Bound by Honor

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Fell his ass.

Anrar remained quiet, eerily so as he watched her go about her task, knowing she'd stop eventually, not having an excuse to keep messing with the stallion he'd already prepared to satisfaction. She'd never complained about how he got the horses ready before and he knew she'd not started now. No, she was merely using this as an excuse not to look at him, to ignore him in hopes that his temper would lessen. She should really know by now that such things RARELY happened, not when it concerned her and someone hurting her. He knew she was merciful. She was forgiving and despite her profession, her heart was gentle and full of a compassion that had immediately drawn him to her even from the beginning. She was fierce, though. So much MORE than she realized. He could see it, tried to encourage it and that was why he grew so very enraged when those around her undid all the effort he put into making her see what he saw in her.

She didn't want to harm anyone, even if they deserved it.

And Anrar found it all too easy to do.

He waited until she'd stilled, his patience far more infinite than her own - they'd actually had a contest a year or two back - and then moved toward her again, gently turning her to face him, his fingers finding her chin, turning her head this way and that, a brow rising over those too dark eyes of his. "You fell." he repeated and then gave her a look that clearly said he knew she was lying. "On both sides of your face? More than once?" Somehow his calm logic was a bit more dangerous than his blind fury.
 
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Evel resisted the urge to bite her lip. "Yes. I've been tripping a lot lately." She said, hoping to the heavens above that he for once would let the matter go. They needed to get moving. They had matters more important than her that they had to deal with. She tried to move away to mount her horse. "We need to go."

Sometimes, her friend scared her. She would never admit it aloud to him or any other soul. She kept her feelings secret from her eyes, knowing her friend could read her either way. Yet, she never let him sense even a speck of fear. That would simply drive him away. She feared him when he was angry, afraid that she had done something to incur his fiery rage. She feared him when he showed disappointment, most likely aimed at her she would think in her own mind. She feared him most when he gave her that special smile that made her cheeks flush with heat and her stomach fill with butterflies.

A lot of the time she wondered what he would think if he knew every little thought in her head, if he knew just what kinds of emotions and feelings he stirred up in her. He might be confused by her. She was quite confusing in of herself. She hated to harm people and yet her job consisted of her killing off men who had families and homes. She didn't like to think of it that way. She was just continuing the circle of life in her own mind. Nothing more and nothing less.

So Evel stood, hoping her friend would let her go so she could mount her steed and get on with the task at hand.
 
Anrar knew very well what she wanted and while in the end he'd do as Evel silently asked, sometimes it took a bit more time for him to come to reluctant compliance. Now was one of those times as he studied her intently, the bruises screaming out mockingly at him. He'd not been there to back her up or protect her. And it had nothing to with the fact that she was a girl. He'd done the same when he'd thought she was a boy. It hadn't changed when knowledge of her gender had, neither to increase or decrease. Now he knew he'd failed and she'd paid the price.

His instincts demanded justice, but his mind told him she'd be displeased with him if he pursued this and caused a problem for them. And if he went after Laro - because who else could it be? - he'd be under the lash again and Anrar was doubtful that he'd be moving overmuch after thirty of those. It frustrated him, but he finally sighed out slowly and released Evel gently, letting her mount her horse as he shook his head and went to his own. He swung up and the fiery red stallion tossed his head, sensing his rider's tension, but more than accustomed to it.

Anrar gave Evel another glance as he started to ride past her, voice quiet. "You do need to come up with some better lies, Evel."

He nudged Firekicker into a faster pace then as they made for the gate to the inner wall, having to pass through the two and then the outer wall before they'd be on the plains.
 
Evel bit her lower lip as she followed, nudging Epona to move as fast as Firekicker. She felt horrible lying to Anrar, but he would have gone after Laro if she had not, which would mean that Anrar would be punished. Whatever they did to him while punishing him, she was certain it wasn't good. He would often refuse to see her after these punishments which served to worry Evel all the more.

Through the gates and into the fields, Evel felt dread settle in her stomach. This was going to be a long and hard journey, she was sure of it. She felt the wind blow her hair back, making her close her eyes for just a second to enjoy its cool breeze. She had always loved the wind whether it was riding on her horse or just during a warm day, it comforted her.

The small knight looked over at Anrar. She hoped he wasn't too mad with her for lying. She knew if she was not around to be Laro's punching bag then he would just focus on Anrar. She would not let that happen, so she let him hit her. The knight enjoyed riling Anrar up, but enjoyed tormenting the young knight more. The young knight let out a small sigh as she thought of what Laro might do if she wasn't around to be his personal chew toy. He would try to hurt others more, most likely Anrar most of the time, when she was around everyone always noted that Laro was a bit more complacent. If she could keep the blue eyed elf from hurting others by letting him hurt her, then so be it.
 
If Anrar had known the thoughts going through Evel's mind he would have had a thing or two to say about it, probably with a lot of cursing, but he didn't and right now that was probably for the best. He wasn't angry at the young Knight riding at his side - a bit irritated at the lying, yes but nothing severe in the least - but rather at himself and at Laro. It was true that the blue-eyed elf had tried to use Anrar to vent his frustrations on at times, but the results had never really been in Laro's favor. Sure, there were times when he managed to catch the fire elemental off guard and therefore vulnerable but it never lasted long.

The only problem was that Laro was more than fine with reporting Anrar and then there was trouble the blond couldn't avoid. It was not a game he could win. But that didn't mean he wanted Evel taking the fall for him anymore than she wanted him doing so for her. It was frustrating.

Still, he WASN'T angry at his companion and the further they got from the castle, the more he let the anger go until finally Chalicia was a small shape in the distance, the road before them. At this point Anrar looked over to Evel and he gave a slight whistle, a small subtle thing, but it got her attention and when she looked to him, the fire elemental gave her that small smile he reserved only for her. He was silently telling her that things were all right between them and then he kicked his mount into a run without warning, knowing very well that a good run with the wind blowing wildly past would put her in better spirits.

And when they stopped he'd force her to take a seat and let him see to her face.
 
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When Anrar smiled at Evel, she couldn't help but smile back. She laughed when he made his horse run, quickly getting Epona to run after him. She enjoyed the wind quite a bit and was less irritated when he forced her to show him her face. "It isn't that bad. I promise." She tried to convince her friend, hoping he didn't notice the occasional flinches that left her.

Now that they were away from the castle, Evel was much more relaxed and willing to let Anrar dote on her. She looked up at the stars the best that she could, smiling at how pretty they looked even thought a hateful war was raging on below them. She closed her eyes, trying to imagine a world where there was no war. It was definitely strange to say the least.

Evel opened her eyes to look up at her friend. It was one of the few quiet times she could really look at him. He was strong and very tall. His hair and eyes made him look regal yet kind. Even when about to burst into flames, he would still look as kind as he did. She looked over his lips, not too thin like many men's lips were... Just the right size to... She felt herself heat up, but luckily for her the bruises hid almost all of the blush.
 
"Uh-huh, like you promised your wrist wasn't broken after that skirmish five months back?" Anrar shot back, amusement in his eyes even as he was still unhappy about the bruises in the first place. He didn't let that leak, though, though. He'd deal with Laro when he got back, that much he vowed, punishment or no. His hands were gentle over her face, using the clear oil potion the healers had made for the exact purpose of bruises - it would help them fade faster and would stimulate tissue to repair itself - and rubbing it in carefully. He'd be happier to see her without them. The blond noted the flinches just as he noted everything else around him down to the tiniest details. Not even Evel seemed to know just how much his mind processed even in situation where he only got a glimpse of something.

He had a photographic memory and it was both a blessing and a curse to the elemental.

When he finished, his dark green eyes finally focused on her paler shade, taking note that she'd been staring at something just judging by how hastily her eyes moved away from it and he thought about asking but thought better of it. It was dark already and if she'd seen something dangerous Evel would have given warning. Perhaps she'd just been in deep thought. That thought taken care of, the male pulled moved away instead moved to start a fire. The wood had already been collected and after arranging it, the elemental brought his hands over the wood and simply concentrated. His fire appeared then, warm and friendly as a campfire could be and he set the wood ablaze before standing. Residual fire flickered on his hands and then a flash of white arched across his fingers and Anrar gave a low curse, extinguishing the flames and looking at his hand with a frown.

Damn. He'd thought that was a fluke. Apparently not.
 
"That was completely different." Evel tried to argue, feeling relief at the oil being put on her bruises. Once the fire started, she quickly moved to sit next to it, wanting warmth after being in the cold wind. No matter how much she loved the wind, she always went back to the fire, trying to warm her body. What was best about this fire was that it always made her feel warm, even if it was snowing and they were in the middle of a blizzard, Anrar's fires would always make her feel all cozy.

She noticed the curse and the light that flashed across his hand. Standing up, Evel walked over to Anrar and looked over his hands. She wondered if his ability was acting up or something. If anything, she wanted to try and help him. Though most of the time she really couldn't with these matters. It was something he had to do himself rather than have someone help him.

So Evel simply looked. If she found anything wrong with his hands she would be sure to try and identify what was making it that way. She didn't touch it, knowing that Anrar wouldn't want her to if his powers were acting up. She could burn herself.
 
Anrar gave Evel a glance as she came closer, but didn't direct her away, knowing she wouldn't touch his hands until he let her know it was fine to do so. His dark eyes studied his own hand and slowly the blond drew the flames forward again, letting them dance in a mesmerizing way across his skin and between his fingers, watching closely and sure enough that white arch came back, but this time it was far more obvious what it was; lightning. Anrar frowned as it crackled and spat over his hand amidst the flames, more than one tendril of it now and only when it started to crawl up his arm did he will the fire away.

The lightning went with it and the elemental gave a growling sigh, raking his fingers back through his hair, the wild mane needing brushing badly already. "As if this isn't hard enough...." he muttered before looking back down at Evel from where his eyes had gone to the stars before. "It's...new. It happened about a week ago, but I hadn't seen it again so I thought it might not come back."

He hadn't known he could do something like that, control another element. Such was the downfall of knowing nothing about his race.
 
"Well, I guess it's not completely unheard of for elementals to use more than just their base element. Some legends say that water elementals could control ice too." Evel noted, unsure if it would really help him at all or not. Hopefully the small piece of information would at least help him a tiny bit. She looked up at the sky, noting that the moon was starting to rise to its height.

"You should sleep. I'll take first watch." Evel stated, moving to a stone somewhat near the camp and sitting down. She tapped her foot as she waited, almost unsure of what was to come. So many things were changing around the land and it almost scared her to think about such things.

What would they find on this mission? Would they really find this cure-all magical water or whatever? So many uncertainties surrounded this whole mission. What if the elementals were as dangerous as Anrar thought them to be? What if they killed them both? Then the king and queen would be doomed as would the princess. It was all just too risky, yet they were going through with it.
 
He should sleep. Ha. She needed it more than he did, but Anrar somewhat knew how to pick his battles, more so when it came to Evel and he merely shook his head a bit before moving to spread out his bedroll. The elemental did the same with Evel's bedding, making it ready for her for when she woke him to take the next watch. She'd be tired by that point and he had witnessed her simply curling on the ground before and going to sleep right then and there. Now it was almost habit for him to get her sleeping area out for her so they didn't have the problem. He even did it when they were in a group - that and probably other things had helped support the belief by others that there was an unnatural relationship between them. Anrar had never done anything to correct it. He didn't care what others said as long as they left Evel alone and it was only when they didn't that he acted.

Right now there was no one to fight, though, and the male laid down on his stomach, not having to change out of his armor for it was all made of toughened leather. Yes, it was unconventional for a Knight but when one could heat up to a temperature hot enough to melt metal...it didn't do much good to have metal on. It had taken one experience with that when he was around the maturity of a sixteen year old for the armory master to forbid him for taking another set. Anrar had been more than ready to agree. He didn't like the restriction of the metal armor anyway.

He wasn't really thinking about such things right now, though, more focused on the same thing Evel was. He didn't like this mission. Something felt so very off about it and he couldn't place his finger on it. It was only the quiet sense of dread in the core of his being that kept him knowing he wasn't imagining things. He stayed up for a time thinking on it, but eventually drifted off into sleep that soon turned to restless nightmares, but that wasn't anything he wasn't used to.
 
Around midnight, Evel called to Anrar, knowing better than shaking him awake after a nightmare. "Anrar! Anrar, wake up! It's your turn to stay watch." She was tired and really could use the nice warmth of sleep. She knew that normally she should have stayed up until an hour later, but the small knight needed rest. She hoped her taller friend wouldn't mind.

The night was strangely peaceful, animals chirping and going about their routines in a normal matter. Nocturnal animals thrived in the night, keeping even the darkest hours lively. It calmed Evel to the point that she was nearly asleep standing up. But she had to at least wake the taller knight up for him to take his watch.

"Anrar, please wake up." She sat down near the man, hoping his nightmares weren't too severe. She would talk with him if he needed her to. That's what friends were for, right? She waited patiently, struggling to keep her eyes open but not wanting to rush the poor man.
 
Anrar was a light sleeper and he'd already been starting awake from the call alone and by the time Evel came to sit near him, he was moving his body in preparation of rising. His body was hot, very much so with the suppressed flames under his skin, a defensive action against the nameless terrors of his mind. He couldn't rightly remember what he'd dreamed. He never could and that bothered him nearly as much as the nightmares themselves did. It was like he was running from some unknown enemy and couldn't even identify why or who they were. He only knew he couldn't stop. And the strange, chilling part was that he didn't know if he just felt that way during the dream...or if he still felt that way upon waking.

Sometimes both.

Now, though, the blond sat up with a yawn, pushing his hand back thought his hair with a sigh as he looked to Evel and gave her a reassuring look, knowing what she was waiting for. He merely shook his head and reached out to ruffle her shorter blond hair gently. "Go to sleep, little bird." he whispered to her - a name he only ever uttered when they were completely alone - before standing and moving to his own watch. He didn't expect they'd see anything so close to Chalicia to be alarmed about but one never knew.
 
Evel smiled at the little nickname and quickly curled up, falling asleep instantly. The girl was always such a quiet sleeper, sometimes it almost seemed like she was dead. She seemed so peaceful, dead to the world around her as she slept in her armor and all. She had a simple chain mail that allowed her free movement but protected her when it got time to fight.

Though she was peaceful in her demeanor, her dreams were anything but. Ranging from beautiful lands full of wonder and joy to harsh places where fire consumed those closest to her. Her most common dreams were that of what she wondered her parents would look like. Her father was always tall and proud with bright green eyes and a head of beautiful blonde hair. Her mother was softer, more delicate with a darker blonde and brown eyes. They both had the most beautiful smiles and loved her even though they couldn't protect her in the horrible world.

That night she dreamt of introducing her imaginary parents to Anrar, something she hadn't done in the dream world with her parents. She dreamt that they were glad someone was helping to take care of their little bird and even asked him if he had gotten the courage to ask to court her. She would blush and tell her parents that she didn't want to be courted but her parents would always give her that knowing smile. Then the dream would start to fade.
 
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A week passed by swiftly when one traveled and such was true for Evel and Anrar as well. They were nearing the border between Chalicia, the elven Kingdom, and Rabnoke, the Centaur Kingdom and the two had to become more alert to patrols and scouts from the enemy. So far they'd not encountered anyone, but they both knew they were growing closer to the edges of the war grounds and it kept them on edge...especially when they had no idea where they were actually going.

That was something the elemental was struggling with. He was supposed to find a race he'd never met - or didn't remember knowing - without having any clues to go on a to where they might be...and in the meantime the young Saraca was supposed to remain in enemy clutches? It rankled and often, more often than even Evel knew, he debated disregarding orders and going after the Princess instead FIRST.

The only thing that stopped him was the knowledge that they could not take a young girl with them while they went questing and he didn't want to think of the crushed expression, the accusation that would come from Saraca's eyes when she found out they had been tasked with saving her parents and had delayed, perhaps even failed. No, he had to stick to orders, no matter how they didn't make sense or seemed impossible, but damn if he knew what he was doing!

At the moment they'd hit the edge of the forest, a place in constant flux between being in the elves' control and the centaurs'. There was no telling who had control over it now and Anrar stopped Firekicker, his dark green eyes trailing carefully over the multitude of trunks, branches and foliage. It looked clear, but it never hurt to be cautious.
 
During the week, Evel had grown more and more suspicious of what exactly they were doing. Save the king and queen first, then the princess. It all made no sense. Leaving the young girl alone with the centaurs tore at Evel's heart. The poor thing was probably traumatized and they were off to find some thing that was suppose to be absolutely impossible and improbable to find.

As she looked over the forest, she looked to Anrar. She wanted to ask him what he thought on the matter, if he thought that the forest was under their possession or under the possession of their enemies. She tapped the reins to her horse, nervous and feeling completely highstrung. If something would just happen already then they could get on with it!

So she simply watched, bow in her hand as she waited for a centaur to come out and strike or an elf to come out and tell them that this was a safe area. Either way she would be prepared.
 
Anrar had a suspicion as to who was in possession of the forest right now, but his suspicions were not confirmed until a bellowing, deep voice called out and his dark green eyes snapped to the figure hidden within the trees, a bow drawn on them. Definitely not an elf and where there was on centaur, there were more. They were herd-oriented creatures after all. Dammit. "State your race!" They needed no other information for the first question. Any elf knew they'd be shot as soon as they revealed what they were, so it was quickly that Anrar cast a look to Evel that clearly said 'don't speak'.

The blond looked back to the forest and called back, one of the few times he ever raised his voice for anything. "Elemental."

There was a great, long pause as if the centaur didn't know whether to believe him or think he was lying and Anrar helped him make up his mind, lifting a hand, palm out to let flames flicker over his skin. "See?"

Now there was a stir in the trees and the centaur who'd spoken came trotting out slowly, cautiously, bow still drawn. He was brown furred and haired both and he looked rightly suspicious of the two, but thankfully not quite ready to shoot them yet. He looked from Anrar to Evel, eyes narrowing. "What about him?"
 
Evel hesitated before shaking her head. She patted her neck and shook her head again, hoping to come off as mute. She knew there were other races like the elves that had the same pointed ears and human like characteristics. There was one that she knew could not speak to others that were not of their own race. She remembered reading about a race called the ancients. They bore physical similarities to the elves though were generally shorter.

Evel felt fear burn in her veins and wished she could hide in Anrar's arms. Yet, she had to stay quiet, if not for her own survival but for her kingdom's as well. Adrenaline was burning her veins and she knew her faithful Epona felt it too. The horse whinnied softly, hoping to calm his master. Evel stroked the stallions mane, her hand shaking.

She wondered how long it would take them to figure out she was an elf and shoot her. She was in the midst of the enemy and could possibly die. She had faced them in battle so many times before and yet she was trembling at the mere sight of them. Was she shaking? She couldn't tell, though Anrar would be able to tell her yes if she asked. Don't make a sound, she thought. Don't make a sound.
 
The centaur's eyes instantly narrowed in suspicion and Anrar counted to three slowly in his mind, knowing that if he answered immediately and too fast it would appear like he was lying, had something to hide and was scared of being caught. All those things were true, of course, but he'd do his best to not let it show. He had some experience in this. While Evel was usually sent with the bowmen to the battles, Anrar was often sent on smaller missions, ones that involved intelligence as well as skill. He had both and had lied his way out of many situations. This was by far the most dangerous in his mind, though, as he had something very precious to lose if he failed. Evel was the only friend he had. He couldn't lose her.

"He's mute. He can't answer you."

The bow rose higher and Anrar noted that at least five more centaur had made themselves visible in the treeline, waiting for orders. "Looks like an elf to me."

Anrar's brow rose, calm. He felt anything but that, though, knowing that Evel was trembling and that at any moment these creatures might decide they didn't buy their story and choose to shoot them both. "He's part mountain drow, part human. Drows are close cousins to the elves, but not the same." he intoned coolly and the horse-man looked between them again before slowly lowering his bow, keeping it drawn but not aimed at their face. His eyes seemed to search for something, but Anrar had been very careful to remove any traces of Chalicia's colors from their persons and horses.

"What are you doing this far west? Drows stick up near the north."

"True, but elementals don't. I'm searching for my people. Might your race have word of them?"

The centaur barked out a laugh, waving him off. "We carry no such knowledge, lad. I can hardly believe you're what you claim." Anrar sighed at the lack of help, but nodded. "It was worth a try. Might we have permission to pass? We don't want any trouble with the elves or the centaurs. Not our war."

Another glance from him to Evel who hadn't made a sound and the centaur looked thoughtful before nodding again. "Very well. We'll give you an escort to the opposite border."
 
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Evel internally let out a breath of relief and felt like she could cry. thank the gods above for her friend. She was still trembling though as they weren't out of the woods yet. They were getting a centaur escort. An escort that could kill her at any moment. She wanted to ride away, ride past these woods and find the damn cure so they could save their princess.

She was so glad she had Anrar there to cover up for her. If they asked further he could come up with the perfect cover story. They wouldn't ask her anything because, well, she was mute. She wondered if this escort would be harsh to them or kind like the centaur who was talking to them was. She bit her lip, chewing at it in nervous habit.

She needed reassurance. She had never been in this kind of situation before. All she could think of was damn legends she read in that god forsaken library where she would hide from the local bullies. She was useless when not killing things with a bow. Speaking of which, she would need to hunt some game because they were already getting low on their food supply. She had only been allowed to grab a week's worth of food which didn't last long with her and the elemental.
 
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