The Circle will not be broken

Morning came early for Asra. She rose before the sun. her maid still asleep. A dress was laid out on a chair. Asra dressed herself. Pulling a clean shift over her head and then a corset which she had to lace with great difficulty. Then she pulled on her dress, made from heavy protective leather. She laced up the front and started looking at herself in an old metal shield polished. The elders had given her the dress as a parting gift saying it was the dress of her mothers. Asra shrugged. She didn't see how the dress would help her. It didn't even cover all of her legs. It was slit down the thighs. It seemed more like a whores dress then a warriors. And even with all the prayers of protection said over her dress she still doubted it would save her from a frontal attack. Oh well at least the boots are useful, she said as she pulled the thick leather boots up to her thighs.

Her belongings had been wrapped up into side bags on her horse. Her bed was gone from its normal place underneath a window that looked down into the valley. Her books were gone, given to the poor and her dresses and armor were packed up with food in a backpack. She had begged Sfan to let her wear armor and after hours he had consented. He wanted his princess to be dressed like one as she left her home so he gave her her adoptive fathers battle armor. A heavy cloak, lined with bear fur sat on a stool. She grabbed it and wrapped it around her shoulders and pulled the hood up. She would need the protection, winter would be coming soon. From the floor she took the chest armor. Gold and gleaming she strapped the thin sheet of armor around her body. Without a maid she had to struggle to tie each of the clasps. Then she pulled on her shoulder guards, pointed and gilded with designs of dragons scales they weighed almost nothing. On her sword arm she strapped more armor, enough to cover her elbow and then a glove. With her one free hand she strapped her sword to her belt that wrapped around her waist and then up around her left shoulder. A compass already hung from the bottom of her chestplate. Then she slid the giant ax of her fathers, beautiful and ancient with writing of the gods in its ebony handle into place on her back. The glove for her right hand lay on the dirt floor, the only thing of hers left. She bent and picked it up. As she put her hand into the mettle she looked out the window. Every day she had sat and looked out wishing she was not imprisoned inside the mountain. Today she wanted nothing more than to be once again imprisoned. A nock startled her. She turned and smiled. Sfan walked across the barren room and held out a giant two handled sword.

"this was your real fathers. When your adoptive father slayed him he took the sword. I hope it will give you strength on your journey." he paused before handing it to her. She noticed the blade was made from black steel. "I am so sorry for what I am asking you to do" he said, his voice sad. He was old, too old. He had seen whole civilizations rise and fall. the gods had kept him alive, for what? to see his daughters and sons die? His great great great grandchildren disappear, imprisoned in work camps for the devil Necor. Was this his punishment for reminding them of the inevitable?

Asra nodded grimly. I must go she thought, she did not have to speak Sfan knew. Go he said. I will pray for you. Asra thanked him and left. She closed her eyes to the palace. It was no more to her. This home was no longer her home. In an hour the world would never remember her. Kahlen would be forgotten by her sisters. None of the ten brothers and sisters that Tyrose had loved so much would remember their brother. She stopped. Rahl had no one to forget about him, only passing strangers would have to forget they saw him. His parents were both dead, he had no one. Do not lie to me, he had said his voice husky with passion. Passion that had been held up for a year. Asra frowned, she knew now she had been lying. She wanted to forget everything and go back to the Solstice. They could finish what they had started, but no. now they would be traveling companions living on the run. He would forget the lust. She would forget him and put Necro first. She had a duty.

Outside the sky was overcast. Clouds hung low, brushing the tree tops. Birds retreated to the huge evergreen trees that clung to the stony mountains. Kahlen was already on her mount, a speckled mare. Loose red robes floated around her and her long braids were covered with a red headscarf. A dark green and grey cloak was placed on the saddle in front of her. Around her body hung a bag, for medicine thought Asra. Tyrose was on his war horse, heavy and bold it stood perfectly still. Rahl was on a black horse, his casual clothing still on, he had not changed. he had no armor like Asra or Tyrose who both dressed for war. Even Kahlen had armor on underneath her priestesses gown she had a suit of mail, light and strong. It was made by the dwarves of Crek 'tar, master craftsmen.

Rahl noticed her first Asra first and could not help stare as she mounted her black stallion with ease. She was weighed down my armor and weapons but she was still graceful. A strand of long black hair fell across her face. He sighed. The dagger at his hip hummed to life. Rahl pulled his dagger from his hip and hung it next to his sword on his saddle horn then looked back over at Asra. She looked like a women, sitting atop her great horse, dressed for battle. He felt his groins stirr at the thought of the soft pale skin underneath all the mettle. Asra turned and saw him looking at her, slowly she trotted over. They were the same height on their horses. "Rahl" she stuck out her hand. Gently he took it and kissed it, his tongue tingling against her bare wrist. A shiver ran through Asra. She had lied, he could tell. Rahl did know as she looked up at him with her almost white eyes he could see the weakness in them. She was going to lead them? This girl who was to afraid to admit to wanting him? He grinned at least he would be able to put his bed roll next to hers, he loved to watch women sleep. Their breasts would rise and fall, oh how he loved to see them twitch in their dreams, afraid of some hidden danger. He would at least have her, even if everything failed.

"Company" a strong loud voice filled the crisp air, cutting it to shreds. Rahl awoke from his thoughts. Asra pulled her hood back. Long black hair fell down her back. She had changed, she was alive. This was her element. She turned and glanced back at the gates to the Iron hills city. A flicker of fear passed through her face. She swung her horse around and galloped to the path that was cut through the trees and ran down the mountain. Two statues of the gods guarded the exit to their sanctuary. Asra took a deep breath before shouting with all the vigor and energy she could, "lets ride!" then she kicked her horse and galloped through the Gods Gate and out into the mountainous path. Behind her rode Kahlen her dress fluttering in the wind, Rahl his face set in a smirk galloped behind the priestess waiting for a chance to pass her. Tyrose took up the rear, listening and watching. He did not notice the looks that passed over everyones face, the moment of hesitation, the glimpse of fear, the realization of everlasting life ended. He rode happy and innocent behind them, aware only of the task he had been instructed to do.

Quite a show up there princess, Rahl said into Asras mind. She clenched her jaw tighter, he knew about one more thing she wanted to keep secret. It was no show, she shot back. Over her shoulder she gave him a look to shatter stone. He grinned. So remind me darling why you are the one leading us, you are the youngest and least experienced. Rahl saw a place to pass Kahlen and kicked his horse forward, she frowned but didi not bother him. Behind her she was aware of the young boys stares. She turned and smiled at him. In a second his face had become that of an angle and to Kahlen who had seen an angle he came very close, the sun glistening on his golden hair, his perfectly shaped face, his large lips. He will die too, she thought to herself, her voice melancholy inside her head. He will die like everyone else.

The sound of a new horses hooves hitting the shards of stone behind her made her turn, startled. Asra shook her head. "leave me alone Rahl, you stubborn old goat."

"call me what you like but I will never be gotten rid of princess."

"I am no princess."

"then why are you leading us?"Asra looked sideways at him, she hated traveling with fairies they always made her skittish. It was the grey circles around the eyes. Real fairies had no pupils, only the color and then a grey and black ring around white which made it easier to see in the dark. As she looked deep into the fairies eyes she shivered, he could see her thoughts, her fears.

"I do not know why I was given this task" she confessed. Asra stared down at her horse's neck. Sweat glistened on the soft black hair, for they had been riding hard for many hours. "I do not know what the elders saw in the fires, but whatever it is it must have been grand enough to catch the attention of the Circle of Ten. Why does Kahlen and Tyrose follow me? Why is Dante leaving his citadel hidden beneath the earth with all the riches in the world to keep him safe? Why has Lors left his throne and left it to his traitorous mother?"

"they follow you for their own selfish reasons. If they do not follow you Asra their homes will be taken by the darkness." slowly he tried to reach and take up her hand. Out of the corner Asra saw his movement and grabbed the dagger that hang from his saddle and held it pressed to his neck. Tyrose saw them and galloped passed Kahlen who sat perfectly still on her horse. The young man pulled his sword from its sheath and violently pressed it against Rahls back. The dagger can not control her, Rahl wondered. He turned to Tyrose and pushed the sword away. "do not try to be brave, it does not suit you boy. I know a true gentleman when I see one and you are not one of them." his green eyes flashed with laughter, he was slightly embarrassed for the boy who seemed to be a guard dog to his mistress.

"you tried to violate my Princesses person, I demand you to get of your horse and fight me" Tyrose growled. Anger boiled his insides, he was furious. He had never been allowed to be so angry. The elders had said such strong anger was the cause of the darkness and Necro. Now he was free to hate the supercilious, sly devil of a man before him. He spit it hit Rahls horse's hoof.

"I will not fight you Tyrose, I am many years older than you and I would kill you. I think to highly of your mistress to take away her guard dog."

"Enough" shouted Asra. The mountain shook with her voice, even Kahlen was awoken from her meditation. "Tyrose, put your sword away and return to your place. Remember your instructions from Sfan." her words were harsh and she regretted the tone she used with her friend. Then more gently she continued. "Tyrose thank you but if I need help I will whistle." it was their agreed upon warning, a high pitched bat like whistle that only he could here. He nodded and glumly returned to his place. The energy that had pulsed through the air dissipated. Kahlen began her meditation again chanting quietly prayers to the mother goddess.

"he is a sweet kid" Rahl said. Asra nodded and held out his dagger. He took it but closed his hand over hers. "keep him on a leash darling, I will kill him next time." he smiled and returned to his new place, behind Asra. She looked back over shoulder at him, he did not look at her. His had dropped his reins as he took a traveling cloak from his side back and wrapped it ornd him, the hood pulled over his face. He took an apple out and shined it. She smiled. He sunk his teeth into the apple and as he began to chew the sweet fruit he looked at her from under his hood. She stared back. Rahl viciously bit into the apple tearing a huge chunk way from the core. Reconsidering princess? He whispered into her mind. He laughed out loud a deep, a malevolent laugh before picking up the reigns again.