The Order by Jammies2000

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 1


Fog!!! She hated fog. It made it seem darker, it was cold, damp and it made everything cold and damp as well. But here she was going through this forest because the Grand Master of the Order had called her, she didn’t have a horse so she was walking and to top it off there had to be this accursed fog !!! She hated fog. But her mind was more on why she was being called upon then the horrible fog. The Grand Master had not called upon her for many years and she had been content to live alone in the small cottage in the woods that she had found and fixed when she first had taken her leave of absence from the Order. It must be of grave importance for him to have called her back, granted there were not many of her rank in the Order, her brother being of the same rank as her was there with the Master for she kept in contact with him. So she kept walking the Master knew it would take at least a week maybe longer if she could not purchase a good horse somewhere.

At least I have Celesta to talk to she thought touching her sword under her dark cloak… a sound from the brush along side the road brought her back to where she was. She did not slow her pace or pick it up, she did not want them to know she had heard them. She could tell there were several beings along the road waiting for the right time hoping to catch her off guard. She sighed inwardly she really didn’t have time for this nor did she want to hurt anybody. She kept walking until she saw a lone figure in the road ahead then she slowed to a stop. Several men came out from the woods.

“We don’t want to harm you all we want is your money and other valuables.” he said

“I have nothing to give you.” She said from beneath the hood of her cloak he could not see her face

“If you do not give them to us we will take them.” He stated

“Take them, if you can.” she said grinning

“Fine,” the one closest to her said as he stepped forward before anyone could saying anything else. He reached under her cloak to remove her sword, but as soon as he got his hand around the hilt it be became white hot and he let got with a yelp of pain.

“She doesn’t like strangers” she said. He glared at her cradling he burnt hand then was going to try again to get the sword for now he knew it was magical he always wanted one of those.

“I wouldn’t if I was you. You were fortunate she just burned you, she may not be a forgiving a second time around.” she said. Then she noticed the one that spoke first was approaching .

“Hold on a minute, lets see that sword” he said. He thought he recognized the voice but was not sure but he knew he would know for sure once he saw the sword. So he stepped forward and moved her cloak to the side so he could see it was the same sword and now that he was close enough he could see her face as well.

He smiled and said “It is good to see you again. How have you been?”

“Good, I have been doing good. You wouldn’t happen to have a horse for sale now would you?” she asked smiling at him.

“Hell after what you did for me I would give you the horse, you know that.” Then he turned to his men and said “Its ok she is a very old friend she doesn’t have anything we need and if she did we wouldn’t be able to take it from her anyway. We are going back to the lair.” Then he turned back to her “Come to our camp and I will get you that horse. You can rest and start out in the morning it will be close to dark by the time we get there” she agreed.

They walked to the camp and were greeted warmly be the others. There was food on the fires and many tents, more then the last time she was in one of these camps.

She was shown over to a tent that must have been for guests for it was empty but had everything she needed to get some rest. There was a fire burning in the middle of the tent and it also had a curtained off area where she could wash up if she wanted to and boy did she. She had been walking for about 3 days already and she just felt so grimy. She took off her cloak and hung it on a peg from one to the poles close to the fire so it would dry some since it was somewhat damp. She went behind the curtain and removed her clothes and washed some the water was chilly for she didn’t heat it up but maybe later she would take a bath in the tub that was placed here. She wanted to eat first so she put her clothes back on and went outside. She spotted him by one of the fires and walked over by him and sat down.

He glanced at her and handed her a plate that she proceeded to fill with food. While they ate no one really said anything but when they were finished and the plates taken away he turned to her and smiled flashing his dimples.

“So what brings you to my neck of the woods, young lady?”

She rolled her eyes and snorted he was always calling her young lady. “A summons.”

“A summons?” he asked

“Yes and this is the shortest way there.” She said

“Well besides a horse is there anything else I can do for you?”

“Um, some extra supplies might be nice I still – “ she stopped

“She is the one who did this, she gave me this burn” whined the boy who had tried to take her sword. A dark haired boy who looked somewhat like him but a bit older followed him.

“Sonny, why did you bring the person that did this to my brother back to camp?” the older one asked.

“Lucky stop whining. When Jason gets back he will take care of that. Now I would like you and Nik to meet someone. This young lady is a very old friend of mine. Her name is Liz” Sonny said he said smiling.


Chapter 2


Jason peeked over the rocks to look at the stronghold. He had followed the man from the camp here. Something felt off about him, like a darkness had settled in his heart and Jason knew that only meant trouble. He felt a great darkness coming from the stronghold and he knew he couldn’t go in there alone. He was just one Marshal of the Order and the darkness was too great, he would need the help of a Hunter maybe more then one. Well at least I know where it is located he thought. Maybe the Master will send someone this time. When I tell him about this There had not been a Hunter in this area since the last Hunter died. The Master did not feel there was a need for one because it appeared the evil was not that great anymore, but over the last few years it had grown and he had requested several times for a Hunter to be sent to help him stop it. None ever came but now he needed one more then ever, that stronghold leaked evil and if one of the men at the camp was turned by it that could only mean trouble.

Sonny ran a good camp. Oh of course they did steal from unsuspecting travelers but only the ones that could spare the money. He helped the Order anyway he could and they in turn helped him that is why Jason was here in these woods with him. They knew Sonny took in the ones that lost their homes and such because of the high taxes of the city. Sonny took care of them and protected them. Who Sonny was or where he came from not even Jason knew. All he knew was Sonny was much older then he appeared to be, but of course so was Jason.
Jason decided he better get back and report this to Sonny and let him decide if that man would be allowed back into camp. Most likely he wouldn’t be.


“Lucky stop whining. When Jason gets back he will take care of that. Now I would like you and Nik to meet someone. This young lady is a very old friend of mine. Her name is Liz” Sonny said he said smiling.

Liz rolled her eyes at Sonny and held out her hand to Nik in greeting “Hello”

“Hello” he replied taking her hand.

“Hello” she said holding her hand out to Lucky

He just glared trying to intimidate her and said, “I would shake your hand but it is a little burned right now!”

“Lucky” Nik groaned

Liz just looked at Lucky the side of her mouth twitching trying not to smile and she asked, “Are you part troll?”

“Troll? No, I am not part troll. Why do you ask?” Lucky asked annoyed

“Well you sure do whine like one” Liz said

Sonny started to laugh and choked on his drink. He started coughing and when he finally got his breath back he looked at Liz and started laughing again. She had such a serious look on her face. Lucky just gave a huff and left. Nik kind of smirked at her and sat down on the other side of the fire.

By the time Sonny was done laughing he had tears in his eyes. “G*d!! Liz you have not changed a bit. ‘Part troll’?” he started laughing again. By now Liz couldn’t help but smile bit he does whine like a troll she thought.

About this time there was a commotion at the edge of camp and then Jason came in. He went straight to Sonny to make his report. He stopped when he got site of Liz though. They had a visitor he wasn’t sure he should make his report in front of her but as he drew closer he realized that it would be all right. This was a person who could help them.

Liz looked up at the man approaching them and as he got closer she felt a tingle down her spine. A Marshall she hadn’t known that Sonny still had one in his camp. Last she heard the Hunter in the area had died and she assumed the Marshall was re-stationed. But apparently he hadn’t been.
Jason made his report about how he had followed Deke from camp and how he ended up at the stronghold. He said that Deke was not acting right so he followed him and ended up at the place that held so much evil. Then he turned to Liz and asked

“Is that why you are here? Are you here because of the request I sent that I was in need of a Hunter?”

Liz sighed “Sadly no, I am not I am only passing though I was summoned by the Grand Master I was not sent here to help you.”

Jason let out the breath he did not know he had been holding and looked away “So you will not be able to stay and help me.” He looked at her and said, “I can not do this alone. Even I know I will need help this time. If it was just one person or even a few I would be fine, but I can tell there are many in that stronghold. Not just humans, I felt orcs and goblins as well. And then at the edge of the camp I found this….” He said holding up a chain with the symbol of a black spider on it.

Sonny gasped and moved back and Liz sucked in a breath and reached over and grabbed it. She held it in her hand and peered at it closely by the light of the fire. The jewel the on the pommel of her sword started to glow red with anger and the spider symbol appeared to crawl across her hand, for it could not stand her touch. She noticed Sonny looking nervous so she threw it into the fire.

The medallion gave a jump and you could almost hear its scream as it tried to get out but it was too late and it just burned turning the fire a glowing green color.

“No not again” Sonny whispered as he got up and left.

Liz just looked at him as he left she knew he was remembering things, things that may have been better forgotten.

“Not again?” Jason asked himself.

Liz just looked at Jason and got up and went after Sonny. Close to the edge of camp she found him sitting on an old tree stump lost in his thoughts. She touched his shoulder “Sonny?” she called softly. He jumped startled and looked up at her eyes full of pain and torment. “Its ok, after seeing that I will stay and help the Marshall. I will send word to the Grand Master that I will be delayed. He will understand and know I can not leave until the evil it gone from that place.”

Sonny just closed his eyes relieved “Thank-you” Then he opened them and said “Do you remember they first time we saw each other?” showing his dimples

Liz smiled she knew what he was doing “Yes, my brother and I were caught by one of your men we were just a couple of thieves at the time. No home, no parents all we had were each other. Duo and I aren’t even related by blood but we found each other in the streets and looked out for each other and became closer then any blood relation could ever be. Who knew we were trying to rob the Master of the thieves guild at the time.” She said joking.

Sonny chuckled “That brother of yours I don’t know how he got to be such a good thief he was always talking. He could talk his way outta just about anything.”

Liz smiled “True. He could probably talk a dragon into giving up he horde of gold.” But then she sobered some as she too remembered things that happened later after they had met Sonny.

Sonny had taken them into the guild and it wasn’t long before she and Duo were 2 of the best thieves he had. He was almost like a father to them and the guild the only family they had. Then the darkness came.

“I still remember the smell of those torches. That green fire brought it all back for a moment,” Sonny said quietly
“I know, me too,” Liz said just a quietly both getting lost in their memories of that night so many years ago.

************** Flashback *****************

It had been several days since Sonny had disappeared and all of the guild members were out looking for him. It was just by chance the she and Duo had come across this place. They had noticed several people leaving and entering and so they decide to sneak in and see what they could hear. They did not know that this would be the place where he was held. They had crawled up behind the alter and there he was. It was hard to see the torches burned green and the smoke and stench they gave off burned your eyes and throat making it hard to see or breathe. He had been tortured and he was tied bleeding the stone. He eyes shut but still his face showed that he was in pain. They knew that they needed to get him out, but so many people were watching not just humans they could see orcs, goblins, a few ogres and some dark elves also. They were in the lair of the Mistress of Webs, Web spinner, and the Spider Goddess. She had many names none except her Priests knew her real name. Mostly she was called the Web spinner and her followers the Black Webs. They thought about going for help but that thought was quickly banished as the Priests showed up. Something was getting ready to happen. So they waited hoping for an opening.
The Priest began to chant calling to their Mistress then they knew a sacrifice that is what they were getting ready to do.
Both she and Duo broke from their hiding place to save him. Duo grabbing the first thing he saw for a weapon, a scythe with a notched blade. She hitting the first man with a kick and then using her dagger to cut the ropes holding Sonny to the alter. Duo had killed one Priest and injured the other that she had knocked down. The crowd started to yell and they felt the anger roll toward them. They dragged Sonny back the way they came. Through the damp grimy tunnels some were lit with those green torches the smoke burning their eyes, lungs. They just ran, they could hear that they were being chased, but they just kept running, Sonny ran some and when he couldn’t they carried or dragged him not stopping for anything. And when they got out to the street it was still dark out they ran to the nearest temple of the Order and beat on the door until they were permitted entry.
They put Sonny on the floor of the temple and begged someone to help him, it was only then after they stopped running that Duo noticed his hands had burns on them and that Liz noticed her right arm was numb.
Later they had found out that the weapon Duo had picked up had been cursed and that the ropes Liz had cut were ‘blessed’ by the Mistress. That they both lived especially Duo after touching the weapon was miracle, no normal being could touch a cursed weapon and live unless they were a follower of that belief and Duo wasn’t.
The Marshall’s took Sonny and healed him; he was very fortunate he was told. Not many can sneak into her lair and free a sacrifice. Sonny told the Marshals that if anybody could sneak in it would be those two, they were the best. The Marshals also healed Liz & Duo and asked for their help. They had several Hunters coming to help rid the city of the darkness but they needed a way into the lair. Duo and Liz agreed to help get them in and this also began their training in the Order for the Grand Master had come himself to see the two thieves that managed to sneak into the lair and get back out again with their sacrifice. It was taken as a sign from the gods that these 2 were destined to be part of the Order and it was of no surprise when they both ended up as Hunters. To this day Duo still carries a magical scythe it talks to him as well and says its name is Shinigami but Duo just calls it Death Scythe and is the brother of her sword.
It wasn’t long after that, that Sonny turned the guild over to his second and left the city for the forest. He started this camp after he ran across several homeless people in the woods just trying to get by. They got most of what they could from the forest but what they couldn’t they had to buy and for that they needed money. So they robbed a few people along the road, only those that had money to spare or were cruel. They took a few of the taxes back as well when it was transported on the forest road. The thieves Guild said nothing Sonny had told them what he was doing. It was sometime later that Sonny requested a Marshall to be sent he noticed something was off. That was when Jason and the old Hunter came. They could not pinpoint the evil and the Hunter died sometime later he was very old and died in his sleep. They never sent a replacement.

********** End Flashback ************

“Sonny?” Liz calling his name brought him back to the present.

“Yeah?”

“How long has the Marshall been trying to a Hunter assigned here again?”

“I dunno for sure he only mentioned it about a year ago to me that he thought he should request one to be sent here. Why?”

“I just wanted to know how long the evil might have been here. I told you I am staying”

“Liz, we can --- “

“No, this can not wait. I do not know this Marshall you have here, which is not unusual since there are so many places for one to train, but since he is a Marshall and believes he needs the help of a Hunter I will stay. I told you the Grand Master will understand, he knows I can not leave without at least trying to stop the darkness from spreading or finding out if more help will be required.” She stood and walks back to the guest tent in the camp. Sonny stayed where he was still lost in his thoughts.

Jason came up to him a while later. “Are you alright?”

Sonny started and then looked at Jason sitting on the ground next to him “Yes. She is staying to help you”

Jason just turned and looked at Sonny “She is? But the summons?”

“It doesn’t matter. She said she is staying.”

Jason sighed, “It is not going to be easy. I hope she knows what she is doing and is ready for this. That place is like a fortress Sonny it won’t be easy to get into. It felt like there maybe one of her Priests in there as well it just leaked evil.”

Sonny just cringed one of her Priests and shut his eyes and whispered a prayer. Then said to Jason “Trust me Jason if anybody can get into that place it would be her even if there is a Priest there. She is one of the best”

“You sound as if you know this first hand”

“I do”

Jason just raised a questioning brow “So she has helped you before”

”Yes she and her brother saved me from the darkness”

“Really? How long ago was that?”

“Before.”

“Before? Before what?” Jason asked

“Before I started living out here. Before they became Hunters, take you pick it was just before.” He said and stood and left leaving Jason sitting there alone.

Back in the guest tent Liz was using her medallion to contact the grand Master to tell him she would be delayed. When she explained why he understood and did not seem too surprised. He remembered that the Marshal had requested a new Hunter but over the past few years many Hunters had been killed or injured to where they could not fight that was why he had called her back even Duo was being assigned away from the Temple now he told her. He was going to send another Hunter to this forest as soon as one became available but since she was there she was to take as long a needed and if she needed help to just call. She thanked him, said goodbye and cut off the communication.

She got ready for bed. Little did she know that in two other tents in the camp two other people were doing the same thing and thinking just what she was thinking

So it begins

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 3


Sonny woke up to darkness. The last thing he remembered was coming home and someone catching him off guard and before he could respond they knocked him out. Then he remembered being dragged down the stairs and thrown into the small dank grimy cell. He woke to darkness; he felt a weight around his neck. It felt like some sort of collar he reached up to touch it when the door to his cell opened and a dark hooded figure entered.

“You can not remove the collar of our lady,” it said to him.

Sonny tried anyway and it burned him and seemed to tighten for a moment, he screamed out in agony falling to his knees.

“It will keep you from escaping and using your magic” the figure told him. “Come with me”

Sonny struggled to his feet still gasping for breath the collar now loosened he was able to follow. He walked out of the cell into a darkened hallway light with eerie green smoking torches. They burned his eyes, nose and throat. He could not breathe his eyes started to water and he stumbled. Neither the figure in front or behind him offered help. He dragged himself up again following the retreating figure in front. His mind in a daze he was asking himself. What do they want? Did I anger the wrong people? What’s going to happen? These questions kept swirling around his head. They came to an open chamber with an alter at the front. Now he knew what they were going to do so now the only question left was Why?

The dark figure turned to him and removed it hood to reveal a smiling man with shoulder length hair pulled back to show the pointed ears. He had light colored eyes and well chiseled face. Dark Elf Sonny thought, they looked like all other elves except the eyes; their eyes just seemed to have a different kind of gleam in them. And anybody that had seen a good elf could identify a dark elf easily. Still he had the question of Why?

The figure’s smile widened and it spoke in the same musical voice as all elves “I can see you know what we are planning to do but are wondering why we picked. Aren’t you?” It stepped closer to him and spoke again “We brought you here to prove to our followers and the would be followers how powerful our lady really is. You will be our sacrifice in due time, my friend, but first we will make you scream. If we can do this to one of your kind it will prove to them that our lady is the most powerful and it would be a folly to oppose her. This will please our lady and she will grant us great power as well. So my little shapechanger , master of thieves let the torment begin.” The one behind him shoved him forward up the steps to the alter. But Sonny was not laid down upon it his hands were tied to a rope which was attached to the beam above it was pulled tight to where he feet barely touched the ground. His feet were clasped with manacles and chained to the floor.

The torment began like most they removed his clothes and threw them to the onlookers. The priests told the audience what he was and told how they would make one such as he scream and plead for the pain to stop. They proceeded to use different instruments of torture on him from dull rods, hot branding irons to barbed whips. They untied him and put him on the alter. They placed two flat stones on him one on his chest the other on his stomach. It wasn’t that uncomfortable he was just so relieved to be able to get his breath until he saw 2 priests come forward with some lengths of heavy chain. The priests counted out the links onto the stones they were even for now but then they put more links on one of the stones until he almost passed out and then they would switch. Sonny’s world narrowed down to just breathing that was all that mattered that he could get a small breath. They did many other things as well. Most of which he does not wish to remember. The beatings and violations of his person his voice hoarse from screaming, during all of this the priests smiled and when he did look out to the audience he could see some smiles as well. Finally they had enough and they said it was time they tied him to the alter with the blessed ropes of the Web Spinner and removed the collar, it was not needed anymore he was too weak and the ropes sapped his strength. Sonny lay on the alter and awaited his death. The nest thing he remembered was being dragged through the dark tunnels, Liz and Duo screaming for him to hurry then one of them carrying him. He woke up in the Temple with them sitting by his bed both of them sleeping resting their heads on the bed. HE tried to sit up and they both woke.

“SONNY!!” they both exclaimed

Sonny woke with a start and someone touched his shoulder “Sonny?” he almost came out of his skin. Then he turned and looked he eyes showing the fear he still felt. “Bad dream?” she questioned he just nodded and grabbed and held her close taking in big breaths. She smelled so wonderful, smelled like apples from the soap she used and smelled like pine needles from the forest but under that all was her own scent. He couldn’t get close enough, he needed her he could still smell the torches, his own blood and fear he gulped in big breathes burying he head in her neck closing his eyes.
She in turn just held him close running her hands down his sweat soaked back murmuring that is was all right.

“Thank-you Lexi” was all he said.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jason was having trouble sleeping he normally did not have much trouble but the strength of the fear he felt coming from two different tents in the camp was making it difficult. Since he was a Marshal and they were empaths as well as healers. He could usually block things but just the strength of the fear he felt from Sonny’s tent alone would have woken him but now it had stopped and he knew Sonny’s wife had awakened him from his dreams. But he still felt the fear from the guest tent and it was getting worse, getting up he decided he should go see what he could do.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Liz lay on the small bed in the tent trapped in her dreams. Tossing and turning so the sweat soaked bedclothes got tangled around her legs and he hands gripping the sheets until her knuckles were white.
She too was dreaming about the darkened smoke filled tunnels with the green torched. Running from the horde of Black Webs that followed them as she and he brother dragged Sonny out of the chamber, but as quickly as that dream formed it changed to another place where they had to out run the Black Webs.

Ravens castle

She and Duo were almost the last of the hunters to arrive this was to be a big hunt. The castle held several priests and followers of the Web Spinner. There were 15 hunters and almost 20 Marshals going on the hunt. She and Duo wanted to wait and try to sneak into to get a better idea of the place and what they were up against but the lead hunter and Marshal said no they already knew enough. They didn’t like it but agreed after all she and her brother were some of the lower ranking ones there.

Walking through the hallways she and her brother remembered the time they drug Sonny out of the lair of the Web Spinner. There weren’t many guards which they thought was wrong but they had not been on many hunts so was not sure. When they got to the central chamber the priests were waiting for them.

“Welcome” one of them, said “We have been waiting for you” he smiled.

Then the doors slammed shut and what happened next was a blur. All hunters drew weapons as well as the Marshals and took up positions in a big circle backs to one another. All manner of creatures came from behind the curtains around the round. They were followers and warriors of Mistress of Webs. The Order was holding it own until the spider demons dropped on them from above. She and Duo had never faced one and only a couple of the other hunters had. They had all heard of them and knew they could instill fear and that you should not look into its eyes. That was when the tables turned now instead of a battle to rid the place of the darkness it was a desperate battle to get out alive. Many were killed until only a handful remained.

“RUN!!!” was all they heard and were shoved toward the doors that one of the Marshals had managed to open before he died. Two of the hunters remained to hold the demons at bay while she, Duo, 2 hunters and 3 Marshals ran. One hunter died before they got out the demons had spun a web over the opening of the castle there was not way out except through it. The webbing burned when touched, it burned through all kinds of cloths, burned your skin it burn through armor or weapon and normal fire dispels it. But the green torches didn’t so the hunter hurled himself through the webbing the make an opening only it caught on his neck and burn though his throat before a Marshal could save him. The opening he made was not very big and they all still got burned somewhat.

As fast as that dream ended another one replaced it. Several years later another lair she and her husband both hunters were betrayed by the Marshal to the Mistress and captured. He wanted power and thought he could get it that way. Hunters are not empathy so they do not sense things as well as a Marshal can and did not know the Marshal was evil. The dream was so real they were brought into the main chamber and made to kneel while the priest chanted the prayer to his lady the former Marshal came up behind them and killed her husband with one stroke of the knife across his throat. Liz felt his hands grab her shoulders she screamed and started to struggle. “FRISCO!!! NNOOOO!!!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jason went to the guest tent he was going to just try to get her to wake up by just calling to her but when she started to scream he went inside. She was struggling with the bedding that was wrapped tightly around her from the throws of her dream. He went over to the bed and called out to her but she did not wake. He gently grabbed her shoulders and called to her again the fear he felt coming from her was like nothing he had ever felt before and then it quickly changed to immense pain and loss. He shook her again as she struggled and called her again. “Wake up! Please, Liz wake up.”

Her eyes snapped open and she let out a scream and managed to punch him in the face. He let go falling to the ground. Then she realized what happened and she sat there staring at him. Jason sat on the floor of the tent rubbing his jaw just looking at her while she started at him unseeing. Reliving the last of her dream her breath coming in ragged gasps and then he questioned “Are you all right?” she jumped as if startled and blinked a couple of time and sighed closing her eyes for a moment and then opened them.

She found him sitting on the floor looking at her with concerned eyes. She tilted her head a bit and asked, “Did I just hit you or something?”

Jason rubbed his jaw and replied getting up “Or something” He set on the edge of the bed looking at her she was still shaking. He reached up to brush her hair away from her face all the while projecting soothing thoughts to help calm her. “You were dreaming” she squeezed her eyes shut and he felt the fear, pain and agony start to return “Its all right. Nothing will happen here. No darkness will harm you here.” She took a big gulp of air and opened her eyes looking into his. They were so blue and full of tenderness and concern. “Can I get you anything?” he asked her

She searched his eyes again “C-could I have some water please?”

He smiled, nodded and got up to get her a cup of water from the container in the corner of the tent. He brought it back and handed it to her but her hands shook, she almost spilled it so he put his hands over hers to steady it. She sipped the water and seemed to calm some as she breathed deeply. She finished the water and handed him the cup “Thank you” he the cup aside and looked at her again. He could still feel that she was unsettled and he also could feel and small amount of mistrust coming from her. He this concerned him Why would she not trust me? he thought What has happened that she would not trust a Marshal he sighed.

Liz looked up at him searching his eyes. She knew he could feel the mistrust she felt but she couldn’t help it after everything that had happened. But still looking into his eyes made her feel calmer and the fear retreated from her thoughts. She reached out and touched his hand that was resting on the bed between them; he just watched her not wanting to do anything to make her mistrust him more. She noticed she was starting to get cold and that her nightclothes not to mention the bedclothes were wet with the sweat of her dreams. She sighed, “This is great,” she said looking around.

“What?” Jason asked

“The only thing I brought with me to sleep in is soaked and so is the bed. I will never get any sleep now.”

“There is an extra bed in my tent for when I need to take care of someone that is sick an or injured and I am sure I could find something for you to sleep in.”

She looked him dead in the eyes again still searching for something, a sign that she could trust him or not she wasn’t sure and then he spoke again.

“I can feel you don’t totally trust me” she blushed and looked away. “Its all right you must have your reasons” giving her hand a small squeeze “But you trust Sonny” he paused when she looked back “He trusts me so believe in his trust of me” she let out a long breath and nodded.

“Just let me put my boots on and get a couple of things” she got up off the bed. She was dressed in a night shirt that barely came to her thighs and Jason was graced with a full view of her long well shaped legs before he looked away and got up to leave the tent.
“I will wait outside” was all he said “Okay” was her reply once he was gone she smiled to herself she knew he had been projecting calming thoughts to her but when she got out of bed those thoughts changed.

Jason waited outside trying to get his thoughts in order he hoped she had not picked up on his thoughts before he managed to stop them and moved outside. He would never get her to trust him if she picked up him having those kinds of thoughts but when she got up and all she had on was the night shirt. He couldn’t help it she looked so beautiful, she skin appeared soft and silky he legs long and supple Stop that he thought as she stepped outside. She had put on a pair of trousers and her boots. She carried her sword and a couple of other things she did not want to leave out of her reach.

“Ready?” he asked she nodded so he walked over to his tent.

He tent was roomy most of what he had here was for taking care of the sick and injured. He did not have much personal stuff. His bed was to one side the other one was toward the back of the tent. Jason went to one of his trunks that contains his clothes and pulled out shirt for her to wear.
Liz proceeded to move to the back of the tent and noticed that there was also a curtain that could be pulled across of more privacy.

“Here” he said handing her the shirt “This should do for you to sleep in”

“Thanks” was all she said taking it from him. She moved the curtain across the tent and changed into the shirt crawled into bed and tried to sleep. But thoughts of her dreams plagued her and she couldn’t.

Jason also was having trouble he could still feel her, he tried to block it but she was so close it was hard and her feeling were very strong.

Finally after about an hour Liz sat up “Jason?” she whispered hoping that he was still awake but didn’t want to wake him if he wasn’t.

”Yes?” he answered

She sighed getting out of bed and coming from behind the curtain. She walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. “I am sorry. I am keeping you awake. Maybe it would be better if I left.”

“No, I just want to help you. It is all right.” He said sitting up the blankets falling down off of his bare chest. He reached over and touched her hand he could feel her thoughts changed somewhat when he sat up.

He’s so beautiful she thought and then quickly squashed it for she didn’t want him to pickup on it. She looked down at their hands.

“I know you don’t trust me, but I only want to help you.”

“I haven’t had a dream like that in a long time. But seeing that green fire and Sonny again brought a lot of things back.”

“Sonny said you helped him before he moved here, before you were a Hunter. Is that true?”

“Yes”

”What did you do before you were a Hunter?”

“I worked for Sonny”

That didn’t help Jason much since he didn’t know what Sonny did before he moved to the forest. “How old were you when you helped him?” he was running his hand up and down her arm to help soothe her

“I don’t know for sure but I was about 14 or 15 I guess. Um, Jason would you, I mean could I --- Oh never mind I should be getting to sleep” she said starting to get up

“Could you what? He questions

She blushed and started to nibble her lower lip and she looked at him and said “Look I don’t really know you and while I don’t fully trust you” Jason looked somewhat hurt “It has nothing to do with you” she went on quickly “But I trust Sonny and he trusts you and I was wondering if you would hold me tonight to help keep the dreams away.”

Jason just stared at her speechless and she blushed even a deeper red and got up muttering about how stupid she was. This shocked him out of his surprise.
“You’re not stupid and yes if that is what you need I will hold you”

She looked at him shocked and asked, “Are you sure?”

“Yes” he said scooting over and lifting up the covers so she could lie down next to him.
Liz crawled in to bed and turned on she side Jason moved over behind her putting he arms around her and said “Good night”

“Thank-you” she sighed and they both drifted off into a nice dreamless sleep.

The next morning Liz woke and Jason was gone but she heard him talking to somebody outside the tent. She sat up and put on her trousers and boots gathered her things and exited the tent.

“Lucky, it is not even blistered there is nothing to worry about. It will be sore for a couple of days and then be a good as new. There is nothing I can do to speed that at up. How did it get burned anyway?” Jason asked looking at Lucky but noticed he wasn’t even paying attention to him anymore. He could feel he was angry he didn’t like the way it felt. He looked to see what Lucky was looking at and saw Liz she was just staring back at him.

“ She gave this to me!! “ Lucky said pointing at her seething with anger
Jason looked at Liz to see if she would confirm this.

“I did not give that to you. You tried to steel my sword and my sword was protecting itself.”

“Its your magical sword.” reaching out for the sword again “You control this thing!! he shouted

Liz stopped him from touching the sword again “I told you she does not like strangers”

Lucky just glared at her one more time and moved away.

Liz just shook her head as he walked away He has got to be part troll she thought and then she looked at Jason he looked troubled his gaze following Lucky.

“Are you alright?” she asked

“Yes” he said gazing back at her. “Did you sleep okay?”

“I slept very well. Thank you”

”You are welcome.”

“How far is the stronghold from here?” she questioned him

“About an hours walk. Why?”

“Can you show it to me? I would like to get a look at it?”

“Sure I can take you. During the day is best. Must of the Black Webs will be sleeping they do not like the daylight”

“Yes I know. Give me about an hour to get ready”

”Ok” he said nodding

Liz went back to the guest tent and dug through the small amount of clothes in her pack until she came up with what she wanted a pair of tight fitting black trousers and a matching shirt. Both had extra pockets and places for small weapons. She braided her mid back length hair tightly along the back, put her cloak over her shoulder. She gabbed her other stuff and went to Sonny’s tent.

Sonny looked at the way she was dressed and smirked Some things never change

“Will you watch my stuff while Jason shows me the stronghold. I want to get a look at it during the day.”

Sonny nodded “Be careful” was all he said Liz turned and left.

Liz met Jason by his tent she had put her cloak on so he didn’t see how she was dressed but he did notice she didn’t have all of her weapons with her. He looked at her eyes and decided not to mention anything yet.

They walked to the stronghold. Jason was right it was like a fortress but Liz needed a closer look. She took off her cloak and handed it to Jason.

“Stay here” she said before taking off

“Wait! What--? “

“Exploring” was all she said to him

All he could do was watch as she snuck up to the stronghold. There were guards but she seemed to move with out making any noise and she blended in to the background.

She waited until the guards were turned and Jason watched in horror as she climbed into an open window.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 4


Jason watched in horror as Liz climbed in an open window. All he could do is wait if he followed he could get them caught. When she said she wanted to get a look at the place he didn’t expect her to go inside.

A short time later but what seemed like forever to Jason, Liz came out of another window on the other side and made her way back to him. She picked up her cloak and put it on.

“Come on let’s go,” she said as she walked off.

Jason was furious at her for doing such a thing. “What do you think you were doing climbing into that window? What if you had been caught and killed?”

Liz stopped walking and turned to him. She could tell he was angry with her just by looking at him. “Then you would have had to request that a new Hunter be sent” she replied and then continued walking.

Jason snorted how could she be so calm about this. She just walked into a lair of Black Webs with no weapons that he could see and when asked what would have happened if she had been caught and that is all she can say. “Now wait just a minute. What kind of answer is that? Don’t you care that if you were caught they would have killed you? And then they would have known that we know about them. You could have at least warned me.” He bit out.

Liz stopped walking again and looked at him “Yes maybe I should have” then continued on again.

Jason sighed he felt it again that mistrust. This really bothered him if she didn’t fully trust him what else might she do without telling him. What could he do to get her to trust him? he thought. He knew she could tell he was angry but it was more then that she had scared him climbing into that window. He hadn’t realized it until she came out and he felt so relieved then he got angry with her for not warning him and giving such a scare. It wasn’t her fault he knew that and he needed to get his thoughts in order before he started projecting things. He didn’t understand most of the time he didn’t have any trouble with his empathic abilities but around her he was having difficulties. It’s a good thing she can’t read my mind he thought.

Liz could tell he was angry she could only pick up the feelings he chose to project and right now he wasn’t projecting any but his body language told her enough. I suppose I should have warned him. I didn’t intend to scare him or anything.

The rest of the walk back was quiet. When they got to camp they each went to their own tent without saying anything. Neither one noticed Sonny watching them he could tell something was wrong. He looked from one tent to the other and decided to talk to Jason first.

“Jason can I come in?” Sonny asked outside the tent.

“Yes”

Sonny entered the tent to see Jason pacing his tent. Sonny’s brows wrinkled as he watched him he had never seen Jason this way “What happened?”

Jason stopped pacing and faced Sonny “What happened? You want to know what happened? She asks me to show her the stronghold and when we get there she hands me her cloak and then goes and climbs into the first open window she can find that’s what happened. And all she said was ‘exploring’ before she took off.” Jason had resumed his pacing and then he stopped again “She didn’t even warn me. I mean when she said she wanted to look at the place I figured it would be from the outside not to sneak in like some, -- like some “ he faltered

“Thief” Sonny finished

“Yes like some thief”

“Why not that is what she is or was anyway before she joined the Order”

Jason stared at Sonny “What!?! She said she worked for you”

“Yes and she was a thief and like all good thieves she is going to case the place first. Get the layout before going in. Jason, Liz is not stupid she is not going to go into the place blind.”

Jason sighed and ran his hand through his hair “I know that Sonny she wouldn’t be a Hunter if she was stupid. But all the ones I have worked with none of them had ever done something like that before. I don’t know if that is good or bad”

“Jason if you don’t mind me asking. Just how many hunts have you been involved in since you became a Marshal?”

“Not that many Sonny. You know I came late into the Order because my family didn’t want my to join. Plus me being half-elf my empathic abilities developed later then in full-blooded humans. I guess because elves live so long they mature later and that affected me. Why do you ask?”

“Because Liz has been on many hunts Jason. She knows she is the only Hunter within 10 days at least. She maybe going in that place alone and wanted to know what she would be up against not just what the place looked like. She needs to know every corner of that place, every window, door and secret passage. Also she will need to know if she needs to call for more Hunters or Marshals. I can’t tell you everything Jason but I can tell you a couple of things. Yes she used to work for me as a thief. She and her brother saved me from being sacrificed before they were even Hunters. They snuck into the lair and stole me right off of the alter.”

“G*ds!” was all Jason could say.

Sonny just nodded “That is how good those 2 are Jason even before they joined the Order they were the best and what they did. You have to trust her Jason she knows what she is doing”

“But Sonny she doesn’t trust me . How am I supposed—“ Jason stopped when he heard Liz call his name from outside.

Liz had decided she should talk to Jason and explain so she went over to his tent “Jason?”

“Yes?”

“Can I come in? I would like to talk to you.”

“Come in”

Liz entered the tent she looked up surprised, she hadn’t expected Sonny to be there.

“I will just go” Sonny said.

“No! – I mean please stay” she said Then she looked at Jason “I would like to apologize for earlier today and not warning you what I was going to do. I’m sorry.”

“Its ok. Sonny has explained a couple of things that I forgot. Like the fact there is no help within 10 days of here. I understand” Jason smiled at her.

“I also wanted to explain some things to you. I am glad Sonny is here this way I do not have to tell this twice. I know you can tell I don’t fully trust you. Well there is a reason for that. It is something that even you don’t know about Sonny. The last time I came this way I was taking a leave of absence from the Order. I have been on the leave since then.” She paused

“But that was several years ago” Sonny said then looking at Jason “You were gone then to the city remember they called you there for something”

Jason nodded “I remember it was to help with that small village outside of town. They had so many sick people.”

“I took my leave because of what happened on one of the hunts I was on. The Marshal that was there betrayed my husband and me. He had turned to darkness and killed my husband.”

Jason and Sonny gasp No wonder she has trouble trusting they think

She sat down on a stool her head bowed “There is more.” Looking up “If we had known I never would have went into that lair. They killed my husband but they didn’t kill me. They kept me alive and put one of those horrid collars on me.” She saw Sonny flinch “I was with child and they wanted my baby. They kept me in their lair and took very good care of me hoping to get my baby, but she died, she was born too early. I almost died as well. They didn’t even bother to try and sacrifice me they just removed the collar and left me in the woods. Some farmer found me and took care of me. When I was well enough I made my way to the first Temple and got in touch with my brother. He came and together we cleansed the place of all the darkness. You have to understand my not trusting you Jason it has nothing to do with you; it is me and what happened to me. During the months that I was locked in their lair the former Marshal used to come and torment me, telling me what they were going to do once they had my baby and that they were going to keep me so they could have more. I went crazy locked up like that. But when I almost died giving birth they decided I was too weak for their purposes. It was their mistake not making sure I was dead, but after that I had trouble trusting and it affected my ability to work with the Marshals. The Grand Master understood and he and Duo tried their best to help my through it but nothing seemed to help and they were the only ones I fully trusted in the Order. So I requested to leave but the Master wouldn’t allow it so he gave me a leave of absence for as long as I needed. I had planned on not ever going back and just spending my time alone in the cabin I found in the woods north of here. But he called me and I could not refuse after he had done so much for me.” By the time Liz finished tears were steaming down her face in small rivers. She looked up at Sonny and Jason who stood there looking at her in shock. She jumped up to leave but Sonny grabbed her.

He pulled her into a fierce hug “Why didn’t you tell me?” his voice betraying the sadness he felt. “I would have helped you. Any way I could you know that”

“You are like a father to me and I – I thought you would have been ashamed of me” she choked out

“Ashamed? How could I be ashamed of you? You did nothing wrong. None of that was your fault”

”I know but I just couldn’t” she started sobbing her whole body shaking and she started to fall Sonny just held her as they sat down on the ground. Sonny looked up at Jason his eyes full of unshed tears for the girl he thought of as his daughter.

Jason just looked down at them for a moment he could feel their pain. Then he knelt next to them his hand coming up to rub Liz’s back. “Its ok. Now I know why you have trouble trusting me.” She was still sobbing so he went on talking to her. “Before I joined the Order I worked in a shipping business. I am part elf you know and my father’s family the human side they didn’t like me very well. My father had fallen in love with an elf and I was the result. He had been married at the time to my stepmother. My real mother died in a raid on her village and I got sent to my father’s family. They welcomed me at first but there was bad blood between my half brother and myself. Grandfather wanted me to take over the family business because I was part elf and would live longer and this upset my brother to no end. I didn’t want anything to with their business. All I wanted to do was become a healer and when my empathic abilities developed I joined the Order much to the horror of my fathers family. I joined the Order later then most so have not had as much experience in the Hunts as most Marshal you have probably worked with. My father says that my real mother would be proud of me that I decided to help people and to help fight the evil and darkness that threatens the land.”

By the time Jason finished Liz had stopped sobbing and was listening to him. She knew what he was doing. Trying to get her mind off of her pain, he was also using his empathic abilities to help calm her. All Marshals had this ability it allowed them to detect evil. For some like Jason it was natural for others it was granted to them when it was decided what they were going to be in the Order. Liz could not read his mind she could only pick up what thoughts, it was more like feelings he decided to project. For a healer this was a great gift but it had its draw backs as well if the person did not know how to control the gift. Liz sniffed and looked up at Jason and Sonny giving them a shaky smile “Thanks”

They both smiled and Sonny said “That just leaves one thing I need to ask you”

“What is that?” she asked raising an eyebrow

“How is it you still look like you are about 20 years old? I know that you are all human and not part of the elder races like myself or Jason.”

Liz chuckled “Ah that, a gift from a very old friend of yours I believe” she said looking at Sonny. He looked at her questioningly.

“You remember after Duo and I made it out of Ravens Castle, we went --- “ she paused hearing a shocked gasp from Jason. She looked over at him and frowned.

“You were at Ravens Castle?” That happened before he became a Marshal be all in the Order had heard what happened there.

Liz nodded and then continued, “Duo and I were sent to the dwarf mines in the north. There had been rumors of Black Webs hiding in the mines. We were sent to investigate and report back. Remove them if we could. Well the rumors were true there weren’t many in the mines and the dwarves helped when they could. They knew those mines well and knew where the Black Webs could hide. Duo and I followed some Black Webs to a great hall it was the lair of a dragon. A very old dragon the Black Webs were trying to steal its horde but we stopped them. This dragon was old and dying and could not fight them off his magic had left him. The dragon knew it was the hour of his death and asked us to stay with him on the deathwatch. There were no dragons close that he could call upon. Duo and I agreed. We stayed with him and he told us about his life. He had a glorious life. He said we could take anything we wanted from his horde once he was gone but made us promise to drink what was in a small container at the back of the room.” Sonny drew in a sharp breath Liz looked at him a nodded “We didn’t understand but we agreed. So we waited until he died and his body faded into dust. We sat there for what seemed like forever just staring at where he had been and then we looked around at all the riches he had. Gold, jewels, weapons, magical items and we didn’t want any of it. Here we were two former thieves looking at millions and didn’t want a thing, but we promised to drink what was in the container. So we went over to it and poured it into one of the many golden cups he had. There must have been only about a swallow for each of us we didn’t know until we drank it that it was his blood. At first we thought we were dead for we had been taught that dragon’s blood is poison.”

“It is for most” Sonny commented

“Yes that is what the dwarves and the grand Master told us. But for the ones it is not poison to it gives them the life span of the elder races. We also found out that it is only humans and the younger races that can drink dragon’s blood and live. After we left the chamber and made our way back to the miners we told them what had happened. They went and closed up the dragon’s lair leaving all of his gold and riches inside, they said it was a promise they were keeping. Part of the promise also was that we be taken to see their king. Since it was a promise they were keeping we went. Their king told us about how his great grandfather had promised the dragon that who ever got his gift would get what the dragon had set aside from his riches for them. The king told us how dragons can sometimes see parts of the future and that the dragon had seen 2 humans sitting the deathwatch with him. We told that king that we didn’t want anything but he insisted we take the chest he had been keeping. When we opened the chest we expected to find gold or jewels but instead we found the armor and weapons that Duo and I both now carry and wear.”

“What was his name?”

”Methos”

Sonny closed his eyes “He was a good friend. I had not known he had died”

“He spoke of you. Before he died I could tell the way he spoke that you were very good friends indeed.” Liz smiled and looked at Jason who had a very funny look on his face that Liz could not help but chuckle. Sonny looked over at him and chuckled as well.
“Guess I shocked you.” Liz said

Jason snorted and gave a small shake “Just a bit” and smiled at them. Then decided he needed to ask, “So what did you find out about that place? Anything that will help?”

Liz sobered a bit “Yes but I need to go back in a couple of days. I didn’t get a look at everything. I didn’t want to stay too long. I only got a look at the one floor But something didn’t feel right while I was there.”

”What do you mean? I know that there is most likely one of their priests in there but what else.”

“I am not sure, call it instinct but it seems like they are waiting for something. I think something big is about to happen.”

Both Jason and Sonny felt a shiver down their back at her words.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 5


The next couple of days were spent planning strategy for the hunt at the stronghold. Liz had been back once during the day to check out the place. She spent a good part of 5 hours in that place exploring. When she came out Jason was still waiting for her. She had told him not to wait for her but he did anyway. She ended up spending a lot of time with Jason planning for the hunt. After she had went back the second time she asked Jason for some parchment and a charcoal stick. She proceeded to draw out a map of the place, which included all the doors (secret or otherwise), windows, hallways, and stairways. This included where furniture was placed and basically everything in the place. The stronghold was 2 stories above ground and had a dungeon underground. She drew all of this from memory. Jason was impressed that she remembered it all.

Liz didn’t like what she found the second time she had a look. She noticed that there were many more worshippers there then Jason had originally thought. She reported this to the Grand Master and he didn’t like the sound of things, he asked her to hold off her hunt until he could get in touch with a couple of the other Hunters that had been assigned to some areas close to her. So she waited.


Jason didn’t understand why they hadn’t gone on the hunt yet to rid that place of evil he could already feel that it was growing. What was she waiting for? He had to wait for her because when it came to the hunts it was the Hunters that decided things. But he was getting frustrated all this waiting was making him uneasy. He decided to talk to Sonny.

It was getting close to nightfall and Sonny was at the edge of camp speaking Francis one of the guards for tonight.

“I mead it Francis. Deke is not to be allowed back into the camp I don’t care what story he gives you. Is that understood?” Sonny said

“Yes sir. I understand I will pass the word. He has been trying every night since our guest arrived to get back into camp.” Francis told him

“I know and he even tried earlier today. I know I have told you not to let him in I just want to make sure in case anyone new is on tonight. We can’t afford to have him in the camp it could mess things up for our guest and get people killed.”

“I understand I will personally tell everyone on tonight”

“Good and tell them to watch out I got a feeling he is up to something.” Sonny said.

“Okay boss” Francis said and walked away to pass the word again about Deke.

Sonny turned to see Jason walking toward him. Uh oh he thought Jason doesn’t look too happy He stood and waited for Jason to get to him.

“I need to talk to you Sonny.”

“What about?”

“I don’t understand why we are waiting. I can feel the evil in that place growing. And still we are waiting. She won’t tell me why. She just says we wait until the right time. Well when is the right time?” by this time Jason was pacing back and forth in front of Sonny clenching his fists.

Sonny just smirked this one of the few times he has seen Jason this way. Liz must be getting to him. he thought. He hoped so for Jason was a good friend and he knew that he would be good for Liz.

At the same time in the guest tent Liz was talking to the Grand Master again.

“Master?”

“Yes my dear child?”

“The evil is growing. If I have to wait much longer I fear I will not be able to stop it. I believe I would need help.”

“Yes child I know. There is much going on with the Black Webs. I had sent Duo and Jax to the city for there were reports of something big going on there. He reported that the Black Webs had left the city. Also the Hunter that was sent to a small village about 4 days west of you reported the same. They all just left one day. I believe that the Black Webs are gathering in that stronghold. After I talked to Duo and Jax I sent them to you that was 5 days ago they should be there within the next 2 days. Sooner if they hurry. I also sent the other Hunter to you; he will be bringing a Marshal with him. That will make 4 Hunters and 2 Marshals. Will that be enough?”

Liz was surprised that he had asked her such a thing. He was the Grand Master and he should be the one to decide.

The Grand Master could tell she was surprised at he question and he chuckled. “You are surprised I asked you? You are one of my highest ranking Hunters my dear not to mention you probably have more first hand experience with the Black Webs then any other Hunter I have. I know it still pains you, but you must also think of how that time can help you. You have spent more time in their company then any other you had a chance to see them up close and personal. Do not let the time you spent with them go to waste. Besides if I know you, you have that placed mapped out to the last brick.” Liz just chuckled and so did the Grand Master. “I knew you did. So you should be able to go on the hunt within 2 days after they others get there.”

“Yes that is true. I was –“ Liz started to tell him she was going to go and look at the place at night but she heard someone call the Grand Master.

“Edward?” “Yes Lilia. Just a moment.”

“I have to go my dear. Report to me when the others arrive” he said

“Yes Master” Liz said and then the communication ended. She sighed to herself. Two days they will be here. She went over and looked at the map she had drawn again. Something wasn’t right. She couldn’t put her finger on it but something just didn’t look right about the main chamber. It seemed like something was missing but she couldn’t think what it would be. She had racked were memory trying to think of what it could be and came up with nothing but still she felt something was wrong. She decided she should tell Sonny and Jason that the others were coming. She stepped out of the tent to come face to face with a blonde woman. Carly again she thought and sighed to herself.

“I want to talk to you” Carly said.

“What about?”

“You need to stop whatever you are doing to Jason and stay away from him”

“I don’t think that is any of your business”

”Yes it is! He is my friend and I don’t want him hurt. I have heard about people like you. You are just here for a little while and then you will leave. You just use people to get the job done, you don’t care who gets hurt or killed. You are just a killer and a parasite. You should leave.”

Liz just gave her a deadly stare that froze Carly in place “You should watch what you say or this killer and parasite might just bleed you dry and leave you for the wolves to eat” she said coldly and walked past her. Liz made her way over to Jason’s tent but he was not there and then she saw he and Sonny talking so she walked over to them. She noticed that Jason seemed upset about something and was pacing back and forth. When she got closer she could heard what he was saying.

“You tell me Sonny. Why are we waiting? I know she doesn’t trust me but is she afraid—“ Jason stopped when he saw Liz standing there.

“She is waiting because she was told to wait.”

Jason could feel the anger coming from her. And started to say “Liz…”

“Save it!! I came over here to tell you that I spoke to the Master and from the reports of others he has sent another Marshal and 3 more Hunters. He feels that I need some help. From the reports he has gotten it looks like the Black Webs are gathering for some reason. They should be here within a couple of days sooner if they hurry. I just wanted to let you know so you can expect them” she turned to leave still angry, but she couldn’t really blame him she had not really told him what was going on.

“Wait what do you mean? You spoke to the Master? I thought only a Journeyman Hunter could do that and they are of the highest rank in the Order”

Liz paused and looked back “You thought correctly” and continued to leave.

Jason let out a breath and then he remembered that she said she had spoken to the Master the first night she was here. How could he have missed that? That means she is one of the highest-ranking people in the Order and here he was questioning her. He gave himself a small shake and looked at Sonny. “Did you know?”

”Know what?”

”Know that she was a Journeyman?”

“Yes”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Or least say something when I was talking to you tonight?”

“Thought you knew.”

“No I didn’t. Although I should have I totally missed it when she said she had talked to the Master. I forgot that only Journeyman Hunters could contact him. I mean the Master can contact all in the Order when he wants but not the other way around. Only the highest-ranking Marshals and Hunters can contact him directly. Everyone else either sends messengers or waits for the Master to contact them. He has some sort of schedule for this I guess.” He finished rubbing he hands across his face. He couldn’t believe he questioned her. Even if she wasn’t a high ranking Hunter he should not have questioned what she was doing. It was just this waiting was driving him crazy. He could feel the evil from that place it was growing. He needed to talk to her and apologize. Jason headed back to the camp.

Sonny just stood there amused watching Jason. He had never seen anyone get under Jason’s skin like this. This will be good to watch he thought. I just hope it doesn’t get one of them killed

Liz was back in the tent pacing back and forth How dare he question me! Hunters are always in charge when if came to the hunt. How dare he think I don’t know what I am doing or that I am afraid? GGggrrrrrrr!! she thought. She picked up something to throw but decided against it. When she caught site of the map and again had the feeling something was missing. She part down what she was going to throw and sat down on the stool to study the map again. Maybe she should take a look at the place at night? She thought again.

“Liz? Can I come in?” Jason asked

“Yes” Liz said somewhat annoyed that he thoughts were interrupted “What do you want?” she asked when he entered.

“I wanted to say I am sorry for questioning you.”

“Oh so now that you figured out that I am a Journeyman you decide that you should listen to me” she said hotly not looking at him. She knew she shouldn’t be that angry with him she hadn’t told him everything but it was just something about him that made her lose focus and that could be a problem a deadly problem when on a hunt.

Jason stood there staring down hat her bent head she was still studying that map as if he wasn’t there anymore. “I can still tell you don’t trust me. You weren’t telling me anything.” He said getting angry “You didn’t tell me you were a Journeyman. You could have at least told me that.

Liz vinced slightly at his angry words and said quietly “I thought you knew”

Jason saw he vince and immediately wanted to take back he angry words he had not meant to hurt her. “I missed it when you said you talked to the Master the first night.” He went on his voice softer this time. “I am sorry I know I shouldn’t have questioned the way you do things. It is just I have never worked with a Hunter that does things the way you do them. They all worked pretty much the same and your methods are very different.”

Liz laughed, “Wait till you meet my brother”

“Is he coming?”

She nodded “He and I are a lot alike. He is a Journeyman also.”

“Do you know who else is coming?”

“Duo is coming with a Hunter named Jax the Master did not mention the names of the others”

Jason nodded “I have met Jax once he is good. I never meant to imply that you were afraid. It is just I can feel the evil growing. I don’t even have to be close I can feel it from here and it is getting harder to block.” He pauses taking a breath and went on “I am having a hard time feeling others when they need my help. It is making me crazy.”

Liz stood and went over to him. She looked at him closely she could tell he was tired. Why hadn’t she noticed when they were planning that he looked this way? She placed her hand on his cheek “Why didn’t you tell me? I – “ she stopped he didn’t tell her because she didn’t fully trust him and he could tell. She mentally kicked herself Damn

Jason could tell she was feeling that this was her fault. The fact that she didn’t fully trust him bothered him but he should have told her. He didn’t want her feel badly for something that wasn’t her fault. He couldn’t blame her for not trusting him after everything that had happened to her but he shouldn’t have let that affect his trust in her.

“Don’t please” he said looking at her

“Don’t what?” she asked

“Don’t blame herself. I should have said something. I am sorry”

She took he hand away and looked at her feet “But it is my fault. I should have told you or at least noticed something was wrong. What good am I if I don’t notice things? I could get everyone killed” she finished turning away.

“No it is not you fault. Please don’t think that. The fact that you have trouble trusting me should not affect the fact that I trust you ” he finished quickly

“But you were right about something. I am afraid”

“What?” he said in disbelief

She barked a short laugh “Yes I am afraid. Even Hunters get afraid. But it is something more. I haven’t been on a hunt in a while and something is not right about that place. I am missing something and that bothers me. I even missed that something was troubling you what if I missed something big and get us all killed?”

Jason cursed to himself he had not meant to make her doubt herself. It was just all this waiting made him so frustrated and she was driving him crazy. Where did that come from? But it was true she was driving him crazy and he didn’t understand it. “You have to trust yourself. I trust you,” he said

She turned back to him with doubt in her eyes “But –“

“No buts. I believe in you. You have spent time in that place and have it all mapped out.” He said waving to the parchment on the table.

“Thank you” was all she said looking into his eyes.

Jason just looked into her eyes and he reached up to run and tender finger down her cheek. She closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them again. Jason’s hand came up to pull her closer. “Jason” she whispered his lips barely a breath away from hers.

“Jason! Liz! You need to get out here,” Sonny yelled from outside the tent.

They jumped away and looked at each other for a moment. Then they both sighed and went outside.

“What is it?” Jason asked when they came out Liz was standing slightly behind him.

“My sister just got back to camp. She and Michael were out playing. She ahs something she needs to say. Come on Lulu tell them exactly what you told me.”

Lulu shyly steps forward “Well Michael and I were playing. He noticed something was wrong so he told me to hide. He was looking for a place when these men came out of the woods and took him away. I was afraid so I stayed where I was and then came back here.” She finished in a rush.

Jason bent down to the girl “It is alright. You did the right thing.”

”He will be all right? He is my best friend and I couldn’t help him”

”You did help him. By being quiet and then telling us. Don’t worry we’ll find him. Wont we Liz?” Jason said turning around. But Liz was not there. He stood up “Where did she go?!?”

Sonny turned as well “Oh no” he gasped

Jason looked questioningly at Sonny “What do you mean Oh no ?”

“She went after them.” Jason moved to follow but Sonny grabbed his arm “No Jason you follow now and you will get them killed. She will bring him back if she can”

Jason went back into the tent she was using and Sonny followed. “All we can do is wait,” Sonny told him. He didn’t really hear what he was saying his eyes on her bed. She had left her weapons behind. He sat down heavily on the chair.

“Sonny she didn’t even take her weapons”

Sonny looked around and noticed the sword on the bed “She didn’t think she needed it. If I know her she will try to catch them before they get there. If she doesn’t she is going to be sneaking in to get Michael out. She won’t be fighting tonight.”

“I hope you are right” Jason said

Liz was making her way quickly and as quietly through the woods as she could. She had to catch tem before they got to the stronghold. There they are! And Michael is sure putting up a fuss. Good that will help and it probably slowed them down. Liz got around in them and come upon them from the side into a small clearing. She took out one man with a punch to the side and another with a kick in the knee leaving him screaming unable to stand. Then third man she hit in the face and he went down. This was too easy she thought as she picked up Michael to leave. She turned and Liz suddenly realized what she had been missing as she saw 2 giant spiders come down from the trees.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 6


She turned and Liz suddenly realized what she had been missing as she saw 2 giant spiders come down from the trees.

Liz watched carefully as the 2 spiders came down from the trees. Great and I didn’t bring Celeste with me. What I wouldn’t give for a torch right now. These things hate fire She heard start to scream. She put her hand over his mouth. “Sshhh” and then she put him down. He moved behind her, she could feel him gripping her shirt with one hand and her leg with the other he was pressed up against her and she felt him tremble. She put her hand on his cheek “Michael can you hear me?” she felt him nod yes “Listen to me, I want you to turn around and face behind me and when I say so I want you to run as fast as you can to the trees and don’t come out until I say it is ok. Can you do that for me?” There was not response she just felt his grip on her tighten. “Michael! Did you hear me?” she felt him jump but he nodded “can you do that for me?” there was a pause before he nodded “Good now turn around.” He grip tightened again for a minute and then he let go and turned but he was still pressed up against her. Liz watched carefully she didn’t have her sword but the men that took Michael did the only problem is they were between her and the spiders which meant that she would have to run toward them to get one of the weapons. “Ok now RUN!!” Michael ran for the trees Liz gave him a couple of seconds to get there and then ran toward the closest fallen man.

Liz drove for the prone figure scrambling for his weapon. She came up with a short sword and then quickly rolled left to avoid the spider coming down on top of her. Almost forgot that they could jump she thought. She came up swinging the sword wide hoping to get lucky and swipe its legs. She missed. She stood facing the first spider waiting careful not to look into its onyx eyes. The spider jumped again legs wide trying to clutch Liz sidestepped left again swinging the sword over head hacking off 2 of its legs and almost taking a third. The spider fell back unable to walk and floundered she stepped in again from the side and swung the sword down neatly parting its head from the rest of it. That is the only way to kill them for sure by cutting off the head. Liz moved out into the clearing some more so far the second spider had not moved. This one was about the same size as the other, legs about 3.5 ft and eyes the size of large jewels. She had seen bigger but that didn’t mean this one was any less dangerous. It still had the dagger-sized mandibles that dripped with poison, the claws on the legs and was just as fast. They stood in the clearing facing each other; Liz stepped to the left the spider turned with her. They circled each other the spider charged forward Liz stood her ground taking a swing at its small eyes, she missed for the most part and only hit a couple so the thing still had 6 left but it fell back. Liz didn’t notice that one of its claws caught her leg leaving a gash. They circled again watching each other then the spider charged forward again. Liz still stood her ground and then at the last second did a turn to the left coming completely around to swing the sword down to cut off its head. Liz stopped and took a deep breath lowering the sword until she heard a noise from the woods. She whirled around raising the sword only to see Jason and Johnny come out of the woods. She sighed in relief.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At the camp sometime before and not long after Liz went to get Michael.

Jason and Sonny were in the guest tent waiting for Liz to return when Jason felt something was terribly wrong. He jumped up to leave when Sonny stopped him.

“Jason I told you we need to wait she will be back.”

“I cant Sonny. Something is wrong I can feel it. She is in trouble I have to go.” Then he remembered she left her sword and went to retrieve it. Only the sword wouldn’t let him touch it. Jason just growled at it and turned to leave only to see Sonny standing in his path.

“If you insist on going at least take Johnny with you. If she is in trouble you may need some help.”

“Ok” Jason said. He and Johnny left the camp a few minutes later. Going though the woods as quickly as they could. They heard Michael scream and picked up the pace. They entered the clearing just in time to see Liz’s cut off the head of the second spider. She whirled around raising the sword she had and then sighed in relief when she saw who it was lowering the sword.

“Michael?” she called out and the little boy came running out from his hiding place right up to Liz grabbing her legs in a fierce hug. She looked down at him he had tearing on his cheeks. He gripped her legs crying. “Its ok Michael. Everything is all right.”

“I thought the spiders were going to eat you,” he cried

Liz dropped the sword and kneeled down to him brushing the tears from his face “its ok. They can’t hurt you.” Michael still shaking threw his arms around her neck not wanting to let go. Liz put her arms around him and made a move to stand she hissed as her leg protested. Looking down she realized that last spider must have gotten her with its claws.

By this time Jason and Johnny had made there way over to them after taking care of the men that had taken Michael. Liz looked up at them “you followed me.” She stated.

Jason looked down and then back up at her “Well Sonny tried to stop me but something didn’t feel right. So I came and dragged Johnny along”

“I am glad you did. I got careless. I kept thinking something was off about this place and couldn’t figure it out until I saw those things tonight. I should have waited or at least brought along more weapons. But all I could think about at the time was about Michael and not wanting them to hurt them.” At Liz’s last words she felt Michael’s grip tighten and he started to tremble again. “Its ok Michael I told you they cant hurt you now.” She whispered trying to sooth him.

Jason and Johnny stood there in shock of all the things they expected her to say about them following her. This was not it, they had expected her to be mad and angry and yell and scream but she didn’t she was actually happy that they did follow her.

Liz looked up at Johnny “Johnny could you take Michael please?”

“Sure”

But when she moved to give Michael to Johnny he just gripped her tighter and shook his head “No please I am scared”

“Its ok Michael you know Johnny will protect you. And right now I need Jason’s help and we need to get back to camp. It would be faster if Johnny took you. Please? Will you do that for me?” she asked pulling back to look at Michael. He looked at her for a moment and sniffled and then moved over to let Johnny pick him up.

Jason had moved forward when Liz said she needed his help. He could tell now that she was in some pain. He was still angry with her but it has lessened some when she had admitted she was glad they followed. “What is it?” he asked concerned.

“My leg. That second spider must have caught me with a claw”

Jason looked down and noticed the blood seeping through her trousers. He bent to have a closer look but with no light it was hard. “I can’t see much without more light. Does it burn or feel like it is tainted?” Liz shook her head no. “it is not bleeding too badly, think you can make it back to camp if I help you?”

“I am going to have to aren’t I?”

“I could carry you”

“That’s ok. Lets see if I can walk first before you start carrying me.”

Jason nodded and then took a hold of her arm to help her up. Then put his arm around her waist to help steady her. Liz then threw her arm across his shoulder so she could lean on him. They all moved out wanting to get away from there and back to camp. They made their way slowly to the camp stopping a couple or times to rest.

“Michael!!!” they heard when they reached the camp both from Lulu and his foster ‘aunt’ Emily.

“Lulu!!” he squealed wriggling out of Johnny’s grasp. He let go smiling as Lulu and Michael hugged each other.

“Are you ok? I was so scared”

Michael nodded excited “Lizzie found me and she killed 2 big spiders that were going to eat us”

Lulu’s eye’s got big like saucers and hugged Michael again “I am glad you are ok”

Nik looked from his sister to Liz and mouthed “thank-you” Liz just nodded back. Michael was an orphan and everybody in the camp loved him to death. Emily had taken him in when she found him begging in the streets of the city and then they moved out here with Sonny.

Jason was about to take Liz to his tent where he could get a better look at her leg when he saw Sonny by the guest tent with 2 others. He heard Liz gasp and then she said “Duo!!” and went to step forward when he leg faltered. Duo stepped forward to catch her. Then he slung her arm over his shoulder on the opposite side from Jason.

Duo looked at Jason with a wide friendly smile and asked “Where to?” Jason couldn’t help but grin at him and said “This way” and moved toward his tent. Liz didn’t even protest she was just happy to see her brother.

When they got to the tent Duo helped Jason get Liz to the bed in the back of the tent and then left but came back a couple of minutes later with a rolled up piece of parchment and her sword followed by Jax. Liz just grinned at them.

Jason glared at them for a minute and then noticed that Duo held her sword. Liz chuckled and said, “She likes him. Why I don’t know but so far he is the only one besides me that she will allow to touch her. The only other person was my husband.”

Jason didn’t reply to that but he did say “I think it might be better if you rested and caught up on things later. This leg isn’t as bad as I thought it looked worse but you will still need to rest.”

Liz nodded “Ok but there are a couple of things I would like to tell them first”

Jason sighed but agreed. He tended her leg and muttered, “if there had been a full moon I would have been able to see that this wasn’t so bad. You had me worried you know”

Liz smiled at him and then she frowned “What did you say?”

“You had me worried –“

“No before that!”

“If there had been a full moon –“

Liz’s eyes widened in horror and Jason felt the fear rip through her. “What is it?” he demanded

Liz just yelled “Duo, Jax get over here!!” they came behind the curtain

“What?” they both asked

“While checking the place out I kept thinking something was off and then tonight I meet those 2 spiders. I thought had it figured out but not until Jason mentioned the full moon did I remember.” She said shifting in the bed wanting to get up

“Oh no you are staying right here” Jason said putting his hands on her shoulders to hold her there.

She wriggled around trying to get up when Duo said, “I think you better stay there. But what is wrong what did you remember?”

Liz sighed, “Open the map I drew” she waited while Jax opened the map and held it so they all could see it. Liz started pointing at some things “You see here this is the main chamber and here is the alter.” They nodded “Behind the alter there are always 2 tapestries showing the picture of a huge black spider” They nodded again.

“What does that have to do anything? That is the way those rooms always look. What is so special about this one” Jax interrupted

Liz glanced at him and then went on “This time the tapestries are missing. There is just a big dark gaping hole there. Not a whole in the wall but you know how they hang things all round the room well this time those 2 places have nothing there. I have only remember 2 times where those were missing” she looked at Duo his face pale. “The first time was at Ravens Castle. The second was when I had the pleasure of being their guest for an extended period of time” she stopped for a moment and Duo cut in “But they weren’t there when we went back”

Liz nodded “No they must have left”

“What do you mean? What wasn’t there?”

“Spider demons” was all Duo said

“But they cant be that bad. If what I heard from that little boy she just killed 2 with and got nothing but a scratch on the leg”

“No Jax you don’t understand. The ones I faced in the woods were lesser spiders. The ones Duo and I are talking about are much worse and very deadly. There were only 2 at Ravens Castle and only a handful of us made it out. The Master is sending another Hunter and Marshal here but we need to find out if he can get more help to us. Something big is about to happen and I have a sinking feeling I know what is it.”

“What?” they all questioned her

“I didn’t remember until Jason mentioned the full moon. There will be a full moon in 13 days. This isn’t just any full moon it is the Harvest Moon it only happens once every 8 years. It was 8 years ago that I was there guest and they told me what they were going to do had my baby lived” she heard Jax gasp he had not known that. He knew Liz had been captured by them but not this. “They intended to take my baby and use it as a vessel for their Lady to come into this world. She would possess its body and use it. They needed a being that was innocent that is why they decided on a baby. Once she possessed the body she could use magic to make it age and grow so she wouldn’t be stuck for years as a small child.”

They all sat there looking at Liz in disbelief “So you are saying that they intend to bring her into this world and let her possess a body so she can stay here?” Jason questions

“Yes. And they will do it on the night of the Harvest Moon.” Liz said

“The 2 spider demons are her link to this world right now and they possess magic as well. I have seen them use it. They can open doorways and disappear and reappear beside you in seconds.” Duo said shuttering remembering the fight they had at the castle.

“Has anyone ever killed one of them? Or heard of them being killed?” Jason asked

“Not that I have heard. I have faced a giant spider once with Duo but never the demon” Jax said

Both Duo and Liz shook their heads “We have only been able to kill the lesser spiders. The lesser ones are dangerous but the demon spiders are worse. They are black colored not gray like the lesser ones. The lesser ones vary in size whereas the demons seem to be the same size. Each leg as long as Jason is tall and eyes the size of your fist. And as far as I can figure out there are always 2 of them.”

“Since no one has killed them could it be that it is the same ones.”

“That could be. It doesn’t really matter if they are or not. We are going to need more help that what we have.” Jax said

“I will call the Master and let him know. Hopefully he can get someone here before the full moon.”

Liz nodded thanks her eyes were starting to droop she was getting tired. The excitement was wearing off and fatigue setting in.

“I think you guys should get some rest and Liz needs to get some also”

They agreed and left. Jason moved around the tent getting ready to sleep when he heard Liz call his name “Jason?”

“Yes” he said coming around the curtain

“I am sorry I left with out you. It was stupid. And I was so worried about Michael”

“That is not the only reason why is it,” he said looking at her sitting on the edge of the bed.

She sighed “No its not. I have been doubting myself and needed to prove that I still could do this with out messing it up. I should have been more careful.”

“True. You could have found a better way doing that.” He smiled at her. He was about to get up and leave when she asked “Jason would you – I mean – “ she paused blushing and nibbling her lip which was starting to drive Jason crazy because he wanted to be the one nibbling her lip

“Would I what?” he asked gently

She looked at him still blushing but asked “Would you hold me tonight?”

Jason just smiled and said, “All you had to do is ask” she grinned at him.

Jason got up and finished getting ready for bed and then came behind he curtain and climbed in beside. Lying on the side opposite her wounded leg putting his arms around her.

Liz scooted around for a minute until she could lean up and give him a quick kiss on the lips and then turned and said “Goodnight”
Jason just sat there in the darkness for a moment and then snuggled close to her and said “Sweet dreams” They both drifted off to sleep to sound of the cracking fire.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 7


Liz woke up the next morning, alone. She lay there for a few minutes she could hear Jason moving around on the other side of the curtain. She stretched and groaned when her leg protested.

“Liz?” Jason asked quietly not wanting to wake her if she was still asleep.

“Yes” she answered

Jason came behind the curtain and sat on the edge of the bed. “I need to check your leg. Is that ok?”

“Sure” she said moving the bedclothes aside so he could look

Jason looked down at her leg and removed the bandages he put on last night he needed to make doublely sure the wound wasn’t poisoned. It looked ok so he washed it and put on a fresh bandage. As he did this he tried not to think about how beautiful her legs were and how soft her skin was to touch.

Liz meanwhile was trying to keep her reactions under control but the gentle touch Jason had when tending her leg was making it hard and she couldn’t quite stop the shiver that passed through her when as he finished.

Jason noticed the shiver “Cold?” he questioned looking into her eyes

“Maybe a little bit,” Liz squeaked out her voice sounding strange

Jason just smirked a bit and pulled the covers back over her leg. “Stay here I will be right back” he said and got up and left the tent. Once outside he stopped and took a deep breath and rubbed his hands over his face trying to keep control of his emotions. Once he was sure he wasn’t projecting anything he headed over to the cooks fire. He picked up some breakfast for Liz and himself and 2 cups of malak. (A drink like coffee only doesn’t have as much bite to it) Then went back to his tent.

“Liz, I picked up some breakfast.” He said coming around the tent. Liz was sitting there studying the map she drew. Duo had left it here with her last night.

Liz looked up when Jason came around to her with breakfast and then she smelled the malak. She took a deep breath savoring the smell. “Thanks” she said. Jason handed her the plate with breakfast and put the cup down on a small table next to the bed he was about to turn and leave when she asked, “Eat here with me?”

Jason looked back and smiled at her “Sure” he set his plate down on the table and grabbed one of the chairs he had and sat down next to her. They ate pretty much in silence just enjoying each other’s company. When they were finished Jason picked up the plates and put them aside to wash and then take back to the cooks later. He came back over to Liz carrying a staff. She looked at him raising and eyebrow in question. “I am not going to tell you to stay off your leg. I know it wouldn’t do much good and it is not really that bad. It should be find in about 3 or 4 days. But I will ask that you use this to help you when you are up” he said indicating to the staff. Liz smiled and agreed.

“Oh and here you can change into these” he said handing her some clothes and then going back around the other side to give her some privacy to get dressed.

She noticed that the clothes were hers and wondered how Jason got them but then figured he asked Duo for them. She dressed and came around the curtain. She noticed that all of her stuff was here now.

“How come my stuff is here?”

“Your brother brought them over I guess he thought you might be staying here for a bit.”

“So he brought my things and just kicked me out huh?” she said with a hint of laughter then she asked, “So am I staying here for a bit?”

“I would like it if you stayed I could keep a better eye on your leg even if it isn’t bad. I would make me feel better to know you are close just in case it decides to get worse.”

“Ok Does this mean you get to hold me at night to?” she asked

Jason just stopped what he was doing and turned and looked at her “If you want”

“I want” was all she said making her way out of the tent to leave Jason staring at the spot where she was just standing.

Liz went out of the tent and looked around hoping to spot her brother. He was over by Sonny with Jax and Nik. She made her way over to them when she was about halfway there she heard a little boy yell “Lizzie!!” and Michael came running up to her to give her a hug.

“Oof, Hey Michael!! How are you?” she asked him smiling down at him

“I am ok. How is your leg? Are you going to be ok? Will you be able to play with me and Lulu again soon?” he asked all at once

Liz chuckled and was about to answer when Michael’s aunt came up “Michael, I said not to bother Liz. She needs to take it easy after last night” she scolded him

“Its ok Emily I am going to be fine. Jason said my leg will be good a new in a couple of days.”

“That’s great Liz. Come on Michael lets go I am sure Liz needs to do other things right now” Emily said turning and not seeing that someone had come up behind her. She ran right into them lost her balance and fell right on her backside or she would have fallen had not a pair of strong arms caught her. Emily looked up to see who caught her and the first thing she noticed was that their long braid had fallen forward to hit her in the face. She followed the long chestnut colored braid up to their face and got lost in the most vivid violet colored eyes she ever saw.

“Are you al right?” a musical voice asked breaking the spell.

“Huh? Um.. Yeah I am ok?”

“That’s good I didn’t mean to knock you down” he said helping her stand “I am Duo, Liz’s big brother” he introduced himself smiling at her.

Emily smiled “I am Emily. Nice to meet’cha”

When Emily smiled Duo felt his knees get weak. He had never seen anyone in his life more lovely. She took his breath away.

“Well we better go I am sure you too have a lot to discuss” Emily said taking Michael’s hand and walking off.

Duo just watched her leave. He heard Liz snicker behind him. He turned and asked “What?”

Liz just smiled “I never thought I would see the day”

“See what?” he asked

“My brother totally speechless” she said smirking at him

“Shut up” he said looking back the way Emily went

Liz just smiled and then said as she walked by “She is a wood nymph you know”

Duo just sighed to himself he knew when he got closer that she wasn’t human not that it mattered to him one bit. She was still the most stunning creature he had ever seen.

The next days were spent planning for the hunt. Duo had contacted the Master the night they arrived and informed him what they believed to be happening. The Master was going to send as many Hunters and Marshals that could get there before the full moon. The other Hunter and Marshal arrived the next day after Duo and Jax did. Jax was happy to meet his friends Robert and Anna. Now they were just waiting for the rest to arrive.

Liz’s leg healed well and she was not using the staff anymore to help her walk. And she was playing with Michael and Lulu one night.

“It is getting late. You two need to get to bed”

“Do we have to?” Lulu groaned

“I am not tired” Michael piped up

“Tell us a story,” they both said

Liz sighed looked around and noticed Duo over by a fire with Sonny & Jason and the other Hunters and Marshals along with Nik and Emily. She smiled to herself she had been watching her brother and Emily dance around each other since they met. I think my brother is falling for her Liz thought.

“I tell you what. We will go over to where Sonny is and ask my brother to tell you a story. He tells the best stories. How is that?”

They both nodded excited. They got up and walked over to where Duo was

“Duo will you tell us a story please?” Lulu asked

“Lulu…” Nik started

“No its ok. I don’t mind” Duo said smiling he loved kids and would do just about anything for them. “What do you say we got over to your tent so you can lay down and listen to the story?”

“Can’t we stay here?” Michael asked

Duo just looked at Emily and Nik and they both nodded that it was ok. “So what kind of story do you want to hear?”

“A story with magic!!” Lulu exclaimed

“No I want one with dragons,” Michael said

Duo just laughed “How about a story with magic and dragons?” They both nodded. Lulu crawled up into Nik’s lap and Michael looked shyly at Duo, well Duo just smiled and invited Michael to sit in his lap while he told the story.

Liz sat down next to Jason so she could listen to the story. She loved Duo’s stories even if he wasn’t a kid it was just something about the way he told them that made you feel like you were there. Of course Duo said the same about her paintings that she had done.

Duo looked around it looked like everyone was staying to hear his story. He took a deep breath.

~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Many millennia ago darkness came to the land. The darkness was very powerful and the elder races had no way to stop it. Many decades passed while the elder races were ruled by the darkness. Even the mighty dragons the most powerful being in the world was powerless against the darkness. All beings were at the mercy of the darkness. Then one day the younger races were born. The darkness did not care about the younger races because they appeared to be weak and with out magic. Many more decades passed until two children of the younger races were born, two human children. These two children had the power to stand up to the darkness. It is said they forged weapons and armor in the Holy fires of the Gods of Light to fight the darkness. They engraved ruins of strength on the weapons and ruins of protection on the armor. These children were the first ones of the Order. They fought many battles against the darkness until one day they came to a place where the darkness had gathered. The first ones fought valiantly but they both received a death blow in the battle, they were able to push the darkness back to where it came but it said it would find a way back and that the First Ones would not be there. The First Ones said that there would be others to take their place. The first ones died on the battlefield but their spirits merged with the weapons and armor that they wore. Sometime after they died a golden dragon came to the battlefield. The golden dragon took their armor and weapons to keep for his hoard but he could tell that there was something very special about them. Unknown to the dragon, he was being watched by an elf. The elf followed the dragon and would have been killed but the elf pleaded for his life and said he only wanted to tell the dragon about the items he has taken. Well the dragon agreed. So the elf told the dragon about the items and whose they were and before he left the dragon he delivered a prophecy. The elf told the dragon that one day two children of the younger race will come to him they will be descendants of the First ones and that he should keep their weapons and armor safe until that day. Centuries passed and the mighty dragon waited for the 2 children to appear. Then one day like all dragons do he got a glimpse of the hour of his death and with him he saw 2 human children sitting the deathwatch. He knew then that he must make plans to be sure these children get the items he had been guarding all this time. By this time a race of dwarves lived close and had a mine in the mountains where he lived so the mighty dragon called out to them saying he wished to speak to their king. Well the dwarves knew better then to oppose a dragon so the king came to meet with him. He went to the great dragons chamber deep in the mountains and when he got there the dragon told him his story and together they stuck a bargain. The dragon promised to help the dwarves for a long as he was able and in return the dwarves would keep the weapons and armor safe to give to the 2 humans that set the deathwatch with him. Also after the dragon died he told the dwarf king that they could have his hoard for he would not need it anymore. Well the dwarf knew some of the ways of dragons and knew most of the time another dragon set the death-watch and that the dragon that did this got to decide what to do with the hoard whether to leave it there or take it to add to his own. The dwarf said as much but and told the dragon that they would leave it up to the two that set the deathwatch. Many decades passed and the dwarf king was replaced by his son and then again by his son each king going to the great dragon and telling him that they will keep the promise made. During this time the darkness had begun to seep back into the land. Then one day 2 small thieves came to the mines they were sent by the Order to remove the darkness that plagued the mines. The dwarves readily helped them by guiding them through the mines. It was during this time that the 2 thieves came upon a group of the dark ones trying to steal the dragon’s hoard well the thieves stopped them. When they had finished the dragon bid them to come into his chamber. When they did the 2 thieves stood in awe they had never seen a dragon. He had a head the size of a heavy wagon his teeth shone white with fangs the size of broadswords, his eyes were the deepest red and it seemed like you could just fall into them. He had a long supple neck that stretched out to his huge body. He had scales the size of large shields and his wings, which easily could be spread a hundred feet to each side, shone with silver underneath. The 2 thieves stood there staring at the dragon both of them thinking Surely this is the mightiest and most beautiful creature that ever lived Then the dragon asked them a question and they were startled out of their musings.

“Like all dragons” he said, “I know it is the hour of my death. And there is not another dragon close enough for me to call. Would the 2 of you stay with me?”

Well the 2 thieves agreed although it was with a heavy heart for they said they would not enjoy watching one such as he pass. The dragon then asked them to tell the dwarves of his passing and told them they could do whatever they wanted with his hoard after he was gone. The 2 thieves agreed and sat down amongst the treasures that the dragon had gathered. Once they were sitting the dragon began to speak. He told them about his life about how he flew though the skies to the farthest parts of the world. How he flew to places where snow covered everything to other places where sand was everywhere. He spoke of places far to the east where there is a different kind of dragon one without wings and that looked more like a worm but was still very powerful. He spoke of the battles he was in both before and after the darkness was pushed back. As he spoke his voice became quieter and hoarse he ended his tail with the story of the 2 thieves coming to rid the darkness from his home. When he finished his tail he appeared to fall asleep and as he took his last breath a small glow appeared around him. When the glow disappeared the dragon was gone for when dragons die they use the last of their magic to make sure they leave nothing of themselves for other creatures to take. The 2 thieves sat there staring at the place where the dragon was for what seemed like hours both of them with tears on their cheeks mourning the dragons passing. They gave themselves a small shake and looked around at the dragons hoard. They looked at piles of gold and silver with jewels the size of their fist. Gold pieces a big as your palm, weapons, armor wooden chests with gold and jewel worked in the carvings that were filled with money and jewelry. They looked at all of this and wanted nothing Two thieves looked at millions and wanted nothing. They looked at each other and nodded and together they both left not saying anything. They both knew that the other wanted nothing. When they made if back to the mines and the dwarves they told the dwarves what had happened. The dwarves asked them what they wanted to do with the dragon’s treasure and they told the dwarves they could do what they wanted with it because they wanted nothing from it. Well to their surprise the dwarves just went and closed up the dragon’s chamber and left everything there. The only thing the dwarves insisted upon is that the 2 thieves must visit their king, which the 2 thieves thought strange but did so anyways. When they saw the king he told them the story about the bargain the dragon and his ancestor made and insisted that the 2 thieves take the part of the dragon’s treasure that the dragon had set aside. Well the 2 thieves tried to refuse but the king would have none of it so they took the chest expecting to find gold or some other treasure to their surprise they found the armor and weapons of the First Ones inside. The 2 thieves thanked the king and told the dragon’s gift and together went out into the world to fight the darkness.

~ ~~~~~~~~~~

By this time both Lulu and Michael were asleep so Duo stopped his story. He looked around and smiled at everyone and said quietly “I think we should get these 2 to bed” everyone gave themselves a small shake and nodded.

“Here I will take him,” Emily said

“No that is ok just show me where to go I wouldn’t want to wake him,” Duo said to Emily. They got up and went toward her and Michael’s tent.

“Well it is getting late” Liz said stretching and got up to go back to the tent. Jason got up and followed.

“Just put him down here” Emily said indicating to Michael’s bed. Duo gently laid him down and while Emily pulled off his shoes and pulled the blanket up over him.

“Good night Emily” Duo said turning to leave

“Duo?” Emily asked

“Yeah?”

“Is there any more of that story? What I mean is – “

”The end hasn’t been written yet” Duo replied looking at her. He could not help but take a step toward her to touch her cheek.

“Oh” was all Emily could manage looking into his eyes.

Duo could not resist anymore he had to taste her. His lips came gently down upon hers and it felt like fire ignited in his blood. He slowly deepened the kiss his tongue brushing against her lips asking for entrance. Emily moaned and opened them to him melting against him. Duo broke the kiss only when he needed to take a breath. He breathed deeply and rested his forehead against hers looking into her eyes. He took another breath and then said, “I better go Emily. Good night”

All Emily could do was nod for the last thing she wanted was for him to leave but she did manage to say “ ‘nite” before he left the tent and then she flopped down on her bed knowing she would get little sleep tonight.

Outside her tent Duo took several calming breaths and cursed at himself knowing that now he would get no sleep tonight. He shook his head and walked toward the tent he was staying.

In another tent Liz was getting ready for bed when Jason came in.

“I suppose that now my leg it better I should move back into the other tent I was using”

“You could I suppose but you could always stay here.” Jason commented Please stay he thought to himself

“Really you would let me stay?” Liz asked poking her head around the curtain

“Yes”

Liz came around to stand in front of Jason “Really?” she asked again

“Yes, I like you staying here with me” He heard Liz gasp and cursed to himself thinking he had said too much.

Liz in turn looked deep into his eyes and started to nibble her lip. She reached up to touch his cheek. Jason closed his eyes for a moment and then heard hr whisper his name “Jason?”

Jason opened his eyes looking directly into hers. His hand came up behind her neck and he pulled her close to him brushing his lips against hers in a tender kiss. He pulled back to look at her again.

Liz looked at Jason and her other hand came up to grip his shirt to pull him back for another kiss. This one was deeper and as soon as their lips met Liz’s whole exploded. She could not get close enough to him; she opened her mouth to him moaning against his lips.

Jason in turn was having much the same feeling he pulled her close to him he needed to feel her next to him. His tongue explored every part of her mouth but he finally need air and had to break the kiss. He held her against him while he took several calming breaths.

“Does this mean you will still hold me at night” Liz asked giggling

Jason chuckled “Yes I guess it does”

“We should really get some sleep,” Liz said

“Yes”

Liz went and lay down on Jason’s bed instead of the one she had been using. Jason just smiled and got ready for bed and crawled in next to her.

“Good night.” They both said sharing a kiss both knowing they did not want to take any chances and have history repeat itself. They would have to wait until after the hunt to take their new relationship any further.

So again they drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 8

Liz woke early the next the next morning in Jason’s warm embrace and also to some noise going on outside. She couldn’t make out what they were saying but it was getting louder so she figured they were coming closer. She started to ease out of bed when Jason’s arm tightened around her. She glanced up at him his eyes were open looking at her.

“I was trying to get up with out waking you,” she told him.

“That’s ok who could sleep with all that racket going on outside.” Jason said

“My brother” Liz giggled “But it sounds like he is one of the ones making the racket.” She listened some more “It sounds like he wants to talk to me about something. I better get dressed” she said pulling away a bit but then stopped and looked at Jason. She smiled and leaned over and gave him a quick good morning kiss and then got up to get dressed.

Jason proceeded to do the same and then went out of the tent. “What is going on? You guys could wake the dead with all this noise”

“Sorry,” Robert says a bit embarrassed “It is just Duo has some insane plan about going into that stronghold at night and I figured since Liz is supposed to be more or less in charge of this Hunt I figured she would tell him he couldn’t or talk him out of it.”

Jason just smiled at him “I wouldn’t count on it” was all he said and then turned to the tent and poked his head inside “Liz?”

“Yeah?” she answered

“They or rather Robert wants to talk to you”

“Oh, okay” she said coming outside “What is it?” she questions Robert

“Duo has some crazy plan about wanting to get a look inside the stronghold” Robert said

Liz raised and eyebrow “So?”

“He wants to go there at night ” Robert stated.

Liz just gazed at Robert for a moment and then her gaze shifted to Duo “You will need to get in before dark and you may be stuck there all night” was all she said turning back to the tent.

Duo nodded “I understand”

“What do you mean he will have to get inside before dark?” Robert asks.

Liz was turning back getting ready to answer when Duo answered for her “I have to get inside before the gargoyles wake. You don’t think those are on the map for decoration do you?”

“That’s not what I meant” Robert said, “What I meant was you are letting him do this?”

“Yes, it’s a good idea we need to know what is going on inside that place. He is the best person for the job,” she paused and grinned “besides me that is”

“What kind of crazy person lets someone sneak into a stronghold full of Black Webs at night just so they can look around?” Robert snapped.

“Someone that had been thinking about doing it herself” Liz growled.

“Huh?” both Jason and Robert question.

Duo just snickers behind his hand trying not to laugh out right. “I told you she would approve” was all he said.

“Yes you did. What I don’t understand is why.” Robert looks at Liz wondering if she should really be in charge.

Liz gazes intently at Robert and then asks “Why I am letting him do this or why am I in charge of the Hunt?”

Robert looks surprised but then chuckles “I guess a little of both”

Liz smiled at him “Well” she started taking a deep breath “the reason I am in charge I guess is because I arrived first and also as I was told I spent a lot of time in their company so I should know they ways a bit more then most –“

“You were Frisco’s wife?” Robert asked surprised.

“Yes”

“I see, now I understand. Forget I asked that question but as to why you are letting Duo you own brother go in that place at night, why is that?” Robert said

“Ah, well I will need to show you. Come inside” Liz said turning to go inside

Once inside they gathered around the small table and on the table was the map that Liz had drawn. “There are a couple of things missing from this map and we need to confirm what they are. We suspect what they might be but it would be better if we knew. If it were anybody but Duo I would say no. I would go myself but I have already been inside twice during –“

“Wait you have been inside that place twice?” Robert asked totally flustered.

“Yes, how do you think I got this map? I drew it after I came back. I was thinking about going inside at night and was going to make plans the night Michael was taken. Then my leg got hurt so I had to wait. I was going to talk to Duo about it today. If he would not have went I would have. But it is better that he goes. A fresh pair of eyes if you know what I mean.”

All Robert could do was nod. He could not believe that she had gone inside. No hunter in their right mind went inside a nest of Black Webs alone.

“These two do things a bit differently then most Hunters, Robert” Jason said

Robert coughed “So I have noticed.” Looking back at Liz and grinned.

She just smiled back and then got serious again “Remember you need to get in before dark and there is a good chance you will be stuck there all night.”

Duo nodded understanding but had a big maniac grin on his face.

“When you come out I will have breakfast ready in the first clearing on the way back to this camp. And you may want to leave Death Scythe in camp while you are sneaking around”

“Yeah, I will ask Sonny if it is ok if I leave Death Scythe with him.”

“You could always ask Emily. I am sure she would be more then glad to watch him for you” Liz commented dryly giving Duo a sly smile.

“No, I will ask Sonny” Duo said glaring at her and then he and Robert left.

Liz broke out in the giggles at her brother. Jason couldn’t help but smile he was glad to see Liz laughing.

“I wanted to ask you something.” Jason said looking at Liz

“Sure, what is it?”

“That story that Duo told last night.”

“Yes?”

“Those 2 thieves, he was talking about you two, you two are descendants of the First Ones aren’t you?”

Liz gazed at him for a moment before answering “Neither Duo or I know who are real parents are. Both of us grew up in the streets when we were little. I don’t really remember much before I met Duo. Whether that is because I was too young to remember or because it would be better if I didn’t remember I don’t know. But yes we are the 2 thieves that received the gift from the dragon.”

“He left out part of the story”

“Really? What did he leave out?”

“You two got 2 gifts from the dragon”

“Ah, yes. Well that is something we don’t tell too often to people”

“Why not?”

Liz snorted, “If we told people about what dragons blood could possibly do for people how long do you think it would be before people started to attack dragons to get their blood. It is better to let people believe that dragon’s blood is poison. Dragons are very powerful; everything from a dragon contains power. A shaving from their claw has power. That is why they use the last of their magic to make their body disappear when they die. Could you imagine what would happen if a wizard got part of a dragon, even should the dragon be dead the body would still have some power. That wizard could have unstoppable power and if that wizard were on the side of darkness it could be the end of everything.”

Jason nodded that he understood and then said “That is why he had his blood in the container for you. Because when he died everything would disappear”

“Yes, we had promised to drink it and Methos could tell we spoke Truth. That is part of their power to be able to know when one speaks the truth or not. So he knew that we would keep our promise. Granted we thought we were going to die for we had been taught like everyone else that dragon’s blood is poison and even then it did make us sick at first. But once we figured out we weren’t going to die we couldn’t figure out why he had wanted us to drink it. Then the dwarves told us what the dragon’s blood had done and that for some it is not poison. It is for all of the elder races and for most of the younger races, but some of us can drink it and live. Live for a very long time I might add” she finished with a grin.

Jason just grinned at her and then said, “What do you say shall we go get some breakfast?”

“Sure” she said and they left the tent to go get breakfast.

The day pasted slowly with Duo and Liz planning for him to go into the stronghold just before dark. Just after lunchtime they heard some noise outside.

“I’ll go see what’s up,” Duo said leaving the tent

After he left the jewel on Liz’s sword began to glow she asked it what was wrong.

“It has been so long I did not remember. But when Duo told that story last night it jogged my memory and I have been talking to Death Scythe he remembers also. We need to tell you. If the Black Webs succeed in opening the way for their Mistress to return to this world once she is here she will be able to open the way for the rest of the darkness to return to the world. We were only able to push them back and close the door but we received the deathblow before we could seal the doorway. That is why they were able to come back. We failed, we are sorry.” Celeste finished sadly.

“What do you mean failed?” Liz asked her “You both did the best you could. That is all anybody could ask. You were the only ones that could do anything at the time. This time we will have help. Hopefully it will be enough to stop them”

“There is one more thing. We think you two should perform the blood rites with the armor and the weapons. It would allow you to both tap the full power for them.”

“What do you mean? You mean we have not been using the full power?”

“No, if you perform the blood rites or bond with them it will release the full power of both the armor and the weapons to you. We did more then just carve ruins on them. We asked for help from the Gods of Light and they granted it. But unless you ‘bond’ with them so to speak you are only getting what little power myself and Death Scythe can manage to release for you. But if you do this you will be able to tap the power directly. We did not tell you before because up until now you have not needed to use more power and also there is a possible draw back to the bonding”

“What is that?”

“Should you decide to do this it means when you die it is possible that your spirit will merge with the weapons or armor much the same as ours did.”

Liz sucked in a breath “I see. Well at least I would still be able to talk to you”

“What do you mean by that? Aren’t you even going to think about it?”

“I don’t have to think about it. I will not have that evil loose in this world.” Liz stated “I need to talk to Duo now” getting up and leaving the tent

~ ~~~~~~~~~
Moments before while Liz is talking to Celeste

“Jerry!! Its good to see you” Jax said, “How did you get here so fast. Last I heard you were in north. At least 2 weeks away”

“We got a lift from a friend of the Master. Its good to see you brother”

“Brother?” Dou asked coming up to them, noticing Robert, Anna and Jason coming up along with Sonny.

“Yes this is my brother Jerry. I was just asking him how he got here so fast he was at least 2 weeks away by horse last I heard” Jax said grinning

“As I said we got a lift. We were dropped off about a day away since the Master didn’t want the Black Webs to know we were gathering a large force.”

“Large force?” Duo asked

“Yes. The Master it seems in calling in a lot of favors to get as many Hunters and Marshals here before the full moon.”

“That is good” Liz said walking up to them “I am Liz. Do you know everyone else?”

“Jerry and this is V and no my brother didn’t give us a chance yet to meet everyone”

“This is my brother Duo, this is Robert, that’s Anna and that’s Jason the Marshal stationed here and that’s Sonny he runs the place” she said point to each one in turn.

“Hello everyone” They all greeted them “Now what do you mean its good that the Master is sending as many as he can? He said the Black Webs are gathering here but what is so important that he has to go to these extremes to get us here?”

Liz sighed, “Come over by the fire I will tell you. Duo you already know most of this but you need to talk to Death Scythe. He will tell you what I am going to tell them. And you need to finish getting ready for tonight.”

Duo looked at Liz she gave him a meaningful look and he knew that there was more and figured Death Scythe was going to tell him more then what she was going to tell everyone else here. He nodded and left. Everyone else went over to the fire.

Liz took a deep breath “What I am going to say some of you may have figured out already or at least part of it.” She looked around “Last the story my brother told –“

“What story? We weren’t here,” V asked.

“Yeah right. Well he told the story about the First Ones and about their weapons and armor and how it disappeared from the battlefield after they died.”

“Yes, I remember they say they were stolen by a dragon. But there has never been any real proof of that. They say he guards them until the day the descendents of the First Ones come” V said

“It is true. A dragon took them from the battlefield and guarded them. Then one day some dark ones came to steal his hoard but 2 thieves stopped them. The dragon was very old by then and dying. He had asked the thieves to set the deathwatch with him and they did. He gifted them with the armor and weapons of the First Ones”

“Thieves! Why would he do that? You mean to tell me that there are 2 thieves out there running around with –“

“Calm down. I wasn’t finished. Those 2 thieves were Duo and myself. We were already part of the Order by then so we weren’t really thieves anymore.” Liz told them.

Everyone sat there in silence for a moment staring at Liz not sure if they should believe her or not.

Anna was the first one to speak “You mean to tell us that you and your brother are descendents of the First Ones?”

“We don’t really know. Neither Duo nor myself knows who are parents are. We don’t remember them. Our first real memories are of living in the streets. But that is not what I needed to tell you. After Duo told his story last night, Celeste remembered something. She told me if we fail to stop the Black Webs from bringing their Mistress back she will be able to open the doorway the let the darkness back into this world. Celeste told me that they had been able to push the darkness back into its own world and close the door but they had died before they could completely seal it. That is why it seeped back into ours. But should they succeed in bringing her here there the rest of the darkness will surely come.”

Everyone just sat there stunned then Jerry spoke “Do you think we will be able to get enough of us here to stop them?”

“I don’t know. I hope so. But it may cost us many. Like at Raven Castle only a few of us made it out. We managed to wreck their plans but it cost us a lot”

“You talk like you were there,” Anna said

“I was”

“What? You are not old enough to have been there. I am older then you and I was not even in the Order then. I wasn’t old enough” Anna said looking doubtful she and Liz had clashed over several things about the plans for the hunt the last couple of days.

Jason sighed he didn’t like that Anna and Liz didn’t get along. Liz had enough trouble trusting others in the Order especially Marshals to have to put up with this.

“What is the deal with you anyways?” Liz asked Anna

“I don’t think you should be the one in charge of this hunt. I cannot believe the plans you have made and then I hear this morning that you are agreeing to let Duo, your brother, I might add go in there at night alone. Just to look around! What sort of crazy person does that? He is your brother for goodness sake. What if he gets caught? Then what are you going to do? He could get killed. They could torture them and he could tell them what we are planning.” Anna said getting up staring down at Liz and starting to shout.

Liz stood and looked at Anna and then very quickly put her hands up in front of her there was a whoosh of air and Anna fell back on her backside and Liz stood staring angrily down at her. Liz moved over to her and grabbed her shirt to pull her forward “First of all if Duo would not have went I would have, second if her gets caught I will be getting him out, thirdly Duo would kill himself before he told them anything. If anyone were going to tell them anything I would suspect you would be the first one to tell them. As for the plans I have spent more time with them then anyone gathered here so far therefore I should know them better.” She finished letting go of Anna’s shirt with a small shove and then turned and stalked off.

No one said anything just watched Liz leave.

Duo had come outside the tent when he felt Liz gather her power and he saw what happened. He didn’t hear what was said but he could tell Liz was pretty pissed. He watched go into Jason’s tent and then come back out she had her sword with her and then she walked out of the camp. He thought for a minute and then went back inside tent gathered up Death Scythe and followed her.

Jason was going to follow Liz but he saw Duo follow her and decided to let him talk to her. So he settled back down by the fire. No one really knew what to say.

Duo followed Liz to a small clearing she was pacing back and forth clenching her fists trying to calm down.

“Hey” he said

Liz stopped looked at him and then started pacing again

“I saw what happened. What did she say?”

“She doesn’t think I should be in charge of this hunt. She doesn’t like our plans and she thinks I am crazy to let you go in there to look around”

“Boy she doesn’t like much does she?” Duo snorted grinning

Liz stopped her pacing and looked at Duo the corner of her mouth twitching at her trying not to grin. “How come I can never stay mad around you?” she sighed

“Because I am ‘The Great Duo’?” He said smiling widely.

Liz just snorted shaking her head.

Duo sobered “Don’t worry about her. The plans are good. Listen we have about 2 hours before we have to leave to get the stronghold. It has been awhile since I have had a sparing partner that was a challenge. You up for a round or two?”

Liz grinned at him “Sure. Do you want to use weapons or not?”

“Lets start out not using them and then see what happens” Duo replied with a hint of mischief in he eyes.

“Ok” Liz agreed taking off her sword to lean again a nearby tree and seeing Duo do the same with his scythe “Speaking of weapons. Did he tell you?”

“Yes. I figure we can do the rites the day after tomorrow. After breakfast tomorrow we can go about a days ride and then do the bonding and spend another day getting to know the full power of everything and then come back.” Duo said

“Sounds good. I will have everything ready. So they told you I was going to do it.”

“No, they didn’t. I just know you that’s all.” He said grinning at her

They moved back into the center of the clearing and faced off with each other. Each had a gleam in their eyes. As they circled they both noticed that they were being watched but when they did catch sight of who it was they relaxed it was Nik. Then the fun began. Each giving it their all and not holding anything back.

About 45mins later Nik was back in the camp at the fire where everyone still sat Emily, Lucky and Alexis had joined them.

“You have got to see this,” he said coming up to them

“See what?” Alexis asked

“Duo and Liz, they have been going full out for at it for at least 30 min and they don’t even look tired yet.”

“Really? I would like to see that. I have never seen 2 Journeyman spar before” Jax said getting up

“Two Journeyman?” Jerry asked

“Yes after what Liz did you know she is one but her brother is one also. This should be good. Whenever we sparred I could tell he was holding back some. Now is my chance to see how much.”

They all got up and followed Nik they wanted to see this. When they got to the clearing they just stood there in awe. They could not believe what they were seeing. Duo and Liz were going full out against each other and so far neither one had drawn a weapon.

Then somehow Duo managed to get Liz down but she was able to push him back and regain her feet. She then turned and held out her hand and she sword came into it. She turned back to Duo seeing he had done the same. They faced off again. They slowly circled and then Duo came in for an attack the blade of his scythe glowing green. Liz parried the blade of her sword glowing red. The blades met sending green and red sparks in the air. They jumped back facing off again, this time Liz attacked charging Duo he stepped back to brace himself when Liz did a flip over him coming down behind him. Rolling to her feet she turned and delivered a kick that sent Duo stumbling.

Duo turned and grinned at her “You been holding back I see”

“So have you.” She smiled

“Holding back?” V whispered, “If they are holding back I wonder what it would be like to see then go full out”

“I don’t know if I want to know” Robert said

After about another 15 min Liz and Duo stopped they didn’t want Duo to be too tired for tonight. He would need to be alert when he went inside. They put up their weapons and turned to the people watching them

“Hey guys did you enjoy the show?” Duo asked grinning at them

“Very much so.” Jerry answered smiling

“Great, now I have to go get ready for tonight” Duo said

They all went back to camp.

About 2 hours before sundown Duo and Liz left camp. They also had 2 horses with them and supplies for about 3 days. They made to the stronghold about an hour later. Duo left his weapon with Liz and carefully made it inside while Liz watched from the outside.

Liz then made her way back to the small clearing she had picked out. She made a small fire. This was where she would wait for Duo. Several hours later Liz crawled into her bedroll to get some sleep wishing the whole time that a man with blue eyes and short blonde hair was there to hold her.

Back at Sonny’s camp a beautiful wood nymph was crawling into her bed praying that a man with violet eyes and long chestnut hair would make it back ok so he would someday hold her while she slept.

In another tent a handsome man with blue eyes and short blonde hair was also going to sleep and wishing the woman he held the last few night while they slept was there.

[JRK Archiver]

Part 9


The next morning came too soon for everyone. Jason woke up after getting only a couple of hours sleep. He had trouble sleeping with Liz not there. Emily also only got a couple of hours sleep worried about Duo. Liz woke stiff from sleeping outside on the ground. She had gotten used to Jason’s arms around her. And Duo had gotten no sleep him spending the night in the lair of the Black Webs.

True to her word Liz had breakfast ready when a pale looking Duo come into the clearing about and hour after sunrise. He sat quietly at the fire and ate saying nothing until he was finished. He set down his plate and took a deep breath and looked up a Liz he eyes troubled.

“They are not there. I only saw the lesser spiders.”

Liz raised an eyebrow in question. “Then what is the trouble?”

“They could show up later. It is still 8 days until the full moon. But something else is going on. Something feels off .” He finished.

Liz gave a heavy sigh “You feel it too. Something is not right. What did you see while inside?”

“That’s just it there are a lot of followers there and I saw a couple of the priests but they were not doing anything. The whole night I was there they did nothing. No sacrifices or anything. Its like they are on vacation or something. When you were there did you notice any prisoners in the dungeons?”

“There were 4 I think? Three men and one woman.”

“That is how many are still there and it is still 3 men and one woman. I did not see any children or babies, which means that it either hasn’t arrived yet or…” he stopped abruptly as a horrible thought crossed his mind and by looking at Liz she had the same thought.

“Or they are going to do the ceremony someplace else and this is just a distraction” she finished for him her eyes filled with horror. Duo just stared back at her and nodded.
Liz stood up and turned around staring off in to the distance “DAMN IT!!!” she yelled and started cursing in every language she knew. Swearing at herself and calling herself everything she could think of for being so stupid and not seeing this.

Duo just sat back and let her rant but when she starting punching a nearby tree he decided her better stop her. He reached up and grabbed her arm to stop her but she shook him off punching the tree again splitting the skin on her hand. Duo placed himself between her and the tree when she pulled back to punch it again “Stop It!!” he commanded, “You couldn’t have known. None of us saw it. There is nothing you can do. We don’t even know if it is true. They still could be gathering here.”

Liz turned around and sat down then jumped up and started pacing muttering under her breath her fist clenching and unclenching with her anger. “But it is true this is all part of their plan. Don’t you get it? I should have known. I spent so much time with them I should have known.” She said sitting down “Damn it!!” she exclaimed and starting hitting her thighs with her fists.

Duo came over and knelt in front of her taking hold of her wrists to stop her. “Where else would they do something like this? Where else would they perform a ceremony like this? Do you remember? Did they tell you?” he asked. Liz shook her head no. Duo sighed, “I am going to contact the Master to let him know what we found and what we think is happening maybe he knows where they gather.”

The Ramoth Plain Duo heard Death Scythe say “What did you say?” he asked looking at his weapon The Ramoth Plain, that was where we had our last battle with them.

“Where is that? I have never heard of it before.” Duo asked

That is because it is not really a plain it is just a small grassy knoll surrounded by trees. We don’t talk about it much because we try to keep the place a secret. It is a place of great power. We had hoped they had forgotten this but if they are not here that is the most likely place they would be. The Ramoth Plain is 2 days ride south of the old city of Seth just across the Anubian river. If that is where they are they are not just bringing their Mistress here they are planning on being the whole of the demon horde into this world.

Duo gasped and turned to Liz she paled “I heard. That is at least 5 days ride from here maybe six. We might get there in time but we would not be enough to stop them”

Just as Duo was about to reply the Master contacted them “Duo, Liz” he said

“Yes?” they both answered

“We have a problem,” the Master stated

“Tell me about it” Duo mumbled

“What?!” the Master asked sharply

“We were just about to contact you. We had a look at the place at night. Something is off about the place. We believe that this is a distraction and they are planning on opening the way for the Mistress in another place.” Liz told him

“I believe you are right. I am getting reports of strange things happening south of you.”

“The Ramoth Plain” Duo said

“What? Where did you hear about that?” the Master gasped

“From Death Scythe. He said that is the most likely place for them to gather and it is south of us. He also said that if they are there then they are planning on bringing the whole demon horde. There are not enough Hunters and Marshals to stop them even if every one of them could get there in time. We would need and army to stop them. Even if we got there to stop them from breaking the lock on the doorway I don’t think we would be able to stop them from breaking down the door. I know it was supposed to be a permanent lock on that doorway but…”

“Humph…” the Master snorted, “There is no such thing a permanent lock. Even if there was you are right. They may not be able to break the lock but if they are able to trap into the power at the Ramoth Plain then they will be able to obliterate the doorway. And besides the only way to actually kill her is to let her get into this world. You would not be able to kill her in the world she is in now. I had hoped when I heard the news about the strange things going on that I was wrong. I had hoped that she was actually going to be trying to enter the world where you are. You have a better chance there, but what you told me about things being off there confirms my belief that they are going to be gathering someplace else. The Ramoth Plain is the perfect place”

Both Duo and Liz sighed, “So you know any armies we could get to help?” Duo asked the Master

“None that could get there in time” the Master paused “Don’t those Amazons live close to where you are at? Didn’t you help them out a about 5 years ago Duo?”

“Yes but I don’t know if they would be willing to help. They are about 2 days away and could get to the plain in about 4 days maybe 3 if they pushed it.”

“Ask them. We need all the help we can. What about you Liz do you know of anybody that we could get the help?” the Master asked

Duo noticed Liz’s face darken “No” was all she said

“Liz if there is someone you need to ask them? We will need help. Don’t be stubborn” Duo said looking at her.

Liz scowled at him “I said no”

“Alright, but if you think of anybody that may get there in time….” Duo trailed off looking at her “I’ll ask them to help us” she told him he just nodded back.

“I will leave a soon a possible. That will give us more time to get ready.” Duo told the Master

“Good let me know the outcome.”

“I will” Duo said as the Master cut the communication

Duo sat for a moment looking at Liz she seemed to be having an internal debate over something. “Liz is there someone that could help us?”

Liz sighed, “I don’t know for sure if they would help, Duo. I know they would not help me but they might help Elizabeth” she said looking at Duo and watched him pale slightly and gasp.

Elizabeth that was not a name he had heard in a long while.

********* Flashback *************

Just after Liz found him after she had gotten away from the Black Webs.

“Liz…”

“My name is Elizabeth. Liz died in that place they killed her”

“No she didn’t she is just hiding”

“No she is dead. And for that I am going to kill everything in that place. When I leave there will be nothing left.”

Duo shivered at the look in her eyes. She meant every word. But once they were there Liz made it known that she was indeed just hiding for she would not let Elizabeth just kill everything. But when she left they did burn the place once everyone was out. Then they went back to the Order and for about 6 month she tried but could not get past the betrayal so she left. For 3 years she disappeared and when she came back she was Liz again. She never talked about where she was or what happened in those 3 years. The only thing she would say is that she found herself again.

******** End Flashback ***********

“Liz,” Duo started

“I don’t even know if they would help. And if I let her out, if I become Elizabeth again I don’t know if I would be able to stop. You saw how it was. How everything was destroyed. How I destroyed things. I mean what if in stopping the darkness that I end up turning to darkness. Can I take that chance?” she got up a started pacing. “What if… you don’t know what it was like those 3 years. I was lost Duo. I lost myself in battles and blood. I didn’t fight for the Order the Master could not even get through to me. I killed Duo. They were just nameless faceless people that happened to be fighting against those I was with. What if I am only trading one evil for another?”

“Because this time it would be different. This time you would choose to be that person. Just like you could choose not to be. You can choose to be both. We all have darkness inside us Liz it is how we deal with it is what counts. You see things as being good or evil. Elizabeth is not evil Liz she is your protection. She came alive when you needed her and she stayed until your soul was healed enough so you could come back. You are afraid that she will take over but she won’t you just need to embrace her. Once you do that you will not need to be afraid of her.” Duo told her

Liz just stared at him “And how did you get to be do wise?”

Duo just chuckled “We won’t have time for the bonding. We need to get back and tell the others that we need to move. I am sure the Master is diverting everyone to the Ramoth Plain. Even if he didn’t say he was going to be doing that.”

“Right” Liz said starting to gather things up and pack them away.

Awhile later they made it back to Sonny’s camp much to the surprise to everyone. They also heard that another Hunter and Marshall arrived that morning.

“Liz, Duo it s good to see you again” Tony said to them “How have you been?” giving them a hug.

“Not bad” Duo said

“Ok” Liz said

“That’s good” Tony said giving his bothers wife a searching look to see if she was really ok. He remembered how hard it was for her after Frisco’s death and he knew she had left for a while.

Liz just looked at Tony “I am doing ok, Tony.”

He just nodded in return “I think I should tell you Robin is here”

“I see” Liz said scowling

“Great” was all Duo could say. Robin that self centered little snot of a girl that made his and Liz’s life miserable because she thought she was better then them because her family had money. And they were just gutter- rats she put it. It had all started before she knew anything about them and she had asked Duo out and he said no. She had been a thorn in his side to him ever since and a total witch to Liz because she was his sister.

“Where is she now?” Liz asked

“She is over in the Marshal’s tent” Tony replied looking over at it missing the way Liz’s eyes narrowed into slits “She was visiting with her mother and…

“Her mother?”

“Yes Anna”

“Should have known” Liz muttered

Tony looked at her puzzled but continued “And she then followed the Marshal to his tent. He didn’t look to impressed with that”

“Really, maybe I should go save him” Liz said and stalked off to Jason’s tent

“Liz?” Duo’s voice stopped her she turned “Be nice” he grinned at her.

“I am always nice” she said and continued on to the tent.

Before she got there Robin came storming out of the tent not looking where she was going and ran straight into Lucky knocking him down. “Why don’t you watch where you are going?” she screeched at a bewildered Lucky

“Hey you ran into me,” he said

“Hello Robin” Liz said just as she walked up to them. Saving Lucky from a verbal assault from her. Liz still thought Lucky was a whiny little troll but even he didn’t deserve that.

Robin turned staring daggers at Liz “What are you doing here?”

“Going to my tent” she said smugly and turned and went into Jason’s tent.

Robin sucked in a sharp breath and followed her “What do you mean….” She trailed off when she saw Jason and Liz hugging.

Jason turned to her and said, “I thought I asked you to leave”

Robin stared at them they still had their arms around each other. Her eyes narrowed but she turned and left.

Jason sighed “And I thought Anna was bad. But her daughter whew.” Liz just smiled at him and kissed him on the nose. “I thought you weren’t going to be back until tomorrow at the earliest?” he questioned

“Change of plans”

“Change of plans? What did you find out?”

Liz sighed and let go of Jason and sat on the bed. Jason moved and sat down next to her. “We found out that this is just a distraction. They are not going to be even doing anything here.”

“What do you mean? I can feel the evil in that place. They are there” Jason stated his brows lowering

“I know they are there. But the most important ones aren’t. We talked to the Master the darkness is gathering at the place where the last battle took place. That is about 6 days south of here. They are going to try to bring the demon horde across as well.” Liz stood and started pacing she was getting angry all over again. “I should have seen this coming.” She ranted at herself. “If they were going to do the ceremony here it would not be so bad they would most likely be able to only bring their Mistress across and then we could stop her but the place that they are now has great power. They will be able to bring the horde along at the same time. We will need an army to stop them. It is not just going to be the demon horde but all of her followers in this world as well. There are not enough Hunters and Marshals in the whole Order to stop that.”

“So what are we going to do?” Jason asks

“Duo is going to ride to the Amazons and ask them for help. He had helped them a few years ago. Hopefully they will agree”

“You know Sonny will help and many people from the camp will help as well. What about you is there anyone you can ask to help?”

Liz sighed and looked away “Yes and no”

”What do you mean?”

“There is someone I can ask but I don’t know it they would help” she sighed

“Still, you should ask them” Jason said getting up “I am going to go tell the others. Are you coming?”

Liz shook her head “I need to get my thoughts straight. I can’t believe I missed that this was just a distraction.”

“Don’t beat yourself up. I will have Duo help me explain things to everyone.” Jason said and turned and left.

Liz sat down heavily on the bed running her hands down her face. Damn, I don’t want to loose Jason but I don’t know if he would like who I will need to become. And then will they even help? And what kind of deal will I have to make with them. They never just helped someone. Sure she used to ride with them but that was because she had volunteered and then she was free to leave. But asking for help from them . They always wanted something in return. The question was would their help be worth the price. Would their help be worth being Elizabeth back? Then Duo’s voice drifted back in her head, Liz closed her eyes and then opened them. Yes it would. I just hope Jason will understand and be able to live with me because once I embrace Elizabeth I know Liz will never be the same

Liz stood and starting packing her things she would have to leave today just like Duo to get to the place where she could contact them.

[JRK Archiver]

Part 10


Liz finished packing her stuff just as Jason and Duo came into the tent. Jason saw that she had packed her stuff and frowned.

“Are you leaving?” he questioned.

“Yes,” Liz said turning around. “Just as soon as I talk to someone.”

“Liz –“ Duo started but she shot him a cold look but he continued anyway “be careful and good luck.”

“I will. Thanks and good luck to you. Don’t let those Amazons get you,” she said with a chuckle. She then turned and left the tent without saying anything to Jason.

Jason stood staring at the place she had been standing and then turned and asked Duo “Where is she going?”

Duo sighed, “She is going to ask some friends of hers for help”

“Who is she going to be asking?”

“I don’t know” was all Duo told him.

~ ~~~~~~~~~~~

Outside Liz took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself. She was getting ready to talk to someone that she didn’t really care for, but it needed to be done before she left. She took one more deep breath and went off in search of that person. It didn’t take her long to find who she was looking for.

“Can I talk to you?” Liz asked her.

She stared coldly at Liz for a moment before answering “Okay”

“Alone” Liz requested

“Alright” she said and got up and walked off so they could talk in private.

They walked for a couple of minutes, stopped and sat down on a nearby fallen tree.

“What did you need to talk to me about?”

“I need to ask you a favor” Liz replied

“You need to ask me a favor?” she asked incredulously “You must be joking. You needing to ask me a favor.” She said starting to laugh

“I am serious.” Liz snapped

She stopped laughing and studied Liz for a moment. “Ok. What is it?” she said sobering

“I have to leave. I have to get help for the upcoming battle. I would like it if you could look out for Jason while I am gone” Liz requested earnestly

“I would do that anyways” she replied

“I know but there is another factor now. First I don’t know if I will be coming back. The people I am going to ask are not the most… I mean they are not…they are not the normal people the Order would ask to help them.”

”So why are you asking them?”

“They may be the only ones that could get there in time and the only force large enough. Second I don’t know if you noticed but a new Marshal arrived last night.”

“Yeah I noticed. She made sure everybody noticed she was here. Stuck up little snot. From what I heard she tried to change everything about the hunt.”

Liz frowned “Who told you that?”

“Emily she happened to be close by. She likes your brother a lot and was worried about him. She was talking to Jason when this all happened. But the others put a stop to it. Even Anna told her to be quiet.”

“Really?” Liz asked surprised

“Yeah. Anyways what is it about her that you want me to know?”

“She and I don’t get along the best and she knows that I was staying in Jason’s tent. I know she will try or do something while I am gone to spite me. I just would like it if you could watch out for Jason I don’t want him caught in the middle.”

“You care for him a lot don’t you? That’s good I can tell he cares about you. But don’t you worry much about Jason he can take care of himself. But I will keep and eye on the little girl .”

“Good. I don’t really trust her. I don’t think she would betray anything but she will do her best to make mine and my brother’s life miserable.” Liz stated

“Ha! She will have a fight on her hands if she tries anything with that brother of yours; Emily is quite taken with him. And Emily is nobody to tick off, trust me.”

“Also there is a chance that I may not be coming back. It depends on the people I am asking to help us. If that happens I know I can count on you to be there for Jason, right?”

She looked hard at Liz for a minute. She didn’t like the sound of that, although she didn’t like Liz that well she did respect her and knew that Jason cared for her and if Jason cared for her there had to be something good about her. “You know I will be. But you must think positive, you will be back”

Liz nodded and stood “Thanks, Carly. I knew after you defended Jason that you would be the one to ask. Good-bye” she said turning to leave.

“Oh, no. I will see you later,” Carly said getting up to go back to camp.

~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in Sonny’s camp Duo was packing to leave. He had to leave today if he wanted to get to the Amazons in time. The other Hunters and the Marshals didn’t look to happy that both he and Liz were leaving but it couldn’t be helped. I supposed someone else could ask the Amazons for help and say it was for him but they couldn’t take any chances. He had to do it in person so they knew it was really him asking. As for Liz well he didn’t know whom she was asking and he knew that if anyone else asked them the answer would be ‘no’ so in the end there was no choice they both must leave.

Just as Duo was putting the last item in his pack Emily rushed in out of breath “They said you were leaving. Is that true?”

“Yes, Em I have to. I was going to stop by before I left to tell you. If someone else goes we may not get the help we need.”

“What about Liz could she not go?”

“She is going but she is asking someone else for help and it is the same for her. If someone else goes the answer would be ‘no’. We can not afford that answer not in this battle.”

Emily nodded “I understand. You will be back, right?” she asked looking hopeful

Duo smiled “I hope so, I wont be able to come back here before the battle. There will not be enough time. I will have to travel with the Amazons to the place where the battle will be.”

“Amazons?” Emily asked trying to keep the jealousy from creeping into her voice. She didn’t quite understand it but the thought of Duo with a bunch of Amazons made her want to grab Duo tie him up and keep him in her tent so he couldn’t leave.

Duo grinned his usual cheeky grin at her “Yep, Amazons”

“Oh, well they better not try anything on you or they will have to deal with me” Emily said sounding annoyed.

Duo snorted and stepped toward her, reached up and ran a tender finger down her cheek “My fierce little warrior” he said looking into her eyes then he continued “I know Sonny will be asking for volunteers to go with him to fight with us but –“ he got no further because Emily interrupted him.

“I will be staying here. I am not that good of a fighter but I am good enough to help protect the camp. I know Sonny will not be leaving it unprotected so I am staying. It would be better that way. I can help protect the camp and then there will not be any distractions for you. I will be here and you will not have to worry about me.”

Duo reached up with he other hand and touched her cheek and then leaned forward and placed a butterfly kiss on her lips. She knew exactly what he was thinking; he didn’t want her anywhere near the battlefield when the fighting started.

“Just promise to come back ok” Emily whispered to him her lips trembling.

Duo pulled back and searched her eyes his gaze troubled, he could not lie to her so he gave the only promise he could “I will do my best” and then he picked up his pack and exited the tent. Leaving Emily standing there as a tear rolled down her cheek.

By the time Duo got over to the horses Liz already had hers saddled and ready. Duo’s was saddled all he had to do was tie his pack on the back.

“Liz?”

Liz turned when she heard Jason softly call her name. Duo moved away a bit to give them some privacy. Jason came up to Liz and gazed at her something was different about her. “Be careful”

“Always” she replied to him giving him a slight smile. She took a breath to say something else but whatever she was going to say was cut off when someone started screeching behind them. They all turned to see Robin approaching

“You are just leaving. Just like that!!! I knew you were cowards.” Both Duo and Liz ignored her as she continued to rant. Liz turned and gave Jason a quick hug and then swung up onto her horse, when she looked around Duo was already mounted.

Robert and Jax were also there now trying to stop Robin. Liz looked back at Jason and smiled then looked at Duo “I will meet you there”

”With help I hope” he remarked

“I hope so too. If it happens that I am not there don’t wait for me and don’t look for me when things are finished” she told her brother and then turned her horse around and she so happened to turn so the horse’s rear bumped Robin knocking her flat. Liz stole another glance at Jason and then closed her legs around the horse to send it forward.

Jason stepped up to Duo and touched his foot to get his attention “What did she mean by that last remark Don’t look for me ?”

Duo sighed and looked down at Jason and then back in the direction Liz rode off. “It means that if she is not there she won’t be there and probably won’t be coming back. In other words the people she is going to ask might kill her instead of help us.” He told Jason before he rode out.

Jason’s eyes widened and he looked back in the direction Liz rode and cursed under his breath. He should have told her. He should have told her he loved her, now he may never get the chance.

~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Duo rode for the rest of the day and most of the night only stopping for about 2hours and then started again. The Amazons were 2 days away by horse…. But he rode hard and made it by late evening of the following day after he left Sonny’s camp. He didn’t have time to waste.

At the Amazon camp he met with Queen Helena and explained what was happening and was requesting their help. Queen Helena was quick to offer the help of the Amazons but explained that while they were able to help she would not leave their lands unprotected. She sent all the warriors she could spare with Duo, which was a great many but Duo was afraid that if Liz could not bring help that it would not be enough. Duo sighed to himself they still had almost 5 days until the full moon and he predicted they would make it there in 3 barring any problems along the way. That would leave them 2 days to prepare.

~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Liz rode north for about 2 hours the day she left Sonny’s camp and then she stopped. She dismounted her horse and stood for a moment still wondering if she should really go through with this or if she should see if someone else would be able to help. But in the end she knew there wasn’t really a choice they were the only ones that could get there in time and the only force large enough. She would have to ask them. She would have to make a deal with them. She snorted and gave a small chuckle she never in her life thought that after she stopped riding with them that she would be asking them for help. Wonder what the Master would say if I told him whom I was asking to help us she thought ruefully. She turned back to her horse and took off her silver medallion of the Order and put it in her saddlebag. She then dug around a little and pulled out a black piece of cloth slowly unwrapping what was inside. She wasn’t sure why she carried this with her maybe because it could be dangerous in the wrong hands. She looked down at what she unwrapped and held it up. It was a necklace with a black chain and a set of black crossed swords. She put the necklace on and picked up the reins of her horse then she stood facing north and chanted the small spell she had been taught by them. The necklace glowed blue for a moment and then a small portal opened in front of her Its now or never she thought and then stepped through the portal closing behind her.

Liz stopped on the other side of the portal it was dark here. She looked around to get her bearings and saw the fires of their camp. Slowly she turned and mounted her horse riding in the direction of the camp. About a half hour later she came upon the outer guards and was asked to halt.

“I am here to see the General,” she stated calmly when calm was the last thing she felt at the moment.

“Move forward into the light some so I can see you.”

Liz moved forward slowly know that if she made any sudden movement there would most likely be and arrow with her name on it headed straight for her.

When she had moved close enough the guard told her to stop. He looked at Liz she was dressed in all black and rode a gray colored horse. She twisted in the saddle a bit to get more comfortable and that is when the light from the torch caught the necklace she wore. “Who are you?” he questioned

“My name is Elizabeth and I need to see the General, it is important”

The guard tipped his head to the side a bit “He’d be sleep by now you should talk to one of the Sergeants first anyway”

“No, I need to speak with him first. No one else” she said firmly

“Now just a minute..” he started when one of the Sergeants approached

“Stone what is going on I heard we had a visitor”

“Sgt Drake. Sir this person says they need to speak to the General.”

The Sgt turned “I am sorry but …” the words dying on his lips when he saw who it was “Elizabeth” he breathed

“Noah” she nodded in greeting

Noah stood there for a moment staring at her thinking she would disappear and sucked in a deep breath “You want to see the General. It would really be better if you told me and then I could talk to my captain about…”

“No” she cut him off “I need to see the General now. I don’t care if he is asleep. This is important. I wouldn’t be asking if it wasn’t. Don’t make me wait Noah, I won’t ask again,” her eyes glinting in the torchlight.

He looked at her closely and knew she meant it, she would not ask again and if he made her wait she would most likely raise a ruckus that would wake the whole camp including the General. He sighed “Alright follow me and it better be worth it”

“Don’t worry Noah I will make sure the General knows I insisted ”

They made their way to the general’s tent “Wait here,” Noah said and went up to the guard by the tent “Need to see the General” he told the guard.

“He be sleep by now”

“I don’t care Jimmy Lee its important so wake him,” Noah growled at the guard.

“Alright but don’t be surprised if you get yelled at,” and he turned and enter the tent they could hear some voices and then saw a small lamp light up in the tent and Jimmy Lee came out. “Ok he will see you”

They stepped forward only to be stopped “What now?” Noah asked annoyed

“Your weapons” Jimmy Lee said

“Huh? Oh yeah” Noah said and took off his sword and dagger and put them on the small weapons rack outside the tent and then looked at Elizabeth. She only hesitated for a moment and then did the same keeping the bit of black cloth that held her silver medallion tucked in the waist of her pants.

When they stepped inside the General had his back to them but he had heard them enter “This had better be important for you to not go through your captain first Sgt Drake”

“I assure you General, he had a very good reason,” Elizabeth said.

At the sound of her voice the General whirled around to face her. “Elizabeth?”

“General” she said in greeting as she stared into his steely gray eyes.

The general just stared back into her ice blue eyes and then shot a glance at Noah “Leave us” and then looked back at Elizabeth and added “wait outside I might need you later”
Noah just nodded and exited the tent

Elizabeth hadn’t moved since she came in he still looked the same. The same short dark hair and closely trimmed beard, the same gray eyes board shoulders everything the same. And she could tell this was the man that she had grown to respect when she rode with them.

While Elizabeth was looking at him the General was in turn looking at her. She looked the same as a matter of fact if he was not mistaken she looked the same as she did when she had first joined them. But he could tell something was different and when he looked into her eyes once more he knew, the darkness it was gone well no that was not it, the darkness was there but it was controlled. When she had first come them the darkness was wild and uncontrolled. As time passed it lessened until the day she had decided to leave. They had invited her to stay but she said she couldn’t. Little did she know the changes she caused in the 3 years she rode with them. Her fight against her own darkness had inspired others including him to do the same. They were not the same anymore and this was good. Oh they still let dark elves, wizards and even a necromancer or 2 into the ranks they stopped letting the being that were truly evil or ones that followed the Mistress of Webs into the ranks.

Elizabeth watched him closely and decided that she was wrong he had changed. He was not longer the taskmaster that he was. Something had changed him and she was glad for it appeared to be a good change.

The General realized he was staring at her and looked down and then paced back and forth a couple of times. He turned and faced her “Why are you here?”

“I have come to ask for the help of the Black Legion” Elizabeth replied.

[JRK Archiver]

Part 11


Sonny’s Camp

Sonny was asking for volunteers to go with them. Of course Johnny & Francis said they would go. Alexis wanted to go but decide it would be better to stay. That way Sonny would not worry and since she and Sonny were together she would be in charge of things at the camp while he was gone. To everyone’s surprise Emily was staying at the camp, but when she explained that she was staying because she was not that good of a fighter they all laughed knowing that was not the reason. Emily was actually very good even though she had told Duo she wasn’t the best. They all knew she was staying because she didn’t want Duo to worry about her along with everything else. Carly said she would go and so did Luke and Nik. Lucky stayed in the camp. When they finally were ready to leave about half went and half stayed. And of course all of the Hunters and Marshals went. They left the next after Duo and Liz left and would get to the Ramoth Plain either the same day or the day after Duo and the Amazons would. No one knew when Liz would get there.

Jason was pretty quite on the trip. Sonny tried to get him to talk to him but he just would shake his head and retreat more from everything. Jason was worried about Liz and what she had said before she left Don’t look for me. She was not sure if she was coming back. He thought he would have more time so he waited and now he may have waited too long. I should have told her he thought.

“I can not believe they just left.” Robin commented interrupting Jason’s thoughts. “I knew they were gutter-trash, but beings they were Hunters I never figured they were cowards too. I should have guessed they both always—“

“ROBIN!!” Anna scolded her a look of utter disgust on her face.

“What mother you don’t like them either. I heard and you know I am right”

Carly had ridden up close to them just as Robin started her little speech. She had seen that Jason was upset and had wanted to talk to him. But Robin’s words made her see red. “Now you listen here little girl those two are not gutter trash . And they are defiantly not cowards. They have more class and courage in their little toe then you will ever have.”

Robin stared at Carly coldly “Where to get off talking to me like that, you don’t even like Liz and besides you are no better then they are.”

Carly smirked at Robin “You are right I don’t really like Liz but I respect her. As for me being no better then they are I will take that as a compliment. But tell me is that how you see all of us? We have nothing to do with the Order but yet we volunteered to help. We didn’t have to you know we could have just let you all go and fight this battle without us. If you think of us a trash then why are you here?”

Robin stared at Carly her mouth agape. She opened and closed her mouth a couple of times no finding anything to say.

Carly chuckled at her “What nothing to say? I think maybe you better ride up ahead away from the trash. You wouldn’t want to get dirty now would you?”

Robin’s eyes narrowed at what Carly said, she was about to retort when Jason said “I think she is right, you should ride up ahead” Her head snapped around and she looked at Jason, he was staring straight ahead his jaw clenched so it looked hard as granite. She looked back around at her mother and even she looked upset cursing she moved her horse ahead further in the traveling party.

Jason let out a deep sigh and then looked at Carly “Thank-you, I don’t know how much more I could have taken.”

Carly smiled warmly at him “It was my pleasure”

“I’m sorry” Anna put in

Both Jason and Carly looked at her funny “Why are you sorry?” Jason questioned

“She is my daughter.”

“So, she is an adult she is responsible for her own actions.” Carly commented

“I know, but I still feel responsible. I used to be like that and then I met someone a very long time ago that helped me see things differently. That was right before Robin was born. Then things happened and I wasn’t able to care for her like I should have and so mainly Robert’s brother raised Robin. Robert’s family is very rich and they didn’t agree with Robert joining the Order so they willed Mac that family fortune. Mac and his wife didn’t have and children so they spoiled Robin. They were pretty upset when Robin decided to join the Order, Robin had seen the way Hunter and Marshal were treated and thought that is what she wanted, she wanted to be a Marshal.”

“A Marshal? How is it she ended up a Hunter?” Carly asked

Anna took a breath to answer when Jason cut in “When one becomes a Marshal, the gods grant them powers of an empath. You know that Carly”

“Well yes I know but what does that have to do with Robin not being a Marshal?” she asked confused

Jason gave a great sigh and looked at Anna wondering if he should say anymore. Anna also gave a sigh and then answered for him “If the gods do not believe you are worthy of the powers they will not give them to you. Robin has never learned that the true value of someone is in his or her heart and not in their pockets with their money. I admit that like you Liz is not my favorite person and I didn’t agree with everything she had planned for the Hunt but I would have followed her into that stronghold anyway and done what she needed me to do. We did cross words but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect her. When she had told me she was at Raven’s Castle I found it hard to believe and spoke before I really thought about what I was saying. She had every right to be angry with me. I had no idea she and Duo were journeymen.”

Jason gave a snort “That is something that for some reason she doesn’t like to share”

“Reflex” Robert said. They all turned to look at him. He and the other Marshals and Hunters had ridden up while they were talking.

“What?”

“Reflex. I am just guessing But that is the best reason, Duo never said anything either we didn’t know until Jax said something. They must be used to hiding”

So intent on their conversation no one noticed that Robin was close by again.

“That and the fact that Liz was married to my brother.”

“Your brother? You mean Frisco?” Jerry asked

“Yes”

“He was killed on a hunt wasn’t he?” V asked she was one of the younger hunters and only knew what rumors she heard

“Yes, and Liz was with him.” Tony said

“But what happened? How did she get out?” V asked getting excited to hear the story

Tony shook his head his face darkening “It is not my story to tell.”

“Oh come on couldn’t you just tell a little bit” V tried to coax him to tell more

“No” he said firmly and V gave a sigh of disappointment. No one noticed Robin or the smirk she had on her face.

~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I have come to ask for the help of the Black Legion” Elizabeth replied.

The General just stared at her incredulously of a moment before he started to laugh. “ You came to ask us for help?” He asked his voice gravelly made rough from years of barking orders of command.

Elizabeth frowned at him and then snapped, “I am serious. You know I wouldn’t be here is I wasn’t”

The General sobered after a moment then asked, “Why would you need our help for?”

“On the day of the full moon that followers of the Mistress of Darkness will open the doorway to the world she was banished. She will be bringing with her the demon horde. I need the help of the Legion to stop the army of darkness from over running the world.”

“Your serious aren’t you? Why us?”

“Because I believe the you are the only ones strong enough to stop it”

“What about the Order?”

“There are not enough Hunters and Marshals in the whole Order to stop an army. There will not only be the demon horde but also her followers in this world. They will be there also”

“I see,” he said turning around to pace a bit

“There is one problem.”

“What is that?”

“We will have to come up with some sort of deal. I have no money to pay you”

He looked at her surprised “Surely the Order wou—“

“No” she cut him off looking down at her feet.

He stopped pacing and walked over to her “Look at me” he asked quietly his voice rougher then normal. She looked up at him and he studied her for a moment “They do not know you are here” he said making it a statement not a question. “So you are the one asking not them” he went on

“Yes, I am asking. Any deal you make will be with me and me alone.”

He gave a small smile and then stepped around her to the door of the tent, pulling the flap aside “Sgt Drake? Go wake the captains tell them I need to see them. And have someone bring some hot malak.”

“Yes sir.” Noah said and then moving off the do as the General ordered

The General turned back around “I sent the Sgt off the wake the captains. I will not make this decision without speaking to them first.” Elizabeth looked at him surprised this was something new. The General used to make all of these decisions. Then General caught the look of surprise on her face and gave a small snort “You really don’t know do you?”

“Know what?”

“Know what you did for us while you were here”

“What are you talking about? I did nothing special. It was the Legion that helped me. No one here asked me to be anything that I wasn’t; no one expected me to feel better or told me I shouldn’t feel bad anymore. They never told me I should be over what happened to me. Everyone here just let me work through it on my own. When I needed to yell and scream and be mad at the world you let me do that and didn’t judge me for it. And when I felt sad or needed to be alone you let me do that too. I did nothing”

“That is where you are wrong. When you came here your soul was full of darkness but you fought against it. Not letting it take over everything. We watched you fight and struggle and you struggle became our struggle. We fought against our own darkness; we are not the same as we once were. Don’t get me wrong we are still fierce on the battlefield. But we are no longer standing on the edge of the pit of darkness and –“ He stopped talking as on of the privates came in with the malak, followed closely by the captains.

“You sent for us,” one of them asked

“Yes Stavros. We may have a new contract”

“Really with who?” he asked

Elizabeth had moved to the side when the private came in with the malak she now moved back “With me” they all turned to look at her eyes widening when they recognized who it was.

It seemed forever before anyone spoke “It is good to see you again” Mikkos finally said.

“It is good to see you too Mikkos. It is good to see all of you” Elizabeth said

“Why don’t you tell us what the contract is?” the General suggested

“Ok, I think it would be better if I started at the beginning that way you will have a better idea what is going on.” She proceeded to tell them what was happening and about what was going to happen on the full moon.

“How do you know this is their plan?” Stefan asked

Elizabeth sighed she had hoped to avoid this but knew she needed to be totally truthful or they may not help. “Because about 8 years ago they would have done the same thing. They had killed my husband held me prisoner and would have taken my baby and used it had the baby not been born to early and died.”

No one said anything and then the General gave himself a small shake “Eight years ago that was not too long before you came here”

“Yes”

Still no one said anything they were all thinking back to when she had first come now they knew the reason for her rage.

Finally the General asked, “What kind of deal did you have in mind?”

Elizabeth sighed heavily “As I said before I have no money, the only thing I have is this” she finished taking a bit of black cloth from her belt and tossing it onto the small table. Her medallion of the Order slipped out.

They all looked at it then Elizabeth went on “It is not worth much as far as money goes. But that is not what I am offering as a deal. That medallion represents me and my life. Should you decide to help me then I will stay with the company and work off the debt I owe.”

They all stared at her in disbelief “What if it takes many years?”

“Then I will stay”

“It could be the rest of your life. What if you get killed in the battle?”

“That will be a chance you will have to take. As far as the rest of my life, well that would be a very long time indeed” she said with a small chuckle

Mikkos stepped up and took a good look at her, they all knew she was all human and then he growled “Dragons blood” and stepped back. They all heard him and she just nodded yes.

“Why don’t you wait outside while my captains and I discuss this,” the General suggested

“Ok” she said and left the tent

She waited outside and talked with Noah but she was only out there for a short time before Stefan called her back inside.

“We decided to take you up on your deal,” the General said smiling at her

“Thank-you” was all she could say