Welcome to Gaia! ::

Kaden heard someone softly call out from the outside of Blaise’s house. He stood and put the fuzz-ball of a cat, Ciaran, down to the floor and walked from the guestroom to greet the visitor at the door. There was a girl, a year or two younger than he, with blonde hair and stunning blue eyes standing in the doorway.

“Hello,” he said warmly, “I’m Kaden. So, you’re Blaise’s new kid, aye?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Blaise was able to get her assigned prison cells emptied and all the prisoners to safety without any trouble. When she was finished with her last trip she jumped back over the prison wall and landed on the other side.

“Blaise!” she heard someone call. She turned around to see a member of the Task Force running towards her breathlessly.

“You have to come with me,” he said, “A group of prisoners were taken to the stocks early. There’s only about three prisoners but I’m guessing about seven guards will be there. I’m taking eight other Force members just in case. We need you.”

Blaise thought it over for a moment then thumped her stave on the wet ground “I’m in.”

They set off running towards the stocks at a brisk pace and were soon joined by eight others. Getting into the execution room wasn’t the problem. Getting rid of the guards was. Blaise pulled her hood over her head to hide her face and used her stave as a walking stick as the others hid in the darkness around her. There were two Guards standing in front of the main doors in the dim lantern light.

She took on the limping hobble of a cripple and began to walk towards them. The guards saw her coming and stood at attention.

“You have no right to be here it is strictly forbidden.” One of them coughed. She continued to limp forward as if she hadn’t heard them. The other guard stepped towards her and put a controlling fist on her shoulder, trying to turn her around.

Blaise took her stave and flicked the guard’s helmet off then spun it around and bashed the back of his head with it. He fell forward to the ground and Blaise immediately charged after the second guard. He was out of the way in no time granting them access to the execution facility.

They filed in quietly, taking out any guards in their way. They finally arrived at the actual execution room and not a minute too soon. When Blaise opened up the door she only spotted two guards; the one performing the execution and the other preparing the subject to die. But they were the least of their problems. There was a young boy, maybe Blaise’s age, already standing on the platform with a noose around his neck and a bag over his head. She watched in terror as one of the guards pulled the lever and the boy came falling through the trap-door.

As quickly as she could, Blaise pulled out her boot knife and threw it towards the rope. It sliced it in half and just in time for if it was a second late the rope would have pulled tight, snapping the boy’s neck. Everyone sprung into action, four of them going for the two guards and the other five running towards the awaiting prisoners.

Blaise ran towards the boy who was lying on the ground unconscious where he had fallen. She took the bag from his head and noose from his neck, checking it for any injuries. He seemed fine, and he was still breathing. Two very good signs. Blaise took the thin boy and tossed him over her shoulder. She waited for the others to finish and they all ran for it.

Minding Riana's relief of duty, he watched as she, Chrono, and his Rosette left the domicile into the steady rain. Rain. Drawn towards it like a moth to flame, he stepped slowly out the door and closed his eyes as the falling water encompassed his being in almost spiriual cleansing. It was the happiest drench he ever felt- it taking measure to wash his face, hands, and provide the just amount of remedy that he was craving. Powerful, and godly, he thanked the rain for its sustenance and began to feel at peace. He would not die tonight, and now he felt safe here. Tax did not know how long he stood in the free air, but once he opened his eyes again the drink of his surroundings befell his eyes. He had not seen a forest town like this before. Easily appreciating its beauty, but sensing its bonds of strength as well, he wondered if had not stepped into a living fairytale. Upon Khnui's rescue, he remembered him mentioning...

"Fugitive Foresters."

The words slipped past his lips in a way to try to match the reality of his sight to the reality of the ideal. He had never met or seen the legendary vigilantes before...so he always just assumed they were rumors used to inspire hope in the oppressed peoples. But being here, in their base, seemed too much like a dream for him to comprehend at the moment. Tax had had one of the longest days of his life, one that only a healing sleep could cure. Returning to the house, he gently shut the door behind him with water droplets still hanging to his person. He hoped Knhui would not mind the mess that he was bound to cause as he began to trudge up the stairs. Walking past his host's door, he tuned out the sounds of his native tongue and entered the room wherein the Forester said he could rest. 'Twas humble, but magnificent to his longing eyes as he began to disrobe his unnecessary attachments. The shirt he wore was a joke of what it was meant for, so by merely tearing the collar and sleeves it was done with and tossed to the floor with only the carefully wound bandages remaining. Leaning down a moment, his boots were removed to reveal wrinkled feet that had not been released since he forgot when. Advancing to the bed he sat, taking the final measure to untangle the twine from his hair and set it on the table beside him. It was now that he resigned himself to lie on his stomach, falling asleep before he even closed his eyes. A world would still await him by the time he next awakened, but for now the sweet bliss of darkness was the greatest medicine he could hope for.

Kaden watched as Rosette stumbled to a chair and fell asleep in it. He thought about lifting her and putting her in the guest room but decided not to in case he might wake her. Instead he took a blanket and draped it around her slight frame and headed towards Blaise’s kitchen. It wasn’t much, just a store closet for dried meats and fruits and a cabinet of juices, herbs, remedies, and teas. He pulled out some sassafras and threw it in some water to make some tea.

He spent the next couple of hours drinking tea, listening to the rain, and watching Rosette sleep. There was something odd about her. Something seemingly displaced and difficult to pin-point. He shrugged and was about to head back towards the kitchen when Blaise stumbled in through the door. She looked dirty and tired in the dim candlelight and probably felt as if she could collapse.

“Blaise, you’re back.” He said. He looked over to Rosette to make sure he hadn’t awaken her then lowered his voice, “How was it?”

“Nobody died, if that’s what you mean.” She replied simply. Kaden walked over and put an arm around her shoulders, escorting her inside. She jumped and pushed his arm away.

“Are you hurt?” He whispered worriedly, turning her around. He could see the torn flesh through her slashed shirt and it was still bleeding.

“I’ll be fine,” She pushed, “I just need rest.”

Kaden cocked an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Blaise rolled her eyes, “Alright, patch me up. If you would let me I would do it myself in the morning. But, knowing you there’s no chance, am I right?”

“Go lie down.” Kaden answered. Blaise walked to her room and lay down sorely onto her stomach. Kaden came in a few seconds later with several bandages and some salve and sat next to her.

“I’ll have to tear open the back of your shirt.” He said.

She nodded and said, “It’s junk anyways.”

Kaden busied himself to tending Blaise’s wounds as she spoke. “We were successful this run. We saved twenty-two people. Most of them are your age or older but theirs one boy who looked like he was my age. We were lucky we saved him though. He was two seconds away from having his neck snapped and, well you can imagine.”

“I’ll go get you some tea while you bandage yourself.” Kaden said as he left the room. Blaise took the bandages he had left and wrapped them tightly around her torso and abdomen, easing some of the pain caused by the seven lashes. Just more scars to add to the toughened flesh on her back. She pulled a shirt on over the bandages and sat back in bed as Kaden walked back in the room with a cup of steaming liquid. She took it from him and took a sip. It tasted a little different then what she was used to.

“What is this?” she asked.

“Tea,” Kaden smiled, “But I put some sleeping herbs in it because I know you have trouble sleeping after the runs.”

Blaise groaned, “Kaden, you know how much I hate sleeping herbs. I’ll be asleep halfway through tomorrow! I have to start training Rosette!”

“Yes, I know you hate them. That’s why I didn’t tell you that they were in the tea. And you won’t be asleep through tomorrow, I only put a little bit in.” Kaden said while holding the cup back to her lips, “Drink some more, you’ll sleep better.”

She took a sip and said drowsily, “I wish you’d stop treating me like a little sister and more like a friend.”

“I know.” Kaden said as he watched her fall asleep. He blew out the candle by her bedside and blew out the candles in the kitchen and living room then left for his own house.

If there was one strange skill Rosette possesed that was underestimated the most, it was her acting. It wasn't easy to lie perfectly still for a few hours and to wait or the right time to make her move. Her stomach was growling angrily at the lack of food he'd had all day, and her sore body was crying out for sleep. Had she not given herself a painful pinch ever so often, she would have gone out like a candlelight in no time flat. Now that Blaise was fast asleep, she could get a move on.

Rosette had no time to look for cloaks, she merely snatched up an abandoned wet one left near the door to dry and started off into the rain, her eyes keen on the path back to Riana's house. Even though thinks had worked out, she was still overly paranoid about her friend. Whether they saw her as some kind of amaxing savior, or not, she had to do this.

Her feet left deep, wet holes in the soft mud as she went, the hem of the cloak sticking to her legs as it grew heavier and heavier with rainwater. Thank goodness the walk to Riana's wasn't THAT long...

Once inside, Rosette hastily threw the cloak aside near some others and shook the excess mud of her feet before starting up the stairs, pausing carefully as she looked into Chrono's room... and saw a huge dog staring back at her.

It was times like this she thanked everything that was sacred that Miss Jeana had provided them with a lot of things in early life, including a small dog. Slowly, Rosette dropped to her knees, and held out one had to the dog who's teether were bared threatingly in her direction. She'd always had a strange connection with the dog they'd had. It was unusally affectionate towards her, so she only hoped that same relation could help her here.

Rosette and the sheperd dog locked eys for what seemed like hours. Every once in a while the animal would take a step clser, as if preparing to attack. Finally, when Rosette seemed ready to jump back and run, the doggtook another step closer... and licked her hand.

"You've got a lousy sense of humor, scaring me like that." Rosette told the dog with a smile as she appreciatively scratched his head and muzzle. He seemed like a big softy now.

"Mind if I bunk with you two?"

The dog gave no actually reply. He merely nudged her hand again when she'd stop scrathing his head.

"Knew you'd understand."

It didn't take Rosette long to fall aslee now, nor did she mind the fact she was till pretty wet. She fell asleep that night leaning back against Riana's big Sheperd dog, and with Chrono's head resting in her lap. With their gentle, deep breathing and that cozy warm fire, this really wasn't such a bad way to end her day.

Blaise slowly began coming out of her deep sleep. Light poured in warmly through the window and Ciaran was basking in it. Her dulled senses slowly began to improve but with it came the pain from the slashes on her back. She sat up sorely and rubbed her eyes. She brushed some dirt away from her cheek, realizing that she was still filthy from the run last night.

Blaise put her feet to the floor gingerly and peeked outside her room. Rosette was no longer in the chair she had seen her in last night. Blaise peered into the guest room to see the bed empty as well.

“Crap.” She mumbled, grabbing her stave. She ran out of the house, unsure of where to go first. She ran off towards Khnui’s house as fast as she could, skirting boulders and jumping over fallen trees. She realized that to an onlooker she must have looked mad, running through the forest wearing nothing but her dirty pants, loose shirt, and bare feet, but none of this mattered. If something happened to Rosette then it would be her fault.

It wasn’t entirely her fault, though. If Kaden hadn’t given her the sleeping herbs she probably would have heard Rosette leave and would have been able to stop her. Blaise skidded to a halt at Khnui’s door and pounded on it.

“Khnui!” She shouted, “Rosette is gone. I woke up this morning and she was gone! Please, have you seen her?”

He heard Blaise shouting and pounding on his door. Sighing heavily, he pushed his porridge forward and headed downstairs. He opened the door, staying back so that she wouldn't accidently hit him and prepared to catch her if she lost her balance. He then saw Raine calling out to Blaise. A smirk grew his lips. "It deffinately does, because the only way to get a link like they had is if they had very strong feelings for each other." He said. "Or somebody placed a spell on them." He added off-handedly. He then gestured them in. "Come on in. I have porridge made and I also have a hot bath ready. Although the bath is for Tax, it looks like you need it more." He said. "Don't worry, I have extra towels and clothing for you guys to wear if you decide to take a bath." He added as he walked back into his house so that he could finish his porridge.

Riana wrinkled her nose playfully at Khnui and replied, "I'll use my own tub, thanks. Besides I did not get a chance to check that boy over before I left to go prevent Blaise from having a heart attack. Oh, by the way, that Tax, did you check him this morning? The bandages held I trust? Sorry about the breaking and entering, but it was necessary." She stretched her arms over her head and yawned loudly. "Alright then, I'm going back to my house. You are welcome to come and give the girl a what for if you want Blaise."

Turning on one heel she walked back to her house beneath the speckled sunlight filtering through the trees. She reached her door in short order and strode into her kitchen to make a nice cup of tea when she heard a faint voice. "In here Chrono," she called. She began to heat the tea over her hearth, wishing she could just magic it the way Khnui could do, and pulled out the materials needed to make her brown sugar oatmeal.

"Er... hello..." Chrono replied, a bit surprised eveyone seemed to know his name. He mouth opened wityh surprise as Bliase whapped Rosette the head.

"H-Hey!"

"S'thin' tha matter?" Rosette groaned sittin up and rubbing her head. "Man, I slept lika rock..."

Rosette fell back against Orik, snoring louder than before.

"Er, excuse me, Miss? Maybe I can help you get her up." Chrono offered politely.