Return of the Fountain Fellowship

"Punishment. What a relative word." Even though Ace thought that he was finished, Grace was just getting started. "I'm taking your word that what this man did was worthy of punishment. But even so, you can't judge your own actions in a light relative to how bad his were. Don't you have standards?

"Taking a man off active duty is punishment. Demotion is punishment. Yelling is punishment." She tilted her chin up, staring at the faceplate of his helmet as though she could see straight through the tinted screen. "Punching a man is not punishment. It's a gross indulgence on the part of the commander to allow himself to punch a subordinate."

Grace continued, "Spanking, for example, only works on kids because it shows them how serious the situation is. When they get older, the spanking just causes resentment and ends too quickly. Long-term effects are punishment. I don't know what your military standards are, but if punishment is just punching, they're pretty low."

Now she was done.

David stepped out into the sunshine and took in the outside area with a practiced glance. If his stance was any way to judge, the soldier talking to a blonde woman was Ace. He slowed down his pace as he walked toward his friend, giving Ace time to finish up his conversation.

MESS guards stood in positions all over the steps and soldiers marched with military crispness almost everywhere he looked. In his fatigues, David felt naked. He rarely went into the open without his helmet.

---------

Pain. Hurt. It felt like someone was digging through her brain. Constant headache. Was this torture? Was it death? She lapsed in and out of awareness.

Kay woke up on the floor of a jail cell. Everything was covered with silvery steel, and she was cold. Where was she? She had been...was it that she'd been arrested? No. Not exactly.

Wait, just wait, she told herself, staring up at the ceiling. And slowly enough, the memories began to come back. Slowly, slowly...

Return of the Fountain Fellowship

Ace bridled at her storm of words directed against himself and his actions. He sighed, and tried to keep himself from getting angry at her, he did see the sense in what she was saying...

"Ma'am..." he said, trying to stop her, but she kept going and he stopped. A few seconds later, he tried again, "Ma'am..."

She kept going and he smiled inside his helmet. She was surely opinionated. At last she finished what she was saying, telling him that his standars must be low to consider punching a punishment.

He nodded when she finished and sighed again. His helmet was getting stuffy, he hadn't planned on keeping it on for long... shrugging, he reached up, unbuckled it and took it off, tucking it under his left arm. Now that he was free of the confines of the helmet, he answered her, trying to sound calm and addressing her as a soldier should a civilian,

"Ma'am... I understand what you are saying. For your information, I was only premoted to that man's superior today. He had been my commander, and I have seen him ,on more than one occasion, loose his temper and assault a civilian. Whether you think so or not, he had it coming, and much more... I plan to have him releaved from duty as soon as I can get to a computer terminal and report the incident." He paused and took a breath, settling himself. He had learned long ago that losing your temper completely would only cause more trouble, when his heart beat had gone down a notch or two, he continued, "Now... I have standards... but they are not necessarily those held by the organization that I work for. One of my standards is to not let injustice like this go on... I appreciate the fact that perhaps violence is not the proper way to take care of such situations... Now... was there something that you needed from me?"

As he waited for her to answer, he glanced around at the other soldiers on the duracreet steps. None of them showed any sign of even noticing the conversation, except one, wearing no helmet, standing at the top of the stairs. Ace recognized him, it was David, his friend. He gave a subtle hand signal that meant he would be with him in a moment, and turned back to the woman. He took one step down, so that he would be level with her, and not having to look down at her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shalen listened to Zakk and then glanced over at CYG. He seemed to be thinking, so she waited. Their drinks arrived, and she took a sip of the bright blue liquid.

Finally CYG turned to her, "Well... I would prefer to talk to him in person..."

She nodded, "As would I... we can trust him..." She said, nodding toward Zakk. They had known him for quite a while, and both believed that he was one of those that wanted the MESS gone.

Liminata looked back and forth at them, then turned to Zakk, "We are all in agreement then... We would like to talk to him face to face."

Return of the Fountain Fellowship

Once Grace had finished, she didn't interrupt when Ace spoke. He sure looked different without his helmet. Less like a robot-- more human.

"I understand where you're coming from." She conceded. "Just...maybe stop and think for a moment before you hit someone in the face." Then she blushed. "Not that I'm perfect at thinking before I act, by any means. But that doesn't mean I can't call other people on to try, right?"

David walked closer to Ace, focused on his friend. He didn't know that Ace had any lady-friends. He wondered if it was a civilian.

Grace smiled slightly at Ace. "And I didn't need anything. I just saw what I perceived as injustice and came over to ask you about it."

As Ace moved down a step, David could see the woman a little better. She looked almost familiar, but David didn't have any more personal contact with girls than Ace did. Someone from his past maybe? Catching the signal, David kept walking.

"Or maybe to preach a sermon." Grace was admitting, chuckling to herself.

David's eyes widened as he saw more of the woman. Could it be? She didn't have her glasses on...

"I'm Grace Cunningham. What's your name?" Grace asked Ace candidly.

As Grace said it, David came directly into hearing range. His eyes widening even further was the only indication that he was shocked. The wind seemed knocked out of him. He couldn't speak.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Micah nodded in Edmund's direction. "Alright." He shifted his weight from his left foot to his right "Jarian, that leaves you. You'll be okay staying here right?" he glanced behind himself at Shyanne who had announced she needed air and stepped out. While waiting an answer from Jarian, he stepped back and touched her arm. "Lady Shyanne, while we're gone I think it would be best for you stay in the cleft. For safety purposes"

Susanne watched the goings on with tired blue eyes. The world was moving too fast for her. Already, they were making plans to go into town. She felt like breathing fresh air, but she was too afraid to step out of her current safe hiding place. She wondered if anyone noticed her right now....

*********

Stendar nodded, but caught the woman's shoulder before she could move away "Ma'am, for now please let no know we're here. I know it's mysterious but all will be explained later. For now, please keep us being in here a secret" he then heaved the young man up and supported his weight up the stairs. He hurried to room nine and entered, coming into a small room. It was crisp, and well cleaned with a neat dresser and bed. He laid his burden down on the sheets, then locked the window and drew the shutters. He would take no chances now. Then he waited for the woman.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Shyanne turned to look at him, frowning. She nodded. "Alright."

However, she didn't move from her spot just outside the cavern's opening. "I never should have run away, Micah...My father must be worried about me."

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Jarien was about to answer Adi when Micah returned and announced that he had met a boy in the woods who had offered to help them get some supplies. Shortly thereafter, the boy had run in, running behind a large tiger that was evidenlty his. Jarien placed a hand on his knife, sheathed on his hip.

The tiger was a wild animal, whether it belonged to Sirius or not, and he didn't necessarily trust it. Still, no one else was too concerned, Aside from the girl in the finer clothing... Shyanne?

He listened to the bits of conversation, and then suddenly the tiger leaped forward and attacked the buck, hanging as it was, ready for cooking. The tiger made short work of it, and soon the meat was in shreds, most of it gone. Jarien had jumped back, shielding Adi when the animal had jumped, and he shook his head and sighed, "There went breakfast."

It was soon decided that Micah would have to go to town to buy supplies and food, and one of the other men should go also. Almost immediately the kid, Edmund, stepped forward and offered to go.

Micah turned to him and asked if he would be ok by himself with the girls. Jarien nodded, "Adi and I will take care of them... we'll all be fine."

Vayond the Shadowed Hunters

After Dalin dropped the note and vanished, there was a movement from a corner and a dark figure emerged. It passed across the room in absolute silence and swept the note from off the floor. After a quick glance out the window, nimble fingers straightened the folds and bright blue eyes scanned the contents. A soft chuckle escaped the bow shaped lips.
"So, they've run into a little trouble, I take it?" another laugh. "Must be important if he's willing to come to this," more laughter, under the breath and nearly without sound. "Shrahas Daun, is it? Oh, and tonight? Even better."
The quiet, breathy laughter continued while the figure moved across the room and the candle (which was burning low) was swept off the small table and held to the note. The flames flickered for a moment then blazed up as they caught hold of the ready tinder and engulfed it. For a split second the figures face was lit, then it dropped the still burning note to the floor and crushed the flames beneath the heel of its boot. It strode out of the room, leaving the charred remains of the note fluttering on the floor in the evening breeze.

Return of the Fountain Fellowship

Piper was only half listening to Cale, Stretch and Shrims plan and debate. Her eyes were still fixed on the Senate layout double and triple checking everything she could, especially entrances and exits. This was going to a pretty risky mission, and she wanted to be prepared for anything.

"We should probably split up to get to the treehouse," she suggested as she stood up to follow them out, with one last glance at the hologram. "There are bound to be more MESS soldiers looking for us, and we'll probably draw less attention if we're in smaller groups, especially if we're leaving the city."

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Dalin waited, perched in a tree. The branches of the spreading oak where thick and sturdy allowing anyone to sit upon them for hours. He looked like large owl, with his cloak spread out like wings, but his position was that like a panther ready to spring. Like a tense snake. His features though were calm. He knew what he was doing and had no doubts that the meeting would be kept.

Shrahas Daun, marked but it's haunting formation of rocks and hollowed Oak, was a place of many mysteries. Spirits were said to wander about the area in the forest, wailing and moaning in the dead of night. Dalin was one of the few that new it's true secret. It had a terrible past, which went back to the Telrian War, when Vayond and its neighboring country had been fighting. Few books or scrolls recorded the horrifying events of those battles, but Dalin had studied the subject quite thoroughly. He had been intrigued by the tactics used to fight but he had learned much about Vayond's past as well. The place where he was now waiting had been the site of a massive slaughter. During a small period when Telran won massive victories over the Vayonder's they rounded up over one-hundred villagers and had taken them into the forest, to this place. Here they had killed them all, to make a point to the King of Vayond. The bloodshed had been great and many innocent lives snuffed out. That's why sometimes....if you listened close, your mind could make you hear the screaming.

The history didn't bother him though. Death was nothing new and the place was dark and quiet....his favorite surroundings. He had been here more than once, and had learned the best spots to conceal yourself. Here is where he had done much of his training.

Rustle... What was that? Did he hear footsteps? He settled back and kept completely still. It was time.

********

Micah listened to Jarian and nodded to him, before turning back to Shyanne. "Yes, but now there is nothing much to be done. Taking you back in the current situation would be dangerous." He perked up as he thought he heard something approaching.

He believed it was probably Sirius but in case he motioned for Shyanne to return to the cleft. He waited for a second or two listening then turned as the boy came back from the forest. He was panting, and appeared to have returned his tiger to it's home.

"Are you....ready...to go?" he said between gasps

Micah relaxed and nodded "Yes. Edmund? We'll be going soon."

Vayond

Edmund nodded. "I was born ready." He kept his hand on his sword, to protect Micah and himself, in case something were to happen. When they got to the town, he asked, "Okay, what are we getting first?"

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Stendar nodded, but caught the woman's shoulder before she could move away "Ma'am, for now please let no know we're here. I know it's mysterious but all will be explained later. For now, please keep us being in here a secret"

"Yes sir..." The young lady said in a rather confused tone, then she hurried off. A few minutes later the girl came up stairs to the room. She knocked on the door with her knuckles, and said. "It's me, the bar maid." Then she pushed the door open and walked in. "Now, where are his worst wounds?" She didn't really seem to be talking to the anybody, she just looked down at the young man. "Would you please take his shirt off for me sir?" She said looking up at the older man. Then she turned to the towels and the bowl of water she had brought. She dipped one of the clothes in the water and started cleaning to young mans face.

It stepped out of the darkness, cloaked and hooded, and moved straight into the moonlight. It paused only in the center, away from any rocks. Spreading out it's legs it threw back the hood and revealed it's face fully for the first time.
She stood there just as long as she thought necessary to be recognized beyond any shadow of a doubt, then slipped into the shadow of the oak tree. Leaning against the trunk of the huge tree, she nonchalantly examined her fingernails.
"Satisfied?" she said, coolly, with a chuckle under her breath.

Return of the Fountain Fellowship

Zakk grinned "I'm sure he will be glad to see you, I'll find out where he is and where he is going" he said picking up his communicator and dial Cale's number, Cale picked up "Where are you?" Zakk asked, Cale replied "Meet me at Joey's tree house" he said and hung up.

Zakk replied “I’ll show you the way” The man in the booth behind him stood up and walked quickly out the door, shoving a notebook into his pocket Zakk watched him go then stood up and ran out the door after him, the man jumped into a mess speeder and raced away.

--

“I agree” Cale said to Piper laying his communicator down “You, Stretch and Scrappy can go together, I’ll go with Shrims, VACs and Raven” he said “You know how to get there, right Stretch?” he asked, Stretch nodded and began walking towards the door “You can take the speeder, we’ll walk” he said “Its not that far” Cale grinned and walked out the door, followed by VACs and Shrims.

--

Sergeant Fred saw the whole thing as he walked down the steps towards his speeder “Second Sergeant Ace, what is the meaning off… Um, oh… Sorry Sir” he said “I. Um…”

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Dalin scowled deeply and lept down from the tree landing near her, his black cloak snapping as it curled and straightened in waves. His hood covered all his features but his striking dark brown eyes, that caught light from the moon. They snarled at her with annoyance. His hand rested on his hip and he leaned to the side. "I have something for you to do." he said pulling a bag of gold from a pouch. He knew she always demanded money for her services and lots of it. "I trust your not busy else where...." he said glaring at her under the edge of the black material that hung down over his face.

******

"We were attacked in the forest" Stendar said as he bent down and slipped the light cotton shirt from the man's torso, revealing his handsome chest, muscled, but terribly torn on his right said. It looked like a sword had been sliced several times across the skin. They were deep, long, cuts that and had bled quite a lot.

"We couldn't stop for a reprieve, which gave me no time to wrap it up. Though even then, I'm not a healer" The older man said quietly, seeing for the first time the extent of his young companions wounds.

fit it in."