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[Temptation Waits]

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She heard the crunching of leaves beneath feet mixed with orcish grunts and the breaking of pots and clang of other items being tossed about the cave.. The screams had stopped and she hid curled up behind rocks in the cave, tears streaming down her face, she knew she was alone now. She could still hear the orcs fighting over what was in the camp then they seemed to get excited and cause a commotion.

She carefully peaked out from her spot still hidden by shadow and saw blood streaming her way and the auburn locks of her mother's hair spilled out on the cave floor. A thud came from the opening of the cave and she saw an orc hit the ground. The others ran. Voices came closer, "The elf woman is not alive, nor the man." She was able to make out in common. One of the group turned her way, as she peered out further.

"I think I see something.", he said. She picked up the dagger her father gave her as she crept out holding it out. For an elf child she appeared about 8 in human years, and was not much of an imposing sight.

I won't hurt ya lass.", the man spoke. he smiled. She lowered the blade and walked up to them cautiously then froze. Her mother and father lay still, caked with blood. She began to sob.

"You'll be fine. Come with us, we will make sure you are safe." One of the men picked her up gently and took her outside putting her on his horse with him as the other followed. It was night and the stars lit the path as they went. "We go to the camp." one of them said. Wide-eyed and shaking she rode with them saying nothing.


She shot up from bed, waking up with a scream and to find Lady Ishtar in her room at the Inn. "I see they still haunt you my friend.", she spoke solemnly.

"How long have you been here?", Temptation asked.

"A while, you needed your rest. Yet, it seems you still get little. I brought the items you requested. Now let me take a look at you and see how much of a beating you took hunting that monster."

Silently Temptation removed the sheets to let Ishtar take a look at her wounds. When she checked her ribs on her right side she winced. Ishtar examined them closer, "You broke a few. I will bind them. No gallivanting for a while.", She scolded her friend.

Temptation just nodded and she was treated with various poultices for scrapes and bruises and her ribs were bound so they would heal properly. Breathing was painful. "There is another Lycan, Lady Ishtar." she spoke quietly.

Ishtar turned to face her abruptly. "Don't think about that till you are well. You have become reckless chasing this thing and if I had not been here you'd be off hunting the other. Do I need to send a guard to make you stay in bed?" , the priestess' tone was soft but harsh.

She shook her head "no". Closing her eyes, she realized the room seemed to spin. She opened them hoping it would stop. The paths she had chose as of late seemed to bring her closer to oblivion than peace. She watched Lady Ishtar as she finished and then lay out the dress she brought for her, she took her armor with her sword and locked it in a chest and pocketed the key.

"I need those."

"Not right now you don't. You are to rest, not hunt monsters. Regardless of what you may think, there are those that care for you and do not wish you to reach an untimely end so abruptly."

Temptation made a face at her and slumped back in the bed. This was one argument she would not win. She folded her arms across her chest in defiance. She grumbled at her friend as she watched her mix some sort of potion.

"Drink this, you will sleep and I will speak with the Archon."

She noticed Lady Ishtar was watching her and took the potion from her. After drinking it down she slid back down and rested her head on the pillow.

The room slowly faded to black...and once again she was in the night woods, galloping after evil incarnate, she saw fangs and claws in the moonlight and barely kept ion its tail. The scent of fresh blood was in the air. The nightmare continued and unable to wake, was she trying to kill the monster or herself...
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"Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead."
Benjamin Franklin