A New Path, A New Day

[Phelan]

Phelan looked at Kalysta one last time before the started to head out of the city. Phel put his arm around her shoulder as they walked.

Phelan could feel her mixed emotions, he wondered what magic this was. He knew how she was feeling, but he couldnt' understand why. Almost as a response Kal looked up at him, she smiled, he smiled back.

It was then Phelan felt that sensation in his back, eyes boring into his back. He knew that they were being followed, Aramis had taught him to trust that feeling, and it had kept him alive throughout the years.

He masked his concern and moved Kal toward a big grouping of people. Kal looked up at him again and looked worried.

"what is wrong she asked? "

"We are being followed and if there is going to be a fight....we will fight were I choose. "

He smiled to her and continued through the throng of people.

[Keyra]

Two arrows land directly infront of Kalysta and one behind Phelan. Four Robed men surround them, then they hear a voice from the roof.

" Hehe... oh me oh my.... those are some nasty looking swords you picked up there to what do you plan on doing with them. "

Their gazes shoot up to see that green- haired elf sitting on the edge of the roof holding a crossbow and smilling.

" Lady Nikkkii extends her graditude for your help in leading us to her home and as promised here is your 20000 tunar."

One of the robed figures places a large sack infront of kalysta and backs away.

" Consider yourself in her employ... you work for us."

" No we do not, take this money back and tell your gypsy leader this."

" Awww tsk tsk tsk." Waving a finger at them. " You don't truly think it will be that easy do you? Gentalmen if you please."

The robed men throw off the garments and unsheath their swords. Phalen took a good look at them two human knights ..... a teir'dal rouge ... and a elf ranger.

" You gypsies sure do use some underhanded methods." Kalysta snapped.

Keyra takes aim at her with her crossbow an sends a arrow at her face nicking the side of her face.

" Hehe fisrt blood goes to me .... their all yours boys I go to join Lady Nikkii."

Keyra then gets up an jumps off the other side an dissappears. The four remaining gypsies move in on the pair of Teir'dal.

[Wilkens]

:: up in the great cold north you see wilkens sitting under a tree staring deeply into the fire she built ::

" i think i will have to go and see the healers. i dont know how i got up here or why i am here. this is the second time in my life that i have blacked out like this. "

:: wilkens stands up to stretch when suddenly she looks like she has been hit in the stomach ::

" OUCH. what in the world "

:: wilkens is sitting on the ground with the look of confusion on her face ::

" ok, something is up. i know that there isnt anyone here to hit me but i feel like someone just whacked me in the stomach. i wonder what is going on. i think i had better get home. there is something going on that i think i am needed for. "

:: wilkens starts to get her things together and puts out the fire she built. she suddenly stops and looks around::

" ok, i must be goin mad or something, cause i think my mother is in trouble. how i know this i dont know. but i think i had better get a hold of sly. we need to get to mother immediatly "

::::: sly you there ::::

[Keyra]

Keyra appears back at Renee's house kicking in the door. The shaken Renee is in the doorway to Slyfoot's room attempting to clean up from earlier. Keyra comes up behind her and shoves her aside.

" Move you old bat I saw something that I liked earlier."

" Why are you doing this I told you she is not here."

Keyra reaches in the closet an pulls out a brown robe, an presses it against her as if she was trying it on. Then goes into her jewlery box and takes a few pair of ear rings.

" Hmmm these will do nicely will have to alter this robe to make it somewhat presentable."

" No you can't take that from her please... she has lose much dont take it."

" Your still here? Shut up... its just business."

Keyra then writes something on a piece of paper. then steps on Renee's hand on her way out the door. Keyra rushes to the coachman to catch up with Nikkii already gone to the gypsy camp at the oasis of marr.

[Phelan]

Phelan growled at the elf as she left leaving Kalysta and him surrounded. Phelan instinctively drew his swords and drew a line in the dirt between himself and the two facing him, he then put his back against Kaly.

"if this goes bad run, I will distract them enough for you to get away. no matter what happens I will always be with you." He whispered in Kal's ear.

" I will not run without you" she said back to him

" If you cross this line, you better be ready to kill me" he said with a wicked smile to the two men in front of him.

" well then consider your self dead" said one of the two ahead of Phelan, it didnt' matter which one had said it, they had both crossed his line.

Phelan came out with his swords in a blur, moving at speeds unattainable to most swordsman. Phelan threw his blades out to his sides as he spun between the two. Both men had to parry as he floated between them. Phelan immediatley used his momentum to throw himself in to a spinning jump to his right positioning his blades so that he would hit at the mans legs and then his neck.

The man wasn't quick enough and missed the first block a fine red line appearing across the mans upper leg. The man got his sword up to intercept the second stirke. Phelan had expected this and landed on one knee almost behind the man. Phelan Plunged his fine swords into the mans back, there was a sicking sucktion as he pulled them free and them man wailed in pain and collapsed.

Phelan knew that Kalysta was doing well in her end of the fight, she was all concentration, again he wondered breifly how he knew all of this with out looking at her, but he was quickly pulled from his thoughts and the second man pressed in on him.

The man came running at him screaming. Even though it appeared the man was running at Phelan with reckless abondon he knew that the man was no novice wtih his sword. Phelan readied himself, he bent his legs ready to spring, he cleared his mind and focused his being till him and his swords were one. He opened his eyes as the man thrust his shoulder at Phel with his sword leading, Phelan rolled to the right, slapping the oppent with the flats of his blades as he rolled around, an unorthodoxed manuver putting him with his back to the opponet.

Phelan turned with the momentum of his spin and delivered a sweep kick to the man who was bringing his sword down at Phelans head. Phelan crouched and rotated with his kick and the sword just missed his head by inches but the man found himself suddenly staring at the sky and a dark elf staring at him.

Phelan grabbed the mans sword and stabbed the man with the mans own sword inbetween the two bones in his forearm staking him to the ground, Phelan pushed the sword in deep almost to the hilt. The man screamed as the sword plunged into the hard packed dirt.

"now don't go running off and you will live." Phelan said to the man as he turned to help Kalysta....

[Kalysta]

Oblivious to anything but the sound of her own blood rushing in her ears, Kalysta faced the two robed men in front of her.

"Only two? Surely you must be joking." she purred as the men closed in, one on either side of her.

Ducking the first man's swing, Kalysta leaps forward in a graceful handspring and lands just out of reach a few feet ahead of the men. Mumbling quickly under her breath, Kalysta is surrounded by a great wisp of red smoke and translucent floating skulls as she summons her undead to her.

The men charged her once again, and the first to reach her was struck down quickly by her pet. As the second circled her, Kalysta grinned evily.

"This is going to be fun.." she hissed, lunging for his neck with her dagger drawn.

The man, anticipating her move, grabs her arm at the last minute, using her own momentum to throw her down to the sandy ground knocking the dagger from her hand in the process.

"Enjoy this breath, wench, for it is your last." the man growled into her ear, drawing his sword in preparation for the kill.

"I doubt that." she answered plainly, watching the man's eyes grow large with recognition as she begins to whisper quietly to herself.

The spell complete, a cloud of black drifts over him, concealing all but his horrified eyes.

"Pray your fate in the next world be more gracious than this.." she whispered, watching eagerly as the spell takes effect.

"Wh-what are you doing to me!" the man yells, no longer hiding his fear.

His skin melting, Kalysta watches as the man is slowly decayed from the inside out. He smokes and writhes until final nothing is left but a pile of charred bones.

"Guess daddy did teach me more than I thought." she laughed, dropping the man's sword on the pile of bones as she crossed to Phelan.

The last assailant now slain, Kalysta shakes her head as if clearing a fog. She finds Phelan, leaning over the last living member of their attacker's group, slowly twisting the blade deeper into his shoulder.

"Tell me what you know and I may spare your life." he spat through clenched teeth.

"I know nothing!" the man screamed, writhing with each twist of the sword.

"You lie." Phelan said plainly, twisting the blade again.

"AHHHH!! STOP PLEASE!! I-I'll tell you whatever you want to know... just p-please.."

"We're listening.."

As the man opened his mouth to speak, two arrows wizzed through the air, piercing through his heart and head simultaneously, killing him instantly on impact.

Turning to look, Kalysta and Phelan see the green haired elf smiling down at them wickedly from the rooftop. With a contemptuous wave, she leaps to the ground behind the building and takes off running before either of them can catch her.

"You handled yourself well back there kitten." Phelan smiled, resheathing his swords.

"Not now, Phel, we have to get to Renee's house." she answered nervously, "I fear something terrible is happening there..."

[Phelan]

Phelan nods in agreement and follows shorty after Kalysta as she bolts off in the direction of the house, only pausing to burst open the bag of tunar and grab a handful. Have to have money to live, he thought to himself.

Phelan caught up to Kaly just as they rounded the final corner to Renee's house. Everything looked peaceful there but Phelan knew that could be very decieving. They cautiously crept toward the house.

( dont' know where you were headed with this so I will let you pick it back up Kal or whoever)

[Keyra]

Keyra rides hard to catch up with Nikkii who is slowly moving out of the tea garden.

" Lady Nikkii .. Lady Nikkii ..." She yells as she comes beside her.

" What is it child? "

" We lost four gypies ... they was deafeated by those people."

Nikkii pauses for a minute an closes her eyes. Keyra leans over to look at her.

" Are you ok? "

" Yes I said a prayer for their souls. They were not our strongest or skilled but I'm sure they fought bravely. "

" I silenced one before he could tell them anything."

Just as she finished Nikkii slaps her knocking her from her horse. Stuned Keyra puts her hand to her face and stares at Nikkii.

" You must stop thinking like a criminal and more like a hunter we do not kill each other unless it is to stop the lycanthopic desease from consuming the host."

" My'lady he would have told of what is planned."

" He knew nothing of true importance ... however the barbarian and the troll brothers will do the job of bringing those two down."

" I'm not familiar with them.."

" They are full fledged hunters. Those three are used mainly when we deal with werebears an larger lycanthropes. Plus they have much like myself a divine blessing placed on them."

" Will I have this someday my'lady? "

" You will have your training restarted after you prove yourself. And as far as the blessing it will make your skin harder an harm those that attempt to strike you."

" I can't wait lets hurry home."

As keyra passed her she notices a robe folded and tucked away in her bag.

" You went back to that house Keyra? "

" Only for a moment. "

:: Meanwhile back in Freeport ::

The barbarian and two trolls lay in wait for more visitors to Renee's home.

" Jah mes can't wait fer action.. have not been out fer days." Swinging his large hammer in a striking motion.

" Mes too deys must be trouble if dat pretty Nikkii asks us to watch dis silly house." He looks at his axe with exciment.

" Aye boys she usually is right on when it comes to trouble so be on gaurd me large friends. "

Just then he see Phelan and Kalysta comming back to the house. Motioning to the trolls the ready there weapons.

" It would appear that Keyra and our brothers failed."

" Hmm dey better not had hurt dat girl mes bash hims gud."

" Dat blak elf look gud nuff to eats mes hungry."

" Our instructions is to bring them in but since they killed our breatheren will will return the favor. you two take the man I will deal with the she elf."

[Kalysta]

Kalysta shuddered as she reached the house. It had always been a place of love and acceptance, but now she only felt fear and anger from within.

"Its really quiet..." Phelan whispered

"Yes, Renee would usually be out here already forcing us to eat something or other im sure... be careful, Phel."
She whispered back, drawing her dagger from her boot and slowly creeping toward the house.

"Kaly, i dont know about this..." Phelan said as she neared the front door and stood with her hand hovering just above the knob.

"Whats to worry about?" she answered, her smile all but assuring him that they would be fine.

As she spoke, the door was flung open inward and Kalysta fell onto the sandy floor of the meger home. Rolling over and glancing up, she expects to see Renee's smiling face, but is taken aback by the two trolls and barbarian man staring back at her.

"Ooo mes think blak elf purdy." the first troll croaked, licking his lips at Kalysta.

"Not now you dolt! Get the man!" barked the barbarian, obviously their leader in brains if not in brawn.

By this time Phelan has entered the doorway and is shocked to see two huge masses headed straight for him. Jumping back to allow himself room to maneuver, Phelan draws his swords and sighs to himself.

"Here we go again.." he says, motioning the first troll to come at him.

Meanwhile, inside Kalysta has gotten to her feet and, with the small kitchen table between them, is keeping the barbarian at bay.

"What is it you want? As I told your masters on two seperate occassions, there is no lycan here." she hissed, her eyes growing darker with the stormy anger mirrored within them.

"And I am to take your word for it, am I little one? It really is of no consequence to me now, however, my comrades and I arent here for a lycan. We're here for you and your boy." the barbarian said calmly, moving all the while around the table in his attempt to grab her.

Kalysta's eyes widened. Her mind flashed back to her early days in the home of her father in Neriak. She had seen what rouge ogres could do, and from this she could only imagine what a barbarian with some intelligance must be capable of. She couldnt allow the fear to override her better judgement... thats how people died.

"You will not take me anywhere, scum of Halas, at least not without a fight." she growled, drawing her dagger from its hiding place slowly as her hands began to glow menacingly.

:::Pick your battles Kalysta:::

The voice in her head distracted her only for a moment, and she realized it was a moment too many. The barbarian had snuck up on her as she was lost in her thoughts, and stood now between her and the door.

"You will lay your weapon down and surrender your will to me, little one." the barbarian laughed mockingly.

"Or, I could do this!" she yelled, throwing the vase from the table at his face, she bolts up the stairs and leaps, throwing herself effortlessly through the window at the end of the hall. Kalysta tumbled one floor to the ground, landing gracefully on her feet in a shower of broken glass.

"PHEL! LETS GO!!" she shouts as she runs by him

Phelan turns to see Kalysta running toward the coach, beckoning him to follow.

"and just when Im getting warmed up." he laughs, sheathing his swords as he heads for the coach house.

Once there, Kalysta tosses the halfling coachman some tunar and grabs the reins of two of the fine steeds in the barn. As she walks out with them, Phelan comes flying around the corner. They mount the jet black steeds and take off toward the north.

"We have to tell Wilkens, or Sly, or someone... Freeport is no longer safe for us." Kalysta whispers, half to herself and half to Phelan.

"Dont worry, kitten, we'll find Sly before they do." Phelan reassured her, reaching for her hand as they rode.

"I can only hope your right, my love, i can only hope."

[Phelan]

"We will my love, We will, this would be a touch easier if you knew which direction to head. " Phelan said to Kal as they rode along the coast toward the south.

Kalysta seemed to be thinking to herself or something of the sort, lost in her own thoughts, Phelan didn't even know if she had heard him. This has been rough day, he thought to himself. I don't know what I would do if she ever got hurt, he thought to himself.

Could I live with myself knowing that she got hurt because I couldn't be there in time? No, I must not think that way, she handle herself before we ever met. She even saved me from the Defiler. He thought to himself. Then Sly saved me from her....that is an odd thought that the woman I am in love with actually attacked me, but I know better than that. That wasn't my Kaly, my kitten. He thought to himself as they continued riding.

He could feel a tumult of emotions going through Kaly, she was afraid but also resovled. He couldn't help but think that this was almost too intimate of a bond. He knew that this wasnt' normal. He was positive that she could feel his emotions as well, that there would never be hiding the fact when fear coursed through him, when he was seething with anger, he didn't know if he was ok with that.

He pulled his shirt back and looked at the strange mark on his chest, from this angle he couldnt discern its shape but he knew it well, two swords crossed and poining down at the ground. The color is what had him interested, it had changed colors more than once.

First when it was brand new, it was an angry red, it had almost cost him his life in his battle with the Defiler, anger had propelled him into that fight, made him rush head long into it. Then Kalysta had killed the Defiler and then stabbed Phelan, it had turned white, then Kalysta had died, it had been the most greif he had felt in his life, that compiled with his past drove him to plunge the knife that Kalysta had used on her self, the knife still had her warm blood on it. Then next time he noticed the color it was two shades of red marblized through out the mark, now he and Kaly seemed bound together, he wondered what kind of magic this was.

Kalysta had indeed heard Phelan, that had given her an idea, she could talk to Sly even though she wasnt' there, it was a strange she hadn't thought of it before, but Sly had contacted her just a little while ago in the fight. Kalysta fell inward on herself and cleared her mind, she hadnt' done this since she had been brought back amongst the living. She could still feel all the emotions running through Phelan, there were so many so fast, joy, anger, saddness, then joy again, then worry, almost to fast for her to register them. She couldnt' clear them from her mind, as if they were her own feelings.

Strange she thought, but there were more pressing matters and this wasn't a bad thing per say. She had to contact Sly and let her know.

::: Sly....Sly...Can you hear me? :::

[Wilkens]

:: wilkens is walking towards tethelin in a state of confusion. so many feelings are attacking her at once. she doesnt know what to think or do. so she does the only thing she can think of, she stops by the waters edge and sits down.

she sits there staring at the water and calmly clears her mind of all thoughts.

she doesnt hear the animals roaming around her nor the water lapping on the shores edge. her mind is totally clear.

she finally finds some peace but before she can start to sort out the feelings she was experiencing she hears in her mind a voice, faint but audible.

::: Sly....Sly...Can you hear me? :::

wilkens is shocked to hear this voice, she barely recognizes it as kal's voice.

::: kal, this is wilkens, if you can hear me please respond. i am not sure if i am able to do the same thing as sly but i got your message. i havent heard from sly yet. i am in tethelin. please tell me where you are or where you are going so i can meet you. i need some help. :::

after she sends this message, which she hopes gets thru, she sits at the waters edge and stares at the water hoping that she gets a response. :::

[Kalysta]

:::Wilkens? But how- I was trying to reach Sly:::

:::Im not sure, but she may still be in the North. Where are you? Are you safe?:::

:::Its not me i worry for, Wilkens. Its your mother...:::

:::Mother?!? What has happened?!? Kalysta you must tell me!!:::

As Kalysta pictured the events of the last few days in her mind she could almost see Wilkens reactions. As she finished, Wilkens spoke.

:::Are you in Freeport now, Kal? Is mother at home?:::

:::... no, no we were forced to flee. When I went to the house, there was no sign of Renee... I-Im sorry I couldnt have been there t-to s-save her:::

Suddenly it felt as though a great weight had been lifted from Kalysta's mind, and she knew that Wilkens was gone.

'I hope she'll be alright..." she thought, glancing at Phelan as she did, 'I hope we will too.'

[Phelan]

Phelan had set up a camp by the time the sun had begun to set. He glanced to Kaly who was sitting on a rock concentrating on something. He watched her, he couldnt' help but stare at her, she was beautiful.

" I can't protect her" he thought to himself. " There will be a time when I look the other way and she will get hurt. How will I live with that. I wouldn't ever be able to forgive myself for that. I mean she got seperated from me today and almost got hurt. If she were to die....I dont think I could go on." He thought to himself.

"Maybe I should leave, trouble seems to follow me. I dont' want anyone getting hurt because of me. I am tired of the constant running, but if it saves Kaly... maybe...maybe" he thought to himself.

Phelan fell asleep next Kaly and tossed and turned with nightmares of Kaly just out of reach and then getting killed in front of him.

[Wilkens]

wilkens sits there after talking to kal, staring into the water. she doesnt know where kal is at the moment and she hopes mother is ok.

" well, i have to go see mother, but i am not sure about these strangers. i know, i will head to the city but i will keep hidden. i doubt these strangers will know exactly who i am. i will stop at the healers first tho, they may have an idea of how i can get to see my mother without them doing anything to me or her."

:: wilkens gets up from the shore and heads to tethelin's coach ::

::::: sly, if you can hear me, i am going to freeport. mother is in trouble. she has strangers in our home. i hope you are ok. i will see you there :::::

[Phelan]

Phelan awoke with a gasp as something ran down his chest. He flinched, he did stave off the instinct to attack.

" What is wrong with you?" Kalysta asked looking up at him as she ran her hand down his chest.

" It is nothing my love. " He lied, he couldnt' help it, he wouldnt' worry her.

" you are lying " she said as she stood and began to dress.

Phelan looked up at her in suprise, there was no anger in her voice or her heart it was just a statement, she knew it was true. Phelan was going to say something when he saw the mark on her chest. His mouth fell open.

" What? " Kalysta said smiling a coy smile.

Phelan stood up and ran his hand over it, it was smooth just like his and looked identical. He thought back to Neriak... to the swirling red mist, why didnt' he notice it the other night? He couldnt' help but wonder.

" oh that? " Kalysta said," I have had it since the night you cant remember, I thought there was something there before that, but it was too light to see. Now we match. I think this is also why I know how you are feeling and that you are lying to me. " she said as she kissed him on his cheek.

" So what is wrong? " Kaly asked again

" Kaly...do we have to do this right now kitten? " Phelan asked as he got dressed and packed up the camp. " Any ideas on where to head? "

" yeah we are getting a room in Free Port and until you tell me what is going on with you that will be seperate rooms."

Phelan didnt' say anything, he just grabbed the horses and got on his in silence. He helped Kaly up on hers and then they left back for Free Port.