The Ghost from the dust

She was silent for a moment, hugging her knees to her chest. "Not everyone is like that. There are many who are good, and driven not by greed, or lust for flesh or blood, but to make the world a better place." Her voice came quietly, but was firm. She had to believe that, had to believe that there was good in the world. She'd seen only a small corner of the world, and was beginning to have her eyes opened to the truth. Not all was as she'd been told at the Temple, but she held firm in her convictions that there was good in everyone, whether they be elf, human, dwarf, or any of the other goodly races.

Ardin stared at the stars, and was silent for a long time, before speaking again, this time in a whisper "I still need to see that again, I know there are those good people, but inside everyone is darkness, and even in a perfect world, it will still come out". he spoke as if he was talking to himself not her "A perfect world of peace, shattered, by greed"

The young priestess shook her head and sighed, glanced up at the stars, picking out the constellation that was associated with Aurinia, taking comfort in the familiar sight, letting the moonlight renew her strength and faith. "The world is as the gods wanted it to be. There is a reason for everything Ardin. We may not know or understand the reason, but it is there nonetheless."

The Assassin looked at her in the corner of his eye with a chuckle "Trying to use my own wisdom against me i see" he smiled a bit, "Before you were born, there was a demon, to many people, a black cloaked man with four eyes, who slew those who did harm on the land, to them he was a demon, to the people he was a saint, a demon that brought peace to the world. for fifty years no one fought, there was no war, then the king died, and civil war broke out" he sighed, "I know this was the way it was ment to be, but that doesnt mean one must like it, but who are you trying to convince, me... or yourself?"

She sighed and thought for a moment. "I got a small glimpse of the real world today, and... while it scared me, I know that whatever fate lies in store for me, it is as the goddess wills it. " She reached a hand up, clasping the medallion that rest around her neck, her expression softening, loosing the fear she had felt earlier, becoming that of one at peace.

Ardin felt the scar on his chest and sighed "Another to a large collection, he painfully got himself up and stoop shakeingly, "Lets get going," he held his hand out to help her up, and onto the horse, but it was clear he was still weak, but her dare not admit it

She took his hand, allowing him to help her to feet and onto the horse. "Hopefully the settlement isn't far from here," she commented, noticing the way he shook slightly. She wished that she could impart more strength to him, but that was a spell that hadn't been made known to her yet, and she couldn't replace the blood that had been lost. "If we are careful, I can probably afford to get us a room at an inn until you can continue on from there." She kept her coins hidden carefully in a pocket sewn into the hem of her robe, so the slavers had not discovered it before they were killed.

/a got onto the horse and let her put her arms around him as he steered the horse, moveing it along the dark road, "It shouldnt be far, they wouldnt make the ranch in the middle of no where, we will get there in the morning, " he kept quiet as they kept going, not wanting to lose strength, staying up the whole night, letting her sleep, soon a town coming into view. getting the horse withing the gates, "Would you like to do the talking, im sure they will think im a slaver at my appearance, or someone who has kidnapped you"

She hesitated, and looked down at her bloodstained robes. "That might be best," she admitted, seeing a pair of guards stationed at the gates, though they stood open to welcome any travelers. The town itself was small, as one might expect in the desert, most of the buildings made of adobe, a mixture of sand, clay and straw. Seeing the two approach, the guards took one good look at them and crossed their pole-arms in front of the gateway. "halt and explain yourselves," one stated in a firm tone. Svenia smiled wearily, and nodded to them. "Take no alarm at our appearance, good sirs. My companion and I merely wish to purchase some supplies and rest for a time." The guards glanced at each other quickly, and turned back to the pair. "Priestess, has this man hurt you?" the one who had spoke before asked, glancing at her bloodstained robes. She quickly shook her head. "No, he saved me." she told them about the secondary business the rancher had run, and they nodded gravely. "We will send men to check it out, and to make sure that nothing of the sort happens again." the apparent leader of the two assured them. "However, the captain may have some questions. Private Lurion here will escort you to the Inn, and make sure you well treated. The captain will come around when he is able to question you, and validate your story." Svenia nodded, and the silent guard led them to an inn, which was one of the largest structures in the town, where a room was arranged.

Ardin was quiet the whole time, he was still weak and was trying to rest as he followed the guard, tying up the horse, and went into the room that was made. "We would like it if you stay in the in till the captain comes, We asked the inn keeper to prepare some baths for you, help get the blood off, and some new cloths will be sent up" Ardin gave the man a smile and nodded, after the man left he closed the door and took off his shirt and went to the mirror. looking at the scars from the pitch fork and the bolt "Damn thugs," he looked at all the blood on him, "Might need to have two baths, one to get the blood off, and one to get the bloody water off" he chuckled, and looked over at Svenia "Don't worry, I can read faces, the guards were telling the truth incase you were wondering, we'll be safe"

She relaxed slightly at his reassurance that the guards were truthful, smiling softly. "It will be good to get clean," she chuckled. Several days spent in the desert and then the fight and blood stained made her eager to soak in a hot tub for a long while. Shortly, the innkeeper knocked upon the door and informed them that the baths were ready, and handed them a few towels, and the clothing that had been promised. The clothing was the kind that she had seen being worn in the streets, lightweight but which covered the body from the harsh sun. They were lead to two small rooms, just large enough for the tub and room to get undressed and dressed. While she was bathing, a servant came in and collected her bloodstained robes, the girl promising to try to clean them. The young priestess stayed in the tub till the water cooled, and dressed quickly in the clothes that had been provided, returning to their room to await Ardin and the visit from the guard captain.

Ardin laid in the bath, it had been years since he had bathed in hot water, and he would take the time to enjoy it, he soon remembered why he liked wearing cloths, looking apon his scared body, it seemed everywhere it was possible, he had a scar, he had sacrificed his body for so much, and no one would ever know. he soon fell asleep in the bath, with the water at his chin,

She sat one of the two small beds in the room, and pulled out the tome from her bags that she had brought with her, and began once again to read. About fifteen minutes later, she heard a loud, authoritative knock on the door. Placing the book down, she crossed over to the door, opening the door to see a large man standing in front of her. He was tall, over six foot, and muscular, dressed in the same earth toned uniform that the guards at the gate had worn. "I am Captain Ichi. I heard that you and a companion had some trouble?" he questioned, gazing past her into the empty room. "Where is your friend?" he asked, having heard from his guards about the man's appearance and the deadly aura that surrounded him.

Ardin woke to the large knocking down the hall, he got up, thinking something was wrong, grabbing the cloths that were left for him, and put them on, not bothering to dry himself, coming up behind the captain, not making a sound, he had his hand ready to strike at the mans back to take out a pressure point incase he was an enemy "May we help you?"

It was obvious the captain hadn't heard Ardin come up behind him, and he jumped visibly, his hand falling to the hilt of his sword, though he didn't draw it. "I take it you are Ardin Vics?" the man asked, for the guards had taken their names as they were led to the inn. "I am Captain Ichi. I would like to talk to you both about what happened to you outside the city. Let us go down to the dining hall and discuss it over a meal," he said with a friendly smile, indicating for them both to follow him down the stairs. The innkeeper sat them at a table in the corner, away from the other occupants of the inn for some privacy, and assured them the special of the day would be served to them quickly, as well as their drinks. The captain fixed his gaze on Ardin and nodded to him. "Why don't you start us off?"

When the Captain went for his hilt, he felt Ardins fingers press against a section on his back, not enough to do anything but showed that he was ready to fight him if he drew the sword. he agreed to the meal and had sat at the table, and smirked at the Captains question. "Would you like to know my life story or why we arrived covered in blood,?" he chuckled "We have been travelling in the desert and some slavers picked us up. they ambushed me in the barn telling me they would get me a horse, took me out, then dragged Seven into the root celler and chained her up, so i Killed the leaders family, the leader himself and a few of his guards," he sighed "Would that be enough for you"

Captain Ichi looked to Svenia, who nodded in accordance with Ardin's story, a shiver running down her spine as she thought about what had happened. At the captain's next question, she told him the names of the men, as she knew them. He nodded gravely, his visage stern. "I've heard bad things about that family, though I was never able to find any evidence against them to support the rumors. You did this area a favor by ridding the world of the scum. I will head over there myself on the morrow, to discover what I can and to close the operation down for good."

Ardin grinned leaning back "I let two escape, they booked it out of there, I am sorry for the mess you and your men will find, My fighting tactics are designed to endure my target is dead. It will be gross" he shrugged, and smiled as the food was brought to them, taking a bite "But as we said we are only here for supplies"

The Captain nodded, sitting back in his chair slightly as the food was set before them, as well as the drinks, wrapping his hand around the handle of his ale mug. "Dead is dead. If you left two alive, I maybe be able to find them and question them, to make sure that you are telling the truth, though I have the feeling you are." He took a sip and raised a brow at them both. "What kind of supplies are you after?" he asked, and Svenia hesitated a moment before answering. "Food, mostly, and a few odds and ends." she responded, her words intentionally vague as she knew that Ardin didn't wish for their destination to be made known. She'd counted her coins earlier, and hoped that they had enough for all that was needed to get them through the coming winter at the ruins. Having gotten the horse without having to pay had helped. "How long do you two intend on staying in town?" Ichi asked.

Ardin shrugged and took a drink "Now where would i get off on lieing, your doing your job and im doing mine, I have no need to lie, or ability" he smirked though he didn't expect either of them to catch that, though he could be wrong.

"You will find my story very true"

Svenia nodded, taking a sip of the tea that she had ordered. "he is telling the truth, I swear it by my goddess." she said softly. "As for how long we plan on staying, I am not sure. At least throughout the night, we might be leaving come morning." Though she wasn't looking forward to the long trip back through the desert, at least it would be shorter with the horse. She would be glad to reach the ruins, for she knew they had a lot of work to do to make it inhabitable before the winter snows fell.

The assassin ate his food calmy and quietly "I am sure we can stay a bit longer Seven, I want my blood to come back, give me a day or too, we can rest" he gave her a smile, then looked at the captain "The men will be easy to find, they have no weapons or supplies, when you find them... just tell them i sent you" he chuckled "They will talk, they will sing"

She smiled back, glad that they would be taking more time to rest. He was not the only one who needed to regain his strength. She nodded, taking another sip of the tea. "Then we shall be here at least a full day, if not longer." she told the captain, who nodded, finishing his meal. He chuckled, his eyes a hard glint. "You scared them that well, hmm?" he took a closer look at Ardin and nodded. "I believe it."

Ardin looked at the table with a hollow look "You dont go through what i have, without knowing how to kill a few people," He then looked up at the captain, with a chilling look with his silver eyes, making look even more dangerous "They will talk, he finished the last of his drink and food, and stood up "Is there anything else you would like to discuss with us Captain, Or may we go to our rooms to rest?"

The Captain nodded, and stood up. "You two take your rest, you both look like you need it. My guards say that you two looked like you'd been dragged through hell and back when they first laid eyes on you." He put down a few coins to pay for their meals and made his way out of the door of the inn, and Svenia slid out of her chair, finishing her tea. She'd barely touched her dinner, but she found that she just couldn't eat. "Some rest sounds good right about now," she said wearily as she made her way back up the stairs to their room.