Heirot

Kat stayed close to Drakoe as they ran from the mercenaries. Everything was a blur of colors for her. She barely remembered the direction they had gone once they had finally lost their pursuers and were hiding within a cave. Drakoe had to kill a lot of them in order to get them far away. She was so scared she was shaking now as she sat on the damp ground of the cave.

It was growing dark and cold out. kat hugged her knees to her chest trying to warm herself. She hoped Zeikiel and Dan were alright.

"I hope their alright," she said softly.

He sat down beside her and put a arm around her for comfort and security. "I wouldn't worry about them. They know how to take care of themselves."

He found himself secretly hoping they were alright.Their were a lot of men after them, a lot of skilled killers. He rubbed her arms gently to try and help warm her a little. "It'll all work out," he said with confidence.

"You're alright," he asked. She seemed so delicate and frail. He held her trembling body closer to his.

"I'll be fine." she answered meekly, finding it odd that she was sinking into him so comfortably. He was indeed warm, but they needed a fire more than body heat alone. Kat thought about the men that had chased them. They must've been from Lord Bryon... she wasn't ignorant of the warrants out for her return to him. As much as she loved him, she couldn't go back to him. He was married to another woman, Kat failed to bring his healthy child into the world... she couldn't go back to him with the death of his son on her. Not that he knew she even had his son.

"I wish he'd stop trying to find me..." she whispered, forgetting she was not alone.

" You wish who would stop trying to find you?" he asked a little lost in her story.

He noticed that they were going to need a fire as soon as possible. It was getting colder by the minute and it looked as if there were some thunder heads moving in on them rather quickly.

"Let's go find some fire wood," he said standing up. "I can't leave you alone and take a chance of them men taking you."

Kat blinked and looked up at him. He had heard her, but it didn't look like he would push her to tell. It'd probably be better if he didn't find out. If he knew, he'd probably return her too...

Nodding, trying not to show the worry on her face, she stood up to go find fire wood with him. It was indeed, getting dark out quick. The clouds above didn't make her feel anymore safe out in the open. She began to quickly pick up whatever small branches she could from the ground.

Drakoe picked up a couple of nice size logs he could break up later and drug them to the cave. He started a small fire rather quickly and placed a couple of logs on top of it to keep it burning. He pulled up one of the logs and sat down on it. The fire felt really nice and warm.

It wasn't long and the rain was pouring down outside the cave. He couldn't help wondering what had happened to Zeik and Dan. He smiled at the sight of Kat warming herself by the fire. "Feel any better now?" he asked.

She nodded, huddling close to the fire. Biting her bottom lip, she she brushed loose strands of her hair behind her ear.

"How are you?" she asked him. He had fought many of those men off, he must feel tired at least.

"I'm fine... " he answered. He walked to the front of the cave and propped up against the wall. He lifted a piece of his cloak that had been slit and revealed a gash in his ribs. He had hid it well from the girl and didn't want her to notice it.

He remembered the exact time it had happened. An arrow from a hidden mercenary had slit through his side as he led Kat through the forest. Luckily it didn't penetrate him...

He caught some water running off the mouth of the cave and attempted to clean it. He clenched his teeth as he applied a little pressure. The bleeding had not stopped but he wrapped it tight with the bottom part of his shirt that he had cut off a little while earlier.

Kat was in her own thoughts. Wondering about her master and what was going to happen to them. She scooted closer to the fire to keep warm while it poured cold rain outside. This night wont be too pleasant...

Kat sighed, neither sad nor content. She felt... strange. She had never truely been on her own before. Even at the inn she had someone watching over her. Now she was on her own for survival, she had help and company but... she would have to use skills she never really thought valuable to herself before.

He walked back over to the fire with a slight smile on his face. He tried his best to hide the pain he was feeling in his side. "Well I guess we had better try and get some rest." He found a nice spot by the fire opposite of her and sat down, propping an arm on his knee. "It doesn't look like we're goin to have any cover though."

He found himself staring at her and quickly turned his attention. He laid down and stared up at the ceiling. "Good night... See ya in the morning..."

Kat nodded in agreement. She was a bit sleepy, now that the excitment died down. Kat lay down and stared across the fire to Drakoe's sleeping face. Strangely, she was reminded of Lord Bryon...

She missed him, but she refused to go back. Forcing her eyes closed, Kat drifted off into a dreamless sleep while the rain pounded outside the cave. Before she had drifted off she wondered how Zeik and Dan were.

Drakoe awoke from a restless sleep. He saw Kat still sleeping peacefully. The night had been a long one and Drakoe was still rather tired. The rain had ceased and the sun now shined down through the trees. He wondered if Zeikiel would come looking for them or whether him and Kat should set out in search of them.

The fire was now nothing but hot embers, but it was no longer that cold outside. He sat back down by the fire and poked at it a little. He sat and pondered what he should do.

Kat stirred in her sleep. Her old night terrors coming back to her of the pain and sorrow. Her child...her poor child... he never even had a chance. It was too cruel, feeling that limp, tiny body in her arms. His face had been wiped of any emotion he could've had, there had been no expression on his tiny face. Just... that serene type of peace.

Her heart felt like it was tearing to pieces. it made her cry and thrash about in her sleep.

Drakoe's thoughts were interrupted by the whimpering and panting of Kat. He went to her side and shook her gently in his arms. "Wake up!!!" he whispered softly. "You're just having a nightmare." He pulled her a little closer to try and comfort her.

Kat awoke in shock and her immediant responce wwas to cling to the closest thing near. And that happened to be Drakoe. She cling to him and began to weep like a child. Crying for her lost baby...

"Make the pain go away..." she sobbed into his shoulder.