[A Cold Winter] Rescue

Ascondia leant on the tree as she looked down toward Dragons Keep, from here you could see the damage and providing you didn’t know better you’d think it was nothing but a rundown castle in the middle of nowhere.

It also made sense this was where Ceremon held out, Evermore had long since been abandoned by its inhabitants in large parts due to the vile treatment of its people by the Lords of the time, consequently these happened to be Elcarus, generations before Kane.

Ceremon was the last of that pure line, Elcarus bred inside the castle it kept their lines pure but had insane effects on their mentality. It is rumoured that Ceremons father attempted to have Ceremon killed and as a consequence Ceremon left Evermore after burning the village to the ground. No one ever really found the truth of that night as it was long since consigned to history. The only true facts are that Ceremon resurfaced in Dentarius and was a good man until the death of his wife.

Ascondia scraped her knife against the tree setting free a river of dark red liquid as she smiled darkly 

“Milady you shouldn’t be so exposed” Alvin stated no approaching her from behind

“And you shouldn’t creep up on a woman exposed and alone, it may set the wrong example” 

Ascondia replied dryly “Besides Hades and Aerian are down there and we can go and get them”

“We should wait for Kane and Aishani” The name drew a low growl from Ascondia stopping Alvins sentence, it also stopped his approach as he was now stood on the bank just below her current place, the treeline dropped from there into open ground.

“Kane is far too cautious and will sacrifice both for the sake of that woman, we already know that” Ascondia snapped coldly

“I believe Kane will do what’s right to get his daughter and brother out alive” Alvin replied

“At the cost of what?” Ascondia replied darkly “What will assaulting a heavily fortified castle, with more traps and insane folk that any real person goes up against Alvin? I should not have come, I am Queen of the Everlands and one of the most powerful beings in the realm, I am by definition a target and that troubles me”

“Which is why you’re not going in there” Kane replied now striding up the bank and crouching looking down over the open ground “You can get us home so you stay put and when we come running across that field toward you, you open a portal to Elvera and you get the hell out of here, we can’t travel another fortnight in the other direction with Hades and Aerian in the state they are you know it and I know it, we need them back in Elvera as quickly as possible”

“If you step foot in Elvera” Ascondia snapped

“I know, one thing at a time” Kane replied softly as he waited on Aishani and Virra “Shadow will watch your back, you’re our way out”

As Kane spoke to Ascondia, that is when the mouth-watering presence announced Aishani walking with Virra at her side up the bank, Shadow skittering after. She lowered herself to Kane's side in a crouch, three fingers splayed to assist in her stance, while the golden hue was fixed on the ruins of the castle below.

Virra remained standing with her arms folded over her chest, the tethers were gone now. Those piercing black eyes lingered on the damning structure below. "As far as trips, tricks and wires...those all have been disarmed by myself initially on the sneak into the dungeon from that hidden entry..."

"Good. You already know of the locations, to each, then it would not be a trigger. You will have to do the leading, Virra. This is an extent of trust, waste it and I will hang you by the very skin on your body..." Aishani spoke in a casual purr, the corner of her plush lips tugged in a smirk. "As for Shadow covering Ascondia, that is entirely up to her, but, I think Ascondia may feel better with Alvin between--Oh, I mean covering her ass." She chuckled darkly, it was a tease on the Queen but needless to say, poked at her.

Ascondia growled in reply before raking her knife through the tree once more then storming off down the snow bank. Kane watched her just for a moment before checking his bow. Slowly he edged along the treeline and down toward the castle below. The hidden entrance was off the south just out of the treeline, but far less open than the area before them.

“Virra I need you to get Aerian out, I suspect I will need to deal with Hades” Kane spoke softly his words low “Aishani will cover the middle ground while we extract the relevant prisoners.

Aishani withdrew her throwing knives and even her daggers to apply a solution to each from a phial and even offered some to Kane in order to apply to his arrows, would he desire such. Virra acknowledged Kane's words with a short nod, but, her eyes remained fixed on the ruins of the castle below.

Aishani glanced behind her with a lingering gaze set on Shadow, the large spider appeared to understand the silent communication and went after Ascondia and Alvin to be their protection from those hidden that would encroach.

She straightened after concealing the phial and returning each weapon to the designated location on her person, while Virra glanced to her then to Kane.

 

The trio was ready. It was time to recover Hades and Aerian from the clutches of Ceremon and Z'ress.

Kane finished tipping half his arrows with the solution, as they made their way toward the not so hidden entrance. He held the group with a wave of his hand before pointing along the path which vanished among a pile of rubble.

“Once we’re through we don’t have long, Virra may have disarmed the physical traps but the detection spells will be up, once we go through they will know, we’ll bar the cell doors as long as we can but we need to be as quick as possible” Kane breathed slowly “Be prepared for a fight!”

Aishani stood at Kane's side, while glancing to him with her daggers removed from the sheaths with a spin, the hilt resting on her palm in a grip that was about business. Her scent appeared to grow strong with the luscious aroma, which at times fuelled a darker side within Kane. Virra stood on the opposite side of Kane, holding up a small leather fold, this was her silent signal of a lock pick wallet.

"Let's do this then. Quick. Precise. Virra, you take up the lead to take us to the portion of the dungeon, walk in step with Kane." Aishani purred softly, as the transformation from the calm exterior, there was a sense of excitement in her voice, husk of arousal to the anticipation moving forward.

 

Virra flashed her dark eyes to Aishani, then to Kane. She stepped forward to begin to lead the path.

They followed down as they reached the entrance the sound of steel on leather as Kane drew his sword one flick showed years of training with the weapon, one slight adjust on his bow at his shoulder and he stepped down, the corridor was cold and the walls ran with liquid and green mould.

Kane took a step forward as they picked their way through the old cells, Kanes blade never so much as twitched merely remained in hand tip a few inches from the ground, the knowledge of Aishani beside him was a strange comfort and strength to him, his focus on the task not wavered or second guessed something alone he would have done a dozen times by now.

As they reached the door to the main cell block Kane halted them leaning against the door to listen just for a moment. “You said two wolves’ two vampires on the other side of this door? Together or separate shifts?” Quietly he placed his blade on the ground and knocked an arrow to his bow he drew the string half back and waited for Virra to open the door.

Aishani by this point had sheathed on dagger and adorned a small fan of throwing knives on her fingers, when they stopped before the door. She was poised to pounce at any moment, her ashen skin and dark hair literally blending in with the darkness of the tunnel, but, her golden eye gave way her location.

Virra glanced to Kane, keeping her voice to a whisper and moving closer to him, while whispering barely above a breath. "Rotations. Two werewolves and human during the day. Two werewolves and a vampire at night." She removed her lock pick set, working with two picks, fiddling round while then a catch was heard and the click with a flick of her wrists. The door was unlocked.

The second the door opened Kane let fly the Vampire not even seeing the arrow until it split through his chest sending him to the ground, by the time he had hit the ground Kane had already shouldered his bow and collected his sword and was on the Werewolf beyond, he went for the closest knowing Aishani would take the second, they had entered under cover of darkness giving them the best advantage.

The werewolf manged to claw Kanes shoulder only for him to return the favour with his blade across the upper thigh then ducking behind to drive his blade through the werewolves chest, as the wolf rose Kane caught him square with a forearm into the wall knocking him out cold.

“Virra go get Aerian” Kane was already working on the lock to hades to cell, the second the lock opened Kane was struck by the door as Hades burst out, pinning Kane to the wall arm locked around his throat. Kane kicked at his knee pushing him off enough to get words out “Hades no time for a play fight” and with that he shoved his blade in his hand and pulled his bow taking a vampire who was already on his through the door sending the ones beyond scattering for cover “OUT OF TIME!” Kane barked in warning

As Kane surmised, Aishani already spit a series of throwing knives upon the second werewolf, while the image of Aishani disappeared to reappear only to glide her dagger across the gullet of the creature, spilling guts in a slosh to the floor. She kept her stance and rushed to the door leading down to the dungeon, pressing her ear against it and listening.

Virra was already working on the lock to Aerian's cell before Kane spoke, working through the lock that was much more complicated, but, her dark eyes were fixed on the movements and feel. Abruptly the lock clicked and she pulled open the door and rushed into the cell. Skimming through the darkened corners for a sign of the red head, then fixed on the make-shift bedding, rushing over to nudge with her foot. "Hey. You."

Aishani glanced over her shoulder with the indication of incoming as Hades pinned Kane to the wall, she decapitated the vampire that was shot by Kane's arrow, ensuring the end with a cross scissor of her blades, sending coagulated blood to splatter upon her. "We have to get out of here. They will be here soon. VIRRA hurry up!"

Aerian backed into the corner, her feet flat to the wall as she shrank as far into the shadows as she could, her eyes fixed on the woman now calling to her. The clashes outside of chaos she knew were her father but her need to run was not allowing her to “Get my dad out of here, they are coming to kill him, take Hades and go” Aerian breathed the panic in her voice all too clear “I don’t want to go”

Virra glanced over her shoulder to the chaos outside the cell then to Aerian, moving close to her, but not before a dagger could be seen with the pummel driven into the back of her head to efficiently knock her out. "I'll be fucking damned, if you stop my protection." She moved out, calling to Kane for him to enter within. "We have to get her out of here. I'm sorry, but, I had no choice."

Aishani glanced over her shoulder, narrowing her gaze to the cell door, but, covering Kane and standing at Hade's side to fight. "Time's ticking, Kane. Get her out of here and I will cover the back."

Hades grunted as he took down a werewolf who had broken their lines, an awkward motion before snapping his neck clean “Get her!” he barked

Kane growled as he scrambled through the door, he handed Virra his bow before dragging Aerian to his shoulder, a nod and headed for the exit, staying focused on keeping Aerians weight balanced as he made for the exit.

As they burst out of the tunnel Kane stumbled sending them both into the snow, Kane simply rolled to his stomach and into a crouch preparing a fireball as the other cleared the exit Kane unleashed the blast collapsing as much of the tunnel as he could behind them “It wont hold them, there’s at least 3 mages with that last group with far more power than I have to hold them” he breathed slowly

A loud scream cut the air as Aerian stirred “Send me back” she screamed her nails biting into Kanes arm “Kane we have to go” he heard Ascondia snap as she emerged from the trees “And please don’t argue you would never have made it back to our position I chose to wait here instead.

Aerian screamed as she pulled to her feet Kane barely had time to react as she snapped a blade from his hip another moment and the blade was sunk deep into Alvins throat “Let me go back, or I will kill someone else” Kane closed his eyes just for a moment as in a burst of flame he vanished appearing behind Aerian “I’m sorry” was all he said as he himself caught her in the back of her head with his own blade rendering her back unconscious.

“Get the vortex open we need to go” Kane sighed softly another moment and Ascondia had opened a swirling purple mass, Kane quickly ushered Ascondia through followed by Hades and Virra who between them had Aerian, slowly Kane looked to Alvin his hand rested on his chest for a moment “Forgive me old friend” before he stood and stepped toward the portal the blast on the other side of the fallen tunnel notifying them they had run out of time.

Aishani blurred behind and in front of their broken lines, her daggers were nothing but sparks of metal against flesh and fur, covering Hades at one point on their push. Her face was twisted into the gore of battle, bloody with her clothing glistening from the crimson stains, difficult to tell if such was her own or the opponents. Her and Hades covered the rear of the group as all of them rushed through the dungeons to the escape route of the passage. Once outside in the snow, Aishani's steps were soaked in blood while her chest was rising and falling, panting.

Catching the glint of the dagger that was in Aerian's hand in which she ended honourable Alvin's life in that single moment, she exchanged a glance to Hades while crouching, preparing to defend but it was when the crumble of the entrance came crashing down, that Aishani straightened. Never relaxed for a moment, keen and aware always looking around the area, with Aerian left unconscious again.

 

Ascondia was a sight for sore eyes, while Shadow rushed to Aishani's side, as Kane ushered everyone through the portal created by the Queen, Aishani caught his hand to pull him through just as Shadow joined the others. She was not for a moment, willing to depart from him, would he stand his ground.

With a crack the portal sealed behind them, the streets of Elvera far richer than those of Dentarius, the close packed buildings told of a city much further along in terms of technology and lifestyle. It was within moments guards had them surrounded, some checking Ascondia who was quickly trying to dismiss them and have them escort the group to the castle.

The City Guard arrived quickly their spears trained on Kane as he eyed the numbers he shrugged holding his hands before him “Yea I get it” he snapped coldly within moments he was shackled as carriages arrived the group climbing in to be taken to Elvera Castle.

It didn’t take long as they arrived at the castle, Kane was escorted from their carriage as Ascondia was now arguing with the guard “The law is clear if he shows up, his sentence is to be carried out”

“I am the fucking Queen of the Everlands, and he has just risked his ass to pull my daughter out of hell, he will not be executed by you or anyone fucking else, we will take this to the High Council and they will pardon him or I will execute every fucking one of them!” She snarled darkly “Take him to the cells, ensure he eats, and gets any visitors who care to visit him”

“And the rest?” The guards asked

“Put them in the visitors house, they are to be fed and not intruded upon” She turned to walk back to Aishani “Don’t fight them, I will get him out of here, you have free rights to speak with him in the cells, that is all I can do for now” her voice almost carried apology as she turned Aerian was still unconscious as Ascondia looked for a moment “Put my daughter in cell as well, she needs time to gather herself, tend to her injuries nothing more” the guards would probably have argued had she not rounded on them angrily waving them out of her path.

Aishani sheathed her weapons the moment that the guards surrounded them, a brow inclined passively, while Virra's lips were curled into a muted snarl. She moved to stand at Kane's side, narrowing her eyes to the spears that were in his direction, golden eye fiery in silent warning. Shadow moved to the opposite side of Kane, lifting the chitinous bladed legs in a threat. But, the moment that he was shackled and lowered her hand for Shadow to stand down, she stepped back, flicking her tongue across her lips watching as Kane was lead away.

 

As Ascondia moved to speak to Aishani, the golden eye fixed on her, while her expression remained call, but, that vivacious bite in her glare remained with a click of her teeth to the roof of her mouth. 

"That isn't what she nee--" Virra stepped forward to speak to Ascondia when she mentioned Aerian being locked up, her eyes dangerously dark but Aishani caught the young female's wrist in the accusing glance back, Aishani shook her head slowly.

Aishani sighed softly, releasing Virra's wrist, then glancing to Hades. "I'm going to Aerian's cell. She doesn't need to be locked up again. Z'ress no doubtfully twisted her mind...she is an expert manipulator, you were too hard a shell to crack, Hades." She nudged him with her elbow, but, was openly holding her side. Aishani moved to follow the guards to Aerian's cell, Shadow on her tail and moving to remain silently in a corner for her to wake. 

Aerian stirred her eyes adjusting as she sat slowly her brain a mash of confusion that would be easy for anyone to pick up around her, as she went to sit the chains caught her keeping her down, Aerian sighed softly.

“I know you’re there” She spoke softly “And seemingly you got us out, then decided it’d be fun to put me in another cell after getting me out of one, surprised Dad isn’t here though, pretty sure …. Oh” she looked to the floor as the realisation set in “He got mom to get us out, she brought us right to Elvera” she shifted to try and find some level of comfort. “They will never let him go now, and once he is rendered useful to them Z’ress and Ceremon will storm the realm and take the throne, a sad end really”

Aerian sounded almost compliant in her words as if they were truth already to her “He’s a good man, he doesn’t deserve that, but mom always wins” She shrugged awkwardly under the chains “He does love you though Aishani, your mother said that would bring you both down, you should be with him at least while he’s still him, and don’t trust Uncle Hades either, we’re all means to an end”

Aishani stepped from the shadows when Aerian indicated the knowledge of her presence, a hand still pressed against her side. That lonely golden eye fixed on the red head from the position nearest the door, her face was a grizzly sight, splattered with blood, appearing some battle hardened goddess. She considered Aerian in silence. "We have no alternative but to await the outcome, Ascondia is avid on getting him out due to him rescuing you. Granted, I wouldn't trust her as far as I can throw her, but, we all came together to bring you and Hades to safety. Your mother, chose to join us, we gave her the option to opt out. Z'ress is of no mother to me, Aerian. She is a vile woman with one thing on her mind, uncaring on how to achieve such...nor hurt those that I love to use against me. "You do understand the reason that you are locked up, do you not? Well, in case you do not. First, you refused to leave. Second, you attacked and killed Alvin. I understand that Z'ress jostled your brain, though, you cannot let her get that far into your mind. She found your weakness and latched to it like a leech, sucking all the will you had until it was gone and warped your view of her. But, she is not here now. If it was not for Virra, it would not have been such a simple rescue, she helped us even with her own neck on the line not just to Ceremon and Z'ress, but her father and an entire ensemble of bandits."

“Your hurt, you should get that looked at” Aerian stated softly “Z’ress was the only one who hasn’t harmed me, doesn’t that get her something?”  Aerian shifted awkwardly again under the chains that held her down “You should get your injuries looked at, then we can talk” Aerian eyed Aishani gently a soft smile hiding the panic behind her, just below were a torrent of emotion so deep so wasn’t sure which to deal with first.

“I want to speak with Virra, I should at least thank her for trying to help me” Aerian fell silent as she watched Aishani her focus quietly on the injury that she was trying so hard to conceal.

"My injury is only superficial, it will be dealt with. Give thought then, to this, Aerian. Z'ress was fully capable to harm you physically, but, while I agree that she didn't. It is the damage of her messing with you at your most vulnerable, which caused us to nearly lose you to her. That is what, I cannot stand. Remember, she is a Matron Mother, the highest position of a house in the Underdark and within the twelve highest houses...she did not get there by not harming or manipulating others to her will. Do not under estimate her, she has a reason to do everything." Aishani glanced to her hand and in the turn, there was a small trickle of crimson that seeped from between her fingers. "I'll be back later, I wished to speak to you not only to ensure you were in a sound frame of mind, unlike that which we last saw. But, I knew, Kane would want to know how you are doing."

She left the cell after kicking the door, stepping through, yet, before the door was closed a female entered. Dressed in fixed leathers, the corset and sweetheart neckline offered ample view of her youthful bosom with the necklace nestled between the valley to each breast. The daggers glistened at her hips, while her dark hair blended in beautifully with the shadows upon the pallet of her porcelain face, ruby lips and those striking black eyes. The door closed behind her, while she remained standing, then removed her own cloak, this offered more a view of her figure. She was not as lush as Aishani, but, definitely held curves that spoke of a female strict training and on the cusp of an adult.

Virra advanced to drape the cloak over Aerian's shoulders, pausing to secure it and sat down before her, ankles tucked beneath her bottom. "Save it. I know, you are thankful. But, the glint in your eyes doubts such."

“The chains prevent me throttling you so, your safe enough for now” Aerian replied softly “She looked to Virra “They chained me down, apparently I’m a risk, but then I did kill Alvin so …. I can see their point” Her voice was calm now as she watched Virra her eyes tracing her body slowly “You’re really pretty, but the problem is now the High Council has my father and my mother has Aishani close at hand, there will be a power struggle now with Alvin gone the High Council will seek to command the Everlandian Army as will my mother, and your father will come for you, quite a whirlwind I’ve brought upon us”

Aerian fell silent as her mind attempted to process the thoughts within “I am thankful you pulled me out, my part in things to come cannot be done if I am puppet to Z’ress, unfortunately the damage is already done and I no longer know who I can trust, even my father will play the cards to his own survival, which he should, but you, you don’t know me yet you risked your life to save in turn saving your own, at least you will IF we make it out of here”

Aerian shifted then snapped back against the chains rattling them “Get them to loosen these, I will not fight so long as it is you who tends me, you have my word, in doing so I will give you all I know to save my father and yourself, after all that is your goal is it not to find the security beyond the borders of Dentarius?”

"Yeah, well, you have a fiery personality, even after all that has happened." Virra tilted her head with the lazy smirk forming upon her lips, yet, the spark in her eyes was mischievous, almost playful when the time wasn't calling for such. "Funny, you want me to get them to loosen your chains, but, just said that such prevented you from throttling me." She adjusted, bending one leg to spread out with the heel of her boot dug into the cold stone floor and a position that defined her flexibility in unfold, crouching. "That is the amusing part. Trust is earned and never given, but, me, I can barely trust my own shadow. Filthy thing, loves to give my position away. Yes, well, your dad, the all-powerful...Pfft. Look, I'll toss around the idea, but, you have to prove to them that you aren't a loaded cannon. I can't do that. Hell, I have no pull with anyone here. One glance at records...I'm a cat-purse in the bag, no pun intended that is." Virra winked to her, leaning close. "By the way, you're welcome." It was in that moment, that Aerian would realize the loosening of her maniacal and chains. "Don't let me regret it."

Aerian sat still chained but having more room she looked to Virra “Thank you” She sat back her body now lent on the wall behind her bed as she eyed the room and back to Virra “You helped and so I shall help you, Aishani will stand with my father regardless of the result of his trial and I use that word lightly, he made my mother pregnant, by the High Council laws that is assault on the monarch and an act of treason, you know how backwards they are about choosing the suitor to the crown, however they harbour this against him because he broke away from their control. In turn away from them, my mother married and divorced him to try and protect him. She also finally set Dentarius free of Everlandian rule to ensure they couldn’t touch him, a one on one bounty hunter has no choice, even less so when an Elcarus is on Dentarian ground. So they don’t bother him on the standing he never returned to Elvera, which thanks to me he had no choice to do” She eyed Virra slowly her eyes meeting Virras the bright emerald green “They will either try to adjust him again, or they will execute him, my guess would be the latter, so you must tell them my secret, tell them without him the Everlands will be consigned to a memory, without Kane and Aishani even my mother this realm and everything in it will cease to be”

Virra leaned back offering her some space, one leg bent while the other was open in a wing, her arm perched. "Oh stop it. You are placing the blame on yourself. Need I remind you, that Hades was locked in the cell as well? I don't know much about Aishani nor Kane or Ascondia. But, Kane and Ascondia are your parents, who gives a fuck about circumstances. The fact remains that plans need to be set in motions. Every action has an opposite reaction." She flicked her thumb nail beneath her index finger with a click. "No one gives a fuck, what I have to say. I'll relay the message or what not. But, I make no promises. Just keep in mind, your father knew the consequences, as did your mother. They had to come together to get you out safely, even Aishani was there."

“I like you, I see why they didn’t kill you outright” Aerian smiled darkly “You will undoubtedly have some say, you’re not in a cell after all” Aerian waved her hand idly around “I’m daughter to the Queen and they locked me up, you are the daughter of a known and highly wanted mercenary and slave trader, rapist too I believe, so remind which of us holds the advantage?” Aerian rose slowly though the chains held her from reaching her full height she at least knew where her limits were, she wouldn’t get to Virra which also amused her “I will furnish you with details on events to come, you will then take them to my fathers trial, you will be heard they have no choice, trust me when I say my father will ensure you are heard”

"Uh...huh." She looked up to Aerian as she stood, rolling a shoulder. "Yeah, whatever, I'll relay the message. Seems, for now, our places have changed in the world." Virra mused, though, stood from her position. "I'll catch you later, don't go anywhere." A chuckle parted her lips to the small joke. "I better watch myself, else, I may get burned." She displayed that mischievous smirk with a wink, turning to make her way to the door, kicking on it. "Hey! You! Yeah, let me out. I've got to visit someone."

The click was heard on the lock, while it was opened and Virra slipped through, only the heavy clank of metal heard in closure.

[A Cold Winter] We Have A Plan

Kane eyed the horizon quietly, it had been a long couple of weeks for them all, Ascondia had complained of one thing or another and Alvin was slowly becoming less patient with Kanes temperament toward the Queen.

It was as Kane pushed up from the cold snow he caught the blade against the back of his neck, instinct took him for a blade only to have it snatched away

.

“Easy now fella” A cold tone caught him “We don’t wanna be killing ya”

As Kane turned the whole group were pinned with blades to their throats, Ascondia was ranting about been the Queen with Alvin reminding them assault of the Queen was punishable by death.

“Now just why is our great Queen out so far from her nice protected throne?” The captor crowed in reply

“Because occasionally we have more important things to worry about” Kane snapped in reply “Now how about you release us and we all go our own way and forget this whole thing happened, before it gets real ugly real fast”

“We’re the ones armed good sir, and you all will hand over your coins then we’ll be on our way” The leader or at least Kane figured he was the leader as the other four had their attention on him, the fourth held a bow to the group of Alvin, Ascondia and Aishani.

“Five on Four my love what do you figure their odds to be?” Kane tossed the remark to Aishania a playful glare in his eye

Aishani flicked her golden eye to Kane from her position beside him, a smirk forming upon her plush lips, while from her hand pressed against his but in the contact there was the sense of something solid being placed within his palm. By feel, it was clear that this was a throwing knife that was strapped upon her thigh but removed in enough time before being caught off guard by the bandits. "Depends..." She purred.

That is when he felt the static build in the air, a sign of Aishani preparing to possess the ability drawn on her by the webbed markings, blink. Her hand lifted in a lightening fast strike to the assailant that held her pinned by her throat, blinking to stand before him and utilize his own weapon to plunge into his gullet. Then before the others could react, the static increased when she appeared to the man keeping Ascondia pinned to slit his throat while the other was shot in the leg with a throwing knife. Turning to step forward in another issued blink, but something appeared from the forest. In a flash the archer was skewered, with a bloody choke. Now, Shadow have arrived at the perfect time.

"Keep the gimp, alive." She said while blinking to fall to her knees before Shadow, caressing those dangerous legs with her mitted hand and crooning to the arachnid that was the size of a large dog. The front legs lofted and lightly tapped at her shoulder.

As the blade reached his hand Kane took a step forward then ducked under the leader ending behind him his hands snapping to the front and back of his head and one sharp turn the resounding snap of the bones in his neck sent him to the ground.

The others barely had time to react as the emerald flash of flame saw him behind Alvins captor burying the short knife into his spine not fatal but crippling. The arrival of shadow saw three dead and two injured but for the moment alive, Kane simply spun the blade in his hand beore retrieving his blade.

“The problem with raiders is they always think they have the upper hand” Quietly he wiped the blade on one of the fallen before turning to face the others “So I’m going to assume this wasn’t random, no one in their right mind attacks the Queen”

“No milord, Regal said we could do it” Groaned the one Kane had dropped moments before “said you’d be good for coin, also said you weren’t exactly yourself of late, he said you were weak”

“Said you were no threat” Piped the second of their captives.

“Had this attack been a week earlier I’m fairly sure they’d still be dead, my point is why would you attack” Kane now crouched before the one he had injured his blade pressed to his cheek “Just for the money?”

“Yes milord, Regal said it would be easy, said you wouldn’t hurt civilians” Kane laughed coldly “You threatened the Queen, we already established the punishment for that, and as for us we are little busy with something so this is time I don’t need to waste”

Aishani straightened from her arachnid companion, while the blade spider moved at her side to lift those front legs in the direction of Ascondia and Alvin, almost as though deciphering the threat those two possessed. She glanced to Shadow then placed a hand upon the lifted leg, as though a silent communication was relaying between the two and reluctantly the pulpits stilled. "Shadow speaks of another. Who else did you happen to bring with you...?" She growled softly, walking through the snow, the white blanket crunching beneath her feet to grasp the hair within her slender fingers to yank back and force his eyes to peer deeply within her own.

“N … n … no one” He croaked under Kanes blade, the weight had nicked the flesh of his cheek sending a trail of blood down his cheek “I swear to you mailady”

Aishani narrowed her gaze to the man, nearing him with a tilt of her head while leaning closer to him and gliding her tongue against his cheek to lick the trail of blood and whisper beside his ear. "I don't like liars..." She growled, yanking his head back then releasing her tangled fingers from his hair, straightening. She then narrowed her gaze to the surrounding area outwards from their current position, while a flash of blades flew through the air, aimed for Ascondia. Such things happened in a matter of seconds, leaving Aishani to reach with a step forward and disappearing only to stand before the Queen with a smirk, grabbing her and then the static of a powerful pull caused them to disappear and appear near Kane in the next moment as throwing knives were lodged into the snow.

Snow fell from a tree, surprisingly high up, as a figure wrapped in leather crouched like a perfectly poised panther, ready to strike. Her hair was darker then night, while her skin resembled the snow but was kissed with a subtle red to the tip of her nose. Lips a deep red while her eye's held an intents black hue. 

At her hip was a long sword, sheathed. A cloak wrapped her shoulders, hood down, while nestled between the beauteous full bosom was a necklace with a red ruby, incrusted in silver and that is when Kane would recognize the sigil of Rexialis House. Such was a well-known house to deal in all illegal trades, including the flesh, thieves and mostly the best assassin's but after the Dragon Wars, seemingly dropped off the face of the realm. But, now, he was face to face with one.

Kane didn’t hesitate as he kicked his captive back into the snow, rising straight to the full 7 foot frame that suddenly looked far more dangerous than he had in some time, his eyes darkened as he watched the newcomer.

“We have enough problems to deal, they just keep coming today” His eyes stayed on the newcomer as Alvin moved to put himself between Aishani and Ascondia “I have the Queen covered Lady Aishani, I fear Lord Kane may need you”

“You know me so I’ll leave you to do your introduction, though a family reputation for murder mayhem, slave trading and more leaves little guess work”

The female remained calm, while balancing herself perfectly on the limb without so much as a hand for balance. Aishani rounded from behind Alvin to stand at Kane's side, with Shadow at her side protectively. This female simply tilted her head to the side while the smirk grew to a wolfish grin now. Now, in a thought the Rexialis House, it was run by the Billote's since a marriage bound the two houses together to give birth to a ruthless group that was primarily all family in the higher ranks.

She remained at a height, to gain an overall perspective of the group below her. Those dark eyes flashed as though assessing the situation. Extending her arm back while retrieving the hand with a flash of blades upon the fingers, like a fan with a flick of her wrist, she sent the knives through the air as the female turned to rush further away utilizing branches as her leverage. She meant to escape.

Aishani was already in pursuit, feet crushing in the snow, then silent in a leap up that landed her on the branch that the female previously had occupied, flashing from one branch to another. Even with the ability to blink, while Aishani was gaining on the female, she still was faster. Shadow gave chase from the ground level and was exceedingly faster than both fading into the distance, when Kane would arrive, he would find a flash of weapons and a web was being created to trap the female.

Kane eyed the female a light nod to Aishani before closing in on the woman his eyes had grown cold and his patience all but worn thin his blade snapped the tree above her head carving a chunk from the tree with ease.

“Let’s try this again, you know who I am, I already figure your from Evermore, so my guess would be Dragons Keep, which means you’re working for my father, which means you’re not leaving this forest alive” Kane shrugged calmly “I’m tired of fighting with his support troops trying to slow me down, because he knows I will kill just about anyone to get to my daughter, so anything you wish to impart on me I suggest you do so now before I allow my lover to pluck you apart piece by piece, or Shadow”

Kane eyed Shadow for a moment “Take your pick” his voice was unnaturally clam and any emotion was drowned in the wave of frustration that now boiled just below the surface of his patience.

There was a thud and the crack of a tree branch that sounded like thunder in the otherwise silent skeleton of a forest, followed by a grunt. Then steps in the snow, as though, someone was fighting in the distance. The sound of fist meeting body was heard, while this was short lived and Aishani came back with a trickle of blood from her nose. Her plush lips were twisted in a triumphant smirk, Shadow was behind her, as the struggling female was wrapped in a netlike web and being pulled.

The female growled and cried out while attempting to chew and pull the webbing apart, Aishani then stopped at Kane's side, clearing her throat. "Now, let's try this again. Kane, my love, after you." The female within had a swollen eye and a split lip, not nearly as beautiful as before while her black eyes flashed dangerous, similar to a cornered animal. Aishani ran a finger to her bloodied nose, while licking the digit clean.

Ascondia had now caught up her eyes flashing dangerously as she closed in on the newcomer. As she rounded on her Kane caught her wrist.

“Get off me Kane” She barked angrily.

“Stay put!” Kanes voice was cold and sharp enough to make Ascondia throw him a glare

“I am the fucking Queen and she will answer to me!” Ascondia snarled back

“You’re the Queen, with one guard and a really pissed off demon, a giant Spider and a drow, you might want to think where the threat is actually coming from” And with that he nodded to Alvin who pulled Ascondia to the side

“Tempers are a little frayed as you can imagine, so if you’d care to tell us what we want, maybe I’ll forgo slitting your throat”

The female in the webbed netting simply sat and glared at all of them, those dark eyes like chips of obsidian. "I'm sorry, I seem to have been running away, when you were shouting at me. I missed everything you asked...my name. It is Virra Billote. You are Kane...you must be the daughter that psycho bitch, Z'ress, is after and will stop at nothing to get." A smirk spread upon her split and bleeding lip, spitting the blood into the snow and staining it red. "I followed that ... spider. I didn't know an Elcarus had the potential to summon and control such a creature."

Aishani grew bored while crouching in the snow, her attention diverted to Shadow, a smirk on her lips. Then she stood, while nearing Kane. "My love, Aerian is alive. Not doing well...but, alive."

“And we’re still a day or so out even without rest” Kane sighed softly before looking to Virra “You are correct the spider is not my trick, as you said we cannot do such things, Aishani on the other hand” Kane smiled softly “Let me put it this way you are of House Rexialis which pretty much makes you a wanted criminal across the entire realm, I will make it go away, for you, providing you help me get my daughter and brother out of my fathers hands”

Kane quickly drew a map into the snow “We can’t go in the main doors their mages would tear us apart before we got close, there is however an old cellar that collapsed right before my grandfather died, which leads into the old detention cells and then into the newer ones, we can get in and out quietly, providing we know what’s waiting for us and what condition Aerian and Hades are in”

"You mean that red head and guy...that kinda looks like you? Wow. You really are Ceremon's son, he made the same deal with my father. The terms were to protect the house in a long term sense...Hey, wait! You can't go near the castle..." She stopped mid-sentence, then fell silent, poking holes with her finger in the snow beneath her.

Aishani flicked her gaze up from the map that was being drawn to the girl, narrowing her eyes upon Virra. "My love...I'm going to knock her out..." She growled, it was clear the venture and having to tolerate the Queen, without intimacy, was definitely winding her up to be dangerous, her patience wearing thin.

"What good would that do you?" Virra spat. "Besides, you don't know what is awaiting you, should you arrive. That entrance you spoke of is not really hidden anymore. After all, if I know about it and Shadow does...then." She shrugged passively, tentatively touching her lip. "You really think, it would matter? No protection could keep me safe from my father or the House. As you said, I'm a wanted criminal, better off dead then by his hand."

“And I’m Kane Elcarus, she’s the Queen we can actually make YOU’RE crimes disappear” Kane was careful to ensure she understood this was to her and her alone “You can take residence In Dentarius there isn’t a place that’s safer, well except the mansion but … still we will proect you as if you are our own, and you might want to be aware Ceremon has an army of lunatics with no real power between them, he collects them like pets” Kane stood striding back and forth with though for a moment “So yes the redhead and guy that sort of appears like me, not the crazy one you understand the one they have locked up, time is running out, I need to get to Aerian, I need to know what we’re walking into, please I need your help”

Kane could feel the frustration fighting with the fear of losing his only chance to pull his daughter out in one piece “I failed her once before I’ll be damned if that happens again, you have my word you will be protected with all the power of House Elcarus and Dentarius itself” again he made sure she understood this was for her and her alone.

There was silence from Virra while her dark eyes looked over Kane and then Ascondia skeptically. When Kane stood, Aishani placed a hand of comfort and support upon his bicep with the curl of her nails into the thick coat that he wore, her delicious aroma slithering in his sense, crisp as the fallen snow around them to further such stability from her.

"Fine. I'll help..." Virra whispered, as though her voice trembled. "Just let me out of this...web...net...thingy..."

Kane spun on his heel rounding on her “I’ll trust you, I expect you to do the same” With that he ran his hand over Aishanis shoulder gently “Let her out” as he turned  to face Ascondia and Alvin his voice dropped “We’ll set up camp here tonight, it’s late, she’ll need time to rest”

He sheathed his weapon at his hip and turned to face Virra “And you will tell us all we need to get them out, that’s our deal, once they are out and safe so are you” Alvin was very quickly busy with erecting the tents against the dark backdrop of the forest, Ascondia as ever was complaining a Queen shouldn’t have to erect her own tent much less sleep rough each night as they had for some time now.

Virra's eyes flashed to Aishani when Kane gave his lover the go ahead to release her. Aishani briefly nodded to Kane, moving over and releasing the tether fasten to the webbed netting by whispering a few words and it melted away, she then turned to move and assist Alvin in lifting the tents up. 

But, suddenly, Ascondia was cut short of her complaining while a snowball was thrown in her direction, Aishani leaned down packing another, tossing it up and down in a threat, her plush lips formed into a coy smirk. "I think...you can pitch in. I'll help teach you how to pitch your OWN tent." She tossed the snowball aside and moved to assist Ascondia in rising. "But I am NOT going to do it for you when you have two able hands. We are all in this together, quit...your bitching."

Virra was rolling over laughing in the snow now, to the sight of Ascondia. "I like her. I take that back, you are nothing like that psycho bitch, Z'ress." But, at the venomous glare cast by Aishani, she scrambled to rise and moved over to the map. She considered it for a moment in silence, then settled down and beginning to add on more cells and drew frowny faces even a penis and a pussy, snickering but then smothered it out. "I'll explain everything once things are settled."

Kane reached into his back pack pulling out a length of rope eying Virra for a moment “Do I need to waste my time tying you up, or will you behave while we go get dinner?” It was a statement rather than an actual choice an inclination of trust.

Quietly he rose to his feet collecting his bow as he threw a glance to Aishani and Ascondia who had at least stopped complaining and was busy erecting her tent, Alvin had already begun preparing the fire. He waited until he felt Aishani at his side as they ducked out into the forest in search of their next meal.

Virra rolled a shoulder passively to Kane's words that left neither trust or lack thereof. Her dark eyes were startlingly beautiful against her porcelain skin, a lazy one-side smirk formed upon her lips, leaving him to believe this female was always up to no good. In a way, reminding him of Aerian. But, she extended her arms forward with her wrists next to the other. "Got it, Kane. Might be best...for now, if not for you but for me."

It took sometime before Aishani moved to his side, her golden eye flashing upwards to him with a nod. When they ducked into the forest, Shadow came with them, an extra hand in capturing a meal.

Kane edged along his foot setps barely registering, impressively quiet for a man of his size, he ducked between a growth or bush and high rising rocks out into an isolated cove of sorts.

The moment she followed him through he rounded on her his lips capturing hers hungrily for a few moments before he dropped back. “I wanted to thank you, I wouldn’t have gotten this far without you, or Shadow, and I’m pretty sure our dear Queen would have long since lost her head” he rolled his shoulder slowly with a smile.

“I know all this isn’t helping things, for either of us in a lot of ways, but we’re almost at our destination, I am finally feeling far better all thanks to you” He smiled softly as he crept toward the edge of the lake, the water crystal clear and ice cold as it vanished over the edge and down into the waiting rivers below “We will hit Evermore soon, the terrain is terrible and weather worse, I don’t know what’s to come and that bothers me”

Shadow passed them, while leaping from tree to tree, skittering soundlessly on the snow. Aishani was as though a ghost at his back, following him down and between a growth. Yet, the instant he turned, Aishani's eyes widened briefly in surprise to the press of his lips against hers. That succulent warmth sung clear into his core, stirring with the recovered sweep of her own plush surface, giving into the moment with such thirst it was insatiable. As he stood back, her eyes were closed and then lids lifted slowly, looking up to him with that golden hue humming softly in the dying light.

A smirk formed upon the luscious surface of her lips, tilting her head walking with him to peer over the edge, then back to him. She lifted a hand, covered in the mitt, her eyes fixed to him while her aroma was slithering into his senses. "That is where you are wrong. While, yes, the circumstances prevent us of...certain pleasures. This is helping us grow, Kane. We are here in this frigid hell, joining for the same cause and goal ultimately. No one ever sees eye to eye, but, the strength is growing. There is one thing, I do know. You will have me at your side to face the unknown, together we will overcome our obstacles. You are not facing any of this alone. So long as I breathe, you never will." She glanced over her shoulder sharply, then up to a tree. Across the lake, was a female doe attempting to gather bark from the trees due to the lush grass being settled beneath the snow for the winter.

Kane crouched beside her “I don’t doubt you Aishani, never have from the moment we met, my problem is I don’t know Ascondias end game and our new house guest could be walking us right into our parents hands” 

He drew the bow slowly his eyes stayed on the doe before the arrow took flight absolute and clean dropping the doe with practiced accuracy, he smiled softly as he drew back slowly, and he kissed her cheek as they walked toward the fallen animal.

“So what do you think of our guest can we trust her? She reminds me too much of Aerian and in a lot of ways that bothers, but she may be our only hope of getting Aerian and Hades out alive”

Aishani remained silent as Kane took aim and shot down the doe, glancing to him when he pressed his lips against her icy cheek and stood. Shadow was already moving to the deer, weaving a web into a net very much the same to which caught Virra, when finished, she assisted Kane on placing the body of the doe into the net. "Anyone's end game is a potential threat. But, right now, we are on fixed on getting Aerian out, Hades as well. Let us focus on this, but, be prepared. As for our...guest, I am not entirely too sure what to think. But, it does not hurt to be at the ready. She does remind me of Aerian, amusingly so. In fact, that could help our cause, especially since she has seen her and knows the exactly location."

“Yet she has yet to confirm if Aerian is still alive, or what state she was in before she followed Shadow to us” Kane sighed softly his eyes now focused on the doe “It bothers me that I don’t even know if my daughter is still alive”

As they finished wraping the doe Kane sat just for a moment allowing the pain of the situation to take hold before one deep breath pushed it all back to the back of his mind “Well time to get us all fed, we should find you something to eat as well, I know you’re not so keen on meat as the rest of our party” A soft smile that he had tried not to forget such a detail.

Aishani placed a hand upon his bicep, her display of comfort and strength. "Kane, you know she is still alive, as well as Hades. Do not give in so easily. Yes, I understand that we don't have proof, but, in my heart I know they are both alive. It would not suit Z'ress's purpose to have them dead. Perhaps, after everyone has full stomachs conversation would come easier. Not to mention, I can have a snowball ready any moment for Ascondia, believe it or not, that felt good." Her plush lips formed into a wicked smirk, but as he made the mention of her diet, Aishani chuckled. "I made sure to pack extra dried fruit, my love. I will be fine, plus it is difficult to maintain my diet in the winter, I know that."

Kane chuckled at the snowball comment “That was fun to watch” before he nodded “Another piece to the already rather large puzzle at hand it would seem, though I’m now certain Ceremon is responsible for a large piece things to come” Kane shrugged as they began the task of taking the doe to camp.

They walked back in silence as Kanes mind attempted to fit things together, as well as quell the urges that now sat just below the surface the need for her overwhelming but their task would for the moment prevent those actions. As they entered camp Ascondia had finally finished with her tent and Alvin had built a makeshift spit over the fire, he looked to where he had left Virra who seemingly was still present in camp.

Shadow skittered ahead of them in the direction of the camp now, while her presence was spoken like a scream beside him in the sensual scent that her frigid skin drifted to his senses. The thing with Aishani, was that neither needed to speak to fill empty space, each took time to savour the presence of the other. A deeper connection between them growing on this venture.

Aishani moved over to inspect the tent that was pitched by Ascondia and congratulated her on a job well done, while returning to Kane's side to assist him on cleaning the deer to cook for the others. While she preferred vegetables and fruit, it was clear she was a hunter and knew how to prepare the animal with her daggers.

Virra sat apart from the others, her dark eyes drinking everything in and watching. As her body remained relaxed, even casual in the binds fixed to her wrists, almost nonchalant about the situation.

Kane cut through the pelt with practised ease handing of the cut as it extended beyond his reach, it wasn’t long before the meat over the fire and the scent of meat wafting through the camp. Kane made one slow circle to check the perimeter before settling back by the fire.

As the meat cooked Kane offered a plate to Virra “You look like you haven’t eaten well in a while, you probably should” it was at this point Ascondia burst into another rant on why he was treating the prisoner so well and barely paying attention to the Queen, Kane simply allowed her the moment then continued with his offering.

“You don’t even care” Ascondia spat angrily

“Ascondia, you need to calm down, and realise that not everything you say is the law, and out here, even less so” Kane replied darkly “We need her, and for that she needs to remain alive, I said we would protect and I assure you that is what I intend to do, remember Dentarius does not answer to the crown”

Aishani settled by the fire boiling down snow to make a mushroom and vegetable stew to go with the deer, since she decided to instead focus on spicing the food while her and Alvin discussed the type of spices that she brought with her. She chuckled but when Ascondia burst out in her spoiled rant, Aishani turned her a bored expression to her. Beginning to hand out bowls with the stew now that the meat was ready.

Virra looked to Kane then to Ascondia. "You're nothing but a spoiled brat, I don't see a Queen right now." She said calmly, but, there was a little impishness in her tone that was relayed by the lazy one sided smirk. Patting her lap for the food. "That red head, Aerian, I think you called her...she is alive you know?" Virra said lifting some meat to nibble on. "That other one too...the one you call Hades. Poor shape last time I saw them. Apparently, Z'ress decided there would be a benefit to stripping them of their clothing."

“Hareavor torture tactics” Kane fell silent he didn’t need further pieces of the puzzle to that line Kane placed his bowl down and made his way to the outskirts his mind now turning far faster than he could handle.

Virra looked to him when he stood, her dark eyes flashing, though, she returned to eating from her plate.

Soon, there was a presence beside him, he didn't need to look in order for him to know it was Aishani. A hand was placed within his, while without a word, she lead him from the group to find a rock to settle upon and offered him a bowl. "My love, you have to eat. You will do none of us any good, that does include your daughter, if you don't eat." The rock was large enough for the two of them to sit, Aishani settled first and when Kane did, she wrapped her arms around him and folded her legs to keep him near but allowing hi enough space to eat.

He ate slowly, the wave of emotion that flooded from would be enough for her to feel, anger mixed with fear at simply knowing he was too late to prevent the attack on Aerian. As he finished he simply stared into the empty bowl “I don’t know if she will come back from this, I knew what was coming and I’m still too late”

His words were more a thought spoken aloud though for only the two of them to hear, Aishanis presence had for the moment settled him or at least given him a measure of control blocking the darker emotions from taking root “We need to leave at first light, we cannot hold off any longer that, I would go now, but I still need to rest as best I can”

He lay his head against hers as he tried to make sense of things.

Aishani remained silent, allowing him to know that she was present as he ate. Listening to him, but as his head leaned in to her, she lifted her chin to allow a roost over his crown, and her fingers wove through his hair. "Give your daughter some benefit of the doubt, Kane. She is a fighter and strong, takes after her father. You have bounced back from so much tragedy, granted, it left scars and scars remain long after. But, with time, such marks are forgotten and fade." She fell silent for a moment, perhaps, contemplating her own words due to the webbed scars that marred her back. "Yes, you are right. You need rest, as do we all. I would not cloud your mind with making sense of things. But, I do know one thing, Ceremon will go to any extent to get what he wants and so will Z'ress...a dangerous affair. Do not think so deeply inward, my love. You know, exactly what Ceremon wants...don't you?"

“Your mother wants you and my father wants me, seems we are about to deliver them just that, I just plan to snatch it way just as fast” He felt his resolve finally settle in his hands taking hers as he led her to their tent, just before they reached the camp he stopped “We can’t put our newcomer with Ascondia, nor with Alvin it seems tonight we have a house guest”

Aishani cleaned off the bowl in the snow and then looked to him while removing her legs and arms, her heat lingering upon him and appeared to feed his resolve. She curled her hand within his, looking up to him with her golden hue while the other milky ghost of her eye was fixed to him. She stopped after he did, then looked to Virra sitting away from Ascondia and Alvin. "Hm. Well, then we have a guest. I'll set up another bedroll for her in the tent." Aishani lifted her hand to curl around the nape of his neck, drawing his lips down to press against her own. While it was a briefest of kisses, this held a passion that stole the very breath away from him, but, she walked away with her hips playing beautifully against the jeans and heavy coat. Moving to dip within their arranged tent.