Graceling

[Galadas]

"You don't have a plan." Elliot said, he was losing his hope. Now being with Dedelean under some spell didn't seem so bad after all. He knew he wouldn't be so very welcome with the Order, Kasta had most probably told them about him. "You got any... Friends that might help us in this situation?"

[Cara]

Kasta made a noise. "I have as many friends as I do enemies..." she said with a dry laugh. "I'm not one for just 'barging right in'. Lorn, can you check out the archives?"
"Sure. I'll also send word out..."
"Good. I'll have to go back and grab some things, but I know someone who might give us some insight," she said.

Kasta trotted out to where Elliot was waiting. Her horse snorted, pawing the ground. She led another horse. "I assume you know how to ride?"
"Um, yes..." Elliot said. Truthfully not really. When he needed to travel fast, he ran himself, but he knew that wasn't much of an option. Kasta didn't need a wolf running along side her in the streets.
Kasta watched Elliot with amusement, as he eased himself on into the saddle. "Lets go then!" she said, slapping his horses's rear end with the tip of her reigns. She laughed when Elliot almost slid off. He was holding onto the neck for dear life.
Kasta rhode past, grabbing the reigns from his hands. "Lesson 101. Don't pull the reigns. You'll be on the ground in a second... I'll need you to ride fast, so I'm going to hope you're a fast learner."
"As fast as anything," Elliot grumbled. Kasta just laughed again.

[Galadas]

Elliot wondered if this was his best plan. He didn't like Kasta, there was something about her grace, which he heard from Senior. She could kill people in an instant. He felt threatened already. He only needed Dedelean back, she was the only thing important to him, even if that meant working together with someone he didn't like, lets stand trust!
Learning to ride a horse wasn't a difficult as he thought it would be, he more wished to be in an other shape, it made him feel free. He wanted to know if there was a plan, and what it was, but he didn't dare to ask. He wouldn't care to admit that he was afraid that there wouldn't be a plan, so he kept him mouth shut. He followed like a little dog and waited for instructions.

[Cara]

They slowed from the hard gallop as they neared a small city.
Elliot noticed that Kasta pulled her hood up, which entirely concealed her face. He could barely make out the color of her Graceling eyes from the shadows. And that was the point. No one would identify her. She was well known…and feared throughout the kingdoms.
They rode inconspicuously; in plain clothes, a little worn, to blend with the crowd. Kasta had put away the insignia of the crown, but underneath her shirt, she still wore the sign of Rada on a chain around her neck. Kasta had even taken care with the appearance of the horses. The bridles weren’t shiny and bright, but dull like the color of old iron; and same with the saddles. All steps had been taken.
Kasta turned to Elliot. “Let us go,” she said.

Elliot followed Kasta. No one gave them a second glance, especially after they dismounted, so they weren’t above the crowds. They lead their horses through the streets, twisting and turning. Elliot wondered weather they were lost, but after what seemed like hours, Kasta stopped.
She gave the horses over to a stable boy before walking down a narrow alley.
Kasta knocked on a door near the very end.
“Who is it?” a gruff voice asked.
Kasta murmured something Elliot couldn’t hear. The door swung open. Kasta motion him to follow.
Elliot saw that the room was surprisingly warm. “Ah, Lady Sarce, a pleasure…” the man said, who’d opened the door. “Welcome.”
Kasta smiled. Elliot could see that many of her movements were even, lithe…graceful. “Thank you, Sheb. Where is Meera?”
“She is out at the market. Should be ‘ome any minute. You seem to be in a rush. I got a messenger falcon from Lorn earlier today. It was vague and scripted, which means there must be something big.”
“Obviously…” Kasta said. “I’m glad that you received the message. If you don’t mind, I’ll tell you both when Meera arrives.”
“Very good. Would you and your… companion wish for food and drink?”
“Oh, I’m sorry… This is Elliot,” Kasta said, her mind elsewhere.
“Nice to meet you Elliot. I am Sheb,” Sheb said.
Elliot nodded, shaking Sheb’s extended hand. His own was dwarfed in size. “Elliot,” said. “And sure, I’d be happy for something to eat.”
“Yes, please…” Kasta said. She had something in her hand and was looking at it. As Sheb left, Elliot turned to Kasta.
“What is it?”
Kasta looked up, startled. “What? Oh, nothing,” she said, hiding it in her palm. She scowled. She place it below her shirt and out of sight again. “Really, it’s nothing,” Kasta said, standing. “I’ll go and see what Sheb is making… His cooking isn’t something to always be desired,” she said and disappeared through the curtains leading into the other room.

[Galadas]

Elliot kept staring at Kasta until she was gone, he felt locked up, and he started to lose the trust he had more and more. The first thing that came to mind when she kept things hidden from him, what was happening. He turned his gaze to the door, he could start his own little mission and get Dedelean back himself. He could even ask some of the Gracelings he had met years and years ago, but instead he sat down in one of the chairs, staring at his hands.
He wished he knew what the Master's plans were, where he had taken Dedelean.

[Cara]

Elliot looked up as a woman came in. That must be Meera.
Kasta came back into the room.
"Kasta?" the woman asked, surprised.
"Hey! Sorry for such an unexpected surprise. I did send a message to forewarn you..." Kasta replied, grinning.
"It's good to see you! I hope you wouldn't be here without reason..." she said. Kasta never took necessary visits usually. There was no time for pleasantries in the Court.
"Yes, there is a reason... Elliot and I," Kasta said, motioning to Elliot. "Have run into a serious issue. Is it safe?" Kasta asked.
"Come. To the back of the house..." Meera said, leading Kasta and Elliot deeper inside.
She lit a few candles, before making herself comfortable on one of the chairs available.
Kasta sat down, lips pursed. "What can you tell us about the Master, if you've heard anything at all..."
"The Master?" I've heard of someone who called himself this, but it's more a mystery..."
Elliot sighed inwardly. This woman would be no help!
"I see... Well you see, we've met the Master. He is Graced with a strange ability to manipulate the mind. I know you specialize in mental Graces. What can you tell us of them?"
Meera gave a slight gasp. "And you did not fall to his control?" she asked.
"No... Well for a little, but it seems from what we've learned that he controls through both voice and touch. His touch makes the control stronger, maybe even permanent..."
"There's a mark too," Elliot added. "Levia said that he marks his servants... his 'children'," Elliot said, disgust and hatred in his voice.
"Hmm. I've never heard of the marking, but as you know, no Grace is a like. I may be able to help. But I'll need one of his servants..."
"What?" Elliot asked.
"Yes, I'll need one of his servants. I need to test the bond, see how it works. Do you think you two can do that?"
"I think so. There's just one problem..." Kasta said. "I think he can track his servants and know where they are..."
"That might be a problem."
"I agree."
"Then what now?"
"Tell me all that you've learned. We'll come up with a plan," Meera said...

[Galadas]

Elliot was not about to say anything, he did not understand what was going on, what Meera's ability was of use to the cause. He could only guess. He knew as much as Kasta did, there was only one person who knew more; Dedelean. She couldn't have told him everything, she always kept things hidden for him, it was how they survived. He missed her, he had never thought of missing her before, but now she had jumped back into his life, and he could finally be with her again, she was taken away from him by some idiot with the power to control people. If there was anyone going to kill the Master, it would be him.

[Cara]

Meera nodded as Kasta summed up the little that they found out about the Master. "As I said earlier," Meera said, "You'll need to capture one of his servants. From what I guess, he can track them through the mark, but that would depend on distance too. We'll just have to work fast. I wouldn't return here again until you have what I've asked," Meera said, standing. Kasta and Elliot stood with her.
"Thanks, Meera," Kasta said. "You've been most helpful.
"Hopefully I can be more helpful when you return..." she said warmly. Kasta nodded.

As they walked back to the stable where their horses were, Elliot asked, "So now we have to find one of his followers?"
"Yes, I'm afraid. Not entirely an easy task. We don't even know where they are now. But what choice do we have?"

[Galadas]

Elliot nodded. "A dead end." He said, sighing. He wasn't going to give up, but he could get Kasta to his own source of information, the man who knew everything: Senior. "Maybe, I know someone who can help us." He said, staring down at the ground. "But you must promise not to get mad and try to kill him."
"Who is it?" Kasta asked, confused.
"The man who told me to kill Lorn." He paused. "But he's the only one that might be able to help us. If not, he has his own contacts." Elliot hoped Kasta would agree.

[Cara]

Kasta looked thoughtful. "Fine, but I'd like to know why he put such a price on Lorn if I may..." she replied. "Meanwhile, we should try and find one of the Master's followers. Meera is Graced, and she's talented in finding out another's Grace."

[Galadas]

Elliot nodded, she was wrong about Senior, he hadn't put a price on Lorn's head, someone else had. It didn't matter, he might know who did. "Okay, follow me." He said, taking the reins of the horse in his hand and walking into a direction he had never taken before. He was a bit lost, but his nose leaded him to where Senior would be.

After a walk of an half hour they reached the alley where Elliot always came when he was looking for Senior. He growled softly, if the fat man would be around he would hear it.
"Junior?" A voice called out of the darkness. "Idiot, why did you bring her!?"
"We just need help!"
"Well then, come upstairs, but leave her behind. I don't need people like her in my house." Senior yelled angry.
"People like what?!" Kasta asked angry.
"People that might be on my "Dead" list! Now, Junior, where you're waiting for?"
Elliot finally saw where Senior was, he was just besides the door to his house, sitting and holding his head in his arms. He didn't look good, there was a weird smell hanging around him. The smell made Elliot jump back once he determined what is was; Blood. "What happened?" He yelled and ran over to the fat man. "You're bleeding."
"Damn gracelings, they took any letter I have from your... friends."
"You mean they know where the rest is hiding."
"Yes, and I have no idea what they would want with it." Senior complained.
Elliot looked at Kasta. "They're recruiting."

[Cara]

Kasta swore. "We're too late then," Kasta said. She walked around the room. She could see the scene replaying in her head almost. She saw the marks, the arrow. That girl, Levia, and two others had entered the house... They'd left heading north... Back to the capital of Rada...

Levia bowed low to her Master. "I have the list, Master," she said, handing it over.
"Excellent, Levia. Your skills are most cherished."
Levia smiled at the compliment. It was so nice to not be treated as an outcast. She belonged somewhere again. She was loved. Their order had grown and was becoming so powerful. Soon they would be unstoppable and with her wonderful Master at the lead, nothing would get in their way!
Levia bowed again and walked off. Dedelean was waiting for her. "Did the Master have any other plans?" she asked.
"No, not yet. I assume he needs to think things over," Levia answered. The girls made their way down to small brook that ran through the woods. Levia sat down in a moss covered rock, as she examined her bow, checking to make sure it was in the best condition. Dedelean made a seat besides her.
"That's good..."
"Why?"
"I want some time to myself. Just to relax!" Dedelean said with a smile. Levia laughed.
"You are happy," Dedelean said.
Levia looked at her, trying to see what was behind the question. "Yes, of course. How could I not? We have met little resistance and---"
"No, it's not about the resistance," Dedelean interrupted. "Dpn't you have a family?"
"I did, but that's not too important. I left home a long time ago. I have nothing to miss." Levia paused, as she started to make more arrows. "Why do you ask?"
"Do you think the Master would be ok if I or I mean we, that is if you want to come with me, went on a mission?"
"I doubt he'd mind. He has others," Levia replied, curious. "What are you thinking?"
"You might have nothing to miss, but I do," she said. "I want Elliot to join us," Dedelean said, her eyes bright. "I know the Master wants as many as he can get. Elliot should join us."
"Oh that boy with that Sarce girl," Levia said.
"You mean Kasta."
"Yes."
"Well, you aren't the only one to suggest that to the Master," Levia said, getting up. "I think that might be fun!" She took aim at a falling leaf and shot. It sliced the leaf in two before lodging itself in a small tree. "If we get them both, the Master will reward us heavily," Levia said.
Dedelean smiled before the two girls started to laugh. "Then the Order is the only thing that stands in our way."

[Galadas]

Elliot nodded, he lifted Senior off the ground and looked at his wounds, lost. "I'm outa plans." He said and carried the fat man in his arms. "But I'm going to bring my friend to my house, so he can heal. Then I'm gonna send letters to my friends to warn them for the Master." He had no idea if he wanted to go on helping Kasta with his mission, he saw no outcome in her way of handling. He could go his own way again and move on to some friends he had, and they would help him for no reason.

[Cara]

Kasta nodded, lost in thought. Lorn was back home already sending out the frantic notices and warning to the many friends and allies they had.
"They won't attack the Court," Kasta said suddenly.
"What?"
"I know that type of person and he won't attack any of the courts or kingdoms. Not openly anyway. Not yet."
"What do you mean?"
"He wants to gather power. Enough Gracelings to be unstoppable. Enough people to support his cause. I need to get back." Kasta stood to leave but stopped when she saw Elliot still standing there. "Aren't you coming?"
"No...." Elliot said, looking down. "I have some of my own plans."
"But don't you see that there's strength in numbers?" Kasta asked.
"Yes... but... I just don't agree with your plans. I need to get Dedelean back no matter what. The longer I wait, I feel the harder it will be for her to come back..."
Kasta shook her head sadly. "Fine..." she sighed. "Best of luck then. You know what I'm going to do, should you ever want to get in touch. I'm still going to hunt one of the members down. If I can get one to Meera, she'll be able to get this straightened out..." Kasta said.

[Galadas]

Elliot turned away from her and ran off with Senior in his arms. He had some work to do.
The old woman opened up, she looked shocked seeing him and the fat man. "El, what happened to lord Edon?!"
"He was attacked, he's wounded, you'll have to care for him." He knew that wasn't a lot to ask from her, she would do it. "I have to visit some friends, after that I'll promise to come back."
"Wait, Elliot. What happened to Lean?" The old woman helped Elliot cary Senior inside and lay him on his bed, but she wasn't about to let him leave. "She's not with you."
Elliot shook his head. "Something happened to her, she's alive, she's just not... I'll explain later, we I come back."
"You better." The old woman watched as Elliot changed his shape into a large dog and jumped out of the window, anyone would assume it was one of her dogs.