{ b r e a t h e } // open

[Melisande Ardell]

M E L I S A N D E ;;

Mel had no idea how long she had walked, or how far. Her legs were little more then boney sticks, and yet they had carried her so far. Long ago her stomach had roared for food, but right now it was quiet. Perhaps it had accepted it would be hungry for a long time, or perhaps it had simply given up. Her lips often parted as if unconsciously seeking water, and her eyes searched the terrain weakly and wearily. They had become accustomed to night traveling very well, and before most people could spot her, Mel had already hidden.

She was on a quest. Alyia had only been a month when she was taken, but Mel was determined to find her. Her daughter would be... ten now. Old enough to let her back into her life gradually. Besides, Mel had to make sure she was okay, make sure her beloved child had been properly taken care of. And if she was a slave, like Melisande had been... well... Melisande fingered a small dagger in her pocket. It was dull to the point of being useless, but it was better then nothing. It would definitely be used if her dear Alyia was a slave.

Alyia was Melisande's only family, her daughter born out of wedlock. Mel had known Fredrick would either murder the child, or Mel, or more then likely both, so she kept her hidden and quiet. The other slaves had helped, and while she was grateful to Japor for giving her daughter to the Narnians for safety, she also resented him. Even if she couldn't have kept Alyia forever, Melisande intended to know the people she was going to. All she knew was she was in Narnia.

Mel didn't know how she was going to get there, but she would swim across just to get to her daughter. Having no family and suddenly gaining a new member had forced a rapid and strong attachment for Melisande. To have her child ripped away... It stung.

Come hell or high water, Melisande Ardell was going to Narnia.

On her back was a small pack with a tan dress inside and a canteen that had been finished long ago. There used to be some bread in there as well, but Mel had been on the road for a long time. Eventually she intended to find a place to work, preferably in Narnia. And if she wasn't hirable... she could sell something. Anything. She was used to unwanted physical attention from men, and if she got money from it...

Her drooping head look up suddenly at the sound of a voice on the road, and noises. Immediately Mel fled behind the closest tree, her thin body shaking from cold, anxiety, and unhappiness. She was so close... surely she couldn't be caught now!

[Captain Dagg'or Ardell]

Captain Ardell ;;

It felt odd.. being back here. Home... He looked around the vast roads and pathways along the banks an yet he still felt cold. The winter was not as horrid here as it was in Narnia but the memories he'd spent years burying inside where still there. Haunting his every step and every move he ever deemed to make. There was a churning,a twisting in his stomach telling him he should not be here for here every step he had taken towards greatness would inevitably crumble into nothing.

It still looked like home.. every valley.. every stream.. every single hill top. He remembered them all. He had not been himself as soon as he reached port. His men were well aware but kept their thought to themselves. After all no need to anger their already sadistic Captain. He sniffed the air and could feel at least a bit of warmth but no comfort came from the confines of this isle. The forsaken piece of rock and stone that had turned his world into ash and dust leaving nothing but the bitter taste of blood in his mouth.

When he closed his eye however he was still certain that he could hear the screams, smell the fire, see her face before everything went black. The living nightmares that forever haunted the man and all for what, slaves and a little piece of land that was worth nothing to anyone but a small family of four, but they were... no more.

Never being one for horses he walked along the path and then decided to stop. The men seemed hungry... no starving for some fun and they were between towns so he doubted they would find anything of interest in the woods. Never the less he knew restless men lead to mutiny and murder so better let them have some fun. Raising one hand in the air the order to stop the party was done. They stopped one by one by one, looking at each other and unsure of what to do. A smile or rather a mischievous grin graced his features as he slowly turned to address the group.

"This bag..." he began pulling out a small bag with some coins and gold and other things. "Goes to whoever can bring the biggest catch of the evening..." Slowly the group eyed the prize and Dagg'or could only smile and look at each of them. Traitors, the lot of them... of that he was sure. "Well... off with you and may the best man win?" Best man... he meant the most clever and ruthless for a times the biggest catch could be one of their own betraying the queen or even killing each other off to take their prize instead.

As the small party dissipated he found the cool shade of a nearby rock and sat on it. Eyes over looking the landscape as he scuffling of feet and the unsheathing of blades began to fill his ears with the noise of battle.

[Melisande Ardell]

M E L I S A N D E ;;

Melisande was still hiding behind the tree when a rumble of men came forward. The voices of one man lingered above the others, and immediately she knew he would be the leader, the captain. She dared not peek around the tree, for the slightest movement would cause her to be seen, but she was able to hear the voices, and strained to figure out what they were looking for.

This bag goes to whoever can bring the biggest catch of the evening... Well... off with you and may the best man win?

Melisande took this two ways- they were hunting for something to eat... or they were hunting for slaves. It wasn't uncommon in Telmar to have men looking for missing property, but it was rare to see a group of them together. Her heart started to race frantically as she heard the men lunge past her in the night, looking for the biggest capture to win the allusive prize. Some glints of metal became painfully obvious even under the moonlight, and this didn't help her theory of determining which group was which.

She tried to move her body around the tree, away from the men, but the moment she brushed away from one another one found her. He looked her over, frowned, then smiled and grabbed her wrist, yanking her out into the open. Melisande let out a soft gasp, and then started to use her fingernails to dig into the man's flesh. "How's this for biggest catch, Captain?" The man asked, ignoring the woman clawing at him and shoving her in the middle of the path before Dagg'or.

The moment he loosened his grip on her arm, Melisande started to run the other way, but the small fight had attracted attention, and every way she looked she found men peeking at her with confusion and interest.

She rose her head finally, cornered, and stared at Dagg'or with a rather intense look of loathing. She was grateful for the colored dress she had... 'borrowed' from a family by her home town, for it marked her as being at least not a slave. But her painfully skinny body, her look of hatred, fear, and uncertainty would mark her as something different.

The man was eying Dagg'or and his bag, but his hand had snaked around Melisande's arm again. Mel, her eyes wide and cold in the night, ignored him and focused on their leader. Her lips parted, as if to say something, but then closed shut again. Her doe-like eyes never seemed to shift from his figure on the rock, waiting for one of them to speak, or for a chance to run again. She certainly couldn't out run a grown man in his best shape, but she would try. Alyia was waiting.


ooc// Can you see how keen I am for this to start? She's already cornered. XD

[Captain Dagg'or Ardell]

Captain Ardell ;;

He could hear chuckles and he could almost feel their sense of fun and their vicious nature. Hence why he had chosen them specifically for this outing. They were the top of the crop the most heartless of the men he ranked over. Bloodthirsty scoundrels the lot of them which was what he was aware he would need to stay in Telmar and instill the fear of both Him and His wrath upon this land. Every telmarine would pay with their lives and their blood spilt on his now sheathed sword. But all in good time...

patience was a virtue he held quite close and dear to his heart. He had the patience of a saint but the temper of a demon from the fiery pits of Hades himself. His gaze continued off as his head rested on the boulder on his tired back. Stretching his arms forward he placed them behind his neck lacing his fingers together and raising a gaze to the skies. He remembered the days, back as a child when his mother would point out the stars to him and tell him the world was a good and solid place. Lies.... all bitter sweet lies...

He could still hear the scuffle of feet and movement throughout the forest. He wonder if they would take a while so he could actually take a nap. Not that he ever would.. he valued his neck more than any of the men he took with him. Just as his eye began to close and his world begin to fade a voice in the dark brought him back. Rolling his eyes he let out a breath and grumbled slightly about men who liked to look good for the Captain. "How's this for biggest catch, Captain?"

He lowered his gaze to the ground only catching a glimpse of feet and color. It seemed they had caught a girl. Not the best timing for her for he knew how his men where and what they had a tendency of liking. Pretty girls in the dark of night where no one could hear you scream. He only had once chance to even glance her way when she was running. A low chuckle escaped his lips... "Feisty..." He merely said followed by a soft roar of laughter in his ears.

She was surrounded... the men had heard the commotion since David was never one to keep quiet when he believed he had won anything and they had already begun to emerge from the dark of night. He could hear laughter... the cling of metal unsheathing... they wanted blood or something else. Possibly something to play with and what better than live bait to quench their thirst.

He could feels eyes on him and the prize he held daintily in his hand. "I believe it is for them to decide if this is the biggest catch... what say you?" he asked still not looking up as a glare seemed to bore into him. The men still laughed as he could hear them walking closer and reaching out to touch the helpless girl. A smile clear on his features as he looked from the road towards the prize and then back off again. When all was said and done he knew David would want his prize so after a few moments of letting him seethe slightly he tossed the bag over without a second glance.


ooc// duly noted.. LOL

[Melisande Ardell]

M E L I S A N D E ;;

Feisty.

All he had to say was feisty. Melisande soon realized the situation she was in, and started to squirm harder. She backed away from Dagg'or and into David, and then turned her fingernails onto him once more. It didn't take much for her to draw blood, and at that point David grabbed both of her hands and shoved her arms behind her back. Mel stiffled an outcry of pain at the sudden movement, as her fingers were distorted and twisted in strange ways before being allowed to settle.

I believe it is for them to decide if this is the biggest catch... what say you?

The men didn't seem to care. David let go of Melisande to catch his prize. He let his eyes flicker over her features once more, but he preferred to protect his gold then play with his prize. He left the circle, but as David left more came to take his place beside Melisande. Her eyes bored daggers into Dagg'or's head, but her gaze didn't remain there for long as the men started to swell up around her.

Instantly hands started to go at her, all over her frame. Some were more soft, uncertain, others were rough and violent and blood thirsty, and still more were simply desperate. Melisande started to try to push her way from the oncoming crowd, but everywhere she turned more men came at her until her hair was jerked backwards and she was unable to move. There came a sudden noise, Melisande lost a strap on her dress, but that was hardly audible above the anxious noise of the men. Her hands started to fight once more.

Then there was a push, and Melisande found herself falling backwards into another man's arms. He held onto her, making her arms completely immobile, and this time she wasn't able to hold back a solid scream. "Please let me go!" Melisande said, but as she cried for help her legs kicked with her fury and helplessness. "Please!"

[Captain Dagg'or Ardell]

Captain Ardell ;;

He smelled it then... a twinge of hatred combined with fear that just could not be swayed. His mind seemed to wander a bit. Not caring what harm befell their captive. She'd be nothing more than a rotting corpse by nights end as is and the men would have relaxed and had their fun for the evening. Stomach settled and relaxed and poised for other more important things to come. The sound of coins being counted and a chuckle of glee seemed to be audible near by as David made his way towards his Captain. "Most generous sir..."

A smirk was clear in his features as he arched a brow. "Well you seemed to have caught the best prize of all by the looks of it." He turned to look at the small mob of maybe ten or fifteen men surrounding the poor girl. David then walked off after a bow. He had done his job and didn't need much sport to even stay around. The Captain, in turn shrugged and relaxed his muscles. He was not into this sort of sport and entertainment and he was quite glad the men didn't actually try to get her o fight them off as they would have done.

Like ravenous dogs playing with their food or rather fighting with it. The girl was struggling he could tell by her small frame she would not live long after a few blows. In fact, he was impressed how none of them had even thought to knock her out cold. Pushing himself up from his spot he continued to try and drown out the sounds. For some odd reason his stomach lurched but it was not food he was wanting. Guilt... seemed to tug at him lately and that was something his Queen would not tolerate.

Slowly turning to walk away from the scene a voice made him stop. "Please let me go!" His eyes widened slightly. He couldn't quite pin point why this sounded so familiar to him. Shaking off the feeling he took another step to walk away... "Please!" Gulping slightly fear seemed to grip him. He shook his head slowly and turned back towards the scene. He could not see the girl but he could see the ravenous look on his men.

Her dress was torn. She was utterly thin, weak and helpless and what came next he could not understand himself. But as one his men held her he placed one firm and strong grip on his shoulder and pulled him back letting him fall on the ground. A growl escaping his lips as he did... Hair slightly disheveled he took the same hand and placing it gently on her shoulder turned her around just to get a better look of her face.

[Melisande Ardell]

M E L I S A N D E ;;

It wasn't as though Melisande wasn't used to it. When she had been a slave, Fredrick didn't care if she had screamed or struggled... and that resulted in Alyia. Even after Alyia was born, Mel had put up with it. But the fact that it was multiple, that she was alone... and that Fredrick wouldn't kill her afterwards. Melisande wasn't entirely sure these men wouldn't. The captain and the man who caught her spoke, but Melisande couldn't hear a word over the rather... revolting things being said around her.

As Dagg'or's stomach churned with guilt, Melisande's churned with nausea, with fear and anger and frustration. Alyia was waiting for her, but at least twenty men stood in that path. They certainly weren't slave hunters, or else they would have found her back by now and pulled out her outfit. It was then Melisande realized she didn't have her bag, or any of the remaining change or food crumbs. The only thing she had left in the world was being ripped off of her by soldiers from heaven-knew-where.

Tears threatened to spill, but the anger was still there. Melisande hated feeling helpless, feeling as if she could no longer control her fate. But just as it seemed she was about to be devoured by the crowd, the men hesitated and her arms were loosened. Mel felt a hand on her, one that was more gentle then the others, and it pulled on her shoulder to turn her around. Mel turned her body, having the faint idea it was the leader, or someone perhaps even worse. Who else would make the men pause in their attack?

She found the man who had held her on the ground, and looked up into the face of the Captain. Something was there, a familiarity, but Melisande pulled away immediately, trying to get his hand off of her. In her mind, the captain wanted to have at her before his men could completely murder her, and yet, another part of her was begging for her eyes to peek up at his face again. So she stared at the ground, trying to think of the right words to say to get her out of her situation.

But those eyes. That face. She had seen him before... a friend of Fredrick's maybe? She wasn't around captains or men of any nature except those in Fredrick's household... so surely he wasn't from there. Maybe he was just a passerby. Despite Melisande's smarter side telling her to stare down at his feet, her eyes cautiously looked back up at him again. She spoke suddenly, hatefully. "If you're going to lunge at me you better call off your dogs first." Melisande said, but there was an undertone of confusion in her voice.

[Captain Dagg'or Ardell]

Captain Ardell ;;

The men backed away but their malicious tones and hatred as well as satisfaction was clear in the air surrounding them. His other hand pushed the hair away from his face. She was a but smaller than him so he had to look down to look at her clearly. Words where being hissed as he raised a hand to shut them up. Snarling at one who seemed to find this all the more amusing.

It was quiet now... very silent as things seemed to settle and the men grow restless in the blink of an eye. Yet, no one dared to say a word... not a sound nor sudden movement hence they wanted to meet death at her door with the edge of his sword. Tilting his head slightly he watched movements. Clearly she was frightened as her eyes seemed to dart and she seemed a bit skittish?

His one good eyes caught her own looking up. They seemed so familiar to him and he could not place the when and where. She pulled away and he felt a slight lump in his throat. Shaking his head slightly he looked at her with frustration clear in his eyes. He let his hand drop letting her free to cover herself up or in the very least take a step back if she wished.

Her movements and slight scent were too familiar as her voice and screams where moments before. She looked down and up... moved a bit, reminding him of their mother. Their... mother... the words just seemed to linger in his thoughts as he wondered and even dared to hope for a fleeting moment that he was not hallucinating here and chasing ghosts in the dark long since dead. Once more she seemed to look up at his face. Muscles still tense as he watched her... "If you're going to lunge at me you better call off your dogs first."

Then something odd happened... She glared... demanded of him for his men to stand down when not one of them would dare go near him when he was in a mood. The men began to chuckle around them as he simply looked at the frail girl in wonder. "You always did have father's temper..." he muttered more to himself than to her. Voice very quiet and slightly drowned by the others that surrounded them.

Slowly the recognition more so in her eyes than anything else sunk in. But as this began so did something else in the man. His men... the witches men... Oh this would not end well...

[Melisande Ardell]

M E L I S A N D E ;;

For the longest time, Melisande just stood there, waiting for him to pick her up and carry her off into some back cave, recognition or not. She twisted her lips impatiently as he stared at her, half tempted to make another comment. After all, if she was on her death bed already, why not live life to the fullest while she still could? Alyia ached in the back of her mind... but maybe she was in a better place then she would be with her mother. Melisande locked eyes with Dagg'or.

Something seemed to strike in him, something she didn't understand because her thoughts were straying elsewhere. The men were still muttering around them, but they seemed quieter now, afraid of their leader. Perhaps he had taken a liking to her? If he could hold them of... she could repay him with a night, and then sneak off in the morning.

When one is in a position of helplessness, their mind doesn't stray to matters of the past very often, so it was no wonder Melisande did not immediately recognize Dagg'or. And it had been quite a few years. However, Dagg'or was not in the same situation. He had the luxury to look at her and determine where she was from.

You always did have father's temper...

The words were barely audible, but they struck a chord in Melisande. Without fear this time she stared up at him blankly, and her hands twitched as if aching to cradle his face and stare at him. She could see the resemblance now, and yet... she wasn't completely convinced she wasn't dead. She couldn't remember receiving a blow, but this... this man before her... everything was impossible. Dagg'or was dead.

Everything came back to her. The sweet smell of her mother's hair as they both stood talking in the kitchen. The feel of dough underneath her hands as she tried to knead it to her mother's satisfaction, and the content sound of her father in the other room rustling about. Her mother's soft words... songlike, even, when she was just with Mel and no one else.

The sudden noise from outside... a noise that resembled the group of men coming at her just a few moments ago. The sound of her father yelling as loud as he could to get out, but it was too late, and there was a man in the door grabbing her mother. Draken went running out after her and never came back, but someone else came in and grabbed Melisande. She remembered the blood, remembered sobbing and screaming, but she did not remember Dagg'or.

She had taken it for granted that he was dead, and now... here he stood. Or a mirror image of him stood. Once more her stomach lurched. Melisande wasn't sure how to take it... what to do with it. So she did the only sensible thing a girl in her position could do. She fainted into Dagg'or's arms.

She woke a few seconds later.

[Captain Dagg'or Ardell]

Captain Ardell ;;

There was a ruble of noise around them now. No longer silent the men began to move on them once again. Aware of the movements he remained still. Eyes darting at anyone who would dare move forward. There was a noise.. familiar yet deadly... of a sword being unsheathed. They wouldn't dare... he thought but he knew what they had wanted and now that their fun was over the would be pain... and bloodshed.

Once he had spoken she turned. His attention on her, for the most part letting the men think they had the upper hand. His stance relaxed as he looked at her. She stared back at him apparently recognition affected them both differently for while he stood contemplating who would be the first to die in this massacre she stared. He could still remember the day she was taken... the slice of sword on skin as he tried to fight. The blood shed and the fire all around. The helpless little boy and the animal he had become.

He had not weeped for his father. He had mourned his mother but her... his baby sister that one had hurt the most. He could not take care of her then... could not keep her safe and now he had basically given her to the wolves to feast on. Would he had recognized the corpse left behind in the morning should her voice not been as sweet as their mothers. Sudden anger began to slowly boil in the man. A new demon was about to emerge and once she had fainted in his arms he knew what must be done.

Unsheathing his sword he placed her softly on the ground. The sounds of steel clashing and bodies being ripped to pieces was quite audible. Screams tore into the night and blood was spilled all around. Most had fallen before the hour was done and those few survivors that had actually turned on their comrades where allowed to live. "If any of you so much as speaks a word... your corpses will rot and join theirs..." he growled to the others who had not been there when the madness and lust had begun.

He was aware that she was half awake as he spoke. He did not know just how much of what he had just done she had witnessed. But he was aware that with blood dripping from his face and clothes soaked in the rotting stench that she would possibly scream in fear of him...

[Melisande Ardell]

M E L I S A N D E ;;

Even in her faint, which could not have lasted more then a few minutes, Melisande was thinking of Dagg'or. She had blacked out, and yet, her thoughts continued, on this huge trail. She had the puzzle pieces, and yet, couldn't fit them together. If Dagg'or had lived, surely he would have seen her taken away! Why wouldn't he have gone after her? Fifteen years in suffering, being raped, tortured, abused... treated like an animal. Maybe he had tried, and was run off? But even then, he was a captain now. Surely he would have tried to find her once he had power?

She woke shortly after, Dagg'or's body turned away from her, but even in the moonlight she could see the blood. She smelt the corpses around her, and worse, the stink. Melisande had seen her parents die, and again she fought the urge to vomit what she did not have in her stomach. As Dagg'or continued to go after those who he worked with, Melisande had already started backing away. The men who had turned on the others were too busy slaying to notice... but one was not.

David had returned, watching both Dagg'or and Melisande from behind a tree. He was still unsure what had driven his captain to this madness, but it seemed to revolve around the girl who was now slipping away. As Melisande turned and ran into the forest, David ran behind her, following her as her footsteps fell softly on the path.

Once she was far enough away, Melisande stopped, and let out a sob. She tried to stifle it by putting her hands over her face, but it was loud, and David tracked her easily. After all, Melisande hadn't planned on running from someone who wasn't a brother. As soon as the girl placed her back against a tree for support, he had his sword out and at her throat.

"We meet again."

David said as soon as Melisande turned her gaze to him. At this point, she no longer feared the sword, or David. She had seen her parents slaughtered, had been abused in all ways possible, and then seen her back-from-the-dead brother murder his own men the way her parents had been murdered. She tried to force her mind back on her daughter, her only reason for living still, but it was difficult.

"Why did he kill them?"

David asked out of pure curiosity, wanting to know under what circumstances he was bringing Melisande back to Dagg'or. He pulled her away from the tree, sword still at the nape of her neck. When his prisoner remained silent, he rolled his eyes. "I know you're not mute, girl." He started to push her back in the direction of the camp. But the moment he heard footsteps, he stopped, blade near Melisande.

[Captain Dagg'or Ardell]

Captain Ardell ;;

The killer in him had rose as well as the heartless hunter. Once more this was what he had become.. what he was good at... nothing but a killer... Blood mixed with sweat dripped from him. Tilting his head to glare at the corpses before him. His men.. what had he done... something else had taken over and he found he felt no remorse. No pain or guilt ripped through him only ice cold loathing of what they would have done should he had let them live. The swine... nothing more than pig to the slaughter they had been and will forever remain in his mind.

With the commotion he had not noticed her move from her spot on the ground. He had not seen her run... not until he noticed movement from the corner of his eye and a smile on David's features before he dashed into the darkness of the woods. He walked past his fallen men to the woods as well... sword still bloody and unsheathed. She ran a bit behind and stopped to watch the scene unfold. He knew David, he'd been one of his best hunters.

Something made his stomach lurch and twist in it's place. The sight f her like that.. too thin to have ben fed properly. Sobbing for what he'd done... It was almost to much to bare and yet he had learned to be stoic no matter how much torture, pain, death and destruction you inflicted. The many countless faces of the fallen passed in a fleeting moment through his thought and he wondered what, who, why and how this had happened to them, to her.

"We meet again."The voice was cold... threatening and calculating. he had been taught and had learned well. This did not sit well with Dagg'or as he began to inch closer to the scene."Why did he kill them?" His sword remained unsheathed as he saw David place his own to her throat. A growl escaped his now feral looking face. Tilting his head slightly as the anger flashed clear in his eyes. Without so much as a blink he raised his sword to David as well.

"If you don't lower your blade.. you are as dead as they are..." simple direct and to the point. He could not look at her. His aim and pose could not falter in the least in case he had to attack. Mind in warrior mode. Muscles poised for a deadly fight.

[Melisande Ardell]

M E L I S A N D E ;;

Melisande had expected Dagg'or to come out of the shadows, to go after her. After all, her brother would have done that. She couldn't bare to look at him any more then he could look at her, but once more her eyes found his bloodstained feet. Her body trembled a bit, but then strengthened up, and her eyes went hard. She had been through worse, and no matter what happened to night, she could get through it. David, on the other hand, was more then capable of looking at Dagg'or even though he had a sword in his face.

David was not heartless, like Rilar, or even crafty, like Dagg'or. But he did have an extra something that kept him at the top of the line, which made him an excellent hunter and even foe. He kept his blade at Melisande's neck, inching her towards Dagg'or's sword instead. "And here I thought you would be glad I had recaptured your little prize." David said, but his eyes were narrowed in disdain. He wouldn't trust Dagg'or to let him live after this, even if he swore it on his own life.

"Why did you kill them, Dagg'or?" David continued, keeping his distance, but his spare around around Melisande had gone soft. "No one would dare say anything to offend you... you had us in line, and then this," he jostled Melisande a little bit, "happened." David's arm completely loosened around her now, but he wasn't concerned with her running- he would swing if she tried.

Melisande's eyes finally went to Dagg'or, taking in the blood, the gore. She seemed so lifeless in David's arms, still and unmoving, silent as stone and as thin as twigs. It was as if seeing Dagg'or had sucked the air right out from her.

David was still talking as Melisande looked her brother up and down. "You know as well as I do that you intend to kill me once I let her go. I've been with you for long enough to know that." He retorted coldly, raising a single brow to look at his commander with disdain. "How would Jadis feel if she knew her commander had been murdering her troops... over a stupid girl? A slave?" He reached around with his spare arm and chucked something at Dagg'or's feet... Melisande's small bag, her tan dress spilling out for the world to see.

"Come on Dagg'or. I know Mirasia is basically a second version of the ice queen, in bed I'm sure, but... you're killing over this? You could pick up women anywhere. Normal ones, who aren't slaves, who don't steal their pretty dresses." He poked at Melisande's broken strap.

-snorts- I think I mentioned I already love this kid, right?

[Captain Dagg'or Ardell]

Captain Ardell ;;

She couldn't even bare to look at him in the face much less his already destroyed attire. His face went to stone as he decided to not look at her for a moment. Not see the pain the hurt not see her face at all. He couldn't... In turn he simply faced David head on. Stared at his face.. glared and almost scoffed at his pathetic excuse for a sword. He could see the man pushing his sister between them but he simple remained unmoving and stoic. Cold as the stone used to make the fortress dungeons.

"And here I thought you would be glad I had recaptured your little prize." Eyes narrowed and another snarl escaped his already parted and slightly cracked lips. he was getting quite annoyed with the game of cat and mouse David seemed in the mood to be playing. A deadly game.. and one he most certainly would not win."Why did you kill them, Dagg'or? No one would dare say anything to offend you... you had us in line, and then this," A growl escaped his throat as he even dared to touch his sister. HIS sister... "happened."

Eyes trained on his prey... his target... "Stop. touching. her." he spat simply and quietly. Though the utter sadistic anger was still ever present. He glanced a moment to her and caught her gaze on him. He must look like a monster... like the very monsters that had taken her as a small child. A lump once more formed in hit throat. He should have looked for her... fought harder... saved her and now... this was how he found her... half dead and destroyed. He was probably terrifying her beyond belief at this point of this he was aware. But there was no other way for this to play out... no other out that he knew.

Turning back to David he watched the half scared man speak once more. "You know as well as I do that you intend to kill me once I let her go. I've been with you for long enough to know that." At this he smirked and let out a laugh. Loud and booming in his baritone voice. The sadistic grin was back on his features. Oh how he enjoyed a good mind game as much as the next torturer would. "If you intended to live you would have dropped both that and your dagger long ago..." He pointed out a small fact, but an important one none the less.

"How would Jadis feel if she knew her commander had been murdering her troops... over a stupid girl? A slave?" Slave... the word rung hard and loud in his ears as the smile quickly faded. Bile seemed to rise to his lips and it took all his mental strength not to vomit then and there. He swallowed the vile tasting thing and remained looking at the man eyebrow arched. His eyes did not go down to the contents on the floor. He cared not what she was and no longer would be. Never again...

"Come on Dagg'or. I know Mirasia is basically a second version of the ice queen, in bed I'm sure, but... you're killing over this? You could pick up women anywhere. Normal ones, who aren't slaves, who don't steal their pretty dresses." Bringing up Mirasia struck a nerve. My how that girl had gotten to him. "She has nothing to do with this.. and you have no idea the repercussions of the actions you are committing at this moment. Now... again.. I order you to lower the blade before I retaliate and make sure your rotting corpse doesn't' see the light of day."

[Melisande Ardell]

M E L I S A N D E ;;

David watched Dagg'or, his every movement, from the swell of his chest as he tried not to explode to the flutter of his eyelashes. He was more a child then Dagg'or was, but he knew how to play the game. He just had to wait out his opponent. For whatever reason, Dagg'or liked this girl. For whatever reason, he wouldn't strike until she was out of harm's way. But his anger was growing, and even with a shield like Melisande, David was still a bit concerned for his well being. There was fear there.

Like a child, though, the moment Dagg'or told him to keep his paws off, his spare hand went up to Melisande's shoulder and traced a circle on it. He smiled coldly, but David was never one for hiding his fear. He seemed nervous and uncertain of himself, but the stupid smile was still on his face. His hand holding the sword never wavered. "You haven't answered my question." He retorted.

For all of David's fear, he was like a snake. The wrong movement, the wrong word could make him strike. His eyes followed Dagg'or like he was about to snap, or make the fatal movement that would finish Melisande for good.

If you intended to live you would have dropped both that and your dagger long ago...

Dagg'or said threateningly, and David shook his head. Melisande on the other hand was staring at Dagg'or bemused. She recognized her brother's face... but the words coming out didn't sound like the twelve year old she had been torn from. Both the solider and girl seemed unhappy with the situation, but Mel was fearful, and David was simply eager to go. I order you to lower the blade before I retaliate and make sure your rotting corpse doesn't' see the light of day.

This only made Melisande more and more withdrawn. Corpses, and blood, murder and death... This simply can't be Dagg'or. She thought with agony. But David had spoken his name, and why would a man who didn't know her chase after her and try to defend her from the man at her back?

"I don't believe you. The first thing I would do is head back to Jadis and tell her of what occurred here, and you know that. You're going to kill me either way." David said, and quite wisely. "I suggest..." he said, taking two steps backwards and pulling Mel along with him, "that you go that way. I have no qualms with killing her, mark that. She isn't important to me." David said, now simply trying to make a plea. But he couldn't resist another jibe, it was his nature. "Unless you'd rather share?"

He shook his head, and didn't even wait for Dagg'or to get angry this time. With a sudden movement, he shoved Melisande as hard as he could towards Dagg'or and his drawn sword, and then ran the other way as fast as he could. Oh yes... Jadis would be more then interested to know this.