Mercenary

[caleb]

General Manning dimissed Caleb, and he and Balvir flew off to their favorited campsite. "That Rider that came late said she was Varden right? Let's find her and talk." Caleb said. Balvir disagreed, but followed the command none the less. Caleb searched every clearing he could find, and soon found an occupied one. Caleb looked through the trees to see the Rider cooking stew, his belly suddenly empty. "I'm hungry to Caleb." Balvir said. "Go hunt" Caleb said. Balvir took flight and Caleb emerged from the woods

[nerasa]

Nerasa looked up at the sudden noise and wondered why this rider was fallowing her again. Nerasa thought that it could be something other then fallowing that he wanted something from her.

"Hello again. You may sit if you want for thats up to you." said nerasa as she took out a small wooden spoon.

[micaylah]

Kalri flew with Mar atop Sabonth, over the land. Spying a clearing near the base of a mountain ahead she touched the mind of Sabonth. Heading toward the area, Kalri noted a cave large enough for Sabonth looking out over the clearing. 'You can have the cave my pet. Keep watch and alert me if any approach.' Landing, the pair got off the dragon as she headed up to her keep. From her vantage point, they would not need to worry about anyone stumbling across them in the night. Looking around, she eyed Mar. "I hope this will meet with your approval. I would prefer sleeping outdoors after all that time locked away in the castle." She took the packs and began to set up her bedroll. Lying upon it, she placed her hands behind her head as she looked up into the night sky. The moon and stars shone brilliantly, like jewels shimmering in a sea of black. "Mar. Why did you stop me from fighting the Rider? He has caused the death of many of Father's top generals. Granted, we have killed the majority of them for either revealing Empire secrets or threatening to reveal them. I could have taken him you know."

[caleb]

"Hello. I think I will sit and talk. What's you name?" Caleb asked. He made his way through the clearing and sat down across from her. "Balvir, her dragons not here, but be on guard." Caleb told his dragon.

[taran]

Mar also set up his bedroll, laying on his back.
"I'm sorry I told you to stop, Kalri," he told her gently. "But fighting is not always the best solution. You may have been able to take him, but you would not have left that place whole. He was a skilled swordsman, judging by how he stood and held his sword." Mar rolled over to look at her, making eye contact to that she understood his point. "As for causing the death of many of your father's generals...I am not so different," he said with a smile.

[micaylah]

Kalri looked at Mar. He was the closest thing she had to a real friend. She smiled at him though in her heart she knew they were very different. "You have always served Father well. You have stood by my side these many years looking out for me. Sometimes I wonder why you do not ask for a different assignment." She knew Mar was the only one he trusted where she was concerned. His concerns for her lay both within as well as outside the castle. As his heir, she would have many enemies. Other than her Father, she trusted Mar with her life.

[taran]

Mar grew serious at her question. He felt a sense of duty, but he was also bound by his oath. He knew she would need protection, and knowledge of how to defend herself, and he wanted to entrust that task to no other, save himself.
"Well, Kalri, I think the reason I do not ask for another assignment is because I would not trust this job to any other man besides myself. I would not trust another man to protect and train you without his own intentions."

[micaylah]

Kalri rolled back and returned her gaze to the stars. She new of the intentions of men, even though she had been sheltered by Galbatorix in the castle. During her trips into the city under cover of night, she often reached out and felt the emotions of those she watched. Quietly and undetected, she had felt them all. Love between a man and a woman was the most foreign to her. She, herself had never experienced such feelings. Galbatorix viewed it as weak and had quickly rebuffed her anytime she spoke to him of love and friendship of another. She had tried once to sense if he had ever felt love. As she briefly touched his mind, she was thrown by the force of his black magic into a wall inside the throne room. It was the only time that he had ever physically attacked her. The wrath of his anger made her shiver as she thought back on the memory. She never spoke of or tried to reach that part of him again. Curious, she asked Mar, "Have you ever been in love Mar?" This night softened her as she explored a lighter side in herself that she always kept repressed.

[nerasa]

"My name is Nerasa. Whats yours? Do you want anything to eat for I have enough here if you want some." said nerasa curiously.

'Marflamel how far are you for coming back? I would like you here but then again its up to you.' said nerasa to marflamel.

"I am close by I will be there in roughly ten minutes." said Marflamel.

[taran]

Mar was shocked by her question. Never before had she shown interest in such things, never before thought to ask him about himself.
"Well, not really," he told her. "There have been women I have liked dearly, maybe loved, but nothing ever came of it. I was always too different for everyone. My elven heritage rejected me, and my human one shunned me. It was very difficult to find someone who could look past the differences, and I don't believe it has happened yet, though I continue to hope." He looked at her, saw the many questions in her eyes. "Your father may picture love as a weakness, but only if one allows it to govern their motives, their thoughts in war."

[micaylah]

She thought about what he said. "You always have a place with me." He was the only one other than her father, who accepted her, even though her actions were generally cruel, mean and vindictive. "As for love...I don't know. I have many questions but I don't think any could accept me as I am. No. I fear I am destined to walk the path wyrda has set me on alone." She thought of how her past had pleased her, even given her joy. the pain and suffering she had inflicted gave her life a meaning, a purpose. It was what she was bred for. To carry on her father's legacy and she was very much his daughter

[caleb]

"Hello Neresa, how are you?" Caleb said. "I would love to eat with you.". Caleb went over and sat down, keeping contact with Balvir the whole time. "I'm happy that you came to help. You didn't ask my side, yet you helped. I believe you said you were Varden, if that's true we are on the same side." Caleb said, helping himself to some stew.

[taran]

Mar smiled at Kalri's words. 'She is growing up,' he thought. Placing his blades beside him, loosened slightly in their sheathes, Mar rolled onto his side, using his extra clothes as a pillow.
"Well, you never know where wyrda will take you," he said, facing her. "I never thought I'd be serving your father, guarding you least of all. But, here I am."

[micaylah]

"I am sorry that you have had to baby-sit. I think perhaps I can be a little difficult sometimes." She looked to him smiling. "Are you hungry? Fighting always makes me hungry."

[taran]

Mar smiled.
"I don't have to baby-sit you, Kalri. You can be a little baby-ish sometimes though," he teased her, knowing it was dangerous but not caring. "But on a more serious note, I would love something to eat."