Elrien was sat on the swinging bench in the garden absently plucking at her lyre as she gently swung to and fro. The smell of the vine flowers that had climbed their way up the framework filled the early morning air and the sun which had begun climbing the sky threw warm orange rays across the daisy patched grass, warming Elrien. A bird could be heard singing a song from the surrounding trees, its upbeat tune a stark contrast to her own. She could see Daevan storming around in the estate; occasionally appearing in a window to angrily tug the curtains back and glower at her for a few minutes before disappearing into the next room. Normally one of the maids would have done that, but Daevans earlier anger had increased when Ruknars bill had arrived and he was taking every opportunity to show her just how furious he was.
Nevertheless she was going to find the ShadowGuard and try and enlist herself in their ranks. Daevan would no doubt be watching the exits of the city, monitoring the ships leaving the docks and putting the guards on alert now she had spoken of her plans to leave and this seemed the only she would be able to get out of the city without being stopped. But the idea of working for the ShadowGuard unnerved her; she rarely ever strayed from the path of good on purpose and had found that her beliefs and conscious sometimes demanded she do something against the laws of the empire, or something that her elders or superiors didn't approve of, as Jarvis often took the time to point out. What if they demanded she do something she couldn't or wouldn't do?
Hitting an off note in her tune startled her out of her thoughts as Giles tottered out of the house towards her, a tray in his hands containing tea and bread and Janthos following behind him.
"Announcing Master Janthos here to see you m'lady," he said with a bow before placing the tray next to her. Janthos ambled up and climbed onto the swing bench next to her, taking a piece of bread off the tray before turning his attention to Daevan who had appeared in one of the upper windows.
"Morning Elrien," he managed around a mouthful of bread. She nodded in acknowledgement, returning to playing her lyre.
"I take it you and Daevan have fought again?" Elrien moved her mouth to the side and nodded once more, her eyes flickering to his glowering form before turning back to her hands.
"He didn't appreciate Ruknars bill," she murmured. "And we're in disagreement over my future. It seems my brother does not want me to leave the city unless I am going to perform in halls of a lord or some upper class society snob," Janthos chuckled quietly.
"I'm sure their not all snobs," She gave him and dark look and he held up his hands. "I'm only playing Elrien, I know that is not what you want," She stared at him silently for a few moments as he brushed crumbs off the front of his tunic. She could trust Janthos about the ShadowGuard. Hells, he'd supported her secret study of the arcane arts so why not this?
"I'm going to seek out the ShadowGuard. Jarvis told me they're interested in me and they're a service to Rakha so it means I would be travelling the empire!" Janthos leant across to pick up another piece of bread and busied himself with chewing on it noisily. "Daevan has forbidden me from joining them,"
"That's never stopped you before," Elrien hesitated; that was true. "Elrien you have always followed your own way, ever since we met when we were sixteen you walked your own path, ignoring the rules and wants of others if they conflicted with your beliefs. If you truly believe this is what you want, what's stopping you? If they are, as you say, a service to Rakha it would gain you respect and renown amongst the people of the empire and even your father would be proud of that, not that he isn't proud of you already mind you, and Daevan, your father or whoever else opposes you joining them will be powerless to stop you once you have accepted as it is Rakhas will,"
They sat in silence as Elrien considered his words quietly, her tune reaching a crescendo as the staccato beat sped up, a small smile forming on her face.
"You are right, my friend, there is nothing stopping me." Janthos grinned and began pouring them both a cup of tea, handing her a cup which replaced the lyre in her hands.
"Aren't I always? I trust you will remember me when you're a big important somebody carrying out her duties to Rakha and the Empire," Elrien grinned.
"I'm sure by that time you will have been instated as an Imperial Inventor in the name of Rakha and the Empire," Janthos took a sip of his tea, he eyes watching as Daevan appeared yet again in another window on the upper floor. "Thank you for your words, but I doubt you have come to visit me to hear my worries, its rarity for you to be here so early,"
"Came to see if you were suffering from any form of hangover from the amount of alcohol you consumed last night," She grinned and drunk deeply form her cup, the hot liquid warming her throat as she drank. "But obviously you show the same resilience to such affects as usual,"
"Seriously Janthos, what do you want?" she laughed, nudging him with her toe.
"I'm stuck on one of my constructs and was wondering if you would lend me your arcane knowledge," Elrien pulled a face.
"Your creepy stone things? Do they really need anymore adjustments or improvements?" Janthos rolled his eyes.
"You are a wizard, Elrien, you should appreciate the beauty of them. I think Alia has begun to take affect on you and brainwash you with her druid ways," Shaking her head, Elrien stretched out her legs, her toes curling amongst the blades of grass.
"Sure thing, Janthos, I'll have a look at your creepy, walking stones,"
"Talking too," Elrien pulled another face.
"They talk?"
"I have told you that before; they serve as guides to visitors coming and going from the imperial district!"
"My, my. They'll be the life of the party,"
"That's only the beginning, Dy'Mana," he snapped. "I assure you." The sound of the market bell rung clear through the air, causing the startled birds to speak out as one in a cacophony of screeches as they fled from the trees only to return and flitter restlessly through the tree tops. It signalled that the sun had risen to a certain place in the sky that indicated it was time for the stalls to open and the market begin.
"Alright, my friend," Elrien stood up, smoothing out her dress before picking up her lyre and turning to face him with a playful smile. "Allow me to go get dressed and gather my equipment and I shall meet you in the Imperial District, okay?" Janthos continued to stare darkly at her for a few more moments before relenting and returning her smile.
The air, warmed by the rising sun, seemed considerably cooler as she stepped inside the estate and walked to her room. The door was slightly ajar and she could hear rustling from within, and a clatter that sounded like her dagger being knocked on the floor. Sighing she pushed upon the door and threw her lyre into her chair.
"Nimthys I've told you a thousand times, be careful when your flying around my ro-" Daevan spun around, clutching her spell book in his hands, a guilty expression on his face. "There is nothing of value in that book Daevan, you wont find the money to pay Ruknars bill in there," She grabbed her armour and walked behind a changing partition, hastily pulling her dress up over her head and throwing it over the partition before putting on her armour, the clasps making clicking noises as he fixed them into place.
"I wasn't looking for money," he snapped as the rustling continued. "Who the hell is Nimthys? Another of your one offs?"
"My familiar, Daevan. The Faeriedragon you saw flying around last night," Daevan grunted and the sound of her crossbow falling on the floor was followed by one of his curses. "I swear by the gods Daevan. You had better not damage my equipment,"
"Then stop placing them precariously on the edges of things and maybe it would be harder for me to knock them off." Elrien finished putting her armour in place and walked out to glare at him, hands on hips.
"What do you want Daevan?"
"Just checking that you haven't made any plans to leave," he muttered distractedly as he scanned down a scroll.
"Don't worry, you wont find any documents explaining in great detail my plans to escape the city," drawled Elrien rolling her eyes before snatching the scroll out of his hand and placing it in her belt. Picking up her bag she packed her crossbow, spell book, crest and bolts, pulling the drawstring tight and throwing it on her back.
"I thought Wizards memorised spells?" She glanced at Daevan before concealing the dagger in a sheath attached to her ankle and then covering it with her boots.
"Yes but I can not cast a spell if I have not prepared it, and that book is where I collect spells to memorise," Daevan blinked and looked at her desk he had covered in scrolls and paper.
"Where are you going?"
"Janthos wants me to show me his improvements to the constructs and then I thought I'd go hang out with Zhiram," Daevan stared at her silently for a few moments, his eyes flickering between her own, before straightening and walking at the room.
****
"So you see, at the moment my constructs rely solely on the control stone," murmured Janthos as he leant closer to look at one of the glowing runes on the constructs surface, his eyes enlarged by the many magnifying lenses he had attached to his glasses. "If I could find a power source that could support them, they could reach their full potential, which they can't at the moment," Elrien nodded thoughtfully as she peered over his shoulder. "I have been working on several experiments to find a power source capable of containing the potent magic necessary to enhance the constructs' abilities but, as of yet, I have not found one to suit my purposes." Elrien pulled back, squinting against the sunlight as she watched the other citizens stroll leisurely through the district.
"Can't say I'm too comfortable with this, but I'll go down and see Sevanna. I have a few ideas I'll talk with her about that may work," Janthos nodded, engrossed in his work now he had started.
"Take this," he handed her a bag of coins, his eyes still fixed on the stone guardian.
"So I'll see you later," He muttered something under his breath that Elrien took to be a goodbye, although she was sure the words were not for her, but were intended for the construct.
As she passed through the gates, the guards placed either side nodded their heads at her and she soon located Officer Ganolin, who watched her walk across the market place with such intense scrutiny that it led her to believe her brother had already spread the word to watch her carefully. Sevanna was stood at her normal post in front of her alchemy table that displayed her more rarer items. The red headed elf had provided Elrien most of her ingredients for her potions and experiments, making special orders for the more rare items. Glancing up at her as she approached, Sevannas face broke out into a smile as she focused her attention on Elrien.
"Good morning, lass, what do you need?" Elrien looked at the items shown and frowned slightly.
"I need so information regarding the animation of magical constructs. Got any advice Sevanna?" The elf drew her eyebrows together as she thought.
"Constructs aren't really my forte, Lady Elrien, but I once knew a wizard who had some knowledge on the subject, hold on, " She turned around and began rummaging in the crates behind her, making a triumphant noise before flicking through a dusty, leather bound book. "This is one of his journals," A few more flicks of the pages. "I haven't heard of half of these items and would have no idea where to get them from…..Ah. How about Irilium Crystals? They're not readily found this far north, but I happen to have a few here that were sold to me several weeks ago. Sixty gold pieces for the lot of them," Elrien thanked her and handed over the gold pieces. "I trust I will be seeing you a lot more now that you are a fully fledge citizen," Sevanna grinned so all her teeth were showing. "You'll now have a lot more freedom with your experiments so you'll need a lot more items from me," Laughing, Elrien nodded and began to walk back towards the market district, the Irilium Crystals tucked safely under her arm.
"Hi Elrien," Elrien turned at the sound of Alias voice and saw her friend approaching her from the direction of the inn. "What did Janthos tell you about his golems?" Elrien looked away to watch the crowd that had gathered around Ragos food store. Alia had always been worried over the subject of Janthos' stone construct creations to the point it almost annoyed Elrien with her constant questions.
"He only ever calls you to look at them if he wants your help, what did he say? Please?"
"Janthos knows what he's doing Alia. He's a smart Gnome," Alia frowned, a brief look of annoyance crossing her features before she shook her head.
"City folk….. Well I hope you're right in your assumption, citizen Dy'Mana, for it would be quite the shame if all this crazy experimentation were to end in tragedy,"
"Why are you so worried about this? They're hooked up to the control stone and Janthos is always careful with the items he uses the amounts he uses of them," Alia shook her head.
"He's going to unleash a force that will be the death of him, I just know it! And I'll be far away in the woods where I can't watch over him. It's horrible, Elrien! If one of those things were to get out of control, I can't even imagine the consequences," It was Elriens turn to shake her head, but with a smile on her lips.
"I know you like him Alia, but he is always very,-"
"I do not," interjected the druid with a sulky expression.
"-very careful. Especially when it comes to matters of the city." continued Elrien as if Alia hadn't spoke. "He builds them and improves them to help the city and its people, and would not continue if he thought in anyway they might, in anyway, harm anyone," Alia stared at her pensively for a moment before replying.
"He's got them to talk now, Elrien. His improvements are leading to bigger things. What if he makes a mistake and they do become a danger? They are only docile now because your father and the high sorcerer currently hold possession on the stone,"
"He is an inventor, Alia. We can probably stop this creation, but others are bound to follow. You can't shield him from every single one," Alia nodded.
"But at the moment we can," Elrien sighed in defeat.
"The power supply. He still needs a power supply," Alia bit her lip, hesitating before she reached out and clasped one of Elriens hands in her own.
"Will you help me?"
"What do you have in mind?"
"If you can bring me the material he intends to use as a power supply, maybe I can modify it to actually damage the golems enough to put them safely out of commission. Janthos will find other interests, safer interests. You know he will!" Elrien glanced once more around the market place, unsure as what to do.
"I'll think about it," she murmured, turning to walk away.
"Elrien!" Pausing she turned back to stare cautiously at the brunette Druid. "I know what I'm asking seems a bit extreme, but Janthos refuses to listen to reason. Curiosity kills the cat, they say.," She glanced behind her and when Elrien followed her gaze over her shoulder she saw a man staring back, apparently waiting patiently to talk with her. The symbol of Rakha was painted discreetly on his bracer and she would not have seen it if he hadn't brought attention to it by lifting his wrist and nodding to the mark; he was from the ShadowGuard.
"I'll keep an eye on him until you get back." With a start she turned back to Alia with a shocked expression. "I know you my friend and I have no doubt you will do wondrous things with you future," She winked with a grin. "Good luck,"
Once Alia had left the man approached her and Elrien had to look up to meet his eyes, raising a hand to shield her own against the suns harsh glare. The mans countenance was stern as he looked her over, appearing very solemn and grim, but when she met his bright blue eyes she saw an unusual glint of wisdom and strength in them. His metallic armour was coloured black, a contrast to the paleness of his face that was framed by wavy, shoulder length locks of light brown hair.
"Good morning to you, young madam. I am Markius Albright, a traveller of the Northern Reaches, and I extend my greetings to you,"
"Uh. Pleased to meet you. I'm Elrien Dy'Mana," she bowed her head slightly, feeling foolish for doing so as he had shown no such formality or gesture.
"Now the formalities are out of the way, I would speak with you, if you have a moment, regarding a proposal that may benefit us both," Elrien blinked at his brash attitude, a slight shade of pink coming to her cheeks; he obviously thought the same of her action. "It has come to my attention that a group of slavers, part of a broader organization known as the Bloodhawks, has set up a base somewhere here in Ghaarak," Elrien brought up her head, all thoughts of her embarrassment leaving as she gave him her full attention. "These foul criminals have been collecting their victims from the people in this Market District, to later be sent north and sold into a life of cruel servitude. I would like for you to aid me in bringing an end to their activity in this city," Elrien frowned slightly at the unhidden venom she could hear in his voice.
"I would gladly help you Mr Albright," Markius nodded, apparently pleased by her answer.
"It is reassuring to know you will stand against such a disgusting practice. Do not worry, the task I wish you to perform is a minor one and I shall reward you for the service," Elrien smiled at this; a good deed and a reward. The ShadowGuard definitely seemed like a good idea.
"I am willing to pay you 100 gold pieces if you will help me discover the location of the Bloodhawk's base here in Ghaarak. Once I have this information, I will take care of the Bloodhawks personally," Again there was a venom in his voice that made Elrien flinch, but nonetheless she inclined her head.
"Very well. How will I get this information?" Markius folded his arms over his chest, taking a deep breath in through his nose.
"One of the districts merchants, a dark fellow named Shrak, is rumoured to have dealings with the Bloodhawks," That didn't surprise Elrien. Shrak was one of Myloks friends, and they and the gang they ran with were always caught up in some sort of shifty business. "I believe he may know the location of the slaver base here in the city. I suggest you seek out Shrak, and see what you may learn from him. If he truly has been assisting the Bloodhawks, I believe he will have the information I seek," Elrien glanced over to Shraks stalls and pursed her lips before shrugging.
"I'll see what I can do,"
The market place had become a lot more crowded in the brief time since her arrival in the district, and large crowds and queues had formed around the stalls, making it for harder for Elrien to make her way across to Shrak. Not wanting to take her chances down the back alleys encase Mylok was looking for her, and she was sure he would be, Elrien began to push her way through the crowd, finding a brief relief in the clearing around the fountain. Stepping up on the edge of the compass shaped fountain base, she began to walk quickly along it, her arms held out to keep her balance. Once on the other side, she took her time looking around the marketplace before stepping down.
Sevanna was displaying some sort of magical experiment to her customers, a small explosion occurring when she poured two liquids into the same beaker, a purple coloured smoke rising up above her store. Tagnar, the weapons smith, was displaying one of his newest forges by sparring with a young lad, knocking him off his feet and laughing with the rest of the crowd. Rago's small form was lost in the crowd, but Elrien could see the people parting where he was sure to be walking amongst them, leading livestock behind him. Nelgir, the gem seller, was surrounded by some of the more richer citizens of Ghaarak, seeming to be having an auction on a particularly large gem held in Nelgir's hands, the poorer folk hanging back until he brought something out that was more in their price range. Finally, she looked in Markius's direction to see him standing in the same place she'd left him, watching her scan the crowd, his arms still folded over his chest and his aura still one of sombre grimness that she could sense even from the other side of the market place.
Shrak stood in front of his wares offering his services to passer-by's if they needed help in finding 'just what they were looking for'. He was a small framed man with a sharp pointed nose, thin sunken cheeks and small, dark brown-almost-black eyes that when all put together made his features resemble that of a rat. When he saw Elrien heading his way, his expression immediately turned sour as he bared his teeth at her, giving her a nice view of all his uneven, pointed teeth.
"What in the hells do you want imperial," he snarled, his hand moving threateningly to the hilt of his sword.
"What's got you panties all in a twist," she muttered flippantly as she looked closely at one of his wares before sniffing and turning away in mock disgust.
"Mylok told me of your encounter last night," Elrien grinned, folding her arms over her chest.
"Oh?"
"He isn't impressed Dy'Mana, I'd watch your back if I were you. Not only did you steal from him, you hurt his pride. I can't do any business with you until you've sorted it out with him. He scares me a lot more then you do, even if you father is the magistrate, there's less chance of me ending up in some back alley with my throat slit if I upset Okaris," Sighing, Elrien thought of the money Janthos had given her; there was probably still enough of it to pay off Shrak for the information, he would never turn away money.
"I need some information Shrak, and I'm willing to pay." Shrak looked up at her suspiciously but Elrien could see the desire in his eyes already. "I'm looking to sell on slaves and I heard that you would be the man to see to get in contact with the people who'll take them. Twenty gold coins to know how to reach them," Shraks Eyes narrowed, the look of desire in his eyes disappearing as he glanced at his store help who was dealing with a customer a few feet away.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know anything but nothing in that regard,"
"Yes you do Shrak, Mylok tol-"
"Nice try, Dy'Mana, but even if I were in that business Mylok wouldn't sell me out for a few kisses. Besides we all know you're not into that sorta business, now don't we, daughter of Okaris," he snarled, pulling his weapon halfway out of his sheath and making sure she glanced at it before he turned to the store help.
"Mart! I'm just going to get summit to eat," The store hand, Mart, raised his hand to show he'd heard.
"Shrak!"
"Stow it, Imperial," he snapped, throwing his cloak over his shoulders and disappearing into the crowd.
Elrien stared helplessly after him before growling in frustration and casting her eyes about for some sort of help, pausing when her eyes landed on a chest behind Shraks desk. Glancing at Mart, who was still busy with a customer that looked like they were trying to haggle over the price of a bunch of scrolls, she carefully walked over to the chest, bending down and whispering the spell knock, the padlock coming open with a click. Quickly, she pulled open the lid and shoved her hand inside. She found a purse containing some coins, a orange potion she identified as Cat's Grace, and a small stack of parchment. Grabbing it all, she closed the lid and re-locked the padlock before standing up and disappearing back into the crowd, choosing this time to struggle through than walk around the edge of the fountain.
When he saw her approaching, Markius crossed the distance between them, his expression stoic as he looked at the items in her hands.
"Have you brought any news regarding the Bloodhawk's base?" Elrien pulled her bag off her shoulder and placed the purse and potion inside before beginning to look through the pages of parchment.
"Honestly, I think you would have had a better chance of confronting Shrak yourself," she replied. "Me and one of his friends had a disagreement the other night and he was unwilling to talk to me, not even for gold which was unusual. I think I shall have to reform my opinion of the man," Markius shook his head, raising a hand to tousle his hair slightly as he looked away with frustration crossing his features.
"I did initially confront him, but Shrak discovered my true intentions. I imagine he will go to great lengths to hide any evidence of his guilt from me, thus my need for your aid in this matter," Elrien discarded another parchment into her bag; they all seemed to be bills or receipts of stock buys and the sells he had made in the past month.
"Why are you so adamant about stopping these slavers?" She asked distractedly as she scanned down the pages.
"Well, apart from the general distaste for the practice of slavery?" she could her the surprise in her tone from her question. "I have my, personal, reasons for seeing the Bloodhawks meet a fitting fate,"
"You gonna tell me these personal reasons?"
"No, not now. Perhaps if I get the chance to know you better, but that is a tale I do not wish to relate at the moment," Elrien glanced up at his face, blinking against the sunlight, to see his jaw clenching and unclenching, his eyes unfocused on the present as he recalled whatever his personal reasons were.
"Fair enough, I did not mean to intrude," she replied, standing up with the last parchment clutched in her hands; she had found what they were looking for.
"It is a simple story I tell only to those closest to me, so please forgive me if I seem a bit rude. Perhaps, in time, I will speak more of this to you, should the time come that I call you my friend," he said hurriedly, apparently worried she was about to walk off. Smiling, she nodded and held out the parchment for him to read.
"I understand, Mr. Albright," Staring at her face for a moment longer, he looked away when he took the parchment out of her hands to read its contents.
It was a letter addressed to Shrak from someone named Jhordak, describing how they had left some of their men in a room at the Ravenclaw Tavern and the way in which they could be contacted if Shrak had any new 'stock' for them. Markius read the letter once, then reread it before turning his attention back to Elrien.
"So it seems Shrak uses two Bloodhawk contacts at the Ravenclaw Tavern to communicate with the rest of their organisation. You have served your purpose well, Elrien. I shall have a chance to finally track down the foul Bloodhawk base within the city," he trailed off, lost in his thoughts. Nodding, Elrien threw her bag back on her back and inclined her head.
"So I guess I'll see you around then,"
"Actually, I have come to learn that the Bloodhawks have a much larger force than I expected, seeming to have thrived here in the city. I know you have already assisted me, but I fear alone I would have little success in striking against these slavers for they are likely to be well armed and dangerous. Nevertheless I will attempt to drive them out but I think I will need help. Would you be willing to assist me in tracking down these slavers and putting an end to their trade once and for all?" Elrien stopped, considering his words carefully before shrugging.
"Sure, I have nothing better to do," Markius remained silent, apparently unimpressed by her answer as she grinned at him and shook her head. "I am joking, Mr. Albright. Of course their trade needs to be stopped. I would be glad to help put an end to these Bloodhawks."
"Then I am glad to hear that," Elrien smiled and turned to walk towards the Ravenclaw tavern, Markius falling into step beside her.
"You are a good woman, and I wont forget what you have done for me," Elrien glanced up at him surprise before glancing down at the paved floor beneath her.
"You are welcome,"
***
The Ravenclaw tavern wasn't as full as it had been the night before, but there was a large crowd in the common area; market shoppers and travellers from the docks having come her for a good hot meal. As soon as she stepped through the door she could feel Ruknars gaze focus on her, and continue to stay with her as she and Markius walked between the tables and made their way towards the corridor that led to the rooms. The corridor was wide, lit by two braziers placed on either wall.
"Do you think its possible Ruknar is in on the Bloodhawks trade, and is allowing them to use the rooms for the purpose described in the letter?" After seeing Markius's quizzical look, she quickly answered it. "Ruknar is the inn keeper," He shook his head, glancing back towards the main common area.
"I highly doubt it," Coming to a stop in front of the door the letter said the two Bloodhawks would be in, Elrien knocked three times and waited for someone to reply. A peephole in the door was pulled open and a pair of eyes appeared, darkened by the shade of the owners hood, appeared in the space.
"Who goes there?" Markius nudge Elrien, indicating for her to speak.
"I, uh…. The hawk's blood flows freely?" The eyes narrowed slightly at her stammering before there was a click and the door opened for them. "Ah, ye must've been sent by Shrak," Stepping into the room, she was welcomed with a grin off the two men standing inside, both dressed in the same clothes Elrien took to be the uniform of the Bloodhawks.
"So you are here on business form Shrak, I take it? On behalf of the Bloodhawks, I welcome you," The one that had opened the door sniggered, drawing Markius's and Elrien's attention to himself.
"I see yer brought ya companion with ya. 'e seems to be a fine specimen indeed,"
"Aye," agreed the second. "We shall lead you to our master. He'll be very pleased with the both of you," Elrien tensed, sensing something very wrong in the way he spoke of both her and Markius. A sharp stinging in her neck made her jump and she brought up her hand to feel the feathered end of a small dart, brushing her fingers along its soft texture. The rooms colours began to swirl and merge together as her vision began to blur, and she was faintly aware of Markius staggering around behind her as she tried to focus on the second Bloodhawks sneering face.
"Mylok sends his regards, Elrien Dy'Mana," The surprise that she felt was dulled by the effects of the dart, and she heard Markius fall to the floor with a thud, his great sword clattering out of his hands and bouncing along the floor. As the colours seemed to become more intense, Elrien felt the room whirl around her and then lurch, but she felt no impact as she hit the floor, her vision already full of unsettling blackness.
Authors note: So here it is, Chapter 4, I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know what you think. RamenTree xox