NaNoWriMo 12

It was great that the rain didn't last long. Not so great that it got into everything. By the end, the Prince and his men were covered in the stuff. It coated them in a thin layer, soaked through their clothes, crept under them in thin rivulets and nasty-smelling srizzles. He could hardly recognize some of his best men by the end of it. They looked like rotting creatures that had taken on the vague shapes of elves, not like soldiers that had taken cover from something. He hoped they would not encounter others that would mistake them as such. However, at the moment, it was more about surviving this forest, wherever it was. The trees seemed more alive than before, the goo giving them the fascimile of being alive, but they were now sticky, as if to trap prey, and the rattle of the leaves against eachother had a sick feeling to it, more like the sound of a venus fly trap snapping around it's prey than leaves or the ashen whispers of before. It was worse than before for it, what with the knowledge that theyb were surrounded by creatures that would eat them at a moment's notice and having no issues with picking them off one by one. He hoped that no more were missing. The order for regrouping went out, and with that came the groups, almost at a run. In their rush they let sight of each other go, somehow, because a series of screams was let loose rather close, and the sick sounds that followed were not reassuring in the least. It was wet and crunchy and all the sounds that made people cringe at the thought of death.

His face hardened at the soldiers that huddled together, their nerves strained to the breaking point.

"Who lost sight of each other? Who wasn't watching another group?!" Fury was creased in every line of his scowl. His men were more cowed by his immediate danger than the one that lurked in the forest, unseen. A group let their hands rise, taking responsibility for what had just happened. THey were at the far end of the line, almost the last spred out among the trees to cover themselves. When the call had gone out, they had just... moved... assuming that they were safe as they gathered together with the others. Thay had been, but the group that had been just a bit father out had not. The cries had spurred them to the rest of the group.

Liam closed his eyes for a moment, almost afriad to do so because of what could happen to them. But there were tooo many to be done in like that with so many gathered around. He didn't show any sign of fear or weakness- that would frighten them even more, cast them into doubt and depression. Good leaders, like he had studied when he was younger, did not do such a thing as leave their soldiers in doubt. His spine and shoulders stiffened so that his frame seemed larger than normal, giving him an aura of power. It was a trick he had picked up from his father and the other generals long ago. "Soldiers! Move out! Cavalry, surround the foot soldiers, and no gaps between the ranks! Tighten up your positions!" There was nothing left to do but march on into the unknown.

The path had disappeared by this time, and they were forced to make their way through a maze of trees and undergrowth. Occasionally, the members of the cavalry gave small grunts. Blood slipped down their legs from where they had brushed the shrubbery. Greenies? Didn't seem like it, though that wasn't an uncommon tactic of theirs. This wasn't the sort of place they would hang around willingly, though, simply because they liked their greenery... living, and whatever this stuff was, it didn't really seem to fall under the common definition of 'alive'. The sap got into the cuts, though, and shouts soon came out. Eyes had been washed by tears long ago, but the sap clung to the skin around the wounds, and made it burn with an even harsher sting than before. It wasn't going to be the easiest thing to deal with. The woodsman was useless, unable to tell them what this was or how to heal themselves of it. How useless! There would be a demotion as soon as they were out of it. At least if the enemy soldiers had fled into this, then they were also at just as much risk of not making out alive. It was a small comfort to Liam, though.

The trees thinned out into sapling-like things that were as skinny and rotten as anything he had seen before. The soldiers were relieved for the shrubbery that had plagued them also disappeared with the trees. It did leave them in a very odd position, though- this place, wherever it was, was not on the maps that they knew. This was a place Outside. Liam's forestry and lore skills only gave him the information that various creatures had the abilities to create pockets of space where they could make their own kingdoms, and lure people into to be eaten, but this... to take an entire troop of men, spoke of an entry that had been ripped open. They were made to be small and easily hidden, so to be able to do this was something to be very worried about. Elves didn't have the ability to do such a thing, but he couldn't think of many creatures that did. Not only were these areas dangerous for any passing travelers, but it meant that they would have to backtrack in order to get out- something that wasn't possible. The ground that clattered beneath his mount's hooves had a dull metallic sound to it, and no prints of any sort were being left it. The sheer size of the area meant that it was not a place to wander about in, more dangerous than any battlefield.

The only creatures he could imagine that had made this place... it made him want to shudder at the thought of it. The woodsman was called forward once more, to give his opinion. He was cowering at this point, pale beneath the layer of slime, a faint blue tinge to his cheeks that spoke to illness that was setting in. Perhaps infection of some sort, though anything was possible. His legs had been slashed as well as any of the other cavalry member's, and who knew what this stuff was capable of? It would be a shame if he died before they got out- Liam didn't want rotting corpses attracting even more- and worse- creatures. For a moment he had to pause and wonder at how cold his thoughts on this were. He wasn't usually so cold, but with all the danger that surrounded him and what his men were going through and were still going to go through, he felt very little sympathy or sorrow for the man. The woodsman was terribly incompetant, and that was something that needed to be punished, as well as those who had put him in his position.

He vaguely wondered if they would come across Nia and her guard. They had come before them. Perhaps they were already dead, though. A flitter of sorrow crossed his mind at that. He didn't want to lose a Sylph that had her skills, and he did have a certain fondness for the girl that had saved him, even though she could not be fond of anything his father had done. But since he and the guard had passed through in safety, perhaps they had been equally lucky in returning to the camp. He gave a small prayer to the gods as he thought that, sending them his best wishes on the strange wind that warmed their skin. He brushed back his hair from his face to see better, then winced as he had to tug his hand off of his head. The goo! It was sticky! He could hear the soldiers beginning to have trouble walking, and the pace of the horses was slowed. Whatever this was, it was like the sap of an insect-eating plant, or the web of a spider. It was not something that should stay on their skin for long. He stopped his horse and give orders for his men to dismount, giving the order that the men were to use the water in their waterskins to wash it off of their boots and hands.

It was strange to give such a thorough cleaning to their steeds, but necessary. They whinnied at the odd treatment, but held fairly still. The soldiers found it just as odd, and difficult due to the ropes that tied them together. It worked out, though, because once they were finished everyone found it far easier to walk. It was more difficult to move, though, since it also made their clothing stick and their equipment was useless with the goop on it. If there was any more trouble, then this was not going to go well.

Another start, and the men were in slightly brighter spirits. The sun was looking bright and normal, and there were no more disappearances. They still had water, they were still alive. What more could they want? Even Liam could feel their relief. It was odd that in such an empty land that there could be such feelings. The saplings gave way to empty, rocky land. It was like the deserts tol dof in distant lands, and yet it wasn't. It was only slightly warm- even the rain of green sap seemed warmer than this land, but it also seemed to provide some insulation from the vague chill that was permiating the air. Their water was now low from the wash they gave their extremities, though they had been careful not to waste all of it like he had feared. But there was no place for anything to hide here. It was empty, a dead place. Whatever had been in the woods would stay there, and they would be able to find their way out in safety.

The sun set eventually, after an hour of hiking. It was a strange thing to know that the day had started out rather well. Even if they had been going to battle, that was a danger that was known to them. This wasn't, and it exhausted the men in a way that made Liam not press the march. Whatever this land was, it was small- he could see the beginnings of another forest in the distance. There was likely another entrance in there- and they would be able to find it with planning. The soldiers had to know something about it. Or perhaps something would come in their sleep. He knew that his own would be deep and dreamless. It was a tiredness he had only felt after long days on the battlefield, or when he was younger, after the intensive training- both mental and physical- that he had been forced to undergo. Liam touched his side. The wound was healed, but it had to be exchaussting to his body to have done so, so quickly. That accounted for much of the exhaustion.

No tents were made. Men seemed to lie down where they stood, huddled in groups for warmth and companionship. He felt badly for ordering two to stay up, and set up watches so that the rest would not be in danger. Everyone needed rest. He and his men pulled their blankets from their packs and lay down to sleep. Not one of them approached closer than necessary, and Liam was both grateful for this- his own nerves were tense enough as it was- and disappointed, for even on the battlefield, companionship was something that was treasured. Prince Liam, though, was not someone to be comforted and befriended, he thought grimly. The sound of that statement rang in his head, echoed in his father's voice.

Ah, well. There was nothing for it. He closed his eyes, and was in a deep sleep before the next breath was drawn.

The deams he had were almost euphoric. The kingdom he had was peaceful and prosperous, his wife was lovely and kind, and his children were beautiful and smart. There was nothing he could want in it, nothing that he could desire for more than what he had. This was the life that he wanted so dearly, and this dream made it so real. It hurt like a physical wound to awaken and find that was not the case, that he was cold and wet and still in someplace that he didn't know. He could not have been more grateful for the awakening, the shouts from one of the three soldiers that had managed to stay awake on their watch, for the ground was trembling ever so slightly beneath them. It was almost unnoticeable- would have been completely if not for the quiet shifting of the rocks beneath them, and the fact that the horizon, so flat and lifeless, had taken on a strange round shape, rising above them. He could feel the stinging of his side that had been on the ground. Blood was on his hand when he reached to touch his face to figure out why. His eyes widened as he struggled to get his thoughts together on what was happening.

It was difficult. His thoughts were still on the dream, flickered back to it even as he shouted to raise his men. A solid half were so deep in sleep that nothing would do the job, while the others were disoriented, some gazing around in confusion and apprehention as those who could think more clearly shouted for them to get up, to get the ones that wouldn't awaken onto the horses in order to move out.

The only things that Liam could think were that perhaps his likenings to plants earler weren't so far off. The ground seemed to be eating them, the edges of the land casting up around them. The trees, like rowws of teeth, to trap them or spear them should they try to escape. The sap... the goo... it must have had some sort of drug in it to make them less aware! Tossing a soldier over his saddle and mounting up, he nearly fell back off with the sudden dizziness that overtook him with the motion. Liam was determined to get out with as many men as possible, and to do that he had to help those who he could. Some men were being carried by others, more were on the horses with the cavalry, tossed there like sacks of goods instead of men. It was the only way to get them to stay. Ropes had been untied in the rush to get everyone ready, since some of the groups had a mix of concious and unconcious members. It would not do to have them hobbled in such a way. Liam called out for the men to fall out, that no one was to be left to whatever fate was going to awate them if they should be left here.

Thankfully, all seemed to be taken care of. As bloody and wounded as some were from the eating, they were ready to go. The ground was starting to eat away at their shoes. It seemed to be coated in a thin layer of acid of some sort, to digest them. He wanted to shudder, but instead gave the order to head for the other side. Anything that had been left on the ground was to stay. Their first priority was to get out. The soldiers marched quickly, even though it was difficult to move in the clothes that had stiffened in their sleep. Staying here was worse than facing whatever could be in the forest ahead of them, and that was a daunting thing. They remembered what had been in the forest behind them, wondered if a similar creature would just outright pick them off. But to be digested slowly was a painful and disgusting idea. At least they had weapons to deal with a creature of they came upon it.

The horizon was tilted up much more than before. It was odd to think that it had done so much while they were asleep. It was just before dawn, but the pale light of the sun barely overcame the land behind them. They were being wrapped in it, so that they could not escape. He shuddered, wondering how they were going to escape. His hand reached out to brush a sampling that they passed. What kind of land was this, to be living and yet some stone? These things... these were... He gazed back at his men. "Cavalry! As you pass into the trees, set fires! This is partly alive- it will feel it. Perhaps we will get an opportunity to escape this way!" Some of the men looked at him, bewildered. Set it on fire? While they were trapped in this place?! That could only set their fate to be smothered by flames and smoke, or to be trapped in the rocky land where they would be eaten for sure. But... there was the chance that it would work.

The men trotted faster into the forest as the men in the rear dismounted to set the flames. The wood resisted it at first, the green goop from the day before seeming to put it out when it seemed that they got a good start going. But with enough wood and enough heat, even the sap wasn't enough to resist the blazes that were being set. The trees acted more like charcoal than wood, and quickly blazed up into flames. Laim felt a grim smile light his face. Perhaps the deadness was a blessing in disguise. All that was left was to keep going and to see what happened.

It didn't take long for the effect to show. Whatever creature was in the woods with them alerted them to its presence by letting out a shreik, but no attack came. It was no small relief that another cry was heard farther off. The line of burning trees must have scared it, the men decided, giving a brief round of cheers as they paused to catch their breath. It was no small matter to be doing this.

The ground's slight shuddering became more of a quake. The ground buckled beneath them more violently than it had before. It was a nasty thing to deal with, the men falling over, the horses attempting to bolt. A few more woke up in the scuffling that was occuring, but they were safer where they were instead of on the ground. No trees fell, but the horizon seemed to move. They were closer to the 'edge', as Liam saw it, the place where the world fell away into nothingness, the edges of the creature's creation. It was astonishing and terrifying. He had never seen anything like it, and neither had the men, those who could take their eyes off of their horses and each other long enough to see it. Sounds, strange and unnatural, started up to their left. There was no sign of an opening, and the idea of going towards the noise was almost worse than facing the slow death they would have otherwise.

Still, they had to chance it. Over the sounds of rocks creaking and wood snapping, he issues loud orders for the men to head towards whatever it was that was making those noises. Thankfully, the sounds were dying away, but the men were not comforted. He had to inspire them to folow, or they would stay here to their doom. Liam spurred his horse onward, heedless of the cries of his advisors and guards. They had to get out of here. THe fire was turning into an inferno, something that threatened all their lives at this point. The men took heart in his action, thankfully, and followed as best as they could with the world in the upheavel as it was. The tilted ground slanted even more, making it more difficult to go onward. It was closing like a fly trap around them. He could understand the terror those insects felt as they were trapped. That was not going to stop him.

There was no sign of any monster or creature as he kept going, but the trees gaied some color. Instead of the deathly ashen color of before, tinges of brown and green touched their limbs and leaves. It was no small relief to see that, and to feel the quaking lessen beaneath his horse. The worlds weren't simply one and then the other- they melded into one another slowly, gradually. No wonder they had all managed to stumble into it! It was one that the creature had created just to catch meals. The men were heartened by the discovery that it was coming to an end, both the ordeal and the world. That they were going to live seemed no less than a miracle. There was just the small issue of the worlds closing off. The woods didn't change at all for almost a minute, and the distance between the changes to the real world were growing father.

The thing was closing it's space off from the real world! It was trying to keep them here! That should not have been a surprise, but now he regretted not waiting longer to order the fire set. He glanced around. There were no magicans in the elves around him, none that could take on anything other than what their bloodline gave him. But perhaps with his own... It was a vague hope. Any amount of magic was quickly extended. Few elves even bothered to train with theirs because it was seen as so weak. Few elves had it in the first place. His eyes closed, and breathing deepend as he kept riding, his men close behind. With the edges of his senses he could 'see' the end of the tunnel stretching further and firther away, closing down. A tiny spark of magic might stop the process for just long enough... He nipped his own finger and drew an arcane symbol on the shirt of the man in front of him.

It extended his power to the area in front of him, interrupting the movement of the world. This was one of the few spells that remained to them in this day and age. But it was never used- who actually was caught in and survived an encounter with an Other World builder, especially when the world was being built? It wasn't made specifically for this, though- it was modified for it. Liam grinned. Thank goodness his sister had put him through his steps in learning how to think on his feet about this. He would have to thank her later. The changes became more regular, the shaking lessened to a quiver, and changed to nothing, and soon they could be sure that they were in the real world. The sun was burning bright in the sky, where it had been barely over the horizon before, and there was soft earth beneath their feet. No monsters or creatures could be seen.

Now the problem was to figure out where exactly they were. And to get out of the woods as soon as possible, ebcause the creature that had excaped was still out there, and they had no desire to encounter it, he was sure. His shoulder slupmed as his guards and advisors surrounded him, thankking him and making plans to get out, as the soldiers cheered for their good fortune. While they weren't out of the woods yet (figuratively, but Liam allowed himself this one pun), this was something more than what he had expected, and it was a relief. No men had been lost in the escape, and while bleeding and wounded, they would be battle-ready in a few days. After some rest.

The instructions for how to get out were estimated, no less than two maps being pulled out and argued over for the better part of an hour. Eventually, Liam made the decision based on the word of two of his best soldiers that had fought in the wilderness before, and they started in the direction they estimated to be the best one. By the time the sun had set, they were out of the woods, out of the danger it presented, and ready to rest. Liam could not blame them. Watches were set up, and what supplies were left were passed around. The Mourning ritual would wait until the next evening- this was not the time. His thorughts wandered toward the Sylph and her protector once more, thinking that he would need to say a prayer for them as well.

NaNoWriMo 10

There was nothing else to do but go forward with the more extreme measures. "Rope out!" he bellowed, turning towards the men. This was an unusual order, but sometimes an effective one where people were likely to disappear. This would both cut down on the runaways and those who would be taken otherwise. Most of the time. The ones who were newer to the force, that had not heard it given in their lives, hesitantly brought out their short pieces of it that were necessary on the battlefield for traps and tricks to escape the enemy. Those who were older began to tie their legnths onto their belts, securing them tightly. Liam did not do so, nor did the rest of the cavalry- their maneuverability would be impeded if they were to do such a thing. However, the older soldiers proceeded to whisper instructions to their companions and the warriors that did not know what they were doing, and within minutes, squadrons had been tied together for their own safety. It was harder to run off when the fumbling to untie the things would attract so much attention, and taking four men was harder than one, if the beasties decided that they wanted more snacks.

It was somwehat awkward and embarassing for the men who were in this, but at the same time Liam could see some relief on their faces. The safety that this gave- or at least the illusion of it- was something that would hearten them when worse things came. Liam wasn't even going to say 'if', at this point, it was 'when'. He turned to the front, and set off, as the whole squadron had been stopped while this had occured. It was not something to do lightly, since even the foot soldiers would be impeded by such a maneuver, but it was the best he had at this moment. The leaves of the trees rutled around them, sending little drifts of ash over them, and sounding as dead as normal ones in the autumn. The dead sound, as mummified whispers of ancestors, sent shivers up the spines of the most hardened. This was not a place to tresspass in. This was not a place to stay. Their paces quickened. There was a bend in the path ahead, and beyond it... the leaders of the soldiers' march called out in startled voices to eachother. Their own mounts halted, and some began to panic and buck, throwing ther riders.

Chaos began to reign, almost as badly as the sudden downpour that beset the large group. Cries were made at the greenish liquid that splattered on clothes and got in eyes. It was unpleasant, with a vague stinging sensation to accompany the mess that it was making. Liam had to call out loudly for his orders to be heard, to keep the men from panicking and bolting as the horses were tempted to do. Did, as he watched one dash off into the grey wilderness, riderless. As it was, two groups had fallen into the muddying ground, some of ther members attempting to flee the strange and horrendous rain. Liam shuddered beneath it. They had to find shelter. "Into the trees! Into hollows! Be in sight of all others, do not go out of sight of everyone, and never untie your ropes! It will mean your death!"

Some of the squads happily obeyesd dashing under the trees and some overgrowth that made some dry places to hide away and watch the others take cover. Liam was surrounded by his men and led to one. They stood surrounding him trying to ensure that he would not be overtaken by the miserable downpour that was covering everything in slime. That was what it felt like- pond scum, moss from the rocks... He rubbed it bentween his fingers and sniffed it, examining the texture and the scent. He was afraid to taste it, though. As it was the skin that it touched- virtaully all of him that was uncovered, and even some of it that it has soaked into- was tingling unpleasantly, like a tickle that had gone on for too long or a brush that was too hard. He shuddered lightly and wiped his hand. When he looked at where it had been on him, his skin was slightly paler than it should have been, and wrinkled to boot. What on earth was this stuff?


Some cried were going out among the men, some who had gotten it in their eyes, or had dared to taste it and were finding it terribly disagreeable with their insides. He wanted to help, but as it was, it was safer to remain beneath the slight cover that the trees gave. From his vantage point, there were five squadrons visible. Liam gave more orders for the numbers to be counted off. Within minutes he had a count back- all were present and accounted for, minus one horse, which was no small relief given the circumstances. Now all that was left to do was wait for the rain to end. The ones who were injured by it would have to wait until then- he wasn't going to risk their healer in this, not when they didn't know what it was or what it would do.

-----
You knows, Rotheryn isn't as safe as thems up power claims it to be. You young 'uns, you'd best be believin' that there's still the Wild Ones... thems Others... that still roam the wilds. We's rarely trespasses on their territory, we's stay in ours own borders, but that doesn't mean that theys aren't out there, watchin' for a chance to get yous. They're tricky like that. Especially afters the King and thems Advisors made the Creeds. Yous all know, the Creeds that- Kuon, sit down and listen!- made the halfies outlaws (why we's all can't rise up through marriage any more) and also made us enemies of them Others. Eh? No, Grier, I don't remembers what exactly it was, but... I'm not tellin tales, you all... Eh! Maire, another ale!
- Lesson from a Rotheryn elder (human) at a local tavern

Nia could smell the thick, rich loam of the forest. It was both relaxing and made her more nervous, as it was tinged with something sour and rotten. Had some fruit of last year gone uneaten and was spoiling? But these trees were strange. They looked like they didn't give any fruit, or blossoms, or anything for that matter, except for moss. Perhaps that moss was what the trees blossomed with. Even so, it wasn't exactly a pleasant thing to witness. They were covered from canopy to root in thick layers, some adhering to the bark of the trees, others draping over as blankets did people. Some you couldn't see for the veil of greenery that lay over them, as if it were some large room that the tree had claimed for itself, and was determined that no one should approach or steal it from it. It was astonishing to see it, and menacing, since it always felt as though there were something behind the walls, waiting, watching, hoping for a chance to reveal itself, or perhaps take them and hide them away. Never to be seen again, of course.

It was all rather frightening. her heart skittered all over the place, the only comfort she had the quiet company of Kirn, who spoke not to her, and didn't acknowledge anything other than what was going on around them. It was both a relief and an irritating thing, since nothing was happening around them. Nothing that she could sense, at least, but with her senses she guessed that he was picking up on far more than her. That was not a relief. If he could sense it enough to be on guard, that meant there was something sinister. Nia's fingers rubbed together, feeling the scratches that those cruel little sprites had given her. The blood had dried and hardened into scabs fairly quickly, thanks to her elven blood. If only some other of the inheritance of that side were more useful!

Kirn stopped, listening. Nia followed his example, hearing only a soft whistle of the wind through the leaves and branches. It wasn't anything different from what they had been hearing for the last hour, after the Greenies had quit following (though she suspected she still saw them in the trees, their brick-like countenances and loamish hair streaking by at the edge of her sight. The wind actually whistled here. Something about the wood, the trees, made it seem as though a tune were being sung just a bit ahead when the wind was going. It had been going almost this entire time, however, which had put her nerves more and more on edge as time had gone on. It was tuneless and wandered randomly around them, which made it far more frightening than when they had been followed by the Greenies. At least, in her opinion. Those, she knew where they had been and what they were about, but this nothing that seemed to live around them was something else entirely.

Her eyes closed. Nia heard.... nothing but the wind, except the tune seemed a little richer than before. Just as silly and pointless, but there were more notes that went into it. She shook her head and looked at Kirn, waiting for him to say or do... something. She was not about to get herself in trouble over this. What had got him riled up, anyway?

His head twitched slightly, attempting to follow the sounds. Eyes flickered quickly beneath his eyelids, as if he were reading some impossibly fast-unraveling scroll. Her breath caught as she watched him, the pale violet statue that he had become in that moment. It was spoiled in the next as his hand tightened on hers. "This way!" Kirn hissed to her, pulling her along. She stumbled for a moment, unsure of what he was doing and why he was in such a rush. It had to be because they were in danger, and the adrenaline that had worn off from the near-constant worry surged back. She couldn't run as quickly as he could, but she was giving it her all. THey slipped off the path and into the trees. Screetches filled the air behind them, as if a hundred birds were attacking. Except they sounded like birds that thirsted for the blood of someone that had disturbed their nest.

"Greenies? How did you-" She was cutt off with a glare from him, and decided to save her breath for the sudden excercize. The sounds was approaching them. Their run was slowed by the thickening of the loam, soft earth that she nearly sank into up to her ankles. In places it crunched unpleasantly, in others it stung like briars, but she tried to keep up. The trees were creaking and groaning as they passed, as if to warn the creatures that they wer epassing by. Perhaps they were warning them, Nia corrected herself, feeling the soft brush of spider's webs and moss over various parts of her body. At some points it even seemes as though they reached out to them to get them on purpose, but such whispy and etherial things would not hold them back for long. It was the ground and the forest itself that would, given half a chance. She wanted to shudder at the thought of it, since by now it was apparent that the stuff they ran on was no normal soil. It squished once, beneath her toes, and Nia didn't have the courage to look down. Whatever it was could wait until later, when she had the time to scream and fret about such things.

As it was.... She tripped over something that hadn't disintegrated entirely, that clutched about her ankle and was most definitely going to bruise later. She went down, her robes accumulating dirt and turning them a dusty brown as she lifted herself back him. Kirn had dropped her hand in the sudden fall, unwilling to go down with her. His eyes darted towards where the screetches were fast aproaching. It was too late to change course, they were going to die! Nia reached out for his hand, backing away as she listened to the calls and cries of their little pursuers. Beings no bigger than her hand, that snarled and spat sap, that would eat them from the insides out... It turned her stomach. Her back pressed against a wall of moss, pressed into it and through it. She was uncaring of what lay behind as she pulled Kirn with her. Perhaps it would grant a momentary reprieve from the gruesome death. Perhaps... perhaps... she glanced up at the branches that spread above them, the moss hanging over like a blanket. The cries and shrieks had muffled and gained a confused tone, and it was no wonder- the moss had sealed up behind them.

Kirn looked as bewildered as she felt, and must have looked too. This was unexpected! A smile reached her lips as she felt a sparkle of hope ignite in her breast. Her moved backwards, taking in the tree, seeing it reach above her as she neared the trunk and then... feeling darkness engulf her. There was no sound oher than her own hearbeat and breathing.

The shock of this after the near escape overwhelmed her, and Nia passed out, wondering if she would wake up at all.

Kirn turned towards Nia as she kept backing up, seemingly in a trance. Some sort of euphoria, perhaps, at work? She couldn't make a sound, it was too dangerous, and if she kept up lie this... he started for her, seeing that she was going to hit her head on the tree. Her back slipped against it, and into it, and she just kept going, swallowed in an instant. Kirn could hardly believe his eyes. He paused for a moment, hoping it was just his imagination. A hallucination. He was not so lucky. With a shout- one that renewed the furious calls nearby, he ran for where she had disappeared... and also vanished into the darkness that had taken Nia.

It was no small shock to have that darkness, that emptiness, engulf him. If he had not known that this was no dream, he would have thought himself either asleep or dead. Had he not felt the weight of his weapons upon him and the clear memory of what had happened before, he would have imagined himself to be insane or perhaps have gone blind, Though there was no guarantee of the latter, was there? It nearly made him chuckle. The ways of the creature forests were strange and filled with dangers untold, magics that were as old as time. It was no wonder he should happen to stumble into one of them at some point- he just wished that he was going to live the encounter. He could feel nothing around him, and even as he groped with his hands, felt no surface beneath his feet and no solid thing to give him an idea of where he was. All he could do was fold his hands into themselves and wait. Wait for what, he didn't know, but what else were his choices? It made him shudder to think that he had to stay like this for an unknown period of time.

But wait he did, unsure of whether his ees were open or closed, and wondering if he would see Nia- or anything else- ever again.

He must have fallen asleep at some point, for it was with a yawn that he opened his eyes to light. It stung his eyes for a moment, and he had to turn away from the source. It was wak, flickering unsteadily, and barely enough to illuminate three feet around it. The darkness that he turned to seemed so much more welcoming after the time he had spent in it. How long that had been, he didn't know, but that was unimportant at the moment. After a few seconds, when his eyes had adjusted to it, he slowly let his gaze find the source. It was a hanging lamp of some sort, and as Kirn approached, he found it to be filled with a number of twinklebugs. They shone like weak stars in the night, but were decently bright enough that they could be used for such things if it was so desired. It wasn't often, though, except in the most desperate of circumstances, as they died easily and dimmed even sooner than that. He grasped it from the hook in the ceiling that it dangled from.

With it down about eye level, Kirn made his way cautiously forward. He could see nothing ahead of him, and had no desire to bump into anything that was lower than that with his shins. Some would say he was overly so, but a broken nose would mean blood, and who knew what would be attracted to that? He didn't want to think about it. He edged a little more forward, and from the darkness emerged a groteque face from a person that was larger than him. He let out a startled cry, unsure of what to make of it and frightened that his death had come at last. The lamp dropped, as did he, cowering and shivering with fright. It was all he could do to not scream more than he had, though tears threatened to escape.

It was more than a few minutes before he had the courage to glance up once more. No sword was emerging from the darkness to join the face, killing him. No movement was made by the feet that were now showing. But the feet weren't really feet. They looked... odd. Still. Like something that had never really been.... His hand reached out gently, and discovered he was right. THey had never really been (in real life, that was). They were painted onto a wall, and as he grasped the handle of the lanp again- which had gone dangerously low- he crawled upwards onto his knees and then up to where the face had been, looking up since it had been taller than he. The grotesque face was no longer so, merely sharper, with eyes that were deeply sunken into their sockets, and hollow cheeks besides a gaunt and stringy body. It was a sylph. A painting of one, at least. His eyes glanced at the lamp, then back at the painting. Who made these anymore? They were uncommon, as the sylphs themselves had gone to being as cruel as the greenies.

His hand against the wall, he started moving along it to the left, hoping that it would lead him to an exit of some sort. There was little else to hope for, since he had no idea where Nia was, and whatever this place was, he had no idea how to escape it.

NaNoWriMo 9

His eyes strayed on them, watching them as they disappeared into the distance on the path. Literally disappeared. He started his steed forward, unsure of if what he was seeing was really there. His entourage of guards followed closely behind, calling out to him as he trotted forward and peered at the ground closely. "Junie, come here. Examine these tracks!" He called his head woodman forward from the ranks. The man did so at his order immediately, so that he could do what his Prince requested. He dismounted and walked through the guards so that he could examine the tracks in front of the Prince more closely. They seemed to veer a little to the side before vanishing into the woods. There was nothing beyond the tree line, no hint that any person or beast had passed by there.

The men behind them were murmuring, wondering what was happening, in hushed voices that held an inherent wariness of the forest around them, knowing that it was dangerous here and that it was far too easy to stray to their deaths. The Prince gazed back. "Fall in and parade order!" The command gave the men direction. They did so, falling into the orderly rows that delegated their order far better than the slightly messy lines that had been in before. The Prince turned his attention back to the woodsman. "And what is your determination?" It was said in a quiet voice, that seemed to be muffled even further by the blanket of solemnity that hovered over the soldiers. At the same time he motioned for the man to come close so that his answer would not be overheard by ears that should not hear it.

He gave a slight sigh. It was barely audible, but tinged with regret. "It seems that these riders have been led off by the greencaps, or perhaps willow sprites. They have been stolen away."

The Prince's shoulder stiffened. "With a Sylph should they not have avoided this?"

"They are not trained in woodslore, except for some of the most minor avoidances. They are too often kept in the cities where they have no need of such things, and are mainly trained as healers. The sprites would not care of her rank, or of whether she was needed. We should take care lest we also fall to a similar fate."

"Is there no hope that they might be saved?"

"They have as much chance as anyone of surviving. We cannot follow where they have been taken. That part of the stories is true."

The Prince grimaced, furrowing his brow. This was not good- they would have to save themselves if they were in trouble. With any luck, his own contingent would not fall, either. His back straightened. "Men, head out!" None of his worry tainted his voice, and it echoed clearly through the trees. They could not worry about this at this point, regardless- there was a war to be fought and a border to be brought into order.

They kept heading along the road. With so many, the likelihood that they would be tricked into evil places was far less, but it was still not a safe thing to be dealing with in this area. His eyes kept towards the road, letting his men take care of guarding the borders of the men. The cavalry spread out at his motion, taking to the sides and herding the men closer together.

Nia sighed deeply as her eyes opened. The gentle rock of the horse beneath her comforted her an unusual amount. This was nice. She lifted her head from Kirn's back. She could feel that the folds of his clothing had made an impression on her face, and so she tried to lift a hand to rub it away. Her hands happened to be tied around his waist, though. "Am I a slave or a captive?" she murmured quietly, trying to get his attention without startling him. From the look of his shoulders. he was tense with something> Worry? Panic? He didn't look good, though, from where she was looking.

He glanced back to ensure that she was awake. "I didn’t' want you to fall off when we were riding. I hope you don't mind. Give me a moment." He stopped the horse and started to unknot the rope. "Are your writs’ chafed?"

"No, they feel fine." She drew her hands back so she could rub them, feeling a slight tingle as blood started running through her hands more freely. "Thank you. Falling off would naught have been an experience I wish to be acquainted with."

"Well, I hope being lost is not one that you're too eager for, either. Unfortunately, it seems I might have taken a wrong turn in the woods. I have no idea where we are at this point."

She glanced around them, taking in the sight of the dark trunks of twisted and warped trees pressing in on them. The sun was still in the sky, and she could feel a warm breeze brushing her hair away from her face. It gave an odd whistling sound as it wended it's way through the woods. Her shoulders shuddered, though, as she realized the implication of his words. "Ach. So the greenies have gotten the best of us? Or one of the woods sprites at the very least. Any idea of how to get us out of this mess?" They weren't really questions to be answered. The answers to all of them were fairly self-evident. If there had been any hope of him knowing how to avoid the traps, they wouldn't be in this situation in the fiorst place. If he knew how to get them out of it, he would have already. All in all, Nia was frustrated with herself, as she had no better idea of what to do at this moment.

"Let me down, ne? I would appreciate a look around us. Perhaps I can get my bearings better on my feet. I've naught been on a horse before, and it's making me motion sick." Kirn let her slide off. She did so slightly awkwardly, but was right on her feet well enough in a few moments. Her eyes looked around, trying to find something useful other than the dirt of the path ahead, for the path behind them... It hardly seemed believable, but the path behind them only extended for a few feet, then disappeared into overgrown thicket and woods. It was as if it was dead-set on eating them whole, the way it was enclosed on them. Her fingers tightened, and she walked over to it, pushing aside some of the branches, hoping for some clue as to what to do.

That turned out to be a bad idea, however, as there was a high-pitched squeak, and her fingers came away with a dozen thin slices that bled like no tomorrow.
It was painful, so much so she jerked her hands back and burried them into her sleeves. The blood seeped through the material, staining it bright crimson. Her gasp of pain didn't go unnioticed. "What is it?" Kirn dismounted quickly and hurried so he could see. It appeared worse for him since her sleeves were now red up to the elbow. "The greenies!" He hissed, looking back at the brush with fear in his eyes. They weren't attacking yet, but... his eyes went back to her wounds as she pulled them out so he could see. It was a relief to know that she wasn't more hurt than she was. He turned towards the horse to see if he could get her pack so she could take care of her hands only too see that the horse had disappeared. "Nia, please tell me I am imagining this." It was a quiet order. Her gaze lifted from her hands, where they had been fixed by the little wounds, and every motino was stilled.

"It's gone."

Her voice was quiet, unbelieving, panic starting to run into her tone. "I can naught help us if I do naught have my pack. Where did it go?" Her hands gripped into fists in front of her. clasped together. "Kirn, we're stuck and lost here. Where did the horse go?!" er tone was rising into the hysterical. Nia's eyes were wide, and he could see the whites clearly. Fear was practically pouring from her pores. His hands went up and grasped her shoulders.

"Listen. We aren't going to find the horse if we sticka round here panicing. Understand? We'll be finw iffin we just keep walking." His eyes bore into hers, trying to give her the confidence that he himself wasn't feeling. A bursh of leaves on his elbow encouraged him to take a move away from the end of the path. It was slightly terrifying, as it meant they were slowly growing. He gazed at them, looking at them, seeing them slowly gorw and encoutageing them to keep moving.

Nia's eues followed his gaze. "Imma sorry!" Her feet started moving, pulling him along after he started her moving. "I shouldna gotten off, and now we're stuck without my pack, and we do naught have the horse-"

"It would have happened at some point. Better the horse and your pack disappear before us, right? There would not be much else to happen first." Your hands will stop bleeding soon enough, we don't need your pakc for that. Just keep them wrapped in your sleeves." She nodded and obeyed his words. She knew that already, felt silly for forgetting, for letting her mind be thrown by what was happening. This was the best she could do, though. Nia wasn't going to lie- she was scared. This was the first time that she had really been out and about in the wilderness. She had always been by the cities, or in populated areas. Very few people lived out in the wilds, and those usually didn't need her skills- they themselves knew the best remedies for their maladies from haing lived out there.

She stuck close to Kirn's side. There was little else to bother her at htis point, other than their being attacked. It made her grateful for Kirn's sword. As a healer, she had to fundamentally be against them, but as someone who needed it's protection, it was something else entirely. With her hands in her sleeves, there was no way for her to grab his arm- something that she would be tempted to do if she were not wounded, something that would be dangerous and a hindrance if he needed to draw his wapon.

Kirn kept his hands on his weapon, not knowing when he would need it. He was just grateful that Nia could not smell the blood that he could- faint, but not hers. It didn't bode well for their ride, but their feet would be enough for them right now. They would carry them far enough, and once they got to the camp, they could find a new one. What else could be done?

----
Liam glanced at the road ahead of him. It didn't look right. Where were they heading? This seemed very odd, indeed. The trees were becoming a pale, ghostly color. He could almost feel the sunlight through them, see the outlines of other trees. He halted the company and motioned his woodsman forward. His woodsman looked pale. What did he know that the rest of them didn't? The men had fallen into light disarray again, bunching together in familiar groups that they used for fighting. "Sire? My Lord, what do you need?"

His eyes leveled at Junio. "Where are we? What direction are we headed, and if you do not know that, what does this place seem to be to you? Woodsman, I assume you know your lore. " He was disturbed by what was around them, in ways he could hardly describe.

The woodsman wasn't in much of a better position. "My Lord, it seems we are still heading in the direction that we should be. However, I feel that... I feel that we may be passing into their realm. The sprites seem to have led us into a dead place, someplace that the life has been sucked out of, by whatever force lives here. See, this seems to be the best explanation for... this." He held out a leaf that he had plucked from a tree, and when h rubbed it between his fingers, it turned to grey and began disintegrating into ash.

The Prince's lips tightened. "And why did you not see fit to notify me of this earlier?"

"My lord, I-" He was cut off as the Prince ordered his men to take him, tying him up and one escoting him to the back of the group. The Prince turned to his men, their murmerings and whisperings of fear reaching his ear and growing louder by the moment as they saw what happened. "Men! Fall in and parade! I know how many men we started out with, i wish to know how many we have now! Know your fighting brother! War groups pair together in line!" His orders were obbeyed. There was a flurry as men lined up together in the groups they would fight in on the battlefield, feling the safety in eachother's presence. However, not all of them were complete. Shouts went up as several soldiers were found to be missing. His eyes scanned the rows of four, picking out which ones were incomplete. One was left with only two men, while four others were missing one. Five men out of eighty-four. It wasn't a bad count, but it wasn't a comforting one, either. Two horsemen had also disappeared into the woods. Those were worse losses, but ones that they could deal with.

The names that were brought back revealed that four of the men had been suspected to run regardless- and Liam suspected they would not be seen again in this world- while the others were good soldiers. Two had been brought from the healing camp, the others had been the soldiers he had brought with to save the camp. His head bowed for a moment, and a quick prayer was sent up to the heavens on their accounts.

NaNoWriMo 8

This is Number 8, and where I proudly announce that I have hit the halfway mark! 25,000 words, Baby! GO ME! ^.^

Though the feeling still lingered in her mind, feeding off the hate that she had towards said policies. Those who were singled out as unfit were sent aside, while those that were remained standing at attention. The soldiers deemed unfit strayed back into the camp, taking down what needed to be and packing supplies. Those that were fit were dismissed to help with what they could as long as they were ready to leave afterwards. Taking down the camp would be more lengthy than packing to leave, so they knew that there would be time enough to move out before noon. The Prince dismissed her at the same time, without a backwards glance. That was alright, in her opinion. The feeling of being near someone so important, someone so connected to her own status in this country made her unbelievably uncomfortable.

She slipped into the camp to help the Sisters with taking care of the wounded that were too wounded to even get to the meeting this morning. She started for the bed nearest her that was unattended, but a glare from the occupant stopped her in her tracks. She bowed her head in mock humility, waiting for him to give his permission for her to approach. Like she did anyone at this point. This was going to be highly disappointing- she was going to miss Kirn. He was somebody that had made life her ever so slightly more tolerable.

Kirn himself was motioned away from the camp by one of the commanders that had been with the Prince. To his surprise he was directed to the Prince's side, to discuss something with him. He stood stiffly at attention, the bowed, unsure of the meaning being this. The green grass swayed beneath his feet, brushing against his boots. The weight of this fell heavily. "You brought me here to be treated, soldier, and I owe you my thanks for bringing me so timely. Between you and the Sylph, I am in much debt. Please, lift your eyes."

He stood up straight, not abruptly but respectfully. His arms were like sticks at his sides. Kirn was silent, waiting for what the Prince wished to speak with him about. "As you are aware, the camp is moving into the country. There is a possibility that rogues and other assassins will follow, thinking that you know where my whereabouts are. Since Nia is both a valuable asset and knows my identity and the nature of my wounds, I feel that she needs a guard, someone to keep her from getting into too much trouble. Do you feel you are up to the task?"

Kirn's mouth was dry, as dry as if he had licked the ashes from the ground the night before. He could hardly believe what was being asked of him, though it was a tearing feeling between honor and disgrace. "I am certainly most capable, Your Honor. I would be honored to accompany her." It was treue, as there was honor in such a task. However... However, he was not returning to the Battlefield. He was not being allowed to fight by the Prince's side on the field of war. Was he being shifted aside? Even if she was a Sylph, she was a halfie, and how could he not dislike her, considering who his father was?

"I know a person of importance, and she is one." The statement echoed the thought in his head. "And even with her heritage, we would be sore pressed if she were lost. Take care of her, and see that she is safe."

Kirn bowed his head. "I shall do so to the best of my ability, Your Honor. Thank you for allowing me this." This what? Duty? It was most certainly that, though an unwelcome one if he was being told that he was not good enough to die for his nation. Even so, he could see the sense in it. Sylph. Why did she have to be a Sylph?

With that, the Prince gave a slight smile. "Then my thanks. You may return to your duties." A clear dismissal. There was nowhere else to go at this point. He want back and began to pack up his own belongings- something that didn't take too long, as they weren't his, they belonged to the army supplies. His own had been left behind in his other camp.

That made him frown. He would have to send for them soon, or risk losing them to other soldiers that needed them. He stood up and strode for the camp's commander, who was giving out orders and overseeing the work of his soldiers. "Sir." he said smartly, raising a hand to salute him. "My supplies are farther West, where I came from with the Prince. Please allow me to go and retrieve them." The commander's hard stare gave the idea that perhaps it would not be allowed. That wouldn't be too surprising- often, supplies were lost on the trails that they took, or were given out among those that needed them. Even so, personal items were precious, and could hold a soldier through many a hard days.

"And what of the Prince's orders to you?"

"To guard the Sylph, sir. I can do such on the roads we are on, away from the ones from this camp. If they believe we are with you, then we will not be bothered by any enemy soldiers, should they come across us. I will be a mere escort to a simple healer, if she changes the knot on her robes." It wasn't meant to sound desperate, but he feared it coming out that way. Kirn's own personal items were so precious... So very important to him. He feared having them lost to scavengers or sold for cash to bear the drinking and whoring of his fighting companions.

There was a hard look in the commander's eye as he gazed over the guard. Kirn wasn't sure whether his current duty was a demotion or a promotion, but to disregard the order from the Prince was a hanging offence- he was a superior officer, and that alone demanded respect.
"Then do so, but you will meet us there on the day we arrive or before that. You will be given no grace if you are late, and will be considered a traitor if you have not arrived by then. Understood?" Kirn bowed his head, inclining it and folding his hands in the way that signaled he understood and respected his commander's orders. This was going to be an interesting time, indeed, he thought as he began to mentally calculate how fast they would have to go to get to the camp and meet the group before the arranged time. It was going to be quite a ride, but he could handle it. Hopefully he would be able to press the Sylph into it, as well.

"Then go and get a horse from the stabled ones. The one you came in on should be well enough to take you back to the camp again." He was dismissed, and Kirn started for the Sister's tent. Nia was not there, so the next place he looked was in the recovery tent. She was taking care of a man with a severe head wound, from the look of the bandages on his head. The bluish blood was seeping through it, though it didn't stop him from glaring at Nia was a baleful look. He started forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. Nia flinched beneath his touch, jerking the patient's head. A shout escaped him, and he began a string of swearing and Nia. The rest of the soldiers and healers either glared at her outwardly or looked at her from the corners of their eyes. She blushed brightly, crimson staining her cheeks, as she excused herself to follow Kirn. The language followed them, getting muffled from the cloth as it fell between them and the patient. Nia's shoulders hunched slightly, ashamed of her nervously she had behaved when touched.

:Do not do that again, Kirn, sir. It is not helping things around here, and making things very difficult for me to work peacefully. Understood?" There was some humility to her words, but the tone was angry, however quiet that anger was. He grimaced. "Yes, I understand. Sorry. However, we're moving out, you and me, since I need to head to my former camp to get a few things. My orders are to guard you, so I need you to come with me." His last words had been to cute her off before she could say anything about it, asking why she also needed to come. "How far away is your camp? How long will it take us to get here?" "Just a day, if we ride hard, but I feel that in order to keep the horse from tiring out, it should take us more like two. This will give us enough time to make it back to the rest of the camp before they reach their destination. We need to leave soon, though. Should I help you pack?"

"You aren't allowed in the Sister's tent, remember?" Her words were wry with a slight bit of laughter. "Thank you, but I can be ready in ten minutes if you can get the horse saddled and prepared by then. I'll see you on the path to the town." She turned without saying anything more, leaving him to prepare for the ride. It was going to be an interesting two days, indeed.

She rushed back to the tent, not even bothering to alert the healers in the tent that she was leaving, leaving the patient to be treated by someone else. He would be grateful for that, she thought with some ruefulness. That had been embarrassing- she should be able to handle patients better than that, but when someone snuck up on her... Thoughts of practical jokes and terrible pranks flitted through her mind, things that had been done to her when she was in the cloisters. Those were why she had been so happy to leave and wander, what had drawn her to the Man from Somewhere Else. She wondered if she would be so lucky as to see him on the road- he found her on occasion, but it was always randomly, never at a predictable rate, never somewhere that she would think that she would see him. Nia strode to the tent where Superior was directing those Sisters left over and not preparing the wounded from travel to pack up everyone's things. Everyone's but hers' of course. She was always left to take care of her own things in addition to the duties to the patients. It was not something that bothered her, since it allowed her things to not be ruined or spiders placed in her pack, or snakes. The few times others had taken care of her own things, she had been disgusted with the things that had been found- the last time, her medical pack had been filled with shit. That was the last time, and while the perpetrators had never been caught, no one had ever been allowed near her things again, not because it had been wrong to do such a thing to her, but her medicines were too valuable and precious to be allowed to be messed with, especially when she could need them at a moment's notice. That bag had been replaced immediately, but Nia never forgot the feel of reaching into it without knowing what had been inside.

A light shudder ran through her body, and she nearly felt sick from it. Her Superior turned to her after she had made a respectful stance for a minute or so, digging into her time to prepare but not angering the Superior. "And what do you need? Why are you not taking care of the patients?" Well, there had gone the hope of not bothering the Superior. "Sister Superior, I am being taken to the camp of my guard so that he can retrieve a few things, and so that I can heal a few of the soldiers there at the same time." "Guard? You have no guard. You aren't worth a guard, even if your skills are that good. I am sure that I would know such a thing if I-"

:She has a guard, assigned her by the Prince himself. And he gave them permission to go to the camp as well, so let her prepare." A voice cut in, the camp commander's. Nia quickly turned to look, face-on, but after a moment of his glare, her eyes went to the ground. The Superior sputtered with disbelief. "You cannot be serious. He ordered it himself? But we need her to tend the wounded in this camp! And why the guard? Does he truly feel..." Her words ended there. There was no complaining against the order itself, but questioning the why's were. "He feels that since she is an asset to the nation and that she is in danger of being attacked again, due to her knowledge, that she should have a guard. Kirn, the one who brought her. They will meet with us at the new camp." There was no arguing with his words.
Superior was not happy with the state of things. She studied Nia with hard eyes, and moved her head to allow her to pass into the tent to get her things. Nia scurried in there. There were few people she was honestly afraid of, but Superior was one of them. She had been Nia's teacher and supervisor at the main cloister, and had always had it in for her. Things that the other girls would never have been allowed to get away with, if they had been done to other students, were allowed to happen to her with no consequence or eyebrows raised. Her punishments for breaking the rules had been dealt out harshly. Nia still had the scars from some of them, embedded in her knees where she had been forced to kneel on hard planks carved with the symbols of obedience and humility, and others on her back where outright disobedience and talking back had been punished with the whip or switch. It had hurt more with her pride, even when her blood had stained the floor blue. Once, it had been spoken out against- when Superior had attempted to punish her with the meting out of strokes that would be given to an adult man. Mother had stepped in at that point, saying that even that was too much for the then ten-year-old to handle. Superior had not been pleased, but had acquiesced to the order. Nia loved Mother for that. She had fainted from the pain of the strokes that had been given her after, but she would have died if Superior had been allowed to commit the punishment she wanted.

Her fingers strayed over the small items that she carried with her. Her pack was separate from her medicines, her medicinal pack holding the most precious of things that could not be messed with. The herbs and ointments that took hours to prepare, days to create. They were her most precious items, but there were a few other things that she treasured as much, such as a small gemstone that had been given when she had traveled to the South Inner Sea. The deep blue of it was marked, it was a cheap stone, but the boy she had treated for rotting of the flesh had been thankful to her for saving his leg. His tears of happiness when he learned that it would not have to come off had given her the ability to go on- that had been at a dark time in her life, where she had stood at the edge of the Sea and contemplated simply walking in and never looking back. She liked healing, though, and that had confirmed that even if she received no thanks, that she would continue to do it.

There was a tiny ring of silver, also cheap, but still more precious than gold. It had been the wedding ring of a woman whose husband died before she could reach him, and who was dying of the same disease. The woman had thanked her for saving her own life, and that of her grandchild, but the ring that had graced her husband's finger had come off. He was free to travel to the next world with no attachments at that point. The ring had been payment, though she could see the sorrow that the woman herself had survived. Nia didn't know what became of the woman, but the granddaughter had promised she would care for her. The ring was something that Nia knew she could pawn off for funds if she ever decided to leave this country, when she could do so without risk to her own life. That was the plan, at least. Her hands clenched over the silver circle and she tucked it into her robes. It might come in handy on this journey, and she was determined to not lose it.

Then there was the light blue belt that marked her as a beginning healer. Her fingers graced the cloth with some trepidation. She had worked so hard to get this, to be allowed to interact with others and have some respect. If the Order had its way, she would have been tucked away in a cloister, where no one could see her, doing the cooking and cleaning for the children that were there. It was not a life that she could have handled. This was her saving grace. The blood that stained it was red and blue. It didn't wash out, no matter how hard she tried. They were made that way, to soak it up, so that the ones who wore them would not forget that lives depended on them, that they could be the difference between life and death for those whose veins the liquid ran through. Her fingers rubbed the stains, knowing that the her own veins had mixed blood, though in color it was no different from a human's. THis was tucked into the small back that held a blanket as well as a change of robes.

With that she was ready to leave. It had not taken long to organize and arrange everything. Her medicinal pack fit into the one with her personal items, so that there would not be an overturned or awkwardness to it. And it would go well over the horse's saddle, she mused, knowing that it had been made for such a purpose but never having done such a travel. Before this it had only been on foot, and the pack had been made to accommodate that as well. She stepped out, where the commander was still waiting. She was surprised when he motioned for her to halt. "Because of your status, you need to change that belt. You have your minor healer's belt? Most do, so exchange it. You will only draw unnecessary attention and danger if you do not." Nia nodded, then stepped back into the tent to change. The Sisters were busy taking down the sheets that acted as walls between the sleeping areas, and as she untied her own, her robes falling open briefly to reveal even more of her pale skin, they glanced over at her as discreetly as possible, both with disgust and envy at her blue belt. Temptation to take it had happened to other Sisters, and a few times it had gone missing in her sleep, but it was often returned, or replaced when it could be (though that gave her far more trouble than it was probably worth). After all, her rank was not dependent on the belt she wore, and that was made clear. It did make things easier when she could prove what she was saying about being a healer, though.
THe old belt came out and wrapped around her waist, much to the shock of the other healers. They wanted to know if she was being demoted to a lower rank- not possible, due to her skills. Nia didn't answer the questioning looks. It was none of their business. They could reveal that she had changed her belt to others, but it wasn't going to affect what she was doing. And it was unlikely that the enemy would hear of this, right? Ah, well. Didn't matter in the long run. She tightened the belt around her waist- the baby fat she had when she first recieved it had eventually melted away, leaving her a little thinner and more shapely. Not that anyone would notice beneath the cloth layers that covered her body. when it was adjusted and the one that marked her true status was tucked away, she left, passing the commander with a small bow (Superior was nowhere to be seen), and walked up the path to the town.

He was waiting halfway for her, the horse looking lively and ready to start moving. The earth was clumping underneath the pawing of his hooves. Kirn smiled slightly, holding his hand out for her pack. She gave it over, and he roughly attatched ut, like an overly large saddlebad, bt it was balanced out on the other side by a pack of supplies that he had rustled up from the commotion in the camp. He motioned her to get on. Nia hesitated a moment, unsure of whether she would be able to make it on. Her hand grasped the saddle horn, and her foot went into the holster. She lifted herself over with a little difficulty, since the horse insisted on shifting beneath her as she did so. Kirn lifted himself up in front of her so that he would protect her from wind and the immediate sight of any possible asailants. Even a beginning healer could be subject to kidnapping within the realm, if the people were hurt and needed one enough. She rested her hands around his waist and held on as he started the horst into a jog, then a canter, and finally into a gosting gallop as the headed around the camp and into the countryside. The forest closed behind them, cutting them off from the camp and the noise of the packing. A last glimpse before it did gave her the sight of the army on their horses in the field, preparing to move out.

THey would be following behind them for a few leagues, but after that, she and Kirn would be on their own. Her face burried into Kirn's back, wondering what would be ahead for them. Would the camp even be there still? It was possible that by now they had moved- one of the time-honored strategies in the kingdom was to keep moving. If they were still there, she hoped that he would be able to have his things.

The ride was quiet, the whistle of the wind past them the only sound to accompany he pounding of the hooves of the horse. She adjusted to the rhythm of the movement in a few minutes, after awkwardly banging into Kirn a few times. She could tell that it irritated him, but he didn't make a sound. He was either far nicer than he let on, or he just wished to keep moving. Yelling at her would do no good, so Nia suspected the latter. The path they were taking was an older logging path. She could tell where the trees were regrowing. There was grass growing in thin patches and lines excpet in the most worn of the tracks. Her eyes scanned the trees, looking for the michevious sprites that were likely to cross their paths in this type of place. Greencaps were not uncommon in woods like these, the protectors of the forsest, the ones that would take revenge for the trees that had been cut down. They had to watch for those at the camp because of the forestry that occured there. Here, though, they were sure to be far more plentiful and angrier, since people had long left and the sprites were left to their own devices.

She had no desire to neet them. Kirn had managed to get here without coming across any, though, so that eased her nerves. It was possible that they had just decided that it wasn't worth it to take revenge against simple travelers. It wasn't unheard of, at the very least.

And there were other, more dangerious sprites to worry about. If the encroaching soldiers got to the woods, then they would have far more to worry about than greencaps. The ones that lived in the mountains seemed to be taking care of them fairly well, but there were always things that were more dangerous. Even the people that lived in the country knew that there were places that were still untamed. Wasn't that the case in those other coutries? It was said that they didn't take the proper precautions against the mountain spirits and creatures, which made her think that they were just strange to them, or that they had killed them off. While Nia was frightened of the deadly ones that haunted in the wilds, she would be saddened if their mystery was forever ended and left to the dust of time.

Her hands tightened around Kirn's waist even more. The ride and shade of the forest was getting to be too much for her after the complete lack of rest from the night before. It was not going to harm anyone if she rested, right? Her eyes slipped closed once she was sure she had a firm grip, and her body slumped against his back. The sunlight made patterns against her eyelids, ones that hypnotized her and drew her into her own dreamland, where the world was mysterious and dangerous, exciting, and loving to her, where she could escape to the safety of the mysterious man's arms.

Kirn felt her go limp, and one of his hands moved to make sure hers were secure. Soldiers could do this without a problem, but she was not a soldier, and there was a real danger of her falling off. His grip on the reins slackened, and the gallop slowed to a canter, a different three-beat that was more leisurely and kinder to the sleeping woman. Some roped from the side of the saddle- necessary for a soldier who laid traps- was unwrapped, and he wrapped the reins around the saddle horn so that he could tie her wrists so that she was secured around him. It was safer for them both that way. As his other hand went to get the reins, one of his hands lingered over hers. Quite a healer, indeed. He decided against pushing the trip too much, because they would need the horse to get to the town in time. In the meanwhile, though would follow the... the path?

He pulled the horse to a stop as he contemplated what was in front of him. It split off into two branches, both going in the same general direction and both appearing to be quite safe in th sunlight. However, if they took the wrong one it would be real trouble. A trick of the greencaps? Or some other menace? He was sure this hadn't been here before, though he had been coming the opposite way before. His eyes lingered over the trees and ground, but was unable to discern anything that would tell him which way to go. He could not even see the evidence of his previous passing. Greencaps were surely at work with that. Kirn took a breath, and took the path to the right. It seemed to be in more the general direction of where they should be heading, and that was definitely the signal of something otherworldly at work. He felt his shoulders tighten with the stress of not knowing if he was taking Nia into danger. The soldiers following them would have their own test to pass through. The one thing he knew was that he could not turn back- that was the one thing that would ensure their death if he did. Greencaps were known for illusions and traps, and if he did at this point, he would only see a mirror image of the crossroads. Beign entirely turned around was as bad as just facing the two paths and choices.

His chin lifted. He was Kirn! He was more than a footsoldier- he was guard to a Sylph, and a second Tithen to the commander! He had some authority and could take on these things. Nia probably had some herbs that would come in handy in protecting them from these spirits. She had to- no healer was unprepared for an emergency, right? He glanced at the posistion of the sun. It was hard to believe that this kind of emergency had occured three hours after leaving the camp. Somehow, he had thought that it would be longer before they came across any trouble. He and Nia would have to escape on their own from this, though- the army would be no help, what with the greencaps and their ways. He slowed the horse down to a walk, his hand slipping to touch Nia's, reassuring himself that she was still there, not wanting to wake her quite yet. THere was still the possibility that he had chosen the right path and that they were well on their way to the camp.

Liam and the rest were on the path in the woods. He could see where the tracks from the Sylph and her guard had rushed along. A gallop, to try and get to the camp on time. He smiled slightly, wishing them luck on their journey.n They would need it with the timeline they were given. It was a comfort to see that they were well on their way. At the head of the army, he would know when their paths split. If he were father back the tracks of his own men, both horsed and not, would have destroyed the marks made by the other travelers.

NaNoWriMo 7

Yes, it's Write or Die again, and it means rough draft, rough writing, rough everything. I cannot guarantee I put this through Spell check before posting, so too bad, so sad.

embarassing that he had come for her, but what was she to do> Ah, well. She stood, held his hand for a moment longer and stepped away. This wasn't someplace that she should be staying around in, and there was no reason for her tostick atround the prince, for sure.

Liam watched her go for a moment, thinking about the young Prietsess. She was something of a mystery, and enigma, within the Order. After all, there were next to no half-breeds anywhere visible within the socail casts. To add to that, a Sylph? So important in these times of war! What had she been doing out there, theough?> It wasn't a place for anyone to be if they wnted to be safe. He rested his own hand against the tree she had been resting against. It was solid, the rough bark digging into his hand. At least she appeared to be safe, and woulnd't come to harm from his own soldiers. That was one thing he prided himself on having trained them in- mannes and chivalry.

It was something thast he felt should be spread to the rest of the kingdom. THat last thing they needed were disgruntled commoners when they were trying to fight a war. Father really bungled this up, he snarled to himself There were times his anger overtook him, and this was one of them. His eyes swept the forest, his ears alert, but his inner monologue really started to take off. That damnbastard, needing to agitate things between elves and himan. They weren't bad peiople, and they did so much important wotk for the naytion. It was like Father didn't nderstant that, and Laim didn't know whyu. It was a shame because there were so many good soldiers amont the himans, and scholars as well, thinkers, though they were more difficult to come actoss. Most had been educated by the Order or had nen taken in by them at some ooint, but they had bever [roved to be inferior to theid more immortal counterpartss. Wht couldn't father accept that? It was a shame indeed.

Besides, this one was proving that the policy was wrong. The finger othat had the ring felt heavier as he thought, his heart filled with thoughts of Lianna. She was the joy he thought he'd lost long ago. Even his younger sister had not brightened his days after a while of war. Being a general did not suit him in the least, but Liam had nonetheless taken up the mantle pof responsiblityt and had taken charge of a small group of troops. His father remained the commander, and had sent liam to repel an indading force from the West. Lianna had been one of the elves rescued, one of hte more minor nobles. But she worked in the fiels alsongside the humans, had sang with them, enjoyed their tales, and the one s that worked under her father had been well-treated and enjoyed fairly comfortable lives. It was surprising and pleasing to see such things happening in his nation. What more could be desired?

With a look of her eyes, Lianna had captured his heart. It was a rather rude shock to his father, but Liam was set to take the nation, and was already making his own deals with the counselors and advisors. There was little his father could get him to take away from everything that his legacy helg. It was something that Liam was proud of. WExcept... now he had to worry about traitors in his own kingdom. That was not good. Who would try to do such a thing and get him killed? He thought he had treated those he came across with respect, but apparently it wasn't enough. His thoughts strayed to the guard, since the Sylph was someone fairly above suspicioun. She had nothing to win by his death. The guard, though... He saw one of his footsoldiers coming towards him, and Liam motioned him near.

"There are no rebels or enemies here, sir. There is every sign that they have left and headed back towards the border."

"Good. Tell the rest to start moiving back towards camp and setting up. We will stay here the evening before following- we have no rush. They only wanted me and are unlikely to attack any villages or villagers along the way. Understood?" With a brisque nod, the elf scurried back into the woods, his quick, darting movements but quiet steps giving the impression of an overlarge mouse. Liam chuckled slightly. He liked comparing people to animals, and enjoyed the similarities that could be found between them.

With that, he turned back towards the camp, knowing that there would be duties to be carried out and announcements to make. Especially since by now the camp knew that he was the Prince, and not just an important general. Their lives would be in danger again, so perhaps it was time to send those in this camp packing and take those who would follow into battle. His troops needed refreshing, anyway, so this would be no ordeal for them. Sylph would get a guard of her own until they were safely in the heart of the capital, he surpmised, with her Superior getting another. Other than that... Thoughts of plans filled his head as he started into camp. Soldeirs were already making their way back and arranging themselves in the green feilds where forest had been cleared many decades ago, but had not been planted over with anything else due to the poor soil that had been there. The trees enjoyed it, but it was good for naught else except burial mounds and flowers.
And burials there were. The pyres were lit by nightfall, and the bodies piled on. Friend and foe, it did not matter, all were sent to the Gods for equal judgement. There was no difference between any ashes when it was over, the scent of raosting flesh both enticing and repellant for the soldiers, many of who knew the feel of it too well and had seen others injured by it. It was something that always shocked Liam a bit, when all was said and done, how the other nations had discovered brutal methods beyond swords and shields. This, though, was simple enough. Death. He had gazed over the charred flesh as the sparks flew high into the sky, until everything had been reduced to cinders. It had taken most of the afternoon to clear a place large enough for this to take place. There were no more than 20 dead, but to do them all at once before the flesh began to rot and disease began to spread, it was necessary. The fields were cleared of grass as quickly as possible, with the help of the townspeople who wanted the dead to pass onto the next world as quickly as possible (the destruction of the bodies that once held them helping to convince the lingering spirits to move on, according to local belief).

That circle of brown earth and loam, turned over for the clearing for the fire, smelled of fat drippings and meals now. He shuddered slightly as he also took part in the scattering of the ashes. They slipped through his fingers slowly, grey and cool, like water or silk, though it left a fine remnant over his own flesh. He trailed it where he went, knowing that it would do the groud good, perhaps allow the land to be tilled one day if it was nourished properly. Up to the treeling, the soldiers that took part -nearly all of them for this was something that was beoming far too common and solemn to ignore- scattered their ashes up to the treeline. Trails of silver that almost shone in the near darkness and rising moonlight showed their individual paths. The soldiers were like constellations, with comet trails or the lines of the galaxy following them in regal manner.

Liam had always held an admiration for those who would do such a thing for their own fellows. Most subscribed to the Order's religion, the religion that they had lived by for generations, since the beginning of teh kingdom. It was said that when a sldier took his fellow in hand, and helped them to the next world, then when their time came, the one they helped would be there with two great steeds, to lead the helper off into the afterlife, the Great Grasslands, the land of the Dead who died in proud battle. It was damnably envious that they could believe so firmly. After losing so many, after scattering so many ashes, Liam didn't know if he could believe in such a hthing. There would be a whole cavalry of soldiers taking him to his lace in the underworld if it were true. And that was not taking into account the ones that he had killed that might block his own apth there, screaming for revenge, possibly sending creatures to take his soul to torture and pain, possible sending them on the wrong path to wander eternally in the Mists of Time.

He shook his head mournfully. That was likely his fate, as he had ultimately been responsible for the deaths of so many. The ring felt cool against his skin as he lifted it to contemplate the fate that awaited him when his time finally came. The ash had left it with a silver sheen, a strange and ugly mix of colors that would not do when he saw her again. Ashes of elves were alwawys difficult to clean off, and some said that there was always a trace of them with you (which was how they found you once you yurself had died). His hands had almost never been truly clean since he began this long campaign, and he could believe that tale. It was likely that his own time would come before he could wash himself clean of these ashes that now lingered on top of the others that he had come here with.

But that was for another time. Right now he needed to address the men. He looked into the darkenss of the forest, feeling the breeze that alighted on the field and started sweeping the remains into the trees, glittering as if light flecks of snow or ice were falling to the ground or tumbling from the grass. It was almost beautiful.

Beauty of death was not something that a soldier about to return to battle should be thinking of, Liam scolded himself. He turned, and became aware that the ones here had surriousnded him, wanting to be with their captain. Laim's soldiers were closest to him, forming a shield and barrier, especially necessary after what had happened earlier with the assasination attempt. But others from the camp- wounded, healers, those who were merely bored guards that were good for nothering else and responsible for taking care of things witin the camp, stood near. This was peaceful, though, a restful calm that had overcome everyone, much to his own surprise.

Perhaps because they knew there would be no attack tonight- the enemy would be tending their own wounded and conducting their own funerals for their dead, even if some of the bodies were not with them. Liam bowed his head. "These were good men, who died protecting those who could not protect themselves. They did their best in the line of duty, fought hard, fought with all the pride they had in their kingdom and in themselves. We owe them our gratitude for protecting us, in their own way, and I know that I shall ever be thankfull that they were willing to put themselves at such risk for something so trivial. I do not wish for their deaths to be in vain. Therefore, I announce to you, that I am Prince Liam, of this dear nation, and I am grateful to all those who drew their swords. Though you were at risk because of my presence, you did your duty, you refused to give me over, though you knew not who I was at that time, and I cannot be more grateful. You all have reason to be proud of yourselves." His eyes lifted, and he met the gaze of the still silent, expecting soldiers.
"We will be following them tomorrow. Tonight, we will rest in rememberance." His former announcement was impressing no one. After all, they had to know something was up if he was making this annoucenment, and after what these rogues had asked, nothing less than his announcement of royalty was expected. Besides, everyone knoew that the Prince helped fight, command the army. What else was there for him to say about it all? He sighed and lowered his head ever so slightly. "Those who wish to come, may come. But you have to have approval from the Sisters to fight. Have the Sylh check you out, give you medicines, treatment, whatever. However, without her approval, none of you will be coming. As for everyone else, who is not approved, then tyou will be heading someplace safer into the interior, while new soldiers set up around here. Understood?"

There needed no response other than the looks upon their faces. Many of them had gained a look of disgust at the thought of having to have the Sylph's approval. However she was the best to determine of they could fight, and tiw as her approval that was needed. "If I find any of you that have not been to her, or are disregarding her orders concerning treatment, then you will be disciplined immediately, sent to the interior for menail punishment and demotion! Understood?" That sould make her job that much easier. He trusted the Sylph, since she had saved him. There was so much he could do to improve her standing like htis, and he felt badly for it. The sweet thing seemed tried of all of this, and going to the interior probably wouldn't hkpe, but at least she would be out of the way of the army, and the might save her life this time.

He gazed out over the men, seeing the acknowledgement in their eyes, the way they held themselves. Many were proud that they were going to be able to come with him, or at least hve the opprotinity. He coudl see the slump of those who knew their journeys were heading back into the country. And still others had sly looks in their faces. Abandoners, deserters, those hw ould need to keep an eye on or make warnings for. Ah, dear. "Then rest ongiht. and I will expect you all at first light. Dismissed." He stepped back and started around the group. They all stood for amoment watching, him, and then little by little the started filing back towards the camp, eventually turning into a large tuimbleweed of a group, some helping their comrdares back due to exhaustion ad injury, others making their ways back hesitantly for nights like these were said to forbode something worse in the early hours of the morning. His eyes strayed towards the sky. The Sykph would have her work cut out for her this evening, and he smiled grimly at the thought of it, making a silent apology to the gods, and wishing her a better luck than she had so far.

Nia was not so amused when awoken in the deep of the night. THe revels and traditions of soldiers had naught to do with her, and she was fine with that- naught hda much to do with her regardless of death or not, and the own favoried got would hold no balance or trade with the War god except on the nights when they danced, healing and war and death all together in one place on the battlefield. She had heard tell that sometimes they did come, in Blessed times, before the Tallwater years, where the Gods did come and walk among those that worshiped them and did conduct themselves twhere they could be seen, epherial creatures that created and shaped nations, while destryong others. It was supposed to be an astounding thing.

She was glad that she was not there to witsness it, for the confusion and issues that took place on battlefields like this were almost too much to handle. Especially when Princes (for she could hear the words of theose speaking around her, quietly exchanging gossip and traditional tales of him and his little works in battle and in peacetime) decided to make her work thrice as hard as she had been. Between now and first light, see to every soldier in the camp? The idea made her head hurt. She stepped out of the Sister's tent to a line of soldiers that wanted her to see them at that moment, no questions asked. Her shoulders slumped, and her eyes nearly closed with the weight of sleep on them. Eight hours was not enough for this.

But see them she did, one by one. She lowered her head as expected and put on her most humble voice, asking them if they would indulge her in not interrupting the other's sleep so she could attend them properly. It worked for them, and they made to the physician and general health tent. This was going to be a long night indeed. Her fingers grasped her medical bag tightly, wanting to keep it close and from prying eyes. She held special herbs and medicines, ones that were dangerous to her if she gave them to the wrong people, ones that were dangerous to the wrong people. She was a Sylph, and that meant there was a danger in everything. The light in the tent illuminated the first patient. Nia kneeled in front of him where he sat, and asked him what his name and injuried were. Thus, she treated eveyone who came to her. Some were fit to return, others wer enot, some were fit only to be hanged for rebellion, and those she made note of to ensure that the Prince would get a guard on them or watch them closely. She could see the looks in their eyes as one by one, they let her touch them. Some flinched from her and others held still but were tense all the way through her examination. It was a sorry way to be, having to be kind to them all.

It was humiliating dealing with some of their sideways comments and mutterings. Nia had never felt safe around most who hated her, and this evening none were to be found to help her, though she sent for two of her apprentices (they would not be after this evening, Nia grumbled to herself, after having to deal with yet another patient. He spit at her as he left, but Nia was not allowed to say anything. Rage seethed underneath her skin, her fingers clenching. This was not how she wanted her life to be, at all. But what could she do, a mere halfie? Run, perhaps, but that would endager her family, wherever they were, and the missing Sylph of this nation was not to be missed for long. There would surely be assasins to kill her as a defactor, and other nations would try to enslave her for her skills. Even if she were treated more kindly in those nations... No, because she was from this one. The idea saddened her. If she had run when she had the chance... But it was too late to be sorry about it now. What else was she going to do?
When they were no longer coming to her, she went to them, one by one, waking them from their dreams of home, of family, of lovers that waited for them in their pasts and fitures. She felt saddened, knowing that some of them would not know their faces again 9or ever) but at the same time felt a bitterness that they had such wonderous opportunityies that she never had and never would have. Her own emotions, her love and her faith, went into her healing and nothing else. Except perhaps for the man that she met in the woods.

Her eyes strayed to the darkened, star-studded sky that hung low over the camp. The man that she had met, so long ago, after she had run away but when she had been going out and about in the world for the first time. Healers were required to travel for a while, learning things from the local s about medicines, encouraging what they were doing right but also correcting if they were doing something wrong. Once in a while av aluable new resourcfe was discovered by such methods and the information disseminated through the school that taught them, the coilster where they worked and studied and healed those who came in for free. It was a small price to pay to travel so far when the healers the Order had were truly the best in that land- thou some places claimed otherwise. There was a strong tendency to revere and love the local healers, and while the order did nothing to discourage tose ideas- those ideas were still squashed soon after people started claiming it, usually by the healer falling sick or coming across a paient that only the healer that had just come from the Order could cutre. She herself had been sent to see what was up with a local healer, having istructions to do what she could for the people there, and the man that thehealer couldn't help...

He was human, with some elf blood distant in his lineage. She could tell from a certain tinge of color in his yees, peculiar to the longer-lived race that the elves were, that he had somehow managed to be bred out of a halfie like her. It was astonishing that anoyne would lower themselves to such a thing, but ther he was, with his kindness. The brush of his hand against her cheek made her heart tremble once more. If she had been dishonored by any of his advances the Order would know it, there was the sygil that they carried, the rosen recklace that helped ensure their purity to the Gods, and so the romance that had bloomed in her heart stayed hidden. Even so, it didn't help that she still enjoyed his company mre than she should have. It was something that was dangerous to her situation. The days that he spent under her care, being nothing but kind, not taking any tone that was rough or unkind... She loved it. Those days lingered in her mind, water in a desert of hatred. She could almost feel tears welling up.

At least she saw him these days on a fgoood bases. He had asked her questions of the order, she had answered, Nia knew that she was becoming a pupet for him, but could not bring herself to keep from telling him everything she knew about the nation. Things that he should have known if he were from here.

Nia walked to the last tend full of soldiers, knowing that she needed to study them and see what they needed. The false dawn was quickly approaching, and real down would come soon enough after that. It made her dread the coming day, when they would go after the soldiers that had attacked. Perhaps the man would be among them. She had, after all, given the information that someone imprortant was here. She didn't know it was the Prince... how had he known that? Perhaps it was some other source. nia knew that she wasn't the only traitor in teh nation. It also gave her a gladness that twisted and melded with a sick sort of vengance within her. She was a traitor, spiting the nation that treated her as though she were dirt. Was there nothing that the nation could do to her that would make her regret her actions? No. Nia knew that she would do it time and time again.

Thoughl... This tie, she did feel a twinge of regret. The prince indeed was a kind man, for an elf. Almost as nice as the blue-eyed spy. That was what made it hard for her to imagine that he would be killed or captured, what was going to make her ask if they could treat him kindly and perhaps not kill them if at all possible. But his father... his father was the problem, and perhaps losing his son would make him rethink a few things. There was no way he could know that she was doing it for revenge, for sorrow, of his policy and what he had done to her. But if he fell out of power because of the people, or if there was some way that he could be dethroned... then there was hope that things would improve for her. The bitterness of his anger and sorrow would be nothing to the joy she would feel for a better wituation, one of the things the spy had promised when she had spoken with him so long ago.

It felt so long ago. She had only seen him perhaps once a year since then, their clandestine meetings fell of whispers and talks. And he told her of his own land, where she would be treated queally, where she culd abandon the Order, have her own practice, see patients that would adore her for what she could do for them, and see them heal and happily live their lives. Perhaps even with him. Her heart fluttered gently. That was another avenue that opened to her, not having to let her youth and beauty waste. It was something that she dreamed of, the love that her parents had, the love that she wanted tso desperately. A family to go with it. Happiness. It was something that made her dreafully envious when they came in to see her, pleagin for their lives, for their children's lives.

They didn't know how blessed they were as it was. Nia knew that they had the opportunity to love eachother and have their children. THat alone was a blessing. Why should she let it continue? After all, they were just going to cause her more unhappiness, and any little time was more than she would have. It made her sick with anger.

The last man was examined, and she nearly tripped over her feet in exhaustion. She felt a rough hand against her shoulder, pushing her out of the way of the soldiers wher were exiting the tent in the dawn. Oh, dea, she hadn't written the list up yer. This would have to be given in person. It nearly set off a shudder of fear, exasperated by her tired nerves. It wasn't a good sign if she was reacting so strongly like this. She wanted nothing more than to fall into bed and sleep for hours on end, enjoying the nothingness that came with the deepest of rests. If she didn't get it soon, her nerves would snap. That was the last thing anyone needed- a sylph unable to do her job.

With that, she started towards the Prince's tent, hoping that he would still be there, running a little late.
He wasn't, and that made it a pain for her. The soldiers were amassing by the fields where they had scattered the ashes of their comrades the night before. It was still there, the smell of dust hanging in the air and bits of it coating their shoes and gleaming in the sunlight like tarnished silver. It was a shame that some of them were going back to battle after this, but what could one do? It both irritated and worried her. Nia knew her emotions about it wer eunstable, which was bad for a healer. They had to be calm and unemotional, caring at the very most, because otherwise they could make poor judgements with their patients. Nia wanted to snort- almost did on the ash- but held it as best she could. After all it wasn't exactly something that she was good at. Her emotions had been ruffled long ago, and someone in her situation couldn't help but have some instability. What did they expect from her?

The Prince would expect her report this morning, that was what. She slipped around the soldiers to someplace discreet, off tothe side where she would not be in full view. Her hood hung over her head to protect her eyes from the rays of light that struck into her face as a knife would- almost as painfully. She turned her head slightly watching some of the glittered remains dance in the light where shuffling feet kicked them up, as if they were coming back for a brief moment to stand among the people they knew and loved. She wished them well on their journey to the afterlife, wherever they ended up. The Prince's mail gleamed as liquid water in the sunshine. His bearing and demeanor drew attenion to himself. He walked around to the head of the men, who quickly shuffled themselves unto line and stood as tall as they could in the face of such a great man.

"We have our inspections finished, and those who will be going have been decided." A brief glance over at her, since they had not had a chance to speak before this. Obviously the Prince had taken the opportunity to rest, and the bitterness of how she felt versus how well he looked made her want to spit. Her slight nod confirmed it. "And we will be marching out to the East. Several of our scouts have returned and have a tracking on where these men are. We will be
She would need to get those warnings out about deserters.

"As for the rest of you, you will be heading to Yothina, father in. This town needs no protection, as the only reason it was attacked was because of those assasnins after me. Replacement soldiers and a healing camp will be made just a league over. Closer to the fighting, yes, but not so much so that there should be any true danger to those who go there. After all, we can after them in an hours time, when those of you who are coming have packed up and saddled up. We ride no later, and anyone who is too slow will be left behind."
hld of those invaders, can't we?" He made a bold, brassy assertion that got the men laughing and cheering. Jests were made about the enemy, and with that, he had them dismissed to take care of things. Nia could hardly believe it. That close to the Capital? It was far too shocking! There was an honest hospital there, with good supplies, but really... this was salt in a wound instead of herbs. He didn't care that she had saved his life, he was being spiteful!

Nia almost stormed back to the camp to begin packing herself. However, her training had her motionsless and waiting some signal that said she, too, may go. It wasn't that there wasn't any reason for her to go, but there certainly was no need for her to be rude. And she still had that information. That was what he still needed. He strode over, shoulders back, looking unusually refreshed in the light. The sun was now yellow instead of the blaring white that had covered them earlier, this more like daisies and butter intead of snow. It gave everything s sick gleam. So he planned to move out when this was over, was he? And the light came to the clarity that made everything it's right color.

She took a deep breath and kept her eyes on his feet. There was no reason to acknowledge him first after this insanity. He knew she would be shunned. He knew... And it made her furious. It made her face as still as one of the paper masks that were sold during festivals and holidays. Her eyes perhaps couldn't hide it as well, but she was damned well going to try. His boots stopped directly in front of her- a perfect place to aim at if she were so inclined to spit, as she had desired earlier. But that would truly get her in trouble with Superior, and she had no mind to face demotion from her postition. There were certain benefits to it that she was not yet willing to give up, and that was woth keeping her temper. "So are you prepared to walk me through. I would appreciate if you came and pointed who wan trouble and who was not. I'm sure some of the wounded will be trying to sneak awayt as well, and we don't ned to be kept at a slow pace by them, or need soldiers dying on us."

She nodded, keeping her eyes down. Calm, cool, collected. He started off towards the camp, a few attendents in tow- other soldiers, his at-hand men. Those who would actually remember who was whe and needed to be watched. She started off behind them at a respectful pace and place. "Up here! So you can point them out and we will see who you are talking about." The pRince called back to her.

She moved forward, eyes on the ground, almost tripping over her robe. The heat fo some of the elve's looks nearly burned her. She made a slight curtsy as she reached his side. Mindful of her manners, indeed- Suerior would find no fault with her today. Possibly because she was nowhere to be seen, packing for the trip ahead. It was going to be a pain. Regardless...

They came to a place where they could see some of the camp. A cleared throat alerted her to her duty. Her hand raised, and finger pointed, and she rattled off information. At first she did it slowly, but one of the men deemed to complain that it was too slow, that they would be leaving beofre she had gotten it all out.
Her speed picked up, and her words quickened. She rattled them off like a seasoned parole officer that had been doing drills for far too long (and perhaps with the same soldiers for too long, as well). They seemed to absorb what she was saying with astonishing ease. And they wer elistening. Nia felt powerful in that moment. She could tell them who was fit or not- their careers at this point were in her hands. It was tempting to do something to them, ruin their plans in some way, but... How could she? These men worked honestly even if she did not care for them. Soldiers would be soldiers. And they were not responsible for the hate that was seeped into their minds by the King's policies, or his advisor's.