King and Country

[Jonas]

Mansard rides into the clearing leading his pack horse. Seeing Vixen on the ground he dismounts and kneels next to her.
"My Lady you look worn." Vixen smiles.
"Yes, but I can't stop, not now. Indigo has fled with.."
"I know My Lady, I saw them fleeing north...I tried to approach but was held back by an unseen force. This... Indigo, will be...difficult." He helps vixen to stand.
"The trail is clear. If we follow...we need all of the group to face this evil. Here.." he removes an amulet on a gold chain from his neck, "Give this to Gloriana, it was given me by the Gray One. It will deflect most magical attacks...I'm told it also can focus energy into a powerful
weapon. I have no need of it anymore. Gather the others, I'll follow the trail...cautiously...I'm sure you'll over take me with the group." Mansard remounts and heads out down the trail.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

*Rides Dead for StormWind.hoping to settle an old score with indigo..i stop right in front of it and make a small base camp and begin to check all the surrounding areas.*
"Indigo...damnit man, do you want to fight me? in a wizards duel? that cannot happen now friend. i no longer have the power i once had." * i stare into the night and wait for whatever the others can muster*

 

[Moneytalks]

"Mansard wait!" Vixen called out causing him to stop. She walked up to the man on his horse. She lifted her hand and he reached down to hold it in his own. "I... I wanted to tell you something..." She frowned as she tried to find the words. She looked away from his questioning look.

She spoke, her eyes averted... looking into the trees as if hoping to find the words she need there. "Ever since... ever since I saw Indigo... at the Inn... I... I've been plagued with doubts old man..." She smiled, taking the bite from her teasing name for him. "Perhaps I think too much, but... but I keep having dreams... dreams of all those that have died at my own hand. I begin to wonder... am I not as bad as he? Worse even? The things I've done... for money..." Her soft lips parted into a depreciative smile. Masard gripped her fingers, squeezing them in an attempt to comfort.

"Mansard, this is not all I have been thinking of... I... when I saw you in that clearing... I... I was so scared." She looked down pulling her hand away from his. "I don't understand the feelings I've been having of late, I feel I am too close, to you, to Glorianna and the others... I'm constantly fearing for everyone's safety. I don't know... I don't know if I can cope with what lies ahead, I used to be so sure of my place... only myself to worry about... how can people survive with all these feelings constantly plaguing them?"

She looked back at him. Her eyes filled with something... something more than mere friendship. She bit her lip, her eyes intense as she regarded him.

 

[Lady_Aline]

OOC: Is this guy just pure evil? I'm having fun writing about him...

Indigo smiled, hands on hips. His tongue wrapped around his mouth, as if thinking. He was still laughing at them.
"Gentlemen, I hardly think this fair; all of you against me?" He gestured outwards. Running a hand through his perfect hair, he half laughed, as if he knew something they did not know.
"Die you bastard. How much innocent blood have you washed on your hands?" Said Sith through clamped teeth. Roland and Lokken merely stared.
"Such big words, snake-man. But I fear they shall be wasted." With a faint 'pop' of the air, he disapeared, before stunning them with a distracing fireball. The three mages thought it an attack, but merely it was a distraction. As soon as they retaliated with their mana, the fireball exploded into a dark, thick smoke that covered the ground infront of them.
"...opps, forgot my prize," said a voice in the mist. A bundled, limp form was pushed through the mists.
Rothrar got up slowly from his position of cradling Marietta. With the princess still in her arms, he walked to the three mages.
"He is gone," he said quietly. "But we will see him again." And he returned his attention the badly scarred princess.

 

[ShyGoddess]

Glorianna:

She didn't want to wake up. Her parents were there holding her close, and she was sitting in front of a nice warm fire, wrapped in a warm blanket. Everything was perfect. Nothing could harm her or her family, not here.

Her eyes slowly fluttered open, and she found herself staring at a large male chest, wrapped in his arms, held tightly against him, as if her were protecting her.

Valdor felt her stirring. "Wake up little one." his voice was soft, soothing.

"Where am I? What happened?"

"You fell asleep from exhaustion. Vixen went on to try to follow Indigo, and she left you with me."

Glorianna became a little tense. "Where's Pierce and Marietta?"

"We don't know where Pierce is. We think Indigo has him. Marietta is back at the inn. She is burned greatly. Rothrar was with her when I left."

"We have to go back. I have to see how Marietta is." she moved to stand up, but stopped and looked into his eyes. "Thank you Valdor, for watching over me." she offered him her lips and he took what she gave him. She broke it quickly and ran towards where the others were. "What happened? Is Pierce with you?"

Sith was the one to tell her. "He is not with us. Indigo has him, and I don't think he means to give him back."

 

[Morgoth]

OOC: NO! The shadow figure is not the Lady's character. It is the uknown power source. The dude had enough power to send one of the most powerful death mages through an entire forest Dodamnit! Anyway, at the same time Lokken got nailed, secretary or whatever he is, was doing something else. I was going to introduce a new major bad dude.

 

[Lady_Aline]

OOC: I've borrowed some characters... if I've stepped out of line doing so, please tell me and I won't do it again.

Pierce woke up in with his nose to hot and his feet to cold. His waist hurt; Excalibur still was clinging to him, digging into his sides. He wanted to remove it, but Rothrar said it protected him... and he wasn't dead yet. So he kept it on.
Squinting, he tried to guess where he was. He was on a soft bed, in a warm room, with his bare feet sticking out from under the covers. The walls were bare- just cold, dull stone. And there was only one exit; a huge oak door that looked locked. He got up to move, but something felt heavy on his wrist. He realised then he was chained. Free enough to walk round the bed, free enough to use the toilet... but not free enough to reach the door.
At that moment, possible the most good-looking person that Pierce had ever seen walked through the door. He -and it was a he- had long, sleek black hair that he wore down, that covered one side of his elegant, angular face. He had a serene aura, like he was drifting into another world, his slanted, sleepy-looking grey eyes observing him with analytical compassion. He looked like a Kuathrian- but was too delicate to be a babarian.
"I am Varden," he said nuetrally. "Here is some food... I thought you might be hungry." Pierce, remembering where he was -and how he got there- literally leapt of the bed and unsheathed Excalibur.
"And I'm Pierce, how do you do. That's the formalities over. Now release me," he said, the point of his sword touching Varden's throat... but a silver chocker blocked the tip from touching his delicate skin.
"I cannot do that. I am at my master's bidding, and he says I am forbidden to release you." Varden looked into Pierce's eyes, his gaze unwavering, as if daring him to kill him.
"What if I kill you? Use you as a hostage?" Pierce asked.
"My master would not care. I am a slave, of no importance."
Pierce sheathed the sword. "Do you know who I am? What my position is?" Pierce asked.
"No... all I know is that my master wants you as his apprentice... and that I am to look after you. I am your personal slave. I will do your bidding for you." Pierce raised his eyes.
"You will do anything for me?" Pierce smiled off-handedly. "Even help me escape?" Varden looked sad then.
"Escape is not an option." And he left, pushing the tray of food into Pierce's hands. But Pierce was not hungry.
***

Vixen dragged Mansard into the bushes as soon as she heard the footsteps.
"...no bloody sign of the bloody toffs," said a voice. Vixen estimated eight, maybe ten men. They smelt... they smelt like humans.
"What about Indigo?"
"He said to carry on searching. He's left with a new toy to play with," said another voice, causing all the men to laugh.
"Sick bastard... give me a soft woman anyday..."
And Vixen smiled ruthlessly. Aye, he'd have a woman soon...
"The Patrician's men? Any sign of Indigo?" Whispered Mansard.
"On the count of three," said Vixen in a wider smile. Mansard grinned back, looking forwad to killing such heartless babarians such as these...
***

Glorianna held Marietta as she slept. Rothrar, exhausted from his healing, lay a sleeping mass slumped by the fire. She was badly scarred; her hands and her upper body were bandaged. What was once a pretty face was now a maze of fire scars, jaggered across her face. Marietta moaned quietly in her sleep.
"Shh, pippen," she whispered, tears falling down her face. She'd lost her parents to a butcher... Marietta was scarred for life by one. And Pierce... clever, intelligent Pierce was missing. She felt so utterly alone. Catching Valdor's eye, she looked at him for support. He half-smiled at her, sympathy, love and friendship all rolled into one look. Glorianna was grateful.
"We will have to tell their majesties," said an observing Sith.
"I know."
At that moment, Marietta awoke. "Glori?"


[Edited by Lady_Aline on 08-13-2000 at 06:33 AM]

 

[Moneytalks]

ooc: Nice touch Lady Aline... as always... I am honoured that you would use my character... and I am pleased... [smiles]

ic: Vixen strolled out into the clearing. She batted her lashes at the men, and smiled. They looked startled. She crooked her finger at the nearest of them. "Come and play boys..." she crooned. He stepped forward... starring at her with wide eyes. When she slipped her arms around his neck. It was all over. Her knee solidly made contact between his legs. He moaned in pain... falling to his knees. She clasped his head to her and twisted. With a sickening crack he lay dead at her feet. His neck bent in an odd angle.

"Next?" She smiled, just as Mansard came up behind them. Slicing off one of the men's heads. They roared partly in panic partly in anger as they went to attack Vixen and Mansard. Vixen laughed, as she spun kicking the first to approach her. She felt his teeth loosen on the impact. Her knives came out, glinting wickedly...

 

[poohlive]

"So? Where did they go?" Garret said, a bit confused.
"They went after Indigo, trying to find him."
He got on his horse, making his way to meet her. Soon, however he was lost. He couldn't make heads or tails of the land. This was becoming a real nightmare.
"You, on the horse, get down," the voice seemed to come from nowhere.
"Who is there? Show yourself, I am armed."
There was a laugh, it was hideous. Garret took out his sword, awaiting.
All of a sudden, his horse dropped. Garret was flung from Wyld landing with a thud on the ground.
He looked back, Wyld was dead. There was no wound, but she was dead. A tear rolled down Garret's cheek.
"SHOW YOURSELF ANIMAL," Garret had lost rational thought, for the past three years his only friend in the world had been that horse, "SHOW YOURSELF NOW!"
He appeared from the shadows. Making his way like a snake in the grass. Garret spit on his sword, slowly wiping it, there was blood to shed.
"I don't think thats possible. You see, I don't deal with swords or warrior pieces of shit like you."
He waved his hand, the sword flew into a tree, sticking straight out. It was in almost to the hilt. Garret looked back at him, he couldn't fight magic. He wasn't prepared.
"Look, I don't want to kill you, quite the opposite. There are powerful men, who after a few days, will become even more powerful, and will rule the land. I have come to offer you a job."
Garret looked at the man, it was obvious he was no good, but he didn't have a choice, if he ran, then he would die. If he went for another weapon, he would die. There seemed no way out, Garret cursed mages all over the world, they were all just pieces of...
"There is a woman you know. Vixen, who I want you to kill. If you do this, then my lord will be able to defeat another woman and rule all, and you and I will be by his side. It is simple, and easy. Garret, what do you say?"
Garret looked down, this was crazy," Sorry, not interested."
There was a flash, suddenly the man was right beside him, he grabbed his forehead, "I am afraid you don't have a choice in the matter."
The talisman stuck to his head, Garret fought it, but with no avail. Soon he simply stared...
"Now, Garret. Vixen and the others, will be soon going to my master. You are going to act normal, until they get there. Once everyone reaches the outside gates, you will kill Vixen."
Garret simply nodded.
"Good," he vanished.
Garret stood there. Then he blinked, once, twice. Then shook his head, he looked around. Wyld, she was dead. Garret cried for her, wondering how she died, or how he got here for that matter. He must have hit a branch, Garret checked his head, there was a piece of something stuck there. He took it out, it looked weird, Garret stuffed it in his pocket without thinking.
He quickly wiped the tears from his eyes, and grabbed his satchel. It had everything. The broadsword, still stuck out of the tree was impossible to get out. He would have to leave it (again) and use something else.
Garret took out the trident. It was his next best weapon, besides the bow. Garret walked cautiously out until he found the path. He then made his way quietly back to camp. Somehow he felt too tired all of the sudden.

 

[ShyGoddess]

Glorianna:

"What pippen?"

Marietta looked up at her cousin. "Where is Pierce?"

Glori's eyes darkened, but she wouldn't lie to her cousin. "He was taken pippen. We think we know who has him, and we WILL get him back."

Marietta started to weap softly, the last few hours starting to finally catch up with her. "Shhh pippen don't cry." Glori rocked her cousin trying to comfort her.

Vixen and Mansard ran into the clearing "Quickly pack up the camp. We just intercepted some men who were looking for us. We believe they belonged to Indigo. We must leave and be gone, more could be on their way."

"But Marietta is to weak to be moved."

Marietta sniffled, "I can make it. We must find Pierce."

Everyone at the camp admired the young girl at that moment. Glori smiled at her, knowing how much they were alike. Someday she would tell Marietta too.

"She can ride Jafar with me. He will be a much easier ride."

"It is done. Let us be gone. The quicker we get the where ever Indigo is, the quicker we can find Pierce." Rothrar ever the leader, stated before turning to pack his things.

 

[Morgoth]

Lokken jumped out of from behind a tree just as a lightning ball flew over his head."Damn!" he screamed. A huge, armored, shadowy figure stepped out of the trees."Now, Lokken, I finally finish you". "What's he talking about?" asked Sith."Sith, meet Fuge, he is the man who slaughtered my wife and children. My 3 month old son, my 4 year old daughter", Lokken said softly, starting to cry."NOW YOU WILL PAY!!!" he bellowed and formed an enormous acid ball and threw it. Fuge caught it in his balm and crushed it."Mages, stand with me", Lokken screamed. Sith and Roland appeared by his side.

 

[Sith]

Sith didn't really like Lokken, but he remembered not having liked Roland in the past, and now they where in some kind of good terms, so maybe that would do with Lokken to some day. Sith felt Lokken's magic to be limited by his warrior training, but overtly offensive. So he would do a bit of defensive magics, but he wanted to win a bit of time.
He called the shadows of the forest to his binding. They crept silently, obeying their momentary master. They where alive, forming a creature of pure shadow. The shadow creature attacked Fuge, its maw biting at his head.
Fuge would surely survive, but the onslaught gave Sith the time to prepare a powerful defensive spell that he cast on his mates and him.

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen growled seeing the fight up ahead. "We don't have time for this... SITH!... can you handle it?" Sith nodded, but his focus was clearly on the spell he was about to cast.

"He'll catch up, we've got to keep moving, every second counts..." Rothrar nodded at Vixen's statement in agreement. Rothrar, Glorianna, Marietta and Roland moved around the fight... fleeing quickly into the woods. Vixen looked over at Garret. He... he was sleeping, leaning against a tree. What was wrong with him she thought exhasperated. She stalked over and nudged him awake with her foot. "Huhhhh?" He muttered groggily.
"Get up!" Vixen commanded... "we're moving out... whats the matter?"
"N..nothing.." he mumbled gathering his things. He then realised his horse had died. His eyes saddened. Vixen saw this, "I'm sorry about Wyld... come on... ride with me... she got onto her horse and offered her hand down to him. Garret accepted it and she pulled him up behind her. "Mansard... come on... let's go!" They rode out after the rest of the group.

"I hope Sith and Lokken will be okay" Vixen muttered... "Mansard, did you give Glorianna the talisman?"
"Yes..."
"Good... Garret... I want to make up a potion for the princess, her burns, they will tire her, she needs something for stamina... at the next stop, can you organise hot water as soon as possible... Garret?"
"uh? Yeah... okay..." He slumped against her back again. Vixen was worried. He seemed so tired, she hoped he wasn't getting ill.

 

[Lady_Aline]

Pierce sat on the floor, trying to pick the lock that bound him to the bed with a fork. It wasn't working, and that irritated him emmensely.
The door opened. Pierce sheathed Excalibur as quietly as he could. Rising, he saw the neutral face of Indigo.
"Greetings, Pierce."
Pierce ran to him, but the chain pulled him back. Indigo laughed.
"Let me go, you bastard. Do you know who I am?" Pierce screamed at the top of him lungs.
Indigo dusted dirt of himself, as if the matter was of no importance.
"Yes. You will be my apprentice. You're young, and have much to learn. Start by putting this on." Indigo threw Pierce a silver chocker. Pierce made no attempts of trying to catch it.
"Do I look stupid? Varden was wearing one of those things. If I wear that, I become as hypnotised as him."
Indigo eyes flared suddenly.
"Very well. If we are playing like this..." Telekinetically Indigo swept Pierce up and with a non-plussed expression, threw him against the wall.
"Do- you- know- who- I- am?" Said Pierce between getting his breath back. "I am Prince Pierce, heir to the throne of Elbonia. Release me. My people know I am missing... and when my father finds out that I am being held hostage by the secretary of Daleland, there goes the peace treaty..."
Blood oozed out of his mouth. He wiped it angrily, as Indigo inspected his nails.
"This is excellent; the Patrician and Ku'athra will be pleased," Indigo said with an evil grin. "Well, well. Things turn up when you least expect them, don't they?" And with that he turned on his heel, then shut the door.
Pierce decided enough was enough, and literally with rage drove Excalibur into the metal of his chains. After the fourth attempt, the tiniest dent was made into it.
Again and again he drove his sword into chain, trying to free himself.
At that moment, Varden walked into the door, with more food.
Pierce watched him, as he put down the tray. As soon as he was within distance, he leapt and grabbed him. Varden did not fight back. Raising Excalibur, Pierce stroke against the soft, silver metal of Varden's collar, cutting fine, raven- black hair that got in the way.
As soon as he did, it was as if Varden was switched on. He screamed, shouted and kicked his way out of Pierce's straddle hold. Pierce put a hand to his mouth.
"Shut up- or the guards will kill us both," he said between his teeth. Varden shut up, relaxing his grip. Pierce edged off him carefully, as Varden began to rub his neck where the collar once was.
"I'm- free?" He said in disbelief to Pierce. Pierce nodded his head quickly.
"Yes. Now return the favour; where are the keys to this lock?" Varden looked sad then.
"I- don't know."
"Find out. And we'll escape out of this place."
Varden's soft, grey eyes darted with confusion. "We?"
"Yes. We. Unless you want to stay here for the rest of your life," Pierce said in irritation. Carefully he fixed the collar back on Varden... but it's power was now lost on him. He was a free man now. Varden rose to get the keys. Pierce watched him go, hoping he wouldn't be caught... and of course watching his cute butt...

 

[Roland Gilliad]

OOC: ok i dont mind bein written 4 but you guys ignored 2 of my posts where i said i rode dead for StormWind and then i set up a small base untill you guys got there but my char is getting impatient and might go alone if no help comes. Just the Fx Mam

 

[Sith]

Sith's defensive spell was complete. When this encounter was over, it would be easy to get to their mates by just finding where they where with the mirrors, and then shadowstepping there. He had no doubts that between Lokken going full on the ofense and him on the defense they would win the battle.

 

[Sith]

Rorthrar

Now that the princess' main wounds had been stabilised by the groups care and his lay of hands Rorthrar pushed the group faster. They should get to the base that Roland had prepared soon, and then, once they found that guy Indigo would surely pay.

 

[Jonas]

Mansard pushed his weary guilding to match the pace set by Rorthan. He came along side Vixen, whose mount held the extra weight of Garett without straining.
"Vixen..it's not the time...but back there I think I ...I understand your feelings and, well how is Garett doing?"
"He'll be fine." Their eyes meet breifly. The small man smiles broadly. Then looking ahead he spies Roland in the distance.
"Hey, there's my pal Roland! Look's like he's got a camp set up. I can't remember the last time we ate. Hope he's been cooking."

 

[Morgoth]

Fuge crushed the shodow monster's head somehow. "Your petty defense will not stop theis", he laughed. The ky suddenly went pitch black. Green lightning began to strike the ground. Lichs of the most powerful order rose out of the ground."You may be able to kill me, but not an army", he screamed."Uhm,... hide", whispered Lokken to Sith."You wont want to be in this area when I use my next spell", he said.

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen glanced over her shoulder at Garret who seemed to be dozing against her back. "He'll be fine." Their eyes meet breifly. The small man smiles broadly. Vixen smiles back.

Then looking ahead he spies Roland in the distance.
"Hey, there's my pal Roland! Look's like he's got a camp set up. I can't remember the last time we ate. Hope he's been cooking."

Vixen rolled her eyes heavenward... "believe me, if you've ever eaten Roland's attempts at cooking you wouldn't be so eager..." She made a face to indicate just how horrible his cooking was. Mansard laughed heartily as they all drew up at the camp Roland had set up for them.

 

[Morgoth]

Sith and Lokken jumped into opposite sides of the forest. Lokken began to concentrate."Okay, Sith, here comes one of the new things I learned", he screamed as he began to sweat. A green ball formed in his hand. Duddenly it turned into a little disk with three spikes protruding from it. He threw it and it flew from lich to lich, cutting them apart. when it flew at Fuge, he hit it with a sword. It fell on the ground, but a moment later it teleported back into Lokken's hands. It wasted so much of Lokken's mana that he was bleeding from three spots on the face and sweating like a dog.

 

[poohlive]

Garret awoke in time to see they were at camp. He yawned, and gave Vixen a hug.
"Thank you," he said, "I am sorry, it is just a lot of things have happened tonight, I guess the excitement just got to me."
"Don't worry about it, you need your rest, tomorrow we are going to put this all to an end," she smiled, Garret liked that smile.
He went by the fire, getting himself warmed up, but soon felt tired again. He didn't know why, usually he could keep up a good pace for days. He couldn't understand it, but then again, didn't want too, he was too tired to understand it.
Garret shooed away the food that was handed to him, and moved up next to a tree. He closed his eyes, preparing to go back to sleep. He rolled over.
OUCH
Something was sticking his thigh, he took out that strange thing that was attached to his head. It looked odd, he didn't know what to think of it. It didn't look like anything he had ever seen before, probably just a piece of...

A voice came arose from it, Garret's eyes became a blank stare, "You remember what you are supposed to do at the gate?"
"Kill Vixen. Kill Vixen." the chant was a mere whisper so nobody ( AND I MEAN NOBODY ) heard it. A soft glow emerged from the talisman, then it was gone.

...bark. Although the texture was smooth. Garret stuck it in his bag, then, as if on impulse took out his trident.
He went to sleep with it in his arms.

 

[Sith]

Sith

Sith hadn't used necromancy for a long time, as that had been his introduction to magic. At first he had been a necromancer, but after a while he had changed to more natural magics for a snake man: charm and shadow magic. He was thinking on controlling some of the liches so they killed each other when Lokken's spell killed them. Luckily for Lokken the liches where still geting ready when he struck at them, if not, they would have been able to defect the attack, as magic was their nature.

Sith tried to do something that he had never dared do before. The wound in Fuge was quite big, in fact, it was big enough that it had a very interesting shadow in it. Sith called to his friend the shadow, and then it started tearing Fuge from the inside with a disgusting sound in a very gruesome way. Sith didn't like that.

 

[Jonas]

Mansard dismounts and greets Roland. "No! I mean, thankyou for offering Roland but I'm really not hungery. If you have a moment later...I would beg a boon of you."

The small man quickly set up camp with what equiptment he has left, after the village attack. He set up his tent, somewhat worse for the wear, and soon he had several quail roasting on the fire. Opening his last skin of wine, he sits back against his saddle and closes his eyes. A kick to his left foot brings him back.

"Hey! What's the..."
"Your birds are burning." Vixen stands over him, hands on shapely hips. Mansard jumps to rescue the burning fowl.
"Thankyou My Lady, may I offer you a bird and some rice?"
"Sure, but first, what went on with the little people back at your last camp?" Mansard knelling over the fire, slides the quails off the stick to a pot of boiled rice. His face becomes pale and serious. He sighs, and looks up at the woman.
"I was sent to the astral plain. There I met my father, and my grandfather. My Lady...Vixen...they told me that I should prepare for...they said I'm to die...and soon."

 

[ShyGoddess]

Glorianna:

She helped to set up camp as best she could and stayed close to Marietta, not leaving her side for a moment. She needed to get away for a little while, but dared not. What if Marietta needed her? As if sensing her need, Rothrar appeared at her side. "Go child. I will watch over the Princess. There is not much else you can do for her." Glori tried to protest. "You need to settle your soul, or you will be of no use to us in a battle, and we will need you greatly. You seem to be the only one who can fight Indigo with any effectiveness."

Glori did not argue with him, but disappeared into the dark shadows, making sure not to go to far, but she was far enough that she could sit in peace. She found a small clearing and layed down to stare at the moon. Her mother was with her tonight, she could feel it. "What is my purpose mother? Why do I have this powers?" she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Can I defeat this man and save Pierce?"

"You can." Glori sat up quickly as a vision in white stepped from the shadows.

"Mother?" a tear trickled down her cheek as she realized she wasn't seeing things. "You really are here. I always knew you were."

Her mother smiled at her. "My darling Glorianna. You were put on this earth for a purpose. You represent everything that is good and pure, and you are here to rid this world of evil. Never doubt your powers." Glori felt a hand touch her cheek and looked up into eyes that held the love of a mother for her daughter. "You, my darling, have to be strong now more than ever, Pierce and Marietta need you. You will go through many trials that will test your will and your strength. Do not let it defeat you, or he will win." She turned to go, but stopped. "And tell him you love him. He was put here for you. He is your soul mate, just as daddy and I were. If you don't tell him soon, you may lose him."

Glorianna didn't pretend to not know what her mother was talking about. "Mother, I can't beat Indigo. He is to strong."

"You can, my darling. Believe in yourself, just as Vixen and Valdor do. If you don't believe you can beat Indigo, you will never survive your incounter with him."

"Who him? I thought he was Indigo."

"No, Indigo is not him. You and your friends will meet him soon enough." Her mother strated to disappear. "Keep an eye on Garret and Vixen. Garret has not been himself lately." Her mother disappeared.

"Mother! Don't leave me." Glori felt like a small child again and her voice turned into a small whisper, "Please don't leave me."

"Glori? Who are you talking too? and why are you out here so far away from the camp?"

Glori whirled around to witness Valdor stepping out of the shadows and into the moonlight, and her restraint broke. She ran into his arms and pressed her lips to his, before he could ask anymore questions. He seemed startled at first, but soon responded to her with an intensity that proved how much he loved her.

They made love right there in the clearing, but Glori didn't tell him that she loved him. She went back to camp and blushed the rest of the night whenever she caught him staring at her. Vixen seemed to notice the difference but didn't say anything. Glori could only watch over Marietta and wait for the sun to rise. Her mother's words revolved in her head. She prayed she had the strength to over come the obstacles ahead.