Chapter 7 group post

Rose stood up rather quickly when she felt that rumble, but Rayne pushed her back down. "You're in no condition to fight and you know it."1

Rose raised an eyebrow. "I may not be to my full strength, but I'm not going to just sit here and watched a battle that I could possibly help in..." Rose looked closely and sensed something different about Rayne. It was almost as if...her demon was being let loose, somewhat like how her own awoke.2

Rayne shook her head. "Let the others and I handle it. Vannolyn and I will protect you. We can handle it."3

Rose closed her eyes and sighed in irritation. "I don't need protection. I am perfectly capable of handling myself."4

Meridia took Rose by the hand and led her from the fight. "I know you want to help, darling, but can you please sit and rest for a moment? Should they really need your help, offer it, but right now, these hordes after you and everyone has to protect you. You can't do it all yourself. Please listen to me."5

Rose tightened her hands into fists and growled.6

Meridia hugged her friend. "I will be here until the battle is over. I know it is hard for you to do this, but it is for your own good right now. We'll say our goodbyes after this battle, because you will not be captured. Not if any of these people have anything to do with it. They do care for you, you know. Even if it doesn't quite seem like it, or if you don't think they do."7

Rose sighed. "Alright, fine, but I will help if it is needed."8

Just as Meridia had finally convinced Rose to stay put, the enemies were in sight9

Rose was pushed to the ground by Meridia as Rayne and Vannolyn stood before her. Her view was blocked even more so by the large wolfic. Still, Rose strained to see what kind of creatures were tumbling out of the forest. Meridia quickly settled down next to Rose: she couldn't take part in the battle unless it was truly needed.10

The first to charge was the motley crew of enemies. Eyrion and Marin stood off to the left and Eliane was just off to Rose's right. Eliane was letting arrows go as swiftly as she could pull the string back. Still, the hoard made its way towards them. Liara took off straight at the hoard with a howl, Eyrion was right behind her. Marin, strangely enough, had disappeared once more.11

Between Rayne and Vannolyn, they waited tensely as the hoard washed over their friends like waves of grey, brown and black water. The wolfic whipped about as swiftly as she could snap and stomping on anything that came close to her. The young pup was obviously close to crazy in her frenzied battle.12

Eliane was the next to run into the gathering masses. Her spear racing right before her as she screeched through the throng. Still, Rayne and Vannolyn didn't move. They seemed like statues as they watched the battle. They were not here to fight like their friends, but to protect.13

Rose could see the strain on Rayne's part as she forced herself to remain calm and waiting for the enemy to come to her. How she wanted to tear each one limb from limb!14

Finally, the waves of enemy course towards them and the two friends stood ready. It was a hoard of many creatures. Mostly goblins and trolls, but there were others as well. Rayne ducked under the charging force and broke through the wave like a natural swimmer in reign waters.15

Vannolyn was right behind her. Rose kept her eyes on her love, though she was quite worried about the rest. She watched as he slipped by the ragged edges of pikes and axes as if he was made of water. Each time, a new creature tumbled to the earth, dead. Still, they kept coming.16

The dark elf used his left arm to wipe the sweat from his brow and a sword cut his arm from elbow up to an inch below his wrist. He cursed for a moment and retreated. His foot touched Rose's and he stiffened suddenly. Without glancing back, Vannolyn dove back into the fray. He was lost to Rose for a while under the sea of raging enemies. Once or twice, Rose could see his arm or part of his head, sometimes even his sword's gleam, but he remained submerged. Rose stood up to help him when something caught her eye.17

Rayne dove head first into the hoard where Vannolyn disappeared. Goblins and trolls and the occasional gremlin were knocked aside as if nothing more than leaves in the wind. For a moment, Rose could see Vannolyn lying on the ground. Then the hoard swallowed him up again. Meridia pulled Rose back down and the dragoness turned to look at her dear friend.18

"Stay," ordered Meridia.19

Rose turned back to watch just in time to see the wolfic charging towards her. There were a few gashes on the shoulders of the pup and one rather nasty cut running across her nose, but the wolfic ran straight into the diminishing throng, sending more enemies scattering about.20

The dragoness sense something then. It felt like a bubble under a lot of stress. Rose glanced at Meridia for a moment and covered her head. Enemies flew everywhere like confetti. And not a single one was in one piece. She could hear the splattering as legs and arms slammed against the timbers around them.21

Rose chanced to look up in time to see Rayne standing over Vannolyn and the others lying flat as if hit over by a rather vicious blow. Still, the dragoness' eyes were locked on what was before Rayne and Vannolyn. A dark, shadowy creature stood over the two companions as Rayne raised her spear to it and waited.22

Rose's eyes widened and she made a dash towards them, but Meridia grabbed her. "Rose...you'll be captured! Stay here."23

Rose looked at her, fear and anger coursing through her body, showing brightly through her eyes. "I can't let them go face to face with him! I can't!"24

Meridia held her down. "Stop it Rose!"25

Rose stilled in defeat as she kept her eyes on them. "Go away," ordered Rayne as she stared up at Him.26

He laughed as he tapped the tip of her spear as if it were a play thing. "Silly child!" he cooed.27

Rayne knocked his hand away and he hissed. Dark blood dripped from his finger for a moment before he laughed again, "Feisty as always, are you?"28

"Go away," repeated Rayne as she brandished her spear at him.29

All the others were slowly getting to their feet now. Rose noticed that Marin was rubbing his head way off to her left, but she turned back to watch Rayne and Vannolyn. "You stay away from her!" hissed Rayne as she took a step closer to the dark creature.30

The sinister laughter made Rose shiver, "Dear child!" he sighed between laughs, "What makes you think that I am after her?"31

Rayne's eyes widened as he opened his arms wide to encompass herself and Vannolyn. "No!"32

Liara was the first to respond. The wolfic sprung into the enemy's back, knocking him slightly and his arms flailed for balance. Still, the force of the blow seemed meaningless to him as he steadied himself and reached down to grab Rayne.33

Eyrion knocked Rayne aside and the dark creature's hand clasped nothing. "Why do you want me?!" gasped Rayne as she pulled herself out of the elf's grip.34

He followed after her as she led him farther and farther away from Rose. "Surely you all ready know that," he chuckled.35

Rose followed the image of her father where Rayne was taking him. His dark robes, swirled around him as he toyed with the girl. His long black hair swirled around his cloak and his iced eyes watched Rayne in bemusement. He did not look much like a demon, but he did have other forms as well.36

She didn't know what to make of what they were doing, but she didn't have time to waste on that. She hurried over to Vannolyn's side, seeing how badly he was hurt and hoping to the Gods and Goddesses that he was not dead. 37

Vannolyn groaned slightly, much to Rose's relief. The dark elf tried to get up, but Rose forced him to stay down. She turned to watch as Eliane strung an arrow and aimed for the dark figure's heart. Liara barred her teeth as she tensed her muscles to spring once more and Eyrion tossed his sword from one hand to the other as he slowly followed after them.38

It all seemed so surreal to her, as everyone seemed too slipped slowly after Rayne and her father. Vannolyn's hand wrapped around Rose's wrist. The dragoness looked down at him in surprise, "Don't let him hurt Rayne," whispered the dark elf hoarsely.39

She looked up at everyone and then back at Vannolyn before he collapsed back into unconsciousness. What was so important about Rayne now? Meridia pulled Rose back down as she made to go after Rayne and her father. "Leave them be," ordered the demi-goddess.40

As if to accentuate the statement, a strange blasting light came from where Rayne and the dark figure stood. Trees were flung from their roosts like twigs and the demonic man screeched as he was picked up and tossed about like a rag-doll.41

Rayne turned quickly and raced away as everyone else stopped to stare at the strange creation. Rayne ran into Eyrion first because he was closest. She knocked him over just before a brilliantly shining tentacle swooped down to capture him. Instead, it caught Rayne.42

She dug her hands into the soil as it dragged her back. Eyrion, in the mean time, scrambled over to her and raised his sword over the tentacle. He drove the blade into it and it released Rayne immediately. Rayne clasped the hilt to the sword and Eyrion's wrist and bolted again.43

The others were attentive enough to follow suit. They gathered a fair distance away. "Quick," huffed Rayne as she handed the sword back to Eyrion, "Get Rose and Vannolyn up on horses. We need to get out of here!"44

"What about me!" complained the stocky character, Malakia.45

Rayne glanced at the puny creature for just a moment. "Get lost." With that, she turned and hoisted Vannolyn's limp body up on the gelding and took the reigns from Meridia. Smiling at the demi-goddess, Rayne nodded her thanks, "I don't know what we would have done without you, Meridia. Thank-you all the same...I think you really ought to go and tend to your children now. I shall tend to my own."46

Meridia smiled at that before taking a final look at Rose. "Trust them, Rose," instructed the demi-goddess before vanishing off on her way back home.47

Swiftly, they left the screeching demon and the glittering creature to battle alone. Marin and Liara were in the back and everyone else was up front. Rayne could have cared less were the halfling character, Malakia was, but she checked her belonging carefully as they trotted along. If even on speck of her spices were out of place, she'd skin that thief alive! 48

"Well that was a rather intense battle" Marin joked with Liara.49

"You are an interesting creature" Liara laughed.50

"Not creature. Dwarf" Marin corrected her trotting along.51

Rayne and Eyrion laughed as they listened to the two others talk. "I love watching lovers battle for each other it's so romantic" Liara teased Rose and Vannolyn.52

"Oh yes, what about the soon to bee’s" Marin giggled.53

"Marin, you and Eyrion seem to shine light one the darkest of situations. How do you guys do this?" Liara asked moving closer to Marin.54

“Well it's rather easy; there are two things that can happen to you. Either you die, or you live. We always look at it like we are going to live, because in the end; well besides Eyrion already knowing who is going to die and not; we will all meet again" Marin explained looking deep into Liara's eyes. Liara' mouth dropped at the explanation that came form his mouth; she didn't think he was capable of such an answer. Usually he is shouting for beer or making stupid jokes.55

"So all I have to do is think about the times I have spent here, and I either live for more or I die trying to live" Liara acknowledge his answer. They rode quickly and into the sun set, they did not know where they were going but, it seemed to be getting sandy and dry.56

"Where are we?" Marin complained from the back moving up on Eyrion.57

"The Kalumin desert, I think" Eyrion replied.58

"Well we can't turn around so look's like we are stuck in this hell hole" Vannolyn agreed angered by the fact. 59

Rose snapped her attention to the dark elf and poked him. "Shush. You took rather bad wounds and I still have yet to heal them so be quiet and settle down." They were on the same horse; as Rose refused to let Vannolyn ride on his own, afraid he may faint on the way or something of the sort. "Just be glad you are alive."60

Eyrion and Marin giggled and Rose was soon glaring daggers at them. "And you idiots! I don't think I need to go into detail how utterly stupid it was of you to run off like that! Are you going to start taking this journey seriously, or are you just going to continue being irresponsible dimwits? If I hear one more giggle or even one more word of idiocy during this entire day, or even anything about Vannolyn and I, I swear I am going to rip out your tongues and make you wish you HAD died in that battle!"61

Vannolyn smiled in a little amusement as Eyrion and Marin shrank away from the angered Dragoness. He also thought about how concerned she seemed to be for him. Perhaps she would eventually open up to him, as Meridia had told him. He didn't really mind the close contact with his love anyway. They didn't get much chance to be close and so he was content sitting in her lap on the horse.62

Rose turned away from the two morons that had been half of the reason why they had had so much trouble with that battle. She would have been able to fight instead of just sitting there and doing nothing if it hadn't been for their goofing off and it angered her so much to even think about it. However, her thoughts quickly turned away from that and turned back to Meridia, who was no longer with them anymore. She wished she could've given her friend a proper goodbye and it saddened her quite a bit just thinking about it.63

Vannolyn laid his hand on Rose's, waking her from her sad thoughts. He decided to speak to her with telepathy, since he was sure that she would not appreciate him bringing up the topic out loud. 'You will see her again soon enough. There is no need for a goodbye when you've made a promise to return.'64

Rose closed her eyes. 'I know...I just miss her so much already...'65

As they continued on, they came up across an oasis, which was quite lucky. Since the sun was going down, they decided to stop there that night, much to Vannolyn's and a lot of the others' annoyance at both Marin and Eyrion. 66

"Why are they always annoyed with us?" What do we ever do to them?" Marin questioned setting up his tent next a tree near Eyrion.67

"They don't like us, much to their loss we are good fighters, maybe even the best here, but we just choose not to take it seriously. That and we are always making jokes" Eyrion was attempting to set is tent up.68

"Yes your jokes are all so entertaining." They heard a voice from behind. Marin popped his head out of his tent and Eyrion turned tangled in his tent.69

"Rayne" They shouted excited.70

"Why are you not with the others way over there?" Eyrion asked trying to untangle himself.71

"They aren't my type" Rayne laughed. "Here let me give you a hand" she walked to Eyrion helping him untangle.72

"Oh look a rabbit, let's kill it" Marin jumped for his axe.73

"No" Eyrion stopped him.74

"Why not?" Marin asked annoyed.75

"Kill that there" Eyrion pointed into the distance.76

"What is it?" I can’t see" Rayne asked trying her hardest to see.77

"Just shoot an arrow" Eyrion commanded. Rayne readied her bow and let an arrow fly high into the air striking something in the distance. Marin quickly jumped onto his horse and rode out to it.78

"A desert fox?" Marin threw the animal at Eyrion's feet.79

"Yes, well what do the others have? Bread and water" Eyrion answered finishing up his tent.80

"Let us make afire than" Marin sat piling sticks together.81

"Let us try this rubbing sticks together we haven’t had fun doing that in along time. Usually we use that black powder" Eyrion grabbed to rubbing sticks and walked to the fire.82

"Fire, Fire" Marin chanted as Eyrion worked.83

"Come Rayne, join us in our feast" Eyrion waved to Rayne who was setting her tent.84

"Must I" She grumbled.85

"Yes" Marin answered quickly. "And we haven't any beer" He pouted.86

"We can make do with water. If not you could always drink horse blood" Rayne smiled.87

"I'll stick with water." Marin was crept by the last comment.88

"Good it's time you stop drinking" Rayne lay back her head rest on Eyrion’s shoulder. Eyrion who was working hard cooking and making the fire was exhausted. He finished the fox and split it into three pieces one for the each of them.89

Meanwhile, about 20 yards from the camps, at the edge of the oasis, a lone figure stood black against the desert sunset. Her silky fur lifted and waved in a warm breeze, and her muzzle was set toward her home in the mountains. Liara was feeling homesick. She was tired of having to follow such a slow moving train over so many miles and weeks that she could have covered in a day or two, had she been on her own. At the moment, she was longing for her cool, comfy cave carved into the side of her mountain, and the pair of little bluebirds that had nested in an evergreen tree near her house. The two had woken her nearly every morning with their lovely songs and lilting tunes that she had grown to love.90

And she was hungry, too. There was no good game out here, and there was very little of anything at all. She was quite certain no one knew exactly how much a large animal like her had to eat. She knew for a fact that Rayne thought she ate a good deal less than she actually did. She had the mind to leave all behind, and return to her comfortable home. But at the same time, Liara knew that they needed her. That her destiny was entwined to theirs, especially Rayne's, and that she, being the soft-hearted creature that she was could not leave them with a clear conscious.91

Without reason or rhyme, her mind drifted to the halfling they had abandoned, Malakia. Her kind heart went out to the girl, thief though she was, and decided that the group would not miss her if she left them for one or two nights. The Wolvic turned her mind to the camp, and found Rose's mind still awake, restless in the night. She sent a quick message to her, because Rose was the only one that knew of Liara's telepathic capabilities, and she didn't wish for anyone else to know. "Rose, dear. I'm leaving for a while. Don't be bothered or alarmed by my leaving, I will be back as soon as any danger arrives, and don't think that you can't travel on without me. I can find you."92

Rose had been startled by Liara's message, and wondered what the pup was up to. She sent a reply quickly, "Take care, please. I would still like to help you with your mind powers, if you need it...?" She left the last sentence as a kind of question. There was no answer, but she felt Liara smile thankfully, and then her presence was gone. 93

Rose settled down next to Vannolyn outside in front of the fire. Eliane was asleep in her tent and Liara was gone. Eyrion Marin and even Rayne were about twenty feet away. Rose guessed they had moved so far away because of how she lashed out at them, in which she had good reason. She couldn't believe that they thought they could just run off any time they pleased and not have any consequences for it. Here they were, traveling to save the world and those two morons were lagging behind and making it impossible to travel most days. Rose started to growl unconsciously and then she felt Vannolyn's hand on hers.94

Rose looked at Vannolyn as he looked back at her. "Are you alright?" he asked.95

Rose looked back into the fire. "Greatly annoyed, but other than that, I think I may be alright, besides a bit of left over sadness."96

Vannolyn pulled her into his arms with a slight bit of trouble, which Rose noticed.97

"Don't put strain on your wounds!" she scolded.98

Vannolyn smiled. "I didn't mean to." He then kissed her again before she could say anything.99

Rose blushed, not exactly the most comfortable with this when the others could still see if they had a mind to, but she didn't stop him. However, she did not let herself give into the passion either, since that would awaken her mating instincts, in which were quite annoying.100

Vannolyn broke away, wondering why it seemed different tonight when he kissed his love. "What is the matter? It seems different."101

Rose laid her head against his shoulder, looking into his eyes and saying in a matter of fatly kind of tone, "Well, if I decide to lose myself in this kiss, I'll most likely tear your clothes to pieces and rape you."102

To say the least, Vannolyn was not exactly expecting that kind of answer. His eyes brows were lost in his hair as they rose.103

Rose blushed from his reaction. "I told you...Dragon and Demon mating season...You know...making babies? Sex? This time of the year is quite annoying for me..."104

Vannolyn did not exactly know how to respond to that. "...Well, this isn't exactly the time for things like that."105

"I know that perfectly well. It's especially not the time when we barely even know each other enough to even be ready for something like that, but if I lose myself, I can't control my instincts," Rose said, blushing redder.106

Vannolyn stood with Rose still in his arms, actually lifting her now. It amused him when she looked down at the ground and then at him in a questioning manner. He shrugged at her and carried her into the tent.107

Eyrion and Marin sat across from each other around the fire. "Nice and warm isn't it. A bit of a change from the forest to the desert." Marin took a deep breath and exhaled.108

"Yes, it's some sort of a change. It's so pretty out here, no clouds, just the stars in the sky" Eyrion marveled at the sight.109

"It's different" Marin fell back with his hands behind his head.110

"What should I play?" Eyrion reached into his pocket pulling out a flute.111

"Something I can sing to, let's make it calm and settling. Something of the desert and sand" Marin smiled.112

"All right I think I have it, you will be able to sing don't worry." Eyrion placed his flute to his lips and blew. A beautiful sound came from the instrument, a sound that you would think only came from nature it self. Marin joined in with a song from their land.113

"Come all to our land114

We guide you to freedom115

A land of love and magic116

Home is near we can feel it" He started out trying to the get right words for the tune.117

They finally synchronized moments later; a beautiful song flowed with a beautiful tune. Eyrion had made his wooden flute many years ago; back at his home with been. Marin loved to sing on his free time, they used to always meet on the roof of the school at night fall and make music together. Age didn't matter to them they would always be best friends. The music went far into the night some would say even the stars would cry if they heard such a tune being played in the desert. The others all sat where they were, still listening to Marin and Eyrion. No one made a sound for hours, as they played and sang together. 118

Rayne listened to them for a long time, wondering vaguely what the dark lord seemed to want with her. She hoped that he was just trying to play mind games. She didn't want any part in his diabolical scheming. She wanted no part in it and she knew Rose didn't either. She sighed as she closed her eyes, concentrating on Marin's singing and Eyrion's playing so she didn't have to think. 119

"That was a fair tune" Eyrion smiled puling his flute form his lips.120

"Let me go get my flute" Marin stood and walked quietly to his tent. He dug through piles of junk that he had brought with him, until he finally found his flute.121

"Now let us play like we have ever played." Marin raised his flute to his lips. Marin’s flute sounded deeper in tone than Eyrion’s flute. Their two flutes mixed beautifully as they played songs from all the countries of the world for many hours. Vannolyn and Rose fell into a deep sleep listening to the music with great care. Elaine fell asleep half out of her tent half in, Liara was gone now she could still here the music playing in her head as she traveled... Rayne laid half in half out of her tent gazing up into the dark blue sky of the night. The stars danced to the music, slowly and gracefully as it flowed from the flutes of the two men. 122

Rayne whispered the words to the familiar songs her two old companions were playing...She'd never actually sing them loud enough for anyone to hear, but more of a gently whispered lullaby to herself. She glanced at the elf and then the dwarf in quiet wonder. They were two very odd characters.123

Sighing heavily she turned over and closed her eyes. Surely the dark lord did not want her...Rose was the one that was desired, not her. She couldn't be his middle child...could she? She had been born under her mother and his marriage...but she wasn't even his by blood...124

Rayne shook her head and slipped out and quickly flew to a comfortable perch on top of a palm tree. Her sharp eyes were far better in the day, though even in the night they were still quite good. She could see oasis after oasis dotting the land like some sort of large connect-the-dots. It seemed rather odd to her that she would see all of them so easily. This was just a first in a string of them...125

The music below died suddenly and Rayne glanced down to see that both Eyrion and Marin had turned and scrambled into their tents. They were good friends, all of them were...but there were a lot of things that just couldn't be explained...not yet. Rayne was determined to find out. 126

The next morning, everyone woke early to get ready for the day, Rayne being one of the first. Everyone else usually awoke one by one, though Vannolyn and Rose usually awoke around the same time. Marin was always the last because he seemed to always drink himself drunk.127

Rayne had saw Rose hurry out of tent just after she got out of the palm tree and she wondered what was on the dragoness' mind. She always seemed to be troubled with something, much like she always was as of late. The bit with Rise's father did not help at all with that. 128

Rayne set the meal on the fire before her tent and another meal on the embers of the one by Vannolyn and Rose's tent. Then she followed after the dragoness. Just outside the oasis, Rayne looked about curiously, "Rose...?"129

"Must you always follow me?" asked Rose as Rayne turned to see the dragoness perched on top of a palm tree like she had been.130

"Curiosity," shrugged Rayne as she glanced over at the sun. It would soon rise, but she would still have her wings for a short bit. She allied next to the dragoness and they wordlessly watched the sun come over the sandy plains. "What's on your mind, Rose?" 131

Rose sighed and shook her head, wanting to smile and she felt a blush come to her cheeks. She hated herself for not being able to hide her emotions better. "Him...Where do I start? I apologies for fainting during our conversation by the way...But anyway, maybe it was just the stress...Whenever Vannolyn is mentioned by someone else towards me and what he feels for me..." she fought the lump in her throat, "I can barely speak of it, because it overwhelms me to the point where I'm even too afraid to think about it...It doesn't help now that mating season is about and I'm half afraid that I'm going to rip his clothes off..." her cheeks grew quite red and so she looked the other way. 132

"You needn't hide things like that from me, Rose," soothed Rayne as she touched the dragoness' arm, "It may be mating season for your kind, but think of it this way: you aren't completely that kind. I mean your several different creatures in one. Stop focusing on the ones that trouble you. You have a lot of good inside of you as well as dark."133

Rose let her cheeks cool before she turned to glance at Rayne. The innocent beside her wasn't even flustered by the talk. "You've never even thought about mating," stated Rose.134

Rayne shook off the statement easily, "That doesn't matter. This is about you, not me. Just because part of you is ready for it, doesn't mean you are. You aren't just a demon or a vampire...you aren't even just a dragoness, actually, you're our friend, Rose, and you're Vannolyn's love. When you accept that much, then you even your instincts can't affect you..."135

"How do you know this," said Rose warily. The girl was quite informed for still being a youth in her species.136

"Something is learned through experience, and others through family," said Rayne cryptically as she stared out over the sandy plains. 137

Rose smile, wanting to laugh a bit. "I don't think I'm ready to accept anything...My instincts control, yes, but it's not just part of me that is mating, it's half of me. Both Dragons and Demons and if I let my mind get lost for one second, I'm liable to tear someone's clothes off and rape them. I'm not kidding. It almost happened once...Being a vampiress, though...That is not part of my heritage. I was turned into one two years ago. But anyway, that is not the only thing on my mind, though a big part of it..."138

"What else is?" Rayne asked.139

"...My father...The demons...And you. During the battle, you were different...Your eyes glowed like mine. As if your demon was taking control over you." Rose looked at Rayne. "You hold many secrets, as I do, I think." 140

Rayne nodded, "There is much about my past and such that I may never disclose. Just like you, I guess..."141

They silently stared out at the rising sun for a moment before Rayne spoke again. "What troubles you the most right now?"142

Rose glanced at Rayne again, the girl was quite hard to read, for some reason. "I suppose it would be my father..." mused Rose.143

"He is on my mind as well," confessed Rayne. 144

Rose nodded. "After what happened, I can understand that. He has always toyed with me because I am such a rebel...but you are not even of his blood and you are strong minded. He may want to see if he can break you..."145

Rayne glanced at Rose. "He will never have me."146

Rose smiled. "I said that too...and yet he did once. He almost did twice. We'll see what happens in the future I guess..." She sighed and closed her eyes. "I don't want to be his pawn anymore." 147

"You're never his pawn unless you call yourself that," chided Rayne softly.148

Rose looked at the young girl in silence. Rayne shifted uncomfortably in the stillness. "He will never take me as his own. I'll kill myself before I let him do that."149

The venomous power behind Rayne's voice made Rose realize that the young girl was quite serious on such a dangerous charge. "You would destroy your own life before destroying another’s?"150

Rayne looked at Rose for a moment in quiet contemplation, "If it meant keeping him away...yes." 151

Rose looked down. "...I have never harmed anyone that actually meant a lot to me...I don't wish to. Ever. If it ever came to that..." She fell silent and closed her eyes, facing the sky.152

"What?" Rayne asked.153

Rose shook her head. "I don't wish to speak of that...If it ever happens, you will find out."154

"If the demons ever take over?" she questioned.155

Rose opened her eyes and gave Rayne a side glance. "You mean if they ever take over again..." 156

Rayne shrugged, "Believe what you want, Rose. But I wonder, really...if they did take over once, what stopped them from staying that way?"157

Rose stared at Rayne for a moment in silent stupor. Rayne sniffed the air suddenly and bolted down the tree. The dragoness could hear her as she grumbled and cursed as she quickly pulled their breakfasts out of the fire. Evidently, Rayne had lost track of time...well, perhaps. But the food smells lovely...and sweet. 158

Rose jumped down and walked over to her. "Smells good..."159

Rayne looked up at her. "Meridia told me that you have a sweet tooth."160

Rose smiled. "I do...and, about the demons...They were stopped by Meridia. That's how...That's the only reason. I allowed her to help me after my eyes were opened to what was happening." 161

Rayne smiled, "Think of it this way: if they were there once and they were stopped, what says that can't be stopped again? Forever even?"162

With that, Rayne handed the first plate to Rose with a grin before pulling a large bowl of water out of the water. There was a mischievous grin on the girl's face as she walked over to Vannolyn as quiet as a leaf. The dark elf didn't even stir.163

Giving Rose a wink as the dragoness stared at Rayne, the girl dumped the cold water all over the elf. 164

Vannolyn woke spluttering and looking at Rayne with wide eyes as the two girls burst out into laughter.165

Rose was nearly in tears before she stopped and then passed Vannolyn a blanket that he could use to dry himself off in. She was still smiling brightly after that.166

Rayne liked the side of Rose that she had had walled up. Meridia was right. She seemed like she could be a lot of fun, given the chance you get to know her. She then truly wondered if Rose and she really could grow a wonderful bond. Maybe not one as strong as hers and Meridia's, but one rather strong.167

Rose checked Vannolyn's wounds over. "At least the water seemed to clean them." She giggled again and Vannolyn smiled.168

He liked to see Rose's beautiful smile and was even somewhat thankful now that Rayne had done such a thing. Rose rarely ever smiled. The last time she had laughed so much was a day and a half ago. 169

Rayne saw the loving look in Vannolyn's eyes and quickly slipped away to awaken Eyrion and Marin. She didn't bother with the cold water for them. Simply pulling down their tents about their ears was enough...well, normally, anyway.170

As the cloth overhead tumbled down on both dwarf and elf, they yelped in surprise and scrambled out as best they could. Eyrion and Marin struggled out of the ropes and poles and tumbled about in the sand for a while before Rayne could manage to get close enough to help them.171

"Hurry up and eat," instructed Rayne as she folded up the tents and packed them into the saddles again, "We leave just as soon as Liara is back."172

"No need," growled Liara as she landed gracefully by the water. "I am back."173

"Good," smile Rayne. "I'm sorry to say that food on this journey is not as plentiful as it has been in the past. I was worried you were getting homesick or something."174

Liara smiled at her young friend. "I went back for something else, actually."175

Malakia peered down between the Wolvic’s ears. Rayne's smile vanished and was replaced by a scowl quicker than the small creature could move back into its security. "You," she growled.176

Rayne folded her arms in front of her and stared at the short hobbit. "What do you want?"177

"It appears that I am to come with you on your journey," answered the hobbit with a rather snide grin.178

Rayne watched the intruder carefully, "If you steal a single grain of salt from any of my companions or myself," growled Rayne as she watched Malakia slip off of the Wolvic’s back, "I'll run you through before you can blink."179

Malakia considered that a rather empty threat and laughed at the girl. "Quite unlikely."180

"Be careful, Hobbit," warned Liara as she turned to watch the two in their rather silly charade, "If Rayne says she'll do it, then she will." 181

Malakia raised an eyebrow. "I doubt it. I've heard empty threats before."182

Rose smirked as she looked over at the young thing. "Well, if Rayne doesn't and you start to annoy me, you can count that I will run you through with my bare hands and if you really want to find out if my threat is empty or not, try pissing me off."183

Malakia turned her attention to Rose and then walked over. She looked at the woman and then at Vannolyn. "Don't tell me that this is her? I doubt she's much worth your time!"184

Rose growled and smirked a little. "Keep mouthing off, halfling, and you will see just how much trouble it can lead you to."185

Vannolyn grabbed Malakia’s arms before she started it with his love and gazed straight into the girl's eyes. "You do not know any of these people, so I suggest that you do not judge. Rose is not all she seems and I'm sure you will learn that as we continue on. However, I must warn you that I will not be coming to your rescue if you insist on annoying everyone and I will let them deal with you. Both Rayne and Rose are serious in what they say and, trust me, I know that as a fact. I can feel it and see it within the mind." 186

Malakia sullenly nodded at Vannolyn's scolding. Rayne's eyes never left the untrustworthy thief for a moment. "It'll be a long while before I trust that creature," grumbled Rayne as she turned to the water. In the middle of the night, she had seen something odd in the pool. It was hidden from sight on the ground by the leafy shrubs, but now she had a moment while everyone else ate to check it out.187

She gave the hobbit one last look over before strolling off around the water to see what it was. It didn't take her long to locate it. Rayne stared down at the large beast. It looked to be a rather big deer, really. Something that Liara would no doubt find delicious...if the wolfic caught the creature. Without a second thought, Rayne continued on in her trek about the oasis. By the time she got back, the others were finished eating and were almost packed and ready to go.188

"Is everyone set to cross this sandy wasteland?" asked Vannolyn before hauling himself weakly up on his gelding.189

"I should hope so," sighed Rayne as she shove Marin up onto his pony. 190

Vannolyn smiled. "Let's get going before dawn leaves us. We'll head to the nearest town to stalk up on supplies, since we seem to be getting low."191

Rayne nodded. "I need more spices." She shot a glare at Malakia, who kept her mouth shut for once and continued on close to Liara, who was the only other person, besides Vannolyn, that she trusted.192

The group continue on quietly, Rose still refusing to let Vannolyn ride on his own, claiming that he had seemed to find it too hard to stand after waking up and that she should stick close by him in case of an accident. 193

Rayne smiled as she trotted up next to the two of them. "Trust me, Rose, no matter what comes of this adventure or the adventures to come, you really ought to enjoy your time with Vannolyn. He's a wonderful friend to me...I'm sure he'll be more than that to you."194

With that Rayne let them draw on ahead of her. She smiled quietly. Rose hadn't had event he chance to speak, which was good. She wanted Rose to crack completely and let Vannolyn in. It was a strange desire on her part, but Rayne found it quite appealing. Perhaps Meridia had affected her more than she realized.195

"What spices are you needing, Rayne?" asked Liara as if to draw her attention away from Rose and Vannolyn.196

"Everything except cayenne and my special hot curry powder," answer Rayne, "Why?"197

"That would explain it," smiled Liara with a wolfish laugh.198

Rayne glanced up at Malakia who was perched on Liara's back. The small hobbit had a rather watery face as if she had eaten something far to spicy for her tastes. Rayne's face darkened immediately. She launched herself onto Liara's back and took Malakia in her charge.199

The small hobbit howled as she tried fleeing. "I warned you, Malakia," hollered Vannolyn from the front. 200

Rose had blushed rather darkly at what Rayne had said and she hated to feel so helpless against what she felt. She didn't want to be pushed. She needed time, which many people didn't seem to understand. She had been hurt. Her heart was scarred and she was afraid to let go. Rayne didn't realize that, after the journey, she would be going back home and Vannolyn...she had no idea what he was going to do.201

Also, she was afraid that if she did let go, she would lose him somehow and then she would never be able to love again. Just thinking of these things drove her to tears and she shut her eyes tightly. She did not want to let go and get so extremely attached that if she ever lost him, she would die inside and never be able to feel alive again.202

Vannolyn looked back at her and grasped her hands, pulling her arms around his waist. 'Please don't cry, love. I'm not putting any pressure on you. That is all that should matter.' He used telepathy so no one would notice Rose's distress.203

Rose opened her eyes and rubbed them clean of any tears. '...I don't like to be pressured. I am not ready to fall apart and let you see everything that I hold within. I'm not ready for you to see the weakest point of my soul yet...and I don't need people pushing me into it because all it does is remind me of how I am so afraid of being hurt again, which is what is still holding me back.'204

Vannolyn closed his eyes and listened to Malakia and Rayne bicker a moment, then concentrated on Rose again. 'I understand that. Don't let Rayne pressure you. She just wants to try to help, I suppose, but she doesn't truly understand how you feel and why you are holding back so much. You can't blame her for that.'205

Rose nodded and remained silent for a while. 'This is going to be bothering me right up until tonight...'206

Vannolyn gave her hands a squeeze. 'Don't worry about it. Worry about the journey. We can worry about this in privacy.'207

Rose squeezed his hands in turn. 'Just this contact is making me nervous...but it is comforting in a way...I like it when your presence is in my mind too...Just having you there is relaxing.'208

Vannolyn smiled and concentrated on doing just that. He entered her mind gently and soothed her troubling thoughts away for the remainder of the ride, though still paying attention to the path. After training with Meridia, it was much easier to concentrate on reality and the mind at the same time. He was thankful for that. 209

Rayne and Malakia tumbled off Liara's back, and rolled around in the dirt, Rayne fighting in her fury, and the little thief fighting for her life. Liara watched them tumble around at her feet, all fists and nails and teeth, laughing despite herself. The tussle ended with Rayne on top, both hands over Malakia’s throat, and pressing hard. "If I only had my spear... she muttered furiously.210

"Liara! Aaak!" Malakia managed to gasp. Liara pretended innocence, and stared down curiously at her face, "Yes, what is it?"211

The pathetic-looking halflings eyes bugged out wide, and she choked "Hel--" but was cut off by a sudden increase of pressure from a red-faced Rayne, and she sputtered, her squeal muffled by the lack of air. The Wolvic barely hid her smile and asked "Oh, I'm terribly sorry, dear. What was that? I didn't catch it. My! Your face is turning a lovely shade of blue! How do you get it to do that?"212

At that, Malakia rolled her eyes back up in her head and struggled to take a breath. Liara let out a barking laugh, and then picked Rayne up by the seat of her pants. This took Rayne by so much surprise that she almost lost her grip on Malakia's throat, but not quite. So there they dangled, Rayne, by her pants caught in Liara's teeth, still holding her spice thief by the throat, and Malakia squirming and thrashing her legs, which were dangling a few feet from the ground.213

Gradually, Rayne came to realize that there was laughter in the air, and looked around to see Rose, Vannolyn, Eyrion, and Marin, all standing in a semi-circle around them, pointing and laughing at the scene. She suddenly realized how ridiculous she must seem, and dropped Malakia to shudder and gasp in the dust. "Let me down, Liara," she growled quietly, and the Wolvic gently obliged, woofing down a chuckle.214

"Now, leave the poor girl alone. She won't do it again. Will you, Malakia?" The halflings eyes went wide, and she shook her head vigorously, still holding her throat and choking. "See, there. She won't. She's tasted your wrath, and she isn't going to steal from you again."215

"Oh, yeah, sure," Rayne spat, dusting herself off and glowering at the pitiful spice thief at her feet, "As soon as she steals from me again, and I almost kill her, you're going to rescue her again."216

"No, I won't. I give my word. You hear that Malakia?" 217

The poor hobbit nodded furiously and scrambled behind the furry forefeet of her savior, Liara.218

Rayne turned about and looked at everyone, "Why did we stop?"219

"Besides your little battle scene?" inquired Vannolyn with a grin on his face.220

"Yes," Rayne ignored the dark elf's obvious pleasure in seeing her so flustered.221

"It's lunch time!" bellowed Marin.222

The dwarf waved a couple flasks of ale about in the air and plopped down by his steed to enjoy a good drink. Rayne rolled her eyes as Vannolyn and Eyrion both settled down to enjoy a swig with Marin. "I suppose that leaves me to do the cooking," Rayne smiled a little at that. She only had spicy herbs and such in her pack...well, except for a very small pouch that held her favorite spice: cinnamon.223

Rayne dug about in the saddlebags for the last of their apples. "Liara, can you see to it that that THIEF stays as far away from me as possible right now?"224

The slight barking-laugh was her only answer before the hobbit squealed in protest. The short being's complaints got farther and farther away swiftly enough for Rayne to feel far more at ease. "Finally," said Rayne with enough exasperation to make Rose and Eliane to hide their smiles behind their hands.225

"Eliane?" called Rayne, "Get the last of our bread. I'll make some sandwiches..."226

She turned to Rose, "Are you sure you don't want to help, Rose? I can teach you all I know about cooking..." 227

Rose raised an eyebrow. "I don't exactly have the need to learn how to cook, but at least it would give me something to besides watching the men have their fun."228

Rayne laughed. "Then come over here and I'll give some instructions!" 229

Before long, Rose was learning how to roast candied apples. "Those look delicious!" sighed Eliane as she settled down opposite Rose and Rayne. "You two are acting as if you're sisters or something!"230

Rayne smiled half-heartedly but didn't answer. Only Vannolyn, Eyrion and Rose knew about that little tid-bit. Her thoughts were sullen, but Rayne refused to give in to melancholy, as always.231

"How's lunch coming?" asked Eyrion as he peered over Rose and Rayne's shoulders.232

"Good," smiled Rayne without looking up, "The sandwiches are all made up, but the apples aren't quite done yet."233

"How do you know?" asked Rose.234

Rayne turned her stick of apples for a moment before answering, "When the apple starts to drip. It’s pretty much done. Well...most of the time, but if you smell burning, then it's done."235

"I hope they're done now," mused Vannolyn as he came over to them. He wasn't looking at them.236

"Why?" Everyone turned to look at the dark elf. He was looking off in the direction that they had come from.237

"Because I believe that something is coming this way...and fast." 238

Rose looked up from the food and walked over next to Vannolyn. "What, exactly, is coming?"239

Vannolyn shook his head. "I'm not sure, but it must be one of the minions...It seems that we are fighting more now than we ever have."240

"Maybe that means we're close to our destination..." Rose said, not seeming all too thrilled with the thought.241

Vannolyn noticed that tone in her voice, wondering if she was thinking about coming face to face with him or if she was thinking about going home and leaving everyone behind. He still was not quite sure what he was going to do. He knew he loved Rose, but he had a promise to keep to his brother. Rose had a promise to keep to her closest friend and she had already made it clear that she would not break it.242

As they continued to wait for both the food and the enemies, they thought they heard echoey laughter from far away.243

Rose growled. "Ignore it; he's just taunting us..."244