She had never really intended to stay so long. But she did love to revel in it. Poor innocents waiting for their temple to be rebuilt. They prayed outside , beyond the walls of the place they would call Sanctuary.

She had found them easily. They weren't their warriors, only those who wished for peace. Those who walked towards the ruined temple in the distance. Their deaths had been easy. Three young women, lay dead at Natalia's feet. The message written in blood on the ground and wall was clear enough. A message left for the sisters and their righteous lot.

She hand planned on letting the last one go. The one who coward in the far dark corner. The one who would bleed to death as she ran to find help. That was the whole point. Bait.

Day light was creeping in. The dawn coming in the east. Talia's white hood was up, that gray silk covering her face, all but her eyes. Her hands though gloved were bloody, as was her knife, dagger and fan blade. None which the bothered to clean as she walked past the dead towards the woman hiding in the shadows.

No one could ever claim that Hera Fyre didn't follow through. She had promised that she would help. And Thus she would. Something was wrong, that much she knew just from her short conversation with Issy. The sisters were in bad need of some allies. Hera knew three willing women who would gladly help. Sure Shea would not set foot in Rhydin, but the wind mage could help in other ways. And Jade needed something of an outlet while things were slow and easy in Nosgoth.

But for nor Hera fell back in to an old routine. Double swords on her back, bow and quiver there as well. Paroling the streets and alley ways. Going roof top to roof top.

Rhydin always seemed to smell of blood and death. But as the wind shifted in from water, across where the Sanctuary sat. The scent of blood was too strong.

Cowering in the dark the woman protected her cargo. It was the only thing she had of value.

Natalia slid closer. Already the others were dead, and this one was the last. "You should run." The woman coward closer to the wall, murmuring prayers. "I can let you live if you run."

The woman likely knew that to be a lie. For already she was wounded, bleeding. It would be luck if she made it the few blocks through the gates of the Sanctuary for help.

"Alright then." Natalia took a step closer and the woman screamed.

The scream that pierced the coming day had Hera on her toes and off and running across the nearest building roof top. She was a block away. The building jumping would have to end, for she couldn't make the next jump. So the streets turned to her route.

The scent of blood was strong. And the sight had even Hera, former assassin biting back bile. Dead, three young women. They were killed with skill. Hera didn't have to bend down to see they were killed with a dagger, a knife and some other sort of weapon. There was nothing she could do for them.

She scanned the near by area, the sun would come up soon, the light was creeping ever more near. There was an alley way there to her left. That was the one she heard the movement in.

"Help Me!" The woman screamed when she peered over the shoulder of death at the other who came in to view. "Please."

Natalia spun and saw the woman at the edge of the alley way. Two scimitars and a bow and quiver. Dressed in dark clothing. By her height and statue Natalia knew her to be a warrior.

"Well, at long last I assume you run with the good lot that wish to save this city."

Hera looked behind the woman who spoke to the injured woman against the wall. She had to get to her. The woman before her was dressed in white, with a gray cover over her face. All Hera saw was blue eyes, and bloody sheathed weapons.

"Let her go."

"Come and get her."

Hera grinned, and walked towards this assassin. It would be close combat, so Hera did not unsheathe her swords, she went in fast and swift with her hands and feet.

Natalia blocked the first powerful punch. Then the second kick with fast hands. This woman was skilled and powerful, this fight would be well worth the blood spent to get it.

Kicks and punches were traded, of them all only three landed on either side. They were evenly matched.

Hera wiped the blood from her split lip as Natalia backed off to re-adjust her broken nose. "Your good, fast, well placed moves. Your skills tell me your not so different from me." Natalia grinned.

"Maybe once, long ago." Hera didn't wait but went in again, with strong punches and sweeping kicks. Natalia blocked and fought back with as much force as Hera gave in. Soon they broke apart again only this time Natalia armed herself with her wicked fan blade.

Hera's brows rose, she had heard of assassins like that, of an old order who used weapons like that. Her swords were too long for that close combat so she drew one of her daggers from her belt. Lang had made her this one, its hilt was black mithral its blade already toned red, it held some magic and was in tune to her own inner flame.

Natalia looked to the dagger and smiled. Perhaps at the end of this fight she could add the fine item to her own weapons stash.

They went at it again. Trading blows. Hera's mind was on the fight but she kept her eye and ear on the woman hiding in the shadows. She was wounded and losing blood. Hera had to end this quickly.

Block, parry, slash. Parry, slash, block.

Hera moved her feet, left, right forward, back.

Natalia mirrored her movements. They went at it again. Move for move they were evenly matched till Hera got a slice in.

Natalia winced and eyed her ruined robes and then growled at Hera. They fought fiercely for the next few moments till Hera had a matching wound on her left arm, this was long and thin from the fan blade. But it was hardly enough to stop the fight.

Hera was tired of playing it fair and used her momentum to carry her up and over this white clothed assassin. She landed behind her Alfirin drawn.

Natalia froze then looking at the fine sword then to the woman before her, with her tattoo and flame filled eyes. "You fight well." The sun was rising and Natalia could hear the sound of coming guards.

"We will meet again. Make sure your sisters get my message." She bowed and ran.

Hera let her go and looked to the dead women and the message in blood. She sheathed her sword and went to the wounded woman. "Its alright. " Hera held her hand out and the woman rose slowly.

"Let me get you to some help."

When the woman nodded Hera easily lifted her of the ground and started away. The guards stopped her for only a moment. Hera was surprised some of them knew her, or maybe it was the look in her eyes, or the dead women behind her that had them letting her pass. ~~~~

The sun was long risen and Hera should have been home with Lang and her son. But instead she had gone back to the scene, the guards were all over it, already the news would spread. She was sure by now they knew.

But it was her duty to them that she go. So she left the guards to their duty and she went to do hers.

The gates of the Sanctuary were open. She walked right up the path to the doors. She had not been here in some time. Off in the distance there was rebuilding of the lost temple. She could hear someone, a few someones' within moving about talking softly.

She lifted her fist and gave the door a powerful knock. It was her duty to let them know all that had transpired.

(Posted with Natalia R's permission, also in Fangs folder. Please feel free to join.)

Hera was not going to leave with out seeing someone. She was stuborn as a mule. So when the door opened and Dephinea answered Hera offered the warrior a smirk even though that hurt with her split lip. She was a bit bloody. Her left arm covered with blood, that thin cut still bleeding. Even though she had tied a ripped piece of her own shirt around her arm tightly. It bled through.

She stepped in to the hall.She had not been inside for some time. It was nice ,a soft breeze, the scent of apples. Like fall. A nice change of pace from the smell of death and blood.

Hera looked to the lovely place she had not set foot in in so long then back to Phin. "Its good to be back." A smile to the mention of a mate and a child. "Yes, I am married to Lang Darkwing. Some of the sisters know him or of him. " She didn't know which ones. "We have a son Kane. They are both well. No I did not come by just to say hello. And since you mention it, I could use a drink. Something hard." She didn't need tending to, her wounds would heal on their own, but she did need to tell them of their new threat.

"I have news, pressing news. A new threat. I spoke to Issy just hours ago at the inn. I know the sisters have been having some hard times. I fear I have no good news to bring. There is a new enemy in Rhydin. One hell bent on its destruction. She leaves a calling card, that there will be no peace. I found her after she had killed three young women, they all looked to be young priestesses. I could not save them. "

She was troubled by that. It showed on her face. The flare in her eyes.

"I was lucky to save the one left breathing. This new threat is an assassin, well trained, very well trained. I fear she is striking out at the weak of Rhydin, and at the sisters. It is my duty as an ally to warn you, and to help. It seems Rhydin may be in need of a few good fighters."

Hera nodded, she noted that look. She knew it well. It wasn't easy to bring bad news to good friends. It was never easy to fight the battles in the city. But she had made a promise, and she kept those. She followed Delphinea from the entry to another room. She had forgotten how this place made her feel. It had been a very long time since she had been there. She had at one time lived here, along with the fellow sisters. Just another warrior in a bloody fray. She smirked at being called Lady Hera then looked over the faces of those there. What was she to start with'

"Greetings, fellow noble warriors. "She nodded and bowed to them, a sign of respect. "I come here with news. And more to offer my help than to ask for it. Earlier I had a run in with an assassin. A new enemy in Rhydin. One hell bent on its destruction. She leaves a calling card, that there will be no peace. I found her after she had killed three young women, they all looked to be young priestesses. I could not save them. I was lucky to save the one left breathing. This assassin is well trained, very well trained. I fear she is striking out at the weak of Rhydin, and at the sisters. It is my duty as an ally to warn you, and to help. It seems Rhydin may be in need of a few good fighters. "

They would note her wounds her arm still bled even through the band of ripped cotton she had tied over it. Her split lip hurt like hell fire every time she cracked a smirk. "I don't come here for your help, but to offer my own. I once ran with you, an ally. Though I am not a sister by training or blood. I am your ally, and Rhydins ally. I made a vow to Issy, that I would help you, and this city long ago. When I spoke to her again, I renewed this vow. So what ever it takes I am here. I have friends, powerful friends. They would aid me and yourselves in any way. "

She took a look around again. Strong warriors one and all, but every ally was needed in war and this was a war. Hera bowed her head to them once more. "So there it is, my news, and my aid."

Cyan eyes turned to the warrior who rose to her feet. Hera did not know this one. Dark raven hair,lean and muscular. Fiesty, full of fire. Hera liked fire, and she knew most of the warriors of Scath were powerful,formidable foes. Hera sized her up all at once then gave a grim nod. She could see that this one wanted action. Though action was needed Hera could not give it to them.

"I believe honestly that this woman, whom ever she is is a true threat to Rhydin and your order. Surely if you go a few blocks from here you will see it for yourself, for the city guards will not have cleaned the blood from the cobblestones or the alley walls. "

There was no lack of crazy run abouts in Rhydin. " I can not give you her name, for I did not ask it. I was merely worried about saving the lone survivor. Who I am sure will come forward when she is able. But I can give you a description of her, this assassin. She stands at about five foot nine inches tall. She wore all white, her face was shadowed but I made out blue-green eyes, and a strand of what could have been dark brown or red hair. She fought well, with fists and flying kicks, and she uses a fan blade, a weapon I have not seen used in many an age. Her skills are that of an assassin, I tell you this with much knowledge on that fact. Her kills were slow but precise. We traded blows. "

So spoke the split lip the wound on her arm which was tied off with a ripped piece of her own shirt, that still seemed to bleed through.

"I doubt she stayed near by, but I do not doubt she will return. She wanted her message sent. And I felt it better that I give it, rather than some Rhydin city guard. I will be paroling the city as I once did. You all will do as you like or are as ordered to do. But I share in your fire warrior, I would like nothing more than to hunt her down and end her now. But that does not seem to be an option now."

Hera bowed her head to the raven haired warrior and then to Phin and the others. "I will do a quick sweep of the city before I head home to my son. I will be in touch and easy to contact. I will also be bringing in a few ally's of my own in this fight. I do hope we catch this woman before she does any more damage. "

Hera noted the blonde warrior now. This one Hera had seen before. She allowed Sheryl to tend to her arm wound. It was long and thin it wrapped about her arm like a snake, from near her shoulder to close to her bicep. Hera nodded her respect for the aid. Hera knew she was not the easiest patient, her skin ran a little hotter than most. As Sheryl would likely note.

" She very well could be, she had their knack for " She paused a moment debating on what she would say ." ...their blood lust." She winced only lightly as the bandage was placed on and fixed.

" She wore no markings on her clothing, none which I could see. Her weapon had elven markings on it as did the pendant at her neck. " Hera closed her eyes a moment seeing the fight again. The woman in white her face hidden by a hood, her lips by a swath of gray cloth. Her eyes were blue-green. There was a tendril of dark hair. That elven pendant at the woman's neck was silver, fine elven filigree with a reddish orange gem. Hera recalled feeling a familiar pulse of magic from the gem. But she could have to seek out counsel on that one. She reopened her eyes and looked again to Sheryl.

"Thank you." She looked to the well tended wound on her arm. It would be healed by night fall. " I would not speak to any of you on what to do. I will keep and eye out for this assassin, and come to you if she strikes again. For I am sure she will. I will keep my own allies in the loop, and they may very well come to you as well. If I can not." She ran a few fingers through her hair, it had been a long night. " You are all , always ready and willing to aid Rhydin and your allies. But this threat, something about her...I can not place it...but I feel as if I may know something about her. I must seek my own counsel on this. "She cast her eyes around, then tot he light coming through the windows. Kane would be awake now, Lang likely looking for her. Jade and Shea likely waiting for her as well. As she had missed their meeting.

" For now, I have given you all can. Be on your guard. I will patrol as I make my way home. But I will be in touch." She bowed to them all. She turned to Phin then. "I will make my own way out. "

She bowed once more to Phin, then the others. Then turned on a heel and made her way back the way she had come. She admired the gentle tending her wounds had gotten. She was not always the easiest patient. She normally tended to her own wound or if they were sever enough Lang tended to them.

She made her way out the doors. The clear clean feeling of the inside washed away with the coming day. The scent of the sea, the scent of the city beyond. She nodded to herself softly, then made her way away. Back beyond the gates. Back towards the scene of the fight. The guards didn't let her get very close. But the scent of blood was still ripe.

She left it to them. That grim job. She could let it bother her later. But not now.

She moved away back through town. She made her way through alley ways, and streets. Past businesses and homes long forgotten. She peeked in, looking for signs. But there was nothing. Not a whisper of that assassin.

Away from the city she moved, towards the bridge over the river. Near the wood. Now only now when she was sure she was alone, when she knew no one was near by did she pass through the barrier unseen. The portal rippled as she passed through it.

She stayed where she was as she watched the auburn haired warrior with the double swords leave the place.She smirked as the woman looked around,looking for her and not seeing her.

It would take more than a little warrior to stop this assassin. The plan was in place. She would sit and watch for a few days, seeing who came and went from that place. Some she would follow on their way out others she left alone.

Soon, so soon she would make another move.

It was intesrting knowing she was being tracked. It was even more intersting watching the warrior shift forms. What ever she was Talia was unsure. But it gave her an idea. While the warrior went off towards the city Talia went towards the docks.

The need to throw off her enemies was needed. It wasnt time for them to know her yet. It wasn't time to make another move. This time she would leave none alive.

It was almost too easy.

A pair of lovers.A man who worked on a cargo ship, and a woman. If it was his wife or mistress Talia did not care.

They never even heard her coming.

The woman saw her moments before she died. She didnt even cry out.

She lay them out on the deck of the cargo ship. Soon others would come. They beld out on the nice polished deck. Talia dipped a fingertip in that blood and as the sun started to set she used their blood like ink upon the white sail.

" Too Late,Saviors of Rhydin."

She smirked at her work and left long before the blood had cooled. She watched from not far as the bodies were found. The woman who found them both screamed, and that scream would bring others.

Talia waited till the warrior of two forms showed up. Oh she saw that crestfallen look and almsot heard the woman sigh. But there was a fight in that one, and Talia was sure that she would go back to tell of this new death to those who needed to know.

Jade could be a patient woman. Given the right circumstances. But with lives on the line and people dead she was not patient. She leaned on the wall and stared at the closed door. She was being watched, she could feel it. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up.

She cast her eyes beyond the walls of the Sanctuary. Some where out there someone was watching and having way to much fun enjoying it. Jade shifted,ready to head out to find that person and let her fist find their face. She stepped away from the doorway and started away when she heard the foot falls behind her. She spun with a quick kick and was surprised but it being caught.

"Nice." Hera grinned at her.

"Where did you come from?" "The roof." Hera smiled.

"Were you watching me standing here this whole time?" Hera shook her head, "No I just got here, one of my informants told me about what happened at the docks. I came as soon as I could. By your being here, I think maybe you saw what I only heard about."

"Yeah, I've seen a lot of things, hell I've done a lot of things. But it was horrible. I had forgotten what it could be like. But its been a long time since I had to kill anyone for money." Jade looked out beyond again. "Someone's out there, hiding. Just out of view and scent."

Hera looked out the way Jade did. "Let them look, come on lets see if we knock again if we can let them know there has been more hell. " Hera turned and Jade followed. Hera lifted her hand and knocked on the door. "Open the bloody door!"

Jade smirked at Hera. "Between the two of us I bet we could break in."

"Yeah, maybe. I used to live here, when I first came to Rhydin. Knocking then wasn't needed. "

Jade smirked. "So your informant at the docks, what did they tell you?"

"More than I wanted to know. I think I have an idea who's behind all this."

Jade eyed the door. " I have one theory on that." She pulled a piece of cloth from her back pocket. "I found this, when the guards were busy."

She showed it to Hera. Hera grimaced at the mark upon the cloth. An archaic red and black inverted triangle with the lightning bolt done with blood, old blood and new blood. "Yeah its what I feared, and what they will want to see."

Jade eyed the door again. " Its spelled shut right, blessed or whatever."

"Guarded yea, like the rest of the area, doing magic around here is hard even more so if your thinking of breaking the door down with it."

"I was thinking of trying to pick the lock. But now that you say that I could shift and maybe break it down."

Hera chuckled. "Yeah I bet. No we will wait. " She gave the door another pound. " Another five minutes, then we may see what two former assassins can do."

"Who you calling former?" Jade smirked and Hera chuckled.

"Five ,four ,three..." Jade was counting down with a smirk ready to start picking a lock or breaking down a window.

Then Hera heard someone coming. Hera had to smirk justa little at who answered the door and how. "Long night' Its about to get longer."

Jade held up the bloody cloth with the markings upon it. A torn piece of old sail. Upon it an archaic red and black inverted triangle with the lightning bolt done with blood, old blood and new blood.

They were allowed in and Hera let Jade in first before she followed behind. "Yes we do. Have something to nut out. I was here not a few hours ago telling your sisters in arms of the new hell that's been risen in Rhydin. Now I am back." Hera was sure she knew this sister, but couldnt recall her name.

Jade smiled. "With more help, and even more bad news."

"I know its late." Hera added. "And its likely that everyone asleep or out on patrol. But we will wait. "

Jade eyed Hera on that one but nodded. "Maybe someone should put on some coffee...god knows we may need it." Jade followed the blonde in,knowing full well the lovely effects of too much fun. Alcohol could do that to you. Jade had never stepped foot in this palce it was impressive. She could see getting along fine there.

Hera hated late night calls. Hated them even more given what was going on. But Jade seemed to be enjoying the hell out of herself.

Hera wasn't the picky sort when it came to coffee. Jade could eat anything at any time, no matter what had happened. Hera had taken a lean against a wall while Jade was surveying the room with wide blue eyes. "This place kicks ass you know." She smirked at Hera.

Hera heard the front door open but stayed in her lean. Jade helped herself to the tray even as it was hoisted inward. So it was Jade who saw Issy enter. She knew of her, but they had never met. Jade had to admire her style. It seemed the style they all wore, dark colors, with a touch of warmth for the cold Rhydin night.

Hera left her lean and helped Janie with the tray of simple food and coffee, which the fire elf didn't turn down. "You could say that." Hera knew that look, Issy had been busy.

Jade looked back at Hera, then again to Issy. Jade knew that look too. There had been a fight or two that had been had by this warrior. It was late, or rather early..too damn early. A sip of the hot coffee did Jade good.

"You know I hate to make house calls." Hera grinned lightly over the rim of her mug. But it seems as late they are becoming too common. "Isuelt DeRomiano this is Jade RoseMonte-Wolfe Alcar, as promised before I brought some allies with me in this new fight. I wish I could say we come with good news. " Hera had no doubt Issy had been filled in on Hera's last visit.

Hera then nodded to Jade.

Jade was still sizing up Issy. Tall, in charge and looking like she could use a long bath, a bottle of anything and better news than they had to bring. " Hera informed myself and Shea of the on going chaos in Rhydin. The blood split and the likely hood more would be split. So I offered my help. " Hera nodded Jade along over the rim of her mug.

" I went paroling, and found something. I've seen a lot of terrible things in my time, hell I caused a lot of them too. But next to what Hera told me she had to see and face I doubt I'll shake it from my memory. "

" The docks is known for its run abouts and its own dangers. But its rare when two bodies are found in a pool of blood on a ship. Let alone an unarmed man and a woman. The guards were already on hand but I got close enough to see it all. The bodies were gone being carted away. But from the blood spatter I could tell what had happened. They had been spared no kindness. The bloody deck and sail...and this. "

Jade held up the bloody cloth with the markings upon it. A torn piece of old sail. Upon it an archaic red and black inverted triangle with the lightning bolt done with blood, old blood and new blood. "I know enough to know this symbol, and what it means to you. I tried to track the killer. But who ever she is she's very smart she even out witted my senses. "

Hera piped in now. " Jade like me was once an assassin, but she has other gifts being part lupine. Wolf senses come in handy. Its hard to throw her."

Jade smirked, "I went back to the docks but the guards were dealing with what was left of the crime scene. I came here after that...Hera dropped in soon after." She took sip of coffee wishing it was doctored with something stronger.

"Another attack, this one pointed at you again, more innocent lives lost. Its a damn war. And the enemy who ever she is, is one step ahead of us all. And every step more people die. " Hera's voice was angry, and there was that flicker of fire in her eyes, the glow of that black and red tattoo under her eye.

"I think we need to pay her back, ten fold or so."

Jade smiled lightly. "Just Jade. Thanks sweet digs by the way." She didn't move still standing there trying to get a picture of Issy. Foe or Ally Jade did that with everyone.

Jade started to forage over the tray of goodies while still holding her cup of coffee. While Hera stayed put still in her now semi lean against the wall.

"I didn't draw the attention. I think the same assassin who killed three innocent young priestess killed the man and woman who were on that cargo ship. She left that behind. "Nodding to the torn piece of sail."I can't say I would know off hand if she is working for Bhaal, when I faced her she had nothing on her that made me think her one of theirs. So that is either a calling card or a very good diversion."Issy's question was posed at Jade so Hera let the Lupine fend for her self there while she leaned.

Hera smirked looking at Jade. Dressed in all black much like Issy was. Jade had a trim leather coat zipped over a tank top and black pants with black boots the rounded it all off. There was a dagger sheathed along Jades spine, but other than that the Lupine carried no visible weapons. Not like the two double swords sheathed along her own back. Jade's very air spoke of her bravado. The lupine was also a huge flirt, Hera could be glad there were no men about. Hera had seen and felt first hand Jade's skills. It was interesting to watch Issy and Jade size each other up, as if they might throw down there and then.

Jade nodded to the question Issy had posed. "Yeah, I saw them being zipped up in to nice little bags by the good ole Rhydin Guard. Yes, I am sure who ever killed those two was a woman. I followed her scent. "

"In fact I am mostly certain it was the same woman who Hera already faced off with. After what Hera had seen with the dead priestess's and her fight with the unknown female assassin, I took stock of Hera, and her weapons. Hera had wounded woman. Once I get someone's scent its hard to forget. It was the same scent at the docks, behind the blood of those killed. Who ever she was she was wounded, she left a trail but, led me off of it. " Jade knew she was being sized up and evaluated in that one long look. Issy stood taller, a bit more built than the lupine but that never stopped Jade before. Jade stood tall and gave Issy a long look with those blue eyes.

Hera came out of her leaned crossed the floor to Issy. They were the same height but Issy had a better build and far different skills from Hera. "If this attack was meant to call us out I think it worked. You know where we stand Issy. Both Jade and I are here in Rhydin to help where we can and though she was reluctant at first, Shea GreenStone Walsh agreed to help in any way she can as well. "

Jade smirked at that. "So you get two assassins and a wind mage "goddess" ..lucky you." She had said the goddess part with air quotes a roll of her eyes. Hera almost elbowed Jade in the side but didn't. "We will do what ever needs to be done. "