"That was great fun.  To bad we can only leave once."  She grinned with amusement.

Adam laughed again and offered his arm conjuring Asters and handing them to her.

Maeve took his arm and the flowers.  "How lovely, thank you."  She wasn't awwed by what he did, but it was a cute gesture.

Adam led the way to the stables, patting the nose of his roan as it neighed.  "This is Pansy.  Pansy, Maeve."

Maeve walked up to the roan, and let it smell her.  It made whuffing noises and she smiled gently at her.  "Hello Pansy.  Your a beauty, aren'tcha?"
Maeve paused.  "Can I ride with you?  I ...." she trailed off, "walked here."
It was sort of true.  She didn't know him well enough to tell him she shifted into a panther traveled that way.

Adam smiled lopsidedly.  "She's used to carrying double," he said.  "Hop on."

Maeve hopped up behind him.  "How far is your home from here?" she asked, mildly curious.

"Not far.  Wood Elves don't travel much."  He turned slightly, patting her knee and smiling. "You can meet my mother."

Maeve's grin widened, "Exelent.  Now I get to hear the amusing tales of little Adam."

Adam smiled.  "Don't be too disappointed."

Maeve chuckled.  "I was allways getting into some type of mischief.  I kept my parents and the village on their toes."  she said proudly.

"Ah, well I tended to avoid trouble among my people.  Most of them are stronger than I."

She gave him a blank look.  "What does that have to do with anything?" she asked, puzzled.

"It means I'm less adept at landing on my feet when dropped from great heights.  Wood Elves live in trees, Maeve m'dear."

Maeve smiled.  "I know you live in trees," she paused, and added thoughtfully, "I've allways wondered... Are your homes made of the tree or did you construct them to the tree?"

"Attached to, o'course," Adam said indignantly.  "Burrow in and you hurt the tree."  He paused and then relented, "Although Mam's a tree that's not alive anymore.  It's a storehouse, though.  Who'd want to live in a dead tree?"

Maeve patted his arm comfortingly.   "Sorry.  Meant no offense, just curious." she gave him an apoligetic smile.  "Some humans do so I believe.  They cut them into logs and build homes from them.  Though that's not as 'popular' anymore since brick and stone hold the heat better."  She paused.  "So I hear anyhow.  My village life in a net work of caves that branch underground."

"Live underground, do you?  What manner of Elf forsakes the sky?  You don't look dark."

"I tend not to sleep in the cave.  I live in a little enclave next to it.  There is a huge tree fed by an under ground stream that shelters me and I have furs to keep me warm.  I created a small brick oven on the side of the cave to keep me warm and  give me light.  We have some brick and clay buildings on the outside of the cave, but those are for different purposes."

Adam turned to half look at her.  "Neatly sidestepped," he said with a wry smile.  "Still doesn't sound like most Elves ~I~ know of."

Maeve chuckled.  "I'm not like most elves.  I'm an elve unto myself." she said grinning.

Adam chuckled in return.  "Well then, my Lady Fortune, shine upon my home, for here we are."

The horse trotted into a large clearing.  The trees were the tallest and widest that still lived.  Several were ringed with stairs and had ladders coming down off the higher branches.  Through the clearing were Wood Elves of varying ages from infants to old grandmothers.

Maeve smiled, slightly awed.  "Your home is... lovely."  She inhaled deeply, then sighed.  "This is truly something worth protecting and fighting for."

"Any home is, and your own more than most," Adam said, hopping off the horse and offering her a hand down with a bow.

She took the hand and landed on her feet easily.  She turned to horse and gently rubbed her neck.  "Thank you greatly for the wonderfull ride, Pansy."

"Which great tree do you reside in?" she asked, still rubbing Pansy's neck.

"This way," Adam answered, leading her to a spot where several trees had grown together, creating a clearing of their own within the clearing.  A thatched roof had been woven between lower branches leaving the base a floor of roots and a large open room.  Higher in the tree, branches had been claimed to create several dozen private rooms.  "I did the most recent thatching," he said proudly.

Maeve smiled.  "It looks wonderfull."  she wasn't being sarcastic either.  The tree homes were lovely, and it didn't look or feel like the trees were in any type of pain.  The homes looked apart of the tree.

She hesitated a moment.  "I know it's a little late to bring this up, but it won't be a problem for me to stay here will it?"

Adam laughed.  "Someone's always got a free room."  His smile turned wicked.  "Unless you'd like to stay with me," he offered.

Maeve smiled, and blinked when she heard Adam's offer.  Unable to help herself, she blushed.  "Oh... um... ah... no thanks." was all she could manage to stutter out.

"Why m'lady Fortune, you act as though you've never loved before," Adam exclaimed.

She shifted uncomfortably.  "Who me?  Don't be silly." she cleared her throat, fiddling with her cloak.  "Hmm... am I hungry or what." she exlaimed, cheerfully.

Adam laughed in wonder.  "Ye haven't, have you?"

"An' why shouldn't she be?" came a female voice from behind them.  "Not all's as quick to bed as y'are."

Adam put a hand to his chest.  "Hurt me t'th'quick y'do, Mam.  Is that ennaway to treat yer youngest son?"

"When he's not been home a fortnight, 'tis.  Now introduce me t'th'girl and give yer mam a hug."

With a laugh, Adam swept the smaller woman off her feet.  "Mam, this is Maeve.  Maeve, m'Mam."

"And what has this hooligan been up to?" Adam's mother asked Maeve.

Maeve giggled, relieved.  She enjoyed watching Adam's reunion with his mother.  Maeve smiled innocently.  "Nothing that I know of.  I just met him today.  We met at an inn in the common room.  I just came back from visiting my family and asked to tag along.  It's a pleasure to meet you."  Maeve gave her a small quick hug and then moved back next to Adam.  She refrained from blushing this time.  In her village, hugging and cuddling were an everyday common thing.  She was so used to it, sometimes she forgot others might not be.

Adam smirked.  "So, what're you hungry for?"

His mother smacked him.  "She's said no already."

Maeve grinned, unable to help herself.  "I will eat anything you serve." she said amused.  She blinked, cocking her head.  "Food, I meant." she said quickly, blushing yet again, and scowling at Adam.

His smirk deepened.  "We'll see what can be done."

"'Tis late," he mother said, as he dodged another smack, "But I'm suer I can find ye something.  Ennathing you wish for more?"

"Got soup?" Maeve piped up.  "I love that with fresh bread." She sighed, making a small purring sound as she got a mental image of said items.

Adam smiled at her, charmed.  "I like that sound.  I'll have to find other ways to get that outta you."

"Well, I've no bread, but there's probably some around somewhere," his mother said, glaring at him.  "And I've fresh soup.  Beef and vegetables if you like."

Maeve coughed into her fist.  "Umm... that sounds great." she said, grinning weakly.  Goddess, but it felt like her face was aflame.  If she licked the tip of her finger and touched her cheek, it would propably make a hissing sound.

"Turnabout's fair play, m'lady Fortune," Adam said with a smile.  "Ye let me think ye were interested back at the inn."

His mother rolled her eyes.  "Ye didn't make that young a mistake, did ye, lass?"

Maeve blinked.  "I do like what I saw, but I did'na mention anything about tupping.  If it comes to that, I'm sure as hell going to get ta know you better."  She shifted uncomfortably.  "I'm sorry if you got that impression."  She felt stupid.  She wasn't doing that, was she.  She was used to openly displaying how she felt without having to think there was hidden meaning behind it.  Her gazed let in know she found his appearance pleasing and since she didn't state to Adam, bluntly, that she didn't want to tupp with him, he would know.  If anything, this would make the message sink in that her people's ways, evidently, were not like anyone else's.

Adam looked very disappointed.

His mother rolled her eyes. "There are plentya rooms ye can stay in m'girl. Adam, is that how ye care for a horse?"

"No, Mam," he said in a dejected voice and led Pansy off to one side of the clearing.

"Now, let's get you that soup. Adam'll join us soon."

Maeve felt a mild flash of dissapointment herself. "Hmm... not used working for it is he?" She sniffed. She did it well... she practiced. She saw how the woman of the village used it on the men and how it conveyed their varying degrees of disgust.

"Aye'." She replied absently. "Thanks for taking me in. I think you home is beautiful. My home is located near a huge forest." She chatted, looking around with wide-eyed curiosity.

Adam's mother led the way and soon Maeve had soup and bread. Before she had eaten much, Adam came whistling back looking slightly more tousled than he had.

His mother looked at him with one brow raised. "An' who did ye meet in the stables?"

"Astor," the man said with a smile.

"That boy'd better find his way back out of my forest soon," his mother said, not sounding too convincing.

Adam sat next to Maeve. "And how're yer soup, m'lady Fortune?"

Maeve sighed happily. "Real good!" She gave Adam's mother a charming smile. "May I have another bowl of this delightfull concoction?" she asked politely, dinpling.

"Allow me," Adam said, rising again to refill the woman's bowl. He presented it to her with a bow. "Anything m'lady requires," he said with a smile.

She giggled and beamed at him. "No thank you kind sirah."

She cocked her head, pausing in her eating. "At of curiosity, why do you call me Lady fortune?"

"Because you create yourself rather than staying within bounds. You create your own fortune and thus become it." He grinned.

"Don't be too proud o' yerself, boyo," his mother said.

"I'm not goin' ta hurt her, Mam. You can leave us in a room together," Adam said, rolling his eyes.

Maeve blinked at Adam, and then chuckled. "I like you Adam. You aren't afraid to say what's on your mind and I highly admire that in a person."

"It's okay." she smiled at Adam's mother. "I have older brothers, and they've trained me well." she grinned mishcheviously. "I'm the youngest and only girl in the family, so they felt it was their duty to train me to defend myself from the male horde that would soon hound our home." she giggled, rolling her eyes. "Plus he promised to behave, haven't you, Adam?" Her eyes twinkled at him.

"Just did, didn't I?" Adam said, head cocking to one side as he smiled at Maeve.

"I've things t'do, ennaway," his mother said, giving him a warning look before she left.

"So, m'lady, what do you want to do now. Yer enna wish is my command."

"Wanna play an entertaining game of cards?" She suggested wiggling an eyebrow.

With a half smile, Adam bowed. "Strip poker?"

She blinked. "Hmm... sounds interesting. How does one play... poker?" she asked straight faced.

Pulling out a deck of cards, Adam sat and began teaching her how to play.

"Hmm... looks simple enough." She beamed at him.  "This should be fun!'

After a few rounds both players were down a few choice articals of clothing (shirts and similar).

There was a knock on the door. "Yoo-hoo!" A cheerful male voice called. "Adam, oh prince of my realm, may this humble soul beg entrance into your most worthy abode?"

With a grin, Adam rose and let the man into the room.  "Astor, m'darling, to what do I owe the inordinate pleasure?"

Maeve looked at the individual named Astor with interest and grinned impishly at the pair. "Who's your friend, Adam?"

"Maeve, m'sweet, this is Astor."

The man bowed deepy, his hand brushing the floor. He was clad in mostly silver coloured cloth and had long curved and somewhatpointed ears that were decorated with silver. "A pleasure to make the aquantce of such a woman as yourself, my lady," he said with a smile.

She blinked at him absently and it slowly dawned on her she was almost naked. Her eyes widened. '...a woman such as yourself..." took on a whole new meaning. She blushe a charmingly deep red. "Umm.. we were playing a friendly game of poker! Really!" She squirmed and blushed even more.

Astor blinked. "Strip?" he asked, smiling widly. "My favorite varient! May I join you?"

"If my lady has no problems with it," Adam answered.  "However, as the game has started, you must forfeit two items of clothing to be dealt in." His eyes twinkled as he looked at both of the other occupents of the room.

Maeve was still blushing. She blinked at Astor's request to join and found herself giving him a shy smile. Hey eyebrow popped up at Adams statement. She grinned mischieviously. "As long as we get to chose the two items, I have no problem." His lady? She fought the urge to giggle.

"And what would my lady?" Adam asked. "Nothing too close to him yet. 'Tis early in the game."

"Hm... I suppose we can start with your shoes." Maeves eyes twinkled merrily.

"My... shoes?" Astor blinked. "Dear lady, I must protest!" He slowly removed his silver long sleave vest and folded it before pulling off the lighter silver shirt underneither, showing off his well formed chest.

It took a moment for Maeve to realize she was staring.... at his marvelously formed chest. She cleared her throat. "Protest noted and applauded." she said slightly breathless. She cleared her throat again.

"Um... who's turn to deal?"

"Mine, m'lady," Adam said with a chuckle, pulling out a chair for Astor. "Now, Astor, m'darling, don't go making me look homely in front of the lovely one," he continued, eyes twinkling.

"Shall I put my shirt back on?" Astor winked. "Fear not, dear Adam, I could never outshine your atractiveness, for you hold a true beauty of soul as well as form."

Maeve grinned. "That won't be necessary. Really." She tried to look solemn, but her eyes twinkled merrily.

By the time Adam's mother returned, both males were close to naked and Maeve wasn't far behind.

Maeve looked at her hand, frowning, and placed them face up on the table. The contained a Jack diamonds, queen of clubs, seven of hearts, a six of spades, and a five of diaomonds. "Did I win?" She looked up at Astor and Adam eyes wide and hopefull. She compared her hand to hers and thiers, biting her lip thoughtfully.
 
She was at that point wearing her shift and and a skimpy loinclothe that covered her sufficiently. She was also wearing knee high stalkings. The whole affect was mesmerizing. She looked exotic and tempting. She wasn't the slightest bit aware of it. She had her whole concentration on her hand and therefore missed them oggling her.

She unrolled her braid from it's complicated knot and the long, pale golden tresses lay over her shoulder in a very loose braided. She absently toyed with it. Her concentration on the game was... cute.

She didn't notice Adam's mother enter the room.

The boys looked at her, then at each other. "Yes," the said in unison.

Maeve bounced in her seat, happily, unaware of how her bussom jiggled. She clapped her hands together looking at them grinning. "Hmm... not much left to choose from..."
 
Adam smiled, happily watching the show. "Allow us to
choose for ye?" he offered.

"Adam, what're ye doin' to th'lass?"

Maeve blinked in surprise and felt herself blush.
 
"Doin' t'her? Mother, she's winning."

Maeve grinned sheepishly, holding out her hand to Adam's mother, proudly.

Adam's mother looked at the hand and then at the boys who grinned innocently at her.

"So y'are."

"Ach, Mam, ye're just upset that yer youngest is old enough for this, are ye not?" He rose and kissed her on the cheek. "'Tis sweet o'ye, Mam. Isn't it sweet?"

Astor chuckled. "The thought of a woman as young and lovely as your mother having a child like you is always upsetting, Adam, dear." He smiled at the woman. "But your mother looks more lovely for the things she's gone through."

Mam flushed slightly, enchanted in spite of herself.

Maeve grinned. Astor was quite a charmer, and he was verry nice to look at. She was having some difficulty choosing who to stare at.  So she just lounged back to put them both in her field of vision. She sighed contentedly. It she going to choose her first, it would definately be Adam or Astor.

Maeve gave wide yawn, stretching out like a cat, doing so unconciously. "Hmm... I'm tired. I was wondering where I could crash?" she asked politely to Adam's mother.

Adam's mother laughed at her son's stricken expression. "Come, lass. I'll get you set up."

Adam pouted. "But... our game...."

Maeve blinked. "How much further can we go? You only have a loinclothe on. We're practicaly naked. We can always play tomorrow."

"But that's the POINT is to be naked!" Adam protested. "And then to do... Hi, Mam...."

"Hello indeed. C'mon, Maeve, dear. I've a room ready for you."

Maeve smiled gratefully at Adam's mother. "I'll se ye in the morn." She told Adam and Astor. "Sweet dreams." she said giving them both a kiss on the cheek before following Adam's mother, grabbing her clothes and boots on the way.

Adam slumped in his chair as Maeve left. "But you're supposed to be naked," he murmured. He looked forlornly up at Astor. "And she was so pretty...."

Astor smiled at him. "Worry not, my prince, you shall see her beauty once more, for noone of a sane mind would forsake a treasure such as yourself." He took Adam's hands and gently pulled him to his feet. "If it would apease my prince, my humble skills are at your disposal to restore your spirits," he smiled, his expresion showing Adam clearly what skills he ment.

Adam grinned, leaning down for a kiss. "Ah,Astor, m'darlin', ye've little notion how good that is to hear. Come, m'dear, let me show you what I'm capable of."
 

Maeron walked into the pub looking around she was in the mood to for "mischef" turning and looking at every thing she saw a young vampire sitting 'ahh look at how nice he is he would be a wonderful  slave' she thought. then she saw who he was sitting with 'oh i see the "king" already has him well seeing how I wont abeable to get to the vamp with out making Erik well KILL me' she turn her self into Nikita and walked up to Eirk who turned and said"Nikita toooo *hic* of you?" after knocking Eirk out she reached into her bag pulling out some powder. after sprinkling it on Nikita she said"come lovely one come with me".Nikita walked away with her no qusetions asked.

Nikita blinked, feeling like he was coming out of a daze. He blinked a few times, looking around for Erik to explain what had happened. To his shock, not only could he not see Erik, he was no longer in the inn they had been in.

"Master!" he called plaintively. "Master, where are you?"
 

After having sex, Astor and Adam went to sleep in Adam's room.

When morning came, Adam got up and went to prepare some breakfast for the other man and for Maeve, with whom he still hoped to have sex at some point.

Maeve slept deeply. She had a very vivid and... somewhat graphic dream of Astor and Adam having sex. She felt herself flush. The dream facinated her. She didn't think it was likey though.

She was still in her skimpy undergarment when she entered the kitchen, still sleepy eyed. She yawned and stretched purring like a kitten. She didn't notice Adam but she noticed the smell of food.  So she blindly followed it further into the kitchen and sniffed at it  appreciatively. Her stomach rumbled cutely.

Adam grinned, holding out a plate of eggs and waving it in front of  her. He pulled it back slowly, drawing her forward towards himself.

When she was close enough, he grabbed her and kissed her thoroughly

Maeve was startled out of her hunger daze by being firmly grabbed, thoroughly kissed, and then deposited on chair. She licked her slightly swolen mouth, blinking at her food. She had a becoming flush on her cheecks and her eyes were large and slightly unfocused.  Boy, could Adam kiss. She wondered if all kissing would effect her like this, or was it that Adam was really good at it?  before depositing her in a chair with the plate in front of her.

Adam grinned at Maeve's unconscious reaction.

"Like that?" he purred, pressing up against her from behind. "Shall I kiss you again?"

Maeve blinked herself out of her daze. She looked thoughtfully at  her breakfast and then at Adam. She gave him a grin. "After  breakfast," and comenced on eating. Moments later she sighed happily. "Ye can cook as well as  ye can kiss, but of course I'ld need to a more recent sample just to  be sure." she grinned mishcheviously, openly flirting.
 

Erik gave a groan.  It felt like the population of the infernal castle was doing their idoit man-hood ceramony in a circle around him. "You'll put holes in the bloody floor again..." he complained crankily as he atempted to sit up.  He blinked a few times to try and get his vision to focus. He blinked a few more times, not recognizing the area around him.  With a start he realized his wings were out and quickly corrected the situation.  He shakily stood, brushing the dirt off of him with a grimce. "Where in the seven layers of bloody hell..." He trailed off as his head began pouding again. "Bloody...." he swore and stagered out towards the opening of the ally he was in. "Nikita?"  He called. "Nikita, were are you?"

Less then an hour later he sat down, scowling. "Damned blasted..." he muttered, holding his aching head.  He hadn't been able to find Nikita anywere and had discovered half the reason for his headache was the minor head wound on the back of his skull. He could only assume someone had nailed him upside the head with something solid, most likely a chair by the size and shape...

His mental dailouge paused as the pain of the throbbing in his head overpowered his thoughts a breif moment.  He sighed, getting to his feet again. Something had happened and someone had done something to Nikita....

He stood a moment, trying to figure out what to do. "Ah! Imbecile!" he chided himself.  The lingering alcohol induced haze was makeing him act almost as brainless as his would be assisins in the castle... He sat down again and closed his eyes in consentration.  After a long while he finaly managed to block out the pain and reach out to locate the mark he had made on Nikita's aura.
 

Nikita ran his fingers sadly over his bare throat.  The woman who said she was his master now had taken his collar.  She said that Master had forgotten him.  If she were truly his master now he would be good, but he sighed, missing Erik.  He gasped softly as the mark on his arm flared its presence.

"Master," he whispered, putting a hand over the invisible mark.  He reached out, trying to find where Erik was so he could get to the man.

The woman slammed the door to his room open and strode over to him.  Nikita shrank back, but she grabbed him by the arm, putting her own hand over the astral mark.  Nikita felt firey pain sear through him from the point of the mark and cried out in pain, tears running down his face.
 

Erik startled as the energy crackled out at him. "The bloody---" Suddenly his eyes hardened in relization. "MY Nikita!" he snarled, shoving a spell back through to both attack the person harming Nikita and to strengthen the astral mark and comfort Nikita.

The woman fell back, crackling energy surrounding her and Nikita fell back to a corner where he could better protect himself.  For a moment he let himself fall into the warmth of his Master's energy.  All he had to do was wait for Erik to get him.

He looked up, hearing sounds of movement, and sparkling sand was thrown in his eyes.  Then he lost consciousness.
 

Erik swore.  But at least he knew where Nikita was being held...

To angered to be bothered with subtily, his wings flew out and he lept into the air.

A few minutes later he swore loudly as he crashed. His wings weren't strong enough to suport him and he was still too tispy to fly stright.  He muttered darkly, getting up and brushing himself off and stalked off.
 

Maeron knew that Erik was on his way and it worried her because he was very powerful.  Looking at the unconscious vampire boy she thought of an idea.  It had been used before, but what wsa that?  Stripping him, tying him up, and shoving him in a closet, she donned his appearance and clothing and went to wait for Erik's arrival.

An hour or so later a very irratated and dusty Erik kicked the door in, eyes smoldering. "Where's my---" he paused, utterly confused. "Nikita...?"

"Master!" Maeron exclaimed happily, in a decent approximation of the boy's voice.  She hugged him tightly.  "I knew you'd come."  she glanced at him shiftily from the corner of her eye.  He was very pretty....

Erik blinked once more, putting his arms around the boy. "Nikita, I feared you were being held... are you injured?" he asked, voice conserened.

Maeron shook her head, pulling back to look at him ingenously.  "I just missed you."  She ran her hands over his wings until they reached the place where wings joined back.  Calling a strong amount of crackling energy into her hands she blasted Erik with a spell to drain his magic.

He gave a choaked cry, breifly going limp into Maeron's arms. "Nrrr..." he grimiced pushing himself up and out of her arms. "You--- Where is my Nikita!" he demanded, wincing slightly as he held himself upright, wings darkening.

The bright gold eyes changed to green as Maeron changed back to her natural form.  She laughed.  "You're mistaken, dear Demon king.  He is MINE now.  You won't find him, nor can you do anything against me now without your magic."  She readied a ball of fire between her outstretched hands.

Erik gritted his teeth. "He will ALWAYS be mine!" he snarrled, wings tencing around him as he reached for a feather close to his shoulder.

Maeron cackled and engulfed him in flame.  "How, when you can't beat me to take him back.  He is mine, and soon you will be too!"

Erik gave a strienged sound, wrapping his wings tighly around him as he curled near the floor. He gritted his teeth gain and gathered his engery. Giving a roar his wings flew out, deflecting the flames and he flung out the feather he had plucked, aiming for Maeron's eyes.

Maeron's laughter ceased abruptly as the feather cut a jgged stroke down her cheek near her left eye.  With a snarl, she touched her fingers to the blood, causing it to burst into flames.  This new blood fire she shot at Erik.

Erik swore and ducked, rolling out of the way and threw more feathers at his assalient, as well as other objects near by.

With furious intensity, Maeron dodged Erik's attacks, keeping flames swirling around him.  She pressed him, pushing him farther into her lair, past cabinets, shelves, and cages of lovely and rare items.  When they had reached an almost bare room, she slammed the door behind them.

Erik was sweating from the heat of the flames, his clothing and the ends of his hair slightly singed. It was only his wings that kept him from being compleatly insinerated. He took deep breaths, reaching for more of the sharp tipped feathers.  He was going to loose this battle if he didn't get in a good hit soon....

Maeron's laughter started again as she realized she would probably win.  She threw some of her sand in his eyes, more to just blind him than out of any perception that it would put him in her power.

The momentary lack of sight, however, allowed Erik to hear muted whimpering from near behind himself.

Erik paused at the sound, blinded eyes widening. Gathering his consentration he flung a small barrage of feathers in the dirrection of the cackling he ran towards the wimpering, bracing himself for impact.

He hit a door, bruising his shoulder.  The whimpering stopped abruptly.  Maeron grabbed him by the back of the hair.  "What do you think you're doing?" she asked in a soft voice.

Erik gave a slightly pained exclamation. "Unhand me!" he said sharpy, slapping the woman sharpy with his wings.

She gave a cry, falling back a few steps.

There was a scratching sound from the other side of the door and Erik could hear the person on the other side taking sobbing breaths.

Erik felt around the area and located the door knob. Giving a snarl of power he ripped it off and flung it towards the sound of Maeron before near trearing the door open.

"Master!" Nikita sobbed.  A ball of flame seared past the pair, making Nikita cry out.

"What did you call him?" Maeron snarled.

Nikita whimpered, pulling into a ball as much as his tied arms and legs allowed.

Erik flung more sharp-edged feathers at Maeron.  "Nikita," he said, kneeling by the boy. "I cannot see and my magic is gone, tell me what I must do to free you and then be gone from this place..."

"Tied," Nikita said in a small voice, putting his bound wrists in Erik's hands.

Erik pulled out another feather and carefuly cut the rope and held the feather for Nikita to take.

Taking it gingerly, Nikita cut through the rope at his ankles.  Taking Erik's hands, he led the man past the multiply impaled Maeron and toward the door before she could recover consciousness.  Once they were safely away, he found a small stream and used the clean water to bathe Erik's eyes and clear them.

Erik blinked a few times and gave a deep sigh of releif. "Nikita..." he said, hugging the boy tightly, nearly shaking with releif.

Nikita buried himself against Erik, crying softly.  "Master...  Master...." he sobbed.

After a long while Erik pulled away. "Nikita... you are unclothed..." His expression was pained. "Did she do anything to you...?"

THe boy tried vainly to cover himself with his hands.  "No, Master," he said.

Erik gave a sigh of releif. "Here..." he took off his long, cloak like shirt and handed it to the boy.

Nikita put it on reverently, nuzzling against the fabric.  "Master is kind," he said softly, eyes lowered, "To give me his own clothes."

Erik gave a smile. "Come... let us try and find a place were you can recover and we can locate clothing for you..."

NIkita nodded and snuggled against Erik's side.  "Master will be ok?" he asked worriedly, thinking of both his current disarray and the level of drunkenness he had reached at the inn.

Erik nodded, hiding the wince of pain as Nikita rubbed agaist a slight sore spot.  He mentaly took inventory of his injuries.  Several bruises, a few burns, general soreness from the heat... With a start he realized just how bad the heat damage was.  'Half way to being cooked, I am...' he thought dryly with a sigh. 'No matter... Need to find shelter and clothing for Nikita....'
 

"Alright, Crystal," the princess informed her unicorn, willing her to slow down. "Let's rest here, shall we?" Davia hopped off the unicorn,  her dark purple velvet cloak flowing around her. She lowered her hood and stroked the unicorn's silver mane. "Think Ma and Pop are up yet?"  she asked the magical horse. As if in response, Crystal made a noise, shaking her head. Davia looked ahead. The sun was just coming up,  it's sunlight breaking through the trees of the forest ahead. She  sighed. "Let's find a restful spot in the forest, Crystal. If there  are any guards following us, we can surely lose them there." They  entered the forest, Davia walking alongside her unicorn.

After a few minutes, they came upon a small clearing in the woods, surrounded by tall trees. "This looks like a good place to rest for  now, don't you think so? It looks safe enough." Crystal nieghed in response, scratching the dirt with one of her hooves. Davia yawned and stretched. It's been a long night for both of them. It wasn't easy sneaking out of the palace in the middle of the night with a unicorn, but after weeks of planning and careful meanuvers around the  guards, they were able to leave without any suspicions.

The two of them layed down next to a tree. Davia pulled out some food for both of them and fed Crystal and herself. Then Davia stretched out against Crystal and covered herself with her cloak. She soon fell asleep.

After.... a bit of fun *winkwinknudgenudge*.... Adam left the village to patrol around the forest. There had been some poachers seen neasrby recently, and he didn't want them getting any ideas.

After walking for a while, he found a girl and a unicorn asleep under a tree. The unicorn woke up as soon as he got close, whickered loudly, and ran away.

Davia woke up, hearing Crystal's frantic flee. She instantly got up,  quickly tieing her cloak back around her neck. Turning around, she noted the reason for her horse's flee.. "Excuse me, kind sir. But I must retrieve my unicorn.. she's not used to being out in the woods like this.." Davia said to the man before her. Without waiting for a  response from him, she ran off after the unicorn, her cloak flying behind her as she ran.

Reaching the end of the clearing had slowed Crystal down some and Davia was able to catch up to her and calm her down. She gently stroked her silver mane, willing her to calm down, softly talking to  her. When the horse had finally calmed down some, Davia turned  around. The man that had scared her unicorn had followed her. At the sight of his presence again, Crystal began to jump up on her hind legs and whicker loudly again, trying to back away.

"Whoa! Crystal! Please!" Davia said to her, trying to calm her down again. "It's ok.. he's not one of the guards.. it's ok.. sshh.." She  stroked her mane and neck again comfortingly. She turned her head to face the stranger. "So, tell me kind sir.. why are you here in the woods? Did my parents send you?"

Adam followed the girl running through the woods and kept the more dangerous creatures away from her.

"So, tell me kind sir.. why are you here in the woods? Did my parents send you?"

"I dinna know yer parents," Adam said. "o why would they send me after ye?"

Davia sighed with relief. "Good. I could not bear to go back there.."  she said to him, petting Crystal's mane. "So, kind sir," she said,  turning back to him. "You never did tell me who you are and why  you're in woods?"

Adam crossed his arms.  "I should be the one asking that, as ye're in my home and not the other way around."

Davia looked at him. "I am sorry. I didn't know I was trespassing..  we were just resting for the moment. I'm Princess Davia," she told  him. "Would you like me to leave?" she asked him.

Adam rolled his eyes.  "A princess, that's all we need.  Listen, lassy me love, dinna tell ennaone ye're a princess if y'have a will t'live.  Earth's own truth, it'll do ye no good to tell everyone.  Someone else might not be the gentleman ye've found in me."  He turned, shaking his head.  "Princesses," he muttered.  "She'll expected to be fed on gold, no doubt."  Raising his voice he addressed Davia again.  "Are ye comin' or no?"

Davia motioned for her unicorn to follow. "And where, praytell, are we going, kind sir?" she caught up to her, Crystal trotting alongside of her. "And you know," she began to the man she was following, "it's  polite manners to introduce yourself when one has introduced herself  to you.."

"Really?" Adam said. "And here I was thinkin' that as it's my home  ye're in I didn't." He stepped up his pace, keeping away from the unicorn so as not to alarm her unduly. "If ye must know, I'm Adam.  An' I'm no 'sir' so ye may as well stop calling me one."

Davia quickened her pace to keep up with Adam. Crystal trotted slowly behind her. "So, Adam, is it? Well, pleased to make your aquintance, Adam.. and you know, you do have a rude habit of ignoring questions that are being asked of you. I asked you where we are going? Are you  going to answer me?" she asked him, bluntly.

"Are y'in a position to take care o' yerself if I don't?" Adam asked back as bluntly. "I'm takin' ye to me mam's home until you wise up an' go back to yer palace."

Davia crossed her arms underneith her cloak. "I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Adam," she told him smugly. She sighed. "I am sorry, I do not mean to be snippy, but I am telling you, I am not  going back home."

Davia was quiet some, thinking things over. "And I do appreciate your  hospitality.. this is very kind of you, Adam."

"Of course you can take care of yourself," Adam said sarcastically. "Bein' raised in a palace prepares you for the world so well."

Davia protested. "Being raised in a palace isn't as great as one might think.."

Adam rolled his eyes. "And of course being raised there means that you know how to survive in a forest.  Like knowing not to tell people that you're a princess so you don't get killed in five seconds."

Davia turned to him. "What would you know about living in a palace?"

"Nothing, but if it makes ye think that velvet is what to wear to a forest I don't need t'know more."

Davia continued to have her arms crossed. "You know nothing about my life.."

 "I don't have to, lass," Adam said condescendingly.  They entered a large clearing. The trees were the tallest and widest that still lived. Several were ringed with stairs and had ladders coming down off the higher branches. Through the clearing were Wood Elves of varying ages from infants to old grandmothers.

 Maeve saw Adam and made a whooping sound. She slid down the ladder and glomped him for the hell of it.  "Why didn't ya take me with you?" she gave him a light punch in the shoulder, grinning.

"I needed t'check some things and no one 'round here knows ye."

 Mae gave a mild shrug. Maeve eyes widened when she spotted the unicorn. There was only one person who she knew of that owned a unicorn like that. She fixed her gaze on a pretty girl a pretty velvet cloak. Princess Davia. She almost swore out loud. She wondered if the Princess remembered her. It has been a while since she last saw her. This time she did swear under her breath. She shifted uncomfortably and did it so she was slightly behind Adam.

Davia looked at the girl carefully. "Excuse me.. but, may I ask why you're looking at me like that? Do I know you?"

"no." Maeve grunted.

"Maeve, m'lady, this is Davia. Davia, m'lady," Adam introduced.

Maeve swore lightly under her breath again. She scowled at her feet  giving a feeble wave and gave a small grunt.

 "Maeve?" Davia asked. "The name sounds familiar... are you sure I  don't know you?"

"yep." Maeve grunted, resisting the urge to squirm.

"Adam, my love, are you awake?" Astor's voice called cheerily.

Adam grinned, opening the door to admit the fop. "Astor, m'dear."  He kissed Astor lightly. "Come meet me newest find."

Astor kissed back and turned, blinking. "Why, my dear Adam, you are  much the lucky man these past days!" he marveled. "My dear lady..."  He bowed deeply, falling to one knee and taking Davia's hand and kissing it. "A pleasure to behold your beauty," he smiled, rising once more.

Davia smiled at the man. "And who might you be?" she asked, slightly blushing.

 Maeve grinned, relieved and positioned herself further behind the boyos.

Astor bowed deeply. "I am Astor Shashini Divyendu Chandlear Hang-Jyotsana Badr Silvermoon," he said grandly. "And what might my lady be called?"

"This is Princess Davia," he said, saying the word princess ironically.

Maeve made a choked laugh and turned that into a polite cough.

Davia smiled again at Astor. "What an interesting name... Mind if I just call you Astor?"

"Whatever my lady chooses is most fine with this humble soul," Astor bowed again, eyes sparkling.

Adam rolled his eyes.

Maeve smirked. Astor was good.

Davia grinned. "Well, Astor it is then... Do you live here with Adam?" she asked.

Astor stifled a small giggle. "Alas, my lady, I am not so graced as to share this magnificent domicile and bask continuasly in the wonderousness of my dear Adam's presence." He winked at Adam.

"Mam wouldn't let him distract everyone too long," Adam said, smiling at Astor and brushing a hand across the man's face.

Astor smiled, almost nuzzling the man's hand.

Maeve watched the Adam and Astor with utter fascination. She wondered... that wasn't possible.... was it? She shrugged absently.  She'd ask later.

Astor giggled. "What doth my lady wish to know of this humble soul?"

Adam rolled his eyes at the pair of them and crossed his arms over his chest. He was mildly annoyed at the princess going after Astor,  but couldn't really blame her. Besides, there was Maeve around.

"Well, for starters..." Davia began, eyeing Astor, grinning. "you could tell me where you got such an interesting name.. are you of royal decent?"

Adam snorted with laughter. "An elf? Royal?"

Maeve openly smirked and shared a look with Adam, raising her eyebrow. She had to say that Davia hadn't changed a bit. Already looking for potential prince's to possibly marry or whatnot. It seemed that her memory also was bad as ever. Maeve relaxed a bit. If she avoided Davia, she should be okay.

Davia turned to Adam. "What? You mean to tell me that your kind doesn't have a royal family?"

"My KIND?" Adam said. "And how many humans do your parents rule?"

Maeve couldn't hold it in any longer. She remembered having a discussion somewhat like that with Davia years earlier. She started to laugh.

Davia turned to Maeve. "What are you laughing at?" she asked her.

Maeve tried to answer her but laughed only harder. "Never... assume... everyone's just like... your people."

Davia eyed her suspiciously. "I do know you.. " she said to Maeve.

She walked closer to Maeve, eyeing her. "You're Alcander Kerrick's daughter, aren't you? Princess Maeve.. now I remember you.."

Maeve's laughter cut off sharply. "I'm no princess! How many times do I have to tell you that." she said heatedly, scowling.

"But you ~are~ Alcander's daughter, are you not?" Davia questioned.

"Yes, I am. He is not a King. Why do you insist on giving us titles? We didn't ask for them, goddess only knows. I would have remembered. So stop calling me princess!" she said heatedly

"I'm sorry," Davia apologized. "But that's what I was told as a child, whenever your family came to visit the palace. I did always call you Princess Maeve.. "

"You don't recall us always getting into trouble for fighting about it?"

"As I recall," Davia began, "~you~ were the one always getting ~me~ into trouble.."

Maeve jammed her fists on her hip and scowled. "I never heard you complain. You were always following me around like a wind-up toy, or  a scruffy runt pup."

Astor pouted.

Adam put a hand on the other man's arm, squeezing it lightly. He smiled at Astor.

Astor smiled back, winking.

Adam grinned and nodded to the door.

Astor beamed, nodding.

Curving an arm gently around Astor's shoulders, Adam led the way to  the next room.

Davia glared at Maeve for her comment, but said nothing. She turned to Astor about to leave the room with Adam. "Astor," she called, getting his attention before he left the room. "Leaving so soon?"

Astor turned, blinking slightly. "I had assumed that my ladies wished privacy for their converstaion," he explained. "Please, do not let our actions interfear with your activities," he smiled

Davia sighed. "I do not wish to continue this conversation with her.  It's obvious that we are not going to.." she paused and looked at Maeve a moment. "agree on things right now.. Besides," she smiled and walked over to Astor, "I was hopeing to get to know you better. You seem to be the only one here who knows how to treate a lady.. a princess, for that matter," she added, glaring at Adam, who was standing next to Astor. "So.. what do you say? Think you and I could find some private quarters to get to know each other better?" she looked at him intrigueingly, eyes seeming to sparkle.

Astor blinked. "I regreat, I am not at liberty to assume occupancy in this abode, as I am just but a humble guest..." he said politely.
 
Adam smirked, arm around Astor somewhat possessively.  "You left your castle, princess," he said to Davia.  "Here you're just another nuisance."  He looked down at his arm, frowned slightly, and assumed a less possessive stance while still asserting prior claim to the man's time.

davia glared at Adam. "If you think I'm such a ~nuisance~, then you should not have brought me here," she said to him.  She turned to Astor, smiling at him. "You do want to get to know ~me~  better, don't you?" she took his hand and held it. "Come, we could  find some other place to talk.. it is clear that Adam does not like my presence here.."

"I'm not in the habit of leavin' people alone in me forest, for their safety and that of me animals," Adam said.  He pulled back a step, removing Astor's hand from Davia's.  "An' if ye hadn't noticed, the pair of us were about t'leave."
 
 Astor smiled kindly. "My dear lady, perhaps at some later time, we can make better aquantances, but I do have a prior comitment with my dear Adam, and it would be rude to leave him to make associations with someone new..." he said in an appologetic tone. He bent down, taking Davia's hand and kissing the back of it.

Davia sighed through her smile as Astor kissed the back of her hand. "Very well then.. just know, Astor, that I am going to hold you to that," she informed him. She walked closer to him, placing her  hands on his shoulders. She looked into his eyes gray-blue eyes with her purple ones. "I will be looking forward to your company later than." she lightly kissed his cheek before turning around and walking away.