“Commander? When did you get promoted? You don’t even have a big enough army to be called Commander, Carmon.” Rye enquired with a shot of her hands flying every which way.

“You have been away too long Rye. The Vena army has converged with four of Fireton’s armies to make Stormin’s protectors vast. We need the protection now, but that is unimportant.” Carmon rubbed his chin, “What is essential is to know why you left home!” Carmon spoke as his voice became stern like he was talking to a soldier.

“You want to know why I left home? Why so you can judge me?” Rye snapped. Narrowing her sights, Rye shot her arms into a cross as she drummed her fingers annoying on her biceps.

Carmon sighed as he tried to calm himself so she would follow his example and sooth her bubbling anger. “Ryden I’m not here to judge, accuse nor laugh at you. I just want to know why you left. What is so important to you that you couldn’t be a keeper?” Carmon requested. Rye felt twitchy as she flopped into a chair with a thump. Hearing the thunk of the Renik smacking into the chair, she choked off her rude giggles as she heard Carmon mutter a vile curse under his breath. “Then you are going to time be about this Renik.” Carmon commanded.

“First of all, don’t talk to me as if I’m one of your bloody soldiers Carmon and secondly he is called Garth.” Rye shot at Carmon, causing him to shoot back a warning glare. “But if you must know I’ll tell you,” Rye sighed finally as she rubbed her eyes, “When you all left, it was just me and dad so that meant it was time for him to teach me how to care for the books. Each damn day I would awake a five am to learn how to sort, clean, and watch the books as if one was going to grow legs and walk off! I did that for five years, the same thing over and over again; you couldn’t even image how boring it was for me. Sort clean watch! Finally when I was fifteen years old I gathered my most important things together and snuck out of the house without father knowing. You should know how easy that is, since I learned how to get by father from you and Regan.” Rye smirked slightly.

“Please don’t remind me of that.” Carmon sighed casually seeming to let off his steam. “But where did you go after you left home? What was so significant?”

“Well ever since I was the mere age of five, I’ve watched all you boys play with swords, slingshots, and ride horses. It made me want to learn how but since I was a girl it was very improper for me. Instead of being like you guys, I have to learn how to cook, clean and become a young lady. Be respectable and crap. Over the years my hunger to learn to be like a male was strong and then finally I just gave up on being lady like. I ran away to learn how to become a skilled swordswoman, archer, and horseback rider and…” Rye stopped as she looked up to her brother to see the look of disgrace on his face.

“What else Ryden?” Carmon spoke angrily. Rye tilted her head at the brewing anger again as she was wondering when did Carmon develop a wavy temper.

“A sorceress... somewhat.” Rye spoke as she withdrew her eyes from her brother. Before her brother could give her another lecture a man knocked on the door making her brother straighten up and turn like stone. Usually she would have made a mockery of him when his back was turned, but she was already in enough trouble, she thought it was better to leave him alone and shut up.

“Commander Hunter, General Stone has come to bring you more men.” The young soldier from before announced proudly, like some child who just done right and was waiting for some praise. Watching the General walk pass the soldier, the young man stood at the door without a care in the world.

“Walker I have a job for you. Come here boy.” Carmon snapped as he glanced over to Rye with humiliation still glinting in his eyes. Rye shot an ignorant face back at him as she was beginning to get really sick of being treated as the 14 year old, he had once known and protected.

“Uh yes sir?” this Walker boy spoke. Noting this young lad in her head, Rye could see that Walker was two years older than her. He stood greatly taller than her and Carmon but that didn’t matter really. When did height of a man measure the status he held in an army? To her swift guessing she assumed the soldier was about six foot five as his awesome golden blonde hair folded upwards into a spiked look as four loose strands fell over his soul binding ice blue eyes. Rye was amused by his eyes as they seemed to hold tales behind them and other hints of mystery… was it wrong to take in a wondrous gaze of the charming soldier or was she just being a flirty young woman?

“Take my sister to the left wing quarters and stay with her until I come. Understand Walker?” Carmon commanded securely. Giving her brother a nod, he turned towards Rye and waited for her to stand. “Come along Mistress Hunter, please.” Walker spoke kindly. Rye guessed this Walker fellow assumed she had the same last name as Carmon, never clicking in that she could be married. Rye smirked to herself as she thought twice about that little scenario.

Keeping her examining sights upon the lord, she thought that he didn’t really seem to fit the profile of a soldier but who was she to judge him?

Following the soldier up three flights of stairs and down a left wing, Rye noticed that this young man was slightly different from the others but she couldn’t put her finger on it. There was something different in his surrounding aura that cried to her half elf breed… but dared she ask or even listen to her sense of others? -It always seemed to get her into trouble that sense- Curving a sly smile onto her lips, Rye shook her head of an awful thought she had been cooking in the back of her terrible mind. She knew better of her thoughts and knew if she was to act on her thought, she’d be in a lot of trouble from Scarlet. Rye shivered at the thought automatically.

“Mistress Hunter your room, for now.” Walker smiled as he held an open hand towards the shut door.

Rye crooked an eye towards the door, the floor and then to the handsome young soldier. “What is your name sir?” Rye asked as held a curious look to Walker. Seeing his eyes moved down to Garth, he shook his head and then returned to hold her eyes. “Grey Walker, miss. At your service.” Grey greeted sweetly.

Rye traced her fingers over her arms as she held a sweet face. “Quite a young gentleman you are Grey, but I’m not a lady of proper statue so you may just call me Rye. It’s a lot easier.” Rye grinned slyly.

“I couldn’t do that Mistress Hunter. You’re the sister of the commander and even if you aren’t a lady it’s still improper of a man to call a woman by her first name.” Grey lectured. Rye rolled her eyes. It wasn’t the first time she had heard that talk and it wasn’t ever going to be the last.

“Just call me Rye when you’re around me then, when you’re with my brother call me Mistress Hunter. Can you handle that, Grey?” Rye smirked. Listening to Garth’s gurgles of; unique delight, Rye seen Grey smirk also and then give her a nod.

He straighten up to tower over her, as it was an odd comfort to have another talkative one with her, and even more comforting to have a Elven Lord with her - even if he was ‘supposedly’ to her body a hevanick-. “Alright Rye, I think I can handle that. Just as long as your brother doesn’t kill me.” Grey joked lightly. Looking down the corridor Rye asked Grey a simple question that she hoped he knew.

“How long do you think my brother is going to be?” Rye asked simply. “Oh about two hours Rye.” Grey replied. “Would you like me to take you on a tour of the hall? I doubt your brother will know that I took you around.” Grey grinned deviously.

Rye cooked a charming laugh in her throat as she like the fact of a soldier daring to defy her grouchy brother. “I’ll be Grey you dare to tempt my brother and your commanding officer… I think I’m going to like you.” Rye laughed.

“Shall we Rye?” Grey laughed as he looked to Garth once more.

“Don’t worry about Garth, Grey. But let’s get moving before my brother decides to come and check on you or me.” Rye beamed.

“Wise and witty. You kinda like your brother Rye.” Grey commented.

“Okay now I don’t know if I should take that as an insult or a compliment.” Rye contorted. ‘I truly think that’s a compliment.’ Rye reminded herself.

As they steadily walked down the corridor once again, Rye traced her eyes along the rug with a gold trim that fitted the red in lining. Rye kept an eye on Grey as it was a slow, welcoming feeling to have the stupid protective care as she did when she was younger. To have the same annoyed motion to run and hide from her following care, but this was a little different. Grey seemed to have a soft feel to him that gave her the reassurance that he wouldn’t cause her to want to run away… not that really the thought of escape seriously crossed her fluttering mind. Feeling Garth roll about again for the millionth time today, Rye noted to herself that the fuzz ball seemed to dislike walking and much more preferred to roll like a log. ‘Why was he given feet if it likes to roll?’ Rye queried the great spirits.

“Rye?” Grey called as he tapped her shoulder lightly.

Rye jumped slightly under the touch. “Huh? Oh sorry kinda dazed Grey,” Rye blushed benevolently. “But whatcha need Grey?”

“Not a thing, just making sure your still in this world Rye.” Grey smiled as he ignored her blushing. “Looked like you, were joining the land of the dead there for a minute.” Rye laughed slightly as she cursed herself for the stupidity of a little daze.

“Well I’m back now.” Rye smirked. “So what’s there to see in this place, Grey?” Rye asked quietly. Watching him turn his soul piercing blue eyes to her, he slowly sighed as his shoulders slumped. Curving her hands behind her head, she waited for his response.

“Nothing.” Grey put bluntly, “I’ve circled this place so many times that I could sleep walk in here and still know where I’m at. But…” Grey started as he quickly glanced to his left and then right. “You know Rye I could take you outside and to Stormin’. There’s a celebration going on this past week and I think it might present some leisure.” Looking up and down Grey, Rye smiled sweetly and then just gave him an effortless nod.

“Sounds like something that could contain my amusement for a while.” Rye replied as she wondered if Grey ever left the Vena Base. Why she wondered was the Celebration of Three Suns had ended over a week ago. But she wasn’t about to tell him that. This was the guy that was risking his soldier status against her brother to walk around and provide a little introduction to the world of Vena… as if she didn’t already know.

Pushing past the many other guards Rye could have swore there were thousands out on the lot just waiting for someone to walk by and question -even if it was one of there own-. Any time one grazed an eye over Grey and herself it was a field day for questions. ‘Where were they going?’ ‘Why was he taking the Commanders Sister around?’ ‘What happened to the Commanders orders of staying put?’ But Grey proved to a crafty sort as each lie spurting from his mouth was smarter than the last, but each lie had to do with an errand that Rye had to perform but he was her guard. Seemed likely enough to be bought over and over.

Finally passing by the last gate, the two of them where more than relieved to get away from the forever searching eyes.

“Rye you know I lied when I said we could go to the celebration?” Grey asked as he kept his eyes on the road ahead.

Rye sported a harmonise laugh. “I knew, I was just wondering if I should say something or not.” Rye raked her fingers through the temple of her hair. “Where should we head out too?”

“Somewhere-” Grey had a mischievous grin crossing his charms as it absolutely fascinated Rye. “-Just following me and stay close alright. There are thieves out in the forest just waiting for passing people to jump on and rob blindly.” Grey warned as he finally looked to her.

Rye knew they were on the road to Haven Fortress if there were going to be bandits on the road. “Come on Grey. Do you think they will really attack us?” Rye directed a semi gloved finger down to Garth. “Look we have Garth a renik and then we have you, a soldier from the Vena army. I greatly doubt that they will try to attack us.” Rye smiled assertively.

“Believe what you will Rye.” Grey grumbled as he started to walk ahead of Rye with caution. Looking down to Garth whom sat on the ground slightly cocking his head to the left and then lifted his nose into the air and started to sniff it. Putting a friendly hand upon the Reink’s head, she smoothed back the animal’s coarse hair. The clicks of the blue armour Grey wore; was something she seemed to recall when her White Cobra hit the scabbard on the side of her leg. The same tapping melody drifted from both, causing a soothing song to her.

“Come along Garth.” Rye spoke as she eyed Grey ahead of her.

“RYE GET UP HERE! I’M NOT COMING BACK THERE AND DRAGGING YOU!” Grey yelled over his shoulder. Rye heard some other words slip past his mouth as she chose to pass them off as harmless mutters.

“YES SIR!” Rye called back playfully. Running up to the Grey, Rye heard Garth growling and sneering good-humouredly at a rather hefty dragonfly.

Balancing on the edge of the branch of the tree, Rye seen Grey watching her to make sure she didn’t fall out. Her excitement got the better of her as the wind through the canopies over head was a longed for nature call. Joyful squeals of silver aurahs birds in the sky, echoed through the wind as she slid her feet down a falling branch. Reaching up for a higher limb, Rye heard Grey telling her to get down from there and remain close. They had been walking for at least thirty minutes as she had completely forgotten about the warning about thieves Grey had given her. Rye coughed to herself as she sprang out of her fun to his side as she was sure if there were bandits here, they must have seen Garth and Grey and been scared out of their minds. Chuckling to herself, Rye suddenly felt Grey stopped her with a hand on her stomach.

“Back off Rye.” Grey commanded.

Rye removed Greys hand as she almost clocked him one for daring to tell her to back off. “I don’t think so Grey. If there is any trouble coming along I am not just going to stand here and let you fight. I’m probably a better swordsman than you anyways.” Rye spoke as she pushed pass Grey.

“WAIT!” Grey yelled as he tried to grab Rye’s shirt but missed by a slip of the fingers. Twitching her ears, Rye withdrew the White Cobra Sword as she traced took two sliding steps to a tree on her right. Giving it a direct kick to make it wobble, she turned her chin up to see a woman holding onto the tree for dear life.

“Oh come on now. That is what I’m suppose to fear?” Rye smirked. Rye arched her ears to a high warning peak as she could smell the awful stench of this bandit behind her.

“No this is what you’re supposed to fear.” A gruff voice spoke behind Rye.

Rye peeked over her shoulder “Are you going to put that meagre weapon away or am I going to break it?” Rye growled as she held a hateful look to the face of unshaven man.

“Cujii put down your weapon.” Grey spoke from the left side of Rye and this guy. Glancing to the side, Rye seen Grey looking upon the one he called Cujii with anger and then Grey casually looked over to Rye.

Snorting like a pig, Cujii grinned evilly towards Grey and then lowered his sword from Rye’s neck. Whipping around on her heels Rye raised her own sword to lop off the head of his man as she seen Grey wave his hand asking her not to.

“So you finally decided to come back and look at yourself Grey. Some kind of soldier? I thought I’d never see the day.” Cujii smiled foolishly. Rye blinked a little. ‘They knew each other… guess it was a small world after all.’ Rye told herself as she sheathed the blade into its scabbard.

“Things happen over three years Cujii unless there with you then there are never changes.” Grey stepped forward. “You’re still the low down thief, with no point in life and no where to go. You’re an eye sore to look upon.” Grey snapped hatefully as he held Cujii’s glare. The two seemed as if they were about to jump and start a brawl with each as Rye twitched her one ear to the continuous beat of the walking footsteps towards the three. Grey soon enough lifted his stare from the man to a woman on the side as a weak and humble smile greeted his charms once again.

“What do you want here Grey?” a woman asked from behind him. Turning a bit to look over his shoulder, Grey smiled kindly to an older woman and then took a cautious glance back to Cujii.

Rye rubbed the back of her hand. ‘Does everyone know everyone?’ Rye pondered some.

“Dovea you should know that I’m only venturing back to my home.” Grey smiled.

‘Back to his home?’ Rye turned her eyes over the three. ‘Okay I missed something here.’

“Is that so, then who is this? Some prostitute for you Grey?” Cujii asked as he pointed to Rye. “Not a very good one at that I’d say. She doesn’t know how to behave like a woman!” Feeling her rage rise, Rye quickly twisted her-self about and gave Cujii a fleet kick to his ribs, sending him sprawling across the ground.

“I am not some kind of pleasure for Soldier Walker, you revolting excuse for a man! And if you dare to call me anything else besides Mistress Hunter I will personally rip out your tongue and feed it to my pet here!” Rye barked brutally as she indicated to Garth whom sat quietly at her feet. ‘Bastards!’ Rye yelled at herself.

The other woman started laughing harmlessly as she seemed to like Rye’s little display of anger. “I like her already Grey.” Dovea smiled with delight to see her take a man down so effortlessly. “Come, you must visit my home, Mistress Hunter.”

Rye turned an eye to Grey to see if he objected to the idea. “Thanks for the invite, but come on how can you stand a maggot like that? Jeez I would have hung him long ago.” Rye spat as she smiled grimly to Cujii as he complained about his ribs. ‘Next time I’ll rip his damn heart out.’ Rye smirked evilly to the idea.

“Well you can’t really hang your eldest brother Mistress Hunter. It’s kinda stupid if you know what I mean.” Dovea spoke as she tapped the side of her temple.

Laughing nervously, Rye wondered how far she crawled into this hole. “Oh… ah… that’s your brother? Sorry about that… I think?” Rye smirked as she rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment.

Dovea waved her hand to erase her embarrassment. “It’s alright Mistress Hunter, he had it coming one of these days and I’m just glad it was you that took him down instead of me or his wife,” Dovea laughed harmlessly. “Well come with me. Grey we can get you some comfortable clothes if you like?” Plainly nodding Grey turned his attention to Rye. Cujii and Dovea started off before them as Rye turned a concerned eye over to the soldier by her side.

“Would you like to explain how you know theses people Grey?” Rye asked sweetly trying not to sound threatening.

“I use to be one of them… something I’m not proud of Rye. I don’t want to go into details.” Grey spoke with no emotion in his voice.

“Oh… alright.” Rye rubbed her ear in confusion but decided not to push the subject. It wasn’t something she didn’t need to know.