"What part of: She needs to see us, don't you understand?" He waved his hand in a dismissive floppy manner. 1061Please respect copyright.PENANAnn2HFjwPoC
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA0No3F5CDWO
"Now where is it?" He rummaged though several pouched on his belt before pulling out a short stopped bottle.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAXHZrnHbFR2
He opened it, sat down, then stuck two pointer fingers into the neck. Granting he stretched it, then repeated this until the bottle was a large shallow cup. Opening a water skin he poured some in until it reached the rim.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA6xGJSIY4wC
"What's it do?" This was different then what the people back home had.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA0RBkEPfsAt
"Cory needs water to see us clearly and transport. If both the caster and the trasported have water her spell will be far stronger."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAPTAbs13BzE
"Oh. Why?"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAtH77dEeIIN
"Each human family prays to a different spirit and each has a different element. Understand?"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA7ECn5pY8Mk
"Ahh, kind of. So, no dark ones?
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAZ328JyOCPJ
"None."
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She frowned. How'd they keep all that straight?
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAjPsYUKBGEC
"Never mind, just trust me. Both of you stand in the water and take my hands."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAjALO9svXpz
"A warm bath without blood and an ale, and soft bed. Armor first thing got to get a new set." She muttered this under her breath.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANArm5YYXmLGR
She slipped her hand into his. Han takes hers and Parcival's free one.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAMhDlxQ13g0
"Cory we are ready hurry!"
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A woman's face appeared on the water.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA7yb8np7cWE
"Well, you did it, I'm impressed."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAaspHYo26hB
Corry walked out of view, brought back a staff and held it into the air. She chanted and spun the staff one handed the crystal at its end turned red, then shot a red beam onto a gnarled tree.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA4LwLBawP4M
In the middle of its trunk a iridescent portal appeared.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANARNj6SpqRC4
The water under Parcival swirled under his feet before sucking him in. He vanished. The same happened to Han a moment later. Did the mage's eyes narrow or was it the sun?
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAcRjqdyEJCf
The water spun under her feet pulled her under, and spit her out the portal. She landed on soft grass.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAuzBBFaIPwx
"Raimo requested that you see him. Better hurry or daddy will cut off your allowance."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA8OMvOnatPm
He visibly brustled and squared his shoulders.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAptyzTSOgnS
"At least... Never mind, we are all tired. Thank you."
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"There's a real nice clothing and armor merchant not far from here. Follow."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANABwxuNVyIQh
He lead her and the cat-man, though the winding streets in the city, into the more richly decorated area deep in its center.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAww6YlEMgL3
An indoor armor shop had hundreds of armor sets on stands and seperate pieces hanging on the walls.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAVTX35SiBsU
"Morning glory to you!" An older man said.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAngv2NeZ1Eu
"No need to get so formal." Parcival ran his fingers through his hair and laughed a little. "Look around."
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"I'm paying you back, she said.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAEw4Zh0e5fH
Before he could say anything she wagged a finger by his nose.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAk4InVyp9Hb
I won't take any answer, but yes."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANArR3AYKQggd
She went around the shop twice, most of the armor was for men. Hight wasn't the problem, width was, they were far to wide.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAciOUgJLkrV
Just as she started to leave sunlight reflected off of a pile of leather buckles and straps near the doorway.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANADB890uta2S
Digging through at the bottom a plain leather chest piece showed; flat and thicker on the front to protect the breastbone. The side buckles were long, but should work.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAG8kxRVWs4n
"You like?" The merchant came over, with his hands together and a smile.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAx8DkOsTwn3
"Pay him."
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"Why leather again?" He handed the man a small opal.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA4ClEPN1ziu
"Ah. Ah. Most welcome. Good day to you both." The merchant scuttled back to his chair in the back.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAbx6cPhbD3V
"It's lighter and moves better." She wiggled into it and fasioned the buckles. Nice, this one had more room at the shoulders.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAmrUFBRhxBk
Han had waited outside, and was leaning against the shop wall naping.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAxFkM32IhIm
She patted his sholder.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAmi0dkvyIGQ
He streched arms over his head, "All done?"
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She nodded.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAoL4wDVkbja
Parcival lead the way to a finely furnished inn, then registered at the desk, and paid the innkeep who handed the keys over.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA4LAnMs8pbA
Inside the plush chairs, fine window drapes, and sent of vanilla was calming. Even a few candles were lit at the tables.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANANZlxxinFVX
Parcival tossed Han a key.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA9A2NPSbgpb
"Good night." He hopped up the stairs and left.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANADmFO3nDUJo
"We need to talk, come."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAuLIcUCE8B7
Great. Now what?
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAh5vojMwDmt
Upstairs he unlocked the door and held it open. He seemed serious, his face blank. Should just leave. Right now. Come on, move. She moved alright, into the stupid room.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA48tsiCW3cV
A four poster bed was against the wall, with plush covers and a ridiculously deep mattress. Near the left of the lavish window a small couch.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA4b5KV0jZrD
A table at the end of the room sat a bowl overflowing with exotic fruits. Platters of breads, cheeses, meats overflow the table. Along with several bottles of wine.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAlPxGb9XsKN
Oh, gods. She turned and eyed him.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAiyHbceowVD
He closed the door, it clicked shut. He spun her around and kissed her forehead, her cheek, and lovely on her lips.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAB8sveMg8HI
Her breath froze in her chest, as did the rest if her. A flush heated her cheeks. Run? Slap him? Punch? Hold him?
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAbkkM7aM6EV
Those blue eyes softened and so did she. Still, this was far from proper!
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA33T2mI2WvD
"Slap me if you like, though after almost losing you a few slaps is nothing."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAqJrHV6zSGI
"I..."
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"I refuse to apologize for how I feel. I'll stop now, don't want to push you away." He held out a gentle look spread on his face.
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"Um." The design on the blanket suddenly became fascinating, and she ran her fingers over its cool softness.
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He scooted closer and touched her arm.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAvl2dJwYLNx
She jumped, flailed her arms, rolled off the bed, and landed on the floor.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAYnHIEnQkXp
He got up and kneeled on the pads of his feet, his brows up and corners of lips twitching.
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"You all right?" His voice one of that who was suppressing a laugh.
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"I'm fine." Gods.
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He helped her up.
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They spent an hour or so just talking.
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Back in her room, she striped down to the undershirt and fell asleep.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAWSjUmLyAmX
The next morning, a bang on the door, then another. Ugg. Opening the door a strange man stood there leering.
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"You're under arrest, filthy Elvin!"
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"What are you talking about?"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAh9kdxjJNrD
He grabbed her forearm yanking her out. "Now!"
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"I haven't done anything, unhand me, stupid human!" Her fingers twitched. Punch him.
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"Lying harlot! The watch tower guards had seen you try to assassinate Sir. Raimo this morning, Do not deny it!"
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"Are you crazy?"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANACzYJmVWRSi
Ignoring her, he pushed, and yanked her towards the city dungeon on the south end.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAEbQRDWFCEL
Then tossed her into the cell, slamming the bars shut, and locking it.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANATggVA5c1oq
Letting out a breath she was holding in she sat down on the bench. Insane, they've gone insane.
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Several hours passed. The light that came in from tiny barred cell window had faded.
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She paced from wall to wall. What to do?
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The guard from before came back caring a bowl of nasty brown glop.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAZiSp5wPZBr
Calling the shadows quietly from Kage, she hid near the door.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAxyNRHGLDUF
He stared at the cell before dropping the bowl; shattering it.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAg9fLUA8uEQ
"She escaped? He's not going to like this." He ran back up, sounds of shouting filtered down. Many footsteps running about up there.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANA6nArKQ2wOo
She carefully eased past the cell door, he left open, unable to suppress a chuckle.
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She dodged the guards that raced though the hallways.
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There! Large double doors were wide open with several guards standing ready. It wouldn't do any good.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAy3AFsZnEHD
Squeaking past, she snuck away and stayed close to the houses near the city's surrounding wall.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAnOj6R1ha6b
Hope the others are alright.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANApewrKN1TIN
She groaned. Well, check the inn first. The spell of hidden had started to run out, she prayed again.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAt0trONYss7
Kage appeared and held out a phantom hand. Ah, a cost this time. She placed hers on his. His solidified and he siphoned away half her energy.
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"Kind Kage I thank you."
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He gave a small nod and disappeared.
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After wandering through the city for a short time, her breath became ragged. She leaned against a heavy crate and rested.
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A widespread bazaar spanned. Amidst the people going to and fro, a figure in a black cape walked though, then disappeared between two buildings.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAuoryTdp7YZ
hedgeing along the side of the buildings she followed.
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The figure knocked on the back door of the house.
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It opened.
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A tan hand reached out, seized him, and yanked him inside slamming the door shut.
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Two guards rushed past the alleyway, "Raimo is offering a bounty of 5000 irons for the woman's head! I'll split it with you when we catch her!"
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAdYy8uLhlYP
She shivered. But, but ...
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAJUvGLAXsXH
"We better hurry, the others are looking for the assassin to."
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAbyKU7NtLl8
Oh, gods. She rubbed her wrist with her hand and held a breath, tensing up as they passed buy.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAm5wqk9jWHy
A flashing object moved in front of the window in the house.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAlclsGyJoMr
Moving closer to it, she peered through. What was that? The room was empty.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAiFYYlERWEU
She tiptoed over to the door, opening it slowly.
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The daylight filtered in though another window on the right this broke the shadows into strange shapes, they darted about.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAYgtnDrXi5a
Not a room held anything or anyone. Out of breath again, she leaned against a closet door in the hallway.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAVZQikarwon
It fliped out under her then tossed her inside a strange room. The
fake door closed again.
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Stifling a scream, she searched the wall.
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Behind a wall slid away, flooding the closet with light, blinding her.
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After her eyes adjusted she entered the creepy stark room, it's all gray, including a stairway that went up. So much for going to the inn.
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As she climbed the stairs the ones behind vaporized into wispy puffs.
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Her legs threatened to buckle under from exhaustion. The spell of hidden pulled away.
1061Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0to8IBVZy
Time became meaningless, all there was; the next step.