OK I am quite frustrated. I set up my format quite nicely and then won't seem to take it. I'll have stars or something in between a change of scene or point of view, but whenever I upload it, it won't work. I'm trying other things now. I suppose I'll just have to have a row of 0's to signal the next scene. Sorry for those of you who are bothered by this……
….. well heh, I guess if there's anything you're bothered by it's probably me and my delayed stories…. Heh sorry!
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Pulling her into the shadows seemed smart at the time. It's hard to explain all of his motives, but the current one at least is honest and good. She was in danger. Well, was had nothing to do with it. She is in danger, and he was saving her life.
Holding her in his arms was not what he expected. Or at least his reaction wasn't. She was small and delicate, yet gorgeous and feisty. His original intention was to pull her away, especially from that arrow that had barely missed hitting her. Now he was caught up in her scent, her hair, her entire being. Emotions stirred in him and he found his lips trailing the right side of her face.
She stiffened in his arms, causing him to loosen his hold just a little, and then BAM! He found himself on the floor and at least 6 feet away. 'Was that magic? How did she? Is that even possible?' His head much clearer he assessed the situation and made a point not to let his desires get the best of him.
Mel had passed out. The woman, and he was quite certain of that, had already left. That's fine he'll deal with her later. Only one arrow was shot, but even that was unusual. 'This girl is good; she can get around most if not all of the security around here. Hopefully there's only one of her kind in this city.'
Picking up the fallen countess he carried her to bed. Sneaking past the security proved little challenge for him. 'Really! You'd think they'd have more of a protection against magic. That's what you get for turning your nose up at it.' After making sure that the room was enemy-free, because of course he was not an enemy, he took off in hot pursuit after the deadly assassin.
Leaving the building he allowed himself the luxury of thinking back on what took place. He knew he had wanted Mel from the moment he laid eyes on her. The other mages all agreed that she could possibly possess the strongest capacity for magic in the last 50 years. Unlike all the other old fogies, he could feel it. He could almost see the hidden talent within her.
The fact that somehow she had sent a defensive attack at him earlier astounded him. Astounded and yet intrigued. Come to think of it had she muttered a few words? Surely she didn't know any spells off hand. Perhaps it was a suppressed phrase from something her mother had taught her long ago. Or maybe she was making up her own spells. Highly unlikely, talent like that hasn't been around for ages, but nothing so unrealistic that he would dismiss it altogether. He decided to keep this bit of information to himself and away from the others as well. Good thing none of them were mind readers. Not that he believed that any one could have the power to do it, but sometimes old fairy stories can be convincing.
Once again clearing his head and taking in his surroundings he found himself on the outskirts of the castle, in a small forestry area in between a few peasant houses. Glancing around he took into account a clothesline with dry laundry that perhaps some child had forgot to take inside as one of their chores. Grabbing some of the clothes he quickly changed out of his robes and dressed to look the part of a peasant.
This was one of the fun parts of his job, to dress up and do spy work, this would be for the actual records kept by the society of mages he was with. Walking towards the sound of music and the smell of wine he couldn't help but smile a little. 'Seems like our little assassin wants to have some fun tonight.' And in he stepped to the small tavern that still seemed to be open this ridiculously late at night.
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Ah it was good to get away. Assassin work is fun and all, but frustrating when an annoying countess won't die. 'You'd think with all the charms I carry I'd have more luck then her, one of these days I'm going to kill her, and kill her good.' She looked around the bar, many of the men were giving her looks and she was returning as is her flirty nature. 'Too bad none of them are as handsome as Vidanric, still I need something to play with this evening.'
Grabbing the attention of one of them she led him away to a far back corner with her. Releasing some perfume into the air that had enough mind warping aromas to drive him mad with love for her, she snickered as she teased and in the end coyly left him alone, making quite clear that she wasn't interested in the least. She almost studied him more to see if he'd be forceful and aggressive. Oh wouldn't that be fun. Then one of the other lads would have to stand up and protect her and oh-
In walked a new target that erased other momentary interests. He was tall, he was dark , he was handsome. He didn't seem to fit amongst all the others; he had a dangerous aura around him. She almost licked her lips, almost; she'd have him do that first before she would display such actions in public. Using a similar aromas but with more of a tang to it, she sauntered on over to the newcomer and led him outside with her.
She was in the mood for something dangerous.
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Tamara watched the entire exchange in the tavern. She would have never foreseen herself in such ugly clothes, but if she was going to be doing some snooping, drastic measures had to be made. The best place to go was the tavern that seemed to stay open so late at night. Sure enough tonight was a good night to follow her intuition.
The moment she entered she could smell the woman; mixtures of plants, perfumes, and drugs were intermixed and hidden in small bottles amongst her attire. She was a dangerous one indeed. Tamara had never known anyone to take and use flowers and plants to create such deadly concoctions and to use them in so skilled a manner. This woman was dangerous. Beside that she could easily see the mask. She looked natural enough, but the obvious signs of a mask were there. Tamara found herself being grateful for taking an interest in such trivial things at the time. A deep interest, one that might prove a defense if this woman had plans to drug the whole city, or entice men of larger status then that of the mere men in this bar.
The man too had seemed familiar in some way or more, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Lack of sleep perhaps.
After the woman and the man had left the tavern, she waited 30 min before she too left. The nice thing to know was that she needn't worry about being followed; she'd be able to smell that woman a mile away. She'd probably wash the smell off completely by tomorrow, but for tonight she could recognize her if she got anywhere to close.
'Back to the books for me; well, sleep first, but I need to start preparing myself for what I can. I'll have a talk with Mel and try and see if I can get Vidanric when he isn't busy as well. Not likely, but maybe if Mel is with me I can manage a word or to in private with him.'
"Mel!" Tamara gasped. 'That's what that was, that guy looked almost if not exactly like the one that was staring at Mel the other day.' Knowing a little about the attempted assassins targeted at Mel, Tamara puzzled and mused over what all these things were leading to. She thought things over even as she lay in bed. Her last thought 'Maybe dreams will once again help me find some answers to what I seek.' And off she slumbered.
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Restless dreams pursued Mel. Magic and power opened her up to a new world, and all this as she slept.
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Vidanric dreamt only of Mel. His thought's may have wandered earlier that day, but his heart belonged completely to Mel, and that night his heart had taken over his dreams.
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Ok. I hope I'm not losing my touch. Hopefully a lot of you aren't too upset with my lack of story writing and will still give me some yummy reviews?
Replies to people.
Ophelia Immortal: He's being a bit of a prick, but it's all out of love and worry, and maybe…. Something else?
FelSong: relax Vidanric is still the good guy he's supposed to be. But when one is drugged or under the influence of magic, one cannot be expected to always be themselves. By the way, I need to read the book again and then read all the stories out their including yours. I've been so out of it for the last…. Year?
Hprmonkey: Yay! I'm glad you appreciate it so much.
elra of mirkwood: as you've noticed updating soon isn't one of my strengths, but thankyou for the compliments. I feel really badly if you still check every day, put me as an author alert so you don't have to do it. Unless of course you want to for all the other stories out there.
Wake-Robin: well things aren't as mysterious as they were, and yet since identities are not given out, perhaps they are becoming even more mysterious. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter which goes into the minds of the other guys this time. Also I'm glad you like my Tamara and Mel relationship, Tamara plays an important part in this chapter.
hannirose: are you still hanging? I'm sure you felt that way after chapter 7, but perhaps 8 won't be that bad.
Rane2920072: I updated! Perhaps if people get on me more I will update sooner then I tend to do next time.
Frobbit: nope, nope. Doesn't end. In fact people like you that reply are what encourage me to still write and continue this story.
Kristina: really I do appreciate the compliments I receive. I've always seemed to have problems in English class when it comes to grammar and spelling, thank goodness Microsoft word checks for those things. To hear you say this (or read your message of this) gives me comfort that perhaps I'm not that bad in English after all.
Alcapacien: glad you liked it, and write more I did (finally )
rootbeergirl19: yeah I'm so mean. Though this chapter really isn't that bad I don't think.
Lirael Black: still think it's good? Let me know?
WakeFlames: thankyou so much for reviewing. You actually encouraged me to start my next chapter. See! Here's the next chapter only a few days after you reviewed me.