Mending Memories

[Mari]

Closed to Jake

2 Weeks earlier

Amari woke to the sun shining on her face, she grimaced and sat up as she rubbed her tired eyes. “Shit…” she mumbled, she felt as though she hadn’t slept. “Jake, are you awake?” She turned to see an empty room. He had left, without a note and without a word.

“Ah.”

Amari wasn’t sure how to describe what she felt at that moment, she was frustrated that he had up and left her, but there was something else… a feeling that itched at the back of her mind, one that tugged at her heart. Jake had been so ecstatic and happy to see her, and she had so quickly snuffed that out. Was she too harsh on him?

Amari pushed herself out of bed and busied herself, preparing to leave. No doubt he had gone on to obtain the Crystal Sword without her, not that it mattered to Amari. Despite her own personal agenda she wasn’t about to go back on her word and take it for herself. “Good for you Jake.” She muttered bitterly as she left the inn.

It was no doubt for the best, Amari was unsure if he could handle the reality of her world. What would realistically happen if she were to bring him to the Crimson Hand? It wasn’t like he’d go without harm, sure, she could place him under her care and he’d be physically safe, but mentally? Amari had her doubts.

Then, there was the matter of how he left. If he really cared, wouldn’t he have at least left her a note? Not even a ‘hey I’m doing this on my own.’ Amari’s face soured as she wandered through the busy streets of Ettimere. It was most definitely for the best, she was foolish to think that such a person as her would bring anyone any form of joy.



Present Time

Two weeks had passed since Amari had left Ettemire, she was nearing the border of the two nations, soon she’d cross over into Salvic territory, and soon after that, she’d be back within the inner sanctum. Back home.

Rather than pay to be escorted by horse drawn carriage Amari took the opportunity to walk it, she needed the exercise and the time alone to think. Lately things had been getting to her, things that she would normally just brush off. She was getting overly emotional and attached to people, but was that such a bad thing? That’s what had her so torn, a part of her felt she shouldn’t be growing attached or letting her emotions get in the way, the other yearned for that contact, those relationships.

Amari sat in a small cafe in a small town she didn’t care to recall the name of. The afternoon sun shone through the large, open windows and the faint smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the quaint establishment. Amari was the only customer sitting at a small table of many, a steaming cup of milky tea resting in front of her. Her hands gripped the sides tightly, soaking up the warmth as though in fear she’d never feel something like it ever again.

She stared at her warbled reflection; red hair, emerald eyes and face clear of the cracked black lines of corruption. Amari knew that’s why she was feeling so vulnerable at this stage, because of all the ‘good’ she had done in Ettimere, because she didn’t go against the nature of her soul, it was thriving. It meant the entirety of her being had the ability to do so… the thing was… Amari wasn’t sure if she liked it or not.

Am I that far gone, that I am conditioned to believe that I shouldn’t have such feelings?

[Jake Narmolanya]

"What brings you to Lady Grizzelda's tent of inner sight?" Asked the wizened, robed woman. She sat at the round table which dominated the center of the tent, draped in lavish purple silks.

"I'm looking for a friend," said Jake Narmolanya. The half elf sat in the seat opposite the seer and doffed his floppy canvas cap.

"Ahhh," the white-haired woman replied, "and is this friend of yours a young lady?"

"How did you know?" Jake asked, and then shook his head. "Look, I'm not here for parlor tricks. I need you to show me where Amari L'Olfsden is. I need to see her."

"You're worried about her well being," the seer intuited, scraping her long fingernails along the silken tablecloth, "I can sense it."

"Well of course I bloody well am!" Jake said, "I haven't seen her in two weeks, and I didn't exactly say goodbye. She's probably frightfully cross with me."

"This Amari," the woman intoned, "she is a romantic interest of yours?"

Jake's cheeks colored. "Err, I... don't... know. Haide's breath, could you just show me where she is already?"

"Of course," the seer said. She gathered two handfuls of silken cloth and pulled the covering clear from the table. The round, flat surface turned out to be a thick mirror, which contained a distorted image of the tent's ceiling. "This is the Mirror of a Thousand Eyes. With it I can see anything I seek. Say again the name of your friend."

"Amari L'Olfsden," Jake said, leaning forward and looking into the mirror, "but she goes by Red now." He gazed at his reflection. He wore a black jacket and black breeches, both made of sifan, and a black silk scarf around his neck. He was in mourning. His unruly blond hair fell about his face in odd clumps, and his green eyes gazed back at him, slightly distorted. As Jake watched the seer touched the mirror, and the image swam and changed.

The half elf found himself looking down on Amari from above. She sat in a cafe clutching a cup of tea. She looked healthier than when he'd seen her last; the cracked black lines that had marred her skin had faded. Jake fixed the image in his mind, focusing on small details such as the craftsmanship of the table and chairs, the lines on the floor, and the angle at which the door opened.

"Thank you," Jake said to the seer, standing and easing the tonfa and quiver of arrows which hung from his belt. He shrugged his shoulders, feeling the familiar weight of the cased recurve bow on his back. "You've been a great help."

"You will always be welcome in Lady Grizzelda's tent of inner sight," the woman called as he exited.

Outside the ground squished wetly beneath Jake's leather boots. Spring had come early to Corone, and the season's melt had left the grass sodden and muddy. The half elf looked around and, seeing no one, jogged to a nearby copse of trees. He closed his eyes, picturing the cafe where he'd seen Amari, and reached inside his jacket. As he touched the enchanted eagle quill he carried there, a doorway sprang into existence. A simple oaken door with a brass knob, behind which lurked one of Jake's patented portals. He reached out a hand, and then hesitated.

Amari most likely would be rather cross with him. Jake hadn't intended to abandon her in Alerar but... events had transpired. Jake sniffed as he felt tears gather at the corners of his eyes. He would explain everything to Amari, if she wanted to listen. Even if she didn't value their friendship, Jake considered it firmly forged the night they had met, so many years ago. He hadn't expected to ever see her again after that night, and finding her in Alerar two weeks prior had made him truly happy. Jake set his shoulders, clapped his hat on his head and reached for the doorknob. It would be worth seeing her again, no matter how angry she became.

Jake opened the door and stepped through, his boots landing on the cafe's clean floor. Fortunately there were few enough patrons in the establishment, and none seemed to notice his arrival. A nervous grin painted his youthful face as he strode up to Amari's table and rapped lightly on the surface.

"Hello Amar--Red. I don't suppose you're happy to see me?"

[Mari]

Amari's brows furrowed when someone had stepped between the warming rays of the afternoon sun and herself, casting a shadow over the table. "Who the he-" Her angered words caught in her throat as she lifted her gaze to see Jake. A man she wasn't expecting to see, especially dressed all in black. "Jake?" Amari questioned, as more queries ran through her head.

Why was he here? How did he know where to find her? Why was he dressed all in black as though he had come back from a funeral? His appearance was startling, but she guessed he had used his portal ability to get there. Amari hadn't given Jake too much thought since he had left her in Ettimere, she had written him off as a distant memory. To have him here, and now - it was both a relief and problematic. Suffice to say, it gave the woman mixed feelings.

Jake still stood, biting his lower lip looking rather nervous. Amari gestured to the cushioned wooden seat in front of her. "Don't flatter yourself." She said in a low tone, "I'm not exactly a barrel of laughs. Shit, I don't remember the last time I was happy." Jake gave her a look as she said it and Amari quickly dismissed him. "Don't." She said abruptly. "I'm fine."

Amari shuffled in her seat and picked up her tea, Earl Grey. She shut her eyes and inhaled the flowery aroma before taking a small sip. She delicately placed the cup back on the table deliberately making her movements slow.

"Amari... listen I-"

The red headed woman held up her hand, stopping Jake before he could continue. "I'm not helping you get the sword anymore. That's your problem now."

Jake's brow furrowed as he lifted his hand to loosen the black scarf around his neck. "That's not why I'm here. I- " He paused, cleared his throat and promptly changed the subject. "You're... looking well."

Amari raised her brow, sceptical. If he wasn't here for help then why was he here? "Yeh?" Amari asked as he complimented her. His hair was a mess and his eyes were puffy and bloodshot, he looked as though he had barely slept and smelt as though he skipped a bath or two. "You look like shit. If you aren't here for my aid then why are you here?" The thought of him coming to see her to apologise to her didn't occur to Amari. Remorse and guilt weren't common concepts, especially when they were aimed toward her.

[Jake Narmolanya]

"I came to see you," Jake said with a shrug, "I didn't mean to leave you alone in Ettermire, it's just..." he sighed and sat down opposite Amari. The sun coming in the window warmed his back as a server approached. Jake ordered a mug of green tea and the young dark elf scampered to the kitchen to fix it for him.

"I'm sorry I didn't wait for you to seek the Crystal Sword with me," Jake said with an earnest frown, "I didn't plan it or anything." He looked down at his hands as they drew abstract patterns on the tabletop. "Something moved me to leave in the middle of the night, and I didn't want to wake you. I meant to return afterwards, only-"

"So you got the Dragon Sword?" Amari asked, seeming only mildly interested. She held her teacup daintily, enjoying the aroma.

"I, I did," Jake acknowledged with a sad nod. His shoulders slumped as the server returned with his tea. He gave the woman a low-spirited thank you and warmed his hands on the sides of the cup. "It came at great cost, though." He swallowed, throat bobbing as he fought back tears. He had cried too much already. "I had planned to let the bandits who had the sword take me captive, in order to find their hideout. And it worked, only, only..." he took a deep breath and looked away from Amari's emerald eyes.

"The bastards killed Gunner," he choked, "they put three musket balls in him before I knew what was happening."

"Your horse?" Amari said, sounding partway between confused and remorseful. During the time they'd spent together in Ettermire, she'd been kinder to Jake's mount than to the half elf himself.

"My horse," Jake nodded, pulling his scarf up to blow his nose and briefly unveiling the vampire bite scars it concealed. "I had him since he was a yearling, you know. Stole him from a lord in a small village in Scara Brae." Jake chuckled despite his sorrow. "He was always the best steed a half elf could ask for," he intoned, eyes gaining a faraway look as he perused happy memories, "I can't count the number of times he saved me from trouble..." he trailed off as he realized he was probably boring Amari terribly.

"How have you been since we last met?" Jake asked, taking a sip of bitter tea.

[Mari]

Amari repeated Jakes' words with an incredulous tone, "You...came to see me?... " There was a pause in her sentence as she tried to rationalise his reasoning. "Why?" Amari asked and Jake replied in earnest, stating that he felt bad for leaving her alone in Ettermire. Amari found it difficult to believe and would have called the man a liar if not for his body language, the tone of his words, and the forlorn look in his eyes.

"Something moved you?" Amari wanted clarification, but got none, he seemed to struggle with his own words. Growing tired of chasing answers Amari turned her attention to her own beverage, taking another long sip and savouring the sweet taste. Jake struggled with his words some more, if Amari wasn't so relaxed she'd probably have interrupted or walked out on him, patience was not one of her strong points. Nor were emotions, Amari wasn't sure how to deal with the sudden news that his horse had died. "If I went with you, I coulda done something, healed him up right - or stopped you from being a fucking idi-" Her words caught in her throat when she noticed him hiccup and give an audible sob as he wiped his nose on his scarf.

"I mean... " Amari glanced away, shoving her own teacup toward him. "Look, here. Drink this it'll be better than that bitter crap." She was trying to apologise, and doing a poor job of it. Amari wasn't used to dealing with emotional people, those around here either didn't have them or were too emotionally stunted to care. Amari allowed him to reminisce about the horse, thinking it better if she kept her mouth shut, knowing if she said anything it'd only be detrimental to the situation.

Jake must have mistaken her silence for boredom as he shifted the subject back to her, but not before Amari caught sight of an odd mark on his neck, she made a mental note to ask him about it later.

"Since Ettimere or since Salvar?" Amari asked, tapping her fingers on the table as she glanced away - keeping an eye out for a worker to order herself another cup of tea since she had handed hers to Jake.

"Uhm...b-both?" Jake seemed unsure, but his voice gained confidence as he spoke again. "I've been meaning to ask you, what happened... not snippets of memories, the whole story. How did you escape your brother? Why is your skin cracked, and who is that silver haired man?"


Again, Jake was determined to know what had happened to her, and again, just like their previous meeting, he bombarded her with questions. Amari sighed, choosing instead to garner the attention of the waiter who approached the table.

"Another earl grey, white with two if you don't mind." Amari fished around in her pockets and pulled out a few coins and handed them to the man. He gave her a smile and a nod before disappearing from their table.

"Jake, you're asking an awful lot of someone you've abandoned twice, and broken a promise to. We had a deal and you literally ran from it."

Jake's gaze shifted downward, and he visibly became upset once more. Amari grit her teeth and sighed. "Fine. I suppose I'll explain a few things."

"Thank you." Came Jakes small reply.

Amari leaned back in her chair, it creaked with the movement. "I think it was a few days after I met you - I was captured by bandits and ransomed off to my father and brother." She paused as a tray was placed in front of her, with a premade cup of earl grey, a steaming pot of tea, a ceramic white canister of milk, and another of sugar. The server gave both her and Jake a nod before heading to the back room once more.

Picking up her tea, Amari blew on it and continued. "Of course, they didn't pay. I wasn't worth any amount of gold. The L'Olfsden family is a family of wealth, and I was nothing more than a dirty secret. " She paused to take a sip. "Course, you knew that much already. I stayed with the bandits for a long time. I lived as their house maid, luckily none of them laid their dirty hands on my body. Thanks to a few well placed lies on my behalf. A man named Shinsou from a group called the Brotherhood rescued me from there a few years ago."

Amari paused, waiting for his response. Her story was long winded and she didn't exactly enjoy telling it, "Do you really want to hear all of this?"

[Jake Narmolanya]

"I came to see you because I missed you," Jake explained, "and I felt bad for leaving without saying goodbye." The half elf examined the cup of Earl Grey Amari had pushed in front of him. It had an appealing odor but looked rather milky, and Jake was not so fond of milk. Even so, he picked it up and took a sip of the lukewarm brew. The tea's spices combined with the sugar's sweetness perked him up right away. Jake grinned and took another, longer sip. Perhaps milk wasn't such a bad thing, after all.

"I'm sorry I broke our deal," he added, "but my end still holds up. If there's anyplace on Althanas you'd like to go, I can take us there. You don't even have to help me find a sword first. I'm glad those bandits didn't harm you... even if others did." Jake's grin fell from his face as he recalled the memories of torture Amari had shared from her past. The poor woman had been through more than anyone should have to endure... certainly more than Jake could have endured. Remembering that he was indoors Jake removed his cap and crunched it between both hands, trying to think of the right thing to say. A conversation with Amari could be like walking a tightrope over a pit of broken glass.

"Of course I want to hear this," Jake assured her, his green eyes wide with sincerity, "but only if you want to tell." He took another sip of his milky drink and nearly choked on the tea's dregs. "Whoops," he muttered, wiping watering eyes with his scarf, "that sip wasn't so good." He cleared his throat and leaned forward over the table, dirty blond hair spilling down over his brow. A couple dark elves came in and Jake waited until they had moved past him and found seats before continuing. He looked into Amari's strange gold-rimmed eyes, searching for the kind girl he'd met so many years ago at the L'Olfsden estate in Salvar.

"You can tell me anything."

[Mari]

"You missed me?"

repeating his words started to become a common thing for her. Amari couldn't fathom why anyone would miss her, especially after she had rammed him against the wall and forced him to endure the sensations of being skinned alive through her eyes. Amari shifted, leaning forward to rest her arms on the table. Jake apologised and expressed his concern for her safety.

Jake was sincere with hi words, something Amari found difficult to believe. She wasn't sure how much she could trust him, and she wasn't sure why he wanted to know how she was - surely it couldn't be for the sake of just knowing? Amari sighed, the next part was always hard.

"Shinsou was like you in a way..." She picked up a cube of sugar and plopped it into her tea, shifting her gaze down she slowly stirred. "He was a breath of fresh air, kind, considerate - he saved me from the bandits and let me into his home. He helped me a great deal." Her voice wavered as she spoke about the man. It took on a softness that was usually absent within the woman, her eyes were misty with an unspoken pain. Anyone who knew what love was, could probably tell that was what Amari had felt toward Shinsou.

"It was a ruse to get into my pants, that failed, his men left me for dead..." Amari pulled out the spoon and set it on the table beside the saucer. "Now, Shinsou wants me dead." Her words were barely above a whisper. Amari shook her head to alleviate herself of the melancholy feeling and the weight that pushed on her heart.

Amari waved dismissively, "So I ended up wandering the slums of rubble town for a year. Until a man picked me up - well, captured me. Forcefully. I don't think I need to go into details on all the things I have gone through from then on. I believe you get an idea. No?"


Amari watched him wipe his face on his scarf once more, and her brow furrowed. "You... really should take off that scarf, god knows what other bodily fluids are soaked into its fibres.... I'm still questioning your reasoning..really... what do you gain from knowing all this?"

[Jake Narmolanya]

"It's you who's supposed to gain something from the telling," Jake said with a twinkling in his green eyes. "My friend Clara always says that. She has the most-" he gestured with both hands, searching for the right words "-supportive personality." The half elf smiled at the Salvic woman, glad that she had opened up about yet another harrowing part of her life. Of all the people Jake knew, he suspected Amari needed a friend more than anyone. He drummed his hands nervously on the table. "I probably shouldn't take my scarf off."

"Why, what are you hiding?" Amari demanded. She didn't need to point out that he owed her a story.

Jake swept his gaze around the cafe. Several empty tables separated them from the other patrons, and the staff were all busy in and around the back room. He reached up to the knot of his scarf and slowly removed it in a whisper of black silk. Two perfectly round white puncture marks stared from the left side of his throat. The archer leaned further forward, his voice quiet, his tone secretive.

"Years ago I joined a group called the Bandit Brotherhood, hidden within the heart of Concordia. They weren't like those other bandits who held you prisoner," he assured her, holding both palms up, "most of them were friendly, and we never had slaves or servants or anything. Mostly a bunch of thieves banded together for protection. An elf named Damon Kaosi was teaching me the art of the sword while we patrolled the forest." Jake took a deep breath and checked again to make sure no one was listening.

"As it grew dark we ran afoul of a pair of vampires. We fought, and one of them bit me," he touched the scars, lips pressed together as he remembered the terror of the moment, "Damon nearly killed me for fear I would turn. I didn't," he added unnecessarily, "and I slew the beast that gave me these scars. I really don't like to show them off though," he said, re-tying his scarf before anyone else in the cafe could see. He sighed. It had been some time since he'd told anyone the full story behind the white marks. Despite her prickly nature, there was something warming about Amari's presence.

"If you want to know why I missed you... it's as though you have a kind soul. Maybe that's silly, but I just like being around you." Jake arched his back and stretched. Between the warmth of the room and the sun on his back he had grown uncomfortably hot. The fact that he wore all black only compounded the problem.

"Would you like to go for a walk, when you finish your tea?" He asked, tugging at his collar, "I could use some air."

[Mari]

Amari snorted, "So if you aren't turning or whatever why bother covering it up? Are you ashamed or do you care what others would say?"

Jake sighed, "Kind of. I'm a little embarrassed about letting them get to me. I don't want people seeing them and thinking I'm a vampire and attacking me."

"I suppose that's justified, you know I could probably heal it. I mean, I've managed to fix things even the Ai'Brone couldn't do." Amari said, recalling a time she healed her Masters wounds despite being told it was impossible. She rose the cup to her lips and took a sip before grimacing, it had gone cold and she very much disliked cold tea. Amari sat the cup back down on the table sighing at the waste.

"Actually... "

Amari glanced up at Jake, who seemed off put by her gaze as he continued. "I would rather keep it, as a reminder."

Amari shrugged, "Suit yourself. This is cold, so I suppose we could go for a short work." Amari pushed the chair out with a creek as it scraped against the wooden floors of the small cafe. Amari felt uncomfortable with his admission that he liked being around her. "If only you knew the type of person I am Jake, if only you knew..." She said with a shake of her head. "I could regale you with the deeds I've done, but I think I've talked enough for now. Come on, let's go."

[Jake Narmolanya]

Jake held the door for Amari, and they traipsed onto the sunny dirt road. Crisp air nipped at their cheeks, and a faint breeze rippled their clothing and hair. They passed houses and shopfronts in silence, each lost in their own memories. Jake found his thoughts turning to Gunner. His parted friend would have known what to do just then; Amari seemed like she could use a good horse nuzzle. Jake sighed and stretched his arms above his head, finally dry eyed. The breeze felt good, like a gentle massage working the kinks out of his shoulders. He would just have to be a better man, now that he didn't have Gunner to help him.

"Let's take this path," Jake suggested as they reached the outskirts of the village. A beaten trail meandered through the sparse woods and thistle grass. Amari merely shrugged and they followed the path until it turned, hugging the curvature of a slender stream. Eventually the stream emptied into a small pond, where the sun bathed long, heavy boulders set deep in the ground. Jake stopped and crouched on the rocks, feeling around until he found a flat pebble. He stood and skimmed the stone over the water's surface. It skipped six times before sinking in the shallows on the far side of the pond.

"Some of my friends say I should steal a new horse," Jake said as he searched for another stone, "I mean, get a new horse. David says I just need a good mount and I'll be right as rain again. Raff thinks I should get a yearling and raise it like I did Gunner. Clara fancies I should get a foal, but she just likes them because 'they're the cutest'," Jake chuckled and skimmed his second pebble, getting seven skips. Seven and a half, if he counted the slide at the end.

"What do you think?" He asked Amari as he scrabbled for a third stone, "should I get a new steed? I think I'd like to... eventually, but I'm not sure I'm ready yet." The half elf reared back to throw and then paused, looking at his friend. "Would you like to try?" He offered Amari the stone.

[Mari]

Amari shook her head as he held the stone out toward her. "No, I wouldn't know how."

Jake seemed to light up at her refusal to play his game. "Oh, that's ok! I can teach you if you like?"

Again, Amari shook her head. "No." Jakes smile faded and his elvish ears drooped slightly. Amari sighed, she wasn't sure how to act so carefree. She wasn't sure what he expected of her. "I'm not good with....this sort of thing Jake." Amari confided as she gestured toward the babbling brook. "This? What exactly does it accomplish? Throwing rocks into a river?"

"I find it relaxing." Jake said in simple earnest as he positioned himself to a seated position on one of the boulders that surrounded the pond. "How can this not relax you? Looking out over the water as the sun reflects off of it... the smell of the fresh air... Amari..." He turned his face toward her, "I'd think this would be the type of thing you'd love."

"Red." Amari corrected halfheartedly as she took a few precarious steps till she stood on the same boulder as he. She turned her attention to the view, only now paying any sort of attention to it. Earlier it was just a background that needed as little descriptors as possible. It wasn't important, it was simply there.

Amari allowed her gaze to linger on the scene before her. The waters shimmered beneath a high sun, on the other side sat a forest, too far away to see any real details but when Amari drew in a deep breath she could smell the faint scent of the greenery.

"You... " Amari turned her gaze back to Jake. "Shouldn't get another horse. Its too soon." She shifted the conversation back to him, if anything to avoid admitting that he had been right and that she should have just taken a moment to appreciate her surroundings.

"Jake, I don't think you understand what kind of person I am. I'm not that naive noble girl you met a decade ago. I'm not someone you should be friends with."

[Jake Narmolanya]

"Perhaps not," Jake mused, sitting cross legged and enjoying the warmth of the rocks, "but perhaps I'm someone you should be friends with." He patted the boulder next to him, inviting Amari to sit down, but the red haired woman shook her head. Jake shrugged and dug three round stones out of the ground. He juggled them from his seated position, green eyes shining with focus as he added a fourth stone to the dance, and then a fifth, and then a sixth. At first the rocks rose and fell in uneven patterns, but then they became a single loop, circling above Jake's head as if chasing one another. The half elf was lost in thought as his hands worked with incredible speed to keep all the stones in the air. He pitched one into the pond.

Spe-lunk! Jake pondered Amari's statement as he kept the remaining five rocks dancing. Perhaps she was right... Jake had an awful lot of friends. He didn't particularly need Amari, but he did like being around her.

Spe-lunk! Another stone sank beneath the surface, and Jake was left juggling four. The half elf could not explain the phenomena, not even to himself. The sun seemed to shine brighter with Amari around, and despite her prickly nature Jake's spirits felt lifted by her presence.

Spe-lunk! Three stones remained, and Jake juggled them one-handed while scratching his neck through his scarf. It would be too easy to walk away from Amari again. He had done that twice, out of circumstance, but nothing was forcing him to leave this time. The last three stones flew into the water in rapid succession, their muted splashes sending ripples out in growing circles.

"I will wait to get another horse then," Jake said somberly, "perhaps when the time comes, I'll find one of Fallieni lineage. You know they say a steed from the desert continent can go three days without food or water? Imagine that..." The breeze tickled the locks of loose hair spilling from beneath Jake's cap. It reminded him of riding Gunner, and for once he smiled instead of frowning. He had many good memories surrounding his parted steed. No need to dwell on his friend's death anymore. He looked down at his clothing, feeling slightly silly for being dressed in black all of a sudden.

Jake stood up next to Amari. "If you want me to leave, I will," he said earnestly, "but only if you wish it. I feel as though we both could use a friend right now. Whether we should or not is for the Thaynes to know. But now that I know you're well... I don't wish to bother you." He shrugged, feeling the weight of his cased bow on his back. An idea struck him. "Would you like to learn to shoot?" He asked, patting the quiver of arrows on his hip.

[Mari]

Amari watched as Jake started to juggle the rocks, her tri coloured eyes focused on the mesmerising movement. She hadn't seen such a feat before and it was almost like magic, course, she knew that wasn't it. Amari opened her mouth as if to question him on it, but stopped herself, her mouth pressed into a thin line and she steeled herself further away from him.

Jake prattled on about horses, mentioning lineages and the like. Things that Amari didn't know about nor choose to seek an understanding in, she merely commented on his remark. "imagine it? Jake, I've lived it." Amari realised how crude her comment must have sounded and quickly attempted to poorly sugarcoat it. "I mean, living on the streets and all - it wasn't that bad." She wasn't sure why she was bothering trying to make him feel better. He seemed to be doing well enough on his own without her interference.

"I don't have friends." Amari said simply, unmoved by the dismal admittance, her thoughts briefly rested on Fenn, but the fae boy was nothing more than a man child who had all too easily left her in hopes of 'fixing her' not considering her own will and desires in the matter. Amari's expression soured. "They get in the way."

"I think you're wrong, you just haven't met the right ones yet." Jake said in an optimistic reply.

Amari tilted her head as she mulled over his words. "I don't think that's the case." She mused. "I've met plenty of 'nice' people, but they've either met an unfortunate end or fucked right off when shit got difficult. That's the thing about humanity Jake, it's inherently selfish and I'm no different."

Jake suddenly stood and Amari had to take a few steps back, her foot landed on the edge of the boulder and she teetered to and fro to get a better footing once more. Amari shot Jake an annoyed look which he returned with a smile as he offered to teach her the bow.

"I'm not very adept with weapons." Amari said cautiously.

"It's ok! I'll teach you." Jake said as he reached behind his back and unclipped the bow. He handed it to Amari, "It'll pass the time, right?"


Amari hesitated before grasping the bow. "Right..." She said in an apprehensive tone, she wasn't sure how well she'd fare with a bow and arrow. "I've always relied on using myself as a weapon, something like this is foreign to me."

[Jake Narmolanya]

"Let me see that a moment," Jake said, taking his bow back and drawing an arrow from the quiver. "Watch me first." He searched their surroundings and sighted on a large, dead oak tree. Over the years insects had eaten away at its insides, making it hollow and an ideal target. The tree stood some fifty yards away, at which range Jake could shoot a small coin virtually every time. He slapped the arrow to the outside of his recurve bow and took aim.

Thock! Jake loosed casually and the arrow sprang from bow to tree trunk. The half elf drew another two arrows and fired them in rapid succession, placing them on either side of the first.

"There," he said, handing the bow back to Amari with a fresh arrow, "aim for the middle one."

The Salvic woman nocked the arrow and lined it up on the outside of the bow as she had seen Jake do, but when she tried to pull back the string she ended up bopping herself in the forehead with the bow's top curve. She dropped the arrow and turned, frustrated.

"Jake I don't think this is for me-"

"No no, try again!" Jake insisted, "here, I'll help you." He picked up the arrow and showed Amari how to clench it between her fingers while laying it alongside the bow. "There, that's better," he encouraged, "firing from the outside of the bow is a little trickier, but much faster once you get the hang of it. Keep both eyes open. That's right. Keep your left arm straight- not too straight mind! Roll your shoulder back when you draw, and bring your elbow up. Good! Now aim and loose!"

The arrow missed the oak by a yard or more and disappeared into the woods. Amari opened her mouth to protest but Jake was already passing her another arrow.

"No one hits the target their first time," he assured her. "Try again!" The red haired woman fired off a half dozen more arrows under his direction before scoring a satisfying hit to the edge of the oak.

"Great shot!" Jake whooped, "now it's just a matter of practice and steady hands. We can stop any time you want," he added, noticing the beginnings of a blister on Amari's finger.

"It doesn't bother me," the woman said, following his gaze. She plucked a projectile from the quiver on his hip and lined up another shot, "let's keep going."

[Mari]

Amari had shot the bow a few more times, almost emptying his quiver till she finally hit her mark. The arrow wobbled as it sat embedded in the oak tree just above his first shot. She turned to him with her lips quirked into a smile.

"That's excellent! You've really improved, we could set up lessons and in no time at all I'm sure you won't even need my help anymore." Jake said excitedly.

Amari winced at the notion of a scheduled gathering with him. She didn't mind his company but she was concerned for his well being. Her feelings of pride and accomplishment faded and with it her grin. Amari handed him back his bow.

"Here." Amari then gripped Jakes' wrist and pulled him off the rock and back to the edge of the pond. "I'll show you what I'm capable of." She let go and turned her back to him as they headed closer toward the forest. Jake made quick work of putting his bow away and joined Amari at her side.

"W-what? Where are we going Ama...ah..Sorry...Red?"

"This... is different, what I do - it's an extension of my soul. It's dangerous, I'm still learning to control it properly so I'd advise you to be careful." Amari glanced to Jake to gauge his reaction, he simply offered her an earnest smile and a nod of acknowledgement. Again, the red headed woman struggled to comprehend such simplistic innocence. He had dealt with the grief of his fallen steed, and Amari knew he was not ignorant to the darker dealings of the world, he had taken lives with his own two hands, and yet he still managed to hold such a lighthearted demeanour.

Amari sighed as they neared the forest, she gestured for Jake to stop as she continued. Once she was approximately several feet away four giant tentacles of light protruded from her back at first they glimmered with a calming golden light but they crackled and snapped as they shifted to a bleeding crimson.

The very grass beneath her withered and dried up and the trees that she stood between buckled and groaned as they began to rot. "This." Amari gestured to the scene around her, "Is an extension of my soul." She spoke with a low voice. "I can destroy anything that dares try to touch me. I can rip flesh from bone, I can shatter those bones." As she spoke the thin black cracks that had previously dissipated began to appear on her skin again, bought forth by the bastardisation of her souls ability.

The tentacles flickered and dissipated, in their place she rose her hands which held the same angry red glow. "I can slowly poison you, cause your blood to congeal and clot, I can stop your heart, with nothing more than a touch and a thought." The light faded from her hands and she offered Jake a wry smile.

"I appreciate your company Jake, but - what you see before you? This rot? This decay? This is what I bring."
Amari hugged herself and pulled her gaze from him as she turned her head away. "The only one who has stayed through it all, and nutured my gifts is my Master - all anyone else does is judge and cluck their tongues."

[Jake Narmolanya]

Jake's jaw dropped as death touched the plants surrounding them. Ebony spiderwebs flecked Amari's skin as her voice took on a haunted tone. The half elf's eyes followed her flickering tentacles in horrified fascination. And then suddenly the ethereal tendrils were gone, and Amari stood, almost seeming to shiver, in the middle of the decay she had wrought.

"That's not all you bring," Jake reminded her gently, "I heard tell of how many people you healed in Ettermire." The black clad half elf took a step closer. "Just think of your powers like a sword. A sword can be used to attack folk, or to defend them. It seems to me your magic is two sides of the same coin. Life and death. You control what you do with them." Jake lingered awkwardly for a moment, wanting to hug the woman as she hugged herself but knowing she would not appreciate it. Instead he gestured toward the pond. "Lets go back to the water," he suggested.

They left the decay behind and moved back to the place where babbling brook met pond. Jake plucked several arrows from the dead oak and returned them to his quiver.

"In any case," he said as he rejoined Amari on the warm rocks, "at least you've found someone who cares for you. Two someones," he added, green eyes twinkling. "Don't worry about what others think. They only judge what they don't understand. Just focus on learning from your er... master." Jake had trained under a number of instructors in his life, but none had ever required him to use such a subservient title.

The breeze rippled the water and swirled dust around their ankles. The river prattled on over round stones and sharp ridges.

"I am glad you found someone to help guide you," Jake said, "he must be a good man. I should like to meet this master of yours."

[Mari]

Amari returned to the pond, following Jake silently as she gave herself one final squeeze. "I only helped those people because one of my subordinates requested I do so."

Jake turned to her with his usual smile, "You still chose to help them."

Amari sat down on the warm rock next to Jake. "You know... I keep telling myself that I'm stronger than that, than helping people without reason. All my life I've been taught that I should never do anything without gaining something in return. That it was simply human nature to desire and want things, be it respect, fear, or monetary." She paused, fiddling with her fingers, "but I'm beginning to think that helping someone isn't a sign of weakness."

Amari shifted her weight, falling to the side so her head was resting on Jake's shoulders. She could feel him instantly tense up but she ignored his reaction. "I suppose having a friend won't be the end of the world."

Amari bit her lower lip, her brows furrowed in thought. She felt a little guilty for asking him, especially now but she was curious. "Jake... you can open portals, you said you'd be willing to help me if I ever needed it, but how?" She turned her gaze upward to his, "How would you say, portal to me, or have me portal somewhere if we are apart?"

Jake pursed his lips in thought. "I can only travel to places I can see in my mind," he replied, "today I had a seer show me a vision of you in the cafe, and then I created the portal. I wouldn't be able to portal you elsewhere unless I'm with you. Why? Is there someplace you'd like to go?"

"You did wha-" Amari started in an angry tone as she sat up straight but she caught herself and looked away. "Never mind. There isn't a place I want to go right now, well, I need to return to my Master." Amari gave him a small side ward smirk. "See, I shoulda been back a while ago, but I chose to walk it and take my time. He can get..." Amari paused, trying to think of the nicest way to put it, "Protective, and on occasion comes looking for me."

Amari kicked off her boots then her socks before dipping her feet into the water below. "As for meeting him? That may be a little hard, you'd have to be part of the organisation."

"Organisation?"

The word seemed to pique his interest.

"Mmm, The Crimson Hand, and I'll do anything my Master asks to ensure his vision for it goes above and beyond his expectations. You have to promise me something Jake... "

"Yeh?"

Amari turned and grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulling him close, till their faces were mere centimetres apart. "Never seek my Master out without me by your side. He is a man who demands respect, and fear. Understand?"

[Lye]

"Who is this?" called a velvet voice from the forest shadows.

With no indication of sound in his footsteps a man about six feet tall with a draping mane of sliver hair emerged from behind a tree. Both the pristine emerald and fogged jade of his eyes fixed upon the elf as Amari pulled away. Falls of thick, black fabric cascaded around Lye's form. The leather of his attire and glint of his weapons showed through the narrow opening in the front. Both of the man's hands remained out of sight.

"A friend," Amari replied sternly. She met his invasive gaze and managed to pull it away from Jake.

"I wasn't aware you could afford the liberty of friends," Lye added. He came to a stop beside the redhead and faced the elf. His gaze sized Jake up thoroughly and without tact.

"I wasn't aware I needed to tell you everything I do," Amari snapped. The groan of Lye's leather gloves creaked beneath the shadows of his fabric.

"How much does he know?" Lye's body remained tense, and an air of ill intent exuded from him in wafts.

"Nothing, I haven't told him--" The assassin's arm shot from beneath the folds and purchased a firm grip around Amari's jaw. Jake moved to intervene and found the razor's edge of a blade at level to his line of sight. With a studious gaze, Lye stared into Amari's shattered eyes. They traveled over the blackened cracks on her skin and after a moment, he let her free.

"Well that was fucking unnecessary!" Amari retorted with a hand around her neck. Lye directed all of his attention to the elf at bay by his blade.

"I want you to forget about this woman." The rigidity of his voice carried command. "She doesn't have the time, nor the luxury to be wasting her afternoons with... your kind."

Lye sheathed his blade and snatched Amari by the wrist. He turned from Jake and began pulling Amari away. Jake moved forward with a grasp toward Amari.

"Don't bother," Amari warned. She looked back to him as she staggered forth.

The elf halted and his fingers grazed gently against the wisping red of Amari's dress.

"I should not have wasted your time. Goodbye," she stated. Her body jerked from another pull from her master. Then, through the brush and low hanging branches, they disappeared from sight. The angered voice of Amari lingered on only briefly before silence.

[Jake Narmolanya]

Jake remained frozen to the spot, cold sweat trickling down his spine. He recognized the platinum-haired man from the memories Amari had shared with him. He was the one who had tortured her. He was the one who had changed her from the sweet young girl Jake had known into an agent of death. And he was... her master?

The half elf wanted to race after them, to draw tonfa or bow and do battle with the alabaster assassin. But he knew it would be of little use. Jake trained with some of the finest swordsmen and warriors in all of Corone. He knew how to spot the sleek gait of a killer, of a man whose weapons were as much a part of him as his haunting green eyes. Jake trained with such men... but he had yet to reach their level. Throwing himself after Amari would have meant his death as surely as throwing himself off a cliff. Besides, even if he slew her master, the Salvic woman would probably never forgive him. She was entranced with the white-haired man; Jake had seen that from the way she spoke about him.

I found her this time, Jake told himself, I can find her again. Later, when I'm better prepared. The half elf knew what he must do. To challenge a killer such as Amari's master, he would have to seek out the strongest instructor he had ever studied under. And he would have to hunt. The half elf had stolen his portal-making ability from a demon he'd slain. Who knew what other abilities he might garner from other Haidians? He would travel to the fiery underbelly of Haide itself if necessary... but most likely he would find some lurking around the slums of Corone. Like rats, demons tended to gather in the seedier parts of large cities.

Jake picked up a stone and threw it into the pond, watching the ripples extend away from the source of the spe-lunk! Yes, the demons would be easy to come by... they always were. Finding his old instructor might prove more difficult. Last Jake heard, the demigod had moved to a mountaintop village in Akashima. But Jake would find him; he could find anyone when he set his mind to it. And he knew in his soul that Joshua Cronen would be willing to train him anew... they had always gotten on well, and the Breaker liked having a portal-maker around.

Shrugging his shoulders beneath the weight of his cased bow, Jake turned and trudged back along the path toward the small town where he'd found Amari. It was always easier to create a portal where he'd previously made one. Although a heavy weight seemed to press the half elf's boots into the ground, a dangerous gleam shone in his emerald eyes. For the first time in what seemed a long time, he had a distinct purpose in life.

[Shinsou Vaan Osiris]

Mari receives 1410 EXP and 145 GP!
Jake receives 1235 EXP and 135 GP!
Lye receives 235 EXP and 20 GP!

All amounts are inclusive of Alerar's regional bonus. Mari's GP is further inclusive of a 10% GP bonus due to her Noble Commerce ability.

[Shinsou Vaan Osiris]

All rewards added!