Tessa frowned, letting her arms drop. "The carriage was nothing, I am sure. I know that I am a female, and you are a male. Sometimes things happen that we cannot explain. Or well, our bodies can, but we can't with our mouths." She motioned towards her lips as she tried to get her point across. "I am not looking for a mate either. I am not suitable yet to bring children into this world. Mates always look for a safe nest first, and I don't think I have found mine." She smiled a little again at Conrad. "I'm going to go find a tree to sleep in, in the woods. "You're welcome to come with, should you decide to. It's safer to sleep in numbers, after all." She started towards the forest, stopping when Conrad voiced his final question. Her hand, unbidden, clenched. "No, nothing happened." She murmured before carrying on into the woods, picking a tree with firm pine branches and pulling them down into a small cave-like structure. There was enough room for Conrad, should he decided to join her. As she curled up in the bed of leaves and grass, she almost immediately felt tired. It had been the room after all. "I want to know why.." she murmured as she drifted off to sleep, curling in tighter and pressing her face into her arm.
Brianne blinked at Roxanne, whipping her stele through the air in the glamoring rune before sliding it back into the sheath. "I guess your brand of crazy is rubbing off on me." She responded before cracking her knuckles and leading the way out of the Institute, the rune sealing behind her. Only the Nephilim could see it now. "We're off demon hunting. So yes, you can use your knives, but only if you're absolutely sure it's the demon. Or a demon." She halted in her stride, turning to grab the girl's shoulder. "Please, Roxanne. I'm up to my ears in Clave shit and believe me, the last thing I want to do is have to baby sit you. But I need your help, okay? I need us to work together on this. A human killing demon and a rogue warlock besides, we're already outnumbered. We can't afford to lose any more." Done with her speech, she cleared her throat, dropping her hand and walking into the street. "Hotel's this way. Be ready for anything." Morrigan crossed her arms, tapping her fingers against them. "I didn't realize traveling with you was a euphemism for delving into my personal life." She commented, narrowing her eyes at Ash's back. Normally it was the fey who were the tricky ones. This warlock was clearly born in the wrong species. "Who wouldn't be interested in such an offer?" She quipped, her hair falling over her shoulder as she tilted her head. It wasn't a lie, but it also hid the truth that she would be interested. It was hard to imagine freedom when chains existed for so long, and while she hardly had hope that the warlock could provide a solution, it would be interesting to hear what he thought, regardless. People never ceased to surprise her.
Tessa half turned, her eyes glinting before she faced forwards again, her eyes fixed on the moon. "Room is too small." She murmured in reply to Conrad, letting the light shine on her face. Night like this, the wolves at home would be on the prowl. Tessa always chose a taller tree, making sure she was well out of their grasping jaws. She didn't blame them for trying to pick her as their next meal. She just didn't feel like making it easy for them. Some nights she would remain awake, listening to their howls, trying to decipher them. She had entertained the thought once, that maybe she could study their behavior enough to join them, become one of them. Similar to what she was doing with the humans now. Tessa sighed, and turned to face Conrad, her features in shadow as her back faced the moon. "Is Kara not a suitable mate?" she inquired politely, arms still wrapped around her waist. "I thought since she and you had gotten along so well in the carriage, and Ren seemed to agree with me. Or perhaps it is the wrong time of season, and you are only inspecting mates." She shrugged with a small smile. "It's much harder to read the motives of humans then it is the animals."
Morrigan tensed at Ash's words. She might belong to him one day, but she would remain her own until the very last minute that she could take. Even so, she inclined her head towards Ash, turning away from the pond, and her fiance, leaving him standing there. "Tell Her Majesty I will work to find the killer, and bring him to justice before any more of our family is taken from us." She said over her shoulder, steel in her voice. He may be her fiance, but she was daughter of the Moonsong clan, Eyes of the Queen herself, and a fairy of the night. She had gotten all of that on her own, with no need or want of a man. And that wouldn't change any time soon, if she could help it. She passed by Ash, back straight and head held high. "And I am not his woman." She said, the words poison as they escaped her lips.
Kara blinked. She hadn't considered moving the pins. "Oh, well thank you." She told the lying down figure before removing one of her daggers from it's sheath. The blades were too thick to try to unscrew the pins, so she turned it to use the pommel and began beating it against the hinges. The clanking was a constant drum, and her eyes remained on the pins, watching as they slowly edged out of the hinges. It was slow progress, but her mind worked in tune with the banging of the pommel against the hinges, as steady as a drumbeat. Everything else in the world began to fade away as she stared at the device, willing it to fall apart. Tessa turned on her side, then lay on her back, then the other side. As much as she shifted and turned, she couldn't seem to fall asleep. Maybe it was the bed, maybe it was the blankets, or maybe it was the too small room. It didn't help she heard the crunching of the spiders, over and over in her head. Whatever the reason, her mind was too restless to let her sleep. Gently swinging her legs out of the bed, she got up and crept out of the room to avoid waking Alice, making her way down the nearly silent hallway, interrupted by the sound of metal hitting metal. Must be a blacksmith.She thought to herself, making her way out the door and into the fresh air. She inhaled deeply, her eyes closed as she wrapped her arms around herself and stood underneath the moonlight, soaking it up. This was where she belonged. It didn't make sense to her why the spiders' death bothered her so much. She had killed, hunted and scrapped for her own survival, out there in the woods. She had taken down bears, boar, wolves, and other spiders. None of their deaths haunted her as much as this one. Even when she had killed rabbits, squirrels or deer for food, she hadn't felt bad. So why did this bother her? Bryce tossed and turned before sitting up. The apple hadn't been enough to fill his stomach, and he half wished he would have eaten more. But they hadn't had the dragon fruit. Hellions. He got up, stretched, and paced around the room, quietly as he rubbed his head, trying to make his body tired. It didn't work, and his stomach began to grumble, even worse. Fine. He poked his head out the door, and stepped into the hall in his bare feet. At some point, he had removed his armor (he hoped it had been himself, he wasn't sure he could handle someone else touching him) and was only clad in the pants that were his protection from the metal, chafing his skin. He found his way to the kitchen, mostly using his sense of smell, before grabbing a perfectly placed loaf of bread and tearing into it, smiling as he chewed. Oh yes, his stomach was happy now.
The old man could only sigh at Roxanne's response, but let it go. It wasn't easy for an adult to be forced under guard, like a child. But Roxanne had to redeem herself, or be lost forever. "A moment, Brianne." He asked as Roxanne turned away. Brianne hesitated, struggling between the urge to retort to Roxanne and the call of duty. "Just go." She growled before turning around, smoothing the emotion out of her face once more. "It seems there has been a rise in murders. The Inquisitor reports that this is the cause of a demon. We've already dispatched a young man to the location, but I would like you to join him." He seemed to sense Brianne was about to protest, because he held up one gnarled hand. "Hendrik has other help against Masque, and he is a seasoned Shadowhunter. This other matter needs your immediate attention." Brianne wanted to stamp and scream. Of course the other matter was more important. They were all but condemning Hendrik to death, should he succeed and find Masque. Should he fail, he would be berated by the Clave. Brianne didn't care about the past, she cared about the present, and in the present, her friend and mentor was in danger, though not immediately. "Of course, sir." She said through gritted teeth, bowing before striding away as the mirror's image rippled. "ROXANNE HURRY THE F*CK UP!" She screamed through the Institute. It was only the two of them at the moment, and she needed an immediate release for her frustration. "WE HAVE A NEW MISSION!" She yanked her stele out and removed the runes from her skin, her face tense as she spelled out three fresh ones; Strength, Speed, and Sight. Not the Sight, it was impossible for Nephilim to look into the future. She blinked as the rune faded into her skin, then pressed her hands to her eyes as they ached in the light. It would take adjustment, but if she was to look for clues, she would need all the help she could get. "Don't get yourself killed, Ser Nightwine." She muttered as she let her hands fall and blinked, her eyes watering. "Because you've got company coming."
Kara made it back to her room, kicking open the door and shutting it behind her. "Oh, your'e here already? Dinner must have been boring." she commented on Conrad's presence in the room before pulling the cloak off of her, shaking her hair free as her loot fell her from arms and landed on the discarded clothing. "So, I'm not going to bed anytime soon, unless you know how to pick a lock." she told Conrad as she sorted through the items until she found the lock box. "Because I really want to know what's inside this thing. "Open, please." Tessa breathed a sigh of relief as a possible escape route was opened. Not necessarily because she needed one right now, but because in the event that she would need one, there was one available. "Just nowhere else to go." She murmured to Alice's question. She certainly didn't want to get mixed up in whatever Kara was doing, and Ren seemed to be otherwise occupied. She was upset with Conrad, but couldn't blame him for his actions. So really, that left Alice, who was an unknown entity, but safe in that regard. "We should probably sleep. Early day tomorrow, and I don't know about you, but that meal isn't going to restore me." She tried to say it cheerfully, the way people had talked in the social area, but it came off more forced then anything. Her smile was a little easier as she turned over on the bed and curled into a tiny ball, covering herself with the blanket; a rather foreign object that she wasn't used to having, but it brought her much needed warmth.
Veera lifted an old photograph, brushing the dust off with a frown. Despite her exile, there were still a few pictures that remained on the mantle. She was surprised to see her own face, years younger, staring up at her with a smile, arms wrapped around both of her parents. Mom...dad.....she brushed their faces gently with her thumb before moving on into house, setting the picture back on the mantle. Everything was covered in dust and debris as she stepped carefully over fallen beams and broken pieces of wood. The stairs had been decimated, but she used the 3D maneuvering gear to pull herself up the stairs, wincing as her body protested. She had nearly forgotten the stress her body had gone through the last day and a half. Simply take it easy. She told herself, unhooking the claws from the wall and proceeding into her room. The walls were bare, the paint color changed, but everything else had been left exactly where it was when she had gone. Her favorite stuffed animal, lying on the bed. The pillows fluffed exactly the way she liked. She sat down on the edge of the bed, the mattress creaking from lack of use, and felt tears sting at the back of her eyes. All this time, she had thought her parents had forgotten her, erased her. But it almost seemed like...the opposite. Like everything was waiting for her to return to it. Zack let Adelina rest her head in his lap, shifting slightly as his leg fell asleep in order to give his nerves room to operate. "I'll rest soon." He murmured, gently stroking her hair to help her sleep as he stared up at the canopy. Soon. When he could take his mind off the horror that lay below. We are safe up here. Adelina is right. Still, despite that, he found himself wide awake, despite being intoxicated. How did I let this happen? Tessa always told me to be on guard. I should have listened. Then his thoughts wandered to his best friend. I hope you're still doing okay out there, Tessa. Tessa squeaked and jumped off the titan's shoulder, dropping towards the ground at an incredible rate. All in an instant, she was back in the training grounds, trying to master the life saving gear they used to escape the titans. Zack was a natural, and figured it out within one or two sessions as though he had been born to fly through the air. Tessa took two weeks of nearly constant practice to become even a shadow of her friend. Her thoughts ended when the line to her gear jerked her back, and she nearly choked on her tongue as she was yanked backwards. The titan who had grabbed her line held her in front of his face, maniac grin opening wide as he prepared to swallow her. Tessa curled her legs up to her stomach and stuck her blades into the hand, forcing the titan to drop her. Once more she headed straight for the ground, but this time managed to save herself by hooking the claws of her gear into the side of the wall and swinging away. She turned back once she was in ungrabbable distance, and swallowed, hard. At least all those drills they had done served to save her life, now. Get back on the horse. She told herself, moving back towards the titan and swinging around to the back of its neck. Her heart was racing as she landed on its shoulder, feet slipping over the strange surface of the titan's skin as she ran towards the neck, preparing once more to hack away at the soft spot on its neck. Kala had forgotten the joy of fighting next to someone, of living each moment with someone at her side, living the same moment. It was enthralling. I mean, technically I'm riding y-Her thought was cut off as a titan's hand swung up and down. She ducked, pressing her face into Galadorn's back as the wind whistled over her head, before turning, and bunching her legs underneath her. "I think you'll find it's hard to get rid of me." She told the centaur with a grin before launching herself into the air, claws embedding themselves momentarily as she swung up towards the titan's face. She managed to press her feet to the side of the titan's face, jabbing it in the cheek with her sword before dropping to it's shoulder. The large body swayed, and she put her hand out to steady herself, the skin of her palm touching the titan's neck. Wrong. She instantly dropped to her knees, retching as her body rejected what had just tried to occur. Wrongwrongwrong. She let herself fall off the side, let gravity increase her momentum as her head spun, shooting off her 3D maneuvering gear just before she hit the ground. Two smaller titans, five meters only, were in front of her. She barely had time to register this before her blades sunk into the creatures' necks, nearly decapitating them. Only after she was done, did she make her way back to Galadorn, sheathing her swords and wrapping her arms around his waist. I definitely need a moment. Though she would never say this out loud. Never show your weakness. "I meant to do that." She told the centaur, though it felt weak even to her ears.
Veera stood outside for a moment, breathing in the sunshine and fresh air in relief. No matter the mage's motives, he was unsettling in any context. Even outside, she didn't feel safe until she was several blocks from the orphanage. Perhaps it is high time to find Aaron, and deal with that comeuppance I've been promised. As much as she hated to, on the eve of battle, she knew it was better to do it, and get it over with. Veera set off towards the center of town, eyes moving warily from each side of the street. Oxenfurt was large, but it had nothing on Novigrad. She expected to find Aaron before the end of the day, and whomever he had found along with them. Ana flinched when Milosh mentioned her looks, before turning away. She was no stranger to torture, but there was only so much a person could take before their soul was damaged beyond repair. She wasn't sure she wanted to find out what her soul could take. Physical scars faded, but the emotional ones always remained. She pushed the bread away, the water too, and curled up in the corner of the cell, resting her forehead on her knees as the knot in her stomach wove tighter and tighter. There was a chance the water was drugged, or the food poisoned. Not enough to kill her, but enough to send her spiraling into hell much sooner. She had experience in the hallucinogenic qualities of the local mushrooms, (mostly when she was younger), but the wrong dosage would send one into an endless torment created by their own mind. "Vyle, what are you doing now?" She whispered, raising her head to stare at the shackles around her wrists. They clanked whenever she moved, and the dimeritium burned against her skin, leaving a red mark that only worsened with time. "I knew we shouldn't have come back." She continued, her voice breaking on the last words before she pressed her face into her hands and cried, her sobs silently shaking her body. The only thought Zack had when Vyle put him down, was that he was glad his bowels were empty. Otherwise he would need a new pair of pants. Having seen where sassing an unknown entity got him, he backed up until he was closer to Veceslav, who's words had calmed the scary man down. "Thank you." He whispered, clenching his shaking hands. "He probably would have killed me." Tessa swallowed the rest of the nasty liquid, and tried to sit up, a gasp escaping her lips as the wound in her side burned with renewed force. Through hand signals, the woman indicated she had done all she could, and that Tessa would have to heal the rest of the way. She should also keep from walking, or moving, Tessa wasn't sure which. Looking down, Tessa flinched at the sight of her injury, her hand tightening on Seth's. As much as she wanted to look away, she couldn't. The gash was ugly, gaping with blood still oozing from the open wound. The skin around was inflamed and red, the reaction to the silver in the sword. The woman motioned she had to stitch the wound now, and before Tessa could react, had plunged the needle, entwined with catgut string, into her abdomen. She cried out, struggling against the new pain as the woman motioned for Seth to hold her down. As Tessa's struggles increased, the woman banged her fist against the side of the building, to create enough noise to get Veceslav's and Zack's attention; more help was clearly needed. Bryce grimaced, and lowered his sword. "There's only so much containing you can do, when the perpetrator is a witcher herself." He replied. "And Archon? That man is the least of my concerns right now. If we're fighting against every witcher from Kaer Morhen, we'll need all the help we can get." He swung his sword experimentally before putting it away with a shhhkk sound. "Is there something you require of me?" He asked Willow, buckling his scabbard to his waist and turning to the emergency bag, packed in the corner. "I apologize, but I must give my lieutenants their orders, and vanish before the battle. There are currently several people that I expect will be looking for my head."
The Old Man, as he was so named by this girl, sighed. "Roxanne, you used to be one of the best and brightest. It has pained us in the Clave to see you fall so far." He rubbed his bald head, deliberating on how to deal with the girl. They needed every Shadow Hunter they could get, but Roxanne, by the tale that Brianne told, had cost them a highly wanted target. Someone who wouldn't stop until he himself was stopped. And there was a reason Brianne had been named Head of the Institute. This wasn't Roxanne's first infraction either. He knew what some of his fellows would want, but he had always had a soft spot for this generation of Nephilim, the two girls in front of him especially. Intelligence and ability were something to be treasured, while the other members of the Clave only saw them as weapons. With a sigh, he lowered his hand, resting it back upon his staff. "Roxanne Slane, I hearby put you on a probationary period. You are not to leave the Institute without permission from Brianne Lightwood, who will be your immediate supervisor. You are to report to her regarding any and all matters you attend to, no matter how small. It will be up to Brianne which missions you are allowed to take, when and if you are allowed to leave, and what your role will be during aforementioned missions. If you disobey this order, or her in any way, there will be no mercy for you, child. Do you understand me?" His tone, while gentle and full of regret, turned stony and solemn by the end. It was imperative Roxanne understood this was her last chance. Her only chance. It was too late for any of them to save her, except for Brianne. Maybe together, they could save this girl from the painful death she was rushing towards.
Kara cursed and grabbed the lockbox before looking around the room. Of course there were no windows, and the only door led into the hallway....a thief's nightmare. She quickly ran to the closet, grabbed one of the cloaks and wrapped herself and her precious loot inside of it, hoping to hide her identity as she exited the room and walked down the hallway, nodding to whomever the footsteps belonged to. She couldn't see properly, since the hood of the cloak was so far down, but she didn't really care. All she wanted was the bed that awaited her, and to maybe get this box open. Tessa blinked, her mind focusing on Conrad's words for a moment instead of being lost in her surroundings. "I'm okay." she murmured, pushing away her bowl as she trundled off her to the room. She had been put with Alice, another girl of few words. Tessa didn't know about this, but perhaps it would be better to sleep inside. She found her bed and sat on it, her feet swaying back and forth. Immediately, she knew she wouldn't be able to handle the stuffy room for the entire night, but she could at least wait until Alice fell asleep before leaving. Bryce was more then a little put out that they didn't even know what dragon fruit was, much less have it available. "I guess I'll just take an apple then." He mumbled, and bit into the poor secondary choice of fruit before wandering off to his bedroom. It wasn't bad, but he could remember his own room being better. He flopped onto the bed, armor and all, and bit into the apple again, trying to pretend it was a dragon fruit.
Just get her back. It's not worth the argument. Brianne reminded herself as she wove through the streets of New York with the ease that practice gave her, keeping an eye on Roxanne while trying to stay as far away as possible. It would have been nice to have another female Shadowhunter to converse with, someone besides Hendrik, who, kind as he was, just simply didn't understand everything that ran through her head. At one point, she had hoped to make a friend out of Roxanne, but that changed when the girl went soft in the head. Some people just can't handle our way of life. She supposed, climbing up the steps of an old church and pulling out her stele. As she carved the rune out for the password into the air, and the glamour over the church dispelled, she sighed. It was just a matter of time before Roxanne killed the wrong person, and when it happened, she had no doubt the Clave would look to her to disburse punishment. Brianne only hoped by that point she would be otherwise occupied. Somehow. The woman strode through the nearly empty halls of the Institute, towards the Artifact room. It was filled with glass cases that protected relics, treasures, and, well...loot taken from Downworlders. It was in here that the mirror was kept, the one spelled by the fairies to allow communication between the Institute and the Clave in Alicante, the City of Glass. Brianne ran her finger along the edge, in a pattern only familiar to herself. No one else was allowed use of the mirror. Why, she didn't know, nor did she care to ask. Just another burden placed on her young shoulders. An old man rippled in the image, his beard flowing towards the ground. Brianne bowed to him, keeping Roxanne out of view, for now. Despite her antagonistic attitude, the girl was a fellow Shadow hunter, and she had only wanted to help, in her own strange way. "Sir, I come bearing news." In order to make her creator's job easier, she summed up the encounter between Masque, herself and Hendrik, before reluctantly adding Roxanne into the story. "Let me see her.' The old man intoned, and Brianne stepped away, motioning for Roxanne to come forward. Morrigan didn't respond to Ash's comment, instead leading the way back towards Central Park, her hands drifting along the alley way walls. She could have carried her sister back, but it wasn't practical. This wasn't the only sibling she had lost, and it would be far from the last. Until this....person, was caught, it wasn't safe for anyone to be alone. She knew that her parents would fully intend on either dragging her back into the Seelie Court for safety, or forcing her fiance to guard her. Neither option sounded like one she was willing to take, so she made a third for herself. For now, anyway. She had no intention of following the warlock around, or vice versa. For now, it would suffice. The immediate future, however....... She kept quiet until they reached the pond, and knelt at the edge, her fingers forcing the water to ripple. The longer the ripples, the more the water seemed to pull away from the center until it revealed a set of stone stairs. Two elves and two fairies walked up the steps, Morrigan felt her stomach drop as one of them became more familiar each step he took. He said nothing as they looked at the body, but his gaze never left her face. "The Seelie Queen thanks you for your service in helping our sister come home." He said to Ash after a long pause. "She also wishes you to know that whatever bargain Morrigan made with you, is for you and Morrigan alone. She is not responsible for the dealings of those in her court, who do what they wish without orders." Morrigan held her pose, though mentally, she winced. She hadn't thought the Queen would mind, but apparently, this was one of the warlocks that wasn't favored. "We'll take her home now." The elves and second fairy took the body from Ash, and Morrigan's fiance turned to stare at her. It was commanding, he wanted her to follow him. Well, unfortunately, she wasn't in a following mood. Not now, and not ever. She held her ground, staring him down even as the others turned and left, the water sliding over the sides of the stairwell until the pond was once more glassy, and smooth. If she drowned herself, would they be able to see it? Morrigan shook her head at such folly before turning back to Ash. "Thank you. I will keep my promise, and uphold my end of the bargain." Whatever it may be.
There were so many people, Zack was quickly getting overwhelmed. Witchers and a strange man and a girl who was making noise and clinging to the man. Noise about Seth. Zack didn't need to hear anything else and came to stand by the doppler. His gaze was cold, and his body numb. Only his brain seemed to be working. I won't lose another friend today. "Go away." He said emotionlessly to Vyle, crossing his arms across his chest. "Your mage friend was taken in to that building, and she isn't coming out ever again. She's gone. Pray to the gods her death is quick, because that's the only thing you can do for her now." It was hopeless, truly. Underneath the numbing, Zack knew there was a dark anger, and while he was afraid of what it would make him do, he also welcomed it. Anything was better then pain. And amidst the deadened thoughts whirling around his brain, one of them sparked, and clicked. "There were two. Both of them, wanted for information. One was a boy, who knew about a man that danced with skeletons." Or at least, that was what Zack had caught of the conversation. "The other was a woman. She had a powerful friend, not a mage. They wanted that friend." Zack was not a betting man, but of two things he was sure. Those mages were dead, and Vyle was that woman's friend. Normal, blissfully ignorant Zack would have felt bad for the man, maybe offered condolences. Angry, hateful Zack wanted the world to hurt as much as he did right now. "She's going to die for you. But if you want to waste her final moments tracking down people, find Bryce. He sold her, and he didn't even know her name." Zack nearly choked on the last words he spoke. It was so stupid, that the world worked this way. How could someone sell someone else, when they didn't own them? When they didn't even know them? Tessa felt torn apart. The pain pulled her one way and the warmth another. "Hold on." A voice whispered. "Hold on to what?" she wanted to shout back, twisting and turning underneath the pressure. It was so much. She wanted this to end, all of it to end. Voices, hands, things, it was just too much. Just let me go! She screamed at herself, giving one last wrench. And suddenly, she was free. The pain threatened to overwhelm her, but she rose above it, swam in it. Breathe, she whispered to herself. Just breathe through it. That was what the midwives told women in childbirth, and it seemed to help here. The pain wasn't just physical, though the burning in her side didn't seem to have an end. The memory of Bryce's face, of his pain, his tears, his sword plunging into her back, her blood mixing with his on the ground, her head leaning against the alleyway wall, they circled her brain in constant repetitive order, forcing her to relive the moment again and again and again. "I won't do it!" She screamed, wishing to pound her fists against the ground. "I won't let him do this to me!" She still needed to see the world, she still needed to find Seth, to talk to him....Seth. Sethsethsethsethsethwherewasseth. Someone said his name, and it wasn't her. Was he here? Had he found her? She struggled against the black, wrenching free and completely enveloping herself in the pain.... Tessa's eyes fluttered open, and she gasped for air. The old woman who had bent over her moved back, though her hands still glowed over the wound, a strange mixture of colors that made Tessa feel sick to look at. Her vision was blurry, and her mind was fuzzy, but something was griping her hand so tightly, she couldn't feel her fingers. A very familiar hand. "Fingers." She whispered, coughing and gasping for air. Despite the cost that word have forced upon her, she tried again. "hurting...my fi-" Almost three words, she told herself as she started coughing again, her chest heaving with the effort. She moved her other arm, and despite the old woman trying to keep her still, poked Seth in the face. It wasn't nearly as endearing as she hoped, but it was all she could manage. "Dress....?" before the old woman forced some odd smelling liquid down her throat, forcing her to drink it. It tasted like healing, but healing tasted like cow dung.
Kala backed up, dodging another blow before tripping and stumbling back. She crawled backwards, her breath coming fast and hard out of her chest as she began to panic. She would have to use her powers, or she would have to be hurt. She didn't want to make this choice, she didn't want to hurt anyone else, she didn't want their thoughts and feelings and hopes in her head. She shrieked as Veera's blade came down towards her. Veera had her. This was it. The wolf inside was howling for blood, and her eyes narrowed with primal joy as the blade sliced down. The sword dropped into the ground, and she stumbled back. Confused, Veera looked at her shoulder, which was slumping at an odd angle. Blood dripped from the bullet that had embedded itself in her skin. She didn't yet feel the pain, but she was angry. Someone had taken away her victory from her, someone had interrupted her kill. She turned, scanning the horizon for the perpetrator. And found him. She started towards him, picking up speed as she ran, rage filling her mind with nothing but red, and the need to kill.
Tessa raised her hand. "I think Kara would be more then happy to share a bed with one of the men." She said straightforwardly. "She's just...otherwise occupied at the moment." She had seen the gleam of mischievousness in the other woman's eyes. "So my opinion is that she is the one." Tessa finished lamely, before lowering her hand. Honestly, she didn't know if Kara would be up for such a task, but Tessa sure as hell wasn't making it any easier on any of them. She still was unconvinced they weren't looking for mates, after all they were males in their prime. Any animal by now would be half crazed with hormones. Better safe then sorry, she didn't need to deal with any of that right now. She continued to watch, and wait. Kara peeked inside the chest; tomes. Tomes in words she couldn't understand. Well, that didn't mean someone else couldn't understand. Or that she couldn't use it as firewood. Or that she couldn't try to sell it. I'll take one of these....she smiled as she snuck the tome underneath her arm and headed to another room. Eh, just some kids. She couldn't really take those, though she was tempted to try. But the next room.....the next room was what she wanted. She leafed through the ledger, her eyes sweeping from one side to the other before turning to the lock box. She would like to take the clothes, but that wasn't really practical. But small, important things were always kept inside such storage boxes. Kara decided to hope the gods wouldn't screw her, and tried to pick the lock.
Veera felt bile rise in her throat, but refused to let her gaze leave the child's face. This is the cost of what I seek. This is what I will need to repay. A debt was owed for each life, and heavy it would be. "We all have our reasons. I was just hoping you would share yours, whatever they may be." She turned her eyes to Solomon, and looked at him. Really looked at him. Whatever she might be, she had had her family; Veceslav, Derrick, and Aaron, for whatever they were worth. Olivia too, the strange girl. This man....mage, whatever he might be, might have been...he had power. And nothing else. Despite her best effort, pity filled her gaze for a moment before she turned it aside. "I see I was mistaken. I'll leave you to your plans, and I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for in helping me." She started for the door, keeping a wary eye on these "revenants". Teliana tried to slow down the witch hunters. Stumbled, tripped, whatever she could do to try to give herself more time, more openings to escape. No doubt Vyle was looking for her now. He didn't seem the sort to just give up on a person, however long he had known that person for. But maybe he got caught up in something. Maybe the witch hunters got to him...No. No they wouldn't need her for information on him, if that had happened. She hoped. It could just be an excuse, but the witch hunters had never needed an excuse before. That was when Milosh turned to her, and fear once again stilled her efforts. It was too late, and as he knocked her out, she prayed to the gods she would be given the gift of waking up one last time. Somehow, she was granted this wish. When she woke, she was upside down, being carried like the body she was probably about to come. She smelled the scent of trees, horse, and mud. They were outside the city, and her heart dropped. She shut her eyes, the tears that leaked between her lids silent. No one would find her out here. Their tracks were muddled with others, and there was no reason to think the small hut in Oxenfurt led the way outside the walls. For the first time in her life, Teliana lost all hope, and prepared to die. Tessa heard something, no...someone, calling her name. It sounded so far away. She felt the urge to go towards it, to answer back, but she was warm here. Something pressed against her side, and it burned. She didn't like that. She tried to squirm away from it, without moving from her comfortable position, but it was no use. Suddenly, her neck began to ache. Maybe this wasn't so comfortable. She should make Bryce get her a new pillow, but he was always so busy. Wait, why was he crying? Bryce never cried. Never. But she remembered him crying as he helped her lie down. He hadn't put her to bed since she was a girl of eight winters. Something was wrong. She needed to wake up, but it was so much work. Maybe later. She was too tired now. In the waking world that Tessa wasn't conscious for, her hand twitched slightly, the fingers trying to curl, but unable. Zack could only stare as first Seth, then Veceslav ran to Tessa's side. There was so much blood....so much. Had Bryce done this? Why would he do this? Why would anyone do this? Tessa would never hurt anyone. Ever. He caught the bag of coins that Veceslav tossed to him, numb as he turned and let his feet carry him. He wasn't sure where the nearest healer was, but he would start looking. He had to, for Tessa's sake. Eventually, he did find an old woman, peddling her wares with a watchful eye. When he pulled her aside, whispering quietly as he handed her the bag of coins, she quickly closed up shop and followed him, hobbling with her old cane as quickly as she could. On the way there, the woman managed to communicate to him that she was a mute, thanks to witch hunters, but she practiced healing magic. Not strong healing magic, but Zack didn't care. He couldn't afford anyone else at this point, and it would take too long. "I found someone." Zack said quietly as he returned. He could only once more stare as Tessa slowly bled away on the cobblestones, her face pale and drawn, eyes closed. The old woman hobbled to Tessa's other side, and knelt down. She pushed Seth's hands out of the way, and then Veceslav, her eyes narrowing at the men before turning to the girl. Soundless lips moved as the woman's hands fluttered over the wound, and the woman's eyes closed. She's right. We failed her. Zack most of all. He should have stopped her. He could have stopped this. Bryce blinked as the woman dropped down in front of him. "Willow...I've heard your name. You are most welcome." He nodded to her, before turning towards his office. "You'll apologize if I seem a bit distracted. Much to prepare, but feel free to follow me." He had cleaning, and healing supplies in the desk, and pulled both out now, lifting up the lower part of his shirt in order to swab the wound. The solution stung, and he watched as the skin slowly began to knit at itself. It would take a day to fully heal, but he would be fine for the battle. The solution made him think of Tessa, and he brushed his hand against his eyes before pulling his sword out of its sheath and grabbing a clean cloth, rubbing the blood, Tessa's blood, off. With every movement his chest ached a little more, but his eyes remained cold, and stony. "So, what brought you here? I took measures to make sure news of the battle didn't reach many ears. I didn't need an army of witchers at my back." His voice was steady, his back turned to Willow.
Veera forced herself to let go of the sword, her hand dropping to her side. "I should have known you were one for theatrics." She replied calmly, though inside she was full of turmoil. "I didn't think you were the type of man that tolerated children, though." She added as "Claire" disappeared. "And please, nothing to drink for me." Not when there was a chance the mage might just drug her and...do whatever he had done to these children, to her. She knew they weren't alive. She just didn't understand how. This form of magic hadn't been seen before, at least not by anyone she knew. This man, the one on her side, was dangerous. But perhaps he could be reasoned with. After all, Veceslav had seen promise in her, when no one else had. And Aaron had come with her, when no one else would. Maybe someone else needed that amount of faith. And he had helped them get into the doppler sanctuary, though she could be sure that wasn't entirely for their own purposes. "The battle. It's to be in the town square. For your own safety, I think you should remain out of sight when you arrive. Work your magic from afar, if you can. My witcher brethren have come to Oxenfurt, and I can't promise they'll be as.....tolerant, as I am." She knew she shouldn't tolerate this, but she didn't have a choice. And on top of the other choices she had made, well, it wouldn't be this one that sent her to hell. "Why do you do this?" She asked finally. They were going to die. She could see it in Milosh's eyes, as the transaction was made. Her heart sank, and her hands clenched as she looked down, desperately thinking of a way to get one of them free. The opportunity came in a most unexpected way, after Zephyr was chained. The young man unlocked her shackles, before putting on the new ones. "By the goddess, I am sorry." she whispered. The young man looked up, his eyes wide as he realized his mistake, too late. Teliana's magic came rushing back into her veins with the force of a hurricane, and she snapped her fingers, just once. The resulting explosion knocked her back against the wall, away from the young man, who was most certainly dead. When she looked up, the smoke clearing, Zephyr was gone, and her heart lifted in relief. As she slowly got to her feet, Teliana spotted Milosh coming her way, the most incredible hatred leaking out of his eyes. Her fate was sealed now. When he punched her, she dropped back to her knees, gasping for air as she curled over, trying to protect herself. He got away, he got away, he got away. The three words repeated in her head like a song, a little tune of victory. It didn't dull the pain as she was shoved out of the cage, and it didn't quiet the fear, but it was a sweet little moment, in its own right. Despite the pain in her stomach, she stood as tall as she could, keeping her head high, as she caught Milosh's gaze. "I may not live to see it, but I can promise you, you will suffer." And despite the pain, despite the fear and the certainty of death, Teliana smiled. Because her explosion had served another purpose. Telling anyone who might be looking for her that she was still alive, and where she was. All they had to do was listen and look. And he's good at that. Bryce had been knocked back against the wall. As he brushed off his shoulders, he narrowed his eyes at the woman, and then Milosh. "You should train your recruits better. She could have killed us if she had been just a bit stronger." He warned, though he knew that Milosh knew. It still managed to quell some of the fear inside of him. "Here. That was bound to catch the attention of all the wrong people." He opened a false panel on the wall and pulled the small level, activating the wooden trap door in the floor. "To our future business together. Enjoy your fire." He managed to say this with a smile as the witch hunters descended down the passageway, before flipping the lever up and shutting the panel with a frown. He was going to have to rebuild several parts of this place, if he was even allowed to come back to it. No, he would find a way. This place was too much of a treasure to give up, and besides, he had a little saved for a rainy day. Stepping outside the back way, he whistled, and one of his cloaked friends appeared at his side. "To Adolin the Witcher and Alanna the Mage." He whispered, dropping a bag of the shared gold in the outstretched hand. "For their service." Then he started away, towards the streets. Best to get away from this place as soon as possible. "Bryce!" The familiar voice stopped his feet in their tracks, and his heart in its chest. "Bryce!" Tessa darted towards him, her heart swelling with joy as she wrapped her arms around his chest. "Thank the gods! Zack said that you were with witch hunters!" She looked up, and stopped at the expression of immeasurable pain on Bryce's face. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" She looked behind him, at the building with a new hole in the side. "What happened?" Upon peering closer, she put a hand on Bryce's arm. "Are those cages?" Each question only made the pain in his chest grow larger and larger. She knew too much. She hadn't put the pieces together yet, but Tessa was far from stupid. He should know. He taught the girl her letters, her mathematics. He had watched over her since she was a little girl. All for this. He turned her around and wrapped her in his arms, pulling her into the back alleyway. "I love you, little sister." He whispered as he drew his sword, and in one quick movement, stabbed her through the back. He turned away from her face, so he didn't have to see the look in her eyes, as she gasped when the silver slid into her skin. It wouldn't be an immediate death. He couldn't bring himself to do that, to give her no chance of survival. The poisoning would take longer, but it would be more peaceful, in his mind. He dropped the sword and caught her before she fell, pressing his face to the top of her head as several tears dropped from his eyes, before gently placing her against the alley wall, placing one of her hands to the wound in her side and pressing it down. "As hard as you can." he whispered, kissing her dampened hair, brushing the tears from his face, before picking up his blade and running away. Always running away. Sheathing his sword, his hand went to his side, where the blade had cut him. It burned and bled as he turned away, heading back towards Sanctuary to give the orders. And to kill the one who had sent Tessa his way, and seal her demise. Zack, you will suffer a worse fate. He promised himself as his eyes darkened with rage. Tessa watched him leave, her mouth open as she tried to call him back, but no words fell from her lips, no sound. The pain was so intense, she couldn't tell if it was in her mind, or real. It wouldn't even be fair to call it pain. Was her hand still pressed against the wound? She looked down, and her head spun, followed by a pounding, like beats on a drum. This had to be a dream, just a dream. In a moment, she would wake up, and Bryce would hug away her nightmares and help her make breakfast. But no, the pain told her that that was the dream, and this was the reality. She leaned her head back against the cold alleyway wall, and looked up into the sky, tinged with pinks and yellows as the sun rose higher, tears blurring her vision. She didn't want to die. She wasn't ready, here and alone, betrayed. She didn't want to die. But maybe it would be okay to take a small nap, she thought as she gently shut her eyes. Zack raced down the street, towards the river. "SETH!" He bellowed, determined this time to get it right. "SETH!" He skidded to a halt, only now realizing the scene upon which he was stumbling, and realizing after that, he didn't give a flying fuck. "Seth, Tessa's in trouble. Bryce is in alliance with the witch hunters and he's selling people to them and I tried to tell her that but she didn't listen and went after Bryce and she's going to get hurt! And i'm supposedtofindsomeonenamedVeceslavbutIhavenocluewhereheisand WE NEED TO GO!" He looked at the man opposite Seth, and grabbed Seth's arm, preparing to run away with him in tow, witcher be damned because Bryce had lied and he was a bad person and Tessa was going to get hurt one way or another and she didn't deserve it at all. "LET'S GO!" He shouted, dragging Seth backwards, the flask falling out of his hand and clattering to the ground as he dropped it in his haste to get Seth going.
Veera didn't stop running, even when her intended prey was in sight. The robot..thing, would be the bigger challenge. The girl was small, and somewhat frail looking underneath that large cloak. As long as Veera didn't make contact with her skin, she would be easy. Drawing her sword with nearly silent grace, she darted forward, and pounced. Kala sensed....something. She turned, and darted out of the way just as the sword hit the sand she had been standing upon. "Timothy!" She cried out, for the first time in her life willingly relying on someone else to help her. The time falling off the tower didn't count, because well, she had been ready to smash her back against the ground. And the time after that, she hadn't expected Timothy to take her away from battle. And the time after that, she hadn't expected him to fight at her side, or follow her after she had nearly killed that man. ....Wow, she was really starting to depend on him, wasn't she? Kala had enough time to dart away from another sword blow, her heart pounding in her ears. She had never been hit by one of those before, but they looked sharp, and it would hurt, she knew it would. This woman didn't mean to take her back alive. Or well, alive and in good shape. And she would prefer to stay in good shape.
Tessa used Geokinesis. Remy used Martial Arts. Kara used Aquatikinetic Combat.
Veera crumpled the note in her hand, staring straight ahead. "Slight change of plans." She murmured to Aaron, before turning back to him. "It turns out the mage friend and I need to have a chat. But I know for certain that Veceslav is near Oxenfurt, if not in it already. And I'm sure wherever he goes, Derrick won't be far behind. It would be better if you met with them first. They won't take kindly to my presence." She knew, there would be punishment. She had disobeyed her leader, and mentor. Veceslav wouldn't be so intent on that, that he would do it before they fought the dopplers for the control of the city, but she didn't want to antagonize him. "Let's plan on meeting back here, with anyone we bring. We don't know how large that undercity is, that the dopplers have made their home." Veera sighed, then smiled. "Watch your back, Aaron, and keep a wary eye." She clasped the younger man on the shoulder before turning and heading down the road. Half of her wished she could take her horse, but she wanted to be as quiet, and unnoticeable as possible. Time to go see Solomon. An hour later....Veera was standing at the right building. It seemed to fit Solomon's tastes, anyway. She opened the door, and quietly stepped inside, shutting it behind her, and encasing herself in darkness, only the glow of her eyes giving away her presence. "Mage..." she whispered, hand resting on her iron sword's pommel. "We need to have a word." Bryce smiled amicably, and then opened the door, bowing to the witch hunters before walking inside. "I've got two for you, this time. Fine specimens by all account, but I think they'll have interesting information for you. This one, for instance," Bryce gestured towards Zephyr, "was fighting a mage with powers the like of which I've never seen. He controlled skeletons. I'm sure this mage might be able to tell you more with a little persuasion. And this lovely bird," he turned to Teliana, "She was seen in the company of a man who wasn't a mage, but managed to disappear. And according to the associates who captured her, she acknowledged this friend was incredibly powerful. I couldn't begin to guess what he is, but I would assume you fine fellows would like to get your hands on it." Bryce turned and handed the leader a folded piece of paper, with a number written on it. "My price, as always. I believe they are worth the upcharge." He had asked for quite a bit more, but then, he still had to pay Adolin and Alanna for their help, as well as use it to supply his army with supplies, and a little extra for his...project. "Do we have an agreement?" Teliana was about to ask another question, when the door opened, and a stranger walked in, followed by people who's aura she knew only too well. "Zephyr, I think we're in a lot of trouble." She whispered, staring into the eyes of the witch hunters. These were cold men, hard men. She had known their ilk, and now it seemed, she was being sold to them. She wanted to cringe back, hide in the farthest corner of the cage, but she remained where she was, on her knees but not broken. While they were talking, Ana pressed closer to the bars, ignoring the burn. "Zephyr, whatever happens, know that I'm with you." She whispered, her hands trembling. She had seen the effects of the witch hunter's "persuasion". They would be lucky to get out alive. No...She clenched her hands, pressing her lips together. No, we'll be lucky if we die quickly. She tried to call fire into her palm, and was rewarded only with pain as the dimeritium burned against her skin with enough pain to bring sweat to her forehead. As the bargain was struck, and the men turned back, she took a deep breath, and steeled herself. She wouldn't be able to save herself, but the mage they had been talking about was Solomon. Vyle needed to talk to Zephyr, perhaps work with him. She had to make sure he got out. "I know the mage you speak of. The Skeleton Master. I can tell you all about him, but only if you let him go." She nodded her head at Zephyr. Please, gods, make it so. Zack wasn't close enough to catch the entire conversation, but the words he did hear made him sick. Bryce was selling mages; selling them to witch hunters. Was he doing this out of desperation? No, these men were familiar with him. This had been going on for longer. Did anyone else know? Zack didn't think so, dopplers felt more akin to mages then any other race. They were both intelligent enough to choose whether they hurt people or not, but regardless of their choice they were hunted anyway. I need to help them. I need to do something. Zack realized. He turned, and slunk back into the alleyway, trying to remain hidden before taking off down the street, running as fast as his legs could carry them. He didn't know who he was looking for, just someone who could help. Someone who could stop this. Every doppler babe knew what witch hunters did to their prey. Zack had seen victims, both the dead and the living, and all were in agreement that the dead had gotten away lucky. He sprinted back up the street, towards the busier part of town. Maybe there was a witcher. Maybe they would be able to help. As much as Zack didn't want to associate with them, it was the only person he had ever heard of defeating a witch hunter. And they were rival enough that the witcher might forget it was a doppler who brought the message. Zack could only hope. Tessa blinked as she took the flask, holding it in her hands as the morning light shone on it. "You're being so kind. I've always been told we're the monsters, hiding from the witchers that hunt us. Monsters don't get happy endings, I suppose." She looked back up at the city. "I guess people never act how you expect them to." She wondered if Bryce was worrying about her yet. She wondered where Seth was. Wondering wasn't going to make this any easier. "Thank you, master witcher. I think I'll be on my way." She murmured, before hugging the flask to her chest and walking towards the bridge. The guards would let her in, they knew her face, well, most of them did. It made sense, the bar being not too far from the bridge itself. She wondered who would run the building in her place. She wondered how Bryce would react. All this wondering helped the time pass as her feet trodded on cobblestones, not bothering to pay attention to her surroundings. Her feet knew the way home. Another small time skip for continuity's sake. She was headed towards Sanctuary, when something crashed into her, knocking her to the ground and stealing the breath from her lungs. "Z-Zack?" She asked, gasping as she sat up, arm wrapped around her chest. The doppler opposite her did the same, his eyes wide and frightened, his breath coming in gasps as sweat poured from his skin. "W-w-witch.." Tessa's heart dropped; had there been another attack? "Witch hunters...Bryce..." He was trying to catch his breath, but Tessa's face suddenly went cold. Oh gods above. The witch hunters have Bryce. "Zack, go back to the river! There's a witcher there, his name is Veceslav." She looked down, then shoved the flask at Zack. "Show him this, and bring him back! I have to go save Bryce!" She got up to her feet and took off, running faster then she ever had in her life, as adrenaline and fear pumped through her veins; leaving behind a horror struck Zack, who could only watch her depart.
