Rescueing Strangers

[.::W:I:T:H:E:R:E:D::.]

<sup>Four mounted men walked slowly towards the city gates. Saverin was a large town -- their pride was in their horses. Sata depended alot and prefered his cavalry. He did not have a large infantry for open battle fighting. The foot soldiers he did have were meant for stealth, such as hiding in forest scenes where they would have the element of surprise. Sata wasn't a suicidal man, he would play rough, and he would be the cunning fox. Some might call him a cowardice for his actions; but his "cowerdice" brought victory and spared the lives of fathers and sons from dying a pointless death. Sata was cunning, which was what made him dangerous.

Quick eye contact with the gate guards, and the massive wheels and counterweights were placed into motion. He and his men halted before the doors, awaiting for them to open and allow entry. Sata knew his own arm was sore from bearing his corner of the tarp, and he could only assume that his men felt the same. However, none uttered a single complaint. They were good men.

A ragged, deep scream erupted from within the wooden barrier. The chink of working gears melded with the patter of the heavy rain, and the sholsh of the horse's hooves within the mud. Satazian was drenched down to his skin, as were his men. He knew the woman he bore had to be feeling no better, and he mentally hurried the men of the gate. It was not unheard of for men to catch cold in such dreary weather. The rain was both curse and blessing.

He felt like he had been standing here for an eternity by the time the gates finally opened to their width --enough for the cavalry of four to pass through with their charge, her own chestnut steed being led behind. The tired dapple grey andalusians lumbered slowly at the will of the masters. They moved without falting the foundation and thus their stamina and patience proved the near perfect breeding patterns of the Saverinia stock owners. Sata had been dealt a lucky hand.

As soon as the four were inside and the gates were closed behind them, the square erupted into a bustle of activity. Standing soldiers rushed to the woman's sling and carefully lifted her from the tarp. Trying to avoid justling her as much as posible, she was transfered to a more suitable stretcher and Sata and the other three were allowed to relax and drop their arms. Even the horses seemed to breath a sigh of relief as they nolonger felt the stress of standing still and so perfectly rigid. Satazian, and the other men, needed no more coaxing to dismount, and soon were off in different directions to dry off and return to the barracks, some would head home to their wives, while others had no family to go to.

Sataizian meanwhile, handed off his horse and slowly followed the young woman's stretcher, pausing after a moment - he remembered the chestnut. Calling over a stable boy, he pointed to the stallion.

"That horse is to be given a stable next to my andalusian, I want it well taken care of."

he order sternly, but gently. The boy nodded obediently and hustled off to do what he was told. Sata turned and resumed his follow.


The woman was taken to a large two story building, not far from the gate. It was built solidly, and served as Satazian personal home. He did not want to open the woman up to the barrack healers. They were blumbering oafs, and Satazian had little faith in their knowledge past complimentary medicine. Already he was trying to scope out a plan to find a good healer. There were not many such people in the realm of earth, amazingly there were not many human healers, that had the magic art. Most just knew the herbs and natural remedies. Satazian wanted more for this woman and the girl that had arrived earlier.

The room was upstairs, the size of it was humble, but was not too small. Nor was it the largest room within the abode. It was difficult to explain it. There was one bed within it, which had been planned ahead of time for the woman, the child was placed on a cot within the same room and Satazian entered to find her there, surrounded by a couple nursmaids who had been called on the scene. They too knew a little herbal medicine, but Sata feared that these two had injuries that far surpassed the strength of simple healers. He needed to find those who healed with magics. He sighed and help guide the woman's unconscious form to the soft bed. The double sized matress was covered by dark brown linens, and a wide bedspread. Her blood immediately soaked the white and the stain was even visible on the brown. But Sata wasn't vain, and did not care at the moment.

He was a sympathizing creature and even as the nurses tried to heal and help what they could, the most they could really do was remove the arrow shafts and heads, and place poultice upon the open gashes. He looked away out of modesty and courtesy as they stripped her of her garments, and placed her in a clean white shawl. They cleaned up what they could and then tucked her beneath clean sheets. Satazian was soon left, to gaze upon her face.

The blood had been cleaned from her skin, but he could see the battery within the cuts, bruises, and small scratches. It was a sad sight to see, and Satazian didn't even want to imagine the extent of her injuries. He looked over towards the girl, not sure if she was conscious or not. The same had been done for her. The nurses and medical technichians had done what they could, but there was still much to be done.

However, he could not and would not wait for the young woman upon the bed to wake. As much as he wanted her to, he could not waste time. For once in his life he would send for help, towards the other nation. The closest one. Water.

He knew they had strong magics tied with nature and life itself. He also knew that the healers of water were far advanced, and had the abilities through magical proportions to heal and cure the sick. Satazian found this one of his only options.

Moving from her bedside he tossed one last glance towards the young fourteen year old girl and then stood. Moving out of the room. Two strong guards were placed at the door, but they were ordered not to enter, and let no one else in but the aids, nurses, and himself. No one else could go in. Though Sata cared for the well-being of the two, he could not throw all caution to the wind. Though he could safely assume from the beast's words that they were both of alliances with Borran, he could not be sure of their loyalties to their lord. He meant no ill upon them, but if they would prove hostile to him... how could he be expected to welcome them with open arms. He would have to remain patient and carefully. That was all he could do. They were in his home now.

Part of that unsettled him, part made him feel the hero.

He curled his lip at considering himself as the noble savior. He couldn't stand such a title, and didn't like the cheering crowds. He was no hero, he killed, and murders, he butchered, and slew his enemies. How could he be a hero when he had done such things? He wasn't. He was only on a side, just one side... he had yet to determine if they were in the right or not.

Once he found out the happenings in the plains, he would determine his standing. He hoped that this would not turn as an act against Earth. If it did, Sata would not stand aside and watch it happen. He would not watch his cities burn and his people fall. He would defend and he will make enemy in this peaceful nuetrality -- if he must.

And so he walked down the hall into his own place of rest, where the large oak dest welcomed his pen and the oak seat welcomed his rear. He sat with a sigh and stretched out his soar arm and legs. The wet feeling in his bones irritated him and he quickly stood to take off his wet clothes. Standing naked for a moment in his room, the chill of the outside mingling with the inside caused him to shiver, as he quickly laid out his wet garments by the fire to dry. He lingered by the warm roasting flames for a moment before moving to a chest in the corner; pulling out a thin and simple white tunic and a pair of tan breeches for riding. He then returned to his chair behind his desk. The pen and paper waiting for him to take out his frustration. Leaning over by light of candle, he began to inscribe. Two messages for two messangers. One to go to Fire, one to go to Water.




ooc: yuck! I could have done better, so sorry... but time was drawing short, lol ;D</sup>

[mixedblood9]

The rain poured mercilessly on the miserable scene including Ethida’s broken body; as the water fell, her chestnut stallion watched his girl and charge helplessly. He so wished the ability to take all pain from her and let her live in peace, away from the human world of pain he has seen for most his own life. Torano gazed on as his girl breathed in obvious suffering; he could not stand the condition in which she laid. As the company waited for the gates to open, the steed became more and more agitated. Why is this taking so long? She could be catching her death under their noses and they just stand here taking their time. Still, despite his instinct, the chestnut stallion did not budge in his frustration.

A creak from the gate startled the sturdy war horse however he restrained himself from causing too much jostling of the girl’s body. After a moment more, Torano faithfully followed the company through the gates and into the city. Brown eyes watched in frustration as the men lifted her feebly limp body from the tarp and onto another type of cloth for further transportation. Snorting, he expressed his perturbed feelings the only way he could. The battered steed watched as she left his sight; he tried to follow, but the tether stopped him utterly.

Torano had been concentrated fully on his girl that when the Master of these new lands referred to him, the chestnut stallion looked up with a start. He stared at the man once again with warning in his eyes. If you dare hurt her… Then the young boy interrupted his thoughts when he pulled at his rope. The young boy, to whom his master had spoken, quickly took hold the tether and swiftly led the stallion away. Obediently, Torano followed giving the lord a sideways glance until the man too left from his line of sight.


Ethida Tsukiri dreamed. She dreamed of the beauty of home and her father and her brother she idolized. They were happy learning magics and techniques from their father and testing them against each other in games meant to be more than training. The family had grown strong in their village improving with the criticism and advice from others in the village including elders – her father and his friend were the leading heroes in the small community. Then… fire. The once serene village burned, raided by bandits searching for cold blood. Blackness. Searching… Torano… father… the death and blood around her… but her brother still remains alive in the world. Where? She is yet to know. Memories shift and she comes back to the bloody battle field once serene. Kyoko… the dragons… the fire arrows… the pain and adrenaline covering it and again… the blackness.

The woman remained in a silent sleep while the nursemaids tended to her still bleeding wounds. Subconsciously, she enjoyed the hospitality and the comfort of the forgiving bed. Surprisingly the luxury gently woke her from the bloody images in her mind. Ethida slightly opened her eyes to see a man’s back and him leaving the room. She dared not move for fear of the pain to surely follow; besides, she would most likely frighten the women around her. As her head throbbed from a severe headache, her ears picked up unclear sounds she assumed as words spoken between the women and by the man. Looking to the ceiling, she found one of a grand room. Where am I? Who was that man and who are these women? Where’s Kyoko?!? Have we truly escaped the horror and what of Torano? Eyes opened wide as the truth of past events set in slightly – she still remained somewhat out of clear consciousness. Her muscles tensed and the pain poured back into her body. Forcing herself mentally back down, she relaxed to some extent deciding she was in no condition to do anything about the matters in her head; she needed to heal first to help anyone.

Slowly and with the help of the soothing comfort offered to her battered body, the injured woman of Earth fell back into unconscious peace. However, her mind remained alert; she knew she may be needed to wake quickly – it was a strange place to her after all.

[Kyoko]

Sorry this is taking so long, I'll post tonight, I just have so much work to do...

[Kyoko Oni]

Eyes partly opened, bright yellow occuli peaking from behind their walls. Her body was limp, breathing short and labored. Thoughts could barely register in her mind, perhaps she had no notion at all. Her body felt completely numb, from head to toe. Perhaps this was a mannar of protection, if she couldn't feel the pain, she couldn't be stressed by it. She could vaugly sence her body being enveloped, moved. Bile still gently oozed from her, as she errupted occationally into soft reluctant coughing fits to get the rest of the poison out of her system. Coldness swept her in random waves and her body would curl instinctively to be as small as possible. Her wounds had been carefully dressed, and she made no effort to remove the cumbersome bandages that were in a fact, more of an annoyance to the creature.

Closing her eyes again she felt herself sinking into a quiet state. Hours could've passed, or perhaps it was just minutes. Small ripples of activity flowed through her mind, forming thoughts that were simple by nature. Vauge aknolwedgements of pain and hunger, that were too soft to be much of a bother but were recognised all the same. A kind of unaware aknowledgement of hearing and touch as well as smell kept her aware of her surroundings in a basic way. She wasn't alone... Pretty much what the creature could decipher... and further the other woman was here with her. The smell gently wafted into her nose, and was unconciously regognised, perhaps putting her in more ease at the fact that she wasn't enveloped entirely by strangers.

She would need lots of rest, and variably kept slipping in and out of conciousness. Memories became more apparent as she began to get closer to conciousness.. soft memories that were probably more ficticious than real. Memories that had been supressed... memories from past lives merged with the current one.... faint recollections of fear.. murder... rape... However, these memories would again too fade before she could fully analyse their signifigance.

[.::W:I:T:H:E:R:E:D::.]

<sup>ooc: omg - I feel terrible. I am so sorry to have kept you waiting. I wish I could have sent something to Promise so that she could let yall know, but... well... I haven't talked to her in awhile. She hasn't been answering her phone. Anyways, I'm back now. Sorry if the post isn't fantastic, I don't know how charged my mused is. especially after all the catching up I have to do.






He was intently observing the lay of the land at the stone ruins in the uncharted regions, when a soft wrap landed on his door. Without looking up he barked the permission to enter, and as his index finger traced the border line of his lands, he heard the hinges squeal as a tenative persona entered his quarters.

He lifted his gaze from the parchment and fixed a pair of tired silver eyes upon the tall lad of fifteen. Tysin had returned. Satazian straightened his back and took a sharp breath of air. Though his face was serious, Sata could see a sense of dumb struck glass across the eyes of his messanger, as if the boy was lost in a daze. At first the boy didn't speak, but actually seemed to stare beyond the Master of the Soil and even past the big wall behind him. The exact distance that the boy's gaze could have traveled seemed almost endless. Frustrated, Sata found himself mentally demanding the boy speak. Of course he recognized the blank look of bliss that the lad portrayed, but it was unacceptable at this point in time. It was a look of lust --or better: Love-at-first-sight. Sata was in no mood to even ask what maid he had been flirting with or even worse...

Shaking his head, he stood from his chair and stretched his back, his boots made a loud clop against the wooden flooring. This seemed to jarr the boy out of his daze. Tysin's cheaks flushed, and he lowered his gaze in shame. He had been thinking of Ivalia, minus a few lacking details of the memory he had last seen of her. He couldn't put her out of his mind, part of her appearance was important and the facial expression that she had possessed seemed a bit more than simple flirt--a sense of urgency.

Suddenly Satazian voiced loomed out of the silence, and the lad's eyes snapped up to look at his master's face.

"Speak!"

Tysin flinched and lowered his eyes again. Sata sometimes did have quite a temper, but it wasn't usually like this... the lord was tense and was making the boy nervous. It was making all the people nervous. Sometimes their Lord could be frightening, but he never acted out of rage of unrelevant anger. He'd never struck a servant or messanger, but sometimes it seemed he would.

Softly, Tysin began to mumble: "Sir...? The message was delivered, but... there... there was a woman there... from..."

But Sata interrupted him, "Tysin. I do not want to hear about a woman that you have fallen for. Speak of Kaji."

There was a bit of a calmer tone, and it wasn't quite so demanding, but it was a little reproachful.

Tysin persisted, "But... sir..."

"Tysin."

"But she..." Tysin continued to push.

"Tysin!!"

Suddenly he shouted in earnesty, as if the information was very important and must be spoken even against orders: "She was from Water!" the sudden outburst left the fifteen year old breathless.

Sata suddenly frowned, and his voice was rather demanding, but menacingly low and soft, "What did you say? How do you know this?"

Tysin sighed and took a deep breath, atleast the Lord didn't seem quite as irritated with him, and the disobedience at speaking seemed suddenly forgotten. He paused a moment, to savor the Lord's look of surprise and doubt. He was reprimanded by a steely glare from Satazian.

Finally he provided the story as well as brandishing the note from Kaji. Satazian took it from the boy with a frown. Unfolding it to read, as the boy began the speech.

"I delivered your message as I was told. In Kaji's office I saw a women. Man... she was something. Anyways... she didn't seem to be there against her will and she seemed rather pleasant. She smiled at me and mouthed her name in my direction. In my opinion it sounded elvish..."

"What was it?" Sata interrupted. His eyes were solemnly finishing the return message.

The meeting would ensue shortly. No doubt, the Lord of fire was either truly preparing himself for the journey, or he could be preparing a story or forces. Satazian would keep an open mind, but Kaji was not free from Satazian's suspicions.

"Wh..what? Sir?" Tysin questioned. He felt he had missed something, and didn't fully comprehend what The master was asking.

"Her name... what was it?" Sataizian repeated, still finishing the letter.

((will finish later))</sup>

[.::W:I:T:H:E:R:E:D::.]

<sup>((The Continuation... ))




The boy thought a moment as he fought to remember. It wouldn't have been that hard normally, but every time the word came to his tongue, his mind was overcome with her image, not her name. Her spell had wound itself into the boy's mind and he was little more than a slobbering pet for her right now. Oh eventually it would wear away, but right now the infectious wound was still fresh. Finally he grasped her name on his tongue.

"It was... Ivalia," the lad said with a dreaming look in his eye.

Sata raised his head in time to see that glassy look of adoration in the boy's head and the experienced Master shook his head dissaprovingly.

Returning to the letter in front of him he reread the paragraphs inside of his head aloud:

"Master of Soil Satazian,

I accept your invitation for a meeting of civilized leaders. Understand I am sorry for the condition your citizens are presently in and I understand you must be as busy as I have found myself currently with the two girls’ health. Therefore I will send more correspondence in two weeks from now so that both of us may have the time to prepare our groups for a passive meeting of diplomatic discussion so they may too understand no war is wished between the Fire and Earth nations.

In addition to your messenger returning alive I will send with him a potent medicine my men use to revitalize their strength and replenish their energy for your injured young women.

You will hear from me again soon and I too look forward to seeing you.

Lord of Fire Kaji Hito"

Satazian finished and folded the small paper inside of his palm. Shoving the parchment into his jecket pocket he couldn't help but smile. He remembered his own letter. A passive note he had sent, yes, but it was not absent of heat and it was not completely non-active. His words were a bit venomous, perhaps even a bit taunting. But Sata had put in such a tone to make sure that the Fire Lord knew he could not get away with fooling around with the nation of Earth. Hopefully, this would not just be a game to the mister Kaji. For it was certainly more than a game to Sata.

REcently he had found his nature fluctuating to some extent. As calm and cold as ever he was sprouting a new temptation to warmth, and the Master was taking a liking to the feeling. It was helping him conquer the bit of his father that was inside of his soul. He would give almost anything to keep the powers of the Feit in him, while banishing the malignant thoughts that sometimes traversed throught he shadows and hidden intentions of his mind.

A cough interrupted his thoughts and he recognized it as his own as he cleared his throat. He mustn't think of himself right now, so with a quick swift guesture from his hand, he sent Tysin on his way and moved out of his study and down the hall, past the stairs, and into the room he was now using as an infirmary for his two guests.

The nurses informed him that both of them had woken at one point after her left, but then slipped back into sleep. The doctors had made no effort to try and wake them or keep them awake. In their opinion the best thing for them was rest, the Earthen medics could do little more than what they had already done. This was why, Satazian had begged for the presence of one of the water realm's healers. Yet he wouldn't know if the invitation was accepted or not until Sahe returned.

He ran a worried hand through his hair and his handsome face looked from the girl to the woman. The scar across his left eye gave him a rogue appearance, but he hoped it would not frighten them into safe shells of silence. He merely wanted to talk to them and help them as best he could.

He grimaced at his own thoughts. They disgusted a part of him... this form of kindness. He should be ordering them to be woken, and begging them to speak the truth, but he restrained his primal emotions and remained patient, even though he knew time was slowly draining away. He could feel that war was close on his heels and he didn't want to start making preperations and assessments for war... not just yet.

Slipping the thoughts into the crowded closet of his mind he put them aside and moved to "ethida's" bedside. He still didn't know her name, but he placed a cool palm on her forehead to check pointlessly for fever. Perhaps he just wanted to give himself an excuse to touch her and be near her. Perhaps he just wanted to have a reason to care.

No matter.

Quietly he whispered, hoping to pull her out of her sleep as gently as possible. "Miss? Can you hear me?"

His tone was gentle, but it was also urgent. He was after all only half the charming man and kind soul that he appeared to be. He just had a good strong emotional blockade to keep away the maliciousness that he harbored deep inside his emotional dam. Occasionally the cruelty was a marketable job skill -- how else would he be able to beat away any challangers that claimed to be gifted by Borran? Why else would Borran favor him, if not for his strength of mind and body to be able to use such deadly expressions as a tool to stay in power and rule wisely and keep his nation strong. Borran knew a good leader when he chose whom to hand out his gifts to.</sup>

[mixedblood9]

The woman of earth continued to dream noiselessly even as the Master of the land entered the chambers in which her and her young friend now rested. However it was not the same deep slumber she had known moments ago. Her body may have been lying there in peace, but her mind ran frantically through past thoughts of the day. Fire, destruction, pain, chaos, Kyoko, Torano, a beast seemingly from the pits of evil itself. Nothing made sense to her even in dream logic. Ivalia was captured and taken so easily. Perhaps she had set the trap all along. No wonder she seemed to stay at such a distant during the entirety of their encounter. If she felt no connections, then there would virtually be no regrets in bringing about the end of the earth females. But that was impossible! Why would water work with fire to murder two unknown people of earth, let alone a woman and a child? What was their plan? The elfin woman could not have been an accomplice in any case. It would be too confusing and deceitful for all the realms of Algaësia to comprehend. The Redeemer may have no chance of restoring peace if that occurs.

Ethida continued to ponder such things until a coolness alighted upon her brow. What is this? It was the perfect temperature making her rest much more comfortable. What are these people using? It isn’t ice. Too warm for that. Fair flesh upon her face smoothed out displaying the comfort it provided against the pain of her wounds.

Her bandages had just recently been changed because of the rate she bled and so for now she lays in semi-dry cloth on linens soaked with her very blood. The attendants feared moving her so soon to exchange those for clean blankets. Finally, the warm red liquid slowed its assault on the bed, yet it did not completely stop. Fatigue, however, persisted in keeping the female warrior down. Weakly her stomach rumbled for something other than rations in a futile attempt at attention. Until she was properly cared for and well rested, Ethida would not eat. She had yet to let the nurses know. They remained busy with her health and so food was last on everyone’s mind though breakfast time had come and gone.

Just then another peaceful sensation entered into her attention. The sound of a voice as smooth and gentle as silk made tender caresses in her tired ears. Resonating in her ears seemed the music of her brother’s safe tone and powerful presence. Had he truly found her? Unfortunately, that fairy tale has yet to see an ending. Slowly she opened her weary eyes to a blurred mix of light and dark. Ethida kept orbs focused upon the shadowed silhouette above her body. With a few moments of time past, the image cleared and she saw not the kind face of her brother but a strange scarred face of another strong man.

Expressions changed and her pained face took on a look of confusion. This is probably the man I saw leave the room earlier, but… who is he? Besides her weakly beating heart and her aching lungs, her slender body made not a move. Ethida attempted to move no muscle except her red lips also from which a tiny trickle of warm red liquid flowed.

Who… ?

As quickly as she found her quiet voice, it left her utterly silent. She closed her eyes and swallowed meekly hoping to reclaim her lost vocals. However, it was a battle not so easily won. Opening her eyes once again, Ethida searched upwards… for help. The woman looked to the only figure she could find… the man, the Master of Soil unknown to her, Sata.

[Kyoko Oni]

Kyoko fluttered within her dreams, back stories running curiously in every direction within her mind. She was dreaming now, the pain and the anger had left her long ago and now she slept almost peacefully despite the gaping wounds. However, she had been pampered and her wounds clensed, the blood clensed from her milky complexion and snowy hued hair. Her naked body had been dressed and dried and she was now as warm and comfortable as she could've possibly been... so she dreamed. Voices fluctuating in the background, presences shifting to and from her bedside couldn't deter the inner workings of her mind. Quiet dreams of a happy begining she should've been honored with. Laying with her human mother.

Limbs twitched curiously as she slept. Caught in a quiet world where she was truely happy, a place of darkness a place of a warm nothingness. It was much like the womb, and within she existed only in her dreams there was no pain or strife... just quiet bliss.



((Sorreh for the wait, I'ma have her sleep a little longer while your two characters play their parts, I'll interrupt again quite possibly when I can afford to be more active but I will be reading along, and sorry for the shortness here but she is skeeoubg ^^ ))

[.::W:I:T:H:E:R:E:D::.]

<sup>Satazian watched with a look of sympathy, as he could do little more than watch her struggle through her pain and emotions. Satazian, the demonic feit of only half blood... felt a strange calling towards unknown forces, that even now threatened to deter his attention away from the present situation. Was it the woman's need? No, Sata felt something much more vile, less innocent... it was a calling that did not call the human in him -- he could feel that much.

Placing the strange emotion out of his mind, he smile weakly and tried to keep an expression that would be helpful and supportive of her, but it was difficult for him -- a man of many years who had unneeded strain upon his heart and mind from many years of serving directly beneath the God called Borran. However, indeed he tried, even as observant eyes caught the trickle of blood that eased from her lips as she opened them to speak. His smile faded as his face took on a look of serious concern and his hand reached for a spare linen from a nearby cart, which a nurse had fortunately forgotten to take with her. Gingerly wiping the stream from her cheek and lips, his mind knew that she was bleeding internally. Coughing up blood was far from being a simple matter. Silently he cursed Sahe's slow movements. What was taken the lad so much time.

Sata really should have given the boy a break, since it was a long journey from earth to water even on horseback. The many rivers and marshes that lined the road could be hazardous at times, and the storm and eternal rain probably weren't helping. However, Sata wasn't particularly rational when debating the journey's time... he just knew that Sahe was not here NOW with the healer. Hopefully, the healer indeed would come. Satazian had already reserved a place in his heart where he would home such a rejection--should it come--he would never forgive it. This woman did not desirve to die over something she didn't do.

No, Sata. You don't know she hasn't done it. Why would a whole army attack two without reason?

Because fire has proven in the past to be ruthless. Perhaps they would be considered easy prey. They were someone to pick on, who wouldn't be missed.

Sata argued a moment with himself, but then saw some reason behind each point. He needed to keep an open mind, but it was difficult for the human within him--luckily the dominant part--to stand by waiting, while a seemingly innocent woman slowly dies before him. It was irritating.

As he drew the small linen away from her mouth--the white cloth now stained by a small drop of red-- he heard her begin to speak, but unfortunately her words did not travel far... and all she managed was a feeble "who" before her voice failed her and left her in silence. It tore at his heart to see her struggle so, but even as these human emotions toiled within him... that nagging draw towards something else kept pulling at him like fatal attraction. He couldn't completely put it out of his mind. It almost made him feel... what was the term... Aggressive.

STOP!

He could not let his mind wander off onto some tangent. He needed to remain focused for Earth's sake. He could already feel the tension beginning to sprout between Earth and Fire, and Sata wondered if this nuetral status was about to come to it's end. Again, part of him wanted the peace to remain... there was no need for war, but the darkness within him looked forward to the excitement--the calling to battle, where death's hungry dogs lay snarling just outside the light--waiting for the victims to fall.

His silver eyes gazed into hers as if to search for an answer, but he did not want to pressure her yet. She wasn't well -- and for all he knew she could be irrational from the pain. If there was any... the limited resources he had here were very few, and only a few Sorien Reeds had been used to dull her pain and the pain of her companion.

Remembering the small girl, Satazian turned his head and looked over his shoulder to find her still sleeping. He breathed a sigh of releif and turned back to Ethida--a name he had yet to learn.

Taking a deep breath he placed a finger to his lips, and his resonant and gentle tone filled the room softly as a handsome whisper matched his handsome--if a little rugged-- appealing face: "Shh... no need for many words. I just wanted to know you were still with us. I am Satazian and you are in my home. Your friend is also here with you. Rest is the best that you can recieve now, but we have a healer on his journey to help you. I offer you no hostility." He paused a moment, but seeing she was awake he decided not to make her struggle all in vain, "Since you're awake, do you think you are well enough to eat?"

The soft tone was not one he was used to using, and he felt so akward using it. He was not often in such situations, and his wounded soldiers never seemed so fragile to him -- but then again, none of his soldiers were ever women, not that they couldn't be... but he was just stating a fact.</sup>

[mixedblood9]

Looking up into his silver orbs she saw an amazing thing. They were gorgeous, majestic even creating a certain hypnotizing sense for her to forget her pain and struggle. She forgot all while trapped within his eyes. Torano was no where near. Kyoko remain out of her vision. Even the nursemaids scrambling in and out of the room did not have a chance to enter Ethida’s mind. The warrior within her melted away to a feminine force long ago forgotten to all except perhaps her childhood companion and friend Torano and her beloved brother. Glistening with a sort of forbidden comfort, Sata’s silver pools gave her back the woman who had been hiding for so long behind the sword and angry glares. Now was the perfect time for Ethida, the warrior, to rest.

NO! I can’t rest! I need to help them! I need to protect them! I need to find him! I need to... I need to...

The warrior however could not find the peace of mind to sleep serenely. She had been fighting for so long now and the battles and war has yet to find an ending. With frenetic thoughts plaguing her mind, her battered body tightened harshly and she grimaced at the intensified pain. All the muscles in her screamed as she stiffened and slowly shifted upon the blood-soaked linens all the while moaning with the flooding pain.

Opening again her hazel eyes to find the stranger’s right there, Ethida felt utterly helpless. She hated this feeling; she hated the fact she now relied on a strange man. Soon her pained eyes found a softer tone. Meekly a single salty tear formed trapped by her plain eyelashes. His voiced seemed the beautiful distant song one never quite knows from where it has traveled. It was muffled and formless, but then again nothing was clear.

Suddenly her breathing became fast, shallow, and forced all at once and just as quick it slowed. Her heart also needed to rest. The strain upon it to keep the woman became too great for this singular organ. In a moment, everything stopped. Breath ceased to flow and the heart ended its rhythmic beat. Eyes closed. Timidly the single tear found its humble way down her fair cheek and around her drying blood.



Ethida opened her eyes to a shocking scene. She found herself looking down upon… herself and that scarred man over her. What is this? She wheeled around looking for some explanation. Floating high above them all near the ceiling, Ethida found none. The scene around her seemed bright and pastel and very peaceful. It almost reminded her of the tranquil times of her home village. Feminine eyes gazed around her with a sense of happiness and yet there seemed an edge of sorrow.

Was she…? No! That was impossible! She has not even done everything she promised her father and brother!

With a strong force, her will fought back against the angels. It seemed an eternal battle of will. She would not leave with them; not now. And yet they gathered. Majestic light and music filled the air as they gathered to comfort her. However soon another strange force entered the picture -– one any of the living flesh would not expect. It was as though a gentle hand pushed and pulled her back down -– towards her body. Borran or some other power had decided her time was not now.



In an instant, her lips burst open gasping for the air of life and the energy of second chance. Her heart again began its relentless assault upon its invisible drums. Slightly, hazel eyes peeked open and found the usual sight expected by the orbs of humans before they closed once again to rest –- but she would not sleep. Attempting to do nothing else, Ethida merely lay on the offered bed beneath her body and focused on her breathing and on her newly given life.

[.::W:I:T:H:E:R:E:D::.]

<sup>Sata watched as suddenly--what appear to be improvement--worsened into a convulsive seizure. Stretching his arms across her form he pulled the shoulder farthest from him up and forwards so that her body positioned itself in a sideways position. Indeed, moving her was probably not the greatest of things, but it was far better that the seizure like episode did not escalate and in such a spasm it was likely in most cases that the victim could inevitably choke upon their own tongue. It was funny to say the sentence in your mind and think about it in your head, but in reality and in the moment, it was a scary situation.

Above all, when her body suddenly went limp--Sata replaced her frail form back as it had been without barely a twitch. He recognized death when he saw it... and ever so slowly he saw it begin to feast upon her soul as she began to grow cold in his grasp.

Was there some other way he was supposed to react? He was dissapointed, sympathic, and mostly enraged. The woman had died because of Kaji's ingorance of his own mens' actions -- though this was merely an assumption of Sata's -- but other than that, he couldn't feel much more than simple sorrow that a life he had tried to saved had failed in it's struggle against End Life. Was he supposed to feel woe, or deeper emotion? How could he, when he did not know her as much more than an innocent victim?

He numbly released her body and his silver eyes closed in a sudden verse of a single prayer before opening them again to address one of the entering nurses. He stood and approached the women, with a gentle motion towards Ethida -- and yet as he did, his perceptive hearing caught something else. A gasp, like a drowning victim finding the surface. Turning around suddenly and quickly, Sata hastened back to her side and watched as death's dark cloud evaporated from her aura. Life sprung once again, victorious within her eyes, and for now her soul was safe from death's carnivores. Glad to see her back, he pulled the blanket around her form carefully and snugged her in so that she was comforted from all sides and limited in her possible movements. Moving from her side again, he addressed the nurse.

"She is not to be moved, I want her given anesthetic herbs every two hours. Make sure she does not sleep--even the most peaceful of death's assasin's lie in sleep's supposed comfort and escape. I will be back shortly to check her progress."

With that he passed the nurse's shoulder and moved back out into the hallway... unsure of whether to feel joy at seeing her alive once more, or to feel frustration that she should scare him like that.















ooc: sry, it's not much... that is a bit frustrating and kindof out of the blue... I mean god... what was Sata supposed to do... it's not like he could do anything in that situation...

oh yeah, and another thing... I'm bored with Sahe--and don't really have any muse to post anything. Therefore... hope you don't mind, but I'm going to ask HealingLight if we can fast forward to the point where Sahe and Kaid arrive... since I get the assumption you're tired of waiting. So, could you post one last time (it doesn't have to be long or anything, just something to seperate this post and one I'm hopefully about to make? ;D</sup>

[mixedblood9]

Staring at the grandiose ceiling above her, Ethida felt almost relieved now. It was strange. After feeling death close around her and returning to the precious life she wanted in the moment, she felt so much better. The sensation seemed to her such as a weight was just recently lifted off her chest and thrown to the side, perhaps the wastelands of the Fire Realm itself. Her breathing was calmer and less forced however her pain had not ceased entirely its continuous assault. But now that she was not allowed to move the ache was constant and throbbing and so she became used to that particular pain and learned to ignore it. Herbs the Master of Soil had ordered her to be given may have also been a reason for her slight comfort in the blood soaked bed.

Weakly she smiled as nurses scurried about from her bedside to what she assumed Kyoko’s bed. She could not really blame them for not allowing her to sleep either, but she was tired. Still she would not give in to fatigue’s temptation. This was a battle she had learned long ago how to fight and so it was truly no large problem for her to stay awake. Ethida willingly took the herbs despite their unpleasant taste; they seemed a better medicine than the ones she carried around with her on her travels.

Soon a softer tone returned to a face once tortured to the extreme with excruciating pain as she considered the moments after her soul had returned to her battered body. That man of rugged appearance, she remembered him when he had tucked her tighter into the sheets. Ethida also recalled hearing him barking what seemed to be orders in taking care of her. In those moments, she remembered him in a different light. He seemed so kind; perhaps that was merely a memory of her father overlapping reality. Still, in those moments, she had whispered something to that man. It was weak and soft; however she knows she said it.

Thank you.

Perhaps he had not heard.

[.::W:I:T:H:E:R:E:D::.]

<sup>Satazian paused in the hallway, and glanced back into the room—sure that he had heard something. His solemn expression—his mind still getting over the close sense of death and darkness that lurked within the corners of the room—wavered upon the brink of a smile, as his eyes met with hers. So it was the one whom they called Ethida—yet that was still information he had yet to learn. It frustrated him slightly that he did not even have a name to place with his patients. Hopefully, they would live long enough to enlighten him about many other things. Where was that damned healer! Realistically, Sata had to understand that it would take at least two days at the minimum for his messenger to return with or without the water mage, he just couldn’t help but beg for faith to hurry their pace. Breaking the connective vision between his silver eyes and her own orbs, he resumed his planned path towards the outer walls of his home—otherwise known as the Balcony. He had little else to do at the moment but wait, and as his soft-soled boots strolled down the hallway his mind was already beginning to wander towards future plans. He still needed to provide a list of who would be accompanying him to the Ruins, and he still didn’t have any idea of who it would be. For now all he knew that it would definitely be a party of at least one mounted man—himself. A part of him wanted to bring along the young woman—make Kaji stare into the face that he had nearly destroyed. No, the experienced half-lord did not really believe that Kaji was completely innocent in the attack. How could a Lord be so ignorant as to the workings of one of his own small armies? It was absurd, and if it was true—then Kaji Hito showed a certain intolerable negligence. However, Satazian placed the accusations to the back of his mind. It wasn’t his place—he didn’t know the truth yet and making hundreds of assumptions and accusations, that could in fact be false, was more of a mute point at this moment.

We shall see what skeleton’s come out to dance when we meet, Lord Hito.

He smirked as he finally found the stone balcony beneath his shoes. Gripping the railing with an iron-vise he suddenly frowned as he repeated the phrase once more within his mind; not again. It had been nearly a year, and Satazian had managed to remain free of the taunts and teasing of his “sheltered” personality. He had no need for it in this life, and the human within him held a personal dislike of the demon within his soul. It was foul to him, and he wanted no part in what it offered. Like all demonic creatures it wanted nothing but power. To feel power within it’s fingers and to crush the opposing with little to no effort, and it’s knack to cause pain and trouble in the lives of others was overwhelming emotion—for it enjoyed to do it. It filled Sata with a sick feeling even as he thought about it, for deep within him he actually felt sick humor and bliss come over him. Even the essence of ecstasy threatened to fill his heart as he thought about such a power being in his hand.

He quizzically pushed it aside, and looked up to the sky, trying to focus on something else to keep his head in power and his other part under control; he did not need a shadow lord mucking about. True there were some advantages to having certain “gifts.” But he rarely used them. Every time he did, he felt as if he was releasing a chained dog, and every time he worried if he would be able to reel the beast back in. He used the powers in moderation, and mostly stuck to that which Borran had given him—another thing that puzzled the half-feit. Why would Borran trust such power and dominance to a man who had the chance of being overthrown by a much more dangerous entity? Yet, Borran must know… and that was one purpose that Satazian might never reveal. Another thing he wondered about, as his eyes watched the intricate system of gears as the gates began to open to allow entry, was why the demon wanted out now of all times. And it wasn’t like it was before. Usually, the feit softly tried to persuade Sata, but now… it was like it wanted it bad enough to try to take control in bigger bounds. The emotions Sata felt, were almost like aggression towards an unseen foe—and this feeling of impending conflict irritated Satazian to a point of… he quickly shoved it to the back of his mind as he felt unknown power grow within his palms, and darkness clouded the skin beneath his eyes. Gritting his teeth, he took a deep breath and then let it all fly loose. Relieving the tension from his face, and restoring the handsome appearance of a young middle-aged man. This just wasn’t happening. Placing worn calloused fingers against the old ragged scar across his left eye, Sata remembered how the wound had been his turning point. The night he would never forget. Shaking his head, he lowered his gaze and merely stood there looking at the cold hard stone beneath his hand—thinking of nothing in particular.

When he did finally raise his head, his eyes beheld the new arrivals and instantly the whole inner conflict was forgotten and Sata returned, full-fledged as the leader he had always been. There in his sight was the long awaited Sahe and healer. At last they had arrived, and Satazian, Master of Soil, quickly turned from the balcony and hurriedly descended the stairs to the lower floor. Shoving the door roughly out of the way, he heard it slam unceremoniously behind him, but he paid it no mind. His attention was fully upon the arrivals from Water. As he quickly crossed the distance between them and himself—for they had already strolled through the gaits and Sahe was now beginning towards the barracks—he intercepted them with open arms and a warm smile. However, his face was lined with worry and stress and his overall appearance was a little more rugged than he would have preferred. Yet, it did little to eradicate his handsome features, and his strong cheekbones and slender jaw seemed to blend with his stony personality—his cold silver eyes seemed to cut through souls and never seemed to change in expression. They were the eyes of a feit blood, and so their natural tendency was not to express compassion.

Finally he reached speaking distance, ”Finally, you have arrived. Please come this way. The eldest has already slipped into death and come out miraculously—I don’t know how much longer she has. The younger, I am not sure… she has not spoken or showed much movement for quite some time.”

Realizing that he had not introduced himself, Sata added, ”I am Satazian, Master of Soil, and I welcome you Kaid, Healer of Water.”

Once the introductions had begun, Sata waited, even though there was urgency in his blood and haste raging through his mind. He would not rush the guest, but if they died due to lack of speed—Sata couldn’t help but believe he would probably be a touch irritated.</sup>

[healinglight]

With his head held high, the summoned healer walked, with staff in hand, not overly confident into Saverin following the boy’s somewhat hastened foot steps. His acute senses also picked up on a few other items which made the heart of Earth feel both welcoming and completely foreign. The smell of baking bread from a nearby home took hold his defined nose while he listened nonchalantly to children laughing and playing within close vicinity of the main street. In addition he heard the methodic beat of hooves and feet. However there existed a definite air of foreign land for Kaid. Elfish foot steps remained soft and gentle, quiet and rather muffled creating a natural stealth and calm where as this city was filled with the patter of resounding strength and power of each step. It made him seem quite out of place.

Suddenly without any warning, a loud slam sounded through the city streets grabbing the kind water man’s attention. He faced slightly off to the side, away from the young messenger’s feet and hurried breath, towards a powerful presence which strode with what sounded like pride in their direction. In a moment, Kaid heard the familiar voice of Sahe greeting and acknowledging the approaching Master of Soil Satazian and announcing the arrival of water’s summoned healer. The benevolent Kaid may not have been able to see the worry on Sata’s rugged face, but he could feel the tension. However the following voice, later introduced as the Borran-favored himself, confirmed the gravity of the situation.

Death? And back? Either this eldest has a will which is quite strong or a soul which is very stubborn.

He knew the current situation was absolutely horrible; however knowing death was able to wrap its cold fingers around one life and yet it escaped made him curious. The invited healer wondered about the strength of life itself in the Earthen realm.

Kaid extended his hand to his host.

“Thank you,” the cautious healer hesitated. He feared giving anyone the impression Kaid thought himself better than Satazian and in charge. The man did not wish diplomatic issues between Water and Earth. With an even head and voice, he continued, “I am here to help and serve.” A slight bow accompanied the statement. “But if I may insist, I believe time is not with us and we should go after hearing what you have said. They need our immediate help. Please, show me them so they can begin healing.”

His voice ended with a tone of urgency, but still Kaid waited for perhaps a moment -– hoping he did not come across as out-of-line or rude.

ooc: I am really not happy with this post. I had it, then my comp lost it, and I couldn't get any muse back. Sorry, but I needed to post this tonight because I am not going to have access to a computer for the next week. I'll be back ASAP. ;D

[mixedblood9]

ooc:

Hi, guys. I'll wait for you two to arrive at the room before I reply. See you then. ;D

[.::W:I:T:H:E:R:E:D::.]

<sup>Sata glanced quickly to Sahe as the healer began to speak. The lad stood obediently waiting for further instruction, but Sata had none for him, with a nod of his head and gentle wave of his hand, Sataizian dismissed the boy and focused his attention fully on the healer, called Kaid.

A few people from the streets had paused to watch, and Sata glared at each one of them whose gaze lingered too long--the look sent them back to their work.

Taking the healers, hand Sata briskly shook it... though his grip was firm and lined with worry and haste. As it was released he observed the healer's slight bow, and was about to follow suit out of formality, but realizing the healer's state... he stopped himself. He would feel outright foolish to bow to a blind man, who could not see to tell.

Remaining silent until Kaid was done speaking the rushing Lord, began to turn for the door, as his mouth opened to speak the few words that would usher Kaid towards the house. However... he was quickly intercepted by the healer's own words of haste, and Sata parsed his lips only a little at the provocative words. It almost sounded as if the healer might think that Sata was not already in a rush to rescue the injured ones. It hurt his pride, but he pushed it aside. There was no need for him to feel judgemental or prideful over the moment. Kaid was only doing the job that the water goddess had blessed him with. A flicker of doubt resounded within his mind. Was he right to trust a healer from water? a foreign realm where hostilities once brewed? He shook the thought away, a healer's touch was meant to cure not harm. But would Kaid do all he could to save the unnamed girls? Sata scolded him for such a thought, it would impugn a healer's own pride and character. What reason did he have not to trust? None.

Listening to the man's words, Sata nodded and turned from Kaid--looking back towards his humble abode.

"Indeed, they reside in this direction, please follow -- I will lead you to their bedsides."

ooc: sorry mine wasn't much either. I have a lack of muse as well...</sup>

[healinglight]

The city seemed to quiet for the moment as the two men of separate talents met, that was before business bustled back into life. Still the momentary silence made the summoned healer highly uncomfortable, but that could be expected from any visitor. This feeling would indeed be greatly intensified from a guest of another nation during times of war.

“Thank you.” Another slight bow and the man of knowledge followed after as told.

Kaid was actually quite happy to follow Satazian into his home away from most peering eyes. Attentively the healer followed Earth’s master. He preferred tracking the powerful leader’s presences to his foot steps because the energy contained within his body was distinctive and rather unique from any other in the city –- there was one other holding similar power but he was none of the healer’s concern as of the current moment –- while foot steps echo in the corridors and mashed with the crowd’s. With little trouble, the small company arrived at the injured women’s room.

Immediately after the Master of Soil guided his invited healer mage to the girl and woman, Kaid began his work. Propping his wooden staff against the wall, he freed his hands to find a table conveniently placed next to the strange, and lucky, woman’s bed. The smell of blood thick in the air and the heat of pain surrounding then told the mage’s acute senses magic would have to be the main cure here. His first move led his hand to the folds in his robe. From those deep pockets the slightly cautious healer retrieved a small corked glass vile.

Being a man of another nation, Kaid felt as if all eyes fell upon his form, watching for any mistake and suspicious act to hold against him and his Water nation. Therefore, he felt required to explain a few things. Usually he liked to work in a private setting; however here, he could not exactly take full command. Instead, he decided on a subtle warning. So as he uncorked and situated the vile on the table near Ethida’s head, healer Kaid spoke.

“These herbs are to relax the muscles so the body is less resistant to the healing magics. If any here are sensitive to such herbal medicines, you may wish to leave for your own comfort.” He knew the Soil Master was unlikely to leave and figured a few nurses would stay and offer assistance, but still he thought he had to present the heads-up.

Thinking nothing more of it –- in this instant at least –- benevolent Kaid shifted to the unnamed Ethida’s bedside. Gentle hand hovered over her broken figure. Standing there, he found flesh wounds, broken bones, and a few other more serious injuries. Carefully the healer untucked and pulled the blankets away from her body with the help of a nurse on the opposite side. By now the relaxant should have taken affect and again hands hovered, but this time a cooling magic flowed from his fingers to her flesh. Tissues melded and bone snapped back while other stubborn internal injuries fought with him. Meanwhile he conversed with the battered woman, explaining the sensations and pains she may be experiencing. In addition, he calmly apologized for every flinch she may have made during the current process.

Still the curing continued with Kaid focused entirely upon the woman and his job.

occ: I am really sorry about the wait. I haven't been on for a few weeks, then I just couldn't bring myself to start a reply. Also I hope you don't mind I just acted like Sata already led Kaid to them; I didn't think it would be a problem. If it is, just let me know and I can change it. Thanks and sorry again.

[Kyoko Oni]

Kyoko's eyes flitted open as the room around her seemed to stir with a new presence. Bright yellow eyes searched the room, but they were still clouded and figures and shapes seemed to resemble a ball of smoke with various moving colors and presences. Her eyes closed again gently, the confusion they brought to her only made the world around her less concrete. Her other sences were more apt, and less likely to try and trick her. Her sensitive nose picked up the thick murky scent of blood, blood that was stale. While they had indeed been cleaned, old blood had a certain rank to it that seemed to rise above all. Her ears heard soft words, those of a man. And.. another sence seemed to pick up upon another stirring, an ura, a force that wasn't quite tangible. It was a healers magic she felt, though not upon herself, old magics that were revered even today and often saved for bad cases.

She stirred a little, attempting to move. It wasn't as difficult as it had been before, however it exhausted her to exert such force. She had grown tired of laying, tired of her idleness, tired of the darkness and she wanted to continue. Pink tongue caressed her dry lips, she had to have been laying for a long time, perhaps hours, perhaps days. She could no longer fully comprehend time, a minute felt like hours, or perhaps hours felt like minutes. Rolling slightly she moved upon her side, she was wrapped in the cloth that humans used and it felt uncomfortable. She much prefered her skins. Feeling for her small daggar, she found it still hung about her neck by its leather tie. Breathing a soft sigh, of what might have been relief, she opened her eyes once again to the garbled colors and tried to make some sence of it. Her eyes watered fiercely, and her nose stung with the harsh scents. A new scent filled her nostrals that of herbs, some she might've been familiar with, but masked by an unfamiliar preparation and by the stench of blood.

White hair flowed over her body, tattered and torn from battle, though the monster was gone, the wounds it had inherited scarred her fragile body. Gashes that had been poisoned by the demon's toxins were now stable enough to begin the slow healing process. Her eyes flitted over toward another shape, a bed she could recognise, and it was drenched with the scent of a "friend" and this "friend"s blood. Instinctually she pulled her lips back, half propped up on one arm; she didn't know what was going on or if she was even lieing in a safe place. She gurgled gently, what might've been a growl if her body wasn't so fatigued. She wanted to get up and leave, but her muscles wouldn't allow her to. Bright yellow eyes looked around in their murky confused way, the shapes and colors still not forming corectly, though her stare was toward the shape at her "friend"s bedside, the one who expelled the ura, the one who seemed to.. at this moment.. poise some sort of a threat. the others in the room seemed to remain undetected, or at least unimportant. Perhaps in her resting she had grown used to them as the nurses huddled around her and tried to mend her broken body.

While hostile, she was no threat now. The monster within her rested and she only ment the goodwill of her "friend". Afraid and hurt she wished to excape this enclosed rank place and seek out the lush fields again where she could really rest and heal. Shaking slightly from exaustion she lowered herself again but continued to growl softly, as threateningly as she could to deter whatever the figure was from eating her friend.. this kind of compassion she hadn't felt in a while, but for once she couldn't act upon it.

[chaoskeeper]

With a sense of great urgency, Private Coram hastened from the barracks, through the streets, and into Master Satazian’s personal home. His footsteps echoed throughout the grand corridors as his meek form neared Sata’s private quarters. Coram’s heartbeat pounded within his ears as his breath came in shallow gasps. He is a young man just out of the academy; it was absolute insanity for an inexperienced soldier such as himself to summon the Master of Soil and all land to an unknown man in the dungeons.

Within a few minutes of leaving the barrack doors, Coram stood just outside Sata’s door. The wooden fixture rested open so the young human presumed admittance was allowed; he had not entered in time to hear Healer Kaid’s warning of the herbs. Still he smelled their fragrance but assumed them coming from the ointments previously used. News, of all kinds including that of injured unnamed women, travels fast… in any community involving any given race. Whatever to details and background… back to Xander’s pawn. Three short knocks announced the private’s arrival. Shortly after, Coram entered quietly and found his way to Satazian. After a proper salute, he relayed the message with stress entangled in his voice into the Master’s ear,

“Sir, there’s a man in the barrack dungeons requesting an audience with you… there, sir. He… he demands immediate attention from you, sir. It concerns our security, sir. An enemy spy, sir, is… here, sir.”

Private Coram swallowed hard. Of course his voice also held a nervous stutter almost in sync with the pounding of his heart and dispatched the message in kinder ways than what Xander had demanded. He hoped this messenger would not suffer the rumored wrath of Satazian, Soil Master for the interruption he just presented.

[mixedblood9]

The continued soft patter of the nurses now, after some time passed, transitioned into a symphony of beating drums upon the floor. She felt her host’s strong presence quickly approaching accompanied by an unexpected soothing aura. Their combination of power turned into a buzz of magical influence within her very head. It was not an uncomfortable feeling nor did it harm her; it merely flowed around her.

After a muffled knock against the wall, Ethida listened to unfamiliar footsteps nearing her bed –- the healer’s. Slowly, she opened her hazel eyes once more to the sight of ceiling. Then she heard his gentle words –- something about herbs as a relaxant. Curiously, the young woman probed her memories attempting to find reference as to what herbs could be used as such, yet none came to mind; her previous lessons in herbology were not that extensive.

Even if she had decided not to cooperate with the healing, her body would have forced her to remain still. Movement only brought on pain. Ethida continued to watch the ceiling in silence when the scene in front of her changed to include Kaid’s gentle hands. His face currently was hidden to her; however his hands told Ethida much about him. Their movements were a soothing dance by hands of a gentleman and were precise just as a well-trained mage would be with his hands. She felt she could trust him, but then again, she did not have much choice in the matter.

A few moments passed and his hands left her vision. Soon after, she felt movement from her body and an immediate drop in temperature. The blanket which had kept her comfortably still and warm was now gone. Her broken body shivered slightly at the sudden change sending a small jolt of pain. Ethida could at this moment feel the effects of his herbs. It was a strange sensation coursing throughout her flesh – as if her body melted into the mattress beneath her. Unfortunately for this survivor, her mind did not follow suit and calm itself. Thoughts, memories, questions all buzzed in her head still consumed with Shephard’s Fields’ attack. Hazel eyes shone a mix of physical calm and mental confusion.

Once more, Kaid’s hands crossed into Ethida’s field of vision only this time bringing a consoling cold. Its sensation surged through her flesh and she felt its tingling while melding strands of tissue came together. All was tolerable at first until his healing magic reached her broken bones. She bit her lower lip and tried focusing only on his voice attempting to block the pain. Unfortunately for both patient and perhaps healer, this did not help in the least once her ribs snapped back together. A short scream busted from her now bleeding lips as her entire body tensed sharply. Every muscle tightened and she could no longer hear Kaid’s soft voice over her own groans. Tears gathered, yet only one fell. This spasm soon passed thanks to his herbs. Her breathing steadied and again she listened to his voice.

In the background behind the healing process, Ethida heard a quiet growl. Thinking it her stomach, the stubborn woman pushed it aside and awaited recovery.

ooc: I am really sorry about the unexpected absence. I couldn't even get on to tell you all. Sorry. I do see, however, that someone decided to take advantage of the wait...

[.::W:I:T:H:E:R:E:D::.]

^{ooc: hey guys I'll post soon -- promise. ;D}

[.::W:I:T:H:E:R:E:D::.]

<sup>Satazian led the welcomed healer into his home and to the level of the house in which the two injured wards were located. The room itself still remained light and warm, however, a pile of old soiled red cloths--once white--were piled neatly by the door. Yet, their tidy construction could not hide the promise of death that they fortold. So much blood, and still more clinging to the sheets of his guests. Scowling at the whole situation and feeling a flush of anger overtake his normally calm and docile face, the great master stepped into the room, followed shortly and immediately by the soon busied healer. The experienced water-blessed man began to work as soon as he was entered, and the situation fell out of Sata's control. He had no objections, for he was not experienced in healer arts other than the dressing of wounds--all soldiers knew such tasks--so he found a quite corner where he promptly leaned against the wall, out of the way but still in an area where he could visibly supervise all activities around him. Nurses rushed about as they followed the beck and call of the new arrival, and Sata felt releif in knowing that his decision had been a good one. He was most grateful for Kaid's assistance and he would be sure to meet with Mistress Rigel to offer her thanks for her temporary sacrifice of a rumored healer. If Kaid was successful, Sata wondered in his mind if the situation would lead hopefully towards a truce of sorts between Earth and Water--for Sata's inner power could feel the tension thicking within the air and the waters of war were beginning to boil and grow hot. Nothing had started as of yet, and an unstable place of neutrality remained between all four nations. Yet Fire had struck an attack, and Sata had been leaning more and more towards guilty over the past few hours. How could Kaji not? And even if he was, it was bad leadership to allow one of your armies to strike unprovoked war against another party. He glanced at Ethida's face--her name still unknown to him--as her scream lit up the room. Sata tensed all warm thankful thoughts of Kaid rushing from his mind as he started, only to realize this was part of the process. Ethida's face still reflected pain, but her outburst quietted as did Sata, but he kept a wary and watchful eye on the healer. Though Sata did not suspect the man of treachery, Sata was still prepared for whatever cruel twist life might dare to throw at him again. Hadn't fire already showed such aggression? Would Water dare to do something similiar? Sata shook his head and restabalized his kind and caring, even trusting nature. The man was here to help and would do no less than was necessary to revive the fallen woman and the young girl.

Of course, Satazian reasoned with himself, in all fairness for the parties involved, she may not be as innocent as it seems. Perhaps their was reason behind fire's attack. Hopefully I shall soon see.

The thoughts were still reasonably forced, for he couldn't wrap his mind around how one woman and a child could have possibly found courage and wisdom in challanging a small army. Sata's humane logic still placed Fire in the wrong.

However, it would seem that Satazian, Master of Soil, would not be allowed to rest in this room and watch over the working healer and the reviving young woman and child. For not long after he had settled once more in his corner, than hurried footsteps down stairs alerted him to a fast approaching presence. His acute hearing and masterful senses, picked up the anxiety in the air, and the rough lord once again tensed slightly as he went to the door to meet the new arrival. He would not permit an interruption in a delicate process of healing. The lad rounded the corner and instead of seeing an empty open door, there stood Satazian, in his proud regal yet common might, blocking entrance with a questioning scowl upon his face. His dark, cold Silver eyes bore into the Private as he introduced himself with a feeble solute and then began to stutter and ramble.

Satazian relaxed slightly as he saw it was only a young soldier probably on an errand of some kind... though what would bring the lad uninvited into the Master private quarters was something that Satazian couldn't even guess and so the frown still lingered on his face as the young man stuttered on. The word "sir" repeated itself several times, and Satazian felt annoyance surface beneath his calm and placid expression. Sata would never show outright dislike, but why of all the moments did the interruption come now?

It took Sata a moment to translate the nervous and fastly spoken, disconnected words. But when he had them firmly in his mind his scowl only deepened, and his brow knit with concern.

spy?! From where?! Again the anger sprouted, called forth by chained inner troubles, and Sata seduced them quickly, before they could surface to his already anxious visage.

He uttered only three words to the private, "Message received. Dismissed." And then the young man was no longer important. Moving briskly past the young man, Sata left it on the youth's own intelligence to take the wise path and leave the house on his own. Two guards were posted by the door of this room, Sata had kept them here to watch the two new arrivals in case they were not as innocent as Sata had assumed, now he addressed the older and more experienced of the two.

"Please watch the pair, as I have said before. But also be aware to Master Kaid, He is a guest in my house, but now I must tend to important matters elsewhere, he is not to depart back for Water until I return. Understand?" his voice was gruff and nolonger calm and patient, however, it was barely more than a whisper--so only the two soldier would possibly hear.

Important matters indeed.

The guard nodded solemnly, hinting at the Master's anxious tone and knowing that such a tone would not be present if the matter was not as serious as they all could safely assume.

As soon as the accepting nod was given, Sata turned and hurried at a brisk walk down the hall, the stairs, and out the door--closing the distance between himself and the dungeons.</sup>

[healinglight]

Kaid concentrated hard to keep his magic flowing throughout the woman’s flesh especially during her outburst. It was a foreseen reaction yet it was an unexpected time. He continued to push the magic from his fingers. The healer feared how a sudden withdraw of the magic would affect her frail body in its condition. With a steady voice, he encouraged her to endure through and promised it would be only a few moments more. Despite his cool confidence displayed, Kaid’s mind roared with tension; its source mainly proved to be from those in the room. Healer Kaid especially felt the tension behind him a feared his host’s power. However this mangle of emotion surpassed following the suppression of Ethida’s scream.

Continuing to cure, the man felt the process finally drawing to a close. Tissue melded, leaving behind few scars. Bruises more or less disappeared and swelling decreased. Her body seemed to embrace the effects his magic had on the entirety of her being including her inner, vital organs.

Drawing back, Kaid withdrew the majority of his magical tendrils leaving but a few to search for more stubborn wounds. Both hands lingered as he searched. Satisfied with the results, the healer pulled completely from the strange woman. He waited to hear some sigh of relief signaling she was alright.

Once again, his benevolent voice sailed soothingly to her ear.

“Sleep, brave child. You both deserve and need it.”

With that said and once she seemed content, Kaid, turning away from the bed, reclaimed and corked his herbal vial. He figured the medicines had their time and ran their course by permeating throughout the room.

One gesture and one of Earth’s nurses aided him to Kyoko’s cot. The busied healer has yet to notice the absence of Master Satazian’s power. Faintly felling a natural magic, Kaid tilted his head to its source, the girl. It was an innate magic he felt – a natural healing.

The man attempted to comfort who seemed a young child. Gesturing with his right hand palm up, Kaid offered help.

“Would you like some help with that?”

[Kyoko Oni]

Bright yellow eyes shot open upon the healer's approach to her bedside. Small teeth poked out of her lips in a threatening gesture. The nurses had little trouble with her when she had remained unconcious, but a wounded creature was often unwilling to recieve help (even to the point of having itself die) from a source it couldn't identify. It wasn't completely unnoticed that this creature that stood over her bedside had powers invested in himself. Afterall, she was a "magic user" herself, to be able to feel the presence of another with certain gifts was innate.

Turning her head a little to the side, she faced him. She appeared fourteen, though her soul was ageless, doomed to endore millions of lives before perhaps one day finding rest in heaven or hell (either of which would be infinitely better than reliving countless unfufilled lives). She felt for her dagger, which had been confiscated... Panic filled her gaze. Her daggar had always been apart of her since she could remember, it was as much apart of her as her lungs or her teeth and nails. It sat on a nearby desk, carelessly set aside for safety. Her lips pulled back further at the healer's slow but deliberate motion. Her growl wasn't brisk, but a slow and gurgling warning. Her growl ceased as his voice came to be, and she listened, slowly absorbing the language.

She fumbled with the language "You wish help? Why I trust you?" She spoke primitavely and slow, a kind of growling tone that was untrusting and careful.

((pardon my shortness))

[CKcantlogin]

This is a good thread; unfortunately, I see nothing for my messenger to do... well nothing worth a post right now. Not enough muse or time right now.

Therefore, I have decided to give you all a brief description of what the post would say:

The private notices Sata serious demeanor, receives the message, and hastely leaves the Master of Soil's personal home saying nothing.


What happened to all my colors? I can't find Dieing Rose! ** CK's thoughts**

There you go. Have fun with the healing and other details.

[mixedblood9]

A sense of curing filled her once broken body. Her muscles tingled with refreshed life and her breathing became easier. The beating of a weary heart also steadied because the stress of constant pain has been lifted. His voice remained within her mind mingling with the memories of father and brother.

Kaid’s final phrase uttered to Ethida was as gentle and kind as it had began. She nodded in subtle agreement to his request. In a whisper came her response accompanied by a weary smile.

Thank you.

Closing her shallowed hazel eyes, a chain of intertwined events took Ethida off into a deep slumber. Muscles relaxed nearly into a state of slumber themselves. Her breathing slowed gradually into quiet ins and outs as it fell into the simulated beating of her own serenade. A heavy head nodded off gently and slightly to the side. Feminine features finally at rest took on the peaceful visage of sleep.

Fantastic images crossed her mind blurred in a dream sense filled with hope for the future. That man flashed by her sleeping eye. There was a child. There she stood with Torano and a different child. A curious little boy stood by Ethida’s side eagerly watching a baby giggle in the young woman’s arms. The chestnut stallion stood behind them in a stall watching over the three two-leggeds with a tall black mare by his side. It seemed the perfect scene with a grand abode looming behind them.

[healinglight]

He felt the tension in the air increase once more but from another source this time. It must be the child. Surrounded by strange faces in an unknown place with perhaps unfamiliar powers floating leisurely around their head, Kaid could not blame the child for fearing and stressing over the situation. Gradually, a low rumbling grew in his ears. The child before him must be from wild origins the blind mage concluded after he recognized the sound as growls rather than a distance thunderstorm.

His expression was soft until her fumbled questions took flight. The suspicion she held for him took him aback. The offered palm fell slowly to his robed side as he thought for the moment. Kaid’s expression took on a slight amount of surprise. Quickly, however, his blind eyes took on their usual soft tone. This honestly did not surprise him to an extreme sense. Pride… and fear were a bad combination always fighting against the need for assistance.

The healer thought for a moment about his answer. She needed to be able to understand and more importantly, it needed to be honest.

“Because it is the only thing I can do.”

Healer Kaid’s words were gentle, short, understandable, and confident. Without moving any closer, he waited for her reply.

ooc: where's the silver? I don't see silver anymore...

[Kyoko Oni]

There were short bursts of confusion as the creature watched the other. For a moment Ko was sure that this creature was going to try and make a move towards her. She was so ready, her small teeth bared in a silent smile, small hands clenched into furious fists. But the hand that was comming towards her from the other potential threatening creature dropped suddenly. Ko twitched lightly unsure of what the sudden lack of enthusiasm was about. She remained poised for action, staring upwards at the healer. Her teeth still clenched together, watching every slight motion, feeling for every change of atmosphere. Her body hand wanted her daggar, that black blade that had long since been protection for her. It was bound to her, and she wanted it back.... But it sat dumbly upon a nearby table, unable to assist her.

She purked up as he spoke, processing what he ment. What she recieved was.. that he simply couldn't hurt her. As if it was somthing outside his capabilities, outside his reach. She was confused by this, but undoubtably understood. She plotted a moment, how could she be assured that he wouldn't hurt her. Perhaps she could take into concideration that if he had wanted to hurt her, he would've already... or wouldn't have any trouble doing so despite her useless struggles.

She flicked her white hair from her face, her eyes resting upon her friend, Ethida. Her teeth clenched together gently and she pondered what she was seeing. Her friend slept peacefully, no longer seemingly struggling with pain... but more sedated.. but the life wasn't gone from her. Even from here Ko could hear her short breaths.

She found it easy to understand... it was the only thing he could do.... Ko often found that the only thing she could bring herself to do at given times was... to evolve into her cursed self.. for protection... for her life.... She had no choice.... She had to do it... But she couldn't understand... Why he could only help.. and be incapable of harm... And what good helping them brought him. For every action there was a conciquence... and for every action, something is saught in return... Ko hunts to fill her belly. Ko bathes to promote health. Ko became a demon to protect her companions.... But what was this man's reward?

What your reward? She inquired, softer this time. More gentle, and inquiring than offensive. She simply wanted to know what kind of reward this creature earned from his actions towards Ethida and soon enough.. her.

[healinglight]

The voice her heard was definitely that of a child. However, the questions she continued to ask seemed so deep, suspicious, even wise for a child who still stumbled with words to conceive. Kaid breathed steadily and a meditative fashion as he listened around him and pondered a multitude of intertwined worldly concepts and relations. Silence seemed to taken over the room even as Earth’s nurses moved about cleaning sheets and preparing medicines in case the visiting healer required such herbs.

What is my reward? He thought it over slowly. There is not reward for him. Kaid had no idea what his reward could even be after twenty years traveling along the path he has chosen. The man had decided on this path to journey as a method of reparation – nothing more. But was there a reward for all the pain and all the good?

“Health… and safety.” He paused for a meditative breath. “Your… health and safety.” Hesitating once more to allow the processing of his statement, Kaid continued on to tell her his chosen purpose in life. “I work for the health of this world and the safety of its people.”

Moving slowly closer to Kyoko’s cot, Kaid kneeled on one knee attempting to bring himself more to her level – if not to look up to her, but to allow her to look down upon his soft face.

“My name is Kaid. I cannot give you a surname though. I left my family name behind when I departed from my village.” The healer spoke at a gradual pace knowing the challenge verbal communication posed for the young girl. He smiled with gentle reflection.

“Is there anything else you would like to know?”

[Kyoko Oni]

Kyoko shifted gently. Still not understanding what this creature gained. The other gained nothing from their encounter. She processed the words, but they still made no sence to her. Why did he "work" to provide safty of others outside of his unit? Outside of his group? But then again, the little child found his unreasonable behavior reasonable as she began to question herself... How had she gotten in this mess? He had saught the company of another, and then fought to protect them... For they had ment something to her. Under the barage of a bloody battle, in the end, she hadn't even been striving for herself. She unleashed her cruelty for them... her companions of which she barely knew. Her soft gaze befell the other bed, her gaze still fuzzed, but she could make out the form and the scent proved hat it was no lie. Her friend still smelled of blood.. But the blood was old...

Ko gritted her teeth gently, gaze falling back upon the dubbed Kaid. Her pale features and acidlike yellow eyes curiously picking away at him, like some hungered vulture on an especially delicious corpse. Shaking her head a little she uttered gently "No." She didn't need anymore explaining. She was curious, but she had better things to worry about. She had been convinced she was in no danger, her posture had revieled it long before her voice had. She appeared sicklier as her guard went down. Masking pain was something he had been born with, a skill that she could hardly function without. Her eyes glistened as she layed back down. She had no further words for him. She felt safe enough to put her guard down... Though the black bladed daggar was still in the back of her mind, if worse came to worse... She could make a break for it....Her daggar.. it made her invincible. It was her tooth and nail of defence... And a painful reminder to the past burried within her. She laid passively, waiting for whatever was to happen next, be it a last shuffle for life, or a gentle sucumption to sleep.