It is the middle of the dark ages, called so for very good reasons. There is a great air of fear in the world at this time, a fear that goes through the very corners of every heart. First of all...the world is in a state of poverty, and war. There are many wars between fueding kings. However...these wars are not just held between the human race. There are many, many other races. Eventually...a hero is going to have to emerge, and bring order back to this world.

The fear that lies in peoples hearts, as we know, also inspires hatred. Hatred for that which they fear. In this case, what they fear are the half breeds, creatures of mixed blood in their veins. They sometimes are a cross of two animals, or humans and animals. DUe to their bloods, they are different from anything ever seen before...but that is why they are feared. Little is it known to everybody, it is the "half blooded" ones who fear the most, for they are hunted everyday, the "full blooded" trying to wipe them off of the face of the earth. If things do not change, they will succeed. In the meantime, most "half-bloods" attempt to live off the land, and lead normal lives, as far as they can. But, eventually...they will all be put in danger. They must change the world they live in, or face extinction.

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Gregory Fox was smiling. He was running for his life, but he was smiling. There were a large group of human soldiers, chasing him across a abandoned street in the middle of the morning. He had just been stealing a quick bite to eat, a nice meal of eggs and bacon, when the guards had come in for their daily inspection. Until that time, Fox hadn't even known they had a daily inspection...but apparently they we're now checking the houses for half-breeds everday. So there he was, spotted by the soldiers, and immediately on the run.

He was running on all fours, his brilliant white fur rippling through the wind as he ran. Suddenly, he saw that the guards we're coming at him from the other side of the street, all on horseback.

"Looks like I'm going to have to jump..." he thought to himself as he ran straight at them. "Sure hope I can make it..."

With a challenging foxish smile, he darted straight at the guards on horseback, then jumped to the side, landing on a barrel by one of the houses, and then jumped from there straight over the guards heads. Just for the fun of it, he kicked the two closest guards in mid air, so they fell to the ground. "Well...it's been fun gentlemen, but I have to go. See you soon..." he said, and continued darting off, jumping up a wall and landing on a roof. He began running across the roof, in the direction of the forest, noticeing that flaming arrows were barley missing him as he ran. It was this excitement he lived for.
He looked behind him, and saw that there we're many guards still after him, and realised that even if he got to the forest, they would chase him.

Fox immediately thought out this situation, and saw a clothesline by one of the buildings. He ALSO saw a chimney. With a devious smile, unseen by the guards, he went behind the one chimney, which was billowing smoke. The guards realised with fury that they could no longer see the half breed behind this smoke, and immediately started shooting arrows up at it to at least attempt to hit the creature.

Fox however was faster, in the cover of the smoke, he went in behind the building, on the opposite side of the street, and hung by his hands off of it, so that one from the roof could only see the vague shape of his black fingers. The guards stupidly continued shooting at the smoke, and actually barged into the house looking for him.

Fox made his way across the building, and reached the clothes line. Once there, he reached out, took a couplem of the most revealing clothes he could find, and dropped down to the ground, putting them on. In this disguise, one could only barely see his snout if they looked really closely. Fox took a loaf of bread while noone was watching, and walked right out of the city unnoticed, a playful smile on his face.

Miranda strolled at her own ease through the field. She wound her way around the outskirts of the city, keeeping to the shadows, keeping safe. She loved the warmth of the sun, the happy sounds.. but she knew she could never have that. She had been outcast from that life a long time ago.
Upon first appearance she looked beautiful, her sparkling crimson hair like a godly fire cascaded in rivers of silky waves down her back, her feautres perfect, pale as the snow in contrast to her blood lips was enough to draw any man in. But when she looked into their eyes they all ran screaming, or tried to kill her. Her eyes unlike any were entierly pale. The palest misty silver, encircled by a thick black rim. Those ees were inhuman.. they were cat. Like her breeding.. black panther.
Suddenly a far off sound caught her ears, footsteps of man, and a chariot... and a horn.. the king. The king of the small region which she skulked around was approaching. Standing her ground, she kept her eyes straight ahead of her and waited. She could ahve ran.. ran back to the shadows.. but on this day.. she just didn't feel for it.
A few peasants abit off into the distance all fell to their knees as they chariot aproached and a smile curved her lips as she saw it within feet of her. The carriot pulled a sudden halt directly beside her.
A gruff looking guard came forth and adjusted his robes, clearing his throat. Her rich black silks and satins told them she was not a mere peasant, yet any... even nobility must bow before the king.
" be thee blind miss? Tis' the kings convoy. Bow." He ordered, his rough voice scratching her ears as she winced.
" I bow to now man or god." She hissed, raising her eyes to meet his. As soon as he saw them he gasped, taking a atep back before drawing his sword.
" HALF BREED! Prepare to die!" The men bellowed as they came upon her.
Easily avoiding their clumsy strikes, she lept onto their heads, bounding from oen to the other as she lept to a neaby tree. Gracefully standing on the topmost branck on her toes, the black silks which she wore twisting and billowing arounds her in the breeze she drew her arrows and aimed.
They quickly assmebled their own arrows and shot. For each arrow that left their bows, two left hers. One to hit their arrow, spilling it in half, the other to pierce them where the armour was weakest.
It took her but a few moments before every single soldier lay withering in pain, paralized.
Laughing she winked and bouded off the tree, from tree to tree into the distant and wild forboding forest. Away from her own bloodletting and carnage.

Sarediss the snake king was watching. Always watching. His reptilian eyes saw all. Here the snake king sat, in his throne, in his fortress. The fortress he had not left since he had first arrived. He didn't have to. Anywhere a serpant lay, he could wath, and there we're so many. So many eyes, so many trusted servants, so many things to watch. He watched a Fox dart off from a large group of soldiers, he watched a small six year old girl being raped, he watched as the king came through his town, and he watched as a half breed defied him. He watched THAT...with interest.

"I bow to no man or god..." she said. That was a challenge. He was no man, nor was he a god. Therefore...he wonderred if she would bbow to him. He was at a loss for entertainment...he would try. Besides, he could use some company, and something to occupy his mind with for the time being. He reached out his mind, into the eys of a single snake out there, a single snake who's eyes he watched, and then, he spoke through it.

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"The master wants you...he wants to talk to you...tooffer you much...will you come? The master wants you to come...and the master ALWAYS gets what he wantssss...." the snake spoke, coming down the side of a tree. it watched the half panther with an almost hunger, and slowly came down, looking up at her from the ground, and giving a low hiss as it awaited a response.

The cat slowed her step deep into the forest, comming to walk on the ground, her step silent as the cats.
Suddenly a voice spoke up and she started, darting her gaze feverishly around. Finally spotting a snake dangling near her ona tree she lept back as if it's venom had stung her. Hissing violently long and very pointed teeth potruded from her mouth as she snarled viciously. Although ehr venom was no match for a snakes, her teeth did hold a very deadly venom to any man.
Let out a low meowl she poised herself against the creature.
" Did you nto hear me, thing of hell.." She spat. " i don't care if he wants to own the world... i don't come included.." Spitting back his retort she commenced her hissing, long and thing talons growing out of her fingernails as she did so, ready to swipe should the creature atack her.
SHe would have considered, had the dumb animal left it at a request.. but after he made it clear she could come with her consent of without, she immediatly sprang to the defensive. If this thing was going to get her, it would have to knock her out, or kill her becuase she would fight tooth and nail the whole way.
The heated look of lust in the coiled thing sent shivers down her spine as it's hungry eyes drew her in.

Earthsong merrily bounced around on a rooftop, her clas scritching gently against the wooden surface. Her tail swayed along with her stride, happy and cheerful, despite the danger she was in at the moment.

Her ears twitched as she heard many shouts from humans, all of them attempting to follow her along the narrow roof. She merily laughed and stopped, whirling around to face the people.

"Hi!" She barked, ice blue eyes shining brightly as she stared. The humans faltured and let out a sound of dismay, gazing at the half-blooded puppy like she was crazy.

"It speaks!" One shouted, pointing a finger at the bouncing white pup.

"Of course I do. What's so suprising about that?" She asked, tilting her head.

"Well don't just stand there! Kill it!" Someone else ordered, throwing a pitchfork at the pup.

Earthsong simply sidestepped the attack, her smile brightening. "Oh! This is some kind of game?" She asked, jumping away from another flying object.

She did so for several minutes until she yawned, staring at the humans. "This is boring. Let's play tag!" She barked, tail wagging as she lunge.

The humans screamed as she jumped up, her rather large paws hitting a man in the face as she landed on him. "Tag!" She yelled, pushing off of his face to get away.

"You're it!"

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Earthsong laughed happily as they chased her around the whole city, barely tired while the people panted heavily. "Aww, come on. I haven't been it for hours! You guys aren't to good at this game..."

She mummered, landing on the porch of a house. The people, taking what she said as an insult, lunged again, only to miss the swift pup by a mile.

"Missed me!" She barked, twitching her whiskers as she sat at the safe height of another rooftop. She didn't pay attention to those below her, a big mistake on her part.

*BANG!*

Earthsong jerked back with a sharp yelp, falling against the roof's surface harshly as something pierced through her. Looking down, she saw a rather large hole in her shoulder, blood dripping freely from the wound.

Reaching a paw up, she dug her small fingers into the injury, wincing as she pulled a silver bullet out. "A gun..."

She whispered, turning her gaze back to the people below. 'So they didn't want to play after all...' She thought, lowering her ears. Another loud sound was heard and she yelped once more, this time ducking out of the way.

Not wasting any time, the puppy ran off, jumping from rooftop to rooftop with difficulty. The gun shots rang in her ears as she ran, whimpering.

'The forest!' She thought, continuing her limp/stride as she spotted the large wooded area. She jumped a few more times before coming to the last roof, leaping as far and high as she could for a tree.

*BANG!*

A loud yelp was heard and the puppy fell from the sky, blood trailing after her form as she plummeted. Her body bounced harshly when it hit the earth, landing in the thick brush of bushes.

Blood pooled around her as she panted, looking up painfully through the leaves. The footsteps and shouts ran past the brush she had landed in, making her let out a soft mewl of pain.

'Mo...mom... dad....' She thought, closing heavy, ice blue eyes and slipping into unconciounce(Sp?)

Tanin lurked among the trees in his Marsh on the very outskirts of the city. He swished his tail and hissed aggressively "Filthy humans shall pay for encroaching on my Marsh," he hissed as he strode easily through his home "These Marshes are mine and no human shall defile them." He sniffed the air, "Ahh more quarry has strayed into my abode," he said an evil grin forming on his face "Looks like its time to feed my pets again." The pets he was refering to was a pair of Panthers that he kept for purely sadistic reasons, he had derived countless hours of amusements watching his pets make short walk of the humans he captured in his Marshes.

As he walked his tail left an S-shaped trail on the ground and he slid down into the murky waters to stalk his prey unseen from below the waters. He was equally at home in the water as he was on land, he sepd along under the water and before long had found the trespassers in his home. The fools hadn't noticed him and he was in a expert position to strike Oh this is going to be fun he thought evilly and a wide grin appeared on his scaled face.

Shadowstalker layed on the floor, her wings settled neatly around her as she wondered what her master would have her do. She was getting a little restless, having not been outside for a while, and she figured it was easy to read that she was becoming edgy. Her black paws stretched before her as her tail flicked across the floor, the point occasionally dripping with venom with the motion; her wings fluttered as she stretched.

Eyes that reminded many of fire, were focused on Sarediss as he watched the world outside the fortress through the eyes of his snakes. Her canines protruded from her mouth a little as she grinned slowly.

That had been how she'd learned about him, how he could help her, through the snakes; they'd been quite friendly to her when she had been looking for help and had told her about Sarediss. She smiled slightly at the reminder. She did have regrets about becoming his servant, but most of the time she was thankful.

She slowly rose to her feet, her hind legs holding her sleek body up easily as she took a few steps towards her master. She then quickly sat down, her legs tucked beneath her as she waited patiently for him to finish what he was doing; her stomach rumbled and she sighed gently, fighting the urge to run off to hunt.

Fox made it to the edge of the forest. He was free. Another good run. He would live to steal another day. He smiled and laughed a birhgt laugh as he first stepped into the forest, then stopped dead in his tracks when he heard a gunshot ring out. His fox-like ears raised a bit as he heard that, and suspected that the humans we're still following him. But, there was something else. He could smell it, could hear it. Something else was happening, and Fox couldn't resist the urge to turn around and look. There was a pup on the ground, a halb-breed pup, all alone, and bleeding to death. "The poor thing..." Fox said, and watched as the humans came closer to their prey, trying to make sure that it was dead. Against Fox's better judgement, he darted out, grabbed the pup, and ran back into the direction of the forest. A single bullet skimmed across his arm as he ran, and Fox let out a low yelp before making it into the forest.

The humans we're angry this time, they would follow them soon, even into this forest. Fox continued running, the blood of the pup pouring onto his white fur. She needed healing, and she needed it badly. Taking the pup down to a small clearing, a clearing he had made, he placed the pup on the ground gently, and ran off. When he returend, he had a small pile of herbs in his hands, which he placed over the wounds It wasn't the quickest treatment, but it would help.

"Your going to be alright..." he said to his fellow half-breed. "Where are your parents little one?" he asked her, stroking her fur gently, and watching the healing plants do their work.

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The snake that watched the panther laughed a bit. It was a dark, disbelieving laugh. "the master will own the world, if neccesary. He practically does already..." the snake hissed to the lady, and prepared itself as if to strike. But as soon as it looked like it was about to, another snake, this one much bigger and stronger looking, wrapped completely around the girl.

"The master calls for you, and the massster is not patient...." the first snake said, while the second snake opened it's mouth to reveal it's terrible fangs, and bit into the females flesh, injecting it's venom into her. Not enough to kill her, but to parilise her certainly. A portal seemed to open up, and the snake began pulling the girl into it, to the fortress of the snake king.

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Sarediss opened his eyes as he felt shadowstalker get closer to him. He appreciated shadowstalker being there, even if it was part of their deal, and even if shadowstalker was made a slave by it. Before her, the only people the Snake King had to talk to were fellow snakes, as well as the occasional desperate soul that came to him begging for something. They usually came in hatred, and we're not good company. She however had been polite coming in, and polite as she filled out her end of the bargain.

She had asked him for her revenge, and she had gotten it. Her parent's murderers we're found by his serpant army, who brought them into this very fortress. When they we're frocibly brought, all she had to do was look into their eyes, and destroy them. It had been a very big moment in her life, probably the best thing that had ever happened to her. The price was enslavement, until he found he didn't have a use for her. He didn't think that would ever happen, but, she didn't complain.

Sarediss never struck her, never said an ill word against her, and provided her his fortress and food. Their agreement was mutual, and the snake King was glad he had made it.


"Shadowstalker, I am bringing over a female, black panther by the looks of it, for a bit of entertainment. In the meantime...I DO actually have a job for you. Tell me my dear, are you hungry?" The snake king said, and smiled a wicked smile at her as he walked forward.

"The job i have for you is a risky one, but in order to do it...I can't use reptilian forces. I need you to seek out and kill some of the higher ranking nights, maybe an advisor or two of the king. Not being caught would be particularily helpful. Kill them, and you need not be subtle about it. You can cover the halls with blood, if you so wish. Their deaths are a part of something much bigger i have planned. Oh, and whatever you do...do not be spotted by the King. I need him to know that a half-breed did the killing, i can not let him know who the half breed was. Can you do that my dear? While I entertain my guest? Afterwards, you are free to go hunting for awhile." Sarediss said, walked over to her and gave her a smile.

"You can return when the sun rises, as I know you HATE it when the sun rises..." Sarediss said and smiled. His tail gently stroked her affactionately, being mindful of the spiked end. He smiled at her, and then saw the portal open, and two very large serpants dragging a women's body into it.

"My company has arrived..."

Locron lied there ontop of the wall as he watched a meeting of the higher miletery. He was free to come and go as he please, He even had the option to enter the meeting if he was that bored. But no he didn't want to instead he lied in the sun with several guards looking up at him with mouths gaping opening. It was like they've never seen a non-violent crossbred animal before. Yawning he started out and scraped his claws across the wall cuaing huge chucks of rocks to snap off. "Why does nothing interesting ever happen around here?"

Locron Stood up and streteched his giant wings which temporeryaly blocked out the sun for the soldiers below. Smiling he flapped his wings a couple of times and took of with lightning speed, causing the soldiers to fall off balance. Locron Flew high up into the clear sky before diving through a window and into the hall which the meating had taken place but only two of the high comanders were left as he perched upon a cross beam and looked down at them. Both The comanders looked up and waved friendly at Locron before continuing there convosation.....

Earthsong let out very labored pants as she was carried away, blinking blurry eyes to clear her fuzzy vision when she was put down again. Looking up, she gazed into the face of a fox, or more so, half-fox.

'h..huh?' She thought, blinking her ice blue orbs once more in confusion. Her wounds were stinging at her body, making her wince, but she knew they were healing.

She had injuries worse than this before.

Two, fluffy ears perked up when the fellow half-breed spoke to her, asking a very personal question. 'My parents...' She thought sadly, looking at her paws.

The half-breed pup may be young, but she wasn't that naive.

"My parents... they're not around anymore... I lost them to a fire humans had started..." She asnwered clearly, despite the fact that pain anchored on every word.

"But thank you for rescueing me." She said, more cheerily this time. Earthsong slowly rose to her paws before plopping down on her rump, wincing slightly before smiling at the being before her.

"So what's your name? I'm Earthsong."

Miranda ran her slighty rougher than human tongue over her parched lips, her eyes darting around as they took in everything. She saw the snake recoil as if it were to spike and she was all too aware of the sheer rippling muscle beneath its skin. It could probably move fast.. very fast.. she would have to be faster....
Just as she poised herself to leap, she suddenly felt something take a firm hold around her, tightening so rapidly she had but a moment to flail desperatly in a panic before letting free a blood curdling scream, which echoes over the expanse of trees, the birds flying out of their nests in great coloured clouds.
The thing which had so stealthily grabbed onto her wound its way with amazing percision around her body, holding her firmly in place as she felt the burn of it's elongated fangs scrap over her skin before plunging into the flesh of her shoulder, blackness washing over her within moments.
She could no longer see or feel anything of this world, and would not regain her consciousness for a couple of hours to come; therefor finding herself unawares as her lips body was dragged into a black void.

Tanin smacked his jaws as he gazed up at the humans in his Marshes through a film of water. Those cocky humans, how dare they set foot on his Marshes! Had they not learnt their lesson the past few times he had killed their kind when they had blundered into his lands. How many times did he have to teach them this lesson? With a vicious hiss and a snap of his jaws he burst from the water and leapt upon the unsuspecting humans. Before they could react he had cleaved on with his mighty Battle-Axe and hewn anothers head off.

"Pathetic humans!" he spat in utter contempt "You are too stupid to learn your lesson. These are my Marshes and I shall slay everyone of your dim kind who sits foot in them."

The humans eyes grew wide with fear as they turned to see their attacker, so the legends were true. With paniced screams they turned and fled, not realising that they were going the wrong way, that they would only become more lost in the labyrinthine Marshes. Tanin licked his jaws sadistically.

"Yes run humans," he chuckled darkly "That makes it all the more fun."

Shadowstalker merily sat there and listened, ears perked with interest. Her wings flapped out once or twice, their ends sharp enough to cut through flesh. She nodded, her eyes resting easily on Sarediss as he moved forward.

"Yes I am hungry, but that shall wait. I can do that Sarediss; I will not be caught, and they shall be dead before sunrise, but... I shall wait a few seconds while the sun starts to set." She said the last part almost absently, since she could sense that the sun was still up for a little while.

She moved a little into the stroking his tail was doing; she was afterall part cat, and it was just instinct. She smiled slowly, and looked towards the portal, watching as the two snakes brought in the female. With a soft purring grunt, she stood.

"I shall go get ready, and leave you to your company." She said like she usually did whenever someone came to him, whether they came by their will or not, she always left him to deal with the person.

Her feet carried her silently across the room and out the door, she made her way out of the fortress. Staying in the shadows. Her keen eyes sweeping over the shadow covered ground. Easily she climbed up a tree and sat on one of the top branches, her firey eyes on the sinking sun. She hated to be in it, but as long as it was setting or just rising she could deal with that. It didn't cause her as much pain.

Her eyes followed it for only a moment longer, before her claws came through the black pelt of her paws. She sprang from one tree to another, sometimes flying inbetween them. She headed in the direction of the Kings fortress, his home.

"Maybe we should acturally try and find the snake kings fortress.... you don't know he could do anything at anytime.... and to top it all off he has the allegence of many cross breeds, while we only ahve one loyal one that we can trust" Gideon indicated up to Locron who was lieing there listen to the two mens convosation. The nether bothered about it because them two were the ones that found Locron All cut up and lieing on the side of the road while they were returning from a nearby town.

Yawning Locron looked out of a window at the sunset sky. He couldn't see the sun because it was the wrong direction but it still calmed him. Taking in a deep breath through his noise Locron picked up many scents including one very unfamiliar one which was a fair distance away. He could tell it was a half breed but not one he reconised, so he rolled off the beam and flapped his wings, taking off out the window and towards the scent. Gideon and versays looked as locron behaved in a way he never had before. The wuickly ran out to the stable and began to follow him.

Locron saw a sillouet of a creature trying to stay out of the sun. Smiling he landed in plain veiw of the creature as the sun went down. He had no idea what it was or if it was friendly or not but who in the world would attack him unless ordered too. He smiled at his little thought and called out to the creature as both the high ranking knights cuaght up to him. "Hello up there.... are you friend or foe.... if friend plase state your buisness and i will be abliged to help" Locron smiled as he was trying his best to be posh but was completely failing....

Shadowstalker froze when she heard the distinct sound of wings, her eyes automaticly moving to the sky. She snarled low in her throat, her tail coming up like it normally would for any scorpion. The point glistened with venom.

She watched the fellow half breed land gracefully, her eyes narrowing when he spoke. She felt her tail moving to rest easily on the tree branch she currently resided on, and held back a growl at herself. She couldn't be allowing herself to just get soft by a males voice. She was on a mission for christ sake!

She shifted her stance, before lifting her tail back up, although it didn't look nearly as threatening. Her eyes flew to the knights and she held back a roar of triumph. "Whether I am friend or foe depends on who you are." She said quietly, almost in a purring whimper. Her eyes were still focused on the knights. She leaped onto a higher branch in a nearby tree. Her mind racing as she realized she'd broken her word to her master; she'd been spotted.

She knew that if she tried to kill the male half breed before her, she couldn't very well die. He looked quite strong, and she knew that he knew that. Her mind whimpered softly and kicked herself plenty of times; her tail swinging wildly from the branch, sending drops of venom all over the tree and ground. Her mind raced to figure out what she should do.

Locron turned round to gideon and said calmly "Go back to the castle and act as if nothings happened....." Locron didn't look that threatening but if he put his mind too it he could scare anyone. Turning back to the female he saw her hitting her self and thrashing her tail around. Being carefull not the be hit by the tail he flew up and landed just out of reach from the tail and wrapped his around hers gently and stopped it moving so he could get close.

When Locron got clower he placed his paw on her foot to stop her hitting herself and got closer to her. "I know why you are here..... Sarediss sent you too kiill someone.... He's bad news that so called anke king.... he's neither god or king he's just a low life who came to power by itimidation and fake promeesis" Locron knew what he was like first hand because he had onced served under him and when they had no more use for him they through him away...

Shadowstalker listened to him tell the kinights to leave, her eyes popped open and she growled lowly, knowing her chance may be getting away. She stared at him as he flew up and landed nearby. Her tail continue to swish frantcily, just as her paws pounded on her head in her anger and stupidity.

The hairs on her back stood up as his tail wrapped around hers, she wasn't one who was used to other's touch, except from Snarediss's. She stared with eyes that glowed in the darkness at Locron, as his tail wrapped around hers, stalling it from its motion, just like he did with her paw. She hissed, and lowered herself to the branch, her wings twitching.

"If you wish to share your opinion about my master.. you should tell it to someone else who wishes to hear it. I know him differently." She said in a serious tone, her voice becoming hard as she glared at him. It would be quite obvious to tell she didn't think badly of the snake king, it may actually looked like she cared for him.

she did in fact care for him in a way; afterall he was the one who had managed to help her find her parents murderers and take revenge. She felt like she owed him more then she possibly could, but she knew that their arrangement was perfectly fine as it was. She didn't mind being his servant, as he did nothing to harm her and basically let her do as she wished if she asked. She cared for him as a young girl cared for her brother, and in her case it was just like that, she looked to him as her brother- since she had no one else.

"Well then lets see what my old master thinks when i confront.... ther halfbreed he left on the path to die because i was threatening his postion...." Locron gave a little smile and too off in the direction of sarediss's fortress. As his back paw flew past he face it brushed past her in a claming way which would make most females melt but he didn't stop to check hew rection It would be years since he last saw him and he would never forget it. "Nor god or king will stop my might... Sarediss" Locron growled quietly.

After several miniuets of flying he finaly reached the gate to the castle and landed. Two gaurds appourched Locron before realising who it was and ran the opposite way through the doors. "I guess there exspecting me" following the two guards Locrn smiled as he entered the door where sarediss was..... "Ahh well hello there old friend i see you've already pushed me too one side thinking i was dead...."

Shadowstalker watched him idly, her eyes not once moving from his face. Old master? her mind suddenly flooded with confusion, which made her stay where she was shen he lifted into the air, and his back paw brushed her. She felt her body tingle, her mind already wondering if he meant to make do on that single action later. She shook her head, her tail whipping into the air and sending venom onto her neck and the tree.

Her eyes remained on the direction he'd gone off in, and she suddenly launched herself into the air; her wings pumped the air easily as she soared towards the kings castle. She knew Sarediss could take care of himself, but then... he had company already.

Her body was still tingling and she roared into the sky, her mind was fighting her body over the claim that was suddenly overwhelming her. She knew it was the cat part of her that was tingling, while her other half tried to fight it. She soared down and landed on the roof of the stable, where the knights were located. Her eyes pierced the darkness keenly, moving over every shape, whether it moved or not.

Finally her firey gaze landed on the shape that was only to be of a guards; she stalked forward, her body blending in purely with the shadows. Her name told of what she was, just not to the limit of it. None of her victims knew what was coming.

May 12th, 738
Early Morning
In the Scottish Highlands

Elias could see his breath puffing out from his mouth in thick white clouds, reminding the hybrid just how cold these Scottish mountains could get. He wasn’t even upon the highest level of the Highlands, and already the conditions were hard. If he did not hate Him, Elias might well have thanked God he had been born in Finland, and was therefore used to cold like this, and even worse. As things were, he saw no cause to thank a Supreme Being who had permitted such an existence as his own to continue, or even begin. There was also not much sense in thanking Finland, his homeland, as it had given him little but suffering and horrible, dark memories. Elias had gotten pretty much everywhere in life by himself, so, a logical course was to thank himself, which he did.

“Don’t waste energy thinking about that, Elias,” he said to himself, speaking in his native language. “Just concentrate on finding a place to stop and rest a bit.”

The Snake King watched as shadowstalker left. Unseen snake eyes watched her leave, watched her dart out, and watched as a tiger creature approached her. He heard he was coming, and sighed at that fact. He was just about to awaken his newest toy, but he supposed that would have to wait. He had to admit though, he was relieved to find that shadowstalker had continued his orders. Had she not, his plan would have actually been put on delay, and it would all be thanks to this tiger. Now...Locron would have to die.

Sarediss watched as the doors crashed open, turning his head lazily to look upon the one that had disturbed his fortress. "ahhh...greatings Locron. yes, it has been awhile. How's life been treating you? Oh yes..that is right...you sold it...long ago..." Sarediss snickerred, and turned his head away from the tiger. It didn't matter, he was being watched by a thousand eyes in this room.

"You were always a strong one, but your one weakness you have given me an opportunity to take advantage of. Your not that bright. Here I am, at the top of my power, in the one single place I can NEVER be killed. No army nor group nor half breed has ever come here with desire to kill me and lived..and here you believe that you will be the hero to do it. I think not." Sarediss said, and turned his head. His lazy expression was replkaced by an incredibly sinister and melevolent one.

"Your never going to leave this place alive...you know that don't you?" Sarediss hissed out in an entirely inhuman voice. All of a sudden, through cracks in the walls, the floor, and hidden places in the shadows, snakes...thousands, perhaps millions came out and started surrounding the room. outside, there were even more coming INTO the fortress, making it impossible for one to escape. All the while the sanke King let out a tremendous laugh, as his hands glowed with a dark, magical power. His eyes, reptilian as always, had grown even more so, and glowed with a brightness unmatched.

Finally, the Snake surrounded the tiger, and all opened their mouths as if to strike. There was not a single patch on the ground not coverred with the serpants. But, as soon as the snake king knew he had the tiger, he raised his hand.

"Noone can defeat me here...noone. Especially not a worn out, tired old carpet like yourself. You face me, you face a legion. Besides, you couldn't kill me anyway...let me let you in on a little secret..." The snake King hissed happily.


"Everytime a person makes a deal with me, they lose their soul. THAT, is not a rumor. Actually, it's only half of the truth. When I own their soul, I own them, their lives...are mine. You made a deal with me, and despite you leaving, your wretched betrayel you could call it...I still own your soul. If I die, here, you....and every other person who has ever made a deal with me...the THOUSANDS of other people...they'll ALL die. Some of them are no older then 4, some are ancient. Some, are like you...and generally good people. Do you think MY death is worth all of their deaths as well? You say I am to blame for not being a god...well, you are not one to talk. Can you hold the responsibility for the deaths of that many as being justified? No...you can't. But now that you HAVE come here...you are here for one of two reasons." Sareidss said, and the snakes backed off, creating a large, circular arena.

"You can bow down, and make a new deal with me, a deal in which you beg for forgiveness...or I could make you one less cat in the world. What do you say whelp? " Sarediss said. There was no way out, the snakes coverred the door, the walls, everything. There was no way out without being killed. it was just Sarediss and Locron, watched by a million eyes.

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Fox smiled lightly at the pup as she asked him his name. He took a moment and considerred this, did he want to give her his real name, or the one he wished to be called? he settled on both. "My name is Gregory Fox, but you can call me Fox. Very pleased to meet you Earthsong." he said, and lightly shook her paw.

he did actually feel very bad about her parents, and he couldn't help but feeling sorry for the child. "Earthsong...I'm sorry to hear about your..well, I know how you feel. I lost both my parents to the humans as well." he said, and lowerred his own head, lost in his thoughts. In actuality, he didn't know if he had lost his mother, she could still be alive...somewhere.

Then he thought about the pup. the life of a theif wasn';t exactly one that could be shared with a child, and, in actuallity, he wasn't sure he wanted the responsibility. on the other hand, he couldn't just leave the poor thing on it's own. It needed SOMEONE to look after it. Sighing, he tore in half the bread he had stolen, ang gave Earthsong a piece.

"i guess your going to be staying with me for the next little while. So, nice to meet you. We "freaks of nature" need to look after eachother." Fox said, offering a smile, when all of a sudden he heard more gunshots.

The humans were really mad this time. they had even followed them into the forest. "Earthsong! We got to go! Can ytou run!" he asked her, and then thought about where they would run to. there really was only one place in this forest they would not go, because they feared it...the marshes. Fox feared mgoing there as well, but it seemed their only choice.

"Let's go earthsong..." he said, and motioned in the direction they had to run.

Locron stepped on a snakes head as on appourched him, crushing it's skull completely. he looked down at the crushed snake and wiped all the remain peices off his paw. "I would bow down to you but it appears that i have a slight problem with it...... the first reason is i have bad knees at the moment so if you asked a couple of weeks ago then maybe....." He smiled as he lied and completely disrespected the so called 'king'. "The second reason is I Bow to no-one....... The third and final reason is you trick people into deals without telling them what there getting into...." Locron thought back to the young half breed he met in the woods and began to wonder what she wanted doing to sell her soul, like he did many years ago.

Locron Flapped his wings towards the floor making the gap bigger so he had more room to move. "If you really want me back that badly..... your going to have to take me by force.... you jester of the public" Locron flicked his giant dragon tail and prepared for an uneven fight....

Earthsong nodded her head and jumped to her paws, ignoring the stinging of protest her wounds gave her. She had to follow her new friend if she wished to live.

She had no intention on dying any time soon.

So, with that thought, she took off, following fox through the natural maze of the forest. It was surprising that the humans kept up with them, especially since they have no speed whatsoever.

But she ignored such a thought; the danger was that they were following them, and it was getting harder to loose them.

"Fox! Where are we going?" She asked, shouting to try and get him to hear her over the shouting of the humans.

Sarediss laughed a cold, dark snake laugh at Locron. But when Reptilian blood was shed, his eyes fumed with anger. "You spread reptilian blood...in MY HOUSE!!?!??!?!!" he hissed out loud, and forcibly. For that, the Snake king would ensure him a long, and terribly painful death.

"You are so foolish. You come in here, to fight a battle you can not win, against an opponent you can not allow to be killed. And, you intend to do it in the most disadvantageous place in the world. I am disappointed. " The Snake King said, and laughed.

All of a sudden, he raised his hand with the swiftness of a snake, and a ball of flame shot out of it. He raised another hand, and another shot out of that. both we're aiming directly for Locron, but that was not all the snake King did.

With a hideous girn, he suddenly turned into a snake himself, with half the body of a man's. the change happened in an instant, but Sarediss had already wrapped his tail around Locron, flung him up into the air, and brought him back to smash against the ground with a rough thud. he wasn't sure he had been hitten by the flames, but that was incidental. This was a losing battle. The Snake King laughed, and picked him up again. This time, he brought a flaming ball in his hands, and pucnhed the creature in the chest, making sure he hit him. He felt the satisfaction of hearing the bones crack.

"next time you try and kill me...see to it that your worthy..." The Snake King said, and with that, he opened his mouth, revealing his fangs. His eyes filled with an animalistic hunger, and they bit directly into the creatures throat, injecting every once of poison it could. The poison was enough to kill 3 highly athletic men, but he was no human. Locron was paralyzed, but not yet dead.

"I could use some lunch..." Sarediss thought, but he decided against killing the fool. He had a MUCH more sinister idea in his reptilian mind. Shadowstalkers viscious attacks were much like Locrons, and to a human...there would be no difference. Why end his life, when he could ruin it. They would see him as a monter now. Snickering, Sarediss brought him outside, to his brdige, and looked down. There was a river, that lead to a waterfall far below. Eventually, the river flowed back into the kingdom.

"Goodbye Locron, let this be a reminder of who REALLY is in charge..." The snake king hissed, and dropped him off the side of the bridge. He fell into the water, and was carried towardfs the waterfall, dropped off of it towards his very likely demise.

Sarediss walked back inside, and sat upon his throne, satisfied with his lair. Noone could ever defeat him here. it was his domain, his sanctuary, his world. Suddenly, he turned, and saw with delight that the paralysis on his guest was finally wearing off. "Well well my dear, time to get up...." he said, turning back into his human form.
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Fox looked over his shoulder at Earthsong, and slowed down a bit to let her catch up. "We're going to a marsh..can you swim? The humans don't go there. They're scared of it. We're going to have to get a bit wet..." Fox replied to her, and gave her a light smile despite their predicament.

Suddenly, he stopped. They had reached the marsh waters. Fox wasted no time, and jumped in. it was very deep, and muddy. The water was so murky, you could not see even slightly into it. But, that was advantageous, when trying to hide.

"Come on earthsong...we need to get out of here." he said to her. and began swimming across the deadly pool.

Earthsong panted and watched as Fox began to swim across the marsh, eyeing the pool with apprehension. It was a marsh, quite deadly to all who try to cross it.

But this was no time to ponder on that.

So, she simply lept in, paddling as fast as she could. The murky waters brushed against her wounds, agrivating them, but she ignored it. The only thing on her mind was to cross safely with Fox, with big brother...

'Huh? Big brother?' She thought, shaking her head and gazing at the swimming half-breed.

She'd admit that he has been very nice to her, even to the point that he's trying to save her from the hostile humans. Such an act made something click in her mind, something she hadn't felt in a long time...

A sense of belonging, belonging to a family.

Okay, so it was only the two of them, but she cared not. All she cared about was that she viewed Fox as a big brother now, and nothing was going to change that.

With that in mind, she began to swim faster and faster, trying to stay beside Fox, a smile gracing her lips.

"Where to, big brother?" She asked, not realizing what she had said until it fully left her mouth.

Oops.

Miranda opened her mouth to find she had her voice.... or a fraction of it returned as the rest of her body floated uncertainly into feeling.
Letting out a loud groan she tried pulling herself up, only to see the world spin in metalic colours around her.
" w... where...am... i.." She moaned, clutching her head as she opened her eyes precautiously to the bright light, which faded as her vision and use of body returned.
The last thing she remebered was a pair of great big, lustful eyes staring at her.... and then a powerful steel body wrap itself around her.... then a pair of dagger sharp canines as they seared into her shoulder. And sure enough as she looked down, a red stream of cromson liquid ran down her bare shoulder, past the seam of her delicate black silk dress.
" YOU!" She hissed narrowing her feline gaze dangerously. " Must be this ridiculous snake... boy..." She jeered, a hoirribly sinsiter, vehment grin of sarcass making her face appear so much more beautiful... yet terrible.

Shadowstalker moved forward, her sleek body invisible in the night. Her eyes had dimmed, as if they knew she were stalking prey and couldn't be caught, they followed the knights that she had been sent after.

Her paws carried her swiftly to the the edge of the roof, where she perched on her stomach, focused on her soon to be victims. She knew she had to hurry. After all, she knew that the one who had placed his claim on her was heading to her master, and Sarediss would kill him without much hesitation at all; unless of course she herself was able to get there in time and stop it from happening, but she was just his servant and quite despensible.

Once her kind found one who wanted to lay claim on them, they'd risk lots to keep that person alive. Not many wanted to be with one of her kind, and since she thought herself to be the last, she'd have to try and keep him around. Her mind became fogged as she thought about the stripped male cat, how his tail hand wrapped around hers and how he'd stopped her from beating herself. She shook her head, throwing the thoughts from her mind. She had a job to do.

She watched as the armored clad warrior walked closer to the stable, his feet crunching noisely over the straw. She held back a random chuckle, and got ready to pounce. Her rump rose into the air a little, while her paws flexed, getting ready to grasp hold of the mans head. She was sure her eyes were suddenly sparkling in anticipation. It was a clear shot now, he was right below her.

Shadowstalker pounced. Her wings carried her forward even faster; her claws sprang from her paws, and dug into his head. Blood gushed from the wound, covering her paws and muzzle when she chomped down on his shoulder. The coppery liquid sent her already exquisite (SP?) senses soaring. Her eyes flicked to his face for a moment, until she felt his heart beat start to slow. Her hind legs kicked on his stomach, tearing his guts into plain sight for the one who found him.

Instantly she dug her muzzle into his stomach and started to pull things out, she tossed certain things into the air in her search for something else. Her jaws clamped around his intestines; she froze, the fur on her back rose when the unmistakable sound of a boot against gravel echoed through her ears. She backed away slowly, her mouth still full of the other mans intestines.

She turned cautiously, and spotted the other knight she had been going after. Her tail flicked back and forth, her wings flapped once, which drew his attention towards her. She felt her lip curl up in a smirk, which looked like a furious baring of teethl in his frightened eyes. She sprang forward, intestines falling from her mouth as she flew through the air before he could make a sound, or draw any weapon.

He went down to the ground, her mind not once thinking of what she was doing, while her body tore him limb from limb.

There was a small bang that echoed all around the stable as Locrons Half concious body hit against the wooden pegs that stopped rubbish floating. He slowly dragged himself ashore before going completely unconcious due to blood loss from a cut across his chest. All the fur was either grey because of the dirt in the river or it was covered in blood. A passer by would have though he was dead if it wasn't for the fait gasping noise when he breathed in....

((Sorry for a short post couldn't think what to put considering he was injected by a poison which made him paralised and then tossed out a window :rolleyes: ))

Shadowstalker licked the blood from her muzzle, her eyes downcast on the body under her paws. She had done her job, and could hunt now. She smiled at the thought of the meat from a fresh animal, how she would be able to savour the taste. She shook herself, blood and venom flying through the air, before she froze.

Her wings unfolded and beat the air once, then twice, before she sprang up and soared to the river, where she had heard a small bang. Her body blending with the night sky, she looked down as she flew over the stable. Her wings tilted and she began to desend. She landed quietly on the grass near the bank, and walked along it, the smell of blood teasing at her senses.

Her fur bristled as she realized she was scenting the male who had claimed her, her feet moved quicker across the ground until she could see him. She sprinted over to him, her head lowered and she sniffed his face. She shook her head slowly, before licking at the wound on his chest. "Why'd you have to be a tough guy... " She said absently under her breath as she raised her head to look at his face. She knew he had been poisoned, but not life threateningly.

She sank down to her stomach and stared at him, wishing she knew why she was doing this and not going hunting. But she did know why, he had laid claim on her. That was reason enough for her. She continued to lick his wound, her eyes were closed as she focused on his heartbeat.

"good morning miss. Would you care for some breakfest? That much venom injected into you is never that easy to just forget. Might be easier with a bit of food..." The Snake King said, as if they were friends. He knew how furious she was at him, but he just didn't care. A snake Some Sankes came into the room, pushing in front of them a plate full of food, most of which of a meat variety. They stopped as they reached her, and went back, leaving Sarediss and Miranda alone.

"Try it...it's not poisoned I promise. You'll find it to your liking...." Sarediss said, then got out of his throne, making a bold move and walking towards her. He stopped very close, reptilian eyes going over the length of her body. "You caused quite a stir in town last night....not bowing to the King...bold move." Sarediss said, and chuckled. "he's not REALLY king anyway. King of what? A land of poverty, disease, and war. No...he's no king. I however am a king..." he said then looked at her some more, contemplating his choice of words.

"As a king, I suppose it's my duty to be kind to my subjects every once in awhile. So let me ask you...what do you desire most? What things do you want, hidden at the back of your mind where even my eyes can not see?" Sarediss said, slowly, but he was not being unfriendly. then he realised something.

"I forgot my manners...what is your name my dear? I suppose I need no introduction. You guessed correctly. I am Sarediss...the snake boy." he said, taking no insult from her sarcastic remark. His words went into her mind, and tried playing with it, toying with it as he pleased, seeing what he could use it for.


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Fox continued swimming in the shallow, murky water of the marsh, when he heard Earthsong call him her "big brother". He blushed slightly at that. He had barely known her, but he guessed that without her parents around, she needed someone to protect her. And he, having done so, had earned such a honor. He smiled a gentle smile. "don't worry about it, I'd be happy to be your big brother...but, we better worry aout that later..." he said, and crouched low, so that only his nose was out of the water. He pulled Earthsong down gently, making sure it was the same. The humans were just outside.

they looked terrified...and they couldn't see them, but they just stood at the edge of the marsh, looking in. Fox widened his eyes with a bit of fear. They would have to be silent, and unmoving. Luckily, they were in the cover of darkness. But, there was something about this marsh that was...unpleasent....devious....evil....

Miranda's eyes bore into his eyes, staring him down.. who would win this battle? Her stormy translucent misty eyes dug into his sterling silver piercing one's, challanging him in his own home.
She said nothing, but watched his snakes as they approached her, readying herself for another attack. This time she carefully watched her back- but none came.
The food lay waiting her and her tongue moistened as her lips quavered. She had to steal, or kill for most of what she ever ate and it had been a long time since she had a decent meal. Biting her lip, she reached for the plate and picked it up, her senses begging and pleading with her to accept, where her pride stood stubbornly against this offer.
She even allowed him to approach her, her mind swarming with a million questions it would seem her tongue was incapable of forming words from.
As he declared himself a king she stiffened her back, going ridgid.... she almost knew what he was going to say after that... and it came.. one of my wubjects... echoed dully thuding through her mind as she slowly snapped herself away from the delicious smell wafting into her nose.
Snarling viciously she knew she had no chance of escape, or even a fair fight... but that didn't mean she couldn't be difficult. After all... she hadn't asked to come here.
Throwing the plate into his face, she darted away with impecable sense of direction, landing gracefully on her feet.
" I am NOT one of your subjects..... are you hard of hearing? I bow to no king OR god. Both of whuich seem to describe what you think of yourself.." She spat disgustedly. " Do not persume to play your mind games on me.. i am too cunning, go prey on a weaker mind.. you didn't bring me here to feed me.... so WHAT do you want?!" She yelled in exhasperation. She felt like she was in a cage with the sides closing in on her, helpless to do anything. And a caged cat was one to be reckoned with.

Sarediss watched as the food went into his face, splattering over it. Letting out a low hiss as the hot food hit him, he wiped it off, and looked at her. His eyes were furious for a moment, but they weakened staring into her own. "I wouldn't presume to play games with you..." he said, remaining calm and collected. "I know you are cunning...I didn't say otherwise..." he said, and finished cleaning his face.

"Look...we need to develope an understanding. I am niehter god nor truly a king. My "castle" is simply my home, and my "knights" are simply my family...but I AM the snake king never the less. All i want to do is simple...I want to make a deal with you..." Sarediss said, and then smiled.

"I can give you anything you could ever want, a home, wealth, power, you name it...and I can give it to you. do you like the sound of that my dear? No trick...just an honest deal. No hidden factors, no plays on words...consider us equel in this discussion." he said, and he spoke kindly, with as much empathy as he could use with his snake like tongue.

Miranda suspiciously narrowed her eyes, biting her lips as he spoke. She always had that tendancy.... of biting her lip. If she was really confused she would sometimes even bite right through the delicate layer of skin cauing her blood to flow.
She was impressed by the level of restraint her kept when she threw the scalding food back in his face. It was usual... he must want something not to exact his revenge upon her for the act. All men always wanted something....
"really?" She sarcastically rolled her eyes. " How stupid do you think i am? No one gives away charity... especially that much for nothing. And what do YOU want from ME in return... why are you so keen to make this deal with ME. Don't you usually wait for your dumb unsuspecting victims to come to you before they make the mistake of tying their lives in your slavitude?" She retorted, her bite searing as each word hung with the venom of icy flames.

Sarediss laughed at her reaction. He could tell she was resistant..which made it all the more fun. He had no intention of actually hurting her...but this opportunity was too good to pass up.

"You have a very bleak outlook of me my dear...you don't even know me. Let me guess...you heard about me from the humans?" The Snake King hissed out this time.

"They call people I talk to "snake charmers" while all i do is help them out...i give them what they want, they give me what I want...nothing more. So why am I so hated? For the same reason you are...i am a half breed...what's worse...i am a snake....and thus my reputation is bad from the start. But don't think of me like this, until you've gotten to know me..." he said to her with a more serious tone.

"As for charity...no...there is something i want. But it's such a small something that it really is more of a joke then anything else. All i want for you to do, is what you've let no other see you do. I want you to bow, just a quick bow. Nothing more. Then, you can have anything, anything in the world you want. How hard is it to do a simple bow? It is barely an ounce of energy in the action. Bow...and I'll let you leave, AND will give you anything you want. I will not, as they sa, take your soul. It's just a simple deal. I want to see how much it will take for you to do so....that's all..." Sarediss said, and awaited a response.

A fiery hue of crimson came to Miranda's face as she finally heard his request. So he wanted to take the most precious thing she had.. her dignity. Oh, it had been a long, long time since a man last tried to take her dignity... she had cut that part of herself away and had no intentions of whittling all of her away until she really was nothing.
" I will never bow.... and what will you do.... keep me here as your slave?" She hissed, her rage doubling. If it had been a reasonable request.. she would have done it perhaps to see three meals a day, and a warm place to sleep.... but this.... after all the times she had been forced to cut her own heart out.. was too much. " Im not some stupid poor charity cse who needs pity... or who does tricksm for a few crumbs of bread. Im not here for anyone's entertainment." She snapped, turning her back on those undressing eyes. Why did she have to feel so naked?
" I won't submit." She said it without venom, her teeth unclentched. It was the simple truth... she would never submit.

Sarediss watched her gut reaction with a bit of interest. She was so angry with the concept of bowing, she refused to do it. not to him, nor anyone else. But he could change that. This was all a test of his true power, to see if he could. It was a game, and Sarediss was not known to lose.

"Well, I understand if you won't submit. But will you at least do me the honor of letting you think about it. I'll give you a sample of what you could have. Tell you what...stay with me, for one night. Sample what I can do for you, then tell me your answer by the end of it." Sarediss replied calmly, and in a friendly manner.

"No tricks, no cons, you say no, you can leave. You say yes, and I give you anything you would like. In the meantime, one night...what do you have to lose? unless you have something more important to do out there?" Sarediss said, knowing full well she had nothing. She was wandering when she walked into town. He smiled a bit at that.

"look, you can have a hot meal, a warm bed, live the life of a queen for one day. All that happens to you, you want to happen, and then I ask you again. There's no shame of taking the things you want when offerred freely. Then if you say yes, i'll make the things you want absoultely free. So what do you say? You still look very hungry..." Sarediss said, and then he saw something through the eyes of a snake...something that required immediate attention.
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A very large boa constrictor saw a man standing there...not just a man, a horse man. It seemed to have a lot on it's mind, but that's what made it interesting. Sarediss had watched the man enter the area, and, the centaur looked like an intelligent one. For the snake kings plan to work, he couldn't allow uncharted pieces on his game board.

"Greetings sir...my master sends his regardssss...." The serpant said, slithering up to the centaur with a seemingly friendly smile on it's face as it looked up at the creature.

Locron Cridged in pain as he came back round to see the female half-breed fromm before. Letting out a yelp of pain and sitting up he saw that he had a huge cut on his side with a few bones showing. "Thats interesting" Lieing backdown to try and ease the pain he looked back at the female "I'm very thankfull for your help....." Pausing as he tried to think whether she had told him her name "I didn't catch your name miss?" But before there was an answer a large commotion seemed to be heading there way and just in the distance there seemed to be a firey glow of tourches...

Shadowstalker slid backwards went he sat up suddenly, her eyes wide as she looked at him in concern. She watched him, her eyes intense. "Yes... it certainly is.." She started before stopping, sensing a wave of questions and anger coming up at him. She shook her head slowly, and lifted her gaze back to him.

She licked her paw idly as he said he was thankful, her eyes on her paw. She started to reply with her name, but stopped when the unmistakable sound of humans came, as well as the hideous scent of smoke. She covered her nose briefly before licking Locron's nose once. "Can you move?" She asked softly, her eyes tender as she stared at him, her ears twitching as they listened to every sound that came towards them.

" NO!" Miranda screamed, her voice thick with vehment as she seethed in her own repungent anguish. She was absolutly torn. To admit to desire and crave the life of a queen was a step for her, but one she had taken many, many years back. She wanted it, straved for it. But on the other hand this was just a big chance to get her unawatres with her guard down. Ontop of that it would be a pain to her pride to take this charity from the snake ... thing, especially if she eneded up the worse for it in the end. Every fiber in her screamed no.
She knew he was kniving and sought entertainment, and knew this was greatly entertaining to him.... and she hated to be in this weaker position where his character so clearly showed he still wanted something from her, but he offered so much it tempted her to fall for his trap and enjoy life if even for a day.
" hmm... well. fine." She snapped after a few minutes of hard thinking. A least this way she wasn't sunk to the lowest level of actually being kept against her will.. she could say she chose to stay and that would save her face for the time being. She just had to be extra careful about what he did or said from here on in.
" Now some food would be nice..... unless you intend to starve me." SHe cooley grumbled crossing her arms as a sign of still and utter defiance. She couldn't care less this was his house- to her they were equals.

Sarediss heard her scream "no", but when she gave him her next answer he smiled. Not in a deceptive, manipulating way, but in a friendly, appreciative manner. He knew submitting, even to this level, tohis request. She was like him, very much so. He would rather die then take an order, and would never be seen begging. "well then, welcome to my home..."he said to her, and pulled a lever that sat next to his chair. Somewhere out of the cieling, a colossal table came down, attached to chains that could pull it up or down. Sarediss brought out two chairs, opposite eachother, and looked at the table.

From the moment the table came down, it was filled with food. The food was very fancy and very filling, and a luscious smell filled the room. Even Sarediss's mouth waterred at the appetyising scent. Sarediss pulled out a chair for her, and allowed her to sit in it as Sarediss went into his.

"Try out the food...it is delicious, and I promise, none of it has been tamperred with. That would seem...impolite." he said, and then thought of something. "I can't remember the last time i've had company, had someone eat dinner with me. I'm not...entirely sure...that I ever have..." he said. He did have shadowstalker over very often, but she went out and hunted for dinner. This was a different circumstyance. He thought of her as a sister. Actually, thinking about this, there were many thingas normal people did that he had not yet done. His eyes, usually reptilian grew sad for a moment, but he shook off his thoughts and brought them back to her.

"so...tell me about yourself...it won't hurt you to talk to me will it? I don't bite..." he commented, and watched her as he began to eat his food.