A Runaway (Taiga)

[»Míríel«]

Snow drifted down on a pair of travellers, one clutching a royal blue cloak tightly to herself, and the other, a man who sat straight in the billowing flurries. It seemed as though their freezing touch had no effect on his skin. Infact he almost looked as though he belonged to their family, for so pale was his skin and so white his hair.

Miriel had studied him on their journey, and though it had been a couple days of travel, though it had felt like months to her. For they had not stopped to take a break but kept plodding along. She turned her gaze behind them, looking for something to be coming for them. BUt there was nothing. Even though the man had laughed at her at first, telling her that she needn't worry, their tracks would soon fill in with fresh snow. And fill in they did, but still she had this feeling of being watch, this feeling of guilt, she couldn't shake it. Her face was pale and taunt as every movement the horse made sent pain wreathing up her side. Yet no scream passed her lips, instead her mouth was just set in a firm stubborn line. Rest...how she needed it. Never had she felt so tired in her life, and from doing nothing. In fact she had never felt so cold in her life either.

A world of white, when where they going to get into a world of color, of life? Her heart yearned for it. Suddenly the world about her seemed to blur slightly. Everything seemed to be meshed together. Confusion filled her as a sensation of drowning blocked her senses. Which way was up, which way was down? Memory, the horse she rode, stopped suddenly, causing her vision to clear slightly as she looked up at the man.

[asher]

Asher had been riding through the snow covered territory as memories filled his head. Every time he looked back and saw the cloaked figure of the girl on Memory he felt his own memories creeping up on him. It was strange, this girl reminded him so much of someone.. from his past, yet she was so different. The girl he once knew had looked a lot like himself, colorless skin, white hair. Yet this Miriel, she had hair the color of sunrays, skin lightly tanned a golden color, and such beautiful blue eyes. Everything about her was smooth, serene, a beauty. He felt drawn to her the moment he saw her in the practice room. It was odd, he had never believed in love at first sight, but now...now he was beginning to.

Throughout the ride they had talked, and he felt closer to her than he would have dreamed possible, yet she still felt so distant. Every time he looked in her eyes, there was something longing, something wanting, something pained in those blue depths. HE yearned to make her feel better and to make those eyes brighten with joy. Once this had happened on their trip, she had forgotten whatever she had been through for a couple moments and the two had laughed for a bit. But then, sure enough, she withdrew into a silence again.

Now the air was having less of a bite to it, and the snow was growing thinner. The horses were now able to paw at the ground and get some vegetation from beneath the frozen surface, when they rested a bit. Really resting wasn't the word for it, it was more like letting the horses catch their breath for a minute before continuing. Their departure had started slow, until they got out of sight from the castle, to prevent any more attention to their absence. Then they had rode hard under the cover of darkness. After no one had been following them, visibly, Asher had slowed the pace, for he had seen how it taxed the elven maiden.

Pulling his horse to a stop he looked back with a bright smile, "We are almost out of the land. Probably another days journey and we will be out of this winter wonderland." A smile played on his lips as he looked at her. She looked paler than usual. Frowning slightly he urged his horse toward her. "Are you alright Miriel?" Reaching out her held her chin gently in his hand, tilting her face to face him.

A smile played on her lips, though he could see the strain in her eyes. "I'm fine.." She answered him. "Though you know my name I have yet to know yours."

Quiet accempatnce, no complaint of the journey, just a question put back at him. Looking down into her eyes she smiled slightly, "If I tell you then all the mystery would be gone and then why would you stick to me." He had found out she had a curiosity that once roused, drove her nearly inane until she found an answer to it.

Her brows knit together slightly, "Oh, now I doubt that's fair. If you don't tell me then I will have to call you something dreadful to make up the matter."

Aasher held out his hands in a surrendering manner, "Fine fine, I guess that leaves me no choice..." His eyes flicked to hers, "Then to leave you in your curiosity." Her mouth opened to protest but he held up his hand. "If you can catch me then I may.. give in...." Grinning impishly he kicked his horse and set off at a fast canter. Perhaps some exercise would give some color in those cheeks, and sure enough Memory and her were soon tearing after him. His canter slowed a bit to allow them to catch up. Then he slowed to a trot, still they didn't catch up. Turning he saw Memory standing stock still, and Miriel sitting stiffly on the back of the horse, white as snow. "Miriel?" He murmured as to his horror her eyes closed and with a thud her body slid off the horse and hit the snow.

[»Míríel«]

Miriel let out a little giggle as she urged Memory into a canter, tearing after the man, at first all that filled her was adrenaline of catching up to him. But after a while, the world started blurring again. She was drowning above water it seemed. Pulling back on the reigns a bit she didn't even notice as Memory gently slowed to a stop, sensing something wrong. After that all Miriel remembered last was hearing her name called as an odd coldness took over her body.

Darkness swamped her and she started to feel warm in the coldness about her again. She felt someone stroke her face and call her name. A smile flickered on her lips as her eyes fluttered open slightly, Though the person she saw in front of her wasn't the man guiding her, but a dark angel, "Axel?" In her delirium she smiled and looked at him. So strong, such a dark figure against a white world, so stained and so chained, yet she loved him. "Oh Axel..."

[asher]

Asher was quickly at her side. The two horses stood watching in silence. " What a fool I am, she is sicker than I thought.. what has taxed her so?" Reaching out he touched her cheek. It was so smooth, like polished ivory. A sad smile came to his lips as she stirred slightly. Her eyes flickered open. But nothing would have prepared him for what he heard. Axel? His hand froze on her face as a blink of astonishment. Axel? How could she say that name with such love and with such gentleness. He was a beast who had killed so many, surely she was talking of another Axel. Yes, that must be it. But even if this was true, that still didn't explain the love that was in her voice.

His brows knit together, as he felt a knife go through his heart. Her eyes closed and he felt her relax as he drew her closer, she was so cold. Taking off his own coat his put it over her gently, tenderly. They would have to stop for a while, even if it meant Sylfean catching up. In fact the absence of Sylfaen's scout had worried Asher, surely he had noticed Miriel's absence now. Though they had moved fast and made a long and hard to track trail. Even so, Sylfaen had almost unlimited resources. Then again perhaps with all the hubbub about his arrival he hadn't had any time to miss her.

Night descended on them both as he waited for her to awake.

[sylfaen]

Somewhere off in the distance, not too far from the pair, a single guardsman trotted along on his black steed as he tried to see through the thick blizzard. The snow had been falling all the fiercer lately to the extent that it was becoming a heavy burden. People were forced to stay indoors for the meer fact that they couldn't travel much of anywhere without a great struggle of heaving themselves through the knee-deep snow. Children had been reported lost for several days now, most of them turning up shivering in four-foot snow banks. They were not immune to the cold, contrary to popular belief. Their resistance held up much more than the average nymph, however. Too much of anything is harmful, after all.

His Lord had noticed her missing quite some time ago. There weren't any guardsmen to spare except for himself. So much to do, so little time. Everything had been in turmoil since Sylfaen's return. Order had lost all meaning; the excitement flowed endlessly. With a sigh, the lone guard tilted up his helmet and wiped his brow with a handkerchief he had shoved in his breeches. Armor always felt terribly stuffy. He squinted and leaned forward, making his steed come to a halt. Nothing but wasteland. Pure, icy wasteland.

His horse stamped impatiently. Even he could feel the foreboding approach of the next storm cloud. It was a three day's journey back to the palace, something he surely wasn't looking forward to. He couldn't allow this voyage to be fruitless. Lord Sylfaen's nerves were frazzled as it was. Halfheartedly he urged the horse onward, mumbling words of encouragement, promising they would go back home to the cozy stable soon. After about an hour's trek, he saw a spot of a burgundy coat further off in the distance. His heart leaping in his chest, he dug his heels into the horse's side and galloped frantically over to the site.

Just as he came into clearer view, he saw the figure of what appeared to be an elf woman collapsed against the ground hovered over by a nymph. He reigned his horse in with a heave and swung his leg over, landing on the snow with a thud. He dashed over as quickly as his tired feet would allow, his breath coming in exasperated gasps. "You there!" he shouted sternly.

He halted a few paces away from them, now recognizing the nymph crouching over the woman who matched Sylfaen's description. "Asher! What do you think you're doing, bringing a foreigner out in a storm like this!?" he hollered over the pounding wind that brought an onslaught of flurries. Fighting to remain standing, he staggered over to her limp body and knelt down beside her, his ear against her chest as he listened for a heartbeat.

"Death hasn't claimed her yet, but it won't be long. There's no way I can travel with her like this. Thankfully I brought supplies. We'll have to camp out here until the worst of the blizzard has past." As he finished his instructions, he jogged back over to his horse and led it closer to the two of them. Large bundles bulged at his sides, which the guard quickly cut off the saddle and began to unravel. Within it was a full canteen, some crude food supplies, a makeshift tent, and a thick wool blanket which he immediately laid on the elf woman.

As he began to gather the food, his glance shifted coldly over to Asher. "That was the most reckless, rash, and irresponsible thing you could have possibly done. You could have killed her."

[asher]

Asher had been looking down on her with a worried expression, as his mind was a blaze with questions. The blizzard had been heavy, and what had been a blessing was now a curse. What could be worse?

"you there" a voice called above the wind.

"Blast it!" He turned to the man, knowing the game was probably up. But he did not answer until everything had been taken care of for Miriel. Even then he stretched the silence longer. "She wanted to go." His gaze turned back to Miriel. " You should be thanking me before you start cursing me. She almost stole out of there on foot with no guide, no supplies, nothing. " His pale gaze shifted to the guard icily, "How long do you think that she would have survived out in the wilderness with that?" He hunched down by the girl, hugging his woolly shirt and scarf around him, for his jacket was on Miriel. Turning to the fire he had built he moved it toward her with a motion of his hand. It wasn't just a normal fire. It needed no wood, or anything else, but instead seemed to be feasting on the snow. It was a crude spell and the flames flickered a blueish color sometimes. But it was warm, and it fought against the torrent of snowflakes. Magic, what a wonderful thing.

[»Míríel«]

Cold had wrapped its icy fingers around Miriel, clutching her in its grasp. Her was a victim that old jack frost knew he could take. She would be his, just one more that he had taken in this place. Even though Miriel had a will to live she was about to succumb to the attack, for she felt so weak and useless in his grasp.

Yet one thing kept her fighting, Axel, even in her deepest dreams he stood watch over her, twirling her in his strong grasp, eyes filled with love. Oh how secure she was when he was around, all her worries just simply dropped away. The dream was good, but it was so faint now, so fading. Darkness kept creeping in on the picture, flooding it and over taking her senses. She must fight, but how could she?

[violet]

Violet had grown tired of waiting and feeling sorry for herself she had sat in the shadows and brewed over her mishaps so much so that now her heart was nothing but stone. Her hand rested over where Axel had touched her on her other arm. Pale skin against a now fading black mark. Even though that touch had hurt her, it had filled her with a strange giddiness. He had touched her. Still she remained standing, not dead. Surely that showed that he cared for her way down deep. He wasn't weak, he just had a diversion of this girl of light. Miriel" How she cursed that name. Yes this elf girl had blinded him with her light and caused him to stumble about like a helpless puppy.

It made her sick.

No longer would this elf girl take over her beloved, no longer would she, Violet, suffer when she was the right person for Axel. Her blue eyes glimmered darkly as she thought of what she was going to do. No, death was not the answer for Miriel, but something better. She had chanced upon Miriel going into Sylfeans Castle. It was she that put the thought of escaping in Miriel's mind. She wanted to draw her out, and lead her away from all those blasted people. Then she could settle this, but then that man had to follow her and put a wedge in all her plans. So Violet waited, and watched, and now her time had come. It was time for the show to begin.

Walking toward the group, her deep wine colored cloak looked like a spot of blood on the snow. But her eyes were so bright and cheerful, so innocent, that they would be disarming to the men. "Oh, a fire!" She said as she walked into hearing range, "I'm so glad I found you! I got lost in this blizzard..I hope you don't mind my intrusion...." Her eyes drifted down to Miriel on the ground. "Oh my!" She covered her mouth in surprise. "Oh dear!" Rushing over she felt Miriel's head with quick and worried hands. "She's cold!" Turning onto the men her eye blazed with fury, "How dare you men have a women out here in this cold! She could die! and in this condition -" She traced a burn mark on Miriel's neck that had been hidden."How dare you blind senseless men!" Her hands balled into fists as she glared at the men. "She needs help! Already she lingers at deaths door.." Her blue eyes shifted to Miriel's pale face and her features softened. "You should be glad I came along." Looking at the men up and down she sighed and her furious gaze relaxed, "Listen, I can help... she needs attention right now, not in a second, not a couple minutes, now If you don't mind I'll be happy to use all I know to help.. in payment that I will be able to stay by your fire for a bit. Is that a deal?" Perhaps those tips her mother gave her would pull her through.

You never would have thought that she was not a healer, for her clothes had the scent of herbs permeating everything around them. Her black hair tumbled about her shoulders in black streams. She looked like an outsider, for everything about her was dark, except her pale skin, yet her confidence in her stature pushed aside all sense of reason to doubt. She looked like a real healer, little did the men know, or anyone else know, what she was up to.

[sylfaen]

A spot of color appeared on the near horizon. The guard quickly unsheathed his sword and grasped it tightly in both hands, his eyes never leaving the approaching figure. As whoever it was came closer into view, he squinted his eyes against the glaring sunlight and could see dark, silky hair whipping in the wind. His shoulders relaxed, but never did he drop his weapon. As she came into hearing range, he was immediately suspicious as to how she could have possibly found them in such a wide premise, and why she seemed to take such interest in the elf woman. He hovered over her as she began scolding them and dealing out orders.

"Well, I beg your pardon, miss! This isn't exactly traveling weather!" He retorted over the wind that brought a hoard of flurries. The fire was not an issue. Trust, however, left him uneasy. What would Sylfaen do to him if any harm came to this Miriel? What if this stranger held them all here until they froze? How could he truly believe that she was what she claimed to be?

There's no time for skepticism, he thought, trying to make himself sound rational. Still wary, he planned to keep a watchful eye on the traveling girl. "Very well. However, if I am to find out you are not what you claim to be, there will be severe consequences."

His eyes gazed out into the distance where almost nothing could be seen. "For all of us."

[violet]

Blue eyes glared at the man solemnly and she knelt down by the fire. Looking about her she picked up a pot that had been laying around and throwing snow into it set it over the fire. Pressing her two forefingers to the elf's wrist she closed her eyes, counting. Sighing she shook her as words that were indistinguishable filled the air with her muttering.

Reaching beneath her cloak she drew out a pouch of strong smelling herbs, and throwing them onto the now boiling water, she waited for it to seep. Closing her eyes she rocked back onto her feet.

Little did they know what she was doing, her mind bonded with Miriel and she saw what she saw, felt what Miriel was feeling in her disillusionment. Little did they know that it ws she that caused this to happen, this spell. All she had to do was become a bird in the sky and wait until Miriel's was to weak to detect her probing. Then as quick as lightning she had struck, and with such force that they had short circuited Miriel's thoughts, for a bit. Knowing the blasted elf she would soon be fighting back against her power, and soon enough she would be strong. But right now, a smile crept into violet's eyes, right now she was under her control. Closing her eyes tighter violet went through Miriel's dream and instead of axel's and her happiness, she replaced it with horror.

Miriel gasped as the form of Kalos came before her in her dreams, and her feverish eyes opened as she struggled weakly underneath the covers. It felt as though someone was repressing her, smothering her. That man, that evil man…

As violet senses Miriel starting to struggle, it was all she could do to stop from smiling. Instead she chanted louder and took the pot from the fire, throwing some snow to cool tit off slightly and went to Miriel. “Sorry dear girl, the words held sarcasm. “But this might burn, you are I’m sure you will forgive me when you wake up, instead of fading into darkness…” Tipping the pot slightly she poured the contents down Miriel’s throat. Not caring if it burned her mouth or not. It had been an easy thing to slip some herbs into Miriel’s dish in Sylfean’s castle, so easy during all the hubbub. Those herbs were indeed poisonous, but didn’t take effect until a couple of days later. This was the antidote.

Miriel still struggled as her insides seemed to have caught fire. Burning.. the burning. The world about her seemed so blurred, so confused. Where was she? That chanting, who was talking, who was that. But she couldn’t move her mouth, she couldn’t speak.

Violet leaned forward and placing her fingertips on Miriel’s forehead she paused for a moent, and Miriel grew calm. Then Miriel’s face started having color, her eyes cleared from their fever and soon she was sleeping. Violet straightened, “Well, she seems to be out of the thick of it…but she will need sleep. Though I must say I’m impressed, most would have already died.” Violet sighed with a smile. “Well I must be going.. My feet can never be in one place for to long..” Turning from them she was started to walk away.

[»Míríel«]

White, all around, where was she? Miriel's blue eyes squinted, trying to focus. Was she dead? Slowly, warmth started to spread from her chest to throughout her body. Her head turned slightly to the side and noticed two figures, blurred bubbles. "Who are you?" She murmured in a voice weaker than she remembered it being.

Everything was strange, it felt like she was in a different body, a different world. The figures soon turned from blobs to the shapes of two men, then everything became clear to her again. Sitting up she held her hand to her forehead. Why did er head have to hurt so much. It felt like she had taken a bad tumble off a horse.

Where was she? It looked like a winter wonderland, snow everywhere. And the two men looked as if they might be made out of snow themselves, for they were so pale. "What happened? " She tried to stand up, but the exertion proved to much and everything fazed out again, until she sat down. "Why do I feel like this" She took her head in her hands again in agony. Her voice lowered, "Why can't I remember anything..."