Seeker of Truth

[Galadas]

( I used the army of the United Kingdom, :] which are Field Marshall, General, Lieutenant General, Major General, Brigadier, etc. )

Reemus felt like he was getting irritated, he was still trying to figure out what he would do in order to take Aydinril to the ground. "I'll see what we'll do. First Ormeli, crush the rebellion, and they we'll see," he said, relieved that he finally saw his Generals entering the room. "You're late!" he said loudly.
He knew that Luchin wasn't done talking to him, but he was. The lack of trust was strangely annoying.
"Sit down, the sooner we get this done, the sooner we can attack Ormelli and crush the rebellion!" he said. Two servants carried in a big map, which they lay on the table. "We'll keep it simple, I don't expect much from our enemy. The wizards and Confessors still expect us to attack Aydinril, and they won't see us act so fast on this new threat. General Coladar will lead the attack, which will be this afternoon," He looked outside, it was almost light, "if we make it," he said, he ignored the raised hands and tired faces. "20,000 of our men against the few of them, no chance of losing. We'll attack swift, fast and use the catupuls to break through their walls. Ormeli is a bigger city than this one, and closer to Aydinril, so we'll move our headquarters," he pointed at the city of Ormeli on the map and handed out original orders to each of his generals. "Get ready as soon as possible, we leave in an hour, dismissed!" he said.


Joan woke again, his head pounding and he couldn't concentrate on his surroundings, everything was blurry. He did notice that he was no longer in a tent, because he felt movement below him, they were riding. He felt tears come up, he was leaving the magical border, far away from home. He would never see his family again, and they would never know what happened to him. Why was he so special? Because he walked through the wall? He looked down at his shoulder, the bandage was drenched in blood. He was scarred for live, and he might even die if the wound would't heal. He had seen it a few times before, but that was with horses. One arrow in their shoulder and they died a few hours later. He had never felt sick, it was life; horses, men, they died. But now that it was his own life, he wondered what dead would be like.
Evana, the woman from before, entered the moving carriage. She held clean bandages and a big glass of water in her hand. She sat down beside him. "You're lucky Lord Rahl finds you so important," she whispered, disgusted. Then she started to clean the bandages and she did it with carefulness.
"Why am I so important?" Joan asked, he felt like he could. She had been nice to him the whole time, unlike the other woman, who's name he still didn't know, who had smacked him in his face before asking his name.
Evana smiled. "You're resistant to magic," she said. She was done, and handed him the glass, he drank greedy.
Joan finished the glass, gave it back to Evana and reached out his hand. "Joan Chibnall," he introduced himself, properly.
Evana took his hand, still smiling. She didn't mind that he was just a prisoner, she thought he was charming. "Evana Tora. Nice to meet you, Chib."
Joan smiled back, finding it musing that she had already given him a nickname.
"I really hope you'll take our side in this battle, now you're part of this war," she said, there was some kind of sadness in her voice.
"I really hope I don't have to," he replied.

[Cara]

(I guess to make things easier I added a military ranking list here. It's just a very simplified version of the usual ranks. Some are really modified. XD Hey, the Daharan army can have their own system
So would that also mean that the position that Reemus is trying to get Luchin is higher than his own? Or how will that work? Sorta confused on that.)

Reemus watched Luchin leave. The rest of his generals stayed. "I said, 'Dismissed'," he snapped, slamming his fist on the table.
They all had the same expression on their faces; determination even against the face of death. Simultaneously they all drew their swords and attacked.
Reemus jumped up, reaching for his sword that hung at his waist. "Cease and desist!" he yelled. "What are you fools doing!" he said. Stepping back, he tripped and fell. He rolled, barely missing the sword that fell down, slicing cleanly through the chair he had been sitting in seconds earlier.
He looked frantically about, trying to gauge in the confines of this room his chances against some of his best generals. He raised his sword just as two others attacked. He was a strong fighter and skilled swordsmen, but he was being beaten back into a corner. Was this the mutiny that Luchin had talked about?
"Please! Stop! I won't attack Aydindril," he said. Of course if that had gotten them to pause, he would have run them through anyway, but they didn't pause. "I can give you anything you want..." he said, trying to fend himself off.
"My mistress only wishes for your immediate death," one of his closest generals said, as he pushed Reemus back. His sword sliced through and hit his shoulder. Reemus tried to attack back, but there was too many, and these were not some novice soldiers. Reemus turned, and with a quick parry, slammed his sword into one of the men’s chests, biting his lip, as his shoulder exploded in pain. He fell back, as another general reached down and pulled his sword away.

Luchin looked back at Reemus before exiting. Reemus's face was hard and he didn't say anything at Luchin left. He sighed, as he made his way back to his room. It was a little ways off in one of the larger houses of the town. He had no idea who's house it had been. He quickly changed into battle garb, pulling a strong mail over his head. It fit, snug to his chest. Where was his dagger? Luchin bent down looking behind the desk. Had it fallen behind?
Luchin stood back up. No, he had lost it in his meeting of the Confessor. Suddenly he had a feeling he knew where it was. He slowly opened to desk. It sat there, as if it had always been there. He reached for it carefully, as if it might suddenly move and bite him. As he lifted it up, he saw that it pinned down a folded note: To General Coladar. He opened it.
You move to strike us. Not us yet, but still our people. You said you do not have the authority. You will now.
What did this mean? He looked around to see that maybe the one who had left this for him was still there. Silence. Suddenly shouting. "No!"
Luchin grabbed the dagger, shoving it into his sheath as he ran.

Reemus twisted away from the other blade, rolling with his shoulder. It hit the wall with a crack, and embedded itself deeply into the wood. He reached into his boot as he moved to a crouch and grabbed the handle of a dagger. He shifted and stabbed it into one of the man’s legs. The man grunted in pain as he fell to a knee. Reemus took his chance and attacked, his blade running through the man’s throat.
He felt two pairs of hands grab him and pull him to the floor. One grabbed his wrists, pinning him down, as the other pair wrapped in an iron grasp around his own throat, cutting off his airway.
Lights and flashes of red and blue danced across his vision. They were edged in black. Reemus struggled, trying to buck off the general, but his right arm was weak and bleeding and at a disadvantage. Blackness started to seep in as he fought to stay conscious.
Suddenly the man’s eyes went wide, as he looked down at the swordpoint sticking through his chest. As he collapsed, he whispered, “I am sorry that I have failed, Mistress...” As he fell aside, Reemus stared up into Luchin’s concerned face.

[Galadas]

(It's like this: Lord Rahl has send two seperate armies into Melidis, both with their own Marshall. Marshall Tora, who's reached the wall, and Marshall Shorshall. Reemus wants Luchin to take the ranks of Marshall and get Tora's army to fuse with his own. Ofcourse he would never aknowledge Luchin on the same rank as him.
You just granted me the perfect plan, so sorry for the long post :] )

Reemus kicked one of the Generals in the face, there were only four of them left. His head was racing with explanations for this sudden attack, but there was only one he could think off: Confessors. He had seen confessed men a few times, their eyes, their empty eyes. How could he not have protected his Generals from such a terrible fate? One piece he couldn't understand; why wasn't Luchin confessed? He continued his fight, the two generals had released him from his grip in order to raise their swords against Luchin. But never had there been a better swordfighter than Luchin. One of the foremost reason why he was a General.
Reemus watched with pain in his eyes as the last of his Generals were put down, how had it all come to this? He felt as if he would pass out anytime soon, he had to stay awake, for his own sake. "Luchin," he whispered, though it was a hard tone and he did not know if he had to be grateful for the sudden rescue, because he felt like something wasn't quiet fitting. He helped himself to his feet, having just enough strength to do that. The wound in his shoulder was nothing compared to the pain he had suffered during the two days of torture. It made the pain easier to bare. He stood in front of Luchin, who hadn't said a word, looking over the corpses of their dead friends. Reemus, his mind conquered by violence, slammed his fist into Luchin's face and watched as he fell to the ground. "Explain to me what has happened!" he demanded. He felt he was about to tear up, scream, go insane. Marshall Tora had explained to him many times that sometimes things would happen that he could have never stopped, and that he would have to learn to live with it.
Two guards stormed in, followed by Ademai. They watched the fallen Generals, as Ademai reached for Reemus' arm. "What has happened?" she asked, totally confused, and she wasn't playing that emotion.
Reemus didn't want to answer, he didn't want to admit to the fact that it all really happened. "Guards, arrest General Coladar!" he snapped. The guards hesitated. "Arrest him!" Reemus yelled.
"Reemus?!" Luchin said in confusion.
His words came to late, because just at the moment that he said them, Reemus dropped to the floor, tired by his wounds and his tormented mind. The last thing he saw was Ademai lifting his hand from the ground and yelling at one of the servants to help her carrying him.

Reemus sat in the nursery, his wound had been cleaned and partly healed by his skilled healers, but it would never be enough to completely heal it. Next to him sat Ademai, she was giving him her own thought on what happened, leaving out Luchin. In one fast movement he reached for his shirt and pulled it over his head.
"Reemus, you have to rest!" urged Ademai.
"I'll rest when I'm dead," Reemus replied, standing to his feet. He only felt pain in his arm, which had been rested in a sling around his neck. "We have a city to conquer, and I won't stop the attack because of what happened."
"You can't take this army on your own," Ademai said, as she helped him with his cloak.
"I"m the one who makes the plans, I'm perfectly able to be in charge of the entire operation."
"What about Luchin?" They walked down the hall way, followed by four guards. "He helped you, Reemus, I can't understand why you would lock him up!"
"Safety repercussions, you'll talk to him, ask, not torture, him what he thinks has happened! He will not take part in this attack, not until I know what happened," Reemus snapped.
Ademai kissed him on his cheek and left his side. "I will not leave you until this is all done," she whispered.
Reemus waited for her to disappear around the corner before handing out an other order. "Sasis, send word to Lord Rahl and Marshall Tora, tell them I have been attacked by my Generals, who have been confessed, but I will not cease the attack, and tell them I have a plan which will take me a step closer to Aydindril!"

20,000 soldiers had lined up in front of their headquarters, standing as if they were little puppets that couldn't move without the hands of their makers. When Reemus appeared on top of the wall with a grimace on his face, the crowd started to scream for war. He had them perfectly in hand, they wanted blood and fights, he could give them all that, and he promised even more.
"Sir, should we not delay the attack, and mourn the loss of our Generals?"
"Lieutenant General, we have already called to arms, they want a war," he pointed at the soldiers. 5,000 infantry, 5,000 archers, and 10,000 Calvary, his best formation yet. "We'll mourn for our friends later."
"The Soldiers already know, sir. They wonder who will be in charge of the army, are you not worried?"
Reemus shook his head. "I've just survived an attack by the Confessors, I've thrown my best friend in jail, and my shoulder hurts like f*ck! I don't have the right to be worried," he snapped, and that was the end of their conversation. He looked back at his army, the one he had led far beyond borders that Marshall before him had done. He had given most of them a reason to fight, promises of money and land, he had turned Lord Rahl's way of ruling back into a feudal system, and it worked. "Daharan Warriors!" he yelled, receiving a monstrous greet, one that made him proud. "Finally, after doing nothing for the past months, we have an other fight on our hands. I want you all to crush the rebellion and damage Melidis like never before!" an other loud cry of battle filled the cold air. "Capture Confessors and Wizards, kill men and women, and take the city!"
Reemus turned away from the army as he walked to the stairs.
"But sir, what will you do with General Coladar?" asked the Lieutenant General.
Reemus sighed, he had been to impulsive after the battle, he shouldn't have arrested Luchin, but now it was too late. He hoped his friend would forgive him for that. "Ademai will decide what will be done with Luchin, she will make the right choice," he assured. "Lieutenant General Lyra!" he said, seeing ten of his twenty four Lieutenants Generals standing with the horses. They were the ones with the most potential, and with his Generals gone, he was thinking of promoting them quickly.
A woman looked up at him, she had black hair, bound in a pigtail and she had her sword drawn already. "Yes sir."
Marshall Shorshall had been one of the first Marshall to ever allow women to climb further than the rank of Private. She had been one of his best works. "Lead the Infantry and the archers, line them up in front of Ormeli. Use the Secondary attack strategy." he said, and jumped on his horse. "Let's go to war!"


Joan sat beside the driver, an old man with a piece of wood instead of a leg. He pointed at the walls that appeared in front of them. "That's Joven," he said. "It has been part of Lord Rahl's empire for almost three years now."
He had been listening to the tales of Lord Rahl since the moment that he got out of bed. Evana rode next to them, on her white horse. She refreshed his bandages once in a while. Mostly she would provide extra information to the driver's stories and call him by his nickname.
"Will I stay with you when we enter Joven?" Joan asked. he had noticed they had sped up during the travel, as if they really had to be on time.
"I'm not able to tell you, Chib," answered Evana. "But I promise you that you won't be harmed."
The woman that Joan hated so much appeared next to Evana. He had seen her a few times now, she was a Mord Sith, that's what the driver and Evana called her. She lived in something called the Keep and she tortured people. He liked her even less since that explanation. "I'm sad to say that my sister has travelled alone, it appears Marshall Shorshall has been attacked."
"Is he alright?" Evana asked, looking shocked.
"Stab in his shoulder, nothing fatal. He will still continue the attack, meaning we still have to ride to Ormeli, which will cost us 1 day less," said the Mord Sith.
Joan could see that Evana wasn't interested in that information, she seemed more worried about what happened during the attack.
"What happened? Who attack Reemus?" asked the daughter of the great Marshall Tora.
"Marshall Shorshall was attacked by his own Generals, they were confessed. They're all dead and apparently your father wants you to take the place of one of the Generals," she noted, and rode forward.
"Who's Marshall Shorshall?" asked Joan, having heard the conversation with open mouth. He would have never expected Confessors to do such a thing. It was, safe to say, clandestine.
Evana sighed. "Reemus is a friend of mine, he's a Marshall just as my father, only he rules the part of the army that is set out to take Aydindril," she explained.
Joan refused to ask further questions, he had heard about Aydindril and about the mission that Lord Rahl had given all his men. Never in his life had he seen a war, only heard stories about it. He disliked the idea that men would become animals only to gain more land and power, but he had always promised himself to never judge a man or woman because of what they had done or would do, he had learned that much.


Ademai walked into Luchin's house, two guards closed the door behind her. She saw Luchin lying on his bed, silently she sat down beside him. "Reemus send me," she said, "you have to tell me what happened."

[Cara]

(opps! well i'm still working on that one. must have copied both over last night. XD almost done with my post in Dark Calling
awesome. we love long posts!
wait, who is the other Mord-Sith with Joan? Because I had it set so that Elize was originally going after Joan, but then he was captured, so she is picking him up for Lord Rahl...)

Luchin didn't look at Ademai. He folded his hands behind his head as he lay there. "I know as much as you do," he said.
"No. We know there's something more," Ademai said.
"Really? No, you suspect that there is something more. Which is why I am sitting here instead of helping to fight out there." He was angry at Reemus for arresting him. He had saved his friend's life! Then again, he understood why it looked so bad. He had been the only general not to be Confessed. But why? Why had the Mother Confessor spared him? Not like it had done much good. He would still probably be killed, or at the very least dismissed the army and shamed.
As if reading his thoughts, Ademai shifted and asked, "Why then, were you the only one not Confessed?"
"How should I know!?" Luchin said in full honesty. "How in the Creator's name should I know? Perhaps I was lucky. Perhaps they made a mistake. Perhaps I am Confessed and I don't even know it!"
"You would know it," Ademai said, softer.
Luchin looked over at her for the first time. "Would I? I barely know much about being Confessed. And if you were Confessed?"
"I would die. For a Mord-Sith to be Confessed means the most painful death imaginable. A Confessors magic eats away at ours. All the pain you ever caused anyone is given back to you, ten fold. It's ten times as intense. And in our profession..." she gave a sly smile, "Well let's just say that most Mord-Sith hope never to be Confessed."
"Don't you fear that?" he asked. Usually Luchin tried to avoid the Mord-Sith, only working with them because he had to. Especially Ademai. He hardly had any time to ask questions such as these.
Ademai looked at him with a strange curiosity. "I do not fear pain or death," she said, watching him.
"What do you fear?" Luchin asked, watching her intensely.
"We got off topic," Ademai said, changing the subject abruptly. She took a breath. "You really have no idea?" she asked, finally.
"No, none," Luchin said, his face downcast and confused. "None at all."

[Galadas]

(Yes, she is, the Mord Sith who's with Joan is just some random Mord Sith, traveling with Evana. They're entering Joven :] yes we surely love long posts :3)

Ademai sighed. "Reemus probably just left, I worry for him," she admitted, and stood. Opening the door and dismissing the four guards outside the house. "You'll no longer lead this attack, Reemus' words, but you saved his life, he needs people he can trust, especially now," she said. She was hoping to hit some kind of emotional chord, but there was no reaction. "Follow me," she added and handed Luchin back his sword, which they had taken when they arrested him.


Reemus was surrounded by his elite warriors, and they were told never to leave his side until the fighting was done. This was the relaxing part of the battle, the 'before the battle' part, where he just got to sit on his horse, riding in a slow pace towards their target. Once in a while he looked behind him, hoping that he would see a few horses riding towards him. He was scared Ademai had indeed found Luchin being a traitor. He felt like he could trust no one, could he even trust Ademai? He shook the thoughts away.
"We're almost there, sir," said General Lieutenant Kuy'r.
Reemus saw nothing beyond his own soldiers, he wanted his moment of thought a little longer. He had a plan to work out, a fatal plan, a plan the Confessors wouldn't like. He grinned, the problem was still the beginning, how could he create fear and keep the love of his soldiers. He wondered, he wondered how everyone would react. Luchin certainly wouldn't like it, Ademai would love it.
"Sir, a message from Lord Rahl," a soldier yelled. There was a big falcon on his shoulder, one of Lord Rahl's finest birds, it flew faster than any other bird alive.
Reemus reached out his hand and grabbed the letter, he opened it quickly, as if it was a present. He read through it and closed it again. Rahl had firstly congratulated Reemus with his new plan and would like to hear soon of the battle, secondly he had wrote a whole paragraph on how the situation could have been prevented. He ended the letter with his condolences for the Generals that had fallen and an accord on his recommendation. General Coladar would become the next Marshall of Marshall Tora's army, but only when Tora would lay down his job, which could take a while. Even though, it was still a victory.
"Good news?" asked General Lieutenant Kuy'r.
"No news, just a reaction," said Reemus, smiling shortly. "A good reaction."


Joan was helped from the wagon by Evana, they were inside the city of Joven, greeted by the colonists that had settled there. They seemed to have everything in control, even the citizens didn't seem to mind that they were there. He hadn't expected that, he had expected tyranny. Meaning he had judged again.
"We'll go to the tavern, the soldiers will wait outside," Evana reported to her General, who was below her rank, because she was the daughter of the Marshall.
The Mord Sith stood close to them, looking around, hoping to find her sister.
"What is her name?" asked Evana, she hadn't been told much either.
"Elize," the Mord Sith answered shortly and entered the tavern first, followed by Joan and Evana and five soldiers.
Joan felt suddenly scared, this was the moment when things were set to change even more. He would, maybe, finally find out what they wanted with him.

[Cara]

Luchin sheathed his sword as he followed Ademai out. "So I am guessing that I am 'unarrested'?" Ademai looked back at him without saying a word. "Works for me..." Luchin said as he followed her. "What now?" he asked. He felt tired and confused. Used. "Did Reemus give you a plan?"

Aslen looked at the other Confessors with pride. "You have done well," she said. "Sadly, I have just received word that the attack has failed," she said. General Shorshall has continued on with his attack. We must be prepared for anything."
"Mother Confessor, is it true that they plan to attack Aydindril?" a younger woman asked. She was still young, but times called for even the younger ones to be aware and ready.
"Yes." There were murmurings. "We have all known this for some time. It is not like our home has been threatened in the past," she said. "The magic that went in to building this city as well as the wizard's webs that cover every breath has always defended our walls and our people. We face a new enemy - Lord Rahl and his armies. We must be vigalent. I don't want many going out for Confessions unless it is urgent..."
"I am sorry to interrupt, Mother Confessor, but are you putting us on...lock down?"
Aslen sighed. "No, not lock down. But be aware what risk you take in leaving Aydrindril."
She stood, signaling the end of the meeting. She had plans to work on.

Elize rode in quickly, her face set in a mask. She jumped down, holding the reigns tightly in one hand, the whip in the other.
Her eyes moved over the signs. The main tavern, that is where she heard they would be. A tavern? Really? She sighed, irritated. Things seemed out of her control, and she didn't like that.
She tied her horse off, paying a boy to watch it before walking inside. It was dim at first before her eyes adjusted.
"Ah, Mistress Verna," she said, looking at the other Mord-Sith sitting at a table. Elize glared at a man who didn't move out of her way fast enough. She could smell the fear in the air and smiled. Even though these people were used to seeing Mord-Sith, they feared them. As everyone should.
"Mistress Elize," Verna said, giving her a slight bow. Elize nodded in acknowledgement.
"The boy?" Elize asked, getting right down to business.
"Here, as promised."
"You have made my job too easy," Elize said, eyes hard.
"No, he made it easy, crossing the Boundary right into our arms," Verna said with a smile. "I don't know how we would have crossed."
"Well you need not fret about that. You have him. Let me see him..."
"Right this way."
As they walked Elize looked at Verna. "May I ask, why a tavern?"

[Galadas]

Ademai shook her head. "Reemus only told me to go talk to you, but I expect that we'll follow him in battle, he might even be happy to see you," she said with a grin and took two horses from the stables. Her horse and Luchin's horse. "I hope we're not too late," she said.
They rode through the gates, after being stopped by the guards and Ademai's short explanation of the situation. The guards were just happy they hadn't lost their favorite General.
"Promise you won't kill him the minute you see him," Ademai said, a grin on her face, it wasn't a serious question.


Verna held her head high. "Apprently the main quarters of Joven are under construction. Some rebels tried to burn the whole place down," she explained. She walked up the stairs and opened the first door on her right.
The room was small, there was a bed, a chair and a small table. A woman sat on the chair, she looked up instinctively when the door opened. A boy sat on the bed, he held a warm mug of tea in his right hand, sipping from it. She noticed his pale face and the bandage on his shoulder. He took a few more seconds than Evana before looking up. He was calm, he showed no fear, probably because he wasn't familiar with the Mord Sith.

Joan kept his mouth shut, he held the mug close to him, and stared at the two woman, both dressed in a long coat and red suits, their hair tied up. He found it not scary, but Evana had tried to explain him that the Mord Sith were the most feared people in their world. Well, not in his. In Westend, he had never even heard of a Mord Sith, only Confessors were mentioned once or twice. Magic was mostly seen as something mad and stupid. Only lost or crazy people believed in magic. Did that mean that he was crazy now? Lost he was, lost in a world that was far from his. He placed the mug on the ground and stood, reaching out his hand to Elize.


Reemus sat on his horse, Calvary were right and left of him, before them was the city of Ormeli, a city he had conquered before. Ormeli which had once been under Lord Rahl's control, until the people rose up to him. He still remembered the part of the wall that he had fired at last time, it had been rebuild, but to what extend.
The Archers and the Infantry were just out of shooting range, which was good. He needed to weaken the walls before sending his army in. With closed gates they couldn't go anywhere.
"Prepare the catapults!" he yelled, an order which was repeated until it reached its goal.
Forty catapults moved ten feet forward, big pieces of rock were carried on the wooden ending. The sound of working men was released over the silent crowd. There came sound from behind the walls, in the city itself they were preparing as well.
"Tell Lyra to keep the men behind shooting range until we've broken through the wall," Reemus said to one of his Lieutenant Generals.
The first catapult released the stone, which hit off against the stone wall, which probably had been protected by magic. But no magic was stronger than the will of men, Marshall Tora had once told Reemus. The second stone flew through the sky and over the wall, two houses collapsed under its weight. While the first two catapults reloaded, more stones flew into the air, some creating giant holes in the wall, others landing before the wall and a few hit houses in the crowded city. The battle had begun, and the longer Reemus' army could keep this up, the easier it would be for his men to take the city. They wouldn't even need the Calvary if his data on the Rebellion army was correct. They shouldn't have ever tried to start a rebellion, now they had to suffer through more defeats and loses.
Reemus knew how it was to lose soldiers, he had only once fought against an enemy that was well prepared. A Melidis army on its way to Aydindril, they had met during a rainy day, and that day Reemus had lost 4,000 men, of which 3,000 Calvary. He had given great worth to the Horsemen, they had showed of good use during many battles outside cities. Marshall Tora had always underestimated the power of Calvary.

[Cara]

(hmm, just curious. do you know about this from the television series, or the books?)

Luchin gave a chuckle at this as they rode. He couldn't believe that Reemus would push ahead with his plans. He had been stabbed and had lost all but one of his generals. Who had he promoted? Or was it that he was working with the next standing officers instead? Nothing seemed to slow Reemus when he had set his mind to a goal. Luchin found himself glad that he was friends with the man and not on the other end of the sword.


Elize nodded as she looked at Evana, who had stood as soon as she had entered and bowed. "Miss Tora," Elize said with a nod of greeting.
Elize glared down at Joan, secretly annoyed that he acted this way. "What is your name, boy?" she said, ignoring the open hand he held for her.
"Joan Chibnall," he said, dropping his hand.
Elize looked back at Evana, her mouth set in a frown. "Why is this boy not shackled?" she demanded. She looked back at Verna. "Verna?" she said, not using any title. "Your reason?" Verna opened her mouth to reply, as Elize suddenly slapped her across the face with the back of her hand.
Joan jumped back, startled as he stared at Elize. "I'm... I'm sorry, Mistress Elize," she said, looking up at Elize. As she removed her hand, there was a gash open on her face, and blood dripped down. Her lip was also split. She wiped the blood away, leaving a smear down her pale face, before standing straighter.
"Very well," Elize said, with a satisfied smirk. "Good thing I will be taking it from here," she said, as she watched Verna go and fetch a pair of shackles.
Elize looked back at Evana who hadn't moved. "Where did you find him?" she asked.
"Across the Boundary. He was shot, but I have seen to it that it hasn't been infected."
"Good," Elize said.
Verna had returned. "Put out your hands," she snapped. Joan didn't move. Verna, clearly still upset about being humiliated grabbed the mug from his hands and twisted Joan's wrists. Joan yelped, as she janked them painfully backward. Elize watched with indifference as his hands were shackled behind his back.
Verna stood looking at Elize, almost waiting for her compliments. "Perhaps you should return to the Keep for more training?" Elize asked, her eyes hard. Verna paled slightly. "I... Mistress Elize, there is no need..."
"I think there is. You are to leave immediately tonight and return to the Keep. You have been in the field for much too long," Elize said, running her eyes slowly over the other young woman. She stepped threatening closer. Verna didn't move. "There are plenty of prisoners coming in from the rebel camps. We need more sisters there anyway. Go and enjoy yourself," Elize said softly into her ear.
Verna stepped back, eager for the distance that it put between her and Elize. She gave a bow to her, nodded to Evana and stepped out of the room.

[Galadas]

(I watched only two episodes from the series, and I read one book, the one with the history of how the Wall go to be there, just making things up as I go :3 )

Ademai and Luchin had rode as fast as their horses let them, making it more easy for them to reach Ormeli in less than an hour. Before them rose the far end of the Army, where the Calvary stood between them and Reemus.
"Let us through!" Ademai demanded, making riders look over their shoulders and move their horses away from each other, so she and Luchin passed. A city appeared between the brown, white and black backs of the horses, a strong grey wall.

Reemus smiled victorious while the rocks hit the city walls and the people inside Ormeli screamed. The sound they made as they hopelessly created their army and brought the to the walls. It was too late for them, the brick boundary between his army and their sad collection of men. The wall finally broke, just as two horsemen appeared behind him. The men screamed of joy, finally could they move forward. Infantry ran towards the city, followed by archers, who stopped close to the walls and fired their first reign of arrows.
"Reemus," a voice said.
He turned, and saw Ademai and Luchin, both on their horse. The Mord Sith had her eyes fixed on Reemus, while his General looked at the fight that was just about to take place. The wall had broken to a hole twice as big as the last time, when he had been only a Lieutenant General under Marshall Shorshall.
"Welcome," he said. "To the victory that awaits us!" He wanted to say more, to tell Luchin that he was sorry about his reaction, but since he was the only officer left to handle the remaining piece of his army, he had to keep watch on everything. He had never before been in charge of a whole operation on his own, it was certainly a challenge. "Point the catapults at an other part of the wall, bring in the fire arrows, we need to break through that gate in order to take the city with the Calvary!" he yelled, and again his orders were repeated.


Joan felt an enormous amount of pain in his shoulder when he was shackled. He did not understand why it had to be done, he wasn't going to run away, he had nowhere to go.
Evana felt even more an urge to speak against it, she had only once told a Mord Sith how wrong they were, but that was when she was accompanied by her father. "You don't have to shackle him, he has traveled with us the whole way without being of any trouble," she said, not moving from her place.


Reemus turned to his friend and the Mord Sith, rode his horse closer to them. He glanced back at the walls, rocks fell out of the air, destroying most of the upper wall and buildings behind it, but there was not yet a breakthrough, granting him time to apologize. He led his horse next to Luchin.
"I'm very sorry for what I did, I hope you can forgive me for that, my friend," he said, holding out his hand. A handshake and everything would be well, his mind promised him.

[Cara]

Luchin took Reemus hand in a firm shake. "All is forgiven. I understand your worry. I can not tell you why I was the only one to survive," he said. He gave a smirk. "Just don't arrest me again."
Reemus laughed, feeling the heat of the battle rush through him. "Done!"
The two men laughed as they watched the city fall.


Elize hooked Evana with her cold eyes. "Just because he didn't cause trouble before doesn't mean that he won't later. He is still a prisoner of Lord Rahl's," she snapped. "I know you do no agree with our...customs," Elize said, stroking her agile as if it were a baby. She gave a sneering smile. She had been there when Evana had spoken out. Only her father's presence had saved her from a beating. Evana used her status as daughter to Marshall Tora as a weapon and a shield. "but I do not serve to please you," she said.
Without warning she hit Joan with her agile, pressing it against his shoulder. Joan screamed, unable to move.
"Stop!" Evana cried, jumping up. Elize held it for a few moments longer before pulling back her agile. There were bleeding welts where she had pressed it. Joan whimpered into the covers of the bed, stretched into an awkward position because of the shackles.
Elize smiled, a cruel grin spreading across her lips. She twirled her agile and it made a hissing noise in the air. She flicked her eyes at Evana. "We leave for the People's Palace before dawn's light," she said, not even caring that Joan was still writhing from the sting of her agile. "Be ready. You are to be dropped off at Ormwell with Shorshall's forces."
Elize grabbed a handful of Joan's hair and lifted him from the bed where he lay, panting, trying to regain his breath. Evana flinched, watching. "Stand up," she snarled, yanking him to his feet.
"Wait... Where are you taking him?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"That is none of your concern," Elize replied.
"We leave at dawn's light. Let him stay the night here. In my room."
Elize narrowed her eyes. "In your room..."
"Yes..." Evana said, seeming to shrink before Elize's glare.
She smiled, something mocking and sly. To Evana's surprise she said, yes. "Why not..." she said with a laugh. "Fine, keep him for the night. If anything happens to him. Should he...escape or anything. I will fillet you, your father be damned," she said, calmly. Before Evana could say another word, Elize pressed her agile to Joan's back, between his shoulder blades. His screams split the air, and Elize smiled. Time seemed suspended with Joan frozen in pain on the end of her agile. Then suddenly he collapsed in a heap on the floor, passing out from the pain.
"He is all yours," Elize said, kicking him over onto his back. She looked back at Evana. "And that is Mistress Elize, to you," she said. And left the room.

[Galadas]

(Since Joan can't be effected, shouldn't Elize's agile work neither? Or did I really miss something in that episode?
Now. My plan has been has been set in motion, enjoy it :3 )

Evana waited for Joan to open his eyes again, she had dragged him onto the bed and cleaned the wound once more, it was healing, which was good. She just hoped Elize would leave him alone for the rest of his journey. The shackles were really in the way. She sighed, she wished she could help the boy, but she would not only put her own life in danger but also that of her father, and she loved him too much to do something like that to him.

Joan looked up, pain still shook through his whole body. He ignored it, he could only feel the longing in his heart, he missed home, still. It felt like someone had died, and maybe there had, maybe he had died himself the moment he crossed the wall. Evana watched over him. She was a beautiful woman, but most of all, she was strong and determined.
"Chib, I can't help you escape, instead I want to tell you everything you need to know, anything that might save you from a worse fate," she whispered.
Joan nodded. "Because of your father, I understand," he said, moving into sitting position.
"Good," Evana sat down next to him. "I'll tell you about the Mord Sith, first of all."
Joan listened, every word raided through his mind, everything he saved like he was a book. Written down on pages, in a way he could only make sense of them. Evana told him about the Mord Sith, first in an objective way, then her own opinion. She told him how everyone feared them, and how it was better to pretend to fear them as well, because they liked that. She had understood that Elize was going to take him to People's Palace, and told Joan about Lord Rahl; how to address him and the do's and the don'ts. She even told him about General Shorshall, she had stories about when they were young, she had stories about the great city of Aydindril.
Her stories made Joan tired, and eventually he fell asleep. Processing the information he would need for the next few days.


Reemus had rode forward, leaving General Coladar with a few of his Lieutenant Generals, Ademai at his side. The only reason why she kept up with him was not because she cared. Her caring was just part of a big play, a mask she wore a few times a day. She studied human emotion, because she was not sure how some of them felt. She had felt love long ago, but had forgotten it. She liked him because he could be as cruel her.
He felt victorious when he rode through the gates of Ormeli, their attack had been swift, and the surprise had given them the advantage and the victory. His strategy had worked once more, a part of the rebellion army had fled to Aydindril, and he had not send any of his formation after them. He jumped off his horse, walking through the city streets, where his soldiers were raiding the houses and brought the citizens of the city to the square. He needed to make sure another rebellion would never be spoken off. Ademai walked next to him, enjoying the fear, and smirking.
“Marshall,” said one of his Lieutenant Generals, he recognized Lyra. “We caught one of the rebel leaders!”
Reemus found himself being surrounded by a few of his Lieutenant Generals, they wanted all to become Generals. He had his hands on his back, his sword around his waist, with so many soldiers around him, he was the safest man in Ormeli. “Just one, well, that’s enough for now,” he replied, putting his hand on the Lyra’s shoulder. “Did we catch some Confessors? Wizards?” he asked, as he saw the square coming closer.
“A few, sir. We placed them in quarantine,” Lyra said.
“Good, good, and the rebel leader?”
“An example, she’s on the square.”
“She?” Reemus looked surprised, but he already got his answer. As he broke out of the crowd of soldiers and reached the open, he saw a Confessor standing in the middle. It was not just any Confessor, because he recognized her. He froze, memories flew to the surface, he felt trapped, lost, every feeling he had when he was being tortured. She was there, she had been watching as they tortured him, and he had begged her to confess him, anything to stop the pain. He wouldn’t be begging anymore, he would face her, two years later, Field Marshall of Lord Rahl’s army.
He walked to the middle of the square, followed by Lyra and Lieutenant Kuy'r. He found himself thinking again, the idea of bloodshed and revenge contaminated him mind. “Confessor,” he said, hate in his voice.
The Confessor looked up, she stood calmly, and he could hear the common people of Melidis yelling at him. He ignored their insults and name calling, they had lost to him, they were all prisoners.
“Marshall Shorshall,” said the Confessor, and it felt good that she called him by his title. “It’s been long.”
Memories struck him again, and she could see the pain in his eyes return. He felt his heart getting heavy. He drew his sword, turned it once in his hand, and then stuck it beneath the Confessors chest. He felt relieved as he pulled the weapon back and saw the Confessor fall to the ground.
There was more yelling coming from the crowd, the commoners yelled in fear, his soldiers yelled of victory. He had done right by it, it might not satisfy everyone, but it satisfied him and his soldiers, that was enough for now. “Huy'r,” he called and his Lieutenant General walked over to him. Reemus did not take his eyes off the Confessor, he wanted to capture the image, he believed it could be good for his nightmares. “Line up all the Confessors and all the women above 16, kill one every hour. Put all the men in prison, put all the boys and the girls together. Send me one boy,” he ordered.
Huy'r walked over to the next Lieutenant General and continued the streams of orders. No one seemed to mind his plan, luckily Luchin wasn't there to see him acting impulsive again. Huy'r acted fast on the last order, taking one of the boys from the crowd and bringing him to Reemus, at that moment the orders became clear to everyone. The crowd was separated, women were taken to the middle, boys and girls were brought to the big city hall and the men were scuffed and kicked to the dungeons.
Reemus nodded at the boy, a young child of around 14 years old, with white blond hair and two drowned blue eyes. “Go to Aydindril and send the Mother Confessor a message for me, I’ll give you a horse and I’ll give you your life,” he said, knowing that fear worked best. “Tell the Mother Confessor that I’ll kill one woman every hour, until she comes here and faces me.”
The boy was send away and rode out only ten minutes later, while the city was under control and the camp was set up outside of Ormeli. Now it was only waiting, until an answer would return from Aydindril.

[Cara]

(I am three books into the series. I saw the entire television series too. Sad that it was canceled! Anyway, lets just leave it that a Mord-Sith's agile is the only thing that works. In the books it's a different sort of magic all on its own...)

Luchin excused himself from the lieutenants who surrounded him. They were all trying to gain his favor in chance that me might recommend one or two to Reemus for a promotion. Getting on his horse he rode down the hill and into the city.
He saw the woman and men separated. Children cried for lost parents or were screaming as they were dragged away from crying mothers. Luchin jumped from his horse and walked swiftly to one of the men giving orders.
"What has Reemus ordered?" he asked.
"Greetings, General Coladar. He had ordered all the woman over sixteen and Confessors lined up. One to be killed an hour. Men are down in the dungeons and the children are all grouped together in one of the large halls under watch."
"Thank you, Sergent." Luchin closed his eyes. What was Reemus up to? He looked over at the women lined up by the wall. Their terrified faces looked out with empty eyes. The Confessors stood out with their white dresses, being the only ones shackled to the wall. They stood tall and defiant, proud, though he knew they were just as terrified to die.
Luchin looked for Reemus but didn't see him anywhere. Sighing he went up to one of the women chained there. She looked at him with loathing. "General Coladar..." she said. She jerked forward, as if to reach for him with one of her deadly hands, but the chains kept her back.
"Do I know you?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest.
The Confessor laughed. "The Mother Confessor thought you were worth saving. I guess she was wrong."
Luchin glanced around to see of anyone was in hearing distance. "Why did she think I was worth saving? What does that mean? And this..." he said, motioning to the chains. "That was not my order. If it counts for anything, I'm sorry..."
The Confessor looked at him in suspicion. "Sorry for what? Sorry that your little generals had to die, and you were the one to do it?"
Luchin shrugged. "For...everything I guess," he said. And he was. He was a general and they were at war. He had done so many things he wasn't proud of. Killed and hurt so many people. Was it worth it?
The Confessor surveyed him, his face softening slightly. Luchin saw that she wasn't much older than his sister back home. Probably only 19 or 20 years old.


"Mother Confessor! Mother Confessor!"
Aslen looked up as a young boy sprinted into the hall, his blonde hair flying.
"I'm sorry Mother Confessor," a servant said, who had followed the boy in. "He demanded entrance, even though I said that you were not to be disturbed."
The young boy's eyes were wild and frightened as he ignored the servant. "Ormwell has fallen," he gasped.
Aslen silently looked over the boy. "We know," she said softly.
The boy paused as if surprised at this. Aslen gave him her best smile. "We have our sources," she said. "What is your name?"
"Michen, Mother Confessor" the boy said. "Did you know, though, that the general is killing everyone?" he said, hugging himself.
"It can be assumed that General Shorshall will slaughter everyone," she said, her face a Confessor's mask.
"But... but...The general said that he will kill a person...a woman and Confessor every hour until your arrive. He wants you to meet him."
Andrioth who had been standing besides her looked at Aslen. "That would be suicide," he said.
"I know," Aslen said. She looked at Michen. "Is that everything?" she asked. The boy nodded, relieved. "Thank you, Michen. I shall have one of the servants fetch you water, food and a place to stay."
"Thank you, Mother Confessor. Thank you..." he said, bowing low before leaving.

Aslen had only slept a few hours. She had been up worrying. Now it was entirely true. She closed her eyes as silent tears slipped down her face. There were at least four or five Confessors in Ormwell. She knew right then that they would be killed. "How many?" she asked Andrioth.
"It is confirmed that there are five Confessors, each with a wizard."
"Who?" she asked in a chocked voice. She had dread in her heart. Many knew that it was dangerous outside of Aydrindril at the moment. She couldn't do anything to save them. They were lost. Following Shorshall's orders would be going to her death.
Andrioth swallowed, listing them. Aslen listened with a heavy heart.
"That is only four..." Aslen said, setting her blue eyes on her dear friend and wizard. Andrioth looked away. "Well? Wizard Andrioth, I demand that you give me the names," she said, her nerves frayed.
"Charlot is among them."
Charlot was her sister.
Aslen froze. "That is impossible. Charlot is here in Aydindril. I saw her the other day..."
Andrioth shook his head. "No... she left right after you saw her."
"Why did I not know of this!" Aslen said, frantic. "No... No... Damn it!"
"The Creator give you peace!" Anrioth said, taking her hand. She shook it off.
"She's my sister..." Aslen said, on the verge of tears.
"And you are the Mother Confessor," Andrioth needlessly reminded her. "You going there will only get the both of you killed, and where would that leave us?"
Aslen collapsed back into her chair, her hands to her face. "Charlot!" After a moment she looked at Andrioth. "Is there...anything? Any way? You have stayed in the Old World. I never have asked you for anything much before. But this... Please."
Andrioth looked troubled. He had never seen Aslen this distraught before. As Mother Confessor she needed to control her emotions and think rationally. Finally he rested a hand on her shoulder. "I think I have an idea, though I'm not sure if you are going to like it.


The Confessor gave Luchin a curious look. "If you are truly sorry then you will do what is right," she said, giving him a level glance.
Luchin laughed. "Vague enough?"
She didn't think it was funny. "If your heart is in the right place then it is not vague at all what you must do."
He shook his head. "What is your name? You obviously know who I am."
"I am Confessor Charlot."

[Galadas]

(okay, sounds alright. :] )

Ademai walked over the wall where the women were lined up. She loved Reemus' plan, and the fact that he had remained cruel even at the edge of what might become a breakdown. She only disliked that he had started to push her around again, she felt more like a servant than a Mord Sith, but she would allow it, this time.
"Luchin!" she yelled, when she saw General Coladar standing with one of the confessors. "Reemus wants to see you," she said. She wondered for a second why Luchin would bother to talk to one of the people that had killed his friends. Until Luchin joined her where she stood.
"About?" he asked, standing strong.
"No idea," she answered.

Reemus sat on one of the chairs in the great hall, his head leaning on his strong arm, his back into the chair. He had been victorious, but also suffered a great loss, and it felt heavy on his heart, heavier than he could've ever imagined. He had been crying, tears remained on his tired skin, and he didn't bother to take them away when Luchin entered. "Luchin," he said, and stood slowly. His mind was uneasy, he had been waiting for the next dead to emerge, almost an hour had passed. Meanwhile, the sun had dropped to the horizon since they arrived, it was soon to be night, and he hadn't decided if he wanted to stay in the city, or sleep outside in the camp. He certainly didn't feel safe in a place where others knew where to find him.
"Reemus," Luchin said, looking worried at his friend.
"I was wondering if you might want to take charge of the memorial for our friends," he asked.
Luchin looked away, it had probably not yet hit him that the other Generals were forever gone. "I wouldn't mind," he said.
Reemus nodded, a soft smile on his face, a grateful one. "I have other news that might cheer you up," he said. "Lord Rahl has given you the status of being next in line to the Marshall rank Tora is now possessing."
Before Luchin could make any reaction, screams rose from the square as the next execution took place. General Coladar everted his head to the side, biting his teeth together and closing his eyes.
Marshall Shorshall tried to remain in his powerful essence, but pointed his eyes at the ground and closed his eyes, he was struggling with his conscience, but he kept telling himself that revenge tasted sweet, even when it tasted like stone.

[Cara]

Luchin drew his sword. He looked at Reemus. "Should I go? You should rest," he said with concern. "It is probably nothing," he said.
Reemus shook his head and slowly stood. "No," he said, taking out his sword too. "Go."


Andrioth watched Aslen place, her white dress swirling about her heels. "When will it be ready?" she demanded.
"Spells like this take time. And sending you that distance? It will take more time," he said, calmly, though he felt his heart in turmoil.
"Every hour one of them will die," she said. "Charlot could be dead by now."
Andrioth closed his eyes, letting his magic set in, as he held his hands over a chalice. This type of magic was extremely complicated, and this needed to go perfectly to work. He concentrated on his breathing which matched the pulse of his magic. When he opened his eyes the liquid in the cup had turned clear like water. "Ready," he said, almost too quiet to hear. "Are you ready, Mother Confessor?"


Elize hated doing nothing. Why did she just not take Joan from Evana? She huffed. "One of your best ports," Elize said, looking at the bartender. His face was pale and wide. Fearful. She loved the smell of it!
"Yes, of course. On the house," he stammered, as he went in the back to get it. He quickly returned, handing her the glass. She sipped it in icy silence as she moved to a dark corner table to watch the ongoing of the tavern.
"Mommy! Can I get my favorite drink?"
Elize looked over to where a young girl, probably no older than six, ran in, followed by her parents. "Sure, honey," the mother said, running a hand lovingly through the girl's blonde locks. The girl smiled and laughed as the bartender bent down and handed her a candy.
"Thank you," the child said with a shy smile.
Elize watched the small, happy trio make their way to a table, not far from where Elize sat by herself. She was dragged, unwillingly, back to when she was that age. Innocent and happy.
"Mama!"
"What is it?" her mother asked, smiling brightly, as she took her small daughter up in her warm arms. "What happened?"
"I...I found a small birdie," Elize said. "Mr.Larsonn's cat got it, but I saved it," she said. "It's hurt real bad."
Her mother knelt down besides her. "Oh?" She opened her tiny hands where a frightened bird was cupped gently."The cat hurt the birdie," she said on the verge of tears. "Can you fix him?" she cried.
Her mother smiled and took the bird in her nimble fingers. She bent over it and kissed it on the head. Elize watched with amazed and wide eyes as the bird seemed to come alive, stretching its wings. "Here."
"How...?" Elize took it in her hands. The bird sat up, looking at her for a moment before taking flight.
"It is a small gift I have."
Elize took her mother's hand, holding tightly. "I love you, mama."
"And I you. Always."

She found herself angry at them. They were so content, so at peace. They didn't deserve to be happy. Elize was in a dark mood. She stood up, leaving her drink unfinished, and walked straight over to where the family sat.
The mother saw her approaching first and stood up, grabbing her child's hand and pulling her close to her breast. She put her arms around her, protectively. Her father stood in front of the two of them, glaring at her with enough hatred to kill. Elize gave him a sneer.
"You won't have our daughter," he said, taking his wife's hand. Everyone knew that Mord-Sith usually took, stole and kidnapped young girls as their trainees. The tavern had fallen silent, and all were watching her.
"Whether I wanted her or not, you would not be able to stop me." Before anyone could react, Elize had her agile out. With incredibly fast moves she had the father on the ground and the mother across the floor, the child ripped from her hands. The father staggered to his feet, fists swinging. Elize easily defended herself, as she hit her agile across his face and cracking it down on his wrists. The man gave a cry as he fell to his knees.
The child had frozen and was watching Elize with wild, terrified eyes.
Elize bent down to look her in the face. "What is your name, child?" she asked.
"Don't answer her!" her father gasped. Elize kicked him in the stomach, silencing him. She looked at the girl, expectantly.
"I am... Shina."
Elize gave the girl a smile. "They call me Mistress Elize," she said, holding out her hand. The girl slowly put her palm in her's.
"Elize, step away from the child."
Elize stood up with deliberate slowness as she turned and faced Evana and gave her a malicious snarl. "Evana..." she said, leaving the child. The mother hurried over to her as soon as Elize had moved away, and was clutching her, crying softly. "And where is your charge?"
"Joan is upstairs. Sleeping. Recovering from the beating you gave him earlier."
"Good," Elize said, unsympathetic.
Evana stepped down onto the floor. "What are you doing?" she asked, her face stone. "You are not here to...recruit," Evana snarled back, furious.
"And you are not here to be my babysitter," Elize said, looking back at the family who had gathered themselves.
Evana brushed past Elize to help the family. "I am so sorry," Elize could hear her saying. "Please, take this," she said, handing them a few coins from her purse. They thanked her profusely before fleeing the tavern. She turned back to Elize, who was leaning against the wall, fire in her eyes. The activity picked up once again in the tavern, though a few close by continued to watch. Elize glared at them, until they returned to their business.
"What to fuck, Elize," Evana said, openly disgusted. Elize looked at her without reaction. "Why would you do that!"
Elize laughed. It was grating and bitter, cruel. "Oh no, that was just to annoy you," she said, and pushed past Evana who stood there, her mouth open. "Good night, Evana."

[Galadas]

Reemus stopped fighting after about twenty minutes, he never had been able to win from Luchin, his fighting skills had only dropped, while his had grown. "Time for me to sleep," he said, smiling tiredly. "I'll sleep outside the city walls tonight," he noted. "You have that choice too." He left, patting Luchin on his shoulder before he walked over to the door and passed through the halls. Three guards followed him, he could only feel safe as long as he was protected, he wondered if he would ever be able to stand anywhere alone. Maybe just in his dreams. He walked over the empty square, where he saw only three Confessors remaining of the five they had captured. He decided to walk over to them.
"General Shorshall!" said one of them, full hatred.
"We call that rank Marshall, there's a difference," he answered.
"You will be punished for what you did, the crimes you committed!"
Reemus let them talk, he loved having conversations with prisoners, they always promised him a slow dead, but until now, no one had yet succeed. "As will you, for trying to assassinate me and kill my Generals," he whispered into the air, not coming to close, afraid of being confessed. Which was a common fear among his men.
"The Mother Confessor will take you down!"
The first time it had been the first Confessor in line talking, now it was just the last one, she was sparked with some kind of fire.
"Let her try," he said, "Lady..."
"Charlot," she replied.
"I'll remember that, when I see the Mother Confessor I tell her you suffered a slower dead than your sisters," he said and drew his sword. He pointed the sword at her, just below her ribs, he had a scar at the same place. "Just a small cut right there and you'll bleed out within a few hours, until you finally give up and disappear into the darkness." She looked at him, just with hatred, he feared it, but treasured it. With one smooth movement he stabbed his sword where he had figured it to cut her skin and drawn it back. She fell to the ground. "Goodnight," he said, and turned around.
"She'll kill you!" the Confessor screamed.
"She already tried."


Evana closed the door behind her, finding Joan sitting against the wall and looking outside. "You should be resting," she said, when she sat down on the bed.
"I don't feel tired," he answered.
"How are your wounds?" she asked, leaning forward to inspect his shoulder. The place where the agile had hit was a bit red, but seemed to have healed very quickly, maybe even to quickly. She had always learned that the magic the Mord Sith used was something entirely different from normal Magic, but even though, Joan as a boy resisted to magic seemed to fail against it. The fact that his wounds healed a bit faster seemed realistic.
"I don't feel pain anymore," said Joan, he hadn't moved his eyes away from the window, where a whole different city life flourished before him, all very strange, compared to what he normally saw in his hometown.
"Good, your shoulder is healing good."
"When I'm going with Elize, where are you going?" he asked, his eyes closed a bit as he tried to focus on two Daharian soldiers.
"Ormeli, a city north of here, we're joining Reemus' army for the attack on Aydindril," she whispered, sitting with her legs crossed.
Joan nodded, taking Evana's hand. "Will I ever see you again?"
Evana smiled. "Sure you will, Chib, we're fighting under the same flag now."


Reemus took off his shirt slowly, especially when he had to pull it over his shoulder. He felt handicap, he could only move his arm as far as shoulder height. It wasn't very warm in the tent, the fresh air from outside gave him goosebumps. But he still refused to sleep within the walls of Ormeli, where he feared death. He slept among hundreds of his own soldiers, who had stationed their camps in lines and celebrated their victory with beer and wine. He himself had his own large bottle of win in his tent, enough to make him sleep. He sat down on his bed, the bottle in his hand, his blanket over his naked body, as he stared into the depths of the fire. His tent wasn't big, it had the same capacity as all the other tents, only he didn't have to share it with anyone.
He had no idea where Ademai was, and he didn't really care, she would come if she wanted to, she always did.
He closed his eyes, thinking back about the torture, which his mind couldn't reject.
It had been during one of their biggest fights, he was a General. The soldiers had spread out over a large area, everywhere small fights were going on between one or two groups of men.
Reemus ran down the field, his sword in front of him, he took down two Melidis soldiers, and single-handedly took out one of the two catapults their enemy had. His heart was racing with energy, his sword drenched with blood. Until he was attacked from behind, a sword was pressed against the underside of his rib, he felt warm blood fall down his skin. The sword was ripped away from his skin and left him to die. At least, that was what he thought, he was dragged to his feet by two men, he could only hear their voices, his eyes were closed and his mind was bloated with pain.
"Fast, fast, they are behind us!" yelled one of the voices.
He passed out, and when he woke up the open wound below his rib had been covered by some kind of bandage. He was sitting on a chair. There were four people, one he was killed when he was freed, the other, the Confessor, he had killed today. One of them hit him against his head, four times in a row, then took him by his hair and held his chin from his chest. "General Reemus Shorshall," he said, introducing him to the three others. "He's close to Marshall Arraton."
The three nodded, one was a man with long brown hair, the other a woman with a long brown dress.
By then his head had been racing with fear, his lip and nose were bleeding, his eyes were halved close. He had hope for a rescue only the first day, when they had broken his arm on three different places and split his lip. His face and his chest were crowded with brushes.
Reemus pressed his eyes together. Something one of his shrink had introduced to him, he had promised Reemus that if he repeated what happened in his head he could learn to live with it, but it had never helped much. He started drinking, putting his head down on the pillow. "Go to sleep!" he whispered to himself. But he was kept out of his sleep by a series of screams, an other Confessor had been killed by his great plan.