Disclaimed

Warning: I am in a dramatic mood right now; I've been watching the Buffy the Vampire Slayer first season for the past several hours, and I just finished a book about a mummy terrorizing Toronto and taking over the Candian police forces! BEWARE!!

A/N: Hello hello, sit ye 'round the fire and I'll tell ye a tale, a tale of romance and action and friendship and hate, a tale of such multitude that ye may need a cup of cocoa to see ye through… Now, to get back to the tale:

Chapter Nine: Walking in the Woods

"Dad? Mom?" Aravian called as she walked across the living room. Her parents were in the kitchen, talking. Everyone else had gone home.

Her mother stuck her head out. "Yeah, hon?"

"I'm going for a walk, alright?"

"Sure." Surreal's head disappeared back into the kitchen. Aravian heard a low laugh that sounded almost like a giggle. She shuddered, she did not want to know what they were doing in there.

The night air was crisp on her skin. It wouldn't be long until it snowed now. Avaesel lay curled up by the door, contentedly taking a cat-nap, so she decided not to wake him and started walked down to the woods.

She wandered through the trees, enjoying the cool beauty of the moonlight gilding the leaves in silver. She loved the woods around the eyrie, and tried to walk through them several times every fall. Her schedule was tight, with time with her father, running around everyday to make Craft lessons at the Hall, time with Luthar, practice with Lucivar (she rarely referred the adults as "Uncle" and "Aunt" anymore), and time with Avaesel. It's nice, she thought, to be alone for a change.

Pausing, she laid a hand against the bark of a tree, a birch. She loved birch trees, but there were so few in this forest, and only deep in the woods where she was. They reminded her of her mother's side of the family, the Dea al Mon. Her mother had taken her to spend a week with Gabrielle and Chaosti when she was little, but she didn't remember much. But she did remember the birch trees, the way the pale Dea al Mon blended in with them in the night and seemed to appear, like magic, not even sounds to betray them, their footfall was so light.

She stroked the smooth surface and walked on, leaving the ethereal tree to stand alone among the darker, more regular vegetation.

She heard a rustling sound to her left and behind. She called in a stiletto, just the way her mother taught her to, and slipped between the branches of a pine tree.

It was probably just an animal, but it was better to feel foolish than be in trouble.

She didn't feel foolish when Calvar stumbled into view, being hissed at by Menar.

"What is wrong with you?!" Menar's voice was quiet enough that Aravian wouldn't have heard it if she hadn't been listening. "With those ears, that girl probably heard you coming! Be careful!"

"You sure she doesn't have that monster with her?"

"I'm sure! I saw her go into the woods and the cat was still asleep!"

She heard Yorinar then, though he was still out of her view from the branches, "Shut up, both of you! Are you both stupid? Use spear threads!" He was just as quiet as Menar when he said it.

Too late. I know you're here, assholes. Too bad you don't all have brains, she thought with venomous amusement.

She felt movement in the branches a moment before an arm snaked around her waist. Her startled cry was cut off by a large hand over her mouth. Training kicked in, and she jammed an elbow back, relishing the soft thud and grunt that followed. As she twisted the knife in her grip the arm on her waist slammed her against the tree. In the moment of confusion after the breath was knocked from her, her knife was jerked from her grip.

It had happened in less than a few seconds.

A cold voice hissed in her ear, "You're such a pale bitch, half-breed, you reflect so much I could have found you if you'd been at the top of the tree."

I am so stupid. I never even heard Ravar.

She tried get him with her elbow again, but he moved and shifted his arm so that, after a moment of struggling, her arms were securely trapped to her sides

He dragged her out of tree, into plain sight of his friends. They looked caught between malicious glee and resentful embarrassment. Menar, at least, flashed her a vicious smile.

She felt anger starting to boil up in her. She stomped down on Ravar's foot, at the same time biting down hard on his hand over her mouth. He hissed in pain and shoved her forward, right into Calvar's grasp.

She let every muscle in her body go loose, so Calvar had to support her full weight or drop her. He fumbled and she hit the ground, rolling away. She stood, a tree at her back and her face to her opponents.

It had taken her a long time to learn that while she was one of the best in the practice ring, four against one in a real attack could beat her. They were looking especially violent tonight. She refused to run, but she refused to go down without giving them some trouble.

They were making a semicircle around her, but they stayed out of reach. They'd learned too. Ravar didn't join the semicircle, watching it all with an amused look. Bastard.

"We didn't like that kitten of yours, half-breed." Yorinar was grinding one fist into his palm as he said it.

"Too afraid to take us yourself? You'd think you'd have enough Eyrian in you not to send a cat out for you."

"She's barely Eyrian at all, look at her! White little cunt." He threw a stone at her. He didn't like it when she dodged easily.

By the time Yorinar and Calvar had her strung between them so that Menar could just beat her without retaliation, she had a split lip, an eye swollen shut, blood in her mouth, and she strongly suspected her collarbone was broken. She could feel bruises blossoming with every punch Menar landed on her; her ribs wouldn't take the abuse much longer. They must have been really angry that time; usually they were very careful to make sure there were no marks on her face or arms.

Ravar still stood, his arms crossed, looking sadistically entertained.

She lashed out with her foot, catching Menar across the head. He went down, apparently unconscious. Calvar twisted her arm behind her, and while Yorinar's punch landed square in her jaw her free fist connected with his groin. He let go of her with a little moan, and she dealt the same blow to Yorinar. He too went down.

She started to run, but Calvar managed to grab her ankle and she went down, unable to catch herself with a roll without damaging her wings. Her head smacked the uplifted root of a tree and she saw stars.

On the edge of her consciousness, she sensed Avaesel getting up at home, suddenly aware of what was happening to her. He took off towards the woods running.

Black shapes swam across her vision as a hand lifted her up easily. It turned her, her eyes clearing up enough to see that Calvar and Yorinar were getting up, tenderly, but with storms in their faces. It was Ravar that had picked her up.

His large hand circled her throat, and he slammed her against the tree. She didn't have the motor skills just yet to absorb the shock, and her head banged against the wood with a sickening, wet sounding crack.

Ravar's smile looked painfully tight. "I think you hurt my friend there, half-breed." He backhanded her, one hand still around her throat. He gripped just enough so she had to gasp to breath. It was getting hard with blood filling her mouth. "I wonder…" his free hand trailed down her shirt. She was getting a very bad feeling in her stomach, other than the nausea she'd had since her head hit the tree. She couldn't move her wings like this… "Is the rest of you as pale as what we can see?" His hand was going up her shirt now.

She spit her mouthful of blood right in his face.

He didn't jump, or let go as she'd hoped. The hand on her throat tightened until she was choking and coughing.

She still couldn't move her wings. Her blood was being replaced with panic. Ravar's hand was moving farther in her shirt.

*AVAESEL!!!* He was weaving through the trees, feeling her panic, his size a hindrance in the dense forest.

Ravar's hand twisted her breast painfully.

*LUTHAR!!!*

~~~~

Luthar slipped in the shower, hearing Aravian's call. She sounded panicked, angry, but worst, afraid. Deathly afraid. He scrambled out of the shower, not bothering to turn it off or grab a towel. *Aravian?!?!* He pulled on a pair of pants. There was no response. *ARAVIAN!*

He ran out of the house, wet and frantic, with no clue as to what had happened to her. He ignored his brother behind him, asking him what was wrong.

*Avaesel?!*

The Arcerian sent him an image of the trees.

Luthar took off running, Elasia shut in the house behind him and barking madly. He heard his brother's footsteps behind him, then his hand jerking him around to face him.

"What the fuck is wrong?! Where are you going?"

Luthar snarled at his brother, "Darkness damn you, let me go, Aravian's in trouble!"

His brother's dark brows drew together. "What do you mean 'in trouble?'"

"Ask Avaesel!"

A moment later, the two brothers running through the woods, following the feelings Avaesel sent them, for once in perfect agreement.

Ravar looked up, hearing the enraged yowl of a very angry animal. The half-breed sagged against the tree, blood trailing down her face and matting her hair. He'd not even gotten her shirt off, but he knew trouble when he heard it.

"Pick him up!" he snarled at Calvar and Yorinar. Menar was still on the ground. The bitch had really gotten him good. He himself had a long bloody scratch down his cheek where she'd tried to claw his eyes, and she'd nearly gotten him with her snaketooth when he'd been paying attention to other things.

He really wanted her to pay for those. He wanted her to pay for her power when she should have been drowned at birth, for being another half-breed when they already had to be ruled by one. For everything.

~~~

Yorinar threw a nervous glance behind him as they made their retreat. She was just a prone figure slumped at the bottom of the tree, and he could hear others crashing through the brush, still way off but coming. He looked at Ravar as they continued on. "We're not gonna get away with this one, Ravar."

He just snarled at him.

"Ravar, I'm serious! We messed her up bad this time, we're in real trouble."

Ravar turned, spitting words in his face. "So what?! You want to go turn yourself in, fine go ahead! But I'm done with this, I'm not gonna live someplace with a disgrace like that, and I'm definitely not going to answer to a half-breed any more! There's a web landing up ahead, and I'm leaving." His glance took in both of them that time. "You coming, or are you two going to be pussies and wait for some half-breed to punish you?"

Blindly, they followed him.

~~~

Aravian stared at the ground, relearning how to breath. A few tears leaked out between her eyes, though she fought back the whimper of relief that wanted to escape her throat. Black shapes still sloshed in front of her eyes, and every time she moved another burst of pain shot through her skull. Trying to stand, she fell to her knees and retched until nothing was left in her. She felt like her bones were trying to slide off of her head.

She managed to crawl away from her vomit before falling into the blessedly cool leaves, thanking Mother Night for the clean smell they wrapped her in. She swallowed, then winced when that brought another wave of fire to course along her skin. She decided absolutely no movement was the best course of action.

It felt like an eternity before she was dimly aware of Avaesel skidding to a halt in front of her.

~~~

Luthar and Daemonar slid in just moments after the huge cat. Avaesel growled at them a little, protective feelings telling him to stay with Aravian and hunters instincts telling him to catch and kill those who'd hurt her. His tail lashed with the aggressive inner war.

*She needs help,* he sent to Luthar. In this situation, Luthar was the only other than himself he really trusted.

Luthar nodded, and forced himself away from the killing edge. It seemed more agreement than just that had been reached, because Avaesel tore off and the brothers knelt down by Aravian.

It was an effort, on both parts, to keep from rising to the killing edge again when they saw what had been done to her.

"Ara?" Luthar's voice was very soft as he peered at her face.

She cracked an eye open, shutting it again with a groan. Luthar felt relief flood him that she was at least awake.

Daemonar's lips were tight. "Ara, how do you feel?"

"How do you fucking think I feel?"

"Come on…" Daemonar and Luthar picked her up between them, careful not to jostle her. Even as it was she moaned and whimpered. Daemonar used a bit of Craft to put her to sleep.

The brothers wore identical expressions on their faces. They promised a painful end for those who'd dared hurt her.

"Let's get her back to Falonar's."

~~~

Surreal sat up in bed. Falonar groaned sleepily next to her, tugging on her arm. "Don't get up yet… it's not-" a wide yawn "-morning."

Surreal looked around, unease curling inside her. She believed in her instincts, and got out of the bed to pull on a pair of pants and shirt.

Falonar rubbed his eyes, sitting up. He blinked, then looked at her face. His immediately became intent. "What's wrong?"

Surreal was already heading out the bedroom door. "I don't know… something feels not right."

Falonar stumbled after her, pulling on a pair of pants. "Wha'd ya mean, 'not right?'"

"I don't know!" She looked out the window then turned back to him, her dark hair tucked behind pointed ears. Her mouth was pinched tightly. "I think something's wrong with Aravian."

Falonar felt a tightness in his chest. "How do you know?" He refused to believe it.

"Just listen!" She threw her hands in the air and started making a circuit of the place.

Falonar paused but couldn't hear anything but the hard pounding of his heart. "I don't hear anything."

Surreal's teeth were bared as she pointlessly looked around Aravian's room. "Avaesel's not outside, he was when she left, and she's not back yet." She gritted her teeth. "Can't you just feel it?"

"No." He didn't want to believe the fear in his gut.

"Call it maternal instinct then," she snarled at him. He followed her as she stormed out the front door.

Both of them came up short as they saw Luthar and Daemonar heading out of the woods, a limp figure between them.

~~~

Aravian spent the next two days in bed, being Healed by Jaenelle. She said there'd be no lasting damage, had made her drink a concoction that tasted like exotic fruit, and put healing salve on her bruises. She'd fractured her skull, broken her collarbone, nearly shattered her jaw, bruised a number of ribs and had a purple necklace imprinted on the flesh of her throat. It hurt to swallow. She was swollen in places she hadn't known could swell. Her mother, of course, stayed, and was more attentive to Aravian than she'd been since she was a small child.

Avaesel hadn't been able to catch Aravian's tormenters, and he and Luthar were closemouthed about it until they could speak with Aravian. Jaenelle, although just as angry about the abuse as all the others, wouldn't let anyone ask her anything until the second day. She didn't mention to anyone the bruises on Ara's chest that bore resemblance to a hand.

Luthar sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her now yellowish face. Avaesel hadn't left her side since he'd returned from his hunt, and his huge head was resting in her lap. His eyes were closed, but they both knew he was very intent on this conversation. She stroked the soft fur of his ears absently as she waited for Luthar to speak.

"It was them again, wasn't it?"

Aravian nodded.

His fists gripped the bedspread. "Are you going to tell them now? Tell everyone what's been happening?"

She looked at him pleadingly. "No," she croaked.

"Hell's fire, Aravian!" He slammed a fist into the bed. She jumped, looking from his fist to his face with near alarm. "Why not? What would they have done, would they have killed you if we hadn't arrived?" He stood, and she realized that he really was quite tall, even if he was skinny. "I don't care what you say, this time, I'll tell them." He turned.

Aravian made a protesting whimper, and he paused. "Luthar… wait… you-don't," she was wracked by coughing.

He turned back to her. "I don't what?"

Aravian held out a hand to him, giving him an imploring look. He took her hand and sat back down reluctantly.

*You don't understand what I'm saying. I'll tell them the names. I want revenge.* she sounded angry in his head. *But I don't want everyone to know this has been happening for years…* Luthar looked hesitant. She squeezed his hand. *Please, Luthar, please just leave me a bit of dignity.* She bit her lip and winced.

Luthar looked down at Avaesels head. *What do you think?* he sent on a spear thread.

Blue gold eyes rolled up to him. *Either way, we catch these bad ones.* His tail lashed on the floor. *It doesn't matter how much the others know. We know, we will take the revenge with her.*

Luthar looked up to meet Aravian's darker eyes. "Alright," he agreed, "Can I go tell them you gave me the names?"

Aravian nodded, sitting back on the pillows looking lightened. She fell asleep as he closed the door behind him.

Out in the main room, his mother, father, brother, grandfather, Aunt Jaenelle and Uncle Daemon, with two of their three children Nickolaes and Lucivia, along with Surreal, Falonar, and Gabrielle and Chaosti. Everyone else who'd wanted to visit had been told, nicely, to go home, they could visit later or see her in two months at Winsol.

His announcement was met with the fierce smiles of seven very angry Warlord Princes five equally angry witches.

Ravar, in his opinion, didn't stand a chance.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Okay, what did you think? The easiest way to tell me is in a review ;)

I hope the 'action scene' wasn't too bad, I've never really tried to write one before.

And the THANK YOU's:

Skie: Lol, your reviews always afford me a chuckle. They're a highlight of my day. **tries to decide if that means she has a pitiful life** Whatever ;) Thanks for always reviewing, it means a lot. J

Alanna Roseguard: Sorry, there wasn't much Nickolaes in this chapter… although I did mention him at the end! I hope this chapter was good despite his absence ;) It's good he's your favorite… mwuhahahaha, you're gonna love chapter… oh, I'm thinking 13 or 14… **lots of evil chuckles**

Keesha: 'Bated breath,' huh? I love it when people say things like that! Thanks for reviewing!

Kapies: **looks wide-eyed innocent** You say this like I'm some kind of sadistic fiend! **evil chuckle** Lol, my apologies, but I will only be posting one chapter at a time J I post a chapter as soon as I write it, so there will (unfortunately) be a wait between each chapter, because I don't have some kind of stockpile of my chapters… although I have written a few of the later, very fun chapters **looks fiendishly evil** Thank you for the review!

Lady Amethyst: I hate it when that happens! Err… this chapter wasn't so funny, I hope you like drama/action too… But don't worry! Funny will return in abundance later on… along with the drama J

Goddessnmb1: Yea, long review! 'guilty people write fast?!' Why you manipulative little thing! Lol. But you're right. Glad to see encouragement for the ficlet, I think I will write it, but don't expect it for awhile, just to warn you. Good to see someone noted that Ravar was not stupid; I'm opposed to the idea that all bullies are stupid, so this one's not. You may have noticed in this chapter that some of his friends are less intelligent, because I do realize a group of bullies is not a group of rocket scientists… I hope that came across in the chapter. And as for things 'developing' between Luthar and Aravian… mwuhahaha!! Wait and see!! **skips away looking evil**

Blue Lady: Great that you like the story but um… just to warn you, this is going to be a LONG fic. So far I've outlined pretty definitely 23 chapters, and that doesn't get all the way through the plot, so… erm **nervous chuckle** Anyway, I just wanted to warn you, and thanks for the review!

Starlight: Thank you, Starlight! BTW, I love your pen name, it's so fun. J I'm flattered by your review, thanks for taking the time!

Angelajria Knight: I actually live on the north shore, but unless they're from around here for most people it's just easier to say Chicago. Are you another Chicagoan?? Thanks for reviewing!

Talia: Well, you got your wish! Ball-kicking in this chapter included especially for you ;) Thank you so much for everything you said in your review, you've got no idea how great that all makes me feel J