BRIEF SUMMARY
With the help of Alexander's Rune sword, Katreana was brought to Falconmyght. However, due to a fight between herself and Alexander, both having been in a demon form, Katreana is suffering strange and grave wounds within. Discovered by Zaal, one of the Triplets, Katreana was rushed to the Compound. Yet, Aphra after having sent the Triplets to get Katreana help, disappeared into a portal in a mysterious rage.

In a small clearing in the wildwood what looks like a small dragon slept and slowly healed. Its wounds were many, scales were matted and crushed in a pattern that looked as if something heavy and long was used to beat it repeatedly. There were puncture wounds that oozed a yellow puss like substance with a small amount of blood that was still slowly seeping from them. But for now the creature slept. It was too small to be a full grown dragon, and it's scales, a reddish green in color, were not a common color for a dragon as well. But it's form wass draconian. Long reptilian muzzle, a mouth full of sharp teeth meant to rend and tear not only flesh but muscle. Claws on each leg that have a steel quality and were curved wickedly for grasping and tearing limbs from their owners. The wings were folded back against its back, but on the tips sould be seen what looked like small horns, yet another natural weapon in this creatures arsenal. But for all of its' vaulted weapons and defenses it still lied in the clearing, much like it had landed to lick it's wounds and heal..... hoping that it will get another chance at what it attacked... for this time it knew that it will feed.

Katreana Nissassa woke up on the thick branch of the large oak she had climb up of the night before. Her entire body throbbed with the aftermath of the battle with the tiger/draconian beast. Despite the healing of the runesword left behind by the beast, her body ached. Groaning, she looked around as the sun started to rise.

Seeing her location, the night's events came back. Sighing, she looked at the runesword and and shook her head. Then, she shivered.

Shivered? Her body was naked. Yet, she shouldn't have shivered. Something very wrong happened last night.

That thing she fought last night was Alexander. The thing he fought had been her. That reptilian thing that had sudden thrashed and found its way out to take shape. She could only wonder what damage she did to her kindred spirit.

"Damned demon witch," she muttered.

Looking down the tree, she wondered if her legs were strong enough to climb...Walking was another matter, though. She could still feel the paralyzing venom of those claws that had come from her knuckles flow through her body. Her legs were weak from the fire and acid that had managed to eat through flesh, muscle...almost the bone.

Gods, how did this happen?

She had an idea, but for now, she stayed in the tree, hidden...

In a tree, still hidden, Katreana awoke for the third time this day. She had flitted in and out of sleep. This time, she found herself surrounded by darkness and cold. Her body still ached, now with new cramps. She growled to herself, wondering how in the Nine Hells she was to get down from her perch in the oak.

The sword still in Kat's arms glowed once again, sending waves of relief to her cramped muscles. Most of her wounds healed but the poison still was there. Just greatly slowed.

Groaning, she attempted standing on the thick branch. Wobbling bit, she found her legs weren't as weak as she thought, but they wouldn't be able to carry her to anyplace that would provide help. She'd have to stay hidden anyway in her naked appearance.

Looking at the sword, she sighed, "Why are you helping me, hmm? I about killed your wielder last night..."

The sword flickered a moment. Then, answered in an feminine voice using an old form of elven. "You needed my help. The bard was in no shape to wield me."

Katreana sighed. “Fine…I’m in no mood to argue.” Picking up the sword, she painfully shimmied down the tree, giving herself new scrapes from the rough bark of the tree. “Gods, I hope no one is deciding to take a walk by the lake tonight.”

She groaned again and stood staring out over the lake. “Oh, god…” Her nose wrinkled as she saw the floating body of a beast in the middle of the lake. “Please, tell me I didn’t do that…”

A winter breeze blew. She about dropped the runeblade in shock at how cold it was. What happened to all that heat?

“Unfortunately, it seems you did,” the sword replied. “The bard was unable to stand the cold of the lake…”

“The cold of the lake?” she asked. What exactly happened between Katreana and Alexander in their demonic forms was blurry to her. In fact, she didn’t know if she really wanted to remember what happened. Visions of a tiger and then a draconian flashed before her.

“Oh, God…”

She shivered. She fell to her knees, feeling her calves starting to get weak. Then, her body jerked forward, as she became sick.

The sword left her grasp to float beside her, but dis nothing to comfort her at this time. Just let her empty her stomach in the frigid waters of the lake.

The sun set on the little clearing, and the draconian form still did not move. It lie there and barely breathed. Most of its wounds had healed, but still it slept, dreaming of its next hunt. Of the feel of flesh rending under it's claws, of bone splintering in its' powerful jaws. And then smell of the burning from the fire that came from deep within it. The creature seemed to smile in its sleep.

Rexana was going to love this. She had witnessed it all. The lovely fight between the bitch Nissassa and her half breed lover. She had witnessed a chaotic darkness that wanted badly to be released and forever free from them both. She only wished she could have helped the half-breed wound Katreana. As the draconian flew off, Rexana did well to follow him discreetly. She didn’t need to have his wrath on her…besides; he might be able to help. Sitting in hidden treetops, she watched the sleeping beast…waiting…

A new scent was carried on the air; the draconian form flicked a tongue out then back in, tasting this new scent. With a low growl he turned his head toward the new scent and unfurled its wings.

Rexana sat up from her perch in the trees. She was in her more human form. Wine purple eyes glowed softly in the darkness. Licking her lips, she leaned forward. Rexana grinned as the beast caught her scent. Lovely. Bowing her head, she murmured a few words. Wings looking much like that of dragon descent sprouted from her shoulder blades. Her body shuddered as an armor made from metallic scales covered her hands, forearms, calves, and ankles. Her canines elongated, and there…a tail curled around the branch.

The scent changed as she took on the transformation; the beast sat for a moment, its' wings unfurled and ready to take flight. Finally, it made up its' mind and took to the skies, gaining tree top level in three powerful downstrokes.

She gave a low growling purr as she watched him take flight. Not yet…not yet…

The creature banked and finally spotted the new scent. Seeing what it was the creature inhaled a deep breath, and sighted its target.

Wine purple eyes flared as he made eye contact with her. Licking her lips, she purred to him, “Come an’ play, Ugly.”

With a roar of both challenge and rage it sipped a liquid fire from somewhere deep within itself, aimed at the body and the tree that it was in. The creature wanted a meal. And didn't mind if it was charred a little about the edges.

Rexana took flight then, barely getting out of range of the fire that suddenly, and hungrily, licked at the tree. Her form broke through the trees. Her wings flapped to keep her in the air as she focused on the beast.

“Now, that wasn’t very nice. I just wanted to play.” Placing her hands on her shapely hips, she shook her head. “Was it the Ugly thing?”

Banking in a turn it beat its wings to gain a little more height on its prey... then, again howled its challenge - the echoes of the howl ripping through the trees and shaking needles and leaves to the ground.

Katreana looked up into the sky, hearing the howl. Looking at the blade, she muttered, “I suppose that’s him, huh?”

Rexana only giggled. Her tail curled up and down her legs as if teasing herself or him… ”Oooohhhhh,” she retorted. “Big man’s got a voice…” Wrinkling her nose at him, she started to fly upward to meet his gaze on a more “equal” level.

The blade floated there for a moment; then, answered "Yes, it is... he is hunting something."

The creature, losing its advantage of height growled and pressed the attack, doing a quick fly by and swiping with not only its foreclaws but with its tail as it went by .

Rexana screeched as he flew at her and attacked with his tail. Her tail snapped out as well, wrapping around his ankle as he flew by. She took the hit of his foreclaws on her shoulders, and his tail managed to knick her scaled forearms.

Feeling the tail wrap around its ankle, the creature folded its arms and dove for the tree line, at breakneck speed, if she listened real close it could be a chuckle coming from it as it dove.

“Shit!” she hissed, feeling him drag her toward the tree line. Gritting her teeth, “Not so fast, Ugly. “She drew upon her all her strength and started flying backward, fighting this tug of war.

Again, what sounded like a chuckle as the creature suddenly unfurled its wings. At about tree top level,it pulled out of the dive. Dipping its tail and ankle to the tree line and whipping about to the one that was holding on to it, trying to rend and tear with its steel foreclaws .

Tightening her tail around his ankle, she jerked back with unbelievable strength as he lashed out with his claws.

“That’s it,” she hissed under her breath. “Vanera is getting a job like this next time... I can’t be risking my neck all the time…”

She flicked her wrist, sending four inch needles aimed at his sternum. If contact was made, they would bury themselves into the body, cracking it…

The first three bounced off his scales and the third found a nick and lodged there, not quite a clean hit but it stayed. The Creature howled with rage and again took a breath, this time reaching out to grab its captor.

“Need to work on my aiming, too,” she muttered to herself. Her tail let go of him as he lunged to grab at her. “Nu-uh, Ugly…Not no the first date…” She snapped her tail at his backside. She flicked both wrists, sending twelve needles of the same length at him. Four were aimed at his face. Four at his stomach. Two each for his wrists.

As she released the needles, it breathed once again, spewing the air with the liquid fire once again. Now free of her grip it dove for the tree lines once again, folding its wings back against its body to make the dive faster .

The needles followed after their target. The demoness dove out of the fire’s path, but not before it managed to scorch the tips of her wings. She gave a banshee’s howl in anger and pain.

“Goddamned, Bastard!” she hissed. ”I’m going to kill Vanera when I get back,” she growled. Seeing him dive into the treeline, she shook her head. “Nu-uh. No way am I gonna follow Ugly into there…” She whimpered and looked back at her smoldering wingtips. “Aawww, man…”

Again, it was that chuckle; then, a grunt as one of the needles knicked him. Again the howl of rage as the creature hit a clearing wide enough for him to open his wings enough to keep his air speed.

Rexana's wine purple eyes flared.

"HIT!" she yelled.

Laughing, she transformed again into her more human form, levitating there in the dark night's sky. She winked out of sight, and reappeared somewhere near him, cloaked by the night.

It landed hard in a small clearing; the needle burring into his scales. With a howl of rage and pain, it started to change again. This time to more of the feline form. Its howl of pain and rage echoed through out the forest.

Licking her lips hungrily, she watched. The needles buried in his flesh started to hum, sending vibrations into his flesh and muscles...it was kind of like that feeling when one's limbs fell asleep...

She tittered, "Pins and needles...pins and needles..." His pained roar only seemed to make her all the more gleeful.

Now in front of her was a white ware cat, but it was howling in pain. Then, the howl slowly turned to a chant. A spell.

”Oh, no you don’t…” Like the wind, Rexana rushed at him to tackle him to the ground. “No one stops my babies…” The humming was intensifying.

He swore in old elven as she tackled him. The needles getting too much for his ravished system to handle, he finally huddled to the ground, whimpering like a beat kitten.

Forcing him to lie on his back, she pinned his shoulders back, smiling down at him. “That’s a good kitty,” she purred. The humming stopped, but the tingling remained. “Now, you gonna work with me?” She stroked the side of his furred face with a gentle hand…

Katreana shivered. “I need to get some clothes,” she said to the sword. She had to be going insane. Taking another look at the dead beast in the water, she felt her stomach churn.

At least it wasn’t an innocent

Still, that thought didn’t reassure her of anything.

At the mention of clothes, once again, the sword came through for her, bringing into being a cloak of blue hued magic... it was made for Alexander, but it would at least cover her.

"That is the best that I can do."

Looking at the cloak, she frowned. Charity…Shakes her head. “I guess it’ll do for now…” Shakily, she got to her feet. “I ain’t goin’ after him,” she stated flatly. “I need to get back to my family.”

"Good, I am not sure if I could protect you from him right now anyway." At that, the sword went dormant.

Scowling, Katreana muttered, “Thanks for your help and concern.” Taking up the sword, she looked around. There was no way in hell she could PlaneWalk to Falconmyght…especially not here. Then, she started to make her way around the lake.

About fifty feet of walking the sword came back to life. "Was that sarcasm aimed at ME? If you want help ask. I'm just not right that."

She laughed despite the cold that bit at her flesh. “Sarcasm? How long have you been with him? How long have you witnessed me, hmmm?”

She switched hands. Her arms were getting tired. The venom would start working anytime during this…The sword couldn’t keep healing her…

"A while to both questions, I have not yet revealed to him my true nature, but you are poisoned and need help. Where are you headed and I can try to help... he would never forgive me if I let you die."

She gritted her teeth, feeling another wave of vomiting. She dropped the sword and hunched over. After a few minutes, she growled, “I am not going to die…” She cast the sword a glare. “I want answers…what the hell caused him to become that…”

Those…those... he had been two things…

"You will not be alright if you do not get help. The fire that burns within him is changing him. That is all that I know. I know that his soul is tainting as well. He is thinking more and more like a hunter and less like a bard."

She growled again as a cramp hit her. “How the hell am I supposed to help him? What the hell am I supposed to do?”

All of this information was hurting her. The fire had been her fault…Again, she took up the sword and started to travel back to a path she knew was on the other side of the lake.

“The poison will not do anything but paralyze me…I can make it somewhere…”

"Enough!" the sword seemed to yell. "You did nothing to him. He understood what you were long before you told him. The desires for you run deep and hot within him. And it is not just physical it is true caring. Now tell me where you are trying to go so I can help you."

To make its point the sword took away it's healing properties for a brief moment.

She looked up hearing the pained roar of Alex. Then, she glared at the sword as it yelled at her.

“Goddamned…” her words were cut off by a scream of true, unbridled pain as the healing properties were taken away. She fell into a crumpled heap as her legs gave way from under her. The intense burning of acid hit her mind and nerves with renewed force. The flow of the venom became faster, and she could feel it attacking her nerves. Then, she bit her tongue with such force to keep from screaming blood trickled out from the corner of her mouth. Her midnight blue eyes glared at the runeblade.

Stefan Drachmen stood in a clearing deep within the Wildwood in hopes no one would stumble upon here, even at this early of an hour. The moon had risen. The cane held limply in his gloved hand sparkled with the pale moonlight that fell upon the dark, silent man.

After his visit with Mist in the Inn’s kitchen, he had gone to another plane, looking for answers and possible solutions. His head reeled with what had happened, what needed to be done, and what could possibly happen in the days to come.

Quietly, his rumbling voice murmured, “You have answers to give me, Sister.”

A glimmer of light happened in front of him. Then, a woman of dark exquisite beauty steeped from thin air. Abyss black hair reached to her thighs, contrasting against the pale blue filmy dress that clung to every slim curve. Eyes of complete Abyss black stared at the man before her, seeming to be gates into the Hells that men dreaded in their waking moment and sleeping nights. A smile of cryptic notions curled upon lips of blood.

“You called, Dear Brother?” she purred in a voice that whispered like a thousand echoes .

Stefan glanced around for a moment. Then, set his hard gaze upon the demi-goddess before him.

“Stop playing games with me, Alarice. What in the hell is going on? What did you do?”

Alarice blinked at her brother. Then, she smiled a bit more.

“I have done nothing. Her anger finally released what she has been repressing all these years. Not to mention her self placed guilt.” She waved a hand as if shooing away a fly. “Do not look at me like that, Stefan. You are just as guilty as you are making me to be…”

Shaking his head, he sighed. “I’m not going to argue, Alarice.”

He looked up at her. Obsidian eyes staring into Abyss eyes. He could feel the dark, chaotic evil that she existed in radiate from her body. What had happened to her?

“I just want to know what all of this could bring…to everyone…” Especially to those who have yet to realize what we are, he thought.

Alarice laughed softly. It sounded much like a thousand banshees cackling. It could have very well made a normal man deaf and bleed y his ears. She stepped to her brother and leaned to whisper in his ear. Her cold lips brushed his earlobe.

“An all new war, dear Brother…an all new war…” Stepping back, she tilted her head. “Unleashed now are two beasts of unimaginable power. Another beast waits in the side curtains to take his role and guide those who will follow…A family knows not the danger that awaits them, and the danger they bring should they come…”

Stefan stared at his sister.

Alarice continued, “You wonder about the one who desires you with such passion…” She tsked and shook her head. Waves of black danced eerily about her body. “She is now in this grand play, Stefan!” She laughed again; this time it sounded much alike a girl child. “What are we to do but watch!”

She blinked innocently at the man before her. Different poles. With him, he carried the Sun. With her, she carried the Night. Brother and sister…

Stefan turned his back to Alarice.

“You used to care,” he said coldly. “What happened?”

True, he did wonder what would happen to the Mind Mage Mist. He warned her the last they spoke; he only hoped she read into his words.

Gazing down at the cane in his gloved hand, he said, “I do not know if I can take anymore watching, Alarice…” He turned around to find the woman gone.

"You need not watch and worry for me,” came a familiar voice from nearby.

He didn't turn to her. "How long?" he asked bitterly.

"Long enough."

And suddenly he could see her. She stood near a tree not five yards from where he stood. Strangely enough there was no scent of magic in the air from her invisibility.

"That is irrelevant for now. Katreana is very ill. We must go to her, Stefan."

He said nothing for a few minutes. Then, he looked up at her. His eyes as dark as the one who had spoken to him moments before. His face grim.

“You go.” He turned away from her and began walking into the dark forest. “I can do nothing to help them…”

"Stefan! What if I cannot help her? W-What if..." Her voice died off in a sigh and she turned to the path that will take her to the woman.

He answered not as his form vanished.

The woman was on the verge of tears from the pain. Not even the sword’s healing could take away the mind’s image. Swallowing, she said hoarsely, “I want to go back to my family…” Her eyes rolled into the back of her head. She needed to get home to Peiallai. She murmured. “Someone’s coming…”

"To Falconmyght. I can do that. Please hang on." the world seems to spin counterclockwise then blurs for a moment only to refocus at the waterfall in Falconmyght. "This is the place that I know."

As the runeblade did its magic teleportaion, Katreana felt another wave of nausea hit her. As they appeared behind the waterfall, she got sick again, tainting the water with bile mixed with a bit of the black venom.

Shivering, she looked up and squinted. The sword had clattered several feet away from her. SHe hadn't even heard the sword's elven words as they appeared. She felt unbearably cold. It was as if that heat magic had completely vanished. Crawling out from behind the waterfall, she dragged herself and the sword a bit onto the shore. Half her body lie in the water; the cloak around her naked body begining to soak up the water.

There, she passed out, hoping someone would find her....

The blade clattered to the floor and laid there for a long time. The shadows of the day were lengthening before it stirred again, this time it did not glow, but it just floated in the air until it was in a position as if someone was actually holding it. Then slowly the mists from the waterfall show the outline of a young Elven woman. The outline then slowly stepped forward to Katreana and gently picked her up. To the causal viewer it would look as if Katreana was floating in mid air. Slowly and silently she took the unconsencous woman toward the settlement in Falconmyght.

"I promise you, nothing will happen," Zaal assured the young woman before him, "I would never do anything to place you in danger, Lita."

For a moment, a hurt expression passed over Zaal's fine chiseled features and he looked away. Just below the ledge that the couple stood on, many young men and women laughed and splashed about a shimmering pool. The cool waters, continuously refreshed by a nearby fall, had quickly become a popular hangout during the warmer months of Falconmyght.

"It's not that, Zaal," the young woman wrung her slender hands and dropped her gaze to her feet, "I know you would never do anything to hurt me." A small smile touched her beautiful lips and she turned her pale blue eyes up to him.

"Then what's the problem?" Zaal had turned his attention back to her, one large hand gently stroking the side of her face, "I thought you wanted to get away from everyone?" He looked a bit confused as he brushed away a blond strand of hair from her eyes. "I've found the most beautiful place in all of Falconmyght," he smiled gently and lifted her chin, "I know you will love it," he paused, his thumb brushing over her soft lips, "It's just as radiant as you are."

Lita's porcelain skin dusted with rose as he said this and she found herself lost in his emerald gaze. "No, I...I do want to get away," she tripped over her own words, "It's just...It's just...There aren't any spiders are there?" She blurted this last bit out, her face turning a deeper shade of crimson.

Zaal looked down at her, a bit astonished, and then burst out laughing, "Spiders?" He tried to stop laughing as he pulled the 16-year-old girl close to him, embracing her in a hug. "Is that what you're worried about? Spiders?" He chuckled and rested his cheek atop her head; "I'll protect you from any spiders we may come across."

Lita had backed out of his embrace, her innocent blue eyes looking up at him, "You promise?"

"Of course I promise," he murmured, moving to cradle the back of her head as he kissed her gently, "I told you, I'd never let anything hurt you," he whispered against her silken lips.

"I know," Lita managed in a hushed tone while pushing against Zaal's chest with her forearms. "I know you wouldn't," she said a bit louder.

"Good, then we can go," Zaal looked down at her, not seeming to notice (or perhaps disregarding) her hesitation and discomfort. Catching her hand in his own, he started up the path that would lead them to the cave he discovered.

The couple had been traveling the narrow ledge for what seemed to be ten minutes. Around them, the roar of the waterfall was becoming deafening and a fine mist dampened their clothing and chilled their exposed flesh. Zaal had been silent most of the way, helping the young woman behind him up many rises in the trail and over several crevices that plunged into the dark murky waters below.

Eventually, the narrow ledge began to grow in width and the mouth of a cave was visible. After helping Lita to more stable ground, a glint of metal caught his eye.

"Stay here a minute, Lita," caution filled his deep voice and he gestured her to stay as he rounded the bed of the cave, the path again narrowing considerable.

The flash of steel he had seen earlier extended to a full sword that seemed to hover above a fallen form. As he grew closer to the huddled figure, his throat tightened. Oh Gods, it was Kat.

After rushing to the woman's side, he lifted her into his arms, "Katreana?" He shook her limp form gently, turning her pale face towards him. "Oh Gods Katreana, please, open your eyes."

"Lita!" He hollered to his young girlfriend, "Lita!"

The girl appeared just around the bend, immediately horrified with the sight. She had never seen Zaal like this, nor had she ever seen a person so severely hurt.

"Go get my brothers!" He had hollered over the hiss of the fall. When she hesitated he roared, "GO!"

Frightened into action, the blond girl turned and ran down the path they had previously traveled.

As soon as the girl was out of sight the sword started to glow a bright blue, then the glow faded. Standing at a guard position was an Elven female in chain armor holding the once floating sword.

On her face was a very stern look, her eyes flashed a dangerous glare as she spoke "Who are you... and what are you doing with Katreana?"

Katreana didn't answer. Though the sword had healed her wounds, there were still signs of injury. Her skin was turning blue as if she were suffering hypothermia. Her breathing was shallow.

She didn't answer Zaal, nor make any movement once the elven figure had appeared. The cloak had fallen off and was being swept away by the flow of the waterfall. Splotches of black were on her legs.

Suddenly, her body convulsed, and she made a choking sound. Black liquid spewed out of her mouth and onto the ground. There was a hissing sound like acid as the black lquid hit the ground....

"Shit, Kat. What's happened to you?" Zaal murmured, looking over the older woman's naked form.

Horror and concern passed over his handsome features as he took in her vulnerability, yet he did not seem embarrassed by it. Over the past couple years, the young man had been honored, on several occasions, to view the feminine form; of course, none of these courteous women were in such a state, nor were they his Aunt.

"I don't know what to do, Kat. Oh Gods, I don't know what to do. Tell me what to do," he whispered, almost pleading.

As he continued to mumble to himself, Zaal was trying to recall anything his brother had said in the past. He had immediately recognized the discoloration to her flesh as hypothermia; perhaps even the dark spots were gangrene setting in, but he wasn't sure. His brother had mentioned gangrene when their other brother had fallen through the ice on one of their many adventures, fortunately, luck had been on their side and he had only suffered the chill.

"Warmth. She needs warmth," he said to himself, while ripping from his chest the thin shirt he wore. Christ, why couldn't I have been the healer? Why-

"Who are you... and what are you doing with Katreana?"

A woman's demanding tone suddenly interrupted his thoughts and caused him to freeze. In his panicked rush to pull free his shirt, tuck it beneath the hurt woman, and then warm her with his own body heat, he had not noticed the bright light emanating from the sword, nor it's transformation.

"What the- Where-" Zaal stammered as he turned his attention to the Elven woman, his eyes darkening with distrust, as did his voice.

Before he could say more, Katreana's body suddenly trembled and convulsed. Quickly, as the sounds of choking reached his ears and sickened his stomach, he lifted her into a half-sitting position. His mind reeled with confusion as she vomited an inky black substance that appeared to eat into the rough stone surface of the ledge. Spatters of the acidic matter dotted his bare flesh and pain seared his arms. A deep growl rumbled in his throat as he forced his mind to ignore the burning pain, and instead, move Katreana away from the puddle and the stranger.

Kat groaned and coughed again, but nothing came up. She began to shiver violently in Zaal's arms. Her body moved without resistance as she was dragged away from the acid puddle and the runesword's elven form.

Another groan came from her, "C-c-c-c-c-cold, D-d-d-doc..."

Her dark eyes fluttered open. The venom was starting to work more fiercely. Her pupilless eyes had a glassy look...almost as if there was a film forming over them. She blinked slowly; her head lolling to the right as she tried focusing on anything.

Despite the fact that she had that unnatrual heat magic flowing through her, Aphra had decided to wear a rather provocative outfit today. The sun's heat only encouraged her more.

The young woman of twenty was wearing a pair of tight denim like shorts that could bascially pass for a bikini bottom and a tight wrap around shirt that exposed her flat belly. Her chin length burgundy hair framed her face.

She had accompanied the Triplets to the waterfall. Homi and Raz were somewhere in the throng of teenagers in the cool pool. She had seen Zaal sneak off with the brainless Lita. Sitting on a large flat rock that overlooked the pool, she was talking to a few young men who had been vying for her attention for sometime now.

Steel grey eyes twinkled impishly and playfully at the one young man who was trying to impress her with his diving skills. Not bad really. He was about five feet ten inches. HiIs muscles were outstandingly toned and rippled sensuously as he moved. He had chestnut colored hair and eyes like here. Oh, he smiled so nicely...

From the corner of her eye, she saw Zaal leading Lita toward the waterfall. She had to smile...The boy was such a charmer. She was rather proud of "her boys".

After awhile, though, she saw Lita running toward her and the pool of water. The girl's pale blue eyes wide with fear. Aphra got out of th throng of men and went to to the girl.

Lita stopped in her tracks and looked right at Aphra. They were the same height, but Aphra was more intimidating.

"What?" Aphra asked firmly.

Lita stood there, speechless. Grabbing her shoulders roughly, Aphra asked again, "WHAT?" Her touch was rather warm against the girl's bare skin.

Lita winced and looked as if she would cry.

Stammering, she managed to blurt, "Woman...Zaal...brother...sword..."

Aphra scowled as the group of boys started to get curious. Shaking Lita a bit, she said, "Where is Zaal?"

Lita sobbed now, not knowing what to do.

Disgusted, Aphra let her go. Bruises and slight burn marks were on Lita's fair skin. Out of Aphra's grip, Lita ran away, wanting to find the other two triplets.

Growling, Aphra started toward the waterfall, muttering, "Goddamn, twit..." Then, she paused, glancing over her shoulder at the boys who stared after her.

Giving them a sweet smile, she said, "Please go help her find the other two..."

They blinked and stared at her for amoment. Aphra scowled. "NOW!"

The boys took off...Turning, she began walking to the waterfall again...

"This better be good..."

The Elven woman scowled at the boy at first then understanding that he was trying to help Katreana she stepped forward and formed a shield over the two to keep the spray away from them. She then looked with a frown at the cloak floating away and dispelled it, needing her magic elsewhere.

"The woman has been poisoned. She needs a healer now, I brought her as far as I could."Her voice is heavily accented in the old Elven tongue as well as most of her mannerisms.

She then looked to Katreana and whispered, "Doc is not here. But we will get you warm and better Katreana."

The drugged woman only groaned and blinked. Her head heavily moved in the direction the voice came. About to say something, her body tightened in Zaal's arms and jerked forward, again throwing up the black venom that coursed through her body. Luckily, it didn't splatter on anyone or anything but the rocks.

She groaned, and then, she slurred, "Goddamnedemonitch..."

She tried moving, but was too weak from all the throwing up. Her vision was blurred and she still shivered despite Zaal's body warmth.

"P-p-p-peial-l-l-l-laaaaai," she stuttered and slurred.

Aphra walked casually toward the waterfall, following the path she had seen Zaal take Lita on. God, if the boy hadn't have been there, the twit would have fallen to her death...That made Aphra smile slightly.

AS she grew closer to the waterfall, the mist never reached her. Lita had pissed her off by being spineless. the heat magic was boiling up in her, causig her skin to be unbearable to touch now...therefore, the mist was evaporating before reaching her skin. Not even her hair was getting wet.

As she rounded a corner, she saw Zaal hunched over someone. hten, she saw the elven woman figure. Suddenly, a long dagger was in her hand.

Growling, she asked, "What the fuck is going on here?"

The woman looked up at the new voice and glared openly at it, "My charge has been poisoned, either get help or get out of our way." There was no quarter given in the elf's voice

A slight smirk curled onto Aphra's full, pouty lips. AS her grip on the dagger tightened, the muscles in her arm quivered and tensed. The young woman's body was toned more than most of the females in Falconmyght. Then, she tilted her head slightly.

"Your charge, huh?" she said slowly.

Not moving, she looked at the back of Zaal's head. Then, she focused back t the elven female. Jerking her head toward her, she asked, "Who the hell are you anyway? You don't live here. Nor are you supposed to be here."

Aphra's steel grey eyes challenged the elven figure. No one trepassed on her home. No one.

"How the hell did you get here?"

"I am a .. a companion of Alexander Silvermane's, And I have been here with him every time he had been here. Katreana is hurt and needs help. Never mind who I am and how I got here, help her."

Zaal had glanced to the Elven woman as he felt the static of magic surround himself and Katreana. He did not know this woman, nor did he trust her. Feeling greatly inadequate, for not shielding his aunt himself -Christ is was one of the few things he could do-, Zaal looked back down at Katreana.

"Homi will be here soon, Kat," he said softly, looking over to the stranger again, "He'll heal you and everything will be alright."

He brushed a damp strand of hair from her face, the knot in his stomach unfurling a bit as her eyes fluttered open. Katreana appeared to be extremely disoriented and the words she mumbled where almost incoherent.

"C-c-c-c-c-cold, D-d-d-doc..."

Doc? Zaal's mind swam with confusion before he placed the nickname with the man his aunt often accompanied. Was he part of the reason she was hurt? He frowned to himself. If he was, he would have to deal with his brothers, Aphra, and himself.

"Doc is not here. Be we will get you warm and better Katreana," the woman with the sword answered his aunt before he could. For once in his life, he could not find the words that needed to be said.

Before he was able to thank the woman, Katreana's convulsions and vomiting began anew. Where were his brothers? Anger was beginning to replace Zaal's fear. They should have been here by now. Thoughts began to churn within his mind. Perhaps Lita didn't reach them. She did have difficulty getting to the cave. What made him think she could make it back in one piece and in any amount of good time.

He scowled, readying himself to lift Katreana and carry her out himself when he heard footsteps behind him.

"What the fuck is going on here?" he heard Aphra's unmistakable growl. Where were his brothers? Why had she come and not Homi?

"My charge has been poisoned, either get help or get out of our way," the Elven woman warned Aphra.

"Your charge, huh?" Aphra had replied. Zaal groaned inwardly, recognizing her tone. Trouble. They didn't need any more trouble.

Wrapping his shirt around Katreana as best as he could, he cradled the woman as if she was a child and rose from the pebbled floor.

"Nevermind how she got here, Aphra," Zaal voice was deep with anger as he turned to her. He knew that later he would probably regret using such a tone, but at the moment, Kat did not need an argument, she needed a healer.

The Elven spirit followed the young man carrying Katreana, glaring at the strange woman as she went.

Smirking, she twirled the dagger in her hand momentarily while studying the elven female.

"Charge, huh?"

Then, hearing Zaal's remark, she scowled. However, the name he spoke caught her offguard.

"Kat?"

She hurried over to where Zaal was trying to carry their aunt. Seeing Kat's face and how the woman wasn't coherrent made her stiffen. Seeing the elven woman glare at her, she growled.

"Don't even give me that look," she stated flatly.

Pushing pass the woman, she stood next to Zaal.

"Here, let me carry her, Zaal," she said, more quietly this time. The coolness of the cavern behind the waterfall was causing steam to rise up from her skin. "Let me take her. She needs body heat..."

Katreana heard the voices, but couldn't make out who was who. She groaned as Zaal started moving her. Her skin tingled from the sudden pins and needles sensation the venom was starting to work on her muscles. The black poison was paralyzing her now.

The elven woman did not turn away but her look softened when she saw concern for Katreana.

"She has been poisoned, and I am getting too weak to hold up what healing that I am giving her." The woman's voice is getting fainter as she speaks.

"Here, let me carry her, Zaal," Aphra gently demanded, after pushing past the Elven woman.

Looking to his cousin, Zaal watched the steam rise off her bare flesh. His pride hurt; he had failed in shielding his aunt, and now, his own skin was beginning to feel cool. Katreana needed body heat, just as Aphra had said, and with reluctance, he placed the woman in her arms.

"Do..do you need help?" he asked her in a rather awkward manner, while tucking his shirt around the naked woman. Razeal would probably blind any that dared to look at her bareness. "I don't know what's wrong, but Homi-" he was interrupted by the Elven woman.

"She has been poisoned, and I am getting too weak to hold up what healing that I am giving her."

Zaal frowned to himself as he looked over to the woman. He did not trust strangers, but this woman did not seem to have any malicious intent. "A healer is not far away," he told her, while gesturing for Aphra to start down the ledge. "There are other healers that can help you as well, " he added, reaching out for the woman's elbow. The gesture was one of concern and silently he made it known that he was willing to help the fatigued woman out of the cavern.

The woman smiled at the lad, "Thank you for the offer, but now that Katreana is in good hands I can rest"

With that the Elven woman slowly faded away back into the sword, leaving the sword just floating in place.

Aphra gave Zaal a gentle, reassuring look. He couldn't understand what was going on within her body. Yet, no one ever questioned why she, Krisha, Michil, and Kat always wore gloves, no matter what. It had just been accepted. However, Aphra wore no gloves today.

As her cousin lay her aunt in her arms, she said softly, "You did fine, Zaal. You did just fine."

Just as she situated Katreana against her, her aunt's color started returning to her face. Inwardly, she thanked the old battle axe for teaching her how to control the heat magic.

"Do..do you need help?" he asked her in a rather awkward manner, while tucking his shirt around the naked woman. Razeal would probably blind any that dared to look at her bareness. "I don't know what's wrong, but Homi-" he was interrupted by the Elven woman.

She was shaking her head as she started gingerly walking out from the cave and from behind the waterfall.

"She has been poisoned, and I am getting too weak to hold up what healing that I am giving her," the elven woman stated.

She said over her shoulder, "Let Zaal help you, hmmm? I know my mother and aunt would be ever grateful for what you've done. We'll do what we can for you..."

Despite her small size, compared to Katreana, she was easily caring her aunt down the hill, making carefully steps. Someone was going to pay for all this...

He offered his cousin a slight smile as she said this. He knew she was just trying to ease his battered pride. They were going to be walking out of the caverns together and SHE would be carrying their aunt. With this thought, Zaal could feel his neck and face grow hot. What would the others think? His brothers? Razeal. He groaned inwardly. He knew they would understand after the fact, but the others, they would not.

After making sure Aphra was capable of making it out of the caverns, which he knew she was, he turned to the Elven woman again. The strange woman intrigued him. He had not yet figured out where she had suddenly come from, but in all the chaos, he really hadn't taken any time to do so.

"We can provide you with a nice room at the compound to re-" he started, then paused as the woman began to fade into the sword.

A puzzled expression crossed his sharp features as he looked to the sword that floated before him. The woman was gone. He blinked, wondering if he was seeing things. Glancing over his shoulder to Aphra, who was descending from the caverns, he opened his mouth to say something but decided against it. As a child, he had read the lore on runeblades, but that's what they were, lore. He couldn't imagine he was actually looking at one. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he grabbed the blade and jogged to catch up with Aphra.

The sword was warm to the touch and even seems to have it's own life beat and as he grabbed the weapon there was a soft femine voice that whispered to his ear alone "Please keep me close to Katreana."

Lita had finally found Razeal and Homi, just as a crowd began to form around the entrance of the caverns. Stumbling over her words, she described what had happened as the three ran to meet Zaal and Aphra.

The woman the girl had described, calling her Katherine, had actually been Katreana; yet, the two boys did not waste their time by correcting her. They knew she would have forgotten the name in an hour or so and have to be corrected once again; besides that, there were much more important things to worry about at the moment.

Roughly pushing aside scantily clad young men and women, Razeal rush on ahead of his companions. Not far behind him, Homi tugged Lita along. It was not long before the group faced what had drawn the crowd. Razeal frowned a bit as his gaze fell on Aphra, who carried his aunt down a narrow ledge, and then on Zaal following behind her. Shouting for the crowd to back off, he allowed Homi to rush by him and grasped Lita's upper arm as she attempted the same.

"There is no use for you here," he growled, his dark green eyes boring down on her, "Run along before you cause a nuisance of yourself."

Releasing her arm, the girl looked up at him. Tears filled her baby blue eyes and her lower lip trembled a bit. Glancing over to Zaal, who did seem preoccupied, she quickly turned and fled the scene. Sighing to himself, and briefly wondering why his brother tolerated her, he went to aid his brothers in any way he could.

Shrugging slightly to het Katreana to rest more comfortably in her arms, Aphra walked the narrow path from the cavern behind the waterfall with the ease of a trapeze artist on a tight wire. She also kept an ear no Zaal to make sure he was following behind her. A slight smile creased her lips as she knw that her cousin did his best and that his pride was wounded. She'd take care of that as soon as possible.

On occasion, Katreana would murmur some incoherrent words, but the most understood was "Doc."

"God damned half elf," Aphra grumbled. "He's gonna have a lot of explainin' to do when I get my hand on 'im."

This was going to cause havoc at The Compound. Katreana was a loved, respected, and honored figure in Falconmyght. Afterall, it was she who established this haven for refugees of the evil. Even though Aphra gave the woman hell, the girl loved her aunt deeply.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Razeal grab Lita and the girl flee. Good. They didn't need a hysterial twit running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Glad that Raz had also taken care of crowd control, she made her way toward Homi.

Finding a patch of grass that she thought suitable, Aphra carefully laid Katreana on the ground. A frown creased her lips. FOr one, Katreana was still blue despite the amount of heat the girl had provided. Another, there were bruises on Aphra where Kat's body had been tuoching flesh to flesh.

"What the hell?" she murmured.

Suddenly, Katreana started to gag. Instinctively, Aphra rolled the woman on her side. BLack liquid spilled forth, hissing as it ate at the grass.

"Shit," Aphra hissed.

Seeing Homi get closer, she stopped and laid the woman down. For once, fear visibly flickered in Aphra's eyes.

Zaal stumbled a bit as a soft feminine voice whispered within his mind. The sword seemed to confuse his senses, confuse what he knew and what he felt. Shaking his head, he raised his gaze to the crowd gathering just outside the entrance to the cavern. He frowned to himself as he seen Razeal's disappointed expression and as Lita ran off.

Pushing away many whom pressed to close to himself and Aphra, he looked to Homi as he approached.

"Man, I don't know what's wrong with her," fear heightened his voice a bit and quickened his speech, "I thought it was hypothermia, but she's puking this black shi-"

Before he could finish, and just after Aphra had laid the ill woman down, she spasmed and began to vomit the acidic liquid again.

"She needs to get back to The Compound fast, Homi. Something ain't right here."

Once again from the sword comes the voice of the woman "She was attacked by Alexander in a demonic form, I think some of his quills embedded themselves into her, but I am not sure."

Aphra had growled as he looked over Katreana, thoroughly confused and worried. He didn't know what was wrong with his aunt. He could heal, but he was still learning. There was so much he didn't know, and this was something he probably could never know. Wiping Kat's mouth with thetowel he had used to dry himself, he gathered the woman in his arms.His gaze moved to Aphra's and the fear he seen there unnerved him. Fora moment, he felt like a cowering little boy.

"Let's go then," he murmured, just before the spidery language of magic touched his lips.

As they rushed to the compound, he seemed unaware of his surroundings and disconnected from reality. He tried his best to ease his aunt's pain and release her of the poison that was taxing her body.

Aphra looked for Razeal as Homi started murmuring spidery words. She barked a few instructions to several of those gathered, telling some of the older boys to rush ahead and alert Jaysen and her mother of their arrival.

Katreana's eyes were open now, but glassy, drugged in appearance. Staring up blankly at whomever carried her, she gave a groan, shivering.

"I gotta find Michil," Aphra said to the Triplets, " Mom's gonna freak. Nothin' like this has happened before..." Her voice was gruff as she was trying not to let the fear creep further into her.

"What?!"

Homi practically choked on his exclamation as he looked to Zaal, who carried the sword. For a moment, he thought his ears were playing tricks on him. Did he really just hear a woman's voice emanate from the sword? Shaking his head, he shifted Katreana in his arms and hurried his pace. Frustration gnawed at his nerves as he began his spell anew. He knew he needed to focus his attention on his aunt, all of his attention.

"Alexander wouldn't hurt Kat," Razeal had come up along side Aphra as she ordered a few of the older boys ahead of them. He knew what he had said sounded irrational. Katreana was here, hurt, AND they were told by whom- yet things just did not piece together.

"And why wouldn't he?" Zaal, who traveled on the opposite side of Aphra, growled, "You don't know him. We don't know him. Look at her, man. Listen to her. The Elven woman said-"

"What goddamned Elven woman, Zaal?" Razeal sneered back; he hated it when his brother opposed him,"You're the one Homi should be fixin'-"

Razeal and Zaal immediately stopped their bickering and looked to Aphra as she said, " gotta find Michil." Ahead of them, Homi was making a much faster pace than they were.

"He's not even in Falconmyght, Aphra," Razeal warned, "Something might happen, you shouldn't leave."

She stopped walking and stared at Razeal. Her steel grey eyes flashed a moment as she stood there. Hands were in fists.

"I ain't gonna be no help here, Raz," she snarled back. "I'll-"

The Elven woman erupted form the sword, her eyes blazing in anger.

"Are all you going to do is fight over who did this and why, or are you going to get Katreana some help?"

There is a short pause, "If you are not going to get her some help then I will." The figure advanced toward Katreana, her eyes blazing in anger.

Aphra blinked and sneered.

Then, she pointed at the elven woman as she charged after Homi, "That elven woman, Razeal," she said flatly.

Looking between Zaal and Raz, she turned and started walking the opposite direction of Falconmyght. She was on the verge of tears. She couldn't help Katreana. She had no special powers like the Triplets or like her Mom...or even like Michil...All she could do was travel like her dad...

"God dammit, Dad," she sniffled,almost growling, "Why'd you leave?"

As she charged away, a portal opened several yards from her, ready to accept her...

After Razeal's chiding, Lita had run off toward Falconmyght, crying.

It wasn't fair. Why did they always pick on her? Why couldn't they be nice to her like Zaal?

She didn't look back or up as she ran. Just let her feet take her.

Jaysen Nissassa had been working with several of the guards in repairing several of the logs that were the first defense to falconmyght, though, they hadn't needed it since the haven had been established, but Katreana had insisted.

The man looked no more than 26 years in age. With it being rather warm, he had his shirt off. He was a well built and handsome man. His height was near six feet. His skin was bronze from the constant being outside. His short hair was black, curled slightly, and contrasted beautifully with his cerulean eyes that were always bright with smile and laughter. He was now the head of Falconmyght since Katreana had gone out on a mission she said nothing of. Along Peiallai, his aunt, he watched over everything and everyone.

He was coming down from a ladder when he saw Lita's blonde hair flying behind her as she ran. Several of the men with him ran to her to see what was wrong. Jaysen caught up, just as he heard Lita stammer out, "Z-z-z-zaal and R-r-r-raz and H-h-homi...coming...woman...black spit...Kath...Kat...Kat..."

Jaysen gently took her shoulders, "Lita, calm down, dear. Take a deep breath and slowly tell us what happened..."

Just then, the group of boys that Aphra had sent ahead came rushing over the hilltop.

"Jaysen!" cried one of them, recognizing the man. "Katreana's back. And she's hurt real bad..."

Jaysen said nothing as he let go of Lita and ran as fast as he could.

"Get Peiallai and get one of the doctors at the gate!" he yelled over his shoulder.

No one wasted anytime to ask questions. One of the men took Lita and offered to help her home. The poor girl followed.

Razeal looked down at the ground as the two of them had stopped, shifting his feet ncomfortably. He didn't want to anger Aphra, but...

His gaze rose as an Elven woman burst from the sword that Zaal had been carrying, causing Zaal to release his grip on the old sword. Stunned, the two boys stared at the angry woman who now hollered at them in rage.

Razeal was clearly shocked, for he stood dumbfounded as Aphra pointed and hollered that the raging woman was the Elven woman Zaal had mentioned previously. After she had finished her declaration, she stomped off, leaving the two boys confused as to whether or not they should follow.

Seeing the Elven woman go after Homi, the decision was forced onto Razeal. He could not allow her to reach his brother, if she did, his concentration would be broken and his aunt could be further hurt.

"STOP!" He roared, his long legs taking him quickly in her direction as the roots of several trees began to writhe and then snake towards her ankles.

Not knowing what to do, Zaal instinctively followed Razeal. Feeling the ground tremble slightly, he groaned, Homi needed to move faster. In the near distance, he could see a small group forming at the gates- word had reached the compound.

The ground shook, and Jaysen paused in his running. What in the Nine Hells was that? As he came over the hill, he saw Homi rushing as fast as he could with a woman in his arms. He also noted the very tall Elven woman rushing after him, and then, Raz and Zaal.

Things didn't look good. For one, Jaysen did not recognize the elven woman. Second, Homi seemed much too involved in chanting. He had never seen the boy in such deep concentration. Thirdly, Razeal looked rather pissed, and there were tree roots snaking quite quickly toward the Elven woman. Zaal looked real worried. A frown creased Jaysen's lips. Where was Aphra?

Letting Homi reach him, Jaysen's tanned face paled. "Oh, Gods..."

Katreana had regained some color, but her skin was still splotched with blue and black as if bruised. Her lips were caked with dried black liquid. Her hair was damp and pasted to her face and neck. Thoug her eyes were open to slits, they were glassy as if drugged.

His arms reached out to take the woman from Homi's arms; though, he wasn't so sure he should have had sent for Peiallai. Ignoring the rest of the group that was coming, he hugged Katreana's still cold body to his chest and rushed toward the gates.

Lita was at the gates with Peiallai and Mikalya, one of the doctors of the Compound. Luckily, the news had been contained so that the gates were not completely blocked by curious and worried residents of the Compound. The group of boys and men who had been at the gate had quickly gone to the Nissassa home to fetch Peiallai, who had been helping Alexis keep an eye on Damon. After explaining to her what they knew, she had them get Mikalya. Telling Alexis to stay home, Peiallai went to the gates.

Peiallai, a beautiful woman with long raven black hair and steel grey eyes, was holding the still sniffling Lita as she waited for Jaysen's returned. She cooed softly, trying to calm Lita who still felt useless in all of this.

The group of boys that had come were still trying to explain what they had seen to Mikalya. The doctor had been one of the first few residents of Falconmyght, helping set up the community. She was a small woman, barely reaching five feet in height. She wore spectacles that liked to slide down her small Roman nose. Her light red hair was tied into a braid that reached between her shoulders. She wore a green blouse with black breeches and black boots. She looked rather unthreatening really.

Seeing the Triplets, Jaysen, and a strange elven woman, Peiallai began walking toward the group....