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Luckas

"There's nothing to fear... Except maybe reality." *snickers*

0 · 2,954 views · located in Raven's Nest

a character in “Shadows of The Forgotten”, as played by Blackbird26

Description

General Information


Full Name: Luckas Yurin (real first name unknown)

Nicknames/Aliases: Luke, Lukey, Sweetness (only by Ess), Freak/Vermin/Maggot (only by Jake), Stupid Boy (by Lena), Mr. Luckas (by the children of the Raven’s camp)

Age: 20-ish (birth date unknown)

Gender: Male

Sexual Orientation: Straight

Place of Birth: Unnamed village nearby Blackpond, Valcrest

Affiliation: The Order (officially, but not at heart)/Independent

Rank: Branded/Psycho Killer

Important Associates: Essence Talon (his... uhm... Lady), Stalker (wolf companion/best friend/snuggle beast) Annie Turner (friend/adopted sister figure), Sam ‘Johnson’ (Mistress of The Order/manipulative obsessive stalker bitch), Amber (Order minion/frenemy)

Known Family: Andrej Mikael Yurin (father - deceased at age 25), Clarice Layla Jensen (mother, currently age 35; whereabouts unknown), Matthew (identical twin brother; deceased at age 15)

Main Theme: Cold - With My Mind

Theme Song 02: Alice in Chains - Down in a Hole

Theme Song 03: Slipknot - Dead Memories

Theme Song 04: Noel Gallagher - Wonderwall

Theme Song 05: The Devlins - Waiting

Skills And Talents

Magical Imprint: Luckas is a gifted telepath. Not only is he capable of commanding others with his voice, but he can manipulate their memories through eye contact or even cause them horrifying and deadly hallucinations with a simple touch.

The most frequently used and most convenient of Luke’s skills is mind control. The ability ranges from a slight suggestion (what Luke calls a ‘whisper’), to an actual command (a ‘shout’), which will drive the target to do what he's told no matter what stands in his way. Despite the terminology Luke uses, the actual volume of his voice is not a factor on the intensity of the command, a whisper soft enough to barely be heard by a targeted victim may be powerful enough to subdue even a fellow telepath if Luckas puts enough force behind it.

Through direct eye contact he can access, alter, or even erase a person's memories. His eyes usually mimic the person's eye color when this happens, and the person usually finds it to be impossible to break the eye contact. It takes only a few moments for Luckas to retrieve one single memory and if Luke knows what to search for he can get information out of someone in a glance without them noticing. A more thorough look into someone’s mind would call for a secure environment, seeing as Luckas becomes unaware of his surroundings for the duration of this process.

Luckas can also cause sensorial hallucinations, which will make an individual not only see, but hear, feel, smell and taste the darkest, most terrifying corners of their own minds. These hallucinations can not be dispelled; not even by Luckas himself, usually causing the victim to be trapped in them for as long as they are able to live. Most victims go into distress and die of natural causes within minutes, others end their own lives after the first few hours... Luckas claims to have made victims last for days, however those are rare cases. Survival is possible, in theory, if the victim has developed a strong resistance to telepathic attacks and/or is a telepath themselves. Luckas can ‘activate’ this at will, but this ‘lethal mode’ may also trigger on its own should Luckas lose control of his emotional or mental stability, making it so Luckas may pose as a threat even to those he does not wish to harm. His eyes turn red when this ability is active, in which case the slightest contact with his bare skin will be enough to take away a person’s sanity.

Other Skills: trap making, tracking, stealth, ranged weapons (crossbow/throwing blades), extensive knowledge of anatomy, mythology, and magic.

Appearance

Body type: Luckas is a considerably short guy; standing at only 1,66m tall (around 5’,5’’) and slim. Despite being small and appearing quite fragile he has always been stronger than he let on, being able to withstand a good deal of physical punishment without being phased and walking for extended amounts of time without rest. Combat training (which he does not excel at to be honest) has more recently helped him develop some muscle, but not to an extent that would be noticeable with clothes still on his back.

Face: Luckas has what one may call a baby face. He could easily pose as a teenager despite the fact he must have passed his twentieth birthday at some point in the past year. He tries his best to not let his true emotions show, his expression usually alternating between mocking and stoic. However he does relax and let the facade fade around the few people he’s most comfortable with, proving quite charming not to say adorable when he allows himself to act natural.

Eyes: Luckas’ eyes are unusually dark as an effect of the magic imprinted into his blood; both the irises and pupils sharing the same deep black most of the time. However they change to mimic his victims when looking into their memories, and turn a bright red when in ‘lethal mode’. His natural eye color is supposedly a dark grey.

Hair: Luckas has black straight hair. It is usually just above shoulder length. Being rather careless about his appearance, Luke rarely combs his hair, giving it an almost constant ‘just got out of bed’ look. He also occasionally neglects to have it trimmed, but gets annoyed and takes care of it once it reaches a certain length and starts going into his eyes.

Scars/Tattoos/Birthmarks: Luckas has claw marks scarring his chest that he claims were caused by a bear attack, even though they are visibly larger than a bear’s would be (actually caused by a huge demon creature, but he doesn’t like to talk about it). Luckas has the sigil of The Order branded into the back of his left shoulder; a sword stabbing through an eye (image). Luke’s only tattoo (as of yet) is of a fist holding an eye engulfed in flames, the eye color a curious mix of violet and a dark smoky grey color. It was given to him (and signed by) Essence as a gift that he would always carry with him. He also has teeth marks on his left forearm from a wolf bite, even though they are not easy to notice due to the tattoo covering the area of the bite.

Reference image: THIS - I do not own this image, nor was it created for this specific character. It is simply one I found similar to how I picture Luckas in my head. All credit belongs to the artist.

Actual character drawing: Here (drawing by gaiadarkstar)

Personality

Overall: In great part due to his past, Luckas has difficulty empathizing or forming meaningful emotional attachments. This emotional numbness combined with a talent for inflicting mental and physical torture led to the development of a very deep rooted sadistic streak early on in life. The fact that killing was the only way for Luke to feel some level of connection to others has given him a need to hunt, like an itch that occasionally needs to be scratched and despite enjoying it, Luke is adamant in not hurting just anyone. He treats his nature as an addiction, one he will never overcome and as such, makes sure to choose victims that are (in his eyes at least) deserving of the punishment.

Despite the fact he takes joy in his acts of violence, Luckas is not usually aggressive, tending to act childishly curious or even playful when meeting new people, even if most of the time he grows bored of them quickly. This contrast in his personality can make Luke very hard to read, and all the more dangerous since he may be smiling one moment and stabbing someone’s eyes out the next with little to no warning.

Luckas has a considerable amount of people he respects, or even admires, but only a rare few he could sincerely call friends or admit to caring about. While he’s not outwardly warm to those he does care for, and has trouble initiating or accepting any physical affection, Luke does his best to be a comforting presence when and where he is needed (noting that his best is... not... really all that great...).


Likes: His Lady, cake children, inflicting fear, cake, blood, hunting, puppies, fiery fun, alcohol, silly hats, cake, cake, cake, all the cake.

Dislikes: Arrogant people, authority figures, lies, being told to behave, enclosed spaces and cats; he absolutely hates cats.

Equipment

Weapons: Luke doesn’t currently own or carry weapons, but isn’t picky about what he uses to hurt or kill someone, usually picking up whatever he can find. He’s good with a crossbow, but considers the weapon to be too bulky and slow to fit his needs beyond hunting for food.

Other Items: Luckas carries with him his favorite pair of boots (sometimes on his person, sometimes on his bag; depending on circumstances), some drawings (some by Ess and a couple by Miss Lily) the occasional black feather picked off the ground, and not much else.

History

Early Life

Luckas was born in a simple house, on a village surrounding the city of Blackpond. What little he knows of his parents is only what he could investigate and piece together from memory fragments. His father was a criminal, although Luke is unsure what his activities entailed exactly; something along the lines of petty thefts and small cons, his mother spent most of her time in the house and Luke’s strongest memories of her involve being ignored or punished for some made up transgression.

When Luckas and his brother were somewhere between three and four years of age their father was brutally murdered in their home and the boys were disposed of by their mother; given away to the man in charge of The Order. The boys were taken to the city of Newhaven where they were each imprinted with a strong telepathic ability and kept in a dark isolated room underneath one of the city’s shops. There they underwent what the Order calls ‘conditioning’. For close to six years several handlers caused the boys severe physical and psychological abuse in an attempt to strip them completely of their will, but once it became clear that their abilities were too powerful to control they were considered a liability and the Master at the time commanded they be disposed of.

The details of how the two boys’ lives were spared are hazy at best. The city guard of Newhaven found them once the corpse of their latest handler began to stink up the abandoned shop, drawing the attention of passers by. The boys were malnourished, dehydrated, and wounded, and despite the open basement door had not moved from their respective spots curled up against the basement walls. After several weeks of medical care they were placed in city orphanage, where they terrified most of the children and some of the caretakers until they escaped at age thirteen.

Dark Mirror

Luckas’ brother, Matthew, lacked the same level of control as Luckas when it came down to killing. He killed so often and caused such devastating effects on his victims that he became known amongst the population as Dark Mirror. The only times in which he was able to feel anything was as a side effect of his enlightenment: He was able to feel the pain of his victims as they relived their darkest hours. Even if unpleasant, it was better than nothing, so the boy began attacking more and more often, anyone who crossed his way.

While Matthew drove anyone in his path into insanity, simply for the thrill, Luckas became fascinated with the effects of his brother’s gift on people, stalking the victims and taking pleasure from watching them squirm until they eventually killed others and/or themselves. At first Luke did his best to cover his brother’s tracks, but as Matthew became more and more uncontrollable Luckas allowed the Newhaven guard to seize him and lock him away in the deepest levels of the city dungeons. He continued on his own after that, hunting down ‘worthy’ prey and killing for himself.

Despite initially claiming that he never cared for his brother and that Matthew was ‘too far gone’, Luckas later expressed remorse for not killing Matt, recognizing that allowing him to be locked away in the dark alone was a fate worse than death itself. Matthew died at the hands of the Captain of the Black Knights during a prison riot a few years later.

Meeting Essence

Luckas met Essence Talon at age fifteen in Newhaven, when she came across him and one of his victims in an alleyway late at night. Luckas was spent from using his gift on the man (which drove him to suicide almost on the spot), and had just enough energy left to go into her mind and erase any memory of their meeting. Or so he thought.

The White Shadows

At age fifteen Luckas’ activities drew the attention of Lena Turner after the healer managed to retrieve the memories of one of his dying victims. When Luckas became aware of this he tracked her down and attacked her, but the woman’s telepathic abilities were too strong for Luckas and his ability backfired causing him severe agony. He got away, barely, but Lena tracked him down in a matter of days and dragged him in shackles to the White Shadows’ encampment in the Plains. There she pointed out to him the gaps in his memory before his time in the orphanage and offered to help him remember his childhood under the conditions that he stay in the encampment and allow her to study his abilities. Luke refused at first, but the woman managed to sway him and in the following years Luckas remained in the healers’ encampment. Under Lena’s guidance the boy learned to read, learned to better control his telepathy, and gained a great deal of knowledge of mythology and anatomy; almost as much so as any of the healers in the camp. The newfound knowledge and focus, amongst other things, actually served to make Luckas into a better killer and while he tried his best to keep out of trouble in his time with the healers there had been incidents here and there between him and a few patients. Enough to cause tension between him and some of the healers in the camp. Still, Lena persisted in working with him and attempting to retrieve his memories, without success.

When tensions began to rise between the White Shadows and the city of Blackpond, which led to the city’s army attacking the healers’ camp and imprisoning several of them, Lena included, Luckas allowed himself to be dragged along into the dungeons, eventually aiding a group of Newhaven soldiers and Wolfpack assassins sent to rescue the healers and the heir to Newhaven’s throne that had been caught in the commotion.

After the rescue Luckas separated from the group, but Lena caught up with him to inform him that she was leaving Valcrest for a while, but that she would be back to keep her promise to retrieve his missing memories and would know if he hadn’t been behaving.

Return to Newhaven

Luckas wandered Valcrest aimlessly for a few years after Lena’s departure, camping in a different spot every night, hunting small animals in the forest for food and only going into the cities for the occasional human prey. During one of his hunts he came across a giant demonic beast. The beast attacked him on sight, nearly clawing his chest open, but when Luckas used his telepathy he discovered the demon still had enough of a human mind to be controlled for just long enough to allow Luckas to flee.

In the Beast’s mind Luckas so persistent thoughts of the Black Knight captain, Mageria, whom he had met in the Blackpond dungeons. Still intrigued at the knowledge the woman had survived being attacked by Matthew, Luckas took the opportunity to seek her out in Newhaven.

So begins...

Luckas's Story

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Luckas Character Portrait: Ess Character Portrait: Mageria Talsheir
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#, as written by Essence
Ess and Blackbird


Essence nodded to Mageria, understanding that duty called, “I will stick around this time..” She stated after the Captain, unsure if she heard Ess. Picking up the practice blades to put them back into the shed, she watched a group of people walk by her, a woman scarred from her own story, signaling a familiar gesture wishing her luck. It was a manner she had not seen since she was a teenager and it made Ess curious to where the woman was from. She kept to herself though, remembering Tala. As she picked up her belt, re-strapping her weapons around her waist, Tala sat whining softly at her, still laying over where she was left. Tala saw in Ess’s eyes the silent ok to come forward accompanied by a quiet chuckle, the wolf dashing across the grounds to her side. “Whatcha think girl? Was it stupid of me to show the Captain one of my secrets?” She asked her friend, rubbing the wolf’s ears. Tala seemed to like Mageria, which was odd, since she didn’t usually like anyone else besides Ess. Guess the wolf was just as protective as Ess was of her.

A smile found it’s way back onto her face, Ess yelling to the wolf, “Ready?!” Her body jumped back into a squatting position, the wolf copying her almost exactly, wiggling her butt around in the air playfully in tune with her tail. Ess drew her sword and matching dagger and began to dance around her friend, causing the wolf to bound spo’radically in different directions. It was a familiar game they played, Ess trying to teach Tala to avoid her strikes and at the same time it helped her improve her stamina. She didn’t care if she looked ridiculous prancing around with the wolf, as she thought Tala was very smart and quick at this game. Only in the beginning was the wolf caught off guard, but that was when chair legs were their practice swords.

“Disarm!” Ess commanded, the wolf launching herself through the air, her jaws clamping around Ess’s wrist. In theory, the wolf would use her full strength, but for the purpose of this game, she simply dropped her master’s hand at a whistle, but only after she dropped her blade. This way, Tala was given the idea to hold and thrash until the enemy dropped their weapon before letting go. Tala was almost an expert at this game to the point where Ess wanted to try it without commands, she just needed a test subject.


Luke had slept poorly, yet again. Again, he didn't know what he had been dreaming of. As he walked around the Castle halls no one seemed to pay him any mind, it was funny to him that they didn't see that his place wasn't there, but then... Where was his place anyway? Hum... Better not go there. Absently he walked towards the training grounds as he heard sounds of activity there. Walking absent-minded, with both hands in the pockets of his 'borrowed' clothes, Luckas entered the training grounds and stopped walking as he caught sight of a woman dancing her blades around a wolf. Tilting his head curiously, he watched the movements, intrigued by them. Luckas was never much of a fighter, Lena had gave him one or two lessons, but he never had the discipline to train. Approaching the woman and the wolf Luke chuckled. "I am haunted, it seems!" He exclaimed. "Tell me, should I expect to see you everywhere I go now?" He asked, a smirk crossing his face.

Essence straightened at the sound of a familiar voice, playfully she spun so that she was beside Luckas, she let her sword stay idle by her side while her dagger teased along his shoulder. Her manner was flirtatious as usual, yet she kept it well hidden if it was just instinct or if she meant it. “Is this the part were you try to kill me?” She giggled into his ear. “Or...”She whispered, the smell of her lavender perfume emanating from her form as she caught her breath. “...You proclaim your undying desire for me...”

She waited for a response before stepping back, sliding her blades to their home at her waist. Ess raised her hand in Tala’s direction, signaling her wolf friend to relax, her growl throaty and low as she stared up at Luckas, unsure what to make of him. For the most part, Ess kept her mind clear, unsure still exactly how Luke’s “Enlightenment” worked and to it’s extent. Staring at Tala, her expression changed at a sudden epiphany.

“Tell me Luckas...would you mind testing a theory for me?”

Luke shifted a little uncomfortably, but only for a moment. He was getting better at hiding whatever feelings and impulses the woman caused on him, soon they would no longer show, unless she managed to get better at provoking him as well. He kept his eyes on the wolf as the animal seemed uncomfortable, predators were good at spotting other predators. Finally Luke turned his black eyes towards the woman's violet gaze and snickered. "One does not exclude the other, my dear. After all, I thoroughly enjoy my business. I wonder... Do you ever enjoy yours?" He asked her.

As she asked if he would help with a theory he gave her a curious look. "That depends if your theory also interests me... I'm a curious individual, I can't deny." He told her.

“Depends on your version of enjoyed...and to exactly what part.” Ess laughed before continuing, with a sharp whistle, stepping back, Tala slowly began to approach Luckas showing the tips of her white fangs. Tala paused inches from Luke, sniffing the air, as if she were memorizing his scent.

“Using my talent to get what I want....yes..But since I have never ‘entertained’ without a price...then no...at least...”She smiled wickedly... “Not yet.”

Ess wanted to play, her eyes continued to glow in her curiousity as her complexion changed only slightly, her hair shortened into jet black locs, her form lengthening in height to shortly reflect Luckas almost to perfection. There was an oddity to the mirror image, one couldn’t put their finger on. Her expression went cold, her stare attempting to penetrate his own, wanting to see his reaction to facing...himself. She kept silent, wondering thoughtfully to herself as Tala kept circling the man, the wolf’s head was low to the ground, steps carefully calculated, expecting movement.

"Not yet, huh?" Luke asked, his eyes sparkling a red glow as he smiled at the woman. He didn't know what he wanted with her... If he wanted to kill her, or not... He was sure that she would be great if he tried, she had so much pain to relive, but at the same time, maybe she would actually be able to understand him; how often did someone like that come along? His only manifestation of the thoughts going through his mind was a soft sigh. "What a pity. Perhaps one day we can entertain each other." He offered. "I can show you exactly what I consider enjoyment... I don't think you actually got to see it last time."

Staring at Ess' eyes, almost hypnotized, not paying any mind to the animal circling him, knowing the wolf was right to suspect considering the thoughts he was having, he was slightly startled to see the woman's image shift onto his own. His black eye widened in shock and delight, as both feeling invaded him at once. He smiled wide, reaching out slowly to Ess' face, but not touching the image. It was like staring into a mirror... A mirror... This was way too good. "You're better than I ever imagined." Luckas mumbled, a tone of admiration rarely ever shown in his voice. "Say, do you mind going with me somewhere? I heard some people going to this big meeting... I wanted to try and sneak a peek at that." He didn't say what exactly he wanted to do, but he knew that's where Mageria would be. Essence's eyes gave her away, but for a few moments she probably could fool the Black Knight Captain into thinking she was nuts, or that his brother wasn't dead. It was too good of an opportunity to waste.

Keeping her disguise in tack, she let out a mocking laugh, attempting to copy Luckas from their last encounter. She had some practicing to do if she was going to mimic him to perfection. Staring at his mannerisms and gestures she picked up a few quickly. She nodded towards him, whistling at her wolf again to her side.

“That’s what the Captain said...just moments before you arrived. ..”She attempted to mimic Luckas’ snicker and added, “I am curious as well...Lead the way.” Ess and Tala followed Luckas to the council chambers, just as the clammer of voices came to a halt.Tala had run ahead of them, ignoring Ess's call, as she whispered, "Tala!" Her voice was attempting to take on a deeper tone as the wolf snuck through the bodies standing guard, slipping beneath a very large table.

Suddenly a man shouted high above the rest, ""She's trying to kill me like she did Morgan!" Ess thought, quirking a brow, her expression a mix of hers but plastered upon Luke's mirror like image. Were they talking about the last Guard Captain? She kept in disguise, not wanting her gift to be made public to the strangers around her. Ess noticed Tala making her way towards Mageria as she lashed forward.


' With a vicious kick, she moved the table out of the way and strode to the center of the room, holding her arms out to either side.
"Here I am then. The woman accused of killing one of the most vicious and insane bastards to ever grace our halls. The question is," she turned and faced Xypher. "Do you really think I'm the worse monster?"'


Essence may have not known the Captain Guard, but she saw the woman struggling to hold composure, barely holding on. It was an all too familiar scene to Ess, one she had fought through before only to fail. Her eyes were wide in wonder, a smile curling her lips, wondering if Mageria would cut down that man where he stood accusingly. Ess had heard rumors of the deceased, having the distinct feeling she would of done worse if she were in Mageria's place.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Luckas Character Portrait: Ess
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#, as written by Essence
BlackBird/Essence Combo


Ess had to give Mageria props for not exploding into a violent, messy rage and cut down that Warlord. She didn’t feel she could of kept her composer so well in tact. Ess wasn’t just impressed, but she couldn’t put her finger on what she was feeling. Tala had obviously trusted this woman, and Tala didn’t trust anyone. Even though Ess didn’t always take her wolf’s ‘advice’, she knew to trust her gut. She looked from Mageria to Luckas as she passed and spoke, “I’ll deal with you later, Luckas.”

Quirking a brow, she brushed a black loc of hair from her eyes, keeping her composure so not to let her ‘Mirage’ fail her in a room full of people. Out of her peripheral vision, she noted Tala following Mageria almost out the exit. Ess made a clicking sound using her tongue against her teeth to get the wolf’s attention back to her side. Turning her head towards Luckas she leaned into him, whispering in his ear..”What was that about eh? You date her sister or something?” Ess smiled, the expression forming into one of Luckas’ snickers. She absently wiped at her nose, a small drop of blood appearing on the back of her hand.
~~~
Luckas was not expecting what he saw as he led Ess into the meeting room. He didn't make a sound or took another step into the room, he lingered near the doorway, arms crossed over his chest as the man called by the others 'Warlord' made his accusations. He was lying through his teeth, Luke could tell and so he couldn't get his eyes off the man, a reddish glow sparkling behind the black. He wondered what the man wanted to gain from this and felt a sick and familiar urge to rip the truth out of him slowly and painfully. Only when Mageria walked past and said she'd deal with him, he remembered that Ess was still mirroring his image.

He turned as Ess asked what it was about. Luckas looked one more time towards the 'Warlord and the other Council members, memorizing their faces as they began to deliberate, before pulling Ess by the hand and out of the room so they could talk freely. "There's nothing left to see here." He stated. "We wanna be near the Black Guard right now. That's where stuff's gonna happen." He said absently, releasing her hand quickly as he already had managed to lead her out to the hall. After they had walked far enough from the room Luke spoke again. "And that back there was..." He chuckled. "We can say she had one bad date with my brother. My twin brother." Luke said, looking Ess up and down and snickering, "Matt was an evil monster, even for my standards, and when he attacked someone he would leave nothing of that person intact. Captain survived though. When we first met she thought I was a hallucination. It was hilarious. More than that: My gift has no effect on her. She's the reason I'm here; it's fascinating." He stated, with a slight nod, randomly leading Ess through the halls.
~~~
Essence let herself be led by Luke, out the room into the hall, noting a familiar, predatory desire in his black orbs. She hadn’t cringed or shook with anger when he touched her hand, like she would by another without an invitation. It had felt...oddly what normal she imagined would feel like. Keeping her gaze upon him as he spoke, she felt Tala keeping pace by her side, nose low to the ground as if she was following Mageria’s scent. Ess didn’t know what she was getting herself into, but she couldn’t deny her curiosity for the danger she tasted in the air.

“What’s going to happen, Luckas?”

Keeping in pace with Luke, Ess heard the clammer of heavy footsteps moving back towards the Council Chambers, the hallway growing empty. A ping of pain awkwardly hit her stomach at the thought of more than one of Luckas running amuck, when she had intended her ‘Illusion’ for another purpose. She could not even begin to understand what Mageria must have went through, as Luke explained the quick version of his late brother. Ess was worried slightly that she had made a bad impression, unintentionally to the Captain, but kept her equanimity, smiling softly.

“Makes sense now...Luckas, watch my back a minute...make sure no one is looking.” She whispered, sliding against a cold wall, she began shaking her head, tossing her black hair about, until red curls replaced those locs, falling loose around her shoulders. Her form was back to it’s normal height and hour glass shape, filling out her tunic and cotton pants. Looking up into Luckas’ coal like stare, she felt like she was falling, a quick dizzy spell passing over her in seconds. She stood slowly, nodding to continue onward, not noticing another drop of blood falling from her lip.

“So...When do we get to play?”
~~~
Luckas' eyes narrowed slightly as Ess asked when they would get to play, he was thinking of ways to get Xypher. He felt so strongly about the whole thing, for some reason, that a part of his mind was unable to focus on anything else other than the urge to get to the man alone and make him swallow his words. Still, he went back to the first question the woman asked. He absently retrieved one hand into the sleeve of his shirt and used it to wipe a drop of blood from her face, before turning and continuing to walk as he answered. "I'm not sure what will happen, but... Without being here for longer than a couple of days I know for a fact that if those noble idiots want to disband the Black Knights, or worse, get the Captain arrested for whatever she did, or they claim she did, those guys won't take kindly to it. I only know one of the Knights personally, although he wasn't a Knight when I met him, and if the others are anything like him, they won't take kindly to it either. Something is definitely going to happen when they find out what was said in that room." He concluded.

Turning a corner Luke walked in silence for a couple more steps before expressing what was going through his mind. "That Warlord person... Xypher, I think his name was... I want him." He stated, his voice coming out in an angry growl as his eyes lit up in a red light. "I need to get him alone." Turning his eyes back to normal and heaving a sigh he added, in a tone similar to one of a bored infant. "He'll probably be stuck in that stupid meeting for a while though." He said giving a light shrug. "I wonder what'll happen to the kids..." He mumbled, suddenly remembering that Lily had told him Mageria got in trouble for bringing the kids to that castle, he imagined the Council had been the one to give her trouble, based on how she'd spoke of them in the infirmary. "They better not toss them in the orphanage." He muttered under his breath, stuffing both hands in his pockets as he walked. "I hated that place."
~~~
Ess watched Luckas curiously as he approached, wiping at her face with his sleeve. Quirking a brow, she kept her reaction to herself, not sure what that small guesture was about, focusing on Luke as he answered her questions. Ess was debating the possible outcomes Luke voiced about the Captain, remembering the times she had to take dark matters into her own hands; when she had to make quick decisions for her or another’s survival. It brought a light of understanding to her, one she could relate to with Mageria as she realized they shared similiar morals.

“I hope she did kill Morgan..” Ess muttered, an intrigued glow escaping her eyes as she passed a wink in Luke’s direction. “I remember hearing about that man...he deserved worse, so if my assistance is required, I’ll gladly offer it when all hell breaks loose...I mean...what else am I going to do?”

Ess slid her hand across Luke’s shoulder, as if she meant to comfort his anger, although her words only proved to be encouraging. “I could...get this Xypher alone....so we can play. Maybe you can share a secret or two with me?” Ess couldn’t hold back the wide grin that spread across her lips. “Of course...if you don’t want my help...” She trailed off teasingly, her mind a bit excited at the thought. Never has she attempted something that was so far from a personal level, where she could make some kind of difference for another, and not need anything back. The feeling felt warm inside her chest, and she wondered if that meant she was sick or crazy. Mostly because the idea of participating in torture didn’t repulse her, only made her heart beat quicken, adding pink color to her snow white cheeks.

With a shrug she added, “I grew up in a whore house...somehow I doubt either one is better than the other....” Ess’s eyes narrowed into thin slits at the thought of more innocents crossing over down that path only to never return. She hoped that wasn’t the children’s destiny. Maybe Mageria would take the kids somewhere safe, or even with her. Who knew what trials lay before them all.
~~~
"She did it." Luke replied. He wasn't absolutely sure of it, but he could pretty much feel it was true. "I don't know anything about the man, but I'm sure he deserved it somehow. " He added, absently. He knew that it was unlikely for Mageria to kill a person over nothing, so if she killed the man, he probably had it coming to him somehow.

Luckas had to control a small wince as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Physical contact was something that actually bothered him if it came unexpectedly, he wasn't sure why, but it always had. Like many other things, he had learned to hide that fact and mask his reactions. The gesture was something that was usually accompanied by calming words, however, Ess' words caused a bit of surprise on Luke. He turned to look at her and found a wide grin spread across her features; she wasn't bluffing. He usually worked alone, and he didn't share his toys with absolutely anyone, but again he saw something incredibly familiar in her eyes and he wanted to see how far she would go. "If you can get him alone... We can play then." He said, opening a grin of his own. "And what secrets do you mean?" He asked tilting his head to one side curiously.

"I know that." He stated absently as she mentioned the whore house. "No, the orphanage wasn't that much better. Older kids..." He shrugged. "My enlightenment... I've had it since I was little... It's unusual, but that's what helped me stay in one piece. It looks better today than it was back then, but still... I doubt Captain will let them just dump those kids there like trash, but then... I'm sure the Queen remembers well the time she spent there." Luckas stated, with an amused smile. He remembered Ella from the orphanage; the girl with the curse. He recognized her the one time he saw her in the dungeons in Blackpond, although he had no clue who she was at the time. Funny that she'd end up taking the throne, out of all people.
~~~~
Ess bounced a bit happily, in her step as Luke said, "If you can get him alone... We can play then." She wasn’t sure if she would be allowed to help, as he seemed like one who enjoyed that ‘personal time’ with his victims. Ess understood how pain could be taken in as pleasure, but she never was able to take her time as it had always been rushed..pure instinct. Looking forward to her chance, she casually brushed off Luke’s question of what secrets he held.

“Like you said,” She whispered alluringly, “That is for you to know and me to find out..if I am patient enough to hold out for those answers..” Ess tightened her belt, adjusting her blades at her hips... “I can be ..VERY patient.” Essence felt Luke’s eyes upon her still and kept smiling, a tiny dimple appearing at her left cheek. She couldn’t place the look precisely, but knew there was something hidden, something worth sticking around for. If he was anything like her at all, she knew there was something more than he let on, and she appreciated the bits of information he shared here and there. Ess wondered if she was being tested, not quite judged but slowly evaluated if she was worth the young man’s time.

Tala gave a light growl at her side, which only made Ess giggle. Anyone with a brain saw how Tala did not trust Luke, and Ess wasn’t sure she did either, but she had to trust her gut. Pursing her lips she quickly made a light noise from the intake of air, catching the wolf’s attention as they paused just down a bit from their destination, Guards standing at alert around the corner.

“Ella...” She muttered to herself lost in thought.
~~~
Luckas nodded as he had almost led them down the wrong path, as his attention was caught by the conversation, taking a turn to get them back on track. He hadn't exactly taken the shortest path, that was true, he wanted the time. As Ess told him she would be patient in finding out the answers she wanted, he couldn't help but laugh at that. He'd surely give her a challenge if that was the case. After all, he had never willingly given away any secrets, and he didn't plan on starting anytime soon.

He chuckled more as he heard the wolf growl at him, a smart animal it was. "She knows." He stated absently, snickering away at his own thoughts. "You should follow her advice." He told Ess, with a little smirk. "I'm just a terrible influence." He said with a shrug, as they walked past a few doors and entered a common room where Black Knights and the Guard would hang around when off duty. There were a few people there, but they paid them no mind. All they'd have to was hang around and wait for the news to spread. He gave Ess a curious look and question. "So... How are you planning on getting him alone, exactly?" Luke asked, raising an eyebrow in a fake severe expression. He couldn’t hold it for long though and broke into a wicked smile, anxious to get to play again. It had been quite a while since last time.
~~~

Setting

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Character Portrait: Luckas Character Portrait: Ess Character Portrait: Mageria Talsheir
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#, as written by Essence
BlackBird, Trickster, and Essence

With a bored shrug, Ess glanced from Tala to Luke shaking her head at his observation as he stated, ' "I'm just a terrible influence.”’

“I am my own influence, therefore I come to my own conclusions.” With a sweet, honest smile Ess shifted her stare from Luke’s; the blackness seemed to go on forever into the depths of his soul, she knew whatever he was keeping inside was hidden in that abyss. “You may believe that I am acting foolish Luckas, but as much as my conscious here ..” Ess paused, rubbing Tala along her shoulder blades. “..tries to warn me otherwise...I am not afraid of you. Quite the opposite, actually. And I don’t mean to sound full of myself, or threatening. ...I just can’t put my finger on it..”

A subtle giggle escaped her lips, as she mouthed silently, ‘You should know’ to his question of how she planned on assisting him in his ‘playtime.’ Ess would do just about anything she needed to, to get what she wanted. Her head snapped up at attention as the room began to fill with men and women, shortly thereafter Mageria began addressing all of the current situation. Ess kept silent as the Captain admitted to killing the late Captain Morgan, just nodding in approval. Lightly she crossed her arms across her waist, her fingers tapping against the hilts of her sword and dagger. Bunching her brows together she took in the chatter, men and women arguing. Some wanting to fight, others wanting to know what was to become of themselves. The selfless individuals who spoke up, were the ones Ess agreed with. There should be a way to take care of the problem. Of course, Ess was never one for politics, as she was either driven by logic or instinct. On occasion those two would work together, but most of the time she was shoving forward based on emotion only. As Mageria left the room for her people to discuss the situation, Ess sighed, keeping Luke in the corner of her eye.
~~~
Luckas was leaning up against a wall, arms crossed over his chest absently looking around the room as he chuckled. "I never said you should be afraid of me, in the sense of me hurting you, although in a way you probably should. I said that I'm a terrible influence. And what do you mean with 'quite the opposite'?" He asked curiously, not being able to identify what was quite the opposite of being afraid of someone. As Mageria entered the room, however his eyes and his attention were completely devoted to her, not for what she was saying, but for what was behind it. The Black Knights were no more; the most powerful force known to Valcrest, disbanded over simple bureaucracy. Was it true that everything was just that fragile? He wondered what would be necessary to break down the Newhaven Council completely? Were they any less fragile? Probably not, but he was going to find that out soon enough.

As Mageria left and the men and women of the Guard were left to discuss their options, Luckas broke out of his thoughts. He didn't know what they were going to do, but he knew what he was going to do about this.

"I need to ask Captain a question." He stated simply, turning to look at Ess. "You know, before we think about playing."
~~~
Ess’s smile dissipated to a lack of expression, as she shook her head not agreeing with Luke’s words, ' "I never said you should be afraid of me, in the sense of me hurting you, although in a way you probably should. I said that I'm a terrible influence.” ’ She had explained what she could at the moment, and didn’t feel this was the time to debate. When he questioned Ess, wanting to know what she meant about ‘quite the opposite’ she hid her amusement that it was not clear and simply stated with a distracted yawn, “I’m the one haunting you, remember? Who knows how I will feel tomorrow...maybe I’ll kill you then..” She winked.

Essence stretched her arms, nodding in agreement. “I need to speak with Mageria as well..course if you would rather go alone..I can wait.” She said, not wanting to be disrespectful. Ess was, after all technically the stranger around here, and Luckas and Mageria had some sort of history..even if it wasn’t all pleasant and she wasn’t sure if her, the outsider would be welcomed. Naturally, Ess didn’t let on her concern and simply waited for the response.

~~~~
Luckas laughed a bit loudly, which momentarily caught the attention of a few people, however they were too concerned to care about who he was and soon went back to what they were doing. "You'll kill me?" He sighed once the laughter subsided. "Well, suppose there are worse ways to die than by the hands of a pretty lady." He stated with a little shrug.

"I don't mind if you tag along, it's not like we share intimate secrets or anything, but... You might want to sneak a little peek at what those guys are up to, might lead to something fun. You can do that if you want, I'm not a jealous person." He snickered. "Well, maybe I am a little bit sometimes." He stated with a small wink.
~~~
Ess simply smiled, holding back a laugh of her own, still not understanding why this man’s laugh was so contagious. Tala wagged her tail a bit, as if she was interested in the prospect of Ess killing Luckas, she nuzzled Ess’s hand lovingly. As she soothingly ran her fingers along Tala’s ear, Ess made her way for the door, nodding for Luke to lead the way.

“Aww...you think I’m pretty?” There were mixed feelings with her words, the tone honestly surprised yet the words seemed mocking. The intention was not meant to be rude, but Ess didn’t hear that compliment when she was in her normal form...at least not for a long time.

“Don’t tempt me Luckas, I may want to see what kind of man you are when you become Jealous. I bet it’s deliciously down right scary.” Ess tossed her curls aside from her face, the glow of her violet gaze dimmed back to her normal deep shade. “Besides, the Captain and I are always in the middle of a discussion and she suddenly has to go attend to business..and...” Ess smirked, a little snort escaping her at the irony... “...each time she leaves...you show up. So there are some things that are still up in the air.”
~~~
"I have eyes, don't I?" Luke responded, a very discrete tone of pink showing on his face as he hadn't realized he'd paid the woman a compliment in the middle of all his talking. As they walked through the door and out to the hall, however, it was already gone. He snickered slightly. "Now I'm curious as to how you suppose you could make me jealous." He stated tilting his head a bit in thought. He grinned. "You wouldn't be disappointed though."

He chuckled. "Well, while I tend to want to follow the Captain around all the time, funny enough, I wasn't even doing that when we ran into each other.I didn't even see it was the Captain you were talking to either. When you said 'Guard Captain' I didn't think you meant the Black Guard." He stated with a small shrug, walking down a corridor, he stopped in front of Mageria's bedroom door, and knocked on it as gently as he could. Not saying anything and just waiting to see if she'd open the door. He suspected that if he called she wouldn't open the door for him.
~~
Mageria hadn't managed to get up by the time that there was a knock on the door. She considered ignoring it, but her sense of duty was too strong. Even though they didn't identify themselves, it could have been one of her people, which meant that she had to answer. Her room was still dark, no one had been by to light a candle and she hadn't had the will to do so. She had instead been sitting there staring; feeling a small burning flame in her chest. Somehow, she was going to keep her people together, those that choose to follow her. She wouldn't turn away from them, no matter who had turned away from her.

She would protect the people of Newhaven, the ones that she had truly given her oath to. It wasn't the Council that she was sworn to; it was the men, women and children that she was bound to protect. The whole reason that her world was crumbling around her was because she had believed that seven years ago; it was just as true today.

Somehow, she would find a way.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly pushed herself up and pulled open the door, blinking a bit at the sudden light. Her eyes quickly flicked between Luckas and Ess, standing there together. A slight smile quirked the side of her face as a ember of fire could be seen in her eyes. The two of them, together. That could lead to some interesting times. Silently, she stepped back, opening the door to invite them in.
~~
Tala bursted forward in a flash of energy, happy to see Mageria again. “Blasted wolf..” Ess muttered almost falling over as Tala jumped around happily, licking at Mageria’s hand. Leaving the wolf with the Captain, Ess noticed how dark the room was and shuffled her way inside, finding the closest set of candles to light, as Luke and her entered the room. A few heart beats passed, the room slowly filling with light while Ess found a lonely chair off against a wall. Casually she sat, leaning back against the wall, balancing on the back two legs. She kept silent, looking from Mageria to Luckas, absently cracking her knuckles.
~~~
Luckas didn't make himself as comfortable in the room as he usually would pretty much anywhere, rather he just walked in and leaned against the wall nearest to the doorway. For a second or two watching Tala before he opened a grin and put his attention on Mageria. "You know, not to seem arrogant or anything, but you should've accepted my offer. People just underestimate the value of mind control nowadays apparently." He said with a small shrug. "Suppose I should apologize for the..." His eyes glanced over to where Ess was sitting and he chuckled. "It was supposed to be funny, but the timing was just terrible, it seems."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Luckas attempted to hold back the manic grin that would give away what was on his mind as he addressed the question he wanted to ask at this time, however, the red glow in his eyes showed his intentions rather clearly. "The reason I'm here now though... You told me not to do anything you would have to deal with, so I've taken my time to come here and ask: If I do something now, would you still have to deal with it?"
~~~
Mageria knelt down, petting Tala and ruffling her fur. Leaning back against the wall, she slid down and crossed her legs, jerking her head back as the wolf attempted to climb into her lap. "Settle down," she ordered gently and Tala obeyed, laying down and looking up at her in mute appeals for more scratches. Mageria obliged, working her fingers through the fur around her ears.
It took her a moment to respond to Luckas. "Honestly, at the moment? It depends on who you were going after." There was another long moment of silence. "I have a reasonable idea of why most of the Councillors want to get rid of me. Things I've done or seen . . . I've made some enemies over time. But Xypher? What in the Gods names has happened that he is so desperate to get rid of me that he'd do all that? It could be any number of things, all of which could be a disaster for the people I'm supposed to be protecting."
Mageria absently kept petting Tala, the movement soothing. She looked up at Luckas with a gentle angry smile on her face, a look in her eye that almost matched that in his. "So the question is, if you were to do something to a certain someone . . . would I care?"
~~~
Ess tilted her head, letting her curls drape over half of her face, listening to both Mageria and Luckas her eyes flarred briefly in a vibrant purple before fading again. She could feel the
woman’s pain, hearing it in her words. Keeping quiet for the most part, she whispered under her breath, thinking out loud, “Maybe...it doesn’t have to do with you...maybe you are just a pawn...someone in the way..” Ess cleared her throat, giving a small smirk as she pondered which dress would be appropriate for her little venture later, shifting her eyes back over to Luckas.
~~
Luckas snickered softly at the response. "This Xypher person..." His eyes lit up a bright red just to mention the man's name. "I know his type well. One of those people who are content with what they have until they see an opportunity to get a little more, and then a little more than that... They're parasites, leeches, scum." He said, barely containing a growl behind his words. "If you want a more specific reason, however, that can be arranged." He stated, a childish smile breaking through his anger at the thought of being useful. "To make it simple, yes. The question is, if I was to have my fun with a certain person, or his associated people, would that be a problem?" He asked, his eyes turning back to their usual black as he smiled down at the woman. "I'd hate it if my playtime somehow ruined our friendship, Captain. Especially since I still haven't got the answers I need." His smile turning a little more wicked as he added. "However, that's a conversation to be had at another time."
~~~
Mageria sighed, not stopping in her absent petting motions. She never really thought she'd be petting a wolf, but there was something about it, as if she could recognize a kindred spirit. And it was calming, which was something she really needed at the moment. Leaning her head back, she thought for a long moment, studying Luckas through half lidded eyes. Finally she came to a decision.
"I took an oath to protect the people of Newhaven, Luckas. Through whatever means necessary." A brief, hard smile crossed her face. "Just because they're trying to kick me out doesn't mean that I'm going to abandon my oath in turn. Xypher . . . just placed himself between me and those that I'm supposed to protect. And he was so desperate to do so that he stabbed himself in the leg to try and sell the idea."

She stilled, somehow giving the impression of a hunter, waiting for the correct moment to strike. "I need to know why. And I need to know how many people are involved. And I don't have the time or resources to do it in my traditionally non-traditional methods." Mageria looked Luckas directly in the eye, knowing that she should never be considering such a thing, but not caring at this point. And. . . she acknowledged that there was a part of her that really wanted some revenge. "So go have your fun with the Warlord Xypher, Luckas. Let me know what you find out." A chilling smile crossed her face. "Just be sure you clean up after yourself."
~~~
Essence rocked forward onto all four legs of the chair, standing quick with a graceful flare, approaching both the Captain and Luckas. “Glad to have your blessing M’am...because this is where I come in...” A mischievous smirk crossed her lips, as she bit down on her tongue to contain her excitement. “Course...if you didn’t mind, I would need you to keep an eye on Tala for me...she can’t follow.” Tala gave a curious bark, tilting her head up at Essence that caused her to laugh. “Ok..well you can watch the Captain here for me, eh?” She corrected to the wolf. Sometimes she didn’t know if her furry friend was really a person, and it often made her wonder with her excess amounts of intelligence that only continued to surprise Ess.

“I was starting to think I had bad timing, with everything that has happened. I was trying to find a way for myself to be...useful to you. Perhaps then you’d want to keep me around.” Ess’ smile dwindled a bit as she stared into Mageria’s eyes, her own twinkling as she stated flatly, almost without emotion. “I would of done the same thing Captain.” Her tone grew cold with an almost creepy like edge, “I’ve done worse to less deserving...MEN.”

Essence cracked her back, stretching her neck to loosen up some. She had errands to run, things to do to prepare, as she didn’t have everything she required. “Does anyone know...” She looked from Luke to Mageria, “What kinda gal he fancies? Blond...? Brunette?” With each word, Ess’s hair changed from one color to the next, falling back to her default red, the length and curls never faltering.
~~~
The soft 'thud' of Ess' chair hitting the ground was what kept Luckas' mind in the room, as he was already thinking of things he'd finally get to do again, a delighted grin plastered on his face. It was like a five year old itch desperately needing to be scratched. No... It was more than a itch: It was a hunger, or sorts. The predator inside had been successfully bound five years ago when the White Shadows took him in, but now those quiet days were over... And everywhere he looked there was prey, one more delicious than the other, it had been a struggle to keep control of his urges. This would be the most wonderful release, he needed it, and he was given more than enough consent and encouragement to do it. He was almost sorry to had promised Ess he'd let her join him, but he did, and so he would stay true to his word. He was also a bit curious to see what she'd do, he couldn't deny.

He waited patiently for Ess to finish talking so he could answer Mageria. "Have you or your men ever learned of the Dark Mirror's, far more charming and talented, brother before, Captain? I always clean up after myself very neatly, don't worry." He then turned to Ess and grinned. "Who's to be sure he fancies women? I mean, a lot of men would much rather my boyish charms." He said with a slightly flirtatious wink. He wouldn't deny he had lured a couple of victims that way, probably saved a few kids from a very traumatic experience. Not to mention those were excellent kills, those men had more ghosts than a haunted house. After let his thoughts wander for a while, he changed the subject to the other question in his mind.

"Say, Captain... I'm wondering... They wouldn't have the guts to throw those kids in the orphanage would they? I mean, Lily and the others?" He asked, his tone a slightly softer one. "Because if they would, tell me whose mind I need to make up to avoid that."
~~
Mageria looked back at Ess. "I honestly have no idea what 'type' Xypher would fancy. Probably your best bet would be someone not that noticeable, but who can give him what he wants. Maybe somebody who has more information that he can use against me? I think he'd pay more attention to that." She waited a moment. "I'd be glad to have Tala along, though. A reason to hold my temper." She thought for a moment more, looking between the two others. "Please, just don't do something that will cause you too much pain. I'd hate to see two hurt yourselves because of me."

Mageria looked over at Luckas, raising one eyebrow. "Honestly, do you think I'd let them do anything to the children? If they try . . . well. If they try, they'll find out just how much I learned from the dear departed Captain Morgan." She looked down at Tala and scratched her behind the ears. "One of the 'gifts' your brother left me with. I know exactly what I'm capable of . . . and I'm willing to do it, if the need arises."
~~~
Ess nodded a bit, her mind wondering. She couldn’t take on the form of someone familiar, without research and practice to make the ‘Mirage’ believable, so she would go with something to satisfy the man’s urges. Playfully she tapped Luckas on the arm at his smart ass comment. “You just want me to mirror you again, is that it?” She teased, turning her head her eyes still trailing him from a sideway glance, giving her a mysterious persona.

“If you really don’t mind Tala,” Ess stated to the Captain, “ I’ll go over a few things with you before I leave. She really is a smart girl..” Ess dragged her nails lightly underneath Tala’s chin, causing her leg to kick happily. “Yes you are..” She whispered to the wolf.

Ess couldn’t hold back a giggle at Mageria’s words of what she would be capable of, if pushed so far. “Something tells me I don’t want to ever cross you.” One of these days, Ess was going to sit down and have a few drinks with the Captain where they could swap stories and pick one another’s brain. She felt there was at least a few things she could learn from the woman, even though it appeared they were not far in age from each other.

Essence stepped back towards the door, looking from one to the next with an almost impatient smile. “So..where do we go from here?”
~~~
Luckas nodded quietly and firmly as Mageria stated she wouldn't allow anything to happen to the kids. He didn't usually take people's word on things, but for some reason he couldn't bring himself to doubt her, not even in thought. He discarded the matter as if it was settled that the children would be perfectly safe. When she mentioned his brother had shown her exactly what she was capable of, an odd expression crossed his features and he mumbled under his breath. "That must be a very comforting thing to know."

Once Ess asked what they would do next, he leaned closer to her and whispered playfully, going back on the conversation a bit. "I'm not exactly my type either, but that's a conversation for another time." Raising his voice to a more audible level, he answered the question. "Well... We need to do a little digging and find out what to dress you up as; servants are wonderful means to get this sort of information. We also need a nice quiet spot to lure him into, but I think I know just the one. Then... We do what good predators do: We stalk our prey until he's nice and vulnerable." He stated. "Unless you rather go about it in some other fashion, I'm not picky." He shrugged. "You said you had to talk to Captain about some thing yourself, no? If that's still the case I'll wait out in the hall while you do that." He had some things he needed to tell Ess if she was going to help him with this, and he'd rather not discuss them with anyone else. Meanwhile, he'd take some time to think. Giving Mageria a slight bow, he walked past Ess through the bedroom door and out to the hallway, closing the door after himself and leaning against the opposite wall to wait.
~~
Mageria watched Luckas leave the room before quietly clearing her throat and looking up at Ess. "If you were planning on 'mirroring' Luckas again in the near future; I'd appreciate it if you didn't do that around me. I may have learned some things from his brother, but it was . . ." a dark shadow flickered across her eyes. "Not something I'd care to remember. Ever. Also, I did kill his brother, and it's taken me a couple of years to get past the instinctive urge to stab Luckas whenever I see him. So, not the best idea to startle me with that."

She rubbed Tala's ears once again, snorting at the look the wolf gave her. "So what was it you needed to tell me?"
~~~
Essence sighed as Luckas left, turning back towards the Captain, the smile on her face fading at Mageria’s words. “I was actually trying to get a rise out him, believe it or not....and I did in a way. I learned more afterwards, please accept my apologies.” Ess spoke humbly, changing the subject to Tala as she went over some basic commands to use, if ever Mageria needed to, explaining some things that were quite obvious; like the wolf’s uncanny urge to protect and how she obviously agreed with the Captain on some opinions of Luckas. “Feel free to test her...dislike for Luckas if ever you wish for amusement...or whatever.” Ess only half heartedly joked, hoping to crack a smile on the Captain’s troubled face.

“Before I go, my only other concern was that we never seem to finish speaking, you and I. I was just curious if there was anything you’d be willing to teach me...” Ess paused, lowering her voice as she continued. “Or if you felt I was worth the work.” Briefly describing how she grew up, kidnaped and sold into a brothel at seven, Ess nodded before turning towards the door, motioning for Tala to stay. “I would like to see some things change in this world, therefore if you need more of my help..I will gladly be here.” Ess smiled sweetly, ear to ear. “In the mean time...you have Tala there...who seems to like you tremendously. Take care of each other while I’m gone.” The wolf motioned to move but remained where she lye, a small whine escaping her throat.

“I will be back...so don’t think you can keep her forever.”
~~~
Mageria spoke quickly and quietly before Ess could get out the door. "I have a great deal I think that I could teach you, and perhaps some things that you could teach me." She looked down and took a deep breath. "Honestly, I was wondering if you'd want to have anything to do with me after everything you've found out. Reason or not, I did commit treason. And associating with me is not going to lead to glory and riches any time soon. But if you want to continue; there are any number of things that I believe you could help me with."

“I will be back...so don’t think you can keep her forever.”

Mageria cocked one eyebrow at Tala as Ess went out the door. "Which one of us was she talking to?"
~~

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Character Portrait: Luckas Character Portrait: Crystal Rivers Character Portrait: Ess
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Essence stepped outside Mageria’s room, closing the door gently behind her. Her eyes were locked onto the floor, lost in thought temporarily although she did notice Luke standing opposite against the wall. Ess wasn’t sure what style she would be looking for, for her disguise. Male..female....flashy...subtle...some skin...a lot of skin. A slight smile curled her lips as she muttered, “I don’t suppose you’re going to want me to model my ideas for you? Course...I would like to take a hot bath first.” Ess paused licking her lips teasingly as she passed Luckas, her arm brushing his ever so slightly. “...And well, I feel you would have to wait outside this time for that.” Ess was a tease, and she wasn’t sure if all of it was instinct and subtle humor, or the fact that maybe she did find Luckas attractive and she was trying to hide the awkward feeling inside her stomach. Course, she had a talent for that, which was how she was always able to pretend to be another person to satisfy someone’s fantasy. She was a great actress.

“In the mean time Luckas, should we go over a strategy? Back up plans?.....” Ess winked.. “I also have...insurance for this kind of task...”

"Lady, you shouldn't tease a man like that, especially not one who can use mind control on you." Luke snickered. "I might give that impression sometimes, but I'm no kid." He warned. "If I wasn't such a gentleman you'd be in so much trouble right now."

His tone made clear he was joking, but maybe he wasn't entirely. Luckas sometimes found himself saying things to Ess he wasn't even sure were serious or all in good fun. He still hadn't completely shaken off the odd feeling he got from her presence, and he wasn't sure if the fact that she was so determined to figure him out was comforting or annoying. He wasn't sure if he wanted her around or if he wanted her gone... If liked her better as a friend or as prey. She was tempting, that was a fact, but he'd never had a friend before.

Finally, he got to the subject at hand. "I'd love to know what you mean by insurance and we should talk some things through, yes, but first I need you to listen, and this is important: I can get too carried away with this. I mean, I might actually break the guy's mind beyond recognition before we even have the information Captain wants. So, while I'll be trying my very best to keep it to a minimum, at least until we get something out of him, I might not be able to. Now, this is the important part: If my eyes are bright red, no matter what happens, do not touch me. Not even if the guy breaks out of my hold and runs a blade clean through my chest: unless you see black, stay the hell away. Are we clear?" He asked, looking the woman right in the eyes. He really didn't want to hurt her. At least not until he chose to do it.

Essence couldn’t hold back her laughter, her head falling back almost limp as her eyes rolled up in her eyelids. “I...don’t believe I would ever hit on a child, my dear Luckas...nor do I fear you would be forced to resort to mind control...”She trailed off batting her eyes, her lips pursing as she made a soft kiss like gesture into the air in his direction. A momentary slip of her composure, she used that gesture to attempt to keep his attention away from how her eyes softened a moment, a wave of mixed emotions slamming her hard before she took back control of the subtle change. She had given something away and it made her nervous at the very idea of her emotions going past the pleasantries of normal business. Never, had Ess given herself the opportunity to consider anything else beyond how she would aquire her next bit of coin. She always felt that path would make her weak, vulnerable and she refused to let herself fall apart, losing herself like she had once before. Never did she wish to relive that moment. A painful memory flashed through her mind, quickly disappearing:

[13 years ago]

“Please don’t let it be him...”Ess prayed frantically to herself. Her violet orbs fell upon the names, her brows narrowing in anger as she screamed out in defiance at the stones. Falling to her knees, her fists began pounding against the earth, finding their way to the tombstone. With several cracks she had broken her hand, yet she ignored the physical pain as it was nothing compared to the realization of her loss. Ess disappeared in her blind rage, cursing the Twins, herself, and even her friend. Her wails of despair echoed into the city, carried off by the storm in a haunting mockery of her pain. She had met her breaking point that she had tried so hard to keep away from; she had fallen off her precipice disappearing into the abyss of sorrow.

With a soft sigh she brushed the feelings aside as if they never prodded her mind.

Clearing her throat, her painted smile faded as she focused on Luckas. Nodding at the appropriate times she knew he was correct in warning her about his gift, that she needed to be mindful of her casual demeanor and not touch him. The way he stared into her, gave her a spine shivering tingle that fluttered throughout her entire body. It was not a bad feeling, only the nervousness came back, this time she kept it well hidden. He was strange, Luckas. She saw something inside he was battling with, but couldn’t decipher it just yet. He was letting her accompany him on something most private, giving fair warning to protect herself while he had expressed conflicting concerns between his dark side and something else. The general concern for some random children who mainly meant nothing to him personally and then to shift into plans of torture and demise of foes...It reminded her, of well, herself. Sometimes feeling like she was split down the middle, and she knew Luckas had no idea how deep the split actually went inside Essence, even if he did take a peek into her soul.

Finally she spoke, “So...no skin on skin then?” The smile creeped back into view. “I get it Luckas. Only....does this mean I can’t lasso you with a rope to move you?” Ess was curious if he only meant direct contact, or if random objects acted like a conduit between him and another and would not save one from his fury.

Luckas watched Ess carefully. There was definitely something about her; something special, and he couldn't quite tell how exactly it affected him, but he couldn't deny it did. It was odd, being affected by someone, he couldn't remember the last time that happened, that if it ever actually did. Lena was someone he feared and respected, and someone he could learn a lot from, Captain was someone that simply fascinated him for what she had managed to live through, in a few moments he'd even thought he felt admiration for her, but either way he didn't have interest in them personally. They weren't people he would ever let this close, not matter how close Lena had gotten, it was never as close as this... And maybe it was way too close for both their sake. "Absolutely no skin on skin." He stated. "You could try and lasso me, tie me up, wear gloves, whatever else, but odds are I'll fight you. I wouldn't take that chance if I were you; I'll be blind, def and void of any reason, and the slightest touch is all it takes" He warned. Then he relaxed a bit and shrugged slightly, adding: "There is also the possibility that I'll pass out afterwards, but I think I can trust you not to take advantage of me, right?" He asked raising an eyebrow and giving her a fake suspecting glance, before turning it into a wicked grin. "Because I'd much rather be awake for that." He said, winking playfully as he began walking.

"There's this tower I like to hide in and no one usually goes there, so that is a good place to lure him into, it's secluded enough; I'll show you where it is. Unless you'd rather lead him out of the Castle, but that might be a little harder to pull off, I mean... You may be a talented actress, as I'm sure you are, but the guy probably won't be that stupid."

Essence walked beside Luckas, holding back a fit of giggles at his comment of tying him up. She decided to leave that one alone. A sweet, calm like smile remained on her lips, her eyes flickered in a subtle glow with her emotions as Luckas mentioned him trusting her. She remembered their first meeting..well second meeting, almost like a battle of wits discussing man’s flaws and how trust was one of those things that was fragile and could be shattered easily. Ess agreed with much he had said, and couldn’t ignore the fact that he was giving her a shot in the dark. He most likely was similar to her, in that she built a wall around herself to prevent any permanent damage from seeping in, if that trust was broken.

“I think I’d rather you be awake for that as well...so no passing out. I’d take that as a personal insult.” She teased. Quirking an eyebrow, she scrunched up her nose , still smiling as she answered his offer of trust in her own way, “I’ll mind the red eyes Luckas, but I don’t leave people behind.”

Rolling her eyes, Ess muttered under her breath, “What is it with boys and their forts?” Then again, as she thought about it, she was like the cool girl allowed into the “Boy’s Only” Club. A bit louder she asked, “Let me guess Luckas, this tower of yours is scattered with human skulls?” With a chuckle she turned to face him, “Stupid people are not a challenge, so I hope he’s got more brains than a rock.” Ess began thinking of how she would lure the Warlord to this said tower, and depending on what information Luke and her found out, depended on her main strategy.

“Generally speaking hun, I see this going into the direction of me leading the Warlord to you...maybe having a bit of fun myself...and incapacitating him..at least temporarily so you can have your fun, without worrying about a sword through the chest.” Ess would show Luckas what she meant later in association with her back up plan and “Insurance Policy.”

Ess rolled her shoulders, as if they were sore. “In the mean time..I need to relax if I am to have enough strength to play...which means for me...to go visit the tavern for a drink. You are welcome to join.” She stated to Luckas, reaching by her hip she retrieved a single gold coin which she tossed lightly in his direction. “You can buy me a drink.” She slowly winked.

Luckas sighed softly when she said she didn't leave people behind; that was cute, but it just gave him something to worry about. He didn't say anything more though, the last thing he needed right now was to admit that he worried; that would be a whole other concern all in itself and he wanted a clear mind. Going back to the teasing was the best way he found to keep that out of his head. "Well, whenever you want to take advantage of me I'll be wide awake, believe me."

When she asked if the tower had human skulls in it, Luke laughed out again. "What? No, silly woman." He choked on laughter. "First: I don't play with dead stuff. Second: It's just a bell tower, nothing much." He said with a shrug. "And how do you plan to incapacitate him? I need him awake and sober for this, so no drugs." He told her. "Even if they ware off quick, they might cause some side-effects with my enlightenment."

Catching the gold coin in the air, Luke quickly slipped into his pocket with an amused grin. "Tell you what, pretty lady... Assuming you now know how the get out of the castle by yourself, why don't you go ahead and I'll meet you there in a few minutes? I have a little ritual of my own I'd like get done before we have our fun." That said, he began to walk towards the 'noble area' of the castle, waving playfully over his shoulder. "Don't have too much fun without me."

Ess shrugged and added, “What if he is awake and sober...but can’t move?” She was thinking to herself about the many different...toys and products she acquired over the years to satisfy such a purpose. Raising her left hand up a bit she spoke softly, “I promise..on pain of death...not to ruin your fun Luckas, or interfere...” Her smile faded into her serious persona, nodding as she did understand his complexities of his enlightenment, at least from what he mentioned. She was exceptionally excited to see exactly what he was capable of, since she honestly couldn’t remember everything from their first encounter, but she was still left impressed.

Again, he complimented her oh so subtly, her expression questioning yet she kept her lips silent.
Rolling her eyes slightly she sighed, “Ok, but don’t take too long. I’ll keep a seat warm for you.” Placing a kiss on her hand she blew it towards him as she spun around back the way they had come, remembering an exit they had passed that would lead her back towards the gate. “I can’t make you any promises that I’ll behave while you’re away.”

Essence made her way to the Inn fairly quickly, sitting at an empty table by the door. Nodding to the woman behind the bar, she held up two fingers, hinting that she wanted a double. The woman nodded, knowing Ess’s usual choice of hard alcohol. As the glass was set down before her she quickly downed the liquid, letting the burning sensation coat he stomach before motioning for another. Sipping the second drink, she handed the woman a few coins, leaning back in her chair, heels upon the table. Half the day was just about over and so much had already happened. Tossing around some ideas in her mind, she contemplated what she would see from Luckas and what she would reveal to him in turn. In a half smile, she sipped her drink again, violet eyes fluttering about the room from patron to patron. As she lost herself deep in thought, she began to remember one of the first times she had engaged in such a pre-meditated action...

[NewHaven about 10 years ago...]

Essence sauntered forward, heels clicking against the stone floor of the courtyard, as her hips swayed side to side in a hypnotizing desire. Dressed from head to toe in a dark, red-like purple satin, the cloth hugging her curves, dragging along the floor, was sleeveless. Her thick curls fell messy and loose down past her shoulders, encasing her soft pale skin from the night’s chill. Carrying no visible weapons, her fingers fiddled with a small pouch that hung from her left hip. Two curious rings decorated her left and right middle fingers. One was simple, a plain silver band with a curious hook like claw that extended across her palm towards he wrist; the other was a white gold, topped with a metallic purple sapphire. Ess had applied only a hint of color to her lips and eyes, earthy tones that embellished her violet gaze and drew attention away from her tattoo like scar beneath her left eye. Breath taking was an understatement, yet she wasn’t completely conspicuous, managing to blend with the crowd to attract only the occasional stare which could of been credited to her perfume. The scent was enticingly sweet; a mix of lavender, honey, and vanilla.

The night was alive with entertainment, music and plenty of drink. Torch light surrounded the main gathering in a particular circle, the shadows dancing across her face. Ess looked around, looking up at the castle from afar, absently wondering about what it looked like inside. Everything seemed to slow down as her eyes locked upon her target, she temporarily fell deaf as she honed onto Devon Fields, pushing out the tired music that haunted her ears. Devon was tall, blond, green eyed son of a noble whose charms got him almost anything or anyone and his peers simply turned a blind eye. ‘Weak and pathetic,’ Ess thought to herself with an attractive smile. She would not approach him directly, but found her harmless lurking would eventually draw his attention as she mingled with the men and women of the party, calling herself Talena Lumin.

For a moment, she felt she was being watched and when she glanced around with a nieve expression, Devon and her locked eyes for a second before she turned away with a slight yawn. Turning slowly she disappeared into a circle of men and women, temporarily losing Devon’s gaze. Keeping her attention on him, she saw how he looked away only to double take her figure , his eyes flashing quickly from person to person as he tried to pick her out of the party. It worked out wonderfully when the crowd parted around her, displayed perfectly for the noble, wine glass in hand. Pretending to not notice him as she finished off her drink, she didn’t have to fake her bored expression as he dropped his current conversation to approach her.

The next few moments were typical; they introduced themselves, Devon giving the facade of knowing ‘Talena’s’ family because she played herself off as a cousin of a noble family and Talena, in turn, indulging the man to a dance. Her violet orbs kept to their dim contrast, her mind void of any emotion as she inspected the weasel and his obvious fake persona. Smiling sweetly as he boasted and lied about his adventures and conquests, she was light on her feet as she was twirled left then right, heels seeming to not touch the ground. Politely she kept her attention on him, all the while the wheels inside her brain twisted and turned remembering the rumors, only to see for herself what darkness he left upon the women from her side of town. Ess was getting better and better at discovering the demons hidden away inside the souls of men, and it wasn’t hard at all to see the familiar sick glimmer in his green eyes as he complimented her again and again.

“You honor me, M’lord.” She whispered softly, her gaze luring him closer to her as the dance completed.

“May I get you another drink, M’lady Lumin?” Devon bowed politely giving a devilish smile.

Ess nodded knowingly as he went to retrieve them both another glass of wine. Quickly she thought about how to switch the glasses, remembering how the noble drugged each girl before he had his way with them, never much for the fight as he seemed to like to take his time with his docile playmates.

When Devon had returned, she automatically reached for the furthest glass from herself, knowing he would pull away. Ironically he was taken back a bit, the glass slipping for the stone floor with a small shatter.

“Oh, I am terribly sorry M’Lord. That was my fault.” She apologized, taking the glass presented to her. “Let me grab another for you.” With another sweet smile she carried her glass with her as she pretended to sip it, leaving a noticeable lip smear to show she had held onto her own drink as she retrieved another for him. With her back to him, she poured the wine into another glass, walking back pretending to finish off the entire contents in one breath. Stumbling a bit she handed Devon the drink.

“Perhaps, I have had too much tonight. Would you escort a Lady back to her home?” Ess willed her cheeks to glow with a pink tone, giving the illusion she had indeed over-indulged that night. Devon smiled, quirking a brow at how she inhaled the drink and nodded as he repeated her action in response. “What kind of gentleman would I be if I refused?”

Stabbing Westward-Darkest Days

Once they made their way away from the crowd, Ess stumbled a bit more, her hand touching her head as if she was dizzy. “Devon...I feel....sick...” She lied, her legs giving out from under her, yet she never hit the cold ground. Devon had caught her as she ‘faded from consciousness’ and without a word he lifted her into his arms, turning into another direction of his home.

Ess remained limp, listening to the sounds around her, feeling Devon’s body tense and his heart race in excitement. She almost thought she heard him laugh to himself, but she was never sure. Before she knew it, they had entered a room somewhere, and she was carelessly tossed onto the soft surface of a bed. Essence noted the sound of Devon unbuckling his belt, letting clothing fall to the floor, soon after he gripped her ankles, dragging her forward, her legs falling like a rag doll on either side of his hips. She let her mind drift as his rough fingers slid over her skin, tugging at the lace of her gown here and there, fumbling with the hooks of her corset. Keeping her composure and illusion that she was passed out, she simply waited.

Ess was happy that the drug had managed to kick in before Devon defiled her. Peeking with one eye, she saw his body grow limp and with a confused grunt he slid off her onto the floor. Slowly she lifted her head questioningly, opening both eyes as she wondered if he would move. Minutes went by before finally standing quickly, she dressed herself. With much effort she managed to yank the naked man onto the bed, using the sheets from the bed to tie him down. She wasn’t sure how long he would be out for, but she sat in a nearby chair to watch.

An hour passed before the man stirred, Ess’s eyes snapping to attention she rocked forward to stand over Devon, her curls teasingly tickling his bare chest. A wild glow in her stare emanated from her form, a devious smile curling her lips while her fingers playfully trailed along his chest and along his inner thighs. “Wakey wakey..” She sang, placing a kiss on his cheek.

As he opened his blurry eyes, his confusion was great causing her to giggle quietly. He moved to speak but was cut off as she backhanded him hard across the face, the jewel of her ring imprinting along his cheekbone. Now he was awake, twitching about as he attempted to break loose. Eyes wide, he glared at Ess, “Tricky Bitch you-” She cut him off again, shaking her head disapprovingly to keep silent as she slapped him harder this time across the other cheek, her ring slicing a superficial cut down across his lip.

“I’m sorry...you were saying?” She muttered mockingly before stuffing a rag into his mouth. “What? I can’t hear you?” Crawling over Devon’s nakedness she straddled his hips still fully clothed herself, her fingers inattentively playing with the ring on her right hand. With a twist she turned the claw like point around as if it was an additional fingernail. “You almost made it too easy, sugar..Tell me...do you like how this feels..” She teased as she grinded herself into his hips, her tiny silver claw finding its way towards his chest, she slowly pressed and dragged it across both pecks simultaneously. The blood trickled down onto the bed as he thrashed, attempting to knock Ess off of him, yet she tightened her thighs, bucking wildly as if she were riding a stallion yet to be broken.

With his muffled screams she wanted to take her time, but knew she had to get to the point before someone heard him. When she looked into his eyes, she only saw memories of her own defilement and torture. Her vision taken over by one memory in particular


BlackPond over 15 years ago...

Tye was revealed Ess's gift after his nightly visit with her. He was almost as bad as Jasper with his repeated abuse, so as much as Ess tried to hide her fear, it manifested in her Enlightenment. He was startled into thinking she was a boy as she took the shape and form of her lost, older brother. He liked the idea at first and tried his damndest to teach her to use that gift at will for his own pleasures. When she refused, he made a deep, vertical cut underneath her left eye.

She fought through the pain as she whispered, “I know you didn't mean it.” Smiling sweetly as blood poured down her cheek, she reached between his legs with one hand, the other reaching for his short sword left lazily on the floor. She leaned in slowly to kiss Tye deeply and as he bit her lip, she thrusted the blade between his ribs, twisting hard.

"You like boys so much...", she teased, "
I thought you wanted to know how it felt to be stuck like a pig!"

As soon as she retracted the blade, Tye's personal guards came rushing in and knocked a hilt of a sword into her head and all went black. When she had awoken, she was lying naked in a dark, cold room. Heavy breathy creeping from each corner as rough hands grabbed her and spat in her ear, "" “This will take the fight out of you....""” Repeatedly beaten, raped, they had cut her so bad she would never know the joys of being a mother



She started with his face, leaving raw gashes that would normally heal into an ugly scar but she didn’t plan on letting him live that long. They seemed fitting to match the damage he had done to the other women, almost ritualistic. Putting much emphasis on the sharp tool, letting it linger before the man’s eyes, she gradually inserted the blade into his ear canal, causing his eyes to roll up into his head. Grabbing a pillow she shoved it over his face trying to silence his screams. Only when they softened did she pull the pillow back. Sliding her body down along his, she began jabbing her toy along his stomach, similar to the way a fork cut into an under easy egg, slowly a thick substance leaked out from the many holes. By the time she reached between his legs, the man was in tears, blood raining down onto the bed. Pausing a moment, she reached for the ring on her left hand, giving a twirl of the jewel, it opened, revealing a curious black liquid. Dipping the end of her claw into the muck, she closed back up the ring, watching as the goo coated the silver tool.

“This, won’t hurt much...” She frowned, a bit disappointed at that aspect as she impaled his male organ with the weapon, knowing the poison would soon numb him completely. Devon’s body lurched forward, only to be knocked back from the restraints, he spat the rag partially out in his despair, only to have it shoved deeper into his throat.

“It’s almost over, fortunately for you darlin’.” Essence growled as she crawled off the man, using the loose sheets from his restraints to wipe at the blood along her arms and chest. In the time it took her to gather herself, blowing out some candles to darken the room, the last thing she saw was his naked skin turning black as his wails softened. She knew the pain was going away as the skin darkened quickly. She took one last candle and brought it over to the man, gently lifting his head to look down at himself.

“Do you see Devon? It’s going to fall off before the toxin reaches your heart...” She stated happily, slightly lying but it still got the rise out of him she wanted. He was indeed weaker now, but he had head butted her in the forehead as she spoke. With a curse, she put out the candle on his nipple, digging the hot wax into his flesh.

In the darkness she laughed, muttering incoherent rants about the women he had tortured and raped. She remembered as many names as she could before she spat on him, leaving for the door. Ess knew he would be dead within the hour, with or without help. With a sigh she peeked out the door and slipped away into the night.


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

Crys had made it to Newhaven in a decent amount of time. She didn’t rush to the city as if she could stop anything, because she couldn’t, but she had increased her pace after she had finished speaking to Ari. She hadn’t been as far as one of the cities in almost three full years, but she had heard enough from the other assassins to know the shape of things around them both.

As she entered the Inn a bell rand above the door, announcing another customer had walked through it. A few people were inside, she could sense them, and hear their voices, but no one she knew; and definitely none of them were Wolves. There was no one behind the bar at the moment, but that was good in a way; it gave her a quiet moment to look around, so to speak.

She might have looked a bit odd to whoever bothered to watch her movements as she paced slowly silently counting steps between tables and running her hand through the length of the counter, amused to find that, at least to her, the place looked exactly the same as it once was. She had to appreciate Sean’s attitude on that, at least. It almost brought back memories, even though the wooden surface of the counter was smooth and lacked the several knife wounds and scorch marks the previous one had, and the floor boards didn’t make the familiar screech in response to her footsteps. The whole place was squeaky clean and impeccable in a way it had never been before. Almost familiar, but
 Not quite. As if someone had taken an item of sentimental value and replaced it with another exactly like it; the same, but not quite.

As she finally settled down in a stool by the counter she heard a female voice speak quickly as Sheila wandered in from the backroom. “You’re not welcome here.”
“I thought this was a neutral zone.” Crys replied, unfazed by the woman’s attitude; she was expecting that.
“It’s not neutral for you, but since you’re here I can take the opportunity to personally tell you to go straight to hell and rot there.” The woman replied.
“I’ll be sure to head that way after we talk.” Crys replied, with a little laugh, turning as the woman walked past her to serve a customer at a table. “Sheeeila
 I’m not leaving
” She snickered. “It’s just easier if you tell me what I want to know.”
“I’m not telling you anything. Just crawl back to whatever rock you’ve been hiding under...” She then proceeded to mutter something under her breath, it was barely audible, but enough for Crys to get.
“Whether I do or not leave him alone is none of your concern.” She replied, an angered expression forming on her face. “He is a grown man, in case you’re not aware.”
“Oh, I’m aware.” Sheila snickered, again walking past her.

Crys now realized there was someone else by the counter, just a couple of steps away and stopped to hear the sound of one single gold coin dropping on the counter. She didn’t hear what the customer had ordered, but she heard Sheila’s response. “That’s not enough, pretty boy.”
The young male replied by snickering softly. “Yes, it is
 Take it.” He didn’t raise his voice above a whisper, but even though his tone was gentle, something about it caused a chill to run down Crys’ spine.
“Huh, it is enough.” Sheila agreed suddenly, causing Crys to turn, now knowing that something was off.
“No, it’s not.” She stated, dropping another coin on the table. “This should do it, however.” She stated, turning towards the young man. “What did you do to her?”
“You?” He mumbled absently, sounding a bit shocked before chuckling slightly. “Pardon me Miss
? I’m with a friend, and suppose I was trying to impress her. I only have this one coin, however, and so I made use of my gift. I honestly didn’t think the Pack would miss one lousy coin all that much. I much appreciate your gesture. I will repay you one day.”
Crys frowned slightly, wondering if she knew this person, he seemed so startled to see her there for whatever reason. Still, he didn’t lie when he said he meant to impress his friend, he was actually keeping his voice down enough not to be heard from where Crys could tell the only other female customer was. “Rivers
” She started simply, since she felt it was fine to give him at least that. “
 Crystal Rivers. And you, Mister
?” She trailed off leaving room for his name, same as he had done for her, and then moved on. “It’s clear that you like this woman enough to steal from people who can easily kill you for it
 Who am I to stand in your way, right?”
“
 Just Luckas...” He said. “And, who knows? I might just have a death wish or something.”
Crys chuckled. “Alright, Luckas
 Believe what you will. It was nice meeting you.”
He retrieved the drinks from the counter and began to walk away without saying much more, however she caught a whisper as he walked away.

“It was nice meeting you in person, Crys.” He whispered.

Crys tilted her head slightly, wondering what the hell that meant, however she simply let the strange man go and turned her attention back to the matter at hand. “So, where were we?” She asked Sheila, with a fake smile.

She remembered when Sheila showed up in the Pack. Jake had run into her in Blackpond and helped her out of some trouble
 He sent her to the camp with a letter to the leaders saying that he thought she would be a perfect recruiter; and so she was. However, the woman had never liked her for her own reasons, and after a few occasions in which she had demonstrated her dislike very clearly, the feeling became mutual.

“I said go to hell.” The woman repeated. Although this time she stopped across the counter from Crys. “Would you like a drink, since you’re here?”
“I’d love a drink, I just don’t trust you not to poison it.” Crys replied. “I don’t have all the time in the world, Sheila. I need to know when you last saw Jacob, and where I can find him.”
“Of course you do.” The woman said. “When it’s convenient, right?”
Crys stood up, her seemingly endless patience was beginning to wear out and she leaned forward on the wooden counter, her face closer to the woman. “Enough with the innuendos already
 Just tell me what it is you think I did wrong this time so we can move on with our very separate lives.” She muttered.
“Honestly Crys, to sum it all up: I think you would have done us all a huge favor if you had just decided to stay dead. Especially Jake, the poor guy really deserves a break.”

That was it. It wasn’t completely Sheila’s fault, but the woman should have known that when someone crawls in the dirt for hours trying to catch the next breath, spends days just trying to keep her heart from failing, and consequently loses everything, all within a month, ‘you should have stayed dead’ is just not something you say without causing something to snap. And something snapped inside of Crys so painfully that she didn’t think twice to plant her foot on the stool she had been sitting on moments earlier and push herself up and across the counter, pulling one of her Sai and launching herself at the woman, aiming a stab at her face.

Sheila only had time to grab a metal tray to defend herself with, the Sai dagger collided with it forcefully; once, twice, three times before the impact knocked the woman over to the ground. With very little room to move behind the counter, Sheila planted both her feet against the metal tray to push Crys away, pulling out a short sword that was sheathed at her waist as she jumped to her feet. “I believe I hit a nerve.” The woman stated, slightly pleased with the fact that she had managed to get through Crys’ calm exterior.

Crys was knocked back a few steps, but kept her balance enough to not fall back. At this point the rage had subsided, but it didn’t mean she was going to sheathe her weapon and walk away. Not without answers, and she didn’t have time to waste. Gripping the metal tray with her free hand like a shield, she advanced towards the woman, letting her attack. Crys camly dodged the first blow, blocked the second blow with the metal tray and the third with the Sai, trapping the blade of the sword between the blade and one of the metal prongs of the weapon, pulling it down and out of the way. She then slammed the metal tray against the woman’s face, momentarily stunning her and causing her to loosen the grip on the sword, which was then knocked out of her hand.

It could have ended there, except Crys still wanted her questions answered and, admittedly, she wanted Sheila to suffer a little. The woman’s hand placed on the counter as she tried to catch her balance had provided the perfect opportunity, and Crys pulled her second Sai and stabbed right through it, pinning the woman’s hand to the wooden surface.

Sheila let out an ear-piercing scream at the pain caused by the blade. “You
 Psychotic
 Bitch
” She muttered, as Crys held the tip of the other blade pressed against her skin at a very dangerous spot below her eye.
Crys sighed releasing the Sai that was jammed through the woman’s hand and pinned to the wooden counter and reached under the counter, feeling around the space where a few bottles and other ingredients were kept until she found a lemon. “I’m sorry Sheila, but really
 I have somewhere else I need to be and you’re just not being helpful.” She stated, speaking softly and squeezing the lemon slightly in her hand.
Sheila tried to slowly reach for the Sai, to release her hand, but the hand holding the blade to her face stiffened only slightly and she reconsidered. “I’m going to get you for this one day
 I swear I will!” She muttered.
“Fine, as you wish. Until then, you’ll answer my questions and tell me ANYTHING else that might be useful to me. You have ten seconds to start talking.” She told the woman, pressing the lemon against the blade of the Sai that was pinning her hand, threatening to slice it open and let the acidic juice flow onto her wounded hand. “Ten
 Nine
”

“You’re bluff-“The woman didn’t finish the sentence, Crys had sliced the lemon open and the liquid had run down the blade of the dagger, causing her to scream in agony. “On the Twins
 I’ll kill you
” She muttered.
“I don’t bluff: Now talk.” Crys stated, threatening to squeezing more juice out of the fruit.
“Jake was here, the day before the Festival. He told me to inform Sean that he was with the Black Knights and something else about a woman from Blackpond meeting with the Queen and mentioning the Pack. Three of our people walked in not soon after and confronted Jake, that’s when this woman came inside to help him. They didn’t seem to know each other well, but he was friendly with her; they casually mentioned the fact that she had followed him and mentioned ‘the others’ at one point of the conversation, so I assume she was one of the Blacks, or a part of the Guard. They knocked our guys down, and I didn’t catch much more of their conversation since I went to the back, but there was this other man here and by the time I came back there were other people on the floor and Jake and his friend were leaving. I haven’t seen him since, so
 Well
 A little while ago he mentioned going to Blackpond; he seemed to feel strongly about the situation there for some reason. If he’s not with the Blacks I assume that’s where he’ll be.” The woman informed. “That’s all I know.”

Crys sighed softly, placing the split lemon on the counter and lowering the Sai that was pressed to Sheila’s face. The tip of the weapon hadn’t even left a mark on the woman’s skin; despite the steadiness of the wielding hand, the touch of the blade had been gentle enough to leave it intact. Sheathing the dagger, Crys picked a cloth and a bottle of rum. “This will sting, but don’t move or you might make it worse.” She informed, soaking the cloth and wrapping it around the blade, using it to press Sheila’s hand against the surface of the counter as she gripped the Sai by the hilt and yanked it out with one steady pull. As she sheathed the bloody weapon, she kept pressing the wounded hand against the counter. Sheila’s breathing was unsteady from the pain, but she didn’t as much as move a muscle. Crys took the time to take the woman’s hand and wrap the rum-soaked cloth around it, binding it tightly, before leaving the establishment without another word exchanged; the bottle of rum still in her hands.

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

Luckas spent a good few minutes 'interviewing' the servants who cleaned the dirt in Xypher's chamber, cooked his meals, and overheard his conversations. He was very disappointed; the man was as boring as one can be. It seemed the old man only had one woman in his life, and that was his dead wife. They couldn't get him that way, but Luke had an idea of what might work. It would probably be the most entertaining part of the whole thing. Xypher wouldn't make a good kill for him, but in a way that was good; if they had to end him nicely and quickly he wouldn't be at a loss.

Walking out of the castle and onto the courtyard, Luckas shivered, realizing he hadn't been outside since the previous day; he'd forgotten how cold it usually was this time of year, but he simply brushed it off, putting two hands in his pockets and forgetting the cold after only a few steps.

There were several Inns in the city and Luke hadn't asked Ess which one she would be going to, which was dumb, but he was lucky to find her in the first place he looked. He waved the gold coin she had tossed at him earlier and headed straight for the counter before even walking over. The barmaid wasn't there yet, so he leaned casually against the counter of the bar, waiting.

Someone walked in a minute or two after Luke, but he didn't turn to look. Whoever it was didn't seem to acknowledge him either, better this way. The newly arrived customer was a redheaded woman and an odd one as it seemed. She seemed to be walking aimlessly through the entire place mumbling something under her breath. That went on for a little while, until she settled down in a stool by the counter, sitting with her right elbow leaned on the counter and her back was turned to him. The barmaid came from the backroom of the bar and said something to the woman about her not being welcome, and they exchanged words here and there. Luckas was getting the odd sensation of knowing that redhead from some place and it just made his stomach twist painfully; how many of those was he going to get?

Finally the barmaid addressed him. "What are you having, hun?"
"Two of what the pretty lady over there is having."He said, discretely indicating Ess with a nod and dropping the gold coin on the counter, fully aware of the fact that it wasn't enough.
"That’s not enough, pretty boy." The barmaid told him, crossing her arms over her chest.
Luke leaned forward, whispering softly. "Yes, it is... Take it.
"Huh, it is enough" She replied, beginning to pour the drinks.
"No, it’s not." The redhead spoke suddenly, dropping another coin on the table. She had turned to face Luke and now he knew where he had seen her before. "This should do it, however." She continued, facing him and asking in a severe tone: "What did you do to her?"
"You..." Luke mumbled, a little shocked that he'd just stumble into her this way. It felt like seeing someone come to life out of a dream. It was odd and amusing. Quickly he came up with an explanation for what he was doing, taking the chance to maybe introduce himself. "Pardon me Miss
? I’m with a friend, and suppose I was trying to impress her. I only have this one coin, however, and so I made use of my gift. I honestly didn’t think the Pack would miss one lousy coin all that much. I much appreciate your gesture. I will repay you one day."
She was suspicious of him for his shock in seeing her, probably wondering, like he had, if they knew each other. Apparently she brushed it off, because she replied giving just the opening he needed. "Rivers
" She started simply, but Luke already knew that. "
 Crystal Rivers. And you, Mister
?" She gave him room to introduce himself, perfect. "It’s clear that you like this woman enough to steal from people who can easily kill you for it
 Who am I to stand in your way, right?"
Luke flinched slightly at the last words she spoke, but just brushed it aside as her having bought into his talk, playing with it instead of showing it had bothered him slightly. " ...Just Luckas...” He said. “And, who knows? I might just have a death wish or something.”
She chuckled as if she didn't believe him. “Alright, Luckas
 Believe what you will. It was nice meeting you."

Luke didn't respond this time, he simply took the drinks from the counter and walked to join Ess at the table, a slight frown crossing his features as he whispered to himself. "It was nice meeting you in person, Crys." He would have to tell Jakey about this, he was sure the man would be delighted to know Luke had met his 'better half'.

With this thought still in mind, as Luke sat down across from Ess sliding one drink across the table to her, he had a strange grin on his face; the one reserved for annoying good old Jakey. This would be good...

Snapping out of it, he shook his head slightly and spoke. "So, did you have time to misbehave or was I quick enough?" He played. "Xypher. Well... The man is practically an eunuch." He stated, still shooting glances towards the counter. "Captain was right, someone familiar he would want to converse with might be our best bet. Say, do you think you've spent enough time with her? I think he'd believe that she wants to face her accuser." Luke suggested.

Essence finished off her drink, a curious smile leaving her lips as the memory faded. The bell rang in the door a few times here and there but she kept her eyes down most of the time, until she noted Luckas entering, passing her with a smile he headed straight for the bar. She nodded and winked, thinking to herself how that boy looked like he should eat something; that they both should most likely if they were to have their strength up for later.

As she waited, a moment later another patron entered the Inn. Ess didn’t pay much attention until she noted out of the corner of her eye how the woman walked about curiously, as if she were memorizing where things were. Ess quirked a brow, not quite understanding at first why the woman lacked direct focus on her surroundings and then it clicked. There was much overcompensation with the red-head’s sense of touch while she seemed to pause and listen to her surroundings. ‘Must be something off with her vision.’ She thought to herself, unsure exactly.

Ess retracted her gaze, reaching for her wrist she retrieved one of her small daggers, twirling it between her fingers. Slipping her hand along the smooth surface of the table, Ess dragged the tip of the blade deeply through the edge as she carved her name into the wood. She looked up as Luckas sat across from her, sliding her drink within her grasp.

“What’s that look for?” She inquired, watching Luckas closely, half hearing the red head and the woman behind the bar arguing softly in the background. ‘“Go to hell...”’...Was mostly what she got out of the conversation as she focused on Luckas.

“Ah...I managed to keep to myself...decided that I didn’t want you to miss out.” Ess shrugged casually, her tone was careless remaining upbeat. As Luckas spoke about Xypher she sighed, “Ok so you were productive, good to see. I impersonated Mageria while we sparred before you and I ran into each other in the practice grounds, so I know it’s feasible.” Ess paused, leaning in closer towards Luckas, she slid her arm across the table, hiding the blade beneath her sleeve. “I can mimic the Captain, but I would need some practice to impersonate her voice...then there’s the blue eyes I can’t do..” Raising her glass she sipped her drink, her cheeks giving a gentle red glow as the heat of the liquor spread across her face. Some people found drinking was over all bad for the blood, but in Ess’ case, while it thinned out her blood, it held back any potential bleeds since it promoted better circulation for her.

“Luckas...” Her eyes brightened with an idea. “You have many memories of the captain I’m sure...are you able to...pass those on to me? It would make the process quicker, to know more of her speech patterns and how she tal-” Ess was interrupted by a sudden commotion of metal against metal, snapping her attention away from Luckas towards the women at the bar. Apparently they were not on very good terms and seemed to be battling it out on the bar counter itself, amidst curses and threats. An amused grin took over her expression, her teeth peeking through as she watched the women argue; about what she wasn’t sure. Ess glanced over at Luke as she drank heavily from her glass, giving a curious almost questioning look. “Is that your fault or something?” She joked.

"Whatever do you mean?" Luke asked with a mischievous grin as Ess asked about the look in his eyes. With a small chuckle, he added: "One secret at a time. I'd hate to see you lose interest in me."

In the back he could hear the barmaid and Crys talking, but he really paid them no mind, keeping his focus on Ess as she mentioned the difficulties in passing off as Mageria. Luke listened intently, leaning back in his chair and absently thinking of the best ways to get around those details. When she suddenly asked if he could pass his memories onto her he sat up straight. he never tried that before, he wondered if he could though... His memory manipulation skills were similar to Lena's, so it was likely. He only had two full conversations with Mageria though, one of them happened three years ago when she thought he was a vision.

As he heard the sounds of metal clashing he jumped to his feet to get a better look at what was going on at the bar as he replied. "Oh, I wish." He snickered, when Ess asked if he had anything to do with that. However he continued on with their conversation as if there had been no interruption. "In theory, I could, but we've only actually had two full conversations in three years. Although, I'm not sure the one when she thought I was a ghost counts as a full conversation. If it helps... We can try..." He laughed out, as a high-pitched scream echoed through the room. "Assassins are so incredibly fun." He said absently as the barmaid stood with her hand impaled and pinned to the counter by a Sai dagger, its twin touching her face menacingly. Turning his attention back to Ess, rising his voice slightly as the woman screamed again, he continued. "We can try that, but we'd need a more private place..." He stopped talking as the screaming stopped. "... Because neither of us will be able to see a thing of our surroundings while we do it." The sounds of the bell above the door announced that Crys was leaving the Inn.

Luckas sat back down and finally reached for his glass, drinking from it and leaving it half-empty, or have-full maybe, depending on one's opinion. He glanced towards the door and an amused grin appeared in his face. "Do you know who that was, by any chance?" He asked Ess, with a snicker that said he had incredibly good gossip to share.
Ess smiled, thinking how ironic it was that he commented on her losing interest in him. “Hmm, good to know I still have yours.” She couldn’t remember how long it had been since she spent so much time with a man, noting that half the day was already gone and she still had her clothes on. It was quite a different experience, the nervousness creeping back inside her stomach, lingering with a dull pain. The change was exciting but it was something she was not very familiar with, and she knew that the fault could only be credited to herself.

“Well..” Her voice grew louder over the women’s curses and screams as she watched the one with the Sai dagger release lemon juice upon the other woman’s wound. “Us redheads can get away with just about anything.” She smiled up at Luckas as she answered his notion to go somewhere private. “I was wondering how long it was going to take you to suggest that.” Leaning back in her chair she downed the rest of her drink, relaxing.

“Seriously though...”She looked over Luckas with a perplexed gaze. “When was the last time you ate boy? Come on...I’ll heat you up something at my house and we can see if my idea works. There’s much to prepare for.”

She shook her head curiously. “Am I suppose to know who that was? I’ve never seen her before. Course I usually don’t talk to women..” Ess chuckled. “Too complicated, and always fighting over a man in one way or another.”

Luke raised an eyebrow when Ess asked when was the last time he ate. It was just so unexpectedly thoughtful. "I... Uh... Yesterday." He admitted, scratching the back of his head. "In my defense, you distracted me." He added, crossing his arms over his chest and tilting his head. "And... Boy?" He asked. "Haven't we had this conversation already?" He asked with a grin, emptying his glass and taking a few glances around before saying. "That blind redhead who left just now... Was the leader of the Wolfpack until three years ago. Word out there, officially, is that she was killed by the current Alpha. She hasn't been seen anywhere in three years." He shrugged. "Makes me wonder why she's here, now of all times."

Standing up, he added. "I wouldn't advise you to fight her over any man." He nodded towards the woman behind the counter. "Something tells me that was friendly conversation." He shrugged lightly. "Not that you would have to fight her over me... There's plenty to go around." He told her playfully, snickering softly as he stomach emitted a rather loud growl. "And thanks for reminding me I'm hungry." He laughed. "Can we go? I might bite you otherwise."

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Character Portrait: Luckas Character Portrait: Ess Character Portrait: Ari Lupir
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#, as written by Essence
Ess, BlackBird, Nibbles Combo:>)


Ess pushed back her chair, making her way for the door. “You are younger than me...although a man..you’re still a boy.” With a laugh she added, “Don’t take offense..just accept it Luckas.” She knew age didn’t mean much, as it was one’s mentality that mattered, but she thought it was funny how she may have slightly touched on one of Luckas’ nerves. Ess fished out a few more coins, feeling a tad bit bad for the bar tender’s current state, leaving her a hefty tip.

“Huh??” Ess stared at Luckas long and hard..”Really...THAT was..” She looked almost offended as she eyed Luckas. “Why the Hell, would I challenge HER?” Ess didn’t understand what Luckas was getting at as she opened the door and exited, only a few more minutes towards her home. Ess only had ever heard rumors and rumors..well...never did one justice. With a sigh she whispered, “I guess anything is possible, except me sharing...” She smiled half heartedly, playfully giving Luckas a shove. “You definitely don’t want to see me jealous either..”



As they approached her home, a simple cottage size building with one large room, Ess noticed a note on the door. Snatching it down, she didn’t even bother to read it as she crumpled it up knowing who it was from. After unlocking the door, she quickly threw a few logs onto the dying fire to add some light to the room, as she kept the curtains closed on her windows. She paused, as if debating what to do with the note before she tossed it into the fire. Unhooking her belt, she lazily draped it along her bed, her fingers slipping beneath her Tunic to retrieve her leather journal. Her eyes froze over a simple, old looking Teddy Bear dressed as a knight that guarded her pillows only to snap out of her trance, she grabbed the Bear and placed both the stuffed memory and journal on an empty shelf.

Ess sighed, mostly silent as she lit more candles and began retrieving clean bowls from a cabinet. Wandering back over to the fire, she hung a tiny caldron over the flames as they grew, it containing a stew she had made the day before consisting of assorted meat and veggies from the market. Unwrapping a small cloth, she revealed half a loaf of bread she cut in halves for herself and Luckas, placing the pieces beside their bowls on her mini table beside the fireplace. As the fire roared, many of the shadows dissipated revealing entire walls covered in Ess’s drawings; wolves, dragons, self portraits of her different selves (including her true form), Tala, what appeared to be a family portrait of her father and brother, and a smaller picture of a young boy simply labeled ‘Blue Eyes.’ All of them were drawn in ink, with exceptional details, only the eyes had color which added to the illusion that they seemed to follow her where ever she went.

“Sit Luckas, relax..stay a while.” Ess smirked, pointing towards a ceramic bowl and pitcher of water before a grand mirror that reached towards the ceiling. “Go wash up first..it’s my silly pet peeve, people who eat with dirty hands.” With a shrug she gave the stew a stir before wandering over to a large white tapestry extending from floor to ceiling; painted with what looked like a dying Oak tree. She carried a candle over to it and stepped behind to change. Ess didn’t care that Luckas was in the room, or that he probably saw her hourglass silhouette shadowed behind the cloth as she threw on a simple red cotton gown, stretchy and comfortable. Ess appeared from behind the cloth holding the candle in one hand and a set of men’s clothes in her other hand. The shirt and pants were a plain black, the material loose and soft. Quirking a brow she wondered out loud, “You think these would fit you? I made them some time ago but they won’t fit me...you can have them if you want.” Essence didn't need them and she didn't want Luckas to think she was being charitable, so not to cause offense or wound his pride.

"So, what you're saying is that I'm a man-child, is that it?" Luckas asked, slightly amused. He didn't quite get why Ess seemed somewhat offended by his comments. He was just playing, and his tone showed it clearly, but he brushed it off as she shoved him saying that he wouldn't want to see her jealous. "Oh, I don't see why I would ever see that." He said innocently, with a small chuckle.

As they arrived at her house, Luke was quiet for quite some time; his eyes registering things such as the note at the door, later tossed into the fire unread; the teddy bear on the bed and the journal that were put away together in a shelf. He took his time looking over all the drawings on the walls, the one of the boy caught his eye and he couldn't seem to look away from it... It was familiar somehow, but maybe he'd seen it in her memories at some point. Looking away from the drawing he finally broke his silence as he walked to wash up as she asked.
"Your drawings are impressive, you know." He stated, washing his hands and face and frowning slightly at how pale his face looked in the mirror. He didn't turn to where the woman was changing, however he took a very discrete glance in her direction, which was followed by a little smirk. He only turned to face her when she asked him the clothes would fit. He stared long and hard at the clothing, half wondering if they did fit, half wondering if he should take them. The infirmary had been the only occasion in which he accepted anything from another person, but he was naked then.

The clothes Mageria had given him were a little long on the arms and legs, but they did fit just fine and, aside from the little blood stain in one of the sleeves, they were new. Luke never carried anything, he was used to taking what he needed in the moment he needed it, in any way he needed to. Be it food, clothes, money... It didn't matter. "They might, yeah." He answered simply, still unable to actually say he'd take them. Finally he spread his arms and looked down at his clothing before looking back to Ess. "Why, do I not look handsome in these? I thought they were quite stylish." He joked, then he waved the blood stained sleeve. "Although the shirt might be permanently ruined."
~~

" “Your drawings are impressive, you know."

Ess smiled, her cheeks flushing softly with color at the compliment, almost forgetting the drawings were even there. Feeling a bit embarrassed she answered slowly, “Thank you Luckas...uh..just something I do to pass the time...sometimes I fear I may forget what I cherish most..or what they look like.” She glanced along the drawings of her family and her childhood friend with an accomplished nod, unrolling the shirt and pants to see how they sized up to Luckas.

“They seem alright...and definitely warmer than what you have on.” Ess stepped back draping the set onto the bed. “They are there if you would like them.” She added a wink, “I will admit Luckas, you are handsome..but don’t tell anyone I caved...you know how rumors are.” She looked over the blood stain on his sleeve and only answered his comment on how the shirt may be ruined, with a questioning gaze. Was he hurt? She didn’t want to pry, so she simply turned back towards the fire, serving the re-heated stew into the bowls. Absently she went to get Tala’s dish on the floor, pausing abruptly with a small laugh, forgetting that her furry friend was not around. She felt almost naked and alone without her faithful companion and had to remind herself that she indeed was neither of those things.

Ess seated herself at the table only after she quickly washed her hands, motioning for Luckas to join her, not waiting for him to sit himself before she began nibbling on the bread, dipping it into the stew. After a few moments in silence, both of them munching away at their meal, Ess paused to pour them both a glass of water. “So, you said in theory, my idea should work. Is it going to be painful? What do you want me to do? The memories transferred, if it works, will emotions be included?” Ess let the flow of questions escape her, her words almost colliding together. She shook her head at herself, thinking her current action reminded her of her childhood friend, how he would always ask a lot of questions all at once, before taking a breath. Essence hadn’t realized until now that, that had rubbed off on her.
~~
"...sometimes I fear I may forget what I cherish most..or what they look like."

Luckas flinched slightly at that sentence, shooting another glance around the drawings on the walls as if he now saw them as extra people in the room. It made him nervous for inexplicable reasons and he didn't speak for a long while, still giving the walls discrete glances as he sat at the table and started digging into the food. The silence gave him time to think of how much he was trusting Ess, and how much that could cost him... He also wondered what she would think of him if he told her... Who he was, what he knew he was... Could she ever understand...

He broke out of his thoughts at the sudden wave of questions. "It won't be painful, all you have to do is relax and maintain eye contact. No emotions are involved aside from whatever feelings you have at the moment." He answered, in one breath, just the same way she had asked. Then he stared at her for a little while before asking something out of the blue. "How did you get that?" He asked, tracing his finger along his own eye as if drawing her scar on his face.

Essence steadied herself at Luckas’ question, her fingers swiping the last bit of bread around the bowl to pick up the remanence of stew as her chewing slowed dramatically. She wouldn’t raise her gaze up to meet his as he stared at her. Not knowing how to respond exactly even though this wasn’t the first time she was asked that question, Ess simply painted a smile on her face, pushing herself to her feet, evading the question. “Would you like more to eat, Luckas?” Ess abruptly turned towards the fire, the flames reflecting in her violet orbs as her smile faded. She didn’t know how much Luckas had absorbed of her soul, but she had assumed he knew about certain demons that remained buried beneath her surface, including how she obtained her scar. Crossing her arms, her hands clasped her elbows tightly as if she were shivering from a chill, remembering with a sigh that she had told him to ask her questions instead of invading her personal space and he was remaining true to her request.

“...I acquired many scars with this one around the same time...” Ess began hesitantly. With a shrug, she kept her back towards Luckas as she continued. “...I had my revenge...many of those responsible for my pain..are no longer in this world..” Clearing her throat she glanced over her shoulder at Luckas, “It’s a pathetic story..I’m sure it would just bore you.” Even though she was trying to avoid the answer to Luckas’ question still, she wouldn’t lie to him and she knew if he pursued the knowledge, she may just re-tell one of the many tragedies of her life. Ess suddenly felt mentally weak for even considering such a tale to someone she barely knew...but then again she hadn’t felt such an odd connection with anyone in quite some time, and it scared her tremendously.

Luke had been leaning forward on the table, but immediately pulled back when Ess avoided his question and stood up from her seat, leaning back as far as he could. He was used to hitting people’s weak spots, but he usually did it willingly. He didn’t think this would be such a delicate subject; he simply wanted to use the example to get a point across. Her reaction, however, proved that his question was much more important than he thought it was.

Not really knowing what to do, he absently chewed on the last piece of his bread until there was nothing left, listening to the little Ess was willing to tell, and seeing how difficult it seemed for her to tell him that much. Looking at her in that particular moment made him wonder what memories truly were; blessings or curses. Suppose it depended on what memories one kept, but either way they all posed as weaknesses in a way or two.

Slowly, Luckas pushed his chair back and got on his feet. Walking over to where Ess was standing, he stood as close to her as he thought he could without being intrusive and reached out as if he was going to grab her shoulders, but stopped himself half way through the gesture and lowered his hands, letting them rest at his sides. “You don’t have to tell me any more, if you don’t want to.” He whispered. “Just answer me this: If you could forget all those terrible things that happened in the past. If you could erase those memories, and still be you, but not knowing what made you this way
 Would you want that? Do you think it would be better?” This he hoped she would answer. It wasn't just important... It was everything.

Looking up from the flames, Ess inhaled deeply as she turned to face Luckas. Something natural, that had been lost emerged from inside herself, dropping all facades Ess let her walls fall in that moment. She took a tiny step forward so that they were just far enough to not be touching, but the heat of her skin emanated from her entire being, radiating like the fire behind her. Gently she looked up into his dark eyes in a peaceful, thoughtful manner.

“You want to know, if I would willingly erase my past?....To avoid pain and still be who I am? That isn’t possible, Luckas because I would be someone else entirely.” Ess eyes flickered and glowed with her heightened emotion, brushing a loose curl from out her gaze. “We define ourselves by our pain and triumphs. How do we learn and better ourselves if not from those memories? We can’t always choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we continue on in our lives, what to do with the cards we have been dealt.” She paused, taking in a breath, her eyes gazing back and forth from his own, down towards his mouth as she watched his expression, looking to understand where these questions came from.

“I would rather feel pain, than be empty. Sometimes we need to act irrational, to be sane in the long run. I choose, to be a stronger person. I chose to suffer for a time, because I thought it was my punishment for my failures. I am beginning to understand differently now, but I would not be standing before you now without going through what I did. I understand that there may be some memories I have wished to do without, but in the end, what’s the point? We might as well just light a fire and burn in our emptiness.....ring out...give up.” Ess closed her eyes a moment, inhaling through her nose before opening those beautiful eyes back up at Luckas, shaking her head. “I admit, I was weak once. That I am still lost in some ways. I know what it’s like to be a slave and have no free will, so I appreciate my life now and my ability to choose, even if they are not always the right choices.”

Essence didn’t realize how her hand reached up to touch Luckas’ cheek as she whispered, “Life doesn’t always make sense and is never easy, but the journey is just as important as reaching the end, Luckas. How would you realize what you love and hate?....How would you make sense of all the chaos that is in this world?...I’ll tell you what still hurts just as much as knowing I can never be a mother.....” Ess retracted her hand, her warm, soft skin brushing down Luckas’ chin. “It’s losing loved ones. But I would rather have known them, than never met them. Even if they disappoint or hurt me...because Luckas...because they have helped shape me into the person I am today...” Ess pointed knowingly where the picture of the blue eyed boy hung on the wall.... “That boy...that child....showed me many things..had more knowledge and wisdom at that age than I did...He taught me that I am beautiful...that I do matter...That I should stand up for myself and defend my life. That if you really do love someone, you trust and support them, even if you don’t always agree with their actions...that we can forgive...”

With a shaky laugh, her eyes glimmered with tears she never let skim the surface of her skin. She caught herself in her rant, a bit surprised she unraveled like a ball of twine, her skin blushing a deep red as she kept her gaze upon Luckas. “I’m sorry...guess I went off the deep end a second there...Not what you expected huh?” A shy smile curled her lips, her mind wondering if she had said too much.

Luckas stood facing Ess hearing her words intently, as if in a trance. Although his body was as still as he could be, his mind was racing furiously underneath his cold exterior, something inside his chest was aching painfully for reasons that, once again, he was unable to understand. She had said what he expected her to say; what he wanted her to say, what he needed someone to say... It was validation in a way... Purpose... Meaning... Maybe those thing existed after all. Maybe this was someone he could share his secrets with one day... One day, maybe soon, but not today...

Opening a rather faint smile he moved back to his chair and sat, leaning back on the chair and looking up at the woman before speaking. "Let's say then, hypothetically that you had this one terrible event happen in your past... Something so horrible that merely scratching the surface of that memory brings more pain than any normal person could possibly handle without giving up their sanity... Knowing the nature of those memories, knowing the little you know about what they could do to you... Would you still want to remember? Would it be worth it? He asked. "If you had been who you are your whole life without knowing, if you were aware that once that door opened it could never be closed again... Would you want to know then? Isn't ignorance bliss in this case?" His tone was one of someone presenting a simple logic problem, but something in Luckas' eyes gave away the fact that it wasn't such a simple question to him.

Essence smirked at the word as she breathed, “Hypothetically hmm...?” Her brows narrowed a bit as she studied Luckas, understanding there was something deeper he was hinting at, but what she couldn’t decide. He had stood before her and actually listened to what she had to say. Not many ever cared to do that, even if there was a personal reason behind it. She didn’t understand why it mattered what she thought as he continued at her with more questions, studying her in return.

“It’s only human to be hesitant or frightened of pain..emotional, physical, or both. Is it easier to live a lie? To deny oneself? Yes. Everyone has experienced such opportunities to avoid or escape pain, and it’s natural to do so. Yet, one can never really escape the past and it will catch up. Does one choose the path of insanity and despair, strength and prosperity, or perhaps one discovers insanity only to recover. Whatever is devastating enough to tear through a person, once that gauntlet is passed, the release is euphoric.” The glow from her eyes brightened as she bit down on her bottom lip at a thought, snickering to herself. Clearing her throat she seemed to float across the floor, seating herself back across from Luckas. “I think the journey would be most devastating, this extreme pain. If it is something to even consider, then it is worth it. Opening new doors has only proved beneficial in the long run....just have to find a way over the bottomless pits.” She started to laugh, “You know...the ones with the soul devouring demons with scary sharp teeth..” She stood abruptly, making her way over to the leather journal she had placed on the far shelf. Quickly ruffling through some pages, she paused at an eerie drawing, her laughter slowing. Looking up she turned the journal about to display her version of a demon.: A small, lanky, yellow slit-eyed creature with dagger like teeth. The skin was almost transparent hinting that whatever was inside this thing burned with a hideous fury. “I’m not religious at all, by the way, but this is what I think of when I am battling my demons. I believe we all have them inside us...sometimes they win battles..however small...But when we win battles...they are forever life altering.” She paused again before finishing, “If you give a meaning, a reason, or find that purpose in something else that makes the pain worth it...then to hell with Ignorance..”


Erin and the boys had taken Ari back to the Dark house, the place they always stayed in Newhaven whenever Kirsten’s or their prey had fled Blackpond and instead sought safety in Newhaven. They were safe from the questioning stares of the townspeople and the ruffians that roamed the city here, no one knew about it and they always kept it low profile. It was stupid of them to have brought her out so soon. Erin glanced over at Alecto and glared slightly. He knew this would happen; the kid always liked others suffering and he had obviously dug too deep to reach that pain. Erin shivered, knowing perfectly well that she had suffered again and the person who was on the receiving end had suffered just as she had and had probably fallen unconscious. Alecto’s eyes flashed and he reached out to gently touch her face, caressing it and moving so that Erin was forced to move out of the way. Erin growled slightly, not taking kindly to being shoved aside by someone who was lower in rank then he was. Alecto smirked, seeing the look of fury on Erin’s face before turning his attention back on Ari. His fingers brushed over her lips and he leaned over her, kissing her eyelids. Erin rolled his eyes, it wasn’t going to wake her any sooner, kisses or not. His mind was quickly changed as her eyes fluttered open and her lips pulled into a soft smile before her eyes focused and her face fell. Alecto shifted so his back was facing Erin who now was glaring daggers down at Alecto’s back. If looks could kill Alecto would have been long dead. Erin pushed Alecto away slightly before kneeling gently in front of Ari as she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“Good morning princess,” he whispered, her flinch wiping the teasing smile from his face. He looked back at Alecto whose face remained a complete mask as he watched them.

“What happened,” she whispered, her pale arms spreading out in a stretch as her lips formed an O as she yawned.

“You were able to get a message to your lover,” Alecto purred, stepping forward to stand beside Erin, “They were riding for Blackpond when you were able to reach them.”
His brows knitted together as his eyes flashed dangerously. Ari’s eyes mirrored his, widening as a memory hit her.

I, no Alex, was riding fast toward Blackpond when I, we, felt her, Ari inside. Nothing but images. Blackpond, torture, a strange man, red cape, pain, unbearable pain. Newhaven, safe. Collect. Darkness.

“Alecto,” Erin asked gently, touching the very unusual empath on the shoulder gently. Aleco broke his gaze away from Ari and she was released, her body slumping as the telepath lot the connection through Alecto. Erin took Alecto by the arm and steered him out the door, closing it gently behind the man’s back. He then turned back to Ari, his face apologetic.

“Forgive him, he and the boy share a very special connection. As for your friends, it would be safe to assume that they are already riding here as fast as their mounts can carry them. We have archers and thieves stationed on the rooftops keeping an eye out for the red head and the large man. Once we are sure they are the ones you seek, we will escort you to a safe location,” he nodded, the whole plan playing out before his eyes perfectly and without a hitch. He smiled sadly as she beamed, clearly pleased by this plan and the idea of being safely into the arms of those who obviously cared for her. His mind wandered as she leapt to her feet, bustling around the room and making her face look presentable, washing it and then quickly running her fingers through her long hair. He stood as she frowned, looking at the golden strands that fell to her waist.

“I’ll have to cut it again,” she said absentmindedly, noting the curious look on Erin’s face, “When I shift, everything changes, I’ll never be able to scar permanently or keep my hair really short. Every change I slowly make my way back to what I looked like before I became an outlaw.”
She watched Erin’s face carefully, her eyes catching the slight twitch of the corner of his mouth, the smile that could be there hidden carefully. She shrugged and began to furiously comb through her hair, pausing only when Erin took her hands in his and lead her back to the bed, sitting behind her and taking it upon himself to get the wild snarls from the tresses. Ari closed her eyes, finding that she enjoyed the feeling of her hair being played with by someone else and she sighed as he began to braid it. Erin was fascinated by this woman, or was it girl? She had the bouncy energy of someone young and aloof but she held so much potential once she had mellowed out. He let out a little sigh, wondering what it would have been like to have a family and a life were killing wasn’t done for fun. If only the victims of their raids and kills had known that the men who were doing this were not heartless but instead yearning. Of course they were bound to Kirsten and maintained their image of terror and pain by wearing all black, and only speaking when Kirsten wasn’t around. Some of the men had even forgotten how to speak because their mouths had been closed for too long. He looked down at the hair he was playing with and the girl sitting in front of him, her sweetness and innocence drowning those around her. He snickered at the thought of her joining the Night Hunters; this sweet little thing who probably couldn’t lift a sword, much less know how to defend against one. Still, the thought of a woman in the group was very tempting. He let the idea drop, making a note to mention it to Kirsten the moment he got back.

“So,” she said, shifting slightly. Erin could tell that the silence was getting to her even if it was just a few moments worth. “How did you become a Night Hunter? How does Kirsten bind you?”
Erin was moderately surprised that she had bothered to ask, but he was taken more off guard when she mentioned Night Hunter and Kirsten. She must have known Kirsten from some time ago, it wouldn’t have surprised him in the least that she had met him some time or another. It was the fact that Kirsten had told her so much about his group that caused worry. Erin frowned and cocked his head slightly, his fingers still moving gently through her hair as he pulled it into a braid. Was there a good way to respond to this? Maybe. But it went against everything that he had been taught by Kirsten and the others. However, when he opened his mouth to speak, the door flew open and Alecto stood there, his eyes wide with excitement.

“They’ve been spotted,” Erin said flatly, looking at the blonde haired boy that stood trembling in the doorway. Alecto shook his head and glanced at Ari, then back at Erin.

“We have to get her out of here,” he said quickly, watching as Erin’s face transformed into a mask of dread. “Neway, the telepath, he got a message from Kirsten. Only it wasn’t Kirsten. He’s coming with orders to kill her.”
Erin quickly finished braiding, the reality of the situation hitting him. Kirsten’s hunter side had been released and now it was set on death. Already he could feel the stirrings of the Blood Lust rising in him and he hurriedly tied off her hair and pulled her to her feet. If she was frightened she didn’t show it. His eyes brightened for a moment and doubt crossed his face as he realized that she actually wasn’t afraid. He shook his head slightly, his enlightenment fading as he chose not to use it. Alecto stood by the door, a dagger in hand along with a shorter black coloured bow. Ari gently reached up to caress his face, her eyes locking onto his.

“Don’t be afraid,” she pulled him forward, grabbing the bow and dagger from Alecto as he turned and ran ahead of them. Erin knew that soon all of the Night Hunters would be waiting for her to walk past. They’d have to hurry, already Kirsten’s hunt and lust was becoming theirs. There was a noise from behind him and he spun, just missing a blow to the side by a younger Hunter. He snarled and pinned the Hunter to the wall, starring deep into the kid’s eyes. It was Catlen. The young beast speaker was fighting to get lose, his eyes blazing with fury. Erin gently sent calming vibes to the boy, smiling encouragingly as the struggle stopped. When he was sure that the message had been received not to start hunting yet he turned to see Ari and Alecto tangling with four other Hunters. Erin ran forward, barking out orders and they retreated. It was handy to be second in a situation like this and he was suddenly very grateful that Alecto had the capability to restrain himself as well. The three companions continued down the hall, the other Hunters, again completely dressed in black from head to toe with only their eyes showing lined the hallways, their hands on their daggers. Erin was slowly tiring, and his head hurt from having to control so many people’s emotions and he knew as his mind grew weaker, the more open it would be for the Hunt.
Alecto now lead, Ari pressed close against him so that nothing would go wrong. Behind Ari Erin stumbled and finally stopped, his own hand reaching for his dagger. Both Ari and Alecto turned, their eyes widening as the men moved away from the walls and came to stand behind Erin.

“Run,” Alecto called, grabbing her arm and pulling her forward. The men behind her, now lead by Erin, sprinted after them. They had fallen for the hunger. Alecto was able to get her to the door before it consumed him too and Ari nearly missed the slash of the black dagger across her tender throat. The Night Hunters could see the throb of her jugular just right under her white skin, the rise and fall of her chest and smell the sudden flash of her terror. Erin stepped forward, reaching out to snatch her by the arm. She turned, her hair hitting him across the face and she ducked her shoulder and slammed herself into Alecto who had begun to move forward. She winced as she crashed into his ribcage, the sound of the air escaping him in a low growl as his body slammed against the wall. Without a moment’s hesitation she lifted her elbow, listening as it slammed into Erin’s chin with a snap and he went reeling backwards, his jaw locked. She grabbed the door and threw it open, kicking out at the Hunter that had grabbed her by her long hair and tried to drag her back. She felt nothing as he collapsed to the ground his body withering as the pain hit him. She saw the flash of colour in their eyes and she bolted away, right before the pain hit her and she stumbled, leaning heavily against the alley wall as her body convulsed. It was over in a few moments but she stay there for a moment, panting. Her green eyes swirled with silver, her hand reaching up to clutch the small wolf pendent still hanging between her breasts. She shivered and jogged forward, making sure to tread carefully so that there would be no trace of her steps later.

She was alone. Really and truly now. Kirsten and the Night Hunters would find her no doubt and soon in a city like this. She didn’t have any experience in the city really and it took everything she had not to run for the city gates. She looked up at the darkening sky and frowned as she slipped into the mass of people on the next street. She shivered, feeling venerable as she wandered through he streets before breaking away. She could see some of Kirsten’s men wandering around and she slipped into the nearest alley, her heart racing. She abandoned the bow, seeing how it was no use to her without the arrows that were still on Alecto’s back. Her brown knitted together and the corners of her mouth pulled down as her hand ran absently over the hilt of the black dagger that she had on her. She looked up between the buildings and angrily brushed away a tear that had fallen to a rest on her cheek. She took a shuddering breath before continuing forward, her heart beating furiously against her chest as if it wanted to flee. She kept her head held high and she continued forward, treading lightly and sticking mainly to the shadows. It wasn’t long until she saw Erin, walking slowly down the alley, tracking her and with a worried look she skipped down another road, nearly dyeing of fright as she saw another of Kirsten’s Night Hunters coming up that road. She dove toward the nearest door, her body slamming violently up against it as she slid into its shadow. Her heart raced as the Hunter ran past her up to Erin, his body close enough she could have reached out and touched him, obviously to consumed with some other news to notice her.



“Hum
” Luckas chuckled looking at the drawing. “I always imagined these demons to be more
 Human-like. You know, like darker and creepier versions of our selves with red eyes and manic smiles on their faces
 Oh, wait
” He said, breaking into laughter.

Even though he joked, Luke had paid close attention to what Ess was saying, it made a lot of sense. After all, some things are just worth the risk. He tilted his head and smiled rather cheerfully. “I hope you remember what you just told me. It might save your life some day.” He sighed and mumbled under his breath. “Hell, it might even save mine.”

Ess’ head snapped up listening past Luckas’ voice to catch the familiar shuffle of boots and clammer of armor, her fingers releasing her journal to the wooden floor. Her attention turned towards her front door as if hypnotized, raising a hand towards Luckas to be still immediately going for her sword and dagger that was still on her bed. As she withdrew both her weapons a curious sliding thud echoed off her door, causing Ess to curse quietly to herself as she was expecting something quite different from what she found as she peeked out from one of her curtains. Men dressed all in black, similar to those she encountered that morning with their leader and his hawk. Kirsten was the man’s name, if she remembered correctly. He indeed had left a curious impression on her, one that she was not willing to trust. Ess had no idea who was at her door, for she could not see into the shadow and she hoped she wasn’t running into the man again, but at least this time she wasn’t alone.

Ess licked the tips of her fingers, squeezing the life out of the candles by the windows before she whipped open the door, ready to strike at whatever threat was before her. Instead, she found a woman falling onto her back as she was using the door for support. Ess violet orbs widened, her gaze shifting furiously between the men in the street and the girl at her feet and in a matter of two seconds she made her decision. Biting down on her dagger, she freed up her left hand, taking a rough hold of the girl’s arm only to drag her further inside before closing the door quickly however gently behind them, locking it tight. Was this the woman Kirsten was searching for earlier? The description didn’t match up, but who knew if this woman was enlightened and to what end. Peeking back out the curtain, Ess was trying to determine if she was seen in her haste.

“This day just gets better and better...eh Luckas?” She whispered over her shoulder as she proceeded to quickly explain to Luke about her morning hunt and the company she encountered. Switching her gaze towards the girl, Ess’ brows met as she spoke, “So...who the hell are you and what kind of mess did I just get myself into?” Her tone was serious but slightly amused, remaining on the softer side so not to be heard from outside.

Luckas remained seated for a little bit, but the moment Ess moved towards the door he picked up the journal she had dropped. Considering the option of skimming through it, but discarding it quickly, he placed the book carefully on the shelf where it had been safely kept moments earlier. He stood back while Ess opened the door to reveal this blond girl that had been leaning against it. He wandered to the window and peeked outside to see the black riders that were wandering up and down the streets.

Watching curiously as Ess pulled the girl in and closed the door behind her, and raising an eyebrow to Ess’ explanation of her morning encounter, Luckas wondered how this would get in the way of what they were planning to do. Ess asked the girl who she was and what kind of mess was she in, but she didn’t reply quite as quickly as Luckas would like.

Moving closer to the new arrival, Luckas looked down at her, as she hadn’t even gotten off the floor, and spoke without any hint of emotion or interest in his voice. For now this person was simply a distraction from what he wanted to do, and to him that could mean extra fun or something he needed to get out of the way. “Stand up straight.” He ordered, patiently waiting for her to stand and enjoying the expression on her face as she realized she had no choice but to obey. “Look at me.”

The moment his eyes caught hers they lit up, shifting from their deep black to a bright green as he went through her memories. The scenes flashed and passed by: The forest
 A dungeon
 Torture
 Riding to Newhaven
 Everything in the past day was reviewed in excruciatingly vivid details, after which he simply pulled his gaze from her and returned to his seat.

“Ari Lupir, Wolpack recruit, shifter, but only takes animal forms, if I’ve seen correctly. She was taken from the forest, to Blackpond, tortured, brought here to those guys out there, healed, and now they are ordered to hunt her down and kill her.” Luckas informed. Then he turned to Ari and snickered. “You know, for someone who claims to trust no one you trust shady characters rather easily. Just saying.” He then gave a light shrug and turned to Ess. “Help her, toss her out
 Whatever you like... I’m good either way.”

Turning to Ari, his eyes flashed red and he smiled. “I sincerely hope your Alpha comes for you though. I’d just love the opportunity to pick his brain on a few matters.”



She growled, shaking her head to remove the images from her head, everything, every moment she had relived even if she wished she hadn’t. Obviously it was his enlightenment that gifted him the ability to do this and she hated him the moment it all clicked. She looked up at the girl, her eyes hard as she withdrew her emotions form view. She hated being controlled by others besides herself and to make herself feel wild she slowly let her enlightenment take control, the silver in her eyes slowly coming through.
“Don’t you dare talk about him, she snarled as she took a step forward. She couldn’t help it, that struck a nerve and she became extremely defensive. She shook her head trying to regain control and resisting the sudden urge to shift into a bear and with one deft swipe, take off his jaw. What he had pointed out about the trusting thing, well.....she was just very glad that he hadn’t dug deeper to see the reason why she “trusted” like she did. When she was sure she wasn’t going to flip and tear someone to bits she opened her eyes which she realized had been closed.
“True and not,” she said in a monotone voice, “Trust me. And what right do you have to push yourself into my memories?”
She couldn’t help the tiny growl that rose from her throat as her eyes narrowed. She glanced over the frail, skinny boy and then dismissed him as unimportant, instead turning her attention to the girl. She could smell the wolf that clung to her, its sweet smell permeating every inch of the room.
“What he said is only somewhat true, but to spare you the details I will just tell you this,” she said dipping her head momentarily, “Kirsten’s men, the Night Hunters did save me from my pervious fate and now instead of one Lord, I have to deal with a small army of professional killers. So, I thank you for dragging me into your home but I would hate to intrude on you and your lover here.“

Ess absently twirled her blades, her wrists stretching to their familiar weight as she quirked a brow at Luckas. “Wolf Pack? As in...the Alpha who supposedly killed the girl we saw at the Inn?” Shaking her head to herself she sighed, not liking how political all this drama appeared to be. A crooked smile curled Ess’ lips as Ari began scolding Luckas for his mental intrusion. With a laugh Ess leaned into Ari, the points of her blades threatening to pierce her chest, “Don’t mind Luckas...it’s just something he does. It ticked me off too, but there’s no stopping him really....But you don’t seem to be a direct threat, right?” Ess nodded retracting her blades, turning about to peek back out the window as she asked Ari, “Why would they save you and then try to kill you? Is it some kind of sick fetish?” Ess began giggling at the last comment as Ari stated, “...I would hate to intrude on you and your lover here.”

Ess thought to herself about what to do with this woman, as Luckas seemed to not care either way. As always her conversations seem to get interrupted, by no real fault of anyones, but it was getting tiresome, and they need to work on their plan sooner than later. “We weren’t enthralled in the heat of passion or anything, if that’s what your worried about Ari..besides..I haven’t decided if I would charge him or not for it.” Glancing over her shoulder she playfully winked at Luckas only to add, “The name’s Essence by the way....” Crossing her arms Ess leaned back against the wall beside the door... “So, Ari... What do you plan on doing now?”

Luckas seemed incredibly amused by Ari’s rage. “Well, if you don’t like the conclusions I’ve drawn from twenty four hours of memories
 I can simply dig a little deeper.” He said in a low growl, his eyes flashing green again, but only for a split second. “And excuse my manners, but people lie and I truly trust no one. I have no time to waste with whatever bullshit story you were planning to come up with while lying on the floor.” He smirked slightly. “And don’t bother trying to shift and bite my head off. I can control you even if you do and you really wouldn’t want to push me into it.”

He then turned to Ess and answered her question, the growl returning to his tone. “The Alpha; as in the one who sent our dear friend Xypher a letter this morning.” He informed. “This
” He smirked slightly, glancing towards Ari and imitating Sean’s tone as he spoke. “
 Kid, is the Alpha’s recruit. I just happen to think it would be delightful if he came by so I could discuss said letter with him face to face.”

“We weren’t enthralled in the heat of passion or anything, if that’s what your worried about Ari..besides..I haven’t decided if I would charge him or not for it.”

Luckas laughed lightly at the words. “Hey, speak for yourself.” He played. “And please give me notice if you plan on charging me coin, so I have time to steal it.” He asked her, a little devious grin spreading across his features. “Although, if I recall correctly, I already paid you coin about five years ago
” He stated, tilting his head to the side and looking up at her with the corner of his eyes. He was pretty sure Ess wasn’t going to just throw Ari out without any help so he’d have to help her as well if he wanted to go back to what they were planning. “How small of an army is this and what kind of enlightenments do they have?” Luke asked, turning to face Ari again, his tone a little less aggressive this time.



Ari flinched, her eyes narrowing with the sudden doings of the Alpha that she had no idea about. It hurt just a little to know that he had opened up but had kept many many other things hidden. She couldn’t blame him, she was just a recruit. She frowned, realizing that acting out in anger probably wasn’t the best option. She wouldn’t let the boy dig at her, not anymore. Sean may have been her weak point but she needed to get over it. Ari smirked, her cheeks flushing as they flirted. She coughed and shifted quietly.
“I wasn’t bullshitting my way through this,” she murmured, “Only trying to figure out what the hell had just happened.” She looked up at Essence and then back at Lukas. “As for how many, you cannot ask me that. If I could answer that, I would. As for enlightenments, there are many: Beast speaking, telepathy, and there are empaths. There is also a pain blocker; I don’t know what you’d call it. There were probably more, I wasn’t there for long.
Then, then there is Kirsten. He...he can go into your mind, find your biggest fear and then bring it to life through illusion,” she paused, her eyes locking onto Luckas, you didn’t have to read her mind to know that she was comparing the two and was shocked.
~~
Ess sighed, giving obvious annoyance at the idea of the Alpha causing Mageria this trouble, that Luckas and herself had to sort through. “Leave her be Luckas, she obviously is oblivious to what the Alpha has been up to, you can see it in her eyes. I think she’s just lost a little, maybe?....I know how that is.” Ess’ violet gaze flickered in a soft glow as she inspected Ari closely, right down to her pores and the blond variations in her hair. “Hm...telepaths..”Ess spat, not excited about the idea. “Is there even a way to block that? Like visualizing a stone wall or something..or perhaps...someone else’s memories?”

Tilting her head to the side, she pivoted away from the door as she looked at Luckas curiously. “My my, aren’t we in a rush to get me alone again, eh?” Ess did have some questions she wanted to ask Luckas, but certainly not in front of Ari, but that could wait. Ess could tell Luckas was a bit restless and she figured he knew her well enough to not turn down someone in need. She would try to keep out of the technicalities, the only thing she personally knew was that this Alpha had done Mageria wrong and so many others would suffer at his selfishness.

“I don’t feel like waiting around for someone to break down my door...should there be a distraction?...Maybe a bait n switch?” A wicked smile crossed her face, looking back over at Ari. She wondered if she could pull off Ari’s mirror image, giving Luckas a distraction to toy with..while Ms. Ari made her escape... “Ari? You can change into...any beast?”

Luckas listened in silence as Ari listed a few enlightenments. Telepaths couldn’t harm Luckas, he was resistant to most forms of telepathy, but they could probably resist him as well, which was troublesome. He usually made empaths nervous
 Like poor Alistair, the healer couldn’t stand to be around him for more than five minutes
 When she started talking about Kirsten, however, Luke’s eyes examined her closely and he leaned forward, oh so slightly, in his seat. Still, he remained silent.

He looked at Ess pretending to be offended. “Hey, I’m a telepath!” He exclaimed, putting on a pouty face. “That hurts my feelings, Ess, I thought we were friends
” He started, but broke into laughter a few moments later, not being able to hold up the act any longer as he explained. “There are a few techniques and tricks to shield your mind from telepathy, but it takes a lot more time to learn than what we have.” He told her. “Another time, maybe, I can teach you.” He grinned at her, noticing her expression as she looked at Ari, he knew what she was thinking. He wasn’t all too pleased with the thought of those guys going after Ess thinking she was their target, besides, it was unlikely that they could keep them fooled long enough for Ari to get out of the city safely. He didn’t have a better idea though. “What kind of distraction do you mean?” He asked. “The ‘sir can you help me find my puppy?’ kind or the ‘by the twins everything’s on fire!’ kind?” He asked. “I can do either. I like the second one better though.”


Ari looked nervously from each of them, her eyes flashing slightly.
“Any animal,” she said in answer to Ess, her body shivering, “except for birds for a long period, I can’t stand the feathers.” She gave a small smile and then as a thought hit her, her smile broadened. “I would say we don’t need a distraction, besides it won’t work the Telepaths will be everywhere digging. If you want to help me escape out of the city, hear me out.” She paused, thinking quickly and nodding as it came to her. “You have a wolf Ess yes? I can smell her everywhere. I can do wolf very, very well. If we can find a way to give me a description or image of her, I might be able to mimic her coloring. Luckas? Is your enlightenment only limited to searching and coercion or can you put up a front on someone’s mind? Like a shield around mine so that they don’t know I’m actually a human.” She nodded slightly, if he could that would work wonders and if not she would have to be extremely careful. “If you could spare the time Essence.... you could take me to the nearest city gates or someplace where if I were to become human again I would blend.”
She paused, closing her eyes and envisioning it out like a dream. When she reopened them she slowly shook her head, “Damn it.” She didn’t wait for the knock to change into something small, a small ragged looking cat. She had kept her mouth shut, letting loose only a small whimper as she changed, just as the knock sounded. She yowled, flicking her tail and ears towards the clothes on the floor. Her tabby form scampered past Luckas and into the shadows, slipping though them and under the bed where she let her mind settle, thinking only cat thoughts as she waited for Erin to disappear.

Ess’ brows came together again, her nose bunching up in a look that questioned Luckas and his playful pouting at her words against telepaths. “Oh ha ha, You know ONE telepath is enough for me...especially at once..” She snickered, thinking to herself that Luckas had called her a friend. Even if it was in a playful ruse, he still said it, similar to how he absently kept calling her 'pretty lady.’ Just little things to hint to Ess that he was trying, maybe wanting to trust her. Maybe even enough to explain why he would offer her defensive tips against enlightenments like his.

Straightening her body she wandered over to her bed, kneeling down beside the headboard to remove a curious box from somewhere she purposely avoided to reveal. Lounging lazily along her bed she began sifting through the box, pulling out tiny viles in all assorted colors. “A color for every purpose...for every mood...” She muttered to herself, thinking which mixture she would play with today. Glancing at Luckas from out the corner of her eye, a loc of hair playfully dangling in front of her glow she thought about his desire to cause chaos for a distraction. “How bout lighting someone on fire?” With a wicked smile she laughed, not giving away whether she was joking or not.

Ess picked out two viles, one purple and one black, tucking the rest back inside the box. She turned over onto her back, arms outstretched in front of her towards the ceiling as she looked between the two, weighing out in her mind which one she would prefer. As she listened to Ari’s suggestion, she motioned, still holding the viles, over to the wall where Tala’s picture hung. “My wolf...who is currently MIA, that’s what she looks like...”She paused with a sweet smile curling her lips.

A knock on the door and the sudden transformation of Ari into a kitty cat did not seem to phase Essence as she rose from the bed, snickering at the cat as it disappeared into the shadows. “Interesting..” She whispered only to turn towards the door snapping loudly with a strange accent, “PISS OFF!” Ess slid the viles down her dress, snuggling them between her breasts before her form melted away; her burgundy curls straightening and darkening to deep brown, her skin glowing with a tan sun-kissed radiance, and her lips and nose were a size smaller than her norm with a higher cheekbone definition. Ess smiled to herself, clearing her mind as she looked at Luckas with a fake innocence.

Luke shook his head in disappointment when Ari said they wouldn’t need a distraction. It seemed like he really wouldn’t be having any fun with this. “I can’t shield another person’s mind. That’s not how my enlightenment works, neither is it exactly the way you said it is.” He stated in a slightly annoyed tone as if he was trying to discuss philosophy with an infant. “One thing I can do, if you grant me access, is project your memories and maybe your thoughts onto others. That way if a telepath was to search for you, he won’t be able to know your exact location, your mind would literally be all over the place. Do you understand?” He asked. “I would have to be close to you to do that, however and wouldn’t be able to keep it up for too long; an hour, at most. I’m not risking my life for anyone, especially the Alpha’s pet project.” He muttered, narrowing his eyes slightly, but relaxing a little bit soon after and turning to Ess with a little grin. “Oh, I don’t plan on sharing you with any other telepaths
 They better stay out of my territory.” He stated, his tone not making clear if he was joking.

“Oooh, can I?” He asked, hopefully when Ess asked about lighting someone on fire. Aside from that he kept quiet in his seat, resisting the urge to kick the Ari-cat as it made its way past him, settling for kicking the girl’s clothing underneath the bed instead. Maintaining his relaxed posture as Ess replied to the knock on the door by telling whoever it was to piss off, he remained seated and silent, honestly starting to get bored of this whole thing.


Erin didn’t need to open the door to know that Ari wasn’t in there and he shrugged turning to the group of men behind him. It wasn’t his job to deal with women who were pissy and he nodded sharply, making sure they dispersed before calling out an apology and ambling off. His head hurt and he shook his head gently, this was wrong.
Ari ambled out, after she was sure he was gone before jumping up, looking at the picture. She began to arch up, her body shifting into an exact replica of Tala except for her eyes and she dove under the bed, emerging with the black clothing in her jaws as she looked pleadingly towards Ess, then back at Luckas with a tiny growl. She didn’t want to drag them further into this and she pawed at the door, whimpering slightly. She could smell that she wasn’t wanted here and she’d rather take that chance of running to her death then staying here with these two together. Ari liked Ess, she was willing to help but the boy...Not a chance. She growled and furiously began to claw at the door. Her mind screaming to be let out.

Once Ess was sure the person at the door had left, with an odd apology, she relaxed a bit, still in her Miraged form. Essence’s mind raveled in Luckas’ responses to her and Ari’s. Thoughts raced to possible conclusions in several directions, only to rest into a calming almost meditative state. Luke acted as if he cared for no one but himself, and perhaps most of the time he did. He maybe wasn’t too fond of Ari because of the Alpha of the Wolfpack (which he stated), but she didn’t quite believe him when he said he wouldn’t risk his life for anyone. Perhaps that was still to be foreseen. She liked the idea of Luke not sharing her with the enemy, even if he seemed unsure of her at times, he hinted at his greed in his escapades and may just resort to hoarding whatever plans he had for Ess to himself. Ess kept an emotionless smile, lost in herself momentarily, the painted facade giving no hint to her soul except an eerie sense to those who didn’t know any better. Giggling at Luke’s obvious interest in lighting someone on fire, Ess just nestled that bit deep into her memory for another time.

Snapping her attention to Ari, Ess smiled a bit impressed. Kneeling down she extended her hand, almost forgetting it was Ari and not Tala and couldn’t help herself as she gave Ari some scratches between the ears. “So pretty...” Slinking across the floor, Ess opened one of the many floorboards, taking out a familiar pouch full of coin. She winked at Luckas wondering if he would recognize it as she tucked it into the pocket of Ari’s clothes that she held in her mouth before explaining the quickest way out of the city. Standing with a gentle smile, she turned for the door, unlocking it slowly as she peeked outside not seeing a single man in black around. Before she opened the door wide for the ‘wolf’ to escape she whispered softly, “Good luck young lady, hopefully we meet again and hopefully not on conflicting sides.”

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Luke raised an eyebrow at the coin pouch as he recognized it immediately, honestly surprised to see it again. He didn’t say anything however, not until the wolf-girl had gone out the door and had time to walk a fair distance. Then he stood up from his chair and stretched lazily before walking up to Ess. “So, what are the vials for?” He asked, smirking and playfully attempting to peek at the spot where she had hid them. Looking up at her eyes, he gave a light half shrug. “You know, Pretty Lady, I like your real face a lot better.” He said with a small wink, before walking back to the chair dropping down on it rather comically, almost knocking the chair, and himself, to the ground in the process, watching Ess carefully the whole time as if somehow he expected her to vanish the moment he looked away. While the compliment had been an absent one that he had let out on a careless moment, turning it into a nickname somehow made it easier for Luke to handle this weird affection he seemed to have for this woman; it was a name and nothing else, it was alright to say, it didn’t mean anything. “So
” He started, crossing his arms behind his head and staring at the ceiling for a bit. “Do you have any more questions or do you want to pick my brain now?”

Ess watched the Tala copy disappear into the coming dusk, awkward shadows teasing her perception as the streets temporarily cleared. Something was changing. She wasn’t sure anymore where she was headed, and it absolutely terrified her while simultaneously causing her smile to broaden. Closing her eyes, she inhaled slowly through her nostrils, taking in the sweet scent of distortion before closing the door tight, locking it behind her.

Ess responded to Luke’s playful advances to sneak a peek down her dress with side steps and dodging movements, countering his gaze. She couldn’t help the smile, thinking how she hadn’t laughed or smiled so much in so long and that she just couldn’t prevent it as easily as she wanted. “The vials, dear Luckas..” She teased, “are my insurance.... One needs a back up plan, or two.”

Ess let her head drop, her gaze staring at her feet a moment. Her mind tucked away the casual statement of Luckas again admitting he thought she was attractive, it adding more fuel to her conclusions which she kept to herself for the moment. She raised her arms up towards her head with an elegant grace, her hips swaying gently as her body arched into a wave like motion. “I think this ‘Mirage’ is quite flattering in the art of distraction.” Ess whispered, her body twirled in a curious dance, her core and hips working into a steady pattern before she came to a halt with a gentle laugh. With a sigh her facade melted away back to her doll like features. “Got to save my strength anywho..”

She watched Luckas find his seat with what she saw as disorientated steps, she giggled as he almost fell. Ess plopped herself onto her bed, lying on her side she rested her head in her hand propped up by her elbow. The fire began to die down a bit, as she was hit with a sense of deja vu, seeing Luckas leaning back in his chair casually, the light from the flames reflecting off his black orbs. It was a moment before the memory of the dream hit her. It had been so long since she had it, but she remembered clearly how their first encounter had left Luckas’ presence in her mind. Blinking she shook off the feeling, knowing her staring blankly in awe at Luckas would create some questions. “Sorry, spacing out.” She could only think of one immediate question for Luckas in that moment, and it was a bit odd.

“Have your eyes always been black?...Or is it a result of your...talents? Just...” She shrugged, “...seems like they should be grey...transparent.. But instead they are like a hole in your wall you keep at your beck and call.” Ess paused shaking her head, not knowing if she even made sense to Luckas, adding playfully remembering a comment he made earlier about her drawing, “Maybe you are manifesting into one of your demons...or maybe your a reflection of one of mine.”

Ess waited for him to respond before she suggested, “So, shall we try out my idea?” Her mind was scattered, and as confusing to some it may be, it strangely comforted her, spreading her emotions thin.

Luckas tipped his chair a bit too far at Ess’ question of his eye color and fell flat on his back with a little groan, he chuckled however. “You are one to talk of unusual eye colors, Lady.” He stated jokingly. “My eyes are black for as long as I remember, and I have had my gift for just as long as well.” He answered, not elaborating on how long exactly ‘as long I can remember’ was. “Maybe that’s all I am, the manifestation of others’ nightmares
 Perhaps I’m not real after all
” He mumbled, partly to himself. It was a rather comforting thought for some reason. “My whole existence is the result of a bad dream and the sheer power of someone’s most twisted thoughts
 Maybe I’m the only one who is truly still human
 People speak of humanity as if it was a good thing, but is it really?” He continued that in incoherent mumblings until Ess spoke again. “Huh? Oh, sure we can try that.” He answered, sitting up on the floor and crossing his legs like a kid, looking up at her. “Just lookie here.” He said, with a little grin, pointing at his deep black eyes.

Down in a Hole - Alice in Chains

Ess turned onto her stomach with an amused grin as Luckas fell, sliding face first towards the end of her bed so that she could look into Luckas’ eyes, all the while contemplating briefly his words: “. “Maybe that’s all I am, the manifestation of others’ nightmares
 Perhaps I’m not real after all
” Ess was partially entertained by his rantings, but at the same time saddened by them. If he really believed that then why keep going in life if nothing mattered, if his actions were pointless. Why care? Inhaling slowly, Ess relaxed resting her chin on her arms, letting her mind go blank curious to what was about to happen.

Luckas took a deep breath as he looked into Ess' eyes. He tried to pull his mind into what he wanted her to see and separate the rest. In his mind he relived every conversation and brief encounter he'd had with the Black Knight Captain, it worked, but a part of Luke's mind was still caught up in his previous thought and something else came forth in his memories, something Luckas himself didn't quite recall.

Luckas' eyes were opening as he woke up. He felt himself choke as someone was holding him up by the back of his shirt and the collar was pressing against his throat. The unusual amount of light flooding the usually dark basement meant that the door was wide open. Once the five year old boy felt he could open his eyes, he noticed he was being held up over a girl’s dead body. “Look at her! See what you did, you little piece of shit? You killed her! That’s what happens when you disobey, you little freak!” With an angry growl the boy was forcefully thrown across the room, pain invading his body as he collided with the stone wall. “Stay on that side of the line!”

More and more the man shouted, but Luckas wasn’t listening. The boy’s eyes were fixed on the pretty, lifeless, features of the girl lying on the dirty floor. Did he kill her? Had he done that? He couldn’t remember anymore, his mind was blurry, his head hurt
 How could he have killed her? He couldn’t have
 It couldn’t be


Boots blocked his view as the man stood before him, forcing him to listen. “You are a killer, a monster, and that is all you’ll ever be. Accept it, embrace it, and learn to play by the rules. It’s the only way to ever leave this room alive.”


Luckas broke eye contact with Ess, crawling his way as far away from her as he could and jumping to his feet even before the image of the woman's house came back to him. Blindly, he stumbled over the chair he had knocked over moments before in his desire to get away. Unable to look at Ess, or say anything, he simply made his way to the door and stormed out leaning on the outside walls of the house, breathing in the cold night air. What was that place? Who was that girl? Had he actually killed her? Why was he remembering this now? Now of all times! He pressed both his palms against his face, hiding from the world, but unable to escape himself. Luckas let out a muffled scream. The unkown man's voice echoing in the back of his mind. "Accept it, embrace it, and learn to play by the rules." Maybe he was a nightmare someone else had dreamed after all. Maybe he was never real.

Ess stared back into Luckas’ eyes, slowly, as if paint splattered across her line of vision, everything went dark, her home disappearing from view. Ess was seeing through Luckas’ eyes, as if she were inside his head. Flashes of Mageria flew by, minutes of information condensed into mere seconds; down to the way she spoke Luckas’ name for example and the emotion only some could see, behind her eyes that she fought to hold back, in the Captains own mask of deception.

The images were ripped away, quickly replaced by a blinding light in utter darkness. Ess’ mind couldn’t think while Luke’s own memory flooded into her brain. They stared at a dead girl, to a dark figure of a nameless man as they were scolded, punished and abused for the terrible act. When her vision came to and the connection was severed, she caught Luckas’ stumbling to evade the room already recovering from an apparent fall, her brain quickly sorting through what she was just shown. It didn’t make sense. Did it have to do with the ‘hypothetical’ questions Luckas was drilling her with earlier? Was it a forgotten pain? Hidden shame?

Ess blinked, quickly rolling herself off the bed and onto her feet, not hesitating in her pursuit of Luckas as he escaped outside, a despaired scream rumbling from him as he seemed to be having some sort of panic attack. Before she even reached him, her mind fumbled in the pieces, overwhelmed with questions and concerns. Who was that punishing the poor boy for something a child most certainly did not do? She couldn’t believe it and knew from enough abuse how the victims were sometimes manipulated into feeling they were responsible for whatever horrors or despair they were experiencing first hand or by proxy. The voice echoed in her ears, as if she still could hear the man, “It’s the only way to ever leave this room alive.” Tears welled in her eyes, yet her expression was almost angry when she halted by Luke’s side, searching to see his eyes before she stepped closer, heeding his warning if they were red. “Luckas....what just happened?....” Ess paused waiting for an answer and saw he was still lost temporarily inside himself, not quite understanding how to act. She needed him to focus so she raised her voice a bit hoping to snap his attention to her... “Luckas! Look at me!...Who was that who hurt you? Is he still alive?” She growled.. “If he is..” She trailed off, not sure what to expect but she needed to take a breath, for Luckas’ sake, to figure it all out and not bombard the man with too many questions at once.

Luckas slid down the wall onto the floor, face still hiding in his hands, he was trembling now on account of the cold and the freezing rain, but he couldn't even take notice; he was trying to hold onto the imagery, to some detail, to anything that could tell him who he was; who he truly was... He could hear Ess was speaking to him, her voice beginning to break through asking who was the man hurting him... If he was still alive... Luckas had no answers. As he replied his voice came out weak, but rose more and more in his frustration. "I don't know, I don't know, I DON'T KNOW!" He shouted, taking a moment to breathe out and get a hold of himself before running both his hands over his eyes and through his hair as he looked up at her finally, his eyes had their usual black color, but for the first time in a very long time they showed fear. "I don't know who they were, I don't know where that was... I don't know if I killed her... What if I killed her? I can't remember..." His voice broke as he leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. "I don't even know who she was..."

After a moment more of half coherent ramblings, Luke managed a deep breath and spoke; his voice now more firm as the shock began to fade. "I was found, me and my brother, in the basement of this shop at age nine, when the owner died, apparently of natural causes. We were taken to the orphanage after months in a hospital ward... The medics said that we had probably been locked there for a period of at least six years. I don't remember any of it. Nothing before my first day at orphanage. Nothing. At least, I didn't until now. When I lived with the White Shadows, their leader at the time, the only telepath who ever managed to affect me, she tried everything... I never managed to see a thing before the orphanage. She said that pushing any further would be too dangerous... That the memories were so painful that my mind built a wall around so strong that it could break beyond repair if we tried to push through it..." He heaved a heavy sigh. "I still wanted to try, but she wouldn't let me." He mumbled, still unaware of the rain or his own shivers as he sat on the cold ground. "Suppose we're even now, huh? You got to violate me a little bit." He joked, managing a weak smile.

Wonderwall - Oasis

Ess’ eyes widened as Luckas yelled in frustration, noting the familiar blackness staring up at her from where he had slinked upon the ground. Kneeling down beside him, ignoring the freezing specks bouncing off her back, she adorably rested her head on his shoulder giving her best smile she could muster at the moment while she listened to him. “Sounds like an evil person to have locked up children in a basement...”She whispered, not breaking her gaze from Luckas. “Well...you didn’t attempt to break through this 'wall', it just happened this time. Maybe this is a sign, that your body is ready for bits and pieces to be revealed...maybe I’ve hypnotized you with my sweetness and maybe I’m just good for you.” She winked, her smile only broadening, motioning for him to get up and come back inside where it was warm.

“You were only a child and you don‘t remember exactly what happened so you can‘t rush conclusions either now. You can’t cast blame or judge with nothing to back it with.” Adding another point, she shifted the conversation slightly. “Should I blame myself for all the horrid things I was forced to do in order to survive the brothel?” Shaking her head knowingly, she continued to hint at her open door.

“Do you still think you’ll have to kill me?” She teased, standing she tugged lightly on his arm, attempting to lead him back inside. “Or maybe we have more in common than you even thought in the first place.” For some reason, Luckas' words from an earlier conversation appeared from the back of her mind; the meaning creating more questions for herself: “I hope you remember what you just told me. It might save your life some day.” He sighed and mumbled under his breath. “Hell, it might even save mine.”

"...maybe I’ve hypnotized you with my sweetness and maybe I’m just good for you."

Luckas laughed softly at those words. "You think so, huh? Well you sure think highly of yourself, Pretty Lady." He chuckled as he stood up slowly, still trying to retain the image of the dead girl, but it was already fading from his mind again; fading into that part of him that he had never known. He couldn't help the feeling that she was important however, that she was important to him personally for some reason. "I think that I killed her, because that would explain a few things... And haven't you blamed yourself? At least for a moment, haven't you?" He asked, again mumbling, partly to himself, although still expecting an answer. He ran a hand through his hair, a little startled to discover that he was soaked. "Looks like I'll need those clothes after all." He stated absently.

“Do you still think you’ll have to kill me?” She teased, standing she tugged lightly on his arm, attempting to lead him back inside. “Or maybe we have more in common than you even thought in the first place.”

Luckas seemed to flinch at those words, and he stared at Ess for a long minute thinking about them. No one had ever seen so much of him before and she spoke of them having things in common. Luke was unsure what to make of it all, he was unsure of what that told him about her exactly. "I think..." He started, moving towards her and half-stumbling forward, momentarily forgetting that he had just had his mind prodded minutes ago, he caught his balance as he continued in a soft snicker, leaning in close to her as if telling a secret. "I think this is one of those things that can destroy or save a person... And we'll never know which it'll be, until it is." He then walked past her to walk back inside. "We should go back to the castle soon, if you think you have what you need."He stated, finally going back to his usual demeanor as if the whole meltdown had never truly happened.

“Well you sure think highly of yourself, Pretty Lady."

Shrugging her shoulders, pulling a soaked curl away from her eyes her smile faded a bit. “Maybe, but more likely it’s part of the persona...giving ourselves the image of confidence. Could be stemmed from a deeper, internal source of hope..or it could just be my successful attempt to make you smile.”
Ess shivered, wrapping her arms around herself in a gentle hug, hopping in place slightly wanting to keep warm. “Seems you and I are not use to certain changes in our lifestyles, but today is just full of ‘em. Of course I’ve blamed myself...it’s natural...this is just my feeble attempt at being your...friend.” She whispered, giving him a half smile, not even quite sure what she had just said.
Following Luckas inside, her only response to his last comment of this making or breaking a person was a curious look, “I look forward to that day then.” Locking the door behind her, she left Luckas with his option to change into the clothes she left upon the bed, while she began digging through floorboards at a hidden assortment of supplies. It appeared as if she was prepared long ago to flee, with the option to do it at any time if necessary; several leather satchels were filled with jerky, raw ingredients most recent and fresh for her serums, plenty of money, and some clothes. She paused upon a few basic swords that she had on hand, thinking how she may just be following the Captain wherever she was planning to go with her loyal guards.

“Well...I’m already prepared for the coming trip into the unknown... so check. Luckas...do you ever carry a weapon? I could give you one...you know besides that brain of yours.” She listened to him, keeping her stare along her supplies and began thinking over Luckas about how she would need to get to the castle to acquire an uniform, something that Mageria would wear and also to go light perhaps only with a weapon along her thigh, similar to the Captains. Standing,she lazily draped herself across her bed with a sigh, feeling her body ache subtly from her excursions throughout the day. “We can leave in an hour...there’s still plenty of time. I think we need to get warm...You can eat some more if you like..get some strength up...rest a bit so we don’t make ourselves vulnerable...” Closing her eyes she mumbled, “Do me a favor..Mr...I don’t do favors...” A tired giggle escaped her chest. “Wake me up in half an hour..”


Luckas smiled quietly at the word 'friend', but was careful to hide it from Ess. It wasn't a word he heard often, and even though friendship was never something he sought, or even understood, it was an intriguing idea nonetheless. Once back in the house Luckas changed into the dry clothing quickly, absently hearing the sounds of Ess going through things, by the time she was done looking through the supplies, he had changed and sat at the same chair he had been sitting before, barefoot, and absently checking his boots for any holes. He lifted his head curiously as she asked if ever carried a weapon and offered to give him one. "I'm not that good against opponents who fight back, so I figure it would be a waste of a sword." He replied absently with a light shrug. "Nice of you to ask though." He knew he needed training. That had become clear to him a long time ago, but the thing with Luckas is that he trusted almost no one. Lena had taught him a few things, but she hardly had enough time to work him into something decent. Aside from his gift, Luke was just about as harmless as he looked and he looked pretty damn harmless.

Luckas slipped his boots back on, glad that, even though the soles were pretty worn, there were no holes in them just yet. He nodded quietly when Ess asked him to wake her in thirty minutes, not helping a small chuckle at her comment about favors. He shot a small glance in the woman's direction as he pulled his chair closer to the lit fire; he was still freezing from sitting on the nearly frozen ground outside. Ess was right though, these clothes were far warmer. He took another quick glance towards Ess and confirmed that she had in fact fallen asleep. Thirty minutes... Luke sighed, looking around the house, watching all the drawings on the walls carefully and trying to be as quiet as possible, but feeling bored and uneasy as he sat there. It had been a strange and exciting day for Luke and despite the little scare he had just gone through, he was hardly tired. Eventually his eyes reached the shelf where he had placed the journal Ess had dropped moments earlier, he shook his head, mentally scolding himself a few times before he finally let curiosity get the best of him and he stood up to get the book, one eye always on Ess as he took it out of the shelf and returned to his chair with it.

His mind set on just skimming through the journal to ease his curiosity and putting it back, he opened the book absently flipped the pages, not minding the writing and simply looking at the several drawings contained inside, most of them the same ones drawn on the walls of the house, Ess' different faces, the little blue eyed boy... Tala, annoying little creature, Luke just knew he was going to end up bitten... Suddenly Luke caught sight of something that caused him to lean forward in his seat, his eyes widened and slightly sparkled in red as he saw the drawing, a grin widening on his face. The drawing was all black, dark, and out of the darkness eyes stared back at Luke. Several eyes, of all different colors, but all the same in a way and unmistakable; his eyes. One single line of writing followed the image:

"Why are the Eyes, the gateway to the soul? Why so many for one soul?"

At this point, Luckas was way too intrigued not to read, and his curiosity spoke louder in his mind than any shred of a conscience he might have left on him, drowning any possible remorse over invading the privacy of someone who had offered him comforting words and even friendship moments ago.

The journal entries were addressed to 'Blue Eyes' and they were written as if speaking to this boy. The first few entries Luckas went through made clear that Blue Eyes was dead, and Ess confessed to her friend how much his death had affected her. Those entries spoke of things Luckas never felt, things he was unable to understand, at least up until this point in his life. He didn't know what it felt to care for another to a point where their absence is unbearable. He'd seen it many times in the healers' camp when people watched their loved ones die, he saw it when Captain's friend died as well... He stopped for a few moments going over those words, trying, but failing, to imagine the extent of that pain.

Is it pathetic to miss you so much, Blue Eyes? To love one so deeply that it hurts to eat...it’s hurts to breathe. I feel no reason to keep going, but I do to a point. I wake up every day remembering your words...the words of a child who promised that even in death, would never leave me. I believed you, and although I never forget you so that in a sense you are always with me, I have never felt more alone.

I am eating again...but sleep my days away as it is easier than to live each day out in pain.

I don’t remember the last time I drew something...

I haven’t sang since the last time I saw you...

I don’t deny my own words to you on life, I just find it harder to swallow them now.

Losing the will to live, barely surviving without a purpose I am unsure where to find that edge to continue on.


Not long ago Luckas would have said that it was indeed pathetic, but he remembered the dead girl and wondered if he had ever felt such pain, maybe this is what he was so afraid of. Was he really this pathetic underneath it all? He shook his head, shoving the thoughts aside as he continued to read. A few entries, or pieces of entries catching his eye here and there.

It’s ironic that with my freedom to NewHaven I would chose to gain coin through the same means as my slavery burdened me. Is this all I am, a whore? Do I have any other skills? Is there really anything more to me? Perhaps I am just wasting away..wasting myself...

Is it wrong to feel good about killing another human being? It wasn’t in self defense this time, but a vengeful and preventative act. He wasn’t innocent...he hurt so many, my friend, similar to those who hurt me as a child for all those years. I know you would understand, but if you were still alive you may be scared of me. The emptiness inside is numbing more. It’s as if the hole is still there but filling with shards of tiny purposes. I think I could get use to this...maybe one day I can fill the emptiness inside.

So...how does one tell the difference between Heaven and Hell?


Again, Luckas shifted in his seat as he found himself here and there amongst the woman's entries...

Stupid. Stupid. I don’t even know where to start Blue Eyes. I took a job, not knowing much about the client. First mistake.....he attacked me...wouldn’t allow me to choose what I was willing to participate in...I escaped..with his coin purse and a few bruises...but I’m ok. Tala was not with me, as I try to keep her low key as not to draw too much attention to my real self. I mean..how many people have a wolf? Right...So the past hour is a hazy blur. I’m pissed off, having to relive some horrid memories that I thought I was past. What I remember is that it was late, walking home alone, came across two men in an ally....next thing I know is one is on the ground slamming his head into a wall and all I remember is a face...a teenage boy..raven locs....purple eyes...no black....maybe both? His smile made my skin crawl...but at the same time...he didn’t hurt me. In fact I came home with two coin purses instead of one. I don’t know who he was....maybe I dreamed it all?...There’s something familiar about him...

It was a dream....I’m pretty sure. Mostly because Tala was sound asleep and she would of been alert and angry if there was an intruder. The dark eyed boy ...I opened my eyes to find him smiling beside me as I lay in my bed with Tala curled up behind my legs, all warm and snug like. His smile.....so sad....and he was silent as he brushed one of my curls from out my eyes..and then I blinked and he was gone...What is happening to me..?

Every night this week this stranger has visited my dreams...same way every time

Is it weird that I missed not having that dream last night?

He seems older now..this shadow in my dreams. Now he sits by the fire in my home, watching me sleep curiously, his eyes a terrifying red. As much as he seems frightening...I’m drawn to him and I want to know more...but I always wake up if I move from the bed.


Luckas slowly lifted his eyes from the book, and he shot a glance at the sleeping woman... Feeling a slight chill at the fact that he was exactly where she had dreamed him to be. Maybe he was someone's nightmares after all... His eyes lit up red, burning bright for a moment as he watched her face, but the light went out as he continued to read.

I dream less and less now a days...kinda disappointing...

He snickered softly at one entry, shaking his head in amusement:

Today, I took on an appointment, but I was bored and troubled.....In a disguise, mirroring the client’s own wife I ‘broke’ into the home assaulted him, stole money and happily acquired a pretty set of finger sized daggers....What a lovely addition to my collection. I know what you may say my friend, but I took one look at this man...saw his lies....saw his lechery...and knew I would not touch him with even my sword. At least I didn't kill him...

"Should've killed him. I would have killed him." He whispered to himself.

Why are the Eyes, the gateway to the soul?

Demons do exist..inside of us all.

Last night....I dreamt the black eyed stranger was everywhere...
Inside my home...around the corner...down an ally...watching me from afar at a lonely table at the bar...Eyes flashing all colors...his smile so sad....yet his gaze seemed to penetrate my very soul...he saw me for who I am...he knows what I’ve done....His sad smile turned almost manic in his sinister laughter..I can still hear it..

During my dream I was a bit shaken...but when I awoke I swore I could hear him breathing..and I longed to know him.


Luckas frowned slightly wondering why she kept calling him sad. Wondering why he felt like he had actually been there like she had imagined him, or maybe he wished he had... Seemed to him he would have learned a lot more by following Ess around like she dreamed he had than stuck in the White Shadows camp, where he actually was most of those years. Even if he didn't understand why she had never forgotten him, why she wanted to know him... Ess was right in her statements; they had plenty in common.


“I'm not that good against opponents who fight back, so I figure it would be a waste of a sword..."

"...Nice of you to ask though."


Ess’ breathing slowed, but grew louder in their rhythm when she drifted off to sleep, the last thing she thought of was how maybe they could trade off in skills as teacher and student: He could give her lessons in defense against telepaths and she would give him self defense ones in turn. Memories, not her own manifested into dreams, flashing from one to then next in almost the same manner she absorbed them earlier from Luckas, Mageria’s voice whispering in the back of her mind.

“You’re dead. You’re not real, you’re dead and I don’t have to do what you say because you’re not real.”

“Why aren’t you doing what I tell you?”
Mageria didn’t even look at him, refusing to even acknowledge that he was there. He started to reach out and touch her, and she leaned away, not wanting to let him get his hands on her even as a hallucination. When he made it clear that he would continue to try and touch her if she didn’t answer, she stopped and glared at him. “What?”
“Why aren’t you doing what I tell you to do?”
She sighed. “Because you’re dead. I saw your body back at Newhaven and I know you’re not real. So therefore, you don’t have any control over me.”
The teen rocked back on his heels. “Do you see things that aren’t there often?”
Mageria sighed. “Only recently. Why?”
He tilted his head to the side. “Are you Enlightened at all?”
She shook her head. “No, not the slightest. Go away and leave me alone. You can come back later.” She started to move away and he jumped in front of her.


The memory scattered like broken glass, revealing another behind it...

Luckas looked down and smiled like a child that had gotten away with something truly mischievous, then pretend to think for a while, tapping his chin with his index finger. "Hum... I probably shouldn't tell you... Should I?" He mumbled, grinning. "Fine, as a token of my appreciation Captain, I'll tell you what I saw: I saw something I didn't knew even existed, and I might have gotten a little too close to it in my curiosity. And when IT tried to kill me... I found out IT is in fact a HE. Because, see... My ability only works on people, and it worked, thankfully. Even though it sure didn't look like a man, he thought like a man, at least momentarily... And you were very much on his mind the whole time Captain. On his mind, on its mind... Both, I think." He leaned further into the wall and looked up again. "As it occurs to me that you might not believe me, if you like I'll gladly show you proof. The little mark he left on me is still quite fresh." He said, reaching for his chest, where he had been bandaged the day before.

Ess was seeing everything again, as if she were Luckas, realizing by what he wore this memory was from the night her and him had been...reunited...

Luckas hesitated, going silent for a moment before asking another question, now looking at the ceiling and trying to pretend the question was innocent. "Say... How well did you sleep last night, Captain?"

Mageria hesitated and shrugged. "Nightmares, of course. Would you expect any less?" She sighed. "They seem to be following a theme lately." She stated it simply and left it at that. "Why do you ask, Luckas? You don't seem the type to worry about another person's health like that. No offense."

Luke laughed out at the words 'no offense'. "You're too polite, considering the circumstances." He nodded, still smiling. "And I do worry about your health, Captain. Perhaps not for what you would call 'the right reasons', but I do." He sat up straight again, and nodded. "The reason I ask is because I haven't been sleeping well myself. And while I can't always remember my dreams exactly, since I got here... Well... It's gotten worse." He stated, showing off his left forearm that still had the reddish marking of the word 'stop' scratched on it. "I've also been seeing and hearing things, even while awake, ever since I looked into that thing's mind. It's bothersome. Especially because it all seems to have something to do with you." He scratched the back of his head and sighed. "I guess I'm trying to say that... I want to help you, when time comes for that."


Ess began to stir, the dream fading from her mind. As her eyes peeked open, she saw Luckas by the fire, appearing quite mesmerized by something in his lap. At first, she thought she was still dreaming, everything was so familiar until she realized what Luckas had in his lap was her leather journal. She couldn’t move in the mix of emotions that plagued her at that moment, her heart beginning to pound in her ears. Closing her eyes to try to get herself to focus, she kept up the notion that she was still asleep.

How could he invade her things like that? Why did she leave it out in the open to be found? Why did it interest him so to read the depressed dribble of her inner most despairs? How far did he get? She wanted to scream in her embarrassment, to lurch at him and tear it from his grasp to just toss it away in the fire so that no one could read it ever again. Minutes went by as she tried to decide on her reaction, trying to bury inside her frustration with the situation. Finally, still with her eyes shut, she abruptly spoke, her voice letting him know she was pissed, but still managing to keep her tone calm and low.

“...You miss my company that much, you couldn’t wait to find out more? What do you wish to know so bad about me, my dear Luckas?”

Luckas was about to close the book and put it back when Ess' voice reached his ears. He winced, staring intently at his shoes as if he was a scolded child.

“...You miss my company that much, you couldn’t wait to find out more? What do you wish to know so bad about me, my dear Luckas?”

Her voice was calm, but it was clear that she was angry, why wouldn't she be? This was private and he had overstepped; he knew that. He was silent for quite sometime, wanting to say anything to make this look a little less invasive, but there was nothing, Sure he could lie; he could say he didn't even get the chance to read anything, that he had just opened it right then, maybe that would make it a little better. The problem with that was the fact that lying was the one thing Luke wasn't capable of. Finally he stood up and quietly placed the journal back where it had been. "I'm sorry..." It was strange to say that without the sarcasm. "... I guess, I was bored and them I got curious." He returned to the chair and leaned back on the backrest, heaving a sigh. "I was just going to skim through it, find that drawing you showed me before, but then... It... Got interesting..." He mumbled, scratching the back of his head. Luckas truly look like a scolded child, staring at his feet and mumbling apologies. He felt stupid for it, but he really couldn't help it; he knew very well that that book was important and it was personal, and he took it anyway.

Ess’ eyelids flew open when he didn’t answer right away, still not moving from where she lay, only watching him carefully as he rightly put the journal back upon the shelf. Her anger grew, literally biting her tongue to keep her temper, her violet eyes ablaze with the obvious displeasure of the situation, burning a hole into Luckas as she studied his reaction. It was clear he knew what he had done and wasn’t denying it, which made Ess calm just slightly. Sitting up she sighed, “I usually keep it on me...it’s my fault. I would of probably done the same thing...apology accepted...but only if you really mean it.” This wasn’t anything by any means, worth holding a grudge over, but she felt like the purpose of the journal was ruined...that maybe something was taken away and out of spite she still wanted to burn it.

Still studying Luckas closely, the glow in her eyes faded as she shook her head. “I’ll be honest with you hun, I can tell you read something that you are not understanding...so just ask me. Not everything is written down or explained in there, that’s the problem with those things. It’s what we choose to disclose, either for shameful reasons or...” Ess snickered, “...Self incriminating ones...”

Deciding the best way to get rid of her anger was to keep herself busy, she stood, changing out of the semi wet dress she had slept in, into a pair of black leggings that had closed feet with a matching black shirt that fitted snug along her hourglass curves. She could easily slip other clothes over these and not have to worry about them. Finding a small belt, she lifted her leg onto the empty chair beside Luckas, buckling a simple looking dagger along the outside of her thigh.

Luckas kept staring at his boots the whole time. He did feel sorry and he didn't like feeling it one bit, it started to make him a bit unnerved. He'd done a lot worse in his life than go through someone's journal why didn't he feel sorry then? Why was he feeling so damn guilty for this? It was so stupid. Finally he broke his silence. "I don't say things I don't mean and I don't need any explanations on things I shouldn't know in the first place." He muttered in a barely audible tone, before standing up and raising his voice to normal level. "We should just go... We've been away from the castle long enough; the meeting probably ended hours ago."

Things had gotten a little more personal than Luckas was comfortable with in the past couple of hours and, after this he just wanted to talk about something else, anything else, that didn't have to do with anybody's past.

Ess brushed through her hair, watching how Luckas wouldn’t even look at her now. As she braided it up similar to Mageria did hers, the tone of her voice changing softly as she stretched her vocal cords to match the memories and experiences of Mageria with an impressive start. Quickly slipping a curious ring around her right hand, a silver claw turned inward along her palm, she finished dressing in her cloak, pulling the hood up over her head the material drooping over her face to hide her from plain view. When she spoke, her voice gradually drifted from her normal tone, to mimic the Captains. “Luckas...I believe you. You’re right, enough hanging about...Just keep in mind that you’re not the only one weirded out by all this...I thought I was still dreaming when I saw you by the fire...”With a sigh she trailed off, her smile peeking out from beneath her hood. Ess had not changed her appearance, but yet the way she carried herself and moved showed that she had definitely made much use of the memories Luckas gave her. It was almost uncanny in the simplicity and detail that usually may go over looked when comparing people; each step and each word improved the fantasy that she was becoming the Captain. “Let’s get on with the show then, my dear Luckas.”

"Maybe we're both dreaming an none of this is real... Maybe I'm still locked up in that basement, maybe you never really left Blackpond to begin with... Who's to say it isn't all just one big illusion? Maybe nothing really changed." Luke was mumbling under his breath again, taking notice of the change in the woman's tone and thinking that things were just getting weirder by the minute.

Luckas was quiet as they walked the path back to the castle, trying hard to focus on the task ahead, but it had been one strange day and his mind was a little bit scattered all over the place; he needed it in one piece, he couldn't lose control... He said he'd get the information out of Xypher, killing the man before finding out his motives would be failure and that wasn't an option. With only the corner of his eyes he watched Ess, registering all the changes in her posture, in her walk... It was impressive how easily and how quickly she changed. If he didn't know any better... He shook his head, amusement showing clear on his face even though he still kept to himself until they reached the insides of the Castle at which point he mumbled the word "uniforms" and began leading the way towards the Black Knights's ward, hoping it'd be easy to snatch one with all the confusion of people preparing to move out.

As they reached the Black Knight's ward things looked agitated. There were broken things being carried around and it didn't seem like the Guard would be all that welcoming to visits right now. Luckas turned to Ess with a rather intrigued expression on his face. "You think we should tell the Captain what we're doing? I mean... If she happened to show up while you're luring the man, that could be a problem." As he said that a member of the Guard approached them. "Hey, you two, what are you..." The man flinched for a second, but he took a second look at Ess and went on talking, shaking his head as he did so. "You shouldn't be wandering around here, so why don't you just turn around?"
Luckas tilted his head to the side curiously as he noticed the man had reached for his sword... Things had certainly grown more tense in the past few hours. "We're allowed." Luckas stated calmly. "Answer me: Where's your Captain?"
The man relaxed some. "You're allowed." He agreed. "Captain's at the medics ward."
"Really?" Luckas asked. "Tell me more."
"She and Pondus had one hell of a fight. They both ended up really messed up."
Luckas flinched a little bit. "Pondus? Ain't he the dead guy?" He asked absently, then he shook his head. "Never mind. Thanks a lot mate, move along, now."
The Guard went on his way and Luckas looked at Ess, scratching his head. "Well, I'm going to the medics’ ward then. You wanna come with or you rather maybe go find some uniforms?" He asked.

“Maybe we're both dreaming and none of this is real... Maybe I'm still locked up in that basement, maybe you never really left Blackpond to begin with... Who's to say it isn't all just one big illusion? Maybe nothing really changed."

Ess shook her head, not liking the idea that all of this was a dream. She rather enjoyed the fact that Luckas standing beside her was not just the dreams haunting her, fragments that were not understood, now slowly were coming together. When she had rested her head on his shoulder, he felt as real as anything else she had experienced in her life. It didn’t make much sense to her why he wanted it all to not be real, so very bad..or maybe it did make sense. There are some things she could do without, but there’s no sense in wishing the impossible. Keeping her thoughts to herself, she felt a subtle ache in her chest for Luckas at how awkward all this seemed for him and she began to feel guilty for her anger towards him, even if she was in her right to feel that way. Having control over her temper once again, the glow in her eyes faded which was helpful not to draw unnecessary attention to herself before things even begun.

Entering the castle, Ess was in utter awe how much had changed in the past couple hours, the place was a disaster. She went to whisper something to Luckas, when the Guard approached giving Ess a double take. Dipping her head a bit, to continue to hide her face she smiled in her silence, letting Luke take care of the small matter. ‘Very useful this one is..’ Ess pondered to herself as the guard wondered off.

“I’ll meet you and the Captain in a few moments then..” She muttered, still tweaking certain vowels to resemble Mageria’s speech. Without another word she slipped past a few men, hustling down the hall, disappearing around the corner.

Luckas simply nodded, walking in the opposite direction towards where he knew the infirmary was, whispering under his breath. "Be careful now, Pretty Lady."

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Character Portrait: Luckas Character Portrait: Crystal Rivers Character Portrait: Allison Blake
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Crys didn’t even quite get to the hallway before she was intercepted by a woman who sounded a bit drunk, confused, insane or all of the above. She seemed unable to focus on what she was trying to ask, Crys discarded the idea of drunkenness; she had probably more alcohol in her than this stranger, although it was still possible that she was intoxicated somehow.
The blind woman stood patiently listening to the woman’s ramblings for quite a bit of time, frowning as she tried to sort out something consistent in her words: Seems she was looking for someone.

When she felt the woman lean close to her and pull back, stating that she couldn’t see, Crys couldn’t help a small chuckle, although laughing caused considerable pain it was somewhat relieving. Finally she reached out with her left hand and found the woman’s shoulder gripping it gently as she leaned forward, trying to grasp the woman’s attention for more than a split second. “Who is this friend you’re seeking? If you give me his name, maybe I can find him for you. Otherwise, do you mind if I walk while you ramble?” Having said that, she slowly walked around her new acquaintance towards the direction she assumed the medics were. She had a slight feeling that she might drop unconscious eventually and she’d much rather do that in the infirmary.

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Luckas strolled in casually into the medics ward and was greeted by one of the medics, an older woman with blonde hair and hazel eyes. “Is there something I can help you with, young man?” She asked, looking Luckas from head to toe as if asking if there was something wrong with him.
“I’m just here to see a friend.” He explained. “I was told she was brought here.”
“And it can’t wait until morning?” The woman asked, raising an eyebrow at Luckas. “You look awfully pale.”
“I’m just like that.” He mumbled, frowning at the woman. “What are you implying?”
The woman smiled kindly at Luke’s annoyed expression. “Nothing... Who are you here to see?”
“Captain Mageria.” Luckas answered already glancing in the direction of the Captain.
The woman shifted uncomfortably and lowered her voice. “Only a few minutes
 And don’t upset her, I would hate it if we had to tie her to the bed.”
Luckas snorted a laugh. “I’d love to see that, but don’t worry
 I won’t stay too long.” He stated, walking past the woman with a polite nod. Casually pulling a chair from a corner of the ward and placing it near Mageria, ignoring Tala’s low growls at him. He snickered softly as he spoke. “Well, you look like crap, Captain
 Seems like you had all the fun while I was away
” Luckas commented, leaning back in his seat and staring idly at the ceiling. “I don’t understand this I hear about Pondus, isn’t he the guy who died?”

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[Crimson Shadows' Encampment]

Allison was perched on top of the temple tower watching her surroundings; or rather listening to them. Her eyes were closed and she could feel the soft breeze beginning to chill the air as the Sun went down. She has spent her day, after she parted ways with Crys, with her mother's journal, separated from the rest of her group, but still keeping an eye on things as per Crys' request. It was calm in the desert all day, calm and quiet, too quiet. Meditating had become a ritual for Ali in the past three years; one that had been imposed on her before, first by Theron and then by the White Shadows, but one she was not very very fond of until she moved to the desert. The Crimson had stories, which they told their children, about how Air whispers to them through the wind that blows from the mountains. Indrani truly believes that the spirits of her forefathers live in the waters of the rivers... These stories, although only superstitions and legends meant to keep Effort and Brightvale alive somehow, sunk into Allison in a way that led her to relate to the elements somehow, Water specially. Water always calmed Ali, that's why she always escaped to the lake when she lived with the Wolfpack. Reading her mother's journal she remembered her childhood by a little a river, fishing with her brother, just sitting lazily with her feet in the water... It made her feel at peace like she hadn't felt in a very long time.

She never got far into the journal itself. Rather she reread the first pages repeatedly, after a while it felt like she could hear her mother's voice... She whispered in the back of her mind... She whispered in the wind from the mountains...

I don't know which of my children will be reading this, if any. I hope you all survive and grow up to be as happy and brave as I know you are today, but I know the true face of the world is never the one we dream of, it is cruel and cold enough to take a child's life before it even had a chance to begin. Since I don't know which of you will be holding this, I will refer to you simply as Child.

I know I will die soon, reason why I'm leaving this journal with someone I would trust with my life and yours. Remember this in the future, should you ever need guidance you should go to her at anytime. The White Shadows are outstanding people, but not one of the many I have met in my life has ever come close to Lena. I hope she follows my instruction not to read this though, I would hate it if she knew how highly I think of her.

As I was saying, I know I will die. No. I am dead. As you read this, I am certainly dead. I want to flee, to take you away, but if we flee they will know who we are and they will track us down. We have better chances of surviving an attack than that foul beast they send after the ones who try to escape. The ones who survive never survive for long, and they never truly return. It's a fate worse than hell, and I will not risk putting you and your siblings through it. I would rather see you dead.
The man who does this will die by our hands, so says the village seer. We will kill him defending our homes; that man with evil red eyes. I have never met him, but I have heard of him, and I have seen his work. He tears your mind apart until he finds what he wants, and then you think it will stop after he leaves, but it never stops. It doesn't end... It's a terrible way to die. He took your grandfather, and I will never forget the horror in my father's eyes as he died; I was a little girl, but I remember it well.

My dear Child... I know that you probably see our demise as a pointless act of War. Perhaps, by itself, that's what it is. As you read this, I hope you understand that if you consider the grand scheme of things our lives meant nothing, but our deaths count much more than anyone can ever imagine. We give of our lives to defend this land. It is a burden we are born with, that we carry through our lives, and will carry to our graves. You will as well, my love. Even if right now, you still don't feel it. It is natural to try and avoid it, escape it, but understand that you cannot truly evade your fate. Perhaps somewhere else in the world, but not in Valcrest. The magic of this Land binds us, connects us together, it moves us... It flows within our veins, in every plant and animal, underneath the earth, through the air... It is everywhere and in everything and without it, we are less than nothing. We depend on it to survive, and it depends on us to exist, it's a very thin balance; one we would not like to see disturbed.

Finally, my dear beloved Child; never forget who you are. Never forget you were loved. You are loved still. You are loved forever.

Amanda J. Blake


Allison read and reread those words, trying to make sense of it even though her mother stated that the book would explain it. Truth of the matter was: She was afraid to go through it. What if she finally began to feel the weight of some invisible burden she was destined to carry? Was fate a real force to be feared? Ali always saw it as a word people used to justify their ideals. She never believed it, but there was one thing she agreed on: Everything in Valcrest, no matter how small, always seemed to be connected somehow. Ali had moments through which she saw those connections everywhere, but eventually she ended up telling herself she was getting paranoid. No matter how many times she told herself the same thing though... She never stopped seeing the connections here and there.

All of a sudden a sound that didn't quite belonged reached her ears, coming from the direction of the forest; The sound of tree branches being torn out of the way, the sound of animals startling and fleeing, making room for something... Something greater than them. Her eyes snapped open glowing blue as she focused on trying to see as far as the trees at North; She couldn't see that far, however she had a bad feeling, and it was enough.

Bow in her left hand, she made her way down as fast as she could managed, pulling an arrow from her quiver as she headed towards the camp. By the time she arrived there, battle horns were sounding as a warning, silenced within minutes as the assassins arrived, at least a hundred of them, maybe more; a dark cloaked wave of death... The Pack was finally fulfilling their threats and launching an attack on the mercenaries.

Allison discovered right then that Indrani was away... And so was Dastan, and so was Crys and so was Evin... Their side had nothing better than her and Jackson for leaders; this would be a massacre. "Travis!" Ali shouted as she gripped one of their assassins by the back of his shirt. "Listen to me: Get everyone who is decent with a bow on top of the buildings, blend our fighters amongst the Crimson and make sure to secure the civilians inside the temple!" As she spoke she shot an arrow over the man's shoulder, hitting an assassin in the throat.
"Where will you be?" He asked.
Ali was already moving away, but she responded with a groan that sounded a lot like "The best seat in the house."

The Crimson were arming themselves in a hurry: Men, women and any child old enough to support the weight of a sword. At Trevor's request they sent their little group of archers (mainly hunters) to the top of the torn constructions. Effort builders quickly armed traps on the ruined buildings. The Wolves weren't coming in their highest numbers, and the Crimson outnumbered them slightly if counting all the armed kids who should never have to feel another's life in their hands, but they still had the advantage over the mercenaries. A lot of Crimson were killed before they had the chance to see what the commotion was about.

"Blondie! I thought you said the Pack would never fight this openly!" Jackson said, arming his bow and running after her.
"They never have! I honestly don't know what the hell got into Sean!" Ali made her way back up the tower, activating her enlightenment do that she could easily spot the enemies below. She could see the entire camp from that spot; it was a not a pretty sight in the slightest and it was bound to uglier by the second.

"Son of a bitch... He's finally lost his mind!" She muttered as she began to shoot the assassins below. One of them looked up in her direction with an orangey-yellow glow in his eyes and fired an arrow; not at her, but at the tower... The arrow exploded as it hit the stone and Allison heard the rocks begin to crumble. "Holly shit." She muttered, as the man drew his bow one more time.

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Mageria rolled her head slightly to the side, luckily Luckas had positioned him on her right side, so she could see him without too much trouble. A crooked smile worked its way across her battered face, what could been seen of it behind the poultice anyways. She was careful to keep it pressed where it was, much as it stunk, it would do it’s job fairly quickly.

“Well, you look like crap, Captain
 Seems like you had all the fun while I was away
”

Mageria would have laughed, if it didn’t hurt so much.
“Fun is one way to put it. But you should see the other guy.” she whispered raspily. The bruises and swelling on her throat were making it hard to do much more than breathe, let alone talk. Rolling her head back to where it had been, she closed her eye, relaxing just a bit. Crazy as it sounded, the idea that Luckas was there let her let her guard down for just a moment, let her stop fighting the drugs the medics had poured down her throat. Luckas had his own reasons for wanting her alive and well, until he achieved those goals, he’d do what it took to keep her alive. She always hated laying around in the infirmary, she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was going to come around the corner when she wasn’t looking and come after her. Ridiculous, but she still felt that way.

“I don’t understand this I hear about Pondus, isn’t he the guy who died?”

She twitched her shoulder in what might have been a shrug.
“I thought he was dead. The man who died in my arms looked like him, spoke like him, had his memories . . . he even seemed to think he was Grim.” She swallowed and started coughing. Her abused stomach muscles started screaming in protest and she couldn’t sit up enough to breathe. Luckily Luckas leaned in and helped her up with one arm under her shoulders, propping her up until she could take a deep breath again, heart pounding from exertion.
“I knew Grim Pondus was dead. And then, this afternoon, someone who looked just like him walks in and demands to have his sword back. Worst possible time to push my people. And I . . . made things worse by not even wanting to believe that it was him. There was a scuffle and he went berserker . . . That’s when I knew it really was him. Somehow. And I was the only one who could take War on without killing him or getting killed in the process. It was what you do for a friend.”

Mageria lay carefully back down and rolled her eye back over at Luckas, breath still a bit raspy.
“Not to sound conceited, but I really was the only one who could. I didn’t make Captain just because I killed Morgan. Though that might have helped.” She sighed again, letting her head sink down into the pillow, hurting in every inch of her body. “But this could have happened at a better time, I must admit. Makes you wonder which of the Twins looked our way.” With a sigh, she let her eye drift half closed. “This day is not what I expected when I woke up this morning. But . . .” she glanced over at Luckas. “Where’s Ess?”

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Luckas laughed softly at Mageria, glancing at Tala as the wolf continued to growl at him. “You and your ghosts, eh Captain?” He asked amused. “That’s what you do for a friend?” He repeated, honestly trying to make sense of that logic. “I’m comforted by the fact we’re not friends then.” He stated, leaning back on his chair a little and raising an eyebrow when she asked about Ess. “Who? Oh, that lady? I got bored with her
 Buried her in the woods somewhere
” He said with a light shrug. At his words Tala growled even louder and bared her teeth, the hairs along her back standing upright. Luckas was absolutely sure that the wolf would aim for his throat at the least provocation, and he wasn’t exactly known for being stupid, impulsive maybe, but not stupid. Even so, his eyes caught one of the medics shooting nervous glances towards Mageria, the woman’s eyes locked on him and she mouthed something which he couldn’t make out, but it was enough to grasp some notion of what she wanted.

Acting all too playful Luckas made a foolishly abrupt move towards Tala and growled back at her
 That did it: The wolf immediately jumped on him and, hadn’t he been expecting it, she would have caught his neck and not his forearm. Luckas only let out a low groan of pain at the bite; it hurt like hell, but he wasn’t much of a ‘squealer’ as he would put it. He calmy lay on the ground with Tala over him, still gripping his arm tightly. He did appreciate the fact that she could have easily pulled a chunk of his flesh of his bones, but hadn’t; she was simply slowly sinking his teeth onto him, growling still. He looked the wolf in the eyes and snickered. “You have poor since of humor, you know.”

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Crys was losing sense of direction, more and more, as this strange woman followed her around, rambling without any rest. So much that at this point she had absolutely no clue where she was anymore. She could hear her new acquaintance stumble after her at every step occasionally colliding with a wall or pillar, seemingly unaware of the world as she went on about how she disliked the color pink, because well
 It’s just so damn pink. Crys didn’t know whether to be amused or concerned for this girl, but she wasn’t bothered by her despite her incessant talking being way too distracting. Between that and willing herself to not poke her wounded eye, there wasn’t much attention left in Crys to figure out where she was going.

Heaving a small sigh of relief when her stalker stopped to catch a breath, Crys tried to make sense of the situation, finally she discovered that she indeed didn’t have the slightest clue of where she was, and so she leaned against a wall, feeling that she might just pass out any minute, not the best thing when you’re not sure of where you are. Slowly taking in a breath she tried to sense other people’s presence, faintly she noticed some frightened people nearby, but found that in her weakened state it was hard to tell people apart. “Hum
” She started walking in that direction thinking that at least it was a direction.

“Do you like pink?”

Her stalker had managed to catch her breath and Crys chuckled at the question as she tried to think about it; she had no clue what pink was, even less if she liked it. “I don’t know.” She stated absently. “What does it look like?”

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Character Portrait: Luckas Character Portrait: Mageria Talsheir
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“Luckas!!” Tala launched herself off the bed and latched onto the young man’s arm, Mageria might have been able to catch hold of her if she had been able to move easily. As it was, she pretty much just got to watch as Tala sank her teeth into his arm. Painfully, she pulled herself back up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.
“Tala, enough.” Even when her voice was so raspy that it could barely be understood, it still carried a tone of absolute command. Slowly, Tala opened her mouth, letting loose of Luckas’s arm and backing up, growling the entire time.
“Come here.” For a moment, Tala didn’t move, but then she hopped back up on the bed, circling around to curl around Mageria’s back, eyes still focused on Luckas with razor like precision. She could feel a low continuous growl through her back and the wolf still had a bit of blood on one lip. Mageria put one hand on the wolf’s back, still trying to catch her breath and feeling her chest ache as she did so.
“Luckas, you’re not an idiot. Many other things, but an idiot is not one of them. What the hell has gotten into you?” Behind her she could hear some kind of commotion, but quite frankly, she was in enough pain that she couldn’t turn around and look. Instead she was forced to wait and hope that whatever it was, wasn’t that bad.

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When Mageria managed to order Tala off of him Luke sighed a bit in relief, even though his arm was now bloody.

“Luckas, you’re not an idiot. Many other things, but an idiot is not one of them. What the hell has gotten into you?”

"That's just a damn good question Captain." He answered laughing beside himself. He wasn't sure why he was laughing exactly, probably a weird response to the pain or something of the sorts... Truly, Luckas seemed to laugh at the strangest things sometimes, but this had made him giggly to a point where it was just ridiculous to watch. He just lay on the floor in giggle fits. When Ess arrived and stood over him asking what he had done to Tala, he took a deep a breath and exploded in hysterical laughter. He laughed for a good few minutes before he managed to stop, regaining his breath amongst little chuckles. "Heh, hi there Pretty Lady." He greeted. "It was nothing, we were just playing." He stated, sitting up on the floor and rolling his sleeve to examine the bleeding teeth marks on his forearm. "Just a little love bite, is all."

The bite had actually been quite deep, and now one of the medics had come to check on Luckas, except he wasn't very fond of people handling him without fair warning; when the man crouched down and reached for him, Luckas startled and shouted "Get away from me!" The command was so forceful that the medic tripped over several number of things as he crawled across the floor in an effort to get as far away from Luckas as possible. Luke sighed. "Stop. Breathe." He spoke, more softly this time. The man calmed a bit. "Go back to your work." The medic simply walked away to do whatever he had been doing on the other end of the ward. Luckas stayed on the floor, paying no mind to the bleeding wound as he glared after the medic to make sure he was really gone. "Stupid people." He muttered under his breath, before looking up at Ess again. "So, how's the plan going?" He asked casually, as if nothing happened.

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Character Portrait: Luckas Character Portrait: Mageria Talsheir
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Mageria sighed at them both. "Ess, if you don't mind, would you hand me those bottles over there and some gauze?" She indicated the ones that she wanted and motioned for Luckas to get up from the floor. When he didn't move, she raised one eyebrow and sighed. "Luckas, please do not make me get down there on the floor with you. Canine bites can fester like you wouldn't believe and strange as it sounds, I don't want that to happen to you. We might end having to cut your arm off if it gets bad enough." The tone of her voice and posture made it absolutely clear that she was going to make sure that he was taken care of.

Stone faced she waited until Luckas got up and sat near her, eying Tala warily the whole time. Holding his arm firmly, Mageria started to clean out the bite marks, carefully scrubbing to make sure that they were actually clean. After smearing a bit of ointment on the bite, she carefully started rolling some gauze around it. Causally, not even bothering to look up, she asked; "So, what is it about a fire out there? I didn't think that was part of your plan." She happened to look up and see that Ess was still looking just like her. A slight from wrinkled her eyebrows. "Do I really have that much white in my hair?"

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Luckas glared at Mageria for a little bit, trying to rebel against her bossing him around like that, but he knew that if he didn't get up she would in fact get on the floor with him and she'd get his wound taken care of no matter what kind of a fight he put up, so he got up frowning slightly and mumbling something that sounded much like 'damn you, stubborn woman' under his breath. He sat within Mageria's reach and extended his arm towards her. "I thought you were supposed to be the patient Captain." He stated, raising an eyebrow and trying to imitate her severe tone, but not managing to pull it off to the level Ess could. His head quickly turned towards Ess as he exclaimed: "You set a fire without me? How dare you?!" Then he chuckled. "And I may or may not enjoy it... Suppose you'll have to test me sometime, huh?" He said grinning. "We still have our own play date to finish one of those days."

He looked from Ess to Mageria and then back to Ess and chuckled. "You both look like crap now." Then his tone turned a little more serious as he asked: "Lady, how long can you stay like this? Don't wanna push yourself too far now." He stated absently, lowering his sleeve over the bandaged arm. "Aye, I'll get the message to him alright... And I'll be watching. I always am, now aren't I?" He smirked. "Watching and waiting.... And watching..." He snickered. His silly behavior now in anticipation of what was to come. He could barely wait to have his fun. Oh, it would be so much fun. "And you owe me some fiery fun, you know? I'll hold you to it." He said, a cheerful smile playing on his lips as he got on his feet, eager to go whenever Ess was ready.

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[Small Village near Newhaven – Earlier in the day]

Evin was taking the last few bites out of his food. It was better than he expected, especially since the last time he was there, the father of the young girl was the one who ran the small cafĂ©. Now it was the young girl’s older brother ran the business. He wasn’t sure if it was going to be good, but it was surprisingly refreshing. He would have to go to the cafĂ© more often.
“Excuse me, you still have to pay.” The girl walked up to him. He didn’t even realize that he forgot to pay. He reached into his pocket


[Flashback]

The archives of the White Shadows were a real gem. Not everyone was allowed inside the archives and most who were aloud needed supervision or direct permission from those who were aloud full access. As a former assassin, it didn't stop Perry from sneaking around there. Not many would be able to catch him as easily as they thought they would be able to. He had trained too much in deception be be caught doing anything wrong.
Through the books and scrolls he went, but for some reason he couldn't find what he was looking for. It was something that wasn't there. It was something so tangible that he could almost feel it as if the book could actually feel pain, like it had a story to tell. Soon enough, there it was. The book laced in emerald green lining. Much more finely detailed than the pathetic Myths of Magic book that he had found such a long time ago in the archives of the Wolfpack. Just what I needed." He said with a open mouthed smile. He flipped through the pages until he heard a noise from outside. He quickly shut the book, and hid behind a large stack of books on the floor. Curled in a ball he hoped that whoever it was wouldn't find him.

Lena knew the clan's files back and forth, and yet, sometimes she needed to check one of the books for a certain name or image there contained. She made her way through the lines of tents absently until she reached the construction, one of the few still standing constructions in the area, and nodded politely to the two healers that were watching the entrance. As she stepped inside, however, she heard noises of book piles falling over. She snickered slightly, imagining it was probably one of the young apprentices trying to sneak a peek at the mythology books. "Who's there?" She called, stepping closer to where the noise had come from, slowly like a feline stalking its prey. If she focused just enough she could hear breathing, but it was too quiet to be a child, if it was a child there would be more noise by now. That's when she took a more serious tone to her voice and reached for a dagger she kept hidden on her person. "I know there's someone here, you better show yourself, I'm not kidding."

Perry didn't want to be caught, especially by the leader of the White Shadows. She was a person who's trust he needed absolutely. Just like Evin, he needed her to believe that he was an honorable man. Maybe even a friend. Whatever she was going to believe it had to be positive. He looked around for something that he could do to stop Lena from finding anything negative to get on him. Only one thing came to mind.

He slowly moved his arm into the line of sight that Lena had, but thankfully she didn't notice. When he had the book in his hand, he threw it over his shoulder, letting it hit a stack of book a couple of feet to the left of him. It was enough of a distraction to allow him to get out of his hiding place and work his way to the exit, but he couldn't remember where the exit was exactly. In that moment of panic, he just stood still and in the open. It wasn't something that any respectable assassin would do, so he quickly shot out the first words that came to his mouth.

"Lena, I was looking for you earlier, but I couldn't find you. I wanted to look for a book and since I couldn't find you I took matters into my own hand. I know it wasn't right and I thought that since I'm rather new here that I could get away with it if I was caught, but I really don't want to be dishonest. I hope you can forgive me.

Lena's attention was caught by a noise of books falling over and moments later she sighed softly as she heard a familiar voice blurt out excuses. She turned, slowly concealing her dagger, and relaxing some. Perry was not supposed to be there, but he wasn't an intruder at least. "What book was so urgent that you couldn't wait for me in order to get it?" She asked raising an eyebrow as she walked past the man to where the fallen books were, looking down at them and noticing a particular one that seemed to have made a slightly odd trajectory as if it had been thrown. Slowly, she began picking the books one by one, looking them over and finding their right place. "I'll excuse you this time, but I hope I don't find you here again." She said absently. "Mind giving me a hand with these?" She asked, not looking away from the books directly, but still watching the man with the corner of her eyes.

When Perry was asked to help out, he did a little hop and was about to move to stack the books, but remembered the book that he needed to look at. He could tell that she had some attention on him though, her head was looking down at the books she was picking up, but her body was slightly tilted in his direction, letting him know that she had him in the corner of his eye. Instead of walking over to the books to help, he began to talk... more like ramble.

"Well I was looking for a journal from one of the healers old." He said. While he continued to talk, he moved his way slowly so that his body was directly blocking the line of sight from Lena to the book that he wanted. "I heard about this combination of herbs that can be used to make it look like a dead body doesn't even have a wound on it, even if they have a huge wound." This is when he was able to use his nervous twitches to his advantage. He moved his hands behind his back, and swayed on the arch of his foot back and forth, just to make it look like he was nervous to talk to his leader. "I know it isn't really useful to a healer, but you can understand can't you? As an assassin, I have a morbid curiosity of sorts." He flipped through the pages, counting each one individually in his head until he reached the page numbers he was looking for. "I guess it isn't so urgent as much as I just don't have the patience to wait. I'm sorry m'am. Five hundred and fifty seven." He said out loud absent minded. It was the page he was looking for and in his excitement; he forgot to keep it in his head.

Perry passed it off like it was nothing and ripped the page out silently; crumpling it in his hand. He shut the book and started to walk over to help Lena with the books. It seemed like she was already finished. Only a few more books to go. Just because he wanted to try to be as big of a suck up as possible, he grabbed the last few books with his free hand and placed them at the top of the stacks, smiling absently at Lena while he did so.

"Hum..." Lena mumbled in response to the explanation Perry gave on the book he was looking for. "As a former assassin, I do understand that." She mentioned absently as if to remind him that she had knowledge of most tricks assassins used. "However, everything is useful to a healer, at one time or another." She added, glancing at the man and noticing his twitches, he didn't seem to want to hide them at all. "Five hundred and fifty seven" She whispered to herself, diary pages weren't numbered, that she knew of, only if he counted them really fast... but she would look into it at a later time. As he put the last few books in place, she turned to face him fully and stared for a little while. He was an odd one, this man. He never seemed to want to hide anything, and while that might be good, it was odd. Everyone had something they'd rather keep hidden; why wouldn't he? She ran her fingers through the lines of books absently and stated. "Well, I remembered what I need, so suppose I won't have to find the book I came here for after all. Strange how the mind works, no?" She sighed. "I think they're all in place, but I'll check again tomorrow. Unfortunately for me, I'm the only one allowed to organize these. On the other hand, it makes it easy for me to keep track of anything missing." She said, still casually. Motioning towards the exit she added: "Shall we? Or is there still something you need?"


[Reality]
“Umm
 Sir, are you alright?” The girl looked up at Evin, who was just staring at his table with the empty cup and plate. “Sir?”
Evin ignored the girl for a few seconds. He was completely confused about what he had just seen. It was like a daydream, but it had nothing to do with him at all
 and it was so vivid.
“Sir, please answer me. Is there a healer here? I think there’s something wrong with this man.”
Evin started to look around the room franticly for someone who might have been trying to mess with him. An assassin who knew something about his past and was trying to psych him out in order to get the edge on him in a fight. Then he saw something that he didn’t expect. A decrepit healer who looked so rugged that he could barely recognise her. “Lena?”

Lena had just gotten her order and had patiently waited for the girl to walk away before making her tea. The herbs were the only thing that helped with her recurring headaches... Or at least they used to, because they didn't do a thing for her this time. Reaching out towards her temples, she closed her eyes not to show the blue glow to anyone who might have been looking at her. The memory that flooded her mind was one she had forced herself to bury long ago, out of anger or maybe guilt, it was a little bit of a shock to have it come back this way. Maybe it was this place...

“Lena?”

Or maybe not.

As the pain finally gave in, the familiar voice spoke and Lena recognized it immediately as being Evin's. She took a long, deep breath, fully aware of the man's eyes on her, and waited for the pain to go away completely before turning to face him where he sat. She had plans to speak with him, amongst others, but not quite yet. Not right now. She stopped herself from letting out a frustrated groan, not daring to stand in fear that exhaustion might knock her down. She greeted. "Well, hello, Evin." Still wondering if the familiar place or the man's presence had caused that particular memory to resurface, she ripped a piece of the bread and absently dipped it in the soup before eating it, acting as if it was completely normal for her to be sitting there after not giving word to anyone for almost three years.

Evin assured the young waitress that he was alright before he shifted his feet in Lena's direction. He slowly walked over while Lena continued on with her soup. He looked deep into the contours on her face and the frailty in her body. She looked far older than she really was-- How old was she? Evin wasn't sure, but in the three years that she had gone missing, she had aged at least ten.
"You know, in three years you really let yourself go, Rose." He said when he finally reached her table. He grabbed a seat and claimed it as his own, dragging it over to Lena's table before sitting at it. "You look more like what they used to make that soup."

Lena choked slightly on the hot soup at Evin's words, looking up from her bowl to see the man had sat at her table. "I look like an onion?" She chuckled. "That's awfully flattering in a way." She stated, with a slightly amused expression, going into thought for a few moments before dipping another piece of bread and stuffing it in her mouth, chewing on it for a few seconds before finally looking the man in the eyes and seriously addressing his comments. "The past three years have been somewhat rough on me, that's true. The mountains aren't an easy place to survive in, and I've been ill for a little while, haven't fully recovered yet." She explained. "So, what brings you to these parts? Aren't you and the others still camped out in the desert?" She asked.

Evin continued to watch her eat as she talked. Onion soup was probably the better kinds when it came to soups. "Why are you even asking that Lena? I know how nosey you are. Things, as you already know I'm sure are changing. The Wolfpack is weakening and Sean's puppets are beginning to cut their strings. I'm no longer afraid of him or his puppets. That's what's changed." The waitress again walked up to him, probably checking up on him. She began to walk away again, but Evin grabbed her arm and gently pulled her back. "I'd like what she's having if you don't mind." The girl took that down and then walked off. Evin turned back to Lena. "When I said you looked like shit I took into account where you had been living. I can't imagine how the people of Effort used to look like then. No wonder they didn't survive the war."

"Huh..." Lena mumbled, still seeming amused. "It's like I used to tell Bastian: Assassins are nosy, healers are only curious. And I'll always be a little bit of both. I'm surprised though, does that mean you were once afraid of Sean? Doesn't seem likely of you." She ate another piece of bread before adding. "Effort's people frequently received their supplies from Brightvale, that is why it was so important to turn the two cities against each other, without Brightvale Effort was completely isolated from the rest of the Land. That is why they didn't survive the war... Still, they didn't go down without one hell of a fight." She smirked. "You can be sure that neither will I."

The girl came over to the table with his soup and placed it gingerly on the table as not to spill any. He gave Lena the bread and picked up his spoon. "Never understood why people did bread in soup. I hate soggy bread." He commented as he continued to fill his spoon with a combination of broth and chopped onion. He took a sip of it and was rather disappointed in the flavor, or the lack of it. Not everything that this place made was as good as it used to be. "Sean is a powerful individual. Not the best assassin, mind you, but knows how to mould minds. It’s too bad for him that the minds he moulds have minds of their own. I didn't necessarily fear Sean, but I did fear his followers." He paused to think about Lena's last comment. "Neither will I". What battle was she fighting? It wasn't his business to know. Unlike what Lena had told him, assassins were well informed. It had nothing to do with being nosey. Not asking her what she meant by that comment was just proof. A silent protest that she would probably never understand.
"Now don't take this as me being nosy, Lena, but there are things you know about Perry that I probably never knew. You probably knew him better than I did actually. Did you show me that memory for a reason?"

“I wouldn’t expect you to go down any other way.” Lena replied simply to Evin’s comment. “Sean is too weak minded considering how much he relies on mental acuity. I’m not saying the kid is stupid, mind you
 I’m just saying that it is not his strongest trait, even though he seems to think it is. If he cared half as much about the Pack as he does for getting even, he’d be something to fear, but I don't think that will ever happen.” She finished the bowl of soup and absently began to pick on the bread Evin had given her. She ate it in silence for quite a bit before she addressed his question about the memory.

“I didn’t know you were here, Evin. My enlightenment tends to act out when I’m too tired or under emotional distress and I am really, truly, tired today. This place brings me memories
 Other memories
 Which are in a way related to the Shadow, so it’s possible that my mind took me there for that reason. As for why you saw them
 I’m not really sure, maybe the place didn’t trigger the memory, and you did. Perhaps, my mind associates you with him, in a way.” She gave a small shrug and saved half the bred for later, rolling in a piece of clean cloth and putting it in her bag. “I honestly don’t think I knew him any better than you or anyone else did, in fact I take a small bit of comfort in that thought.” She stated simply.

"Sean may be weak minded, but he does have a strong resolve. Sometimes that can be much more threatening. As a group, the Wolf Hunters were weak minded, but their resolve was enough to almost wipe us off the map. I'll forever look at Sean as a worthy threat." Soon he was done his soup. He wiped his mouth and got up from the table, putting the money for both his and Lena's food on the table. "If you've already paid for your food, then just take the extra money. Now I've got someone I'm looking for, but if we get the chance, I'd like to continue our conversation about Perry. I have a feeling you know more than even you want to admit." Evin walked out of the cafe without speaking another word.

Lena frowned slightly at Evin’s mention of the Wolf Hunters being weak minded. That wasn’t something she would ever agree with. However, she made no comments on that fact; better to let the dead rest and the past remain asleep
 At least for the moment
.

She let Evin walk away leaving the extra money for the waitress as she went looking for a place where could get some rest.

[Newhaven – Later that night]

Lena arrived in Newhaven later than she wanted, but the meal and the rest had done her a lot of good, and she seemed less tired, even if she was still visibly weakened. Making her way to the castle, she had little trouble getting in. It seemed the castle guard was a bit distracted with some sort of commotion. Odd
 Much more so as she caught a visibly terrified guard running past, the strong scent of urine giving away that the man had some sort of accident. His visible confusion seemed all too familiar to Lena. She heaved a sigh as activated her enlightenment to see that man’s last memory was outside the upper entrance to the old bell tower. So she made her way towards the entrance that led to the bottom of the stair leading up to the old bell. “Stupid boy
”

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

After leaving the sick ward and giving Captain the chance to get some proper rest, hopefully, Luke and Ess parted ways again. It was Luke's job to get a message to Xypher saying that the Captain wanted to meet with him. It took a bit of time for him to think of a message to send, trying to think of how Mageria would put it. He made the message simple and watched from a distance as the servant delivered it, he watched Xypher's expression, the man had doubts, but he was too intrigued not to go... Perfect. As soon as the servant parted ways with the Warlord, Luke cornered him again and erased the scene from his mind, sending him back to his duties. A grin spread across his features as he followed Xypher from a distance as he headed towards his destination, with a guard as company despite the instruction to go alone... Nothing that couldn't be handled. Things were running smoothly so far.

Ess just couldn’t decide between the two vials in her hand, staring long and hard she remembered that they needed Xypher alive and not drugged. She didn’t dare do anything that would compromise either Luckas or herself, so she tucked the black one away, leaving the purple easily accessed along her belt. Maybe the decision wasn’t so hard after all.

Leaning back against the stone of the tower, Ess hunched over for quite some time, waiting for Xypher to give his appearance. Just when her lower back started to ache, she heard footsteps echo along the stone floor. Stretching upwards, the pain was mild but she played it up in her illusion, letting the hood slide off her battered face, exposing a worn and bruised Mageria. Biting into her tongue, she turned and spat a bit of blood onto the ground, adding to the act.

“Surprised I’m still standing, Warlord?” The Mageria clone rasped, followed by a burdened breath.

Xypher paused in his step, nodding towards the Guard at his side; the man wandered past Ess and entered the tower, the noises from inside indicating the man was doing a search for hidden surprises. A quick return explained to Xypher that there was no open threat, “Wait out here...Make sure we are not disturbed.” He commanded his Guard. The man positioned himself beside the entrance, back along the wall; his demeanor was stiff and alert, straining to see in the surrounding shadows.

The Warlord bowed in a mocking display of respect, gesturing for Ess to enter the tower first. Keeping her expression cool, controlling her temper she nodded and limped in first, knowing full well not to expect an attack from Xypher. He obviously felt the same to be alone with ‘Mageria,’ that the situation was too tense and a straight forward attack would only cause more complications: Mageria could just make it worse for herself, or Xypher may condemn his twisted cause.

“What’s really left to say, Cap-..” Xypher began, cutting himself off with a chuckle. “Well, Talsheir...can I call you that, since you are no longer Captain?” Xypher approached a worn out, cracked bell that hung in the tower, pass ‘Mageria’ who remained only paces away from the Warlord, staring him down with her one good eye.

Ess kept her voice low, as if it pained her to speak. “You....honestly expected me to just walk away?...” Ess forced herself to cough, her expression still cool, but her hoarse voice taking on an edge, “Does it look like I will simply roll over and die?”

Xypher quirked a brow, a small grin creeping into view as he paused, “I know you are a stubborn woman, but I thought you had enough sense to know when you’ve been beaten.”

“..Just tell me why..” Ess spat, casually gimping around the opposite side of the bell, her fingers had a mind of their own as she turned her ring around, giving her middle finger the extended appearance of a tiny claw which she managed to keep far from Xypher’s sight.

Xypher scoffed at ‘Mageria’, “...Because I can....I did...and I couldn’t turn my back on what I knew.”

Ess doubled over as if she was in immense pain, retrieving the tiny vial by her waist to which she opened and discarded down the bell shaft only after she dipped the tiny claw into the purple serum. “....You know that’s not it, Warlord...and you know I’ve done much for this city....but I guess that doesn’t matter to you....You who only cares about your own power and influence..” Ess muttered, holding herself up as she snaked her way around the bell to walk past Xypher. Stumbling towards the opposite side, she appeared as if she were trying to avoid the Warlord. Quickly her body snapped upright, her hand slashing through the air across the man’s face in one fluid motion. In the Warlords surprise, an elbow caught Ess across the face, knocking her to the ground, the man was utterly perplexed at the insult of the minor assault, his hand touching his face curiously.

“You dare..? I can have you-” Xypher trailed off, stretching his face as if it were falling asleep, the feeling in his flesh disappearing as the nerves went numb, the paralysis already beginning to spread into his blood.

Ess stood easily, defiantly smiling up at the Warlord, wiping at a bit of blood along her lip, “I dare, because I can...and I can’t ignore what you've done..” She watched, tilting her head to the side as Xypher went to reach for a weapon by his side, his fingers failing him, unable to grip the blade. “Is something wrong, Warlord?” A small giggle escaped Ess in her normal voice, the sound taking on a morbid delight as she knew the poison was spreading, and faster than she expected. Soon it would incapacitate the man, enabling him to only listen in his temporary paralysis. She knew for a fact the man’s mind would be fully functional, intact, but his body would be numb, the nerves unresponsive to the commands of his brain.

A minute or two might have passed, to Ess it felt like forever as she stepped closer, the dagger at her thigh already readied in her hand as the man came to his knees when he tried for the exit. Muffled, drooling gurgles escaped his throat as Xypher tried to speak, his tongue and lips failing him. With what seemed like an excruciating amount of effort, he swung his arm in Ess’ direction but was easily dodged when she simply stepped to the side. Playfully she kicked the man hard in his side, just the gentle push he needed to fall onto his back. “Big..bad Warlord doesn’t feel so powerful now...does he?” Ess teased, the dagger trailing along Xypher’s throat sadistically from where she knelt beside him, still in her illusioned form.

Luckas grinned widely as he watched the Warlord enter the tower with 'Mageria', leaving him a little guard to toy with while he and Ess exchanged words. Luke casually walked in the direction of the tower, slowly so that the guard would walk in his direction and catch him halfway there, too far to be heard from the inside of the tower. Perfect.
"Buddy, the tower is closed, move along now." The guard told him, putting a hand on his chest and pushing him back, trying to intimidate him into leaving,
Luckas took a step back at the shove, but smiled kindly at the man and gave him a fake curious look. "Closed? Why's that? It's a bell tower, why would it be closed?" He asked.
"That's none of your concern." The guard replied, again pushing Luke back. "Move along now."
Luckas again stumbled back. This time he laughed for a few seconds before turning more serious and speaking in a soft growl. "Make me."
"Listen I really don't have time to waste on you, kid. Piss. Off." The man said, pushing Luke again, once for at the word 'piss' and once for the word 'off'.
Luke giggled softly. "You want me to piss? I don't really have to go right now. Why don't you go piss yourself, mate? Piss yourself."
The guard was giving Luke an amused look that soon turned into a horrified one when he felt himself obeying the odd demand. The man then reached for the sword at his waist, but was stopped again by Luke's voice.
"Stop. Hold still." Luckas ordered, smiling wide at the guard's terrorized look as he realized he couldn't move, not even speak. "You poor silly man..." He snickered, pulling the sword from the man's belt and pointing it at his face. "If only we had time to play... You're just my type, I can tell..." He then fixed his gaze on the guard and made him forget why he was there in the first place, walking past him to the entrance of the tower while he was still slightly stunned. Glancing over his shoulder he snickered as the confused man noticed his wet pants and ran off at full speed. He would never know he was supposed to be guarding the Warlord that night. Luke pressed his ear against the door curiously and gave it a very discrete knock, as if to ask if it was alright to come in.

Ess sighed, cracking her neck as she crawled over Xypher, to sit across his ribs with one knee touching the floor on each side. “Your muscles should bet useless right about now, but don’t worry...it’s not permanent..” Ess winked, letting the facade of her swollen eye dissipate, snickering at the man as his own gaze widened in confusion. “I’m not sure if all your pain sensors are numb as well....shall we investigate?”

Ess started off easy, lightly dragging the dagger along Xypher’s left cheek without so much as a flinch. Nodding, she made a second pass pressing firmly to split the flesh along his chin. “Perhaps we need to go deeper?” Ess sneered, violet eyes glimmering in her amusement as she watched the man’s reaction closely. She expected he would be not an easy nut to crack, which delighted her, knowing Luckas would still have much to look forward to.

Resting the dagger along her thigh, she slid down the man to the freshly dressed wound along his leg from Xypher’s earlier self infliction. Using the claw implement upon her finger, she slowly penetrated the wound until her knuckles began digging into the bleeding flesh, seeing a slight change in his eyes. “Getting warmer...?...How about something you’ll definitely feel later?” Reaching for the man’s hand, her fingertips traced between his fingers, a surprising groan escaped the man’s throat as she twisted, bent and snapped his thumb backwards in a painful position. Another moment passed and she had broken every other finger on both Xypher’s hands.

Ess quirked a brow, as she thought she heard a noise from the door, almost inaudible. Leaning in close to the Warlord, letting the claw linger before the man’s iris she whispered close similar to a woman speaking to her lover, “I’m saving the best for my friend...he should be here any second.” As she finished speaking, she felt eyes on her, a childish giggle echoing off the walls while she debated taking out the man’s left eye. “Don’t worry my friend...” She muttered still in Mageria’s tone as if speaking to another in the room, her form still straddled over the Warlord, “Don't be jealous.”

Luckas entered the room, his eyes watching Ess carefully, as if he barely noticed the man who was his target, she seemed to be having fun with this; it was such a pity to interrupt. "Lady, I know it's tempting, but I need him to have his eyes... For now at least." He spoke, walking a bit further into the room, but standing where Xypher couldn't see him. "He can't move or speak, huh? That spares me some trouble, I gotta say. Quite a handy little trick." He snickered softly pacing around the room, but always walking where the Warlord couldn't see him. His footsteps echoing in the stone room. Finally he stopped, standing over the man's head, and crouching down so that he was looking at Xypher's face upside down. "Hello there." He smiled, delighted at the horrified look in the man's eyes as he saw his face at last. "Oh, you knew my brother... Awesome, so all I have to tell you is that he wasn't half as dangerous as I can be." He snickered softly. "Oh, I know what you're thinking. What kind of a sick person keeps a psycho like me around just to unleash on hypocritical bastards like you?" He chuckled. "Well... Apparently, this lady here does." He nodded towards Ess, giving her a playful wink. "Paralyzed, huh? just how much, I wonder..." He smiled. "Lift your head."

Xypher did in fact lift his head, even though he was unable to hold it up, and it dropped back, hitting the stone floor. Luckas laughed. "Ouchie, sorry man." He leaned closer to Xypher and smirked. "I know the likes of you, Mister Warlord; you think you have the right to decide what is best for everyone, because you're just that great. Is that it?" He shook his head in amusement. "Well... If that's the case then I get to decide how and when you die, because, well... Who's going to stop me?" He grinned. "Now, lay back and relax... This is going to be painless for now, so enjoy it while it lasts." As he said that he fixed his eyes on the Warlord and they changed from their usual black to a light green tone. "Let's see what's behind that brilliant mind of yours, shall we?"

Ess gave a childish yet playful pout at Luckas’ words on Xypher keeping his eyes. “Hmph...Yea I know they are kinda essential right now...” Using Xypher as leverage she pushed herself to her feet, giving Luckas and the Warlord some space, a short chuckle bounced along her shoulders when she tried to keep it quiet. She liked the idea of keeping Luckas around; this was an entirely different experience in more ways than one, and there was no denying her excitement while she watched him toy with the paralyzed figure. Not knowing if it was a comfort to share this kind of twisted display, she appreciated not having to do it alone.

Essence leaned back against a wall, so that the two were in front of her and the door was at her right, absently listening for any possible interferences that may interrupt their play date. “..Remember my friend, the serum won’t last forever...it will wear off.” Ess muttered a bit disappointingly. Violet eyes glowed in anticipation while she toyed with the tiny claw along her ring.

Luckas chuckled when Ess stepped aside. “Women, huh?” He said playfully, winking at Xypher as if expecting the man to agree with him. He grinned, now addressing Ess. “Don’t worry Lady, none of his body parts will be needed for much longer. I’ll let you pick your favorites once business is done.” He stood and walked around the fallen warlord, crouching again next to the man and leaning closer to him. Xypher closed his eyes and Luke chuckled. “That doesn’t work old man. Open your eyes. Look at me.”

The man obeyed, and Luke’s eyes turned a light green as he stared deep into Xypher’s frightened stare. The man’s memories held little other than council meetings, War plans and memories of his loving late wife. Nothing really promising until he found the memory of a meeting between the Warlord and another man, whose face Luke never really got to see, because the memory was immediately cut off by one of his own.

[Flashback – Some dark place of the past, about 10 years ago]

Luckas awoke to the blinding light of the open basement door and groaned angrily, trying to ignore the voices arguing just outside the door.

“They’re unusable! We need to get rid of them!”
“Master says we should be more patient, that they will learn control.”
“How many more of us will have to die before they learn control? It’s not worth it!”
“They are the most powerful ones yet, Master does not want them to go to waste. They are irreplaceable.”
“I don’t care, I won’t be next!”

Luckas jumped up as the door slammed shut and darkness surrounded him once more. He could hear shouting on the other side of the door, but with it closed he couldn’t make out the words
 He went back to sleep.

. . . . .

“Hey, kid
 Are you alright? Wake up.”

Someone was gently shaking Luckas and he desperately wanted, whoever it was, to get away from him, but he couldn’t move
 He was just so tired
 Why was he so tired?

“These kids need a medic
 Doesn’t look like they’ve eaten anything in days” Another voice spoke. “What the hell is this place?”

The voice closer to Luke sighed. “I don’t know, come on, let’s get them out of here and call the captain.”


. . .

The pain that followed was the very familiar pain of being cut off by another telepath, Luke knew there was only one living telepath who was strong enough for that and as he fell to his side, holding onto the sides of his head in pain, his eyes changing from a light green to a bright blue
 He managed to utter a couple of words to identify his 'attacker'. “You evil witch!”

“We had an understanding, Luckas. And I warned you what I’d do if you disobeyed my instructions.” A cold voice sounded in the room as Lena made herself visible by climbing the last few steps of the stairs, her eyes fixed on Luckas as he whined and groaned on the floor. “Stop fighting me.” She told him.
“Go to hell!” He shouted, still visibly in pain, as he tried to stand, but failed, dropping back to the ground.
Lena sighed. “Don’t be stupid boy. Yield!”
Luckas screamed in pain and went into uncontrollable shivers, but didn’t stop putting up a fight. “No, no, no, no.” He muttered angrily.
“Luckas
” The woman said in a severe tone, pacing a few steps closer and looking down at him. “You’re being silly now
 If you keep this up you’ll hurt yourself. You remember what happened last time... We don't want that to happen again."

Something seemed off as Luckas ‘worked his magic,’ a sudden shiver taking over her form as she wiped a bit of blood from her lip and nose. Ess had used her gift quite a bit today and she knew she shouldn’t stay this way for much longer, yet she refused to release the illusion until Xypher was good and dead. At that thought she watched confused as Luckas fell to the floor in what appeared to be a considerable amount of pain. Ess pushed herself off the wall, looking from the closed door back to Luckas, kneeling down to his side as he barked out, “You Evil Witch!”

Taken a bit back, she quirked a brow at Luckas then at Xypher who was still motionless upon the floor and stood back upon her feet as the 'intruder’ revealed herself. Listening as words were exchanged, Ess let it go in one ear out the other as all she focused on was Luckas writhing in pain upon the cold stone; her eyes glowed like tiny purple flames in her anger, her fingers already retrieving the blade along her thigh as a throaty growl escaped her lips, “Let....Him...Go....”

Ess was already approaching the woman, not waiting for a response, raising the dagger up and over to her left attempting a downward slash, her left leg raising to kick the woman in the stomach.

Lena was a bit distracted with Luckas, she didn't want the kid hurt, but she needed him to stop fighting so she could remove the block she put on Xypher's memories. She knew Luckas could get a little irrational when close to making a victim; he didn't like being interrupted, so he fought simply out of frustration, and if he kept going he'd surely knock himself unconscious.

Not that she hadn't noticed the other person in the room, but her focus wasn't on the woman and, as she advanced towards, her Lena flinched slightly at seeing Mageria's face, before logic told her that Mageria would hardly consider her a threat to Luke. The color of the woman's eyes confirmed that it really wasn't the Black Knight Captain, but the time she took to reach that conclusion cost her the chance to completely get out of the attack. Between a dagger and a kick, she chose the lesser of two evils, twisting her body, she let the kick hit her side as she pulled away to dodge the dagger, aiming a very well calculated hit at a pressure point at her attacker's wrist, causing her to drop the knife. The hit was followed by a punch to the woman's chest which, considering her kick had taken much of her balance, knocked the woman down on her back. "I'm not hurting him. He'll be fine if he stops trying to fight me like a stubborn child." Lena told her. "And if I were you I'd stay down, Captain... I'm not in the mood for playing right now." At whicch point she glanced from the fallen 'Mageria' to Luckas, still shivering on the floor, to a wounded and visibly paralyzed Xypher lying on the floor. "Warlord?" She frowned. "What the hell is going on here? Luckas!"

The dangerous tone in Lena's voice caused Luke to quit his hopeless struggle, and he relaxed, rolling onto his back on the floor and looking up at the woman. "Whoa... You look like crap!" He said giggling like a maniac. "It hurt worse last time, you're getting soft, Lena."
"So are you... Since when do you travel with a buddy? I'd be proud of you if I wasn't so furious." She said, glaring at him severely, as he giggled. "What is happening here?"
"Just a little party." Luckas said chuckling as he sat up, rubbing his eyes as the blue slowly faded from them. We're having fun, aren't we?" He said, slapping Xypher's wounded leg."

Lena crouched down near the man and sighed. "Doesn't look like your handy work." She said examining the wounds. "Now I see why you've brought company." She said, extending the glare she shot him to his friend. "Don't think I will let you two kill this man."

Ess hit the ground, cursing to herself as her eyes searched for her fallen blade.

"And if I were you I'd stay down, Captain... I'm not in the mood for playing right now."

Ess rolled onto her knees, pausing to actually listen to this woman, glancing curiously towards Luckas, her tone still mocking Mageria’s, “This... Your Mom... Or something Luckas?” Ess laughed, glaring back at the woman, not taking her look lightly. Ess should of been intimidated, especially when Luckas backed down, but there was this part of her that was still quite annoyed with the situation and how their fun was interrupted. With a frustrated sigh she spat sarcastically in her normal voice, the sweet tone adding to the sarcasm, “Oh, so glad he has your approval..." Shifting to her feet, she cracked her knuckles while her eyes flickered back to Xypher, “Why does it really matter if this annoyance lives or dies anyways?...Do you even know what’s happened?”

Ess playfully kicked the Warlord in the side of his head as she made her way over to the door, leaning back against it to watch Luckas and this stranger. Her vision blurred slightly, a few more drops of blood sneaking down across her lip which she managed to brush off casually as a sniffle. Quietly she pondered the random appearance of this person who most certainly seemed to know Luckas, and visa versa, her fingers lightly teasing at the small black vial hidden inside her cleavage beneath her borrowed uniform. Gently those fingers began massaging her temples at a subtle ache which slowly spread across her forehead, a few wet speckles of blood appearing along her ear lobes, which she couldn’t hide as her hair was still up in a braid. She hesitated before she reached for her hood, pulling it tightly around her face, the glow of her eyes the only thing peering out from her shadow. Ess refused to relax into her normal state, feeling since this party was interrupted that perhaps it was time to go, but not before hearing what was going to happen; not without Luckas. Ess still had time.

Lena made no attempt to stop Luke's friend from kicking Xypher, even as she pulled things from her bag and began to fix the man's broken fingers and bandage them. "You don't tell people I'm your mommy, now do you Luke? Because that would be, by a far, the creepiest thing you've ever done."
Luckas stopped laughing like an idiot and shot the woman a glare. "Of course not." He muttered. "Why are you bandaging this piece of scum?"
"Look, I don't care what the hell is happening here or why, but I already told you, I won't let you kill the man." She realized Xypher was regaining movement, slowly and frowned. "You dosed him with something? I thought you were holding him under your command Luke?"
"If I was he would've broke free when you blocked me, stupid." Luke muttered.
Lena didn't answer, ignoring, but registering the insult as she went through her bag, pulling a vial from it and pouring its contents down the man's throat. At this moment she leaned close to the Warlord and whispered something in his ear, before helping him up and out the door.
Luckas glared at Lena as Xypher escaped walking and bandaged, his eyes burning a bright red as she shut the door and turned to face him.
"How stupid are you, boy?" She hissed. "What the hell are you thinking dragging the city Warlord to a filthy bell tower to torture him, what the hell are you thinking Luckas?!"
"You don't know what he did." Luckas replied, his tone was calm even though his eyes gave away his anger. "He deserves it."
"I don't care what he did." Lena replied. "Do you know what would happen if that man turned up dead? He's not a drunken idiot you pick up in an dirty alley, HE'S A DAMN NOBLE!"
"They would never trace it back to me."
"We've talked about this, haven't we? I caught you once, don't assume I'm the only one who can. What part of it can't you understand? You arrogant, irresponsible, idiot, brat!" Lena shouted, her eyes lighting up in bright blue for a split second before fading back to normal. Finally she took a breath and seemed to calm as she added: "You can forget about what I promised you."

Luke jumped to his feet at those words. "You can't do that to me, you promised."
"We had a deal, you didn't keep part of that deal... Deal is off." She stated simply.
"I never actually broke the deal! That's not fair!" Luke shouted.
"You didn't break the deal because I stopped you Luckas, don't treat me like an idiot, because I'm not an idiot. Actions have consequences, remember? Or do you immediately forget everything you've learned the moment I'm not keeping an eye on you?"
Luckas snickered in response. "I'm sorry, were you saying something?"
"This is not a joke, boy!"

Luckas stopped smiling and stood watching Lena with curious eyes, there was an urgency in her tone that was just odd, as if she was desperately trying to say something, but without actually saying it. Silence lingered until the woman spoke again, so suddenly that it startled Luckas only slightly.

"You." She glanced towards Ess. "Are you really going to keep that illusion up until you faint? Because Luke is weak as a mouse and he probably can't carry you. And I sure as hell won't do it." Her tone was slightly amused and she smirked at Luckas while mentioning he was weak to see his reaction. "Besides, don't think I don't know your real face by now Essence. I have my own means." Finally she turned to face Ess and gave a slight nod of her head. "My name is Lena Turner, by the way. I was once leader of the White Shadows, and Luckas and I made a deal when I decided to spare him from a cell in the dungeons five years ago. Since his part of that deal was not doing something as stupid as this, I'm afraid he doesn't get what I promised him."
Luckas scratched the back his head awkwardly, giving Lena a look that someone who didn't know him better would mistake for guilt. It was a actually the look of someone who felt bad for being caught. "Look, maybe we can... Renegotiate our terms?" He sighed. "You know how important this is to me."
"We can discuss it, but don't think there won't be repercussions for this."
"Yes ma'am." Luke muttered. "Say... What did you say to the Warlord?"
"I said that if he tells anyone about this I will deny it." She open a slight grin. "He probably will tell."

Ess snarled at the two bickering back and forth like indeed the woman was Luckas’ mother, this was just ridiculous. It was quite clear she gave a shit about Luckas in one form or another, and Luckas, well as always was a bit of a mystery to Ess, and how he felt about this woman looked similar to how he acted around the Captain. With a sigh, Ess had not even attempted to argue with the newcomer about releasing Xypher. It was done, and they seemed not to gain much ground after everything; such a disappointment. Ess pushed aside the two’s yelling, trying to pinpoint the woman’s name...Lena....Lena....The second she mentioned her and Luckas’ deal being off, it clicked inside Ess brain, a frown trailing her lips. Slowly, she let the facade break, her form relaxing at Lena’s mention of her name, Ess rolled her eyes. “Of course...you know who I am...why does this not surprise me one bit...freaking packs of telepaths running amuck!” Ess added a snotty remark, “I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you...I’m FINE.”

“My name is Lena Turner...”

Ess tilted her head at the name. Curious that she knew the name, especially the last name. “Turner..huh?..Healer camp?” Shaking the thought away she sighed, turning her attention to Lena’s story of Luckas. With an amused laugh which she tried to hold back, Ess looked Lena in the eye, “So...You caught him in the act after I did, around the same time?..” Her gaze shot over to Luckas, “I thought you said you learned something from our ‘friendly’ encounter all those years ago...about being more careful?”

Clearing her throat, Ess muttered an interjection at the two’s conversation, “...Luckas is obviously in control of his own actions, but I did encourage this, so giving him the opportunity to ...re-negotiate this deal of yours, from what I’ve seen, is needed. I...would hate to be apart of the reason for him losing site of what he is searching for...answers....right?” Ess’ head still hurt as she wiped more blood from along her neck, a tiny trail descended from her ear canal. She quickly stripped off the uniform, finding comfort in the loose black attire she wore underneath, light but warm. Ess began giggling at the thought of Xypher speaking of his experience tonight, as Lena stated she suggested he keep it quiet because she wouldn’t back his story. “It doesn’t help that the Captain in currently under the watchful eye of the medics and Xypher claiming she tried to have him killed is just too amusing, and not quite believable.” Her lips kept a weak smile planted upon her face, “Whatcha think, my dear Luckas?”

Lena chuckled slightly at Ess' rant about there being too many telepaths around, and she only gave a light shrug to her affirmation that she was fine; she knew the woman wasn't fine. "Hey, I've only been a healer for about thirty years, but if you say you're fine, who am I to argue?" Lena shot a small glance at Luckas as the woman mentioned them first meeting years ago. She chuckled. "Well... I didn't catch him in the act. That's not how it happened."
"She hunted me down, actually." Luckas said, giving Lena an annoyed look.
"I was called to try and save one of his victims and managed to unlock the man's memories of this psychotic little teenager I thought had gone to prison months ago. Needless to say I was intrigued. And then, the little idiot found out I knew his face and attacked me. He failed to kill me and so I tracked him down."
"...And tortured me for close to two years afterwards." Luckas added, glaring.
Lena snickered. "Oh, come on, that can hardly be called torture and you had quite a few kicks with those anatomy books Annie was not supposed to lend you." She stated calmly, raising an eyebrow at him. "Not to mention you were always free to leave at any time."
"Which I didn't because you blackmailed me, you damn healer!" Luke argued. "And when are you planning on keeping your word? Or maybe it's just that you can't."

Lena didn't answer immediately she simply took her time to watch Luckas more carefully, now that he wasn't a whimpering mess, but saying nothing on what she saw. Finally she smiled at him and answered his question. "Soon enough, but we'll discuss that at another time. Like I said, we can renegotiate, but it'll be a slightly more complicated task than just staying out of trouble."

Luckas' eyes narrowed just a bit, he didn't like the sound of that much, but if he was completely honest with himself he had to admit that he hadn't kept his word, and now he needed to accept whatever the woman wanted him to do. Finally his eyes moved from Lena to the floor, where he spotted Ess' dagger and picked it up while mumbling. "Fine, whatever." He took the dagger back to Ess and whispered so that Lena wouldn't hear. "Sorry. I guess I owe you playtime, Lady." He gave her a wink, raising his voice to normal level as he added with a snicker. "Well, if the old man talks at least it won't be a completely a fake accusation this time." He joked. "Too bad it'll be just too insane of a story for anyone to buy it." He laughed.

Lena was just standing watching the both of them with an expression that made clear she was thinking a million things, but that didn't show a single one, and when Luckas turned to face her again he immediately noticed that the expression on her face had little to do with him and more to do with Ess for whatever reason. Finally he broke the silence and asked something that he had been wanting to know for quite some time. "Where have you been?"
Lena smiled. "That, boy, is something else we can discuss at another time." She answered. "For now I suggest we leave before someone comes verify the Warlord's insane story."

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#, as written by Essence
Ess kept looking at Lena from out the corner of her eye, not sure of what to make of the woman but already liking her fiery attitude. She noticed rather quickly how often she called Luckas ‘Boy’ and how much she could see it annoyed him. With a laugh she muttered, “I soo get it now...” Ess accepted the dagger from Luckas, slipping it back along her right thigh as she made her way towards the stairs Lena had advanced up earlier and began descending down them assuming Lena and Luckas would follow. “I will hold you to that promise Luckas." She muttered softly. “I don’t know about you two, but I need another drink...”

As tired as Ess felt at the moment she kept her mind alert, almost empty as she stared into the passing shadows. Coming eventually up to her door she found another note upon it, this time she read it, grunting with a shake of her head. When she reached for the door knob, it was unlocked; the realization that she did indeed lock it before she left causing her body to flinch and tense up before she glanced back to see Lena and Luckas walking up behind her. Slowly she mouthed, “..Visitors..”

Ess was not in the mood for surprises, but she casually opened the door, shutting it behind her so that whomever was inside did not know she had company. She had discretely left the note upon the ground outside, it reading: You....Owe...Me... The room was dark, except for the dying embers of the fire from earlier, but she could still see the shadow of a figure sitting by the table before her. With a sigh, she knew who it was, a tired groan emanating from her lips.

“Essence! I see you got my note... m’love we need to talk..” The figure whispered, attempting to be charming and suave. “Why do you ignore me?”

Ess’ expression went cold and empty as she responded, not even moving from her spot. “You did not deliver the information I require Scott, therefore you don’t get payment, and you are no longer needed or wanted.” She hissed, her voice venomous as she didn’t even attempt to hide her growing anger.

“Aw, don’t say that baby doll, you hurt my feelings.” Scott teased, his voice was edged in an icy tone as he continued. “I thought we had something...come on, let me convince you how much you won’t regret my touch.”

Ess quirked a brow, her cheeks flushing in a deep red, her eyes taking on an almost blinding glow in her anger as Scott continued on in vivid detail how he would attempt to please her and what a gift to women he is. Ess had enough there when he crossed that line, flying forward away from the door, her knuckles turned even paler as she squeezed the hilt of her dagger ready to strike.

“That’s right sweetie,..You know you want it...”

How ironic she thought those words were; the claw still along her hand although void of any serum, at least enough to matter as she slashed at his eyes. She couldn’t bare the thought of him looking at her anymore and in her advance, he caught her wrist giving it a painful twist in his defense, muttering in pain, his free hand cradling his eye. With her other hand she unsheathed her dagger, holding it dangerously beside his groin. “I ...Never....agreed to anything but coin you bastard...” She whispered defensively. “Get the Hell, out of my house...Or I will separate you from your most prized possession...Your Ego..” Scott chuckled lightly, but did not move knowing Ess never gave empty threats. “Do you really think I’d come alone, sweetness?”


Lena held Luckas back a few steps as they followed Ess out of the castle and through the streets, and Luckas could just feel the question coming. "How much did you tell her?"
"I didn't really tell her anything. It's nobody's business." He muttered, making clear that he didn't want to consider the possibility of that quite yet.
"Why not? Lena asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because not." He muttered.
"Well, I was under the impression that you trusted this woman, Luckas." She stated absently. "It seems, that's not a regular occurrence for you."
"I Don't trust anyone." Luke mumbled.
"Bullshit." Lena chuckled. "Don't be such a coward for once, kid."
"I'm not a coward!" Luke protested.
"Sure Lukey," She chuckled. "Sure."
"Don't patronize me you stupid old witch!" He muttered, his eyes sparkling red as he glared at her. "And stop meddling, it's none of your business." He muttered, looking down at his feet.
"Fine, Luckas. It is none of my business, I apologize." She took a deep breath. "So, tell me what you saw in the man's memories... You seemed rather desperate to go back in his mind."
"He met with this man, but I couldn't see his face... I wanted to see his face. Xypher called him Wyatt... I couldn't hear much, but it seems they had a deal of some sort."
"Is that so?" Lena asked, seeming actually interested.
"Yes, but thanks to you I didn't get to see anything more." He complained.
"Oh, but..." Lena stopped in her tracks as she noticed Ess had entered her home and shut the door behind her, she gave Luckas an intrigued look, which was returned.

Luke didn't know what was going on until he saw the note on the floor. "Hum..." He was going to go in, but Lena caught his shoulder to stop him.
"Wait." She whispered, pulling him into a dark corner as a man walked his way to peek through the window. "There are three of them. That guy, and two in the house." She took a deep breath. "I'll incapacitate them, but you have two minutes before I reverse it."
"Two minutes... A minute for each..." He mumbled. "Alright. Go." Luckas told her.

There was no need to look to see if Lena's eyes had lit up, soon enough the man who had been looking absently through the window, probably expecting a signal or cue to enter, stood upright with a distant and panicked look in his eyes. Luke didn't waste any time, even though he was never fond of making it quick and painless, and took the man's knife from his belt, sinking the blade into the back of his neck, pulling it out and letting him drop dead before entering the house. Once inside, Luke spotted Ess and a man standing close to each other, Luke assumed that this man was the one responsible for this commotion. There was also another man standing in the corner of the room. All of them frozen where they stood, probably reliving some unpleasant moment in their heads. Luckas walked to the man in the corner, and sunk the blade between his eyes. "Sorry for the mess." He whispered as the man dropped dead on the ground as well. Luke calmly walked to where the third man could see him. When the two minutes ended, both him and Ess slipped back to consciousness. As soon as the man was lucid enough to pay attention to him, Luke spoke with a delighted snicker, waving the bloody knife in front of his eyes. "There's no one left to your back now, buddy. So I suggest, you rethink whatever it is you were planning on doing here, because I'm not at all inclined to let you die as quickly as they did." Luke's eyes gradually lit and took on a red color as he spoke, and by the time he finished the sentence and went silent his eyes burned red like fire as he glared at the man. The look alone was terrifying, but it was the least of that man's problems if he wasn't very careful right now.
~~

“I didn’t come alone either..” Ess trailed off, her vision failing her while a distant, high pitched whistle buzzed inside her ears, drowning out everything else around her. It was only for a few moments, but in that short time she re-lived the night she was taken from her home by strange men in black. It was always some dark shadow or faceless men who came for her. That night she had slept soundly, until she over heard her brother and father arguing in the other room, about what she wasn’t sure. Screams filled the air from outside her window accompanied by the breaking of her front door.

“Ian, get your sister out of here!” Her father commanded as men rushed him, slamming his body into the wall; Ess watched in horror as her father was impaled upon Deer antlers, blood spilling out of his mouth in his silent scream.

“Daddy!” Ess screamed, trying to run to her father, only to be stopped by Ian, picking her up in his arms, rushing them back inside her room. He dropped her in a rush as he attempted to barricade the door. Ess sat on the floor crying out for her father, the door breaking into pieces as it was bombarded by two large men, knocking her brother unconscious to the floor.

“Get the girl...forget about the boy..” One of the men commanded. “The boy is not apart of the deal.”

Ess felt herself lifted once more, kicking and screaming for Ian as she was carried out the door, leaving him upon the floor as the home was set on fire.

~~
Ess finally blinked, her cheeks wet with what she thought were tears except anyone looking at her would think she was still having ‘the bleeds’ from her earlier excursion, her tears shimmering a bright red. Ess almost dropped the blade she still held beside Scott’s pelvis. Gradually her hearing became clear, Luckas’ voice by her side, catching the last bit of his sentence: “...... I'm not at all inclined to let you die as quickly as they did."

When she collected herself completely after a small pause, she forced a smile. “My dear Luckas, this is Scott...Scott..this is a friend of mine I bet you are praying to have never met. Since you don’t seem to get the hint that I’m off limits, the question whether or not to let you live..seems pretty obvious..” Ess glanced up at Luckas, pressing the blade firmly along Scott’s manhood.

“Now..now...lets not be hasty. I still...have information you need..” Scott attempted to negotiate, his voice a bit shaky as he didn’t take his eyes off Luckas.

“You..told me nothing worth my time before...what makes you think I will listen now?” Ess sneered.

“...I told you your brother is alive!” Scott argued frantically. “I can tell you where he is.”

Ess rolled her eyes. “Rumors...only rumors...you have nothing to go on, you told me so before...He was left to burn in my home when I was seven, the night I was taken. I don’t believe you.”

“My sources are reliable.” Scott muttered. “I hear..he’s looking for you too....” The man laughed maniacally as he sputtered in pain, as Ess knicked his flesh with the blade without warning. “...Not for the reasons you think...”

Ess growled. “Screw this. Luckas? Please have our friend hold still for me?”

Luckas watched the exchanged between Ess and that Scott person with slight interest, his eyes slowly turning back to their usual darkness as he listened.

“
Luckas? Please have our friend hold still for me?”

Luke nodded and smiled at Scott. “You heard the Lady, pal: Hold still He commanded, glancing at Ess with slight concern noticing the red trails down her cheeks, but not wanting to mention it in front of that man. “If you’d like him to be able to talk, or scream, let me know.” He told her. “I sometimes like it when they scream, but then not always
” He shrugged. “Depends on my mood.” He said, all the while smiling evilly at the man.

Luckas didn’t turn to face the doorway as he heard Lena enter; he simply addressed her, opening a little smirk. “This one’s not a noble and, as a matter of fact
” He took a peek at Scott’s mind, leaving the man a bit more freaked by him. “
He won’t really be missed.”

Lena entered the house and found a chair to sit on, rubbing her temples in exhaustion from using her enlightenment that way. Still she chuckled softly at Luke’s comment. “Two dead bodies
 Three dead bodies
 Doesn’t really make much of a difference, now does it?”
Luckas laughed. “Too bad you’ll have to carry them, huh? I’m way too weak to do it.”
“And I’m too old.” She replied, with an amused tone. “Besides, you made the mess, you should clean it up, right?”
“Huh
” Luke mumbled absently. “I don’t think I ever had to worry about cleaning up
 I’m used to leaving my messes lying around.” He said absently, honestly trying to count how many messes he left around Newhaven.
"Well, killing people is not all fun and play, you know... There's some work involved with cleaning it up." Lena stated. "It's about time you learn."
"You saying I'm a lazy killer? How many bodies have you buried?" He asked.
"I'm not sure, but I've buried my share." She replied, giving him an annoyed look all of a sudden as if he had hit a nerve with the question. "And well... That guy's bleeding on the floor you know... Someone's going to have to clean that up too." She added.
Luckas sighed dramatically. "You know, you really rip the fun right out of our murder." He told her, with an annoyed look.

“Oh, my dear Luckas, too bad you couldn’t command them not to bleed...hmm? But that’s not much fun.” Ess teased as she listened to Lena and him banter about the blood on the floor and getting rid of the bodies. Ess had backed away from Scott when she knew he wouldn’t be going anywhere, stepping closer to the dying fire where she used a metal poker to stir up the flames. She added a couple logs onto the coals, letting the poker get hot in the embers. As Ess waited she used her sleeve to wipe at her stained cheeks.

“Why is it, that whenever I meet a telepath, I am forced to relive depressing things?” Ess complained with a childish whine. “At least...there were things I never noticed before...suppose I can’t be annoyed for the assistance...” She trailed off in thought, smiling over a Luckas, holding the heated metal in the air between him and her when she turned to face him. “Don’t you think screaming may draw too much attention this early in the evening?” Ess approached the man, one hand holding the dagger still and the other holding the fire poker, she leaned over the man as if she were going to kiss him. A few flicks of her wrist, the dagger cut through the man’s pants and flesh between his thighs without a moment’s hesitation, Ess didn’t even pay much attention to Scott’s expression at first for she was too distracted at the fact more blood was staining her floor. Using the poker, she pressed the red metal against the flesh with a sickening, popping sizzle with the smell of burning flesh temporarily finding her nostrils. “Stop bleeding on my floor....it’s rude..”She whispered, stabbing the blade through the fallen appendage and tossing it into the fireplace.

Ess wiped down the blade across Scott’s shoulder before bringing it home along her thigh. “Yes Luckas...it would be be only polite if you help me clean up this mess...” Ess turned back to the fire, sticking the poker back into the coals to heat it up hotter this time, her attention turning to Lena. “I’m sorry, where are my manners...Lena, if you would like there is a bottle on the shelf near you...Private stock...please help yourself if you’re interested.” Ess covered her mouth in a small coughing fit, ending in a shaky laugh. When she pulled her hand away, it was sparkling with an arrayed mist of blood that she immediately wiped along her thigh. “I think I need a drink too...”

As the scent of burnt flesh filled the room, Scott wasn't screaming; he couldn't, but his eyes were so wide Luke was honestly expecting them to pop right out of their sockets; the thought of it caused him to have to hold back a giggle fit. He tilted his head playfully at Ess as she mentioned it would be polite of him to help her clean. "Well, Lady, the last thing I'd want is to be rude to you." He smirked. "Now that's for sure."

When Ess indicated a bottle and told Lena to help herself the woman stood and found said bottle, as well as a clean glass, watching the woman as she coughed up blood, noticing that Luckas shot her a look of pure concern when she was too busy wiping it off to notice. Casually, Lena picked a vial out of her belt, something she had been using herself to relieve her own side effects, since she had the tendency to get nose bleeds during extreme situations, and poured a few drops of it into the glass before filling it up with the drink. Setting the full glass and bottle on table. "I don't drink, but you do look like you could use some. And a good night sleep, I might add." She said, sitting down again and smiling.

"Hum... Luckas was watching the paralyzed Scott with indecision in his eyes. "Well, I don't want to spill any more blood... Too messy." He stated, scratching the back of his head.
Lena sighed. "Strangle him, break his neck, smash his skull... Really, what did you do with those anatomy books, Luke?"
"I looked at the naked pictures... Of course." He replied, with a slight smirk.
"Huh... Is that so?" She asked.
"Well, I did read them sometimes... Actually, always wanted to try this one thing..." He smiled at Scott. "Hold your breath." The man obeyed and Luke grinned. "I said I wasn't inclined to let you die quickly." At which point he got himself a glass and sat by the table, pouring himself a drink; eyes on the man as if watching a spectacle, waiting to see how long he'd last.

Ess’ fingers released the poker to hit the floor with a thud, gently massaging the spot between her eyes as she nodded to Lena. She was unable at this moment to even giggle at Luckas’ or shoot back another smart ass comment, that they seemed to exchange throughout their encounters. Slowly she turned and slid into an empty seat, instinctually bringing the glass of alcohol to her lips, sucking down a few gulps before quirking a brow up at Luckas. “Ah, those pictures don’t teach you what to do....” Ess mumbled with a slight snicker, resting her head upon her hand she stared at Scott with an amused expression. “Oo entertainment..”

A few moments had passed, the color in the man’s face turning a shade of purple/blue as oxygen was denied into his blood. The display was different, for the human body’s natural response to holding one’s breath would be to automatically fight to breathe, a natural effect that could not be prevented willingly without some sort of external interference. Yet, the man continued to suffocate. Playfully she clanged her glass to Luckas’ and sipped the drink again, letting the burning sensation of the liquid linger around her tongue before it sank into her belly. Scott definitely seemed to be suffering in his last moments, so Ess didnt even need to watch his last seconds as she got up once again, shuffling across the room to drag the other body closer to the front door. Peeking out the window, it was happily clear, as most were either inside their homes or at the taverns this time of night. She did reside on the lower end of town, so many kept their eyes on their business alone. With a bit of effort, Ess grabbed the fallen form by his arms, to drag him out the door and leave it down the ally not too far from her home. She figured at least this way it would be found away from her house, and leaving it along the city wall would cause a delay with it’s discovery. “Come on Luckas, lets get this over with..”

Between her and Luckas, they had dragged the three bodies and piled them into the ally, Ess kicking at the snow to cover or melt the bits of blood that left a trail. She was silent for the most part, just tired and working towards the idea of laying down with another drink or two. When they had finished and were almost back to her house Ess smiled at Luckas with a satisfied grin. “So...our first date didn’t go exactly as planned, but I had fun. Our second should prove to be quite a bit of fun, at this rate as well.” Ess winked, brushing against his arm as she made her way back inside the home.

Luckas was delighted to watch Scott suffocate, waiting patiently until the man finally fell to the floor, before finishing off his drink and moving to grab him by the arms and following after Ess with his corpse. They didn't drop the bodies too far and considering who those guys were there probably wouldn't be much time wasted in solving their murders anyway. Even though he wished they'd gotten Xypher, Luke was pleased to have delivered the final, agonizing, blow to Scott. The man was surely deserving of his punishment. He didn't mind the silence as they walked back, allowing himself to get lost in thought for a bit until finally Ess spoke. Luckas stopped walking, raising his eyebrow. "Date?" He asked, blinking a few times with a confused expression. Finally he chuckled following Ess back inside. "Lady, you're stranger than I imagined." He stated, in an amused tone.

Lena had remained seated as the other two disposed of the dead bodies, looking over the drawings on the walls, a couple of them in particular caught her eye and as Ess walked back in she pointed at the portrait of the blue eyed boy and asked absently. "Who is he?" Ignoring the glare Luckas shot her behind Ess' back, she patiently waited for an answer.

Ess was chuckling silently at the reaction she seemed to get out of Luke, but her smile immediately disappeared, the glow in her eyes fading as Lena inquired about the drawing on her wall. Without looking at Lena, she walked over to her glass to finish off it’s contents as if was water and she hadn’t drank anything in days. Slowly she refilled her and Luckas’ glasses, looking up at the drawing and to another of a brown haired teenager just above the boy. Pointing up at the girl she muttered, not exactly answering the question, “...He was that girl’s brother..” Ess took another swig from her cup and moved to sit on her bed. She couldn’t help a slight annoyance of such a random question to someone who didn’t have the foggiest who Ess was, really. A stray thought passed into her mind, the change of tone obvious in a flicker of her eyes as she narrowed her stare upon Lena. “Why?...Do you recognize him?....Either of them? ...Because they are dead..”

Ess glanced over at Luckas, attempting to change the subject. “Did it happen again, Luckas? Did you remember something else?...Did you find out anything?” She let her thoughts drift back to Xypher and how Luke fought to keep whatever he was seeing, but she was secretly afraid a repeat of her encounter earlier that evening may occur again, and she wanted deep down to help her new friend. Not saying much else, not knowing what should be mentioned in front of Lena, Ess waited for an answer. She wanted to know if they had just wasted their time that evening, or they had gained any ground what so ever.

Lena's eyes momentarily landed on the drawing of the teenager, and she nodded slightly at Ess' questions. "I had this friend, she lived with my clan for a few years after her family was taken by disease. She had the brightest blue eyes anyone's ever seen." She paused for a second, a rather sad smile crossing her for moment, but fading quickly. "She married and moved away to Blackpond, and after that I saw her maybe twice before she died. Her little boy was three years old at the time, if my memory is correct. Suppose I just remembered her." She chuckled. "Funny how the mind works, huh?"

"Hilarious." Luckas muttered under his breath, shooting Lena yet another glare as he sat down, reached for his glass and took a drink. "As a matter of fact, I did remember some voices, but that's about as far as it goes. Not more than what I already knew."
"You think you'd recognize the voices?" Lena asked, looking at him with interest.
"I might, but doesn't really help much." He shrugged, taking another drink.
"You don't know that. It might." She said. "I'm glad you're remembering, it'll make things easier later."
Luckas grinned hopefully. "Later?"
Lena raised an eyebrow at him. "After you fulfill your part of the deal, Luckas."
"You know how to help me then? Because you said..."
"I said I always keep my word." Lena stated. "What about you, kid?"
Luckas frowned slightly, not enjoying the implication that he was dishonest, even though it was deserved. "I'll do it, whatever it is, you'll see."
"I surely hope so." She said, smiling rather evilly as if she had some sort of punishment set aside for him.
Luckas grimaced at her expression for a moment, but recovered quickly thinking that at least it might be a good challenge. Turning his attention back to Ess, he added. "I also saw a meeting the Warlord had with a man he called Wyatt. I didn't see his face and didn't get too hear anything aside from usual pleasantries before Lena interrupted. The man desperately wanted to hide this, however, so it couldn't have been innocent."

Ess appeared to guzzle her drink at Lena’s words, her eyes narrowing as she turned away from Luckas to shoot an un-trusting gaze upon the woman. ‘...Blue Eyes..' Her childhood friends had mentioned their mother, and bits of what Lena said sounded almost familiar, tempting her to ask another question but Ess scolded herself. She had let her paranoia get the best of her before, as much as she tried to follow her gut, it had made her act a fool in the past, chasing ghosts with the slight feeling of insanity in her sorrow. Still, she couldn’t shake her curiosity simply stating in her glare, “....Small world, isn’t it..?” Shaking her head she mumbled, perhaps only every other word audible, “...I think about them...every day...”

With a sigh she finished off her drink, laying down across her bed on her stomach, her head where her feet would normally go; she outstretched her empty glass towards Luckas for a refill. “Wyatt, huh? What kind of name is Wyatt?” Ess’ form shook in a random hiccup, a silly smirk crossing her lips, as she backed up on the conversation some, “...Encouraging the voices instead of trying to tell them no? Is that such a good idea?” She joked. The pain inside her head started to fade, her bleeds also seemed to have ceased as her eyes drooped just enough to show her exhaustion. Ess began pondering what tomorrow would bring; where the Captain’s path may lead her and Tala, what Mageria was willing to teach her and perhaps what changes Ess would welcome or shun away. She almost didn’t notice that her glass was full once again, her hand shaking from holding it out for so long. “Lena...do you want some water...?”


Lena nodded slightly. "Very small world indeed." She said simply, discretely giving Luckas a look.
Luckas ignored Lena as he refilled Ess' glass and his own shrugging slightly at her comment. "I usually am the voices, Lady. And no good ever came from telling me no, I'll have you know that." He said playfully, stretching in his seat and stifling a yawn.

"I'm good, thank you." Lena told Ess, refusing her offer of water and looking from her to Luckas, raising an eyebrow. "I think both you kids need a nap." She said; her tone was amused, but she was serious. "Luke, where have you been sleeping?"
"In the Castle..." He stated. "Although, I think I'll be moving out tomorrow." He joked.
"Good." She said, standing up from her seat. "I'll walk you and we can renegotiate on the way."
Luckas emptied his glass and stood up, giving a slight nod. "Okay, we can do that." He then smiled at Ess. "You don't mind me spending time with someone else for a bit, right Pretty Lady?" He then winked playfully and added. "I'll sneak up on you again one of these days." He snickered. "When I'm least expected."
Lena let out an impatient sigh at Luckas, as she bowed her head slightly. "I appreciate the hospitality, Miss Essence. Meeting you has been truly fascinating." She smiled. "Hopefully we'll cross paths again in the future."

Essence slowly rose to her feet, setting her glass down upon the table. “If you are the voices my friend, then I should of listened to them more often." She gave a tired smirk alternating quirked brows playfully as she spoke. “You go and play...nice.... Luckas....Hopefully you’re not gone too long, we owe each other promises." With a sigh she nodded to Lena, thanking her for her assistance. “I am almost positive we will meet again, Lena.”

Ess politely opened the door for them as they left, making sure to lock it behind them. Ess groaned letting her head thump against the door, the sound louder than she expected, causing her to jump. Tomorrow she would get Tala and figure out where the hell she was following Mageria off to. Ess stepped away from the door to a familiar floor board where she retrieved a few satchels, making her rounds within her home to grab what she valued most to pack away. First she unhooked the tapestry of her Oak and folded it into the leather bag, next she gently snatched down the many pictures across her wall, folding them inside her journal. Glaring down a the blood stains she sighed, not even attempting to start on them now so they would just have to wait for tomorrow. Finishing off her drink before she changed into a cotton, green dress that she had forever it seemed, she laid back in her bed to write another entry in her journal.

I feel like I’ve awakened from a deep sleep, unsure if I am still dreaming. If I am dreaming, I do not want to wake up, ever. Course, If I am truly awake, then it seems my dreams have manifested to life. Perhaps I should be scared, but in all actuality I am more intrigued than anything. If my dreams can become a reality, then perhaps there is hope for the absolute outrageous. Then again, I may be finally teetering over the edge of sanity. When one’s nightmares are at war with one’s hopes, spilling off the pages into time...what is there left to dream?

The setting changes from Newhaven to The Ruins (Healer's camp)

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Character Portrait: Luckas Character Portrait: Annie Turner
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[1 Month Later - Middle of the night]

"Hello Luckas." Lena's voice sounded soft as she heard the footsteps enter her tent. “I was expecting you.”
"You know why I'm here." He stated simply.
"I do. I see you have fulfilled your part of our agreement... To a certain point at least."
"So I have." Luckas answered. "I did everything you asked of me, and then some, so I'd say it's about time you repay me for the trouble."
"Can you assure me you will finish it though? I'm not sure I trust you to keep your word once you get what you want."
"I always keep my word." He muttered.
"I'm not so sure... Maybe you're more useful to me if I keep you ignorant, huh?" She said, a little snicker escaping her.
"What are you saying?" Luckas asked, not seeming amused in one bit. "If you go back on your word, I swear..."
"What? What do you think you can possibly threaten me with?" She laughed. "You can't intimidate me, Luke. If I want I can hold this over your head indefinitely. What can you really do to stop, or punish, me?"
Luckas' eyes narrowed and sparkled red dangerously. He didn't really understand what was happening here, but he wasn't amused by it at all. "Is that a challenge, Witch? Because I may not be able to affect you with my ability but I can use it on, say, your daughter."
"You won't. You don't have it in you... You never had, Luckas. See that's the big truth in this whole story... It doesn't matter how hard you try, you'll always be a scared little boy, sitting in a corner begging for his mommy. In the end, you'll always be someone's pet, because you're too weak to function without someone on the other end of your leash. You're too scared to do that."

Luckas was shivering from head to toe now; this was too far, way too far... "You're crossing the line, Healer." He muttered out.
"Good. Maybe it'll be easier for you to pretend you're not just following yet another command." She replied. "Go on Luckas, obey your Master if you're man enough to do it, or must I hold your hand through this as well?"

It all happened in a split a second, and a blur. Luckas felt something inside him snap.

[Flashback - Wolfpack Camp, approximately 32 years in the past]

“What are you up to now Helena?” A voice called from behind the black haired girl as she had her eyes caught up in a book.
“Why would you assume I’m up to something Eldric? I’m reading.” She said, not looking up at the older boy.
“Sure
 You have been reading the same page for over 30 minutes though.” He stated, sitting next to her near the camp fire, letting the bow he was carrying rest beside him.
Lena didn’t say anything; she simply nodded discretely to where her mother was arguing with two guards. “Wolf Hunters.” She muttered.
“Hum
” Eldric, mumbled. “Where is Dani?”
“She ran off somewhere. You know what she is like
 Always hiding around and avoiding the drama.” Lena answered with amusement. “She better do that while she still can.”
“By drama, you mean responsibility, right? You are way too soft on your sister, Lena.”
Lena looked up from the book and frowned at him. “Are you, by any chance, saying I have been giving Dani special treatment on her training?” She asked. “Because if you are, I’ll have to take that little twig you call a weapon and toss it into the fire.”
“I’ll just make myself a better one if you do.” He laughed. “For what it’s worth, that wasn’t what I meant. I meant that pain is what really teaches you
 And she hadn’t had enough of it quite yet.”
Lena chuckled. “Wait for it. Just wait.” She stated. “So, this whole thing about the two of you getting married, what is the story behind that?”
Eldric sighed. “Well, I told my father that it’s just crazy. Dani is still a kid, they can’t be serious. He said it would be an honor, and all that same talk. They can’t really force me into this now, can they?”

Lena shook her head and sighed. “Naivety is such a dangerous thing. Surely, Dani is now too young to get married, but they’re really just giving you the chance to get used to the idea. Neither of you has much of a choice here.”
“She is six years younger than me.” He frowned.
“Won’t matter so much when she is eighteen, now, will it?” Lena muttered going back to her book, now actually flipping the page.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll still see her as a little kid when we’re fifty.” Eldric said, with a little snicker. “An annoying little kid.” He added.
Lena snorted a laugh. “Sure.” She mumbled, not paying him much more attention.
“You don’t believe me, do you?” He asked.
“My beliefs are unimportant here.” She answered, being careful to turn the page of the book, but clearly not reading.
“Hum.” Eldric mumbled. “If I didn’t know you any better I would think you are jealous.” He whispered, leaning towards her to try and take a peek at the book.
“Piss off.” Lena muttered, aiming a punch at him.

Eldric saw the blow coming and managed to block it, grabbing her wrist and twisting her arm, in a way that would immobilize her, but not hurt. “Fast, but not fast enough.” He said, with a small chuckle.
“Not yet, you mean.” She laughed. “If I really wanted to hurt you, believe me, you would be on the ground.”
“Care to test that theory, little girl?” He taunted, taking the book from her. “Myths of Medicine?” He read.
“I’d be delighted to prove that theory.” She said, taking his moment of distraction to break free from his grip and elbow him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him and causing him to fall to his knees, trying to catch a breath. Lena knelt down in front of him and smiled. “I don’t make empty threats, little man. Only idiots do that.” She took the book out of his hands. “Deep breaths.” She told him, smiling.
Eldric took his time to catch a breath before getting back on his feet. “You never seemed to me like the type of person who likes to study.”
Lena chuckled. “I’m the type of person that does anything to improve. You should know that by now.”
“How does a medical book help you improve?” He asked.
“If you know the right places to hit, you can kill twice as fast.” She stated simply. “Or cause twice as much pain.” She added, with a little smirk.
“That is a rather evil use of medical knowledge, isn’t it?” Eldric asked, picking his bow off the ground where it had fallen over.
“There is no correct way to use knowledge. Once you obtain it, it is yours to use, Eldric.” She stated. “You should try studying a little yourself. You don’t want people to think of you as just a pretty face. Now, do you?” She said with a little grin.

Eldric was going to answer, but then he winced at his father’s voice. “ELDRIC!” The boy sighed. “He sounds angry.”
“He always sounds angry when you talk to me. Haven’t you noticed?” Lena asked, raising a brow at him.
Soon her mother’s voice followed Eldric’s father, although not as loud. “Helena!” She sighed as well. “Suppose that is the end of my free time.” She frowned. “She only calls me by my full name when there’s an assignment waiting.”
Eldric nodded, noticing his father was walking towards them. “Will I see you when you get back?”
Lena nodded. “Probably. Here
” She handed him the book. “Maybe you’ll stop getting beaten by little girls.” She whispered, while passing him towards the leaders’ cabin.
“I always let you win.” He stated.
“Liar!” She laughed turning and walking backwards towards the cabin.

Lena's eyes caught Eldric’s father grabbing him by the shoulder and dragging him home. She frowned and turned back towards the cabin when feeling herself getting close to the door. “Judgmental prick.” She mumbled, opening the door and walking in.
“Did you say something Lena?” Her mother asked.
“Nothing. Just thinking aloud.” She said, putting on a fake smile. “What do you need me for?”
The red haired woman before her smiled kindly, before putting a file on the table. “This is your target.” She stated. “You have three days to kill this man before he delivers privileged information on Newhaven to the Blackpond army. Obviously
 Newhaven authorities do not wish to get involved. They called for us.”
“Why not let the Black Knights handle it then. It’s their job to do Newhaven’s dirty work, not ours.” Lena stated with a frown.
“They are not very discrete, however, and the consequences of a Knight being caught assassinating a citizen would be catastrophic.” Her mother explained.
“At the same time, if I was to get caught, then the same Newhaven authorities that hired me would simply kill me where I stand and be considered heroes. Correct?” Lena asked. “How beautiful society is!” She exclaimed, holding down laughter and taking the file from the table. “I’ll be back before morning.” She announced, turning around and heading for the door.
“Helena.” Her mother called, causing her to stop at the doorway. “You need to make peace with the fact that some decisions are simply out of your hands.”
Lena sighed, lowering her head for a second then responding. “I’m beginning to realize that more and more these days.”

[Flashback – Wolfpack Camp, approximately 31 years in the past]

Lena was walking around camp, aimlessly. She had been giving Dani a little bit of a lecture on the lies she had told and was still telling. It was noticeable that this would eventually blow up in her face and she was slowly beginning to regret her compliance to not tell their mother the truth of the matter. Suddenly she stopped when she spotted the boy named Bastian sitting at the edge of the nearby lake. She walked up to him and simply stood next to where he was sitting.
“You really don’t like me, huh?” He asked casually, not turning to face her.
“I don’t care enough to dislike you, which is why you should consider yourself lucky.” She told him simply. “I don’t trust you though, which is why I will be keeping both eyes on you, especially around my sister.”
“Dani is really your sister? You don’t look alike in one bit. She and Sarah look alike, but they don’t look like you.” He stated absently, still watching the water.
“Why are you here?” Lena asked, ignoring the question. “And don’t lie to me, or I swear I’ll make you pay.”
“That would be highly entertaining.” He stated, standing up and turning to face her. “Believe me; I’m not as easy to take out as I look.” He smiled. “Even for someone like you. So, make me pay if you think I owe you something, we all have debts we must pay one way or another, but think very carefully on whether I do in fact owe you something, or if maybe you’re the one in debt. I don’t intend to lie, and the truth is: I see no reason why I should give you any answers.”
Lena glared at him. “Excuse me?”
“You’re excused... For this, at least.” Bastian said, smiling. After a moment or two of silence he chuckled. “You know, sometimes it’s easier to get what you want by playing nice. I don’t hold this attitude of yours against you though, I’m sure it usually works. Doesn’t work with me though, I’m not easily impressed, or intimidated. So, would you like to maybe rephrase your questions a little? No? Then I guess I’ll go make myself useful somewhere
”
Lena frowned, half amused, half annoyed by that attitude. As Bastian started to walk past her, she grabbed him by the arm. “Do you play chess, kid?”
“Never played, no.” Bastian answered.
Lena let go of his arm and turned. “Would you like to learn?”
“Why would you teach me anything?” He asked her, raising an eyebrow.
"Do you want to learn?" She repeated.
Bastian seemed to flinch for a split second, it was the first time Lena had ever seen that in him, and it was intriguing. Finally, he nodded gently. "I'm always willing to learn."
Lena sighed, walking past him. “Just follow me then, and let’s leave the ‘whys’ out of this for now.”

[6 months later]

It was the middle of the night. Lena was asleep, soundly for the first time in months, exhausted from training recruits all day. That was when something seemed to change in the sounds of the camp. A silence that was just unusually cold. Something was just not right, and before Lena could open her eyes, she knew what it was. A familiar voice screamed in the distance, and was silenced almost immediately. In the time it took Lena to get on her feet and reach her weapons, mere seconds, more screams had broken out through camp. The ones coming from the recruits’ dormitories were particularly terrifying. She stormed out of her cabin and followed the sounds of fighting. The Instructors’ dormitory was up in flames, as well as the armory and several other important installations. The fires seemed to have been set strategically on those specific points; this was a planned attack.
As the shock began to settle, she unsheathed her sword as spotted one of the attackers leaving the leaders’ cabin. She stopped herself before going after the man, the need to see if there were survivors surpassed the urge to make him pay. So she turned her back to the fleeing Wolf Hunter and ran into the house, feeling as if her blood was freezing in her veins as she came across the scene.
Dani and Bastian were both sitting on the ground, Dani’s arm was bleeding, but she didn’t seem to even notice her own bleeding wound, she was holding Sarah in her arms, and the girl was
 Clearly dead. There was a pool of blood on the ground, where Lena imagined the body had fallen. Bastian was sitting next to her, with one hand grasping her shoulder as if he had been trying to get her to move. He looked Lena in the eyes and nodded apologetically as she walked all the way into the room and closed the door behind her. She knelt down beside Sarah and closed the little girl's eyes. “Daniela.” She whispered. “She’s gone. You need to let go now.”
Dani simply nodded in response, laying Sarah’s body down on the ground slowly. Lena took the time to observe Dani more carefully. Her face was pale and she was shivering uncontrollably. “Bastian, find Eldric and tell him to gather any wounded and put them in my cabin.” Bastian nodded and stood up to leave. As he walked past Lena she added. “After you do that, we are going to have a serious talk.”

As she heard the door close, Lena moved closer to Dani and started to examine the wound on her arm. “This isn’t so serious.” She mumbled to herself about the wound. “You need to tell me what happened.” She told Dani as she stood up to find a medicine kit their mother kept in the office.
“I woke up when Sarah screamed and
 When I got up she was
“
Dani’s voice faded before she could reach the word ‘dead’. Lena froze halfway through reaching for bandages, when it finally hit her. “Dead.” She completed the sentence as she walked back next to Dani to find her standing up and moving towards the door. Lena moved to block the door. “Hey, wait, let me at least bandage that wound.”
“I’m fine.” Dani mumbled in response trying to get past her.
“You’re not fine.” Lena stated, grabbing both her shoulders and pushing her away from the door. “And you don’t want to see what is out there right now.”
As she said that the door opened behind them and Eldric’s voice sounded in her ears. “Twins have mercy
 Sarah.”
“Close the door Eldric.” Lena muttered, still trying to hold Dani back. She moved her hands to the sides of the girl’s face and forced her to look her in the eyes. “Dani, look at me. Look. At. Me. You have to stop and take a breath, do you understand me? You have to stop now.”
Dani stopped trying to leave shaking her head out of Lena's hold, her eyes lowered to the ground, tears finally starting to run down her face. “She was just a kid, she never hurt anyone.”
Lena nodded pulling her sister into a hug as she finally started to break down. “I know
 I know.” Lena sighed softly, unable to find any more words. Her eyes locked on the small figure laid on the bloody floor. Sarah’s innocent face was cold and pale and her once bright blue eyes were now closed and empty. Her short life had ended over absolutely nothing: A pointless and unnecessary death. “Animals.” she muttered. “All of them.”
Dani nodded in agreement, still crying on her shoulder. “I’ll kill them for this. Every last one of them, I swear. Even if it’s the last thing I do, they’ll pay for her death.”

[The following morning]

Light was starting to break through the branches of the forest trees as the Sun arose in Valcrest once more; a beautiful morning like no other, but not for the assassins. The Wolfpack never slept, tears, blood and screams filled the night. The sight of the dead recruits had been enough to break the spirits of the strongest amongst those so called ‘cold blooded killers’. Only two instructors remained: Lena and Eldric. Her luck was that she didn’t share a dormitory with the others, and Eldric seemed to have been wandering around camp when the attack occurred, unable to sleep. The recruits weren’t so lucky; their dead bodies were all accounted for. Their leaders had been taken out, leaving a rather traumatized 17 year old in command. Dani didn’t even seem to realize the amount of weight suddenly dropped on her shoulders.

Lena had left Dani under Bastian’s watch. Funny enough, he seemed to be the only other person who was able to stop her from storming out and attempting to go on the killing spree she seemed to have promised herself. It was a bad idea, they all knew it, but it seemed like it would eventually happen nonetheless. Lena would have stayed with Dani herself, wasn’t for the fact that someone needed to take control, and the instructors were the highest ranked assassins aside from the leaders, so
 There was quite a bit of work cut out for her.

Most of the night was spent carrying bodies of recruits for burial, speaking to the parents of those born in the clan, those were things no one else seemed willing to do, but someone had to get it done. Grieving parents and dead children aside, there was cleaning of the burning facilities, rebuilding to be planned and executed, and yelling to be heard from terrified actives who didn’t seem to understand how they were so easily infiltrated. By the end of it all, there was only one thing Lena wanted for herself; and that was to be alone. The lake had always proven to be a good retreat, so that is where she went first. As she sat down near the water, with her back against a tree, she finally felt the exhaustion take over her body and mind. It felt painful and, at the same time, it was a release. A much needed rest as a well as the dreaded moment when she finally had to think of what had happened, what was happening, worse of all: What was about to happen.

The pain getting the best of her, finally, the tears escaped her blue eyes as she hid her face in her hands and let out a scream that was sure to be heard throughout the camp, her eyes glowed a bright blue light as the memories of the night before resurfaced one by one in her mind. One by one, the painful moments were relived, over and over, and over in what seemed to be a never-ending nightmare... Until she finally felt a firm grip on her shoulder. A vaguely familiar voice sounded in her ears, calm and warm. “Child, control yourself.”
Lena opened her eyes to find the leader of the White Shadows looking at her with a rather terrified expression that didn’t quite match the calm tone of his voice. For a second she wondered what the man had seen, but most of all
 She wondered how he managed to free himself from the vision. After a second or two of silence, the man spoke again. “When was the last time you had something to eat?” He asked her.
“I-I don’t know.” She told him, trying not to look up to the other people who had now ran into the clearing and were shooting her terrified glances. She kept her gaze locked on the man before her, until he stood straight and offered his hand to help her up.
“Come, you need to regain some of your strength.” He told her, not waiting for her to accept his aid and grabbing her wrist to get her to stand, walking her across camp past a few small crowds of terrified people and to the cafeteria. As Lena got on her feet, she realized she felt awfully lightheaded and weak, but she managed to stumble her way past the actives, that immediately backed away when she walked near them. She simply nodded at them, she knew they had no idea what that hell had just happened, but knew she had done it.

She followed the healer into the dining area, she didn’t usually go there, but she didn’t argue with that or the bowl of soup that was already waiting for her, she simply sat across the table from the man, honestly wishing he would just stop looking at her.
“When was the last time you had an episode like this?” He asked, that same calm tone of voice.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Lena muttered in response.
The man nodded. “Still playing dumb Helena? You just gave everyone in this camp a very realistic vision of their worst nightmare. Now, I refuse to believe this is the first time you lose control like this.”
“Eight years ago. That was the last time.” She mumbled, starting to pick on the food.
“What triggered it?” He asked.
“None of your concern.” She said, starting to eat so she wouldn’t have to talk any more than necessary.
“I’m not concerned.” He explained. “But you must know that this will keep happening if you don’t learn to manage your ability.”
“Humph.” She mumbled.
The healer let out a small chuckle. “Well, I guess that means you feel better.” He said, starting to stand up. “Listen kid, this can be dangerous one day. I believe you are smart enough to understand that.” The healer took a small bow as he walked past her. “May the goddess protect you, child.”
“A little too late for that, don't you think?” Lena muttered to herself, pushing the bowl of soup aside and laying her head down on the table.
"It's never too late, Lena Turner... Not until you give up." The man's voice sounded, as if whispering in the back of her mind. Lena lifted her head and looked around the cafeteria to see that he had in fact left.

[Two days later – Middle of the night]

Lena was making her way out of camp, for the last time, when she eventually heard footsteps following her. “Unless you want to follow me all the way to Newhaven, Eldric, I suggest you go back now.” She said, stopping and turning to face the man that had stepped out of his hiding place.
“Please tell me you at least said goodbye to your sister.” He said with a frown.
“Dani knows I’m leaving, we already
 Discussed it.” She told him. "I did not say goodbye, however. Goodbye is something you say when you leave a person, and I'm never leaving Dani, she knows that, even though right now it may not matter as much."
“Why are you doing this? Whatever happened to that kid who wanted to be the best? This was your life.” He argued.
“She’s dead, Eldric: Dead and buried. That life is over.” She nodded. “I’m sorry, but I can’t take part in this crusade Dani is insisting on. I can’t. It’s too much even for us and she will regret it one day. I told her so.” She stated with a disappointed look in her eyes. “See, I’ve learned something about the Wolf Hunters, funny enough, Bastian taught me this: We all pay for the decisions we make and the only way to stay sane is to draw a line. They crossed it, one way or another they’ll pay for this, why must we become like them and pay for it as well?” She took a step towards the man and laid a hand gently on his shoulder. “This is where I draw my line, El. I’m done. The Pack has been good to me, but this is where we part our ways.”
He nodded. “What about me?”
She smiled at him and pulled him closer. “
You? You are going home now. That’s all.”
“I mean... Are you leaving me?” He stated.
Lena seemed to freeze at the question, freeze at the fact that it was being asked this way... Why would she be forced to decide this now, like this? Finally she heaved a shaky sigh. “We both know that, no matter what, you love the Pack more than anything.” She answered. “Some things are just
 Out of our hands. This was always one of them, no matter how badly we wished it wasn't.” She told him, placing both hands on the sides of his face. Pulling him a little bit closer, she pressed her forehead against his, and whispered. “I’ll miss you. You know that.”
Eldric sighed. “I already missed you, it seems.” He whispered back, leaning into her as if she was the only thing keeping him from falling.
Lena chuckled softly, glad that it was too dark to tell if there were any tears being contained behind his eyes. "Goodbye, love." She stated. "We'll always have the knowledge that I can kick your ass."
Eldric couldn't help a shaky laugh as he pulled away from her. "If I didn't know you any better, I'd offer you anything just to make you stay with me."
She smirked. "If I didn't know you any better, I'd say it would be easier if you just came along, but we both know where those paths would lead us, and it's best if we not go there." Turning back towards the path to Newhaven, she waved over her shoulder. "Keep an eye on those kids for me."

[Flashback - White Shadows Encampment, 29 years in the past]

“Concentrate.” The healer’s voice sounded in the young woman’s ears. Lena was trying to shield her own memories from a far more experienced telepath, with little success. Suddenly the image of the Wolfpack encampment flashed through her mind: A conversation by the lake; her graduation day
 The knife
 That whole conversation was uncomfortable
 She didn’t want to be there anymore
 She couldn’t get out


Panic


Can’t breathe


Darkness


“Wake up.” Lena heard her master speak in a calm and gentle tone, yet she could still feel the disappointment masked behind it.
“W-what happened?” She mumbled, now realizing she was flat on her back, the memory of what had just happened slowly coming back to her
 She panicked, her heart began to pound against her chest, and she couldn't breathe right
 Finally, she fainted. “That didn’t go very well, did it?” She asked, beginning to sit up, groaning as she felt the ache in her head.
“What happened?” The man asked her suddenly.
“I don’t know, I think I might have
 lost focus.” She muttered, rubbing her temples.
“No
 I mean, what happened that day, by the lake, with your mother. What did she say to you that was so terrifying?” He clarified.
“I wasn’t terrified.” Lena protested, looking up to the man seating on the grass in front of her.

The healer laughed in response. “You can’t fool me with your words, child. I saw it in your eyes: You panicked. All you wanted to do was get out of that memory. Yet, your mind keeps dragging you back to that moment in your life. You may not know it, but your mind knows it: That moment was very meaningful.”
“Bullshit.” Lena muttered under her breath, trying to control the shivers down her spine.
“What did we agree on?” He asked her, severely.
Lena sighed at the question. She hated being treated like a five year old. “That I wouldn’t run away from anything anymore.” She mumbled, looking at the ground for a moment before closing her eyes. “I don’t want to go back there.”
“Why not?” He asked. “It’s in the past, it shouldn’t be able to hurt you, and if it still does, then it’s not truly in the past.” He paused for a second, waiting for her to calm a little more, before asking: "What was so important about that conversation?"

"That's when she told me." Lena murmured in a barely audible tone. "What happened to my birth mother."
"I see... And were you angry?" The man asked.
"I was furious." Lena said, looking up at him. "She had no right to do that to me."
"Kill your mother, you mean?"
"No. Tell me the truth." Lena replied. "I mean... I knew the truth, but I deserved the right to at least pretend. She took that from me that day."
"She loved you Lena. She thought you deserved to hear the truth from her." He stated.
"She felt guilty!" Lena exclaimed. "She didn't care how that would affect me, she did it to ease whatever bit of conscience she had left!"
"You don't think that was difficult for her? Telling the truth and not knowing what your reaction would be, whether you would hate her for it or not?" He asked, his eyes locked on her. "Can you imagine what it might be like to confess to something like this to someone you love and face the possibility of losing that person forever?" He asked, giving Lena a moment or two of thought before adding a less rhetorical question. "Tell me: How does her death make you feel?"

At those words, Lena simply stood up and began to walk away. That was just about as much as she could take in that moment.

"You have to stop running, Helena." She heard her Master's voice call after her.

[1 year later]

“Why her? A former assassin, of all people, why?”
“Helena is no longer an assassin, she is a healer. I’ve made my decision based on what skills I believe are important in a leader.”
“And this
 Child, fits the criteria, Jonathan? Seriously?”
“Not yet, but she will.”
“Better than any other of our clan?”
“Better than anyone else I have known; including myself.”

. . .

Lena was seated, remembering the conversation that had taken place in front of the entire camp, only a few weeks ago, when the man named Jonathan Witter had announced her as his successor in the command of the clan. The day she arrived, the man had said that he could help her, but it would cost her
 If only she knew this was what he meant.

Since then she had studied night and day, worked on developing her ability, survived initiation, made friends and enemies alike, and above all else
 She had lives in her hands; so many of them she couldn’t possibly keep track, so many faces that it was impossible to completely remember a single one. So many stories cut short by the cold hands of Death


“One day you’ll understand that Death is not the enemy, child.” Her Master had told her. “Until then there will be pain.”

The White Shadows preached that the only type of Peace that was actually real was inner peace. To be in peace with oneself was never an easy task, it was something only few people had managed to achieve; even amongst the Shadows. True inner Peace to them meant complete and total acceptance of the fact that some things are simply impossible to control and therefore cannot be helped. It sounds easy, but it wasn’t. Lena was almost sure she would never understand that concept in her lifetime.

“You’re still a child now, but don’t worry; you’ll see it eventually.” A faint voice spoke in the dark room, forcing the young woman to raise her head and face her mentor as he lay ill.
“Stupid old fart!” Lena muttered. “Get out of my mind.”
The man attempted to laugh, but it was interrupted by coughing and he was forced to stop, taking what seemed to be a very painful breath. “Stop thinking so loud.” He replied, in a weak voice.
“You can’t just leave me here.” She mumbled. “I can’t lead these people. I don’t know how
”
“You will know how. You will know everything in time. Just remember what we agreed on.” The man told her. “Finish what you start, keep as many promises as you can, do everything in your power, and accept the fact that some things are simply beyond it.” He coughed a little more and added. “Do that and trust your instincts. You’ll be fine.”
“How
 I can’t even
” Lena sighed; irritated at the fact she couldn’t even find the words to voice her concerns. She wanted to accept the fact that her leader was going to die, that she had done all she could, she wanted to accept, like she had been taught, but it was just too difficult when she was so frightened and angry.

“You will always be angry, child. The beauty of Heart's gift is that it was never something for us to control. One day, maybe soon, maybe later, you will have seen enough of Life to comprehend the fact that Death is not and will never be the villain of this story. Then you will be able to accept, but there will always be anger, even if only for a moment. No one wants to see the end, even if it is inevitable.”

[5 months later]

"Hello. I hear you're the leader of the clan now and... Excuse me?" Lena flinched slightly as a hand was waved in front of her eyes. She turned to see a smiling blonde woman, who seemed to be no older than her early twenties, staring at her a little confused, and her light blue eyes showing clear amusement. "Are you alright, Miss...?"

"Turner." Lena replied. "Helena Turner, you can call me Lena." She stated opening up an amused smile of her own. "I'm sorry, I'm perfectly alright. I was just a little bit distracted, it's been a long morning. What can I help you with?"
"Amanda Blake." The blonde woman introduced herself. "That is my husband, Michael, over there." She pointed at a tall man with dark brown hair carrying a longbow at his back. Michael was casually chatting with a couple of healers in what seemed to Lena like a very friendly tone, laughs could be heard from the small group from time to time, and they all seemed to be a reaction to something the man had to say. Amanda waited for Lena to look back to her before she continued to speak. "John Witters had an arrangement with the villages, are you aware of said arrangement?"
"I am aware of all my responsibilities, Amanda. Master's death was not as sudden as rumors seem to tell." Lena replied with a slightly saddened smile. "He had more than enough time to prepare me."
Amanda nodded, noting the slightly defensive tone in the other woman's voice. "He was leader of this clan for over thirty years, Lena. It won't be easy to take his place, I understand that. They will resist you at first, but don't let it get to you... People just tend to dislike change."
Lena chuckled. "Thank you for the support... Uh... Person I just met."
Amanda giggled softly. "Well, it's noticeable that you are under quite a bit of stress." She stated casually. "Were you born around here?"
"I was born in a village called Rosefeld. I have no memory of the place, however. I only lived there the first two years of my life."
"Ah... That's my village!" Amanda seemed to beam with excitement. "You should come visit us some time! It's truly a beautiful place." She gave a little playful wink. "Besides, what kind of a Leader do you expect to be if you don't know your neighbors, Mistress Lena?"
Lena had to laugh at being called that. "Oh, please don't ever say that again. It sounds way too strange." She chuckled a bit more. "Just Lena is fine, alright?" She asked. "And I will be sure to take your advice. I wouldn't want to be a terrible leader, now would I?"
Amanda chuckled. "Alright, if you prefer it. My friends call me Andy, actually, for shorts." She informed, opening a playful grin. "And I will hold you to that Miss Lena."
Lena raised an eyebrow in amusement. "I see, so... Am I your friend, or should I just keep calling you Amanda?" She asked.
Amanda chuckled softly. "Whichever you decide, Lena." She answered, smiling kindly at the other woman. "On my end... I'll always welcome another friend."

[Flashback - Blackpond, 22 years and 5 months in the past]

"I got it mommy!" A little girl's voice called, followed by the sound of running footsteps on the other side of the wooden door.

"Jessica, wait, don't open the door to strangers!" A woman’s voice called after the child.

The door cracked open and a little eight year old girl with bright green eyes and light brown hair peeked through it. Lena smiled and waved in greeting, causing the girl to chuckle and wave back before calling out. "Mommy, stranger!"

"I told you to never open the door, Jess!" Linda scolded on her way to the door, but her frown disappeared the moment she looked at the person who was standing on her doorstep; a wide smile crossing her features, as she pretty much pounced on the healer and trapped her in a tight hug. "I can't believe you're here!"

Lena chuckled softly, returning the hug and at the same time pushing her friend back into the house. "A little less noise, please. I'm not supposed to be here, remember?"
"Sorry..." The woman laughed, breaking the hug to close the door of the house. "I just didn't think you would show up."
"Me neither." Lena replied with a little chuckle. "But then, I couldn't miss the opportunity to meet my niece and nephew."
"Jakey is sleeping." Jesse informed, now peeking at Lena from behind her mother.
"Is that so?" Lena asked her. "Well, then I guess we should be very quiet, huh?" She crouched down to meet the girl's eye level, and smiled. "Say, you are Jessica, right?"
"Maybe." She answered, glancing up at her mother and then back to Lena. "Depends on who's asking."
Lena chuckled. "Oh, I see. Well... Can you keep a secret?"
"Uh-huh." Jesse answered, nodding.
"Well, see, your daddy is my brother." Lena told her.
"Really? If that's true then how come I don't know you?" The girl asked, in a suspicious tone.
"Jessica..." Linda sighed.
Lena laughed. "No, no... That's a fair question." She stated. "Well, your father and I had a fight, a long time ago, and he's still mad at me. I think, he'll probably be mad at me forever."
"Forever is a long time to be mad." Jesse stated.
"True. So, are you Jessica, or not?" Lena repeated the question.
"Yes, I am." The girl answered. "And what is your name?"
"Helena. You can call me Lena, it's shorter." She smiled. "So, seeing as you are Jessica, then I have something for you."
"Like a gift?" Jesse asked, a hopeful tone in her voice.
"Yes, exactly like a gift." Lena answered, pulling a small leather pouch from inside her bag and offering it to the girl.
Jesse took the little pouch and opened it, her eyes lighting up in excitement as she pulled a thin golden chain and a gold locket from it. "It's so pretty!" She exclaimed. "Can I really keep it, really?"
"Sure you can. It's a gift." Lena replied.
Jesse was simply bouncing with excitement. "Look mommy!" She said, immediately putting the chain around her neck.
"I see, love. It's very beautiful. And what do you say?" Linda asked, pushing her daughter out of her hiding spot behind the skirt of her dress.
Jesse cleared her throat as if she was preparing to make a speech and said. "Thank you Lena, I love it. I'm never taking this off, ever!"
"Good. Because you know, this locket is really special. I was told that it's blessed and if you wear it all the time, then the Twins will watch over you."
"And you believe everything you're told?" Jesse asked curiously.
Lena chuckled, standing up straight and giving a light shrug.. "If it's good, why not?"
Jesse laughed. "Even if it's silly?"
"Faith can be a silly thing sometimes, but it makes people feel safe. Do you understand?"
Jesse nodded in agreement. "I think so." She answered, although her expression made clear she didn't. "You're a healer." She pointed out, tugging on the sleeve of her robes. "Are you the healer that saved mommy's life?"
Lena raised an eyebrow at her friend, slightly amused. "Oh, goody. You still tell people that story."
"People? I told my daughter that story, yes. It's a good one." Linda chuckled. "Yes, Jess, this is the lady who saved my life."
"Cool!" She exclaimed. "Can I be a healer too when I grow up?"
Lena laughed. "You know what? If your father says it's alright then you can." She replied, giving a little playful wink before changing the subject. "So, tell me, do you like having a little a brother?" Lena asked.
"It's okay. He doesn't do much yet, but he giggles and it's cute." She said casually. "I still want a little sister though." She added, frowning slightly.
Lena chuckled. "Jess, give your mother some time. She can't take care of so many kids at once."
"Why not? I'll help!" She smiled.
Linda laughed, running her fingers through her daughter's hair gently. "I know you will, love. Maybe when Jakey is a little older, Okay?
Jess let out an impatient sigh. "Okay." She agreed, running into the kitchen. "I want cinnamon cookies, then!"
Linda chuckled. "Children settle for so little, huh?"

[Flashback - Blackpond, approximately 20 years in the past]

Lena was surprised to get a letter from her brother, even more sense the letter simply instructed her to meet David underneath the oak tree in Blackpond. She didn't understand why her brother had the sudden urge to see her all of a sudden, but something was telling her that it wasn't good.

"Have you seen Linda?" David's voice sounded behind her in a low whisper.
"What?" Lena turned to face the man prepared to scold him for having her go all the way there for this, but the moment she laid eyes on him she realized it wasn't an accusation, he was sincerely hoping she would say 'yes'. "What happened David?"
"I don't know. I got home last night and Jess was alone with Jake. She said Linda had gone to the market and hadn't come home. I have people looking for her, but I hoped..."
"I haven't seen her in a couple of years. She hasn't sent me any letters lately either. Where are your kids?" She asked.
"They're fine, Nate's wife is watching them. You're a telepath, can't you find her?"
"My enlightenment doesn't work that way, I'm sorry."
"I don't know what else to do, I..." David stopped what he was about to say next, looking over Lena's shoulder. She didn't look to see who it was, and she was sure that, whoever it was, wasn't bringer of good news. The man walked straight past Lena and reached David, placing one hand on his shoulder and leaning in to whisper something to him.

Lena didn't have to hear a word, it was clear in David's eyes that something had just been taken from him, shattered painfully. The look in his eyes said it all, and she knew her friend was gone forever. "What happened?"
The man turned to face Lena, but didn't say anything until David said it was okay, then he explained that Linda had been found in the woods not far from the city walls, stabbed, her coin purse missing. "Looks like she was robbed, but... It seems excessive force for a coin purse."
"People do more for less." Lena mumbled, her eyes still locked on David; he had sat by the oak, face hidden in his hands. "Can I see her Nate? I want to see her." He mumbled. "No wait, I have to go see my kids... What am I going to say to them?"
Lena sighed heavily, rubbing her temples as she spoke. "Look, why don't you go see her and I'll talk to them? Seeing you like this won't help them."
"I can't ask you to tell my children their mother is... That she's..."
"Dead." Lena finished. "You didn't ask me anything, and I give people news like this every day, it's a great part of what I do, unfortunately."
David hesitated, but he simply didn't have it in him to argue with that. "Alright."

Lena was slow on the way to her brother's house, not only was she in no hurry to do this, she also needed to let her emotions out of the way before she got there. Usually she would want to see the body, the only reason why she had asked to do this instead was because she knew David would have a meltdown, and she thought it'd be better if he didn't have it in front of his kids. By the time she reached the doorstep it had started to rain, a thin cold rain, the type that would eventually freeze when winter came for good. As she knocked on the door of the house a familiar voice sounded. "I'll get it!"
"Jessica, wait!" A female voice called after the girl, but whoever it was didn't stop Jesse from reaching the door. "Lena?" She asked. "What are you doing here?"
"Still opening the door to strangers, I see... You know that's dangerous don't you?"
"I thought it was Nate..." She mumbled apologetically. "What are you doing here?" She repeated the question.
"I'll tell you, but first, can I come in?" Lena asked.
"Sure." The girl answered, stepping aside so that Lena could enter the house, and closing the door after her. "You're here because of mom, right?"
"Right." Lena answered, following Jesse into the house.
Jesse glanced to the living room where a blonde woman was playing with her little brother, attempting to act as if nothing was wrong and shook her head. "My room." She stated, leading Lena down a small hallway and through the door of her bedroom. She then immediately cleared a small mess from a chair and motioned for Lena to take a seat.

The moment Lena sat down and faced Jesse, seated on the bed across the room, it was perfectly clear that the girl already knew what she was going to say. A fact that was confirmed when Jesse broke the silence.

"She's not coming back, is she?" The girl asked; a very serious tone in her voice.
"No, she's not coming back." Lena confirmed. "I'm sorry, kid."
"Where's my dad?" She continued.
"Your father has some arrangements he needs to make. He'll be home soon though."
"You mean... Funeral arrangements, right? I knew... I knew something was wrong like that. I... I knew mom wouldn't just leave us alone. She always said where she was going so I would know she would be back soon... I should have called Nate when she didn't come back right away... I shouldn't have waited for dad..." Jesse shook her head, tears forming in her eyes as her voice faded for a moment. "What happened?"
"They say it was robbery." Lena stated.
"They say? You don't think it was?" She asked.
Lena frowned slightly. She'd forgotten how damn smart that kid was. "I don't know, I don't see why it wouldn't be. I just don't know for sure, that's all."
Jesse seemed to settle for that, and she nodded her agreement. "What do I tell Jake? He can't really understand what happened."
"Your brother is too little to understand, you're right. Just tell him something along the lines of 'mommy is in Heaven now' and explain that she won't come back. He'll miss her at first, but he'll adapt. When he gets old enough to ask question you can tell him the truth."
Jesse nodded again. "Do you think he'll forget her?"
Lena sighed softly. "I think... He won't forget as long as you're here to remind him."
"Will you... Will you have to leave when dad gets home?" Jesse asked a slight hopeful tone in her voice.
"I will. I'm sorry, but I'm sure your father will still want me gone the moment he comes to his senses again."
Jesse nodded, although disappointment filled her eyes as she started to fiddle with the golden chain around her neck and mumbled. "He's barely ever here anyway."
"Jessica, listen to me... You know where to find me, and how to reach me, yes?" Lena asked.
"Yes." She answered.
"Then you're not alone." She smiled. "Have you decided it yet?"
"What?" The girl asked, looking at her in confusion.
"Have you decided if the locket protects you or not?" She asked.
"Oh, of course it does." She stated, a little smile breaking through. "Why else would I wear it all the time?"

[Flashback - Blackpond, approximately 16 years in the past]

It was raining and the rain was just so familiar that it ached. Lena was silently watching as a group of men and women dressed in Guard uniform paid their respects to their fallen Captain. It wasn't for the death of her brother that Lena had come, as much as it hurt to know that she had never managed to get him to forgive her, and that he was gone, she didn't walk all the way to Blackpond simply to say her goodbyes. Rather, she was there to see that his children were taken care of. Within a few minutes her eyes caught a small boy standing in a daze, nodding slightly as several people passed him giving kind words and patting him on the shoulders. Not far from him was his fifteen year old sister. Lena was distracted watching the children, and didn't watch her surroundings the way she should, a voice brought her back to reality in a growl.

"Get out."
"Nathaniel... Nice to see you." Lena replied.
"Get out, now. You're not welcome here." Nate insisted.
"I'm not going anywhere, I stayed away to respect my brother's decision to not have me in his life. He had that right Nate, but his life is over now. So I kept my promise."
"As long as he, or anyone who owes him loyalty still breathes. As you can see, Healer, I breathe." The man muttered.
"Still." Lena stated with a little smirk. "Life is fragile my friend."
That did it for Nate, as soon enough he was shouting at Lena to leave in the middle of the funeral, drawing everyone's attention to the two of them. Lena simply stood watching the man yell with a raised eyebrow until Jessica came and stood between the two of them.

"Nate, that's enough." She stated, glaring at the man. "You're making a scene and this is a cemetery." Nate glared at Lena with pure rage in his eyes, but didn't say anything more, and simply walked away. Jesse waited until the man was far enough to smile at Lena . "What did you say to him?"
"Whatever do you mean, kiddo?" Lena asked faking an innocent look. "He's upset, it’s good for him to yell at someone." She stated simply. "So... How are you holding up?"
"I don't know yet." Jesse replied with a small shrug. "I think I should be more upset, like when mom died, but I... I'm just tired."
"That's the toll Death takes kiddo. The more it takes the less you feel."
"The less you feel the more it takes." Jess added. "I know that saying too, Lena. The White Shadows are full of them, mom used to say."
"I'm sure she did." Lena replied with a slight smirk. "Listen, kid, you know that if things get too rough over here you can always come live with me."
"In the Plains?" Jesse chuckled. "Oh, I don't know... It's so peaceful. I might not get used to it." She then sighed and shook her head. "I appreciate it, I really do, but I can't really imagine leaving Blackpond despite everything. It's... Home."
Lena nodded in agreement. "I understand that, but keep it in mind, huh? Yes?"
Jesse nodded. "I will, I promise." She stated. "Right now though, I need to think about taking Jake home and feeding him some dinner. Do I dare ask you to stay and eat with us?"
"No, I can't... I've been away for too long already. I only stopped by to check on you, now I have to go." Lena smiled. "Home, you know?"
"I do." Jesse nodded. "I certainly do."
"Alright then, kiddo..." Lena said, pulling the girl into a tight hug. "You'll take care of yourself, right? I don't need to worry about you?"
"You don't, but you will." Jess snickered. "I'll be fine, Lena. I can take care of myself."

[Flashback - Village of Rosefeld, a little over 10 years ago

“You don’t believe me either, do you?” Amanda sighed heavily as she watched Lena’s expression. "I know what I sound like, but I’m not paranoid. I know what I saw, Lena.”
“You know what you saw, but do you know what it means?” Lena asked. “I mean, you’re interpreting things a certain way, but
 Are you sure that what you saw isn’t just a coincidence?”
“It might be, but I don’t believe it. There are too many signs, too many similarities. We are being watched by them. They prey on our weakest links, they turn us against each other, and they break us from the inside. And
 And if they reach this village, then my family will be the first to die.”
“You are saying that
?” Lena asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I never say that. Nor will I ever say it.” Amanda replied. “When my father died, he made sure I got away. He told me everything I needed to know. Even though his mind was no longer reliable enough, he sometimes recognized me, and even when he thought I was my mother, or someone from his childhood
 He’d tell me things. I believed in those things. I looked for signs of it being truth, and I found them.” She chuckled softly, looking at Lena with amusement. “I know what you’re thinking: Did I find them because they were actually there, or were they only there because I wanted to find them?” She shrugged. “I don’t know, and I can’t know. I’d rather believe this than risk my family out of fear of being called a fool.” She smiled. “That’s the reason why I’ve called you here. You’re the person I trust the most, not the mention the smartest friend I have. I know that even if you don’t entirely believe me, you will do this for me
” With that said she stood from her seat by the kitchen table and walked out of the room, leaving Lena to stare at the doorway with an intrigued look on her face. As she returned, he had a book with her; a plain leather journal. She placed the book on the table before Lena. “The seer has told me that
 She told me that when they do come for us, one of my children will get away
 If so, then I would like that child to have this.”
Lena took the journal and put it in her bag without arguing, but sighed. “Why don’t you leave the village then?”
Amanda ignored the questions, shaking her head slightly and leaning back in her seat. “Just promise you will keep the book safe.”

[Flashback – Wolfpack Camp, approximately 4 years in the past]

“How are you holding up?” Lena felt the stupid question coming out of her mouth the moment she crossed the door to Dani’s house, unwillingly, like an extremely nasty habit she thought she had managed to get rid of years ago.
Dani snorted slightly in annoyance, a trace of a smile crossed her lips, but very well concealed. Leaning against the wooden table in the office, Dani stared at Lena for a very long moment before breaking her silence. “Been a while.” She stated simply, ignoring the question.
“It has.” Lena agreed, taking a seat in a nearby chair. There was almost no light in the cabin, and Dani didn’t look like she had slept in a while.
“Here.” Dani pulled a piece of paper from the table. “Myths of Medicine
 That’s the book you gave Bastian, isn’t it? What is on this page?”
Lena’s eyes widened and she muttered a curse under her breath, crushing the paper in her hand.
“What? What does it mean?” Dani pushed. “Lena
 What does it mean!?”
Lena didn’t answer, she had let the paper fallen to the ground and hidden her face in her hands, leaning forward as if something ached deeply. “I’m sorry
 I’m so sorry
 I’m so sorry
” She let out a low growl before uncovering her eyes to face Dani. “I had him
 I had him all this time! He was right under my nose, but I didn’t
 How didn’t I see?” She stood up rubbing her temples, reviewing years of memories of one single individual and finding all the signs she missed. It was so clear!
“You’re saying this man is from your clan?” Dani asked, her expression closing into a severe one as she glared at her older sister. “Who is he?”
“Not as important as who he used to be
” Lena sighed. “He was one of yours Dani. A long time ago he was brought to my camp severely wounded, I recognized that he was Wolf, but I also recognized the knife lodged in his back as the weapon of a Wolf
 I decided not to send for you. I allowed him to stay
 Become one of us
 I gave him access to our files, our knowledge
”
“Perry?” Dani muttered, her glare turning more intense. “I searched for him! You never told me anything! Why
” She stopped herself and took a deep breath. “Confidentiality, fine. How did he get past your enlightenment with all the lies he surely told?”
“I don’t know.” Lena stated. “I honestly don’t know, but there are ways to get through any enlightenment and we study these things
 It’s part of our training to know enlightenments and how to manage them.”
“No one ever got past you before
 And Alistair
 He’s an empath! How did he safely hid in your camp while killing all those people? How is it possible!?”

"I don't know how he did it Dani. What do you want from me?" Lena was shouting, she knew better than anyone just how badly mistaken she had been; for years. She couldn't understand how it happened.
"I want you to explain to me, how a man infiltrated your clan with the intent to murder and neither you nor Alistair caught on to him!" Dani exclaimed. "I'm not accusing you of anything, that would be pointless, but I need to understand."
"I don't understand!" Lena shouted again. She had never been fooled, by anyone, in her entire life. She wasn't a bleeding heart, she didn't fall for sob stories. She only valued people that had been able to prove their worth. This man had, and still... He was nothing he had made himself out to be. "I don't...Understand." She sighed, hiding her face in her hands. Dani was the only person to ever see her in this state, she had only been in such a state two times before. Dani's hand grabbed her shoulder and Lena heard her sigh before breaking the silence. "You can't blame yourself for this." She stated.
"I saved his life, trained him, and gave him every information he needed to hunt those people and kill them. Don't patronize me, every life he took is on my hands. Your husband's life included!"

A loud thud caused Lena to raise her head. Dani had slammed her fist on the wooden table. "Don't ever repeat that. Never. Do you understand? We have walked this path before, you know where it leads!" She sighed. "Don't ever repeat that." She asked in a softer tone.
Lena nodded. "Well... He better pray you find him before I do. I swear, I don't even know what I would be capable of if I ever lay my eyes on him again."
“Well, now we know who he is” Dani stated. “That’s something
 We can go to Newhaven and offer his head for their bounty to be lifted.”
“So I assume you’re going to tell them? You have a group going after this man, so you should tell them who he is, right?”
Dani kept silent for a while then she replied. “No.”
“No!?” Lena exclaimed. “Aren’t they supposed to know what they’re dealing with?”
“No
 Evin shouldn’t know about this yet. Not until he sees
” She sighed heavily. “If I tell Crys, she will tell him
 No. I’ll only tell Theron, he will look after the others. It’s better this way.”

Lena spent most of the day with Dani and they talked of several things, unpleasant things of the past and of the future. She manage to talk Dani into food and exhaust her into sleep, but she herself was wide awake. Slowly she made her way out of the cabin and to the memorial, she could remember the day the first grave had been placed in that clearing
 When Bastian had silently helped her bury Sarah’s body and decided he would mark her grave. Now she stood before his, holding a very simple offering in her hands. “My friend
 I owe you so very much
” She whispered. “I’m sorry you had to meet you end this way, you deserved better, but I’m sure you were only thinking of letting someone know what you saw. Now we know, so thank you for that final effort.” She smiled a faint small looking down at the flower in her hands. “Please, brother, ask the Twins to forgive me one more time. I pray it’ll be the last.” As those words escaped her lips Lena clenched her fist around the rose she held; thorns sinking into flesh of her palm, blood staining the white petals before they were released over the resting place of Bastian Rivers. Lena snickered; knowing that he would have appreciated the gesture. “For your amusement
” She whispered. “Until we meet again, my friend
 Goodbye.”


. . . .

Luckas' hold on Lena's wrist never weakened for a second, and even though they might have stood there for only a couple of them, that's true, it felt like hours to him. His eyes began to slowly fade back to black, still wide in shock as he stared into hers; the blue light slowly fading... Fading fast... He quickly stepped forward to catch the woman as her legs gave out on her, eventually kneeling down with her, finding he was too weak himself to bear her weight. "What did you make me do?" He whispered, unable to understand what had just happened.
Lena chuckled; her voice was weak, too weak. "You... Foolish boy. Have you forgotten what happened last time?"
Luckas winced, he did remember the last time he tried to trap Lena in an illusion... It was the first time he ever remembered something: The voice asking if he was alright. This, however, had felt much different.
"Our deal is concluded, boy." Lena whispered, a small chuckle escaping her. "I hope it was worth the effort." She heaved a little sigh as her eyes closed in exhaustion. “Try to remember
Promise
”

Luckas finally let Lena fall. He tried to reach for her again, but he ended up holding onto to his head with both hands, feeling his sight blurring and pain invading him as if someone was repeatedly driving nails into his eyes and temples. The pain eventually drove him to his hands and knees, his sight finally turned completely black. His own blood chilling scream was the last thing Luke heard before the visions began to flood his mind and take away any grasp of reality he might have left in him; although, that scream was surely just the first of many yet to come.

[A couple of hours later]

"NO! GET AWAY!" A shout echoed through the plains followed by the sounds of fleeing healers running in every possible direction away from the entrance of the tent. It had been that way for hours. No attempt of dialogue has managed to get through and attempting to enter the tent was too dangerous to even consider right now.
The healers had been woken up by the young man's screams. The first person to attempt entering the tent had been grabbed by throat and driven into madness within seconds, he was still being restrained. Two other healers were injured as result of being commanded to swallow a lit torch. One of them would definitely not make it.

"No, no, no... Annie, you can't go in there! No!" Alistair tried to argue with the girl, but immediately flinched when she stopped in her tracks and turned to glare at him.
"I'm not sending anyone else in there, and Luckas... He won't hurt me, not willingly."
"Unwillingly is more than enough to get you killed." The man argued.
"He's not seeing what's going on around him, he's trapped inside his head. We can't expect him to listen unless we know just how to get through. And I don't expect anyone else here to try and do that, because it would be a disaster."
"We can remove him by force. Your mother is still in there, we don't know if she's..." Alistair stopped himself before the sentence was finished, but the damage was done.
"IF she's dead, then we'll have to figure out IF he killed her, but one step at a time." She told him. "You stay here." She added, placing both hands on Alistair's chest to stop him from following after her.

As she approached the tent she took a deep breath to try and keep her tone calm. Truth be told, Annie was never afraid of Luckas, unlike the other healers. She even thought he was funny in a way. He'd never done anything to make her see him as a threat... Until now. She wanted to go back to that place where she wasn't afraid and he wasn't a threat. She wanted to find out what was happening without anyone else getting hurt, including him.

Carefully, Annie stood by the entrance and called. "Luke, are you alright?"
No answer. At least it was better then 'get away', that was progress.
"Luckas... Can I come in?" She asked. "I want to see my mother. Is she alright?"
That seemed to get a reaction out of Luckas, although it was the last thing Annie wanted to hear. "I didn't kill her! I didn't! I didn't... I couldn't have... Or could I? Did I? I can't, I don't remember... I can't remember..."
Annie didn't say anything more, she simply walked inside the tent to catch the sight of Luckas curled up on one corner, mumbling to himself, his eyes were the usual black color, but she could see them moving from side to side without rest as if searching for something. It was visible he had no idea where he was or what was happening anymore... He acted exactly as one of his victims would within a few hours of being attacked. Managing to keep a distance between herself and Luckas Annie walked to where her mother lay, a blanket had been placed over her in such a way that it made it almost unnecessary for Annie to check her pulse, but she forced herself to do so either way, hoping Luckas was too out of his mind to tell if she was actually dead or simply passed out. There was no pulse, however, and Annie felt the pain of realization finally hit her; Luckas' ramblings of whether he had or not killed her turning into blank noise in the back of her mind as tears filled her eyes.

"I didn't kill her! I didn't! I'm not a liar! I'm not a liar! I'm not!" Luckas was still mumbling to no one in particular. "I closed her eyes, and I gave her my blanket and then they took her away! They took her away! I don't want to be alone in here! I can't be alone in here!"

Annie honestly didn't want to listen anymore, but it became clear that Luckas wasn't talking about her mother, although it did explain the blanket. "Who?"

"I don't know who! I can't see them! Why can't I ever see them?"

Annie sat down on the ground, turning so that she was facing him. Luckas was curled up into a ball practically, his forehead touching his knees and both hands gripping the sides of his head. "Who did they take from you?" She asked.

"Sammy.... She wasn't supposed to go down there... Never, ever, go down there... She'd always come though... Everyday. She'd always come..." He let out a shaky sigh. "One day they caught her... And they took her away... They said I killed her! I didn't kill her! I should have made them stop... Why didn't I make them stop? Why didn't I say something? I could have just said ‘stop’, why didn’t I say stop?"

"Luckas... Do you know where you are?

“Stop, stop, stop
” The mumbles were turning unintelligible again.

There was no answer. Luckas had gone back to not listening, and now he was mumbling incoherently again, the only thing Annie could understand of it all was the he said he needed to get out. Which was confirmed when he stood up and started to walk out, still holding the sides of his head and rambling. She didn't try to stop him, doing that would be suicidal even for her. Outside she could hear Alistair shouting at the healers to let him go and not touch him. Soon enough the man's footsteps came closer and closer until they were right behind her. A shaky sigh being his only reaction to the dead body of the woman who raised him. "Is he responsible for this?"
"I don't know. He most definitely did not kill a girl named Sam, though." Annie replied with a small shrug.
"What does that mean?" Alistair insisted.
"It means he's completely out of his mind and running loose, that's what it means. Which way did he go?"
"Towards Newhaven."

Forcing herself to leave her mother's side, Annie stood up to search the tent for pen and paper. She then scribbled down a letter and handed it to him. "Mageria Talsheir."
"Why her?" Alistair asked, raising an eyebrow.
"She's the only one who can stop Luckas without killing him." Annie explained. "And I want him alive and lucid. I want to know what exactly happened here."
"I'll send our fastest enlightened to her, then. She should get the message by morning" He said, leaving the tent without another word.

Annie heaved a shaky sigh and sat back on the ground next to her mother. She knew she would have to move some time, soon, but right now she just couldn't do anything more than sit there.

The setting changes from The Ruins (Healer's camp) to Valcrest

Setting

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Character Portrait: Luckas Character Portrait: Ess Character Portrait: Mageria Talsheir
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#, as written by Essence
Not too long after leaving NewHaven....

Mageria looked over at Ess, raising one eyebrow. "First off. Let's see how well you can run. Take the path across the river, out to the stone cross and back. It's about five miles all told. Let me know when you're back."

Essence stood from her squatting position where she was petting Tala. With a firm nod she obeyed clearly, “Yes M’am.” A curious, sharp, wind-like noise escaped her lips for her wolf to lead the way, smiling as she leapt forward to chase after Tala. The race was on.

Ess had awoken early that day, remembering Mageria’s warning ...promise to begin her training. She had eaten a bit of baked bread, drank a few gulps of water from her gourd, and made sure to stretch before she met up with the woman. Ess started off at a moderate speed, wanting to work her way up a bit, so not to exhaust herself before she was half way through, which gave Tala quite the lead. “Four legs VS two, Tala..” She complained.

At her current pace, she trailed Tala throughout the camp in a reasonable amount of time slipping between cabins hidden in the earth. Tripping over what she discovered to be a chimney, she stumbled over the obstacle, quickly recovering with a barrel roll back onto her feet. Her heart began to race as she picked up the pace, not letting Tala dare escape her line of sight. Rounding several trees and past her tent she pitched up by an ancient looking Oak tree, she leapt down along a sudden slope, skipping the drop completely not causing a delay in her stride.

‘So far so good,’She thought to herself, nodding at a few children playing by the rope bridge. Maneuvering by the kids, she crossed the river in the West of the camp, watching Tala disappear into the thicket of bushes and forest. A sudden updraft of icy wind stirred about dozens of black feathers left over from 'evacuation’ of the camps prior tenants: The ravens and crows. What a filthy mess those birds had made. Ess quirked a brow at a few men and women collecting a basket full of those feathers, unsure what they were going to do with them exactly.

The terrain got rockier along the path, sloping upwards causing Ess to have to push her calves harder as she ran up a hill, practically falling down the other side. In the midst of her heavy, burdened breathing, Ess managed to take in her surroundings, appreciating the winter morning. Even when she slid a bit to her knees, a muddy slush soaking them, she smiled at the muck pushing herself along the narrow path. Prickers clung to her clothes, her tunic tearing here and there as she forced her way past, superficial scratches accumulating in numbers across her arms and face.

Suddenly she came to a screeching halt, barely stopping in time before slamming into Tala. Her wolf was panting on the ground just in front of the stone cross, Ess on her hands and knees just beside her furry friend. “Shit..” Ess rolled forward tapping the stone wall of the cliff and turned around, calling for Tala to follow as she made her way back towards Mageria.

When Mageria was in her sights, Ess pushed herself as if she had Tala biting at her heels, although Tala was sitting happily by the woman’s side panting heavily in little white clouds from the winter chill. Falling to her knees in front of her furry friend she laughed between labored breaths. “Four...legs...Tala..” An hour had to have passed since she last saw Mageria and Ess knew she could of done better, but didn’t let it get her down for she would probably have to do it again later at some point.


Mageria smiled cheerfully at Ess once she finally got back, holding a long switch in one hand. It was about three feet taller than her, and clearly wasn’t going to be used as a walking stick.
“It’s time to really begin your training. Don’t bring any of your weapons, you’re not going to need them. Just meet me down by the river in two minutes.” With that she walked away, still obviously recovering from her earlier wounds, but walking steadily none the less.

Once at the edge of the river, Mageria carefully stepped out onto the poles sunk into the bank, walking out across them until she was about 10 feet away from the edge. About four feet under her, the river burbled away cheerfully, just a couple degrees above freezing. She waited until Ess came and found her, then gestured for the other woman to step out onto the branches as well.
“In a fight, the first and most important thing is to be sure of where you’re stepping. So. Your job here is simple. Keep moving, and don’t get hit.” She gestured with the switch she still held in one hand. “Good luck.” With that, she whipped the rod at Ess’s feet.

Ess’ legs buckled slightly from the stress of her run, her breathing slowing just enough so that the cold didn’t burn her lungs. Not giving herself much more than thirty seconds to catch her breath, she made her way towards the East of the camp. She nodded towards Mageria as she followed her out onto the river, stepping carefully from wooden pole to the next trying to get her depth perception to absorb the random distances between each pole. Starring down at the river, she feared the temperature if she were to fall into the water as she stretched down, her fingers touching her toes before she stood, finding her balance. Tala watched the two from the shore, with a curious smile planted along her wolf face, tongue hanging out lazily as if she were laughing at Ess.

Quirking a brow at Mageria, “Good luck...” Ess blinked, hopping backwards onto the closest pole, balancing barely on one foot. Quickly she noted the others were now farther away and she would have to leap quite far for many of them. She stared uneasily at the switch.

Mageria smoothly moved between the poles, not even having to look down to see where she was going. She kept her left arm tucked against her side, not having regained full movement from the fight with Grim. Instead she used her right arm, causally swinging the switch as she moved. Whipping it around, she forced Ess to duck and dance to the side, the girl nearly tripping as she hopped from pole to pole.
"Good . . . but you can do better." Mageria swung the switch again, a little faster this time. She had to fight not to smile, she did enjoy keeping people on their toes, so to speak. Instead she kept her face deadpan, in line with her role as Captain. But sometimes what she loved even more than being the Captain was having the chance to be the Trainer. But now it was time to push the girl. Mageria began moving faster, not giving Ess a chance to recover before she had to move again.

Ess began wondering how her flexibility would come in handy at this point. The first time the switch came in contact with Ess, Mageria had just slapped her arm, a small swell of pain similar to a bee sting enflamed the area. The second time, Ess was trying to avoid landing on her back in the near freezing water, the switch colliding harder along her back, enough to leave a bruise. A low growl of frustration escaped her lips, not at Mageria but rightly at herself. Of course she couldn’t expect to master such practice her first day, but she was disappointing herself. Ess managed to avoid the third swat across the face, her body arching back just far enough to keep her balance while her upper half went horizontal along the current. Yet, she over compensated as she straightened, falling flat on her face into the river, the sting of the icy water causing her body to twitch violently as she screamed, bubbles of pain boiling to the surface.

The cold made her muscles slow as she raced to climb out of the water and back onto the poles, her teeth chattering uncontrollably. She knew there would be no pause in Mageria’s swings as she fought to avoid them and the freezing river. About an hour passed, Ess feeling the switch several times and falling about three times all together. Her lush lips were turning a purple as she lurched forward onto her hands, her fingers grasping at the pole, using the force of gravity’s momentum to push back as she flipped onto another pole, her hand finding her balance at another pole at her side. Yet, she delayed in her surprise that she actually landed that flip, her hesitation costing her a thwack across the face, leaving a small welt additionally sending her to the depths below. All the wind was knocked out of her, her lungs aching for air and as much as she tried to fight it, she inhaled under the water causing her to hack and dry heave violently, the water screaming to escape her body. It seemed so far away, Tala barking in excitement...or mockery as she crawled to shore.


Mageria clenched her teeth against the pain as she stood balanced lightly on the poles. She had probably pushed it further than she should have, but it felt good to be moving. But she would pay for it later on. Moving stiffly, she stepped carefully from pole to pole until she stood on the bank again.
"Good enough for a first day. We'll get you warmed up and see where you stand on a few other things." Looking down, she saw that Ess probably wouldn't be standing up on her own. This was going to hurt. She started to kneel down to help her up, but was stopped by a pair of hands landing firmly on her shoulders. Looking up, she could see one of her Guard, Zane, frowning at her.
"Captain, you remember what the medic said." With an ease she envied, he leaned down and hauled Ess to her feet, keeping her steady when she staggered. "No lifting much of anything so long as your ribs are wrapped up." He looked down at Ess, who at this point was so cold that she had stopped shivering; shaking his head and hauling her off towards the medic's cabin, changing course when Mageria indicated that he should take the girl to her own cabin. Tala followed behind, ears up alertly as she looked between all of them.
"How long did she last?"
Mageria smiled a bit. "At least an hour." Zane lifted an eyebrow in surprise. "That's pretty good."
"Better than you, anyways." Mageria snorted.

Reaching her cabin, Mageria held the door open and let them both in, indicating that Zane could leave Ess by the hearth before leaving. Mageria eyed Ess before deciding that she'd need help getting her into some warmer clothes.
"Jess? Could you help me for a bit?" From the upstairs loft came a cheerful short blond woman, visibly pregnant but still moving well.
"Oh, the poor thing! What in the Twins names have you been doing, Mageria?" Mageria ducked back into her room to grab some extra clothes that she'd set back there just in case, grabbing a couple of towels as well.
"Training is all." She gently took Ess's chin in her hand, looking directly into the other woman's eyes to make sure that she heard. "Now Ess, sorry about this, but you need to get out of those clothes." With that she and Jess efficiently stripped the other woman, briskly toweling her off until the blue started to fade and she looked like she knew what was going on. Then they stuffed her into the dry clothing and wrapped her in a blanket, sitting her down in front of the fire with a cup of steaming cider in one hand. Tala wrapped herself around her feet, licking one ankle in an effort to help.
"I'll just lay these out to get dry, shall I?" Jess snatched the soaked pile and took charge of it, moving away to her latest project. Mageria got a mug of her own and sat down in a chair across from Ess, settling down into the woven ropes to wait until the woman recovered; idly leafing through a book on poisons as she waited.

Ess was a bit hazy, not fully understanding why she was moving, but couldn’t feel her legs. The next she knew is that she was warmer, inside somewhere sitting, wrapped in layers of blankets. When her thoughts came clearer, she simply watched Mageria silently. Her muscles were aching from the training, her skin dry and burning as she slowly grew warmer, absently she wiggled her toes in Tala’s fur. Opening her mouth, she moved to speak, a crack echoing into the room as no sound came out. Clearing her throat, she tried again, this time a whisper defiantly snuck out of her throat, “So...up for that again tomorrow?.” Ess gave a subtle, tired smirk.

Ess noted she was not brought to the medic, but was in the Captain’s cabin. That made her smirk turn into a grin as she waited for the Captain to speak. Her mind drifted off a bit, thinking randomly of that huge dog in the camp, that Tala seemed to like playing with. One of the children, called it ‘Puppy.’ That thing was the size of three Talas. That made her giggle to herself, a sharp pain in her lungs ending the laughter turning the sound in a small groan.

Mageria looked up, one fist propping up her head. A slightly evil smile crossed her face at Ess's question.
"Oh, tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that . . . You're lucky there's no ice right now." She set the book to the side and stretched, wincing sharply when something in her chest popped. "In the mornings, you get physical training; in the evenings, mental and skill training. If you manage to survive that, then you'll be surprised at where you are in a month or so."

From outside they could dimly hear the sounds of activity as the new inhabitants of the camp worked to improve their living conditions. Mageria was deeply worried. They might have enough room, eventually, but something had happened to their stored supplies. Given how many people they had to feed; it was going to be a very lean winter. But that wasn't something she could change by simply worrying about it, they were already taking steps to do what they could. In the meantime, there was something that she could control, the training of her latest recruit.

Leaning over, she picked up the book she had set aside, standing up and holding it out to Ess.
"I'd like you to study this tonight, let me know what you already know, what you find new, what you find different. It's about poisons that you can find and make easily from plants here in the forest; as well as the ways they can be used and their effects. It's not always necessary to kill someone, sometimes an unexpected nap can be far more helpful." She reached down and rubbed Tala gently between the ears, before standing back up. "Today; after you get warmed back up, go find Zane in the barracks. He'll get you started on lock picking; which is always a handy skill to have." She patted Ess kindly on the shoulder. "Until tomorrow, then. I'm afraid I have some other buisness I have to take care of." With that she picked up her old tattered coat and wrapped herself in it, heading back out into the cold.

Ess nodded firmly, taking the book from the Captain, a soft glow in her eyes caught the fire’s flames, smiling in interest at it. “Yes M’am.” Resting the book on her lap, her other hand twitched, clasping the mug of cider firmly as she brought it to her cracked lips. Nodding in Mageria’s direction as she left the cabin, Ess finished off her cider. She was a bit weak, but nothing she couldn’t push through as she laced up her boots, lightly shoving Tala from her feet. She was excited to go see Zane to learn lock picking, something she had never grasped and she agreed it would be quite handy.

“I’ll be back later, Jess.” She hollared, her voice in and out as she let the woman know she would get her clothes later. Ess thought she heard the woman protest, but she was already out the door, Tala practically beneath her as she made sure to stop at her tent first. It was cold out and she needed her cloak to help barricade the wind from her skin, feeling like knives slicing along her flesh. Ess had chosen to pitch up a tent, declining the offer to share housing with some of the others. Not because she had anything against them, or that it would be crowded, but because she liked her solidarity. A few days ago there was a small ice storm, where there was no way she could keep her fire going and Ess caved finding a space on the floor of the barracks to crash with Tala to keep her warm.

Ess smiled, tucking her curls into her hood before grabbing a pair of gloves. She had chosen the spot by a giant Oak tree for sentimental reasons and how it reminded her of good times as a child, some of the few she had during her time in BlackPond. Her tent was a decent size, enough to fit two people, Tala and her things, including a small stack of wood that she meant to keep dry for her fires. Tucking the book in a satchel, strapping that to her belt she made her way towards the barracks. Easily she spotted Zane off in a corner chatting away to another, Ess waited til he caught her stare before approaching while Tala layed down by the door basking in the attention of the passing Guards.

Zane smiled easily as he patted a spot near to where he was sitting. "Captain asked me to teach ya lock picking, which I happen to know quiet well, given that I happen to have had a bit of a misspent youth." He unrolled a folded cloth, revealing a series of pockets filled with slender metal tools, each of them with different tips. Then he picked up a lock from a pile next to him, holding it out so that Ess could see it.
"Now, the thing is, you have to know the lock before you can open it." His voice was soft and firm as he explained the intricacies of a skill learned the hard way

The first week was typical to Ess’ first day of training: The five mile run, that slowly didn’t kick her ass as much as it had in the beginning; her studies in refining her poison skills and learning the details of lock picking; and of course her least favorite training was getting smacked around by a long wooden switch to fall into an icy river of pain. She was lasting around the same amount of time, but with less punishment from the switch, only to suffer at the cold of the river. Mageria had said her first day, “ You're lucky there's no ice right now.” Of course, as irony would have it, the next few days the poles in the river were covered in thin layers of black ice, Ess acquiring her bruises from her falls instead of the switch. She couldn’t complain though, because as much as she was putting herself down, the Captain seemed to only encourage and that was all she needed to keep trying. Ess was being pushed because the Captain expected she could do it. By the end of that first week she managed to last almost two hours before her falls ended the session. It was a step up leaving much room still for improvement.

Mageira was careful not to show too much, but she was rather proud of Ess's achievements. The girl was coming along remarkably well, and soon enough they could start basic hand to hand combat. She should be healed up well enough by then to be able to do it herself.

When Essence began her lessons with Zane, she worried that she would never understand which stupid tool did what or for what purpose and why. It got to the point, when after the first couple days, Zane gave her a basic set of tools to use, stating “You will have to use all of them at some point, better get familiar with them.” Ess learned that there was a basic range of difficulty in locks, which she labeled for herself one through ten, easiest to hardest. There were spring loaded locks, locks she described as “Twisted Layers of Metal,” and then the combination of the two. Depending on the size of the lock, depended on the size of the tool; if it was spring loaded or not gave her the options whether to use a pointy tool (like a tiny ice pick) that she would use on the springs or one that extended in width and went flat in an L shape at the end, which was used to turn and match up the 'Layers of metal.’ By her third day she had gotten the hang out of the the first three levels of difficulty, mostly because even after her lesson was over, she took with her some locks and the kit to practice, only pausing to eat her evening meal.

Before Ess passed out from exhaustion each night, she made sure to re-read certain chapters of the book Mageria had loaned her on poisons. For the most part, Ess was familiar with the different plants she could find in the local forests; even some not locally found. She was learning that some of the ingredients could be preserved in their crude form and in their final form, which was handy since she was use to her poisons expiring and having to start over again. She did leave NewHaven with a few small vials, she decided to bring to the Captain and explain what she already knew for the most part. Ess had always thought of how to make someone suffer, to kill them in the easiest amounts of effort possible. In her possession she did hold a serum that would cause temporary paralysis or cause someone to become almost deathly ill, but to put someone to sleep she had never pondered a use for such a thing.

On the fourth day, after the early morning torture routine, she knocked gently on Mageria's door, holding a small pine box with some of the vials of poisons she created over the past few months that still held a decent shelf life. Ess only shared so far what she didn't know, not exactly what she already knew and she felt a bit proud of herself, smiling sweetly at the Captain when the door opened.

"I'm not disturbing you, am I Captain?"

Mageria pushed a hank of hair back from over her eye, looking just the bit frazzled.
"Disturbing me? No, not at all." She sighed heavily as the sound of children crashing about a house far too small for them could be heard. It was too cold for them to be out, which meant that they had to be in one place. She eased through the door and shut it firmly behind her, leaning on it as if she wanted to make sure that it stayed closed.
"If you had something that you wanted to show me, perhaps we could do it in the medic's cabin? It should be empty at the moment." She started across the snowy hill, not even bothering to go back inside for a coat. Opening the cabin, she revealed a space crowded with a few beds; cabinets filling the back walls and an open door that revealed a space that looked to be set up for basic distilling. Mageria sat in a chair after poking up the fire, gesturing for Ess to sit as well. She rubbed her hands together, blowing on them a bit to warm them back up.
"What was it you wanted to say?"

Ess sat beside the Captain, resting the small box in her lap so that she could peel off her leather gloves. Reaching into her boot she retrieved a small flask, sipping it lightly to kick start the warmth she was still lacking deep in her bones from her morning’s excursions. Instinctual in her manners she offered it to Mageria with a smirk, “I was looking to show you what I managed to pick up on my own as a teenager...in my time in BlackPond.” Her fingernail flicked at a brass latch, the lid opening slowly to reveal about a dozen tiny vials in a multitude of colors.

With a deep breath, Ess began retelling in basic detail of her times in the brothel and how she grew up there, stolen from her home and family quite young. “I was too weak to really defend myself much then, you know...and even for the most part I even stopped trying. One day....I discovered my ‘Enlightenment’ and when my emotions were overwhelming I accidentally revealed my skill to a patron..” She paused closing her eyes as if she were trying not to see the man’s face. Her fingers traced along her scar that almost stretched past her lips from her left eye. “I killed him for giving me this...for so much more...what he stood for..and I payed dearly for it, cutting the defying will out of me.” Ess fingers reached inside the pine box without even looking, the glass tinging softly while her nails sifted through the assortment, naturally picking up a red looking vial which she held out in the palm of her hand towards the Captain. “I color coded them for easy memory...Red reminds me of blood..and that if this is ingested, it will cause internal bleeding, hemorrhaging and finally death.” With an accomplished nod a devious grin crossed her lips as she remembered the wide eyed look of pain upon her master’s face. “I took out Ebony..one of the many responsible..I couldn’t of been more than...fourteen.”

Holding the box so that Mageria could see inside easier she began reciting the different colors and their purposes: “Black corrupts the blood and circulation, kills the nerves, and when it reaches the heart, certain death. Purple: Paralysis that eventually wears off. Yellow: slows down one’s response time to think and move, worse than a drunk and the after affects are just as bad as a hangover. Green: Will make someone violently ill, and they may believe they will die...but I haven’t seen that occur...yet. Blue: Causes the lungs to break down, become weak and fluid fills them, results similar to drowning.” Ess leaned back in her seat a bit, inattentively stretching her sore shoulder.

Mageria raised one eyebrow, sorting carefully through the box as she listened to Ess's list of what everything did.
"You have quite a collection. Do you buy them or make them yourself?"
She didn't make any comments about the other woman's past, that was her buisness and none of her own. She wished that such things didn't happen, but the truth was that they did, and the only thing she could do about them some days was make it increasingly impossible for such places to exist. And to make sure that the children that she was responsible for were never put in such danger.

Leaning back, Mageria studied Ess from half slit eyes. "Just where did you learn to use all this? If you had a poisons master, they wouldn't have tossed you into the street or let you stay in a brothel hell like that . . . for a variety of reasons. Many of which, if you got angry enough, you'd start killing off the clientele. Which means, what? You learned on your own?"

Ess simply smiled at Mageria’s comment, “....if you got angry enough, you'd start killing off the clientele.” Who was to say that hadn’t happened, but she didn’t feel she needed to discuss all that as she picked back up the tiny black vial. “This one...I learned by trade.”Clearing her throat she didn’t give any further details on what she meant. “Regretfully that plant the extract comes from, does not grow locally, but I know where to acquire it. Everything else, I learned from books...experimenting...I mean when I couldn’t go out most days I had to find some way to occupy my time.”

A distant howl echoed softly from outside, Ess’ smile broadening as she thought to herself how Tala must be hunting again. It seemed to her that Tala was trying to earn her keep in providing food for the little ones when yesterday she had left two rabbits on Mageria’s doorstep. Her wolf seemed to enjoy the chaos of the excited children as they ran about playing hide and go seek; of course the wolf would smell them out easily each time. Then, one couldn’t forget there was also ‘Puppy.’

“I was kept on a pretty tight leash...occasionally escaping to visit a friend on the outside of the brothel..” She trailed off with a small shrug. “I still feel there’s plenty for me to learn to...polish my knowledge in this subject, just thought I’d share what I know.”

~~~~~~
http://youtu.be/mSAgaUoNeso

The Captain decided to step things up a notch for Ess, starting with two laps on her morning run. Which meant Ess would get up earlier until she got her time better so not to set back her scheduled times for lessons with the Captain and the other guards who participated in her training. At first it was just Zane, but this week more were added to her plate so that she barely had any free time. Keeping busy was a sure way to improve herself, keeping her thoughts away from Luckas and other things that may distract her. Ess had received a message from NewHaven from her home’s current occupants, stating men claiming to be her family were searching for her. 'What a load of bull,’ she thought. Her family was dead...at least she had presumed. There were rumors however to survivors from the countryside burnings, reports that her brother Ian may be alive. At least not many knew her current location, so it helped keep her mind at ease. She couldn’t afford to not pay attention around Mageria, especially if she wanted to stay dry.

Ess couldn’t help it though, she was distracted just enough for Mageria to notice, as she only lasted an hour today on the river, when she was progressing so well.


“Whatever is distracting you, leave it at the door....one can’t afford to slip....not if you want to live..” Mageria had stated simply, the following day giving Ess lead weighted, wooden practice swords. It didn’t take much time before Ess was disarmed, trying not to fall from the river poles. Yet, that wasn’t the end of it because Mageria kept coming at her, causing Ess to leap around frantically trying to block the blades, more bruises appearing along her fore arms.

From her failures, the Captain taught Ess many ways to disarm one’s opponent, what pressure points to go for to incapacitate the enemy, and one of Ess’ favorites was all the different ways to knock the wind out of someone. At one point, Ess was limping back towards her tent when she assumed her current lesson was at an end, when large arms went to wrap around her and pick her off the ground. Her mind went into a momentary flashback, yet in her panic she instinctually snapped her head back into the man’s face, followed by letting her body fall limp. When the grip loosened she slid away onto the freezing ground, sending the base of her palm into the man’s diaphragm, knocking the wind from him. Only after she got to her feet she heard the Captain’s voice, realizing it was a continued exercise. Even though she was sore and tired, she proved to be a bit of a challenge.

Mageria clapped slowly as she came around a nearby tree, giving the both of them a hand up. “Very good. You never know how much you’ve absorbed until you have to use it without thinking about it.” She raised an eyebrow at Ess, the fading bruises still creating a patchwork of shadows under the skin. “However, you forgot one of the most important rules of self defense. When dealing with an unknown; you hit,” she gestured down at the man picking himself up off the ground. “And you git.” She gestured over her shoulder towards the trees. “When in doubt, if you don't know the situation, sometimes the best thing you can do is run. The Twins gave you two legs, use them. Especially if you don’t know if you’re the stronger fighter. And in an ambush, assume that they’re ready for whatever you might have to throw at them.” She leaned over to scratch Tala behind the ears, where the wolf sat panting happily near her. After a moment the wolf got up and circled Ess, sneezing in the direction of Ess’s ‘attacker’.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The third day of her second week, instead of going to see Zane as was her routine, she was sent into NewHaven to practice her stealth. The exercise entailed being followed and not knowing by who from the camp. Her objective was to stay hidden, blend, change, pickpocket un-noticed, and if possible, detect and corner her pursuer. Her pursuer in addition had the advantage of his enlightenment, being able to target an object or person and having that person or object stand out amidst all the chaos surrounding it. Not an easy thing to defeat, but Ess managed to stay one step ahead, changing her style, her posture, hair color and so forth every few minutes. At one point she took the chance at stopping by her home, and when her tenants did not answer, she decided to try out the skills Zane had been teaching her. In a muted surprise, the feat proved quite easy, a frustrated look crossing her brows. Ess would need to get better locks.

Although she never managed to find her stalker that day, she made quite a profit from the skills she had learned earlier that weak from other Guardsmen. Not having much need for money, since she had plenty saved up from over the years, she decided to donate it to the cause.

“Eve!” Ess trailed after the tiny woman the second she came back into camp. “We still running low on supplies?”

“More are on the way, but those will run out sooner than later.” Eve sighed softly, light circles surrounding her blue eyes. The woman had much to keep her occupied in her duty of running things in the camp, taking a toll on her, yet she always remained cheery and seemed happy to keep busy. “Don’t worry yourself. If we stick to the rations, we can stretch it pretty far.”

Ess nodded a bit before pulling several coin purses from her hip, holding them out for Eve. “Well, think of this as a boost in ration portions...And I have plenty more that will just sit idle...so keep me posted.”

Tala was just where Ess had left her, harnessed to a sled pulling piles of wood around to stock the many homes in a supply to fight against the bitter winter. Some men were chopping away, others loading the sled and leading the wolf to where they would unload it. When Ess reached the busy scene, they were just finishing up for the day so Ess un-strapped the wolf from the sled, her fingers ruffling up her fur affectionately. “You hungry girl?” Tala quirked her head, wagging her tail sightly giving the appearance that she was tired. Essence smiled, leading Tala back towards her tent where she made a large fire to roast some venison over.

Ess sat upon a fairly large log beside the fire, her back towards her tent while Tala curled up beside her feet as she poked at the fire. Enough time had passed to rotate the hunk of meat cooking, just as she caught the sound of shuffling feet coming towards her from the fallen darkness. Tala’s head snapped up alert, tail thumping happily along the ground accompanied by a throaty bark that sounded like she was trying to speak.

A deep, warm voice spoke out, “...Well good to see you too, Tala.” Someone stepped forward, the flames’ light revealing a very tall man, broad shoulders, medium muscle build, chin length brown hair and chestnut eyes. “Good evening, love. Captain told me I could find you here..”

Ess stood, her eyes lingering over the attractive man as she smiled sweetly, extending her hand in greeting, the man shaking it firmly. “Ah..You’re the one that’s going to help me with Tala..” Turning her gaze down towards the wolf at her side who was prancing around in circles excitedly, Ess added, “You making friends all over the place here when I’m not around, eh?”
Ess had a familiar feeling creep over her as she listened to the man speak, “Essence.....”

The man chuckled, “Yea, your wolf and I met earlier today...officially that is. Names Aiden Cross...Essence, huh? You got a last name love?”

“Talon...” Ess spoke softly, staring up at Aiden, the name ringing a bell as she had met him briefly in the castle before, but had not seen his face. With her smile shifting from sweet to mischievous, her voice changed it’s tone, taking on a familiar accent. “...Aye, ya’ still smokin’? Or ya’ decide ya’ like breathin’?”

There was a moment of silence before they both started chuckling. “That was you?” Aiden asked in a delighted surprise. “You’re quite good at that..” He winked playfullly, “You mind love, if I call you Talon?”

Ess shrugged, motioning for the man to sit as she checked on her meal. Aiden sat down, scratching between Tala’s ears as the two appeared to have their own conversation, a chuckle escaping Aiden here and there. Tala sat down, one paw outstretched upon Aiden’s lap, head tilted curiously, ears alert, her back to the fire. It was as if they had momentarily forgotten Ess was even there, as this went on for some time, Ess watching in complete awe.

“Tala...is a very proud creature...should please you to know she thinks of you...as her Alpha.” Aiden whispered, turning towards Ess with a smile. Tala barked happily, leaning into Ess as she sat beside Aiden, resting her head on Ess’ lap. “Think Tala’s bond for you is quite obvious though, I’m sure Talon I don’t need to explain that all to you.”

Ess grinned, “I’m sure she knows how much I care for her as well.”

Aiden nodded, “That she does. It’s too late to start training today, so maybe tomorrow before dusk we could begin?”

“Sounds good...right after I finish with Zane.” Glancing shyly away from Aiden she nodded towards the venison. “You hungry? There’s plenty.” Reaching for the skewer of deer meat, she retrieved one of her daggers, placing the blade temporarily in the fire before she began slicing pieces off for Tala, herself, and Aiden. After placing the remainder back on the fire, she munched happily on her dinner, trying not to eat too quickly in her hunger. Ess kept her gaze on Tala, but that didn’t stop her from noticing how Aiden stared at her with a heart melting smile. Ess’ cheeks flushed a deep red, but one couldn’t tell if it was from the heat of the fire or from her embarrassment. Being the center of attention was not always her strong point, at least not in her normal skin. It was an odd feeling, figuring out what it was to ‘be herself.’ Little by little she was not ‘hiding’ in a facade, but that could be credited to her distractions of her intense training and the fact she mostly hung around women or children the past couple weeks.

Aiden was very friendly, quite chatty as he talked about himself a bit and asked some general questions about Tala and Ess. He seemed to be sizing Ess up, his puppy dog eyes searching her violet orbs. All Ess kept thinking of at that moment was how so many had welcomed her with smiles, and friendly words; without so much as a demand of an explanation. It could of been her eyes, or the scars she bore outside as well as in that she seemed to wear upon her sleeve. Maybe this was a place she could belong.

“The others talk about you....the Captain’s new recruit.” Aiden winked, a half smile curling his lips while his eyes lingered across the many fading bruises along Ess’ face. “Your a quick learner I hear....quite impressive and eager for more.”
Ess laughed. “So the entire camp is talking about me huh? Guess that is impressive.” With a shrug she added, “I’m not one to complain...or give up easily....and you can tell your possie...”Ess winked back... “..that I’m honored to be here with everyone. . Hopefully all works out and I'll be sticking around.”

~~~~
Luckas had no trouble finding the encampment, and even less going by unnoticed. Well, almost unnoticed... He was sure that Mageria had noticed him lurking around her, even if she did pretend he wasn't there. He was almost sure he caught a hint of amusement across her expression at some point and he wasn't sure if he was pleased or annoyed with the fact that she had gotten used to his presence so easily; he wasn't sure if he'd rather be seen as a threat or not by the Captain, if not for any other reason, on account of his pride. Lately however, he wasn't sure of much anymore... And at this point he just wanted a familiar face or two, even if he'd never admit it. He didn't want questions, he didn't really want to talk, he just wanted to see them and leave. Lena wanted him to stay in Blackpond as much as possible, and he owed her after the whole scene with Xypher, but for some reason it was harder to be on his own now. Maybe he was getting weak... He hated to think of how that old witch would laugh if she knew.

Ess wasn't hard to find either; Luke was really not surprised to find she'd settled underneath an oak tree, it was the kind of thing she'd do. Why, he'd never really understand. At the moment he was standing in the shadows, out of sight, he had been standing there for a bit, as a matter of fact, watching the activity of the camp from a far and waiting for her to show up. His eyes were no longer on Ess, however, they were fixed glaring at the man she was speaking to. Was it completely stupid of him to want to force him face down into the fire for smiling at her like that? Yes, it was. Did he care? Not in one bit, and if he wasn't absolutely sure he couldn't get away with it he would have commanded the man to do so by now. His eyes lit up as he thought of how badly he wanted to burn that stranger, and that was probably what gave him away. Tala was the first to notice his presence; looking straight in his direction growling and bearing her teeth. He was more than used to that, so he only took a moment to breathe in and calm his homicidal urges before he stepped out in the open, offering the wolf a frown for blowing his cover. "Missed you too, Tala." He stated sarcastically, crossing his arms over his chest and trying to force a grin over his obvious annoyance.

Luckas showed in his appearance how Blackpond had been treating him; he looked even more pale than usual (if that was even possible), he showed clear signs of sleep deprivation, his clothes (the same ones Ess had given him) were ripped and patched up in several spots, his dark hair was unattended and had grown to shoulder length and he now had a fresh scar that ran halfway across his neck, making clear that he was very close to having his throat slit. He absently ran his hand over the messy locks, scratching at the back of his head. "Well... Hi there, Pretty Lady." He greeted Ess, forcing himself to ignore the man and the wolf and honestly wishing he hadn't made the stupid decision of showing up like this.
Ess glanced down at Tala as a sudden growl escaped the wolf’s bared teeth, her smile broadening as she had a pretty good idea who she was growling at. Ess’ eyes glowed softly, her heart lurched forward as she jumped up, temporarily ignoring Aiden as she stared beyond the flames to find Luckas.

"Well... Hi there, Pretty Lady."

Essence didn’t care if she showed her excitement, and hopped over to Luckas, making a kiss like gesture in the air, inches from his face. “There you are, my dear Luckas. Where have you been? I knew I’d see you again.” Grabbing his hand gently she lead him closer to the fire.. “Is that all you are wearing? Luckas, it’s freezing out!” She scolded, sitting him down on the other side of her, Aiden still seated on her left.

Signaling Tala to be silent, the wolf trotting on Luckas’ heels in an attempt to guard Ess, she properly introduced Aiden and Luckas, and swore she saw both men flinch as she did.

“....Tala doesn’t like this one much, eh?” Aiden muttered, knowing perfectly well why as he stood. Both men stared at each other a moment, Ess eyeing Luckas whispering, “It’s ok Aiden, this is my friend...I’ll see you tomorrow though to work on Tala.” It was clear that Ess was a bit nervous as the two looked annoyed at the other, Luckas smiling while Aiden clearly was not pleased and simply nodded at Tala before backing away with a gentle smile towards Ess.

“Til tomorrow then Talon...Looking forward to it.”

Luckas couldn't help a slight feeling of comfort when Ess brought him closer to the fire, he chuckled softly at her scolding. As he sat his eyes glared past Ess to the man, she had introduced him as Aiden, and he felt that flare of anger stir up again, even though he smiled his eyes clearly gave away the fact that Aiden was very much lucky that Ess was sitting right there. He kept glaring at the man behind his back still until he was out of sight. At which point he seemed to relax some and turned his eyes at Ess, his black gaze softening slightly. "These are the warmest clothes I have, Lady. I don't mind the cold much though. Never have." He said with a shrug. "So... That Aiden guy is like Tala's new boyfriend or something?" He asked, raising an eyebrow comically. "Or should I be having a... Talk, with him about what his intentions are? I mean gee, I leave you unattended for a few days and I have to come back to this, really?" He asked, a fake offended tone in his voice.

After some time Luke stretched his arms over his head and groaned a bit at the soreness in his body, trying to mask it as a yawn as he brought his arms back down quickly. "Hope you didn't miss me too much." He said, opening a slightly satisfied grin and going back on the conversation. "Not like I've been away that long anyway, although it seems like a year on my side of things. I've been crawling my way around Blackpond. There's something there I need to take care of, and I still have to go back; in the morning if I can manage. Don't worry though... Tala won't lose her favorite chew toy." He told her with a little amused grin. "So... How's training treating you?"


“ I mean gee, I leave you unattended for a few days and I have to come back to this, really?”

Ess’ head fell back, belting out a laugh that trailed off finally ending in a comical giggle, “Aww, my friend..is that jealousy I hear?” Ess noticed the current state of Luckas, scars and all, absently she wandered into her tent to retrieve a cloth dipping it into a pot of water, to sit back beside Luckas. As she began to wipe down the dirt upon his face she whispered gently, “This is why...you should let me teach you a few things on self defense, my dear Luckas.” Her expression was one of pure stubbornness if he tried to argue against her nurturing, which only came natural. Ess laughed a bit thinking on his comment against Aiden.. “He’s a beast speaker..the Captain wants him to help Tala and I’s communication.....” She paused, dragging the cloth down the scar across his neck, her eyes taking on a sad tone, “BlackPond....huh....Luckas...how much have you seen inside my soul? Have you seen a man named Jasper...?” Her voice faded as she remembered the torture the bastard made her suffer. “I...he’s known to me as..the ‘Persuader’....a regret from leaving BlackPond was never taking him out..If he still lives...” Ess trailed off, her eyes locking pleadingly with Luckas as she brushed a few strands of hair from his eyes. “I hate asking favors...but you should enjoy it...only if you happen to encounter him of course....”

Essence eyed Tala, slightly annoyed as the wolf continued to growl; the wolf catching the gaze only to hide behind her legs. “I can give you some other clothes to wear...” Shaking her head, “Why don’t you take care of yourself, Luckas? You may not care....but I do.”


"Jealousy? You are yet to see me truly jealous, Pretty Lady. I'm just casually wondering if I should dig into this guy's brain and see exactly what he's so looking forward to..." Luckas answered trying to shrug it off. "Of course if then he gives me reasons to be jealous it'll just be one big ugly mess." He snickered. "I'm sure Captain wouldn't like it if I did that."

Luckas raised an eyebrow as Ess looked him over and went inside the tent, returning to wipe his face with a wet cloth, talking about how he should let her teach him self-defense. He enjoyed the cold wet cloth on his face, but when it was dragged towards the scar on his neck he winced slightly and caught her hand, on a firm, yet gentle grip. "I'm alive." He stated simply. "The people who gave me this can't say the same." He then opened a half smile. "When I have the time to stay, though, I might take you up on that offer." He lowered her hand slowly, but for whatever reason didn't release it as she went on talking about the man from Blackpond; Jasper. And yes, Luckas did remember him. "I think I'll never get to see enough of your soul Lady." He murmured, mostly to himself as he sometimes did. "I remember him. If I cross his path, I'll make sure he knows exactly why he's going to die, I promise." He sighed, finally realizing he had been holding her hand and releasing it rather abruptly. "In return, will you do me a favor? Do you... Remember the girl, in the basement? Do you remember her face still? I have dreams, but I can't... When I open my eyes it's gone. Do you think you could draw her maybe? It doesn't have to be perfect, but something to jog my memory..." He sighed, visibly frustrated. "I just... I'm afraid I might go back to not remembering anything anymore. I don't want to lose this, whatever it is."

Luckas went silent for a while after that. He felt weak to have to ask for help this way, but, coming to think of it, Ess had seen him in worse shape once before. "I'll take the clothing if it makes you feel better, but... The White Shadows have a saying: 'Life is what it is, up until the moment it isn't'. And I'll survive whatever, up until the moment I find something or someone I can't survive, and it is what it is." He smiled, and traced the line of his own scar with his index finger. "This will fade. Which is just too bad you know. I think scars are just sexy, don't you agree?" He asked, winking playfully.

“Are you afraid Aiden might gain my affections, instead of you Luckas?” Ess gently wiped the cloth over his eyes, causing them to close a moment in her pass. “If you want a claim of some sort, you best make it, sooner than later before you decide to kill me.” She wasn’t stupid, she saw the different ways Luckas looked at her, and when he opened his eyes she had continued to clean his face and neck, smiling at his comment.

“"I think I'll never get to see enough of your soul Lady."”

Luckas holding her hand, was a small moment she had not experienced before. Her heart began pounding in her ear, her senses were overwhelmed with a feeling she didn’t understand. Pulling her gaze away from his, she grabbed his hand after he released her and began cleaning the dirt from his fingers. “If you want your filthy hands on me, at least clean them first.” She teased, breaking her eye contact, to stare at his hands. “I will leave something out for you to wear...” Ess paused in her distraction, leaning her head back to stretch her neck side to side, rolling her shoulders in their soreness revealing more bruises along her flesh. Hand to hand training with the Captain had to be, by far her greatest challenge and the most obvious toll on her body.

Tossing the rag aside once she was finished, she went back into her tent to retrieve her journal and pen. Quickly she scanned the back through the many drawings she had, stopping at the new ones she had created recently. Standing beside Luckas she smiled, “Well...is it weird that I already have your request complete for the most part?” Ess had the journal open to two pages: One showed the darkness, with a ray of light from the open door and the next page showed the girl, lifeless on the floor. Both pages completely lacked color, and one could tell Ess had not been satisfied with the details, going over the drawing in several ways in her changes. “I can do better, I think I know what I’m missing....” She tore the page from her leather journal,holding it out to Luckas, quickly closing the book before he could see the drawing of himself she was currently working on.

'Life is what it is, up until the moment it isn't'

With a heavy sigh, Ess shook her head at the comment. “Maybe, my dear Luckas, but that’s mostly true with things that are beyond our control. In concern with what in life we can control, and thinking that way, to me, just is laziness. A little effort is really all it takes.”


“Are you staying the night?” Ess whispered. “If you stay here with me, I promise to keep Tala on my other side, away from you...you know so she doesn’t rip your throat out in your sleep.” A playful half smile curled her lips as she rubbed her eyes. Suddenly her attention snapped up as she remembered a comment Luckas just made and her face turned a shade of pink, "If of course...my sexiness doesn't distract you too much." She attempted to play off the comment as a joke, but in all honesty she wasn't sure how to react to that one.

"Hum
 Does this mean I should I be worried about him stealing you away from me, or something of the sorts?” Luke asked, chuckling a bit as the rag went over his eyes. “Because I hadn’t considered that a smiling beast speaker would be enough to cost me your affections. I only meant that maybe I should keep an eye on him." Luckas wasn't sure what Ess meant by claim, so he shrugged at that and repeated what she once told him. "Perhaps this is just my feeble attempt at being your friend. Suppose I just don't trust anyone... With you
" He added the last words on a whisper, honestly hoping she wouldn't hear it. Deciding that it was useless to try and resist the wet cloth, he just let her go on with it; still wincing slightly when it passed across his neck.

“That depends, would you like my filthy hands on you?” He asked with a tone of laughter in response to her teasing. Taking the moment in which he looked down to examine her appearance and notice the marks and bruises on her. He found he disliked the idea of her hurt, which was slightly surprising, all things considered, but he pushed those feeling aside under the logic that Mageria always took good care of her people. He was a bit distracted with those thoughts when Ess stepped into her tent again and returned with her journal and pen. When she showed him the drawings he opened a slightly sad smile, but did his best to conceal it once he remembered the many mentions of it on the woman’s journal. That was something that had stuck with him; Luke had honestly never thought of himself as sad in any way before. He took the page when she held it out to him and stared at it for quite some time, before he looked up at her. “This is great.” He told her simply, flashing an unusual, and rather cheerful, smile.

When she argued with his comment on life Luckas snickered. “Lady
 Most people see Death as a beast breathing down their neck as they walk through Life. I see Death as a familiar face waiting to take my hand when I reach the end of the road. Every step I take leads me closer to it, and I never know which one will be the last. The difference between me and most people is just that I don’t see Death as something that chases me, I see it as something that is always one step ahead. So there’s no logic that can make me accept the fact that it can be avoided.” He chuckled. “I’m not saying I want it to happen anytime soon, what I’m saying is just that. I may be a little careless, perhaps even lazy as you put it, but I’m not suicidal. I enjoy living; at least for now. I fight for my life to the best of my abilities, if one day I find them to be lacking then it just means I’ve taken my final step.”

At her offer to stay the night with her Luckas shrugged slightly. “Whatever you’re comfortable with, really.” He smiled glancing slightly towards Tala causing the wolf to growl at him again. “I can trust that you’ll keep me safe until morning.” At her comment about being a distraction he laughed. “Oh, but I’d welcome such a distraction.” He noticed the pink tone in Ess’ face and raised an eyebrow, not sure of what to make of it. “Again
 Unless I make you uncomfortable...” He shrugged. “I can sleep just about anywhere.”


Pondering Luckas’ words on trust, she thought he muttered something else but didn’t quite catch it. A curious idea crossed her mind and she wasn’t sure with some of the mixed signals she saw if she should voice it, so she kept it to herself, tucked away in her brain for another day. Ess however couldn’t help her smile as she whispered, “...I never had someone to watch out for me...Can’t deny that I like the idea...or that it doesn’t creep me out...” At Luckas’ question if Ess wanted his hands on her she shrugged lightly. “Only if your not all red eyed...then I may not mind...just have to test that theory another day.”

Ess waited as Luckas looked over the drawing, a mixed array of emotions plagued his face again giving her the feeling he was conflicted. She really was starting to wish she could take a look inside his brain to understand better, and wondered silently if he had indeed peeked inside her mind since she asked him not to. It did seem to make things easier to communicate and not to have to repeat herself when she spoke, but a person’s perspective could change just as quickly as the direction of the winds. When Luckas said the picture was great, Ess shook her head. “I’m sorry I still think the girl is prettier in my mind than I can draw her. It doesn’t due her justice I fear.”

Ess listened carefully to Luckas as he spoke about his lack of fear for death, accepting of how things were and how he seemed to just take things as they come. It wasn’t a bad attitude, in fact she understood, yet she couldn’t help thinking that a man who did not fear death simply had nothing to lose. “I don’t say I fear death, simply I’d miss some things about life..if lets say my soul continues on..and so forth. I find a person is more dangerous with much to lose, as opposed to one who feels they live without purpose and doesn’t have anything left to lose.” Violet eyes inspected Luckas closely as she absently went to retrieve the clothes she had purposely set aside for him when she left, just in case he did randomly come by like he had. “Maybe....we fear it makes us weak....I know how death of someone close can affect me. I feel stupid for it, but..love in any form is so profound...the only thing worse than death in that case, is finding out it could be all a lie.”

Motioning to the left over deer meat over the fire she said cheerfully, “And..don’t forget to eat something my friend. It may disappoint you to learn that you’re presence does not in fact make me uncomfortable. I am embarrassed to admit that I am not quite sure how to take some of the things you say, and that I do use humor as you do to misdirect a meaning, but the truth is still inside those words.” Ess added quite a bit more wood to the fire before going back inside the tent, shuffling things around to make a spot for Tala on one side and Luckas on the other. Tala happily followed Ess inside, making it a purpose to rest a paw and her head on Ess’ chest with a look that screamed possession or ownership. “Do as you will Luckas, I am going to try to calm my mind into slumber...I have to get up and run about ten miles before the Captain kicks my ass..” She chuckled at the last bit, her fingers sifting through Tala’s fur as she whispered at her wolf, “Be a good girl Tala. Tomorrow I am going to have a good talk with you about Luckas.” Her voice grew louder for Luckas to hear her, “...And remember my dear friend, Tala is a wild animal...don’t instigate her like last time..”

Luckas simply nodded when Ess said the drawing wasn't as good as it could be. It was more than good enough to him, but he didn't argue; he wasn't an artist, what did he know? "Death has never effected me, that I know of." Was how he broke his silence. "Maybe I was just never close enough to anyone... I'm yet to understand what that feels like." He admitted.

He smiled slightly, mostly to himself, when Ess admitted to not knowing how to handle some of his words, he chuckled softly and spoke without lifting his head. "Take my words in any way you wish, just remember: I don't say things I don't mean, Pretty Lady. Especially not to you." He looked up to catch a glimpse of his friend walking back inside the tent, Tala right behind her. Once Ess was inside Luke took a deep breath, reaching for the back of his shoulder and rubbing it with a groan. He needed to get back as soon as possible, he knew it. He wasn't supposed to let anyone see him, even less stay the night but if he was completely honest with himself; he had to admit that he wanted to be seen, and he wanted to stay, maybe he would feel safe enough to actually sleep soundly; he hadn't for quite a while. Finally he forced himself to chew on some food, absently looking at the picture Ess drew as he did so, trying to bring the image to life in his mind, trying to remember that face while it was still alive... He knew she was there somewhere, but couldn't reach. It was frustrating and eventually he had to give it up, rubbing his temples in pain. "I hate you." he muttered at the drawing for no apparent reason, before putting it away in his pocket and standing up to go inside.

As he entered the tent Tala lifted her head to glare at him and growl as usual. Luckas ignored her and curled up on the spot Ess had arranged for him, taking a long deep breath as he closed his eyes. "Night, Lady." He whispered, before drifting off to sleep.

Camp, Next day

“Talon...I know it’s not my business....but that man is a predator. You must see what Tala and I see...You can’t trust him.” Aiden spoke bold but honestly, appearing to be concerned as he accompanied Ess and Tala along a walk throughout the camp.

Ess sighed nodding a bit, knowing the point was made and she had thought about it many times. “You’re right....It’s NOT your business..” Ess growled, glaring at the two. “I don’t expect you or a wild animal to understand anything beyond instinct. There is just something more to him than what is displayed; besides our primal urges.” Ess paused in her steps, staring hard into Aiden’s caramel eyes. “How do you know I am no different?”

“You would compare yourself to him?” Aiden asked suprised.

“We are all murderers...” She spat. “All I am saying, is that I want Tala to back off. She needs to be made to understand to only attack if I am threatened out right, or attacked. Not because she doesn’t like him. She may sense the conflict in him, like I do...but I...” Ess sighed, pulling her hood over her head at an icy chill. “...I would like to have some faith in something...and I don’t expect an animal to understand that. So call me foolish, whatever. I’m not saying I don’t want her looking out for me, as I will do for her.”

Aiden simply shook his head, thinking a bit on what Ess had said, his expression softening a bit. Kneeling down in the snow, Tala and him exchanged looks as he whispered to the wolf; a defeated whine escaping the furry creature. A few moments passed before Aiden stood, bowing his head slightly at Ess. “...I understand what you are saying....even if I don’t agree with it. Please accept my apologies for over stepping my boundries.”

“No...I appreciate your honesty, and If we are to be friends, I expect it to continue. Friends don’t have to agree on everything..” Ess stated plainly.

Aiden smiled as they continued their walk. “...Quite true, Talon. So...a bunch of us are having a few drinks and a meal in the barracks...You are welcome to join us...”

Ess nodded, whistling for Tala to follow. It was a nice reprieve from her solidarity, for the most part, and her training. She was never one to have friends, and now she seemed to be accumulating them left and right. Of course, there seemed to be degrees of friendship but it still was nice to be accepted...to feel she belonged. Most of the men and women around seemed to know who she was, also calling her by her last name; a trend Aiden seem to start. For a few hours, Ess forgot her troubles and enjoyed simple laughter and smiles as some of the men indulged her with horror stories from their own training with the Captain.

While she listened, she noticed that many around her had black feathers decorated upon themselves in one way or another. Some had feathers along the hilts of their weapons, necklaces or even in their hair. When Ess inquired to their purpose Ess heard different names ring out in the air, as the group felt they were no longer part of the Black Knight Guard, but something else. “Night Terrors.” Some rang out, but she couldn’t remember all the different names they were coming up with. “Shadows of Justice.” Ess quirked a brow and laughed.

Raising their glasses, everyone paused in their laughter, “To Talon! May she survive week three!” Shortly after, a woman began taking bets as some playfully challenged Ess’ ability to last another week. “I’ll take that bet..” Ess bolted out into the crowd, tossing a small bag of coin onto the table; more laughter echoing out into the night. Aiden happily backed up Ess’ coin with some of his own, adding to the pot. Smiling coyly at Ess, he wrapped a free arm around her shoulders, giving a friendly squeeze. Her thoughts were calm, yet her body reacted tensing up to shrug Aiden’s touch off her. The scene was friendly, non-threatening, and no one was doing anything wrong; yet Ess couldn’t stand the touch, her skin crawling in an awkward feeling.

Aiden saw Ess’ expression and politely backed off, as a toned blond man approached her from her other side, his hand gently slid down along her back, resting just above her waist. “Aiden...maybe she would rather know the touch of a REAL man...” The guy was obviously drunk and all talk, but something in those words brought a devilish grin across Ess’ lips as she turned to face him.

“....John...wasn’t it?” She winked, her ‘working’ persona creeping over, absorbed into her instinctual flirtatious mannerisms. Gently she reached up towards the man’s head, running her fingers through his hair, before her fingers clenched down firmly, tugging on the strands she forced the unaware man’s face into the table with a crack, breaking his nose.

“Did I say you could put your hands on me?” Ess whispered coldly, releasing the man’s skull so he fell to the floor in his drunken stupor. All went silent for a moment before more laughter broke out, Aiden nodding knowingly. Leaning in towards Ess he muttered, “Talon, I’ll be sure to ask next time.” He looked a bit off Standish, and rightly so, and was lucky Ess didn’t react as quickly to his gesture as she did to John’s.

“Think...it’s time for me to go..” Turning towards Tala, she ignored Aiden’s words and nodded to all a goodnight. Tala was growling at the fallen soul, still unconscious from his collision. A familiar woman with a mirrored scar came over to Ess as she went out the door, “Don’t worry about John, he’ll only respect you for it in the morning....He’s harmless, truly.” She winked.

Essence made her way back towards her tent, the cold currently not a bother from the amount of drink she had consumed, her pale skin taking on a reddish glow. Her attention caught Matthew chatting up a small group of ‘Guards’, asking for volunteers for the Captain. Quirking a brow, Ess turned and approached the man from behind, a few of the men he was speaking to shaking their head in objection with some sort of mundane excuse. Tapping Matt on the shoulder, Ess smiled sweetly. “What you need volunteers for?”

The setting changes from Valcrest to Raven's Nest

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Ess had just finished redressing the wounds upon her hands, her fingers stiff and aching resulting from the previous abuse she put them through. At least the bruises along her wrists were fading and in concern with everything, she was managing to feel a bit better for once. Perhaps she was able to get out some stress that had been building up over some time, or perhaps she only managed to bury it down inside again; time would tell. There was no denying her love for life, just some days proved harder than others.

Tala lay sound asleep at her feet, where Ess laid before the fire, her back against the block of lumber she usually used for a bench. It was late, her gaze drifting back and forth from the flames and bits of ash rising into the starry sky. With a deep sigh she smiled softly to herself, her violet gaze reflecting those bright lights twinkling from above. The camp was quiet for the most part, as many were bundled down for the night, and that gave Ess the illusion she was alone. In her solitude she began humming, the sound resonating up and down into the air as she randomly fumbled with a few words applying it to her original tune. Not before long, she had begun creating something that leaked a bit of her soul. Any who heard may not know who or what it was about per say, but the emotion behind it within her voice was strangely calming, maybe even uplifting.

You burn like fire...
Haunting my dreams...
Hidden desires...
Chosen realities...

How did you ever know...
To assure the danger...
Within your eyes..
How did you ever question..
My love inside the fear..
Denying all ties....

Luckas was leaning against the oak, concealed by the shadows of the tree, his eyes closed as he listened carefully for every sign of movement. It was late at night, and the camp was quiet, quite a pleasant silence. He had been there a while, keeping track of Ess' movements and waiting for the camp to go as empty as possible. Even though this time he planned on showing himself, he was in no hurry to do so, since he'd rather no one else saw him there.

As he began to think maybe he'd waited enough, a familiar voice reached his ears and his eyes snapped open, a curious expression taking over as he heard the singing. He stood there and listened for a bit, before walking into the light of the fire stopping beside Ess and raising an eyebrow as he looked her over. "What the hell happened to your hands? Am I going to have to give Captain a scolding for this?" He asked, with a slight frown even though he was clearly joking, looking up at the sky for a moment and hiding his hands in the pockets of his jacket. Luke's clothes were new, and he looked clean and unscathed unlike his last visit. A dark figure from head to toe; excluding his pale skin, everything in Luke was the darkest shade of black. "Seriously Lady, aren't you spending too much time with the Captain? Soon enough you'll be going around covered in bruises and telling everyone that they should see the other guy." He said, with a little snicker.

Ess saw movement out the corner of her eye, letting her voice trail off into a hum in her surprised expression. The glow of her violet orbs took on a different sparkle for a moment, silver lining around her pupils when her gaze fell upon Luckas to her side. In her embarrassment she covered her face with her bandaged hands, peeking out between her fingers, “...Luckas...How long were you watching me this time...hmmm? How much did you hear? I mean if this is how I need to bring you to me, then perhaps I’ll sing more often...” She gasped, inhaling deeply trying to cool the heat along her flushed cheeks as she looked him over, eventually her gentle gaze meeting his. “You clean up nice.....my dear Luckas...” She whispered.

Ess began giggling, staring at her hands almost losing herself from the present moment in thought. After another moment she took another deep breath and calmed herself, forcing a smile, “This was....self inflicted.”She shrugged. “Guess I had one of my own little episodes...” Ess snickered, “And ...you do not want to see the other guy...because I did more damage to myself than his eye...”

Tala’s eyes were open but she appeared still, watching Ess and Luckas, curiously keeping silent without so much as a growl, even though some hair along her neck was starting to prickle. Ess reached her hand out to Luckas’ arm, slowly resting it near his wrist gently, “...I’m glad you’re here....What have you been up to? Or...is it still all a big secret?”

Luckas tilted his head at Ess and chuckled. "I've been standing right there..." He pointed at his hiding spot. "
For hours, Lady. I honestly expected Tala to give me up." He shot a curious glance at the wolf. "Is she sick or something?" He asked, scratching his head slightly in confusion. "And yes, you should sing more often, who knows, I might just hear it." He smiled, his eyes flashing violet for a split second as he looked at her, not that this was breaking his promise not to look into her mind, it was merely for show.

"You hurt yourself this way on someone's eye? More importantly: Is there a need to inflict any more damage on him?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. After which he sat on the ground, legs crossed like a child would, and showed his clean palms before taking her bandaged hand in his and examining it with a slight frown. "Why don't you take better care of yourself, Lady?" He asked, with a light smirk, playing on the words she spoke to him last time, but not using them all. He released her hand going silent for a moment then he added. "When I was living with the Shadows, one of Lena's punishments for me was making me watch over the children. I like children, mind you... They remind me that everyone was innocent once, honest once. They don't know ugly until we teach them it's out there... I like to think everyone was like that, at some point in the past, even if just for a moment." He shrugged slightly and continued. "Anyway, the easiest way to get them to sit quiet as to not disturb the patients was to tell them stories. The Shadows only have mythology books though, so I'd pick whatever one of the Twins they preferred and tell them legends. One of them told that before Heart left the land she taught her children that whenever they sang or played music, and it seemed like the sound was fading in the winds, it was actually her sister, Air, carrying the message to the most distant corners of the land, and that was why wolves' 'sang' when they needed to communicate with their families from a far." He chuckled. "Honestly, can't say I believe in the Twins... But if they existed they were some clever manipulators."

Luckas then leaned back a bit looking up at the sky and added, ignoring the question of what he'd been doing. "Lady, I have two things to show you: One you will enjoy, and one that you might not, but you need to see. Which one would you rather I show you first?"

Ess took in a sharp breath, tilting her head to the side quizzically as Luckas mentioned watching her for hours. “..Keeping an eye on me, are you?...For how long?....Hours?” Ess whispered in a tantalizing smile. “Makes sense...why I’ve felt better today than I have in the last few days...I don’t sing often, or in front of many you know.” Ess let her smile soften a moment at a sad memory of her father telling a story to her about her mother. “You know....my mother....her Enlightenment...so I was told.....was her voice. She could entrance any person with a single note....make them do things...” She winked at Luckas, “Kinda like you, but different..”

Ess gave a heavy shrug at his apparent concern over her being a bit damaged. “Well....I don’t appreciate people’s hands on me without permission either... you know Luckas... nor do I like it when people inquire about things that
 well... Aiden just didn’t get the hint...Guess it’s not really his fault.” Ess attempted to give a light squeeze of Luckas’ hand as she continued. “Don’t bother the man, Mageria will not be pleased. I....It’s my fault...and all this...” She motioned to her bandages. “
Think I broke the sand bag...”

Essence leaned into Luckas a bit when he released her hand and began telling her a little piece of himself to her and the Religious story that seemed to pertain a bit to her. “I think...that’s a beautiful story..Maybe I’ll tell it to the kids here...they seem to like me..” Tala gave a small bark, extending into a playful growl. “Yes Tala, they looove you.” Ess sang the last couple words to the wolf, causing her to thump her tail happily. “Good girl Tala...” Slowly Tala belly crawled closer towards Luckas, sniffing him about an inch away, giving a comical sneeze followed by a sigh when she lay back down at Ess’ feet.

Turning her gaze back towards the fire, Ess stared into the flames for some time before answering Luckas’ question. “..I take it....you found Jasper then?” Her tone went cold, her smile gone as her brows narrowed in a darkness that spread throughout her heart. “...Tell me.....everything....Show me what I don’t want to know...first my friend. Don’t spare my feelings....”

Luke's eyes narrowed a bit at the mention of Aiden, but he managed not to show anger and simply mumbled under his breath. "Captain doesn't need to know."

As Ess mentioned telling his story to the kids he was rather pleased, he hoped next time he came by he could stay long enough to maybe sit around for story time. That'd be a lot more fun than what he had been doing lately. He awaited the moment when he could finally stop for a bit and just do whatever he felt like, it hadn't been that long, but it seemed that he was being denied that kind of freedom for a very long time now. He observed Tala for a moment with a raised eyebrow, sincerely wondering what had gotten into the wolf that she wasn't growling and bearing teeth at him. Not that he minded, he'd rather not be growled at.

When Ess chose the memory she wouldn't like seeing Luke nodded quietly. "I did find Jasper, and so I did as promised." He stated simply. "Now, I had to go through every single memory of that guy to find this. It's not much, but I take it it's more than enough..." Not explaining anything further he looked around to make sure the camp was as quiet as it seemed, "It's not a long memory, so I suppose we can do this here." He closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath and focused on what he wanted Ess to see, and nothing more than that. As he opened them again he mumbled. "You already know how it works, so... Whenever you're ready..."

Ess nodded, shifting her position as she sat up, curling her knees beneath her while she looked into Luckas’ eyes. Her mind dwelled unhappily on the mention that Luckas went through all of Jasper’s memories to find something he felt she needed to see. The idea made her sick to her stomach; with all the twisted things she endured at the hands of that man, and all the pain, Luckas saw it through the bastards’ eyes. This man, who took everything away from her; her innocence, her ability to have a family; she almost wanted to skip this other memory right over to whatever Luckas had done with him. “Ready as I’ll ever be, my friend.” She spoke up, not hinting a bit at how nervous she really was at that moment. Ess took in a deep cleansing breath as Luckas’ eyes turned a deep violet like hers and his face disappeared from sight.

There was fire all around, cries echoing into the night from what lingered from an obvious battle. Ess saw the rubble of what she recognized as the place she spent most of her childhood: The brothel burnt to the ground, not even the frame of the building was left. The injured were crawling along the ground over the dead, screaming for help from their unimaginable burns. It was the night she escaped Blackpond, leaving behind much but gaining something she thought would be always out of her reach: Freedom.

“...What...do you mean...she’s gone?!” A voice rang out, shaky in his anger. Ess couldn’t see the figure at first, but soon enough familiar green eyes penetrated the shadows as Jasper fumbled in his excuses.

“Do you not see the brothel?! There’s nothing left! Essence killed Derek..and I’m sure she killed Ebony too. When I got through the chaos, she was already gone.” Jasper spat with a defiant grunt.

“You...were suppose to break her....What the fuck did I pay you for?!....You do realize I’m not the only one you pissed off now, right?” The man stepped forward into the light, fire red locks dangled between his eyes, covering faded freckles. “You were supposed to dispose of my sister, if she failed to show the signs...”

“...You could see it in her eyes, Ian! She’s a tricky litta’ whore..You should be thrilled she can’t have any more little harlots!” Jasper hacked in a coughing fit, spitting up some phlegm onto the ground. “You can tell ...those friends of yours, they should have taken her away years ago if they wanted her soo bad.”

With those words Ian stepped forward, thrusting a short sword into Jasper’s gut, with an evil whisper. “...Well...here’s a sign of our gratitude for your....years of loyalty....” Retracting the blade, Ian turned away climbing back onto his horse. The memory went dark as Jasper lost consciousness, the last thing Ess saw was her brother talking to another man on horseback, hidden from view in a blood red cloak.


Ess didn’t realize that she had been holding her breath, not releasing it before she went into the trance and when she saw Luckas’ face again she gasped for air as if she were drowning. Air was most definitely entering her lungs, yet she couldn’t catch her breath, her heart racing as if it would climb out of her throat. Ess turned her gaze away from her friend, not quite understanding what she saw but knowing nothing was what it had seemed; her brother betrayed her into a hellish nightmare, but why? Who were his ‘friends’ he mentioned? Running her fingers through her hair she grabbed some curls and pulled trying not to scream in her frustration. “I....I’m soo stupid!”

Tala began whining in Ess' face, nudging her to look at her furry friend, yet Ess wouldn't look at anything but the fire. How pathetic those flames were in comparison to her growing anger; how quickly her love burned into hatred inside her heart, scarring her soul deep. Ess stood too suddenly, stumbling a bit dizzy as she walked a few paces away from the fire to vomit.


Luckas sat quietly watching Ess' reaction and wondering if he had done the right thing in showing her this. Truly, he didn't know what good it would really do and it was clearly causing her pain. Still, he remembered that she had said that she would rather know the truth, so he couldn't have just kept something like this hidden. Slowly he stood up after her, pacing slowly so that she'd hear his approaching steps. He simply stopped beside her and heaved a small sigh. "I'm sorry, Lady." He spoke quietly, his voice only slightly above a whisper. "I thought you needed to know... Was I wrong?" He asked, tilting his head and letting a bit of concern show in his expression. What Ess was going through was something Luke didn't understand, and he didn't quite know how to act. He reached out as if he was going to rest a hand on her shoulder, but pulled his hand back last minute. "You're not stupid."

Ess spat, trying to get the taste of her dinner out of her mouth. She closed her eyes, making herself focus as she refused to cry. She would rather die. Retrieving a flask by her hip, she took a swig and spat again before drinking almost the entire container only to pause because she hiccupped. “No..you are not wrong Luckas. Thank you.... I never want to live a lie, not ever.” Ess turned to face Luke, shaky a bit in her fury, trying to keep her breaths even. Her eyes were dark purple, no light shown from them as she whispered, “I feel...so disgusting. I can’t stand the thought of loving someone, who would do such a thing, especially to someone he was supposed to love...” Staring up into Luckas’ eyes she stepped closer, eyes narrowing so that her thin brows almost met. “So quickly love can turn to hate, and yet it takes so long for many to even experience it..ugh...Remember what I said about what was worse than death?” She trailed off muttering obscenities. “I WILL find him Luckas...I need to. There’s just..too many questions I need answered...He needs to burn...” The last words she played on with a devilish smile. “I also keep my promises...and speaking of which...distract me with a ... ‘Happier’ memory, please?..My Friend.” Ess forced to keep her smile, emphasizing the last.

Luckas smiled a bit awkwardly as Ess thanked him. He didn't feel all too satisfied for doing this, but suppose it was better than letting her think her brother cared for her when it clearly wasn't true. The smile turned more devilish as she mentioned Ian should burn and the promise she'd made, the smile turning slightly proud at the mention of the other memory he had yet to show her. It had been a long time since Luke did as much 'manual work' on a victim, but nothing was too much for this guy... This one, he made sure would suffer as much as it was humanly possible, and then some. "Happier memory, alright." Luke's mind had already gone there, but he still closed his eyes and pretended to concentrate, if anything to give Ess some time to take a little breath. It didn't seem like it, but doing this was really exhausting. "All set." He said, opening his eyes and waiting for her to lock her gaze on his, letting the images form themselves in his mind in vivid detail.

Luckas eyes were fixed on a man bound by chains and dressed with nothing but a piece of cloth tied at his waist. His surroundings, ironically, were those of a dark abandoned basement. The man was shouting and cursing at him, struggling against the hold of the shackles that were binding his wrists and ankles tightly. Luke didn’t mind letting him shout; no one would hear him anyway.

“Listen, whatever the little bitch is paying
” The man never finished the sentence; the simple glare Luke shot him was enough to tell he’d made a huge mistake. Jasper winced and shut his eyes tightly, as if it mattered; Luckas had seen more than enough of that filth, he didn’t need to see anything more.

“Pathetic piece of human waste...” Luke muttered, turning his back on the man and walking to an old and broken wooden table, where tools had been set previously; not what anyone would call ‘torture devices’, but actual carpentry tools, as well as assorted blades and other weapons, as well as a couple of vials. “You know
 People like to make up these contraptions to inflict pain, I’m a far simpler individual, you’ll find.” He spoke in a soft growl. “Not that this fact will do you any good, but I thought It’d be nice if we got to know each other a bit since we are going to be spending some time together .” That said, he took a hammer and a few nails from the table. “Open your eyes and keep them on me. You don’t want to miss this.” Luke waited for Jasper to lock his hazel eyes on him, walking around the room to make sure that the man’s gaze would follow him. “Good.” He stated. “Plant your feet firmly on the ground. Keep them still.” He grinned widely as he got on one knee and carefully placed a nail over the man’s pinky. Before raising the hammer he looked up to make sure Jasper’s eyes were still following him. “First things you need to know about me, Jasper: I’m a very patient man and I always keep my promises. Now, I promised I would make sure you would know exactly why you’re going to die, so I’m going to start at your toes and work my way up slowly, as I explain it to you. And you better pay attention, because by the time I’m done, if I feel it’s not sufficiently clear, I will start over again.” With that said he raised the hammer and brought it down on the nail with full force, manic laughter escaping him as the man screamed from the pain. “One down, nine to go.” He giggled. “And we’re only getting started. Ain’t it fun?”

Carefully Luckas placed another nail over the next toe, laughing as Jasper fought to move his feet. “I bet you’d love to kick me in the face, huh?” He asked looking up at Jasper as he raised the hammer again, the man’s hands chained, uncomfortably above his head made it impossible for him to reach Luke with his clenched fists.
“Unchain me and I’ll show you, you little freak.” The man muttered, spitting down and barely missing Luckas.
As a response Luckas quickly hammered nails to the remaining toes of the man’s left foot, one after the other, sinking the metal through nail, flesh and bone, and laughing at the man’s painful screams. “You need to learn manners my friend.” He said as he stood up straight smiling cheerfully. “Oh, you’d like this to be a fair fight? I’m sorry, no. Not so fun when you’re the one whose hands are tied, huh?” He grinned walking back to the table and stating. “Five down, five to go.”
“W-wait, look
 I only did what I was told
 I swear
” The man mumbled. “Maybe there’s some other way to settle this.”
Luckas chuckled. “You’re funny. Funny, funny man
” He giggled, shaking his head, grabbing another five nails. “Don’t pretend you didn’t enjoy yourself, you sick son of a bitch. You had your fun, now I’ll have mine: Simple as that. Call it poetic justice if you will.”

Not saying anything more, Luckas proceeded to work on the man’s remaining toes. After which he traded the hammer for a small carving knife and slashed at the tendons of the man’s feet, making the act of keeping them firmly planted on the ground excruciatingly painful. Soon the blood stained carving knife was replaced by a heavy iron mallet. He pressed the top of the weapon against the man’s stomach playfully. “Bet you wish you weighed a little less, huh? Don’t worry though, you won’t be standing for long.” He snickered. “I’m a bit weak, I’ll admit, so this might take a few tries. Sorry, man.” As he said that he swung the weapon and slammed it into Jasper’s right knee, smiling at the sickening sound of cracking bones, which was almost immediately drowned out by Jasper’s screaming. “One more, I think.” Luckas stated examining the man’s knee. He repeated the process yet a couple of times until Jasper’s knee was bent over backwards in the strangest most unnatural angle possible. The same was done to the other knee and so, Jasper was hanging by his arms, his legs useless and unable to support his weight.

“Well, that’s it for your legs
 Not that you’d be walking out of here anyway
” Luke stated, dropping the mallet on the table with a loud ‘thud’. “What now?” He asked himself taking a morning star from the table and grinning. “Oh, yeah
 I’m working my way up, no? Seems there’s one 'little' thing still left unscathed below the waist
 I need to fix that.” He turned to the man holding the spiked weapon. “I’d cut it off, but then you might bleed out, so
 Let’s beat it into submission instead, shall we?”

Jasper’s eyes widened in panic at those words, as Luke didn’t even give him a chance to beg before striking the man between the legs, repeatedly and violently until the spikes were soaked in blood. At which point he dropped the morning star on the wooden table as well and turned to face the shivering and sobbing Jasper. “I bet you can’t even recognize it now
 Would you like to see? I think you should see.” He grinned, walking close to the man and pulling only slightly on the, now bloodied, cloth that was still tied to his waist, just enough to give the man a peak. “Look down.” Luke commanded, watching the man’s eyes go even wider as he let out a horrified scream at the sight. The man began to thrash violently, Luke wasn’t sure if in an effort to rid himself from the chains or if simply out of pure despair, either way, he waited patiently for the man to wear himself out and fall unconscious. He then picked one of the vials from the table and opened it, forcing Jasper to smell its contents. Whatever it was, it brought the man back in a matter of seconds. “Wakey, wakey
 Ain’t no fun if you can’t feel it.” He said. “Now let’s move on, shall we?”

By the time Luckas was done with Jasper, the poor sob was a bloody and broken mess. Fingernails, his few surviving teeth and random pieces of flesh scattered through the floor. His breath was weak and it was clear that there was little left of him to play with. Finally, Luke unchained the man’s wrists, letting him drop to the floor. He crouched down next to the tortured man and whispered softly. “Have you paid attention, Jasper? Is it absolutely clear to you why you’re going to die?”
“Should’ve
 Killed
 Whore
” The man mumbled.
Luckas shook his head. “Disappointing.” He muttered, eyes turning red as he spoke. “I was hoping not to have to put my bare hands on filth like you.” He sighed. “You’re going to die, because you’re a pathetic excuse for a man. Too pathetic to even admit you’re just a sick fuck who gets off on hurting kids instead of whining about being a pawn. You should be glad I was the one to find you
” He hissed angrily before taking a breath. “Nonetheless
 I wasted too much time on you, time to face your last punishment.”

Luckas lifted his middle finger and waited for the man to see, before touching his forehead with it. Within seconds Jasper was screaming again. Another round of torture, that lasted for a good hour before the man’s body finally gave out on him.


Essence blinked before letting her eyes close slowly, trying to hold onto the visions Luke had given her, the biggest grin plastered across her face with her dimples appearing in the doll like defining features along her cheeks. She was silent, her breaths calm and slow, as if she was trying to appreciate every second of Luckas’ gift. Tilting her head back, her face pointed at the starry sky, she re-opened her violet gaze, the color glowing brighter than normal as she starred up into the night. Absently she began laughing; it starting as a chuckle, growing into a giggle, rising into similar manic laughter that Luckas fell into quite often. She couldn’t help it, it wouldn’t stop. It poured out from her for many minutes, to the point she began to cry from her happiness as this closure was beyond any euphoric release she may have experienced before, never had she felt such satisfaction and all from this man’s pain and demise.

Turning her gaze from the sky, she ran her hands along her face trying to turn off her laughter, yet only managing to slow it down enough to breathe in her hysterics. Finally she tried to speak, giggling between every other word, “I....so wish I was there for that....” She paused thinking a moment on her words. “Well, guess I was in a way.” Ess stared at Luckas in a peculiar manner, smiling sweetly at her friend. So many thoughts flooded her brain that a tiny headache appeared between her eyes: No one, had ever done something like that before for her. No one had ever risked such a thing. Her experiences were mostly promises and words, for good reasons, but now she saw what it meant for another to follow through with promises with actions. In her happiness Ess was overwhelmed, so much that she leaned into Luckas, appearing as if she were going to kiss him on his right cheek only to turn at the last second, sifting her arms around his neck as she gave him a long firm hug. “Just...deal with it..” She giggled as she felt his body tense up in reaction to the hug; she swore she felt him flinch. Ess on the other hand found him comforting, maybe in a strange way, but she was extremely grateful for this favor he did for her.

She eventually pulled away, her smile closing just a bit from his reaction but she simply shrugged. “If you didn’t want me to like you Luckas, then you most definitely are going about it the wrong way.” She winked. “Thank you.....I owe you much.....” Slowly she walked around him ignoring Tala dancing at her heels as she went back to the fire. “Tell me...which part did you enjoy the most?”

Luckas watched with a satisfied grin on his face as Ess went into a fit of laughter, he was quite pleased with himself now. Strangely, it felt as this was the closest to a good deed he'd ever done, even if it couldn't be further from what any sane person would consider 'good'. He was just smiling cheerfully until Ess suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a hug. Luke's first instinct was to flee as if he was suddenly being attacked, but he managed to at least stay put, even if he couldn't help the way his body tensed in response to the unexpected gesture. Not that it was unpleasant, it did feel kind of nice, he simply didn't know how to react though; he'd never been hugged before as far as he could remember.

When she finally pulled away from him, Luckas let out a rather shaky breath he never realized he had been holding in the first place and let his body relax as he mumbled. "A little warning would have been nice, that's all." As he turned to walk after her towards the fire, he shrugged. "I don't know, don't think there was a specific part of it I enjoyed more. I had all sorts of fun with this, all but fiery fun. No windows down there, so I thought maybe that'd be a little too dangerous." He chuckled. "Oh, well... There'll be other occasions."

Ess rolled her eyes at Luke’s comment on how he would have liked a bit of warning before she hugged him. “You weren’t red eyed, and that’s just not how it works my dear Luckas. People don’t go, ‘Oh prepare yourself for a hug! Or, Hey, wanna kiss?’ It creates more pressure, and the meaning just isn’t the same...least that’s my opinion.” Ess sat upon the log before the fire, still enjoying the bliss she felt from Luckas’ memory. “Speaking of fire, you are not allowed to have fiery fun without me, neither. Ok? Not fair.”

Essence felt like she had tons of energy, bouncing happily where she sat, her mind wandered over a previous question she just realized Luke had avoided. What had he been up to, while he was away? Well besides Jasper’s timely death. Maybe he would tell her after he finished whatever he was up to; at least she hoped so. She couldn’t help her curiosity, but it brought up another memory of that night they were ‘reunited’ in the Castle. Without turning to look at Luckas, her eyes locked onto the fire as she spoke up finally. “Luckas....since you won’t tell me now what else you’ve been up to, maybe you’ll answer another question of mine... You have had every opportunity to kill me, yet have helped me in many ways and continue to stalk me." Ess paused for a giggle. “You told me the night we met up again, in the Castle: ‘“....The question however, isn't why I would kill you, the question is: Why not?”’ Ess watched him out from the corner of her eye with a cute half smile. “So....are you going to tell me, why you didn’t kill me then?”

"I'm not allowed to have fiery fun without you?" Luckas asked, raising an eyebrow playfully. "Since when have we become exclusive, Lady?" He asked with a little chuckle, walking back to the spot where he had been earlier and sitting on the ground, with his legs crossed like before. He was quiet listening to Ess ask her questions, staring calmly at the fire. "Why rush things? I have every opportunity to kill you every time I show up, I'll always have every opportunity to kill you." He smirked. "And then, Lady, I said that 'Why not?' was the question, but I never did say I have the answer. The answer is that I don't know why and that in itself is why. If I did know why you're special, then perhaps you wouldn't be." He snickered. "Maybe sometimes ignorance is bliss after all, huh?" He went quiet for a bit, a longer bit this time, before adding: "As for the helping and stalking... I thought that's just what friends do. Isn't it?" He asked, turning to look at her with a little grin.

Ess huffed out a laugh at the word exclusive. “...I didn’t know that was an option..course you give me the distinct impression that you would maim or possibly kill any guy that looked at me the wrong way, my dear Luckas....Possessive are we?” She glanced over at her friend curiously, still smiling. “...Yes yes...we could battle it out, but would be pointless for I just don’t see losing you as an ally as gaining an advantage.” Ess sighed. “ Aww you think I’m special?” She teased. “I never thought of myself as such...maybe hot headed and a bit emotional..” Ess winked. “You know...just because one day it may make sense whatever you are feeling..whatever is going on in your head...doesn’t mean it will make me ... ‘Less special.’” Ess simply beamed when Luckas stated indirectly that he was her friend. It was probably the closest she would hear him admit such a thing, but she couldn’t tell what would happen. All she really knew was that she liked Luckas; she enjoyed it when he was around because she didn’t hurt as much, and she could still see something inside him that she found familiar and close to ‘home.’

After a moment of silence she changed the subject, bringing up the status of his wounds (from one of the memories he had shown her of him and Mageria) that he endured from his own encounter with the Beast. Ess asked if he had heard about their adventure in the cavern and the ending to its pain. She went on a bit, laughing at her impulsive decisions as she entertained him with the story and how the next few days afterwards, Mageria had taught her the foolishness of her decision over and over. Pulling up her pant leg she showed Luckas the bruises along her calf and stated that was what her back looked like as well. “Guess I deserved it, but the Beast is gone, so you don’t need to slice words into your arm anymore.” She joked only half heartedly, giving a playful glare.

"It's not like that Lady... I'd gladly maim or kill women too if that is the case." Luckas leaned back and tilted his head playfully. "If it bothers you I can be more discrete. You know, they'll just suffer 'unfortunate accidents'." He said with a grin.

“You know...just because one day it may make sense whatever you are feeling..whatever is going on in your head...doesn’t mean it will make me ... 'Less special'.”

Luckas had to stop and think of those words before finally replying with a light shrug. "Maybe not, but that's just how it usually is." As he said that he laid back on the ground, crossing his arms underneath his head, and let out a small yawn, absently closing one eye as the subject changed to the Beast and how it met its end, chuckling a bit when Ess told him of what she did and how Mageria had trained her afterwards. His eyes darkened a bit when she mentioned him slashing a word in his arm. He’d forgotten the dream that led him to it, but he knew it hadn't been pleasant. "I appreciate it." He mumbled, heaving a small sigh. He noticed the nightmares and the voices had gone, and he figured time had come for Captain to face it. He wished he'd been there to see it, but he was otherwise engaged... Not that he would have been of much use anyway, the thing was pretty much immune to him, and he would always have the scars to remind him of that. "Tell Captain I'm sorry I missed the fun, when you next see her." He grinned. "I was a little tied up at the time..." He yawned again. "With other business... It'll be over soon, though, I hope." He lifted his head and ran his fingers through his hair. "Next time I stop by, maybe I'll share some stories of my own..." He stated, looking up at the sky. "They might not be as fun though, I think."

“Ah, I like a man who doesn’t discriminate between the opposite sexes. An enemy is an enemy.” Her expression closed, thinking on his words, feeling what she thought was disappointment, but not knowing why or what about exactly. “I don’t really expect you to listen to what I say but maybe you will...Normally I like the bold displays, because it’s impressive and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it.” Ess paused, smiling sweetly at Luke. “Just...with Aiden...it’s not worth it. It was my fault Luckas and I don’t hold an ill will any more towards the man. How can someone be punished for being ignorant? Just doesn’t seem right to me.” Ess chuckled at the next bit. “Just....if you really won’t listen for whatever reason..just nothing permanent. Ok? I never want to be a part of the Captain’s wrath. She has done much for me, and I wish to be as respectful as possible.”

Essence stood, stretching lazily as she made her way into the tent with Tala. She liked the idea of Luke coming back once his business came to an end, and was most definitely curious to his stories, even if he didn’t think they were as ‘fun’. “Any time you want to talk my ear off, I promise you that you won’t lose my interest. I look forward already to our next visit then.” Ess quickly changed into a green dress, faded from years of wear and tear which made it obvious it was a favorite. Nestling down under some blankets next to Tala she called to Luckas. “There’s extra blankets here if you need them.” Ess would try to sleep, even though her mind was racing between the memories Luckas showed her and what the next couple weeks would bring. She would need to talk to the Captain, most definitely about some things. Maybe Mageria knew how to help with acquiring further information and so forth. In the mean time she needed to work on her training.

"Nothing permanent... Alright..." Luke mumbled, quietly, opening a slightly devious grin. "Last thing I'd want is to incite the Captain's wrath... Anything but that
" He let out a rather shaky laugh to back that statement. Luke remained outside while Ess made her way into the tent. He stayed put by the fire, however, for a little bit longer; eyes half closed as he breathed in the cool night air. He was still feeling a bit of a high from revisiting his time with Jasper. That had been fun, but not as much as sharing it though... Maybe he liked doing favors sometimes after all.

Luke stayed where he was by the fire, maybe he was a little more exhausted from sharing the memories than he would like to admit, because eventually he dozed off right there where he lay. He wasn't sure for how long he had been sleeping when he woke up, a bit cold and vaguely remembering Ess' mention of blankets, and he sat up rather dizzily before getting on his feet, scratching the back of his head absently and peeking inside the tent to see if Ess was sleeping, his first thought being getting warm and back to sleep, but before he actually got inside he decided he really wasn't sleepy, and so he went back outside. Finding himself perfectly awake and growing a little bored, he stopped the first person he encountered and 'inquired' as to where Aiden would be at this hour, getting himself pointed to the man's sleeping quarters, which were shared with others. Luckas entered the small crowded cabin, whispering as he passed the beds, a grin plastered on his face. "Stay asleep... Stay asleep... Stay asleep..." Until he found Aiden's bed. "Stay asleep." He commanded, perching himself up on the man's bed, in a way in which he was crouching over him. "Wakey, wakey..." He whispered, leaning forward and blowing on Aiden's face until the man frowned and began to stir. "Hold still." Luke whispered, not wanting the man to pull a weapon on him. Once Aiden was actually awake the man couldn't move, and the sight of Luckas on his bed must have been a rather uncomfortable one, but Luke didn't seem to think it was inappropriate in the slightest as he smiled down at him and whispered. "Hello there, friend. Mind if we have a chat?" He nodded towards the exit and began walking out of the room, releasing his control over the beast speaker as he crossed the doorway, he patiently waited outside.

When Aiden felt the breeze on his face, he almost muttered in anger as his first thought was someone left the bloody door open again. Groggily he opened his eyes, blinking a few times in confusion as he saw Luckas perched above him like a creepy bird of some sort. His next thought was to Ess and if something was wrong. When he tried to move and couldn’t, his confusion scattered between frustration, anger, and worry. Instinctually, all he kept thinking of was his short sword beneath his pillow; what little good it did him when he was paralyzed. Soon, it started to make a bit of sense as Luckas requested to meet him outside for a chat. When Luke dismounted off of his bed and he could move again, Aiden quickly slipped on some boots and snatched the closest jacket he could find, thinking it probably wasn’t his but his bunk mates, but at that point it didn’t matter.

Slowly Aiden stepped outside, closing the door behind him so as not to wake anyone inside. Aiden sighed, visibly tired and perplexed with the situation, he casually glanced around before speaking. “...Well, I take it nothing is wrong with Ess otherwise you would not have been so quiet about this....Are you afraid of the day time or something...Luckas? Only seem to find you lurking in the shadows. Don’t wish to be seen, hm? I wonder why that is..” With a snarky kind of growl he added, “What couldn’t wait you had to wake me in the middle of the bloody night?” Crossing his arms lightly over his chest, Aiden stared Luckas down, not easily intimidated even though he didn’t doubt this man could be dangerous. He’d sensed it the night they met, and Tala most definitely did not trust him, so why should he. Many years of practice in dealing with folks who were deceptive taught him long ago never to judge a book by its cover. Learning how animals worked in instinct and mannerisms gave him the ability to pick out predator traits in another, especially in a fellow human being. Not to mention his years with the Captain and the Guard had given him much experience.

Luckas watched Aiden`s face very carefully as he spoke, tilting his head to the side playfully as he answered his question in a very amused tone. "I get sunburned very easily, mate. You have no idea. Besides, currently I don't have much time to hang around and it's more logical to assume I won't be disrupting anything if I come at night, amongst other reasons, but those don't concern you. Don't worry though, soon you'll see a lot more of me... All the time... Should be fun" He chuckled. "And don't flatter yourself, pal... If there was something wrong you wouldn't be the first person I would run to. I'd much rather wake the Captain for that." Luckas went quiet for a while, smiling all the while, his eyes studying the man's face, and lingering on his bruised eye. "Lady was telling me about how she hurt her hands, and your name came up... Now, you may take this anyway you like, I really don't care, but I woke up, couldn't go back to sleep and figured it would be a nice opportunity to get acquainted... Plus, I was wondering what you said to cause that." He pointed towards the man's face. "And no, before you even ask: I'm not afraid to ask her, I just much rather hear it from you. Besides I am smart enough not to insist on some matters."

Luke rocked back and forth, shifting from the tip of his toes to his heels, like a curious kid as he added: "I'm half-curious to know what Tala thinks of me, but to some extent I already know that. I don't hold it against her, it's even comforting in a way, but you know... She was quieter today... Funny." He snickered a little bit, as he stopped his rocking and planted his feet on the ground. "Say, Aiden, you know animals right? Tell me, have you ever been face to face with a predator, looked it right in the eyes, sure he was going to kill you, but then he didn't? I have. A few times actually. I always wondered why that happens. The logical explanation, of course, is that the person in question doesn't pose enough of a threat, but I always wondered if there was more to it. So, do you know why a predator would be face to face with an easy prey and not make the kill?" He asked, his cheery smile turning into a slightly devious grin.

Aiden quirked a brow, keeping his expression blank as he listened to Luckas’ explanation of why he wanders at night. Why would he want to suddenly 'make friends’ when it was obvious that neither one really cared for the other. He wasn’t sure what the point of all this was, until Luckas mentioned Ess and pointed out his bruised eye.

“Lady was telling me about how she hurt her hands, and your name came up...”

"Shaking his head, Aiden stated firmly, “Now hold up...friend... I’m just not that kind of guy. She attacked me and I still am not sure what I said to set her off.” Aiden’s demeanor changed slightly, his tone darkening. “I do not feel I have to explain myself to you, but I’ll humor you, because I have nothing to hide."

With a sigh he still sounded aggravated, but went on to briefly summarize the day with the children (Ess’ Endurance training since the Captain was a bit ill) and how afterwards, when he was chatting about what a nice day it had been because everyone seemed to be carefree at the moment, she got upset and slugged him. “From what I heard, she spent the next day beating the tar out of a sand bag and that is the cause of her injuries. I did not...nor would I hurt her.” Aiden lightly tapped his chin in a sudden thought. “ I didn’t get it at first, but now that I am thinkin’ on it, must have had to do with the kids somehow, indirectly.”

Aiden’s brows furrowed in what seemed like pity, as he clearly showed no anger or frustration with the incident, but had kept his distance from Ess, rightly giving her time and her space to cool down. Luckas’ inquiry to Tala interrupted his thoughts, making Aiden’s cool demeanor turn into a mocking chuckle. “Yea well, It was Talon’s idea. She claims to see something different than the rest of us; Tala included. Since she asked me to, I had a little talk with Tala....but don’t get too comfortable now.” Aiden smirked. “You may get a chunk taken out of you next time...” He muttered, remembering how Ess was annoyed with the fact Tala had attacked him before.

“What does this all matter to you anywho? I didn’t think she was spoken for?” Aiden stared over at Luckas, taking a step forward, looking down at him. “Am I in your territory?” Suddenly he burst out laughing at that idea and turned as if he was going to walk away.

Luckas paid attention to Aiden's story, an amused grin crossing his face as the man defended himself by saying he wouldn't hurt her. "Now, now... You got me all wrong, Aiden. If I actually believed you had hurt her, I wouldn't bother to hear your side of it. I wouldn't bother to let you wake up, even. Or maybe I'd keep you wide awake, that'd depend on my mood." He said with a little shrug. Not saying a word on what he knew was most likely to have set off Ess' anger. He let the man tell him about Tala, and how Ess had asked him to have a talk with the wolf, but that it didn't mean Luke should get too comfortable. He remained listening silently, and rather amused as Aiden went on to ask what was his interest in the matter. Luckas remained amused until the point where the man laughed and began to turn his back.

The amused expression on Luke's face shut down fast at the sound of Aiden's laughter and he muttered with anger clear in his tone."Shut up and wait right there." As Aiden's voice silenced, Luckas walked around the man so they were facing each other again, his playful demeanor suddenly gone. "You didn't answer my question Aiden: In your opinion: Why would a predator that’s face to face with an easy prey, not make the kill?" He growled. "I will be more polite, however, and answer your questions: It matters to me, for reasons you are not capable of understanding. Yes, you are in my territory and I will act as such until I'm explicitly told otherwise. And while I am being incredibly tolerant, only because you're one of Captain's people, laughing in my face is a rather dumb mistake and I advise you not to make it twice, lest I forget what I was asked not to do to you. Because, while that might make me look bad, I'm not the kind of man who hides his true face... And mine is not pretty in the slightest when I lose my temper." As he finished saying that he took a deep breath and released his hold on Aiden, making the man able to speak and move freely again, At the end of his deep breath, Luke opened his friendly smile again. "Do I get an answer for my question now?"

When Aiden was released, his face contorted in a maddening fury; fingers curling into tight fists. He wanted to hit the little man so bad, and he almost did but he knew he didn’t have a defense against Luke’s enlightenment. At least not yet. Absently Aiden cracked his knuckles, trying to push aside his obvious anger, and simply returned Luke’s smile. “...For the sake of civility then...” Aiden growled through clenched teeth. He almost couldn’t get through the annoyance that this man used his gift when he didn’t seem to get his way, and that in itself made him dangerous; especially to Ess, at least in Aiden’s eyes.

“You didn't answer my question Aiden: In your opinion: Why would a predator that’s face to face with an easy prey, not make the kill?"

“Ok...besides the obvious answer you already gave? The prey is not a threat. Then, there’s the next obvious: The predator wishes to play with or torment its food, typically speaking.” Aiden continued to stare defiantly into Luke’s eyes. “Then, there’s the art of distraction. You wish to use one prey to attract or lure another more dangerous foe.” Aiden sighed. “So which is it you are doing with Talon? What will you do when you don’t get your way, or whatever it is you want from her? Kill her then? Because that is what Tala senses....” Aiden smiled at the look in Luke’s eyes as he continued, not giving pause for another interruption. “Then there’s probably what Ess sees, that both Tala and I don’t understand. But that, you will have to ask the Lady herself because people may be animals in the long run, but we both know emotional complications interfere with instincts all the time. Call it hopeful thinking...foolishness, whatever. According to Essence, she sees far beyond the predator in you, but you are quite honest that you are still a raging, hormonal child who doesn’t know how to deal with a real woman.” He ended with a grunt.

Luckas listened, for the first time, with a bit of interest as Aiden spoke up, until he started asking him questions that were far too personal for this conversation, and in more than one level; far too painful. Luke's eyes sparkled a bright red tone and his face took on an enraged expression at the words. He was literally seeing red as they echoed through his mind. What right did this man think he had to talk about this? Luckas was truly furious, and he would have done something about it, wasn't for the last words the man spoke to him.

"According to Essence, she sees far beyond the predator in you, but you are quite honest that you are still a raging, hormonal child who doesn’t know how to deal with a real woman."

Those words caused Luckas to stop in his tracks for two completely separate reasons, and as he buried one in the back of his mind for later, he let the second one explode in a mocking fit of laughter. "Fine, I get it! You're such a big man! You're ten times the man I'll ever be!" He shook his head, choking in laughter. "Yours is bigger. Can we both agree on that and call it a night?" He taunted. "What happens between Essence and me is not your business, friend. And how and when it ends is for the two of us to see. You should know better than to speak or meddle in things you cannot understand." He grinned rather evilly and added. "And if in this hypothetical of mine, you put her in the role of prey, then it is extremely clear that you don't understand. Even if occasionally she takes that role, in my eyes..." he chuckled in amusement. "An 'easy prey' is in no way how I'd describe it. As far as prey goes... She is the perfect prey. I won't deny that. The fun part of humanity, however, is that I have those instincts and hundreds more. Then I have my mind, and in theory I have a heart somewhere. So if I'm just playing with my meal, waiting to gain something from this, or if I simply enjoy the company... Well... Those are all valid assumptions... They might all be true or none..." He stated, with a little shrug. "The only real answer I have to give you, friend, is that whatever it is I want or need, you don't want to be the one standing in the way of it. Because I'm not one to hold back punches, if you catch my drift."

With a satisfied grin, Aiden stood in temporary silence at Luke’s small outburst, having succeeded in getting a rise out of him. Aiden was not normally cocky, nor did he enjoy coming off as arrogant, but this was an exception to the rule for he believed he was correct. “What happens between you and Ess...is just as much my business as what happens between Ess and I and how you’ve made it your business as well. You say I’m meddling, but who woke up who in the middle of the damn night, hm? I have given her my opinion on things, and I still do what is asked of me because as she pointed out: ‘Friends don’t always have to agree on things.’ If I feel or see you as a threat to her, I will do all in my power to thwart you from that path. Don’t think for one second your childish games will scare me into submission. If you get rid of me, there will always be others.” Aiden cleared his throat, pausing a moment as he straightened, cracking his knuckles. “You admit you are conflicted when it comes to Ess, and that in itself is not my business, I agree. Unless of course, again you pose a threat. You call her the “Perfect Prey.” I hope that’s a compliment in that she won’t go down easily or at all if it comes to that, but I hope you have more intelligence than that. Hell’s fury knows no wrath like a woman’s scorn...”

Aiden took a few steps back, still facing Luckas. “If needed, I will be here for her....with that said...Are we finished here? I mean if you plan on coming around more often, then we have many other opportunities to argue or ...take action.” Aiden gave a playful wink before his expression went serious, waiting for a response.

"If I am or not a threat to her, that is not your decision to make. Nor do you have the right mind to make it considering you already decided I'm a threat within less than five minutes of knowing me. If you were truly an honest man, you would have punched me in the face by now and I am sure, deep down, you still want to. See, that's the problem with good people like you, buddy... Being good, only means not doing those things that, deep down, you know you want to do. Doesn't make you any better than me really, only makes you more of a liar. That's a pitiful way to go through life." Luckas stated simply. His tone now, calm and ice cold. "Me? I'm not a good person, not at all, and I will get rid of you and any others I find necessary. It won't even take much of my time or a minute of my sleep."

He went back to his polite and friendly posture after that as he added. "If you wish to hang around, friend, then be my guest, but don't think that 'all in your power' will actually be enough to move me anywhere. I will ALWAYS be around whether you like it or not. Actually, I'll be around especially when you don't like it." He chuckled. "That said... Yes we are finished. I've grown bored of you words, however, so don't expect any more arguing from me in the future. I do look forward to taking action though." He replied with a grin. "I eagerly await that moment, in fact." He added, turning his back to walk away. "I hope I didn't disrupt your sleep too much." He said over his shoulder as he began walking back towards the oak.

By the time he reached Ess' tent, he was calm, and actually rather sleepy, as if nothing ever happened. He went inside to find the aforementioned blankets and try to get a few hours of sleep before heading back to Blackpond.

Aiden let Luckas walk away, shaking his head at the ramblings of the little mad man. “....I am a liar because I chose not to hit him?” Aiden muttered to himself, a bit confused. “What a bloody...hypocrite....” Aiden sighed, thinking maybe he needed to have another talk with Tala, since he knew it would be pointless to say anything to Ess about this. He would be ready, waiting patiently for their next encounter. Maybe he’d have a chat with the Captain too; not to push anything but to inquire if she thinks he is a danger to Ess. Not that it would sooth his worries.

Ess stirred from a dream, the memory already fading from thought. Stretching, she was still pretty much asleep, a noise squeaking out with her movement followed by a yawn. Her eyes opened into slits before closing again, Tala repositioning herself next to Ess. “....mm....Lukey, stop your lurking and sleep....” Ess giggled softly before rolling closer towards Luckas as she drifted back into a deep sleep. She looked quite peaceful, her pale cheeks glowing with warmth from her wolf snuggling beside her.

Luckas snickered in response to Ess' sleepy talk. It was cute and being called 'Lukey' was somewhat amusing to him. He glanced over at her for a moment, but looked away with a rather serious expression crossing his features. Those questions Aiden asked him haunted him since that night in the castle, and he couldn't help hating the man for bringing those thoughts back in a moment when they were dormant. Now he couldn't stop thinking of that first night, five years ago. If he had the strength left in him then; if he hadn't abused his gift that night... He knows what he would've done, without a thought, and maybe nothing would have changed in him. What a comforting thought, to just erase all those painful doubts and not feel... Maybe he was wrong all along, maybe they were both wrong and it was better to stay ignorant, to live an illusion. It was too late now to go back to that however; the door was cracked, and there was no way he could ever close it again.

Absently Luke rubbed the spot between his eyes, feeling the all too familiar aching of confusion. "I am the haunted one..." He whispered to himself, closing his eyes for a moment, and heaving a heavy sigh as he opened them again. Ess had rolled a bit closer to him, she seemed to be sound asleep, and quite peaceful. For a moment he wondered what was going through her mind just then, one hand slowly reaching out towards her face, he stopped when his eyes met Tala's. The wolf hadn't growled or bared teeth as she usually did, but simply lifted her head to glare at him. Opening a grin, his eyes sparkled red as he retrieved his hand. "Good girl, Tala." He snickered.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Luckas Character Portrait: Ess Character Portrait: Mageria Talsheir Character Portrait: Annie Turner
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#, as written by Essence
End of Week Three...


It was still very early in the morning as a young lady made her way through a particular path as if she knew exactly where to go. One could imagine that if she did know where she was going, and she had walked all the way there, she had walked a good distance in the dark by herself, and even though she seemed tobe only a delicate young lady, this wasn't something a normal delicate lady would do. She kept walking, pacing slowly until she heard a voice, softly, yet firmly, approach her. "Excuse me Miss, I believe you are lost. Perhaps you'd like some help finding where you're supposed to be?"

The young lady slowly pulled back the hood of her dark blue cloak, pulling her long black hair from under the clothing, her bright green eyes curiously examining the two men who now stood in her way, before locking on the man who had spoken, her lips forming a sweet smile as she replied in a soft tone. "You are very perceptive, my kind sir... I am indeed lost, in a way. However, this is not a matter of where, but a matter of who, and I'm afraid I'd need to speak to the person in charge of your camp for aid in this particular matter." She opened her cloak enough to show she carried no weapons underneath it and added. "I am alone and unarmed, as you gentlemen can see, and only wish to talk. Would it be too much ask for a moment of your leader's time?"

The men shared a glance before looking back at the young woman, their tone still polite but firm. "And why is it that you wish to be speaking to our leader? It's rather early in the morning and they're very busy. And why is it that you are so sure that only our leader can help you on this matter?" They were clearly not going to attack right off the bat, but she was going to have to convince them to let her through. There was also the fact that neither one of them wanted to be the one responsible for waking up Mageria.


The lady chuckled softly at the questioning, in simple amusement, before replying. "Well, sir... When one goes to a place with the intent of asking questions, I believe the best thing to do is first speak with the person in command first, no? They tend to be aware of everything. If this is too early or if I come in a bad time, I apologize. I can always wait, or come back at another time, however I would much rather resolve this soon. As for how I'm sure that your leader, or anyone here, may help, well... I'm not sure, only hopeful, and that is a rather personal story, but since it is rather foolish to demand anyone's time without explanation, I will say that I have lost a person long ago, and said person has been recently seen entering this encampment. This person is very important to me and this is the first I've heard of him in years so... I'm afraid there are only two ways to get rid of me, and one of them would most likely lead to someone else bothering you in the future due to my unfortunate... Disappearance." She stated. Her tone was calm and gentle all the while, as if discussing the weather conditions and not trying to convince two armed individuals to grant her access to their encampment. "Please? I promise that, whatever answers I get to my questions, this is the last you'll see of me."

The two men shared one more glance before one nodded and jerked his head. "Come along then. I'd tell you not to try anything funny, but you look like you can figure that out on your own." He lead her down a path through some tall hills and suddenly cut to the left, opening a door that seemed to grow out of the side of one of the hills.
"Through here." He tapped one passing soldier on the shoulder and asked him to get the Captain, before leading her to the side and to a common room that was lit with candles.

"Take a seat, it'll be a minute or two." Around them there were several people eating breakfast, all of whom eyed the newcomer with curiosity.

A couple of minutes later, Mageria entered the room, wrapped in her new coat and with her hair cascading over her shoulders. "Thank you, please give a bit of privacy, would you?" She only had to ask softly before everybody in that part of the room cleared away, giving them a wide space so that as long as they spoke softly, nobody would be able to hear what they had to say.
"Sorry about this, but any place more private is already in use. At least this is out of the wind." She folded her hands on the table in front of her, carefully looking over their newest visitor. "Now, the guards said you were looking for somebody?"

The young woman followed the man quietly and without questions to where she was asked to wait, she took her seat not seeming bothered for having to wait, or by the curious glances of the people around her. She smiled sweetly at a few people as she waited, seeming not at all uncomfortable with being left in a room with strangers. Wasn't long before she was joined by a woman who was unmistakably the one in charge. She took a few moments to observe the woman's face before giving a slight nod and speaking just softly enough not to be overheard. "It's quite alright, Ma'am. First of all, thank you for your time and excuse me if I am being disruptive in any way with my visit. My name is Samantha Johnson, call me Sam if you rather, and yes, that is correct; I am looking for someone. He's a skinny, pale, young man... Black hair, black eyes... Answers by the name of Luckas. I'm afraid he was last spotted entering this encampment although the person I've hired to find him has lost track of him since." She ran a hand through her hair and heaved a small sigh. "It's... Very important that I find him."

Mageria tilted her head to the side. "Might I ask why you are looking for him? It's true that we know him here, some of us not so happily as others, but still. I'm sot the sort to give away information about somebody for no reason."
She kept her face calm and slightly questioning. While it was strange that somebody was looking for Luckas, considering the boy's past it wasn't out of the question. And why the hell was she protecting him considering what his brother had done to her and what he himself had done before Lena chained him?

Because damn it, everybody deserves a second chance.

Fingers lightly tapping the table in front of her, she waited for the other woman's answers.

Sam smiled, a little more nervously now, at the question. "Well, this is... Rather personal, but you sound like you know him enough to care what my business is..." She took a deep breath before answering the question. "Well, Luckas is... My little brother." She admitted. "I was told he and his twin, Matthew, were dead, but after my father passed away a few years ago, I found out that... That was a lie. I have been searching for them ever since. I hired investigators, but they lost track of the two at the Newhaven orphanage. After a lot of digging they picked up a trail again when Matthew died. Apparently, he was killed in prison, but still no sign of Luckas; he simply vanished.." She paused a little and lowered her head a bit, fixing her eyes on the surface of the table before her. "It was a little shocking to discover what Matt had become, what he did... He was such a sweet boy, how I remember him..." She stopped talking for another moment as if forcing herself to stay on the right topic. "As I was saying... No sign of Luckas, until recently. He was spotted in Blackpond, and followed here, but my people lost him once he entered you encampment." She raised her eyes and smiled faintly. "They were unwilling to enter your territory, so I decided to come all the way here myself. Figured, someone here might know something... I haven't seen Luke and Matt since they were six years old... I know nothing about Luckas; who he became, I... I don't think he would even remember me... Hearing some of the things Matthew was known for doing... The thought of him being the same frightens me, but I can't stop looking for him, I can't give him up. I have no other family left." She finished her statement in a clear tone, as if determined not to show any weakness in front of the other woman. "Even if you don't know where he is, or where to find him, anything you tell me, I will appreciate."

"Luckas is . . . complicated." Mageria looked into the middle distance for a long moment, thinking hard. "And I'm sorry, if you care for him the way you seem to, I truly am. But I know him and I don't know you. I'll be happy to pass on a message for you if you like, but I'll not tell you where or when to find him. Just that the message will be passed on, I promise. I hope you understand my position on the matter."
She looked straight at the young woman, evaluating what she had said. If Luckas and Matt were her brothers, then there was a good chance that she was Enlightened as well. Such things didn't necessarily follow family lines, but sometimes they did. So it was possible she was facing someone who had a similar gift to that of Luckas and Mathew. Which made it dangerous to upset her. But at the same time, if she was truly their sister, then she had the right to know the truth. And if she wasn't, well, Mageria couldn't see how it would make a difference.

"I'm afraid that there is no easy way to say this; and definitely no easy way to hear it. But it will come out eventually, I'm sure. Your brother Mattew was killed in prison, during a riot. And I was the one who struck the blow."

"Sure, I understand... That's... Only fair after all..." Sam nodded quietly, listening to the woman speak, her eyes again aimed at the surface of the table as she thought of whether she should leave a message and what to say, hands resting over the surface of the table before her. She was in no way prepared for the statement that came next.

"I'm afraid that there is no easy way to say this; and definitely no easy way to hear it. But it will come out eventually, I'm sure. Your brother Mattew was killed in prison, during a riot. And I was the one who struck the blow."

The words caused a flare of anger on the young woman so forceful that it caused her to abruptly raise from her seat, but it only seemed to last long enough for that and she sat back down soon after, forcing herself to breathe deep a couple of times, a hint of yellow momentarily flashing behind the green tone of her eyes. "I'm sorry, Matt's death is still rather recent for me... I know he was no saint, I've heard the horror stories, but... I..." She heaved a heavy sigh, running one hand through her hair in clear frustration. "I still can't see him as that monster though." She took another deep breath, and forced a smile. "If anything, I appreciate the honesty. As for leavign a message... When you next see Luckas, please tell him he has family and let him know where he can find me... I live just outside of Blackpond, it's a big, rather creepy looking, old house. The paths are hidden in woods, but not so hard to find if you are looking for it." Again, the young woman rose from her seat, this time slowly and carefully. "I think... I must have taken enough of your time, no?"

Mageria nodded, a hint of sadness crossing her face at the young woman's reaction. For all the hell that Mathew had put her through, very nearly driving her to insane suicide, somebody had loved him. He had family, somebody to mourn him. "I'll make sure that Luckas gets the message. I'm sure that he'll be glad to find that he had family, it's a hard thing to believe that you're alone in the world." Mageria held out one hand in a beckoning gesture, calling over one of the nearby guards. "I wish I had been able to give you better news, but perhaps that is in the future, no?" To the guard, "Would you please show our guest out?"

She watched the young woman leave, then carefully followed her. That flash of yellow in her eyes; she was Enlightened. Perhaps like her brothers were. Which meant that it was useless to hope that she wouldn't have some influence over the people in the camp. So far, everybody was astounded that she had any ability to resist Luckas. And she wasn't quite ready to reveal that she had earned that ability. So instead, she followed Samantha from a distance, watching to make sure that she actually left the camp.

I'll tell your brother about you, but are you going to welcome the boy that walks up your front walk someday?

~~~~~
Aiden managed his little chat with the Captain before Ess finished her morning run, just missing her gaze as he watched her come around a corner. He hadn’t planned on telling the Captain what had happened, but being the Captain, Mageria knew there was something more than concern or personal gain so that it had to come from somewhere. They had talked for some time and it had only made him nervous, having the Captain’s consent to take action if so desperately needed in Ess’ defense. He knew he had to play those cards carefully, not letting whatever he was feeling towards Ess to cloud his judgement. For the most part, he would be testing his own patience and watching to see if he was needed. He wanted to have faith in the woman’s decisions, but he just couldn’t ignore the way Luke had smiled as he spoke about Ess being the “Perfect Prey.” He knew there’d be dire consequences from many if he acted rash, and Mageria did have a point when she said that both had their own demons to work out. Maybe he wouldn’t be needed after all, but he’d be ready.

Aiden didn’t blink until Ess disappeared around another corner towards the Captain’s cabin, slowly he turned walking towards a tree stump, yanking an ax from the rings as he began chopping firewood. It wasn’t a distraction, but something to keep himself busy in his thoughts so he could develop a plan or two. Did this ‘boy’ actually care for Talon? The thought made Aiden’s face scrunch up, his grip tightening around the ax. Was it the challenge that made her so interesting? He swore he saw something in her....maybe similar to what she saw in Luckas, but that idea just annoyed Aiden. He refused to think Ess and Luke were alike.

~~~~~


When Ess awoke, Luke was already gone, as she suspected. Smiling wide, she felt lighter this morning; not quite so dark, even after the fact she learned the disturbing truth of her brother. Just like Jasper, Ian would find a justified end, fitting in her eyes to the crime of betrayal. She wasn’t too sure where to start her search for her brother, wishing just to avoid BlackPond as she never wanted to visit that place again but she had a foreboding feeling she was not going to have much of a choice.

Ess completed her run in record time, casually waiting outside the Captain’s door with a mysterious grin plastered upon her lips. She seemed to stand taller, straighter, a bit more sure of herself than she had been the past few days. It would be clear to any who knew her that something indeed had changed in her, for both the better and for worse but she would push it towards her desire for closure. It didn’t matter how much longer it would take her to completely move on, but she was dead set on doing it. Ess was coming out of her cocoon, so to speak.

Mageria pushed the door open, raising an eyebrow at the look on Ess's face. Something had changed the young woman, it seemed that she was starting to come into her own. She felt a sense of relief at that, it looked like she was managing to find her way through her troubles. This would be one that she wouldn't lose to the hell of their own past. A brief smile crossed her face as she shrugged into her coat.
"Just a minute. I wasn't expecting you so soon." She grabbed her practice gear from the rack near the door and headed out, closing the door firmly behind her.

Mageria grinned again as they headed down towards the practice grounds. "You look like you're ready for some trouble. I hope it's not anything I should disapprove of?"

Ess chuckled as she walked beside Mageria. “I don’t plan on leaving you any time soon, if you’re concerned about my training, so I think it’s safe to assume you’d approve my personal vendetta...” Her smile faded a bit as she went on to explain how Luckas had paid her a visit, for he had done her a little favor and in that discovered a hidden truth of Ess’ brother. “I need to figure out where he is....who he’s working with....and if those people are still ‘In business.’” Ess shuttered, the thought of others experiencing what she did, especially as a child, making her sick to her stomach. “I don’t want to be haunted by my past any more...I don’t want any of it to continue, especially knowing I have family involved in it...” Ess paused in her tracks before the training grounds, quirking a brow at the Captain. “I figure...if it’s more than revenge, then it’s well worth it. I know how revenge alone, doesn’t always fill the holes inside..” With a laugh, remembering the visions of Jasper, Ess added. “Although they can be enjoyed immensely.”

Mageria simply raised one eyebrow. "Yes, revenge can help, so long as you don't get caught at it." A brief smile crossed her face. "Acting in the heat of the moment is all well and good, but it tends to come out in the end. As I well know." She walked for a few minutes more. "But I agree that something like that needs to be eliminated; no matter who is involved in it. Is Luckas going to be continuing to look into this or should we be looking into it ourselves?" They had reached the practice area and Mageria squared off against her pupil and raised her swords.

Ess stood, her hands empty as she watched the Captain raise her practice swords and nodded, readying her stance, arms raised in a defensive pose. For the first time since she began her training with Mageria, she didn't seem unsure of herself, holding herself with what appeared to be a hint of confidence. “Whenever Luke comes back, he may or may not have more information....” Ess waited, smiling at Mageria, locking eyes with her. “I think we should do some of our own digging as well...Who knows how big this thing is..” Ess sprinted forward as if she were going to collide into the Captain, yet right before she reached sword’s length she side stepped almost in a hop, spinning she ducked beneath a strike. When she rose up, her fingers were curled into a fist that she aimed beneath the Captain’s forearm, just along her wrist in an attempt to get her to drop her sword, her free arm aiming to block the Captain’s other arm before the sword reached her.

Mageria couldn't help a small surge of pride at the way that Ess had improved her fighting skills, still that didn't mean that she would go easy on her. She leaned back and avoided the strike, instead bringing up her leg to kick her opponent in the chest. She pushed clear then spun, bringing her leg around in a kick designed to knock Ess off her feet. But the girl was expecting it and jumped, tucking down once she landed and tackling her before Mageria could quite get settled again. Falling backwards, Mageria rolled with the strike; using the momentum to push them apart. Ess jumped to her feet at the same time she did, the two of them sparring for several minutes before Ess took the chance to grab a handful of dirt and throw it in Mageria's face. She ducked, giving the other woman the chance to land a couple of good blows with her fists before Mageria swung around and started returning the favor.

After one trip tumbling across the clearing, Ess managed to grab a tree branch, using it one handedly to try and strike at Mageria’s legs. She did quite well, managing to make a couple of well placed strikes that made the Captain dance backwards quickly. The two of them traded blows for a few more moments before Ess managed to knock one of the swords from Mageria’s swords from her hand, leaving her to fight in a combination of hand to hand and single sword style. The two of them danced around each other for a few long minutes; before Mageria managed to catch Ess’s stick in a sweeping spiral bind that tossed the stick halfway across the clearing; in order to make it even Mageria planted her weapon in the dirt and raised her hands to strike.

The two of them slugged it out fairly evenly for a period before something distracted Mageria for a crucial second. She glanced to the side then back, barely missing a blow that Ess snuck past her guard to land squarely on her still bruised ribs. The pain whited out her vision and Mageria reacted instinctively; fist lashing out towards Ess’s neck that would have broken it if Mageria hadn’t managed to pull it. Instead the strike went past and Mageria fell to her knees in the dirt, cradling her ribs and swearing under her breath.
"Captain!" Ess landed in the dirt next to Mageria as she clutched her ribs, wheezing as she struggled to take a breath. "I'm sorry . . . I didn't mean . . ." Mageria rocked a little bit and held up one hand, slowly sitting up straight and managing a smile.
"Very good. You did that just right. Now . . . don't ever do that to me again." Mageria slowly pushed her way up to her feet, letting the pain settle back down as her color slowly returned to normal. "Let's go get lunch, shall we?"
“Or a drink, maybe.” Ess suggested as she grabbed the swords and trailed after her. Mageria smiled over her shoulder a bit weakly.
“That sounds good. Just one thing to remember.” She waited until Ess started to pass her on the trail and swung her leg to take out the other woman’s legs, landing her on her back in the dirt; before grabbing one of the swords and slamming it into the ground about half an inch away from the girl’s neck.
“Never underestimate an opponent. Even when they’re down.” She offered her a hand up.
“Now, about that drink.”


~~~~



It had been an slightly interesting, but mostly disappointing conversation with the Captain of the once called 'Black Guard'. Very little information to be obtained there; however, something was learned about the woman in that exchange, and it was interesting. Still it wasn't enough for Sam to be pleased, so the woman found her way back to camp a bit later, walking calmly as if she belonged, watching her surroundings carefully, examining people with her green eyes here and there, smiling sweetly at those who looked at her. What she was looking for, no one would know exactly, but, whatever it was, she seemed to have found it in one man, since she walked a straight line to him. For a while she stood, a small grin on her face as she watched the man from a few steps away as he cut firewood. He seemed lost in thought, and in personal thoughts even. Something in his expression was just very interesting to her for some reason.

After watching silent for a moment or two, she spoke to him, smiling calmly and casually trapping a rebellious strand of black hair behind her left ear. "Say, kind Sir, would you mind helping me with a bit of information, should you have it? I spoke with your Captain, but... She doesn't know much, and I feel I have reached a dead end. I am looking for a person, and the investigator I hired last saw him here. He would be a bit shorter than myself, black hair, black eyes, smiley face... Answers by the name of Luckas. It's very important that I find him."



Aiden halted suddenly at the gentle voice behind him, ax raised in mid swing before he let the handle slip through his fingers, gripping at the base of the blade. He seemed still in a daze from his thoughts, turning towards the voice, his caramel eyes hardening at the mention of Luckas. Yet that was all one could gather from his expression, his annoyance at the name as he quirked a brow, his eyes examining the women from head to toe before him. For a moment he pondered this woman’s beauty, and how she seemed to come off as a bit too polite, especially for one looking for Luckas. There was something he was missing. Nodding politely he scoffed to himself, pausing his gaze over her green eyes before turning back to his block of wood.

“Can’t tell you what I don’t know, Miss...That fool appears and disappears, acting like he’s invisable to the world. He’s not here, thank the Twins.” Aiden sighed, striking the block splitting it in two before reaching for another. Aiden was slightly annoyed at the idea of this little man being followed around by women, not understanding in the slightest what they would see in him. “He leave you stranded with couple kids or something?” He joked, chuckling briefly as he split another block.

The woman raised an eyebrow at the man's reaction to the name, a small frown crossing her features for a moment, changing from hopeful to slightly disappointed the moment it was mentioned that he wasn't there. At Aiden's question she laughed though, a giggle that sounded strangely like the ones that would come out of Luckas, only much softer and warmer. "Why do I sense a slight hopeful tone in that question, Sir?" She chuckled. "No, I'm afraid you don't understand. Luke is my little brother. I have been looking for him for a very long time... Both my brothers. I tracked them to Newhaven and discovered Matthew died in prison... I had no sign of Luckas until he was spotted in Blackpond and followed here. You say he appears and disappears? Do you suppose he'll be back?" She asked, a hopeful tone in her voice, eyes lighting up in excitement. "Do you know..." She hesitated, as if afraid to be asking too much. "Do you know why he comes here? Do you know if someone here might know more about him? I... Haven't seen him in... Thirteen years. I don't even think he remembers me." She mumbled, looking down at her feet, several conflicting emotions showing on her face. After a moment she looked up, forcing a smile. "Oh, I'm sorry! My name is Samantha. Call me Sam, if you will."



Aiden felt the hairs spike up along the back of his neck in response to the girl’s laughter. The uncomfortable chills followed by her words. “.... Luke is my little brother.” Splinters of wood flew in his last cut, pieces scattering from his massive swing before he faced the woman again, towering over her as his knuckles turned white from his grip upon the ax. Never had he had the desire to hit a woman more in his life, then just from the mere thought that she was related to Luckas, if it were true. Aiden merely stared, a mocking sneer crossing his lips. The array of her questions were prying into something perhaps deeper than just Luckas, and yet he was not sure what his instincts were telling him. He watched and listened to her “sob story” not feeling any sort of pity, nodding as she gave her name, yet refusing to give his in return. For a moment he thought if he gave any information, false or true, it may interfere with whatever plans Luckas had in returning here as it was obvious he would at some point. Out of spite or pride, personal gain, or just for the simple interests in their mutual friend, he knew Luke would be back. He almost opened his mouth before realizing there was not way to answer Sam’s questions without mentioning Ess in some way or another, and he didn’t feel that was his place to say to this stranger. Who was this woman, truly? Finally he spoke.

“...What makes you think....Miss Sam, that I would aid anyone involved with Luckas? It is quite obvious he and I are not friends, and if you are anything like him...I feel it would be wise for you to leave this camp as well.” Aiden’s tone was low, just above a growl with a hint of disgust. “And word to the wise..if that is a lie and you chose that story to gain favor in whatever you seek, you are quite the fool.” Aiden raised his arms out to his sides as he gave a bow at the waist, returning once again to his chores. A sudden bark caused his expression to soften as Tala appeared by his side, the hair upon her back raising as she sniffed where Sam’s knees would be, followed by a low growl bearing the white tips of her fangs. Aiden simply chuckled, giving a high whistle, calling Tala back a few paces where the wolf laid behind his feet. “I can always have Tala here show you the way out, if you find yourself lost?”

Sam raised an eyebrow at this man and his attitude towards her. A deeply offended look in her eyes as he spoke, she did not care for his words or his tone all too much, but she forced herself to keep her tone gentle. "I do not know, Sir, if I am anything like my brother... Last I saw him he was six years old. He and Matt were sweet little boys and that's how I remember them." She muttered, glaring at him with anger in her eyes. "I don't know what sort of problem the two of you have, but I have nothing to do with it, nor do I wish to have anything to do with it, but thank you for your quick judgement of my person based solely on my blood ties to him and for your implied threats, I'm sure that they were absolutely necessary and much clearer than a simple 'I won't help you'." She hissed, sarcasm and anger clear and her tone. "It was probably stupid of me to expect any sympathy from any stranger in times like these. Your Captain was at least polite, but I see that not all of you have the decency."

With that said, she heaved a sigh, not seeming disturbed or frightened by the wolf growling at her. "If there is a chance, any chance, that my brother will return to this place at any time... Don't expect your threats to keep me away. While I have no doubt you mean them, I've gone too far and I'm way too close to turn my back to the only family I have left in the world." She then smiled, taking a deep breath to calm herself before speaking again. "I will, however, leave you alone, kind Sir. I sincerely hope that you never lose yourself in the world, but if you do, I ask the Twins that you find the aid of someone more understanding than you have been today." Turning to walk to the exit of the camp she added: "Have a pleasant day."

Aiden snickered, his back still turned towards Sam at his success in ending her series of questions. A direct no, would of perhaps only drew out more pleas and talk, all of which Aiden was in no mood to entertain. He was skilled as a warrior, not in being tactful or diplomatic, yet he did almost wonder if he was wrong in his use of words. At the same time, he knew he could of chosen a far more crude path and found his restraint something he should be proud of.

“Yea, if your brother was soo sweet, then why’d he ‘die in a prison’...” Aiden muttered to himself, slightly entertained by the woman’s ‘speech.’ Glancing at the wolf over his shoulder he whistled, “Tala....Luckas?” The wolf stood at attention giving a faint growl at the name before she began sniffing the ground in circles, trotting off in response to her command she disappeared into the bushes in the same general direction as Sam went.

Simultaneously Ess quietly approached Aiden as he chopped firewood, catching her wolf run off passing the dark haired figure of a woman who appeared to be leaving their camp. Crossing her arms lightly across her chests she quirked a brow at Aiden, still unnoticed. “...Aiden....where are you sending my wolf off to?”

Aiden dropped the ax in his surprise at the sound of Ess’ voice, just missing his boot. He turned, facing her as her brushed a few brown locs from his face. “...Just testing that trick you and I were working on with Tala...and...” He pointed to the woman as she disappeared around a corner. “Making sure that ‘lovely’ young lady doesn’t get lost on her way out of our camp.”

Ess glanced curiously in the direction of the woman, then to where Tala had followed, back to Aiden. “..You really think Luke would leave such an easy trail for Tala to follow?”

Aiden shook his head. “Perhaps not, but that lady seems to know Luke’s been here and quite interested to know who is associated with him so she can find him....”

Ess’ eyes glowed, her arms falling limp to her sides as she approached Aiden curiously. “..What did you tell her? Who is she?” Ess’ tone went softer, barely above a whisper, a knot twisting slowly in her stomach.

Aiden shrugged, noticing the change in Ess’ demeanor at the mention of the strange woman. “.I really don’t know, but apparently she’s been poking around here today, questioning on Luckas’ where a bouts. I didn’t say anything, because I don’t know anything...She says, she’s his sister..but I’m not sure what to believe, even though she seemed convincing. I almost feel like an ass for being so curt with her, but don’t think for one second it was for...him.” Aiden’s expression softened, looking Ess in the eye before adding, “Talon....about the other night..”

Ess held up a hand, her eyes closing as if to shut out Aiden’s words. “Hush....it’s over, it’s done with....just ..don’t.” With a heavy sigh she muttered, “It’s I who should be sorry..” Opening her eyes she met his once again and smiled. She saw what he was doing for her and appreciated, especially after the way she had treated her friend. “In regards...to this woman’s claims..” Ess tactfully changed the subject. “...I can’t tell you if she speaks the truth or not, because I know not.” Turning back towards the brush, “...How far do you think Tala will go before she turns back? I think we should follow her.” Ess smiled not waiting for Aiden to respond as she jogged towards the stables where Shockwave was lodged, not even saddling him but climbed up bareback only holding onto his mane. In moments she was in pursuit, tracking her wolf, giving a friendly wave at the men hidden in the trees along the one entrance of the camp, a few black feathers swirling in the cold wind.

Four hours later, Ess and Aiden followed Tala back into camp, who had tracked Luckas’ scent about half way to Blackpond, within a two hour ride or so. It was impressive and if Ess had brought one of the pieces of clothing Luckas had worn with her, she may have gotten her wolf to pick up the scent once again. In all seriousness, she was proud of Tala and really was just hoping to come across that woman Aiden had been chatting with, yet she seemed to have disappeared along another road. Ess was a tad disappointed even though it really wasn’t her business, but she couldn’t help her curiousity and if maybe her attention was needed; after all Luke was keeping an eye on her, she could at least keep her eyes and ears open for him.

Later on that evening, after her lessons, she politely invited Aiden for a meal at her campfire. She honestly did not want to be by herself at the moment and wasn’t sure if it was because she was missing her friend or because she still felt bad for how she had treated Aiden the other day. After they had eaten, they chatted for some time, while Ess absently went through her drawings. Aiden had peeked over her shoulder to see what she was staring at when she suddenly went quiet and his eyes widened a bit in surprise.

“Talon...I didn’t know that you knew that Sam woman...the one I spoke to today.” He stated curiously, before adding. “Course you can’t see her eyes in your drawing..but I’m pretty sure it’s the same girl.”

Ess almost dropped the journal, her attention snapping away and up to Aiden. “What did you just say? I have never met this girl....this is someone from.....” Ess paused unsure if she should finish that sentence, but continued with a ‘to hell with it’ kind of shrug. “...From one of Luke’s memories...he can’t remember who she is though...” The violet hue of her eyes took on their expected glow with her change in emotion, as she examined her drawing she had only finished the other day.

“...Wait...how did you see his memories...”Aiden interrupted himself, his eyes narrowing in an almost repulsed expression. “You...LET him in your head? Isn’t that...dangerous?”

Ess didn’t even look away from her drawing, the tips of her fingers trailing along the outline of the girl. “Like I could stop him, but yes..he does not force anything on me...he does not hurt me...and it was an accident what I saw...” Her tone sharpened, growing offended. “Not that it’s your business Aiden...he IS my friend...in case you have forgotten..”

Aiden heaved a heavy sigh. “I don’t want to argue Talon, because you won’t listen to reason. So, some woman who gives me the willies, is looking for him..from his past...and he has no clue? I am no fan of him obviously, but he should probably know.”

Rolling her eyes in her growing aggravation, Ess kept her voice leveled. “Your reasoning is far from my reasoning...but yes if I had a way to contact him I would. But again...I don’t know exactly where he is...I mean I have a general idea, but that’s it.” Ess whipped her journal back inside her tent, not moving from her spot before the fire. “Aiden...I know you’re concerned...”

Aiden slid closer to Ess, gently and slowly taking her hand in his. “Don’t kill me now for being concerned....I can’t help it.” He smiled, the caramel tone of his eyes appearing to melt from the light from the fire. “Just don’t drown out everything I have to say, even though we don’t agree. You said so yourself, that not agreeing shouldn’t be an issue.”

Ess tried to pull back her hands, not sure if she felt comfortable with him so close. “Aiden....I ....I think it’s time for me to sleep....please...”

“Talon....why are you scared of me?”

“Aiden...please...just go....” Ess tugged her hands free, turning away from the man. “Goodnight Aiden.”

Aiden stood, his smile fading as he went to walk away. “...You’re giving Luckas a chance....why don’t I get one?” He didn’t stop in his tracks as he disappeared back to his cabin.

Quirking a brow, Ess muttered to herself not quite understanding Aiden’s words. “What the hell...does that mean? I do listen....He’s a friend..I am not friends with one because of the other....” Her fingers gently massaged the bridge between her eyes. Another hour went by as she kept dwelling on Aiden’s words and if indeed she was scared of him. Maybe she was, but not in the way he felt she should be scared of Luckas. With a quiet growl she pushed Aiden from her mind, thinking of Luckas. Closing her eyes she began singing to herself, remembering his words of encouragement and that he may hear her. It was silly for her to think he could if he wasn’t around, but who knew if he was or not for sure. It made her think of her journal, how she would write to ‘Blue Eyes’, even though he was no longer of this world, but maybe he would hear her and in way speak back to her.

Ripped and Torn apart...
Sewn together in time...
Rediscovered the lost...
Evading what was right..
Still embracing all that’s wrong...


My skin crawls away..
As you near to touch..
Lips crave to stay...
Deception’s Crutch...


When Ess opened her eyes, she felt relaxed, yet her eyes longingly searched the shadows around her just in case. “Oh Tala...I’m a fool...” She whispered to her wolf as she stood, pausing to look for stars above her in the current cloud cover. Her shoulders slouched in disappointment before she shuffled into her tent to sleep away the rest of the night.
~~~~

[White Shadows Encampment-Same Day]

Luckas reached Blackpond in the middle of the afternoon, only to find a message from Lena asking him to meet her in the Plains. The moment he arrived in the healers' encampment, the woman was nowhere to be found. Not quite sure if he should wait, he decided to stay the night with the healers. Most of the time he was wondering about the ruins of the destroyed villages, but as the night advanced and grew colder he forced himself to join some of the healers seated by the fire in the center of camp. A rather good looking young woman immediately offered him tea and food, while some of the healers who remembered his time in the camp, took turns shooting him nervous glares. He didn't pay much attention to what anyone was saying; he could tell that the young lady that had served him had sat beside him and was rambling on about something, but his mind was, at this point, distant.

Luckas wasn't sure for how long he drifted off, but he came back to his senses when the person sitting beside him gave him a playful nudge, and he recognized that nudge.

"What're you doing?" Annie's voice sounded, confirming the identity of his 'attacker'.
"What do you mean?" Luke asked, not looking at her.
"I mean you were humming, and I'm pretty sure your eyes changed color for a second." Annie explained. "What were you doing?"
"I wasn't humming." Luckas stated simply, taking a sip of tea and taking notice that it had gotten cold. "Maybe I dozed off for a second."
"Uh-huh." Annie mumbled, not concealing her amusement. "You've actually managed to get weirder, Luke."
"What color?" He asked absently.
"Huh?"
"You said my eyes changed color... What color?"
"I don't know Luke it was just a second..." She shrugged. "Why, did you see something?"
"No, not exactly... Never mind though. I'm probably just tired." He said, forcing a small chuckle.
"You still should let mother know about this when she gets back." Annie insisted. "And eat your food... When was the last time you ate?" She said, nudging him again.
Luckas nodded simply, noticing the bowl of stew he'd sat down on the ground before him, untouched, and picking it up. "I eat." He mumbled before taking a spoonfull of food to his mouth, chewing on the rabbit meat quietly for a few minutes before swallowing and turning to face the girl. Annie looked awfully tired, and far less cheerful than he remembered her being just a couple of years ago. "So you eat? You look like you can't stand." He joked.
"Shut up." She laughed. "Why, do I concern you sweetie?" She asked, absently leaning into him as she spoke.
"No." He muttered, annoyed, pushing her away. "I have enough concerns, thank you very much."
Annie sat up straight immediately as she heard him say that. "You do? I thought never worrying was the best part of not caring?" She asked, remembering the words he once told her. "You've surely changed."
"Not all changes come for the best." Luke whispered absently, standing up. "I think I should get a few hours of sleep before leaving. Tell 'mother' to summon me when she's available next time around. I do have things to do, as she is well aware of."

The setting changes from Raven's Nest to Newhaven

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[Flashback – White Shadows’ Encampment, approximately 5 years ago]

“Wake up, boy.”

Luckas groaned at the sound of the female voice ringing in his ears. When he reluctantly opened his eyes he found himself lying in a tent. “What? Where?” He mumbled, feeling his head throb painfully.
“Well, finally! I was beginning to think I messed your brain for good.” The woman stated.
Luckas looked away from the ceiling of the tent and caught sight of the woman who was speaking to him. That’s when he remembered what had happened between them, what she had done to him. “Who are you?” He muttered, anger in his eyes as they flashed red. “What did you do to me?”
“What I did to you?” She chuckled. “Foolish boy... You did this to yourself, or do you honestly think there aren’t stronger and more experienced telepaths out there? Well, there are, and I am one.” She stated. “What happened to you is what happens when glass hits a wall of stone, only in your case, you simply glued yourself together in time. In only four hours, actually; which is quite impressive.”
Luckas slowly pushed himself to sit up, the anger in his eyes dissolving into a slight curious expression. “Impressive?” He asked, raising an eyebrow, almost surprised at being called such a thing. He opened his mouth to say something else, but interrupted his own thought as he realized his hands were bound. “Why am I in shackles?” He mumbled.
“Well, you see kid
 As impressive as it may be, you have killed a considerable amount of people in Newhaven and so
 I will be calling their guard, and they will come and take you to their dungeons.”
“They can’t lock me up.” Luke muttered, snorting out in annoyance. “I’ll break free.”
“Perhaps, but not right now, because see
 You have considerably overused your ability trying to get past my enlightenment. You’re awake and alive, yes, but quite drained.” She smiled gently as she added. “You won’t be strong enough to put up a fight until you’re nice and cozy on the fourth level of their prisons, and you know
 Not much human contact down there, I hear
 You would have to order someone to let you out, no?”
“I WILL NOT be locked in a cell!” Luckas shouted, almost jumping to his feet, but stopping in his tracks as the woman laughed.
“Easy, now... I have a proposal to make, if you are willing to listen, that will keep you out of a cell and might even teach you a thing or two.” She told him, still smiling. “We can help each other.”
Luckas sat down, seeming to relax only slightly at the words, but not believing them. “You can’t help me.” He stated. “Even if you could
 What’s in it for you?”
“Your
 Gift, is unlike anything I have seen before. I would welcome the opportunity to study it, and test your limits, in return
 Aside from not locking you up in a cell
 Perhaps I can help with you problem.
“My problem?” Luckas laughed. “I don’t have a problem, uh
”
“Lena.” The woman stated. “Lena Turner, Luckas, and you do have a serious problem of memory loss. I’ve seen your memories, and they only go back six years or so. Even then, they are vague.” Luckas went silent then and so Lena continues speaking. “Now, I’m not sure yet of the source of you problem, but, if I can find it, I’m sure I can retrieve those memories.”

Luckas snorted angrily, jumping to his feet. “You have nothing I want.” He muttered. “Will you try to stop me now, if I decide to leave?”
Lena shrugged. “No. It’s a shame though
 You are a smart kid, Luckas
 Nothing like your brother
 You shouldn’t choose to end like him.”


[Reality – Newhaven, present time][
It was early morning in the city of Newhaven, but still, the streets were very quiet when compared to what they would be in the middle of the day. The quiet and the calm of morning time was what made it harder to miss the young man tripping over his own feet and mumbling to himself, mostly incoherently, while gripping the sides of his head. Amongst curious look and some laughter, there were some frightened mothers pulling their children close as he passed by. Luckas didn’t look much like a threat, he seemed to be simply lost and confused which, admittedly, he was. However that only made him more of a threat. As he walked past the market in the center of town he began to draw more and more attention to himself and some people had stopped to watch in doubt of what to do or if they should try to stop him. The incoherent and rapid rambling slowing and turning into a rapid repeat of one single sentence as Luckas found himself facing a dead end in an alleyway, at which point he dropped to the ground, and curled up on a corner, still rambling the same sentence over and over, grabbing the sides of his head. “Don’t look up, don’t speak, never cross the line, don’t look up, don’t speak, never cross the line, don’t look up, don’t speak
”

[Flashback – Some dark place of the past, approximately 15 years in the past]

“NOOOO
. MOMMY! I WANT MY MOMMY!!!!”

A firm grip to his throat stopped the boy’s screaming in a pained gasp. “Quiet, boy! Not a word!” A man hissed at him, his tone soft, but twice as menacing than any shout could ever be, especially to a four year old kid who was already terrified and struggling to breathe under his grip. “One more sound and I will snap you in half like a twig, are we clear?”
The boy couldn’t speak, and so he forced himself to nod, despite the fact that it was hard to move. It seemed to have worked though, because he was, not released, but thrown onto the ground. Still, he managed to hold back a whimper, and not a sound came from him. He simply sat up and stared up at his ‘attacker’. Staring seemed to be the wrong thing to do also, since the man’s response was to strike the boy across the face with his open hand. “Did I say you could look at me, you vermin?”
The boy vigorously nodded a ‘no’, staring down at his feet and not daring as much as glance at any other direction.

“Good.” The man spoke. “That’s much better. Now: Pay attention
” The man started, his voice a little calmer, but still as threatening as before. “We are going to play a game, and the rules are simple: Do not look up, do not speak, and never cross the line. See that line, right in front of you, on the floor? Do you see? One little step past that line and you’re done. There’s only one way either one of you will ever see the sun again
 Keep very quiet, and do as you are told; exactly as you are told.”
Again, the boy simply nodded his response, eyes wide in fear and tears staining his face as his eyes focused on the stone ground. He didn’t understand where he was or what was happening, but somehow he knew he wasn’t going home again.


[Reality – Newhaven, present time]

“Shouldn’t we call the city guard, maybe
 Or a healer? The kid really doesn’t look well.”
“He’s probably just a bum, had too much to drink or something.”
“I don’t know man, never seen a guy drink himself to something like this.”
“You should check if he’s alright, then.”
“Why me? I’m not going.”
“You’re the one concerned. I’m not going near some crazy guy.”
“You’re some damn coward man
 Gee
”

Luckas had gone quiet in his corner of the alley; a mumbling, shivering, mess, curled into a ball, rambling incessantly, however his words were too weak and too rapid to be understood. Maybe he would have stayed that way until he finally passed out, wasn’t for the fact that someone had to check if he was alright
 Which was a big, gigantic, mistake.

“Hey, kid, are you alright? Kid?”
“I don’t think he’s listening, to you Lionel
 Give him a nudge maybe.”

Big. Mistake.

The poor man never saw it, he couldn’t have seen it; as he reached down to give the young man a shove, to try and snap him out of his shock, with the best of intentions, Luckas raised his hand and grabbed the man’s wrist before he could touch his shoulder. The man’s eyes widened in shock as the young man looked up at him with bright red eyes. There was a moment of silence in which Luckas rose to his feet, still standing short before his victim, looking up at man with a blank expression as his eyes widened more and more
 There were a few full minutes of silence and then a blood chilling scream from the man as Luckas released him, and walked past, leaving the man on the floor, screaming in agony. Luckas didn’t pay the man’s friend any mind as he rushed to the fallen man; he simply kept walking, the man’s screams sounding more and more faint in the back of his mind
 As he exited the alleyway and reached the city streets, he was back to mumbling to himself; slowly walking a familiar path to his former
 Home.