Title: Deutero Casus

Summary: The story of Charna daughter of Gabrielle, and her quest.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters.

Language Disclaimer: To my frequent readers, or any readers for that matter, this story is a bit more... caustic, or foul mouthed than what I usually write. (It's hard for me to write with swears since I'm not really used to using them myself). But, this is one of the most intense stories I've ever written, so, more swearing.

A/N: Another old story I'm posting here on . This one I had had rolling around in my brain for years before I actually wrote in 2007. Not to mention I started it at least three times and hated it. But, I was hit by the inspiration bus finally, and it all came pouring out.

And I totally apologize for the craziness of all the half sisters/brothers/cousins/fathers etc. in it. As I was editing it to put it up on I tried to make everything make a little more sense, but, I think I went a bit overboard back then with all the familial ties... yikes... :)

"Please, we have done nothing. Why do you pers..."

A large hand slapped the villager silent. His eyes still screamed terror as the man's sword came to his neck. He practically cried as another voice spoke, "If you kill him Alaric, then we will get nothing from him."

The man brought the sword to the villager's throat again. "But it will feel so good."

The silence that descended seemed to hold more fear than when the woman's alto voice had spoken. After a few moments the sword was jerked back by its owner. "Fine Charna, this time, your way."

The large, brown haired man stalked away. He was at least six foot three, and all parts of his body bulged with muscles.

The woman who replaced him was almost as tall, about six feet maybe. She had midnight black hair, but every once in a while, if the light hit her hair a glimpse of red could be seen. The hair looked as though it had been short once upon a time, but it was down to Charna's shoulders as the villager gazed at her.

She spoke, "There are two ways to do this my friend, the easy way, or the hard way. With the easy way you are assured to live, the hard way..." Charna tilted her head back and forth, "It's still up in the air if you'll take a breath in the morning if you pick the hard way."

The villager's head bobbed so hard Charna thought it would fall off. "Easy, easy, I'll tell you whatever you want."

Charna stared the villager in the eyes, "You will tell me the truth."

The villager nodded again, "The truth. I'll tell you the truth."

"Where is the Treasure of King Locar?"

The villager frowned so deeply it looked as though his eyes and eyebrows were going to mate. "There is no Treasure of King Locar." Charna took a step towards the villager and he shook his head from side to side. "I'm telling the truth, I'm telling the truth." Something seemed to click in his brain and he blinked up at Charna. "Do you mean the Treasure of... Queen Locar?"

"Queen?" One of Charna's dark eyebrows went up as the villager nodded. "Continue."

"It is said to be in the Bosom of all of us." Charna didn't blink as she stared at the villager. "That's what I've been told since I was a boy. 'Son, the treasure of Queen Locar is in the Bosom of all of us'."

Charna took a step back and the villager relaxed just a little bit. It was interesting to watch Charna's mind work. Unlike Alaric, the big brute, Charna's eyes had intelligence behind them. The villager spoke, "You didn't have to do this."

"Keep quiet, I'm thinking."

The villager spoke again, "There is more to life than violence and greed. There's another wa..."

Charna was next to the villager and picked him up by his throat before the man could blink or finish his thought. "Do not believe that because I'm a woman I am softer than Alaric, and do not presume that I won't kill you in an instant. Now, silence, so that I can think." She let go of the villager and he fell to the ground.

After a few minutes of silence she spoke again. "Aulif Hus. Does that name mean anything to you? I have heard it before."

The villager nodded slowly, "He was an old man, he owned the land beyond the town to the north. Why?"

Charna leaned down and patted the villager on the cheek. "Be content that you're alive." She stood up straight and bellowed towards where Alaric had gone. "Alaric, get the men away from their wh... get the men, we're moving out."

Charna started walking away, but the villager's voice made her pause and turn her head. "The route is treacherous, and yet you lead your men into it."

Charna quirked a smile that had no happiness in it. "One, they're not my men. Two, I've saved at least half of your town's women by taking Alaric's men with me. Be grateful and be quiet."

Alaric jogged up, "You have obtained our information without violence."

Charna laughed though there was not a trace of laughter in the sound. "Don't sound so depressed about that Alaric. There will be death and fear on our journey, I have no doubt."