Graceling

[Galadas]

Elliot shifted into a jaguar, his chances were over, he was hurt too much, and if he went on he might not even survive. He failed his mission, for now at least. Good thing was, one day, they had to ride back to the castle, and he would be waiting for them, like a snake. He stopped when Lorn and Kasta's hiding came into view, he growled louder. Had he become such a coward? Was there no way in? He searched any inch of the walls with his eyes, until he had reached it's weak point. A small whole, not big enough for any human to crawl through, but big enough for him as a cat. He grinned, he might be wounded badly, but he hadn't lost his goal.

[Cara]

Kasta made her way into the high arched room. She already heard the horrified whispers flying from mouths. Her visits were never welcomed, but never rejected either.
The lord rose, his face pale. The room wreaked for fear. Fear of her. She let her Graceling eyes, purple and blue, move across the gathered people, knowing what their impact was.
"I have done nothing wrong," the lord said immediately.
Kasta scoffed. "According to my King of Lord and Country, High Ruler of Rada, you have..." Kasta said. She casually flipped her dagger. Lorn stood behind her, his face a mask.
"I beg of you. Please, don't hurt me."
Kasta raised an eyebrow. It was the King's wishes that she be as cruel as possible. Kill and torture to his exact word. The guards were both for her protection (not that she needed any) as well as to make sure she followed through with the King's orders.
She used to be able to get around with it. She would only break an arm instead of ending a life. But then the King would request a head, just as proof that she really did kill... She hated it, but she had no other choice.
"I have not been ordered for your death, but of the death of your eldest daughter."
The lord got paler, something Kasta didn't even think possible. "You are to bring her to me," Kasta said in a blank voice.
"May I... May I know... why?" he stammered.
"According to the King, you have failed to pay the last two month's dues to the Court."
"Is that all? Lady Kasta, does it really warrent my daughter's death?"
Kasta nodded. "I'm afraid it does. Next time it will be your other daughter. Don't let there be a next time."

Levia let three arrows fly. They hit home, going through the throats of the three guards at the back gate. She slipped into the castle with the others following unnoticed. She'd overheard that Kasta was away, but she would be back. They would catch her there.

[Galadas]

Elliot held his face neutral as he walked through the hallways of the castle, he was wearing a guard outfit and had hidden his eye behind a lock of hair. He had to fit in, if he wanted to get the job done. He disposed the body of the real guard where no one would ever find it, meaning he had free play. He needed to find out what Lady Kasta was doing here, in order to take his place in the play.
He joined a few guards who were having a conversation about their 'guests', staring at the ground while he listened to every detail. So that was what the lady was doing here, to kill, to torture, she was not normal. He greeted them and moved on, to the guest rooms, hoping he would find Lorn there, and a Lorn without a Kasta.

Dedelean knocked on the door of a house that was told her to be the house where Elliot lived, she wondered if he would still remember her, it had been years ago when they last saw each other. She became confused when, instead of two calm different colored eyes, two cold ones looked upon her.
An older woman opened up, she had grey hair, a small Robin on her shoulder, and all kinds of other animals around her legs. She blocked Leans way in and stared unwelcomely at her. "What do you want?!"
"I'm sorry, I was looking for Elliot James, someone told me he lives here." Lean said, taking a step back, she was ready to leave.
"Elliot is out!" The woman said, which Lean didn't really understand. "Who are you?"
"I'm Dedelean, I'm an old friend of his."
The old woman did a step back in shock, then she pushed the animals out of the door way and grabbed Leans arm to take her in. "I'm so sorry, little one. I hadn't recognized you. You must be tired, come, take Elliot's bed, he would mind." She took her up stairs and walked around like an old woman who lost her glasses, she came everywhere, whilst Lean was still sitting on Elliots bed.
"Where is Elliot?" Lean asked, when she was supported with food and a big cup of coffee.
"Out of town, he'll be back soon, tomorrow maybe, he promised not to leave me alone for too long." The older woman smiled warmly, all the animals, Lean counted more than twenty, sat down around her. "Don't worry, you can stay as long as you want, or at least until Elliot is back."
Lean nodded, laying her hand on one of the two dogs, a Sheep Dog, that seemed to like her. "Is it safe here?"
"Safe, ah girl. I've kept Elliot hidden here for years, it's very safe!"
Lean smiled, but she couldn't wait till Elliot was back, he would help her to feel safer.

[Cara]

The screams and cries for mercy echoed through the stone halls. Elliot saw the guards flinch at the sound of the girl screaming, but they did not run to her aid. They stayed right where they were, their eyes filled with fear and sadness.

Kasta just pushed the right spot in the back of the girl's head, and the girl fell into her arms, dead. She tried not the make it all last longer than possible. She kept her face without emotion, but she wanted to cry inside. She hated her uncle, hated the king, hated what she was required to do.
"NO!" the man cried, tears falling, as he had to be restrained by the Court guards.
Kasta turned and left.
"You can't just go!" he cried after her, but she ignored his pleas. Lorn, falling in step behind followed in silence until they were out of hearing range.
"I can't take it anymore..." Kasta said. "I shouldn't deserve to live..." she sighed, as they walked out into the gardens.
"Kasta, you do what is necessary. The king keeps you safe--"
"From everyone buy myself," she scoffed.
"Besides, most other Gracelings are slaves."
"I AM a slave, Lorn. I kill and hurt against my will. Do you think I enjoy it?"
"You still will meet with the Order, right? That should help. It'll remind you all the good you've done for the kingdoms. Your name isn't just used as a curse or a threat. Remember that."
Kasta smiled. She didn't know what she'd do without Lorn. She nodded. "I don't plan to stay long. Just the rest of the day. Maybe. We need to find that Graceling shapeshifter. He's dangerous and definitely has an agenda."
"I've already ordered the death warrant."
"Good. It's the eyes. The eye color. That's what matters..."

[Galadas]

Elliot grinned under his hanging hair when he saw Kasta and Lorn walking just a few meters ahead of him. He could smell them, hear them best of all. A death warrant? That must have been his first in years, no one ever knew he was a shapeshifter, no one ever knew him. They never even noticed that the assassin who was able to kill so many and sneaked through houses wasn't a human.
He just followed the two without them knowing he was the one they were looking for, he could stay like this long enough, if his eyes were hidden good enough behind his black hair.

Dedelean was alone now, the woman had gone out to buy food for tonight, she was sure that Elliot would return before nightfall, so they could have a nice diner to remember.
There was a mirror next to the bed, she hadn't seen one in a long time. Staring at herself in the mirror seemed to be the only fun thing to do, she brushed her long brown hair with her fingers, she took a piece of cloth from her longer dress and wiped away all the dirt from her face. She couldn't meet Elliot again looking like this, her hair was full of tangles, her face was full of ash and dirt, and her dress had lost its white color in months of travel. She hoped that the old woman had a dress for her somewhere. Her naked feet had seen the worst of the street, and the tight pants around her skinny legs were whacked on pipes. She sighed and sat down, she wasn't very patience.

[Cara]

Kasta nodded, as they moved deeper into the garden. "The guards want to stay longer in the safety of the castle," Lorn said.
"It's not safe... Perhaps safer, but there could be other assasins here within the walls. Or maybe..."
"Kasta, you over think everything... Don't you have faith?"
"No."
Lorn smiled, stopping. "Very well... Did you release the falcon yet?"
"Yes, he is on his way with the message. I want to leave tonight."

[Galadas]

Tonight! That was too soon for Elliot, he needed Lorn to fall asleep or something, that when prey was most unaware. This meant he had to handle more quick than plannend, he moved up his pass and drew a small dagger. This was a dangerous diccision, stab his prey right between the ribs with someone just next to him. Good he saw his escape route in front of him, a small window, just big enough to support him jumping out. He would shift into a jaguar before hitting the outside ground and it was all done.
Now that his plan was ready it needed to be taken care off, he was so close to them now that he could make Lorn trip by putting out his foot. He grabbed the hold of the dagger tightly and charged.

[Cara]

Kasta froze, as her sensitive hearing picked up the beating of a close heart. She turned and screamed, grabbing Lorn's arm and pulling him over. She had her own dagger whipped out and she'd turned to the attacker, all within the time of a breath.
She gasped, as Elliot's blade struck her. Pulling Lorn back had cost her a fraction of a second too much.
"Kasta!" Lorn cried, as he whipped out his sword. He struck at Elliot, slicing down his back. Only Elliot's reflexes saved him from being beheaded.
Kasta grabbed Elliots wrist and twisted. She heard a satisfying snap. Elliot cried out in pain and jumped back. Kasta rallied and struck Elliot. She never fought another Graceling with fighting skills like she. She was Graced to defend, fight, kill, and live to do so another day. She struck out, with lethal hands. Elliot shifted, but his broken wrist couldn't support him in his animal form. A three legged animal was limp. A human with two feet and a broken wrist could run...
"GUARDS!" Kasta cried. Were she not injured, she could give chase, and easily overcome him. She gasped, her vision blurring from the pain. She leaned back against the wall, sliding down the stone to the ground. Lorn turned to her, not sure weather to leave her or run after Elliot.
The guards ran by in hot pursuit of Elliot, who still ran on foot. Elliot managed to shift just in time to scramble over the wall before an onslaught of arrows killed him. He hissed in pain as he landed on the wall outside. He looked back, to hear the guards shouting and giving orders. He had to leave, but his prey wasn't dead... yet. He had hurt Kasta. Hopefully fatally. There was too much blood for her to live!

"Oh my god..." Lorn said, looking at Kasta. "You're going to be ok..." he said, as medics came out.
Kasta smiled, but she looked weak. "Right. Tis only a mild scratch..." she said, flinching as the removed the blade. "I've come back from worse," she said. Which was true. She'd been almost killed too many times to count, but it was hard to kill her. She always made a come back.
Lorn gave a slight smile. "If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be hurt!"
"But you'd be dead..." Kasta said. "It's fine."
Lorn waited until the doctor had left. "And the Order?"
Kasta moaned. "Ah damn..." she frowned. "You'll just have to go without me... I need to hear how their last mission went. And more news... Give them the description of the boy. We know how he looks in human form. Give the men all that information. This boy can't hide forever. The Order is everywhere." Kasta paused to take a few large breaths. "They'll respect my wishes... Let it be known, I want him perferably alive and well. But if he does hurt one of my men, kill him."
"Why would you want him alive?"
"To speak with him. Why he'd be after you... Who he works for... Go."

[Galadas]

Elliot sat down against a tree, far far away from where Kasta and Lorn were, in this state he couldn't continue his mission, that was suicide. Back home then, he thought defeated. He completely screwed it for himself. If he'd just stayed calm when he walked behind his prey. He sighed derply through an other shot of pain, his wrist was broken, his side was bleeding again, and other wounds didn't really matter, but they were there. Worst of all, he couldn't change back into a cat or cat like creature because he wouldn't be able to walk propperly, and he was still wearing half a guard outfit, so how could he ever enter the main city unnoticed. He stood, here his long walk home started, the sooner he was back the sooner he could plan a new way to kill his prey.
They saw my face! That detail had slipped his mind, now he had to hind away his face for the coming months, not like that hadn't happen before, he would survive.

[Cara]

Kasta almost screamed with frustration. She hated being being at bed rest! All the nurses were way as they dressed her wound. It had missed her lungs only by a hair.
"Ok! OK! I'm good!" Kasta snapped at the young maid who was kept playing with the wrappings. She startled and scurried off as fast as her feet would carry her in a respectable manner. Kasta was always cranky like this.
She eased herself out of bed and walked to the window. It was a beautiful day, with blue skies and sunlight fields. She stat in the chair there. If she didn't move, she would probably be healed by sunset...

Lorn and one other guards who was allied to the Order, rode through the forest at a hard speed. They had to make the other town in the next hour.
They made their way through the village to the chapel. The priest met them in the back by the cemetery. "Good day, gentlemen..." he said with a bow. Lorn had changed his clothes to common style. They could travel undisturbed and unnoticed.
"Ah, hello Father. We're here to give our thanks with the Raven by our side," Lorn said.
The priest smiled. "Good, good. They've been waiting. Follow me. The meeting is in the belly of the chapel, below the alter," he said. They followed him into a vaulted grave that lead to the secret location under the alter....

[Galadas]

Elliot smelled a scent that was known to him whilst he went through the forest, something he hadn't smelled in a long time had been here not long ago, he was close to home now, an hour walk at least. The sooner the better, he wanted rest, no more Kasta, no more Lorn, for the next few days. His head felt light, like he could fly any moment of the day and land on a mountain of pillows. Before he knew his body didn't react anymore and he sunk through his feet on the soft ground, smiling like his dream had gotten true. His eyes slowlyclosed, being exhausted and having lost a lot of blood. Now the pain was gone, and he could float away in a wonderful dream in which he was laying inthe arms of Dedelean.

Dedelean shot up from the bed, she had fallen asleep and it was a nightmare that awoke her. A dark prison of her soul, never seeing Elliot again, only Levia and her cruel master. She cried, why was she cursed with a grace? Why ws it so dangerous to be a Gacling these days?
Knock! Knock!
Lean ran down the stairs, hoping Elliot would stand in the opening of the door and smile at her, but instead there was a fat man.
"Who... Where's Junior?" The fat man asked, Lean looked disgusted at his chin, big rols of fat that moved allong as he spoke.
"Not back yet." She said ready to close the door.
"And who might you be!?"

[Cara]

Lorn lowered his deep hood as he entered the fairly spacious room. There were at least twenty men and woman around a large table. They all stood as Lorn entered and bowed.
Lorn shook his head in greeting. "Please be seated," he said.
"Where is Lady Kasta?"
"She is at bed... I have much to say and to hear," Lorn said, as he began to tell them of the attacks that had happened.
"And you swear this was a Graceling boy with those color eyes?"
"Yes... We are certain. Do you doubt my Lady's words?"
"No, Master Lorn. Only confirming."
A woman spoke up. "I've heard of this Graceling boy... Or at least in some rumors. He's an assassin. He uses his abilities to kill. I didn't know he was a Graceling, but I've been able to put two and two together... I know he lives close enough to the capital of Rada..."
"He must be protected by someone!" another person added. Soon people were arguing and shouting.
Lorn yelled above them. "Everyone!" they quieted and looked at him. "Kasta doesn't want his head, but his information. If possible, keep him alive. She's warranted his capture! Send word to all men and woman of the Order. He shall be found; there is no where to hide," Lorn cried. He made a mental promise to Kasta that it this would be settled. A great cry rose up like a deafening roar in the confines of the room.

Levia walked about the elegant room. This was supposedly Kasta's room. There was a large four-poster bed that stood in the middle of the vaulted room. She was a Lady of the Court after all; niece to the King after all...
Levia looked at her desk. Such fine items, like she never owned in her day. To the far side was a set of varying weapons of all shapes and sizes. She would be perfect for her Master. Perhaps with her they'd be able to get that other girl, Dedelean.

[Galadas]

"I'm a friend." Dedelean said, she looked around the door, there was no one on the streets, good.
The fat man approached, going into the house.
"Sir!" Lean didn't like taking people in when the host of the house wasn't there. "It's better if you wait outside."
The man pushed Lean outside like she was only a small child. He grabbed her arms and dragged her up stairs. "Now I understand." He said with a smirk when he saw the bed. "You're his girlfriend. When pretty one, make me some food!"
"Rather not." Lean whispered. "There's no food, the old lady is buying some now. I really thinkyou better wait outside until she's back."
The fat man had already taken place and didn't seem to be in any state to leave.
Lean sighed, running down stairs, the door was open. She walked over, big steps, and determinedthat the fat man was an impossible situation.
"I knew I was smelling something fimiliar when I entered the city." A voice from behind her said, making her turn around atthe speed of an arrow and aiming into Elliot's arms. The shape shifter gasped of pain, making Lean aware of his wounds.
"Elliot! What has happened?" She asked overwhelmed, the wasn't the reunion she had hoped for.
Elliot sunk into her arms, gasping even louder, his eyes closed.
"Help!" Lean yelled, hoping the fat man would hear her.

[Cara]

Kasta paced. She pulled up her shirt to examine the wound. Good, almost healed. She sighed. She knew from experience that it wasn't a good idea to do much until it was entirely healed... Well shooting arrows wasn't too stressful. She changed and made her way down to the shooting range.

Lorn listened as each member reported on their own mission of the Order...
"We made a raid on Sunder last week. We managed to free twenty slaves..."
"Two of our own were in jail for... we managed to rescue them from execution...
Lorn only listened half-heartdly. He was thinking about the information that he'd been given. He would talk to Kasta and they'd see if they could get a crew together to search for this Graceling assassin...

[Galadas]

Lean was still waiting downstairs with fat man, who the old woman called "Senior". She'd only just arrived back home and taken over the job of caring for Elliot. She was much better than Lean, who had seen the situation as failed.
The old woman came downstairs, she couldn't even say a word before Lean had already thrown the first question at her.
"Will he be alright!?"
"I'll have him back on his feet in a few days." She replied with a calm face, expressionless.
"Sooner the better!" Senior said loudly and took his hat, heading towards the door.
Lean was happy he left, she didn't like Senior, who was Elliot's supervisor.
The old woman joined Lean in the kitchen, she started preparing the food. "You can speak to him when you bring him diner, he needs rest now." She said when she saw the worried mood on Lean's face, she handed her a pan and some meat and a knife.