The Hunted

[Sherazade]

Feet pounded against the dead and dying grass, chest heaving as the thief fought to even pant for air. she could hear them behind her . weeks she had been running from them shaking them from her trail for hours only. Body had long given up trying to make her stop to rest only out and out refusal to lay down and die kept her going now. She would not give up she would not fail , the last of them would die choking on his own blood, knowing she had won.

Sun beat down upon her the heat like a gaint hand trying to pressed her into the dust even through the leafy canopy. Myrken where it had all started to unravel she had run here hoping they wouldnt follow her into danger into a place held so firmly in the grip of malignant magic . Hope she decided was a lying whore.

.................

She could run their quarry..... behind his mask he could feel the sweat beading running down his forehead to drip from his chin... even his clothing was stuck to his frame. Everytime he thought they had her she slipped through their fingers, not for much longer however. A cruel smile curved his lips as he thought of the trap that lay in wait for her soon her running would be at an end and they would have a reckoning.... No more of his men would the daring elven thief slaughter and she would pay for the deaths she had caused. "soon she will pay" the words travelled to the ears of the 4 running with him but none spared the breath to laugh even though the dark amusement wished to spill forth.

...........

There was a small clearing coming up Samariah knew it well liquid amber eyes flicked over the thinning trees and a few yards beyond the clearing the forests edge she'd heard rumors of a camp there an armed camp her plan was to run those chasing her right into them . right before the edge of the clearing she caught her foot on a tree root and spilled out into..........

......

In the clearing the 3 drow waited each one hidden every way they could see into the clearing and been strung with a 4ft high wire. their orders were to wait to sit tight until the murdering thief being chased towards them had tripped a wire and been tangled in a net . they were to do nothing but make sure she didn't escape until their master had his fun first. They heard her coming could hear the ragged gasps for air the pounding of running feet and silently drawing their daggers they grinned and waited.

...............

Luck this day for the moment at least was on the thiefs side ... the root that tripped her caused her to fall under the wire heel snagging it as she passed still rolling the net of course falling behind her. rising to her feet sam blinked "what the...." the words were all she had time for as the three hidden drow came into view sunlight glinting off the daggers they gripped "time to die little thief" one snarled and swiped at her . Ducking under the blade fingers swept the ground gathering up the net into her grip their trap had just become her weapon . Spinning on her heel she barely avoided the blade of another . And luck was with her a second time the hastily flung net catching both assasilants, entangling them within its grip and sending them tumbling to the ground . Wait a minute there were only two drow in the net were was the third.... Pain erupted along her slid as the third ones dagger bit into her flesh "not good enough" his breath flowed along her neck and knees crumpled beneath her as the drow twisted the blade before pulling it free .... "Nooooo" it was a scream of pain and wail of denial as her palms hit the dirt "ooooh yes little thief" The drow smirked and began to bend intent on grabbing her arm and pinning her till his master arrived.

*I wont give up* the thought blasted through her mind and when he started to bend when she saw her chance she rolled her own knife flung at him .. and thrice lady luck blessed her for it caught him in the throat. and spilled him lifeless to the ground....

To her left the two in the net were begining to untangle themselves and the other five she could hear getting closer she had to get up to keep moving. Gritting her teeth she pushed to her feet and crashed into the thick brush on the far side of the clearing avoiding any other wires.

................

Moments after she had half run half staggered from the clearing 2 became 7 as the pursing five joined their fellows "she killed another one and got away " his anger was palatable soothed only as one of the two left spoke up "She's injured now master soon she will have to stop to tend herself." Pale eyes narrowed "then let us keep on her trail press her harder" and with those words the 7 drow were racing after her leaving their dead compatriot for the scavengers.

....................

Sam knew she should stop should properly bind her wound but she dared not they were closer now and she was slowing , maybe she should give up let them take her .. even as the thought flowed through her mind she broke from the forest and in the distant could see the small camp with its low wall . There was never a more welcome sight and inspite of the danger it presented to herself Sam found new strength and started running towards it sunset hued locks a tattered banner behind her. not even an eigth of the distance covered before her pursurser came into view.

She knew they were there did not dare turn to see how close "please please please" she begged and prayed "let me make it let them help me". even so just within bow shot of the walls she would stumble fall to the ground and lay there knowing death was right behind her...... and perhaps before her as well

[Vanidor]

Sometimes, camps were meant to be ignored. Even more, some camps weren't supposed to exist. Thus was the case, twice over, with this particular encampment. And so, with the sound of struggle and commotion not far from it's wooden pallisade, the camp came to life. Torches came to life 'long the thin wall (it was really there to provide an illusion of strength. The boards were just buried into the ground, nothing special) And the single tower bloomed into light as well.

A shout. The main gate suddenly burst open. There was the thup of crossbows exploding into action... and then half a dozen soldiers would charge past the running woman. Another half dozen would go -for- her. Those that swept in her direction would aim to subdue the woman with weighted nets and catchpoles. A man in that midst called for her surrender. Or face the same end as her persuers.

The drow would be shown less sympathy. For them, a cruel-headed spear or sabre to disinterest them with their quarry. A man there shouted for their deaths. There would be no quarter.

A couple, perhaps, had already been injuried by the crump of 'bow fire. Whatever the case, the horsemen would slay or scatter those darkened creatures. In their case, they'd aim for slaying. That was their task, anyway.

... and when it was done, this task? Any bodies that would tumble to the earth would be dragged back into the camp. And so too, would the one being chased. As long as she went peacefully.

[Sherazade]

Head could barely lift from the ground, shaggy sunset hued locks clung to a face drawn tight with pain and exhaustion, liquid honey orbs flickered with fear, maybe heading this way had been a bad idea. even uninjured she would not have tried to run from them she knew when such things were pointless at least most of the time. tongue would lick dried chapped lips and she would barely manage to croak out the words "i surrender" before her head fell towards the ground again eyes sliding closed as she fainted. blood loss and exhaustion dragging her deeper into oblivion she would not notice if they threw a net over her, would not resist them in the slightest for indeed she could not.

[Vanidor]

She would have been kept, for a short while, in a cell topped by a heavily secured planks. The rain fell down upon it relentlessly, loud enough to keep whomever was within it awake. Or, at the least, off guard and uneasy. Add to the fact that a pair of men stood to either side of the single entrance, silent even in the downpour. Only their heavy cloaks and kettle-topped helmets protected them from the deluge.

The woman had been placed there. Allowed to rest, as much as one could in such a situation. She'd even been seen to by one of the camp healers. Bandages to cover cuts and salves to soothe bruises. Even a small stack of new clothes, if she wanted to. Of course, that would mean changing right then and there, with those guards standing just beyond the bars of her cage. But she wouldn't have to wait long. Not really.

As the day grew long, went from grey to greyer, as it were, food was brought. And information as well. She would be seen to soon. Eat and relax. The Captain would be back shortly, after quelling some issue in the Township. And she would have all the time in the world to tell -him- why she was being chased by Drow, and then decided to use their camp as a endpoint. The soldier grinned at the end of this, winked a grey eye, and departed...

She'd them be left the time to ready herself. For as the day would wear on, the rain continued to fall.

[Sherazade]

The healer tending to her wound her bruises had woken her, but the rain kept her awake . the incessant impact of droplets against the ground made rest impossible even in her exhausted state. Never one to let being shy endanger her health wet and bloody clothes would be exchanged for dry not a sound leaving her lips even when she went white with pain for moving wrong or too quickly. when the gaurd brought food she would be sitting on the makeshift bed legs out straight instead of folded breathing slow and relaxed she was meditating.

One eye came open to see who was there no sign of fright or haste in the movement he would be listened to as he imparted information. when he left she eyed the food, stomach rebelled however rolling as if it would reject anything she swallowed, and she grimaced and brought the food closer to her and began to eat in small mouthfuls. By the time she was done she would feel slightly better though she could feel she was sweating becoming feverish she really needed rest. gaze would turn to the rain and she sighed settling herself more comfortably she closed her eyes and drifted back into meditation and remain there till disturbed. She would look peaceful to any who observed her, Perhaps even asleep.

Shaggy sunset hued locks spilled in tangled masses around her face framing elfin features, upswept ears parting the waves, hands resting on her thighs palms down, chin falling to rest against her chest after some moments perhaps she really had fallen asleep now