1: Journey into the Unknown

Rayann’s smile relaxed when she heard Myth’s explanation of his stern look. What he said was something she could relate to on more than one level. Chewing on a piece of dried meat, she nodded in agreement.

I understand. When Rorie and I were training when we were young, I often found myself doing the same thing. Of course Ro wouldn’t be as kind in pulling me from my thoughts sometimes, but it didn’t matter how he did it, I would always get really frustrated with him. Needless to say, we would end up getting angry at each other which would merely cause more trouble between us. This is the first time I’ve been away from him. It feels strange but at the same time it feels…..frightening. I’m responsible for more than just me right now. If I cast the wrong spell, we could both die. With Ro, we just sort of knew what the other was going to do and based on that, we were able to work as a team and do what had to be done.

Letting her eyes settle on Myth’s piercing green gaze, Rayann grew quiet for a moment then. There was no doubt there was a thought forming in her head and she was uncertain on just exactly how to bridge the subject with him. Taking a drink of water, she broke the contact with his eyes and built up the courage to say what she had been thinking. Once more her lavender eyes settled on Myth’s vibrant green ones.

Myth….it…we…could be like that as well…..if….if you would be willing, of course. It would mean…..you would need to open your mind to me. Being able to read your thoughts would allow me to see what your next move would be and I could be ready with a spell. Like what happened with the Displacer Beast. I didn’t read your mind but I saw if I didn’t cast the spell right then, you would be dead.

Seeing the disapproving look on his face, Rayann quickly explained even more.

We could try it when you did your practicing. I’m a fast learner and I could learn your moves to know what you will do next. With that knowledge together with reading your mind for the next move would make it a win-win situation. But….if you don’t want that, I completely understand. And I promise not to read your mind when I don’t need to. I give you my word right now. Even you decide not to do this with me.

A tenseness formed in the air around them and Rayann knew she had most likely stepped over an invisible boundary with the warrior. It wasn’t easy knowing you are traveling with a telepath and taking the risk of having her get in your head when you don’t want her to. It was even worse to hear she WANTED to get in your head. No matter what the reasoning behind the request.

Once more Rayann tore her gaze from Myth’s and looked down in the ground next to her bed roll. She had most likely just crushed what trust had grown between them and rightfully so. She had known Rorie all her life and she had just met Myth. How in the world could he trust her now? The woman had requested to get into his head. The most sacred and private places a person had that was considered strictly their own. With a sinking feeling, Rayann’s shoulder slumped slightly as she sat there, choking down her food. It was going to be a long trip from this point forward, no doubt.

The admission of what she was capable of doing with her abilities was a cause for concern. He had not considered the possibility that she could in fact read his mind but up to this point he had no real reason to. That fact that she spoke mentally should probably been a clue but her companions had been so calm about it that he had never paid it any thought. His displeased look was more about his own lack of foresight than her own admissions. For a short time he said nothing in response to what she had suggested. His thoughts were focused inward as he laid his options out in front of him.

On one hand he could not discount the idea as a while after having watched the twins work together. He remembered being somewhat amazed at the very sight of it despite not showing a lick of emotion at the time. The potential for someone with his skill set and someone like her working in such a manner certainly had its ups. It was the downside of things however that he was more concerned with. Exactly how much free reign would she have in reading his thoughts. Could she happen upon some piece of information that he did not wish her to see by accident. At this point there were a great many things he wished for her not to know. There was of course his mission at the forefront of the list but there were inklings of other things he did not wish to be known as well.

His thoughts raged on along the same paths before he decided upon a path. He let out a sigh setting his food down before him as he turned leveling his gaze upon Rayann. "What you ask of me would require me to give you a degree of trust I would not even consider giving to my own kin..." He saw the sinking feeling wash over her body as a whole. He did not need to see her eyes to know it was there.

"However it does not out way the level of trust you have shown in me by first taking my side in that fight many weeks ago, and secondly asking my to travel as your escort." He took a draw from his wine skin "Your offer makes me both curious and apprehensive but given past actions on your own part it would be rude of me to not to allow you this one act of faith."

He set down his waterskin and looked into the fire fir a time "As it were my superiors had plans for me and my unique skills and as such part of my training was to resist interrogations of all kinds. Telepathic creatures was high on the list of things they drilled into me first. I have many secrets locked away in my head Rayann that people would be better off not knowing about. This knowledge I bare is my only cause of apprehension, but thankfully I do know how to bury such things from prying eyes so to speak. My mind would like an open book save for a lone locked chest buried deep in my mind. So long as this would not interfere with what you wish to do I see no reason to not give you the chance." He offered a smile as he had already begun working on the container for his secrets. It would be enough to defend himself from passive attempts but if someone was truly looking they would find the flaws and things would be laid bare once those flaws were exploited.

Rayann dared not look into Myth’s eyes and see the intense scrutiny and mistrust he now felt for her. But as he continued to talk to her about what she proposed, she slowly raised her head so her eyes COULD look into his face and hold his gaze. She could still see the apprehension he felt but she saw something else there. Willingness to try.


By the time Myth got done talking and telling her he was willing to give it a go, the smile on Rayann’s face was as bright as the summer sun and just as warm.

I give you my word, Myth, I will not tread where I am not permitted. Only what you wish for me to see is what I will look to. I would never tread into any ones mind without permission and I certainly would not venture to places I know to be sacred. You will find that during the training process, you will be able to communicate with me the way I do with you right now. No one will even know we are speaking to each other. But I agree with you in that there are things it’s better off I not know. You are a trained warrior, that much is obvious, and there are things you and your superiors discuss that need to be kept private. It would be too easy to have that used against you by me if anything should ever happen to us and we find ourselves captive by the enemy. If they found out what I am and can do, they would not hesitate to threaten your life to force me to get from you what they need not know.

Rayann paused for a moment and put her thoughts in order before she went on.

So I propose this. While I don’t like keeping secrets I know there are times they must be kept. And what we are about to embark upon should be the biggest secret we keep between us. It will protect both of us that way. Do you agree?

Myth could only nod in agreement as she stressed the importance of keeping there own bond a secret. The thought had already planted itself firmly in his mind. There were things he knew that could unravel years of carefully laid planning. In truth as almost an after thought as he started sifting through the jumble of memories in his head he came to realize that he had indeed led a very active career. He could sit there for hours just examining the tasks he had accomplished in his military career. It actually made him smile inwardly for a moment till a feint thought passed over his mind. What would Rayann think if she saw even half of what was there. The thought alone was strabgely alarming but not as alarming as the realization that he somehow cared what she would think. With a shake of his head he started to shove the stray thoughts into a closet in his mind so he could concentrate on the matter at hand.

"Indeed... it has the potential to be our undoing"

He reached around behind his back and drew forth a small blade from a fold of cloth. Myth had been taught the old ways of honor and while he did not expect his companion to partake he would agree to his part in the manner of a warrior. First he pulled out a cloth he had used to wrap some now consumed bread in and had Rayann sit. He lay the cloth over her lap and instructed her to roll up her sleeve. He laid out his hand palm up and place the blade edge down in his palm and wrapped his fingers around the blade. He was careful in his placement as he did not wish to damage anything vital but he was keeping a potion handy in the off chance.

"I Mythalas swear by my blood, flesh, and honor that I shall take this secret with me to the grave. In the face of the demonic or the divine I shall never utter a sylable of it to another soul so long as I am of free mind."

Myth tensed his hand and he felt the blades edge push into the flesh and he could feel the blood flow lightly as it began to seep into the creases of his hand carefully he drew out the blade with his blood upon it. He sat the blade upon a rock his eyes closed for a moment as he concentrated on ignoring the minor pain in his hand.

"You need not make the same show as I in blood Lady Rayann... however we do have to shake hands in agreement to this oath"

He offered his bloody hand leaving the knife where it lay. He had taken the precaution of ensuring no blood would mar her white robes. While he had an inkling of what her future may hold he was not about to sully her garments.

Rayann heard of this ritual warrior’s performed to swear an oath but she had never seen it performed. The last thing she wanted was for Myth to harm himself purposely just to prove his word, but she knew he would have it no other way. It still made her flinch slightly when she saw the blade slice over the skin of his palm and the thin, red line that quickly appeared in the blades wake.

Her eyes drifted to his as she heard him speak his oath then hold his hand out to her making sure he held it over the cloth he placed upon her lap. Rayann’s eyes drifted to his hand then to the blade he set on the rock then back to his eyes. Without a second thought, Rayann reached over and took his blade in her hand. She’d never held a blade before and while it was a bit heavier than she expected it to be, it wasn’t as cold as she thought it would be either.

Following his lead, Rayann held the same hand he had cut with her palm up and open and placed the sharp edge of the blade on her palm. Slowly curling her fingers around the blade, she carefully pulled the blade across her palm while pressing down slightly. Her brows furrowed and she winced as she felt the blade cut into her skin. Laying the blade down on the rock she had retrieved it from, she opened her palm and saw a matching thin, red line appear on her palm.

Her lavender eyes drifted to Myth’s intense green ones and she reached out with her sliced hand and placed her smaller hand in his larger one, curling her fingers around it as best she could, uniting their cuts, mingling their blood. Instead of using her mind to communicate with him, she spoke verbally this time. The cave they shared was suddenly filled with a soft, feminine voice as she swore the same oath to him.

“I, Rayann Padraig, swear by my blood, flesh, and honor that I shall take this secret with me to the grave. In the face of the demonic or the divine I shall never utter a syllable of it to another soul so long as I am of free mind.”

After the words were spoken, Rayann offered Myth a warm smile and nodded.

There was a new found respect for her in his eyes now. He nodded his head slightly and spoke calmly as he withdrew his hand from her own.

"You have honored me twice with this Lady Rayann. First you took a warrior's oath as a warrior without hesitation and second you spoke your oath aloud and not in my mind." he tapped his temple. "A great honor indeed from what I was told by others."

He reached out and had her lower her hand to the cloth. He turned reaching for his pack and withdrew bandages and a small wooden box. Setting the bandages down he opened the box revealing a white creamy substance inside. He stuck his finger in and swirled it around drawing out a glob of the stuff. He took her wounded hand in his and spread the cream along the cut she had made. It brought a soothing cool sensation to the wound. Myth looked the cut over for a moment before reaching for a bandage. He was impressed that she had cut just right and hadn't hurt anything vital. There was a smirk upon his face as he bandaged her up.

"The mixture will help heal the wound cleanly by morning." He reached for his knife "I have only ever used this knife three times... two of those times were for an oath. It is special for that purpose which is why I am not overly worried about cleaning the wounds... in case you were wondering."

Slipping the knife into its place in his garments once more Myth saw to his own wound and after a few minutes he placed the wooden box and bandages back into his pack. He returned to his place across from her and sat watching her for a moment before sweeping his gaze to the fire.

Rayann heard the respect in Myth’s voice and for some reason, she felt pride settle within her. For some reason, it made quite an impact upon her, knowing he felt that way about her. They were so opposite yet on this common ground they were now equal.

As he tended to the wound on her hand, she noticed a few things about the warrior she was certain he most likely didn’t know he was revealing. First of all, she noticed his touch was gentle. He made sure he didn’t handle her roughly in the least. Secondly, when he applied the salve he did so very tenderly to not cause more pain to her. Last, when he wrapped her hand he made sure he wrapped it tight enough without being too tight and once more used his gentleness to apply the bandage.

So, she thought, the hardened warrior is not as hardened as he appears to be to the world. This thought caused a slight smile to appear on her lips. When he was done, she brought her hand up so she could examine his handy work and nodded her approval. Looking over at him, she gave a warm smile and nodded then watched as he dressed his own hand.

When he returned to sit across from her once more, she saw the look he gave her before he cast his gaze to the fire. There was a moment of silence between them before her soft voice slipped into his mind once more.

Thank you, Myth. The pain in my hand is already gone and I can feel the healing of the salve already beginning. It’s good to know that should I ever need a nurse mate, you will do in a pinch.

There was a mirthful grin on her face when he cast her a look that spoke volumes of how he felt about being a nurse mate. In fact, it was enough to make her laugh softly, audibly. When she settled, her smile slowly faded.

What was the third time?

Myth shot her a look of confusion and she quickly elaborated.

You said you used the knife three times. Twice was for similar oaths we just took with each other but you didn’t say what the third was.

The look on his face changed and she once more felt as though she had just treaded on sacred ground.

I’m sorry….I shouldn’t have asked. There is no need to explain. Forgive me. My curiosity gets the better of me at times.

He could feel her eyes upon him the whole time he had worked on her wound and even after. He guessed that she was trying once more to get a better understanding of the type of person he was judging by his actions. He wanted to smile slightly when he came to that thought. She had proven to be quite surprising these last few weeks and even more so in the last days. One thing about her that stood out most was her curiosity, but he also saw a great deal of resolve in her as well. Looking at her eyes he knew in one moment she had decided to take the knife and do as he had done. He had only seen a moment of hesitation before her resolve forced her ahead not allowing herself to second guess. He wondered perhaps if she would have been so eager had she known all the rules to the oath.

He had been pondering this question when she asked her question hence his moment of confusion. His brow furrowed slightly as a feint memory surfaced in his mind. She had now asked and he was obligated to tell her the tale. He let out a sigh as looked to the cave entrance.

"As an oath taker you have the right to hear this tale."

He reached for his waterskin and took a long draw before he sat staring into the flames of the fire.

"Many decades ago when I was first learning the arts of the sword from my teacher I befriended a young human named Korrath. We both came from similar backgrounds and shared many interests. To our surprise we both were to be instructed by the same sword master. We were both pleased and while we were friends we were also very competitive rivals. Years passed and we brought out the best in each other and were even placed in the same unit when we went into the military."

he stirred the wood upon the fire

"Do to our similar skills we were chosen to undertake a mission that was meant to be very very quiet. It was a simple sneak in get some information and sneak out. We both knew that if we were being sent it was not going to be as simple as we were led on. We decided to take a two front approach to the matter and we decided to make a blood oath to keep our silence should one of us get captured during the mission. We took the oath and went our separate ways."

Myth let out a small sigh "Needless to say I was delayed about a day before I could start my own infiltration. Unfortunately when I had arrived at my destination I found that I was expected. I took a great many of the guards down before I was subdued. After that they hauled me off to the dungeons were I was asked questions about what I was doing there. I remained true to my oath and said nothing. They were intent on breaking me and after a couple weeks of applying some of the worst kinds of torture I can imagine they cast me into a cell to await trial since they knew I would never yield."

He dropped some more wood onto the fire as he continued in a somber voice. "I was placed in a cell with Korrath. I asked him what had happened but he claimed he had no clue. Somehow they had known and they had been waiting for us both. After a couple days we had regained our strength and we knew that our impending trial would be soon. Had the guards properly searched our tattered clothes they would have found our lock tools. In the dead of night we escaped the prison killed the guards and retrieved our gear. We decided to split up and would meet at the master's grotto on the next full moon."

"I made my return a few days early and had taken the offer of sparring with the master. When we had finished I had removed my weapons including my oath knife. The master gave the knife a stern look and took it up and pulled it from the sheath. I had not seen this yet but he asked if I had taken an oath. Reluctantly I told him that I had and when I turned to ask why my jaw dropped to the earth. The blade was glowing a sickly green color. My master asked whom I had made the oath with and I told him. He was most displeased and put the blade back in its sheath as he handed it to me. I was then informed of my duty as a warrior. Korrath had broken the oath which was why it was glowing as it was. As the person who owned the blade it was my responsibility to punish Korrath for breaking his oath...it was my duty to send him to the next life"

Myth's eyes lifted from the fire to Rayann "I never questioned my master's order Rayann. I simply waited in the highest branches of the tree for Korrath to come meet me. He never even saw me till the last moment as I dropped from the tree and plunged the knife into his heart." He closed his eyes and gave a shudder "I will not tell you what happened next."

He poked at the flames in silence "You see if the oath maker breaks the oath the blade turns black and glows red. He is bound by honor to end his own life before the magic takes his soul. The longer the breaker takes the brighter the glow, and once the glow is seen through the sheath the soul is consumed in the flames of the underworld. Now should the partner break the oath the glow is green. The longer it takes for the maker to kill the breaker the more agonizing the death is before oblivion. In short whoever makes the oath is bound to kill the one who breaks the oath." He could see the meaning was now dawning upon her. He sighed shifting his eyes away from her.

"Sadly I could not tell you this before the oath was taken Rayann and for that I am sorry... however... should you make a cross cut before the wound heals you are allowed to back out. I can offer you this one escape... but only because you are not a warrior like me." Once more the blade was removed from its home and he set it upon the earth. "At suns light the wound will be healed..."

It was his turn to have a wounded look on his face this night. She had graciously and unquestioningly agreed to this but because of his respect he offered her this one option. It was his turn to worry about the issue of trust between them. He sat in silence shifting his eyes to the flames. He did not want to look into her eyes. He did not wish to see what she thought of him.

As Rayann listened to the tale Myth told her and saw the emotions slide across his face, something else happened as well. With each emotion HE felt, she was feeling it as well. She felt his elation at having a friend like Korrath. His pride at taking the oath with Korrath. The tension he felt when he had to sneak into the camp. The shock he felt when he realized they were waiting on him. The freedom he felt at getting loose. The anger he felt when his master told him what Korrath had done and the disbelief he felt when he was told he had to kill Korrath for his betrayal. She also felt the vengeance Korrath’s death brought Myth as well as the grief Korrath’s dieing brought the warrior. But what Rayann felt the most was the hurt Myth felt when he told her what the rules of the oath meant for them and that he had not told her up front. There was no way he could feign such emotions and she knew them to be genuine.

But there were so many things going through her mind she didn’t know where to begin. What had she just done to herself? Why didn’t he stop her from making this oath with him and tell her this before she made the oath? Would that have stopped her? And what now? What if he breaks the oath? Can she kill him? And what about her? What if SHE breaks it? He’ll HAVE to kill her. But the biggest question of all lay before her: What will you do now?

As she sat across from Myth and saw the way he looked away from her. There was true, heart felt regret for what he let her do without at least some kind of warning. Rayann’s lavender gaze settled on the handsome Elf’s face and she could think of only one answer. She would have changed nothing. Nor will she change it now.

Reaching across the expanse to slowly take the knife into her hand once more, she studied the weapon for a long moment in complete silence.

I suppose there is only on thing left for me to do now.

Taking a deep breath, Rayann turned the weapon, handle first, towards Myth, cradling the knife in her hands. When he lifted his head to see what she was doing and saw she was handing the knife back to him, he couldn’t help but blink. When his eyes finally drifted to her own, he saw there as no malice in her gaze nor was there any mistrust. Her soft voice slipped into his mind again and this time with the feel of a soft caress as well.

A warriors oath is something that cannot be taken lightly. I knew this before I took it with you. While I didn’t know the severe consequences of breaking such an oath, I understand why it has to be. We took an oath of secrecy, Myth. If one of us should break that oath, we have placed each other’s lives in jeopardy. I would rather die than do that to you. But if by some reason I break this oath, I would WANT you to end my life. I would no longer be trust worthy to anyone and if I am trustworthy to no one, including myself, then there is no reason for me to live. When the sun rises in the morning, our oath shall forever bind us. I only ask one thing of you now. In the future, I would prefer it if you told me everything up front so I know what’s expected of me.

He did not have to see her face to know what she was thinking. He could interpret her thoughts just by watching her body language. He could see the unease that settled over her as she pondered his words over in her mind. He could see a flinch of fear as she thought of the consequences of the breaking of the oath. He watched with some resignation as she lifted the knife thinking that she would take the out given her. His eyes shifted to her as she stared at the blade.

Deep within the lavender depths he could see the resolve and determination present in her eyes. He could see her weigh the options in her mind but could not hear them. His gaze lowered though when he caught the spark of a decision. Despite being prepared for any outcome he could only blink when she handed him the knife once more. He reached out and took it from her hand and placed it in it's home once more.

"Again I apologize... As I said I could not tell you the conditions till after you accepted since it was your first time. It is a strange way to do things but I have never questioned the master about his teachings and ways. Do not worry about my end of the oath though. Should I prove false the presence of the knife alone will kill me in time. You would only be giving me the mercy of a quick death. One I would feel most undeserving."

He let out a sigh and sat up straight and offered a smile to her once more. This had been most unexpected and he was proud of her determination. She had taken many steps since they had departed her friends and her brother. Though for some reason he was feeling a little uneasy but he couldn't think of why that was so. For the moment he pushed the thoughts aside and fixed his eyes on her. He caught himself admiring how the fire light was illuminating her form. There may have been a reddening of the cheeks for a moment before he cast his eyes else where for a few moments.

"You will have to guide me in this joining... as with the ritual oath you knew little now the tables are turned and it is now me staring at a mystery."

What ever he was thinking, Rayann could have easily discovered with her ability but out of respect for his privacy and to honor her own principals she would never listen in to any ones thoughts without being invited to do so. And even then she restricted herself to only what they wished for her to hear and see. For once, she found herself almost sorry for doing so. The look that crossed his face told her he was deep in thought about something and what ever that something was, it made her own cheeks turn a soft pink hue.

Thankfully he cast his gaze elsewhere before things got too awkward between them. While Rayann was no stranger to attraction to the opposite sex, she had never really been with a man, alone, for extended periods of time like she was with Myth. Rorie or her mother had always been within close range. And many times, before she put the blocks up that prevented her from hearing the thoughts of the young men she was attracted to, any chance they had were dashed on jagged rocks when she heard what they were thinking.

But Myth was different. He was no young stud looking to stake a claim or discover some secret she had. He was a man who was very sure of himself and trained in an ancient art of swordsmanship that required strict discipline and concentration. Self restraint wasn’t something he needed to think about anymore. It was second nature to him now. And even as he cast a look upon Rayann as she sat across from him after sharing such an intimate ritual with him, she cold see he was concentrating to not let his mind stray.

Was there more than friendship building between them? Surely the man looked upon her as more like a child. While he looked only slightly older than her, he was quite a bit older than her and had experienced life much more than she had. And besides, he was traveling with her out of duty. No. There was nothing but an obligation of his word to get her safely to where ever it was she was going. Burying the thought of anything more, Rayann blinked when she heard his voice penetrate her thoughtful mind.

Blinking, she realized what he was referring to and she let a soft chuckle escape her lips as she nodded.

It seems as though we both have much to teach each other.

While she wasn’t speaking verbally to him Rayann still felt suddenly parched and took a drink from her own water skin before settling once more. When her eyes settled on Myth’s green orbs, there was seriousness in her lavender depths he had not seen before.

My ability is more than just hearing thoughts. I can see images as well. Like watching a story unfold. You see. The mind not only thinks in terms of words but it thinks in images as well. Like watching a play on a stage with different actors but it’s what the images are projecting in your mind that I see. So, when you practice your moves, you see yourself moving in a certain way before you actually move that direction. While I’m sure you have words you recite while you visualize your moves, it’s the image I see that will guide me most. That way, it’s less work on you to ‘tell’ me what you’re going to do and therefore not interrupting your concentration. Basically you will do everything the same way you do now. The only difference will be that I can see what your next moves will be and based on that be able to conjure the correct spell needed and release it without putting you in jeopardy.

He understood most of what she was saying but Rayann saw there was still a slight hesitation in accepting what she was saying. Knowing there was no way to get him to understand completely unless she showed him, she uncurled her feet and stood up, smoothing out her robe, gesturing for him to do the same.

Let me show you. Practice a normal routine. Now, when you practice, don’t think about me. Just relax like you normally do and I will be able to see what you are going to do. Now that you’ve given me permission, my presence will be non invasive as I won’t have to force my way in to see what you’re doing.

There was a moment of hesitation on Myth’s part before he stood and withdrew his blade. Walking a few feet away from Rayann to keep from striking her by accident, he closed his eyes and brought his blade up, preparing to practice.

Rayann saw him take a few deep breaths then his breathing grew shallow. Knowing he was entering that meditative state he used for practicing his moves, she felt his mind open up as well. Now that she was making a conscious effort to enter his mind, there was no resistance and she could see what he was about to do.

The warrior Myth truly was could be seen and as he began his moves, Rayann saw each move he was making before he actually made them. As he moved with the grace of a large feline, Rayann was watching everything play out in his mind. When he went to make a killing blow with his blade, seconds before he lunged the blade she cast a spell causing his blade to glow a soft lavender color. He could feel the magic now infused in the blade and as he lunged the blade forward to kill his imaginary opponent, the lavender glow on his blade shot upwards and straight down at the same time then dissipated. In effect, the magic would have sliced his opponent in half easily.

Myth stood there for a moment after the spell had been dispatched with his blade still in position. Finally he moved slowly to stand then turned to look at her. Rayann couldn’t read the look on his face and she was no longer in his mind. As soon as the spell was cast and the enemy defeated, she withdrew from his mind out of respect for him.

An awkward silence surrounded them as they stood staring at each other. The seasoned warrior with an unreadable expression on his face and the young magi with a look of anxiety and wide, lavender eyes. Rayann swallowed hard as she stood there staring at Myth, unable to move an inch. Was he angry? Was he upset in some other way? Was he now regretting what he had agreed to? Only one thought ran through Rayann’s mind now: SAY SOMETHING!

Those long moments she spent in thought he felt curious about exactly what she had been thinking. It was quite strange for him to even care about something that trivial, but there was something there in her eyes. Through out his many years spent among his fellows he had learned to read the body but at the same time there was something to be said about a person's eyes. One could derive a great many things about a person seemingly through those round orbs alone. It was truly a strange thing that Myth could never put to words. Often he could tell the bravery of a person just by meeting there gaze.

With Rayann he was thrown a bit off. Try as he might there was a limit to what he could derive about this woman or her thoughts. He could always gauge the intensity of her thoughts through her actions but he could never get that feel for what they were when he met her gaze. It both intrigued and annoyed him at the same time because he could and had examined so many others with ease. Yet Rayann still sat here wrapped in an enigma for the most part with only her sense of purpose and determination gleaned through his senses. She also had a habit of sending his thoughts into a frenzy trying to figure things out.

He snapped his full attention in place after he asked his question and waited on her response. Again the look of conviction and seriousness displayed itself and he could only mentally shake his head. He listened without question as she told him of how her gift worked. In a way it did make sense in his mind at least. A good deal of time before his physical practice he was doing it in his mind. During his meditations he would conduct battles of his past in his minds eye to help in his learning to see his mistakes. She was simply reading his motions in thought as they were sent to his muscles. It was a strange concept to wrap a person's mind around but he could do it.

He did not question her as she asked him to stand and perform one of his routines. He had chosen a fairly standard non style specific routine and went with it. As much as she ensured her presence would go unnoticed it was not, but it was only because of the amount of control Myth had over his waking mind. Nothing he did happened on a whim. Every motion was examined and decided upon in the blink of an eye. However there was a palpable amount of surprise when the spell reacted and he saw the effect it could have on an opponent. He wore his warrior's face to hide the surprise.

He had shifted his gaze to her and his mind was considering a great many things. There was surprise from the spell itself, but the true surprise was how easy she had entered his mind. He had trained to protect against this kind of thing. Despite her request he had laid out a few defenses in his mind to know if she strayed and it bothered him that they were cast aside without so much of an alarm in his mind. Granted she kept were she intended but others had been placed as a test. He was gaining a healthy respect for how dangerous a power she possessed. In truth it may have scared him except that he knew her to be a person of such rarity a goddess was vying for her attention. He almost wanted to frown as his thoughts began to branch out to possibilities.

With a sigh he let his features relax, he had promised to trust her and though her power unnerved him he was going to honor his word. He offered her a smile that his is apprehension. "I am suitably impressed with what you have shown me... indeed a great deal of practice will be in our future..." Trust.... he had a feeling that it was going to bring him a great deal of pain in his future. He could only smile as he relished the challenge of facing that time when it came.

Myth found himself falling silent as his mind became a blank slate. While he may have had more on the matter he wanted to say his mind told him to let it go, to change to other topics. Myth resigned himself to do this but he felt at a loss for words as nothing came to mind. Without really thinking about the matter his mind gave off a feeling to her that he wished to speak of other things things. It was not so much a desire to change the topic at hand but something else. Something that could not be given form or description. A sense of wanting and general interest that came from the quieter parts of his mind the parts his waking mind could not silence because they were beyond the waking minds control.

Rayann let out the breath she'd been holding without realizing it. While she saw a mixture of emotions swirl through his gaze once he let his lips curl into a smile, she knew he had, for the most part, been very impressed and had a new found respect for her abilities. The only thing Rayann wasn’t sure of was rather or not the respect was for her telepathy ability or her spell casting. Perhaps it was both. Somehow Rayann knew she would never really know as Myth was very good at making sure he never let his emotions show to the point of revealing what he truly felt.

For some reason, that fact brought a sense of regret to the magi. Was he so in control that he wished not to let anyone see how he felt? While Rayann could understand why that was necessary in battle, surely he let his guard down when he was not in combat or facing his constituents. The short time they had been together she had seen a brief showing of his emotions but nothing in depth. Then again, she was still a relative stranger to him. Or was she?

Thank you….a-and in time, it will only get better. The more you practice with me, the more I will learn your moves and be able to cast my spells even faster with greater accuracy.

As the silence engulfed them once more, Rayann stood looking across the short expanse into his eyes when she saw something in his green depths and felt something tugging at her from his mind. While she was sorely tempted to hear his thoughts, she refused to give into that temptation. Knowing full well once that bridge was crossed, there would be no turning from it ever again. But she felt as though she needed to ask him….something. She felt her cheeks warm slightly and she gave him only what could be considered a shy smile as her soft voice reached out to him again

Is there….something else you’d like to talk about? I’d be happy to discuss anything you wish to discuss with me. Anything at all.

She couldn’t prevent the emotions she was feeling from him from happening. Rayann had not yet learned how to turn that ability off and she was beginning to think perhaps she never would. But right now, she really didn’t WANT to. It was the only way she knew Myth was not some lifeless being without a soul. While he was trained to not let his emotions SHOW, he couldn’t prevent them from happening.

Rayann had never opened the topic of conversation up so broadly before with anyone outside her immediate family. Even now as she stood, with trembling knees, she knew that once this door was opened, it wouldn’t be closed easily. But something she felt from the warrior told her this was something they both needed. Something that would draw them even closer than they were already getting and it would be an essential part of their ability to aid the other when the time came. What ever that time may be.

Myth had been looking to the fire for a moment when he noticed a slight change in the shade of Rayann's cheeks. He couldn't think of anything he had said that could lead to a reaction like that. However he had a feeling it was something she was thinking. He could see a question brewing but when she spoke he could only chuckle slightly. He was fairly certain that had not been what she was thinking but he wasn't going to call attention to her slightly reddened face just yet.

"Just as long as we can avoid talking of combat and strategy. I am not saying I would rule out anything related to those subjects. I just would prefer that you be mindful in that it is not all I care to discuss. I grow weary of traveling with people who only wish to talk about the mission or strategy all the time. In truth it is because I find the topic boring and the people that try to discuss these matters with me are unimaginative morons that couldn't fight strategically in a bathtub let alone a battlefield."

He frowned at his own words and shook his head. His words rang with resounding truth in them. One of Myth's skills that were heavily discussed behind closed doors was his ability to formulate strategies. From time to time he had it had been noted that certain key strategies had been hinted at or off offhandedly stated by Myth in passing. It was that alone that surprised some because a few of his suggestions came after he delivered a report and simply glanced at a map. Rayann had seem a part of this skill at work when he worked the beast into the corner. Had it not been for the beasts natural abilities its death would have been a certainty. In essence Myth avoided the topic because he didn't like pointing out another persons lack of mental faculties when he was supposed to be relying on them for support. It was also one of the many reasons he liked to travel alone. Myth sighed reigning in his rampant thoughts yet again and smiled noting they were still standing.

"Please sit..." He motioned for her to sit with him at the fire though not exactly where. The smile on his face had changed slightly though if she looked close enough. The rough forced edges were slipping away showing it was becoming more genuine. "Rayann I would be glad to discuss anything... I do not find myself in a position often where I would willing engage in a conversation of any kind with someone. We have talked more in the last three weeks than I have with anyone in the last three years." He wished that he was exaggerating in that estimate of time. Granted up till now they had only discussed the trail ahead and the stops they would make. When the need had arisen Myth had talked of the beasts they may encounter though the beast had not been on the list.

"I'm afraid though with that being the case we should discuss anything you want.. cause everything I am used to talking about I would really prefer not to for once." he poked at the fire a little "I'm afraid beyond that I am so unaccustomed to wanting to converse with someone that I have forgotten how to have a normal conversation of any kind." He could only wonder how dreadful that sounded. He was such capable and bright person but in her presence was finding it harder and harder to talk sometimes but not for the reasons he was used to.

When Myth told Rayann he wanted to talk about anything but combat and strategy, she was more than delighted. It was no secret she had not one clue how to discuss those two things since she rarely had to use them. Combat had never been something she wanted to pursue. She found it much easier to be diplomatic than aggressive and when backed into a corner, she would use her magic as a last defense. While she didn’t like using her magic to destroy life, she knew there were times there would be no other choice. Such as she did with the displacer beast.

The smile that lit up her face spoke volumes of how glad she was NOT to be discussing those things with him. And to hear him state WHY he wished not to discuss them, Rayann couldn’t help but laugh. The cave was filled with her soft, mirthful giggle as she imagined what unimaginative morons looked like trying to fight in a bath tub.

Her lavender eyes twinkled as she sat down again at the fire, opposite him as before. Rayann liked this place. She could see his full face and see the emotions that passed across his features allowing her to make better sense of what she was feeling from him. She hadn’t told him yet she could feel his emotions and for some reason, she didn’t want to just yet. In the back of her mind, she somehow knew if she told him that fact he would find a way to close himself off to her and she didn’t want that to be the case. Instead, she WANTED him to open up more to her. Why, she couldn’t say. It was just a feeling she got that it was important to let him open up.

When they both settled, she tilted her head slightly as she looked over at him. If he wished not to talk about combat and strategy, they would find other subject matter to discuss. One that Rayann wished to discuss was his worldly travel. It was obvious he had been to places she would most likely never see and she was curious to hear about some of them. Once more, as always when she spoke to him, her voice slipped gently into his mind. But not only did he hear her voice, he also felt the deep rooted curiosity she had for the topic they were about to embark upon.

Tell me about some of the places you’ve been to. I know you’ve been to many places that I would never be able to go. Not that I don’t want to, but it’s not easy, a single woman traveling alone. Magi or not. It seems people frown on that sort of thing. I’ve often thought of disguising myself as a man, but that would be a little difficult. But please…tell me of the places. And don’t skip on the details. Paint me a vivid picture.

Hopefully she had touched on a topic he was comfortable talking about. And since he was Elven, Rayann knew he would be able to recall the places with a clarity no human could imagine. So she sat, with an eager look on her face, waiting for the man across from her to illuminate her mind with all sorts of wonderful sights.

His nose wrinkled at the thought of her trying to pass herself off as a male human. There were just to many things that would give her away, her personality, the curve of her jaw line, her soft eyes. The way her hips moved when she walked was still another giveaway. He blinked for a second as he realized his thoughts where sounding almost wistful and appreciative. For all the years he has had such an iron grip on his self control this woman has managed to chip away at it with her demeanor and attitude. His eyes shifted to the fire for a moment as he sought to find his trail of thought again. He was not sure but he was certain his face had reddened slightly and he felt a little embarrassed he had let himself go like that.

"I don't think I could see you trying to dress as a man Rayann..." His emerald gaze lifted once more "I just don't think it would suit you."

He cleared his throat as he focused his mind on her question. "Well you have certainly picked a rather broad topic now haven't you. Though I don't blame you for your curiosity. Humans in general have a strange way of treating their women that I will never understand nor do I wish to. Let me think on this... a good place to..." his voice trailed off into silence.

He could only smile to himself as he thought of the enthusiasm in her voice. She was correct in that he had been to many places in the world. Sometimes for business other times for work but he had traveled a lot now that he thought about it. Granted there were some things in his travels that he would not dare visit upon another persons mind. He pondered a good place to tell her about for a time and then a thin smile crossed his lips. He had thought of a good place that had existed but sadly did not anymore at least not as it was, he thought of his home in Syvanesti.

"Try to imagine a great forest... trees as tall as any watch tower or higher and just as big around. Strung in these trees hidden in the branches are carefully woven bridges. High in the canopy of these great trees if you look close at some of the knotholes you could see light streaming from within. All around you though you here only the sounds of the forest. The wind gently blowing through the leaves moving them so that the sun can filter down to the forest floor in little shafts of light. After a time the feint sound of music can be heard upon the wind. Its these little things that let you know that you are on the outskirts of any Sylvanesti city..."

His descriptions of the elves and their homes went on for a time as he painted her a masterful artwork of sound and color. At one point he took a breath and offered to show her letting her see it from his mind because he knew the words did little justice to the beauty he was describing. They laughed and talked of things till the sun was well past set and he wished her a good rest as they set up their usual defenses. He sat in silence as she went to sleep. He stared at the flames of the fire till it died. With a sigh he laid himself upon his bedroll. He took a moment to look upon as she slept and looked away trying to ignore a feint pain deep in his gut as he went to sleep for that night.

Rayann sat completely enraptured as Myth described Sylvanesti to her. She could only imagine how beautiful the city within the trees looked and the wondrous things one could find among the Elves there. To say the least, she was letting her mind wonder to the city and could almost see the Elves moving about in their tree top city with such grace and ease.

But when he actually invited her to see the images within his mind, she blinked. While Rayann couldn’t put a word to what she felt, she knew that this gesture he had offered her was a huge step in their strange relationship. With heart felt gratitude she thanked Myth for allowing her the opportunity and when she let her gaze settle on his, she slowly became absorbed in the images his mind was giving her.

The different hues of color she saw took her breath away and when she saw just exactly how high up the city was off the ground, she felt a quick moment of deep rooted fear but she quickly moved to the next image he provided her and she completely forgot about the height.

Like a butterfly moving from bright bloom to bright bloom in the summer, Rayann moved from image to image in Myth’s mind taking in all the beauty of the Elven city. She was so caught up in what she was seeing that she didn’t realize she had spent almost an hour letting her mind reach into Myth’s. Once the realization of how much time she had taken caught up to her, she eased herself from his mind and blinked then smiled brightly.

As a gesture of good faith for what he had allowed her to do, she offered him a similar experience. Only, instead of him moving about in her mind, she projected the images she wanted him to see in his mind from her own. Rayann talked of the childhood she had with Rorie and all the mischief they used to get into. She showed him images of their home, filled with love and affection, as well as the painful memories she had never let anyone see. While she never dwelled on those images, it was clear they had profound impacts upon her as an adult and she thought it important to share this with him. Again she didn’t know why, only that it was important she did.

By the time they had finished sharing parts of their lives with each other the hour had grown late and needless to say, Rayann was exhausted. With a tired yawn, she settled herself down and covered up with the thick blanket facing the fire and Myth as he sat across the fire from her. For the first time in a few weeks Rayann’s dreams weren’t plagued with dark shadows and the underlying fear of the darkness. They were filled with happiness and wonderment of the things she had been allowed to see with Myth’s gracious invitation.

************
Over the next few weeks, that’s how it went for the strange traveling duo. They found themselves talking more freely during the day as they walked for what seemed endless hours. Rayann would tell him more about the life she had led so far and in turn Myth would share some of his worldliness with her. It was a good mix and not once did they discuss combat or strategy until it came time for Myth to practice and allow Rayann to read the images within his mind.

Every evening before they ate their meager dinner they would take the time to hone the skills they were working on. He would practice his moves and Rayann would see his moves and cast spells accordingly. It got to the point where she was able to cast certain spells at different times that would aid Myth in many different ways showing him that sometimes it was better to merely defend against an opponent than kill it outright. In turn, Myth would show her the times when it was necessary to destroy an opponent rather than allow them to attack another day or another victim.

It was also during these practices that Rayann was able to practice her magic to make sure she never lost her ability to cast the spells she worked so hard to memorize and learn. It turned out to be an excellent trade off for both of them. Not only did they learn each other’s abilities and moves but it kept them in touch with what it was they had both strived so hard to achieve and still hoped to grow better at.

They both made sure that they were never out of the others site unless absolutely necessary due to the fact the environment was harsh and unpredictable. One evening, Myth had discovered an abandoned cave and instantly realized the temperature within the cave was more elevated than it should have been.

Rayann created a torch for them and they explored the back of the cave and found it opened up into a pool created by a hot spring. Rayann was almost giddy with excitement but Myth quickly pulled her in explaining he needed to thoroughly check it out before they did anything. While Rayann understood she did feel her hopes dim slightly and prayed there would be no reason found NOT to stay. When Myth was finally satisfied it was indeed safe, Rayann couldn’t hold back her enthusiasm and rushed forward hugging the warrior and placing a soft kiss to his cheek before stepping back and giving him a bright smile as she thanked him.

While Rayann was very excited she practiced patience as they ate their nightly meal and when they went through the ritual of learning each others abilities. But once everything was cleaned up and their bed rolls set out, she practically skipped to the back of the cave, lighting torches she had put together earlier with a quick cast of her fire ball spell. When she got to the pool, she illuminated several of the torches at once to give the area a soft, amber glow.

Looking behind her, she double checked to make sure Myth had indeed kept his word and was no where near her. As quickly as she could she stripped out of her clothes and tested the water with her toe. Finding the temperature to be nothing but heavenly, Rayann easily slipped into the water and dove under allowing her body to soak up the wonderfully heated water.

It was like she was a pampered princess and she couldn’t help but giggle at the thought. Warm baths were nothing new to her, but a warm bath in a pool this big was. While she took the time to thoroughly wash herself with the soap she gathered from her pack, she also took the time to relax. Not knowing when the next time would be that she could have this luxury, she intended to make the most of it. Especially considering how cold it was outside the warmth of the cave.

Letting her thoughts wonder, she stood in the pool where the water stopped just below her shoulder blades with her back to cave mouth where Myth was. Furrowing her brows, she slid her right hand over her left shoulder once more and let her fingers feel the mark on her skin again. She didn’t remember getting hurt. At least, not recently. She DID, however, remember falling on her shoulder as a child and having a mark there for the longest time. But she didn’t think it was this big. Or maybe she had just forgotten how big it really was. Perhaps she would get Myth to look at it for her. Just to make sure it wasn’t something to be concerned with.

Myth! By the Gods! She had forgotten all about letting him enjoy the warmth of the pool! How rude of her. Silently scolding herself for being so selfish, she got out of the water as quickly as she could, dried herself off and put a fresh tunic and trousers on. Since she left her robe back at the fire, she didn’t have to worry about putting that one, she scooped up her worn clothes. Scurrying to the fire once again, she went to quickly apologized to the him. She was half way through the words when she realized he was no where in sight.

Furrowing her brows, she glanced around and instantly became worried. While she didn’t see signs of a struggle or any blood, she knew sometimes those things were not always a give away something had happened. Swallowing hard, she clutched her worn clothes to her torso and called out to him with her mind in case something had come upon them she was not aware of yet. Even using her mind the voice he heard trembled slightly with a hint of fear thinking the worse had happened.

M-Myth? Wh-where are you? Is…is everything OK?

The weeks felt like they were flying by and with each one Myth felt he was enjoying Rayann's presence more and more. The conversations outside of their training as pleasant and enjoyable. At times it helped Myth describe a place more when he could simply show her the image. He made sure that not all the places he showed her weren't all beauty and havens. He made an effort to show her some of the darker places as well. Places that they should both be weary of ever going. He kept a constant vigil in the evening letting her pass into slumber, but his sleep was growing a bit un-restful at times as the knot in his stomach worsened. Some nights were not as bad as others but it was becoming hard to ignore.

The training quickly became one of the activities he most looked forward to in the day as it took his mind off his new found unease. He commented at least once when he revealed he could vaguely detect her in his mind that he didn't mind it at all and in fact felt a little more at ease since it made them more aware of what was going on. Admittedly it was taking a little effort to keep himself paced to a speed that Rayann could handle in practice.However he was beginning to compensate when she grew used to what he was doing he would move just a hair faster. Enough to throw her off but never enough to negate her attempts.

He always trying to push in some way though to help her improve. Where she tried to show him the need for restraint he showed her the need for the opposite. To facilitate his point on one occasion when they were accosted by a group of thugs Myth only wounded the mostly doing his best to make sure none of the wounds were lethal. At her request he had let the men go and Myth made a point to circle their path and a week later they were accosted by the same men again. With no near by constabulary to turn these men into Myth simply exacted judgment as the men had proven they had no intention of ceasing their activities. It was all about balance as they were both learning.

When they happened upon the hot spring cave Myth was weary at first but it had been growing late and he knew they would need shelter before the sun set. The nights had grown quite cold and Myth new the more sheltered the better. His search yielded little and he was happy to find such a cavernous space and the spring he found in the rear of the cave was indeed a welcome sight. They would both be able to enjoy a nice bath and feel some what human, as the term goes. He could only chuckle and felt his cheeks flush slightly as she had kissed his cheek. Oddly he found that somewhere his mind had wished her aim to be a bit off. The evenings practice and dinner went by quickly and he watched with amusement as Rayann tried to control her excitement as she wandered off for her bath.

His ears twitched slightly as he listened with his elven hearing. He could tell she had entered the spring finally but he also heard something else. His eyes opened and he looked down upon a familiar little shadowy figure, his commander saw fit to speak to him. He growled slightly and waved the thing away signaling it would be a minute. With the creature present he had decided it best to check on Rayann before he stepped out. Silent as a wraith he slipped up the cave and looked into the cavernous spring. A slight smile touched his lips when he saw her standing there amongst the water but it faded slightly as he noticed the mark upon her shoulder. With resignation he quickly swept past the fire grabbing his blade. Fixing it as he exited the tunnel his eyes focused on the shadowy thing. It did not immediately produce the orb he was used to and he grew impatient "Well were is the crystal you little whelp."

Several shapes emerged from the shadows. All were quite familiar to him as they smirked. These were the men he had staged the fight with back in the witch wood. Myth was suddenly curious about why they were her. Almost as if to answer his thoughts one stepped forward speaking. "The commander decided to send more personal messengers Captain Myth. She is concerned that this little trek of yours might be taking to long. You've been with the woman nearly two months and have yet to steer her to the west towards the Queen. She has been following your movements and it seems you are deliberately avoiding the path set before you."

Myth crossed his arms before him and snorted fixing the lead man with his stare. "So you are saying that the commander has deemed my judgment in error and questions my ability to follow my orders?"

The man shrugged slightly "You could basically simplify it like that yes. Both the high general and the queen feel you are acting towards your own interests and not in the interests of her majesty. If not for the other gods the queen herself would likely be here punishing you herself as we speak. Instead she has sent us to free you of your charge and take the woman to her majesty with all do haste." the man smiled slightly "So Captain by order of High General Hades you are relieved of your charge. you are to report to the north fort and leave the magi with us... those are your orders."

Myth could only stare at them with hard eyes for a long time as his mind began the task of determining his path. He had spent a great deal of time with Rayann and she was having a profound impact on him, he could no longer deny it. However now he was faced with a choice between this woman and his duty as a warrior of the queen. This woman was to be her chosen and sadly Myth knew what this supposed honor entailed. She would know pain and suffering the likes of which no mortal should endure. He could only wonder if he could leave her to that fate. Was his sense of duty that strong that he would condemn this innocent in such a way. He closed his eyes and dropped his hands to his side speaking in a quiet voice "Very well... she is in the spring at the rear of the cave...."

His eyes opened and dropped to the snow at his feat as the men moved to pass him. His eyes raised slightly as the leader passed his shoulder and Myth spoke in a low voice "You are looking more lively since our last mission together..." The man chuckled in response "Well the undeath potion has finally run its curse and left our sys..." His voice was cut off as Myth's arm snaked around his neck and in one powerful jerk there was an audible snap. the man's corpse fell to the earth as his two companions stopped and stared wide eyed at Myth. The elven warrior had made his choice, he chose her.

Blazing emerald eyes looked up at them as he smiled dropping their leader. "The woman is in my care and you will go through me before you go after her.."

Both the warriors looked at him in shock for a moment before they looked seeing his sword was in its sheath. Their weapons were drawn and they smiled thinking they had the upper hand. They charge Myth as he stood their arms at his side. The first moved in bringing his blade down as if to split Myth in two. With a smirk the elf clapped his hands catching the blade in mid air. He wrenched it the side and swung out an arcing kick that sent the man sprawling as Myth threw away the sword ducking as the blade of his other foe passed above him in an attempt to decapitate. He was still mid spin from landing the kick and flinging the sword. The connecting foot hit earth as he dropped low lashing out the other leg to sweep his opponent off his feet. Myth rose quickly as the closest one scrambled back and the other sought his blade. He glared at them smiling a vicious smile "I will show you both where my nickname comes from..."

Myth only to two aggressive steps forward before he vanished from sight. Both men stared wide eyes and looked around. There was a fountain of blood that erupted from one as his head fell from his shoulders mouth open to scream but without his attached vocal cords there was only silence. Myth stood behind him in a crouched position sheathing his blade. He stood slowly looking at the last man still with the grin on his face. Blood spattered over him as the body of his latest victim fell over spraying him. "I told you to never cross me and here you are... two of you down and only you left to fight me." Myth scratched his chin "Tell you what I'll give you a sporting chance... I'll not use my sword."

Fumbling with his belt the man produced a small vial filled with a prismatic liquid that shifted color in the light. Myth frowned recognizing the concoction. The man smiled downing the contents "If that is how you want it Myth..." Myth knew this to be an enhancement potion. The man's strength and speed would be drastically enhanced. This alone made it bad for Myth especially without using his blade. The upside would be it would burn the man's stamina very quickly as well. He fixed his eyes on the man as the vial was cast away. Though thee was no outward effect Myth could sense the change. There would be no holding back from here, it was all or death.

The blows were fast and strong and Myth was hard pressed to keep up, but he was no ordinary warrior as he had shown on many an occasion. His opponent had scored several decent blows but Myth's own skills prevented them from being life threatening. They had been going at it pretty hard for several minutes and Myth knew the potion would not last much longer. At the same time though his own strength was fading fast. For the last few moments he had been working to bait his foe into a horizontal strike. His efforts paid off and as he spun to bring the blade around Myth moved in spinning as well. He brought up his right armored forearm. There was a ring as the sword struck it but did not penetrate. Myth had these armlets made for this move. Myth was still in motion and he came around driving his left fist into the man's wrist. Everything Myth had was in the blow and there was a snap as the man's wrist broke. He was still following through on his attack as his left foot came out around in an arc with a high reverse roundhouse nailing his opponent in the head. The blade fell and the man once again found himself being flung into the snow.

Myth was breathing hard with numerous cuts upon his person. He watched as the man tried standing but as Myth had though his potion had run out and he was now as weak as a newborn baby. With labored steps he walked up to the man standing near his head just to his right side. Staring down Myth continued to breath hard as he drew his blade slowly from the sheath. Runes upon the blade blazed with a pale blue glow as he tapped the tip on the human's nose. "You learned a valuable lesson about potions today... they are good against unskilled louts... but a true warrior uses his own.. strength." Myth raised the blade and stabbed it through the human's heart and gave it a twist before drawing it out and severing the head in one motion. With gritted teeth he moved towards the cave. His clothes were now in tatters after that encounter and he could feel the cold wind upon his skin.

As he drew near the cave he heard her trembling voice in his mind. She had finished her bath and had not found him at the fire. He felt a slight pain of regret as she entered knowing what her reaction to his condition would be. His voice was weak and he was moving slowly as he entered the cave. He could see the shock in her eyes as she saw him. He managed a smile before going to one knee "Everything is fine now... I just had a talk with some... old friends..." If she looked she would see the corpses of three familiar men. He knew she would be cross with himbut it was a battle he wanted her nowhere near and he would stay with that story for it was truth.

The utter terror that settled on Rayann’s face was undeniable. When Myth stumbled back into the cave the way he did, she knew he had fought the battle of his life. Literally. And he now had the marks to prove it. For a moment, she stood rooted to the spot, unable to move. The clothes she had been holding dropped form her hands as they became too weak to hold them. Her knees trembled and she was afraid to take a step for fear her legs wouldn’t support her own weight.

When he dropped to one knee, Rayann let a soft cry slip past her lips and rushed forward to help Myth. When he mentioned he had to talk to some friends, she looked beyond the entrance of the cave and saw the carnage and the way the snow had turned dark with the stain of their blood. Quickly looking away and shuddering at the thought of what may have happened out there, she turned her full attention to Myth.

Kneeling to help him, Rayann reached out to help draw him to his feet once more so she could help him into the cave where the fire was. Without realizing it, her hand touched his bare skin and when it did, images of what happened rushed to her in the order they occurred and she gasped quickly removing her hand like she’d been burnt. While she saw nothing but the battle that had taken place, she felt the emotions he had felt during those fights and knew there was much more to what happened than a mere discussion among rivals.

Questions ran through her mind so fast she was having trouble understanding them all. Why did he feel such regret? What was the discussion about? How did he know these men? How did they know he was here? What were they doing all the way out here? Where did they come from? Who else knew Myth was here? But the real question that burned in her mind was: What did they really want that made him turn into such a killing machine like this?

But it was the look in his eyes and the emotion he felt from him right now that affected her the most. There was deep rooted hurt in his eyes and she felt such a profound regret within him that she didn’t know what to do. In that brief moment of contact between them, a terrible truth had been revealed and both knew things were forever changed.

Pushing those thoughts from her mind, she reached out again, this time making sure she didn’t touch any exposed skin and helped him to his feet. She didn’t say anything as she helped him get back over to the fire and ultimately stripped him down to bare skin on the upper half of his body. The wounds she saw made her wince. While they weren’t life threatening, they were still painful. No matter how hard he tried to hide it.

The bruises that were starting to mar his skin made her brows furrow even more. Rayann saw this fight was no mere fight. It was meant to punish Myth but for what? What had he done that was so bad as to beat him so viciously? The answer lied somewhere out there in the remains of the bodies and before it was all said and done, she would find the answer.

I….need to get some water from the spring. I’ll need to clean these wounds….and put a healing salve over them. Don’t move. I’ll be right back.

Taking the worn tunic she dropped earlier, Rayann walked back to where the spring was and not a moment too soon. Tears stung her eyes and blurred her vision so badly she could hardly see where she was going. She should have known better than to trust anyone but Rorie. He was the ONLY one who had ever truly cared about her and loved her for being who she was, not what she was. While she didn’t know what had sparked the fight while she bathed, she saw enough in the flashes of images to know the men Myth had killed knew Myth and knew him well. While that didn’t disturb her too much, the fact they had the crest of the Dark Goddess on their uniforms DID. And it appeared as though Myth knew them quite well and not from an opponents point of view. The sense of familiarity she felt from him was too disturbing and it was that fact that crushed her.

She’d opened up to him like no one before. Not even Rorie. Sharing things with him that Rorie would never have known but Rayann felt somehow Myth would be able to relate to her like none other could. And now Rayann saw that what she felt for him went beyond friendship. Nothing but a broken heart made a person feel like this and she knew without a doubt now she had fallen in love with the quiet, mysterious warrior. How could she have been so foolish? Why, of all the people in Krynn, did she have to give her heart away to a man she was certain was deceiving her? And why, instead of being angry at him, was she more sorrowful at the fact of losing him? He didn’t feel the same about her so why should it matter?

Because some where, in the back of her mind, Rayann knew he felt something similar. She could FEEL it in him. While she knew he would never admit such a thing, it hurt her even more to know he had feeling for her yet kept deceiving her. How could someone be so callous as to do that to her?

Never. Never again would she open herself up to anyone like she did Myth. And never again would she dare fall in love. There was simply no way she could live through something like this again for right now, she felt like dieing.

Grief of a love never professed yet now lost forever washed over the young magi and Rayann stumbled a few more steps before dropping to her knees and sobbing quietly into the worn tunic she was to use to wash Myth’s wounds. They would have to part ways now and that, coupled with the fact of how she truly felt about him, crippled her like nothing before.

Fate was indeed a fickle bitch and Rayann had just discovered this first hand.

At first he wasn't sure how he knew but Myth new the moment she touched his skin she saw something. He wasn't sure what it was that flashed in her mind at first but her searched his head for her familiar presence he could tell. The light touch of her mind permeated everything in his head. He may not know exactly what she heard but after moments of searching he knew what she saw. This alone caused him to feel more grief because he knew she would sense the emotions in those scenes.

Emerald eyes watched her as she walked him to the fire and he could see the hurt developing. He admired the control she was showing for the moment but he didn't want to say anything. In fact he had no clue what to say to her at that moment. He allowed her to help strip his upper body down but kept his eyes cast away. He couldn't bring himself to look into her eyes. He was certain the feelings he had seen growing would be shattering at any time. There was so much to say but he couldn't bring himself to speak. His mind was so lost in trying to decide what to do he could only nod when she said she was getting water.

He sat in silence for a few minutes with his eyes closed. She may not have thought he could but he heard the sobbing. She may as well have been sitting right next to him. He cursed his elven heritage for that reason at that moment. With a heavy sigh he reached for his pack and rummaged through it finding his rank and insignia. Taking a breath he forced himself to his feet anf began shuffling his way to the spring using his sword for support. What he saw as he came into the cavern was no surprise. She was hurt and he had been the cause. All he could do now was be honest with her. He would live with the consequences but he would let her know how he felt and what he had done.

His voice drifted through the cavern as he drew near. It was the softest she had likely ever heard and the pain on his face was all to apparent. "Rayann..."

He hesitated as she looked his way and he could feel his stomach twist in a knot. "I wish to have a talk with you... about a great many things... Things I am not proud of, things I wish I could change. You need to know these things because I know what you saw in my head and I know what you are likely thinking... I simply ask that you give me the time to speak my mind and decide what you wish to do from there."

Swollen, tear filled lavender eyes slid to his form when she heard his voice call her name. When he’d stopped using such formalities by calling her Lady Rayann, she was elated beyond words and she would have given anything, ANYTHING to hear him say her name with such tenderness….but not now…..

Even with the hurt he had inflicted on her without raising a hand, all she could think of was that he was still weak and needed help. NO! She screamed at herself. NO! He DOESN’T NEED YOU! Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks and she turned her head away to try and fight them back. Instead of using her mind to communicate with him now, she spoke vocally to him.

”What….can you po-possibly say…..that I don’t……don’t already…..know?”

Another wave of sorrow crashed over her and her shoulders shook with silent sobs as she refused to let him hear her cry now. Taking another deep breath, she tried to regain her composure but she dared not look at him. Not now.

”You…..you li-lied to me….’

At this close range she could really feel his emotions and it just compounded the hurt she felt. There was no doubt he had true regret, but now she didn’t know if it was because he was caught at his deception or if it was because he HAD hurt her. Her shoulder shook again and this time, she turned her hurt filled gaze upon his green one.

”How could you? How could you……become my…f-friend…..and let me….let me… fall in lo…..develop….feelings for you? When you…..never intended to……oh Gods…..”

Tearing her gaze from him again, she clutched at her stomach as she felt a similar knot to the one he had grip her.

”I was so….stupid…”

Quickly snapping her head around at him again, she lashed out and this time with her mind as well, not realizing what she was doing. A knife piecing pain shot through Myth’s mind the went from the left temple and stopped just behind his right ear. It only lasted a few seconds but there was no doubt if she were to purposely use such a weapon, who ever was on the receiving end of that would not be able to withstand the pain for very long.

”How could you!? I…..I trusted…you…..”

Once more she dissolved into quiet sobs as she turned away from him again. Her pain was so deep that she felt as though she had somehow stumbled into some surreal nightmare and never find her way out of it again. Her light filled world was slowly darkening and she knew it was just a matter of time before that darkness that has tried to swallow her up in that hellish nightmare she had a few weeks ago was going to consume her once and for all.

Myth did his best to prepare himself for the forth coming onslaught of emotion he knew that Rayann would lash out with. In the end he knew he could blame no one but himself for this. Doing his best to stand tall he was resolute in his decision to take what came at him. He had fallen in love with this woman and she him. He had brought her pain and now he could only hope to recover from this. At the back of himself he knew her to be a mage and he could only hope that if things truly went sour that his death would be quick.

With each verbal outburst Myth flinched noticeably as he stood there leaning on his sword for support. At this point he was drained physically and was fast becoming drained emotionally. He could feel the weariness gnawing at his reserves of strength, but he forced himself to stand there and endure through sheer force of will. His mind was seeking a way to handle what was going on and he had become lost in thought for a moment when the strike to his mind ripped him back to the present. He had never thought to anticipate such a thing and it had caught him off guard.

His teeth clenched as he dropped to one knee a feint cry of pain erupting from his throat. He had been taught to withstand so many different types of pain but he had never experienced anything quite like this. If he had been in better shape he might not have been effected as much but somehow he was doubting that fact. It was in that moment he gleaned a better possible understanding of why the queen wanted this woman. From what he knew of Rayann's abilities so far the sudden idea of this woman under the queen's control actually scared him. Myth could barely comprehend the ways that these abilities would be twisted and to what heights they could be driven. A shiver actually ran up his spine.

He pushed these thoughts from his mind as he forced himself to stand. He knew she was saying something but there was a rush of sound in his head and he never heard it but felt a new rush of pain split his mind. He gritted his teeth now knowing what he might expect and managed to not be grounded once more. He looked up at her and spoke in a labored and weak voice.

"Rayann... I can not even think to where I could start atoning for my choices in the last weeks. I couldn't even apologize because it seems inadiquate to do so... it hurts... but I will have to live with what I have done. I do not deny joining with you and your brother under false pretences. I also do not deny that I agreed to help you with your journey for the same veiled reasons. However it gave me a chance to get to know you." Once more he made an effort to stand and he finally found the strength to do so. He desperately wished she would look at him to see the pain and regret in his eyes. Taking a breath he stepped forward watching her.

"You can not fathom the guilt I have been harboring in my heart for the choices I made to get here Rayann. I've done my best to keep the guilt locked away so you did not have to worry about what was bothering me. I have done my best to avoid following my orders to take you to the dark palace because I came to know you as a person and after a time because of more." He sighed "The more we shared with each other the more I became resolute in ignoring my orders."

He steadied himself a few paces from her his voice quieting "Rayann I have never out right lied to you and I never plan to. Yes I have misled you, yes I have deceived you and others but I have never out right lied" There was a grain of truth in his words. Other than his initial deception he had never been untruthful with her and had in fact answered quite honestly. Occasionally he withheld information but he had never lied in all the time they had travelled alone. He hoped deeply that she would know this.

His voice was growing weaker as he felt his strength slipping once more as he stood only a couple paces from her looking to the floor. "Those men today were sent to finish the mission that I have chosen to abandon Rayann... They were sent to take you to the palace, to the queen. I could not let them do that because I know what lies down that path. You do not know the horrors that that woman will put a person through. I have seen what she does to her chosen with my own eyes and I could bare the thought of any of that happening to you." He shuddered as one session with the queen's high inquisitor came to mind. The way she had made that warrior scream curdled his blood.

Myth raised his eyes to her once more his mind pleading please for the love of the gods look at me... He almost sighed as she finally turned but it froze when he finally saw the pain in her eyes, he wanted to die and the spot because of what he saw.

"Rayann please believe me when I tell you I know what fate awaited you, and because I care for you so deeply I had to act. You can not begin to fathom the fate I have consigned myself to by dispatching those men." He felt his strength finally faltering as he struggled to speak and for that matter stand. "I have signed... my death warrant... by choosing my love for you over my... duty"

The world spun and Myth's world went black. His strength had been drained from his body his sword falling from his grip. The sound of his blade clattering rang through out the cavern as he collapsed upon the cavern floor at her feet. There was a deep look of pain etched upon his face. He was so drained that even his mind had fallen into silence.

****************

The world was dark and his mind became aware that he was not in the waking world. He knew at a glance that he was in a realm between realms. A shiver went up his spine as he perceived the world around him. He had been here before and he was not looking forward to what he knew was coming. He felt the presence and dropped to his knee his eyes lowered to the earth as a shadow fell over his form. He closed his eyes and did not look up to see the five headed form before him. He wasn't sure when it started but unimaginable pain ripped through his very soul. The pain he had felt in his waking mind at the hands of Rayann was a tickle in comparison.

His many decades of service was the only reason his eyes never opened to witness the tortures that were inflicted upon his very soul in this plain. He did not know how long that the pain went on but he knew he welcomed the darkness that followed. He was certain that his soul was going to be trapped in this place and he would be made to suffer till the ends of time.

*******************

Pain would be etched deeply on his face as he slept. Though it seemed as if years had passed in his mind he had only been unconscious for minutes. His punishment had begun the moment he lost control of his mind and would likely continue till he was drawn out to the world once more. The question that his unconscious mind asked was would there be anyone there to do it.

Part 1 of 2

The minute Myth collapsed, Rayann was at his side. As she watched the pain etch across his handsome face she knew he had suffered greatly at the hands of the men he killed in her defense. While she was a wreck emotionally and it had taken some of her physical strength as well, she had the where withal about her to use her magic to levitate him back to the fire. Once there, she worked at tending to his wounds the way she had planned on in the first place.

As she worked at tending his wounds tears would fill her eyes and slip down her cheeks as she thought about all that had occurred between the two of them these past couple of months. His words rang true and she knew it. He HADN’T lied and while Rayann found SOME comfort in that, it didn’t change the fact he’d deceived her right from the beginning.

What Rayann knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt to be true, were his emotions. He couldn’t fake them and what she felt from him was such a profound guilt that she felt as though her heart was constricting within her chest. The last words he spoke before he passed out still echoed in her head.

"I have signed... my death warrant... by choosing my love for you over my... duty"

He said he loved her. While she didn’t know if that were true or not, Rayann DID know he felt something for her that was deeper than friendship. She could only assume it was love but she was never one to assume anything. Without proof, she never believed anything until she saw it for her own eyes. But she couldn’t deny there was….SOMETHING there within his heart.

Once she tended his wounds she made sure the fire was stoked and extinguished the torches that had been lit earlier. While Myth would not be happy to know she’d left the fire burning like she did, Rayann didn’t want to take the chance of not being able to see if he broke out in a fever. Exhausted like she’d never been before, Rayann drifted off into a fitful sleep but not before her hand reached out and the tips of her fingers barely touched Myths’ hand.

Something awoke her in the darkest hours of the night. The fire had burned down to where it was nothing more than glowing embers. Rayann sat up as a mind numbing fear overtook her and threatened to swallow her whole. Closing her eyes tight, she fought the panic she felt welling up within her back and after what seemed an eternity, she felt the fear slowly subsiding but not without a struggle. When she blinked her eyes open, she quickly glanced to Myth and saw a strange, eerie, glowing aura surrounding his body.

Realization struck her like a cold slap in the face and she quickly scrambled to his side. Holding her hands over his form, she felt the evil presence and knew exactly who and what was working here. Myth was losing his life but not on this plane. He was being punished for his deeds in a place none should have to know.

No…no…no…NO! No…you can’t have him….

Rayann closed her eyes again and said a silent prayer asking for strength, endurance and guidance from Solinari knowing she was about to tread to a place she had never been before. When she opened her eyes, she positioned herself so that Myth’s head was cradled in her lap as she sat at his head, facing him with her legs crossed before her.

The pain that still etched his face had grown quite severe for Rayann saw the lines had grown deeper and she silently cursed herself for not seeing it earlier. If she had been in her right mind, she would have. Now she prayed she could bring him back from the void before it was too late. Taking a few deep breaths, she closed her eyes and gently laid her hands on either side of Myth’s head. Her thumbs gently caressed his cheeks before stilling once more. Terrified at what she was getting ready to embark upon, Rayann forced herself to push her fears aside and tread where her feet had never set foot before.

There was nothing but blackness. Empty, silent, blackness. Her voice called softly to him and slowly, images began to come to her. What she saw made her shiver and cringe and sometimes made her stomach churn to the point she was certain she would wretch. Forcing herself to remain within his mind, Rayann steeled herself against the onslaught of things she was witnessing.

Myth had been in service to the Dark Queen for quite some time and she was seeing his tasks first hand, so to speak. He was well trained in the art of combat, that Rayann already knew, but she didn’t realize how talented an assassin he was….until now. He had killed so many in service to the Goddess and at no time did she feel any emotion from him. Even as he witnessed uncounted acts of torture and cruelty within the dark palace in audience with the queen herself, she felt nothing from him. Until this one scene.

Myth was ordered to kill a prominent figure and his family for with holding some information from the Queen. When she found out about it, she was livid and lashed out wanting to make an example of the man and his family to show what happens when you cross her. Myth was given the order to kill them while they slept and he accepted the order. But when he went to fulfill his duty, he couldn’t bring himself to kill the wife or the man’s three children. While the man had defied the Queen, his family had done no such thing and therefore he refused to kill the innocent.

The Queen was outraged by his lack of action and sent another of her court to finish the job and Myth tried to intervene to prevent the slaughter of the innocent but he was caught. Myth had paid for his insubordination then with a lashing and his back still had the scars to prove it. Even as Rayann witnessed his punishment she flinched with each crack the whip made to his back and she wanted to cry out for him when he refused.

More images passed by her and she found herself almost lost in the things he had done as his duty had compelled him to do. And then Rayann came to the images of when he met her and Rorie on the road. While she knew these images already, she wanted to see them from his perspective and from his mind. He told the truth when he old her he came to them by false pretenses and she saw the way he had consumed the potion to make him appear weak and weary and the roll the other men played by consuming the undead potion.

Rayann felt her stomach churn again at how easily she had fallen for such an act. Again she thought herself a fool for developing feelings for him because of how easily he had deceived her. But she began to question herself when she saw how he fought off the goblins with her and Rorie and when he agreed to be her escort to what ever it was she was supposed to do.

He’d given strict orders to her and decidedly took a longer path to the dark palace, purposely. Why had he done that? As the images kept coming, the one thing Rayann began to notice is the slow deterioration of the walls he had around himself. As they began to grow close, she saw a change in both of them. They smiled at each other more, shared laughs more, began to engage in intelligent conversations and eventually learned to trust each other in ways neither had trust others in the past.

As she watched these changes in him, she felt the changes in his emotions. When they first met, she was a mission to him. By the time she reached the last images of him fighting with and eventually killing the soldiers sent to relieve him and bring her to the palace, she saw the moment he realized he loved her and that he would never be able to give Rayann to anyone.

Tears once more slowly eased down her cheeks as she felt his heart and knew what he had confessed to her earlier was indeed the truth. He loved her, beyond words and beyond time. And he loved her for WHO she was. Not WHAT she was. This realization struck Rayann to the core and she felt her heart both want to soar and sink the unimaginable depths.

They were in love but so much had occurred between them now, would they ever be able to trust each other as much as they had before all this happened? Of course, that all depended on rather or not she could get him back from where it was he was now confined. And in order to do that, she would have to fight a battle, alone, in a place where the odds were stacked against her against an opponent that was far stronger, and conniving who would use every dirty trick in the book to win. At all costs.

But Rayann had to try. If she failed then she would be trapped where he was right now. And if that were the case, she rather be there with him then here without him. If she didn’t succeed, her life was over with anyway.

Pushing through the darkness, harder and farther than she had ever done, Rayann reached out to Myth, using the strongest weapons she had. Her mind and her heart. Several times she was struck down by an evil force she couldn’t see but could feel with every ounce of her soul. Finally, through the darkness she could see a form. It was very large and it moved in ways Rayann had never seen before.

I was still pitch black all around her but somehow she could see the figure clearly now and what she saw frightened her to the point of immobility. All five heads turned her direction and began to hiss loudly. Within the hiss was a female voice filled with malice and hate that filled her mind.

”You stupid whelp of a girl. You DARE tread here? You’re more foolish than this pathetic fool.”

Myth’s limp form was lifted in the front claws of the dragon and Rayann felt her heart jump to her throat and stay there. Frightened, lavender eyes darted to the five heads once more and she saw all five heads looking at her, amusement in their eyes as they saw her reaction.

”He should have known better than betray me. Especially for someone like you. You insignificant insect.”

Myth’s limp form was being tossed around like a rag doll and Ryann once m ore felt her heart constrict within her chest. NO! NO! Don’t do that! You’ll kill him!, she thought to herself

The five heads lowered slightly and narrowed their gaze at her again.

”That’s the whole idea, but not until I’m sure he has suffered so badly he will beg for the release death can bring him.”

Myth uttered a sound and Rayann felt her heart leap. He was alive! By Solinari, he was ALIVE!

All five heads snapped towards Rayann then and hissed threateningly.

”THAT NAME IS FORBIDDEN HERE!”

Suddenly Rayann was struck with such an indescribable fear she dropped to her knees. But she also realized her mind was an open book and vise versa. While this place was frightening, Rayann also concluded the normal barriers one had in place to protect against certain things was nullified. There was one chance and one chance only. It would take all of her strength, but it would be worth it if they survived.

When Rayann first found out about Myth’s deception, she lashed out at the warrior with her mind without realizing it and when she was reliving the moment over from his perspective, she saw the pain he experienced. While she’d never purposely done such a thing, she knew now she was quite capable. All she needed to do was concentrate.

Forcing herself to stand and placing one foot in front of the other, Rayann began to slowly walk closer to the five headed dragon that still held Myth’s limp form in its clutches. As she moved, the dragon’s head hissed at her again. Her mind spoke to the dragon as she walked.

This place is not yours. It belongs to no one but the people who inhabit it right now. And right now, that is you, me and Myth. And I shall speak what ever name I chose to speak when ever I chose to speak it. You can do nothing about it.

Rayann was hit by that powerful force she couldn’t see and she was knocked down by it. Forcing herself to her feet, she stood before the dragon, close enough to be struck down if the dragon wished. Again she felt that near mind numbing fear engulf her and it was all she could do to fight against it.

”Bravery is not a trait you should practice when you don’t have it.”

Swallowing hard, Rayann trembled as she stood before the dragon.

Bravery isn’t something you p-practice. It’s s-something you…..find within y-yourself.”

”Well…..aren’t you the scholar now….

No….just tired of….cowering…before…bullies….

All five dragon heads registered the shock of her words, and in that split second, Rayann seized the opportunity. Lashing out at the dragon with all she could, she concentrated on inflicting a great deal of excruciating pain that was much worse than anything Myth had felt. The dragon heads reared back and practically screamed in pain. In that moment Myth’s limp form was dropped from the dragons claws and Rayann rushed forward.

Part 2 of 2

In Myth’s blackened mind a light began to penetrate. It started out as a tiny spark and grew slowly until it was all consuming. A hand reached out for him from the center of the light and as he slowly reached out to take it, warmth engulfed him and he felt the pain that had been inflicted upon him slowly disappear. He felt weightless as though he was drifting on soft air currents. Rayann’s voice sounded as though it was in the far distance talking to him softly telling him to come with her and her hand tugging him gently to go with her where ever that would be.

He saw her laughing and talking with him once more like they did before the terrible truth was revealed. Her hands reached out to him and he felt her fingers slowly close around his hands as she encouraged him to move. All the while she spoke to him softly as though nothing had ever happened between them to damage the trust they’d built between each other. When he did move he found he could move with no trouble and pain free.

All too soon the images faded and he was left with nothing. He knew he as laying on something soft and a soft breeze drifted over him where he rested. As his mind slowly returned to consciousness and his eyes slowly fluttered open, saw he was resting in a soft bed by a window on the second floor that overlooked colorful flower gardens.

His room was quaint but cozy and as he stirred to move he realized his wounds from the fight he had with the soldiers were not completely healed yet but had been tended to and were well on their way to healing nicely. His body did ache slightly but not as much as he expected it to and when he went to sit up he found he was without clothes.

As his eyes took in his surroundings more, he would see there was a change of clothes that might be a little big for him but would still fit all the same on a chair next to the bed and fresh water in a pitcher on the dry sink on the other side of the chair.

Once he used the cool, clean water to refresh himself and dressed in the clothes, he began to slowly move about the place and what he discovered he was in a country cottage but where he wasn’t sure. When he reached the first floor he saw a tea pot on the stove and a cup sitting beside it. It had been used but who ever used it wasn’t anywhere to be seen yet.

There was someone watching him. Myth stiffened and slowly turned to see who it was when he saw Rayann standing in the doorway of the cottage. She wasn’t wearing her robe but she was dressed in a white tunic with a tan belt cinching it at the waist and light tan leggings tucked into the tan, soft, high boots she liked to wear.

Rayann stood frozen to the spot when she saw Myth up and walking around. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind but she forced herself to remain where she stood. Her emotions were like an open book when he first looked at her but after a few seconds, she placed an unreadable mask upon her face.

Myth's subconscious did not share his heart felt willingness to give in to the pain that was coming. He remembered a time long ago when he had first disobeyed and had only received a severe lashing as a result. Later while he was recovering his master had visited and had told him how lucky he was to have gotten off with such a light punishment. Other men had their souls stripped from their bodies and the skin flayed from their flesh. It was Myths abilities and record of service that had granted him reprieve. That was when his master trained him to defend himself during interrogations and torture.

Physical pain could always be ignored to a point as could others. Myth had learned how to lock the core of his person into a place deep within himself. Hidden away from the pain of his physical and spiritual beings. It was not an easy technique to learn because the only was to learn was from the doing. He would spent weeks on end practicing to ignore physical pain from his master, and then how it withstand spiritual pain from one of the Queen's Fae-like servants, a particularly vicious beast named Piramay. The woman had a knack for torture that would eventually elevate her to the post of high inquisitor. Myth had learned from the best by being tortured by the best.

Without knowing it Myth's mind had called upon its training and hid his core deep in his soul when the Queen came for him. It was one of the reasons his body had been limp like a doll and the only reason he never screamed. He had locked himself away so completely that he literally forfeited control of his spiritual body to a certain degree. However he could only protect himself from a fraction of the pain that had been brought to bare against him. After all this was no mortal being that brought this pain to him. He was being tormented by the will of a goddess, a very pissed goddess. The darkness he had placed himself in was likely the only thing that kept him sane.

He knew the pain was subsiding but he knew not why but after a time he felt a second presence. While he was tucked deep within himself he could only hear what was going on. He could feel the presence of Rayann in his mind confronting the queen. He tried screaming for her to get out of his head but he was locked tight. His waking mind tried to come alive but the sleeping mind have nothing of it. As his body was flung once more he managed to spit out Run damn you but he was not sure if it was ever audible. In truth it hadn't been but it was the sign of life Rayann had seen.

After that things passed by him in a blur as he was pulled from his core. In time he returned to the land of the living and after some exploration with his sword in hand he found himself standing before the woman he knew had saved him. Deep in his being he knew what had transpired but it had not been disclosed be his own being. He was standing in shock for a moment as he noted the happiness in her eyes upon seeing him but he also saw how quickly it had faded. The moment her face became an emotionless mask he felt his heart sink. He averted his eyes from her own not feeling worthy of gazing upon the lavender depths as he thought to himself I will live with the consequences be they good or ill.

He knew then that this woman had saved him from his fate but he knew not how. His soul had been taken to the realm of his mind and somehow the woman saved him despite all he did. Why she had done so he did not truly know. Perhaps she did not wish his blood on her hands, he truly could not so. Taking a breath he stood tall and proud but spoke in a quite voice not wishing to upset the balance of what was around them. "Lady Rayann... I know not what you did or how you brought me from the hell I was sent to, but I thank you from the depths of my being." His eyes closed as images of their time together passed his mind.

"I have inflicted much pain upon you and you have in return granted me a kindness I am undeserving of. If you so wish it the moment I am able to I will depart from this place. I..." His voice trailed off as his mind went blank and he could only hake his head...."

"No.... I will not deal with this the warrior's way. I will not use a warrior's reason to justify my choices." His eyes looked up locking on to Rayann's "I can not begin to apologize to you... I could spend the rest of my natural life doing so and it would not be enough. If you hate me then so be it I have no one to blame but myself and I am willing to live with the pain Rayann. You need but point me upon the path and I will leave." He reached up touching his head "I can still feel you deep in my head. Not your presence but I can feel your passing. Its a strange feeling but I can only imagine what horrors you saw while you traveled through my mind to confront her Rayann. I am a monster and I could not blame you for hating me or wanting me to leave."

Taking a breath he stepped forward held out his sword and sheath placing them upon the ground. All these weeks of travel they had developed a bond, a bond he thought for certain was shattered. She knew his feelings for her because she had seen it in his mind but he did not have that same knowledge. He was blind to the truth and he approached the matter from that perspective and she would know this. He had no clue what the future would hold for them but he had hopes. They were vain and seemed like far reaching hopes but they were there. His eyes lowered as he released his hold on the weapon stepping away. It was a family heirloom and after having been in his mind she knew how important this blade was to him. It was the only thing he had to remind him of his roots, royal roots for her was once a prince in ages long since past. "I leave this to you to do with what you will."

The look of regret and guilt upon his face was deep and he did his best to remain in control of himself but he could feel his resolve faltering. He went to one knee lowering his head looking to the floor speaking clearly "If I am to be sent from this place I will it to you. There is no questioning this... Whether you believe me or not Rayann I have grown to love you.... but I know I have caused you great pain and I know what danger you put yourself in saving me. I leave myself to your judgment and mercy even though I am undeserving of it."