Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Quill crouched blissfully in the shade of a near by spreading tree. Her hair was flowing in the slight afternoon breeze, which had gained a chilly bite, unlike the wind of the morning. The sky was clouding over once more, and she suspected rain would once again fall over the forest. Standing, she left the shadow of the oak, walking into the center of their camp. A group had gathered around the front of their leaders tent, and she raised a brow, wondering what had transpired that she had been unaware of.

Silent as the a snake, she made her way to the group, and fitted herself between two other bandits, observing the current topic of conversation. She said nothing, but locked eyes with Sephora.

What's going on? she wondered

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Shyanne looked at Edmund and gave a slight shrug. "He said he would be back soon. I do not know when."

~~~

"Ah, Quill. You're late, but I'll forgive you just this once because I have great need of your services." Sephora smiled mischeiviously, her eyes quickly scheming behind the blue irises. "Go put on your most tattered attire and return as quickly as you can."

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Tristan cast a sidelong glance at Quill as she approached, and then listened curiously as Sephora gave her instructions. He tried to surmise what Sephora was thinking. "Will we be using the Two Widows plan, then?" he asked, referring to one of their more simple, often-used cons. It seemed a logical guess based on Sephora's disguise, but then again one could never be sure with Sephora - she rarely used the same plan in the same exact way twice.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Quill nodded, disappearing for only a brief couple of minutes, before returning dressed in a tattered dress, light blue in color with pieces of red, orange, and brown sewn in with the pieces of torn skirt, to give it a poor and pretty look. She cocked her head at Sephora, and awaited further explanation.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Blink stepped backwards so that he was standing next to Tristan, “Oh you were thinking it was the ‘Two Widows plan’? I was under the impression we would be doing the ‘Two sisters in search for their gambling father plan.’” Blink said, crossing his arms, “Though I do see your point in seeing the other plan in that.”

Suddenly Groban came walking into the group, but had not yet noticed Blink.

“Dah! Hide me!” Blink said flipping behind Tristan, then peering out at Groban he whispered, “That big toad like brute is going to kill me.”

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

"I will explain when Quill returns." Sephora said to Tristan.

Once the younger woman returned, Sephora said, "When we get to Looter's Trench, I want everyone to fan out. Keep yourselves hidden, but also watch the current inhabitants."

She looked at Quill and motioned for her to come forward. "Quill and I will begin the scouting. She and I will figure out what sort of skills these people have." She took Quill's hair in her hands and continued, "I will pretend to be an old widow; Quill will play my bedraggled daughter. I intend to gain their pity as much as I can. It places people off-guard before you spring upon them."

Sephora looked at Tristan. "You will lead them." She motioned to the other bandits. "Make wise decisions."

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Tristan's mouth contorted into a smug half-grin. He liked being in charge. He nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Sephora." His eyes jumped to the faces of Sephora's other favorites, rubbing in the fact that she had picked him this time and not one of them. Then he pulled aside Groban.

"I want you and two of the other bigger guys to make your way to the back of the trench - your job today will be to cut off the escape.And make sure you move quietly, will you? Thanks." Groban nodded and was about to walk away, but Tristan pulled him back. He grimaced and scrunched up his nose as he took a sniff of the man. "On second thought, you smell too bad. You stick with Blink."

The big thug wasn't pleased at being insulted at all, but he knew now wasn't the time to pick a fight. However, as soon as Blink was mentioned, he growled aloud. "Where is that little worm? I'll smash him!"

"Ah ah, no you won't," Tristan said, wagging his finger and rebuking the man like he was a small child. "You'll do as I say. Got it?"

Groban's jaw clenched so tight, it could have bit through an iron rod. With an angry blaze of fire filling his eyes, however, he slowly gave a relenting nod. "Alright, I'll kill him afterward."

Tristan smiled and patted the man on the back. "There's a good lad." He caught sight of Blink, hiding behind some other thieves, and gave him an amused wink.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Sephora was clearly proud of Tristan's temporary leadership. Ever since he had grown up enough to be trusted with large tasks, Sephora had pushed him to his limits. He was a natural-born leader, like herself.

"Give us a few minutes head start, Tristan." Sephora said, glancing at Quill. To the younger woman, she said, "Let's go, daughter." She chuckled.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Quill stepped forward when Sephora wanted and eyed her leader as she touched her hair. She took in all of the instructions, and the plan, and nodded to herself. That seems like a sound idea... even if she had thought otherwise, she would not have challenged Sephora's leadership. After Tristan had a conversation with several other men, Sephora told her to go ahead, and Quill nodded, giving the other woman a half smile "Yes mother."

******

Three more weeks past, and Liam found them both filled. Stendar found something to keep his mind away from Grace, all hours of the day. He understand why the older man did so. A man is weak when he is distracted... Liam remembered someone of wisdom once telling him. Watch out for things that can pull you away from your focus. It can be anything....a desire....a woman he sighed. I do like Grace. It tears me to walk near her, and not be able to tell her my secret. I see something in here eyes every time I look into them. It's hard not to be distracted by thoughts of her. He told this to Stendar, one night and he simply told him to try. Try and balance it. Try to keep your mind on your task, but do not necessarily forget what you love or are concerned about. That's what he attempted to do, and he succeded most of the time. During their trainings out back of the inn, in the woods, Liam's mind was free. As he flowed his his sword, so did he thoughts. He was one with his blade for those moments, and he could feel strength. But then as soon as he thought he heard the whisper of human breathe, or the call of a voice, his mind would break that connection and thoughts would spring up. His side would begin to hurt and he would accept his weakness. All this time....was I not as strong as I thought I was? Or does love weaken you...

He struggled with this during these last couple weeks. As the time wore on though, the days moved slower. Liam began to venture out more. Stendar cautioned him to still be careful, mindful of everyone around you, and aware of your enemies. In the evening, after training was done and supper was eaten, Liam would go out in the town. He would wear a cloak Grace had given him, and walk around, noticing the habits of the citizens. They greeted him, and sometimes eyed him strangely, but he would only smile under his hood and give a quick word back. After one week, he began to get more bold. He would sit in on the conversations in the tavern, and listen to the news that filtered in about others parts of the country.

'Did you hear about that fire in the main city!? Burned 4 houses!'

'I can't believe that woman married Lord Rackner. He's an arrogant fool!'

'There was a murder in the capitol just the other day....I sometimes wonder if it's save to be there at night'

Some topics would make him laugh, and others wrap his attention in fully. He began to like the simple life of some of these.

The second week came, and Liam began to go out earlier and let people see a glimpse of his face. He found that the children of the village thought the mysterious air about him attracting. They would peep at him, and tug on his cloak, smiling with radiant innocence and asking his name. Their parents would often hurry them away, still unsure of him. Unsure until the day he became their hero.

One sweaty evening, after the sun had sunk and shadows had become long, Liam was again out in the town. A king's guard had arrived early that morning, so the young man was very wary this night. He staid back from his normal spots, and watched the man with a hard glare. If this one guard found of his presence here, he would surely have to leave, and quickly. Sitting back in the shadows of some tall bushes, Liam watched the dirt street. A few passer-bys....one farm wagon. Then, from the tavern came the guard, stumbling slightly as if he was drunk. Liam's expression darkened. He had better not go in the tavern... he thought, standing up a bit straighter. The man though, did not do this, but something quite more offensive. He was walking along the street, and bumped into a small girl, darting across his path. It was clearly his fault, but he thought other wise.

"Well watch where you are going little welp!" he barked, catching the girls arm as she tried to escape from him. "Push one of the kings men will you!? I'll teach you some respect!" he growled, and cuffed her ear.

She began to cry, and Liam's eyes flashed with hot indignation. You do not hit a child....why that... "You!" he called, stepping forward, and pulling his blade. "Unhand that girl! You have no right to hurt her."

"What!?" The guard, sputtered, releasing the child and looking up at Liam. "AH! So you will challenge me to, will ya!?" he too, drew his sword

"Yes I will" Liam declared, shrugging off his cloak. The commotion had begun to draw a crowd, and thought he hadn't planned on fully revealing himself yet, this was different. "So you will fight me!? Very well. Make your move" he gestured.

The man did so, with a lunge, but Liam deflected it easily and smacked the guard's behind as he stumbled past. The small crowd that had gathered laughed.

"Care to uh....try again!?" Wondered Liam, taunting the man.

The guard sputtered, and snarled and did just that. He tried....but failed again and again. It was a dance, but one partner seemed to have two large left feet. Their 'duel' ended as Liam disarmed the fool, and sent him sprawling. "You are down, I have beaten you fair and square, and now I demand you leave. Now."

"I...I....." he gulped as the tip of Liam's sword touched his throat "I will leave!"

"Good! But you will go, with no blade, and no horse. Now, scoot!" he said, making a move toward him.

The man yelped, and ran leaving the town behind him. A cheer went up from the people who had witnessed all, and the parents of the girl thanked him, and the girl gave him a hug. Liam had quite a few claps on the back that night, and only one person did not join in with that. Jack. He watched from the side, hating Liam more now that he had the people with him. I'll get you. I will get you. I promise you that. You and Grace

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Sephora led Quill through the forest at a brisk pace. She was silent until she dropped behind a large bush. Their targets were in a cavern about 15 yards away. Sephora pulled Quill down next to her and whispered, "We don't know who these people are. Be cautious and alert, but play your part convincingly." Then she added, "I have no doubt that you will."

Sephora smiled. "Shall we continue, then?" She removed the earrings from her ears and placed them in a concealed pocket. After standing up, she lifted the hood of her cloak and arranged it properly.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

"Yes, of course, let's continue" Quill ruffled her hair a bit, and put on her most weary expression before continuing on with Sephora. This was a good plan. She was sure they would succeed.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Sephora looped her hand through Quill's arm and bent over, as if age had given her a bad back. "Tristan and company should be in position in a few minutes," she whispered, motioning for Quill to lead her out of the brush. Her cane was in her other hand.

They left the underbrush and walked toward the cavern. In a crackling voice, she said, "It looks like rain, Anne. We should find shelter."

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

"Yes Mother" Quill, 'Anne', answered back in a weak voice. She continued walking toward Looter's Trench with her 'Mother' on her arm.

*****

Susanne was in the inside of the trench, braiding her knotted hair, when she heard the faint voices of others outside their hiding place. Her eyes widened and she called to Jarien "Jarien! I hear someone...outside"

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Sephora and Quill crept closer to the trench opening, but did not enter. She looked at Quill and smiled lightly.

"That trench looks like it will be sufficient enough, dearest. What do you think?" Sephora spoke loud enough to be sure that those inside would hear her.

~~~

Shyanne looked up as Susanne spoke. She looked toward the entrance of the trench and listened. Sure enough there were feminine voices coming from near the entrance of the trench.