Thief in the night.

[Emiryal ♕]

Lyserg dropped inside the open window of the house, only moonlight offered any illumination. He flattened himself against the wall waiting to see if anyone had heard him and giving his eyes time to adjust to the dim room. Lord Ilnar and captain in the empire's army, had been exposed as a traitor giving information to the Varden. But he was a well known figure in the Empire and it was easier to just do away with him than to expose and lower moral.

It had only been six days since Lyserge had been forced into being a shade. He shivered at the thought, he hated the idea of it but at least he was lucky enough to retain his own personality, or well at times. Sometimes Dithel took over, which was quite a strange experience.

When no one moved he slipped into the hall way and down the hall towards the main bedroom. He'd scoped out the house earlier and knew the layout fairly well. He suddenly crouched as a bolt shot at him from a hidden alcove. He glared at the bolt for a moment. He'd been careless, he should've known that trap was there and avoided triggering it. In response he heard foot steps downstairs rushing to the steps. Lyserg bolted for the door and turned the handle but it wouldn't open. "It's locked with magic, obviously he knew we were coming," Dithel said his voice echoing in Lyserg's mind. "We still have to try, how do I counter it?" he asked a bit of desperation in his voice. If they couldn't get in he needed to flee now or he'd get trapped by those coming up the stairs. "I don't have time to explain it to you, and I don't think you can do it," Dithel said. Lyserg had only used magic once, he had no training or knowledge on how to do it. Casting the counter spell was beyond his abilities.

"Dithel no!" Lyserg begged before collapsing to the ground. He got up only seconds later but it wasn't Lyserg it was Dithel. He smiled and cast the proper spell and the door opened and entered. Lord Ilnar stood near his bed sword drawn and ready. Dithel held up a hand and hit Ilnar with a bolt of lightening, near instantly killing him. Ilnar was no mage and didn't stand a chance. He opened the window in the room and looked out. "You have a lot to learn Lyserg. You should be glad I was here to get you out of this," Dithel said before jumping out of the window. It was only a two story building so he rolled when he hit the ground then moved to hide near some rain barrels. Guards shouted as alarms went off, no one would know the Empire had been responsible for this.

[Brenton]

The flash of white hair and glint of soulless black eyes still haunted the men who survived an attack by Bristven, female shade responsible for Empire deaths. Already she'd heard about a young shade running errands for King Galbatorix and now she had to see what he was like. So when the rain barrels suddenly had two companions instead of one it was no surprise and the shadows continued their business. Shades were normally powerful and careful but Dithel was weak and new with no care or responsibility for what he had done. Shades are supposed to be all powerful but you are a disgrace, new born. Bristven smiled evilly and her filed teeth glinted in the light.

[Emiryal ♕]

Dithel didn't seem very surprised by Bristven's appearance. There had been a noticable increase of interest in them since Lyserg had survived being made a shade. "I'm not trying to impress you," Dithel said keeping on alert for any guards that might wander this way looking for him. He knew Bristven was powerful, and had quite a reputation. He wouldn't but much of a match for her, so he took the insult without much argument. He didn't want to get caught nor did he want to end up in a fight with her even though they were on the same side. "Why are you here anyways m'lady? I wouldn't think we would draw the attention from someone as powerful as yourself," he said. Had Galbatorix sent her to check on them or train them?

[Brenton]

Oh flattery, so that's your approach? I now see why you still don't control your pathetic host and actually show true strength. Dithel do please learn how to use true shade power for even a human could best you in Hans to hand combat which is sad. Bristven saw guards and immediately whistled before disappearing only to reappear two buildings away. The shade woman watched as as the guards began walking toward the rain barrels and peals of laughter rippled past her full pink lips. Bristven stood up and paced back and forth, expecting the new shade to appear soon.

[Emiryal ♕]

Dithel sighed. Great, so they were being watched by her it seemed and she was going to blow this whole mission on them. He couldn't help but wonder if she had been the reason why they had a harder time getting into the house. Lyserg rarely failed to see any traps and most of their targets didn't have magical protections however minor. "Fine, if she wants a show," he said. He only had a spear and a crossbow, they would have to do. They were Lyserg's. "We really need to get some decent weapons for me Lyserg," he complained. "I'd rather work alone," Lyserg responded. "We'll it's not like you have a choice," Dithel said.

He waited as the guards approached the barrels. When they were only a few feet away Dithel shoved the barrels with magic to roll towards the guards. "Opacho!" he called as he lept into the air. The raven near by flew to him and transformed into black wings on Dithel's back. The Shade flew up before exploding the barrels and setting them on fire. Dropping back down he slew one of the guards in the chaos before he knew what was happening. With only a spear, he parried a blow from one of the guards before returning a strike. Five guards had come down the ally, four remained and one of them was injured.

He jabbed again faster than the guard could realize what was happening. Dithel was quite fast, much faster than his human host. Two down now. He held out a hand and blasted two of the guards that were close to each other killing them in an instant. One left. The guard had come up behind him and swung. Before the blow could hit Dithel turned and blocked it with the spear. The wooden shaft of the spear broke under the impact allowing the sword to hit him. Dithel seemed enraged by the hit as he commanded the man's heart to stop and he fell over.

Looking around at the carnage, Dithel abandoned the broken spear and flew towards Bristven. "You enjoy doing that to me don't you," he said sounding a bit exasperated. "I don't want to harm my host or control him, what difference does it make if I do or don't? No human can best me in combat, they don't stand a chance. Flattery or not I was being sincere in what I said before. Your reputation does proceed you," Dithel said.

[Brenton]

Bristven's eyes twinkled as she watched the fighting below, which was odd with pure black eyes, and started whistling a children's lullaby that turned dark before she cackled in pure joy. You may not be useless after all, Dithel but Lyserg is weak just like Fern was when she begged for my control. You are better when you control the host and it is unlikely you will miss traps so easily set in place. By the way, you should have used shade magic and avoided the hall entirely. Now if you want training I'm sure I have blades for you that would suit you when in those situations.

To prove her point, Bristven disappeared and two minutes later reappeared with three types of swords with sheaths. She was beginning to grow bored with simply killing enemies so months back the shade had built a store room twenty feet below Uru'baen with racks of weapons and armor. Now she could take troops and infiltrate the Varden with those uniforms.

There are more weapons and I can outfit you with armor but you need to train more or people will kill you easily. We shades may be without souls but a weak shade gives us all a bad name and since Durza we have received nonstop taunting. What do you say Dithel?

[Emiryal ♕]

Dithel hesitated a moment as though wondering if Bristven would mind before he picked up one more slender blades and slid it out of the sheath and held it out testing the balance of it. "This is masterfully made, I've seen few swords so finely made as this," he said putting the sword back in it's sheath and returning the weapon. Her offer was tempting, Dithel had learned much in his life but he had much more he could learn now. He wasn't sure about working with Bristven though knowing her reputation she could easily kill him if she thought he was unworthy or for amusement for all he knew. But there wasn't exactly a choice here. If he refused surely that really would be the outcome. She'd take this much interest in him already.

"It's not exactly an offer I can refuse. I am at your service m'lady," he said politely then added. "But I will not harm my host by controlling him. I won't." Dithel felt Lyserg's surprise when he spoke. "I thought spirits of shades always did that, I was expecting you would eventually...Dithel?" Lyserg said. "I'm not like Bristven, I may have done wrong things, but I'm not like that," Dithel answered. "My host is inexperienced and young, his magic is limited. I did not see a reason to take over until there was real danger. And I do not know shade magic, only ancient elven magic. I could not have avoided the hall."

"Durza took on more than he could handle and underestimated riders," Dithel said his tone indicated he was not overly found of riders in general. "Neither Lyserg or I have any intention of getting killed like that fool Durza."

[Brenton]

((Ooh idea!!! Fern is an interesting person in her form to have wanted to be a shade. Maybe this will be more of a learning experience ))

Bristven smirked and nodded once before looking away at the skyline to think about her words carefully. Yet the shade spirits were unable to define it properly so Bristven closed her black eyes and when they opened again they were startlingly blue and her bangs were black added to the white and blue. This wasn't Bristven entirely but the image of Fern daughter of Morzan and Selena. She turned to Dithel and spoke in a softer voice than before. Lyserg, being a shade isn't always as bad as people make it out to be. I was captured by the Empire and tortured until my patience had worn thin and I summoned Bristven. Now I stand here to tell you that most of the time Bristven acts for me but I still get say. She listens to me and I learn from her. If anything we are partners and there are great benefits to shade magic. The language of the Nether is too powerful and wild for me to say but Bristven knows it and will teach it to you.

[Emiryal ♕]

(Oo yes for sure.)

Dithel smiled as Fern showed herself. He held up a hand to stall her before she spoke more than Lyserg's name. Then allowed Lyserg to have control again. Only his eye color changed, to Lyserg's and the black wings vanished turning back into the Raven who now sat on Lyserg's shoulders. The boy looked a bit scared to be standing in front of a shade and for once he'd rather have Dithel in control here so he didn't have to face her.

"Maybe, but I don't want to be one," he said half quietly not wanting to make her mad. "This was forced on me, it wasn't my choice and I nearly died from it. Dithel...I guess we are partners too now but he leaves me in control most of time..I think he likes to see how bad I'll mess up," he said.

[Emiryal ♕]

bump

[Brenton]

((Oh crap! I meant to post here a long time ago. Well here goes.))

Fern nodded and looked at Lyserg with a strange expression on her face. At one point she had been willing to kill everyone who angered her but inside she was still Fern Daughter of Morzan. An outcast by her mother and someone that was just a girl who loved and laughed. Yes, Bristven laughed but it was cruel and malicious, unlike hers that was bubbly and calming. I'm not as bad as people say I am and I understand but Lyserg, pain and anger created Bristven. It wasn't like I actually had a choice in Galbatorix's dungeon. Think about things that anger you and then when Dithel is in control make yourself believe that is why. A union between spirits and host creates a far stronger shade that people fear. Someday I will explain exactly why I am called Bristven and feared by many.

[Emiryal ♕]

(No problem)

Lyserg said nothing for a moment. "Forgive me but, I don't see how anger is going to help me. I haven't known him long but...I don't think Dithel is like that either. I don't want to be feared, but that doesn't matter, I just take orders and do as asked. I don't have a choice to make in anything really," he said. He like Fern didn't have much choice in becoming Shades but he didn't want to give in and just leave it like that. Dithel didn't seem willing or attempting to harm him either, Lyserg wasn't sure what to make of it.

[Emiryal ♕]

bump.