The Outlaws

"Grey, it would be suicide to trap us all in here," Caden said tiredly.

Grey scowled. "i said most the entrances, not all," she said indigntatly. "YOu think I'm that reckless?" after a moment of silence, she sighed and admitted, "Alright, maybe I am, butI still think it's a good plan."

"Then take it to Molton and leav me alone."

Grey blinked. What the heck was wrong with Caden? "Alright," she said uncertainly, and she left the room, puzzled.

Caden quietly lowered himself out the window, onto the roof below. He had no idea where he was going to go, or even if he would make it, but he figured it was better than getting caught in a bloody battle. He started towards teh exit of the city, thinking carefully what he was going to do now. He was going to steal enough money to get him a passage East, then maybe join the guild there... No, the East were all assasins, almost. Maybe North...

He froze as the manhole in the ground lifted up, then dashed into the shadows to see who was coming out. Once he saw who it was, he smiled and jumped out, tackling the black figure to the ground.

"Get off me!" snarled the Outlaw under him.

"Charcol, you coward!" Caden hissed. "What do you think you're doing, running off?"

"I'm not running," Charcol snapped back. "I was trying to get to Molton's inn."

"Liar. There's an entrance that leads right to the cellar, and you come out here?"

Charcol bared his teeth. "Well, what are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you to pop out of a manhole."

the elf smirked. "Who's the liar now?"

Caden could've strangled him right then and there. Who would care if Charcol died? He had broken the code three times; no one would miss him. "Quiet, elf, or I'll snap your neck and sink your body in the river."

Charcol raised an eyebrow. "Getting violent, now, aren't we? You never seemed the one to break necks, Caden." And with that, Charcol effortlessly reversed their positions.

Liskano's ears suddenly perked when heard fighting outside. He looked out the window seeing two shadows fighting on the ground. He slowly slipped outside and silently dropping to the ground.

He saw one of the fighters as Caden and another Elf he didn't know. He ripped the Elf off Caden and discovered a Knife in his gut. Throwing the already dead man to the ground, he lifted Caden by his collar off the ground. "Why did you kill him," Liskano asked in his most calm voice.

Caden clenched his teeth. "he was...He was..." he took a deep breath to steady himself. "He was going to kill me, and..." Caden felt as though he was going to be sick. "I didn't...I mean, he wasn't..." he almost broke out sobbing, but managed to catch himself. He didn't want to be caught crying in front of anyone.

Liskano took a deep breath. "I know it's hard killing your first person," Liskano said. "It gets easier the more you kill." He reached into his cloak and pulled out a knife, "Here take this, you'll need a new one. I got more, so don't worry."

Cadne shook his head vigorously and pushed the knife away. "I don't want it!" He almost screamed. I don't want it, and i don't want killing to get any easier!"

"I'm be not asking you to take this, I'm be telling you to," Liskano said more forcefully.

Caden's hands shook as he slowly reached up and took the knife. "I don't want anything to do with this war."

"I know you don't, but I know you'll stay and fight. I know you not be one to leave and let your friends who stay die."

Caden winced, but hid his discomfort by examining the knife. it was beautiful crafted, but Caden didn't intend to keep it. He might throw it in the river or something...

Caden sighed and placed it carefully in the sheath where his old knife use to be. it was an ill fit, but it would work for the moment. "Thank you," he whispered.

River

Perhaps an hour before dawn I was ready to leave. They'd understand. I hadn't promised them anything. I wasn't breaking the thieves code. So why did I feel so guilty? With a deep sigh, I gathered the many vials and small bottles and inserted them into the pouches of my belt. It was a tight fit but I managed it. Then I took up two of my daggers and added those to my dangerous weapons.

"You shouldn't go alone," A voice called from the shadows.
"I hoped you'd come. You always seem to be in the right place at the right time. I need directions," I replied without turning. Liskano stepped closer and finally I turned to look at him. In the darkness I could make out a surprising amount of his features but I knew his cool, hard eyes saw more of me.

"I could take them for you," Liskano offered after a moment.
"It's not your fight," I replied, "And it was my idea. These are my people, my friends and I wont let them down."
"But you are by going. You'll be caught and killed."
"Not before I do some damage. Which way are they Liskano?"
"Half a day's walk for most people. A few minutes for me and perhaps an hour for you."
"Which direction?"

"They be towards the East," Liskano said cooly," by some mountains last time I saw them. Just keep going East and my brother, Kasko, will meet with you."

"Ok," River said. Then she was gone.

River

I was pleased with the speed I managed to maintain as I hurtled round obstacles, always heading East. First there was the city, full of various buildings that I had to navigate round and the odd wall that lay in my path in an attempt to bar my way but I knew the area well and was able to find many short-cuts. After that, there were fields for a few miles and then a large forest with mocking trees that insisted on trying to trip me. Then I reached a small valley before a beautiful mountain range. Fortunately, there was plenty of trees for cover between me and the camp of fighters.

All in all, I was very pleased that I'd managed to finish the journey in just under fifty minutes. There, at the journey's end, Kasko waited, reclining below the branches of a willow tree.
"Hello," I greeted him, "I suppose I should try negotiations first?"
"If you be wanting to get yourself killed," Kasko replied without looking up.
"I sort of owe it to Caden.I said I'd try," I replied.
"And if you be getting caught? Then they be searching you and you be in trouble," Kasko replied.

"That's why I was hoping that you'd take the poisons. If I don't return within the hour to do the job myself then could you please take over?" I held out the numerous poisons.
"You presume that these negotiations will fail and yet you try anyway? You be a strange girl but I be helping you. I be hoping you don't get into trouble too," Kasko replied.

Alex slowly walked towards where she might find Liskano. She saw him heading back towards the inn so she walked over to him.

"I'm surprised you aren't already alseep." She said smiling.

"I've tried but different things keep showing up." he said,

"I want to know more about my sister." Alex said finding it easier to ask then she thought it you be.

"Alright, like what?"

"Just what was she like?"

"Your sister be brave, when I knew her," Liskano began. "She be a ferocious fighter, I'd say she has Elvin blood in her, for I have never seen a human fight like she did."

"So would that mean I have Elvin blood?"

"It be possible. What be your family name?"

Caden stood at the bank of the river, staring into the water thoughtfully. With Alex's wolves, Liskano's and Kasko's poison, and Gery's idea of collapsing tunnels, they actually had a chance. A decently good chance.

But not if everyone who could hold a knife ran off like a scared rabbit.

He sighed and drew the knife Liskano had given him. It was a little shorter than his old one,and a little thinner, so it slipped and slid around in the leather sheath.

He realy hadn't meant to kill Charcol. He knew his knife was dull, and he didn't think it was sharp enough to actually kill him. he just wanted to cut him a little, to scare him off. But he had intended to hurt him, and that was almost as bad.

He lifted the dagger to throw into the river, but for some reason, he stopped. He didn't want to hurt anyone again, even by accident. If he got rid of his weapon, he would probably get killed, and that wouldn't help anyone at all. still, he didn't want a knife, and he didnt' want to fight.

He started to throw it into the river again, but stopped himself. with a muttered curse, he slipped the knife back into the sheath and turned back to town. It was almost dawn, and he didn't want to explain to Molton where he'd been.

"Montelo," She said,

"Hmmm," He thought for a little while. "Maybe way back."

"Wow, huh," She looked around.

"Your a shapeshifter like your sister right?"

"Yup,"