The Healing Weaver (Open)

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

James nodded, understanding why she would fear him attacking Hansid. She didn't know that physically, in a way, he could only die from a weapon crafted in the spirit world. But he understood her concern as he decided he would not attack Hansid. She wondered aloud about Pippa and the antidote, and he found her almost in a way begging him to take her if she could achieve both of these tasks. He sighed, and grasped her hand with his for a few mute heartbeats before removing her hand from his chest. "I agree to take you out of here as soon as possible. But please, allow me to come with you to rescue Pippa and achieve the antidote. Hansid will believe I left when I do not show up at the tournament, and my campsite is already demolished. If I come with you, I can make sure no further harm comes to you. Then we shall cure you, find Pippa, and leave this wretched place, on my honor." He looked around the room with a pained eye and looked back at her. "And my mother's medallion I hope." he said, remembering that he had not seen her wear it, or it being in her room at all for any matter.

[rpgoddess]

Naria blushed as she watched James search both her person and property for a glimpse of his mother's treasure. With shaking fingers she reached beneath the neckline of her tunic and pulled the gleaming chain out, revealing the memento in pristine condition. "I would not wear it so that it can be seen, lest people ask questions." She murmured as she rubbed her arms, she felt chilled, but that was something she could fix. "Hand me my bag, please." She said and pointed at a small leather satchel on the floor near the bed. She was not sure how she or the bag had made it back to the longhouse, but was thankful that whoever had arranged it had the good sense to put her belongings where they could easily be found. "I may be able to eliminate some of this discomfort, if only for a while." She added. She would look inside to see what she had stocked, and then once she was sure no one would be returning, she would administer what she could and make her way to Pippa. A flutter in her chest made her cough suddenly. She frowned, it was a dry cough and left her feeling drained, but that wasn't the reason for her frown, she shouldn't be coughing yet. Mentally she tried to recount the hours since her last meal, no it was too early for coughing fits. "It moves quickly," she murmured, thinking aloud.

Naria turned her gaze to the window, open, cool morning air flowed in, the sky was gray, perhaps it would rain. They had only a little while before the women would come for her, and Hansid would arrive to claim her for the day's events. "We haven't much time. You must hide." She croaked and wiped her brow. It was glistening, she was sure, a pang of humiliation washed over her, she could only imagine how she looked, pale, ragged, and wild from sleep and fever.

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

James smiled warmly at the sight of her wearing it, blushing very gently. Without another though, he embraced Naria quickly. "Thank you, I was worried." he explained. Suddenly the embarrassment washed over him and he let go, faking a cough or two to hide his discomfort. He fetched Naria her bag just as she began to cough. he immediately stepped forward to help her, concerned for her health. He gave her the bag and furrowed his brow in worry. He hoped they would make it in time to help her. As she said for him to hide, he gave a final quick hug and leaped from window, clutching on only by the tips of his fingers as he descended back tot he ground to await a signal for him to come up.

[rpgoddess]

The timing was perfect, or so it seemed. As James disappeared out the still open window, heavy footfalls sounded on the stairs. Naria grew rigid with worry, she had not heard anyone enter. Had the women heard her talking to James? Her heart beat wildly. With a quickness she shoved her medicine bag under her bed and pulled the blanket up to her chin. She struggled to slow her breathing as she lay there, unable to muster the dishonesty to pretend to sleep she lay with her eyes wide.

"Awake my dear?" It was not the voice of one of the village matrons, but that of Hansid, and the sound set Naria's teeth on edge. How dare he enter her sleeping quarters! She remained silent as he moved to the side of the bed, bringing his person into view. Naria fought the urge to scowl at him, dressed perfectly, face shining with good health, and a look of victory. "Not feeling well are you?" He asked then, with a put on frown.

"No, not at all." Naria rasped, her breathing still erratic.

"No, I would think not. You had quite a night, didn't you?" Hansid said then as he lowered himself to sit at her side.

"I-I don't know what you mean." Naria stammered.

"Well, at any rate, you will be glad to know your patient is doing well, the field doctor, if you can call him that, say Draco will make a full recovery." Hansid said then. "What have you there?" He asked, squinting at her neck. Before she could react his hand shot out and clasp the object of his attention between his fingertips. Naria's heart stopped when he lifted the shinning chain and she saw the medallion swinging before her face. "Lovely." Hansid muttered and gave Naria a knowing look before dropping the gift. "It pains me to tell you, but your elf has dropped out of the competition. I am not surprised, his type can rarely be depended upon. But, I beg you not to worry my dear, for I have found you a new champion, a willing one."

"What?" Naria asked. Hansid held up a hand to silence her and called down below. The sound of footsteps on the stairs seemed to echo in her heart. When the man cleared the steps and moved into the room it seemed to shrink. Gavain.

"I believe you have met." Hansid said. "This is your champion dear. He will win the tournament and you will be married, tomorrow. Naria closed her eyes and took a deep breath as Gavain grinned at her and nodded.

"I am honored, sweet Naria, to be your champion, I promise to treat you kindly, if you let me." Gavain spoke in an even tone, though his words were kind, there was the hint of a threat in them. "She doesn't look good at all. I don't want a woman on my hands old man." Gavian said to Hansid then.

"It is a passing illness, I assure you. If she does what she must, she will be well in a few days time." Hansid replied. "We all do what we must don't we?" He added. Naria opened her eyes and groaned.

"I cannot sit in at the tournament today." She said.

"Of course you can." Hansid replied shortly.

"Will you have your warriors see me like this, Hansid I can barely hold my own head up, I am ill." Naria said in a very well played mournful tone. She was quite proud of herself for the act. "I will wretch all over the platform, possibly even faint dead away, it would be horrible!" She added.

Hansid stood and looked her over, he placed his hand on her forehead. "Feverish." He muttered. "Can't you do something about it, Weaver? That is what you do."

"I don't know how, its not like I've had a lot of practice. I have tried my herbs and salts, nothing is working." Naria lied. She watched with bated breath as Hansid looked her over.

"I suppose it can't be helped." Gavain said then. "Let her stay, in that condition, she wont be going anywhere soon."

"Yes." Hansid replied. "But to be sure, I am posting a guard outside. Do you hear me?"

"I can't go anywhere, Hansid, I can't walk!" Naria nearly shouted.

"We will see." Hansid muttered. "Bid your man goodbye then." He added before leaving the room. Naria's eyes darted to Gavain, who stood only a few feet away, grinning. It was that same handsome yet disturbing grin she had seen before.

"Even like this you are lovely aren't you." He said.

"I-"Naria didn't know what to say, so she fell silent.

"I could just take you away right now, no need to continue on with this game of his, but the old man promised so much to stay, so stay we will, little love." He said, moving forward and bending over her. She could smell the spice on him, he was clean, but it sickened her with its sweetness. Before she could draw a full breath he was upon her, crushing his mouth over hers. She struggled beneath his brute force, but to no avail. It only lasted a few moments, but she was left feeling violated. He rose and smiled at her, almost tenderly. "Til tomorrow, little love." He rasped then he was gone. Naria covered her mouth with a hand to hold in the frightened whimper that threatened. It was a few moments longer before she was sure they had left and she stumbled to the window to wave.

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

James stood outside Naria's quarters, and began to listen intently. As he heard footsteps, he laughed at the thought that the goofy ears were not just for show. He listened intently, and drew a sharp breathe when he heard that toxic voice of the elder, Hansid. He of course continued to play games with Naria, acting coy and innocent about all that was happening. He clenched his fists tight as he heard them conversing, especially as he spoke about 'his kind being undependable'. James gritted his teeth as GIlashi growled. "We should kill that old phantom where he stands." he muttered, but James controlled himself. When he heard of a new Champion, his interest peaked. He could not hold himself any longer and he began to scale the wall once more, staying out of plain view but able to take small glimpses inside of the window.

There he stood, the beast who had so graciously offered that disgusting gift to Naria a few days ago. James's anger boiled, but he held it within. He watched Naria put on quite a show, and a smirk of pride washed over his face. She was doing exceedingly well, but still Hansid's paranoia won over and he had decided to place a guard outside. He was about to enter when he realized that Gavain still stood. He listened as he almost gagged on the words of the man, but even greater a feeling then hat, a strange anger rose overtook all else as he watched the brute lock lips with Naria. Fury bubbled, and for a moment his red eyes seemed as if they may even melt the wall upon which he stay latched. But finally the man left, and Naria waved him in.

He quickly entered without a word, his face emotionless and stern. He walked to the door and listened intently. He heard a single heartbeat, the guard, as Hansid had promised. HE walked back over to her, looking at his mother's amulet. Hansid, that fiend, had placed his dirty fingers upon it. His eyes continued to glow stronger red, as his fury was just about to overcome him. But a single thought stopped him. HIs mother would not have wanted this for him. Her son was not a murderer. HE sighed, allowing calmness to replace all else. His eyes returned to their icy blue state and he looked back up, pulling Naria close to whisper in her ear. "I will incapacitate the guard, then we shall slip through." he muttered, pulling away form her once more. He walked to the door, and took a deep soothing breathe. IN one fluid motion, he took his left hand upon the handle and quickly pulled open the door silently, while using his right hand to pull the guard into the room. he had closed the door just as soon as he had opened it. Before the guard had a chance to utter a word, James struck a quick blow tot he solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him. He then raised a single finger, green light pooling at the end of it, seeming to be gathered from the air around him. "Sleyisha, sleep..." he whispered, before touching the guards head gently. As if on command, the guard felt his eyelids drop, and in a mere matter of seconds, he fell unconscious. James lifted him and hid him under the bed of Naria, nodding to her. "Let's go, Now."

[rpgoddess]

Naria blinked and it was over, she was left wondering about James, did all elves have such abilities? He was agile to be sure, to the point of being deadly, but he also held something greater within him, something that was too disturbing to consider for any length of time. Pale and weak as she was, she grew paler at the thoughts that tumbled freely in her mind.

"A moment." She whispered weakly, stumbling slightly she retrieved her bag and began to rifle through it once more. Finally, after an eternity of seconds she pulled out a small jar filled with a green gelatinous substance and lifted the leather off of the top. With unsteady fingers she dipped into the jar and withdrew a healthy glob of the salve and placed it on her tongue. As she swallowed she shuddered. It was bitter beyond belief, but it would give her an hour, perhaps two, of oblivion to her ailment. It was not in anyway a medicine but rather a potent drug, one she concocted to battle pain and discomfort in her patients, or would-be patients, as she had yet to come of age and so had not been allowed to treat anyone. She smiled a moment, remembering working next to her mother, learning, growing in the way. Now she had surpassed all of that and become something more, and there was no one left to teach her how to facilitate her new gift.

"Alright." She said then, shaking the memories away and replacing the jar. She hooked the bag over her elbow and returned to James. "I hope Pippa is okay." She added then, having only now realized that her sister may not be alright at all. Only the goddess knew what Hansid was capable of.

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

James waited patiently for Naria to treat herself, and he was relieved that she would now have a slight bit of comfort at least. He grasped her by the hand and nodded. "Let us go." he said, as he ran out of the door, taking her with him. He stepped silently, as he sneaked past anybody nearby and with a ghostlike agility slipping through tight corners and strange places. Somehow, for whatever reason, they finally got out of the quarters undetected. As they stood outside, he pulled her into the thick brush of trees nearby and crouched. "NOw, where does Hansid live, you will have to lead the way from now on."

[rpgoddess]

Naria panted quietly as her slippered feet whispered over the ground. The sun was beginning to ascend, casting early morning shadows over the grounds, shadows that provided perfect cover for them. She frowned, realizing that her white maiden tunic and tights stood in complete contrast to the cover, but did not allow herself to become anxious over the matter, instead she allowed James to lead her until finally he stopped and asked that she lead them to Hansid's longhouse. "Alright, it's not far." She whispered, feeling slightly dizzy from her salve, she had never taken such a large dose before. She wonder if there would be any negative effects, shrugging she started forward, bent low, it was better that she learn the effects of high dose on herself rather than someone she was trying to help.

As promised the Longhouse was not far, and because of the tournament the area was mostly deserted. Naria stopped at the leather flap secured over the doorway and listened, she could hear, much to her delight, Pippa inside humming happily. Despite her urge to leap inside and sweep her younger sister up she stayed and strained to hear if there was anyone else within the longhouse. Painful moments of being out in the open passed, nothing. She was almost certain there was no one else inside. She motioned for James to follow, and pushed the flap open, slipping quickly inside.

"Nari!" Pippa cried giddily and leapt from her place at the table. Naria approached her sister quickly, with her finger pressed to her lips. A look of confusion passed over the girl's face. Much to Naria's surprise her sister had grown even lovely in the last few days. In fact, she hardly looked the child she was anymore. That worried Naria.

"Shhhh, are you alone?" She murmured quietly as she pulled her sister into her arms.

"Yes, why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be choosing your champion today?" Pippa asked, forgetting entirely to be quiet.

"Shhh." Naria hissed again. She frowned when Pippa glanced around her and spotted James, a look of disappointment passed over the girl's face.

"What's he doing here? You are running away with him aren't you?" Pippa asked, fitting her hands on her slender hips. "Pappa Hansid said you were planning something like that, said he had to keep you under lock and key to protect you from making a fool out of yourself and damaging our family name."

"Quiet Pip, you don't understand." Naria scolded.

"Don't I?"

"No, Hansid has...is...it is hard to explain, and there isn't time, we must go. All of us. Come." Naria said.

"No, I'm not going, and you aren't either, I want my day too Nari, you can't take that away from me, just think about what you are doing, it's not fair." Pippa whined and stomped her foot. "Next year I will be old enough!"

"I will never let you go through that-" Naria fumed, jabbing her finger behind her toward the door," that torture. Men hack each-other to bits, not for glory, not for respect, but for wealth, and the right to own a maiden." She explained. "A woman of purity, to serve them. Don't you remember how sad momma was?"

Pippa frowned. "But Nari, you can't go, they won't let you. Hansid said you are a weaver, and the world must never know that we are still producing them, or they will come and kill everyone. Everyone!"

"That's pure rubbish, besides, I am not a weaver." Naria replied.

"I don't know Nari, remember when-" Pippa began.

"Please just come, if after a while, you still do not believe me, you can come back." Naria lied. She held a hand out to her sister.

"Where?" Pippa asked.

"Just a safe distance away, where I can explain everything to you." Suddenly, her second reason for coming to the longhouse dawned on her. "Oh Pip, did Hansid bring a plant in, it has spiky stalks and tiny bright yellow blossoms shaped like stars?"

"Yes! He said I could have the blooms to put in my press book after the tournament was over." Pippa replied with a smile.

"Where is it?"

"In there." Pippa pointed to a large cabinet. "Why?"

Naria made her way to the cabinet and pulled it open, she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the very plant before her. Quickly but carefully she pulled six of the blooms off and placed them in her bag, then as an after thought she broke off two of the stalks and placed them inside as well. "I need it, medicine." She said as she rejoined her sister. "We must go now, stay low, stay quiet." She added.

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

James followed Naria carefully, looking back and forth to make sure they were neither being followed or spotted by anybody. Luckily most of the grounds were deserted for most of the village had gone to see the competition. He followed Naria with haste, until they came to Hansid's longhouse. He could tell for his evil stench hung thick in the air around. Naria motioned for him to follow and he obeyed, and he smiled as he saw Naria and Pippa reunited at last. He watched as Naria tried to explain to Pippa what was happening, but it became apparent that Hansid had filled Pippa with his lies as it was. He frowned and shook his head, knowing they needed to hurry. As Naria managed to calm Pippa and find medicine for herself, James walked over to Pippa and crouched down next to her.

He brushed her hair form her face and frowned. "Pippa, we must leave, all three of us. Hansid seems like a nice person, but he is really very mean. He has tried to hurt me, and has tried to get rid of me. He has even made your sister very very . And he has plans for how to hurt you. Believe it or not, he is worse then the man I saved you from in the forest that day. He wants to hurt us, so I am going to take Naria and you away, just until he calms down and sees things clearly, alright? I've promised, nobody will get hurt as long as I'm here, alright?" he tried to reassure her, before rising once more and walking to the door. He frowned and nodded to both of them. "We have to leave soon, so prepare anything you wish to take."

[rpgoddess]

Naria swallowed a cough, and nodded. She grabbed Pippa's hand, who offered little in the way of resistance and joined James at the entrance. "We don't need anything, we can get new things, I just want to leave this place." She said.

"But Nari!" Pippa protested, not wanting to leave behind her things.

"I will replace anything you want Pippa with new one, better ones if it makes you happy, but we must go, there isn't much time left." Naria said, casting James a look that she hoped he would understand, the salve was beginning to wear off, and the poison's effects were beginning to become more difficult to bear.

"I-I don't know Nari, what's out there?" Pippa asked in a small voice. Naria touched her sister's cheek and gave her a tender smile.

"A world waiting for us to discover, there are places just like this, some even bigger, and people from all walks of life, there is so much to see and learn. It won't always be easy or fun, but it will be an adventure, and we will find a place where we fit and will be happy." She replied.

"Are you going to search for him? Do you think he will want us?" Pippa asked after a moment.

"I don't know, I can't think about that right now." Naria answered. She then looked to James and gave him a nod. "Let's go, I wan't to be as far from here as possible before night fall, and I will need to stop soon to prepare the antidote."

((Sorry about the delay, was out of town on a family camping trip and forgot to give a heads up before we left.))

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

James waited impatiently for Naria and Pippa to discuss their departure, but he quickly became frantic. Heartbeats were beginning to echo in his ears and as Naria nodded a second time, he took the signal gladly. "Come on, no time to waste!" he shouted, and he quickly grabbed Pippa and lifted her onto his back, in a piggyback ride fashion. He grasped Naria's hand and supported Pippa with the other. He leaped out the door, looking left and right, seeing several people who assumed were concerned villagers and elders surrounding him. He began to sprint fiercely, going as fast as he could while still allowing Naria to keep up. He knew humans were not nearly as swift, but his urgency was getting the best of him. He ducked and dived in and out of cover, trying to lose any tail they might have, while making it for the gate on the outskirts of the village. He knew his horse would remain there, she was a faithful mount, and had never wondered away in her lifetime. As they finally came to a screeching halt, James dropped Pippa back onto the ground and untied his horse. Her coat was a beautiful shining white, blinding in the sun. Her man was long and graceful, and not a single speck of dirt appeared on her. He turned back to Pippa and Naria, offering a hand. "Come on, let's hurry if we can, please." he urged, feeling a strange sense of fear washing over him.

(((It's okay, Absence makes the heart grow fonder as they say . Good to have you back again.)))

[rpgoddess]

Naria was thankful when they finally stopped she put her hands on her knees and and coughed, gasping. Every breath felt like fire licking it's way down her airways. She waved Pippa on, trying not to grimace in pain as she did, not wanting to worry her younger sister anymore.

Pippa looked from her sister to James and then off in the distance behind them where the muffled shouts were beginning to touch her ears. "I don't want to go." She said in a soft voice full of panic.

"Pippa go!" Naria shouted as she lifted a hand to cup her side. "Now." She added. Before she could stress the issue thought, a meaty hand snaked around her elbow and yanked her backward, the next thing she knew she was staring at a broad back. She blinked rabidly as the scent of horse, sweat, and blood mixed and swirled around her. Then she heard a voice.

"She's not yours for the taking elf, you shouldn't have taken her, can't you see she is ill." Gavain said in a calm voice that would lead someone to think he was merely having a normal conversation.

"Gavain?" Naria rasped, still feeling weak and winded. He turned his face toward her and smiled, it was that same smile that gripped her with terror.

"Shhh, little love. I will take care of this and have you back in your bed in a short while." He cooed as if talking to a child. Gavain then turned his smile, bright and dimpled, to James. "You can keep the little one, she's of little importance to me, but Naria is mine, and I intend to keep her." He said. "If you want to fight for her you will have to come into the ring." He added.

"He can't." Naria breathed.

"Oh, lost his nerve did he?" Gavain chuckled.

"No!" Naria rasped. "If he fights I will be killed, do you think I am ill by accident, you oaf! They have poisoned me, and will administer the fatal dose if he steps into the ring, then you loose too!"

Gavain frowned, he looked from James to Naria then just watched James for a long moment, trying to decided if what he heard could be true. He drew his sword and turned, pressing the blade against Naria's throat, she swallowed hard, unprepared for the quickness of his movements. He held the blade close to her skin but stared straight into James' eyes. "Is it true elf?" He asked. Suddenly she understood, he was using her against James to try to gain more information.

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

James had put Pippa on the horse when he heard Naria struggle. He turned to see Gavain, and he widened his eyes. "You brute, what are you doing? Let her go!" he shouted. He planned on trying to keep Naria for his own, even though she was clearly dying. Naria tried to explain the situation, when Gavain drew his blade. James bit his tongue to keep form speaking. He had a lady held at the end of a blade, willing to use her as a weapon against him. James shook his head and growled, his blood boiling, anger flooding from him in waves. "We don't have time for this." James growled, a strange second voice echoing within his own. He turned to Pippa as his eyes began to burn a dark blood red. "Pippa, close your eyes! NOW! Don't question me!" he shouted o her, turning to Naria and Gavain. "You too Naria, please, trust me..." he whispered, his eyes turning to ice one last time, allowing his gentle voice to try and leak through and assure her. After attempting to make the two close their eyes, he allowed himself to be taken over...

Gilashi smirked, fanged teeth glistening from his mouth. He held up his hands in front of him, the long black claws glowing like ebony. His silver hair trailed behind him with a luster rivaled only by his blood red eyes. "Hey, this body ain't too bad after all..." he muttered, a voice in contrast to James's, it was dark and rough, yet beautiful akin to the breaking and tinkling of broken glass being smashed against rocks. He looked back up and smelled the air deeply. The smell of filth and muck obviously belonged to the man holding ht woman, and the sickeningly sweet odor was more than likely the female. Gilashi sneered, and in a movement taking less then the blink of an eye, he wrapped a hand along the blade of Gavain's weapon, grasping it tightly without a single cut coming across his palm. "You sicken me you pathetic little worm." he growled, snapping the blade in two as if it were a twig before throwing it aside. He placed his palm against the man's forehead and pushed him back fiercely while grabbing the girl and keeping her in place. He walked forward after releasing her and crouched over the man's fallen body. "Your I.Q. probably is half of your age isn't it big guy?" he mocked, taking the broken piece of the sword from his hands with ease, looking it over. Gilashi laughed and placed it to his own neck, pressing deeply until he metal bent. "What were you planning to do with this huh? Kill someone? Violence is never the answer." he snickered, taking the sword in his hand, pointing the blade toward Gavain's heart. "In fact, I was thinking about giving you your sword back. Here, take it..." he whispered, directly before slicing the sword cleanly through the man's heart and laughing hysterically. He stood back up over the body, turning back to the female. Now what to do with her. He began to walk forward when the headache came back. "Oh come on! Son of a..."

James came back, clutching his head in pain as he felt himself revert back to normal. He looked up to assure himself that Naria and Pippa were okay when he turned around and saw Gavain in his current state. He turned back in shame, his head hung, but his course clear. "We must leave...now....please..."

[rpgoddess]

Naria gasped, and scrambled backward away from James, or whoever, whatever he was. She felt a deeper terror grip her now. She hadn't been afraid of Gavain, not really, just annoyed with him, now he was dead, her pale eyes shot to the body lying on the ground a few feet away. Dead. Without thinking she jumped to her feet, ignoring the waves of nausea that crashed over her relentlessly. She sprinted to Gavain's body and fell to her knees beside him. Her hands going to his chest, she covered the wound, his blood was still warm and bubbling over her fingers as she pressed hard. "No, no, no." She whimpered. "What did you do?!" She cried.

"Nari?" Pippa called curiously from her perch.

"Keep away Pippa, don't look." Naria shouted, suddenly remembering her little sister and what this scene might do to the girl. She took a shuddering breath and pulled her hands away. Somehow she knew there was no time, Gavain was lost, and there was nothing she or anyone could do. Dead. The realization was like a dagger of ice through her heart. She had not cared for the man personally, but it was a life, a life lost because of her, and that she could not readily accept.

It took her a moment, but she managed to pull together her emotions. Emotions that were native to her, she was still not used to the newness of strong emotion. She stood shakily and wiped her body palms over her gray cloak, not caring about the stains. Her eyes moved slowly to James. He was himself, if that meant anything. With a sigh she moved, chin high, ignoring the demands of her weak body, she walked past him.

"Come." She growled through clenched teeth.

"What's wrong Nari? What's happened?" Pippa asked.

"Nothing." Naria answered, teeth still tight.

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

James looked up to Naria, saw the worry and hurt in her eyes as she rushed to Gavain. He opened his mouth to talk. "Naria, I..." but he shut close his jaw as fast as he opened it as she walked past him angrily. His heart broken,t he pain piercing him like shards of ice. She knew he was a monster now. The one thing he had close to a friend now knew what he really was. He clenched his fists, but hung his head as he walked tot he horse. He hid the tears streaming down his face, as he tried to help put Naria up on the horse, but decided against it. It would only cause her more terror if he were to touch her at this moment in time. He sighed and stood at the head of the horse, petting her and whispering to her in Elven. Finally, he calmed himself enough to speak. "I believe it is best if you two move along alone. They will be distracted enough in disposing of me that you will be long gone before they are able to begin looking."