"What part of: She needs to see us, don't you understand?" He waved his hand in a dismissive floppy manner. 784Please respect copyright.PENANA30CbSaXidN
784Please respect copyright.PENANAm1L7dDkfgR
"Now where is it?" He rummaged though several pouched on his belt before pulling out a short stopped bottle.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAj2ZOVSr9Jv
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.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA2BKAKFu6fv
"What's it do?" This was different then what the people back home had.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAu3X00eASpz
"Cory needs water to see us clearly and transport. If both the caster and the trasported have water her spell will be far stronger."
784Please respect copyright.PENANA92nvl3LpnS
"Oh. Why?"
784Please respect copyright.PENANAxJ1KLdKCca
"Each human family prays to a different spirit and each has a different element. Understand?"
784Please respect copyright.PENANA65Pk3oPVU3
"Ahh, kind of. So, no dark ones?
784Please respect copyright.PENANAiPwoRPzJLg
"None."
784Please respect copyright.PENANACdz7lKPhoj
She frowned. How'd they keep all that straight?
784Please respect copyright.PENANA2AAFshAohP
"Never mind, just trust me. Both of you stand in the water and take my hands."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAZz18zq4e36
"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.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAzLIRJRmvc2
She slipped her hand into his. Han takes hers and Parcival's free one.
784Please respect copyright.PENANArhUUD3Hv1E
"Cory we are ready hurry!"
784Please respect copyright.PENANASakdtv4rc4
A woman's face appeared on the water.
784Please respect copyright.PENANASycerJON9N
"Well, you did it, I'm impressed."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAYBaLP9AtI8
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.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAm8B118cAef
In the middle of its trunk a iridescent portal appeared.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAaLY8sKAues
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?
784Please respect copyright.PENANAnkEp3TLgAR
The water spun under her feet pulled her under, and spit her out the portal. She landed on soft grass.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAxZoU0O6Hk6
"Raimo requested that you see him. Better hurry or daddy will cut off your allowance."
784Please respect copyright.PENANArtc11EAPdo
He visibly brustled and squared his shoulders.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA4FjwbE4U9a
"At least... Never mind, we are all tired. Thank you."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAruCA7VIoRI
"There's a real nice clothing and armor merchant not far from here. Follow."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAMvKskYi252
He lead her and the cat-man, though the winding streets in the city, into the more richly decorated area deep in its center.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAQdFGlcL3Kn
An indoor armor shop had hundreds of armor sets on stands and seperate pieces hanging on the walls.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAts4pFphdID
"Morning glory to you!" An older man said.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAQTBP8yozai
"No need to get so formal." Parcival ran his fingers through his hair and laughed a little. "Look around."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAn5VAJe5rLK
"I'm paying you back, she said.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAjtn7RPYn0c
Before he could say anything she wagged a finger by his nose.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAdgUJLP28oE
I won't take any answer, but yes."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAxW9Xo9UlFk
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.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAzsiNXq8joV
Just as she started to leave sunlight reflected off of a pile of leather buckles and straps near the doorway.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA1Gq6AsMCyQ
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.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAMhgVLIFISH
"You like?" The merchant came over, with his hands together and a smile.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAc63nDHlh10
"Pay him."
784Please respect copyright.PENANA3IfUyl3nlL
"Why leather again?" He handed the man a small opal.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAGXI0ZNF3Qw
"Ah. Ah. Most welcome. Good day to you both." The merchant scuttled back to his chair in the back.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAWSUb4R4ys9
"It's lighter and moves better." She wiggled into it and fasioned the buckles. Nice, this one had more room at the shoulders.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA3X3VQ7CvFa
Han had waited outside, and was leaning against the shop wall naping.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAA2iDL7S9Xy
She patted his sholder.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA3PTP6Wkj3N
He streched arms over his head, "All done?"
784Please respect copyright.PENANAaCyRmMG9Gk
She nodded.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAf3krJyUwVZ
Parcival lead the way to a finely furnished inn, then registered at the desk, and paid the innkeep who handed the keys over.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAFwX2EfNnUQ
Inside the plush chairs, fine window drapes, and sent of vanilla was calming. Even a few candles were lit at the tables.
784Please respect copyright.PENANANLUp4yTvCl
Parcival tossed Han a key.
784Please respect copyright.PENANApcEyrmPrJa
"Good night." He hopped up the stairs and left.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAa8i9hkybQS
"We need to talk, come."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAT2rSqpaPk2
Great. Now what?
784Please respect copyright.PENANAf9KoX95AjU
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.
784Please respect copyright.PENANApYYVh5Zvgs
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.
784Please respect copyright.PENANACAZIT3g2v0
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.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAMFIYvSMbuW
Oh, gods. She turned and eyed him.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAFE2UlKWuRP
He closed the door, it clicked shut. He spun her around and kissed her forehead, her cheek, and lovely on her lips.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAFHEvUU72La
Her breath froze in her chest, as did the rest if her. A flush heated her cheeks. Run? Slap him? Punch? Hold him?
784Please respect copyright.PENANAQdWKvmBu8R
Those blue eyes softened and so did she. Still, this was far from proper!
784Please respect copyright.PENANA27QeMfMe2a
"Slap me if you like, though after almost losing you a few slaps is nothing."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAqJsCcB7vOv
"I..."
784Please respect copyright.PENANA89bVyvG5rK
"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.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAn6l2iXMgcN
"Um." The design on the blanket suddenly became fascinating, and she ran her fingers over its cool softness.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAQfE8stWIvc
He scooted closer and touched her arm.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAr67YdQyCuA
She jumped, flailed her arms, rolled off the bed, and landed on the floor.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAEu81iLvU7Y
He got up and kneeled on the pads of his feet, his brows up and corners of lips twitching.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAkAeorAoSLC
"You all right?" His voice one of that who was suppressing a laugh.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAh0KcCdK6yP
"I'm fine." Gods.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAdLwCsYV326
He helped her up.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAVKeVgn61u4
They spent an hour or so just talking.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAvbyRaIEUBI
Back in her room, she striped down to the undershirt and fell asleep.
784Please respect copyright.PENANASytRKYgxmW
The next morning, a bang on the door, then another. Ugg. Opening the door a strange man stood there leering.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAYsi8wnvnJ1
"You're under arrest, filthy Elvin!"
784Please respect copyright.PENANA6HWZU1GcGQ
"What are you talking about?"
784Please respect copyright.PENANAyzv47zB05K
He grabbed her forearm yanking her out. "Now!"
784Please respect copyright.PENANA4Bl2UT9GpF
"I haven't done anything, unhand me, stupid human!" Her fingers twitched. Punch him.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA6j6RhUUDrX
"Lying harlot! The watch tower guards had seen you try to assassinate Sir. Raimo this morning, Do not deny it!"
784Please respect copyright.PENANAXzo1WqG19W
"Are you crazy?"
784Please respect copyright.PENANAirhvZAejFM
Ignoring her, he pushed, and yanked her towards the city dungeon on the south end.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAwN0c2Am9Fb
Then tossed her into the cell, slamming the bars shut, and locking it.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAVQNP77Zdbk
Letting out a breath she was holding in she sat down on the bench. Insane, they've gone insane.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAberxolUf68
Several hours passed. The light that came in from tiny barred cell window had faded.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAhR5RJS4VyU
She paced from wall to wall. What to do?
784Please respect copyright.PENANA3fisxMT4c1
The guard from before came back caring a bowl of nasty brown glop.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAiEyOivly9M
Calling the shadows quietly from Kage, she hid near the door.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAKnDTTI7Sw6
He stared at the cell before dropping the bowl; shattering it.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAucT1bHxp9Z
"She escaped? He's not going to like this." He ran back up, sounds of shouting filtered down. Many footsteps running about up there.
784Please respect copyright.PENANASKrPmQJb5p
She carefully eased past the cell door, he left open, unable to suppress a chuckle.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAQr1eSnStRK
She dodged the guards that raced though the hallways.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAGMfH08pBRY
There! Large double doors were wide open with several guards standing ready. It wouldn't do any good.
784Please respect copyright.PENANASbF6HnnnZp
Squeaking past, she snuck away and stayed close to the houses near the city's surrounding wall.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAlZSY6jve6o
Hope the others are alright.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAJKwqeiLdqx
She groaned. Well, check the inn first. The spell of hidden had started to run out, she prayed again.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAd282QkdT8e
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.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAB63fvYVrMQ
"Kind Kage I thank you."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAV7PUJPwj2k
He gave a small nod and disappeared.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAJfn4X9OWd6
After wandering through the city for a short time, her breath became ragged. She leaned against a heavy crate and rested.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAJ98h46x09X
A widespread bazaar spanned. Amidst the people going to and fro, a figure in a black cape walked though, then disappeared between two buildings.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAf1oSSsHxQh
hedgeing along the side of the buildings she followed.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA40rBTQJxB5
The figure knocked on the back door of the house.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAcfpfN701ed
It opened.
784Please respect copyright.PENANACPd4eVumeC
A tan hand reached out, seized him, and yanked him inside slamming the door shut.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAkH5Q28tp3v
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!"
784Please respect copyright.PENANATsL8KZNncl
She shivered. But, but ...
784Please respect copyright.PENANAu6GUTThpBB
"We better hurry, the others are looking for the assassin to."
784Please respect copyright.PENANAk3BnTMKgBD
Oh, gods. She rubbed her wrist with her hand and held a breath, tensing up as they passed buy.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAAXpB4qWAMd
A flashing object moved in front of the window in the house.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA0EFL1ewymH
Moving closer to it, she peered through. What was that? The room was empty.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAq1wE4ZSNfM
She tiptoed over to the door, opening it slowly.
784Please respect copyright.PENANASYGAqCntiW
The daylight filtered in though another window on the right this broke the shadows into strange shapes, they darted about.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAllUexY2PCo
Not a room held anything or anyone. Out of breath again, she leaned against a closet door in the hallway.
784Please respect copyright.PENANA17WCApwhkY
It fliped out under her then tossed her inside a strange room. The
fake door closed again.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAuYFzfx5Z7B
Stifling a scream, she searched the wall.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAU0pOnQZQfR
Behind a wall slid away, flooding the closet with light, blinding her.
784Please respect copyright.PENANACtP7ceV8Bt
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.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAEvnkYqXzpN
As she climbed the stairs the ones behind vaporized into wispy puffs.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAnvcQyEaCcQ
Her legs threatened to buckle under from exhaustion. The spell of hidden pulled away.
784Please respect copyright.PENANAzwHuoG3OOR
Time became meaningless, all there was; the next step.