Graceling

[Galadas]

(Isaac's name is spelled Isaac. not Issac)

Peter stopped Isaac from running off to follow Kasta and Elliot. "Isaac, promise me, that whatever you do! You won't get killed!" He whispered, before taking his boyfriends hand and sprint after the two.
Elliot tried to think straight, but he could not think of anything different than boldly running to the Master and killing the son of a bitch! That was his way to save Dedelean. But he was just a Shapeshifter, what could he begin against an army?

[Akira]

Shona stood up, and sprinted towards Kasta and Elliot. The other two were there also, following them. Carefully, she made the villagers blind to her, and continued uninterrupted. She slowed down as she came closer, and kept their way clear, using her Grace. She saw a slight shimmer. That girl, who had been on the wall. Once again, she had silver threads spinning through her hands

[Cara]

Kasta grabbed Elliot as he started to shapeshift. She threw him back, and pulled him to the ground, as the two of them tumbled off the roof.
Elliot turned and growled, as she shifted back into his human form. "What the fuck was that for!" he snapped.
Kasta grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "Do you really plan on running up to Dedelean and saying, 'hi'? Are you out of your damn mind? She'd fry us alive, or attack us! We wouldn't have a chance, along with her companion. Let's sneak closer and see if we can manage an attack..."

Levia shot her last arrow. One hundred and fifty people lay dead around her; that was how many arrows she had brought. Dedelean paused.
"We would have gotten word from the Master," she said. "The others should have found and taken the Gracelings here."
"Then I guess they are still at large," Levia said, as she jumped down from the roof. Dedelean landed behind her. The two girls, stared about, as people ran screaming before them. "Mila's Grace must be wearing off," Levia said. "It won't be too long before the villagers realize that we are actually here and retaliate."
"It doesn't matter. We've depleted their numbers, and we'll burn and sack this village anyway..." Dedelean said with a laugh. "We will leave no survivors."
"What if Kasta and the other Gracelings have fled?"
"They haven't," Dedelean. "Seaten would have spotted them. They would have been seen and captured... Besides, at least I know Kasta wouldn't be one to hide. She's been the king's assassin, as you know. I'm surprised at how well they have held out." Dedelean nodded. "Let's go. If we can bring the Master, Kasta, he will reward us even more."

Kasta fell back, as they watched Dedelean and Levia walk off, cutting down any civilian in their path.
"Did you hear what they said?" Elliot asked Kasta.
"I'm sorry, Elliot, but Dedelean is lost. They were saying that the Master's orders were to kill everyone, and capture every Graceling. The village is surrounded, so we can't escape..."
Isaac swore. "What are we going to do?"
Kasta frowned. "I don't know. There's too many, and we don't even know what all their Graces are... Don't listen to anything the Master says, and don't let him touch you if you meet him. His words, especially his touch are... hypnotizing and...beautiful," Kasta said, as she recalled those brief moments when she had been under his spell.
"Anyone got a plan? Because we can't just sit here," Peter said.
Kasta sighed. "I have two. One is we make a break for it or we turn ourselves in."
"What! Are you crazy?" Elliot gasped.
Kasta gave a weak smile. "Perhaps it's all that bed rest I've had after my attack with the Shades..." she said. "But listen. What if we were to somehow plug our ears to his enchanting words? Then when we get close enough, attack before it's too late?"
"It's too risky..."
"But what else do we have? Do you have any ideas? You heard what Dedelean and that girl said."

[Galadas]

Peter shook his head. "I don't see any other way. Well, for you guys at least." He thought about running away, with surviving everything he didn't see any trouble in fighting off the enemy, but he didn't dare to leave Isaac behind. "Would be handy if we knew any Graceling that could change sound, or anything in that direction." He sighed.

[Cara]

Kasta jumped suddenly, grabbing the person who was sneaking up behind them. She barely stopped herself, when she saw who it was.
"Hanna!" she breathed, relieved, as she let go of her dress. "Lorn!" she said, hugging him.
"You're safe!" Hanna said. She was bloodied and dirtied, but otherwise fine. The spell earlier seemed to be gone.
"Come, quickly. I have a way out..." she said. Everyone turned, and followed her without question, as they made their way back to her inn, ducking behind every building.

They went in the back entrance. They could hear crashing, glass breaking and other noise in the main room and kitchen. "Search all the rooms! They could be anywhere!" "You check the bedrooms! You three, downstairs!"
Hanna lead them into the quickly to the basement. The store room. It was cool down here, the air thick. The stone floor was cold.
Hanna went to the very back, and moved a few crates. They watched as she bent down, and very carefully lifted up a slab of rock to the floor. It opened up into a large hole.
"Come, quickly!" Hanna said. Kasta climbed down first. It was almost completely dark as they jumped in. Kasta wated for Hanna to join them.
"What are you waiting for?" she urged. They could hear the pounding on the door, and the cries.
"You go on. I'll seal the entrance, so they won't be able to follow you..." she said.
"Hanna! No, you have to come with us!" Kasta cried, as she reached back up for Hanna.
Hanna shook her head, giving her a sad smile. "You, all of you, need to escape. Regroup, and prepare. I can't seal it from the inside. I'll hold them off too. I may be old, but I won't go down without a fight!" Hanna declared, with a weary grin. "Your mother would be proud," she said, as she shut the stone slab over Kasta's out stretched hand.
A second later, there was the sound of splintering wood, as the door flew in. They listened in silence, as they heard the Gracelings interrogating Hanna, after easily subduing her.
"Where are they!?"
"I don't know who you are talking about...." Hanna said.
"They saw you come in here with them!" a man shouted. Hanna screamed. Elliot, who was right next to Kasta felt her cringe. "Get her outside with the others. They are not here..." There was the sound of a body being dragged across the floor. After their footsteps were gone, Kasta finally let the sobs rack her body.
"We have to go, Kasta," Lorn said, wrapping an arm around her. "Hanna's a tough woman, she'll be fine," he assured her, but there was little optimism in his voice. They all slowly made their way into the darkness, as chaos raged above.

The Master turned as Seaten came and knelt before him. "Master, I have failed you."
"Why so?"
"They have escaped. All of them."
"What?" he asked incredulously.
"I'm sorry Master. But I know they did not leave above ground. I have my Sight everywhere. I would have seen them if they left the village any other way."
The Master ground his teeth. "Is there any good news?"
"My Lord, we have new recruits, if you wish to have them."
"None of them Graced," the Master said.
"None, Master," Seaten responded. The Master paused before responding. Originally, he had intended on capturing the Gracelings and then burning and pillaging the town, but now he had a better idea.
"Yes, I think I will keep all of them. Prepare them all. Just another village to add to my influence. After, I want you, Dedelean, Levia, Mila and a few others to go and track down those Gracelings. Meanwhile, I will have the rest help rebuild the town. It will be like nothing had ever happened here. Send out my new orders."

[Akira]

Shona saw where they went, and waited. Coming to the spot where they had left, she attempted to get in, without luck. She hid. Walking tall, she passed by a few of the Gracelings that had attacked, and passed without notice. She walked in and out of many of the rooms, and had decided that Mech was not there. She went outside of the inn

[Galadas]

While they were still walking, Elliot had turned to his wolf form, he felt better when shifted, his senses were most amazing. He smelled the fresh air that was coming from down the tunnel. He wondered where they would go next, and as if Peter read his mind, he asked the question.
"Where will we go now?" Peter asked, he was walking just behind Kasta and Lorn, sealing anyway back. He decided to be last in line in case anything came hunting them down. He was like a Human shield.

[Cara]

Kasta was silent a moment before answering. She was glad that it was too dark to see her face. "I... I don't know. I had planned on calling more people to our cause from the Order, but what happened today? I don't know who we can really trust," Kasta said. "And besides, this was before Lorn and I were hurt..." she continued. "It's been almost a week... We need to find out what this Master's Grace really is. More about him: his past, who he really is, his real name. And how easily it will be to kill him, of course," Kasta said, with a smile.

[Akira]

Shona dodged around the people still milling around. Most of the Gracelings that had attacked were gone, having disappeared into the forest. She had been looking for Mech, and still, even walking among where the most people were, she could not find him. Shona finally just walked out of the walls surrounding the town. As she strolled further in, there, sitting with his back against a tree, was Mech. Surprised, she left her illusion behind, and came closer.
“How did you get here? The Master’s Gracelings are everywhere. How did you get out of the town?” She said, sitting down next to him, against the tree.
Mech waited for a couple minutes before he answered. “ I can stay hidden when I need to be, Shona.”
Shona grumbledat the cryptic answer, and they continued deeper into the forest, but they were still only at the edge, just barely beyond the sight of the wall.

[Cara]

As the Master touched the heads of the people, lined and facing the wall, one woman turned and ran towards him. Two Gracelings stepped forward and intercepted her, forcing her to her knees.
"Oh, Master!" the woman cried. "I have betrayed you, Master!" she said.
The Master smiled. Many people did this. They all wanted to apologize after they had been touched. "What might your name be?" he asked. This woman was useless, he thought. Not Graced, and old, with whitening hair.
"Hanna, my Lord," Hanna said.
"Ok, you may go--"
"No, wait! I must speak!" Hanna protested. The Master sighed. He didn't need some stupid woman begging for his forgiveness. "Master, I was the one who helped Lady Kasta and her friends escape--"
"What?" the Master asked, his interest peaked.
"Yes, Master. I am sorry for having failed you!" Hanna cried, as she prostrated herself at the Master's feet.
The Master smiled, "You want to redeem yourself, Hanna?"
"Oh, yes! So I may please you," Hanna said.
"Tell me everything," the Master said.

[Akira]

Mech stared at the ground, moving by slowly, but still too quickly. " Shona-" He said, to stall. They had stopped, him once he had spoken Shona's name, her once hearing. "I.." He couldn't say it. " Nevermind."
"What?" Shona said.
" I said" Mech said."Nevermind. Just leave it alone"
"You Sure?"
He didn't respond this time, only continued walking, and Shona followed his lead, as they continued in silence. If only for a few seconds.
"Do You know where Kasta and the rest of them are going, Mech? I doubt you do but, I just was hoping you might."
MEch responded quickly." No, i don't. How could I?"

[Cara]

"Oh great, a dead end..." Peter said.
"No, there has to be another way out. They wouldn't build a tunnel without an exit," Kasta said, pressing her hands against the wall. Suddenly something shifted forward and she felt herself falling. She automatically twisted in mid air, like a cat, and landed in a crouched position, twelve feet below on the ground. From outside, Kasta could tell that the tunnel opened up out of a small cliff.
"Kasta!" she heard people calling her. "Are you ok?" Lorn asked, sticking his head out. From below, it was almost impossible to see the hidden door.

After a few minutes, everyone was safely on the ground. "So what now?"
"We need to head to Druet. It's basically a Graceling sanctuary, and has the highest population of Gracelings in all the kingdoms. That might be the Master's plan anyway. It's well protected, and I know the daughter of the king personally," Kasta said.
"Great, but we'll need supplies. You have to cross the mountains to get there, or go the long way through Rada..." Elliot said, having shifted back into his human form.
Lorn nodded. "I'm not entire sure where we are, but if we head east for a day, we'll reach a town where we can get items for this trip. By now, the Master is after us. We will have to move quickly. We will definitely be needing horses."

[Akira]

Mech spoke."But they might go to a safe haven."
As in where?" Shona replied, glaring
"Druet." Mech watched as his hands dissapeared. He knew the rest of him was gone too. "It makes sense, doesn't it? Go to Druet, and your safe, even as a Graceling. We should head there."
Shona was gone also, but she let her head bob along next to him. It was unnerving, her face floating in midair. "Then We'll need to stop somewhere, purchase supplies. I think there's a town somewhere to the east. We will head there?"
Mech stared at her isolated face."Yes." He started heading deeper through the trees." Then we are on our way to Druet."

[Cara]

Kasta looked around as the town came into view. She looked at their group. They would definitely attract attention. She'd left almost everything back at the village. Her supplies, clothes, extra weapons. Her horse. That fact pained her. Her horse was a strong, brave, battle-old horse that she'd raised from a colt. Sighing, she stopped.
"Some of us should wait here. It would be less inconspicuous. "Lorn?"
she offered. Lorn nodded.
"Great. Let's go. You guys wait here until we return. Keep down low. I have a feeling that the Master's Gracelings will be hot on our feet."
"But they don't even know where we are," Peter said.
"He has spies, and so many Gracelings... We don't know where their powers may lie..." Kasta said. She pulled up her hood, concealing her Graceling eyes, and started down the hill into the village.

Kasta walked briskly through the crowded streets, Lorn besides her. They made their way into the first blacksmith. Kasta had only her Sai, and a small dagger. The rest had been left behind. Lorn only had his sword. She doubted that the other had very many weapons... She planned to stop to gather some food, clothes and horses, then be off. They had to move fast.

Dedelean (lightning), Sera (transportation), Seaten (Sight), Levia (archer), Mila (dream manipulation) and two others, a small, but fast hunting party was gathered.
Levia looked at the team. "You heard the Master," she said, her voice cold. "We want them alive. Take the Gracelings alive. As for any unGraced that travel among them. Kill them," she said. "Seaten say that they are on the outskirts of the village, gathering supplies..." Levia said, looking at Seaten. He nodded with a malicious grin. "Sera?" Levia said. Sera nodded, as everyone took hands. And they disappeared.

Elliot looked up. There was this crow that was flying over them. It was... strange behavior for any bird. It didn't go away, even when Elliot transformed, and tried to catch it. "Stupid bird," he muttered. It came closer, it's beady black eyes watching with an unnerving intelligence. Then suddenly they were under attack.

[Galadas]

Elliot shifted the moment he figured out something was wrong, a flash of lightning just nearly hit him. He looked up, seeing nothing.
Peter grabbed Isaac and ran into the forest.
"What are you doing!?" Isaac yelled, he had two stones in his hands, fire stones. He couldn't create fire, he needed something to form it.
"We will die if we don't run! They probably have that girl that surprised us in the village! We can't escape from her." Peter yelled back, keeping up his speed. Then a girl appeared in front of him, pushing a knife into his stomach.
Isaac stepped back, Peter would heal, but he was an easy target.
Elliot, in the form of a big wolf, landed next to them. He was full of scratches. He growled, loudly, frightened.
Peter stood again, looking at the girl, who transported away. He turned to Isaac, pushed him into the bushes and yelled at Elliot. "Elliot! Go! Warn Kasta and Lorn that they are here! I'll protect Isaac till you come back!"
The shifter wasn't in the right for to talk. An other flash of lightning shot down right in front of his claws. He immediately began to run, taking Kasta and Lorn's scent out of the air.