Baranthia Time: The Month of Ruan, 5056 Roleplay Time: The Month of January, 2006 The Monthly Baranthian: Please visit to get updates on each kingdom. Shout Box 1/9/06: Everyone's getting involved with The Kidnapping, so that's awesome! There are a couple of threads you may want to check out: The Kidnapping and Summon The Brotherhood. Other than that, I think we're off to a good start :) 12/30/05: The Runath Royal Feast is up and running! Anyone traveling through can visit all month long!

[Raef Veruste]

New Years Evening.

It was a cloudy, moonless night in Malorn City, but it was a bustling one. It denizens flooded the streets in celebration, one was hard pressed to find a single street that wasn’t pack full of people shouting, laughing and drinking. Parties and gatherings were abundant. It had been this way since the night before, and would surely continue into the wee hours of the next morning. Best of all for one cloaked figure creeping along the castle wall, everyone was distracted…everyone. He was on a mission, though he would have rather been in a tavern tonight as well, but this was certainly worth missing out on the celebration. The torchlight was bothersome, he didn’t like being seen, however, the guards were more than likely sitting on the top of the walls drinking and laughing as well. His source seemed to confirm that as well, but it was obvious that would be the case anyway. Nevertheless he hugged the wall until he found the shady spot next to the castle where he was told the guard would be the weakest. He pulled out a long rolled up rope from within his cloak, a metal grappling tied to the end of it. He gave it some slack so he could begin swinging it in a quick vertical circle to give it some drive, and then threw it upwards, it went up, and then made a quick turn toward the castle, the rope making a bit of an arch. With a soft ‘chink’ it dug into the thick stone of one of the battlements.

He tugged the rope a few times to make sure it was secure and then lifted his feet from the ground, pressing them firmly to the stone wall of the castle, he took several steps against the side of the wall and started moving upward. He slowly made it to the top and slid over the battlements, but immediately after doing so he detected the laughter of two men, moving in his direction. He moved swiftly and silently to the wall next to the nearby tower, the two men would be going past him, through the archway to his left. As they did so he moved behind them, reaching under his cloak and withdrawing two small silver objects, he whipped his hands forward, the blades tearing through the short distance and into the two men’s backs. He moved forward as the blades sunk in through their hearts, placing his hands firmly over her mouths as they slumped to the stone beneath them. He let them go and moved into the shadows. Killing those two would at least make this a relatively safe place to make his escape. He could hear laughter all around him, and the music of the night loudly. He had to move fast.

Before he had started the mission the inside source had left him a map, and instructions. So far, it had been accurate, that was always encouraging. He moved down a few flight of stairs from the battlements. Security was almost non-existent, an occasional guard or two walking, sitting around drunk or far down a hallway. Kidnappings weren’t particularly what he felt he was suited for, he would have much rather killed an individual or individuals and have been done with it; in and out, easy. But with the amount of money he was being paid, he would have run into a small army, swords swinging. Time was running out however, and he had to be as stealthy and as careful as possible. He needed to get to her before the usual royal guard came to make sure she was securely in her room. He was counting on one crucial thing, a powder explosion set by his contact on the other side of the castle to cause a diversion while he escaped. He crept around another corner, peering carefully into the surrounding area, just as he was about to move, a large door opened, he ducked back into his cover and looked back around the stone, watching a couple handmaidens leave the room. They must have finished dressing and helping her prepare for bed. With them gone, it made his task much easier. When they had safely disappeared down another hallway he crept forward, a small dagger in his hand.

He slowly opened the door, silently; leaving it open a little so he could leave more quickly once it was done. There she stood, in a flowing night dress, Ielenia Dirin, Princess of Fordin. She was facing away, he slowly, carefully forward, as to not alert her. He was no more than three feet when she suddenly turned, and his eyes met hers. She looking simply beautiful, he froze, something he knew he’d curse himself for later. Her eyes were as wide and surprised as his. They stared at one another for what seemed like an eternity, the soft music playing somewhere in the distance. A loud explosion suddenly erupted on the other side of the castle, sending vibrations through the stone walls. It snapped them both out of it, and as her head turned he moved forward, bringing the handle of his dagger down on her forehead, hard, she was instantly knocked cold and slumped into his arms. The shouting and confusion ringed in his ears. He threw her over his shoulder and used his other hand to take out a scroll of parchment, moving to the door, he pressed the paper to the wood and stabbed the dagger through the top of it, leaving the simple note on the door as he exited the room.

“Three days from now, bring three wagons full of your finest treasury contents to the southern border if you want to see the Princess still living, the King must come himself, with few guards, and be prepared to negotiate.”

It wasn’t signed; his contact had given it to him. He didn’t know who wanted this girl, or who had written the letter, nor did he care. He wanted to get out of here, get to where he was supposed to take her by day three and be done with it. He quickly moved through the hallways, up stairs and around corners, a sword drawn in case he ran into trouble, by now after the initial distraction, the guards would be trying to locate and secure the royal family. He was almost to the roof however, perfect, he had put a lot of space between him and any pursuers.

He held her tightly to his shoulder as he grabbed the rope he had slung over the wall and quickly slid with her to the castle grounds. He moved without hesitation, making his way through the gardens and climbed up another rope he had thrown over the walls. When he reached the other side, he lay her unconscious form over the front of his waiting horse and he mounted himself in the saddle, spurring the animal. They tore down the streets, waded through the partying crowds to the city gate. The guards were inside the guardhouse drinking just as they had been when he arrived. The horse tore into the night, and he made his way for an hour to the forest, which he slowed the horse into, walking for another hour to an underground cave that was heavily foliaged. It would be safe to spend the night, he lead the horse down into it and was sure to cover the entrance as best he could and then moved down into the small cave. He set and lit a lantern on a rock and laid out some blankets on the ground, carefully removing her from the horse and laying her on one.

He frowned as he looked at her; a bruise on her forehead and moved away, lighting a fire, and putting some meat on for dinner. He moved back over to her, taking a rag from his rucksack and drenched it in cool water, brushing a strand of her fair hair gently out of the way, he dabbed her forehead slowly a few times and then left it there to bring down the swelling. It was going to be a long three days, he could already tell. He leaned back against a rock and went back to cooking his meal.

(Note: All of this planned and done with her permission, so I wouldn’t violate the god modding rule.)

[Ielenia Dirin]

Following her talk with her father, she found herself longing for the comforts of her bed. Leaving her father to finish his dinner in peace, she made her way easily through the castle. A place she had lived all of her life, the castle in Malorn would always be home to her. Regardless of who or when she married, the castle would never cease to be in her thoughts and her heart. Traveling through the marbled halls, her feet made no sound against the tile. Every few feet, she passed a weary guard, or a secretly drunk one. It was New Year's Eve after all, and the guards were entitled to their fun as well. She vaguely thought of the vulnerability of the castle, but pushed that thought out of her mind.

Reaching her bedchambers, she found two handmaidens awaiting. Both looked unemotional as she walked inside the room. Nia had told her mother numerous times that the act of undressing and redressing herself was something that didn't need assistance, but her mother refused to listen. Each day, Nia found herself dismissing them as soon as she stepped foot into the room. Her nightdress was already laid out on her bed; a beautifully warm, long flowing gown. It was one of her favorites, and one she found particularly comfortable. The light pink nightdress fit snugly over her small frame as she changed into it, sending the two maidens off to enjoy their New Year's night.

Listening to the voices of laughter and music in the distance, Nia felt extremely bored and left out. As a Princess, she could hardly leave the castle unattended and to go to the nearest pub would create much disturbance and disagreement. Her time spent in the castle was lonesome, and she often found herself wishing she had a sister to spend time with. Her brothers generally did not interest her, unless she was practicing out in the yard. Then, they provided good competition.

Her small ear perked at the noises outside the castle, and she turned to move her way towards the sound. In turning, she came face to face with a man she had not noticed. Freezing in place, she tried to scream, to open her mouth wide and let her voice ring out through the castle in hopes that someone would hear her, but she couldn't. Their eyes locked for a second, before the floor shook and screaming was heard in the distance. Finding her voice, she opened her mouth to scream - only to be hit over the head and the world around her to instantly fade to black.

.................................


Her head felt heavy and one spot felt extremely painful and tender. There was something damp and sticking to her forehead as well. She could vaguely smell food and her stomach growled at the thought. She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten, nor what it was. In fact, she could hardly remember a thing. She was afraid to open her eyes as her thoughts returned to her, afraid to figure out where she was, for, she knew that she wasn't in the castle any longer. The cloaked figure she had seen in her bedchambers came to mind, and her mouth opened as if to finish that scream she had intended on emitting forever earlier. She had no idea how much time had passed since then, nor where she was. Instead, she pretended to sleep a bit longer, trying to rack her brain on what to do.

But, her head was pounding the more she woke into consciouness. She could hardly think straight after a few moments and moaned slightly. Reaching a hand to her head, she pressed the bump and winced, gasping with an intake of breath. "Ow..."

[Raef Veruste]

"Ow..." His head leaned up from cooking his meet and he looked over at her as she finally regained conciousness. She didn't need to be tied up or subdued, yet, she would be in no condition to get away, so he calmly turned back to cooking his food, for right now he wouldn't have to exert himself. There were two things that could happen, she'd either be too disoriented to be able to care much about her current situation for the time being, or she would care a great deal. He simply remained calm, his voice was soft in their dimly lit dwelling for the evening.

"Good evening Princess. I put a cold rag on it to keep the swelling down, don't move it."

As for her current situation, she would probably want an explanation, he was going to give her one anyway, albeit a brief and straightforward one, that's all she needed to know for now. He took a swing of water from his canteen and set it back down next to him.

"You've been kidnapped and are being held for ransom. Please do yourself a favor and don't try to escape, I don't much feel like that. You do everything I tell you, and you'll be home in your room in a few days." Deep down, he knew something entirely different and his expression changed a little before hardening again.

He looked back down at the cooking meat over the fire, he sprinkled some of his spices on it and turned it a little to cook another of its sides better, he turned back to her and spoke again.

"Dinner's almost ready. When it's done, you will eat, because we have a long day ahead of us tommorrow, You don't need to be starving for the journey." He pulled the meat from the fire and examined it. "Don't move too quickly with that bump, you'll get dizzy again and pass out."

[Ielenia Dirin]

"Good evening Princess. I put a cold rag on it to keep the swelling down, don't move it."

So that was the cold thing on her forehead. Her body ached and she tried to move, but it didn't really work. She felt like she'd been dragged for miles and plopped down somewhere. In all her days of training, she had never felt this weak in her life. And, who was this person speaking to her? It was a man's voice, unfamiliar and unemotional. He sounded flat and curt - as if he only spoke to her to give her instructions.

"You've been kidnapped and are being held for ransom. Please do yourself a favor and don't try to escape, I don't much feel like that. You do everything I tell you, and you'll be home in your room in a few days."

"WHAT?!" She exclaimed, immediately shooting up from her position and wishing she hadn't. Her head swirled and her surroundings began to spin. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, holding the cold rag to her forehead in attempts to stop the dizzy feeling. Though, it seemed that the man chose to ignore her. He barely acknowledged her exclamation and as she leaned back against the rock hard wall, she opened her eyes slowly to take in her surroundings. The smell of food made her stomach growl, for she knew that she was starving. Looking up, she remembered the cloaked figure from her bedchamber. Their eyes had met briefly before he had uncermoniously clubbed her over the head. Then what did he do? Why didn't the guards come to her aid? Why had she sent her handmaidens away?

Just thinking made her head hurt. And the smell of the food clouded her thoughts as well. She was uncomfortable on the floor and she wanted to interrogate him, to get up and steal a particularly sharp weapon, stabbing him with it and running for life. But, she knew she couldn't. She wasn't capable of sitting up without the room spinning, she could hardly wield a dagger.

"Dinner's almost ready. When it's done, you will eat, because we have a long day ahead of us tommorrow, You don't need to be starving for the journey."

She wanted to protest in any way she could. Maybe refraining from the nourishment he wished to provide her with would agitate him. Why did he care if she starved through the journey? Obviously someone had hired him, so he should hardly have a care towards her. She only grunted in response, trying to decide whether the food was important for her to eat or not. Surely, she could go a few days in protest without it. But, her body was telling her that she needed it, that she needed something to help her heal the wounds she was sporting.

"Don't move too quickly with that bump, you'll get dizzy again and pass out."

"Too late for that.." She muttered, as her eyes scanned the cave, finally coming into focus. A small fire was burning and providing warmth. She wished she had a cloak, there was still a bit of a chill about the cave that she couldn't shake. Shivering a bit, she wrapped her arms around her, trying to keep herself warm as she stared out the opening to the hidden cave.

This post has been edited by Ielenia Dirin on Jan 1 2006, 02:33 PM

[Raef Veruste]

He smiled a little at her first reactions to her predicament, it wasn't exactly the way he had expected her to act, she was surprised at first, that was understandable, but afterwords she was calm when she spoke, unusually calm, probably just an effect of her head injury. Once she felt better he was sure she'd be more distressed, something he wasn't looking very forward to to dealing with.

On the plus side, she was awake and she was slowly regaining her senses enough to speak and eat. He seasoned the meat again and turned it slowly on the fire. Despite the flames, it was still very much cold inside the dismal little dwelling and he looked back over to her after a few minutes of cooking their meal. He stood up and moved back over to his horse, pulling the last of his blankets out of one of the leather packs. He had four of them, three for himself and another for the horse. He set the folded blanket down on the cold stone and dirt a moment before pulling out the horses blanket and covering him up with it. The horse snorted and slowly sunk to the cave floor.

He retrieved the blanket from the ground and slowly pulled down his hood and the black cloth that hid the lower parts of his face, revealing his unruly dark blonde hair, and his hazel eyes. He didn't make contact with her eyes, he move over to her and knelt beside her. "Don't move..." he gently put his hand on her forehead and dabbed the rag and softly as possible on her wound. "Hopefully the swelling will go down soon. Here. It's going to be cold tonight." Very cold in fact, snow was already starting to fall outside. He unfolded the blanket and covered her up with it. He wouldn't tie her up, he knew she was in no condition to go anywhere far, and she was in the woods, miles and miles from any help and no idea where she was.

Raef moved back over to the fire and removed the meat before making his way back over to her with a plate and another canteen, he had come well prepared for this particular assignment. He handed her the simple wooden plate and the water. "Eat." he said simply and moved back over to his spot by the fire, laying his head back against a rock, gazing into the flames, an almost exhausted look on his face.

[Ielenia Dirin]

Sure, the Princess had been taught to defend herself, but in a situation like this, she could hardly lose her head. Something along the lines of a plan had to be developed, not a hasty response that would surely get her killed or harmed. The last thing she wanted was another throbbing bump on her forehead. She watched as the kidnapper moved without acknowledging her. He walked over to a pack, covered his horse with much compassion it seemed. If he took that good care of his horse, he should his victims as well. She was freezing, and had nothing but a nightdress on. All he could do was tell her,

"Don't move..."

"Like I'm going to go out there anyway." She snorted, motioning towards the snow ridden ground. She only had thin slippers on; the snow would easily soak through the minute she stepped outside, freezing her feet and possibly running the risk of giving her frostbite. She couldn't chance it, it was too much of a risk. Not to mention the fact that she barely had any clothes on as it was. No, she just had to stick it out until the time was right. This gave her ample time to figure out why she was there and who had hired this man. Wincing a bit as he knelt down, she attempted to move away slightly. After all, a man had never seen her with such a flimsy garment on, and she hadn't intended on any man but her future husband to see her in such.

He put his hand to her forehead, softly touching the bump he had caused. She winced again, for the bump was still quite tender. Crossing her arms, she asked, "Do you have anything that I could wrap myself up in, or do you care more about your horse?"

Taking his fingers away, he responded, "Hopefully the swelling will go down soon. Here. It's going to be cold tonight."

Handing her nourishment, she gave him a curt nod as she manuevered it so that she could remain covered and eat the warm meal. "Thanks." She muttered, somewhat grudgingly. She didn't want to thank this man who had taken her away from her warm bed. Always displaying her manners, it was just the thing to do.

"So what's going on?" She asked between bites. She needed to know. She had a right to know. "The truth, please."

[Raef Veruste]

He smiled a little as she grudgingly thanked him, whether or not if it was one out of amusement or politeness was unclear. She was in a situation that most would be rather uncalm about, maybe it was because of her wound, but he doubted it. She had a very strong will it would seem, and it was interesting how she still remembered her regal etiquette despite her position.

She was speaking to him as if her getting up and running away was something he was worried about. The thought of her escaping him was a joke in itself in his opinion. He knew she was poorly dressed for the conditions outside. But with a blanket around her, one for her to sleep on and food and water she would be fine. He wasn't one to be disrespectful in this situation, when he had covered her up and fed her, taken care of her bump, he had made it a point to avert his eyes from her less than adequately clad form to preserve her dignity.

He was also a bit upset about the whole situation as the kidnapping began to play itself over in his mind. The way he had frozen, the way he had looked at her when she saw him was inexcusable and unexplainable. He cursed himself silently and and leaned back against the rock a few feet away from her, taking a long drink of his water and a few slow bites of his food, he shook his head a little, trying to ignore his little mistake.

"So what's going on? The truth, please."

He calmly raised his head from his meal and replied. "Like I said Princess Ielenia. I told you what you needed to know."

[Ielenia Dirin]

"Like I said Princess Ielenia. I told you what you needed to know."

What she needed to know? She needed to know it all. She wanted to know it all, but she knew that pressing the matter further right now wouldn't work. It would only turn the man off to talking to her and she had to keep him talking about anything. At least, she could get to know him better, and maybe later a little slip, or he would confide in her at last.

"So, do you have a name?" she asked, "Since you already know mine."

She vaguely wondered if he would tell her his real name, or provide an alias of sorts. Maybe one he used for his "business." Finishing her plate and taking a swig from the canteen, she tried her best to act lady-like, but generally that was something she only did in the company of other women, her parents, and the court. She did like to let loose and sit back and relax, but it was hard in this type of situation. The jutting from the wall was digging into her lower back, making it extremely uncomfortable for her.

"And where are we going in the morning?"

She was seriously interested, she wanted to know. She hardly ever left the castle and this was a new experience for her, even though she was sort of in a life threatening situation. Though, aside from the bump and kidnapping he had caused, he didn't seem too bad. She wondered how he had gotten into this life of crime, and wondered how big the purse was. It wasn't that her family couldn't afford to pay the ransom, but she knew that they wouldn't do so willingly. Her father would surely put up a fight for his daugther.

[Raef Veruste]

"So, do you have a name? Since you already know mine."

He finished his meal and set it aside. It had been good, the spices and the cooking time had really brought out the flavor in the meat. He stood up again and moved over to her, bringing his canteen with him. He knealt down next to her and did something most unexpected: He took her food and water and set them beside her resting place and he wrapped his arms around her. He moved her slowly away from her uncomfortable position against the rock and lay her down as slowly on the blanket she had been sitting on. He took a raised, flattened rock and lay her head down on it so she had some elevation and a 'pillow' for the night's sleep. He didn't need her moving on her own and becoming dizzy or worse.

Raef tucked the blanket around her and removed the rag from her forehead, pouring more cool water over it before tenderly dabbing the sore on her forehead, a little painful maybe, but it would help. "Raef." He reaplied simply and said no more, carefully placing the rag over her forehead and leaving his hand a moment. "The swelling has started to go down, I'll wet it again later tonight when you're asleep."

He stood once more and moved back over by the fire, sliding down to his resting spot for the evening on his own blanket and resting his head back, placing another log in the fire. He had specifically chosen this location for the first hiding spot, and had stocked it before hand with what they would need, he hand planned everything out to the last detail, to her final question he answered simply. "We will be moving South tommorrow."

[Ielenia Dirin]

He came closer to her, but she wasn't sure she wanted that. She cringed and tried to curl up in an attempt to protect herself against this odd man. He hadn't even said anything, he just moved slowly and surely towards her. "Get back." She whispered, genuinely afraid that he was going to hurt her. Had she thought through reason, she would have realized that he needed her, for three days at least and that he wasn't going to harm her. But, reason had totally left her, and fear had taken over instead. His arms moved out to her and as they went around her she winced a bit. Realizing that he was just laying her down slowly, it made her all the more confused at his gestures. She stared up at him, her eyes attempting to catch his. She always thought that you could figure out what was inside someone by looking into his eyes. Unfortunately, he kept his eyes turned away from her as he created a makeshift pillow out of rock for her.

"But...why?" She sputtered, trying to figure the situation out. He was busy tucking the blanket around her. It was something only a handmaiden had ever done for her, for, she doubted if her parents had ever come into her room at night and tucked her in. As far back as she could remember, that hadn't been the case. He even fixed the cool rag on her forehead, something that only made her colder in the chilly cave.

"Raef."

It was an interesting name. One she had never heard, yet she doubted that anyone had heard her name before she had been born. Wondering if that was his real name, she replied, "Honestly?"

"The swelling has started to go down, I'll wet it again later tonight when you're asleep."

"Maybe you should not.." She said, as he went to reapply the cloth to her forehead. "It is cold and there is a chill. I would not want to fall ill."

"We will be moving South tommorrow."

"You know," she said a bit resentfully, "I am not a child. I think I have a right to know exactly where we are traveling in the morning. I do not usually enter blindly into such ventures."

She was a bit annoyed. She had always been treated as a child, but now she was of age. She had a right to know what was going on, no matter what this kidnapper thought. The least he could do was tell her where they were going specifically, if he couldn't tell her anything else. She resisted the urge to yawn, though sleep was coming fast. She knew it was nighttime, and she knew that her hour of sleep had long since passed. But she refused to let it go, to let her tired head and eyes sleep.

[Raef Veruste]

She had been afraid of him when he had moved toward her, but he had quickly disintergrated the fears by showing her his movements weren't hostile. He drank some more water and boredly poked at the fire. He promptly ignored her question of why he was doing so. He wasn't absolutely thrilled he was appearing so kind to her as it was. He would have to appear so yet again.

"Maybe you should not.. It is cold and there is a chill. I would not want to fall ill."

He rose from his comfortable position once more and moved over, a look of irritance apparent on his face, but as he knelt down, his eyes looked into hers as he removed the cloth, setting it aside and dabbing the water off her forehead with his cloak. There was a twinkle of amusement in his hazel orbs, and somwhat of a smile on his face as she asked him the next question.

"Raef." she repeated "Honestly?"

"Yes, honestly." he said half laughing, he wasn't sure what she meant by that, she probably just thought it was strange, but from where he came from, alot of things might be strange about him to others. "Thanks alot."

"You know," she said a bit resentfully. "I am not a child. I think I have a right to know exactly where we are traveling in the morning. I do not usually enter blindly into such ventures."

He sighed, he had never met a job that was so damn stubborn and demanding, but then again, he had never kidnapped anybody, he usually killed them. "You're already going to be a headache I can tell...is this a situation you're usually in? Whether or not you think you have a right in this situation is non-existant, because you are a prisoner. Your royal demands and what you're used to don't apply here." He wasn't angry when he said this, he was very calm. He finally shook his head and spoke again. "We're going to Gavan. You figure out why."

"In any case..." he started. "Head's dry, I've fed you..." he smiled a little as he noticed the drowsyness in her drooping eyes, her mouth half opening before she closed it again to hide the yawn. He hadn't noticed until now his hand was still on her forehead and his eyes still on hers. He removed him both quickly and cursed inwardly. "I think it's time to go to sleep."

[Ielenia Dirin]

"Yes, honestly."

"I just thought-"

"Thanks alot."

"I am sorry." She said, downcasting her eyes a bit. It wasn't like her to be skeptical about other people, but in this type of situation she could hardly help it. She probably didn't even have to repeat her apologies to him, but did so anyway. In a way, she felt like she had hurt his feelings by bringing up the proposition that he had lied to her. But, why shouldn't he lie? He was in a position to. Surely, he did not want his name repeated among the halls of the castle, provided that she indeed returned. Her stomach dropped at the thought of never seeing the castle again, the marbled halls, her father and family. Raef had said three days. Three days of hopeless wandering. Her father would come and find her, she knew. Hopefully, their journey wouldn't be too bad there...

Raef's kind gesture of removing the frigid cloth from her forehead confused her more. Having heard numerous tales of kidnappings, she usually heard about cruel treatments and tortures. Or the use of women for a man's own desires. For some reason, she felt that Raef was different than those barbaric men. He handled her carefully, making sure that she was comfortable and that the pain he caused had subsided and would cease. Others might have just let her continue with her wounds without letting her care for them.

"You're already going to be a headache I can tell...is this a situation you're usually in? Whether or not you think you have a right in this situation is non-existant, because you are a prisoner. Your royal demands and what you're used to don't apply here."

She opened her mouth, and closed it again, speechless. No one in her life had ever spoken to her in such a manner, and it disturbed her greatly. She had been thinking pretty high of Raef before then, for all his care towards her, but now her face registered utmost contempt.

"No one wishes to be in this situation. The least you could do," She replied angrily at him, "is let the captor know what is going on."

"We're going to Gavan. You figure out why."

"Gavan?" She almost shrieked. "I am not going there!"

She would rather go into the alps and sit there and freeze than go to Gavan. Surely, Raef knew that the two royal familys did not entirely get along too well. If they heard that she was there, they would not hesitate to find her and take her for their own means. And luring her father there? Was this a plan of the Gavan's? Who was behind this? Looking down at her cold palms, she tried to think things through. Last time she had checked, there hadn't been any disturbances or plans coming from either side in the direction of war. But, she knew that it was close, she could feel it in her heart.

"In any case..."

"Yes?"

"Head's dry, I've fed you..."

"Oh, well, that is true.." She muttered, her mind elsewhere.

"I think it's time to go to sleep."

"I do not think I am as tired as you are now." She responded, turning on her back and looking up at the cave wall. She could hardly sleep with all the thoughts running through her mind. How was she supposed to? Blinking her eyes a few times, she thought of her life back at the castle and how simple everything had been before this. She knew, after this, that nothing would be the same again.

[Raef Veruste]

Raef watched her for a moment, his last few comment didn't register with her well, but perhaps that was for the better in this situation, perhaps he had been getting alot closer to her than he had wanted, and that was a very ill idea considering what might have to happen. Were it under any other circumstance, he wouldn't have minded so much. He stood up, the contempt on her face a sign she didn't want him near her at the moment and moved back over to the fire, wrapping his blanket around him and tried to relax back against the rock.

She had been shocked when he had told her that they were going to Gavan, he hadn't bothered to respond because of how visibly upset she was at him at the moment. He just relaxed as best he could against the slightly reclined rock behind him and stared into the flames. He knew full well of the history of this Kingdom and that of Gavin, what was coming. He also knew that this would be apart of it, just as she would soon know exactly why they were going to Gavan in the first place. The pieces would all come together soon. Very soon. Would one feel bad that he be provoking a war? Maybe. But in Raef's mind, if war came over this, it would only merely step up the timetable for what was already coming. And if he hadn't of taken her from the castle, someone else surely would have, and she'd probably be much worse off than she was then, knowing some of the mercenaries and assassins he did.

He took a drink of water and rolled his head back against the stone, resting his eyes a moment, his voice broke the silence of the small cave and crackling fire. "Are you comfortable?"

[Ielenia Dirin]

"Are you comfortable?"

His voice cracked through the silent cave, ringing in her ears and echoing through. She was sure it sounded much louder than it really was because of the silence. The snow made no sound like the rain as it fell softly on the ground outside. There seemed to be no wind, just the unfortunate straight-falling of the heavy snow piling outside. She vaguely wondered if he would have to dig them out in the morning, the snow having piled too high outside.

"Fine," she muttered, not really paying attention to whether he cared. Why should he care? He had plans to capture her and she was beginning to think these plans were more trouble than was worth. By morning, the whole royal army could be on their tail. Did that mean they'd have to go quickly through the bad weather? And what if they didn't arrive on time? Would someone go after the rest of her family.

She heaved a huge sigh, pulling the blanket closer up around her. She could see her Father's face in front of her, illuminated by the light of the candle in his study. He obviously had reason to be worried, and she could only imagine that he would blame himself for this mishap. It could hardly of been prevented, she thought.

Shaking her head, she tried to rid the thoughts, she was tired and a loud yawn came from her mouth. She covered it, hoping that she wouldn't disturb Raef, for she hardly knew what he would do if she did. Closing her eyes, she decided that it was definitely time for bed.

[Raef Veruste]

The snow slowly filled the entrance, he would have to dig a little to get them out in the morning. The horse snorted a little off to the side as it finally settled in for the evening. She was starting to as well. It was good. She needed the rest for the coming morning. He settled into his rocky support. He had been counting on the snow, it would greatly hamper any sort of early tracking of the pair, if any.

He closed his weary hazel eyes and quickly drifetd to sleep. the darkness of slumber soon gave way to the light of the painful images that seldom ran through his head. He could see their faces, his mother, his father, those running about the village in sheer terror and desperation as the well armored raiders cut them down like grass, one by one. The men tore through the town, setting their homes on fire, stealing their property, food; sparing noone.

These images came too often, and they always ended the same way. His mother's beautiful face smiling at him, trying to offer him any comfort as she closed the hidden cellar door and slid their rug overtop it, then everything went black. Moments later her scream as footsteps thundered across their floor. The darkness was always so cold and lonely, the crackling of his home on fire, the screams of those outside and the clashing and murdering metal of swords dying to nothing. Everything grew silent.

He awoke as the winter birds outside chirped away at the bright sunny new day. He could see the light of the warm winter morning coming through the thin patch of the snow covering the entrance, already starting to melt it. Warm sweat covered his forehead he quickly looked over as if his prisoner wouldn't be there. She was sleeping soundly, turned away. Hopefully she hadn't heard him during the night. the fire was still going, but barely, he fueled it and stood, stretching. It was time to eat and then get moving, He dried his dampened hair, and face and moved forward, looking over at her. He moved to her side and knealt down, covering her up with the bit of blanket that had slipped down and moved to the cave entrance and began to dig out, it was bright out and he shielded his eyes a moment, then moved into the light.

After several minutes he returned, holding four large eggs, he moved to his pack and got his supplies, and heating up the fire yet again. Several more minutes passed, and the delicious aroma of eggs and sausage began to fill the gave as Raef prepared breakfast.