Hunter or Hunted?

[Deshana]

This story ties into Spiraling towards Chaos by Dranix.
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She watched her prey from the shelter of the trees. She'd been
following him for the greater part of the day, watching as he too
hunted. Silently moving closer, freezing at the least sign the deformed
giant might look in her direction, she waited.
Darkness fell, she watched her prey make a warding gesture, muttering
fearfully about 'Green Light'. The Formian had not had hunt luck this
day. The silvery shadow that stalked him made certain of that, carefully
warning all the animals of the forest away from the two stalkers. She
froze, one paw inches above the bark of the branch beneath her. The
giant was looking around himself, becoming increasingly fearful, she
would have to strike soon. Muscles tensing, she gathered herself to
spring.

There. She sprang upon him from behind, the force of her impact
knocking the giant to the ground. She drove his head into the dirt and
leapt away, blurring into elven form. Deshana gazed coldly at her prey,
her nose wrinkling slightly at the scent of fear that radiated from the
downed giant.

The formian looked up at the slight form standing over him. He'd have
laughed that so fragile a creature would dare accost him, if it wasn't
for the green fire dancing in her emerald eyes. His attacker wore black,
from head to toe, in her hand was a scimitar that seemed to soak up
moonlight. This blade flickered up, lightning fast and he felt hot,
thick liquid begin to trail down his cheek. The woman's pale skin shone
with a moonlike glow, her hair liquid silver in the moonlight, and
seeming to flow and ripple with life of its own.

The blade flickered out again, and again he felt the welling of blood
from his other cheek. He hissed slightly. 'What you want, woman? Why
attack?' he stumbled a bit over the common tongue. She gazed coldly down
at him for a time, her eyes slightly unfocused, measuring.

When she finally spoke he had to strain to hear her. 'Information. I
seek the formian responsible for the slaughter at Longhollow. I seek
Ghind. Where can I find him?' The blade flickered out again, not
cutting, light as a kiss on his cheek. A death kiss. 'Tell me.'

'Ghind kill me if betray him! I not fool.' He tried to raise himself to
his knees, but the woman motioned him to be still. His gaze was
arrested by the motion of her left hand, swathed in silk bandages, the
four tiny acorns floating above it, glowing with silvery light. He knew
the stories. Death coming to his people by glowing green fire and
acorns. His own village had cleared away all oak trees within a days
walk, fearing the acorns. But the stories spoke of a man.... and this
was no man. He took courage from that.

She watched as speculations played over his hideous features. Watched
him conclude she was not a true threat. She casually sent one of the
tiny missiles towards him with a flick of her fingers. The acorn
expanded as it flew, growing to ten times its former size, and rocked
the giant as it slammed into the ground by his nose. The concussion of
the blast stunning him for a moment. 'Next time,' she spoke coldly. 'I
will not miss. Nor will I send only one.' Deshana bent over him, and he
read her eyes clearly. He read death there. 'Ghind. Now. My patience
becomes short.'

He thought a moment about defying her, but decided against it.
Defeatedly he muttered the words that would mean his death among his
clan. 'Ghind hold council with Black Network. Seeks alliance there. In
the North East.' He glanced up, and watched in confusion as the woman
nodded, and turned her back on him. She was walking away! Rage filled
him and he leapt to his feet, intent of slaying this slender, mocking
thing that had played with his night fears. He grabbed her arm and
hurled her against a nearby tree, causing her to hiss in pain. Her sword
clattered to the ground not far from her right hand. With a bestial
snarl he lunged for her... and saw death streaming from her hand as four
tiny acorns incandesced before slamming into him, plunging him into
darkness.

Deshana lay where she fell, cursing her own stupidity, a sharp pain in
her side telling her of injuries sustained in the impact with
unforgiving wood. She'd have to tell Lazus of the injury, He'd know it
anyway. There was little she could hide from him. She smiled slightly
despite the pain. At least now, she had news for her friend, perhaps
peace was not so far from reach. She stumbled to her feet, and carefully
picked up her blade, cleaning it on the fallen formians clothing.
Though, given the dubious state of said clothing.. she'd need to do a
better job later.

She gazed once more at her handiwork, and turned to vanish into the
forest. Once again walking the mist, and shadows.

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Brightstar


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Cold Fire Frozen Spirit
IcePhoenix.

Thanuk group-says 'btw u all get to tell everyone u popped my cherry now:)'

[Ashiwi]

Beautifully done Deshana, once again.