No Redemption

SHANAELA MARZ

I smiled. You're welcome. There's more to it, and I'll tell you later if you want. She returned the smile and nodded quickly.

Clare sniffed loudly behind us and I turned my head to her. She glanced up at me sadly, and I gave her a slight encouraging smile. I would offer words if I could, but that obviously wasn't an option. I gestured for her to come over. She hesitated, glancing back at the unconscious Davis slung across Garrett's back, before coming over to us.

How are you feeling? I wrote quickly, on a seperate page and handed it over to Clare.

I glanced over at Garrett and fought off a smile. He looked so stern, and for some reason I found that ammusing. You're losing it Naela. I thought, shaking my head and turning back to the others.

CLARE

"I'm fine." I muttered. I obviously wasn't but as long as everyone else was safe and kind of happy right? I stared blankly in front of me. Suddenly a memory flashed through my mind, i stopped abruptly.
*hope this is ok with you chup, but since her dad and the king were friends*

I was in a palace garden, with a very young looking Garrett and another young girl. I didn't look very old myself. We were playing. Running through the rows of plants. I looked up and saw an older man, and instinctively yelled out.
"Father!" and ran to him. He was my dad? he looked so familiar. He scoped me up in his arms and chuckled.
"Sorry darlin' time to go, daddy has a meeting with the bloomes. I scowled and so did he. He gave Garrett and the girl a hug. Garrett said.
"So long Charles." and shook his hand. The girl curtsied and started giggling.

I shook my head waking from my dazed state. I instinctively looked over at garret, Shanaela was waving her hand in front of my face, i flinched away and stared ahead of me.
"I'm sorry just thought i remembered something." we continued walking. It seemed to me Garrett knew more about me then he was saying.

Garrett~

Garrett felt his way down the corridor, looking for THE door. Knocking his knuckles across the dirt wall, listening for the knock. Garrett heard Davis groan, and dropped the full grown man to the ground, his eyes opening slowly. Garrett looked back at the group, his eyes locking with Shanaela's. He smiled gently at her, winking. Her cheeks tinted a soft pink and Garrett chuckled softly, shaking his head before looking forward again and walking down the corridor.

Thud!

"Here it is," he smiled, knocking on the door in a rhythm. A slit in the door opened, puffy blue eyes appearing in the hole.

"Yess," the voice drew out, "You name iss?" Garrett smiled softly.

"Prince Garrett," he smiled, passing a royal shilling through the hole. The eyes suddenly disappeared, and the door was flung open.

"Oh, your highnesss, pleasse, come in." The tiny woman shuffled out of the way while Garrett led the group into the large, almost emply room. The only supplying light was Garrett's lantern, which didn't shine very far.

SHANAELA MARZ

I swalled hard, stepping back so that I was slightly behind Raven. There was something very unnerving about this, but then again, I was untrusting. If Garrett had lead us here, it was safe right? He winked at you, he wouldn't lead you somewhere unsafe. It was an odd thought, but it reassured me.

We stepped into the dimly lit room. I took a few deep breaths and stole another glance at Garrett who offered a reassuring smile. Raven didn't seem too worried, which was also slightly soothing. You can trust them.

OMG! I am so sorry I haven't posted in forever! Can someone tell me where we are?!

Keiko

I trotted into the kitchen, smiling to myself. Hunter had just told me an extensive story of an adventure he had had in the market years ago, and I was amused. Strongly.

Okay, so it was hilarious, what's the difference?

Anyway, I walked into the kitchen. "Tal, we-"

"Excuse me!" Elle giggled, apparently having just burped. I held my tongue and backed out slowly. I shut the door quietly and dropped back on the couch. Hunter lifted an eyebrow.

"I think I may have interrupted something," I whispered before getting a deck of cards out for a a game of speed. Hunter shrugged.

I always felt awkward when I was with Tal and Elle now, like we were no longer needed. He had Elle now, why would he need to kid thieves? I didn't know, but if he kept acting all... weird around her, I swear I'd leave.

And that was the truth.

...Where is everyone at? I'm lost...sorry.

Here we are, I'm creating another character!

Spoiler

Name: Marroe

Age: 18

Gender: Male

Appearance: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_30PRmkOl4ro/S ... r+2009.jpg

Criminal/Soldier/Royalty: Criminal

Personality: He's very dark, and can get arrogant. He enjoys messing around with people, and actually likes to talk. He won't hesitate to freak you out. However, he is very protective over the ones he loves and will do anything for them. Friends bring out a soft side in him.

Skills: Hand-to-hand combat, he's very quick, excellent climber, he's a good wood-worker, very good survival skills

Weaknesses: His right leg is quite weak if he works it too much. It can cause a lot of pain at times, but at others it's unnoticeable.

History: He grew up with his uncle, who took to beating him when he was little. The second he got old enough to fight back, he killed his uncle and ran away. He now does a lot of theivery, and the occasional assassination. He's skilled with the last one and requires a LOT of money for it.

Up for love: Mmmhmm

Other: He has a pet monkey named Bobo. Bobo's quite the pick-pocket, so watch your things around him.

MARROE

I came through the trees, laughing like a maniac. Bobo screached, dangling the little bag of gold between his tiny fingers. Some guy's payment for the assassination of some Marz girl. It was only a small portion of it, but the guy was pissed. I straightened up, arching an eyebrow and grinning like a cat.

I bowed at the waist. "Princess." I eyed her hair, grin broadening. "Nice colour choice by the way. Marroe, and this is Bobo." I gestured towards my still-screaching monkey.

I wouldn't dare steal from royalty out in the open like this, but she did seem to have a few nice things on her. Maybe if I lured her far enough from the palace... My grin broadened still.

King Torran

I sighed loudly, staring at my wife for a few moments.

"King Torran! I have a very urgent matter to speak to you of!" I turned to the sudden voice, now eye-to-eye with one of my many palace messengers.

"What is it?" I asked hurriedly. "You may tell me here, there's nobody about."

He nodded. "The Razlins are calling to meet you in their kingdom. They say that the southern provinces are joining up in a rebellion. The Razlins wish to make an alliance."

I frowned. "How soon?"

"Two days. They're supplying protection."

I shook my head. "Garrett's birthday is coming up. How can I miss that?"

"He'll understand. This is urgent your majesty."

I sighed and put my head in my hands. This would be the second birthday I had missed.

Garrett~

Garrett smiled at the old woman, holding a short conversation as he led the group to a latter leading back to the surface, only... inside the castle. Garrett bid the old woman farewell, and made his way up quickly, throwing open the door. They were in the kitchen, and it was empty thank God. "Okay you guys, hurry up, I'm serious." He hissed, helping the ladies up the latter first. Shanaela was last to come up, and Garrett felt a shock when he grabbed her hand and pulled her up. Davis came up the latter, Garrett not even bothering to help him, and shut the door behind him.

Garrett surveyed around him, and slowly snuck out of the kitchen, leading the group through the winding corridors. "Garrett, son, come here!" He heard his father's booming as he passed the throne room. Turning to the group, he swallowed.

"Go right up those stairs there," he pointed, "It's the double doors all the way at the end. Raven, make sure Davis doesn't wander off," and after saying that, Garrett retired to the throne room, gazing up at his father.

"I have some bad news." His father said. "It's... about your birthday."

If his father was going to miss it again, Garrett would be absolutely enraged. It would be the third one in a row. His father missed his sixteenth due to a rebellion in Senctum, his seventeeth for a war across the sea, and now... his eighteenth?! What will the reason be I wonder.

OK, well my character has a pet wolf now but it's tame so it's more like a dog...

~Shadow/Princess~

I nodded to them--well him, but I guess to the monkey too. He seemed nice, eyeing my hair a bit. I didn't care too much, everyone who met me did. Bobo was laughing, it seemed, and Marroe was simply smiling. I smiled sweetly at him, whistling. His face went confused, but we all heard as she ran up.

"Sophie, Marroe and Bobo." I stroked her white fur. "Marroe and Bobo, this is Sophie, my wolf, or dog. She's harmless." Marroe stepped forward a little, and she growled menacingly. He automatically stepped back, smiling. I patted her head, not really worried about thieves with her around. I turned and began searching again. I saw some of my previous foot prints, and I walked that way, holding up my dress again. Sophie walked next to me, but I didn't hear Marroe walking behind me. I turned, and he was still standing where he was, frozen.

"Are you not coming?" I asked. He smiled again, and walked my way. I didn't wait for him to catch up, I just turned and went in the direction of my foot steps and Sophie's leading.

[Hey, Ninja, that was way out of Character for Elle... She wouldn't be mean or treat them like crap just because they were younger... Just saying, could you please maybe change that post? She wouldn't do that..]

SHANAELA

I clung to Raven's arm, scared spittless and suddenly not caring if anybody noticed or not. I was in the palace! The freakin' palace... the one that was probably crawling with guards with big huge dungeons bellow... Stop it Naela! You're being ridiculous! I told myself sternly, loosening my grip on Raven's arm the slightest.

Shanti nuzzled up against my leg, giving me a slight purr. I stroked her head with my free hand, calming immediately. Besides, the pain in my leg was already dieing down greatly, and it's not like I couldn't best any soldier that came my way with or without a sword... but still, being here gave me chills.

KING TORRAN

I frowned. Garrett couldn't possibly know how horrible I felt about this. "There's news of rebellion starting in the southern provinces...Razilia wishes to make an alliance and I must attend. You have no idea how hard I tried to find an ambassador to go in my place, but they insist that your mother and I go."

"This is the third one you've missed," Garrett muttered.

My shoulders fell, my frown deepening. "I know. I'll be back three days later and I swear it on my life we will celebrate as soon as I get back." That and I'll have to find you a present worthy of a prince... I thought to myself, sighing.

MARROE

I followed Shadow, not caring to keep up. There would be soldiers around here, and I needed to be ready to spring if needed. The girl was odd, not calling guards or something to come rid me of my head. I had seen one going back inside the palace just as I stumbled through the bushes...

"May I ask how many guards there are on the permimeter?" I asked cautiously. "I'd love to rip their heads off and all, but they more than likely outnumber me a hundred to one."

*I keep messing up Garrett's age Isha, so really, it'll be the fourth one in a row, since the king's missed everyone since Garrett's sixteeth.*

Prince Garrett~

"And yet you've cancelled all your appointments for any of Shadow's birthdays!" Garrett then would storm back and forth in a pacing motion. "You know, just because I'm not your real son, doesn't mean I'm to be treated any differently. You promised my father before he died that'd I'd be exactly like one of your own! You promised, and yet here you are, missing my nineteeth birthday like it isn't a big deal! Fourth one in row father! Fourth one!" And then he'd turn and gaze at his father with hate blazing in his eyes and come straight out and tell him that he had four fugitives hidden in his room.

At least, that's what he wanted to do.

Rather than that, Garrett forced a smile, bowing to his father. After all, he had no room to speak. He wasn't the king's real son. "It's quite alright, your majesty." The words rolled off his tongue, sickly sweet, and then, without batting an eye, Garrett turned and proceeded to storm from the throne room.

~Shadow/Princess~

"Well, more than a hundred, I can tell you that. But you won't need to worry, thief. I'm the princess, and they won't hurt you." As I said this, we made it to the open space where I'd left my shoes. I slipped them back on reluctantly, walking back to the garden. Marroe seemed tense as we passed a handful of guards. I nodded to them, and they didn't say a word, letting us pass. I headed for the kitchens, as my stomach was hungry. He seemed to stick close to me as we wandered the long halls.

I did keep my eyes on him though, not wanting him to wander off and steel something of my father's. He would already be quite angry that I let a peasant in, but it was mine to worry about, not his.

"Are you hungry?" I asked, turning from the servants and maids. He nodded quickly, Bobo hopping down from his shoulder. I pointed at him. "Hold back your animal." I hadn't realized Sophie was still with me. I looked up, pointing to the first servant I saw.

"Do me a favour, will you? Take Sophie to be bathed, and don't worry about her if she wines, that's normal." They nodded, grabbing the fur at her neck. She went willingly, knowing what was happening. I pointed to another servant. "You, would you mind making my friend and I a quick snack?"

Notice I asked. I wasn't to commanding for a princess, but when it came time for me to do my duties, I did them. I wanted to fight by my father and brother's side, but I was a girl. A lady, and ladies didn't fight.

KING TORRAN

I swallowed hard, watching as Garrett left. I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, which was something I seemed to be getting an aweful lot lately. I really did think of the boy as a son, but I had failed miserably as his father. That and I seemed to be failing miserably as a king.

I walked quickly to my chambers, ignoring a messenger that was calling after me frantically. I couldn't cope with anything else right now. Tears were already pricking at my eyes, and if there was one thing I didn't do around my people, it was cry. Crying showed weakness, and that would make me weak in the eyes of my people.

"You majesty please!" he begged behind me.

"Go talk to the queen. I have matters to take care of," I hissed without turning. I heard his footsteps stop and I could feel him staring. I was known to show kindness, and I had all but lashed out on him. "I'm sorry, but I've got a lot on my shoulders. Please, just go find my wife," I whispered, slipping into my room.

I sat down on the edge of my bed, rested my head in my hands and let myself cry for the first time since Garrett's father had died. I was sure that he wouldn't have failed as miserably as I had.

MARROE

My eyes were darting nearly everywhere, and I was struggling to restrain my god-damned monkey. He kept managing to slip from my fingers. "Bobo! Knock it off!" I hissed. If he stole anything right now, I was toast. The maids were all eyeing me with either worry or fascination, which I didn't mind. It was nice to be feared.

"Princess, if you don't mind, I'd like to get out of the palace soon. I don't doubt that the guards will go to your wonderful father about this..." The king loved his people enough, but those that terrorized them were as good as dead if he caught them wandering around.