Wild Dance of Wit (CLOSED)

[Jotari]

Moving through the shadows the Grellon members moved along silently into Ohanzee. They were working on yet another raid. The entire band of outlaws were in a very good mood after the Spring Festival, especially Black Star. Getting into trouble always gave her joy. But tonight, they were silent as the dead and intent of sneaking out a new group to the mountain hideout. The outlaws spread out and instead of being thieving devils, they became rescuing angels. They worked steadily for a good hour in the shady streets, quietly going into homes and leaving with the occupants. This raid was going exactly to plan. Black Star looked up on the roof where the lookout kept watch. He nodded to her and she continued to another home. A mother and two children were inside, terrified of these silent shadows. Black Star quickly moved toward them, " My name is Black Star, if you let us, we will help you out." The mother pointed to her younger son. His left leg was twisted and he was unable to walk without aid. Black Star lost little time but picked the boy up and lugged him outside. The outlaw leader now started leading everyone out of Ohanzee, with nearly thirty new refugees, as many as they dared take at this time.

Black Star steadily carried the boy but he was amazingly heavy. She stumbled and fell. The child screamed in surprise and pain as he hit the ground. Black Star leaped up though a deep gash was across her cheek now. "Move!" The Grellon outlaws moved quickly now, one snatching up the boy. Black Star could hear guards running toward them, their armour clanking and weapons catching what little light there was. Turning she prepared to buy her people some time. One of the men grabbed her shoulder, "Come on!" Black Star shook her head, blood from the gash bleeding profusely, " Get them to safety. Asterion is in charge, I can handle anything here. Now go! Go! That last word was a ringing order, something she very rarely gave. The outlaws hated it, but they knew better then to disobey any order.

Turning the Grellon Queen waited for the group of soldiers to stop in front of her. "Come quietly miss, the King would like to speak with you." The fiendish outlaw laughed, " Oh yes, mighty Magrej wants to talk to little old me? Me, who has never done anything to harm his royal pain in the ass! If he wants to talk to me so much, then why isn't he here? This is what? The seventh raid I have done in Ohanzee? If your dog of a king wanted me, where is he? Let him come and catch Black Star himself the coward!" With several other colorful insults, the outlaw darted away, running back into Ohanzee, running for her life.

Black Star ran through the make-shift market place and knocked over several crate which create a slight toad block. She turned a corner only to be blocked off. Looking up she leaped for a low hanging roof and managed to get into the roofs of the city. Leaping like a doe from rooftop to rooftop she had guards following her, jumping like a bunch of clumsy apes. Others who were not so agile followed the graceful outlaw on the ground. Black Star lost any extra weight, dropping her cloak and hood, and moved with a rapid speed [practiced by living among the dangerous cliffs of the Orestes Mountains.

The outlaw queen leaped for another rooftop but in her rush she miscalculated the distance. Grasping the edge of the roof she struggled to keep her grip. "Aim.....fire!" Arrows were being shot at her, forcing Black Star to let go and land hard on the ground below. This stunned her for a moment which gave the guards time to block off all escape. Black Star was forced with her back against a wall. Drawing her glittering dagger she snarled at them, "So, who wants to die first?" The captain stepped forward, "No one outlaw, you will probably enjoy a slow death with our King doing the honors. Something tells me that that spirit of your will be broken before long!" Black Star threw back her head and laughed, her eyes a white fire and loose hair caressed by the wind. She was truly the untamed tempest, " That didn't work so well the first time little man."

The Captain ignored the last comment and as a group the guards all stepped away several paces. Black Star was confused for a moment but the Captain threw down a round pellet that exploded, emitting a reddish colored gas. Black Star was confused but as soon as she breathed the stuff, the outlaw started choking and gasping for air. The dagger was shoved into her shirt and hidden there as the outlaw slipped onto the ground unconscious.

The guards moved in and harshly chained her arms behind her back. The captain stepped forward and ran his hands through her hair and over her pretty face, "Why are the dangerous ones always so pretty?" Two guards picked her limp form up and they marched toward the castle. Eventually, one bigger fellow just flung her unconscious form over his shoulder and carried her that way.

As they entered the castle, the captain placed a collar around her throat that were connected to two long poles. Black Star had been a pain in his butt for several months now and there was no way he was taking any chances. Soon, the young woman's eyes fluttered open. Surprisingly, she was offered some water. She did indeed drank but was silently furious with her hand behind her back and the collar held by two strong men.

They dragged her to the throne room, her feet placed like a stubborn mule the entire way. The Captain entered and bowed profusely, giving proper respect, as did the two men holding Black Star. Black Star was forced down in front of his throne, her eyes glaring and a snarl on her face. The Captain spoke, "Mighty King, please I beg that you forgive the intrusion, but we have finally caught someone who has been plaguing us for two years. This is the outlaw leader, Black Star. She has been helping people leave Murate for that time period, but we have caught her and brought her to you as a gift."

Black Star was an angry little bitch at the moment. It had been nearly two years since she had seen Magrej up close. He hadn't changed at all. She on the other hand, was no longer a delicate princess but tanned, weathered, and looking much older. Not to mention, she had several scars and her face was covered in blood from the deep gash. She simply stared angrily, ready to kill if given the slightest chance. But she never lost any control, not ready for Magrej to know who was really in front of him.

[username]

Magrej...

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Magrej held up his hand to Rashok as the majesty's daughter broke out into another fit over the damn beast. Letting her finish her quail, he began to speak on the matter only to be rudely interrupted by the throne doors opening. Startled, he motioned for two women near by to stand in front of him while he slipped over the deep mahogany titanium mask, hiding his ugly gash. Pushing them over this a long hand, his attention now paid to the guards bringing in a beautiful young women in shackles. Magrej's eyebrows rose slight, intrigued at to what was going on. Letting his legs uncrossed, he leaned up in the throne as the man spoke.

As he finished, Magrej thought for a moment, letting the room go silent, as everyone was awaiting his reaction. Getting to his feet, he walked elegantly, but strong around the girl, motioning for guards to move out of his way as he went. After a few minutes passed, the king looked up to his daughter, nodding to the guards. "Remove her from the room. Along with the minotaur." The masculine paused before adding. "Fealynn, we will talk later on this query." The black eyes stayed on his daughter until the large doors to the room were shut, he never liked doing business with the princess present.

Shifting his gaze onto the female, "So your the little serf that has been causing me much grief, aye?" Magrej's voice rang out into the dead room. Bringing one of his fingers up, he traced her jaw lightly with one of his nails, the contrast of his ghostly skin on her tan was defiant. "Now tell, why have you been sneaking my villagers from my land?" Magrej knew the obvious answer, it was no mystery that creatures feared his fist. Letting his finger drop from her skin a noise sounded from him. "Tisk, tisk." The king tilted his head, the mask still upon his facet. "Where have you been taking them?" He demanded, his voice slightly raised.
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[Jotari]

She flinched back and controlled her urge to bite him when he touched her face. Her eyes never lost their fiery gaze as she searched his mask. Obviously, he hadn't changed all that much. She had always been interested what was behind that mask, but something told her that she didn't want to know. She was silent for a few moments and then a daring smile graced her lips. "You must be pretty damn ugly to always be hiding behind that mask." That earned a harsh yank back from the two holding her captive. She made a choking sound that ended in a snarl. The outlaw muttered something to the affect of murdering those guards later but now was silent, simply looking at the floor, though her defiance never left or even relaxed.

The Captain took about a minute of that before stepping forward and grabbing her hair harshly, yanking her head up again, "The King asked you a question, bitch!" Black Star twisted away and whipping her head around, bit into his hand hard enough to draw blood. Lunging to her feet she tried to go after the captain for a second taste but was once again shoved down. Licking the blood of her lips in a satisfied way as the Captain observed his new mark with some fear, probably afraid of rabies or some odd disease.

Black Star faced Magrej again after this small episode and gave a wolfish grin, "You know why I have been sneaking them out, why waste the time? As for where they are, that is for only me to know and for you to never find out. Why don't you let me go and I can play a nice game of tag with your guards over there. I'll be it." The guards glanced at each other and stepped just a bit away from the fiery angry wraith of a woman. Black Star excelled at making people afraid of her, it was the only reason she was still alive. But now she would see just how Magrej could handle himself when angered, because though he may not be angry now, he would be eventually.

[username]

Magrej...

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Magrej watched as she resisted his guards, smirking lightly to the remark about his face. Taking a few steps back, not wanting to be in the cross-fires of the little scene, he waited until the female had calmed down enough for himself to start chatting with her again. Once again, his long pale hands went to his face, resting under his chin. Taping the a finger on the side of his cheek, Magrej composed himself.

"Ah, we have a feisty, little bitch, don't we?" The king spoke about her behavior, his metallic laugh filling the ceilings, sending chills down the servants bodies, knowing the laugh to well. His feet began to move once more, circling her, as if a predator was circling his prey before an attack. "Who do you think you are, taking my men? Hmm?" The male asked but then went ahead, answering his own question. "Let me tell you something, your are merely nothing, little one. Just another wench of my kingdom." He lowered himself from his position down to hers. Staring with his obsidian black eyes, into her own, you could heard his breath from the mask, slightly muffled. Magrej tried once more, "Now tell me, where have you been taking my villagers?"

Pushing off from the hard marble floors, the masculines sight never leaving the females face until he turned to walk up the steps to his throne. Taking the familiar seat, crossing his legs once more, he motioned for the guards to follow so this female named 'Black Star' was still in close quarters with him. While waiting her reply he looked to the captain wanting to know numbers, "Do we know how many of them she was sneaking out tongiht?" Exhaling deeply, his deathly stare landing back upon the female, a disgust look falling over his face.

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[Jotari]

Black Star once again kept herself from biting Magrej. She didn't need his foul taste poisoning her mouth. Black Star merely smiled when he went eye level and said nothing. The outlaw would die before saying anything about her Grellon. True, she doubted Murate's soldiers would defeat Kaori, and she had the dragon's protection, but no need to be stupid. She was yanked to her feet to follow Magrej but this time she refused sullenly to kneel down again. The Captain was clearly getting exasperated with this woman. He moved forward to place a blow at the back of her head, "Thirty my lord. Usually she seems to find a way for them to escape in twos or threes over a series of nights, but that is why we finally caught her. She tried to play the hero." Those were the last words he said for awhile.

As he pushed on her shoulders his hips came in contact with her mid-back. This gave her the opportunity to grab the dagger that was inserted in his belt. The man gave a shriek as the outlaw snatched the dagger, with her hands still behind her back, and dug it into his stomach. It was, unfortunately, not a fatal injury but enough that the Captain would be in pain for many days. With surprisingly skill she also managed to flick the dagger out of her hands and into another man's upper leg. He dropped the pole and pulled back to pull the blade from his leg. The remaining man clung to his pole, keeping her away from anyone else. Another guard rushed behind and grabbed the dropped pole as another three guards moved quickly to remove the injured men.

Black Star flicked her head defiantly but she was not forced back on the floor. Refocusing with those unearthly eyes onto Magrej she calmly spoke, "Your unfortunately injured Captain is correct, about thirty were taken out of your hell hole. As for your men, they are doing a very poor job of keeping a little wench in check, don't you think?" It was now very clear that any chance she got, she was going to hurt someone and continue to do so until there was no one left to hurt. "Why don't you answer my questions hmm? For instance, what is the easiest way to kill you? That would be a nice start. Although, that would probably take some of the fun out of it. What are you even going to do with the world if you conquer it? Something tells me that pretty princess I heard pleading for a life isn't going to be the best at being a scary world dominator." The guards were looking furtively at their prisoner, not sure what to expect. This woman had no fear, not a single glimmer. Her eyes were not even those of someone hiding fear or trying to be brave. She simply had no fear.

[username]

Magrej...

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Magrej took in the numbers that were spoken to him. He did some slight calculations in his head, trying to find a relative number of how many have been taken from his kingdom by this bitch. Finding the number high, he frowned. The king would need to step up the security around the kingdom or even threaten the villagers of what will happen if they caught them trying to escape. The king debated the ideals in his head until more commotion broke out between the captain and thieve. Looking up to catch the small brawl breaking out, the tyrant watched. Sizing in the damage that the little female did within the few moments she had. Impressed, he thought of the ideal of offering an alliance for her to become of one his prized personal assassins. Using his better judgment and her voiced acts and thoughts, Magrej knew she would never accept his nice offer. Magrej was now getting slightly annoyed by her headstrong, sarcastic personality, he cracked his neck lightly.

Ask the female spoke he half-ass listened, really just waiting for the theive's trap to shut the hell up. Soon, his ears not hearing her annoying voice anymore, brought his dagger gaze to match hers. He would not allow to be mouthed off too. Taking a glance out the stained windows, noticing it was beginning to rain, Magrej stood. His powerful strides heading right towards the tanned female. When nearing her, his pale hand very quickly towards her face. It slapped her hard against her mouth, the sound echoing. You could hear the murmurs among the henchmen. Bringing his hand back down to his side he took a step back, "Now, are you going to tell me where my villagers are or not?" Magrej asked, his jaw tightly clenched behind the masquerade.



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[Jotari]

Her head snapped to one side and she clenched her teeth, but that annoying grin still reappeared on her features. Finally, he was showing some spark. She was half-afraid that he had become tame within the last two years. The outlaw chuckle deep her throat, "Oh please, a slap to the face? Cute. Every idiot knows that you do not stun the victim in the head or else they get fuzzy and can't remember anything." She would know, she had ripped information out of poor helpless souls. But Magrej was going to have to try much harder. She stepped forward to get close to his mask. "I will never tell you anything. Hitting me isn't going to get you anywhere." She only breathed the defiant words before being tugged back.

She stood before him, clothes torn, face badly bloodied for the gash and now a cut from the slap, hair wildly around her face, but there was still defiance in every movement. Black Star's stance was on of royalty, of a queen. Standing tall and fierce, she was not a little girl to be pushed around. Black Star was something that needed to be dealt with or she would destroy everything. Her eyes flickered, changing color slightly to add a black tint to the fire in her eyes. The outlaw queen would never stop.

But still, there was a dagger deep in the layers of clothing that Magrej would kill for the possession of it. Black Star had managed to conceal it and was controlling it and herself perfectly. If she let go for even a second, both Magrej and Black Star would have an interesting sensation. Magrej would know suddenly who really stood before him. Black Star would use her power and escape easily. But for now, she kept perfect control. It was not yet time to reveal herself, though one day soon he would be sorry for that slap.

"Now what prince charming?" Her words biting and sarcastic as ever. She had endured his dungeons before and knew what to expect. There was a time when she would have feared those tortures, but not now. She rather hoped he would think of something more creative to say then "where are my villagers" but if not, oh well. Less fun for her anyway.

[username]

Magrej...

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A sinister smile quickly spread like wild fire across Magrej's soft, red lips. "Now, Now." He said to her, before letting a long finger trace along where a red mark was from his harsh slap. "I wonder where it wrong with you..." The King's laugh filled the high ceilings once more as he shook your head, "You could have made a man a very nice wife... if you could keep your thoughts to yourself." Sighing lightly, he turned. Magrej knew she would not give him the answers he was looking for, at least for now. And their small chat was going no where, nor would it for the time being. It was only leaving the majesty with headache and injured men. Walking back to his throne, the male took a seat, his body shifting to his usually position. "Rashok." Magrej beckoned his first general, "Will you please escort this thieve down to the dungeon, I no longer want to look at it." He spat, speaking of Black Star as if she was mutt. "And see if you can scrounge up any information from the brat." The king added, before looking towards her once more, then waved his hand, motioning for her to be moved from the room.

Once she was gone, he began business with one of the higher ranked guards, "Look the lands surrounding for any camps of suffrage, if any is found, bring them personally to me." Pausing the male shifted his gaze around the room. "Also, set up more post around the Castle and Ohanzee, maybe even a few as far as Pungoi Swamp. I do not want any more villagers escaping, do you understand me?" Magrej said, his voice piercing threw the room. Grumbling some inaudible things he leaned back in the throne, looking over to one of the maids, "Bring me whine." The King ordered, the masculines eyes following as the female left to do as directed.





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[hobbit]

Sometimes, Rashok wished that he had the authority to send the princess away from the castle; to tell the guards to lock her up and throw away the key. Oddly pretty she may be, but the princess’ compassion was annoying and, to Rashok, she was nothing more than a nuisance. Years of serving temperamental men had taught the young male to hold his tongue; his thoughts were, for the most part, his own and it was safest that way. All the same, Rashok could not help the annoyance that passed across his face at the princess’ outburst. Before anything could be said, however, the doors to the throne room were opened.

While the king applied his mask, Rashok turned towards the doors. His eyes were narrowed with interest, and they landed first on the guards, leading a rather stubborn prisoner. The prisoners were usually of little interest to Rashok, for they were easy to deal with. The very fact that the guards were struggling so much to bring the prisoner in, though, caused the blonde man’s eyes to travel down to her. For a moment, Rashok was sure that he was high on invisible fumes, for surely this could not be her…no…the woman before him was too tanned, too weathered by the sun; too many scars marked her features to be that of his beloved, and yet Rashok knew his eyes did not lie.

The conversation seemed to be little more than blah blah blahs, like the sounds of the adults in those Charlie Brown movies. For so long, he had thought she was gone…the sound of a slap pulled Rashok from his thoughts and he looked over at Magrej, frowning slightly. He was not surprised, though; what little he had paid attention to did not suggest that this was a pleasant conversation. He fully listened to the conversation now, as tense as a man about to be hung, staring at his feet. When beckoned, the man looked up at his king once more, nodding at the orders given before moving over to the female.

The blonde man’s face was a perfect mask as he approached her; showing any signs of emotion would be too unlike him, and Rashok did not wish to risk Magrej knowing what he already knew. Yes, this was treason in a sense…but there were things Rashok could not sacrifice. He was a man, after all- a mortal. He walked ahead of the guards, leading them out of the room. Once the heavy doors had closed, Rashok turned to the two men, “I can take her from here,” he snapped.

The man took a hold of the prisoner, holding her as securely as the guards had. “Move,” he grunted. Under normal circumstances, he would have had some fun poking the prisoner with his sword, or whatever sharp object was nearby. He was too busy thinking to engage in such an activity this time, though, and simply walked at a steady pace. He was unaware of any struggle on the woman’s part, but he was also unaware of the majority of things going on around him.

It took them about ten minutes to reach the dungeon, a dank room beneath the castle. “Clear away. I have questions to ask,” Rashok grunted to the other guards. Accustomed to obeying orders from him, the guards filed out of the area without speaking. Once more, Rashok was silent. Like a puppet being commanded by a higher power, the man led the woman into a small cell. Most would have suspected him to leave, and lock the door behind him. Rashok, however, simply snagged a sword on his way in and closed the door behind him. He held the keys in his hand for a few moments before slipping them into his pants pocket.

He stood facing Black Star in silence, time ticking by slowly, before speaking in a voice that seemed to be separated from his mortal shell: “You…”

[Jotari]

Black Star snarled as she was basically forced into the dungeon. She knew exactly who Rashok was and her eyes went blood scarlet in pure rage. The idiot had started this entire mess, he had trusted Magrej, still trusted Magrej. He had caused the death of the man Black Star had loved. The outlaw was in rebellious silence the entire way and before entering the cell, the poles and collar were removed from her delicate throat. The outlaw queen glanced at Rashok when he spoke, her eyes glowing in the dim light like some demonic banshee. But she said nothing, merely leaped suddenly in a way to bring her chains to the front instead of behind her. Moving to one side she found a basin with a couple inches of water. Slowly, she took her time in cleaning off her face and neck.

After a few moments of silence the scarlet raging eyes flicked up at his own eyes as she took a place with her back to the wall. There were clear marks of hatred in her facial expressions. But no longer was she the sarcastic bitch of an outlaw leader. No, her face was as it had been years before. Her stance, regal and commanding. Black Star had given way to the lady of Kai, Jahanarwa. Her words were cold, " Have you come to finish what you started? You destroyed us Rashok, but I am rebuilding. I suppose you will finish what you started this time, traitor scum." Every word a chilling dagger, every expression of pure hatred. Yet, she did not pull out her dagger and stab him. She gave him some small chance to run for his life, for their could be no redemption.

Kai was beneath the water because of his betrayal. She was an outlaw queen because of him. Becuase of his foolish behavior, Kasheem was dead and it had all happened on the one day that she was suppose to be in ecstasy. Her wedding day of all days that it had to be. Just as she and Kasheem were ready to give their vows, Rashok and Magrej had barged in and destroyed her entire world. Then she had been dragged away to Magrej's dungeons and tortured for a year before escaping. It had all started with Rashok and she would never forgive him.

[hobbit]

How could it be her? No being, to his knowledge, had escaped the torture chambers of Magrej and it made no sense that the king would release the princess. She had been far too valuable, after all. For quite some time, he stared at her as if she was a ghost which had suddenly come back to life. In a way, Black Star was exactly that, yet this was not a ghost that had come to bring him joy. Startled, and confused, he may be by the sudden events, but he was still no fool and he easily picked up on the female’s hatred. It came off her in waves, nearly barreling him over. As they stood, facing each other in silence, the outlaw leapt forward, allowing her chains to move to the front instead of behind. It would have been easy for Rashok to punish her, to correct this mistake, but he did not wish to. Oh, he would have no qualms with striking the woman he loved, for Rashok was not a gentle lover, but he still had questions for her.

Once the woman had finished cleaning herself, she moved so that her back was against the wall. She was a princess once more, Jahanarwa of Kai. She faced him like a princess would an opposing leader, and for a moment, Rashok felt some sadness. He was not ashamed of his actions, he felt perfectly justified in fact, but he had never wished to see this woman look at him with such hatred in her eyes. Her words, however, quickly brushed away all emotion and his green eyes flashed. He seemed to snarl as she spoke, and he lifted one finger, pointing at her, “Do you think it was my intent to destroy my country? To annihilate my people?” he demanded, though his voice did not point towards an answer, “Had you not spurned me so, had you not been blinded by Cupid’s arrow, tricked into loving that pathetic snake I once called my brother, this would not be reality,” he hissed, his voice full of pure venom as he mentioned his brother.

Oh, how Rashok had loathed the man. Not only had Kasheem been the heir, but he had stolen the only woman Rashok had ever truly loved. “Tell me, how do you plan on rebuilding when you are in this castle?” the blonde man demanded. With Black Star gone, the Grellon would have to reorganize themselves. Adopting a new leader, no matter how well known, was always difficult. This time of transition would be the time when they could easily attack, and wipe out the rebellious outlaw group.

And a man that had no issues killing his brother would have no qualms with leading the charge.

[Jotari]

Jahanarwa stepped forward, eyes narrowed dangerously and a thought towards her weapon. Her voice could send shivers down the spine of any unsuspecting or innocent soul, but it probably wouldn't do much for this pitiful dog before her. Were you so foolish that you thought my power could just be torn away? That I could be bought or sold like some cow? I Clearly remember kicking your sorry butt on more then one occasion when we were growing up Rashok, you should have known that even if Magrej had succeeded, I would never have willingly married you and I would have made your life a living hell if we were married. She folded her arms and glared at him angrily. What had he been thinking? Obviously he had not been using that precious organ known as the brain. He would have realised that she would never have been a willing or loving wife. Nothing like how she behaved toward Kasheem.

Then he asked another question which made her laugh harshly, I escaped once, I can do so again. As for rebuilding, you can keep your sorry nose out of it. Even if I stay here for awhile, do you really think my band will simply disappear? I have allies all over Rashok. Unlike you who has been a dog at Magrej's foot, I have been affecting everything I possibly can. But now she stood in silence. His harsh words about Kasheem had angered her but at the same time there was the barest hint of sadness in her features. But those soon passed to a different expression. Her face slowly change to an expression of hopelessness for Rashok ever again being the person she had known. " What happened to you Rashok? There was a time when you were not this silent and sullen man, even when you envied Kasheem you were not this way. Has Magrej twisted your mind so much that he has also twisted your personality?" Her tone was angry still, but calmer and hinting at remorse. What was really going on? Was he really this monster?

[hobbit]

His own mother had often imagined that her son would enjoy a woman, weak in will. A women that was as bendable as a young sapling, swaying to fulfill his every desire. Rashok had taken such women into his bed, but with them he found no joy. He did not like how they moved, living only to make him smile; he had not been looking for a bride to coddle him. When they were young, he had admired Jahanarwa for her wit and apparent strength. Such admiration had turned to lust and, finally, to love. And unlike most men, spurned by those they claimed were their soul mates, Rashok had not given up. Why would he have? Kasheem may have been the heir, but he was stronger and smarter than his brother, even if everyone else refused to see it. Organizing a plan…it had not been hard. Just like in the past, Rashok would not give up now. This woman may look at him with hatred, but it was clear that such hatred meant little to the man.

He had always been tenacious, chasing after things simply because they had eluded him. Her rejection had fueled his desire, his need to have her as his bride, and as the years had gone by the need had faded…simply because he had thought her dead. It was clear, however, that the princess had not died and with this knowledge came the familiar old sensation. Rashok listened as Jahanarwa ranted in silence, never once taking his eyes off her face. Anger only made her more beautiful…

Her next words, however, caused a snort to escape the massive man. Did she really think he wished to have any part in “rebuilding” Kai? If the nation was to be rebuilt, it would be done the proper way. The marriage had not taken place, after all. This woman was still a princess. With Kasheem dead, with his parents dead, he was the next in line for the throne. The next in line, the future king, would rebuild Kai, if the desire ever came to him, and not some bitch with a little too much attitude. “I do not wish to have any part in ‘rebuilding’ what was lost,” Rashok muttered simply.

Before he could speak once more, he noticed the hatred fading from her face, to be replaced by an expression which slightly disturbed the man. He stared into the woman’s eyes as she spoke, his own narrowing with each word. His jaws clenched and he looked away, as if looking into a window of the past, and what he saw obviously didn’t please him. “What happened to me? You were there through all those years. So don’t go asking ridiculous questions,” Rashok snapped in reply, his cold eyes flicking back to hers, “Magrej does not have that type of control over me. He is my king, not my master. Unlike some men you see, I do not blindly follow his word. What you see now is what I always was. I’m sorry you never bothered to notice it before,” he added, his tone as dry as a bone left out in the sun.

Rashok had not envisioned another meeting with Jahanarwa to go like this. He was not searching for pity. He was not searching to answer deep questions about a past he didn't care to even visit in his dreams.

Then again...had he ever really been sure of what he wanted?

[Jotari]

Wild hair framed her face which slowly faded from anger to pity. Pushing back the ebony strands Jahanarwa winced slightly as she touched the very painful gash on her cheek. But no longer was she angry, though she would still gladly take revenge on his sorry carcass. Mostly, she pitied him. Rashok was so blind to the world. " Magrej does control you Rashok. You have changed. So now what happens? I suppose you'll go rushing to your king saying that the guardian just happens to be locked in his dungeon?" She pulled out her weapon which was glowing fiercely from the magic in the air of Murate. It was strong and getting hard to conceal. " It's right here, the sky gem. The thing your master has killed thousands for is right here. That's what he wanted the entire time, he never planned on doing anything for you. So why not go to him like the begging cur you are? Tell him that Jahanarwa is in his dungeons ad she has the sky gem. Even if you don't tell him, he will know soon enough. Thanks to the blasted magic he keeps around here, it gets hard to control the power. Eventually, I won't be able to hold it back. Then maybe your master will be happy with you. Maybe then you will find peace, hmm?" Her tone for once was not harsh or sarcastic or daring, it was simply one of pity and of one telling a list of facts. Jahanarwa had been hiding her power ever since her escape from these very dungeons and it was steadily building with pressure and momentum. Magrej would soon realise who she was, even if she were not in his dark dungeons. But it would be far worse if she were here. But, if that is how it was to be, that would be how she would play this game.

No matter what, Magrej would still die.

[hobbit]

Pity had never been an emotion that Rashok had desired to see on Jahanarwa’s face. As more of it came to her features, the man became overwhelmed; part of him wished to show her what he could do now. Oh, yes, when they were young she had beaten him in many mock battles, but thanks to their age the year she had on him had assisted her greatly. He was not dumb enough to think that Jahanarwa was helpless; the scars she wore proved that she was anything but, yet he was not helpless either. Ever since that fateful day, Rashok had been fighting to live, just like her.

He glared at the woman as she began to speak once more, so tempted to repeat Magrej’s earlier actions; so tempted to hit her with full force, to knock her down and watch the blood leak from the corner of her mouth. The man was pulled from his day dream by the sight of the dagger; it was glowing as brightly as the North Star and his eyes widened at the sight of it. Of course he knew that she guarded the gem, but it still surprised him to see it here. Magrej had been struggling to get a hold of this very object, and here it was, right before him. Part of Rashok wished to call for the king; he would be rewarded so greatly…oh, he knew that the woman claimed that the king had never planned on doing anything for him (and Rashok had been aware of this…what he wanted had been labeled as dead before, after all), but if he was to bring what the king desired to him…yes, he would be rewarded.

And, yet, to do so would mean killing Jahanarwa. His plan, since the beginning, had never included this woman’s death. He would not be the cause of it. Rashok glared at the female as he spoke, “I never intended to have you die, Jahanarwa,” he stated, “I never have wished to have you tortured. I never wished to see you…like this. If I went to Magrej and told him who you were, I would be greatly rewarded. I am sure of that. But, that would mean pain for you, and I cannot do that,” he looked away, his expression troubled.

Rashok had always been a man of honor. He had followed Magrej’s orders because he was the man’s vessel, and that was his duty. Any hint of mutiny had been struck down without mercy, and yet here he was chatting with the most wanted person in the entire kingdom. Here he was, thinking about doing what he had always preached against…

A sigh escaped the man’s throat as he turned back to the woman before him, “You will not die today. You will not be revealed today…” he paused, “But, only if you cooperate. I have the power to get you out of here. Alone, you will not be able to do it twice without being sighted, and do not think that security has relaxed since you were brought in. Black Star alone is not that important,” he added the last bit softly, almost as if speaking to himself, “So…it is your choice, for once,” Rashok finished, eyeing the woman before him. Yes, for once, she had the power.

He could only hope that she would choose wisely.