~^*^~Remember~^*^~

Bmlithina let her thin shadow fall softly across Lisa's vision and spoke softly to her "You are not happy to be here?" she asked "I can take you away, to another time entirely... we would see then how you feel about this beautiful temple." A lonely breeze whistled hauntingly in the background giving off the perfect effect. "I could give you a little freedom... If you will help me with a small task."

~Lady Fiona

Lisa started, and stared in amazement at the beautiful, golden creature in front of her, who was whispering to her.
"Freedom?" she asked, surprised at finding herself not all that surprised "Why did you pick me? How can I help you? And who are you?". She stopped herself, and stood in the silence for a moment. "Then yes. I don't care, but I want more than this life. I'll go".

~^*^~Remember~^*^~

Bmlithina smiled sadly "All that you needs do is walk through that doorway before you." She gestured towards the archway that Lisa had just been looking through, though through it now could be seen a myriad of living colours that shifted and draped and flowed like a curtain of water that reflected every colour that had ever been seen on earth or anywhere else in the universe. "Remember this day, child... Remember..." Bmlithina let herself fade away.

~Lady Fiona

Lisa stood still for a moment, trying to catch her breath, and calm down a little bit. After she considered for a moment if it was a dream, she smiled a little bit.
"What's to lose?" she said quietly, and stepped forward, and was surrounded by mist.

~^*^~Remember~^*^~

As the woman took her hand, Maddy gasped, quietly, again. The woman looked so sad and weak, Maddy knew she needed to help her. Her heart went out to the woman because she remindedMaddy of her Mother, who had died some years past. "I will follow you. Please let me help you, I am ready." Maddy responded softly. She then let the beautiful woman lead her through the strange archway and got lost in a cloud of gold mist.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Whatever other words might describe the young woman standing before him, the one that kept recurring to Micah was Odd. Her whole presence emanated with a certain eccentricity, yet she didn’t seem necessarily insane. He listened as she warned of great danger that would come to him and his friends. She even proved that she somehow knew the situation they were in. He opened his mouth to give voice to his skepticism, but she continued on, claiming to be “almost omnipresent,” whatever that meant.

Micah met her gaze with a curious and yet partially doubtful look. He finally sheathed his sword, no longer considering her a great threat, and folded his arms across his chest.

“Alright, miss Whoever-You-Are. You clearly know a great deal about the circumstances my friends and I are wrapped up in, so I would be a fool not to listen further. However, simply telling me that we are in danger borders on a mere statement of the obvious. I will gladly listen to any further ‘informative information’ you want to give me, and decide then what to make of it.” Behind those words, his mind wondered what this mysterious woman could possibly stand to gain from this conversation; would she desire payment of some sort for the information? He decided not to ask, and simply wait and see.

-------

Tristan watched as Sephora and Quill were welcomed into the hideout, and disappeared from view. He no longer had visual contact; from this point on, he’d have to be extra attentive for Sephora’s signal. He slowly withdrew two long knives, one in each hand, and awaited his chance to move in. An uncontrollable grin pulled at his mouth, as he mused over how their prey had simply welcomed them in with open arms. Like a hens inviting a fox in for tea.

"My advice to you is get out of here. Go far away and go quickly, leaving no trail, taking paths that no-one knows, going places no-one would suspect you to go. I know this may seem to be "stating the obvious", as you put it..." She paused again, but it was a pause of hesitation, as if she were uncertain about something. She glanced at Micah again, pursed her lips, then continued before he had a chance to suspect she was done speaking.
"You and your group are courageous, bold and true. However, I am of the opinion that none of you are skilled enough in the craft of avoidance to escape the hunters. This is my professional opinion, as I have worked as a scout for many years. Well, many by comparison to my altogether few years." Her chuckle was so quick it took only the space of breath and suddenly her eyes got that serious look in them again, though her lips still smiled. "I need not tell you that this skill could very well be the difference between life and death for your group." She halted again and looked smilingly thoughtful. She did not break her pause after a few moments, surprisingly enough, and it became increasingly clear in the silence that followed that she was waiting for Micah to make a comment.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Quill played right along with the flowing plan. The strangers welcomed them into the trench, Sephora hanging on her arm, and she kept in character with the part of a weary daughter. She spoke not a word, but instead lead her 'mother' to the rock, kneeling beside her on the ground. She simply nodded when introduced, not wanting to meet eyes with any of them, and pretended to whisper some cautious words to her parent. Really though she was sizing their prey up, watching their moves, and estimating how much of a fight they would give. The finely dressed woman did appear as though she would fetch a good price, and possibly the other ladies to. The man looked strong, but simple, and possibly a bit wary of them. He has a fine weapon....fine indeed....I like it. Maybe I shall ask Sephora if it could be my prize...

*****

Susanne watched these new-comers with wide eyes, soft with empathy, but slightly distant with caution. After everything that had happened to her, she could hardly not relate to their haggard and tired appearances, but still a little voice inside was still telling her to be careful. She looked at Jarien, but didn't wait for him to explain, instead moving toward them. "Well I hope you find your way, to your brother. But do warm yourself" she said, gesturing to the fire. "We don't have much to eat. We're all rather hungry"

****

"I don't really want to leave Grace. It's been very.... pleasant here" Liam said, reaching up a hand toward her cheek to brush some strands of hair from her face. "I will come back to see you. I don't know when, but I promise to." he looked down. "I guess it's goodbye then." he whispered, reaching out to kiss her hand.

Brywahr Academy

As Brownie ran from Darak's room, he went over his plan in his mind. He wondered if the project would be finished in time. It was already getting quite late... He hoped Darak would be able to make it work.

~Riella

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Sephora extended her feet toward the fire. She shared a glance with Quill and then said, "I thank you all for being so hospitable. Anne and I will not take up much of your time. We only hope to rid ourselves of the chills and aches we have and then we will be on our way once again."

Sephora motioned to the cavern and said, "This is a very fortunate find. A very good shelter." She looked at Shyanne, "Especially for you. I can tell you are of noble blood. Sitting in a dirty, wet log would not suit you. I am sure you feel very out of place even in here, but it is better than sitting on the forest floor."

Shyanne looked up, realizing the woman was talking to her. She gave a slight nod and tried to smile, but failed.

"Yes, yes, I see you are very uncomfortable. Won't you come sit and tell me your name?" Sephora offered a convincingly kind smile, patting the rock on her other side.

Shyanne glanced at Jarien, but then went to sit beside the woman. After arranging her skirts around her, she said, "I am Lady Shyanne, Lord Henrik's only child."

"Lord Henrik?" Sephora said, her eyebrows arching a bit as she looked at Quill. "My, your father must be very worried about you."

"I am sure he is and he is probably searching for me. I hope, however, that no matter who he employs he will not find me." Shyanne said, crossing her arms determinedly.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters
Jarien perked up from his position sitting next to Adi on a fallen log in the cavern. He listened and nodded, putting a finger to his lips to tell them to be quiet. He walked over and put a hand on Edmund's shoulder, and motioned for him to go out the back of the cave. He looked at Brendlyn and whispered, "I don't know who they are, or if I can even trust you, but I have no choice... if they are not friendly we will need your help."

He then looked at Adi, and they both headed for the mouth of the cave. Jarien stayed low and peeked over the edge slightly, his white-bladed knife in his hand, ready to use it at a moment's notice.

Vayond
At the arrival of two suspicious women, Jarien motioned for Edmund to go back to the cave. Edmund crept his way back, trying to be as quiet as possible. He whispered to Susanne. "Can we trust them?"

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Sephora glanced at Quill. She leaned over to her and quietly whispered, "Stay alert."

Sephora turned back to Shyanne, who was fussing with long, blonde curls. "Oh, your hair is getting tangled, my dearest. Shall I braid it for you?"

Shyanne looked at the woman, her hands stopping as she pulled them through her locks. "Well...I'm afraid it is very knotty. I do not want to trouble you. You need to get your rest."

"It is no trouble, milady." Sephora stood, her cloak sweeping across the rock. She walked behind Shyanne and gathered the younger woman's curls in her hand, trying to untangle them. "A young woman must always look her best, for she never knows who she may meet."

Shyanne's brow arched as she glanced around at the others. She lifted her chin a notch and crossed her arms. Micah was gone and none of the others were worth impressing, in her opinion, so she didn't really care what she looked like at the moment.

Vayond

Edmund watch Sephora beg to do Shayanne's hair and attempt to braid it. Something about her did not seem right. Her grip on Shaynne's hair was firm and somethign was covering her face. "It's kind of warm in here. Think you wanna take off your cloak?"

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Sephora's hands stopped braiding and the left corner of her mouth lifted. "Yes, I suppose it is a bit warm."

She dropped Shyanne's hair, half-braided. One of her hands reached up to the tie that held her cloak together. Her other hand was hidden beneath her cloak.

Giving a tug on one of the strings, she pulled the knot out and the cloak fell to the floor, revealing Sephora's face and form. In her hand, she held a knife.

Not wasting any time, she placed the knife at Shyanne's neck and pulled the young woman up, knife pressed painfully close to her neck.

Shyanne let out a cry, half from having her hair pulled and half from fear. Her eyes widened impossibly so and struggled against Sephora. The older woman, who clearly was not frail or sickly, held her tightly.

"Don't!" Sephora shouted as she heard swords being unsheathed. She gave an ear-piercing whistle and then said, "If you want her to live, drop your weapons and leave us. I will not hesitate in killing her and I will not hesitate to prove to you that I am not bluffing."

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Susanne, when not spoken to, stole herself away from the fire and returned to her spot in the corner. She sighed, as she watched the older woman seek the attention of Shyanne, and even want to go as far as braid her hair. She couldn't help but feel slightly less important, when seeing this. As she watched the woman make something of Shyanne's tangled knots, there was something about her that truck her as odd. Her hands didn't seem to shake as she twined the strands about each other, nor did they appear to be old. That's when Edmund broke in, and asked the woman to take off her cloak. Half of her thought this was rude, but the other half was just as eager to see what she fully looked like as Edmund.

As the cloak fell away, and the woman was revealed to be neither older nor frail, but beautiful and healthy, everyone jumped up, but were stopped when they all saw the knife placed upon Shyanne's neck. Susanne had no weapon, so she looked to Jarien, to see what his move would be. Fear welled up in her heart, as she realized that these to women were nothing like they had said, and all this was simply a trap.

******

Quill followed Sephora's lead and as she revealed herself, her hand pulled her own knife, long and thin with a carved wooden handle. Her leader did all the threatening with words, but Quills eyes did their own piercing. She stared hard at Edmund, Adi, and especially Jarien, who's weapons interested her.