The Lioness...(Closed for TearsoftheWorld)

[Cobra2004]

Jeratt couldn't understand why Qualinesti and their brothers the Kagonesti could get along. They both fight for their survival and against the Dark Knight and his dragons.

Jeratt had barely escaped a patrol of the Dark Knight himself and hid in a tavern. Being a Knight of Order they to fought the Dark Knight and his mighty army.

He sat in a corner away from everyone else and ordered some food and drink. He casually looked all the tavern looking at all the faces. Most were local farmers that came in to have a drink after a long day in the fields.

A lone woman was sitting two tables away from him eating and talking with the owner. He did notice she was Elven by her pointed hears, till the owner called her by name he had no idea who she was. She was the first Elven women he had ever seen and he stared at her as he couldn't help himself. He never saw a more beautiful woman in his life. Her silvery gold hair was sparkling by the light of the torches.

Jeratt knew at once who she was now. Kiriana. The Lioness as she was known by the Knights of the Order. She was deadly with a bow and as deadly with long knives. Thus the name Lioness as she fought like a lion.

Outside the tavern he heard some rough voices and growling. Sharp orders giving. A loud thud boomed into the tavern and the sounds of splintering wood. The door flew open and three Dark Knights barged in. They were armed to the teeth and they pushed a prisoner in front of them.

It wasn't hard to know that she was Kagonesti. She wore a hunter gear leather and a cotton shirt with brown and green pattern. He hands were tied and she held them in front of her breasts to cover them. Her shirt was badly torn and she wore the tattoo that all of them wore.

He eyes caught those of Kiriana and the looked for only a moment. Bueren the owner of the tavern touched Kiriana on the arm and told her to stay still. These Knights didn't need an excuse to kill her and everyone else in the tavern. Just the same Kiriana put her hand on her long knife hanging from her belt.

Jeratt Knew something was about to happen.

 

[TearsoftheWorld]

Kiriana

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r108/elvenchild03/deed10.jpg

Kiriana had stopped into the tavern for a brief rest and some conversation with the owner, a man named Bueren, when her relatively peaceful evening was shattered. From outside barged in a small handful of Dark Knights, a sight that always made her twitch. Her clear eyes glanced over to where they had entered, and she could see that they were well armed. But it wasn't their weapons that concerned her. No, it was the woman they had apparently apprehended and possibly violated prior to their intrusion. Her clothes were partially torn and her bound hands shielded herself from the view of the public.

She turned her glance away for a moment, looking over the crowd of people as they watched the Knights stroll into the tavern. A good lot of the people were elderly, and scattered here and there were some younger adults. Suddenly she felt someones hand touch her arm gently, and she turned her head over her shoulder as Bueren looked at her sternly.

"Just stay where you are. I'll handle this." he said in a low but serious tone. While Bueren had given her sound advise many times before, there was absolutely no way she would pass up this opportunity. Slowly she let her hand clasp around the small hilt of her knife, its cold blade sheathed for the time being. The rough and loud noise of the Knights as they moved further into the tavern brought her attention back into sharp focus, and at the precise moment she wished that her bow was next to her. Sadly, however, she had put it aside and it was out of reach. Had she moved to obtain it then, she would surely have attracted their attention. For the moment she was unnoticed, and that gave her a slight edge.

"We don't want any trouble here." Bueren had said, his voice carrying a great deal of strength but he paled in comparison to the stronger Dark Knights.

"Silence!" spoke one of the knights. Kiriana deduced that he was the leader of the three, and probably the strongest. She had to do something, and do it quickly. Very slowly she began to draw out her blade, its metallic surface glowing in the light of the torches.

"Hey," spoke one of the other goons, and she noticed that he was looking in her direction. "an Elf, sir." he finished. Shit... Kiriana thought to herself as she stopped drawing out her blade. A bead of sweat dripped down the side of her face as she struggled to keep herself from hacking his head off. Now that her presence was discovered, it would take them long before they realized she was armed. The Knight had dared to move closer to her, trying to get a better look.

"She's got a weapon!" he called out, noticing that her hand was wrapped around the hilt of her knife, and her element of surprise was suddenly gone. All she could do now was move quickly. Getting to her feet, Kiriana drew out her long blade and using its sharp edge slashed at the side of his body that wasn't protected by his armour. Blood covered the surface of her knife as she moved away, the Knight clutching his side in pain.

 

[Cobra2004]

Jeratt saw it coming the moment the Dark Knights came into the tavern with the woman prisoner. He had no idea who she was but she looked Kiriana and wondered if the two knew each other. Jeratt didn't see any horses when he came to the tavern and if they were to get out alive. They needed two more horses as he left his behind the tavern out of sight.

Right now they had to a fight on their hands that they had to take care of. He drew his sword and tried to get to the woman prisoner to cut the rope around her wrists. But one of the Knight cut his path and he had to fight him. He knew time was running short. He yelled at the goon and he startled him long enough to run his sword through his leg.

Jeratt jumped over the Knight and ran to the prisoner and cut her bounds. She looked at Jeratt with a smile and reached for the sword the Knight dropped when Jeratt wounded his leg. She ran to help Kiriana as she was still had two to deal with even though she had already wounded one.

Jeratt ran outside to secure two horses than yelled at them to get the hell out of there. He ran around the back as he was both of them coming out of the tavern and got on his horse. By the time he got to the front of the tavern they were both mounted on the horses.

"I think be better get the hell out of here as fast and as far as we can, before more of them the arrive."

 

[TearsoftheWorld]

Kiriana had her hands full with the Knight that she had wounded and his apparent commander. Many of the patrons in the tavern quickly darted off to the sides, avoiding getting caught in any combat. If they had gotten involved, surely they would be arrested and executed. It appeared, however, that she wasn't the only one that would be fighting. A young male (at least younger in years than Kiriana) had joined the fray, working his way to where the woman was being held captive.

Kiriana turned her attention back towards the injured warrior, his hand now clutching a longsword. Even though she had a smaller blade, she was still able to defend herself. She turned away his attack, and as he stumbled forward her knife dug deep into his arm. From the corner of her eyes she could see the man from earlier run outside, so she figured that he probably fled. 'Great... he's probably the one they're after'

"What are you doing here?" Kiriana asked as the woman ran to her side, a sword in her hands. She was free at least, and that made things a little easier for her.

"Do you really want to talk now or can we do that later?"

Without responding Kiriana kicked over one of the table chairs in the direction of the knights and they scurried out towards the door. The air outside was cooler than inside the tavern, though her mind wasn't on that. Two horses were waiting for them in the front, and with a nod Kiriana and her 'friend' mounted their rides

"I think we'd better get the hell out of here as fast and as far as we can, before more of them the arrive." said the man from earlier, riding up to meet them.

"Let's go." she said, spurring her horse towards an off-beaten path instead of using the main roadway. After riding for a long while, Kiriana decided that they had put enough distance between them and anyone who might follow. Slowing her horse down, she decided to inquire as to what exactly was going on.

"Do you want to explain what that was all about?" Kiriana inquired, her eyes darting between the strange man and the other woman.

 

[Cobra2004]

Jeratt sent his horse in a fast gallop to catch up with the two woman. Kiriana knew were she was going as she was slightly in front. the woman was right behind and Jeratt a few strides back. Kiriana was headed away from the main road into an off path. The dense forest was not to far off if she was heading in it.

Jeratt turned to look behind making sure no one was fallowing them. He watch both woman as they rode their mounts. Both were excellent riders. They rode for a long time apparently Kiriana wanted to put enough distance before she decided to stop.

She rained her horse and turned to face the woman and Jeratt.

"Do you want to explain what that was all about?" She asked looking from Jeratt than to the woman.

Jeratt had no idea what tell her. He didn't know the woman and he sure didn't started the fight, but he though he should at least introduce himself.

"My name is Jeratt and I'm a Knight of the order. I got separated from my garrison after we were attacked by the Dark Knights. I rode for hours to get away from them when I came upon the tavern." He looked at Kiriana than at the woman.

"You know what took place after that. Maybe she can tell us who she is and why they captured her

 

[TearsoftheWorld]

"A Knight of the Order, huh?" Kiriana said with almost skepticism. He seemed competent enough in his abilities to fight so it wasn't too far fetched of a claim. At any rate, they had some time to get the matter settled and figure out what to do from there. Turning her horse just a little to the side, Kiriana looked towards the woman that they had rescued.

"My name is Ahlariel, and I am the sister of the Queen Laurana. That is all I wish to say for now." she said, her eyes shifting to look away from the group as she sat uncomfortably on her horse.

"That's fine for now, then. We better continue riding if we want to put even more time and distance between ourselves." Kiriana said, deciding not to press the matter for the time being.

"Knight you may do as you wish, either continue to follow us or perhaps return to your own people. Either way we're leaving now." she added, looking at the human for a moment or two before spurring her horse and setting it off on the path. Before taking off, Kiriana desired to have Jeratt follow them, for reasons she herself was not sure of. It was just a strange comfort to know that he was there. Perhaps it was purely out of defensive needs, knowing that three warriors were better than two. Ahlariel followed suit, the trained horse not having much difficulty in catching up.

 

[Cobra2004]

Jeratt looked at Kiriana more closely, than looked at Ahlariel. though both looked much the same, there was a slightly facial difference. Both extremely beautiful woman never the less.

Ahlariel didn't offer much about herself just her name and that her sister was Queen Laurana. All that didn't really mean much to Jeratt. Kiriana seam to be ok with just that information. He had the impression that she knew the royal family or knew of.

When she spoke to him Jeratt didn't know if he was dismissed to do as he wished, or, it was an offer for him to join without actually saying it. He smiled inwardly and nodded his head.

Kiriana's eyes held his for a moment before she said it was time they get moving. Jeratt couldn't agreed more. The dark knights were relentless being under the Queen's spell. In their minds they only knew complete obedience and were ready to die for her.

Jeratt spurred his horse after looking behind them once more than caught up with the two women. Kiriana led them into much denser forest and they had to ride in single line. She rode right through between the threes like she was just walking, so did Ahlariel. He had to watch himself or for sure he would run smack into a three.