"What part of: She needs to see us, don't you understand?" He waved his hand in a dismissive floppy manner. 997Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jg3DlBJkG

"Now where is it?" He rummaged though several pouched on his belt before pulling out a short stopped bottle. 

He opened it, sat down, then stuck two pointer fingers into the neck. Granting he stretched it, then repeated this until the bottle was a large shallow cup. Opening a water skin he poured some in until it reached the rim. 

"What's it do?" This was different then what the people back home had.

"Cory needs water to see us clearly and transport. If both the caster and the trasported have water her spell will be far stronger." 

"Oh. Why?" 

"Each human family prays to a different spirit and each has a different element. Understand?"

"Ahh, kind of. So, no dark ones? 

"None."

She frowned. How'd they keep all that straight?

"Never mind, just trust me. Both of you stand in the water and take my hands."

"A warm bath without blood and an ale, and soft bed. Armor first thing got to get a new set." She muttered this under her breath.

She slipped her hand into his. Han takes hers and Parcival's free one. 

"Cory we are ready hurry!"

A woman's face appeared on the water. 

"Well, you did it, I'm impressed."

Corry walked out of view, brought back a staff and held it into the air. She chanted and spun the staff one handed the crystal at its end turned red, then shot a red beam onto a gnarled tree.

In the middle of its trunk a iridescent portal appeared.

The water under Parcival swirled under his feet before sucking him in. He vanished. The same happened to Han a moment later. Did the mage's eyes narrow or was it the sun?  

The water spun under her feet pulled her under, and spit her out the portal. She landed on soft grass.

"Raimo requested that you see him. Better hurry or daddy will cut off your allowance." 

He visibly brustled and squared his shoulders.

"At least... Never mind, we are all tired. Thank you." 

"There's a real nice clothing and armor merchant not far from here. Follow."  

He lead her and the cat-man, though the winding streets in the city, into the more richly decorated area deep in its center.

An indoor armor shop had hundreds of armor sets on stands and seperate pieces hanging on the walls.

"Morning glory to you!" An older man said.

"No need to get so formal." Parcival ran his fingers through his hair and laughed a little. "Look around."  

"I'm paying you back, she said. 

Before he could say anything she wagged a finger by his nose. 

I won't take any answer, but yes." 

She went around the shop twice, most of the armor was for men. Hight wasn't the problem, width was, they were far to wide. 

Just as she started to leave sunlight reflected off of a pile of leather buckles and straps near the doorway. 

Digging through at the bottom a plain leather chest piece showed; flat and thicker on the front to protect the breastbone. The side buckles were long, but should work. 

"You like?" The merchant came over, with his hands together and a smile. 

"Pay him."  

"Why leather again?" He handed the man a small opal. 

"Ah. Ah. Most welcome. Good day to you both."  The merchant scuttled back to his chair in the back.

"It's lighter and moves better." She wiggled into it and fasioned the buckles. Nice, this one had more room at the shoulders. 

Han had waited outside, and was leaning against the shop wall naping.

She patted his sholder. 

He streched arms over his head, "All done?" 

She nodded.

Parcival lead the way to a finely furnished inn, then registered at the desk, and paid the innkeep who handed the keys over.

Inside the plush chairs, fine window drapes, and sent of vanilla was calming. Even a few candles were lit at the tables.

Parcival tossed Han a key. 

"Good night." He hopped up the stairs and left. 

"We need to talk, come."

Great. Now what? 

Upstairs he unlocked the door and held it open. He seemed serious, his face blank. Should just leave. Right now. Come on, move. She moved alright, into the stupid room. 

A four poster bed was against the wall, with plush covers and a ridiculously deep mattress. Near the left of the lavish window a small couch. 

A table at the end of the room sat a bowl overflowing with exotic fruits. Platters of breads, cheeses, meats overflow the table. Along with several bottles of wine. 

Oh, gods. She turned and eyed him. 

He closed the door, it clicked shut. He spun her around and kissed her forehead, her cheek, and lovely on her lips. 

Her breath froze in her chest, as did the rest if her. A flush heated her cheeks. Run? Slap him? Punch? Hold him? 

Those blue eyes softened and so did she. Still, this was far from proper! 

"Slap me if you like, though after almost losing you a few slaps is nothing."

"I..." 

"I refuse to apologize for how I feel. I'll stop now, don't want to push you away." He held out a gentle look spread on his face. 

"Um." The design on the blanket suddenly became fascinating, and she ran her fingers over its cool softness.  

He scooted closer and touched her arm. 

She jumped, flailed her arms, rolled off the bed, and landed on the floor. 

He got up and kneeled on the pads of his feet, his brows up and corners of lips twitching.

"You all right?" His voice one of that who was suppressing a laugh. 

"I'm fine." Gods.

He helped her up. 

They spent an hour or so just talking.

Back in her room, she striped down to the undershirt and fell asleep.

The next morning, a bang on the door, then another. Ugg. Opening the door a strange man stood there leering. 

"You're under arrest, filthy Elvin!"

"What are you talking about?" 

He grabbed her forearm yanking her out. "Now!" 

"I haven't done anything, unhand me, stupid human!" Her fingers twitched. Punch him. 

"Lying harlot! The watch tower guards had seen you try to assassinate Sir. Raimo this morning, Do not deny it!" 

"Are you crazy?"  

Ignoring her, he pushed, and yanked her towards the city dungeon on the south end. 

Then tossed her into the cell, slamming the bars shut, and locking it. 

Letting out a breath she was holding in she sat down on the bench. Insane, they've gone insane.

Several hours passed. The light that came in from tiny barred cell window had faded.

She paced from wall to wall. What to do? 

The guard from before came back caring a bowl of nasty brown glop. 

Calling the shadows quietly from Kage, she hid near the door.

He stared at the cell before dropping the bowl; shattering it.

"She escaped? He's not going to like this." He ran back up, sounds of shouting filtered down. Many footsteps running about up there.

 She carefully eased past the cell door, he left open, unable to suppress a chuckle. 

She dodged the guards that raced though the hallways.

There! Large double doors were wide open with several guards standing ready. It wouldn't do any good.

Squeaking past, she snuck away and stayed close to the houses near the city's surrounding wall.

Hope the others are alright.

She groaned. Well, check the inn first. The spell of hidden had started to run out, she prayed again. 

Kage appeared and held out a phantom hand. Ah, a cost this time. She placed hers on his. His solidified and he siphoned away half her energy. 

"Kind Kage I thank you." 

He gave a small nod and disappeared.

After wandering through the city for a short time, her breath became ragged. She leaned against a heavy crate and rested. 

A widespread bazaar spanned. Amidst the people going to and fro, a figure in a black cape walked though, then disappeared between two buildings.

hedgeing along the side of the buildings she followed. 

The figure knocked on the back door of the house.

It opened. 

A tan hand reached out, seized him, and yanked him inside slamming the door shut.

Two guards rushed past the alleyway, "Raimo is offering a bounty of 5000 irons for the woman's head! I'll split it with you when we catch her!"

She shivered. But, but ...

"We better hurry, the others are looking for the assassin to." 

Oh, gods. She rubbed her wrist with her hand and held a breath, tensing up as they passed buy.

A flashing object moved in front of the window in the house. 

Moving closer to it, she peered through. What was that? The room was empty. 

She tiptoed over to the door, opening it slowly. 

The daylight filtered in though another window on the right this broke the shadows into strange shapes, they darted about.

Not a room held anything or anyone. Out of breath again, she leaned against a closet door in the hallway.

It fliped out under her then tossed her inside a strange room. The

fake door closed again.

Stifling a scream, she searched the wall. 

Behind a wall slid away, flooding the closet with light, blinding her.

After her eyes adjusted she entered the creepy stark room, it's all gray, including a stairway that went up. So much for going to the inn.

As she climbed the stairs the ones behind vaporized  into wispy puffs.

Her legs threatened to buckle under from exhaustion. The spell of hidden pulled away. 

Time became meaningless, all there was; the next step.