Battle without honor....

[drumtheweasel]

The young woman sits by the burning fire. There is a book open in her lap. She studies it intently, running her finger under the text.

How long must I wait?

She scowls, reading quietly to herself...

"All warfare is based on deception...... when able to attack, we must seem unable.... When using our forces we must seem... inactive.... "

As she reads the next line her face slides into a wicked grin.

"Hold out baits to entice the enemy.
Feign disorder....
and crush him."

[drumtheweasel]

Fuming, she picks herself of the ground and brushes herself off. She shakes her fist with rage to the gates and they shatter, splintered, a screaming wind swirls around the guards, stripping them of their weapons, of their armor, terrified they kick in the air. Thunder cracks and inky night spills from the heavens, tainted with pure white stars. She breathes in deeply, slowly, the wind filling her lungs, she sings at the top of her voice.

I hold my breath and I see lies
One more time I will let you down
I only beg to see your eyes
And before you even speak, love, can you turn around….


Color, bright crimson, sapphire blue, golden yellow explode, emerald greens swirl around the men, around the splinters, bringing them back together, perfect. The stone breathes, warmth and water streams, she bursts into tears and opens her eyes and sits alone, quietly waiting for Hoihe outside the untouched gates.

[drumtheweasel]

The innkeep was kind enough to send her food over. A meager meal of stew, some bread, but it was the tea she was enjoying. Warm and spicy, its aroma slowly drifted in and out of the smell of burning firewood and lonely travelers.

She huddles close to the fire, leaning in, letting the warmth soak through her leathers. Staring into the crackling fire, music slowly swells in her head. Quiet, lonely bells and deep, ancient drums beat quickly and rise as the fire swirls in time. Quietly she sings in almost a whisper…

Do you see what I see?
Why must it be like this?
Do you see what I see?
Why must it be like this?
Do you see what I see?
Why must it be like this?

On and on into the night she stares, singing quietly until sleep calls her to dream in her purchased bed for the night, another night alone.

[drumtheweasel]

The device was ingenious. The more she studied it, the more intricate it became. This leads.... here.... to there, it was wonderful. She runs her finger down the smooth shaft of the device, admiring. Anything that makes a locksmith look an apprentice. She places it gently back in her things and takes a deep breath and sighs slowly.

But it doesn't glow.