A.N. Hello. I'm back again, putting this up instead of doing my assignment on communication. Whoops. But I'm in a good mood because I got to watch the mighty ducks so watch out for an update of my other fic soon since I got more inspiration for it. One whole month until Lord of the Rings: Return of the King is out. I can't wait. Anyway I want to shout out to all those who reviewed, after Z.D. guided them here, though I'm very pleased she did. So to my reviewers well here we go:
Azn*Pyro*Arcada: I'm glad you like this chapter. It means a hell of a lot to me that authoresses who's work I admire and enjoy can find the same pleasure from my work. It makes me happy and gives me the encouragement to keep writing.
ChibiTari: Bryan is EVIL!!!! Evil I tell you!! *Gems slams hand over mouth* Ephil, mmpf *throws Gems into corner* Ok, over that now. I'm glad I got Yami in character. She's really cool and I really think her and Johnny make the cutest couple. Hurry up with the next chapter Tari!
Rayne-Neko-Punk: Language is mostly Irish. I use Irish a lot in my fics. If I get stuck Zadien translates for me since she got an 'A' in Ordinary Irish so she's good at it. But we learn Irish in school though it's pointless since only 15% (probably less) speak Irish in Ireland. I'm glad you like this fic. I like writing it.
Yin: I love Enrique, he's always cheerful but sometimes really stupid and all you want to do is either hit him on the upside of his head, or hug him. He's just that cute. But unfortunately Enrique really doesn't get a good deal here in this chapter. And Bryan and Voltaire are pretty damn evil!!! *holds fingers in sign of cross*
ChRiSTiZ: WAI!! You gave me such a nice long review. I love long reviews, they're just so much better than reading two words like 'Update soon'. I mean; hello I just updated, the least they could do is say something about the bloody chapter to show me they read it instead of skimming to the bottom. And how do you respond to such a review? Anyway back to your review. I have to make the chapters long because this story is going to be very long and very twisty. It's gonna be complex because Z.D. and I came up with the whole plot one night and it took us roughly most of the night, so um, yeah it's gonna get strange. But I like the whole deal. Sonia isn't exactly sick as such, it's just Amber doesn't really know what's wrong and has just interpreted it wrong because she's too wrapped up in her own problems. Yeesh I just wrote alot.
Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade, and Kai's eyes are not blue, they are brown and Tyson should not have Kai's eyes. Zadien owns Amber, Tari owns Miyami. And I own Sonia. She's having a baby, but not in my fic. I repeat not in any of my fics. Talk to another author about that one. Heheheh!
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Destroying my spirit, stealing my heart.
By: Spitfire_Sae
Chapter Three: Torture
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She wandered down the earthen street, her silver hair tucked under a hat and her slender body disguised by a bulky coat. Her feminine looks were hidden from view; so to many people she'd resemble a simple peasant boy; or that was the look she was going for. She glanced down another alley and groaned.
"I'm so lost!", the former Princess Miyami Kinomiya muttered.
A snigger behind her made her realize she wasn't alone and still it made her feel that she was more alone. Where was her family? How could they leave her? Here alone amongst these people who she didn't know, never mind understand. It was insensitive, and neglecting their responsibilities; namely her. She whirled round as someone sniggered again. She managed to muffle a scream and keep her fist down as she found her self face to wrinkled dirty face with one of the Kanites. He had extremely bad B.O. and dirt was smeared over his face, nothing a bath couldn't cure, but that was something these people never seemed to participate in. She wrinkled her nose in distaste.
"Real purdy mace, ye got there, buoy!"
Miyami clutched her weapon tighter. Never mind this mans B.O., what about his breath? Toothpaste was invented millenniums ago, and this guy was, gross!! He had never been to the dentist either by the looks of it. His teeth were rotten, and yellowish brown. He reached out his stained hand with those thick long curled nails to touch her face. She jumped back immediately taking up her fighting stance. The man shrank back a little, then jeered on by his companions moved closer.
'Please do not make me do this?', she prayed. If she fought, the news would get back to the Baron and her cover would be ruined and then the Baron would catch up with them and kill her and even worse kill her father. So instead of fighting she turned and fled down the alley.
She kept running till, she rounded the corner. She slowed to a walk and moved down Tavern street, always looking over her shoulder for Demolition Boys, Bio-volt soldiers, and stupid old men who were after a quick fix. She shuddered. A noise behind her had her looking over her shoulder so that she didn't see the man backing out of the Tavern, until she had collided with him.
Johnny McGregor looked round annoyed at the person who had knocked him down. Fair enough he had been the person in the wrong, but he wouldn't admit that, as far as he was concerned the person should have been looking where it was going. He stared at the Kid fixing his scarf round his face. The boy couldn't have been more than 14, he supposed, probably younger, he was too thin to be older even though the clothes gave him bulk. The eyes were a brilliant silver set in alabaster skin. There was fear in those eyes, fear and anger and something else he could fathom, but something in them made something in him awaken and respond. Startled by his reaction and scared he backed away from the kid and covered his fear with Anger and defence.
"Would you watch where you're wandering kid!"
The anger in the boys eyes flared and a muffled reply came from behind the scarf. Johnny couldn't help the smile that played on his lips, obviously the kid had meant to insult him but the scarf had been wrapped so tightly around his face that it couldn't be heard. The kid had noticed it too as just above the scarf a tinge of red had come into the kids skin, a startling contrast to the paleness of his complexion.
"Care to say that again?"
The eyes turned crimson with anger, but instead of taking off his scarf, he moved his hand and the mace that Johnny hadn't seen knocked him off his feet onto the ground with a thud. Now the kid was laughing, he could see it in the quick shakes of the kids skinny shoulders 'Not for long', Johnny thought as he flipped himself to his feet. Before he could swing for the boy another person was thrown out of the Tavern and into Johnny. Johnny was knocked into the boy, who ended up crushed under him. The silver eyes widened. And suddenly Johnny knew why. The clothes may have made the boy look bigger but it wasn't thick enough to hide to two soft mounds on the kids chest.
"Some boy!", Johnny muttered, a smile tugged the corners of his mouth.
The kids eyes had a hint of terror in them. Johnny pulled the scarf and hat roughly off the boy, and stood staring at the young woman pressed beneath him. She was incredibly beautiful. The eyes had been an amazing contrast to the skin like molten silver pools framed by alabaster, but the lips and hair complimented the picture indeed. A small mouth with lips like rubies and her hair was long straight as an arrow and copper. Her nose was small and buttonish, which was set off by the sharpness off her finely sculpted cheek bones, her silvery blue eyebrows were high and arched creating a nice outline for her eyes, and her chin showed a hint of stubbornness. There was now a suggestion of blush just a long the cheekbones which made her look more alive, so her skin wasn't pure white, and just as well, Johnny thought, otherwise she mightn't look real. The over all effect was startling and striking and reminded him some what of a canine.
He stepped back to get a full view of her. The clothes hid much of her and were definitely not flattering, but he could imagine. He could see legs encased in black, shapely and long, and he imagined the rest of her was pretty similar. His eyes averted back to hers, and the initial shock he'd seen before had turned to anger, while his awe turned to amusement. The smiled spread across his face slow and satisfied.
"What?", her voice gruff, still stuck in the male role.
At least he hoped that she was still pretending, that voice wasn't suited to her beauty, it would ruin the whole effect of the silverlocks. He coughed back a laugh at his little pun.
"Now why would such a attractive thing as yourself, go and pretend to be a boy?"
"I am a boy!", she stated, still in the male role.
He laughed. "Maybe you should look in a mirror. Now answer the question."
"Why pretend to be a boy? So I can be insulted and ordered about by jerks like yourself."
He was too busy marveling at her voice to be insulted. It was like cream over coffee, as though the sleep hadn't be completely cleared out of it, sultry, soft and low with a feminine lilt on some of the words.
Her eye brows raised as he continued to gaze at her.
"Hey, you still alive in there?"
Embarrassed at being caught out, he thought back on how she had knocked him to the ground and then launched his attack.
"Yeah, maybe it was that knock to the ground that wiped my concentration."
"Oh sorry, did I give you a brain hemorrhage?", she asked scathingly.
Beautiful and witty, things weren't going so bad.
"So what were you trying to say after you knocked into me? It sounded a little muffled."
Her cheeks bloomed pink, but the anger remained.
"I did not knock into you. You were walking backwards out of a tavern. Probably drunk or something!", she muttered more to herself as she wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"I resent that. I do not drink. I merely had business with the management of this fine establishment. So are you going to introduce yourself?"
"Why should I?", she retorted.
He blinked at her.
"Fine, I'm Yami!"
"You do realize that if you were to fake a name, a female name may be more believable."
"Yes, I do realize that but I am bored of this conversation. I have to go."
Shocked at her leaving so quickly, Johnny grasped for something to keep her there.
"Are you here with anyone?"
"I do not see how that is any of your business?"
"No but I'm interested."
"NO, no I am here on my own."
He didn't believe her but saying so would only make her leave so he said nothing. Except: "Here is a piece of advise, you are too pretty to be disguised as a boy, try changing your hair colour or something else."
She shook her head. "I cannot do that!"
She turned away, just as a pair of soldiers turned down the alley. She grabbed Johnny and hauled him into the side alley, till the Vestites marched past. Johnny turned to her.
"So your hiding from soldiers, more importantly, the Barons soldiers. Hmm!", time for a little
black mail he believed, "Tell me your name and I won't tell the soldiers that you were here."
She stared at him. "No, you'll just tell them anyway if you knew my name."
He gazed at her, his violet eyes tracing the line of her features. She felt very uncomfortable with this man, especially when he had seemed to be undressing her with his eyes. Not that he wasn't good looking but she really didn't want to be near him alone. Though he was incredibly handsome that couldn't be denied. He had flamed shaped red hair, it was the first thing you noticed about him, that and his eyes, a deep and clear violet. They were set in cream skin which was unblemished and smooth, but his features were strong and masculine. There was a light in his eyes that suggested he was cavalier and audacious. She wondered was he any good with the daggers, she had wanted to learn how to shoot, but her father had decided that with a daggers she wouldn't be able to fight when everyone came up close and with a sword she'd end up stabbing herself. Hence why she had her mace.
He wore black trousers and leather boots. Over that was a long sleeved burgundy tunic and a short sleeved violet velvet cloak tied at the waist with a black belt. He moved stirring her out of her study. She looked up.
"If I tell you my name you promise not to tell anyone that I was here?"
He nodded. "Look, my names Johnny."
"My name really is Yami."
He glanced at her skeptically. "Interesting name.", they stood in the alley for a while in silence.
"Do you have another weapon apart from your daggers?"
Johnny glanced at her surprised. "Nope I just have my daggers."
"I always wanted daggers, but I wasn't allowed."
"Your parents?"
"Yeah. But my mothers dead and my father is in the dungeons"
He nodded softly unsure what to say. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be, I'll get him out."
"What age are you?", he asked, watching her expression. It was clear that she was still pained by their death so he wanted to change the topic.
"Nineteen."
"Why are you running from the Baron?"
Startled she stared at him, then she shrugged. "I don't agree with him."
"He wouldn't send his guards after you just for that. And he definitely wouldn't send his Demolition boys.", he watched her eyes round with terror, and he cursed himself for scaring her. She didn't know about the Demolition Boys, well it was better she found out now rather than get caught of guard later. It was strange for such a young woman to be wandering these parts herself.
"Are you sure you're on your own?"
She smiled wryly. "Yes quite sure"
"Well the soldiers are gone, and I have to meet up with my friends so I must be off. Good luck on your journey Yami. I hope you don't get caught."
Before Miyami could answer he walked off. She watched him go and as she did she felt a twinge of disappointment.
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They looked up as the door opened and Boris raced out. His black hair flapping behind him, like an extension of his cloak. Amber and Ruin exchanged glances and suppressed a smile.
"Boris you look like you're in a hurry."
Boris sent Ruin a murderous glare. "Amber you must hurry to the rally, the Baron has expressly wished that you attend."
Amber's jaw dropped and beside her she felt Ruins do the same.
"What? Why?"
Boris shook his head. "I don't know."
"I do."
Boris and Amber looked at Ruin.
"What's he doing this time?"
Ruin sent him a worried glance. "He's looking for a wife."
Amber's eyes widened. "Oh no, He couldn't think, No. No! I won't go!"
She turned to head into the house.
"Amber!". Boris called out, startling her with the harshness of his voice.
Slowly and reluctantly she turned round.
"You know you can't refuse him. It would be dangerous to do so."
"But why does he want me?"
Ruin and Boris exchanged glances. Boris knew exactly what Voltaire wanted with Amber and he also knew Amber wouldn't do it, and that would get her killed. He didn't want to see that happen.
"Amber just go get changed then we'll go see him. Does that sound fair?"
"Not really, but I don't see that I have much of a choice.", she turned on her heel and went into the house.
When she was gone, Ruin turned to Boris. "How can you let her go? Maybe I could take her away with me. For her safety. I could train her, help her harness her energy."
Boris shook his head. "She cannot run from him. He's too strong. I doubt though that he will harm her. If she just says yes."
"She won't and I don't think you should encourage her to say yes. Just think what he would do to her. She'd be a slave. Not his wife but his slave. He murdered her family."
"That maybe true but he will kill her too if she refuses."
"If she does, will you protect her?", Ruin challenged.
Boris looked away. "I have no choice in the matter."
It didn't answer the question the way Ruin hoped. "If you don't, I will track you down and by the goddesses sake I will summon forth the largest powers in this universe to rip you apart!"
Boris glared at her. "Do not think you can threaten me sorceress."
"I am a high priestess now Boris. And I will not stop to think about the consequences should you try to cross me by attacking that girl. She is like my sister and I will protect her with my last breath."
Boris smiled tight lipped at the young woman standing before him. He realized that she would fight him if Amber did die. It was good for Amber to have such a strong and loyal friends but this girl would not cross him.
***
Amber sighed heavily as she shuffled into the town square accompanied by Ruin and Boris. She looked round at many of the other people in the cold onyx courtyard which was lit by rose quartz lanterns. They didn't seem to mind coming out in the freezing cold and standing still for a full hour to hear the Baron's pep talk, in fact some seemed to be looking forward to it. She frowned, most of them must have been brainwashed, there was no other explanation. Beside her Boris let out a long bored sigh. He hated these things, she knew that well enough, he'd grumble about the sermon the whole journey home then fix himself a nice shot of mead as compensation. She smiled grimly as she hooked her hand through his broad arm and nestled her head on his shoulder. She could feel him nod a greeting to a few work mates. She scanned the crowd and caught the eye of a few people from her own job who were moving closer to the front. She offered them a brief smile before returning her ocher eyes to gazing off into space.
"Like lambs to the slaughter."
Amber angled her head to look at Ruin. "What makes you say that?"
Ruin stared at her hard before searching the crowd again. "At least back here some of the speech is drowned out."
Amber grinned. "Oh so that's why we stand back here, and I was thinking it was so I don't embarrass you two when I fall asleep."
Boris nudged her, before returning his gaze to the front altar. "Keep it down Amber. He has eyes and ears everywhere, especially tonight."
Amber shrugged while Ruin stepped closer. "Amber feels invincible since her brush with the Baron."
Boris narrowed his eyes. "What brush with the Baron?", he asked aiming for casual.
"At work today."
Boris expression grew suddenly serious. Ruin watched it with interest. It seemed the Baron wasn't sticking with the plan, which made sense, since, in her opinion, Boris wasn't complying with the plan. He was developing feelings for the chosen one and that was probably against the plan rules. Ruin didn't trust the man and she liked it less that Amber was with him in the first place instead of with her uncle the Imperial Sovereign of Dnaleri. She would be much safer with true family. Ruin had tried many times to Persuade the man to let her take Amber to her uncle's but Boris had obstinately refused, and that was when the suspicion arose. She had yet to prove her theories and she wouldn't tell Amber of them just yet.
"Why was the Baron at your work today?"
"He and the ministry for hygiene came. It was a shock inspection, quite literally. I was extremely shocked when I heard, nearly gave poor Martha a heart attack.", she laughed at the memory.
Boris smiled. "Did he say anything to you?"
She opened her mouth then thinking better of it, closed it.
"Amber?"
"Well-", she made a face. "You are not going to like this. Not one bit."
"I dislike it even more when you delay informing me."
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Well he caught me when I was cleaning the lavatory."
"So?"
"Tell him how you clean the lavatory.", Ruin prompted helpfully.
Amber shot her a murderous look then turned back to Boris. "I was getting to that part. Well, you see, I kind of...conjure up.....a whirlpool.....to clean the bowl, you understand.", she hurried on. "And the Baron happened to walk in just as the whirlpool was doing it's job. I think he possibly might have seen it. And then he started talking to me like he knew me, well. But the weird thing was that although he didn't hurt, I think he might've, wanted to."
Boris didn't say anything for a few minutes as he mulled over what she had just said. If it was true and it was likely that it was then that meant the Baron was stepping up his plans to manipulate Amber. He didn't like not being consulted on this. He looked round him and his gaze collided with Bryan who smiled mischievously. He may be his son but the young man was becoming a stranger. He caught him in Amber's room the night before just staring at her and it might have been his imagination but he thought Bryan might have been salivating over her, but there had definitely been a murderous glint in his eyes. Amber was no longer safe with him it seemed. His thoughts were cut off by a gasp in the crowds and a movement on the pulpit.
Amber smiled at Martha who was standing a few feet away, but Martha didn't smile back instead she motioned for Amber to look up at the pulpit. Frowning Amber turned her gaze to the pulpit reluctantly. She gasped. Eyes wide she stared at the Figure being tied to the Pole. He was naked and covered with what looked to be tar. Although it was hard to see who it was, what with his entire body black and a large barrel of fire directly behind him and to the sides; Amber recognized him.
"Enrique.", she breathed.
Ruin looked at her concerned, then at the pulpit and quickly shut her eyes against the image. She pressed her fingers to her eyes then turned her head so that her gaze was safely turned form the young man tied to the pole. She placed an arm around Amber and held her close. Then she looked at Boris. His eyes were glazed over by what he had seen.
"Why is he up there?"
"By god, I think they're charging that man for treason.", a voice in the crowds cried out.
A murmur in the crowds rose. Amber pulled away from Ruin and stared up at Enrique.
"Did they do that to my Parents?", her voice was so childlike and pitched that Boris had to look at her to make sure it was she that had asked.
She was staring up at him, eyes filmed and lip trembling. He looked away giving her the answer she had dreaded.
There was an explosion and the Baron arose onto the Pulpit. "This man you see before you is charged with Treason. Look on him and see your death those who would dare to challenge my authority."
There was a shuffle in the crowd, and the murmurs were of horror and denial. There was sound behind them and they turned just as Sonia broke through.
"Blessed be."
"Yeah, you too.", Amber murmured distractedly as she stared at Enrique.
"So it's begun? I was hoping it hadn't yet."
"So you knew this was going to happen?"
"I had an inkling. Owen has to represent him.", Sonia's gaze never strayed from the figure.
"Awfully difficult thing to do. The Baron is giving evidence. I doubt there's anyway that Enrique can escape without death."
"What's the charge Sonia?", Boris demanded.
Sonia shrank back from the intimidating man. "Oh, um, well he's being charged of lusting after the Barons betrothed."
"Betrothed? The Baron hasn't got a betrothed yet.", Ruin replied.
"Who is it?", Amber asked fiercely.
"No one knows yet."
"I'll wager that Enrique had no idea who the woman was."
"That's not the point Amber. He was caught lusting by the Baron. There is no argument.", she motioned for them to be quiet as another figure joined the Baron.
"What is this mans act of treachery?", the other man, Amber presumed was Owen demanded authoritatively.
"This man's act of treachery was lusting after my betrothed."
"Who is your Betrothed, my lord? Is she here in the court? And can you point her out as to give evidence?"
The Baron stared down at Owen. "No you may not question her. She is too upset as it is."
Amber shook her head. As she looked up she met Enriques' gaze. He tried to tell her something with his baby blue eyes but he suddenly jerked forward. A soldier with a large wooden log with was already in flames swung it into Enriques' back. Enrique screamed in agony and made Amber want to throw up. She was glad to see she wasn't the only one as a few men and women scurried to the side and began to heave.
"Typical his betrothed wouldn't even bother to speak for Enrique."
Sonia shook her head. "That was his only hope that she would defend him, but she isn't even here to speak for him."
Amber turned to look round and scanned the crowd for someone who looked guilty. Several did, but she didn't believe any of them were the Baron's betrothed. For a start most of them were men and the others were elderly women.
"Then we must ask the people. Do we find this man guilty?", Owen asked reluctantly.
"Wait where's the defence?", Amber asked.
"There is none. No one will speak for Enrique.", Sonia replied.
"But surely. Why can I not speak for him?", she asked urgently.
"Where you with him all day?"
A thought crossed Ruin's mind but she blocked. This was not the time nor the place. Several people had to be sacrificed to keep the chosen one safe. But it was a shame that it had to be a friend of hers. But many innocents were killed to win a war. But still... She looked round to see if she could see any body who could help Enrique, when her gaze collided with the figure from the shadows. The one Amber believed was the Freyan Emperor. She stared at him and a flicker of recognition passed in his dark eyes. She began to move towards him when the Barons voice rang out.
"This man is found guilty by the ministry for justice. His punishment will be to suspended above the pit of doom in the Public square with his wrists cut and holes in his feet. Death by blood loss will be slow but final."
"NO!", a scream tore through the night.
The murmuring crowd fell to silence and turned to look at the young woman standing by herself in the middle of the aisle between the people. Ruin whirled round recognizing the voice. Amber stood there on her own. The scream had been wrenched from her mouth before she even realized she'd been thinking the word. And now she stood there a solitary frame in the row facing down the Baron. She stepped forward.
The Baron watched her. All his life he had dealt with people who were afraid of him and he crushed every one else, but right this minute he was facing a young woman with anger and hatred in her and every bit of it was directed at him and he wouldn't do anything to her yet because of who she was. The Prophecy had spoke of the two young women, Siamese twins who would save the world and lead the rebellion against an evil warlord. He had come across the prophecy first when his nanny had told him. She had believed it to be just a legend but he knew better and he knew he would be the warlord, hence why when he had heard that Siamese twins had been born in his town he had at first waited for proof. He wasn't foolish and he wasn't a cold blooded murderer without motif. No he waited and on their Fourth birthday the eldest child had lit her candles with a breath. So he had her and her parents murdered under the charge of treachery, it had been easy, he had just planted important documents in their house and then had it searched.
He had let the youngest one live because even at such a young age he had felt a stirring for her and instead he had watched her grow up under the care of his most loyal man. She had become an amazing woman overcoming the most interesting of obstacles. Though he had disapproved of her choice in friends, the sorceress and the librarian. He had searched high and low for a way to separate her from the sorceress but the woman covered her tracks well, almost as well as he did. And now he stood facing down the woman he intended to marry and whose magick would give him the ultimate power. She could be his defeat or indeed, his success. She could make or break him. Right now he was sure she wanted to break him.
She walked towards him, and with her came a wind of hurricane strength. She walked through it like she would walk through a breeze. She focused on the Baron. She didn't even notice the people being picked up and dropped off, or those who flew right past her, nor those who clasped onto anything which would save them from leaving the ground. Boris hurried to find shelter in the side of buildings trailing Sonia behind him. The Soldiers had the same idea; they left Enrique and hurried to the buildings. Ruin stood behind Amber safe behind her own Mental shelter.
The Baron watched the ocher eyed teen carefully before backing up. She turned her eyes on the barrels. With a whoosh the flames rose higher and then exploded into nothingness. The wind kept blowing while Amber stepped up onto the pulpit. She turned her sights onto the limp figure of Enrique. His eyes watched her pleadingly.
"Amber. Be careful. The Baron is not alone."
Amber nodded recognizing her spirits warning. "Enrique, cabhraigh se sios."
There was a scream behind her. She whirled round as Bryan charged at her brandishing Xcaliber. She watched the glint of metal cut through the air aimed at her head. Using all of her strength she threw herself into a roll and uncurled herself beside Ruin. Ruin glanced at her and with her grim determination, she pulled a rune and her athame out of the folds of her skirt. She poked the point of the athame through the rune, then threw the rune into the air and conjured Amber's battling staff. Amber caught her staff as it spiraled back to earth. She arced it to parry the next blow from Bryan. He thrusted again and yet again she parried. Thrust, thrust, parry, parry, parry, thrust. She angled the staff and the stick grazed his ear. He let out a ferocious roar and kicked out, his foot solidly colliding with Amber's knee. Her leg turned to jelly and collapsed underneath her. As he went in for the finishing blow she swept his feet out from under him and with the help of her staff she hoisted herself to her feet and limped to the pulpit.
She glanced to the pole as the sky clouded over and the heavens opened and it began to rain, great big fat wet drops that hit her face and rolled down her nose. Lightning speared the sky and illuminated the scene below her. Ruin was tending to Enrique with her ointments and runes, while Sonia was tapping everything into her data pad to record into the large computer in the library. Boris was standing back while soldiers were fighting off some very unhappy villagers. Most had gone home and the square looked empty dark and wet. There were several fires which licked out of the upturned barrels. Voltaire was standing back on his pulpit calling for every one to be calm. His voice rang out and grinded on her nerves. She advanced on him. He watched her and saluted her with his glass.
"Very well done Amber. Quite the little show you put on."
She bowed mockingly. "I can give you a great finale."
He tsked. "Don't get above your station young lady."
"I'm not above it. I am directly at my station. Look around Voltaire, you're out numbered. Your men are too busy with the villagers, your cowering on your stand and Bryan the bloody traitor is on his ass. While if worst comes to worst I've got Boris and Ruin to help me.", she smiled stepping forward.
Suddenly she was flung into the air. She hit the ground with a sickening thud. There was a shout and then everything went black.
Azn*Pyro*Arcada: I'm glad you like this chapter. It means a hell of a lot to me that authoresses who's work I admire and enjoy can find the same pleasure from my work. It makes me happy and gives me the encouragement to keep writing.
ChibiTari: Bryan is EVIL!!!! Evil I tell you!! *Gems slams hand over mouth* Ephil, mmpf *throws Gems into corner* Ok, over that now. I'm glad I got Yami in character. She's really cool and I really think her and Johnny make the cutest couple. Hurry up with the next chapter Tari!
Rayne-Neko-Punk: Language is mostly Irish. I use Irish a lot in my fics. If I get stuck Zadien translates for me since she got an 'A' in Ordinary Irish so she's good at it. But we learn Irish in school though it's pointless since only 15% (probably less) speak Irish in Ireland. I'm glad you like this fic. I like writing it.
Yin: I love Enrique, he's always cheerful but sometimes really stupid and all you want to do is either hit him on the upside of his head, or hug him. He's just that cute. But unfortunately Enrique really doesn't get a good deal here in this chapter. And Bryan and Voltaire are pretty damn evil!!! *holds fingers in sign of cross*
ChRiSTiZ: WAI!! You gave me such a nice long review. I love long reviews, they're just so much better than reading two words like 'Update soon'. I mean; hello I just updated, the least they could do is say something about the bloody chapter to show me they read it instead of skimming to the bottom. And how do you respond to such a review? Anyway back to your review. I have to make the chapters long because this story is going to be very long and very twisty. It's gonna be complex because Z.D. and I came up with the whole plot one night and it took us roughly most of the night, so um, yeah it's gonna get strange. But I like the whole deal. Sonia isn't exactly sick as such, it's just Amber doesn't really know what's wrong and has just interpreted it wrong because she's too wrapped up in her own problems. Yeesh I just wrote alot.
Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade, and Kai's eyes are not blue, they are brown and Tyson should not have Kai's eyes. Zadien owns Amber, Tari owns Miyami. And I own Sonia. She's having a baby, but not in my fic. I repeat not in any of my fics. Talk to another author about that one. Heheheh!
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Destroying my spirit, stealing my heart.
By: Spitfire_Sae
Chapter Three: Torture
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She wandered down the earthen street, her silver hair tucked under a hat and her slender body disguised by a bulky coat. Her feminine looks were hidden from view; so to many people she'd resemble a simple peasant boy; or that was the look she was going for. She glanced down another alley and groaned.
"I'm so lost!", the former Princess Miyami Kinomiya muttered.
A snigger behind her made her realize she wasn't alone and still it made her feel that she was more alone. Where was her family? How could they leave her? Here alone amongst these people who she didn't know, never mind understand. It was insensitive, and neglecting their responsibilities; namely her. She whirled round as someone sniggered again. She managed to muffle a scream and keep her fist down as she found her self face to wrinkled dirty face with one of the Kanites. He had extremely bad B.O. and dirt was smeared over his face, nothing a bath couldn't cure, but that was something these people never seemed to participate in. She wrinkled her nose in distaste.
"Real purdy mace, ye got there, buoy!"
Miyami clutched her weapon tighter. Never mind this mans B.O., what about his breath? Toothpaste was invented millenniums ago, and this guy was, gross!! He had never been to the dentist either by the looks of it. His teeth were rotten, and yellowish brown. He reached out his stained hand with those thick long curled nails to touch her face. She jumped back immediately taking up her fighting stance. The man shrank back a little, then jeered on by his companions moved closer.
'Please do not make me do this?', she prayed. If she fought, the news would get back to the Baron and her cover would be ruined and then the Baron would catch up with them and kill her and even worse kill her father. So instead of fighting she turned and fled down the alley.
She kept running till, she rounded the corner. She slowed to a walk and moved down Tavern street, always looking over her shoulder for Demolition Boys, Bio-volt soldiers, and stupid old men who were after a quick fix. She shuddered. A noise behind her had her looking over her shoulder so that she didn't see the man backing out of the Tavern, until she had collided with him.
Johnny McGregor looked round annoyed at the person who had knocked him down. Fair enough he had been the person in the wrong, but he wouldn't admit that, as far as he was concerned the person should have been looking where it was going. He stared at the Kid fixing his scarf round his face. The boy couldn't have been more than 14, he supposed, probably younger, he was too thin to be older even though the clothes gave him bulk. The eyes were a brilliant silver set in alabaster skin. There was fear in those eyes, fear and anger and something else he could fathom, but something in them made something in him awaken and respond. Startled by his reaction and scared he backed away from the kid and covered his fear with Anger and defence.
"Would you watch where you're wandering kid!"
The anger in the boys eyes flared and a muffled reply came from behind the scarf. Johnny couldn't help the smile that played on his lips, obviously the kid had meant to insult him but the scarf had been wrapped so tightly around his face that it couldn't be heard. The kid had noticed it too as just above the scarf a tinge of red had come into the kids skin, a startling contrast to the paleness of his complexion.
"Care to say that again?"
The eyes turned crimson with anger, but instead of taking off his scarf, he moved his hand and the mace that Johnny hadn't seen knocked him off his feet onto the ground with a thud. Now the kid was laughing, he could see it in the quick shakes of the kids skinny shoulders 'Not for long', Johnny thought as he flipped himself to his feet. Before he could swing for the boy another person was thrown out of the Tavern and into Johnny. Johnny was knocked into the boy, who ended up crushed under him. The silver eyes widened. And suddenly Johnny knew why. The clothes may have made the boy look bigger but it wasn't thick enough to hide to two soft mounds on the kids chest.
"Some boy!", Johnny muttered, a smile tugged the corners of his mouth.
The kids eyes had a hint of terror in them. Johnny pulled the scarf and hat roughly off the boy, and stood staring at the young woman pressed beneath him. She was incredibly beautiful. The eyes had been an amazing contrast to the skin like molten silver pools framed by alabaster, but the lips and hair complimented the picture indeed. A small mouth with lips like rubies and her hair was long straight as an arrow and copper. Her nose was small and buttonish, which was set off by the sharpness off her finely sculpted cheek bones, her silvery blue eyebrows were high and arched creating a nice outline for her eyes, and her chin showed a hint of stubbornness. There was now a suggestion of blush just a long the cheekbones which made her look more alive, so her skin wasn't pure white, and just as well, Johnny thought, otherwise she mightn't look real. The over all effect was startling and striking and reminded him some what of a canine.
He stepped back to get a full view of her. The clothes hid much of her and were definitely not flattering, but he could imagine. He could see legs encased in black, shapely and long, and he imagined the rest of her was pretty similar. His eyes averted back to hers, and the initial shock he'd seen before had turned to anger, while his awe turned to amusement. The smiled spread across his face slow and satisfied.
"What?", her voice gruff, still stuck in the male role.
At least he hoped that she was still pretending, that voice wasn't suited to her beauty, it would ruin the whole effect of the silverlocks. He coughed back a laugh at his little pun.
"Now why would such a attractive thing as yourself, go and pretend to be a boy?"
"I am a boy!", she stated, still in the male role.
He laughed. "Maybe you should look in a mirror. Now answer the question."
"Why pretend to be a boy? So I can be insulted and ordered about by jerks like yourself."
He was too busy marveling at her voice to be insulted. It was like cream over coffee, as though the sleep hadn't be completely cleared out of it, sultry, soft and low with a feminine lilt on some of the words.
Her eye brows raised as he continued to gaze at her.
"Hey, you still alive in there?"
Embarrassed at being caught out, he thought back on how she had knocked him to the ground and then launched his attack.
"Yeah, maybe it was that knock to the ground that wiped my concentration."
"Oh sorry, did I give you a brain hemorrhage?", she asked scathingly.
Beautiful and witty, things weren't going so bad.
"So what were you trying to say after you knocked into me? It sounded a little muffled."
Her cheeks bloomed pink, but the anger remained.
"I did not knock into you. You were walking backwards out of a tavern. Probably drunk or something!", she muttered more to herself as she wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"I resent that. I do not drink. I merely had business with the management of this fine establishment. So are you going to introduce yourself?"
"Why should I?", she retorted.
He blinked at her.
"Fine, I'm Yami!"
"You do realize that if you were to fake a name, a female name may be more believable."
"Yes, I do realize that but I am bored of this conversation. I have to go."
Shocked at her leaving so quickly, Johnny grasped for something to keep her there.
"Are you here with anyone?"
"I do not see how that is any of your business?"
"No but I'm interested."
"NO, no I am here on my own."
He didn't believe her but saying so would only make her leave so he said nothing. Except: "Here is a piece of advise, you are too pretty to be disguised as a boy, try changing your hair colour or something else."
She shook her head. "I cannot do that!"
She turned away, just as a pair of soldiers turned down the alley. She grabbed Johnny and hauled him into the side alley, till the Vestites marched past. Johnny turned to her.
"So your hiding from soldiers, more importantly, the Barons soldiers. Hmm!", time for a little
black mail he believed, "Tell me your name and I won't tell the soldiers that you were here."
She stared at him. "No, you'll just tell them anyway if you knew my name."
He gazed at her, his violet eyes tracing the line of her features. She felt very uncomfortable with this man, especially when he had seemed to be undressing her with his eyes. Not that he wasn't good looking but she really didn't want to be near him alone. Though he was incredibly handsome that couldn't be denied. He had flamed shaped red hair, it was the first thing you noticed about him, that and his eyes, a deep and clear violet. They were set in cream skin which was unblemished and smooth, but his features were strong and masculine. There was a light in his eyes that suggested he was cavalier and audacious. She wondered was he any good with the daggers, she had wanted to learn how to shoot, but her father had decided that with a daggers she wouldn't be able to fight when everyone came up close and with a sword she'd end up stabbing herself. Hence why she had her mace.
He wore black trousers and leather boots. Over that was a long sleeved burgundy tunic and a short sleeved violet velvet cloak tied at the waist with a black belt. He moved stirring her out of her study. She looked up.
"If I tell you my name you promise not to tell anyone that I was here?"
He nodded. "Look, my names Johnny."
"My name really is Yami."
He glanced at her skeptically. "Interesting name.", they stood in the alley for a while in silence.
"Do you have another weapon apart from your daggers?"
Johnny glanced at her surprised. "Nope I just have my daggers."
"I always wanted daggers, but I wasn't allowed."
"Your parents?"
"Yeah. But my mothers dead and my father is in the dungeons"
He nodded softly unsure what to say. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be, I'll get him out."
"What age are you?", he asked, watching her expression. It was clear that she was still pained by their death so he wanted to change the topic.
"Nineteen."
"Why are you running from the Baron?"
Startled she stared at him, then she shrugged. "I don't agree with him."
"He wouldn't send his guards after you just for that. And he definitely wouldn't send his Demolition boys.", he watched her eyes round with terror, and he cursed himself for scaring her. She didn't know about the Demolition Boys, well it was better she found out now rather than get caught of guard later. It was strange for such a young woman to be wandering these parts herself.
"Are you sure you're on your own?"
She smiled wryly. "Yes quite sure"
"Well the soldiers are gone, and I have to meet up with my friends so I must be off. Good luck on your journey Yami. I hope you don't get caught."
Before Miyami could answer he walked off. She watched him go and as she did she felt a twinge of disappointment.
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They looked up as the door opened and Boris raced out. His black hair flapping behind him, like an extension of his cloak. Amber and Ruin exchanged glances and suppressed a smile.
"Boris you look like you're in a hurry."
Boris sent Ruin a murderous glare. "Amber you must hurry to the rally, the Baron has expressly wished that you attend."
Amber's jaw dropped and beside her she felt Ruins do the same.
"What? Why?"
Boris shook his head. "I don't know."
"I do."
Boris and Amber looked at Ruin.
"What's he doing this time?"
Ruin sent him a worried glance. "He's looking for a wife."
Amber's eyes widened. "Oh no, He couldn't think, No. No! I won't go!"
She turned to head into the house.
"Amber!". Boris called out, startling her with the harshness of his voice.
Slowly and reluctantly she turned round.
"You know you can't refuse him. It would be dangerous to do so."
"But why does he want me?"
Ruin and Boris exchanged glances. Boris knew exactly what Voltaire wanted with Amber and he also knew Amber wouldn't do it, and that would get her killed. He didn't want to see that happen.
"Amber just go get changed then we'll go see him. Does that sound fair?"
"Not really, but I don't see that I have much of a choice.", she turned on her heel and went into the house.
When she was gone, Ruin turned to Boris. "How can you let her go? Maybe I could take her away with me. For her safety. I could train her, help her harness her energy."
Boris shook his head. "She cannot run from him. He's too strong. I doubt though that he will harm her. If she just says yes."
"She won't and I don't think you should encourage her to say yes. Just think what he would do to her. She'd be a slave. Not his wife but his slave. He murdered her family."
"That maybe true but he will kill her too if she refuses."
"If she does, will you protect her?", Ruin challenged.
Boris looked away. "I have no choice in the matter."
It didn't answer the question the way Ruin hoped. "If you don't, I will track you down and by the goddesses sake I will summon forth the largest powers in this universe to rip you apart!"
Boris glared at her. "Do not think you can threaten me sorceress."
"I am a high priestess now Boris. And I will not stop to think about the consequences should you try to cross me by attacking that girl. She is like my sister and I will protect her with my last breath."
Boris smiled tight lipped at the young woman standing before him. He realized that she would fight him if Amber did die. It was good for Amber to have such a strong and loyal friends but this girl would not cross him.
***
Amber sighed heavily as she shuffled into the town square accompanied by Ruin and Boris. She looked round at many of the other people in the cold onyx courtyard which was lit by rose quartz lanterns. They didn't seem to mind coming out in the freezing cold and standing still for a full hour to hear the Baron's pep talk, in fact some seemed to be looking forward to it. She frowned, most of them must have been brainwashed, there was no other explanation. Beside her Boris let out a long bored sigh. He hated these things, she knew that well enough, he'd grumble about the sermon the whole journey home then fix himself a nice shot of mead as compensation. She smiled grimly as she hooked her hand through his broad arm and nestled her head on his shoulder. She could feel him nod a greeting to a few work mates. She scanned the crowd and caught the eye of a few people from her own job who were moving closer to the front. She offered them a brief smile before returning her ocher eyes to gazing off into space.
"Like lambs to the slaughter."
Amber angled her head to look at Ruin. "What makes you say that?"
Ruin stared at her hard before searching the crowd again. "At least back here some of the speech is drowned out."
Amber grinned. "Oh so that's why we stand back here, and I was thinking it was so I don't embarrass you two when I fall asleep."
Boris nudged her, before returning his gaze to the front altar. "Keep it down Amber. He has eyes and ears everywhere, especially tonight."
Amber shrugged while Ruin stepped closer. "Amber feels invincible since her brush with the Baron."
Boris narrowed his eyes. "What brush with the Baron?", he asked aiming for casual.
"At work today."
Boris expression grew suddenly serious. Ruin watched it with interest. It seemed the Baron wasn't sticking with the plan, which made sense, since, in her opinion, Boris wasn't complying with the plan. He was developing feelings for the chosen one and that was probably against the plan rules. Ruin didn't trust the man and she liked it less that Amber was with him in the first place instead of with her uncle the Imperial Sovereign of Dnaleri. She would be much safer with true family. Ruin had tried many times to Persuade the man to let her take Amber to her uncle's but Boris had obstinately refused, and that was when the suspicion arose. She had yet to prove her theories and she wouldn't tell Amber of them just yet.
"Why was the Baron at your work today?"
"He and the ministry for hygiene came. It was a shock inspection, quite literally. I was extremely shocked when I heard, nearly gave poor Martha a heart attack.", she laughed at the memory.
Boris smiled. "Did he say anything to you?"
She opened her mouth then thinking better of it, closed it.
"Amber?"
"Well-", she made a face. "You are not going to like this. Not one bit."
"I dislike it even more when you delay informing me."
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Well he caught me when I was cleaning the lavatory."
"So?"
"Tell him how you clean the lavatory.", Ruin prompted helpfully.
Amber shot her a murderous look then turned back to Boris. "I was getting to that part. Well, you see, I kind of...conjure up.....a whirlpool.....to clean the bowl, you understand.", she hurried on. "And the Baron happened to walk in just as the whirlpool was doing it's job. I think he possibly might have seen it. And then he started talking to me like he knew me, well. But the weird thing was that although he didn't hurt, I think he might've, wanted to."
Boris didn't say anything for a few minutes as he mulled over what she had just said. If it was true and it was likely that it was then that meant the Baron was stepping up his plans to manipulate Amber. He didn't like not being consulted on this. He looked round him and his gaze collided with Bryan who smiled mischievously. He may be his son but the young man was becoming a stranger. He caught him in Amber's room the night before just staring at her and it might have been his imagination but he thought Bryan might have been salivating over her, but there had definitely been a murderous glint in his eyes. Amber was no longer safe with him it seemed. His thoughts were cut off by a gasp in the crowds and a movement on the pulpit.
Amber smiled at Martha who was standing a few feet away, but Martha didn't smile back instead she motioned for Amber to look up at the pulpit. Frowning Amber turned her gaze to the pulpit reluctantly. She gasped. Eyes wide she stared at the Figure being tied to the Pole. He was naked and covered with what looked to be tar. Although it was hard to see who it was, what with his entire body black and a large barrel of fire directly behind him and to the sides; Amber recognized him.
"Enrique.", she breathed.
Ruin looked at her concerned, then at the pulpit and quickly shut her eyes against the image. She pressed her fingers to her eyes then turned her head so that her gaze was safely turned form the young man tied to the pole. She placed an arm around Amber and held her close. Then she looked at Boris. His eyes were glazed over by what he had seen.
"Why is he up there?"
"By god, I think they're charging that man for treason.", a voice in the crowds cried out.
A murmur in the crowds rose. Amber pulled away from Ruin and stared up at Enrique.
"Did they do that to my Parents?", her voice was so childlike and pitched that Boris had to look at her to make sure it was she that had asked.
She was staring up at him, eyes filmed and lip trembling. He looked away giving her the answer she had dreaded.
There was an explosion and the Baron arose onto the Pulpit. "This man you see before you is charged with Treason. Look on him and see your death those who would dare to challenge my authority."
There was a shuffle in the crowd, and the murmurs were of horror and denial. There was sound behind them and they turned just as Sonia broke through.
"Blessed be."
"Yeah, you too.", Amber murmured distractedly as she stared at Enrique.
"So it's begun? I was hoping it hadn't yet."
"So you knew this was going to happen?"
"I had an inkling. Owen has to represent him.", Sonia's gaze never strayed from the figure.
"Awfully difficult thing to do. The Baron is giving evidence. I doubt there's anyway that Enrique can escape without death."
"What's the charge Sonia?", Boris demanded.
Sonia shrank back from the intimidating man. "Oh, um, well he's being charged of lusting after the Barons betrothed."
"Betrothed? The Baron hasn't got a betrothed yet.", Ruin replied.
"Who is it?", Amber asked fiercely.
"No one knows yet."
"I'll wager that Enrique had no idea who the woman was."
"That's not the point Amber. He was caught lusting by the Baron. There is no argument.", she motioned for them to be quiet as another figure joined the Baron.
"What is this mans act of treachery?", the other man, Amber presumed was Owen demanded authoritatively.
"This man's act of treachery was lusting after my betrothed."
"Who is your Betrothed, my lord? Is she here in the court? And can you point her out as to give evidence?"
The Baron stared down at Owen. "No you may not question her. She is too upset as it is."
Amber shook her head. As she looked up she met Enriques' gaze. He tried to tell her something with his baby blue eyes but he suddenly jerked forward. A soldier with a large wooden log with was already in flames swung it into Enriques' back. Enrique screamed in agony and made Amber want to throw up. She was glad to see she wasn't the only one as a few men and women scurried to the side and began to heave.
"Typical his betrothed wouldn't even bother to speak for Enrique."
Sonia shook her head. "That was his only hope that she would defend him, but she isn't even here to speak for him."
Amber turned to look round and scanned the crowd for someone who looked guilty. Several did, but she didn't believe any of them were the Baron's betrothed. For a start most of them were men and the others were elderly women.
"Then we must ask the people. Do we find this man guilty?", Owen asked reluctantly.
"Wait where's the defence?", Amber asked.
"There is none. No one will speak for Enrique.", Sonia replied.
"But surely. Why can I not speak for him?", she asked urgently.
"Where you with him all day?"
A thought crossed Ruin's mind but she blocked. This was not the time nor the place. Several people had to be sacrificed to keep the chosen one safe. But it was a shame that it had to be a friend of hers. But many innocents were killed to win a war. But still... She looked round to see if she could see any body who could help Enrique, when her gaze collided with the figure from the shadows. The one Amber believed was the Freyan Emperor. She stared at him and a flicker of recognition passed in his dark eyes. She began to move towards him when the Barons voice rang out.
"This man is found guilty by the ministry for justice. His punishment will be to suspended above the pit of doom in the Public square with his wrists cut and holes in his feet. Death by blood loss will be slow but final."
"NO!", a scream tore through the night.
The murmuring crowd fell to silence and turned to look at the young woman standing by herself in the middle of the aisle between the people. Ruin whirled round recognizing the voice. Amber stood there on her own. The scream had been wrenched from her mouth before she even realized she'd been thinking the word. And now she stood there a solitary frame in the row facing down the Baron. She stepped forward.
The Baron watched her. All his life he had dealt with people who were afraid of him and he crushed every one else, but right this minute he was facing a young woman with anger and hatred in her and every bit of it was directed at him and he wouldn't do anything to her yet because of who she was. The Prophecy had spoke of the two young women, Siamese twins who would save the world and lead the rebellion against an evil warlord. He had come across the prophecy first when his nanny had told him. She had believed it to be just a legend but he knew better and he knew he would be the warlord, hence why when he had heard that Siamese twins had been born in his town he had at first waited for proof. He wasn't foolish and he wasn't a cold blooded murderer without motif. No he waited and on their Fourth birthday the eldest child had lit her candles with a breath. So he had her and her parents murdered under the charge of treachery, it had been easy, he had just planted important documents in their house and then had it searched.
He had let the youngest one live because even at such a young age he had felt a stirring for her and instead he had watched her grow up under the care of his most loyal man. She had become an amazing woman overcoming the most interesting of obstacles. Though he had disapproved of her choice in friends, the sorceress and the librarian. He had searched high and low for a way to separate her from the sorceress but the woman covered her tracks well, almost as well as he did. And now he stood facing down the woman he intended to marry and whose magick would give him the ultimate power. She could be his defeat or indeed, his success. She could make or break him. Right now he was sure she wanted to break him.
She walked towards him, and with her came a wind of hurricane strength. She walked through it like she would walk through a breeze. She focused on the Baron. She didn't even notice the people being picked up and dropped off, or those who flew right past her, nor those who clasped onto anything which would save them from leaving the ground. Boris hurried to find shelter in the side of buildings trailing Sonia behind him. The Soldiers had the same idea; they left Enrique and hurried to the buildings. Ruin stood behind Amber safe behind her own Mental shelter.
The Baron watched the ocher eyed teen carefully before backing up. She turned her eyes on the barrels. With a whoosh the flames rose higher and then exploded into nothingness. The wind kept blowing while Amber stepped up onto the pulpit. She turned her sights onto the limp figure of Enrique. His eyes watched her pleadingly.
"Amber. Be careful. The Baron is not alone."
Amber nodded recognizing her spirits warning. "Enrique, cabhraigh se sios."
There was a scream behind her. She whirled round as Bryan charged at her brandishing Xcaliber. She watched the glint of metal cut through the air aimed at her head. Using all of her strength she threw herself into a roll and uncurled herself beside Ruin. Ruin glanced at her and with her grim determination, she pulled a rune and her athame out of the folds of her skirt. She poked the point of the athame through the rune, then threw the rune into the air and conjured Amber's battling staff. Amber caught her staff as it spiraled back to earth. She arced it to parry the next blow from Bryan. He thrusted again and yet again she parried. Thrust, thrust, parry, parry, parry, thrust. She angled the staff and the stick grazed his ear. He let out a ferocious roar and kicked out, his foot solidly colliding with Amber's knee. Her leg turned to jelly and collapsed underneath her. As he went in for the finishing blow she swept his feet out from under him and with the help of her staff she hoisted herself to her feet and limped to the pulpit.
She glanced to the pole as the sky clouded over and the heavens opened and it began to rain, great big fat wet drops that hit her face and rolled down her nose. Lightning speared the sky and illuminated the scene below her. Ruin was tending to Enrique with her ointments and runes, while Sonia was tapping everything into her data pad to record into the large computer in the library. Boris was standing back while soldiers were fighting off some very unhappy villagers. Most had gone home and the square looked empty dark and wet. There were several fires which licked out of the upturned barrels. Voltaire was standing back on his pulpit calling for every one to be calm. His voice rang out and grinded on her nerves. She advanced on him. He watched her and saluted her with his glass.
"Very well done Amber. Quite the little show you put on."
She bowed mockingly. "I can give you a great finale."
He tsked. "Don't get above your station young lady."
"I'm not above it. I am directly at my station. Look around Voltaire, you're out numbered. Your men are too busy with the villagers, your cowering on your stand and Bryan the bloody traitor is on his ass. While if worst comes to worst I've got Boris and Ruin to help me.", she smiled stepping forward.
Suddenly she was flung into the air. She hit the ground with a sickening thud. There was a shout and then everything went black.
