Several Months Later ...

[Warrior X]

The bandits thought they had another easy victim as the hooded figure knelt by the small stream quenching his thirst. He had been aware of them following him for some time now, especially since several of them did not know the concept of bathing, as well not traveling down wind. Keun wasn't in one of those generous moods this time around, and if it was a battle they wanted, he would give them more than what they wished for. "Ho stranger!!" Cited one, with his sword already drawn ... "There is a tribute to be paid for walking on these roads. 4 pieces of gold. And that be just for me. I do not speak for the rest."


Keun had not bothered to even turn to address the bandit, instead was wiping his hands dry along his trouser leg, still in a kneeling position. "I don't think he heard ye." Said one. "Then maybe he'll hear my blade when I stab out his eyes!!" There were five in all, two flanked their leader, while the last two held back, covering possible escape routes. "Wait, Dartious, is the stranger ... Laughing?" Indeed Keun was, as he stood quickly, his cloak falling away from his massive form, his own sword already drawn ...


Shya had been tracking the five "bandits" as it was waiting for the right time, the right play for the perfect scenario she needed to destroy them all. Dressed in her usual leathers of thigh high cocoa colored boots of supple leather, suede breeches of cinnamon, a wide belt caught an ivory colored poets shirt snug against the flat of her stomach and strapped over one shoulder a quiver of arrows as well as a bow. At her side, matching her ever silent stride through the overgrowth of greenery padded along a powerful friend, black as night with no moon, a wolf with eyes of forest green, a single gentle touch to the massive beast's head stilled him, ears perked forward as he awaited her signal.


Talin was indeed ready, he could take out a man in one single leap of slashing white fangs and well over a hundred pounds of muscle and fur. Shya's attention was then drawn to the man the bandits had come upon, feral orbs of jade-n-amber narrowed as she leaned back on crouched haunches absently brushing away a loose strand of hip length molten copper... awaiting to see what was about to unfold next...for indeed this could get very interesting as she silently slid two arrows from her quiver and placed them before her, bow at the ready.


"This fool thinks he can take on all of us? He must be drunk!! Let us kill him, and be done with it. His sword looks to fetch much on the market, or perhaps I'll keep it for myself!!!"


Now that caused an eyebrow to raise slightly, his laughter fading, the amused expression still evident, motioning the leader forward. The first attacked was blocked, sending the leader back several steps. Keun would smile again, motioning for the leader to try again, but daring the other two as well.


One of the final two that were covering the roads, had already drawn his bow, with the intent of placing an arrow right into his back. The leader did not take kindly to being mocked by this fool stranger, and would make an example of him. The approach this time was more calculated, for it was meant to leave the stranger's leftside open to an attack by one of the others. When this attack was blocked as well, the leader yelled for the two with him to spill this fools innards. And yet, that smile still remained, as the melee went into full battle mode.


The bandit that had drawn his own bow hoping to get a shot off at the lone warrior's back would never know what hit him. Shya was all about "playing fair" and that included a melee such as this...Two arrows were launched from her bow, only a whisper of air heard before one sunk into her opponent's neck, the point grossly protruding out from the otherside as blood bubbled up from his throat, his warning died upon snarling lips as he crumpled to the ground. The other arrow managed to go a little wider than planned, but it hit it's mark causing the last of the five to howl in pain as he clutched at his bisep.

That was Talin's cue, a blur of ebony shot through the forest hurtling himself at the wounded bandit, both tumbling to the road as inhuman growls and snarls with the snapping of teeth was heard in chorus with the man's screams as he tried to fight the furred beast off. Now it was Shya's turn to emerge from the under brush casting a swift glance at the lone warrior, a single nod of that copper tressed head was given as well as a wicked smile flashed his way.


The scream of their comrade distracted one, which is not the thing to do when in the middle of a melee, for Keun made certain it would be his last mistake as his sword point found it's way deep into his mid section, before ripping itself free, tearing cloth and flesh alike. Within moments, they found fortunes reversed rather quickly, and down to two. Keun was pointing his sword at the leader, that smile seemed to have a more darker tone to it.

Then like a man possessed, Keun suddenly pressed his attack against the leader of the bandits, keeping him strictly on the defense. Each blow blocked was so strong, it made defending himself increasingly difficult. The last bandit, seeing their situation, reached inside his tunic with the intent of blowing on a small horn to alert the other bandits within the area to come to their aid ...


Meanwhile Keun continued pressing his attack, each strike harder than the last, causing the bandit leader to drop down upon one knee, fear now settling into his eyes.


She tossed her head and jumped into the skirmish...Instantly she noticed the last one standing, other than the leader who was obviously occupied at the moment. The horn wouldn't reach the fowl man's lips as she set upon him with a deadly Scottish dirk in one hand and a dagger in the other....Oh he was game as he gave her gamin grin, eyeing her svelte form from head to toe as he brought up his sword against her, he figured this wouldn't take very long, lewd thoughts going through his mind as he licked his lips.


Shya merely glared at him, feral orbs of predatory emerald-n-golden topaz glittered with unholy delight as a cruel smile slid across her porcelain visage, she awaiting his first strike, taunting him with casual fluid ease of her steps... listening to the sound of the fading cries of the man Talin had taken down, done toying with his prey he finally ripped the man's jugular out with those massive sharp canines.


With a cold calculated stare, Keun disarmed the bandit leader, who finally dropped his sword, crawling along the ground in hopes of putting some distance between him and the warrior. A scream would escape him as he found his left leg pinned to the earth by his own blade, as Keun advanced upon him. "A-allow me to go f-free warrior, or my brother will hunt ye down like the dog you are!!!" Bemused. That was best way to describe the expression upon Keun's face. He was indeed impressed, for he expected the man to beg and plead for his life in those final moments. Instead, he was defiant until the end.


The two would lock eyes, and the bandit leader had his answer. His death would be quick, his head was quickly severed from his body. A heartbeat later, Keun's attention was directed at the woman who had entered the melee, dark eyes flickered in the direction of the one felled by an arrow, the other by the animal, before once again settling on the woman. His guard had not been let down, ever alert just in case more would arrive.


Shya was pretty certain that more would not arrive, at least not this day...From what her keen hearing had overheard from the ranting "leader" of this group of miscreants... He was not their head man, their absolute leader. More hunting would obviously have to be done in the near future. Her fool of an opponent finally made his move, a slow and rather low -wide swing, rather testing her abilities, after all he didn't want to hurt her...He was hoping that perhaps he could get away with her, kidnap her, since his commrads had already fallen... At least in this way of his thinking he could stay alive and make it back to their hide-out.


Shya simply flashed him a rueful grin, she blocked his sword between her dagger and her 13 inch Scot's dirk blade, shoving him back with a mighty force, he stumbled back giving Talin the opening the massive wolf desired, biting him in the back of his heel, clamping down on the man's Achillis tendon, he screamed as Talin jumped away, the man swinging wildly at the wolf to no avail...Shya figured she should end it here and now, afterall he wouldn't be able to flee too far anyway.


Once the outcome was no longer in doubt, the warrior took to the task of collecting the spoils from bandits that fell from his blade. There was a slight frown, for there would be only two, while ignoring the cries of the last bandit as he removed the leader's sword from his leg, implanting into the ground where his head would have been, and with careful precision inserting the head onto the hilt of the blade, before once again glancing up at the woman and her wolf.


Shya had had enough with this guy...She was bored and decided a swift end in need, with one flick of her wrist she sent the dagger into the howling bandit's throat as he clutched at his foot hopping around, it ended on a gurgle, blood flowing from the hilt of the dagger as he stubbled and fell to the ground in a heap. That done, Shya placed her Scot's dirk into it's scabbard at her hip, raking back wild skeins of copper from about her face she leaned down, wrinkling her nose in disgust at the smell of the fallen man and quickly pulled her dagger free which caused more blood to seep from the gaping hole. Standing back up eyes of peircing peridot-n-citrine flickered in the lone warrior's direction, a delicate brow of russet arced as she took him in from head to toe gauging his actions towards her as Talin once again came to her side.


Once the wolf was by the woman's side, the warrior finished collecting from the second body, before standing to his feet once again. The pair was being recalled for future encounters. Wiping his blade clean on the body, Keun would turn to collect his disgarded cloak that had been left by the stream's edge. Securing it around his shoulders once more, Keun looked to the skies, before looking at the woman once again, a nod of the head given,as he turned to continue his journey.


She pulled a clean rag from out of her pouch of holding at her alternate hip, proceeding to clean her dagger of the bandit's blood. She glanced around taking in the one with the arrow through his neck as well as the mangled remains of Talin's prey and then back to the warrior, his retreating back greeting her as she shifted her weight from one booted foot onto the other, cocking it as she continued to clean her blade, her lilting Scot's brogue reaching his ears. <q> "Yer....welcome..." Whether he had really needed her help or not she wasn't just going to let him leave without at least knowing a name.


This exchange did not go unnoticed however, for perched high in the trees, sat a raven who watched with a keen interest. Down below, Keun had taken several steps before hearing the woman's reply. He would look over his shoulder, and for yet a third time this day, he had that bemused expression on his face. Was she expecting him to give thanks??? The jewel inside his ring began to offer a subtle glow, which caused his eyes to narrow. Turning to face her fully, his hand now gripping on the hilt of his blade, he suddenly broke out into a full sprint ... Seemingly right at the woman!!! A flick of his wrist suddenly produced a small crystal like dagger inside his other hand, his eyes looking now past her, as the recently dead bodies of the bandits were rising back up. "Daemon black arts!!"


Her other brow shot upward to match it's twin as he turned, charging right at her. Where most would flee or attempt to stand and fight, Shya did neither... It was Talin who had warned her about the walking dead, at first she thought he was growling at the warrior but no....She smelled it, even sensed it just as the wolf had.
She whirled about just as Keun was coming abreast of her, dagger and rag forgotten as they hit ground, her deft fingers were already seeking something within the confines of her worn leather pouch swiftly grasping ahold of the item she needed as a few Gaelic curse words passed mauve hued lips. She drew the item forth, clasped tightly within the palm of her hand... This was going to cost her...Drawing in a deep soothing breath, a quick glance to the yelling warrior before she proceeded with what she had to do.


This intensity wasn't seen during his fighting the bandits, no, now the rules had been changed. Dark brown eyes seemed to almost glow with crimson flecks, as he sank the crystal dagger deep into the heart of the first undead, the end result causing the body to suddenly explode, sending flesh, blood, bone, and internal organs scattering in every direction. A continual force in motion, Keun was already facing off against the next, cutting the legs off at the knees, which would give him precious time in which to collect the crystal dagger. "Witch, ye will not taint these lands!!!" Another slice right down the center from top to bottom, as the haze began to take over the warrior, the berserker rage taking root.


"Witch?"...Well by Hel's Domain at least Shya had the smarts to know it wasn't her that he was referring to...Poor Talin, there was nothing the wolf could really do other than keeping the undead at bay while Shya closed her eyes. The chant liltingly flowing from bow shaped lips as the item within her palm began to glow, it was becoming brighter and brighter as her Gaelic tongue became stronger and stronger. Within her grasp was a dragonfly as if captured within a chrysalis of clear quartz....


Dragonflies had the ability to bring the dead to their final resting place, allowing the undead to no longer walk the earthly realm. It allows them to find rightful peace and reincarnation. Shya raised her hand and dashed the beautiful item against the gravel beneath their feet, a white blaze illuminated the area around them, anaging to disintegrate the one with the hacked off legs as well as the one with the ripped out throat and their beheaded leader. It turned their now blue flaming bodies into an explosion of ash, that left one remaining as Shya fell to her knees, her breath labored as Talin supported her weight, the massive wolf never left her side, especially now...for it was up to the warrior to finish up...She had done what she could...At least for the moment.


With an insane look seething with his eyes, the warrior plunged the dagger into the skull of the last remaining undead bandit, it's unholy screams filling the air, as it staggered backwards. With a malicious grin, the warrior reared back, then punched his fist not into, but through the chest of the bandit, his hand appearing to be stuck, as the bandit flailed about. With a series of grunts, the warrior began pulling his hand free, but kept hitting some unseen barrier, until with one last attempt not only was his hand freed, but so was the spine that it was grasped around. And the warrior still wasn't done. Pulling the dagger free, it was disgarded, only to be replaced by a series of thundering closed fists, and sounds of breaking bone as the head/face was battered to a pulp. But the warrior still wasn't finished. Both arms were torn from their sockets, exposed ribs ripped free, and finally the heart was pulled out from his chest, the crystal dagger used once again. The contact of the blade caused the black heart to swell well beyond its normal size, before finally exploding. With a victorious roar, the warrior raised his bloody arms towards the heavens, mad laughter escaping him, until that *look* was no longer inside his eyes, he sat upon his knees, unruly hair now masking his face, his body drenched in sweat and blood. One was his own, the other was not.


Well at least somebody was having fun in all of this mess of bandits who managed to carry a spell of undead upon their bodies. A single quirk of a copper brow given in the warrior's direction as she brushed back a wild tangle of hip length copper from about her porcelain face, smudging the blood splatter and ash that clung to her features...What did she care? She wasn't out to impress anyone, which was probably a good thing since she wasn't sure if she could stand just yet. Her eyes were still seeing a few stars, and not the ones in the night sky...and it was daylight out, while the spinning motion in her head was finally coming to a halt.
By the Gods she hated dealing with the undead and the more she had to battle against them the more it seemed to cost her... Reaching over to give Talin a good scratch behind his ears. Man they all wreaked now, and seriously were in need of a good bath, sighing softly as the wolf gently wagged his tail back and forth.


The focus was back in his eyes now, Keun looked around at the carnage. Quietly he pulled himself back to his feet, placing the crystal back inside his tunic, and picking up his sword. Through that mess of dark hair, the warrior stared at the woman .... "Did any of them touch you? Or your pet?"


Shya remained where she was kneeling next to Talin, her hand resting there on his ebon neck.:: <q> "Nay...I was na' touched....As fer my *friend*...Talin...He took out the throat of the one I wounded with my arrow..." ::her voice enunciating the fact that Talin was not her *pet* but a loyal friend. <q> "Why do yea inquire? Granted these...these...men..." motioning around them with her other hand. "Were of undead tha' doesna' mean they can turn us as well.."


"The wolf's attack happened prior to their enchantment, so it should be safe. You know nothing of the Daemon arts, woman. Pray that witch does not view you as a threat." With a low grunt, again he turned to leave. He was tired. The beserker rage always left him drained, and his thoughts were of finding a place to recover and plan. No more would get nvolved. This was his battle, and his alone.


<q> "He...Talin is a HE...na' an *it* as yea so kindly put it..." Her voice low, with a bit of an edge to it as she drew herself up, back onto her booted feet, uncoiling her lithe form with fluid ease...She thought back about the encounter, there was more to it...A raven...usually ravens and wolves went hand in hand, usually allies to a degree, but this bird was not that to Talin... She canted her head, sending spirals of copper down about her shoulders as feral orbs flashed their harnessed anger in his direction, but it didn't reach her lilting words. <q>"Tis already too late warrior with-'ot-a-name...Yer witch is well aware of mine abilities fer she saw them with her own eyes."


"Then you better have more than a single wolf to watch your back, woman." Spoken without looking back, he would not involve her. The witch's focus will remain on him. That same stream would be found and drank from once again, the cool waters easing the burning inside his throat.


Shya gave him a rather unlady like snort...leave it to men to stick their foot in their mouths. It was probably a good thing he didn't know who she was. Her clothing, well tailored, and once clean didn't really reveal much about her rank within these lands let alone within this realm anyhow. So her noble status would remain within the shadows of the woods...at least for now.... Her svelte form pivoting on a cocked hip, watching his back...this done because she always faced those with whom she was speaking to, back turned to her or not. <q> "Iffin I needed moor watchin' me back...they t'would 'ave already been here." She was blunt in the fact that she didn't need anymore aid than what she had with.

The raven had witnessed enough, and was soon taking flight into the approaching dusk. Keun heard the woman, and with the battle/melee now behind him, other things were being recalled. The woman for instance. She knew how to wield a bow and arrow, quite well considering the distance between the bandits. Images recalled of her with her weapons of choice as well. She was no mere novice. Now that he thought about it, he didn't even detect her until well after the attacks of the bandits. And of course, she knew of the magic arts. That was the real reason he did not trust her. The wolf. Not an it, but a he, and she called it a friend. Was it a shape shifter? Her familiar? Perhaps, just perhaps "If you wish to speak more, perhaps you know the lands well enough to know the closest local tavern?" Washing the blood from his hands in the stream as he spoke.


Shya could almost see the workings of the gears within his mind, weighing everything that had occured this early eve that he had witnessed, it almost made her want to laugh. Even she wasn't sure what to make of him, she could feel his distrust of her as she bent over to retrieve her dagger, the one she was cleaning when their enemy arose as undead, and with the flick of her wrist the deadly blade was tucked away somewhere within the hidden depths of her clothes once again. A faint smile curled at the corners of dusky rose hued lips as she finally strode to the creek's edge, her legs now well stable, Talin too finding the need to quench his thirst as he waded into the cool water, cleaning his coat of the enemies blood...She then turned to Keun, answering his question. <q> "Aye...tha' I do...tis' na' far from here an' I can gladly show yea the way."

[Warrior X]

It wasn't but an hour or so down the road, the sun now setting beyond the western horizon, it's bright orange globe turning to a firey red as they reached their destination... It was actually an Inn, a rather small one, but one of comfort and good food. Shya had then dimounted, sliding from her mighty buckskin stallion, Hwyver, the other massive steed, Sta'Ilinn a striking grullo pulling up alongside his sire, both were silent, well trained stallions in the arts of warfare. Shya handing the reins off to the stable lad as he came forward to fetch them, to care for them for the night as Talin heeled her. Feral eyes of dark Jade-n-Amber flickered to the lone warrior, a single brow of copper took flight as she cocked her head. <q> "Will this do?"


Did that grunt mean yes or no? A slow nod of his head, while pulling back the hood of his cloak. He had remained deathly quiet during the trek to their destination, his thoughts ran deep, trying to absorb what had transpired to him since his arrival to this realm once again. The woman had aided him, though he had not asked for it. She fought like a warrior, and that alone would have her marked. Even the style/brand of steed she rode spoke volumes, along with the pet ...FRIEND, that assisted her during the melee as well. Perhaps trust could be extended towards this one ... In time. For now Keun quietly followed the warrior woman inside, his dark eyes scanning the interior of the tavern, as well of those inside it.


Shya simply glanced to the green eyes Wolf at her side, and if the pair could read one anothers thoughts on the stranger one could only imagine as the threesome passed over the threshold. Shya of course was warmly greeted by the older couple that ran the place. John and Mary McKay knew Shya quite well, calling her by her name, both were a jovial portly pair and it was Mary who called Talin to her to follow her into the kitchen for scraps leaving her husband John behind to square up their orders and if they needed a room for the night. Afterall the look that Mary had slid her husband it was obvious that they, Shya and Keun were in need of clean water and soap. Shya then turning from the proprietor, John to introduce the warrior...She could give John no name so she left it up to Keun with a lift of her brow in quiry.


"I am Keun." Simply stated, followed with a nod of his head. If this indeed be the keeper of the Inn, then he would be respected as such. The warrior was not a social person by birth, no, he did his talking out upon the field of battle. But he was learning the hard way that spoken words do actually carry more of their weight in gold than actions alone. "Well met, John." He would even go as far as to extend his hand, something he had seen merchants do in greeting one another.


A smile flickered across her bow shaped lips, he actually could show some semblence of comportment as the heavy-set John vigorously shook Keun's hand, releasing his meaty paw his bright blue eyes looked back to Shya and then back the warrior. "So, Lady Shyallea what can I get you and Master Keun here to drink, and for supper? For it looks as though the two of you have been traveling hard." Shya knew exactly what John was talking about, he knew well that usually the only time the Lady Shya was about was because she was hunting down thieves, bandits and murderers on these shadowy wooded back roads. "I know I'll 'ave some of tha' select whisky yea always keep fer me." Turning her feral gaze back to the man who stood beside her. <q>"Keun...would yea like anythin' ta' drink?"


If the woman trusted them .... "Mmmm ... Ale would be fine." Bass tones spoken so low, so deep, it came across at times like dull thunder. Granted his posture remained neutral, though his eyes were taking in much when he was not being addressed. This woman ... Shya seemed to hold the respect of the owner and his mate, not the respect of just a warrior ... Was she of some sort of Royal guard? This one would be watched closely.


"Good good." John boomed and off he went to retrieve their drinks... Shya, didn't say another word and simply strode over in silence to a long tressle table in the corner near the fire. It had grown chilly this night and seating her tall lithe frame upon the bench seat would help to warm her. This also allowed her full access as to who entered the Inn from this point on, however attempting to see out the windows were almost impossible due to the heavily laden grease upon them. Afterall, it was a typical roadside Inn for its day... Wooden beamed ceilings with a low archway entrance, the kitchen in the back as well as the narrow wooden stairwell to the rooms up above. She wasn't quite sure what to make of this man she only just met, his fighting skills spoke of a well seasoned fighter, as if he was a soldier...But of what decent? Eyes of peircing emerald-n-topaz settling upon him once again as John was returning with their drinks.


And her gaze would be met by one of his own, the serious expression was actually shattered by the hint of a small smile. It seemed that both were sizing up the other in one fashion or another. A thanks was given in the form of a nod, the ale was gone even quicker. Several coins were produced, then placed on the table, for one tankard would simply not be enough to quench his thirst so easily. But it would be enough to engage/start a conversation ... "So, you were following those bandits? I do not believe that it was mere luck that crossed our paths ..." There was something else about the warrior that stood out ... Any minor cuts and bruises that graced his form from the battle were almost ... Gone???


John returned with yet another mug of ale for the warrior but left the coins alone, disappearing into the back for a bit until the Lady Shya and her guest were ready to order their dinner. Shya in the meantime of watching Keun with mild interest sipped on her Scot's whisky allowing the rich heavy liqueur wash over the confines of her mouth and down her throat before she answered him. <q> " I hunt down tha' which causes decay an' destruction upon the landscape of Mother Nature...twas the Fates tha' brought us together." Taking in at a glance that his superficial wounds were nearly gone from sight, but nothing was said about it. <q> "So, why t'was it tha' they were huntin' yea?"


"I will assume that they figured it was strength in numbers, for those to travel roads that are walked upon by so few. However, it was their deaths that would become an issue." Pausing long enough to quickly down the second tankard like he had done with the first, showing no signs of becoming intoxicated by digesting that much on an empty stomach. "It seems that your realm is tainted as well." That trademark serious expression had returned. "She knows I am here, and will bring her dark crusade to these lands as well. By aiding me a second time, you may have possibly damned yourself." His hands held the empty cup, dark eyes gazing into it briefly before looking up at her once again.


A rueful grin flashed across mauve hued lips showing straight pearly white teeth before she took another drink of her whisky, pausing as her stoic visage replaced that passing grin. <q> "I was damned by Hel herself a long time ago Keun, wha' yea have brought unto this realm canna' be far off from wha' I have dealt with already.." Cocking her head of copper to the side, sending a spiraling cascade of the unruly mass over one shoulder. "However...yea failed ta' tell me as ta' why this *witch* hunts yea...?" He was avoiding her direct question, and of course, she latched onto it immediately as she motioned John over for yet another tankard of Ale for Keun, her eyes never leaving the warrior's.


"Calling her a witch is being kind to the likes of her, Shya. She is of Daemon stock, breeding of human and demon, and even more dangerous than her pure blooded ancestors." When the warrior spoke of her, for an instant there were glints of red inside those brown eyes of his, and gone again just as quickly. "She wants from me what she once possessed, and can never have again. My soul." Stated matter of factly. Once again he would pause long enough to down yet another tankard of ale, like it was nothing more than water. " And I did not bring anything unto this realm that wasn't already here. She thrives on the darkness of others. Those bandits heart's must have been very black indeed for her to have taken them over so completely."


Demons, and the Undead... It never failed... they seemed to follow Shya like the proverbial plague. But again, it was she herself that had walked into this melee... along with a half-demon sorceress to boot... Muttering softly more to herself than to him. <m> "Ohh the fun I get meself inta'..." Said on an exhale as her darkened hunter green-n-gold eyes probed his. <q> " So, yer sayin' tha' yea've escaped her demon sorcery grasp, but yet she now want's yea back? Apparently yea have na' fullfilled yer oath ta' her since she's after yer soul once more?" The men long dead in the forest were forgotten, they meant nothing in all of this, they were but pawns. But not Keun, there was something more...


"I say you still have a small chance to just walk away from this. But I already know your answer. I see it in your eyes. Even on the field of battle, you showed more than just mettle of a warrior. You are well versed in the arts as well." Thing is, Keun didn't bother to hide his displeasure in that small fact. He did not care for the arts, nor trust them, whether they were used for light or dark, or this Mother Nature Shya worked for.


<q> "Keun, I am na' a witch, dark err of light...I am a Druid High Priestess, a warrior for Gaia, The Mother of All Creation..." Finishing off her small mug of whisky...Once again John was there to refill both, this time leaving the pitcher of Ale for Keun...It was obvious, like most Inn proprietors when bored to eavesdrop on good gossip. <q> "I have been trained in the arts of many-a-thin' as tis required of mine birthright..." Giving him a look that brooked no arguement. <q> "True, I didna' know yea, but I knew ye were being tracked an' those tha' were huntin' yea were of the darker part of the shadows....tainted with evil. However, yea, I wasna' sure until I saw yea draw yer sword upon them....Tha' was enough fer me."


The silence that came from the brooding warrior was so thick, one could slice it well, with a sword. It was almost like he was staring through her, instead of at her. The pitcher would be ignored for now ... "If you were a witch, we would not be so ... Civil towards one another, for you would seek vengeance for your fallen sisters ... If you were a witch.... Syndra's followers are legion, her eyes and ears are everywhere, everything that can be tainted. Be wary of your arts. That will be how she seeks you. Your aid back there was not needed ... But you have my .... Thanks. But I must face this alone. No more innocent blood will be spilled because of me. "


"This Syndra tha' yea speak of...She may have eyes an' ears as yea say, but na' everywhere...::leaning forward to place her forarms upon the worn top of the table clasping the mug between her laced fingers as her unwaivering stare searched those of cinnamon brown. "Tha' Raven was one of her minions however it too was like those men...they wreaked of the undead, it t'was na' alive. Tha' tis where my abilities have an' advantage, I am a Keeper so-ta'-speak of Gaia's Children.... Her livin' creatures." She drew the newly refilled mug to her lips, taking in a draught of the whisky before continuing. <q> "Yer... welcome in aidin' yea back there upon the road... But, once again I must interject in your assumptions...I fear she is well aware of who I am... An I do na' think I have had innocent blood within my veins since I was a virgin."


"Raven??? There was a raven there?? Bloody Seven gates of Hades!!!" He was already pulling the cloak about his massive form while making a bee line straight towards the door. That's when the hearth started feeling a little too hot, and getting/feeling hotter with each passing second ....


"Of course there was....I canna' believe tha' yea dinna' see it?!" It had been Talin that had alerted her first to the bird, which she had found so odd leaving without alerting any of them to its presense. Shya came to her feet in one fluid motion, her lithe body uncoiling from the bench seat near the fire as her feral gaze flitted between the sudden increase of heat from the hearth and then back to Keun. "Wha' tis it?"


The crackling of the hearth alerted Keun, but he was too late to stop the attack, as tenacles made of flames lashed out at the warrior, looking to ensnare him within their grasp. Keun would make sure that the focus remained entirely upon him, giving Shya the time needed to get the keeper and his mate to safety. "Foul familiar, it will be only cloth that burns this day!!!" The door would have to be replaced, as the warrior threw himself through it, taking the latest melee outside ...


"By Hel's Domain!" Cursing under her breath as whisky cup was long forgotten, lunging for poor old John the Inn Keeper, she recognized a given opening when she saw one. They cleared the threshold to the back as those flames shot after Keun, her Scot's brogue harsh and raspy as she gave orders for the couple to leave out the back, she commaned Talin to follow them and make sure they stayed safe as she ran back around the side of the Inn to aid Keun. Eyes of intense feral sought him out in this new battle of dark magick, jaw tightening as she readied herself once more for the fight.


The warrior was holding his own against those tentacles, even though for every one he managed to kill, two more took its place. Perched on a rooftop several buildings over? A certain raven sat ... Watching. Keun may have the mindset of a warrior, but he also had a crafty side when it was called for. Having fought creatures like this in the past, he knew their strengths as well their weaknesses. The further they were away from hearth... He hoped this Mother Nature Gaia, Shya worked for blessed the woman with the knowledge of what he was trying to do as well. The woman was officially involved now.


So much for the steaming hot bath of water that had been readied for her by Mary in a room in the back...soft sigh given... There was a source to this madness, there had to be, but what? That would have to wait as something came to mind... Seeing Keun holding his own at least for now... Shya dashed around to the back, re-entering the Inn she shot to that back room where that tub full of water was. Dipping one hand against the warm surface she once again began chanting in her Gaelic tongue, index finger removed she motioned it towards the main room of the Inn, a river of water following in her wake as she charged in, both hands now motioning towards the tentacles of flames that reached beyond the confines of the hearth. The water crashed against the flames in a small wave, at least it was something, and perhaps enough to get a better handle on things as well as save the proprietors home.


Ever hear fire ... Scream? Weird noise it is. Good news? The fire was out. Bad news? The resulting stream from the watered down fire? Yup, steam daemon, which was headed right toiwards a certain copper haired druid warrior female, with the sole intent of searing the flesh from her bones ....


Damn that demon witch sure knew how to use the elements to her advantage, eyes of jade-n-amber going a bit wide upon spying the unwanted guest. She almost thought it was over upon hearing those ear piercing screams? So much for that as she unceremoniously raked back those hip length copper tendrils flashing the steam demon a wicked grin, arms splayed in mock innocence, readying herself against her opponent.


<Nooooooooow yoooooooooooou will die, by the will oooooooooof ooooooooour mistress!!> Singed, not too badly burned, and very annoyed. That was the best way to describe Keun right then. Bemused was next, as the flames were suddenly gone, now assuming a more mist like shape, losing interest in the warrior, flying back inside the tavern ... He would heal, the pain from the burns would be ignored as Keun raced back towards the tavern, his sword drawn ...


Shya glanced over hearing Keun come racing back through the door, how could one miss that behemoth of a man? They'd have to be blind spying his singed state with a mere quirk of winged copper...Great, now back to the air connoction as Shya reached down to the soaked wooden floor her fingers picking up a few of the remaining soapy suds as she quickly went to work, whispering to the fluffy stuff within the palm of her hand, eyes swiftly went back to Keun hoping for a bit of time as the bubble began to grow within her grasp.


Keun recalled what Shya had done to the possessed bandits, and witch or no witch, she practiced the arts and would need time to summon ... Or whatever she does. Keun was not without little tricks of his own, as he suddenly began speaking in a strange dialect/tongue, one that caused the steam/vapor creation to hesitate on its present course ... Turning back upon its original target. Fire was one thing, but steam? Keun wasn't prepared to face off against this one. Thoughts of the Messiah were whispering in the back of his mind ... That woman better be quick about whatever she had planned or things were going to get worse ... Very much so.


Steam was a split element in-a-way, it wasn't quite air but then again it wasn't water either. Shya reaching into her pouch of holding with her free hand, it only took her but a blink of an eye to find the item she needed... Pulling it free, she then set the spell enraptured bubble against the steam demon, it laughed at her thinking that such a paultry little bubble could harm it. So, of course it reached out as if to pop it and instead...sucked the demon right into the hand sized object. Shya grinned rather wickedly as she stepped near capturing the bubble within her palm as she drew her other hand forward, her eyes casting towards Keun in thanks for the minutes he gained her, then back to the one trapped within... She held a cube-like stone, called Halite, it was actually a salt rock moving ever closer to the bubble. <q> "Do yea wish fer me ta' destroy it?"


Did she REALLY just ask him that??? The expression on his face told her all she needed to know. His gaze quickly flickering over to where the now smoldering hearth remained, checking it just in case.


Of course she did, she didn't know if he wanted it to deliver the demon sorceress a message or not...Giving a single shrug of her shoulder she drove the Halite stone into the bubble destroying it instantly as the salt rock soaked up every bit of essence within the orb, the cube like Halite glistened almost a sheer pearle-essense in color after the demon's darkness was snuffed out.


Keun was staring hard into a ruby gem that he was holding up, as if he were searching for something. Satisfied that the threat was no longer there, the gem was placed back into his tunic, and he quietly walked back over to where they were sitting, picking up the pitcher of ale, and downing it. Only when he was finished, did he finally speak. "Those were her pets. A far cry from what awaits you if you decide to continue on this path."


"Well...she needs ta' find better *pets* in my opinion." Placing the Halite back into the worn brown leather pouch at her hip. Returning once again to their table she picked up her mug of Scot's whisky, still intact as she drank deeply of the heady brew...Leave it to Shya to be sarcastic after a skirmish.

And outside the tavern, a certain raven took flight once again, seeing what it needed to see, as there would be a chess piece to be placed upon the board now, the image taking shape of a certain High Druid. Syndra would smile, looking forward to taking this fleshling's measure as well, seeking to unleash those darker urges that lie with that one as well, for if she could not have Keun, this Shya would make a .... Wonderful replacement.