One sleek lupine leaned against a door frame. One wind mage propped up on her couch with Kane not far away. Lang sat, elbows on knees, hands on his face.

Hera came in, and looked at them all. Kane was the first one up.

He ran to her, hardly toddling any more. He hugged her leg fiercely. Jade merely touched her own lip, then gave Hera a thumbs up. Shea shook her head, noting the wounded Hera, her tended arm wound and her split lip.

Hera gazed to Lang who rose slowly. By now he knew everything. By now he knew where she had been and what had kept her. But he didn?t say anything only touched his hand over her new bandaged arm. She felt the singe of pain then the complete healing.

"Your late." Jade said at long last "You look like hell."

Shea was ready to heal the fire elf but Lang had beat her to it. Hera unwound the skillfully done bandage and touched her healed lip. "I made a vow long ago. Its time I own up to it."

"I filled him in." Jade smirked.

" The sisters have long been Rhydins guardians. I helped them once or twice long ago. I am willing to do so again." Shea spoke.

Hera nodded, and noted how different the mage seemed. Her hair had more silver in it. Her eyes were silver, with no hint of iris at the moment. It was fierce look for Shea, one more befitting her husband.

"How does Victor feel about you helping in Rhydin?"

It was a sore spot, but Shea merely nodded. " No harm will come to me in that city Hera,there is nothing there that can touch me now."

Jade let out a little whistle. "Darks cool with it. The girls have a baby sitter with Vae, Audrey , or Vanya."

"Salice has offered her help there as well." Shea offered.

Hera looked to Lang. He merely smirked at her. She knew that look.

"Alright. I told them I was bringing allies in. I paroled the city before I came home. Maybe one of you can do a sweep later."

Jade nodded. "I am up for it. I'll stop by say hi to the sisters if I see anything."

Shea sighed. "I will go by the Sanctuary, and see them."

Hera nodded to them both.

The two left soon after and Hera lifted Kane up off her leg and set him down. "Why don't you go get dressed." He was still in his pj?s.

Kane totted off and Hera looked at Lang.

He had been working at the forge, and helping Gabe ,Raz and Darkmere. So he'd been working long hot hours. "I know what you would say. That its not my fight. And your not wrong. But if you had seen what I have. I left the inn the other night after a quick sweep of the city.. I was going home, I swear. But I wanted to do one more sweep. The scream hit me before the scent of blood did." She leaned her hand to the couch.

Kane came back in dressed. Hera smiled to him and stopped in her tail but her eyes spoke volumes of what she had seen. "I bet daddy already made you breakfast."

Kane nodded happily. "Alright then."

"How about you go clean up the mess you just made in your room?" Lang offered with a grin. Knowing their son ripped through his closet and drawers to find clothing.

Kane huffed and walked off again. Lang's' hand came to her shoulder.

"They were dead, three young women, followers ,priestess of the sisters order, so young. One was at the back of the alley, bleeding. There was an assassin, a woman. Five foot seven, dark hair, she wore all white, her face hooded, then hidden by a gray swath of cloth over her mouth. She fought well, fists, feet, flying kicks and punches, and a fan blade. She had some sort of elven pendant around her neck, silver filigree with a reddish orange gem that seemed to pulse... the magic.. the magic I felt from it reminded me of Darkmere's magic...the one from his sword. "

She ran her fingers through her hair. "I barely saved the young woman, as it was three already dead, their blood on the building and cobblestones. The message was for the sisters.. that there will be no peace. So it may not be my fight, Rhydin was never really my home. But it was wrong. I killed many people in my quest to avenge my family.. I did a lot of terrible things. But what I saw in that woman was worse..." She took a breath.

"I made Issy a promise, and I plan to keep it."

Lang nodded and touched his lips to her brow. "That's my girl."

Kane came back in then, and Hera let the fear and dread wash from her face in to a smile for her son.

The scent was so fresh she doubted anyone didn't smell it even over the sea. If she did not have a strong stomach and iron will she likely would have paled at the sight.


The white sail was now dripping with red blood. " Too Late, Saviors of Rhydin." That blood would be the color of rust soon, as would the blood on the deck of the cargo ship. The bodies were gone, but Jade didn?t need to see them. She had been too late, maybe by a mere few moments.

Damn it all to hell, this was a pointed attack. This assassin knew she was being followed, knew how to strike back and strike quickly. Jade should have seen ti coming, the clues had all been there. And now it was too late as the blood clearly read.

Any trail left behind would be to lead her off coarse. Yet still she knew the moment she moved away and towards the door of the Sanctuary that she would be followed. Even now she felt as if she was being watched and not just by the Rhydin city guard who looked at her in her dark clothing and pinned her for a killer all in that one look. Oh how they had forgotten she had long fought for this city.

She left the guards to their task. What ever leads she could follow would be dead ends, and likely more would die if she followed the, She had promised Hera her help, and thus Jade headed back away from the docks and death.

It was late when she arrived at the Sanctuary. The gate were not yet closed yet,likely many of their sister hood was out on the streets working. Likely a few had already seen the mess at the docks. But Jade had vowed to stop by, in Hera?s name , and now she had grim news.

She walked up the pathway and to the door. It was well lit outside and she knew there was likely eyes upon her already. She shifted a bit and knocked on the door.

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 by it being caught.

?Nice.? Hera grinned at her tapping Jade booted foot and letting go of the lupines leg.

?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.

Connected to:Link

~~~~~
"Keep talking, I might just punch you."

Jade smirked and took a little lead along the way across towards the docks. She walked backwards looking at Hera and the marketplace they had left behind.

The lupine smirked walking backwards through the ends of the marketplace and towards the end of town. They would cross the water and go towards the docks. It was a quiet morning.

Long sleepless nights were something Jade was used to. She had many of them first as an assassin, then as a new mother and now it seemed again as a guard over this city. She had given her friend a long look as she had walked backwards across the river and towards the far end of the city.

The smell of the ocean lingered more here. Though you could smell it almost any where within the city. The docks were out of sight at the moment behind homes and businesses that stretched through before her. How many times had she jumped roof top to roof top here? It had been here that she ha first arrived long ago after everything she had known was gone and there had been no where left to go.

Home was now Nosgoth and the home she had known was a distant memory. But Rhydin held a place in her.

Hera glanced side long at Jade as they walked from the river through the southern half of the city towards the docks. Hera too had spent much time here roof running. Drawn here after years of working in blood. She had been drawn to the place Jade and she had left far behind them. To old allies. Serena Blaylocke also known as Mirage had greeted her before the fine gates of the Sanctuary. Hera had not seen that sister in some time. But it was well known that many of them often returned to their isle for training.

They had been friends, allies to the common cause.

Now it was many years later. But the city of Rhydin had changed little. In fact some parts of it had gotten worse with time. Hera had taken up the fight years ago. Back then it had been four years since she had seen old allies, now more years had passed since she had seen them or spoken to them. She had made new ties and new allies.

Looking side long to Jade again Hera smirked a bit. Jade was a stone cold fox, and one of the best fighters Hera had ever known. She was one of the few who could stand up to anyone and never back down. Though Hera knew Jade was in her thirty's the lupine didn't look a day over twenty five, that was thanks to good blood, and a bit of magic.

They too had become fast friends, and allies.

They passed through the city with hardly a word now. Hera and Jade both on alert. But even as they came tot he docks there was nothing. No scent of blood remained.

Jade walked towards the dock side, along the planks of wood, past warehouses. The smell of the ocean wafted in. Already men and women were at work along the docks.

"Its gone." Jade stood before one of the piers and looked out to the empty water. "They must have dry docked it in a warehouse."

Hera nodded, the Rhydin guards wouldn't want people poking about. "Lets go find out which." Hera headed down to the dock masters small little shanty of an office.

Hera knew the two of them walking side by side got a few looks from the pirates on the dock. "Here's your chance to flirt. " Hera smirked at Jade. "Go talk to the dock master, see if he will tell you where the ship was dry docked. I'll wait."

Jade smirked at her. "I could just pay him. " Jade didn't bother to knock as she went right in to the little shanty of a office.

Hera chuckled. She knew this dock master was old as dirt, with a few missing teeth and breath like fish. She had dealt with him before. It didn't take but a moment before Jade was closing the door and eyeing her.
"Well?"

"Sixth warehouse, he said there should be a few guards around it. " Jade narrowed her eyes at the fire elf.

Hera chuckled at Jades look. "Come on. "
Jade muttered a curse at her then followed back down the dock side towards the warehouse. "Just for that I am going to flirt with your hunky hubby when I see him next."

Hera snickered . "Go ahead. "She noted the sixth warehouse did in fact have guards walking to and fro before the side door. "While your doing that I will give Darkmere an experience he wont soon forget. "

Jade saw the guards too. "Looks like they have it all figured out." She smirked then walked for the warehouse to her left and started up to the roof. "Your welcome to try and stir my husband. And when he and Lang come to blows we can watch."

Hera followed up after Jade smirking. "We could provide oils of some kind."On the roof they stood looking over towards their intended warehouse. It was a good distance across.

"They guard every door outside but one. " Jade took a few steps back then with a running start leapt across the gap to the other warehouse. Hera watched then followed with her own leap.

"You know, they would just let us come to blows to see if they could watch a good fight." Hera pushed her fallen hair from her eyes and started towards the roof hatch.

"I know." Jade walked around the hatch and lifted it easily .She glanced around below. "No guards." Down she dropped with out another word.


Hera smirked then took stock of the other roof tops around. Before dropping in after Jade.

Jade landed easily below and looked to the dry docked ship.

There was still that scent of blood.

Hera dropped in beside her a moment later.

"You know if this whole good guy thing doesn't pan out we could go in to a life of crime." Jade walked up the gang plank and on to the ship. Most of the blood had been mopped up, yet some had seeped through the floor boards.


"Yeah we'd be great at breaking and entering." Hera was surveying the surround. Then she followed up to the deck.

The torn and bloody sail lay still in a pile on the port side of the deck. "So nice of them to leave this all here." Speaking of the Rhydin Guard.

"They do what they can." Hera was walking over towards the torn ,bloody heap of sail. "Looks like the blood seeped below, I am going to check out the deck." She could smell it still, see where the guard had tried to mop away the blood.

"I got the lower levels. I will see if there's anything interesting." Jade smirked and slipped below deck.

Walking along the port side Hera pulled on her gloves then set tot he task of unfolded the ripped, bloody sail. It was a mess. Blood spatter and that one torn off piece. The sail gave her no more clues. Rising she walked towards the bow of the ship. Likely there would be nothing here to find. If there had been any cargo the city guard would have taken it off by now.

Hera stopped at the head of the ship. That was when she smelt it. It had been hidden by the scent of blood. Fuel. She spun just in time to see a spark rise from the darkness below decks.

"Jade!" Hera heard her own voice ring out as the ship exploded.

The smoke stung Hera's eyes. The fire was blazing red hot over the wooden ship. Hera swore under her breath and coughed. "Jade!" The fire raced up towards the ceiling. She could see the far doors had been swung open by The Rhydin Guards. Rising to her feet Hera winced lightly. She had been blown back a good ten feet in to some very nice crates. The splinters had dug in to every inch of her body.

But she shook all that off as she rose to her feet. "Jade!" The fire wouldn?t harm Hera. Even now though she could feel the heat it was almost welcoming. But Jade, Jade was not blessed with the abilities of a fire elf.

Hera peered through the smoke the tossed pieces of ship. The ship had been blown apart. Shattered all over the warehouse. She could see outside the guards rushing around to douse the flames before they could reach any other warehouse. It was luck that the blast had been contained.

"Jade! " Hera couched and surged forward towards where the ship had once stood solid and full. Now it stood torn in half parts of it tossed through out the warehouse. The mast had been toppled and was writing with flames. The bow stood before her. It smoked and smoldered. The most of the damage had been to the rear of the ship.

Hera ran forward in to the smoke and flames. Around her neck she could feel the warmth of the alliance pendant as it glowed. Miles away their allies would feel it too. Maybe help would come.

"Jade!" Hera rushed in to the fire. The smoke blinded her. The flames danced around her singing at her clothes. She had to put the fire out. But it raged all around her. The ship had been a trap.

The floor boards had been mopped once with water then again with gas. The mast had been covered in it. It went up like a match, wood and gas. "Jade!" Hera called again. It was luck that Hera had survived that blast. If she had been anyone else she likely would have died in the moments after it happened.

Hera focus on the flames that danced over the mast. Ripping off her gloves she threw her hands towards the flames. Anyone who would have seen her might think she was crazy. But the flames didn't burn her, they danced up on to her skin and she took in their power, dulling the flames. Her eyes burned brightly as did that tattoo upon her face as the mast started to dim.

Outside she heard the call of the Rhydin Guard. They were putting out the flames that had burned through the doors, now they had pushed inside. She could see the smoke rising from where the water hit the flames.

The mast was out, but all around there was still fire. Soon crates would go up, adding more fuel. Hera knew the warehouse was likely a lost cause. She had to find Jade.

"Jade!"

Hera held on to hope. Jade was strong she could survive this.

"Jade!" Hera called again through the din of smoke and fire. She wasn't about to give up. She ran through the flames over the parts of ship. She stood in the doorway and when the Guards tried to pull her out she fought them off with light punches. Better not to get arrested. "Get more of this fire out, there's still some one in there. "

They were rushing in and out with water. But it wouldn't be enough. The fire was spreading hungry along the wood. "Jade!" Hera wouldn't allow it, Jade would be found and she would be alive. There was no way she was leaving without her.

Hera was calling the fire to her. She felt the hum of Alfrin on her back. The blade loved fire. It soaked up the power as much as Hera did. But the smoke linegerd, the fire still danced over planks of wood with no end in sight.

"The building is not going to hold much longer!" One of the guards cried. They were still fighting the flames. " I am not leaving with out my friend." Hera narrowed her gaze at him and looked through the smoke in to the warehouse. But he was right the warehouse was burning now too, she could see the roof was blackened,the smoke billowed out in to the open air.

No allies had come, but hen Hera knew that the only one that might come was Shea, and wind in this blaze would do no good. Even if Shea could call upon other elements to help stop the fire. The only others in the city were Drake and Cadaria, and they had gone back to Nosgoth after the news of all the blood shed. Hera was on her own.

The smoke was getting thicker,the fire now danced along the ceiling. The guards were abandoding this fire. But Hera was not. Pockets of fire still burned. There was so much smoke to clogged her lungs. But she wasn't leaving. So she listened, trying to pick out a sound, any sound but the crakling fire.

"Son of a.. " Hera heard tha voice, in the din. "Jade.." This time she whispered the name and tried to listen to pin point where the lupine was.The fire crakled to her right, and above her.

"Come on you stupid piece of shit, Move!"

Hera's head snapped to the right. There was too much smoke to see even with her gifts she couldn't see through the smoke. Through the crackling of the fire she heard he sound fo shifting wood. Hera turned and ran towards the far right side. Climbing over singed floorboards and broken crates. The fire was there along the back wall creeping over the dry goods, the wood and , "Oh god.." There were powder kegs there and kegs of ale. The fire wasn't far from them.

"Jade!" The smoke hung low here. "Jade can you hear me!?" Hera coughed and crawled lower, nearly on her hands and knees.

"Hera." The voice was low, lost in the din of smoke and crackling fire. Hera listened again, trying to place where Jade was in all this rubble. She heard wood moving over wood again, and there was a grunt of breath. Reaching back she touched the hilt of Alfrin. She felt the warmth go in to her. When she looked again she could see through the smoke.

"Jade!" Hera saw her ont he floor parts of the ship behind her. Hera saw the blood and the pain on the lupines face as Jade looked to her. Hera hurried across the rubble pushing aside crates and planks of wood. Along the back wall the fire crept closer to the powder kegs.

Hera slid along the slick fuel coated floor and wood but kept going. Pushing off the floor with her hands, gripping anything to stay on her feet. Leaing over crates, kicking planks away with her booted feet.

Every second counted now. The fire was raging,lapping up the fuel and wood. The smoke hung low, but now Hera could see, she pulled forth all her power to move through the din, to get to Jade.

Hera pushed aside a crate and took a long breath coughing as she knelt to Jades side. "Jade..." The lupines eyes were closed. Her left hand was broken yet laying over the gems at her neck. Her right arm lay loose at her side. Her legs were a bloody mess. "Jade, open your eyes..."

Hera placed her hand to the Lupines face, let the warmth pass through her in to Jade pale features. Jade was breathing she could see it.

"Your not going to die here, open your eyes!"

Jades eyes opened and she looked to Hera. "The fire..." She croaked out, eyes cast beyond them.

Hera looked behind them and saw what Jade did. "I am going to get you out of here. " Using as much care as she could Hera slid her arms under the half propped lupine. She saw Jade wince as she lifted her in to her arms. Jade wasn?t light, but she wasn't heavy. The lupine carried a lot of muscle tone. "We are going to get out of here."

"Hang on." Hera was glad Jade complied by lifting her left arm and draping it over Hera?s shoulders, that broken hand hung dripping blood over Hera?s back. With Jade in her arms Hera started back, quickly as she was able across the slick boards and floor. She couldn?t loose her steps now. She had moments, she could smell the wood of the powder keg burning.

Jades head lay against her shoulder and Hera was at a near jog. She could just see the doorway. One thing stood in her way, the crates she had climbed over to get back here. Bracing Jade against her Hera kicked out. It wasn't easy. But Hera used all the power she had to kick those piled crates out of her way.

When there was just enough room to fit through she edged through and jogged with Jade in her arms for the doorway. Nearly at the door Hera heard the hiss, then saw the fire behind them. The fire climbed up the powder keg and...

BOOM!

The explosion rocked the warehouse. Surely it rocked the docks beyond it. Hera was knocked forward on to her knees with Jade still in her arms. Bracing with her right hand Hera forced herself up to her feet. Jade's eyes flickered open and closed, but she still held on loosely to Hera?s shoulder. Pain seared through Hera as she rose, her knee had taken those hits before but they had bared the weight of both of them as she fell, they were bloody now and would hold one hell of a bruise.

Back on her feet Hera shuffled to the door. She saw day light through the smoke. She saw the guards come running towards her. "Get out of here!" She screamed.

The warehouse would go any second. As she limped through the doorway the room behind her exploded again sending her toppling forward. Out of the warehouse in to the space between. The warehouse blazed behind her, and Jade had been knocked from her grasp. Jade lay sidelong on the ground eyes closed.

She walked away from the warehouses. Along alley ways, far enough to gain a good perspective of her work. Climbing upon on some manor roof top she sat perched at the end watching the fire at the docks. She could just make out the rushing guards along the docks and between the warehouses.

Laughing she rocked back and gave the necklace at her neck a tap. "Worthy of the old days." She felt the surge of energy pulse through her fingertips and she closed her eyes to it. Oh the soul within that gem was as alive as she was, it held every memory of Xig, it held him, in full, just with out a body.

Talia smirked watching the guards rush in, the smoke that billowed. Two down. The next explosion rocked the whole of the dock,the aftershock reached her. "Ohh nasty." She cackled and sat forward watching the fire rise through the roof top, the black smoke that billowed.

More guards rushed in, between the warehouses. There were screams, and the scent of the fire. Rising to her feet she started away smirking like the devil. The next explosion rocked her forward on her hands and knees. Looking back she grinned ever wider. Oh the good side would feel this loss soon, they would find only ashes left of their two allies.

Rising to her feet she walked away, jumping to the next roof top, then the one after that as the smoke billowed behind her.

Jade felt the water hit. Felt herself be torn from Hera's arms. She opened her eyes to see the sick black of the Rhydin waters depths. She was sinking.

Her lungs burned for air, but she kept that need in check as she tried to kick. That sent pain roaring through her legs. When she moved her arms they screamed and let out blood that flowed down with the current.
Great she would die at the bottom of ocean off of Rhydin. Not the death she had always figured she would have. She saw the alliance pendant as it floated out in front of her, it glowed. Maybe now someone would come. But she doubted it.

That was when she felt a push. It came from under her. Her legs weren?t moving but she was edging up from the bottom. She saw it then, it was faint, like a ghost. It moved under her, some sort of water sprite. Perhaps help had come, but not by the hand she had expected.

The rush of the waves above. That was the only sound that Jade now heard. She could see the warm glow of the alliance pendant as it drifted up as she did. Her lungs burned for breath now. What was keeping her from dying?

Why had she not lost all will to keep going?

Oh yes, she was a fighter and fighters did not give up.

Even when they were bent ,bloody and broken. They fought still.
She could feel that force below her legs. The force and form that pushed her towards the surface. It had a such a slight form. She wondered which ally member had lent out their magic this far? Surely it was magic now that kept her from blacking out.

Every bone felt broken, she knew the blood that still spilled in to the gray blue waters was her own. It drifted off in to the murky gloom. Jade began to wonder if there were sharks out here? Would they soon come?

There was a flicker in the gloom. A glow she knew. It was more than the alliance pendant she saw. It was Hera's eyes. They looked as wild as a flame set free to roam on dry wood. Hera was a strong swimmer, every kick took her far. Closer ever closer. Soon the fire elf would be within reach.

The surface was getting closer too.

They should both be dead. After all they had faced. They should have died in the warehouse, or just beyond it.

But Hera had not given up. So Jade could not. She kicked out with her legs, though that sent pain shooting through her. The weightlessness of the water had almost made her forget parts of her were bent,broken and bleeding.

A hand grasped her own. For a moment she was glad, Hera had reached her. But looking back out in to the water she saw Hera's shocked face. The gloved hand tugged on Jade broken hand and pulled upward. Jade felt herself scream and watched the bubbles flow. A moment later she felt the water rush past her. There was the blue sky, then nothing.

This was not Rhydin. Jade opened her eyes, the sky was too blue, the wind held the scent of wild flowers rather than the sea. Sitting up Jade knew where she was.

She had been born here. Had small memories of the ruined castle and keep beyond. The rolling grass hills. So she was dead, or some where in between. Flexing her hands she saw there bore no wounds.

She was easily to her feet. Nothing was bloody or broken here. This land was miles away from Rhydin. In lands she had not seen for decades. She had always wanted to return, to reclaim them. Now it seemed she had in some small way.

Looking upon herself she saw nothing else was different. Same clothes as when she had gone in to the water, yet these ones were dry. She even still carried her usual weapons. A small host of daggers all hidden from view.

With the ruins within view she started forward. She had never lived within that place. It wasn't really a castle, a small keep worthy of a duke rather than a king. As she walked closer the ruins flickered, there was a wash of white, the smell of the sea and then the ruins were a grand keep. It was like a large manor house that sat on the rise in the hill. Surrounded by wild flowers.

There was a small wall that surrounded the whole of the manor and two small towers that rose from the wall just ahead of her. The gate was open, and there was no guard that walked the small parapet above.

Walking through the gate she saw the manor house. It was massive, truly nearly worthy of being called a castle with its stone work, turrets and levels. The wind rushed in and she heard the giggle of children. There was the scent of hay and horses that blew in from the east. The unmistakeable scent of a forge, the dull sound of someone working the metal. But there was no one around.

There were no ghosts, no souls to welcome her. Just the large manor house. But Jade felt as if she had come home. For so long in her life she had been on the run. Always moving, always changing. She had a slight purpose as an assassin, but the work had left her blood drenched. When she had fled at last to Rhydin that lost city had become her home.

Rhydin.

There again was the flash of white, the scent of the sea. There was another sensation, someone loomed over her. Someones hands pressed to her chest .Strong hands that were forcing water out and air in. Hera, it had to be Hera. Jade staggered and found herself facing the ruin again, not much of it stood.

Lifting her hand from the stone she saw it was coated in blood. Looking back at the ruin they were no longer just old stones, but black, burned and broken stones, coated with blood.

Shaking her head Jade turned to run. But this time the gate closed her in. The wind rushed in the scent of dead and dying. Then there was the scent of the sea again, the rush of white and blue sky and a shadowed form looming over her.

"Jade!" Hera's voice broke the vision "Get your bloody hands off her!"

Jade was lifted off the deck by two men. Jade didn't seem to mind. "I always did like pirates." She quipped as she was carried below deck. You would think after their last fun on a ship Jade would feel a bit off about going in to the hull of a odd ship. But like always Jade took everything as it came.

Hera turned to follow but a gloved hand grabbed her shoulder. Looking back at the Captain she saw his face. She knew he had seen that fire rise to her eyes and through her tattoo. Maybe he even felt the heat through that gloved hand. He slowly lifted his hand off her shoulder. "Not even going to tell me your name there luv?"

"Hera. And don't call me luv. " She walked off then after Jade.

Bryant smirked then looked to his dallying crew. "Well, get back to work, we need to set in to the dock. But lets go at it slowly eh, I would like to get to know our lovely captives." There was a chuckle from the crew as he swaggered after Hera and her unnamed friend.

Hera found Jade laid upon a soft bed. Not the place she imagined. The two hulking men who had brought Jade in left as soon as Hera stepped in to the room.

"Well, you look like hell." Jade was propped up, still a bit wet, but looking more alive. "You scared the hell out of me." Hera crossed to her and sighed. "I have made a deal with the captain, he will take us back to shore. "

"You sound pissed. He's cute."

Hera rolled her eyes. " He's a pirate. And you kissed him."

Jade snickered and winced softly. "Hey I thought I was dead, I wake up and a cute guy is giving me mouth to mouth. You'd kiss him too."

"Would not." Hera stood beside the bed and made a survey of the room. "But at least he gave us his quarters."

"He's already under your skin. That like a new record. "

"How's the shoulder?" Hera changed the subject.

"Sore, I'll need a sling. My ankle is swollen, I can feel it inside my boot. My hand feels like you may have set it on fire."

Hera with one eye on the doorway sat beside Jade. She took up that left hand . The salt in the water had cleaned the deep wounds. Hera wasn't about to ask. She knew the pain the lupine had felt. "We will get it healed. "

Jade had been watching. It was rare when Hera allowed anyone, let alone some stranger to touch her. But she had seen the healing happen. Lola had taken Hera's hand within her own. There had been no words,no amazing light show. There had been a dull golden glow though. Then all at once it seemed Hera was healed.

Lola turned and sat to the bed. "My lady?" Holding out her hand Lola smiled.

"Jade.." Holding out her right hand to Lola, Jade smiled. Lola took Jade's hand and closed her own over it. "You may feel a bit of pain, for your wounds are far deeper, but you do not fear pain."

Lola's eyes closed and Jade felt her own close. The first thing she felt was her ankle turning back in to place. It hadn?t been broken,but the pain was nearly as bad. Now that pain faded as did the feeling of swelling. The healing moved up her form, through her legs,healing smaller wounds. Jade felt her shoulder throb then eb. It had been forced back in the socket, but now it felt as if nothing had happened to it.

There was a slight pain as the healing flowed through her torso, and down to her left hand. Jade felt the left over wood be pushed from her hand, felt the blood. She felt the bones being fixed and fused back together, the skin was healed and when Jade opened her eyes she saw her skin was knitted perfectly back together.

Lola let go of Jade right hand and smiled. "You are a very strong warrior, you will need to rest. I wouldn?t recommend changing forms until at least night fall, if you need to. " Rising to her feet Lola looked between the two of them.

Jade was speechless.

Hera saw that Jade looked so much better."Thank you." She turned to Lola.

"You are welcome My lady. It was my honor. You may both rest here. The captain will not allow you to be disturbed. Blessed be." Bowing her head Lola turned and left the room closing the door as she went.

Hera shaking her head crossed around the bed and sat on the empty side. Jade was laying back looking at the ceiling. "Thinking differently about Mr. Tall dark and Pirate?" Jade smirked.

Hera lay down beside the lupine. Her body was healed but she was so tired, she could have fallen a sleep on her feet. "What sort of magic was that?" Sitting against the pillows Hera looked over to Jade.

"Old magic. "Jade flexed her hand. "Nothing like we know. "

"You should rest."

"You too. "

"Yeah. " Hera closed her eyes and sighed. They were alive, and healed. On a ship full of unknown pirates and dangers but Hera felt oddly safe.

As a rule Hera Fyre didn't like the water. She had spent some time at sea and had hated every blasted moment of it. Now sailing back in to Rhydin port was not truly sailing. But she still disliked it on principle.

She also had a very clear view of pirates. Oh sure there were pirates in the alliance she could stand. But they were rare exceptions. Now one piece of bread in her mouth the other in her hand she followed the Captain out. He must have heard her because he stopped and looked back.

"Something you need M'lady?" He had a nice smile, and very pale eyes. The type that could pierce your soul. Hera chewed and swallowed and just looked at him. "Why did you help us?"

"Your a very blunt woman, miss Hera. Why did I help you and your pretty friend? That is simple, seemed a shame to let two very pretty women drown. You and your friend were hurt. I saw the blood, and with all that smoke coming from the warehouses, well. A man puts two and two together." He grinned.

Hera broke off a piece of the nice flavored bread she held in hand and took a bite of it. She chewed and considered him. "What do you get out of it?"

"Well if your thinkin I will be asking for payment for a simple ferry job, you must have had a bad take with pirates. I don't need your coin. Perhaps I like the company of pretty women."

"I saw only a hand full on your crew, and then there was Lola."

He grinned at that. "Yes, all worth their weight in salt. Lola more than any. "He stepped closer to her and casually brushed a crumb from her lips. "She is irreplaceable." His eyes gazed down in to her own. God he was tall, she did like tall men. He wasn't hugely built, but he had fine muscle. She saw him grin at her as if he could read her every thought.

"Lola is a witch, a witch of the old ways. " He watched her, god she was lovely. Tall and lithe,built well. She was well armed and had one hell of a temper. Her friend Jade was a pretty thing too. He could easily see himself with either, or better both. "I assume your no stranger to magic."

"No. I am not. But not magic like that." She flexed her fingers.

"Old magic. Lola could tell you more than I can. Is there anything else you wish to know?"

"What brings you to Rhydin?"

"Trade. I may be a pirate, but in these waters I am an honest man. There is good trade here. My crew get a kick out of the city, and we leave with a heavier ship than we put in with. Perhaps when we leave you and your friend could join us? Two fine female guards and warriors. "

Hera chuckled. "I have a job to do in the city, Jade too. Though if you asked her she might well run off with you."

He grinned at her. "Your friend has quite the kiss. She is fond of men."His eyes flickered over her face. "You were truly worried for her weren't you. You thought I meant her harm."

"I thought she was dead." Their was emotion in her voice in her eyes. It wavered then faded behind a light flare of light. Bryant watched her eyes fascinated. "I don't make a habit of harming women, even armed women. I believe in fair play. "His eyes flickered to that pendant that Hera wore, the same one that Jade did. "Do you both belong to the same warrior sect?" Nodding at the pendant.

"An Alliance. Not of Rhydin. But we fight for the same side here as well. The Warriors of Scathach."

He nodded to the name. "A fitting sect for you both. I know of them, and would never wisely cross them." he saw also that Hera wore her wedding ring on a chain about her neck much like Jade did. "Your husbands are very lucky. "

Hera looked down to the ring then back to him. She didn't say anything.

She was still a bit pissed off that no one from the alliance had showed.

Surely there had to be a reason. He watched her. That fall of chestnut toned hair was dark from the waters, and was curling lightly at the ends.

That tattoo under her eye was mesmerizing. He saw she was mulling over something.

He was mulling over the idea of kissing her. Just to taste her. He ha felt that flare of power when he'd placed his hand on her arm. He wondered idly what her kiss would be like. But out of respect he held himself back.

"Do you think I could speak to Lola?" She asked, her eyes met his own.

"Of coarse. Her room is just that way. " He pointed "Shall I show you the way?"

"No. Thanks." She brushed past him and headed down the way towards the room he had pointed out. He watched her go. She had a nice sway to her. Smirking he turned and walked back towards his quarters. Perhaps he could sway a kiss from Jade.

Jade lay on the big bed nipping grapes off the stem. She smirked thinking of Hera going after the pirate. Hera would never admit it but Bryant was just her type. Jade didn't know a woman who wouldn't swoon over him.
"You look like your more at home at sea than your friend." Bryant's voice came from the doorway.

Jade looked up and leveled her gaze on him. "Hera's not much for water. I don't mind it. "She sat up. "You two have a nice heart to heart?"

He chuckled and walked in to his cabin. "M'lady Hera was concerned about my intent. But I think I quelled her worry." He crossed in further. "I am sorry for the way you were pulled from the waters,
your body was already broken and bloody. I should have given it better care." A bow to that.

" Well Lola saw to me. So were all good."

He nodded. "May I ask what were you and Hera doing out in Rhydin's waters. They are not the best for swimming."

Jade chuckled. "No they aren't. We had some trouble. "

"Anything to do with the fire that still seems to rage in the warehouses?"

Jade smirked at that. "A bit. Its not my place to tell you. But we ended up in the drink, and near death. "

"You, neither of you seem like the type to be worried on death. If I may say so."

Jade smirked at him. "We really aren't."

Bryant walked to stand beside the edge of the bed. "Lola imparted something from her healing, yet being a woman of very few words, and one of much honor she wont tell me. " He gave her a look over, "The magic did not have an ill effect. So I can only assume she sensed something about you and Hera. "

"Your telling me you didn't sense what Hera is the moment you touched her?" She grinned. Bryant smiled, " Well I felt something, that is for sure. But I have always had a fondness for strong confident women."

Jade chuckled to that and slid off the bed with her normal liquid grace. "Hera and I share many things in common. Both warriors, both now for the right side." She walked towards him popping another grape in her mouth. "We share a similar past as well. One of blood shed. As a pirate I am sure your used to battle and blood shed. What's your take on assassins?"

Bryant looked at her. Her clothes were torn,tattered and still showing signs of the battle she and Hera must have faced. But the wounds were gone. "I think one does what one must. "

Jade smiled and leaned closer to him. "Your cute. Ever known an assassin?"

"A few?" He grinned at her. "Is that what you are Lady Jade?" She smiled at that. "I was, but you never loose the moves. Hera too. But you didn't come in here just to see how I was."

He smirked. "No. Though it is nice to see a woman like you climbing from my bed. I came to see if I could perhaps sway a kiss from a lovely lady."

"Hera give you the cold shoulder?" Jade looked him over slowly. yes he was her type too,but she adored men. " More like that look that would stab me in the heart. Then she went off to talk to Lola."

"Ahh another cold shoulder. "A chuckle.

"No, Lola and I aren?t like that. I adore her. I could never replace her. I may flirt with her, but its nothing more than that." There was honesty in his eyes.

"And you didn't just up and kiss Hera because you honor the vow she made to her husband. Gentlemen under it all." She pressed a hand to his chest. "Well I am a pirate, but still a good man. And if I can sway you to kiss me. I wont be worried that some guys gonna hunt me down for trying to steal his woman."

"Oh he wouldn?t have to hunt you down. My King. But he's not he jealous type either. And I am a wild thing after all." She leaned up on her toes so they were eye to eye. "If we had met at a different time. I would gladly give you more than a kiss." She pressed her lips softly to his own.

Bryant watched her then let the kiss fall. Let it linger a moment. The feeling of her. She had spark, and passion. Jade with drew with a grin. "Yes, far more than a little kiss."

"Land Ho!" The words drummed down to meet them. "Looks like were back at Port." He said still tasting her on his lips.

"Looks like."She winked at him then walked to the bed and slipped on her boots and grabbed her belt of daggers. She slid it on then looked over her shoulder at him. She smirked at his look. She walked back over to him and leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then walked out of his cabin.

Bryant watched her then let out a low whistle.

Hera heard the call as well. She thanked Lola for her time then left the healers room. She saw Jade walk out of Bryant's quarters and the mans grin. Hera just snickered and followed the lupine up to the deck. "You kissed him didn't you?"

Jade smirked back at the fire child. "I would have done more with him if we had the time."She gave her alliance pendant a tap. "Something's going on, the mother ship is calling us home."

Hera nodded, then snickered. "Suppose its a good thing." They said their goodbyes to Bryant,Lola and the crew then headed off on tot he dock. the warehouse was now smoking. There would be much to clean up. And when their business at home was done they both would return for now. They walked side by side down the dock and out of sight.


~~~This part of Back in the Game ends here: But I will return to Hera and Jade after The Edhel Ndor Beltane is over: More info found here