Double update!
Nov. 8th, 2008 06:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sagesariaTwo chapters this time! I write better out of the house; I spent five hours at California Tortilla writing.
Karrah chapter 9, chapter word count: 1144
Chapter 9
The days passed uneventfully for a while. Very few creatures or other people crossed paths with the band, and when they did they either were chased away quickly or didn't bother them at all. The rain made the journey a little difficult, trudging through the mud that seemed to get deeper as they went and trying to keep their direction in the heavy clouds and the water coming down. The walk began to wear on them all, even Karrah. Still they persisted, walking onward all day, only stopping when the sun set.
However, as they grew closer to the city, with two days to go on their predicted route, they stopped to rest in the middle of the thankfully clear day. The way the three were speaking of it, it seemed to Karrah that this was a scheduled stop. The three girls stayed at the temporary camp while Ameila prepared sandwiches, but Ryder wandered off out of sight of the others with only a quick mumbling to them that he would be right back.
The bardesses didn't seem to be phased by his quick leave, but Karrah couldn't help but be curious, even a little worried. She watched the direction he disappeared as she ate the sandwich made for her (and still getting used to only using one hand), then when she was done she finally asked;
"Where has he gone?"
Helen and Ameila stopped their conversation, taking a sad glance at each other before Helen answered slowly.
"We always stop here when we pass this spot. There's something very important to Ryder here."
"What is it?"
Helen hesitated to answer.
"It's...not really our place to say...he doesn't like to talk about it."
Now Karrah was really curious. She looked out at the horizon again, and now that she thought about it she could barely hear the high sound of his recorder.
"I'm sorry...we should have warned you we'd be stopping here." Ameila said quietly. Karrah just shook her head; she didn't mind stopping, strangely.
She looked back at them after a few minutes, to see if they were currently focusing on her. Seeing that they were talking again, their attention turned to other things, she subtly stood and hurried in the direction Ryder went, careful not to call attention to herself lest they stop her. She knew Ryder would probably be angry that she followed him, but she wanted to know what was happening. She would even say she needed to know.
The faint music grew louder; she was getting closer. In the distance she saw a single tree; a very thin tree, only a few years old, the branches bare and thin. Crouched there was Ryder, playing a sad, gentle melody on his recorder. Quietly Karrah crept closer, doing her best not to disturb him, knowing all too well how private this was, whatever it was. As she got closer she could see a wooden plaque chained carefully around the base of the tree. Worn letters were carved and burned into the wood of the plaque, and she kept her distance just enough to barely make out the words.
Grace Freewind
Beloved Cleric, lover and companion.
Karrah's breath quietly caught in her throat, her eyes a little wide. Then slowly her gaze softened sadly on him, letting him play as she watched.
Slowly, he lowered his recorder and stood, speaking to Karrah as if he knew she was there all along, and yet didn't seem to mind.
"Me dearie Grace. A wonde'ful gal...a Cleric 'oo lived in Freepo't. Th'mos' generous gal you'd ever meet...she spent 'er loyf sellin' food an' clothes an' blankets fo' jus' a copper each. She alwa's said she'd rather live poor th'n see others starvin' an' freezin'. She never cared 'oo you followed s'long as you 'ad a good 'eart an' 'ad somethin' t'believe in."
He smiled a little, a very sad smile. Karrah could even see a sheen of unshed tears in his eyes as he spoke.
"She wos wonde'ful...we'd 'ave been married foyve years ago if I'd 'ad me way. I promised 'er a weddin' any gal would envy..."
Karrah answered, very sober.
"What happened to her?"
"Assasina'ed." Ryder answered, very quiet, "She 'ad a so't of crusade...she vowed that the evil that overpo'ered Freepo't would be driven out, and the people would be at peace again." he looked at Karrah sadly, "I told ye Freepo't ain't much better'n Qeynos. 'oomans are a selfish lot, their cities barely get boi wit' their loyves an' their fortunes. There's a 'ole block o' Freepo't overrun wit' thieves, an' the city guard won' do nothin' 'bout it. Grace wouldn' stan' fo' it. She won'ed to see Freepo't prosper an' 'ave real priori'ies. The city saw 'er as a threat, an' got 'er killed fo' wantin' t'do th'royt thing."
Karrah stared at him in silence. Was this how he knew about the Shadow Cats? Were they the ones who killed Grace? Either way, seeing Ryder like this wrenched Karrah's heart for reasons she couldn't explain. To see Ryder, the most optimistic man she knew, almost in tears...to even know he had something this dark in his memory...it terrified her. She felt helpless and small. Slowly she opened her mouth to speak.
"I'm...I'm sorry."
"'salroyt..." he answered slowly, "I'm movin' on. Slowly, but I'm movin' on."
They were both silent for a moment before he continued.
"I 'ope you don't think I'm wearin' a mask when y'see me smile, 'cause I ain't. I'm a 'appy person. I got a lot t'be 'appy 'bout. I got 'Elen an' Ameila...I got me belt o' instruments, me freedom t'roam, music t'wroyt an' songs t'play. An' I got you. 'ow c'n a bloke live in mournin' when 'e's got all that?
"It's jus' this spot, really. Where I burried 'er. Whenever I pass it all the memories c'me back t'me. So whenever I pass 'ere I come visit 'er grave an' play the song I wrote fo'er."
"Do you think she can hear you?" Karrah asked quietly. He looked up at the sky, his old smile slowly returning.
"Dunno. But it's a comfortin' thought."
Karrah stared at the plaque quietly, re-reading it a few times for a reason she couldn't really place, then slowly she put her good hand on Ryder's shoulder in a silent gesture of comfort before turning to go back to the camp. But suddenly Ryder grasped her hand, holding her there.
"Oy!" he said quickly. She turned around, looking at his sad smile.
"'salroyt. I'm glad yo'r 'ere...ye c'n stay. 'sides the gals'd 'ave yo' 'ead if they saw y'followed me."
She stopped, returning to his side, slowly turning her hand to hold his, not sure why she did. But he accepted the gesture, squeezing her hand lightly.
Karrah chapter 10, chapter word count: 1435
Chapter 10
The rain grew heavier and heavier as the party continued, the name "Karana" ringing true to the deity it was named for with the heavy storms. Lightning streaked across the sky endlessly, thankfully never touching ground, and the air felt electric and wild.
The particularly intense storm this night had made it extremely hard to pitch the tents, but they managed. Again Karrah was sharing Ryder's tent. The wind made the whole cloth shelter shake and lightning could be seen through the entrance flap Ryder struggled to seal closed for the night, only just succeeding. The two of them crouched on a bedroll as Ryder carefully changed the soaked bandages on Karrah's hand.
"We'll be there in another 'alf a day. If it weren't rainin' so 'ard you'd be able t'see the gates fr'm 'ere. It may be a li'le rough outsoyd th'gates, but once we're past that--"
"Ow!" Karrah yelped mutely, making Ryder freeze his hands.
"Ah, too toyt?" she nodded, and he quickly unwound the two layers he had wrapped, rebandaging more carefully, "Sorry...y'know, once we're there th'firs' thing you oughtta do's see a Cleric. This ain't 'ealin' too well. I wish I could do mo' fo' it. 'ows that?" he asked, holding the slim ends of the bandage in place ready to tie them.
"That's fine." carefully he tied the bandage taught, loose enough not to hurt but tight enough to hold her hand in position. She flexed in carefully, making sure not to aggravate it. She looked up at the ceiling in thought, listening to the rain still coming down.
"We're almost there..." she thought out loud.
"I know." Ryder agreed, "'ow's it feel?"
"A little scary..." she answered, "I've come so far...I can't believe it, almost. After four years...I just hope this hasn't been in vain."
"Now whoy would it be in vain?" Ryder exclaimed, his bright smile in place.
"Well...what if my answers aren't in Freeport?"
"Then we keep goin'." Ryder smiled, shifting a little closer, "Ye're very focused on gettin' there, an' that ain't all bad...but don' think that everythin' we do out 'ere don't mean nothin' just 'cause we picked the wrong place. At leas' ye did somethin', royt? We saw places, we became friends, an' I know as much as ye troy t'oyd it that ye've 'ad fun." he nudged her playfully, "An' if Freepo't ain't th'place, well, ye jus' keep lookin'."
Karrah listened quietly, and suddenly something appeared that hadn't for a long time, deliberately anyway; a smile. And Ryder's smile grew brighter as he saw it.
"You're very wise, Ryder." she said quietly.
"Nah, "Ryder replied, shrugging with a little smirk, "I jus' act loyk it."
Karrah smiled a little more, even chuckling a tiny bit.
"Aw, that's mo' loyk it." Ryder nudged her again, "Looks loyk ol' Royda foinally got t'ye."
Karrah chuckled a little more, and Ryder scooted closer, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"Y'know Karrah," he said, his tone a little more serious, but still sincere and smiling, "If Freepo't don't work out fo' ye, ye c'n come wit' us."
"Really?"
"'course! We'd love t'take ye 'round Norrath wit' us. We always got room in our party fo' ye. Ye c'n see all our gigs! 'Elen's got this great play she's writin' up, ye can see me make a total fool'a meself." he paused to let Karrah giggle at that, "We could even teach ye a thing o' two an' let ye perfo'm with us. We already know ye a great dancer, ye could dance fo' us if ye loyk. An' y'never know. If ye keep travelin' everywhere ye may foynd ye' answer."
She held a little smile as she listened. It felt so odd. Her cheeks felt heavy, not used to such a happy expression. But for the first time in four years, she truly felt a desire to smile.
"Maybe." she answered. Ryder accepted that, still sitting close to her. He peered into her eyes, gently brushing her long bangs away from them, careful not to expose her scar.
"Ye got a beau'iful smoyl, Karrah. 's a shame not t'see mo' of it."
She closed her eyes, sighing, almost content, at Ryder's touch, and slowly raised her bandaged hand to touch his, caressing the back of his hand and trailing her fingers up his forearm.
Suddenly there was a loud THUMP outside the wall, one that wasn't from the rain. Karrah's eyes snapped open and she and Ryder looked. The sound was of cloth being punctured. A tearing sound followed; someone was cutting through the fabric of the tent. Karrah's arm flew to push Ryder behind her as the opening in the cloth was torn asunder and the figure climbed through. That same dark elf, her face once again covered with a mask. Ryder scrambled to the exit as Karrah ducked in the small space to defend against the attacker. She managed to roll aside and reach the opening torn in the tent and slip out of it.
Outside, Ryder was nowhere to be seen, though out of the corner of her eye Karrah could see Helen and Ameila peering from their own tent to watch, Ameila holding both of them back to stay hidden while still staring at the scene in concern. The rain still dumped heavily on the plains, impeding Karrah's vision yet again with the dense sheet of water, and her soaked bangs falling into her eyes. She squinted, watching, before turning suddenly to block a blow from the rogue that she somehow predicted even in the dark with her dulled senses.
The two of them sparred back and forth, the moment a blur to them both and observers in the rain and desperation. The adrenaline rush dulled the pain in Karrah's hand; even as she instinctively used her arm in substitute the habit was still there. The rain proved even more to be a nuisance, the cold causing her muscles to ache as her skin threatened to go numb, making her fight even more desperately. Blindness she had been trained against, but when could barely feel her own blocks she found herself off guard and disoriented.
This finally became her downfall. One false move caused her to hit only air, and the rogue took advantage, grabbing her bad hand and wrenching it behind her back. Karrah couldn't stifle the pained scream the move triggered, forcing the broken bones out of place. Through the burning agony from her hand and the numb from the cold she somehow was aware that the rogue's blade was now against her neck, the flat side of the metal pressing against her chin. She grabbed the arm holding the dagger there, trying to pull it away but only struggling helplessly; the rogue's grip was firm and Karrah's attention was diverted. Her eyes clenched shut, biting her lip against the pain.
Suddenly she felt the rogue's body tense, and as the right eased slightly she could hear a familiar voice by her side.
"Let 'er go, Krii."
She managed to turn her head enough to see Ryder there. His arm was extended to the rogue, name of Krii, it seemed, touching her own throat with a dagger. His eyes were dark and his mouth was curled in a sneer. Pure anger and hatred contorted his face. Behind Karrah she barely saw the dark elf's face, a smirk in her eyes.
"Well well well," she spoke at last, "If it isn't the one who got away. How are you, my dear Ryder?"
"I mean it! Let 'er go!" his voice was jarringly harsh.
"You know as well as I do I can't do that. She is my target. You know I can't stop now; I know that code is still in your blood."
"Ryder, what is she talking about?" Karrah strained.
"Do not think for one second I won't kill ye, Krii." Ryder spat, "I won't ask ye again."
There was a silence, then a soft chuckle.
"Very well," Krii released her hostage, shoving Karrah into Ryder's arms, "I'll leave you be for the evening."
Ryder's dark stare didn't leave as he grabbed Karrah's wrist roughly and pulled her behind him.
"Leave." he demanded, his voice so low it was as if a snake spoke it.
"I'm sure we shall see each other again soon, my dear." said Krii.
"Leave!"
As ordered, the dark elf slowly stepped into the dark, out of sight. Slowly Ryder lowered his knife, the dark look in his eyes barely fading. Karrah looked at him, her eyes suddenly narrow and suspicious.
Karrah chapter 9, chapter word count: 1144
Chapter 9
The days passed uneventfully for a while. Very few creatures or other people crossed paths with the band, and when they did they either were chased away quickly or didn't bother them at all. The rain made the journey a little difficult, trudging through the mud that seemed to get deeper as they went and trying to keep their direction in the heavy clouds and the water coming down. The walk began to wear on them all, even Karrah. Still they persisted, walking onward all day, only stopping when the sun set.
However, as they grew closer to the city, with two days to go on their predicted route, they stopped to rest in the middle of the thankfully clear day. The way the three were speaking of it, it seemed to Karrah that this was a scheduled stop. The three girls stayed at the temporary camp while Ameila prepared sandwiches, but Ryder wandered off out of sight of the others with only a quick mumbling to them that he would be right back.
The bardesses didn't seem to be phased by his quick leave, but Karrah couldn't help but be curious, even a little worried. She watched the direction he disappeared as she ate the sandwich made for her (and still getting used to only using one hand), then when she was done she finally asked;
"Where has he gone?"
Helen and Ameila stopped their conversation, taking a sad glance at each other before Helen answered slowly.
"We always stop here when we pass this spot. There's something very important to Ryder here."
"What is it?"
Helen hesitated to answer.
"It's...not really our place to say...he doesn't like to talk about it."
Now Karrah was really curious. She looked out at the horizon again, and now that she thought about it she could barely hear the high sound of his recorder.
"I'm sorry...we should have warned you we'd be stopping here." Ameila said quietly. Karrah just shook her head; she didn't mind stopping, strangely.
She looked back at them after a few minutes, to see if they were currently focusing on her. Seeing that they were talking again, their attention turned to other things, she subtly stood and hurried in the direction Ryder went, careful not to call attention to herself lest they stop her. She knew Ryder would probably be angry that she followed him, but she wanted to know what was happening. She would even say she needed to know.
The faint music grew louder; she was getting closer. In the distance she saw a single tree; a very thin tree, only a few years old, the branches bare and thin. Crouched there was Ryder, playing a sad, gentle melody on his recorder. Quietly Karrah crept closer, doing her best not to disturb him, knowing all too well how private this was, whatever it was. As she got closer she could see a wooden plaque chained carefully around the base of the tree. Worn letters were carved and burned into the wood of the plaque, and she kept her distance just enough to barely make out the words.
Grace Freewind
Beloved Cleric, lover and companion.
Karrah's breath quietly caught in her throat, her eyes a little wide. Then slowly her gaze softened sadly on him, letting him play as she watched.
Slowly, he lowered his recorder and stood, speaking to Karrah as if he knew she was there all along, and yet didn't seem to mind.
"Me dearie Grace. A wonde'ful gal...a Cleric 'oo lived in Freepo't. Th'mos' generous gal you'd ever meet...she spent 'er loyf sellin' food an' clothes an' blankets fo' jus' a copper each. She alwa's said she'd rather live poor th'n see others starvin' an' freezin'. She never cared 'oo you followed s'long as you 'ad a good 'eart an' 'ad somethin' t'believe in."
He smiled a little, a very sad smile. Karrah could even see a sheen of unshed tears in his eyes as he spoke.
"She wos wonde'ful...we'd 'ave been married foyve years ago if I'd 'ad me way. I promised 'er a weddin' any gal would envy..."
Karrah answered, very sober.
"What happened to her?"
"Assasina'ed." Ryder answered, very quiet, "She 'ad a so't of crusade...she vowed that the evil that overpo'ered Freepo't would be driven out, and the people would be at peace again." he looked at Karrah sadly, "I told ye Freepo't ain't much better'n Qeynos. 'oomans are a selfish lot, their cities barely get boi wit' their loyves an' their fortunes. There's a 'ole block o' Freepo't overrun wit' thieves, an' the city guard won' do nothin' 'bout it. Grace wouldn' stan' fo' it. She won'ed to see Freepo't prosper an' 'ave real priori'ies. The city saw 'er as a threat, an' got 'er killed fo' wantin' t'do th'royt thing."
Karrah stared at him in silence. Was this how he knew about the Shadow Cats? Were they the ones who killed Grace? Either way, seeing Ryder like this wrenched Karrah's heart for reasons she couldn't explain. To see Ryder, the most optimistic man she knew, almost in tears...to even know he had something this dark in his memory...it terrified her. She felt helpless and small. Slowly she opened her mouth to speak.
"I'm...I'm sorry."
"'salroyt..." he answered slowly, "I'm movin' on. Slowly, but I'm movin' on."
They were both silent for a moment before he continued.
"I 'ope you don't think I'm wearin' a mask when y'see me smile, 'cause I ain't. I'm a 'appy person. I got a lot t'be 'appy 'bout. I got 'Elen an' Ameila...I got me belt o' instruments, me freedom t'roam, music t'wroyt an' songs t'play. An' I got you. 'ow c'n a bloke live in mournin' when 'e's got all that?
"It's jus' this spot, really. Where I burried 'er. Whenever I pass it all the memories c'me back t'me. So whenever I pass 'ere I come visit 'er grave an' play the song I wrote fo'er."
"Do you think she can hear you?" Karrah asked quietly. He looked up at the sky, his old smile slowly returning.
"Dunno. But it's a comfortin' thought."
Karrah stared at the plaque quietly, re-reading it a few times for a reason she couldn't really place, then slowly she put her good hand on Ryder's shoulder in a silent gesture of comfort before turning to go back to the camp. But suddenly Ryder grasped her hand, holding her there.
"Oy!" he said quickly. She turned around, looking at his sad smile.
"'salroyt. I'm glad yo'r 'ere...ye c'n stay. 'sides the gals'd 'ave yo' 'ead if they saw y'followed me."
She stopped, returning to his side, slowly turning her hand to hold his, not sure why she did. But he accepted the gesture, squeezing her hand lightly.
Karrah chapter 10, chapter word count: 1435
Chapter 10
The rain grew heavier and heavier as the party continued, the name "Karana" ringing true to the deity it was named for with the heavy storms. Lightning streaked across the sky endlessly, thankfully never touching ground, and the air felt electric and wild.
The particularly intense storm this night had made it extremely hard to pitch the tents, but they managed. Again Karrah was sharing Ryder's tent. The wind made the whole cloth shelter shake and lightning could be seen through the entrance flap Ryder struggled to seal closed for the night, only just succeeding. The two of them crouched on a bedroll as Ryder carefully changed the soaked bandages on Karrah's hand.
"We'll be there in another 'alf a day. If it weren't rainin' so 'ard you'd be able t'see the gates fr'm 'ere. It may be a li'le rough outsoyd th'gates, but once we're past that--"
"Ow!" Karrah yelped mutely, making Ryder freeze his hands.
"Ah, too toyt?" she nodded, and he quickly unwound the two layers he had wrapped, rebandaging more carefully, "Sorry...y'know, once we're there th'firs' thing you oughtta do's see a Cleric. This ain't 'ealin' too well. I wish I could do mo' fo' it. 'ows that?" he asked, holding the slim ends of the bandage in place ready to tie them.
"That's fine." carefully he tied the bandage taught, loose enough not to hurt but tight enough to hold her hand in position. She flexed in carefully, making sure not to aggravate it. She looked up at the ceiling in thought, listening to the rain still coming down.
"We're almost there..." she thought out loud.
"I know." Ryder agreed, "'ow's it feel?"
"A little scary..." she answered, "I've come so far...I can't believe it, almost. After four years...I just hope this hasn't been in vain."
"Now whoy would it be in vain?" Ryder exclaimed, his bright smile in place.
"Well...what if my answers aren't in Freeport?"
"Then we keep goin'." Ryder smiled, shifting a little closer, "Ye're very focused on gettin' there, an' that ain't all bad...but don' think that everythin' we do out 'ere don't mean nothin' just 'cause we picked the wrong place. At leas' ye did somethin', royt? We saw places, we became friends, an' I know as much as ye troy t'oyd it that ye've 'ad fun." he nudged her playfully, "An' if Freepo't ain't th'place, well, ye jus' keep lookin'."
Karrah listened quietly, and suddenly something appeared that hadn't for a long time, deliberately anyway; a smile. And Ryder's smile grew brighter as he saw it.
"You're very wise, Ryder." she said quietly.
"Nah, "Ryder replied, shrugging with a little smirk, "I jus' act loyk it."
Karrah smiled a little more, even chuckling a tiny bit.
"Aw, that's mo' loyk it." Ryder nudged her again, "Looks loyk ol' Royda foinally got t'ye."
Karrah chuckled a little more, and Ryder scooted closer, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"Y'know Karrah," he said, his tone a little more serious, but still sincere and smiling, "If Freepo't don't work out fo' ye, ye c'n come wit' us."
"Really?"
"'course! We'd love t'take ye 'round Norrath wit' us. We always got room in our party fo' ye. Ye c'n see all our gigs! 'Elen's got this great play she's writin' up, ye can see me make a total fool'a meself." he paused to let Karrah giggle at that, "We could even teach ye a thing o' two an' let ye perfo'm with us. We already know ye a great dancer, ye could dance fo' us if ye loyk. An' y'never know. If ye keep travelin' everywhere ye may foynd ye' answer."
She held a little smile as she listened. It felt so odd. Her cheeks felt heavy, not used to such a happy expression. But for the first time in four years, she truly felt a desire to smile.
"Maybe." she answered. Ryder accepted that, still sitting close to her. He peered into her eyes, gently brushing her long bangs away from them, careful not to expose her scar.
"Ye got a beau'iful smoyl, Karrah. 's a shame not t'see mo' of it."
She closed her eyes, sighing, almost content, at Ryder's touch, and slowly raised her bandaged hand to touch his, caressing the back of his hand and trailing her fingers up his forearm.
Suddenly there was a loud THUMP outside the wall, one that wasn't from the rain. Karrah's eyes snapped open and she and Ryder looked. The sound was of cloth being punctured. A tearing sound followed; someone was cutting through the fabric of the tent. Karrah's arm flew to push Ryder behind her as the opening in the cloth was torn asunder and the figure climbed through. That same dark elf, her face once again covered with a mask. Ryder scrambled to the exit as Karrah ducked in the small space to defend against the attacker. She managed to roll aside and reach the opening torn in the tent and slip out of it.
Outside, Ryder was nowhere to be seen, though out of the corner of her eye Karrah could see Helen and Ameila peering from their own tent to watch, Ameila holding both of them back to stay hidden while still staring at the scene in concern. The rain still dumped heavily on the plains, impeding Karrah's vision yet again with the dense sheet of water, and her soaked bangs falling into her eyes. She squinted, watching, before turning suddenly to block a blow from the rogue that she somehow predicted even in the dark with her dulled senses.
The two of them sparred back and forth, the moment a blur to them both and observers in the rain and desperation. The adrenaline rush dulled the pain in Karrah's hand; even as she instinctively used her arm in substitute the habit was still there. The rain proved even more to be a nuisance, the cold causing her muscles to ache as her skin threatened to go numb, making her fight even more desperately. Blindness she had been trained against, but when could barely feel her own blocks she found herself off guard and disoriented.
This finally became her downfall. One false move caused her to hit only air, and the rogue took advantage, grabbing her bad hand and wrenching it behind her back. Karrah couldn't stifle the pained scream the move triggered, forcing the broken bones out of place. Through the burning agony from her hand and the numb from the cold she somehow was aware that the rogue's blade was now against her neck, the flat side of the metal pressing against her chin. She grabbed the arm holding the dagger there, trying to pull it away but only struggling helplessly; the rogue's grip was firm and Karrah's attention was diverted. Her eyes clenched shut, biting her lip against the pain.
Suddenly she felt the rogue's body tense, and as the right eased slightly she could hear a familiar voice by her side.
"Let 'er go, Krii."
She managed to turn her head enough to see Ryder there. His arm was extended to the rogue, name of Krii, it seemed, touching her own throat with a dagger. His eyes were dark and his mouth was curled in a sneer. Pure anger and hatred contorted his face. Behind Karrah she barely saw the dark elf's face, a smirk in her eyes.
"Well well well," she spoke at last, "If it isn't the one who got away. How are you, my dear Ryder?"
"I mean it! Let 'er go!" his voice was jarringly harsh.
"You know as well as I do I can't do that. She is my target. You know I can't stop now; I know that code is still in your blood."
"Ryder, what is she talking about?" Karrah strained.
"Do not think for one second I won't kill ye, Krii." Ryder spat, "I won't ask ye again."
There was a silence, then a soft chuckle.
"Very well," Krii released her hostage, shoving Karrah into Ryder's arms, "I'll leave you be for the evening."
Ryder's dark stare didn't leave as he grabbed Karrah's wrist roughly and pulled her behind him.
"Leave." he demanded, his voice so low it was as if a snake spoke it.
"I'm sure we shall see each other again soon, my dear." said Krii.
"Leave!"
As ordered, the dark elf slowly stepped into the dark, out of sight. Slowly Ryder lowered his knife, the dark look in his eyes barely fading. Karrah looked at him, her eyes suddenly narrow and suspicious.
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