They worked their way back outside.
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"Casy bring us back!" Parcival said.
874Please respect copyright.PENANACq6cYgpgdb
Who's Casy? Within moments they were all whisked away standing in front of a small home.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAx9UguQ8Ple
"Casy, we have her!"
874Please respect copyright.PENANAYd2vNiJbeJ
"I'm glad everyone made it out alright," said Casy. He closed the door.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAtY0g1VSdMa
Parcival put her down while eyeing her. "Can you talk yet?"
874Please respect copyright.PENANAvjAjvsYBhA
"No guess not." He turned to Casy. "Do you have any rope?"
874Please respect copyright.PENANAFxd6FsdrPh
"What is going on here? What do you need with a rope?"
874Please respect copyright.PENANAIifY6KMsCp
"Just bring it." He avoided looking her way.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAIGMeLlooo0
Casey's brow deepened.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAfmY0P2rcdN
"I don't like this, isn't right." He went outside.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAN1XRCkZyLF
A frightful rattling. He entered with a thick long rope coiled on his arm. He shoved it into Parcival's hands.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAWLZ4AdD0EL
"The more she moves the tighter it gets."
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Parcival wrapped it around her wrists tying it. His face was so stern. Guiding her to another room, he sat her on the bed, walked out locking the door.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAo5Tfz3i8Ui
She sat there all night, unable to sleep.
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"Kill them." The last command from Kar repeated over riding out all other thoughts. The rope tightened biting into her wrists. She gasped. Any tighter and the bones will break. She moved to the door.
874Please respect copyright.PENANANfzEie3lKG
It was a struggle to pull free a small dagger in her boot with her fingertips, it took forever but it finally clanked on the floor.
874Please respect copyright.PENANArFiMApFB7T
Sitting by the door in a crouched tented position. She picked up and dropped the dagger most of the night. It was exasperating.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAvXJQNVUlJa
Unnamed chuckled. As you are "resting" I will take of some energy.
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What? No not now, I need to get free!
874Please respect copyright.PENANAT6Zsgt4mPt
And then what? Slaughter them all? Have an entire city out for your head? Fool! Like you said before using the darkheart is foolish. You've see that emblem on his shirt. It is best you do not die, it is more beneficial for me.
874Please respect copyright.PENANA5yDwWAOGyM
You don't decide what I do spirit. What am I saying? Make it stop! Break this spell, you're a god, right?
Waste of my energy, you have plenty to spare. If you didn't I would have drained you dry weeks ago. Do as I tell you otherwise I'll use less kind methods then before.
Its vines went further under down deep below the skin this time. She fell to her side shaking as he took a great amount. The times before were gentle compared to this.
874Please respect copyright.PENANACsDBE00imW
Arguing along the other side of the door, then the light that seeped from under darkened.
874Please respect copyright.PENANALbx6ieopGh
The morning light streamed in through the window. Come on get it. The sunlight warmed her back, as it did the command ceased.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAVwWuok9wgl
Dust motes danced in the air. It was so quiet. She sat up panting.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAjKBgFg4fzF
Han opened the door a crack. She scooted back. Coming in he carried a large mug of water.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAsrPYc0TVRW
"How do you feel?" His lip twitched.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAVGygIfkAEa
She sat upright on the floor. His lip twitched again. Just what was so funny?
874Please respect copyright.PENANA2JXthRYc9l
"You mean do I want to kill you both? No." She smiled a little. Ten minutes ago, however ...
874Please respect copyright.PENANAWsjww5fFYv
He glimpsed at the dagger. Then at her red-rimmed wrists, frowning as he undid them.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAZUJyocLH8X
"Here." He handed her the mug.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAHxOsG29Ku5
That water tasted better than any. So cold. It washed over her parched mouth. She gulped the mug down in short order.
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Bending over she scooped up the dagger tucking it back in a boot.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAwPURvXmxun
Merryn followed Han into the kitchen.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAXWdk5RzFDL
Parcival took a sip of his tea and wrapped his hands around the cup.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAxTYlwp8K8x
Her ears twitched.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAg3ZBU686qb
His eyes peered over the brim. Now, what was he thinking?
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"Thank you." he got up shaking Casy's hand.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAbLTUaKAbla
"Follow me. The caves they start here."
874Please respect copyright.PENANAogRXMxEdVA
Parcival stood stretching his hands, his fingertips brushed the thatched straw ceiling.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAZWpwkpg9PG
Walking down the short hallway Casy pressed his hands into imprints in the wall. Red glowing runes appeared framing the entrance. The wall rumbled and slid to the left.
874Please respect copyright.PENANA02rTQKByVu
Water dripped inside. Shaking now, with clasped sweaty hands, she scooted over toward the threshold. What if there's a cave in? We'll suffocate.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAkc6LfJ9CFO
Parcival leaned into the entrance whistling sharply.
874Please respect copyright.PENANARz7I2dkUUy
A creepy whistle. Pieces of it came back to her. A shadow two eyes just like the other day, and like the first time all those years ago.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAxH1ZKDoLXv
"Time to g—" Parcival's lips thinned and his brow deepened for a moment. He let go of the edge of the cave entrance.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAQJvTMd4zYo
"What is it, do you see something?"
874Please respect copyright.PENANAPCsXmhBVjU
"No," she attempted to swallow, but her throat struck.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAGWPEeytDre
Parcival walked over and pulled on her wrist.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAq8kaQuKAmN
"You don't have to if you don't want to. Though if you could it would be twice as fast."
874Please respect copyright.PENANAc4yNUpb17y
Her cheeks cooled as did the rest of her body.
874Please respect copyright.PENANA22OZnLpxSV
"No we need to hurry." She nibbled on some loose skin on her lip. "If there's a way around?"
874Please respect copyright.PENANAbY5zCk6Lk8
How to do this? It wasn't proper to be so upset over this. She straightened her shoulders and attempted to look normal, whatever that is. Her ears twitched.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAgaDbcR2ZJO
"Well, we'll need to see."
874Please respect copyright.PENANAepmutB7cIa
She wiggled her fingers in a series of strange gestures. A small glowing globe emerged, at first just a mote. It gathered energy growing in size to that of a small globe.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAuL9pqlmyfF
Parcival coughed.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAkA8Prkde08
"How did you do that?"
874Please respect copyright.PENANANu9Ft1KnAO
She tilted her head. "A magi taught me."
874Please respect copyright.PENANAVTSwkKQASD
Raising her hand the globe raised with it. Part of her still wanted to run out of the room screaming. She breathed in and focused on making it brighter. Parcival's face glow caught her breath just for a second. She stole a quick glance. He didn't appear to notice, or wasn't showing if he did.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAUd8XHF4dUl
He started talking, but it was hard to concentrate her thoughts like water in a bowl spinning.
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His voice cut though again.
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Parcival turned and went inside. "Coming?" he held out a hand.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAzivWeICEOD
She froze in the chair.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAaNJOBMQBaY
She got up and made her feet go to him. The fingers on his hand wrapped around hers. He squeezed them before moving on.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAt10q79YjzX
She smiled a little. A person like this was rare, have been too hard on him. She straightened her shoulders. All the more reason to ditch them soon.
874Please respect copyright.PENANA6pty42WeGb
"Just move, it'll become easier if you keep going," Han said.
874Please respect copyright.PENANArDpi8kJMRa
A passageway further down opened into a great cavern. The light ball streaked off ahead, illuminating the area.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAYfY5m0cWQG
Every corner and edge glowed, the shadows pulled back as the globe circled the area above them. Before them on the left far-off to the other side, there were several bridges. The encroaching shadows pulled away from the light.
874Please respect copyright.PENANA8ou1h7O5A4
Ladders reached up from the bottoms of pillars leading to even more bridges, these connected to more ledges, and linked to several flat-topped stone pillars. Some rocks looked like wasp wings. She jumped back a step.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAxUv8At0VFV
"Keep looking straight ahead."
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"Right. Ahead."
874Please respect copyright.PENANAUIwAfMzW29
A large tunnel with glittering rocks, was at the end of the bridge. She let go of his hand and gripped the rope. Exactly like that day, when it all started. Mom should have listened to you.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAoimz0Ze6vy
The scars had faded some, but were still fairly visible, she drew a sleeve down covering them again. That crystal bear could've, but it didn't. Why? She rubbed her arms.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAuOOgPCsQBG
"Merryn?" Parcival snapped his fingers in front of her. "Come on let's go."
874Please respect copyright.PENANAqoX8fVUnP0
Cold sweat drenched the back of her undershirt. She clamped her jaw as a whine tried to squeak out. Not today. Come on stop it. There's no way. I can't. I won't. What if another is in there? She pulled in rappid breaths through her nose.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAv1NTV3Rq3u
Parcival placed his hands on hers.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAXWxSBhvM1w
"It will be fine. Look I'll go ahead and show you."
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He stepped away.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAwIj0mYKSIJ
"Stay!"
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He half turned his face winking before heading to the tunnel entrance.
874Please respect copyright.PENANA7UuvEIpHWO
Han patted her thy. "See it's fine?"
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She glared at him.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAMiwpxuo7XA
He drew his hand back, eyes wide. "Sorry!"
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Blurrrg. She shook her arms out. Uck! Usually some touching was alright, but not here!
874Please respect copyright.PENANAN5U9kIxYun
He went and sat on the damned rock. Crazy both of them. She stood there until her legs burned. She let go, but kept watch of the tunnel.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAJHiIJAS2nY
At the end of the bridge she crouched down, tying a boot lace. Her fingers bloched any attempts to knot it. Doesn't matter. The area still spun so she played with it for a few minutes.
874Please respect copyright.PENANA2yFJrGRWkW
When she sat down Han raised a brow yet kept quiet.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8VUXfvVvY
"Let's make camp here, and proceed in the morning." Parcival pointed to a flat area off ahead, to the right of the sinister tunnel.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAcfEnh4nlT2
She slipped off her pack and sat cross-legged.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAsIjuSv8r2G
Taking some dry wood out of his pack, Parcival had a crackling fire minutes after.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAsu3V7RBXMT
Han sat on the other side writing in small fat book, dipping a quill pen into a inkwell on the ground. How old fashioned most used ink well sticks now, they broke less then those glass inkwells did.
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"What are you writing?"
874Please respect copyright.PENANAlhdMClrTse
He looked over the top of his spectacles.
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"The history of the word, mountains and such."
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"How long have you been working on it?"
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Opening a pouch she brought out a thin braided leather cord, then reached back for her hair and tied it.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAJlTRegDe9r
"For quite some time now."
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A sharp crack behind.
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She jumped and spun around. A stone from the ceiling splashed into the waters below. She scanned the area before relaxing again.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAnZk1jlhJhE
"Don't worry it's nothing. You should catch some sleep while you can." He stretched yawning.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAFqeFejtPUg
"I'm not sleepy."
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"Mumm-humm." He went to sleep, snoring soon after.
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She scooted closer to the fire. It only happened to be closer to Parcival. He lifted an eyebrow and smirked. She toyed with a tie on her chest armor.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAnphb0YVHQO
Never had many friends, stayed in the temple until of late. Even after leaving it to train not many people were there, except for my magi.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAzRy9pU1CDg
Wonder how he's doing? His mustached grin was infectious, can't help but smile back.
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She yawned. These men seem honest. Too much so. Maxwell is sure to hurt them at some point.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAaYCXtMbztj
She took her daggers out, then drew out a cloth from a pouch; cleaning them. The red Adapt had imprinted them with hidden runes. She reflected the light, the runes shimmered blue and red dancing from tip to end.
874Please respect copyright.PENANA1OsFL1Sqzi
Red had showed how to use them to heal instead of harm. The only problem with that was it transferred the injuries to the holder. And only one time, after that they'd shatter. Have to be a complete loon to use that spell.
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The fire died down to embers. That must've been all the wood s there wasn't any nearby. Another yawn.
874Please respect copyright.PENANA9LA9JhnMsy
####
Later that night a noise jolted her out of a half-doze. What was it? Fell asleep. Idiot! A moaning echoed in the tunnel. She swallowed a shriek. Stop that, your an adult now. Her daggers sang out of their sheaths.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAGn6ihs3I35
An humanoid outline came to focus. It struggled with something in the darknesses. It leaped out into the water with a splash.
874Please respect copyright.PENANA4S07IlbFu0
She shook Parcival's shoulder. He bat away her hands.
874Please respect copyright.PENANA1El9GkyHZP
It stepped closer. A furry arm with long fingers and yellow claws showed in the light. It screamed like a banshee before running away its footfalls fading.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAoIiIbxTQz4
Parcival bolted up. "Meeff wha—"
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He coughed clearing his throat. He clutched his chest.
874Please respect copyright.PENANARg3juowh8U
"Why did you scream? You nearly gave me a heart attack"
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"I thought I saw something." Was it really there? Hard to be sure. Better not say anything just yet.
874Please respect copyright.PENANA9av6vGeItW
"Come sit over here." He patted the ground next to him.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAwI6cBstvjj
"I'm just fine right here." Lay with you? Ha!
874Please respect copyright.PENANAMYsPeMsFlR
She scooted away. Should smack him one for that. She chewed lightly on her leather collar. Gerr ....
874Please respect copyright.PENANAnZKnZzpCFf
"I didn't intend it that way. If you want to get cold that's your problem."
874Please respect copyright.PENANAXbriAX0kgz
"Noses held to high to see—grumble." He murmured something else, then laid back down facing away.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAv5jIy5RdwJ
Humans. Jez.
874Please respect copyright.PENANACxjM8Ek2TS
In the morning she followed him into the next cavern passageway. This became another tunnel that went on for twenty feet. It had no rocks thankfully. She raced past as soon as the light showed at the end.
874Please respect copyright.PENANA0L8Y8XmT5X
She bounced on the pads of her feet. Sweet air. No more walls. She resisted an impulse to spin around. She grinned, then joined her hands in a soft clap. Alright.
874Please respect copyright.PENANALm5PNpsLRa
"Wait here."
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Walking up ahead the pathway it wound up like a kink along the mountainside. This way was shorter, but the path could crumble at any time. She bent and dug under the snow to the raw earth.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAjixo7pNWyR
A handful of the dirt crumbled in her hand. Even in this cold it's treacherous. There should be an inn a few miles west. She nodded. Yea, even better can ditch them there.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAP0frwCdUQN
She came back to where they were sitting. "It's not safe, it's too icy."
874Please respect copyright.PENANAfWIWZc6B6O
Parcival took out a water pouch sipping from it.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAaJbU8RltdM
Now, how to get them over there without raising suspicions? Got it. Human females tented to complain often, that should annoy them.
874Please respect copyright.PENANACyeVcAEIpm
"I want to sleep in an inn. It's been days since I smelled clean sheets, and had a cold ale. Time for a break."
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"That sounds good." Parcival sat up.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAwIJ72M17bU
Can't believe he agreed so readily. The right side of her mouth twitched. Hea.
874Please respect copyright.PENANA3SK5U9ag5V
"I think a village is near."
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Taking out the map she checked it. Ah, I know I'll take them the long way they won't want to keep going after that. No reason why I can't rest for a few hours too. Besides so sick of eating dried meat. The growing stomach didn't improve her mood.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAzMYhHoQlNn
"It's over to the west, just past that clump of trees."
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She rolled the map back up and placed it back into her pouch.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAaOos2MOBQU
"Lead the way."
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####
Several days later fine strands of dry webbing crisscrossed over the pathway. She cut through it with her daggers, the sticky threads stuck to her fingers as she pulled them off the blades edges. Not good, this is so not good!
874Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZvNkpIItX
"Are you certain this is the right way?" Parcival said.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAZGG8irO71j
"Yes." It's just longer, didn't count on spiders being here. She looked around. Damn it, this is bad.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAepi4sTP1TZ
Parcival pulled strands of the webbing off of his sword while walking.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAZeE8sqYjD3
"The village isn't much further now." Still, this webbing wasn't here last time. There appeared to be an increase in the nocturnal creatures, she kept the thought quiet for now.
874Please respect copyright.PENANABHbt5RlVFD
A scratching behind almost made her jump out of her boots. She whirled around daggers in hand.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAu027vOjjSc
Parcival jumped back. "Quit it! Are you trying to impale me?"
874Please respect copyright.PENANALLzpis4V2L
"Sorry."
874Please respect copyright.PENANAw1wT8hdNYQ
It was getting darker. "Walk faster we need to make camp."
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A sliding sound above. The hairs on her arms stood up. Ordain it!
874Please respect copyright.PENANAijsgIgl4ni
Poison dripped onto her forehead and started to burn. Always in the trees sneakier than a serpent.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAH6tquzrDJG
"Run!"
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Parcival and Han froze.
874Please respect copyright.PENANAGqqysnAEFU
"No, don't look for it you ninny's, just move!"
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