09. Cyllian

*See chapter 00. Intro and chapter descriptions*

The camp grew quiet with Zyre and most of his followers gone. Some of us lingered watching them leave, riding out from the plain into the forest, wolves howling and weapons and armor clanging, grunts and roars of orcs heading into what would certainly be battle, brief tho they may be. I found myself like Melee, wishing I had ridden out with him, but I had my own journey to consider yet.

After a time most drifted off to do what must be done to sustain an encampment, including myself, even if I was one of the last to turn away after the riders disappeared from sight.

It was not long after the horde was out of sight and hearing, even for an elf, that the sky turned grey, then black with swirling clouds as the thunder broke and lightning split the sky, strike after strike, echoing booms again and again, the rain fell hard and fast soon opening up into a torrent.

The winds first swayed, then bent the trees above us; their leafy crowns moving to and fro opening the canopy for the rain to pour down. Limbs snapped and cracked, and the winds coming off the open plains were strong enough to billow the sheltering tents we all used. Tho sturdy, they were made simply from animal skins, bone, and trees, some patched and reinforced with moss and dried mud; in the aftermath of the storm we would find those set out on the plain had been swept away.

There was nothing to be done; all took shelter within their own, driven in by the flooding rain, seeking shelter from the wind and wet, and cover from the falling limbs, and the lightning that mercilessly struck the ground and trees. The council that convened after Zyre left quickly dissolved and any preparations that had yet to be made were duly put off until the storm passed.

But it did not. The storm only grew in fury and power, unrelentingly it came on and the rain only fell harder and harder, the lightning more frequent and the thunder louder yet. Melee and I thought about the horses in an open pen on the other side of the camp and cloaked ourselves as best we could and went out in the soaking rain making our way; when we arrived we found Broge and the others doing their best to make a shelter and keep the feed as dry as possible.

Broge and the band were using strong ropes to bend the more pliant trees over, creating a leafy shelter, climbing and tying, pulling hard and tying the ropes around thick trunks, all this in the pouring rain and thickening mud.

"Well done Broge, we are here to help. Perhaps I am lighter and may climb these wet trees easier?"

"Aye chief, extra hands are welcome! these ropes are hard to grip and the wind isn't helping, the horses are frightened and cannot be used."

I removed my cloak and began to scale the trees, it wasn't easy, as he had said. The trees were slippery and hard to grip, and the higher I went, the more the wind shook; but up I went, tying ropes around thick branches, repeating this over and over again while Melee and the others used their brute strength to pull and bend the trees, and eventually we accomplished what we set out to do, finishing soaked to to the bone and covered in mud and scrapes and a few bruises.

We lit the fire in our tent laughing about the experience, difficult tho it was; ashamedly, I at least was not used to such work. My hands were raw and blistered, my legs bruised and scraped but it was exhilarating at the same time, climbing the tall narrow trees as they tossed to and fro in the blasting winds and the torrential rains.

We were wet to the bone, dripping, our cloaks and clothing clinging to our bodies; every curve accentuated, every contour brought out by wet clothing and glistening water. After tossing our cloaks aside I sat on my piles of furs that made my bed to remove my boots but they were stubborn to remove; Melee who was already standing in the fire light naked, her short stocky frame in profile, her rounded breasts wet and reflecting the flickering light, her long hair plastered to her shoulders and back, laughing at the dilemma of my boots.

"Haha mistress, having problems?"

"It seems so Melee, my boots are being more difficult than you in obeying me."

Truly I was struggling, tho I did see the humor.

"Well maybe I can coax them."

I am not sure what caught me, not that I haven't had her before, but this moment over powered me, and I felt a sudden wave of want and desire. I watched her close the short space between us; her round hips swayed as she moved, the tone of her pale green skin wet and glistening with the rain, her full thick thighs pressed together, and I think she must have known, for she had that smile.. no not a smile, but that certain crease in her lips, the shining in her eyes exuding confidence and knowing.

I sat up having given up my struggle with my boots, covered in mud up to my thighs, the only thing I had left on my body, and sat up, as I said, watching her.

She approached and took to her knees, her strong hands and fingers just above mine and with gentle pressure parted my legs and placed herself between them. My breathing hitched, and without realization I placed my hands upon hers caressing her fingers with my own. Our eyes locked, her lips parted, as did mine and I knew my boots were no longer a concern.

Melees' hands slid up my naked thighs, gentle but firm on my pale blue skin, she slid her body forward, spreading my legs more, opening me up and with only one glance more into my white eyes, bent herself down and with her (mostly) human tongue licked my rain soaked skin, moving slowly to my inner thigh, her fingers tracing the way her mouth would take.

I leaned back on my elbows taking the pleasure she was giving while the rain still poured down echoing on our tent and the thunder boomed and the lightning lit the dark night outside.

Her hands wrapped under my thighs, lifting me, her tongue continuing to tease, everywhere over my inner thighs, except where I wanted her most. I knew she was enjoying it, the teasing, every few moments she would moan and laugh teasingly, her lips on my skin I could feel break into a grin, with her warm breath on my skin.

Certainly she knew what she was doing and that she had me; my hips were already moving into her, I could not keep my head still. Thrown back, looking down at her, watching her, opening my legs up to her more, she knew I was lost in this moment with her.

My moans and my movements, my hips pushing up into her did nothing to convince her to give me what I craved, for she moved from inside my thighs to above; kissing, licking, caressing my smooth stomach, her hands reaching and feeling my heavy breasts, my dark blue hard nipples between her fingers, pinching and rubbing, making them harder, teasing more.

I tried to slide myself up more, higher on the furs piled beneath me and pull her over me, but she denied me.

"No my mistress, I like where I am now, on my knees before you, between your long and supple legs."

So in the moment I was I only nodded, my eyes closed taking in all the sensations she was giving my body, I only opened them to acknowledge her words, before closing them again, losing myself to her touch.

I felt her strong muscular body and then her soft breasts on my body as she gently kissed between my heaving chest, then she slid herself down, wet skin on wet skin, and in a moment a heavy breath, I felt her hands on my thighs, she moaned, and her tongue plunged within me, entering me.

Ahhhh Melee! Yes, yes Melee! Yessss!"

The suddenness of her tongue in me, parting my wet lips was a shock after all the teasing, and it was like the lightning outside, and the force of her thick tongue was building something in me like thunder.

Her tongue darted in and out of me quickly, only occasionally staying in me, licking my walls, circling in, her fingers spreading my lips open; I both wanted to release and hold on longer, not wanting it to end. My hips moved faster, although I tried to control it, not yet wanting to give in to abandon. My hand with my long fingers in her wet hair- not holding her or forcing her to stay, but moving with her as she moved about tasting me, licking me, swallowing my juices.

My body wanted to squirm, to move, but I restrained myself and only shifted to sit up more and part my lips for her, freeing her hands to move about my legs and thighs, to grab, hold, and squeeze my round soft cheeks beneath, or better to slip inside me which is what she did.

Her fingers entered me with deliberate intent, pushing deep, her tongue sought out and found my clit, licking me with her wide flat tongue, and I could hold off no longer. I came fast, my body jerking forward, my hips back, until I thrust them forward again into her and pulling her face into me with my hand.

Melee sucked my flowing fluids with want and desire, slurping and swallowing, her fingers still working inside me with haste, her face pressed into my wetness as much as she could. She moaned inside me, sending reverberations in me; I quivered, my legs shook, she slid both of her strong hands under me, lifting and pulling me to her without relenting her feasting, I came a second, then a third time before she stopped, coming up for air her face glistening but not from the rain, but with my juices and my cum.

"Hmmm ahhh mistress, these few days not having you, I have missed this. Tasting you again always seems new."

Sitting up I pulled her to me and took her face in my hands and kissed her, licking her tongue, then her lips.

"Melee I will never surrender you, you give me too much and I would miss the feel and taste of you. My love and lust for Zyre still cannot drive my need and want of you away."

I kissed her again and rolled her onto my furs upon her back and threw myself upon her. Holding her hands down I again traced her lips with my tongue tasting myself before pressing my body upon hers and sliding down tasting her salty skin, the softness of her breasts, the hardness of her dark green nipples, teasing them, with both tongue and fingers.

Beneath me her legs opened willingly but before I could slide down her muscular body further, she wrapped her strong thick thighs around me trapping and holding me, her hands now on my face Melee leaned herself up to me and kissed me hard.

"Once again Melee I accuse you of disobeying for you keep me from my goal."

Again her tongue pushed into my mouth, but her legs released me.

"Then punish me as you will, but my tongue wants to search you in all ways."

"As does mine."

My desire was still great and my breathing gave me away. I could not help but to simply put myself between her bent and open legs, smell her sweetness as it dripped out of her and run my soft long fingers thru and over her wetness building my own anticipation, and hers as her hands were already in my hair.

"Ohhh mistress Analea, your tongue, your long tongue... I want it in me, taste me, fuck meEEEE! AHHH! YES! AHH AHHH--"

As she did to me, so I did to her. Certainly I know Melee loves me licking her lips, savoring her, soft gentle licking of her folds and petals, but well I know she truly loves my long elfin tongue pushing deep inside her, wriggling and swirling against her walls.

I pushed deep inside her, withdrew, and pushed again using the dexterity of that muscle, so soft yet firm, inside her. How different it must feel from having a man's hard member thrusting inside... soon I too will know.

She screamed and moaned, her body writhing beneath me, her grip upon me tightened, her hips thrust into my face, with my longer reach I grabbed and squeezed her breasts as I feasted upon her as she had me, and with the same desire.

It was not long before she released for me, and when she came with a cry and a shriek, I held my tongue out, mouth open to receive her gift, the sweet taste of her cum upon my tongue and my lips before again pushing inside her. A few strokes of my tongue between her walls and she gushed again for me, now her thighs locking together, keeping my face held, my tongue captive inside her, squirming and wriggling within her, her moans and screams muffled for me trapped between her fleshy thighs.

Relenting at last I ended my 'punishment' and relaxed my tongue, her thighs released me with moans and hard breathing.

"Ahhh mistress, oh my... I love a hard man inside me always, well men... ha! but I will never ever want to lose this."

For the sake of space she was now half laying upon her side and both of us breathing hard, but coming down, although I was unsure if I was done seeing her pleasured. My fingers traced the curve of her hip and waist.

"Have I not told you Melee? There is no need to lose this. I will not give you up."

"You did say so, but you have not had him in you yet mistress."

"In some ways I have. He has taken two of my, how shall I say? entrances."

"What?! I knew of course you have tasted him, I witnessed it twice, but the other?"

I will not deny my embarrassment at this admission, but it was Melee, and we keep no secrets.

"From behind Melee. I gave myself to him from behind. And it was as you said, excruciatingly painful and mindlessly pleasurable at once."

"Truly mistress?! This I did not know."

"Well things have been busy have they not? I wanted him in me Melee, to feel him release inside me some way; I thought of you and made him the offer, actually asked him to take me that way."

"And you enjoyed it?"

"I did, and will do so again with great pleasure."

"Hahaha! See? I remember you questioning me about that some time ago. You said you could not imagine, ha!"

"A short month ago I could not imagine any of this Melee, including wanting a man in me in any way, let alone an orc. Now I crave him in me in any way I can, his taste, his hardness, his throbbing manhood, his seed, in me and on me. Any of it, all of it. And yet none of this does anything to quench my desire and hunger for you, as I said."

"And no matter how many men I have, I will always crave your softness and sweetness mistress. Different isn't it? As much as I love a hard cock in me in all ways, these men are so eager, so forceful- I love the force of it, of them. Those rough calloused hands, the strong chests, the grunting, the forceful fucking... all of it... in me, hitting my throat, spreading my cheeks... being entered with their hardness... but a woman, especially you it's... "

"It is indeed different. A man's rigidness and a woman's softness. Stretching aching jaw to a tired tongue, ha! The sweetness of you, and his thick sticky saltiness; I will not give either of you up. And speaking of stretching and spreading Melee..."

She was still on her side, only occasionally turning her head looking at me from the corner of her eye. She did not see me reach my hand down and pick up her tool, which now I gently pressed between her thighs from behind, rubbing it's rounded tip against her wetness.

"Ohhh! Mistress... yes, please!"

She pushed back against me without opening herself up and I simply rubbed the round smooth head of the thing against her pressing myself into her back.

"In me, in me, just like this hmmm push it in me."

I had to use force to enter her as she clenched her legs tighter as I tried. Her breaths were short gasps and her hips pulled up and forward, but she would not open to receive the tool and continued to ask me to force it in her. I was hesitant as I did not want to hurt her, but her pleading would not stop.

"Mistress, in me, push it in me, enter me...."

She screamed, with both pain and pleasure when my force was finally enough to enter her, the tool sliding inside her wetness. She pushed back against me, her hand reaching back and gripping my arm, my hip as I began pulling and pushing, her wetness leaking out, her closed legs squeezing it out over my fingers gripping her toy.

I rested my head on her shoulder watching her mouth taking air, her chest heaving, pressing my own against her back while I worked into her from behind, her body building an orgasm from deep within her. Her hand eventually finding mine, her legs finally relaxing she spread slightly just as she came with an inward thrust. I quickened my pace, quickly riding our shared toy in and out of her as Melee came again.

We slept that way as the rain and thunder continued thru the night waking in the morning to a still darkened sky. Dressing ourselves we left the tent, the rain had eased, but still fell with the mud thick at our feet, our eyes meeting a chaotic scene. Trees and huge limbs of trees had fallen everywhere and tents and equipment were scattered about. There would be no leaving this day, indeed it would be several days of labor before we could part from the camp.

Gilead and I were satisfied with the state of the camp and informed the council of our imminate departure upon the marrow, and we both agreed that Zyres' will of thirty was too much, too slow moving, and easily marked and tracked. We decided a smaller band of no more than fifteen orc would suffice, and we left at dawn.

Quietly, with no fanfare we set off upon horseback out into the open plain with a faint grey sky growing lighter, the waxing moon barely visible behind grey clouds, the ground still wet and in some places still flooded. Our path led straight out across the flat land until it would begin to rise; about a days ride out when we would reach the hill country and there we would turn north riding thru the rolling hills with the plain to our right and the great swamp to our to left where the hills stopped and gave way to sloping ground.

When the hills came within sight I sent Melee ahead to scout out the land. She was familiar with it having served Cyllian in his border guard protecting outlying villages and settlements; and she was the smallest and other than myself, the most silent.

There were two occasions when we had to remain silent and hidden, taking the low paths thru the hills, hiding in whatever small copse we could as twice Melee spotted ahead of us two different royal elf patrols. This was very curious as these lands were protected and patrolled by Cyllian's hand picked soldiers; always half bloods, always from the surrounding villages and settlements. Never did the royal guard or army venture this far beyond the kingdoms borders. These close run ins made me wonder just what was happening in the palace and why. My need to find and speak with him only grew and even Gilead was growing pensive and quiet, always on guard.

There was some debate about whether we should enter the swamp and make our way north thru it's twisted paths, but we decided it was best not to risk the wrath of the swamp trolls; fourteen foot tall solitary creatures who did not like trespassers. It seemed an unnecessary risk.

We spent days in the hill country but found no sign of Cyllian or his numerous patrols and eventually the hills became more wooded and further apart as we approached the northern woodlands; a vast stretch of pine and fir trees towering into the sky, dark and close and difficult to pass thru.

Upon our first night within sight of this forest I spied movement, a body in the distance, a glimmer of a blade in the fading sun, but it was quickly gone into the trees, only the forced movement ever so slight of branches swaying, then stillness. We were a few miles perhaps, no more, and only with my elvish eyes did I see it.

Two days we remained where we were, and in the early morning and late evening a few of us in turns would approach the tree line and investigate. There were no signs of life except a few boot prints where I had seen the person upon our first approach.

But time was moving swiftly and already days had been spent and I decided that upon the next day after exploring one more area we would return to camp having gained nothing, my disappointment was great for I was certain he was out here, perhaps even waiting for me, or seeking me out himself but I felt foolish in my need to speak to him.

That last evening as our little band was preparing for our departure, as the last light was turning the sky a dark steel grey I wrapped a black riding cloak, my knives and my blade at my back and silently made my way alone a short distance to the next rising hill, partially wooded and sat in my own thoughts.

My mind turned to Zyre wondering if he had sent word to the encampment; had there been battles? Had he encountered the demon orc? Perhaps Cyllian was with him, so close to his betrothed's kingdom. I looked up to the sky where the stars shown thru the tattered clouds, a faint warm breeze blew- was he thinking of me?

I felt it before I heard it; a faint vibration in the ground- a horse, distant, perhaps in the trees yet. I touched the soft earth, focused, yes, hoof beats, a trot, not a gallop but quick enough to feel it in the earth. Then I heard limbs snap and crack, only here and there, whoever it was there was only one, or just a few. I peered hard into the trees, but saw nothing. Then silence. No sound, no movement; I considered signalling the others, but waited. It turns out I had no need to.

"Mistress?"

Even tho she was crouched and whispering, I held my hand up for silence- looking about I could sense a change in the air, a breeze, and.. breathing? A controlled breathing. We were being approached, from our left; the only direction one could approach where I was without the others seeing and the breeze would not carry a scent.

Melee crouched low, I heard her knives unsheathing, my own hands fingering the grips of my own.

"Cyllian. Greetings brother."

He stepped from the shadows of the early night, tall, nearly six and a half feet, back straight as always. The skin of his pale blue face and long brown hair hidden in the deep shadow of his black cloak. He spoke in a low hushed voice.

"Analea, and Melee. Still at your mistress' side I see. I am glad of it. I chose you well."

Melee relaxed, but only a little; there was still doubt if he knew or was a part of, my betrayal. I doubted we could defend against him, but we would be better off with the two of us.

"Always Lord Cyllian. I will never leave her side."

Her head bowed slightly, but I could still feel her tension, her eyes never left him, or rather his weaponless hands. He turned back to me and spoke.

"You seek me out when you should have stayed with Zyre. Why? There have been two royal patrols out hunting you. Why did you leave him and where is he?"

"Why Cyllian do they hunt me? What have I done to the king our father? I have many questions brother."

"Then you do not know-"

"Know what? What do I need to know? Tell me."

"He knows of your marking Analea. The other envoys sent with you returned but one night later. They rode thru that night and all the day, never stopping. Your father knows, and calls it treason."

Treason?! MY father? I was stunned, as was Melee.

"Treason Cyllian? Why is it treason? And your reason for being here?"

Now my hands were gripping my knives, and Melee was ready to spring. Cyllian saw it and knew.

"Peace, the both of you. I do not hunt you. There is much you do not know it seems. But know this, you must return to the orc camp, you are not safe in the wild Analea."

"I would know why and what treason I have committed by taking Zyres' mark and scent upon me. I cannot inherit nor was I promised, nor did I agree to be promised to another. In fact was it not he who betrayed Zyres' father the hegemon, Zyre himself, and me to Syrte the demon orc, and maybe worse? If you know tell me why."

"Not only has he betrayed as you say, but the northern kingdom as well. I too, am now an exile from my homeland. I have removed my men from these lands to defend Denieras' realm from attack, from within and without."

"I have heard of an attack from Skyros, and something of a plot from inside the palace."

"Indeed, myself and Deniera sniffed it out and ended it. A plot to overthrow the king and queen, although Deniera rules in all but name. Regardless, her secret was revealed and is now known. I tried to prevent any escape from those who plotted, but some fled to your father's kingdom Analea. I found these after their escape."

He pulled from a small bag a pair of chains and shackles and held them out to me. Melee recognized them and sprang in front of me pushing me back, a knife in one hand her blade in the other.

"I will not let you take her! I care not who you are!"

"Melee! He is not here to hunt me. Drop your guard."

"I am not. I am here to warn you and to speak to Zyre. Where is he?"

Melee did not relax, not for an instant.

"We know these bonds, I will not have her put back in them while I breathe."

"Truly? Where have you seen them? These were intended for Deniera, my betrothed."

What?!

"Why her? I have met her, she is not of fae blood."

"But she is. A well kept secret, until recently."

"But how? How was it kept secret?"

"A long tale Analea. To be brief she is the true daughter of the Moon, as you are of the Sun. Promised as a child to parents who could not bare children. She is your cousin in truth."

"But fae blood can be sensed, smelled. This is not possible."

"Except the Night, Darkness, like it's close companion Death, keeps many secrets. No Analea, not all the fae can be sensed. You are stunned, and understandably so. But tell me, how do you know these bonds?"

"Syrte put them on her when we were ambushed, a few days after leaving the palace. He said they would tame the fae in her."

"Ah... that makes sense. The markings are a demon spell. Do you remember Analea the stories mother would tell when you were but an elfling? The demons found a way during those wars to cast the world in utter darkness, a spell cast to bind and darken the light of the sun and moon?"

So many memories came flooding back. Father was always aloof, but Cyillian's mother was kind and gentle and cared for me deeply.

"I do, and that it was the god of war who freed them..."

"Indeed. It seems Skyros and your father--"

"There again Cyllian you say it. 'My father', not 'our father'.. why?"

"I am not your brother, in truth."

"What?!"

Melee even gasped, her arms dropped and we both stood there in shock and silence.

"Remember when I said Night, like Death, holds many secrets? He is my true father. And, both of you, this is a secret only three other living beings know."

"How Cyllian is this possible?"

"Long before you came to us Analea there was a plague and Death came to claim mother, but fell in love instead, taken by her beauty. For seven nights he came to her in her chamber. She asked to live to see her son to manhood. He granted her more, telling her of your coming and the protection you would need, to be brief."

I never have been so speechless as now, nor during all this brief period in my hundred years, but much began to make sense. He continued without my asking more.

"She revealed all this to me when she knew he was coming to claim her for good and made sure I would protect you and guard you, already knowing the king's tendencies, and his future ambitions and plans, for his power and kingdom, and for you."

"And what plans were those, to what purpose was I kept and allowed to live just for him to betray and forsake me?"

"Your power. You were made an envoy to be kept pure; he was told your power would depend upon your purity, this according to the one who delivered you. He intended to use your power against his enemies for his gain."

"But why the lie? Why would--" I realized as I was speaking.

"The Sun loved the god of War, he rescued her and her sister, but the stories never speak of a consumation, yet it is said their descendants would found an empire greater than any other.... I was to remain pure for him, to only be seeded by him..."

"The king never intended it and certainly would forbid it. He was unsure of Zyre's bloodline until he arrived at the palace, and did not believe until that day that you would abandon 'your people'. Hence Syrte and his followers, and-"

"And the goblins. The chains to suppress my power, and if Syrte could have ended Zyre it would have scattered Orc power, with the weakening of the northern kingdom, there would have been no one but you and Deniera to stand against his domination of all the realms, and the eventual fall of all the half bloods, with or without fae blood."

"Precisely. At first I did not believe it when she told me, her prophesizing grew fervent and wild and I attributed it to her passing. I was there alone with her when her spirit passed, remember? It was then my true father came to me and delivered two blades, one of which you carry.

"Over time I listened more to the king and began to see his deceptions, his false decrees and I realized his intent. Being in charge of the border lands I recruited half bloods only, slowly replacing true blood elves for those loyal to the people, their homelands, and to me. It is why I replaced your royal guard with Melee. I knew she would be loyal to you, not the king, and why I spent 75 years training you with the blade myself."

"But surely he must have known my character, that I would not harm those who did not deserve it?"

"Perhaps, but also the delusional mind will believe what it will."

"Cyllian, when did you know he betrayed Zyre and myself?"

"To my shame, not until after it happened. It was only days later the conspiracy in the north was discovered. He kept his secrets well. And now I am exposed and will be branded a traitor as well. Those who escaped have certainly returned to him, they know I am aware he is behind it all."

"And the goblins? How are they being controlled?"

"That we do not know, only that they are and you should know as well--- "

Suddenly there were growls and orcish barks, blades were being drawn and in the darkness we found ourselves surrounded. Cyllian drew his blade in a wide arc, eyes narrowed.

"Gilead, I smell your scent. Disarm your men, I am here in peace."

"Aye Lord Cyllian, but I do not give the command here, only my Lord's consort can do that, this is her band. But there will be dispute if you and your men beyond the next hill attempt to take her, by my life I will not allow it."

"Enough of this! Cyllian they mean no harm. Gilead, Broge, disarm. He comes to give warning and seeking Zyre."

"Your band? Ha! Things indeed have changed. Marked by the hegemon, chief of an orc band, and already called consort? This is well indeed."

"Aye Lord Cyllian, and I'll protect what Zyre has commanded to my death."

I could see that Gilead and Broge as well, needed convincing that he was not here to hunt or harm me, but to warn.

"Gilead, peace. I will explain all later, but not now. All of you, I command you to drop your guard."

"All is well Gilead, but where is your master? It is imperative we speak."

"As he wishes as well. He has ridden out to secure his hegemony, he will unite the horde under his command."

"So north then. How long since he left?"

"More than a week, his return is expected soon. Return to camp with us and wait his arrival."

"I cannot. I am pulling my captains from these lands and moving them north. I am needed there. There is time.. perhaps I can intercept him on the way. Gilead, Melee, return Analea to the camp. She is being hunted, make haste."

"If you do not find him will you return Cyllian? As you say it is necessary you speak."

"Perhaps. The agreement between myself and Zyre must stand. The orc and the northern kingdom are at risk. The central kingdom, Skyros, and the goblins are now in alliance. All free settlements and people are in grave danger."

"Zyre suspected all this already and has had riders seeking you."

"It is in my best interest, as it is hers, that I not be found. Fear not, Skyros and the elf king are not yet ready for open war, but it is coming. He failed in preventing your marking, and he cannot prevent the claiming, except by capturing you. Make haste Analea."

"Wait, before you leave. You were going to say something before Gilead and the others arrived, what was it?"

Cyllian looked hard into my eyes; he was hesitant I could tell.

"You have been condemned by the crown to suffer the Cleansing Ritual. A thing that has not been done in a thousand years. You well know the story of Anis, and how he came to power after. Return to the orc camp and stay, do not risk capture. If there were two sets of bonds made, there are probably others. Melee, take these and ensure they are destroyed, witness it with your own eyes. I give them to you. There are yet those in the north I do not trust."

"Aye my Lord, it will be done."

With that he gave the bonds to Melee and she put them in her bag hurriedly, all the while looking at me, fear in her eyes.

"Analea, when Zyre returns tell him to send riders back to the north. We must meet."

"I will, Cyllian. Until we meet again brother, for even if blood does not bind us, you always shall be to me."

"I would have it no other way, sister. Make haste, I feel the prophecies are true. This shall begin and end with you and Zyre, but Fate may yet be denied. I must go now."

Cyllian bowed his head to all of us around and strode silently down the hill toward a woodline in the distant dark and was gone.

I yet lingered after he left, so many thoughts racing thru my mind.

"Mistress, we must leave as he said. Now we know those patrols were hunting you! There will be others; brigands, slave traders, bounty hunters, mercenaries. We should go as he said."

"Melee is right we-"

"Prepare the band to leave within the hour. We make a direct path back to the camp, even if it means we ride thru settlements. Gilead, send a rider ahead now, word must get to Zyre. Go, and leave me a moment with my thoughts."