Another Town, Another Performance

[Moon_Song]

With his pause, she put on a mask of indifference. Inside, she was troubled as to how long this man had been following her. She did not move from troupe to troupe in search of new things, at last not exactly that. She moved so often to avoid familiarity, and to gather information on her sisters whereabouts. She had heard nothing is a very long time, so she was moving more often than usual.

'Now about the quest...'
Finally! her facade stayed well put, but she listened intently. When he had mentions the blessed/cured items, her thoughts flashed to Diora. She had told stories of such things during her stay there. Apparently, he knew where one was to be located.

He looked her over with his cold, lifeless, black eyes. Her skin prickled at his gaze and it chilled her. His presence was beginning to make her feel a bit ill at ease. With his last words, she raised a graceful brow. She knew exactly what he meant, but she would make him say it aloud.

Before she could say how she was not the only Kalakar...gifted human, Joseph spoke up, saying that he believe this man was untrustworthy. She nodded once in agreement as he went on. He motioned for her to follow. She glanced from the man on the ground to Joseph and back. Would it be wise to leave him here?

Hesitantly, she rose from her bent over position and followed behind Joseph, all the while glancing back at the other man. When they finally stopped they were far from earshot. Joseph went on to say that believed the travelers motives to be rather detestable. She found no disagreement, and only nodded as he went on, the whole time looking into his face. It was how she read people and discerned lairs from the innocent. He seemed to speak from the heart. When he glanced over, she did the same. She wanted to be sure herself that he had not moved.

When he had finished, she did not answer right away. Instead she looked to the side of where they stood. Just above them was a tree that happen to be in bloom. She took the few short steps toward it and plucked one of the crimson flowers from the twisting branch and examined it. Once the silence lengthened a bit more, she finally spoke. "You are right, Joseph. I, too, feel there is some darkness ahead in that path." With a gentleness that spoke of years of training, she turned the flower in her hands. "I find your idea intriguing, though." She gazed off a moment as she decided what to say. After a moment, she looked from the red flower to Joseph's eyes, as if searching for something there. "Alright then. The way I see it, we should go along with it, as horrid as it might be, so that we may keep this mad man's path of destruction minimal." Mentally she tacked on that she would be sure to not let him have this blessed/cursed item. She made a personal vow that she would see its return to its proper place.

She took one last look distant look at the flower's deep red petals before casting it back to the forest floor. As it drifted back to the earth, she looked, once more, into Joseph's face and spoke. "Do we have an accord, then?"

[Relairah]

Their captive eyed Joseph as he came forward, voicing his own opinions. He wasn't sure how to react to this fire-guy quite yet. He seemed so... in control of himself. Besides the fact that he had no idea what to expect from him. Still, from what he said, he had a feeling this man would both help his goal, yet somehow be not what it seemed. He just wasn't sure. He made a mental note to be careful. Whoever he was, this fire-guy could definitely spoil everything.

He continued to watch warily as his captors walked a distance away, out of earshot where he couldn't hear what they said. He couldn't read their lips either with the way they spoke not facing him, so finally he gave up, assuming he would find out soon enough. Or at least some of it. He had a bad feeling, but he didn't really have a choice now did he? He occupied himself with looking at his surroundings.

Meanwhile, Joseph observed the girl as she plucked the blossom from the tree and played with it as if contemplating her next words carefully. If he had known her better, he would have known how strange it was for her to show any gentleness or feminity within male presence. But he did not. ((Tell me if that's wrong DX)) Nevertheless, he listened carefully as Nikita spoke her own thoughts on his proposition and the intentions of their captive. He gave a brief, genuine smile and nodded. There was no need for him to speak any other words on the matter since he had already explained his thoughts before. Instead, he glanced to the flower as it fell to the earth below and gave another nod when she asked if they had an accord. "Indeed we do."

He gestured toward their captive, still propped against the tree, and began moving toward him. However, he did not say anything farther. This was Nikita's business, and he supposed he would let her handle it.

The man looked up at the sound of footsteps once they returned. His face remained the same, though his eyes showed a brief glimmer of impatience. "So?" he questioned, eyes looking directly at Nikita.

[Moon_Song]

((OOC: For that part, it was supposed to be a kind of reflection on how she had been "trained" to be lady-like in her past. I guess it was a bit misleading. : P ))

With his agreement, the deal was made. Nikita wondered if such things had the same meaning to him as they did to her. Where she came from, such a thing was not to be taken lightly.

The walk back to the other man was silent. There was really nothing to be said. As they grew closer to their captive, he whirled around to see them, or rather, to glare at her. By the look in his eyes, though fleeting, he was growing impatient. She smirked at this, but the amusement was cut short by his single demanding word. Even so, she kept the half-smile set. Perhaps her lack of reaction for his annoyance would anger him more. Wouldn't that be fun?

"We have talked it over, and have come to a decision." She glanced at Joseph for a moment. "We shall see what this quest of yours entails." She moved closer to him and bent over once again, leaning her hands on her thigh just above the knee. As she did, a lock of her hair loosened from the side of her headscarf and fell over her shoulder. "On a few conditions of course." Her smiled widened a moment before she went on.

"As for what I demand in return for assisting you in this quest, first, you will help me retrieve my sword and all of my things I was forced to leave behind because you don't know how to ask nicely. Second, don't even bother trying to force me to do anything I am unwilling to do. It will be a futile effort on your part. Third, should you try to harm any woman or children, I will kill you on the spot. Lastly, " her smile fell away and she narrowed her eyes at him, "if you ever try anything like that again, you will pay dearly."

Without looking back, she asked Joseph. "You have anything to add?"

[Relairah]

OoC: Oh okay XD Hahaha...

iC:

The man didn't bother to show any other signs of emotions as he observed Nikita's movements and expressions. Was she taunting him? He couldn't be sure, but more important was the answer she finally gave. 'We'? He had sorta already guessed this other guy would tag along, but was still wary of it. He knew they hadn't known each other prior to this, or at least he guessed it, but it didn't change the fact they were working together now... and against him. At least the way he saw it. Still, he listened to every word Nikita spoke, having no other choice.

When she finished her little conditions, he again thought of how if this had been a different situation he might have laughed, just to see her reaction. But instead he gave a mere shrug. Joseph shook his head deftly when Nikita asked him if he had anything to add. "No, you've covered it." The man gave a brief sigh, as if appalled she would even think he might do some of the things she suggested in her conditions. In truth, she wasn't that far off, but she didn't know that.. at least not for certain. "Very well. As you wish. All that good stuff. Now, if you'd be so kind," he said, wiggling his still bound wrists.

Joseph stepped forward then, having once again drawn his dagger and pointed it to the man's throat, his eyes a glimmer. "You had better take every word she said to heart. Just because your bonds will be free, doesn't mean you really are. And," he paused, glancing briefly at Nikita, before turning his gaze back upon their captive, "We need your name. Unless you'd rather have us shouting at inopportune times." He gave a brief smirk, especially after the man glared at him. After some hesitation, he responded. "Fine. My name is Jalen." As far as they knew. "And yours? After all, I'm sure you wouldn't want me making a ruckus either."

Joseph paused, glancing at Nikita, then back toward the man who called himself Jalen. He had no problem giving his name. If anyone came after him, he could handle himself anyway. "Joseph," he murmured. Whether Nikita decided to give her name or not, Joseph didn't really mind. However, whatever she said next, unless she directed anything otherwise, he proceeded to cut the ropes which bound him. Afterward, he would put his dagger back in its sheath and step back slightly, ready to do anything if needed.

Once free, Jalen would rise, rubbing each of his wrists in turn for a moment and making no moves to do anything otherwise. "So, I suppose first things first we should return to Arilnor before whoever is cleaning up the mess decides they take a liking to anything remaining." Indicating Nikita's things, of course. With that, he would begin moving back toward the city, not having much of a problem getting out of the forest.

On arrival, Nikita could proceed to do as she wished. The town would still be rather ransacked since they hadn't been gone that long, but several people were moving about gathering things or putting them in some place. However, despite such activity, Nikita shouldn't have much problem retrieving her things other than the odd looks from people now and then. They were mostly on Jalen himself, though many were questioning as to what exactly was going on.

[Moon_Song]

((OOC: I don't know how Rel would feel about it, but I would rather keep it just me and her. No offense intended, but we already have a plot set in motion...))

[Xenoxice]

((OOC: Okay no prob. Post deleted.))

[Moon_Song]

Joseph had nothing to add, so she straightened her posture and looked down at the man. He hardly looked willing to do fulfill any of her demands. No matter. If he didn't, she could just as easily leave.

With his request to be unbound, Joseph moved forward, blade drawn and pointed at the mans throat. When he advanced, she moved back a bit. Sort of a trained reaction. With his words, she felt a little light hearted. She had stood up for many in her life, but few had returned the favor, if any.

She was quick to clear those thoughts, though. Just because someone shows a bit of kindness, doesn't mean you should get all happy. He was a man after all. Even if he was on her side...

Joseph pressed the man for his name, and was able to get it out of him. Then again, a dagger to the throat could get a lot out of most people. Jalen, he said was his name. How far from the truth hat was, she couldn't say. More than likely, he was lying, but would that really be surprising?

Jalen turned the inquiry around, asking for names himself. Joseph gave his, but she doubted he would need to give anything but the truth. She didn't answer right away herself. She was uncomfortable giving her name to a man who had just tried to take her, but seeing as they would all be traveling together for a while, she might as well have him call her by her name. "Nikita di'Roma." She surprised herself. Why had she just given her full name?

She said nothing as Joseph went to cut Jalen's ropes, but she prepared herself for anything. Would he try to run? Would he try to attack? With the ropes cut, however, he did nothing of the sort. She relaxed, if only slightly, still keeping her guard up. There was no way in heaven or hell she would ever trust this man. Heck, she didn't trust men in general, but especially not this one.

After a few words, Jalen began to walk toward the city of Arilnor. She glanced over at Joseph. She wanted to ask if he thought this wise, but she kept it to herself. Even if he was on her side, he was still a man...

After a bit of a trek, they had returned when the sun was at the peak of its decent. The town was still rather disheveled, though not as hectic as it was when she had been abducted by Jalen. People we scurrying around, picking up things of interest. She payed them no mind and made haste to the spot where she had dropped her sword, all the while ignoring the strange looks and whispers. She was used to such things anyway, and she needed to find her sword. All of her other possessions were replaceable, but this one thing could never be.

She searched the area, looking in alleyways, under carts and boxes, any place it could be. As hard as looked, her searching was fruitless. She was looking into one particular ally for the third time, when she felt a light tug on the back of her skirt. She whirled around to the small figured of a dark haired little boy. It was the son of the ringmaster. He had was supposed to be the authority watch during the performance. She was about to ask why he was not with his father, when he pulled her sword from behind his back. Her eyes lit up and she crouched down to gently hug the boy. "Thank you little one. You have no idea the good you have done for me this day."

She dearly hoped the other two could not see her. They did not deserve to see her act as she was now. She pulled away from the boy and looked into his chocolate brown eyes and pushed his bangs from his smudged face. She smiled at the boy, and her smile was warm. He smiled back in that awkwardly happy way children do. He said nothing, but handed her sword over to her and ran off. "Be safe, young one." She whispered after him.

When the boy turned the corner out of the ally, she looked down at blade she held in her hands. She wondered if the ringmaster had picked it up in an effort to pawn it off later. He was the sort of man who would do such a thing. No matter now. She had her sword, and she felt whole again.

She stood, ever graceful, and walked out of the ally back toward where the fallen tent still lay.

((OOC: Should I add more here or would you like to add something before I go on? I know I wrote a lot already, so I made it smaller so it didn't take up so much room : P ))

[Relairah]

OoC: Nah, you're good unless you wanted to add more XD It's up to you. I mean the only time I'd say you needed to add more would be if you completely left me with nothing to reply to XDDDD But you don't have that problem so you're good ^^

iC:

When Nikita gave her full name at Jalen's request, Joseph couldn't help the brief glance her way, partially in surprise and partially from curiosity. He certainly hadn't expected such an answer. Had she really meant to say all that to this guy? Somehow, he wondered if there hadn't been something else. Still, he let it go. He would still call her by her first name. It seemed more appropriate anyway.

His attention was returned to Jalen as he rose and spoke his words. From Joseph's perspective, Jalen was acting as though he were still entirely in control of the situation. It wasn't true, but Joseph didn't make any comments about it. He would allow him to think so for now. It wouldn't be too long before he realized who was really in control, at least Joseph hoped so.

Joseph didn't fail to note when Nikita glanced at him, briefly, but only returned her gaze with a look that said, "We'll follow, but keep an eye on him."

Once they reached the town, Joseph stayed near Jalen, observing him while Nikita ran off to find her belongings. Jalen didn't say anything else, but merely looked around a bit. He hoped they didn't stay too long: surely someone would recognize them and he didn't want to spend the night in an Arilnor jail cell. He began tapping his finger on his elbow, his arms being crossed, and was growing a bit impatient with Nikita. He didn't want to have to go hunting her down.

Just when he thought he would have to, she appeared amongst the fallen tent and he moved toward her, Joseph nearby. He couldn't help feeling a bit relieved, though was still anxious. Once they reached her, he would only give a brief glance to her sword. "Are we done here?" he would ask briskly, almost in a demanding way.

Joseph glanced toward Jalen, playing once again with his dagger. Jalen didn't fail to notice and checked himself, though grudgingly. He added to his previous statement, "I would rather avoid the city guards if at all possible." Just as he spoke, it seemed they would hear shouts in the near distance, and sure enough was a group of soldiers running toward them. Jalen scowled, not feeling it necessary to say, "Exactly my point.." Instead, he stepped back, indicating that they should all get the hell out of there as soon as possible.

Joseph was watching Nikita in a concerned sort of way. "Do you need anything else while we are here? I'm sure we can maneuver around easily enough." He tacked on a sort of grin, his eyes even glimmering with a bit of mischief that Jalen wouldn't see with his distractions. To Joseph, the idea of getting sorted needs while avoiding guards was sort of like a fun game. At least in some situations. At the sounds of shouts and Jalen's movement, he merely glanced in the soldiers' direction and back at Nikita, his eyes saying, "Your call."

Jalen had already made a dash for the outskirts of town, though looked back, seeing Joseph hesitating. He scowled, stopping and watching them anxiously. Whatever they were doing, he was not too happy with it. But he had little choice. Whatever they did, he was going to follow them. It all came down to whether Nikita decided she wanted to play cat and mouse with the guards, or get out of town.

[Moon_Song]

As the two men came into view, she noted the anxious looks of Jalen, and how Joseph was watching him. At least someone was. She felt a little silly for just running off and leaving the two, but it was worth it. She had her sword back!

She paid no mind to Jalen and his inquiry, but proceeded straight to the fallen remains of her tent. She threw back the flap where the back opening would have been, and began trowing out some of the pillow cushions, all the while her face smooth and calm. There wasn't much that could ruin her mood now.

As she dug through the wreckage, she found her stash: A medium sized wooden chest. At this point, she could hear the approaching guards. She didn't waste time now. With a quick hand she opened the box and began placing daggers at various places; in her skirt hem, in her shoes that she had been able to slip on, one in her brazier. About six daggers total.

The last thing she grabbed was a small pouch that she tied securely to the inside folds of her skirt. Just as she was about to stand, she caught sight of her swords inky black sheath. She grabbed that, slipped her sword into in, and tied it to her hip.

She didn't waste any more time. She walked with a brisk pace over to the two men. She turned to joseph as he spoke, and smile slyly. "No, we can make a break for it now." She couldn't help but notice the mischievous look in his eye. "Although, I have no qualm with a little fun." She glanced around, noticing Jalen's absence. She looked around Joseph to see him running off on his own. Tch, coward. He did finally notice they were still behind, so he stopped. She imagined him tapping his foot like an old woman.

She returned her gaze back to Joseph, keeping an ear on the ever closer guards. Like a lioness stalking her prey, she moved to the other side of him and took a few steps back. "Well then, let have a little fun." Just then, she turned on her heel and bolted in a seemly random direction. She may not have been long in this town, but from her stay here, she knew the territory well enough to not get lost, and, more importantly, get away from the guards.

[Relairah]

Joseph waited as she mozied through the tent, collecting various other possesions of hers. It sort of reminded him of the various things on his own body, hidden in various places to be put to use at will should the need call for it. Heck, some of them would even be showing were it not for the cloak he still wore about his shoulders. But he wasn't thinking of that now as she finished and answered him. He couldn't help the brief smile and another flicker in his eyes when she agreed with the whole idea of fun.

Now, up until this point, Joseph had been rather serious and reserved, because he had felt he needed to be for the situation. But a bit of the real him was starting to surface now and was bouncing for a bit of change, at least while it would last. So with a glance at Jalen, not forgetting the reason why they even cared what he did, he bounded after Nikita.

Jalen watched with a growing frown as the two conversed and then suddenly sprang off in some seemingly random direction. Oh brother! He released his breath and shook his head, debating if he'd just wait for them outside town, or join in their fun. Frankly, he didn't feel like wasting his energy playing 'See if We'll Get Our Dumb Butts Caught By the Guards or Not'. He needed his energy for the more important matter at hand, in his mind.

Well, when they decided they wanted to come back around, he'd be waiting. With that, it didn't take him long before he reached one of the further buildings and he leaned against it, pulling out something he had tucked in his clothes. He was glad he kept it on his person - otherwise, it might be entirely lost in the fire that had destroyed his tent. It was a map of sorts and as he waited, he spent time studying it.

Meanwhile, the guards began to spread out, shouting and searching in several places throughout Arilnor. They were determined to catch these troublemakers! Joseph ran just behind Nikita, partially curious to if she wanted to lead the way and partially because he had her back. He had a few tricks up his sleeve in case they got in a tight spot, though he wondered if he'd really need to use them or not.

[Moon_Song]

She had not run in a while, and it was exhilarating. She was a rather good runner, in her perspective. She maneuvered around people and objects in her path with an easy nimbleness. Perhaps it was her slight figure that allowed for such fluid movement, but to be more precise, her years of dancing, which had served to strengthen her core, the center of balance and grace.

Behind her she could hear the fast-pace footfalls of Joseph. He followed behind her neither too close nor too far. She couldn't help but notice that there was only one set of feet other than hers. Jalen, it seems, had stayed behind. Not that it mattered to her. In fact, she was feeling less tense with him gone. She was able to feel the excitement of the reason for their running, rather than having to watch another's every little action. She did not have to watch Joseph so because he was not, as she had seen so far, an outright violent man. Of course she still didn't trust him, but that didn't mean her judge of character was obscured by it.

As they made their way out of a narrow alleyway, a group of guards were standing only a few yards to the left. She almost skidded to slow herself and made a hard right. A little ways ahead she spotted a low roofed little building with a few unstable looking wooden boxes piled in a perfect position. "You ready for some jumping, Joseph?" She called loud enough for him to hear. She winded a second, but it did not slow her down.

Whatever his answer was, and whether he had noticed it or not, she called again just as she was in range. "Follow me!" With a quick hop and a light foot she stepped from one box to the next and reached the roof with a flip into the air, for fun. She looked back then to see if Joseph had made it up.

[Relairah]

He followed her easily, not surprised at all by her agility and flexibility. Rather, he glanced around now and then at the sound of a shout or the clink of metal from the guards' armour. Just as Nikita saw the crates leading to the roof of a nearby building, he saw them also and he couldn't help the faint grin as she asked him about them. It seemed they thought alike, at least in this case. "Of course," he replied, following suit as she darted for them and leaped up with ease.

He tried to make as little noise as possible, using what he knew to avoid the crates crumbling and drawing attention. In no time, he landed on his feet in a crouched position on the roof, just behind Nikita and he looked up at her with a glimmer in his eyes of excitement. He glanced down at the crates, seeing a few wobbling but they seemed to hold. Good, they'd escaped the guards' for now. Certainly, it wouldn't be long before they started looking up but till then, they had time.

He scanned a few of the other roofs and alleyways, chuckling at the sight of the guards running about in a confused sort of way. Some of them were talking amongst themselves about how a moment ago, they had seen the culprits, and how all of a sudden they'd lost them.

Joseph rose slightly, though didn't stand to full height. He figured it would be easier to hide for longer if they weren't standing on a roof basically saying, "Hey, look what's up here!" He looked at Nikita once more, "It seems as though we have something in common. I haven't met many others who think of a roof as a good hiding spot." He grinned, also pausing. When he did so, he took a moment to look into the distance at the outskirts of town. This fun wouldn't last too much longer since eventually they'd be discovered and have to skip town.

With a gesture at the guards below, he spoke again, "Say, don't they look a bit like scrambling bugs?" Perhaps not exactly, but from their point of view, it would still be comical.

[Moon_Song]

He made it up with as much ease as she. Good thing too. Had he slipped off or fallen through a crate it would have cost them. Even so, she couldn't keep a small, sly smile from forming as her eyes met his. They both seemed to share a spark thrill. As he glanced away, she lowered herself a bit so that she would draw less attention and looked around at the streets and alleys below. It seemed no one had noticed their accent as of yet, so they this would give them some time to regain some energy.

It was now that she could feel how warm and loose her muscles were. They felt good. Had the situation been different, she would be sprawled out on the ground letting herself feel each muscle pulsate with the extra flow of blood. Seeing as how now was hardly the time for such frivolous activities, she contented herself with staying as she was.

Joseph spoke and his words made her snap her head around to look into his face with a sort of questioning look of her own. As he went on, though, she understood what he meant and it made her smile a bit. Not many a man would admit to such a thing in these parts. But then, maybe...he wasn't from here...

When he looked away, she copied the motion to see what it was he was looking at. He gestured toward the disheveled guards below and mentioned them looking as though they were bugs. She put a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. They needed to be quiet here. "I was thinking something of the sort." She said, amusement layering each word.

From a street or two over, an unusual movement caught her eye. Some youngster was waving and pointing toward them wildly. Instinctively Nikita lowered herself to a crouch in an attempt to be less noticeable. Less than a moment later, a number of guards gathered around the youth and looked up in the direction he was pointing...right at them!

"I seems we've been outed." She looked over to Joseph. "You're turn." She hoped he understood that she meant it was his turn to lead the way.

[Relairah]

He didn't fail to notice the amusement in her voice when she agreed with him about the bug comment. It was always fun to mock guards a bit in such a situation, but all goods things had their time and it seemed theirs was up, or at least coming to an end.

With her next words, he also noticed the young one giving away their position, perhaps to gain favor with the guards and he knew what Nikita meant, giving her a brief grin and a nod. The chase would be on once more. He hesitated only long enough to notice as the guards came scrambling in their direction, and even heard as one of them tried to climb up the crates though with his armour weighing him down, fell, some of the crates falling with him. Well that should give them a bit more time, but he didn't wait to find out.

"Pardon me," Joseph said, and if she allowed, he would grasp Nikita's hand and then attempt to sweep her into his arms in a carrying position as he would then run and leap off the roof, landing on the roof of the next building. So the roof hopping would begin and he felt another rush of adrenaline pouring through him, especially when he felt the rush of an arrow whiz by his head. If Nikita did not allow him to carry her, he would simply begin leaping from roof to roof. It seemed not only were some guards following on the roofs, but others were racing along the ground shooting at them with arrows.

All the more fun! It wouldn't take long before they reached the edge of the city and he would leap downward, rolling as he hit the ground if he were not carrying Nikita and if he was, he saw some barrels next to the building upon which he would leap on as an inbetween before hitting the ground and continuing to run, at least for a little while until he would look back and see the guards had stopped, shouting and shaking their fists, even shooting a few more arrows their way as if saying, "And don't you come back!"

Jalen was calmly looking over his map when he heard all the commotion and he would look up just as Joseph and Nikita would come leaping off of a nearby roof and then running to the grassy terrain beyond the city, a trail of guards pulling up on the city's outskirts and he couldn't help but smirk to himself. Once the guards would disperse once more, even warily, Jalen would rise, going to meet Joseph and Nikita.

Once he reached them, he would arrive just in time to see Joseph chuckling and talking to Nikita about how much better than the guards they were. However, on approach, Joseph gave Jalen a faint smirk though a look as if to say, "There you are."

OoC: Eh... hope you don't mind the way that went XD haha

[Moon_Song]

((OOC: Yea thats works ^_^ As for what I wrote, I hope you don't mind it either : P))


It wasn't long before one of the guards tried to use their same pathway up to the roof. He was, however, far too heavy for the weak crates. It was really quite the comical display.

Then Joseph asked for pardon and reached for her hand. He was able to get ahold of it, but she quickly pulled as soon as she felt his hand tense to pull her. She wasn't comfortable with the idea of being picked up by someone like that. She didn't trust him that much.

At any rate, they needed to leave. Joseph wasted no time in getting a move on. He bolted and leaped off the roof of the one building to another and beyond. Nikita followed behind, but not too closely. His action had caused her to keep her distance.

That feeling was dashed, however, as soon as the whizzing of a passing arrow sounded far too close to her head. She picked up the pace with an adrenaline run of her own. Her natural sense of self preservation kept her feet swift and her heart pounding.

The guards were all over now. They raced clumsily across the roof tops behind them and ran through the streets below like hyenas chasing their pray. Joseph and she continued to jump the gaps between the haphazard buildings as arrows and shouts bombarded their escape. As strange as it seemed, she was actually having fun!

Suddenly, she felt the pain of skin being torn open. One of the arrows grazed her right upper-arm, opening a gash about two and a half inches long. She winced and only made a slight whimper, but it was drowned out by the shouting and clanking metal. It was not bleeding profusely, but she was bleeding faster than she would be if she was at rest.

Soon, though, they finally reached the border of the city. She jumped down behind Joseph, all the while ignoring the stinging in her arm. While he looked back, she kept going a few yards before she even noticed he had stopped. When she eventually did see he stopped, she did too. She did not look back however. She concentrated on trying to will away the pain in her arm by clenching and unclenching her fists. The blood was beginning to drip slowly down her arm and onto her clothing. Damn good thing she knew how to get that out.

At this point, her headscarf was no longer stable on her head, and strands of her silvery white hair fell from various places in a tousled way. A thin layer of sweat glistened on her brow and her breathing was a little labored. She must have been a sight to see. She knew there was little reason to keep it on at the moment, so she leaned forward and pulled the cloth away. Her hair cascaded down in a starry waterfall. She flicked her head back to get the hair out of her face.

She gently placed the cloth over her wound, wincing at the sting, and put on a mask of mild amusement while keeping her injured arm on the opposite side of where ever Joseph was. He didn't seem to notice right off. Perhaps he was still high off of the adrenaline. What was left of hers was undoubtedly keeping away some of the pain. It didn't seem deep enough for stitches, though she couldn't be sure until she had a moment to examine it and clean it out. Goddess only knows if something was on those arrows.

Joseph approached then and it was obvious that there was a sort of weight lifted from him, if only temporarily. He smiled in a way she had not seen of him in the, albeit, short time they had known of each others existence. She sensed, though, that he wasn't the type of man to be quite so joyful on a constant basis.

As he laughed at their superiority over the guards (she only chucked a bit), Jalen finally made his appearance. She was half surprised that he did, but that didn't matter at the moment. She glared at the approaching man as if to say...well...a variety of less than pleasant phrases. His vary presence made her feel ill at ease.