Lezard's Triumph

Lenneth was slow to wake up, the sleep Lezard forced upon her being a blessed relief, freeing her of dreams and nightmares. Some part of her realized this was a special circumstance, leaving her hesitant to fully awaken. The Valkyrie snuggled closer to her pillow, stifling back a moan as consciousness tried to force it's way into her mind. Her eyelids fluttered, then opened to a darkened room, the only light being that of a small lamp besides the bed.

Lenneth lay on her back, just staring at the ceiling, wishing she could go back to sleep. She was vaguely aware something important had happened, but still caught in sleep's grip, her memory was slow to return. She shrugged her shoulders, going to sit up and the blanket slid down her body. She let out a startled sound, seeing she was naked under the sheet, and almost missed hearing the sharp intake of breath, a wistful sigh from an observer in the dark.

"Lezard?" She said, hastily pulling the blanket up to her breasts. That sigh came again in answer, and she found herself wishing for a little more light. The lamp grew brighter in response to her unspoken desire, illuminating the way past the bed. Lezard sat nearby, clad in only a short black robe, nursing a drink in one hand, just watching her on the bed. He wore a melancholy expression, face resting on a propped up hand.

"Lenneth." He only said her name, not seeking to make further conversation with her. She stared at him, watching as he gazed back at her, a somber light in his purple eyes. Silence seemed to drag out between them, neither one wanting to be the first to break it. At last Lenneth gave in, with a sigh and said, "I'm sorry."

"You should be." came his answer, causing her cheeks to flare pink. "I didn't know you were such a naughty girl, leading a man on like that."

"I didn't mean to..." She whispered.

"Then what did you mean to happen?" He demanded coldly.

"I..." Lenneth lowered her eyes, hiding from him. "I don't know...I don't recall how things got that far."

"Ah...there is that problem again..." Lezard frowned, taking a sip from his glass. "Your memory seems to be going in and out...how...convenient for you." Lenneth jerked her head up at that, demanding to know what he meant by that. He was silent, just watching her as he finished his drink. She shivered under his intense gaze, wondering what he was thinking about.

"You should get dressed." He abruptly said, gesturing at the bed. She looked in the direction he pointed, and saw a purple dress laid out a top the sheets. She reached forward with one hand, still grasping the sheet to her chest with the other. The dress was cool to the touch, made of expensive silk. "Thank you." She said, and he merely grunted in reply. He made no move to get up, or to look away, and she hesitated. "Aren't you gonna...leave so I can get dressed?"

"No."

Lenneth blinked, surprised at his answer. "But..."

"It's not like I haven't seen it all before." He smirked without humor as her mouth dropped open in shock at his bluntness. "Or do you want me to come help you get dressed?"

"No no!" She quickly said, shaking her head no.

"Then get to it...or I'll come over there myself."

Her cheeks flamed at the threat, but more so at the thought of parading her nudity in front of him. She hesitantly slid off the bed, grateful for her long hair, and how it swirled around her body, half obscuring her from his watching eyes. Quick as can be she pulled the dress up over her head, feeling the silk slide down her body. It flowed down to her ankles, and had spaghetti thin straps, the skirt being a slightly darker shade of purple than the low cut bodice.

"It looks good on you." commented Lezard.

"I'll take your word for it." Lenneth said, once again surprised by the wizard's exquisite eye for design.

"Lenneth my dear, I never pay you false compliments." He was rising from his seat, leaving the glass behind him. She watched warily as he approached her, his hands reaching to take her into his arms. "Lezard don't..." She begged, even as he leaned in to kiss her. She could taste the brandy on his lips, smell it on his breath, and she realized with a start he was drunk. She told him her suspicions, and he gave a uncaring shrug of his shoulders. "So what if I am?" He moved away from her just a step, sighing morosely.

"How much did you have to drink to get to this state?" Lenneth wondered out loud. He turned to grin at her, happily proclaiming, "A lot!"

"Why?"

"Why do you think." His tone was snide, his eyes tortured as he looked at her. "Because of you...because of the cruel game you play with my heart! I'm tired of this cat and mouse game...which one of us is the hunter, and which one is the prey? I no longer know..."

"You're babbling..." She said, uncomfortable with his words.

"Maybe I am..." He sighed. "But I'm so tired Lenneth...tired of fighting...tired of holding back...of not doing what I want to do with you..." His hand reached up to touch her face, and she cringed away from his touch. "Of course..." He said bitterly. "Hot one minute, cold the next."

"I don't think I understand what you want from me..." She said.

Lezard laughed. "That's a lie, and we both know it. I've made no mistake about what I want from you...You just want to hide from my desire, pretend it doesn't exist. It won't go away if you do that...it only burns brighter..." He stepped close to her, their breaths causing their bodies to touch with the rise of it. "I yearn for you Lenneth...what must I do to make you feel the same for me...?"

"I...I don't know..."

"You don't know?" He said this with hope in his voice. "Once you would have answered me with "you can't." Now you hesitate to dash my hopes. Why is that?" She opened her mouth and he placed a finger against her soft lips. "No don't answer...it's the same isn't it? You don't know..." He sighed. "I'll wait for you, you know. Wait until you do realize what it is your heart truly wants..."

"It won't be you." Lenneth whispered.

"So sure, so confident are you?" Lezard asked her, licking his dry lips. "I don't think you know anymore what it is you want. That's why you approach me, hot and ready to burn in my touch, desires merging to match mine."

"It's just a body's reaction...it doesn't mean anything..." she insisted.

"It means everything to me." This time he managed to touch her face, a clumsy caress of her cheek. "Every whimper, every moan...each sigh and gasp I treasure. Each worth more than my weight in gold." She said nothing in reply, just watching as Lezard's fingers played across her skin, tracing her lips with his fingertips. He sighed again, pulling away from her. "I need to get dressed." His hand went to the tie of his robe, seeking to undo it. Lenneth let out a startled cry, going to turn her back on him, catching sight of his chest before her turn was completed.

He stood naked before her, proud and unashamed of his body, not understanding why she turned away. "You can look now..." Lezard said, and she cautiously turned, relieved to see him clad in a puffy white dress shirt, form fitting black pants on his legs. He wore a black jacket over the shirt, and it had gold piping, a bold contrast against the dark material, forming curlicues and intricate designs.

Lezard saw approval in her eyes, and he smiled. "Does my appearance please you, Lenneth?" He saw her hesitate before nodding, an unreadable expression in her eyes. "I'm glad." He laughed. "Perhaps you don't find me so hideous after all."

"It is your mannerisms that I find so deplorable, your behavior reprehensible." She told him, watching as his eyes darkened. "If only your outward appearance matched your inner self..." She said the last softly, whispering it to herself.

"I'm sorry that my...quirks offend you." He said this sarcastically, growing annoyed with her. Lenneth frowned at him, and Lezard bit back a sigh. "I won't apologize for being the way that I am." He shook his head. "I don't feel any remorse, any regret for the things I have had to do, for the person I've become. You'd do well to accept me as I am, rather than try to change me." He was reaching forward to touch her face, the back of his hand against her cheek. "It is far too late for anyone to redeem my soul."

Lenneth was quiet, biting back a hurtful remark. Lezard seemed relieved at her silence, trailing his hand down the side of her face. He felt her shiver, and wondered out loud, "What are you thinking my sweet?"

She reached up to catch at his hand, and he clasped his fingers around hers. "Don't..."

"Don't what?" He asked, still holding onto her hand.

"Don't start...it never ends well between us." A slight flush was on her cheeks as she recalled what had happened the last time he started touching her.

"Only because you refuse to give in to your passion." But he let go of her hand, much to her relief. "Oh Lenneth...Lenneth..." He chided, shaking his head. "Whatever am I going to do with you?"

"You could let me go..." She said this without much hope.

"That isn't an option and you know it." replied Lezard. He took a step back from her, eyes lost in thought. "If only..."

"If only?" mimicked Lenneth, curious.

"It's nothing..." He shook his head, a pained smile on his lips. "Drinking puts me in a funny mood. Makes me think stray, silly thoughts." Lenneth made a noncommittal noise in response, the Valkyrie thinking it would be better if he did not drink at all. "Do you have a taste for wine Lenneth?"

"I think it best if I stay far away from the drinks of mortals." She said firmly. "I hesitate to think what would happen if we both became intoxicated!" Lezard laughed at this, her exclamation striking him as funny. "It can't be any worse than what has almost happened between us."

"All the same, I'd rather not risk it."

"Life is full of risks." He told her. "It makes an otherwise dull existence exciting!"

"I've had all the excitement I can stomach for one lifetime." Lenneth said primly, rubbing at her upper arms. Lezard gave a graceful shrug of his shoulders at that, thinking it was her lost. "Lenneth...my darling. I must take my leave of you for a time."

"Why?" asked Lenneth, worry rooting in the pit of her stomach.

"You needn't concern yourself with the details."" said Lezard. "I shan't be gone long. And who knows..." He grinned at her. "Perhaps absence will make your heart grow fonder for me."

She didn't reply to this, narrowing her eyes in suspicion. "You're planning to cause trouble again aren't you?" She let out a deep sigh, disappointment heavy in her tone. "Who are you going to hurt this time?"

"I don't see why you jump to such conclusions." protested Lezard. "Perhaps I just want some time alone with my thoughts...to plan my next move at seducing you." He was disappointed to see she did not blush, the woman still eyeing him with distrust. "Don't worry." He assured her, leaning in to plant a kiss on her cheek. "I will be on my best behavior."

"Somehow the thought troubles me all the more..." She whispered as he teleported away.

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Alicia listened to the sound of her companion's footsteps, their heels muffled on the plush carpet of the hall. No other sound permeated the castle, not even the roar of monsters could be heard, now that they had left the dungeons far behind them. It was an echo of the castle's former glory, bereft of the sounds of everyday life, no courtesans or servants to be found, not even their ghosts lingered in this forsaken place.

The princess shivered, finding it too quiet, messing with her childhood memories of how full of life the palace had once been. Rufus and Arngrim were besides her, the only other living souls to be found in these hallowed walls, making her creep closer to them, desperate for their warmth and vitality. Rufus felt her eyes on him, and turned to smile at her, a reassuring look in his eyes.

"It's too quiet." Arngrim's voice said, sounding startling loud to her ears.

"Yes..." She agreed softly. "It is."

"What do you expect?" asked Rufus. "This place is a veritable ghost town. Only rats and memories are left."

"No listen...even the sounds of nature have quieted..." Arngrim was cocking his head, looking around. "Don't you find that strange?"

Alicia stopped, just listening to the silence. Even the wind had quieted it's voice, the animals of the forest surrounding Dipan oddly silent, and the crickets had stopped their nightly chirping. "Something's wrong."

"I think you're just imagining it..." Rufus said, unnerved.

Arngrim was drawing his heavy blade from across his shoulder, eyes scouting about the room. Seeing that, Alicia mimicked him, unsheathing the sword at her hip. Rufus let out an impatient sigh, cocking back the string of his bow, an arrow already notched into place. They inched closer, positioning themselves so that their backs lay to each other, each eyeing a different part of the room.

Nothing happened, and Rufus let out a nervous chuckle. "See? Nothing there..."

"You're wrong..." Arngrim growled, and he suddenly broke formation, rushing forward to swing his weapon at an empty spot near the window. "What are you doing?!" gasped Rufus as the air shimmered, and a black blur leapt out of the way of the beserker's blade. He watched as that blur bounced off the walls, leaping higher and higher into the air, until at last it came to a stop on the balcony over looking the room they were in.

"So the princess of Dipan returns..." It was man dressed in flowing black robes, a hood half obscuring his face. The yellow of his eyes glinted in the dim light of the room, his head lowering to stare down at the three companions. "No..." He hissed. "It is the Valkyrie I see before me..."

A sound was heard, and Alicia turned her head, spotting an older looking man crouched on a decorative gargoyle. "Walther! Gyne!" She gasped, narrowing her eyes, hatred in them. It was their fault Dallas had become a ghoul, Walther forcing the powder on her friend.

"So Dallas was correct." mused Gyne out loud. "The Valkyrie is here, and she sought out our secrets."

"So much for leaving out the back way..." muttered Rufus. He let his arrow fly at Walther, and the demon moved, blindingly fast. Gyne was also on the move, dropping down to the floor, knees bent. He lifted his head, neck bent at an awkward angle, the throbbing veins of the ghoul powder shown clearly on his face. "You shouldn't have come here Silmeria."

"I'm not Silmeria." retorted Alicia, gripping her sword in both hands.

"Dallas told us you would say that." It was Walther who spoke this time.

"What do you want?" She demanded.

"Revenge..." hissed the two sorcerers, and they began casting their spells.

"Don't let them finish!" cried out Arngrim alarmed, and he hurtled towards Gyne, swinging wildly. Gyne bit back a curse, hopping back from the blade. Rufus was turning, tracking Walther. This time his arrow flew true, slamming into the sorcerer's throat. The demon let out a strangled sound, his vocal cords severed, his magic being rendered null and void as he fell down dead to the floor.

"One down, and one to go!" cheered Rufus, and heard Alicia gasp behind him.

"Think again!" said a third voice, young and familiar, and oh so angry. The half elf whirled, seeing Dallas with his hands on Alicia. He gripped her around the waist, pulling her towards him in a tight embrace. But it was hardly loving, his face twisted in a snarl as he fought with her, squeezing her wrist so that she dropped hold of her sword.

"What are you doing?!" demanded Rufus, placing another arrow against his bow.

Dallas gave a herd jerk on Alicia's body, positioning her petite form so that she made a human shield for him. He smirked at the half elf, flashing yellowed teeth at him. "Would you shoot me and risk harming her?" He saw Rufus' frustration, and smiled all the wider. "I thought not..Alicia..." He whispered her name, letting go of her wrist. "Why does the ghoul powder not run it's full course in you?" He stroked her hand, almost gentle as he touched her fingers. "Is that the ring of Mylinn I see on your finger?"

"Let her go!" Rufus cried out helplessly, and in the background Arngrim slashed at Gyne, his constant attacks giving the mage little time to cast his magic. Dallas ignored the green haired elf's order, stroking the glittering jewel of the ring. His eyes narrowed as he stared at it, and his fingers tightened around the ring. Alicia let out a gasp as he began cruelly twisting the ring, sliding Mylinn off of her bit by bit.

"STOP!" She ordered, thrashing about in his arms. "If you do that I'll..."

"You'll what?" whispered Dallas, seeming fascinated by her ring. "Become one of us?" He smiled, liking the idea very much indeed.

"No!" cried Alicia, trying to stamp on his toes. With one last pull, the ring came free of her hand, and she let out a wild scream, writhing in his arms. "Alicia!' Rufus cried, running forward as Dallas rudely shoved her to the floor. She landed on her hands and knees, gagging on the bile in her throat as her body was racked with pain. "Dallas please...give it back to me..." She begged around tears.

He merely laughed, holding up the ring so that it reflected the torch light. "It is the ring of Mylinn!" He was triumphant in his discovery. "Do you know the power it holds?" He flashed a disdainful look at the crying princess. "Of course you don't...such a treasure is wasted on you!" He tightened his fist around the ring, not noticing as Rufus picked up Alicia's sword.

With a wild yell, Rufus charged forward, clumsily attempting to stab the blade into Dallas. The mage laughed. "You should stick to weapons you know, elfling!"

Alicia screamed in pain, clawing at her face, fearful of the throbbing she felt in her cheeks. Tears escaped her eyes, leaving wet tracks down her skin, and she rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. All the while her mouth was open, one loud wail after another coming from her. Arngrim risked a glance in her direction, worry on his face. "Poison Blow!" Gyne shouted, taking advantage of Arngrim's distraction.

The beserker drew up his sword, blocking the spell. It swirled up and down the length of his blade, coating it with a dripping green poison. Arngrim eyed his blade with disgust, swinging it at Gyne. It bit into his side, shooting out spurts of blood, the green poison getting into the cut. Gyne screamed, and leapt upwards into the sky, retreating for the moment.

Rufus was still hacking away at Dallas, desperately trying to hit him. "Let go of the ring and I'll show mercy on you!" He said, lying through his teeth. Dallas merely laughed, finding the elf's words funny. Suddenly he gasped, and gazed down at his hand, seeing it on the floor. His wrist shot out a flood of blood, and he howled, his other hand grabbing at the gaping wound, trying to staunch the gushing blood.

Rufus straightened, looking up in surprised, seeing Arngrim grinning at him. "Thanks." He said, watching as the warrior nodded at him. In the background Dallas let out a curse, leaping away to join Gyne in his retreat. The elf reached for the dismembered hand, nose wrinkling in distaste as he freed the ring from it's grasp. "Hang on Alicia!" He ran to her side, dropping down to his knees. No time for niceties, he grabbed her hand, shoving Mylinn back on her finger.

Instantly she stopped her painful writhing, the screams dying down to breathy pants of air. Slowly her eyes fluttered open, and Rufus bit back a gasp. Her eyes had turned golden, one step closer to the sickly pale yellow of those infected by the ghoul powder. He cautiously raised her up in his arms, praying her mind was still intact. "Rufus..." She said weakly, lifting a hand to his face. He sighed at her caressing fingers, and asked, "How do you feel?"

"Horrible..." Her hands went to her own face, desperately feeling, relieved when she did not find any veins protruding on her skin. "We have to get the flower...I can't risk having the ring taken off me one more time..." She shuddered. "I'm too close to being fully transformed."

"Don't worry..." He squeezed her shoulders, a half hug. "We'll get it, and everything will be fine."

Arngrim was off to one side, toeing at the remains of Walther. The mage's face had gone back to normal, his staring eyes losing their yellow sheen. "It seems in death at least, he regained his humanity." He looked down with pity at the sorcerer. He turned to look at Alicia. "Can you walk?"

"I...I don't know...I think so..." She went to stand, shakily needing Rufus' support. Arngrim picked up her pack, slinging it over his shoulder. "Let us leave this foul place at once."

"Yes." agreed the princess, guided forward by Rufus' hands. She stifled back a shiver, wondering if only she had heard Dallas last whisper. Until next time Valkyrie...

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The sound of water splashing filled Brahms' ear, as he made his way slowly through the muck and mire of the swamp. He was careful to skirt around the water's edge, keeping an eye out for predators, knowing some of the larger ones would not hesitate to take a bite out of his flesh. Although they would find this vampire to be less than a docile meal should they dare.

Besides. He thought with a wry twisting of his lips. We taste terrible.

Brahms had been wandering for days, aimless and without purpose. He knew he should make haste and return to his castle, yet he hesitated. He no longer wanted to return to his meaningless existence as the bloodthirsty ruler of the vampires. Time with Silmeria had changed him, made him aware of the things missing from his half life.

Silmeria. He thought wistfully, mourning the possibilities that had been lost with her passing.
His thoughts turned to the Valkyrie's human host, and he wondered if he should go back. He had a lingering connection to the girl and her companions, their many battles together forming a strong bond between them. He had felt alive when among the mortals, his blood boiling with excitement at the danger they had found themselves in. He had almost felt like a trusted comrade, but that illusion had been shattered with Alicia's accusations.

Brahms sighed. It would seem trust between humans and vampires simply wasn't meant to exist. But she's not human now. The thought whispered through his mind. The ghoul powder brings her closer and closer to being one of your own kind. He didn't want that, didn't want to see that sweet human girl be lost to the ravages of the powder, didn't want to see her become an undead fiend. I pray you find what you are searching for Alicia.

His lips quirked, his dry sense of humor making him want to laugh. Since when did he pray? Not for anyone, not even himself! And yet for her, he spared a prayer, perhaps a worthless gesture from one as damned as he. He sighed, rubbing at his face. His sharp ears picked up sound from behind him, and his fangs flashed as he slowly smiled, a cruel look in his eyes. So... He thought, listening as a heavy weight settled in the tree behind him. The hunt is on.

He walked a few more steps to be sure, tracking the movement behind him, hearing as his pursuer leaped from tree branch to tree branch. Stalking him through the swamp, quietly studying him. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled from the intense concentration he felt fixated on his body, and finally he broke the silence, unable to take it any longer. "I know you're there."

He heard the sound of metal behind him, the scrape of a sword being drawn. The unknown pursuer dropped down from their perch in the tree, feet landing hard in the soft, mushy ground of the swamp. Brahms was whirling around, bringing up his hands, his deadly claws slashing forward. His nails scrapped across a hastily brought up blade, his would be assailant parrying his attack.

Brahms opened his mouth to let out a taunt, and paused, his eyes widening as he took in the warrior before him. "Le...Lenneth?" He said in shock, wondering how she had escaped the mad wizard's clutches. But then his shocked eyes hardened, and he gave a shake of his head. No...this was not the woman he had traveled with.

"How do you know my name?" The young Goddess before him demanded, her sword arm paused in surprise.

"Who hasn't heard of the fabled battle maiden Valkyrie?" He gave a slight bow, being careful to keep his eyes on the girl. "That still doesn't explain how you know my name." She told him.

"I know many things...know of many people...does it really matter?" He wondered how she'd react to hear he had been friends with her younger sister.

"I suppose not." Lenneth agreed, giving a slight shrug of the shoulders. "You are the Vampire Lord Brahms, are you not?"

"That I am." He smirked. "And I suppose you have been sent by Freya?" His laughter was mocking as he spoke the next. "I expected the armies of the Aesir to come down on my head, not for them to send a mere slip of a girl after me."

"I am no girl." She scowled, gripping the handle of her sword tighter.

"Forgive me my lady...I was deceived by your apparent youth." Again that slight bow, stiff and formal. "What is your charge?"

"To bring you and the Dragon Orb back to Valhalla." answered Lenneth. "I don't suppose you would come along quietly?" Brahms laughed in response. "I thought as much." She was thrusting her sword forward, unsurprised when he blocked the blow. "Where is the Dragon Orb?" She demanded, sword sweeping low towards his stomach. He caught at her blade with his bare hand, his muscles rippling as he slowed her forward momentum, the tip of her sword grazing his belly.

"I haven't the slightest idea of what you are talking about." Brahms replied, straining to keep her from splitting him open.

"Lies!" He shoved her away from him, Lenneth's feet stumbling as she caught herself. "You were last seen in the vicinity of the treasure. You seek to hide it...why?!" She was advancing on him once again, looking for another opening. "What could you hope to gain by hiding it?!"

"What is the God's interest in Midgard's treasure?" He countered, slashing his claws across her armored front. He was being careful not to hurt the young Valkyrie, memories of her future self making him weaken to his attacker.

She hesitated on her words, bringing her sword up over her head. "We need it..." Down came her sword, and his arms crossed over his head, the gauntlets on his wrist blocking the blade. "That is all you need to know!" Showers of sparks kicked up as metal grinded on metal, and Brahms brought up his foot, kicking her away from him.

"Ooof...!" The air was knocked out of her, the Valkyrie falling back, seemingly not as skilled as her older counterpart. She slid to one knee, twisting her body, and screamed, a wordless challenge full of rage. Brahms jumped backwards, feeling the passage of air her swing brought up. "We need not fight." He told her.

"Ha!" She swung at his neck, hoping to cleave his head clean off. I'm sure Freya would not object if I brought him back in small pieces. She gasped as he disappeared before her.

"In fact..." His arms wound around her, hugging her from behind in an embrace of iron strength. Lenneth struggled, trying to break free as his lips brushed against her ear. "I think we could help each other."

"I'd never help a vampire!" Lenneth hissed, not seeing as his lips spread into a smile.

"Given enough time anything is possible..."

"Never!" She roared, and slammed her head back into his. His arms loosened around her, and she broke free, whirling around, sword pointed at him once again. Her eyes were wary as she watched him, having learned caution when approaching him.

"Your sisters felt the same way..." He smirked. "At first." He watched as Lenneth's eyes widen in shock for one brief moment. "What do you know of my sisters?" She asked.

"I knew them well...both of them." replied Brahms. "They were remarkable women...especially the youngest, Silmeria."

"Knew?" She questioned his use of the past tense.

"Didn't Freya tell you?" He let out a laugh, but it was lacking any joy to it. "Of course not...that would not be expedient."

"What are you getting at?" demanded Lenneth.

"I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but your sisters are no more!" He watched as her face became troubled, and the blue of her eyes blazed. "You lie!" The thrust of her sword was at his chest, seeking the heart he did not have. Brahms stepped to the side, body twisting to avoid her blade. "Do I now? Can you not sense the sincerity of my words?!"

"A vampire, sincere?!" She laughed mockingly.

"An alien concept, but it has been known to happen." He retorted, using his claws to thrust aside her sword.

"They're really dead?" Her voice sounded uncertain, and she watched as Brahms nodded his head. Anger shown in her eyes. "Then you killed them!" She was swinging down, and began a frantic attack of him, sword constantly on the move, forcing him to parry blow after blow. Scratches appeared on his arms and chest, bloody welts that sent rivulets of red leaking down his skin.

"It was not I who ended their existence!" He shouted, weaving to the left and the right, desperate to avoid her rage fueled swings. "You should ask yourself why Freya keeps such a thing from you!"

"My duty comes before anything else!" snapped Lenneth. "If Freya chose to keep me in the dark, it was so that my personal feelings did not interfere with my appointed tasks!"

"No!" snarled Brahms. "She kept quiet because she did not want you to know the truth of what has gone on!"

"And I suppose you would be the one to enlighten me?!" She gasped as he grabbed her wrist, his body twisting as he tugged. She went flying as he pulled her over his shoulder, slamming her into the ground. Her sword slid some feet away from her, and his foot was placed against the hollow of her throat. Lenneth glared up at Brahms, staring at him defiantly.

"I...just want you to know the truth." Brahms wondered what he was doing. Why should he care what this girl knew. But thoughts of who she would become filled his mind, pity for her ultimate fate causing him to show her a modicum of compassion.

"Fine then...you've done your duty. My sisters are dead. Is there anything else?" She grabbed at his ankle, and he pressed down harder on her windpipe.

"Odin is dead too." Brahms saw a brief flicker of interest in her eyes.

"I don't believe that!"

"I witnessed..." He trailed off, trying to make sense of his words. "I've met his murderer, faced him on the battlefield." She was watching him with keen interest. "You know where this miscreant is?"

"Yes."

"Then...take me to him and I shall spare you, your life." Brahms had to smile at that.

"I think you forget who is at the bottom of who's heel." He told her.

"Not for long." She was shifting, kicking out with her legs, knocking his other foot out from underneath him. He slammed ass first into the mud, even as she rolled to her knees, the white of her dress no longer pristine, but brown with mud. She went scrambling for her sword, fingers clasping around the handle, even as she pushed up to her feet. Lenneth whirled around, taking a half hearted swipe at him. He jumped back, seeing a line of blood spread across his chest. "You were saying?" She arched an eye brow at him.

"It seems I misjudge you." He fingered his chest, blood on his hand.

"Many people do." She seem pleased with that, glad at the deception her slender frame offered. "Now...I believe we were talking about Odin's murderer." She kept her sword trained on him. "Where does he reside?"

"I can tell you where he is, but it won't do you much good." sighed Brahms. "Not without some means to travel there."

"Would a shard of the water mirror be enough?" Lenneth asked, surprising him.

"You have a piece?" He blinked, mind thinking furiously. "Yes...then it could be possible..." She was reaching into her armor, pulling a thin sliver out of her breastplate. It was no bigger than her finger, looking much too small in the palm of her hand. "Can such a piece really hold enough power to travel anywhere?" He wondered out loud.

"We will find out, won't we." answered Lenneth, tossing the sliver towards him.

"We?" He questioned, catching the shard in his hands. "I am to accompany you?"

"How foolish do you think I am?" demanded the young Valkyrie. "I would not go traveling off to an unknown realm just on your say so. I would bring you with me as insurance." She smirked. "Have care to remember that as you activate the shard."

He frowned. "I would not steer you false."

"That remains to be seen." Lenneth told him, sheathing her sword. "Now! Concentrate on the mirror, let your memories guide it in the creation of the pathway."

He hesitated, clenching his fist around the small piece. "There is something else you need to know..."

"You can tell me after we get there." She said dismissively.

Little fool! He thought, shrugging his shoulders. He began thinking of Lezard's world, thinking of the second world tree and it's many twisting pathways. His fist glowed, white light seeping through the cracks in his fingers, shining bright and intense. It blazed hot in his hand, stealing the location from his mind, and with a cry Brahms turned, tossing the shard away from him.

It hit the ground, laying atop a mud puddle. Light radiated upwards, spreading out in a v shape pattern. It formed a portal, and in it they could see a dark forest, crawling with monsters. "Are you prepared to fight?" asked Lenneth, reluctantly taking hold of his hand. Brahms turned, surprised at the touch. "Yes..." He stifled a smile, thinking it would be like old times.

"Then let us be off..." She was running forward, dragging him along by his hand. Brahms tensed his body, preparing for the jump through the portal. He got the shock of his life as he bounced off of it, feeling a twinge of pain rack throughout his body. Lenneth's hand slipped free of his, and he made a desperate grab for it, claws slashing against a forcefield.

With widening eyes, he stared into the portal, watching as she landed on the other side. He saw her whirl around, eyes frantic, lips parting in an angry shout. Lenneth came forward, one hand hovering over the handle of her sword, the other reaching out to him. A crackle of electricity shot into her hand when she touched the portal, and Brahms watched as she let out a silent cry.

Betrayed blue eyes stared at him, and she cautiously poked the tip of her sword at the portal's surface. It came up against the same forcefield the vampire had discovered, effectively trapping her in Lezard's world. "No!" He read her lips, watching as she frantically began banging the flat of her blade against the wall. Brahms watched helplessly, realizing he had in effect delivered her all but giftwrapped to the wizard.

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