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"The Story Begins to Unfold" (Somewhere in Muse Field) The figure in the shadows smiled at Elza's shock. Once she became calm, he began to speak again. "Ah, so you remember me. It has been years since I have seen you or … him." He said the word 'him' with disgust. "Where is our friend anyway? I suppose he is the one who sent you here?" Elza did not reply, just gave him a menacingly glare as she struggled in the grip of the two guards, each holding on to one of her wrist. After a moment, the figure continued. "Stubborn little rat, aren't you? Maybe a few days in captivity will loosen your tongue. Take her away," He ordered the guards. As they started to drag her away, an idea popped into her head. She shouted to the shadow that was walking away, "You know what you just missed? I was going to come in to your temple, walk right up to you and beg for mercy!" The guards that were dragging her stopped and listen to her curiously. The shadow just kept walking away. "I was going to plead for clemency. I was going to grovel at your feet…appeal to you to take me as your slave!" Although the Master of the temple was almost out of sight, one of the guards was beginning to loosen his grip on Elza in his confusion. Elza smiled to herself as she continued. "I was going to strip myself of every vestige of dignity I have left for your pleasure. But now…" The guard that was loosening his grip dropped Elza's arm altogether, and Elza seized her chance. She simply, but suddenly backhanded him with her fist and the man fell unconscious. "… I don't think I am going to," she finished with a smug smile. The other man, caught off guard, was still holding Elza's wrist. She swiped her foot underneath him so he would trip and let go. As soon as he was on the floor, she grabbed both her pistols and aimed it at the man as he tried to get up. He stopped and stared at the pistols. "I wouldn't get up if I were you," she said to him. "I … I… I…" the man stuttered, then just completely fainted. As Elza put her guns away, she muttered, "That was almost too easy." She then became silent and listened very carefully. Footsteps … coming in her direction. She had to get out of there fast because there were too many for her to take. She quickly looked around and saw a large window. Walking over it, she looked out to make sure she was still on the first floor (she wasn't going to jump out of a second story window without a parachute ever again). Once she was sure, she backed up and ran towards the window straight on. She broke through the glass and tumbled on to the ground. Spitting out grass as she got up, she thought 'Man, I have a strange feeling of déjà vu.' Elza wanted to get out of there quickly, so she ran around the corner, hoping that Artemis and Albert would be ready for a quick run. Her horse was ready, but, unfortunately, the little magician wasn't. As Albert slowly backed away from the guards, Elza noticed that one of the guards' hair had turned green and the other had nothing but his sword and underwear on. The two men angrily began to draw their swords while Albert tried to talk his way out of what happened. "It just mistake, no blame Albert! No hurt Albert either! That ratty uniform you need be throwing away anyway. And you…" he looked at the one with green hair, "that not bad look for you." The guards were beginning to raise their swords, so Elza rolled her eyes as she jumped onto Artemis. She started galloping straight towards the guards and they turned around just in time to jump out of the way in panic. She picked up Albert by his little cape (as usual) and pushed Artemis to run as fast as his feet could take them. "For once, I be glad you carry me by cape…" he started. Elza quickly interrupted. "Yeah, yeah, save your thanks for later." And before the mess-up guards could warn anyone that the spy had escaped, she was long gone. * * * * * * * "This is where we have to part paths, Albert." Elza said after Albert had said his thanks and Artemis had had time to rest. She said this almost with relief. "Thank you again so much!" Said Albert in his messed-up English. "I be hoping we will cross paths again soon." "Me too…" she replied. She hated to admit it, but she had grown a little attached to the amateur magician. And just as the little man was about to walk away, she said, "Oh! And if you happen to run across a man in a black cape, blonde hair, and a dumb look on his face, be sure to turn him into a toad for me. I think he goes by the name of Clive." Albert looked like he was going to question her about it, but changed his mind and said, "Of course, anything for Elza. If that be all, I be going now." He walked away and Elza watched him until he was almost out of sight, where he turned around and waved. She waved back, and headed back in the direction of Muse. She had an old friend to track down. * * * * * * It took her no more than a day to track and find her friend. Since he had company with him, she decided to stay back and just follow them, not wanting to startle them. She did, however, make sure that HE knew she was their. She observed many interesting things, such as a fight that ended up with the two she followed getting one more. That night, when the group made camp and rested, she decided to finally tell her friend of her discovery. She had her own way of getting the groups attention, but only her acquaintance knew it was she. He left his band of knew friends and walked vright up to Elza, although she was just an outline in the shadows. Elza spoke first. "I was wondering when you'd show up." "Yes." Was her friend's only reply. "What, not in the mood for conversation?" she said, half mockingly. "Just speak what you must tell me," the man on the other side of the shadows responded. Elza could tell he was in not the best mood from his lack of sleep. "Fine. I scouted out the temple. I counted about 32 fighters in there, but they brought in a new group of kids from the west. It wasn't normal, these kids just walked in without any resistance. It is possible the temple has improved its recruiting technique." "That would keep the attention down," he mused, glancing back at the campsite, the fire shining in the far distance. "So, what are you going to do?" Elza questioned. "I'm going to burn it down," The man turned around, back facing the Elza. "I wasn't referring to that." Elza said hastily, knowing her friend was avoiding the real question. She thought carefully how to word the next inquiry. "I meant, what are you going to do with them?" The respondent paused a moment. Elza examined his face and knew he was deep in thought. He looked for a moment like he was going to say to leave his party behind. But before the words could get out of his mouth, he stopped and thought some more. It felt like an eternity to Elza before he finally said in a flat tone, "I haven't decided yet." 'That's it? That's what he spent all this time thinking about," Elza practically screamed in her mind. Just as she was about to scowl at him, her mood turned from impatience to smug. She said, "Well, I'm impressed. It's not everyday you agree to accept help from someone who kicked your ass." Elza smiled at her comment before she continued, "You know, I saw the fight. I can see why you're unwilling to trust the one woman. Though, I have to admit, the other one, Valeria? She reminds me a lot of Marai." At the sound of this remark, the man staring back at the campsite quickly turned around and tore a glance at Elza that could twist steel. "Hey, that damn samurai stare-down of yours doesn't work on me, so just…cut it out." Despite the protests, however, Elza had been unnerved slightly. "Never, mention that again." The speaker turned around and headed back to the camp, pausing briefly to again answer, sorrow tainting his voice. "There will never be another Marai." Quickly changing the subject, Elza said, "So…have you figured out what you plan to do?" He stopped for moment, but didn't answer, for he really wasn't sure himself how to respond. He simply shrugged and continued his trek toward the campsite. "Damn arrogant ass." Was the last comment Elza made before the she faded back into the black, returning to the forest.
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