Aeryn looked over at the Keepers and back at the mob. He sat on a black mare and hung on with his knees as he notched his bow and shot at the mob.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

An arrow thudded home somewhere and not until her mare skidded to a wildly erratic halt mere feet from the guard did Nakaida connect this to the stabbing pains lancing up her left arm. One of these marksmen was less than practiced. Yanking out the half-broken shaft Nakaida flung it to the ground.

"We - we mean you no harm," she gasped, gathering the reins as her mount danced up on its back hooves, eyes rolling in an eloquent expression of panic. "Let us pass, and we'll leave you be."

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Khienro smirked inwardly as he rode up beside Nakaida.

"I would heed her words, if I were you... Lest a terrible wrath fall upon you to haunt you all your days to come." He said, all seriousness clouding his features, masking his amusment.

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You may (or may not) know me elsewhere as Elfpen

At Khienro's less than amiable words, more murmurs of "witchcraft" rippled through the gathered soldiers. Those in the back ranks displayed obvious fear, but the commanders at central flank scowled and glared at the travellers. "Who are you?"

"Are we your prisoners, then, to be interrogated this way?" Orindil returned blandly.

The officer's scowl deepened. "I speak on behalf of the Lord of Northkeep. Apparently half this city wants you lot dead. Why?"

"A simple misunderstanding." Orindil shrugged. "Do you accuse of witchcraft every dabbling mage that passes through your gates? The kind sir was drunk and disillusioned."

"The drunk sir you speak of is none other than Sir Welfred of Dyr. An influential figure in Northkeep, and one I would caution you to speak well of." The officer gestured for his men to surround them. "I am afraid you will have to be detained until we sort this out."

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Aeryn lowered his bow and turned his mare to look head on at the group that was speaking to them. He bent over to Orindil and whispered, "The man they speak of is one of the most powerful in Northkeep...and I hate him..." Aeryn whispered, glancing at these people. He had a past that he never told anyone...and it was with these people. He knew he would have to tell his group of friends soon...

(I hope you guys don't mind that...it's a little twist on my char and it will help Aeryn and Naidele find out they are bro/sis.)

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

((Ok, just a note here... Arn't Naidele and Nakaida sibs? Wouldn't that make Aeryn brother to both? Just a thought.))

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You may (or may not) know me elsewhere as Elfpen

((i'm not sure...but i talked to Artemis b/4 we started the RPG and she gave Aeryn permission to be her chars brother.))

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

((Nakaida and Naidele call each other sisters because they grew up together and haven't known any other siblings, but unless i'm mistaken they're not actually related by blood))

"No," said Nakaida abruptly. She dismounted, the reins of the horse in her hand. The other hung at her side, ready should circumstances demand its use. "Our business cannot stand a delay. Are not we, as are others, allowed our secrets, our - peculiarities, if you will?"

She gave him an inquiring glance, one eyebrow raised. "Many are versed in some facet of the clerical arts. Do you not think it ridiculous to detain us over one man's word, be he Sir Welfred of Dyr or no?"

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((okay, that's what I thought! thanks mel!))

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

(Sorry for the lack of post you guys. I'm back now. As for the confusion on the whole siblings thing. Meldawen is right. Naidele and Nakaida are not really sisters they just think of each that way. Neither of them really knows if they have any blood relations. Tur and I had just talked about Naidele and Aeryn finding out that they were blood siblings.)

Naidele stayed behind Khienro on his horse. She leaned around him and fixed the officer who was speaking with a heated glare. She mentally readied herself to use her power. She didn't want to, but if she had to, she would send a fireball into their midst.

"She speaks the truth," Naidele said after Nakaida had spoken, "Please let us go." It was hard not to scream at the group of men, but she refrained herself. "What we seek to accomplish is in the best interest of you all. We cannot be detained."

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I'm back!

Aeryn was worried. He knew these men...he used to live with them. He was worried they would find out who he was and use that against him. He tried to watch and hide his face at the same time, but it wasn't working to well.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

((If you don't mind, I'll help this along a little...))

One of the men squinted at Aeryn.

"Hey... Hey I know you, you little cheater! You're.. Aye! Its you, isn't it? The one who cheated me off!" he snapped his fingers, trying to recal a name. "Aeryn! Thats the one..." He glared at him, "None of you ain't goin' no where."

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Khienro glanced at each person as he or she spoke. As the last man spoke, threatening to keep them here, his hand reached over to her wrist and squoze it. Leaning over and back just enough to whisper in her ear, he said,

"Are we going to have to escape by force, or are you going to use your female charm to get us out of this one?"

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You may (or may not) know me elsewhere as Elfpen

Orindil's caustic gaze shot over to the man who'd just spoken, then to Aeryn. He barely suppressed a groan.

The guard captain, sensing trouble, motioned for his men to ready their swords. "I am not a vigilante, lady. I follow orders from my superiors. The Lord of Northkeep speaks on behalf of Sir Welfred. If you do not comply we shall have to take you by force."

Flickering torchlight rounded the corner, accompanied by the demanding voices of the mob. "Justice!" Welfred cried, still brandishing his sword. "Attack them! Kill the witches!" The townsfolk took up the chant.

A few of the guards hesitated as if uncertain, but the rest were galvanized by the imposing paladin's command. Swords leading, they closed in.

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Khienro's amusment soon turned to frustration, anger, and a hint of fear. For Naidele and Nakaida, at least. Not to mention poor Aeryn, to his left, whatever he had done to anger that man...

At the phrase 'Kill the witches' Khienro's jaw clenched as he sat up straighter in his saddle. He would fight to the death if needed, but the keepers were not going to die. Especially at rum pots like these. [Sorry... had to add in a Jack-like line there...]

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You may (or may not) know me elsewhere as Elfpen

'We are not witches," Nakaida practically snarled, turning to face the oncoming crowd with her hand raised as if to call down the very wrath of the Goddess herself. "Be warned - you anger the Goddess's Keepers!"

This was a risk, in her mind, but should there still be some devout in Northkeep Nakaida hoped to stall their wrath. Escape seemed no longer an option - but avoid death, Nakaida hoped very much to do.

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"I've never been great at using my feminine charm," Naidele whispered back to Khienro, "So that leaves one alternative...." She let her voice trail off. She kept her eyes on the men in front of them, but she allowed herself a glance at Aeryn when the man spoke of him 'cheating him off.' She shook her head slightly.

At the shouts of 'kill the witches' Naidele's temper was at its breaking point. They did not have time for this. She pushed herself off the back of Khienro's horse. She kept her hand on its side so that she could pull herself back up if the need arose, which it probably would.

"Enough of this," she growled when Nakaida had spoken. She was glad that she had mentioned the Goddess and their identity. She was sick of hiding who she was. "We will not argue with you any longer. If you wrongly think us witches, so be it, but make no mistake, we will not let you take us. So either let us pass now or try your hand at defeating us. I assure you, you will be sorely disappointed." She leveled each of them with an angry glare, waiting for their decision, but she knew that they would not give up so easily.

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I'm back!