Return of the Little Girl (Alexa and Erech)

[Taske]

A figure sat atop a mighty beast, without a saddle. The horse was a brilliant copper, his eyes a piercing ice blue. At the horses feet was a shadow, a wolf, a jet black animal. But it was not the followers that would bring your eyes to the figure, no it was how the person sat, the power that seemed to scream from the poster and the placement of her hands. It was the transformation, if you knew her before, that would call shock to your face.

The strong figure was non other then the little girl called Allaire. But at first glance you would not know it. She held herself differently, more confidence in her set atop the stallion that is the colt Comet. The wolf was non other then Allaire's second companion, Taske, a pup no longer, in stead a powerful animal. But even with the change of clothing and a stronger body she was still her, her brilliant green eyes still showed the kindness of two years ago, and she still wear the emerald and diamond earring.

The wolf straightened, her ears going forward and her nose twitching. I smell them close. The wolf looked up at the girl her amber eyes dancing. The wolf still remembered who had saved her that faithful day when the hurricane created the scare across her eyes. And frankly the wolf was existed to see Ellesar again.

Allaire looked down at the wolf, her thoughts seeming to mirror the wolves. She was exited to see her family again, existed to show them that they need not worry about her anymore, that she not only could take care of herself but she could help them, well once her training was complete, she still had about two and a half years more, but the day she was fully trained was close, and the even now she was able to do many things assassins are famous for, there stealth there ability to get behind someone and slit there necks. Oh yes even with two more years Allaire was more then capable to kill anyone she wished.

"Thank you Taske."The girl nudged the copper horse forward into a trot. She was eager to see them again, eager to show Alexa and Erech her new abilities. But most of all she could not wait to show Black Star. Black Star was the main reason for her change, for her desire to gain straight, to be able to help someone, Black Star was the main reason for her drive, and Allaire wanted to show her just how much she had changed.

[Desperanza]

The days were long and dreary. The landscape was charred and the scars were evident. Kiyer now matched Ohanzee with depressed and charred buildings and there were looks of depression and solemn silence upon the faces of the people of Kiyer. Those that still lingered in town no longer wandered out often. They no longer rejoiced in the streets. There was no longer any people sitting out there selling wares. There were no children running about and screaming and playing within the streets. There was no joy here, no life. There was no excitement in the air and there was no pride in the village anymore. Most people hid indoors, wandering out only here and then when they needed to retrieve food or rations from the soldiers that patrolled the streets. The town was a crater of depression and sadness. The whole town had now been enveloped within the shadows and it was no longer a place that was valued to be lived in. It was no longer a gem on the earth. Ellsinora was the face that stared back into the mirror of Murate. Murate was now Ellsinora. The wicked King himself now lived within the castle of Ellsinora with the wicked Queen Abigail and his assistant, Siarles. The beastly creatures set out a world of fear and of sickness, sadness and depression. The world was in turmoil.

Now, the Princess sat within the warm front room of the healer’s inn. She had been hiding in town for months now as her stomach slowly grew and grew. Now, she was a mere two weeks from her due date and she felt the time approaching ever closer. Taking another steadying breath her fingers rested against her stomach, her eyes closed as she tilted her head back against the back of her chair. She shifted slightly before her eyes flitted open once more. She never seemed able to become as comfortable as she wanted and at the moment, she was anxious. Standing from the chair she turned in time to see the healer rushing through the room to check the Princess, “There has been a traveler spotted in the forest.” She muttered quickly with a shake of her head as she rested her hands at Alexa’s shoulders, glancing at the eldest Princess with worry, “Princess?” she inquired gently to the fellow young woman. Alexa smiled, nodding slowly in reply as she glanced towards the healer with a small sigh, gently pushing the woman aside as she wandered forward to clasp her hands around a wooden cup that she lifted to her lips. She was dressed in a warm cotton dress that reached her ankles. It was a soft sky blue color that brought out the color of her eyes but that remained it. She had long sleeves and a small wrap of fur about her shoulders to keep her warm in the midst of the starting winter. The healer worried for the Princess quite often, keeping a close eye on the young woman in her pregnancy so that the Princess would not fall ill to anything of the sort of sickness or ill health for the fact that the Princess was quite heavily pregnant at this point. Alexa had at first escaped from house to house, carefully evading the soldiers of the Murate and the King Magrej who patrolled the streets of town and quite often searched homes. The eldest Princess however ran for her life and many people had helped smuggle her from one home to the next and now, as she waited for the birth of her child, she had been smuggled into the home of the healer where she had been hiding for about two weeks now.

She always seemed to wait on pins and needles. She had seen homes go up in flames much to the amusement of the wicked black hearted soldiers of Magrej. She had seen them steal women from their homes and rape them until they begged for death and she had seen them kill with a blood lust that made her cringe. Now, she was pacing. The closer it came to the birth of her child, the more nervous she became. Any moment a soldier could parade into the house and demand to search the premises. The soldiers that had once been there studying in the guards quarters by the castle now seemed not to exist for anyone that gave any sign that they were working for the former crown of Ellsinora was promptly put to death, or imprisoned. There was no hope to be found. Now, as Alexa swallowed the water in a few simple swallows, she gasped as she set the cup back to the table again. Pausing, her hands fluttered about her large stomach once again, the baby was shifting. She smiled slightly, closing her eyes. Now and again she could relax and simply let herself enjoy the moment, the prospect that soon she would have a child of her own. Her first child. The first heir to the throne, that was if things changed and the royalty of Ellsinora actually took over, if only. Now as she relished the feel of her little one, her nightmare seemed to unfold before her. Quite suddenly there was a sharp thundering rap at the door. She jumped, wincing at the movement as she turned swiftly on her heel. For the first time in her life she felt outweighed and awkward. Her normally beautiful and slender body was swollen outwards to expand and allow her baby to grow. Though it only seemed to be her stomach that was growing. She had felt bad for eating when other people found it hard to achieve food but the healer had guaranteed that the Princess would eat for the child that grew within her and Alexa finally obliged. Now, she turned to glance towards the door with a look of fear. Within moments, there came a gruff reply from outside of the door, “Open up, mistress!” the man demanded of the healer who winced, frowning. She cast a glance towards the stairs before she reached out and took Alexa by the arm to gently glide her to the stairs and up into the upper level. Stowing the Princess away within the one room in the whole building built for one person or one pair, with one bed at the center of the room and a few small furnishings, it had been the room that the healer had given Alexa and the father of her child, the same room that the Princess had hidden away within when her parents had forbidden her marriage to Erech.

Sighing, the Princess slowly sank down onto the bed, curling a bit and wrapping her arms around her stomach. Her bright blue eyes slid closed and she settled silently to listen to the scuffle downstairs. The voices were muffled for quite some time though she could tell that both sides were screaming and shouting. After a little while, the voices traveled up the stairs. The healer was furious, “I demand that you get out of my house! There are sick people here! There are people here to be healed! I do not harbor any criminals here now get-out!” the healer screamed at the top of her lungs. However to the reply of the healer came cold laughter and Alexa shivered, closing her eyes tightly. She often tried to hide Erech even more then herself for she feared dearly for the father of her child and it hurt her that their life had wound up twisting so much. She feared that he would try and protect her if the soldiers ever found her, she knew that he would and he would be in trouble for it. Wincing, she bit her lip and slowly she pressed her hands to the bed to sit up slowly with a soft sigh. She wondered now where Erech was at the moment as she cast a glance to the door, knowing that there would be nothing that she could do if the soldiers found her. It seemed that on this night with two weeks of her pregnancy left fortune would once again frown on them. She held her breath, praying that they did not find her. Hundreds of dangerous possibilities flashed through her mind of what could happen to her and her child. What if they beat her? What if they threw her down the stairs? What if they tortured her? What if they killed her all together. Her poor child would not have even a chance at life. She winced, feeling tears sting her eyes at the prospect as she tucked her knees and slowly sat on the bed atop them. It was incredibly hard to comprehend how the hell her life had turned upside down so quickly. One moment she was living in the castle as the Princess. The next she was living in the town like a refugee on the run. A far cry from her old life. While her younger sister Abigail slept in the castle in the wicked King’s bed with the best of provisions life had to offer while her pregnant older sister was forced to weather the new life style in town. The former Queen Liliandil had been imprisoned and Alexa had considered trying to free her, at first. But Black Star had told her to run and she had soon after been able to detect that she was pregnant. She couldn’t afford the risk.

Her eyes slid closed for a moment, holding her breath. Her hands rested against the cover on the bed as she kept her eyes closed tightly, the breath freezing in her lungs. She came to detect the harsh footsteps of the soldiers as they thundered across the top of the landing where her room was situated and tucked away in the corner of the upper level of the healers shop. She bit her lip, truly nervous by this point as she came to stare across at the door and within moments, it swung open with a rather sharp bang. She gasped, straightening swiftly like a board as she glanced up at the man that stood there. He was dressed in a few pieces of chainmail and dark armor but his face was visible. He had black hair and dark piercing eyes. He had a strong jaw line and thick arms. He was tall and obviously strong and the man that flanked him was a few inches shorter but still quite strong. Both men were laced with muscle and both held wicked, glaring and jaunting looks at the Princess who stared up at them with truly honest fright. Her palms became pressed to her stomach and she tucked her chin a bit, showing a bit of submission, not that she wanted to. If it was up to her, she would fight them but now, she had more then one to think about. She had the baby to think about too. She couldn’t afford to let things escape her. She had to keep her cool and perhaps if she showed that she no longer stood for the rise of Ellsinora at the moment, they would spare her. She had gotten no word of Tryphena and nor had she worried for her sister’s sake anymore. She had no clue where she was and the child had not bothered to try and seek out her family through the ordeal. She had all but forgotten about her youngest sister.

Now as she stared up into the eyes of the soldiers, slowly she held her palms out, showing that she held no weapons and planned not to attack them but she would not sit there and let her beat her either. She didn’t plan to die yet. As she stared at the soldiers, they in turn stared at her like they had spotted a sack of jewels. The tallest began to speak, “Well well now, look at what we have found here. The future ‘Queen’ of Ellsinora.” He taunted with a harsh laugh, rolling his eyes, “Future queen my ass.” He spat at Alexa’s feet and her blue eyes flared in anger as she shifted at the bed, turning her head away as the tall soldier approached. Rather suddenly, the healer seemed to appear from nowhere, her hands reaching out to push the soldier’s out of the way, “Out of my way, out of my way!” the healer muttered in fury at the soldiers as she pushed her way to stand in front of the Princess. The tall man gave her a dark look and his hand instantly reached out to clasp the throat of the healer. She gasped and choked, wincing at the pressure at her neck as the soldier grinned and the Princess stood awkwardly but quickly as she reached out to help the poor woman but within an instant the soldier lifted a dagger and slit her throat with a mumble of a gurgle that lifted through the healer’s neck. Alexa screamed, wincing. She pressed back against the wall, her palms pressed to the wood planks as she glanced up at the soldier who laughed once again, “Life is just a big choke to you, isn’t it?” she muttered with a furious glance, “All this killing and violence, it’s just a hilarious to a black hearted man like yourself, hmm?” she hissed at him thoughtfully before she winced, the soldier’s palm flaring out to strike her swiftly across the cheek. She gasped and felt his hands over her body. She shivered and hissed, shoving his hands away. He gave a low growl and wrapped his hands to her arms, rather suddenly tugging her away from the wall before he drug her from the room as she scraped his arm and tried to break free but her opposite arm was wrapped around her stomach. She prayed for the sake of her baby and for her own life, at least to give her child a chance. She was drug out into the hall while the other soldier laughed, kicking her on and threatening to stick the tip of his sword into each ankle if she didn’t get up and move faster. She winced, biting her lip harshly until she tasted the metallic tang of blood on her tongue. She hurried after the soldier, salty tears touching her eyes as she stumbled downstairs, falling to the floor at the base as he tugged her forward from the bottom step. She gasped, panicked. There was a sudden sharp pain in her stomach and she held her breath, “Please, please I won’t fight. I will do whatever you want.” She muttered quickly. She wanted her child to survive. She wanted Erech’s child to survive. She wanted the son or daughter of the ranger to survive. The child had to survive.

Holding her breath the Princess held her hands over her stomach as if she would be able to protect the child simply like this. However she knew better though she still liked to think that there was a chance that she would be able to save her child. Taking a quick breath, she turned her head as she glanced towards the soldier who reached out with one hand, dagger in hand as he hooked it into the handle of the lantern that burned on the table close by. She gave a wide eyed glance and winced, turning her gaze towards the back door before she looked up at the soldier with wide eyes, “Please.” She muttered faintly to the man as she pulled at her arm again and this time, he let go. She rather suddenly stumbled into the form of the shorter man who chuckled and took hold of her, bustling her towards the back door as the taller man set the home ablaze before striding from the back door himself. The shorter of the two shoved the Princess onto the cold hard ground that was lightly iced over. The weather was growing colder with each breath that winter breathed upon the landscape and somewhere in the fray she had lost her fur wrap that had kept her rather warm. She shivered in the colder air and winced as she wrapped her arms around herself once again, glancing over herself for a moment before she suddenly took a breath, the tip of a blade at her neck as she raised her gaze and glanced up at the men. In one moment she began to pray once again, carefully keeping her mouth closed as she refrained from arguing for now and simply stared up into the eyes of the men. Suddenly, calls and shouts from the street around the front of the healer’s home erupted and the men became distracted. She pushed back from the blade across the chilled ground and tucked her skirts around herself. For a moment, the men pondered whether or not to leave the Princess alone and return later with the chance that she had disappeared all over again but finally, the soldiers turned on their heal and darted off towards the front of the shop instead, disappearing from view within moments.

When the soldiers disappeared from view, the Princess stared after them silently for some time, her eyes wide with fear, shock and then rather suddenly at once, relief. She stared after the men thoughtfully for a moment before her hands brushed over her stomach with a wince and she soon after flopped back onto the ground. She laid on her back, feeling the weight of her pregnancy fall in on her. The hard ground at her back and the weight of her growing child atop her now, she felt the chill beginning to close in. Her sleeves were truly not very thick and the cotton dress did little to shield her legs and soon she began to shiver, fearing she might get sick if she stayed out very long but the kind woman that had harbored her for a few weeks was now dead and her home was going up in smoke. She stayed close to the house for a few minutes longer to take in the warmth before slowly she climbed to her feet and weaved her way into the trees instead. She knew that the soldiers would spread the word, the eldest Princess was in town and heavily pregnant. More soldiers would come and so for some time she wouldn’t be able to afford to hide in town in case something of this sort happened again and so she pushed herself further and further into the trees, unaware that she was pressing closer to Allaire herself as her mind began to ponder where Erech was once again.

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[Taske]

The pounding of hoofs and the soft padding of paws could be heard from only a short distance. The girl had trained day in and day out, she had instructed and talked Comet through the many ways to make his hoof falls as silent as hoofs could get, and it has been effective, they could move without must notices, in the woods a large stallion like Comet could be mistaken for a large deer. Taske, well Taske was a wolf and she could walk anywhere without getting much substation. But it was not the movements of Allaire and her companions that the girl was listening for, she had heard screams and violence not to far from her position, and that called in the killer instinct that now lay within her, the instinct that she had been honing.

The girl urged Comet into a faster trot and looked at Taske Scout.[/color]The wolf raced ahead her tail low and her head down. Allaire pulled in her short sword and held it within her left hand and held onto the Stallions mane with her other, she was ready for a battle, her killer instinct blazing within her.

The girl slowed the horse down, whispering softly to his mind, she strained to hear the soft slow steps on someone of heavy set frame coming right at her. She dismounted, pointing farther away looking the horse in the eye, he turned without a word and trotted to where she asked him to go, she on the other hand jumped at a low branch and pulled her small frame up onto the strong branch. She held her short sword to the branch a stretched her body over in wait for who ever it was. But now that the horses hoofs was not marching into her ears Allaire her not one set but two sets of foot falls; one, the heavy set ones, was slow and calculated, the other rushed and almost running, looking for something, most likely looking for the heavy set person, which meant that person was in trouble. The girls mind when on the killing edge just then, her eyes blazing, she would protect who ever that person was.

A dark haired woman soon ran under her branch, memories seemed to flash into the girls mind, memories of when the girl was truly happen, memories of a time when Allaire loved three persons. Allaire shock her head, dismissing the warm feeling, she could not put her finger on the woman but she did know that she knew her and she was in trouble. Soon after the woman past her tree a man rushed out under her tree, trying to grip the woman's arm. That was when Allaire dropped from the tree her short sword within her left hand and pressed to the mans neck, he had stopped his advance and struggled against the girls grip. Allaire pulled back the swords black pressing into the soft skin allowing a small line of crimson blood down her blade. If she was forced to kill him it would not be her first time, she would not feel sorry for the life lost, it was her job, her job to protect those that are important to her.

"So little girl, that is one sharp blade you got there, who are you anyway, only a assassin held that kind of stealth. Who are you, or was you training under? Aurora maybe?" As the man talked to her his hand seemed to snake its way down to his belt where a knife was held, but Allaire missed nothing, and she was also taught to not take chances, Aurora would kill her three times over if she let someone take a weapon out on her while under her swords edge. The girl smiled. "Yes, Aurora is my master, and her number one rule, don't let the pray draw their fangs. With that the girl drew the blade through his neck as the shock on his face developed. The girl let his body drop without another thought to the life she just took. Yes Allaire cared for life, yes she mourned for the lives she had taken, but she always came to terms with that, she only took lives if she or someone else where in danger, never just for the kill.

With the mans body now on the ground the girl wiped her blade on her clock craning her head to hear if any other foot falls sounded in the woods, non. With that Allaire sheathed her sword and called to Comet, he came trotting to her, his nose high, he seemed to be also know something. He then turned to the woman who had stopped to watch the show. Its Alexa![/color]

Allaire looked up her eyes confused. Alexa? The hood that had once covered her face now lay on her back, snowing her neatly braided hair and the earrings in her ears. If the Woman had any thoughts about who the young assassin was there was now little doubt to be had. Alexa would know just by the diamond in her right ear that the strong looking preteen in front of her once was the sickly girl that she had once cared for.

Allaire's emerald eyes brightened as she eyes drifted over her face, it was indeed Alexa's lovely face with her blue eyes, but things has changed, weariness now etched her features and Allaire could see just how under feed the princess was, the little girl looked into her face, her eyes seeming to beg for something, anything, word that told her that she was all right, that she was living the rich life that Allaire had known her to... "Alexa..." The girl stepped closer, studying her face and her now very round middle, she was with child... Then hurt filled the girls eyes, what if Alexa was replacing her, what if she did not want what Allaire had become, the girl had never thought of it that way, she had never thought that Alexa not Erech would not like a killer for a sister or daughter, that they wanted the soft child instead, the child that needed there care, what if they shunned the killer and never wanted to see her again. "Alexa... I...." The little girl dropped her arms to her side and looked down at her booted feet, she had indeed changed a lot over time, not only in body but also in mind, She was stronger and more head strong, but she was still the little girl that she had once been, she still loved them, but could sh see past the blood that now stained her small hands?

Comet came up behind Allaire and draped his head over her should, giving the girl his comfort and looked at Alexa daring his old mistress to harm his new companion, to tell the girl that he loved that she was not needed anymore now that she held the killing edge and now that she had her own child growing within her.

[Desperanza]

The Princess weaved her way through the trees, leaving the burning building behind as well as the rest of the scene. She wanted to help them. She wanted to be able to help her people but now, she couldn’t. Even if she wasn’t pregnant at the moment it would take time and a hell of a large army to create a rising against the King and Queen. It would take a large force to end the rein of the King Magrej and his new bride. She couldn’t do it alone. If she so much as set foot into the streets she would be captured and most likely killed. She winced at the thought and sighed, sinking down at the foot of a tree as her fingers worked at the soil below, her fingers working with the cold soil as she stared at the charred ground. Sorrow filled her gaze as she stared downward thoughtfully. It saddened the eldest Princess to see the state of her kingdom the way it was. It was never the way she had wanted it to be and the royals had not listened and now look, Ellsinora was in ruins. Her features became distraught with pain and sadness as she stared downward for a few long moments before she finally raised her gaze once again, now hearing the footsteps behind her. She instantly came on the alert at the footfalls and stood quickly, her arms wrapped around her stomach as she turned in time to spot Allaire cutting the throat of the man. She winced, backing a few steps. At the moment, she couldn’t process the fact that it was Allaire and she stumbled back a few steps with a wince.

The sight of the ebony haired young woman atop the man with the blade brushing the man’s throat and blood spilling over the girl’s fingers. Alexa held her breath and closed her eyes tightly for a moment, fearing that the young woman was another of the Muration soldiers. Perhaps they had begun to turn on themselves. She half expected to be dead within a few moments and winced as she closed her eyes tightly for a moment before she glanced back to the girl again as she stood from the now dead man to face Alexa. Alexa’s eyes flitted open and she came to send a glance towards the girl silently, watching her thoughtfully for a moment before she settled herself again with a small sigh. She watched her thoughtfully for a moment, glancing over the stained hands and the short sword to the earrings in the girl’s ears. At first, she did not recognize the young woman, her head inclined slightly as she watched her silently before narrowing her eyes at the diamond in the girl’s here before she gasped, her eyes growing wide for a moment as she glanced to the bright green eyes, the ebony hair. She smiled slightly and released her breath in a bit of a rush. When the girl said her name, she knew. It was Allaire. She lifted her chin a bit higher and offered a faint smile as she glanced over her briefly before she winced, her smile flickering a bit as she watched her thoughtfully before she offered a small smile again, “What has happened to you, child?” she asked her quietly. No way was there any chance that Black Star had told her this. Black Star was in prison and though Alexa had believed that the girl had been shipped off with the rest of the Grellon this apparently was not so. She was studying from one of the assassins of Murate.

Instinctively she wrapped her arms around her stomach with a wince at the thought, taking another step back before she fell still again as she watched Allaire thoughtfully and though she offered a smile, she felt a slight case of nerves as well. Living on the run for some months now had put her on edge. Her child was due soon, she couldn’t afford to trust any she knew little about and at the moment it was evident that she knew little about Allaire any longer. With the blood on her hands and the short sword at her hip, she sighed, “It has been so long, Allaire. When did you, when did you go to that side?” she asked her quietly, asking when Allaire had chosen to side with Murate as that was how it looked at the moment. Studying from one of the most skilled assassins in the world that served as a Murate assassin she was wary. She inclined her head a bit and watched the girl thoughtfully for a moment, “I thought that you had been shipped off like the rest of the Grellon when Black Star sent them off.” She stated with a small sigh as she watched Allaire silently for a moment now, confusion lighting within her eyes as she watched Allaire silently now.

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[Taske]

Allaire was about to just call Taske and leave, it was apparent that she was not wanted anymore, that the new Allaire in front of Alexa was not what she wanted. Hurt filled the girls face, it hurt that she not only missed time with Alexa and Erech and Black Star but she was now rejected in her attempt to become someone that Alexa could lean on, someone that could help and not just get in the way. The girl turned to Comet, putting her face into his large chest. The horse snorted still looking the woman in the eyes, he was waiting for her to speak then, to say what the little girl did fear, and once she did he would take Allaire away and give her the comfort that she needed in the rejection. When Alexa did speck he almost whisked her away right then and there. Allaire stopped him, she placed her hand on his neck and petted him softly, the girl knew that the horse was thinking, she lived with him long enough, but she had to face her loved one, she had to face Alexa and show her who she had become and why...

The girl turned, her face set in a line, the mask of the assassin she called it, the same mask she used to Aurora when the woman was beating down the girl with her eyes. Allaire he learned to hid her true feelings early, Aurora had never liked the show of strong emotions and Allaire adapted to it. She looked at the woman who mattered so much to her and who she used to matter to... "I did what I had to do, I had to get strong." Another pain shot into the girl as Alexa watched her with weary eyes and even stepped back from her, as if Allaire was some sort of wild Beast that was unpredictable, and needed room in order not to attack. The girl looked down again her mask slipping a bit, pain filled her eyes.

And then it hit her, she was studding under a very accomplished Murate assassin, so it was a intuitive leap to say that she herself was a Murate assassin, but it was not so, she was only training, she has not and will never go before the king himself and swear service. No Allaire was never going to kill for gold, nor for fame, she only killed for her life or the life of others. "No Alexa, I am not part of that side, I may be training my body to kill and be able to walk in shadows, but I have not sworn my loyalty to any king that held slaves under his grip and I would never kill any who look for a better life, why would I? My own mother and father where once slaves and that would be a slap to there faces if I helped the very 'ruler' who enslaved them." The girl clinched her fists her heart pounding silently in her chest, she wished this would be quick, if Alexa did not want her then why not say it, why make the little girl that had been though so much in her life have to suffer the loss of the only thing that matter to her life and the only thing that made her hard life worth anything...

The girl looked up, looking into Alexa's face, she gave a weak smile, if she was not going to make the 'kill' swift she might as well cut her own flesh. "No I was not moved, hell I did not even know the Grellon where still not in there old homes until you told me, I had been gone since the night of that hurricane, but it seems that you never looked for me... I see now, now that you have your own baby and Erech you don't need me anymore. I was only something that you took pity on, I must have never meant anything to you!" The girl griped Comet's mane and turned her back on one of the only people who meant everything to her. "I guess Aurora was right, I am a fool to think that a little sickly orphan could ever mean anything to anyone...."

[Erech]

The green cloak fluttered in the cold, brisk winds of the mountains. The Ranger had been sent out to collect firewood, he obliged and did as the healer told him. If Alexa was not kept warm she would sure contract illness and with only two weeks left until her due date, Erech and Alexa couldn't take that risk. Ellesar's paw crunhced in the soft snow of the woods beside Erech. The collection of firewood was quickly brought to a stop as Ellesar's advanced ears heard something, an occurance at the temporary home. Alerting Erech with a quiet bark, the Ranger instantly knew something was wrong. Dropping the wood he had held in his arms, he and Ellesar darted towards the small shack they had called 'home'.

Arriving at the edge of the woods, Erech's piercing eyesight viewed the burning house, and a guard stood before the flaming building. Erech's eyes widened and he breathed in harshly. His mind fueled with anger, Alexa was inside that house. The Muratian Soldier had gone too far this time. Instantly reaching out for his bow, he notched an arrow and pulled the string back harshly. His accuracy was perfect and when so much emotion filled his mind, the shot was more than perfect. The arrow was released, spiralling in the air it penetrated the soldiers forehead. Striking straight through the skull, the brain and protruding out the back of his head. The soldier fell to the ground. Erech stepped out, Ellesar darted towards a set of footprints leading to the woods.

Erech rushed over, studying the footprints it showed two sets. These were either Alexa and the Healers or their was another Muratian Soldier following Alexa. However, Alexa had definately passed through this way. Silently stalking the tracks, Ellesar and Erech came into sight of a large male body laid limp upon the ground. That was no regular kill, that was professional. Erech's eyes widened again as he came to see sight of Alexa stood with another woman, a stallion and a wolf that had approached. No doubt that was Allaire, Comet and Taske.

Ellesar immediately rushed over, pouncing on Taske. Taske had grown, but Ellesar still a little larger, they rolled upon the ground. Erech walked forwards, his eyes fixed on Allaire with the occasion switch to Alexa. "Long time no see Allaire. Alexa... Your okay." Erech released a sigh of relief as Alexa seemed unharmed. However, Allaire seemed somewhat upset, an eerie feel spread through Erech's body.

He walked over to Allaire, stroking Comet before he placed his hand on Allaire's shoulder. "It seems you've learnt much in your absence. An Assassin I hear. You've been missed Allaire." Erech drifted his hands from her shoulder as he walked over to Alexa, placing his hand upon her stomach as he approached before lifting his arms into a hug. The moment was quick and Erech was filled with relief. Ellesar and Taske still played upon the snowy floor.

[Desperanza]

The Princess looked across at Allaire thoughtfully for a few moments, her arms settled on her stomach still. Her stomach was growing ever more then the usual. She simply figured at the moment that she was simply bearing an awfully large son for Erech which pleased her. Perhaps she would have a son that took after him after all. Sighing, she closed her eyes slowly for a moment before she glanced back to Allaire again with a faint smile at her words as she nodded slowly but she became rather taken aback when the child lashed out at her. She gave a sharp glance of surprise to the girl as she stepped back to lean against a tree, catching her breath for a moment as she felt a sudden wave of exhaustion before it passed and she sighed, closing her eyes slowly for a moment before she glanced back to the girl once again with a sad smile as she shook her head, “You obviously know nothing of what I felt for you then, Allaire. Has time made you vain?” she inquired, her tone gentle and inquiring once again as she glanced off at the young girl thoughtfully before she sighed.

Her gaze turned as Erech rather suddenly came upon the scene and her features were instantly washed with relief at the sight as she stared up at him with a soft smile this time. Her cheeks flushed and paled a bit as she reached out quickly to him, glancing at Allaire briefly before she gasped softly and simply came to fold her arms around her stomach again at another rather sudden shift within herself. She prayed that there had been no damage when the soldiers had attacked her as she glanced over her own growing stomach before she sighed, her eyes drifting closed. The pregnancy was taking a toll on her but still she pushed on, defiant. She had worked hard the whole pregnancy to be sure that she delivered the best and most healthy child possible to Erech and she would accept no less. She was worried and the lines etched her lovely face now as she worried for her little one tucked away within her womb. She was distracted, finding it hard to focus as she glanced back to Allaire again, allowing the ranger and the child to greet each other with a faint smile as she fought not to slide right back down to the ground again and simply closed her eyes again until Erech came before her.

Her eyes flitted open once more as she heard him drift closer and a smile lit her features, satisfied that he was still safe. She reached out to him, embracing him as best she could she greeted him with a brief and sweet kiss before addressing Allaire once again with a soft sigh as she gathered her strength a bit once again, “My darling I have always cared for you. I loved you and when Black Star took you from me, I was hurt. I thought that you had gone to the island after the storm and yet here you stand, skilled further then I ever thought you could be and I am proud that you have not let yourself slip to the wicked side for that is not a life that I would have imagined for such a beautiful young woman as yourself. You have grown indeed Allaire and I see that your friends have grown too. I only wish the best for you, you will only have to excuse me I have been feeling a little worn down for some time. You startled me and I worried briefly when you said that you studied under Aurora. She is a killer, Allaire. I just do not want you to get swept up in her lifestyle.” She replied with a heavy sigh as she looked across at the child thoughtfully before sending a glance to Erech for a moment instead.

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[Taske]

Allaire looked down at her feet, her eyes only on the horses flank, tears have strung at her eyes. Yes time had made her heart hurt, long months of solitude in the woods and then in the temple getting bruised by weapons, and pushing her body past the pain of her heart, yes time has made the once little sweet girl into someone different, someone who could take there pain that used to cripple her, but the emotional pain that now stung her seemed to much, it stung to think that she didn't matter to the only person that mothered her after her mothers death, and the sting of rejection as that mother figure did not reach to embrace her, that only stood at a distance. Yes Allaire had killed, yes she had taken lives but never of anyone who was innocent. The girl leaned her face against the horses shoulder, wiping her face into his fur, he smelled of horse sweat, no doubt from the long ride to get here, that almost seemed wasted. This was not the reunion that she had thought...

A small woof sounded from the ground, Allaire looked up from Comet's shoulder and looked the wolf in the face. Taske flicked a ear seeing Allaire's distress but did not see anything about that caused it, and the wolf did not smell the sickness on her so it was not an attack that brought the tears. "What is it Taske?" The wolf woofed again and then went into her report. The village was not safe, solders where in every home and burning the places down. She looked back at Alexa and then back at the wolf, they could go and help, there where no more then ten solders...

Then Taske stepped back her head popping up as a gray shadow darted from the trees. Taske's tail popped up in a large wave as she raced to meet the other wolf. There was only one beast that Taske responded like that to, Ellesar, and Ellesar never strayed far from his master Erech. The girl looked up as the ranger walked in from the trees and looked over the scene a small frown on his face, but without hesitation unlike Alexa he strode over to the girl and placed his hand on the girls shoulder. Allaire looked up at him not knowing what to say then more tears filled her eyes, that was all she ever wanted, all she wanted was affection from the people she loved, her family. But it seemed that Allaire was not the only one who hardened with time, the world around her had, the world that once to used to be light was now growing dark and the people in that world have to adapt.

The girl wiped at her tears, the harsh words that seemed to build in her slipping away, she did not have the heart to say anything cruel anymore, she did not have the heart to accuse Alexa anymore, even though that sting still lingered, she feared that if she put more words to it that it would be true, that if she spoke more of her fears of rejection that everything that seemed to be held up on shaky poles would come tumbling down on her... "How can you say that Erech, when Alexa cant even be near me? How can you, Alexa, say that you still love me when you treat me like I'm an animal ready to attack? I still love you Alexa and you keeping your distance hurts." tears flowed down her face, her fragile young feelings are straining to stay in check, something that was slipping quickly. So here she stood, her harsh words past, her heart open to two of thee people that are important to her, to reject or accept the way she is. Everything has a price....

[Erech]

The kiss was received with an inviting smile as Alexa greeted Erech. He quickly removed his thikc, green Ranger cloak and placed it around Alexa's shoulders, it was far too big for her, which would increase the area it covered, folding in and trapping the heat. Erech simply watched as the two women spoke to each other. However, as Allaire spoke out again, Erech stepped in with his rough voice he spoke out.

"Allaire, how can you doubt Alexa's love for you? It's merely the shock of the transformation, its going to take some getting used to. We still care for you like we did back then, but many things have changed Allaire. Murate's reign has fallen over Ellsinora and we Ellsinorian's left roaming these lands are struck with hungry and homlessness. Everything we had taken away from us. This isn't the time to act in such manner. Allaire, your no longer the young, sick girl and to see you in such a state of body and mind, comes to a shock for both of us. In these times of corruption and darkness, we should see the light in all forms, give it time and things will return back to the old times. Allaire, you never left our family, you will always be counted as one of us."

Erech's speech was filled with emotion, he hated the fact he could do nothing about Murate's invasion, he hated the fact he and his heavily pregnant lover was on the run and he detested the fact Magrej had won. Ellsinora had fallen and all of the land was under Murate's ruling, the only havens free from his reign was the foreign lands across the Dirya Sea. However, without a ship for transportation across water, such dreams of a new life crumbled. Erech would protect Alexa and they would find a place, a safe place and Allaire was welcome to join them.

[Desperanza]

Alexa gasped. Allaire’s words stung her shrilly and the growing stress that surrounded her made her feel sick. The pregnancy had been hard on her. It had worn her down on more than one occasion and she knew that she wasn’t necessarily avoiding Allaire but at the moment the support from the tree was helping her but now as Allaire spoke, she in turn began to feel the sting of the girl’s words. She offered a faint sigh and thanked Erech softly as his cape became wrapped around her. Thankful for the support her slender hands came forward to take hold of the edge of his cape thankfully but slowly she sank down the trunk of the tree to sit on the ground. Her eyes drifted closed for a moment with a painful sigh before she cast a glance towards Erech and Allaire thoughtfully. She remained silent for a while as she tucked her legs beneath herself and the cloak became wrapped around her once more. She couldn’t seem to find the words that she wanted to say. Allaire had seemed to grow bitter and detached. She seemed to think that she knew what everyone felt however she heard nothing of the old Allaire. The Allaire that she had once known. The sweet young girl that had never held a bitter thought for much of anyone and yet now was letting loose words that she wondered if even Allaire understood. She watched Allaire silently for a few moments before she sighed and turned her cheek to the rough bark. If only Allaire knew, if only she understood because she didn’t. She didn’t understand that they were under the rein of Magrej. Alexa no longer had an easy life. She had been running for her life for at least half a year now. She was heavily pregnant with twins and with the winter bearing down things were growing tougher. Food was scarce and there were barely any homes for anyone to live in. What did this child have to complain about? She had disappeared from the face of the earth to return and tell them that she was studying from a Murate assassin, tell them all what they thought and felt and expect things to be the same? She sighed, biting her lip. She wondered if perhaps Allaire still expected things to be as they were when she was a child when she was now a preteen instead. She thought to answer her, to reply and yet, she didn’t. She had nothing to say. She rather got the solid fear that Allaire would simply continue, that she would continue to believe that Alexa didn’t care, Nothing seemed to get through Allaire’s mind anymore. Vain indeed. It was sad to see that the once good hearted child had chosen to now become a cold killer. One who didn’t feel for the lives that she took but her words suddenly surprised her, that she only took the lives of those who deserved it. At the moment, she was wondering how one decided these things. How a person, a young girl of all people had the means to decide who did and did not deserve to live. Despite that fact, she sighed, closing her eyes instead as her arms folded around her stomach once more as she held her breath briefly before glancing back to the pair once again with a small sigh, “Things have changed, Allaire. Black Star is gone and the world is in chaos. You aren’t a child anymore and it pains me to see you have become so bitter. Questioning my love for you is a painful thing but if you must then fine. I wish this was not the world that you had come to return to.” She stated quietly with a small sigh, falling silent once again as she lowered her gaze again instead, feeling the cold hard ground beneath herself she stared downwards thoughtfully for a moment now.

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[Taske]

Allaire let go of the pain and slide to the ground, she had indeed become bitter in the two years, She did not know how, she had always been confident that the people she chose to love loved her back, but everything was ruined, she should have never left, she should have stayed the frail little girl that everyone wanted, maybe then she would still feel the love that was said was there, but no she only felt the coldness of the blood on her hands, she didn't even fell Comet at her back, she did not hear Taske's playful pants or the small wine that came from the wolf as she saw her master slide to the ground. How could everything go so terrible wrong with one choice to become someone that could help them? And now the only thing that she got for her years of pain and effort was the bitter edge of loss, oh yes she had become bitter, bitter to the fact that she had not heard heads of tails of anyone, no one wondering where the sick little had gotten to, not even Black Star who would have sent people to look, and now she comes back to find the praise and gentile words of people who loved her. Oh yes, everything has a price, and she seemed to pay the most.

The girl's heart ached, the shield that she built about her heart had broken and the pain of loneliness and loss filled her and pushed the girl in a small ball. She was a fool, she was a fool to think that things where the same, she had saw the signs that things where not, the forest about her was dieing, solders burned down citizen homes, no things had changed into the life she had had for two years, things had changed everything into Murate. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She repeated it over and over, the bitterness of the killer that she had become falling away to revile the young girl that she was, the girl that felt every life that she had taken, knowing there ghosts would fallow her, oh did she know, she had blocked them, keeping them away with her shields, with the thought that she was going good and protecting people. But it all was useless, she was a child with a broken heart, with the pain and blood of each of her kills woven into her mind and body. Oh everything had its price, she was just hiding from it for so long.

She would understand if both Erech and Alexa left her like that, she would understand if they never wanted to see her again, she would understand. But her heart would not be the same, she had changed, she had hardened, but she was still the little girl that needed human love, she was still the little girl that was sick, she was still easily hurt by rejection. Would they leave her scared with the rejection of who she had become? Everything had a price, but where they willing to change the last bit of the sweet girl they had once known in the bitter girl that they saw? Where they willing to step back and turn the girl into the cold blooded killer they did not want her to be? Oh yes everything had a price, and this one could change her back or charge her forward.

[Erech]

Erech watched as Alexa took more comfort seated at the foot of the tree she was leaning on. He knew the weight of pregnancy was a burden that sapped her strength. He could only stand and watch as Allaire broke down, apologising repeatidly. Erech sighed and with his piercing blue eyes, he looked at Allaire, he then switched his glance to Alexa and finally back to Allaire. His eyes were averted again as he took sight of Ellesar and Taske playing upon the snowy ground, their otherwise dark fur, not spotted with white as the snow clung to their fur.

"We should all take a leaf from their books. No matter how much time passes, a bond should remain strong. Allaire, come here."

Erech spoke confidently, he knew the situation was glooming with every second and he had to do something about it. he then walked over to Allaire, placing his hand on her shoulder he smiled. His arm then slide across the back of her neck and to her opposite shoulder. She was tugged forwards into a hug. The big-brother Ranger held his younger sister figure tightly in his arms. Whispering into her ear.

"Alexa is emotionally stressed, don't worry she will resume to normal given time. But it's good to have you back with us. Your like a little sister to me and I shall not let you leave us like that again."

[Desperanza]

Wincing, the princess sighed and closed her eyes slowly with a shiver. Her eyes flitted open once more only to the sound of Allaire’s apologies as she glanced towards the girl with a wince. Slowly, her hands came to press to the ground as she stood slowly to trail forward and kneel at Erech’s side with a brief bit of trouble before she relaxed slowly with a soft sigh, resting a hand at Erech’s back as she glanced up at the man thoughtfully before she turned her gaze back to Allaire instead with a soft sigh as she folded her other arm around Allaire with a faint smile as she tucked the girl closer into their embrace with a faint smile. She closed her eyes slowly for a moment as she tucked her head a bit, taking a few slow breaths within the chilled outer air but the cloak around her seemed to radiate the heat from her own body right back at her and though she felt like nestling right into a ball in the cloak or simply tucking into Erech’s arms for a while but she refrained for now.

Though Allaire’s words stung her, she said nothing. She had nothing to say at this point. Allaire was different and she didn’t believe a thing that Alexa said. Alexa was to have her children soon and she was quite preoccupied with the coming birth of her child, or so she thought it was just a rather large son of the ranger but instead she held two within her. Now as she sat with the pair she glanced between Erech and Allaire for a moment before she sighed softly and stood slowly with a wince, gathering her balance before she backed a few steps as she folded her arms over herself and tucked the cloak closer. She cast a glance towards town for a moment, able to see the smoke billowing into the sky from where she stood and it appeared over the tops of the leafless trees.

The healer’s inn had been one of the only buildings left standing and had needed repairs after the fire. It was a place that many people came to for a place to stay though most of the time they faked illness of some sort as she would have to send them out if someone ill actually did come along for she was a healer after all. When Alexa had come to her she had happily taken the Princess and her ranger in. She had stowed the pair away for a while and now, it was gone. The whole building, the healer murdered along with many other people that had been murdered by this point. She felt tears sting her eyes at the thought. The world that her children were being born into was not pleasant at all and she was scared. For a few moments she was immersed with worries for her coming children, she was worried for Erech and she was even worried Ellesar when he wandered out. She felt nerves rack her frame and winced, sinking against a tree again as she closed her eyes slowly with a soft sigh.

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