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Valley of the Hunted (Frelance & Kikora)

Ross was looking at the ceiling and had not expected Teyha’s touch so went he felt her finger trace his jaw he tensed at first but relaxed after a second. “As I said my eyes have been opened. I have lived outside of this valley for long enough to see what will happen to my people if and yours if things don’t change. As for your friend I don’t know where she fits in to all this but I could not let Mirth or Vikki get to her. They would have ripped her apart.” He turned onto his side so that he was on his side facing her. “If I become an elder I will want you to represent me in your village.” He reached out and ran his fingers down her cheek. “I will need you to get in touch with the rebellion. I know you say you are not a part of it but that does not matter. I know you will be able to get in touch with them.” He stopped talking as he suppressed his memories again. He knew he would have to face them soon but he was going to make sure he was alone when that happened.
Merk sat at the table and ate silently as he took in the inn. He noticed as Kaura moved closer to him but pretended to ignore her as he ate. He was surprised that she would come to him. He had thought that he would have to approach her first. He took a long drink from his ale then sat up straighter and looked at Kaura. He had not spent much time around elves in his life since the land he came from was not close to their lands. He made no attempt to hide his actions as his eyes roamed over her features and took in the similarities and differences. “And who might you be?” He was not sure why she had approached him. From what Kat had told him she had had a difficult time getting the towns people to accept her.
 
The little witch laughed softly, her grey eyes sparkling in the low light. "Here I thought you were only referring to sex." She teased, her finger continuing it's exploration. "I am glad you think like that, Ross... Ophelie is a good woman. She's strongwilled, stubborn, and prideful... But she's not someone who will hurt the innocent. And..." She hesitated, cautious to give him more information. "And not hurting her will help you in the long run... Or else they'd know." She whispered as he turned towards her. She let her fingers trail across his lips, exploring lightly. Shamefaced she glanced up at him and shrugged. "I make a horrible representative.." She whispered. "But I will try."


Kaura smiled calmly at the man when he finally noticed her, and took a long sip from her cider. "I am Kaura Vertae." She told him with a smile when she lowered her drink, and extended a hand towards him. "I apologize if I seem rude... I have seen you in the woods surrounding the village while I do my gathering." She told him, nodding again to the wicker basket. "I never had the time to give you a proper introduction, so I thought I might now... I have not seen you around this village, have you travelled from another?"
 
Ross relaxed slightly as he heard Tehya's laughter. "I guess I may have been a bit vague." He chuckled and moved his fingers so that they ran down the side of her neck. His fingers stopped at the base of her neck as he heard her words. "I knew that you knew something Teyha. Will either of you be able to get me in contact with them?" He knew that he would need to talk to the as soon as the elder was picked weather it was him or not. "It would not have mattered how strong willed she is I am know they would have broken her. They have have had a life time to prefect their skills." He fell silent as her finger ran over his lips. His lips parted slightly. He closed them almost as soon as he opened them. "Out of everyone you are the best one for the job. The villagers won't trust anyone they don't know so I can't send anyone I have here. Anyway all I want you to do is listen to what they need and tell me later."

Merk gave her Kaura a slight smile. "Well Kaura it's nice to meet you." He took her hand and shook it but broke the hold and pulled his hand back quickly. He hoped she would not see the scars on his wrist as he slip the sleeve of his cloak back down. "I am just a bit surprised that you would come to me before anyone else. You must have friends, I just thought you would be eating with them thats all." He shrugged and smiled at her. "Its nice to have the company though." He knew there were people in the woods most of the time but he was surprised that she had been watching him. "Well I am glade you gave came over." He stood up and moved to her table before answering her question. He knew he had to be careful about what he said to her. "My profession has makes it difficult for me to stay in one place for long so I don't stay in one place for long."
 
They explored one another lightly now, and Teyha was becoming relaxed enough to lean against him, her soft body pressed lightly to his rock hard frame. "I can try." Teyha lied, so softly only Ross would be able to hear. "But Ross, if I return here at night then everyone will know I am working for you. No one will easily trust you. All I would be able to say is they need food, clothing, and material for homes. We cannot cut down the forest for wood, or the animals would flee. People are starving and the vampires here do nothing for them."

Kara did not examine Merk's wrist, nor was she particularly intrigued by the swiftness of his handshake. She took another sip, laughing. "Few in this village will talk to me directly." She told him with a smile and very slight shrug. "In this part Elves are a novelty, and humans treat us with a certain degree of wonder, it is very frustrating." She laughed, and turned her chair to face Merk's, a pleasant smile on her dreamy face. "I travel often myself, for a hobby. What job do you have?"
 
Ross listened and knew she was telling the truth. "If that is the case then I will let you go when every you think is the best time." He let his hand run down her arm as they spoke. "If all goes well I should be able to get enough food that the villagers will be able to harvest some of the forest. As for clothing that will take longer I think." He had to remind himself to not give her to much information. He trusted her to a point but he would not be able to trust her until after he was an elder. "I can only do so much without outside support. That is why I need to talk to the rebellion." He was not sure he should say more so he fell silent and let Teyha think over what he had said.

Merk laughed and smiled. "And here I was thinking that I was the only one with a history of little contact with elves." He laughed and shifted into a more comfortable position. "Well I have lived my life dealing with all sorts of beings, although elves are hard to find these days unless you go close to the borders of their territories. Me personally I stayed far from those forests. To many people disappear around there." He shrugged and too another sip of his cider. He looked at her and found it hard for him to think of why he should not just come clean with her. He shook his head to clear it. He shrugged and passed it off as the cider taking affect really fast. "I do more than one job. I have was hired as a guide and a body guard for a few months and now I am scouting out the area for my employer." he stopped talking and took another sip of his cider as he watched Kaura.
 
Teyha's grin widened, and wrapped her arms around Ross' neck. "Thank you!" She whispered into his ear, her breath hot on his neck. "I'll contact them immediately... I'm sure Lorian will meet with you, at very least." She told him... Intentionally giving him just this one hint to the her connection to the rebellion. She tangled her fingers in his hair, stroking lightly with a sigh. "Make life better for those you will lead." She whispered to him. "I believe you will do that."

Kaura frowned into her cup, her brows knitting together. "Blame those damn vampires for that." She said stiffly, swirling the contents of her glass. "They hunt those woods, stalking humans like deer, to drain them, and leave them. Many die, and the Elves find them there, alone on the forest floor." She shifted slightly, all humor lose in her face as she raised her glass again, emptying it in one long drink. "Even if you avoid the woods, they will take from someone's home. Like they did the healer of this village and her friend. Burned it to the ground. All her medical destroyed, her herbs and medicines... Everything needed to tend to the village, they didn't even leave her behind. Dragged her to the castle, and for weeks she has been gone." Kaura whispered, trying to keep emotion from pushing into her voice, before she turned to Merk again. "Who is your employer?"
 
Ross felt his own smile grown as he saw hers. He was a bit surprised when she embraced him but he went with it and wrapped his arms around her. "Your welcome. It should have never com-" He stopped speaking when he realized the significance of her words. He tried to think of everything that she had told him. He would have pulled back except she had tangled her fingers in his hair. He remembered the images that had slipped through Teyha's guard. "He's the one I saw in your mind isn't he." He knew there was no point in him getting angry about her lying to him. He was never satisfied with what she had told him before so it made sense that she was hiding something. He shifted she his head was lying on her shoulder. "I can't do it on my own. I might be faster and stronger but I cannot do this be myself." He whispered to her as his lips brushed her shoulder and moved up towards her neck. He stopped when he got to the wound of his feeding. He inhaled deeply then licked up a bit of blood that was leaking from the wound. "Stay with me, rule by my side." His words were barely more than a whisper as he spoke between licks.


It took Merk a minute to realize that Kaura thought he was talking about the forests in the valley. Merk had heard stories of the dead that had been found drain of every drop of blood. He did not want to see it for himself but if he had seen Ross feed quite a few times as they made their way here. When she started to drain her drink he spoke up. "I know what they did. I was there when it happened." He signaled the serving girl to bring to more ciders then drained his own drink. "My employer?" He worked hard to keep a straight face as he tried to think of how he would explain to her who Ross was without giving him away. "I work for a person of power who needs to know how things stand here before he over throws the current .... powers." As he spoke he lowered his voice so that only Kaura would be able to hear. He leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers behind his head as he watched Kaura. He was looking for any hint to what she was thinking
 
Teyha smiled briefly, feeling Ross tense. He seemed to want to pull away from her, but she couldn't let him. She didn't want him to see the shamed look on her face. "He's my my superior." She whispered quickly. "Over Kaura. I told him... I told him to wait for me to talk to you." She said hoarsely, and swallowed. "I told them both to wait for me to get to know you." She tensed herself when he began to lick her wound, lapping up the slow trickle of blood that flowed out. For a moment she wasn't sure if she heard him right, and her brows came together in confusion. "Rule with you?" She asked softly. "You want me to help take care of the villagers?"


Kaura waited for her next drink to appear, and she stared sadly into it. "Repulsive." She whispered. "All of it. Everyone was helpless to stop it. Helpless to save Ophelie and Teyha, to stop the fire... There were horsemen, you know..." She said softly, so only her and Merk could hear. "Not even they dared put out the blaze, only ensure no one else was hurt... But I was too far away, I didn't see who they were." She shook her head, and smiled when he mentioned his leader. "I know a few like that." She said carefully, cautious of exactly who he meant. She didn't know him well enough to hint that she was ever involved in the rebellion, even if she was allowed to. "It's a dangerous business."
 
Ross could hear the pain or what he thought was pain in Teyha's voice as she told him about Janek. He stopped licking her neck and kissed it softly. "I am glad you were able to get them to give you time." He pulled her closer and started to brush his fingers through her hair. "You did the right thing by confiding in me Teyha. If you had not told me I would have found out later and it may have been to late." He kept stroking her hair. "It is admirable that you have kept this information from me until now." He held her close as he tried to clam her. A slight smile crossed his lips as he heard her confusion. He licked up a bit more of her blood, savoring the taste. "Yes, I cannot rule them on my own and I don't want anyone else to be by my side." He paused and licked up a bit more blood. "Think about it Teyha, you know how to help people and I am sure you have listened to lots of peoples problems and I am sure that you helped them as much as you could."

Merk smiled to the serving girl gave them their drinks and he pulled out two silver coins and handed them to her. He had never gotten into the habit of using other forms of payment like most of Ross's other followers had but as long as the silver was not going to touch Ross the vampires never mentioned it to anyone. He listened silently and as she started to talk about the fire his gaze fell to his own drink. He had not wanted to let the house burn but he was loyal to Ross. Ross was the one who freed him from the slavers, he owed him his life. "I know, its a life threatening situation to be in. Thats why I have been scouting the area." He looked up at her and gave her a slight smile. He could still see the flames of the house as it burnt. "I know the men, the ones who were at the fire." He took a long swig from his cider before speaking again. "They were not afraid of the vampires rather Kaura. They have there loyalties just like you and me." He watched her carefully as he took another long drink from his cider.
 
Ross was so affectionate and sweet now, Teyha couldn't help but smile. She loved closer, one lithe leg draping over Ross' body lightly, drawing their hips all too close. Shyly she smiles and nuzzles lightly against Ross's neck, sighing into his shoulder. "It was hard." She whispered. "I hate lying. I hate keeping secrets, but I had to... From everyone." She said, her hand tightening over Ross. "The... The first time you wanted me.. I called to Lorian. He was helpless, I could hear it. He worries so much, he is a good man." She whispered, shivering as Ross kissed her neck, his lips and tongue teasing the sensitive wounds. She laughed suddenly, giggling helplessly against his body. "Be careful." She laughed, kissing his own neck. "Many woman in the village would consider that a proposal.You wouldn't want THAT now would you?"


Kaura nodded slowly. "It is hard to believe there is anyone not afraid of the vampires... Besides those who work for them. Even they seem terrified, as if the Vampires might drag them back into the castle should they make the slightest mistake." She said, and shuddered. "The rest of the villagers are too afraid to even speak of the vampres openly. They do not ask for supplies or beg for food... Just wither and starve, terrified that the slightest word will draw the demons down upon them." She pulled up her basket, and pulled at the herbs, holding each one up for inspection. "Which is why I travel. I gather food and medicine for the villagers, since the vampires wont. Your men are often in the woods, I see you daily... Would it be a terrible favor to ask you to assist me in my hunt?"
 
Ross held Teyha closer as her leg draped over his. “You did the right thing Teyha. Just try to relax.” He rolled so that he lay on his back as he shifted he held onto Teyha and pulled her onto him. “You can let him know I will do my best to protect you and Ophelie.” He looked at her with a smile. He wanted to make her mood better even if it was just for as small amount of time. He reached up and brushed his hand along her cheek. “How is it you contact him?” He had a pretty good idea of how she did it but he wanted to know for sure. He smiled and laughed with her. “I will be careful from now on then.” He kissed her lightly then lay his head back on the pillow.

“Most of them are afraid but the riders you saw are different. We.” He froze for a second then started speaking again. “They know that they are protected by their employer. ” He stopped speaking and drank some more of his cider. “I have seen how bad things are here but I also know how bad they are outside of this valley.” He shrugged and drank a bit more. “The rulers outside are just as bad if not worse than the vampires in here.” He looked up at her and gave her a smile. “That will change as soon as my employer takes action.” He thought about the favour she wanted as he relaxed in his chair again. “I am not sure how much help we will be, but I will do what I can. What is it you want us to do? We will scare off most of game before we are close enough to see them.”
 
Teyha nodded slowly, and let herself begin to relax. She nuzzled in close to Ross, and gave a sigh, feeling his hips slide closer still to hers. Her breathing faltered for a moment as her still slick womanhood glided over his cock, and she swallowed. "Through the mind." She said quickly to pull her thoughts into a more constructive direction. She buried her face into his shoulder to hide her flush, and spoke directly into Ross' ear. "Elder Elves do it. He can go right into our minds and speak to us... I can talk to him now if you want." She told him, glancing briefly in his direction. "We just want to survive."


Kaura didn't miss the man's slight mistake, but wouldn't allow her expression to change even slightly. She raised her glass, and calmly took a sip, wondering what connection this man had with the riders, and who exactly his employer is. "Are the riders in connection with the vampires?" She asked evenly, her smile appearing genuine and kind. "I don't know any way anyone could see how it is on the outside. The roads have been closed for decades, and archers kill all who try to scale the walls. Is there a path you know secret to others then, sir?" She probed lightly, and leaned forward to begin eating her food, her eyes darting briefly to him. "You can check traps, and reset them if food is caught." She pointed out. "It takes very little time to set a snare."
 
Ross let his hands run down her body as he listened to her. He heard her heart speed up as he brushed against her and chuckled. He nodded as she talked about using the mind to communicate. “I thought so. It’s the only way that makes sense.” He thought about her offer but he knew that it would be a mistake for her to contact him now. “Don’t contact him. We have to wait, if you contact him now he won’t trust you. I am sure he will feel my presence.” He tapped her forehead then gave her a small smile. “I may not be trying to get in there but I am connected to you for now. So we have to wait until my connection is finished if we want him to trust you.” He lifted his head and kissed her softly.

Merk Listened to Kaura as he drank his cider. He had slipped and now he was paying for it. He sat back and looked at her, he wanted to trust her smile but he knew better than to trust anyone. "They are doing the job that they were hired to do, thats all." He put down his drink and crossed his arms. "As for how I know about the out side. I lived outside of this valley all my life. I have just recently come here." He waited a minute then sat up and started eating. "I will get my men to check the traps everyday and anything they find will be brought here." He sat back and gave her a big smile. "As for my employer." He paused for effect. "I can't tell you because that would be like you telling me who is your connection to the rebellion. Its a death sentence." He just sat there and smiled waiting for her reaction.
 
Slowly Teyha nodded, and kissed Ross' shoulder affectionately. "Here I had thought the venom had worn off." She told him with a smile, and kissed him again, her tongue darting out to taste the salt of his skin. She smiled to herself, and pulled back far enough that he could see her grin. "What do you need to do, Ross?" She questioned, glancing over at the dresser, and her clothes that waited within. "Could it wait until tomorrow? I am exhausted... I feel like I could go to sleep right now and not wake up until next week. It's going to be something important though, for the village? I should be there, if I'm supposed to help you guide me people."

If there was one thing Elves excelled in, it is keeping their emotions hidden. Even Kaura, young as she was, kept her expression a friendly neutral while the man next to her spoke. "No one comes in from the outside without the vampire's consent." She told him evenly. "Not a soul in decades now, besides the new vampire himself who stole away the healer and her friend." Kaura smiled pleasantly again, but there was a slight edge of steel in her eyes, a quickness in the way she glanced at him. "To think of it, she mentioned the vampire arrived in town with men and women the night before she was taken. Did you notice that, sir?" She asked, setting the fork down to lean her chin on her hand, adopting her usual faraway gaze. "Whatever your men can do would be greatly appreciated, but do be sure not to mention your employer. There are those who'd find that knowledge very interesting... And I wouldn't want food wasted simply because we can't trust you." She finished, deliberately not mentioning her involvement with the rebellion, or whether there was one at all.
 
Ross smiled and ran his fingers through Teyha's hair as she kissed his shoulder. "It has. I don't know how I connect with you but its not through the venom." He chuckled when he felt her tongue dart out and taste him. He smiled back at her and leaned forward to kiss her neck before answering her question. "It will be important but I can get someone else to be at my side for this one." He paused as he thought of the best way to explain what he was going to do in a nice way. "I need to meet the slavers who will be arriving sometime soon." He shifted slightly. "I am gong to be freeing those who will be loyal to be. As I traveled back here I told all the slavers I saw to bring the best fighters, crafts men and hunters they could find to this valley. All the people that I had with me the first night I arrived are all former slaves and are now loyal to me and me alone. I am hoping to spread these people through out the castle and this valley so when I decide to take over I will have supporters everywhere." As he spoke his voice dropped low and he moved so he spoke directly into her ear. He was not sure who might be outside the door of the room so he had to be careful. "I leave it up to you to decide if you want to accompany me or rest."

Merk would have been surprised if she had not figured it out. "The healer and her friend are fine." He moved on right away not waiting to see if she would as for more information. "We will be sure not to mention our employer." He had sat up and was meeting her gaze as he tried to see into her. "If anyone asks we will just say we are hunters that were just passing by." He waited to see if she would remember how she had used the same excuse to get out of a sticky situation. His smile was replaced by a neutral look. "When the time comes I hope I can count on your support if it is needed to change things." He was not expecting her to agree to help but so far she had not stormed off after figuring out that he worked for a vampire so he thought things would be okay. For now at least.
 
"Slaves?" Teyha asked, her eyes wide. She looked over Ross' face, searching for some reason why he would be involved in slave trade to begin with. Slowly she relaxed again, even if she still frowned slightly. Hesitantly she reached out and stroked Ross' cheek, her fingers drifting to his lips again. "What will you go if they don't swear to be loyal?" She asked in a whisper, fearing the answer already. "For that matter... How do you know I will be loyal? I lied to you from the time I walked in, pushed you away, interrupted your pleasure... The only reason we are like this now is because you weren't done when I lit my plant."


A muscle in Kaura's jaw tightened briefly at the mention of her friends, and her eyes locked onto Merk's, sharp and probing. "That is wise." Kaura told him, smiling inwardly. One more week and she could talk to Lorian, and he could handle this situation. Until then it she decided it would be wisest to get as close as possible to this man. "I do not care either way." Kaura lied easily, draining her second cup of cider. She pushed it and the nearly empty plate away, dabbing at her mouth with the embroidered handkerchief she carried. "As you said, there will always be evil, I cannot punish you for choosing the demon you know. For now we have a responsibility to the people of this village. I will rely heavily on your men to see these people fed."
 
Ross shrugged. "If they don't join me I cannot take them. Unless they can be very useful in the villages even if they are against me." He tried to smile back but his faltered. "I can only do so much. If i could I would stop all the slavery but I don't have the power. If I can get them to agree to give use some of their blood I can buy them." He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her up against him. "If you didn't trust me then you would not have told me about Janek and if you were to betray me you would be killing the rebellion since I now know that if I kill the Elder elves I will cripple at least the rebellions communication." He shrugged again and ran his fingers through her hair. "It just doesn't make sense for you to betray me now."

Merk was almost certain he had seen her jaw clench for a brief moment when he mentioned the healer. He focused on her eyes since he could see a hint of emotion in them. He was a bit disappointed when she did not react to her quoting of her but he shrugged it off. "You may have a responsibility to this village. Me and my men are volunteering to help. I am loyal to my employer above everyone else." He was going to make sure she knew that he would not be taking orders from her if he did not want to.
 
Teyha let Ross pull her close once more, and she wrapped her arms around him. For just then it felt like the world existed for just them, and she let him draw her in. "I'll help you." She whispered, letting him stroke her hair. "I trust that you mean well for the people in the village. We'll do this together. But for now let's not talk about this anymore." She whispered soothingly, and tilted her head back so she could kiss him lightly, letting her lips linger for just a moment before she pulled back. "It feels nice just to lay here with you. I didn't think it would, really. We might as well enjoy this, right? I mean..." She paused, her fingers tracing down Ross' chest nervously. "I don't think we'll be like this again.I enjoyed it, but... Sex... It... It's too open for me. I don't like feeling so vulnerable to anyone."

The only sign of emotion Kaura gave was a brief tightening of her lips, and she glanced at Merk again. "I wouldn't expect anyone with your master to give more than passing support." She commented lightly, though her smile was slightly stiffer. "Of course, I would like to stay in contact with you, but I wont be asking much more than to help feed the good people in these towns."
 
Ross could not help but relax when he heard the soothing tone Teyha was using. His eyes slowly closed as they kissed. Even after Teyha had pulled away he kept his eyes closed. "Thank you. I am sure you will do great." He smiled and nodded slightly as she told him not to talk about it again. "Sure, sure. Lets just enjoy this." He repeated her words slowly. He chuckled as she admitted that she had enjoyed herself. "Your are only the second mortal who has ever told me that Teyha and you are just as beautiful as she was." Ross sighed and opened his eyes as he looked for her face. "Teyha, I want to be like this again and Sex does not mean that you are vulnerable. It takes a great deal of strength to let someone in two yourself." He ran his fingers through her hair as his other hand traced her spine slowly. "You are more vulnerable to me when I feed. It would not take me long to get through the blocks you have put up around your mind if I really wanted to break you." He turned and looked at the ceiling again as his hands continued tracing her spine and running through her hair.

Merk was watching hard now that he realized the slightest change in her expression could tell her quite a bit. He leaned in as if he were telling her a secret. "With a master like mine I will be doing much more for this Village than you know." He tilted his head slightly then groaned in frustration. "Give it up. Stop acting I don't care if you hate me. I have come accustomed to peoples hatred so give yourself a break and stop hiding it behind that lovely smile of yours." He smirked just a bit then added. "It seems like we both want to keep in contact with each other then. But I am sure it is for different reasons." He paused for a moment the looked at her seriously. "You don't want to send a message to.. shit whats her name. Teyha or, her friend." He faked trying to remember Ophelie's name to see if Kaura would supply it for him.
 
"The first mortal... Was the girl in there?" Teyha questioned, glancing back at the now vacant room where Ross had been having sex with the human before. She frowned and shook her head slightly. "She'd much prettier than I am." She told him with a sigh before curling against him. "But I am weak." Teyha reminded with a frown, pouting up at Ross. "I feel so open with you, when you're inside me. There's nowhere that you're not, nothing you don't see. I feel like I exist for the sole purpose of having you make love to me. That is... Frightening. I don't know if I can do it. I'm not strong enough to be life that.

Humans are so driven by emotion, Kaura was barely putting any effort into concealing her own thoughts. Still the man sitting beside her groaned softly, as if they were caught in an awkward situation of cleverly hiding emotions and thoughts. "You're not worth hating, if I did waste my time on such things." Kaura told him coldly, leaning back in her chair. A puppet of one of the oppressors, I would not occupy my time with disliking you." She told him, her smile never faltering once. "And I would, to Teyha and Ophelie. They both have named. Everyone your master takes has names, and families... I learn them. It seems only decent to have someone remember they existed."
 
Ross chuckled. "No not Kat, she is as human as you are." He brushed her hair back as he watched her. "I was not talking about her. Kat was never against sex." He Kissed Teyha briefly before he continued. "You are much more beautiful than her Teyha. Don't kid yourself." He moved closer to her. "The first girl to say that to me, was from this valley as well. I met her before we took this place. She hated me at first but the more I came around the more she started to relax. It was amazing to find a mortal who did not run. She stood her ground like you did and I respected her for it." He paused and lay his head on Teyha's shoulder. He had to fight hard to hold back the tears that the memories brought with them. Once he thought he could trust himself to talk again he took a few breaths as he listened to Teyha's heart beat. "That was then but this is now."

Merk watched Kaura and barely suppressed a shiver as he watched her. He smile was unsettling especially with the tone she spoke in. He sat back and kept watching her. "I am no puppet I may take orders but I am still a free thinker. I am sure you have a hatred for Ross. The one who took Teyha and Ophelie." He was not sure if he would be able to get a reaction out her but good knows it was worth a try. "So if you have a message for them what would it be? I will be back in the Castle in a day or two so I can give it to them then."
 
Teyha could hear the pain in Ross' voice at the mention of this old love, and she could only imagine it ended badly. Hesitantly she reached out to him, and wrapped her arms around his body. She held him close, stroking his hair lightly while murmuring softly in his ear to let him know that she was there. "It's okay." She told him gently. She wanted to know more about this woman and her relationship with Ross, but forced herself not to ask, not wanting to push an issue that had the man so close to tears. "I'm sorry." She said instead. "I didn't mean to bring anything up... And I don't mean that I don't like you, Ross or that... What we did... Wasn't amazing. I just warn you, I don't know if I can do it again."

Every word Merk uttered made Kaura tense further, her fingers tightening across the cup until her tendons were pulled tight at the mention that his boss was the one to carry away her friends. She glanced over at him sharply, never losing her generally pleasant expression. "Of course you are." She told him blankly, as if she did not truly believe him. But he wasn't her biggest worry. She had to get a message to Teyha and Ophelie, one that was safe to give through one loyal to Ross. "Tell them that they are missed." She concluded at last. "Nothing more."
 
Ross didn’t react as Teyha held him close and tried to sooth him. He listened to her words but didn’t react for a while. He couldn’t bring himself to tell her what was bothering him. But once she started apologizing he pulled back and looked into her eyes. “Teyha, you have nothing to be sorry for. It is my past not yours. I should not be doing this to you.” He placed his finger over her lips as he gave her a small smile. “I knew what you meant Teyha, you don’t have to apologise for anything.” He tried to pretend that he was fine but he knew their was know way to make the sadness leave his eyes. “It’s this place and the history it holds. I have to come to terms with it.”

Merk watched Kaura and saw her grip on the cup tighten. He knew she didn’t believe him but there was nothing he could do about that. He knew that she would never trust him, not while Ross was alive. He smiled as she told him her message. “Short simple and to the point. It sounds like something I would send.” He paused for a moment as he listened to a sound outside. “I will make sure they get the message as soon as I get back.” He stopped and tired to figure out what was making the sound. “Is it just me or do you hear a few wagons on there way?” While he had been here he had not seen many wagons and those that he had seen didn’t usually move in groups. His face darkened as he realized that it was probably the first of the slavers Ross had told to come here.
 
"I don't mean to drag it up." She whispered, still stroking him. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his bare chest, pulling herself in close to him. "Whenever you are ready to talk, I want to listen, but I wont force you." She told him softly. She stroked his hair tenderly, and kissed his cheek. "I will be here for you however you need me, Ross. Don't be afraid to lean on me..... And I'll certainly depend on you now and then too."

Kaura's eyes flicked up, and her lips quirked up into a brief smile. It was simple and to the point, betraying none of her intentions, nothing that would put her or the rebellion at risk but let her friends know she had a contact. She leaned back when she noticed the sounds of wheels on the hard dirt road outside. "Wagons are rare, but this sounds like many of them." She answered, and glanced at Merk's face. He was flushed red, as if humiliated by something, and Kaura's eyes widened. "What is he going to do with these wagons?"
 
Ross wrapped his arms around her again and kisses the top of her head. He tried to relax but his mind was working over time. "Thank you Teyha. I will come to you when I can talk." He let his hand slide down her back and come to a rest on her lower back. "I will only lean on you when I have no choice." He was silent for a moment as he thought about what the next two days would bring. "Within two days you will be able to go back to the villagers. By then I will either be the new Elder or I will be planning to take the Castle by force and if thats the case I want you out of here." He was not going to let history repeat itself. He was going to keep her as safe as he could for as long as he could.

Merk looked down at Kaura as he stood up and put a few coins on the table. "Free more slaves. I have to go, but I will make sure your message gets to Ophelie and Teyha as soon as I see them." He gave her a quick bow that was almost mocking before he left the inn.

Once out side he looked down the road to the see the trail of wagons that were heading for the castle. He hated slavers for what they had done to him and he would have killed them all but he knew that Ross would free as many as he could. After that was done Merk hoped he could convince him to let him go after them. He got onto his horse after untying its rains then turn and rode for the Castle as fast as he could.
 
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