Rodehanthe

The last rays of the sun slowly disappear behind the gray clouds. Soon the whole land will be filled with darkness again.

Alana drops herself from the saddle, after which Rodehanthe does the same. She looks to Rodehanthe and takes a deep breath. Rodehanthe smiles. "Rodehanthe" she whispers. Enjoying the embrace, Alana closed her eyes. She missed this feeling. His arms around her.. safe and loved...

"ssh" soothes Rodehanthe and kisses her head. "I promised you I would come back" he whispers. "I promised you I would find you. I will always find you" he whispers. Alana smiles contentedly and looks into the boy's bright eyes. He gently wipes the tears from her face. "I thought I'd never see you again" she whispers. "Alana, I'm sorry" he starts, but Alana cuts him off. "There is nothing you should regret" Alana replies. Rodehanthe smiles. Sniffing, Alana drops her head against his strong chest. His hands gently rummaged through her hair. For a moment she had forgotten how good this felt. How perfect. "Rodehanthe, I..." "Shh, soothe Rodehanthe and kiss her forehead. "What is supposed to be will happen Alana. Do not forget that. And I promised to protect you. As it should be." Alana nodded with a smile. "I'm glad to see you Rodehanthe. Every day I think of you. I was so scared... scared that you too were lost. Rodehanthe shakes his head. "Don't worry about me, Alana." Let's see if we can find some food. And shelter. And most important, I need to take care of these wounds", he says. Alana swallows and looks at the forgotten town in front of them.

Much to her disappointment, the cracked marble fountain that graces the oval village square is dry. All the steps of Daydream echo hollowly on the uneven cobblestones through the thin layer of mud. Alana pared anxiously at the small houses that circled the village square. Every window and door is carelessly boarded up with rough planks. Dust webs adorn the closed doors. "I'm afraid we're going to find nothing here," Alana sighs. "Except death" answers Daydream. Alana casts her gaze at the broken chapel tower. "I think I've just found a place for us to sleep" proclaims Rodehanthe and makes his way between the narrow houses.

Startled, Alana recoils in front of a mummified corpse that sways on a creaking noose. "Alana, everything okay," Rodehanthe asks, concerned. "What happened here?" she thought aloud. Scratching, a raven flies off the dancing skeleton.

Behind the chapel's broken door there is no pious murmur; nor does the light of lit candles show. The wind blows ominously between the cracks in the wooden shutters. "What happened here Rodehanthe?" "Do you want to know?" He asks suspiciously.

The door creaks in protest as he opens it. The colorful windows are boarded up to the rafters. The altar has been looted and all the candles have burned out. Almost blinded by the darkness, the duo slide forward.

"Be careful little one, I feel something is not right here. A great evil has kept home here." Cursing, Alana cut her finger open on a sharp object. Dust webs rest on the forgotten altar. Cursing, she grabs her aching knee after bumping into a confessional. Rodehante's hand slides carefully across the altar, searching for matches. A smile appears on his lips when he can finally light a thick white candle. He lights a red candle and hands it to Alana. Curious, she turns and looks at the high roof of the chapel. Long webs of dust circle its marble columns. What is going on here? There is not a soul in this village. Fascinated by the details on the marble floor, she took a step forward.

Rodehanthe pushes a table over and places a blanket over it. Alana smiles. Brave and strong. "Rodehanthe I... I thought. I really thought you were dead." Rodehanthe hugs Alana again. "Even death can't stop me from seeing you" he winks.

"I'm sorry about everything" Rodehanthe begins and continues; "but I know you're not like him" "What do you mean?" "Despite the fact that he is your father, I believe in your good heart." Alana smiles gently. The fact that Hate is her father remains a sensitive subject. "Alana". Alana ignores Daydream and strokes Rodehanthe's jawline. His dimples when he smiles are irresistible to her. Rodehanthe laughs and takes her hand. "I'm glad to see you again Alana." "Me too" she whispers and closes her eyes. "Alana how does this boy know who your father is" suggests Daydream. Alana pauses. Daydream is right. How does Rodehanthe know? "Rodehanthe, how do you know Hate is my father? Who told you?" Rodehanthe grins. "You did that." "I never said that. In fact, the last time we saw each other, I didn't even know about Hate's coming." Rodehanthe smiles. "Sorry my mistake. I thought it was you. But you're right. It was pretty obvious anyway." Alana stared at Rodehanthe attentively. Alana nodded. "Yeah, you are right. Sorry." Rodehanthe shakes his head. "Also, your sister told me to protect you from Hate. I promised her right before she died." Alana swallows. "Katinka... Is dead? You saw Katinka? She... No" she whispered. Rodehanthe places his arms around her. "I'm so sorry, I thought you knew... she... I'm sorry Alana." Trembling, she places her head against Rodehanthe his chest. The soft smell of burning wood rests on his clothes... Why does Rodehanthe smell like Hate? Maybe after what Mauger did she just had to learn to trust people again? But Gmork said that when Hate tells the bandits to take somebody, he needs them alive... Where did he find Katinka... Dying? Something isn't right here... Daydream is right.

She carefully steps out of his arms. "Come on Alana. Why the sudden distrust?" Rodehanthe grins and takes a step closer. Hastily, Alana stepped back and stared into the boy's silver eyes. "How did you know where I was? And why did you arrive with Hate?" she asks abruptly. There is something not right. Why did Hate not take revenge on Rodehanthe? Is Rodehanthe who he claims to be?

"Rodehanthe.. who are you?" Alana asked carefully. Laughing, Rodehanthe looks at her and holds out his hands. "Come on Alana" he says. Suddenly, a strong Scottish accent resounds in his calm voice. "Rodehanthe" Alana whispers. "Since when have you, that accent?" "Only since mah' birth. Do you know how hard it was to pretend?" "Who are you?" Alana hissed. Rodehanthe laughs and grabs her arms. Tears burned in Alana's eyes. The boy she truly mourned. The one she was willing to give her life for, the boy who meant everything to her... had cheated on her. All this time. Everything... It was because of him! Katinka's blood is on his hands! Rodehanthe turns Alana's back against his chest and grins. "Rodehanthe, if that's your name. Let go of me." Rodehanthe places his chin on her neck. In one swift movement, he crosses her arms in front of her chest. "Come now Alana" he whispers in her ear. "Katinka screamed louder." Katinka! "Monster" hisses Alana. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Laughing viciously, Rodehanthe pushes her down on the altar. "Let go" she orders, growling. "Oh Alana" he laughs and rubs her hair from her face. Viciously, he grabs her wrists and pushes her arms down behind her back. "A few weeks ago, you wanted to marry me, ay'" he laughs. "I could hurt you" he whispers in her ear. Why had Rodehanthe betrayed them? What has she ever done to him? "Please Rodehanthe" she whispered. Her broken heart hurts in her chest.

"Rodehanthe" suddenly resounded sternly through the chapel. Rodehanthe sighs and straightens himself. He drags Alana right and turns around. Afraid shakes Alana when Hate appears in the doorway. "Oops, the big boss is here" laughs Rodehanthe. Rodehanthe works for Hate? Rodehanthe laughs and places his muscular arm around her throat. "Not too rough" mocks Hate and walks towards Rodehanthe. Alana shudders when Hate stands in front of her. Smiling, he rubs Alana's chin. "I can never have fun", Rodehanthe replies bitterly and drops his arm. Hate smiles. "Haven't you had enough already?" Grinning, Rodehanthe stares at Hate. Hate smiles and looks at Alana's head wound. " You have no idea how much work you give me... Little one." Alana shivers.

"Be good, you know what to do" he whispers mockingly and gives Rodehanthe a tap on his jaw. Alana takes a deep breath when he disappears. Rodehanthe turns Alana towards him again. Hopelessly, Alana ran her fingers along the slide. She grabs the golden crucifix. "So where were we" jokes Rodehanthe and turns Alana turns to him again. "Here" growls Alana sticking the sharp point in his shoulder. Whining, Rodehanthe places his hand on the wound and takes a step back. Alana grabs a heavy candlestick that hits Rodehanthe's head. "That's for Katinka" she angrily roars and kicks the boy's injured shoulder.

"Alana" roars Daydream hopelessly. "How about that snake" she whispers and runs to the door. She jumps up in astonishment. Hate leans against the door frame. A smile rests on his lips. "And what were you going to do next?" he asks, amused. Shaking her head, she steps back. This can't end like this, she thinks angrily. Why the hell was he waiting? How could he predict this? Don't churches have a back door?

Again, the darkness swallows her. Hopelessly, she searches for a back door. A loose shelf... something she could hide in.

Tears burn in her eyes as she thinks about Jaspar. She cannot continue this fight... She will disappoint him but she is so tired... So... So broken. Hopeless she sobs and takes a deep short breath. "I am sorry Jaspar" she whispers and takes a step backward.

A strong arm slid over her stomach. Screaming, she fights against the grip that drags her back. "Shh" soothes a warm voice. A narrow hand covered by white leather gloves slides over her lips. "I'm not a robber" the person whispers again. Shivering, Alana stops struggling when Hate's heavy footsteps sound closer than ever. The young warrior turns Alana abruptly and stares into her eyes with deep set coconut brown eyes. Alana stares at the robber in amazement. A silver mouth cloth sits tightly over his slender face. The large white hood, which is attached to his long cape, hides his face. A ruby red belt adorns his tight chest. An ornate sword is attached to this belt. His grey pants disappeared into a pair of silver boots. His thin black soft arch eyebrows frown.

"Go" he whispers and pushes Alana back. Alana looked nervously into the hallway. "Who are you?" "Someone who wants to stop Hate. Go, there's an exit on my right. I'll try to keep him for as long as possible." Alana took one last look at the boy before running to the designated door. Tears burned in Alana's eyes.

Rodehanthe had betrayed her ... And so did Mauger.

Now she knows for sure, that she can't trust nor love anyone. Only the king. Now she understands her mother's reaction. Mother knew! This was the boy she warned about? And what about the fire? Did he light it himself? Doubtless. She groans thinking of all the victims... because of him.

Hate smiles amusedly as the young robber draws his weapon. "And who are you?" he laughs. Without answering, the robber boldly lashes out at Hate. Effortlessly dodges Hate and follows the robber who rolls past him. "Every day is a surprise from now on", he laughs and takes his weapon. Agile as he is, the boy jumps on the wooden bench and balances on the railing. All this to avoid Rodehanthe. "I didn't expect a fight" mocks Hate and watches Vengeance stalk the robber. "But it's not a disappointment", he laughs, whereupon Vengeance takes the boy.

Growling, the boy defends himself against the demon. It doesn't take long before they both land with a hard blow to the ground. Angry, Vengeance growls and grabs the robber by his calf. In one swift movement, the latter stamps his feet against Vengeance. "Vengeance, go wild" commands Hate and smiles. Vengeance smiles maliciously and follows the young robber. Nervously, the robber turns his head and looks down the empty street behind him. He jumps up and grabs the gutter with both hands. Groaning, he pulls himself up.

Startled, he protests when he is pulled back down with brute force. Anger ruthlessly drags the young boy to the ground. "The boss wants to talk to you" mocks the heavily muscled demon and walks after the crawling robber. Bullying, he steps on the boy's ankle. "What a hero", he laughs when the robber doesn't make a sound. The robber, on the contrary, kicks Anger in his crotch with his other foot and jumps up.

"You are dead" growls Anger angrily and collapses. The robber ignores his comment and dashes back into the village. Amused, Hate leans against the wooden sign. His dark eyes are on the robber who walks toward him unknowingly. Smooth as a cat, the boy jumps on the marble rim of the fountain. He walks without slipping on the smooth broken stones until Greed grabs him and pushes his head down on the hard edge. "Stay here" he growls and places his other hand on the protesting boy's back.

Struggling, he tries to escape, but it is hopeless. Hate uses his foot to lift the robber's sword. "This looks familiar to me," he says fascinated. "I'm sure this isn't your weapon." Greed understands his boss and drags the boy to his knees. "Where did you find this...or rather. Stole it?" The boy fearlessly stared into Hate's dark eyes.

"Just what I needed. A stubborn one" mocks Vengeance and stands next to Hate. Once again, the boy tries to escape from Greed his grasp. "I'm not going to ask again" Hate hisses. Unannounced, the robber drops forward, causing Greed to fall over the boy. Cursing Greed falls on Hate. "Idiot" hisses Hate and pushes Greed off his body. Greed grunts unintelligibly and scramble up again. Taking advantage of the distraction, the boy in disguise runs as fast as his slender legs can carry him to the rickety bridge.

Irritated, Greed rubs his wavy black locks. The robber, realizing he can't just escape, hastily climbs onto the stone edge of the bridge. He might be able to hide under the bridge. He looked fearfully at the swirling water below him. A loose stone slips through this movement. Cursing, he tries to keep his balance, but it's hopeless. The boy falls off the bridge. He gasped for breath. His fall is abruptly interrupted by his bright cape.

Vengeance, the demon he feared most, had seized the robber's cape at an inhuman speed and thus saved the robber from drowning. A smile curled on his lips.

"You don't get away with it so easily" mocks Vengeance and drags the boy up, along with Anger. Coughing, the boy falls to his hands and knees. "You reckless idiot", Hate hisses before pounding the lad's stomach.

Coughing, the latter falls on his back. "Not only did you let Alana slip again", Hate grumbles and stomps again. "But you also threw that fool at me." Greed moans offended.

Hate smiles viciously and squats next to the robber. He grabs the robber's fist when he wants to make a reckless blow. Hate laughs maliciously. Vengeance grabs the boy by the upper arms and forces him to his knees.

"Where did you get this?" asks Hate again and cuts a long gash on the robber's upper arm with the sword. "Not even an ouch" asks Hate disappointed. "What a hero" he mocks. "I don't understand that cape. Are you that ugly? Or are you just a coward?" he laughs and drags the mouth cloth from his face.

The demons look up laughing. "I didn't expect you to be a woman" mocks Anger.

The slim, pale face of the young woman became visible. Her full rosy lips, bright eyes, and rosy jaws give her an exotic image.

Hate laughs and reveals her long black hair by removing the hood. "Now this is a stroke of luck" he winks. He squats carefully in front of her. "Really lucky," he whispers. "Now only your name." The young woman spits relentlessly in his face. Slowly, Hate rubs his face as he closes his eyes.

"As you wish" he grumbles and stands up. "Vengeance." Waiting for this, Vengeance laughs and pushes her chest down on the cold bridge wall. He brutally takes her wrists and pushes them on her back. With his second hand he pushes her jaw down on the wet stones. "I have patience. Vengeance on the contrary" jokes hate. "Name?" Not waiting for an answer, Vengeance looms closer. Moaning, she tries to escape the sharp teeth on her neck. Hopelessly she tries to turn her head, but Vengeance is too strong. "Faylinn" she finally coughs and closes her eyes. Hate smiles. Sighing, Vengeance stands up again. "Where did you steal this weapon?" he asks again.

Nervously, Faylinn puts her teeth on her lips. Vengeance sighs and drags her straight. "I'm creative", threatens Vengeance and grabs her throat. He picks her up and throws her across the bridge. "No" she coughs protesting and grabs his wrist. Hopelessly, she tries to pull herself up by his hand, her gaze fixed on the swirling water below. Her lungs are desperately searching for oxygen. "I'm running out of patience" threatens Hate and sits down on the edge. Abruptly, Vengeance opens his hand after he smiles precariously. "No" Faylinn begs, grabbing his protected arm. Laughing, the demons tease her. "Vengeance" orders Hate. He pulls Faylinn back onto the bridge.

He holds the girl tight against his chest. "If I were you, I wouldn't struggle too much" Hate begins and continues; "Vengeance has quite a reputation." Laughing, the demons agree. Hate watches Faylinn desperately trying to push his arm from her throat. "So" Hate asks impatiently. "Father" Faylinn finally beeps. Hate nods to Vengeance who lowers his arm.

Panting, Faylinn took deep breaths. The fine-crafted weapon in Hate's hands looks suspiciously like his. "Why did you let Alana escape?" A sudden rage appeared in Faylinn's eyes. She growls unintelligibly. Hate sighs whereupon Vengeance once again sinks its teeth into Faylinn's neck. Faylinn wriggles clumsily and desperately tries to escape from the warrior.

Trembling, she stares into Hate's dark gaze. "I can also just ask him to rip your throat out" mocks Hate. Faylinn wriggles into Vengeance his grip again and bites her lip. Viciously, she elbows him and stamps them in the groin. The demons laugh in amusement when Faylinn escapes from his grasp. "Your own grave" whispers Hate laughing and grabbing Faylinn. Furious, Vengeance arises. Hate beckons to Anger, whereupon he disappears along with the other demons. Only Vengeance and Hate remain. "Why?" Hate whispers in her pointy ear. Faylinn swallows and lifts her head stubbornly. "Because I want to destroy everything you have. Just like you did to me. I will watch you burn."

Hate and Vengeance laugh. "Have we met before" laughs Hate and pushes her to Vengeance again. "You are so lucky that I still have something to deal with. Or maybe not" laughs Hate and pats Vengeance shoulder. "No," she begs fearfully. "All for you Vengeance" Hate smiles to which Vengeance chuckles. "No" she shouts. "Let go of me. "Wait a minute" mutters Hate and stops. He pushes Faylinn's mouth cloth between her teeth. "Better" he laughs and disappears. Hopelessly Faylinn wriggles into Vengeance his arms. "That's better indeed" chuckles Vengeance and disappears into the night with Faylinn.

Wilder as hoped, Alana pulls at the reins. The sun has now disappeared under the tall trees. The forest is shrouded in darkness. Annoyingly, a firefly buzzes past the stud's ears. Shuddering, Alana let herself slip out of the saddle. "It's nothing, let alone shelter. But hey. We're still alive," she says, removing the saddle from Daydream's back. "I'm sorry I can't give better boy" "I'm happy as long as you're with me little one.". Whinnying, Daydream lays himself down. Lost in thought, Alana collects some dry branches, after which she collects as much fruit as possible. "It's better than nothing" Alana smiles and throws him an apple. "It is indeed better than nothing. I think it is perfect." Greedily, the noble animal gobbles up a pile of apples while Alana tries to start a fire, cursing. "Come on" she growls between her teeth. "Making fire is complicated isn't it" mocks Daydream. Laughing, she looks up when a flame appears from the mountain of branches. "It's that complicated" she smiles contentedly and hungrily eats the apple. "You see, eventually we learn" Alana winks and stares at the round moon. Crickets chirp in the undergrowth past her while an owl high in the trees calls out to her.

What would Alana do now for an inn? A warm and soft bed, a wonderfully warm evening meal, and safety. Alana stares at the stars that stare back in silence. Today there will be a party in the village. She turns eighteen. This was always lavishly celebrated in their village. Would anyone think of this? Would he know this? Saddened, Alana draws a cake with burning candles in the sand. "Come on Alana, make a wish" she whispers and closes her eyes. I wish Katinka gets her life, she thinks tormented. Slowly she opens her eyes again and blows away the sand drawing. "Happy eighteenth birthday" she sadly wishes herself and pulls the thick saddle blankets over her. "Happy Birthday Little One".