Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ashnidanté
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A Stallion, as black as night was soundlessly meeting the red Stallions challenge as his teeth and hooves struck out. The warriors neared them and the challenger released the defender, before spinning and galloping into the darkness, as he came past Alanna stiffened, his eyes were the same colour as his coat, there was no white around his eye, as there should be. This Stallion was as pure as night, Embrean el Tekes.
The red stallion gathered himself to chase the legendary horse and the warriors followed, Raku came up beside her.
"Seen something you like?" Raku breathed, resigned, knowing she had already made her decision.
Alanna nodded, "I want that one, the Shadow of Death.
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Alanna sighed as she entered the stream water and strode in until she was up to her chin. Above her the small waterfall peered down at her, water cascading softly over its banks and through the veil, she could see a small cave.
She unwound her hair and let it fall in rivers down her back, slowly sinking back into the water, fully submerging and swimming out further to the bottom, where she turned and opened her eyes. Above her the turbulent water of the waterfall swirled and she swam slightly closer, letting the churning waters wash the grime from her skin.
After a while she resurfaced, her skin with a slight blush, and from the streamside, where she left her clothing and blade, several bottles rose and shot across the water to her.
Selecting a bottle of soft crimson, she tipped some onto her hands and began to lather it through her hair, a subtle sweet scent coating the night air. A nearby owl hooted and she could hear the soft wing strokes cutting through the air. She took the time to massage her scalp, to rid it of dirt and grime, but smile crossed her features when she recalled how she had got it there.
She was now the proud owner of a Tahakén Stallion, Ambrean el Tekes, the Shadow of Death, though he had certainly tried to bring hers about. Her body, as battle trained and endured as it was, had taken a fair beating from the legendary mount. Having lived as an enemy of man, the horse had an almost unnatural level of understanding human behaviour, words and body language; he also seemed to understand what human's limits were.
During her hunt for him, she questioned the Chief relentlessly, learning ever single detail he had to share about him. She learned he never made a sound, struck always during the night and had an uncanny ability to avoid traps and escape the Warriors, vanishing without a trace. Having scouted every inch of El'Midador, they had concluded there was no possible place for the stallion to hide for as long as he had, concluding that he was a Demon bound in horse-form. And no demon was found unless he wanted it.
He found them. He came from nowhere, arriving beneath the cover over the sky and watching as they succumbed to sleep, he reared a challenge and slipped into the night. The horsemen gathered their mounts and followed him, for they were on a plain, with views on all sides. Alanna and Raku used their ability as Tahakén Royalty to spur their mounts on; when the others tired they offered their Gift to their horses, enabling them to pursue the stallion for longer.
Raku was the first to fall back, claiming he wouldn't be able to sustain his mount without damaging it permanently. Zochalea was determined to catch Ambrean el Tekes, asking for even more Magic until she was brimming with it. Eventually Alanna ordered her to halt, not willing to risk the life of the sweet little mare and grudgingly, sides heaving, she slowed. Alanna dismounted, gave the mare instructions to return to the warriors and continued on foot.
Ahead of them the shadow slowed, an inky blot against the dully lit plain. The night continued on, the horse staying several lengths ahead of Alanna, almost toying with her before entering the forest ahead. Then Alanna moved, calling upon her training and skill, shifting silently up into the trees, following him from above, casting a spell to cause the leaves crackle and branches move as though she were still earth bound.
Several lengths into the forest the removed the spell and watched as the stallion paused, tossing his head, ears pricked and staring in the direction he thought her to be.
Raising his head he took several steps back after her, swivelling his ears, the inhabitants of the forest had registered her presence and were completely silent.
Waiting above him, Alanna paused before launching herself forward and flying through the air and throwing her arms about the mighty stallion's neck. He threw himself into the air with a scream of rage, the first sound she had ever heard him make, and proceeded to charge through the forest.
Alanna hung on for dear life as Ambrean el Tekes tried to throw her, or kill her, she wasn't sure which. Ducking low to avoid a branch she yelled at him, in both Song and El'Midadorian, "You will have to do better than that!"
Snorting he suddenly stopped, head bowed, but Alanna felt the movement pass through his body and managed to shift backwards, enabling her to remain seated.
Tossing his head the stallion ran forwards and twisted, slamming his body against a tree, he gave a snort in pain as his body connected, not hers, she had lifted herself to his other side.
Bursting from the forest he galloped across the plain towards a small stream before halting and flipping his body forward in a roll. Alanna blinked in shock before swiftly leaping free of the rolling horse, she landed oddly before shaking herself and spinning around back to him. He was slowly getting to his feet and shook himself, dirt falling from his coat.
Ears flat he watched her run at him and spun at the last moment, presenting her with two deadly hooves, nimbly dodging to the side, she threw herself up and onto his back. Snorting he began to spin, faster and faster before stopping and throwing his head skyward, hoping to force Alanna forward onto his neck. Alanna's reactions were faster and she threw her body backwards, entangling her fingers into his mane.
The black stallions back arched and he bucked, furiously trying to toss her, then he began to gallop, lifting all four legs off the ground as he launched himself into the air, his head lowered.
Clamping her thighs around his girth she clung to his back, shifting her body as he swung this way and that. Blood thundering in her ears, she leant forward, taking a risk, and clamped her hand around the top of his muzzle, dragging his head towards her. He turned, but continued charging forward, unable to see where he was going as he tried to free himself.
Alanna glanced up from where she was trying to avoid his teeth and stiffened, for the first time she was gazing directly into Ambrean el Tekes' coal eyes. She could see her own, mirrored in his and for the briefest of moments, she saw through his eyes, into his life.
She saw the joy at his birth and the sadness as his dam and brother died, and the hunger as he was left in the rain, all alone. She saw the fear as thunder and lightning lashed overhead without explanation and she saw the bite of the human weapons as they hit his skin. She saw the thrill in the chase, the speed in which he possessed and the skill in which he evaded the hunters. Finally she saw him standing on a cliff, observing the humans as they fell into sleep and then she understood. Ambrean el Tekes was no demon, no, he was King.
A movement ahead of her forced her gaze from the stallion's eyes and her own widened as she realised where they were running to. Ahead of them, the stones of a stream slopped down into a deep pool, flanked on both sides by a small bank.
Growling she refused to release his muzzle, forcing him to continue forward, unaware of the impending water. She knew he had seen it when he tried to force his head back around, trying to slow, but she put her heels into his side, hard, and he jumped forward unexpectedly, tumbling down the bank and into the water.
The shock of the water made her loosen her hold on the stallion and he jerked away, ripping his muzzle from her grasp and directly into the current.
Gasping, Alanna released him and turned for the bank, the breath leaving her lungs as a powerful hoof slammed into her as Ambrean el Tekes swam away, heading for the banks.
Reaching the banks she hauled herself up the side before panting in the grass, gazing at the sky. After a few moments she got to her feet and began to follow the river downstream, ahead she could see her horse clambering unsuccessfully up the sides of the bank.
A scream of frustration gave away his predicament and Alanna jogged easily alongside the river, slowly catching him, in no hurry, he couldn't go anywhere, yet.
It was when she was alongside him when she felt a disturbance ahead, glancing to the now frantic stallion she jogged ahead, picking up the pace as she heard the distinctive sound of water crashing over rocks at a chaotic pace.
Approaching the edge of the cliff, she saw a vortex of white water swirling over rocks beneath a twenty foot drop. Behind her, the horse was surging against the current, making no leeway but not drifting any closer to his death. For a moment she marvelled at his strength before shaking herself and thinking frantically.
For a moment she considered halting the flow of water, but that would still leave her with the difficulty of creating a path out for the stallion, then she thought about lifting him from the water, but realised it could send him into a panic. Glancing about her, she saw tall trees, with a fallen tree nearest to her. It was huge, bother her and Raku wouldn't be able to reach each other around its widest girth.
She flicked her hand and purple fire coated the tree, slowly lifting it into the sky before inching it towards her. Angling the tree several lengths behind the stallion, she lowered it into the water and drove it into the riverbed.
Black eyes gazed at what she had done before he stopped fighting the current, and allowed himself to be swept backwards and into the tree. A shudder ran through the tree as he crashed into it, but it held and Ambrean glanced over to see what she was doing next, curious now he was safe.
A rock rose from the river and floated towards her, curving and slimming until it represented a scoop.
Purple fire coated a thick branch and connected it to the stone, creating a crude shovel which Alanna grabbed and began to stab into the bank.
After a few minutes she sensed Raku approaching, several minutes later he appeared around the bend, Zochalea following him daintily.
He halted a few lengths away and dismounted easily, his long strides easing the distance between them. His green eyes swept the scene, a brow rising at her makeshift shovel. He flicked his wrist and an outline of shovel materialised in the air ahead of him. It solidified into crystal and Raku swept it from the air, jumping into the small hole she had already made.
She glared at his elaborate shovel before shaking her head at his smirk and slamming it into the earth.
"Are we making a ramp or are we making stairs?"
Alanna thought for a moment, "Ramp, I don't think he has the strength for the stairs, not yet at least."
Raku nodded, understanding her reasoning of not crafting the ramp magically and spooking the stallion before they bonded and in giving her some of her magic when he was so distrustful of humans in general.
They worked quietly, happy in their own company, casting glances to each other, feeling something building, but unwilling to air or name it and break the uneasy truce they had reached.
After a while of digging, a goblet of water rose from the river, purifying and drifting over to Alanna. Smiling at Raku, she accepted the drink before sending it through the air to him.
He took a few large gulps before pouring the rest over his head, the cup dispersing back into water watched by a set of obsidian eyes. Pausing, Raku glanced over at the stallion who was eyeing him cautiously, ears pricked as water kept him snug against the tree.
Returning to his digging he glanced over to the red-head, who had her hair over one shoulder and was digging into the earth with grim determination, a slight sheen of sweat covering her visible skin.
Shaking his head of such thoughts he poured his frustration into the ground, harshly jabbing the earth with his crystal shovel. Alanna glanced up slightly and for a second he saw concern, or he hoped he did, before she returned to her own digging.
A few more shovels of dirt later and the water of the river rose up the bank and flooded the ramps base.
Alanna dropped her shovel and walked over to Zochalea, who was grazing nearby, having been ordered to stay close by Raku. She returned with several coils of rope, leading the mare and Raku's gelding towards Raku.
Taking a running leap, she tore from the bank and landed easily on the tree, before steading herself and nimbly along the length of the tree, easily evading the branches and water lapping at the bark. Ambrean el Tekes watched her approach with caution, but was too exhausted to do anything but watch her. When she was a few meters from him, she uncoiled the rope and tied it into a lasso.
The Stallion's eyes widened and he began to toss his head, moving it from side to side, but Alanna timed the release of the rope perfectly and it settled easily around the stallions neck. He jerked back, slipping further down the tree and deeper into the current.
Growling Alanna tied the rope to one of the larger branches sticking out above the water and then slipped from the tree, swimming deeper into the river, past her horse. He was more concerned with freeing his head to notice her climb back onto the tree and inch along behind him.
Uncoiling another rope from her shoulder she moved forward and her footsteps alerted the horse to her presence and he jerked away. Alanna created another loop in the rope and threw it forward, to his flank. The rope slowly sank, before being caught in the current and being swept beneath the stallions body.
Alanna swiftly moved forward and Ambrean el Tekes swam into the current away from her and she took the moment to dive into the water, holding onto the rope as the stallion forced himself against the current, away from her. Reaching the loop in the rope she passed her end through it before tying her final rope to it. Then she swam back to the tree and ran across its length, releasing the rope holding the stallions head, dragging the rope through the current to the bank.
On shore she called Zochalea forward and tied the rope to her saddle, Raku did the same and then he began to lead both mounts away, dragging the stallion through the current. The stallion's eyes pricked as he was limply pulled through the water towards the bank, the two mounts straining in effort as he became heavier and heavier.
At the ramp he slowly hauled himself up it, mindful of the rope about his girth and the lasso looped about his neck.
On land he stood shivering, body slumped and head lowered in exhaustion, his coal eyes sweeping the area. There was a disturbance at the corner of the river and the Chief and his people slowly approached, weapons drawn eyeing the stallion in distrust.
Alanna moved forward and stood in front of him, calmly staring down the weapons. Raku came and stood next to her after securing both mounts in position.
An overzealous warrior rose his bow and let loose an arrow, directly at the stallion, whose head snapped up and he danced backward, throwing himself into a rear to miss the bolt. At the stallions unnatural actions more arrows were fired and Alanna gave a shout of rage, her hand lashing out to catch each of the arrows in amethyst fire.
Ambrean el Tekes lowered himself to all fours, eying the woman warrior easily, all signs of fatigue gone. The Chief spoke rapidly to the Tahakén Royalty, his voice quivering in rage as he pointed to the black stallion.
Alanna calmly answered, shrugging the threat off and offering her own.
After a few terse moments, in which the El'midadorian people turned black with rage, they turned and left and Alanna turned to Raku, "Well…that went well."
Raku turned and glanced at the stallion watching them before giving a half nod and approaching his own mount, a rope appearing in front of him as he mounted. Alanna returned to Zochalea and removed a bow and a quiver of arrows from across the saddle.
"There is a stream, not far from here, that is connected to the river. I will make camp there." Raku informed her as he urged his mount away and gave instructions to Zochalea.
Alanna nodded, patting the mare affectionately on the neck as she walked away and vanished into the forest. A pair of obsidian eyes watched her go as the stallion was led between the two mounts across the plains.
Dusk had fallen when Alanna returned, a young buck slung across her shoulders, blood leaking down her neck and across her back.
Zochalea and her herd mate were grazing nearby and watched her as she approached before returning to their meal. Ambrean el Tekes was tied rather severely to several trees, too the mounts and then around several rocks that appeared to have been summoned from the earth.
She raised an eyebrow at Raku, who was tending to a nice fire, who shrugged, "Can you even imagine your reaction if he managed to escape under my watch?"
Black eyes watched her as she entered the clearing and lowered the venison onto the ground, their saddlebags were in a corner and she moved over to them, lowering her bow and quiver. "I'll save you the heart?" Raku asked with a smirk.
Alanna thought about it for a moment as she rummaged through her saddlebags, selecting a fresh set of clothing, her soaps and shampoo. "Sure," she answered, smiling at him as she followed her ears to the stream.
Drawn from her thoughts by a crack she turned her attention behind her, head slightly to the side, knowing Raku had purposely alerted her to his presence.
There was a soft sound of clothes sliding from skin before he slid into the water and waded through the water until he was behind her. A shifting in the air told her he was going to summon the green bottle even before it happened.
Goosebumps ran across her skin as the water about them receded and rose against an invisible barrier a few feet away from their skin. She could feel the warmth the man behind was radiating into the cool air and sighed as his large, callused hands began to lather the lotion onto her skin. The green lotion was a mixture of Healing Balm and her favourite body fragrance.
Raku took the time to massage the oils into her skin, gently brushing her hair from her neck when need be and eventually Alanna relaxed, sighing into his gentle touch.
They both remained silent as the Tahakén Prince worked his way down her back, kneading the knots from her muscles and rubbing soothing lotion onto her bruises.
Eventually he finished and slowly, reluctantly removed his hands from her skin, the water about them rushing back into place, causing Alanna to shudder.
There was silence for a long while and the heat from Raku's body contrasted deliciously to the chill of the water and the crisp night air. She could hear Raku take a deep breath, his exhale on her neck made her shiver, before his arms slowly came up around her. Alanna tensed within the shell of his arms and fortified herself before turning and facing him, staring into his green eyes.
By moonlight his shaggy brown hair had silver highlights and his emerald eyes seemed to glow a dark hunter green as he gazed at her, his arms secure around her, but she didn't feel caged, rather she felt protected, safe.
Before her Training, Alanna was sure her breath would be hurried and swift, not the steady, rhythmic inhale and exhale matching her heartbeat.
A day's worth of stubble hugged his jaw and she whispered, "The deer."
Raku's voice rumbled in response, "It can wait. This, you, are more important."
Alanna felt her breath catch, before she forced it to continue and taking the bravery of all those who had come before her she allowed, "Where does this leave us, what do you want?"
A large hand came up to caress her face, drawing her chin from her chest, "You. All of you and only you, for as long as you will have me, Alanna." Raku's voice was as soft as the breath on her face and she swallowed, the feelings and thoughts she had had and had been having, flooding into being.
Gazing into Raku's eyes, seeing what she had seen those many years ago with George, she closed her eyes, believing every word he had said, wanting what his caress promised.
Raku took her silence for acquiescence and leaned slowly in only to halt when she spoke, her hand on his muscular chest, "You can kiss me, on one condition."
A smile crossed Raku's face, erasing years from his skin and presence, "And what would that be?" He asked, playing along.
Alanna's eyes opened and she smirked, "No facial hair, its scratchy and-"
She was cut off by soft lips pressing against hers, demanding and fierce as the man who possessed them and the heat that lingered in her body roared to life as her arms latched themselves around his neck and his around her waist.
When air became necessary she pulled back and tucked her head beneath his chin as he nuzzled her hair, their breath slightly faster than normal.
"That was quick," she mumbled into his skin and she felt him smile.
"I didn't want to waste time, not when you asked me to kiss you," Raku rumbled, his arms warm about her body.
Alanna pulled back, eyebrow arched, "I didn't ask you to kiss me. I-"
Raku laughed and interrupted her, "Telling me to shave before I kiss you, is certainly a request."
She glared at him before a wave of water cascaded over him, steering clear of her as she drew back and swam across the stream to the bank. Green eyes watched her from the water as she turned on the bank to face him, a crooked smile on her face. "I want my bed before we go any further, Raku." She informed him softly as water fell from her skin and her clothing wrapped about her body.
Her voice drifted back to him as she gathered her gear and left, "And next time, if I ask you to kiss me, I don't want any of that nonsense. You will be putting your breath to better use."
His laughed tailed her into the night and as she entered their camp, Ambrean el Tekes' head rose to follow her about. The deer was rotating over the fire, spelled to turn at a slow speed and the wood appeared to have been spelled to burn slower than natural.
After fluffing about for a moment she moved over to stand at a safe distance in front of the stallion, who was watching her alertly.
"You are truly a magnificent beast," she told him, after a moment of appraisal, and he snorted.
"I am going to brush you, please don't move." She reinforced the command in Song and thickened the air about the stallion's body so that he would have extreme difficulty in moving.
His ears flew back and he stomped his foot, however the affect was lost at its difficulty, snorting he lowered his head, resigned.
Shrugging at him, Alanna summoned a brush and began to work on the tangles in his mane and tail, following it with the clumps of dirt intertwined throughout his coat. She followed up with a softer brush, grooming him until he began to glow like polished leather, Raku had returned and was watching her calmly, hands behind his head, while leaning against a tree.
Lowering the brush, Alanna took several steps back to admire her handy work and released the spell holding him, the aroma of cooking meat wafting into the night.
Sensing her appraisal the legendary horse seemed to swell, not in size but in presence, he stood tall, not as tall as Raku's Storm, but several hands off, just over 16hh. He was compactly built, with long legs with powerful lines and his mane and tail were thick and long. Accompanying his lower leg were tuffs of hair, giving him the appearance of furred boots and he had a small intelligent head.
Built for speed, his body betrayed a hidden strength as muscles rippled and he snorted, stepping away from her, lifting his feet in synchronisation as he moved.
It occurred to Alanna, as she ran her eyes over him that this horse was one sung abut in legends, a horse ridden by Gods and an untameable spirit, not meant to belong to any man.
At this thought she frowned slightly and watched as the stallion shifted and turned into the wind, arching his neck and fighting the restraints.
Alanna sighed, snapping her fingers and the ropes that bound him fell from his body. Raku opened his eyes from his position against the ground as the stallion stiffened, a ripple running through his body as he swung his head around to stare at her.
His eyes met hers and she inclined her head slightly. Understanding, if that were possible for a horse, flooded obsidian eyes before muscles tensed and the stallion was off, vanishing into the night, his footfalls fading into the distance.
Alanna watched him go, a smile on her face, even if she had to settle for a lessor horse, for Ambrean el Tekes was clearly the greatest mount in existence, it was worth it for the one memory of him charging into the darkness.
Raku said nothing, but she could feel his eyes on her as she stood next to the fire, staring blankly into the flames.
Eventually he stirred, "Take a walk and clear your head, I can hear you thinking from here."
Alanna glanced over to him, a startled look on her face, "I'm sorry, I wasn't aware I was that obvious."
Raku snorted, "Not to most, but I know you."
There was a moment's silence, bar the crackling of the fire and the sounds of the night. "You're right," Alanna agreed and shifted over to her packs, grabbing a dagger for protection before smiling at her companion and stepping into the shadows.
She had been walking, wandering aimlessly, for about two hours, when she came to a rising slope, on the skyline she could see the outline of a cliff. Internally debating as to its ascent she decide to go ahead, her body was only marginally sore, compared to normal, from her tussle with the stallion and her mind was still in turmoil, the excursion would do her good.
The night sky held an array of stars and they championed the moon in offering her light on her climb. By the time she reached the top, she was warm and limbered up, oxygen firing through her body with each steady beat of her lungs.
The top of the cliff was bathed in luminescent light and she sighed as a soft breeze ran its fingers across her face and through her hair, this was freedom. Standing on top of the world, for that's what it felt like in the night, she didn't feel as despondent about releasing the stallion and would content herself with another Tahakén mount.
Gazing out across the land, she could see the tendrils of smoke from the fire, several leagues away and started in surprise, she had walked further than she had thought. Continuing along she could see the shadow of forests, looking forbidding at night, and the silver snake of a river winding its way to the sea.
A hoot of an owl as it started caught her attention around, and she eyed the obsidian stallion as he silently emerged from the track. He drew to a stop, ears pricked and tossing his head nervously, before taking a hesitant step forward.
Hunter.
Echoed across the cliff top and Alanna straightened, allowing the statement to roll over her, waiting for whatever the legendary mount had to say, surprised that an animal chose to speak to her in Song and that he referred to her as "Hunter."
I was told you would come and would require a mount.
Alanna tensed, Who told you I would come?
The stallion gave her a look that clearly said are-you-serious but he answered, The Star. If you are willing to accept, I offer myself as your Promise.
Alanna hesitated, she had never heard of this "Star", but she did so badly want Ambrean el Tekes. I caught you earlier, why did you not say anything? Why was I unable to communicate or command you in Song earlier?
Snorting the stallion took another step forward, I am unique. There is no other like me in this realm. That is all I can say on the matter. You cannot command me, only request. As for not saying anything, you were to be tested, I had thought you failed. But then you released me. The stallion lowered his body forward, sinking into a horse version of a bow.
Making up her mind Alanna allowed a full-blown grin to cross her face, before bowing in the stallion's direction. I accept.
A white light, brighter than any she had ever seen before light the stallion's coat, lighting him from within before expanding outwards and rolling across the sky, before shooting upwards and dispersing above the clouds.
The stallion shook himself and straightened, standing at his full height of 16.5hh.
What was that?
Black ears flickered and the stallion snorted, he seemed to be mocking her, You are the human and the mage, I am just a horse.
Alanna glared at him, "Great," she muttered to herself, "Trust me to pick a horse with an attitude."
Turning, her horse flicked his tail in her direction, before moving silently into the bush.
Alanna followed him, throwing her hands up in the air, thinking that this had to be one of the strangest moments of her life.
It took her a few moments to catch him, he was faster than she had first thought, and quieter, he also didn't appear to leave a trace, avoiding brushing against trees and standing on clumps of grass rather than dirt and mud.
Ambrean el Tekes, she spoke as she jumped down a rock and onto the plain.
Abruptly the stallion halted, that is not my name! His ears were flat to his skull and his front body lifted slightly, as though he were about to rear. I am not The Shadow of Death. I will not answer to a name given to me by humans!
Head cocked to the side she examined him, before nodding in acceptance, Very well. What are you called? Her companion immediately relaxed and turned his small, intelligent around to look at her as she came up beside him.
The Star named me Ashnidanté for the night I was birthed and the storm that couldn't take my spirit.
"Eternal lightning," Alanna mused as she continued walking; soundless, unbreakable, appears during darkness or the night, strikes without warning and retreats just as swift.
A fitting name, she informed the stallion, Ashnidanté it is!
The Immortal Hunter mounted on Eternal Lightning, Ashnidanté agreed as he walked next to her.
Alanna hesitated at his translation of her own title before complying, after all, many thought she was immortal and she was incredibly difficult to kill, May our legend begin!
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Author's Note:
Is anyone still wanting to hear from me? Lol, sorry about the time it has taken me. I have hit a curve at the moment, not sure on where, well, how I want to get where I am going. BUT Raku and Alanna have finally taken a step in their relationship! YAY!
Also, look out for a new plot line, similar to what was done when I introduced Raku and his intro to the story. As for where I am going, do we want to cut through to this plot line, or leave it unexplored? As of now I am uncertain. The length will be taking away from Tortall, and Tahakén, but will introduce and be a part of something crucial to the future of this fic (at the moment lol)
So, do we want to skip it and leave lovely battle scenes etc and jump straight to her return to Tortall, or carry on with delicious goodness? Delicious Goodness will be angst, friendship, war, victory and a whole lot of other things that are written in my head. So, give me an idea.
On a parting note, I have moved to University :D Yay, so most of my time now will be focused on my studies, so updates may be few and far between, so I apologise.
Laura: Eventually she will return, though I won't say for how long :D
Tigersky7: Thank you :D
Children of the Blood: Could you elaborate as to where you think I went off track? Anything to help me continue at a standard I love to write/ people enjoy/want to read. Aw, thanks.
Schubeyy: Aw, thanks cutie :P Maybe when I get bored/hit a writer's block (again) I'll write some for ya :D
RoyalLady: Of sorts ;)
Animato: Welcome?
Fang: I know right! I was like, (before I wrote that) this chapter is way to small….. hang on! I'll add some about what they think about each other and how they got to that stage! Turned out well, If I may say so myself ;)
Kaari8: Thank you! George, Myles, Raoul, Gary, Duke Gareth and Baird and Queen Lianne know she is a Tahakén Princess and has been tortured. They also know she is famous and has some (a lot) of skill to be able to compete in the Lives of Death. Apart from that, they don't actually know what she can do and what she has been through. It's like meeting an old school friend who has like, a Degree in say Botanical Sciences ( Have no idea if that exists-lol). You know they deal in like plants and stuff but you don't know the extent of their knowledge, work and training. As for Jon, he has no idea she is even alive (he hopes she is) or where she is. Those people Haven't told him.