Zinna Dawn / Lilitu

[Jain Zar]

72.

*** Elvina’s mistress ***

Zinna blinked her eyes. She was standing before a tall building. She looked up, not recognizing it, but it had the appearance of a church.
Just a few moments ago, the Master vanished after bringing her here. He told her she could find Elvina in this town. His ‘agents’ saw her near this building, and he suggested she started to look from here.
Zinna slowly looked around, absorbing every detail of the street. The place was unknown to her and she had no idea how to get back either. The Master brought her here by magic, and she had to find a way on her own to get back. She started to walk through what you could call the main street. It was night and the streets where rather empty.
Zinna decided to cloak herself, in a way like Elvina did, saving her energy for moments when it was really necessary. She stepped into the shadows and slid along the walls, which were made out of some kind of dark stone. Foot by foot, with a grace which was very characteristic for elves, she scouted the town’s mainstreet following in until she reached a gate. She peered but it was too dark to make anything out of it what was outside those gates.

Deciding it was better to go back, she turned around and crossed the street quickly. After a few minutes she reached the empty marketplace she earlier passed.
How was she supposed to find Elvina here? The town was big enough and she couldn’t possibly check every house and every building to find her. Yet, it was a start. She really needed to talk to her, … she... had to.
Suddenly she stopped as she saw a familiar person stepping out of one of the buildings. She didn’t needed much time to recognize her, her aura was for persons like Zinna immediately feelable. Celestia!
She knew it, she knew it all along. Elvina was loving Celestia and it was probably here they were spending their romantic times. Zinna shivered when she tried to picture how their time together so far must have been.
“That … bitch... and Elvina... all lies... ,” she whispered to herself, spitting out Celestia's name softly.
She stayed in the shadows, just to make sure Celestia wasn’t returning. Meanwhile she observed the entrance of the building Celestia just left. Zinna tried to stay calm and preventing herself from rushing in and slapping Elvina in the face.

She softly sighed in the shadows. What could she do now? The Master brought her here to talk with Elvina. But after seeing Celestia... and how would she explain herself for showing up here? A place where she never has been before... telling Elvina she was ‘visiting’ an old friend? She even had no clue if it was a public building. No, she needed to wait, calm down a bit and try to figure out what building this was and if Elvina was truly inside.
Her gaze glided over the walls and windows of the building. Suddenly she saw movement at the entrace of the building.
A white haired woman stepped through the door portal... Elvina!
Zinna was raging. So it was true, the Master has brought her to the right place. He must have known about Celestia and Elvina, but why... why did he wanted her to see this? She was supposed to get Elvina at her ‘side’ again. He must know that she would be very angry seeing this... that she couldn’t respond well if she was full with emotions...
She started to doubt the Master... but at least, now she knew who Elvina’s mistress was.
But first... needed little time for herself now. Making up a story...

[Jain Zar]

74.

*** Zinna and Elvina ***

Zinna was waiting outside in the shadows. She concluded Elvina was staying in the building... for some reason. Confident about her own conclusions she fell asleep in the corridor of an abandoned house.
She woke up when she heard a door closing in the silence of the night. On the other side of the street Zinna saw Elvina leaving the building after talking to … what seemed some kind of guard.
Elvina crossed the street and Zinna duck further in the shadows, knowing that Elvina has the skill to detect her. She saw her leaving the city and decided to follow her... but keeping a large gap between them.

Zinna was happy that she could see a little in the dark and wondered how Elvina managed to avoid the obstacles on her path. She was assuming that Elvina knew this path after probably doing it many times. But where was she heading?
Zinna got worried as she realised she forgot to check her supplies in her backpack.
But suddenly, not too far from the city Elvina stopped. Zinna heard sounds of a battle and saw how Elvina ran forward. There was a second woman further down the path fighting a man, and Zinna knew immediately who that was... Celestia!
She saw how Elvina helped Celestia putting the man down, and wondered who he was.
Appearently he attacked Celestia on a great open spot where she was an easy target. An arrow in Celestia’s shield proved that he first tried to kill her from a distance.

The fight didn’t took long as the two women quickly overwhelmed the man.
Zinna stayed in the foliage of the bushes, hiding in the shadow. The moon enlightened the open spot and Zinna saw how the two women walked to each other... and got pretty close in her opinion!
But... nothing happened. They seemed to talk to each other, whispering, and even for Zinna’s elven hearing it was inaudible what they were saying. She just observed the two having their ‘secret’ conversation.
Suddenly Zinna saw how Elvina laid her hand on Celestia’s shoulder, softly stroking it. She almost raged, but managed to stay calm between the leaves, avoiding them being stirred.
If they would see her here... well...

She continued observing Celestia and Elvina, who was still holding her hand on Celestia’s shoulder. It looked as if they were talking about something very emotional, as she noticed Elvina’s hand going from Celestia’s shoulder to her own eyes. Was she crying?
Did Celestia just ended their relationship? Her heart was pounding in her chest and she cursed silently for not being able to hear what they were saying.
She couldn’t watch this longer and walked away, back to the direction of the to her unknown city.
Just at the gates Zinna took a decision... the Master wouldn’t like this at all... but he could go, back, to hell.
She wanted to walk back to the place where she saw them, but suddenly Elvina appeared on the path, alone.
Zinna stepped out of the shadows in front of her, blocking the way into the city.

Elvina’s eyes widened and her face went pale. Zinna crossed her arms over her chest. “So... anything to say for yourself?”
Elvina quickly recovered from the small shock. “What the hell are you doing here? How, did you... ,” she looked around as if she was on her guard ,”... got here?”
Zinna grinned ,” I have my ways... so, it was fun i presume, spending time with your love?”
Elvina turned from pale to red ,” What... what do you mean?”
“Oh c’mon Elvina! I saw you!!! With Celestia, back on the road! ,” Zinna pointed her finger at the road behind Elvina.
Elvina stepped closer to Zinna ,” Do shut up girl... and mind what you say.” Elvina looked around and lowered her voice. “It is not what you think... she...”
Zinna interrupted her, her voice also a bit down ,”... your 'meeting' looked pretty secret to me, and you guys seemed very ‘emotional’.”

Elvina took Zinna by the arm, forcing her to walk with her into the city. They stopped next to the local inn, hiding a bit in the shadows.
Zinna started to cry softly.
Elvina turned to her ,”What is the matter with you? You show up here and...” She stopped as she heard Zinna crying. It confused her from what she was about to say.
“Zinna...” Elvina walked to her, putting her hand softly on Zinna’s shoulder. “Listen, as soon as i’m done here... we’ll talk. I’m here for a mission... helping... someone, here, in the area.” Elvina sighed. “What you saw on the road, was me thanking Celestia. She’s helping me with something. You... i understand you don’t understand. It...”
Zinna pushed Elvina’s arm away. “Forget it. You forget i can sense things. But i’m alright! And i don’t want to talk with you, not now, not later, not anymore! Now go, leave me..."

Zinna turned around, her back facing to Elvina. She knew she took a risk by doing this. She didn’t know how Elvina would react and … she also had no idea how to get home again on her own. Elvina was probably assuming she got here by herself and it would be no problem to head back.
“Zinna, i … understand. Maybe, its better like this.” Elvina seemed to hesitate but continued talking. “Look, i … didn’t catch those rapists. And that’s the reason why i haven’t visited you again, because there was no news. It seemed to me... i had no other reasons for keeping contact. I thought, we would only … hurt each other...”

Zinna’s heart jumped and a cold feeling went through her legs.
At the same time she got furious. “Hurt me? Hurt you?!!! You ice cold bitch!! To me it seems you can’t be hurt! And yes, what i have done was wrong. And i’m suffering for it. More then you can imagine! I still love you Elvina. Everytime i got angry at you, it is because i loved you! No other reasons to see each other, right?! Well, you’ll never see me again then!”
Elvina stood perplex.
Zinna started to walk away but stopped and turned around once more. “And i hope you are ready for what its about to come...” Zinna vanished.
Elvina was shocked... and that very short hesitation made her lose sight of Zinna.

[Jain Zar]

75.

*** Blue ***

Zinna sat on her bed at the Mystivale Inn. She managed to get back on her own. It took her almost a week, traveling through forests, following some rivers, until she entered known land, close to Two Bridges.
She remembered standing still in front of the Two Bridges Inn, just staring at it and remembering everything that happened here... Elvina visiting her, the nights with Angela, her days alone in her room ‘recovering’, until she finally left Angela to be on her own.

She was angry, very angry at Elvina. But also angry on herself, for letting herself go like that, giving up, threatening Elvina... It wasn’t a wise move, and if the Master showed up, well...
While plunged in thoughts someone knocked on her door. She shook up and shivered. Who knew she was here? The Master?
It took her a few seconds more to respond... “Yes, who is it?”
A female voice sounded on the other side of the thick wooden door. “It’s Angela... can i talk to you?”

Zinna got up from the bed. What the hell was Angela doing here? Can it be the Master has send her to kill her? She walked through the room, nervously opening the door... but not before taking a dagger in her left hand, behind her back.
She only showed her head in the door gap. It was Angela alright and the hallway seemed further empty.
“Can i come in Zinna? I need to talk...”
Zinna looked at Angela’s eyes and decided something else was going on. She opened the door and Angela entered her room, her blue armor glittering in the candle light while she walked to a chair.
Zinna took a seat on the bed, opposing Angela who seemed … different. Perhaps because she was more silent then other times.

Zinna tried to open the conversation. “How have you been?” It seemed a bad question, because she saw Angela shivering a bit. This always self-confident woman didn’t seemed herself.... Zinna sensed it. Her aura was … very chaotic, and there was something else, but Zinna couldn’t lay her finger on it.
Angela finally looked up at her and started to talk, very softly. “I’m going away Zinna. Probably far from here.”
“But the Master... “, Zinna interrupted.
“No more Master things Zinna, i had enough. People are looking for me.”
Zinna frowned ,” What do you mean?”
Angela nodded ,” The Fleet... they are coming after me. And everything i only wanted was to be free. I even talked with Celestia, apologizing to what happened...”
Zinna got up from the bed ,” Wait a minute, i’m not following you... talking to Celestia, the Fleet.... what the hell is going on?”

Angela told her some things, what she did with Celestia, how she had a fight with the guards the day after.
Zinna’s eyes widened.... “ You are in big problems Angela. We need to talk with the Master...”
Angela waved with her arm and got up from the chair, facing Zinna now. “No, no Master. I can’t... he... we need to run Zinna.”
Zinna got worried ,”We, what do you mean?”
“Perhaps i don’t have all the answers yet, but just... no Master anymore.”
Zinna was confused, no idea what Angela was talking about. It was very obvious she wasn’t telling everything. Perhaps, ... Angela didn’t trust her?

“Angela, … it sounds like you are in a mess. Did anything actually good happened in the weeks we haven’t seen each other?” She sighed.
Angela look to the ground, taking her time before saying anything. “Perhaps ... love, … ”
Zinna looked shocked. “What are you saying? Between all the blood and messing up things, you fell in love? Where the hell did you find that girl? Or is it a man? “ Zinna shook her head. “Don’t you love the Master by the way?”
Angela got angry, “Love the Master? Love him? Look what is happening!! Noo, i didn’t love him... i never loved anyone, not even you... until... until i met him.”
Zinna didn’t got angry, somehow she always knew Angela didn’t love her... she was passionate yes... but never showed true feelings for her.

“Him, so it’s a man. But, what are you going to do? Aren’t there people who can protect you... you said... you talked to Celestia... can’t she...?”
Angela shook her head. “I... only talked with her a couple of minutes, apologized to her, but she was angry... certainly because i’ve put that little girl into danger.”
She paused.
Zinna observed her. “There is something else about you,... something you don’t dare to tell me. And it has something to do with the Master.”
Angela got closer to Zinna. “Just run from Him... i mean, do you like Him?”
Zinna looked shocked and lowered her voice ,” Are you crazy woman, saying something like that? You do know He can have ears and eyes everywhere.” She hissed the last words.
Angela also lowered her voice ,” And i notice you are not standing up for Him either. I don’t know what happened but i feel you also have second thoughts. Perhaps we can help each other...”
Zinna pushed her away,” Don’t talk like that girl... you better leave... bringing me into danger... i...”

Angela got angry. “Right, if this is what you want... Fiiiiine. Feel free to climb in His bed again, stupid girl.”
Zinna got mad too,” And you have no idea what you are doing!”
Angela looked at the candles near Zinna’s bed. “Yes, i know... but i also do know what i want... remembering...”
“Let us wait for the Master, he’ll help...”
Angela got angry again,” Stop talking about the Master... you’re not listening to me...!!”
Zinna was furious,” And you are not telling everything to me...!!”
“I’m out of here, GHA!” Angela walked towards the door and opened it. “You are stupid girl, open your eyes dammit.”
Zinna ran to the door and pushed Angela almost out. “Leave me! Go!” She closed the door with a smack, leaning on it a couple of seconds before bending her knees and lowering herself until she sat with her back against the door.

Suddenly she heard voices on the other side of the door.

- A male voice “Blue, … is that you?”
- Angela’s voice “Amil... what are you doing here?”
- The male voice again “I ... something happened.”
- Angela’s voice sounding worried “Amil, come, we shouldn’t be standing and talking here... let's get out of sight.”

Zinna heard how the two people walked away from her door.
She got up and walked to her bed, noticing her hands where shaking a bit. Angela has been right about a few things, … when she recalled what happened with Elvina...

Zinna quickly shook her head... ‘Blue’... what a stupid nickname...

[Jain Zar]

77.

*** Favorite ***

Zinna stopped when she saw her. Angela was walking down the path near Ravenswatch,... with some man at her side...
“What the... ,” she whispered to herself.
In her mind she went back to a couple of weeks ago...

-----
Zinna entered her room when it was almost night. Darkness spreading the room and when she put on a candle she was shocked.
On her bed was a man... no, not a normal man... it was the Master!
She remembered he got up when she made the room lit, his smile looked warm... but his eyes felt cold.
“My lovely Zinna.... ahh, finally you show up. I’ve been waiting for you, you don’t mind me sneaking in here, don’t you?”
Zinna looked around and saw alot of her paperwork on the ground, on the bed, on the chair.
“M... Master?” was the only thing she could say, her knees shivering.
He walked towards her. “Where is she?”
“M... Master … i … “ Zinna assumed it was about Elvina.
The Master stopped at 10 inches from her, his face dangerously looking now.
“My Favorite... where is she?”
“Master, i’m sorry... i had a quarrel with her and … i left her... please don’t hit me!.....”

The Master gave her a blow in the face. “Where is she???!!! My Favorite !!!?? I can’t feel her anymore!!”
Zinna fell back on the ground, blood dripping out of her nose.
“Master please, i don’t know... i left her...”
She got another hit in the face, a boot this time, knocking her head against the floor. He was just too fast for her. She almost fell unconscious.
Zinna opened her eyes a bit, the Master his boot was hovering above her face.
“If you don’t start to talk soon, i’m crushing that pretty face of yours and take you back as my succubus slave! WHERE IS SHE !!?”
“Master, Elvina was...” she started.
“STOP, hold... Elvina? You thought i meant Elvina?” He stepped aside and helped her up.... he put her on the bed and started to tend her wounds.
“My sweet girl... i’m not talking about Elvina. I’m talking about Angela. Where is she? Have you seen her?” His voice sounded sweet.

Zinna quickly nodded, glad with the fact the beating didn’t go on.
“She got … crazy, my Master... she killed fleetmen and was on the run... wanted by several others too... i … i...”
The Master smiled, seemed happy with the little information ,” Easy girl, easy, tell me the details... i’m not going to hurt you anymore... ever.”
Zinna told the Master how she visited her, about what Angela told her what she had done, but by the time she came at the part where Angela talked ‘bad’ about the Master, she hesitated.
“Master... is she leaving us?” she dared to ask.
The Master only looked at her with sad eyes, he didn’t get angry. “I think so Zinna... she might have … ‘understood’ some things wrong. I think our bond is broken... ,” he sighed.

After a silence he started to talk again. “We need to find her, Zinna, i’m going to put a couple of other ‘people’ on it. But also you. She needs to ‘find’ her way back to me. Right now, if i find her, i would probably banish her to the deepest hell i can find. But somewhere... i don’t want that to happen, my dear Zinna.”
“Master, what can i do? And what about Elvina... ,” she stopped, knowing she probably stepped out of line.
He only strokes the face he just almost messed up. “Elvina can wait... she doesn’t suspect a thing... she won’t run anywhere. Angela on the other hand... hmmm.”
“Yes Master?”
He sighed again ,” To break a bond like this, she must have met someone powerful. Not many people can do this. I need you to find out who is capable of doing this. Just... ask around, say you need help with a possessed friend or something...”
Zinna nodded ,” Off course Master.”

The Master turned to her. “It will be ok with Elvina you know... ,” he looked at her. “I take it something happened between you, but in the end it will be alright. You’ll see my lovely Zinna. I know you still love her, and that is good … for you and the cause.”
“Master? Angela knew something about your plan with Elvina, but i don’t...”
He held his hand in the air ,”I will tell you a bit then... i assume you are my new Favorite now.”
He stroked her chin softly and kissed her, healing her lips with his power, he kissed her cheek, making the wounds undone.
“We will do the ‘ceremony’ a bit later... ,” he said grinning, while looking at the bed ,” … but first we talk... ”
-----

Zinna shook her head, was it really Angela? She cloaked herself and hid in the shadows, deciding to follow them and listen.

“You did very well Jacob. Tell the rest of the men also to go home.”
Angela was talking to the man as if he was a soldier. Only problem was he wasn’t dressed like one.
“Right Hawk, until we meet again. You know where to find us.” Zinna saw Angela nodding and stroking some feathers on her right shoulder while she turned around and walked down the path towards Ravenswatch.
Zinna had a serious déjà-vu when she jumped on the path in front of Angela.
“Hello there Angela, or shall i call you ‘Hawk’ hmmm?”
Angela was so surprised, she lifted her sword in an eyeblink, just stopping under Zinna’s chin.
Zinna was suprise too, but responded cold-blooded. “You killing friends these days? You seem a bit nervous to me Angela. Whats on your mind?” She grinned.
Angela kept the sword were it was. “Zinna? What the hell are you doing here?”
Zinna shrugged,” Ow, me? Only visiting a couple of friends. You?” She said it while looking at the man on the horizon.

Angela didn’t respond first, and Zinna, who tried to sense her, could feel ice cold self control. Angela ‘changed’ even more since last time. And it wasn’t just her outfit, which was as flamboyant as the previous.
Angela’s voice sounded razorsharp,” Not of your business.” She turned around and walked towards Ravenswatch.
Zinna hesitated but ran after her, “What the hell, what the hell?! Hey, its me, Zinna, good to see you by the way, lovely day isn’t it. So, how was jail?”
Angela stopped and turned around, her eyes showing anger, Zinna couldn’t do anything else but to shiver.
Angela walked back towards her until her face was very close. “I didn’t see you in there, i wonder...”
Zinna shook her head,” I didn’t know you were there. I came to visit you, but you were released. Where did you go anyways?”
Angela’s face softened a bit. “Far from Cear, away from... misery.” Angela stared at the city. “I’m starting a new life Zinna. And i won’t be home alot.”
Zinna looked up. “Where is your home then, Angela?”
Angela didn’t respond immediately. “You can still find me from time to time in Two Bridges, however... i’m probably cancelling that room in the future."

Zinna took a risk. “Angela, the Master... how can i escape from him? Can you help me?”
Angela turned around, widening her eyes. “What are you saying girl? Leaving the Master? You?”
Zinna shook her head. “I have no clue anymore what he wants, and this thing with Elvina...”
Angela turned to her. “What about Elvina?”
Zinna quickly told Angela what happened between her and Elvina.
“So, let me get this straight, you turned your back on Elvina? And now, you are afraid from the Master? And you want to turn your back on him too?”
Zinna didn’t answer but hoped her expression was enough to confirm it.
Angela observed her, really carefully,“ I don’t know Zinna, i have to think about it, how...”
Zinna almost exploded “What!? You storm in my room to tell me to run with you and now... you have to think about it???”
“Easy sweet girl... i said i have to think how.”
“Ow, you will help me then, but... why think about it.... just do it like you.... i...”
Angela studied her. “But later, not now Zinna.”

“But... ,” Zinna tried ,” He... he... visited me...”
“WHAT!” Angela’s eyes widened.
“He beat me up, asking where you are...”
“What did you tell him Zinna?!!”
“I said i didn’t know and he kept beating me...”
Angela looked at Zinna’s face “When did this happen, i don’t see wounds or anything...”
“Some weeks ago, i visited a healer and spend a huge amount to fix what he did.”
“You need to hide, search another place to sleep, not an inn. And stay out of sight. I’ll see if i can come up with something.... however ,” she looked sharply at Zinna ,” If you lie...”
Zinna controlled herself barely.
Angela kept looking and said ,” Right, here, the key from ‘our’ room in Two Bridges. I might be there over a few days... or weeks. And don’t be shocked when i enter the room with a person.”
Zinna looked curious ,”A guy?”
Angela didn’t answer as she was already walking down the path.

Zinna hesitated. She should report this to the Master. After all she was the Favorite now.
She shook her head and walked down the hill into the forest.

[Jain Zar]

79.

*** Bleeding love ***

Zinna got back to Mistyvales, right after her unexpected meeting with Angela. She stood before the door, knowing there was a big chance the Master was here... waiting for her reports.
She didn’t had many other options, but now she had to make a choice :

Or she betrays Angela, and she and Elvina will be together again in the nearby future... but she had no idea how that would happen, or how the Master would accomplish this.

Or... she betrays the Master, in the hope Angela could help her break the bond and set her free too. However it probably means that she would never have Elvina again.

She stood there near the backdoor of Mystivales, plunged in thoughts, for maybe an hour, hiding in the shadows.
Suddenly she heard a familiar voice. Elvina!
Zinna quickly ran to the front, staying in the shadows. On the other side of the road she saw her, talking to a man.
Her heart jumped seeing the beautiful woman with her long white hair. Even after their fight, her blood still ran warm when seeing Elvina.

Zinna crossed the street on another place and sneaked through some bushes to get closer.
“Can i trust her?” Zinna heard Elvina whispering to the man.
“Yes you can, i believe in her. Her intentions are good.” the man answered. He was dressed in black and had a cape. Zinna couldn’t see his face.
“Tell me one good intention of her. One.” She saw how Elvina crossed her arms.
The man was silent for a brief moment, then answered. “She wants to help you. Warn you.”
She saw Elvina nodding ,”That is correct, at least that is what she told me. Hmmm, maybe i will be helping you. I will see her again over a couple of weeks. Now i have other things to do. Take care Amilcar.”
Zinna saw Elvina leaving in her usual way, not traceable.
That name, Amilcar... where did she heard him before?
The man jumped on his horse and rode towards the gates, leaving hidden Zinna alone with her thoughts.

She could always make another choice. Waiting. But wait for what? What could possible happen that would determine her choice? Her heart was screaming for Elvina, but her mind told her to leave the Master, just like Angela did.
Maybe she also could start a new life... without Elvina then... but... she had still many hundred years to live. She would probably have to leave Cear then and maybe stay away from people for several years.
Zinna wondered how Angela did it. After all, she wasn’t really hiding anymore. Wasn’t she afraid the Master or his minions would spot her soon?
It was as if she cut her own heart open... what other choices did she have?!

She felt like going crazy, and her heart was bleeding...

[Jain Zar]

85.

*** Shadow dancing ***

Zinna was sitting in Angela’s room at Two Bridges, which was bathing in complete darkness.
She was here for days now and Angela told her she would be back around this time.
Zinna closed her eyes, her memory going back to the moment Elvina was about fifteen or sixteen years.

.....

“Elvina, i’m here. Can’t you see me?” Zinna saw Elvina looking around.
“Hey, are you using magic, Zinna!” Elvina could hear Zinna giggling.
“Nooo... i’m just better then you.” Zinna could see Elvina’s face turn red.
“Why … you... !” Elvina started.
A new voice sounded ,”That’s enough girls.”
Zinna turned around but couldn’t see anyone, until she suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder.
She almost jumped in a tree. “What the !!! Who are you?!”
Zinna looked up at a medium tall dark skinned elf. The man in front of her grinned. “I’m your teacher.”
“Ow, ooww i’m sorry... i’m Zinna and she over there is Elvina,” Zinna was pointing at the place where Elvina was standing... except when she looked she saw Elvina was gone.
The teacher chuckled when he saw Zinna’s face. “... And she did it without magic, young elf. I have to give her that, she’s a natural. Still, girls, you have much to learn. Come out Elvina, i know you are standing behind me.”
Zinna could hear Elvina giggling behind the teacher’s back.

“First lesson of shadow dancing. Don’t try to hide, but to deceive your opponent. It’s only the first step however in a chain of things you have to learn how to make yourself ‘invisible’ to others.”
The two girls trained day and night. They also learned how to move themselves silently.
Yarik, their teacher was pretty strict. All forms of magic were banned. He took honor in doing these things without the help of any magical items or spells. However, appropriate clothing was desirable.
Their training ground was about pretty much the whole Elven city, the woods and even the rather open fields.
Day after day they improved. Yarik played along, on their level, but they both knew he could do a lot more.

That became clear one day they were near the mountains.
Zinna just managed to perform a succesful ‘escape’ out of an enemy camp when she suddenly was attacked for real by some goblins. She was careless after ending the exercise.... otherwise those greenskins would never have seen her.
She quickly took them out with her magic.
The rumble however drew out more of them, but Yarik and Elvina also heard it.
They never saw Yarik this fast. His blade sang through the air, only to be interrupted by the sound of slashes on throats and chests. It was as if he ‘jumped’ from one place to another. He disappeared on a spot, and reappeared further away in only a matter of seconds.
Goblinspears only seemed to hit air... and even when they thought it was a hit, Yarik seemed unharmed.
The goblin group counted about eighty heads, but they hesitated when they saw this flashing shadow at work. When their chiefs head flew through the air they broke the ranks.

Yarik appeared in front of the girls, unscratched...
His face looked untroubled. “Lesson five of shadow dancing, let the mass absorb you.” He grinned.

...

Zinna sighed in the dark room, she was hoping she made the right choice.

[Jain Zar]

87.

*** Calling an elven spirit ***

Everything was silent at the sacred elvenplace. Huge trees stood calm and spread their immense branches at great height over the open spot, forming a forest church.



Behind a small low shrine filled with white flowers stood three elves. The one in the middle was wearing a ceremonial tunique made of white and yellow silk.
In front of the shrine stood hundreds of elves in long rows, every single one of them dressed in white mixed with blue. Among them, one human, standing before the first row, flanked by two elves.



Elvina’s white hair was draped over a light white dress that left her shoulders uncovered. On her elbows were airy veils attached. In her hair she wore a delicate diadem made of white-yellow gold, around her waist a thin metal elven artwork made of the same material.
She was flanked by her foster parents.

-----
Elvina returned a day ago at the elven community where she grew up. She left Cear the day after Zinna died, and it was urgent. The ritual that took place in front of her was intended to secure the spirit of a deceased member of this community. It had to be done as fast as possible, to increase the chance of succes... bringing the spirit to it’s final resting place.

Her foster parents immediately saw something terrible happened, not only after looking at Elvina’s armor, which was heavily damaged, but also by her expression.
“Selfish,” was the first word she said, before she burst into tears and got embraced by the one she called her mother.
Sha’-della gave her husband sideways a worried look as if she felt what happened. That afternoon Elvina told everything to her foster parents, Zinna’s parents and Incha. It were very emotional moments.
Elvina noticed between her tears that Incha turned pale from time to time. They would have another long talk afterwards... that was for sure.

“You are not selfish, girl, don’t listen to what this Thana says. If you were, you wouldn’t be here,” her foster mother said.
Zinna’s parents didn’t say much to her, but she knew by their looks they didn’t think it was her fault what happened to Zinna. No, their eyes showed something different... Elvina didn’t knew what it was until this ritual.
-----

Incha raised her arms in the air. The two elves who flanked her, were Zinna’s parents.
“One of us left our midst. A fate which awaits us all. One day we meet each other in this better place. The place where our spirits find their final rest. We will never have to fear to be alone, as we will guide each spirit of the ones who left us to this magnificent place. Once there it will be surrounded by our ancestors and its loved ones.”

Elvina’s heart stopped for a moment. This was the first time she experienced a ritual like this. The last one took place when she was about 10 years old. That day some very close friends from outside the community watched over little Elvina.
She suddenly realised that she would see Zinna never again, not even in the spirit world, if this really existed. Yet, Elvina had deep respect for the rituals of the elves.
She lowered her head and listened to Incha’s words.
“Together we will bring this spirit back to our midst and lead it over the path of flowers to its next existence. Our love and feelings will give it direction, our heart will give her a place.”

Incha nodded to Elvina, who stepped forward. It all felt so unreal... the death of Zinna, this plot with another devil, the nagging pain in her heart...
Elvina stood before the shrine and took up her little harp and took place next to Incha, she sung : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MImv7d8-DI

The song was about the tale of a little girl that got up early to go pick flowers, the sun brightly shining on her face. While Elvina was singing, her voice crystal clear between the trees, the elves let their tears go in a modest and disciplined way. Elvina barely managed to keep the singing going.
Even the birds stopped as if they were waiting for something to come. Elvina could feel a strange warmth coming out of the forest. Nevertheless she kept singing as she saw Incha nodding. A light breeze took place in the highest leaves of the trees, as if to support Elvina’s song.
A diffuse gleam of light appeared between the trunks, slowly moving towards the open place. Elvina shivered but kept singing. None of the elves moved, as if they were afraid to scare off the light that was heading in their direction. Only Incha closed her eyes and seemed to mumble something unhearable, her face directed towards the light.

Tears were rolling down Elvina’s cheeks now as she recognized a silhouette within the light...
It got closer and passed Elvina at a distance of ten metres. First she thought it would keep moving towards the end of the forest church, as it suddenly stopped.
Elvina could almost see her within her mind... the face in the light, she could almost feel an expression in her direction that made her think of a smile of total happiness.
She was overwhelmed, feelings of sadness made way for feelings of peace. The spirit was safe and found its way back to where it belonged...

And suddenly it was gone, the light spread itself, vanishing in all directions , gone between the trees behind them. Elvina’s song ended...

[Jain Zar]

93.

*** No rest ***

Something stirred the bushes at the sacred elvenplace.
A man appeared at the open spot. He studied the forest church of the elves, his gaze glided along the huge branches as if he was looking for something.
“So here you are... my lovely Zinna,” he mumbled to himself,“ … Interesting... nevertheless, i shall have your spirit... it belongs to me.”
He knew he didn’t had much time before his presence was discovered by the Loremasters.
Before he turned around to leave, he touched the ground with his two hands.
“Soon i will be back to have what is mine, ... and burn this place down if i have to.”
His white teeth flickered in the dark as a grin appeared on his face. “And i will have my diamond...” he whispered as he disappeared in the dark green scenery.

The spirit felt the presence... and it did its best to remember something... flashes of a life ...or dreams... chaos, … fires, … helplessness, … love...

[Jain Zar]

101.

*** Disturbance ***

For a moment it looked as if the leaves high on the huge trees of the forest church formed a melody, when an elven woman in a white robe entered the sacred elvenplace.
Right in the middle of the open spot, she halted and lifted her face towards the sky.
With a smile she whispered a few words and the tone of her voice sounded encouraging.
“Spirits of our ancestors, our family and our friends, never will you be forgotten. We pay homage to the ones who left our lives, but not our hearts.” The woman raised her arms in a relaxed way, as if she wanted to touch the leaves high above her.
“Guide us with your endless wisdom and share your insights with us.”

Incha the Spirit Shaman took place on the ground.
Every month she stopped by at this place to listen to the spirits. They never said anything but sometimes they communicated in other ways... by sending a tingle, a feeling or even a smell. Only three times in her life she received images in her mind. That was pretty rare since Incha was almost 250 years the Spirit Shaman of this community. Even with her 416 years she still looked rather young, a human would say she just reached thirty.

Her hands touched the soil. She closed her eyes and with a relaxed smile she focused. Silence fell in the wood, as if every animal was holding its breath in an attempt to catch the spirit-language.
The requiem didn’t last long though as suddenly Incha’s smile faded. Her eyes widened and she got up from the dark forestland. She left the place as quickly as she could.


The spirit had the feeling that something was expected; but what? Meanwhile it was plagued again with images... without understanding them... fire, struggling, beings running around defending themselves... a familiar face...

[Jain Zar]

107.

*** Concern ***

“What did you say was shown?” the elf, in front of her, asked with his finger pointing up at the sky.
Incha winced a bit,” The end of our community, destruction, massive defeat...”
“That is what you just told us... but we need more details, Incha.” He looked around in the small circle of magicians.
The lack of etiquette proved that these elves, standing near their forest church, knew each other thoroughly, maybe even as friends.
A sigh slowly escaped from Incha’s lips,” It... happened so fast, so unexpectedly. It was almost as if all of them at once wanted to show me something, but it was too hard for me to digest.” Incha looked down for a moment.
“Incha... what is it? Do you remember anything else... anything speci...,” he stopped talking as he saw the woman nodding.
Clearly she needed time. “I saw... someone i know... among them.”
The tallest of the Loremasters stepped forward, he knew Incha since childhood. “Them... Incha?” He asked while his hands softly squeezed her shoulders.
The Spirit Shaman lifted her head and looked a bit pale,”Devils, demons... spawn... chaos...” She shivered under his hands.
“And, ...who did you see?” His voice more a soothing sound, his eyes warm on her, trying to calm her.
Incha looked up in his eyes,” A woman... i first thought it was Elvina but she looked so... so...”
The Loremaster kept his eyes on her,” Take your time... was there something... different?”
Incha closed her eyes for a moment, as if she had to picture it again. “She looked like Elvina but her aura... she was radiating hate, bitterness... a dark energy surrounded her... powerful. She killed with pleasure, like a cat playing with its prey... enjoying, until the very last drop of life was squeezed out of her victim... laughing with its ‘weaknesses’....” Her voice faded.
The Loremaster smiled a bit and shook his head,” Well, thank goodness this doesn’t sound like our Elvina at all... but... i think something is up.”
The other Loremasters nodded but remained silent, they never spoke before their turn.
Incha nodded,” I know her for so long now, and i just don’t see that happen either... but i’m worried. What do we have to do now?”
This opened up a large but serene discussion among the small group near their sacred elvenplace.

[Jain Zar]

109.

*** Haste ***

A spirit flew over the country, very rapidly, driven by its Ancestors.
There was a small chance its temporary escape was noticed by the Guardian, but time was of the essence and action needed to be taken.

Slowly some memories started to come back... it was looking for a person... names... faces... places...
A spirit... it remembered... once it was a she... she remembered... feelings of love... warmth... she was searching... danger, more faces...
The spirit gained speed, the land under her... flashing... faster, faster...

Who did she look for... a name, a memory... a face... an event... she remembered... a house...
The warning she had to give... she remembered, the Ancestors alarmed... elves... slain... a repeating history...

She had a goal, a mission, … a message,... she remembered...
A place came in sight... houses, a city... people... she remembered...
Stories, things that happened, … friends... a partner... she remembered...

White hair, liquid eyes... sadness,... blue hair, a sapphire gaze... madness, ... a light and warmth, a blond... enviousness,... a male, orc, friendliness, … a man, long hair... a common friend perhaps... she remembered...

Drifting, seeking, remembering... she was running out of time... her energy... fading... faster, faster... more faces, until... she saw a familiar face...

The message was delivered, hope arose... as she was drawn back to her Ancestors, to the place where she belonged... she... remembered...

[Jain Zar]

115.

*** Forest Church PART 2 *** (by Jain Zar and Arianna)


(PART 1 started under Elvina : viewtopic.php?f=18&t=10430&start=75)


Jezel quickly assessed their situation. She knew they were surrounded, but with the group standing in close proximity to one another they could be surrounded by an enemy less in number than they.
She looked left and right judging how far away the Master’s pets were and if she could close on him before one of them could get to her. She didn't even know if their teeth would pierce her armour, but even if they couldn't she rightly guessed from the height those glowing red eyes were from the ground, the beasts would probably outweigh her even in her heavy armour, and could drag her down with ease.
On the ground she would be next to useless....
She tried to look at Yarik out of the corner of her eye to see if he was going to attempt something. Jezel noticed he was doing a thing with his fingers but she didn't know what. She moved slightly back and to her right to put her in a direct line between the intruder and Elvina trying to block the Master’s view of her, it was a small defiant action she knew, but any annoyance she might give the hell spawn she would.

Jezel was so angry and had so much adrenalin coursing through her body at the moment she was quivering, like a spring wound so tight it would either have to be released or shatter.
She watched Yarik closely... this was his home, and he was a more than competent leader, it was his call. If he acted Jezel would take it as a sign to lay waste to as many of these interlopers as she could reach before dying.

She always had at least two enchanted blades when she was traveling, polar opposites of each other.
One with the appropriate name Dark Whispers would if it found flesh cause her enemy to feel drained and weak, but at a cost to her as well she couldn't fight as long or as hard, as the sword would take a little of her life force to work it's magic.
And it would actually work against her if she was fighting creatures of the lower realms. It used negative energy, the sword would actually enhance the abilities of most lower plains dwellers.

Jezel silently thanked the gods that she had opted to bring the other blade with her this evening. Where Dark whispers was dull and shrouded in a black fog, the one she held in her hand shone as brightly as her armour did in the sun earlier.
She had named this blade Demon's Bane. It was enbued with the power of the light, and it would hit her target with positive energy, and would slice through an evil creature’s negative energy defences easily enough. The only determining factor in how long an enemy lived was how strong it was physically and how powerful it's defences were.



The Master slowly raised his arm one time up and down, and every creature within earshot, animal, human and demon-like, fell silent.
His nice white teeth remained visible when he started to talk, his voice smooth yet clear and loud enough for everyone to understand.
“May I ask you to not do anything rash... and besides..., ” the Master looked around and turned to Yarik,“ Am I correct that most of your precious Loremasters are here... and not in the village...?” Leaving his sentence somewhat unfinished, his eyes went meaningful from Yarik to the Loremasters... grinning when his eyes made contact with Ja-Uth. Yes, it sounded like a question, but he made it very clear who was superior. The Master was confident.

Yarik knew the man in front of him was right, more even... the Loremasters had powerful skills but they weren’t prepared for an attack. And should it come to that, he would need to buy them some time. If they started to cast any spells right now, even protective ones, it would be considered as an act of war.
A glance at Loremaster Ja-Uth was enough to understand he felt the same.
But Yarik had a plan, … from the moment the Master stepped out of the green, Yarik had been communicating with one of his best scouts, using the language of the fingers.
While they were talking, his scout, who already stepped back in the shadows, would try to sneak through the cordon. And so far they hadn’t noticed him, yet...

Jezel was standing only a few steps from Elvina now. The Master was speaking an no one tried to interrupt him. His attitude was smug and arrogant.
Jezel chuckled to herself, that was an advantge she could use when the time came, anyone that arrogant simply couldn't grasp the concept that he could be defeated, but this one would be defeated.
Even if it cost her her life... this creature of the neither world would die with her sword burried in his chest. And Elvina would be free of him!
Jezel detected the sound of something large moving in the trees behind her and stole a glance over her left shoulder.


Suddenly a huge black hound entered the sacred place from behind them. A few of the archers turned around and while aiming at its head between two flaming eyes, they saw the beast was clamping something between its monstrous jaws.
When it stepped closer, Yarik saw it was a bloody bodypart of his scout.
“You missing someone, Yarik?” The Master chuckled.
By the ashen sickly expression on the Scout Leaders face it was obvious that they were now down a man. Jezel could see that even Yarik had troubles with keeping his emotions under control, but for the sake of the others... and off course Elvina, he remained calm.
Just like a dog, returning a bone back to its boss after fetching it, the mighty beast dropped the bloody heap in front of Yarik before walking to the Master and taking place next to him. It sat on it’s haunches and nuzzled the Master's hand just like a dog who thought he had earned a reward would.
The Master smiled and patted its head softly,” That a boy...,’ He looked up again,”Enough fooling around...”

Jezel wondered how the hellhound was able to rip a man to pieces and not make a sound... the scout hadn't even screamed. Jezel discovered why they had heard nothing, when she tried to speak, and though she heard the words in her head...nothing was heard by her ears, nor did anyone else hear what she said.
The enemy's voice rang loud and clear to everyone though.

“First of all, wake up my future princess, now!”
Yarik looked back at Jezel. He assumed they were outnumbered. Waking up Elvina and Incha might give them a chance should it come to a fight. Elvina was quickly battle ready and with her skills she could create enough confusion to give the Loremasters a chance.
While Jezel walked to Elvina, Yarik turned back to the Master.
“One day even you will have to answer for your deeds... ‘Master’,” Yarik said with a voice cold as ice.
Suddenly a voice sounded in his head,” If you want we can make a deal about ‘her’.”
Yarik blinked and shook his head as if he couldn’t believe what just happened... did he just hear someone talk in his brains?
The voice in his head chuckled,” Don’t be afraid, you are not ill. Now, I know who you desire Yarik, … Elvina.... What if you could have her for next twenty years... would that satisfy you?”



The world around her was... almost white... but in different shades of the color. She didn’t know there were so many shades of white. Or had she just lost her judgement on how things looked like? Her appearance was bathing in light, comforted by the spirit in front of her.
“I am so sorry about everything Elvina...”
Elvina mentally reached out for the spirit,” Don’t be Zinna... we haven’t done anything wrong. It also seems everything that is happening right now, started way back in the past... maybe even before our time.”
“Your mother...”
“Yes, … Mirri... have you ever heard Him talk about her, Zinna?”
She could almost feel the spirit sigh,” Only one thing, and what I told you... Angela must have known your mother.”
Now it was Elvina’s turn to sigh mentally,” I should have talked to her before I traveled here, and...”
“Elvina... you have to go back!” Zinna’s voice sounded urgent now.
“But... Zinna...”
“Now Elvina! Your place isn’t here...yet... know this... we..., I will wait for you.” A warm feeling was radiating from the spirit.
“Wait for me?” Elvina asked softly.
The appearance started to fade,” Yes Elvina, as your spirit is truly elven...”
Had she been able, she would have started to cry right now, but there just weren’t any physical commands available in this world.
Suddenly she heard other voices... she tried to focus on the direction if such a thing would exist here.
“El... El... wake up, love.” A female voice... whispering to her. Then she heard another voice, more insisting. “This way girl... concentrate and focus on my being. Imagine you can take my hand.”
Elvina could feel someone reaching out for her... she recognized Incha’s presence.
“Go to them Elvina, … please, go now...”
Everything started to fade... white was turning into black...

Coming back to the real world was like having a big shock, mentally but also physically... it was as if a cold biting wind touched her soul, as if she just had left a warm comfy house in the middle of a winter’s day. And her body believed it as she started to shiver... she could feel her fingers grabbing something... she could feel air entering her lungs before it escaped again from her lips... her lips... were touched... and she could feel her stomach react as if it was filled with butterflies... a kiss... someone was kissing her.
She forced herself finding the command to open her eyes...



Jezel was holding Elvina. After kissing her she looked down and saw her waking up. To Jezel Elvina looked as if she had slept a whole night.
Incha sat up, just next to Jezel, her eyes terrified as she had already realised the trouble they were in.
Incha woke up minutes before Elvina and was quickly briefed by Jezel about the situation.
The Lore Masters stood in a group and there was no change in their demeanor nor could Jezel determine if they were ready to fight, or if they were motionless with fear. She wished she had the talent of mind speaking, as she desperately wanted to get Yariks attention. She was wondering and hoping that like many human rangers, Elven rangers had four legged companions who they could rely on for help and support.
If they did, and the scouts were still able to communicate with them they could warn the village to prepare for war, or create a diversion by harassing the hell beasts.

“El...,” Jezel started softly. It took a couple of seconds for her to realize she could talk again.
A spark of hope flared in Jezel’s breast, cause if Elvina could hear her then Yarik could too, and Jezel could try to get his attention and form a plan. Jezel asked Elvina softly to feign sleep.
But as soon as Elvina realised she was awake and realised what was happening she got up, gently pushing Jezel aside.
“No, El wait...”, Jezel started as she could see little flames awakening and starting to color Elvina’s eyes... red... like smoldering coal.

The Master grinned as he saw what he considered the highest prize he could gain stop in front of him... within arm reach.
Dear Lords of Hell, he had longed so hard for this girl... and tonight … yes... tonight it would happen.
The power she was radiating, he could almost taste it with his tongue. Yes, sure, she was mortal... but he could change all that... and he wouldn’t make the same mistake again... letting her go...

When Elvina pushed her away, and stood Jezel tried to keep her close. Elvina freed herself and walked right up to the Master, with Jezel a few steps behind and to Elvina’s right.
Elvina was angry, everyone could see that. Yarik didn’t even think about it to stop her... he knew better, and besides... he would protect her as he walked with her only to stop a few steps behind her, next to Jezel. With the three of them they could buy the time for the Loremasters, if the situation would demand it....


“Elvina, my diamond... welcome back to the land of the living.” He giggled, clearly pleased about some in-joke he just made. “I promised you I would come back.”
Elvina didn’t laugh and while crossing her arms she said coldly,” These are elven grounds, you are an intruder and you are violating the sancitity of this place.”
While Elvina kept the Master's attention on her, Jezel whispered softly without turning her head to Yarik.
The Master chuckled as reaction on Elvina’s ascertainment,” Dear girl, I really don’t think you are in a position to tell me what to do and not to do.” He smiled briefly to Jezel before proceeding,” However, maybe in a nearby future...but as for now,...I have come for my answer.”
One could see Jezel was boiling...
When Elvina opened her mouth to reply, he lifted his finger in the air. “But first, I want you to meet someone.” The Master snapped once with his fingers.
The wind of small shockwave somewhere in the green behind the Master struck the party at the open spot in the face... it was warm, but it was also followed by a stench... sulfur.

The red eyes lurking in the bush started to move at the side where the wind came from.
What stepped out of the shadow of the forest was a vision torn from ones worst nightmare and gave everyone goosebumps. Elvina turned pale and Incha almost fainted.
Everyone took a few steps back, the archers confused, not knowing whether to target the Master or the newcomer.
They were looking at a monstrous black horse with burning red eyes and it looked as if its hooves were on fire. Each breath was accompanied with a deep rumbling sound inside the beast’s dark shiny body and when it exhaled it emmited something what could pass for steam.
When the horse, or whatever this thing was, whinnied, they could see a red glow in its mouth.
If the beast didn’t already struck fear into one’s heart, its rider would...
The man on the horse was dressed in an aggresive looking black and red armor, in his left hand he carried a huge spear, more like one of those lances knights used in duels. His right hand leaning on the saddle was glowing red-purple in the darkness.
Strands of white hair covered his left and right shoulder, while the rest of his long white hair was bound in a pony tail... white like...
Elvina managed to look in his eyes... eyes that were looking at her... eyes just like hers... eyes... glowing like coal.
The rest of his face looked a bit familiar... yet strange. But she had no doubt who she was looking at. Her gaze was answered with a smile from his side... and even his smile... was intimidating.

The smile this man gave to Elvina even frightened Yarik. From the moment this guy entered the Forest Church, Yarik knew he was very bad news.
He looked over his shoulder and saw Incha licking her lips which had turned colorless, mumbling a few unintelligible words.
Yarik looked back to Elvina in front of him. He hoped everyone would remain calm, including the red haired woman standing next to him.
Damn, … if he only had brought some more archers. A hidden unit behind the enemy lines right now could have made a lot of difference... but perhaps Jezel’s few words she just whispered to him weren’t that bad thinking.

The figure sitting astride the horse was very impressive. Jezel could feel an arrogance as great or even greater than the Masters rolling off the man... if it was a man. His hair as white as Elvina's... Jezel knew in an instant that Elvina had met her long lost brother... Artega.
She also knew that it was most likely Elvina would be an only child once more... or have a second lost love to haunt her days, before the sun shone again.............

---------------------------------------- END of PART 2

link to PART 3 of "Forest Church" under Elvina Hellcat 116. : viewtopic.php?f=18&t=10430&start=75

[Jain Zar]

125.

*** Theft ***

A shadow was moving quickly from tree to tree, its destination and destiny came in sight. The trees rose up high above the blackisch looking forest soil and would bring in normal circumstances more darkness to the place.
But not these days, as the sacred place was guarded. The scouts patrolling in the bush around the open spot didn’t form any problem. Elves may have a keen sight, but these lacked magical vision.
The magical lights and wards at the edges of the spot were something different. It was certain that these could form a threat for the mission and blow its cover. But it had a plan, and for that it needed a victim. It studied the elves and picked one suitable for the job.

“Yaron... Yaron? What are you doing?” An elven scout whispered.
The other elf waved with his hand,” Just checking something, Erim.”
“But the Loremasters told us to stay out of the open...” Erim whispered again.
Yaron nodded,” I know, I know but I thought I saw something on the other side...”
Erim shook his head,“ Hm, we have scouts there too.”
Yaron turned around,” If there is really something out there, I don’t like to alarm it.”
Erim hesitated,” Alright... lets go together.”

Two elves stepped out of the bush in the open and started to cross the Forest Church.
When they approached the altar, one of them stopped near it and touched it.
“Yaron, come on... and don’t touch that.” Erim said when he looked over his shoulder.

…

A man was waiting on the border where the forest was separated from the first mountains.
He turned around as he could feel it approach. His teeth flickered in the moonlight as he watched how a blond elven female stepped out of the dark green forest.
He giggled,” Welcome back.”
The elven woman smiled.
He took her hand and with a word made a little light to study her more closely. “Yes, that’s her alright, perfect! So, how are the memories?”
The girl grinned,” Perfectly accessible. It’s almost as if I am her.”
The man looked a bit concerned,” But you can control her, right?”
“Not a problem in this body, Master.”
“Excellent!” He embraced the girl and kissed her softly on the lips. “Hmm, how have I missed this one.”

The demoness who had become Zinna was very charmed with his attention and wouldn’t ignore any of his desires.
He snapped with his fingers and with a flash combined with the stench of sulfur, the pair disappeared... unable to hear the alarm that was sounding not far from the Forest Church. A bloodied dagger had been discovered...

[Jain Zar]

130.

*** A plan ***

Inclined eyes, a typical trait for elves, watched how the white haired woman passed, under them a smile appeared... but there was also something else. A feeling, or a hint?
It happened each time she saw her, and she was watching her for a while now.

The elf, covered in the shadows, moved from alley to alley, following that being that seemed to stir even her feelings, not completely incomprehensible but still...
She wasn’t Zinna Dawn, she was Lilitu, a succubus in service of the Master and in her were just the memories of that bloody elf.

She looked at the disappearing white haired woman again, and she started to get the feeling that it was more than just memories. As if the facts seemed linked or even accompanied with emotions. On the other hand it was perhaps normal, after all, a succubus was able to feel and she knew she was a special case.

She was so good in what she did, that even the Master seemed surprised, so surprised that he even rewarded her with … stuff that only normally the Left and Right Hand deserved.
Hm, perhaps she could become his new Left Hand...

Lilitu’s eyes fixated on her target. Right now she had to stay low and gather as much information as she could. Soon it was time to report, and she wanted to make sure he was pleased again.
With a grin on her face, she left the alley and started to walk, staying not too far behind her target, suddenly ‘disguised’ as an old lady going for the market.

[Jain Zar]

133.

*** Mental sting ***

“Well my dear ‘Zinna’, you did well... but now it is time to follow someone else, ”the Master had said. A few days ago she had reported about Elvina’s activities and whereabouts.

“She has seen glimpses of me, just as you ordered my Lord, however... one of her friends saw me.”
The Master first had grinned when he heard who... Amilcar, the husband of Angela Wrath, … before saying,” From now on you follow my Blue... however, don’t reveal yourself to her. She might be strong but will not be able to detect you if you are careful.”


It was the reason why she found herself on the road leading to Thrall’s gate, tailing the bluish-haired woman and her husband. She had no idea why the Master had ordered this, as she actually had felt good never being too far away from Elvina.
“Just... Zinna’s feelings, not mine,” she had mumbled multiple times to herself in the past two weeks.
And now with Angela it was just the same, she could feel Zinna had had feelings for Angela but they had proved being false, as this ‘Blue’ had always been a talent in charming, seducing and misleading people.

Lilitu, who kindy had become Zinna, digged in the dead elf’s memories and tried to recall what she knew about Angela.
The bluish-haired woman had been the Master’s Favorite for almost fourty years, until she betrayed him about seven or eight months ago. Before that time Zinna and Angela had been lovers, well sort of, but she could feel that Zinna had never been convinced about that relation. A part of its duration had been overlapping with the elf’s marriage. Zinna had actually been cheating on Elvina with Angela.

Lilitu rubbed her chin. Of course that all had been part of a plan... a plan to push Elvina in the ‘right’ direction. Things had turned out quite different though. Angela had broken her covenant with the Master thank to the ‘help’ of a powerful vampire... whom she had betrayed a short while after that took place. And that with the help of this mysterious warlock... Amilcar.
Meanwhile Zinna had been killed which was according to what was planned, but later on Elvina almost had died too in Forest Church... and the Master was very angry back then. He ordered the execution of all the tieflings that had escaped the counterattack of the elves.


She looked up and saw that the pair had stopped not far from her. Remaining in the shadows, Lilitu, who was the image of Zinna, walked closer.
As she peeked over the hilltop, goosebumps rose on her skin while a shiver ran over her back... and her eyes narrowed. She could feel Zinna’s memories evoking feelings and thoughts that stirred not only her mind, but also the rest of her body. This reaction fascinated her and she observed the woman who was talking with the Angela and Amilcar, the woman whom Zinna had known as … Celestia...

For a moment she tried to define the feelings evoked by this appearance... and she licked her lips as if she wanted to taste them... anger, jealousy, disappointment, revenge. There were also ‘good’ feelings, but Lilitu tried to suppress those.
She grinned... Zinna had wished for Celestia’s death many... many times.
Unfortunately it also shifted her attention to Elvina as she ‘remembered’ how Zinna had been suspecting Elvina of having an affair with that... woman down the road with whom ‘Blue’ was talking so animatedly.

Hate... Lilitu shivered... it was so immense, feeding her inner personal hunger, satisfying her needs and giving a pleasant numbing effect.
But... at the same time... love... this feeling Zinna had had over Elvina was at least as overwhelming. It... kindy blinded Lilitu and she could feel something else too, … regret... and for a moment it felt as if someone had just pierced her heart.
An unpleasant feeling started to take possession of her.

“I... am... Lilitu...,” she mumbled.