The Court - Finished!

The Rogue is a character that is controlled by everyone. For now it looks like I am controling him. But you can control him too. It's up to you.

GRAYSON

"Kayla!" He shouted at the woman in front of him. She was a very pretty girl. Even beautiful, only she never looked for anyone besides the Rogue. Poor little thing.

"What is it, Grayson?" She asked, sighing. He rolled his eyes. She was jealous of anyone who was close to the Rogue.

"I had a question," he admitted, grinning. Kayla raised an eyebrow.

"And it is..." She questioned, further.

Grayson shrugged. "Why do you love the Rogue so much. Obviously we're all loyal to him, but you are head over heels in love with him. Why?"

Kayla blushed a crimson red. "That is not your concern!" She shrieked, stomping away from him. Grayson shook his head.

There was a noise a little ways away from him. He looked to see a very disturbed looking Jas and another man running away from her. Grayson debated on whether to chase after the guy, but decided that Jas needed more help than he.

"Jas?" He asked, helping her up. "What's going on?"

Krissy:

Krissy stared in horror at the body of the little girl in front of her. The stab wounds in the girl were as distinctive as a signature.

"Jas" breathed Krissy to herself.

Picking up the little girl's body she headed to the fountain to place the girl higher up so she wouldn't be eaten by stray animals. Bowing her head Krissy headed off knowing the poor girl would be found in the morning. As Krissy thought through all this, she reached for her knives. Her anger at Jas was increasing, she would make her pay for killing someone so innocent, so young. Leaving her family in the pain Krissy had felt. Her breathing got heavier and she burst in anger. She sprinted to the stables where she knew where she would find Jas, Jas was always there. Sprinting through the streets, Krissy could hear her feet thumping against the pavement and her heart pounding against her chest. Jas would pay, Krissy would make sure of it.

When Krissy dashed into the stables, she realized Grayson and Jas were there. Hiding in an empty stable, Krissy peered out. Jas was obviously shaken, her clothing spattered with blood that wasn't hers and her face was raw, almost burned. Grayson was looking concerned as he headed in Jas' direction. Krissy wrapped her hand around a spare horseshoe and took a deep breath. When both had they both had their backs turned, she sprinted out of the stables throwing the horseshoe dangerously hard. It nicked Jas in the head and she fell unconscious. Krissy smiled to herself as Grayson spun around.

"Ah I should of guessed it was you Krissy. Who else has as good of a throw as you?" said Grayson

"Stop foolin' arou'd Grayson. I know what Jas did. A lil' girl? Is that how low you so call'd Rouge Royals have sunk too? I put the poor girl in th' fountai' so she can be found un-eaten."

"How thoughtful of you. I'm sure the family will appreciate it." Grayson replied with a mock interest.

Krissy flung another horseshoe at Grayson with the flick of her wrist. It hit Grayson in the shoulder as he lunged forward, dagger drawn. An audible crack echoed through the stables when the horseshoe made contact, but Grayson continued his attacked. It caught Krissy by surprise to see he did not crumpled, she slide out of the way but a moment too later and the dagger cut a large slash down her upper arm. Grayson fell in the spot she had been with his shoulder oddly out of place, breathing hard he tried to lift himself with the one arm. Krissy wouldn't give him the chance to get her again. Walking up to the struggling man, she stomped on his good hand with her heavy boots and gave him a good kick in the side. Grayson collapsed and Krissy ran off through the streets, holding her bleeding arm.

Lorraine
I went out of the rogue's little underground salon, leaving him alone and heading to the outside. I was abit more tranquil since I had done a good job and the Rogue had loved it. That was my goal, that was actually what I had to do if I wanted to kep this job. It was hard yes, but it was worth it.
As I was going outside, I found Gryk, who had gone missing right after we finished chacking the perimeter. I went to him, lifting my long scarlet dress so it wouldn't get dirty.
"Where on earth have you been, Gryk?" I asked him, a little angry since he jsut left me do the job all by myself.
"Just cheking around the area" he siad, not lookingat me. Adn that really angered me, I did not accept when someone besides the Rogue did not look at me when I was talking about something serious. So I let my dress fall and grabbed his chin, forcefully truning his head toward me.
"Where-the hell-have you been, MR. Gryk?" I asked, my words coming out a bit more bitter than expected.
"No where, ok, no where"
"YOu better tell me the truth Gryk" I threatened him.
"I am telling you the truth, now please leave me alone, because it wouldn't be nice if something happens to a nice young lady"
I narrowed my eyes and felt the flames of rage run through me. Adn all of a sudden, in a swift movement I slapped him hard, making his face turn away.
"You dare to threat me" i said through gritted teeth, leaving him alone and letting him go.

GRAYSON

He took out a spare dagger and threw it with all his might at Krissy's leg. She stumbled slightly.

"Come back, you coward!" He yelled. "You poor little thing, too weak to fight me, is that it?"

Grayson laughed. "The Rogue is stronger. He will cut you down and you know it, Krissy! You can't always run!"

Grayson stood up and started to chase after her, but remember the unconscious Jas.

"Coward!" He called again and dragged himself towards the girl. He called Kayla and explained the situation. She would get them to safety and medical help.

Krissy

Krissy had run far enough to not be worried of being chased. Her arm was bleeding a lot and her leg too. The dagger had skimmed the side of her leg cutting a nice gash. Krissy felt lightheaded and stumbled a little bit, she'd lost a lot of blood she thought.

She delighted herself in the Grayson's fury when she ran off. She should of killed him and she regretted that she hadn't, both him and Jas. Stumbling up to a familiar doorstep, Krissy knocked on the door weakly before collasping on the steps.

Maria

I was making tea when I heard a quiet knock on my door. I slipped my hand into my belt, grasping the handle of my dagger. "Who's there?" There was no answer for a second, then a moan. I walked to the door and opened it slowly. I didn't see anyone. I almost shut the door again, when something brushed my shoe. I looked down, startled. "Krissy!" I let go of my dagger and picked her up, not without difficulty. I carried her inside, shutting the door with my foot.

I took her upstairs and laid her down on the bed. I looked her over. Her shoulder and leg were bleeding badly. The poor girl was unconscious. I reached into a deep pocket in my cloak, pulling out a rope. I tied it above the gash on her leg tightly, to slow the bleeding. Then I pulled out a bandage and wrapped her leg and shoulder.

"Oh, Krissy." I murmered. "What have you been up to this time?" I hurried downstairs and grabbed a bowl, filling it with the hot water that I had been boiling for tea. I carried it upstairs carefully. I set it down on the floor and sat Krissy up, holding her upright by her uninjured shoulder. I grabbed the water bowl again and set it on her lap. Then I reached into another pocket and brought out a leather bag. I took out a pinch of a green herb, and sprinkled it into the water.

An interesting smell filled the air. It was a combination between peppermint and honey, along with something else that nobody could recognize. Krissy began to wake up. "Come on love, talk t' me."

Krissy:

With a moan Krissy tried to lift her arm, but it resulted in a spazzem of pain that shot through her body.
Lifting her other hand too her face, Krissy laughed.

"What did you do this time dearie! You cannot leave you alone for more than three minutes or you'll be getting into a fight with someone." Maria said softly and she wiped Krissy's face off.

"I had to get her Maria," Krissy whispered weakily. "That poor lil' girl. I'd recognize those wounds in th' dark. Jas I tell you. I had to get her, I just had to. That poor lil' girl. And Grayson! Grayson was there too. I just 'im good Maria, real good. Cracked 'is should'r outta place. I guess he got my good too don't you say. But I got Jas too--"

"Shush love, you're rambling. You need rest, you must stay here so they won't find you." Maria whispered, cutting Krissy off.

"But, I got 'em good Maria, real good!" Krissy pleaded

"I bet you did dearie, I bet you did. Now sleep, you've lost a lot of blood." Maria said, tucking Krissy under some covers.

Before long, Krissy was fast asleep.

Maria

I sighed and took the bowl back downstairs, dumping the contents into a bucket by the door.

She'll be all right. I used the last of the water in my kettle to make myself a cup of tea. I closed my eyes and sipped it, letting it warm my bones. Those dogs that serve the Rogue will get what they deserve. How they could kill such a young girl is beyond me.

I finished the tea and pushed the cup into the middle of the table. Then I lay my head on the table and fell asleep.

Lorraine

I was infuriated by the little encounter I had had with Gryk, but as I was heading to the street, from the distance I saw Grayson with Jas in his arms. BY the look on hisface I knew somthing wrong had happened. So, I ran to him, as fast as my heels could let me go and stopped him midways.
"What happened?" I asked him.
"That...Krissy! she threw a horseshoe to Jas"
Little idiot girl, I thought. I looked at jas who was unconscious and noticed her forehead was bleeding.
"We have to take her inside" I said.
"I have to tell Kayla, where is she?"
"Grayson, take her inside and I'll tell Kayla, ok?"
Jas looked very bad, her face was full of blood now. That little thief had to pay for what she did but I just couldn't think of anything but Jas wound.

Jas

"I don't know where the powder came from. She was like that before I found her," Grayson said.

"I can't believe Krissy attacked you!" Lorraine spat, sounding disgusted.

I slowly opened my eyes, wincing as a wave of pain hit me. My forehead was throbbing and my whole face felt raw and burned.

"She's awake," Grayson said, sounding relieved. I was lying in a bed somewhere in the Rogue's palace. Sunlight was streaming through a nearby window, and dog was barking somewhere down the road.

"What happened?" I asked. I could feel dried blood caked on my face, and Grayson's shoulder was bandaged.

Lorraine tossed her hair over her shoulder, looking furious. "That Krissy girl attacked you and Grayson! You're two of the Rogue's most powerful servants, and she just started throwing horseshoes at you!"

"I'll kill her," I said angrily.

Grayson shook his head. "Not today you won't. The knights are arriving in a few hours, and the Rogue wants us ready to attack by then.

Kayla leaned in the door, smirking. "Besides, you're on bed rest for the next few days at the very least," she said, looking delighted.

I sat up, sinking back onto the pillow when a wave of dizziness hit me. "No! I'm coming. My head doesn't hurt that bad." Lorraine looked doubtful. "Really, I'm fine! I can handle it."

GRAYSON

"No way," Grayson shook his head, smiling a little. "If I'm stuck on bed rest, so are you."

"What happened to you?" Jas asked. Grayson showed her his bandaged shoulder.

"She pretty much dislocated the thing. I can hardly move it in this stupid sling," Grayson grumbled. Kayla shook her head, tutting.

"I can't believe you let her get away," she sighed.

Grayson's eyesbrows furrowed. "Well excuse me for heling Jas," he growled. Kayla shrugged.

"She would have been fine, I suppose. But you were so close to killing that Krissy," she exclaimed. Grayson rolled his eyes.

"I injured her pretty good, Kayla, but Jas needed help then, not later. Also, I wasn't exactly in a position to attack anyone, obviously."

Grayson was starting to feel weak and insulted. Kayla needed to keep her fat mouth shut sometimes.

Maria

It was morning. Sunlight was peeking in through a small gap in the curtains. I already heard the festival beginning. I hurried upstairs to check on Krissy. She was sitting up in the bed, playing with her daggers. I snatched them out of the air. "Krissy love, I'm taking you to the healer."

Krissy shook her head. "No Maria, I'ma go help you a' th' festival."

I shook my head. "Absolutely not. You're in no shape t' fight." Krissy looked like she was going to argue more, but I gently put my hand over her mouth. "We're going to th' healers now." I helped her out of bed.

I walked downstairs, closing the door behind me. I knew Krissy was following. My daggers were still in my belt, so nothing needed to be done there. I pulled my hood over my face again. If the Rogue discovered who I was, he wouldn't give up until I was dead or forced back into his service.

I took Krissy's hand and led her out of the house, closing the door behind me. The streets were crowded. I weaved between people, keeping a firm grip on Krissy. There was a small group of drunken men causing a bit of a disturbance in the middle of the road. They were laughing uproarously, and pretty much attacking any young women that came by.

I dragged Krissy past them, making sure to keep my hood low over my face. We had almost passed them when; "Oy, c'mere darling!" I froze and turned. One of the knights was looking at Krissy. His eyes were brown and bloodshot.

I shook my head and began walking again. I heard the knight and his friends stumbling after us. "Don' be shy gal! Ditch tha' guy an' join me fer' a drink or two." I realized that they thought I was a man. Good.

I turned again. "Leave the girl alone." I made sure to lower my tone. Women were never taken seriously around here.

The knight laughed. "Why don' you? I'm sure she's gettin' tir'd of yer company."

"Maybe she's tired of yours." I said cooly.

The knight narrowed his eyes at me. "You messin' with me?" Before I knew what I was doing, I nodded. His eyes narrowed further. "All righ' then. Show me wha' you got." I let go of Krissy and she moved backwards several steps. The knight lunged at me.

I sidestepped and avoided him easily. He turned and came at me again. This time when I moved out of the way I stuck my foot out. He tripped and landed on the ground. I had just turned back to Krissy when he punched the back of my head. I spun around, aiming a kick at the side of his head.

It hit its mark and he spun around a couple times before falling down again. Then the rest of the knights came at me. I didn't want to pull out my weapons, so I fought them in hand-to-hand combat.

Soon they all had bruises or missing teeth. I was uninjured, except for a bruise on my arm. Then I heard a shout. I stiffened as one of the Rogue's servants jumped into the fray. I would recognize that girl anywhere. Lorraine. I spat on the ground. She pulled a machete out of a pocket. I grabbed my daggers and whipped them out of my belt.

Lorraine leapt at one of the knights, swinging her machete downwards. I was there in a split second, using my daggers to block her swing. She jumped at my sudden entrance, a look of surprise on her face.

Her surprise turned into a glower as I freed my daggers and slashed at her, missing by a hair. She backed off of me and I came at her. My daggers looked like silver blurs. I continued backing her away from the knights, who looked extremely surprised. She snarled at me. "That's a good show, but how are you really?" She lunged at me, her machete tilted sideways. She meant to try and chop off my head. She came fast. I ducked and held one of my daggers over my head, also sideways. I felt it puncture her flesh.

She screamed, blood dripping from her arm. I straightened. She turned and ran. I cleaned my dagger on my cloak, a satisfied smile on my lips. "Still want to fight me?" The knights didn't answer. I laughed. "Didn't think so." I took Krissy's hand again and led her away, ignoring the stares I was getting.

The Rogue:

Lorriane stumbled in, her arm bleeding badly. The girl's face was pal white and her other arm had a slice too.

"What's going on here! You're supposed to be in position ready to attack! Why are you already injured! Why?!" shouted the Rogue.

Lorraine's shaky voice answered him " I'm sorry my Lord. Oh so sorry. There was a fighter, a good one, a very good one. Cloaked, and daggers. He obviously had a lot of training. At least I think it was a man, it looked like one."

"Hmm interesting," said the Rogue thoughtfully as he beckoned the healer to Lorraine. " A new fighter in town? This could be interesting, if he beat you my dear then he is worth a second look. Find me this man. I want him recruited. Now explain to me, what happened to the knight." the Rogue's face was as hard as stone.

"I'm sorry Sir. I saw that girl, that stupid little girl who nearly killed Jas. I had to get her! She passed by with that man and the knights and the man fought. He beat trained knights in hand-to-hand combat Sir. But I had to get the stupid little girl. She wasn't in good shape, obviously hurt from the fight with Grayson. It was a perfect opportunity and I was so mad. I'm sorry My Lord." Lorraine's face whitened even more and she wavered as the healer pulled her away.

"Thank you Lorraine, let the other's know about the recruit I want." replied the Rogue, deep in thought.

A fighter that could bring down a group of knights in hand-to-hand combat on his own. This recruit could be considerably important. So much could benefit from having a fighter like that, Griery needed that man. He would announce it to his loyals when they were all healed.

Maria

Several hours later I was back home. Krissy had been to see the healer, and her shoulder and leg were much better. I had made a beef stew. I wanted her to get better as soon as possible. We said little while we ate. When we finished I stood.

"Come on love, bed with you. At least lay in the bed. You need rest if you're going to recover." I led her upstairs, ignoring her protests. I sat her on the bed. "Now, stay here. I'm going out for a while."

I left the room, closing the door behind me. Krissy wouldn't follow me. She had common sense. I put up my hood and slipped out the door, closing it quietly behind me. The festivities were still going on, and the stores and stall owners had taken advantage of this. They were lowering the prices of several items.

I headed straight to the herbalist. I was running low on Grilsweed, the herb that had revived Krissy. I walked to the stall. There were several leather bags there, all stuffed with different herbs. "I need a bag of Grilsweed." I said firmly.

The man behind the stall looked up. He had a thin face and pale skin. "Two silver." He said in a bored tone. I handed him the money and he gave me a bag from the back. I slipped it into my pocket and turned and walked away.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, gripping tightly. I acted on instinct and tore their fingers from my shoulder. I would have spun around and punched them, but cold steel pressed against my throat. I hissed under my breath. "Are you the fighter that started the streetfight earlier today?" I recognized the voice. Grayson.

I narrowed my eyes. I knew that Lorraine had informed the Rogue of her defeat. "I don't know what you're talking about." I said cooly. I was careful to keep my voice at a low pitch. "Sure, sure. That's what they all say. The Rogue wants to see you. I advise you cooperate." I can't go in there! Not to him!

"I'm sorry, but I have no interest in your Lord. Now get your hands off of me, rat."

"Rat am I?" The blade pressed harder. "You're going to see the Rogue, whether you like it or not."

I thought fast. If I didn't go with him, He'd knock me out and discover my identity, and bring me to the Rogue anyway, or kill me. If I did, I'd get another shot at the Rogue, and have a chance to escape, though it was slim.

I sighed. "Very well, I will see the Rogue." Grayson eased some of the pressure on my neck. "A fighter huh? Right. You don't seem like much of a fighter to me." If I could have I would have killed him right then.

He led me towards the castle, and as we got closer I began getting more and more nervous. What if he discovers me? He'll kill me for sure. Thoughts of a similar nature were racing through my head.

Before I knew it we were inside the castle, just outside the throne room. Grayson released me. "Don't try anything or the guards will be on you like a pack of rabid dogs." He said.

The door opened and he pushed me in. I swallowed. A few hundred feet in front of me, was the Rogue. I swallowed again and walked towards him, walking in a way that I hoped looked confident. I stopped a few feet from the throne, and didn't bother to bow. I didn't even incline my head.

"I was told that you wanted to see me."