A Meeting in the Moonlight

[Kyra Starleaf]

OOC- this thread is closed for the moment, if you are interested, please PM me with a character bio.


Pulling her cloak tighter around her small frame, Stephania quietly pulled closed the door to the rundown hovel she called home and stood still listening for the sounds that would mean she was caught leaving. The rumbling drunken snores coming from inside assured her that she was safe from discovery and she let out a quiet sigh of relief. The rancid stench of dwarf spirits permeted the wooden boards of the house, no matter how Stephania cleaned, the stench lingered. Wrinkling her nose she turned her face to the night breeze and breathed deeply to clear the air then she turned and slipped off the boarded steps heading for the comforting woods. The hood of her cloak fell down about her shoulders as she moved underneath the canopy of trees allowing her honey blonde hair to spill out around her shoulders. The breeze picked up loose tendrils and teasingly blew them across her emerald eyes, smiling softly she brushed them away.

As Stephania moved through the woods, she began to pick up her pace. She neared the secluded little glenn that had become her second home, a place that only she knew about and where she could escape the torments of the day. Stephania reached the treeline and stood still for a moment to look around the glenn. A stag was at the far end of the clearing quenching his thrist in the clear cool brook that ran through the top left of the glenn. As she stepped out of the tree line, the stag looked up at her. His magnificent antlers with their deadly points gleamed in Solinari's light and his ears twitched towards her slightly. The breeze shifted and blew her scent to him as he stared at the slight woman that invaded his privacy. The stag snorted, her scent was familiar to him for she had come here many times in the past and he knew there was no danger from her, he lowered his head to the brook once again and continued to drink.

Stephania walked slowly through the deep grasses of the secluded glenn, untieing her cloak as she walked untill it fell unnoticed into the grass behind her. The gentle breeze caressed her, causing the thin worn gown she wore to mold itself to her body. She looked up into the face of Solinari shining brightly down upon her and she smiled, feeling free at last she laughed and raised her arms. Still smiling she closed her eyes and began to dance under Solinari's caressing rays.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard quickly staggered his way across the open field, the pounding sounds of horse feet following behind him at a distance. He glanced into the sky for a brief moment and viewed Solanari's beautiful moonbeams glowing down on him. He would have loved more time to enjoy the moonlight and breeze, but this was neither the time nor the place. Ashard proceeded across the field with every bit of haste he could muster, leaving a small blood trial any expert tracker could follow easily. His dark pitch black hair blended magnificently with the night sky and his green eyes almost glowed in the moonlight. when he got to the edge of the field he propped himself up against a tree and took a moment to catch his breath. The only weapon he carried was a short sword that seemed to be almost ancient in its make. Ashard took several deep breaths knowing this was most certainly going to be his end. He wore no amour and in fact had no shirt on at all. All he wore was a set of well torn trousers and boots that had almost no souls. Several large slash marks from a whip made old and new scars all across his well built chest, in fact there were quite a few that still bled with the marks of a freshly torn flesh. Ashards bright eyes watched in silent defiance as the rider came barreling across the field at break neck speed, a large whip in one hand and a huge sword in the other. The rider clearly decked out in well fashioned chain mail, and a cloak flowing neatly behind him in black, and a sash bearing the mark of Morgion flowed across his chest. The rider was clearly going to cut his target down. Ashard stood up straight and gripped his sword tightly his eyes narrowed if this was going to be his death then he would at least make it one worthy of Paladine.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Steph moved gracefully underneath the moonlight, the stag, his thirst quenched watched her with dark limpid eyes seemingly content to share his company with the strange girl. Steph came to a halt on the opposite side of the brook from the stag and keeping her gaze locked to the magnificent animals, she dipped low in a bow. The stag blew gently from it's nostrils and gave a slight dip of it's own head, Stephania laughed softly then knelt to drink. Suddenly the stag lifted his head into the night wind and stamped it hooves nervously, Stephania looked up and in the direction the stag was looking however she did not see or hear anything, the tall grasses of the glenn ran up to the tree line undisturbed, whatever caused the stag alarm was not within her sancuary. A nighthawk flew overhead, he screamed out his cry as he flew over the treetops. The stag pranced about then with a snort, he dashed off into the woods. Steph watched him go with growing alarm, if it was not safe for him, then it most certainly was not safe for an unarmed girl. She ran through the tall grasses and gathered her cloak from where she had previously dropped it then hurried back along the way she had come. Her only regret was cutting her brief escape short however she would be back the following evening.

[Gaberial Cross]

The Dark rider pulled his horse's head high and let the whip crack in the direction of his near helpless target. Instinctively Ashard raised his bare arm to block the whip, which wrapped itself around his arm cutting deep into his forearm. Split second quick thinking prevailing he wrapped the end of the whip around his wrist and pulled with all of his might. The Dark rider was unprepared for the challenge and tried to maintain his grip on the whip, but in the end Ashards sheer force of will won out on the tug of war and he yanked the Dark Rider from his horse. The sound of a mad screeching horse and a loud clang of chain mail hitting the ground shattered the quiet night air. Ashard let the end of the whip fall to the ground as blood seeped from a wound that almost cut his arm off. Still holding the ancient short sword in his hand he waited for his opponent to get to his feet.

The Dark Rider slowly rose to his feet laughing he had underestimated his opponent, a mistake he would not make again. "Now Maggot, I will strike you down and you spend eternity suffering in endless agony beneath the foot of the great Morgion." Ashard was highly unimpressed and said nothing he only motioned for the Dark Rider to come forward, thus answering the riders challenge. Ashard was done running if death would come he would answer it with honor and bravery.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania stepped lightly up the wooden stairs and listened at the door, the unbroken snores coming form inside assured her that she had not been missed. She knew that dawn would be breaking shortly so she did not make ready for bed but instead began her preparations for the day ahead. Althought the small house was shrouded in shadows, she did not hesitate in her stepps as she walked quietly into the kitchen, missing the floorboards with the loudest creaks so she would not wake Tharin. Stephania pulled out flour and the mixings for the bread that would be their breakfast and as she kneeded the ingredients together she began to wonder what was in the forest, she had always had an insatiable curiosity that got her into trouble more often than not.

As the sun began to creep over the horizon, the snores abatted from the back sleeping room and Stephania began to hurry to have breakfast prepared before Tharin emerged. Previous experience proved that if Tharin started his day on a good note then invarabibly there were less bruises doled out throughout that day, which made it a good day for Stephania.

[Gaberial Cross]

The Dark Rider wiped his blade as he walked away from the broken corpse, he was certain was now dead. His horse was gone and he would have to walk the rest of the way back. The Dark Rider shrugged it off figuring on taking his aggression out on some hapless villagers as he made his way back home.

It didn't take very long for him to come upon a small run down shack that looked like it had seen better days. He smiled at himself smelling the smoke that came from within, "someone’s cooking breakfast..." he said out loud as he approached the shack. It would be a pleasure to kill the occupants, take whatever valuables they had inside and leave them to die. The dark Rider walked slowly up to the front porch and kicked the door in smiling the whole time...

Ashard rolled over on his stomach and pushed himself to his feet. something was driving him to go after his foe. In his mind it made more sense for Ashard to start running again than anything else. But Ashard was following his instincts and thought better about it. So he decided to follow the trail of his foe.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania was crouched behind the kitchen counter, a hand held against her split and bleeding lips. Tharin was seated at the table, eaten the slightly burnt bread as if nothing had happened. That was all it took to unleash his rage against his step daughter, burned breakfast, " good for nothing chit, give her a place to stay, roof over her head and clothes on her back and she can't even prepare a decent meal." Tharin mumbled to himself while devouring the bread. His ale soaked brain took a few moments to register that there was someone new within his humble home and when it did register he stood and bellowed " What is this? You dare to enter a hardworking man's home without leave?" Tharin staggered with the effects of last eve's drinking and the pull off the bottle to get him going this morning " I'll teach you for disturbing my breakfast" Tharin was a big man and he was used to using his size and strength to bully and intimadate those smaller around him. Once he was a strong and handsome man however when his second wife Darlene, Stephania's mother, caught the wasting sickness and died, Tharin turned to the bottle and never looked back. Confident in his own strength, he staggered to show this heathen a lesson, Stephania sat on the floor behind the counter and could only watch.

[Gaberial Cross]

Men such as this were not even worth drawing his blade for, he simply pulled a sack of powder from his back pack and threw the contents into the over bearing mans face. It would take only mere seconds for the disease powder to properly, and then the over sized man would be dead. The dark Rider turned his attention to the corner seeing the quiet young woman hiding, "It will be a pleasure to make you scream my little darling, I'm sure I think of many different way to make you scream my name."

Ashard walked up the front steps, or rather staggered up the front step, he had already heard the commotion from inside. The Dark Rider never heard him approach from behind, so it was to shock and dismay when Ashard drew the dark knights sword "Morning Sunshine.." Ashard said. The rider turned just in time to meet Ashard’s right hook across his jaw, followed by his left hand skewering the man with his own weapon.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Eyes wide Stephania could only watch in terror as her brutish step father beligerently approached the stranger intending to forcefully remove him from their house and as the dark man threw a strange substance in Tharin's face then looked around unconcered about the man Stephania began to shake in fear. Tharin began to choke and sputter, clutching at his throat and gasping for breath. As he fell to his knees and the dark man began to threaten Stephania, she sprang to her feet and grabbed the closest thing she had to a weapon, the semi-sharpe knife she had used to slice the bread only minutes before. She was cornered and she knew it, she had been subjected to the brutal beatings doled out by her step father and had not been able to defend herself against him, she had no hope of winning against this stranger but that did not mean she was going to give in without a fight. As Stephaina faced the dark man, holding the knife tightly in an attempt to keep the blade steady dispite her tremers, she was surprised to see yet another stranger come to her aide unexpectantly.

[Gaberial Cross]

OCC: I made a slight change

Ashard looked at the young woman and smiled, given his current state he probably didn't look all that much better that the dark rider did. Ashard reached down and grabbed the wheezing knight by the scruff and drug him outside down the porch and into the yard. The Dark rider was well on his way to death. But it wasn't fast or painful enough for what he had in mind. Ashard reached into the Knights belongings and pulled out a bottle of alcohol and after One quick slurp he started dousing the knight in Alcohol finally he shattered the bottle on the knights armor.

"For all the innocent women and children you’ve butchered and for everything you taken from me I send you hell. Join your God in disease and death," and as if the person he was looking at weren’t even human he lit the Rider on fire sending flames shooting into the sky and burning his corpse.

Ashard made his way back up the porch and past the woman, as he bent over Tharin's body he pulled his dagger from his pocket. Tharin's body was on the floor and covered in legions, sores and blood. "I am sorry that you got involved in this sir, but rest in peace. He is dead and your wife is safe now, Go by Paladines and Mishakals Grace." Ashard then put the old mans body on the table and walked over to the young woman.

"I am sorry you had to be involved in this Miss, it is with a deep and heavy heart that I must ask you to leave your home now." Ashard didn't wait for the surprise to register on her face. "The Dark Knight was a servant of Morgion, the God of Disease. He used a fast acting powder on your husband, and now I'm afraid we must contain it as much as we can by burning the house down, and incinerating everything." Ashard started to walk for the door, "If there is anything you would like to save I would get it now, This place is no longer habitable." Ashard stood in the doorway and waited for The young woman...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania said nothing, she did not trust this newcomer and did not know weither to believe what he said or not. She cared little if the small house where she had lived in torment for the past years burned to the ground or not, there was nothing of value within it's walls and everything that had been her mother's had been destroyed in a fit of drunken rage and self pity by her step father only months after her mother died so Stephania had only the sweet memories to remember her mother by. Stephania did flee the house, the only thing she took with her was the bread knife that she refused to relinquish. She moved through the front door and stood staring in horror at the burning body of the dark man, then lifted fearful eyes to the one responcible for it. He had moved only a short distance away and stood looking back at the house, there was little room to move passed him for the dark man's burning corpse blocked exit on the opposite side. Stephania looked passed the stranger towards the woods and immediately she leaped off the wooden steps and passed the stranger before he could react, she plunged into the wood, following the trail to her glenn, running as though the hounds of the abyss were snapping at her heels.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard took off on a dead run after her and called to her "WAIT I WON'T HURT YOU, I PROMISE..." he couldn't tell if his pleas were heard or not. Ashard simply came to a running halt a few meters before the edge of the tree line, and groaned. "Great..." he muttered to himself. "first human being I meet in 10 years and I scare the piss out of her!" Ashard took a deep breath and looked himself up and down deep gash marks old and new covered his entire body, and blood from the wounds he had received from his battle. He realized how tired he truly, but it wasn't a tired from running or exerting energy, it was from lack of food, no water and blood loss. Ashard had been running for 2 weeks straight, and now he stood here looking into a forest and wondered for a brief moment, what next Ashard swayed back and forth for a moment and then pitched forward as the adrenaline rush he was running on came to a sudden and abrupt halt and he passed out.

[Kyra Starleaf]

As she ran Stephania dimly heard the shouted plea however it did not register for many moments. Slowing to a halt, her breath heaving, she looked back. Alone on the wooded trail she bit her lip in indecision before slowly making her way back towards the house. The man's appearance flashed through her mind, his torn and bloodied clothing suggested he also had been a victim and that was something she could relate to. Stephania moved causiously, her eyes darting about the forest as if she expected the man to jump out of the bushes and grab her untill her gaze fell upon his crumpled form laying still at the treeline. As she moved closer, pity tore at her heartstrings as she noted the whip marks crossing his back where his tunic was torn, bruises were almost hidden by the blood he had lost from his many wounds. Stephania knelt down beside him and gently rolled him over, though she did not know if she should fear this man or not, she could not leave him where he lay.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashards eyes slowly opened as he found a cold wet rag on his head and he was staring at a campfire. It took several moment for him to register everything, and remember the events that had taken place, when he did he sat up and stared into the campfire trying to get warm. "How long have I been unconscious?" Knowing it had been some time as it was dark now and its had been mourning when he passed out.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania watched the stranger from the opposite side of the fire, when he began to stir she quietly stirred up the mash of plant roots and berries she had made in a bowl shaped rock and placed beside the fire to heat. It wasn't much however from the looks of the man's ribs, he had not eaten for a very long time. They were under the large willow at the far end of her glenn, the trees branches forming a cozy shelter. It had taken Stephania a long time to drag the unconcious man here, she had not wanted to add to his injuries so she had taken off her dress and rolled the man onto it, then dragged him underneath the willow. Once this was completed the dress was in complete ruin so she washed it as best as she could in the brook then tore it into strips to clean and bind the man's wounds. Now she sat in her chemise and underleggings as the man woke and looked around, her face red from being in her undergarments, Stephania ignored the hot flush and brought him the nourishing mash she had made " You have been asleep for many hours. " she replied as she placed the stone bowl beside him and sat back on her heels. " I am called Stephania " she said.

[Gaberial Cross]

"My name is Ashard,..." he said with a smile, as he began digging into the mixture she had cooked happily devouring it in a matter of seconds. "Your an excellent cook m'lady..." Ashard said with a smile. It took him a few moment to realize she was sitting there in nothing but her undergarments, and somehow he had come up with new bandages for his wounds. "Ohh my lady I am sorry you had to use your dress for my sake, I will make it up to you I promise. As you can see I have very little to offer you at this point except my thanks." Ashard smiled at the young Stepania, he knew she was frightened of him so he was trying to lessen the fear some.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania brushed aside his compliments and turned to throw another piece of wood onto the small fire then she looked back to Ashard " How do you come to be here " she asked as she looked over his many wounds, a blush rose in her cheeks as he looked at the bandages wrapped around himself for she had washed and cleaned his wounds as best she could however it was the first time she had been this close to a man besides her step father, she had been awed by the hard muscle and flat planes of his body.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard closed his eyes for a few seconds and tried to let the screams in his head die down before answering her question. "I was a slave..." he said in a very short uneven tone that sounded as if it was going to crack at any moment. "...and I escaped." a small tear ran down Ashard's cheek as the thought of a son he barely knew ran threw his head with the carefree grace of a 4 year old boy. That image would be forever immortalized in his head.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania's heart went out to Ashard, she to knew what it was like to be under the hand of another, not free to do as you wished. She had been under the heavy hand of her step father for many years and had suffered harsh beatings for the slightest things, it still had not become clear to her that with her step father dead she was now free as well. " I'm sorry " she said softly.

[Gaberial Cross]

"I am sorry as well M'lady I wish there was more I could have done for your husband." Ashards eyes looked over at Stephania. He placed his hand ontop of hers as some sign of comfort, but it had been so long, and Ashards hands shook violently, he withdrew his hand quickly and looked away, back into the fire, back to the past where demons still resided, and some issues went unresolved...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania stood and moved around the fire " He was not my husband, he was my step father. " she said quietly then she walked out of the shelter of the drooping willow branches and went to the brook. Kneeling down she dipped a hand intot he cold, clear water and brought it to her lips then she splashed a bit of water on her face and wiped it off with the corner of her chemise. Plucking some large leaves growing from plants nearby, she made a cup and filled it with water to bring back to Ashard. When she returned she passed him the cup of water then busied herself mashing more berries and roots. Looking up she asked " What are you going to do now?"

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashards's eyes drifted for a moment, he hadn't thought that far in advance. "I don't know,..." he said his tone riddled with indecision. "I'll get you to safety that much I know, after that I'm not sure. There’s a town a little over 3 days from here, We can find you safety in there. They wont stop hunting me, So I'll probably be on the run for quite some time." Ashard continued to eat while he formulated some sort of plan in his head.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania watched him eat the mash she had made, he was weak and slavery had certainly taken it tole on him. If Ashard was hunted it would make sense to leave him and make her own way however in his condition, he would not get far. " You need time to heal and regain your strength " she stated.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard's hand froze just centimeters from his mouth, he gently placed the utensils down and looked around slowly, something was wrong something wasn't right, and he knew it. Ashard placed his finger to his mouth indicating silence, as he looked at Stephania. Ashard reached down and grabbed the short sword he had previously acquired, and headed for the tree line. Every instinct in Ashard's body hollered at him and told him to run. He knew the truth though, he knew there was never just one person looking for him, only scouts came ahead in singles...,

[Kyra Starleaf]

As Ashard reached form his sword and gestured for silence, Stephania looked around in bewilderment, this was a secluded gleen, no one to her knowelgde knew of it's exsistence except herself and the animals she shared it with however she did not dismiss Ashards agitation for he knew a lot more about the world than she did. Getting to her feet she peeked around him to peer at the treeline " What is it?" she murmured quietly, eyes straining she did not see anything however before he could answer her question, a flock of birds erupted from the trees on the south-side of the glenn.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard pushed aside some bushes and slowly made his way out of the glenn, his senses keeping very careful track of each and every movement he made. Ashard pushed on further, as he heard the slow methodical beats of hoofs from a horse. Ashard knew there were two more riders, and it wouldn't be long untill they had found him. Ashard turned his looking at Stephania, "You have to hide, its me they want, if they dont know your here, they wont come after you..."

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania nodded fearfully then grasped his hand and tugged " Come, hide with me " she urged. She did not know what manner of person was hunting Ashard however he was in no condition to fight. She had no weapons except the small dull bread knife she had brough with her from the cottage and she would not know how to use a weapon even if she did have one. Releasing his hand she turned and hurried back to the fire, kicking dirt onto it to put out the small flame. She reached for the bread knife and grasped it tightly then with a fearful look around she turned to the trunk of the large willow and began to climb untill she reached a sturdy limb that overlooked the entire glenn. She was still well hidden by the trees drooping branches and she softly called to Ashard to join her within the tree.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard Looked through the trees and watched as the riders made thier way all around clearly searching for him. He turned back around to the kind woman who had been pleadin g with him, In the end Stephania won out and Ashard made his way up the tree next to hers. Ashard was tired and really didn't have another fight in him, plus he also figured if he did fight these guys he would probably end up dead, and Ashard had just gotton his freedom, he wanted to enjoy it for a little while.

[Kyra Starleaf]

High in the tree branches Stephania held her breath as not two but eight riders burst into the glenn clearly searching for something. She looked over at the tree next to her willow but did not see Ashard, fearful she returned her gaze to the riders. Muffled laugher could be heard then one of the riders sat up in the saddle and turned hollering out " Bring them forth" after only a moment, four more entered the glenn but these were not dark knights, from the look of their torn and bloodied clothing, they were slaves. Each man was thin however they all had a strong grip on a chain that held back a muzzled hunting dog. Stephania eyed the dogs as they strained against the leashes, she was glad they were muzzled as she watched one turn and try to attack it's holder, the slave batting at the dog with his bare hands to keep it back, Stephania was sure the dog would have torn the poor man apart if it had the chance. The mounted riders surveyed the glenn then one nodded to the slaves and the dogs were released. One of the slaves had the unfortunate task of unmuzzeling the dogs and was bitten for his efforts then the loud sound of braying filled the peacefullness of the glenn as the dogs caught a scent and came racing towards the pairs hiding place.
The earth where the fire had been was warm and the dogs barked and pranced around the small makeshift campsite. The dark riders came near and two dismounted to approach for a closer look. Ducking beneath the drooping branches the man stood and looked around, Stephania held her breath for she was directly above the menacing stranger. Suddenly the dogs began to bray and leap up onto the trunk of the willow and Stephania bit back a groan, she had been discovered. One of the dark riders looked up and caught a glance of her astride the branch " Not quite the bird I was looking for " he said " But I can make use of you " he laughed menecingly. Stephania shook her head and scooted back on the branch untill she had reached the trunk of the tree, she intended to climb higher however the first branch she reached for broke under her weight and she fell directly out of the tree to be pounced on by two dogs. Stephania screamed and tried to cover her face and head with her arms as the dogs snapped at her, a sharp order had the dogs backing off and an arm reached down and scooped her up into powerful arms. Stephania was held in an iron grip so tightly she struggled to breath " I shall enjoy your company " a harsh voice whispered as she was dragged out from the willow tree and thrown up onto a chestnut horse. The dark man mounted up behind her, pulling her back tightly against his chest,his armor digging into her tender skin then the horse was turned and the pair galloped out of the glenn with most of the others, only one rider and one dog remained in the glenn to continue the original hunt.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Ten Years Later.....

She arrived under cover of darkness, a shadow amongst shadows. Only the soft steps of her black mount betrayed that she approached. As she entered the small village she looked directly ahead though her eyes missed nothing. Everything seemed the same, not much had changed in the years she had been gone, there had been a little growth and a few new buildings added however the small village did not look as though it had prospered. She kept riding down the center of the village not stopping at the village's only Inn though the swinging sign promised hot food and a comfortable bed, she already had a destination in mind and after all these years, she was returning to the place where it had all began.

Leading her mount through the woods was slow and ardous for the brush had grown up and covered the small trail that had once been so clear to young foolish eyes. At places the woman's sword flashed out to chop at the brush to clear a path. Though she regretted using her sword in this manner, nothing was going to stop her from reaching the glenn. Finally she lead her horse out into the open fields of the glenn and looked around. Here as well very little had changed, the grasses were a bit taller but the brook still ran clear, the willow still drooped on the west side and peacefulness still emitted from the glenn.

Resheathing her sword, she released the horses bridle to allow it to graze and rest after the long journey to get here. It was well trained and she knew that the steed would not go anywhere. Solinari's bright rays again shone down shedding it's light to fill the glenn and it's inhabitants, the woman closed her eyes and pictured a young girl dancing free under the moonlight. Anger flashed through her and she opened her eyes " The girl is gone " she hissed out between clenched teeth, she knew it would be difficult to return however she was not prepared for all the memories. The woman walked with brisk steps though the tall grasses untill she reached the drooping branches of the willow tree. Bending down to get underneath it she stopped and looked around then sat on the ground with a sigh, resting an arm upon a bended knee, she looked around and remembered.

[Gaberial Cross]

An old man walked into the clearing and broke through the silence. "May I help you miss?" he asked. The old man was haunched over and looked as if he may very well have been in his late 70's.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Pinning the old man with a steely gaze the woman smiled " Nay old one, for there is no help to be had." Rising to her feet with an easy grace she unsheathed her sword but did not threaten the old man, merely making herself ready should there be any surprises. Keeping her distance she looked around " What are you doing here" she asked.

[Gaberial Cross]

The old man sat down on a log and breathed deeply, "I'm a grounds keeper of sorts, I promised a freind a long time ago I'd return here everyday and tends these grounds until the day he came back." The old man took another exaperated breath. "I Don't think he's coming back though, I just cant help but keep my word." The old man sat staring up at the sky, "He was looking for someone If I remember correctly, said he would come back when he found her."

[Kyra Starleaf]

Motionless the woman stared at the old man for what seemed endless moments untill she gave herself a mental shake " Your friend " she said softly " What is he like? " She herself had recently begun a search of her own and the best place to start is always at the beginning.

[Gaberial Cross]

The old man thought for a moment, "He said his name was Ashard, it was nearly Ten years ago he set out on journey for his freind, after that fateful day..." The old man looked thoughtfully into the pond, "Some kinda Dark Knights or something had found him one night and beaten him so bad they believed him dead, fact is he was dead. My wife, who passed away some 2 years ago, brought him back from the shadowy grasps of death and we helped him back to his feet. It took nearly 2 months before he was even able to walk, and when he was he set off on a journey for his freind. The day he left was the last day we ever saw him, he thought about the young woman and prayed for every single one of thoose days he was in our care, I think he prayed to every God for her safety, hoping she would hang on long enough till he could find her. We never saw him again..."

[Kyra Starleaf]

As she listened to the old man speak, an ache began to spread up the womans arm. Looking down she saw that her grip on her sword had tightened so much that the knuckles of her hand were white and the leather wrapped around the grip was digging into her palm. " The girl was not safe though she did hang on " she said quietly " However that girl no longer exsits. " The woman looked up with anger blazing in her eyes " I too am searching for the one from so long ago and I also pray that I find him. " she said heatedly making the repeat of the old man's words mean something far different than origionally intended.

[Gaberial Cross]

"So you are the one he sought for an now return....Hmmm" the old man looked at the young woman thoughtfully for a moment. "From what you say I can assume he never found you, which most likely means he died in his attempt to find you or perhaps even worse." The old man adjusted his postion slightly making himself comfortable. "The anger and hate burns in your eyes I can see it clearly, You blame him then for what happened?" The old man knew clearly more than he was letting on...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania grit her teeth " Who I am and what I think are none of your concern old one " She was not in the mood for the ramblings of the elder, she had returned for a purpose and a place to begin. Stephanie looked around the glenn once again and for a brief moment she was the happy carefree girl who danced under the rays of the moon and as the memories danced, her features softened allowing the girl she was to peek through. The breeze picked up, stirring the branches of the willow and snapped Stephania back to reality, with a small huff she ducked out from under the willow and whistled for her mount. As the black gelding galloped towards her, she looked back at the old one " No, he never found me and now he should hope I never find him." she stared at the elder for a brief moment before she mounted up, once in the saddle she gripped the reins and nodded her head slightly in acknowlegment to the old man.

[Gaberial Cross]

"Perhaps then you should start with the prison camp 30 miles north of here, for that is where he was intending to start to find you!" The old man got up and started to walk away and as he did so he spoke in a low soft tone "I think in time you will find your anger and hate for the man has been wasted. Do not be mad at me for your own follies lass." and with thoose few words the old man was gone...

[Kyra Starleaf]

She did not acknowledge the elders last remarks, only turned her horse and rode out of the glenn. Following the overgrown trail that had brought her to the glenn she thought over the old man's words and as she rode out of the wood, she turned her horse towards to the south. Riding through the night she only breaked to give her mount a rest untill as the sun began to peek over the horizon, she came within viewing distance of the prison camp. Stephania had nothing to fear from the ones that ran the camp, she was one of them and had been for the past half a decade. Riding her mount steadily closer to the camp, she kept her head high and a hand on her sword. Senteries posted around the perimeter and atop the prison walls watched her closely as she rode closer, it was not often that one volentairly came within distance of the dreaded camp. The stone walls rose high into the air surrounding the camp, outbuildings speckled around the walls some 50 feet from the stone and housed more guards. A well worn road led into the encampment as well as back towards a rock quarry in the hills in the distance. As the sun rose higher into the sky, it's bright rays reflected off the dark armor that she wore, armor simialar to that worn by the guards and she was not hailed untill she came to within 20 feet of the main entrance. Pulling her mount to a stop she waited as one of the armored senteries approached " What do you want " he growled as he eyed her, she stared back at him steadily " Who is in charge here?" she asked. The guard sneered " That would be Talat " Stephania nodded " Tell him Sania is here to speak with him." The guard snickered " You tell him " then he waved at the others in front of the gate and stepped back. As the gates began to open Stephania kicked her horses flanks and rode in through the gates.

[Gaberial Cross]

OCC: I Guess I play Talat??

Talat walked out into the court yard and scanned the new arrival Omniously. "I was not told of any prisoner transfers today, Word was sent from the western Province you wouldn't be here for another 2 weeks?" Talat glared at the woman in Armour. "Well Miss Laurel? I'm assuming you have an explanation?"

[Kyra Starleaf]

As she rode in through the gate she was met by a large man who scowled at her. As he spoke she dismounted and looped the reins over the saddle then turned to address him " I am called Sania and I have come in search of a prisoner, not to bring you more." She lifted her chin and stared him in the eye not showing any hint of emotion on her features. she had never met Talat however she had heard of him, it was said that he was a hard taskmaster that dispised weakness.

[Gaberial Cross]

"Alright, well we have plenty, you have a name and a description?" Talat turned to walk towards the prisoners cells, His attitude was stern and he wasted no time in trying to get to the point. He had to many things on his list today to be dealing with Minor inconveniences such as this. "I'm assuming this means you'll be taking this said prisoner, assuming I have him, off my hands?" he asked. Talat was already short on room so if a superior wanted a prisoner and sent someone he had no issues about unloading them.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania followed Talat towards the cells where teh miserable prisoners sat within, hollow eyes empty of hope stared back at her as she passed the cells. Stephania felt no sympathy for those people, she was once one of them herself and she had done what was nessessary to overcome it and if she dispised herself in the dark of the night, then who was to know. " The man I seek is called Ashard. " she stated shortly. Stephania did not even know if he was here, it was just a starting place, a hint given to her by an old man however if none had seen Ashard in the 10 years that had passed, this was a likely place for him to be concidering that he was the origional prey of the dark riders.

[Gaberial Cross]

OCC: this is gunna be kinda weird try to bear with me...if you have any questions just PM me

Talat paused a moment and thought "I don't know anyone by that name." He stopped in front of the main Cell holding area and looked at one of the guards who had been following them. "You know anyone by that name?"

The guard raised a finger to his temple and thought a moment, "We have a prisoner in Solitary who has been there since my assignment here. His name isn't Ashard but it sounds similar, everyone just calls him Asard. Most of us just call him "the Dog," he's been down there so long."

Talat raised an eyebrow to the guard, "I wasn't even aware we had anyone in Solitary currently. What is his reason for being down there?" Talat didn't normally use the solitary cells, they were restricted for Prisoners of truly the worst caliber. They weren't even fed normal food, When a prisoner went to solitary they fed him a mixture of rancid raw meat and dog food. Talat started towards the long descending stairs that led to the "Dungeon" as it had become known to most people.

The Guard simply shrugged with a callus disregard towards the mans life, "I have no idea, he's always been down here even since I’ve been here, almost 3 years now."

Talat shook his head, "No wonder they call him a dog, he must be almost a simple shell by now." They finally rounded the corner to led lined cell that housed "the Dog" they had been speaking of. Talat displayed the same disregard for the man's life as the other guard did. The fact a man had been in Solitary for God knows how long, been surviving on rancid meat and beaten as entertainment on a regular basis, bothered him very little, It was after all just one man...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania made no comment however her brows drew together as she listened to the guard explain that the man had been in solitary for the nost part. From her own ordeals, she knew that solitary could break a person very easily in a small amount of time, she herself had tasted the terrors of solitary confinment in the past and the week that she had spent in the darkness had nearly killed her. Stephania could not imagine how one could survive the ordeal for 3 years. " If the prisoner is still alive and the one I seek, I doubt he will be a condition to be much good to me. " she muttered as she followed Talat and the guard down within the dregs of the prison camp.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashards eyes squinted suddenly as the rush of light was thrown into the room, he hadn't seed daylight in almost 8 years now so even a small amount was hard on his eyes. Ashard moved to a corner and said nothing as a guard entered the room.

"SOMEONE IS HERE TO SEE YOU DOG!" the guard shouted at him in anger. All Ashard could do was simply spit at the guard. in eight years he hadn't said a bloody word and he wasn't about to start now.

The guard was hit in the face by the spit and immediately retaliated by striking Ashard across the face with his Plate mail gloved hand bringing Ashard to his knees in an instant.

"Be careful" the guard said "He has his good days and bad days, today looks like he's feeling defiant again, I can wipe that from him really quickly if need be."

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania stepped into the room and stared down at the man crumpled on the floor. The meager sunlight pouring in allowed one to see the miserable state the prisoner was in, he was filthy and nothing but bones, his skin was as pale as moonlight from lack of sun except were sores and bruises added color. Wrinkling her nose a bit at the distasteful stench of the cell Stephania gestured to the guard to step back from the prisoner. " There will not be a need " she replied to the guard as she stepped closer to the man. She came to within three feet of the prisoner and waited untill he could look up at her, as she waited she studied him, he had the same hank of black hair and was about the right height however she needed to see into his eyes to be sure he was who she sought. " Ashard? " she said quietly.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard looked up his eyes met hers, he had no idea who the woman was, it had been too long. For the first time in almost ten years Ashard finally spoke, "...I am" he said quietly in a harsh drawn out tone. His eyes still registared the same clear cut defiant attitude they had almost ten years ago, even if the body had been broken the mind was still as sharp as it ever was. This was a man who refused to given to anyone.

The guard behind her spoke as well, "The dog does speak how about that he's not nearly as retarded as we thought him to be." The gaurd in turn also shouted to his budy behind him, "Hey Tasamar, The retard does speak, after all your beatings he finally spoke to a woman, go figure!"

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania ignored the guard as she stared into the defiant eyes of the man in front of her, memories of the fateful day when she had been captured flashed in her mind and suddenly overwhelming anger welled up inside her. " It was your fault " she whispered unconsiously as angry tears welled. Impatiently Stephania wiped them away before she turned towards Talat " He is who I seek " she said " In the morning, I will take him with me. " She looked back at Ashard for a brief moment locking gazes with him before she turned to walk out of the cell.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard was tired and worn out too many days and long nights and now someone new had entered his cell his own private hell and blamed him once more for something he had no idea about. "IF ITS BLOOD YOU WANT TAKE IT NOW!" Ashard yelled, "I tire of this existence, but I refuse to be blamed for anything when I haven't known even a days freedom in my life. I know not who you are or what your problem is. But I have been a slave and a prisoner since the time I was 6 years old. AND IF spilling my blood or killing me will bring you peace then take your blood now, slowly or quickly, Torture me or kill me I no longer care. There is no man here only skin and bones. I died a long time ago, but take your pound of blood, skin and life and begone just like everyone else. For one is no better than the other and I hate you all." Ashard stood there defiantly angry, meaning every word he had spoken.

It didn't take long though for Tasamar and the other guard to come bursting past Stephania and into the cell. They started to take turns as they began beating the defiance out of him, But from Asharad there was no resistance, no effort to hide or withdraw. He made no effort to protect his ribs or any part of his body, pain meant nothing to this man anymore. The only pain Ashard new now was the pain of living on with a silent black existence and even that carried little sorrow and pain any longer. Ashard simply aloud the guards to beat him continuously until they felt they were done...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania stared dispationately as Ashard shouted at her and she stood back and did not interfere as Talat and the guardsman did in fact take their " pound of flesh", she merely waited untill they had stepped back from Ashard's bloody beaten body " I will take him in the morning, make sure he is prepared to travel." she stated and then walked out of the cell into the sunlight. Breathing deeply of the fresh air she refused to feel sympathy for Ashard's plight, she told herself that she should not feel sorry for him, it was because of him that she ended up the way she was and Ashard had to answer for that. Stephania had told herself the same thing for the past ten years however now that she had found her quarry, instead of satisfaction, doubts were begining to rise. Shaking her head to rid herself of such thoughts, Stephania waited untill Talat re-joined her " Make sure he is fit to travel by morning. " she demanded " Feed him something so he regain some strength enough to move."

[Gaberial Cross]

Talat waited for The woman known as Stephania to leave before he went back down to the cell, when she finally did he turned to Tasamar and put his hand on his shoulder, and whisped into his ear. "Feed him nothing and make sure by the time he's ready to leave tomorrow he looks good but wont get far before dieing. We cant risk him living to long or our seceret could get out. I want to make sure by the time he gets 10 miles from here he's nearly dead." The Guard nodded and reentered the cell that held the silent Ashard. "Sir what if the woman complains?" the gaurd asked thinking the woman would be unhappy her prisoner was in bad shape. Talat simply shrugged, "Escape attempt..." he said as he exsisted once more.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania left the cell block and went towards the stables to gather up her traveling gear, her mind was racing and she allowed her train of thought to play itself out. Her attention was caught by a young boy working within the stables, he could not have been more that 12 years yet his body held the marks of years of abuse. As she approached the boy cowered away, his eyes darting around fearfully. Stephania stopped a few feet from him " I have come for my gear " she said " fetch it for me " the boy hurried off and within moments was back with her saddlebags. Instead of turning to go to the soldiers quarters she stood watching the boy " How long have you been here? " she asked the boy gulped and looked around to see who was watching them, not seeing anyone else close he glanced back at Stephania " Fo-For-Forever " he stuttered quietly.

[Gaberial Cross]

Talat walked into the stables and saw the boy talking to Stephania. "BOY, Ive told you NOT TO SPEAK to the soldiers." Talat had mean look on his face as he scowled at the boy. He reached for a horse whip and cracked it righ across the boys leg. "NOW MOVE and finish your chores!!!" Talat smiled breifly at Stephania "My appologies for the boy Miss, his manners escape him. Stable booys are not to fraternize with the Sodliers." Talat moved a little closer to Stephania and brushed some lint off off her armor. "I was thinking perhaps tonight you would join me for dinner? We don't get very many visitors down here and it can be such a lonely journey, I'm sure you haven't been in the company of nobility in quite some time..." Talat smiled evily.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania seethed at the cruelty shown to the boy " That was unnessessary " she growled as she watched the boy hurriedly limping away. "I was thinking perhaps tonight you would join me for dinner? We don't get very many visitors down here and it can be such a lonely journey, I'm sure you haven't been in the company of nobility in quite some time..." Talat smiled evily. She looked at him and nodded once " I will join you for dinner, there are some things I must discuss with you before I leave." She reached down and swung the saddlebags over her shoulder, narrowly missing Talat making him have to quickly step back to avoid being hit. " Now if you would show me to my quarters "

[Gaberial Cross]

Talat escourted Stephania to her quarter and showed her inside. As he was about to leave he turned back to her and smiled, "perhaps your right, My treatment of the boy may have been harsh, but he should consider himself lucky. His father is the man you met earlier, the prisoner you seek, YOUR prisoner..." Talat smiled. "I think considering the circumstances They should both consider themselves lucky to be alive period." Talats eyes glowed red with the kind of madness known only to the kind of men who walk the line between that madness and genius. He was a master at what he did, you could hide very little from this man and in the end he almost always won. Talat left quietly saying nothing else.

Talat retired to his quarters and did a fair amount of paper work and minor "catching up" work before Dinner time rolled around.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania dropped her gear on the floor of the small room and sat down on the edge of the bed, the boys face flashed in her mind, the fear she had seen in his eyes had been all too familiar. Shaking her head she pushed all thoughts of the boy and Ashard from her mind as she got up and poured water from the pitcher into a shallow bowl to wash some of the travel grime from her body. As she peeled off the black armor, she allowed it to drop to the floor leaving it where it lay. Dipping a soft cloth into the cool water she allowed the water to trickle down her neck and shoulders, droplets ran down her back and across a mirade of scars that criss crossed over her skin, souvineers of her own time as a slave. When she had washed all the dust and grime off her skin, she dressed in a simple tunic and leggings then retrieved her black armor to clean it before she joined Talat for dinner.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard sat quietly in his dark dank cell for many hours, most of the time he had no idea what time of day it was or how much time had passed. Many people would wonder how such a man could keep his sanity after being in a confined cell for that long. The answer itself was fairly easy. He didn't try Ashard would simply close his eyes and dream of a quiet grove he had once seen, the only time in his life when he knew even a semblance of freedom. Ashard had done so much in the grove in the past Ten years it was sometimes so real to him. There were even days when his dreams almost seem to come alive with a life all thier own.

Talat lit a fire in the fireplace of his quiet room, and set the table for dinner. It was Talats inyention to try to seduce the young woman first. But as everyone knew here in the prisoner camp, If Talat wanted something he asked first, but he'd TAKE it second and Talat always got what he wanted.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania stood in front of the small looking glass as she brushed the last of the tangles out of her long honey blonde curls, she had left it loose as she washed up but now she gathered it up into a coil that rested at the back of her neck, the way she usuaslly wore it so none really knew it's length. She began to think of what was to come when she left this place with Ashard in tow, she couldn't help but wonder at how he still seemed to have his wits about him after so long within the solitary confinement that he had been subjected to. A soft knock sounded at her door, she sighed and tucked a stray curl behind her ear then turned to open the door. A servant stood waiting outside " Master Talat requests your company M'Lady ". Stephania nodded and stepped out to follow the servant, the man bowed slightly and lead the way down the hall stopping outside of the master quarters. The servant knocked softly and stepped back, again he bowed to Stephania then departed as the door began to swing open.

[Gaberial Cross]

Talat opened the door and smiled at the beautiful stephania standing infront of him. "Come in my dear, come in..." Talat wrapped his hand around Stephania's waist and escourted her over to the the table where he pulled the chair out. "I hope everything has been to your satisfaction so far?" Talat inquired lightly. Talat took a seat next to Stephania and began to pour her some Elven Wine. Talat set the bottle down and moved his hand under the table to touch Stephania's inner leg. Talat smiled "I'm so glad you decided to join me tonight..." he said with an evil ferile grin...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania smiled, she had expected this however just not so soon. " I have found things to be satisfying so far " she replied as she lifted her glass to sip at the wine " You have done well in the running of this place. " Stephania leaned back in her chair and crossed her ankles, effectively pinching his fingers between the leg guards of her armor that she had cleaned and wore to dinner. As he snatched his hand back, she smiled lightly " The prisoner I will be taking with me, tell me his history here."

[Gaberial Cross]

Talat shook his hand in pain, "I'm afraid M'lady, that information is classified. The prisoner is yours as you wish, but his crimes and his history ALL of his history, including the parts even he is unaware of is to remain a mystery, even to him!..." Talat chuckled and smiled at his own brilliance, he would give the woman a few minutes before making her give into him and his wiles. "But I can tell you this much, even that Dog didn't deserve what my guards have done to him. BUT even they need they're toys right?"

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania's brow creased into a frown briefly as anger flared in her eyes, just as quickly as it came up she masked the emotion and shrugged " So long as he is fit to travel in the morning, I care not what games your men may play " Inside she was seething, if Ashard was not able to travel tomorrow there would be hell to pay.

[Gaberial Cross]

Talat served dinner and smiled at the woman. " My dear, you fail to realize that you are in my camp, and I give you this prisoner by strict grace and kindness. If he is not fit to travel tomorrow, there is nothing you can do about it." Talat thought for a moment. "And since perhaps there is nothing you can really do about I can tell you this much. Ashard is an experiment, one from 20 years ago. Where your sitting now used to be the tribal home of a group of Barbarians." Talat smiled "I headed up most of the experiments we did back then. Most all of the barbarians we encoutered we killed. Ashard was one of the younger children back then. We were trying to find a way to give our knights more endurance and be able to travel longer, better minds, Minds that could hold up under presseasure and torture. It all needed to be tested though, The long term effects, torture brain washing, dissease, we needed to make sure that the magical process used to alter the children would be safe to use on the knights, we needed test subjects." Talat smiled, "We even set him loose a few times to see if he could out run our best knights and clerics, or if he could even defeat them. Sometimes I would send some of my men into towns and villages to slaughter the innocent to see if he would come to their rescue. He always did, he's been so predictable. The process is nearly complete, and Ashards use is at end. Therefore I can release him to you with no detriment to the project." Talat smiled again "The thing we did to him to test his endrurance were unimaginable by any standerd, even anything you are used to as well I'm sure." Talat served Stephania more stuffed chicken and laughed at his own genius

[Kyra Starleaf]

Though Stephania was shocked at the things Talat was telling her, she smiled charmingly at him " My my " she commented " You have certainly been busy, I am sure the Order is eagerly awaiting your reports on the ... experiments " Her eyes had darkened as she complimented Talat, her thoughts whirling about. " You say you set him loose a few times and send your men to lay traps for him, plunder and pilige the innocent to see if he would come to the rescue. " Peices of the puzzel fell into place as she looked at Talat's eager evil smile " You say he always came to the rescue " she mused as she forked up a tender bite of steamed vegtables " Was this chilvalry something the prisoner always had or a side effect of the experiment?"

[Gaberial Cross]

"Ohh heavens No..." Talat laughed and mused, "The effects of the experiment only sharpen and enhance what is already there." Talat poured more wine for the both of them. "Think of it like this, the subject used must ALREADY have a strong will, and desire to live, or he becomes useless. The process only enhances the traits and virtues that are already present." Talat mussed for a few more moments. "Ashards chivelressness as you call it was already preasent, ANY normal man would have not only caved in, but died with the things we did to him. The Magical processess used on him enhanced greatly what was already there. Its why we actually ended up killing so many of his fellow tribesman. If they have no Inner Desire or Strength of Will they became utterly useless zombies and the processess cracks the subjects mind like a fragile egg." Talat crossed his hands, he knew he was devulging way to much information, but it had been so long since he was able to boast he was bursting at the seams with pride. "...So far Ashard is the only subject who has survived,... Moreover The processes is not without its faults as well. There is a very severe problem with memory retention, at some point memories become shotty and full of holes kinda like swiss cheese."

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania nodded as Talat bragged about his accomplishments, she said nothing merely absorbed the information as she continued to eat the delecious meal laid out before her. She had known there was something going on in this camp however she was never privy to the infomation before. For the past 7 years she had been moving steadily up through the ranks of the order though not without many sacrifices to get to where she was now. She though of those imprisioned in the cells below, she had been in their place for a time but she had fought and clawed her way out. Adversity could always be beaten for a price, that was a lesson she had learned and learned well and she had paid a steep price, one that she regretted only in the dark of night. The council was aware that she had a personal vendetta against someone and that was the reason she was here, yet she had also been charged to gather as much information about the area and those within as she could and report it all back within a fortnight. Something was in the planning, she had not seen much about the area to be of any importance so she did not know what the council had planned however from listening to Talat, she was certain his experiments had something to do with it. Clearing her throat she smiled " I am sure the council will be impressed with your results."

[Gaberial Cross]

Talat smilied and nodded "I'm sure they will be as well...but the council is nothing more than a group of old out of date Mercanaries that think they know whats going on. I have much more important matters than the council." Talat stood up and walked over to a table where some weapons lay out. "I will give the council the report and information they request, but if they do not give me what I want in return, they will quickly find themselves in a very bad situation." Talat glanced over at Stephanya, his mood changing instantly, "Dont even bother asking me to eleaborate on that because I wont. In so far as your man is concerened be prepared to take him tomorrow. Leave here and never return and forget everything you saw. If you value your life, you'll take my advice." Talats mood had changed quite rapidly and he no longer sought the young womans company, privacy is the only thing he wanted right now, he had work to do and there were other things that weighed heavily on his mind. "I'm afraid I must ask you to leave now..." Talat said "I have much work that needs to be finished..." Talat opened the door for the young woman.


Meanwhile...
Ashards body lay beaten battered and bruised on the floor his eyes swallon shut would be cleared by the mourning. A tall dark man entered his cell and looked down at the poor pathetic creature that laid at his feet...

"prepare him for one last round of treatments,...Talat has ordered the maximum dossage of potion be given to him and the process completed. He wants to see if the worm can survive."

Several minutes later all that could be heard deep within the bowels of the prison was the lonely painful scream of a man who knew not his crime, or the reason for his torture...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania drained the last of her wine and set the empty cup aside, rising she approached Talat waiting in the open doorway " I shall not ask you to elaborate on your forthcoming plans however I will warn you not to underestimate the council." Stephania looked straight into Talat's eyes for a brief moment however she quickly turned away as if disturbed by what she saw within his gaze. Quickly she fled back to her own quarters to prepare for the coming morning.

Just as the sun was breaking over the horizon, Stephania was already out of bed and ready to depart. She had been sitting on the edge of the small uncomfortable bed staring out the window watching as the sky above lightened. She had not gotten much rest, the previous evenings revelations had played a big part however uncertainty played a larger part in her wakefullness. No longer sure that Ashard was solely to blame for her circumstances she was torn between duty and honor.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard was pushed into the sunlight like a dogged prisoner, his hands bound and his eyes covered with a blind fold. The gaurd that brought him into the court yard did so as he prodded him in the back with a hot branding iron. "REST HERE DOG,..." The guard shouted. A few minutes later two other guards brought out a rope and a harness which they quickly tied put around Ashard and tied him to the nearest tree, Ashard sank to his knees figuring they had finally after so many years decided to exacute him...

Talat walked out and faced the guard and handed him a small packet, "Give him this and when she leaves, make sure thyre both dead before they get even 2 miles away, bury the bodies in the wilderness and make sure neither are ever found." Talat wispered into the guards ear. The Guard did as he was instructed and gave the powder to Ashard. Talat dissapeared inside a few minutes later.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania stepped out into the sunlight just as Talat was leaving, she missed seeing him hand the packet to the guard however she did see the whispered instructions, she could not hear what was being said however from the grim look on the guards face, she did not imagine it was good. She spied Ashard chained to the tree and she stood for a moment looking him over, he had an expectant aire about him as if he was waiting for something that he had been expecting for some time to come, Stephania grimaced " Not today " she murmured to herself then walked steadily towards the stables to order her mount prepared and one brought for the prisioner, she wanted to move quickly, therefore the prisoner would ride rather than walk behind her own mount as was normal. The same young stable boy led her horse forward and handed her the reigns without meeting her gaze, a red welt still showed starkly against his skin on his leg, then he went back for the second horse. Stephania mounted up and walked her horse over to where Ashard and the guard were " If you have finished playing, I would like to begin my journey " she said sarcastically to the guard " Tie him to the saddle and let me be on my way " she ordered then turned back to look over the prison structures as if committing them to memory while the guard prepared Ashard to leave.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashards was throne onto the horse more than anything as several other guards opened the front gate, The guard that handled Ashard smiled at Stephania and winked, he figured he would be seeing her later as well. Ashard groaned, not so much from the tossing or the pain, just on the simple fact he hated Games, the torture was easily handled, an execution would have been a welcome release but these constant games they played really started to wear into his nerves. Ashards face ran a little pale as the poison began its slow journey through his blood stream, he knew it wouldn't kill him, it never did, but he'd be real sick for a few days...

[Kyra Starleaf]

While Ashard was thrown up onto the horse, Stephania spied Talat standing at one of the topmost windows looking down at them. From his vantage point she knew he would be able to watch the pairs progress for a long time untill the forest covered them from sight. Stephania nodded her head slightly in acknowledgement to Talat then checked back to see if the prisoner was ready. Ashard was seated upon the horse, his hands were strapped to the pommel and his ankles were tied together underneath the horses belly. Satisfied that he would not fall off the mount she took the reigns handed to her without thanks, she caught the smile and wink form the guard and sighed then without warning she kicked her horses flanks and shot off, causing the guard that had been standing so close to fall backwards to avoid being trampled by the two horses. The pair galloped throught the waiting gate and into the mornings sunshine, Stephania glanced back once and was disconcerted to see that although Ashard was still upright, he was pale and sweating, she could see him shudder every so often. Gritting her teeth she shook her head " Damn you Talat" she knew exactly what he had done. they had just reached the creast of the hill top and were about to disappear from sight when Stephania halted the horses and dismounted to check on Ashard. He was slumped over the saddle as she approached " Can you make it?" she asked coldly, she glanced back at the prison camp just in time to see four riders departing through the gates. Cursing she looked back at Ashard " We will have to move quickly" then she returned to her own waiting mount and swung into the saddle " Let the fun begin " she said quietly to herself.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard shuttered one more time and pulled his head upright, "Not that I really care at this point but, why not simply execute me here, If I am guilty of whatever crimes you have charged me with surely I derserve a punishment befitting." Ashard nodded his head, his eyes were still blind folded, "judgeing from the scent in the air, the given length of travel, and the speed of the horse were near the edge of the wood, which means Its only a matter of time before Talat sends his goons to finish the job..." Ashard let loose and threw up all over the ground. Wiping his face with his shoulder he continued in a harsher tone. "...Its only a matter of time before they catch up and finish the job Talat started. If your here they'll kill you too, you can move quicker without me. And since you have such a vendetta against me, and I'm obviously a guilty man..." Ashard said the word guilty with contempt and sarcasm. "...judge me and execute me, and get it over with, I tire of the cat and mouse games Talat plays with my life..."

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania looked back as she contemplated answering Ashard " I will not execute you " she said simply then focused on the path in front of her " And I am not longer certain you are guilty " she said quietly. The pair continued down the beaten pathway however halfway downt he hillside Stephania halted the horses once more. She dismounted and moved back to Ashard, reaching up she removed the blindfold and waited for his eyes to become used to the gently sunlight filtering down upon them. " We are leaving the road. You will need to be able to see what is in front of you so you do not get knocked by a stray tree branch or anything " Stephania slipped the blindfold into one of her saddlebags then mounted up and lead the horses off the road ond into the thick forest.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard took a deep breath, so many years in the prison cells had given him a sarcastic streak a mile wide. "You'd be the first." he said quietly. Ashard followed the woman for along time before finally breaking the silence. "I'm sorry..." he said quietly, "For whatever I did, or didn't do I'm sorry. You have to realize its possible I may have even done something and may not know it, My mind can sometimes be full of more holes than a piece of Palanthas cheese Bread. Anyway for what its worth I'm sorry." Ashard was staring at the trees several tears started to role down his cheeks, it had been so blasted long and he was so tired, tired of running tired of being beaten, tire of fighting for something his mind wouldn't even allow him to remember, and it was written all over his face, this was perhaps the first time in twenty years Ashard was able to shed a few tears for people he tried to save and couldn't, things he treid to change and wasn't able too, events that for all his efforts went without mercy. Some of them, just some of them Ashard couldn't even remeber, he just knew somehow, and the guilt was more punishment then Talat or this woman could have ever delt him...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania said nothing as Ashard spoke, she continued to pick her way along the overgrown deer trails in an attempt to stay ahead of Talat's hounds. The pair soon found their pathway cut off as they broke out of the brush and found themselves face to face with a sheer rock wall. It looked as though a complete side of the mountain had been sheered away neatly forming a towering wall of cragged rock. Stephania cursed for there was no time to back track their trail. She dismounted once more and walked the base of the rock, returning to where the horses were standing waiting she approached Ashard and looked him over. He was beaten and bruised and looked as though he had barley the strenght to sit upright on the horse, she locked gazes with him and sensed an inner strenght. " You may call me Sania" she said as she reached to unlock his ankles from underneath the horse " If we are to survive, we will have to fight." she said as his legs were released. Stephania did not immediately reach to free him from the pommel of the saddle, she was confident that she herself could subdue him should he attempt to escape however Talat's henchmen were steadily getting closer and she knew she would need Ashards help to defeat four highly trained guards.

[Gaberial Cross]

"Thoose four?" Ashard nodded his head "They'd be easy enough to defeat Ive done it before, But if you want my help, your gunna have to be a little more level with me than that. First you come into my cell, and acuse me of a crime I may or may not have commited, want to drag my arse halfway through the woods and back, WHILE were being Tailed. I dont know who you are, why you want me or anything about you." Ashard fixed his Gaze on the woman, "...and to make matters worse your not even honest with me, or yourself. NOW you want me to HELP YOU! Get a grip woman. If Talats Guards do catch us what motivation do I have to help you. YOUR ONE OF THEM, Go to hell! Damn Dark Knights are all the same. All you care about is yourself, power, revenge and money. You dont care about the innocent people that get hurt in the god damn crossfire of your friggin games. The innocent lives that get destroyed, DO YOU have any idea how many innocent towns and villages that man has burnt to the ground, all in his grand effort to test his NEW Endurance Knight! MY F***ING SON IS STILL BACK THERE! AND YOU WANT MY HELP? P*SS OFF B*TCH! Theres nothing anyone can do to me anymore to make me hurt, fight or draw a weapon, I'm done. I wont even try to escape, but if you want to fight your going to do it on your own!"

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania's hands twitched as Ashard screamed at her, anger blazed in her eyes shooting daggers. Stephania reached up and took strong hold of the restraints around Ashards wrists and pulled causing him to topple from the horse to land on the ground at her feet. " Don't you talk to me about innocent lives that get destroyed " she snarled down at him " Guilty or not makes no difference, you are still the reason I am here." Stephania could hear faint sounds of thrashing through the brush and she knew there would not be much time before Talat's guardsmen were upon them, glaring down at Ashard she drew her sword.

[Gaberial Cross]

"whatever, Blame you pathetic life story on me if you want, the only person we have to blame for what happens to us at the end of the day is ourselves. If it makes you feel better to blame me for your being here, feel free I still care not, and your still fighting them on your own." Ashard simply relaxed and sat back

[Kyra Starleaf]

As Ashard relaxed and sat back on the ground Stephania fought to control her temper, the urge to kill him for his insults and insolence were almost overpowering however she knew that she could not kill him yet for to do so would defeat the purpose of her being here. " So be it " she replied softly then using the hilt of her dawn sword she clipped him across the head knocking him back to the ground.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard fell to the ground unconscious, a swarm of images and thoughts all floating around in his head....

The guards drew closer to where they had tracked the horses, it wouldn't be long untill death had its way...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania sheathed her sword and stared down at the still form laying at her feet, with a sigh she released the remaining anger she had and set her mind to work forming a plan. Looking back over her shoulder she studied the rocky wall and spied a slight overhang that was particially shielded by an outcropping of rock on either side. Leaning down she grabbed Ashards limp form by the heels and dragged him over untill he was resting against the rock wall. Stephania returned to the horses and lead them over as well, loping the reigns around a rock to prevent them from wandering she hurriedly took out supplies and arranged them to look as if camp was prepared. Using dead leaves and small twigs that littered the ground around them, she quickly set a small fire ablaze then returned to her horse. She withdrew a small crossbow and 6 bolts then returned to check on Ashard, he was still in the position she had left him in, his breathing was regular, only a small trickle of blood flowed from his scalp where she had hit him with the hilt of her sword. Satisfied that he would stay out for yet a while longer she began to climb the rock face searching for a vantage spot. She found on approx half way up the wall, a small boulder had lodged in a crack causing it to become stuck and creating not only a seat to rest on but as well as the small space behind the boulder allowed for it to make an effective shield as well. Stephania unslung the crossbow from her shoulder and prepared to wait for the guards to appear, she looked down at the makeshift " camp" to see the horses resting and the small fire blazing at the foot of the overhang she was satisfied that when the guards appeared, it would look as though the pair had settled in for a stay.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard stirred slightly but remained unconsciousness as 4 guards walked into a camp that had been set as a trap...

The first Guard secured a perimter search. Not finiding the woman, he looked at the others nervously "Talat wants the woman alive for the next round of testing...DONT kill her, and DONT damage her, her reproductive value to the the project could prove useful."

The second Guard approached the unsconscious form with the anger and stature of a father who was looking down at his beaten son, "I've waited along time to kill this beast," A longsword was drawn and peirced straight through Ashard's right shoulder, as a groan escaped him and his form was pinned to the tree.

The third guard examined him, "Nice, looks like she hit him and left him unscoscious for us to find... Shes probably hunting for food, might be back shortly."

The forth gaurd said nothing only watched the display of brutality as the other Guards began taking their frustrations out on an unconsious man..

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania watched from her vantage point at the guards sauntered arogantly into the campsite, she could hear every word they said from her position above them and she fumed at hearing Talat had her scheduled next for testing. " We shall see " she muttered as she loaded the crossbow with a bolt and drew back taking careful aim. One of the guard had drawn his sword and was using it to make a pin cushion out of Ashard, Stephania growled low in her throat and loosed the bolt. It flew straight and true, catching the guard directly in the back of the neck, the short shaft coming out through the front of his throat. As the guard clutched at his throat, the others began to shout and looked around for Stephania, she loosed another bolt however only managed to clip one guard on the shoulder before he found cover behind the rock outcropping. She felt a moments frustration that there were no more targets before she began to pick her way down trying not to give away her position as well as keeping an eye for a stray body that may make a good target.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashards hand came up as his eyes came flying open and grabbed one of the guards hands as he reached to exsist his sword from Ashard's shoulder. Imediatly Ashard twisted the entire arm breaking it with a loud crack, and forcing him to the ground. Ashard simply smiled in pleasure at having caused one last bit of pain before he died...

The other guard caught Ashards movement and drew his sword, his eyes darting over the trees to find his attacker but still unable to locate her acurately. He finaly settled on the sitting target a few feet away, knowing he could most likely kill Ashard before the woman could save him.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania found a precarious perch halfway down and on an angle to the outcropping, teetering she settled down with one foot on the rocky ledge and the other back on the solid wall for support. Balancing on a bended knee she again raised the crossbow and sighted in on the outcropping, taking a deep breath she hollered " Talat's a fool to think he can subject one of the order to testing" as she was hoping one of the guard peeked his head around the outcropping in an attempt to locate her. As his eyes met hers, she released the bolt and the guard fell back with the bolt lodged between his eyes. " Two left" she muttered then shifted her position to find a more stable place however before she could move, the rocks beneath her began to shift and slide causing her to lose her balance and with a quick intake of breath, she fell down the rocky ledge to land hard on the ground below. All the breath whooshed out of her and her head cracked hard against the ground causing her to see stars, she had lost the crossbow during her short fall, it had landed at the bottom of the rack wall between two large rocks and the bolts had scattered all around.

[Gaberial Cross]

One of the guards stood up and saw that the woman had gone down. He approached her in silence, drawing his sword as he saw how stunned she had become, "I will send you to Chemosh's dark realm little lady for killing my friend" The guard pulled from his pocket a small bag of powder. Before he had a chance to use though, a sword point erupted from his chest as his dead body came collasping to the ground.

"Damn dark clerics of Chemosh..." Ashard muttered, turning on his heels preparing to defend stephania from the next quickly approaching foe...

[Kyra Starleaf]

As the guard withdrew the small bag, Stephania glared at the guard while struggling to regain her breath. Helpless for the moment, she lay on the ground waiting for the light touch of the powder, once the deadly grains touched exposed skin, there was no hope for the victim all manner of disease would quickly incapacitate and kill the intended within minutes. As the sword point pertruded from the guards chest, his look of surprise was mirrored by Stephania's own as Ashard came to her rescue. She frowned as he turned to face the last oncoming guard with sword at the ready and rolled over to attempt to regain her breath and stregnth. Getting up she stood unsteadily, rolling pain radiated from the back of her skull untill it felt as if her eyes were about to pop out of thier sockets and with a groan she staggered back rising a hand to her head. The last guard stopped a few feet from Ashard and grinned " First I will deal with you, then I'll deal with her" he nodded his head to where Stephania was reaching an outstreched hand towards the rock wall for leverage. He faced Ashard once again and slowly waved the sword point tauntingly back and forth " Aye, I have wanted to do this for some time now Dog" he mocked then grunted as a dagger landed in his side. Clutching a hand to the protruding blade he looked up, Stephania had picked up the crossbow and a bolt and held them loosly in hand, mockingly she saluted before raising the crossbow and taking aim.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard watched as the final guard went down in a thump the crossbow bolt protruding from his forehead. He sunk down against a tree and took a deep breath, "I'm too old for this.." he muttered to no one in particular.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania leaned back against the rock wall, the crossbow fell from her hand to land on the ground at her feet. Numerous aches and bruises were forming all over her body and her skull felt as though it was being split in two. She grit her teeth in an attempt to push the pain to the back of her mind and forget about it, something that had worked for her in the past, then she began to gather up the weapons of the fallen guards. She kept a close eye on Ashard as she took all the weapons she found on the bodies and piled them close to the small fire that had been reduced to embers, next she began to drag the bodies into the wood where the wild animals could take care of the remains. When she was finished dragging the bodies into the woods she glanced over at Ashard who still had blood flowing freely from his shoulder , she knelt down beside him " Why did you save me? " she asked.

[Gaberial Cross]

"Because..." Ashard began to say, "...I still try to do the right thing, regardless of what you and your Dark Knights do to me." Ashard took a deep breath, Ashard lowered his head "...I say try because sometimes I didn't always succeed." Ashard sat down and held a peice of cloth to his arm, trying to get the bleeding to stop. His eyes looked worn and drawn out, this was a man who had seen to much, and knew way much more than he ever wanted.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania nodded then took the peice of cloth from Ashard " Be still " she commanded quietly then she proceeded to dress Ashards wound, staunching the flow of blood she wrapped the cloth around and under his shoulder creating a bandage. As she tied the knot, her mind flashed back to other bandages she had wrapped around this man, pushing those thoughts away she finished what she was doing and leaned back on her heels assessing her handiwork " You'll live " she announced then she got up and moved to the supplies and rummaged through untill she can up with a waterskin. Taking a long drink she eyed Ashard where he sat then she approached and offered the waterskin without words.

[Gaberial Cross]

"I had little doubt of that!" Ashard said with a smile. He took the water skin and smiled at her "Thank you!" he said genuinely Ashard stared at Stephania for a moment and then finally spoke, his tone had changed slightly and there was a certain kindness that hadn't been there before. "Please..." he said quietly "I cannot say weather or not I am guilty of the crimes for which I have wronged you for, but at least tell me what they are. Give me that much. If I am to die for something I am accused for I'd like to know what it is guilt or no!"

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania stared at Ashard as she battled within herself weither or not to reveal the reason he was with her. She was no longer sure that he was responcible for what had happened ten years ago in light of the information that Talat had revealed to her however ten years of anger and thoughts of revenge were difficult to let go of. She had spent almost half her life under the hand of the dark knights and the past years as one of them, she had done things that would have horrified herself previously with little or no regret, effectively killing the girl she once was. Stephania spoke slowly " A little more than 10 years ago " she began " There lived a girl I knew with only her stepfather for company " Stephania paused then got up and began to pace " Altought the girl had a difficult life, she was happy..untill one day a man showed up on her doorstep and with him he brought only death " Stephania stopped pacing and stared at Ashard, her eyes almost glassy yet she shed no tears for she had none left to shed " The order took the girl and she was never seen again." she finished quietly. Although she had not elaborated she had the feeling that Ashard knew exactly what she was speaking of.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard lowered his head slightly he hated the fact his memory had been reduced to nothing more than a lump of swiss cheese. There were parts from his childhood that he could recall plain as day as if it had happened yesterday. Other parts from days and years past that had been eliminated as if by some plaque but worse, far worse. "You believe I was the man that brought death to the young womans door step?" Ashard asked, he geniuinely didn't know. "I will not hide the fact from you, my mind has been reduced to nothing more than a collections of holes and empty spaces, gaps for which I cannot fill." Ashards eyes showed the honesty of a man who had become part of an unwitting experiment against his will. A man who didn't ask for but bore the burden of sins he couldn't even remember. "The possibility is..." Ashard continued "I may be guilty of the crimes you accuse me of. If by some form I can rectify one mistake I have made and standing trial for a crime I may be guilty of will help you in any way. Then I go willingly and will do as you command mi'lady. I fear no death worthy of the punishment I deserve, I fear only life with no recolection of thoose crimes...." Ashard sat quietly awaiting his next instructions from his new master!

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania looked at Ashard slumped on the ground with a mixture of pity and anger, that he claimed not to recollect what she was speaking of caused a flare of anger that he could dismiss her so easily. True that the experiments that he had been put through likely did cause permenant damage and perhaps he was being truthful however she refused to accept that. Stephania growled low in her throat, her mood turned dangerous " Get on the horse, we are leaving this place now." She stalked over to where the saddlebags lay and slung them over her shoulder, if they rode hard they should make it to the abandoned tract before nightfall. The tract was a grouping of buildings used by the order for training, it was long since abandoned when they discovered a better suited place to training the new recruits within the mountain range. As she scattered the remains of the fire she looked about to make sure nothing was left then she waited for Ashard make ready to mount up, she held a legnth of rope in her hands " You are my prisoner " she said simply.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard climbed on the horse quietly with his head hung low, "...As you wish Mi'lady" Ashard took a deep breath and let it out slowly once more. "As I said before I will make no attempt to escape, on that you have my word." Ashard said nothing else he only waited for stephania's lead.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania did not say a word, simply tied a legnth of rope to bind Ashards hands then gathered the reigns of his mount and tied them to her saddlehorn. MOunting up she glanced back at Ashard slumped in the saddle ' Perhaps he truely does not remember ' she thought briefly then dismissed the thought as quickly as it came. Giving her horse a slight kick in the sides, Stephania lead the way and the pair re-entered the forest.

After many long hours of riding in silence the duo crested a hill just as the sun was beginning to set over the horizon and came upon the old abandoned tract nestled within a sheltered valley. Secluded, the ten buildings were in various states of disrepair, the elements taking their toll. Of the ten buildings, only five were in any condition to house them the rest tumbling down from the ravages of sun, wind and rain. Stephania sighed to herself quietly " It begins " she murmured then began the last legs of the journey towards the largest building still standing.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashards eyes looked around for a moment before he finally spoke, "Mi'lady I hate to be a nusence but would it not be prudent to first secure the perimeter? Given the fact that we are both being hunted, I would not put it past our pursuers to be here in hiding waiting for us." Ashard genuinely did not have any clue where he was, and the worst part of it was for the life of himself, couldn't remember the name of the person who was chasing them, a fact that was relfected all over his face along with the frustration it had caused.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania halted the horses in front of the largest structure then glanced back at Ashard " There is no reason to set a perimeter for very few remember that this facility is here." she dismounted and bit her lip to prevent herself from groaning as her muscles protested the movement after the long time in the saddle. Stiff, she murmured a few words to her mount then motioned for Ashard to dismount as well " Come, we rest here."

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard did as he was instructed dismounting without a single word. His head lowered the entire time. to the average person it would have seemed as if Stephania had a slave...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania watched as Ashard did as he was bidden without a word, he head hung in compliance. A frown creased her forehead as she looked for some semblance of the man that had stood up to Talat's guards and had defied her own orders not long ago. He seemed to be nothing but a shadow at the moment and Stephania hoped that this would not last, she much preferred he to be defiant than passive, at least if he was putting up a fight, she would not have to worry about twinges of concious that perhaps she was doing the wrong things by having him here. " Come on, we need to rest." she ordered however her words were spoken gently.

[Gaberial Cross]

"yes mam,.." Ashard said quietly. At this point he had resigned himself to his destiny. If he had infact commited the crimes he had been accused of then by his own code this woman, this Stephania, had a right to his soul, and his life. Ashard couldn't get around this fact no matter how much he wanted to rebel and claim his freedom. Ashard took another breath, "Milady?...am I to set tents?" he asked his head was still hung and he avoided eye contact with the woman, a sighn of respect he had been taught at an early age...

[Kyra Starleaf]

" No " she replied sharply to his inquiry then proceeded to mount the rickety stairs that led into the building. Reaching out to grab the doorknob, she was dismayed when it came off in her hand and with a sigh she raised a booted foot, the door flew inward at her kick and she proceeded inside. Cobwebs hung from the rafters and years worth of dust and debris littered the floor. Broken peices of tables and chairs were scattered around the main room " This was the dining hall " she remarked as slight memories of her own training flashed through her mind. Resolved she pushed broken chairs out of her way then turned to Ashard. " We shall stay here for the night."

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard nodded and did as he was told. He bagan to quietly clear a space for them to rest. He found most of the materials had been rendered useless by age and rot. when an image stuck him suddenly and he fell to his his knees in screaming agaony. Imgaes he didn't understand or know flooded his brain and his sight as he was confronted with hundreds of people, places and things he didn't recognize untill it all faded away and he was left with a spliting headache and a trail of blood that flood from his eyes, nose, and ears. A small moan escaped ashard as he tried to get to his feet once more and abide by his lady's command.

The withdraw from the treatments had begun...

[Kyra Starleaf]

At Ashards yell Stephania dropped the gear she was unloading and rushed over to him, he lay on the floor screaming in agony, his hands pressed against his temples. As blood began to trickle from his eyes, ears and nose, Stephania cursed and hurried back to her saddle bags, withdrew a small piece of cotton and returned to Ashard. When she got back to him, he was swaying unsteadily on his feet, a muddled look in his eyes " Sit down fool, before you fall down " she ordered dabbing at the blood on his face. " What was that all about?" she inquired as she mopped him up, though her tone was brisk, her ministrations were gently as she lightly cleaned all the blood off of him.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashards speech was slow and stuttered as he tried desperately to clear the cobwebs from his head. "Its the lack of treatments, my body is adjusting, and my mind is still catching up with itself." Ashard sat down feeling very much like a heal.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania leaned back on her heels once she finished cleaning off the blood from Ashards face, she looked thoughtfully at him " How long had you undergone these treatments?" she asked then briskly shook her head " Nevermind, it no longer matters for you will not be subject to that anymore " she muttered then she got up to rifle through the pack supplies. Returning to him with a piece of hardtack and a waterskin she tossed it down to him where he sat on the floor " Here eat something, you will feel better."

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard ate a small mount of food as he was instructed, and as he took a sip of water and swallowed it he answered her question. "ever since I was a small boy." he said very simply and matter of factly. His eyes glazed over for a moment as he remembered the years before his capture, and the capture of his people, a small tear ran down his face. There wasn't all that much to recall, he knew very little of his people or his herritage. He didn't even know his father, none of it really mattered anymore now. Ashard got to his feet and looked at Stephania, "what is your command mi'lady?"

[Kyra Starleaf]

Swallowing the mouthful of hardtack Stephania sighed inwardly as she looked at Ashard standing there complacently, she much preferred the spitting fighting man she had first seen in the darkened cell. How was she to extract her revenge on this person who awaited her every command, there could be no satisfaction in this. Stephania got up and tossed a bedroll at Ashard " Here, go to sleep." then she turned away and walked to the open doorway.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard unrolled the bedroll as commanded and crawled in without argument or opposition. His eyes closed and he drifted off to sleep.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania stood next to the open doorway of the rickety old building and looked up at the stars shining down, Solinary had already risen and was beginning to set and Lunitary was about to make it's appearance. Stephania stood and watched as the red glowing moon slowly made it's way intot he night sky, shedding it's red rays down upon the ruins of the training facility. The red beams found their way into the crumbling building and crossed over the slumbering form of Ashard like bloody slashes. She had planned on staying here untill her business with Ashard was completed however she knew that Talat would send more hunters after them.

[Gaberial Cross]

Talat looked at Ashard and smiled "You dont get it do you boy, you dont remember because you dont need to." Talat took the black handled club and hit Ashard in the head with it, but he didn't go down nor did he give way. The beating continued until Ashard begged for him to stop, except he never did.

Ashard awoke and sat up suddenly looking around he saw Stephania. A sigh exited him as he realized he truely wasn't any better off...

[Kyra Starleaf]

She was tired, standing in the doorway wondering what she was going to do, the uncertainty was unnerving and she was growing increasingly frustrated. Emotions were coming to a boiling point and Stephania felt as if she were ready to explode, usually so calm she had always been one to hide or surpress any emotions, never showing fear or self-doubt. And now that she had gained her ultimate goal, to have the one responcible for the past within her grasp and not being able to extract her revenge was almost too much. Stepania bolted away from the door and began to toss broken bits of tables and chairs around the room, cursing the entire time and hearing in her mind the laughter of the fates. Heaving the broken rotting peice of wood around she screamed out her frustration and smashed splintering boards untill only dust and splinters were left. As quickly as it started, the rage left her and she stood in the center of the room, her breath heaving and blood dripping from her hands from the many cuts and splinters from the wood. She turned away and walked past a wary Ashard to resume her post in the doorway without a word.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard had heard the commotion and choose not to respond untill she walked back through the door. Ashard saw the blood on her hands dripping to the floor in larger amounts than he was comfortable with. Standing up he walked over to her and tore off some cloth, he grabbed her hand unexpectedly and wrapped it up. Before she could say anything he finished and moved to the next hand wrapping it as well. "I know your Angry with me, and I also know no appology will suffice, but for what its worth, I am sorry and I offer one anyway." Ashardfinished and stared out the door for a second as a flashed memory entered his head, but not without a price, the pain that came with the memory was equally as painful... Ashards head lowered rather quickly as he spoke..."I...I...remember ..a cleric, he was a cleric of Morgion, I can see his face his black hair, dark hideous eyes and animal like teeth..." the headache gew worse as more blood trailed from his nose, and the memory was gone as quick as it came. Leaving Ashard in a dark haze of confusion all over again.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania's first instinct was to snatch her hands back when Ashard began his administrations however she held still untill he had finished bandaging her hands. "I know your Angry with me, and I also know no appology will suffice, but for what its worth, I am sorry and I offer one anyway." Ashard said as he finished then he lowered his head and began to speak ..."I...I...remember ..a cleric, he was a cleric of Morgion, I can see his face his black hair, dark hideous eyes and animal like teeth..." Stephania turned away as he relived memories, she did not know what memory was trying to come out however her own memories of that fatefull day threatened to come forth and she hurriedly repressed them. He stood almost dazed in the open doorway, the red light of Lunitari washing over him, Gripping his arm Stephania roughly pulled him back and shoved him towards the bedroll " Go to sleep" she ordered coldly then she went over to her own bedroll and sat down upon it, her face hidden in the shadows she finally allowed her tears that had threatened earlier to fill her eyes.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard nodded, and said no more. For all his efforts, and all his work, he just couldn't seem to get through and at least get a civil attitude from this woman. Ashard was begining to think what ever he did maybe he deserved to tried and judged as a criminal. His lack of memory was no excuse for actions that could be considered wholey criminal. Ashard laid his head down and fell asleep, hoping in some ways he didn't wake up...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania waited untill she heard the deep even breathing that told her that Ashard had fallen asleep before she allowed the small sob to escape. She wiped the wetness off her cheeks, she was angry with herself for giving into the weakness. For many years she had repressed the soft tender feelings of the girl that she used to be, not allowing emotions to rule her if she wanted to survive however now that she had her revenge within her grasp for what had happened to put her in this position, she found that everything that she had thought was gone was coming back full force. Seeing Ashard almost broken caused her to rethink his part in her past, she no longer felt that he was responcible however she had come to far to stop now. With a small sigh Stephania began to prepare to bed down for the remaining of the night, peeling off her black armor untill she was down to a light tunic and leggins, she lay down on the bedroll and stared up at the cracked ceiling above her.

[Gaberial Cross]

....OCC: Lets spice things up!!!

Ashard was barely able to open his eyes when he saw and heard what came next, 3 of Talats guards had found them in quite a short order. It had been so long since he had to keep his guard up and keep one eye open at night that he never saw it coming. The wooden club struck the side of his head, threating his only semi-conscious mind to give way into complete blackness. Ashard knew Stephania was only mere seconds away from being their next victim, as his hand reached out and grabbed the ankle of the man who had struck him, sending him to the ground in a loud thunderous crash. Ashards head had been split open but the pain wasn't going to keep him from getting up,...

Ashard forced himself to his feet, as the blood poured from his head over his face, the internal struggle became easier as Adrenaline pumped through his system and the anger began to build.

Ashard had finally after all these years hit his limit, and he simply could not take anymore!!!

[Kyra Starleaf]

As three guards burst into the ramshackle building Stephania shot up off her bedroll with a curse, she had not meant to fall into such a deep sleep and she never thought that Talat's henchmen would catch up to them so soon or figure out where she had been headed. Two of the guards immediately headed for her while the third one bearing a club went for Ashard who was still unaware they had company. Before she could callout a warning, the guard had slammed the club into the side of Ashards head however there was nothing that she could do for him as she had her hands full with the two guards. They came at her frrom two sides, flanking her between them, she had a major disadvantage as she was not wearing any of her armor and the men were fully protected. Lifting her sword she snarled " Alright then, come on" and prepared to defend herself.

[Gaberial Cross]

The club came down on Ashard, but his hand caught it and ripped it from his grasp with a loud growl. His opponent was shocked by the sudden movement having figured Ashard would have been almost dead or at the very least unconscious. Ashard waited to time with his advantage and grasped the man by the heck and twisted him around in mid air, snapping his neck instintly. Ashard let the body fall to the ground as he turned his attention to Steph and moved in to take on one of the oppents that was flanking her,..

There was no thought only action...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania moved back to keep from being caught the two men, that only one had drawn his weapon gave her the knowledge that Talat must want them alive and that gave her the advantage as she had no such orders. Stephania suddenly stopped retreating and attacked, not caught off guard the man parried her thrust with a clang of steel on steel while the other made a grab for Stephania. She had been expecting this and quickly unlocking her blade she swung around and caught him under the arm with her sword. The blade was deflected off his armor, only leaving a dent but it gave her enough time to back out of reach again.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard grabbed one of the men forcing him to turn around. His hand grabbing the man by the armor collar and throwing him into a table, the mans helmet came flying off, as Ashard got a good look at the mans face. He was staring at Ashard and laughing, "Ha ha ha,...you have no clue do you...BOY! Ashards body froze as the man continued "Boy..remember the words ...I am yor PROGRAMER" The man said carefully as Ashard went limp and appeared to no longer want to fight the other man. "NOW KILL THE SOLAMNIC UPSTART!" he yelled at Ashard and pointed to Stephania. "I am your master!"

Ashards muscles tensed up as he grabbed a sword and moved for Stephania

[Kyra Starleaf]

The other guard backed off with an evil laugh as Ashard advanced toward her, Stephania backed off a little more as the guards settled in to watch the show. She was quickly running out of room, soon she would be backed into a corner with no where left to go so she began to circle, keeping distance from Ashard. " Ashard, you are stronger than this, don't listen to them" she said calmly as he advanced. She was determined not to attack him however she would defend herself if needed.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashards eyes narrowed as he drew his sword her words echoing through his head, there was something familiar about them, about her voice. Ashard lowered his sword a few inches and cocked his head ".....theres a man in your house" he wispered outloud "...Hes been chasing me making me do things he wants to hurt you and your husband..." Ashard looked as if he were struggling against the memory forcing it back somehow back to the surface. His eyes and face had the struggle written all over them

"ENOUGH ..." yelled the other man, "Kill her now!" The man pulled a pouch from his pocket and drew his sword, "If you dont your father will be very angry, you dont want to anger FATHER TALAT do you?..." he emphazied the words Father Talat as if they were key words.

Ashards eyes welled up with tears and he spoke as if he was only a small child "No, daddy doesn't like it when I disobey him! "he punishes me badly when I do..." he said like a scared child.

"THEN KILL HER NOW!" he yelled "And your father will be pleased!..."

[Kyra Starleaf]

".....theres a man in your house" he wispered outloud "...Hes been chasing me making me do things he wants to hurt you and your husband..." Ashard looked as if he were struggling against the memory forcing it back somehow back to the surface. His eyes and face had the struggle written all over them. Stephania blanched " He's not my husband " she said quietly " He was my step father " her words echoing what had been spoken over 10 years earlier.

"ENOUGH ..." yelled the other man, "Kill her now!" Stephania watched the change come over Ashard as the man spoke "If you dont your father will be very angry, you dont want to anger FATHER TALAT do you?..." Almost shrinking into himself Ashard responded to the demand "No, daddy doesn't like it when I disobey him! "he punishes me badly when I do..." The guard took two steps forward, an evil mixture of eagerness and anger on his face "THEN KILL HER NOW!" he yelled "And your father will be pleased!..."

As the guards watched to see what Ashard would do Stephania whirled and hurled her sword with all her stregnth straight at the guard that was leading Ashard. She watched with satisfaction as the sword sank to the hilt in his stomach, the armor parting as though it was hot butter. Weaponless she faced Ashard calmly, still maintaining a distance between them " Ashard, you are not a child, no one can hurt you...you are free"

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard was still in his mind just 4 years old. As soon as the sword hit the man he responded exactly like a 4 year old would have. Ashard screamed and dove under an old table believing he was in trouble and fearing his own fathers wrath. Ashard cried under the table and wished he had never left his room.

[Kyra Starleaf]

As Ashard screamed and dove under the table for cover the second guard jumped off the table drawing his weapon with an angry roar. Stephania raced towards him and as he swung his sword she dove and rolled under the deadly steel blade and came up just in front of the guard that was on his knees with her blade stuck through his middle. In agony, he was still alive, blood bubbled on his lips and a look of pain and fury shone in his dark eyes. Stephania did not spare him a thought as she gripped the hilt of her sword and pulled the blade free of the guards body. She brought it up just in time to parry a ringing blow that was intended to part her head from her shoulders she managed to gain her feet however the barrage of sword thrusts had her pined to the spot, only able to manage to defend she had no opportunity to go on the offensive. Over the clash of ringing steel Stephania glanced towards where Ashard huddled under the table " Ashard! You are not a child!" she cried when suddenly she was caught around the ankle in a strong grip, with a buble of blood on his lips the first black guard grimaced at her " Die B*tch" he wheezed as the second knocked the blade from her hands.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard dove under the table his head hitting the corner on the way down. "He's a cleric of Morgion, We have to burn this entire house." a Strange voice said in head, "I'm sorry about your husband, I should have gotton here sooner." the voice continued. "He wasn't my husband he was my step father." a female voice said. "I am truely sorry" the man said

Ashard was struggling against the memory again when he saw the Guards, "WAIT" he yelled, as a small trickle of blood ran out of his nose. Ashard got up and walked over as the guard backed off. "I want to kill her,...Its my job" Ashard drew his sword again and moved in front of the guard as he gave Stephania a wink...

[Kyra Starleaf]

"I want to kill her,...Its my job" Ashard drew his sword again and moved in front of the guard, the guard smirked at her and backed off lowering the point of the sword " This should be interesting" Stephania jerked her ankle from the dieing guards grasp and lifted her chin " I will see you in the Abyss" she hissed back at him.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard walked forward and stood over Stephania his dark eyes reflecting hatered and contempt. Raising his sword he swore in ogre, and swung and threw it around out of his hands connecting it with the guards legs. He fell to to the floor in Pain and agony as the blood still poured from his chest. The other guard was so shocked he charged at Ashard in a dark blank rage of hatred and anger.

Ashards grabbed the other guard by the arm as he swung his sword and ripped it from his hands. His other hand connecting with his throat. "YOU, you and your men took your time in kicking me around each day, like a dog, some filthy animal that doesn't deserve to even be alive." Ashard threw him into a table as it broke he went and lifted him up by the scruff of the neck and drug him into the center of the room. "NOW ITS MY TURN TO TORTURE YOU!!!" Ashards threw the man on the floor and stomped on his hand, breaking every finger on his hand with a crack. "How does it feel? how does it feel to regret the day you were born. How does it feel to want to embrace death?" Ashard grabbed the mans other hand and ripped four of his finger back breaking them at the joint "SCREAM FOR ME AS*HOLE"

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania was shocked by the ferocity of Ashard's attack, quickly she retrieved her sword from where it landed and turned to watch Ashard. The savagery as he broke all the guards fingers on both hands caused her to move forward " Ashard wait!" she did not get too close but looked directly at him completely ignoring the guards " You remember? " she asked referring to the words he spoke earlier, the guard was rolling on the floor groaning and cursing in pain and still she ignored him, intently watching Ashard.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard stopped and stared down at the writhing guard, "Bits and pieces, some solid some not, it comes and goes." Ashards head was oozing blood from the club that had cracked his skull open. "When it does come its as painful as being tortured." Ashard kicked the guard in the stomach and the looked at Stephania, "We need to tie him up I want to interogate him. I need rope." He said in an even dark undertone. He walked over and picked up some old twine and began tieing up the prisoner, careing very little for his discomfort.

...Ashard was acting more like an equal and less like a prisoner.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania still did not say a word while Ashard bound the guards hands and feet with the twine, instead she went over and dragged the dead guard by the feet into the far corner where he wouldn't be seen then she returned "what are you planning for him?" she asked sensing the change that came over him. Gone was the weak, complasent man that followed her orders without hesitation, instead the fire was back....something she much preferred as it gave her a level playing ground. " You know that Talat will not give up."

[Gaberial Cross]

"no he won't" Ashard said stoutly. He walked over to the other guard and started pulling off his armour and uniform. "So I'm going back, I'm ending this once and for all. After which you'll be free and clear to take me anywhere you want to stand trial for whatever crimes i am guilty of." Ashard wanted revenge

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania began to laugh bitterly as she watched Ashard strip off the guards armor " So you are going back are you? Just like that?" she walked up to him and ripped the piece of armor out of his hands " You won't get three feet inside the encampment before you are cut down!" she exclaimed. Although she had no weapon drawn and the fury in Ashards eyes did not bode well for any to stand in his way, Stephania stepped up directly in front of him and glared up into his eyes " Listen to me, I know now that you are guilty of nothing and that the person responcible is Talat himself " she continued " But you do not have a hope of succeeding if you rush off now headlong into a fight that you can not win without help." She lifted a hand and placed it on his arm " Ashard, you shall have your revenge, we both will, but we need to plan or we do not have a hope of winning."

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard gritted his jaw, "...and what about my son?" he said with the fury and Rage that hed welled up inside of him.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania grimaced " I am sorry about your son " she said quietly " But you can not help him if you are dead can you?" She turned and went back to her saddlebags that lay at the head of her bedroll and rummaged through them untill she came up with a spare cotton tunic that she began to tear into pieces. Using a waterskin to soak one of the pieces of cloth she returned to Ashard and began to lightly dab at the blood on his face then looked at the wound on the side of his head. His hair was matted with dried blood and fresh continued to trickle down the side of his neck, shaking her head " You are in no shape to even think about attacking Talat at the moment." she muttered as she pressed the cloth to the wound to staunch the flow of blood.

[Gaberial Cross]

The guard who was tied up, started laughing but was imediately silenced by a connecting fist to his face, he fell unconscious to the floor with a thud. "Shaddup a*sshole, who asked you!" Ashard said in a disgruntled tone. His Chemical balance was returning to normal which ment he was loosing his edge, and the fury that lit his eyes would soon be gone. Ashard threw down the armor and stromed outside "I need some fresh air he said on the way out. First I'm a prisoner, then I'm a human experiment, Then I'm guilty of a Crime I cant remember, now I'm not and everybody wants me dead." Ashard put his fist through the closet wall cleary agitated by the newest change in events, "...I sick and Tired of being used!" he said as he walked out

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania sighed as Ashard stormed out, he was furious ans she couldn't blame him for being so. She moved to stand in the open doorway and watched as he walked away, she did not call out to him, she knew that he would not go far, besides the horses were still stabled. She went back inside and began to gather up her gear, rolling up her bedroll and picking up her armor. She spared now glance for the guard that lay slumped on the floor even though he was alternately groaning in pain from his injuries and laughing " Talat will win in the end " he said to her " He won't give up" Stephania got up and moved over to stand over the guard " I hope he doesn't " she said coldly before she kicked out her booted foot and connected it with the side of the guards head knocking him unconsious.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard stopped a few yards from the door, he had found another abandoned house of some sort, he stopped and looked at it for a moment the old wooden door hung on its hinges only barely. Ashard stared at the door then looked back at the house where Stephania was, "Steph..." he called to her. He stared at the door a while longer as its ominous over tone beckoned him and a small trail of blood flowed out of his nose as yet another memory forced itself to the surface, Ashard had been here before...!

[Kyra Starleaf]

Steph stared down at the unconsious guard as she thought about what he said, she knew that Talat would not give up easily and that he would continue to come after the pair. She sighed, they would have to move somewhere else to plan since she knew that they would not be able to stay here. Stephania rubbed a hand against the back of her neck, she grimaced at the grit of sand and dust she felt, she was filthy from the flight through the wood, the dirt and debris of the ramshackle buildings and the battle earlier, she needed to bathe. She knew that a stream ran nearby so she finished gathering the supplies then left them stacked by the door as she went to find the water so she could wash. She noticed Ashard standing in front of one of the buildings however she did not stop but continued on untill she reached the end of the encampment where a clear stream flowed. Kneeling on the edge, she dipped in a hand and splashed water up onto her face and neck, washing away the accumulation of dust and travel grime.

[Gaberial Cross]

OCC Note: Italized is the memory, anything Ashard says in his memory in this post he says outloud and can be heard. He says it as if he were there again reliving it

Ashard reached for the door knob handle as it was nearly falling off the door. His head was killing him with a screeching headache, ...

"...ON YOUR KNEES WORM" Ashard was kicked out the door and down the steps, he was so afraid, not for his own life but..."

He couldn't put his finger on it, the memory was there but he had to fight to bring it to the surface. Ashard's hand was still on the door knob when he screamed in pain, he'd been stabbed through the shoulder.

"Tell me where she's burried Ashard, Tell me and the pain will stop." Talat thrust his sword through Ashards other shoulder. Ashard knew he couldn't let him desicrate the graves of his family, his wife and the others he'd hid in what felt like a lifetime ago. He layed there in the Dirt waiting for death to come, but it never came it never did

Ashard fell to his knees as blood gushed from his nose, the Harder he forced the memory the more painful it became. the memories were jumbled and mixed...He held his head in his hands, and screamed at himself, "I dont care about the pain I just want answers!!!!" he yelled at the sky

Ashard forced himself to his feet, the blood stained the ground, "If he doesn't get up, Kill the boy!" Talat stated plainly as he walked away. The guard walked over to where Ashard was standing and beat him again, waiting for him to stand on his feet. "...Stand worm!" The guard instructed "...or the boy gets beat in your stead!" Ashard was so wounded and hurt all he could think about was the woman he'd let down in the grove...

Ashard put his hands through the old wooden steps and grabbed a 2x4 piece off wood ripping it from the steps, fighting an opponent who wasn't there. "YOU !!!!" he yelled. He neither saw nor heard Stephania there, he was back 10 years prior

"YOU KILLED HER!..." Ashard yelled. It was the second time he'd let a woman down who trusted him. "YOU KILLED THAT POOR WOMAN, ......STEPHANIA!!!" he yelled again "I'm so sorry! steph I'm so sorry I treid so hard and I failed you, I failed you and everyone who ever trusted me!" Ashard fell to the ground and spit out several more teeth as the guards kicked him again. He dropped the piece of wood and let them have their way, he didn't care anymore, he just didn't care!

Ashard fell to the ground in the fetal position rocking back and forth, mummbleing... "I'm sorry ...I'm so sorry I failed you!"

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania was returning from the stream, cleaned of grime and dressed once again in her black armor, when she heard Ashard screaming. Dropping her satchel to land in the dust she took off at a run believing that perhaps Talat and his men had arrived already. Turning the corner she watched as Ashard staggered then fell to his knees clutching his head and shouting "I dont care about the pain I just want answers!!!!" he yelled at the sky. Stephania ran over to him however before she could reach out he had put his hands through the old wooden steps and grabbed a 2x4 piece off wood ripping it from the steps, fighting an opponent who wasn't there. "YOU !!!!" he yelled. He neither saw nor heard Stephania there, and she was forced to move back to avoid being hit byt he piece of lumber "Ashard!" she yelled however it was as if he did not hear her calling.

"YOU KILLED HER!..." Ashard yelled. "YOU KILLED THAT POOR WOMAN, ......STEPHANIA!!!" he yelled again "I'm so sorry! steph I'm so sorry I tried so hard and I failed you, I failed you and everyone who ever trusted me!" Ashard cried out as the piece of wood fell from his nerveless grip, tears filled Stephania's eyes as she listened to him reliving that fateful day. Ashard fell to the ground in the fetal position rocking back and forth, mummbleing... "I'm sorry ...I'm so sorry I failed you!"

Stephania allowed the tears to fall down her cheeks as she chocked back a cry, raising a hand she pressed it against her lips and stared at the man at her feet. " You didn't fail me " she whispered as she looked at the black armor she wore and thought of the things she had done during the past 10 years " I failed myself"

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard laid on the ground and covered his head with his hands, protecting himself from the boots and kicking of the guards, untill they stopped. Ashard laid on the ground bleeding and moaning, he'd had enough and just wanted to be left alone. He started to crawl off into a corner, unable to get up, he could hear Talat laughing in the background as he saw both of Ashards legs had been broke. Ashard just sneered in defiance as he continued to crawl away...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania moved over to Ashard when he began to crawl in the dirt, bending down she gently took one of his arms and encouraged him to stand " Come Ashard, get out of the dirt" she reached out a hand and wiped away the trickle of blood from his face.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashards head started to clear, his Nerakan Cheese memory was still full of holes but one gap had been filled, "St...steph?" he said questioningly. He tried to get to his feet "Your ....your dead, they told me...." Ashard was trying to put all the peices togther in his head and was having a hard time processing every piece of information. "What ...I tried to find you, I tried to come, I tried so hard..."

[Kyra Starleaf]

"Your ....your dead, they told me...." he stated, Stephania shook her head " They lied to you" she said quietly then she looked down at herself again " and they told the truth" Stephania stepped closer to Ashard " Come, we need to talk and you need to eat something to regain your stregnth." she turned and headed back to the structure where they had spent the night and where a guard that may or may not have some answers to questions that were burning in her mind was waiting.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard followed Stephania without question, it was hard and his steps were staggard and dragged out, but eventually he crashed down on his bedroll and stared at the cieling trying to process every new peice of information he had gotton. Somehow, someway Tal knew Talat would not give up until he knew Ashard was dead.

[Kyra Starleaf]

As Ashard stumbled across to his bedroll, Stephania dug through the supplies untill she came up with the travelling provisions of dried fruit and nuts, hard tack bread and the waterskin that she had refilled at the stream. Moving over to Ashard she took a seat across from him and placed the food between them then gestured " You need to eat to regain your strength " unconsiously echoing the same words she had spoken to him before in the glenn under the willow tree.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard smiled and accepted the food, "So..." Ashard asked as he nibbled on the bread, "...am I to still be tried for these crimes?" The question was asked and Ashard knew Stephania had blamed him for what had happened. Given the circumstances he couldn't blame her, he would have done the same in her place more than likely.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania smiled sadly as he asked the question " No " she shook her head " You are not to blame for what occured so many years ago, I know that now " she picked out a piece of dried fruit and popped it into her mouth then looked at him " You were just a pawn in a terrible game and I was just an extra " she said bitterly.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard chuckled as he ate a few more bites of bread, "I think I liked it better when we both had bigger roles, at least then we had the illusion of control." Ashard took a deep breath "whats the next move?" he asked quietly

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania's expression turned cold " Talat" she said " We have to make him stop these terrible so called experiments and .." she turned sad eyes on Ashard " We have to save your son " she finished quietly. Stephania got to her feet and began to pace as she attempted to work out a plan in her mind, she thought better when she was moving. Envisioning the encampment and the stucture she calculated the watch guards and the ground troops that would be within at any given moment. She turned to Ashard " This isn't going to be easy " she looked at the blood that covered Ashards face and clothes, the bruises that covered his body " Are you up to it?"

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard stood up, "Ive been conditioned and enhanced to endure alot more than they can dish out." He wasn't trying to boast even though it came out that way, he was more trying to make a statement of fact than anything else.

Ashard walked over to the prisoner who had fallen asleep and punched him square in the chest. "WAKE UP!" he hollared at the man, "...its time we got some information out of you, and you actually earn the right to live rather than me just getting rid of you right here and now."

[Kyra Starleaf]

The guard opened his eyes and grimaced at the sight of Ashard standing over him, working his dry mouth he attempted to spit in contempt " I don't take orders from a Dog! "


Stephania stood still as she wathced the confrontation between Ashard and the guard. She made no move to interfere, this was between Ashard and the guard.

[Gaberial Cross]

The guard was tossed against a wall while he was still bound, his cry of pain could be heard for miles probably. "How about this?" Ashard said in an even tone, "You tell me everything I want to know, and I wont do you, everything you did to me." Ashard stared down at the guard and grinned, "I know you, my memory maybe so full of hole it looks like Nerakan Cheese, but I remember you and what you did to me" Ashard bent down and grabbed the mans hand pulling his first finger back till it snapped and broke...

"how about it?"
Then he broke the next one
"I cant hear you!
And the next one
"Speak quick before you run out of fingers to use"
And the next one
......................CRACK!...

[Kyra Starleaf]

The guard bit his lip untill blood poured down his face in an attempt to stop himself from screaming in pain as Ashard calmly broke each finger on his hand however he could not stop himself from groaning in pain. As each finger snapped, his groans of pain became louder and more agonizing. " E.. E..Enought!" he shouted and bent over his injured hands then glared up at Ashard " You will not win " he snarled " No matter how much I tell you, you will not win!" The guard then vomited onto the floor as his body tried to adjust to the shock of his injuries, wearily he leaned back against the wall " What do you want to know?"

[Gaberial Cross]

"If we cant win, then you have nothing to loose by telling me what I want to know! How many forces lie inside the compound, how many people or Guards does Talat have under his command?" Ashard grabbed a small wooden peg and placed it up to the mans rib cage. "How many ribs does the human body have? lets find out shall we!" Ashard pounded the peg with the back end of his sword so hard it broke the mans first rib in two.

"...one" Ashard said

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania stepped forward as Ashard placed the spike against the second of the mans ribs " Stop " she said coldly and glared at Ashard " Give him time to speak " the guard gasped in a wheezing breath and nodded his thanks to her, in disgust she looked at the guard and moved close , leaning down she she spoke quietly " Do not think for a moment that I am here to aide you or will show mercy " the depths of her anger reflected from her eyes " I am merely giving you the opportunity to speak now before my companion continues " the guard grimaced then spat a wad of blood to the floor " Talat controls four regiments at the compound and more rotate on patrols " the guard wheezed " Within the compound there are at least half that many servants " then he began to laugh " You will never succeed "

[Gaberial Cross]

"Shut up" Ashard said mockingly as he wacked the guard upside the head, "Why do all have to be so cleche' ...'you can't possibly win' ...ohh my we'll destroy you all,...sheesh give it a rest would ya."Ashard was mocking the guard. "Just answer the questions and I wont infilict anymore pain on you." Ashard placed the peg on his next rib and looked at the guard "How many entrances are there into the compound?"

[Kyra Starleaf]

As the spike was pressed against the guards ribs yet again his face turned a queasy shade of green and he moaned but did not say anymore merely glared his hatred at the pair but before the hammer swung down to crush the spike against his ribs, the guard passed out from the pain of his injuries. Stephania sat back on her heels and ran a hand through her honey blonde hair then glanced at Ashard " I know of only two ways into the encampment " she said " The main entrance that was guarded by four on the ground and six up on the walls. There is also a back exit however I do not know how many guard it."

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard got up fairly quickly and walked out the door, when he came back he was carrying a bucket of ice cold water from the stream, wich he dumped on the unconscious guard to startle him awake. "You dont get off that easily!" he shouted as he dumped the water. "I didn't get any rest and neither do you..." Ashard was clearly enjoying the reversed roles now.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania shook her head as Ashard went to make sure he could continue exacting his revenge on the guard " You didn't hear a word I just said did you?" she said quietly as Ashard gleefully splashed the ice water in the guards face to wake him. As the guard sputtered Stephania stood and closed the saddlebags then gathered up her belongings, she went outside and saddled up her mount, not caring if Ashard killed the guard or not. After tieing her provisions to the saddle she climbed up the stairs of the building and stepped inside and faced Ashard as he questioned the guard.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard raised his dagger to cut the guard but froze in mid air as another memory came flooding in to his mind.

"THERE IS NO DIFFERANCE BETWEEN US!" Talat screamed at Ashard, "You kill just as much as I do, Ive seen what you do, what your capable of,.... I know." Talat gave Ashard another smack across the face with the club, as the look of suprise crossed his face. Ashard realized that Talat was right, he wasn't any better.

Ashard stood there frozen for a moment, the knife hung in the air, as the memory came rushing back, he'd almost lost control again. Ashard shook his head and threw the knife so the it landed squarely between the guards legs, narrowly missing him by cenimeters. Ashard didn't say a word he simply walked out the door ashamed of himself once more for what he was.

[Kyra Starleaf]

Not sparing the guard a though she followed Ashard outside, she had seen the stricken look that had crossed face however she made no mention of it simply mounted up and gathered up the reigns. She led her mount ofver to where he stood and tossed down the reigns of the second horse to him " Come on, let's get out of here before more of Talat's men find us "

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard climbed onto the horse and said nothing as he pulled the reigns, he simply nodded at Stephania and waited for her to lead the way. He glanced down at his hands breifly wich were stained with the blood of both the past and the presant. Blood from alot of people, Ashard was no longer sure he DIDN't deserve the trial that Stephania had spoke of, what made him any better or worse than Talat?

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania lead the way out of the training facilities and headed west, she figured that Talat would expect them to continue to travel as far away as they could get however Stephania planned to circle back.

They rode for a few hours in silence untill Stephania called a halt to rest the horses at a small flowing creek. Dismounting she streched to work out the kinks in her muscles from riding then allowed her mount to drink it's fill of the cold clear water. She moved to take a seat under the branches of a large oak tree and leaned back against the trund and closed her eyes to rest for a moment. She could hear Ashard moving about " Come and sit, we won't be here for very long so get some rest while you can"

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard walked over and sat down, his mind had been wandering for quite some time. One thing however Ashard had never learned to do was sit down and relax. Years of being held up in as Talat's own personal killing toy, had left Ashard with a nervousness and muscles that were so tight he too often found himself with a headache.

Finally though Ashard sat down across from Stephania but still couldn't relax, he simply sat there for a moment staring off into the distant trees as if he was lost in his own quiet thoughts...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania did not open her eyes as she heard Ashard take a seat next to her, she merely breathed in the fresh air to allow it to clear her thoughts. The pair needed to figure out how they were going to get into the compound and get out again without getting themselves killed in the process, Steph smiled softly, this wasn't going to be easy but at least she felt she was once again on the right side.

Running through the encampment in her mind she attempted to envision how they were going to get in, the doors were heavily guarded and the walls were steep, they would never be able to scale them undetected. Suddenly Stephania sat up " The slaves " she got to her feet and began to pace " At the beginning of each morning the guards take the workers out to the quarry and bring them back at dusk." she looked at Ashard " That's how we get in "

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard laid down on the ground and stared up at the sky, "...and after we get in are we going straight for Talat?" Ashard asked. He closed his eyes and pictured a serene peaceful lake in another lifetime he would have made a home and raised a family. Ashard wanted the chance to go somewhere peaceful and be left alone for the rest of his life, he'd had enough adventure and cared very little to do anything anymore but settle down. There was only one last peace of unfinished bussiness before he could do that.

[Kyra Starleaf]

" of course we have to get to Talat when we get in " she replied " Else all the guards will not be held back and we will have no chance at succeeding" looking off over the stream she wondered if there even was a chance that they will be successful, no matter, they had to try.

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard laid back and rested his head on a log trying hard in an attempt to relax, the memories he could pinpoint and remember raced through his head. "What happened?" Ashard asked quietly, "...after the tree" Ashard hesistated for a second. "My memory is very foggy as you already know and I sometimes have a hard time. I remember the fight and the groove, but thats about all I remember, you started to patch me up..." Ashard sat up and looked at Stephania, "I should not have involved you and for that I am deeply sorry. But I need your help, my memory its so sketchy and hard to find the right peices..." the look of confusion spread across Ashards face, the lines and wrinkles showed his age, he looked older than he was, much older...

[Kyra Starleaf]

Stephania looked back as Ashard sitting underneath the large oak as he asked for the painful memories to fill in the holes of what happened so long ago. Steph turned away briefly then moved up to sit beside him, gathering her thoughts she was quiet for a moment while idle fingers plucked at the grasses that grew sparsely around the roots of the the old tree. She could feel Ashards eyes on her as he waited for her to explain what had occured 10 years prior, tossing a pebble in the direction of the stream Stephania began to speak in a soft voice.

"My entire life I had lived in that tiny village, not much ususally happenes when your that isolated from everyone else besides the varied raids and even those were few and far between. Each day ran into the next with no interuption of the routines untill the day that you arrived at my door." Stephania continued to speak of the events of the day, memories that Ashard already retained up untill she came to the part where she had fallen out of the trees and was carried away by the dark rider.

" I was brought to an encampment, one that is much like Talat's, and there I was a slave amongst many others. The guards beat us and whipped us, withheld food untill we were near starvation and made us beg for favors to survive the night. Most nights many of the women were able to have a roof over their heads and a soft bed for the night and if they did not want such luxuries, all the better for the ones that had chosen them as bedmate as most guards did not want submission, most wanted a fight to prove thier dominance."

Stephania closed her eyes and leaned back against the base of the tree, her hands fisted against the anger she felt even now that those memories brought. Many the nights that she felt the cruel bite of the whips across her shoulders when she fought against what she knew was a lost battle however she never gave up, even when the blood was seeping from her back into the straw of the bedding while the guards proved thier dominance.

Shuddering she continued to speak, her voice laced with bitterness " Three years of this I endured, each day scrambling to survive the day and each night huddling in the corners when the guards came, praying that tonigth they would not pick me...but they always did" she finished softly

[Kyra Starleaf]

OOC - hey Gabe, still with me??

[Gaberial Cross]

Ashard hung his head low, nothing he could say or do would make any of it easeir for her, the worst part for Ashard is she didn't have to be involved in the first place and he knew it. Ashards eyes looked over to her he met her gaze carefuly and forced a small smile as he placed his hand ontop of hers. "We dont have to do this if you dont want to..."

[Kyra Starleaf]

"We dont have to do this if you dont want to..." Ashard said quietly, Stephania shrugged his hand away, " you don't understand " she returned " I gave up who and what I was to survive, it is time I regained it back "

[Gaberial Cross]

"Well we should really get some rest if were going to make any kind of decent time tomorrow." Ashard let out a sigh as he got up. Trying to reach out to her didn't seem to work and he had reached his limit for the day. "I'll take first watch, you get some sleep, I'll wake you in a few hours..." Ashard walked over to the horse and pulled a weapon off of it tying to his side his thoughts drifting back to the night of the groove and the events that happened afterward. his mind was still so full of holes, but there was a part of him that wanted to put it all togther, could he really have been so wrapped up in the dark Knights that he saccrificed Stephania's freedom for a shot at his own?...