To Stand When Others Won't (Open to one creative female.)

[LucianDevine]

"God Dammit!"

Lucian swore loudly as he ran through the woods. He'd been crazy to run in here, but he'd had few other options. He ran now for his life and his freedom, running from men whom had been allies only days ago.

Tree branches swatted and whipped at him, but didn't get any farther than his cloak or his armor.

The sounds of pursuit were loud in the woods. For many men were indeed chasing after the lieutenant turned traitor.

When Lucian finally reached a broad clearing, one where he could make use of his own skill and mobility, he stopped, trying to force his tired body to be calm, force his mind to think past what failure would mean.

Not a single minute after he stopped, Lucian's pursuers crashed into the clearing. They looked confidant, and for good reason, they stood ten strong against one man.

"What do you hope to accomplish Lucian? You stand alone against us, with no possible chance of success. Give up now, and you might be lucky enough to be sacrificed to one of the demons."

Lucian didn't say a word, nor did he make a move as the ten men made to surround him. From under the cowl of the cloak, eyes as blue as the sea stared hard at them, sizing up each of them. Yes, he recognized them all, had trained with them, fought with them, and killed with them. Already, Lucian could see in his mind, the weaknesses of each. Even surrounded as he was, he wouldn't give up and wouldn't go down. No, Lucian knew in his heart that he had played a big role in the summoning of the demons, and now he would do everything in his power to stop them.

OOC: Ok, The main setting, is that an empire has been slowly rising in the world, gathering people and power. Unbeknownst to the world, and many of their followers, their plan all along had involved a pact with demons, and an attempt to summon them to this world, and offer it up to them in exchange for power and the opportunity to watch all of their enemies fall before them.

What I am looking for, is a creative female co-writer to play the part of an amazon whose tribe lives in the forest. Lucian is was a lieutenant in the empire, and played a huge role in the final stages of the plan, which has come to fruition. The demons have appeared on the world, and are slowly starting to exert their dominance.

The amazon would, eventually, come to help Lucian and fight beside him as they strive to save the world from it's self-inflicted damnation. I have several possible plot ideas in mind, so if anybody is interested, please pm me before posting.

 

[Medevelin]

Name: Mishta

Age: 25

History: Mishta is the third daughter of the Amazon queen Emodies. With the eldest daughter Isilyn dying with Emodies in battle her other sister Olis assumed the thrown. While they were not very close they were still loyal to one another but paranoia made Olis untrusting of Mishta who would get the thrown if Olis died. Mishta was there for put in charge of affairs outside of the kingdom. She led the warriors on hunting and scouting missions and was the first line of defense against intruders.


It was early in the day but Mishta had long been up preparing for the days hunt. Food was becoming scarce as prey became equally so. It would be a longer trek deeper away from the tribe. Then again it seemed Olis preferred it that way of late. She constantly found reasons to keep Mishta away from the kingdom. This had been her third week away hunting with no signs she would return soon.

She drifted through the woods alone deep in thought of what to make of the situation. It seemed hopeless to gain the trust of her sister. She would in some way regain her trust how she would Mishta couldn’t predict but she would.

This morning however she had other things on her mind. The air blew cooler than normal. The trees were restless. Every so often a flock of birds would fly by with haste over the canopy. Someone had entered their territory. She gathered three of her most faithful warriors and made haste towards the cause of the disturbance. It wasn’t long before they found the men. Of course their stench could be smelled a mile away. Mishta motioned for her warriors to stop and remain silent. She moved ahead of them the cloth wraps on her feet barely making a noise as she moved swiftly forward.

She watched the men, it was clear that the one surrounded was their quarry. Unfortunately for them, they were now hers. A great gift it would be indeed to bring a fresh batch of men to sire their daughters. She was as close as she could get without drawing notice. She opted to wait for the men to exhaust themselves killing the other man then she would move in with her warriors and take them.

 

[LucianDevine]

Ten men closed around Lucian as he watched, his deep blue gaze studying each of the 5 in front of him. He didn't need to look to see where the others were exactly, he knew from training how they would be positioned. He knew that he was surrounded, and that they would close in on him until he or one of them attacked, and then the test of skill versus numbers would begin.

And so Lucian waited, his cloak draped around his sturdy six-foot form. His enemies stepped to fifteen feet, and he waited, ten feet, he waited still, shifting his stance to place his right foot in front, placing his right hand on the hilt of the katana strapped to his waist.

The sight of that stance was enough to cause more than one of the men to look around him, once again double checking their numbers. They had him in that, but all knew that he was not one to be taken lightly. Each had seen him in action, and any would gladly choose another of their fellows to be in his place, with Lucian at their side.

As Lucian watched, the leader of the ten stepped to five feet, brandishing two scimitars. In Lucian's mind, he called forth the maneuver he would use, and with a soft whisper of the words "Mithril Tornado." He took a step forward, unsheathing the katana in the time it took most men to blink. The sun glinted brightly off the blade, the bluish color of the mithril it was crafted from forcing a few to squint their eyes. Moments after that step, the blade lashed out, striking once, twice, and thrice, before two of the targets could even react. The leader had his blades at the ready, and had moved them to block the strike, but the better quality of the katana shattered both blades to pieces. The man on either side of him went down with a cry of pain, deep gashes in their stomachs, which now spilled their life-blood on the ground.

With a step as quick as lightning, Lucian skipped around the stunned man, moving himself out of being surrounded, and putting all either of his pursuers in front of him. His blue gaze never wavered as he watched the uncertainty fill their eyes. A crack of a smile came to his face as he acted once more before them. "Pouncing Charge." He spoke softly, this time lunging at the men on the far right of the group. Only three men were within range, but it mattered not. Blades dipped down, hungry for his blood, but three bastard swords missed...none of which would get a second chance. Again the katana flashed in the sun light, this time swinging four times, once at each of the men on the side, and twice at the man in the middle. Three men fell dead as the last five charged, screaming their rage.

The katana that had been so happy to strike, now turned to defense. The master that wielded it lifted to block an overhead strike, turned it to the side to block another, side-stepped two more, and spun to his right to dodge the last. It was clear then, to all but the man who'd already known, that it was the five who were doomed, not the one. All five turned to the man who was now behind them, though the leader of them turned to flee. The four turned to look at him, and Lucian struck again. With a step to his right, putting all four within range, he spoke once more. "Adamantine Hurricane." He then spun, exactly as he'd done with his first volley against the three, this time striking not once against the four, but twice. The first spin knocked aside, or shattered the weapons meant to protect them, and the second spin struck the same fatal horizontal strike into all of their stomachs. Even then Lucian wasn't done. In the time it took the four men to fall, he turned to the fleeing man. "Lightning Throw!" He shouted at the top of his lungs.

In a move that others would have thought crazy, He lifted the glinting katana over his shoulder, a move that would have overbalanced many men. Then, with a motion like one would throw a ninja star or throwing dagger, he tossed the katana at the back of the fleeing man. The blade flew straight and true, even as the man made dead on for the trees. One last death cry sounded, as the blade stuck fully in the man's back.

Lucian took a slow breath then, and moved to retrieve his blade. The moment his hand closed around the hilt, his head perked up. Out of the woods behind him, he heard the twang of a bow, and heard an arrow thud into the ground an inch from his foot. "Figures." He said to himself with a sigh. "Chased by buffoons, and then caught by amazons."

Lucian took another slow breath. His hand flexed around the hilt. His gaze looked down at the bloody blade. With a flick of his wrist, the blood left the shining blade. Then, in a move he doubted the amazons would expect, he plunged the blade into the ground and lifted his hands above his head, clasping them. Not many knew the gesture, but he hoped it was the same for amazons here as it was for the ones he'd met before. For it was the gesture of peace that could sometimes save one's life...for a while at least.

 

[Medevelin]

To her disappointment the ten men were incapable of taking on the one who stood alone.

“The one who stood alone. Machiadies.” She whispered to herself, the latter word being a name which the former translated to. It also happened to be a very important name to her people. Machiadies was said to be a strange man with enormous power but who brought a dark burden. The burden as told by the wisewomen was said to be what would break their kingdom. It was a much feared story and for endless years the queens of the kingdom would work to find and kill Machiadies. One warrior was said strong enough to combat him but whether they succeeded in slaying Machiadies was lost to death and time.

“Emin, Nequop, Sol. Return to the kingdom. Warn my sister there may be danger near.” She commanded, two of the three nodded while the third moved closer and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Mish.” She said simply, drawing Mishta’s emerald green eyes to her own.

“And of you?” She asked, concern laced in her tone. The two had been friends since childhood, trained together and did just about everything else together as well

“I am going to find my worth.” She replied to Emin who sighed quietly.

“Your sister knows your worth, it is Xutha who weaves the seeds of distrust. You saw what he could do.” She responded trying to coax Mishta from the act.

“Yes against a group of bumbling men. I myself would have had them begging. I fear not death.” She uttered in return as she drew her bow, firing a warning shot.

“What is he doing?” Emin queried noticing the man drive his sword into the ground.

“He seeks to cast another spell.” She added shortly after.

“Mishta.” She again prodded for some sense. Mishta would not listen.

“Go. Warn them. Say nothing of this man or his magics. Go.” Her word final, Emin led the others back into the dark forest canopy. She replaced her bow on her shoulder. Her crimson red hair was tied back behind her head. It was getting too long to hunt with and soon would need to be shaved but it also provided good cover for her face when she wished not to be identified.

Her face was painted as a tiger, in her belief to honour an animal during the hunt would imbue her with their powers if the proper ceremonies were performed.

A crude stitched-together leather breast plate adorned her chest while arm guards of similar rough craftsmanship covered tips of her shoulders halfway down her bicep, leaving the tops of the shoulders unprotected but more importantly unimpeded by thick armor. The plate itself cut off with the ribcage leaving her midriff uncovered.

Her skirt was much finer than the breast plate, it was something she’d taken from a female warrior of a warring amazon tribe. The warrior was as mighty as any and the battle skirt was more than just a trophy. It was a method of tribute to the woman for her ability. The skirt itself was sewn with precision using thick tough burgundy leather for the flaps which encircled the skirt, gold plating outlined each rectangular strap with a pointed tip hanging off the trim. Each flap was removable and replaceable to ease cleaning and repair. Beneath was a very light metallic armored plating as forgiving as fabric but very much more protective. On each side of the skirt were pocketed holsters for small blades whose grips matched the skirt itself. Her hands and feet were covered with only white fabric wraps which she had to unravel and re-wrap each day.

The only indication of her rank within the kingdom was a plain thin leather head band no more than ¾ of a centimeter thick which had a small violet jewel in the middle. It was a symbol of her regality though she often hid it under her crimson locks.

Her sword was plain, more of an over-sized but thinner machete than a true sword. She had crafted it herself to pass the trials of her kingdom so that she could become a true warrior.

She took that sword in hand and burst into a silent sprint around the field in the woods. She came out of the trees when she was close enough to him. Magic or not she could approach him before he knew she was coming. These were her lands and he was trespassing. He also cost the kingdom a host of knew men to breed with.

“Only a fool kills in our territory. Only a fool would think to come here.” Her blade was at his throat and she was more than happy to part the man from his head. Though she was curious about him and wanted to know what he was here for before killing him.

“Speak. Before you die.” She whispered to him in his ear, just the slight contact with him gave her a sense of the power he exuded. Power she hoped meant he was Machiadies.

 

[LucianDevine]

Lucian waited, a strong tension and sense of unease growing within him, something, a feeling most foreign to him. HE kept his hands clasped as they were, even knowing that he might be leaving himself open. It was the only gesture that he knew might help. For certainly grabbing his sword anew would only provoke the untold numbers of amazons surrounding him.

His head turned to and fro, his ears tuned, trying to catch any sign of who or how many people lay in wait for him. Lucian knew it was futile though, even trained as he was, he had no chance of identifying an amazon in her own territory, not until it was far too late.

His thoughts were confirmed as he finally caught the trace of sound that could have been a foot step. He made to turn his head, but moments later he felt the press of a blade against his throat, a hand in his hair, jerking it backwards, and a hiss in his ear. “Only a fool kills in our territory. Only a fool would think to come here. Speak. Before you die.”

Lucian took a slow breath, and swallowed hard against the blade pressed to his throat. His tongue passed over his lips as he spoke slowly and carefully. "I was pursued as you can see, and hoped to lose them or ambush them in the forest. They proved more persistent than I anticipated, and I was forced to use other means." There was no fear in Lucian's voice, nor did a single shiver shake his body and spine. He feared not death, for the armor he wore beneath his earthen-toned cloak would show all who saw it that he'd faced death before.

"I meant no harm to the forest or those who dwell within it, I simply sought to use it as a means to an end."

Lucian hid of course, the fact that the forest had in fact been his destination, for history told of a temple hidden deep within this forest, inside which was rumored to key a piece or key to the means that could bring the demons down.

Even as he spoke so calmly though, Lucian's mind was rapidly trying to think of a way to avoid death if this amazon proved to want more than just him as a slave. He had come too far, and risked far too much to die now, and he simply wished he didn't have to kill an 'innocent' amazon if he could help it.

 

[Medevelin]

"You used dark powers. There was no need to ambush them. You knew you could kill them long before now." She released her grip on him and pushed him to the ground. Taking steps away from him until she was around eight feet apart.

"I believe you are something much darker than the night you came in. I know who you are. I wish to find out who I am." She placed her bow and quiver on the ground and setting in a battle stance. She took one similar to the hero of her people told about by paintings passed down through the generations.

"I will fight you to the death. Though I warn you this is only a courtesy, so you can at least have a fair chance at saving your life. However even if you can best me you will never survive if you linger here. You will be dead within the hour."

As she stood across from him and awaited his move she felt something she hadn't felt since she was a child. A very primal fear that none in the kingdom were ever supposed to feel. Fear. This was no man she'd ever crossed paths with, she saw what he was capable of and would take no chances on him other than the one she already did by allowing him to fight her.

"What say you? Will you give me an honourable death or die with as much?" Her one hand crept down the side of her skirt reaching for one of the daggers knowing if required she might have to attack while dodging his flying magical sword.

However Mishta was not defenseless. Her name was given to her with good reason, Mishta meant fast instinct and that she was. It was not just by birthright that she became head of the hunters and leader of the defenses, at least until recently. She could sense things amiss, she was as fast as any warrior ever known to their people, to prove her gift she completed a task never granted a warrior to partake since the first great warrior of their kingdom Kaikyn did it herself. she faced the gauntlet of arrows. Thirty archers hid within the great temple and attempted to kill her while she walked hands bound through the temple. Only the best archer hit her and that was because Emin knew Mishta better than the rest and had prepared rigorously to give her friend the honour she sought.

She made it to the end of the maze and brought back her prize, the mark of Kaikyn etched into her skin just right of her spine above her hip. She has proudly worn that mark to this day. Now she faced an even deadlier challenge, a man of magic even the wisewomen could not match.

"What say you?"

 

[LucianDevine]

"You used dark powers. There was no need to ambush them. You knew you could kill them long before now." Lucian felt the blade to his throat rescind, and the hold on his hair lightened as she pushed him forward. He caught himself on his hands, preventing his face from landing in the dirt. He turned to face the woman who had chosen now to spare his life.

"I believe you are something much darker than the night you came in. I know who you are. I wish to find out who I am. I will fight you to the death. Though I warn you this is only a courtesy, so you can at least have a fair chance at saving your life. However even if you can best me you will never survive if you linger here. You will be dead within the hour." She placed her bow and quiver on the ground and setting in a battle stance.

Lucian listened to the amazon's words as he rose to his feet. The mere sight of her would strike fear into many a man's heart, for she was truly not one to be trifled with. Her face was painted like that of a tiger, her body lithe and perfect, and her fiery red hair tied back out of her face.

"What say you? Will you give me an honourable death or die with as much?" Those words snapped Lucian back into reality. Truly he was torn on this decision. He swallowed hard again, this time out of indecision.

"What say you?"

Lucian's gaze hardened briefly at the repeated statement. His hand reached forward and closed once more on the hilt of the katana. "I say now what I have already told you amazon. I mean no harm to the forest, or it's inhabitants. I do admit however that your words are true. I could have killed them when I chose. However." His gaze hardened anew, leaving no room to believe he spoke falsehoods. "Just because I am trained to fight, and to kill, does not mean that I relish the act as much as some. Did they deserve to die? Yes. Could I have killed them when I chose? Yes. Yet I waited, why? Ask yourself that amazon, ask yourself why I would wait before you attack."

In a single deft motion, Lucian lifted the katana free of the dirt, flicked it once to clean the blade of anything that clung to it. He then brought it back around and returned it to it's resting place, within the sheathe at his side. "I have no quarrel with you amazon, but know that if you choose to attack me, I will choose to defend myself." Lucian then adopted the stance he'd taken up before, right foot in front, body turned sideways, right hand on the hilt of the katana with his left just below the hilt gripping the sheath. "If you would choose to strike, I implore you to do so now." Lucian's ocean-blue gaze was almost a shining violet in the light of the sun. His gaze was focused on the amazon, so ready to pounce like the tiger she was painted to resemble. Lucian knew not yet if he would strike her down if he won. If he won? He blinked for but a second and shook his head, clearing away the thought that hadn't crossed his mind in his entire life...until this very moment. "The choice is yours."

 

[Medevelin]

She had already challenged him which meant they needed to fight or she would lose honour. That said she was not so confident as she had been watching him from a far. He was the most unique foe she'd likely ever encounter.

"Machiadies." His name seeped from her lips with equal parts reverence and spite.

"The man who stood alone. I will spill your blood and fulfill my destiny and that of our people. It is a great honour to kill you." She stated before a quick flick of her wrist sent her dagger flying at him. She followed it closely sprinting, her sword at the ready to strike down vertically.

Her fear of him subsided as adrenaline kicked in, it was time to fight and take her place in the histories. Then she might finally gain the trust of her sister once more.

 

[LucianDevine]

"Machiadies." Lucian arched his brow at that, wondering very briefly what the word meant. No sooner did that thought cross his mind though, than the amazon spoke again. "The man who stood alone. I will spill your blood and fulfill my destiny and that of our people. It is a great honour to kill you."

Those blue eyes,, turned violet in the sun, regarded the amazon seriously. He understood her intentions and motives, and he smiled a small smile. She would prove far more interesting a challenge than all ten of the men he'd just killed combined.

Lucian had but a moment to smile before it left his face, for he saw her arm dart forward, and saw the dagger release. Without a moment's hesitation, a reaction bred from countless battles, he took a step to the left, clutched his cloak in his hand and swooshed it up and around him, entangling the dagger in the rough cloth, and causing it to fall harmlessly to the ground. Just as he came back around, he turned to see the amazon almost on top of him, coming down with a vertical kill strike. In a flash his own blade was free of it's sheaths once more, coming up to block the blade and turn it harmlessly away to his right.

Lucian then took a couple steps back and to the left as he brought his katana back around in front of him. Silently in the recesses of his own mind, he cursed himself now for having prepared techniques best used against multiple foes. He had only three that would be good against a single target, one of which was too risky against so fleet a foe, and both others of which would almost certainly cause him to lose consciousness. He'd been too long without proper food and rest, and to overexert himself now could be costly, and so he was stuck on defense. "Pearl of Black Doubt." He said to her. The stance was less effective against a single foe, but every blow she missed would hopefully work against her morale and leave him an opening.

 

[Medevelin]

He was almost ethereal in his movement. His cape caught her dagger and sent it uneventfully to the ground. He also swiftly blocked her ensuing attack. She heard him utter some words but figured they were a spell he was trying to cast upon her. In an effort to prevent that she quickened her attacks, though he was dodging and blocking as fast as she could swing and found herself breathing heavier.

Mish pulled away for a chance to catch her breath and regroup. He seemed fatigued but despite that was extremely quick and didn't seem to allow it to affect him. She wasn't going to beat him on speed or strength in both he was at least her equal. She had only a few other ways of beating him, though she doubted he would be out-witted either.

The young princess came in again swinging low and barely missing before two more strikes were blocked. He was too quick, too strong. She felt doubt creep inside her which only did to feed the fear she had pushed back into the deep recesses of her mind.

In a frustrated rage she charged him again screaming out as she swung violently and clumsily by her standards. This only made it easier for him to deflect. Her flurry of dozens of swings never once connected with any kind of confidence, she began to pant as she circled him having backed up after the last fail. He was invincible, impervious, impossible.

 

[LucianDevine]

Lucian's resolve was strong, but so too was this amazon's determination. Long after any other person would have given up and accepted defeat, she was still coming at him. He could see it in her eyes now though, the doubt, fear, and uncertainty. It should have made him happy to see it, but with her it was...unnatural. She was a proud and strong amazon, and she didn't deserve this. The steely blue gaze softened as she fell back once more.

Lucian's body was quivering from his exertions, and he knew now that there was little choice. Despite her doubts, the amazon kept coming, and forced him to react. If he didn't do something soon, one of them would likely kill the other, which was certainly not his intention.

When at last she stepped back, Hazel eyes reflecting her inner-most thoughts, he once again brought the katana in front of him. He focused his mind on himself now, barely seeing the amazon as he concentrated. there would be nothing left of his strength after this, such was the price one paid for such a maneuver, one of two he had of such strength.

"Time stands still." Lucian said at last, and forced his body to move. She was only a handful of feet away, so one long step took him close. Despite his fleeting strength, Lucian was as fast as lightning just then, attacking not once, not twice, but eight times in the blink of an eye. The flat of his blade struck first her shoulders, and then her elbows, and both knees. The seventh came high, striking her solidly on the temple. A fast spin around her brought the pommel of the mithril blade down solidly on the back of her head. Any one of the strike could have been fatal, if not for him using the flat of the blade instead of the edge.

To her credit, the amazon stood strong, despite what would be bruises on every contact point, until the final strike, which finally felled her. She was battered, bruised, but would live. Lucian came out of the maneuver in much the same condition, his body wavering as he tried to recover from the heavy exertion.

The katana fell from his hand, and Lucian fell to his knees, conscious, but barely. His head sagged, and he spoke a soft prayer to Avani, the goddess or earth. He prayed for strength and conviction to finish the task that he'd set out for himself. Lucian's cloak fell around him as he barely remained conscious, waiting now for either sister amazons to appear, or for the amazon to wake up, whichever happened first.

 

[Medevelin]

He spoke magic words again, that much she knew. However whatever he spoke turned him into eight, or at least that's what she saw. He attacked at a speed she couldn't match and was unable to defend herself against his rapid flurry. By the time he landed his final blow she was barely standing and after it not even that. She fell to the earth defeated and unconscious.

She spent an unknown amount of time out, it was only the crackling of fire that finally brought her out of it. When she awoke she knew where she was. Back in their kingdom. Her hands were bound behind her back. She was a prisoner now.

She heard footsteps from behind her, cranking her head to see her sister approached she was starting to get a grip of what was happening.

"You dueled someone and failed yet you still live. You have shamed us. The tribe wants your head. It was only thanks to the wisewoman and Emin who staved your sentence. Sister I am greatly disappointed in you." Olis whispered into her ear. Mishta's head fell in shame, if he would have killed her she would be a celebrated hero, now she knew it would come down to exile. Banishment from the kingdom. Olis made no attempt to hide the brand as she dipped it into flames. Mishta knew what was coming next. Her sister moved around behind her and lifted her bound hands, jabbing without remorse the brand over her hard earned mark. Making it unrecognizable, it was now merely a scar. No more honour. She didn't scream, she was too proud.

"And you had no say sister? Do I not have your love or loyalty?" She questioned only to be struck on the back of the skull with the metal rod.

"Our traditions are much higher than myself. I can show no mercy to friend or kin." Olis stated though she avoided answering her question.

"Go now, leave this place and never return." She said as she cut her bonds, Mish rubbed her wrists as she stood. Olis gave her a sword and bow, she recognized them but they weren't her own. They were Olis'.

"They... they're yours." She said in awe as her sister turned from her.

"May they keep you safe sister." Her final words before walking away. Mishta stood and took one last look at her kingdom. The man was likely dead by now so she didn't bother asking of him. Instead she just left the village in silence. Heading north.

 

[LucianDevine]

It took Lucian quite some time before he managed to recovered enough to even stand and grab his sword. His eyes were sad as he looked at the unconscious amazon that he had to leave. He knew that if others found him here with her, things would only end badly. With a soft sigh, he looked up, and saw the sun getting ready to set. There would be little point in getting lost in a forest at night, so he simply turned to the west side of the clearing, and climbed a tree a little ways in. He was skilled enough to leave no trace on the tree, and his earthen colored cloak would conceal him from all the the best of eyes. Still though, he was able to watch the amazon, and he would ensure no wild animal crept up on her while she was helpless from his own doing.

Lucian dozed for a bit, his mind fading in and out of the real world. He started as he heard soft whispers. His gaze immediately turned towards the clearing, where he saw a troupe of six amazons standing around the one he'd dueled. He caught only small bits of the conversation, but judging by what little he'd heard, he didn't like the situation he'd put her in. In the end, the six picked her up, one of them retrieving her sword, bow, and quiver.

As skilled as the amazons were, even they couldn't completely conceal their tracks whilst carrying a full grown person. As such, Lucian climbed down and followed their trail. He was a good mile or so behind them, not wanting to be heard or seen. If she was in trouble, he would surely be in as much if not more.

Lucian stopped on the outermost perimeters of the amazon kingdom, not daring to tread any farther than a few of the outer sentries. He could see some of it, but only so much do to the trees. From what little he could hear and comprehend from the outer sentries, who occasionally drifted close to exchange words, an amazon warrior, sister of the queen, was to be exiled for having lost a dual to a stranger. His head bowed at that, knowing that her fate had come at his hands. He knew he shouldn't have hung around, but he had to find her when she left the kingdom, if at least to say he was sorry.

Unfortunately, he had to wait the whole of another day for Mishta's departure. He knew not which direction she would depart in, but quickly caught wind from more sentry conversation that she'd headed north. There was no hesitation in Lucian's movements as he crept from his hiding place and set about on his path. He gave the city a wide berth so that he could run instead of walk, not having to worry about being heard. It took the full run of another day just for him to circle around and find Mishta's tracks, for she was making no effort to hide them, dragging her feet even it seemed.

It took another day for Lucian to finally catch up to Mishta, but now came the problem of how to approach her. In the end he decided to circle around and pass her, and position himself in her path. He ten waited, none-too-patiently for her, wishing for the first time that she would pick up her pace. When at last he heard her, he waited until she passed a mere ten feet from the tree behind which he stood and stepped on a branch he'd set afoot for this purpose. It made the loud snap that he wanted, and halted Mishta's walk as she cast her gaze in his direction.

"For what little it's worth amazon, I am sorry for your fate, knowing that it was my doing. I could not bring myself to kill you though, not after your warning shot, which could have been fatal if you chose." When he was done speaking, Lucian stepped out from behind the tree, letting her see the remorse in his eyes. The cowl of his cloak was still up, but he knew he'd likely take it down in a few moments, provided she didn't try anew to kill him. "Where do you intend to go now?"

 

[Medevelin]

There were no words to describe the downward spiral Mishta had just endured. It was humiliation that they refuted to kill her, it was their way of disrespecting her which suited to her humiliation of them. She deserved it but it left her empty and only a shell. Her cause in life would no longer accept her and now she was left to survive alone. There was an unspoken truth in their culture, an exile was a warrior who was sentenced to death but the sentence was not carried out by the kingdom but by expulsion from therein.

She now only awaited death. Suicide had never been known to her kingdoms people, the bounties of the afterlife depended upon otherwise. She was exiled so the bounties would not be extended to her upon her death and knowing that she had only one way to redeem her soul if not place amongst her peoples hearts and history.

She would die a warrior, that was now her destiny. Past exiles had taken up causes of other people, fighting valiantly to the death in war and some had even made their place in history outside the kingdom. Mishta would need to find her cause, it would be presented to her by the almighty and would earn her grace with blood spilled on the battlefield.

However, she had been sedated by the council when they held her trial as a precaution so that she would not retaliate. It made her journey slow and tiring knowing there were many enemy kingdoms whose lands she would have to pass through.

She trudged along, her feet dragging as she passed clumsily enough for an amazon well-versed in the landscape. A snapped twig halted her and she looked up. Machiadies.

"For what little it's worth amazon, I am sorry for your fate, knowing that it was my doing. I could not bring myself to kill you though, not after your warning shot, which could have been fatal if you chose." When he was done speaking, Lucian stepped out from behind the tree, letting her see the remorse in his eyes. The cowl of his cloak was still up, but he knew he'd likely take it down in a few moments, provided she didn't try anew to kill him. "Where do you intend to go now?"

"Where I go is none of your concern Machiadies and I will cut you down if you dare follow me." She snapped at him as she continued her walk, the sedative impeded motor function and slowed the flow of blood through the body, it was considered non-fatal but there had been those who had died before. It would last for at least one day if not more, meaning she was prone to woman, man or beast who happened upon her. She did not see Machiadies as that sort of threat. She was beginning to doubt if he was the man of magic foretold by the wisewomen.

She cut away from him into thicker terrain to avoid going too close, it was much more difficult each step and soon enough she stumbled to the ground. She lay on her hands and knees for a few moments catching her breath as she worked up strength and cohesion to lift herself to her feet once more. Her strength was getting weaker as the poison took stronger hold.

 

[LucianDevine]

"Where I go is none of your concern Machiadies and I will cut you down if you dare follow me."

Lucian simply nodded at first, his eyes following after her as she shifted from her previous path, trying to avoid him. It hadn't been until that exact moment that he had noticed her condition. He'd thought she'd been moving slowly out of shame, but to one such as him, it was most obvious that it was something else, especially when she stumbled and fell to the ground. This woman was not the woman he'd fought in the clearing. She was in flesh, but not in spirit, and it had been his fault. He hadn't had it within him to kill her for doing what he would also have done in her shoes, but he had caused this, if she died in such a condition it would be his fault.

Lucian's gaze softened even more as he watched her struggle to her hands and knees, and then finally to her feet. Whatever ailed her physically, was obviously taking it's tole on the proud amazon, despite her best efforts to resist it.

what was he to do? If he left her like this, she could likely collapse and hurt herself, or fall victim to an attack that she was in no condition to fend off.

Lucian forced the consequences from his mind and stepped after her, moving to walk beside her. His attention was focused intently on her, in case she sought to carry out her previous threat. "If your destination is none of my concern, then your condition at least is. I offer you my help until you recover, after which you are free to choose as you wish." He moved a step closer, letting his shoulder brush against hers, giving her the option of leaning on him or not. Even if the amazon refused his help, he had at least offered it to her. Though in his mind, he knew he would likely follow her anyway, and ensure she made it to wherever it was she was going. "Is my proposition acceptable?" He asked, regarding her with those deep blue eyes.

 

[Medevelin]

Mishta looked at him in disgust, rolling her eyes and avoiding leaning against him she pledged on each step she felt might send her balance over and bring her crashing down once again.

"Are you always this chivalrous? You would not kill a lady in a honour duel and now move to be the sweeping hero willing to carry me. I am no lady, you are no hero. If I wish to die with any honour I must accept the Almighty's quest. You killed ten men before my own eyes and would not grant me the same fate when it proved deserving. If you are Machiadies then that makes me Ilysis, Red Shadow." Red Shadow was a dark figure in the wisewomen's vision. Though they never had received knowledge of what role she played, only that she was an exile like Mishta and a few stories and events she would partake in.

She was heading to the temple of the Almighty to pray for her soul and be granted a chance at redemption in the Afterworld. The journey was far enough, if the poison remained in her system for more than a couple days her passing would surely not go unnoticed by predators.

"If you wish to show me compassion you will end me, though I doubt your honour to do so." Mishta stumbled to the ground once more. Her humiliation continuing knowing the joy a man must have had watching a woman helpless. She brought herself up to her feet again, heaving breaths with the exertion needed to just get to standing.

She stood, shakily and remaining that way was strictly tentative. She couldn't take a step forward. Her strength was spent. She knew if she tried she would fall again the ground. With him there her mind screamed at her body for one more step but it wasn't there. She fell half-voluntarily to her knees and slouched down with her chin dropped to her chest in beleaguered sorrow and disappointment. She couldn't walk, with no other option she tried crawling but even that was too much. She needed to rest but knew she couldn't.

"Leave me... LEAVE ME!!" She whispered then screamed before her final collapse to the ground. A hand reached out to the ground before her and tried to dig in and inch forward however she could but the poison had grown to a fever pitch. Her body was succumbing to the poison and until it subsided or killed her she was at it's mercy.

"GO AWAY" She yelled in frustration at him as her eyes welled up with tears. Tears, something she had not felt since her mother was killed. It was a weakness. She was much weaker than she thought. The trial was claiming her.

 

[LucianDevine]

Lucian watched as the proud amazon before him refused and rejected him again and again. Had he been any other man he might have given in to her desires, and struck her down as some might have felt he should in the first place. Still, he watched her none-the-less, seeing the pride in her rise to a peak before her strength finally waned. Lucian desperately wished he could go to her and catch her, but he had to wait. Her pride would push him away even more if she knew he'd caught her. With a sad gait, he walked over to where she lay unconscious, breathing, but barely. "If I get seen by any of them carrying her, I'm dead." Lucian spoke aloud, now sizing up his two options.

With a soft sigh he knelt to pick her up. He knew not where she had been heading, but with a glance upwards, he turned north, as she'd been going. He walked until he found another clearing. Lucian set her down and turned to open his backpack, out of which he pulled a single blanket. He laid it out no the ground, and laid the amazon on top of it, then turned back into the forest. He made several trips in and out, first to gather the firewood that would be needed later.

Next up came dinner, which he was more worried about. He had no bow with him, so he was forced to borrow the bow the amazon had brought with her. It was a steady bow, made of good quality. Fate seemed to smile on him though, for less than a mile from the clearing he found signs of a deer. He followed them, and shortly thereafter found what he sought, drinking from a small river. Lucian dropped to a knee, knocked an arrow to the bow, and focused.

Just as he'd been taught, at least ten years ago, Lucian reached out for the deer, reaching for it's lifestrings, reaching with his own. His eyes were open and watching, but his mind was on the deer and nothing but the deer. Then, with a move many might have thought odd, the deer lifted it's head from the brook and turned towards him. It looked directly at the spot where he crouched. Those big brown eyes seemed to see him, yet the deer didn't run. The doe simply stared for a long moment, and then turned a bit, and looked again. It seemed to be giving itself to him, giving him a clean shot. "Thank you Blessed Earth Mother." He whispered softly, and fired. The arrow flew straight and true, striking the doe right in the chest, piercing it's heart and lung, dropping it instantly down and dead.

Lucian quickly cleaned the kill, thanking Avani at every step of the process. He then filled his waterskin, and took what he could carry back to the clearing where he found the amazon undisturbed. He lay her bow beside the sword she had carried, started the fire, and set the meat to cooking on a spit.

Lucian's gaze was drawn towards the amazon. With another soft sigh, he stood and removed his cloak, revealing for the first time in a long time, the armor he had worn beneath, armor unlike many had seen. The bright green dragon scales glinted in the sunset. Not many had dragonscale armor, and fewer still had been there for the kill. Lucian lay his cloak over the sleeping amazon, and sat once more on one of two logs he'd puled into the clearing beside the fire. He watched it cook, rotated it when necessary, and waited for the amazon to wake, wondering what her reaction to the armor he wore might be.

 

[Medevelin]

(OOC Sorry I wasn't on to post I've been tres busy this week and probably the next few weeks with the holidays and all.)

It was like she was unconscious but awake to experience it. For many hours she was awake to stare at blackness or at least it felt as if it had been hours. She heard his footsteps and there was the long stretch where he had been gone. When he came back his footsteps were more laboured. He was carrying something with him. It was a deer, she could tell be the scent as he cleaned and cooked the animal stopping once to put his cloak over her.

The rage and frustration of not being able to move was intensified when she wasn't able to communicate those feelings. She lay physically dormant for some time longer before she was slowly granted movement again. She slowly forced her way up to a sitting position, her eyes as well gradually opened until she saw his armor the likes of which she'd never seen. They drew her eyes wide with wonder and astonishment.

The amazon removed the cloak he had wrapped around her and set it on the ground beside her as her eyes traced up to his face from his armor.

"What sort of man wears dragon scales for armor? Who are you Machiadies?"

 

[LucianDevine]

Lucian waited patiently for the amazon to wake up, while also tending to the cooking meat. IT wasn't until the meat was just about ready that she stirred, which led him to wonder if it had had any effect, not that it mattered all that much. Those deep blue eyes studied her as she slowly sat up, her eyes looking first to his armor. Her gaze widened at that, and then lifted to his own. "What sort of man wears dragon scales for armor? Who are you Machiadies?"

Lucian took a slow deep breath and then looked back to her and shrugged. He leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees as he spoke. "Just one of an entire empire that was swayed by a group of men." He spoke softly.

"I'm not sure whether you know this or not, but an empire has been gathering strength for quite some time now, taking in smaller countries to build itself up. They are led by a council of eleven. Under this council's lead and guidance, the empire rose from nothing to the dominant force on the continent." Lucian's gaze lifted to lock once more with the amazon. "Nobody questions their orders...nobody. So when they claimed that the time of our salvation was almost at hand, and that there was but one task remaining, everybody wondered what. And it was then that they told us. Blood of the most powerful will bring about change. They demanded the hearts of the ten most powerful dragons in the world. The heart of eldest gold, silver, copper, bronze and brass dragons , as well as the hearts of the eldest red, black, green, blue and white. They claimed that with them, the life force of ten of the greatest and most powerful creatures in the world, they could reenact that change."

Lucian shook his head sadly and sighed aloud. "I Was one of the hundreds of thousands that were swayed by them. And I was even chosen to lead the crusade against the eldest green. In a single day amazon, the plan was made, decided upon, and put into action. More than ten thousand men left the central city on a single day, no less than a thousand heading to each destination. So quick was the plan made, that even the greatest of the golds didn't foresee it's coming. Ten great beasts fell then, within a full cycle of the moon. Barely half the number that departed returned to the capital, but each batch bore the heart of their target. One champion was then chose, from each group, to be the only one among them to bear the scales of their conquest. Ten dragon, ten hearts, and ten champions."

Lucian's head sagged. "That night, the ritual began, and that following morning, the first of the demons appeared. Barely a fortnight ago, the entire kingdom realized that they had been tricked. Some rebelled, but most stuck to it, knowing that it was likely too late. The demons are small in number, but incredibly strong. They fear next to nothing in this world."

"I, unlike my fellow champions, fled the kingdom, knowing in my heart what I had done, knowing the part that I had played. These scales I wear are like a curse upon me." Lucian lifted his gaze to stare hard into the amazon's eyes. "Your talk of a quest does not fall on deaf ears amazon, for I am on one too. The demons fear but one power, the power of life that comes from the elements. Old legends speak of four great temples, one of which is said to be in this very forest. That temple is my destination, and I hope to find a piece of the puzzle that is the power that the demons fear."

Lucian finally turned his gaze back to the fire. He rose to his feet and lifted the meat free of the spit, setting it aside to cool. "Think of me and my fellows what you will, but know that I will not rest until I have redeemed myself, or died trying." He had no idea what her reaction would be to his tale, but it mattered only a little. He had his reasons for sparing her, which he would probably tell her if she asked, but he had other duties to attend to now.

 

[Medevelin]

"I know the temple you speak of." She finally spoke after listening to what sounded more like a horrible fairy tale than true events that brought him here. She was still feeling weak from the poison and wondered how long she would stay unconscious. It was after she spoke that she realized why he didn't leave her to die when it would have been so much easier for him to rather than bring her along.

"You want me to show you the way. The way to the Temple." She assumed, though deep inside she felt insignificant. That she had at a time thought she might be equal to him now faded unlike her remembrance of her inadequacy.

There was a long moment where she simply ran over the tales from the wisewomen who long spoke of a man such as this but the future past his projected arrival. She knew if her condition persisted she would die before even reaching the temple. He would never be able to locate it in such a complicated eco-system. It seemed for now they were dependent upon each other.

 

[LucianDevine]

The amazon was silent long after Lucian finished his tale. When she finally spoke, he turned to her. "I know the temple you speak of." He simply nodded in recognition of her words as he reached into his bag for a couple of tin plates. He loaded one up with some deer meet and passed it to her. "You want me to show you the way. The way to the Temple."

Lucian then loaded up his own plate. He hesitated at first, deciding on where to sit. In the end though, he actually turned towards the amazon. He moved to settle himself on the blanket as well, giving her some space between them. "I had hoped that the amazons of the forest would know of the location of the temple. I would be most grateful if you would show it to me."

Lucian ate in silence for a few moments, thinking about her fate, as well as his own. "You don't have to stop there...if you don't want to amazon. I know not what quest the great earth mother would send you on, but you are welcome to join me...if you want to." Lucian hadn't been looking at her as he spoke those words. He knew she'd likely say no, but it never did hurt to ask. With a soft sigh, Lucian's gaze returned once more to his plate of food, and he started to eat once more.

 

[Medevelin]

Mishta had to wrestle with her soul to find an answer. Did she want to help this outsider, this man? She didn't trust him despite his offering of food and surely saving her from being eaten while helplessly paralyzed. There was still a measure of resent from her defeat at his hands. A rematch she had assured herself would not turn out the same.

She took a bite of the deer meat, her stomach thanking her for satiating it's need to be filled. With him she would stand a better chance of reaching the temple as the terrain was far from a simple walk and the land itself was not the only enemy.

"There is no promise you can make that I can trust. I am as sure that you will discard me after my use has expired as I am that the almighty will come and fade each day. I will aid you in your journey but I am no pawn for you to use. I will not bow to your whims or your manly urges. Is there an understanding?"

Taking another bite out of her meal she awaited his response, humiliating as it was to be fed by a man she at least knew that he was more worthy than the average male. To think this all came from attempting to harvest men for mating. How far it had spiraled from that simple need to procreate.

 

[LucianDevine]

Lucian couldn't stifle the small smile that came to his face at her first words. Still, he let her finish before he responded to her. That blue gaze lifted to meet hers strongly once more.

"I currently stand alone against a force that has systematically taken over everything it's sought after amazon, to discard any sort of potential ally is both foolish and stupid on my part."

Lucian hesitated before speaking again, hoping to let his words sink in. He'd meant them all, right down to hopefully being able to count her as an ally one day.

"As for the rest of your words, you are an amazon, as free as the wind. You are free to do as you wish."

Taking a moment to study the amazon further, Lucian spoke once more. "So, unless you have any other terms, I believe we have an understanding."

The pair finished the rest of their meal in silence, each lost in their own thoughts and contemplations. After a while, Lucian began to get tired. He rolled out his bedroll and crawled in, still wearing his armor. He turned towards the fire, preferring to have it's warmth on his face. "By the way, my name is Lucian." He said, almost as an afterthought.

 

[Medevelin]

The day had been long to say the least and tomorrow would likely be no different, she finished her meal quickly while sharing thankful silence with the man. As he prepared for sleep she did the same though with some reservations about leaving her guard down. The powerlessness she felt now was sickening and even more so degrading. She had already closed her eyes when he gave her a name they opened once more as she looked over to him, he had left his armor on probably a good idea and something he had learned to do with experience.

"Mishta." She whispered before laying her head down again and closing her eyes. However it was not a restful sleep, she spent the night burning hot and cold while coming in and out of slumber periodically throughout. When early morning did come she was awake to see the black fade to blue. She chose not to move until he awoke and attempted to rest with the time left she had before they traveled.

 

[LucianDevine]

Lucian smiled as the amazon gave her name in return. The exchanging of names was a very small step, but it was a start. His dreams that night were as they had been for the past week, fraught with nightmares and prophetic dreams. They were a scattered mix of what had been, what was, and what might yet be. You could hardly call them coherent or organized.

As the sun rose the following morning, Lucian rose with it. As it broke over the horizon, he was there, standing and facing it. One hand lowered to grasp the sheath of the katana, as the other grasped it's hilt. Lucian's eyes were closed as he focused on the kata he had long since memorized. With the first touch of the suns rays, Lucian withdrew the blade from it's resting place. His motions were slow and practiced, each almost seeming to flow into the other as he slashed at nothing, lifted to parry an imagined blow, brought the blade up over his head and came around with a spinning horizontal slash. The motions started slow, each leading to the other as the speed slowly increased. The process only required a handful of minutes, but Lucian continued anyway, enjoying the exercise that came with the kata. When he finally stopped, he was breathing heavily and sweating freely.