I hear a voice inside It's grown into a scream I'm not the next of them I am the first of me

'Cause I can't live the lie I am just what you see I'm not the next of them I am the first of me

Hoobastank - The First Of Me

With the first golden hues of the rising sun breaking the tops of the dense forest about she slipped silent from the shadows. Steps silently passing the posted guards that didn't even seem to notice her, such was the still of stealth that had improved in only the past few weeks. Cieara stopped, catching the sound of distant movement with a tilting of her head before her stride continued to carry her along.

The closest town to the front line was about twenty miles away. It located in a small hamlet called Kartmar with perhaps a few hundred locals and little more. Normally peaceful but these days the traffic that passed through it was heavy. Troops and weapons in a steady constant flow. She hadn't bothered to check in there, simply floated past to her present destination.

Around her fires blazed, with the scent of camp coffee permeating the air with it's heady rich fragrance. The compound was coming to life slowly, with the first kiss of the sun and she stood watching it silently. Cieara's normally pale eyes gleaming with a cold shimmering of crimson instead, for the rage while controlled and banked, still sought release. Luckily it was still murky enough to hide that effect upon her person as she caught sight of one of her father's commanders.

"Good Morning Commander Terrak." To hear her, one wouldn't have known Cieara's temper was simmering just near the surface, for the dulcet tones were soft and calmly contained. Regarding the muscular man as she drew the hood of her cloak back from pale features, exposing the telling fall of auburn curls she offered a quiet smile.

"Lady Cieara! I nae had word ye be coming this day. Did ye father send ye for a reason?" He looked up from his inspection of the latest battle plains with a boisterous smile and a quick salute, his mailed Fist rising up to cross over his chest with respect.

It wasn't that unusual for one of the family to just arrive without warning, so she had little reason to fabricate. "Nae, Daddy doesn't know I be here right now. I felt restless." Something Cieara knew the warrior would understand.

"Ah, I see." His dark head offering a nod of understanding to her statement, before he glanced down at the map stretched out upon the table and pinned there by small throwing daggers. "I could use ye scouting abilities over here on the eastern side of the tree line. Captain Ferris be overseeing that, so ye go and speak with him for some duties."

"Aye Commander. Thank ye." A respectful lowering of her head towards the heavily armored warlord and then took a step back quietly. A spin of a heel and she was striding off, heading in another direction now, past the various tents and fenced areas that made up the large bustling camp.

What is a day without a blessed night" And what is peace without a blessed fight" What is a day without a blessed night" And what is peace without a blessed, blessed, blessed fight" A quick taste of the poison, a quick twist of the knife When the obsession with death The obsession with death becomes a way of life A quick taste of the poison, a quick twist of the knife When the obsession with death The obsession with death becomes a way of life

Emilie Autumn - Dead Is The New Alive Slipping back into the darkest shadows of a large towering red pine she took another look. Catching a flash of the remaining forces some distance away. That leader shouting orders with a low muffled drone, and she realized with a hint of a cold smile, he was built rather like that Gorean beast Tara had become smitten with. In that instant she deemed that one as her target.

"Lady Cieara. Ye should head back now." Captain Farris stated in a very low whisper as he moved up beside her. Moving with unsettling quiet for a man as big as he was. Behind her she could sense his men and just turned to look at him. Her cowl covered auburn head offering a slow shake in negative, as she wasn't going to leave just yet.

"Nae yet Captain." Cieara replied in the same hushed gone, a finger pointing out, as a few more from the first six road up, sending a plume of dust upwards into the early morning air. The numbers were building. There was no telling how long they had been scouting this area, but apparently they were making a move.

A muffled curse fell from him then, the sound still greatly muted as he motioned one of his men to carry back the news. The enemy was looking for another route around, and by the look of it, the front line was shifting to the eastern edge of the mountain ridge.

Glancing upwards, the sun was breaking free of the mountain pass and sending light streaming outwards. Again, time was also the enemy, for the scouting party they had handled so swiftly would be missed eventually. Cieara glanced to the Captain again, head leaning closer with a murmur of tone. "I fear any moment now they may come to investigate their missing men."

"Aye, ye be right about that Lady Cieara." Ferris's eyes were narrowed against the building of light and the glare coming from the lake clearing the slowly building force was setting up camp at. "I pray Tarrak is ready. This will come swiftly."

Time slowed to the sound of a beating heart, as she continued to watch. Around her, she could feel the others, all watching and waiting. Bracing for what could be a major skirmish. Cieara knew her father would be furious about the newest movements, but he also knew there was a lot of land they had to guard. In truth, catching this tactic early was likely a blessing or at least she hoped it was.

Can't count all the eyes that stare Can't count all the things they see She kills with no life to spare Just victims, and left to bleed One drink, and the pain goes down Soft shadows lay by her feet Lay soft as you slowly drown

Blink-182 - Violence

That first blow the heavy sword crashing down sent a jolt of pain through her arms and after many more she was forced to her knees. It was only the speed of motion that kept her from taking a blow to the chest as she rolled away and back to her feet with nimble grace with the legion leader in close pursuit.

Another harsh hammer swing sent her slim form rocking backwards, sword flying from her hand as agonizing pain swarmed over her arm. Leather parting with a wash of warmth that warned her she had been cut. She heard the sound of the Elvin blade sinking deep into a nearby tree but before she could move to grab it, the hulking form of the densely armored man was bearing down on her.

Cieara didn't panic just watched him with the dagger in her hand still, and the dance started. His longer reach giving him a major advantage over her. Using her innate talents for shadow summoning, several bolts flew outwards from her towards him, but all were cast off with a waving of that damned holy touched weapon. Cieara growled and even though her arm was aching as if set on fire, she fumbled to draw the belt about her waist loose, the snaking tines releasing and uncoiling in a sinuous flow as her fingers wrapped about the warm rose embellished handle.

It was but a thought and the whip activated as she circled again, keep her gaze fixed upon the warrior who seemed to never tire. She had been working him with her speed and agility and yet he kept pace. It was both disturbing and irritating for her.

Flying backwards as a heavily armored boot slammed into her chest, she gasped and fought to draw in a breath, but it felt as if her lungs were compressed at the blow. Her slim form coming to a sharp stop against the rigid unrelenting barrier of a thickly barked tree and ceased the tumble. Muttering with a rasp of preciously captured air, and bands of black surged from her call, bladed and deadly the jet gleaming disks flew downwards towards the warrior in a flurry of motion.

The spell wasn't as effective as she liked, for the armor he wore was obviously enchanted against such attack, but it gave her time to recoup and find her feet again. While her target swatted at the various assailants, she struggled to her feet. Chest aching from the effort before she unleashed the whip, the word offered with a lyrical tune. "Irydyhs" Activating it for maximum damage to be applied, and instantly the ruby pommel started to glow with an eerie sheen.

Tactics changed in that instant. The seasoned man she fought spun about at the first crack of that whip, bladed tines actually tearing into the plate adorning his towering frame. A twisting spin of that sword of his and it became another battle as he sought to yank the whip from her hand but she hung on, booted feet dragging a deep trench into the earth with every yank and twist.

The first mistake he made was the attempt to wrap a gauntleted hand about the bladed tines, as the instant effect was a blasting surge of psionic energy that sent both flying. The warrior from the effect, and her from the stunningly strong jerk upon the leather tines that lifted her right off her feet. The crashing of his form as it hit the ground was caught a mere moment before she tucked into a roll and found her feet with a surge of agile motion the now free whip sent snaking out behind her in preparation for the next swing.

Fierce cobalt blue eyes looked down at the bruised and viciously battered features of the man captured. The golden brown hair matted with dried blood released with harsh yank of a gauntlet before he turned. A sharp stiff nod given to the commander standing nearby before he eventually spoke, temper barely held in check. "Aye, that be him alright."

"Kerian Tabilon Neringal, Heir to the kingdom of Valhedge of Adrayvil." Ferris supplied, carefully penning the name down upon a page of parchment.

"Aye, and his father Lord Kifalad Neringal, has broken his word to my king by this act of treason." Leiance snarled with blue eyes slitted with another look back towards the large half elf. Forced to his knees, the heavy frame swayed in the metal rods that kept him bound.

"Is he the only son Lord De"Cort?" Tarrak asked. Moving to take a seat at the heavy oak war table. Armored gloves tossed down upon the top with a clatter that drew a few eyes towards the sound. "That ye be knowing about in any case?"

"Aye. There are two daughters aside from him." Calculating light adrift across sun browned features as Leiance looked towards the Warlord.

Speculation settled upon the battle worn warrior as he regarded their newest prisoner. "Then perhaps it be a good thing I kept Lord Lucius's daughter from killing the man after all."

"Be this Lord Neringal a reasonable man Milord?" Terrak questioned next, while dropping a fur-lined cloak over a solidly built chair back.

Hands pressing flat to the table in a lean, Leiance considered the question. There were a number of problems this entire situation presented. Potentially, more then a few agreements could likely hang in the balance. "In my dealings with him, I found him to be a greedy man. Nae reasonable per say, but he can be bought if the price is right. We may find use of his son to sweeten such a deal perhaps."

"The problem will likely end up being with Lord Eldon Hawkins, Yeadia's Duke of Aelmere. Lord Neringal is the Marques of Valhedge. Holdings be a mere 150 miles to the east of Narik city and Neringal normally answers to him." Leiance continued, with a burr of a growl in his voice as he spoke. "We are going to be needing a skilled Diplomat to handle this situation Tarrak. Lord Hawkins is a very shrewd and cleaver man, and will seek something from such dealings ye be considering. It shall also need to be a man of some power.?