Graceling

[Galadas]

Peter stepped forward, knowing Elliot wouldn't talk, and so would Isaac. "I'm Peter, this is my friend Isaac and Elliot." He said, hoping, as 'guests of the inn', they would get some food. He was hungry, and he needed some time to talk with Elliot alone.

[Cara]

The woman smiled. Elliot looked at her well for the first time. She had long dark hair, tinted with white, that was kept in a long braid down her back. She was thin, with sharp, intelligent eyes and a long face, touched with time.
"I am happy to see you in such good company," she said, addressing Lorn, who gave a tight nod. "I'm tired, and my good sense of manners have escaped me!" she said. "Let me properly introduce myself..." she said. She closed the doors, locking them, before coming around the set of furiniture. "I am Hanna," she said. "Good friends to yours acquainted, Master Lorn," she said.
Lorn seemed distracted. "I'm sorry to be so rude, but has Lady Kasta arrived?"
"No, I'm afraid not, Master Lorn," Hanna said. "But it is getting dark out and she best not be traveling too late."
"That's what I'm afraid of."
Elliot frowned. "What? Why?"
Hanna looked solemn. "Even the darkness has enemies," she said. "Travel on a dark night in this forest and you risk being taken by the Shades." Hanna smiled again. "Not to worry, Master Lorn. Kasta is a capable young woman. Rest easy, eat, and warm yourselves. It's good to be strong and prepare for what's to come," she said.
Lorn gave a slight bow and quickly left. Hanna turned to Elliot, Isaac and Peter. "I will show you to your rooms, and then you may come down and I'll serve you what we have left from the kitchen," she said, warmly.
Elliot gave his thanks. He liked this woman who was both strange and warm. He had never been treated by an utter stranger so kindly.

Kasta glanced with desperate hope at the last light of the setting sun. She wouldn't make it to the town... The Shades... This was one of the last posts of civilization, one of the most far reaches of Rada.
She spurred Brendel faster. Only the town's enchanged walls would keep the Shades at bay...

Hanna looked up as Elliot and his friends came down. She had just set out three steaming bowls of soup for them. As they sat down to eat, Hanna came and joined them.
Elliot waited for his meal to cool. He looked at Hanna. "Earlier, you mentioned the Shades..." he started.
Hanna nodded, eyes closed. "Yes, evil things."
"What are they exactly?"
"You do not know?" Hanna asked, opening her eyes. "Ah, well not many know, I suppose," she sighed. "It's a very sad and long story."
"We have time, if you don't mind telling us."
Hanna smiled, her warm, inviting smile again. "It's good to be telling stories, even one as sad as this...And so she began...
Many years ago... So long ago. I remember my mother telling me the story. Well, there was a young boy. A Graceling, of course. Well two, actually. Not to forget the girl... Anyway, the two Gracelings were twins. They were Graced within a year of their birth. It was a horrible birth, and the mother died. The father was afraid once he saw his children were Graced. You know that two Gracelings in the same family are rare, but even rare are twins!
Anyway, so their Graces exposed themselves quickly. The girl could absorb the dark energy within a person and put it inside herself. She could take anger, rage and hatred away with a touch of her hand, or absorb it. But took much dark energy in one person, especially a little girl. It could kill and or corrupt her. It was her brother's Grace that balanced her out. The brother, through touch could bring that dark energy into himself from her and release it into the air where it couldn't hurt anyone. It was a strange Grace and there hasn't been one like it since. Very powerful too. They were young, maybe, five? And not fully in control of their Graces.
Anyway, raider from the north, most likely from Morsea, attacked the village. Well there's a few versions, but I like this one.
The two children were attacked too, but the girl, as I said could take away darker emotions from people. When the raiders touched her, she stopped their rage, their hatred, their lust, their greed...everything, but at a cost. She couldn't control herself, and was taking too much in. And when her brother was killed, there was nothing to release and quell that dark energy. It was the grief for her brother that drove her over the edge.
Her powers were untapped and her potential unknown. Somehow she gathered that dark energy and wished for it to stop the attack, to keep all foreigners from every coming to this village. When she died, that dark energy was finally released, but it instead became the Shades that haunt this town. The Shades attacked and killed all the raiders, saving the town though, and when the sun rose, they disappeared like shadows.
Everyone was happy, until the night returned, and they realized that it was both a blessing and a curse. That girl had freed them from the fate of rape, slavery and even worse, but now all strangers coming to the village at night was in danger of being attacked by the Shades. Only once inside the town's boundaries would a person be safe from the Shades. They are the dark guardians of this town."

[Akira]

Shona had made it. She was at the inn. She went around to the back door, rapping her knuckles against the dark wood. She hoped that everyone was already there. After a moment or two, a woman opened the door, only a crack. She looked irritated and wary, unwelcome to strangers, that used the back door, rather than strolling through the front. Until she looked at Shona's eyes. Suddenly she let her in, where Shona saw four other's, three of them with graceling eyes. Shona stayed standing, knowing she had interrupted something. She waited for them to speak, before she could talk.

[Galadas]

Isaac had fallen asleep against Peter's chest, even through the story he had continued sleeping, but when a visitor entered he was woken up.
Elliot listened to Hanna story with a good ear, he wasn't to fond of curses, of evil things. This was a good warning, could remind him of the fact not to go outside at night, even if it was in his wolf form. He stared up at the girl that walked in, he had hoped it would be Kasta, but it was an other Graceling that he couldn't really place.

[Cara]

Hanna smiled then, her face warming. "You made it too close a call," she said, pulling back the curtain to look out at the darkening sky. "But come, sit down. We still have some of the dinner left over..." she said, motioning for Shona to join them.
Shona came over quietly and sat down. Hanna bustled about, getting a bowl for Shona. When she set it before her, steaming and warm, she sighed. "Well I was at my story's end..." she said, "So no worries. You are tired. Do not let me burden you with an old woman's words," she said with a smile, looking at Isaac. "We shall gather in the morning for more talk and planning..." she said.

Kasta heard the screams, the call of the Shades, echoing through the trees. She spurred Brendel faster. "Come on..." she urged, hunched low in the saddle. "Faster, Brendel!" she said, fear in her voice. Her senses were wide. She didn't bother taking out any weapon. It would only slow her, and no weapon could hurt much less kill a Shade...
Over twenty minutes ago, the soldiers pursuing her had dropped back, afraid of the forest. Perhaps that had been a good idea. Die to their steel rather than die alone in this forest of Shades.
Suddenly out of no where, she saw a human-shapes shadow, with only one yellow eye and one red eye, launch itself at her. She screamed, as she felt nothing, yet something, tear at her side. A flash of pain. Brendel gave a streak, and only galloped faster. Another attack. Kasta gritted her teeth. Her only hope was to out run these evil beings.
She hugged his thick, muscled neck, as the night blurred by. Kasta could feel Brendel tiring. He was being struck too. She could feel a deep gash on his shoulder that was bleeding too fast. Up ahead she could see the lights, the sanctuary, of the village. But she was still too far away, and the Shades gathered too thick this close to the village.
Kasta felt another grab hold of her. Brendel reared, throwing Kasta from her back. She hit the ground, her foot caught in the stirrup. The Shades continued their assault on her and her horse, as Brendel, kicked at the air and dragged her still through the rocky road. Kasta could see the lights, but weather they were the stars, or the fires of the town, she couldn't tell. She whispered to the gods in hopes that they would save her, before darkness swallowed her.

Lorn stood outside the inn, waiting with a heavy heart. He heard the screams. Every one did. It only meant on thing. The Shades were on the attack. Kasta!
The inn door was thrown open as Hanna stepped out, her face pale and grave. She came and rested a hand on Lorn's shoulder. He brushed it off. "She's not gone!" he growled.
"No one makes it here past nightfall," Hanna said, softly. Isaac, Peter and Elliot stepped outside, followed by Shota.
"Kasta can't be gone."
"She won't be gone," Hanna said. "She'll have suffered a worse fate."
Lorn looked incredulously at her. "What?"
"She's a Graceling. If she's a Graceling, they won't kill her, they'll take her. She'll become a Shade."
"No!" Lorn said, running to the front gates of the village. He froze, as he saw Brendel riding, eyes wide with fear and pain, straight towards him. Not twenty yard from the village, he saw Kasta, dragged behind Brendel, as Shades swarmed around her. Brendel jumped up, finally releaseing Kasta. He ran right past Lorn, to collapse on the ground in a bloody mess.
Lorn moved to run out to Kasta, who lay there, but Hanna caught his arm in a strong grip. "If you leave, they'll tear you to pieces!" she hissed.
"I don't care!" Lorn cried, breaking free. He ran out to Kasta. As soon as the Shades saw him leave, they attacked. Lorn screamed as he felt his thigh tear, but he grabbed Kasta in his arms and ran. He was so close! He ran as fast as he could, as the Shades renewed their pursuit. They screamed in both need, lust, anger, fury.
Lorn stumbled, but kept going, unaware of the gashes forming where the Shades grabbed him. He only saw Kasta, who seemed grow colder every heartbeat...
Hanna stepped past the gates and grabbed Lorn as he practically flung himself in. Hanna caught him, helping him with Kasta.
By now most of the townsmen had awoken and were gathering. "Sime, get Lady Kasta to the infirmity, fast!" she ordered. "Lorn, go with them. You need to be treated..."
Lorn nodded, on the verge of unconsciousness. As he fell forward, he felt strong arms catch him and carry him away.

[Akira]

Shona turned to Hanna. " What were those... things?"
"Shades. Surely you've heard of them?"
"Well, yes, but I had always assumed that the were a myth." Shona said. She still had questions, but those could wait. Lady Kasta, Lorn. She knew some about healing, but only for more minor injuries, and what plants and herbs could do what. Even with what little she knew, she could tell that those two weren't likely to survive. Shona took a small step towards the forest. Something silver gleamed, and she sharpened her sight. It was a necklace, some kind of bird as a pendant. Kasta's. Whether Katsa wanted it, she didn't know. Why did Lorn run out ther? He would know it would have been fatal.

[Galadas]

Elliot didn't move an inch, staying on the good side of the gate, staring at how Lorn ran for Kasta's life. He would've wished he could save Dedelean in that same way. He pushed Isaac and Peter aside when Lorn, Kasta and Hanna were coming through.
"That was..." Isaac said, as he saw everyone walking away from the gate to care for the two victims, including Hanna.
"Scary." Peter tried to fill in.
"Amazing." Isaac continued. He walked to the gate and held his hand through the bars. flames danced upon the palm of his hand, scaring away the shades.
Elliot ignored Isaac, and turned to Peter. "What are we going to do now?" He asked, staring at the Inn.
"Do you not want to see if she's alright?" Peter asked, confused.
"NO." Elliot replied simply. "She'll be alright.

[Akira]

Shona stared at Kasta and Lorn. They were both a mess, cuts and bruises all over. Lorn was the worst, even though he had only gone out for a few moments, because he had no grace. Kasta's grace could help her, help her heal.
" Hanna?"
" What?" She replied, anxious and worried
" Do you know how quickly Kasta's grace helps her heal?"Shona asked.
"NO!" Hanna almost shouted, exasperated at this girl who would ask stupid questions when some one might be dying.
Shona stepped away, then ran. She had to get back to the Archives. It might help Kasta and Lorn, but she had to be quick.

[Cara]

As Shona left, she ran into Elliot.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Elliot asked.
"I have to get back to the Archives..." Shona murmured.
"It's almost midnight! You can't leave this town until the sun rises anyway. Those things out there will kill you like they almost killed Kasta and Lorn..." Elliot said. "Why do you want to help Kasta anyway? She'll be fine," he said, leaning back against the wall, like nothing ever bothered him.

Kasta felt someone pushing liquid past her lips. She struggled weakly, but finally gave in. The liquid was bitter, and she almost coughed. Kasta felt herself wavering back into darkness. She couldn't speak, much less move even if she wanted to.
"That's it," a woman said. Kasta felt a warm hand brush her forehead.
"And her wounds?"
"They will heal in good time. Lets avoid infection though... She was lucky she was on Brendel for as long as she was. It was that horse that saved her..." the woman said again.
"We don't think that the horse will make it. He took the brunt of the attack..." there was a pause. "But that horse is strong; a war horse by the looks of it. We'll have to see."
"We can count ourselves lucky should we only lose a horse," the woman said. Kasta had by this point identified the woman speaker as Hanna. Her mind was foggy, and it was hard to hold a thought. Her horse, and loyal companion? She felt her heart cry. How did she get here? What was going on?
Hanna spoke again. "I'm not so worried about the physical wounds, as the mental... We've never had a person, especially a Graceling, survive the Shades. We don't know what effect that will have."
"We'll have to watch her. Don't speak of this when she wakes. I don't want to frighten her more than necessary," Hanna whispered. "How is Master Lorn?"
"Critical condition. He has a severe laceration to his thigh, and upper shoulder. Thank the heavens, that he didn't cut an artery..."
Hanna sighed. "That was bravery only a stone throw away from utter stupidity."
The man gave a bitter laugh. "And he may pay his life for it," he said, as Kasta fell back into a dreamless sleep.

[Akira]

"How can you know?" Spoke Shona. "Even if Kasta survives, then what about Lorn? All I need to do is go back to the Archives. I know someone. He can help. Both of them." Shona stepped around Elliot, and took off again. This time, she made sure know one could see her, except for her glowing eyes.

Elliot stared at the spot where he had seen Shona vanish. How could the girl do it? Then again, it was probably just her Grace.

Shona breathed heavily, her feet pounding the ground. She doubted she could keep going, but it wasn't that much further. She struggled to take each step, gasping. Almost there. For the way back, she hoped they had a horse. She saw what she was looking for. A cemetary. She slowed to a walk, then dropped to the ground, panting. Releasing the illusion she had made, she stood up again, her legs trembling.

[Cara]

(just fyi, the inn that everyone is at, is leagues away from the Archives... >.< so it might have taken her a little longer to get there. but it only takes a few hours to get out of the forest where the Shades reside)

Kasta woke in shattering pain. Her eyes sprang open as she let lose a scream.
"Hold her down!" a man yelled. Kasta fought with all her power, against the hands that tried to restrain her. "I told you to get those straps on her! She has a killing Grace!"
Kasta screamed and thrashed against the bindings that quickly were thrown over her. She couldn't stop herself.
"I need to re-set that leg!" someone shouted.
She connected with a few people before she felt something stick her, sending her back into darkness.

Lorn was awake now, but extremely weak. Hana walked over with a soft broth. She silently spooned it to him. Finally he motioned to stop.
"Kasta?" he murmured.
"With the doctor. She has a few broken ribs with a fractured leg," Hanna said. "They need to reset it, but last I heard, Kasta was giving them hell."
Lorn gave a pained smile. "A fighter," he said, softly.
Hanna gently patted his leg. "So are you. I doubted that you would live," she said, "much less save Kasta."
"You may get... what you expected..." he breathed.
Hanna shook her head. "Master Lorn, if anyone will survive, it would be you. Grace or no Grace, I have no doubt that you are gifted," she said.
"The... Master," Lorn said.
"You and Kasta must recover first. In the morning we can all discuss this. I will send word for the nearest Graceling healer. We can see what can be done, and if everything can be healed. Rest now, Master Lorn. You will need it,” Hanna said, before leaving Lorn alone to his thoughts.

[Akira]

(oh. oops. then I guess shona isn't there yet. she's almost(ish)

Where was it? Why did his sister have to be so paranoid! Ugh. And she had decided rather recently to change location and symbols. This time... what was it? A crescent, a horse, a circle? What had she said? Fire? Something similar. There. Next to the first tombstone. An etching. Shona walked over, closer, shaking and panting. It was a small, five-point star, freshly cut, with no sign of weathering, unlike the faded letters naming the person underneath her feet. Under her feet! Quickly, Shona stepped away, not wanting to become haunted for disrespecting the grave. She walked around, looking for the second sign. Eventually the woman's brother would let her in. She wobbled over to the tree stuck in the middle of the grave-yard. Oh. Why didn't she see it before, just as she had ran in? The arrow pointed her way. Shaped of leaves, slightly paler than the others around it, it was pointing to a rather humongous boulder. Not a tombstone, a boulder. Just outside the cemetery, and could almost be the size of a house. More specifically, a small shape, that, upon, closer inspection, was a star. Shona strolled over, then rapped her knuckles on top of the star. Out of no where, a small crack showed on the rock face. A grunt, and then a sliver of yellow, flickering light showed into the gray night that was turning to day. An eye appeared through the crack. "Shona! What brings you here? Odd time to come, don't ya think?" With that, the man pulled the door fully open, allowing Shona to step through. The man was of average height, and had short brown hair, along with brown eyes that were already smiling at Shona. " Where's Allae?"
"Hiding. I'd ask her to come out, but then, I doubt she would."
"Quan,"Shona panted, still out of breath from her midnight run."You still have some horses, right?"
Quan looked at her questioningly."Yes, but why would you need one?"
" I have to get to the Archives, tonight, and I can't very well make it running."
"I only have Scarlet here." Quan replied."But if your in enough of a hurry..."
Shona was already gone, having darted out the door and into the late night, where she traveled around the mass of stone, to the back. A deep chestnut horse was there, a halter on it's head, but no saddle. Seeing Shona, Scarlet whinnied, shoving her nose into Shona's hand. " Sorry, girl. No treats tonight." With that, Shona nimbly climbed onto Scarlet's back, and left, into the night that waited.

[Cara]

(oh, idea! do you want to have it so Hanna sent Shona to get the healer or whatnot? something along those lines? but Shona was supposed to leave in the morning, but instead went alone during the night? just thought of that. it might tie things together nicely... )

[Akira]

( sure- was already sending her to a healer- but Hanna sending her works better- yeah, something along those lines would work)

[Cara]

Hanna stayed up late into the night. Kasta was feverish, and because of her Grace, had to be restrained. She couldn't find Shona anywhere. Where had that girl gone off to? She was to leave as soon as the sun rose to head back and get a Graceling healer!
Elliot walked in. It was almost dawn. "Couldn't sleep?" he asked.
Hanna shook her head. "No, of course not. Did you see Shona?"
"You mean that Graceling girl?" he asked. Hanna nodded. "She's gone."
"What in The Great Mother's name do you mean she's gone!?" Hanna demanded. Her eyes were fierce, and despite her age, she looked strong. Her long hair was falling out in strands from the tight plait.
"Last night, soon after the attack, she left. I ran into her and tried to stop her, but she was bent on leaving right then and there..." Elliot said, shrugging.
"That foolish girl!" Hanna muttered. "Does she know what will happen to her?"
"Obviously... We all saw what happened to Kasta and Lorn," Elliot said, sitting down on the bench nearby.
Hanna paced, thinking. "She's Graced... I never found out what. Pray to the Great Mother that she made it through those woods."