meager food supplies with what game she could catch.  The woods near her home where almost empty of wild game the past few months.  Everyone was suffering since King Aryan died.  Without an heir the country was in turmoil trying to keep it’s boarders in tact.

The fighting had pushed into the area around her home many months ago.  The soldiers where cruel to the villagers.  It didn’t matter whether it was your own country’s troops or not.  They burned and pillaged just like outsiders and robbers.  Taking food, money, livestock, and anything else that wasn’t nailed down.  The rumors of a rebellion in the capital had reached to her village.  Rumors of people fighting back and trying find the rightful heir to the throne. 

Renee was a healer in her village.  She had left when the soldiers had gotten to far out of control and smashed up her salves, potions and medicines.  She was headed now to the capital.  To help this rebellion in any way she could.  The thought that the rebellion was just a rumor never crossed her mind.  She would cross that bridge when she came to it.

She traveled carefully and tried not to draw attention to herself.  Mostly staying in the edge of the woods shadowing the road.  Any time she heard horses she hid, fearful that it might be soldiers.  She had means of protecting herself but she refrained from using them if possible.  The soldiers had gotten a bad reputation for treating women roughly and having their way with them.  She had treated several of the women in her village after such attacks.  The women never once said a word to the village constable.  Even when Renee said she would go with them and give witness to the things she had treated them for.  Their fears of retaliation and death at the hands of these men where too great.

Her horse began to shake when she lead it into the press of people near the town gate.  She eased through the pedestrians carefully and made her way into the line waiting to enter.  She watched the people ahead of her as they dealt with the gate guard.  Each one was asked a series of questions then given a parchment of one type or another.  She could feel her hands sweating as she twisted the reins nervously.  Her turn finally came around and she tried to calm her nervous hands.

“Name?” the guard asked. 

“Renee of Waterbreak, sir”

“Purpose for visit?” he asked in an impatient tone.

“To buy supplies, sir.”  She smiled trying to be confident.  But something about this town made her unnerved.

“Length of stay?”

“Just for a few hours.  Long enough to buy the things I need. Can you tell me how to get to the market?”

“Here are your papers.  Follow the crowd.  Be out of town by sunset.  After that your papers expire and you’ll be put in jail for curfew violation.  Move on.” He turned without thought to the next person in line.

She moved quickly into the flow of people headed into the city.  She had never been in a city this big before.  People practically swarmed over each other, yelling and screaming.  Trying to sell or buy their wares.  She ducked into a side street to catch her breath.  This was impossible.  Hours?  To fight through this mess?  What had she been thinking?  Her heart was racing a mile a minute.  She stood up in the stirrups and surveyed the area ahead of her.  On the left was the food vendors on the right was a mix and match of clothing shops, healers, priest, and some shops the priest might frown upon.

With great ease she moved back into the crowd on the right hand side and made her way down to second hand clothing stand.  She tied her horse up and duck inside out of the press of people.  On each side of the small stand where tables with piles of shirts, pants, and other various types of clothing.  She took a deep breath and dive into the table nearest her.  After several piles had been discarded she was left with a rose colored shirt with a small rip in the side that she could very easily fix, and a beautiful blue one with some light stains on the sleeve.  With a little embroidery or even removing the sleeves since it was warm it would be presentable easily.  The pants she found where a soft brown with a little fraying around the edges and she even found some womanly garments that where hardly touched.  She made her way to the front of the shop and paid for her purchases.  The girl behind the counter was barely old enough to see over the top of it.  She smiled and gleefully took Renee’s money. 

“Thank ye.  With me Pa off in the capital lookin’ fer airs there’s naught but slim pickin’s ‘round here.”

“Looking for airs? What are you talking about little one?”  Renee asked quite confused.

“Ya knows airs to the big chair in the big city.  Somebody that’ll makes it all better.”  She smiled and went behind the curtain to hide the money away.

Renee took her packages and strapped them to her other packs.  She was still going over what the girl had told her when she practically got ran over by a cart of ale.  The driver cursed her for not paying attention as she ducked back into the alleyway.  More carefully she stepped out into the street.  She put the information she had learned into the back of her mind and head for the food vendors across the square.

She found several stalls that offered the dried meats and herbs she was looking for.  The first stall was way out of her league.  Only prime cuts to be had.  She slowly made her way down the row of vendors and finally found one that was reasonable.  She picked up several herbs she was low on and several large dried chunks of meat.  The meat was finely cured.  Great for jerky or softened in a stew.  She purchased several days worth of the meat and loaded them on her horse. 

She was just barely going to make it out of town in time.  She didn’t relish the idea of spending the night in jail.  She made it to the gate just moments before they began to close them.  There was an older man at the entrance now.

“Cutting it close child.” He laughed.

“Hard not to with that mess of people.  Any news of how things fair in the capital?” Renee asked as the younger men shut the gate behind her.

“No good news.  More fighting, and more people yelling about an heir to King Arun’s throne.  Hell, everyone knows he was childless.  As was his only sister.  Sad thing really.  You’d think the government could keep everything in order but they’re to busy fighting amongst themselves to do anything.  Wish there was an heir.  I’d sit him on the throne me self.  Enough of this war talk.  You be careful tonight young one.  There’s a mean storm brewing.  Make sure you’ve got strong cover.” He nodded as she urged her horse forward.     

 
She headed down the hill away from the town with thoughts heavy on her mind.  Rebellion, it was a strong word.  A strong idea.  How could she help?  She was nothing more than a healer.  She’d never studied at the temple to learn more.  Her teacher had always said she could do more then he could teach.  But she had been scared.  Afraid to leave everyone she knew and loved.  Yet here she was doing exactly what she had feared to do all those years ago.  Except that know she was alone and then she could and would have had all the help she needed along the way.  She had to be strong.  If there was an heir and they could end all this fighting then she had to help.  How could she stand by and watch the innocent people around her be abused and killed?  That would be against all she stood for as a person and as a healer

A loud rumble of thunder brought her out of her thoughts.  She was nowhere near the type of shelter that type of sound said she needed.  She urged her horse into a run.  She was just about to worry when she topped the rise in front of her.  Below her was a thick over grown group of trees.  She let the breath that she didn’t know she was holding out.  It was just starting to sprinkle when she lead her horse under the trees.

When she entered the woods fully she was surrounded by darkness.  Like the sun had gone down the moment she set foot in trees.  Thoughts of childhood stories came to her mind as she walked through the tangle of branches.  Elves, dwarves, goblins and all sorts of monsters meant to keep kids out of the woods. 

These woods had a different feel to them.  They where completely silent.  The only noise was the sound of her feet and the leaves beneath them.  She found a sheltered spot big enough for her, her horse and a small fire.  If she could get one going before everything was drenched.  By the time she had her fire going good true night had fallen and fear was eating at the edge of her mind. 

She had never liked the woods.  Especially at night.  She was always sure someone was there watching her from the shadows.  She was beginning to feel that now.  She looked around the edges of her shelter slowly.  Almost afraid of what she might see.  There it was!  Movement off to her left.  She grabbed her pack and set to making wards around her camp.  She cast the strongest spells she knew.  She could hear it know.  The leaves rustling under the creature’s feet.  She finished her wards and went back to the shelter of her fire.  She heard a hiss off to the right as it touched one of her wards. 

“Leave me be creature!  I mean you no harm!  I just seek shelter from the rain.  Let me be and I’ll be gone by morning.”  She cried over the rain as panic took her.  The wards where being weakened where the creature had touched it.  She turned to face the noise behind her and was knocked down from behind.  She screamed as she fell.  It was the last thing she felt before everything went black.

the capital. She had decided that if her brothers could explore the world so could she. That had three long sad months ago. She had intended to stay and take on the farm when her father died but things did not work out that way. She took another deep breath as she thought about the day her father died. She quickly pushed the memories away and looked to the road in front of her. She had decided with winter on her heels that she would veer south of the capital and head back north after spring had arrived. Right now, she sat outside of the gate of a huge strange town. She waited in line to be admitted to the city. As she waited she noticed the richly detail carvings on the gates and walls. On each gate there was a beautiful woman carved in exquisite detail. In one carving, she was dressed all in blue and surrounded by rings of varied colors. In yet another one, animals that seemed to be listening to every word she was portrayed to speak surrounded her. The carvings entranced Andre. She was jerk out of her musings by the gate guard. He was tugging on her pants leg. “Miss? Are you all right?” She felt her face turn red and smiled at the young man, “Yes. I’m sorry. These carvings are amazing. Is this a ruler or a goddess or what?” “That is the goddess Lady Luth. Have you never heard of her?” The young man was very friendly. “No. The only gods we had in my hometown were Firth the god of fruitful harvest. What is she goddess over? She is beautiful.” Andre felt something in her mind pull her toward this deity. “She rules over the mages and telepaths. This is where people that are blessed with gifts from the gods come to train. Welcome to the great city of Virgash. Now on to formalities. What is your business here and how long do you plan on being town?” “I am just traveling. Trying to avoid the colder weather before venturing to the capital. I am from Kirdish. Is there any work for a farmer around here?” “Not really. They always need a helping hand at the temple if you can handle a broom and a mop. That’s about it unless you already have a trade. Go to the north end of town. The temple takes up the entire north wall. You can’t miss it. Tell them Jerick sent you ok? Maybe I’ll see you around.” He handed her a rolled parchments and opened the gate. She smiled and nodded her thanks. He wasn’t kidding when he said that you couldn’t miss it. Her entire town square would fit in there with room to spare. She was once again drawn to the carvings on the walls and doors. She tore her gaze away long enough to knock on the door. She was staring once again when a young girl answered the door. Andre jumped slightly startled. “Yes?” “A young man at the gate, Jerick, said for me to come her to look for employment. Can I speak to someone about it please?” “Of course! Master Stuart will be glad to see you. Follow me.” The girl was exceedingly happy. Almost too happy, “My name is Gabriel. What’s yours?” “Andre. Nice to meet you. Do you work here?” Andre was trying to carry on a conversation and still see all the wonderful carvings around her. She had never seen such beauty in all of her life. “No I’m a student. I work in town after my classes are over. I am a healer. I’ve only been here about two months. OH! I almost forgot that was my brother at the gate. Ain’t he wonderful?” Gabriel practically glowed with happiness. It was about to get annoying when she told Andre to wait and disappeared. Andre was getting antsy when Gabriel stuck her head around the door and waved her into the office beyond. The room was ornately decorated with dark colors and heavy materials. The man seated behind the desk was old. Not just old physically but like he had all the knowledge in the world behind his eyes. Those same eyes crinkled as he smiled at her. “Welcome, Andre. Gabriel tells me you seek employment. Are you a follower of Luth?” “No sir. However, I would still like a job if that’s all right? I’ll do whatever you need done. I’ve mostly worked on a farm, but I catch on quick.” Andre felt like she was begging but she didn’t have much choice in the matter. She had to have a job and somewhere to live. “Of course child. I wouldn’t turn you away. So I assume you had animals on this farm of yours. I have need of a stable hand. Will that suit you?” “Oh, very much sir. May I ask where I might find lodging?” “If you are going to work for me you will stay at the temple. I will pay you half silver a week plus room and board. Agreed?” “Agreed!” It was better then she had hoped for. Not only did she get room and board she got to save some money for her trip north when the weather improved. “Well then, welcome to the Virgash temple of Luth. May her guiding light always shine on your path. Gabriel will show you to your room. Report to the stables after breakfast. Redalic will get you started. Sleep well Andre.” He smiled and went back to his paperwork.

be we can let you out of this cage.  What do you say?"  He was trying to be friendly but Holly could smell his fear.  They where all afraid of her.  Ever since they had caught her in the mountains of Tennessee. 

The scientist carefully took blood from her arm and swiftly injected her with a blue liquid.  "Need you to docile for a while.  I'll be back in a few minutes."

So he had drugged her.  Not the first time.  The other drugs had stopped working but this was new.  She could feel it flowing along her veins like ice.  She felt her head begin to swim.  What did they plan this time?  Every time they let her out they ended up trying to get her to use her powers or find a way to extract them.  She was starting to get tired of fighting.  But she knew if she gave up they would kill her.

By the time the doctor returned she was so disoriented he had to help her stand and walk.  They slowly and painfully made there way to the testing center.  She was not the first one of her kind to be found.  Ever since the last war her kind had been appearing all over the world.
 
People had begun to adapt to the changes that had be brought on by the chemical war far the armies had begun using.  Some people had developed innocent enough talents but others had been not only mentally but physically altered as well.  Holly was lucky despite her multitude of talents she was physically unblemished.  That was how she had escaped detection for so long.  People saw these new adapted humans as a threat.  Like it was some comic book from the 20th century.  Holly knew she could not let them strip her of her gifts.  Once they did they would kill her.  But she wondered would they kill her trying.

The testing room was plain.  With one big exception.  There was always a huge red stain on the far wall.  Holly knew it was blood.  She didn't need to be told.  The doctor leaned her against a table covered with straps.  He held her up as he moved the straps.  He laid her down and began to strap her down.  Without the straps they could never control her.  She was too strong.  She was distant but she could feel the needles finding their way into her veins.  She didn't know what they would do this time but she had nearly died last time.

She could hear the doctors talking off in the distance.  They where going to give her a monitor of some sort.  She lost the conversation after that.  The next thing she saw was one of the doctors holding a knife over her as she passed out.