The Emperor's City *Permission Only* (Dead)

Name: Christan Callas

Age: 40

Gender: Male

Race: Human

Rank: Captain of the Royal Guard

Allegiance: Lyansa

Appearance:

Spoiler

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Personality: Christan is usually very quiet, calm and mature, but he can often be uncaring and cold towards others almost to the point of sadism. However, he loves his family very much, and wants to win this war for them, and will do anything and use any under-handed tricks if just to make sure they survive.

History: Christan doesn't remember much of his real parents. Brought up as a war orphan in a family that treated him more like a guest than a real member, Christan learned early on to not care about others but only himself. He drafted himself into the Guards at sixteen - became a captain at twenty-one. During this time, he met Liese Rhennon and fell in love with her, much to his own surprise. Currently, he is married to Liese and has two children with her, and wants to win the war for them.

Up for love: Not at first, at least, because he's got a wife. Later on, might consider.

Other: He has two children; Lilac is a teenage girl who's obsessed with the castle and knows a lot about it, and Simon is his younger son who likes vegetables a little too much.

Name: Jarelle. Within the Royal guards, he is known as Elleraj.

Age: “As young as the flowers, ancient as the earth, and deep as the seas.”

Gender: He’s usually a ‘he’.

Race: God

Rank: God of healing, but also takes on the form of a royal guard.

Allegiance: Lyansa - technically. He’s hiding there, but he would help most anyone, regardless of their country or race.

Appearance: His favoured appearance is a strong blue-skinned man in healer’s garb, with silver-blue hair and dark blue, almost black, eyes. He looks about middle-aged, with lines creasing his face.

However, as this particular guise would attract attention when he walks around Lyansa, he often adapts the form of a similar- looking man, only not quite so lined or so blue. His skin, instead, is a light brown, and his hair is thick and slightly curly, and such a dark black, it looks almost blue. His eyes are the colour of a clear summer sky. This is his quote, ‘human’ guise, and what he wears when he is acting as Elleraj in the Royal guards.

He also wanders around in the guise of an old healer, with stooped shoulders and a face lined with crinkles. In this guise, his hair is a medium blue, specked with grey, and his eyes in his deeply lined face, are once again, sky blue.

These are his three main appearances, but he has many more.

Personality:

He can be anywhere from serious to downright jolly in terms of personality. His personality also varies from form to form. In his true form, he’s like an old, caring father; a little tired, but full of a joy that only comes from knowing what he does brings joy. His other personalities vary, but always reflect this true aspect.

He also loves his children very much, and keeps an inconspicuous eye on them.

Flaws: He tries to do too much sometimes, and expends his energy entirely. He also gets very angry with those who mutilate other beings needlessly.

Power/s: He is the best healer there ever was. He loves healing, and can bring back someone from the brink of death. Sometimes he takes on great pain to heal the patient, but he bears it stoically. He is sad, but serene, when he loses a patient. However, this is seldom. But he does know when someone is about to die.

History: He is as old as the gods. For a while, before the mortal races, he stayed in the Palace of the gods, enjoying the company of other immortals, or riding the winds above the empty earth. But then, the mortal races arrived. He found that he cared very much for the creatures, and, when they started to die, and fight with each other, he couldn’t bear it anymore. He forsook the comforts of the godly palace, and descended to Earth. Now he wanders, helping those who need it. For some time now, he has taken his place in the royal guard, posing as a young officer, in order to keep an eye on the affairs of the kingdom.

Up for love: Yes. But never with one of his own children, or descendants of said. That would be unnatural and wrong. But otherwise, almost anything goes. It doesn’t matter what race the other person is.

Other: Whenever he is in his Elleraj form (the young man), and out of his soldier’s uniform, he wears a strip of blue cloth tied around his throat – just to suggest his actual nature.

*I thought I could make a second character to make this more interesting if that's all right. Also I made some additions to my first character profile.*

Name: Seghed Tarulia

Age: 21

Gender: male

Race: human

Rank: Soldier, specifically Melnaran Royal Guard/Lyansan Spy

Alligence: His 'official' loyalt is to Melnar, but he is really a spy for Lyansa.

Appearance: Chin length reddish-brown hair and bright green eyes. Pale skin with three claw like scars on his left cheek. Slightly below average height, and very skinny. Often wears a hat or bandana.

http://media.photobucket.com/image/gree ... n.jpg?o=18

Personality: Seghed is the type that lives every moment like it's his last. He drinks and gambles, and flirts with anything in skirts. I guess you could say he's something of a rake. Seghed is gregarious and care free, and he's probably the only person living that can really draw a smile out of Rav. Despite his intense hatred for Emperor Niran he's best friends with Rav and doesn't want to betray him. Something that puts a serious cramp in his spying.

Though he's often laughing and carefree outside of a fight. He's dead serious once the blood starts to fly. Seghed has a wicked sense of humor and he can be vindictive when someone incurs his wrath. An optimist compared to his best friend's more cynical outlook.

Flaws: He has a tendency to make enemies with his devil may care attitude. (Eg: Flirting with other men's wives) Ironically he also has a fear of bugs, especially spiders. Seghed knows that his friendship with Rav will likely get him killed one day but he doesn't care.

Power/s: N/A

History: A native of Melnar, his family was minor nobility that lived near the ocean. When Seghed was ten it was discovered that the family was plotting with rebels against the crown. The entire family man, woman, and child was executed. Except for Seghed.

For some reason the Imperial Prince took a liking to the older boy and the Emperor chose to humor his adopted son, allowing the boy to live. At first Seghed resented and hated the elvin prince. Thinking him spoiled and naive, until one day when another elf snuck into the palace and tried to kill Rav. The two boys fought him off together and Rav later admitted that Niran had probably known about the assassin and allowed him to sneak past the guards.

Rav's matter of fact acceptance of this betrayal sealed the boys friendship. And the two went into the military together. At the same time it was the impetus that pushed Seghed to begin spying on the Emperor, sending any and all usefull information to Lyansa. The only thing he has ever held back on is information that could effect or pertain to Rav. As a result, while people outside Melnar are aware the Emperor adopted an elf as his son, few outside the Empire know Rav's face.

Up for love: No, this guy is a total player. He has no time or inclination for a steady relationship.

Other: Nothing much, except aside from typical battle expertise he's skilled in reconaissance and sneaking. He'd have to be, or he would have been executed years ago.

Yes, we're starting! Finally. So, those of you who have yet to finish their profiles, get to it. And now I'll be starting with my General....and then my Healer. Maybe. Anyways. Moving on. Time to post!

General Altair Jinan | Throne Room - Lyall:

The Emperor was pacing. And when Zarin was pacing, it never meant anything good. Altair shifted slightly, frowning. The Prince sat on his little throne while the prince's father paced. Altair sighed. Yes, this was a typical day here in Lyall, nowadays. But Altair wasn't one to point things out. He would not argue, though. He didn't tell Ziran to do anything, just reported on the status of whatever it was his lord wanted to know.

"This is ridiculous!" the Emperor exclaimed. "Why now? Why must he come now?"

Altair sighed again as the Emperor ranted. He looked back towards the entrance and noticed the Royal Healer entering the Throne Room. The General sighed. And now here comes that darned healer. He shook his head, turning back to the Emperor and the Prince. Vaguely, Altair wondered where the princess was.

Insteads of moving from his position facing the thrones, Altair listened to the footsteps as they crossed the room. What could the damn healer possibly want now? The General decided to ignore the blue-haired man for the most part, eyes on the Emperor as Ziran paced back and forth in front of his son, muttering to himself.

Cat...Somewhere: Inside the citys walls

Looking through narrowed eyes, she watched every movement, every shift in her preys' form. Never showing any emotion, Cat flicked her wrist, sending the small dagger hurling through the humid air, nearly missing the soldiers ear as it slammed into the wooden pole behind him. Smirking, she straightened, her eyes traveling over the soldiers trembling form. He was young, like alot of them, but then again she was...old. Glowering, she strolled to the soldier.

"What the matter soldier? You scared?" He frantically shook his head and Cat resisted the urge to cackle. Her reen eyes glinted as she turned her face to the sun hanging high in the noon sky. Turning back, she frowned. "Next time you make a bet, dont act like a coward." She whipped her head around to glare at the group of soldiers, male and female alike, who stood huddled, forcefully trying to hold back their laughter. No doubt the young soldier had probably shit his pants, judging by the foul odor starting to pemerate the air. One look from her, and the shut up, some clearing their throats and mumbling something about needing to go do something. Shaking her head, she stomped to the pole, yanking her dagger lose and stolling to the gate. Casting one last glance behind her, she snorted and walked out, heading to the dark forest surrounding the gates of the city. Once out, she jumped, landing smoothly on a branch of an old Oak tree.

Nothing like being alone, she snickered to herself, climbing the rest of the way to the top of the tree. Nimbly, she pulled herself up onto the last branch, the breeze catching her long hair as she squatted, gripping the branch with her toes. She glanced down at the city, busy as usual. Roaming farther, she spotted the castle, glorious in its beauty. What I would give to go in there she thought, closing her eyes. One day, she promised herself, one day...

Shawnee

I pulled my hood over my head trying to hide my hair from sight. I wasn't one to let just anyone know who I was, that could be dangerous for me. So I walked through the market, earning a few unsure looks. Usually a hood was a bad thing, but they were making assumptions. They probably all assumed I was a thief, or a murderer.

My stomach growled loudly and I looked for any nearby food stand. I was running low on funds but that wasn't going to be much of a problem. I did have a job, in the local tavern. The owner was the only one who knew my true identity, so he let me wash dishes for money.

I walked over to the fruit stand and picked up an apple, tossing the man a coin. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
"Two coins ma'am. And aren't you a little young to be running around here all on your own?" he asked, eyes narrowing. I pulled my arm away and glared at him, even though he couldn't see my eyes. I dropped another coin in his hand before responding.

"I am twenty, good sir. I'm old enough to do as I please." with that I was gone. I walked away without another word. I headed up towards the woods, north of the city. It was a chilly day, a nice breeze rolled up under my cloak and cooled me. I smiled as I walked under the shade of the trees.

I just lurked around in the forest, looking for a good place to sit and eat my apple... until I walked into someone. I fell back. So did my hood.

Jarelle | The Forest

“My dear young lady, you must watch where you’re going,” said the old blue-haired man, turning to face the young lady on the ground. Shawnee. How much she looked like her mother.

Shawnee seemed rather stunned for a moment, before scrambling upwards, pulling at her hood. The old man frowned.

“Really. We’re both healers, my dear. No need to put up such pretenses.” The girl pulled up her hood anyway. The man sighed, shrugging. “Very well, then. As you like it.” He turned, and, spying a handy tree stump, took a seat.

“Now, my girl,” he said, kindly, blue eyes twinkling. “You must tell me what a nice young lady like you is doing out here in these woods.” Shawnee came uneasily over to him.

“That depends,” she said slowly. “What’s an old man like you doing in the woods?” The old man chortled appreciatively.

“That’s the spirit,” He said, smiling at her. “Truth be told, I was looking for my daughter. She’s taken to wandering in here, and I, like the overcautious old fool I am, want her safely back in the village. Ah, but you don’t want to hear an old man’s problems. Come, sit. I think I brought lunch somewhere…”

He patted down his jacket. It was covered in an amazing amount of sewn-on pockets. After a moment of rummaging around, he produced leather bag. “Aha! Here we are, my dear. Plenty for two.” He tossed the bag to the girl. “Now, you tell me your story.”

Shawnee

I eyed him cautiously and sat on the ground beside the stump making sure he was on the other side. I bit into the apple I had paid for, there was no use letting it go to waste.

"I have no intentions in helping in this war what so ever. I do not plan on putting my life on the line because of some fool's mistakes." I mumbled, knowing that comment about the emperor being a fool alone was enough to have me thrown in the dungeon.

"I never knew either of my parents. I don't think any of Jarelle's children ever meet him," I let out a mock-amused huff "Since we are both healers, we are practically brother and sister. So you should know what it's like to never know your father. You think he'd have the decency to at least meet his children. I never knew my mother either. So I've been alone for a while, moving from place to place as long as people would accept me."

I shook my head and bit into my apple again. I knew he wouldn't give me in, he was one of us. He was probably avoiding the war as well. "So what about you? Does your daughter run off often? Is she a healer like you?" I asked, finishing the apple tossing the core off into the woods as I made sure my cloak was covering my face. Trackers liked to lurk these woods. I wasn't going to risk it.

*Alright this post may be a little confusing at first but please bear with it.*

Seghed- Near the Throne Room:

Seghed tripped over an uneven paving stone and swore as he fell against the wall, dust flew into the air as he caught himself. This passageway hadn't been used in decades if not centuries. He doubted if even Emperor Zarin knew about it now, it had been long forgotten. But Seghed had found it, because that's what he did find things. Usually things you didn't want found.

Take this passageway for example, Seghed had found the building plans for all the really old castles on the continent. They'd been buried in an old ruined monastary, miraculously some of the plans had still been intact. Seghed had been shocked when he'd seen just how many secret passages riddled these supposedly impregnable fortresses. But this one actually made sense. If people were to attack the ruler in his throne room, it would be best to have an escape route no one knew about.

Happily for Seghed it worked just as well coming as going. He'd already signalled the General that they had to meet in person this time. And it amused Seghed to see the looks on their faces when he opened the passage and slipped into the throne room from behind the tapestry.

There were only four men in the throne room. The royal healer Emperor Niran's half brother, the Prince and his father, and of course the General. Altair didn't even pause to think or shout for help, he simply drew his sword and charged. Seghed jumped back nimbly, speaking the code phrase that would tell them who he was. "The serpent waits in the grass to strike."

At those words the General paused in his assault but didn't sheath his sword. Instead he turned to the royals, waiting for orders.

Ravel- Melnaran Encampment:

Ravel slipped into the tent and bowed to his father. "You wanted to see me, my Lord?"

Niran looked up from where he studied the maps of Lyall and it's famous walls. The walls encompassed the city and a good deal of forest and farmland around it. An underground river flowed beneath the city as well, so a seige was out. They couldn't starve their enemies this time. The Emperor smiled grimly and tossed a packet of papers at Rav. "I've learned some disturbing news my son. It seems we have a spy in our midst, though I know not who it is he or she has gone into the city this day. No doubt to report to his masters."

Rav cocked his head, pocketing the papers to read later. "What does that have to do with me father?"

Sighing dramatically, the Emperor shook his head. "None of my soldiers can go after this spy. But youcan enter the city without detection."

He stiffened and stifled a curse. "You know I don't like using that ability, the side effects are too severe. As much as I hate my race, they were right to ban the use of that ability."

"I don't care." Niran snapped. "You've used it before and you're still standing so you can use it again. Go into the city Ravel, find this traitor."

Rav bowed to his father, and began backing out of the tent. "As my lord wills it so."

***
Rav stood alone on the crest of a hill overlooking the looming gray stone walls of Lyall. Even at this distance his keen elvin sight let him pick out the soldiers patrolling the wall. Resignedly he glanced up at the sky, just his luck that the wind was blowing in the right direction too.

Taking a deep breath, Rav closed his eyes. He was never sure what happened when he used this power, except that he listened really hard. Just like always he felt his body begin to fade away. In a moment it was done, and Rav, or the wind that was Rav swept into the sky. The euphoria of being one with an element washed through his mind. The wind swept above the clouds and over the wall, dancing round the buildings and laughing through the trees. The wind could go anywhere and no one could stop it.

As Rav felt his mind begin to fade he gasped and jolted back into his body. Staggering, and collapsing against a tree truck. His body shook uncontrollably as fevered chills swept through him. The elves had long ago deemed Elemental Fusing a Lost Art. It was simply too dangerous. Many elves had never returned, their very beings dissolving into the elements, others had returned in body but not in mind. Still others had not brought there entire self back, leaving behind an arm or leg.

His body convulsed with the aftereffects and Rav felt himself begin to black out. That had been to close. He almost hadn't made it back this time. Rav would have to find another way to leave the city. He heard voices calling from nearby and cracked his eyes open but the world was a spinning blur of green around him. Groaning, he closed his eyes and let the darkness of unconsciousness sweep over him.

*Since there seem to be a lot of healers in this story I would like to point out that Healers would be drawn to Rav, not because of any physical pain, but because of his mental anguish.*

General Altair Jinan | Throne Room - Lyall:

Altair saw the stranger appear from behind the tapestry and lunged for him, only passing when the man told him the password. He relaxed and faced his Emperor, not saying anything or sheathing his sword. Ziran just gazed back at him. Then he finally spoke. "Good to see you."

The General relaxed, lowering his sword. He returned to his previous position, his back to the main doors to the Throne Room. The little spy would speak now and those present would listen.

Sanura | Cell; near the barracks - Lyall:

The cell was dark....humid and cold at the same time--or was that me? It was dirty too, but of it registered to me. I was delirious. Drifting in and out of consciousness. I wasn't completely aware of much, not at the moment. But I did notice a few things....like the soldier standing outside my cell, the way the light was too little and then too much, light night had passed into day.

And then I was gone again, drifting further and further away.... A spark of pain, mental and clearly not mine, drew me back, but when I opened my eyes, all I saw was the blurry wooden beams of the cell. Suddenly, I heard voices. They was discussing me, my state of health....wounds.. Was I wounded? Why was I wounded?

Sharp little pains in my ribs and should alerted me to the presence of a couple of arrows, still inbedded in my flesh. I raised my arm to remove them and pain made my vision flare white, then black. I lost conciousness again, drifting in and out. I wasn't coherant, I knew that.

((Okay, a certain Royal Healer needs to remove Sanura from her cell and move her into the main part of the Palace. Also, someone needs to heal her, y'know. Next time I post as her, I hope she's no longer injured, incoherent or unconscious.))

Niton- Royal Chambers.

Niton sat near his window with book in hand, occasionally looking out at the sky. He could hear Alice, bustling around the room organizing things. Alice was a thin women with long blond hair, she kept in a tight bun. She always wore a long flowing dress, which by some miracle she kept clean. She was also blind, and that was why Niton had enlisted her as his personal assistant. She could not see him and thus he was able to talk to her without his usual paranoia. Days like this were peaceful enough. Of course his peace was disturbed as a messenger burst into his room.

"Why do you disturb me?"

"A healer prisoner is in need of your services," the messenger panted.

Niton glanced up from his book. The messenger didn't look at him as most didn't. Most people were unsettle by his cold nature. He didn't look human and he acted the part well with his cold emotionless demeanor. Alice was the only one he ever addressed with any interest.

Niton got up, folding the page he had been reading and following the messenger out of the room. Alice followed without a word after depositing a stack of books on the shelf.

The messenger took off in another direction as Niton headed to the cells. A guard stood outside the cell and without a word he unlocked the door and let Niton in.

On the floor lay a women. The practiced eye of a healer allowed Niton to observe and calculate her injuries. Three arrows were still inside her. Niton rolled his eyes. The injuries were nothing to snuff at, but they weren't life threatening.

Niton didn't even glance at her as he left the room.

"Alice, take her to a room. Her wounds will fester in this filth. Clean her wounds and patch her up as I taught you. All the medicines and herbs you will need are in my cabinet."

"Couldn't you not heal her," she asked.

"I could, but it would be a waste of energy and time. It would also be impractical to allow her to be at full health, as we know nothing about her. It is possible she is working for the enemy. Your medical skills will be enough to keep her alive and well. I will not waste my healing ablities for such a trrival situation"

"The herbs we have won't alleviate her pain completely," she said.

"I'm aware," Niton said as he headed for the throne room. As the royal healer he would of course have to report this. He sighed in annoyance.

Seghed- Throne Room:

Seghed resisted the urge to role his eyes as the General stepped back and sheathed his sword. He was a jumpy guy, almost as bad as Rav was. He tossed the dust covered pack in his hands at Altair who caught it deftly and sneezed. Of course they would panic if he had thrown it to the Royals, they didn't know what was in it.

He turned to the Emperor and inclined his head. Not bothering with even a polite bow. "The contents are information on planned strikes and troop movements for the next few weeks. I could only get vague information, or they might start to figure out who the spy is. They are certainly getting suspicious. I'm free for a few days, so I'll be down in the city at an inn if you need me."

Altair checked the pack's contents before handing it to the Emperor. He turned back to Seghed with a raised eyebrow. "I went over all your old reports the other day spy. There's no information on the Imperial Prince."

Seghed smirked at the older man. "That's right, and there's never going to be. Unlike his father, I actually happen to like him."

The General opened his mouth, probably to shout at him. But the Royal Healer cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to him.

Jarelle | The Forest

“My daughter…” the old man said with a rueful smile. “Yes, you could say that. And, yes, she is a healer. Not quite as powerful as I am, thougth, I must admit. But, you have never seen our father?”

“No. And I don’t think anyone else has either.” Jarelle felt a twang of pain where, had he been human, his heart would be. He let none of this show on the old healer’s face.

“But that’s where you’re wrong. I have seen Jarelle, once upon a time. Oh yes,” he said, catching her startled glance. “And who’s to say that you haven’t? He told me, in the short time that we met, that he’s always there, even if we don’t always see him.” He smiled vaguely at the girl. He couldn’t see her face, but he could feel the skepticism radiating off of her in waves.

“I admit, I didn’t know it was him at first,” the old man went on, flicking a wisp of blue hair out of his face. “He came to me as an old man at first. I, naturally, thought he had some ailment, and needed a healer. I wasn’t busy, so I offered to help. He didn’t say a word, but just…” The old man raised a winkled hand, stretching it out to Shawnee, “put his hand over my eyes. When he took it away, I could see him as he was.” He let his hand fall.

Jarelle could tell that Shawnee was caught up in the story. He let his guise slip slightly, so the girl would see, as if in her mind’s eye, him as he wanted to be seen.

“Old and young, he seemed. A young man, with an old man’s cares, maybe. His skin was blue, if you can believe it, as were his eyes… And he told me, very calmly, which path to take. What I should do with my troubles. Good, old fashioned, fatherly advice, it was.” Jarelle snapped back into the guise of the old man. The spell was broken. “Which I won’t share with you, saving this; he’s always around, and you can see him, if you keep your eyes peeled.” The old man winked.

“But,” Began Shawnee as he stood up, brushing off his jacket. She rose to her feet next to him.

“No buts,” said the old man, smiling kindly at her. “I must get on. I’ll point you in the right direction before I go, though.” He saw, under the shadows of the hood, an open mouth quickly shut. Shawnee nodded.

“You’ll want to go that way,” he said, pointing, “Towards the castle of Lyall. I believe you’ll find that route most interesting.” He smiled, patting the girl on the shoulder. “Good luck. Now, I must get home.”

“Wait,” Shawnee said as he turned to leave. “What about your daughter?” The old man grinned to himself.

“You know, I think that she’ll be just fine, now.” With that, he walked into the woods, leaving the girl standing there. A few steps under the shadow of the trees, he vanished into the shadows. A breeze blew over Jarelle’s daughter, left standing in the clearing. It sounded almost like a whisper. “Take care…” it seemed to breathe. Then, Jarelle was gone.

Shawnee

"Utterly bizarre..." I mumbled before shutting my mouth again. For a moment, I wondered... then quickly shoved the thoughts from my head. There was no way that could have been him. He was just one of my many crazy siblings - one who was lucky enough to see our father at that - and not our father. With a sigh I looked towards the castle, yet the old man was out of sight.

If I went towards the castle there would be an increase of lurking guards, trackers, etcetera. I did not feel like being captured today, and after that incident with my hood falling down earlier, I wasn't going to risk it. I bit my lip and turned my back on the castle, heading further off into the forest.

My usual camping spot was right up against the city wall, the way I saw it was inside a cell or inside a city, walls were always surrounding us. The only difference was one set of walls was protecting us from a war while the other kept people from bringing it into the city. It also kept people like me from starting rebellion groups or talking bad about our emperor.

The conversation that the old man and I had just had chewed away at the back of my head as I walked. I noticed my pace slowing. It seemed unfair that he had seen Jarelle, something I would probably never do. Something many of us would probably never do. I had never had a real family, and just once as a child I wanted to give my father a hug of some sort when he came home at the end of the day to a home cooked meal that I had helped mother prepare. Even if it was only for a day.

I sighed and turned around, heading for the castle.

Elphame I The Forest

Elphame had been summoned to track down a rouge healer. Of course her services were needed in this time of war, but she refused to be apart of it. Elphame really didn't want to delve deeper into the affairs of Lyall, but she needed something to do.

She had spent too much time lately spying on her brother, following him through the forest. He had grown into a strong young man. She was still worried that he would go mad and slaughter thousands, but she had now way of stopping him now. She just had to watch him and know that maybe there could be a change for the better, beginning with him.

Elphame looked down the path that Shawnee had taken, a few more steps and she saw her. Shawnee was standing by herself in a clearing, her back was turned to Elphame, and hadn't heard her approach.

Elphame slowly walked forward and spoke when she was about five feet behind her. "Well, I'm sent out to track you, and yet you fall into my lap."

Shawnee jumped at the sound of Elphame's voice and turned her head and then took off running. Elphame had known this might happen and so had taken her time to commune with the earth. After three steps Shawnee's feet had been trapped in a tangle of vines around her ankles.

With no where to go Shawnee turned to Elphame, "I am not going with you."

Elphame smirked, and the vines tightened a little. "I never said you had to."

Shawnee's puzzlement was clear on her face, but then turned to suspicion. "What do you mean?"

Elphame circled as she explained herself. "You do not have to go with me, but then again I was summoned to fetch you, and fetch you I did."

With her ankles bound, it made it hard for her to keep eye contact with Elphame, so Shawnee had to turn her body to follow Elphame's circle. "Yes, it seems you have."

Elphame let her hands fall behind her back, and looked Shawnee in the eye. "Now, I must decide if I will finish and take you back, or let you go..."