The mark of the wolf

chapter 10

Erinarr dodged and than parried thrusting his sword into the pirates neck. The next pirate came too close for his liking he sunk his fangs into the man's throat and ripped it out. Erinarr knew the fight was going to be feirce he was so happy. He ripped and shredded his way across the deck never leaving Alana side for long they where a wirling death machine. Killing maming and gutting . Blood coated their blades, clothes and hair. She growled and bit a pirate right in the face. He didn't stand a chance as she drove her dagger in-between is ribs up into his heart. She paused for a moment and yelled for Erinarr to look he did and noticed she was pointing in the direction of the other ship. The pirate captain was standing watching them . She said let's go say hello. That grin farel the light in her eyes deadly. They cut their way across the deck. Than jumped from one deck and grabbed the railing of the next ship. Hauling their bodies over the railing and landing on their feet. She stood blood and water pouring off of her face . She raised her swords at the pirate captain and said you are about to have a very bad day. He grinned and walked towards her his sword raised and charged she blocked it with both of hers than pushed off her back foot and spun. Dancing away they circled eachother sizing eachother up . She moved in and he parried she was backing him up along the deck wearing him down. Than with a mighty yell he started advancing forward his blows coming harder. She was getting tired and she needed to end this. She let him advance even more watching his footwork which was sloppy. She let him move forward than she twisted at the last minute to her left and slashed along his throat. He stood their suprise on his face gripping his neck blood pouring from his wound. A look of shock on his face he dropped to his knees and than fell onto his face. She than took her sword and hacked the pirates head off. Gripping the head by the hair she stood on the railing and yelled your captian is dead! I suggest you all abandon this fruitless endeavour and get back on your ship! She held up his head for all to see. The pirates stopped fighting than proceeded to jump back to their ship. She threw the head on the floor of the pirate ship than jumped back to the Golden Lion.

Erinarr stood on the deck of he Golden Lion and helped tend the wounded sailors. It was hours later till he was able to go talk to Alana. She was in her room trying to get the blood out of her hair. He walked in and said need help? She grunted and said yes. He grabbed the soap and started washing her hair she groaned than said that feels great. He smiled his hands coverd in pink bubbles from the blood. Than dunked her head under the water in the bowl. She came up sputtering and glared.

He just laughed and handed her a towel. She dried her hair and looked at him blood was still in his hair staning it reddish pink. She smiled and motioned to the bowl and said your turn. He grinned and said sure than pealed off his filthy shirt and walked to the basin and dunked his head under the water. He grabbed the soap and started scrubbing. She asked need any help? He grinned and said ok chucking the soap at her . She smiled and walked over and started scrubbing to get the blood out of his hair. It took several washes for the pink to come out. He shook water everywhere. She said hey and tossed him a dry towel. He than dried his chest and grabbed for his dirty shirt. She took it and threw it in the basen. Than walked out of the room and returned with one of his clean shirts and tossed it at him. He snatched it out of the air and shrugged it on. Than took his hair and tied it back. She said with a smile want me to braid it for you? He shook his head and said hell no. Let's go find something to eat. They sat on the bed in her room munching on bread and some mystery meat. They shared a bottle of wine between them. She layed her head on his shoulder and said we are almost there right? He nodded and said we should get there tomorrow. She groaned what a day . He said yeah and wrapped his arm around her she moved in closer . Maybe it was the wine maybe it was the bloodshed who knew she fell asleep him holding her wishing she was back in her house. Erinarr brushed her hair away from her face and said Alana ? She responded half asleep yes Cinaed? He jerkd up straighter Cinaed who's Cinaed? She awoke than and said he is a friend. Erinarr said a friend? Yeah she swallowed a friend and none of your business. She sat up straighter and grabbed for the rest of the wine. He reached for it and stood grabbing it and saying as he walked out the door I will see you tomorrow.

Alana stood on the deck and stared at the city it was beautiful glass domed ceilings and tall spires. She stared at the tourqise ocean and the golden spires it was a stunning city. Erinarr appeared by her side and said about last night . She said forget about it. That was that he grabbed their packs and they started down the gangplank. The city was teaming with people , merchants trying to sell their wares and ophans running through the streets. They stopped at a oppulant looking hotel called the Gilded Cage. It had mabel floors veined with gold. Silk wall paper and heavy oriental rugs. Ornate gold leafed wooden beams and a grand staircase with plush red carpet. She dropped her bag on the floor and said fancy! Here? Said Erinarr , you want to stay here? She said Yep! And she walked up to the desk and said two keys please! I want your finest view and the biggest rooms you've got. She was quoted a huge sum of money and didn't even bat a eyelash as she dropped a very heavy purse onto the counter. With a smile Alana said this should cover it and than some. The attendant smiled and slid two heavy brass keys across the counter.

If you thought the downstairs was impressive there bedrooms where as equally exotic. Big king size bed with carved posts and a giant soaker tub that doubles as a big jacuzzi. There was metal bucket with wine in it sitting on a side table. The windows to the city where impressive floor to ceiling. She stood looking out those windows it was a glorious city absolutely beautiful. She decided to see how Erinarr fared. His room was just as impressive just as nice. He had a massive king size bed and a huge soaker tub. The view from his room was just as nice if not better. She turned to him and said hey your view is nicer! He smiled and said want to stay in here with me we could share? She grinned back and said nope I'm good. He shrugged and said your loss. Bastard she muttered under her breath. He said I heard that! She stuck her tongue out at him than walked to the window and looked out at the city. She said want to go get food ? Explore the city a bit? Erinarr shrugged and said yeah I could go for some food.

They found themselves at a little restaurant down a small alley it was a hole in the wall kind of place but it was clean and the food was just heavenly. She finished up the last of her steak and set her fork down. Than drank the last of her wine and sat back. Erinarr had said little too focused on the food and there surroundings. When he finally did finish he said we need to start hunting for him. She nodded and said we start tomorrow I already have been trying my contacts here. There are a few people we can talk to that will help get us started. He motioned for the waitress and requested another glass of wine.

They walked back to the hotel the sun warming their backs. She wasn't quite ready to go in and lay down so she suggested they go to the roof of the hotel and get the lay of the city. The view was extraordinary and they where able to get a good fix on where everything was. She bid him good night and whent to go take a long soak in that massive tub. She dreampt she was again strapped to that table and couldn't move couldn't scream. Tears started running down her face she awoke screaming at the top of her lungs. The bath water was cold and Erinarr had forced his way into the bedroom he was standing there at the edge of the tub not sure what do . She leaned over the side and vomited. He rubbed small circles on her back. She rested her brow against the cool porcelain. She groaned and said sorry. He replied you don't have to be sorry about anything. He poured her a glass of water and handed it to her. She smiled and with shaky hands drank from it. He grabbed a big fluffy white towel and held it open for her. She stepped out of the tub and wrapped it around herself. She found her legs where too shaky to really stand and he scooped her up into his arms than set her down on the bed. She lay down and curled up on her left side. He lay down next to her and held her as she shivered. His body heat relaxing her and he wispered her reassurments that it was just a dream and everything was going to be ok. She still couldn't stop shivering so he ordered a warming brick brought up and some warm tea as well. He poured her a brandy and had her drink it . She shuddered but did as she was told. She than pulled on her pants and a warm long sleeve shirt. The warming brick was in her bed and she sat there and drank her tea than ate a lemon cookie. He sat next to her and drank his tea as well. He than asked how long she had been having these nightmares. She said through a mouthful of cookie a few hundred years. Some times it will go a few years with out but than it can flare up again. He nodded and said if you ever get them again while we are here I could sleep in here on the couch just to make sure you are ok. She smiled and said I will be ok but can you just stay tonight ? Just incase? she said this with tears in her eyes. He smiled and kissed the top of her head of course I will stay for however long you need me. She curled up into him and he held her tightly throughout the long night. As the sun started rising, it chased away all the shadows real and imaginary.