A Step Too Far

[Desperanza]

The elder princess could hear the tap of his hooves behind her as Zephyr picked his way across the stone. He was her partner when ever she happened to leave the grounds of the castle, when she called for him, he came. He was the only thing she had to bring with her now. She couldn't necesarily ask a guard to come with her. Surely she could find Tryphena on her own. She was indeed rather knowledged of the trees that lined their way at the base of the mountains as well as her usual path to the Celeste Falls. She had taken many a trip amongst the forest to know her way around well enough not to get lost, often. She sighed, lifting the folds of her dress at the bottom, wishing she would have thought to at least try and change into something more appropriate then her silk laden dress and skirts. Her corset showed her slender waist and the dress indeed was feminine but indeed not the best selecting for this sort of work. However, back to the task on hand of finding Tryphena, she frowned. She paused, lifting her head. Her golden honey tresses danced at her back, a few curled pieces trailing across her cheek and forehead, her braided tiara circling her head. She had left her actual glittering tiaras at home as usual and at the moment, her feet were adorned in a pair of light boots that she had taken from a guard's quarters, knowing that on this night she would be traveling into the mountains. She had already checked the forest and the falls, finding it rather strange in the first place that the young princess would wander off and not return. She struggled to remember what her last outting had been but she couldn't seem to remember much at the moment and really all that mattered was finding her. She rather pondered the fact whether her younger sister would rat her out or not when she did wind up finding out but never the less, she had wound up taking the task upon herself. Sighing, she tucked the tendrils of hair behind her ear as she gazed out across the landscape. It was grey, barren, she had made it pretty far up. Thakful to Zephyr as her secret steed had carried her up the lower layers until she had taken upon climbing with the leather boots, realizing it looked ridiculous against her obviously royal dress but none the less, as long as they served their purpose. She was aware of the words of fable and facts that drifted about of the Grellon that lingered somewhere here in the mountains as well as dragons that had taken residence here as well and she had pondered whether the outlaws had taken her sister for some reason. Money perhaps? She frowned once again, her pristine and lovely features contorting slightly to the downward expression before she sighed, a grey muzzle lingering over her shoulder, the warm breath of air cressing her cheek and her frown flipped slowly as she glanced up at the white stud with a slight smile, stroking his soft nose for a moment while she pondered. Unbeknownst to her, she was trickling ever closer to the lair of the Grellon, the longer she remained, the closer she drew now rather close to them though she had yet to completely realize exactly how close she was. Half of her rather looked forward to discovering their hide out, one adventure that she had never taken she was ever curious as to what hid within the secrets of the Grellon and rather soon perhaps, she would find out even if it wasn't exactly in the way she had planned. So, with a determined breath, she shook her honey tresses back along her hair, gently pushed Zephyr's muzzle away, and gathered her skirts once more as she drove further into the mountains once again.

[/b]

[Jotari]

Black Star was catching some well deserved sleep when footsteps alerted her to a person nearby. She didn't think much of it as the Grellon hideout was very close. It was probably someone getting food or maybe a child playing. The outlaw settled more firmly into the hollow on the ground and started to doze off again but suddenly noticed something. There was a horse. No one in the Grellon had a horse. Leaping to her feet the outlaw leader moved quickly to find out who was about with a horse.

Eyes narrowed and suddenly took a dangerous red hue as Black Star watched Alexa. A snarl crossed her face, who was this lady? Black Star looked closely and rolled her fiery eyes. It was Alexa, Tryphena's older sister. Black Star was in Ellsinora enough to know that much. What in the world was the heir to the throne doing wandering around in the forest? More importantly, why was she lurking about the Grellon? Did she know about their hiding place? The outlaw had to know. Drawing her dagger she stepped into view, " Far from home Princess, I suggest you return to your castle." Black Star circled Alexa, weaving in and out of the brush to keep things confusing. "What are you doing so close to my home?" She demanded the answer with a snarling tone. Black Star was not a happy camper.

The outlaw knew that Alexa was probably looking for Tryphena who had been with the Grellon for a day or two. The way things were going Asterion was probably wooing Tryphena in the moonlight. Cute, but it amused the outlaw queen to see big tough Asterion go goo goo over Tryphena. But big guy deserved it! Tryphena and he would make a very cute couple and so far Tryphena seemed to have some sense rattling around in that blond hair and kindness in those blue eyes. But what about Alexa?

[Desperanza]

Alexa, startled at the sudden confrontation paused, her ice colored eyes narrowing, squinting to catch sight of whom it was that had found her, instead of the other way around. Her feet shifted back a few steps before she paused, one hand reaching out to rest upon the back of the white stallion at her side, Zephyr's dark eyes alert at the sign of the stranger and yet the beast that had such a strange and unbreakable connection to the princess remained still at her side, waiting for any command that she made to him while the princess tensed, eyeing the stranger warily as her free hand lowered to her right hip where the tie was, the leather that held the jeweled sword at her side. Tonight, it had been the blade. She had been in a hurry for if her sister was in trouble no doubt she could not waste any time hurrying down to the weapon quarters to fetch her usual bow and arrow in the night. She took a steadying breath, her back stiffening as she watched the outlaw carefully, blinking at the slightly dizzy weave of the outlaw as she dipped in and out of the brush. She clenched her jaw for a moment and did not immediately answer, trying to identify who this new stranger was. She had indeed come to knowledge of the outlaws, her mother fiercely opposed to them and the fact that the Grellon were not highly regarded in the royal home put her on edge, at first.

She was not completely able to reject Black Star completely, either however. For the fact of getting closer to the Grellon intrigued and enticed her. She needed to know more, and attacking one of them on sight didn't exactly seem like the best idea to get that started, especially for her rather defensive stature, perhaps she was the leader of them? The one that she heard stories about? She sighed, her first goal was to find Tryphena, no doubt, her second, to try and get closer to the Grellon and perhaps to learn more about them. How that would work out, she had no idea. She took a slow breath, and lowered her own defenses slightly as she shifted her weight, dropping her skirts to hide the leather boots at the moment, wanting to look every inch the princess that she was in case they got any ideas and finally, she spoke, "I am searching for my sister, as you may know." she stated, biting her tongue to keep herself from replying anything further, the question as to whether the Grellon were hiding her away, torturing her, or had already killed her rather not seeming like the best thing to say just then so she refrained until she could gather facts as to whether they had anything to do with Tryphena's disappearance or not. So she straightened her shoulders, took a slight breath and waited for Black Star's reply as she fell silent briefly once more.

[Jotari]

Black Star paused and stared directly at Alexa. She moved closer and took her time leisurely looking over Alexa in the faint moonlight. With a raven's eye Black Star quickly noticed the shiny sword. That was something to note, but it was no real threat. Black Star was at her strongest here. If she cried out, this place would swarm with outlaws and Alexa may get some but she would not get all of them. Here was Black Star's own little kingdom.

Black Star also took a look at the horse but it didn't really catch her interest. Lazily she replied, "Your sister hmm? We found a girl's mangled form at the base of a cliff yesterday though." Black Star failed to mention that it had been a Grellon refugee. A pretty slave girl had escaped from Murate's castle only to find that she carried Magrej's child. Before the Grellon could even do anything, the girl has tossed herself off the cliff in utter despair. This was only one of many stories found in the Grellon. They were already stressed so it was easy to understand why Black Star guarded their sanctuary so viciously.

Black Star did have pity after a few moment, " Don't get worked up princess, your sister is fine. Tryphena is probably with my second-in-command, Asterion. Trust me, she's perfectly safe. As for the poor girl we found, she unfortunately found out that she was pregnant with Magrej's child and sadly decided to end her life." The harsh tone left her voice when telling this sad story. Black Star wasn't really bad, she just made it look that way.

The outlaw continued chatting but backed away out of reach, "Your sister's horse decided to joyride and though we managed to stop the horse, she got knock unconscious. We were planning to return her but I must admit it is rather hard to do so without having your parents attempt to kill me. I like my head on my shoulders, it fits rather well there. So tell me princess, what is your next move?" If Alexa threatened to have them all killed, then a second princess was about to go missing.

[Desperanza]

Alexa sighed stiffly, rather not appreciating being inspected like a criminal under the scope of the guillatine pleading their innocence. She none the less stood steady as she eyed the female just as speculatively in return before she straightened further if that was even possible. She took a slow breath before replying once more but before she could, she flinched, a twinge racing through her body for a moment. The thought that her youngest sister could be laying at the base of a cliff side sent her stomach reeling for a moment and she paled, swallowing carefully as her fingers closed a bit tighter to the helm of her sword though nothing more eminated with her fingers just yet as she watched the outlaw carefully, feeling as if her throat were tight though it was rather dry at the moment and she leaned against the side of her stallion carefully for a moment, her icy eyes following where ever the outlaw moved.

As she waited, listening to Black Star's words, she briefly grew distracted, glancing around herself briefly before she sighed vaguely and glanced back to the outlaw once more, feeling a bit ill at the moment even when the outlaw assured her that her sister was fine, though she wasn't sure whether she quite believed the following stories just yet or not. She carefully pulled herself straight again, her feminine features still pale as she watched Black Star thoughtfully this time, her raven hair and features were enticing but she pulled away briefly once more, "Take me to her then, let me take her home and I will keep from ratting you and the rest of your people out granted that you allow me access to your home without a fight the next time I come around." she offered a deal, doubting that Black Star would accept, especially after being quite so defensive in the first place but still she offered, figuring that it certainly didn't hurt to try and offer first.

[Jotari]

Black Star didn't like that. Free pass into the Grellon hideout? Not in a million years. Black Star now stood in plain site standing calmly and fingering her dagger's blade, "I'm not stupid Alexa. You are heir to the crown and I don't know if I can trust you just as you don't know if I can be trusted. Of course having this outlaw thing certainly doesn't help me." Black Star glanced up and noticed dawn's cold fingers start to spread across the sky. She looked at Alexa as if debating something. "I will allow you to return with your sister, that saves me the trouble of making sure Asterion doesn't get his dear head chopped off. At least not for that. Black Star shifted and yawned, stretching up toward the sky, " It seems I will not be getting any more sleep tonight. To bad, Magrej has been getting rather pushy lately. We mess with him to much I suppose but the dog deserves it. But perhaps it is best that you see that Ellsinora has little to fear from us other then an occasional highway "accident" though we've yet to kill anyone, contrary to popular belief. It could be very useful to have a couple Princesses around too if you turn out to be annoying." At this point she was more debating with herself then with Alexa. Finally she shrugged, "If you talk to much then Ellsinora will simply need a new heir. This way princess, Tryphena is who knows where though. I've let Asterion look after her. I have enough right now. Black Star would at least show her what the Grellon was really doing, having a private spat with Magrej. If anything, they would get rid of Tryphena. Black Star turned and ducked off toward her home.

[Desperanza]

Alexa's eyes narrowed slightly but not much, she was listening intently and she pondered briefly whether she needed really to get head deep into the Grellon after all but the truth was better then not knowing, she supposed and finally, a faint smile graced her lips as she nodded slightly towards the woman in return. She patted the white shoulder of her stallion briefly, pondering whether she may need a way out of the village but after a moment, she sent the stallion away though he wouldn't go far but he wouldn't follow her either. She touched her fingers to the blade at her side as if reminding herself that she indeed had a method of protecting herself if necesary before she nodded slightly and turned her gaze once more as she stepped forward slowly as the stallion picked his way along the mountainside once more and she instead began to scan the rocks for the entrance to the village as she fell into step behind Black Star though not by much as she kept an eye on the outlaw but by this point, she didn't worry much, more curious then anything in all honesty. She straightened her back naturally now, her steps full of grace and obviously royal and elegant movements as she drifted forward, her skirts lowered once more around her feet to hide the boots as she made her way forward, curious of what she would find when she made her way into the village after the outlaw.

[Jotari]

Black Star yawned again and wandered into her village. The village was nestled between two side of the mountain. Part of the people lived in the various caves and caverns while the rest lived in sturdy little houses. There was movement here and there as the sun began to rise and Black Star put her fingers to her lips to give an ear-splitting whistle. It was like sound grew children, kids came from everywhere! The outlaw queen had been very busy lately dealing with Kaori and Magrej and had not had much time for her favorites. The adults followed behind at a more steady pace. Men, women, children, even the elderly, it seemed like everything and everyone could be found in the Grellon. Black Star picked up a little girl and was smiling at everyone. These were her people, this was her world to protect and love.

A younger girl, who looked like she had been badly treated and starved, came running to the leader and tugged hard on Black Star's shirt. Black Star knelt and listened to the child as the weeping girl muttered some words. Silence came over the group and concern filled Black Star's eyes. The outlaw glanced at Alexa, "This way please." As if by magic the people quietly returned to their homes and Black Star followed the weeping girl to a smaller hut. The girl crouched outside the door as Black Star basically ignored Alexa to see what was wrong.

The smoke-filled hut was dark with a dirt floor and a pitiful fire in the corner. To one side there was a woman laying on a pallet. Black Star knelt beside her and checked the woman's pulse. Standing her eyes were bright scarlet in anger. " This is a woman who we helped escape Magrej just days ago. She had stolen from the palace kitchen to feed her daughter. When caught Magrej had her tortured publicly. It was so bad that I even managed to have the guards help us get her out. Another life gone because of that worthless cur. Her voice was a low snarl and she glanced at the doorway, "Her daughter will be taken care of as best we can. We have many orphans. But this woman is dead. Second life in two days, first the pregnant girl and now Marie." It was very clear she was furious. " What kind of defense does Ellsinora have against Magrej? Any? Do you have any defense against this? Pointing to the dead woman she returned to the outside. The little girl instantly clung to Black Star, not crying anymore, she was to tired to weep. Black Star picked her up and stroked the girl's hair.

[Desperanza]

Alexa's gaze wandered slowly around the village, taking in the sight of each and everything that came to her view. The village seemed famished, rather shy yet sturdy homes and winding caves to either side of her and people everywhere. She caught her breath briefly at the sight for where she came from, she was pampered and cared for twenty-four seven save for when she wandered out at night, her peaceful time. Now, as she watched the people drift closer she scanned each of their faces, at least for many.

At first she thought she gazed into the faces of depression, sadness, sickness. Their clothes were tattered, rough cotton it appeared as, or perhaps wool. She couldn't decide. She first wondered how they lived here and be happy. For this town tucked away into the stone of the mountains she pondered where they got any items to live off of at all and then, the answer hit her. She was among a nest of thieves. She took in a slightly quicker breath, beginning to search their faces more carefully and what met her in return was the faces of those that were not sad or depressed but instead happy. They greeted their leader eagerly, happily. She seemed to work magic with the children that gathered about her ankles. This wildly beautiful raven haired woman had charmed the minds of each that lived here and she rather had a feeling that it was only in the best of ways.

She was instantly intrigued, in awe of how so many people could live so poorly and yet were so happy. She was intrigued by the idea that this woman was so devoted to her people and yet she kept them not only alive, but happy. She wondered what it was like. She began to ponder what it would be like to trade her fine silks and linens for much more shabby clothing, a rather miserable hut and little food and items. She gazed across the feet of the people, most barefoot and she swallowed, a tiny smile touching her features for a moment as she thought of the boots on her feet and how she sometimes wandered about the forest without shoes as well though these people rather had no choice. A slight and sharp pang lanced her heart and she winced. Was she beginning to feel something for these poor people that she had not until this point known anything about? She blinked, her thoughts interrupted as a weeping child fell at the feet of Black Star, her tears sending a sear pain of sorrow through Alexa's heart as she fell silent, watching intently now as she followed Black Star.

She followed her into the hut, gathering her skirts as she stepped past the threshold and paused to glance around the tiny space before her eyes almost instantly fell to the still form and she winced, swallowing. She cast a glance to Black Star briefly, her thoughts reeling. This woman was dead. Within less then an hour Black Star had rather closely confronted her with the all too real confrontation of death and it began to sink in just how badly these people were living. She thought of the gold, the jewels, the money and forms of payment that the castle had stashed in wicked piles in safe places and at the castle, the best of food that was piled high each meal at the table and yet until this point she had had no clue as to how the Grellon truly lived.

As Black Star confronted her with the current ordeal, she paused, feeling like she was drowning without water. She knew that some day she would take the thrown, that some day these decisions would be hers. However, she felt that she had been blind until this point. She felt as if all of the things that she had been taught were useless for it had not prepared her for this. The problems were real, the people, the poor, sick people. The Grellon were a strong band, their stories ranged through out the kingdom and yet, the people that they were protected were in a world all their own. Her breath caught in her throat and she swallowed carefully to try and find her voice, her hands dropping her skirts promptly to fold across her own chest instead, feeling as if her naturally slender waist was shrinking further, like she was crinkling and folding within herself. Where were the answers that seemed to come so naturally to her mother and father? How did they do it? And yet she pondered whether they actually did have the answers.

For years she had watched the guards train, the soldiers moving through training but just how many were there? Why were they sleeping in their quarters in town while these people were suffering, starving? She felt sick. She lurched, blanching, murmuring quickly in apology as sweat began to bead at her brow and her features paled, her serene porcelain skin taking on quite a few lighter shades as her ice colored gaze swiveled towards the woman, the dead woman. The poor child that was now left as yet another orphan like the rest that lived here with the Grellon.

As the princess stood, at one moment poised as she gazed upon the body, the people that stared at her as if she had all the answers. She was the oldest, she was not so lucky and yet she was. She was the next queen but her father did not see her as he saw Tryphena. The holden haired petite teenager with no worries for she would never have so much responsibility unless something happened to both herself and their middle sister, Abigail.

But as she stood there, watching, it seemed as if her mind began to melt, worry folding her brows together as the weight of the world seemed to sink down upon her shoulders and her breaths grew shallow for a moment, her heart pattering swiftly within her chest and one hand reached out, wanting to plead with them, to assure them that she had all the answers but for some reason her voice and her mind were at two different levels. For some reason, her tongue felt stuck and tied and only silence filled the air. Her eyes grew wide, feeling rather dizzy quite suddenly, her knees seeming to buckle as darkness enclosed the edges of her vision before swallowing her wholely as she fell into a heap at the floor with a breathless sigh as she rather simply passed out.

[Jotari]

A woman came and took the child from Black Star. The child clung hard but Black Star stroked the girl's brown tresses for a moment and the child quickly, almost magically, drifted off into mourn-less sleep. The outlaw sighed heavily and for a moment it looked like she carried the weight of the world. Motioning to two nearby men to take care of the body Black Star's eye went from the deep grey of sadness to the deep scarlet of anger. "You will see what your father tries so hard to ignore!" Black Star grabbed Alexa's arm and simply began dragging her into one of the caves. Grabbing a lit torch the outlaw followed a very long and damp tunnel. It seemed to go on forever and no doubt this was only one of many tunnels the Grellon used. After awhile of Black Star never letting go but angrily and rapidly walking, the tunnel opened into the sunlight. Black Star let go and tossed the torch over the cliffs. The flickering thing fell for what seemed like forever. They stood on the highest part of the Orestes mountains. In front of them lay a shadowed land with volcanic eruptions here and there. A horrible stench could be faintly smelt even this high up. But looking behind them, was Ellsinora and the rest of the world just waiting for their day to really begin. Sleepy people in little villages with good lives to live. But in Murate, the dark lands, there was only emptiness.

Black Star stood silently for a few minutes looking over Murate. Her head bowed and she spoke calmly and precisely,"What you see before is Murate. Hundreds of thousands live in that darkness." Black Star raised her head and looked out at the hideous black splotch in front of them. A breeze played with her loose hair and made her look even more wild and untamed. "This is the fate of Ellsinora and of the lands across the sea." This was not a question in her mind, her tone was of telling Alexa that horror would happen to Ellsinora, no ifs, buts, or ands about it. " I know Magrej better then anyone. I know Murate better then most. Your country seemingly ignores the darkness that is right in front of it. Kaori is the dragon who guards these mountains but even he will not stop them when Magrej really starts to harm you. My Grellon, every one of us have paid the price, often in blood. Yet we are the only ones who have done anything about it. Bowing her head again she continued, "There was a time when I could have done something. But Magrej took everything from me. I have been his prisoner and as far as I know, the only one to escape unassisted from the outside. Passion increased her tone as she faced Alexa, " You are the heir to the throne. You have the power I once possessed. Alexa your parents are turning a blind eye to this but you have got to open your eyes and perhaps open there eyes to see what is coming. Kaori and the Grellon, we cannot keep Magrej away forever. "Her eyes had turned a deep mournful grey as she once again faced Murate. Black Star knew this was a once chance thing. But would Alexa see? Ellsinora was not ready yet but Magrej was more then ready.

[Desperanza]

As she stirred back to life, Alexa's breaths came quick, her eyes flashing about before she flinched, her bum unceremoniously brushing the ground roughly and as she came back around, she coughed at the dust that filled her lungs from the dirty ground, flinching before she unsteadily scrambled to her feet and swirled to face who it was that was abducting her but as she whirled to face, it was indeed Black Star She paused for a moment to gather what had happened, remembering vaguely what had happened. The body laid out on the bed, the ragged people that scattered the village and when her vision cleared and her icy eyes came to to see clearly, she looked upon the wild woman before her but her eyes traveled further, a gasp filling her lungs. She coughed once again at the pungent air, the poisonous smell that filled her nose.

The sight was revolting, the scents were sharp and uninviting. Her eyes scanned the broken and empty earth with a flinch. It was such a far cry from her home, from Ellsinora where everything was vibrant and colored. She held her breath, her hands wringing and her fingers lacing together as she scanned the dead space with a sad sigh at the dead earth, her gaze pained now as she watched before turning her gaze to Black Star briefly instead as she spoke, her stomach beginning to churn once again at the thought that this could happen to her home, her people, her family. She nearly blanched again and somehow, managed to hold onto her stomach bile before she vomitted, wondering why this all made her so sick but she didn't question the fact that emotions and thoughts were pouring through her, sickening waves of emotion now as the severity of the situation began to unfold before herself.

Her thoughts turned towards home, towards her parents. She thought briefly of where she would be a short time from now, seated at the breakfast table with fresh food littering silver platters and while she sat, silent alongside of her mother to her right and Abigail to her left, her parents would bicker over Tryphena, over selling off her youngest sister to Magrej in hopes that their war would be over before it even began. She had at one time felt the bitter sting, the ugly sister perhaps? She was beginning to lose touch with her true beauty and her first thoughts had been wrong. Perhaps it was not that they did not want to give her away because she just was not attractive enough with her golden honey hair and her ice blue eyes but perhaps because she was far too intelligent. She would fight Magrej until she was no more and then the war would be at their doorstep once again. Perhaps their intentions with her youngest and most naive sister had been to sell their youngest off in hopes of selling off the danger as well. She furrowed her elegant curved brows as they knitted together, feeling very much like a naked fool at the moment as she stared across the barren land.

Her world beginning to tip upside down, Alexa stared. Her icy eyes drifted darker, closer towards her younger sister's dazzling sapphire yet with a glint of her typical ice shade as she stared across the landscape, feeling as if her mind was stuffed to the brink, each thought in turn trying to fight it's way to the surface but she could not even begin to imagine what the most important would be at this moment. For only a short while ago, she had pondered and worried over the people that lingered here, those that had already suffered and yet she also needed even further to worry over those who had not yet suffered.

Tha calm before the storm, the world seemed to be on pause. She had been not holding her breath, but living freely. She quite suddenly felt as if the crown reined down heavily on her head already and her features grew haggard for a moment, her eyes to become troubled as she struggled with her thoughts and the reality's before her. This was far beyond deciding whether or not Black Star was truthful about things that she said, this was far beyond having fun escaping from her room at night to adventure out during the evening hours, this was far beyond her previously care free life. Though her mother was still alive and well, she needed to step up. Her kingdom rode on the fact that she alone knew the truth, and the responsibility rested upon her shoulders.

She sank to her knees. A soft whisper of sound escaped the folds of her dress as she sank to the ground, her hands flopping into her lap as her dress fanned out and piled around her, her feet tucked beneath her as she sank to sit on the heels of the hiking boots as she stared at the ugly grey land and while she had felt like this, compared to her younger sister no matter how closely their limits of beauty were, she now felt just like the eldest sister that she was. Her shoulders slumped, and she sighed, folding her arms uneasily over herself as she sank back slightly, finally lifting her gaze to meet Black Star's once more, her eyes glittering desperately with newfound and unshed emotion as she looked up at the fellow woman thoughtfully now and when she spoke, her tone hardly left a whisper.

"What can I do?" the color was at first truthful, inquiring, but in the end it was not so much a question but a statement. She had worried about these people but now, it was not only the Grellon but the members of Ellsinora that relied on her for if she did not act, they would all be serving life like the Grellon did now. After a few long minutes, she seemed to find her strength and slowly she lifted towards her knees, feeling like she was praying to a rare and foreign goddess for help as she looked up at the wicked raven queen, slowly lifting to her feet once more as she straightened slowly before glancing upwards to meet Black Star's gaze, "If I may extend my apologies formally from not the royal family, but myself. I have never realized just how much you have helped us in this time. You have my formal promise that I will help. I will do my best to fix this." she murmured as she glanced outwards towards Murate silently once more for a few brief moments before she looked back to Black Star once again, "I only hope that with a woman such as yourself, you have such a hand in this that I will continue to need your help. I only hope that you will not be able to classify me as my parents are when the day comes that I may become queen and I would be so ready as to ask for your help in this. Your knowledge is vast and if I am to defeat this somehow, I will need someone with your sense and knowledge." she stated with a small sigh, feeling rather defeated just then though there remained an ember within her, a burning flame that now flared, determination for the massive mountain that she would now have to climb and the world that she would have to protect and piece together once again.

[Jotari]

In a sad sense, this meeting was going well. Alexa got the picture. Black Star unsheathed her dagger and fingered the blue gem that was set into the blade. " I have never had a choice in the matter. Perhaps if Kai had remained above the water I could have lived happily. Passed my power to someone stronger. Black Star shook her head and looked out again, " Ellsinora's army is badly trained and lacking in men. I lack the army to get close enough to Magrej. If you manage to get me to Magrej, I can take him out. My Grellon has several able bodied men and I've even stolen a few slaves from the castle itself, but there is no way I can get close enough to fight him." Her tone was harder, more determined. She turned on Alexa with an slightly insane tone, " But Magrej can never know I'm alive. He knows merely Black Star. He can never know that there are Kai survivors. Yes, most of the Grellon are either Muratian or Kai. Not all of us died that day." Black Star knew very well that eventually, Magrej would find her and Magrej would have yet another reason to attack.

But she still could not bring herself to fully expose to Alexa. Perhaps it was the training that she had forced herself into for the last two years. Perhaps she still feared Magrej's torture. But the balance had to be set right. Kaori knew, the fairy queen knew, soon others would know. Magrej was to be Jahanarwa's special target but she needed help. Lots and lots of help, the Grellon was not enough. Black Star was not willing to step out yet, to many questions, to little answers. But as for the shadow work? That was where she could be of great service. Black Star had contacts all over Ellsinora and Murate, if something big was afoot, she would learn about it. But they needed to prepare.

But Black Star also knew what this would cost. Blood would be shed on both sides. There was a very good chance that she herself would die before this was over. But Alexa would most likely survive. Alexa would have to take Murate and Ellsinora and lead them to a future. Black Star would simply fade away into the mists of time, but Alexa must be remembered as either the last queen, or the greatest queen, of Ellsinora.

[Desperanza]

Alexa nodded slowly in return, her mind calming and churning smoothly like butter now as she stroked her fore arms as a habit as she watched Black Star thoughtfully, beginning to feel more prepared then she had moments before by this point. She gazed out across Murate for a brief moment before she turned her gaze back to Black Star again, "I will need your men then, I will offer them homes in my town and soldier quarters. I will deliver food to your village as well as blankets but past that, I will have another battle on my hands and I am not sure how easily I will be able to reach you, Black Star. When I show up with soldiers to be trained, my mother will be furious. If I return with her youngest princess, I can smooth it over between them and perhaps I can use my sister as a distraction." she paused, knowing that she would feel a twinge of guilt about having to use her sister to distract her parents and even further when she realized that she was falling for a Minotaur but at the moment, her ultimate purpose was to be able to provide a life for her sisters as well as the rest of the people, so many people both from Ellsinora as well as Murate who needed help. Then of course there was the Grellon but she would offer then help where she could until this was over. It was a respect, she felt would honor the Grellon queen to help her people in return for the outlaws help, feeling as if it was rather fair and she indeed felt sorrow for the Grellon that suffered here while they waited for the answer to the problems that loomed overhead like a storm cloud.

"I will need to take my sister back. One of my biggest battles will be with our current queen. If only you knew." she muttered with a heavy sigh, brushing her fingers along her cheeks thoughtfully for a moment before she turned her gaze around herself thoughtfully for a few moments this time, "Being that the stories are told that you are a well known thief and outlaw I am sure that I will be able to contact you when I am able to escape the confines of the castle. I believe that if you would do me the honor of assuring me that I in turn will not be gutted when ever I come to your village, then I do think that this partnership will work." She felt a bit strange, a princess and an outlaw, what a strange partnership none the less it seemed that the pair by this point had realized that they would have to lean on each other for help in this matter and she only hoped that the fellow outlaw would agree and grant her in return the ability to help her suffering people.

[Jotari]

Black Star looked thoughtful but suddenly turned on her heels and started back down the tunnels. Grabbing a torch the outlaw took relaxed strides. No longer was she asking for help, that part of this scene was over. "Many of my men are already trained. They have to be as Magrej has a habit of sending some of his soldiers to flush us out. But I will not force them to go. They must chose of their own free will to follow you and you will treat them well. I may fight Magrej, but I'm certainly no angel and you have already had a taste of what charming moods I get into when I'm angry. Her voice bounced off the walls and above water dripped off the rocks. " I will personally escort you back to Ellsinora castle. I have informants all over Ellsinora, including a couple servants in your castle. If you need my help, I will know about it. Another good way to get my attention is to get Kaori angry and then ask for me. To do that you need to destroy something. Keep it small though, he gets grumpy pretty easily and has been known to incinerate those he's angry at. Her words were clipped and fast, like a news reporter. Eventually, they once again were in the Grellon village. Life was much more abundant and there were people everywhere. Black Star wasted no time. She darted toward a group of boulders and nimbly moved on top of them. Giving a sharp whistle she quickly had everyone settle down.

" This is Tryphena's sister, Alexa. Alexa is heir to the throne and she is now on our side. We have agreed to form a working partnership. She wants some of the men to return with her to Ellsinora Castle, Ellsinora is finally going to actually get ready for Magrej. I will not force any of you to go, that is your own choice. Take a few minutes and then let me know. At noon, we leave to take the royalty back to the castle.Where is Asterion?" Black Star looked at Alexa, " If you have anything to say, now would be good." Back Star was once again the mischievous, daring, and wild forest queen and she was not in the best of moods. Time to get busy.

[Desperanza]

Alexa's footsteps were easy and now more then ever she was thankful that she had borrowed the boots from one of the guards as she feared that some of her own royal slip ons would have been torn, her feet bleeding by now. She wrinkled her nose at the thought and sighed softly, glancing after the raven haired woman with a light smile as she made her way after her, her gaze traveling once more the village and she felt the now sharp pang in her heart, making a mental promise that she was going to help these people which also came along with the thought as to where on earth her stallion happened to be for he was radiating rather pleasant vibes which brought a smile to her face but she once again returned to the present.

She nodded slowly with a thankful smile to the outlaw queen, "Of course." she agreed simply to the woman for she rather did not plan to force anyone though she prayed briefly that not too many would be opposed as the thought of trying to gather more soldiers within her own town where there weren't any seemed like a rather daunting challenge. Any help that was offered was good help. She glanced around herself briefly for a moment, gazing around to the people that lingered here in the village and the thought suddenly occured to her that she rather wished that she had a man at her side perhaps not necesarily in love with her for that seemed like a whole other challenge to face but a man none the less that she was close to and could trust, a man's voice would make things so much easier when she began to run the town, to gather soldiers within her own home land for though she could command just as Black Star did, it would not be much in the land where her father ruled and she did not trust easy for being the royal princess and the next heir to the throne, it was typical that many suitors had hoped to steal her heart simply for money, to be King, or to have her as their prize, each excuse sickened her and soured her heart, especially since her sister Abigail had managed to fall in love with a commoner and while she yearned for that connection, just then she needed someone that could help at her side without attempting to steal trinkets behind her back.

Sighing, she waved the thought away, figuring she would just have to figure this out on her own and instead, she took to looking to Black Star as she gathered her people, a tinge of awe flooding her veins as she commanded her people. How simple and happy these people were where there was no money involved and they could trust their queen without a second thought about it. She smiled at the sight and waited patiently, taking a breath as Black Star offered for her to speak. She felt her throat run tight. She knew that she could do this, and someday she would need to make speeches anyways so instead of shying away, she accepted the offer though she felt like a unicorn in a midst of tigers, she slowly climbed atop the boulders, shyly flicking her skirts down to her ankles to shield any views beneath her skirts as well as her legs, realizing that her odd boots however would still manage to stick out from where she stood now.

None the less, she gathered her courage and began to speak,
"Good people of Grellon, I must first apologize that we have been so blind to your poor conditions until this point. My mother and my father have both turned a bitter eye upon your kind and it is your wonderful queen, Black Star, that has opened my eyes to such a wonderful group of people that you all are, such a wonderful village this is. I must admit that we have made a mistake, that we have ignored the growing problem from the lord Magrej until this point. Once again, Black Star has opened my eyes to the growing problems and now I must ask for your help sincerely for I now understand the growing threat and whether my parents fight or not I stand for the freedom of all from the grasp of this wretched leader of Murate with his captives and wasted land and I pray that you will forgive my sins and travel with me to my home land where I will offer you homes to stay and training if you wish. I will offer you food and supplies to bring back to your families and your people and I will treat you only with the respect that I would treat all of my people. So now, I leave you with your decision and if you travel with me, I am truly honored." she finished, taking a steadying breath as she shifted her weight atop the boulders, offering a mild curtsy in respect to the people, her cheeks flushing wildly with heat for a moment but she rather hoped that she had not done too bad as she turned to send a glance to Black Star, offering a slight smile to her this time as she waited for sign of her sister now.