Upon the many roads that I have walked I did not for see myself walking one such as this.

All that I once knew is gone. All I have to remind me of it is Neona,my weapons and my tribal marks. All else is gone.

Faervel is gone. My family and friends gone.

As ranger I had gotten used to being away from my home. Away from my small hut of a house nook-ed in to the trees.

Away from the sounds of laughter, the talk of the elders. The feeling of family.

It was my duty and honor to be a ranger. To wander the land. To keep my friends and family safe from the dangers that lurked there.

I was not alone in my duty. But often alone on the road. Neona my rusted mare, my only company.

Now I find myself in a strange place. A place that feels darker than the darkness I faced at home.

Two Weeks, and four days had gone by. She knew only the time by the passage of the sun and moon. She hoped at least that time passed the same here. Where ever she was.

There had been some sort of magic going on there at that old temple. Some sort of magic had taken her away from everything she had ever known and tossed her here. Was this hell? It seemed far to lush and green, yet the air. The air was thick with magic, and the scents on the wind. Not only the scents of the forest, but of an ocean,and a town. A strong scent of blood,both old and new.

Neona quivered under her.

"Its alright,shh." Ryna leaned forward and ran her fingers through that thick white mane and down her mares strong neck.

It didn't seem like hell, nor did it seem like some sort of heaven. There was no sense of peace.

There must be a way back. That was the thought that crossed her mind. Perhaps if they took stock of where they were. So very slowly and with some coxing Ryna had Neona take a long slow trot around the glen unto which they had entered.

It seemed normal. The trees were young, but not so young. As if they had seen much more than they appeared to have sen. The water of the lake seemed clear,blue and clean. The grass was healthy.

Though the scents in the air made her wonder, as did the feel of magic Ryna felt at last a bit more at ease. This was not hell.

Neona was still uneasy under her, so Ryna did not dismount. "Let us see what this forest may have to offer,perhaps we will stumble upon a way home."

"Ryna..Rynallae!"

The voice woke her.

She opened her eyes to the old forest of home.

Faervel spread out before her. The large ancient trees, the feeling of spring on the wind.

Neona stood behind her, and mounted beside her favored mare was a young man. He was tall and slim. His hair was raven black and his eyes mirrored her own coloring, but there was a faint blue tone inside the green.

He was mounted on a black stallion Alti'uin. He wore tones of brown and green. His skin was tan like her own. His arms were bare to the shoulder showing the long sweeping tattoos of their clan.

"Toror' "

Daechir Tira"allara was a handsome man. Even as his sister Ryna knew this. Rising to her feet she crossed to Neona.

"You rested too long sister, the hunt is a foot. " He grinned at her. He was armed with his bow and arrows, his twin short swords and one long sword. He looked ready for battle even in his simple clothing and leather.

Mounting Neona she followed him as he raced away.

Ahead of them a trio of riders raced after fleeing goblins. They had flushed out a dwelling of them not an hour ago. Though goblins hated the sun light, they ran through the forest now, dancing around the swaths of light that came in.

Ahead of them more sun poured in,as the trees bent away.

Daechir chuckled as he set loose an arrow and caught a goblin as it tried to go west. "Rokan, is having too much fun with them." Ryna shook her head she set set free three arrows one after the other to take down goblins far ahead of her.

Rokan was the clan mage. Though they all had their own magic. He had studied and gained powers some of them would never. He wore green robes and wielded a staff that was imbued with powers of the elders. . His hair was russet brown and flew out behind him as he rode a stallion white as pure snow.

He favored her. He had been trying to woo her for many years. If it had not been for the terrible deaths of her parents when she was still young, she would have been married to him. Now she was a well respected ranger, and no one held sway over whom she could love or marry.

She had known both boys and men, she had never loved any of them, none deeply enough to make a mark upon her heart or mind. Rokan was too brash, even as he tried to woo her with sweet words and gifts.

There had been a few men she had known who had wooed her. Rokan had been the most powerful.

Daechir raced ahead to catch up with the other two riders.

One was Ciara. A lovely fair haired elf. Her star light silver hair was one of the rarity of their clan. Her tattoos were even more unique . Ryna knew her brother was hopelessly in love with the fine ranger.

She rode tall and strong on a chestnut mare. A true warrior among the rangers.

The other rider was Hanin. A young elf for the rangers, he was new to the hunt but kept pace well. Ryna knew it was his mighty gray horse that pushed through the under brush that aided him.

The goblins that fled did not make it far at all. They died by arrows int he back long before the hunting rangers even reached the edge of the clan boundary

The horse stopped and the rangers came together as one.

Ciara smiled to Ryna. " For being late to the hunt you took out sixteen of the goblins."

Daechir chuckled to that. "Still sister, you were late. Why did I come upon you sleeping?"

Ryna looked to her brother, her fellow rangers. "I hunted last night."

"Alone?" Rokan looked over to her. His eyes were pale blue, and framed by his wind swept hair she could see why so many women of the clans adored him. He was so handsome.

"I am quite able to hunt on my own. I found a cave near the water of orcs."

Daechir swore lightly under his breath. "Seler' , are you mad" Orcs alone?"

Ryna rolled her eyes at him and looked to Ciara. " Do you not hunt alone?"Ciara sighed. "Yes, but I have had more years at this than you. " She focused her gaze to Daechir then. "Do not be too mad with her. She is doing the duty I charged her with. But still you should be careful hunting alone."

Hanin grinned widely. He was only in his first century while the rest of them were int heir second or third. "Can we go back now, have some food."

"Yes, come on." Ciara led the way off. Rokan did not follow the three as they moved off.

"Ryna." He pulled his horse beside her own. "I do not expect you to understand why we all worry. But you are destined to be an elder, one of power. You should be more wise than hunting orcs on your own."

She narrowed her eyes at him. He was older than her, and she was to give him her respect but he was wrong , and she would not hold her tongue. "Yes, destine, like my parents. I do not see you telling my brother not to hunt alone, which I know he does. They died for their power, and for the clan. I will not die that way. I will live my life and see what this land can offer me."

She moved to ride away and he grabbed her arm in a vise like grip that pulsed with power. His eyes set upon her. " One day you will face a foe you can not fight alone. "He loosened his grip. "Please come back to the camp with us."

"So you can plead with the elders. For them to teach me my place" I know my place Rokan, it is time you learned yours. "

She pulled her arm away.

" You can not fight what is meant Ryna. You and I are meant."

"No I will not believe that. "

"Your parents did, the elders do. You have power in you, powers that I can teach you. If you'd only open your self to me. I know you find me alluring, handsome. " He looked her over. "You are so lovely...and you know this. You have so much sway with the clan, so much power. You once told me you cared for me."

"That was many years ago, I was young. My parents were not yet dead. Not even a century in."

"And now two score in, and so much has changed. Ranger of the wilds, powerful voice with the people even when you are not there. I know other men adore you, many may have wooed you."

"I do not want any one. I will not be with anyone until I know myself. Least of all you."

He shook his head. "Do not say that. We share something. Do not tell me you do not think of it. So young and free, standing in the rain ."

"You mesmerized me. "

"It was no magic Ryna." He moved closer and she moved Neona away.

"True I was older. You were not yet in your first century and I was already half way through mine. But we were both young. You think I wooed you for your parents , for the gain of what we could be. But I wooed you for you."

"Do not speak to me of the past Rokan. "

"It pains you does it' Or does it arouse you to think of that day. The rain that came in so soft, the glow of forest. That little lake we found with its hidden grotto. The kiss we shared. "

Ryna shook her head and refused to think of it. She had loved him, and wanted him in that moment in the rain.

"There were other kisses. Yet none since they died. Do you blame yourself" If you do your a fool. They were not the only elders that died that day, nor the only ones within the clans."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Enough.."

"No. If you had been with them you would have died. We lost many that day to the orcs. We have paid them back ten fold. Enough of this, this running away from who you are."

"This is who I am!" She yelled at him and drew her sword at him she held it out at him within easy striking distance.

Rokan held his hands up.

"Do not follow me. And do not question me. Our past means nothing. I do not want you or need you." She spurred Neona away then fast as the wind.

She dismissed the thought with the coming sun.

The very idea that Rokan could have sent her away. Why would he do that' It was not possible.

Looking down to the little ring of stones and the last of what had been embers the night before she knew she would likely return there again. Rising to her feet she turned to Neona. The mare was already risen and nibbling on the grasses near by.

In the day light the glen was more amazing that she had seen in the darkness. The waters of the little lake were pure and blue, and the grasses which Neona now nibbled on looked fresh,wild and green.

The trees that surrounded them were young trees. But they held many stories. Ryna could feel them now, as she had not felt them the night before.

The sun was warm and welcoming after such a dark night.

"Come Neona, let us see if we can find our way to somewhere."

Ryna picked a direction at random. This was not Faervel and having no idea which was was north,south, east or west she picked a way at random.

Neona seemed pleased enough to trot beside her along through the underbrush.

The sun shone glittering through the oaks and pines. This forest was vast but young. Nothing like the forests of Faervel . There the trees were old. Hundreds of thousands of old trees, that stood taller than most of those around her now.

Even the young trees of home spoke with a deep understanding of their place.

These trees were young. Though how young she could not tell. They spoke, but not in the way the trees of Faervel did.

The sight of buildings stopped her. The sound of people. Breaking through the last of the trees she saw it. A city out spread before her. It stretched out wide. Beyond she could see the ocean or a sea, and a river that was bridged. The city spread on beyond those bridges, there were more wood far off.

Neona pawed at the ground. Ryna turned to her beloved mare. "We have faced all manner of creatures, one city should not cause us such pause." The mare looked at Ryna with her warm brown eyes.

Ryna had been to cites before, villages and towns. Some were welcoming others were not. There was no way to tell what this place would be. There was the scent of the ocean,the salt the smell of fresh fish. There was the scent of blood,and death that she had scented the eve before.

Taking the reins in her hand she moved away from the comfort of the forest. Even though it was unknown to her, forests were what she knew.

She moved Neona trotting behind and beside her. There were great walls and towns that guarded the city. But the gates were open and unguarded. Perhaps only at night would they be closed, or guarded.

With no idea where to begin, Ryna kept heading in to the city.

The streets were made of cobble stone. She had seen streets like this before, paved by stone. There were buildings all around. If they were homes or businesses she could not know. She was drawn by the sound of people.

A marketplace opened up before her. Buildings here were smaller closer together...There were stalls selling goods and people,many people.

Ryna took a deep breath. There were elves there, and drow. Humans, Men and women. She saw people talking trading goods for other goods and for coinage. She saw strange men in uniforms of blue. Women who walked about in fine dress.

At least she wasn't alone, nor was Neona the only horse. There were some stalled near by, others who pulled carts about.

A merchant near by called out to passer byes. " Come now, you sir you must need some of my fine spices, or one of my weapons the best in all of Rhydin." The passer byes seemed t pay the merchant little heed. "My lady, some fine cloth to make a dress, or a toy for your little one."

He seemed to carry everything, from dried hanging herbs to weapons. Ryna would try her luck, see what she could find out, trade coins for information.

She stopped by his stall. "Good day to you, sir."

"Aha customer. Good morrow fair lady, what can I sell you this day?" He looked her over. Ryna wondered if she looked like an easy mark. She had dealt with merchants before. "I may be willing to buy something, if your willing to help me out."

"I am at your service my dear lady. Hazin always is at the service of a fair lady."

Ryna looked over his wears, she was sure none of them would be worth what he was asking. But she could barter. The dried herbs could come in handy, and they looked fresh. Sage,rosemary, and lavender. These were herbs she knew well. "Your dried herbs how much for a bundle?"

"For you my fair lady, two gold each." He smiled wide. Ryna nearly laughed. The herbs would likely be easier to find and dry herself, but she would be willing to barter. "I will buy one bundle, if you can help me with something. I will even pay extra."

His smile grew. "How may I serve you?"

"This town, what is it called?"

"Why my lady this is the great city of Rhydin. Are you new here" Visiting?" His smile grew with every word.

So this place had a name. "Visiting." She nodded to that. She knew Faervel had no towns,villages or cites with that name. This was not home, far from it.

The merchant grinned at her. She looked to the bundle of dried sage. "That one." He gladly handed it over for three gold coins. "For your aide." She backed away from the stall then and moved off in to the market.

The place had a name. It had people in it, and things she knew well and had seen before. But it was still strange to her. She walked on away from the market and its noise.

One way led towards the bridged water. The other deeper in to town and the other away back towards the blue ocean. She choose to go deeper in to the town.

Crossing again through an open gate past gate houses and no lingering guards.

The buildings were close so close she judged one could jump from roof top to roof top if they wanted . Here it was quiet. No one wandered the streets, and the scent of death and blood came and went as she walked. Cities had death, as did the wilds. Cities just clung to death more. She had learned that long ago.

She came to a stop as she saw a building. It was different from the others she had passed.

It rose two stories from a foundation of stone. It looked old, and well worn. It looked to be built of wood with a wooden roof. The building almost had a red hue to its walls under the woven wood.

Neona trotted easily beside her. As Ryna took note of the building. A porch covered the whole face of the building holding chairs of all types for people to sit in. There was a lamp in the street and a lamp that hung outside the doors, that were solid wood. The sign that swayed in the breeze Read The Red Dragon Inn.

This seemed as good a place to take a moment. There was a place to leave Neona outside. Ryna didn't tie her mare to the post. "I trust you not to wander. I am going to see what I can find out, and see if there is somewhere we might both stay." She gave her mare a kiss to the nose before walking up the steps on to the impressive porch.

She shouldn't have worried. Neona was house inside out of the elements. She had warm hay to lay in, a clean stall, and oats. Ryna smirked as she watched a young stable hand feed the horses apples and carrots.

They all had fine lodging, hay and warm blankets, fresh food and water. And a tender staff. Ryna crossed in to the stable. The warm smell of hay, of horses. She felt even more at ease here. The horses who were awake stuck their heads out to greet her. She passed a roan mare, a stallion black as onyx, and a yearling as pale as the moon.

Neona was tucked in her own stall munching away on an apple.

"Well warm and cozy are we?" Ryna reached in and Neona pressed her head in to Ryna's out stretched hand.

"Oh hello miss Tira"allara." The young stable hand was a pretty thing. Maybe five foot tall and one hundred pounds soaking wet. Her hair was the tone of browned wheat and her eyes were pale blue.

A young woman who had likely been born and raised in this town, for she did not mispronounce Ryna's last name. "Good morning Haley. "

"I hope its alright that Neona has a treat, now and then."

"It is fine, she needs one, we had a long journey. I plan to take her out now and then, but I would like to keep her a stall here."

"Oh that's fine, all the horses get their exercise even those here who don't have as nice of owners. You can pay for the stall in advance or as you go."

Ryna looked Haley over. "Your father is a good man, allowing you to work here and tend to your passion." Haley smiled, " Is it that easy to tell" I love horses."

"And they adore you. You care for them with a gentle hand. You brush them and give them treats." Ryna gave Neona a kiss on the nose. "I too have a love for horses. They speak to me sometimes. Neona more than others."

"They do' I thought they only did that with me. Beatrice there she was sick last week and no one knew what was wrong. I told my father it was an upset stomach and I was right. It was like she told me."

Ryna glanced at the mare then back to Haley. "And Lash there, he is temperamental, he doesn't like many. He was treated wrongly by his old owner before your father saved him. That stallion is quiet in love with you I think. He enjoys his morning carrots."

Haley stared at her for a long moment. Then she smiled. " You do know them don't you. Some people they say they can read horses, or that they know what they are thinking. But most of the time they are liars. You knew his name and his story. There was no way for you to know either unless he told you."

"He speaks easily to me. "

"Your new to Rhydin, right?"

"Yes, I came to town only yesterday." She need not tell the young girl all the details.

" Rhydin can be a scar place if it wants to be. There is a lot of strange things and people here. If you ever want, I could tell you all I know about our little town. I was born here."

Ryna smiled. "I would enjoy that. Perhaps later. I would like to take Neona out on a morning ride at the moment."

"Oh I'll get you your saddle." Haley danced off and came back. Ryna wanted to hep her but let the girl carry the saddle in and put it on Neona. Neona waited, and didn't seem to mind being tended to. Neona even gave Haley a little head nuzzle. "Neona has warmed to you, that is rare."Haley smiled. "She is the most pretty horse I have ever seen."Ryna gave Neona a long stroke. "I must agree, well Neona are we ready for our morning ride?"

The mare gave a whinny.

"We shall see you in a while Haley." Ryna mounted up and gave Neona a click and off they went in to the town. Ryna recanted her night for her mare as they road out over the cobbles.

After making sure Neona was warm in her stall and that Haley had gone inside for the eve. Ryna walked back to the inn. She did not linger long in the streets. Night had fallen and as Haley had warned it could be a dangerous place this city at night.

Ryna smirked to that thought. What could there be here that she could not face? She had faced foes wicked and powerful before. The city with its buildings and shadowed alleys was no so different from the forest of home. Both places could hold danger.

The inn was near empty when she walked in and up to her rented room. Closing and locking the door behind her she wandered to the bed,sat and took off her boots. She lay her bow and quiver of arrows there upon the bed and walked barefoot to the window.

She could see the stable in the distance the soft puff of smoke from the chimney of Haley's home. The city seemed eerily quiet. Nothing moved in the shadows,there were no blood curdling screams in the dark. There was merely silence,the wind and the in coming clouds.

Ryna woke sitting in the window seat the cool wind brushing along her face. Rhydin set out before her in the night.

The elders had never wed her to Rokan. They had not seen that day of her eightieth year. For so much happened before that. Running her fingers through her hair she closed the window and drew the shade then moved to the bed.

Her mind still on the past even as she went to sleep once more.

She lay her bow against the bed. Her quiver next to it. She unbelted her sword and dagger and lay the dagger upon the night stand. The door was locked but with a soft word she uttered a light enchantment to prevent anyone from breaking in.

She dug her bare feet under the covers and lay starring up at the ceiling. Closing her eyes she thought of Neona. The smell of the stables. The feeling of the forest floor under bare feet. Good thoughts to take her in to more pleasant dreams.

She shot up in the cold dark. Her own scream broke the night. The window wide open the cold air seeping in. She rose quickly and shut and locked it as she thought she had hours ago. The street below was dark and covered with snow.

She clutched the bedding to her chest. Her knuckles white.

No the elders had never been able to give her to Rokan. Her father had never blessed a wedding, nor had her mother ever gotten to weave flowers in to Ryna's hair. Vilael never saw her fortieth year, Tranyn was still a boy never seeing even twenty. And Zylyn died in her mothers arms.

Ryna felt the tears slide down her cold cheeks. Daechir was the only family she had left. The others had all been killed. Their home burnt. The elders were dead, along with dozens of families.

The rangers with her and a few others had escaped death. It was simple luck or it was fate. But Ryna could see it, the fire in the night.

It haunted her even when her eyes were open.

It was weeks later when the dead were laid to rest that Rokan and Hisin returned. Hisin was badly wounded and Rokan was not much better.

After they were tended to they told a tale. A tale of horror.

"We rode out before you, and when we crossed this way we were attacked." Hisin spoke,his breathing still heavy. "We were attacked from above. Then the orcs came. The others died quickly. I saw Rokan being dragged away towards the camp...I followed."

"I saw them. They raged through the houses. The goblins tore apart the people, the orcs the homes...but someone drove them. I was too late. As I went in to try and help something hit me from behind."

Ryna noted he bore that mark upon his forehead, a black inky dot. "I woke up in a cage. There was someone chanting...a man I think the voice was deep. I fell asleep and when I woke Rokan was picking the lock of my cell."

Ryna looked to Rokan. He looked pale but bore no mark upon his face. "What happened?"

"They took me, they killed my mother before me. Then they caged me and showed me the camp on fire. I saw it all through some sort of magic. There was a cloaked person...I do not know who it was...but they started to weave some sort of spell over me...it back fired and knocked them in to the darkness. I woke in the forest days later and found my way back to find Hisin..."

Ryna looked to them both. Hisin would not live to see many more days she could feel it. "Two elders escaped. And a handful of the clan. Most of our families and friends are dead...and we will see to it that the goblins and orcs pay. And I swear that I will find this dark hooded man or woman and kill them for what they have done."

She swore the oath in elvish.

Ryna awoke in the stables.

She had not returned to her rented room above the Red Dragon Inn after coming back from a late night ride. It had been very nice. It wasn't often she made friends, she wasn't easy to trust.

In this city she doubted she would make many friends.

Rising from the hay she smiled at the blanket that had been laid over her. Neona was still asleep. Haley must have come in at some point and covered her with that blanket.

The night had been cold,she recalled but she hadn't felt it there huddled in the stables.

She brushed hay from her backside as she moved from the stall. Neona's eyes peeked open and Ryna gave her a little pet. "Go back to sleep." It wasn't even dawn yet. She lay that blanket over her beloved mare and stepped from the stall,locking the gate behind her.

The night before had been her first real exposure to Rhydin. It too had been the first night she had the chance to meet patrons at the inn. She had made a few friends, or she hoped they would be friends.

~~~~

Friendship was not easy for her. Not here in this new place but she had found that it might just be possible. The ride through the night with Silver and Morgan had opened her eyes to the city and the other glen. Racing on Neona through the trees, she had felt like she was home again.

Though the trees still did not speak to her. She felt a bit more settled.

Perhaps if she was open to it she would make more friendships in this odd place. Leaving the stable and the sleeping horses behind Ryna wandered out in to the street. She could see the lights inside Haley's house, they had just begun to burn. Someone was already awake and beginning their day. Huddled in her cloak Ryna wandered away from the stable and house. She felt safe leaving Neona behind, but everything else traveled with her. She was pleased with the new clothes she was able to find and buy. Haley had taken her old things with the promise to wash and return them.

The colors were the same tones of green and brown. Perhaps whens he returned to the marketplace she would buy other tones of clothing. The city was not truly the place for tones of green and brown. Here would be the tones of blue,black and purple.

For now huddled under her yet to be washed cloak she wandered away . The city was quiet beyond. ~~~ Hours later

Standing on the porch in this chill didn't seem wise. But she had yet to feel the need to enter. She had wandered to the stable and back. Seen Neona and even gone on a short ride. Yet still she felt restless. So she stood in the cold,bundled under her cloak. She could go in have a cup of tea or perhaps a glass of wine,sit watch the patrons. But she wanted to linger there a little longer.

Perhaps it had been the restless night before. She had set off fr the glen again that day. Yet she found nothing. No signs of magic portals,no feeling of home. The trees still did not speak to her. Her roaming had done her no good and had left her feeling home sick.

Casting her gaze off in to the night past the lap light on the porch and the one on the street. The wind blew in again. It carried the smell of the city beyond. She had hoped to figure it out by now. How she had come to be here. To be home. Closing her eyes for a moment she could see home again. With a shake of her head she opened her eyes. If she had not come here she would have never met the few friends she had chance to make. That made her smile.

If she was trapped here as it seemed she would make the very best of it.

She did not for once awake with a scream. She was safe there in the loft above the stable. Mr. Greg had been very kind to rent out this small space for her. She would work for it, and prove herself.

Rising from the bed she crossed to the shinning reflection in the mirror. She studied herself in that floor length lavender nightdress, her raven hair in a loose braid, her face framed by those green and gold marks,like a grown of elven royalty. She wiggled her toes and looked down to her marked blue and gold feet. The marks remained, and the power remained.

There was hope in that. She stood there a moment and saw the mirror image ripple and swore she saw movement behind her. Spinning she faced the room. It was empty, but she felt a chill suddenly as if someone had been spying on her.

She took a step forward and gave the room a good look over. It was dark save for the little moon light that filtered in from above, and through the window. Ryna did not fear the dark. "Who's there?"

"Ryna..." The voice came from behind her. She spun to face the mirror. But saw only her own reflection.

Then across the room she saw the window blow open. The wind came in from outside and ruffled through the room. The chill was suddenly gone even though the air that blew in was frosty cold.

Padding slowly to the window she began to close it and saw movement below in the alley way. A shadow moved along out of sight, as if someone had been standing there and now ran. She shut the window and locked it.

No shadows would make her fear.

The wind raced past her face as Neona raced. Ryna called out in elven. And the mare went faster. Over the ground,like she was flying. Through the forest, across the glen. Quick light and fierce. The mare raced with a passion for the wind.

Ryna rode. Her hands on the reins. She rode with skill. And the years she and her favored mare shared. Neona knew every call, every mark along this pathway now. She jumped fallen logs and zig zagged through the trees. Ryna laughed and let the wind race past her. They were not hunting, not fleeing. But just ridding.

They raced till she saw something. A building. She looked over her shoulder. She had ridden past the path, way past it. She was north of the market place now. Thankfully she had settled in tot he woods and city well enough to be able to know North from south east from west. But she had never seen the place before her. Large gates seemed bro from large bolder stone walls. The gate was open. The walls seemed to grow from the earth and disappear in to the forest beyond.

Ryna dismounted slowly. Walking towards the gates. They were open. She saw no sign of any guards. But she knew that sometimes magic guarded places. Neona nudged her. Ryna smiled. Then reached up and took the reins. Though she would not usually lead the mare, this was new ground, so for now Ryna would lead the mare gently forward.

She caught a whiff of flowers. Of gardens. Neona nudged her a bit more. "Its alright." Ryna looked back then walked some more. She came to a center circle and saw houses, or manors. Seven of them. Which she was not sure. There were gardens by each. Looking out she could see more flowers more gardens, lakes and trees that bore fruit. A vast grounds.

"I wonder what this place is?" Neona nudged her from behind. Ryna turned to the mare and ran her fingers through her mane. "The gates were open. I felt no harm in going through them. It was as if something drew us here."Looking back to the vast compound.

( Continued:Here)

Content Warning: features Disturbing Sex imagery, Intense Scenes, Harsh Language Violence & Gore.

　 " Blood calls on blood." The voice was deep, alluring. It penetrated her soul and mind. It seeped in to her skin. The voice chanted in the tongue of men, then in ancient elven. *"Agar a' yel agar."

There was a flicker of lightning. The old temple stood charred ,death still at its feet. The goblin bodies were rotted. Some were picked clean by hungry wolves. The temple looked lovely even as its columns were charred, the stone floor black.

They lie a flat rock upon a large stone. Like a table it sat. Slightly slanted up. Someone crossed in to her view. Tall and broad under a cloak of black. She could not see the face. The hands that moved were gloved.

Upon the table of stone tied down by vines was Daechir. He was stripped to the waist. His board chest bore long thin cuts. Blood ran down his torso, and in to silver cups upon the black ground.

*"Toror'!" She screamed.

The one in the hood turned. His face was covered by a mask, his eyes were dark. He held a ceremonial dagger in his left hand.

"Rynallae." The hooded one spoke. His voice was deep and rich.

Daechir opened his eyes. ***"Seler' rima ten'ta!"

There was another flicker of lighting and more of the woods were lit up. The temple seemed to grow, still ruins, but it held more to it. The pillars stood strong and unburned, the floor was pure white marble. Against a far wall she saw her. Ciara held to the wall by vines that served as chains. She was stripped of her weapons and of her normal clothing. She wore barely enough to cover her form. Like her brother there was blood upon her skin, shallow cuts along her bare stomach, arms and legs.

"Ciara!" She cried and tried to run to her but the hooded one stopped her.

"You can not aide her." His eyes set to her. "You will be a fine mate for me." He reached out for her. As his gloved hand got close Neona broke through the trees a flash of white against dark.

The mighty mare thundered in pushing the hooded mage away. Ryna took hold of her saddle as the mare thundered past. Mounted and armed now with her bow and a notched arrow she turned Neona back towards the hooded one.

"Let them go." She leveled the arrow at the mage.

The mage chuckled. "Shoot, it will do nothing. Your brother and friend are mine. I have already planted my seed in Ciara. She was so unwilling. It was alluring. She will bare me a son. "

"Who are you?"

" You do not know me, but you will. Oh we shall spend much time together soon." The dagger flickered in his hand. "I called you here using your brothers blood. Soon his mind will be mine. He will serve me. Soon many of the clan will follow. Daechir will serve me well. He will bring me mates, and take some himself. Ciara will bare me sons, then die. Her blood will wash over me and give me power."

Ryna shivered at his words. They dug deep. The mage seemed to know this. "Those who will not bow down will die." He swept his hands out and she saw them. Many lie dead. Some of her own clan, some of others. They had died fighting and protecting their families.

She saw young Hanin. He lay face up but there was nothing of his face left. "Their deaths were swift. Your friend and brothers will not be." The mage paced back to Ciara and he ran his hand down her body. His touch was slow . His gloved fingers lingered on her fabric covered breasts, and between her legs. "She is ripe yet."

He pinned Ciara back and kissed her. Ryna screamed, but she was unable to move forward even on Neona's strong back. The mage looked back at Ryna, and she saw him smirk. Ryna felt his power then, as if it bored in to her mind.

She saw flashes. Her brother strong and well, on his mighty mount. He was racing through the forest his friends behind him when they were all killed with a single blow. Like the warrior he was he turned back to face what ever foe. But he was struck off his horse by a foe he could not see. Ryna could see the hooded mage attacking her brother with magic, hiding his form.

She saw Ciara battling besides the other rangers to save young ones who fled in to the forest. She felt Ciara's pain as a strike of magic hit her. She felt her brothers fear as he sat in a cage under the old ruined temple. She watched him cry out as Ciara was dragged out of her own cell.

Ryna felt Ciara's fight as she fought against the magic the bound her down to a pillowed ground. Felt the fear, knowing what was coming. Ryna felt sick as she felt the joy and pleasure this torture brought the hooded mage as he took Ciara again and again. Her cries of pain only fueled him. Her fight only pushed him harder. Even worse was she knew her brother sat feet a way chained in his cell, unable to look away.

His voice screamed out for Ciara as much as her own did.

Ryna felt the passage of time. Days...had gone by. Daechir sat in his cell chained to the wall, he was bloody. His green eyes glassy. In her own cell Ciara was bloody, bruised and weeping.

She heard the mages voice. "You had her first...brother." He spoke to Daechir . "But now she will bare my child...yours is now gone.."

Oh god. The blood Ryna saw upon the floor.

"You bastard..!" Daechir fought against his chains.

A moment later Ryna was back where she sat sturdy in her saddle and she saw the mage smirk at her. "She fought at first.." He touched Ciara still intimately. "But now when I come to her...she moans."

She saw Daechir flitch upon the table. The mage walked over to him and smirked down upon him. "I may yet let him have her again, before she dies." He walked away and closer to Ryna. Neona backed away.

"You will be mine Ryna. Your power. I will have your virtue. And when I do you will moan for me. You will call out my name. Your mother did.." He smirked. "We will see each other again soon. "

~~~

Ryna shot up nearly off the ground with a scream so loud the owls in the trees flew off.

Sweat drenched her face. Neona was risen and pawing the ground. She shivered as a cool wind came through. She could feel it all, every torture her friend had faced, every cut her brother had bared.

She cast her eyes around the glen. Their was a hint of the power there for a moment before she reached out towards the embers and lit them ablaze with a pulse of power.

She rose to her feet and went to sooth Neona as much as herself. "Just a nightmare.." Her voice shook as her hand that brushed Neona's flank did. "A nightmare.."

*Agar a' yel agar: blood calls on blood ** Toror! - brother! ***Seler' rima ten'ta!- sister run for it!

Ryna slowly brushed Neona down. The ride had been good for them both. Ryna had been sort of avoiding the city. She felt disconnected form it, from its people. The woods brought her solace. A ride in the morning and the early evening. The mid day sun was shinning on the ground and the horses in the stable were settled.

Ryna gave Neona a kiss and went to put the brush away. Ryna smiled as she hung the brush and saw Haley. Brushing down one of the roan mares. The young girl was growing in to her own with the horses.

It had been weeks since the dark mage had invaded her dreams. Since she had come to know that Rokan was that darkness. There had been no more nightmares, no more shadows that haunted her. She began to wonder if that was a good thing?Or was it a bad omen. She still wore En tel' Giliath, the necklace about her neck, that seemed to protect her. She never went anywhere with out some sort of weapon, even in the stable she wore her hunting blade and her dagger.

She carried with her a small bag as well, it held some coinage,some simple supplies. Her bow and quiver along with her sword were often safe in her loft, when she was close to home.

Ryna walked on heading slowly around the building. The stable was part of the Greg's house. It wasn't a huge space, but Ryna considered it home.

That loft space above the stable was hers. She earned her keep and enjoyed every moment.

She could go up, find a book and read. Or just sit and look out the window towards town. Or she could go in to town for a bit. She took a breath and started to walk towards town. Maybe she would look in to a few shops,or find somewhere nice to walk for awhile.

She rounded the corner and felt a deep pain. It came over her in a moment. But it was not her own pain. She knew it was someone else. Her first thought went to Neona, but she had left her mare safe within the stables.

Then she saw the figure. A lone horse wandered down the street. It moved slowly, as if every moment brought it pain. Ryna didn't stop to think she rushed ahead over the cobblestones towards the wounded stallion. There was no rider in sight. No sign of saddle.

"Whoa, easy there." Ryna held her hands out before the stallion and he slowed. "Its alright." She could see the blood trail the horse had left behind it. "I am not going to hurt you." She gently touched the stallions nose. She felt a deep vibration, as if it spoke to her. Fear. There was a deep fear there, but not of her. As she looked in to its deep brown eyes she felt that it trusted her, without question.

"Let me look at you." She trailed her hand over its head, through the mane, there was blood there, but it wasn't his. She could see where he was wounded. A long gash over his lovely body, down across the flank, and two arrows through the back legs which were causing the lip. He wouldn't make it to the stable like this.

The middle of the street wasn't the best place for this, but Ryna had to act. She moved back around to look the stallion in the eyes. They were warm and brown. "Your gravely injured. I need to get those arrows out. Now you must not move, nor try to kick me, or we will both be dead." She spoke softly, keeping her eyes on the stallions. He looked at her eyes still. "It will be alright."

She moved slowly along his left side, she saw those deep wounds along his form, they would need tending as well. But those arrows had to come out. She knelt slowly, eyes always on the stallion. She gently ran her hand down his leg. She felt him shift. "Easy..easy." She knew if he moved it could not only hurt her but him as well. She dared not to lift the hoof off the ground.

"Alright, so I am going to break the shaft off and pull it free, it went all the way through. I can see the tip." The stallion shifted again. "Be brave, Arato, be brave." She called him champion and he seemed to calm a bit. "On three. One, two, three," she pulled the shaft of the arrow free and the stallion squealed in pain, she felt that pain ripple through her, the blood flowed down over her hand. "Easy, easy.."

She ripped the arrow head out with out counting and braced her hands over the wound. She started to whisper in elvish, felt the hum of the earth below her, the whisper of the wind.

The wound began to heal. It was magic. Pulled from the earth, through her. Old magic. The stallion calmed. "See...easy." Blood covered her hands and she felt a bit faint, but the wound was closed and the stallion seemed to be able to put more weight upon that leg. "Now for the other." She rose and fought off the swoon. She had dealt with blood before, it was the magic that had been new and powerful.

She bent down again and looked to the second arrow, it was luck again that it went all the way through. "You were lucky, no bones were broken, and it seems that it will heal alright." She counted again and pulled the end free, once again the blood washing over her hands, before she pulled the tip free and began to heal the wound.

She felt the beat of the stallions heart, the beat of her own. She had only ever healed Neona like this before, with the touch of blood to skin. She heard the winds whisper her name, the elders. She swore. She rose when the healing was done and the stallion stood stronger.

She looked to those gashes along his body and flank. " Now.." She ran her hand gently down his nose. "You should be able to get to the stables with me, and we can tend those wounds."

She took a step forward and held her hand out to him, as he had no reins, she merely had to hope he would follow. And when he did she walked slowly towards home.

An hour later the stallion was wrapped up with healing salve. "He will heal, there will be some scaring. But nothing that will hurt him from being a good war horse. There was no rider with him?"

"No."Ryna washed her hands and still felt that tingle of power there. " But there was blood in his mane, it is not his."

" Haley is washing that out now, before we get him fed. Perhaps his rider was in a battle and was lost."

Ryna nodded. "All we can do now is tend to the stallion."

Nathan nodded. "You look pale Ryna. I am going to make us all some dinner. I think Neona is worried about you as well, she's been pacing in her pen."

Ryna nodded, "She fells my pain, and his, the stallions. I will see her now." Ryna rose from the hay bail she had been sitting on and went to Neona.

"It is alright sweet girl." She kissed the mares nose. "I am alright." She felt Neona's soft vibrations and the love there, the fear that faded. "You will keep an eye on Arato yes?"

"Arato?" Haley asked softly from behind.

"It means champion in elven, when I called the stallion by that name he calmed. It may not be his name, but he is a champion."

"It seems to me you were the champion."

" I was only doing what I hope anyone would have." She kissed Neona's nose. "I will come check on you later." She gave the mare another kiss and headed towards the house with Haley.

Neona was fine, bedded down, her eyes closed but Ryna knew the mare was on watch. The other horses rested even Arato. He rested with his bindings and salve.

"He seems to be resting alright. We will check on him in the morning."

Ryna draped an arm around Haley's shoulders.

"Do you think his rider is dead?"

Ryna looked to the resting stallion.

"I do not know. Rhydin has its dangers. Come, lets go in." Ryna led Haley ahead and looked over her shoulder, as if sensing something. Yet the feeling pasted.

She led the drow in to the stables, the horses were calmer with her there. Neona watched form her own pen, eyes intense. Ryna nodded to her mare, as if to say all is well enough.

She opened the pen the stallion was in. "He was gravely injured." He still had the bandages and salve on his body. "We tended to him."

The drow rushed in to look at his horse. " Angt"l" He ran his hands through the stallions mane and the stallion responded with a nudge. Ryna was amazed that the horses name was one of elven nature, it meant iron hoof. "He was a true champion."

The drow turned and looked at her. " How did you heal him' He had arrows through his legs. I thought him dead." He rushed in close to her.

Ryna stood her ground. " I saw him, he was wounded, limping, he wouldn't have made it another step. So I healed him." She swallowed hard, magic wasn't always a welcome thing. Elven magic to drow could be wicked, as Drows could be wicked to elves. But of all the row or dark skinned elves she had known she had never known any truly wicked.

The drow fell to his knees before her clasping her hand. "I am in your debt."

"I was only doing what I felt was right. Nothing I would not do for my own mare." His eyes met hers again, then he rose slowly. " I am Von Zarfryn ."

"Rynallae Tira"allara," She took a breath then. "Angt?l will need some time to heal. I can speak with Mr. Greg to see if he will allow you to stay in the stable, or perhaps the loft where I usually stay. It would not be wise to ride him for a while."

Von nodded. "I thank you."

Ryna nodded and walked away slowly, she stopped at Neona's pen. "Tir ho." She gave Neona's nose a slow stroke and walked out of the stable. She could only hope the drow did not understand her elvish commands to her mare.

Von walked to the small window and looked out to the city. He turned back to look over the room given to him. The room was small, but he had done with worse. The bed was nicely made. In tones of deep green. Angt"l, was safe and healing. And these people were to thank for that.

He shrugged out of his light leather armor and lay it on the floor. It would need cleaning. He washed the blood of his stallion off his arms. His own wounds were minor. A scratch here, a bite there. They would heal and add to his many scars of battle. He stepped out as Ryna came back in with the promised food and drink. She stopped for a moment then walked in and laid the small tray upon the bed.

She saw him standing there , assessed his wounds with a glance. He would heal, elven kind were known for their rapid healing natures. "I check on the horses at first light." She kept her eyes on his. He nodded and looked to her, her cheeks were just slightly flushed, it was a pretty addition to her already fair face. "Thank you."

She nodded and left him be for the night.

He watched her go and shook his head as he lowered to sit upon the bed. There was a bowl of soup, and hot tea, as well as what he took first which was the mug of ale. That warmed him more than the food or tea did, but he did savor in the meal.

He lay back after the meal and looked up at the loft ceiling. The bed held her scent. It was of deep woods, of the wind. It was a pleasing scent, but one that lingered. He had smelt that scent before. In the woods battling those goblins. For those woods did not hold the same scent as the ones of Rhydin.

With a name like Rynallae Tira"allara, he doubted she was a native of Rhydin. Her ways were not like those of this place. She had the look of the elves he had seen in his own travels. Woodland elves. Yet when he had grasped her hand he had felt something. He wondered what those markings upon her hands meant, those swirling lines in deep brown.

He closed his eyes and shifted over. He fluffed the pillow with one hand, and tried to sleep.

She woke early as she always did. Dressed for the day and went out to check on the horses. It was not yet dawn. A chill hung over the city. Snow and ice clung to the ground. She wore her cloak over her clothes and gloves as well.

She checked on each horse, most still sleeping, each one got a warm blanket though. The stable held warmth to it, but she would not risk any of them getting sick.

Neona felt her though and turned about in her stall. " Quel amrun, Neona."

She gave the mares nose a long stoke. "It is cold this day. I brought blankets for all the other horses. "She opened the latch to Neona's stall and walked in. She draped the dark green blanket over her mare. "How did our guest fare?" She gave a side glance over to the sleeping stallion. Neona pawed at the ground and nuzzled Ryna.

"Your a good girl to keep an eye on him." She kissed her mare and walked out of the stall latching it behind her. She walked up to Angt"l stall gate and unlocked it. The stallion turned and looked at her. He held his bandages well, his legs held no signs of any weakness or wound.

" Angt"l, Quel amrun " She held up her free hand. "I brought you a blanket for the cold. Will you allow me to place it over you?" She looked in to the stallions eyes and saw his fear waver then fade. "That's right, you know me." She gently placed the blanket over him. "Your healing well, and I see you ate your oats. I shall give you more once the sun rises."

The stallion gave her a soft bump and she laughed. "Good spirits. That is good." She backed out slowly from the stall. "He trusts you."

His voice came from her left. She had not heard him enter. She locked the stall and turned to him. He wore his cloak again, but now his face was visible. " Good Morning Von." She didn't want him to know he had snuck up on her.

"Good morning Ryna." He walked past Neona's pen and nodded to the mare. "I see Angt"l is doing well. You care deeply for all these horses."

"It is part of my job here."

"It is more than that." He looked to his stallion then her mare then down the line of stalls with horses. "You speak to them and they hear you, you understand them."

Ryna nodded. "Yes."

He walked in to Angt"l's stall and brushed his hand through the stallions mane. Ryna could see Angt"l relax. "You two share a deep bond. I will leave you. I must feed the others. Clean the stalls. I will bring some fresh hay by and some oats." She walked away slowly and went to work.

She started by cleaning the stalls. One by one moving a horse out. Each she knew by name. Each got fresh hay, oats and a clean stall. She cleaned Neona's stall out last. Von stayed with Angt"l the whole time. His eyes watching her. There were only six horses, not including Neona and Angt"l.

But to each one she gave her full attention, love and care.

She gave Neona a pet when she was done. Then looked at him. "If you lead him out slowly I can clean his stall." She had hung up her cloak, dawned mucking boots over her own, her long hair which had been down before was up now. Von led Angt"l out slowly, but gave her the reins. "I will do it." He took the shovel from her.

Ryna took the reins. "Your not dressed to muck stalls."

He took off his cloak and hung it over the stalls side. "That can be remedied." He crossed past her, and came back with mucking boots on over his own. Ryna did not question how he found the tack room, nor the supplies. He went to work. As she had. With a steady rhythm.

She held on to Angt"l while Von worked. The stallion stayed still. When the job was done Angt"l got new hay, oats and an carrot as a treat. Von locked the stall and hung his cloak over his arm.

That was not his first time mucking stalls. She said nothing and went to put her own gear back. He waited a moment and followed her.

When she turned to leave the room he stood right there. "Breakfast will be soon." She swallowed. He made her nervous. "I can bring you up a tray."

"Thank you." He saw the flush to her cheeks. How her manners went in to double over time. But he backed away and let her slip past him.

That afternoon he sat with Ryna and Haley under the tree in the backyard.

They ate their lunches and Haley learned both Elven and some drow.

Though Von said that Elvish would be far better in Rhydin. He watched as Ryna gave lessons to Haley in ridding, and helped the young woman develop her gift for horses. He stood aside watching them when Mr. Greg came up to the fence where he leaned.

" Ryna tells me you wish to help."

Von nodded. "Yes Sir."

Nathan nodded and looked towards the paddock. " I am sure your an able horsemen, with a stallion like yours. If you wish to help Ryna in the stables, and she allows it, I will allow it." Looking towards his daughter and Ryna he smiled lightly. " I am not a trusting man." He turned to face Von. "But you do not have the eyes of a killer, nor a thief. Your eyes are filled with wisdom, and some death, some sadness and you like Ryna and my daughter have a gift for speaking to the animals. "

Von smiled, it took a wise man to see the gifts of others, to see past the color of skin and the reputation of a elven type.

" If you give me your word that you will not harm me or mine and that includes Ryna, for she is a dear friend to me. Then you may stay. You may stay till your stallion is fully healed and perhaps beyond that."

Von looked away from the lesson and face Mr. Greg. "You have my vow, I mean you and yours no harm." His eyes looked back to the lesson. "That includes Ryna."

Nathan watched that look. Then held out his hand. "I'll hold you to that, should you try anything, I will not hesitate to kill you."

Von smirked, he could respect Nathans candor. "I would expect no less." He shook the mans hand. Nathan smiled dimly. "She's had a hard time, Rhydin is different for her. She only recently told Haley and I of what happened to her. All she has lost, all she still faces. It is not my place to tell you any of it, but I will tell you this. Something hunts and haunts her still. She wakes in nightmares, a dark force has haunted her here. She's told us of it, and though it likely means us no harm. It does mean to do her harm."

Von looked back towards Ryna and Haley , both were laughing and smiling. " I know of her family, her homeland and mine were not far apart. I had not known that she had lost nearly everyone till the other day. I know it weighs on her. What sort of force hunts and haunts her?"

Nathan looked towards the two women. "A dark mage of some sort. Someone she knew, someone that hurt her. I only tell you this, because if your to stay here, you can watch over her, keep her safe."

"That I can."

Nathan nodded and walked off. Von was left watching Ryna teach Haley some swift moves on the back of a roan mare.

She told him everything, she left nothing out. No matter how the old wounds tore at her, or how they brought back the pain. No matter how intimate they seemed to her. She told him everything. Save for the dream she had with him in it. Save for the dreams shed been having of him of late. He listened, asked questions, but remained oddly calm.

It did not seem to surprise him how old she was, nor the history of her clan, nor any of the details she told him. He found it endearing in some ways, that she wanted not to be forced in to being with someone even if the elders had said so. She had felt the wrongness of it. She wanted love. True love. To be loved for all she was. He understood that. He had left home for much the same reasons.

She told him the full tale, they had hot tea and she talked through everything. He reached out to her when he knew the pain ripped deep. He was awed at the fact she was given such power by the elders, by the dead. He wondered idly what the marks on her body must look like, the ones on her feet which she said had tones of color to them, the ones she could gain upon her face in tones of gold and blue.

When her tale was done, it was late. Long past the time she would have been in bed. "I will still fight for you, if you allow it." He said at the end of it all. " I feel I owe you the same honesty as you have given me, it is late though. "

"Not so late."

"Well then, let me make another pot of tea and then you can deiced if you wish for my help."