The Whining Arrow

***Wow, leave it for a second and a whole new side plot develops ***

Orain - Bad

I slammed my desk again, still furious that I hadn't figured out Thyme's agenda before he'd escaped. That filthy, filthy traitor! I would see to it that he'd never heal from the pain I could sense him feeling.

I picked up my staff and returned outside, where I spoke with the new top troll. Within minutes the camp was in a frenzy, we knew where the enemy's camp was, and the soldiers were spoiling for a fight.

They began marching through the forest, while I hung back a little, concentrating on the woods. There was someone else in there, someone who'd put Thyme in that state, and I needed to know who.

A vampire? What was Jamie doing here?

(lol! As soon as I went to bed the plot goes mental! I'll read this is a sec lol)

Jamie
Jamie was amused, someone was trying to help. Also, it seemed as if Thyme's treatchery had been discovered. Orain was furious, and had aparently noticed Jamie's presence. Jamie saw the man comming, and tocked the hair away, still sending flashes of power through it.

"They'll be expecting an attack," he said simply. "Though," he said, with a wicked smile, "They might be a little distracted."

Robin and Jamie
Robin didn't know if it was Jamie, but he had no choice. He had to help Thyme, the spell would kill him. He quickly made his way to where the man lay writing in pain, and took Bella by the shoulders. "I'll handle it," he told her, using his powers to pull her back through the connection she had made to try and help the man.

That done, he quickly pressed his finger's the Thyme temples. The instant the conneciton was made, they both lit up with a blazing blue light. Robin became a reflection of time, feeling the pain rip at his body and mind.His mind separated into three parts: a healer, Thyme, and an empath. The part of his mind that was Thyme screamed aloud, twitching in agony. But the healer was already at work, grasping the dark empathic spell and pulling it through the conneciton and away from Thyme. He felt Thyme's love for Bella, and it helped him bear the agony.

Instantly, Thyme felt a gentle coolness easing the pain as the agony slowly began to dissapear.

Jamie felt a presence...yes! He felt his power being moved, but not as the others had done. They had tried to subdue it, not knowing it's true nature. This prensence grabbed hold of it and pulled. The conneciton was made, and he knew.

The empath in Robin flinched as the cold tendrils of death began to wrap around his heart. It beat rapidly, terrified. He was dying! No pain could be worse than this, knowing he--they--were dead. Jamie! He hadn't kept his promise!

Jamie could feel his brother, and felt his agony. So, he thought, Robin cannot tell. Immediately, he stopped sending his power through the connection. He had what he needed.

With a gasp, Robin pulled away from Thyme, crushing the threads of dark power now that they were in a body that could fight them. He was hyperventilating, the truth driving him beyond any physical pain. Jamie was dead.

For a moment, his eyes met Thyme, and Robin knew Thyme had felt it--while connected they had shared their feelings. Thyme knew Robin understood his feelings for Bella, and Robin knew Thyme had felt the loss he now suffered.

Somehow, knowing someone else knew the loss he felt made it worse. Robin sobbed, covering his face because he didn't have the strength to stand. His brother was dead--the second half of his soul had died.

Bella

I watched the scene before me. Robin had moved me out of the way, taking over the process of healing Thyme.

It was a strange thing to watch. Both bodies began to glow a bright blue, making it a little harder to watch. Dark rings encircled Robin's arms as the dark magic syphoned out of Thyme's body and into his. Unexpectedly, one or the other would scream in a burst of pain, and then it would fall silent again.

When Robin finally pulled away, Thyme was barely opening his eyes. Robin burst into tears, an action none of us properly understood. I sat down beside Thyme again, wrapping my arms tight around his waist.

"What happened?" I murmured quietly, hoping he would answer me.

Aedomir

Aedomir sat on a ledge nearby, mumbling in solitude for several minutes, as the events around him unfolded. It not be long for the enemy to regroup and attack. But if they left now, they could be ripped to pieces along the road...

Kuzarr

Kuzarr leaned back in his decaying throne, oblvious to the screaming women outside the gate.

So, the rangers had escape the wrath of Ethina once more? He had learned now, that they had taken refuge is a local settlement, hardly worthy of his main force. He would send a vanguard to assist the camp, then take down Scar-Turner. Then, should he flee, a new power would be unleashed...

Caius

I watched helplessly as Robin drew Bella away from the body of the man on the ground and laid his hands on his temples. Instantly both of them began to glow a bright blue and black coils rolled and danced around Robin's arms. They stayed like this for a while, each screaming in pain occasionally.

Then everything stopped. The bright blue light surrounding the both of them died away and the agonized screams faded into nothing. The man's chest began to rise and fall with his uneven breathing and Robin's hands dropped limply by his side. I saw tears fall from his eyes as a small sob escaped his lips.

I knelt down next to the young man, laying my hand gently on his shoulder. He seemed completely unaware of my existence, even as i put one hand around his waist and helped him stand. He leaned against me heavily, his body shaking with soft sobs. I looked around for assistance, but everyone still seemed to shocked to move. I searched for Aedomir but he had disappeared to who knows where.

I turned to Bella to see her holding the man on the ground, murmuring something in his ear gently. I saw his lips move in response before his eyes closed and his head lolled to the side, losing consciousness again. Although his voice was too weak for me to hear, the name whispered by his slightly parted lips sent shivers down my spine. I glanced sadly at Robin, finally understanding.

Jamie.

Jamie

Jamie observed the fort from a distance, happy to wrap himself in shadows and wait. He had little desire to attack the outlaws--but he wanted to see Robin. It was odd, he had thought his heart entirely hardened since his turning. But it was not so, Robin was the world to him. If he continued in this unlife it was solely to keep his promise--their promise.

The attack would come soon, he was certain. There was no way their leader would allow for this little fort to stand long. Surely Robin would join them, they were twins after all.

Robin
Robin distantly felt Caius helping him to stand, leaning easily on the man. How could this have happened? Had he not taken Jamie's place on the battle field? Had he not gotten him the medicines he needed? All this time, he'd been keeping his promise. How could Jamie have broken his end of the deal?

You said you'd wait for me, Robin thought--a heartbroken accusation. You promised you'd be okay.

Forgetting himself in his anguish, Robin leant into Caius. His sobs came less frequently, though his tears ran freely. As the shock wore off, the hands that held Caius' shirt for support began to glow, and for a brief moment the a connection was made. It was quick, much too fast for Caius to be burdnened with any of Robin's sorrow, but long enough for Robin to grab hold of Caius' calm and use it to guide himself away from his anguish.

You're acting like a girl, a voice reminded him. Robin jumped, not sure if it was his own mind that spoke... or someone else's. Realizing what he was doing, he hurriedly stepped away from Cauis.
"S-sorry." he stammered along with a thanks. He turned quickly and hurried over to where Thyme lay unconscious, reminding himself he needed to make sure there were no permanent scars the spell might have left behind.

Idiot, he scolded himself, almost glad for the distraction. Do you want them to realize what you've been hiding?

Not that it mattered--with Ben dead, Jamie's debt became a mute point. No one would care if it had really been him who payed it out or not.

Focusing his mind quickly away from thoughts of his twin, Robin checked Thyme state with a quick magical probe. He smiled as reassuringly at Bella as was possible with unshed tears in ones eyes. "He's going to be alright."

Bella

I smiled, tears still flowing down my cheeks, and looked back down at Thyme.


>.< ahh, so short!!

Caius

I watched the scene unfold around me. Robin murmured something to Bella who smiled through her tears and looked back down at the man on the ground. It seemed that it was that moment that the whole world erupted.

"Did you see!?"

"The man was healed!"

"The enemy! Kill him!"

"Spy! Traitor! Assassin!"

Cries rang out by the people surrounding us, most of their angry gazes cast to the man still lying at Bella's feet. Some were casting Robin looks of awe and wonder while some seemed more suspicious, though most of the shouts weren't directed at him, thankfully. I went to kneel next to Bella.

"We'd best get him out of here, whoever he may be, if you value his life, m'lady. These people look ready to kill him on the spot."

She nodded and together we lifted the unconscious man and carried him away from the angry crowd. I motioned for one of the other men to help Robin to wherever he needed to go, casting the young man a sorrowful glance before he disappeared from sight.

Robin watched as the unconscious man was carried hurried into the safety of the infirmary. Angry as they may be--none of these men would be eager to cross the large, glaring woman who looked after the patients there. Not when there was a chance they'd be next under her care. He felt much calmer now, and decided to keep himself busy.

He hurried to find Aedomir, finding him sitting away from the commotion in deep thought.
"They'll be coming soon--if not for us then for him," Robin said, talking about Thyme. "What are we going to do? Can we stay here? Is there anything you'd like me to do?"

**>.< Short. =P**

Bella

I sat on a stool beside the bed in which Thyme lie, waiting for something to happen. There was still a good amount of comotion outside, and I was glad to be in the building.

I noticed Thyme moving.

**Major writer's block...**

Thyme

The darkness began to slowly fade. With the light came pain. Excruciating, tormented pain. Remembered pain.

I tried to cry out but managed to stifle it to only a whimper. Full consciousness returned agonizingly slow, but when i finally managed to gain full control of my body and mind, the pain vanished. A feeling of sublime peace spread through me, coaxing me back to restful sleep which my body cried out for desperately. But my mind refused, following the sound of a memory.

"Thyme?" a quite voice whispered next to me. I could not help detecting the faint trace of relief that flowed through the words.

I managed to blink my eyes open to glittering slits, letting them focus and grow accustomed to the lack of light. Only a small candle burned softly in the corner of the tent, giving off a warm, friendly light. A figure leaned closer and i caught the unmistakable scent of newly fallen rain. I looked to see Bella.

Before i could do or say anything in response, another figure, one i had not noticed before, shifted uncomfortably near the door. His dirty blond hair hung around his face loosely as his blue eyes darted from me to the door, and back again.

"I should go. Farewell, milady, and take care." he said, eying me suspiciously.

"Thank you, Caius. I appreciate your help."

The man nodded and departed quickly. I turned the name over in my head, racking my mind from where i had heard it before. But the memory evaded me, and i finally gave it up, my eyes traveling back to Bella.

"Where are we?" i asked hoarsely.

Bella

I smiled, glad to hear his voice even though it was quite hoarse.

"We're at our base, I think," I answered, touching his face gently. His skin was too warm, but I was pretty sure it would cool down on its own. Even in his state of mind, I could see the disgust when I mentioned our base.

"What happened?" he asked, trying to sort out his mind.

"I'm not sure...but you're okay, right?" the question came out sounding more deperate than it was supposed to.

Aedomir

Aedomir shook his head at Robin, then darted towards the wooden paliasade (?) stairs. A horn bellowed through the misty night, and yet stil;l he had no sleep. Another battle was nigh. "They are coming!" He shouted, staring over the walls towards the forest, looking for any sign of movement.

Then it came. Hundreds of feet scurriny towards the camp sounded. He looked around, wearily. They had surrounded the base.

"There are... hundreds, thousands maybe!" Robin spluttered.

"And what..." Aedomir looked around towards the running men, guards and exiles alike. "Fifty of us? And about ten are in the medical bay at least."

Robin's eyes opened wide. "Don't worry," Aedomir reasurred him. "I've got a trick up my sleeve. Of course, we need to hold out for while. I have been expecting them for some time."

Aedomir smiled and turned to the men. "To the walls! Quickly!"

Someone came running over to him, pushing any in his way. "I'm head of this base, mate!" He shouted.

"The you won't mind helping out will you?" Came Aedomir's response as he hurried along the walls.

Thyme

I sighed wearily, closing my eyes.

"Are you alright?" she asked again.

"I'm fine besides the fact I'm a prisoner and a traitor." i said bitterly, clenching my hands into fists. "With no chance of escape or rescue without being killed by one side or another."

I opened my eyes again, regarding her sadly. "That was no bear."

She blinked at my apparent change of subject. "Erm..."

A small smile traced my lips. "The bear that attacked us. It wasn't a bear. Well, not an actual run-of-the-mill bear. That, Bella, was the spirit form of the late leader of my camp. The large troll named Urkla who did battle with Aedomir. That was a warning to me, telling me that if i returned, i would be killed."

"But i thought the troll was dead."

"Oh, he is, have no fear of that. That was the final form he could appear in, finish one unfinished piece of business, and move on. My warning was just that."

**See, I don't just randomly add in bears...I had a plan...kinda...ok, i didn't have a plan THEN...**