George neatly pinned Emily against a wall, a dagger to her throat. Emily carefully nodded to avoid the shard point of the blade. "Bette, Coopeh- your might evehn beat meh some day."

George removed the dagger, but kept still kept the Rogue against the wall. "Didn't I just beat ye?"

Emily laughed, smiling as George leaned closer to her, and kissed her. He almost expected her to push him away, and was surprised to feel her hands around his neck. He pit his own arms around her waist, and enjoyed the moment.

~*~



Eron Zepher sighed as he crept into the Dancing Dove. Emily would be here somewhere... and she would die... and he would be the Rogue... it was happening too fast. He would guide these thieves to be stronger than the Tortallan army- he would rule the world!

~*~



Rispah wiped as imaginary tear off of her rosy cheek. "Too sweet,:she whimpered, gazing at George and Emily.

Lightfingers laughed. "'Bout time he found a lady."

Marek nodded. "Aye, but- Emily Clance?"

Rispah giggled, gesturing towards the door. "C'mon- Her Highness need t' be prepared for Zepher when he comes tonight."

Ercole sighed. "I jus' hope she knows what she's doin'."

~*~



Emily pulled away form George, and rolled up her sleeves, pulling away form George. "Now, if yah don' mind," she said, slightly blushing at George's look, "Ah would like yah tah challenge meh."

George shook his head. "Challenge ye? Is it?"

Emily sighed happily. "Challenge meh as Rogue."

George almost tripped. "But t' do that- I'd have t'- have to-"

Emily nodded. "Please, just do it- tah save thah court, just do it."

George still looked skeptical. "Save the court? From what?"

She bit her lip. "Eron Zepheh."

George laughed. "Him? Ye could take him blindfolded-"

"George, he's mah cousin- mah family- Ah hate him, buht Ah could neveh kill him." She sighed.

"And if someone doesn't get rihd of that monstrosity- he'll destroy thah court- destroy everything. Destroy it ahll."

George froze. "Your cousin?"

Emily nodded. "So- will yah do it? Please?"

"Ye're asking me to kill ye, lass."

Emily slowly nodded. "Please."

George gazed at her with respect. Could he ever be as brave as she was? Could he ever be as good a Rogue as she was? Could he even kill her?

George inhaled deeply. "For you, I will, lass. For you, I will."

~*~



Emily was there. Fighting in the courtyard. Eron Zepher could smell her- hear her- see her. His cousin- his enemy. But- he swallowed.

He saw her crumple to the ground.

He heard her choke and gasp.

He smelt her blood that surrounded her.

She was dead, but didn't even issue a scream from her mouth.

And there was the man that had killed with her- had fought with her until she had given up. He was crying on the ground next to her, holding her hand in his. Eron Zepher smiled. He acts like he was in love with her, he noticed. But if this man wanted to take the responsibilities of Rogue, than he could count on a painful death. He could count on joining Emily that night.

~*~



George felt as if there was no reason to live. What had he done?

Emily was so brave. Too brave...

And he killed her. Just like that.

George felt a hand on his back, and heard the voice of a man in his ear. "So sad... so sad..."

Eron Zepher was behind George, waiting for George to stand. "I challenge you, Rogue," the older man said calmly.

George's heart tightened with hatred. This is Emily's reason for death- but it wasn't his own.

George didn't say a word, but carefully blocked each planned thrust Zepher threw at him, eyes onhis dagger. He was looking for an opening- would he find one?

The Rogue thrust at his left arm, creating a deep gash. Eron Zepher doubled up in pain, George sticking the dagger to his neck. "Ye have family that is kind, Zepher," George said calmly. "But I am not feeling especially kind."

Eron almost laughed. "That's no problem, Cooper," he chuckled, "because you have no need to feel kind."

Eron gave him an amazing punch to his nose, taking pleasure in hearing it break. George fell back, hands to his face. Eron got up, circling the Rogue. He kicked him in the back twice, and gave him a sweep to the head with his foot. George stumbled up, eyes blazing. He had learned from the best- he was not going to be beaten.

George tackled his enemy to the ground, holding his dagger to his throat. "You should be wishin' I felt kind right about now." He stuck the dagger in his opponent's throat, cutting off a scream.

He had killed two people in one day, and was Rogue. How was he going to live with himself?

~*~



George stood outside in the city, surveying his surroundings. He had been Rogue for three months, and it was going better than he had thought. He noticed an old woman beside him watching the King of Thieves closely. He smiled. "G'day, mistress."

The lady frowned back. "What has ye so glum, lad?"

George hid hurt feelings, looking sadly at the lady. "I still miss Emily- my true love," he said romantically, staring at the sky.

To his anger, the woman laughed. "What're ye sayin', boy?" she wheezed. "She's just over yonder!"

George jumped. "Emily? Emily is nearby?"

This made the woman laugh harder. "No, I meant your true love! She's just over there!"

George followed her long finger, not knowing what to expect. He saw a red headed lad move his pony to reveal a pretty lady in a tight dress. "Her?" George turned to ask the old woman, but she was already gone. "He shrugged, and hurried over to the woman he had seen. In his hurry, he couldn't help catching a bit of conversation. "Keep an eye to yer saddlebags," a burly man said. "There are some here as would steal their own mother's teeth!"

Geroge couldn't help but feel this comment was made to him. "Who, me?" He paused for a second, noticing the red-head on the pony. He was accompanying the older man, and looked as if he was heading to the palace- but red hair, purple eyes.

George made a promise to see that boy later- he had a strong feeling about the lad. But for now, he was to find the woman that was to be his true love.