Hunting for Jade (Part 2)

~His first indication about who the hooded figure was, was when the person withstood the blow, although they sagged slightly. Then came the fast draw which was clearly the result of many years of practise. Then the voice. There was no mistaking that tone. The rapier was the final clue, although Tiberious didn't need it. He only knew one man who had a sword that well made, that thin, that sharp. And he knew he meant to use it.~

~he felt a blade slide into his right hand, a small dagger. No real match for Artimus' rapier, but good enough in a pinch if he could evande the first blow.~

~Then the girl stepped between them both. He glared at Artimus.~

"This isn't over yet, Morningstar..."

~His voice had returned to that grizzled growl; the one he used on new recruits when he was displeased at what they were doing. His eyes moved to Jade~

"I'll see you again. Soon" ~His tone was almost a threat., and he stood aside to let them past, hand still clutching the dagger, but not moving to strike~

~she looked at tib as they said he would let them go.~

"I look forward to that time." ~she gave him a stare down but glad he kept his word for now. she stagged alittle and walked out of the room~

~she stood just outside of room. watching what was going on. She moved closer to the door she nodded to Jade and Art she kept her eye on Tib.~

Artimus silently let out a breath, he hadn't wanted to get into a fight here. He was already too tired and his emotions had had enough for the day. He moved past Tiberious, turning his body to avoid showing the man his back, his rapier still in his hand, but no longer aimed at him. Once past him he moved for the stairs and put the sword back in it's scabbard. he mounted the stairs backwards, still not presenting his back to the man. It wasn't that he didn't trust him, but they both knew you never turned your back on an opponent.

Of course he knew he still had an advantage. He could see Indis up there, within striking distance of him.

He gave a small salute to Tiberious as they past the bar and headed for the door, then he paused. They still hadn't tested the limit of range of the pendant, and he didn't want her to vanish again, so he gave her time to catch them up.

~He watched them pass, glaring at his former captain. Oh yes, he would be seeing her again. Very soon. He knew where they were staying.~

~He felt a chill down his spine, his eyes constantly locked on Artimus. He knew the man was too good to show his back to an enemy. His eyes narrowed as Artimus gave the salute to him. That cocky Bastard! He'd have him, alright. Make him bleed.~

~He finally moved back downstairs, looking for Aurora.~

~she watched as they went down the stairs Tib had gone back down the stairs then she followed down the stairs after he was back at the bar. she changed to the woman she was when talking to tib. She walked across the room hoping to avoid him but if art got out of distance anyway she would go back to the library. she kept her head down and moved quickly.~

~He walked to the bar, looking at the people there. She wasn't there. He turned around to look and spotted her heading for the door. He frowned, then assumed she was following his advice about not getting drunk.~

"Aurura!" ~he shouted across the room~ "Training ground, an hour from now."

~ As they left she decided to see if she could send a ml to tib they had there experience and had spent time. she closed her eyes. ~ml~ "Thank you for keeping your word. I do look forward to seeing you again and show you what I can do."

~she looked over to her father~ "We are going to need to do a few things when we get back home."

~she turned to look at him and pulled off her hood and smiled and nodded then flickered in and out as a smirk played on her face as she changed back into herself as he watched.~

"See ya Tiberious." ~she walked out of the tavern~

Artimus glanced at Jade as they walked.

What? What things do we need to do?

All he wanted was to find a bed and sleep for a while. He felt his nose, and saw his hand come away with blood on it.
Not to mention their lack of horse. Oh Gods... Had he really left that poor animal!

~He received the mind link from the girl.
"Oh, you will. That I promise." he sent back, then smiled as Aurora turned to him. He blinked as she changed. What the... When did Aegis start having shape-shifters? Then he recognised the woman. He growled in his thorat and gripped his glass so hard it smashed. If he hadn't promised the girl... Oh, that man would pay. He would really pay. He turned back to the bartender and placed the key back on the bar, ordering another whiskey.~

~she took a deep breath~

"Umm... Well...How well do the farstriders know the forest?"

Artimus frowned at his daughter.

Pretty well. We used to have extended training exercises around the lake on occasion. Why?

But even as he said the question, he knew the answer.

Oh no.. you didn't....

He started to think through their options. The forest was now gone as a home, as was Salarain and Grorr. Draco was a possibility, but surely the most obvious place for him to run to. Icehold was out of the question, Marloc was unwelcoming. That only left Meriddia.

Which meant it too was too obvious.

Think Artimus, think! Which would they expect you to run to? Tiberious knew his feelings towards mages in general, which meant Meriddia would be the most obvious. But he also knew Tiberious would know that, which meant Draco would be better.
However Tiberious would expect Art do do the unexpected, so that knocked Draco out....

He could have almost hit his head against a wall.

~she sighed~

" Am sorry I was mad and then we.. .and after we were talking I wasn't thinking straight. I just got him general info nothing specific.." ~her head was starting spinning and her emotions from the day wearing on her she started crying realizing what she did.~

He was broken from his circular argument about Draco against Meriddia as she said what she did. He was about to tell her off for not thinking, when he realised Indis had been saying the same to him all day. Dammit, why hadn't she inherited her mothers sensible mind?

He moved to give her a hug, speaking in a soft voice.
Hey Jade, it's alright. I guess neither of us are thinking straight today. We do realise we're stranded here without a horse.

He folded her in his arms, letting her tears soak into his shirt.

We have a choice now. We can either take a room somewhere here and get some rest - Gods know I could use some. or we can grab a couple of horses and head back to the cave to get whatever things we can, and go hide in another city for a while. What do you think?

He had decided he had to keep her involved in his plans, not work things out on his own. He'd seen her action now, knew what she could do. It would be good to bounce ideas off her.

~she cried in his arms~

"Am thinking we need rest so lets stay the night and then see if the stables in the morning have horses to use. Mom can keep watch of us as we sleep since she doesn't need sleep."

~she pulled away alittle~

" Am ok now thanks for that dad."

~walked out the tavern and she chuckled for a moment. Then realized that probably that was a bad idea.~

~she ran after jade and art and saw them hugging. but stayed back alittle cause they need time to talk to each.~

He kept a tight grip on her shoulders, holding her slightly away from him, and looking straight into her eyes.

Listen to me. I am not - repeat NOT - going to leave you without good reason. Sometimes things happen that I don't have time to explain, but I will never abandon you totally. Although it may seem like he was telling her off, his voice was warm and reassuring. He hoped that today, well the last few hours after he "abandoned" her had shown, that even if they get separated, he would do whatever it took to find her.

He tried to think of anything of value he had at the cave. The food, a few of his extra weapons and changes of clothes. And his journal. His main worry was that they might strike tonight and destroy everything he had there.

Did they know about his boat? The rest of his stuff was there.

He started to lead her towards another tavern, knowing he was getting looks from people with her in that dress. It wasn't leaving much to the imagination.
Damn that Tiberious. He must have brought it for her....

Wait.. what had she said before.. Indis had said.. Oh Hells!!!!

Jade, he said in a light tone, trying to control himself what happened when Tiberious caught you?

~she looked him its funny when someone has the same eyes as you looking at you like that.~

~she nodded~


~she looked at him~

" Are you sure you want to know."

His eyes widened, that was all the confirmation he needed. His daughter was now a woman.

He shook his head.

I don't think I do. Just, don't think this means I approve of you getting naked in front of strange men for whiskey! He smiled at her, referring back to the night she had scared some campers and totally unaware it had happened again this time.

He saw Indis trailing behind them, not sure why she was giving them space. Was she still mad at him for the earlier argument? Oh hell, he'd have to make it up to her. But he wouldn't apologise! It wasn't his fault!

He lead them to a smaller tavern, where he negotiated a room - with separate beds (he was most specific about that) and some food to be sent.

~she chuckled~

"Well at least this guy was hot.."~she blushed~

~she leaned over and whispered to her father.~

"So you think she is giving us space to talk or did you make her mad?"

~she followed them into the room and did a check over on it.~

~she looked at them the both looked exhausted.~

"Sleep you two. I have watch. and am glad you talked."

~she dragged Jade over to the bed and pushed her playful and grinned.~

"Sleep you stubborn woman." ~she chuckled and Jade hit the pillow and fell asleep.~

~She then walked over to her husband and kissed him~

"To bed with you My Captain." ~she smiled lovingly at him. and Helped him kick off his boots and took off his sword belt and pulled his shirt off.

"I love you my husband."

Artimus walked through the tavern towards their room, replying to Jade's question.

We.. had an argument earlier. I think she just needs time to cool down a bit. A lot happened while you were... He didn't say what it was she was doing, he didn't even want to think about it.

They walked into the room, with Indis following. He was about to give it a check, but she started doing it. He glanced at Jade and saw she had alread picked her bed. He moved onto his as Indis started to undress him, then fell back, falling asleep almost immediatly.

~He remained at the bar, knocking back a few whiskeys for a while. Yes, he would honour his agreement with the girl, for now. He'd give her father an hour's head start. He knew the man, knew what he would do. Artimus was impulsive and easily distracted. Louis had proved that with his horse trick.~

~The big man smiled to himself as he thought about how easy to trick he can be. Yes, he was a slippery little bastard, but easy to catch on a hook. Lucky his daughter didn't have his cunning. She was so easy to get information out of.~

~Well, it was almost time. He settled his bill and left the tavern, heading first tot he stables to get them to prepare his horse, then returning to the barracks where he had been living for the past few years. Once there he collected a few extra weapons and walked back to the stables.~

~His jet black horse was ready for him, so he mounted the great beast and started a slow walk through the city. He stopped off at the public stables, near the town gate. No sign of Azure. That meant Artimus was on his way back home. Good. This would be a fight he would savour. He kicked his horse off towards the forest.~

~she stood watch over them she smiled as they slept. She walked over to the window and saw Tib with a horse and supplies...~

"Oh god that can't be good.." ~she said softly outloud she watched him for a moment then moved away from the window. she walked over and kissed jade on the forehead and then moved over to arts bed and curled up with him on the bed.