WRITTEN IN BLOOD
By Vampy

Previous on "Written In Blood":
After the palace has returned Skywise didn't seem to fit back in and rather to just sulk and be misserable, he decides to try his luck elsewhere.
Leaving the lodestone in the hands of a sleeping Cutter he sneaks out in the middle of the day, sorrowful but determined. Cutter however woke up and tried to follow his soul brother but to no avail, our favorite stargazer had boarded a human ship and is now setting sail to a whole new adventure, with Timain at his side.
After time goes by, things return back to normal at the wolfriders holt. But then our beloved stargazer returns. How will Cutter react to his sudden reapearance?

CHAPTER 3: TABLE TURNS

The laughter sounded trough the thick leaves of the quiet forest... The sun was setting and some birds flew up at the unusual sound... Most of the times you never heard the elves. This evening was an exception...

Sust was lying on his back, Ember towering over her with a big grin on her face. Cutter had been watching them and was now doubled over with laughter because of the look Sust gave.

They had made a wager, Sust had thought that he could easily defeat Ember with a sword fight and Ember had taken the challenge. It hadn't taken long before Sust was floored. This was the third time in a row and Sust finally seemed convinced that it wasn't just 'pure luck'.

"I don't hear you..." Ember taunted...

"Err..." Sust struggled a bit to get back up and dusted himself off a bit and then answered the redheaded she-elf. "I was wrong?"

Ember started to approach again, sword ready, evil grin on her face. Sust quickly picked up his sword and cowered back... "Okay, okay! You win!" And he surrendered himself by holding his hands up. Realizing he had automatically picked up his sword again he demonstrated his vanquished fire by throwing it away... "You win! I give up and I was wrong."

Cutter now stood behind his daughter... his face had turned a little red after so much laughter... "Have you learned your lesson now?" He asked.

Sust nodded sullenly. "Yeah, never underestimate anyone... That's what Krim keeps telling me..."

"Yeah, but you never listen right?" Cutter chuckled.
Ember was now pulling off some of the safety pads, happy that she as the new second in command could show a tribe member his place.

"No..." Sust sulked... "I just thought that I could win because Ember always uses the spear or javelin.."

"It's called a spear, javelins you throw..." Ember put away her sword and turned to her fallen opponent. "For what it's worth... It was a little bit harder for me. But as future chieftess I should set an example and be able to have at least some experience in every weapon. You never know when you lose your weapon of choice and gain another... You're life could very well depend on it."

Sust nodded and scratched his neck... "So I guess I'll show you where my secret dreamberry stack is?"

Before Ember could react Strongbow interrupted by emerging from the bushed. "Cutter!" The archer urged.
Cutter looked up at his friend and approached having noted the emergency in the elf's voice.. but the chief stopped dead in his tracks when Strongbow stepped aside to let trough a happy Treestump and...
Cutters eyes became wide with surprise. 'Skywise?'

The stargazer smiled insecure... "Hey.."

Ember gave out a whoop and flung herself around the stargazer's neck. "SKYWISE!" Treestump called some of the others to come while Strongbow went to stand next to Cutter and Sust while he quickly explained to Sust who the newcomer was.

Warm welcomes and not so warm welcomes were exchanged when one for one the Wolfriders emerged. Ember had untangled herself from the stargazer's neck and gave room to a teary eyed Nightfall who also needed to hug the silver haired elf asking him where he had been all this time. Scouter just nodded his welcome and others slapped him on the back.

Cutter had stayed still in his place the whole time, watching the scene as it unfolded.
Inside he felt turmoil...

"Oh, Nightfall." Skywise finally answered the curly she-elf. "I can't even begin to tell you where I've been all this time... It will have to wait." He gratefully looked at all his ex tribe mates. "It's great to see you all again."

Strongbow who noted that everyone was there, nudged Cutter. Not knowing what his chief was waiting for and trying to get a reaction.. ANY reaction.
It helped a bit. Cutter still unsure of his feelings approached his runaway tribe member... His soul brother...

The crowd of elves made way and their happy and excited chatter quieted down to see two of the best friends reunite together again.

Skywise smiled. He had missed Cutter so much, the most. He'd miss Cutter more then he would ever miss the stars. And he was proud to see that his brother had still kept his lodestone. He pointed at it. "I see that you've taken good care of the lodestone."

Cutter looked down at the stone which was hanging from his neck and picked it gently up. It had grown to be a part of him over all those years. Was he supposed to give it back after all this time? He decided it could wait and took up Skywises new appearing, hair band, cloak, strange weapon and ..
"I see that you haven't been taking good care for yourself! How'd you get that ugly scar?"

"Ow, that old thing.. " The stargazer's hand went to the scar on his face... "A reminder from a human I'm afraid... You know them... Big ignorant creatures... All they do is fight, there's just no reasoning witch them..."
Skywise smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes... He felt something was amiss... This would not be the happy reunion he always imagined.. He always hoped for...
Cutter was stubbornly still standing 2 steps away and seemed to try and figure out what to say... what he felt...
Skywise didn't know what Cutter thought, but he did know what he himself felt... He felt regret at the moment. He knew he had done the right thing by leaving that dreadful day. But he regretted taking a chance of losing his soul brother. He knew he had hurt Cutter by leaving like he had and maybe that hurt was far beyond repairing.

Luckily Cutter seemed to have made up his mind and closed the gap between the two of them to hug his friend. "It's good to have you back!" The chief send.

"It's good to be back."

They parted and looked at each other again. Skywise was tremendously relieved that the reuniting was taking a turn for the better. He noted that Cutter had grown a little more face fur but other then that hadn't aged a bit. The other elves too seemed little older and all in good health there even were two more elves, he didn't recognize... But their was missing one.. Scot.

"I see everyone's here, even two more, but..." Skywise was afraid to ask.. "Where's Scot?"
The murmur quieted down a bit, confirming Skywises fear.
"No... How did it happen?" Though the stargazer and the Go-Back hadn't known each other incredibly well, Skywise still felt the pain for the loss of former tribes mate and great elf.

Krim gave him the answer. "He died heroically trying to safe the Palace. He died a warrior's death."

Cutter smiled. All the worry in his gut had faltered, he was just glad that his soul brother was back safe and sound. "Don't worry about it Skywise, it's been a long time ago and you're here now. We're complete again!"

Skywise was stunned. And Cutter saw his face fall. "What?" Had he said something wrong?

Skywise didn't know how to tell them, but he had to tell them now. He couldn't leave them in vain, letting them think that he was here to stay forever.
"Eh... Well the thing is..." He started. "I don't know for how long I can stay."

There he had said it. Now he would encounter the force that was known as Bearclaws son.
Cutter was numbed. Had he heard that correct? Skywise was not here to stay?

Seeing Cutter mulling his words over, Skywise quickly tried to explain the why. "You see, it's difficult to explain but I have certain responsible towards others... I've made promises to people that I have to keep. I actually shouldn't have been here but two months ago Timain and I got separated. And we had made a deal that when that happened we would both return to here, the holt... I... I had hoped that she'd be here..."

The tribe was silent. None of them had suspected this. Skywise had no intentions of staying. Cutter couldn't comprehend it.
"You What!" It was a silent anger that spoke...

Skywise swallowed, he knew when Cutter was mad. "You must understand, I want to come back, but I have things I have to deal with first."

"Oh, just like that? Well, we understand. Timain isn't here... So now what? You're just going to go?"

"No! I... Eh, maybe... I don't know." Skywise could see the hurt in his chief's eyes.
"I'm sorry."
It was simply the only thing to say.

Cutter just shook his head. Feeling betrayed. He turned and left without saying a word.

Skywise needed to explain and tried to follow but Leetah stopped him. "Leetah? No, I have to talk to him."

Leetah understood his need, but also understood the needs of her life mate and they were more important. "You'll have you're chance to speak to him soon enough. Just let him be right now. He needs to cool off and put things into perspective."

Skywise reluctantly backed down, though he desperately wanted Cutter to know the whole story. His brother would agree with him. He knew he would.

Leetah smiled reassuring. "You will stay for a while won't you?"
"Uh, Yeah... yeah... I'm here for a while. Maybe 4, maybe more nights... I don't know exactly, I'm also late reporting myself I... I really should get going..."

Ember broke in. She had met her father's wrath many times before and knew how it felt. "Report yourself where?" She asked.

"At the Citadel it's a long story. I'll come back after that all right?"

Ember gave a broad smile. "Definitely! Maybe you'll tell us your story then?"

"Sure." The Stargazer smiled. Maybe he would be able to patch things up... Maybe he couldn't... but he would certainly try.

He was about to leave when Leetah noted his scare again. "Wait, that scar looks painful, I can heal it in a moment..."

Her hand rose to touch his face, but was grabbed midair before she could touch him.

"No, Need. Leetah. No need. It doesn't hurt, and it's an important reminder... Don't worry about it." Skywise looked at the tribe, who were dulled a bit because of their upset leader. Skywise could understand that, he was dulled too. "I've got to go now... But I'll came back as soon as possible.. That is, if you'll have me..."

"Sure we'll have you!" Ember said.

"Okay thanks, thanks for everything!" Treestump and Strongbow followed the stargazer back to his horse.

"Pew... That was weird, wasn't it mom? Mom?" Ember turned to see Leetah sitting on a big root, hand to her head.

"What's wrong mother?" Ember rushed to her side.

"It's nothing cub... A slight headache... But I think there's something... wrong with Skywise... Maybe wrong is not the right word... Different. I don't know I can't put my finger on it."

Ember nodded, while she looked to where the Stargazer had left. Two yellow eyes were staring back at here... But when the redheaded elf got up, they disappeared. Had it been her imagination?

Skywise would leave. It was the only thing clear in Cutter's mind. Though it didn't make sense... Why would he come back, go through all that trouble only to leave yet again.
Cutter hadn't easily forgotten Skywise last leave. It had hurt. And the hurt was back.
He gave himself a moment to cool down, he knew he could be a hotheaded person but the things Skywise just 'thought' he could do, just infuriated him. He tried to settle things down inside his head. But the only thing he saw was the ship setting sail in the harbor... And the worry that they would never be as close as they were when Cutter just become a Chief.

Finally the turmoil numbed... and so did he.
He needed...
Leetah. She blocked down the setting sunlight as she entered and his mood quickly lifted by her beauty.

"Can you believe it?" He asked her.
Leetah sat next to his life mate. "Well... I certainly heard it."
"I can't believe that that double crossing... that he'd just come back and... do this to me!"
Leetah took his hands in her own. "You know beloved, it didn't seem like he didn't want to stay. In fact I think he'd give everything so he could stay."
She gave a little pause to let her words sink in. "You know he said that he had responsibilities. You have responsibilities too and you know how important they are. Maybe you should listen to what he has to tell. I know you're feelings are in the way. But I know that you want things the way they used to be."
Cutter sighed. "I would give up a lot only to have things the way they were before the Palace took off with the 4 of you. But you're right. I should listen to him. It just is. It feels like he doesn't care."
Leetah smiled softly. "Well I think he still cares a lot. So don't worry so much, but talk to him."

"I will... I will."

They both lay next to each other. Leetah laid her head on his stomach and his hands ran trough her dark brown curls. She frowned when she again felt a pinch in her mind.. The beginning a headache... There something was amiss, she just didn't know what... But she had the feeling that she would find out soon enough.

The Citadel was brightly lid with torches.. it warmed him... and he welcomed it.
Skywise, riding his horse, strode proudly trough the narrow streets though he held his hood securely over his head. He remembered how the humans acted here. They knew something about the elves, maybe not much, but enough to ritually burn him. He knew that as soon as he got to his fellow crewmates he'd be safe. Just to be sure, he grabbed the flag out of a side pocket of his saddle and he assembled d the flagpole by putting 3 peaces together. Now with the flag high in the air, he felt more comfortable.

On the flag was a very sharp white star with 4 spikes displayed. It was his symbol. The symbol he got from Orilus. The man for who he had come all the way here to the Citadel... The stargazer sighed... Had he been wrong to come here?
Cutter seemed so... Skywise shook his head to clear his mind. He would mull them over tomorrow. First he had to find Michael and then they had to go talk to the new Djun.

When he got to the gates of the Djuns castle he was a little bit scared, luckily he had a letter that said that he was one of Orilus army and what his mission was here. Two guards stopped him and he gave them the letter... They gave it a good glance over and then asked the reason for delay. Skywise tolled them (in fluent humans) that his horse had been limping... They let him trough without a second thought. Not surprisingly because the inner court was a mayhem. Soldiers everywhere, horses ready to be led to the stables but not enough stable boys to guide them. Realizing he might still be on time to join the meeting he grabbed one of the stable boys in his collar and asked for directions.
Few minutes later he had put his horse away and was walking towards the tent at the center of the court to report himself. The tent had the flag of Michael's army hanging at the entrance. Michael was Orilus first in command and his flag, a blue sun represented Orilus. He entered the tent.

"Quiet a mayhem outside." He said to everyone inside and removed his hood. He heard half replies and saw Fergus, a few soldiers and an alert Michael quickly turn to the man next to him, who was looking at one of the letters of Orilus. "Marcus, this is Sky, the one I told you about." Michael said.

The man, Marcus looked up; he was a tiny compact man with chestnut brown hair. He was visibly shocked when he saw what Sky was. "A Demon? You brought a demon to the Citadel?"

Michael laughed. He was a tall man with black hair and dressed in armor full with blue suns. He even had a necklace with one hanging around his neck. "Don't be ridicules Marcus. He's just a being of flesh and blood and he's under the protection of Orilus so get on with it."

"No... No!" The man was clearly distressed. "The Djun won't have it. His great grandfather was murdered by those... those..."

Skywise had been amused enough. He was used to the reactions of the humans to his appearance and had learned that the best way to let them deal with it, was to not let them deal with it. "They call themselves elves, Marcus. And now that we've dealt with that, let's get on with business... " He threw the letter to Marcus who seemed to be the Djun's clerk, the one who received all the visitors first and checked them out before leading them to the throne room.

Marcus was still upset. But years of experience made him read the letter, check the signature and automatically cleared the elf because of it. There simply wasn't any way against a letter from the king of the north. "Fine... You've checked out. Though I'm still against it. This just isn't right!"

Skywise simply took the letter back and turned to Michael. "Anything else?" His friend shook his head. "Okay then, what are we waiting for? Lets go!"
They both took off their weapons and Marcus led them and Fergus to the throne room.

While they were walking trough the great halls of the Citadel which only meant to impress the visitors, Skywise got a strange feelings as if the Palace had been here... Shaking away the feeling and making sure to ask Cutter (Or one of the others) what it could have been... He was starting to get very tired and a headache was forming. Fergus noticed the grimace on his face, and though the bulky bold man hardly talked, he asked what was wrong. Skywise just shook his head.

Finally they were before the throne room and the clerk told them to wait while he notified the Djun.
Skywise grinned. "Probably to warn him about a demon coming along."
Michael just shook his head. "He'll deal with it or he'll loose the alliance. Orilus will agree with us, you know that right?"
Skywise nodded. A few seconds later the doors opened and the clerk let them in.

The Djun was a big man sitting on a big massive throne. A red carpet led from the doorway through beneath the throne and servants were standing by beside it.

The group approached up until 5 meters then were called to a stop by the Djun.
"Well, well well. his voice croaked. "What have we here?" The Djun Slowly got up and approached. "A demon as a messenger from the great king Orilus."
Michael could hear the venom behind both the words demon and Orilus and suddenly wasn't so sure if this had been such a good plan.

"I heard about it." The Djun continued. "Orilu's gone soft. He listens too much to what others have to tell him and too little to what he himself wants.." He paused while he got back to his throne. "It's so weak of him. And he suspects me to listen to your pitiful tries to negotiate our alliance?" The Djun laughed mockingly. "The fool, thinking he has an influence here... I'm insulted!"

Michael had kept his cool listening to the Djun calling his king soft and weak, many people thought that. But Orilus was NO FOOL! "How Dare You!" But before he could take a step forward the servants dropped their plates to reveal swords. Michael gulped and took a step back. The three of them were now surrounded by a dozen guards and they were weaponless.

Everything was dead silence. The Djun took this time to sit down. "Now since you are here anyway..."
Then Skywise laughed. Just a small laugh but it was enough to silence the Djun. He walked to one of the guards and used his finger to nonchalantly push away the sword. The poor guy backed up not knowing what to do. Eyes darting from the demon to his Djun.
"Very amusing Djun. Dressing up your guards as servants... And you said that Orilus was a fool?"
The Djun's face became red with anger. "You better watch your mouth you're outnumbered you know! I could have you head on stick in a second, the way it should be!"
"Oh yes... I know you could do that. Probably you could do far worse.. We are on your ground after all." Skywise left the guard alone and took a few steps closer to the throne. "Sadly it's very obvious what you're trying to accomplish here... You want to turn the table."
Michael saw the manipulating now also and continued. "It wouldn't be very wise of you to kill three messengers from Orilus now would it?"
Fergus just glared at the guards making them more nervous because Fergus was almost as impressive in size as their Djun.

"I guess it could endanger our alliance..." The Djun stated slowly. "But it wasn't the brightest move of Orilus to bring one of my longest sworn enemies right into my hands!"
The two guards around Skywise closed in one sword resting against his neck, ready to strike. Skywise knew better and stayed absolutely still. The tables were turned once again.

Michael however wouldn't' have it. "This is absurd! He's under the direct protection! Killing him will endanger the alliance no less. Enemy or no enemy!"
Skywise rolled his eyes. "Keep you cool Michael, he's not going to kill me!"
"Why shouldn't I?" The Djun Roared.
Michael objected. "Of course you can not it's against all.."
But before anyone could say anymore, Skywise tore the sword that was resting to his neck out of the hands of the guard and swiftly used it to stab the other guards. not fast enough though because the guards sword nicked him in the side in reflex. But having the guards out of his personal space and now with a sword well in hands, he felt in a good position to end the negotiating.

"We did not came here for you to show of your power, Djun. You've got an alliance with our King and we're here to see if that alliance should be put to an halt. I'm not here to judge your opinion towards elves or demons, I'm here because of your way of ruling your country! The people are complaining, the taxes are too high. If you look bad, it makes Orilus looks bad." He paused. He finally started to feel his injury, it was deeper then he suspected. "We are here to negotiate your people's conditions. You've got until tomorrow to take a look at our list of demands. We'll discuss it further then. Now if you'll excuse us." He turned threw the sword back to its owner. And he and Michael and Fergus walked quietly out the throne room. Not forgetting to hand the list to Marcus.

After their departure the guards glanced to their Leader but the Djun simply shook his head while mentioning for the list.
There was still plenty of time.

Striding through the halls of the Citidel again Michael started to think things over.
"Maybe you shouldn't come tomorrow. Seeing his anger towards your kind."
"Are you kidding?" Skywise asked amused. "He's using the whole demon, sworn enemy thing as a diversion. If I hadn't been there he would've tried to enrage you or something. He wants to have the power over people and the best way is to provoke it. You can bet all your hides on it that he instructed the guards to not harm any of us unless he himself was in immediate danger. It a power play. We can't let him win in that."
Michael nodded. Knowing that Skywise was probably right. "How is your side where he nicked you?"
"It's bleeding."
'Duh' Micheal tought. "Better let someone take a look at it. Is your horse better?"
"Euh..." The stargazer hesitated. "Well I better tell you now. He was never limping. I stopped to visit my tribe."
Michael stopped dead in his tracks and Skywise and Fergus and to turn around to keep facing him.
"You lied?" Skywise nodded. "I thought Timain would be here... that's why I assigned for this mission."
"Oh.. That certainly clears up a few things. But I take she wasn't there?"
"No... They haven't seen her... And my brother is angry with me. I really have to talk things trough with him. Can you do without me until tomorrow?"

"Sure! No problem. Go try and work things out with your family. But make sure you get that wound checked out before you go." Michael laid an hand on Skywise's shoulder. "And don't worry about Timain... we'll find her, eventually!"
Skywise nodded. He felt terrible... Things weren't going as planned. Cutter hated him, the new Djun was still a mindless onslaught, and Timain was nowhere in sight... Everything that could've gone wrong had done so...
He prayed to the Highones for something to go right...

Meanwhile in the Djun's private quarters...

"Marcus..."
"Yes my lord?"
"I think it's time to let Orilus know that the Djun doesn't serve under no-one"
Marcus looked hesitant ... "Are you sure my Lord? He's certainly a force to be reckoned with."
"Oh... I've never been surer in my life... He's gone too far this time... Sending that stinking elf in my kingdom. In MY throne room...
My army is big enough and his best forces and leaders are right within my grasp..."
He clenched his fist, as if crushing them. And an evil grin appeared upon the Djun's face...

ThE eNd

for now...

PLEASE REVIEW!

AN:-) Yes, my friends. Skywise is howling with the enemies, what do you think he was supposed to do? Humans are breading like rabbits and it's silly to think he would only encounter other elf species... Anyway it will be interesting to write him overcoming his tremendous hatred about them, that's why I wrote it... I like difficulty. Silly me. And more difficulties ahead because Cutter is not letting this float by! Was Skywise wrong for leaving? Is Cutter unreasonable or is his mind clouded by fear of losing his friend again? What oh what will become of the two soul brothers?
Read more in the next chapter: Hidden Hurt

AN2: I wonder, what did you think about Ember? I think she would be more sure of herself, she's now second in command as Treestump once was. And I think she would be very comfortable in that position. Ready to take over at any time, and a good moral counselor as Skywise once was even after he stopped being a guidance counselor.

AN3: Sust may be out of character... I just put a little bit of Krim, Scot and Spike into him, but furthermore I've never seen him in any albums so I really don't know what he's like... A fanfiction about Sust and Pool would be really appreciated! Just a short fanfic about mainly their character and relation or something...
; ) V.

This story was made possible thanks to the reviews of Chapter 2.
And I really hope to get more reviews for this chapter...
TheWyldeWestWynd: Yes, Skywise was back, pretty quick eh? joins in happy monkey dance Unfortunate this chapter took a little longer, but I'm stuffed with idea's now! And about the new friend... He's made lots of friends, and enemies. But none are half human half elf, sorry... But hey, it sounds as if you've got your own fanfic in your head, why don't you go and write it down? We'd all really appreciate it! ;)
Evil Blue Onna: Sorrie voor de late update. Maar één update is beter dan geen update toch? En ik zorg wel goed voor Hemelwijs hoor... uiteindelijk zal hij er beter en sterker van worden. ; ) En Snijer ook!
Demonkitty869: Your wish is my command! Thank you for reviewing after such a long time. I had this part lying around, unbeta'd and all. But I thought.. what the heck.. Here you go! This one's for you! Who's the fair one now? ;D