Anne Ellis Xile

[Officer of the Law]

Annakey listened to the tape again and again. Finally she stood up and knocked on her superior’s office. "Officer Scarlett?"

"Come in Miss. Rainsayer."

As she walked in Annakey threw the tape to Scarlett. "We've got our evidence officer."

Curiously the man pressed play on the tape. He heard two women speaking, one was interrogating, the other making a confession.

~~~

"Did you not say that my honor was worth nothing? Didn’t you lie, cheat, steal, plunder, pirate, and murder? Didn’t you ransack villages? Didn’t you break the law in every way possible? You took Donatien from me! You took my friends from me! You almost ruined the House of Montargue! Your filth spreads across the lives of countless people. I will not have you destroying everything in your way. I will not let you continue. You are to be punished for the wrongs that you committed.”

“Your honor is worth nothing Nadine.” Anne spat the words like filth. Her temper was overcoming her fear. “Yes! I did it all! I lied to people, I cheated, and I stole from cargo ships and the rich who trespassed onto the ocean! I plundered, I pirated, for so help me god I AM A PIRATE! That was my job! I was forced into a life of pillaging, and it became a part of me! I did try and get back at you, I did plot against you and even your House. But I did NOT take Donatien from you. You did that yourself. I have repented of my wrongs, I am changing my ways!”

“You said that you are a pirate, how can you repent of something that you remain!”

~~~

"I found this tape on my desk sir, along with three testimonies. Two were from policemen that live in France where she was interrogated, the other was from a local businessman. He said that she had threatened his life many times and stole from him repeatedly. I also took this tape to four people who know Miss. Xile. Rickie Baltar, Skyler CJ, Hubie, and Mrs. Soratin."

"What is the significance of these individuals Miss. Rainsayer?"

"Rickie Baltar was a friend of Anne, he gave her lodging for a week when she quit her job. Skyler CJ is another of Miss. Xile's associates, he is also pressing charges against her. He claims that she stole money from him. Hubie is the bartender at the Dueling arena, he has let Miss. Xile work with him and served her on occasion. Mrs. Soratin was the wife of Nathaniel Soratin, Anne delivered news of Nathaniel’s death to her."

"Seems you've done quite well Miss. Rainsayer. I'm placing you in charge for the remainder of the investigation."

[Officer of the Law]

Annakey sat at her desk reading over the notice. The evidence had been in her hands for several days. As a precaution, in case Anne escaped the French jail. Now, she had no need for such evidence. Miss. Xile was pronounced dead. The official documentation was in her hands. Sent over from France. Closing the file Annakey looked around. "I probably should inform the Baroness. She would like to know."

[Vinny]

Vincent sat down in a chair next to Anne. "How'd I find you? It was easy enough. You've spent so much time around me that I was able to attune to your thoughts and use them as a homing beacon, more or less. Although I have no idea how you ended up in that desert, you're lucky I was looking for you. Another minute and you'd have been dead. Right now, you're back at Algol Siento."

He gazed at her for a minute, not saying a word. "You look like crap. If you'd like, I'll do what I can to fix you up before we get around to...more interesting discussions."

[Anne]

Forcing a small light laugh Anne thought about her appearance. Yeah, she probably did look like crap. The smile didn't last long as she sunk under the covers. Anne felt like everything inside of her was going to burst. She ran through everything in her mind, the whole experience coming back to her. Donatien, Nadine, Black...the torture, the twins, and the desert. Rubbing her hands up and down her arms Anne nodded. "Yeah...just...you should probably know.... if you don't all ready that is...I'm" Anne swallowed whatever was threatening to come up. The last word was mumbled softly. "Pregnant."

She turned her head away. Was it shame? Fear? Anne didn't know. A part of her wanted to be held. She wanted all of the nightmares to go away. Another part of her was scared, what would happen next? What were going to be the more interesting discussions?

Slowly she looked up at him.

---

Vincent merely nodded and began working on her. He muttered something about it taking a few days. While watching him work Anne realized his patience was going to run thin.

"Never mind, you can work on me after we talk. What is that you wanted to know?"

Sitting back Vincent looked at her carefully. "Did you defile the Temple Hospice?"

Her mouth dropped as she searched for words of defense. Meekly Anne whispered. "No, of course not...when did this happen?"

"About two weeks ago."

Anne's expression hardened. "Two weeks ago I was in France after being kidnapped. It would be impossible for me to commit such a crime. What makes you think I would do such a thing?!"

His face was skeptical as she made her defense. "Because, the Temple has been a target for many people. Since joining the Temple I have changed. You may have lashed out."

Anne looked in him straight in the eyes, trying to get into his head. Although she was unsuccessful Vincent took the opportunity to read her mind. He was all about results right now so he decided to search her mind. While he checked her memory Anne saw something in him. She saw two people, the Vincent he was right now and the Vincent she had met. The one that was searching her memory didn't care past finding the truth about her. The one that did had no control of what was happening.

After satisfying himself Vincent stated that she was clear to go. He also asked if she wished to be healed and stay in Algol Siento.

"Frankly, I'd rather go back to RhyDin." He didn't show if he noticed the curtness of her tone.

---

After leaving the hotel without her escort Anne noticed some disturbing things. First of all, she could not defend herself. Two, people avoided her. Three, she was a wanted criminal. After some investigation she discovered there were various charges laid on her. Most had to do with her pirating days. Rickie no longer spoke to her, the old restaurant she used to work at wouldn't let her enter, and Lord only knew how Azjah felt. Especially if she had found out about her connections with Raavich.

The despair was overwhelming and she felt abandoned. Anne went to the Death Mage, which to her dismay was in poor condition. However she cleaned up the cargo hold and lived there for a while. Eating what reserves she had stored. Over the period of a couple days Anne discovered just how quickly her pregnancy was developing. She had gone from six to eight months since being rescued by Vincent. Four days after arriving in RhyDin Anne was forced to go shopping for food. It was then she met up with the guards and had to run to the arena for cover.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

Altara was worn out, and so I offered to help give her a break by calling her shift. As I was doing so, Anne appeared suddenly, shoving in the doors, and then wretching violently. Rhaine reached her quickly, and I could see Anne shake her head vehemently, but I could not hear their discussion.

Anne was clearly pregnant, and this came as a shock, as did her appearance. She and Rhaine sat down, but I could tell Anne was ill at ease, and she kept looking at the door, and flickering quick glances in my direction. Finally she face me, “A…..Azjah?”

I had a break in my calling and I hopped up to hug her. “They told me you were dead, in France!” It seems Arch Mage Vincent had found her, and taken her to Ether Algol, but she still looked bad.

Rhaine was trying to get her out of the Arena, but Anne was not cooperating, and then it happened, the guardswoman slammed through the Arena doors. “Miss Xile, you are under arrest for thievery, smuggling, piracy and murder.”

Anne gave Rhaine a sad smile, “I’ll be seeing you later apparently.”

She looked at me as Annakey read her her rights, and then handcuffed Anne right in the middle of the Arena. As the guard pushed Anne toward the door, Anne gave me a long look, and I was immediately on the phone to my investigation team. I wanted Anne bailed out, and in proper care while we planned for her defense.

Later, Rhaine came over to speak with me, “I just hate them,” she said with more feeling than I’ve seen from the vampiress.

“As do I, we will get her out.” I tried to be reassuring, but who knows whether or not they will allow her to be bailed out, even with my influence.

I wait now to hear whether we will be allowed to bail bond her, and the evening passes with incredible slowness.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

I'd made good on my promise to Annakey to be at the prison the next morning. Three of the attorneys were with me as we were shown to Anne's cell. It was a small cell with a bare light bulb, and very little privacy even for the washroom. She looked horrible, and as she sat up and looked at me, then back at the ceiling.

I looked at her a moment, "I told the guardswoman to tell you I don't take no for an answer. Did you expect me to let you sit here and rot?"

Her expression never changed, "Yes."

"Sorry, until I hear it from your mouth, I'm not about to do that." I told her.

She turned around with some difficulty in her advanced pregnant state. "Alright, you will let me sit here and rot, you will not participate in the trial, and you would do so much better to forget about me." She held an eerie calm about her.

I glanced at the guard, "I want a private room where we can discuss her defense. You are not entitled to listen, and I will have the room swept for listening devices." I turned back to Anne, "Sorry, that's not good enough, We're going to talk about this, and if you feel that way after we've gone through the details, I will walk away, but not before."

The guard looked at me and told me we could talk in her cell, but I insisted on having our rights to privacy with counsel. He frowned and mumbled before opening the cell and leading Anne to a secure room on the level above ground. "One knock if you need help, two knocks when you are ready to leave." With that, he left us locked in with Anne, and a specialist in my team swept the room for listening devices.

"What on earth has happened?" Those were my first words as I sat across from Anne and really got a good look at her for the first time since she'd come back.

'A lot' was all she said.

"I'd call that an understatement. You are still sick?" It was obvious she was, but I had no idea what the source was.

She gave me an emotionless stare,"Yes, Let me make this clear Azjah, I don't want pity, I don't want help, and I certainly don't deserve either from you."

I gave her my best, cold blue eyed stare, "Anne, let me make this equally clear. You mean a lot to me. I don't know what you've done in your past, but I know what you've done since you came to work for me, and that means you have my support for as long as you need it, or want it. There are rumors in abundance, some of them I believe, some of them I do not, but I don't leave my friends and employees hung out to dry."

"I suggest you change your ethics Azjah, at least concerning me. What rumors?" At last I had her interest.

"Why? Because you think my providing assistance will sully my reputation? Tell me why you don't want my support Anne. Then I'll tell you the rumors and some of the charges I've heard." I had to keep her focus.

"Providing assistance will do more than sully your reputation, it will ruin it. I don't want your support because I don't deserve it. I've done..... some questionable things. Some of which have directly affected you. And, will probably remain with you for a long, long time."

I shuddered as a beetle crawled from beneath her skin, "My reputation will survive worse assaults. Most of those my own doing. Did you participate in Klinton's abduction?" I think the only thing I could never forgive her for was if she'd had anything to do with the abduction and maiming of Klinton.

"No." Her gaze met mine in honesty, and I believed her. There was no falsehood in her denial. There was pain, but not a lie.

I nodded, "Good, Klinton can't remember a thing from that night, and the rumors have it that you were/are associated with the Saar'Tzee."

She looked away, "I was."

I went very, very still. "When?"

She shifted slightly, "Since I arrived in RhyDin till shortly before I became employeed with you. Like you said, I made a living beating security systems."

"I knew that Anne, that's why I hired you. You severed your ties before coming to work for me?" If I had missed this connection when I'd had her background checked, I would be in serious doubt of my skills.

"Most of them. I kept some, but they provided useless. Raavich found out about them and, that is partly why I would prefer you did not become involved." She shuddered while she spoke. "I never agreed with the torture he put people through, but if you were obedient he paid well. I left him when he asked me to torture someone who had crossed the line. What he asked me to do was.... unthinkable. I knew exactly what you were walking into. And I did nothing."

I had to take several deep breaths without looking at her. "You knew he was going to kidnap Klinton?"

"No, but I knew.... of his tactics."

I opened my eyes and looked at her in an unblinking stare. "Anne, hear me and hear me well. I knew Raavich's methods. It's why I warned you before the delivery through his territory. I do not blame you for what happened as long as you didn't know he was targeting Klinton."

She nodded and then looked down. "Did he... when you were there..... did he use that closet?"

I closed my eyes tightly as the memories flooded through my mind in clarity that I do not believe will ever go away. "Yes, well.... his minions did."

She looked away, "I'm sorry, you have enough problems without worrying about me. I'll be fine."

I continued to study her, "Anne, we are home, we will survive our ordeals. You are the one in danger of losing your life to a lynch mob that wants you dead."

"Frankly, Azjah, I wouldn't mind being dead right now." She had been sick in the corner, and this was not a normal sickness, this had the stink of sorcery. "More like necromancy" she corrected me. "If you cut me open, everything below the skin level would be rotted out, like a corpse."

I shuddered. "We need to get you out of here pending your trial."

We managed to get Anne bailed out, and I stand as guarantor that she will not flee. She cannot be seen in the company of known criminals, she cannot carry weapons, and she cannot leave the city limits, but at least she is out of that hell hole, and now we have to hope that someone can undo the vile changes that have been wrought by the woman known as Nadine.

[Rhaine]

I have never assisted in giving birth, only had my share of theory, but intuition of a life mage was more than enough. Blocking Anne's pain, I worked and scanned her. The twins developed too fast. Way too fast. And they appeared to be bound to the spell that worked its way into Anne.

I cussed quietly, looking at the spell. The twins were my least concern, I created two stasis cocoons - exactly like the ones I used to keep my earlier experiments in stasis - and placed them there. It was time to work at the spell that some ass-handed-brainless-son-of-a.... !!! applied to Anne. With a slight touch to the back of her neck, and gentle spell applied smoothly, I made her drift off into deep sleep. I had to remove the disguise shell - it needed too much energy for upkeep, and the casting I was about to do, would need every bit of me.

I have done a reversal of undeath before - in the Temple of Asmodeus. But the situation was different. In the Temple it was a classic case of undeath, stable and hard to crash through. Piotr will never know how much I paid for the ability to return him to life - here it would be easier. The spell that harmed Anne was still active. Reverting it would take just skill - not extra power.

I weaved the spell complex, and pulled it over Anne. Pale cyan glow only my eyes could see, filtered into her. The complex worked exactly the way I have expected, and I could leave her here safely - in heavily warded rooms of Adventurer Guild.

Finishing work, I pulled on the disguise shell again. And walked out, making sure no one would enter.

[Anne]

Anne saw Rhaine discard her illusion just before fading out. So that was Rhaine. She would have fainted if Rhaine had not put her to sleep. When she awoke next Anne glanced at the twins. The girl was pitch black, like charcoal, wide-open green eyes looked at her. The boy was white, like an angel but with Blacks intense red eyes. She shuddered. Each of them had a part of black and it scared her. How was Anne supposed to raise two kids all by herself? She wasn't a mother, and she didn't have a mother since those pirates captured her. What was motherhood anyway? Anne knew patience was required and she didn't have any of that.

Carefully she stood up. Rhaine had done her job; she didn't feel like she was being rotted out from the inside. Pacing Anne thought about the trial. If she was found guilty it was going to be either life in prison or death. Anne would ask for the death sentence. Anne would beg to be thrown into Davey Jones Locker. A sentenced pirate would not suffer for anything less.

What if she won? She'd be on careful observation, probably unable to carry weapons of any sort. That was a danger in itself. Especially because of what her job required her to do. Which brought her to the next matter at hand. Azjah. How could Anne work for her anymore? Besides, Azjah had some issues to deal with of her own. For example, Klinton and her probably had a long way to recover still. And what about that drow fellow she was with? No, Azjah would not need Anne anymore.

Looking back at the little infants Anne sighed. They were in stasis but couldn't remain that way forever. She wasn't cruel but Anne would not be a suitable mother. Perhaps she could put them up for adoption? Place them in the Temple Orphanage? No, she wouldn't do that. The Temple...Anne remembered the Vinny from before he joined. Now he was different, or indifferent is more like it. He didn't care about what happened to Anne. He just wanted to Temple to progress. If Anne had ruined the hospice she would've been eliminated. Just like that.

Sitting down on the bed Anne looked around. This was Rhaine's domain. Rhaine wasn't a vampiress. That much was clear. Anne almost lost whatever food was left in her stomach. Rhaine was her friend; she would have to gain more control over herself. Yet Rhaine hadn't cared about the twins at all. If Anne wasn't a mother figure then Rhaine was anything but. Rhaine also had a lot more problems on her hands. She was involved with everything it seemed like. No, Anne would not be another problem for Rhaine to deal with.

What other friends did she have left to go to? Artemus...she could go to him. But did she know him well enough to go to for help? Then Anne realized why it would be impossible. After what Black had done to her...she couldn't, and wouldn't reach out to him. Being close to another male would just be torture.

Tears silently feel down Anne's cheeks. She truly could not impose on any of her friends. Wiping away the wet streaks Anne looked at her children with resolve. She would raise them alone, on a ship, just like she'd planned. There were always sailors or pirates looking for a new assignment. Spruce up the Death Mage, make a few adjustments and Anne could sail out. There would be a minimal all female crew. That was that. If the trial didn't kill her she'd leave RhyDin. Once and for all.

[Rhaine]

Rhaine walked into the Adventurer Guild, whistling carelessly, when Anne was already awake. She looked at Anne, mist swirling over her eyes, scanning attentively.
"Well, looks like it's over with. I can remove stasis from your twins if you like."
Anne nodded. Vampiress gestured reluctantly, and brilliant crystal-like cocoons dissipated.
"Anne, I need to warn you. I had to put the kids into stasis for no small reason. Their metabolism is insanely accelerated, they are basically burning! I would really hope to investigate why and how this happened, and meanwhile keep them safe from burning out".

Anne paled but nodded. Vampiress sighed.
"I will try to slow them down, Anne. If that is in my power of course." The cocoons shimmered again.
"Do whatever you have to Rhaine," Anne said in a resigned voice. Rhaine nodded, and opened up the wards. The two cocoons disappeared - to take their place in the hidden lab, true domain of quasi-vampire

[Anne]

What Rhaine had said went through one ear and out the other. Anne was thinking about her plans; who did she want as a crew, how long to wait, when to take the kids, what supplies she would need and everything else.

The trial was that afternoon, she would have to leave and hope for the best. After briefly telling Rhaine her need to leave, Anne went about RhyDin. She didn't want to do anything right away, not until her sentence was passed.

With a firm resolve and a stone cold expression Anne headed for the Palazzo. The guards, including Lucien and his brother did not have the same amiable attitude towards Anne. Good. It would be easier to leave then. Dyson was also hesitant when she asked where Azjah was. Perfect. After meeting with Azjah she proceeded to the courthouse.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

Anne had come to the Palazzo, and she was deliberately distancing herself from both my staff, and myself.

I frowned as she departed, and then send for Eoin. We would be in that court room, along with the three attorney's I'd retained for her defense.

It was time.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

Anne's trial date had arrived. The prosecution had laid out all of the charges in elaborate detail. They had started with the petty theft charge Skyler had laid, and progressed through a litany of successively more serious offenses, up to and including murder. I had left the court room wondering if we had any hope of obtaining some sort of acquittal.

That evening I went to the Outback, and ran into Max. It had been ages since I'd seen him, and as I walked in, he was beseeching Rena to rub him. "Yeah, well, fine. I'm gonna go beg some other woman to rub me!" Max was saying as I took a table near the rings. Max 'flew' over toward me making air plane noises, and subsequently flopped down beside me. "Hey baby, wanna rub me? I'm old and need a massage."

Max, he has to be the most irreverent soul I've ever met. "Max, I'm old too. You want an old lady rubbing you? Hmmmn?"

He studied me up and down, "I might…. Altara's kinda old too."

About that time, Rhaine walked in, and I invited her to join me. Then, glancing back at Max, "There's another good reason NOT to rub you Max… I would not want Altara all ticked off at me."

"Ugh, I dunno how old she is, but it's older than me. She's all fat and stuff, what's she gonna do?"

I choked slightly, "you tell Altara she's all fat?"

Max never blinked, it didn't even phase him, "I point it out every once in a while."

We debated the fact that Altara's pregnancy was half his fault, and that he needed to be supportive right now, not taking off until after the twins are born! I told him that he had to be there for the birth, and to his query why, "because you were only there for the fun, now you have to be there for the pain."

Max muttered, "Yeah, you try that fun with someone with claws as sharp as Altara's! Kinda mixed the fun and pain all together."

I did choke on my scotch at that point, "I think I'll pass on someone with claws Max."

He waggled his brows at me, "Sure gets rid of clothes faster through."

I took a quick sip of the scotch, "hard on the clothes too, Max."

Max had just begun to regale me about babysitting for him when Klinton arrived. I asked Rhaine if she'd ever met him, and then rose to go and greet Klinton. We walked to the table, and as I said, "Perhaps he'll permit me to make introductions tonight," Max objected vociferously. "Woah, woah, woah … hang on. Since when do you need permission? I think he's become a bad influence on you. Dump him!"

Klinton flipped Max off, and I laughed, informing Max that I didn't think I would be doing that anytime soon. Then, introducing Rhaine to him, we sat down. I told Klinton that Rhaine had been to the Palazzo to see what she could do for Raevyx, and then I proceeded to tell them about the first day of Anne's trial. Rhaine listened attentively, "how did it go? Good for Anne? Or not so?"

I glanced at Klinton, and then Rhaine, "It was a rough day. Prosecutors laid out all of the charges. They're making a heck of a case. No holds barred at all. They want the death penalty."

Rhaine frowned, "human laws and courts, bah!"

I continued, "the way the prosecution laid it out, she's guilty of association with the Saar'Tzee - before she came to RhyDin." I could not help but look quickly at Klinton. He'd wondered if Anne might have had anything to do with his kidnapping. He was listening, and I could see that he was still uncomfortable with the topic. So am I.

Rhaine's next question broke my moment of reverie, "who in the 9 Hells are they?"

"Rhaine, she's been charged with everything from petty theft by Skyler, to murder! The Saar'Tzee are a group of rebels who are trying to over throw their government." I am still shocked at the amount of charges being leveled at her. Klinton grew restless, standing slowly, "I think I'm gonna go a few rounds, that alright with you?" His green gaze met mine, and I know how much talk of the Saar'Tzee still haunts him. I smiled up at him, "More practice? Enjoy my dear."

Rhaine nodded, "I see, any clue who were those who captured her and….. harmed?" Her voice had trailed off. Someone had done far more than 'simple' harm to Anne.

I shook my head, "no, she's pretty closed about it." As I spoke with Rhaine, Klinton rested his hand on my shoulder while he awaited a match.

Rhaine frowned, "what if these were the Saar'Tzee? And if there was a way to prove it?"

A cold shudder swept through me, "they are animals Rhaine, but Anne assures me she left Raavich before she came to RhyDin. She couldn't stomach his methods, but his methods are brutal, not magical."

She shrugged, "a mage can be hired. Your methods aren't vampire, but Gabriel and Lucien work for you." Her gaze shifted briefly toward Gabriel.

I shook my head, closing my eyes, "Raavich would rather beat, rape, mutilate than work with magic. There is very little magic where I am from." I smiled slightly, "There is a long story to the twins."

Rhaine's expression was dark. "well…. There's been a rape, that's for sure."

Closing my eyes tightly, fighting the images of Raavich's treatment of me, "yes, more than one."

Artemus growled at the mention of Anne's rape, "I find out who, I'll cut'em off."

Rhaine was furiously angry, "magic. Looks like I have to track that ass-handed-son-of-a…" She quickly covered her mouth with her hand, blushing, "sorry."

Klinton was still awaiting a ring call, and once more I felt the comforting warmth of his hand on my shoulder. A moral support for a discussion that is very difficult for both of us. I glanced up at him, holding his gaze as I said, "Raavich is dead Rhaine, but I do not believe it was he. The methods are all wrong."

She was frustrated too, "information, we lack information. So far all I hear are guesses and theories."

I looked once again at her, "what do you know about the Martargue family? She's very closed lipped about the reason she was in France to begin with." I reached up and covered Klinton's hand with my own.

Rhaine shrugged, "let's see… perhaps I can catch some of these Martargue's and make them talk?" Her grin was positively bloodthirsty, and my gaze shifted between Gabriel and Rhaine. "You and the twins have that same look when you're angry. I won't soft sell it, getting Anne acquitted is going to be very, very difficult. As for Skyler, I'm going to personally thrash that whelp."

Klinton kissed the top of my head as he headed into the ring, "wish me luck."

I let go of his hand, bidding him success as I told Rhaine about the bogus charges Skyler has laid against Anne. "Can you believe the first charge they brought was Skyler's for 4 lousy bucks? And I do not for a moment believe she took it from him."

Rhaine nodded, "I cannot believe this at all. Anne - and 4 bucks? With all that we brought back from our vacation?"

Skyler strode in about then, "you don't know Azjah! You weren't there," he crowed.

"I know Anne, and she denies all of the charges." Rhaine's smile should have chilled the blood of a fire elemental!

"She just reached into my pant pocket, leaving her hand in there much longer than necessary, and took it right out. That was my lunch money too." He whined.

Rhaine smirked, "Bullshit, Skyler."

Shaking my head at his nonsense, "Skyler, you are a trouble stirrer when ever you can, and you're doing it now."

"She said she needed it to pay her pimp," he continued.

"Another unbelievable bullshit Skyler." Rhaine reprimanded

I was furious, "Anne is no meretrix!"

Rhaine truly wanted to feed Skyler to Gabriel, and I had to smile inwardly. That would indeed have been sweet revenge.

Skyler's look grew crafty, "Anne's gonna hang, and there's nothing you can do about it. I may be persuaded to drop my charge of theft…if you're in the mood to be really, …. Generous toward me."

Turning a contemptuous gaze on Skyler, "I'll be generous, and keep you out of jail when you DROP your charges, that is as generous as I will be toward you!"

"Aha, there he goes. Blackmail or another idiotic case - what do you humans call this?" Rhaine had pounced on Skyler's attempt at subterfuge.

I glanced at Rhaine, "a frivolous lawsuit, and it will be dropped, if Skyler knows what's good for him."

Skyler glowered, "don't you threaten me, woman, I left out the charge that Anne tried to rape me. You're lucky I didn't bring that to light as well. Luckily I escaped her."

Rhaine was laughing until she had tears in her eyes, "Rape? YOU???"

Artemus chimed in, "can't rape the willing."

I looked coldly at Skyler, "I am not threatening you Skyler, I'm promising!"

When Klinton finished, I asked him if he wanted to eat, as he's headed for the food at the bar, or a chance to kick my derrière. He opted for the fight, sneaking a quick kiss as we entered the ring.

The conclusion of the fight I slipped an arm around his waist, "you are a very sweet man"

"Ya beat me babe," he said.

"You let me."

"Naw, I got too much pride for that."

I laughed, "well, maybe you need more practice." And then I wisely fled to the far side of the table.

He laughed back, "I've been working swords like crazy."

"Excellent," I said from the opposite side of the table, remaining safely out of reach. "Should I kick your butt tomorrow then?"

With a smile that spelled trouble, "sure, til then, I'm heading home. You coming soon?"

"I'll come now," and I slid the stilettos on as he took my hand. We slid out the door into the darkness with Gabriel right behind.

[Anne]

The red numbers stated it was 2:30 AM. Anne couldn't sleep, even though she knew it was necessary if she was going to live. But did she really want to win the trial? Standing up she wrapped the bathrobe around to add some extra warmth to the silk pajamas. Leaving in room silently Anne began to wander the grounds. There were guards everywhere, but she stayed well away. After pacing a while Anne sat down on a bench and looked up at the stars. She wished to see those stars from the deck of a ship, her ship.

The charges included theft, murder, and everything in between. She was accountable for all of it. The murder was complicated, a very interesting situation involving her, Black, Nathaniel and the victim. Closing her eyes Anne tried to force the memory back. Nadine and Black were a formidable team. Nadine had ruined her life, and many of those who she had considered friends were now enemies. Take Skyler for example, that insolent, self-absorbed wretch was charging her of stealing four bucks. She didn’t need his money; Rhaine and her had brought back more than enough from there little vacation. Besides, Azjah paid her a comfortable amount so theft wasn’t necessary. And then there was that notice of her raping him. Before she died Anne was going to give him a piece of her mind. Black, on the other hand, had totally different tactics. Physical abuse, torture, magic, and especially rape were his favorite ways to punish someone. There was a slight rustle of leaves behind her; Anne didn’t even bother to look back. It was either a guard or someone they trusted.

Azjah had tried to get her to talk about Black, and Nadine Montargue. Anne wouldn’t budge. There was a history with those two that couldn’t be repeated. Besides, nothing she told them about here captors would help in the case. It would be best to leave them out, especially for Donatien’s sake. Anne hated all of this, in a way she was getting much more then she deserved. Running from the law for ten plus years, it was bound to catch up with her. The twins were still a huge concern for her. The girl she had named Katharine, and the boy Christopher. If it did come to the death penalty, which it probably would, Anne would have to leave them to someone. Donatien couldn’t be reached, Azjah probably wouldn’t have the time and she was still very wary about the Temple orphanage. Rhaine cared for the children only because of Anne, and who knows what Artemus was up to. Well she’d have to figure something out eventually.

[Azjah von Drachen Walde]

The trial was going slowly. Each moment I spent in that court room seemed an eternity. The attorney's kept prodigious notes on what the prosecution was laying out, and tomorrow would begin testimony from the prosecution witnesses.

I was furious. Skyler was going to be one of the first to testify against Anne. That dubious young man was going to get on the witness stand and lie about Anne.

I will have Skyler charged with slander and perjury before this is over.

[Anne]

Anne had been wandering aimlessly for quite some time; they decided to break for recess and wouldn't resume till two days later. All this waiting would kill her. She was tired and a mess but headed to the arena anyway. Azjah seems to live there, like it’s her second home.

“How are you holding up?”

Anne ran a hand back through her messy hair and looked around before answering. “I wish I could just get my death sentence now instead of waiting through this endless legal jargon.”

“You don't know that it will result in a death sentence. Not yet.”

“I have no doubt your lawyers are exceptional, but my case is...” Anne didn’t want to succeed really, but she didn’t want to tell Azjah that. Settling on an empty chair near Azjah she waited for the obvious response.

“Your case is a challenge Anne, I won't lie to you there. But, we will do the very best we can. It sounds bad right now because they get to go first, but we get last say with the jury.” Giving in Anne admitted that she didn't think they could, and didn't even want, to fight the charges. “We can, and we will!”

Anne waited a moment, running through everything in her mind. “Azjah, if I was someone else, not your employee, not your friend, wouldn't you want to see me in jail, or dead?”

“If you were just anyone on the street, and you were guilty, I would want justice done. I still want justice done, but right now, I'm involved in seeing to it that you DO get justice.”

“Justice…” she forced a laugh, “justice is the death sentence for me.”

“Anne, you can't be so certain of that. There are mitigating circumstances.”

“Azjah, I could be the most god-fearing soul in RhyDin, it doesn't change what I've done or bring back lives.”

“Anne, are you so willing to give up your life? Leave behind your twins? Leave behind your friends?”

This was something she had considered only briefly, it was better not to think about such things. Standing up Anne gave a half-hearted answer, one she didn’t really believe. “It would make things a heck of a lot easier. The twins deserve a better mother, a better parental figure. My life will be torment after this trial. And my friends…” Anne went quiet, almost inaudible, “I don't deserve friends, and they are better off without me.”

She left after that not waiting to hear whatever response Azjah might have. The rest of the night she stayed at the guild, looking at the twins. It was hard, but Anne tried to become detached. When there is no pain, there is no suffering right?