The fort commander gazed south across the border to the Asan fort. Everyday he looked beyond those trees to gaze into the lands of Asa.

Sabriel had now been on her own for the better part of 2 and a half weeks. She had come to enjoy the silence, though the pain of leaving her friends had caught up to her. At first it was crying herself to sleep at nights with the regret, but after awhile she started to just feel miserable all day. She was alone, and that had never happened, except for those days when she was young and devias was her teacher. She perked up as she noticed a gap in the trees ahead.
"Hey whats that?" she asked a passing travler (remember there was a few of them).
"The last fortress. The only Legion Fort this close to the Asan border. Half a day past the fort and your in the Asan lands" the traveler said. He was a bright young lad, couldnt have been much older than herself, and he reminded her horribly of draconis, all bright eyed and cheery. he was pulling a large wagon which was full of trade goods.
"Its also the spot where Roman Asa trade happens. Not much of it these days but there are still a few brave souls on both sides of the border that keep it up. Like me!" he said giving a big heave and the cart rumbled forward.
"err do you want some help?" sabriel asked. He stopped and looked her over and gave a whistle of astonishment.
"Thats a great ass bow you got there, HUGE!! and that sword" he looked right at her eyes and realized she was as tall as he was (sabriel was tall remember)
"Sure why not, the forts still a day away though. Its just big enough to be seen from this distance" he added as sabriel took up one of the handles and he took the other. He heaved, and she grunted a little and the cart took off.
"Huh its not that heavy" sabriel said, her arm slack as she tugged the cart along. The young man was just oogling at her, as with one arm and one side of the cart sabriel was pulling the whole thing herself.
"Julianos's beard! Ive never seen a human that strong! you are human arnt you?" he asked almost tenatively.
"Course I am, But Ive been trying to get strong my whole life" sabriel said somewhat confused.
"well youve succeeded! I must write this down!" he said with excitement, and with that he let go of the cart (sabriel still pulling with ease with one hand) and dug in the back as they moved for a parchment and quill. He wrote for awhile, still talking as he did.
"I want to be a writer! you know, write stories and things like that. The one at the capitol, Draconis, hes a GENIUS! and hes got all the best stories, because he was actually there! I hope I get that kind of chance one day" the young man said as he wrote about sabriels amazing strength.

After a week of not having Sabriel around, Gelo started to pull away from everyone. Keeping to herself and hardly talking even to Kero. She still ate but only because she had to not because she wanted to. She still slept but it was restless. Alpine, Dedria and Milan were worried that Kero's judgement was going to be clouded by Gelo's condition.

It was a surprise to the ice mist of who was the one that was the biggest help. About a week and a half of travle had passed when Heather started to talk to mainly Gelo. She didn't ignore the others but her attention was focused on the one her brother was in love with. Heather wasn't trying to take Sabriel's place just help Gelo through the ordeal. Unlike the others, she had helped her brother through the death of his family. Heather was more intune to people's feelings and thoughts. She was able to connect a little more to others.

Now, at 2 and a half weeks of travel, Gelo was starting to get over the illness that had fallen over her. "Uh oh...." Heather said under her breath to the mist. "Kero's not happy....."

"So I noticed. Who is that guy?" Gelo asked softly.

"He's a messanger from Brother's lands in Asa...." She responded. "I don't like this at all."

Kero was pulled off to the side as the others continued on the path. "Now...." the messanger answered backing up a little.

"What's so important that I have to go to my lands here in Rome right now?" Kero asked pinching the bridge of his nose.

"There is a messanger from the castle....well...two actualy, Milord. One from Asa and one from Rome." was the reply.

Ketashi had been silent for the last 2 weeks. even with his greater trust in syll, he didnt want to be with anyone except sabriel. syll curiously watched kero and the messenger (having gottten over sabriels leaving by convincing herself they will meet up again).

Gelo watched as Kero made the messanger ride with them. "It will have to wait until morning. I'm not riding all night." Kero said seriously. The messanger just nodded not wanting to get on Kero's bad side any more than what he was.

"What's going on, Kero?" Heather asked when she broke line to find out.

"Messangers from both Asa and Rome. Each with a message to me." He said not looking at Heather. "And it's about the lands...."

"I'm of age, Kero. In both lands now so there shouldn't be a problem with our original plan." Heather tried to reasure him.

"Aunt Mave." was all Kero said. Heather groaned as she stopped. She got back in line in her place not sure what to say.

Ketashi nor syll knew what any of that meant, so they didnt bother to make any reaction.

"so is it a weird place?" sabriel asked the young lad.
"Not really, i mean you get funny folk there, like the asans. You know, they actually prefer cloth robes to fur?" the man said with his eyes open as though the idea was laughable. he adjusted his own fur shirt/tunic/cloak so that it was more comfortable on him.
"I mean honestly how can they survive without it?"

"What's going on?" Gelo asked confused.

Heather thought a moment on how to explain it. "Kero's lands lay half in Asa, half in Rome." She said. "The war between the two countries shifted the boarders so his lands are divided. He pays the taxes to both countries but the boarder debate is still not compleatly settled." she gave a grim smile. "Seems our dear aunt wants to try and take his lands from him or force him to do somethign he doesn't want to. Stupid bitch."

Milan's eyes widened as did the two hutners nearest her. "Milady!" Milan scolded.

Heather pushed her hood back so she could feel the wind. "Well she is."

"you shouldnt use language like that" Syll scolded as well. Honestly, she felt as though she was a mother of these new adults.

"Im Holdan by the way" he said as he finished writing about sabriel.
"Im....Im ella" sabriel said, remembering her fake identity. She pulled out her own fur cloak, shedding the hunter one. It was a regular fur cloak like most of the citizenry wore.
"Well ella I must say you are the most fascinating person ever! I could write forever about you, and I hardly know you!" Holdan said excitedly.

"Then what should I call the woman that killed my sister in law and nephew?" Heather asked in a quiet voice so only Syll, Milan and Gelo could hear. Ketashi probably heard it as well.

Gelo blinked at Heather thinking she had heard wrong. "They didn't have the relationship you have with him, Gelo." Heather continued feeling the doubt. "She married him for his money and power nothing more. An arranged marriage set up by our uncle before he died by Lord Frost's hand."

Syll just sighed and gave up. Not because she was annoyed, but because she didnt know what to say. Ketashi at the moment couldnt have cared less.

"SO what are you going to do?" Alpine asked Kero.

"Got no choise this time. I have to see what's going on. We'll decide what the rest of you do once we settle down for the night." Kero said sighing.

Heather hmmmed and stopped, looking around. The other hunters and Milan didnt' stop but they did look at her weirdly. It wasn't the first time that Heather felt someone there. She 'looked' around trying to figure out where it was. Not sure the race of the creature following them.

"Lady Heather, come on." Dedria called, breaking her concentration.

"Coming." she called catching up again.

As night settled, Sabriel brought the cart to a halt. They were very close now, but Holdan advised against going the last few hours.
"Its not worth it, besides they dont hold up visitors. I remember someone wanting to start an inn around her eventually but it hasnt happened yet" he said before they had settled in.

After the camp was set up for the night, the hunters began to talk with the messenger getting all the details. "The messenger from Asa is Lady Madeline." the messenger said. "The one from Rome is the Pheniox demon, Vivi. Both arrived a few days ago at almost the excate same time."

Kero didn't show it but he was shocked as hell about the messengers. From both Asa and Rome. "So they both sent scholars to see what is going on?" He asked more to himself.

"Actualy, Lord Kero, the Lady Mave asked that they both come. She said she was the one in charge of settling the affairs of state since you were out of...." the messenger kind of gulped as he spoke, "She is saying you are not in the right state of mind to deal with the debat, Milord. She is demanding that she be the one to attend the debate instead of yourself."

Heather's eyes narrowed greatly as did Dedria's and Colt, one of the other hunters. Milan covered Heather's mouth before she started swearing up a storm. Gelo was half listening since it involved Kero. She looked at the messenger when he mentioned Vivi's name.

It took Kero sometime to calm the group down as he fought to keep himself from acting the same way. "Calm down. The messengers are both scholars and know the laws of both countries better than any. Lady Mave may try to upstage me but I am the only one with acess to the deeds of both lands." Kero said as he sat back thinking.

Ketashi wasnt listening as usual. He was close enough to be a part of the group but he was in his own mind. You can guess who was in there with him.

"I'll take Colt and Alen with me." Kero said after some thought. "We will leave in the early morning hours so get rest you two." He said as Milan served the evening meal.

Gelo watched as Kero stood and went to the horses to check them. She followed him just to see if he was ok. "Kero?" She asked softly.

Kero looked at Gelo with a small smile. "I'm sorry...I got no choise." She went over and just hugged him, enjoing his embrace when he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'll have a special messenger find you with letters, ok?"

Gelo nodded tring not to worry but unable to stop herself. "I understand but...."

"Don't worry about me." he said softly. "I can take care of myself. Besides, this is on Roman land not Asa. It will be easier to handle." He promised. "Though....I will have to go to the capitol. There is no stopping that. This is as far as I go with you guys....."

Heather 'watched' the couple sighing saddly. At least Gelo wasn't going with him. She liked Gelo and didn't want her hurt. Knowing Mave, she would try something if the ice mist when with her brother.

Ketashi watched out of the corner of his eye, then looked away. He couldnt stand the sight of gelo and kero together. It just made him miserable. Syll was completely lost.
"So are we going on then?" she asked him.
"No choice" he grunted

"Keep this safe for me ok?" Kero said touching his medalion.

"Won't you need it?" Gelo asked confused.

"No. Unless she wants acess to the vaults." Kero smirked a little."Just keep ahold of it for me, love." he whispered kissing her gently. "Now then, go get some rest. You guys are going to need it."

Gelo blushed and went back over to where she had been sitting by Syll. Colt and Allen were already resting, Alpine and Dedria were making sure their things were ready to go in the morning while Milan watched Heather sleeping.

They got up early. Sabriel and Holdan wanted to beat the light and make it to the fort. Sabriel was interested in Holdans job. The Fort loomed in from of them an hour later, and the traffice going in and out of its gates. The Trading posts were not allowed to set up inside the fort, so Sabriel and Holdan had to walk through the fort on the main road to the front gate, where the Bazaar was. There was a few traders out there, and it was a great sight for sabriel There a was a man closest to them.
"Come one! come all! come all you bloody traders come and get some of these here trades! excellent bargains! wot!" he roared to the crowd.
"What did he say?" sabriel whispered to holdan.
"DOnt worry about it, hes definetly a new trader. you can tell because hes still speaking in asan" holdan whispered back. Sabriel was genuinely shocked, and then it occured to her that she shouldve realized that not everyone spoke the language of the Empire (which was Braumen, or in our world Latin. asans of course spoke Asan a.k.a English in our world). Sabriel was a bit scared now. She had never bothered to learn the things garion did, and now she saw why he did. There was no dealing with these people because she couldnt understand them
"Dont speak asan eh? strange, your so much like a traveler. Well, dont worry, its pretty easy to pick up once you know how to point at objects and say their names in Asan. Actually...its not easy to pick up" holdan said. Sabriel just gulped and kept shut.

The sun hadn't even touched the sky by the time the messenger, Kero, Colt and Allen left camp. Gelo had woke when Kero kissed her cheek, whispering a good travel before he left.

The hunters were up and ready to break camp just after sunrise. "You guys ready?" Heather asked as she looked over in the direction of Syll, Ketashi and Gelo.

Ketashi got up, grabbed his pack, and started walking. It took suyll a bit longer to do so, but only because she wasnt ready to leave right away like ketashi was.

"OY! You! come here an give me a kiss love!" a fat trader shouted to sabriel, who had no idea what the hell the man had said.
"hes hitting on you, but only in ways a trader can, sexless bastard" holdan said as he and sabriel were setting up the cart into a stand.
"Ok heres how it goes. I do the deals you provide the muscle in case things get wrong ANd grab stuff from the pile in case its not here on the counter" holdan told her. Sabriel nodded with understanding.

Gelo grabbed her pack after making sure Kero's cloak was in it. She didn't need it any more but he covered her with it before he left. She got up and headed for her horse.

"Ok, we should make it to the fort by sometime tomorrow I think." one hunter said.

"Depends on how fast we travel." Dedria said thinking as well. "We could make camp near it tonight if we don't stop early."

"I can go as fast as you guys can so don't count my blindness in the factor." Heather said glaring a little at them.

"Let's go!" Alpine called as the group began to move.

they all moved out with the group as one.

Sabriel was bieng kept busy. Holdan was very good at this it seemed. He was dealing with Asan and Roman alike and firing orders of things to get at sabriel. But the job wasnt without its perks. Twice already in the last ten minutes she got to throw a couple guys away from the cart because they were bieng VERY unruly, treating the women like dirt and trying to get ahead in the line was very common for the asan traders, and the roman ones liked to pick fights with the asans, so she had to throw them away too.

Gelo looked around as they moved. They were moving at a slightly faster pace than they had been. She glanced back when she noticed Heather wasn't where she was normaly. The girl seemed a little disoriented with the faster speed but wasn't saying anything about it.


Kero was already irritated as they travled. Twice since they left, they had been attacked. And it wasn't by Toru's guild members. ~I swear if this is a set up, I'm killing her.~ Kero thought as they kept racing towards his lands. It would take them around two days for them to reach the manor of his Roman lands.

Holdan pulled down a curtain over his stand as they decided to rest for a bit. It was getting on into the noon hours and they were hungry.
"You do this all the time?" sabriel asked.
"YUP! every 3 weeks or so. collect items for trade at my families tradehouse back in the village, come here with the surplus for the money it makes. Its good business" he said with a bite. Sabriel of course didnt want to begin to know the economic level of which Holdan must think

They had no choise but to stop around lunch time. One of the horses lost a shoe and ended up nearly breaking it's foot. Alpine was pacing in the snow as Milan and Heather began to get a very light lunch going for everyone.

Gelo watched one of the hunters curiously as he began to re-shoe the horse. He was the quietest of the hunters. Not speaking unless he had something to say or was asked something. His skin was a dark tan, kissed by the desert sun. "how long is it going to take, Amad?" alpine asked.

"Not long." the hunter responded simply.

With the cart reopened, the business continued, but was slow. Afternoon business seemed to be quieter and fewer buyers. Sabriel watched though as traffic continued. She was astounded by the amount of people going back and forth between both countries.

Alpine was glad to be moving again. The horse staied by Amad as they started off again. Gelo was starting to worry about Sabriel and Kero. She was startled when Amad placed a hand on her shoulder. "They will both be alright." he said.

Heather and Milan were both a little startled. "Wow..he must like Gelo...he doesn't even talk to us." Milan said softly. Heather nodded as they continued, the pace the same as it was before.

Ketashi sniffed around, trying to catch sabriels scent. But it was all for naught. It was like she didnt WANT to be found...but then again sabriel was always good at hiding, perticularly when she was in trouble from atela. Once, Sabriel hid for two whole days in a small cuppord after she had accidently shot a VERY valuable and VERY large vase that had been made especially to trade with the Peoples of Rein. She was terrified of what atela might have thought. Ketashi allowed himself a brief smile, for that had been very amusing for him at the time, though probably emotionally traumatizing for both family and sabriel.

"I keep meaning to ask," Milan said to Alpine, "why not use the map to find her?"

"We already tried." he replied. "It was the first thing Lord Kero did when he heard about it. The maps didn't pick her up at all. A strong magic must be blocking her from it."

"We should be able to see the last fortress soon." Dedria called back as he rode ahead with Heather who was following the path by memory and 'feel'.

"How long to it when that happens?" asked syll.

"Im leaving tomorrow" sabriel said as the day neared sunset. Holdan was startled.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"south. Gotta keep going" sabriel replied. She was bieng quiet.
"you mean into asa? you wont survive there! you would be lost the moment you got in!" holdan cried.
"No choice" sabriel said gloomily.
"Your really weird ella. You know that?"holdan said sitting back against his cart.
"I know that" sabriel said burying her face into her arms
"Im a bit tired. I know its early but I want to leave as soon as its light" she said. Really she was hiding her tears. Holdan just sighed and got up to put things away.

"About a day's ride." He called back. "Unless we try for a hard ride. Not sure if the horses can handle that though and we'd have to stop for about an hour to let them rest about half way there."

"Done it before when trying to get away from archers that thought we were spies." Milan said with a shrug.

"Ya well there isnt motivation for you in this run" ketashi said to her before taking off into the trees to sniff around some more.

Sabriel cried herself to sleep that night. Even with the new friendship of holdan her depression had reached such a critical level that she had to cry. There was no cause for it, but she had to.

Gelo watched Ketashi head to the trees once more. She wished she could get a feel of her master. Each time she thought she caught a hint of her, it was gone just as fast. To light for her to keep a hold of.

Amad watched the group closely. He wasn't liking this at all. Their ride had been too easy. Something was bound to happen. ~And most likely before we hit the fortess or just before we reach the boarder.~

It was early. Very early. But sabriel was already walking. She had left the fort and was now heading down the road. In half a day, she would be in Asa. She gulped as she moved onward.

The group was up and off just as the sun was starting to come up. They had stopped a few hours after they first caught sight of the fortress and Alpine wanted to waste as little time as possible. Amad's feelings were starting to seek to the rest of the hunters. They all felt something was off.

Heather was starting to feel something watching them very closely. She just couldn't put a finger on what it was. Where she had felt this odd energy before. Gelo noticed it too. Something was using the snow and ice as a shield.

Now sabriel felt even more horrible than before (if such a thing was possible). Now she had left holdan, someone who had been kind to her and she hadnt even said goodbye. traffic on the road was minimal, which was good because she didnt want anyone to see that she was crying.

They were getting closer to the fort, their pace had picked up greatly as if something was trying to make them hurry or make them panic.

Gelo noticed it. A creature blending in perfectly with the snow. It's eyes were what caught her though. Serpent eyes. ~It's too cold for snakes....~ She thought as it rasied it's large head up striking at the group.

Heather nearly cried out when she felt the energy. ~Not again!~ she cried in her mind as she wheeled her horse around heading for the energy.

Amad was already between it and it's intended target, knocking it back with his war hammer.

Ketashis ears and nose twitched. He could smell it, he could hear it. But it was good, it had taken him this long to get it on his radar. He wheeled around to see heather racing for it. He bolted for the creature, grabbing heather's horses reins and turning around, sending it back towards the group. then he turned on the creature, growled and charged it.

Heather growled as she was forced to return to the group. ~Damn...damn damn.~ She thought as Alpine and Dedria stopped to see if the problem. Milan forced Heather to stay with her. "It's the same magic!" She said to Milan but wasn't able to make them understand.

The creature struck out at Amad then at Ketashi. It's target was taken from it and it was mad. Amad kept swinging his hammer at the creature keeping it from the group. Gelo only glanced back at the two. Her face was very pale from the power coming off the snake. The dark magic coming off of it wasn't something she had ever felt before.

"DIE BASTARD!" ketashi roared as he flung himself at the snake, his claws going for his head.

The snake let out a loud hiss when Ketashi hit it. It curled back ready to attack again, what looked like blood trailing down from it's wound. It gave no hint as it struck out again.

Milan let out a painful cry as Heather jumped out of the saddle of her horse, rolling away from the others. The blind mage got up and raced back to where they were fighting. She sent a wave of earth spikes at the snake.