A single warrior stepped forward from the rest, taking in the group. He eyed the women an especially long time before smirking, "Take them all as prisoners." He called to his companions with a harsh laugh, "We shall have a bit of fun before we kill them."

"Yes, Lord Desmidas." Several of those around him bowed in respect. They drew their weapons and approached cautiously, expecting the coming struggle.

Shade shook Raven trying to wake and and only glanced backwards eyes glowing at the troops shouting, " we will not fight, but if you do not sheath your blades i will tear you to ribbons myself."

The zombie warriors looked between themselves and laughed, "Demon, you may be able to kill some of us, but you alone cannot take us all on." One said finally, "Try anything funny and we'll just have to take an arm... and perhaps a leg to keep you in line."

"I have slain your kind for centuries don't take me lightly" Shade bellowed out to them while the earth started to shake beneath them. " we may go with you but i will destroy you all if you do not agree to my terms."

The zombies shook their head, barking out laughter, "You do not think that we fear your kind, do you? We have many demons within our midst as well- all lives that we have stolen, and all desiring more power, even in death."

"You need'nt fear me or my kind but you will not trifle with me" Shade said swollowing up about ten of there men with his spell. "Now i will say it once and only once more sheath your swords if you wish to stay alive."

"Bind his magic." They prodded their mage, who quickly approached Shade.

In motions too quick for the demon to register the mage drew markings upon his wrists and face. With a muttered chant they began to glow brightly before fading into his flesh. The mage then quickly retreated to the side of his companions, "We tire of your illusions and attempts to kill us. Silence yourself."

"That is not the only way i fight" Shade said slashing the top of the skull off of the loud mouthed one with his blade now sheath your weapons.

Desmidas fired off his shotgun from amidst his warriors, shooting a barrel full of rocksalt into Shade's chest, "Stop mocking my men." He said coldly, "And stop playing around, bind them and lets get moving. The city has apparently been evacuated. It would be stupid to continue forward. For now, we make for home."

Cringing in pain, before he could do anything to stop them he collapsed over Raven.

They were then approached by several zombies who took their time binding them- first tightly tying Shade's hands behind his back, taking the slack and tying it around his right leg to make moving his hands difficult and tiring. They skipped over Raven who was still unconscious, not seeing any threat in dealing with her and tied three of the others. Finally, they approached K'htressa in caution.

Waking up quickly after being bound, Shade still in pain noticed that his wound is starting to heal slowly. Noticing they havent bound K'htressa he shouted before spitting a needle between one of there vertebrae paralyzing them, "Run i'll do what i can just take Raven and run" before paralyzing another in the same manner.

"Fool." A zombie kicked Shade in the side of the head, "Shut your mouth for once."

Smiling Shade spat out another needle this one covered in a mix of blood and spit into the same zombie eye that kicked him
and another through his temple killing him.

The zombie collapsed and was replaced by another, a young woman with short, curly blonde hair, she leaned down with a gag in her hand to bind his mouth, "Please stop struggling before they kill you..." She whispered to him.

Glaring at the girl then noticing the horrified look in her eyes, Shade nodded his head slightly and just layed there.

She gave a soft smile before tying the gag over his mouth and standing slowly, her gaze growing hard as she slid her carefully etched mask in place. The worry that was in her eyes faded quickly, she couldn't affort for Desmidas to see it...

Laying there almost motionless, Shade thought to himself, " why is she being so kind this isn't right they aren't supposed to even have feelings?"

K'htressa watched what was taking place carefuly. "Hmm.. you show emotion.. very strange." She said unsheathing her swords and throwing one down to the ground but keeping her other one in her main hand.. the right. Smiling she stood there.

"Looking up at K'tressa, Shade motioned for her to untie him.

The female zombie clasped her hands together at her waist, fearful of what they might do. They're going to fight... aren't they? She thought to herself, Then I'll be forced... to fight as well...

The other zombies took no heed of the girl's worries and instead circled around K'htressa, weapons ready for battle

A smaller male zombie gently pulled the girl to the back of the group whispering, "don't do anything yet maybe these people can help us escape Desmidas.

K'htressa didn't see Shade.. all she saw and felt was Jacin who was coming up behinde them. Smiling she looked around the zombies who surrounded her. "Well bring it." She said attacking the zombie infront of her as Jacin came up from behinde the group and engaged another one that was behinde K'htressa with his sword. "Where is the box K'htressa?" She didn't hear him at all.

Raven was slowly coming back to her senses. She could hear things now, sounds of battle... But there was no wind... She was confused, hadn't she just been driving? Slowly she sat up. And when she realized that they were surrounded by zombies her hands flew to her guns, which she drew shakily.

Shade annoyed that K'tressa hadn't even seen him thought to himself as he drew a small blade from his ankle that was tied to his hands and cut his bindings, "must i do everything myself" As he drew out his whip after throwing his dagger into one of there chests.

Raven stood up, "Where's my-" When she saw the flaming wreckage of her creation, Raven flipped out, "Son of a!" She growled, firing shot after shot into the zombie midst, "What the hell happened?!" She growled.

"You passed out at the wheel" Shade said drawing his sword in his other hand. "WIll SOMEONE RELEASE THIS SEAL THEY PUT ON ME" he shouted slicing one of them in two and peircing ones skull with the dart at the end of his whip.

K'htressa was turning to another zombie when she was slashed in the back by a sword. Screaming out in pain she drove her scimitar into the zombie. She stummbled before she fell.

Jacin was running over to his girl friend when he was caught in the lower knee with the flat of a blade but was strong enough that he fell face flat.

"K'htressa! Jacin!" Raven exclaimed in worry before she was thrust off her feet by the firing of a shotgun. Pain tore through her upper torso and her guns slipped out of her hands.

She lay, gasping for breath for only a moment before struggling to her feet with her sword drawn. She swayed for a moment before running forward, slashing into the mass of zombies that surrounded her.

She caught sight of the one with the shotgun- an oddly handsome zombie that had a cold look to him that she found she didn't like at all. He was reloading the shotgun with an almost carefree action as she made her way towards him. Raven was only about a foot away when he fired again- just as she slashed downward. She caught and tore deeply into his arm with her sword just as the pellets pierced her once more, sending her reeling to the ground again.

"RAVEN" Shade screamed as his eyes turned purple and the seal broke ,"feel my pain" He murmered before the ground began to be covered in shadows. As the shadows peirced many of the enemy zombies, he made his way over to the one that had shot him and Raven, Slicing at the same wound raven made , he tried to take off the whole arm that held his shot gun.

Jacin couldn't move.. he found what ever hit him also had a stun on it.

Though through winces and screams K'htressa got up gasping for breath as she turned and faced the one who attacked her. She swung widely but only to get hit once again but this time along the chest and stomache. She fell this time screaming but also finding herself stunned. Tears streamed down her face in agony.

Desmidas gazed at Shade coldly, "Ouch." He said mockingly, firing the second shell into Shade's body.

"Glancing back at him as he fell over, Shade mumbled one more spell the last thing he said was, "die" as shadows surrounded desmidas and began to crush him while spikes surrounded it stopping anyothers from assisting him.

With a simple flick of his wrist, Desmidas dissipated the spell, "Don't think those little tricks will do anything." He said coldly, "Bind the rest of them and lets go." He said to his warriors, who did as they were bid.

K'htressa tried to struggle as best as she could with tears still going down her face. "What do you want with us?" She asked through gretting teeth.

"I want to hear you scream." Desmidas said simply, a look of bliss crossing his features.

"Reasonable.. but not what I mean." She replied still grettign her teeth.

"You'll know in due time." Desmidas smirked and turned, "Follow!" He barked at the zombies, and they quickly lifted the prisoners and turned themselves to follow Desmidas back to their home.

Jacin found he couldn't resist but K'thressa didn't stop the names or swearing at Desmidas the whole time.

It was a two day journey of exhausted travel for the prisoners before they were finally at their destination- a grand old house surrounded by hundreds of smaller houses at the bottom of the hill. They were all led inside and down to a cellar, where they were thrown unceremoniously and locked in.

Waking finally after being imprisoned, Shade thought to himself, "great what do we do now"

K'htressa managed to get into a sitting postion after what seemed to her hours. The two deep cuts on her back and chest/stomache.. hurt like hell when ever she moves.

Jacin found his way to the wall by scooting and sat up. "Now what?" He asked aloud.

"We wait do any of you have your weapons the took mine all i have are a few needles left" Shade said sitting against the wall as well.

Raven squirmed her way into a sitting position with a slight wince, "I've got nothing, if I didn't drop it they found it..." She sighed.

"Well damn" Shade said sighing, "how about any of you" he said to k'tressa, jacin and the others.

K'htressa didn't move but drew in a gasp, "I have nothing... R.R.Raven.. do you think they will search the crash?"

Jacin looked at where K'htressa was.. "The box..." Was all he said.

"I highly doubt it." Raven replied, "They captured us and brought us directly back here- the lot of them. None stayed behind to do such a thing."

K'htressa let out a sigh of releaf or what was close to it wincing at the same time. "What do the want us for?"

"I don't know..." Raven shrugged, "I wish I did though... it's more frightening not knowing what's going to happen."

Jacin nodded his head and heard the wince or more felt it. "K'htressa can you move over here?"

"No. It hurts to much to move. I want to know what the hell their weapons were blessed with.." K'htressa said quietly.

"Who knows..." Raven murmured.

Jacin sighed. "Where are you at Raven? How badly hurt?"

"I'm roughly 15 feet southwest of you." Raven replied, "And I'm fine- or as fine as one can be taking a couple loads of rocksalt to the gut..." She laughed roughly and winced.

"Alright. If we can get everyone move along the wall that is northwest of you.. we can see who comes in and out." Jacin said.

"More movement? Jeez... it sucks that I can't see... it's so dark in here that I'm not able to see anything through my goggles..." Raven sighed.

Jacin thought. "Terresa.." His nickname for K'htressa.. "Where are you hun?"

"Dead smack in the middle." She said.

Jacin through for a second. "Alright Raven.. Since i am near a corrner i will have to say Terresa is diagonl of me.. so i will get up and walk tword you comming around your right. I do belive."

"I've got a better idea- if they didn't find it that is." Raven murmured, squirming to loosen one of her hands slightly. The rope chaffed and bit down into her wrist and arm, but she finally managed to dig around in the pocket of her pants, "Yes!" She burst out, imediately following was a dull thud and a muttered, "Ow from her before dim, green light filtered outward from the object she held in her hand, "I didn't figure they'd take it..." She said, rubbing the side of her head, "Since it's not dangerous or anything and was in a hidden pocket..."

"What i can't see anything" Shade said inching towards the thud.

Jacin saw where Raven was and K'htressa who was sitting as staight as she could.. her shirt front and back covered in blood. "Alright I see you. Do you see us?"

"I can see all of you" Shade said trying to see what Raven was holding still.

"It's still a little dark for me..." Raven grumbled, "I was trying to pull the goggles off and fell..."

"What did you pull out of your pocket..." Shade asked sighing trying to pull out a needle from his pantsleg.

"A light sphere." Raven released it and it floated up into the air, splitting itself apart and spreading about the room, "My own invention." She added proudly.

"Yay here try and get free" Shade said throwing the needle into the wall beside her.

"Yes, because I'm totally gonna be able to use that..." Raven muttered, inching towards it nonetheless.

"Just try" Shade said stabbing one in the wall behind him scratching the ropes against the end, "I May not have the strengh to teleport out but i can atleast be comfortable."

The door slammed open then, and Desmidas entered with two heavily armed warriors behind him, "And what, may I ask, were you attempting to do?" He asked with a smirk, knowing very well of their attempts.

"None of your business," Raven growled, glaring at him.

"Bring the women, take the remaining weapons, and douse these bloody lights." Desmidas said coldly to his men, and both Raven and K'htressa were dragged to their feet.

K'htressa let out a small yelp when they dragged her to her feet.

Jacin tried to stand up growling.. "Leave her alone!"

Desmidas frowned, "Let's go." He replied, turning swiftly and exiting the cellar, followed immediately by the two zombies that had given up trying to douse the odd lights. The door was slammed and locked from the outside.

Raven glanced over at K'htressa worriedly as they were lead up several flights of stairs.

K'htressa just winced not wanting to give Desmidas the satisfation of her crying or anything else. The back didn't hurt as much as the gash in her front. She turned and looked painfuly at Raven.. for some kind of telling on waht was giongn to happen.

They were led to a small room somewhere above the cellar where 4 or 5 other girls- both younger and older than they- huddled fearfully in a corner. "Welcome to your new quarters." Desmidas laughed, thrusting them inside and locking the door.

"Jacin did they leave the needle in the wall over there because they found mine" Shade said sighing digging around trying to find another one.

K'htressa caught herself before she fell and winced. "What the hell. Are you guys alright?" She looked at Raven then back at the kids.

Jacin shrugged.. "I don't think they took it.. but then again.." He couldn't spot the needel.

The other women were silent, though fear was still evident in their eyes, one however, spoke up, "He's brought more..." She whispered hoarsely, "I wonder who Desmidas plans to throw out next..."

"More what?" Raven demanded, looking between the girls.

"Slaves..." It was barely above a whisper, but it fell heavily upon them all and the girls settled themselves to shivering uncontrollably.

K'htressa's eyes went wide and looked at Raven showing fear in them. "How long have you been here?"

"Years? Months? Days? Hours? What difference does it make? It's hard to remember times when you're here." Was the reply.

Raven shuddered, "We've got to get out of here..."

"Escape? It is impossible... a game to him..." Another woman said.

"So he expects us to.. try to escape." K'htressa started to think. "Tell me what are the ussual chores?"

"Anything he wants." The girls whispered together.

"I don't care if he expects us to escape or not, we're getting out of here." Raven said in a low voice, eyeing the girls, "All of us."

K'htressa nodded her head in aggrement. "We better work fast."

Raven nodded, "Give me a few minutes to think..." She said slowly, circling the room several times, her goggles still low over her face.

"Nevermind i found one now hold on and let me get free then we can atleast talk to them through one of these little light's Raven left" Shade said finally rubbing through the rope with the needle.

Jacin shook his head and waited.

K'htressa slowly took a seat on anywhere that was open. Carefuly pealing away the shirt from her wound on her back and front. She didn't left the shirt but rather just pulled at it. "There has to be tunnles here.. after all he would want someone to go in them.. so he won't be expecting us to exit the main way for it would be to 'hazzards'" K'htressa said even making the quotations in the air.

"This will take up most of the strengh i have left but we will be able to communicate with them in a moment" Shade said standing up silently and touching one of the orbs mumbling, "third eye seal" as the orb was overtaken by shadows and it teleported itself to the girls. Looking at another orb he touched at the same time, he said almost silentl, "Raven, K'tressa can you hear me?"

Raven stopped in surprise as a darkened orb floated up through the floor right in front of her, it took her a minute to register that it was part of the lightsphere, "Shade?" She murmured, kneeling right next to it, "Jeez, don't surprise me like that..."

K'htressa looked at it shocked. "Good god Shade."

"What I was bored" Shade said smiling, "Now to the point how are we getting out of here?"

"I'm thinking on it." Raven replied.

"Bored is it.. well do you have any ideas then Mr. Shade?" K'htressa asked in sarcasm.

"Well i used the last of my energy on this third eye seal so i'm beat i have no weapons no magic i'm out for now" Shade said sighing.

"All the more reason to calm ourselves and think of a way out." Raven replied.

"Yes i know that's why i used the last of my magic on this" Shade said laying down from exaustion.

K'htressa shook her head. "look.. I have a deep feeling in my gut if we don't figure things out the jackass is gonna come in here wanting us to do something.."

"Same here..." Raven replied, "So I suggest that we all put our heads together on this one..."

"Well Jacin is pretty much useless here i guess i should untie him aswell since i'm out but what if they come in to check on us" Shade said crawling over trying to untie Jacin with his last needle.

"Keep the ropes in decent condition, and if you hear someone coming, just wrap them around your wrists and such to make it look as though you're still bound." Raven replied.

"I'm rubbing them with a needle, there is no decent i'm lucky if it even...there we go" Shade said as he finally rubbed through the ropes on Jacin.

"They'll still be in an okay condition." Raven replied, "Just hold onto the frayed edges..."

"Useless my ass." Jacin and K'htressa said together. "Well as I told Raven, there has to be tunnles here.. after all he would want someone to go in them.. so he won't be expecting us to exit the main way for it would be to hazzards.." K'htressa conintued on.

"I am here for the brunt but i agree with K'htressa." Jacin said nodding his head.

"Well i can't do a daamn thing without rest first" Shade said laying back down, " lucky for you once this spell is done it doesn't take any more energy to hold or else it would have broken by now..."

"If we wait in damn longer Shade.. dont make me finsh the rest of that sentence." K'htressa said looking around the room giving all the people in it a reassurence smile.

"Well i can't fight in this condition you may go if you wish but i HAVE to rest" Shade said grumpily.

"How long shade?" She asked through gritted teeth.

"Atleast an hour i used up far too much energy healing my wounds" Shade said semiconciously.

"That's fine," Raven said, "You rest while we come up with ideas, and at least a semi-solid plan for the escape."

"Ok...I'll....just take a little....nap......" Shade said falling completely unconcious now.

"K'htressa, do you or Jacin happen to remember anything from when we came in?" Raven asked hopefully.

"Well, it was a really steep hill," Jacin started, "The front doors were pretty large... coming down to the cellar we passed by at least 8 rooms, all of which were probably packed with zombies..."

"And we came up several flights of stairs, passing about 9 other rooms." K'htressa added, "I don't really remember many details other than that though..."

"Hmm..." Raven said thoughtfully, "There's this window up here that I'm sure they wouldn't expect us to exit out of, but that doesn't solve the problem for getting Shade and Jacin out... Jacin- does there happen to be a window, a chute, or a set of stairs down there? I wasn't really paying attention..."

Jacin looked around quickly, coming across what was indeed a chute. "Yes, there's a chute..." He said, "It looks like it leads up into the house though..."

"If there's a chute there... then I think I know where it opens up." Raven said, gazing at the far wall, "Which should be right here... but let me make sure, keep an eye on it." She walked over to a rotting dresser and pulled the top drawer open, there was a single, hole-ridden t-shirt in there.

She made her way back over to the chute and dropped the shirt, "See anything?"

"No." Jacin said, and Raven's face fell, "Wait! There's a shirt!" Jacin gasped.

A grin broke out on Raven's face, "Are you thinking what I think you're thinking?" K'htressa asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Jacin, when Shade wakes up, I want you both to climb that chute as quickly and quietly as you can. It definately leads up to this room. We'll probably use the window to get out after that..."

"Right!" Jacin replied.

---

About two hours later

"Ok i'm ready what's the plan or should i just teleport to the other orb" Shade asked yawning.

"We're going to climb this." Jacin said, pointing to the chute.

"Don't use magic." Raven warned, "I have a feeling that they'd be able to tell if you teleported out of there. Just climb as quickly and silently as you can, okay?"

"Great I've never had to do something like this in centuries" Shade said sighing, "So are you just gonna sit there all day or what?" he added starting to climb up the chute as quietly as possible.

Jacin rolled his eyes and started up the chute after Shade.

As the orb Shade trasformed followed him, he asked the girls, "how far does this damn chute go?"

"Second floor I believe..." Raven replied, "But you'll come up in the same room as K'htressa and I."

"Stop complaining and keep moving," Jacin muttered, "Best start being quiet too all things considering that our voices'll probably carry..."

"Finally" Shade whispered, "i can see the opening."

"How much farther up?" Jacin asked quietly.

"Just right up there" Shade said sighing. Climbing out the chute finally, Shade broke the spell he put on the orbs and the started shining brightly again. "Thank god i'm too lazy to do stuff like that..."

Jacin quickly followed him out of the chute, wiping the accumulated sweat from his face greatfully, "It's really hot and closed in down there... I'm surprised neither of us got stuck or suffocated..." He muttered.

"Take a short break," Raven said, "Catch your breath, we'll be scaling down the side of this wall shortly."

"Eh i'm used to being cramped" Shade said sitting down, "some one is coming" he whispered shoving Jacin behind some of the other women in there and hiding himself.

Raven turned her gaze towards the door, biting her lip in worry as she made sure that Jacin and Shade were well hidden. The door slowly slid open to reveal a female zombie with short, curly blonde hair. She peered around the door nervously before slipping inside.

Behind her a smaller male Zombie entered with everyones weapons and a few extra things as well.

Raven blinked in surprise but remained well guarded. "You all must get out of here..." The woman said quietly, "Before Desmidas returns."

"He and a small betallion of skilled soldiers are out hunting for your hideout, so you musn't go there" the man said setting down there weapons as well as some herbs and additional weapons and ammo. "Pharen should we ask them if we are we need to hurry?" he added.

Raven looked between the two with a hint of suspicion in her eyes, "Why are you letting us go?"

"... Please don't question us..." Pharen said after a moment, "Just take these things and go..." She turned to look at her companion, "Ask what?"

"If they will help us get out of here as well" Nathan whispered to her.

"We shouldn't leave..." Pharen said quietly, "Desmidas will always imprison more humans... until this war ends I cannot leave... But, you should go with them... maybe with one of us there helping them they can help us to end this..."

"I'll stay as well then...if they are strong enough to wound him in there state then they do not need a weakling like me to draag around as well" He said calmly. "Get your things and leave, I've brought some extra ammo and some more daggers as well with some healing herbs and some food....now go."

Raven nodded, "Thanks..."

K'htressa looked at them carefuly. "Thank you." She said softly still sitting down.

"Yeah thanks....." Shade said climbing from his hiding spot and grabbing his weapons.

"Good luck," Pharen said, "And please don't get caught..."

"Lets not get caught ourselves" Nathan said to Pharen.

"We'll be fine." Pharen waved his warning off, "But we've got to leave and get back to our posts..."

"That's what i was talking about.... geez moron" Nathan said sighing.

"Don't call me a moron. Let's just go," Pharen sighed, exiting the room ahead of him.

"Well lets go." K'htressa said carefuly standing up and taking her weapons.

Raven nodded and pulled her own weapons out of the pile left behind by the retreating duo before grabbing a few more and slipping the herbs into her pockets, "We'll treat your injuries once we're a safe distance away..." She said in an apologetic tone.

"I will be fine. Lets just get these people out of here and tend to them first." K'htressa said strapping on her swords as Jacin came and did the same.

Raven nodded and turned to the group of fearful women, a soft look on her face, "Come on then everyone," She said softly to them, and handed each a couple of the extra knives, "When we get back to our group you'll be well taken care of. For now you're just going to have to deal with our company."

Raven leaned out the window, "It's a sheer drop..." She murmured, looking around the room. She realized then that the rope that she and K'htressa had been bound with was still lying loosely on the ground. She lifted an end and examined it thoughtfully, "This'll get us about three quarters of the way down..." She murmured to herself, "Which should leave roughly a ten or eleven foot drop... We'll have to be careful."

"If we let the guys go down first.. they will be able to help the once jumping down the rest of teh ten or elven foot drop." K'htressa said looking out over the window.

"True," Raven nodded, "These girls'll undoubtedly need help to keep from breaking a foot or an ankle."

"Yes. Jacin?" K'htressa said.

"I will go first.. better me than any of these poor souls." he said coming to the window.

"Be careful." Raven replied slowly, securing the rope, "But move quickly, I don't know how well and how long this'll hold up to the weight and friction of everyone..."

"Understood." Jacin climbed up into the window and leaned his back tword the ground. "I will tug when i am about to drop." He said as she made his way down the wall.

"Alright," Raven nodded, keeping her hands near the rope in case it snapped.

Jacin carefuly and quickly made his way down the rope, he figured a eleven foot jump but it looked more like a ten. Tugging on the rope he jumped the rest of the way down and landed in a crouch.

"Alright," Raven said, "He's down, Shade, you next... it would be nice to have both of you down there to help the girls."

K'htressa looked around the room looking for sheets or what not that might help just in case the rope snapped.

"Maybe i should bring up the rear and help them get started there is no use for both of us down there and besides, It's alot easier for me to get down if i get caught than it is for the others..." Shade said actually seriously for once.

Jacin stood hidden waiting.

K'htressa looked as Shade. "The whole point is so we don't use magic.. they have to have this place wired." She responded in a serious tone aswell.

"I know that but if i'm the last one to go down i won't have to unless someone comes in because i'm the only one that would be able to get out without a serious fight and risking injury" Shade said sighing because she didn't understand.

"It would be quicker and more efficient if you went down with Jacin," Raven replied.

K'htressa nodded her head as she started gathering other people to get them ready.

"We don't have the tome to argue so whatever just be careful" Shade said annoyedly jumping out the window.

"Alright everyone, time to get started, go one at a time and only as quickly as you're comfortable with moving," Raven said to the other women, helping the first climb over the sill and start down the rope.

Standing on a branch of a near by tree, Shade was watching carefully for any movements around thw windows.

Jacin was standing at the bottem ready to help the women down.

K'htressa was making sure none of the people had anything that would glint as they were going down the rope.. if they did she had them conceal it under there clothes.

"Ok start sending them down it's clear" Shade whispered to the ones still in the room.

The first woman was already halfway down by then, her fingers slipped and she slid almost to the end of the rope, hardly able to bite back the cry of pain and fear that rose to her lips as blood trickled over her fingers and the rope swung her precariously back and forth.

"Shit" Shade mumbled as he jumped from the tree to catch her and stop the rope before it was noticed.

The woman clenched her wounded hands into fists, but said nothing more than a mumbled thank you to Shade.

"No problem" Shade whispered smiling at the woman as he set her down and went back to his spot in the tree watching for a minute before he called for them to send the next one.

Raven nodded to another girl and she and K'htressa helped her to get to the window, "be careful." Raven murmured to her, and when the girl got near the bottom, Jacin helped her get to the ground.

Shade guestured to hold the next because one of the sentries had neared the window and were about to open the curtains, "Hide" Me mummbled to the ones on the ground as he quickly hid in the shadow of the tree.

Raven quickly pulled the rope up out of sight as the others hid from the approaching sentries.

"Damn i don't know wether to take them out or let them by..." Shade whispered to himself hoping jacin would hear as well.

"Let them pass." Jacin whispered back to Shade, "Right now we can't afford to get caught..."

Shade nodded as he put the needles he had drawn out back away and disappeared back into the shadows.

Jacin felt the erge to face them and kill them but he stood where he was not moving.

"Damn't, how hard is this gonna be.. shesh." K'htressa murmmered.

"If they don't leave soon i'm going to kill them we will be seen if they stay around too much longer..." Shade said almost silently.

Even as he spoke, the sentries were beginning to move on, and once they'd disappeared from sight Raven slowly lowered the rope once more.

Jacin watched the rope lower and waited till the had the next one comeing down till he would step out again.

K'htressa brought over a young girl and told her how to climb down. "Be careful hun. There are two guys down tehre ready to catch you."

"Finally" SHade mumbled jumping back into the tree watching carefully for more sentries.

Raven watched the girl lower herself down the rope slowly and carefully, her gaze moving over the entire area, looking for a return of any kind of trouble.

Jacin steped back out and waited watching the girl.

K'htressa looked around the room. "How much more is this rope going to hold?"

"I don't know... it hasn't frayed too much yet..." Raven replied as the girl got to the end of the rope.

Jacin stood ready to catch the girl.

K'htressa nodded, getting the next one ready.

The girl released the rope.

"There're only 3 more after this one," Raven called down, "And then K'htressa and I will climb down.

Jacin caught her and put her on her feet rushing her to the others. Jacin nodded and gave the motion for others to start on there way down.

The other three girls moved quickly down the rope as quickly as they could, Raven could here dim noises from somewhere distantly beyond the door, "We need to hurry, K'hressa, you go first and before I go I'll loosen the rope so that we don't leave any traces of how we escaped..."

K'htressa looked at Raven. "Hurry.." Is all she said as she headed out the window.

Raven nodded, holding the rope firmly so that it wouldn't break before K'htressa reached the bottom, already the end in the window was frayed nearly three quartes of the way through, and pulling further apart.

Jacin ran over prepared to catch the love of his life.

K'htressa heard the rope ripping and took the chance of teh 20 foot fall.

Jacin stood benath her ready for the impact but not the 20 footer. He caught her landing on his back with a thump and a groan.

"Are you both alright?" Raven hissed, peering out the window and down at them.

"They will live now com on someone is at the door" Shade whispered to Raven excitedely.

Raven moved to where she'd tied the rope to the bed and loosened the knot. The rope slid silently out through the window as she stepped out onto the thinnest of ledges, slowly scaling her way down the wall. She was still quite a ways from the ground when the stone beneath her fingers crumpled and she fell.

The distance that she fell would have killed any ordinary human, but she landed gracefully on her feet in a daze that dispelled after only a few seconds, "Well, let's go!" She called softly to the others.

"Damn your not completely human" Shade said amazed thatshe didn't die from that height, "But you are right lets go before we are found again."

"Not completely human, what're you talking about?" Raven blinked as they started to move.

"No human could have come out of a fall that far with atleast being hurt to some extent or killed....." Shade said uncomfortably.

"Really? I always thought it was normal..." Raven replied with a shrug.

"Not at all K'tressa and Jacin are sure to be injured to some extent from the short fall she had..." Shade said, "And it was nothing compared to what you made i only made the jump because i am not human...."

"I figured it was because I drank a lot of milk and had especially strong bones," Raven couldn't resist a soft laugh at her own joke.

"This is no time to act like a moron" Shade said to Raven laughing a bit at what he had said himself.

"Not acting like a moron, trying to lighten the mood." Raven corrected.

"Ok well this isn't really the time for that either what we need to do now is focus all our time on getting away without being noticed" Shade said sighing.

"We'll be fine so long as we keep quiet and hidden." Raven replied.

"We can't be quiet if you keep talking" Shade said sarcastically.

"You're the one that keeps talking." Raven stuck out her tongue at him.

"I am going to have to cut that damn thing off aren't i" Shade said smiling, "well are we far enough for me to use my magic yet?"

"Shouldn't risk it for a few more hours." Raven said.

"Fine" Shade said annoyed.

"What, feel naked without your magic?" Raven teased.

"Eh it just makes everything much easier" Shade said sighing, "but i feel Naked when i'm unarmed thats why i always have something hidden....." he added laughing a little.

"You rely too much on your magic, you should try going for at least a day without it." Raven teased.

"Eh i'd rather not go any longer then i have too" Shade said smiling.

"Any longer than you have too?" Raven raised an eyebrow.

Jacin was holding K'htressa by her waist as they were walking.. partly to keep her close and partly cuz he knew it hurt her to walk. They both rolled there eyes at Shade in Raven. "You two bicker like a maried couple." Jacin said.

"yall really would know wouldn't you" Shade said laughing, "Because you act like one..."

Raven couldn't help but to chuckle at Shade's comment.

K'htressa would have walked up and slapped Shade for the comment but was held back by Jacin. "Make all the jokes you want, but Raven, I knew you fell for Naoko but Shade.. come now.. don't deny it." Jacin said calmly.

"What're you talking about?" Raven asked.

"Oh come now, you were all over Naoko. We all knew you liked him.. but as soon as Shade came along.. you two have been at it.." Jacin replied.

"Yeah, because he gets on my nerves," Raven replied, glaring at Jacin.

"Uh-huh. Okay, whatever." Jacin said giving Raven a like-I-belive-you smile.

"How much father must we walk?" K'htressa asked trying to get rid of the tension forming between the Raven and Jacin.

"Hopefully not much longer...." Shade said just as uncomfortable as K'htressa.

K'htressa nodded.. she was tired and in a lot of pain. "We need to go back to the wreckage.. i need to retrive my box."

"That in itself is a long walk if you remember." Raven sighed tiredly, "We should stop before the sun comes up and travel by night..."

K'htressa nodded her head.

Jacin looked at Raven, "We need to stick to the trees then."

Raven nodded, "Aye, we do... It's going to take longer to get to the wreckage than it did for us to end up here..."

"Do you want me to go there and get it for you..." Shade said sitting down.

"You wouldn't be able to see it." K'htressa responded to Shade finding a seat to sit.

Jacin nodded his head in agreement with Raven. "Aye it will."

"We need to come up with a plan... and wounds need to be tended." Raven said.

Jacin nodded his head. "We know they are out looking for the hideout so we need to let the know. They most likely know by now we have ecaped and they are most likely pretty damn pissed." Jacin said looking at K'htressa.

"I have no doubt that they'd be pissed..." Raven sighed.

K'htressa nodded her head. "We better start with the folks we brought along."

Raven shook her head, "You've got some nasty wounds." She said.

"I will be fine. THe others have been through more than me and desierve it first." K'htressa responded.

"..." Raven sighed, but nodded, "Alright..."

K'htressa smiled. She carefuly got up and headed to one of the girls checking our her wounds if there was any. "Are you okay hun?"

"I'm fine..." She said softly in shy nervousness.

Raven approached the girl that had fallen down the rope, "We've got to wrap your hands." She said.

K'htressa nodds her head taking off her cloak and putting it around her. "It is okay sweety you are safe now." K'htressa said carefuly knealing down taking her hands.

The girl whimpered as the wounds in her hands reopened. She bit her lip to silence herself, however.

"Here these are some of the herbs they gave us before we left and are we far enough for me to use my powers yet because i can heal some less serious wounds with them...." of course it drains mequicker healing than doing anything else....but i have to do something

The girl was still shakened up but let out a small smile. "Who are you people?" She asked as K'htressa was looking over her arms.

"Who us? We are just a few students from the accademy. There much better?"

"Yes. Thank you. My names is Tena." She said pulling the cloak around her tatered shirt.

"Well Tena you are welcome. My names is K'htressa, that guy over there that caught you is Jacin. The magic relyer is Shade, and the other female is raven." K'htressa responded getting up and smiling down at Tena. "Shade, as long as you don't you much I don't see why not."

Raven cleaned and wrapped the other woman's wounded hands, "How long have you been here?" She asked softly.

"I don't know... long enough to lose hope of rescue..." She said, allowing her arms to drop to her sides.

"K'htressa come here for a minute please" Shade said creating a small orb of shadows in the palm of his hand.

K'htressa slowly walked to Shade. "Yes?"

"Which side is injured again..." Shade said as the shadows in his hand started spinning rapidly.

"What?" K'htressa asked.

"Never mind" Shade said creating several more shadow orbs striking her wounds with them all at once, "there they should be healing as we speak....."

K'htressa yelped in suprise at the movement.. her pride and stuborness had been beaten.

Jacin on the other hand was laughing and walked over patting Shade on the sholder. "So.. it looks like someone got smart and stood up to your stuborn ass." He said in approval.

"Well thank you but it wasn't about standing up to her it was necissary" Shade said sitting back down preparing to do the same to Jacin.

Jacin smiled. "My knee is fine, just brusied. But we could use some of that healing power on the rest." Jacin said looking at the group behind him.

"Just sit still" Shade said striking jacin's knee with his spell, "i can do them as well, but we all need to be in top physical condition if we are to make it out of here....."

"You're not going to be in any decent condition if you keep that up." Raven replied.

"I will be fine...It needs to be done one weak is better than all of us...." Shade said preparing for another healing spell.

Raven sighed, "Go ahead, knock yourself out then." She replied.

"Thank you" Shade said sighing at her mother henning him all the time while creating multiple orbs floating around him wildly.

"Better to keep you silent with anyway..." Raven replied.

Shade glared at her moving a sahdow to grab her leg hissing, "Excuse me what is that suppose to mean" While releasing his orbs into the group healing everyone at once.

Raven shook off the shadow, "I mean, you're noisy and argumentative." She replied.

"And you are not" Shade asked sitting down.

"Of course not!" Raven replied.

"Oh please you are just as bad as i am" Shade shouted back slightly annoyed now.

"No I'm not!" Raven said just as loud.

"Don't kid yourself you are argueing now and you started this one not me" Shade snapped.

"I didn't start it, you did." Raven replied.

"I beg to differ i didn't say anything but thank you then you set me off" Shade said standing in her face now.

"I beg to differ myself." Raven replied, ignoring the fact that he was right in front of her, "I didn't set you off, you've just got a short fuse."

"I know i have a damned short fuse, but if you hadn't have said that i wouldn't have snapped and this would never happen" Shade shouted in her face.

"I was quite simply telling the truth!" Raven shouted back, crossing her arms.

"If you know i have a short fuse why do you try to do things that piss me off" Shade said pushing her slightly.

K'htressa had enough. She stepped in between them both and raised her voice louder than theres. "SHUT THE FUCK UP!!! So much for keeping our bloody cover. If you two don't learn to get along then so help me I will tie you both together and your gonna have to live with each other, eat, bathe, ect."

Jacin leaned back finding this very entertaining.

A few of the girls in the group shot back scared half to death at Shade's and Raven's fighting.

---

CLOSED

Zombiewars5