Trust point

[Tismri]

Katriana sat contemplatively, reflecting on their current plan of attack. She needed to go somewhere Nasuada wouldn't be expecting; she'd been sending her forces out in a pattern for the specific purpose of eventually catching her enemies off guard. She felt as if the time had come for that.
She thought for several long moments over who she should send. A large force would be needed, but first she would send a small team, no more than two people, to infiltrate. She considered Sachiko, but given the girl's current state, Kat wasn't sure how effective she would be. It was vital that this attack go exactly as planned.
She considered Lysette. The girl had proven herself battle-worthy yesterday, and the Shade Rider was certain she would complete her task without fail, even if she cared little for it. With that decision, another quickly came to her.
"Summon Lysette and Tyrant," she told a nearby aide. The thrall scurried off to do her bidding immediately.
~~~~~
Lysette smiled at the scuffle taking place before her. Most of the men infatuated with her had decided she'd chosen another one of them last night and went on their merry way, but each of these two was convinced that it was the other, and now they were locked in a battle for her affections. It all seemed so trivial that it delighted her. She rather hoped one would kill the other, and start rumors throughout the camp. She would love to see where that lead.
Out of nowhere, a boy of about thirteen showed up next to her. He stared, open-mouthed, at her shapely form before he forced himself back to attention.
"Miss Lysette, my lady has requests your presence," he told her quickly, still staring at a region somewhere below her face. Lysette smirked and patted the boy on the head.
"Very well. I will come to her presently," she told him.

[Max452]

Tyrant swooped into Katriana's presence after a page boy found him flirting with a female magician. He had waved the boy off, annoyed with the interruption but the little bug kept insisting that he appear. It was only when the magician had to help with a side mission that Tyrant growled all the way over to Katriana. What is it? He had thought as he appeared. "To what need have you with me, Kit Kat? I was busy..." He pouted. "You finally take up my offer for some fun?" He grinned at her deviously. "I'll make it worth all of your time." He replied cheekly. Granting a roar and an opened maw of flames from Vanilor. The Shade dodged with practiced ease, chuckling as he went.

Insufferable fool! I'll kill him now! Lycus declared with malice and perhaps hidden jealousy ...

[Tismri]

Katriana would have been amused by the reactions of Vanilor and Lycus were it not for her own seething fury toward Tyrant. She only tolerated that insufferable nickname from Elijah because he was a crazy fool, and then only just. She did not need others beginning to call her that, especially if she wished to continue to command respect from her followers. Her blazing eyes smoldered at the Shade across from her, reflecting just how very angry he had just made her.
Maim him, she commanded Lycus, in such a way that he won't know where it came from. But don't kill him; regrettably, he is still a necessary burden. Continuing her angry gaze, she spoke to Tyrant.
"Call me that one more time, Tyrant, and I will personally tear out your heart and feast upon it, no matter what vows I have made to our creator." The thought that she was bound to Allecia's will by that slightest degree frustrated her to no end, and she often wondered what her reason was for forcing Kat to employ Tyrant's services.
After she gave Lycus time to carry out her order, she settled back more comfortably, her flaming gaze now more cunning and coy as a slight smile tweaked her lips. "As for your offer, I am afraid I must still decline. Come back when you have the whole of the Empire in your grasp, and I may consider. Until then, you are far beneath my caliber. No, I summoned you because I have another mission for you; please recall that you are still under my command and must therefore carry out my orders."
Katriana's speech came to a temporary halt when Lysette finally arrived, being escorted by yet another random man who, by seemingly from his expression seemed to be worshipping her like some goddess. Lysette's power over men almost troubled Katriana. She seemed to be able to seduce any one of them into giving her what she wanted. The Shade Rider had been surprised when she learned that out of all of them, it had been Dominic who spent the night with the woman. Even his iron will could be broken by a pretty face, it seemed.
This was why she had chosen Tyrant. She more or less wanted to put to the test what he had said yesterday about feeling nothing when he looked at her. Kat was bothered that he, who seemed to lust after any female that walked on two legs, was not taken in the slightest by this woman who seemed to almost enchant most men by a mere glance.
"Ah, it seems your companion for this mission has finally arrived," Katriana stated in a rather annoyed voice. Both of them seemed to have no fear of keeping her waiting. Lysette turned to her escort and whispered to him with that sly smile of hers, to which he responded by giving her a passionate kiss before reluctantly parting from her. Then the girl turned and approached Katriana with hardly a second glance at the Shade standing next to her.
"You summoned me, my lady?" she asked. Katriana could barely conceal her impatience with these two.
"Yes. I have a mission for you two. Tyrant, Lysette, you two are to precede a battalion to the town of Bullridge for seizure. Infiltrate, learn what you can, and start the attack. Tyrant, you know our procedure by now. I trust you will answer any questions your companion may have. Now both of you be off before Vanilor gets hungry." She leaned back against her bond, retaining her annoyed, although bored, expression.

[Max452]

The moment Katriana gave the order, Lycus flew from his spot next to her, a killer intent airing off of him. His light feet took him to his destination without a sound as he unsheathed his sword. Tyrant seemed to have sensed that he may have angered Katriana for once, but he still gave off a challenging aura. Lycus would put a stop to that.

The elf zipped behind the Shade and quickly slashed his backside a good few times before blurring to his side, doing the same, and then to his front, and his other side; all having deadly lashings produced on the Shade's skin. Tyrant sputtered, outraged at the attack, but Lycus still had the advantage of surprise. The elf allowed his body to fall vertically as he intended to knock Tryant to his feet; his free hand supporting him from hitting the ground. He bounced back up, clouds of dust forming around the fallen Tyrant, and stabbed the Shade very near his heart, as a reminder to the egotistical Shade to never call Katriana by the obscene name again. In a flash, Lycus returned to his post by Katriana, an unnoticed smug look on his face, although, he did send Katriana a pleased emotion.

***
Tyrant had no idea what had happened to him. He lied on the floor, coughing and hacking up blood. With a bloody hand on his chest, the Shade struggled to his feet, a death glare in his eyes as he stared at the Shade Rider. Curse her! If not for his pact with Allecia he would kill her for her treachous attack! He was aware that she possessed some unknown magic, but this one seemed new. He seethed as she continued to speak. His other wounds sizzled as they began to heal themselves, and as always, the wound near his heart was the slowest to heal. His red eyes continued to glare and in his malice he failed to notice or acknowledge his new comrade. After their instructions were given, Tyrant gave a curt turn, his cloak whipping behind him as he left to do his mission. "Very well!" He growled out. He pitied Bullridge at the moment, for he would leave no one alive in his angered bloodlust. It was the least he could do to negate the frustration he held toward Katriana. "Move!" He commanded Lysette, finally letting it be known that she was acknowledged.

[Tismri]

Katriana concealed her gleeful smirk at Tyrant's suffering, keeping her expression perfectly straight.
Very well played, Lycus, she praised her shadow guardian, radiating her pleasure with his actions. Remind me to reward you at a later time. She watched as Tyrant stormed off in his fury, with Lysette following with a hesitant, slightly confused expression. Their mission was going to go well, Katriana felt.
***
Lysette sat next to a small campfire, lazily cleaning and sharpening various blades. The assult on Bullridge had gone without a hitch, and what remained of the town was nothing but a smoldering pile of ashes.
On the trip coming, she had barely spoken a word to Tyrant, seeing that the Shade would not be in a talkative mood. She wasn't afraid of him; she just ignored him. However, she did observe some things about him, his habits and actions. A few of them reminded her of someone that she was unable to pinpoint, but now that they were sitting here, she wondered if perhaps this Shade was indeed her father. If so, she felt after watching his marvelous performance in the town that perhaps he was worthy of the title.
She hesitated to start a conversation with him at the moment, wanting to guage his mood. She felt perhaps he was less likely to tear her limbs off now that he had managed to work some of the anger out of his system, but she wanted to be sure about it first.

[Max452]

My skills are yours to command; I am glad you are pleased. Lycus replied with content. He watched Tyrant march off angrily and knew now, that the wretched creature would think twice before he insulted his Lady again. And you know I need no reward, for it is a pleasure to serve you as it is. He responded once more with his usual truthful reply. Lycus had only one purpose since the day his Lady saved him: to serve Katriana no matter the cost.

Vanilor growled out a pleasant sound. Is it almost time, Kat? The great yellow dragon asked his bond, trying to sift through all the other voices for the one he mostly cared about. Can we go and hunt now? Just the two of us? Van asked, wishing to be with only Kat despite the immediate protest of her manservant.

Milady, as I know you are perfectly capable and safe with yourself and Vanilor, but I must insist that I be with you; it is my duty to protect you. Lycus' mind replied immediately after Vanilor relayed his thoughts. Sometimes the dragon wondered how that pointy two legged heard him...perhaps his connection with Kat...or perhaps he was just used to projecting his thoughts to both of them. No matter, this time he just wanted Kat.

***
Seth let out a yawn as he stretched himself. He ruffled his hair and dressed himself appropriately as a new day had approached. He was excited with this new day as he anticipated that he and Glory would be training together again. It was a thrill to have taught her how to see through his eyes and she was such a natural at it as well. As time would go on, Seth knew that Glory would be able to see just like him, if not better. She would have both the advantage of her actual eyes and that of the energy around them. His smile sombered slightly as he thought about that. He usually never thought this way, but lately, since he and Glory had reunited, Seth was getting frustrated that he could not really see Glory. He wanted to know what it was like to see her cheeks blush when he commented on how beautiful she looked, or how the sun would reflect against her hair (or even her actual hair color), and her eyes...he desperately wanted to see her eyes. Seth sighed. He could see her energy all he wanted, but it would never give such fine details, and Hyperion's eyes would never suffice it for him. He wanted to see with his own. Just once. If only just once. The young blue rider brushed back his unruly hair with a hand before going to the washbin to clean himself up for the day. He hoped, as he splashed the cold water on his face, that the water would wash these thoughts away.

Once Seth was done with his morning routine, he gingerly tapped on the pole that held the partition between he and Glory. He knew where she was already; he located her with ease, but it was out of politeness and respect for his Glory that he knock. "Glory, are you ready?" He asked, wanting to start off the day with a good meal as he placed his hidden desires away in the far recess of his mind and heart.

***
Tyrant was picking at his fingers in boredom when he felt Lysette shift again. This was no ordinary shift of body movement, Tyrant knew. She of course was maintaining her blades, so she had to be moving, but no, those secret looks thrown his way ever so often were not becoming annoying. Sure, Tyrant was a fine speciman to gawk at, for sure, but the Shade really didn't feel like playing with Lysette. In fact, it seemed like he had no interest in her whatsoever. She was...well...boring. True, she was beautiful...too beautiful, and both Remus and Tyr would and should be drooling for her, but no, something...was just distasteful about her. Perhaps the reason was that she mirrored Tyr too much. He was not unfamiliar with her control over the various men in the camp, and perhaps, this was the reason he held no interest in her. He knew what she was already and that, was just boring. No mystery, no chase. He would probably get what he needed from her and both would continue on existing. None of her vying for attention or affection...no feign rejection...frankly, no chase. And the chase was what Tyr and Remus craved. Yes, that was what Tyrant had deduced from his lack of emotion toward this woman. That, and her constant staring! He was not unaware of her eyes studying them this whole trip. It was like she was catologuing his movements and behaviour. It irked him. He felt her shift again and that finally, made the Shade snap.
Tyrant shot an electric bolt in front of Lysette out of annoyance, knowing that he could not kill her at the moment. "Is there something you wish to say, woman? I grow weary of your presence." He hissed out.

[Tismri]

Katriana patted Vanilor on the side, glad and excited for the time they would have together. She knew how much her bond missed the days when it was just them. The part of her that was still herself knew, sadly, that their connection would likely never be satisfying to him again. Though her memories and her will were still intact, becoming a Shade had changed her dramatically. She was not the same woman he had hatched for. Still, she was reminded that this was all for the greater good. Some sacrifices had to be made in order to achieve the perfection of the world she was striving toward.
Lycus, she told her shadow gently, I know your duty is to protect me no matter what. But in this case, you can perform that best if you remain here. Watch the camp for me; take note of any possible threats, and tell them to me. Vanilor and I shall return before too long. She mounted Vanilor's saddle and breathed in the hot desert air. For the time of year, this heat was unnatural.
Come, my dearest, she told Van, Let us remind the world why we rule the skies.
~~~~~
Glory sat still, staring at the tent wall. Out of routine habit, she had gotten dressed and brushed her hair and followed all the morning rituals to make herself presentable. But the entire time, her mind was preoccupied.
Ever since Seth had managed to wake her up from the dazed devotion Katriana had put her in, Glory had been haunted by the memories of what she had done in the name of the Shade Rider. She's killed innocent people, shed their blood on the ground, burned their homes, and enjoyed it. Now when she slept, their faces would haunt her. The memory of their screams, sounds that she remembered precisely, echoed through her mind. She could put it out of her mind whenever she was awake, and particularly when she was with Seth. But at night, they would come back to her, making it almost impossible to fall asleep. And when she did, she would see their blood on her hands, and no matter how much she tried to wash it off, the stain remained. She'd woken up at least once during the night, crying. She tried to keep it as silent as possible so Seth wouldn't know. She didn't want him to worry.
She pulled herself from her daydream as she heard Seth knocking and calling out to her. She stood up and forced a smile, needing it in order to bring about a cheerful voice for him.
"I'm ready," she told him, moving over to his side of the tent. She gave him a hug, feeling safe and secure as she held him for a moment. "Good morning," she said before releasing him.
~~~~~
Lysette glanced at the ground in front of her that had just been blasted by Tyrant's lightning, completely unafraid. After all, Katriana would be dissatisfied if he killed her right now. Instead, a small smile crept over her face as she put her current weapon away. still more evidence that she had found who she was looking for. She remembered hearing that he preferred that particular spell when she was looking for him several years ago. She pulled out another blade and began sharpening it, still silently smiling.
"Do you remember being alive?" she asked him. She really wanted him to figure it out himself, and thought to leave a string of hints. This was another game to her, just as thrilling as the seduction she had performed the night before. Not giving an inch, but luring him in to what she wanted of him. Only in this case, it wasn't his body she wanted, but his mind. His acknowledgement of her. Even his reaction in the end wouldn't matter so much to her, but the fact that she would pull him toward the realization. She was going to have fun toying with her father.

[Max452]

As you wish, milady. Lycus replied, hiding his insecurities from Katriana as he watched the great dragon unfurl his massive wings. Lycus felt his hair ruffle from the action, but his eyes were focused only on the two individuals he swore to protect. Hunt well. He told them as he heard Vanilor unleash a mighty roar that vibrated the desert sands.

Let the skies tremble from our presence. Vanilor declared to his bond as he shot up into the sky, veering south toward the Beors, where he knew large game was. The great dragon was pleased with the feeling of the wind beneath his wings and his bond upon his back. It had been so long since they were together alone. He missed those days. He missed his Kat.

***
"Good morning." Seth placed a kind smile on his face as he embraced Glory and kissed her forehead in greeting. He could sense the strain she possessed within her energy. It worried him when he sensed this, as he didn't want her to feel anything but happy and comfortable. He had sensed her many times like this in the morning and would usually let her be, knowing that when she was willing she would tell him what was on her mind. However, perhaps it was his own distracted mood that he decided to press her. "How are you this morning?" He asked, trying to sound inconspicous.

***
Tyrant raised an intrigue eyebrow at Lysette's unafraid nature. He would have to rectify that feeling later. The shade scoffed at her question. "You make it sound as if I was dead in the first place, human." The Shade retorted, referring to his own existance as Tyrant. Sure, he had memories from Tyr Valentine and Remus Kingsley, but their spirits created him, leaving him as his own individual - he was not them, unless he desired to torment their past acquaintences for his own pleasures. "You seem awefully curious. Perchance you desire to know me?" He raised an alluring eyebrow at her, before sneering at her. "I have no interest in you, so go place your wiles on another male." He assumed she was trying to bed him. He would not be her prey; he was the predator.

[Tismri]

Kat stared down at the world underneath her as it dropped away, her view of it all spreading. The spirits inhabiting her grew lustful for the world, wishing to have it all under their grasp, wrecking their revenge for being enslaved in such a way. Kat could easily keep their power at bay, funneling it to do her own will, but that did not stop the change in her own nature they inflicted.
One day, this world will realize that it belongs to us, she told Vanilor, her desire and anger resonating in her tone. Soon, the entire world would submit to her rule, and she would be a ruthless and merciless leader, who all would adore and fear. Her tribute to her fallen king, the man who held her heart.
~~~~~
Glory relaxed a bit now that he had spoken with Seth. Being with him always made her feel better. However, she understood his question. Somehow, he was still able to sense her mood no matter how well she faked it.
"I am well, just like every morning," she assured him. She really didn't want to talk about her nightmares. Her guilt. She didn't want to confess to him all the evil things she had done in the name of Katriana. Though she knew he would understand, she somehow felt it would change how he thought of her, that he would be afraid, or worse, disappointed. She did not desire to do anything that would drive him away from her.
~~~~~
Lysette tried to withhold a chortle at Tyrant's question, but a small sound managed to escape. She stretched on the spot before resuming her sharpening.
"Oh, you need not fear such a thing as that, sir," she told him. She glanced up at him sensually and gave him a wink. "Trust me, there would be no mistaking if I were attempting to seduce you." She resumed her normal appearance, focusing on her blade with the occasional glance up at him. "No, I am simply curious about you. We have been travelling together for a while, and I have to admit that you intrigue me. Something about you just seems so...familiar." Her mysterious smile returned as she ran her blade against its sharpener. This was more fun than she had imagined it to be.