A New Path, A New Day

[Kalysta]

"Ph-Phel?" she stammered in a whisper, Kalysta coughed quietly, her throat feeling as though she had swallowed the desert of Ro.

Phelan smiled, speechless in his disbelief. Helping her to her feet, he notices she is shivering and quickly throws a ragged blanket from his pack over the sheer mourning gown she had been laid to rest in.

"We have to get out of here, now." he whispers, glancing around nervously as if expecting all of Neriak to attack them.

"But what am I- How did I-?" she asked

"No time for that now..." he said, cutting her short as he pulled her through the city, "right now all i know is we have to get you out of here."

As they fled the city, still eerily calm, Phelan though about all that had happened. He had brought her back to life somehow.. but the question still remained - which Kalysta had he brought back?

As if sensing his apprehension, Kalysta tugged on his arm. Stopping and raising his head to meet her gaze, it struck him how beautiful she was. A million years in death's cold grip could not extinguish the fire in her stormy eyes, he thought.

"I want to say thank you, Phelan.." she began, struggling with each word for her throat still was quite sore, "I - well, I owe you my life."

"You owe me nothing, kitten." he said smiling at her warmly.

As they continued on their way, Phelan spoke of everything that had happened in the last few weeks since they first met. He found it curious that Kalysta could remember meeting him, but most of what transpired after had been a blur until he mentioned it.

"A side effect of being dead I suppose." he muttered more to himself than to her.

After a long silence they found themselves on a grassy hill overlooking Freeport. Phelan began to make his way down to the city, but Kalysta grabbed his arm and held him back. Catching her gaze as she glanced nervously between him and the city looming before them, he could see the honest fear and pain in her eyes as she whispers,

"I didn't hurt anyone, did I?"

"Some feelings perhaps, but no real injuries." he assured her, taking her cold hand in his as they walk toward the inn for some food and a well deserved nights rest.

(good to be back, even if i am feeling a bit like sleeping beauty now lol)

[Slyfoot M'Zors]

On the way out of the Freeport Inn, Slyfoot sees Phelan guiding Kalysta through the hall. Both their eyes look up to meet her.

“Slyfoot….I”<br>
“It’s alright Kal, I am glad you are well.”<br>
“But…”

“Shh, don’t worry, go and rest, I must be on my way.”<br>
“Ok…”

Phelan looks at Slyfoot, hearing the deep care and kindness pass between their voices. Slyfoot nods at Phelan, as if to say, take care of her.

She then steps out into the hot sweaty air, her eyes glaring into the sun.

“Tonight I will come for you….tonight it will be over…..”<br>

[Phelan]

Phelan remembered walking into the inn with Kalysta and having dinner, then he insisted that they celebrate and he began buying drinks. Everything after that was pretty much a blur. Faces here and there sounds but he couldnt' remember a darn thing. Slowly he opened his eyes and found himself in a bed, must be at the inn still he thought to himself. It felt weird being in a bed, after spending 16 years living in the woods without a bed. Then he looked to his left and was even more suprised to see Kalysta staring at him, he shrank back in fiegned horror.

"what?" she asked suddenly concerned.

"you dont' have a knife do you? I don't remember much but I doubt I searched you for weapons last night. " Phelan said smiling.

" you dont' remember last night? " she asked smiling coyly

" no kitten but something tells me I should " he said as he sat up stretching.

" I just didn't want to be by myself " Kal replied.

" It is ok, I understand, but now where are we headed? Are we going back to Neriak? And if we are I need to get some swords, unless you remember what you did with mine when I was in the dungeon? and in that case I don't have any money to buy new swords with. But m'lady" he said grasping her hand and kissing it " The choice is yours I am but your humble servant. "

[Phelan]

Kalysta grabbed his arm and pulled him close to her.

" Do we really need to leave? " She said to him with a sparkling in her eye.

" I dont suppose you have enough money to pay for this wonderful place another night do you? I have found that death takes a toll on ones pockets." Phelan smirked at her, he brushed aside her bangs and kissed her.

" Well then, that is a dilema now isn't it? " She said.

" Not really, we just need to go somewhere, if you dont feel like looking over your shoulder I suggest someplace other than Neriak. You don't have any aquaintances we could stay with anywhere do you? " Phelan said as he stood from the bed and began dressing.

Kalysta shrugged. Phelan's thoughts drifted to Gaien, maybe he would give us refuge? He thought to himself No, No, Of course he wouldn't. We could go north and decide from there.

Kalysta glanced at Phelan who had stopped dressing and sat back down on the bed. He appeared to be thinking to himself all of a sudden. Where to go? she thought. She crawled up behind him and put her arms around him while they sat there. Both thinking but neither one speaking their thoughts to the other.

Finally Phelan spoke and he was smiling.

" So, what did happen last night? "

" Ah, if you only knew..." she said laughing as she spoke.

[Kalysta]

In the silence that followed, Kalysta looked deeply into Phelan's eyes.

'Its so hard to believe he can love me so purely after all ive done to him' she thought to herself.

Just than, a knock on the door startled her from her daydream. Unravelling herself from the bed linens, she quickly dressed as Phelan crossed the room apprehensively to open the door.

Readying herself for a fight, Kalysta breathed a sigh of relief when her eyes met those of the innkeeper.

"Oh, its just you.." she giggled

"And whom were you expecting? Tunare herself it would seem." the man growled humorlessly, "Im here to let you know your time is up.. unless that is you have another 150 tunar for tonight."

Glaring at the slightly overweight man, Kalysta opens her mouth and is silenced immediately by Phelan pinching her leg just behind the door.

"We will be on our way shortly, good sir." he assured the man, edging the door to a close as he spoke.

Once they heard his footsteps receding, Phelan turned to Kalysta once again.

"...and so we are back where we started it would seem, kitten."

Kalysta thought for a moment.

"Perhaps Renee might be able to give us a room... unless ive closed that door too.." she whispered, more to herself than to Phelan.

"What was that?" he asked, his voice rousing her from her thoughts.

"Oh, its nothing. Maybe we should get dressed and see what we can find." she said, smiling sweetly at him.

(help me out here guys lol ive hit the writers block)

[Phelan]

* Meanwhile back in Neriak *

" I can't belive he came for her..." Said the one cloaked figure to the other

" I dont' understand, what drives him to her.... why?... he is an odd one. "

" We shall keep our eye on these two...they could be the ones "

[Phelan]

Phelan had no idea where to go. He had no idea if Kalysta could even live the kind of life that he did, or if he could hers for that matter. They couldnt' go back to Neriak it seemed.

Phelan watched Kalysta move across the room to him smiling. What a great feeling he thought. They walked out the doors together and headed for the north gate.

" where are we going? " asked Kalysta

" I dont know, North, West, does it matter? I am happy as long as I am with you. " he said and couldn' belive that he had said the last part out loud.

He looked at her and she must have noticed his flushed cheeks cause she was laughing at him, he quickly looked away as the headed out north.

" I am open to suggestions kitten " he said to her as he picked a bearing and began on his way.

[Darlena O'seth]

Nikkii arrives in the dersert city of freeport.

" Hmmm lets see several of these names frequent this place."

Just as she pulls her list of names out a gust of wind sweeps the page out of her hand.

" Great.... I am not in the mood for this. "

Nikkii follows the page as the wind carries it into one of the inns. As she enters the door she can see that a chubby man has caught the page an is reading the list.

" I'll take that .. nothing on that concerns you. "

The man noticing her weapon attached to her side quickly hands her the page.

" Please forgive me ... you are from the church are you not? "

" That I am ... "

" Pardon my intrusion my'lady .. but two of the people that are listed on the page there just departed my establishment. "

Nikkii's eyes widen as she tucks the page away.

" Really how long ago? "

" Only just left not a few moments ago. "

" Which direction did they travel. "

" I can show you please follow me. I do not want the church branding me with harboring criminals. "

The innkeeper leads Nikkii to the northern side of Freeport where shortly they come across the pair of dark elves Phelan and Kalysta.

" There they are my' lady. "

" Very good innkeep, the church will not hold you responsible anylonger. "

The chubby man bow slightly and heads back to his inn, Nikkii chants her root spell casting it on phelan first then Kalysta. The two struggle to move but to no avail, Nikkii aproaches them with a smile on her face. Phelan notices she bares a similarity to the red haired teir'dal that he met earlier.

" Phelan and Kalysta I presume? "

" Yes, let us go. " Phelan demanded.

Nikkii cut him an evil stare and Phalens bindings grew tighter making it hard for him to breathe.

" Know your station ... As if I would would be ordered by the likes of you."

" What do you want ... am I to stand trial for my actions. "

" I don't know of what you speak. I desire information .. Tell me where can I find Slyfoot or even better a red- haired teir'dal named Darlena? "

" Why do you want to know that? "

Nikkii drops a sack of tunar infront of Kalysta's feet.

" Thats 5000 tunar in there if you tell me the location of either of them or where Slyfoot lives. 20000 tunar if you show me to either of them. "

Kalysta looks at Phelan who seems to be in a great deal of discomfort, then down at the sack of tunar at her feet.

" What will you do to them... will you harm them as you are doing to Phelan? "

Nikkii shakes her head and releases their bindings.

" No I only wish to question them on a matter nothing more. Now tell me where will I find them ? "

[Phelan]

Phelan didn't like this Dark elf, in fact he could feel that rage welling up inside of him. If she wanted to hurt him it was one thing but to involve Kalysta was another, If he only had his swords he thought.

The pain was not pleasant and it fueled that anger that he harbored deep down inside. He wouldn't let more blood be on his hands yet he saw no way out of this.

If I tell her where Slyfoot or Darlena went, as if I had a clue, then their blood is on my hands, but if not there is the possibility that he and Kalysta will die, yet again. He couldn't let Kal die.

Torn between his loyalties and thinking to himself he didn't hear Kalysta speaking at first. He decided what ever fate she chose he would learn to live with, or die with.

[Darlena O'seth]

Becomming annoyed with Kalysta silence Nikkii turn towards Phelan looking him up and down.

" You hold a unnatural interest in this male. If he does not watch it he will be dealt with." Smiles as she places her hand on his face.

Phelan tenses up in anger from Nikki's threat.

" Oh do you want to hurt me ... I would strike you down before you would attack.. as I said before know your station whelp."

Again she faces Kalysta this time more persistant.

" My good chartiy is drawing thin give me a answer or I might change my mind about harming someone. "Glancing again at phelan.

[Kalysta]

"You will not harm a hair on his head," Kalysta hissed through clenched teeth, "Or i will see to it myself you are hunted to the end of your days."

Nikki's glare narrowed on Kalysta. She couldnt believe the nerve of this girl, threatening her even in the position she was in now.

"Than you leave me no choice.." she said,drawing her sword from her side.

Kalysta watched, eyes widening as Nikki prepared to plunge her blade into his chest -

"Wait." she whispered.

"Im listening." Nikki replied.

"Im not sure, but I think both the Teir Dal you seek travelled north this morning..." she said, eyes lowered to the ground as they welled with tears at her unavoidable betrayal.

"Kaly, no!" Phelan croaks breathlessly through his invisible bonds.

"Quiet you, or the next word you speak will be your last!" Nikki growls at him, eyes burning with anger.

"You have what you came for, now let us go." Kalysta says quietly.

"Very well." she answers, sheathing her sword she waves her hand casually unbinding them. She tosses the small bag of tunar to Phelan, "You have been most helpful, now be on your way before I decide to kill you anyway."

Phelan catches the tunar and glances at Kalysta suggesting wordlessly they should do as the girl says.
They continue on their way, leaving the strange Tier Dal behind them, unaware she has doubled back and now follows from a safe distance.

"I would be willing to bet you go to your friends now to warn them, dont you.." Nikki thinks to herself, smirking, "best money i ever spent."


(hope i did Nikki justice cant wait to see what happens next)

[Phelan]

Phelan looked at the tunar in his hand and then to Kalysta.

"why?... You should have let her do whatever it was she was going to do.... they saved me and now we might have put them in jeopardy. You know we have to warn them. "

[Keyra]

" Who does this child that me for I don't believe the word a a fellow dark elf. I Know you are hiding their location, and if I follow you will lead me to them."

As Nikkii follows them Piker Yeovalech and Keyra approach her from behind.

" Forgive me My'lady I lost Loveless."

"She is but a child we will slay him at a later time."

" Very well Piker.. I want you two to accompany me as I follow those two."

" Lady Nikkii? Who are those are they.. and why are we following them."

" They are hiding a very dangerous Lycanthrope. That is all you need to know dear. "

Keyra looks at Nikkii and smiles. " Well I will take thier lives should they attempt to stop us."

" You will go far as a hunter with that attitude. " Piker says with a grin.

They keep their following distance from the pair of teir'dal ahead of them.

" Phelan I'm sorry for what I did, She would have killed you if I didn't say something."

" Do not apologize kitten ... we just need to warn them before they stumble apon her. "

" This is all my fault they helped us and I might have sentenced them to death."

" I said enough." Placing a finger against her lips.

" She must be at Renee's house its not much further... hurry."


Phalen and Kalysta start running towards Renee's home.

" Keyra act quickly follow them. " Nikkii orders.

" Yes my'lady." chanting a quick spell she changes into a human form and runs behind them.

Before long they reach the house and start pounding on the door. Renee comes to the door wondering what is the matter.

" Yes, may I help you?"

" Please you must tell us is Slyfoot home?"

" Why no she isn't she left a few days ago she should be back shortly."

" You must warn her that a Priesttest is looking for her and the other girl she travels with."

" Why on earth is a priesttest looking for her."

" I don't know but you must warn her."

Kalysta and Phelan leave renee to her thoughts as they depart. As Renee turns to go back inside she hears footsteps from behind her.

A voice comes from behind. " Hiya !! "

Renee turns around to see a yound girl with green hair standing at her door smilling at her.

" Another visitor ... what do you want ? "

" A moment of your time." Keyra strikes Renee in the midsection sending her to her knees gasping for air.

" Keyra !! that wasn't nessessary." Piker yelled.

" Don't be so impatient, we mearly wish to speak with her not hurt her... please help her to her feet."

" Yes my'lady.." Keyra grabs Renee's arm lifting her to her feet. " Forgive my brashness please be seated." Keyra's form reverts back to her elven state.

Renee sits down looking at the three individuals. The human knight .... The elf rouge.... and the Dark elf cleric, who is now approaching her.

" We are hunters from the oasis of marr."

" Hunters of what? "

" lycanthropes... And I believe you know one of them.. "

" I highly doubt that."

" Well if not you then someone who lives here maybe... Slyfoot is she home? "

" No she left a few days ago as you can see her room is empty."

Nikkii glances over to Keyra then nods in the direction of the room.

" Go check it out see what you find."

A big smile comes over her face as she bolts into Sly's room randsacking it.

" So if she's not here where did she go?"

" She did not say only left a note saying she would return in a few days. "

" My'lady I found nothing in the room."

" Very well .... Piker do you mind staying around in this city for the time being?"

" No ... I will watch this house and will notify you should anyone return."

" Keyra .. well shall return to the oasis. And If Slyfoot should return we shall want to question her."

The three leave out leaving Renee a nervious wreck.

[Phelan]

Phelan and Kalysta worked their way through the busy market place, Phelan spotted a forge and figured he could find some weapons there.

If we are heading after Slyfoot then he needed to be armed. She was as likely to attack him as the real enemy. He didnt' worry about getting any armor, he could defend himself with only his swords.

I hope I can take care of her too, he thought as he glanced at Kal. She looked up to him at the same moment looking a bit puzzeled. Phel just smiled at her.

Phelan stood examining a couple of the short swords layed out on the table, while Kal wandered around. Phelan found two imaculate short swords each with a ruby encrusted in the hilt.

Phelan spun them around feeling out thier balance, it was if they were made specifically for me, he thought. The owner looked up as Phelan went through yet another impressive display of timing and dexterity puting the short swords through the patterns he had mastered long ago.

Phelan smiled, these will due, he thought to himself. After a while of haggling Phelan walked off witht the two swords and a sword belt and felt like he stole the swords for what he had paid.

He couldn't see Kal but he knew she was ahead and to his right about 600 paces, he could also tell she was worried about something.

Kal looked about the daggers at the table each with a different gem in them. She felt Phelan coming, and she also knew that he was concerned for her. she felt a dull warming on her chest over her heart, she just shrugged it off and headed for Phel even though she couldn't see him.

[Kalysta]

As he approached her, Kalysta turned and smiled.

"So I see we found some half decent weapons." she said, admiring the craftsmanship of Phelan's finds.

"Yes and nice ones too, kitten." he replied, twirling the short swords in graceful arcs around him before sheathing them under the tensing and watchful eyes of the city guards.

"So what are we to do about these gypsies looking for Sly?" she asked, a worried look on her face.

"From what i understand, they are looking not for Sly, but for the lycan who they think travels with her." Phelan answered, again drawing his sword and practicing his combinations on a nearby and forgotten piece of lumber.

Kalysta grabs his hand, stopping his practice and forcing him to turn and look at her as she speaks,

"Phel, i dont think you understand... if they find Darlena they will kill her!"

Phelan looked at her with minor annoyance. 'She is always dragging us into other peoples affairs' he thought to himself. Resheathing his sword he turned to her and placed both his hands on her shoulders.

"You dont think I get that, Kal? You dont think I understand what being a lycan means? The part you've left out is what they will do to Sly if she is indeed helping Dar."

"...i know.." she whispers, lost in her own thoughts and mired in visions of what might happen to her friends.

Phelan loosened his grip until his hands slid down her arms to hers. Taking her hands in his, he gazed into her eyes. The warming sensation Kalysta had felt in her chest before came back now, even stronger.

As he looked at her she could feel the warmth surrounding them until it was almost as if they were the only two people in the world, and they were on fire.

"...all i want is a chance for us, kitten, you understand that dont you?" he whispered, bringing his mouth close to her ear so as not to be overheard.

"I do, more than you know, my love... but they are my friends, Phel, they never gave up on me. If they had I might not be here with you now..." she answered, trailing off as she looked into the distance desert, "I have to try."

"Than we will do it together." he said, matter of factly, "Because I've already lost you once, and I wont do it again."

Kalysta nodded, "Than lets go, for I fear time is growing short for Darlena..."