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[Aurelia Dalry]

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”I have not seen you here before.” The man’s voice came from behind.

She turned with a polite smile, ”I have not seen you before either, my lord.” She lifted her skirt with delicacy as she curtsied, lowering her head with respect to this well mannered citizen of Cove, ”Aurelia Dalry, a pleasure.”

”Vaen Swiftar” he smiled. ”Have you paid your taxes?”

The light conversation continued. Both of them hurling polite and clever remarks back and fourth. She was on her way to Minoc as she was to begin her next mission, but she welcomed the interruption. She looked Vaen over as an idea grew within her head.

”Would you mind helping me for a moment?”

He obliged and followed her lead. She led him into a small room and placed down a bag. ”One moment.” She searched through the bag, setting articles of clothing out on the bed. One by one she withdrew the clothing from her body, replacing each piece with a something fresh. After she was finished she turned to face him. ”How do I look?” He smiled and nodded.

”What was it you needed help with again?”

”Oh yes, of course. I need you to hit me.”

He stared at her blankly and it was not hard to read his expression. ”Do not worry. I am to go to Minoc and I must make it look believable. They will never merely allow me through the barricade based solely on my looks. You will be helping the cause.”

He looked satisfied with this conclusion, but clearly still uneasy. The flask in her hand was raised to her mouth as she took a satisfied sip. Then she nodded to him and braced herself for what was to come.

The first hit came from the blunt end of his staff falling hard against her face. He wanted to stop, but she forced him to continue. ”It must look as if there was struggle.” The next blow went to her stomach, knocking the breath from her lungs.

He was catching on and seemingly enjoying this task. She darted behind the table provoking him to push towards her. He pulled a dagger from his boot and pressed forward, pinning her between his body and the wall. With one hand he held her hair, pulling her head in the direction of his liking and with the other he began to cut at her newly adorned clothes. A smirk crossed his face as he cut through one of the straps holding up her bustier. She could see where this was going.

The game continued.

She made another attempt to struggle, but this time Vaen pushed his knee sharply into her thigh. Her body went limp, but he caught her, only to pull her back up to do the same thing again. Tears filled her eyes as she felt herself lose control of her body.

”I think that is enough.” He looked to her, releasing his grip. She placed a hand to her battered face as she gave way to her tears. Once more she felt him press against her, he kissed her relentlessly. She could feel the blood race faster through her body as she tried to control her breathing. What could she do?

She allowed the strange man to indulge himself, but only for a few minutes. The heat of the chase had consumed him and as much as she refused to believe it, she was consumed too.

She pushed him backwards as his hands began to stray, but he only came at her with more strength. She switched her mind back to work and today Vaen Swiftar was not her target. She sternly pushed him back and slipped out from between his body and the wall.

”I must go, daylight is wearing.”

He nodded, straightened out his clothing and slipped out of the door. She caught her breath and made no attempt to straighten herself out, that was the point of the whole charade after all.

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Hours Later

The brush slapped against her skin and pulled at her clothing. She must be close now. She knew she would soon find herself facing a barricade and perhaps even soldiers, but now was not the time to think of that. She continued running.

”You there, Miss. Are you alright?” The soldier looked down from his horse.

Her breath was once again heavy and her body badly worn. ”No. I need your help. Please.” The man opened the barricade and helped her into safety.

”Wait here, I will send for Eldan for you.”

This was much easier than she had thought. In an instance she was inside enemy territory and her target was being fetched to come to her rescue.

She took a seat and allowed the exhaustion to set in. Her body curled into a small ball in the corner of the room. The sky had turned from dark to light as she lay sleepless, listening to the sounds of fighting. Her body ached, but she pulled herself up. The sounds finally stopped and she could wait no longer, she went to find him. It took her many hours, but at last she was face to face with the man she had been sent to seduce.

”Are you alright? Who did this to you?” Eldan asked.

It was time to put on a show. She backed against the nearest tree, a look of fear forced on her face.

”It is alright, I won’t hurt you.”

She followed Eldan as they walked further into the town. He led her into a small room.

”This should do. Let me see your wounds.”

She was far to exhausted for theatrics, but she tried anyways. She strained for tears that normally came easily. She looked at his face and felt a sense of calm. Exhaustion mixed with pain had finally taken over as her limp body fell into his arms.

[Aurelia Dalry]

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It wasn’t easy sneaking out from beneath the watchful eyes of Eldan’s soldiers, but she knew it was imperative she take the risk. Besides, she could walk in the shadows as gracefully as she could walk in a dress.

She told Eldan she would be going to the town over to visit her sister Lucia. The trip would only be for one night and one day, including travel time, and then she would return once more to his protection. ”My mother is ill. It is of the greatest importance I reach my sister immediately.” Why would he have any reason to doubt her?

He would have a reason to follow her though. She knew he would suggest guards and if she refused he would grow suspicious. This would be the difficult part.

The guards escorted her to a small cabin located in the woods outside of Britain, a cabin previously owned by a former suitor. She knew he would not get in her way because the last time she saw him he was at the other end of her dagger, bleeding on the floor. Her only worry was that the cabin had been claimed by nomads. She would soon find out.

”I think if you keep watch from here I will be fine. I would like my privacy with my sister, it is a troubling time.” She pointed to a spot in front of the cabin allowing them to clearly see, but well out of earshot distance.

They both nodded and wished her the best. ”If you need us, we are here.”

She smiled genuinely at their sincerity and hugged them both. ”I will come out if you are needed, if not I will leave my sister at this time tomorrow to join you once more. If I am not here within an hour of that time I would see it fit for you to come in for me.” She reassured them of her intentions and turned for the cabin.

Inside the smell was rank. It was obvious none had been there since. She immediately made her way to the back and from the door she stepped into the shadows. She was almost positive the soldiers would not hear the crunching of the dried leaves, but she walked softly just in case.



Imryrr welcomed her with open arms, ”I am glad to see you sister, we have much to talk about - -” She stopped and placed her hand on Aurelia’s face. ”What is this bruise? Who did this?”

Aurelia explained and Imryrr relaxed. ”I do not have much time, this visit shall be a short one. I have risked much to come here.”

Imryrr nodded and led her to the sitting room. It felt nice to be home again, but she knew it would not last. Their conversation was brief as Aurelia spoke broadly about her experience in Minoc and her placement in Skara. ”I do not believe the army wishes to back down. I can not be sure yet, but I almost think they are regaining their strength. Eldan is quite persistent, his morale is hurt, but he is strong.”

Imryrr nodded. ”You must return and continue your mission.”

Aurelia knew that she would be sent back and she nodded. ”I have devised a means of communication. If you need me send word through a trustworthy messenger that can not be tracked back to Cove. Address the letter to Sara and sign it, Your Loving Sister, Lucia. If you should need me again send word that mother is not recovering and you worry that she will not make it.” They spoke further about the code in which they would communicate and then just as quickly as she came, Aurelia went.

Into the shadows, back through the woods, into the back door, with just enough time to change into the outfit she took from her wardrobe in Armunn Keep.

With tears in her eyes, she approached the two guards. ”I am ready to return.” She turned and waved to no one and then they were off.