A Dark Home coming

[aquella]

( wow guys, seriously, both of you are awesome lol... im speechless - for once.. and phel, write me in all you want, i have no real plans for Aquella that cant be modified to suit your story too)

[Gaien]

Gaien shook his head. The damable elf had been muttering in some sort of feverish dream ever since they left those acursed woods. Though mostly in the foul tongue of the the dark elves, Gaien could understand a single word clearly enough... Aramis. Gaien could only hope that his brothers ghost was tormenting the delf in his restless slumber.

The thought of Aramis brought tears to his eyes, but Gaien wiped them away quickly. The night air was fast becoming chill and it wouldn't do to have his own tears freeze against his cheeks.

Gaien stopped his horse near a grove of trees and turned to regard his captive. He was well bound by both hands and feet and securely tied to the horse so he presented no danger, but the wound on his shoulder had begun to fester and smell. I shouldn't have used so much beledona he thought, but he was unsure as to the health of the dark elf so he erred on the side of caution and added an ample amount to the posionus coating he used on his arrows. It wouldn't do to have his brothers murderer die on him before he could die by elvish justice though...

Gaien opened the saddlebags and searched for some simple medical supplies that would help heal the wound. After a few minutes of searching Gaien found what he needed and began to dress and tend the dark elves wound. Gaien applied an ointment of herbs that his brother had taught him to help contain the infection. It was ironic, Gaien thought, that the life of his brother's murderer would be spared by an ointment that his brother created, but it seemed to help because the demon elf had stopped thrashing in his sleep.

Gaien untied his captive from the horse and retied him to a stake nearby. Almost as an after thought Gaien covered the dark elf with a small blanket to help keep off the cold night Chill. Gaien heaved a deep sigh and began to drift into a fitful slumber.

Gaien dreamed of his dear lost brother and some of Aramis' first lesons with a blade...

... Quickly spinning about Gaien whirled his longsword in a reverse arc to block his brother's relentless attacks. Sweat poured from every pore, and even some Gaien didn't know he had. Before Gaien could gather his thoughts his brother was on him again. A two handed high strike came at him, Gaien started to block but at the last instant Aramis ducked and spun, placing him behind Gaien. *Thwap* Gaiens rump stung from the flat side of his brothers blade.

Angry, Gaien turned about, determined not to fall for the same trick again. Aramis thrusted and Gaien parried, turning the blade to the left. Aramis thrusted again and Gaiens blade twisted in the air to parry again. Aramis used the momentum from Gaien's block to bring the blade about in a viscous arc towards Gaien's head.

Gaien awoke on the ground. Aramis was standing over him tending to a knot the size of a birds egg on the side of Gaiens' head.

Aramis smiled. "Do you know why you lost?" He asked.

"Aye, it's 'cause you're far better than I."

Aramis' eyes became hard. "No! It is because you fought with anger! It does not suit you and it flaws your style, clutters your mind, makes you easy to defeat. When you fight with your heart it is all I can do to keep from wearing a similar mark on my head."

Pain throbbed in Gaien's brain, but his brothers words came through clearly enough...

... Gaien stood in a wooded grove. He thought he recognized this place. This was like the grove he and Aramis spent so much time in, yet this one seemed odd. Unlike the real one, this grove seemed devoid of life and beauty. Everything took on a shaded, almost ghostly look, creating an air of unease.

Something stirred in the grove and a shape lumbered forward. No, it did not lumber, it moved with a deadly grace all it's own. Quickly Gaien searched for his longsword, but found that he wore no blade. In fact, he wore nothing at all.

As the shape approached Gaien crouched low and brought himself into a fighter's stance, preparing to face whatever may come at him. When the shape slid from the grove and into the eerie bule-purple light that haunted this place Gaien fell to his knees.

"Would you truly strike at me, dear brother?" The ghostly voice of Aramis asked.

"This is but a dream" Gaien cried

"Yes, it is something of a dream, but what I tell you is true. The dark elf you have captured, Phalen, was once my friend."

"Until he murdered you!" Gaien cried

"He did not murder me. I gave my life to him so that he might have a chance at a life denied to him because of his birth." Gaien started to speak, but was forstalled by a quick hand gesture from the shade of Aramis.

"Hold your tongue brother and listen well. Simply because his skin is dark does not make him evil. A person's heritage does not reflect the person they are. Look at yourself. A human, raised by elves. Do you think that you would be comfortable in the bustling cities of the humans, or would you prefer the open woods and plains that we elves inhabit? Though there are some things about a person that cannot be changed, such as the color of their skin, or the shape of their ears" Aramis' shade smiled and tugged on one of Gaien's ears. "these things do not dictate the soul that lives inside them."

Tears rolled down Gaien's cheeks

"Gaien, I love you. I wish we could have had more time with each other but that was not meant to be. You are the only brother I ever had and Phalen was one of the greatest friends I ever had. He may not be all good, but he is not all bad either. You must awake now for danger draws near, but I give you this to help you."

A strange teal glow burned into Gaien's shoulder, but no pain was felt. After the glow subsided a little Gaien could see that it was a rune, but not one he could recognize. Gaien turned to Aramis' shade to ask what it was but found nothing there. Slowly, the world about him began to fade...

Gaien awoke with a start. Such a vivid dream he thought. The sound of a nearby war horn drew Gaien from his revery. Orcs! Gaien stood and remebered the rune. He pulled up his sleave and stared in disbelief. There, clear as day was the mysterious rune that Aramis had left him. Gaien didn't have time for contemplation.

Gaien cut the bonds from the dark elf and shook him awake. "What is your name, elf?"

A single eye fluttered open. "Phalen..." came the weak reply and the elf slipped back into unconsciousness.

Gaien cut loose the bonds that secured his former captive and threw Phalen onto the back of the horse. He stepped into the saddle and headed at full gallop towards the mountians. Klick Anon was a half days ride away but they would be overtaken before the could reach the cities safety. There was a cave nearby that Gaien had stayed in on his journey to the woods of Nerriak, it would now serve as a defendable position...

[Gaien]

(// Feel free to messege me with any comments, thoughts or sugestions you might have \\)

[aquella]

(stuck are we? lol believe me, i know the feeling... someone pop into my SL (Transformation 3 if you dont mind) and rescue me from behind this huge ass writers block lol)

[Gaien]

( Nope, not stuck. Got at least 6 more posts of content. Just would like to know what people think about this thread. It has a flaming folder icon next to it, whatever that means and it seems to be read alot so someone must have something to say about it. )

[aquella]

(lol no.. not popular.. its just me sitting here re-reading it and going ooooo, ahhhh lol j/k hon, seriously, keep it coming, im waaaay impressed - not that i doubted you all lol)

[Gaien]

Gaien spurred his horse up the rocky slope towards the entrance of the cavern. Behind him the shouts of a large orc war party rang out.

Gaien ushered his horse inside and quickly led it to the back of the cave. The dark elf, Phalen, was in no condition to fight. He kept slipping in and out of consciousness. Yet another ironic twist of fate, Gaien thought. Gaien pulled Phelan off the horse and threw him behind a pile of rocks for safety, then ran to the mouth of the cavern.

The orcs were cresting the base of the slope and Gaien could see that there were about a dozen of them. Wasting no time Gaien strung his bow and planted a fistful of arrows in the rocky ground. He carefully selected a red-feathered arrow from his quiver and gently scraped the head against the ground. Instantly the arrowhead burst into flame. Gaien notched the flaming arrow and drew the bow taunt, arrow against his cheek. He sighted the nearest orc climbing the slope and released. The arrow sped through the air with a firey hiss. The dumbfounded orc barely had time for a look of surprise before the arrow slammed home and lodged itself in the orc’s massive forehead.

Gaien continued to rain steel death upon the intruding party of orcs, but undaunted they kept steadily approaching the mouth of the cave. Thankfully there would only be a few left to handle by the time they reached Gaien’s position.

Discarding his bow, Gaien drew his longsword and made his way a few feet into the cave where the mouth narrowed and the orcs could only approach him two at a time. He regretted leaving his buckler strapped to his horse the moment the first orc appeared inside the cave, crossbow leveled.

Gaien barely managed to avoid the bolt as it whizzed by. He stood and prepared to charge when another orc appeared and launched a similar bolt at him. Reacting quickly Gaien deflected the bolt with his blade and charged the orcs, who were in the process of reloading.

Gaien leaped forward and slashed viciously at the first orc. His blade bit through the leather color on the orcs neck and it tumbled backwards down the slope, blood spraying as it fell. The second orc had been quicker in its thinking and had dropped its crossbow in favor of a rather nasty looking axe.

The orc rushed Gaien and he was forced to retreat a few more steps back into the cavern. The orc handled its axe well and parried each blow that Gaien placed with an uncanny ease. The brute of an orc slowly pushed Gaien back into the cave and Gaien feared he might not survive the encounter when he saw his chance.

Ducking quickly under a swing that might have sheared his head, Gaien spun around behind the orc and slashed low at its legs. The orc emitted a howl of rage as it spun around, axe searching for blood. The orc didn’t see the loose gravel it was standing on and it placed so much power behind its swing that it lost its balance and fell to the ground with a thump. Gaien quickly dispatched his fallen foe with a well-executed strike at the creature’s heart.

Gaien heaved a deep sigh. He regretted killing the dumb brutes but they would have killed him had he not. Gaien turned to see if Phalen had been injured during the fighting and cursed in frustration. His horse had a crossbow bolt lodged in its heart. From behind him Gaien heard a deep bellow.

“Gork!”<br>
Gaien spun around and saw the largest ogre he had ever encountered. The creature stood an easy twelve feet high and must have weighed over four hundred stone.

“Gork!” It cried again and lifted a massive club as large as Gaien himself. The creature enveloped the entire entrance to the cavern with its massive bulk. It moved forward, club at the ready.

Gaien knew he couldn’t overpower his opponent, but in these tight confines he might be able to out maneuver it. He strode forward spinning his blade in several useless, but impressive looking arcs in an attempt to confuse the creature as to where he might strike next. The ogre didn’t seem to care.

With a mighty bellow of “Gork!” the ogre swung its club. Gaien had no room to dodge and the club connected with such force that Gaien heard his teeth rattle in his head as he was flung into the rocky cavern wall. The force of the blow had knocked Gaien senseless and sent his blade scattering about, far out of his reach. Gaien looked up to the massive ogre and saw that it was preparing to smash him into the floor of the cave. Gaien uttered a silent prayer and prepared for the end.

The end didn’t come. Instead the ogre let out a great cry of pain as its entire backside lit up in flames. Dropping its club it ran from the cave screaming. Still dazed Gaien looked for the source of his good luck and found it in the shape of a gnome.

Before him stood a very old gnome in black and red robes, wisps of gray hair clinging to an almost bald head. The gnome stood there, regarding him with a quizzical expression on his face.

“Do you always pick such outmatched fights?” The gnome asked.

Gaien struggled to his feet. “No, and I thank you for the help. I’m sure I would be a lovely stain by now had it not been for your fiery rescue. I’m Gaien.”<br>
“Ah, where are my manors! I am Dimpledot Fumbledorf, magician extraordinaire, pleased to make your acquaintance.”<br>
“Dimpledot Fumbledorf” Gaien said slowly. Dimpledot knew the unusual nature of his name and blushed a deep red.

“Um, anyway, might I ask what you are doing so far from Freeport or Qeynos and what you are doing in this cave?” Dimpledot looked at the floor as he spoke.

“I’m not from either of those places. I come from Telethin and my business is my own.” Gaien stood up and began to search for his sword.

“I meant no offense.” Dimpledot glanced outside. “I hate to be rude but I have somewhere I absolutely must be before nightfall. I reside in Kilck Anon most of the time and you are welcome to visit me there sometime for a deeper conversation.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “Are you going to be alright?”<br>
No, Gaien thought, my ribs burn and my head feels like its going to explode. “I’m wonderful” he said, “Just wonderful and I’ll be fine, thanks for asking.”<br>
“Very well then, I’ll take my leave. Good luck to you.” With that the gnome trotted from the cave and down the slope.

“What a very odd little gnome.” Gaien said aloud.

Gaien looked back and Phalen who seemed to have ventured back into oblivion. Sighing Gaien left the cave and searched for some herbs to tend to his injuries and to awaken sleeping beauty. After a few short hours Gaien found what he needed and barely managed to climb back up the loose terrain into the cavern.

He built a small fire and began to mix the herbs. While the herbs cooked he began to throw the smelly orc bodies out of the cave and began to slice up the horse for rations. After the herbs had cooked fully Gaien ate some for himself and took the others to the sleeping dark elf. He forced open Phalen’s mouth and made the dark elf chew the vile tasting herbs.

“Wake up!” Gaien shouted at Phelan…

[Darlena O'seth]

(If I was not pre occupied in freeport i would certainly put a stop to your treatmeant of this handsome delf)

[Phelan]

"Wake up" Phelan heard.

Phelan slowly willed himself to pry open his eyes. They were crusted with sleep, his mouth was dry and tasted horrible. Phelan tried to move and though there was pain he was able to sit upright.

Phelan focused his eyes on who was speaking to him, it was the human who had shot him. Phelan rubbed his shoulder, wait his hands were not bound anymore.

Phelan looked up at the man in disbelief. He tried to talk, but nothing came out. He cleared his throat.

"It seems that my bonds have slipped off in our journey, you may wish to retie them though I will not run. I accept whatever fate may be mine."

[Phelan]

Gaien snorted. “You presume much to think that you slipped out of the bonds that I tied. I cut you free. I don’t know if everything you told me was true, but I do know that you were my brothers friend.”<br>


Seeing the puzzled look in Phelan’s eyes Gaien continued. “Do not ask me how I know this, just accept the fact that I know it to be true. Even though your were a friend of Aramis it does not change the fact that you were the one that killed him, even if you had no choice.”



Phelan opened his mouth as if to speak but Gaien cut him off, Phelan closed his mouth and glared at the man, he had been nothing but cordial to this human. “Don’t say anything. I will not apologize for my actions, as they were just at the time, but I will make my attempt to heal your wound. We will rest here throughout the night. In the morning we will decide if we go our separate ways.” Gaien’s ribs burned with pain and every breath seemed labored. “Chew those herbs I gave you, they will help ease the pain and fight the infection. Lie down and rest delf, I’ll be nearby taking care of a few things and finding some more herbs for us.”



Even as the last words were fading from his lips, Gaien made his way out of the cave. He dragged the bodies of all the orcs into a heap not far from the base of the slope that led to the cavern. He gathered twigs for kindling and logs for burning and arranged them in such a manor about the bodies of the orcs as to create a pyre. Every inch of his body ached with pain but the pain in his heart was far worse.



Gaien sparked the fire that would consume the bodies of his fallen foes and stepped back a few yards to watch, tears fell unbidden from his eyes as the smoke poured into the late evening sky…<br>After the ashes had been carried away on the evening breeze, Gaien turned and headed back towards the cave...

Phelan spit out the herbs that were in his mouth into the small fire just out of arms reach away from him, this human already poisoned me once, better not to take chances, he thought to himself. Phelan slipped the chain mail off gently and removed the padding and leather from below it. He breathed in deep and then looked at the wound the best he could. He pulled a knife from his belt and set it in the coals. He set his water skin next to him and pulled a wooden bowl from his back pack. He filled it with water.

Gaien watched from the other side of the fire as he walked back into the cave. The dark elf had beads of sweat on his forehead and chest that made his skin glisten in the firelight. Gaien stood there and watched.

Phelan turned to his bag beside him and pulled out a strip of black cloth and dipped it in the water and he dabbed at wound. He sucked in air as he did so.

Phelan did this a few times getting the inside of the wound wet. He then placed his fingers on both sides of the wound, It has started to fester he thought to himself, this is going to hurt. He squeezed his fingers together and a vial smelling fuild came out of the wound.

Phelan's world went spinning and he felt sick. It felt as if the arrow had just passed through him again. He breathed deep a couple of times and repeated the process one more time, satified that the fluid was out of the wound he washed it one last time and then grabbed the blade from the fire.

Phelan looked at the blade and moved it toward his wound. He could feel the heat approaching and the natural reaction of his body wanting to push away the intense heat.

Gaien watched as Phelan slowly moved the knife, which was glowing a bright red, toward his wound. He watched the muscles of his arms and chest clench as the knife touched his skin.

The smell of burning flesh filled Gaiens nostrils and he heard the skin sizzle beneath the blade.

Phelan struggled with his body to keep it there and make sure that he got all of the wound in the front. He removed his concious mind from his body, he was taken back to his dream that was so real seeing him and Aramis laughing as they swung thier swords with grace, then he snapped back to reality. He pulled the knife away from his skin and there was melted skin where the wound once had been.

Phelan looked up to see Gaien standing there watching from the otherside of the fire. Phelan placed the knife back into the coals and risnesed off the wound in his back the best he could, he looked into his back pack and found a roll of black satin, it was 2 inches wide and looked to be maybe four feet in length when he unrolled it. He slowly began wrapping the rear wound with the wrap, over his shoulder and around his chest. When he was finished he pulled the knife from the fire and put it in the bowl of water. He slowly donned his armor. Gaien still hadn't said a word since he re-entered the cave .....

[Gaien]

“It will do you no good to cleanse the wound in your front, only to let the wound in your back fester more.” Gaien said as he made eye contact with Phalen. “If you let me, I will clense the back for you as well.”<br>
"Are you sure that you wish to help me? I still do not understand why you haven't killed me by now." Phelan said as he gritted his teeth while beginning the complex task of removing the armor.

“I may not be joyous about the fact that you killed my bother, but he…” Gaien searched for the words, “would not want me to kill you.” Gaien moved to help the dark elf remove his armor. “At least not yet.” He added with a wry grin.

Phelan smiled a bit, he was grateful for the assistance.
"I want you to know... I hate myself for what I did that day. I cameto Neriak to run from that..."

"I don't want to...." Gaien began to interupt, but Phelan held up his hand to silence him and continued "...I made it to Neriak and though it is my home it doesnt feel like home, I came here to avenge my family and maybe try to live a normal life. I know that you may not care but I need to let you know that I will never forget Aramis, he was, is truly my only friend. I am ok with only ever truly knowing one person in this world. If I never again talk to another so be it, it is Innorukks will. I thank you for helping me and I am in your eternal debt... not for sparing my life, but because I stole something from you, the same thing that was stolen from me, my family. Take this knife, which has my flesh and blood upon it and if the day comes that you wish to destroy me, bring this, because you will have no need for a sword I will not stop you, I will not defend myself, not from you, for I deserve that fate." Phelan said as he handed Gaien the knife from the bowl and turned around, he began taking off the wrap that he had placed on the wound.

For a moment Gaien considered taking Phalen up on his offer and plunging the knife deep into the back of the dark elf then and there. Phalen must have sensed it to and his muscles tensed ever so slightly, yet instead of burring the knife into Phalen’s flesh, he slid it into his belt.

“I do not know if I will ever use this, I suppose we will cross that chasm when the time comes.” Gaien cleaned the wound on Phelan’s back and took the black bandage that Phelan offered him. Placing some herbs in and around the wound, Gaien gently finished tending to Phelan’s wound.

“My name is Gaien by the way. I’m sure you can understand as to why the introduction was delayed.” Gaien motioned Phalen to sit by the fire and began to unpack some of the horsemeat he had recently cut. “I think some dinner would be good for now and we shall see what the morrow brings.”<br>
Phelan sat by the fire only putting back on the leather and padding portions of his armor. "Indeed we shall. So am I still your prisoner, and why have we gone north again?...the last I remember we were heading south out of the forests around Neriak."

Phelan rinsed out his wooden bowl several times before he was satisfied enough to set his wooden fork inside of it.

“I started South to throw off any pursuit that might occur, then Northwest back towards Feyspire.” Gaien stated simply “In regards to being my prisoner, I suppose there is no need. If I want you dead all I have to do is bring this.” Gaien smiled and tapped the knife at his belt that Phalen had given him.

Phelan looked at Gaien baffled "who in the world would follow you for capturing me? There is no one who has an intrest in me, except you" Phelan smiled.

Phelan paitently waited for the meat to be cooked, he was feeling quite hungry at the moment though and his gaze slid constantly to meat over the fire.

"Several times while I was in those acursed woods I felt as if someone was watching me. I felt it best to be safe, rather than sorry." Gaien passed Phalen a slice of meat. "I sugest we eat and turn in for the night. Tomarow we will decide what course to take."

Phelan bowed his head in agreement. As Gaien put the meat in Phalen’s bowl, Phalen devoured it so fast that Gaien had to wonder if had really placed meat in it. Phelan cleansed his dish and fork with water and then stretched out by the fire, falling asleep.

Gaien watched the dark elf fall fast asleep and then turned up his blanket and soon drifted off as well…

[Phelan]

:: Phelan slowly drifted off into slumber, shortly after falling asleep he found himself walking amongst the trees in the Elven glade. ::

He walked to his camp site and waited for Aramis to come. Aramis always came everyday, just after sunrise, today should have been learning to forage, hide, track and write.

Aramis had taught him Elven, how to speak it and how to write it. It was the langauge he preffered, but he had to continue to practice his native tongue as well so as not to forget it.

Phelan waited and waited, slowly the day began to wain into the night...why hadn't Aramis come? why hadn't he come, Phelan didn't understand Aramis always came, without fail.

It was like he had pulled his head out of a fog, he isn't coming, he isn't coming because I killed him, he thought and it didn't bother him.

He methodically packed up his camp. Taking time to fold everything nicely. He gathered herbs for his travels and meandered on his way out of the Elven woods, seeking adventure.

:: Phelan rolled on his side and pulled his blanket tighter around him. Phelan shivered though the air was warm. He began tossing and turning, moving into the ever familar fitfull sleep that had assiled him since he left his home in the Elven woods. ::

[Phelan]

:: Phelan tossed and turned still in his fitful sleep. ::

Phelan was once again in a place he recalled from a time past. He was in Neriak, but this was how he remembered it before he left, when he was a child.

Astounded Phelan walked through the streets, it was late for Neriak. Not very many people where out and about. No one looked twice at Phelan as he moved about the city.

He saw a group of people dressed in black cloaks and there were many men with swords on thier hips as well. The group seperated so as to not draw attention to themselves, they split up into smaller groups and dissapeared into the shadows of the back alleyways.

Phelan thought it very odd that a large group of people armed for combat would be walking through the streets. He shrugged they are gone now he thought to himself.

No sooner had that thought crossed his mind than a massive explosion shook the floor. People on the streets seem to disappear, moving swiftly to thier homes.

Phelan stood alone by the well in the center of the city, another explosion rocked the ground. The chamber that housed the minor houses, his house, lit up briefly as another explosion rocked the ground followed by the sound of swords clanging.

He heard women screaming as he hurried toward the cavern swords drawn. He rounded the corner and was floored as he took in the carnage. The men in cloaks were in the process of casting yet another spell all three at once.

His house had been ripped in half one half standing on the other on the ground in pieces. The men with swords battle his family and thier gaurds, but these men were far superior than his family's swordsmen. He saw his Father fall as a blade sank into his head. Phelan dropped his swords and fell to his knees.

Phelan yelled at the sky, why are you doing this to me? Why?! Why?! must you torment me. A raspy voice in his head said only one word, "watch"

Phelan stared at the battle as if he was a statue. He couldnt' close his eyes and he couldn't turn his head. He didn't cry, he wasn't close to any of them, but no matter who you are family is important. Maybe that is something you only learn once you have lost it.

Rage welled up inside Phelan, he picked up his swords and charged at the men in cloaks, with a scream from the pit of the Abyss. He cut two of them down in his forward stoke and the last one down in his reverse stroke as he ran through them.

The men with swords still payed no attention to him contiuining to slaughter his family. His sister tried to flee the house and was cut almost in half.

Phelan ran at the man his swords a blur by the time he arrived in fornt of the dark elf. The Dark elf couldn't even react, his arms were severed before he could even cry out, Phelan finished him off by taking his head from his shoulders.

Phelan was showered in blood. Everyone turned on Phelan, including his family. As Phelan fought the Dark Elves and was forced to kill his family as well as thier enemies, He heard an insidious laughter echo throughout the cavern.

Phelan was overwhelmed there were too many swords flying at him and he was tired of pleading with his family members before they forced him to cut them down.

Phelan felt the burning bites of the blades as they sank into his chest and abdomen. He lost consciousness and he heard that raspy voice once again " Good, Good, so you still have it in you.... You are mine, Phelan of Seladia and you are marked as such" The voice said sounding amused, then the laughter started again there was a flash of red light then everything faded to blackness.

:: Phelan rolled on to his back and sat up sweat dripping from his forehead. He looked around and realized that it was still dark. He sighed he layed back down and fell asleep... ::

[Kalysta]

Kalysta held her breath in as the handsome delf sat straight up, looking directly at her, before lying back down and falling once again into his fitful slumber.

"That was close," she thought to herself, "he almost saw me."

As she crept nearer, her attention was drawn to the human sleeping by the fire.

"Filthy things," she scoffed, "couldnt catch the pox if someone sprayed them with it."

Moving silently, catlike grace showing more now than prior to her stay in Hazinak, she makes her way around the camp picking through their supplies and rations.

Movement from behind her startles her, and she realizes the human is awake and staring at her. He reaches for his sword, and she takes off into the forest like bat out of hell. Chasing the stranger, Gaien holds his sword at the ready, gaining ground with every step.

Instinctually, Kalysta feels him reaching for her robes and leaps - grabbing hold of a low tree limb. Hurtling herself forward in a gracefull arc, she doubles back behind him in the air and lands a kick from behind directly into the small of his back.

Stunned, Gaien falls to the ground, his sword knocked from his reach, the girl now standing over him - dagger drawn.

"Tell me, human," she spits at him, "what is your business with the delf back there?"

Before he can answer her, a sound blow to the nape of her neck makes the world swarm in gray, fading to black as she falls unconcious to the ground.

An hour or two later, Kalysta comes to. She is tied, both hands bound behind her, and gagged as well. By the fire, on a rock, sits her dagger and wand. Next to them, she sees the delf, sitting patiently as though waiting for her to wake.

"Now, tell me," he begins mockingly, "What business have you in these woods."

Kalysta looks at him, the anger and embarassment at being caught burning in her eyes.

"Lets start with something easier," he says nonchalantly, as if not even noticing her anger, "If i remove the gag, you wont bite me will you?"

She shakes her head no, thinking all the while that she very well might have if he hadnt mentioned it first. Slowly, he rises and crosses the camp, kneeling for a moment behind her and untying the gag.

"Thank you." she mumbles, almost inaudibly.

"You're quite welcome," he replies sincerely, "now, i dont suppose you'd like to tell me your name, or why you tried to kill my collegue."

"No, no names... and i only tried to kill that human of yours because he tried to kill me first." she spat, still unsure of the man's intentions toward her.

"Well then, if you dont want to be properly introduced, so be it... my name is Phelan - and my human, as you put it, is Gaien."

"Charmed, im sure." she said, rolling her eyes.

"Well, kitten, it seems you have been captured, and now its time for your choices... either i can untie you, feed you, and we both go on our merry way in the morning - or i can untie you, you can attack me, and my friend here (gestures to Gaien, now sharpening his sword and staring angrily at the girl) can hunt you down and kill you. The choice is yours." Phelan smiled.

He knew in his heart he had no intentions of killing the girl, even if she had tried to steal from them - her beauty just wouldnt allow it. She motioned for him to untie her, and as he did Gaien stood prepared for a battle.

Shocking them both, she merely crossed to the fire and served herself a bowl of the mystery soup the one who called himself Phelan had thrown together for them. It wasnt bad, and as they ate they talked of their many adventures.

Phelan noticed she hadn't given them any real information about herself, and as she lay down to sleep he asked her her name again.

"Kitten is good enough for now, i think..." she mumbled before drifting off to slumber.

"So it will be," he agreed with not much choice.

They slept for a few hours, and when Kalysta rose, the fire was nearly burnt out and the campsite deserted.
On a rock nearby she saw her dagger, wand, and a pack filled with rations and medical supplies. Picking up the pack, she discovers a note underneath it, written in beautiful script. She reads:

Dear Kitten,
Terribly sorry about the quick exit, I've never been one for long goodbyes. Hope the contents of this pack are enough to see you through to wherever you are headed. Perhaps our paths may cross again, but until then take care.
-Phelan

She laughs quietly to herself as she reads the note.

"Yeah, perhaps..." she whispers, still thinking about his eyes.

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she gathers her belongings and continues on her way. With any luck she may reach Neriak before sunset.

[Gaien]

Early morning came too fast for Gaien, his wounds still bothered him but his pride hurt even more. He knew that if it had not been for broken ribs, little rest and a pounding headache, the little she-devil of a delf would have never landed that kick. Still, his pride hurt. What made it worse was that Phelan had been the one to capture the little brat.

He quietly rose and shook Phelan awake, pressing a finger to his lips in a gesture of silence. They gathered there belongings without a word but by the time Gaien was ready to leave he found Phelan stuffing a pack with some supplies and then tucking a note underneath.

Quietly they left the camp and traveled for some hours until the sun had crested over the mountains. The sun cast shades of amber and red over the two adventures and their breath still frosted in the air. Gaien turned to Phelan.

“Now we go our separate ways. I want you to know that we part as neither friend, nor foe and I hope our paths do not cross again.” Unwanted tears formed in Gaien’s eyes but he pushed them away. He would not let Phelan see him cry. “Go live the life that my brother died to give you and live it well. Do not waste it or I will come after you and use this.” Gaien tapped the knife that Phelan had given him just a few hours prior…<br>