Ash clenched the reins of his horse tightly. He had been spotted. Quickly examining his options, he maintained a semblance of tranquility while in his mind the options raced like startled doves. Fighting in the snow was definitely out of the question. Fleeing back towards the hovel was going to be difficult, as the very steps he had taken were quickly erased. He then heard the voice of the guard.[i]“HAIL!”[/i] Surprisingly the guard was definitely a woman. While not impossible, Ash could count on the hands the occassions in which he had seen female guards around. Although, this could be worked in his favour, as well. [i]“State your name and bussiness traveller! This is not a good time to be riding about, especially with this blizzard picking up. Now, if you hurry, we can get back to the Wintershouse in time without having to trudge through the snow.”[/i] Women usually were more down to earth and slightly less prone to stupid bouts of righteousness and honor, and this seemed to be the case.


[b]"Hail, m'lady"[/b] Ash answered back, in a calm, composed tone, an accent similar to hers. [b]"I am Ash, son of Lily."[/b] He decided to disclose the truth about himself, not that he had much to lose. Although this was more of a formality. He doubted that a [i]female[/i] guard would be acquainted with prostitutes [i]enough[/i] to know who Lily was. [b]"I was hunting for bounty when night and this blizzard fell upon me. I decided to follow the caravan to not be trapped on the snow. At a certain distance, m'lady. Because as you can see, I am not bound to give a good impression with my current guise."[/b] He added, pointing at both his armor and the severed heads next to his horse's saddle. He then pondered.

[b]"No one likes to be in the middle of such a fierce snowstorm. Give me the word, m'lady, and I'll see to help your lot move the caravan to a safe shelter."[/b] He concluded. Perhaps a token of goodwill might mull things over. [b]"I do have a flask of brandy aswell."[/b]

[hr]

The world was going mad. The things she had considered for granted had been turned into ash and dust, and there wasn't any single friendly shoulder around her. Brier clutched her shoulders, as some sort of self embrace, trying to lessening the blow that she had suffered. A part of her mind refused to acknowledge it as real, but Briar knew better. If only Kevin had not tried to do the right thing with that big heart of his, none of this would have happened. If only she knew how to wield a sword like her elder brother... she would've been able to save Brian.

Yet, Kevin laid dead, at the side of her father, and for his actions, she had lost everything but her life. Even though that she herself had suffered only mild wounds, the pain inside her was much much worse. Clenching her teeth, she eyed her surroundings once more. Abundant grass and trees around her. She gathered she had moved into the Forklands some time ago in her frantic escape, only letting her horse rest when it was threatening to die on her. She would've killed it with exertion if she didn't knew better than she had no guarantee of getting a new one, and as such the beastie was in front of herself, grazing in the meadow quietly.

[b]"You surely have an easy life."[/b] She managed to quip, half in jest, half in bitter acknowledgement. She checked her clothes once more. Dirty with soot and blood, snagged in all sort of places, her headpiece missing, but still pretty much in a decent condition. She also revised her dagger, the only thing that could help her guarantee her safety when things turned against her again. The high blade quality was enticing, and slitting her wrists or neck was a growing temptation in the back of her mind.

[b]"No, Kitty, you're a daughter of Rikard. You're better than this." [/b]She grasped the dagger tightly, and put it back in the sheath. If only Joakim or Gregar were here. She could vividly portray them. Joakim with his measured but stern way of talking. And Gregar warmly urging her to follow him. It was as if almost she could hear his voice.

No, definitely she was hearing [i]his[/i] voice.

What could that mean? Had she gone mad with grief? Quickly, she twisted the skin in one of her shoulders, causing herself a jolt of pain. No, his voice was [i]real[/i], she could feel it. Her heart skipped a beat, as she jumped upright, eyes wide.

[b]"The gods haven't abandoned me."[/b] She whispered to herself as she quickly reached for the reins of her mount, jumping on the saddle quickly and then spurring the horse to head in the direction of the voice. It was [i]him[/i]!

[b]"GREEEG!"[/b] She yelled at the top of her lungs, speeding towards the road. [b]"You are no ghost, aren't you!??[/b]