Haven raised his brow. "How do you know where I'm headed?" he asked, still walking with her. "And who are you anyway?" His face was expressionless, but he was confused and on edge, cautious of this stranger.

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~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

"I don't" Anne replied simply. "But as you shouted about being late, I didn't want to keep you. So we can talk there..understand?" She smiled as she watched the man think. His cautious questions didn't startle her, on the contrary she seemed to have all her replies ready for him: "My name is Anne."

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

(awesome! This is back up again! Now to get back into the groove of Rose... and I wanted to bring in another character...)

The redhead walked through the streets, dodging people, keeping her head down. The transition from woods to city had been hard for the teenage girl, and she seemed always untight and nervous all the time since the move. Mostly keeping to herself and staying very quiet.

She had to turn sharply to avoid a collision with two little boys playing a game with tag, and had to sidestep to keep from bumping into another person and spilling the contents of the bags that she held in her arms. Like Tomos, she was one of three Shadin staying in an Inn at the edge of town. She was glad for it being on the edge of town where it was slightly less crowded than in the middle closer to the castle, but that didn't help the feeling of clastraphobia she constantly felt.

Hurrying toward the Inn so that she wouldn't end up late to the Shadin meeting, she quickly stepped in the side door that led into the kitchen to find Danna and Tomos there. Quickly she layed her bags on the counter, and gave a forced smile to them.
"Here you are Mrs. Donna. The things you asked me to get," she said quickly, slowly going and taking a small biscuit that she started nibbling on. Along with always seeming uptight, she had been slowly loosing sleep and her appitite during the week of living in the city.

"Took you long enough, what kept you so long?" she asked, a smile on her face. As much as the woman tried, she couldn't get Rose to relax.

"I was... delayed by alot of different stuff. But, nothing to worry about," she said, raising her hand in a gesture to ward the matter...

(is tired so sorry for any spelling errors and stuff...)

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Haven nodded sharply at her and hurried on his way. After all, the leader of the Shadin couldn't be late for his own meeting. He generally ignored the girl - Anne, she said - finding her an unnecessary nuisance. Not to mention he didn't know what else to do with her. She wasn't leaving him alone, though her purpose wasn't clear. He didn't trust her. Trust had to be well-earned in these dark times.

He marched casually into the inn, nodding at Donna and giving looks to several of his men who were sitting around the main room as he passed through, heading out back to the barn. He knew that most had already probably gathered to wait for him in the loft where they usually met. It was the only place quiet and secluded and big enough. He kept himself a few paces ahead of Anne, as if hoping to lose her. He hardly planned on letting her attend.

He quite suddenly turned on her. "I've had enough of your crypticness," he informed her, then demanded, "State your business with me or leave now."
...........

Waverly paced the room for a moment after supper. She despised being left behind, feeling so hopeless and helpless. Her mind was flustered and her heart heavy. Without a word, she slipped outside into the evening-flushed streets, the cold air numbing her.

She wandered down the narrow road to the small house where she knew she could find Lilith. She rapped twice on the door, paused, and then a third time. It was a code among them, letting their fellow Shadin members know who was at the door. She slipped quietly inside, shedding her cloak. "Lilith?"

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

Night seemed to fall more quickly on the city than in the forest. Ronin thought it was due to the absence of creatures - the forest was always awake and alive, but the city seemed to die off everyday. It was not a comfortable feeling - walking through the bones of dead beast that would rise from its ashes the next morning. He picked up his pace.

Ronin had reached the inn in good time. Faster than he normally would have if he did not take the newly found shortcut through one of the public gardens.

The large man lumbered into the barn and looked around for anyone he was not familiar with. Not seeing anyone else about he mounted the ladder with a quickness for a man his size.

After he reached the loft he took a seat on one of the hay bales to wait for the rest of the group to join him.

----------------------

The orange cat rolled over from where it faced the fire and mewed loudly at the door. Whoever was outside had woken him up from a very comfortable nap.

Lilith was also taking a bit of rest, she had let herself fall into a light sleep with the black and white cat, Cinders on her lap. She awoke with a start, and Cinders' tail twitched and she jumped from her lap to join Pumpkin by the fire.

Lilith stood from her impromptu bed and walked to the door, having immediately recognized the knock as one of the Shadin. Her heart leaped in her throat and she prayed that it was not bad news.

The anxiety was written all over her face as Waverly entered - had she forgotten to lock the door? Ronin wouldn't be pleased.

"Waverly!" She exclaimed hurrying to the woman. "Is everything alright? Has something happened?" She asked nervously, wringing her hands together.

_________________
Heavens no. Hell Yeah.


Set 1: Nurr | Set 2: Me

Anne narrowed her eyes and a sort of shade fell over her face for a split second. She was disappointed in some kind of way.
"Sir, all I've told you was for your own benefit, and though it might be veiled in crypticness that was just for your own safety, but mine as well. So it would be decent if you treated me with some respect- if you've got anything to spare." She paused for a moment to look around if no one else was listening but then continued whispering: "I took great risks to come and find you, if they would have found out.. There's a group of rich merchants and politicians in town. It's a kind of secret club, the Brotherhood they call themselves. Now it has became known to them that the Shadin is residing in the city." Anne again looked up at him. "Some of them are loyal to the King.."

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Tomos smiled as Rose entered the kitchen, dumping a large sack onto the table. Donna smiled at her too, but Rose still seemed uptight. Putting down his plate, Tomos glaced at Donna. "Anything else you need?" He asked, just as Haven walked by, trailed by an unfamiliar woman. Donna shook her head.

"You both did a good day's work. Besides, Haven is here. You two should run off and do whatever buisness you do in that barn." Donna remarked. "Just be careful though. The Aherns, from down the street, Their girl Eliza is getting married in a couple days. The relatives are coming into town, and Rosalin, Eliza's mother, was asking me if we'd have room in our stable to board thier horses. Now, she said they should be here either today or tomorrow, but they havn't arrived yet. Its getting dark, but they still might arrive today. If I see anyone coming, I'll try to warn you, but just keep a sharp ear out, you hear?"

Tomos nodded. "Yes ma'am." He replied. Looking to Rose, he motioned for her to follow him to the barn.

"I'll tell you what's wrong," Wavorly said hotly as she walked into the room, but stopped herself abruptly at the sight of the anxious look on Lilith's face. "Oh, no, it's nothing like that. Nothing happened. Except we've been left behind in all this yet again while Haven's tip-toeing around the problems and Keith's..."

She faltered, biting her lip. "It's just not right, Lilith."

............

Haven's blue eyes widened. "Anne," he said very evenly, his gaze level with hers. "I'm going to need you to attend the meeting. And I need you to tell us everything you have heard."

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

The blonde relaxed immediately and her hands dropped to her sides. She could not repress a frown when Waverly mentioned their being left out. The woman was right, of course, but Lilith was not one to defy Haven's orders - the last time she had done so the man had been very angry, and it rather unnerved her, she did not wish to be the object of his ire again, and so saved her defiance for something she deemed more important.

"Yes, I know," she said in a defeated manner, crossing her arms over her chest and looking down. "But what do you suggest we do?" She asked earnestly of the woman hoping she had a plan that involved the two of them, she too was tired of being left out.

_________________
Heavens no. Hell Yeah.


Set 1: Nurr | Set 2: Me

Anne remained silent for a moment. Her brown eyes shifted from Haven to the barn, her dark curles waving as if they were caught in the wind. "If you wish me to attend I will." she said, picking her words carefully. "But only for a short time. I have to get back soon." She tilted her head a little and smiled: "Well lets not keep them waiting.."

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Waverly leaned against the table, her weight rested on her palms. "I suggest," she said firmly, a light in her green eyes, "That we take matters into our own hands." There was a smile on her face, and the tone in her voice was very unlike her. It wasn't like Wavorly to be so brash. That was usually Haven's job.

"After all," she added, folding her arms, "I think you and I are both quite capable. And Haven is taking longer than we can afford."

-------

Haven was tense as he nodded to the young woman and lead her up to the loft, slowly ascending the old wooden stairs. They creaked underneath them, announcing the coming of not one person, but two.

The men's faces were confused and murmuring broke out at the sight of this strange new face in their ranks. Haven shifted on his feet quietly, pacing across the loft floor.

"Peace," he said quietly, his face still slightly abashed. "Peace, Shadin. This is Anne. She is..." He faltered a little, persing his lips. He couldn't very well call this stranger a friend or an ally, but she didn't seem to be an enemy... "She has important news for us," he concluded.

_________________


~*~ I am the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. ~*~

Lilith was anything but impulsive. If anything the small, nervous, cautious woman was the opposite of the word, but even such a girl as her had a breaking point. Tired of waiting to be included in plans that she was fairly sure the men would keep her away from in the long run, Lilith had reached her breaking point. There would be no more feeling useless, and the little push that she needed to finally overstep the boundary that had been set in front of her.

"Alright," the blonde responded, leaning back onto the table to steady herself and her nerves. "You know I am unable to fight, but if it is more secretive than I will be honored to help you," she said in a forced calm manner.

---------------------------

Ronin tilted his head curiously as Haven entered with a woman at his side. He hoped that this was impromptu, lest the other female Shadin would be more than a little put off. He aimed to assist Haven with the quieting of the men by giving a loud whistle , effectively silencing those that had not listened to Haven before hand.

He nodded to the leader of the group and leaned back on a hay bale, his dark eyes intent upon the girl who had been introduced among them. A strange feeling, nagged at the back of his mind giving him the sensation that the news would not be good for their cause.

_________________
Heavens no. Hell Yeah.


Set 1: Nurr | Set 2: Me

[ Just so th at you know, I've been impatient to answer, yet did not have the time to post so I hope I'm able tommorow ]

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

[ Sorry for the double posting]

The brunette followed Haven into the barn and ascended the ladder after him. Upon reaching the platform she heard the mumbling of all the men present, all curious of whom the strange girl was. All eyes were staring at her; some with hostile looks others with frowns. Anne felt awkward being in their midst, like an intruder. She realised that this might have been Maverick's intention in the first place by bringing her.
"Your presence in town has become known to the men of power." she blurted. "Most of them are faithful to the King."
She looked around and then back at Haven, feeling more awkward by the moment. "You shouldn't have brought me here.." she said suddenly, shaking her head. Quickly she descended the stairs and made her way out of the barn. She felt upset in some way and just calmed somewhat down after breathing in the fresh evening air..

---

Keith lay on his back in his cell. His eyes were half open, his breathing deep as he was just staring at the ceiling. He almost found the cold stones which cooled the wounds on his back comfortable although from time to time he shivered from cold.
He was sure that more than five days had passed, yet he now hardly bothered counting.. Though the feeling of waiting did not diminish but he hardly knew of what he was waiting.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Tomos slipped into the barn after Haven and the strange woman, waiting for an explanation. Settling himself on a pile of hay, he listened as the wman named Anne began to speak. She seemed nervous, but considering the news she brought, it was justified. So the king knew about the Shadin? How much did they know? Did they know thier plans? The families that took them in? Tomos felt a lump of worry form in his throat as he thought of what would happen to Donna and James if they were found to be housing outlaws such as the Shadin. In a hurry the woman fled the barn, muttering that she never should have come. Without looking to Haven for permission, he followed Anne outside, intent on knowing exactly how much danger the Shadin and thier foster families were in.

He found her outside the barn, breathing in the cool night air. "What did you mean when you said "You shouldn't have brought me here?" He asked, in a tone that was soft but insistent.

Contain yourself Anne told herself as she heard footsteps approaching behind her. A flat smile had appeared on her face as she turned around to face whoever of the Shadin had followed her. Her brown eyes looked upon a man with dark hair, perhaps a few summers older than she was. Anne did not answer him immediately, as she first hesitated if she had to explain herself to this man.
"When I encountered your leader, he behaved quite rude and told me that he didn't trust me. So I gave him information which was of great importance to him. But I think he failed to understand that trust comes from two ways. Bringing someone, who is viewed as a stranger, and a woman, in front of a group of men, as an intruder in a secret allegiance is like throwing someone to the wolves. He probably aimed to learn more of me as you were hearing me out. But such a person does not earn my trust."
Red blushes had appeared on Anne's cheeks as she gave her fiery reprimand. For a moment she was silent and just watched the pale moon in the darkening sky.
"You may tell Haven Maverick" she continued with a much softer voice "that I will return tomorrow, hopefully with more news. Not for his sake though, but for the sakes of all the people who suffer under the rule of that tyrant."

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.