Where darkness lurks (pony and miyamoto

Ariella stood in an old castle that had been abandoned it was her makeshift home. She had been living there for the past four years when she decided she couldn't live in her old home anymore it reminded her of her husband too much she'd barely been married to him for a week and then he was shipped off to war six months later she received word that he had been killed. Her world had been shattered since then she had shut herself away she believed firmly that no man would touch her again. She vowed that she would be alone for the remainder of her years out of loyalty she had been like this for five long years. She made her living at first doing small jobs just to get by while she did her training now she was an assassin, yes isn't wasn't clean work designed for a woman but she did not much care seeing others lose the ones they loved gave her some comfort. Now she knew that she wouldn't be the only one to feel that pain of loss. It was a strange way of thinking but it suited her now she had nothing left for her to lose why not make others feel her pain and make a living while doing it.

Her long white hair rolled down her back in long waving tendrils a messenger arrived at the location and handed her a letter her tried to ride away but she ripped him off his horse and broke his neck using her hands. She read the letter carefully she lifted it up into the air her eyes flashed and it instantly burst into flames she could not risk being found she had too many enemies. She started traveling in the direction of the kingdom that needed her services next. They had a problem and she was their solution. A few days later she arrived She informed the lord that she was sorry about his messenger and she hoped they weren't close. This was her usual routine when it came to negotiations.

In the shadows on the wall above where the snow haired woman waited. Drake Hammerson waited. He had his sword at the ready. He had over heard his lord earlier today speak of this woman. He had plans to kill her for the last year since he took his position as Captain of the Guard he had seen her on various occasions. Always at night and under the cover of darkness he was always captured by her beauty but said nothing and did his duty. He then spied a single man in a cloak approach her. He silently drew his blade and climbed on top of the wall and waited for the right moment to strike.

She eyed the man carefully "what assignment do you have for me this night you know as usual the head will be waiting at you door by sunrise." she said coldly. She did not show any expression on her face as normal.

"the assignment is simple it will be one of our locals he is causing some complications in my work." he paused for a long moment "I want his head and yours at my door" he said drawing his blade to impale her upon it.
She slipped backward to dodge the blow she managed to avoid the attack, she was drawing one of her knives with the intention of killing this fool who had attempted to kill her she knew too much of him though she was not a traitor she would not share information she posed as no threat to him but still he attempted this.

Drake leaped and roared like a Lion as he fell from the two stories. He threw his dagger and then his sword both was aimed at the mans shoulders. If they struck true they would pin him to the ground. He would then land with his kee in his back and a elbow in the back of the mans neck. He looked up at the woman who appeared impassive to him. He nodded and said to the man with a firm and angry but calm voice at the same moment.

"Why is it you want this lady dead? Does she not do a well enough job for your taste?"

He pressed his knee harder in the mans back and shoved his elbow into the back of his head forcing his face into the mud. He then grabbed his hair and lifted his face up out of the dirt so he may speak.

" she dishonors herself she is no lady when in this profession, she serves no purpose to me any more I kill those without purpose consider it removing the dieing roots from a growing tree." he said angrily.

Ariella didn't wait long she stabbed her knife into the back of his neck hitting the spinal chord killing him instantly. She said nothing she had little tolerance for such a waste of her time. She slowly started walking away. She was heading back for her old half destroyed castle. after all it was all she truly needed it provided her with shelter and peace from the people of the world

Drake looks with utter surprise as the woman. Implied the man in the neck. He shook his head and chuckled as he rose and pulled his weapons from the dead carcass. He sheathed his blades and followed the woman. He did so stealthily so he could defend her in secret and without her knowing. He followed her in the shadows though his bright blue eyes were hard to hide in the nigh as was his crimson hair. He had a bow on his back with clinked slightly as he ran in a crouch.

"I suggest you leave now before I kill you" she said coldly as she stopped for a moment listening "I do not like to be followed and when people do things I don't like they get hurt. Now leave me be" she said firmly and kept walking. She soon was getting close to her home she noticed he had not heeded her warning she pulled out a blade and flicked it back pinning him to a tree she slowly approached him "I warned you" she whispered darkly. she held a second blade to his throat "why is it men are such fools. I despise them for that reason none of them have a sense of reason left in them" she whispered.

Drake smiled as he seemed to pretend to be surprised her moves. He stpped on her foot said as he poke her back with his dagger.

"So doing ones duty and following honor code dictates is being without a sense of reason. If that's so Why is my dagger ready for a death blow as is yours Milady. I sense more danger in your future that is all. I will not rest till I know for sure your safe."

He then sent a elbow to her gut and ducked and grabbed her leg to throw throw her on the ground. He then sent his foot to her neck and said.

"One does not become Captain of the Guard for being a fool madam. I am fully aware of your skills Milady. Now are you gonna play nice or do I have to hold you her till the next assassin comes for hmmm?"

His voice dripped with sarcasm and mockery but with a underlying tone of seriousness as if he meant what he said

Ariella smirked she cracked her neck her eyes flashed "you know little of me and you will soon learn that and I do not need you or anyone for that mattered" she said coldly a strange force pulled him backward off of her and pinned him to the ground on his back and held him there "you see this is one thing you people never get. I'm better than all of you I don't have to be stronger I just have to have more creativity and skill than you do." she said coldly she started walking again she relaxed a little bit and started to center herself as the force released him. "now leave me be" she said firmly .

He had the look of shock when he was sent flying. He frowned as he listened to her. When she walked on her got up and picked up his dagger and continued to follow her. He smiled as he did so but learning his lesson he climb to the roof tops and followed her once again. He then noticed that he wasn't the only one following her. Several men in dark cloaks were sticking very close to the shadows. It appeared as if they had much skill in the art of stealth. Though Drake was wearing heavy plate armor he moved just as silently as they. He saw they had set up a trap up ahead of her he pulled out his arrow and shot it he angled the arrow where it would ricochet and shoot back at her. It would appear that it had come from in front. The assassins would be blamed for missing and warning her. he smiled as he arrow shot true and landed at her foot. The arrow's fletched end facing the road ahead of her.

Ariella smirked she stood perfectly still she was listening for even the slightest sound she heard th sound of fabric against the solid roof top she flicked three daggers in that the direction taking out two of the men who followed her only one dagger missing she wanted them to know she knew they were there she wanted them to attack she wanted to see who was foolish enough to try such things. "I suggest you all leave now before I kill the rest of you" she said darkly her eyes flashed in annoyance. she raised her hand and the three daggers she had thrown returned to her grasp. "you people have no idea what you are getting yourselves into. I am way out of your league." she said coldly she turned around slowly.

Before they even had a choice several arrows came from above all of them landed in their temples. It looked like they came from the alley. But they really came from the rooftops. Two of them looked around to see where the arrows was coming from. Then one suddenly had a sword blade erupted from his chest. The second's head then was gone at the same time the sword disappeared from others chest. His head head rolled to the woman's feet and stopped with a shocked look in his eyes looking up at her. The eyes looked blank as the light left them. The a sheathing sound could be heard as well as several grunts along with arrow shafts clacking together. Drake finally revealed himself from the shadow. He smiled and bowed but said nothing as he waited for her to say something.

"I do not need your help now leave me be" she said coldly. She continued on her way he was not welcome with her. She had been taking care of herself for some time now and she did not need his assistance. "I suggest you leave me be before you join those men" she said harshly she did not care what his intentions were she was getting annoyed by him. She moved onward but suspected he would not take the hint and leave like she wished he would.

Drake shrugged and turned and walked away. But when he got a block or so away he turned around and followed her in secretive silence. His heavy armor was no hinderence to him. He made not a sound he watched her enter the castle. He waited outside till he knew she was inside. He paced outside for a few moments and saw a light come on in the upper chambers. He saw her silhouette as she prepared for a nights rest. He turned before he saw anything of consequence. After about five or so minutes he decided to scale the wall to the floor she was in. He got a rope and tied it to a arrow he nocked it aimed and let it loose. It landed perfectly in between the cracks in the rocks. He tugged on his to see if it could carry his weight. It held despite his hardest tugs so he put his feet on the wall and walked up it. After a half an hour of scaling he reached a open window of the desired floor. He then entered pulled the arrow free after some effort. Rolled up the rope and hid it and put away his arrow. He looked around as his eyes seem to barely adjust to the dark light. He said something in a archaic language.

"Solaris Opticalis"

The word but a mere whisper but once uttered his eyes glowed a bright luminescent white instantly the room was clear as day. He reached a pouch he carried and pulled a pair monocle like glasses. he clipped it to his nose. It cupped his eyes perfectly but the glowing from his eyes was now gone. But it appeared to have no affect on his vision. He slowly walked forward and out into the hall as he searched for the mystery woman. Ever silent and stealthy the reason why he had gone this far was. He knew she needed protection but she would not allow him to defend her unless she was impressed and or felt a need for him. So maybe if he defeated her in combat maybe she would listen to reason.

Ariella did not rest well not anymore she felt a strange sort of emptiness inside, she walked over to a table that a few miscellaneous objects on it, some of the things that she treasured it was all she had left to cling to. She had pulled out her tunic that was obviously too big and a pair of what looked like shortened but well worn as well, her long white hair flowed down her back as she stared at the items she leaned on the table as she felt the tears starting to come as they tried to every night she stood there. She walked away from the table bringing over a thin blanket and putting it over the table. She went to sit on the bed she had made to relax for a moment. She knew she couldn't just go on like this forever she would need to relax some time and just let this all out but she could not bring herself to let so much emotion out.

Drake looked around the castle he found several rooms all of which was empty. He left the most recent room full of paintings of a gentleman. A very noble looking warrior. But as he walked out he saw a light from a cracked door. He smiled and whispered.

"Shadow hide me. Evictius Closious."

As he walked forward he disappeared from sight. He stalked to the door and silently opened it and walked in the room and closed the door again. He saw her readying for bed in breeches and and a big tunic. He then narrowed his eyes and pulled his bow out and nocked a arrow and aimed for her shoulder so it graze her and nothing else and shot the bow. He cast the same spell on the arrow and then hid in the nook between the door and dresser cabinet. The arrow hits its mark fair and true and out the paned window shattering it.

Ariella's eyes flashed angrily she waved hand angrily as the arrow grazed past her shoulder, she said nothing she stood up reaching for a knife when she saw nothing and slit her palm flicking the blood across the room "make yourself known" this would reveal him despite his spell but took great energy from her. She grew angry when she saw him "I told you not to follow me now leave?"

Drake walked out from where he was hiding. He removed the glasses the glow from his eyes was all that could be seen. He walked forward as the spell faded as did the invisibility. He spoke as he walked closer to her.

"Listen to yourself woman. I could have easily killed you and I am mortal. Imagine if that was someone who was wanting your head. They would not have pulled their shot they would have put that arrow right between your eyes in your skull. You should not be alone in this Milady and I refuse to stand idlely by and watch you die. Not when I can do something about it. You want me gone kill me and be done with it."

He stare was cold and hard. His determination show every bit as he looked into her own eyes. No emotion played on his face save a angry and disappointed look at the woman's foolishness.

Ariella glared at him "if I knew you were an actual threat I would have killed you now get out. Men are not welcome in my home, not anymore. I do not need or want any assistance..." she started to fade off she had used a lot of energy today with out rest she shook her head slightly "you are not wanted here now leave." she raised her arm and flicked the knife at him.

Drake smiled as he sidestepped and grabbed the knife by its hilt. He turned and looked at the ornate knife and whistled. He walked forward as he twirled it nonchalantly. He walked up to a few mere inches and said with a glint in his eyes.

"Then you have a problem don't you. I am not leaving unless I'm dead or that I know that your safe. Or is it you need something else Milady."

The knife blade then found itself between her ample breast. He smiled as he traces the knife around her curves.

Ariella grabbed his wrist and twisted it taking the knife and holding it to his throat "I suggest you leave now. You are not wanted her nor are you needed I have kept myself alive all these years and I do not need your help to continue to do so." she said she pressed the blade against his skin "do not ever try something like that again" she said coldly.

With a simple but incredibly swift movement. He not only got under her guard but spun and elbowed her in the nose as the blood spurted from her nose her grabbed her arm and flipped her onto her back. By the time it was over he hand her knife to her throat. He merely smiled and said as he pressed the blade to her throat just enough to draw her blood.

"As I said before I wasn't made Captain of the Kings Guard for being weak. Nor a ignorant fool when it comes to combat. I realize the need for others in the fight. But I suppose your too much of a cold blooded fool who's too afraid of her feelings. I know you have lost your husband Milady but it is no reason to shut yourself from the world or your heart."

He pulls the knife away and tosses it into the wooden pillar with a simple flick of the wrist. as he stood to let her stand he waited to see what she would do.

the blood had already stopped she reached up cracking her nose and wiping the blood off as well as from her neck and she was as good as new she grabbed him and threw him hard against the wall as hard as she could without destroying the wall she came in close to him "you know nothing of my life you know nothing of what happened." she said harshly she knew she needed company but she would not have it she believed it dishonored her husband "do not judge based on things you know nothing about you know bits and pieces but you do not know what is in my head or in my past. And you wouldn't know anything about my heart or feelings" she said she backhanded him hard across the face and backed off.

He reeled from the blow she gave him blood flew into the air and his head rang like a drum. He staggered and leaned against the wall for support. He smiled and chuckled as he rose to his full his. His expression turned into one of tortured pain. He pulled off his left gauntlet and raised his hand to reveal a wedding band. Tears rolled freely from his eyes but no other emotion showed at the moment. He spoke as he approached her.

"Oh you self righteous bit. You think your the only one who has lost someone. I lost a wife and a son, they died defending in war. They chose to follow me on campaign. I refused them but they would not take no for a answer. The camp was raided while I was on patrol. MY son fought valiantly for being a mere thirteen years. My wife and son were slaughtered but my wife had it worst than anyone their. She was ravaged by the enemy soldiers. So before you pass judgment on others ask a question or two. I know what it is like to be alone But life goes on. My wife knew that as she laid dieing in my arms she told me to move on and to live. I have done that to the best of my ability and its been hard yes but I find that life's a challenge to over come."

He put the up where she could get a close look at it. he then pulled it back and put his gauntlet back and went to walk out the door. Tears dripped to the floor as he walked.

"at least you got to have a family I didn't even get that... I was very young at the time he finally convinced my father to let him court me he had made enough money and built a house for us to show my father he could take care of me I accepted his proposal for marriage. after the wedding we spent only a few days together then he was taken to war he promised me he'd be back soon and I said my goodbyes I waited for months to recieve any word from him eventually word came of him I was excited until I found out what word it was he was dead. I left that house I couldn't stand to be there it reminded me too much of him. He built that house for us and I abandoned it. So do not pass such judgement on me either you do not know what it is like to have your life just getting started forming a place to start a family and never havign a chance to even let your dreams begin. You don't have any right to tell me how I should feel. I barely even got to grasp the feelign of true happiness before it was taken no...stolen from me" she said coldly "so don't assume that because you have felt the loss of some one close that you know how I feel"