Duke Perrington, strode out from the forest-line and into the middle of the path (dressed in what he thought was perfect hunting attire), grinning like a cat who had hunted down its first prey and was bidding for time, before delivering the killing blow.

Celaena Sardothien:

Perrington watched us silently, waiting, toying with us. I blocked him out and focused on Chaol. The blood from the cut on the back of his head trickled down his neck as he moved fluidly to the opposite direction as me. I could see the thoughts flying around in his mind and I had to sympathise for him. I had to act now, before the Duke realised I was bidding for time. I flicked my wrist, and Chaol jumped back, startled. I leapt towards him, daggers in hand. Chaol fumbled for a weapon desperately, and found a fallen soldier's already unsheathed sword. He brought it up just in time as I landed, bringing down the daggers onto his borrowed sword. He grunted at the impact and I danced back, ready to launch again. I could see in his eyes that he was hurt, physically and mentally, and in a panic.

Chaol brought his sword around in a controlled arch and I met it, the metal howling at the impact. We struggled against each other, both trying to overpower each other. I leant closer to Chaol and tried to whisper:

"Please, go along with this. I'll explain later if we have time." I filled my eyes with heartfelt emotion and love. "Please, Chaol. Work with me."

He stared at me blankly and shook his head. "Never!" He roared, loud enough to fill the air around us and flittered back, causing me to stumble. He took it to an advantage, and punched me in the side. I knew he had understood what I had meant, when I felt him hold back in the punch, but I still was forced back.

I snarled in an animalistic way and launched myself at Chaol. I aimed low, at his knees, and made contact. The impact caused Chaol to fall and he rolled safely, avoiding narrowly injuring his head further. My daggers flashed against the moonlight, as I landed on his chest, one knee pinning him there, and the other leaning on the ground. I placed one of my daggers at his neck, the other above about forty centimetres above his head.

"Chaol," I whispered. "I'm so, so sorry about this." I managed to get out before Duke Perrington advanced towards us, slowly, sarcastically clapping.

"Well fought, Captain. But your still defeated by an eighteen year old girl." He drawled. Chaol bared his teeth at him, eyes burning with hate. "Now, now, Chaol. Where are your manners? Or is your pride swallowing your conscience?"

I couldn't bare doing this to Chaol, but I had to keep it up for now. "Duke Perrington," I addressed him, and his head whipped to me. "Shall the Captain come with me for the journey back?"

"That is m'Lord, to you, Girl." Perrington spat. "And yes, keep this piece of crap with you. I don't need him ruining my new equipment! Or, this new hunting fashion She gave me." His eyes gleamed with pride and I had to bite my tongue to stop the remark. I nodded instead and sheathed my daggers. I then hauled Chaol up and clenched his arm in my hand as I dragged him to the trees.

The Duke watched as I sat Chaol down, and tore a scrap of my cloak and wrapped it around Chaol's head, trying to stop the blood flow. Then, deciding his attention and tolerance of me was overused, Perrington served the surroundings, taking in the dead, the trampled grass, the pieces of dirt thrown everywhere, the hoof-prints leading away from the clearing. Perrington snorted and called for his horse. A cloaked being came from the shadows, leading the Duke's tanned brown horse toward him, the gold tack gleaming in the light.

"Chaol," I whispered hurriedly. "Thanks for believing me. I know that this is confusing for you, but work with me for a little while longer, when we are away from prying eyes, and I will explain everything."

Chaol nodded. "One thing I don't understand, though. Why did Perrington almost slaughter you, when you apparently called him by the incorrect title?" He tilted his head slightly to the side, almost like a confused puppy. I grinned slightly.

"Chaol, I can't tell you too much, but I can tell you this: the King lied during my trial. He shipped me off to another 'master'," I spat the word out, face twisting with hate. "One that no one would expect him to have contact with. I'm sorry. That's all I can say now, without being overheard." I turned to glare at the cloaked figure, quietly discussing something with the Duke.

As I fixed my glare on the figure, I saw the cloaked body shift slightly to the side, so that they could watch me warily from a distance, whilst still staying with Perrington. I did spy though, a small, silver hair clinging to the back left shoulder of the cloak.