Authors Note: Thank you for your constructive critism and feedback. For Poiniard, err, I tried to do as you suggested, though I didn't know quite what you meant, I hope this chapter is a little better. And for Tom Valor, thank you about the plus 2 thing lol. Yeah, I wish I could go back and edit this, I think there is a way. But I'm still figuring my way around,. Thank you both very much. I'm not such a good writer, but I am trying. :)

Well, I hope you all like it. - Sandra

Scarlet and the Blade of Light

Chapter 3: The Night-Walkers

Edlyn started to guide the other two on a path she knew that would lead them to their destination point. They started to walk the first mile silently and swiftly. Even Dimble was dead silent, perched on Ariadne's shoulders, not even making a move. Ariadne looked back at Marlo, the lights were faint and the music was starting to tune in and out as the three walked farther and farther away.

"It's a warm night." Demonia stated softly.

They were now on their second mile. Marlo was starting to become no more than a pinpoint of an object to their eyes. They were surrounded by looming trees with a blanket of stars and the full moon over their heads. Tonight was one of a kind, peaceful it was, something the people of Marlo took for granted. As the three went deeper in their trail they were also cut off from the sight of Marlo. There were too many trees in the way. Edlyn froze midway when nearing the third mile.

"What's wrong?" Ariadne asked.

"Didn't you see that?" Edlyn asked in a very low tone. Her dark eyes glittered with dangerous excitement. Which meant to the other two that whatever she was sensing wasn't good.

"See what?" Demonia asked.

"It was like someone just scampered dead silent across our trail...I saw it." Edlyn replied, scanning for whatever it was.

"Probably just the trees." Demonia put in. Deep down, she was trying to reassure herself more than the others.

Edlyn tore her eyes away from the scenery and rolled them at Demonia, "That's right Demonia, trees can walk."

Ariadne laughed, Edlyn shook her head, the both of them were grinning to themselves. Edlyn then waved for them to follow her, to continue what they started.

Demonia fingered the hilt of her blade underneath her cloak, not moving an inch, save for her thumb that ran along the solid hilt.

"I don't like this Edlyn." Demonia said.

Edlyn turned back around and shrugged, "I was just trying to scare you both again," she lied, being a rogue, neither could tell, "As usual." She put in with a grin that seemed to match her eyes.

Demonia nodded, apparently convinced and ran up to the two so they could continue once more. Edlyn couldn't help but look around herself, after all, she did see something. She just didn't want to give up on their first adventure over a little suspicion. The three started to get more comfortable the further they went down their trail, they started to speak at normal tones, laughing and gossiping as if back at their hometown. Dimble returned to his usual self, screeching and crawling around Ariadne's shoulders. They were half way to their destination point. It was still warm, but something about the air seemed much more quiet and...baleful.

None of them were a bit tired from there journey, six hours had passed and the excitement and lust for adventure was still running hot in there bloods. It was still dark out, but the stars seemed to have disappeared. They pressed on still, when the three of them were cut short by four figures that seemed to have blended with the shadows around them and float in front of them. They were deadly stealthy and obviously knew the forest better then anyone else alive. The blood in Ariadne's face drained completely. The four, considering there heights were obviously humanoid, and by their stature they were clearly men.

The leader of the four gave a little laugh, "A nice night to be taking a walk, is it not?" His voice was deep and strong.

"Quite lovely, yes." Edlyn answered, she never could control her tendency to rebel. She felt Demonia kick her in the leg, luckily, no one else noticed.

The leader looked to Edlyn rather sharply, you could see his crystal blue eyes shinning bright from underneath his dark hood, he walked swiftly to her and stood in front of her, sizing her up, "And what is a she-elf doing out at night around this hour?"

Edlyn smirked at him, "Taking a walk. And might I ask, what are you four boys doing out here? The same I presume?"

The leader of the four glared at her, "I suggest you watch that attitude of yours...the three of you are crossing personal territory, if you wish to pass safely the price is no less than a 100 gold pieces, if not, you shall not pass us without a fight, otherwise turn back."

Edlyn's boldness got the better of her once again, the ache in her leg was no longer there to remind her to keep her mouth shut, she gave a sarcastic smile and looked around herself and back at the leader of the four, "Personal territory? Do you boys live here? It's very nice."

Just then, before the leader of the four completely lost his temper, Ariadne quickly pulled out of her purse a bag that jingled with the sound of coins. She handed it to the leader of the four, he took it from her, grinning from ear to ear and looked inside to make sure it was what he was expecting. He laughed, tied the bag back up and hid it underneath his cloak. Edlyn was speechless, her eyes were hot with embarrassment and anger. Demonia's mouth also fell open, Ariadne was breathing rather hard. No one could tell if she was ready to explode or break down and cry.

The man just laughed at her, "You made a wise choice my friend. Yes, a very wise choice." And with that, the four of them disappeared as quickly as they came.

Demonia was the first to speak, or rather...yell, "That was all you had!"

Ariadne shrugged, clutching her quarterstaff rather tightly to restrain her self from losing her temper completely, "It was money or our lives. I want to do this adventure so badly."

Edlyn was infuriated, "Oh come on, we could have took them, they were just a bunch of pushovers!"

Ariadne laughed, "Did you even knew who they were?"

"Who?" Dmeonia and Edlyn asked in unison.

"The Night-Walkers."

Edlyn snorted, still peeved at the man who pushed her around, still humiliated that he got what he wanted, "Sounds intimidating but seriously, we might run into them again and then they'll try to bribe us for more money," she paused and gritted her teeth, "I am not handing even a bronze coin to that arrogant idiot, my life on the line or not."

Ariadne shrugged. "Have it your way then. They'll just take your life and everything on you."

"I heard of them..." Demonia started slowly, "Marlo banded them, they're just a bunch of outlaws and thieves, joined together and formed a clan, naming themselves the Night-Walkers. They know the forest better than anyone. I heard that they are good at fighting up close and personal, but sneak attacks and clever thinking are their specialties...but that's just what I heard."

Edlyn shook her head furiously, "Let's go."

The three of them pushed on once more, only this time their hearts were filled with dread and anger.