One could simply say they murdered for a good cause, that what they did was right and just. But one cannot be right and just in the position I was put through. I am Hera Fyre. Daughter of Haloisi, assassin, and murderer of a great house.

My life did not start in blood shed.

Born on a mid-summers day when the storms were first rolling in to the port of Haloisi. My parents could not have been more happy.

My father, Alexander Fyre came to Haloisi when he was just a young boy, looking for a new world. He was one of the first elves to claim a hold upon the rocky shores. His kin soon followed. He was a merchant sailor by trade, an elf of the sea. I recall him well with his dark tangled hair and shadow of a beard upon his square jaw. He towered over the rest of the crewmen upon the small merchant vessle.He had been born to poverty and was now a rich man. Yet he still worked among them, and always shared his profits with his fellow crewmen. Though he was rich he refused to keep any servants, he tended to his own needs, building his own home. But a man cannot live on the sea alone. It was then he found himself in love.

My mother, Melina Leona came to the shores of Haloisi a rich woman of high class. She was daughter to a noble man, whom ruled over the eastern province beyond the free shores fo Haloisi. Her dark eyes and fair hair caught all the glances, my fathers most of all. He wanted to woo her, but knew no matter his worth that he was far below the standards of a noble man. But fate intervened.

The grand ship that had brought my mother to the shores of Haloisi, had been badly damaged in a storm, and needed great repair before they could head out again. So they sought out the best man for the job. That man was my father, he could fix anything on a ship, he could fix anything at all. So he and his small band of merchant sailors went to work at the second of jobs, fixing great ships for low prices.

My mother had never seen elves, only heard about them in stories. So when she saw my father she was awe struck. He was different from some of the higher born males in the town. He was soft and sweet, yet he slung a hammer with great power. His eyes were like crystals of the finest make, and those eyes shown more kindness than any she had ever seen.

It took a month or more to fix the great ship, and in that time they got to know each other. On rain filled days they would sit under the porch at the inn near the docks and talk of things. He taught her Elven, both spoken and written word. She taught him all about the world beyond the shores, the human world. By the time the ship was nearly fixed she was in love.

So rather than go with them, she told them she wished to stay and learn. So after putting in a word to her father, and after he agreed she enrolled herself to the school. But she wasn't staying for that, she stayed for my father. He once told me that the first time they were alone, without any outside eyes looking in on them that they held hands and walked for miles. He also told me once that when they first kissed, it was like nothing he had ever experienced in all of his years. He was older than her. He was also immortal while she was not. The bond they wanted, many wished for, but it was a hard bond to have. He knew he would outlive her and she knew it as well.

The day then came that she was with child. Then they were married and I was born nine months later. In Haloisi like with many tribal cultures some children are born with special traits. I was born with them, the power over fire. And in my young age I was marked, a tattoo was placed upon my cheek under my right eye before I was five. My father bared the same mark upon his arm.

My childhood I can barely recall. Stories before bed of the high sea, stories of the world of the human, and the world of the elf. For I was of both great houses, not human, but not Elven either. I took on my mothers dark hair, though mine has grown lighter over the years. My fathers eyes, are deeply set within my face, that has her cheek bones and large soft lips. Yet my height come from my father, and in some ways my power with a blade as well.

Child hood is easy living. I learned well. I was taught some of the best skills one can have. My father taught me how to use a sword. Back then it was a cutlass, his cutlass. Later on he himself made my first dagger, an Elven dagger which I still carry.

Then the greatest joy, my mother was with child again. I was seven at the time. When Logan was born I could not have been happier. Logan unlike myself looked more human, more like my mother, save for the soft points at the end of his little ears. Also unlike me he was not born with the traits of magic over fire. He bore no marking, for then he did not have the magic.

I helped my mother care for him. Time seemed to fly and we all grew older, though I noted the age more in my mothers gray hair than upon myself, Logan or my father.

When I was seventeen I sought out my first job. Little did I know it would be the only job I would ever have.

Those thirteen moved on to the next trial. The bow and arrows.

Merrick Ridgley was the first dark elf I had ever seen close up. His thick mane of white hair was always pulled back tightly behind his head, his dark red toned eyes held not only danger but a softness as well. He was not a tall man, but he was not short by any standards and he wielded a bow and arrow with a skill none could dare match.

The first task he set us all to was to go out, out of the town and find a nice large tree and choose what kind of wood to make or bow from. So we all set out, most choose hazel wood, or some soft bendable wood that was easy to work.

Yet I found myself standing in awe over the MortavarOrn. It was at least six feet tall, with branches that stretched out to the sky from all angles. Its bark was dark, the wood of the tree itself was darker still. Yet when the bow was finished, it was the finest bow I had ever seen.

Morthond. The finest bow one could ever wish for. It later became deeply enchanted.

Merrick then taught us all how to make and fletch our own arrows. Before long we are all shooting at target along the field. Unmoving targets became moving ones, and fake targets soon became real ones as we all were taught by him as well how to hunt. We hunted deer and pheasants, well learned how to stalk in the shadows form one of him, and soon were all fine marksmen and hunters as well.

Three weeks later we could all shoot with both eyes closed and hit our marks. And thirteen students became eleven. Then we eleven moved on.

The next trial was not what I had thought it might be, after learning about blades I was sure we would be making and using longer swords. But that did not come.

The nine of us, who now all knew each other very well walked in to the large training room and at the front stood a tall lithe woman, clad in tight leather showing off much more than one might think would be allowed in a school. Her long red hair was braided and up in a bun, she was human by the looks of it, but she had lush curves. Beside her stood a man, his shirt undone three buttons, wearing tight black pants. He was young, and handsome, and also Elven. His skin was slightly dark yet not as dark as other drows might have been.

We soon learned who they were. Mya Sorin and Dagnar Sirllie. They were to teach us a lesser known art, flirtation. For two weeks Mya took the girls there were five of us including myself. And Dagnar took the boys the five of them to teach them the lesser known art of flirting.

Mya took us out and got us all used to wearing things of a more sexy and sensual nature. Tight leather, and low cut shirts. Which most of the other girls were fine with, yet I was not. I had been raised not to be as such. But I soon learned that though I hid it well, my body was also a weapon like any sword or dagger I might carry.

The four of us girls soon dawned clothes like Mya, and we had to relearn how to move from her. Then we learned the finer act of flirtation to get away with things. By that time we reconvened with the boys. They now looked more like Dagnar,swave and sexy. We then switched the boys went with Mya and we girls went with Dagnar. It was in those two weeks that he found out what I knew already, that touching me could be quite harmful. I had not yet learned how to control my magic. After those two weeks were done, we were all ready and now there were seven of us.

I could hardly believe I was leaving my family behind. When I returned home I found my father doing as he always had working on his ship. There upon the worn docks, working as tirelessly as he always had. I had not seen him in so long, though only a year had passed it felt like ten.

My mother sat inside the house knitting, I could see her through the window. Her once thick mane of dark brown hair was now all gray. I stood there beyond the window looking at her. Only a year had passed yet in that year she had grown older, yet the age showed more upon her than it did upon my father. Then I saw Logan, the young man he had become in my time away. His hair had gone much lighter, and now bore blonde highlights. He bore the same strong square jaw now that our father had, and his arms were tanned and weathered from working beside him on the docks. He was taller now too, taller than even me.

As I moved on to the docks my father turned and smiled to me, as if he had felt me coming. He smiled to me. I can see his face as he spoke even now after all these years.

"Hera." He took me close, I recall the way his shirt smelled, like the sea and musk. He hugged me tightly, then with drew. "I have missed you my daughter. Your mother has asked about you many times." I nodded then and said, "I have missed you Atar.There has not been a day that has passed that I have not thought of my family." I then handed him a bag of coins, it was the money I had made doing little jobs around the guild house.

He held the bag of gold then Logan came up beside him. "Seler,'" He smiled to me and I embraced him. We three stood outside for a long while before I alone went inside to see my mother. She sat there with a smile. "There is my lovely child." I went to her and knelt by her side and embraced her, she seemed so frail. so old. Yet she still smelled of sweet lavender and poppies. She touched my cheek and smiled, " you have grown."

We had dinner the four of us, it was then I told them I was leaving town. The Haloisi Akh'Velahr were known for being warriors that protected the city from crime, my family then was proud of me, knowing that I would be helping out the city. I hated to go, but after dinner I said my good-byes. If I had known then what I know now, I would have never left.

The words 'masters of foot combat' never meant anything to me till that day. And it wasn't till much later in y life that I learned it was not only the Haloisi Akh'Velahr that practiced the art.

The three of us stood out on the field. Soon we found our selves in a set out circle facing Vana or Kunne. Not in hand to hand combat, not even in steel to steel but we wrestled the ground trying to pin them down using our feet as weapons. Our feet that had become dirty, and even rank over the past two months.

There was only enough fresh water to spare to drink, not to wash with. We rolled and wrestled over the thick grass that was now dead and covered with snow. We tangled foot with foot, ankles used as guards to trashing feet. We were thrown and tossed around, and kicked at, we were pinned and tasted feet many times over.

We won if we could pin them down put their face to our foot, we got extra points for a toe or toes put in a mouth. Six weeks of heavy foot fighting and I became used to the taste of feet in my mouth, I wasn't the best not by far. I lost as much as I won. Ending with the taste of Drow feet many times in my mouth. The taste of sweat, blood and dirt. But it was a lesson I am glad I learned many times over. It is not something one forgets.

We trained in the circle day and night. We trained till our ankles were sore, till our feet had been bitten up, and tore up as well. It became a skill I favor when I can spare the time to not be bound in boots. I was not the forceful type, yet that soon changed. No matter the fact that I wasn't the best Vana and Kunne were impressed with my determination. I fought on, and by the time our time was over in the field. I too could be a master of the art of foot combat. We then headed back at last to Haloisi as the snow fell harder.

We stood, barring hand made weapons, baring daggers and bows with full quivers. Three of us now ready to be marked. Dulin went first in to Andaiti's chambers. Rachel and I waited. We could not choose where the mark of the Haloisi Akh'Velahr would be put, that was up solely to Andaiti.

And hour passed and Dulin came out his right bicep covered with a thick cloth. Under that cloth was the mark that was now healing from the process of the inking. He sat down next to me while Rachel went in to the chamber. We sat there in silence though we had all grown closer over the days months and years spent training we all knew that we would likely only see each other for these last days before being sent upon our first of missions.

Rachel came out then. Her shirt lifted up around her chest the cloth wrapped around her side. She winced only slightly as she shifted to sit. I was next.

I walked in to the chambers, I had expected them to be dark, but they were filled with natural light. There was a large chair surrounded by equipment, and Andaiti stood there with a smile. I had never gotten a closer look at them then, we shook hands and I saw that his arm was inked from wrist to elbow with tribal markings. His whole body could have been covered with them under his simple clothes. He lay me back in the chair with my face in to it and lifted up the back of my shirt and started the long process of tattooing the mark upon my back.

It stung, but I bit my tongue and did not scream. When at last it was over the cloth was wrapped around me and I left. Now we were three marked warriors. All awaiting our final tests.

Lady 'Krsha stood in her large open room facing me. "Most mages' would kill for your powers, most elves might too, many would have to utter a spell to draw forth the flame, yet you, you can do it upon a whim.. you like your father was born with it. Before you, you see, three targets, one of hay and sticks, one of bricks and rock and one of solid thick stone. Use your powers, now show me what you can do."

Her words sunk in to me, all my life I had hidden my mark, my face, my powers and now I was being asked to use them. It was an order after all. So first the target of hay and sticks went up in fire and smoke. Lady 'Krsha smirked and nodded me on. The target of bricks and rock, cracked and sizzled till the rocks were red hot and the bricks lay cracked upon the floor. I then looked to the target of solid three inch stone, what could I possibly do to it?

I again tried what I had with the hay and rock but the stone target stood tall and strong. Lady 'Krsha just looked on. "Try again." I looked to the target then walked up to it. Lady 'Krsha's smile grew more as my hand touched the solid stone and focused. She watched me as my eyes closed and heat rose from my hand he stone in front of me shook as fire erupted all around it and coursed through the smallest of cracks in the pure stone.

I could feel my tattoo upon my face glowing and for the first time since having it I could feel the mark upon my back do the same. Then the stone cracked bursting out with the fire. Lady 'Krsha smiled and nodded to me. "You are dangerous indeed.. I am most glad you are on our side. You have passed Hera.. go see Partenia Harosi she will give you your first orders."

Merrick Ridgley and Carica Rhiamon gave me my next mission. Still inside the town walls I had to take this mission with caution. I had to kill someone of high rank among the local guards. Yet he was not as his friends thought him to be. All his good deeds were driven by lust and the shed of blood always followed. Captain Carvinous Magus, he was to be in the gardens at the center of town, reportably gathering flowers for his wife's grave. His wife had died days earlier. The real report was that he was there to meet with his mistress.

I was to kill him, and make it as bloody as possible I was to make it look like he was robbed. I would have to rely on my bow for the first hit, then trust in my scimitars for the next ones. And if his mistress was there, I was to kill her as well.

I waited, like I always did after an order. I let it set in my mind. I patrolled the gardens while the sun was still high then fled tot he shadows of the out lying buildings as it sunk low. It did not take long for me to see I was not alone. Coming in from the street was a woman, cloaked and hidden, a common woman by all accounts. She lowered her hood then, she was strikingly beautiful by any standards.

Then in came Carvinous Magus he was smirking from ear to ear, as he came up behind her and kissed her neck. They spoke softly Then he slowly pressed her body to the gazebo and started to lift up the back of Her skirt. The events that followed nearly made me loose my dinner. But I had a mission, so I watched him as he had his way with her from behind, she didn't seem to mind one bit.

I watched the till they sat both upon the ground his pants still undone her skirt still up around her waist. Her full breasts showing. Now was my moment I dew Morthond and fired, once, twice, trice for times. Pinning them both to the gazebo behind them She went to scream but I was there .

Alfirin cutting through her neck like a hot knife through butter, her hands reached up to her neck but then Meneluin came through her chest and she was dead. The dear captain had gone to cry out but as he opened his mouth I spun from her to him making sure he saw me, it mattered not, the dead tell no tails, a dagger met his tongue and cut it off. He gasp and reached up in a plea for his life. I hacked at his arms, then tore off his money purse then killed him with one motion of Alfirin. I was then gone. Bloody swords, bloody hands and bloody bodies left behind me to be found in the morning, though I made my moves with elegant grace I made sure it looked like they had been attacked by thieves not one assassin. I had taken too lives, now in blood shed.. I could not go back.

I was as prepared as anyone could be: food,clothing,weapons and water. A map, some of it filled in some of it blank, a general direction in which to go, north then east away from the coastal line and a very loose description of Vincent. He was about six foot, maybe a little under or over. two hundred and fifty pounds or so. Brown to dirty blonde hair and green or blue eyes. His age was unknown, he seemed to be human but others had written him off as an elf.

For he had eluded us thus far. Byron put his trust in me and I would not fail the guild. I took my sealed orders, they detailed everything about Vincent that the guild knew and I set off. I packed food and my usual supplies. I later learned I had not packed nearly enough.

One can never be truly prepared, you can train and prep as much as possible but the world is unpredictable. I set off to the South southeast as my orders directed me to. When I stepped outside the stone walls of Haloisi I looked back across the city, towards the docks and my home. I vowed silently that I would return.

I then set off, Morthond upon my back held up by the enchanted quiver filled with silver tipped arrows, and a few iron tipped ones as well. Alfirin and Meneluin at my right and left hip, a host of throwing knifes and daggers along my left hip.

A simple black leather bag hung across me, filled with dried meat, some cheese, bread and vegetables for cooking, one small yet sturdy iron pot to cook in, my curved hunting blade good for cutting flesh from bone. a quill pen and small vile of ink, blank pages to be filled out should I find the need for them, and coins, some gold, some silver some copper, and a smaller purse of rubies, sapphires and diamonds. Should I find myself in a town in need of a room in some tavern or inn.

I never expected to be gone as long as I was. It was spring when I left. Many seasons passed while I was away.

For those whom have never spent much time in the woods, let me begin by saying do not go in unprepared. Go in expecting the worst possible thing to happen. Then hope int he back of your mind that thing never does come to pass.

A forest is a grand thing, mighty tress reaching for the sun high above int he sky. Creatures of all shapes and sizes live there. They survive there. One can never know what it is like to fall asleep under the stars laying by the side of a great oak and to wake with a deer not six inches from your face nibbling upon ripe berries. One cannot know the fear of hearing a bears roar as it charges at you from across the forest. One cannot know, not until they experience it them selves.

I had been continuing north, and following what tracks I could find. They were still a day old, he still had the advantage upon me. He knew how to hide him self well, for I never caught sight of him, no fire smoke, no scent of cooking food any where in the forest. Yet he must have known I was there, why else would he still be running?

When one stays day in and day out inside the forest you gain a different perspective upon the world, the world outside the forest seems so small, so distant, the world inside the forest seems vast and wide. You gain respect for the wolf, the bear and the deer. For the trees and ferns, for the sun and the moon, the stars and the rain. You learn to hunt as you never have, not just for food, no for survival. I wasted nothing, I used everything I ever caught down to the bones. Skins and furs could be used as clothing or bedding even to make a tent, bones could be used to make a soup or stew a bit more filling.

Fallen trees were home to wild mushrooms, small rabbits, and if all else failed grubs could be found hiding with in the rotting wood. Roasted over an open flame they didn't taste too bad. Pine needles made a good starter for fires, broken branches made great spears, and holds for skin and fur tents. And dirt. Wet dirt could take the rash of poison oak from your skin.

The forest plays tricks on you, in the dawning light a bear that is miles away seems closer and more dangerous. In the falling light of day the rustle of birds int eh trees can sound like ten thousand horses running at you. The night plays tricks n you to, you can loose your way if you are not careful, you must use the stars, climb the trees and move from one to the next to get a good view of the stars. I became well aware of everything around me. And soon I had caught the scent of a fire. I was close, so close.

Yet when I at last found the fire, and those around it, there were just a few lost and very scared merchants. I led them to safety, it was not one bit a part of my mission. I knew though that it made no difference, I led them out then went back to continue my hunt. The tracks were now fresh and he was moving to the West, closer to the edge of the forest, closer to the hills of stone that rose up in to the sky. I was close again. So close.

Some may say they do not exist. There is no such thing. But I have seen them, I have sat in their great halls, I have shared of their roasted pig and fine brew. I speak highly of them, Dwarves. great miners of ore, and great fighters as well.

I tracked Vince in to the tall rocky cliffs, going for the fire I had seen the night and day before. It was dangerous. Very dangerous the slopes up were slippery covered with sliding rocks that were wet from the storm eves ago. The moister held on, and made the rocks slick and easy to slip on. I had taken off my boots, you may call me crazy if you wish but I found more balance upon the slippery slopes in my bare feet then in my boots. Yet taking them off added to my load.

It took three days to climb to where I had seen the fire. Three long days in which I always felt someone or something watching me. Yet I knew it was not Vince. When I arrived at the point I had seen the fire, I could not have been more surprised at the sight. Sitting around a very small fire roasting a small wild pig was no man, but four dwarves. I soon saw that they were not alone, not six paces tot he right I saw it, it was amazing, a massive door made of rock, that was open to a cave beyond lit by lantern light, there inside I heard more dwarves.

Some wore armor, leather, and metal mixed. Those outside the door were male, long beards reached down to their knees. I had never seen so many colors of hair, long gruff hairs. Blue,green,yellow,gold,brown,red and black. Some braided some left long. They were not afraid of me. They welcomed me with open arms. The four before the fire spoke to each other, yet the tongue they spoke I did not know. One then stood and walked to me, he was the tallest of the four, his long hair and beard braided together. "Creoso Sha'Quessir." I smiled to him, his Elven was very rough but he had welcomed me. "Thank you," His smile then grew, " the lil elfin speaks the speech of man, good. Ai'atar be wantin to meet ye, you be the second to come upon us."

My brows rose at that, the second? Vincent must have passed this way as well. "I would be glad to meet Ai'atar." Ai'atar meant little father, a term of respect for male dwarves, I figured this Ai'atar to be the leader. "Good good, I am Balic Stonewall and those be my three sons there by the fire." I nodded to the other three and they all offered me a nod back. "Come then Sha'Quessir, I will take you to meet him."

I then followed. He walked through the open doorway of stone in tot he caves under. "I hope Sha'Quessir brought a light with her, for it is dark in the caves." I looked around it was getting darker, the entry way had been brightly lit but now there were only a few candles. I slowly slipped off my glove then and then focused on making a small orb of fire in my hand to help light the way. Balic smirked and seemed rather impressed, " Sha'Quessir is a naurarin." I nodded softly to him, he had called me a firefly, in some ways that I was. Balic led me deep in tot he well made caves, and I soon found myself in a great city hidden there under the mountain. My eyes starred at the spires of rock made in to great buildings, the cave floor was shiny under my bare feet. And the whole city seemed to sparkle with glory. Balic smiled and led me on in tot he great city. We passed many who looked at me and smiled. Dwarven men and women, and some children as well. We then came to a stop before what appeared to be a castle. Balic looked to my bare dirty feet and I smirked, I then slid on my boots. He nodded then and led me on, the doors opened slowly they were made of solid stone and crystal.

He then led me through a great hallway and in to a throne room, at the far end standing near a throne of fur and stone was a middle aged male dwarf, battled hardened face was softened by light eyes and dark hair all around it. Balic walked in then turned to me, "Ai'atar we have another visitor, yet this one if far more pretty than the last." Ai'atar smiled to me, " welcome Sha'Quessir ." I bowed softly from the waist. "Thank you, Ai'atar." He then grinned to Balic, " you may go back to your post Stonewall." Balic nodded then smiled to me and left the room.

Ai'atar then stepped from his throne side and down towards me, I was many inches taller than him yet he held himself with great pride. " So Sha'Quessir, do ye have a name?" I nodded, " yes, I am Hera Fyre." Ai'atar nodded, "and what brings you here?" I looked at him, there was no harm in telling a part truth, "I am tracking a man that might have come this way." "Do you speak of Vincent DeLoris?" I nodded to that, " he passed this way four days ago, took in our halls and our great favor. He said he was on the run, someone was trying to kill him."He eyed me long on that, I knew I could not hide my weapons but I could lie. "I am tracking him to help him. The one who was trying to kill his is ten days behind me."

Ai'atar seemed convinced I was doing good. "He headed from the halls away over the pass in the mountain and down in to the wide glen. I begged him to stay, he was injured, his right leg broken, yet he said he could not stay someone needed him. I did not press more on making him stay." I nodded, thinking only that Vince had also lied to the fine dwarves. Ai'atar then looked me over, " for traveling so far, you seems mostly unharmed." I nodded, " I fair well master dwarf, tired, hungry but well." He then smiled and reached up to pat me on the back, " then come Hera of Fyre eat with us take in rest here in the mighty halls." I smiled, I could not turn him down, but how much time would I loose?

Summer turned to fall, fall to winter, then again to spring and summer and fall and I had trekked miles along the coast following him, he was always a day ahead of me. He knew I was still there, weary, weathered and beyond tired but I followed him still. Two years had passed and I had not ceased in my hunt, I was older again twice over and now wiser, I wasted no time. I took rest when he took rest. I ran when he ran. I caught sight of him after six months of chasing, yet he seemed to fade in to the coming storms. Walking wounded and still he was faster, something gave speed to him. Something more than I could muster.

I felt as if I had aged two thousand years in those months I had trekked. Haloisi was a dim memory in my mind. I wondered if my family knew where I was, if the guild had told them I might be dead. Though I knew my father would never believe that without proof. I was the hunter, but the hunter was weary. I had used up all the supplies the great dwarves had given me I had used every last bit of food I had brought with me and now. I found my self ill. Very ill. I had taken on a fever and was bed ridden in a small farm house for three days. For three days, two farmers took care of me, fed me, tended to my road weary wounds and gave me a place to call home.

I wish now, that I might have stayed there a bit longer. Once the fever broke I left, yet not alone they gave me what they could, vegetables from their garden dried meets and some cheese and bread. I paid them, I could offer them nothing more than coins and fine stones. But they were happy with the payment, it might offer them more seeds come spring, a cow or a pig even. I was happy to give it, I had no use for the coins.

The trail had gone cold. I walked slowly I was still sick, and I knew it. But an assassin has no time and I had none. Again Vincent had snuck a way and I had no idea which way to go. I headed north and east out of the farm village, after two days I headed to the West again, the to the South. There at last I found one good but old track, and blood. His broken leg was getting worse, and might come on with an infection. But I too was walking wounded, still battling with the sickness that had befallen me.

I rested, I needed to. In the comfort of a soft glen under a lone tree I rested. I know not how many days I lay there some where in my fever as it came again. It was not until snow was around me that felt at last some peace. The cold felt nice around my skin, for the first time ever in my life the snow did not melt when it touched me. I then knew why I had been so sick, my magic was surpressed for so long I had not sued it, nothing more than to light a fire when I so choose to have one. After that day, I used it more often.

The sickness fell from me, and I was back on the trail. He was two weeks at the very least a head of me, and still wounded.

"I was once like you, one of the simple folk of Haloisi. Raised well. I was a simple man, of wood crafts." He eyed my bow on that remark, "I made my living well, I also fell in love. I fell in love with the wrong woman. With Druconis's daughter. " My eyes moved to the woman by his side, I took in a breath. I had heard Byron talk of his long lost daughter Lily and there sitting across from me she was. She smiled to me, "My father is a wicked man. Willing to do anything to keep what he thinks is his." Vince nodded, " we were in love, yet I was a simple man, and she was a rich mans daughter. He forbid us from seeing each other, but love could not be denied. So we made ready to leave and we did. We have been on the run since, now with our children after all these years he still hunts me. He has sent many and the story he tells is that those that don't return have been killed by me."

I thought of Rachel in that moment. "But you didn't kill any of them." He shook his head, " the last woman to come after me she slipped, and fell. I even tried to help her. But I was too late. "I nodded, " your innocent of all the crimes he has said you committed." Vince nodded, "he will not rest till I am dead." I shook my head, "I cannot kill you, you have done nothing wrong. I will go back, I will tell him you died." Vince shook his head, "what proof will you take." "Along my ways in following you I found bones, many bones from a battle long ago it seems, I could take some bones." Vince smirked, " you are smart but If I was dead he would think Lily would return, " "I will find bones for her as well. He will never hunt you again, I can promise you that."

Vince then embraced me. "You are a blessing." I was not so sure of that. But I knew I could not shed the blood of an innocent man. Nor bare to watch his wife and children alone.

I stayed with them for a while. Traveling with them to the coast once more and watching them leave upon a great ship for new lands. They were safe now. Only then did I turn back and head for home. I stayed with the coast the whole way back, and oddly enough it took me less time to trek the rocky coast than it did to run cross country. As I went I hoped in the back of my mind that I would return home, give Byron his proofs and once again embrace my family.

But I did not know then, that I would never again embrace my father, or feel my mothers hand upon mine or see Logan grow to a fine man. I would never see any of them again.

Merrick Ridgley lived on the far end of town when he didn't stay at the guild house. He also had a wife. A woman who was loving and kind, a woman whom had welcomed me in to their home on many an occasion. I would not kill him in front of her, I would not let her witness his death. She was kind, and she had no idea the man she had really married.

I sat there on his roof top listing him talk to her below. He was getting ready to set out for his normal hunt. One thing about the mighty Haloisi Akh'Velahr members they all had a routine. Day by day hour by hour that very rarely changed. Merrick Ridgley's routine was breakfast with his wife, then afterwards an early afternoon hunt to bag a deer or perhaps something more prize winning, then late afternoons and early eve at the guild house training. I had a small window in which I could kill him.
I watched him leave his house, kissing his wife goodbye.I looked down at her.She was so happy,so in love. But the man she was in love with had committed muddier after murder. The last one he would ever do was the murder of my family. I followed him out of town moving roof top to roof top as the sun rose higher. I stayed with the lengthening shadows as they moved.

As he left town I jumped from the roof tops to the street, and slid behind the wall of Haloisi as he looked back in to the town. I snaked along the wall then over it. I followed him moving from tree to rock hiding keeping myself a fare distance away from him as he moved in to the trees. I slipped in tot he under brush then up in to the trees. I shadowed his movements as he walked the forest floor I moved tree to tree. Waiting for my moment. I could not risk his screams being heard, I had to wait till he got to his hunting grounds.

Two miles later he sat just under me. The wind shifted through the trees. I savored in the moment. I knew I had one shot. I inched in the tree as he rose to stand. He drew his bow over his shoulder and walked on, he had spotted a deer. I had seen it too, not three meters away. An easy target. Too easy for one such as he. He wanted a chase, he wanted a good hunt. He waited silently watching the deer as it moved further away, then out of his view. He followed it. I watched him, letting him slip from view, yet as I closed my eyes and pulled Morthond from my back and pulled an arrow back, I knew where he was I could hear him, his calm breathing his soft steps the way his fingers played with his bow string as he walked. I opened my eyes and let an arrow go flying.

Moment later I heard him gasp and fall to the ground. I then jumped from my tree perch and moved towards him. When I came upon him he was on his knees with the arrow struck through his gut. I had aimed low for a reason. He saw my boots first then looked up at me. "Hera.." He coughed and gripped the arrow. I starred own at him, " how could you?" He glanced up at me blood rolling from his nose down over his lips. He knew what I was talking about I could see it in his eyes. "I did not kill them." I scoffed at that, " you signed my orders to track Vincent down, you knew just as Partenia did that Vincent was no quilty man, yet you signed the orders did not make you do so, you chose your own fate." "My wife..." I drew another arrow, " I will not harm an innocent woman." I let the arrow fly at point blank range, it cut through his neck and as he reached up to grab at his blood dripped out of his mouth and he fell limp. I pulled my arrows out and stuck in two fairly common bronze tipped hunting arrows then left his body there to rot.

Two days later, they found his body. I watched as his wife cried over her dead husband. I knew I could not tell her the truth. I could only be sorry for her loss, for she thought she lost a good man. But she had not, that man was dead long before that day.

That following night I found myself watching from two houses over as Byron had his marry way with Mya Sorin. She was tied to her bed screaming out his name. He was indeed sleeping with more women then Carica knew. Likely he had dipped his pen in the guilds ink many times over.

Mya Sorin seemed rather pleased after he was done. He untied her and left her there to clean up their combined mess. As I watched her I knew what I might do. She was a woman of passion, a woman whom enjoyed the company of men, many men. I could exploit that. I waited two days, letting them all think they were at last safe, but they were not. The hunter was there.

I went in to town bought a mans clothing and a hat. I then sought a local enchanter that agreed to hide my fire mark. For a high price. It would all be worth it. Not that the money mattered to me, I had fenced things from Carica's house and Partenia's as well. I had money to spare. After getting the mark hidden I dawned my disguise. And asked the enchanter to make me look a little more male. He did ten fold that. I starred at my face int he mirror masked by magic's, I had the jaw of my father and his deep set eyes, my long hair I tucked under the hat and smirked. I had never gone without my curves. Yet for this mission I needed to look like the type of man Mya would go for.

I then set off in to town. Hiding my blades under my new large jacket. I sought her out, knowing she would be at the farmers market. I found her yet not alone she stood with Dagnar, I had other plans for him later. I waited till they parted ways and she was on her way home to run in to her, I bumped in to her and smiled at her. "Sorry there lovely." My voice had been masked made deeper. She smiled at me, looking me over as if she had found her meal for the night. "Oh, that's no problem..sir.." I smirked, the magic worked. "Lance Georg at your service miss." I bowed to her hiding my smirk. She then walked around me with a smile, "I am Mya Sorin, would you like to join me, Mr. Georg for some dinner?" I looked at her and nodded, " I'd rather have dessert." She smirked to that and took my hand and led me for her house.

She giggled as she walked in through her front door and she pressed in t kiss me and I held her back, "why don't we go up stairs?" She nodded and led me on up the stairs.

Once up stairs she started to undress and went to try to do the same to me. I then slowly took off that hat. The magic then faded and she was starring in to my eyes. She stood there halfway undressed. "Hera..."She breathed and backed up towards her bed. "Hello Mya.. like my little trick?" She gulped, "how did you..?" I smirked, " magic, I am here to get some payment..." She inched towards her dresser where I knew she held a dagger at least. "Now now Mya..your being very rude to your guest." I rushed at her then and pinned her tot he wall, "here I thought you liked it rough, Byron seems to think so." She blinked at me, knowing now that I had seen them together. "I had nothing to do with their deaths.." She uttered softly as I pressed my hands around her neck, "you may not have killed them, but you knew that I was sent on a wild goose chase. You knew that Byron was planning to kill my family." She gulped and tried to reach for the dresser again, but one hand moved from her neck to grab a dagger at my belt and I stabbed it through that reaching hand. She screamed softly, but I knew none would think anything of it.

I could have killed her slowly, but my trick was over and her life was as well. I drew another dagger and stuck it through the other hand pinning her to the wall and dresser. I slid Alfirin from behind my back as she tried to pull her hands free, before she could get free Alfirin and Meneluin cut through her neck and sliced through her side. She fell limp and I pulled my daggers from the wall and dresser and left her there. My next target was Dagnar and for him I would need my curves.

The five left now were staying closer to the guild house. That mattered little to me now. Now that I was used to the hunt, the taste of blood, the feeling of it upon my hands. It mattered not where they were, or how protected they were. I would find them and kill them.

Vana Herie was now staying at the guild house, worried had seeped through the ranks. Talk of a rival assassin group floated from ear to ear. None of them knew it was me, for those who had known were dead and the dead would tell no tales of whom killed them. I had no desire to go in tot he guild house, but I was left with little choice.

I snuck in to the guild house from the eastern end going from the basement up. I stood in the shadows a s Byron told everyone his findings. "It appears our fellow members were killed by a rival assassin guild. This guild whom ever they are, are very skilled, my orders to you all are to stay in the guild house, do not go home. At least here you will be safe." I snickered to those words and watched as they all went off to their rooms. No where was safe, I would have gone to hell itself to kill them, no where in the world was safe.

I waited till everyone was asleep. With them all staying in the guild house my attacks would have to be swift and soundless, not a scream could flow from the mouths of my prey.

I slipped down the open hall way past Kunne's room to Vana's. I knew the door would be locked. But a locked door never stood in my way. I needed no lock pick to spring that door open a small dance of flame in tot he key hole melted the locking mechanism and let me in to her room. I closed the door behind me and braced it closed with the stave that lay up against the wall. I then slipped low to my belly and crawled across the floor. Vana was asleep.

I slid along till I reached her bed then I rose slowly. I had come ready, my feet bare and dirty from the trek across town through the mud and grime of the city. I had come bare foot for a reason. I slowly lifted myself on to her bed then walked my left foot up her body. She started to wake, my left foot met her nose as she breathed in she smelt the rank foot pressed to her nose. She opened her eyes and was about to scream when my right foot slammed in to her open mouth. I stood there over her my right foot pressed in to her mouth so much she was choking the left pressed to her nose.

She pressed her hand sup towards the foot in her mouth but I quickly kicked them away with the left foot. I heard the bones of her right hand break as I kicked the hand back. She winced and gagged all the more as she surly tasted the city upon my toe s as they wiggled deep along her tongue in to her mouth. I would waste no words with her, I smothered my left foot over her nose so she could not breath and she gasped and gagged upon my foot, till at last she drew no breath. I withdrew my foot from her mouth and smirked. I then slid out of her room via the window.


Yet I could waste no time, I had a few hours till dawn. I knew Kunne would be the first one up and the first to go check upon his counter part. He would not wake either.

How does one face a master of swords? A master smith? One who made the very weapons you carry. You face him with a smirk, you face him in his element. You then match him with your own. Jathrn Loremoren was not a man that feared anything, least of al death. As a master of the sword he knew one day he would die by one. He was no warrior his days int hat had ended long ago. But with every stroke of his hammer upon hot metal he proved to all that he was a force.

I sat in the shadows of his forge lit shop which lay just behind the man guild house. He was working, and working hard. he stood there his bare forearms covered with thick blackened gloves, his shirt tore and covered with the marks of hot iron. Heat hissed from the fire, and heat hissed from the water as he dipped the newly shaping blade in to it. I watched as the forge flickered as the steam rose and clung to my skin, making my won flesh sizzle. The room was hot with a warm glow, that glow welcomed Hera with open arms. The fire welcomed her with every flicker.
from the water back in to the hot coils the sword when the steel glowed hot and red and he spun it around by the finely shaped hilt. Then lifting the hot steel out he lowered it to the anvil and began striking it over and over again. The sounds resonated through the whole forge as he banged away,

The metal was flattened and folded and then placed back in the hot coals and heated until glowing nearly white again, the heavy bellows being worked to increase the heat, the process then repeated again and again. Smoke filled the air, she let the scent settle in to her hair a bit more before she shifted up in the shadows. That former lump of solid steel was taking a new shape, a shape it would never fully undertake. Hera breathed in the hot air.

I moved through the flickering light towards him as he banged away at the hot sword. "Tano." My voice floated to him from the shadows, he turned and saw me there back lit by his forges fire. "I should have figured it was you, you've been killing us one by one." I nodded and drew Alfirin. "I do not deny what I have done, but will you deny as they all have what you have done?" He shook his head, "I will not deny what I have done for the guild. Nor that I knew what Byron was planning. But unlike the others who may have denied it and tried to fight. I will do more than try. " I was expecting this from him. For he was a warrior once, and as I watched him lift that still hot steel from the anvil and raise it high. I knew what was coming.

Sparks flew as the hot steal met with Meneluin and Alfirin. Though that sword in his hands was not yet finished not yet sharp like my own, he wielded it with care and grace. Steel against mithral we pressed in to each other. "Your skills have grown since you were away. "I nodded and spun Meneluin down and kept Alfirin locked up against that unfinished sword of his. "I have had time to work on them." Alfirn pressed in closer as I took one step in advance.He countered pressing in and breaking Alfirin loose.I saw him come in again hard and fast to my left, Meneluin was there ctaching thehis unfinished blade at the guard with Meneluins fine dimonad edge. I spun Alfirin in my ahnd and rose it upo to take Meneluins place,pressed hard against the fine undfnished quard of Jathrn's sword. I saw the look in his eyes as Meneluin spun , that blade he had made with his own hands would be the one to kill him.

"You fight well Jarthrn, but you do not face Hera Fyre the little girt that came here years ago you face something much worse." Fire flickered in my eyes, as he gazed upon me he might of thought that fire to be reflected from the hot coals behind him, but the fire was my own. Now as Alfirin pressed in more he felt the heat rise form the unfinished steel in his hand. He winced and saw that the once cooled steel was now white hot. It burned his flesh before he dropped it to the ground. "You unlike the others deserve a warriors death."I looked to him as he knelt then flipped Meneluin around in my hand. "Lift your sword." He lifted it and held it tight to his chest. Then I chopped off his head in one fell swoop.

Now only two remained. Lady 'Krsha and Andaiti. Then I would seek out my greatest hunt.

Andaiti's room was dark when I entered it. I walked slowly through it looking for signs of the artist. Yet I found none. As I turned looking at his chair I sensed something someone moving behind the thick black curtains that covered the windows. I turned just in time to catch that artist. His mighty tattooing pen in hand, he forced it down towards my face. Ink dripping form it as he did. I kicked him away, seemed Byron had warned both 'Krsha and Andaiti.

As he fought against me he spared no words. yet as I fought back against him I noticed his lips were bloody, I had not hit him that hard and as he opened his mouth to scream at me I noticed his tongue had been cut out. I grimaced at the sight. Andaiti was the one who wrote out all the orders for Byron, he was the one who kept all the secrets. As he tried to yell at me he fell to his knees sobbing.

I stood there looking at him, he had been robbed of everything now. His life was already over. He then held at pen up and knelt there with his eyes begging me to finish it. I nodded softly to him. I then slipped Alfirin from my back and drove it through his heart, he gasp once then twice then gripping that pen he fell forward. I pulled Alfirin away and looked down at him. "Poor soul, may you alone rest in peace."

Now they were all dead. And now Byron remained. I set the studio on fire and walked out back in to the main guild house, setting little fires in each room as I went. No one would ever be lied to again. I then walked the stairs up towards Byron's private quarters.

I had set fires in each room on both floors. The forge was already burning down as was Lady 'Krsha's room. Now all that was left was Byron's room. I could smell the smoke rising in to the room from downstairs. I looked to Byron's lifeless body then, "I hope the flames of hell are trice as hot as those that will take you here." I uttered it to his dead body, hoping some higher power might hear me and grant that wish.

I then encircled his body in hot white flames and watched for a moment as his body began to burn. The white hot flames flickered around his arms first, burning the skin and hairs, licking at his blood. Then the fire danced around his form drawn it seemed by the blood. The white flames moved over his bare chest burning the hair and skin then the fire engulfed him,taking his whole body.

Downstairs windows began to creek crack and break as the flames rose higher,I heard the bookshelves as they fell and the cracking and sizzling that came from the other rooms as the bodies of the master trainers went up in smoke. Fire danced around the room and towards me flickering flames that wished for my sweet embrace. Yet I slipped to the window kicked it out and slipped out just as the flames danced along the carpet and towards the window, the flames followed me out as I moved along the roof top.

I heard the rest of the windows crack and burst. I felt the heat rise from under my feet before I jumped to the street. There in the alley way I watched as the guild house burned.

It burned and burned all night till there was nothing but ash and bones left. The police were baffled at how no other structures were damaged in the least by the blaze. That was only because I was controlling the fire. I was the one who made sure that no one else would be harmed. It was over at last. The guild and all its masters were gone. Only I and Dulin remained. I was not sure where he had been sent to, so I did not try to contact him. I knew that if he was alive and returned to the guild house that he would see it was gone. Now there was nothing in Haloisi for me.

I headed back to my old home. I took in what of it I could then said good bye to my buried family. Then I left. Never to return. My life would be spent upon the road, yet Haloisi could never be forgotten every time I caught my face in a window or mirror I thought about my dead family every time I saw the mark upon my back I remembered my past.

I was, and would forever be an assassin. Yet now I would work only for me, and only for those who needed my help. I would repay my dept, and fight and kill the wicked and evil. Free the innocent and protected them with my life.

We are all alone. To some extent. We have friends, and family that tie us to the world of the living. Yet I had none of those, my family was dead. And I never had any real friends.

A warrior is always alone, even when he or she has someone upon their same side fighting the same fight. Even when you have someone covering your back, your still alone. Every move you make decides your fate, your own and those with you.

I had traveled six miles, in three days. I had passed towns and villages and ports, many times wondering if I should perhaps get on some ship to who knows where and leave the world I had known behind. But with every place I passed, I did some good. I found those whom committed crimes and turned them over to the police I hunted down those who would kill innocents and made them pay for all they had ever done.
Yet still, no matter where I went or who I met.

I distanced myself from everyone. For none of them, not even the warriors among them could understand me. For some warriors among those I had met had killed before. But to kill in war is different then to kill for money then to kill for revenge. Wars will always consist of blood.

As I moved further along the coast in and out of villages and port towns I heard whispers of myself. the elves were calling me Tel' Ereb Othar. The Lone Warrior. They spoke my praises, of my good deeds. Of those whom I had helped. yet none knew me. Not my name nor where I came form or where I went. Half the time they did not know that I stood in their shadow as she spoke of me to their friends.

That was the life of the lone warrior. No one needed to know me, no one at all needed to see me. I would be in one town one day doing good deeds then gone by the next day. I moved miles and miles in single days, pushed on by grief and rage. Pushed on to find a way to connect with the world around me.

But I felt dead. My soul cried yet I did not. My heart bled but I showed it not. Being alone, I grew used to it over time. Days to months and months to years. Finally after traveling cross country and fighting my way here and there I ended in a small town. I was seeking out a smith to tend to my weapons. The Elven town was called Laire and I will never forget it.

I looked at him, and gave it some thought. he was handsome, and seemed sweet. What harm could it do? So I agreed to the dinner. And Aiden seemed thrilled at the prospect of dinner with me, the lovely warrior.

I spent my next day walking the day lit streets wodnering what i was getting myself in to.I was not one that beileved in relationships,nor love. Love was harsh and crule. Dealing in The delicate art of death was so much more,simple.

I met him that night at his house which was just outside the town. I did no have anything fancy to wear, though it felt like a date. And it was a date, though I did not show u in my classic black look I was dressed casual,though still with my weapons.I arrived at his house and he answered the door. I had become accustom to his shirtless non attire that when I saw him in the long sleeved green button down I was a bit taken back. He looked like a noble man not the blacksmith I had met the day before.

He led me in took my cloak and hung it then pulled my chair out for me. The room was lit by cnadle and fire light, it smelt of sweet aromatics,herbs and spices. A large balck pot boiled away ont he stove top. I knew then that it was a date,my first ina lifetime of being alone.We sat across from each other the whole time we ate and the whole time I could feel him starring at me. I chose not to speak, I didn't know what to say.I hid my face and my words. Yet at last he caguth my gaze ."Why do you hide your face, Miss Fyre?"It had taken him to the end of the meal to ask those words I had dreaded from the moment we met, he was so handsome so swave and romantic, and I was there the warrior, the one with the scared past and the marks to prove it.

I glanced to him, then slowly pushed back my hair to show that tattoo upon my face. I had not shown it to anyone since leaving Haloisi,I was cloaked and hidden fromt he world even my hunts never saw my face, I never gave anyone the chance. But there I sat with my hair back behind my softly pointed ears and he just stared at me.

He sat back for a long moment looking at me, then he rose slowly and came around to kneel before me. "You are a lovely woman and a warrior at that, ye have no reason to hide. "He reached up and touched my cheek running his pointer finger and thumb along my cheek up to the black and red tattoo.Then along under it his thumb moved as he unched in closer, closer than anyone had ever dared to move to me. I felt the heat rise through my skin as he touched me and I know he felt it too. He with drew slowly then. But he did not stand. He knelt there looking in to my eyes. Then suddenly his lips were pressed to my own.

It was a kiss, one of thsoe ksises one would wish to remember. Young girls talk of thier first kisses and I smirk at them now, for I recall mine so well. It was not that moment of lovely passion a tender embrace.It was the moment that defined the rest of my romantic life.

I felt a sudden flush as he kissed me, softly at first then deeper. I felt my hands in my lap spark with fire as he deepened the kiss and lifted me up from my chair in to his arms. It was a moment of pure passion. It only lasted a moment, for when he with drew he felt the burning sensation that ran along his arms and face, he screamed and ran to the sink and splashed the fire from his arms and face. Then as he turned to me I saw the hate in his eyes.

That burning look, that look of total hate and horror.Not some look of wonder, no it was hate. He stared at me as if the very demons of hell ahd come down upon me and changed me the vallant lovely warrior he thought me to be in to one of their own kind.

"My god... " He uttered under his breath and glanced back at me... "What the hell are you? Some sort of demon?Look what you've done to me.. Get out! "He looked at me his eyes filled with rage, though his burns would heal and were not of the deadly sort. I looked at him, took my cloak and left. I knew that day that I would never again feel a mans lips to my own, or the passion of love. For my fires burned hotter than loves own fire. 'A warrior has no time', I thought, 'no time for love or romance'. I was alone again, but this time I went two towns to the east a little port town that I now even have forgotten and I took a boat out away form the lands I had known.

I looked back on that day many times, yes I knew of my fiery powers, but I had not gained much skill with them in such places as love or passion.I had never been so close to it.And I never would be again.

I looked back as the world I had known faded from view. I knew I would never return.The world of Haloisi and my burried life there faded in to the mist.