The Court - Finished!

Maria

My breath came in shuddering gasps. It was getting harder and harder to breathe as my vision faded to black, then returned. My eyes lost their focus. I heard Grayson's heartbeat next to my ear. "I... I'll try." I clung desperately to living, trying my hardest not to let go. But death promised me relief; to be free of my pain, my past, everything. But was I willing to leave Kirssy, Daniel? Grayson?

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to breathe, though it hurt. The chill that was settling over my body was unbearable. I saw my entire life flash through my head, each memory laid bare. My childhood, the two years I spent serving the Rogue, and then the two years after that, when I plotted with Krissy and the others to bring down the Rogue. Then the memories of the cabin, and being in the clearing with Grayson. Him kissing me, but that same night telling me that it couldn't work.

He seemed to have changed his mind.

"Grayson, I..." It was so hard to speak... but I had to get these words out, just had to. If I didn't, I might never be able to tell him.

Krissy

I whipped my head up to see Kayla stand up, over the Rogue's body.

"Jas I'll need your help. I plan to revolt!" she said, voice shaking.

"Damn it Kayla." I stood up screaming at her. "Kill me fine. I'm going to hell anyways, we all are. But you are being an idiot! Aren't you tired of bloodshed? You plan to kill more as Jas is suffering at your feet. If you cared for anyone anymore you'd take her to a healer. You're lucky, you aren't dead. Look at Lorraine now! Now get your bloody ass out of my Court, I never want to see you again in this town."

Kayla hissed at me, "You're still here. I'll kill you then I'll go get Grayson."

"Grayson made his choices. Leave him alone. Now got the hell out of this Court, and take that precious corpse of yours out with you before I feed it to the stray dogs." I said, glaring.

Kayla growled and grabbed the Rogue's body, then helping Jas to her feet.

"I'll come back Krissy. I promise you that. I'll come back and you'll never see what hit you."

I pointed to the door.

"Go make your revolt, just get out of this town." I said.

She swung the door open with her foot, struggling to support the weight. I watched her leave then pointed to last few guards who were looking through the bodies of there friends.

"You and you. I want you two to follow her out of the city. Come back and tell me she has. After that you are relieved of your contracts."

They looked at me wide - eyed.

"You will also be paid some." I sighed.

They bowed and scrambled out of the Court. I returned to Daniel, who was still holding Lorraine. I rubbed my temples and wrapped my arms around him tightly.


**If you guys didn't want this to happen. I'm trying to close off this storybook smoothly. Tiger: You can post a few more times for Kayla, going to the next town and settling there until she can strike again. But not to much. You can focus on Grayson. Jas can either stick with Kayla or can stay in the town and ask for forgiveness. Which is slightly possible. I need your guys help to close this off smoothly**

Jas

I followed Kayla out of the room, feeling light headed from the blood loss. She hurried away in the direction of the doors, still clutching the Rogue's body. She had a wild look in her eyes, like something had broken in her when the Rogue had died. Instead of leaving with her, I found myself walking deeper into the building, my steps taking me along the familiar path to the Rogue's mage's healing room.

The room was empty, of course. The mage had probably fled as soon as his master was killed. I found bandages in a cabinet, though, and bound my wound with them, feeling surreal. Jars of medicine were lined up on a table, and after some searching I found the right ones. My hands shook as I gulped down the capsules.

Gradually I became aware of shouting and screaming coming from the direction of the throne room. Of course - the whole Court was probably rioting. I hesitated, trying to think straight. Kayla was gone, probably still plotting revenge. Lorraine was probably dead by now. And Grayson... well, Grayson was a filthy traitor. I was all alone.

It would be so easy to run. I could have the stable packed up in half a day and be out of the city in a few hours. I could go to another town and train horses full time. I could be normal. No more killing, no more danger, no more lies and betrayal and pain.

But something told me that I would never be happy. The Court was a part of me. I needed that rush that I got when I was fighting for my life or when a knife got too close like other people needed oxygen. And Krissy wouldn't be able to hold the throne alone, not with the people all riled up like this.

Sighing, I stepped out of the mage's room, closed the door behind me, and walked back to the throne room.

Krissy

I rubbed my eyes slightly as peasant after peasant streamed into the Court. They each stopped in surprise when they saw a girl sitting in the throne. Then they laughed and challenged me to a duel. I would talk them most of them out of it. I would wave the ones who wouldn't back down to the side, promising a fight later. Then a face I didn't think I would see appear. Jas emerged from one of the countless doors, a bandage peeking through her torn and bandaged torso. I look at her curiously, reaching instinctively to my daggers. Jas shook her head and stopped in front of the throne, her face pale.

"I come to ask something." she said, unsurely.

Daniel
He felt the tears come again, the chaos around him was too much. At his side was Krissy with Maria, Grayson , so different kneeling beside her with those eyes that could kill anyone.
But Lorraine, Lorraine was there, fluttering her eyes, trying to breathe even though it was almost impossible.
"Daniel" She said in between gasps.

"Yes, I'm here" he said, caressing her face with the back of his hand slowly. But he paused for a minute to stare a those green eyes that were slowly losing its light. She reminded him of her mother, dying in the same room, the same way. The lives of his sister and mother were on that man, on the Rogue.

"Daniel" She repeated "I'm sorry" And her painful tears were now mixing with the blood that was gushing out of her wound.

"No, no, Lorraine, just stay with me." He held her hand tightly as if that was going to keep her from going. But deep inside of him, his heart was broken too broken for him to bear. Looking at Lorraine in such conditions just made it worse.

"I'm sorry, Daniel" She repeated trying to reach for his face. "I love you" She said softly ad those words penetrated his heart as a dagger cutting everything inside him.

"NO, Lorraine, stay with me, come one" He held her tighter against his chest,his shirt now spilled with her blood. But that blood just felt hot, burning against his skin. He reached for her face and arranged her hair, exposing those beautiful eyes of her. The moment, he knew, was going to haunt him forever.

"I love you" She said again, more quiet, breathless now. Her eyes closing slowly as she finally touch his face with her hand.

"NO, Lorraine, come on. Don't leave me" The tears that wee once silent now became sobs, painful sobs and he sank his head in her chest and cried. He felt how her chest stopped moving until it was completely motionless. It was over, she was gone now and he could do nothing.
He got up slowly touching her hair for one last time, looking at her from where he was. she looked peaceful, resting. So he walked slowly towards Krissy and hugged her tightly.

Jas

Krissy and I looked at each other for a long moment, and then I sighed. I couldn't believe I was stooping to this level, and I felt like a pathetic fool begging for her forgiveness. Still, here I was, and I might as well say what I'd come to tell her.

"Look," I said frankly. "You don't like me, and I sure as hell don't like you. But the fact is, I've been the Rogue's right hand person for years. I know things about this Court, and these people respect me. I'm the only Loyal left right now, and if you want to stay on that throne you need me. And maybe I kind of need you, too."

I was babbling now, sounding like a complete idiot. A strange expression came over Krissy's face, and I backed away, holding up my hands. "Never mind. Stupid idea. I'm already leaving."

Krissy

I felt a smile warm my face surprisingly.

"You are welcome to this Court Jas." I said as she backed away.

She dropped her hands.

"I'm what?" her eyes wide.

I nodded to her. I didn't want to hate this girl, Grayson changed why couldn't she? I slipped off the throne and sat on the floor and motioned to her to sit beside me.

"This is gonna be a tough companionship, but I'm sure we'll learn to stand each other." I said.

Jas sat down beside me carefully, wincing a little. I shot an apologetic glance and looked up to find Daniel, tears running down his cheeks. I stood up slowly and he threw his arms around me. I wrapped my arms around him again, I say Lorraine on the floor, unmoving. I sighed as he let out a teary hiccup.

The men in the corner were restless to fight now. Some calling out curses that left a bad taste in my mouth. One bald man walked over, a smile on his face.

"Look bitch, we want this throne. Now be a good girl and hand over your daggers. Women should be fighting anyways," he said, his eyes occasionally flickering to Jas.

Jas glared at him,

"Look you jerk. We are fighters for a reason. We could beat you and all your friends blindfolded. Wanna get beat by a 16 year old today, fine with me." she snarled, her head motioning to me. "Or me, I'm the one who kills you in your sleep. Now have some respect."

I looked over to Jas, surprised. She had a look of disgust on her face, eyes flashing angrily. I turned back to the man, daggers glinting.

"Now if I bring you down to your knees, you and your friends have to leave and never come and bother the Rogue again." I said casually.

He turned to the other men to laugh, I jumped off the platform and rammed my knee into his stomach. He feel backwards, grabbing at the air. I smiled at him as he lay on the floor, struggling for breathe.

"Now, you get out." I said.

I stood up fluidly and returned to the platform, sitting down beside Jas and Daniel who was wiping his tears away angrily. The men left the Court silently, looking like beaten dog with tails between their legs.

Jas

The rest of the crowd fell silent as the men filed out the doors. I glanced at Krissy, but she wasn't even paying attention anymore - she was whispering to Daniel, who's eyes were still red.

"All right, everyone out!" I called, standing up. I glanced at Krissy, wondering if she'd object, but she just looked at me curiously, probably wondering what I was doing.

More confidently now, I stepped off the platform, continuing to rattle off orders. This was the role I'd always played - the behind the scenes person, the girl who'd taken care of all the minor issues. "Someone clean up this food and wine. You get a mop and start scrubbing this blood up, please, and Braden, you take ten of the lower level thieves and start spreading the word that there's a new Rogue in town. I want guards outside the all of the doors, too. Four - "

"Six," Krissy said softly.

"You heard the Rogue, six guards at each door!" I yelled. The crowd began to trickle out of the room, some grumbling under their breaths. After a few minutes the door banged shut behind the last one and I was alone with Krissy and Daniel - two people who had, up until a few minutes ago, been my worst enemies.

Daniel
He let out a smile, a smile of victory. Even with all he lost that day, a small glint of sunshine appeared in his darkened horizon. They had new friend, one he had always known, but was know with them. Jas. It was hard to believe that he ahd learned to appareciate this people in this situation. But he felt good inside.
"Tough girl" he said jokingly, looking at Jas with a smile in his eyes. She looked at him back and with a mischievous smile, just turned around.

"It's over" he said, staring at his surroundings, looking at how blood stained the white floor.
The three of them were sitting down, as old friends, looking at how the maids cleaned up the mess they did. Jas was at his side, Krissy had her head resting in his shoulder. There was only Maria missing, Maria and Grayson. It was anew beginning for the court.

"so, it seems like you are invited, huh?" He said turning to Jas who was too distracted to even pay attention.

"Invited to what?" She asked, raising one eyebrow as she did so.

"Our wedding" Daniel said.

Krissy

I lay my head on Daniel's shoulder and smile at Jas.

"May as well start a fresh no?" I said.

Jas' mouth hung a little.

"You're inviting me? Why?" she stuttered.

"I've learnt to forgive and forget, no matter what I should learn as a rogue child." I smiled. "And thank you for your help."

Jas nodded weakly and returned her attention to the door. I sighed slightly, pondering for a moment.

"I'm not sure whether I'm fit to be Rogue though. Grayson killed him too, we have to talk." I said softly.

**I'd like to know. Which character do you feel is most suited to be Rogue? Tell me at the top of your next post so I can figure it out.**

*** Jas of course! No, really, I don't know. Krissy, Daniel, Grayson, Jas and Maria are the only ones left... I'm really not sure. ***


Jas

I tensed. "Yeah," I said angrily, "I think I need to talk to Grayson, too."

"It wasn't what it looked like, Jas," Krissy said, looking almost pleading.

"Really?" I asked bitterly. "Because from where I was standing it looked like Grayson stabbed the Rogue. In the chest. And killed him. Are you trying to tell me it was a mistake?"

"He did it for Maria," Daniel explained.

"Maria?" I stared at him, thoughts racing. "Wait... Which Maria are we talking about?"

Krissy rolled her eyes. "You know... the Maria who was fighting with us? The one who the Rogue stabbed?"

"Oh." I sat there for a moment, absorbing that. Suddenly all of Grayson's disappearances over the past few weeks made sense.

**Hm, Grayson or Krissy, I think. Obviously because they both killed the Rogue. Though probably Krissy because Grayson might not like the idea at first lol**

GRAYSON

"Shh," he said, tenderly "You can tell me later when I've taken you to the healer."

Maria still seemed striken, even while unconscious. Grayson wanted so much to take the pain away. Anything to take it away.

"Grayson?" Asked the confused healer's voice. He hadn't even realized he had made it their already.

"Please," he begged. "I need you to help her. She's losing her strength and if you don't help her quickly, she'll die."

The old woman who had helped him and Miguel through their scratches to deep cuts nodded without a single question. That's why he came to her. She didn't ask questions until after she had healed the injured. Though Grayson knew it would take a very long time to help Maria. Whether he admitted it or not, she was battaling with death.

Grayson touched his lips to hers. "I'm staying with you," he whispered as he followed the healer. "And I'll make sure you are safe."

Maria

I barely heard his words as unconsciousness took me completely. "I'll make sure you are safe... safe, safe, safe..." That one word echoed through my head. I still felt his lips on mine. But unfortunately, the pain also stayed. It tore at me, and I was tempted to give up then and there. But... I love you Grayson... I really do.

I still clung on.

The chills covered my entire body now, numbing the pain slightly. But the chills were worse than the pain; much worse. I felt so cold...

Daniel
It was kind of obvious. Jas didn't know, maybe Grayson hadn't told her. Or he definitely hadn't told her. Jas look surprised, it seemd as iif everything going on right now where new to her.
Daniel was more calm now, he found enough strenght to speak and actually feel certain happiness stirring from him.
"he loves her, Jas" He told her, actually feeling some respect towards Grayson. He must have felt it was hte best to keep their love secret.

" He should have told me" she said trhough gritted teeth. Daniel had always been surprised of her becasue she dould carry so much hate and resentment. But today he was surprised for something else, she seemed changed.

"YOu would have killed him back then" Krissy said.
She noddend lighly, pursing her lips.

Jas

"I would have killed him days ago, if I'd known that he would be the one to kill the Rogue," I said. I looked at Krissy. "I was going to kill you, too. I was better than you, and you were right where I needed you. It would have been so easy."

"I know," she said softly.

I stood and started to pace in front of the throne, an old habit that I had picked up from the Rogue. The maids watched me nervously as they continued scrubbing the bloodstains. I wondered what kind of stories they had heard about me. Probably bad ones, judging by their wary looks.

"Where do you think Grayson went?" Daniel asked. "He's been gone for a while."

"Either Maria died and he's wandering around the city," I said. They both flinched, "or he took her to a healer. Should we send someone to find him?"