The Dragon's Eye

[Beaurmont]

(What was here before was moved to the overview tab.)

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

The air was thick with the fresh scent of damp earth and the poisonous aroma of nightshade flowers. The blackest of ravens dwelled in the highest branches above. They were sinister and filled with grim, but remained crowned as the silent kings of this everlasting forest. There was a slight rustle of a stinging nettle bush near by. Their beady eyes swiveled towards it, staring at a woman and a small fox who had appeared. The barbs pierced her skin, but was noneffective. Mud caked the woman's feet with every step, squeezing between the tiny crevasses of her toes and oozing. It left a gaping hole engraved in the deep mud, like an undiscovered treasure. Another pair of footsteps pressed into the brownness, puncturing a small paw print and the dent of a wooden staff into it. The woman came to a gentle pause once reaching a safe haven away from the mud swamp. Grass licked at her legs hungrily as the wind blew. The woman's purple eyes glanced back behind her in waiting.


A fuzzy blue head poked out from within a patch of grass, revealing a rodent with sleek fur. His pink paws scampered forward while pushing through the greenery in his way. Pouncing up, the rat dug his tiny claws into the hem of the woman's tattered black cloak and crawled up. The blue rat reached her shoulder and sat with his blue tipped tail dangling just above her collarbone.


"I told Estri the mud would swallow her whole if she came with us..." The rat muttered quietly, staring in the direction of the swamp a few feet away. The woman did not respond. A yelp of disgust echoed out from somewhere within the nettle bushes, causing the rodent to let out an amused chuckle. Tumbling out of the bushes, a fox-like creature with a staff appeared standing on two feet. Her blazing reddish orange fur was speckled with spots of dripping mud. A look of irritation was swept across her small face.


"All this for a batch of juniper berries..." The fox growled in a whisper, flicking the mud off her paws. The golden haired woman continued to remain unresponsive, now staring straight forward with a blank expression. Koza side glanced at her and frowned slightly. With a sigh, Estri walked out in front of Karliah and placed a hand on her hip.


"Search the grove. I'll look around the riverside. If you find anything, let me know." And with that, the fox padded into the thick bramble thickets and vanished. The crackling of Estri's paws against the twigs soon dispersed, and was replaced with the silent void of the forest. Karliah let out an exhale through her nose before proceeding forward.


"Something doesn't feel right, Koza. Someone is here." The woman finally spoke. Her voice was determined and somewhat rainfall-like. Nodding his head, the dangling earrings hanging from Koza's ears swayed around at the sudden movement.


"I sense it too. Be on your guard, Karliah."


He retreated back into the hood of her black cloak. She nodded slowly. A look of determination appeared across her pale face. Immediately, Karliah burst into a silent sprint, slightly crouched low. A dagger sat in her hand that was marked with an orange tribal paint. The objective of finding the mint colored berries was now forgotten. Her feet led her towards the edge of the Circle's territory, ready for anything.

 

[Beaurmont]

The village is quiet and peaceful at this late hour, only a faint orchestra of insects could be heard all around. A large and dark forest surrounded the mass of wooden homes huddled together. Moonlight glimmered down on Geomun, illuminating the path Darwin had walked nearly every night. The dirt path outside of the villages's palisade wall left foot prints for every step he took. After the hours of trekking the same path, a pattern had appeared, showing his exact trail. Even though he took his duty as a Militiamen seriously, it still got boring fast. He began to attempt walking the same path as before, trying to avoid creating new footsteps. Treating it like a game, he kept himself busy a good while, ignoring the random sounds of the forest in front of him.


Even if boring, Darwin didn't dislike moonlit nights like this one. He stopped for a moment, keeping his feet in place, to glance up at the white moon. It's beauty putting him in a slight trance. His face softens the longer he watched it, admiring it's beauty. Hopefully, they will never need to defend Geomun. It's peace could stay pristine forever. A sudden foot step behind the Militiamen, caused him to stumble forward. "I-h-hey! Don-" He sputtered out, turning around armed with his great axe ready. A cloaked man stood silently, silhouettes covering his face. "Be calm Guard. I mean no harm." The man muttered warmly, using his hands in a defensive manner. Darwin held his axe upward, trying to get a better look of the man. A long blue robe covered his body, along with many trinkets and instruments. Pockets and leather bags lie everywhere, he looked like a traveler. A cloud blocking the once strong moonlight disappeared, allowing it to shine once again.


Darwin got a better look, as runic drawings and fabrics could be more easily seen. Two large leather bags were strapped across his back, and smaller leather pouches lie on a strap across his belt. The men held a cane with which he used to prop himself up, it was dark oak wood, lined with silver in many sections. His clothes from the most part were dirty and ruffled, seemingly from harsh travel. The light reveal the man's face, which to Darwin's surprise was an old man. His face was dirty and worn. Wrinkles aligned his features and fatigued seemed quite apparent. Strangely enough however, his eyes were a bright blue color, and seemed incredibly alive and vibrant. As if he was a youthful adult.


"Have you calmed a bit? Like I stated, I mean you or your village no harm." The elder began, starring into Darwin's eyes. He spoke respectfully, and in a slow manner. "I've traveled quite far, and somehow came by your home. Might I stay the night?" He asked, looking toward the village gate, a short stride from Darwin's patrol. The militiamen lowered his axe, but still acted cautiously. "You can...stay the night. As long as you don't cause trouble." He muttered, his face stern and alert. Darwin pointed toward the two guards stationed at the gate, still starring at the newcomer. "Tell them your story and intentions. They might ask to check your pockets." He warned, watching intently for his response.


He smiled warmly and glanced at the two men. "Is that so. Then I shall do just that. Thank you for your help." The elder then began to walk past Darwin slowly, using his cane to help him along the way. The old man did not look back, he seemed rather docile and senile. Darwin shrugged a bit and sighed. What was I doing again...?

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

The leaves brushed past her hips and legs, as if trying to warn Karliah of the upcoming danger. Her bare feet were pressing lightly against the ground, making not a single sound. Koza clawed his way out of the inside of Karliah's hood. With his legs crouched into a jumping position, the blue rat pushed himself off her shoulder and landed on the side of a burly tree. She had noticed, but did not worry. Her speed increased. Each sweep of a plant against her clothing was somewhat silent. Not even the crickets were alarmed.


Koza ran up the tree like a monkey. His small claws dug into the ledges of the thick bark to help propel him upwards. Finally reaching a tree branch, he began leaping his way to the top. Huge, strangely magnificent ravens sat above. Their legendary wings were tucked against their bodies, all of them in identical positions. One of the largest of the ravens glanced down, watching the blue rodent clamber up and perch himself next to the massive bird. The two locked gazes.


"Be my eyes, Dzeth. Who is invading our forest?" Koza asked in a quiet tone. The raven stood completely still for a moment. Then, his beady black eyes turned to the right, staring down into the dark forest. Koza followed his gaze, and soon enough, he caught a glimpse of a black cloaked man sprinting at full speed through the shadows. Immediately, Koza retaliated in confusion.





"An... assassin... of The Blood Alliance? What are they doing here?..." Koza whispered aloud. The huge raven ruffled his feathers. His eyes followed the assassin below, watching him disappear into the shadows.


"Dat' I do not know... But dey are looking for trouble. Go, Koza. Return to Karliah. She iz below." The black bird said in a deep, accented voice. Koza bowed slightly in gratitude, before scampering back down the way he had came.





'Karliah, that person you are pursing is an assassin of the Blood Alliance.'





The voice of the blue rodent echoed throughout Karliah's mind. It was slightly faded and distant. She skidded to a halt, her heel digging into the dirt. Her purple eyes stared at the ground in thought.


'... The Blood Alliance.... in the Circle's territory...'





Her fists clenched.





'Get back to the sanctuary with Estri and warn my mother. His head is mine.'





'Be careful, Karliah.'





The voice of her companion appeared in her brain once more before drifting into a whisper and soon vanishing. In lightning fast movements, Karliah snaked her hand down to the left side of her hip and slipped out yet another dagger. The orange tribal markings on them began to glow in soft throbs as her rage increased. Gritting her teeth, she sprinted through the undergrowth and directly towards the presence of the assassin. He left no footprints, nor did he make a sound. But she had found him anyways.


He was creeping through the undergrowth silently ahead, unaware of the witch crouched just a few feet behind him. Karliah observed him, her eyes glancing up and down. He was wearing a cloak, as all the other assassins did. On the very back of his head, was a red eye painted on the fabric of the cloak. It seemed to be staring at her intensely, watching every movement. It sent a chill down her spine. She crept up behind a tree on all fours, and poked the side of her face around the corner. He seemed to be distracted. The assassin turned his gaze in the direction of the riverside, where Estri had disappeared to. He began wandering in that direction, his hand unsheathing the blade at his hip. The anger she felt began to tear at her heart like a wild lion awaiting to be fed.


Slowly, Karliah began crawling towards him from behind. Her fingers squeezed the hilt of both daggers. When she was close enough, the witch raised the daggers slightly, pushed her fingers against the ends, and with a flick of her thumb, she sent them flying. They twirled through the air in a brilliant dance of metal. He turned around just in time to have both of them lodge deep into his eyes. The assassin let out a scream, mostly from the pain, and also because the two daggers were beginning to glow a bright orange. The smell of burning flesh was soon wafting through the air. The daggers grew bright red like burning hot coals. He fell to his knees and ripped them out with a piercing scream.


Being an assassin, men like this always had a little fight left in them. He began to recover quickly, forcing himself to forget about the pain. Depending only on sound, he rose to his feet and unsheathed the blade at his hip. He ran at her instantly and swung the sword. It sliced across her arm, leaving a bloody gash in its wake. He continued to swing, but was beginning to miss. Karliah jumped backwards, and swooped up one of the daggers. Their weapons clashed together, and because of her blade's size, it was sent flying into the bushes. He immediately jabbed the sword into the muscle underneath her collarbone, and twisted the tip deeper inside. She hissed out and kicked him away with the bottom of her foot. He stumbled backwards. Raising a single hand in his direction, she frowned slightly in focus. The assassin's mouth became agape, and slowly began to spiral into a state of choking. He clawed at his neck and collapsed to his knees in the process. His skin was beginning to become ghostly pale, and soon turned into a dark purple. The assassin's body jerked before crumpling to the ground and falling still.


Lowering her hand, Karliah walked up to the assassin who was no longer breathing. She swooped up the blade laying by his side, and gripped it tightly. With a single arm, Karliah shoved it straight through his throat.


30 minutes later...





Karliah began to make her way back through the moonlit forest. Both hands were caked in freshly spilled blood. Ravens and crows alike had flocked down from their perches and began tearing the assassin's headless body apart, one piece at a time. The daggers had returned to their places on her hips, and were no longer glowing a bright orange.

 

[Beaurmont]

"Darwin, your shift is over." A husky voice spoke from behind the militiaman. Darwin turned around to spot a recognized figure. "Already? 'suppose that's fine. I was getting tired." He spoke, getting a glance at his fellow guard. He wore the same leather armor across his body, rather plain in appearance but durable and easily fitted. He was larger in build, husky and tanned, more intimidating that Darwin by far. "Heh. It gets boring out here quick. Get some rest." He spoke rather cheerfully, leaning against the palisade wall. He was already yawn, and his job just began. Darwin shook his head, but conceded happily. "Sure, sure. Night." He hefted his axe across his shoulder, moving in the direction of the village gate. The guards stationed there before had also been replaced with new fresh guards.


He walked by them, nodding as he passed by. Expressing gratitude for their work. He made his way down the villages stone path, toward the center of the village. Darwin absently took a look around Geomun, noting all the small wooden homes standing near each other. The were each a story tall with two windows and a large cobblestone chimney exposed at the top. They were built with the strongest and sturdiest wood around, to ensure the structures wouldn't break or falter in heavy storms or wind. After a few minutes of silent walking he camp upon a 10 ft stone statue in the center of the village, a knight etched in the mineral. Darwin never took interest in it, but, he felt compelled to look at it. He walked closer to view it, able to read the stone tablet that sat at the knight's feet. "Our Hero. His name lost in time, but his accomplishments, never forgotten."


Darwin stood silently, reciting the words in his head slowly. A hero, yet they forget his name? He scoffed a bit and changed his direction toward his home. At a slow pace, the stone beneath his feet created a soft clicking sound. During a time with no sounds, it was quite loud.

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

She grew further and further away from the flock of black birds. The mud and pungent smell of the swamp was gone. Mosquitoes were no more. The scenery was reshaping itself slowly. The undergrowth and plants became thicker, as if trying to hide something. Her feet followed a small path only visible to the ones who looked close enough. Feathered ferns and thick tree roots snaked along the grassy passageway. Even the fireflies became more abundant, giving the forest light with their tiny sparks of luminescence. Soon, the trees began to fold over the pathway she followed like a veil. It blocked out the creamy light of the moon, and allowed the small fireflies to illuminate Karliah's path with an eerie golden glow.


Nearing closer to the end of the trail, a stone staircase leading up to a door stood ahead. Two pointed rocks with runic symbols running through them were placed on both sides of the stairs. She pressed her feet against the cold steps, and stopped once she was at the door. A woman's head was mounted above the frame, her wooden face emotionless. A pair of curled horns poked out on either side of her head. As soon as Karliah's eyes trailed across the woman's face, her eyes flicked open in two brilliant yellow orbs.


"Fai los fahin du vulon (what is the color of night)?" The woman's voice was eerie and filled with everlasting echoes.


"Sanguine, dii irinae (sanguine, my sister)."


"Welcome home."


The closed door standing tall in front of Karliah began to open. A stream of light appeared between the crack in the door. Stepping forward and disappearing on the other side, she vanished into blackness. With a gentle clunk, the doors shut and the woman's head above became still and emotionless once more.


_____________________________________________________________________


Following the overgrown passageway, the witch appeared out on the other side in a frenzy of footsteps. A huge, magnificent white castle came into view, covered in ivy and surrounded by ancient trees. Her black cloak fluttered slightly as she swooped her way through the castle's entrance. Karliah was instantly calmed by the familiar scent of burning candles and the sounds of voices coming from nearby rooms. The inside was dark, and only lit by the small flames of a burning wick. Even the ivy plants had managed to snake their way into the castle from outside.


There was suddenly a tiny tug at the bottom of her cloak. Koza settled himself on top of her shoulder with his tail wrapped around himself.


"Acantha is waiting in the temple. It'd be best not to keep her waiting." The rat murmured to her, watching a few young witches pass by in front of them. Without a word, Karliah made her way towards a spiral staircase descending down into an abyss of shadows. Cupping his paws together, Koza exhaled into them. A throbbing light of blue appeared hovering above his paw, lighting their way. The stairs seemed to go on forever. Eventually, Karliah arrived at the bottom where her feet met dirt and grass. Koza immediately flicked off the glowing blue orb.


A huge room filled with small plants and tree roots lining the walls sat in front of her. The small lights of the fireflies swooped through the air in a dance. A tall, magnificent statue of a cloaked woman stood in the area, and below her was a large pool of glowing water. Karliah's purple gaze settled on a woman sitting in front of the statue, her body motionless. She walked towards her, and stopped once she was at her backside.


"Sit, child." The woman murmured without glancing behind her. As ordered, Karliah crouched low beside her mother. Acantha's eyes were closed, and her lips parted slightly in relaxation. A few silent moments passed by. Not once did Acantha break her posture to turn towards Karliah. Finally, Karliah glanced at her mother.


"What is it you wanted, mother?" She whispered quietly, as if afraid to disturb Acantha's meditation. Her eyes shot open in an instant, revealing a set of pale white eyes. The room grew eerily quiet.


"Koza tells me an assassin of The Blood Alliance chose to enter our territory tonight. Do you know what this means?" Acantha murmured softly. Karliah blinked and stared at the ground for a moment.


"They have found us."


"No." Her mother suddenly spat, sending a shiver down Karliah's spine. Koza sat quietly, his dark brown eyes full of concern and regret. Acantha stood up, her red dress brushing against the dirt. She stared forward at the statue in front of her.


"They are planning a war, Karliah. And it is you, who has caused it." Anger pierced her heart, and Karliah immediately leaped to her feet.


"That's bullshit, and we both know it."


"You cut off his head." Acantha said simply, turning her harsh gaze in the direction of her daughter. The power emitting from her mother caused Karliah to take a step back.


"To cut off a man's head is a warning. A declaration written in blood. And now, they will stop at nothing until one of our heads is on a stake." Acantha walked closer to Karliah, her face only a few inches away now.


"All, because of you." She snarled quietly. Karliah forced herself to look away from her mother's burning gaze. She wanted desperately to spit words back into her face, but that was asking for a visit with Aethantos (evil god). Acantha swiveled around and began to walk away.


"As punishment, your powers are mine until you learn the meaning of control." Karliah immediately felt her body begin to weaken at those words. The magic flowing through her veins was drained, leaving a hollow body of a mortal. She stared at her hands in disbelief. Never had she been without her powers. Acantha glanced behind her with a sickening expression of amusement in her wicked eyes.


"Do I make myself clear?"


Karliah clenched her eyes shut, and let out an exhale.


"Yes. Perfectly."


Acantha turned, and vanished up the stairs without another word. The two were left in a void of silence.


_________________________________________________________________________________________


"Perhaps we should consider other options, Karliah... I feel if we anger your mother further, we'll both be burned alive." Koza spoke desperately, watching as Karliah sped across the room with runic books. She shoved them into a leather satchel. Her hands worked quickly, and put several kinds of alchemy ingredients into a small pouch connected to her belt. In the corner of the room, sat a small bed fit for a canine. A fox dressed in dazzling jewelry and ringlets lay on the small bed, his amber colored eyes watching Karliah silently. Her purple gaze met the rat's for a second, before continuing her packing.


"A witch without her powers is a curse. You heard my mother. The only thing I can do is sit and watch now. I refuse to let that happen, Koza." She responded in a hurried voice. Snapping shut the leather satchel, Karliah swung it around her shoulder.


"So you're running away." Karliah froze in place at the rat's words. Her muscles tensed for a moment, before relaxing. She let out a gentle sigh.


"Not running... You know I mean well." She murmured in response. Koza watched her outstretch an open hand in his direction. Hesitantly, he climbed onto it and clambered up to her shoulder. The fox immediately stood up, and arched his back into a stretch. He followed the woman out of the room obediently from behind.


"There is a village near here. Until my mother calls me back, that is where I will be..."


A few hours later...


The small dirt road led the way into the village. Karliah was now surrounded by wooden houses and the singing of crickets. The night air rushed through her cloak, making it sway. Her face was concealed by a hood with only her delicate mouth visible. Ruko followed closely at her side, the golden ringlets on his ears bouncing up and down. A guard nearby noticed the strangely cloaked woman enter the town, and the drowsiness he felt immediately dispersed. The armored man stepped in her way, his hand on the hilt of his sword.


"Halt! What is your business here?" He demanded, causing a spark of anger to light in Karliah's heart. Ruko stared up at him with glowing amber eyes. The guard eyed the fox suspiciously.


"I am visiting a friend. Nothing more." She responded quietly. The guard looked hesitant, and opened his mouth to give a defiant response. Until Koza made his appearance. The rat's eyes glowed a piercing blue. The guard became frozen in place, his mouth agape. For a single moment, his eyes glowed a bright blue as well. Eventually, both of their eyes returned to their normal colors, and Koza retreated back into her hood. The guard now wore an abnormally friendly smile.


"Welcome to Geomun. Please enjoy your stay." And with that, he stepped out of her way. Karliah walked silently through the village, and turned into one of the inns. Paying for a room, she plopped down onto the bed and stared up at the wooden ceiling. Ruko curled himself next to her. Soon, all three of them had fallen into a deep sleep. Little did she know that the word had gotten around of the mysterious newcomer.

Spoiler

(OH MY FUCKING GOD. I AM SO SORRY. Please feel free to skip through some of this xD This is the longest post I've ever written....)

 

[Beaurmont]

The Morning After~


Darwin awoke in his bed as usual, morning sun beading through the cracks in the roof. He always said he'd repair the roof, but it was never the case. He rose from his position slowly, stretching and yawning upright. Villagers were already active as chatter could be heard from all around. The town was quite alive, and it was busy. He got up and dawned his usual leather bracers and pads, making a quick note to grab a dagger. With the blade in it's sheath upon his belt, he opened the door to his home, exiting to the outside. The sunlight jabbed at his eyes painfully, so much so he had to shield his vision with his hand. Time to visit Earl again. He thought to himself, yawing again. He closed the door and locked it, moving down the stone path to the inner city streets.


Darwin walked along the street slowly, trying to take in the conversations around him. The latest news or rumors could be heard from these gossiping villagers, it was the easiest way to stay in the know. He only listened half heartily, as most of it was unimportant or bland drivel. Apparently 13 new children were born this month, greatly increasing the population. Soon Geomun will become quite large if this keeps up. Darwin began to zone out, whistling a light song to distract his mind. "-Yeah, some new stranger has visited Geomun. Different from that old man!" Darwin canceled his whistle immediately, stopping in his tracks. "She has a fox following her, it's so strange. Fox don't take kindly to humans, least not 'round here." Darwin stood idly, thinking. Another person came last night? I thought there was only...that old man.

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

The bright orange glare of the rising sun in the distance shined through the window, and onto Karliah's face. Her eyes fluttered open. She groaned irritably at the sun beaming down on her, and ended up raising a hand to block out the light. Koza was already awake, rummaging through the leather satchel in search of something. His blue tipped tail flicked around rapidly. No longer on the bed beside the witch, Ruko watched the rat quietly with his paws tucked underneath his head. Karliah climbed out of bed and stretched. She peeked out the window, seeing the village lively as she had expected. Before anyone had a chance to notice her, she vanished from the window and further into the room.


"We need to be careful, Karliah. I suggest we make ourselves look less foreign. Wouldn't want the Vigilants of Acheron on our tracks." Koza said quietly to her, finally poking his head out of the leather bag. The golden ringlets from his ears were gone, along with the glowing beaded bracelets around his ankles. He pulled his pink tail towards him, and began to wipe off the blue paint with droplets of water. Karliah nodded in agreement, leaning down low beside Ruko and helping the fox remove his accessories. Ruko was struggling terribly.


After making themselves look somewhat normal, and less like tribal individuals, the three began to head out into the village. Karliah still had the black cloak enveloped around her, but now wore a dark navy blue dress with the leather satchel hanging from her shoulders. Koza concealed himself in the slope of her cloak's hood, poking his fuzzy blue head out.


"We're getting food before anything. Keep yourself hidden." She told him, feeling the rat hide. Karliah pushed through the door of the inn, and stepped out onto the dirt road. Immediately, she felt the stares of the villagers observing her and the brown fox beside her. She took a glance around the area, before walking towards one of the marketplace stands selling food. Karliah grabbed a few apples, two slices of venison, and an assortment of nuts for Koza. The merchant placed them in a separate bag for her.


"You're the girl 'eryone's talkin about, ain't cha?" He asked, catching the witch off guard. Her purple eyes bore into his, watching him take a puff of smoke from his pipe.


"Excuse me?"


"You've got this town riled up. It's not too often we get foreign visitors." Karliah smiled, but it was slightly forced. Her gaze was harsh and unwelcoming at his words.


"Thanks for letting me know. Just what I needed." She snapped back sarcastically. Koza stabbed her with one of his claws, warning Karliah to keep her temper down. She frowned at the gesture and elbowed the rat in the side gently. The man in front of her casted the woman a strange look.


The smell of meat wafted into Ruko's nose, causing him to jump up and place his paws on the table of the stand. He sniffed hungrily at a piece of venison in front of him. The merchant looked irritated, and swatted at the fox with a hand. Karliah didn't even seem to notice, and placed a tattered bag of coins into his palm. She walked away without another word, checking to make sure each piece of food was in the bag. She wasn't watching where she was going. The witch ran straight into someone stopped in the middle of the road. Karliah took a step back, flustered.


"Watch it. People walk here, ya know." The witch hissed. Her expression was clearly pissed off, and furrowed into a frown.

 

[Beaurmont]

Mid thought, a stranger bumped into Darwin, his head throbbing a bit from the collision. He rubbed his head a bit, starring at the aggressive woman he met with. She had a look of irritation, not happy in the slightest. Funny enough, he had never met this woman before, carrying bags of food. He took another step back to get a good look at her, trying hard to identify the person in front of him. He looked down beside her feet, there sat a fox. It seemed to glare at him, making Darwin feel uncomfortable. Suddenly it clicked, a woman with a fox. He placed a hand on the hilt of his bed, resting it directly on his dagger. "I know where it is people walk outsider. I live here." He retorts, watching her expectantly.


(Do not off his head. xDDD My next post will be longer and bring in da old man.)

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

'Oh no. Karliah, stay calm. You're in a public place...'


Koza's voice appeared in Karliah's head, making her anger peak higher. She could feel him shift quickly in the back of her hood, clearly uncomfortable. The witch gritted her teeth, and forced a small smirk towards the guard.


"Then please... Step aside, and let me walk through." Karliah growled, her muscles tensing just for a single moment before relaxing again. The lightly colored fox let out a visible yawn, and stretched his hunches. Ruko didn't even seem to be aware of the situation, or he just didn't care in the least. His glowing amber eyes trailed back up to the guard's face, watching him intensely. Koza's worries eased after Karliah's attempt to control her temper. The last thing he wanted was a man being stabbed in the middle of the street. In front of everyone.





'Remember. This town is perfectly capable of calling upon the House of Ancients, who will send their Vigilants onto us. You know what happened to the last witch that got involved with the Vigilants of Acheron.'


'She was incinerated. I know. Stop worrying, Koza. We'll be fine.' Karliah responded telepathically back to the blue rat.

 

[Beaurmont]

Darwin watched the woman carefully, slightly intrigued by her. It wasn't often that outsiders visitors came to Geomun. Onlookers began to watch the two, whispering amongst themselves. How annoying. He thought to himself, gazing at them through a side glance. "My my, it seems I have the pleasure of meeting you once again young man." An old voice ushered happily. Darwin looked to his left, spotting the old man from last night. He walked up with a gentle smile on his face, a large and strange bird-like creature on his shoulder. "What are you doing in the middle of the road lad?" He turns his gaze toward the stranger, still smiling. Darwin doesn't answer his question and stay silent. The bird begins to screech loudly toward the woman, flapping it's large wings.


"Hush now, be calm my friend. " Rathzul whispered to his bird, petting it on the head. He turned back toward the stranger intrigued. "You...seem to excite 'Ndras. Usually he is quite docile, even around strangers. I wonder..." He begins, mumbling to himself with an amused grin. Darwin slowly lifts his hand from the blade, feeling that the situation has defused. Now I'm bored again.

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

As soon as the strange bird began squawking, Karliah felt the blue rat in her hood shift uncomfortably. The old man knew something, and it made the witch uneasy. She frowned at the man, her harsh purple gaze locked with his. Ruko was now staring at the man curiously, not a single hint of aggression in his glowing amber eyes. With a small sigh, Karliah tore her eyes from the elderly man's and glared at the guard.


"Didn't I tell you to move out of the way?" She snarled, a hand on her hip. There was movement behind the guard a ways back. A group of men dressed in black attire. They glanced in her direction, before disappearing into the nearby tavern. Ruko was now highly alert. The fur covering his back began to raise in a defensive motion.


Without another word to the two of them, Karliah wove around the guard, her shoulder brushing against his slightly. She made her way towards the tavern, a determined look across her pale face.


"What are you doing?! Those men are witch hunters!" The blue rat poked his head out of her hood. His pink nose wiggled from side to side, indicating he was infuriated.


"Eavesdropping. If they know something, I want to hear it. The coven could be in trouble." She responded back in a somewhat calm tone. Karliah flicked the black hood over her head. The rat snaked his way down to the leather satchel around her shoulder, and disappeared inside. Ruko followed closely behind. She pushed open the creaky door with a single hand. Wandering eyes from men around her stared at the cloaked woman. The men dressed in black sat at a reclusive table in the very back of the tavern. She made sure to sit somewhere near them. Karliah motioned for the bartender to prepare a drink, and plopped down into a wooden chair. She turned the side of her head in the direction of the men, listening in for any kind of clues or hints.





"... But can they be trusted? A guild responsible for thousands of deaths across Prcepe suddenly willing to help the Vigilants?"


"Doesn't make much sense," Another man growled, taking a sip of his ale. He set it down with a hard clunk, and leaned back into his chair. His beard was old and grey, and he had a few scars across his wrinkled cheek.


"But they've given us information about the coven. That's our main priority." Another man sitting next to him cursed under his breath, and slammed a fist against the table.


"Those damn bitches deserve to be burned at the stake." He spat, taking a swig of his drink to conceal his anger better. The men nodded in agreement, all wearing devious smiles.





"They will be soon. The lot of 'em." The older man let out a bellowing laugh, raising his drink.





"Happy hunting, boys."





Their drinks clinked together loudly, echoing throughout the tavern.


_____________________________________________________________________________





"Karliah, stop! Don't do it! They'll kill you on the spot!" The blue rat exclaimed in desperation. The witch stood up, ignoring his words. She wandered towards the group of men. They all glanced over to her, one at a time in curiosity.


"Hello there, young lady. Care to join us for a drink?" The older man asked mischievously, but soon ended his chatter as the witch lifted the table and flipped it in front of them. Their drinks spilled all over their laps, causing the four men to jump up in alarm. The tavern grew quiet.


"You've got a lot of nerve, girl." One spat as he began to approach her angrily. Until she ripped off her cloak. The older one stared, a realization dawning on his face. They all stopped, motionless. She glared at them with a burning purple gaze. A black, triangular tattoo was embedded on her back in strange runic symbols.





"Witch..." The older one whispered in a low voice.

Spoiler

 

[Beaurmont]

Darwin scoffed as he watched the stranger brush past him, her rudeness knows no bounds. He began scratching his head a bit, pondering what to do next. Whatever, let the girl do as she likes. She's lost my interest anyway. He turned toward Rathzul, a bit miffed at his appearance. "I don't know where you came from...I didn't need any help there." He stated, scowling. The old man watched the girl leave into the tavern, following the men in cloaks. He absentmindedly put his hand up, telling the young guardsman to wait. Those men were... He thought, squinting his eyes.


Darwin sat silent for a moment, glaring at this old stranger, just what did he need to wait for? A loud crash was heard in the tavern, grabbing Darwin's attention. "Damnit, what was that? It's too early for a drunken brawl..." He yelled exasperated, striding toward the tavern as well. Rathzul followed quietly, his pet 'Ndras squawking loudly.

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

The men in the tavern who were happily drinking ale before, were now scrambling to leave. The bartender had ran out the back way a long time ago. The five witch hunters had their swords sheathed and ready to attack. Each sword was lined with the sleek metal of silver; a witches, werewolves, and vampires worst nightmare. The light colored fox was yipping aggressively at the men with the fur along his spine sticking up. Koza was surprisingly still and silent, as if waiting for the right moment. The eldest one of the witch hunters stepped forward, a silver sword in his worn out hand.


"What is a witch like yourself doing out here?" He spat, nothing but disgust in his voice. The men stared at the mark on her back like it was a symbol of pure evil. Karliah gritted her teeth and spit a glob of saliva onto his black boot. The man stared down at the clear liquid. He didn't say a word for a moment. But his face slowly twisted into anger.


Before he could even motion for his men to attack the witch, someone burst through the door. Karliah swooped down, and tied the tassels of her cloak around her neck. The dark mark was concealed immediately. Guards dressed in armor and swords at the ready appeared. The witch hunters released their defensive of stances, and stared somewhat calmly at the guards who entered the tavern. Karliah felt the blue rat in the leather satchel relax at the sound of armored boots pounding against the wooden floor. Ruko was now less aggressive, but still had fur jutting out from his spine.


@Beaurmont

 

[Beaurmont]

Following the guards inside, Darwin slowly made his way inside the tavern. It was now empty of regular citizenry, and only filled with armed men and women. 6 well equipped man-at-arms stood behind the stranger, each with irritation plastered on their faces. Rathzul followed suit, but idly stood at the doorway, watching like as a simple bystander. He noticed the men in cloaks, realization struck. "...then I was correct...they are..."


Darwin walked to the front of the guards, trying to get an understanding of what's going on. "Who're these men?" He exclaimed, shooting a glance at the armed men in cloaks. He then glanced at the female stranger. "And what did YOU do!?" He nearly spat, irritated once again. This simply wasn't his morning.

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

The leader of the witch hunters, once completely enraged, now had a smug and vengeful look on his face. All of their swords sheathed back into their scabbards. Karliah did not even face the guards behind her, but simply glanced backwards in a glare.


"We are witch hunters, sent by the Vigilants of Acheron. We are in search of the Seventh Circle." The leader said loudly. His harsh gaze met Karliah's and the two had a stare down. The man with the hot temper spoke up.


"And that woman? She's a bloody witch." He spat viciously, pointing at her.


"I suppose we should show you some... proof." The leader smirked. He walked towards the woman and outstretched his huge hands towards her. Karliah began struggling violently as he grabbed her and forced the witch to the ground. She clawed her nails across his cheek, causing blood to draw. Ruko leaped and dug his teeth into the man's arm. He huffed out angrily and flung the fox across the tavern. The animal hit the wall, yelped, and fell onto his side. Karliah let out a screech of anger at the sight of her companion and began kicking wildly.


His frustration grew.


The witch hunter finally got a firm grip on the witch, and ripped the cloak away from her body. The symbol was once again revealed. A few of the guards took a step back, as if in fear.


"By order of the House of Ancients, she is to be eliminated immediately by fire." He tightened his grip on Karliah as she hissed out, trying to shake away his strong grasp.


@Beaurmont

 

[Beaurmont]

As soon as the witch's symbol was exposed, the tension in the air grew thick. The many guards backed away immediately disgusted and filled with fear. The repulsion in the men's eyes were not enough to describe their reaction. Darwin himself, found it hard to even look at her. He turned his sight away, frowning heavily. Those bastard guards from last night let a witch of all things into our homes? What the hell were they thinking...she could have killed us all. He thought, actually happy these men were here. "...Good thing you men were here then. One less problem for us." He muttered, beginning to turn away.


Rathzul shoots a disappoint look toward Darwin, catching the young guard's attention. He returns the gaze confused, raising an eyebrow. Rathzul pushes past him, keeping his eyes on the man holding Karliah down. "So you indiscriminately burn witches, whether or not they have done something wrong?" he asks the man, smiling warmly. His grip is tight on his cane as it taps the floor, echoing throughout the tavern.

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

Karliah slowly ended her struggling as the old man from before spoke up. She side glanced behind her with a frown on her face.


What is this old man up to? The witch hunter holding her down stared in confusion at the elderly man. The confusion soon turned to seriousness with a hint of irritation.


"I don't think you understand. Witches are responsible for deaths all across Prcepe. It doesn't matter if they have done nothing wrong. Anyone belonging to the Seventh Circle is immediately proclaimed to be a threat." He responded in a somewhat calm voice. Karliah glanced over at the leather satchel laying on the floor. It sat completely motionless. Koza was gone. A spark of revenge lit in her purple eyes. The witch let a smile play across her lips.


"No matter how many of us you burn, we will always prevail. If Ikora wills it to be." Karliah smirked wickedly at the witch hunter who held her down. He smacked her hard across the mouth at the mention of the foul goddess. Blood seeped from her lip and down her chin. She gritted her teeth and spat the crimson liquid straight into his face.


"You will burn with us." She growled in a quiet threat. He was taken back by the blood, but regained his composure. He wiped it away with the back of his hand and huffed out angrily. The witch hunter's grip tightened to the point where he could snap her bones in two. His harsh gaze turned in the direction of the old man in waiting.


@Beaurmont

 

[Beaurmont]

Rathzul closed his eyes, taking in the young hunter's response. The mention of Ikora caused him to frown slightly, their god's form appearing in his mind. Hearing the brutal way he treated the witch turned his frown to a scowl. He slowly rose his cane and slammed it against the floor once again. "Enough of the brutality. I understand your resolve well, but one must maintain composure and a clear head." He stated clearly, opening his eyes once again. He took another step towards the two, looking down upon Karliah. "My point still stands, have you any proof of her being guilty of such atrocities? Any normal witch of that order has enough power to level a village of this size easily. And yet, here we are. She simply was passing through, going her own way. From my standpoint, you are the ones acting violently and without reason."


The Geomun guards stood silently, looking at each other in confusion. This was simply out of their league, do they or do they not arrest these men? Darwin walked up next to Rathzul enraged. "What crap are you spouting old man!? This makes no sense, she's a witch. Where have you been all these years, in a cave? They kill people!" He shouted, trying to rationalize his thought process. Just what is this geezer up to!? The elder, not looking away from Karliah let out a deep sigh. "I sensed something better than this within you young man..Darwin was it? You seemed bright, you had a white and clear resolve in your heart. Now you let hatred and prejudice corrupt your soul, and plague your mind. Perhaps...I was incorrect."


Darwin stood silent, taken back from the old man's words. "I...what do you...?" He stuttered, trying to form a coherent sentence. Rathzul smiled slightly at Karliah, continuing his thoughts. "I sensed something from you as well my dear. But I decided not to act upon it, however even 'Ndras felt your energy. His senses are keener than mine, which have been sharpened to a point. You...are special."

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

The witch hunters looked just as taken back as Darwin did. Karliah's harsh purple gaze glanced behind her and at the old man. Fresh blood continued to trickle down her chin, and to the cracked wooden floor. As he spoke to her, she did not tear her gaze away. For a moment, she looked like she was genuinely listening to the old man. But than anger and aggression took over her heart, and she ended up spitting blood at his feet. The crimson droplets landed all around him, only a few managing to actually paint his skin.


"You are a mistaken, old fool." Was all the witch spat before the huge man behind Karliah yanked her upwards. She didn't even bother to struggle against his strong grasp. Karliah knew things these men didn't. Her purple gaze glanced around the room, taking in the fear and disgust the guards portrayed towards her.


"Any witch found by the hand of the Ancients are immediately faced with a trial by fire. It is simply something we cannot disobey." The leader of the witch hunters said somewhat calmly. Karliah glanced over to the caramel colored fox in the corner of the tavern. He was standing on all fours, and staring up at the rafters above with waiting brown eyes. The witch looked away immediately to keep the men's attention focused elsewhere. But she couldn't hide the fact that she sensed Koza's magical aura growing stronger and stronger by the minute. An amused smile danced across her lips.


His pink paws were pressed together, with his tail swaying back and forth in concentration. Koza's eyes were closed and he had his faced pressed against his cupped paws. The blue rodent was whispering something, unmistakably an unknown language. He began to rub his paws together, and then shaped them into a small circle. His eyes flicked open, revealing a glowing turquoise gaze. Koza stopped his chanting and exhaled through his paws. A black smoke formed from his breath. It spread throughout the tavern like a deadly cloud, hiding away all sources of light. The witch hunters barely had time to react before they were enveloped inside the black smoke. Each man fell to their knees and coughed violently, some of them even passing out.


In quick, unseen movements, Karliah slipped out of the witch hunter's grasp, tied her cloak around her shoulders, grabbed the leather satchel, and escaped into the street with Koza and Ruko in tow. Karliah's purple eyes glanced around frantically. Her gaze finally settled on what she was looking for. A guard atop a magnificent black horse came into view down the road.


"I'll lend you some of my powers. Go!" Koza exclaimed while clambering into the leather satchel. The witch felt a tingling sensation flow through her darkened veins. Karliah burst into a sprint towards the guard, who looked at her in confusion. The witch placed a hand against the horse's forehead and frowned. Gradually, the horse's eyes became a glowing red.


"Hey, what are you-" The guard barely had time to finish before the black horse bucked. He was flung to the ground in a heap of dust and armor. Karliah leaped up onto the horse and gripped the reins. The black horse let out a loud whinny as it reared back onto his back legs. The horse burst into a fast gallop, not even bothering to stop for town folk in the way. Ruko ran at a fast pace next to the horse, surprisingly keeping up and holding the speed.


(@Beaurmont .... I tried to make it short xD I obviously failed.)


The smoke looks like this xD Because why not?

Spoiler

 

[Beaurmont]

A black smog spread throughout the tavern, impairing sight and choking any who inhaled it. Rathzul quickly covered his face, closing his eyes protectively. This...it's a smoke-screen. The old man used the cane to get a sense of his surroundings. The men around him, coughing violently, began to fall to the floor. Darwin too fell next to the old stranger, holding his chest. Suddenly there was a loud thump and foot steps sprinted past him with haste. A few guards noticed the witch's escape, and drew their swords, intent on chasing. Quickly, the old man whispered something under his breath, causing the few men able to walk to trip. A sly smile appeared across his face, as he grabbed Darwin's arm, hoisting him upward. He pulled him away from the smog cloud, just enough for Darwin to catch his breath.


Rathzul reached into one of his many pockets, drawing out a small vial containing a clear liquid. "Here, drink this. You will feel better." He handed the vial toward the young guard, turning back toward the coughing men. "A-after *cough* her! W-we can-n't let her esca- *cough*" His sly grin returned, as he watched the men fumble around. Darwin eyed the vial for a moment, but drank it willingly, his throat was on fire. After a few gulps, the pain eased slowly, and a numb feeling entered his chest. In mere moments, the pain completely subsided and Darwin could stand normally. "...I...feel good." He muttered, starring at the empty glass vial. The old man chuckled lightly, turning toward the tavern doorway. "I hope so, lad. You can't chase someone while coughing violently." He retrieved the vial from Darwin, placing it back in one of the pouches. Darwin frowned at Rathzul, eyeing him. "Why do I have to chase the crazy witch?" He asked, indifference appearing on his face. "Now the woman's gone and I don't have to deal with her causing trouble-" He started, before noticing a guard being thrown of his horse. The man landed on the ground with a loud thud, and a woman mounted his horse. She looked back for a split moment, and Darwin locked eyes. This...little shit!





Rathzul turned to the young guard, seemingly quite playful. "So...she just stole a horse it seems. Will you let her escape?" He asked, grinning. Darwin glared at him, annoyed to no end. "What do you get outta this old man!? What is it you want?" Rathzul watched as a few guardsmen from the tavern filter out, breathing in fresh air. He just wouldn't stop grinning. His grinned turned into a coy innocence as he replied. "But whatever do you mean? I'm just stating you should chase after her! She assaulted city guardsmen and then stole a horse. Is that not against the rules here?" He finished by leaning on his cane, dusting him self off a bit. Darwin contemplated the worth of murdering someone. As the witch rode away on the horse, he quickly clenched his dagger began running after her. "Fine! But how will I catch the woman on foot!?" He growled, pushing past citizens to begin the chase.

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

By the time the witch hunters had regained their senses, the blonde elf had slipped from their fingers like the black smoke that had surrounded them. The leader burst out of the tavern, coughing violently and leaning up against the wooden building for support. His dark brown eyes first looked over to the fallen guard in the middle of the road, seemingly thrown off his horse. And then towards the witch, who he caught a glimpse of on a black horse. She vanished in seconds into the thick forestry towering over the small town. He cursed under his breath and stepped towards the old man who stood not too far away from him.


"You... you have some explaining to do, old man. There's something you know that I don't." His voice was ragged and filled with fits of coughing in between a few of his words. He looked back behind him, seeing his fellow witch hunters begin to finally crawl out of the tavern. One of them breathed heavily, trying to suck in as much fresh air as possible.


"What're we gonna do now? She's getting away, Krius." He coughed and than spat a glob of black spit onto the dirt ground. The leader stared towards the place he had last seen the witch.


"We're staying here. The whole coven is our main priority, not one witch. Besides, I'm sure she'll run into some Vigilants along the road. They'll take care of her."


______________________________________________________________________


The horse's hooves thundered against the road, sending random chunks of dry dirt flying behind it. Koza was now on Karliah's shoulder, watching the small town fade into the distance. He dug his tiny claws into her hood to keep himself from falling off.


"They're not following us..." The blue rodent murmured quietly to himself. However, his eyes squinted slightly in confusion when the familiar figure of the guard they had met before appeared in the distance. Karliah remained silent, mainly focused on getting as far away from the town as possible.


"Wait, no. That guard from before... Darwin. He's attempting to catch up to us."


"What? Is he stupid?" Karliah spat suddenly. She flicked the reins and kicked the horse's sides lightly. The muscular black horse let out a huff of air and obeyed his rider, galloping at a faster pace. The blue rat continued to keep an eye on him.


"I'm not sure. But he's stubborn, I can tell you that much." Koza chuckled in amusement and glanced over to the witch, who let out an annoyed scoff. When they were far enough away, Karliah slowed the horse to a complete stop and looked behind her. She listened for any sounds of horses or yelling, but heard none. Kicking the horse's sides, she made the animal walk in a slow trot. Ruko was still beside the black horse, hardly even panting.

 

[Beaurmont]

Rathzul glanced at the few men gasping for fresh air, spitting blackened mucus onto the dirt road. His worn face relaxed slightly, and he folded one arm behind his back. "I am just a simple old man. Senile and all." He muttered, chuckling. The wind picked up slightly, ruffling his clothes a bit. I'll be watching you for now on Darwin...I'm interested to see what you'll do. With a final chuckle the old man began walking in the opposite direction, whistling a happy tune.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Darwin felt as if his chest was going to explode. His normal breaths turned into heavy pants the longer he sprinted after the witch. His legs were hot and pained from the excessive sprinting that he is not used to. Why am I even chasing after a woman on a horse? What the hell are you doing Darwin? His heart was beating at an incredible pace, probably faster than ever before. He was already long outside Geomun's border, following some rouge witch into the outlining forest. He hadn't even seen a glimpse of her shadow in a few minutes. Based on how fast a horse runs, she's long gone. The very thought was infuriating. He slowed down to a stride, until the point he was just idly walking through the woods.

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

"...Like that'll ever happen." The witch snickered to the blue rat on her shoulder. He flicked his pink tail back and forth, and made an amused face at the witch.


"Estri wouldn't appreciate it especially." He muttered while crawling down her back and poking his head into the leather satchel. Finding the things he was looking for, Koza began attaching his golden ringlet earrings to his ears, and the glowing beaded bracelets to each of his small ankles. He shook his head and twitched his pink nose from side to side. He rubbed a paw against the horse's sleek coat to find it giving off a black residue onto his fingertips. He sighed and glanced over to the witch on the saddle.


"The spell is wearing off. I suggest we walk on foot from here."


Karliah glanced behind her at the rodent and nodded in agreement. She slid off the saddle and stepped away from the horse. Slowly, the horse's eyes turned back to their normal color. But something wasn't quite right. The horse stood motionless, not even flicking its tail. And then suddenly, it began to deteriorate into a pile of black ash onto the road. Koza watched with somewhat sad eyes as a breeze swept the ashes away into the wind.


"I've always hated watching that happen."


He murmured while the witch leaned down and began reattaching Ruko's accessories for him. Wrapping the tribal beaded necklace around his neck and clipping in the last of his earrings, Karliah smirked at the fox. Ruko let out a small yip of excitement, obviously happy to be looking like himself again, and not like a stranger.


"That's better." Karliah scratched behind Ruko's ear and smiled. The fox closed his eyes in relaxation before the witch stood up straight. Koza had gotten awfully quiet. His dark eyes stared off at the end of the road, seeing a figure come slowly into view. Karliah looked up as well, and she arched an eyebrow.


"Well shit. He's still following us." The witch muttered to herself. With a sly grin, Karliah began walking normally forward, clicking her tongue for Ruko to follow. The fox padded happily behind her. Koza chuckled slightly and shrugged his shoulders, but continued to keep an eye on the guard.


"Even if he did catch up, there won't be much he can do anyways."

 

[Beaurmont]

Images of iron blades flash through Darwin's mind, the smell of hot metal burned into his memory. I'm...supposed to be at the smith's today. He thinks to himself, sighing. The guard continues to walk the lone road, tired and hot. He hadn't ran that hard since chasing that ale thief. Easily, he began to daydream as he strolled on, getting lost in thought. Though the morning was hectic, it was a nice day. Strangely, it felt nice to just walk along the path like this. A weak breeze blew through, breaking his dream. He glanced forward, seeing something in the distance. He squinted his eyes, trying to get a closer look. Darwin watched as someone got off horse, walking to the side. Suddenly the horse turned dark black and began to dissipate and fall apart, leaving no trace. The...hell? He thought to himself, very confused.


Whom ever was riding the horse turned back, but kept walking a steady pace away. He eventually concluded that was the work of a witch. Well...I found 'er. Now what? He thought, still walking along the path. He gripped his dagger, but had no real intent of drawing it. The guard could take her before, but if she really is a witch, he'd have no chance. Especially armed with just a dagger. "Tch. I guess...I'll just follow her for a bit."