Good writers needed!

Heh. She sure was a brave one to test him like this...

"Might I have a look?"

Without waiting for her reply, he approached the horse, examining the injury.

After awhile, he nodded to himself, coming to some conclusion.

This oughta be fun, he thought.

Passing his hand over the wound, his eyes turned white with the use of the forbidden power. Then he spoke a few words, an incantation that slowly healed the wound.

When he released this power, he was noticably drained of energy. Without looking back at the elf, he spoke, "Mount." A command. Whether or not she refused, he would now have to take action. And perhaps, while she certainly did not trust him now, maybe she feared him enough to listen.

I knew it, she thought angrily, I knew he wasn't to be trusted. Well it's now or never, I either succumb to his order or I rebel and face the consequences.

She hesitated but a moment before looking him straight in the eye.

"No," That was it. She had challenged him.

Warily she watched for his next move.

He sighed, still recovering from the forbidden power's toll, bracing himself against the steed.

"Thought it might come to this...Then I suppose you can fight them on your own?"

At cue, the thunder came into view over the forest hillside. Thirty men, mounted and armed.

He cocked his head and smiled at the woman. "Well, what'll it be?

One look at the hill, she clamored onto the horse with such speed she herself could hardly believe.

"Lead on," she said breathlessly.

'Bout time she gave in, he mused.

He swung himself into the saddle and kicked in hard. The horse, renewed in strength, bolted through the stream waters.

The elven steeds were some of the finest breeds existing. Outrunning their pursuers would be easy. This time. They weren't likely to give up so easily.


They rode for the better half of the afternoon, losing the soldiers somewhere along the way.

Abruptly, he halted the horse, and swung out of the saddle. Gazing around the area he announced, "We'll break here."

Already the sun was beginning to sink below the horizon.

"I suggest you eat while you can. We'll be traveling across the expanse under night's cover."

Elainora looked dizzily at what she supposed was now her captor. Dazed from the sudden halt as she was, she spoke to him.

"I don't see any food growing in that unwashed head of hair you have," she said saucily.

A moment after it was out of her mouth she bit her lip. This wasn't the time to ridicule the man beside her.

He raised an eyebrow at her. Then after a moment, he searched through his bags and produced a bag of dried jerky, throwing it to her.

He unhitched his flask as well, drinking a bit of its contents before tossing it in her direction.

"Sure hope you're not a vegetarian."

He glanced around, noticing a spring protruding from the earth a few paces back. Mockingly, he announced, "I'll be right over there washing my hair, should you need me again." Bitter as his voice was, he did share some amusement with it.

As he started off in the spring's direction, he added, "Oh yes, and don't think of running off now. I won't very much like chasing you down once more."

Is he a mind reader? Asked Elainora to herself, as she sat on the horse holding the bag of jerky.

Indeed, she had seriously thought of running away, it was a most appealing thought, holding his bag of food in her hands, but no, she shook her head.

He definitely could track her down once more. What did he want? Elainora thought as she took out a strip of jerky and solemnly munched on it.

They continue their journey once the sun has set. The forest soon thins until it completely opens out into the plains.

And after awhile it vanishes behind them.

She sure is quiet, he observes. He had expected to be hit with questions...

They rode on through the entire night without stopping once. As the sky began to lighten the following morning, a thought hit him.

Surely, being a living being, she'd be needing water by now.

He pulled the horse to a quick halt. Had he killed her already? He nudged his companion.

(Umm...is he riding in front of her or behind her? I said behind because that's how it is most of the time, you know, they usually want to keep an eye on their captives...)

Elainora rode silently for hours, her gaze straight ahead, like one in a trance. She was thinking of all the ways of escaping. Finally she gave up and let her mind wander...

What an inconsiderate beast the man riding behind her was, didn't he know that she was dying of thirst? Shouldn't he be likewise?

Fine! If he could go for hours without water, she could too.

Suddenly they stopped. He poked her and Elainora whipped around in the saddle, he must have been startled because he...

He must have been startled because he...

Drew out a dagger, pointed at the tip of her throat, his eyes locked hard on her.

And after a few long moments of reassuring himself, he released his firm grip on her arm and dismounted.

The plains were dry of water, especially in this season. They'd have no luck finding water here.

Luckily, he had thought of this before they left the spring. He pointed to the water keg he had placed inside the horse's saddle bags.

"Drink," he said.

With that done, he searched the stars for new direction. "If we continue this way, we'll find the city of Dursa."

As hard as she tried, Elainora could hardly regain her composure quickly after being held at knifepoint.

Then the truth hit her, hard.

He could kill her, easily. He was no one to trifle with and it would not do to critize him any longer.

She drank thirstily and having satisfied herself, sat silently in the saddle.

Once again, she realized something very strange and unsettling.

He had eaten nothing. No human could exert the energy he had without food, they would pass out.

May I join? this too is a first for me

Name ~ Zayku
Gender ~ male
Hair ~ Dark blonde, shaggy and somewhat long {think of Eragon at the beginning of the movie}
Eyes ~ almond shaped dark blue, almost a black
Body type ~ 5'9" (not too tall) and lean
Complexion ~ tan, almost a shade of apricot
race~ human

Notes: He is a scout for the empire and is one of the men after Elainora. He carries a bow, a sharpshooter of sorts. He is loyal to the queen but rebels against unjustice.

Meanwhile, Zayku rode upon his noble steed, who was tired after tracking the elf. He was now on the plains, a dangerous place for him. He could be seen miles away. Then again, the elf couldn't just blend into the long grasses.
He rode back west, meeting his cheif and commander half a mile back.

"Sir, they have entered the plains. The horses have started to slow down. We will be on them in three days at this pace." Zayku's commander, Rorok, smiled.
"Good job Zayku. Boys, we sharpen our blades. We will ride through the night and catch them tomorrow. The plains will be died red in the Queen's name! Tomorrow we fight!"
The men cheered. Each of them rode on a white horse, and wore silver armor. Their shields bore the Empire's emblem, a purple lion, with a white background. Their flags also had the emblem blazing on it.
Zaykuk agrued against his commander's will. "Sir, if we ride through the night our horse will be too tired and they would get a lead on us again. We mustn't go!" The commander stared at him viscously.
"Are you her majesty's commander now?" He leaned over on his horse, close enough to Zayku to feel his breath. Zayku glared at Rorok, and turned to the plains, hsi dark purple cape trailing waving behind him. He would beat Rorok to the elf, and he would bring in the girl's bounty for himself.

(Of course you may join! Yay! A new character! Wohoo!)