Graceling

[Akira]

Shona and the girl travelled through the darkness with one hand brushing against the wall of the tunnels. The Graceling girl, the shopkeeper's daughter, was silent, but for soft padding of her feet, and almost impossible to see without using her own Grace, to lighten the way ever so slightly. They walked that way, in silence, for what was at least an hour.

[Cara]

Finally the girl stopped. Shona frowned. There was only a wall.
"Um, there is nothing here..." Shona started, but the girl put up a hand to silence her, before placing it on the wall. Shona blinked as a door appeared.
For the first time, she spoke. "You will need to find another way out," she said, "once you have entered. I will not wait."
Shona paled. The Graceling healer who resided in the Archives would help her. "That's fine," she said, softly. The girl nodded and stepped aside. She turned and walked away, leaving the torch with Shona. Shona watched her go. Strange girl, she though, before entering.

(ok, lets speed this up a bit, shall we? ;D)

Mila looked at Elliot, who seemed hesitant to go with her. "Oh come on," she said. "Where is Kasta and Lorn?" she said, a slight edge coming into her voice.

Levia (yay, I forgot her a little... lol) walked in, sitting down besides the others around the fire. She stared at the flames, lost in thought. "Dedelean," she said, to the girl besides her. "What is the Master waiting for?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" Dedelean said, putting down the apple she was eating.
"We haven't done anything!" Levia snapped, irritable. "We haven't done any recruiting... anything. He hasn't sent any of us on any missions..."
"He sent Mila out two days ago," Dedelean said.
"But to do what?" Levia said. She was tired. They'd been traveling for a while. "Does the Master not care for us?"
"How dare you say that!" Dedelean gasped, in a horrified whisper. "He loves us like his children. We are his heart children," she said fervently. "Levia, you shouldn't question such things. It is the Master's wishes that we must abide to. Perhaps he is waiting. Our Master and Lord is smart," she said, nodding now, as she believed her own words. "He is waiting for a perfect moment to strike."
"I'm sorry," Levia said, abashed. "You are right. I should not doubt my affections and devotion to our Master," she said. "But we are still so weak, only numbering just over 90. There are so many other Gracelings that we need to bring into our fold," she said. "I worry for him," she said.
"Levia, worry not..." Dedelean paused, looking at Levia. They had grown close in the few week together. Like sisters. "Levia, listen. If in two day's time we haven't done anything, we will go on a mission ourselves," she promised.
Levia looked at her with wide eyes. "What?! But you just told me--"
"Yes! but I hate seeing you so... well not yourself," Dedelean said with a laugh, mischief in her eyes. We'll bring Seaten along," Dedelean said. (hehe, I forgot him too...)
"That blind boy?" Levia asked... she smiled, as she realized. "You like him, don't you?"
"Oh, hush!" Dedelean said, but she smiled. "We can also ask Pam to come. She'll be really helpful."
"Oh, De, tell me what the plan is," Levia asked, excited.
"Two day's time!" Dedelean said, standing, as she danced to the other side of the fire.
Levia jumped over the flames like an acrobat, as she grabbed Dedelean's hands, and twirled with her. "Please! You can tell me," she urged.
Dedelean laughed. "Fine," she whispered, still laughing. "What would you say if we went after Kasta and Lorn ourselves!" she said, her eyes dangerous and enlightened.
"Do you think we can? The last time--"
"We will be prepared. Kasta has a prized Grace. She's too dangerous to have against us. If we can bring her into the Master's heart..." she trailed off, her smile widening. Levia laughed.
"But where are they? Last our spies heard, they had fled the Court," Levia asked, as they calmed down.
"Seaten knows," she whispered. "We found them yesterday, and I swore Seaten to secrecy," Dedelean whispered.
"What! And you didn't report this to the Master?"
"Oh, I thought it, but I think it would be even better of we attacked ourselves. Kasta and Lorn are both severely injured... There is no Graceling healer for leagues," she said. "It is the perfect moment. Pick the fruit while it is ripe."

[Galadas]

Elliot shook his head. "I'm not sure... if." He looked at Peter and Isaac. "Pete, can you go fetch Hanna?" He had no idea who Mila was, and besides, Kasta and Lorn could need some rest.
"Ah, El. Just bring her to them. You're so suspicious!" Peter didn't give Elliot any other attention. One thing that always annoyed him was the amount of time the two lovers could spend together, and they way that they then totally ignored him.
Elliot sighed, looking back at Mila. "Follow me please." He said, standing up. He stretched his body to the farest he could and started walking.

Peter grinned as Elliot left. "Alone at last." He pushed Isaac's almost sleeping head away and waved his hand through the boy's hair. "Comun. Let's go on adventure."
"Adventure?"
"Let's go outside." Peter answered. He walked up to the door, followed by a lazy Isaac.
"What are we going to do?" Isaac asked, curious.
Peter stopped grinning. "What we came here to do!"

[Cara]

Elliot glanced back to make sure Mila was following. She was smiling pleasantly, almost peacefully, but her eyes were hard, calculating and sharp. Her red Graceling eye made that even more apparent.
Hanna was working in her inn. She looked up as they walked in. "Ah, Mila!" she said, with a warm smile.
"Hanna," Mila said, extending her hand, as Hanna walked around the bar. Elliot thought he saw something, as quick as a fleeting shadow, when they shook hands. He looked at Hanna to see the old woman's reaction. Nothing. He frowned inwardly. It was probably nothing. As Peter had said, he was probably being over suspicious.
"You know her?" he asked.
"Yes," Hana said. "She's like a daughter to me," she said. "A loyal member of the Order."
"Oh," Elliot said.
Hanna smiled again at Mila. Her smile always made her look so youthful, despite her age.
"Where have you been?" Hanna asked. "I haven't seen you around here since your mother passed..." she said. "Things have been well?"
"Perfectly," Mila replied. "I am soon to be successful," she said with a grin. "I have been working for the...King," Mila said, pausing for a moment.
"Really? Not forced, right?"
"Oh, no," Mila said. Although all Gracelings, by law in most kingdoms, were forced to join the service of the king. "I am treated as if I was his child," Mila said, respectfully. "Things have never been better," she said. "I will have to tell you all about it. But I have actually come on a confidential mission to see Lady Kasta and Master Lorn..." she said.
Elliot had stayed silent, listening to the two women. Mila was strange. He didn't like, or trust her. But then again, he didn't really trust anyone. He wondered what her Grace was. And what king she was working for. He hadn't seen her at Kasta's Court or at the giant meeting of the Order, but there were lots of people there... He was, of course, just being too suspicious.
"Hanna, I can take Mila to them," he offered. Elliot wanted to watch Mila, see what she was up to...

[Akira]

She shouted. Rather loudly, but then, how else would Mech ever hear her? Shona didn't want to spend hours searching for him, that would only end up wasted if she lost herself. "Mech!" She shouted again, hoping that she wouldn't have to go look for him. Finally. An echo, coming from down the passage. "Who..."
"Shona!" She cried, beginning to walk, then run towards the source of the sound. Her footsteps clapped through the tunnel like a drum, shouting out that she was coming. "I need your abilities, rather, a friend does!"
"Then wait a moment!"
Shona slowed, still walking quickly down the tunnel. After a few moments, Mech appeared, his pace fast, until he stood a few feet from Shona. "What would bring you hear? Last I recall, you had been in Morsea. Now your asking for a Graceling Healer. What for?" Mech asked.
"A graced lady. She was injured by the Shades. I can take you to the place she's staying, but there's only one horse. And that's being hopeful." Shona explained. "And you'll need to get us to an exit, because I might as well end up killing us both if I try to get to one." Not yet would Mech know it was Kasta and Lorn. No one could. It would be too dangerous.

[Cara]

The world opened in a blaze of what light. Or that's what it felt like when Lorn opened his eyes. His head hurt, and he remembered Hanna telling him that he had received a concussion with plenty of broken bones.
He tried to recall what had happened... The Shades! Kasta! Was she alright? He didn't know... He rested back into the bed, as he diagonalized his injuries. He only couldn't rest his thoughts. He'd have to ask someone when they came in... He closed his eyes and waited.

Mila looked at Kasta, who lay asleep on the bed. "You shouldn't wake her. She's been in and out for the past week," Elliot said. Mila only nodded, her face unreadable.
"Then I will leave her," she said, turned quickly and left.
Outside, Elliot demanded, "what are you doing?"
"It is nothing," Mila brushed off. She left Elliot standing there, even more confused. Elliot frowned before running after her. "Wait," he said.
She kept walking. Angered at her strange behavior, he reached and grabbed her arm. He saw that shadow, for a moment flick between them. She turned sharply, so that he almost bumped into her. She smiled again. "That will be all," she said, grinning, before walking off at a pace meant for him not to chase.
Suddenly he heard a scream. It came from Hanna's inn. He easily shapeshifted and sprinted across town to the inn. As he raced inside, he saw Hanna there, a sword in her hand slashing violently a young servant girl.
"Get away! Leave us alone!" Hanna desired.
"Hanna!" Elliot cried at her. Hanna turned at her name, glaring at Elliot. Elliot saw that her eyes were open, but they were lost, staring out into nothing, yet something. Shadows flicked across their surface.
"You!" she snarled, turning on Elliot. "I won't let you win! Not while I have Kasta and Lorn to protect!" she snarled. "Don't touch me!" she snarled. "Don't touch me!... I won't listen to your wicked words!" she cried, charging at Elliot.

[Akira]

In a stroke of luck, Scarlet was still tethered to the tree. Getting through the city with Mech went easier than Shona had expected, and more importantly, they went unseen. "You'll have to ride in back. I couldn't get another horse for you, so we'll just have to ride double."
Mech walked over to the horse, running his hand down her neck. "The horse is exhausted. You shouldn't push her. I've eased her aches, but riding double? If it;s not too far, she should be fine, but any longer than a little, and the owner and the horse won't be happy."
Shona grumbled. "We have to be fast. Too much time already has passed, and I don't know if either of them are alive." She stepped up to the horse and clambered clumsily onto her back. Reluctantly, Mech joined her atop Scarlet, and once again, but in the opposite direction, they travelled to the inn

[Cara]

Elliot backpedaled out the door, just missing Hanna's angry swipe. He felt the sword move the air in front of him. "Hanna! What's gotten into you!!" he cried.
"Oh, don't play your games!" Hanna said. "I can end this all myself... Kasta and Lorn will be better, and by the time they wake, you will no longer be a problem, oh great 'Master'!"

[Galadas]

"What!?" Elliot couldn't help laughing a bit, but he stopped as the second blow of the sword swung over his head. He shifted, only to get on more easy ground. He had to make her stop. He growled loudly when Hanna continued her attack, he couldn't hurt her, but he also couldn't let her murder more people. Not a moment later Peter showed up in front of him, taking the sword out of Hanna's hands. The sword slashed into his palms, but as he healed quickly he was able to grab the steel tightly and take it away from her.
"What is happening Elliot!?" Peter asked, he threw the sword away and grabbed Hanna's hands. He didn't have to worry about any new attacks. "Hanna?"

[Akira]

“Them? You only mentioned one.” Mech said, as Scarlet went on. Daylight shone through branches. Shades would not be a problem. “ How many is them?”
Shona sighed. “There are two. One is a Graceling, the other is not.”
Mech didn’t say anything after that. The horse had slowed down during the ride, and was trotting, at least, going faster than they could have without her. The steady pace was somewhat soothing, and Shona felt herself ready to doze off. Until she heard shrieks. Hanna. The inn was finally in view. Small through the distance, but still, every now and then, they caught sight of the inn. They were so close.

[Cara]

Hanna snarled, thrashing in Peter's grip. She was strong for a woman of her age. She gave a well-aimed kick right in between Peter's legs. He buckled over, swearing as Hanna fell to the ground before sprinting off. Elliot glanced at Peter to make sure he was alright before running after Hanna. He stayed behind enough to know not to get in her way, but then sped up as he realized where Hanna was heading: to Kasta and Lorn.

As he ran into Kasta's room, he saw Hanna there, on the floor, weeping. He stayed back, realizing she hadn't meant to harm Kasta.
"I'm too late!" she cried. "The Master has taken you..." she whispered, staring at Kasta, lying on the bed. Elliot frowned... Kasta was still right there. Did Hanna not see it? Elliot needed to get help, as he turned and ran from the house, he saw a figure sitting on the high wall that surrounded the town.
From the height, it was hard to see, but Elliot recognized the person. It was that strange girl, Mila. She was sitting, cross-legged, atop the 35 foot wall, her eyes closed. What was she up to? He ducked behind a building to watch... Mila stood then, her eyes still closed, her palms extended. She moved her hands in intricate ways, as if she was weaving. Suddenly, Elliot saw Hanna burst from the house, muttering to herself..."They must have Lorn too. I must go and warn the rest of the Order. The Lady has fallen under the Master's control...." Hanna said, as she sat back against the wall. She looked around, frightened, as if someone would attack at any moment.

[Akira]

Shona jumped off of Scarlet, pulling Mech off with her. She had seen Hanna and Elliot run into Kasta's room, and assumed the worst. She started running, Mech following, towards Kasta and Lorn. As she came closer, she saw Hanna, slumped against the wall, and a.. a girl sitting on top of the wall. Mech had already gone into Kasta's room, while Shona watched. The girl on top of the wall was waving her hands about, as if weaving from invisible thread. She sped up, and saw Elliot again. " What in the world is happening here?" She asked, confused with every one every where. Shona finally slowed down, walking towards Hanna, worried at the frightened look in her eyes.

[Galadas]

Elliot saw the connection, Hanna had only changed when that shadow came, and that shadow came when Mila arrived. She must be a subject of the Master. He shifted to a large cat and growled before he started to climb up the wall, as silent as he could. He saw that Peter had vanished from where Hanna had defeated him. He wished for some back-up. Where was everyone when they were needed? Where was this Order to save the day? He reached the top, starting his attack on the girl. He jumped up to her, claws in front of him, ready to taste some blood.

[Akira]

A large cat was on the wall, slinking towards the girl on the wall. This close, Shona could see that the movements she was making weren't just lazy waving about. There was purpose behind them, and the cat was Elliot. Wondering what he was doing, Shona watched the cat creep closer to the girl, and shouted " Elliot!" The cat's head turned.

[Cara]

Mila felt Elliot coming. She smiled to herself, as she grabbed Hanna's silver thread again. She decided to change things up. She saw the other threads, spread across town. Excellent. She gave gentle pulls to each, sending other threads into them. She smiled, as she opened her eyes, grabbing Elliot's string and giving a good tug.

Elliot charged, leaping at Mila. He saw her eyes snap open. Then she smiled. It was a wicked, 'I got you' smile, before she disappeared. Elliot stopped, confused. What was going on? He saw the chaos below. At least a third of the town was under Mila's spell or whatever. He had to stop them!

Mila laughed, as she watched from her position on the wall. This was the perfect nightmare. Just enough time to bring Kasta to the Master. She watched her creation.
Her Grace was more than just making people see anything. She could make them experience it too. Through her dream weaving. She could tap into their worst fears...or desires, and control environment around them.
She touched Hanna's slender, invisible thread, as she added more threads to it. Her worst fears were the of the Master. She was right to be afraid. And to lose Kasta, whom she had protected before. Most of the other town's people were with Hanna in that same nightmare... She sighed, as she watched Elliot below, searching for her. Of course he couldn't see her.
She smiled, as she looked at a girl running in (ahem, Shona). She watched Elliot turn to her, as she called his name.
He smiled, "Dedelean!" he cried to Shona, happy yet afraid. Everything was set in motion. Dedelean was here! He didn't care if she was under the Master's spell. He would save her!