The hunt IC

[Seer]

Kevin

Kevin came to a halt, heaving for air. He collapsed onto his knees gasping for breath. His black hair was a wind tossed mess on his cute face. His body trembled at the exertion of the run. He fell forward into the mud as his adrenaline levels began to lower. He licked his craced and dry lips and tried to stand only to fall back onto the ground. The lactic acid in his system was making his body cramp up. He curled into a ball and closed his deep blue eyes to shut out the world and hopefully the pain. The mark continued to throb but the Calling was weaker now. He must be miles away from the castle.

He lay in the mud for what seemed to him like hours. He was so tired, weak, and thirsty yet he knew he needed to keep going. He stood on shaky legs and started walking forward through the jade bushes and tall knobby oak trees that blocked out the sky. He didn't even know if it was still day or if the night had fallen. He continued to walk, his head down with no destination except away from servitude. He rubbed up against a tree, tearing his clothes which were already torn and dirty from the run.

Through his day dreaming, he heard a stream of water. He looked up and limped towards the sounds. Within minute, he found the clear bue stream rushing over smooth grey and blue rocks. He rushed forward and fell to his knes at the dge of the water. He cupped the clear liquid in his hands and forced himself to drink slowly. He looked around and saw a young oak tree that was tall, but climbable. He slowly pulled himself up the tree and sat in one of the branches, looking up at the canopy of leaves and twigs of different colors.

His thoughts quickly returned to his brother. What would he be enduring now that he was gone? Mistress Riona would probably be torturing him for letting him escape. He wish he had thought things through before he decided to up and leave, but then, he might not have been able to find another opportunity to free himself. He just hoped that he could get his brother before who knows what happened to him. He knew she couldn't kill him, but there were worse things out there than death.

"It will have to do for now..." Kevin muttered, closing his eyes and let sleep take him into her embrace.

[pyro]

Akira let out a small sigh of boredom as she made her way through the forest. She was already running late as it was and she knew that if she didn't get home soon, her grandmother Rose would surely lecture her about being late. It wasn't like Akira had intentionally planned on being late. She had just lost all track of time when she was gathering some berries for her grandmother's jam and when she looked up at the sky, Akira couldn't help but frown when she noticed how late it had been getting. "Oh man, grandmother is going to kill me." Akira muttered to herself as she placed the berries in her brown leather bag and threw the bag over her shoulder. Letting out an exasperated sigh, Akira ran a hand through her short blond hair.
Slowly standing up and brushing the dirt off of her long skirt, Akir closed her eyes for a moment as she listened to the many sounds of the forest. The sounds of the night birds twittering and the soft breeze rustling the tree tops was enough to make Akira forget for a moment that she was late as it was. Suddenly, a unique scent filled her nose and Akira slowly opened her eyes and looked around in confusion. "What...is that I smell?" she asked turning her attention towards the source of the scent. Being a shifter, Akira's excellent hearing and smell was enough to pick up the strange scent and being ever curious, she started to make her way towards the scent cautiously.

She didn't know what to expect when she found the source of the unique scent and Akira instintively reached up and placed a hand on the handle of one of her twin katanas that once belonged to her grandfather. As she pulled out one katana, Akira approached a young oak tree that seemed to be the source of the strange smell. Walking up to it and placing a hand on the base of the tree, Akira slowly looked up and when she saw what appeared to be a boy up in the tree, she couldn't help but blink in confusion. "A boy? I thought that grandmother Rose said there were no others living in the forest." she said as she slowly sheathed her katana and looked up at the boy in faint curiousity. "Hey...you alright up there?" she asked completely unaware that he had been sleeping or the condition that he appeared to be in.

[Resurrection Vic]

Lie stared into the darkness of the dwelling she had shared with Moira only this morning, her thoughts raced as she considered where her lover could be. Not her parents', they had already contacted her, their tones doing little to hide how they felt about Lieona as they demanded their daughter's whereabouts. Lie couldn't answer them, wouldn't have answered them if she could. The dark thought that Ira was in danger began to push its way to the surface of her thoughts...Viktral hadn't shown yet. The flying rat of a creature, Ira's most beloved demon, always popped up when Ira could not. That could be annoying at an anniversary dinner such as this one, one Lie had roasted herself. She'd kill the rat if it showed, she had something to say and it could not be said to a little bat with the wings of a rat, it wasn't natural.

She raised her wrists, each wrapped in a flint wristcuff, and began clicking them together over the candle she had blown out hours ago, the darkness was becoming too much for her. The flint sparks sputtered over the wick, refusing to take at first, but a lucky one strayed onto it and the room blinked awake. The roasted chiken sat cold on the table, the feild rice and berries the same way. This was not like Ira...Lie began to wish for Viktral if only that she could squash the thing and send it from whence it came.

The skittering along the floor caught her attention. She hadn't been serious, she really wanted Ira, but the flap of wings confirmed it. The devilish brown creature landed with a thump on her plate and immediately grabbed a chiken leg. "Thunk yer," he said with a mouthful of chiken.

Lie blinked and glared at him.

"Yup, she did." He had learned to read her over the years, he visited so often. "Dunno weah."

Lie crossed her arms and tapped a foot on the floor. Viktral smiled, slapping his tail on the plate, "Kill me, realeh?" He grimaced when she nodded, she never gave him a quick death, there was alwways a fire involved or a maniacal series of prodding. "Lemme at least finesh the meal?" She shook her head, but uncrossed her arms and covered her eyes. "Yuar gonna cry? But, I told yah what I know....I've got this too..." The rat shook his foot and showed her the scrap of paper tied to it.

Lie wondered how she had missed it. She quickly freed it of the little rat's leg. A simple message had been scrawled with what looked like the juice of a berry. "It's done." Viktral stumbled and felll into the rice, his flapping wings sending grains into the air. Lie's shriek had scared him.

"How?! How!" How had the witch gotten Moira? She'd been evading their forces for months...but now this message. Tears rolled down Lie's cheeks, dampening her red shirt as they landed. "How?" Her voice now a soft whisper. Viktral nibbled at a the chiken leg bone and watched her sypathetically. He, too, feared for their beloved alchemist priestess.

[The Literate Angel]

Riona

Darkness was falling over the land, it looked like it would be a clear night. It was really fairly pleasant, but Riona found no joy in the prospect of the evening. Anger filled her entire being and all she could think of was how the hell the boy escaped. Her little enchanter was invaluable for her cause and she could not go losing him. And yet he was gone, he had escaped and she could not let it go.

She sat on her throne, her eyes dark and ominous. Suddenly a man walked in. He was in charge of the search and he didn't look very happy. He was in his late forties, an extremely good fighter and the only reason she kept him around. He was completely devoted to her and that's why she trusted him. A small, wicked smile played on her lips as she hoped for good news.

"Well? Did you find the little brat?"

The man kneeled before her, fear gripping his chest. Mistress Riona was not one who forgave easily. He cleared his throat and stared hard at the ground, hoping for the best, but she was already in a foul mood so his chances were slim.

"Mistress Riona, I am sorry to inform you, but we lost him in the forest. We are trying to find his tracks, but with the coming night it makes it difficult."

Riona sat there a mask of calm on her features. Her lips were moving and a silent whisper escaped them. He didn't even notice until he was suddenly suspended in air and it felt like his air was being cut off. He started to choke, gripping his throat, trying to get air into his lungs. She stood up and strode over to him, her long, black dress trailing behind her.

His body started to move and he gasped for help. The doors to her balcony flew open as she continued to chant quietly and follow him, her concentration on him, her eyes dark with anger. She stopped the chanting and he stopped moving when he was suspended above the ground.

"Give me one good reason as to why I shouldn't let your useless corpse fall to the ground?"

He gasped and managed to stutter out some words.

"W-We will find him! I-I promise!"

Her eyes narrowed further, but then the choking went away. He was hurled back into the room, skidding across the floor. She strode over to him, a formidable woman, even with her small features. He sat up on his hands, pain shooting through his body. Her foot came down on his chest, forcing him back down and to gasp once again for air.

"You have one week. If he isn't returned to me by midnight a week from now not only you, but everyone who is also searching for him will be killed. Do I make myself clear?"

He nodded. A new sense of vigor returned to him. He had to find the boy or they would all perish under the witches wrath. He was to loyal to her to turn on her and he was to fearful to disobey and run. He was stuck and his only way out was to find the boy.

"I will find him and return him to you before the week is over."

Riona smiled and walked over to her throne, nestling herself into it and crossing her long legs.

"Good. Begone, I have other matters to attend to."

She waved him away and after the doors shut behind him she looked to her right hand. There at her side was a tall, lanky man. He looked like he was in his upper thirties, but he was a gross man. He had slicked back black hair, a large hooked nose and he was thinner then a reed.

"Victor, I want you to bring me Jake."

The man bowed very low. He was a snake of a man, but she liked him for that. He was a good adviser and he had proved himself loyal on many occasions. He was also weak and would be easy to kill if he betrayed her.

"Right away Mistress."

He smiled a sadistic little smile. He didn't like the brothers, the way she obsessed over them. They were invaluable but she kept them at her side almost constantly. He liked the two less then her liked horse shit and he was excited to watch him suffer. He started to head out, but was stopped by Mistress Riona.

"Also Victor, bring me Aamina. I need to discuss something with her."

The servant bowed again, curious as to why she wanted the young enchantress. He could only speculate as he went to retrieve the two. He went to the boys room first, opening it up. He was accompanied by two guards. A sadistic smirk came over his face as he looked at the boy.

"Mistress Riona would like to see you Jake."

He stood back as the two guards approached him, ready to drag him out of there if he put up a fight. His brother did just leave him behind and escape for himself. That made him even happier. The boy must have been tormented.

[Seer]

Jake

Jake sat on his window cill and stared out across Riona's land and the forest that stretched out farther than he could see with his normal sight. Down below soldiers or more servants were running around doing Riona's bidding. The grass was low cut and women were picking at vegtables and fruit for dinner. No one was laying in the grass to just enjoy the world around them. They didn't have time for those little pleasentries.

Jake curled up and bit his lip. Kevin had told him he was going to run that day. He had monitured the guards, the gates, even the servants to time his escape. Jake had been too worried about the consequence to consider running with him. Kevin had tried to persuade him, but he was afraid to. He was afraid of everything. So now here he was, without his elder brother. Kevin had promised to come back for him, but would he really risk getting caught again?

He couldn't help but worry about Kevin though. He was all alone in the forest. No one would be there to help him if he was in trouble, if he fell, broke something, or worse. He would use his Sight to find him, but he knew Riona would ask him that anyway. He didn't want to exhaust himself or find himself stuck in his visions. He didn't know how to wake himself up.

Thinking of Riona and her tasks, gave him a shudder. No doubt she would punish him for letting his brother escape. They had been close to each other and he had distracted the guards at first. Once they realized what happened, they tailed Kevin and he got away thanks to his illusions. So many worries were flowing through his mind! He couldn't sit still any longer. He stood up and started pacing around his room.

That's when he heard his door open. He knew what was coming. He turned around to see Riona's advisor and guards at his door ready to escort him to Riona and whatever he would have to face. He didn't let on that he was terrified, and walked forward without saying a word. He would take the punishment in stride. Kevin was always there to protect him and take the pain, but not anymore.

[Mercia]

Armaden! You must come quickly!
Whats wrong? A gruff, aged voice replied out into the darkness.

A pair of golden eyes peered out from the shadows of the underbrush and the figure of a black wolf peered his muzzle from the brush, wiggling its head out to see. Its ears flicked forwards and the golden orbs flashed in the ebony pitch that had taken hold of the forest. The wolf had a look of panic on his face as he watched the shadow of a name walk out from a hole under a fallen tree.

A human! Armaden, a human is in your territory!

The figure, who was tending to covering the hole with a large boulder, looked up and deep green eyes shimmered in the dark through his disheveled black hair. Once the boulder was in place, he stood tall and walked towards the wolf. The wolf withdrew his head and turned, leading the way by following his nose towards the scent.

Armaden could smell him along with the stench of fear. This human should have known better than to tread in the trees. There are creatures that lurk in the dark. However, he was lucky that the wolves had found him first and that Armaden happened to be a loyal friend of them. The wolf lead Armaden straight for the creek and his scent became stronger. When the wolf lifted his eyes to see the last location of the boy, his ears went up in alarm, then instantly flat to his head as he growled. Armaden was going to stifle him when the smelled the shifter's scent on the wind. He darted his deep greens to see her, calling up a tree to something.

Calm down young one...she is another like myself...Armaden whispered.

The wolf started to calm, but kept himself alert as both of them made their presence known. The wolf walked from the darkness, growling at the two and Armaden stepped forth, one hand on the hilt of Griever, the other staying the wolf slightly behind him. His voice was deep, stern and emotionless as he called across the creek to the young shifter and the human boy, who seemed to be up in the tree.

The forest is no place for children.

[The Literate Angel]

Riona

The adviser smirked smugly, imagining what the young boy was going to go through when Riona got her hands on him. He led him out of the room, but instead of heading towards Riona's chambers he headed further down the hall. They stopped outside of a door to a room a few hallways over. It was one of the smaller rooms, but it was nicely furnished. He politely knocked on the door.

"I was also instructed to bring the female enchanter Aamina to her chambers too."

The door opened to reveal a young woman, not much older then him, wearing a fairly provocative dress. Her brown eyes scanned the men outside of her door. The two guards had disgusting looking grins and Victor, Riona's adviser had a lecherous look in his eyes. The boy with them seemed to simply be sad. She crossed her arms, an eyebrow raising in question.

"Yes?"

The adviser cleared his throat and a small look of disgust passed over her features before quickly fading away. He bowed slightly, his beady, rat like eyes never leaving her.

"Miss Aamina the enchanter, Mistress Riona would like to see you in her chambers, immediately so if you would please follow me."

Aamina sighed and walked out into the hallway, closing her door behind her. Now that she looked at the boy more closely she noticed that he was actually the Seer that Mistress Riona kept around her. She had heard that his brother had escaped this morning. She wondered why she was being summoned along with him. She hadn't done anything wrong had she?

The adviser led the two down the halls towards Riona's chambers. She wondered what the boy as thinking at the time, whether he was afraid and she felt bad for him. It wasn't like his brother was him, he shouldn't really be punished for his crimes. The entourage stopped just outside the doors and the adviser knocked three times. Riona's silky voice could be heard from within.

"Come in."

The doors opened to reveal her chambers, but there was a small table with three comfortable looking chairs around them and a tea set with some crumpets on them. Aamina was slightly confused, but she stepped in.

"Hello Jake, Aamina. Please sit here."

She waved to the two chairs. Aamina moved over to one of them and sat down gracefully. Her adviser Victor was moving over to stand behind her, but she held up a finger.

"Victor I want you to leave. I want to talk privately with Jake and Aamina."

Riona smiled softly at the two, waiting for Jake to take a seat. She knew he would be wary, he had every right to do so. In all reality all she wanted to do to the boy was crush him like an insect, but she needed him and she intended to keep him there. Aamina would help with that.

[The Literate Angel]

Cyrena

Night was approaching the forest that Cyrena was in. She could hear the sounds of night birds starting and a few crickets. She walked quietly through the forest. She wore a simple white dress and had a tan cloak over her to keep her warm. She was carrying a knapsack filled with various things she would need to survive on her own. She had a small mat, some pans to cook with, flint, a change of clothes and some provision and coin.

Cyrena knew she had to stop soon, she couldn't see in the dark sadly, but she was fairly tired. She looked around her, seeing if she could find a good spot to rest for the evening. She listened to the noises of the forest, but didn't hear anything special. She did hear a small stream though and she headed for it. It would make good cooking water.

Cyrena found a fairly decent spot to lay her mat at, a few feet away from the stream in the edge of the trees. She pulled out a small, wool blanket and lay it upon it the mat. She then went and gathered some twigs from around the trees to build a small fire. She didn't feel a need to hide herself, she wasn't being pursued by anyone, so she didn't mind making a large one. She gathered some water in a pot and set it over the fire to boil the water so it could be used.

Cyrena was always good at cooking and she knew that it was dangerous to leave the water unboiled. She pulled out some herbs and other vegetable provisions she had with her. She started to put them in the pot after the water boiled, a nice, thick aroma wafting up from the soup. She smiled as she kneeled in front of the fire, warming herself as well and adding some jerky she had gotten before she left town.

Cyrena wondered if her sister was safe, if she was having a warm, hot meal at that moment too, or if she was simply suffering. She smiled a sad smile, remembering all the fun she had with her sister and hoping that she was safe. She had to find the witch, but it was proving hard then it looked. It had been two years since she had ventured from her village alone. Two years of wandering, two years of loneliness, two years of hoping and praying for her sisters safety.

Cyrena sighed, knowing it was useless to think of those things at the time. She lay back on her small mat, setting her sword down next to her and waiting for her food to cook fully. She would know when it was done by the smell and by the sounds of the boiling. She had become very good at making it. She lay there, trying to relax her mind, but stay ever alert and not clear her mind. She didn't want to accidentally go into a vision without anyone around. She didn't want to lose her life.

Cyrena's eyes closed as she fell into a small doze, her senses still focused on her food so it wouldn't burn, but her mind on snooze. She was daydreaming at that point, nothing particular just random thoughts floating across her head. To anyone passing by it would look like the small woman was asleep, but she was fairly conscious and would be able to tell if anyone happened to cross paths with her.

[Seer]

Kevin

Kevin heard the woman call, but he was too tired to open his eyes and investigate. It didn't sound threatening and he felt no real reason for concern. No yells... no taunts of any kind, and more importantly, he felt no searing pain that would announce a visit from Riona's guards. He was tempted to ignore the calls, but he knew he should wake. She could prove helpful to him in the long run.

With a groan, he opened his eyes and squinted a little, adjusting to the light. His eyes fluttered a few times and as soon as he moved, his old aches and pains came back to him. His legs and arms felt as heavy as lead blocks and he could hardly move them. If he did, his legs muscles burned from the exhaustion he had gone through. Hopefully they would be a little better when he started traveling again. He would hate to have to stop every minute to rest his already weary legs. He couldn't afford to be slow.

He looked down and his eyes widened in fright. He had first heard and seen the little blond girl next to the tree, but he had quickly caught sight of a much taller man who surely had quite a bit of muscle on him. He curled up on the tree and his gaze never left the man. The woman could easily be dealt with his charm if he decided to tap into it, but he didn't know if he was strong enough to even attempt to seduce the man. That thought gave him a slight shudder.

"I haven't come to disturb you!" he called down to them. It would be best to try and make friends. "I am running from.... from something. I only need to rest here for a short while. If I have somehow intruded, please forgive me." He didn't move from his perch as he starred down at them. "My name is Kevin. Kevin Frost."

Jake

Jake held his left arm in a nervous habit. What was Riona going to do to him? Did she realize that he let his brother go? She had to know. Why else besides his ability would she want to see him? Almost every time he was called to her, there was some form of pain involved. He swallowed again but kept a clam face on. If nothing else, he wouldn't show anything. A stone face might make her end her tourment quicker.

As they walked, he realized they weren't walking towards Riona's chamber. He looked at the men quizically but didn't say a thing. It was better not to question and just prayed he wasn't being taken to some new area for his tourment. That's when they stopped in front of a door and Riona's second enchanter, a female, was brought out. What would Riona want with them both? He hadn't been called into Riona's room with anyone else but his brother on occasion.

He nodded his head to her in greeting, but said nothing. Once Aamina was gathered, they walked into Riona's chambers and she dismissed her guards and advisor. Fear was finding a strong hold in his heart. She motioned for them to sit and he followed orders immediatly to prevent any other punishment for acting too slow. His fists clentched tightly on the fabric of his pants and he did not lift his gaze up to her.

[pyro]

Akira blinked in confusion when not only did she see the boy wake up but also when she heard the stranger's voice behind her. Slowly turning around and seeing the man across the creek, Akira's keen sense of hearing picked up what he had said and she pouted slightly. "Hey, for your information I live in these woods with my grandmother Rose." she said placing her hands on her hips and glaring at him. If it was one thing that Akira hated was when other people had the nerve to call her a child. She was 17 for crying out loud and therefore close to being an adult. Shaking her head then, Akira turned her attention back up to the boy in the tree and tilted her head to the side curiously.

"Well...if you would like to rest, my grandmother's cabin is less then a mile from here. It isn't much but it will provide food and a bed for the night." she said with a small smile. Ever since she was a young girl being raised by her grandparents, Akira was always taught to offer people a helping hand if they needed it. After all, a world without kindness is no world at all. At least, that's what grandmother Rose had always said. Letting out a small sigh then, Akira once again turned her attention back to the man and frowned slightly.

"And who are you? I don't seem to remember seeing you around here?" It's not like many people came to the forest now a days unless they risk losing their lives to what lurked within the shadows of the forest. Shaking her head then, Akira stole a quick glance back up to Kevin and smiled. "Kevin Frost huh? Well Kevin Frost, my name is Akira Sheray and as for tall dark and creepy...I have no idea who he is." she said looking back over the stranger curiously. It must have been the fox in her that made her one to be curious about her surroundings and everything around her.

[The Literate Angel]

Riona

Riona smiled again. She sat back her eyes surveying the boy. He seemed terrified. So she was right, he had helped his brother escape. She would not be punishing him though. She was going to use another tact. He was weak and if she needed to she could simply lock him up and throw away the key.

"Please, have some tea and crumpets. Dinner will be brought out shortly. I'm sure you two are hungry."

She took a small sip of tea and so did Aamina. She watched her mistress curiously, wondering what was going through her mind. She looked over at the boy who was obviously terrified. She would be too if she was in his position, but she would never escape or help anyone to either.

"I heard about your brother Jake. It really does break my heart that he would run like that. I'm sure you had no helping hand in that though."

Her eyes swept over him, an unreadable smile on her lips.

"I can't even begin to imagine your pain either. Your brother abandoned you to flee for himself. My men are looking for him, but whether we find him or not is really yet to be determined."

Aamina looked over at the boy again. She felt sorry for him, he really looked frightened. She also wondered what in the world she was doing in there with him. She simply continued to nibble on the crumpets and sip on tea.

"Don't worry, I won't punish you for a crime that is not your own. You are loyal to me, that I can see just by the fact that you did not leave with him. It really makes me happy."

She reached over and ran her hand down his cheek before lifting his face to look at her.

"My dear Jake, I wish only the best for you. I'm sorry I am so harsh at times, but I do it because I want you to excel. And I know this will be a hard and lonely time for you. That's why I have brought Aamina here."

Aamina stopped mid bite and looked over at Mistress Riona. She was brought there for him? Confused, Aamina set her crumpet down and paid closer attention to the conversation.

"I want her to watch over you while your brother is away. I wouldn't want you falling into a vision and unable to get out. I also don't want you getting to lonely."

Riona smiled again, letting her hand fall back to her own lap. She wondered what he would think of her speech, whether he thought it heartfelt or not didn't really matter though. Aamina was a fairly talented enchanter, perhaps not as good of one as his brother, but with some time she would be. She hoped that she would be able to replace him in a sense, give him a purpose to be there.

"Of course, I'm sorry to say, your brother will suffer his consequences when he returns. And if we don't catch him I fear that he might not come back of his own free will. Even to get you. That is why Aamina will be with you as much as possible. I am even placing her room across from yours."

She sat back and smiled again. Then a few servants entered with trays of food that smelt delicious. The three were served and then they retreated. Riona took a small bite and smiled again.

"Delicious. Please eat to your hearts content. And Jake, if you need anything, or if there is anything you desire please speak now. I want to know if there is anything I can do for you in this hard time.[/i]"

Aamina watched the sly woman as she spoke. She took a few bites of the food, which did taste wonderful, and wondered why she had been roped into the mess. She supposed it was logical though. She was loyal to Riona and she would be good to keep the boy at bay and make him stay in line. She smiled over at him, a kind smile.

"I'm Aamina. I suppose we will be partners from here on out."

Riona smiled a half smile, enjoying the way the girl simply went with her plan. She was a smart one, but she wondered if she could really use her beyond that. Time would tell.

[Mercia]

"I haven't come to disturb you!" The boy called down to them. "I am running from.... from something. I only need to rest here for a short while. If I have somehow intruded, please forgive me." He didn't move from his perch as he starred down at them. "My name is Kevin. Kevin Frost."
"Well...if you would like to rest, my grandmother's cabin is less then a mile from here. It isn't much but it will provide food and a bed for the night." Th girl said with a small smile. Letting out a small sigh then, she once again turned her attention back to Armaden and frowned slightly.
"And who are you? I don't seem to remember seeing you around here?"
"Kevin Frost huh? Well Kevin Frost, my name is Akira Sheray and as for tall dark and creepy...I have no idea who he is." Akria said looking back over the stranger curiously.

Grandmothers cabin...so Rose was still alive after all these years. The thought brough calmness to the gruff man and he relaxed, only slightly. The wolf at his side growled loudly as his fur stood on end. He wasn't looking at the group, the wolves eyes were focused on the shadows beside him. He was baring his teeth. This wasn't going to bode well for them. Armaden could smellt it, a foul creature approaching, seeking flesh to feed upon. He grunted and hastily walked over to the tree where Kevin was and where Akira stood.

Well, Kevin, Akira, I suggest you high tail it to Lady Rose's abode...we are being tracked.

Without so much as another word he reached up into the tree and grabbed Kevin, taking him in one arm. The wolf was backing up, keeping his focus on the now moving trees, snapping branches and the strange noise comming from the darkness. Armaden held his hand out to Akira, trying to be gentle. His voice, gruff and aged, was trying to portray kindness as his deep green eyes stared into hers, trying to show her that he could be trusted.

Come Young One, you can trust me.

((Hope I wasn't holding you guys up...))

[pyro]

Akira watched as the wolf at the man's side began to growl loudly and she frowned slightly. She knew what that meant and she sure as hell hoped that she was wrong. As the wolf bared his teeth, Akira knew that there was indeed something out there and boy was it hungry. Quickly shaking her head, Akira turned her attention back to the man when he spoke. "I know...I can smell the bloodlust radiating from that foul beast." she said eyeing the man wearily as he walked over to where she and Kevin were. It wasn't that she didn't trust him it was just the fact that she was more...cautious then anything.


Shaking her head, Akira blinked in confusion as she watched the man reach up and grab Kevin. What was he doing? Was he going to take them to Grandmother Rose's cabin? But that would mean putting her grandmother's life in danger. Biting her bottom lip, Akira eyes the hand that the other had offerered her wearily before she slowly reached out and took his head in hers. "Alright...I trust you." she whispered softly.

[Mercia]

No, we can't endanger Lady Rose...come with me.

The Wolf barked as the thing got closer, its outline controted into a terrbile shape. The noises grew louder, over the growling of the wolf and the creature was on the hunt, sniffing the air for the flesh. Armadens hair stood up on the back of his neck. The wolf took a few steps forwards, ruffing up his fur, making himself look bigger and flatening his ears to the back of his head.

Dont worry about him, he'll find us when the beast is disposed of.

[Seer]

Kevin

Kevin heard something in the trees and took in a sharp breath. He turned to face it. Was it one of the guards coming to take him back to a live of servitude? He didn’t have time to really think about anything. He didn't know if he should trust the two below him, but his life might hang in the balance on cooperation. He swallowed and turned back to them. They seemed nice enough anyway.

Before he could say a word, the man had plunked him from the tree and pulled him down. He tensed, ready to use his powers if he needed them, but their attentions weren't on him. All of them were starring at the movement in the trees. The wolf beside them was growling with its fur on end. It must be some kind of known danger to them maybe. That's when he heard them say the thing was thirsty for blood, and more than likely, human flesh.

He shuddered at the thought. Akira also took the man's hand and put her trust on him. There was no going back now. He looked at them, ready to follow them to safety.

"If I know what it was, I might be of some use in putting up a diversion, but I don't know how strong my power is right now..." he whispered to them. He might as well offer up what he had. They were going to work together in avoiding this… beast anyway.

When they started running, Kevin did his best to keep up. His legs were sore and he knew it was slowing him down. He had to keep running. This beast was probably worse than Riona's guards. He would rather be kept in servitude than eaten by some kind of beast. He quickly started huffing from the exertion, but he kept running. Once they reached the tree and stone, he came to a halt and collapsed onto his butt heaving. He was so tired... he didn't think he could run much longer.

Jake

Jake took the tea and sipped at it as he listened to Riona. He took one of the crumpets and nibbled on it to be polite to her. Never once did he look up at her. Her voice was as sweet as honey, but he knew that under all that charm, she was hiding her true viper tongue that often flickered over them. He was not fooled by this heart warming display. The more she spoke, the more his heart began to squeeze tight. She was trying to confuse him about his brother. He knew his brother would come for him.

All those words... she kept telling him how his brother abandoned him and wouldn't come back. No. He couldn't listen to her. Her words were poison. He couldn't loose faith in Kevin. But those words, oh how they stung at him. They brought his own doubts to mind and he tried hard to wash them down with the steaming tea in his cup. His hands were beginning to shake and he tried to hide it. So she wouldn't punish him, but she knew he had helped. It was plain on how she stated her questions and statements. He wouldn't give her anything. Not a single hint.

She caressed his face and he tensed. He was used to having that hand slap him after such a caress. She pulled his chin up and he tried not to look at her but couldn’t help but glance up into her eyes. Her presence was just too powerful to resist. Then she told him about the reason why the enchanter was there. Company. That couldn't be right. There was something there... something hidden. His face took on a slight pink blush and he tried to look away from her. He was comfortable with this new topic either.

He glanced at the enchanter beside him when she spoke. Did she know of this little plan? How could she not. She seemed to flow with it quite well. He swallowed a little. Why was Riona doing this to him? He wouldn't say a thing. He wouldn't tell her what his brother told him. He wouldn't betray his brother, but what if she was right? What if he did leave him to Riona and never came back? He shook his head without meaning to and pulled his face away.

"I will do as you wish, Mistress Riona," he muttered simply. He didn't know what else to say to her. The enchanter’s charm wouldn’t work on him he hoped anyway. His mother was one so he had an enchanter’s blood. Did charm work on an enchanter? He had no answer for his doubts.

[pyro]

Akira frowned as she watched the wolf take a few steps forward and she couldn't help but shudder when she got a good whiff of the creature in the shadows. The smell of craving flesh and blood was enough to make her sick and it took all of her pride to stop her from gagging. Shaking her head, Akira looked up at the man and frowned slightly. "Where are we going?" she asked unsure of where they were going to go since they both didn't want to put Grandmother Rose in danger.

[Mercia]

He lifted the girl, Akira, gently in his arms, carrying her under her legs and supporting her back, much like a knight would with a damsel in distress. He glanced at the boy, Kevin and leaned close, seeing as the beasts shrill calls grew louder.

We cannot fight this beast. I know Akira that you can shift but we must away before it catches out scent. Kevin, stay close behind me, it isnt far but you will have to run.

Then, when he knew Kevin was ready, he bounded off into the underbrush, running in a large circle around the treeline to avoid the beast as it stepped into the clearing, facing off with the wolf. He ran, like a deer through the woods, as if he knew where every fallen tree was and the location of every rock and stone. He knew these woods like the back of his hand and he could undoubtedly guide them through with his eyes closed.

Within moments, they had reached a great tree that stood harboring a giant rock in its roots. He gently placed Akira to stand and took his place at one side of the rock. Heaving it aside with very little effort, a tunnel lay behind it. He held the rock in place, motioning for the two to enter.

[Yuina]

ELUZE

With his eyes closed and his head laying comfortably on Princess Sarah's lap, Eluze inhaled a deep breath of the night wind. They were enjoying the moonlight, hiding from the ever watchful eyes of the residents in King Kerron's castle in the safety of Princess Sarah's sky garden. Eluze could feel Sarah's soft hands running down his long hair as she continued to gently caress and play with it.

"You're making me fall asleep Sarah..."

Eluze mumbled and opened one eye to look at the beautiful Princess who was playing with his hair. A gentle smile escaped his lips which was returned by a giggle from the lady as she leaned closer to kiss his forehead.

"Maybe that will keep you awake."

She said laughing a little and continued playing with Eluze's hair. He chuckled and reached up with his right hand, gently holding the Princess' soft and little hand with his own. Both eyes now open, Eluze stared at her with a serious look in his eyes. Memories of how Sarah looked when she was laying in her sickbed, cursed or whatever began playing back in his mind.

Eluze could still feel how worried he was for Sarah before heading out to find a "cure". Still, seeing his loved one right here smiling back at him made Eluze feel more comfortable. Sarah's sweet laughter and her soft touch washed away all the worry he had felt and was still feeling.

"What is it?"

Sarah asked freeing Eluze from his own trance. She ran a finger across his cheek as she patiently waited for him to answer her question. Eluze's eyes portrayed a relieved look as he pulled Sarah's hand close to his lips kissing it softly.

"It's nothing Sarah..."

Eluze said trailing off, smiling and closing his eyes once more. He however shot them back wide open after hearing a different voice speak to him.

"Enjoying the fruits of your labor Eluze?"

The voice asked. When Eluze opened his eyes, he was startled to see a Demon's face had replaced Sarah's and was staring down at him while caressing his hair. He tried to roll away but his body was frozen stiff, he could not speak nor could he move a muscle. It took Eluze a few moments to realize that he and the demon were suspended in time.

"Abraxas! What do you want?!"

Eluze asked and to his surprise, his voice came out. The Demon only replied with a devious smile from his skull face at his question.

"What I want cannot be provided with a flick of a finger or an order to a servant Eluze. You will have to work hard for it... and like it or not, you cannot refuse."

The demon said followed by a hollow chuckle. Eluze's heart froze, he had completely forgotten how Sarah had recovered from the curse. Gritting his teeth while staring at the Demon named Abraxas who was still caressing his hair, Eluze spoke his thoughts.

"Do not harm her please! She has nothing to do with our contract! I will do as you wish granted that you assure me of her safety!"

Eluze roared. Abraxas responded with a demonic laughter that seemed to have portrayed victory.

"Very well, No harm will befall her if and only if you help me. I will be talking with you again soon Eluze... Enjoy the night."

The demon said laughing maniacally as it's voice vanished into the night. Eluze had to open his eyes a second time only to see that everything was back to normal. Sarah was Sarah again, there were no Demons in sight, and she didn't seem to have heard anything about his conversation with Abraxas.

"El, what's wrong? You look troubled?"

Sarah asked however, Eluze could not answer. All he felt was the cold chill of the night heightened by the beads of sweat that had formed on his face down to his neck which chilled him to the bone.

[Trinity Veritas]

Amellia gazed upon the darkly deep forest with her slender arms crossed in front of her chest. It held an attraction that drew her in with each passing moment of watching shadows shift and sounds of the night come alive. A slight sigh escaped through her lips as dark fantasies of untold wonders turned over in her mind and lingered with the forest. For as long as she could care to remember Amellia had found herself walking away from her small city and ending up at the tree line leaning against the same boulder, in the same position, with the same expression on her face.

She almost disgusted at herself for it. Letting her mind being filled with such things would only get in the way of her plans to move up in the cruel social ladder of life. Coming here picturing a life that was a little more accepting and a hell of a lot more interesting was nothing but precious time being wasted carelessly, and she knew that with every step of every night she took. Though through all her scolding that was said to herself seemed to fall upon deaf ears.

While pushing a crimson strand of hair from her face, Amellia closed her eyes and breathed in the sickly sweet scent of nature’s air. It enveloped her like a second skin and teased her nerve endings. All the familiar scents were there, wild flowers, different breeds of trees, an so on. But it held something different in it tonight; she could feel it in her bones. There was something magical happening in the shadows of the damned forest, and it sent a rippling chill up through Amellia’s spine.

[Resurrection Vic]

Lie stumbled through the forest, trying to get her head straight. It had been days since she last heard from Viktral and she had yet to figure out how to reach Moira. Moira's family had given up on contacting her, so she was alone in a new sense. She pushed a velvet red bang from her hair and then a branch from her path. She was headed to her favorite spot, a small clearing, a place to cleanse her mind.

Lie froze at the edge of her clearing. The flowers had been recently disturbed. she followed the footsteps, wary of where they may lead. She knew that this area of forest was but a thin veil between her world and the humans, but she hadn't encountered one, not yet. Standing behind a tree, she noticed the woman. She had red hair like Lie's and she seemed just as unsettled. Lie stepped into the clearing and waved, "Who are you? Whay are you here?"

[Trinity Veritas]

Amellia’s thoughts were suddenly disturbed as a woman with crimson hair stepped out into the small clearing. Sheer shock flowed through her body in small pulses. She had hear stories of creatures and magical beings infested in the dark forest, always hiding from humans’ wondering eyes, but she had never believed the tales herself. Amellia had always found the people in the near by towns to be close-minded. Well…that is until now.

She immediately composed her look of shock with a narrow of her eyes and a small smirk rising at the corners of her soft lips. Even when being surprised by something new and unknown to her, Amellia planned on facing it with an air of confidence.
“I could ask you the same thing.” she said softly. “I am Amellia Sayer.”

[Resurrection Vic]

Lie narrowed her eyesas well, "Lieoana." This was different, a human just talking to her. They were always skiddish and prone to talking about her. From what she knew of them, and she never remembered from whom she'd learned it, humans couldn't do half the things she had come to expect out of people. They were quite useless in a way. But, maybe they weren't.

"Why are you so far from home?" In her mind, Lie knew that it was she who was far from home, but she wouldn't admit that. It wasn't as if she had ever before encountered a himan in her clearing, it was quite far from the human dwellings. Only Moira, and thus Viktral, knew that she frequented the spot.

[Trinity Veritas]

The small smirk formed into a smile when she heard the woman speak.
“What a pretty name.” Whatever magical being Lieoana may be she seemed friendly enough, which was a slight relief for her. Though the thought of being massacred in the small clearing that now seemed to resemble an arena couldn’t stop making her skin itch with panic. But still she covered it with the narrow look of her eyes.

She uncrossed her arms and took a step forward while thanking her lucky stars for the cool daggers that pressed against her hot skin in the sleeves of her shirt. This Lieoana might seem friendly for now, but Amellia wasn’t going to let down her guard just yet.
“I come up here to think whenever the city is too much to handle.” She said while moving a strand of hair away from her face.
“Why are you here?”

[Immortal]

The forest didn´t begin at the prairies edge. Rather, it encroached on it. As the luxurious beds of golden grass and tile grew shorter and less dense, the first scrawny, gnarled trunks poked through. Other, stouter trees ventured out behind them in ones and twos as the last diminutive blades of grass gave way to cracked, dry earth and twisted undergrowth. A careless traveller could find himself well within the forest´s domain before realising he had ever left the plains.
As far as Jace knew or cared the forest had no name. From his vantage point on the last high ridge before the forest began its invasion, the traveller could see only spares details beyond where the grass truly ended. The twisting and curling of the trees themselves conspired to block his view more than the shadows and seemingly perpetual dusk. The dark air above the forest was calm and unmoving, no warmer or colder than the air above the grassland. The forest itself showed none of the natural heat that is typical woodland might display. To Jace´s eyes it was simply a massive, cold blank. There was no sound from within the dark mass. For all intents and purposes, the forest was a dead place.

It was precisely as described. Jace nodded to himself and hopped down off his low ridge, skittering down the slight incline and into the dense field of tile and weed once again. The tile responded immediately, every barbed blade leaning gently toward him was waded past. The long trek had taken him through many miles of open wheat country, and he soon grown to despise the stuff. It did not harm him of course. Fleshier individuals avoided these fields as much as possible. Those who didn´t would emerge covered in scratches and scrapes that glowed bright red and took agonising weeks to heal. Jace was heading towards a near-by town to meet an old “friend” but crossing the dark forest was never fun so he sharpened his senses and entered the dark growth.
He was never the type to care much about these things. His main interest was always the “greater knowledge” and the place he was heading for promised just that. Jace always somehow managed to get through life. Today was no exception. The forest was creepy indeed. Inside the stillness and the low hum of nature created a really interesting background but he only continued his silent trek.

How long has it been since he was last in a town? He couldn´t tell and that bothered him a bit. The academy he was going to meet his friend in had quite some reputation and was fairly old and what better place for a knowledge-freak like himself to be interested in. His old friend was a lector there and promised him access to the archives but only under the condition he´ll enter as a student.

“Scholar at my age eh?” Jace sighed. “I wonder who´ll buy that…”

Few days later.

“Crap, crap, crap, crap!”

Loud pounding footsteps could be heard in the hallways of one of the cities most well known academies as a man ran through the corridors seemingly hot on his heels, his heavy blue cloak floating behind him as he ran. He wore his usual clothing; everything deep blue mixed with white arcane runes that weren´t much of arcane rather than just fashionable. His face, partially hidden by the cloaks hood, wore the expression of something similar to fear. The hallways were surprisingly empty for this time of day but the young man had no time to notice. He ran like hell elbowing even the little of anyone that stood in his way leaving a faint excuse every time he did so.
The man ran down the marble hallways of the academy, which were for some reason twice as high as necessary, with a tapestry or a portrait hanging down from the wall at each step, occasionally the monotone of it all scared by a heavy oak door rimmed with thick steel that lead into some sort of a class or laboratory or who-knew-what-else.
The running man ignored it all as his pace maintained steady as he brushed past yet another corner.

Here he finally allowed himself to take a deep breath and rest a little, his ears outstretched for any sound at all.
While waiting, the young man breathed heavily trying to regain his calm and posture which proved to be rather impossible after such a trek. With his back against the wall he realised how much his muscles were aching, especially his feet. The sudden rush of pulsing pain in his lower limbs was a rather unwelcome guest in this situation but there was nothing he could do about it, not now anyway.
Before he knew it, the footsteps of his pursuer could be heard once again, the young man cursing himself for allowing his foe to get so close while he was distracted by his own body. The man begun to run once more, trying to ignore the pain in his legs as much as possible hoping they won´t just fall off somewhere along the way.

No matter how much he tried, how much he cursed or how much he begged, his running pace was slowly but surely slowing down. Exhaustion finally starting to take its full toll on the man’s body. And yet it sounded like the man after him wasn´t even beginning to sweat. His strides down the hallways were constant, never changing and most of all, fast. The young man always knew his physical condition will once be the death of him but he refused to go down like this. Hunted down like some sort of animal. He finally made a resolve. The young man stopped in the middle of the hallways taking in a deep breath, preparing for the inevitable. “I´ll fight!” he thought to himself as he turned around to face the direction from which his pursuer was about to emerge, his face a stone mask, his hands ready and a spell already taking form in his mouth.

“BELEREN!” A roar that would scare the living daylight out of anything living or maybe even dead, echoed down the hallway. The young man’s determination shattered like a straw house in the midst of a hurricane as he heard his name pronounced with such tremendous anger.

“Well, there goes my pride” Jace though as he was once again hot on his heels, cursing his very essence for being cocky enough to think he had a chance of winning this battle and costing him precious moments of running.

“Beleren, when I catch you I´ll break one bone in your body for every page in the books you stole from that library!” the voice of his pursuer roared through the corridors right into Jace´s ears.

Not slowing down or even bothering to look behind Jace replied barely able to catch enough air to form the words. “I´m telling you I didn´t steal them! I just borrowed them for an indefinite period of time, I´ll return them…eventually.”

“Save it for someone who would actually believe that, you book junky!” the man behind Jace roared again.

“Hey! You’re a teacher! Aren´t you suppose to be on my side, prising me for the interest I´m showing in my studies?!” Jace retorted as he turned left at the nearest crossroad.

“Interest? You probably already know more than this whole god damn academy all together and you still won´t admit you have enough and the worst part is that by claiming those books for yourself you deny the knowledge to other students here!” the man shouted, his words finally hitting a nerve.

Jace suddenly stopped his 'death-run' and turned to face one of his teachers, in this case his old “friend”. An elderly man, with long trimmed greyish beard, that usually wore a woollen west on top of his green silk shirt, all matched by the dark brown trouser that were occasionally stained by beer. His teacher finally caught up to him, his breathing heavy but not nearly as heavy as that of his student. “You understand now you nut-job?” the teacher said as he straightened his stance.

Jace sighed in defeat and nodded. “Good” the elderly man said giving Jace a small smile. “And this is for making me run after your sorry ass all day” he added as a fast and rock-hard punch connected with Jace´s stomach, the young man struggling not to fall to the ground and curl into a small ball. “I want those books on my desk first thing in the morning or the next one won´t be a warning” the man said calmly, turned on his heel and slowly walked away.

“This was a warning!?” Jace thought wide-eyed, tears on the break of his eyes, clenching his stomach with both hands. After a good moment of motionless self-pitting, Jace finally managed to overcome the pain and stood up straight. “I don´t get it. Those books are ancient and there is hardly a handful of people who can read them, not to mention even less of those people would actually be interested in them. Geez.”

Jace was on the move once again. This time, he wasn´t running, nor was he in a hurry. He just slowly slithered down the marble halls, his gaze vacant as he passed by his fellow students who seemed to care as much about him as he did about them, not much. In his hands, he carried the books he was supposed to deliver to his teacher the next day, but he rather did it right away, probably from the fear of the painful retribution if he would have “forgotten”, but instead of taking the books himself, the teacher ordered Jace to just put them back where he “found” them. He knew the old man had to go through a lot of trouble getting him in and he knew that he wasn´t helping much by causing him all this trouble but he just couldn´t help it. Jace wasn´t a trouble-maker by heart, more like by impulse. Due to his ever shifting mood he already caused a number of problems for his friend and the academy itself.

“How does this guy keep track of all the books in the library anyway?” Jace sighed deeply and continued towards his location. Once he finally arrived he just mechanically walked from one section to another wondering where the books belonged, only to find himself in a very familiar state in which his eyes ran along all the different books searching for those that eluded him in the past.

“No! You can´t! Think of the consequences Jace, think of the consequences!” his reason shouted as Jace put the books he was supposed to return on the nearest desk, ignoring everyone around him, and already reached out to get his hands on the ones he still had to read.

It was a bit awkward scene really. One hand stretched forward for the books while the other held it tight, preventing it from reaching its goal while Jace wore the expression of a person with split personalities that fought for control over one body. He was eager to stop himself but unable not to be tempted. So he just stood there hopping some astral force would finally show up and put him out of his misery once and for all, to no avail.

[Resurrection Vic]

Lie laughed, a hearty laugh that shook her and left her clutching her stomach afterwards. She looked at the woman, her arms still wrapped around herself, "S-sorry, I was going to say that. My girlffreind would actually ahve smiled at that, the sad little twit. She would if she was here, anyway." Tears ran down Lie's face and she slumped to the ground, now sobbing.

"I-I didn't protect her and that beast got her." Her voice trailed off and she gave into the sobs as they racked her body. "I came here to feel better, and then I meet some human that makes me cry." She laid in the flowers and brushed the last of the tears from her eyes, "I never do things right..."

[Trinity Veritas]

Her eyes widen with surprise. Amellia couldn’t believe that a creature that she feared profusely was lying on the ground with tears of sorrow rolling down her face. It confused her that she would collapse so easily right before a human. The “beast” she mentioned also confused her beyond even a slight chance of understanding.

She saw this as a perfect cue for her to take off like a bat out of hell; get away from whatever this woman was and the things she spoke of, and retreat into the dirty cities that she had grown accustomed to and knew like the back of her hand. What use to be a place of perfect comfort for her only seconds ago was now a place of uncertainty. But as Amellia stared down at her, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity in her chest. Leaving Lieoana here to wallow in tears seemed something very inhuman.

Stepping towards her with ginger footsteps, Amellia slowly made her way beside her. She sunk down into the flowers and cool blades of glass into a sitting position inches away from Lieoana. A thousand words of sympathy rushed through her mind, but none of them seemed to be good enough. So with a brush of her finger tips across her hand, Amellia offered one of her warmest smiles.

[Resurrection Vic]

Lie looked over at the girl, and the smile. "I'm such a failure," she huffed once more. Seeing that smile reminded her of Moira...and Moira reminded her of the Witch and her schemes. "I, dont remember telling you, but I come here to clear my head, too. Ira would kill me for sitting here with a human...but that's Ira. I never thought one of you would come this far into the forrest."

_____________________________________________________________________

Moira blinked and whimpered, this wasn't her. Being here, allowing herself to have been captured. None of this was Moira...being alone in a dark room, that was Moira. She took it as not failing herself completely. Viktral had served his purpose, and she couldn't catch another rat to sacrifice, so she accepted the solitude and thought about the outside. Lie was probably worried sick about her, but she was stuck. She had been defiant, and this is where she had been placed. It did not bode well to disobey the Witch.

She didn't even have a window to look out of...had no clue had long she had been in this room, no knowledge of the passing days, only the intermitted meals that appeares by a door she forgot about as soon as it was close. The Witch wasn't stupid, there were probably charms and locks and other traps to keep her in captivity. She was a sitting duck. Moira hated the feeling, but she had accepted the truth. This cage of filth was her cage of filth. She found herself hoping beyond faith that Lie would find her and save her. Moira knew Lie more than Moira's family understood, there was something special about that girl. Something that went beyond expectations.

Moira closed her eyes and ran the memories through her mind. All the times Lie had been there to make her laugh, to stop her tears, to just be there and love Moira in a way that not even her family ever thought to.

_____________________________________________________________________

"I bet Ira is pissed at herself for being captured. She's a priestess, can summon creatures some of us hadn't even imagined. They had to have caught her off guard if they actually got her this time." Lie picked up a wildflower and began to pluck off its petals one at a time, "She's safe and happy...she's mad and alone...she's safe and happy...she's mad and alone..."

[Trinity Veritas]

Amellia listened to Lieoana speak of, what she could only gather, another being of the forest. Deep sorrow and blossoming love could be heard in her voice as her words flowed like runaway stream.

Whoever Ira is, is very lucky to have someone like her. She thought to herself. Never had she seen such a display within the city limits. Everything was surrounded by the law of fending for your self, or so how it was in her parts. You either lived in luxury or you
survived by the nick of your skin…another big reason why she escaped to the woods.

But when the words “priestess” and “the Witch” fell upon her ears, she was immediately lost. Amellia held her hands up and gave a sheepish grin.
“Pardon me, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. Care to clarify?”

[Resurrection Vic]

Lie turned her head to the sky, this couldn't be possible. How could some one not know of the witch. "What kind of world do you live in?" She asked Amelia without looking into the woman's face. "The witch doesn't hide, and doesn't lie...She wants us all to know her power, her strength, her drive to squash us all into driveling minions!" She threw her arms in the air for emphasis and fell back into the flowers and grass. "You must be lucky or...well, stupid, not to have seen the witch's work."

She glanced out the side of her eyes and appraised Amelia. She didn't look stupid, not in the ways Lie had known the dolts among her to look. She was lucky, maybe she lived far enough away that the witch hadn't reached her, not yet anyway. "They say many things about the witch. They talk of her beauty, her charm, her power. I will grant them one thing, a weakling can't be leader. Her beauty. for all I know, she is some hunchbacked hag who is pissed at life and taking it out on us. But she protects herself from us all, she has people under her command doing her dirty work for her.

"And her command grows ever stronger. We of my land have varying abilities, a good thing really, you wouldn't want asny one of us to be as strong as all of us...we'd be what your people call 'God." We don't even want a person like that, and we could team up to stop it." Lie rolled onto her side and played with the petals of a nearby wildflower. A tear rolled down from her eye and onto the grass below. She inhaled deeply and brushed the eye with her hand befire turning back around. "That's why none of us are safe. She has enough people now to get more people she wants. And we can't leave...it just...this is our home, and we all must stay and defend it."

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