Mighty Wind (Open)

[Desperanza]

Aurora’s eyes challenged the ranger. She knew full and well that these two were close. It was obvious. The two had been chirping like love birds for a while now and she had been watching from the bar. This was her main source of trouble. Like a human messing with a lion’s mate, the ranger moved swiftly and let loose an arrow that if unstopped would lodge into her forehead no doubt. She however was watching his movements carefully and though she did not expect Van to return anytime soon, she did eye Erech carefully and as the arrow was lodged the muscles in her arm clenched and the assassin blade was swung, cutting the arrow in half to knock it to the ground as her other hand shifted, her fingers sliding across Alexa’s throat to entangle within the rich brunette hair of the Princess as she tugged her to her knees with a brief cry from Alexa as she winced and felt the sharp pressure, tumbling to her knees.

The assassin moved into hyper drive, her senses rushing outwards like feelers to detect the next form of danger that would be coming towards her and the next thing that she became aware of was Erech launching into the air, his sword drawn and headed straight for her and the first thing she could think of, was a shield. She of course carried no shield with her and so she used a human shield. Her slender and fine frame folded like an origami swan, her blade clenched into her teeth as her arms now swept around Alexa to pull the Princess over her just as she had imagined to use her as a human shield. This happened within seconds, the blade of Erech’s sword would plunge into Alexa’s middle at this point but Aurora had another problem, one she hadn’t counted on, Van.

Van had now returned from the mermaid outside and the assassin hissed beneath her breath. She needed to take one of the men out and so she kicked out her heels and spun a quick circle as Alexa’s hands reached for the hood of the assassin, just catching the edge of her hood to pull it from her face as the assassin leaped to her feet and pulled both women from the harm of Erech’s sword with a hiss, eyeing Erech as his blade plunged into the floor and she quickly shoved Alexa towards Van, rather finding it amusing if she managed to get the rhino like man to run into the Princess for surely that would hurt but if not, he would be distracted with the Princess thrown at him as she came to face Erech now.

Her hand lifted into her hair, pulling the sharpened pin and tucking it into her mouth. The pins were meant for quick access and were meant to be lodged into the throat of her victims, a simple and easy kill and something that was hidden. As she tucked the sharpened pin into her mouth with a grin, her other hand lifting the dagger from her right hip with her assassin blade once again back in her hand as she eyed the ranger and began to circle with a grin. She could use the pin on either Erech, or Van it didn’t matter. She cast a brief glance around herself for a moment before she swiveled, leaping across a table with a lithe movement of her fine and feminine body, dropping to the other side of the table she shoved it over to create a cover in case Erech swung his sword at her again or aimed another arrow in her direction. She crouched down behind the table and turned, whisking her way through the floor as people rushed out of the way. Her hand ducked down into her clothing and pulled out the vial of red liquid, lifting the jar to her mouth to uncork the lid before she leaped to her feet to jump across the bar, tossing the vial sharply towards the ground and when it hit there was a rather sharp explosion of sound and light and quite suddenly, swirling smoke began to swirl and surround the bar, shielding her from view now as she slid to the other side and dropped to the floor, racing through the back of the tavern and out the back door before she turned and grabbed a hold of the edge of the roof, swinging herself up and onto the roof lithely before she raced off, now crossing the roofs to her escape.

[/size]

[Taske]

Allaire looked up at her as she said the words she was waiting for, and almost screamed in glee when they where given. But it was short lived as the form of Black Star came into her view. Allaire could tell that she was pissed, and she could also tell that it has been a stressful day. But Allaire was going, no matter what, this seemed to be her only chance to make herself useful, and she was not going to pass it up, it was for Black Star and Alexa, and in order to do it for them she needed to get this training. Allaire nodded to the woman, she would do as she asked and wait in the forest for her.

Then Aurora left her Allaire took one last look at Black Star and wished her the best. She would not be going to greet her, she would not tell her good buy, she would just leave. Allaire would not be able to say goodbye, she knew that her leader would stop her, would tell her that this was stupid that she should be happy that she was protected with both her and Alexa, but she wasn't she wanted to held, she wanted to protect the ones she loved, she wanted to help Black Star. And this was the only way. She set her mouth and silently old Black Star goodbye, hoping that her leader would understand why she had to do this. She then turned to Alexa and Erech (before Aurora made her move) And also told them goodbye. They both would be worried sick, they would miss her and look for her, but even so she still had to do this, she would come back, she would always come back, but how long would be the question, it would be years but Allaire was fine with that.

Her eyes became determined and she turned to the door, Taske in her arms still, she would do this for her family. She opened the door and closed it silently behind her. she whistled to Comet and he came trotting to her with confusion in his stride. Allaire stocked his nose and reassured him that they would be fine where ever they where going. She then moved on, Comet bringing up the rear and Taske, who Allaire put down after she closed the door, darting back and fourth in front. With the trees now about her and her animals she settled down on a rock, little droplets of rain sweeping down on her. Comet grazed nearby and Taske sat next to Allaire a small whine lifting from her muzzle. Allaire petted the wolfs head and sighed, she was having second thoughts but she would not go, she will get that training and she will help Black Star.

[Desperanza]

The assassin’s stride was swift, her slender legs swift as they carried her across the roof as she lifted her fingers to her lips and whistled, her blades now replaced at her back as she laughed coyly and as she reached the end of the line of roof tops there was a flaring blade of chestnut and the clip of hooves as Nesfira cantered up to the edge of the building and the assassin dropped lightly into the saddle before she gathered the reins and reined her out towards the edge of town with a click of her heels that sent the mare loping swiftly away from town, Aurora’s emerald eyes alight with excited fire. The event had been exciting for sure. It had been some time since she had been offered a challenge but she had dealt with it and escaped unscathed, now headed to see if her pupil would be waiting for her in the forest. If she was not then Aurora would continue on her way to Murate and never again would she offer to train another. The deal was off and children were risky and often lost their heart. It was hard to find a child that could actually bite the dust and grit their teeth and not to give up before the going got tough in training to be an assassin. Most chickened out or just plain didn’t try and became discouraged. Most were worthless in the mind of an assassin.

Sighing, Aurora tied the reins to the pommel of her saddle and slid her feet from the saddle. She relaxed into the seat of her saddle and held her breath as she let the mare fall into an easy stride of a working walk as Aurora’s hands came to rest on her knees and her eyes to drift closed. She was going to meditate as the monk had taught her. It would be something that she would teach Allaire for it gave one inner piece and sanctity, especially in a world of killing and violence. Breathing deeply, the woman cleared her mind, even of the exciting escapade back at the Blue Boar as she allowed the mare to find her own way through the trees and yet the pressure was steady at the mare’s sides to keep her moving forward as there would be no lazy grazing at the moment, she did have a destination after all.

The meditation remained for some fifteen minutes before finally, Aurora inhaled deeply. Breathing didn’t seem to happen when she meditated as it was so shallow and soft that one would think that she was about to suffocate at any moment. The assassin was trained to perfection no doubt and now, as she left the streets of Kiyer behind, her mind was clear and now she was fully focused on the task ahead, training a new assassin into the world. Yet another deadly being that would walk the world trained by the hands at one of the most skilled. Grinning, the assassin once again took the reins and now increased the pace, urging the mare forward with a click of her tongue and a tap of her heels as she loped forward to meet Allaire.

[/size]

[Erech]

The whole situation quickly turned in Erech's favor, he had spotted Van's incoming charge and as he struck down with his blade, narrowly missing his target. His eyes quickly scanned the situation as Van came charging towards what was now the lonely figure of Alexa. The assassin had swifly exitted the scene, clearly outnumbered she would not obtain a kill inside the Blue Boar's walls. However, a sutuation still stirred as Van charged towards Alexa, Erech acted out quickly. He dropped his shoulder and powered forwards, his body seemed to bend around Alexa like she had some sort of force field protecting her from harm. Erech then ducked down, lowering himself beneath Van's charging arm, his legs then snapped straight, lifting Van onto Erech's shoulder. This was not an attack, he was merely stopping Van from crushing his future wife, and surely the doorway of his own tavern. Van was a big lad, and Erech could only half stop his charge, but given the slowing down, Erech had been forced to roll out the way, as Van's hands slammed into the walls of the doorway. He had stopped just in time to avoid crushing Alexa. Erech quickly got to his feet and darted over, patting Van on the back he ducked under his arm. Grabbing Alexa into his arms he spun around on his heel with her in his arms. Her feet would be lifted from the ground as she spiralled on the spot firmly in Erech's arms. He whispered into her ear as they spun graciously.

"No harm shall ever come to you my love. I shall protect you. I make a promise I will vow to never break."

[Desperanza]

Alexa’s eyes were wide with surprise and a touch of fear. She did not often come into contact with such a wild scheme as she did come from the palace where they were often protected from any and all danger that could come to the royal family. Now, where she remained at the inn without any guards to protect her, she depended on her love to protect her and no doubt Van would take action when he realized what was happening. However, it was about to become all too real as to just what Van was doing, and rather more terrifying as well. The assassin was swiftly taking her leave, retreating from the scene leaving the Princess with nothing but a slight ooze of blood at her neck and a small cut. She had escaped any further harm and for which she was grateful. The fear that had flooded her, fear that she would lose Erech so close to finding him was her terror. She had finally fallen in love and for a moment, it had seemed that all would be lost.

However, the flutter of activity had happened quickly. The arrow set loose and the blade pulled from her neck as it cut the arrow down from its path and instead slender fingers entwined within her hair and soon after, it was simply a flutter of movement and suddenly, she was stumbling closer to the door but she rather suddenly heard the heavy movements that bounded towards her and as she turned, that of the thundering Van was rushing towards her. Wincing, Alexa’s hands flew into the air, knowing that she would be no match for the rather large inn keeper as he rushed towards her and she winced, ducking, expecting an impact something like being struck by a train.

Instead, there was simply a rush of air as her knees melted and she fell to the ground on her knees for a moment with a wince, her eyes tightly closed. After a moment though, the screams of the women and children died away and the murmurs of the crowd could be heard. Her heart thundered within her chest as she chanced a glance ahead of herself to see Van now with his hands pressed to the wall at the door and Erech soothing a hand at Van’s back in a simple pat before he was moving towards her and she breathed a sigh of relief, her body seeming to let loose any energy or strength she had left in her, causing her to feel as if she would melt onto the floor in a puddle but she found a reserve of strength somewhere and pushed to her feet, She offered a quivering smile and her hands pressed to Erech’s shoulders for a bit of support as she was lifted and twirled within the air and suddenly, a small bit of a giggle escaped her lips despite herself as a wild rush of relief raced through her once again. The ordeal was over and they were both in one piece. She smiled, thrilled, a small nod returning to his words as she knew.

There was nothing but certainty in her heart that she would forever be safe. She knew that no harm would come to her now that Erech was with her for he would always save her as he had just then and as her eyes fluttered closed, she breathed deeply, finding her strength returning and her heart to fall back into a steady rhythm, her eyes dancing with the sight of Erech as she smiled and relaxed, knowing full and well that what he said to her was true and there was no doubting what he said.

[/size]