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As they rode through the forest toward the castle an eerie mist seemed to lurk
behind them, licking just at their heels.
“I don’t like the look of this,”Kat spoke up from her spot behind D on the
horse,”It’s like we’re being herded there...”
She looked back at the fog then to D again as he sat in silence watching around for
any sign of the count’s minions. It was then that the symbiot spoke up, his voice muffled
by the glove.
“She’s right D. This is a bit odd.”
As if to prove their ominous feelings right a few rustling noises emerged from the
surrounding woods and a low growl was heard as footsteps ran faster than they were
riding. The running seemed to be heading away in the direction of the castle.
“They know we’re coming,”D stated simply.
“I know,”she said as she looked at the surrounding shrubbery,”Hopefully we can
deal with the little welcoming committee I’m sure we’ll be getting.”
D was silent and a quick flash to the left caught her eye and from the corner of her
eye she sees something flying down towards D at full force. D hadn’t a chance to notice it
before she shouted at him.
“Get down!”
D ducked and spurred the horse, pushing it to go faster and with his free hand he
drew his sword, ready to strike at whatever was coming for them. As he drew his sword
though he found Kat not behind him but landing on the ground, sword drawn, facing the
thing as it stands just where D had been a moment earlier. He pulled the horse to a
sudden stop, turning to face the shapeshifter as she stands there with her sword drawn.
The shapeshifter suddenly launches itself at her, flying straight for her, with a mad laugh.
It’s own weapon, a two bladed sword, drawn and aimed for her chest.
As it nears her she suddenly leaps off the ground and when it is almost directly
under her she drops, spearing it through the heart with her sword. Her feet landed on it's
shoulders and it struggled for a moment then went limp. She pulled her sword out,
stepping off the thing as she looked down on it without emotion. D stood still, watching
her ready to help if she had needed it. As she looks around for any more attackers she
sheathes her sword, walking over to him.
“Impressive,”he said simply.
She nodded slightly then said,in a quiet voice,”Thanks.”
As she finished speaking a rustling was heard to the right, this time accompanied
by giggling, stamping hooves and short whinies of terror.
She turned quickly in the direction of the noise, a “Huh?” escaping her lips.
“You performed well,”D said paying no attention to the noises,”We should go.”
She looked back at him for a moment as she said,”There’s something over there
though.”
Her voice sounded distant as she began to walk in the direction of the noise. D
shrugged and walked over, following her. More giggling was heard as she seperated the
bushes a bit to see a horse tied to a tree and a few imps poking it with sticks. The horse
was a pitch black cyborg with saddle, bridle, bit and the works on it and as the imps poked
it it reared back and tried to crush them under it’s hooves.
Quickly she moved around the shrubs and before they could all react and notice
her she had her sword drawn and killed the one. The other two quickly turned at the short
cry their friend gave and spotted her. D stood quietly watching as the two remaining imps
got a sort of ‘oh shit’ look on their faces as they dropped the sticks. They stood about 2
to 3 feet tall and were small scrawny puny things. With ease she killed the other two who
were frozen with fear and then sheathing her sword went to the horse. She petted it’s
head gently to calm it and when it saw the imps gone it almost immediately calmed, letting
out a contented snort.
“Friend of yours?” D asked.
She looked at him,”Yeah.”
D was silent as she untied the horse and went back around the bushes with him,
walking the horse over to D. Motioning her head to the horse she explained.
“He’s Mycroft.”
At his name the horse snorted and seemed almost to nod it’s head in response.
“Why is he here in the woods?” D asked.
“I couldn’t exactly take him into the castle with me when I went after Rugen so I
left him just outside under an outcropping which belonged to an old stable. I gave him
feed and water and figured I’d be back after I took care of the count,”she explained, her
voice trailing off as D stood in silence.
D didn’t reply so she continued,”I guess Rugen brought him out here... I don’t
understand why though.. Unless it was just for those imps to torment him and then
something else to kill and eat him.”
D glanced around the grove, saying nothing as she shook her head and turned to
the horse.
“Sorry Mycroft,”she said quietly,” I'll make it up to you though.. somehow.”
As she finished talking to the horse she quickly mounted Mycroft and walked him
to D’s saying to D,”C’mon.”
D remounted his horse and they rode onwards, no sound coming from the grove
though at the castle they could hear wolves howling.