Kale got a cold feeling in the back of his head. He had known they would have struggles... but he thought he would only be dealing with them from one end.

He already knew who it was. Ren, Prince of the Night Kingdom. He had been in love with Anne ever since they were very young. Of course, she'd never had feelings for him. But in these times love didn't matter, and usually it was the princess who didn't get a choice in the matter. And that made Kale upset. That Anne didn't even have a choice... and more importantly that they couldn't be together.

"Anne I have something to tell you to." He said, feeling tears well up in his eyes. "My father died yesterday, and my brother is taking a permanent leave. He gave up his place as Crown Prince. I have to choose a wife in the next week, so I can be king." He gulped. "I'm sorry."

Kale didn't know how the world could be this cruel to them. He knew he had to make this work for them. Again the idea of running away flashed through his mind. Maybe he could just hint at the idea, and see if Anne liked it...

"I wish we could run away from all of this. Leave it behind..." He shook his head. "I don't want to lose you." He whispered. He decided he couldn't hint anymore, he just had to ask her. "Anne, if I asked you to run away with me, what would you say?" He asked, looking down at the ground, not able to look her in the eyes. Kale forced himself to bring his gaze up, and look her in the eyes. He hoped she would say yes. He knew they wouldn't be able to run forever. But maybe they could board a ship, and find some life out elsewhere. Even if they only had a few years, it would be worth it.

Anne could not believe what Kale had just told her. He also had to marry someone he doesn't even love. This made her feel upset, for the both of them. Having their futures arranged was not part of it. This is all wrong. When she heard Kale's idea of running away, she suddenly looked up to him. "I don't want to lose you." Kale added in a whisper.

Scooting closer to him, she touched his face. " Kale, I would want to run away with you " Anne said with a slight smile on her face. She wished that there could be a better way for them to be together, but she doesn't see any way possible. She thought of the things that can happen when they run away and live in a place where no one knows them. Start things over.

" I have to tell this to my maid. She can be trusted. Although she won't take this lightly. " Anne told Kale. She could not bear to suddenly leave without Erica knowing where she was.

" But I will honestly go with you. When do you plan to? " Anne asked Kale.

Kale felt Anne's hand on his face, and a warmth spread throughout his limbs. "Kale, I would want to run away with you." She told him. He had never felt so happy, sitting there by the lake. Surrounded by the sounds of nature... And knowing that Anne loved him enough that she wouldn't give up her kingdom for him. It was the best feeling he's ever felt.

As her words really hit him, Kale's heart skipped a beat. She had agreed! She had said yes! They were going to run away together! A smile found it's way onto his face just as a flash of guilt coursed through him as he realized that he was abandoning his kingdom. And his people. But Kale just couldn't leave Anne... And if the only way that they could live happily together was running across the countryside... He was just okay with that. Daniel would just have to come back to the throne, and take over. Because Kale honestly didn't care about the kingdom anymore.

"Alright." He said, a little wary about the idea of telling anybody. "I plan to leave as soon as possible, before anything else can happen to make us stay." He said, his eyes tracing over hers. Kale knew that if they were going to start a new life, he would need to go back and bring some money, as well as other traveling supplies. He knew it wouldn't be long before they were found out, and people came looking for them. Mainly for Anne. Kale knew that he would probably be captured and executed if they caught them. He'd be accused of 'kidnapping' Anne, most likely. What would he be able to tell them? That he loved her? Princess of the Waterr Kingdom? She who he was forbidden to even speak to...

"Tonight." He said firmly, answering her question. "We can meet by that old twisted oak tree next to the King's Road. I'll wait there for you." He promised. "Come whenever you're able to." He told her, pressing a kiss to her hand. "I'll be there."

Anne nodded. She will meet him there, tonight. She felt excited in a way that she will finally be able to be with Kale. But guilty because she will leave her kingdom for who knows how long. What would happen if they run away? ' The wars will prevail ' Anne suddenly thought. Now she also has to think of a way to stop the wars. Many innocent people will die because of their absence. She just had to stop the wars. But what about Kale?

" You know the consequences of this? I'm alright about it, but how about you? " Anne asked him.

Then she heard the trumpet and bells of the Night Kingdom, signaling that their King has arrived. She immediately stood up, gave Kale a kiss on the cheek and said, " I have to go now. i'll meet you there tonight "

Who knows what's waiting for her back at the Night Kingdom?

"You know the consequences of this? I'm alright about it, but how about you?" Anne asked him.

Kale thought for a moment, then nodded. "I do know the consequences. And I also know that if I went through with being married then I could end the war between our families. But by then it would be too late... for us, I mean." He swallowed hard. He knew that thousands of lives depended on him. But really... it was Daniel's responsibility, right? He was the one who had flaked out. So it wasn't Kale's fault. Suddenly trumpets blasted, and announced the arrival of someone very important, Kale was sure. " I have to go now. I'll meet you there tonight." Anne told him, after kissing his cheek. Kale's face lit up in a blush. He wondered why... it wasn't as if she hadn't kissed him before. He smiled.

"I'll wait for you. And, um, don't worry about supplies, I'll take care of that!" He promised, watching her go. Kale sighed. He still couldn't believe he was really going to run away with her. He would need to get ready immediately. There was simply no time to lose. He would need to get a horse, or maybe two. No... Anne was sure to bring a horse. And if she didn't, they could ride together, and that surely couldn't be too bad. He 'd also need travel rations, money, a bed roll for each of them (In case they weren't able to get to a town and had to sleep in the forest), as well as fire starting items, flint and steel, matches, tinder... He was going to be busy. And to think he was supposed to be looking for a wife on this day.

Kale chuckled, and started heading back to home. He wondered if anyone had noticed his absence. He hoped not. It would be better if no one knew he had ever left his room. It was better that no one knew anything actually. He sighed, soon arriving at the castle. He had a long day ahead of him.

As Anne returned to her room in the Night Kingdom, she was immediately summoned by the king. She changed into a presentable gold gown as she met up with the family. " Goodmorning, Princess Anne " the king said. " Goodmorning " Anne replied, pretending to having just woken up from sleep. Ren sat down beside her casually and kissed her hand. Anne just smiled at him.

" As you know, when the two of you get married, our kingdoms will join and start a war with the Sky Kingdom. We will help your kingdom bring them down. I know about the feud that started ages ago " the king told them and Ren nodded earnestly.

As if you even know how it started, Anne thought.

There were lots of preparation about their wedding, and Anne that she had to talk to Ren about it. She didn't like to break his heart or see him sad, but if he really did love her, he would let her go. And Erica, how would she tell her?

Through a letter, of course, I would just give it to her personally, Anne thought with a slight smile.

After some moments, Anne and Ren were alone in the balcony. " Ren, I have something to tell you " Anne started in a soft tone. " What is it? " Ren turned to look at her. " I..I don't want to get married. I have this person that I love and- " before Anne could even finish her statement, Ren banged his hand on the wall that made a loud noise. " I'm really sorry " Anne told him with a sad expression.

" Who is he? Who is he! " Ren shouted at her that made her step back. Ren's expression softened and embraced her. " I'm sorry. I'm sorry I shouted at you. It's all my fault. It will be hard for me to let you go. But because I love you, I'll let you go. " Ren kissed her on the cheek, then turned around. But despite that, Anne can tell that he was crying. " Thank you " Anne whispered, then left.

As Kale arrived back at the castle, he found himself constantly flocked by heavily perfumed, mean tempered, hostile women. It was all he could do to get back to his room, let alone escape the hundreds of women trying to seek him out. Kale was all too ready to get away from all this.

Kale went through the mental list of supplies he would need to gather. Sneaking them together without anyone noticing, and without being trapped by ladies in waiting, would be a challenge. But he was ready. Or... so he thought. Kale wondered if he should tell anyone where he was going. It seemed the right thing to do, but he wasn't sure if it was wroth the risk. And he wasn't sure who he could trust not to give him away. Daniel? No... he was too busy running away from his own problems. He would make sure that Kale didn't get to leave.

Kale got to work, all he really needed was funds. After that, he could leave the castle and gather the rest of his supplies in town.

As he began searching his room for valuable items, he heard an intruding knock at his door.

Thought he was sure it was just another of the ladies in waiting. But as the prince, he couldn't ignore the knock. Kale sighed, and reluctantly opened the door. He was relieved to see a familiar face. His mother. Though he couldn't help but think it was good, she almost never spoke to him unless he was in trouble. So this couldn't be good...

"Hello mother." He said informally at the doorway. She scowled. Kale's heart sunk. She'd always seemed so disappointed in him...

"Kale, why are you in here when you should be out there searching for a wife?" She asked.

"I have no interest in the women out there." Kale said smoothly. "Besides mother, I've already decided on who I want to marry. And I plan to ask her to marry me within the next week."

"Really?" Her eyes lit up. "And who is this lady?"

"Oh, but mother... it's a surprise! I met her not too long ago. She's the only one for me, I hope you understand."

"Oh of course." Kale got the first true smile from his mother in years. "I simply can't wait to meet her. Carry on, I'll tell the others that you've chosen a bride." She said cheerfully.

Kale let out a breath of relief as she left. He had told her the complete truth... But he doubted that if she knew who he had chosen, that she would be happy at all.

Anne went inside her room and quickly wrote a letter for Erica. Then she asked a maid to deliver it for her. Since most of her things were already in the Night Kingdom, she had no problem with packing. Finally after a moments, she finished and breathed a sigh of relief. ' I should also bring the weapons that I know how to use. There's no doubt that we'll have pursuers after us ' Anne thought. She had to go to their weaponry and "borrow" some weapons. Sneaking outside her bedroom and into the weaponry, she looked out if someone was inside the room. No one, except for an old man who was sleeping.

She grabbed some knives, a bow and some quiver of arrows and a spear. Those were the only weapons that she knew how to use. Going back inside her room, she stuffed the knives inside her bag, but there was no way that the spear and the bow and arrows would fit. ' I'll have to carry them then ' she thought.

Soon, it was already nighttime. She also received the letter of Erica to her, telling her to be safe and that she won't tell anyone. She packed her things in a hurry and thanked Ren once more, then went back to her room.

After spending a little more time, she quickly changed her clothes into a hunting attire, which made her also unrecognizable in the mirror. She let her hair fall down though, so that it would be easier to hide her face. She went to the stables and picked a white horse with gold ribbon on it, it was the horse that Ren gave to her.

With a last look on the Night Kingdom, she made her way to their meeting place.

Kale cursed his clumsy feet as he tried to sneak quietly along the hallway. It wasn't as if he wasn't just sneaking through his own castle. But questions would be asked if he was caught taking things from the royal treasury. Even if they were his things.

After a few painful minutes he managed to get into, and out of the treasury with a bag of gold coins, one of mixed copper and silver, and a large emerald just in case they got desperate. HE thought to himself that this was enough to keep them going for years. Unless they boarded a ship. That would drain the funds fast.. but that was unlikely.

Kale made his way through the castle. To the castle occupants, and the few ladies in waiting who hadn't left after discovering he had chosen someone, he looked like any other hooded figure. And he was of no notice. Just a shadow. A whisper. A no one. Just how he wanted it to be. It was best that no one took his passing into consideration. He honestly hoped no one noticed his absence for a day or two. He figured that would give him enough time to flee with Anne.

Upon arriving the stable, Kale smelled horse sweat, hay, and manure. All things he had grown up with, while he was supposed to be spending his time studying, among seas of parchment and ink. He chuckled. That had never been the life for him. He had spent his days in loneliness, outside. He couldn't stand staying inside all day long.

Kale sighed, realizing the free life of running from chores and duties was over. Now he was running simply for the freedom of love. He saddled tow horses, and strapped the gold down tight so it wouldn't jangle too much. Kale mounted his grey steed, and lead the other horse behind him. Ready to face a new world, Kale set out for he and Anne's designated meeting place.

As she arrived at their meeting place, it was dark. The moon was there, but it offered little lighting for the place. Tying her horse to a nearby tree, she placed her heavy bag down filled with her clothes, weapons and some fortune she has. It was slightly heavy, and she laid her spear and bow and arrows near the tree. She always had bad eyesight especially when it was night. And she really hated that thing about her.

Walking slowly and clumsily, sometimes suddenly walking into a tree, she said, " Kale? Are you here already? " She hoped that he already arrived since she didn't want to be alone. She was nervous yet excited. What happens to them, they will just have to face in the future. But right now, she needed to be with Kale and run away together.

*sorry! double post!*

He heard her voice. "Anne?" Kale called back. He stepped out of the shadows concealing him, and saw her. "Anne!" He ran to her, smiling. He was so happy just to see her again. It meant so much. "Are you ready?" He asked. "We can head in any direction you want." Kale took her hands in his. "Anne... We're free now. We can live whatever life you want."

Kale couldn't stop smiling. He heard crickets chirping in the woods. And the sound of an owl swooping through the boughs of enormous trees. The cool night air made him feel so free. So... alive. Just staring into Anne's eyes made his heart race a million miles an hour. They were finally going to go away together.

Though Kale had met her less than a week ago, he felt as though he had known her his whole life. It meant everything just to be with her.

Kale felt a pang of guilt in his heart. Again his subconscious reminded him that he was abandoning his kingdom at the worst time. His people needed him more than they ever had before. Again he told himself that it wasn't his duty. It was Daniel's. And it wasn't Kale's fault if things turned badly. A nagging doubt pulled at the back of his mind. He told the voice to silence itself, and waited for Anne to speak.

" I'll go anywhere as long as I'm with you. I don't mind. " Anne told him with a smile. she her grip on his hand tightened. She didn't care if they will have pursuers anymore. As long as she was with Kale, she knew that everything will be alright.

" Besides... I brought some weapons that I know how to use...so..I think we'll be safe " Anne said as she smiled giddily. Maybe a war will break out until they return. But it's no use thinking like that anymore. They will have to run away soon.

" Where do you want to go? We better leave soon, or else somebody will figure out that we escaped. " Anne told him, which was a possibility.

Kale smiled. He just knew Anne wasn't the damsel in distress everyone portrayed her as. "Well... I've always wanted to see the coast." He shrugged. "Let's start with East. We can head for Red Port, and decide from there where we want to go." He suggested. "For now, we just need to get out of here before anyone find out we're gone." Kale nodded firmly.

Not wanting their contact to end, he slowly withdrew his hand from her own. Kale gently caressed her cheek, and brushed some hair out of her face. He smiled, turning to offer her a hand onto her horse.

After making sure that Anne was safely on her steed, Kale put a foot into the stirrup of his saddle, pushed up, and swung his other leg over. He adjusted a bit to find his proper seat, accidentally squeezing the horse's side with his heels. The responsive horse began off in a bouncy trot, jolting Kale in his seat. Surprised, and unbalanced, Kale tumbled from the saddle.

He blinked a few times on the ground, wondering what had just happened. Kale jumped up, and brushed himself off. His rips ached from falling on a rather... large, stick. But his face didn't show it. He quickly climbed back in the saddle, and tried to pretend he hadn't just fallen off his horse. Right in front of Anne. A deep blush lit his cheeks up.

When Anne saw that Kale fell down his horse with a jolt, she wanted to get down and help him, but before she could, Kale stood up and rode his horse again with a deep blush on his cheeks. " Kale! Are you alright? " Anne called out to him softly, just to make sure that he was alright. She was nervous that he might be hurt and she really didn't want that. But after a while, Anne chuckled lightly.

" You look cute when you blush though " Anne told him as she followed him through the woods.

"I'm fine!" Kale said, not telling the complete truth. He had scraped himself on the fall. But it was nothing for Anne to worry about. He would be fine within just a few days. No problem.

He heard Anne comment about his blush. Which only made the bright color -which had nearly faded by this time- grow all the more brighter. "Um, you think so?" He asked, his cheeks colored like a rose. He tried lamely to hide it. Before he'd met Anne, Kale had never blushed in his life. Now he seemed to do so frequently. He shook his head, admiring all the change Anne had brought to his life recently.

Kale listened to the alternating hoof beats of his horse, and Anne's. It was a relaxing sound. He sighed, loving the peace he found in the woods. He looked up through the tree leaves, loving the way the sun's warmth flickered on and off of his face. His gaze wandered over to Anne's face. She looked at peace with the world. He smiled, and wondered if he was doing the right thing. He was putting them both in danger. But what else could they do? Otherwise they would never be able to see each other. It was already forbidden. If they went back they would both be married off to people they didn't love. And he couldn't let that happen.

Suddenly a screech rang out through the woods. Birds flushed out of the trees all around them. Kale could almost feel the air thicken with danger.

"C'mon, we should get out of here. Quickly." Kale said, kicking his horse into a faster gate. He waved Anne up next to him. Kale wasn't quite sure what told him that he hadn't just heard an eagle or something. He got a gut feeling that this was much different. An eerie feeling seemed to resonate from the woods themselves. His eyes darted around. The sound on many legs scampering through the trees floated to him. He saw the shadow if something long and thin dash through tree branches. Leaves fluttered to the ground, having been knocked from the boughs.

Kale drew his sword. A distinctive ring rang out. His horse snorted, and pawed the ground, showing signs of distress.

As Kale drew his sword, Anne readied herself with her bow and arrow, and she was poised to attack. Then she saw a shadow from behind some bushes and trees, and it was not a comforting feeling. She kept her horse from making a sound as she kept her guard up. " Kale, who do you it is? From your kingdom or mine? " Anne asked him in a hushed voice. She kept on looking around her, checking if there were more. But she saw nothing. It was just coming from one direction. They may stand a chance in case they were attacked.

Anne had to admit, her heart was beating fast because of the nervousness she was currently feeling. She never hurt a person with her weapon before, but she would be willing to if it means their life.

The shadow seemed closer now. " Kale, tell me when to attack " Anne told him.

"Kale, who do you think it is? From your kingdom or mine?" Anne asked him. Kale thought for a moment, as the air grew eerily still. He swallowed hard.

"I don't think it's a person from either kingdom." he whispered to her fearfully. "I don't think it's a person at all..." Kale glimpsed abnormally large, insect-like legs in the trees. He heard a distinctive clicking. Like two rods of wood being banged together. Kale quickly moved between Anne, and the sound, putting himself in the immediate danger. He heard the clicking increase in frequency. His eyes flicked over the trees, as if sizing them up.

"Kale, tell me when to attack." Anne said. Kale watched the shadow of the creature coming closer. The trees seemed to darken, and hang over their heads. A shiver of fear ran through him. Not fear for himself, but for Anne. He knew that she could fight with much skill. Maybe even as well, or better, than he could. But he didn't want her in danger. If it came down to it, he'd hold off whatever it was while she escaped. Even if it meant his life.

"Anne, will you promise me to do exactly as I say?" He asked pleadingly. "Please?"

Anne suddenly wondered what Kale's plan was. But having no other choice, she nodded, although hesitant. He said that it wasn't a person. Then maybe it would be easier for Anne to kill it, since she won't be taking a person's life. The shadow went nearer to them, and Anne moved from behind Kale and prepared beside him. She started to load her bow with an arrow and started to raise it to the target. " There's no use protecting me here. If you want to kill that thing, then I'll help you do it. Don't let me see you get hurt because of me. I'm not worth it " Anne muttered to him silently, as to not surprise the shadow.

She felt a shiver down her spine as she caught a glimpse of the shadow. It was an insect. A huge insect at that. What was going on in the forests? It was like a muttation that scared her. But beside Kale, she knew that she had nothing to fear. Besides, they had weapons. And she won't let that muttation hurt the two of them.

Kale released a small breath of relief as she agreed. Now he had a small measure of comfort in the fact that if things got ugly, she would run if he told her to. That was all that mattered. He needed her to be safe. Though a nagging voice in the back of his head told him that she wouldn't run even if he asked. He admired her courage, and bravery.

"There's no use protecting me here. If you want to kill that thing, then I'll help you do it. Don't let me see you get hurt because of me. I'm not worth it." Kale heard her say. Immediately he shook his head.

"I'm honored to have you fight by my side, and to tell you the truth, it's a comfort to know I'm not alone in this fight. But you are more than worth it. And I'd rather get hurt than let you take a blow." He said firmly, with complete, and utter honesty in his eyes. After a moment, Kale turned away, and his gaze found the shadow now alarmingly close by. His heart pounded in his head, and the whole forest seemed to be stretching out towards them. He adjusted his hands on the hilt of his sword, ready.

He wondered if they were closer to the dire woods than he had thought. When he'd crossed through them to see Anne, the worst things he had met were Dire Wolves. He was sure it must have been creatures such as the one moving towards them that had given the woods such a terrible reputation.

Suddenly the trees seemed to explode with a recognizable force. A pair of enormous black eyes launched from the trees above them. A pair of shiny black antennae sprung forth from above razor sharp, pincer-like jaws. Kale's eyes widened at he walked the ebony colored creature freeze just a few feet in front of them, as if studying them with it's enormous eyes. The centipede type of creature cocked it's flat, plate-like head to the side, and blinked once. It's eyelids almost 'clicked' against one another, as if they were rock hard.

The monster attacked with an unknown power. With a concussive strength it rammed into him. Kale didn't even know what had happened, and already he was flat on his back. His mind reeled to figure out where the creature was. It had momentarily vanished back into the trees, but he could hear it coming back. His hand opened and closed. His sword was gone. He looked to his right, and saw it lying on the ground, out of reach. He scrambled to his hands and knees. Kale's head whipped around, he saw Anne. She was alright.

He crawled quickly over to his sword, and picked it up. He stood up shakily, and stunned. He saw the mutated insect coming back at a furious pace, and braced himself as it did.

' What is that thing? ' Anne thought as the insect showed itself. As it lunged forward, it threw Kale on his back, but left her unharmed. Anne ran to Kale's side as the insect charged again. She shot an arrow to its eye, leaving it blind and it moved backward. ' This insect should have its weakness. If its a giant centipede, then it must also have the weakness of a regular centipede ' she thought as she figured it out.

" Kale, I know how to kill it now. We must decapitate its head off. I have a spear and a bow and arrow. I won't be able to cut its head off with these. All I can do is injure it and distract it. " Anne told him, as she shot another arrow at its other eye. Now it was blind. Getting her spear, she stood up and held it in her left hand as she slung her bow and arrow on her shoulder. Whenever the centipede would get to close to them, Anne would hit it with her spear.

She was breathing heavily, and her dress was caked with mud and soil. But it didn't matter. All she wanted was to get them out of the forest alive.

Kale watched with admiration as Anne made two clean shots for the thing's eyes. He watched it shriek and reel in pain. He was afraid that it could still hear them, and would still be very dangerous. But she'd already taken out half of it's ability to strike, and had bought them precious time that they would need to survive.

He listened closely to her explanation on how to take it down. He couldn't argue with her logic. He would have to go in and decapitate it himself. But to do that she would need to distract it. And Anne being the focus of it's attention was not something that appealed to Kale very much. However, he knew he wouldn't be able to sway her in her decision.

"Okay," He agreed after a moment. "But promise me you'll be careful." He said with quiet firmness. "I couldn't live with myself if you got hurt." He said with complete honesty. His eyes scanned hers for a moment. They were wonderful. The blue, the violet, the rose-hues... He could see a burning fire in them. Like a determination that he'd never seen in any other person before. It was terrifying, and confidence-driving all at the same time. It was the reason why she was so different from every other girl in the universe. He loved it.

"I'll be quick." He told her, taking a firm grip on his sword. He was ready to get the job done. And he was pretty sure he was going to get dirty. He glanced to the side at their horses. They pawed at the ground with panic, and bolted. Kale tried to remember when they had dismounted... He could not. Either way, thanks to the giant centipede they would need to go and chase them down. He muttered a bitter, and very sarcastic thanks to the giant bug.

Kale glanced over at Anne, and gave her an encouraging look. "I'm ready when you are."

"I'm ready when you are." Kale told her. Anne gave him an encouraging smile then nodded. Running directly in front of the centipede, she jumped over a tree branch near by to grab the arrows from its eyes. She was hit by a leg that sent her down, her back crashing with a tree trunk. She winced due to the pain, but she knew she wouldn't stop. Not now, especially when Kale was almost getting the job done. Again, Anne stood up and shot an arrow to its front legs, causing it to make a little rampage, but she didn't stop. She still had lots of arrows, and when she was able to shoot at least 4 of its legs, Anne let go of her bow and arrow, then grabbed her spear. Anne went to the centipede's side and stabbed it using her spear several times.

Green stuff splattered to some part of her dress, but Anne didn't stop. She looked over to where Kale was, and she made sure that the centipede won't notice him. When Kale was almost hit by a leg, Anne placed herself between Kale and the leg, stabbed it several times, then let out a breath. " Are you alright? " Anne asked him in a concerned tone.

"I'm fine!" He said, more than impressed by Anne. She was incredible... Awe-inspiring. He was put to shame! For all he knew, now he was the damsel in distress. He blushed at the thought, and focused on the task at hand. Distracted by Anne, the centipede had it's hands full. Kale scrambled dexterously into a tree, poising himself above an open area where the centipede dashed back and forth. Kale again stopped to admire the way Anne danced around it, before telling himself to concentrate.

Kale perched like a bird of prey, ready. He was glad he didn't mind heights too badly, because it was about a thirty foot drop, and would probably be pretty devastating, hopefully more for the bug than for him. If he missed... Well, he didn't like to think about that.

The moment came all too soon when the centipede reared it's head back just below him. Kale moved quickly, dropping down on it from above. The creature's hard carapace was not the most comfortable thing to land on. He fumbled with his sword, having been jolted on the rough drop. He realized the creature's exoskeleton was made up of several rock-hard plates. He would need to get under them to decapitate it. And the grisly work began...

Kale held onto the slippery creature with his legs. It suddenly stopped moving, and shifted it's platy back around, as if feeling that he was there. It shrieked with loud anger, and whipped it's head back and forth. Kale clung for his life. One slip up and the creature would catapult him into a tree. Kale didn't like the idea of that. Somehow through all odds he stayed atop it. For just one moment it stood still. that was all Kale needed to shove his sword vertically between two plates of the creature's natural armor. He felt the tip of his sword meet a gooey resistance. the things flesh. He plunge his sword deeper, feeling the blade sink it's teeth into it's soft neck. It shrieked in pain, and whipped it's head around again. Kale gripped the handle of his sword, and forced it deeper. The insect's cries were almost pitiful. Fora a moment, Kale felt compelled to give it mercy. But ht knew that if they just ran, and let it live, that it would just go and hurt others. Innocents would be killed. He couldn't allow that to happen.

Once the creature stopped whipping again, Kale used his sword like a crowbar, to pry the section of plate off of the creature's back. He heard a sickly crack as it separated. The huge shell tumble to the ground. Kale was horrified by the pale white flesh of the creature that was revealed. He grimaced, and raised his sword over it's head. In one clean cut, his sword went through it's neck, cutting easily through tendon, and muscle. It's head fell to the ground, and it's body fell limp, but for it's many limbs spazzing erratically.

Kale looked at Anne with triumph. He could not honestly believe that had happened. But... they made a pretty good team.

It was then that Kale realized he was soaked in green goo. "I may need a bath.." He said admittedly.

As Kale looked at her with triumph, she returned it with a smile. She stood up from under the centipede's leg, which fell down on her when Kale managed to kill it. Her dress was splattered with the green goo, but not that it still mattered. " You're not the only one who needs a bath " Anne told him with a chuckle. Walking towards the dead insect, she grabbed all her arrows and spear back and wiped them clean using some leaves from the trees. " But now we have to do a much harder task, we'll have to find our horses. Do you have any idea where they went? I didn't notice that they ran off " Anne added as she walked towards Kale.

She looked back at the centipede, and suddenly wondered where they got the strength and courage to kill it. She was suddenly confident about the team that the two of them make. " Guess, were an indestructible team " she added with a soft laugh.