Crows Murder

 

The physician simply inclined his head towards Crow in the briefest of nods. He comprehended the orders and returned to his desk to continue filing paperwork. The only questions that seemed to remain nascent in his brain was what going to be done with the Pani panther the moment she awakened… that is, if she survived this ordeal. The sedative performed the necessary alleviation as it had intended and she slept fitfully for what may be the first time in ages. There were no visions of her mother, Lord Nishida, her estranged son, or the series of owners who had created her and remade her in their images, only to tire of her and sell her off at a whim. The lover that Crow thought of seemed to invade her dreams. She remembered his impetuousness, optimism, tenderness, and honesty… everything she ever desired in a man. But, what he had lacked was strength and courage… the strength to keep her close and the courage to fight for her when instead she seemed to doing that all on her own for him. Everything she did was always for him… the call for help when Snow, one of Crow’s counterpart was cut down in front of her. Her clever mind unveiled the possibilities of exactly how much closer she can get to her lover in saving that assassin’s life. Instead, it became a precedent for a perilous and foolish journey which altered both of their lives. Snow had enslaved her and she managed to escape him, only to find herself in the clutches of the slaver who was the crux of her nightmares and his name was Dane. If there was any other slaver aside from the man who owned herself and her mother who elicited pure, unadulterated fear, resentment, and hatred – it was him. Dane, who bathed her after her initial loss of innocence in which a hired hand of the Pasha she had served publically stripped and raped her. If there was an answer to all of the bitterness she seemed to harbor towards the institution of slavery and men’s whims, it was that initial betrayal by the Pasha who had delivered her into the mouths of larls. He saw her as a pawn and when she had taxed out her usefulness, he ousted her. He took responsibility for her: bathing, training, and caring for her while her belly burgeoned with the reminder of how she had lost her freedom and peace of mind. But, in her madness and desperation, she frantically clung to him and the promises he made about her child – how she could raise it and one day it would be freed. He had bought her mind and heart with lies and in the tradition of Earth-bound Stockholm Syndrome, she began to sympathize and even care for him. He murdered her fantasy during the moments of labor and had taken her child from her only moments after she had given birth. It was through rumors and pleading with sympathetic slave girls who worked with the physician that she learned she had a baby boy. She had a son and despite how he was conceived, she loved and yearned for him. She did not even have the opportunity to nurse him as his crying was the final thing she heard despite her pleading with the slavers and physicians surrounding that she wanted to see him. But, her pitiful requests were rebuffed and she gradually agonized to the point of suicide… but was deterred by a fellow slave girl who had observed her disposition and felt pity for her. It was then that she began to notice the strange omens of the black birds that seemed to arrive at the most inopportune moments for herself – particularly when she intended to end her own life which was more than once. She had met her lover – Dante in Salernum after subsequently being released and attempted to begin anew. She purposely neglected to inform him about that sordid detail of her past as she didn’t intend to destroy her current state of peace and contentment. No man she ever became involved ever became aware of what had happened to her. She was afraid it would blemish what she had and thus it was the reason why she now adopted different names and disguises in order to fool anyone she might encounter from her past. Dante’s enthusiasm declined to a somber, detached disposition as his training resumed with Crow. He still proclaimed love and affection, but she could see that things were rapidly changing: he made no efforts to seek her out as she had to go to him. She risked both their lives to have a final night with him before the former Ubar of Telnus claimed her for his own. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise as the action seemed to deter her desire to continue her relationship with Dante. She weighed the options with a heavy heart and decided to do what was best for everyone – leaving him. It was for the best as he began to comport himself in a way she could barely recognize. She no longer blamed Crow for Dante’s mistakes… it was Dante who had killed himself. —— Several years ago…

Ayasha Catteneo steps up quietly and glances over with a wary eye before bowing her head “greetings Master

Ayasha Catteneo: greetings Mistress

Dante Juriya looks to the girl with a serious expression, “Tal, Lass.”

Ayasha Catteneo: can I help you with anything Master?

Suyuan Quan diverts her attention from her man and viewed the slave girl with quizzicalness as she attempted to bad her rise.

Dante Juriya nods, assuming she wasa village slave, “I need to speak wiv one of the caste of black.” He nods, hoping she could fetch him one an speed up the prcess a little.

Ayasha Catteneo tips her head a little and tho her eyes betray a bit of fire, she still murmurs softly “why would there be one of the black here in a fishing village Master?”

Dante Juriya chuckles and rests a hand on the woman’s shoulder, “This woman has lead me here. She knows of their where abouts.” He lowers his voice slightly, “I wish to pledge, Lass.”

Ayasha Catteneo glances at the Mistress as if checking her out, her shoulders giving a small shrug before she turns back to the Master “you wish to pledge something to a black?”

Suyuan Quan tilted her head to one side as she peered over towards her man, a bit of nerbousness crossing her delicate features as she exhaled a bit of frost and reflexively shifted closer to him, whether for safety or for warmth.

Dante Juriya chuckles nodding, “I wish to pledge me life.” He wanted to be a man of the shadows. One who studied silently, undetected for that one target, waiting for the one perfect moment to strike. He wished to throw down the binding chains of honor and all of the other worries of a free, and disappear as if he never existed.

Suyuan Quan gestured over towards the horizon as she watched the two black figures enter the building, “There, my darling! They went in there!”

Ayasha Catteneo gives a faint nod “perhaps one could be found… but would it not be better to wait inside where it is warmer?”

Dante Juriya nodded, now, motioning the slave on, “Lead the way, Lass.”

Ayasha Catteneo bows her head, glancing at the Mistress before turning to lead the way inside.

Fang: yes Killer, it was.

Ayasha Catteneo steps in to curl down and bow her head “greetings Masters

Ayasha Catteneo: greetings Mistress

Ayasha Catteneo glances back to the two following her before murmuring “the Master here wishes to speak to one of the black..”

DarkSyns Magic: ” Sir I would ask that you please not touch the scrolls, they are owned by others and are of a sensitive nature. I am sure you would not like any interfering with yor own tasks.” Her words were said in a low soft voice, eyes smiling warmly however there was a slight edge.

Crow nods to the slave while he keeps his focus on the scrolls that were underneath his gloved hands “Excuse me ?” he said dryly “owned by others … and yet here you are in a crowded tavern … working on them ?” he narrows his eyes reading some more. “and about interfering my own tasks … I will deal with what comes.” he adds with the same lifeless voice.

Fang hearing the womens words he turns his head and regards her. his ice blue eyes raking her over, his face stony showign no emotion as he looks at her

Serpent ‘then he has found two.. ‘ he says tonelessly then turns his attention back to the one called fang ‘Seems you did well, there is another here that favours the axe.. It would be an interesting wager.. ‘

Fang: i dont favor it Killer, it is just.. nice to have Options is all.

Suyuan Quan’s boots picked up with quite a bit of celerity as she hurried after Dante and she paused just few inches behind him. She was correct. This was where she had heard of the killers frequenting as she remembered from her prior visit. Somehow, she seemed a bit more fased to be in a room surrounded by the assassins and she would seek out the expressions in their eyes, the tones of their voices and her heart pounded just a bit faster as she imagined her man being like one of them… could he be just as devoid of emotion as they?

Ayasha Catteneo bows her head slightly before moving to one side, going silent to let the visitors speak with the dark Masters.

DarkSyns Magic: ” They are not of a sensitive matter but I do not like my work being perused through. I am sure you can understand.,” cants her head. ” They are the slave papers from one of your own, I am sorting the, If you feel the desire to read them I am sure the KIller would share them with you.” golden greenish brown eyes gazed up at him nonplussed.

Crow looks at her while he keeps his pose rather impassive “a sensitive matter and yet they are simple slave papers ?” he replied. He arches a brow and leaves it with that. He turns to the ‘happy couple’ of before “Hmmm followed ?” he says to them leaving the pleasentries of a greeting.

Serpent ‘well favour or not, you wear it, that in itself tells me much.. ‘

Fang: yes Killer

Serpent Eyes flick to the slave for an Ihn.. ‘Blackwine. ‘ he says as he takes his usual seat.

Ayasha Catteneo peeks over at the command, bowing her head with a shy smile “right away Master..”

DarkSyns Magic: ” All my work is of a sensitive matter to someone Sir, quite like yours,” offers him a small sardonic smile.Impassively she picks up the writing stick and looks up at him,” Busy place this tavern seems to be, haunted and all”

Crow had kept his hand on the scroll and simply nods, “Indeed one could wonder about their …. sensitivity.” he says to her but than leaving the table and stepping closer to the two he met before in Salernum.

Fang: at times, when people have shorter fast swords, the axe my be used to string from a greater range, and if a man is fast and nible of foot, once can strike with swords takign away the range of the axe and its slowness becomes a hinderance

Fang: and .. its slightly .. imposing

Serpent ‘Indeed it is often said if you get to the elbow of an axe warrior he is as good as dead, meet the steel of it and you will betraveling to the city of dust’

Dante Juriya shakes his head, changing his outlook from what he had seen earlier. “I remember ye from earlier. What ye saw there was an act. This woman and I are strictly business. ” He had an expression of all seriousness covering his face, and his heart pounded excitedly before the assassins. “I wish to pledge me life to this caste. To caste off the chins of the free and take up the burdan of the shadows.”

Ayasha Catteneo steps back out to the Master’s side, both small hands wrapped around a large black cup. She curls down carefully and briefly presses it against her belly, offering it up afterwards and bowing her head low “your black wine Master.. fresh and hot”

Crow narrows his eyes seeing an other person enter, but than staring to the man before him “I see.” he said without much enthousiasm “And you think I will believe you on your … what is it … your colour eyes ?” he asks while regarding the woman also seeing if there was anything that would betray the lie or truth.

Suyuan Quan appeared a bit confused for a moment as she gesticulated to herself, “Are you asking me about my eyes, sir?”

Fang watchs the fellow and hears his words as he stands there speaking of pledging his life. then he note’s another fellow enter the building and watchs both people closly. his arms relaxing and his heartbeat slowly stilling.

Dante Juriya chuckles and proceeds to speak of their agreement, “Our agreement was to enter in Free Companionship to make the tading of Kanda for coin easier. It is a business relationship, I assure you.” He nodded, rubbing his chin as he thinks, “Ye can believe that the feelings she may or may not have for me are not mutual.”

Serpent motions Chaos to join him fith a flick of his fingers then takes the blackwine from the girl ‘serve others’ he instructs to her.

Crow shakes his head “No I doubt they matter.” he replied dryly while his cold stare returned to the man “pledge to a caste of killers … hmmm…” he muses while he regards him more closely “We do demand that they take away any attachment perhaps you can start with this business partner … show us your talent ?” he tells him

Ayasha Catteneo bows her head glancing around before moving to the canidate standing nearby.

DarkSyns Magic taking a deep breath she continues with her work. It was a good thing she chose this place for solitude and peace for there was nary an interruption. Her own humor causes the woman to almost chuckle aloud but she knew better. Perusing the two seperate scrolls she would compile one complete one for the Assassin.

Ayasha Catteneo curls down beside him and bows her head, her voice a soft murmur “may I serve you Master?”

Serpent ‘Take a seat lad’ he says lifting the bitter brew to his lips. his eyes watching the fellow as he steps closer.

Chaos Narstrom: move to him and then nods…”Tal”

Fang watchs at the slave nears him and he shakes his head no to silenly comunicate to her his deside to pay attn to the others * serve the others girl * he says with his dry slighy horse voice

Chaos Narstrom: his eyes briefly flicker to those gathered and then back to the one before him.

Ayasha Catteneo peeks up to murmur “as you wish Master..” her eyes glancing around the room before she moves to another.

Suyuan Quan chewed on her bottom lip as she heard the voluble spoken by Dante and the back of her throat burned but she would permit her face to betray that emotion would could harm his chances into entering the caste. As poised, she offered the precise stoic expression that had served her faithfully as she stated with a serrated edge, “Oh, it is over as this conversation occurs.”

Ayasha Catteneo curls down beside the dark Master, her voice soft so as to not interrupt him too much “may I serve you Master?”

Dante Juriya pushes the bangs of his right cheek to the side, revealing the brand which made him a theif to the common public, “I do not know what ye mean, but if it be along these lines, the caste of red has only caught me once.” He chuckles dropping his hand to his side.

Severus Koskinen: taps the table ‘Sit lad’ he says to Chaos..

Crow looks down to the girl and waves her away “The usual.” he said to her before turning his sharp attention back to the man “You know the penealty for not telling the truth ?” he said in a low tone, his pose so calm people that knew him would shiver … he was most dangerous when he reached this stage.

Fang watchs as the fellows hand drops to his side and readys himself should there be any action here not desired by the Killer. and waits silently

Chaos Narstrom: “How does this day find you?”

Ayasha Catteneo peeks up and bites at her lip before moving back towards the kitchen, her small form indeed shivering at the tone in his voice “right away Master..”

Serpent ‘Well Lad, you think you are ready now?’

Dante Juriya nodded, “I assume it to be death.” The words rolled off his tongue confidently for he had nothing to hide. He had not gained any attachment to Su, only fondness in a friendly manner. Familiarity.

Chaos Narstrom: “think?? I am ready.”

Ayasha Catteneo returns and curls back down, the dark wood of the bowl she holds showing only sparkling clear water inside. She presses it against her belly, then offers it up with a low bow of her head “your water Master…”

Crow nods slowly while he spies the girl return within his timelimit. “Indeed as any failure will lead to it ….” he replied in the same toneless voice. “Tell me … if you wish to join a caste that is known for their secrets, their unique ways … their edge of life and death … you think bringing a woman would serve you well ?”

Chaos Narstrom: his eyes focuses forward….what was going on behind him was of no concern….he knew they were there..how many but his concentration was focused.

Serpent ‘our last conversation I sent you away to sever ties and settle your business.. ‘ he reminds the youngster as he drinks, his eyes flicking to the unusual couple as they conversed with Crow.

Crow looks down to the slave “kiss the bowl.” he demanded … he was at times rather supersticious.

Chaos Narstrom: “I have done so….the ties that remained are no more.”

Chaos Narstrom: “I am ready as you instructed.”

Dante Juriya shook his head, “She was my map to this vilage for she spoke of being treated quite kindly by the killer here.” He scratched the back of his neck as he waited to be drilled by the next question.

Fang hears the words the man spoke then waitinf for the killer to let him kill this fellow and perhaps even the lady, as the fellow it seemed did not quite understand

Chaos Narstrom: his eyes studied the one in front of him…he had not been called lad for many years and in his younger days it would have brought a harsh..perhaps even violent retort…but the words slide off hardened hide…for they were that…words.

Crow arches a brow “I doubt that to be true, the woman was rather annoyed when we met her in Salernum.” he responded. He took a step closer, knowing that when he would draw his blade one swing would eliminate them both … if they were foolish enough to step closer to him. “Again … if you wish to join … we demand that you eliminate every attachment you might have … a real good killer doesn’t need a woman to help him in any degree.” that was of course partly true a good fuck of a slave was an easy release of some needs or when they did their chores as polishing boots was quite easy to have around.

Serpent stands up (rl) Speak with crow when he has time for you.. till then.. have a drink.. it may be your last’

Ayasha Catteneo glances up before tilting her head, pressing her soft lips against the lower side of the bowl before offering it up once more to him, her arms visibly trembling in her effort to keep from spilling a drop of the clear liquid.

Crow reaches for the bowl and takes it to his lips while his cold eyes never break eye contact with the man before him.

DarkSyns Magic nibbling on the end of the writing stick she concentrates at the task at hand wondering how the Killer ever kept things organized. Clicking her tongue she furrows her brow and pours over the work.

Chaos Narstrom: sits down and now his attention is focused on the men before him and the women….his eyes breifly move over her….seeing her and laughing softly…the women obvioulsy was more fit as a slave then as a free.

Dante Juriya nods, but reverses the statement back on him, “Then I shall return when these ties are severed. But by eliminate, do you mean kill?”

Chaos Narstrom: then casting a quick glace at the lady writing…….all the while listening..

Crow arches a brow “That is on you to deside … however we do test it during training. We aren’t known to trust on just a word.” he replied after taking a sip “Perhaps you should think why we ask this of any candidate ?”

Suyuan Quan swallowed a mouthful of saliva as Crow stepped towards them and she huddled behind Dante. She knew what they were capable of and for a moment she was brought back to a memory of when she begged a scarlet for her life when she was slave. She peered over at Dante briefly before she spoke dryly towards Crow, “Our Free Companionship has dissolved. It is over. If he wishes to pledge; he’ll never see me again.”

Chaos Narstrom: glancing down..”kalana slave”

Ayasha Catteneo glances up, then nods as she steps back and turns to head for the kitchen “right away Master..”

Dante Juriya nods rubbing his chin while he thought once more, “One whome treads in the shadows should not be recognized by anyone.” He nodded, content with his answer, but decided to add on to it, “In times of kill, this would compromise the whole operation.”

Fang watchs as the women, clearly in edge as she sould be, as her life at this moment was to be taken from her by the fellows own hand, still he stands and waits. uncaring, and ready to end then 2 of them should be be tlod to by the killer.

Crow steps closer with the swiftness of a killer, his hand shoot to her neck trying to get grip and grabbing her close to his own body. His other hand trying to catch her wrists. “His past can’t be resolved by an end of a contract … lady.” he said to her in this edged voice.

Chaos Narstrom: mutters to himself….”nice to see he has her permission.”

Ayasha Catteneo curls back down with the grace of a dancer trained, a goblet of the deep red wine held in both small hands. She glances up as she presses it to her belly, offering it up to him and bowing her head low “your kalana Master…”

DarkSyns Magic hearing the man across from her she bit down on her bottom lip to stop a guffaw that threatened to spill. Clearing her throat she works on the scrolls but is no half listening to the group behind her

Chaos Narstrom: reaches down and takes the goblet from her and then lifts it to his nose and inhales the bouquet of the wine…then sits the goblet on the table in front of him. “well served girl…you may continue on.”

Ayasha Catteneo peeks up as her hands lower back to her thighs, watching him then murmuring softly “thank you Master..”

Ayasha Catteneo moves finally to the Mistress, kneeling beside her chair before peeking up “may I serve you Mistress?”

Suyuan Quan grunted as his hand wrapped about her throat and compressed slightly and she flailed with surprise as his other discovered her wrists and pinioned them. She ceased struggling as her petite body was pressed against his and she gurgled a soft, yet strained reply as she began to shudder, “Is it… it only about his past?”

DarkSyns Magic looks down at the slave remembering her from two eves ago. Hazel eyes flicker a moment,” Some tea would be lovely girl” smiles down at her

Ayasha Catteneo gives the Mistress a shy smile “right away Mistress..”

Crow kept her in this strong grip “past can tell lots about someones character …lady.” he said to her while brushing his lips against her ear while keeping a close observation to the man.

Ayasha Catteneo returns with a cup full of the steaming amber tea, her small hands cradling it as she offers it up “your tea Mistress.. lightly sweetened as you had it before..”

Dante Juriya let him do his dealings with her. He knew better then to mess with an assassin. He simply tuned out the noise to show that he had no attachment to the woman, when really, he regarded her as a fried whome he didn’t want to see harmed.

DarkSyns Magic looking down at the pretty slave with the creamy alabaster skin she imagines she didnt get out much. Gloved hands carefully take the cup from the girl. Setting it far away from her scrolls as no accidents could happen she looks back at her.” Well served thank you, please continue”

Ayasha Catteneo bows her head, blushing faintly before backing away “thank you Mistress..”

Crow kept her strongly against him “he trailed with his left hand that released her neck along the curve of her cheek to her shoulder, perhaps a way he would when holding a slave to soften her up to him. He had his way with women he was told. Still he kept his eyes upon the man, surely if there was an attachment he would feel anger for holding the woman this close to him. His touch was gentle even tender eventhough within the blink of an eye he could slit her throat the push on the wristblade would do it instantly.

Dante Juriya only cleared his throat as the man touch Su tenderly. He had never done anything more then a friendly hug shared between them. He had avoided becoming attached to any soul for reasons of reserving himself until his interest was sparked.

Suyuan Quan’s thickened lashes brushes against her cheeks and he released her, the flimsy fabric of the rep-cloth peasant veil descended revealing the overall comeliness of her features. She was conflicted and her first instinct was to turn away but he still held her wrists taut. Her honey-brown eyes glazed as her busom simply elevated with a frustrated sigh.

Fang feels the hilt of the overly large Dagger he had found sticking in his thigh a while aback, the one the Kur had been Kind enough to sheight there, and feels its coolness as his fingers bruch it absentmindly as his blue eyes coldly watched the fellow. its nearness to his hand intended as he listend, watched and waited

Crow narrows his eyes when the man cleared his throat something was up, eventhough he would have to guess what it was. He released her after pressing a kiss against the curve of her neck … he grins while he regards the man “I think there is a little moment of …. perhaps considering your options ?” he asks although it was far more than a question perhaps more a suggestion.

DarkSyns Magic picking up the cup of tea with one hand she sets the writing stick down. The other carefully moves the veils to the side as she takes a small sip. The tea was hot and sweet yet it did nothing to warm her. She could only imagine the woman’s feelings behind her.

Alana Quicksand slips up quietly…falling to her knees looking about, listening, finally softly whispers, “greetings Masters, Mistress….kajira” in a voice so soft it is barely above a whisper

Dante Juriya shakes his head “The cold seems to mess with me lungs at times.” He chuckled, returning the grin and showing no signs of fear, anger, or sadness showing at any part in his tone, in his eyes, or on his face.

Suyuan Quan retreated from Crow reflexively just after he released her, not even bothering to gather up the discarded veil and she situated herself back by Dante’s side. She glowered the killer and she cast another glare to her so-called ‘friend’ as she folded her arms about her torso, “Please just hurry up so I can have an escort back to Salernum. After that, we’ll don’t have to speak again.”

Crow kept his looks lifeless while he slowly turned to the woman “hmmm ” he muses when he licked his lips as if he wanted to memorize the taste of her flesh on them. “When you wish to pledge to my caste be sure that you come alone, ready for something more cruel than you have ever witnessed.” he said to him “Perhaps we meet in Salernum … I will be watching you …” he promises.

Suyuan Quan grimaces towards Crow, nearly as if she could sense what he was thinking and she shook her head vigorously, “No.” Was all she replied.

Crow flicks his eyes back to her “No?” he replied almost mockingly “Don’t challange me … woman.” he adds while he again licks his lips “You see … this isn’t your home … and I doubt this man will come to you rescue even if I so much would try to get you down on your knees.” he grins viciously “You might even enjoy it ..” he said showing some sort of black sense of humor …

Alana Quicksand crawls to the Master’s heel, just behind incase he has any needs, but out of the way should he need room, though it appearred the situation was well in hand…hearing the Master’s mocking tone, she remains silent so as not to incur his wrath…he woujld know she is eager to serve, no need to interupt just to say it…she takes the time to study the features of those visitors that dared to make their way to the Inn

Toinette Levee stomps the snow off her boots at the door. Giving her hair and cloak a little shake, to get rid of the falling snow, she steps in to the warmth of the tavern. Shivering a bit, even in the new warmth, she steps in, hoping for a kal-da…

Dante Juriya looks to Su and then nods to the killer, “When ye watch in view, ye might drop a Tal.” He chuckled and turned towards the door, “I ‘ave a lot of ties to sever, then.” He nodded to the group as a whole this time, “Might we be headingout now?”

Chaos Narstrom: looking back over his shoulder…..”girl….a goblet of cool water….”

Crow arches a brow seeing the woman enter, he gives her a quick nod before turning to Dante “Before you go … tell me your name.” he demanded

Toinette Levee nods and offers a soft “Tal” to all those that are gathered around. Normally quite chatty, she get’s a bit quiet when she is faced with so many at once. Making her way quietly across the room to the fire, she thinks to just warm herself.

Fang watchs as a lady enters the building and nods to her as she stomps the snow from her bots and again watchs the man who thinks the Killer would be a.. social travler willing to just make words for no reason

Ayasha Catteneo peeks over as she hears the Master, bowing her head then turning for the kitchen to fetch his water.

Dante Juriya shrugs, “Me mother named me Dante. Ye may call me what you will.” He nodded, for he knew they would likely find many ways to demean him, to break him if he were to make it into the first week.

Ayasha Catteneo returns with a large goblet, the water inside it sparkling clear. She presses the goblet against her belly, offering it up to the Master with her head bowed “your water Master..”

Suyuan Quan again shook her head at Crow as she cast a furtive glance towards Dante, “Already I am beginning to wish I didn’t know you.” She stated coldly.

Chaos Narstrom: reaches down for the water and takes if from her….reaches out with his other hand and then runs his fingers through her hair…”thank you girl”

Chaos Narstrom: the full goblet of kalan in front of him still…he lifts the goblet of water to his lips and drinks deeply.

Ayasha Catteneo starts to lower her hands then shivers as his touch sends a chill along her spine, a blush rising in her cheeks “you are most welcome Master..”

Crow nods “Dante … ” he echo’s memorizing the name and the mans features. “I am Crow.” he gave his given name one that perhaps showed what kind of killer he was. After all the name was often a small reference to character. “I wish you both well.” he said knowing they were about to leave. The wish hardly fitted the voice he used. It was perhaps a first test to see if the man really was up to it … scaring them was after all a first border they needed to cross.

An Assassin looks at the fellows face closly, remembering it, noring the brand of the theif on his cheak and still stands ready as he watchs the man and the soon to be dead women.

Toinette Levee pulls her cloak off, and leaves it by the chair at the fire, to dry a bit, the snow having melted some in the fur. Walking quietly to near by chair, she sinks in with a moan of pleasure, a little tired from the travels. Her eyes on all in the room, she takes in the atmosphere… seeing things a bit tense, she leaves off the looking for a hot kal-da for the time being.

Dante Juriya chuckled, having weaved in and out of death in his life. Fear was not an obstacle for him until he faced death, no other time. “And ye be well, Crow.” He nodded to the rest of the killers and turned to leave.

Suyuan Quan rolled her eyes as she simply followed him suit.

Crow nods while he moves silently to the table snapping his fingers while he discarded his cloak and handing it to the fastest slave. “Tal.” he said to the lad and the seeker “Still dressed I see.” he said to

Chaos … giving a slight smirk while regarding some slaves.

Alana Quicksand flicks her glance up to the man quietly from under thick lashes wiggling on her heels…running to catch the cloak as it floats inher direction

Chaos Narstrom: “I am for the moment I imagine.”

Alana Quicksand gathers up the fold of the cloak, brushing the snow from the fabric as she quietly offers, “May i find something for you Master?”

Chaos Narstrom: sets the goblet of wateron the table as he stands….his eyes now locked on Crow as he approached him.

DarkSyns Magic perfectly arched eyebrow lifts hearing that, she forces her eyes to remain on the scrolls

Crow nods while his eyes take the mans shape in consideration “Indeed … not the best season for applying but I heard your conversation with the killer … hmmm the Master Assassin even.” he said giving a grin.

Suyuan Quan hissed sharply at him as they departed the inn, “Well, I helped you. I don’t need you getting back to Salernum.”

Suyuan Quan shook her head sadly, “And to think… to think that I assumed you were different…”

…They return to Salernum…

Suyuan Quan shook her head at him as they departed the ship and she ambled past him in a hurried fashion, fuming as she reached the cobbles, “Remember what he said, no more attachments. Well, finish up what you have here and we can part ways.”

Dante Juriya sighs as she fumes hurrying to catch up with her, “Ye take things too seriously!” He grins and puts a hand on her shoulder, ” We need to be more aware of things. I don’t want to lose ya.” He whispered these words into her ear, eyes scanning every which direction to catch a glimpse of the eyes which could be watching him.

Suyuan Quan again she felt her throat burn as that hand halted her and she spun about, discarding his hand. Her amber-like eyes offered the glimpse of the tears that would soon be steadily flowing down her cheeks, “You only used me to get to them. I should have known. Good job. I got felt up and threatened by a Black Caste after saving your ass.” She attempted to push him away as she lowered her voice, sotto voce in a similar whisper, “You should have thought of that before you pledged.”

Dante Juriya sighs, gripping her tighter, and pulling her into his body so that he could whisper into her ear easier, “I had to the assassin what he wanted to hear.” He sighed and pulled back, looking her in the eyes. As a tear fled from her eye he placed his index finger just below it and caught the salty discharge on his skin. He looked at her for longer, just letting the silence build between them, then he spoke, “I’m sorry….”

Suyuan Quan attempted to resist his advances but it was being Gor, he proved to be too strong for her and she simply stood there as he held her fiercely in his embrace. She flinched as he extracted the tear from her cheek and she performed the same shaking head gesture towards him; her voice still ushering in lowered tones, “I was an idiot to begin caring for you… perhaps even begin to love you a little. What if he killed me? What if he enslaved me? Bah, it doesn’t matter now. Let me go, Dante.”

——

Present Day The night passed as expected while the physician watched over her. Despite his earlier intentions of possibly euthanizing her had dispelled that idea and he worked diligently to make her better. Some nightmares were persistent while others seemed to subside into an emptiness that was similar to the Cities of Dust.

By the end of the hand, she regained consciousness and a clarity that was tangible. But, her thoughts, now absent of the delirium remained focused on the sole person she had sought out at the beginning of her illness. “Crow…”

Crow watched the physician intently when he again turned to the Peacock. He stepped back, uncertain for that moment. How tormented she seemed and how powerless it made him feel. The mere thought of this young woman that had struggled her way through life and eventually had put herself in his arms, regardless if it were a conscious decision, made him uncomfortable. He was relieved that the physician didn’t look at him. Would he have read the puzzlement on his face ?

Crow turned away when eventually the Peacock was put to this sleep by the sedative. He studied, without truly seeing a painting on the wall that showed the insides of a humanbody. Some of it he had seen when he had stabbed a man or when he was still a young Tarnsman by those trainees that fell down from their Tarn. The insides would be splattered on the cobblestones and the sight was horrifying. Some of these young men were still alive and tried desperate gather them as if they had known that the parts that had come out would be needed to survive. For a moment he pondered if any of them had. He couldn’t remember.

When the physician spoke about the mark he arched a brow and turned to the man “She was a bitter woman at one time. I could only guess that her stubbornness and her ongoing battle with unseen demons might have caused her to cut herself.” He remarked again in that tone that showed no care or warmth. “She was once owned by a merchant. A well respected woman I might add. I don’t know what happened as to why the woman disposed of her. But I know the girl was bitter and broken by it.” Crow turned to the painting again, as if the memories of blood and death could keep his disguise of being unbothered by whatever would happen to the girl. “But if you wish to examine her further, you have my permission.” He stated, leaving out the fact that he held no legit bond with the girl. Not that he couldn’t make one, by simply collecting a piece of rope and tangle it around her throat as this gesture of claiming her.

Crow glances to the Peacock and again wondered about her. There were so many moments were they had met. The rage she had held for him, simply because her lover hadn’t made it in training was one that sprung to mind. How fierce she had looked when she had faced him. He had been patient with her then, while he wouldn’t have with many others. Why was this ?, he asked himself. Still he hadn’t been easy for her, hardly even. He had made her run around a tree to pay off a certain death by her arrogance when she had spoken to him in Ar. Still she was here – barely alive – but still breathing.

Crow only shook his head at the proposition to kill her. “Lifes are very easy sold, Physician.” He said mysteriously “Believe me – I know.” He added. “You can examine her and see how she will come out of this. Your efforts will be compensated.” Crow had too often seen clients with their pitty reasons for killing of the competition, throw their gold as if he without thinking would take it out this greed. How wrong they were when it came to him. How well he had hidden what he truly was. He was a killer, but with reason and unlike many others of his Caste not for the reason of Gold. Still he had accepted gold for causes that might seem odd, but he had this view about the world he lived in and some of the contracts had seem to fit in it. He was skilled in what he did, like a Chameleon he could adjust to situations and even set them to his hand.

When the Physician left the room he stepped towards the cot where the Peacock was now sleeping. A gentle brush of his hand to brush down her hair from her face. Like porcelain she seemed to be, so fragile. He looked down on her face as if to memorize it, for all he knew she could be facing him the next time with rage, fierceness, bitterness or any emotion that showed her dark side. He wondered what he would see if she could let go of all her masks, would she be beautiful ? He knew that the Peacock could be beautiful, however did she know how ? Crow gave little thought to his own masks or disguises, that held his true nature far from light and view. Perhaps he was like a coyote on Earth. A deceiver but not with the intent to lie, but simply because he himself believed in what he told or showed.

The Physician returned and asked if Crow wished to remain while he would continue his examination. Crow simply shook his head “I have taken her here in trust you will do what is needed. When you have need of me, I will remain in the Inn. A messenger there will have me here in no – time.” He said again in a manner that made the Physician ponder. Crow could read it on his face and said “She is only a slave – Physician. But with it one I have obtained with reason.” The last perhaps enough to satisfy the mans curiosity before he would try to find his answers somewhere else. “And again, Physician, I do count upon your discretion.” The last was spoken in a tone that held no warmth only promise that if the man would fail his discretion a life might be taken for it.

The seizure had arrived just in the time for the physician to distribute a sedative to cease her violent trashing. Her fever had reached a peak that even threatened the very foundation of her immunity. Her tangled and matted black hair remained plastered to the duvet as her body ceased its seemingly impassible flailing. The white linens upon which she laid upon in her haphazardly supine disposition were drenched with the liquid salt expelled by her feverish body. Not only did her perspiration exude the minute tragedies of her life, but they seemed to obliterate the placid stoicism which she frantically clung to during her conscious moments. She was more vulnerable now than ever, particularly with her mind and soul meandering between the world of the living and its effervescent moments of human sorrows and joys to the simple, silent privileges of peace and tranquility that the Cities of Dust, or what the Pani labeled “purgatory” beheld. She had crossed that threshold, but death remained abashed and elusive. She sought it, but it refused to acknowledge her efforts. Death was like a man; taking whomever it wanted without discrimination and leaving behind the cries of the living who sought to bargain with it for the souls of the claimed. It was ironic that her life was momentarily preserved in the chance of a passing executioner – Crow. Or was it chance?

The physician was mild-mannered and rather gentle in his approach to the Pani woman; his countenance revealed a man who had a composed demeanor and a smooth, kindly face that revealed a speckling of blackheads across his nose and cheeks which resembled sprinkled pepper. The salt and pepper coloring of his could make one gauge he up in his age and his manner suggested that he might’ve been a doting, loving father or even a grandfather. The serums always kept one guessing as it rendered cellular aging obsolete. However, a pair of eyes suggested what type of person a human being usually was. She learned from an early age how a simple glance can reduce her to tears. Now, as Crow had assumed, she would fight tooth and nail to preserve her freedom… but her life? Had she not attempted to end it prior at the cliffs before the arrival of the “black bird”?

The physician, whom Yurei would have determined was mild-mannered and kind, inspected her with a detached and clinical countenance: he checked her pulse, opened her eyes as he had a candle produced before her then to discern pupil response. He performed a cursory examination before rising from the side of the bed and a slender, fair-haired kajira adjusted the coverlet and tucked her like a mother to child. The dreams had subsided as the sedative quelled the vexatious visions and silencing the noisy ghosts of a sordid past which was both troublesome and unchangeable.

“I had hoped she was well enough, though it seems she isn’t. But… the worst is over. A seizure can occur at times if a fever is high enough.” He pivoted and strode towards his humble desk which was cluttered with diagrams of the human physiognomy. The man not only seemed to perform well in his profession, but his profound dedication to self-education displayed in the dark circles around his eyes. “I had brought you in here because I intended to examine her body and I realize most owners wish to be present for that.” He settled down heavily and sighed while the candlelight cast writhing shadows across the room as they resembled tree branches dispersing towards a summer sky. Oddly enough, the shadows fluttered around Yurei’s sleeping form like the flapping wings of a bird. It performed the same for the stern and aloof assassin who had remained with her even through her ordeal.

“The area of where her brand is has been… cut out? That’s the best way to state it.” He lifted himself from the chair as he created distance between them as he approached Yurei and gently lifted the blanket to expose her upper thigh. Indeed, he had spoken truth; where the “kef” that Eve had branded into her flesh so long had been replaced by thickened, raised scar tissue that revealed crude knife marks which seemed to be done in haste. Her pale-tan skin which hinted a creamy yellowish-pink undertone provided a startling contrast to the ugly, savage marks that had intended to blemish her true identity to most men. It was foolish and stupid for a woman to depreciate her own beauty… but it was a brave, silent protest which few, if any dared to do – ruin the markers of which men placed upon them. It was her declaration to any and all who decided to enslave her of the lengths that she would go to secure her freedom.

“I assume she is recent acquisition to you; though, it looks as if she might prove difficult. I have only witnessed few instances of panther women mutilating themselves to deter captors. They usually don’t last very long within the collar. If this has dismayed you, I can always euthanize her. She is pretty, but far too scarred and perhaps too wild to tame and conquer, Killer.”

The physician had assumed Yurei belonged to Crow; but who wouldn’t consider that he brought her in? The physician didn’t prod any further but waited with anticipation for Crow’s response.

Crow listened and stood there as this power of force, but truly heard what the physician said. It was important to learn what someone was telling. More often than not, one could hear hidden thoughts between words and with it gained knowledge that could be fruitful when used properly. He didn’t nod, nor gave any indication that the words meant something to him, perhaps because of the awareness that even the Physician could be bribed, tortured for knowledge about him. There were to many that would dance on his pyre if he came to an end. Who would blame them ? He was only a killer now.

Perhaps his fear would be unfounded, the woman only a slave and what would her words be of worth. Still he was certain that even words of a slave could put a man before the gates of the city of dust. He had number of stories when it came to this. Many were shared by the campfire too young recruits that would be beaten into the killers, they needed to become. He often had wondered why some believed there was some honour in his caste. Why they felt this inner urge to spill blood over a that bit of gold and yet he himself was one example. A man that had been disappointed by life and wished to cheat the Reaper of Death. If he had only given it more thought then, he might have been there for his daughter and Anna which now had to give birth to a child that had been conceived by the rape of his last victim.

Crow turned his face to the physician when he mentioned the scars. “In truth I did not know, but I have to meet a slave or woman that carries none.” He said as if unbothered by them and keeping his detached appearance. In all these years it had become this shield of coldness, which had become thicker by the years. How could a killer truly survive if he would start to care, it was the ruthless thought of being unbothered by whomevers life was paid for. When the physician went out of sight he looked at his own hands that were able to commit murder and yet these had carried the wounded peacock to here. “Why?” he mused to himself fully aware that life had its own tricks and treats without any legit explanation. However the mentioning of the scars was taken to mind, perhaps in his mind it made sense as to how she had become the bitter peacock he once met. How would one endure pain and not have a way to answer it, find a way to secure oneself for not happening it again. Was her bitterness a wall to hide behind ? Was her elusive way of being, a mask that hid her true heartdesire ?

The words that were shared, were known to him. He couldn’t quite remember who had taught him the words or their meaning. Still he knew them and gave him the understanding that he hadn’t found her by accident. Perhaps the higher powers that some barbarian slaves talked bout did exist or again the wheel of his life wasn’t easy to comprehend. Either way he knew that the name he once was given was significant to the girl and perhaps if they were able to share information he might learn as to why.

The story of dark clad men, fully disguised and as the wind swift, calculated and more importantly of an iron state of mind weren’t the killers of today. They were perhaps better, more in touch with what they were and what they were able of. He once heard a story about a man that could catch arrows while blindfolded simply because he was able to hear them and turn to it without having to see it. He wondered for a brief moment if he would be able, but such needed trust and at the present he was quite sure that he didn’t have that trust in his own abilities.

He looked at the physician that seemed to wait on an explanation as to the words the girl had spoken in her delirium. “I doubt the meaning of the words would help her get well, Physician.” He replied as to warn the man “I didn’t pay you for hearing her out while she is in this state. I simply pay you to treat her so she can serve as to what she is – a slave.” His voice held nothing of his thoughts or emotions. He wouldn’t share his own concerns, thoughts or puzzles to the man, just as he wouldn’t do it with anyone but those very few he trusted. Even those could be seen as a blemish to what his caste brothers so often spoke of : Alone with Gold and Steel.

When the Physician walked off he wondered what T. would say, one of his most trusted comrades. There were a few select others but they were hardly the ones he would share thoughts with when it came to the more philosophic thoughts or puzzles life brought him. T. would perhaps just as much as he, desire to look further, fearless for what one might needed to face. “A fire, a crow and the dark fighter have a connection to the peacock, but what ?” he silently asked himself.

He looked up when he was summoned and waved his hand gallantly to the physician. “Lead.” He simply stated when he spied the curious look of the man upon his manners. He knew that the mere gesture of his hand might have betrayed his high caste origins but it didn’t matter anymore as in the present he was the low caste killer, called Crow.

When next to the bed he instantly noticed that she hadn’t slept calm or tranquil, she herself seemed to be haunted by demons in her unconscious or restless sleep. The white of the sheets in so much contrast with the black of her hair or the taint of her skin. How helpless she seemed and yet he knew that she would still give a powerful struggle if anyone dared to end her life. He was certain that in her dreams she was like him and wondered what would have happened to her if she had been born a boy. He didn’t speak, tried hard to keep his face unreadable while he waited – patiently – as ever for what the physician wished to address.

“Well Killer… it seems that your discovery is going to live.  You brought her here just in time as she was near death.  Her fever has broken for the time being and her condition has stabilized for now.  Though, she still suffers from delirium and she continues muttering in this strange tongue which I can’t discern.  Thankfully, she is now resting at the moment.  Though, I would recommend that she remain here for sometime.  My examination of her revealed that she is malnourished and…” The physician lowered his voice slightly, reserving his low, hushed tone for the assassin as he was uncertain if the Pani woman in the adjacent room was asleep or not, “Were you aware of the extensive scarring of her body?” The physician continued to wipe his hands in the rep-cloth and set it aside the basin.  His countenance was calm, but he seemed fidgety within the presence of the darkly attired man.  Who could blame him, knowing the notoriety that was quintessential with the black caste?    Yurei laid in, for what would be the first time in months, a warm bed with clean sheets.  The change in her usual sleeping arrangement elicited discomfort, evidenced by her tormented tossing and turning, left her utterly restless.  But, she wasn’t agitated simply by her arrangements, though that was only part of it.  It was the unsettling dreams which refused her consolation, even in her comfortable setting.  She was gradually beginning to discover that the past was not something one could easily leave behind.
——

It was the frightened shriek which assaulted her ears that caused her to abruptly awaken.  The little Pani girl, now aged ten, jolted upright in her bed and allowed her eyes to adjust to the darkness of the room.  She remembered how difficult it was for her to adjust to a mattress instead of a futon and the adjustment period which had followed it.  The coiled springs of non-Pani mattresses just could not compare to the bean and buckwheat filled quilts of the pleasure house.  How luxurious and cozy they were, compared to the white Karian slaver’s gifts and kindnesses which she never quite became inured too.    It had been three years since Lord Nishida sold her mother’s contract to the Karian slaver.  The cruel and often nettlesome memory remained emblazoned in her mind’s eye: the very men who were assigned to guard her and her mother turned around and snatched her and her mother away from their collective home like namahage monsters.  Suyuan had been cosseted, doted upon, but still expected to maintain honor and decorum; especially when it pertained to men.  She was expected to revere them… and whoever owned her mother’s contract.  The Karian slaver was now her father, refuge, and from it seemed to be… her irrefutable face.  His face was something she could never forget – ruddy, deeply-lined and leathery like the tarn saddles she used to observe being made in the tarn camp.  His hair was close-clopped and resembled overnight snow distributed on the earth.  In each ear, he sported two gold rings which mesmerized her as she had only witnessed earrings on collar-girls.  His gaze was nearly a sneer of cruel intelligence and power, even though he dealt with the Pani girl very kindly and almost paternally.  There was something about the white man which elicited a frisson at times; especially when he regarded her.  When he looked at her, a bit of her innocence shriveled up and expired.  These were moments when she pleaded with him to see her mother and many times he firmly denied her.  Even in her present adulthood, she still had difficulty pronouncing his name… something S… Sam…?    Smoke curtailed into the small room through the narrow slit just beneath her door and she commenced to cough and sputter quite violently, causing her to violently trash and flail about the bed which hollowed out into the present.

——

Her cracked and calloused hands gripped the sheets until her knuckles became a faint shade of white, resonating into the other room as scene played repetitively in her mind.  The smoke, the fire, and her mother finding her in her bed violently coughing.  She had led her to an alleyway and quickly dressed her as a she-urt and the final words which would be her legacy. “You are free… 1,000 times above me and all the more.  I would rather see you die on the streets as an orphan, begging for scraps of food as opposed to living the privileged life of a collar-girl… a kajira as these white men call them.  This is now your fate… only Amaterasu or the Priest-King gods can determine your destiny now.  Remember that you will always have fate, but not always destiny.” She grasped the sheet as perspiration formed on her forehead and her fever began to resume.  What exactly had her mother meant? Weren’t fate and destiny interwoven? Her mother was stern, insightful, clever, and most of all obedient.  Suyuan had remained second to and in her mother’s shadow for the duration of her life.  She was the ideal contact women… that is, until her mother’s secrets were discovered and both mother and daughter paid dearly for the mistakes.  Enslavement seemed to be the straw that broke the camel’s back and the love that she was deprived of in the tarn camp finalized in the moment when her mother smuggled her out of the slaver house… risking her own life to ensure that her daughter could have the opportunity that Mizumi never dare risk for herself except for one being she loved most in the world.

——

Yurei continued to grunt in her discomfort just as the physician heard her unsteady and fragile voice strain for volume.

“She keeps repeating these two words… tengu-karasu.  Do you have any idea what that means, Killer?” The physician affixed his concerned gaze upon the assassin, baffled by the foreign words. “She also continues to repeat the words and names, ‘Crow’, ‘my black-bird’, and ‘Ama… Ama… te… ra.. su.  She is delirious, but do you know who or what she is referring to? I hear her, I should check upon her as it seems her condition has worsened.”
A few moments later, he emerged.

“Killer, I believe you should come in here…”

Staring into the flames was one of those moments were thoughts of past and future came to him as these notes that he needed to read or store somewhere so he could remember them. The Peacock, made him think back on the encounter he once had with her.  How proud she had been and yet she had something about her, that made her hardly appealing.  The latter rather odd, since Crow enjoyed the women more than he often was willing to admit.  He never underestimated the power these creatures held in his world, even though they could be enslaved and taken at whim by any men.  Perhaps some women felt secure behind the high walls of cities, but he was very sure that if a man truly wished to possess one, she eventually would find herself at his feet.  However the man might have to pay with something much grander than the woman would. He had lost something, which Crow tried hard to keep.

 
The flames made his eyes light up with that glow of demonic thoughts about the women he had owned, deceived, taken and even murdered.  He was a proud man and never really lost that strength that he owned when he was still a tarnsman in Glorious Ar.  But even then he knew that love could weaken him, would make him soft, tender and caring. His companion had eventually showed him how weak he as a man had been, when she had died in his arms.  The loss of her, had made him doubt everything he was at that point and eventually prey to the Assassin Snix. It had been him that recruited him for the first time, when Assassins had been outlawed by the mistakes of Pa Kur.

 
He glances to the girl that seemed to crawl deeper underneath his cloak in wonder why she came so often on his path in life. The peacock that had been bitter to his caste, by the loss of her lover that desired the black cloak and helmet.  The lad hadn’t survived the harsh training and he knew she had blamed him for his demise.  In a way he knew that her judgement was true and false. The lad had died eventually if he hadn’t done it in his training. There was no true desire, but only the wish to learn the skill and run off with the woman he loved.  Crow shook his head, when the thought of love crossed his mind.  Love was one thing that many of his caste feared. He knew that some did love their slave, perhaps even had a secret affair with a lady that betrayed her own companion with such a dark and sinister killer. But he knew also how many of those had been killed, because they eventually weren’t able to be uncompromising to their profession.

 
He took a stick and poked the fire to ignite it a bit better and added a new log upon it, when his thoughts went to the women and slaves he had deceived by his – so called care – They thought to own his heart, but it had been cold to them. However their need to have his love, gave him the opportunity to fake it and make these women splendid within the furs.  The y blossomed in their collar only because he had been able to be this amazing actor that could play the part. The last one of the things that abled him often to approach a target, to kill him in the next.

 
When the girl moved and spoke he turned to her, noticing that she wasn’t doing that well. Cold might have held her longer than he thought. Perhaps hunger or thirst made her hardly conscious to what danger might be beside her.  When she spoke the words – My Crow – he arched a brow. If she had knelt before him, he would have slapped her for speaking so boldly. He wasn’t anyones, but his own.  However her voice seemed weak and hardly the woman he remembered from Ar. It had been there where he had made her walk around a tree, just for his entertainment and have her out of hearing range.  She was at times obnoxious, annoyingly there, when he didn’t need a slave or a woman such as herself. She was not only beautiful in an unique way, she was cunning too.  The peacock wasn’t one he would ever underestimate.

 
When the woman again spoke his name and seemed to drift back in her own world, where she struggled with her own demons, he wondered what to do with her.  He could just leave her there, have nature or the wheel of life have his own way with her. However he couldn’t dismiss that feeling he had been sent here for a reason and that she was part of an answer that needed to be unravelled.  She seemed so helpless there now, something that made her truly beautiful.  “How sweet to concur a peacock when she has no longer her feathers to ruffle.” He mused while he decided to end the fire with some kicks of dirt over it.

 
He turned to the woman that seemed even more fragile in the moonlight.  He used the cloak to keep her warm as in this role that he could carry over his shoulders. “Seems you must have a good luck charm, Peacock.” He mutters while he tried to lift the weight  on his shoulders so he could walk without much discomfort.  Unsure where he could find a physician in these parts that might take care of her, he started to walk.  Thankful for the strength he owned and that helped him to keep going even with the load of the woman on his shoulders.

 
Although this might be seen as care for the women, it had a different purpose to him that he took her.  For some reason he had found her and with it he felt there was something that he needed to learn from her. He would drop her by the first signs of danger, would sacrifice her if some thieves held an interest in her.  She was only a woman and with it, unimportant when it came to the choice he or she.  “Too noble.” He muttered to himself, knowing that he was an odd one in his caste and wondered how many of his caste brothers would have made the choice to pick up the girl to carry her to a physician.  His face became grim of anger, when he considered why he eventually had made that choice. He – by the Priest Kings – cared for the girls life.  Death served a purpose, but he wasn’t one to just offer a life to death without giving effort to keep it alive, unless coin was paid. Then, but only then he would take life, without blinking or doubt.

Even as she slumbered, the past still proved nettlesome and revealed itself in the form of nightmares that proved an unparalleled consistency which Gorean men could never amount too.  A man can conquer a woman – her heart, body, mind, and soul, but there is always something in a human being which another cannot fathom touching.  The bosk dung heap in combination with the fire proved to be of some benefit, despite the fact that her larl cloak which she had robbed from the bondmaid she murdered began to decline.  Perhaps it was her time spent within the wilderness or the quality of the fabric, but she never seemed to be warm enough.  That changed when her so-called “savior” arrived in the form of a previously marked man’s cloak.  Crow’s garment offered her respite from the frost that labored in men’s work – only this time it was enslaving the last remnants of green nature.  Autumn was tolerable for the Pani panther, and even in Port Kar for the duration of her formative years of beggary, she seemed to thrive best during that season.  However, it was always during Winter where it was a hit or miss in her luck; winter is when she blossomed, when others seemed most content in the summers of their lives.

 
Her dreams were vast and uncompromising, though to state that they were cruel was relative.  In her sleeping visions, she discovered how her gender became subordinate to men; the war between the sexes was waged through toil, labor, and violence.  The chaos resumed until Priest-King gods declared that women were born to serve men.  This knowledge she gained originally through reading and folktales, finding thediscovery silly, if not a bit cumbersome to her sensibilities.  During the few moments of her life when she was free, her dependency was not upon men, but survival.  But, survival incorporated men and it was a game regarding who had the upper hand.  Yurei had always desired the upper hand, to maintain the control that evaded her the day that she and her mother were sold to the Karian slaver.  She was treated as a daughter, but the stain of what Lord Nishida never left her and haunted her even in the present.  There is no alleviation for women in a world whose fathers eagerly sell them to the highest bidder.  Lord Nishida had inadvertently taught her that her gender was marketable and that she was at the mercy of men; even female children are not exempt from the standard Gorean men had coerced upon them.

 
Yurei stirred in her sleep, disturbing the snow beneath her fetal form as one of the moons illuminated her.  Despite her disheveled appearance; gaunt form, tangled and dreaded coarse blackberry colored hair, and a visage that carried scars of which devalued her prospects upon the auction block, she was still beautiful.  The serene countenance of her sleep, despite the tornado of otherworldly visions dancing in her head, revealed her heart.  She was hardened, but soft.  Cold and comfortably detached to where she could easily kill to survive, but compassionate enough to offer aide when she saw fit.  She feared much, but rarely doubted herself.  She had been the victim and now sought out conquests of meticulously and stealthily kidnapping high caste free women and selling them for a profit.  Like assassins, she emptied herself of her feelings when enduring difficulty and simply soldiered through it like a rarius.  She was strong, resolute, and wayward but haphazardly vulnerable and helpless when doubt did enter her mind.  Men seemed to cause the rapid second-guessing of herself during enslavement.  She could love so profoundly and obey unquestionably… that is, until she was denied the opportunity to be herself.  The forest offered another perspective outside of the world of men.  In the forest and alone, she could be herself… not Pani, not a free woman, a panther, a slave, an outlaw… just herself.  The Northern Forests were her Thassa and she mariner to them; navigating through the sea of verdant trees with lush foliage and taking what she wanted.  She was the “man” in her forest and she intended to remain as such

 
Her lashes fluttered spontaneously against her cheekbones while the dream abated; this one featured the mystical black bird which she had been following.  Suddenly, she felt very warm due and her body tensed in opposition as she curled more tightly into her fetal pose.  A sole panther girl in the wilderness is similar to that of an Earth lone wolf; they both can survive on their own for sometime, in fact for several years, but eventually the solitary lifestyle will catch up to them.  The self-imposed solitude that the Pani panther had settled into was beginning to take its toll.  Barns and fires afforded her some immunity from the cold and kept hunger at bay it was obvious from the feverish shivering beneath Crow’s vast cloak that she was battling her own limitations.

 
Consciousness briefly claimed her and her russet colored eyes opened to peer, albeit feebly at her surroundings.  She descried the figure who was rekindling the fire, imbuing the flames with life despite hands which had shed blood for decades.  Her heart thrummed against her chest when she gradually began to recognize the darkly attired man.  From what her weak vision discerned, his clothes revealed him for what he was she croaked his name with a hoarsened, weary voice, “Crow, my black bird.” There was movement beneath the cloak as a single cracked and bleeding hand touched the ground behind him.  She sought to touch him, even though the distance seemed pasangs to her in her enervated state, “Crow.” Though the effort to touch him was arduous for her, the peacock still possessed her determination as she called his name once more before succumbing back into the space where dreams and nightmares were sovereign and where the gods could continue their meticulous manipulation of her mortal, human mind.  She called to Crow once more, though either through relief or delirium, labeled him with irony, “Tengu-karasu…”

 
Perhaps she assumed he was one; the protective spirits of her culture and childhood.   But sleep seized her just as her hand brushed against his backside, alerting him of her awareness of his presence.  Another gim hooted in the distance while a second moon made them luminescent; making them appear like otherworldly and ethereal creatures who seemingly belonged to scrolls of fiction for children.  The darkness had subsided for now while it seemed like the moonlight intended to guide Crow as to what he should do next.

The dagger had been washed from his forehead before he had pulled down the hood and had sheltered his face from the snow. His cloak heavy by the snow crystals that had occupied it while he walked in the darkness that he often called his friend.  His steps through the snow seemed to be slow, calculated and with determination, while nothing in him really gave thought to the direction he was heading. This last kill had broken something within him, something he needed to find back for if not his own demise would be certain.  No Assassin would be able to do what they did if they couldn’t shut down their own emotions.  The thought of leaving a woman he had held dear, pregnant by the corpse of her companion, weighted heavy on his shoulders while he ploughed through the snow.
His eyes just above the scarf he had drawn up his nose were keen on his surroundings as if it had become a second nature to be alert and on the ready.  Those green eyes that once had sparkled of joy were lifeless and yet behind them there was this grief of an old man that feared he had lost his most loyal and beloved friend.  His heart that once had beaten for his companion, his children and a slave felt empty and cold.  The sound of his footsteps in the snow made him aware that one might hear him coming and with it his one hand gripped the hilt of his blade, so he could draw if some thief would dare to venture in his direction.  His expression tensed at the thought of all the gold he made in his profession, most of it he wouldn’t ever spend.  He figured it was something in his genes, from his father, to hold on to fortune while he doubted them both to be of greed.

He held pause by this large tree that had dropped all of his leafs, since season had changed. The branches the sharp outlines against the light of the moons.  He pulled down the scarf and inhaled the cold night air and sighed deeply. How had he become the man he was now ? The man that indeed could say without blinking that nothing else mattered. The man that could kill in cold blood because a simple exchange of coin had been made.  The answer had been clear when he was many years younger and now in this cold he wasn’t certain.  He had justified himself that he held honour. That he prevented the wars that would rage between cities if it weren’t for that single kill. He, not only an Assassin but a mentor for others had often told the reason and purpose for their caste and professions and yet now felt himself in doubt.

A nightly cry seemed to call him from the distance and yet he was certain that no noise was made.  He squinted his eyes to see if something on the horizon could tell him what might lay ahead.  The cry had taken him from his negative thoughts and he couldn’t help to think of T. and their long hour discussions about the spirits and the wheel of life that kept turning.  Crow was more of a rationalist.  Calculated and organized in his thoughts and yet he had seen too much which he couldn’t explain to dismiss the spirits or influence of a hidden force.  He waited to listen if there was truly something calling him and yet he knew deep down it was in vain.  He pulled up the scarf again and headed in the direction in which he felt himself directed.  An old killer that had nothing better to do than to find himself walking in a direction that held perhaps only a dream.

Along the line he felt the call stronger, making himself restless and weary. Was it the call of his own death ? Was it the call that the wheel would turn without him ? He remembered the story of the urt, T. once told him. The older urt telling the younger one to watch out for the wheels of a cart and with it finding his own death. A small grin formed behind the scarf at the recollection of the story, which no other could tell so beautiful as his comrade Taog.  He chuckled softly to himself, visioning the faces of the slaves that had often been forced to listen to the two men sharing tales about life, death and the meaning of life.  How amazing that even now such could bring comfort while something seemed out there, which didn’t make any sense.  The weariness seemed to be replaced with the hunger of knowing, the desire to face the demon or to learn from his mistakes.  The killer :  The Crow seemed to have ruffled his feathers and was ready to face that which had called him from afar.

Something told him in the darkness that someone was there and yet he couldn’t see anyone there.  The crying seemed to have stopped and he was sure that this spot, was one that he needed to find.  He stood there, completely in that power of his. That strength that indeed would tell about the purpose, the meaning of what he was. It felt that with every step he had made his doubt about himself had become less.  He was slightly annoyed that his own puzzle didn’t seem to be unravelled by the spot he was drawn too.  Yet now he had found it he wouldn’t leave it without the answer he felt was there.  In no state to just find a spot to get some sleep, he gathered some branches when suddenly his look met the sleeping girl near something he could use to start a fire. The girl unrecognizable in the dark was sound asleep.  A glance about the place to see that she at least had sheltered herself against the cold wind.

While he silently build that pile he could light for a fire, he wondered if this woman was perhaps there for his answer. It wouldn’t be a first that a slave girl, without knowing, had given him answers to puzzles he didn’t seem been able to resolve.  With the first light of the fire he watched the light dance over her small frame. Her pale skin seemed fragile while her hair was like this frame around it. The woman curled up as if it had tried to find shelter by nature itself became more visual and suddenly he knew who this woman was.

“The Peacock has lost her feathers.” He whispered while he placed the heavy cloak over her body and warmed himself by the fire until she would awake.