The River of Life Chronicles

chapter 3

It was the beginning and the end for Invenesia . Nael was dead and she was a outcast among her people. She wanted revenge for Nael's death so badly she could taste it. Logan had been kind and introduced her to his people and she had stayed with then for a time but than felt she needed to move on. Logan had promised her he would find her a trainer and he had followed through on that promise.

Gryndrac Usrel stared at the half human half elf and narrowed his yellow eyes. He stood at least a foot and a half taller than her. His long black hair was tied back with a worn leather strip. He had a scar running down his cheek almost ending near his jugular. His lips where set in a grimace they where full the top lip matching the bottom lip. His nose was slightly hooked and his cheekbones look like they could cut glass. His black tattoos stood out against his golden skin. He smiled and his fangs glinted in the afternoon sun. He rubbed his strong jaw and stood there thinking not sure what to make of this scrawny half elf. Gryndrac than rubbed the back of his neck and tucked a stray strand of midnight black hair behind his pointed right ear. His golden hoops shining bright in the sun.

Gryndrac or as he perferred to be called by his friends Drac. Shook his head and turned to Logan and said "no! I am not, absolutely not taking her on. "

Drac than turned to leave when he heard a low growl and turned back around. Logan was showing his fangs at Drac and said with more a growl "you owe me. " Drac grinned and said "brother when do I owe you?" Logan took a menacing step in Drac's direction and said " who saved your life all those years ago?" Drac rolled his citron yellow eyes rimmed in burnt orange red tones and said with a sigh "fine!" "I will take her but if she is completely useless to me she will be out on her own." Logan nodded and said " fine".

Invenesia stood there speachless for a few seconds and than when she finally found her voice she said "wait just a minute! I am not some meat to be barginned over!" Drac turned his golden gaze on her and with a farel grin said " never said you where little one." That did it ! Invenesia marched up the stone steps until she was nose to nose with Drac or more like nose to chest than she tilted her neck up, yellow eyes snapping and snarled I will go with you and only if you agree to teach me everything you know about killing. Drac took a step back he was still grinning which pissed her off some more but than said " ok I can teach you. It won't be easy there will be many, many times you want to quite but I won't let you. Deal? ."

Drac held out his hand she stared at it for a second than reached and grabbed it. His hand was warm and she felt a spark of electricity go through her arm. He was smiling at her like she was a meal and he was starving. There was a hunger in his gaze a shark like intensity . But that's the way of the dark elves dangerous creatures but some of the best assassin's ever to walk the the land.

Invenesia stretched and than resholderd her bag and tried to keep up with Drac's long legged stride. He didn't slow down for one minute he just kept on walking whistling while he walked like he didn't have a care in the world. Meanwhile Invenesia was struggling to keep pace her legs where not nearly as long as his . She groaned and he twisted his neck glancing over his shoulder at her his eyes changing to a burnt orange hugh. He smiled that cocky grin of his. It was like a cat had eaten a mouse look sly as if he was up to something. What he was up to Invenesia didn't know and wasn't sure if she wanted to find out. It was well past dark when they decided to pitch camp. Camp was in the crevice of a mountain side so steep in the blue ridge mountains it was almost difficult to breathe. Drac lay against the log and pressed his back into the old dead tree . He was tired but he wasn't going to admit that out loud ever. He studied this odd elf she was slim and shorter than others of her kind. She had beautiful yellow eyes and her hair was the colour of a full moon silver and shimmering violet and sky blues. Her cheeks where high and her lips full red kissable wait where had that thought come from? Drac grunted and rolled his shoulders a old war wound was acting up in his right shoulder making it stiffer than usual. He reached up and rubbed it with his left hand and consentrated trying to put a little bit of healing energy into his shoulder. Black mist hoverd around his left hand and he kept his eyes closed in concentration. Dam! it wasn't working he was too tired and his magic was more depleted than he would like. Than he felt a warmness spread over his shoulder easing the pain away. He snapped open his eyes and saw a bright blue mist mixing with his. He snapped his eyes up to Invenesia's yellow gaze now rimmed with blue. Her face a mix of concentration and fierceness. He than dropped his gaze and pulled away from her touch , her touch was burning him all the way through he felt better than he had in years but he wouldn't admit to that.

Drac stood quickly and mumbled some excuse or another and went to hunt something anything because her touch was opening old wounds in him not physical no, but old buried and dead demons ones that he thought he had buried long ago forgotten ignored never dealt with. Take your pick this woman had him rattled from the very moment he had seen her. She drove the darkness from him and kick started something in him, he couldn't name it didn't want too. He bit out over his shoulder "don't leave the camp stay here". Than before she could answer he strode away not even a backward glance.

"what the hell was that?" Thought Invenesia she than shrugged her shoulders and curled up into her blanket staring at the silver moon and stroking Nael's cuff. She missed him deeply wrapping her arms around her knees she let the tears fall the grief hitting her hard. Drac watched her from the ridge overhanging there camp she looked so lost his chest ached at her pain he felt it when she was trying to heal him he felt her agony her deep loss for that brief minute. Rolling his shoulders he crouched and got comfy it was going to be a long night stretching out he let his eyes study her and than rolled onto his back staring at the stars countless millions of stars bright beautiful and burning bright. He smelled the crisp cold air and watched it fog a bit into the air than he decided enough was enough and he needed to get back to the camp.

Invenesia awoke to warm hands shaking her awake, she bolted upright heart in her throat and said what?!! Drac had was that concern on his face? He growled out you where screaming in your sleep. Invernesia pulled away from his touch and said so? Drac said you will attract predators with your screaming his burnt orange eyes held no wampth just coldness. Invernesia growled and grabbed her blanket rolling it up and packing what few belongings she had with in minutes they had broke camp and where heading deeper into the blue ridge mountains.