x
"What part of: She needs to see us, don't you understand?" He waved his hand in a dismissive floppy manner. 759Please respect copyright.PENANAwdI9UouXzj
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"Now where is it?" He rummaged though several pouched on his belt before pulling out a short stopped bottle.
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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.
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"What's it do?" This was different then what the people back home had.
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"Cory needs water to see us clearly and transport. If both the caster and the trasported have water her spell will be far stronger."
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"Oh. Why?"
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"Each human family prays to a different spirit and each has a different element. Understand?"
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"Ahh, kind of. So, no dark ones?
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"None."
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She frowned. How'd they keep all that straight?
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"Never mind, just trust me. Both of you stand in the water and take my hands."
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"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.
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She slipped her hand into his. Han takes hers and Parcival's free one.
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"Cory we are ready hurry!"
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A woman's face appeared on the water.
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"Well, you did it, I'm impressed."
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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.
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In the middle of its trunk a iridescent portal appeared.
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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?
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The water spun under her feet pulled her under, and spit her out the portal. She landed on soft grass.
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"Raimo requested that you see him. Better hurry or daddy will cut off your allowance."
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He visibly brustled and squared his shoulders.
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"At least... Never mind, we are all tired. Thank you."
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"There's a real nice clothing and armor merchant not far from here. Follow."
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He lead her and the cat-man, though the winding streets in the city, into the more richly decorated area deep in its center.
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An indoor armor shop had hundreds of armor sets on stands and seperate pieces hanging on the walls.
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"Morning glory to you!" An older man said.
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"No need to get so formal." Parcival ran his fingers through his hair and laughed a little. "Look around."
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"I'm paying you back, she said.
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Before he could say anything she wagged a finger by his nose.
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I won't take any answer, but yes."
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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.
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Just as she started to leave sunlight reflected off of a pile of leather buckles and straps near the doorway.
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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.
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"You like?" The merchant came over, with his hands together and a smile.
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"Pay him."
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"Why leather again?" He handed the man a small opal.
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"Ah. Ah. Most welcome. Good day to you both." The merchant scuttled back to his chair in the back.
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"It's lighter and moves better." She wiggled into it and fasioned the buckles. Nice, this one had more room at the shoulders.
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Han had waited outside, and was leaning against the shop wall naping.
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She patted his sholder.
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He streched arms over his head, "All done?"
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She nodded.
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Parcival lead the way to a finely furnished inn, then registered at the desk, and paid the innkeep who handed the keys over.
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Inside the plush chairs, fine window drapes, and sent of vanilla was calming. Even a few candles were lit at the tables.
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Parcival tossed Han a key.
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"Good night." He hopped up the stairs and left.
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"We need to talk, come."
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Great. Now what?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Oh, gods. She turned and eyed him.
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He closed the door, it clicked shut. He spun her around and kissed her forehead, her cheek, and lovely on her lips.
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Her breath froze in her chest, as did the rest if her. A flush heated her cheeks. Run? Slap him? Punch? Hold him?
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Those blue eyes softened and so did she. Still, this was far from proper!
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"Slap me if you like, though after almost losing you a few slaps is nothing."
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"I..."
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"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.
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"Um." The design on the blanket suddenly became fascinating, and she ran her fingers over its cool softness.
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He scooted closer and touched her arm.
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She jumped, flailed her arms, rolled off the bed, and landed on the floor.
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He got up and kneeled on the pads of his feet, his brows up and corners of lips twitching.
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"You all right?" His voice one of that who was suppressing a laugh.
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"I'm fine." Gods.
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He helped her up.
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They spent an hour or so just talking.
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Back in her room, she striped down to the undershirt and fell asleep.
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The next morning, a bang on the door, then another. Ugg. Opening the door a strange man stood there leering.
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"You're under arrest, filthy Elvin!"
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"What are you talking about?"
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He grabbed her forearm yanking her out. "Now!"
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"I haven't done anything, unhand me, stupid human!" Her fingers twitched. Punch him.
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"Lying harlot! The watch tower guards had seen you try to assassinate Sir. Raimo this morning, Do not deny it!"
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"Are you crazy?"
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Ignoring her, he pushed, and yanked her towards the city dungeon on the south end.
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Then tossed her into the cell, slamming the bars shut, and locking it.
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Letting out a breath she was holding in she sat down on the bench. Insane, they've gone insane.
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Several hours passed. The light that came in from tiny barred cell window had faded.
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She paced from wall to wall. What to do?
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The guard from before came back caring a bowl of nasty brown glop.
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Calling the shadows quietly from Kage, she hid near the door.
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He stared at the cell before dropping the bowl; shattering it.
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"She escaped? He's not going to like this." He ran back up, sounds of shouting filtered down. Many footsteps running about up there.
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She carefully eased past the cell door, he left open, unable to suppress a chuckle.
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She dodged the guards that raced though the hallways.
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There! Large double doors were wide open with several guards standing ready. It wouldn't do any good.
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Squeaking past, she snuck away and stayed close to the houses near the city's surrounding wall.
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Hope the others are alright.
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She groaned. Well, check the inn first. The spell of hidden had started to run out, she prayed again.
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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.
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"Kind Kage I thank you."
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He gave a small nod and disappeared.
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After wandering through the city for a short time, her breath became ragged. She leaned against a heavy crate and rested.
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A widespread bazaar spanned. Amidst the people going to and fro, a figure in a black cape walked though, then disappeared between two buildings.
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hedgeing along the side of the buildings she followed.
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The figure knocked on the back door of the house.
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It opened.
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A tan hand reached out, seized him, and yanked him inside slamming the door shut.
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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!"
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She shivered. But, but ...
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"We better hurry, the others are looking for the assassin to."
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Oh, gods. She rubbed her wrist with her hand and held a breath, tensing up as they passed buy.
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A flashing object moved in front of the window in the house.
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Moving closer to it, she peered through. What was that? The room was empty.
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She tiptoed over to the door, opening it slowly.
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The daylight filtered in though another window on the right this broke the shadows into strange shapes, they darted about.
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Not a room held anything or anyone. Out of breath again, she leaned against a closet door in the hallway.
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It fliped out under her then tossed her inside a strange room. The
fake door closed again.
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Stifling a scream, she searched the wall.
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Behind a wall slid away, flooding the closet with light, blinding her.
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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.
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As she climbed the stairs the ones behind vaporized into wispy puffs.
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Her legs threatened to buckle under from exhaustion. The spell of hidden pulled away.
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Time became meaningless, all there was; the next step.