Travelling Abroad

[Igraine]

*Continuation for Homage*

"We have to camp here, M'lady." Aiden road along side Igraine motioning toward the treeline that started almost abruptly in the sands. Igraine scanned the treeline, feeling not unlike the windblown trees on the very edge of the forest.

"My Queen..." Igraine shifted on her horse and peered out from behind the layers of gauzy white fabric that covered her from head to toe. It was imperative for her to wear something like this to protect her fair skin. Arthur pulled up on the reins of his horse in front of hers and she watched him quietly with her emerald green eyes. "We must. It isn't the desert, but we won't make it to the coast before nightfall. I can't risk your life and the lives of my men in the dark wilds of a Xexorian forest."

Igraine nodded and glanced over at Thorin whom she insisted ride next to her during the journey. They had ridden hard and fast from Rivenfelde over the course of the day.

"You know this area better than we do. Are we in danger while we camp here between the desert and the forest?" She asked Thorin, piercing him with her beautiful green eyes -- the only part of her person that was distinguishable beneath the folds of fabric that she had donned shortly after leaving the area of the shack. She almost looked like a gauzy white phantom sitting idle on a horse in the dying sun of a Xexorian desert.

She knew better than most that often there were things worse than vagabonds and wild animals to worry about when one stayed too long on the cusp -- even a natural cusp between one landscape and another. Her men knew her reservations and heeded them simply because they knew her heritage.

[Thorin]

He got off the horse, patting it on the neck. Thorin had lived in these lands since his banishment- spending the night wouldn't be any threat to him. “Give this steed to a man who needs it, or use it for a pack horse- I'll travel on foot from here.” He eyed Aiden and smirked. After their last confrontation, the man had avoided him the entire way. He noticed that his underdogs had kept a close watch, but he doubted they could do much damage to him in a real fight.

Thorin bowed to Igraine before speaking. He didn't want to appear as if she favored him over other men in the group. “The dark wilds are my home and I have made the Xexorian forest my own.” He stood in front of her, making sure that he held her attention. “While I am here, the land won't give you any trouble- you can move freely as if you would in the day.”

As if to prove a point to his words, he began to transfer energy around their surrounding area. It wasn't so much as a magick, but a way to ward off any creature or man that might consider challenging them. Thorin would be the first to know if any trespassed on their camp. From his stance, the shadows in the area seemed to move around him in a sentient fashion.

[Igraine]

Igraine watched Thorin carefully. Underneath the layers of fabric she looked stoic but Thorin might catch the faintest hint of fear on the air. Extremely faint, almost non-existant it would taste old, almost as old as time itself. There were things to be feared in the gray areas between worlds. It was why humans instinctively didn't linger in doorways if they thought about it for any length of time. They always hovered more on one side of the doorway when they spoke between rooms, never quite directly in the middle of the archway.

The fear wasn't always understood or even felt, it was just a teaching that trickled down through the generations. Doorways were not always evil, but they weren't always good either. The doorway that Igraine would lead Thorin through to find his mother, well that one was good. There were others that were evil.

Not all of the natural world as they knew it was benevolent.

"We will camp here, then." Thorin might not fear anything living or dead, but technically he could be considered one of the creatures feared in the "between" areas. Perhaps they would be safe tonight because the creatures would associate Thorin with their predator this evening.

"Prepare the tents." Igraine spoke firmly as she looked at the treeline. It would be best to get this night over with as quickly as possible. She fingered a vial hanging around her neck, tucked into the corset she wore under her shirt. The move was mostly masked beneath the gauze, but Thorin might notice the motion -- almost like a patroness of some god touching an amulet for warding evil.

Igraine watched from horseback as the men set the tents up in a comfortable circle, smiling and jovial -- at ease with the world around them. None of them worried overmuch about their Queen's misgivings about the strange wooded area. They just believed she didn't like the animals in the night -- it was best that they believe it to be simply that. None present realized that because she was a Fae child she was more susceptible to the threat of the "between" places.

"So, Thorin. We should be ready for camp soon. Hopefully you haven't scared off every small edible creature with your powers." Igraine spoke with a smile as she stripped the gauzy cowl and mask from her head and face. It was the first good look he would have of her in the dying light of the sun. She was quite radiant, even if a shred of the thin fear still lingered on her skin. He would be able to taste it still, and she knew that.

[Thorin]

Thorin watched her nervousness the entire time. Women were predictable in that sense, even if she was more vocal, he could sense an uneasyness from her. He watched her fumble with something around her neck. It wouldn't have surprised him if it was something to ward off demons, which would have made this quite amusing. He listened to her words, the smile returning to his lips.

"I'll gladly take your men with me. You don't want to lose anyone to this place- there are other demons besides me, who dwell in the forest and are much stronger than a half demon." Thorin thought for a moment, realizing his words might not be that comforting. At least with his blade, he could fight against other creatures if he needed to. "I'd suggest teaming up your strongest men with me...we don't want anyone with a weak heart. I need hunters." Thorin glanced a look at Aiden, wondering if he would ask to volunteer on the hunt.

Forest demons and demi Gods were something that they all wanted to avoid. Their entire group could be killed off, if they ran into the wrong creature. He felt for his blade and unsheathed it, only showing the men the odd weapon. "This is able to kill any unnatural creatures that we might attract, but it can only be used by my hands." He said, wanting the men to know, that he was aware that some would kill him in a heartbeat, just based on what he was.

"If your men are ready, we can go out for food now. I'm sure we'll find something. I only gave the warning for supernatural creatures, that might find you as an amusing prey." Thorin replied, standing away from the group, next to a worn path that others might have missed. Underneath the moonlight, the shadows created a dense atmopshere around his person. It would be tricky bringing a group of men hunting, since he had only hunted on his own and wasn't prepared for team work. This would be a very long night.

[Igraine]

"Conor, Seamus, and Aiden go with Thorin." Arthur spoke with quiet authority. They were hunters in their off time, though all of the fifteen men accompanying Igraine were hunters of some sort. Those three came from long lines of hunter lineage and knew the craft well. "Be careful, there are plenty of dangers to be had in a dark wooded area."

Igraine glanced overhead as she eased her horse into the camp and slid from its back. She started shedding the copious amounts of fabric that had protected her skin and her identity during their travels and mounded it near where two of the men were making a fire. "Use it as kindling or as bedding, I don't care for it." She dusted her hands on her dark pants and turned to look right into Thorin's eyes. They were standing some fifteen yards from one another but she saw him clearly in the fading light.

"Don't stray too far from camp. In case you need backup." She smoothed some of her hair back against her head where it frizzed out of the pony tail she'd pulled her hair back into during their travel. It was cooler under the layers of fabric that were now burning in a well lit campfire. She helped erect tents, keeping her back to the men that were going to hunt, trying to keep herself busy and her discomfort hidden. "If you don't have anything in half an hour come back to camp. We can stretch our provisions and gather more at port."

Igraine didn't turn around as she spoke but spoke clearly enough. She wasn't losing any of her men out here to these wilds of Xexoria. When all of the tents were erected she sat next to the fire, staring deep into the flames waiting for the men to return. She could feel a prickling along her spine as she sat there, eyeing the flames, waiting. She was trying to ignore the implications of what that discomfort meant.

She was a prize for the "between" creatures. She was the product of angels, demons, fairies. Igraine was a powerful girl, but it was her lineage that made her worth having. Taking Igraine would draw out Kahlan, and it was the Angel most of them were after -- though a half angel would certainly do. Almost anyone with Fae powers, as Igraine had, would be taken because their kind was a treasure. Igraine was a combination, just as many of the creatures of the "between" were combinations.

They were the dark fae, the half demon half fae, the misbegotten creatures of myth and legend. They were what most children feared at night, the reason for missing children and babies. Their element was night, simply because the powers of light were too strong for them right now. The earth had once been a dark, dark place when they ruled. The sad sad beauty of it was that they were not shadow creatures and though half demons could be considered "between" they weren't claimed by them.

Igraine had hoped that they would leave her alone with Thorin in the group. It didn't seem like they would. Hopefully there would be enough people around her that they wouldn't try to bother her. Last time they only took a lock of her hair. Reflexively she reached up and stroked the right side of her head where the hair had been cut when she was little. It had scared her bad enough that she had avoided being in the "between" areas as much as possible.

"Please, hurry." She whispered into the fire, whether she meant the hunters or the dawn no one would ever know.

[Thorin]

Thorin watched Arthur give the names of his top hunters. He cringed, hearing Aiden as one of them. If only he could hunt alone, he might get the job done faster. These men wouldn't listen to him- he was an outcast, not an equal. Even if they acted like they might follow him, they would immediately go into their own group once they set foot- he knew how their type worked.

He let the shadows crawl around his flesh, his fangs bared with his thoughts. “Your men may come, but I think it would be wise to keep them here and protect you. I am the master of these lands at this hour and they'll only be in my way.” Thorin finished, watching Igraine throw the egg shell colored cloth into the flames. Like his thoughts, the cloth battled against the flame, only to turn into ash and go unnoticed.

The men might be hunters, but they were not half demon and didn't know this land. Aiden had shown his defiance toward him before and he didn't know the other men. If they were with Aiden, he knew that he would be watching his back constantly. Looking toward Arthur, he bowed, not wanting to seem disrespectful. “Besides, if your men came with me, other creatures might only see them as bait.” Thorin grinned, realizing the humor of his current thought. “Then again...that might make the hunt easier.”

Nightfall was not a burden for him, but he could see that it concerned Igraine. The thin veil of shadows dispersed from his form. Maybe she would feel less threatened, if he appeared like a normal man. Thorin walked over to her, ignoring the questioning glares from the other men. They were here to protect her and he was an outsider- he didn't blame them for being cautious. Maybe if he showed that he could be their equal, they would be less intimidated.

Cupping her hand suddenly, he made her look into his eyes. What he left in her hand, was his blade. Since she was not a normal being, she could use it- but it was really meant for a sense of comfort. She might have her guards, but he couldn't see a visible weapon on her. He had other ways of killing creatures and he didn't doubt his ability to do some simple hunting- he had been living in these forests.

“The blade will protect you, better than any guard you have available.” Thorin said suddenly, wondering what her reaction would be. If another demon, or unnatural creature came at her while he was gone, this blade would do the most damage and save her life. He didn't know that she was a child of Xanathi and could naturally use it.

Walking back toward the group, he nodded at Arthur. “I'm ready, if the group is prepared to follow my lead.”

[Igraine]

The boys waited quietly for Thorin. They didn't judge him as much as he thought they did. They were enamored with him because most of them hadn't seen a half demon before. Kahlan's tryst with Vylrath had been brief and none present except Arthur had been in service to the Crown at the time. Most of the men here had been dreaming of adventure when Kahlan had Vylrath as a lover.

"Thank you." Igraine spoke to Thorin's back, a little relieved with something substantial in her hands to protect herself with. The creatures she might have to face were natural and whole enough that she might be able to take out a few of them if it came down to it. Her powers would only draw more, so her hands were tied otherwise. The weapon felt good in her hands.

Aiden followed Thorin quietly. Seamus and Conor fanned out in the rear as they disappeared into the woods. Each had their bows drawn and at the ready. They were alert and they were quiet, far quieter than most hunters that were mortal. These young men were born of legendary hunters that came out of Ulster. Thorin might not know that but they were equipped with much better skills than most, almost god-sent in a way.

Aiden nodded to Thorin which signified that Thorin was the leader of this operation. The man hadn't avoided Thorin so much as watched him with a measure more respect. He didn't seem to want to hurt the Queen so much as protect her -- and Aiden could respect that. They all could. By handing over his much prized blade, Thorin had gone a long way to earning the respect of the men of the group.

When a stag bolted from behind a nearby tree the three huntsmen raised their bows, took their target, but waited for Thorin's order. They were nothing if not noble and loyal men.

By the fire, Igraine had the sword that Thorin left on her lap. She stared at it's rich design as the flickering firelight played across it's ancient blade. Her eyes traveled slowly along the design, drinking in the intricate whirls on the blade. It seemed somehow familiar and yet distant -- before her time.

Igraine reached up and pulled her hair out of it's pony tail, running her fingers through her wavy wheat blonde hair. It didn't have the characteristic curl of her mother's hair but the color was close. She had a happy medium between her father's straight hair and her mother's curly hair. She was able, for the moment, to forget where she was and what might be after her later when everyone else was asleep in their tents. She hoped, maybe, that her own tent would make her immune to the greater effect of the "between" area they were in. She doubted it, but she could hope.

Igraine disappeared into her modest sized tent and unpacked her things, setting aside the things she would need to get ready in the morning when they packed up camp. She methodically undressed while the camp unfolded around her and her men talked, joked, and got food ready for the hopeful return of some meat. When she re-emerged not a few of her personal guard looked at her. Igraine was a lovely woman borne of a beautiful mother and she wore a fitted white dress that flared at her hips only slightly. It allowed her a great range of movement and that was going to be important tonight she wagered.

She was given the place of honor near the cooking cauldron and she smiled and laughed with her men, waiting patiently for the return of Thorin. She felt safest with him nearby and she couldn't fully understand why.

[Thorin]

Thorin knew the danger of these lands, but these men already acted like timid women. With the smallest sound, one of them would jump and put on an immediate defense. At one point, Thorin had to reassure Aiden, that Igraine had made the right decision about hunting in these foreboding forests.

While the men didn't act so sure about the decision, at least he could count on the men for a sure aim. One of the men had shot a rabbit straight through the head, before the creature could even think about scampering off.

"Well, at least one of you will have rabbit stew tonight...." Thorin said, feeling a muscle in his face twitch. Aiden had been the one to make an impression on Thorin first. While he didn't like the guy, he could be useful in dire situations.

When they came up to a glen, he didn't notice, or sense anything unusual at first. The others would hardly notice a strange being, so he didn't expect them to be looking for the same thing that he was. When Seamus and Conor suddenly fidgeted behind him, he immediately looked to their direction. In front of the men, a small creature emerged: a fox, but not an ordinary fox.

Thorin knew the creature well, but mostly from lore. He wondered if any of the men would kill the creature. They could use the blood of the Kitsune for the healing properties, but he wondered how many would drink blood, even if it could cure an ailment during the travel. "Draw your bows and make sure you don't miss, or you'll see the true side of a Kitsune." Thorin ordered, wondering what the men would do. If they were smart, they would obey and see the benefits from this hunt.

Once he saw the Kitsune fall to the Earth, he knew that this place would be cursed. However, that wasn't his problem and they wouldn't be here for long. He saw that it was once again, Aiden's arrow that had struck through the side of the Kitsune.

Packing the creature with the remains of the dead rabbit, they saw the sight of a deer cross through the brushland. Thorin let the men see his true form: the shadow enveloped him entirety, enclosing the men with his force. His fangs grew, along with his claws. Turning to Aiden, Thorin's face appeared more ashamed, then proud. "Never tell Igraine about my true form." Without another word, he moved forward, but the men would only a blur of a man.

Within minutes, he brought back the deer carcass and dumped it in front of the men. A normal man wouldn't be able to carry such a huge creature, but he didn't want Igraine to see that part of him. His shadows dispersed from him again, but he didn't speak of what he was - only what needed to be done. "Take the carcass back to the camp. I need to purify the area." The purification wouldn't take long, but Thorin needed to be with his thoughts.

[Igraine]

Between the three of them, Aiden, Seamus, and Conor managed to heft the deer carcass and haul it back to camp. Once they were within the protective ring of the camp others came forward to help them with their heavy burden.

"Where is Thorin?" Igraine rose to stand next to the fire and cooking cauldron. Her voice had the ring of authority in it. They all answered to her and in that moment she looked like one of the legendary witches from Ulster's ancient history. None of them knew that Kahlan was one of those seven original witches. Almost all of the seven were angels, except for two: one was a demon, the other a Fae.

"He is scouting the area and making sure that nothing will be attracted to the blood that was spilled this evening." Aiden spoke and bowed as the carcass was taken behind the tent ring and butchered. Aiden's pack was filled with the rabbit and Kitsune carcass and so when he began unpacking them he was surprised when Igraine's slender hand shot to the Kitsune and picked it up.

"This creature is unusual." Igraine looked at Aiden as she spoke, running her fingers through the silky red orange fox fur.

"Thorin called it a 'Kitsune' and said we should kill it before it killed us." Aiden spoke as he watched Igraine gingerly touch the fox fur.

"It is a special creature, one that protects this area and is not friendly to those that cross it's path." Igraine petted the creature and shook her head slightly. "I want to keep it. I want it's fur. I have a feeling it will be a protective measure. Give me your skinning knife." When Aiden gave her the knife without questioning her, Igraine settled in front of her tent with a few bottles to hold blood. She went to work carefully extracting the soft fur from the muscle and sinew. While she worked she hummed a soft melody that she had learned from her mother to aide the passing of spirits, especially those of immortals so that they wouldn't find residence in some unsuspecting mortal.

As she worked, Igraine drained the blood into bottles -- not quite sure why she wanted to save the blood, but also not questioning her intuition. Wearing a white dress might have seemed like a bad idea while carving up a carcass, but she didn't have a problem keeping her dress completely clean. As she worked she drained the blood and kept the bones in one neat pile and separated the meat into another, less neat pile. Igraine made short work of the fox carcass and called for water to wash her hands.

"Aiden, you shot the Kitsune, correct?" When he nodded his consent she pointed to the pile of meat and entrails and pointed to the woods. "You need to be the one to bury those remains. They must be buried three feet in the ground and say a blessing over the grave. One for a fallen warrior would be appropriate I believe." She spoke as she washed her hands in a small pot of water that was brought to her and then she dumped the bones into the water and set it on some hot coals near the fire.

"It shouldn't take long for that to boil. Call me when it does." Igraine went back to her tent and started putting the vials of blood in her bags, carefully secreted away and padded. They would be important she was sure. She heard her name called by one of the men and walked back to the fire, gingerly taking the boiling pot of water off the coals and fishing the clean white bones out of the water. She dried them off and stored them in a padded leather bag. None of the men questioned her, they simply accepted her quirky ways -- not to mention the distraction seemed to calm her nerves for a while.

When she was done Igraine took her place of honor back at the side of the men around the fire and she smiled, listening to the men joke and sing waiting for the food to cook, wondering when Thorin would show up.

[Thorin]

Thorin took out a blade and spread his blood around the area that the Kitsune had perished. He watched his blood scorch the Earth, another reminder of what he was. A normal human being wouldn't be able to do this type of blessing- not unless they drained every ounce of blood in their body. Sighing, he looked toward the moon and muttered foreign words to seal the blessing.

Without another thought, he left the area and headed back to the camp. He was welcomed by the men and they acted as though he were one of them. When he saw Igraine, he noticed the skin from the Kitsune only a few feet from her. He was taken aback. Thorin had never dreamed of seeing a woman like her, skin an animal like a Kitsune.

Looking around, he noticed that vials had been filled with the Kitsune's blood as well. “Maybe you have more demon blood in you than I thought, Igraine.” He picked up one of the crimson vials, glistening against the moonlight. “Have the men drink from this bottle. Make sure that they drink equal amounts and that you also drink some- it will protect you against any future ailments.”

Passing the vial to her, she might notice a change in his skin. Since he had cut his arm for the cleansing, a fresh subtle scar had formed, but Thorin was used to scars. He was worried about the death of the Kitsune, since it could upset other beings in the forest. “While you trust your men, you will sleep near me tonight.” The men might think he was making a different offer, but he honestly didn't know how to pursue a woman either way. He nodded toward Aiden, hoping he and the others understood. “Your warrior should be praised. He took my orders well and is the best shot in the group.” Without another word, he went to the fireplace to rest and dwell over incident.

[Igraine]

Igraine smiled and pocketed the vial of blood that she had neglected to put in her tent, she'd forgotten it sitting next to her tent. "Thank you for the knowledge. I didn't know it had healing properties, I just knew that I should keep it. That happens sometimes, doing things that I don't understand."

Igraine disappered into her tent and put the vial in her bags with the others. "I will ask the men to drink it when they're injured, and I will take it when I am injured as well. It feels wrong to drink it when there is no need. I have several vials of it in my bags." She spoke as she slipped through the tent flaps. Hers was modest sized but still bigger than the others around her.

"You can stay in the tent next to mine, or another cot can be placed in my tent if you require it. Or, if you're most comfortable outside you can sleep in front of my tent to make sure nothing comes inside." She was serious but she smiled a quirky little smile before accepting a bowl of stew, a hunk of bread, and a fork from Aiden. She settled on the ground in front of her tent next to Thorin, she glanced up at him and winked.

"Aiden will be proud to hear you say that. Those boys are from long lines of hunters and take pride in their work. Aiden comes from the oldest family of Huntsmen in Ulster. You should tell him yourself, Thorin. He isn't a prideful young man, but he does take care with his ancestry and his teaching." Igraine nibbled on some rabbit and a piece of carrot from her bowl.

Aiden walked over with another steaming bowl of food for Thorin. "We weren't sure if you were hungry, but we didn't want to exclude you from our dinner." He held the bowl out to Thorin and met the man's eyes. All of the men had kept Thorin's secret per his request. Aiden hoped that amounted to something in Thorin's eyes.

[Thorin]

Thorin only ate the meat in the bowl and ignored the rest. He nodded toward Aiden, acknowledging the gesture. “I hope they leave you in charge more often. You should be recognized as one of the best. I'd trust you, over any man in the group.” Thorin responded. When he had to say something on his mind, it was usually blunt and to the point. Looking toward Igraine, he smirked. The smirk would probably remind others of Vylrath, for those who had known the man well. “I'll be keeping watch outside your tent. We don't need rumors before I've met your mother, or seen mine.”

He thought it was foolish of her for not drinking the blood, so he took a vial himself and gulped the liquid down. It was more of a delicacy for him, rather than something to save him from an ailment. Thorin had his stubborn side and he didn't like someone being contrary to him.

[Igraine]

Once dinner was done it had been dark for quite some time. Igraine looked at the clear sky, marred by the bones of trees swept bare by the wild winds of the desert. It was nearing midnight.

"We have a long journey ahead of us. We should get some rest." Igraine spoke as Aiden took her bowl and Thorin's. He nodded his consent and brought the bowls back to the fire to hand over to one of the younger men to clean. Arthur smiled at Igraine and nodded as he gave orders for a watch, content to let Thorin watch over Igraine while his men did the watch. It would be handy to have a supernatural being that could feel supernatural things before they appeared watching over their queen.

"I think I'm going to try to get some sleep while there is still some activity." It was an obscure thought, but she hadn't really told anyone about her misgivings and she hoped she would be wrong. She was, however, rarely wrong about anything like this.

Igraine rose from where she was sitting and smiled at Thorin before ducking into her tent. She reappeared a moment later with a pillow and bedroll. "I don't know that you need or want these things, but it would serve my conscience well if you took them. I won't have you uncomfortable on my behalf and I expect to see you sleeping in the bedroll should I wake during the night." Igraine handed over the items to Thorin and smiled, laughter in her eyes as she looked at him.

She turned and disappeared back inside her tent, chosing to change out of her dress in the dark at the last moment. She slipped into a long white shirt and tight black pants, just in case. She slipped her white dress, what she was originally going to sleep in, back into her bags -- wrapping the remaining blood vials in it so that they would be safe. She then turned her eyes to her cot, lightly illuminated by the fire in the middle of camp. Igraine crawled into her cot and rested her head on the pillow, looking up at the roof of her tent. It wasn't until she looked at the stalwart form of Thorin outside the tent, cast in shadow from the fire, that she was able to finally fall asleep curled up on her cot.

[Thorin]

Thorin didn't need the common comforts of man. It wasn't that he was too proud, but he was quite used to living in nature and dealing without the necessities. He watched her settle herself in bed, the blade coming to life with a sentient hue. Thorin sighed, wondering if he would ever get his prized blade back- it was the only good thing that Vylrath had left behind for him.

He sat out in the tent, watching the shadows shift between the brush. Thorin knew that there were other creatures out there- demons, or other Earthbound deities. Igraine might be an unusual creature herself, but she didn't know the world like he did- she had too much Fae in her.

Thorin didn't sleep that night, but stayed awake, knowing that the others wouldn't have his keen hearing, sight, or smell.

[Igraine]

At first it felt like a little tickle. Then it felt like that annoying itch you just have to scratch. It was almost enough to wake Igraine up, but she only twitched and turned on her side. It was the high pitched squeal of protest, followed by several small hands pulling her onto her back, that finally woke her up.

That was when Igraine opened her eyes.

At first she was disoriented as crazy shadows danced before her face. It was the glowing yellow eyes that made her blood run cold. The creature on her chest was no bigger than a medium sized dog. It had long spindly arms, long crooked branch like fingers, and a moss like mop of hair on top of its head. It's eyes narrowed as it looked at her and it looked away momentarily to chatter to something nearby.

Igraine looked to her left and a scream caught in her throat. There was a motley crew of things that children dreamed of in their worst nightmares. They were called many things: nightmares, dark fae, and the Unseelie Court. It was bad enough that she had to stay in this "between" area, but she had hoped that her presence wouldn't bring forth the very worst the realm had to offer. Demons she could handle, they usually only wanted to trade or cause mayhem -- sometimes killing, but those demons usually didn't haunt the "between" places.

"What do you want with me?" Igraine was surprised her voice was so calm. She wished she had thought to speak louder so that Thorin would hear her.

"Don't think about it M'lady." The creature wrapped it's fingers around her neck and squeezed tight enough to cause Igraine some alarm. "Don't think of calling on the demon lad. We'll kill him before he duck inside this tent." The little creature squeezed her throat a little tighter and Igraine began to struggle a little.

"Oh would you stop. The King wants her alive. She's no good to him dead." Igraine heard a startlingly beautiful voice as a hooded creature stood over her. The cloak looked as if it was made of dense spider webs and black fur. The longer she stared at the creature the more afraid she became. When the creature pulled back it's hood and smiled with glistening white teeth Igraine sucked a breath in sharply.

The Banshee laughed a haunting laugh that Thorin would be unable to hear. She was cloaked in so much magick that she was virtually transparent even to Igraine. She couldn't mistake the menace rolling off the creature standing next to her. Her skin crawled when the Banshee reached out a skeletal hand and brushed hair from her forehead. Her face was beautiful, but the rest of her was decaying -- the harbinger of death.

"She really is a beautiful creature. The angelic purity within her could be useful to our King." The Banshee swatted at the creature sitting on her chest, nearly knocking him off her and the cot. "Show some respect to your future Queen you ungrateful little rat."

The little creature rubbed his mossy head and bared jagged teeth at the Banshee. Igraine could see that he might be a Boggart but she wasn't sure. She twisted quickly toward the wall of her tent, causing the cot to overturn and sending the would be Boggart flying into the Banshee. She turned the cot upright and realized all too late that the blade that Thorin had given her was laying underneat the cot holding the eight Unseelie Court faeries that had come to visit.

"I refuse to be an Unseelie Queen." The Banshee just laughed and the Boggart rolled around on the floor in fits of ill contained laughter. Something bright flashed in Igraine's face and she fell back against the wall of the tent with a shriek. She felt a sharp pain on the palm of her right hand and she clutched it to her chest. A tall lithe man stood over her with dark red eyes. She didn't know what he was, but menace radiated off of him in waves. He held a sharp little knife in his hand coated in her blood and a lock of her hair in the other hand.

"No one speaks ill of MY King." The man said before stepping back into the crowd leering at her from across the tent. "My King will be pleased to see your tokens of love." The man crowed in laughter and Igraine just heard a scream. It took her a second to realize that it was her screaming, and the shocked faces of the Unseelie standing around her reflected the startled feeling inside her. All Igraine knew was that she was terrified.

She tried to bolt for the door to the tent but large leathery arms hauled her back. Igraine started biting and clawing the arms, flailing her legs, and screaming more through her struggling. It was the Boggart that began to choke the scream out of her, but the damage was done -- the whole camp of men had come alive.

"You will see us again. Don't worry, love." The Banshee grabbed Igraine by the face and kissed her mouth -- filling her mouth and nose with the stench of death, making her gag and stop screaming just to focus on breathing. In the span of a breath the whole tent was empty. It looked as if a hurricane had hit the inside, there was a long slit along the back wall where Igraine had fallen against the side. It was where the tall man had taken a knife to her hand.

Igraine wrapped her arms around herself and stared at the slit in the tent, ignoring the rattle of weapons. The whole event had happened so quickly that not even Thorin would have been able to react in time -- though Igraine hoped dimly in the back of her mind that he would be the first in the tent.