Chapter Seven

Slyde: "Yes, that was truly a good fight." As Bitey begins to walk away, Slyde slips his plate back on and stands up. With his ribs braced up and ready to heal, Slyde made his way back towards the cart. Nearing the cart Slyde turns to face Bitey. "But Sir Bitey, you forget. I have no army nor belong to any forces. And if I do, I would have no clue of that."

Alouen: "Ah, no Bitey, I'm fine." She covered her wound as much as possible, to keep people from seeing. No point burdening them more. She could take care of herself. She hoped, anyway.

"Turbo!!! You're all right!!!" Taran said as he hugged his bird. Then he looked up at Alouen. "You OK??" He asked. She hadn't ever screamed like that before... Turbo looked up and warked happily. It wasn't in danger of dying anymore, but it still looked weak. Taran looked Turbo over and said "Well, you're in no condition to be pulling a cart are you??" He winked at Turbo. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a carrot. "here you are... You just have a carrot and Rest up before anything else happens."

The sounds of horses hooves reached me, and she cocked her head slightly. She hoped it wasn't more enemies. She had something particulary devious in mind for the next thing that thought to make her its dinner. Well, anything that used horses couldn't possibly be a monster. Unless it was some horse monster. ''I'd like to see that." She reached out in a familiar manner, signaling for Mille to take her arm. She kept her wound concealed as she spoke to her.

"Mille, are there horses around here? I can hear some coming from over there." Removing her arm from Mille's grasp, she points in the direction of the sounds. "Actually, never mind. I'll go see who it is myself." Bringing her walking stick out of her side clasp, she began quickly, but carefully walking towards the sounds of the approaching people.

Mille quickly catches up, and guides her towards the road without going through the grass. If anything was hostile, she hoped her senses warned her before she got into something no one could handle. Of course, this could just be a travelling troupe of healers. That would be fortunate. Her wound throbbed, but she placed it at the farthest spot from my mind. She wanted to meet the horses, and the people riding them, if any.

Blaize saw Bitey coming towards him after he had treated Slyde and said to him, "Thanks Bitey. It may not be the biggest wound, but I guess I shouldn't let it get infected or anything, huh? It'll give me a chance to read over the scroll anyway." As Bitey started to treat his wounds, Blaize pulls out the scroll from under his cloak and reads over it carefully.

"We all belong to a force, Sir Slyde. It is a matter of choosing which," returns Bitey. He tends to Blaize's injuries. "Brave words Mister Blaize, but there is nothing little about these." He watches the man read. That explains the glowing. He leans over, trying to see what language the scroll is written in. It is nonsense... perhaps a hidden meaning like the Prophetess' vision.

Blaize looks at the worn parchment and like magic some of the words make sense to him. He blinks his eyes again to make sure things are clear. After the battle he felt fatigued and now that his wounds were being addressed he could focus on the glowing parchment.

"The night of moons will bring forth the fighting spirit. Band together for your fates lie on one path, the chosen ones are precious and should be protected at all costs."

Blaize remembers who the chose were in the group and looks at everyone to make sure those few were still with them. He finds them all and breathes heavily, sighing in relief. At this moment Bitey was looking over his shoulder to see the parchment. Losing interest quickly Bitey returned to dressing wounds.

Blaize read on...

"On this night a darkness will flow forth from the earth bring destruction to what ever it touches. A prescence revived from a day long past, coming to us in our hour of helplessness. The earth will cry out in pain, the chosen will know their path, as each lies in it's own direction."

Blaize does not know what it means right off hand, but decides he will think it over.

What in the is happening, I can actually read this bloody thing. Blaize was rather confused by this surprise. This was the first that he had ever been able to read of it. Before it had been Killjoy who was able to decipher the scroll, though he told Blaize everything he read, or at least Blaize hoped he did. Reading the chosen are precious and should be protected at all costs, Blaize thought to who the chosen were, I know that Alouen is the wise who does not see. But it also spoke of one so young whose life is with things of another, but whose soul is pure and good. Is that Taran, or is it Viva or Koi or Millie. I guess it COULD be one of Bitey's kids, but...Nah, there's no way. He looks around to see that every one of the possible chosen is here, he sees Taran and Viva and Koi, but cannot find Alouen or Millie, he walks up to Taran and asks, "Have you seen Alouen or Millie, I can't seem to find them."

"I dunno," Taran replies, "she just ignored me and wandered off, that way..." He gestured the direction Alouen went off in. "I assume Millie was with her." He stood up. "Why?? Is something wrong? Come on, let's find her."

Slyde enters into the back of the cart and sits down with Serena. He eyes the big warrior slowly but brings his eyes back to Serena. "How are you? I hope you aren't hurt. I'm afraid I must apologize. I.... triggered this incident. If I had not gone out further we might have never fought those abominations. You will forgive me, after all, we had just started over so that we may not break down into petty fights."

Serena looks up at Slyde and thinks for a moment. She smiled a bit then moved over to Slyde's side and put a hand on his shoulder.

"It's all right Slyde. I'm ok. We're all a little bruised and battered but we're alive. It's not your fault either. You didn't know those things would attack us, how could you have? You'd have to be a prophet or something to know."

She laughed a bit at her last comment.

"You did what you thought was best for all of us, that's all we can ask of you. No more, no less. If it's my forgiveness you seek, you can stop. There's no forgiveness here for there's nothing to forgive as far as I'm concerned."

Slyde thought over Serena's words and agreed. Perhaps she's right. Perhaps if I hadn't gone out that far we never would have known about those beasts and we would have been an easy morsal. "Thank you, your words of wisdom have soothed this heart. I owe you a when we get to a inn. And no offense but when we get to town, I suggest you get something less.... revealing. Don't want to draw attention, now do we?" Slyde replies as he gives her a quick glance. On his last sentence he gives Serena a wink and grin. He departs with a bow and heads toward his horse. Nearing the beast, Slyde looks around to find Alouen. I should tell her too, and Blaize as well. And where in the blazes is Mort? Oh well. Jumping up into his saddle Slyde spurs the horse and heads off to find Alouen and Mille. "I'll be right back." I sure hope they didn't head to the road. Who knows what trouble they can get into on there. Plus, it appeared her magic was not as controlled as I predicted it would be. Perhaps, she is ill or wounded or this is that darkness she talked about. I will ask her about this too. Slyde thought as he headed off in the tall grass towards the road.

Seeing Kamis move himself up to a sitting position and lean back, Serena moved back to her original position.

"Looks as if you're feeling better at least. Would you like something to drink or eat?"

Kamis ignored what the others around him were saying. His whole body was in pain: his leg, his head, his sides. He didn't have the patience at the moment to answer any questions that might be forthcoming, although no one had come up yet and questioned him. Perhaps they trust me after all. A bit foolish, but.... The soldier slid to a sitting position, resting his head against the side of the cart, and sighed. After that he remained silent and listened.

Kamis shook his head at Serena's offer. He knew that any food that passed his lips would find its way back up. Besides, he'd eaten somewhere along the way here....hadn't he? The headache chose this time to make a glorious return. There was a sudden sharp, stabbing in his temple and Kamis gasped in pain. "Ungh...Perhaps some water?"

"Alright then."

She sat up for a moment and grabbed the waterskin once more. Taking it carefully to his lips, she held his head up and tilted the skin to allow some of the water to flow into his mouth. She stopped briefly to allow him time to swallow and breath.

"Better?"

"If you don't mind I'd like to ask you a couple of questions. Where did you come from?"

Mort kept his hands by his sides, fighting the urge to reach for his weapons. He stood there, immobile. The last remnants of the dying wind playing with his graying red hair.

An eon seemed to pass, as these two dark beings waited for an action to occur, be it the others or theirs. Eventually Mort unclenched he teeth so as to speak.

"Do you not remember me? No, I don't suppose that you would. Where are we off to now then child? Another scouting trip perhaps, or are we off to destroy another band of unwary adventurers?"

Los didnt understand what the pale man had said. There were a lot of words but none he could really see applying to himself. Something did come across, this man was speaking like he knew something. Could this be some unwholesome sorcerer that summoned those creatures at us... Los thought to himself.

"Scouting trip?" Los questioned. "I'm simply travelling..." He glanced back at the cart. "I was traveling with a cart but it looks like it won't be going any time soon." Los faced the pale man watching his odd reactions. "We were attacked by some manner of foul beast in the night, but then you wouldn't know anything about that would you?"

"And what reason would I have why to send beasts after the group," Mort replies heatedly, "If I remember it was a band of ninjas that attacked and murdered the general and his entourage."

Slowly Mort starts to walk towards the group, his arms never revealing themselves from within the midsts of his cloak.

Los watched the pale man move closer, stepping back. He still had no idea what the pale man was talking about... less so now. Why was the fool suddenly heated? Why was he walking towards the campsite. "I've honestly no idea what you're talking about..." Los grumbled like a kid in detention as the man neared him. Los stepped to the side to allow the man clear walking space by some good distance. "I still don't know who you are... you appeared after we fought with those monsters... for all I know you were their cause..." Los turns, watching. He didnt want to go back, but he wouldnt just hand the others over to some possible wicked evil.

Ignoring Los for the time being Mort wandered past towards the camp. He looked around at the resting troupe, healing their wounds as if the danger had passed.

The danger is never past, it mearly waits in silence. Mort cursed again as he realised this was another one of his blocked memories arising subconciously. This information I hold, that is denied to me, is there anyway in which I can fully access it? And more importantly, why is it hidden?

Los waited to see how the group would react to the pale man... He had the feeling that something wasnt right about this guy... but he wasn't the best person to note that. He just continued to stand a good distance behind.

Alouen refused his treatment and wandered off. Having nothing better to do, Bitey wiped his swords on the tall grass. He thought it might be best to get some sleep, but with the sounds of hooves and everyone wandering in that general direction, he decided he would have to go intervene again. Must be ever vigilant with this group.

With Millie by her side, Alouen approached the road. While she sensed nothing, she was not sure whether she could trust your senses, especially with the darkness that seems to surround her. With what happened as she tried to heal Turbo, she was unsure of whether she should even use her magic again. Still, she had to be sure of these horses.

Besides the horses she also heard something creeking, moving slowly, as if being dragged. She deduced that it might be a wagon of some sort, so who ever was travelling was coming with cargo. In the distance, Millie was the first to see the wagon.

She tells Alouen exactly what she sees...

"A wagon pulled by four horses, and some men on horses, not close enough to count yet, but there are numerous riders.

"Wagon pulled by four horses?" No normal folk could afford to pull their carriage with four horses. It must be someone of some importance then. Oh dear...that means if they come upon our group back in the grass, they might think us bandits or something, waiting in ambush. That's not a good first impression.

"Well then Mille, shall we walk on and see who comes our way? I don't think a blind woman and her friend could alarm them too much."

She smiled, and, again with the aid of Mille and her walking stick, head straight for the entourage.

Not too far one of the riders noticed two women walking towards them. He licked his lips as he though of how long it had been since he had been with a woman. The small one was too young but would do good for keeping later on. The tall one was good enough for him. He figured that during their trip it was slim pickings so he would take what he got.

The wagon was tossed side to side as the mud made hard travel. The rider's cloaks that hung down behind the riders were caked with splashes of mud. The storm has set them behind a day, but they would try to make it up. Jocyn, the wagon driver slapped the horses with his whip to make them move faster. The weight alone of the wagon was making deep indentions into the road that was now pretty much a mud pit.

"Boss!" yelled one of the riders. "Two women approaching us ahead. You want us to take them out?"

Jocyn looked at his nephew. "Boy, now why in the would you do that huh? We ain't had ourselves a nice piece of woman in a long time, let's have fun with them first."

Jocyn's newphew grinned from ear to ear as he smiled at his uncle's words. "Yes uncle, them's tasty women."

As the women got closer Jocyn ordered his men not to seem too eager. "Boys you be careful now, make sure they are unaccompanied, surround them, and let's see what this precious flower as to say about herself." The men laughed, and Jocyn only encouraged his horses to move faster.

It was not long until the two women approached Jocyn's wagon. The women stopped and Jocyn's boys smiled at them, as did Jocyn.

"Hello there ladies, tell me now what two beautiful women like you are doing walking these roads after the kind of storm we just had."

As he spoke Jocyn's boys were trotting around, looking, but seeing nothing. They surrounded the two women, but did nothing. They were not being aggressive and as far as the women could tell, they were just riders.

Jocyn awaited the women's response.

Back at the camp, tending wounds and gathering wits was what was happening. Taran had just mentioned that Alouen and Millie had walked off.

Mort had walked into the camp and Los was keeping an eye on them.

Bitey carefully made his way through grass and over hill, intent on herding this group back together, where he could keep a proper watch over them. He saw a wagon and the Prophetess and Mille apparently chatting with the new arrivals. He resolutely approached, saying loudly, "Ah, Prophetess, you should not be wandering away from the entourage. More of those tentacle horrors could be around, and I think we are all tired of destroying ugly creatures for today." He looks around at the assembled riders, his ill-bred sense tingling.

Before Alouen could get a word out edge wise, Bitey had cover the hill and called out her title. Jocyn quickly looked up and his boys quickly turned their horses to the newcomer. It became quiet until his newphew Edwin started to laugh. He pointed at Bitey and started to laugh, soon his other cousins joined him.

"What is this?" Edwin joked. "Little monster men? What is you tiny man? What business do you have with us?"

Jocyn saw the sword and armor and quickly realized that this was not a man to laugh at, but figured it was just one of him, and since Imps are really known for travelling in large groups he figured this one had strayed a little too far from his home.

The laughter was loud and quickly three riders jumped from their horses and one grabbed Millie tossing her staff to the ground, and the other two grabbed Alouen, holding her wrists as they yanked her towards the wagon. The laughing was right in her ear and she could smell the horrid wretches that had her. They started to lick her ear and breathe on her neck.

The others turned to face the short monster who posed no threat as far as they were concerned.

"To ARMS!! To ARMS!!" shouted Bitey, hoping that maybe someone would hear the call. He drew both blades with one motion and advanced on his foes without a second thought. He had been right about their manner. "I assure you men, I will show no mercy. Run away now, or I will show you pain that you could never have imagined, not in your worst nightmares!"

Oh god! Blaize thought with horror, Bitey's in trouble and judging from what the scroll said, I bet Alouen and Millie are with him. it!! why wasn't I quicker to respond to the scroll!! Blaize starts running as fast as his wounds will allow him and yells at the others, "Bitey needs our help, let's go!!!!" He goes towards Bitey's voice.

With the sudden of yell of "To ARMS!" Jocyn watched as the blade was drawn and the little man started to move around his boys. The three men on horses that were nearby backed away to the cart, Alouen and Millie were still in their grasp.

Jocyn cursed at the stupidity of his boys and quickly wrapped the reigns around a small post near the wagon seat.

Reaching back, Jocyn brings forth two shot guns each with a double barrel. "Boys, , now you gone and started trouble. We only needed these here women, but now you gone and started a fight, get your guns, this little man won't be going anywhere fast."

Jocyn pointed the four barrels at Bitey.

"One move little man, and these guns will put a hole through you that our wagon will be able to pass through. So how about you put down them weapons there and back away from them. I know how your little bastards work, but you know what, you're a little far from home, so yell out TO ARMS all you want, ain't no one gonna hear ya!"

Jocyn cocked the guns, "so go ahead and be a good little bugger, and remember, one wrong move, and me and my boys will have a little fun making you dead.

Bitey was getting a little bit exasperated. He stopped and looked at the yokels, jabbing his swords into the ground. "How very sad, very little men with guns. Look at you! You don't even know how to hold those. What's the point of giving men guns, if you don't teach them how to use them." He shrugs, looking at the fools with comtempt. "Well, actually, you look like you might be able to shoot," he motions to one of the 'boys' by the cart. "But the rest of you obviously aren't bright enough. And why does he need two guns?" he motions at the leader. "I think he's overcompensating for something. Look, if any of you is ever going to have any skill, someone is going to have to teach you how to shoot. And it won't be him," again, pointing to the leader. "He can barely hold those up..."

The men looked at each other, then back at the little monster before them. They all laughed. Jocyn was laughing the hardest.

"For starters monster man, you pig looking piece of filth. You better watch yourself. Way I see it, you are unarmed, and we hold all the cards. You think an old man like me can't shoot, test me, I beg ya, test me." Jocyn motioned for one of the guys to grab the swords. Running forward, the one called Marcus grabbed both swords and moved back, while all guns were pointed at Bitey.

"Let me let you in on a little secret there pig face, these guns here, ain't no one give them to us, we took'um. We took'um and we used them. Don't take a genius to figure these things out, my boy here," he says pointing to Edwin, "he's a regular scholar, always smart like his ma used to be. Great maker rest her soul."

Jocyn still with guns pointed continues. "You got mightly big ones to be talking to us like that though. C'mon, how much you wanna bet that I can pick you off right here with only one of these guns. Like I said, it don't matter why I have two, or what I'm trying to compensate for." He looks down at Alouen who is still struggling in the grips of men. He smiles as one of his boys plants one on her face, while the other starts to feel her up through her clothes. "Let's just say that these women I be with, they don't ever complain." The toothless grin he gave was almost laughablet to you, but you keep your calm.

"Boys, why not put these pretty little creatures in the back of the wagon, I'd like to taste a little bit of her myself. So what's it going to be pig face, die now, or walk away and live?

"Of course, at this distance a blind rat could hit me. But I still think you'd need both, old man. And it wouldn't be clean, so one of these men would have to finish the job. Any sporting man wouldn't be afraid to back up his big words with... well, with a contest. But you are afraid. You don't want to show your boys how old and decrepit you've gotten. Why would they share the women with you if they saw that. Now, I think I could outshoot you, and I'm sure Edwin here could. But since you're afraid, we'll just let it go. We all know who's the better man."

Blaize starts to run towards the call to arms he heard. The camp is suddenly alive with movement, as everyone starts to grab weapons and what not. The alarm did not go unheard by anyone.

Blaize starts at a dead run. Cursing himself for not being fast enough. If anything happened to the prophecy, he did not know what he would do, much less what would happen to the world around him.

As he approached the hill he could hear a man talking, what was Bitey doing? He had called to arms, so Blaize had his weapon in hand. Just as Blaize topped the hill he stopped dead in his tracks next to Bitey.

Two of the four men turned their guns towards Blaize. Blaize still had sword in hand and was the first to arrive.

"Well well well, looks like we have another guest." Noted loudly. "Looks like you did have back up little man, but you know what, we still out number ya. So let me give your friend here the same choice I gave you.

Drop your weapons friend and walk away, or die here. These guns move much faster then your sword, and it'd be a shame if I had to kill someone on an otherwise good day.

"DANG IT!!!" Taran growled, as the call to arms reached his ears. "I KNEW she was in trouble..." He glances at Turbo then decides to let him rest. He could do this better without a big yellow bird anyway... He goes right up from the crouch he was in when talking to Bitey, to a low, close to the ground sort of run. He moved as fast as he dared, while striving his hardest to stay hidden. He headed for one side of where the call came from, hoping to sneak around behind the opposition , whatever it was...

Los regretted it but he had to leave the watch of this pale man, even though the pale man may be part of what Bitey's roaring about. Breaking off from his watching postition he jogs towards the hill as fast as the wet ground will allow. Then before reaching the ridge he drops to all fours and begins moving sideways through the grass, using as much of his knowledge of stealth as possible to become like a natural creature, stalking silently around through the grass, around the hill to get a better look at what they were up against before he had to stick daggers in it and rips out its organs for a ritual of blood. Had Bitey found more creatures? From the human voices and what Bitey was saying he bet not.

The water felt good and did wonders for Kamis' head. The pain was soon replaced with a soothing coolness. He felt grateful to the woman and her nursing. She seemed like a trusting type, but of course as soon as he had drunk his full there were questions to be answered. And what a question it was. Where did I come from? I can't even remember past a few days ago! I don't even know how long I was wandering around with these wounds. How am I supposed to answer that?

Hearing Bitey's cries and Blaize's curses, Serena dropped the water skin Kamis opened his mouth but whatever words were forthcoming were interrupted by a distant cry. He looked to see if Serena had heard it. Obviously she did, as the woman grabbed her weapon and ran off in the direction of the call. Left weak and alone, Kamis looked around the quickly emptying camp. There were a few stragglers still in the vicinity, but for the most part everyone had gone. Only the four children remained near the cart. The soldier scanned the area slowly. These people were traveling light. Not even the cart held very many useful traveling items. In short, it was a very boring scene and he had no wish to lie here wondering why everyone had run off.

"!!!!! STAY HERE!!!"

She lept out of the cart and raced towards the commotion passing Blaize by in a black and auburn streek. Her feet stopped dead in their tracks as she saw the sight before her.

There was Bitey, weapons in the ground. Alouen and Mille were being drug off to the wagon obviously against their wills.

IT WOMAN!!!!! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST LISTEN FOR ONCE!?!?!? Time to think quick!!

"Well what have we here?!? My competition is finaly being delt with..." She sauntered forward and stopped next to Bitey.

Mumbling under her breath she leaned a bit to Bitey.

"Follow my lead and SHADUP"

"Now now gentlemen, you OBVIOUSLY have had a long ride. Why you're covered in mud and look Very tired..."

She carefully walked forward and began to put her womanly charms into effect. She strutted, flaunted and put on an air that was natural, somewhat. Walking up to one of the boys she reached out and gently carressed his ear and neck.

"But why do you want two prisses when you can have me? I could give you a bath, a massage, and who knows?"

She giggled mischeviously.

"No ropes needed, unless you're into that..."

She headed back for the wagon leader and carefully pushed his guns away from Bitey. She smiled at him and winked. She walked over to the other side and began to climb up to sit next to the man. He appeard suspicious.

"Easy tall dark and hansome, it's just little ol' me. How else can I give you the attention you so deserve if I can't sit next to you?" She flashed her grin once more and continued her climb.

"Don't worry about him. He won't bother us, nor will he." She pointed to Blaize who was just now catching up.

"They're just my body guards."

She turned to Bitey and Blaize.

"Take it easy fellas, there's no harm here." She gave a quick wink to both of them.

Returning to the wagon driver, she began to gently cares his shoulders and neck. Serena leaned over and began to kiss and nibble his ear until she was right next to him. With on hand on his head, she began to caress herself sliding her free hand into her top and into her secret hiding place for her knife. Grasping it firmly, she waited a moment before making her move.

Jocyn and his boys were suddenly welcomed by the sight of a woman that made their jaws drop. She dance and flaunted her self infront of them. Jocyn thought either this woman was really looking for a good time, or she was really stupid, either way he would make sure this one did not get away.

He watched as she climbed up to the wagon and sat next to him. He could not take his eyes away from her heaving chest, and luscious thighs. He felt himself getting warm all over, and inside he was cursing himself for wanting this woman so badly. She had already pushed his guns down from Bitey, but hopefully his boys had not taken them off.

"B...Boys, you make sure you keep eyes forward on that pig monster and his....f..f..fr..iend." She was rubbing her hands on him.

"M..Miss, I...I-" He stopped and had to swallow. "I'm mighty sorry, bu...but, I have to do this." Just as she took her hands away from him, two cold pistol barrels were pressed up against her back and head. Jocyn raised his guns back up and talked from the corner of his mouth.

"You see here, we aren't stupid, but you should have made sure before you sauntered into our little group here. Boys, come on out!"

The wagon flap opened up and five more guys jumped out of the wagon. one of them had pistols against Serena and the others jumped out laughing. Inside there was a man, tied up, and gagged. He had been sweating and was already missing four fingers on his left hand.

The guys laughed again. Jocyn was having too much fun. "You see guys, you always have to have a ace up your sleeve, now you are dead."

He looked over at Serena who was not held at gunpoint. "What's wrong miss? Speechless?" He ran his hand over her thighs and up her body. With only one gun in hand now he grabbed a hold of one of her breaths and breathed heavily. His breath smelled of rotten fish, and his toothless grin sickened her. "What's wrong? Not good enough for ya now?" He laughed as he dropped his hand and picked his pistol back up.

Bitey started laughing too. "A toothless, scared old man and his even more cowardly kids? I don't blame you for being afraid of me, I could probably kill all of you in hand-to-hand. But a woman? You're terrified of a harmless woman? No wonder you don't take any challenges!" He looks around, feigning apprehension. "Oh no, is that a rock!? How terrifying! Look, dirt! Oh no, I'm afraid!" Despite the situation, he legitimately laughs. "It must be terrible to be afraid of your own shadows. How do you get up in the morning? Did that man give you all a terrible fright, and now you have to keep five guards on him?"

Serena smiled. This was going to be fun. Six men all thinking with the head between their legs. Now THIS could get interesting.....

"Easy boys. I don't bite... Hard....Hmmm hmm."

She reached into her top and pulled out a familiar little tube of hers that she had stashed away safely along with her knife. The men seemed a bit wary but let up after they saw what it was. Carefully, and slyly, she applied the lipstick to her lips. She licked her lips sensually and teased the men as she dolled herself up a bit.

"Now how about a kiss for catching me? You hot little biscuit you!!"

She crawled forward, spread the guns out, climbed onto the man's lap and kissed him. Long and hard smearing the lipstick a bit on his face.

Ending the kiss she grabbed his head and stuffed in deep into her bosom and began to cry out in ecstasy.

"Come with me NOW!!!"

She grabbed the man and dragged him into the cart closing the curtains behind her. Again, the sounds of her crying out in pleasure could be heard while inside she once again forced his head into her bossom trying to muffle any screams he might give.

DIE YOU PIG!!!! She cursed in her mind.

After losing sight of the scuttling Los, Mort happens upon the now curious scene. He arrives just intime to see the a voluptuous female seemingly kidnap a grown man between her breasts, and into the back of the cart.

This is what our band has become. Not only have I been crushed in battle but am I now forced to travel with this freak show of harlots and impulsive buffons?

Kamis slid to the edge of the wagon and launched himself off, after which his head was promptly introduced to the dusty ground. Cursing, he began dragging himself towards the sound. Due to his well-trained upper body, it didn't take long for Kamis to leave the campsite and enter the tall grassland. Before long, the distant voices grew louder and Kamis could overhear what they were saying. Everyone was being held at gunpoint, and.....they had Serena! Kamis' black, featureless eyes narrowed. He couldn't hope to fight however many gunmen there were by himself in this condition, but he might be able to give the others an opportunity.

Crawling slowly through the grass, Kamis stopped at a spot he estimated to be behind the wagon. Hoping that no one had noticed his arrival, and sure they hadn't, he began wailing at the top of his lungs. It was a sound he remembered hearing once after a rampaging mountain lion had been cleaved in half. The creature had lived for a few moments more but the sound it made in passing had haunted Kamis ever since. How did I know that? I've never seen a mountain lion before.....I just hope all those filthy peasants look this way, because either way there's a hellcat on the loose.

This was not a good turn of events. Alouen's troupe of Healers turned into a troupe of rapists. Well, she intended on keeping her present for a deserving man, not these pukes. She felt one lick her ear, and she shuddered. If she let these 'things' keep Mille and herself, she would be worse than useless.

She couldn't see them, but she heard a lot of tough talking about guns, and, bless his soul, Bitey was standing up to the would-be rapists. She'd have to hug him later. She wondered about Mille, but she had to be concerned with herself first. If she was hurt, she'd never forgive herself. And if she was hurt, Alouen would never forgive herself. Quite a dilemma she was in.

Being securely held, she realized that any physical efforts would be useless. The darkness wanted release, and was upsetting her geomancy. What could she do? She could release my powers wildly, but Mille might be hurt. Of course, she could be worse than hurt if Alouen didn't do something.

Suddenly, Alouen could hear Serena over the talking din. What was she trying now? Why does she have to be here now? Why do I cause so much trouble? Her thoughts were taking her nowhere, and she could feel a brigands hand start to slide under her shirt. The thought struck terror into me. If she didn't do something, she would be violated. Mille would be violated. They wouldn't be the same ever again. They might not even be again. Her life would end. Darkness. Death. Insanity. All wrapped in a little ball that was exploding outward from her very soul. A touch here, a breath there, and she wanted to scream. Scream the scream of a soul dying. Her travels, life, all of it. Gone in a moment. A moment of darkness. She wanted her life back.

"I'm so sorry Mille, everyone. This wasn't supposed to happen."

Her mind raged.

"Bitey, thanks for sticking up for us."

The darkness beckoned.

"Serena, thanks for being a friend."

And so she listened. She flooded herself with her power, earth's power. She felt the taint on it and she didn't care. It wanted out, she wanted free. The two were one and the same. They both wanted our freedom. She sucked in the mana flows of fire, and earth, and water, and wind. She wanted it all. The darkness, bring it on too. Screaming was the only other thing she could think to do.

So she screamed. She screamed words she hadn't heard since that day when, in the forest of dreams, she stepped upon the dais. Since her village burned. And as she screamed, she sucked in her power, and unleashed it on her very spot. She wanted the earth to tear open, fire to rain from the heavens, water to drown everything, wind to cleanse her from the face of the planet. And darkness to accompany it all.

"REYO MANA EXQUISATA GAEA INTOROS HORIMONO ANIKA TOR!" She vaguely remember hearing that when she was with Planet, learning. She didn't know what it was, a prayer, a chant, or just some words her addled brain concocted. But it felt good, no, right to yell them in the face of this adversity. To scream at the top of her lungs while she tried to drop the heavens upon those who would hold her down.