Graceling

[Galadas]

Elliot shook his head, he knew reason, he ignored his urges and trusted his mind. "Why? She's just one of his puppets, she's like Dedelean, she has no choice," he said, "so if it's up to me, Kasta is not going to kill anyone." He looked at Lorn and stood, walking over to Kasta and Mila. "It's best if we leave, Kasta! Save your torture for later, more of the Master's puppets won't be too far off!" He wanted them to go, if Lorn and Kasta wouldn't come along, he could always travel alone, though he didn't support that idea.

[Cara]

Kasta glanced at Mila before standing back and leading Elliot out of hearing range of Mila. "No, they're pretty far off," she said. "Because of your two friends, they know we're headed to Druet. So they're planning to cut us off. And they have the resources to do so," she said. She paused. "And I can be persuasive without my Grace," she said her eyes flashing.
Elliot shot a look back at her. "Yea? Well how does that work? Because they all know what you have done in the past. What you did for your uncle--"
Kasta was at his throat in a second, hand clenched right below his jaw. Elliot couldn't move a muscle, as her fingers pressed against a certain pressure point. "Don't you ever say anything that you know nothing of," she snarled. "And as far as I know, you aren't the only one with innocent blood on your hands," she hissed, suddenly releasing him. Elliot staggered back, rubbing his neck. He scowled, but didn't say anything. Kasta took a calming breath before continuing. "I have a few more minutes. I already know enough about the Master. He has almost two dozen Gracelings under his command. And Mila has been so... kind as to tell me what they're Graced in as well. She mentioned your little Dedelean," Kasta said with a sharp grin. "Moreover, I would like to learn more about how this Master's Grace works. Perhaps we can find a way to release those under his influence."

[Galadas]

Elliot nodded, but he didn't like the idea. She was right, Peter and Isaac would have told the Master where they were heading and probably cut them off. Yet, he wondered how Kasta was going to learn more about the Master's grace, Mila was only under his influence, how would she know? He took an other step back, turning his eyes on the ground. "Go ahead," he whispered and walked away from the place, while shifting into his Wild Cat shape.
He needed some time alone, he hated Kasta for her attitude.

[Cara]

Lorn stepped over to Elliot, as he shifted. "Where are you going?" he asked. Elliot just looked him. "Ok, fine. Just don't go off too far," he said with a sigh. Pausing, "Sorry about that thing," he said, looking at Kasta. "Just understand that what the world has known her for, isn't entirely true. Though don't tell her I said that," Lorn said with a slight smile. "It's just a very... touchy subject sometimes. Oh, I think we will be leaving in the next hour, so just try to be back by then, eh?"

Kasta looked at Mila. "Ok, want to explain that mark?" she asked, giving a razor grin. Mila glared up at her wit all the hatred she could muster.
"It is a sign of the Master's love," she said haughtily. "It signifies our bond," she said with a smile.
"And how did your Master give it to you?" Kasta pushed.
Mila frowned for a moment. "Does it matter? I am under the Master's protection and care."
"So you don't know how or when you got it."
"All who are welcomed to our family receive a mark."
Kasta ground her teeth. "Yes, but does the Master give you this mark when he gives you his love?" Mila nodded. "How?" Mila didn't respond, and Kasta could see she was slightly confused by the question behind her anger. "Fine. So you don't know how the Master's Grace works?"
Mila laughed. "My Master is not Graced."

[Akira]

Shona hated leaving Mech behind, but what choice did she have? She didn't know where he was, had no idea if he was alive. The horse was going at a trot, but how much faster she wanted it to go! Shona urged it on- faster it went. Soft voices barely reached her ears, but she knew she heard them. It was either Kasta and Elliot and Lorn, or some other group of travelers.

[Cara]

Kasta looked at Mila. "Not Graced?" It didn't make sense. She'd seen his face for herself. He had the Graced eyes. It must be apart of the while Graced thing. So that no one would realized the truth, right?
Mila smiled, more sneered. "My Master is wonderful. He doesn't need a Grace to gain the love of his followers..." she hissed. "More will come under his wings. You and your friends will be his soon enough."
"Not yet," Kasta replied with a laugh.
"Just you wait."

[Galadas]

Elliot lay down in the grass, his fur felt the soft grass. An hour, sure, he didn't believe that. He closed his eyes, growling softly. Kasta was a victim of her own grace, so what? Everyone with a grace was a victim of society. He killed as well, other people would look at him and see only the killer. He had learned to look beyond that. He wished he had Dedelean at his side, he saw her face everywhere in his mind. Was it love? What he felt? A bit strange, he had not cared about her since they lost touch, or not like this anyways.
He heard a horse, and jumped up immediately. Chased by the wind he left the grass behind and ran towards the animal that had drawn his attention.
He roared happily when he saw Shona sitting upon what he heard. She might have not recognized him, so he shifted back into his human form. "Shona! You're here!"

[Cara]

Kasta looked up as she heard Elliot and Shona. They soon appeared in the small clearing. Kasta smiled. "Glad you could make it."
Shona laughed. "Yea. I wasn't sure I could find you guys."
"Well I'm done here," she said, walking over to them. "We have some bigger issues," she said to them, as they all gathered away from where Mila was glaring at them from the tree.
"Oh? What?" Elliot asked.
Kasta pursed her lips. "I found out..." she said with a sigh. "That... the Master is planning on taking over a kingdom now."
"What!?" Shona, Lorn and Elliot said together.
"And not just any kingdom, but Rada."
Elliot frowned. "How do you know that she's isn't just playing you?" he asked.
"I'm not sure. Not entirely. But it does make sense, right?" Kasta said. "I mean, Rada, looking at a map, Rada is the center kingdom, with borders touching every other kingdoms. If there isn't a better area to take over, I don't know what then. Strategically, it's perfect."
Lorn and Kasta shared a strange glance. "So I guess we're headed home then?"

[Galadas]

Elliot sighed, looking at the ground. "We don't have many friends left in Rada, can we not better regroup in Druet?" He moved a step back, to be sure he had a right amount of distance from Kasta, he did not trust her temper. "Besides, I'm not really sure if you get into Rada without having trouble with your uncle's soldiers. I hear he has spies everywhere. And I should know."

[Cara]

Kasta nodded. "I'm aware of the... issues," she said smoothly. "And my uncle's soldiers will be the least of our worries," she said. "From what my spies tell me, my uncle has secluded himself in his palace, using his spies as his eyes and ears. But I learned from the best," Kasta said with an undertone of bitterness. "We're close to Druet..." she said thinking aloud. "Perhaps you're right. Besides, I know a very powerful someone in Druet who could probably lend a hand. I'll be calling in that favor," she said. She turned to Lorn. "Can you send word to the others? Give them a full report. I want all eyes and ears open. Keep a solid eye out for the Master. We must attack before he becomes any stronger."

[Galadas]

Elliot smiled a bit, happy that Kasta listened to him, and now he didn't have to go back and most probably face Peter and Isaac in battle. He hoped all those problems could be solved, and to be honest, he was thinking about giving up. He had lost three people now to the Master, and he seemed to survive any attack. It was kinda unfair, he only had the grace to change shapes, whilst Peter was immortal, and Dedelean could control electricity, and Isaac was a fire bender. "And what will you do with her?" he asked, pointing at Mila.

[Cara]

"I should kill her," Kasta said, her Graceling eyes flashing.
"What!?" Elliot cried. "How can you be so cruel?" he asked.
"I wasn't done," Kasta said turning her cool expression to him."I should personally kill her... But," she said, "we have seen what the Master's manipulative powers can do..."
"But we can't leave her behind!" Lorn pointed out. "She's too dangerous for that."
"So you say we should bring her?" Kasta asked. "She'll slow us down when speed and time is the only advantage we have."
Lorn frowned. "Well.."
She looked at Mila who was glaring at them from across the clearing. "She could be useful though."
"She will be missed. And think; with a bond so strong to the Master, he could be able to track her every move. And our every move should we bring her."
Kasta sighed. Although she cherished her freedom like never before and would never give it up, things had been easier under her uncle. There was no questions to ask, no 'what ifs' to think about. She only did as she was told, all the while hating it. She knew what it was like to be a slave to anther's will. Killing Mila would be the easiest and simplest thing to do. But then again, Mila could be another innocent under the Master's power. Another innocent that Kasta had killed. There were too many lives on her hands. No, killing Mila was not the answer. They would have to bring her.

[Cara]

Aris paced the halls of the castle. She had just gotten word from the Order. The news was not good. She looked at the note again. Kasta was on her way, but she didn't say why or when. Aris brushed her hair behind her ear, a nervous habit she had. She hadn't seen Kasta in maybe five years, and probably hadn't heard from her in over two. It must be important of Kasta was coming...
She sighed. She had heard of Kasta standing up against her uncle. Who hadn't? The rest of the note was orders of preparation. Aris was to gather as many able Gracelings and fighters. She didn't like the sound of this. As soon as Kasta and her friends reached the border of Druet, Aris was to send aid and horses. All should be ready to fight.

[Galadas]

Elliot sprinted forward, sometimes stopping to see if the rest was still behind him. He wondered around the area, scanning for enemies. He was surprised to see two men with horses standing under a tree, they had reached the borders. He ran back, shifting before he reached Kasta, Lorn, Shona, and Mila. "There are people, not far from here, I guess they're waiting for us," he said, whilst looking at Kasta, who didn't seem surprised, just as he had expected. "Who are they?"

[Cara]

Kasta looked at Elliot. "Friends," she said, and kept walking. Elliot frowned at her short answer, but said nothing else. He supposed he would find out soon enough.
It took about ten minutes for them to reach the clearing. There were guards, just like Elliot had reported. They raised their weapons as the group cleared the tree line, but immediately stood down as they recognized Kasta.
"Lady Sarce," one of the men said with a low bow. Kasta gave a courteous nod. Elliot noticed that the men were dressed in their court colors: deep maroon, orange and gold. There was six in this group. No! They weren't all men, he saw. There was one woman. A Graceling... "Send word to the others that we have met Lady Sarce," he said to the man to his right. The other man nodded, got on his horse and disappeared through the trees.
"Right this way."
Elliot watched Kasta and Lorn talk softly as they mounted their horses. He looked at the horse that was ready for him.
As he observed the guards, he noticed something strange in the men. Elliot frowned as he tried to put his finger on what it was. It wasn't physical... No... These people, unlike others that Kasta had encountered showed courage almost... No, it was the lack of fear. They weren't scared of Kasta, but instead showed great respect. That was what was different! Elliot almost laughed at the strangeness of his revelation. He had never been to Druet. The borders were severely monitored, but he had heard of all the strange cultural aspects. It was a kingdom known as a Graceling safe-haven. It was apparent, as two of the guards here were Gracelings, by the mark of their eyes. One had a strange green pupil with a normal brown one. The other had a yellow eye with a dark blue one.
Elliot got on his horse and followed behind, watching Kasta talk in quick, silent words with the man in charge at the front.

"You'll cut yourself, my Lady," the man said as he looked at Aris, who kept spinning the dagger regardless. "Please, calm yourself. Word has just arrived that Lady Sarce has passed our borders."
Aris looked up. "What?" she closed her eyes, thinking about all of the weight upon her. "Good..." she murmured, relaxing every so slightly. Ever since her father had died, the kingdom had fallen to her. She hadn't even had any time to play her wonderful music! Aris was Graced in the gift of music. But it wasn't just playing music. There was a way she could weave emotions into her music that were so powerful, almost everyone fell under her sway. She could bring a grown man to tears or she could empower an army with hate.
Aris tensed as she heard the pounding of horses outside. It was time.