Hunting the Gurtha Maten --The Hunt--

Ax pointed his nose into the air. He couldn't smell anything, not anything hostile at all... Just dragonflies and some little animals which were irrelevent to him righ tnow. Ax came up to Vistalzdiar, there was a tree covering the moon from that point. So Ax automatically turned back human. Ax fought many enemies... Heck, even fairies and Gryffons, but he knew that this is no kiddie battle, They are outnumbered one to twenty, and most of all, their enemies are the powerfull drows. Ax chuckeled. He didnt know why he even accepted to join this battle. It was probably because of the thrill, and adventure. Which will kill him soon, maybe even this battle. The young werewolve knew, that the other werewolves and even Vistalidzor knew that. Ax put his right hand on Vistalidzor's shoulder. "Nervous?" asked Ax.

Vistalzidar smiled slightly. "As hell." He shrugged Ax's hand off his shoulder, a little uncomfortable at the touch. Upon seeing the young Lycan's frown, he said, "Give me time, Ax, and I'm sure I will trust you...but until then, don't expect me to be touchy-feely friendly."
Ax smirked and nodded, sniffing the air once more and obviously smelling nothing out of the ordinary. Vistalzidar glanced at the approaching Melcanin.
"Camp is almost set up," she informed him. "A sentry has been posted at each point of the compass and my huntress' will be vigilant, on high alert at all times."
Vistalzidar smiled and bowed, thanking Melcanin. "That was rather quick," he noted.
Melcanin grinned. "We pride ourselves on such things, Master Drow-"
"Vistalzidar," The assissin cut in.
Melcanin smiled wider. "We pride ourselves on such things, Vistalzidar. Get used to it."
Vistalzidar chuckled. "I don't think that will be too hard, do you, Ax?"
The young Lycan shook his head and chuckled. "Not at all."

Melcanin inclined her head slightly, looking up at the sky, a small tune began to play in her mind and Erhala joined at her side, both of them singing a haunting tune in a form of elvish almost forgotten. The tune carried across the cool breeze and more tunes joined to that of the leading huntresses, within moments a chorus of voices were singing to the traditional tune.

Ax looked around "Ergh... Anybody have some kind of music notebook for those notes?" asked Ax confusingly. He did not know this traditional tune... He thought it was sacred thought, the traditions of elves... Ax thought also thought what ranks will he be in? Heh, stupid of me... I dont even know these peaple, and Ill be in the soldier ranks... Thought doesn't make a diffrence does it? Ax shrugged off the thought, he couldnt speak elvish... And this truly seemed like an Elvish song...

(OOC: Apologies for the intrusion on ya'lls motley crew, but figure I might as well have a little fun...)

Veleanith swept her feet delicately across the fertile grass, shadows hidden behind trees and stars, nature ignoring her, choosing to whisper of worldly affairs, she an invisible presence in the night of the forest. Covered by her robe, the darkest shade of midnight, black hood overhead revealing nothing but a hint of gold with each passing wind sweep, she was an ominous figure, a mysterious creature of the night.

For over a half an hour, she had been walking stealthily alone through the forest, heading on what would most likely be a collision course into her target. She had left Midi not too far off, not willing to risk her giving her away and also, she didn’t wish to waste her energy making the forest not reveal her and her steed combined. ‘Plus, this target will not be easy enough as is…’ she thought, her stride casual, indifference in her features.

Earlier, after a few minutes of persuasion, Vele had finally managed to get the smallest of a bio from her client. The Drow she was after would be richly dressed and one of high stature, the key note to identifying him being an eight pronged star around his neck, not unlike the one she had taken from the dead Drow bodyguard from the manor of the nobleman. She was unable to get a reason for his soon to be assassination, other than he was a threat to some Drow of an even higher stature, but she was able to get a name.

“Vistalzidar…” The name played across her lips, a low whisper in the wind, her eyes holding a meaningful expression. The name was completely foreign to her and yet…she couldn’t shake a feeling that had been nagging her, an apprehensive shiver that went through her with each increasing footfall. ‘To be getting to me in such a manner, he must be quite the adversary…or my mind may be warning me, of what, I do not know.’

Deciding to forget about what she labeled her insignificant worries, she continued on, eventually reaching a clearing in the forest. She halted in her footsteps, in awe at the sight. Shaking her head, she leaned her shoulder to a nearby tree, cloaked in darkness and shadow as she thought with her arms crossed. ‘What have we here…?’

Standing several yards away, she noticed two guards standing over the entrance to what looked to be a huge open clearing currently in use. They were of elven nature, female, and a sword by each side. The two had been heavily engaged in conversation, behind them, hundreds of tents pitched for the evening, many preparing to rest. Frowning, she played with a strand of hair. ‘Perhaps my target has these female elves as his…’

Behind the guards, walking by and cutting her thoughts short, she noted three muscular elven females, each carrying some weapon of a sort, the first looking deadlier than the last. Walking adjacent the women, were two Drow, acknowledging the women with a nod of the head. Shaking the thought away, she bit her lip. ‘That is not likely. These are warriors. Elven warriors working with Drow warriors. Just what exactly is going on here?’

Watching carefully the strange spectacle before her, she started to wonder what exactly was being fought for, closing her eyes as a melody, almost archaic in nature started to play across the clearing. It was the only way she could think to kill the time, waiting for when most of the activity had died down at the site before she attempted an attack of any sort.

Within a few hours, after most of the commotion had died down, the singing nothing but a memory and the guards had changed shifts for the night, Veleanith cricked her neck, figuring it was about time she got to work. Climbing swiftly up the tree she had been forcing herself not to fall asleep against, she quietly made her way across the complex of branches, stopping herself over two arguing female elves serving as guards. Eavesdropping on their debate, she hung upside down, her hair nearly touching the forest floor.

“…Come now, are you honestly trying to say by coming in from the western side, you would reach the city faster?”

“It would take less than three days of travel, two if your steed is of good health, of this I am certain.”

Coughing lightly behind the two, Veleanith interrupted in a child like innocence. “Well, in all actuality, the fastest route would be a day’s journey, coming in from underground, though it is not exactly the safest one…”

The two female elves quickly turned around to find Veleanith now standing upright, sweeping away dirt from her cloak, daintily pulling leaves and debris from her hair, talking to herself silently. Placing their sword points deep into her neck, they growled to her fiercely, speaking in unison. “State your business here.”

Blinking, unaffected by the swords, Veleanith tilted her head to the side, raising her head up to the women. “Nothing of too much sinister nature. As a matter of fact, I merely want to wish you both goodnight…” Showing her fangs, she smiled quite broadly, apparently amused by the situation.

The two warriors, suspicious of her actions, started to drive their weapons forward, stopping short inches away from impaling Vele’s throat. Their eyes rolled into the back of the heads, both starting to fall down in a faint. With a struggle, Veleanith hurriedly caught them both so as to not attract attention from their fall. Loosening its grasp around their neck and swirling back into her bracelet, were several leaves of ivy, a trace amount of blood around two thorns that had pricked into the female guards necks, knocking them unconscious.

Propping them up against two nearby trees, she furrowed her brows. ‘It will last for no longer than an hour so I should make it so I am out of here long before then,’ Winking to the two ladies, she whispered. “Goodnight…”

Pivoting around, she turned back to the camp, walking into the site with an air of cautiousness. She had managed to get through the first round, but she still had to worry about evading anyone that might have been prowling around in the wee hours of the night, at the same time, locating where exactly her target lay.

Veleanith prowled through the site, turning her head at any little noise that caught her attention. She was strangely on edge, something she wasn’t entirely use to. Footsteps could be heard from around a corner, not doing anything to increase her mood. Nimbly ducking into the closest tent around, she watched through the tear as a few Drow walked past, apparently on patrol. She scanned their necks for a necklace, frowning at not seeing the right one.

A sudden grunt from the inhabitant of the room broke her concentration. Veleanith turned around, placing both hands tightly over her mouth to hide an instinctive hiss coming about. He looked human appearance wise, sleeping peacefully on the ground, a tense look about his figure. But she could tell what he really was, the human form a clever disguise. ‘A lycan? Lycan? There is a lycan in this site?!’

*continuation

Stepping back as quietly as possible, she mulled about in her head her courses of actions. She didn’t exactly have any silver type weapon, not unless she wanted to try throwing coins…shaking her head, Veleanith smirked, the idea laughable. Gulping, hoping to not catch his attention, she stepped through the entrance of the tent, stumbling backwards onto her feet.

‘You are a wreck, Vele, regain your composure,’ Jumping onto her feet, she exhaled, pulling her cloak about her shoulders. Breathing deeply, she continued at a slow stride, making a turn at another intersection. She immediately swerved back around and into another tent, eyes widened at seeing a familiar face. This time, it was the huntress, the one from Mardonin. Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she peered outside, watching her walk past in wonder. ‘What would she be doing here…?’

Sighing, Veleanith fell to the ground in a haphazard sitting position, her back to the opening of the tent. Puffing a strand of hair from her face, she placed her chin into a hand, her elbow propped up on her knee as she started to think. A glint of silver soon stopped her thoughts, making her focus on the inhabitant of the room, her eyebrow arched.

Veleanith found that it was a male, a Drow judging by the pitch black complexion. Around his area lay his weaponry, swords and bows, standard equipment. However, none of it was of importance to her, and instead it was the necklace around his neck that had caught her eyes. Digging into an inner pocket, she took out a five pronged star necklace, allowing it to dangle loosely from her fingertips as a visual aid. The Drow in front of her seemed to be wearing the same thing, with the exception of their being eight prongs.

Licking her lips, she smiled, slipping the necklace back inside her cloak as she crawled towards the sleeping figure. ‘And I believe I have found you, Vista, my dear…’ In good spirits, and at the same time anxious, she carefully placed herself on top of him, making sure not to place too much weight down.

He slept as if in a nightmare, face turned to the side, silver hair blanketing his face, veiling his features. “Such pretty silver hair…” purred Veleanith subconsciously, a sense of déjà vu felt. Pausing, she felt her anxiety increase at the comment that had slipped out, it serving to pull at her fears. Unclasping her necklace from round her neck, she stretched it out into the open, gazing into the piercing green and ebony gem, forcing away her worries.

Ever since her brother’s death, she rarely took it from her neck, having seen her brother remove it during only one task. She pulled at the necklace, checking to see if it would hold strong, it being her weapon for the evening. Considering she was to kill this gentleman, she decided on a strangulation death, figuring with the high quantity of acute hearing people in the vicinity, the sound of any weapon being unsheathed would be magnified by ten fold.

Grimacing at what would be the cause of death, she started to place the strange black wire across his neck. He shifted suddenly, turning slightly and allowing his hair to slip to the side, onto the ground. Upon seeing his face, Veleanith stopped instantly, her necklace nearly slipping from her grasp. ‘Gods…’ It was the only thing that came to mind in her shock, the second word causing her to frown. ‘…Stranger.’

Never one to forget a face, she recognized almost immediately the Drow before her, having seen him on the rooftops of Astradom and the mini battle in Mardonin. ‘He is the stranger…and yet he is also Vistalzidar, he is my target. ‘Profession before emotions’.’ Rang her brother’s words into her head, melancholy visible in her eyes.

Veleanith took a breath in a vain attempt at relaxing herself as she placed the wire to his throat, trying yet again. She stopped, unable to even get it near his skin without her hands starting to tremble. At her third attempt, she dropped the necklace exasperated, unable to imagine herself strangling him. Balling up a fist, she threw back her head frustrated.

“Damn you stranger…” she whispered into the air, a slow fury building up in her. She glanced downward, analyzing him as he slept, whispering all the while. “To think, I have been doing this near all my life and you cause me to hesitate, I hesitate to end a life, one I do not even know,” Leaning down, she ran her hands past his cheeks and to his hair, looking to him in scrutiny. “What kind of sorcery have you managed to cast over my mind…?” she pondered, searching his face for the answer.

Hearing no response, Veleanith bit her lip, not sure of what to think, but knowing what she was about to do. Leaning her face down closer, her hair lightly draping over his forehead, she stole a kiss, a look of desire in her eyes. She soon stopped, jumping back startled as she felt a hand slide past her waist. It was a lucky thing she did thus, as realizing that someone other than himself was within the room, from his side, he snatched his sword, swiping across Veleanith’s collarbone, grazing her skin.

Rubbing onto her throat, thankful he hadn’t managed to slit it, she looked around nervously, hoping the movement hadn’t caught any attention. Tracing a finger down the length of his sword arm, she softly spoke. “Calm yourself stranger, I mean no harm,” He looked to her half awake, eyes heavily filled with sleep but sword no longer raised, lowered to the ground. Starting to speak, Veleanith cut him off, placing a finger to his lips, smiling reassuredly as she hid the blood slowly rolling down into her top from the horizontal line across her skin. “Tis a dream and nothing more.”

Gracefully getting onto her feet, she backed through the entrance of the tent, the night air waking her from what felt like a reverie of her own. Her angelic calm that she had gained vanished, being replaced with a nervous shaking. Walking briskly, no longer focused on stealth, her shaking soon turned into a cold anger, furious and confused at herself for not being able to do her job, dazed as she headed towards a clear spring.

Throwing off her cloak at the opening of the pool, she didn’t bother with the rest of her clothes, falling in dazed, hoping to calm the erratic hysteric like beating of her heart.

Vistalzidar shook his head bemusedly, in attempt to clear the sleep from his mind and figure out just what had happened. He rose unsteadily, not bothering to dress himself in anyting more than the night clothes he wore and stumbled from the tent.
He knew the face that had swam before him within the tent. Knew the face that he had nearly cut from her shoulders. It was the Stranger...the Vampire woman he had met on the rooftops of Astradom.
Several huntress' rose from their fires at seeing him stumble through their camp with his sword drawn, but Vistalzidar waved them back to their warmth.
In the distance, a splash resounded and his highly attuned ears picked it up instantly. Picking up his pace to a run, he loped through the trees to a nearby spring, stopping in his tracks and letting his sword point drop to the ground as the Vampiress sprang from the clear water, droplets cascading from her hair and fully clothed body.
Vistalzidar smirked slightly, wondering what that was all about, as he tossed his Shadow sword onto the forest floor and made his way to the edge of the pool. He sat down slowly, as she watched him intently, and he dangled his legs into the water. His right hand came up to touch his lips as he wondered why they tingled.
He smiled and slipped into the water, paddling over towards her slowly, showing her he meant no ill intent. "So, we meet again," he said as he came within an arms length of her. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Veleanith watched as the stranger swam towards her, the earlier trace of a threat having all but left him. She found she was surprised by his presence, but no longer as furious at herself as she had been earlier. She couldn’t help but to still be a little nervous, considering the job she was suppose to do…that she knew she wouldn’t be able to.

All this was thought in mere seconds, Veleanith barely managing to catch his words and just hearing his question.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Not being able to help herself, a small smile appeared on her lips, eyes aglow showing her devious nature. Tilting her head as she kept afloat, she whispered. “I haven’t come for your pleasure…not yet anyway,” Now broadly smiling, she shook the twists in her hair loose, propelling herself back a few feet. “Though…how about this? You manage to catch me and perhaps I’ll do more than just make suggestive remarks…”

“Catch you…?” He waded closer to her curious, stopping as she extended a hand.

Holding out both hands as she peddled, she mouthed her words silently, bracing herself for her next movement. “Catch me…” She rose her eyebrow quickly before plunging herself backwards, twirling around and diving rapidly downwards. Turning around, she found him diving after, gaining a good distance on her.

Letting out a few air bubbles, her hair flew about wildly in the dark waters, the only light visible coming in from the nearly full moon. ‘That will have to change now, won’t it?’ Clasping her hands together, she let out a few more bubbles, not worried too much about her air supply considering she could hold her breath for virtually as long as she wished…at a price of course.

Finishing up her chant, she let out one last burst of air, her vision hazily flooding with light, a twinge of pain coursing through her head as she did thus. Finding it odd, she ignored it, watching as Vistalzidar, attracted by her use of light magic, dove towards her, extending a hand.

Moving from his way, Veleanith found she had to dodge quickly, he moving faster than she thought possible, earnest to reach out to her. Lowering herself deeper to avoid a grapple, she swam upwards to tackle him, he catching her hands as she did so.

Veleanith cracked a smile, figuring she had the upper hand and that he would have to go up for air sooner or later. Vistalzidar, figuring this as well, pulled her upwards, closer to him, and in a swift movement, moved both of her hands into one of his hands, one hand now free. He moved his hand to her side, Veleanith shaking her head wide eyed at the gesture.

As with nearly everything she did, there was a small sacrifice involved. This one being that she was very sensitive to the area around her, the slightest prick far worse than the sharpest sword blow, the smallest brush against her skin serving as a source of irritation. Or in this case, a way of tickling her.

At feeling his hand brush over her waist, she let out a rush of bubbles, choking on gallons of water as she chortled, unable to control herself. The two swam upwards, bursting through the surface, Veleanith gagging and laughing as Vistalzidar held her hands tightly behind her back. Muffling her laughter by burying her face into his chest, she stopped after a minute, looking up to him with happy tears streaming down her cheeks. “And here I thought I was the underhanded one.”

Adjusting a hand from his grasp, she moved it to around his neck so as to better balance herself in the water. The two looked to each other amused, smiling, a minute of silence passing them by beneath the night sky in the calming waters. Gulping, Veleanith turned her gaze sideways, exhaling slowly as she closed her eyes, holding back her impulses and ignoring the mischievous voices in her head, biting her bottom lip all the while.

Breaking the silence, Vistalzidar asked her a question, bringing her attention back to him. “What exactly are you doing here…?”

Lying. It was part of the job of being an assassin, making up any reason or excuse when the time called for it. Throughout the years, she had used innumerable lies, countless streaming through her head at a rather unnatural rate. However, she found that her reservoir had dried up, she unable to come up with a sentence, his silver gaze piercing, looking beyond her eyes.

Slipping her hand from his neck, she pulled her wrist from his other hand, swimming beneath his legs and popping up behind him, whipping her hair about as she did so. Glancing to him, she spoke lowly. “A group of Drow under the orders of another Drow… Talloth Da'gar, they gave me a commission. I was to kill you tonight as you slept, the method of choice left up to me…”

Unable to look him in the eyes after her confession, she turned onto her back in a float, watching the stars and moon as leaves rustled about in the darkness. Smiling weakly, she whispered. “Small world, eh, stranger?”

"Any Ace's?" asked Ax who was trying to teach the Elven Huntreses to play cards. But he learned one thing, Elves aren't ment for gambling or any of card games. Ax quit on trying to play cards with the HUntreses. He stode and took a walk. Ax, by some weird instinct again sniffed into the air. He sensed something he sensed alot of times... He sensed a Vampire...

((OOC: This is were I could step in yeh/no.))

After walking for a while Lanilor heard voices in the trees. "Ismalia you feel that" Lanilor said stopping and looking around.
"Yeh I feel something but I dont know what it is" She said taking guard.
"Hhhmmmmm stay close and follow me, I heard voices, we better check it out" Lanilor said crouching slightly, Ismalia followed with both rapier type blades drawn. They both walkd through the trees and came to a clearing with a group of people in it. Lanilor and Ismalia stood side by side.

((hope that is k))

Vistalzidar reached out and took Veleanith's hand, bringing it to his lips in a quick kiss. He pulled her towards him frowning slightly. "Talloth, you say? Hmm, the very man we here intend to eliminate."
Vistalzidar smiled and twirled her away into the water, ducking under himself to let the cool water through his hair, then shooting back up, water cascading off his shimmering silver hair. "But you couldn't do it, it seems," Vistalzidar mused. "I have to say I like that particular effect I am having on you."
Vistalzidar's grin broadened into a beaming smile at her expression. "Oh, yes, I know exactly how I make you feel...for you have the same effect on me. I find you on my mind constantly, though I cannot explain why. Do you know what I was dreaming about when you woke me?"
Veleanith shook her head, but a grin began to spread across her face, suggesting she could guess.
"You," said Vistalzidar. "I dreamt that someone was trying to kill you, and I was fighting to save you life." He chuckled. "I died in that dream, you know? Took a blade for you."
He swam to within inches of her, running a hand softly along her cheek. "I barely know you," he said in a whisper, "but I find that I would gladly take that blade for you, were that dream to become a reality." He smiled. "Though I hope to never see you in such a situation."

((OOC: This was a hard one to post from, lol. Excuse the not so good moments of sentimentality or anything touchy feel in nature, never been my thing but I try 😬 Anyways, for anyone who despises sentiments or anything of the sort, skip the first…hmm, 4 paragraphs ))

Veleanith closed her eyes as he stroked her cheek, bringing up a hand from the crystalline liquid to intertwine her fingers in his. Her heart beat frenetically, her thoughts all but gone and she barely being able to stay afloat, a delirious feeling overcoming her from his earlier statement, his words one of the only truths in the world.

Opening her eyes, Veleanith gave a weak smile, using her free hand to caress his cheek, biting her lip, touched. “Stranger…you do not even know my name…and you’d be willing to die for me?” Bringing herself closer, she cradled his face in both hands, whispering. “I don’t even know the words to say…” She looked up into his eyes. “I don’t even know how to say how I feel…”

Brushing back a strand of hair, he wrapped an arm around her waist, making it so the two were inches apart. “You do not have to say a thing.”

Veleanith nodded her head, able to feel his heart beating next to hers, a rhythmic in tune melody. “I know…” She pulled his head downwards, finally giving in to her desires, kissing at his lips passionately, ravenously, gently grasping his face, closing her eyes, indulging in the tingle she felt course through her as he played his hands through her hair and across her bare back.

After a heavy moment of reluctance, she pulled herself away, looking down into the water. She plunged herself beneath the surface, regaining her bearings and common sense. Popping back up, she rubbed a hand across the back of her neck awkwardly. “Perhaps we should get out of the water now?” she suggested.

Beneath her breath, Veleanith mumbled as she started to swim back to the edge. “I do not know how much longer I would have been able to play the resist temptation game…” Pulling herself from the water, dripping a puddle of water onto the ground, she stayed on all fours, closing her eyes as water ran down from her hair, streaming past her face in cold droplets.

Whipping her head about wildly, she shook away any excess water left in her hair, focusing her thoughts as she did so. Turning around to the spring, she leaned over the edge to Vistalzidar, still peddling in the water. “My name is Veleanith, you can call me Vele, never Velean,” She didn’t bother giving her last name, at times it either sparked controversy or questions she‘d never know the answer to. Curiously, she extended a hand out to him. “So this Talloth guy is after you and you after Talloth?” She clasped his hand in hers, not yet pulling him out. “Also, the Elven huntresses are working with Drow warriors, a lycan involved as well. Stranger, if you do not mind me asking, just what exactly is going on?”

Vistalzidar felt a twinge of disappointment at the breaking of the kiss, but he pushed it away quickly, knowing that everything was happening too fast...he still didn't really know what was happening.
The Vampiress had exited the water and was shaking the excess out of her hair as he paddled towards the bank and Vistalzidar admired her until she turned to face him once more.
“My name is Veleanith, you can call me Vele, never Velean,” She introduced herself as she extended a hand to him. “So this Talloth guy is after you and you after Talloth?”
Vistalzidar clasped her hand, but Vele did not move to help him out of the spring. “Also, the Elven huntresses are working with Drow warriors, a lycan involved as well. Stranger, if you do not mind me asking, just what exactly is going on?”
Vistalzidar smiled slightly. "My name is Vistalzidar, but you are well aware of that I am sure. There is no need to call me stranger anymore." He frowned slightly as she helped him from the water, glimmering beads cascading from his black skin. "As for what is going on...I will tell you the truth straight out. Talloth Da'gar intends to move against the Court of Ice and Stone. With the Court in his control, the entire land will be under his cold grip...I will not let his ambitions put us all in danger at a time like this. He must be stopped, or the Death Eaters will have easy feastings on the people of this land. We who are camped here, former enemies, are now joined as one for this cause."

Melcanin took watch, realising that the drow master was engaged in a rather complex scene with a vampiress, she left it to his descretion as to when he'd return however keeping her senses open she allowed for a little more time on the couples behalf before she would become suspicious.

Veleanith nodded her head, finally understanding what was going on, the whole commission starting to make sense. Dangling her legs out into the water, she sat by Vistalzidar, leaning her head on his shoulder. “I see now…because you are against the cause…”

Moving a hand, Veleanith held onto his face lightly, brushing her lips past his cheek, going to his lips and leaving a lingering kiss. Parting with her eyes closed in rue, she took up her cloak from the forest floor, sweeping it across her shoulders. Standing up abruptly, she glanced upwards to the stars, truly beginning to wonder what fate had in store. “Vistalzidar…”

Getting up after her, he looked to her curiously. Veleanith closed her eyes, letting a cool warning breeze pass her by, a feeling of something missing going by. It soon left her as he clasped her hands, forcing Vele back to reality, she turning her golden gaze to Vistalzidar. “There is something I must take care of…but I promise I will return to you within the night,” Leaving one last kiss, she held onto his face, a serene look in her eyes as she whispered. “Aluve', Vistalzidar.” Turning briskly, she started to make her way through the forest.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Ah!” The Drow beamed, dark robes shimmering beneath the moonlight as he placed his hands together in his cheer. “That was faster than expected! You have already taken care of him?”

Veleanith stopped her steady stride feet away from the Drow, the walk back to the clearing containing her client and his guards taking her a little more than thirty minutes, a temper to her footsteps. After she had finished her job, she was to meet back with him, Vistalzidar’s necklace in hand.

Placing her hands into her pockets, a chill wind blew her hood from her head, her drying raven hair flowing in the darkness, a cool cautious expression in her eyes. “Of course it was faster than expected. I have not done it yet. Nor will I do it. I will take no part in ending his life.” finished Veleanith, a hint of malice to her tone.

The Drow slowly lowered his hands, his broad smile quickly turning into an expression of great bewilderment. Frowning, he spoke to her in a low tone. “I’m afraid I do not understand. We have already paid you for th-”

Tossing the bulging coin bag into his chest, it landed with a slap, falling to the ground. Veleanith sneered, baring her fangs. “Keep your money. I neither need nor want it. I will not kill my target, Vistalzidar, as he sleeps during the brink of an oncoming war courtesy of this Talloth,” She knew that wasn’t the real reason that stayed her hands, but her emotions didn’t need to be mentioned as it would also be bad for her reputation. Raising her head with narrowed eyes, she continued, her voice increasing little by little. “Talloth shall fight his own battle and I will have no assistance towards his ludicrous goals.”

At her last word, the two warrior Drow standing by her clients side instantaneously took from their backs rich tainted black mahogany bows, a venomous look in each one’s eye. Her client looked to her with the utmost disgust, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “Very well, Miss Eveolinist. On the honor of our Lord Da'gar, we shall make your death swift.” Darkness spread out from his footsteps, a great shadow sweeping the area, covering the comforting white light of the moon and shrouding Veleanith’s vision.

Closing her eyes, not entirely surprised by the outcome of the situation, she backed up, listening to footsteps of those adapt to the dark taking their time to walk to her. The patient drawing of strings pulled back was heard, Veleanith barely managing to hiss a whisper, heavy branches sweeping past and taking the blows of several arrows. She felt it now, in her heart, the euphoria of earlier having left her, in its replacement, a cold anger.

A low growl left her throat, fangs bared. “How dare you…” Her eyes glowed luminously, from her footsteps, a light haze sweeping out into the area, fighting the shadows. A sharp twinge of pain erupted through her head, she being able to see through the dark, barely. Gripping on tightly to the rose in her pocket, she pushed herself, raising her voice as her eyes glowed. “How dare you!”

A secondary wave erupted from where she stood, a startling beam of rippling light traveling over the area, her hair flying wildly about in the luminescence as she overtook the shadow, the clearing settling back to normal, leaves rustling by in the night. A fiercer pain came into her head, blinding her and threatening her to faint, her anger the only thing keeping her on her feet.

Taking out her crimson rose, she whipped it out towards a startled archer’s neck, snapping it as she pulled, droplets of blood splattering lightly onto nearby trees as he fell, his neck bloodied. The second archer, enraged, shot towards her, grazing into her shoulder. A fierce foreign whisper left her lips, the whip in her hand growing unnaturally long. Sweeping out to his feet, the rose whip wrapped itself around the archer, covering up the fearful look in his eyes as it claimed the archer.

The green stem entwining the archer Drow turned a light pink hue, growing tighter as blood finally burst forth from it’s thorns, the crimson petals growing rapidly and veins within the flower pulsating, a ruby glow visible. Heartbeat increasing through the gruesome process, Veleanith pulled the plant from the archer, blood streaming through the air as it shortened back into a normal rose, the near dried out corpse of the archer landing lightly into the dew covered grass.

Calmly placing her rose back into her cloak, Veleanith winced as a secondary arrow flew past, grazing her cheek in the process. She turned her gaze to her client, raising her eyebrow as he let another arrow fly, hands to shaky to take proper aim. Shaking off the grazing of arrows, dodging few that were too close for comfort, she made it into melee range, he tossing aside the bows in replacement for his sword.

Raising a hand upwards, the grass in front of him sprouted rapidly to his height, writhing about in its life. Yanking down, it took hold of his sword, burying it into the earth. Stepping down heavily, the ground let out a tremble, tripping him down onto his back, Veleanith taking the opportunity to aim her rapier into his neck as she stepped onto his chest.

“You are lucky, Master Drow. I shall spare your life as I need a messenger. I will not kill Vistalzidar and if you or your menial Master dare send another after his life, if he does not manage to dispatch of them on his own, they will have me to contend with,” Removing her rapier, she sheathed it back quickly, an ominous note to her tone. “And I guarantee, a death by me will by far worse than the small display here. Now run back to your master like the minion you are!”

Taking her foot from his chest, she watched as he got to his feet hurriedly, running out shakily into the darkness. Waiting until she thought he had reached a far distance away, Veleanith allowed her guard to lower, a feeling of exhaustion coming from the smallest of breathes. “Light magic has never drained me so…” Reaching up a hand to her gem, she stopped at coming to a cold realization.

It wasn’t there. Feeling about her neckline anxiously, a panic spread through her at seeing her necklace missing. ‘But I had it right here, where could it have-’ It struck her just then, when she had taken it off to end Vistalzidar’s life…she had been in too much of a rush to escape and hadn’t bothered to retrieve it.

Slapping her forehead, she groaned, unable to stand no longer and falling onto her back dazed. Looking up into the moon, she sighed. “Guess I will have to retrieve it in the early morning hours…by then, I should have recovered,” Her vision filtering into darkness, she closed her eyes letting fatigue claim her, the gentle sound of grass being pressed heard. Footsteps in the forest.

Melcanin stood over the vampiress' limpened form, nodding to several of her guard they gently lifted her and carried her back to the small encampment, laying her near the fire. She looked up as she sensed the master drow enter the clearing, "Her necklace is missing." He commented and pulled a thin chain from almost nowhere, placing it around her neck softly, there was an affection in his touch which Melcanin only sensed. She nodded and opened a vein in her wrist, wincing as she drew thick elven blood into a deep bowl and dipped a gourd into it, placing it in embers of the fire for warmth, she would await the vampiress' awakening before the feed and questions.

The young lycan stood beside the Vampiress waiting for her to wake up. He had no intention of hurting her. He might as well become friends with her. No doubt, but some Vampires are diffrent from others. They serve for the good. And from what Ax could see, this Vampiress wasn't that evil.

Vistalzidar sat on the grass by the fire and took Vele's hand in his, stroking the soft skin gently. "You put your life on the line to protect my life and my honour," he spoke to her sleeping form softly. "For that, you will forever have my heart, and my sword, by your side. No matter where the winds may take you, whether you want me there or not...I will be there. This I swear to you."
He glanced up at Melcanin and Ax, speaking to Ax first. "You have stood by your word, Lycan, and for that you have earned my trust. Thankyou." He placed a hand over his heart and bowed from his seated position and was rewarded with a smile and bow in return.
To Melcanin, he said, "In a few hours, when the first rays of light break the horizon, we march to our final destination. Come nightfall, the assault must begin. Talloth will know we are coming now, so we must strike quickly."
Vistalzidar glanced down at Veleanith. If he had realised what she was doing, and acted faster, he would have killed the Drow that she had shown mercy on, knowing that Talloth would learn of his coming. Yet, he found that he wasn't angry. In fact, he was happy that Talloth expected him, happy that Talloth would be prepared for him, for it would make his defeat all the more spectacular. What better way to unite the Drow to a worthy cause than to defeat the undefeatable and become a hero in his people's eyes.

Veleanith shifted her head, the smell of blood in the air, the aroma overpowering in scent. However, it wasn’t the near sensuous liquid that had managed to wake her. A gentle stroking of her hand brought her to, muffled words buried in her mind, to convoluted for her to fully decipher as of yet.

Fluttering her eyelids, she made out three silhouettes. Opening her eyes fully, she noted a warm crackling orange haze, a fire nearby. The scent of blood came from a gourd resting out in the open. Standing above her was a lycan, by his side the familiar face of the huntress, and at her hand, she found it was Vistalzidar.

Smiling weakly, she started to sit up, almost falling back down to the ground from the effort. Shaking away the dizziness from her eyes, having not fully recovered, she buried her face in her hands, rubbing the tired from her eyes. Hair draping over her figure, she struggled to remember the words that seeped into her mind. Nothing came despite her effort.

Sighing, Veleanith raised her head, looking to the gourd full of blood, obviously meant for her. Feeling awkward about drinking blood with spectators around and at the same time, not wanting to offend the blood giver, she tied her hair away from her face closing her eyes in reflection. ‘I might as well.’ Pressing her lips together, she picked up the gourd of blood by the fire and stared into the thick scarlet liquid drearily. Dipping in a finger, she sampled it, perking up slightly at the type of blood.

‘Elven blood…been several decades since I’ve tasted that.’ Looking to the inhabitants of the room, Veleanith closed her eyes, wincing as she daintily took a gulp of half the liquid. Wiping away any trace portion of blood from her lips, she placed the gourd down, satisfied yet displeased. Her energy surged back quickly, her eyes attaining a well-spirited glow, cheeks flushed from the sudden blood rush.

Rubbing the back of her neck, she stopped at feeling a thin wire. Looking down, she felt content at seeing her black tinted jade gem around her neck once more. Folding up her legs, sitting straight up, she spoke calmly, first to Melcanin. “You have my sincerest thanks for the blood, I greatly appreciate it,” She turned to Axe. “I also appreciate you not killing me as I slept though I will admit I find it odd,” Finally, she turned to Vistalzidar, gripping onto his hand with a warm smile.

“Thank you for my necklace back…and for being by my side. I now have a small request of a sort,” Her eyes became serious, Veleanith looking to him unblinkingly. “I wish to fight with you…by your side, against this Talloth character. I promise I can be of help to you…to all of you, during this battle.” Finished Veleanith, now looking to the huntress and the lycan.

‘If brother could see me now…’ It was completely out of character for her, to be willing to go into anything that had no benefit to her financially. But for reasons she couldn’t understand, she was willing to go into open war with Vistalzidar…she was even willing to die for him if it came to that point. ‘And I do not even know him…’ Veleanith smiled slightly at her thoughts. ‘My mind truly works in mysterious ways…’

Lanilor and Ismalia stood side by side at the edge of a clearing. They could see a small encampment in the centre of the small clearing. Lanilor could see the glow of an open fire and the smallest sound and muttering of people talking. "Ismalia I will go there and check it out. Come if you hear me call or if it sounds like fighting. But stay in the shadows ok" Lanilor said pulling up his sleeves so his silver forearm blades were ready. "Ok then" she said both silver rapier blades at her side at her side stepping back a bit into the darkness. Lanilor started to approch the small encampment.