Angelic followed Antirne quietly. The hallways seemed darker and reeked even worse of death. Damn, what the hell is that? A dead skunk, and apparently it decided to throw-up on itself before dying. Angelic covered her mouth with a hand, gagging at the stench. With all the screaming and blood, it was surprising to her how little they had been interrupted by other people. Rubbing her neck, Angelic glanced at Antirne's back. Old scars wrapped itself about the elf's back. New scars bleed freely as she moved, her muscles stretching, pumping crimson rivulets down her battered body.

"Antirne?" Angelic said quietly, but there was no reply. Angelic called out to her again, a bit louder this time; her throat throbbed making her voice hoarse. Yet again, no reply came from the swaying figure before her. Nearly to the great gates, a brief puff of fresh air hit both figures. Angelic struggled to prevent herself from filling her lungs with "fresh air." Both women paused for a moment before the door; it was as if Antirne had finally realized her freedom. The elf began to move forward and as she did so, Angelic stumbled forward and grabbed her arm, preventing her to move forward. Antirne turned toward her, bewildered, angry, and lost all at once. Angelic stared back at her for a moment.

"If you truly want to taste freedom," Angelic reached out with her free hand and took her knife from Antirne's clenched hand, "Allow me to heal your wounds." The knife clattered on the floor as Angelic spoke. Antirne glared at the half-elf for a moment, but she only stared back in return. They watched each other for a moment, then suddenly, Angelic's eyes softened. Only for a moment, yet it started Antirne. Angelic let go of her arm and held her hands out to either side of Antirne's head. Eye's still locked,

"Helm, god of protection and honor, hear my prayers. Let this spirit feel true freedom in this world of ugliness and pain, as you had shown me years ago." Moments passed, then a sudden warmth filled Angelic's body. Angelic's hands began to glow a gently. A soft voice filled the air around the two,

"Angelic, loyal to the calls of help from those who do and do not have a voice, loyal to me, loyal to those with trust in you. I hear your calls and may this child of the Earth find peace within."

Both figures closed their eyes as the warmth from Angelic traveled into Antirne. Her gashes and welts began to shrink and close, as the blood that had pumped from them dried and flaked away from her body. Until finally, her entire body was healed from her recent inflictions. Her old scars still remained, yet now they seemed insignificant to the miracle that shown before a wandering guard. The soft voice filled the air once more,

"May this child find peace with you as you have with me."

Both women opened their eyes at the same time, Antirne stood bewildered. She looked down at her arms, her legs and found herself smiling as Angelic dropped her hands to her sides, breathing heavily. The elf looked up at her healer, suddenly realizing the blood that dribbled from her half smiling mouth.

"By the gods," Antirne whispered, reaching out as Angelic teetered forward and into her. Both fell to their knees, as Antirne struggled to hold up her weight. Then, her eyes wandered to the guard running back around a corner. She heard him shriek for help, for any other back up. She glanced back down at Angelic and noticed the dagger that protruded from the lower left side of her back. Quickly pulling the dagger from its victim, she laid her down gently down on her side. Blood oozed freely from the wound, as Angelic coughed struggling to catch a single breath -

"We... have to get out of here," Angelic sputtered. She sat up, trying to stand. Antirne had no reason to disagree as she attempted to support her. Two guards came running back around the corner, pointing their swords at them. Angelic pushed off Antirne, drawing her own. She teetered slightly as she stood, both hands gripping her sword.

"Get out of here," Angelic breathed, "I'll hold them off." Antirne, stood shocked at her sudden resilience. She glanced down at the dagger she held in one hand -

- and charged -

- then fell forward on her hands, scrapping them on the hard stone floor. Looking up, Angelic had charged as well. She swung at the nearest guard with a loud yell, easily overpowering his parry. As he fell to the floor, she parried the other guard, then with a single swift swing, the man’s head was gone. The first attacker laid in shock as the head rolled toward him. Angelic quickly flipped her sword over, the tip pointing at the ground; to downward stab into the other, who gurgled then was silent. With a jerk, the sword came free from the others chest. Angelic turned toward the fallen elf.

- she tripped me -

"Are you stupid?!" She shouted angrily, "I tell you to leave and you decide to charge?!" She stumbled forward a bit, "Let's get out of here... now!" She stepped to Antirne's side, then nearly jerked her up off the ground and to her feet. Angelic jogged forward, blood spurting from her wound; which she covered with one hand, sword in the other. Antirne followed closely to her left as the two left the building, past the gates and into the forest.

A trail of blood following close behind.

Presented by: