Alina "Suferinta" Mare's Story

[Somewhere near northern Valcrest's Woods]
“S-sister... I'm tired,” the two young women rode on their horses between the trees. Their faces, one precisely the same from the other, with their wavy, black hair flowing until they reached the horse's back and their jet black eyes, yet one wore a heavy cloak alongside her trousers and had the pale look of bad nutrition and weakness on her skin, while the other rode with her armor, darker than the deepest night, plates and mail combined with leather, fully covering her body except for her hands and her head, although her armor wouldn't show it, she had a strong and sunburnt skin. So were Alisa and Alina, twins condemned to be different one from the other.
“Can you endure it for a little longer?” Alina looked to her sister, the answer was clear on her pale face. “if you want so,” Alisa tried to smile, the grin enduring barely for a second, “I th-think that the river should be... nearby.” Alina smiled, her sister's mind was strong, but her body wouldn't cooperate with her; whenever the strong one walked and hunted for them the other would keep her hands on maps, even when they had a brief amount of peace she would have learned to sew and to read. Alisa was smart, far more than most they knew. Alina, in the other hand, was the duo's strength, at least that's what she enjoyed to think.
Alina took the other horse's reins from her sister's hands. “Remember when we got to that lake... the one far to the East. So wide that you couldn't see the other side?” Alisa nodded as she looked to her hands. “It was beautiful... we've never seen something like that until then,” she coughed, “I wonder if the sea would be like that.” Alina smiled as she remembered Alisa's faces when she saw the water, “the sea... maybe we could see it someday, but it would be a long trip.”
Alisa's expression changed quickly, from tiredness filled with small pain to a sincere happiness. “Soon?” The sister laughed for a moment, “soon.”

Yet sooner the river they so followed made a slight curve to the right, the nearby trees grew very united, a perfect spot to rest for the night. The unending sound of insects filled the air as the campfire illuminated the dark night, sometimes breaking the silence as the branches cracked from the fire. Alisa heated salted meat on the fire while her sister touched some of her chest armor's leathers, loosening it. The meat fell on the fire as dirty and cold steel touched Alisa's throat. Alina tried to stand, the sword almost unsheathed when the sickle weighed on her shoulders. Her heart's beat quickened.
The man at her back had even more dirt on his face than the one behind Alisa, clearly missing a couple of his teeth as he smiled to Alina. “Ya better keep your knife there, we don't wanna hurt ya.” His breath had a bad scent, the perfect mixture of hunger and infection. The one close to Alisa spoke something, trying to agree with his partner. The campfire cracked as Alina's blade entered the scabbard, making a grin appear on the man's face. “Ya, good. Take off yar armor pretty, worth some money.” Alina smiled briefly as she looked deep into the man's eyes. His mouth closed as those eyes made him recall the past. The campfire's wood cracked again, the man looked to it and his eyes widened. The one close to Alisa only saw his partner scream against the wind and wave his sickle against the air. He released Alina, and the woman stood up, smiling.
“What you did to him?” The man screamed, holding the dagger tighter as Alina laughed, the psychopathic sound echoing between the trees. “Me? Little...” the other waved his sickle closer to him, furiously, the tip growing dangerously close to his stomach. “There's nothing besides a word that I wish to say right now.” Alina smiled while her sister looked to the campfire, the woods' cracked yet again. “Suffer.” The man screamed and stabbed the ground around his foot, a woman's hand tightly holding it, her skin long gone to gray, yet her nails kept a blackened color. His partner fell behind a couple trees, the sickle's steel filled with darkened liquid. Liberating his foot he kicked the woman's face, yet another cracked sound appeared on the air. Screaming, the man saw the woman as it stood up, getting closer to him with her grayish skin. The man tried to run, falling to the ground with a hollowed sound, his dagger now crawling against his chest.
Alina sat close to Alisa after she moved the bodies far to the camp, the fire now wide spread on their clothes. Alisa hugged her sister as soon as she could. “Do you really have to always laugh at them while they scream?” Alina smiled, “I can't hold it, it's just... funny how people lose control when they see their fears.” Alisa laid her head on her sister's legs, smiling. “That's mean, sister!” Alina played with Alisa's hair, her eyes slowly closing and dreams of unending lakes soon appearing.

–

[Newhaven's streets

Vane walked through Newhaven's crowded streets with haste. The path between Raven's Nest and the city was rather short, yet incredibly hard to find. He wondered how far would Mageria's knowledge about the city's surrounding would extend when he found the focus of the crowd. The citizens being repelled by four men from the City's Guard protecting a store's entrance with their halberds; three horses waited by the wooden wall, one of them was a horse that Vane would recognize anywhere in the world.
The man made his way throughout the vast crowd, eventually reaching one of the Guards. As Vane was about to walk around the man he found the halberd's blade too close from his neck. The Guard spoke loudly with a rough voice, although Vane was less than two meters away from him. “No trespassers! A White Knight's orders. Begone citizen.” Vane opened a smile as he tried to move the rustic steel away from his face, without success. “God's sake, I'm Lady Zein's personal... assistant on the matter.” The Guard looked into Vane's eyes for a few seconds, slowly moving away the halberd's steel and nodding to the house's entrance.
Before entering the house the tall man petted the horse's neck. The store itself was simple, yet the house was wide, tables filled the place, red pads over all of them while pieces of transparent glass laid on the ground. Someone robbed a jewelry, a simple conclusion, yet the simplicity made Vane wonder why a such small act brought Veronica's attention in the middle of the night. In the opposite side of the entrance was a corridor that ended in another hall, this one had candles and at least three soldiers stood there, speaking between themselves. The man walked there, the sound of his leather boots crushing against the wood filling the house.
“This is not something you should laugh of, Gabrielle. They are not trained to deal with this.” Zein's voice raised before Vane entered the room; the man took a deep breath and entered the room. As soon as his shadow entered the room the tall man could count two sword's close to his neck, frozen waiting for an order. Veronica Zein wore her white armor, the chest, arms and legs protected by plate, mail connecting the parts and protecting her elbows and knees. A white helmet covered her head and the gauntlets ended with sharp fingers. Zein removed her right gauntlet as Vane looked to the other two inside the room. A man and a woman, he had blonde hair and light blue eyes while the woman had brown hair and hazel eyes, both of them with white armor, they also kept a sign on their eyes, something that, in Vane's mind, wouldn't make them hesitate easily.
Veronica removed the gauntlet, “out of the room, close the door.” Both sheathed their swords and walked across the room's entrance, Vane followed them with the eyes. “People are really trying to kill me today,” he turned around to see Veronica's face, smiling as he thought she would enjoy to see him. “Missed m-.” The woman slapped the man on the face with all her strength. He raised his left hand to the jaw, checking if it was fine. Veronica spoke calmly, but Vane could sense how much she wanted to scream at him. “Ever run away again and, if I find you, I will do the same thing. With the gauntlets. Gabrielle, Robert!”
The duo opened the door and walked into the room again, the woman with a grin on her face. Veronica was putting the gauntlets as she spoke her thoughts about what happened. Only then Vane noticed the two corpses on the ground. Both covered with a thick rustic leather, the wood was humid close to one as well a sword with the City Guard's symbol. Vane's smile ended as his sight laid on the corpses, his imagination wondering for a minute or two when the woman, Gabrielle, touched his shoulder and nodded to Veronica.
“Long story made short, as you probably saw in the entrance the store was robbed and our friend Rolph,” she gesticulated to a nearby corpse, “got killed in cold blood. Looks like they also got all of the tools he used to make the jewels.” Gabrielle nodded before speaking. Her voice was sweet, yet harsh. “Thing is that a Guard heard they clear the owner's room in the level above us and he, obviously, got in without calling anyone else to aid him.” She sighed.
“He was the one that last saw the murders. He could well provide us a description on two if he wasn't dead.” Veronica wasn't enjoying her situation, that was clear. The man, Robert, cleared his throat. “Pursuing glory and honor he found death... poetical, no?” Gabrielle rolled her eyes, as she was about to argue with Robert, Veronica intervened. “Enough. There's nothing to do here as it is. Robert, go get a cart to remove the corpses. Gabrielle, you stay at the entrance with the Guards. No one gets in, except Robert and the men. I'll go back to the Castle. I want your reports over my table before tomorrow's evening. Now you,” Veronica's eyes met Vane's, “you will go to your home and will meet me tomorrow. In my room.” The two armored calmly spoke a “ma'am!” before they moved across the door. Vane soon followed them throughout the corridor while Zein closed the room's doors. He knew that the White Knights had to be respected, and doubting their orders in front of anyone inside Newhaven's military was plain stupid.
The four soon exited the store, Robert soon departing as Gabrielle's back met the wooden walls. Veronica mounted her horse, unsheathing one of her swords as she raised her voice, most of the men and women there looking at her now. “Now pay attention! What happened here is over. You all will soon know what went between these walls, I swear, but now go to your homes and rest. There is much to be done in the city, and we need your strength!” Most of the people near the Guards were nodding and speaking among themselves, most in the farthest corners of the crowd started to walk. Veronica preferred not to wonder whether they really listened to her small speech or the fun they could find in the store ended. When a small breach opened in the road toward the Castle she spurred the horse, looking to Vane as the man slowly disappeared in the distance.
“Murders, robberies and death. Why is this city so much fun when I'm away?” Vane spoke lowly so even the Guards wouldn't hear them, his voice only sounding when he walked close to Gabrielle. She giggled, “you don't know half of the history.” Vane grinned as he kept walking, taking the many roads until his old and dusty home appeared once again to him.

[Valcrest’s Northern Woods, Dawn]


Alisa slowly opened her eyes, covering them as soon as she could to lower the sun’s light. Total whiteness somehow transformed itself into shadows; slowly she could see different shades of green, a slight blue and the darkest black. Trees and grass filled Alisa’s sight as her eyes returned to their normal way, and so did the river’s light blue alongside its calm sound. The woman looked up to see the black mass, finding there a perfect copy of her. Alina smiled.
“Good mornin’ sleepy,” the woman’s fingers ran through Alisa’s hair, “rested enough?” Alisa answered her sister with a small grin, not daring to sit. She knew that, while she didn’t move, there would be no pain at all. Alisa nodded for a second. “I could walk all the way! Were you waiting for long?” Alina looked down, her sister still lying over her legs. There wasn’t much comfort she could provide to her on the road, but that was at least a beginning. Cold steel wasn’t actually comfortable, but Alisa enjoyed it, somehow. “A couple minutes only, but let’s not take it too harsh today, fine?”
The woman with the pale skin nodded, still with a happy grin on her face. Mornings were the day’s best part for Alisa, at least the only one that she could not feel anything as she laid over Alina’s armor. She couldn‘t really understand it, but being there always made her day better. “Sister… should we wait a little more or maybe…?” Alina looked to the river’s flowing water, wondering what they should do. Alisa turned her head to the where her sister looked. She took a deep breath before speaking, the arms and legs still as light as the wind. “We should be near by now from that dark city… Blackpond. But you never told me why you wanted to go there.”
Alina took a deep breath before answering. “I just think… something may be there. I don’t know what, but maybe…” Alisa giggled softly; her sister quickly looked to her. “That’s enough for me!” The woman sat on the ground, at first not feeling a thing, but soon her arms and legs started with a small, continuous pain, as if nails slowly scratched her muscles from inside. Alisa grew dizzy for a slight moment, but she soon smiled again. For twenty six years she suffered the same pain daily, growing worse whenever she moved, be it by horse or by her own feet.
Alisa looked to her sister, knowing that her face would only show worry. And it did, but the woman soon stood up, knowing that there was nothing to be said about Alisa’s pain. Alina offered a hand, helping Alisa to stand up. “Get yourself ready, I’ll get our horses.” She saw the sister nod, and so walked. Alina left the horses on an nearby clearance, close to the river, with their reins tied to a tree. She passed over burnt bones and remnants of what once was meat. Poor idiots, probably it wasn’t their luckiest day. Alina untied the horses, and took them to where Alisa was. Both mounted the horses and took a steady rhythm towards the way Alisa pointed. “You know… I do wonder how Blackpond is.” Alina smiled, “I’ve heard that it once was a proud city, loyal to their King… but no more.” A curious face soon appearing on Alisa’s face.
“Hm? What happened?” Alina laughed, “You can’t be loyal to a dead man, can you? Now chaos has it’s dawn there, plus we will fit in perfectly there.” Alina smiled, and so did her sister as the sun rose.

[Newhaven, Castle’s entrance]


Vane walked fast through the gates, hearing them as they closed. The Castle Guard sure did a hard job protecting that place. Years ago he could smile and then he would be allowed to enter. Yeah, and back in the day I also had a name in the military, now what do I have? The leather boots almost didn’t sound against the floor as the man entered the Castle. Wondering whether he could find Veronica.
“Now look what we have here, mister personal assistant.” The female voice sounded vaguely familiar to the man, sweet yet harsh. Vane turned around, looking directly into the hazel eyes. “You… Gabrielle.” The woman opened a sarcastic smile to him, “so you remembered my name? Nice start there.” Vane sighed, a beginning of an angered look started to spread on his face as he opened a smile. “I don’t have time to this, but you could indeed tell me where Veronica is.”
Gabrielle laughed calmly, “and what do I get with this?” Vane tried to find a phrase on his mind, at least one not cursing the woman at his side. She giggled again, this time she walked into the Castle. She looked behind quickly. “Polite, hum? Veronica told me you would act like that, at least for now. She should be in the Guard’s room with Captain Thomas by now, I’ll take you there...”
Vane sighed and followed the woman. Such a way to worse someone’s day.

[Newhaven’s Castle, Captain Thomas’ Office]


“I’m sorry, sir, I assure you it won’t happen again. But I do have thought about a few ways of how to slay these problems.” Veronica took a deep breath before speaking minding her words before opening her mouth. “While the gangs are still a problem, I would not give priority to them, for now. Yesterday a man of my trust reached the town and he will surely work in our side. He should be here in a few moments, but there are high odds that we will have all the information needed to end said gang in less than four days.” She bit her lower lip for a brief second. “As a matter of fact, we should worry more about the rumors. If they spread and nothing is done they may… corrupt the population’s trust rather quickly.”
“I think that these rumors can be dealt with a simple public speech, sir. Much of the people still believe and respect the idea of noble knights over their horses. This could be used in our favor for now.”

[Newhaven’s Castle Corridors]

"Let me understand this. She wants me to help her and, without asking if I want to do it, she makes me meet the Knight's Captain?" Vane raised an eyebrow as he followed the woman with hazel hair, his scar itched instantly, but the tall man ignored it. The itching has been constant on the last few days, and there was no way he could tell if it was the pressure made by the recent events or if some unusual kind of sickness caught him. The man cleaned his mind, not being sure if it was an honor to meet Captain Sidin, or if Veronica lost her touch to kill criminals. Back in the day, she could hunt any man anywhere as long as her blades were at her hips. Gabrielle looked over her shoulder, brows raised and a ironic smile. "Well, big guy, she's not really giving you that choice. You may do it, or you may do it, it's not that hard to understand, is it?" The girl giggled briefly, covering her mouth with the gauntlets. Gabrielle clearly enjoyed when people suffered, especially when she could watch it closely.
Vane rolled his eyes as the duo walked through the Castle's corridors, sometimes meeting Guards making patrols and messengers taking papers elsewhere. Even this early people are awake. Well, who could have guessed? The Castle frequently exhibited a peaceful sight to whoever managed to look at it, but surely many worked nonstop behind the stage to give that impression. Vane widened a smile for a second, somehow he missed being in the city, but he also wanted to go away. The man motioned his hand in front of his head, trying to send these strange thoughts away when one pierced his mind. Could Gabrielle be taking the long way to where Zein was? As if she heard the man’s though about her, the girl finally spoke, her voice being lower than usual and taking an abnormal serious tone. "Things are a little hard here, we managed to find the place where they are hiding, somewhere around the market area, but as you may have thought, we can't burst into every house and store there. Not without being sure or slightly sure about the owner's recent... acts." She sighed softly and ran a hand through her hair.
The man nodded briefly. It seemed for him that there wasn't a way to run from Newhaven, at least for the next couple days. I barely arrived and can't wait to escape. Now I'm sure that I wasn't born to live in a city. Vane widened a grin when Gabrielle turned around to look at him. "There's no reason to smile, or there is?" The question only made the man's grin bigger. "Just a funny thought." Gabrielle sighed again, and stopped before an entrance. "As if I could believe something like that," the woman pointed to a wooden door with a finger, "there. Knock the door."
Vane nodded and walked, not being sure if someone called him as the leather of his boots crushed against the room’s cold floor. In his mind’s eye he wondered what would happen once he opened the wooden door. Many scenes walked through the man’s head, from the most impossible to relevant possibilities. Whatever happened once he entered that place, Vane was sure he wouldn’t manage to leave the city, at least not until he ended whatever Zein needed. The tall man left a huge sigh and raised his hand, ready to knock twice.

[Captain Thomas’ Office]

Veronica took the papers from Thomas’ hand with a gentle grin on her face, although she wondered if Vane could be of any help right now. “I will be sure this… situation ends even faster, sir.” By the Twins, how am I supposed to do this, anyway? “Whoever may be there, we do know their location, all we need to do is to precise the gang’s members, so we may avoid any civilian causalities.” The woman nodded, still with the smile, making some of her scarlet hair fall yet again over her left eye. Her hand, still protected by a steel gauntlet, ran through her hair. For a brief second she wondered if she should cut her hair short, after all it could well fall over her eyes in the middle of a fight. She blushed for a moment when her eyes met Thomas’, sighing quickly and regaining her voice’s usual tone. “About my old friend, which is late to meet us, he once worked with the city’s military until three years ago, but left our ranks for his own reasons.”
“Something he’s very capable of doing is finding answers for questions, especially if talking is needed, especially to people who, at first, couldn’t remember a single thing.” Veronica closed her eyes for a brief moment, wondering if that was a good phrase to speak to Captain Thomas, but gladly she heard the knocking on the door, widening her smile as much as she could. “If you allow me, captain,” the boots sounded inside the room, and soon the door was opening, revealing a tall man wearing black clothes, except for the white shirt underneath his jacket. He slowly walked inside the room as Veronica closed the door. The woman with scarlet hair followed the man with her gaze, slowly motioning her head in the direction to the White Knights famous leader. Once done, she walked to the tall man’s side, announcing him. “Captain Sidin, this is Vane Ross, the friend I was talking about.” The tall man showed a friendly grin as he nodded, his scar shivering for a few seconds. A month ago the Black Knights’ Captain, now the White Knights’… With some luck I will meet the Queen next week. Vane took a step forward before speaking. “It’s an honor to meet you, Captain.”

[Somewhere in the Northern Woods]

“Siister, will we be arriving any soon?” Alisa’s words echoed through her head while her headache only amplified them. The woman was still riding her horse in a slow peace, since riding it too fast frequently made her fall from the dark animal. Her arms and legs regained its usual state, aching, stinging and feeling almost like they were frequently thorn apart from her body, frequently bringing Alisa to the corners of her conscience, only a step away from losing it and falling straight to the floor. Yet, she lived that way, feeling those incomprehensible pains since she can remember it. Alina looked to her sister, brows curved, giving her a worrying look. “I can hear sounds, lots of people walking… if your directions are right, then we will be there soon.”
Alisa coughed quickly, covering her mouth with her right hand, and so making the pain on her arm even worse. When she ended it, she let her hand fall to the horse’s reins, a lying smile showing on her face while long lines of her black hair covered one of her eyes. “They are right, they always are.” Alina nodded quickly, even with that grin on her sister’s face she knew what Alisa felt. Not the whole pain itself, but a little portion of what it was, at least what Alina thought it was. Alina answered her sister’s smile with her own, hoping it could help Alisa somehow. “I know.”
Time raced as Alina battled through her thoughts, wondering if there was any reason to move into Blackpond. Alisa couldn’t stand towns, neither people talking way too loud and they would find plenty of that in the city. Yet she constantly felt she was dragged into it, every thought, every phrase, every wind she felt on her bare skin, so Alina allowed herself to finish her damned curiosity. When the woman finally returned to herself, Alina saw the city’s walls, in a worse state she could have thought. Whenever she looked the walls lacked stones, leaving huge holes that the wind slowly decomposed throughout the years; no man guarded the once mighty gates, somewhat rusted as the duo stopped their horses in front of it. Alina looked to her sister, she too watched their surroundings, one of her brows raised while her hands held the reins tight. “I don’t know what to… say.” Alina laughed loudly, making some of the men look to them. The woman sure could bring a psychopathic laughter whenever she so wished; tears rolled from her eyes when she managed to create an understandable phrase. “Disappointing! That’s what I’d say!! Such a perfect joke!” Alina still laughed for minutes as Alisa looked to the inner city, wondering what they could do in there when two men gathered close to them, one probably was a woodcutter, the axe in his hand announced so, and the other didn’t bring any visible weapon, although his face showed that he was indeed troubled by the woman’s maniacal laughter. Alina still laughed while she turned her horse to speak to the men, the one with the axe spoke first, putting said axe over his shoulder. “Youn’ ladies shouldn’t be here so so early, what brings ya’all to town?” Alina removed a tear with the tip of her fingers when Alisa spoke, a smile shining on her face. “We’re searching for the stables, maybe you could help us?” The woodcutter opened a dramatic smile while his friend spoke, Alina tried to stop laughing, somehow failing at it. “Leave your horses with us, we’ll take’em there, pretties.” The woodcutter smile’s widened as he looked to his friend, nodding as Alina got off the horse, pointing to the woodcutters’ right leg.
What followed made Alisa rise a brown and smile, almost laughing. The woodcutter screamed all air inside his lungs as he fell to the floor, embracing his right leg. Neither Alisa or the man’s friend saw it, but the woodcutter watched and felt his leg being broken in the knee, moving against his will to the front while the others only saw him fall to the ground, hugging one of his legs. Alina looked to the man’s friend, completely horrified by the scene; a crude smile widened on her face as Death pierced through her eyes. “I didn’t like his grin.” The man turned around and ran as fast as he could, making his face meet the terrain as he fell after running a couple meters. Alisa sighed deeply, making her sister turn around. “He could have showed us the way to the stables,” her sister replied with a sweet giggled as the man close to her rolled on the ground, still holding his right leg. “I’d rather kill his friend than allow myself to be guided by a coward. Plus, he was probably going to rob them, not that we actually paid something for them.” A piercing headache scorched Alina’s mind since she used her enlightenment, but adrenalin filled her veins, dispersing any pain on her body as the woman restarted her laughter.
Alisa allowed herself a slight giggle while she looked over her shoulder, watching two men look at the pathetic scene, her horse turned around while she smiled again. “Sister, more people for you to play, I think.” One of them being as pale as the cleanest snow, its appearance being completed by darkened colors, while the other most notable thing was the red hair. Alina smiled as took a few steps, slowly ending her laughter as she held the horse by its reins. She raised her voice with an almost friendly smile, “and you are?”

"One more time, Lukey... Come on, guess!" The redhead boy pleaded, nudging his companion playfully.
Luckas sighed in annoyance. "It's a tree.... Again... It's always a freaking tree, Amber! Don't you know how to walk in silence?"
"Ha, no! It was a rock this time!"
"Do you understand that making yourself look like a boy makes it perfectly acceptable for me to punch you, right?" Luckas muttered, giving Amber an annoyed glance as they walked.
"How do you know I'm not in fact a boy?" Amber retorted, raising an eyebrow.
"You're a very girly boy then, mate." Luckas snickered.
"How dare you, sir? I am a MAN!" Amber shouted, stopping with both hands at the waist, in the most girlish pose possible. Resuming the walk, she added with a snicker: "Not that a girl couldn't beat you, Lukey... You're a bit of a wimp... No offense."
"Yes, well... We'll see about that." Luckas muttered. "So tell me... Are you..." He cleared his throat and smirked. "All man, at the moment?"
Amber stopped walking again. "If I'm all m-... OH! Yes. Fully equipped and functional." She giggled as she continued walking, sprinting after Luckas, who had not stopped with her. "Why, Luckas... I didn't know that was your fancy."
"It's not!" Luckas protested. "Just curious."
"Oh, well... Being curious doesn't make you g-..."
"NOT LIKE THAT." Luckas shouted, glaring at the highly amused boy walking beside him. "Was curious about your ability. Alright?"
"Sure, love, if you say so." Amber snickered shaking her head as if in disbelief.
"Listen, I am no-..." Luckas stopped, raising a hand to halt Amber as well when he heard a scream. His previous thoughts escaped him as he caught a scene just ahead in their path; by the city walls. His eyes narrowed as he watched two women looking down on a fallen man. Curiosity growing in his expression as he began approaching them, one hand still motioning for Amber to stay behind him. It felt odd to be the most reasonable in a group, but between him and Amber, Luckas was without a doubt the voice of reason.

Luckas stopped as one of the women, who he came to realize were twins, addressed them in a friendly tone.

“and you are?”

"We are... Passing through." Luckas replied, his eyes examining the man on the ground, the woman standing before him and the woman still mounted on her horse. "And you are?" Luckas again looked to the man lying on the ground forcing his expression to remain unfazed as he mouthed the words 'help me' with a frightened look in his eyes. He wanted to laugh at that pathetic little man, but held it in, for the moment at least.
"Do we help?" Amber asked.
Luckas glanced towards the boy standing next to him, and then towards the man again, looking him in the eyes for a moment or two... Judging his intentions less than pure, Luckas nodded a no, causing the 'boy' to giggle hysterically and bounce to the man cheerfully, kneeling beside him and striking a whispered conversation with the man. Luckas raised an eyebrow, wondering what the hell Amber was plotting before turning his attention back to the woman who spoke to him. "You're passing through as well?" He asked, curiously.

"We are... Passing through. You're passing through as well?

Alisa grew distracted by the boy kneeling close to her sister’s last prey, wondering whether he would try to check for any injuries or just poke the man’s eyes. As her sister was lost in her own questions, Alina turned around, still smiling. “You sure ask many questions, sweetie, but it’s very” the woman managed to add a sickening tone to that word, “inelegant to answer a question with another question. The voice broke Alisa’s thoughts, bringing her back to the painful reality, an amused look soon appearing on her face.

“Gods sister, do you really need to speak like that?” Alisa sighed quickly, “the weak woman act doesn’t really work when you’re wearing your armor. Fits me nice, though.” Alina ignored whoever was close to her sister and the boy not so away for a slight moment and looked to her sister as she spoke, beginning with a hardened, almost angry expression, but eventually ending with a soft giggle. “Go be the damsel in distress somewhere else, you just ruined my game.” The woman left out a sigh, speaking lower than before. “Wonder what we do to those two now.”

“The boy over there is cute and seems somewhat nice,” Alisa looked in the distance and smiled to him, speaking even lower than her sister. “We play with him for now and then finish him later, ok?” Alina nodded quickly, the smile back on her face as she also looked to the boy. “Hope he will be fun, yesterday those two were really… disappointing.” Just like these walls. Alina raised her voice, so the boy could hear them. “Travelers! We just arrived here and this little guy tried to make fun with us! And I just can’t allow that to happen.”

As Alina winked to the man, her sister turned the horse around, eventually looking to the redhead man, wondering how much he heard about the little conversation with her sister. She opened a small smile and tried to sound nice, not knowing what would happen after that. “I’m Alisa, Alisa Mare, what about you?”

“You sure ask many questions, sweetie, but it’s very inelegant to answer a question with another question.”

Luckas tilted his head in amusement at the woman’s response, as well as her little discussion with her sister. “I don’t see where I answered you question with a question. ‘We are passing through’ was my answer to your extremely vague question. That was clearly an affirmation and not a question. My question was something separate from my answer in an attempt to continue this conversation, although... If this simple interaction has you confused I should ask myself if it’s worth the trouble. Are you not used to conversation? If that’s the case, I wonder... What are you used to?” He chuckled. “And the weak woman act would not by any means work on me, even if you could pull it off. See... I’m not the type of man drawn to the damsel in distress stereotype.” He paused, glancing up at the woman on the horse curiously, a grin spreading across his face. “I’m also not the type of man you’d like to try and play that way. A predator knows a predator, have you ever heard that? It’s in the eyes, and yours are delightfully dark.” He turned back to the woman who had spoken to him in the first place, finding amusement in speaking with two pretty much identical people. “Do you know what people say of black eyes?” Not waiting for a reply, he shrugged and continued. “If you are not fond of people trying to mess with you, I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong city.” He stated, glancing at Amber as she still whispered to the fallen man and raising an eyebrow.

Amber had been entertained with the fallen man, being friendly and slowly gaining his trust. The man was freaked and he really just wanted to get out of there, but for whatever reason couldn’t run off. It was ridiculous how trusting he was after what (whatever it was) had just happened to him, it was somewhat pathetic. Lovely.

She kept her ears in the conversation, smirking at Luckas’ silly replies. She stood when she felt she was being spoke to, holding back laughter when she felt the man cling to the leg of her pants, holding back the urge to kick him. She’d been asked to introduce herself and without skipping a beat she decided for the very first name that crossed her. Her usual behavior contained in a small polite nod of her head. “I’m sorry, how rude of me not to introduce myself.” She stated, glaring at Luckas as if mentally scolding him for the exact same rudeness. “I’m Wyatt, Miss... At your service... And I’m afraid that’s my one and only name as well.” She opened a very convincing apologetic smile. "It is surely lovely to meet you in this fine day."

*****************************************************

[Raven’s Nest]

Jake was looking for a spot to settle and maybe take a rest from his sleepless night of travel, wandering around aimlessly and looking for a good spot to maybe set up a little camp, if he could get his hands on a tent. If he found a good enough spot, maybe he’d even build something more concrete...More like a home.

Distracted with these thought Jake didn’t realize he wasn’t quite as alone as he thought it was; something that only became apparent to him when he walked under a tree and felt something heavy fall onto him, knocking him to the ground, face down. The ‘something’ turned out to be a person, as Jake felt the very unmistakable sensation of knee pressed against his lower back as well as a forearm pressing the back of his neck.

“Hello there, stranger!” A voice greeted him, a bit of sarcasm hiding underneath its cheerfulness.

Jake groaned as he recognized his attacker’s voice. “Nice to see you too, Ali... Can you please get off me now? You gained some weight I see.”
“You shouldn’t be rude to a lady when she’s got a knee at the base of your spine, Jake.” Ali retorted in a fake annoyed tone.
“Should take it as a compliment, if you lost any weight I’m pretty sure you’d vanish.”
“Nice save.” She laughed. “I’m still mad at you though!” She exclaimed, rolling off of Jake’s back and jumping to her feet before he even managed to pull himself onto his knees.

As Jake stood up and turned to face Allison he caught a clear look of concern on her face. “What?” He asked, scratching his head.
“You’re slow, and you look like crap... Are you alright, Jake?” She asked, reaching for his arm.
“I’m just a bit tired, but I’m fine. I’ll look better in a day or so, you’ll see.”
“Mhm...” She mumbled, giving him a look of sheer disbelief. “Have you eaten yet today?”
“Well, no... But I...”
“Shut up, come with me. I’ve got some oatmeal left... And we’ve got some catching up to do.” She said, pulling him by the arm through a narrow path amongst the trees that led to where she had set up camp.
“You cooked oatmeal?” Jake asked, seeming somewhat surprised by the fact. “How did you light the fire?”
Ali chuckled. “Why you sound so shocked? Gee... I can light a fire....” She started, giving a little shrug. “If I really, really, have to.”
Jake raised an eyebrow at her. “Really?”
“Nope, still traumatized. I asked one of the guys in camp to do it for me...” She admitted. “They’re so very nice, aren’t they?”
Jake chuckled. “I almost believed you there.”
“Yes, well, if you haven’t been away for so long, you’d know the truth.” She scolded as they stopped before a small tent, its colors mimicking the greens and browns of the forest considerably well and almost blending in with the forest entirely. Jake shot a rather amused glance to a small fire pit still lit from breakfast. “So you’re just going to keep asking the grown ups to make fire for you?”
“Until Crys gets back... Yup. That’s my plan.” She replied simply, motioning to a little wooden stool by the fire. “Sit.”
Jake took a seat and smiled softly, pointing at the piece of furniture. “You made this?”
“Mhm... What you think of it?” She asked, going into the tent and picking up a small pot with the leftover oatmeal and reluctantly placing it over the fire to heat. “I said I’d help with making some beds and chairs and such... Apparently the ones they made weren’t quite solid.” She explained with a bit of laughter in her tone.
“I like this. It’s nice and solid, and you’ve gotten much better at this.” He replied. “And hey, I can light your fire for you until Crys gets back.”
“Oh... And by that statement I should assume you’ll actually be here to do that, right?” Ali asked, raising an eyebrow at her friend in order to express her skepticism.
Jake chuckled, shifting awkwardly in his seat. “That’s the plan, at least.” He replied.
“Mhm...” Ali mumbled, pouring the heated oatmeal into a bowl and handing it over to him before taking a seat on another stool. “Crys said she’d be back in a day or two, by the way. I know you’re dying to ask that.” She said with a smile.
“Is she still very pissed?” Jake asked, wincing at the thought and poking the oatmeal with his spoon.
“Very pissed is one hell of an understatement, Jacob. A few days ago I joked about breaking you out of prison and, well, let’s just say that was the last I mentioned your name.” She gave him a slightly apologetic look. “It won’t be easy to get her to talk to you, if that’s what you’re after.”
Jake sighed, taking a spoonful of oatmeal into his mouth to keep himself from speaking; it was surprisingly tasty considering he had never seen Ali do as much as boil water. It tasted good and he was actually pretty hungry... He hadn’t really realized how much. Looking around the small camp he spotted several tools lying around, broken arrow shaft and different sorts of feathers; most of them black, unlike the usual white feathers she usually used for arrows. Next to tent entrance Jake noticed the longbow leaned against a tree, and it suddenly hit him that Ali wasn’t holding her bow.

“It broke.” Ali stated suddenly, causing Jake to startle slightly and turned his head to see she had been watching him through his silence. “It was an old bow... It was bound to happen somehow, sooner or later.” She turned her gaze to the newly crafted bow and gave a little snort. “I’m still working on making this one... Special somehow... It lacks personality as is. It’s the first time in ever that I’ve used a weapon fitted to my size though... I never quite reached my brother’s stature, for whatever reason... Go figure...” She chuckled. “Now I’m forced to use a proper weapon, how dull.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, I know you loved that bow.” Jake mumbled, scooping the rest of the oatmeal from the bowl. “Must not have been easy to dispose of it.”
“Easier than I expected, actually.” Ali replied with a small sigh. “Things have been strange, Jake... I can’t quite put my finger on why and how, but they are. Things are changing, people are changing and not always in a good way, and I feel somewhat... Lost, at the moment.” She let out an awkward laugh and shook her head. “I’m sorry, that was random... I just...”
“I know what you mean. I do.” Jake replied, leaning into his knees and staring that the empty bowl in his hands. “You know about Lena...?”
“I do. That’s one of the things I need to talk to you about... The last time I saw her, why we left the desert... My past...”

Jake simply nodded, setting his bowl aside and putting his attention on his friend as she started to tell him about all the things said and done in the past few months. Some things Jake already knew, but he didn’t say anything, not a word, and just let her speak; he felt that she needed to speak a lot more than he needed to listen. As the time passed he rested his head on his hands and closed his eyes, but still didn’t miss a word of what Ali was saying. As she talked to him about her mother’s journal he swore he heard her choke on her words here and there, but didn’t look to see if she was in fact crying only lifting his head when she was done talking. Noting the redness in her eyes, he confirmed his suspicions. Sighing softly, he put one arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer in a comforting gesture. “So... Doesn’t this mean that... You’re like Blackhurst royalty and stuff? If your mother was a descendant of one of the King’s children.” He asked.
“Wha-... Shit, it does, doesn’t it?” She chuckled. “Great, Crys will never let me live this down after how I teased her with this Newhaven thing... Twins help me...” She choked on some laughter, and leaned into him. “Oh, boy... Still, I think I might not be the only one... In the back of my mom’s journal there is a list of names, one for each village. I know there are other survivors, so... Maybe there are others.”
Jake laughed a bit with Ali and sighed. “Other journals?”
“That’s my thought. I mean, Lena told me there was some sort of answer here, but maybe, it’s only a piece of it. Maybe there are others and that’s why she couldn’t figure it out.”
“Hmm...” Jake mumbled, going into thought for a second or so, before changing the subject. “So, strange thing happened last night... Isaac had an episode... A really bad one... We had to sedate him. Alistair got a bit burnt, but he’s alright. it’s been a long time since he last lost control, and for what I hear from the others... Never this bad since he joined the Shadows.”
“Poor Isaac, he’s such a sweet guy.” Ali said, shaking her head.
“Oh... I forgot to tell Captain about that... If I recall correctly one of her kids was a firestarter too, I maybe that’d be useful information for her somehow.”
“Jason. He’s the one Xypher attacked at the castle.” Ali informed.
“Right... Jason... How do you know so much about about the people here? You told me you barely got to know anyone.”
“I hear things... I know a lot of names around here of people I haven’t met. Your return was very discussed too, Jake... And it’s only been a few hours. Now I know why Crys finds this place so similar to the Pack camp; news travel just as fast. That’s how I knew you were coming this way.”
“You were waiting on me?” He chuckled.
“A little bit, yes.” She snickered softly and added: “Stealth training.”
“Stea-...” Jake cut himself off with a grin. “Well... Captain seems to think I should train... And if you followed me around so easily I believe she’s right.”
Ali lifted her head from Jake’s shoulder, playfully ruffling his hair as she pulled away from him. “Are you propositioning me, Sir?” She asked, raising an eyebrow at him playfully.
“Why yes, I am, Milady... Or should that be Your Highness now?” Jake teased, unable to hold back laughter at his own words; falling into a small fit when Ali glared at him in anger. “I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t hel-”

Both assassins stopped laughing, jumping to their feet at the same time, Ali pulling a throwing knife and Jake unsheathing his sword, both looking frantically at their surroundings before looking back to each other. “You heard that, right?” Jake muttered.
“Mhm.” Ali replied, nodding. “Something about a ball, in two days. Should we go?”
“I don’t know if I should... I just managed to get out of that place...”Jake muttered.
“So that’d be incredibly foolish, right?” Ali asked.
“Very.”
“Then you’ll go.” She sighed. “We both know you will.”
“Maybe.” Jake frowned, a slightly defiant tone in his voice. “Wouldn’t you go?”
“Eh... I don’t know... Would I have to wear a dress and stuff?... That’d be weird... Where would my knives go?”
“Uh... I...” Jake coughed awkwardly. “Maybe you should ask a woman that, Ali.”
“You’re not supposed to answer that, Jake.” She shook her head. “Was just thinking out loud, is all.”
“Oh good.” He replied, with a smile. “Can we just go train for now, then? It’s in two days... There’s time to think about it later.”
“Sure.” Ali nodded, picking up her bow and quiver and opening a grin. “Ten seconds head start?”
“Take thirty.” Jake chuckled.
“Thirty? Feeling confident, are we?” She snickered. “Alright, I’ll humor you... Thirty it is.” She stated, running of and disappearing amongst the trees.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Wolfpack Camp]

“Alright. Is that all, Alpha?”

Sean sighed softly. The idea of doing what that pathetic woman wanted of him nearly made him physically ill, even if this would hurt Evin. Did he even want to hurt Evin at this point? He poisoned Katie... Yes, Sean wanted to hurt him, even though he was almost sure that if he had taken that contract he would have acted pretty much the same... Or at least he would have murdered that arrogant bitch just for fun... With his bare hands and not some stupid poison...

“Alpha? Alpha? Sean!”

Sean shook his head, snapping out of his fantasies of choking the life out of that ignorant bitch and nodding his agreement. If he could do it his way... He’d take the woman alive, and just use her to get to Evin; he had no reason to actually harm her. However; a hit is a hit and his hands were bound by the contract.
“Why assign so many assassins to kill one woman?” Franklin asked, reading Sean’s notes over his shoulder. “Do you honestly think Bana will be keeping tabs on the woman after all this time?”
“I won’t risk it.” Sean replied simply, not wanting to think any more on this subject. It felt wrong somehow. Was he growing a damn conscience out of nowhere now?

“To all those interested, there will be a Gala Ball in Blackpond Castle within two days. Everyone is welcome.”

Sean jumped up at the sudden strange voice and looked around startled. He was alone in the office with Franklin; the man giving him a concerned look. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” The man inquires, the concern in his eyes increasing.
“Nothing.” Sean mutters, standing from his desk and rubbing his eyes as he walked his way out of the leaders’ cabin; glad that Franklin didn’t follow after him. He sighed, still rubbing his eyes as he walked, half blindly towards the training area, his ears catching the sound of arrows hitting the shooting targets; Sean stopped in his tracks as he came closer and spotted Katelyn there, shooting arrow after arrow without a hint of hesitation, all hitting the center of the target perfectly. Sean couldn’t help but smile at how talented his little sister was. She’d grown up so fast, so strong, and so much better than him... Sean knew that if he was ever proud of anything in his life, it was of how that girl had turned out so different from him. He had the Twins to thank for that, because he certainly had nothing to do with it. With a bit of luck Donovan would grow up as well to be his own man, he was still far from it, but he surely had it in him.

“Brother.” Katie broke the silence, not turning to face him, but walking to retrieve her arrows. “How has your morning been so far?” She asked.
Sean sighed, shaking his head and moving to sit at a log near where Katelyn had stopped to shoot once her quiver was full again. “Exhausting.” He answered. “Tough decisions to be made and such... Boring. You probably don’t want to hear about that.”
Katie smiled softly. “I want to hear it if you need to say it.” She replied, nocking an arrow and drawing her bow. “Isn’t that what you would always tell me?” She asked, releasing the arrow and watching it fly straight into the center of the target.
“I don’t think I can stand to think of it any more, but I appreciate it, sis.” Sean replied with a little shrug. “You’ve gotten really, really, good at this, Katie. I’m amazed.”
“I’m just firing to break in the bow. It’s brand new.”
“Shouldn’t the archer do this?”
She topped shooting and glanced at him before giving a shrug. “It’s for Doni. I’m doing it for him since he’s away at the moment.”
“He’ll be fine, it’s not a difficult task and it’s not an assassination.” Sean stated, reading the expression on his sister’s face.
“If it’s not a big deal then why doesn’t he have backup, and why did he have to leave his ring?”
“I never said it’s not a big deal. It’s a huge deal. And you think I would be crazy to send them without any backup?” He grinned. “I just never told them it was there. I don’t want them being reckless and risking the mission thinking they’ll have a safety net; even if it’s there.”

Katelyn snickered at the revelation. “Oh, Sean Fletcher... Are you being a softy all of a sudden? Are you doing this for Doni or the girl?”
Sean frowned momentarily. “Oh, ha ha...” He muttered. “New Wolves never go truly on their own the first time, for any reason, and you know this. So what are you asking me exactly?”
“I’m asking if you like Ari. I mean she seems nice and very likeable so I could assume so, but you are a grumpy little jerk who tends to dislike people for the oddest reasons, so I’m never sure.”
“She annoys me sometimes, but I suppose I do like her despite that.” Sean replied with a little shrug.
Kate gasped playfully in fake shock. “Oh my... That’s unheard of.” She broke into a giggle. “Well, I’m glad to hear that... Maybe she can be a friend if you don’t snap and suddenly act like a total jerk with her.”
Sean snickered. “Sis... Being a jerk is pretty much all I’ve done since she got here... It’s called ‘training’.” He sighed. “Point taken, however. I might try and be pleasant in the future, maybe, if I’m in a good mood.”
“Good. I’ve been worried for you ever since Indrani...” She sighed. “Are you really going to fight he to the death, or whatever?”
“I don’t want to, but it’s...” Sean sighed wearily. “It’s complicated and I don’t want to think about it now.”
“You’re an idiot, Sean. You should try and talk this out with her. It wasn’t your fault after all.”
Sean shook his head in protest to his sister’s words. “Katie, Indrani has her way of seeing things and through her eyes I betrayed her, and she disgraced herself to trust me. A talk doesn’t fix what’s been broken between us. It’s over.”
Katelyn gave up the thought of shooting any more as she caught Sean’s eyes. Heaving a sigh she returned the arrow she had picked to its place in the quiver and moved to sit by him, rubbing his back as if trying to comfort a child. “How can something so strong shatter so easily?” She asked. “I bet she’ll talk to me. I can find her.”
“It’s just how things are, I’m afraid.” Sean replied, forcing a smile at his sister. “I appreciate it Katie, I really do, but... It’s not safe, and even if she’ll talk to you, she won’t change her mind.”
“I could try, I’ll be safe, I just... I wish I could... Help you.” She sighed. “You are so... You’re stressed, Sean. You’re sad, and weak... Not how I’m used to seeing you. Others might not notice it, but I’ve known you my whole life and you can’t hide it from me. You can’t lie to me.”
Sean smiled softly at his little sister, shaking his head slightly amused although he can’t help but feel moved by her words. “I’m very grateful, little sister.” He said, putting one arm around the girl. “I understand that you want to help me, that you don’t want to see me hurt, but you can’t fix my problems. Alright? I’ll heal... Eventually. It just takes a bit of time, that’s all. You don’t have to take care of me... I’m the older brother.”
Katie chuckled softly, leaning into him in a gentle embrace. “You were always the one to take care of me, but I’m not a child anymore Sean, I can help you now if you need me. It’s okay to need help sometimes.” She paused for a moment then added: “You know I love you, brother; no matter what you do. Don’t forget.”

========================================

[The Manor]

Sam was watching silently as a couple of servants worked to clean the blood off the courtyard. She was displeased, and very much so, with how this person had been allowed into her home; her cold sharp eyes caused the two young servants to occasionally shiver under her gaze, but she paid them absolutely no mind. After a long moment of silently watching their efforts she broke her silence. “If you can’t make it spotless... Tear it down.” She ordered, her tone void of any emotion whatsoever as she let her gaze move from the servants to the face of the statue, a yellow spark lighting behind the darkness of her green eyes for only a moment as she turned to walk back into the mansion; Ezekiel following her every step, awaiting a command like a giant black puppy eager to please. It was something she was use to now; that man’s presence. Ezekiel had been there, like her living shadow, for almost as long as she could remember... Since her father ordered him to kill her. Oh, how ‘Master’ had underestimated her then. Not only had she convinced the man to spare her, but he had done nothing but protect her since. Fourteen years ago, that was... Amusing how far Time flies and yet nothing changes really.

“To all those interested, there will be a Gala Ball in Blackpond Castle within two days. Everyone is welcome.”

Sam flinched, only slightly, an intrigued look momentarily crossing her eyes, but no other reaction to a sudden voice in her mind. Stopping at the library doors she addressed Zeke in a murmur. “Where is Luckas now?”
Ezekiel snorted as if he was holding back very unpleasant words, but answered immediately and politely nonetheless. “He said he was on his way to the city. Amber accompanied him.”
“Do you honestly think Amber is the best to accompany Luckas... That’s just adding more psycho to the list.” Sam questioned.
“Probably, but I am not allowed to injure the boy physically or mentally, therefore there is little I can impose on him and she is the only one he will accept... Barely.” Ezekiel replied, with a small shrug. “Most likely due to her level of psycho, for her young age... It probably feels to him like he’s the one keeping an eye on her and not the other way around. It’s hilarious how he enjoys thinking he's in charge.”
Sam broke into an amused smile. “I find his naivety rather endearing, but he’ll learn. He was always too damn smart for his own sake. Did he say who attacked him?”
“Refused to. Said he would handle it himself.” Ezekiel replied, rolling his eyes in annoyance.
“He’ll tell me.” She stated simply. “Are Lizzy and Adam on their way?”
“Yes, they departed just an hour ago.” The man replied, staring at the door to the library with a bit of confusion in his eyes. “Milady... Are we skipping training this morning?” He inquired, his tone slightly disappointed, and she could tell.
Sam snickered under her breath. She honestly forgot what time of day it even was with all the commotion, but Ezekiel seemed to be wondering if he’d done something wrong not to get his playtime as usual; neither of them actually bothered with pretending he still had anything to teach her despite still calling the sparring sessions ‘training’. She turned to face him and the look he gave her made the idea of denying him very tempting, but she pushed it back and buried it underneath her amusement. “Apologies, my friend. I think I’ve lost track of my day for a moment. We can do this now or in the afternoon, whichever you prefer.”
“Now.” The man replied promptly with a grin.
“I thought so.” Sam replied smiling wickedly and rushing down the hall away from the library and towards the armory. “Come on, old man.” She called cheerfully over her shoulder. "I'm sure you're eager to try and beat me up."

[Captain Thomas’ Office]


Veronica smiled briefly, after all, things started to work the way she predicted. “Well, sir, the basics should apply well here.” She cleared her throat, “in the first moment, we track their whereabouts, precising were we should strike; once that’s done, we gather men of our trust and march against them quietly, doing that through the night should be the best moment to…”

“That could well take a day, Zein. If things are spreading as fast as I heard this morning, then we should quicken our moves. I assume you thought about the public speech to lower the rumors, right?” Vane looked to Veronica, one of the brows raised as the woman frowned, nodding soon after that. “While that’s effective, we can’t manage to do it without showing something for the people… Even if they believed that bluff, a single movement with bad consequences could send the city into a hell of a moment.” Vane looked to the wall, his eyes distant for a couple seconds; when they returned to their usual look, the man widened a grin. “Well, there’s another possibility, which has some good odds to us, but…”

Veronica spoke louder than the tall man, interrupting him, “but that would mean to invite Captain Thomas to come along.” Vane looked to his friend, knowing that she almost read his mind, just like three years ago. She continued to speak, “if the Captain of the White Knights walked through the town, made a quick arrest and did his public speech...”

“We would fix the morale problem and the rumors… if someone mysteriously escaped, I could well hunt him through the market, without being noticed, which would lead us to their,” Veronica interrupted, a smile shining in her face as she looked to Vane, “whereabouts. And if they dared to move we would still be close to them. Then all we would need to do is gather our own troops and siege their hideout. How much would it take to end? Six hours?”

Vane looked to her, wearing the white armor she treasured for so long. “Less than four,” Vane moved his head, looking now to Thomas. “So, sir, when was the last time you got yourself into delicate plans like this one?” Smiling, he waited for the man to speak his words, wondering what they will say.


[Front gates of Blackpond]


Alina giggled softly while the man spoke his words; long has been the time she met someone that would speak to her like that, even daring to show equality on his voice; so much time since she last heard that, far too long for her likings. “Oh love! You sure got yourself some scores there!” The woman raised her right hand, softly pinching her lower lip for a second as she grew a huge smile. “I may easily get bored when the conversation is not appealing to me… That you can surely see with my beloved little friend, or maybe I should call him my ‘toy’?” Alina’s giggle sounded yet again before the falling gates; she allowed her right hand to rest over one of the sword’s hilt once the echoes faded. “I guess that I’m not used to conversations, after all, it’s just quite hard to find someone that won’t bore me immediately. I’m sure you can relate to me at this point, sweetie! You also replied a simple question with an answer that doesn’t make sense!”

As her sister spoke, Alisa’s horse stood proud, unmoving when she heard the man’s phrase.

“I’m Wyatt, Miss... At your service... And I’m afraid that’s my one and only name as well. It is surely lovely to meet you in this fine day."

Immediately after the man spoke his last word, Alisa started laughing; not with a gentle tone that she would usually use, but in a uncontrollable way, almost reaching the level of berserk. Quickly, the laugh made her bent over the horse’s neck; her left hand covered her mouth as shiny tears rolled from her eyes, some coming from the joy, others from the pain caused by using all the muscles to make the sound people so called laughter. The horse slowly moved to the left as she tried to ‘normally’ sit on it, the laugh soon falling to a soft giggle; Alisa looked to the man, still with tears coming from her eyes.
“I’m sorry, but if you had to act again to stay alive, I’m afraid that you wouldn’t manage to save yourself!” Alisa giggled again for a brief moment, “sorry, but that…” Another unwished laugh, “that last phrase, I may have read that in a book, even years ago!” The woman smiled as she cleaned some of the tears, “and I believe men like the one in that book just wouldn’t get close to this city.” Her smile widened quickly, “so, have you been reading books written for teeny girls or you are trying really hard to convince me that you are the gentle and polite Wyatt-no-last-name that got himself close to a dreaded and chaotic city together with a friend that recognizes himself as a predator?” The woman pulled the horse’s reins, making him turn back to right, to his original position. “Somewhere else I could have fell for it, but not here, not today, my friend. May you try again, or do you wish to tell me who you are, actually?” Alisa smiled to the red haired man, a soft giggle sounding from her mouth as she tried to hold the unusual one.

Alina laughed as she looked her sister, turning back to the black haired man with a grin on her face. “Your friend there made my sister laugh! That didn’t happen in the last...” The woman raised a brow, “months? As I was speaking, you see, I questioned you who you two were, not exactly what both of you were doing in this beautiful morning right here, before these pathetic gates. Your friend gave his false name after my sister gave her real name, but he must have his own reasons to do so, I guess. While we, predators in the way you so called, are only making a discussion in a silly attempt to find who’s far superior from who in a language we both well know.” Alina giggled, not losing the grin on her face. This being not a simple, friendly grin she would have used to trick a usual man. This one, whoever he was, really had something in common with her, despite the black eyes. “So shall we start it again, my predatorial friend, now knowing who we really are? I am Alina Mare.”

Alisa turned her head around to see the black haired man, a smile still one her face. “And I’m Alisa, Alina’s sister, as you may have guessed. So who you are, friend with black eyes that we found to be so equal to u-“

“To all those interested, there will be a Gala Ball in Blackpond Castle within two days. Everyone is welcome.”

The right hand from Alina soon arrived at her head as she closed her eyes. The voice that echoed in her mind surely wasn’t hers; wondering for a straight second from whom it belonged, the woman soon looked to her sister, only to watch Alisa’s eyes still laid on the man she was speaking with, but now with her right brow raised. Silence reigned in the wall’s front when the wind found safe to walk between this strange, unnerving gathering, playing quickly with Alisa’s long, black hair. She still looked to her predator friend, but his own look spoke to her that this message wasn’t sent by him. It was some kind of enlightenment, belonging to some telepath, like her sister. That was her best guess, at least.

For this silent moment, Alisa’s pain disappeared, returning a deep peace she only found after waking up close to her sister, but like night comes, the feeling didn’t endure forever. After the wind stopped its travel, the tearing feel soon returned to her arms and legs. She sighed quickly, wondering when that would end, if not never. “… Us.” Alisa turned around, looking to Alina’s black eyes. “You heard it too?”

Alina nodded, not having quite words to answer, at least for now. Her sister smiled, a leading tone gathered in her voice. Alisa always knew what to do, and Alina always followed her. “Well, it looks like we’re going to a gala ball soon then! Would be so inelegant to decline such an intriguing request, wouldn’t it be?” Not waiting for an answer, she turned around to watch their new friend with his dubious look. “So, my intriguing-and-mysterious-friend-that-doesn’t-want-to-tell-his-name, shall you and Wyatt-no-last-name join us? You two sure don’t want to send two poor ladies alone into such a mysterious and dangerous,” Alisa added some sickening, yet friendly and somehow convincing, tone to these two adjectives, “town, especially when they’re going to a gala ball. Just. Like. You. Right?” She smiled, waiting for an answer.

Luckas chuckled softly in sincere amusement; this was a rather pleasant change of company from the redhead he’d met earlier. Perhaps he shouldn’t try to make friends with any more redheads. There were already enough of those in his life currently. “Questions are as simple as the mind of the person answering them. A simple question, the way I see it, would have been ‘who are you?’, or more specifically, ‘what is your name?’, since that was what you really wanted to know; unlike ‘and you are...’, which isn’t exactly a question, it’s more of a demand of sorts, but regardless, a line of questioning that leaves plenty of room for me to interpret anyway I choose, and so what becomes relevant is not what you wanted to ask, as much as what I wanted answer” He chuckled. “But let’s not dwell on silly questions and its many possible silly answers... That could go on forever, and I’m sure we both know of far more interesting ways to pass time.” He snickered, absently glancing at Amber and giving a mild shrug. “I hope you’re not as clingy with your toys as I am with mine, I’m afraid my friend tends to break toys rather quickly and... He... Has taken a bit of an interest in yours.” He grinned, knowing that whatever Amber was doing it wouldn’t end well for the little man.

Amber watched with an intrigued expression as the woman on the horse openly showed her amusement, patiently waiting for her giggling to stop; an amused grin spreading across her features in response. “Some people act for a certain purpose, miss... I do it because it’s fun. After all, the world is a stage and we all play our parts as needed. If I had to do it to save my life, however, it would become a chore, and no longer fun. If Lady Death wishes to take me, then she will, I have no reason to disagree with her.” She stated, smiling gently still and continuing with a little shrug. “Names, faces... Do they really define us?” She asked, in completely honest and non-rhetorical manner. “If you don’t believe I look like a ‘Wyatt’, by all means... Name me anything you’d like, I’m an open minded individual.” A small snicker escaped her. “We are all either playing parts, or playing games, and I play whichever pleases me at the moment, and I feel like being nice and polite right now, but I’d be lying if I said it was solely for the sake of fooling anyone. In fact, I’d be fairly disappointed if you had believed that about me at all.” Absently she glanced towards the fallen man as if expecting something to happen. It didn’t, so she turned her attention back to Alisa. “And there’s nothing wrong with books for teeny girls, is there? I find them rather entertaining. As for being in this chaotic city... It is rather easy to find beauty in perfect things. Personally, I find it far more rewarding to find it within chaos and filth... I’ve become quite good at it over the years. Is like what they say ‘one man’s heaven is another man’s hell’. If that says something about my person, well... You tell me, Alisa, you seem like a very perceptive young lady.”

Luckas didn’t quite notice anything other than a sudden change in their new ‘friends’ as if the conversation had been interrupted by something or someone he couldn’t hear. His eyes quickly found Amber staring at him questioningly, as if asking if he had done something. He simply nodded, seeming a bit confused until the gala ball was mentioned. His eyes momentarily lit in a dark red as he remembered the invite he’d gotten earlier. He shook his head in amusement. “I would be crazy not to go to a party like this. Wouldn’t I?” He laughed. “Surely I’ll be there. Are the two of you staying in the city until then? Perhaps I should make sure you enjoy your stay.” He played. “And I’m Luckas, miss Alina. Just Luckas, no last name, although I can make one up if it pleases you. How about Scarypants? I always wanted to be called Mr. Scarypants.” He giggled.

Amber was still rather confused by the conversation, not understanding what party Luckas was referring to. Her attention was suddenly snatched by a loud choking sound. A wide grin spread across her boyish feature as she turned to look at the horrified man choking on the floor where he lay; blood pouring out of his ears, eyes and mouth. Her eyes widened in childish expectation watching as the man bled out within only a few moments of intense bleeding, one of his eyes falling out of its socket with a very audible wet ‘popping’ sound. “Wooow... His face nearly exploded!” She exclaimed excitedly. “Lukey, did you see!? That was AWESOME!!!”

Luckas sighed, shaking his head, and very unsuccessfully trying to conceal his amusement. “Zeke will kill you when we get back.” He stated.

Amber snickered, kneeling and poking the dead man’s dislodged eyes with a fascinated look in her blue eyes. “Niiice... A lot better than I expected.” She stated. “Eh, he’ll punish me, but he likes my little concoctions and he can’t deny it.” She said. “This one’s pretty good, see... Almost instant death and with some fairly amusing results. Fun and efficient!”

Luckas snickered. “Impressive, I won’t lie.” He admitted finally. “Stop playing with the corpse though, gee. You don’t want our new friends to think you’re some sort of psycho or anything, do you?”

“Suppose not.” She replied, amusement clear in her tone as she stood, wiping her hand on the side of her pants.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Raven't Nest]

“EVERYONE CLEAR THE AREA!” Aiden yelled, watching a few men scurry aside as he pushed a large Cherry tree to the snowy ground. Several axe strikes had weakened the massive tree, creaking and cracking in an exaggerated groan as it fell. The snow didn’t even have time to settle from the force before Aiden and a few others were sawing away at the branches, cutting down the wood into manageable logs that were separated into firewood versus raw material piles. Every day they worked to make the camp more accommodating to its inhabitants, creating more space for the large numbers that occupied the area. They had almost accomplished clearing a small area by the bridge to build another cabin, Aiden’s mind hardly on the task before him but more on his side project of building a kennel for Tala. “Hey, put those smaller branches aside for me...” He grunted towards the men.

Jake was trying his best to keep his breathing controlled, his steps light, to not brush up against any branches, to be silent walking in the woods was a tricky thing, and trying to avoid someone who can hear your heart if it beats too strong was even trickier. To be honest he wasn’t quite sure if Ali could hear him yet, if she could she was making sure not to show it. On the bright side; if she couldn’t he was doing a damn good job at following her.At this point, it was a little difficult to know whether he would be succesful in sneaking up on her or if she was trying to mess with him, but there was really only one way to find out so he kept following, as carefully as he could, through the trees.

What Jake wasn’t quite expecting though was the sound of a falling tree nearby, it caused him to startle and look over his shoulder. When he turned his attention back to where Ali was standing, she had vanished. “Damn it.” He muttered under his breath, his form appearing, seemingly out of nowhere, under a tall tree. It was pretty obvious he was heard and there was just no point in hiding now. No more than few seconds passed and he felt something fly past his head and lodge itself in the trunk of the tree behind him, that was when he turned his eyes upwards and spotted Ali perched amongst the branches of a tree, not too far from him. “You must really think highly of yourself to aim for my head on a training session...” He stated, a little annoyed as he turned to pull the arrow from its resting place in the wood of the tree. “The noise distracted me.” He added.

“You weren’t paying much attention to your surroundings then.” Ali chuckled letting herself drop down from the tree, bow in hand, and walking to him. “And if that shot was a little off course, worse case scenario, your ears would just match.” She teased, taking the arrow from his hand and putting it back in the quiver at her waist. “And don’t blame the noise, because I had already heard you.”
“No, you hadn’t.” He argued, as he started to walk through the path that led towards the noise.
“Yes, I had.” She laughed. “You’re just a terrible loser, Jake.” She played, following after him unable to stop laughing at the frown in his expression.
“We’re doing this again another time.”
“We can do this as many times as you want.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.” Ali agreed, with a chuckle as they stopped walking and she spotted the people working. “Nice... What’re you guys making with that? Can I help?“ She asked, wandering off ahead of Jake to check out the freshly cut piles of wood.
Jake chuckled, shaking his head in amusement and pacing slowly towards Aiden. “You know, it’s kind of difficult to train properly what with all the noise of people being useful.” He stated absently.

Aiden dropped his saw and reached down for his ax, spinning it between both hands before pausing to wipe a stream of sweat from along his brows. With a sigh he glanced around, eyes trailing slowly along the tree line, where he pointed to a few men towards a few pine trees that were so thin and weak that the wind could almost bend them to the ground. There, another group of men were beginning to stack and notch the larger logs of wood, forming a rectangular perimeter. Quirking a brow, Aiden smiled at a woman who passed his line of vision. “Mornin’ Miss...over there we got another sleeping quarters in the works..” Inattentively he motioned towards the pile of branches. “ Those piles are scrap materials, firewood, or for much needed furniture for the new building. Please, any more assistance is greatly appreciated.” Aiden’s smiled widened in almost a charming grin, bowing his head politely before snapping up at a familiar voice. “Son of a...” Aiden spun, his smile now mischievous as he raised his arm in one fluid motion, releasing the ax towards the man who approached. In a blur, the ax rotated through the air, blade over handle, skimming by the man’s head by a few inches and into the Yew tree behind him. “Jake....you best be showing your face if you have the fifteen silver you owe me from last time.” Aiden chuckled playfully, pausing feet apart, crossing his arms stiffly. “And heaven forbid I prove useful and interfere with your ‘difficult’ training.” He teased, extending his arm to shake Jake’s hand.

“Bloody hell.” Jake laughed. “Why is everyone trying to decapitate me today?” He asked, running a hand through his hair. “If you think I need a haircut, friend, you can just say so.” He stated, shaking Aiden’s hand as he glanced at Ali, watching her examine the cherry wood and mumble things under her breath. “You know, she’ll be bossing you around in no time if you let her help, just a fair warning. Although she’d probably know what she’s doing a lot better than you lot.” He chuckled. “I hear some people were almost murdered by their beds some time ago.” He played, shaking his head in amusement. “And fifteen? I thought I’d paid you... I’m pretty sure I paid.” He stated, faking an innocent expression. “Either way, I don’t have anything on me, and whatever I did was probably picked out of my pockets... Damn kid...” He added absently, looking around as if looking for someone before giving a light shrug. “Hey, you know... You should do some training with my assassin friends one of these days and see how easy you find it. Especially after you get knocked down by a little girl like Ali. And she mocks you for it... And she never stops mocking you.” He frowned, shooting Ali a glare as she walked over.
“What?” She asked, noticing the look on Jake’s face and taking it seriously. “What’s your problem? You’re not still pouting over the excercise, I said we can do it again.”
“I’m not...” Jake sighed. “Never mind that.”
Ali chuckled softly. “Poor loser. That’s what you are.” She teased, poking him on the ribs and turning to Aiden. “This is pretty good wood for arrows, I tend to make mine out of cherry wood, or birch, or cedar... Depends on what I can get my hands on...” She paused and chuckled. “I’m Allison, by the way. Don’t think I’ve introduced myself, have I?”

Aiden chuckled again, giving a firm, friendly pat on Jake’s shoulder. “You know me Jake, I’m never one to complain about being bossed around by a pretty lady...and they are usually much smarter than us, hmm don’t you agree?” Aiden slowly shook his head in amusement at Jake’s small tangent. “And hey...nothing of mine ever collapsed....except on purpose....” Aiden walked around Jake towards the tree behind him, placing one hand on the trunk the other gripping the handle of the ax and yanked it free. “Still getting your butt kicked by women, aye friend?” Aiden’s smile only grew, caramel eyes sparkling as he watched Tala pull a small bundle of twigs across the road behind Ali as she approached, turning his attention fully towards her. Even though the air was crisp in the chilled wind, Aiden still perspirated from his excursions, dousing himself in a stream of water from his flask before taking a deep drought. “No worries Miss Allison, again any assistance you could give would be wonderful. We are short on supplies and need to work on refilling our stocks.” Again he extended his hand but out to Allison this time. “......I’m Aiden. Good to see someone keeping our friend Jake here on his toes. “ Rolling his sleeves up around his biceps, Aiden sighed. “So, what kinda trouble you been in as of late, Jake?”

Jake shook his head, grinning slightly. “Oh, well... I’m not going to let just any pretty lady boss me around, they have to beat me into submission first... I’m just not easy like that.” He said, his gaze wandering around and finding the figure of a wolf amongst the workers, his amusement growing as he observed.
Ali smiled at Aiden and gave a slight nod as she shook his hand. “No Miss, please, just Ali is fine. I already told your captain that I would help, especially since I’m really not sure how long I’ll be sticking around here taking up space.” She chuckled. “I’m stuck here until further notice... Go figure.” Her eyes wandered around her surroundings and she heaved a soft sigh. “Not that it’s a bad place to be stuck in, it’s better than the desert... Damn sand... Gets everywhere...” She said, a slight grimace mixing with her amused expression as she talked. “Well, if I’m going to help I’m going to get my tools, and drop my quiver.” She smiled at Aiden again and added. “It’s nice meeting you Aiden. And don’t let Jakey scam you if he owes you, because he’ll just ‘forget to pay’.” She said ruffling Jake’s hair.
“Don’t call me that.” Jake muttered, turning a little annoyed all of a sudden.
“Sorry, I forgot...” She replied. “Don’t be mad...” She smirked. “Just because I won.” She added as she walked away in the direction of her little tent.

Jake heaved a little annoyed sigh, but his expression remained the same amused one as he watched Ali walk away. His eyes scanning his surroundings again as he answered Aiden’s question to him. “Trouble? I’m never in trouble, you know that. I was spending some time in Blackpond though, had a fun stay in their dungeons, a lot going on there, met some nice people and some very, very, psychotic people. Got into a knife fight with their King, interesting fellow.” He snickered. “It’s a very, very, very, long story though. What about you though? Seen any trouble lately?” He nodded towards the wolf and added. “New friend too?”

Aiden nodded towards Allison, “Well, glad to have you aboard for the time being Ali. I’ll start on another tree for you shortly. And Jake here knows I don’t forget a debt, of any kind.” Gradually he began to stretch his arms as Ali wandered off, snickering and nodding at the appropriate times to Jake’s summary of the past month. “I assume then, the kids that beat you here are some of the nicer ones you met during your lovely vacation in BlackPond’s finest, eh? Haven’t had much of a chance to meet them, but they seem like they have a head on their shoulders.” Aiden turned back toward the Yew and lightly swung against the trunk, leaving a small slice across the base. “I haven’t seen much action, honestly Jake. The Captain and some of the men and women went off to take care of that Beast menace, back off in the woods in some cave a little ways West I think.” Aiden shrugged, his smile fading as he swung a few more times, cutting up then down along the trunk. “We did however get a new recruit...and no not the wolf exactly..more like she follows the woman everywhere, I swear.” Aiden stood and glanced back at Jake, his eyes lighting up at the thought of her; it quite obvious the change in him as he spoke. “There’s something about this one, and so far she’s taken quite well to the Captain’s training. I think she’ll do fine...and hmm...lets just say I finally see why you like redheads: Pretty and packing quite a …’punch’” His head fell back, belting out a fit of laughter, shaking his head slowly. “One problem though...I get mixed signals man...and I think she’s into that black-eyed nuisance who occasionally shows up. One of these days...I’d like to wipe that smart ass grin right off his face...” Aiden trailed off, a curious scowl crossing his features as he looked back at the tree and swung harder this time, bits of bark flying in all directions.

Jake chuckled softly. “Yeah, the kids are alright. Irvin, the little blond one, is a little bit of a troublemaker, but nothing that can’t be managed.Except maybe that he wants to march into the Wolves camp and kill their Alpha, but I’m trying to talk him out of it.” He said giving a little shrug, absently crossing his arms over his chest as he let Aiden talk, noticing the look in the man’s eyes as he spoke of the new recruit; he knew that look quite well, and he couldn’t help a small snicker at the sight of it. At the end of Aiden’s speech Jake was absently trying to avoid bits of wood from hitting him in the face. “Well, man... Seems to me like you’ve gotten yourself into quite a bit of trouble, huh?” He flicked a bit of tree out of his hair and heaved a sigh. “What’s the lady’s name? Also, who’s this black-eyed nuisance you speak of? Because I know people.” He grinned.

Aiden seemed to not hear the first part of Jake’s question, zoning back in from the task at hand only to chuckle at his comment of ‘knowing people.’ “Well Captain says we are not to lay a hand on him unless he...proves to be a threat to her......which I already see but you know me...Captain’s words are law.” Aiden swung again, leaving the ax embedded into the trunk, shaking his head as he spoke. “His name is Luckas..” Glancing over at Jake, Aiden’s brows furrowed together deep in thought, tilting his head a bit at Jake’s sudden change of expression. “I really don’t get what Essence sees in him honestly...er...speaking..of which..” Aiden bobbed his head in the direction opposite himself, smiling so that his caramel gaze seemed to smolder as he stared. “There she is now....” Aiden patted his thigh, sending out a high pitched whistle, kneeling down towards the ground in greeting of the blue-eyed wolf taking her sweet time in meeting his hand. “This is Tala..by the way..”

In only a matter of minutes Jake experienced a series of different and equally unpleasant levels of shock. First his eyes narrowed and his fists clenched at his sides at mention of Luckas, knowing full well that while there might be other people fitting that description, another with the same name would be way too unlikely and the thought of that psychotic little freak was more than enough to make his blood boil in his veins. Always the same speech too; he’s not a threat yet. He was honestly getting tired of hearing that about Luckas and the thought crossed his mind to have a talk about it with Mageria. The thought of Luckas caused Jake to almost miss the name Aiden spoke next, but he caught it, and it made him flinch slightly, wondering if maybe, just maybe, he misheard it. When he turned to look though, Jake felt himself holding back shivers, his body tensing from head to toe as he lowered his head, as if he tried to make himself look smaller somehow. Missing Aiden’s next words entirely, Jake mumbled something about needing to go to Newhaven and started to walk away as fast as he could.

Aiden momentarily was struck dumb, jaw hanging open in confusion as he watched his friend’s face, the emotional collision of anger and disgust with something else Aiden wasn’t quite sure of. It wasn’t until Jake muttered something that Aiden blinked; the only word he caught was “Newhaven”, as Jake took off in another direction while Ess approached.

“Aiden, what’s on the agenda today, hmm?” Ess sang, wanting to keep herself busy. Staying Idle usually either meant too much thinking or hours on the punching bag for her.

Aiden closed his mouth, his fingers rubbing gently along Tala’s belly as if he didn’t notice Ess. “What in the hell...was that all about, I wonder......” Slowly his eyes trailed back up to Ess. “Hmmm?”

“Aiden?...”

[Outside Blackpond’s walls]

Alisa looked down to the deceased man, the one that her sister so called a toy; her horse, fearing the strange sounds, backed away from the body, a grin covering the rider’s face quickly. The woman barely saw what Wyatt had done, but the words he spoke before his so called concoction was triggered brought the black haired rider back from her own mind. “You really have to tell me how you did that someday, mister Wyatt, but you still broke my sister’s toy…”

“Ah, forget it, sister, I’m sure that I’ll get another one soon enough if our newest friend Mister Scarypants tours us around the city.” Alina smiled, the right hand still holding the hilt. “It sounds like we were lucky after all, sister! Getting ourselves two nice companions before even entering the city and being invited…” Alisa looked to her sister patiently as she spoke, sighing softly before interrupting her phrase, “perhaps, but there are many things we need to do, sister, we need to find a place to stay and buy some clothes for the ball, or were you thinking that you were getting in there with that?”

Alina, removing Luckas, Wyatt and her surroundings from her mind, put both of her hands on her hips, her face quickly creating an angry look as she bowed slightly, strengthening her own expression. “And how am I not supposed to do it?” For a second, the duo remained quiet, a person looking against an almost perfect reflection of herself, but slowly, as the wind licks the grass on an autumn day, both slowly started to develop the same appearance on their faces, laughing loudly as if they were still alone at the walls’ front.

Slowly, the laughter ended with Alisa cleaning yet another couple of tears that crawled over her face; once done, she turned her black eyes to Luckas, a grin still living under her shadowy eyes. “Well, mister Scarypants, you sure own a couple of surprises, as well as your friend does,” Alisa turned her head a bit, winking with her left eye to Wyatt, “I hope that they won’t end any soon… But we need to solve some problems before our joy begins…. You see, we can’t just leave our beloved little creatures,” she spoke as she petted the horse, bowing over the creature and speaking close to its fur, “in the cold of the night, after all, what kind of beings would we be if we left them here to die, all alone?” Her smirk widened for a second, her eyes showing dark shades of a predatory glance. Alina walked around as her sister spoke, a neutral smile floating on her face whilst her right hand held her hips. “Am I truly the one that shouldn’t be acting here? Maybe it would be better if we let them be, at least they probably won’t end up as meat over someone’s table.”

The rider looked to her sister for the following seconds; her brows frowned slightly in a carrying manner. Soon, a sigh echoed through her mouth before she spoke. “Well, I guess you have a point there, sister… Not that we paid something to get them, right?” Alisa slowly dismounted her horse, a saddened smirk glowing in her pale face; her feet met the ground, cold from the last days of Winter, shivering a small, yet sensitive, pain throughout her legs. The woman took a leather bag from the horse’s side, putting it over her shoulder as she held it by two small strings; Alisa took a couple steps until her sister, which still kept the grin under her dark eyes. “I’m sure that their old owner doesn’t miss them, not anymore” both sisters faced each other; both smiled, one wearing a black armor, the other a dark dress. Alina kept her walk after breaking eye-contact, giggling softly. “But sometimes you just take the things I say way too seriously, sister,” the horse kept feeding on the small grass as the woman got closer to him, “yet you always have your reasons to do so,” under her eyes, a smirk widened. The bag she took from the beast’s sides didn’t differ much from the one her sister held, except that it was visibly heavier than the other; holding it with the left hand, Alina unsheathed her sword with a fast movement, soon guiding the non-cutting side of the blade to the horse’s hips, making the creature burst into a subtle and unplanned trot.

“Well, I assume someone should do it eventually,” Alisa giggled as her sister walked to the other horse; the woman turned her face, a brow curved. “To have their reasons?,” Alisa giggled again, “no, to agree with something you say.” Spinning on her feet, the black haired woman hit the beast in a similar manner to the other one, laughing loudly as she heard what Alisa said; for a second, the laughter faded as Alina distracted herself with the distorted face from her last toy, her sister calmly walked to her side while thoughts scattered through her consciousness, all wondering how that man would have ended if it was her to bring a period to his former life. Sighing, Alina turned around, looking directly to Luckas’ eyes, her face exhibiting the usual, yet mysterious, smile. “So, Pants’ friend, should I invite you to join us or, perhaps, you reconsidered your offer?” Alina looked over her sister, calmly looking to the traveling black dress she wore, waiting for the man’s answer.

[Captain Thomas’ Office, Newhaven]

Vane widened the grin that covered his face; he heard a couple words about Thomas when he entered the city a month ago, but watching it live surely added more to those incredibly real rumors. “I sure know the way I need to take, Captain,” the man ran his own hand through his hair quickly, returning to speak as he opened his eyes, “so I’ll probably be back in an hour or so; until then,” Vane spun on his left foot, slowly stepping to the door since the Captain already gave his words. With a small movement, the portal opened to him as the tall man looked over his right shoulder, “farewell, sir.”

Veronica watched the movement with her light blue eyes, her mouth staying shut. Things didn’t move the way she wished, but at least they have agreed on a plan that had high odds of working; Thomas and Vane didn’t had the best beginning she ever saw, yet both accepted to cover their parts on the plot. I hate to say this, but maybe it’s my fault… Sighing, the scarlet haired woman looked to her Captain, a decided expression soon covering her face as she heard the still closing door. “With all respect, sir, but I too should be going, since I have to select who will be joining the raid and,” she waved the papers that were held by her hands, “these orders won’t be given by themselves.” Zein slightly bowed in a fluid motion; as she returned, a grin laid under her eyes. “I’ll see you soon, Captain,” with a nod, she followed Vane’s route, not waiting for her superior’s answer.

Vane soon arrived at the corridor, and for his surprise Gabrielle waited for him, laying her armored back on the stone wall. With his brows making an arc of surprise, the woman raised her head to face Vane, somehow managing to create a wide smile with her lips. “Surprised to see me?”

“Let’s just say I was expecting not to see you for a couple other hours,” he grinned, after all, that woman played with his mind through a nice couple minutes, so Vane considered himself apt to mock her for some time. Gabrielle held a smirk as she heard the man’s response, “sounds like someone didn’t had a quality time with our boss, am I right?”

Vane walked through the corridor, moving to a nearby window. “Well, I too wouldn’t immediately trust someone that just appeared in town after years gone.” The man turned around, but he left his gaze still focused on the landscape, “people may change while Time runs, Twins knowing which side they could take then.” Gabrielle walked, her boots sounding as she approached the transparent glasses. “I didn’t know that philosopher side you have, tall-guy.”

“And trust me, you don’t want to know more of it.” Veronica walked out of the Guard’s room, a serious smile still shining on her face. “That’s how he used to catch the ladies back in the day, strange thing that it never worked on me.” She nodded with her head, showing the way they should follow through the corridors; Gabrielle soon giggled as she started to follow the Knight, Vane too began to walk behind Zein, but not with such a happy expression. “I never really used it on you, plus this one was unintentional.” Veronica nodded, still looking at the corridor’s end, “surely it was.”

Vane sighed as he looked to the side, “so, mind to say what you said to Thomas about me?” Veronica looked over her right shoulder, not stopping neither having a change of speed, but her face had changed into a more serious expression; Vane knew that she was thinking about who she would choose to raid the place, wherever it was. “I just told him that you left town for your own reasons, is that so important to you?”

The man stopped walking, his brows forming an obvious look of disappointment as he spoke in a lower tone. “You know that if you told him that I killed two men with a bloody fork he could have trusted our plan a little bit more, right?” Gabrielle covered her mouth with one of her hands, muttering something as Veronica calmly stood over the corridor, slowly turning around to show yet another face, this one containing an incredibly unfriendly gaze, filled with something between sarcasm and hatred. Not looking at her for more than a couple seconds, Vane interrupted the eye-contact, still speaking with the low tone. “All right, all right. I’m sorry.”

The scarlet haired woman nodded briefly, soon beginning to speak with the same tone as the tall man in front of her used. “Better, now listen. Once you get into the Market, search for the Sailor’s Flask tavern. Ask the owner for a ‘scarlet beast’ and a private room,” Veronica looked to the ceiling, “get what you need and start your hunt. I want this quiet and easy, understood, Vane?”

“You know how I work, no one will even notice a thing. Any other orders?” Vane smiled, Zein could be very mad at him for the moment, yet she cared for him, in her own personal way, of course. The woman still had the look in her face, but a daring smile soon joined the whole. “What? Do you want me to take your hand? You know the way, just do what you need.” Veronica spun on her left foot, making a gesture with her left hand as she started walking; Gabriella quickly followed her, both leaving Vane on the corridor, a grin covering his face as he only stood there, watching the two woman distance themselves. Well, I should be somewhere else, shouldn’t I?” The man took his way, knowing where the stairs to the Castle’s doors were.

Gabrielle walked by Zein’s side, wondering if she should interrupt the woman’s thoughts. As if Veronica heard her, her voice and blue eyes met Gabrielle’s. “I need you to do two things to me, Gabrielle.” Not stopping, Veronica gave her the papers Thomas wrote. “First deliver these orders on my behalf, then bring me a copy of the one’s that will be working on the City and Castle Guards’ night shift. Today’s and tomorrow’s, if you may.” The duo kept walking, Veronica’s room soon appearing to their sights. Gabrielle gave a standard affirmation to Zein; not waiting long, the Knight asked if she had questions.

“Nothing, Lady Zein. I’ll be back soon.” Spinning on her foot, Gabrielle and Veronica departed, the first holding the papers tight as the latter closed her office’s door. Gabrielle sighed, why every single tavern need those ridiculous names?

[Forest]

The forest was silent as the woman walked, not even the birds seemed to bother with singing in her path. Everything was just absolutely silent... Too silent in fact. The forest was never, ever, completely silent unless something was off. It was in that moment that Crys felt a familiar presence, someone unexpected heading right towards her in a very non-friendly manner. A split second of time was all she had to avoid the woman jumping on her with a blade at hand, but it was more than enough time to avoid the attack, letting the attacker pass her by and, grabbing the wrist of her wielding hand, pushing her face first onto a tree. “Indrani!” She muttered. “What are you doing here?”
Indrani dropped the dagger at the mention of her name, letting her body relax as she recognized Crys’ voice. “I noticed someone sneaking around... Thought you were a wolf.”
Crys sighed, releasing the woman and picking up her weapon. “That’s not what I asked.” She said, offering the dagger back to Indrani with a frown. “Why are you in the forest? What do you think you’re doing?”
“Something tells me you already know that, don’t you?” Indrani muttered out, turning abruptly and snatching the dagger from Crys, sheathing it a little too violently. “You better not try and get in my way.”
“You’re watching the camp.... Watching him... I already said; I won’t let you do it.” Crys retorted pushing the woman back against the tree and quietly placing her free hand on the hilt of her sword in a threatening gesture. “Sean’s death will bring you nothing but more trouble. Go home to your brother before you do something you’ll regret.”
“Go to hell, Crys. This is none of your damn business. It’s between me and him.”
“In what perfect world is anything just between two people, Indrani? Sean is the Alpha of the Wolfpack, or at least they believe him to be... Kill him, and what do you suppose they’ll do? They go after the Crimson.”
“I’m not with the Crimson anymore. I resigned.”
“Do you think they care!? Best case scenario Dastan will have to hunt you down himself to prove he had nothing to do with this... What a pathetic and stupid way to honor your family!”
Indrani pushed against Crys violently at the words, but contained herself after a moment, not wanting this to escalate further than it already had. “One to talk... You.” She hissed. “Your mother is remembered as a liar and a traitor... Your father, responsible for the biggest massacre in the Pack’s history... Sean did this... And you protect him.”
“I’m not protecting him.” Crys stated simply. “The thing is, Commander, it’s easier to be here seeking revenge, instead of being where you are actually needed, facing the consequences of your actions. In the end you may be remembered as a traitor, but it beats living as one. I think it’s time for you to grow up and choose the path you want to travel, because that’s not a choice you get to make twice.” Pulling away from Indrani Crys heaved a sigh. “Three years ago you and Dastan were talking about rebuilding, saving what had been lost; a future for your clan that was different from your past. You helped Sean because you believed it was best for your people, it was a mistake but it was an honest one. This isn’t. Simple as that.”
“He sent people after Evin in the desert, you know. I saw them leave... He’s not going to just eventually leave you alone Crys.”
“Evin will be fine, he’s a grown man, even though it’s easy to forget that sometimes... And I am aware of the threat Sean poses. I don’t see how any of that is your business though.” With a dismissive shrug Crys backed further away from the woman slowly beginning to walk back down her path towards Newhaven. “Choose whatever path you will, but... I won’t let you kill Sean.” She called over her shoulder. “And you won’t like it if I feel forced to get in your way.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[White Shadows Camp]

“Annie, are you listening to me?” A woman’s voice sounded vaguely familiar in the back of Annie’s mind, as if trying hopelessly to break through a thick wall of confusing thoughts.
“I’m sorry, Dana. What was that?”
“Another one just arrived... Similar symptoms as Isaac and the other two.” Dana informed. “Should we consider this an..”
“Don’t say it.”
“...Epidemic?” The woman finished, her voice fading and disappearing as soon as the word was out.
Annie sighed softly, looking at the woman, who was only a year or so older than her, and not knowing what to tell her. “I’m not calling it anything, not yet, and you shouldn’t either. No matter what is causing this, spreading panic throughout the land won’t help those affected by it. Just remember to watch yourself, and others, for possible symptoms.”
“Of course.” The woman agreed. “Oh, Pondus is awake. I was told you wanted to speak to him as soon as he was conscious. And... Alistair wants to see you too.”
“How is he?” Annie asked, rubbing the spot right between her eyes; a severe frown crossing her expression.
“No fever or other signs of infection. His burns should heal fine, and he’s a bit... Impatient.”
“When isn’t he impatient?” She sighed. “I’ll go see him first, otherwise he’ll just decide to get out of bed and track me down.”
“Sounds like something he would do.” The woman smiled. “Just... Remember, he’s under a lot of medication.”
“Lovely, a doped empath.” Annie chuckled beginning to walk towards the tent Alistair had been resting in. “Make sure to rest every couple of hours, alright?” She told the woman as they parted ways, receiving a slightly weary and highly concerned look in return. It was clear she was still thinking about this supposed ‘epidemic’, and Annie knew it was only a matter of time until others were worried as well... Until the rumors spread... She had little time to find out what the truth of it was.

As Annie reached the tent where Alistair had been left to rest she caught him lying on a sleeping mat staring rather too cheerfully at the ceiling. Suppressing the urge to giggle she entered and sat beside him, waiting patiently for him to notice her.

“Heeey... How are you doing kid?” Alistair asked, not turning to face her. “Are you good? Did you sleep?”

“I’m good Al, you’re the one who got burnt.” Annie chuckled, brown eyes glancing over the bandaged burns on the right side of the man’s chest.

“Yes, but I’m loaded on pain medication... I feel awesome.” He laughed, turning to face Annie as his goofy smile shut down slowly. “The problem though, is that this is all I feel right now. I can’t... Sense anyone... I don’t feel anything aside from a bit of giddiness from the medication and mild concern over the fact that this is all I feel.”

Annie took a few moments to understand what exactly her friend was saying, and when she did all she could manage was to stare at him with absolute shock in her eyes.

Alistair sighed softly and smiled, seemingly amused by the expression on her face. “Your mother always used to say that if there is one thing nice she loved about the universe, is its sense of irony... You wouldn’t believe how much time I’ve spent wishing this would go away.”

“That’s impossible... You’re saying your...” Ali mumbled, still unable to fully process the information.

“My enlightenment is gone, yes.” Alistair stated. “I feel nothing. I don’t know how it’s possible, but it’s true.”

“This is... So much more serious than I originally suspected... I...” Annie sighed. “When this spreads, Al... Do you understand?”

Alistair pushed himself up to sit, not minding the bit of pain that broke through the numbness of the medication. “Lena knew, didn’t she? This is what she was trying to stop...”

Annie nodded to confirm the man’s statement.“I need to decode that journal she left me, but... I really don’t understand what kind of code it is... It’s like... There has to be something there... She didn’t find the answer, but I’m sure she was close to one.”

“What kind of code is it?” Alistair asked, running a hand through his hair and trying to focus. “Numbers, letters, symbols...?”

“Numbers... It’s not a difficult code exactly... it’s a series of three numbers to form each word; first number represents the page number, the second a particular line, and the third a particular word, of a book.”

“Sounds simple enough...”

“Alistair... Do you have any idea how many books we have in this place?” Annie muttered. “How the hell am I supposed to figure out which one?”

“Well, she left it to you... It’d have to be a book you know well, or that holds some special meaning, that should narrow it down, shouldn’t it?”

“Hmm...” Annie mumbled. “I suppose.”

Silence lingered for a few moments as Annie seemed to go into thinking about what her mother had left her in that coded journal, concern marking her features at the possibilities. After a few moments of watching his friend Alistair broke the silence, speaking softly. “So, how are you?” He asked, a bit of concern in his eyes. “I’m afraid you’re really going to have to tell me this time.”

“I’m tired... And a bit scared, to be honest. I haven’t been leader for that long Al... This is what I have to deal with... And I don’t know...”

“Everyone starts not knowing, Annie. Knowing takes time.” Alistair said, trying to reassure her with a smile.

“We don’t have time, that’s the problem.” Annie mumbled, rubbing her temples as she felt a sudden stab of pain. “I’m feeling it too.” She told him.

“What about your gift, still working as usual?” Alistar asked the look of concern not leaving his eyes. “We need to warn someone in the cities about this.”

“As far as I know, my gift is as it always has been.” She sighed. “We can go to Newhaven with this and I’m sure they will at least hear us, but Blackpond? I don’t trust them with this information... Not their King... What they could do with this information, I mean... One word of this out in the open, and it’s certain chaos. Valcrest would not stand.”

“Never thought I’d miss Rory... Or that bastard Hastings... At least back then we knew what we were dealing with.” Alistair muttered, shaking his head. “I can go to Newhaven if you want, I’m fine to travel, even with the burns, I don’t mind.”

“No, Al. I have other plans. There is a ball, it will be held in Blackpond in two days’ time... To celebrate my mother’s death. I was invited, and I am going. I would like it if you could come with me.”

“A party to celebrate your mother’s death, and you are going?” Alistair asked, unable to mask the annoyance in his tone. “Why would you do such a thing?”

“I haven’t been in the Castle since I was very young, I’d like to see it, for starters.” Annie smiled innocently at him. “Besides, despite the fact that this offends me in a number of different ways, I feel mother would be amused by the idea... And I am curious as to who else will be there as well. It’s not a big deal that they do this, you know. It doesn’t matter.”

“It’s disrespectful. Disrespectful and wrong!” Alistair exclaimed. “They have no right! Does Jake know about this?”

“I don’t know, Jake is with the Blacks again.” Annie replied, reaching for the man’s shoulder to calm him. “If he knows he’ll be there, one more reason why I should go... Less likely he’ll be stupid about this if I am there.”

“That is true.” Alistair said, calming himself. “If you want me to, then I will go with you. Someone should watch your back anyway and Isaac...”

“Isaac is not someone I would risk bringing to something like this.” Annie chuckled. “Don’t worry though, Al... We’ll find a way to help him. You’ll see.” She smiled, gently pushing him back on the mat. “Until then, mister... You rest. You’ll need your strength if you want to dance at the party.”

Alistair chuckled softly. “Of course. Have you eaten yet today, kid? You look like you’re getting smaller.”

Annie sighed and gave a little shrug. “I feel smaller too, in a way. Don’t worry though, I won’t forget to take care of myself, If anything I’ve learned that much.”

Alistair nodded and laid back down with a muffled groan. “Good.”

Annie smiled, seeing how tired her friend still was despite his efforts to convince her he was fine. It was concerning to see Alistair this way, and it was troubling to hear that his magic seemed to have gone. Whatever that meant it couldn’t be good news. “Good.” She agreed. “I will leave you to your rest now, but I will be back later.” She told him, getting on her feet and bowing slightly in a parting gesture. “May the Goddess bless you always, brother.”

“And you, sister.” The man replied in a whisper.

Leaving Alistair to rest Annie left the tent and and crossed the encampment in a quick steady pace to her own tent, by the time she reached it the pain on her temples had reached a worrying level, it ached so badly she felt to her knees unable to stand, and then... as quickly as it came, it faded. The girl took a long shaky breath, sitting down and hiding her face in her hands for a long moment before raising her head and starting to get back on her feet. As she did, her eyes caught the book Sean had left her and she picked it up, browsing through it for a moment. “...Greater minds...” She mumbled, sighing and heading out of the tent with the book in her hands. “Twins help us...”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[The Manor]

“Ezekiel Raphael Boren...” Sam whispered the name as she held both her sword and his, both blades pressed to the man’s throat, her green eyes narrowing dangerously, although with a spark of amusement underneath. “...Shame on you for letting me win.” She scolded, dropping the man’s blade to the floor and lowering hers. “Now, pick that up.” She commanded with a grin.

Ezekiel stood, eyes glancing to the sword at his feet and to the woman before him as if in doubt.

“Afraid to take your eyes off of me old man?” Sam teased playfully poking him in the arm with the sharp end of her blade. The woman already bore a few bruises on her face and neck from the first round of their little spar, but she didn’t seem to care about the marks. “You have a lovely name Zeke, have I ever mentioned? Your mother must have had high hopes for you... Ezekiel... Raphael... The first name means ‘strength of god” and the second means ‘god has healed’, Ezekiel was the name of War’s second child and Raphael is said to be the name of Peace’s youngest son... Who is said to have fathered the first king of Blackhurst... It is a noble name. You have been touched by the Gods at birth... Twice, my friend... By War and Peace respectively. So fitting to your personality also; a man who shatters things and then picks all the pieces and puts them back together...So brutal, yet so gentle, you are...”

“You read too much Milady.” Ezekiel snorted. “Into books and people alike.”

“Perhaps that is true.” Sam laughed softly. “Come on now, take your weapon, I won’t cheat.” She stated a sweet, innocent, smile spreading across her lips as she crossed her arms behind her back. “And no holding back this time, it’s not fair.”

Zeke snickered, an incredulous look in his eyes as he stared at his Mistress. “You will if I taught you well enough.” He retorted, slipping the tip of his boot under the hilt of the fallen sword and kicking it up to catch it in mid air, quickly moving through the short distance between him and Sam with a forceful strike that the woman successfully dodged, however only slightly, countering almost immediately. “If I didn’t know better, hun, I’d think you’re trying to kill me.” She snickered.
“Oh?” Zeke laughed. “And what was the first thing I’ve taught you, girl?”

[Flashback - Newhaven, approximately 15 years in the past]

“No, daddy please... I’m sorry... I swear... Please don’t hurt me....”

“Liar! You’re a liar! Lying... bitch! I’ll show you not to defy me again!” The man spat, his hand wrapped tightly around a heavy leather belt as he repeatedly struck his daughter in the back and legs; the girl cowering in the corner, arms shielding her face and neck from the man’s fury, her pleading fading into soft whimpers and silent sobs. Her mind fading into a void, a hollow part of her self where there was no such thing as pain or fear... A dark, empty, bottomless pit within her soul; and there she stayed until she heard the heavy sound of the door closing. The numbness fading and bringing back the pain, the fear, the hate, and everything else, back to surface all at once. Sam couldn’t understand why he hated her, why he wanted to hurt her... What had she done wrong? “You... Are... Supposed... To protect me.” The girl muttered, still curled up in her corner on the floor, afraid to move and feel all the pain she had managed to ignore thus far.

“I’m supposed to guard you, actually...” The man replied from the opposite corner of the room. “And either way. I am still bound to you father, Little Miss.” He spoke softly, pushing away from the wall he had been leaning against and starting to pace towards the curled up teenager. “Come on, now... you can’t stay there forever.” He stated, picking the girl by the waist and dropping her on top of her bed before she managed to utter a word of protest. “Lie down on your stomach, let me see those marks.” He commanded.

“Why... Does he hate me?” She whispered, the sound muffled as she buried her face on the pillow.

“Your brother should have been the gift bearer, Little Miss... Not a girl... Your father, he fears what you’ll become.” The man answered, his voice nearly void of any sentiment as he spoke. “There are myths you see... They speak that fathers will bear the gift of granting enlightenment, one at every generation, until there comes a daughter... And shall be the vessel through the Goddess will return and lead the Brotherhood to its final battle to purge the Land. The final battle, Milady. Our victory, but also our end... That is what your father fears, because his heart is weak and cowardly.”

“I didn’t ask for this.”

“This is what you are, however, you can lay here and cry... You can cower in the corner in the hopes your father will eventually stop seeing you as a threat... Or you can become that threat. Do you understand me, girl? If you enter a man’s heart, take the shadows that lurk inside and make them your own, you will own that man... And with that power you can either make him stronger, or destroy him completely.” He retorted, examining the bloody gashes the heavy buckle of the belt had made and beginning to clean them with a cloth dosed in whatever alcoholic substance he carried in his flask. “Aim to hold your father’s heart in your hands, don’t think about what you’ll do with it for now... It doesn’t matter whether you crush it or release it... Once you hold it, he will never be able to hurt you again.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Sam asked, trying, but failing to turn and face them man as he was holding her down. “Don’t you serve my father?”

“I serve the Brotherhood. I am... Bound... To your father. There is a difference, Milady. One you will learn soon enough. The books are all in the library, the myths... The prophecies... Learn them, and you’ll control the shadows.”

Sam’s eyes widened slightly as she stood blocking another one of the man’s attacks letting him push against her blade and then lowering her sword abruptly; Zeke’s blade lunging towards her face and opening a superficial cut on her left cheek before the man could stop himself. Dropping her sword to the ground Sam snorted and recited. “Trust no one in this life girl... Not even me... Especially not me...”

Zeke sheathed his blade, a look of concern crossing his expression. “What is it? Are you in pain?”

“You slashed my face, what do you think?” Sam asked, raising an eyebrow at the man.

Ezekiel shook his head. “You dropped your weapon. What happened?” He insisted, instinctively reaching towards the wound and wincing as she grabbed his wrist.

“I just had a sudden headache, but it’s gone now.” Sam answered, smiling at the man. “See what I mean? You are a brutally kind man, Ezekiel.” She said, gently moving her hold from the man’s wrist to his hand, giving it a soft and affectionate squeeze before releasing. “Don’t worry about me, love... It takes more than just a little illness to knock me down. I will live to see the fireworks.”

“Still...” Ezekiel protested, seeming a bit the distracted by the woman’s sudden gesture of affection. “...Have you been taking your elixir?”

“Every morning Zeke, still... I won’t be immune to symptoms for long. I’ll just have to hide well enough.” She stated, her eyes curious a t the man’s expression. “Our victory means our end, we both knew that the time would come.” She reminded him, with a smile. “We are done for the day, I’d say... I should go to the medics to get rid of this dent you made on my face... Twins forbid I should let it scar.”

..................................................

[Blackpond]

Luckas kept quiet watching as two sisters interacted with each other as if they were alone, his eyes wandering towards Amber’s ‘borrowed’ face to catch her absolute amusement knowing very well that it meant they would stick with their new found friends for yet a little while longer. “See now what you did?” He scolded the ‘boy’. “Now we owe them a new toy.”

Amber snickered softly. “What? It was lying on the floor... No one was playing with it!” She protested. “Besides... I just got us a day in the town with two pretty girls... You should be thanking me for that... We know you’re not charming enough to pull that off by yourself.” She teased, nudging Luckas and winking.
“Huh... Is that so? I think you’d be surprised... Brother, by what I can pull off by myself.” Luke retorted raising an eyebrow defiantly. “Nonetheless, you owe the pretty girls a plaything... Be a gentleman, for once.”
“Oh, I am a man of word... I will replace the toy for a better one if I can find it... Besides, I will throw you a gift...” Amber replied turning towards the sisters. “Would you favor explosive or toxic things? I will not share my recipes, but I can make you something of your preferences.”

Luckas sighed. “Well, yes... I know you are enjoying your flirting now... Wyatt... But I was actually heading into the city. So if you and the girls don’t mind... I’d like to move on.” He said, an amused look in his eyes as he took a playful bow to the ladies before beginning to move towards the entrance of the city. “I will enjoy the company for as long as it remains interesting... We shall see how long that will be.”

==============================================

[Newhaven]

Allison lost track of Essence at some point in the city. Newhaven had changed from the last time she had gone there, not enough that she would get lost, but apparently enough that she could lose someone else on the streets.Taking a deep breath she let her eyes run through the faces of the people around her, searching for the woman however unsure if her appearance had changed. In the end she was able to track Essence down by the sound of her steps and a glimpse of her clothing as she entered an alleyway. Starting to follow she stopped when she heard voices, walking around one of the buildings she managed to climb her way to the roof, crouching where she could keep an eye of what was happening and drawing her bow. She nocked an arrow and drew the string, keeping the readied shot pointed at the man who was threatening a panicked girl. Ali kept her shot aimed at the man and watched with utter amusement while Ess handled the situation, and she handled it rather nicely too. Ali was about to ease the tension on the bow string when the man made a move to attack behind Ess’ back. As he did so Ali let out a loud whistle that echoed through the alley and drew attention even of a few passing dogs, and the moment the man turned instinctively towards the source of the noise, two things happened at the same time; Ali sent the arrow flying straight into the man’s left eye, at the exact same time as Ess turned and stabbed her dagger through the back of his neck. Ali put her bow away, hanging from the roof’s edge and dropping gracefully to the grime-covered floor, snorting a laugh. “...And they say you never see an assassin’s strike coming... He saw it alright.” She snickered softly. “Guess you weren’t kidding around when you said you’d get into trouble, huh?” She smiled looking up from the dead man.