“Mr. Greensbough, it appears you’ve been having fun without me…” Her voice held a wry tone, that belied the anger that warmed her belly. The Coronian Ranger turned to face his assailant, seeing the scar upon her cheek, the chain shirt, the blade and he back peddled a step. As he moved he bumped into on of the other cultists who blocked his retreat. Her glove covered hands reached up and pulled the cloak off, revealing the white haired woman to the clearing as she looked briefly at the cowering form of Lorelei. There was sympathy in her eyes before they hardened and turned to the now held ranger, “I don’t believe I gave you permission to talk to the girl, did I? I think my exact words were...” She looked up as if pondering, “Oh, yes ‘Find her and report back to me.’”

“W-warden, this is just a mis-” He never finished the phrase as she punched him across the jaw, cutting his rebuttal short.

“If the next words out of your mouth aren’t an apology I cannot be held responsible for what I do to you,” Samantha barked. She had full control of the situation now, and she felt a rush of euphoria at that fact. She tamped down on it holding onto her anger; she had a show to put on for the other cultists. This meeting would be a waning of what happened to those that defied the Warden. Samantha was instilling fear in the underlings, letting them know she was not to be ignored or trifled.

“Ms. Am-” Another fist cut off his words, he fell to the forest floor while the warden gently shook her hand and looked at it bored.

“Gag him. I’m tired of his voice,” Her hand hurt, and she finally understood why her father wore gauntlets. She would need a pair in the near future, the leather of her gloves was too thin. Arten opened his accursed mouth and lifted his voice only to be muffled as a man brought a rope with cloth wrapped around it into his mouth he then tied it tight. Perhaps too tight. Samantha wasn’t particularly in a caring mood when it came to Arten’s condition. She looked at him with a contemptuous gaze and shook her head, “When I speak, it is with the full authority of the Dark Mother. My orders are just that, orders, not suggestions. I hope you learn this lesson today Greensbough, or you will end up with your silly hunting club.”

She drew a dagger and sighed looking to the others, “Hold him down.” The nearest man nodded and clamped down on Arten’s shoulders as the hunter tried to speak through the gag. Tears streamed down the ranger's face while Samantha looked impassively down him, “If I have to come back here and deal with you again Arten Greensbough, it will be the last time. I’m marking you to remind all who look upon you that you are not the favored son you believe yourself.” Another man held Arten’s head before in a practiced maneuver Samantha drew the blade across his face and gently wiped the blood on his hunting coat.

Business concluded she drew her sword and stabbed it before Arten. With a gesture, the gag dropped from Arten’s mouth. Immediately he fell to the ground, groveling. Samantha saw the sycophancy in his acts. He knew he had been defeated and was hoping to survive. She ignored the putrid flow of words from his mouth when she moved to Lorelei and knelt, her demeanor become much more caring, “I must apologize Lorelei Ravenheart, I had hoped we’d meet under much better circumstances than this. My name is Samantha, and I represent a group that is usually more restrained in their actions than this. I assure you Arten Greensbough is by far the exception, rather than the rule.”

She looked the sorceress over before she clucked her tongue and said softly, “I’m sorry, this is going to hurt for about a week and then it’ll get better. At least he didn’t go for bones, but it still doesn’t make what he did right. I cannot punish him for this, he unfortunately is of some worth to us, even as depraved as he is.” Arten seemed to relax as he realize what was just said. A soft snicker escaping his lips as he realized the Warden had her hands tied and couldn’t act. A smug grin lit up his face, and he leered at Samantha.

“Chosen Warden and you can’t even police us...what a joke…” He threw at Samantha. She turned her head and glowered at Arten.

She gently reached a hand out to Lorelei, “However, you may. His life rests in your hands Ms. Ravenheart. If you should wish, he dies here and now, to torment others no more. If not, we can hand him to the authorities, or give him a head start in exile. While what he did is of no concern to my superiors, I can gift you the ability to judge him for his crimes against you.”

“WHAT!?” Arten called out, “This is ridiculous. She isn’t one of us; she has no right! You can’t be serious-”

“Someone shut him up, I’m having a hard time not killing him myself,” Samantha snapped. Her temper flaring before she carefully helped Lorelei up, “I give you three choices Ms. Ravenheart, choose Justice, and he dies here and now. Choose Forgiveness and we give him a day’s head start before I go after him. Give him a sporting chance,” A few snickers rose at the mention of forgiveness, “Choose Mercy, and we let the authorities deal with him. I will hand him over to his colleagues and they will determine what happens next. I know you’re not exactly in your best frame of mind, but consider carefully.”

Arten seemed fearful as he looked at the two women. Samantha met his gaze, “Please Warden, mercy on me. I’m sorry! I’m so so sorry!”

Samantha looked to Lorelei and gently patted her on the shoulder, “Take your time, don’t let his words deceive you. He’s quite the charmer when he needs to be, but you saw his true nature, you know who he is. Make your decisions based on that, rather than what he chooses to display now.”