was a reason if not a good one but Auryon lacked what most called a conscience and voice of reason. Well, she did have them they were just easily ignored, weak voices trying to compete with her other, stronger voiced impulses. Those voices that demanded excitement had been most defiantly intrigued to hear of an oasis that may or may not exist. Always one for a challenge the woman had wasted no time at finding the supposed coordinates, which had been rather simple and could be summarized in three words: just walk straight.

These were also the voices that told her to hunt down the bandits which started a whole chain reaction: beginning with the assassination of a duke, the suspect was his new consort Lady Alameda, whom conveniently vanished and could never be found; this in turn led to various murders and ending with the assassination of a boy King and the finally the rebirth of the woman standing on the edges of the oasis this moment. So very complicated was Auryon’s history, sometimes she forgot the details but of course those lapses were only momentary.

Unsure of what she was waiting for Auryon felt the fine hairs of her neck stand on end. She was being watched but by whom Auryon could not tell. Whatever it was she’d have to deal with it at some point. Shrugging it off she called out a greeting to the unseen watcher, muscles rippling beneath her skin as she tensed unarmed but ready.

ooc: I decided to use Auryon. ^^

Heh. Whatever works ^^ \

/ Alezra had continued to watch the stranger, getting a grasp on the situation. She waited a few moments longer, and flicked her ears at the greeting called out. Standing, Alezra shook herself. Walking out of the cover of brush she shifted to human form just before appearing. Though, she was still mostly unseen because of the shadows she stod within. Stretching her wings for a moment, Alezra flicked an ear before giving out a reply. "Hello there!" With that she tread out of the shadows and into the sunlight. Glancing up at the sky for a brief moment, as if to check the time, Alezra quickly turned her attentions to the more important matter at hand. Still walking, though at a pace as to be non threatening, she finally arrived before the woman standing at the edge of the oasis. Tilting her head to one side, Alezra regarded the other, curiously for a moment. "What're you doing here? Lost in the desert and just lucky enough to stumble acros this place?"

Auryon hunched down in a defensive stance, she’d pin pointed a vague area and faced it unsure of what lurked in such a paradise. Her eyes caught movement, was that a feather? Backing away slowly moving much like a cat Auryon forgot her need for water and was contemplating running back into the desert. She knew when the odds were against her and this was one of those times, as much as she disliked backing away from something she would. Bravery was not worth death, it was a lesson well learned. The woman arched a delicate brow at the other’s appearance but said nothing. Warily she stood up right judging her before parting her lips to speak. “Greetings miss, I was about to ask you the same question.” Although something in her face gave to the fact the question hadn’t crossed her mind. This was after all Avalon and people in general were strange. “I heard that there was an oasis somewhere out among the sands and I wanted to see for myself if the rumor was true.” Auryon glanced around taking in the scenery, “And it appears it was true.” A smile graced her lips but it did not touch her eyes, they never did.

Alezra gave a slight nod at the reply. "Didn't know anyone actually heard about this place. But it is the only oasis I am aware of." Studying the other for a moment longer, Alezra turned her back on them and started slowly walking back in the direction of the forest. Glancing over her shoulder, Alezra stated simply. "You need water. I'll show you where to get some. Giving a breif flick of her ears, Alezra stopped onyl at the forest edge, waitig for the other to follow. As an after thought, Alezra turend around completly. "Don't worry. Nothing here will hurt you. At least, as long as you don't plan on hurting them. In either case, I live here. Suppose you could say it is my terratory." Alezra gave a slight shrug, and flicked her tail as she waited for the woman to get moving.

ooc: Ignore.

“Aye they are but rumors but as we both can see though rumors are seldom true this one was very much so.” She motioned to the abundant plant life which was very different from the sea of sands surrounding it. Auryon snorted at the mentioning at water but reframed from replying as the only thing that came to mind was rather rude. “That would be lovely…” There, it was more-or-less polite and it had no edge to it that could be picked up. She did follow almost eagerly but walking at her normal slow pace with the usual sway of her hips. That, as much as she tried to, could not be erased and so she’d given up on it. “I fear not and I do not plan on hurting whatever it is that lurks within. I am after all a weaponless vagabond with nothing but the clothing on my back and a few coins in my pocket. I’m not a serious threat.” Not now at least, she had been but that had been eight years ago and Auryon had been a different woman entirely. “This is all yours so you say? Rather impressive.” She studied the girl, an odd person who Auryon was sure was not human.

No, Alezra is not human; not in the least. A chimera, actually; though few know that. Not seeming to notice the way the woman walked, Alezra turned back around and headed into the forest. At the comment of fearing not, Alezra gave a small shrug. "It's not that there is really anything to fear around here. Most humans just seem afraid of the unknown, though. And this place is ... well, it's pretty unknown." In truth, Alezra knew the woman wasn't afraid, as she had no scent of fear surrounding her. Alezra could also tell that the woman was human, but something else as well, that Alezra did not recognize. Though she was curious, Alezra said nothing in regards to that.

After walking a little ways, a river came into view. Still walking, she looked to the other at the comment. "I suppose you could say it is mine. I guard it and everything here. I was drawn to this place, in some strange way. Now I haven't felt the desire to leave." For the moment, Alezra decided to not talk of the shrine here. After a few moments more, Alezra stopped just at the riverside; waiting for the other to as well.

“True, it is human nature to fear what we don’t understand,” Auryon spoke with a smugness thinking herself exempt from that trait being not all together human. It wasn’t true, fear was apart of her just as it was most everyone, but the blood that ran through her veins was tainted. Enough of that though her heritage was not of importance. “Unknown indeed but a place of beauty is it not?” She admired the beauty that was the oasis, having not seen a place of its equal. The smell of water first warned her of the river and she grew fervent but still kept her original pace.

She looked in question at the girl confused at what she meant by guarding this place. Certainly the desert was doing a good enough job but it was not in her place to ask. “I see…” Auryon reached the riverbank staring down hungrily at the calm waters. Fidgeting she felt her mother’s blood run rampant urging her to dive in and embrace the siren in her that had been deprived of water when traveling in the desert. “May I?” She glanced over to the girl not wanting to anger anything.

Even though the place itself was gaurded well enough by the desert, there were still those who would have braved even that just to get to this place, if rumors were indeed true (which, obviously, they are). And those who did get here, after recovering from the desert's effects on them, there were those who would no doubt try to capture one of the rare creatures that hid in this oasis. However, Alezra only gave a shrug.

For a moment, her attentions were drawn away from her 'guest', and her ears flicked to some sound in the forest. Finding it nothing of importance, Alezra looked back to the woman. She laughed slightly at the question, giving a nod. "Yes. Go ahead."

Auryon’s only reason for coming to the oasis was just to find it and prove the rumors to be either true or false. Stealing creatures didn’t interest her nor did plundering whatever could be found here, mainly because no one had paid her and it would be too much of an effort to drag the thing back to the markets where it could be debated if whatever it was would be bought.

“Wonderful,” Was all she said before diving into the river, not caring that she was getting her clothing wet. For an unnatural amount of time Auryon swam below not needing to take a breath until finally emerging from the depth. Laughing as she did so Auryon drank in some of the water but did not leave the water’s embrace until she was completely quenched.

Having nothing better to do at the moment, Alezra stretched her wings for a bit. Ears flicked back and forth, as always, she listened to the sounds of the forest surround; each and every cry given out by the various animals living within. After a few moments she wondered how long the woman was going to stay underwater. Alezra had never seen a human stay underwater for so long. She wasn't worried though, as Alezra also knew that this particular visitor wasn't completely human.

Taking a step back, Alezra jumped onto a rather large rock. Balancing on one foot she crossed her arms behind her head. Wings still stretched out she watched the water as the woman surfaced "Have fun?"