LOST - CROSSWINDS

As the distant sounds of a heavy door opening filled the dungeons, the echoes of the clanking chains ceased.

Cyer looked somewhat eagerly outside his cell's barred door, perhaps he was going to be moved.

To his surprise the soldiers walked past his cell ignoring him, with them was another prisoner. This other prisoner was extremely well built but his expressions were distraught.

Soon enough the guards that had entered left, leaving the cold dungeon in silence again.

Yet another few moments later, the sounds of the chain started again, and with patient perseverance Cyer broke one of the chains holding his arms, it came down with an echoing reverberating sound, shaking the walls and causing a scurry of all the rodents around.

The dungeon was deep so before reaching the surface the sound had died down.

Undoing the rest of his bonds with his bare hand, Cyer fell to the floor, weak and cold. His limbs aching from being hung. His entire body protesting in agony, but it wasn't time for such. Feeling the icy cold floor on his bare feet Cyer stood up, the area had gotten cold. Intensely cold and the only thought on Cyer's mind was survival. He had to complete his mission now that he was so close.

walking past the old corpse, he approached the cell door and peered out at the next cell over, where the other prisoner hearing the sounds had come over to his cell door as well, unlike Cyer he was well dressed but the cold should still have caused him discomfort, yet he stood there with ease.

"Hmm?" Cyer managed an inquisitive hmm, as he stepped back analyzing the hinges on the door.

"Are you trying to escape?" The other prisoner cut straight to the point.

"Naturally, my kind is not exactly spared if caught," Cyer answered calmly, peering at the most worn joint. He had controlled his breathing, trying to maintain his body temperature.

"Take me with you, I can pay you handsomely," the other prisoner said, wasting no time.

"You see," Cyer raised his voice stepping back and looking around his own cell, "I have no need for payment, and I don't see a reason why I should," he chose a particularly sturdy bone. "Help you."

"What then will it take for you to help me?" the answer was worried yet calm.

"As you might have guessed, I am an assassin," Cyer began fixing the bone as a lever against the weekend hinge with a grunt, his energy fading gradually but surely.

"I am aware," the other prisoner was observing his efforts, not expecting them to bear fruit.

"There would be only three reasons, I could lend you my assistance," Cyer spoke as he stepped back yet again considering his calculations. Striking with just the right amount of force he managed to unhinge the door, easily sliding out from the gap created.

"One," he said observing his own handiwork, "I receive the orders from my higher ups, and that surely isn't happening," He spoke dismissing the other prisoner completely.

"Two, you offer me something I cannot refuse, unfortunately that too is something I do not see happening," Cyer walked towards his prison,

"Three, you have already hired an assassin who, dare I say, failed. In that case I would be inclined to take up their assignment." Cyer finished looking at him in the eye.

"I do have assassins contracted," the man answered quickly, not wanting to let the chance slide.

"Oh ho." Cyer stepped back, arms crossed, as the other prisoner spread out his right arm showing a small, crested tattoo,

"See, I have proof," He finished.

Cyer was surprised indeed. Not only was the brand authentic it was also one hailing from the Dark Continent. He eyed the man with interest.

"Who exactly ... are you?" he questioned.

The Dark Continent was a rumored place, said to be the homeland of the order of the Assassins as far as this matter was concerned.

Its location unknown, the assassins from there never seen, it was indeed a mystifying place.

The other prisoner wasting no time answered, ceasing the opportunity as best as he could, Assassins were sworn to secrecy so it would be ok to tell him... it might even lighten his heart along with securing his assistance.

"My name is Caius," he began.

"Commander of the military of Neraya," Cyer finished for him, even more curious now. "I know of your name."

"I see," Caius replied, calculating his own strategy.

"General, how did you end up, here?" Cyer questioned.

Caius answered by telling him of the assassination and his abduction and how he was brought to Zasha.

"So, if I were to add things together, you contracted the Assassins who killed your king and his family?" Cyer answered calmly.

"Yes" the answer was low and straight forward.

"Why?" Cyer raised an eyebrow

"I wanted the throne for myself, but I realize how wrong I was not only did I have the man who raised me like a son killed, not only did I have the men who treated me as a brother or the lady who respected me as one killed but I also brought ruin to my kingdom. I have to go back and save it, try to set things right," Caius answered truthfully.

"The fact that the assassins you contracted abducted you was perhaps because they could not assassinate all of their targets. Perhaps," Cyer spoke to himself more than he did to Caius. "You seek to save a land you yourself ruined, you think you, a mere human can fend off against the empire or the wolves? You think the people would follow you if they knew what you did?" Cyer analyzed the expressions and reactions of Caius.

"I have done wrong; I have betrayed everyone I loved. But that is exactly why I have to try and set it right," the answer was heartfelt.

"Don't fool yourself general. You led assassins into your kingdom, Neraya is one of the few places us Assassins refrain from, owing to the near impossibility of infiltrating, but you, you brought them right in, and destroyed the very pillar the kingdom stood on. don't talk of saving something you yourself condemned." Cyer's words were coated in cold disdain.

"I KNOW WHAT I DID!" Caius was screaming now, "That is exactly why I have to set it right, Neraya needs a ruler, and it has to be me. For the man I called father, for the man I called ... brother" his voice broke.

"Hah, listen to yourself." Cyer was brutal, "You don't seek salvation, you still seek the throne, excuses general excuses. You are only driven by your will to rule," Cyer answered glaring at the general.

"Whatever my reasons be, will you help me or not?" Caius questioned.

Cyer thought for a while, looking around in the dungeon, "I shall not, cause one, I honestly don't like you, and two because I am not inclined to take part in matters concerning the particular assassins you contracted, oh also, I don't want to be a part of anything related to Neraya."

Caius slammed his fists into the door bars and walked to the far end of his room.

"But that said, I might need your help getting out of here, so let us corporate at least until we get out of these circumstances," Cyer said as he picked the lock to his door with ease.

Caius looked at him turning his head, a dead glare that did not trust but alas there was no other choice. He was forced to trust an assassin, his mind conflicted, perhaps what the assassin said was true, perhaps he still longed for the throne or maybe he truly did regret what he did. Either way the first step was to make it out of this prison. Zasha was indeed a foe not to be taken lightly. The wolves were a threat themselves, and what had happened to Neraya while he was away?

Also, what if someone from the royal family was alive, what if they knew. And Kaiser, he would be sure to figure everything out. Perhaps he would have to be eliminated as well, for the sake of Neraya and so Caius walked out.

...

Night had fallen, since Zasha had shown Kai and his demon the door. Having resolved to rescue Cyer, both of them were camping some distance away from the fort. The blizzard was picking up again. They were camped at a terrace of a neighboring mountain, in the covers of a cave.

...

Anesia, Kaiser and his few men had entered Zasha's territory under the cover of the blizzard, having found out that general Sher was defeated, and the prisoners were brought here. Caius as she knew wasn't a dragon like her and Kaiser, he was a human who had been adopted into her family. Treated like a sibling to her. She had spent a great many days with him, when he was young, they had often plotted together pranks on the crowned prince. It was one of her more cherished memories.

When it came to the prince, no matter how much she annoyed her elder brother he would always look out for her, be it taking the blame for serious stuff or protecting her from injury.

"It is my duty as a prince and as your elder brother," he would say flicking her head with his finger,

"What sort of a brother would I be if I let you take all the blame," that time when Anesia had set the family tapestry on fire.

"Idiot... just shut up and let me handle it," that time when her horse had kicked a minister's son because she rode into their home,

"Anesia you are a work of art seriously!". When she had broken her father's crown, "Caius, if anything were to happen to me, make sure my sister is safe." she had seen this secretly when he was leaving for battle.

"Nia, you can count on me," when their father was sick,

"Nia it's going to be alright," when their mother had died. Her brother did everything she would for Anesia for a month until she had calmed down.

Anesia had tears in her eyes, as she looked at Kaiser, who silently embraced her, as he was used to doing in the past, whenever she broke down.

But Anesia had resolved, the time to mourn was not now. Caius had to be rescued.

...

It was some time after midnight, Kenviar stepped out for a walk, leaving the sleeping Kai behind. That child was as clueless as they came, and he found it frustrating. Humans had always been so. Losing himself in memories, Kenviar wandered onwards, his hands in his side pockets, not realizing how far he had come, he was brought to a perfect stand still.

Both of them stood at their own spots their eyes locked, almost glaring at each other at first, the blinding blizzard doing little to break their intense stare off. At one end, a slender yet muscular form of a well-built Ken, at the other, the large yet crafted built of Kaiser, who had his hand on his sword already drawn to a thumb's length, while Ken in casual manner had drawn a hand from his pocket.

They stood still gauging what their next move should be, both had not noticed each other's presence until the last moment and now faced the tension building up. Kaiser could easily see that Ken was not someone to be taken lightly despite his small frame. Whereas the demon too realized that this stranger could be more than he bargained for.

Kaiser's crystal-like slit-ed eyes examined Ken from head to toe, perhaps the wisest option would be to cut him down before he had a chance to do anything, taking advantage of this bafflement. Just then, Ken raised his withdrawn hand, was it already too late? Kaiser gripped his sword tightly and braced his feet. The blizzard whistled and then.

"Hi there," Ken spoke with a smile, his hand raising to wave. The demon spoke with delight unnatural. Clicking his sword shut and causally raising his hand as well, Kaiser answered,

"Hey," all the hostility he sensed gone.

"Didn't expect to see anyone here," Ken continued as he pocketed his hand again.

"Same here... you a traveler?" Kaiser inquired, relaxing his stance a bit more.

"Oh... I guess" Ken answered delightfully

"You alone?" Kaiser questioned keenly, as Ken raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, pardon me, I must have come off as a bandit asking that," Kaiser realized his mistake.

"No no... It's quite fine, I was going to ask you the same thing," Ken replied smiling a sheepish smile.

"Err no, I am ... with company," Kaiser answered with a thought.

"Oh, don't let me keep you then," the answer was polite as Ken turned around, thinking fast Kaiser began,

"Stranger, why don't you join me... it's better than being alone." not wanting him to end up reporting to the wolves.

"I couldn't possibly," Ken began turning around revealing an angelic smile.

"No no no, you must. I insist." the answer came as Kaiser casually turned around imposing that he should be followed, "My name is Kaiser" he added as Ken taking up the offer followed.

"I am Ken," he replied "I guess" finishing under his breath.

"Well Ken, are you with the white wolves?" the question was posed as naturally as possible yet with serious concern behind it.

"No, I rather try to stay clear of them," Ken replied analyzing the situation.

"How come?"

"Let's just say I disagree with how they run things," looking around as they took an unlikely path.

The two casually chatted with concern as they finally reached a clearing with a handful of tents, and a beautiful voice greeted them.

"Kaiser! you are back, and you brought a demon with you," Anesia spoke so casually that one wouldn't even realize anything strange in her words but both Kaiser and Kenviar stood frozen, turning to look at each other. Kenviar with his eyes peeled, he hadn't expected in the least that his cover would be blown with such ease both his hands spread unconsciously at an angle, while Kaiser without thought stood with his sword drawn, a broad sword that one could hardly imagine lifting with both hands and yet he lifted it in one.

His eyes locked at the demon, ready to pounce. Following his action, Ken saw himself surrounded by armed warriors all wearing thick cloaks a few off them as big as Kaiser, the atmosphere turning worse by the moment until Anesia clicked her tongue.

"Pleased to meet you, demon, I am Anesia, you should have brought your other friend as well," her voice was soft and elegant, a strange irritability in it.

Ken now seriously boggled actually slipped from his human form, his eyes turning demonic, and as they did he realized immediately he was in the company of dragons. Now extremely careful he slowly backed up. Remembering that he had read the name Kaiser somewhere.

"I... I am Kenviar mortem", his answer was calculated, "You miss, are positively the most beautiful creature I have set eyes on." he began in his slick measured tone.

Anesia smiled, "Anesia, that's my name," Nia chimed in cheerfully "Kenviar ... Kenviar ... the third son of..." she spoke remembering

Ken springing back a few steps completely bewildered cut her off,

"Yes, that is who I am, Lady ... oh" he began as memory finally clicked and he remembered, "Anesia" he finished calmly now with a gentle bow.

"I should have figured with that Nerayan prisoner in the keep and all, that I am in the presence of your grace, it is an honor." he finished his voice very unlike the one he had been using for a long time.

"The honor is mine," Anesia replied with a customary bow, holding the sides of her dress as she did in a lady like manner, Kaiser realizing who he was, also made a slight bow sheathing his sword followed suit by his companions.

Ken smiled. What an odd turn of events, he thought, as he spoke to the princess

"My companion, your grace, does not know of my true identity, and I would like to keep it as such, so while I fetch him, please make your mind to ... let's say, pretend you do not know me?" Ken spoke with dignity befitting a Nobel.

"You have my word," Anesia smiled, "and I believe we can serve each other's interests," she added tapping her head lightly with her finger, Ken knew she was speaking of her renowned powers of divination and with a nod he returned to Kai, leaving the elegantly armored princess behind.

Things had become quite interesting indeed, a noble dragon of the white clan, Zasha the crimson blade, Kai the double pure and he himself. The brew was wild enough to start a war. Ken smiled as he headed back to Kai. Waking him up, having him dress hurriedly he made Kai follow him back to Anesia, while he was still in a foggy state of mind, and soon enough they were back only to be greeted by the princesses herself.

With a half twirl, as if to show off her dress, the figure Kai saw came to view and he didn't even realize he had stopped breathing, enchanted by the person in front of him. Her skin was like porcelain, what was visible of it anyway, and that two marked with colors and stripes on her cheeks, a blue that complemented her, a skirt and a simple yet elegant shirt. Kai was mesmerized immediately. *

Anesia had tried to dress like a gypsy, smiling she greeted. Kai had held his breath for so long that Kenviar patted him on the back whispering.

"Breathe."

*(she was wearing a long skirt that reached her lower calves, the cloth elegant in its own rite, beautifully crafted.

It was embroidered ever so lightly around one of the sides, and near the waist and the hem. Of a brilliant red maroon color. It flowed over the person's bottom like a smooth river, naturally but with this hidden irresistibly seductive nature, so that anyone who landed their eyes on her would find the craving in their own desire but be unable to know what it was.

Her feet donned boots that reciprocated the skirt, ever so thin yet their presence bearing. One could not argue that they lacked in anyway, from how they tied down the dress, to how they served to guard. They hinted at how charmingly elegant the wearer's feet would be, a small patch of socks perhaps, hid underneath the skirt, that guided the eyes as if leading a dance.

Kai looking up, saw, a shirt, dirty white, that was highlighted due to the color of the skin, foiling around the waist, like the foaming water from the fall, hitting the basin. An ending to the beginning, the shirt though simple again had small jewels that adorned it, a small linear arrangement that led up coiling around the abdomen. The shirt itself was buttoned, the column of them disappearing along the center of the skirt, as they followed the wave.

From there, what appeared to be, single collar, that went around half of her neck before crashing like a wave itself, beautifully adorning her, the line of buttons rose along her chest, smoothly landed on her nearly flat stomach. The thinnest golden lining around them. The elbows were patched with a rough cloth, padded more than patched but only to accentuate the dress itself, blending into the sleeves.

She wore bangles and rings, each more intricate than the other, and her elvish appearance only served to gracefully contrast. The rings each different, and same with the bangles. Around her neck, which was bare down to where the shirt began, at an alluring point, as if challenging the limits of decency while remaining well in bounds, were several lockets, pendants and a necklace. Each individually brilliant.

This complimented her braided locks that fell in numbers coiling around and about, and then her hair which weren't braided fell from the scarf tied around her forehead, to form the beautiful waterfall that slid down her back to her waist. A few locks around her ears and one on her cheek that she brushed aside while smiling, that heavenly smile of her's. Bluish ash blonde hair added the subtle knots that tied down her entire figure, while her emerald eyes worked to provide the anomaly that made her a work of art reaching a new height. Her head scarf tied like a bandana was of the same color as her skirt and also held small accessories.) *

Kaiser looking at his queen and the circumstances brought a hand to his face in silent frustration, she looked beautiful, but he knew she was a devil spawn, from her nature to how she dressed. In all likeliness, to toy with the demon and/or the boy he was with.

...

Anesia, Kai, Kaiser and Kenviar feasted that night, plotting. Kai being teased by the queen, while the demon mostly kept silent. It was indeed fortune that had provided Kai with allies in this time of desperation, and for some reason, Kenviar and Anesia got along without much difficulty. Hatching a plan that could work. And so, when the time to implement the fruit of a brief interaction came, both parties decided to accept what was being offered by fate without questioning it. The next day dawned.

...

"What the FUCK is happenin now!" Zasha bellowed as the castle shook violently

"We are under siege my lady," an apprentice knight answered.

"Ma lady, ma ass, for fucks sake ge' me Iliea!" Zasha shouted as the young man scurried away.

The blizzard was loud, and the wind whistled violently, Zasha washed her face with cold water. Getting dressed, she stormed out of her room as a loud bang was heard and her keep rattled. Her knights were standing at the ready already dressed and armed, debating the situation as she walked down the stairs that led to her quarters.

The young knight who had woken her up, entered through a door on her right, with him, Iliea, also woken from slumber.

"Well, explain!" Zasha barked

"It appears as though a relatively small force has crept up to the keep and is conducting a siege, boulders are being hurled from across the draw bridge to our south, damage reported at the gates and the turrets, our catapults are down,"

Lauren answered.

"And who is it that is attacking?" Iliea questioned an inquiring look on her face.

"We don't know as of yet," a knight began.

"The fuck does it matter, whoever has a death wish, we ill grant et!" Zasha interjected

"You lot, with me, we'ill take care of these bastards," Zasha continued as she commanded the majority of her knights.

"The rest of you, gather the men and man the defenses," Iliea ordered the remaining "I will take care of the other flanks you get the south," she added looking at Zasha, who nodded in response leaving to put on her armor, while Iliea devised a defense strategy.

It was unprecedented for Zasha to be attacked at her own fort.

Deep in the dungeons Cyer and Caius took advantage of the commotion and took down the guards, making their way to where their equipment was kept. Where Cyer moved with agility and fluidity, Caius was dominant, his pace matched the assassin, yet, with each step he grounded himself. It appeared as if he were ready to take on whatever the dungeon could throw at him. Making haste, they neared a towering door.

Kaiser threw yet another boulder, many times his size, with unreal accuracy before finally moving to the next stage of their plan. Leaving a hand full of men with Kai and Ken he quickly returned to where Anesia kept wait.

The blizzard was growing stronger still, though the Nerayans were impervious to the cold, with the odds in their favor they advanced. The time to test the mettle of the Crimson blade had come. They could not afford a battle of attrition, for the wolves would move in from all sides by the next evening. Theirs was a race against time if they strived for success.

The excitement on Anesia's face and the worry on Kaiser's evident, while Kai wondered if what he was doing was indeed the best course of action to take. Ken smiled as the heat of battle approached in the storm, everyone could sense the marvel that would take place in a few hours.

And in the darkness beyond the veil a figure dressed in red and black lounged upon a lofty throne. Lilith the heretic goddess smiled as she observed through what appeared to be a glass, how amusing her new toy was, this child she sensed was fated for trials and she loved the thought of it.