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OK, so this is Chapter 12! Not that many left, ENJOY!

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"Your damn right you'll explain." Cedric had grumbled as he put his sword down on a table that hadn't been overturned. Halt pointed out that Strider was bleeding but she shrugged, she told them it wasn't her blood, but the assassins. The weary girl had only sore and aching pains to speak of. The Inn Keeper shambled over from his own rooms nestled behind the bar. He was holding a lantern in one hand, he saw the blood on Halt's shoulder, along with the stern look on Cedric's face, he shuffled his feet and went to find a medical kit. Cedric pushed Halt into a chair, and Strider pulled a match from her belt. Each table was topped with a candle, but none were lit, with the match and some difficulty, Strider lit the candle and light spilled over Halt, revealing the worst of his injuries. Their was one short cut across his upper right arm and shoulder. It had bled a considerable amount, and Cedric took note of the paling complexion of the Ranger.

"Now what the hell are you doing here slinking around?" Cedric asked Strider, then he gestured to the motionless assassin, "And why are your friends here trying to kill Halt?"

Strider looked disheveled, and she sighed shortly and replied gruffly, "They're not my friends, nor allies. They are, or were, in league with the Cult. My brother, he, well he sent them here. I thought there were only one of them though." She looked at Cedric inquiringly but it was the Ranger who replied.

Halt winced as Cedric used a piece of spare cloth to press against the Ranger's wound to stop the bleeding. Strider wondered where he got the cloth from, considering that he and Halt were both bare from the waist up and wearing only trousers she classified it as a shear mystery. "There were two, I dealt with one up stairs. They came to kill you?"

Strider shook her head, "No, it's not me they to kill, they came to kill you Halt, you and Gilan. Where is Gilan? He's not… Dead, is he?"

"Gilan is fine, I sent him to Redmont to get help. I don't understand, why do they want to kill Halt?" Cedric's tone was soft.

Strider shrugged, "I didn't exactly get a chance to ask my brother that…"

Halt's eyes widened, "You spoke to him?"

"Spoke, argued, snarled it's all the same right?" She looked at them hopefully, they didn't reply and her shoulders sagged. "I went to speak to him, he had someone bring me a message after the assassins attacked, when I was walking back to the encampment. It said he wanted to speak to me, so I went."

Cedric looked astonished, "Fell let you go and talk to him?"

Strider shrugged, crestfallen, "I wish. He doesn't even know, he thinks I'm safe, tucked away in the encampment. I had to go, I didn't really see it as an option not to, he might be a Cult, but he's my brother after all." Cedric thought for a moment, he understood, he had a brother he'd do just about anything for as well. Then he looked at Strider in puzzlement, "I don't get it, he has assassins try and kill you, then he wants to meet you, and you go. That just doesn't make good sense."

"It doesn't," Strider admitted, "But I had to know why he wanted to see me, for all I knew he wanted me dead. The assassins that attacked the first time were just a test. He wanted to see if you were really Ranger's." Strider looked at Halt, his grave eyes gave nothing away. "Once he was sure, he wanted you out of the picture. I don't think he knows what we know about the attack. However, he does know all about you, Halt. You're a threat to him, and so is Gilan."

Halt nodded, he accepted the fact, "And what about you? Aren't you a threat to him?"

Strider sighed, "Once he told me that his plot to have you killed, he tried to take me captive, or kill me, either way, I ran like hell all the way to the garrison. Then I rode, or well clung to a horse the rest of the way here. I wasn't going to let anyone die because my brothers ambitious."

Cedric looked taken back, "You call it ambition?"

"Ambition or a mental illness, I haven't decided yet." Then Strider let out a gusty sigh, her fingers itched to be doing something and she began to replace to overturned tables and chairs to their rightful positions. The Inn Keeper returned, stepped around her and delivered the medical kit to Cedric, who sent him back to bed, assuring him that he'd deal with the rest.

"There's something I didn't tell you… About my brother. Something no one else knows about my brother right now but me."

Cedric had gotten to work tending to Halt's wound while Strider paced uncertainly around the room, looking uncomfortably nervous and guilty. She felt Halt's eyes watching her.

"What is it?" He asked, urging her on.

Strider stopped pacing and turned to look at him, one hand rubbing her neck awkwardly. "The Shadows think that my brother's a simple foot soldier for the Cult, but he's a tad bit more than that. I guess it's my own fault…"

Cedric had looked up at the girl as well, "What is he then? An advisor? Ambassador? Lieutenant?"

Strider shook her head, "He's the leader… He runs the whole show, he took control of the Cult a while ago after their original leader was kidnapped and killed. He chose to take over to ensure the safety of leadership." Strider's tone was bordering on misery.

Halt frowned, "How does becoming leader protect the position? Who's to say he's not be killed like the leader before him?"

"That's just it, I killed the previous leader. I staked out at the palace of his for a week or so, and when I felt he time was right, I snuck in, killed him, and got out. I think I could do it again too. No one really suspects the young maid as a Shadows. It can be deceiving."

Cedric nodded, "Very deceiving."

"My brother took over leadership of the Cult because he knows that even though I can deceive and lie, plot and scheme," Strider flopped down into a chair, "I can't kill him, I can't even fight him, I just have to sit around and wait for him to slip up. It's the business of pure misery."

Cedric was thinking hard, something Battlemaster typically aren't thought to be very good at unless they were leaning over a map, "And Fell doesn't know this?"

Strider shook her head, "No, he has no idea, he thinks Derek, my brother, is a lowly foot soldier among the Cult who I will never meet in battle. It's just a little more complicated than that."

Cedric finished wrapping bandages around Halt and went on speaking critically to Strider. "Why don't you just tell him that?"

Strider looked at him and raised one eyebrow in question, "If it were that easy I would've told the world by now. It's not like I can waltz right up to Fell and tell him that his Deputy's brother happens to be leading the Cult, and that I can't kill him. That I won't even try. I don't want to let Fell down, and that's exactly what'll happen if I tell him. I might be wrong, but I guess I'll find out when I tell him tomorrow."

Halt rubbed his arm sorely, "Your going to tell him?"

"How else am I going to explain this? He can see straight threw me when I lie, and he's going to want the truth once he hears about this." Strider gestured to the assassins limp body laying across the floor.

Cedric nodded his assent, and Strider rose back to her feet. She righted the rest of the furniture, while Cedric and Halt spoke quietly to one another. Then she helped Cedric and Halt tie the surviving assassin up and settle him into a tight corner by the fireplace. She remembered the gelding she'd left to wander around outside, and went out in search of him. Once she found him she feed and watered him, brushing out his coat and rubbing him down to make up for leaving him without care for so long. He didn't object to the extra care for once and he tossed his mane happily at her efforts.

Halt and Cedric had discovered an unconscious sentry who was supposed to be on duty while Strider was busy working. He had a large bruise on the side of his head and his sword was missing from his belt. Strider planned to leave when she was done bedding the horse down for the night when Cedric offered her a drink of fresh coffee. Naturally, she accepted, and Halt found her asleep in a chair in the Inn not long after that. Cedric couldn't believe how much younger Strider looked when she was sleeping, she looked young and innocent. He had to admit, he could almost believe she was benevolent, and not the errant and defiant fighter he'd become so accustomed to when he looked at her.

Cedric looked at Halt hopelessly, "Are you going to wake her?"

The Ranger shook his grizzled head, "No, are you?"

Cedric smiled in defeat and carried Strider up to an empty room in the Inn. He settled her onto a fresh bed, tugged off her boots, arm guards, weapons and cloak, placing them neatly away in a chair close by. He pulled the covers over her and left her to sleep.

They arrived long before noon the next day, they waited at the forest edge before Cedric ushered them closer. Fell and Marek made their way down to the village to talk to Cedric at where he stood at the outskirts of the village. Fell had noticed someone standing along side the Battlemaster and he knew by the defiant set of the stance that it was his Deputy.

"Morning Cedric, Strider." He was staring at his Deputy with something close to fury, and Cedric felt tension crackle through the air.

"Glad to see you on your feet," Cedric said as he shook hands with Fell. The leader of the Shadows nodded, contented.

"It's good to be allowed to do something other than sleep, especially with no one to make sure I'm well rested." He shot Strider a glare of pure ice. Marek pulled his dagger and began to cut at the air to his left.

Cedric stared at him critically, "Marek, what are you doing?" He asked, and Marek shot him with a look that made Cedric feel suddenly uneducated.

"Cutting the tension," He retorted innocently, and went back to his hacking at nothing. Fell acknowledged Marek's obvious point and shifted his gaze to his Deputy, "I think I need to speak to my Deputy, alone." Cedric stood with Marek, who had sheathed his dagger as Strider and Fell walked off a ways to talk. They stepped into the shade of some trees and Fell leaned against a tree, his green eyes showing his obvious displeasure.

"You could start at the beginning." He said coldly. Fell kept his guarded gaze parallel with the horizon, he wouldn't even look at Strider.

Strider sighed, "Fell I'm sorry, I didn't tell you I left camp last night,"

Her leader nodded his recognition, "Offense number one, go on." He didn't once meet Strider's gaze.

Strider told Fell the rest of what happened, and he chimed in with his constant remarks about Strider's mistakes. Finally Strider's explanation came to an end.

Fell shook his head, "Anything else?"

Strider nodded, "Fell, when I told you I had a brother who was part of the Cult, I never told you that exactly what role he played for them. He's not a lowly foot soldier. He's… He's their leader."

Strider saw Fell stiffen, and she half expected an outbreak of anger from him, but he stayed calm, and this time he looked straight at Strider. His voice was cold and stern, and Strider felt like a disobedient child.

"Why didn't you tell me this?"

"Fell, I killed their leader before. I'd try to do it again any way I could, but he's my brother, and I can't kill him. He knows it and he holds it against me. If the Shadows knew they'd expect me to use this to my advantage, become his ally and then do away with him. I can't do that, not to my brother, no matter how wrong his actions are."

Fell thought for a moment, "I would never, not for the life of me, send you out to kill your own brother. You should've known that."

"It was never you I was worried about. Face it, the Shadows are desperate. Any victory on our part is a Godsend, having the leader of the Cult's sister as a hostage, or even as a tool to kill him would be a miracle. I'm not a tool Fell, I look at my brother and I see this kid I spent my childhood with. He might be able to look past every one of the memories we shared, but I can't. I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't be, no one is asking you to kill your brother, and no one is going to. You're a Shadow, and you belong here as my Deputy, no matter how many secrets you may be hiding." Fell sighed, "Jane, there is some logical reason for you being my second in command. It's not just because of what you've done for the Shadows. I chose you because I know you're not ever going to give up on me. Your strong when I can't be, and I'm strong when you can't be. It's a working partnership."

Strider nodded, "I know," She met Fell's gaze, "I messed up, and I'm sorry."

Fell's eyes softened, "Good, now let's go, they're waiting for us." Fell began to pick his away down the gentle slope back to where Cedric and Marek were waiting. Behind him he heard Strider's instant retort, and he smiled.

"Yes, mother." Strider trudged after her leader, she could feel him smiling.

"So who won?" Marek asked casually as they trekked to the Inn. Fell shot him a withering look.

"It wasn't a fight, Marek."

Marek shrugged and ignored his leaders comment, "For what it's worth, I put my money on you." Fell rolled his eyes, and Strider fought back a grin.

"I'm sure you did."

Cedric watched the exchange in silence, he found it mildly amusing the way Fell and Marek traded words. Fell's seniority and authority over Marek didn't seem to complicate them being close friends, sharing jokes seemed to be a common occurrence between them.

Halt was waiting for them at the Inn, already seated at a table surrounded with chairs, maps and charts were scattered before him. Cedric and the Shadows exchanged greetings quietly, doing their best not to disrupt the serene calmness that had settled over the Inn. Like the day before, the Inn was noticeable empty, and the feeling of unease was contagious. Once everyone had settled around the table with a tight uncomfortable squeeze, they began to discuss the matters of the attack.

The basic idea was to trap the force of the Cult between the Shadows and the Araluens. The Shadows would flank the Cult from the forest, and the Araluens would attack head on from the village. Fell agreed to the plan, liking the simple lay out of it all. The attack, set for the late afternoon was still hours away, and all the major preparations for the battle had been made. The miserable game of waiting began.

Fell and Marek sparred while Strider sharpened her weapons. The leader of the Shadows' movements were stiff and hampered, and he favored his left side as he tussled with Marek. Halt was busy practicing his archery, he was finding it difficult to fire arrows from a full draw with his recent injury, and he spent time finding the best way to cope. Cedric spent his morning training with his younger brother, Rowan. They practiced with wooden drill swords until sweat was pouring down both of their faces. The sparring match between Marek and Fell ended with Marek victorious. The instance Fell had dropped his guard Marek had toppled him over, using his bulky weight and figure to his advantage. Fell was forced to give up, and he smiled ruefully as Marek pulled him to his feet, grinning.

"I think I'm getting better at this." He told Fell, who shot him a sardonic look.

"I hadn't noticed," Marek clapped him on the back. Even though Fell was at an average height for his age, Marek still towered over him, both in height and girth. The two settled on the verandah of the Inn, where Strider was finishing sharpening her weapons. She looked up at the clear blue sky and murmured softly.

"I think it's going to rain today."

Cedric and Rowan had joined them on the verandah, helping themselves to a wine skin filled with cool water.

"There's not a cloud in the sky." He said, and Strider nodded.

"I can see that, but look at the birds," Cedric followed Strider's gaze to a flock of birds fleeing from the trees. They looked to be in a hurry, and Strider continued softly with her explanation, "Before storms birds fly off to safety."

Suddenly the sound of hooves pounding against the Earth brought both Shadows and Cedric to their feet. At the head of a party of mounted men at arms rode the Baron of Redmont, his Battlemaster and Gilan in tow. They stormed into the village, their horses skidding to a halt and sending stones and pebbles skipping across the dry and cracked ground. Fell did a rough count, and came to the product of twenty mounted men at arms, along with the Baron and his Battlemaster. They all dismounted hesitantly, the Baron, spotting Cedric, stepped up to greet him. They shook hands and exchanged greetings. From the crowd of men at arms Gilan slipped past them, moving towards Halt with a guarded expression on his face. Fell shook hands with the Baron as Cedric introduced the two, Fell noticed the uncertain look on the Baron's face and took it into account. Strider was standing discontentedly behind Fell's right shoulder, looking out of place.

"Your daughter I presume?" The Baron asked and Fell almost choked, behind him he heard Strider smother a short bout of laughter. He could feel her grinning behind him.

"No sir, she's my Deputy." The look of astonishment on the Baron's face struck a laugh from where Marek stood on the verandah, no one seemed to notice the out break as it died off into a chuckle.

Fell and Strider made their way back to were Marek stood, Fell looking a little crestfallen, "I don't really look that old," He said, then added a little awkwardly, "Do I?" In all reality, Fell was only a few years older than his Deputy, but many times people looked for believable explanations for the presence of Strider that didn't involve her being a warrior.

Marek patted him on the shoulder, "Of course not Grand pappy." Fell shot him another one of his famous withering looks that Marek received often, and gathered his weapons. Strider and Marek followed suit, but not before a short figure came jogging into the village, Strider didn't need to look past the lofty brown hair to recognize her apprentice. His face was clouded with worry and concern, it was clear from his demeanor that something was definitely wrong. Glade stopped to catch his breath before he spoke, his voice was weak and came out as a gasp.

"Fell, the Cult's on their way."

Instantly Fell and his Deputy were galvanized into action, Cedric consulted with the Baron, speaking rapidly to him in a hushed tone. Then the Baron began to call his men together, he rallied them with a wave of his hand and issued his orders for the attack. The men at arms began to file out towards the forest, stopping to hold a position at the front of the crumbled wall of masonry. Marek, Strider and Fell slipped past them, tugging masks and cowls into place. Fell stopped as he passed the Ranger's, Glade was standing behind his leader, breathing regularly now. His demeanor had changed, and he looked calm and composed.

"Glade's going to stay with you, he'll tell you when we signal, but I'm pretty sure you'll catch it."

Halt nodded and Glade fell in line nervously with them, Strider clapped him on the shoulder and wished the Ranger's and her apprentice good luck. Then, following her leader and Marek, she disappeared into the trees.

Glade watched them go, feeling oddly insignificant standing next to the Ranger's astride their shaggy mounts. He kept his gaze focused on the forest edge and his right hand on the hilt of his dagger at his right hip. What ever came threw the trees, he was prepared to fight it.

Rowan listened intently to his brother as Cedric directed where he should stay in the battle.

"Try to stay close to me or one of the other Knights, alright?" Rowan nodded, he held the hilt of his short sword tightly, his knuckles turning white. He hoped for not the first time he'd arrived in Faladore that he could return to the easy life of a thief.

"Ok, let's do this!" Fell's voice slipped over the small crowd of Shadows, and they slowly dispersed into the trees, fading soundlessly into their designated positions. Someone gently tapped Fell's shoulder and he turned to see his Deputy. Her could see the flickering fire in her hazel eyes and he felt a spark of relief flood through him. He'd always been charmed by the tawny colored eyes and the fierce flame that lit them.

"Hey, you'll be careful right?" The usually shrewd tone was replaced by a discreet sense of worry. Fell smiled and rested a hand on his Deputy's shoulder.

"I'll be fine."

Strider nodded, and smiled subtly. Fell wanted to say more, but he bit his tongue as his the girl turned and slipped into the trees. He didn't have the heart to stop her.

Their horses trotted swiftly through the forest, ambling along in a neat order. Behind them marched twenty foot soldiers, all carrying swords at their waists' and shields on their backs. Little did they know they were being stalked. All around them crept the Shadows, slinking through the under brush with gentle care. They stealthily flanked the Cult's party of soldiers, and somewhere close to the tree line a Shadow let out a piercing whistle.

Abelard and Blaze flung their heads wildly at the whistle, and Glade moved several steps away cautiously, suddenly a mottled grey shape broke free of the trees and streaked across the stretch of barren land and dirt. Glade whistled, the sound lower than the sharp high pitched call that had been emitted from somewhere in the forest. The shape raced belly low to the ground to the boy's side.

"That was the signal," He said, though Halt and Gilan had already assumed as much. The boy was ruffling Ghost's ears kindly, and the dog's tail wagged bag and forth rapidly.

"Good boy." Glade cooed and the dog barked as if to give his own praise to the apprentice.

Only a few minutes passed before the Cult reached the tree line, they spread out quietly, the mounted warriors taking up the rear line with the foot soldiers in front. At the head of it all was the distinct figure of Strider's brother. Halt could see the resemblance from where he stood, the loose brown hair and pale skin was shockingly similar to Strider. The light blue eyes showed no emotion, and Halt was almost disappointed, so this is the man who wants to kill me.

It would have been an agonizingly simple matter for Halt to raise the bow resting across his lap and put an arrow through the seemingly arrogant man before him. However the Ranger was still, his gaze fixed on the leader of the Cult. Beside him he could hear The Baron Arald and Rodney exchanging words in a hushed undertone. Then the leader of the Cult nudged his horse forward and spoke, his rough voice carrying easily to the Baron and his men.

"I wasn't expecting such a large reception!" He called, and the Baron smiled grimly. The Baron didn't reply and the Cult's leader continued in his aggravating monotone.

"I don't think we've been properly introduced, I am Lord Derek, Leader of the Cult of Day."

"Baron Arald, of Redmont Fief." The Baron's reply was short and to the point, and Derek smiled in a twisted fashion.

"You can surrender now and be privileged to become a slave of the Cult, or you can die by our hand."

The Baron was shaking his head in disgust, "Your mistaken, the choice for surrendering is one for you to make."

"As you wish then, we choose to fight for this village." The line of Cult began to bristle as weapons were drawn. A blood curdling cry split the air, and the line of attackers surged forward. The horsemen darted rapidly around the foot soldiers and charged for the force of men at arms awaiting them. The Baron raised his drawn sword and sent his own men forward into a attack.

Arrows hissed threw the air, embedding themselves in the chests of the onward surging force. Halt and Gilan kept their mounts in a constant flurry of movement, making themselves less appealing to be struck with a cross bow bolt as they avidly emptied saddles.

Suddenly the on surging force began to turn, milling around in confusion as they were struck down from behind. Halt smiled as he saw cloaked figures slipping from the trees. He'd lost sight of Glade soon after the charge, and he spotted the scanty figure standing up to a foot soldier almost double his size. The boy slipped under an arcing sword blow and plunged his dagger forward into the exposed side of his opponent The dog had followed Glade out into the skirmish, and the mottled shape nipped viciously at the heels of the Cult, bearing his teeth in a vehement snarl.

Strider dropped from the tree, swinging from the branch in an un-lady like fashion. She slammed into a nearby mounted Cult feet first. They toppled from the horse in a tangle of cloak and studded battle plate, Strider let out a grunt of satisfaction as her dagger bit into flesh. Strider rolled away from the downed foe, shaking off the fall, she snatched the halter of a rearing horse, the rider on it's back was thrown in the confusion, another Shadow was there to finish him off and Strider let the frightened animal go as she slipped away back into the heat of the battle.

The Shadows worked quickly, slitting the girths straps of saddles and drawing the attention of the foot soldiers with practiced ease. Many of them were met with the sudden fate of a dagger to their back, or the surprise of a franticly rearing horse.

In the confusion Fell lost sight of his Deputy, which was only to be expected in such a skirmish, but the promise he'd made to her was ringing in his ears as he downed a foot soldier with a swift thrust of his knife. Dust had been kicked into the air as horses charged towards one another and opponents wrestled against each other to gain a fatal advantage. Through the dust Fell couldn't spot the distinct shape of his Deputy, and he engaged in the battle once more, putting his promise aside for the moment. His words flashed vividly in his mind as he fought.

I'm not going to let him hurt you, Jane.


With a nod to his former mentor, Gilan broke away from Halt and drew his sword. He'd relinquished the last of his arrows to Halt, and with a nod of farewell to the grizzled Ranger he'd nudged Blaze forward into the chaotic mass of horses and soldiers. His sure footed mount picked it's way around a wild eyed bronco, and Gilan's sword flashed out at the horses side. With a flick of his sword Gilan slit the straps of the saddle and let the rider slip from the narrow backed horse and into the dirt to be trampled by passing steeds.

The Ranger's blade came up neatly to parry a downward slash from another mounted Cult member. The clashing and ringing of steel on steel, and the thundering of horses hooves' filled the air, Gilan could feel the blood pounding in his ears as the battle consumed him.

Halt's arrow flew true to it's mark, and the black shaft stood out distinctively against the silver chain mail of the Cult foot soldier. The swordsmen toppled over onto his side and lay ominously still. Another arrow was already nocked to the string neatly as Halt's gaze caught sight of a familiar shape. Even with the mask and cloak obscuring the face of the Shadow Halt could see the defiance set in every line of Strider's body. She had one hand clenched around the hilt of a long dagger, her thumb resting on the hilt pommel and the blade sprouting from the opposite end of her white knuckled fist. She was only a few feet away from the tree line, and any retreating Cult was quickly slowed by her rushed assault on them. Suddenly a large brutish horse with a jet black coat and a flare of white on it's wide muzzle swung it's hooves towards her. The girl darted underneath the rearing horse, swallowing her heart as the hooves swished past her head, she tucked and rolled away rapidly, springing to her feet several feet away.

The black horses' mount was Derek himself, swinging his sword in a precise arc for Strider. The girl's dagger remained in her hand, the defiance in her eyes never faltered as she ducked out of the way of the massive horse and her brothers monotonously vicious sword strokes. It would take one false move to spell the end for the lean figure, and Halt felt his heart sink as she stepped backwards, her heel caught on a tree root and sent her tumbling back against the trunk of a tree.

Suddenly there was a hiss and deep throated thrum, an arrow seem to sprout in Derek's right shoulder, he let out a disgruntled cry of pain, his attack slowed for the time being as he pulled the arrow from his flesh. Strider leaped to her feet and was out of harms way in an instant, casting a thankful look back at the mounted Ranger, but her relief was short lived as Derek rebounded and sent his horse barreling after her. She took to the trees, turning sharply and slipping out of the way of the horses massive hooves. Faintly Strider remembered just how she'd gotten her name, running. She'd laughed at it, thinking that running could never be more helpful than cowardice. Now that she was running for her life while being chased by a mammoth of a horse and her crazed sword swinging brother, she wasn't so sure it was a bad talent after all.

Fell had watched his Deputy flee, chased off into the forest without much choice, and now he was swinging astride a startled bronco, sending the bay horse into a rapid gallop in pursuit. The trees seemed to fly past, and he could hear a horse and rider approaching him from behind. Gilan pulled up beside him, Blaze's own gallop several paces faster than Fell's horse. Together they raced after Derek and his prey.

Strider dove behind a tree, falling into a forwards roll as the heavy bladed sword hissed past her. She pushed herself to her feet, feeling her legs cry out in pain at the movement. Running was futile, and Strider was tiring, she couldn't keep up the ducking and dodging much longer. The weary girl would have to take a stand sooner or later, and she knew it had to be soon before she ran out of endurance. Sweat was already trickling down her neck and her breath came in ragged gasps as she struggled to keep an even pace.

The ground sloped sharply ahead, and Strider skidded sluggishly to a halt at the top of the rise. Ahead of her was the river she knew, and the rocky turf leading down to it was a steep climb, up and down. She looked back and could see her brother, and his twisted smile, she was still holding onto the dagger with a clenched fist. An alarm went off in her mind, use it! And she did. Strider pulled her second blade and sidestepped deliberately, catching a downward sword stroke on crossed blades. What she didn't anticipate was the force of the blow. It sent her staggering back, and she felt her booted feet giving way to the crumbling of rock and dirt. She felt the ground being torn out from underneath her, a moment of vertigo, and then the excruciating pain of being slammed down on her shoulders. She toppled heels over head down the rocky slope. More than once she felt a sharp rock or a gnarled root bite into her as she rolled down the steep slope, her constant pace never diminishing until she hit the flat land.

A rough cough escaped her lips, she didn't try to get up, her limbs ached and she'd lost a knife in the rugged descent down the elevated slope. Everything tilted, and Strider wished the throbbing pain in her head would just ebb away. The girl could feel the stinging pain of what seemed to be a hundred scrapes and cuts all across her body. Strider raised an aching hand to her cheek, she could feel the slanted line of a cut and the warm sticky blood there.

The roaring river seemed to thunder against the rocks, but Strider was too dazed and confused to figure out where the sound was coming from, she settled for knowing the river was close by. Strider closed her eyes, and was greeted by a stab of pain.

The sound of hooves hammering against the rocky turf caused Strider to open her eyes again, above she could see the depleting canopy and a glimpse of the darkening sky. She'd been right, the clouds were about to give way to a storm. The hoof beats grew closer and she struggled to move, every part of her body screaming out in agony.

Finally she seemed to break threw the wave of pain holding her down and she staggered belatedly to her feet. A deep chuckle sounded nearby, and she looked up through the trickle of blood running into her right eye to see her brother trudging down the slope after her. She wiped the blood on her sleeve, wondering how things could possible be any worse. In her right hand she was still holding her knife, and she smiled in spite of herself. Some knife, she thought, moving back several paces away from her brother.

"Don't try to run, I don't like this game of cat and mouse. I just want to kill you slowly." Derek had left his horse behind, preferring to give chase on foot.

"I thought you wanted to kill the Ranger's." Strider accused.

"All in good time my dear, when we win this battle we will celebrate with the deaths of the filthy Ranger's. You however, die first."

Strider spat scarlet onto the ground, fighting to keep her vision steady and unwavering as she continued to retreat from her brother. Something told her to keep moving, just for a little longer. She looked over her shoulder and saw Druid's Leap, a double sided cliff that rose on either side of the river. It marked the roughest stretch of the river, and Strider made the mistake of retreating closer and closer to the gaping gorge.

"Over there!" Strider's gaze flickered up to the crumbling turf, and she spotted Gilan and Fell scrambling down the rough terrain. Derek's face flashed with annoyance, "Looks like I'll have to killer you quicker than I'd expected."

Strider felt her hope flee. It took her only a second to pull the dirk from her boot, she held it in her left hand shakily. She clenched her eyes shut for a moment. Strider took a deep breath, held it in, and started a fight she couldn't win. Her hazel eyes flashed with a deep sadness.

"After you."

Derek's face split into a twisted grin, and Strider felt her heart ache, what had happened to her brother? He lunged forward, his blade sweeping in for a slash directed at Strider's legs. Miraculously the dead beat girl leapt back in time, avoiding the crippling stroke without a moment to spare. She rushed towards her brother, stopping his counter stroke with her crisscrossing blades. The three cross guards locked together. Strider jerked her knee up under Derek's sword hand, gripping the up facing hilt with the top of her fists she crushed Derek's hand between knee and fists. The sword escaped his grip and dropped to the ground with a soft thud, Derek's left hand suddenly caught Strider in the jaw. It was a devastatingly effective left hook, and it sent Strider sprawling against the rocks. She felt the air leave her lungs with a whoosh and the ground slammed into her back awkwardly, there wasn't any more air to expel from her.

Before Derek could stoop to pick up his sword a weight crashed into him, and he was driven to the ground, he felt Fell's arms slipping around his neck in a chokehold.

Strider didn't really pray to any Gods in particular, but as she drug herself to her feet she cursed every God she'd ever heard of. She was still cursing when Derek's elbow slammed into Fell's wounded side. The Shadow let out a choked cry of pain and Derek left him writhing in pain as he reclaimed his sword from the dirt. He turned to finish Fell off, when a stone caught him behind the right ear.

Furious, he spun to see Strider, hurling another rock towards him, he left Fell and went after her. Another rock hissed past Derek's head and he moved through the field of boulders and sun smoothed rocks with only one thought in his mind. Kill her!

Strider leaped from boulder to boulder, occasionally stopping to hurl a rock back at her brother as he ambled towards her. The salty spray of the river was caught by the wind and whisked up at her as she reached the edge of the cliff. Stretching across the span of the cliff was a fallen tree. Gnarled and twisted branches sprouted all around the surface of the stripping bark. Underneath the peeling bark was the actual tree, bleached white by the salty sea spray being hurled up high into the air by the river. Strider peered cautiously over the cliff edge, the rivers white spray soared into the air as the banks narrowed and crashed between the blunt cliff face. Druid's Leap was the narrowest stretch of the entire river, the usually wide banks turned slim, and all the churning water was forced to flow through the narrow fissure.

Behind Derek Gilan skipped from rock to rock, racing up the gradient land agilely. Derek turned and swung his sword at the Ranger, Gilan's blade flicked out to block the poorly aimed stroke. Derek's arm was suddenly jarred with pain as the swords met, and Gilan slipped around him, putting himself between Derek and Strider.

Without another moments hesitation Derek lunged forward, Gilan neatly parrying the first thrust with a flick of his sword. Derek's strikes were heavy and well aimed, and each time Gilan blocked he felt his arm giving away at the shear force of the blow. The Ranger made a snap decision and wet on the offense, driving Derek back with several lightning fast swipes. He switched from over hand to under hand, his attacks constantly varying, finally Derek planted his feet firmly on the sloping ground. The swords clashed together and the cross pieces were locked with one another. Derek and Gilan stood chest to chest, and Gilan felt a flash of fear as Derek began to force the Ranger to his knees. It would all be over soon.

Rowan cast his gaze around the dissipating battle expectantly, he spotted Cedric chasing off the last of the Cult. The battle for the most part was coming to an end, and to Rowan's relief he was still in one piece. Through out the battle he'd stuck close to Glade, the two finding they made a decent team. When they worked together they could quickly overcome a foot soldier, with Glade lunging out at the man and keeping him preoccupied it was a simple matter for Rowan to step in and finish him off. They stood together now, both sweat drenched and out of breath.

Among the fallen foot soldiers and horses came the dog, trotting up to them happily, a boot locked between it's massive teeth. Rowan exchanged a curious look with Glade, who shrugged and ruffled the dogs ears.

"Good dog, I think."

Derek's malevolent smile widened as Gilan gasped, he was clutching the hilt of his sword with two hands, and Derek was still able to force the young Ranger closer and closer to his grave.

Strider was glancing around helplessly, there were no more stones in sight, and she tugged off one of her boots, hurling it for her brother. It hit him with a resounding thud and Derek faltered. Gilan shoved forward with all his weight, sending Derek stumbling back several paces. With a vehement jerk of his sword, Derek ripped the hilt of Gilan's sword clear out of the Ranger's hands. The sword landed blade first in the ground behind Derek, out of Gilan's reach. The Ranger was already stepping back when a hand snatched his shoulder, half dragging him the rest of the way up the cliff.

"Come on!" Strider was urging him, tugging the Ranger towards the tree bridge, without hesitation the girl had leaped onto the trunk picking her way hurriedly along the trees twisting length. Gilan followed, pulling his saxe knife free of it's scabbard. He moved swiftly across the tree, feeling the slippery bark creak beneath his boots.

The wind gusted and swirled around the two as they slipped across the bridge, they made it to the halfway mark when Gilan looked down. He felt his heart lurch inside his chest. He found himself looking down a drop of at least a thirty foot straight drop into the treacherous waters of the Faladore river. His head swam, and Strider's hand on his shoulder brought him back to reality.

Derek was stepping onto the fallen tree, and the makeshift bridge let out a moan. It lurched beneath their feet and Gilan's boots began to slip from the bark, Strider snatched his hand as he grasped at the air. The sky let out a shriek of thunder, and Gilan saw the fear in Strider's hazel eyes. He gripped the girl's forearm tightly, and the tree lurched again in the wind once more. Strider's feet left the cold wood of the dead tree and she felt her breath catch in her throat.

Fell's scream rang out above the wind, and he watched in horror as the two plummeted into the raging waters of the roaring river.

"No!"

Halt heard Fell, and he swung Abelard towards the cliff without hesitation, he had his long bow in one hand as his horse raced along the cliff side. He raised it now, an arrow lunging forth from the smooth wood and arcing for Derek. The knight let out a cry of pain as the arrow took him in the side. Fell took the moment as an opportunity, and he buried his fist into Derek's gut, letting the heavily built man cripple to the ground in pain. Then Fell was peering over the cliff, his eyes searching for his Deputy. The rough waters of the river crashed against the sides of the cliff, he turned and he ran, towards Halt. All thoughts of the unconscious Derek forgotten.

The Ranger skidded to a stop beside Fell. "Where's Gilan, he was with you."

Fell swallowed hard, the worry in Halt's voice was all too obvious. Fell's voice came out as a croak as he told the Ranger that his former apprentice was on his way to a watery grave.

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I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

ENJOY YOUR TURKEY DAY! I KNOW I WILL! ^.^