( Chapter 4 ) .: First Encounter :.
"Here your trials will be made realities," Count Dekim said. "Your skills will be tested in the greatest possible way. Here you will hunt and capture. I hope you have prepared well, for this is the ultimate test." They stood at the entrance to a deep, enormous, dark forest.
"We have prepared," Catherine said darkly. Her eyes that were once so full of shining and light were now clouded and dark, the result of her training.
"Indeed," Relena answered with a sardonic smile. "We will bring you our captives when we have finished here."
"Then onward," the count said. "May you fly swiftly on your journey, hunters."
*~*
"Split," Sally said.
"Are you sure?" Hilde asked with a tinge of uncertainty.
"If the Black Widow says it, we'll be all right," Dorothy answered with a smirk.
"The archers will travel together," Lucretia stated. Relena nodded her assent and Hilde looked a little relieved.
"I go alone," Catherine said.
"Meet here at dusk, then. It is already late, so move quickly."
"Agreed."
*~*
Dorothy crept along. She was certainly not the quietest or the lightest on foot, but what stealth she lacked she made up for with the sword. Searching the trees and underbrush, she cursed quietly when she cracked a large branch and heard something small scurry away. She stopped dead in her tracks, trying to locate and identify the fleeing creature. While she did not hear further rustling, a different, strange sound reached her ears. Gentle strumming of crystal-clear notes. Following the beautiful strains, she happened upon a small glen. An opening high in the treetops let down golden streams of sunlight tumble down onto a strange rock, tinted-green, with a boy sitting on it. It was this boy who was meticulously strumming a golden lyre. He had his back to Dorothy. His blonde hair glinted in the sunlight, just like the reflection from his lyre. Dorothy drew her sword as gently as possible, but the blade shied against it's sheath, making a light, almost inaudible metallic noise. At this slight disturbance in the atmosphere, the boy stopped at once and, dropping the lyre lightly to his side, spun to face Dorothy. She stepped from the trees into the clearing immediately, sword drawn, only to stop again. The boy gazed at her through large, beautiful blue eyes. A deep blue, like a calm ocean, a bit darker than her own. His ears gave him away to be an elf. Dressed in a neutral, fitted tunic and darker pants. Around his neck was a cord with a single gem hanging from it, a gem the same color as his eyes. The elf's gaze traveled from her face to her weapon, and a slight disturbance appeared in his eyes when they caught hers again. As she stared into the blue pools, the gem began to glow slightly. As he continued to look at her, it lifted from his chest, as if being propelled by a strong gust of wind. His hair began to wave slightly, as if the gem was giving off some kind of energy. Dorothy gasped. There was nothing moving the jewel...?! The glow became stronger, and everything became a blur; she lost clear sight of everything but him. An overwhelming sense of tranquility overcame her, and she let her sword-bearing hand fall to her side. She closed her eyes and let the feeling wash over her. Suddenly, just as quickly as it had come, it was gone, and her eyes snapped open. As the feeling was gone, so was the boy. She cursed to herself again, but caught slight movement to her left. Spinning quickly, she saw him sprint away. Not bothering to sheath her sword, she took off after him.
*~*
The three archers moved in a triangle, watching each other's backs. They traveled slowly and stealthily. They had chosen what seemed to be the most difficult path, full of obstacles. They were forced to stop often to maneuver past fallen trees, thick underbrush, small streams, and the like. It was in the midst of helping Hilde climb over a particularly large tree trunk that Lucretia stopped in her tracks.
"Stop!" she hissed. Relena stopped and Hilde tumbled over the trunk. They stood stark still for a few moments. Lucretia relaxed slightly. "I guess it was just-" she began. An arrow very unlike her own whizzed past her head and embedded itself in a tree. All three girls drew their own arrows quick as lightning and aimed toward the treetops, scanning quickly for their opponents. Their eyes locked onto three shadowy figures standing on high branches, with arrows aimed at them.
"Lower the weapons," a deep voice called from one of the shadows. The girls backed up until they met each other.
"Scatter," Hilde said without moving her mouth. Relena and Lucretia gave the slightest grunts in agreement. On Hilde's inaudible count of three, they let their arrows fly toward the figures and ran off in three different directions. "Follow," another of the figures said to the other two. Quick as lightning, they separated to follow the girls.
*~*
Hilde vaulted a tree stump and continued running. She could hear rustling in the trees behind her, which meant that her opponent was not far behind her. She ran into a small clearing where light shone around the edges and moss grew thickly on the ground. She whirled to face her enemy and drew an arrow to her bow. She heard a gentle thump on the ground behind her and spun around to come face-to-face with an arrow aimed straight for her.
"Lower it," a cheerful voice said. Obediently, she put the arrow back in her quiver and slung her bow over her shoulder. After she had done so, she expected death. To her surprise, her attacker lowered their weapon as well. She gazed at the sight that was presented to her. A young boy, her age, with huge violet eyes and gorgeous, hip-length chestnut hair that was pulled back into a long, silky braid. Neutral-colored tunic and pants, a quiver of arrows and bow like herself. These arrows, however, were beautiful, long and seemingly hand-crafted. She noticed that the boy wore a cord with a single stone around his neck. The stone the color of her hair, a few good shades darker than his violet eyes. Forcing herself to ignore him, she slowly reached for her short swords, hoping that he wouldn't notice.
"Now that won't do," he said, eyes glinting. He placed an arrow in the bow and pulled the string, aiming for her head. He released the string and she shut her eyes, preparing herself. She felt a cold gust of air as the arrow flew by her right ear. "Thought I'd kill you?" the boy said, replacing his bow.
"I didn't know," she said with as much courage as she could muster.
"Are you princesses? Or just here for the sport of killing innocent creatures?" he asked. She scoffed.
"We're no princesses. We're here to get rid of some unnecessary vermin." She gazed around for an escape route. He caught her looking and got closer to her.
"Are you," he said smoothly. "And what 'vermin' might that be?" His face was only inches from hers, and she noticed the unusual shape of his ears.
"We're here for... elves... and dragons..." she stammered.
"Really, princess?" he asked, backing away slightly. "Elves? Like me?" She tried to regain her composure.
"Yes, like you," she stated. She noticed it was rapidly becoming time for dusk. The others would worry.
"Have to go? Hurry up then, don't want to keep your friends waiting," he said, as if reading her thoughts. She stumbled backward and stopped for a moment, not sure if he'd really let her leave. "Go on, princess," he said with a grin. "I'll see you again. You can count on that." She turned and fled the clearing, back toward the meeting spot. As she left, he picked up a small horn from a strap around his shoulder and blew it.
*~*
Relena was having her own problems. Her opponent seemed to be everywhere at once, and twice she very narrowly escaped flying arrows. She ran so quickly that she hardly had time to tell where she was going. She stumbled when she felt water around her feet. She had run right into a small stream. Turning around, she struggled for a glance at her pursuer, but none was to be found. Hearing rustling from behind her, she tried to turn but found an arm wrapped around her shoulders and a short sword held to her throat. She stood stark still.
"Trying to hunt elves, are you?" a deep voice said roughly. "Only those who pose a threat to me," she said testily. The arm released her with a shove and the sword was sheathed. She fell into the stream and sat up quickly to face her assailant. Tousled chocolate hair and deep, dark blue eyes. Jewel of sapphire around his neck, in contrast with his outfit that she guessed to be a common elven uniform. His gaze was piercing and she nearly flinched, but forced herself to meet his stare.
"You think you're brave, don't you?" he asked in a slightly more gentle tone.
"Only compared to some," she replied.* He smiled slightly and took a single arrow from his quiver. Approaching her, he lifted her chin with the arrowhead and forced her to look at him.
"I don't know whether to kill you," he said slowly, getting closer, "or kiss you." She gave a start at these sudden words. He smiled, fully this time. "You are very beautiful," he murmured, bringing his lips closer to hers. All at once, a low cry from a horn was heard clearly throughout the forest, causing some birds to scatter in the treetops. The elf looked up suddenly and backed away rapidly. "Get going," he warned. "And hurry." She did not know what danger she faced, but she sensed that she should do as she was told. However, she did not want to leave. This boy intrigued her so... "Hurry," he urged. With a spring in his step he seemed to fly back to the treetops, and with a final rustle in the leaves, he was gone. "Relena!" She shouted her name after him. Staring for only a moment longer, she turned and ran, back to the safety of her friends.
* From The Princess Bride. I love that movie! ^.^
*~*
Lucretia took her time. If it was her time to die, then so be it. She did not get the impression that this creature would kill her, however. After he had caught up to her, they both had stood, neither wanting the other to run away. They scrutinized every detail about one another. She memorized everything about him. His platinum hair that cascaded down his back, almost as long as hers had been. His piercing, icy eyes that still mysteriously held warmth and compassion. The beautiful, yellowish bauble hanging around his neck. And now he walked beside her, without weapons, without words. She broke the silence.
"Where are we walking to?"
"Their den." She shuddered. Dragons? Dens belonged to dragons, did they not? She stopped.
"I don't care for dragons," she said. "Not when they'd rather care for me as a meal." Suddenly, laughter from many small voices seemed to fill the forest. She spun around and around, trying to pinpoint the source, but to no avail.
"What is it?" she cried to him in despair. He was unaffected by the eerie laughter.
"Show yourself," he said loudly, in a commanding tone. The laughter halted.
"Wwwwhhhhyyyyyy???" a small voice hissed.
"Gremlin," Lucretia said almost silently. He turned his head and she knew that she was correct. A blackish form darted in between the trees.
"Show yourself," the elf growled. A hovering, ugly creature appeared in front of him. Black, bumpy, leathery skin and tiny, evil, dark eyes made Lucretia dread the creature at once. "What do you want," the elf said. A statement, not a question.
"Yyyoouurr ccoommmppppaannniioonnn..." the creature hissed again. It turned to her, locked eyes, and she found herself unable to move. Filled with fright, she trembled.
"Help..." she found herself asking weakly.
"Stop it," the elven man snarled at the gremlin. Lucretia felt as if a hand was probing at her mind.
"Help!" she cried, more fearful than before.
"I said STOP!" the elf cried, drawing a sword and slashing at the Gremlin. The creature disappeared, but the invading force still remained in Lucretia's head.
"He's... still... there!" she whimpered. The man looked anxious.
"Don't worry, I can help," he said as soothingly. The brilliant gem around his neck shone and, as if by some invisible hand, gravitated toward the trembling huntress. Slowly but steadily, she felt the invading presence fade away from her mind and the gem once again became like a regular jewel. "You must make it back to your friends," he said. Seeing her confusion, he touched the gem and added, "I had to reach into your mind, Lucretia. To rid it of him." She understood. "I will go quickly," she said. Turning and starting away, a question occurred to her. "Will I see you again?" she asked, catching his eyes. He nodded.
"We know where you are," he said. It was not meant as a threat, it felt strangely reassuring. "Be wary, Lucretia," he cautioned as they parted ways. "As we know, so do the Gremlins."
*~*
Catherine stole through the shadows, a technique she had picked up during training. She had even tested it on her friends, none of whom had seen or sensed her coming. She had a clear view of everything around her, but nothing could see her. She heard something small scurry through a bush to her left, but ignored it, finding to be a rabbit. She still had regrets about agreeing to harm innocent creatures, troublesome or not... She froze, hearing soft whispers from somewhere nearby. She approached a place where the trees thinned and a small entrance could be seen, almost like a cave. 'Or a den,' she thought. She ducked behind a tree as the voices grew louder.
"I'm sure she didn't mean harm," a gently, peaceful voice said. It was sweet, like honey.
"Still, be careful Quatre," another voice, slightly deeper, replied. Two boys walked into view. One blonde, who had spoken first. The second speaker was a taller boy, brown hair and stunning green eyes. She knew at once that they were elves and therefore her 'prey', but the young girl in her came out and she wanted to listen to their conversation.
"I will," the blonde promised. The brunette fingered the gorgeous emerald around his neck idly. "Are you going to play for Adriel, Trowa?" the blonde asked with a genuine smile. Trowa returned the smile.
"Yes, today I will. Mytrica, also, if it is present. Are you staying to listen?"
"No, I must check these disturbances in the wood. The dwarves become very protective of their territory, you know," Quatre said with a sigh. With another smile, he set off lightly and exited the clearing of the den entrance into the wood. Trowa stood, leaning against the slightly rocky entrance to the cave and produced a set of pipes from the sack around his waist. Placing them to his lips, he began to play. It was the most beautiful music Catherine had ever heard. Smooth, strong, clear, and flowing notes flowed from the pipes as if they were an extension of the elf boy's very self. As she watched, a pair of eyes, glowing like embers, appeared in the cave. The boy stopped playing for a moment.
"Adriel," he called soothingly. "Come out, I will play for you." He resumed playing the sweet, haunting melody. Catherine looked on as a dazzling crimson dragon appeared from within the cave. It lowered its massive head right next to the boy and looked at him with an eye that was bigger than Catherine's entire body. As the dragon listened, Catherine heard disturbances in the leaves to her right. She resisted the urge to spin and grab her weapon as she had been taught, knowing that doing so would result in both boy and dragon disappearing into the wood.
'Either that,' she gulped, 'or she would turn out to be lunch for a dragon.' Trowa stopped again and smiled without removing the pipes very far from his mouth.
"Mytrica is here as well!" he said, obviously pleased. He resumed the song once more. An absolutely breathtaking silver unicorn pranced into the clearing. Its horn glittered with all the iridescent colors of the rainbow after a morning mist, and it gave off a shimmering aura that made the trees brighter and flowers seem to flourish as it walked by. Catherine drew in her breath, then clapped a hand over her mouth, realizing that she was making too much noise. At this disturbance, Trowa stopped playing and his eyes turned colder. His eyes fixed on the shadows in which she was hidden. "Adriel," he said sternly. "Vanish." The dragon immediately seemed to almost melt into itself as it retreated to the depths of its den. "Who's there?" the boy called, putting the pipes away and advancing slightly forward. She made no sound, not even dared to breathe. "Who's there?" he asked again. He drew a small sword and she reacted instantly. Pulling a dagger, she armed herself and pulled an arm back. Even before she released the dagger she regretted it and found herself crying out.
"Move! Hurry!" His reaction was swift, but her knife flew faster. It pinned his tunic, next to his abdomen, to a nearby tree. She rushed from the shadows, proclaiming her apologies. He simply put a hand to the hilt of the dagger and pulled it from the tree and his tunic. He offered it back to her as she ran toward him. She stopped. "Wha... what?" she asked in pure confusion. She gasped as she saw a smear of blood on the blade. "You're hurt!" she cried.
"So I am," he said calmly, his eyes showing more amusement than pain or anger. He gently pulled the tunic off and she saw the shallow slice.
"I'm so sorry," she said again, gazing at the ground.
"Not a problem," he replied with a slight smile. "Mytrica, your services?" The unicorn huffed and trotted to his side. Touching the wound with the horn produced a bright flash of light that caused Catherine to flinch and turn away. When she turned back, the slash had completely vanished. "You are here to hunt us," he said to her, placing a hand on the unicorn's back and stroking it slowly.
"I was... I mean, I am," she said, trying to sound confident.
"You do not sound very sure of your cause," he said, reaching with his other hand to take one of hers. She looked at him with startled eyes, to meet his own laughing ones. He placed her hand on the unicorn's sparkling mane. "It loves its hair to be played with," he said in a light tone. She stroked the mane gently, almost afraid it would vanish under her touch.
"You have a marvelous way with them," she said softly. "My... Mytrica and the dragon, Ad...?"
"Adriel," he supplied. "There is no reason to fear Adriel," he added. "I tamed her when she was a newborn. Her mother died at birth." Catherine's heart instantly softened for the poor creature. "As long as your intentions are pure and you move quietly and slowly, dragons will trust you." He smiled. "May I ask your name, or is that to be kept secret?" She actually smiled.
"Catherine..." she answered quietly, wondering why she was conversing and acting so freely with an elf. "Catherine Bloom." She wondered if she would regret telling him.
"A beautiful name," he said. Then he looked up. "Dusk is falling. Do you have shelter? Dwarves and goblins roam freely at night."
"I am here with others," she said honestly. "We will find shelter that is safe, I'm sure. But I must leave to meet with them again."
"Then go, Catherine Bloom," he said with another of his smiles. He lightly tapped Mytrica on the flanks and set it prancing off into the wood, whinnying a farewell.
"May I come here again?" she asked. "I... I would like to see Mytrica again, and to hear you play once more."
"Yes. Come here whenever you wish, so long as your heart remains as pure as it is now." He turned with a final smile and vanished into the thick trees, leaving Catherine to stare and take her leave.
*~*
Sally walked along. What did she care of being quiet? Anything that found her and threatened her would fall at her hand. She had taken to wearing all black, to fit the nickname her swordfighting teacher had given her and used so often.
'I am invincible,' she thought as she strode through the woods. She was so caught up in her own thoughts that she walked over a rocky part of the ground. She heard running water and a slight splashing sound. Curious, she ventured toward the sound. 'Perhaps I shall stumble onto a dwelling of elves,' she thought, 'or a dragon's den, or even a cave of dwarves!' She began to get excited. She was disappointed to merely find a rocky ledge with a waterfall to her right. Throwing her other thoughts away, she walked closer to the waterfall and stood at the edge of the rocky balcony, sword drawn at her side and hair blowing in the breeze off the water.
'She almost looks beautiful,' he thought. 'But she is not here with kind intentions. I will do my duty.'
'Anthony...' her thoughts wandered to him. 'Why did I have to lose him?' A lone tear joined the cascading waterfall on its long descent to the jagged shore below. 'I will fight to make him proud,' she decided. Looking down, she realized that she was quite farther away from the level water than she had thought. Her fear of extreme heights came rushing back to her, and she stepped a good deal away from the edge. A sudden feeling came over her, as if she was being watched. She whipped around instantly and scanned the area, but there was no one to be found. Still suspicious, she turned back to the waterfall, to find herself staring up the blade of a sword. A boy with jet-black hair and eyes to match stared back at her from the other side. His light tunic was in utter contrast with her black attire, and the ruby around his neck glittered like a droplet falling from the setting sun. 'An elf,' she cursed. She began to raise her sword slowly.
"I wouldn't," he said. "You are at a disadvantage. You do not know who you are fighting."
"Then would you tell me?" she asked sarcastically. She was in no mood for jest. This seemed to satisfy him and he smirked slightly.
"I am Chang Wufei," he said haughtily. "Greatest swordsman of any these parts."
'Wufei?!' she gave a start. Words came rushing back to her. Me... Merian... My... Wufei... 'Was he...??'
"What troubles you, woman?" he asked with a tone of annoyance. "Afraid of your death? Then you should not have come here to do damage." Her eyes flashed.
"And what could you do? You're nothing but a boy. Lord Dermail has already captured all the women and girls of your kind; it is only a matter of time before you, too are dealt with." The boy laughed.
"He may have captured the women, but he will never take the men. Besides, day after tomorrow, all the women will be free. Merian and I will slaughter this 'lord' of yours, and we will live peacefully. In fact, we may as well slaughter all of your kind, for humans would be better off dead. Merian said that once, before she was so rudely taken." Humans would be better off dead. A picture of Anthony flashed before her in an instant and she boiled over with anger.
"I do not think your Merian would say that now, if she was alive," she hissed at him. His eyes grew wide and he pressed the cold, metal tip of the blade to her neck.
"You lie," he said huskily. "YOU LIE!" he cried, bringing his sword down and within inches of her chest. The metal connected with the rocky ground and he stared into her eyes.
"I do not lie," she said. "She was killed at a conference, during trials. I was present to see her slaughtered." He visibly fought to keep himself under control.
"Fight me," he said falteringly. She immediately raised her sword. He would get his fight. Their swords touched. A crystal clear note came wafting over the waterfall and reached their ears. He glared at the area from which the sound came. "We will finish this." She nodded with a small smirk. At least he knew the importance of a real fight. Maybe he was a warrior.
"I am known as the Black Widow," she said proudly. But when had she become proud to be a killer? Never tell your name to an enemy, Treize had said. She took a breath. "But my name is Sally Po." 'Why?' she asked herself. He understood. "I will meet you again, Black Widow," he said. Retreating to the edge of the rocks, he sprung to the opposite bank and was gone.
"We will fight, Wufei," she said aloud. "And I will win."
:. *~*~* .:
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