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Hold on... I thought Maltoris said Kailah was being released? CONSPIRACY!!! oooh... on that note, I think that maltoris is resemblant to me of the 'Old' obi wan kenobi. with grey hair etc.
I knew i would be right with the split personality thing! The apparent council sound like a bunch of ah, (please excuse my language) Backstabbing gits!
Once more, i enjoy the style in which you have written this. so... keep up the good work Dreamer. I look forward to your next post.

yeah i realized i had goofed when i reread over it i have gone back since then and added in details in places and fixed that :P
there is conspiracy just not involving that muhahahahahaha

ok hopefully this makes a tade more sense than my last attempt :P

Beware the Wolf.


“When you said ‘sentenced’, this wasn’t what I had imagined.” Cam mused staring at his Caster.
Kailah sat with her arms crossed over her chest indignantly as Cam tried his hardest not to laugh out loud. Kailah was sitting in the traditional cell of three stone walls and bars, on a wooden three legged stool, with a pointed detention hat sitting on her head.
“You have no idea how humiliating this is, Cameron.” Kailah growled glaring daggers at him as he finally lost control and fell over laughing.
“This is the worst punishment, aside from death, banishment, or imprisonment, a Caster can suffer!” Chelry emphasized staring in disbelief at Cam’s insensibility.
Cam finally got his laughter somewhat under control and turned back to his Caster, “So…How long is this, punishment, going to go on for?” Cam asked biting his lip to keep from laughing again. Her glare was kind of intimidating but that only made the whole picture that much more comical.
Kailah sighed, “I have to be here for another week.”
“You did explain that it was self-defense right?” Cam asked becoming slightly more serious. Kailah didn’t meet his gaze but instead stared at the floor, she uncrossed her arms and started fidgeting with her fingernails.
“She couldn’t claim self-defense, due to the fact that she didn’t stop.” Emsa stated, startling Cam by appearing at his elbow without any noise.
“Stop jumping out like that.” Cam said massaging his chest over his fast beating heart, “What do you mean?”
“I couldn’t claim self-defense because of how far I went.” Kailah said softly, she lowered her head and a lock of black hair fell from behind her right ear to cover her right eye.
“The bastards deserved it. You only went that far ‘cause they tried to kill you.” Cam said indignantly, “Did the judge take into account that the bad guys wouldn’t have stopped either?”
“I killed them horribly,” Kailah whispered, sorrow choking her voice, “nobody deserves to die like that.”
Cam watched in silent torment as Kailah wept over the memory of her actions. At this time, like the time before in the bar, Cam wanted desperately to gather her into his arms. Esma and Chelry left quietly, Chelry handed Cam a small key and held his fingers to his lips in a shushing motion. He then mouthed ‘You have one hour’ and walked off after Esma.
Cam inserted the key into the lock and opened the door. It didn’t squeak or make any noise and Cam closed it just as silently. He pocketed the key and walked over to Kailah. He stared at her as she cried softly, her face in her hands. She got a slight hold of herself and looked up at him.
The lock of jet black hair still fell on her face, Cam reached his hand to her face and tenderly tucked it back behind her ear. He carefully took the offensive hat off her head and put it on the ground next to her stool.
Kailah watched him with tears still streaming down her face as he straightened back up and looked at her again. Cam smiled tenderly as he cupped her right cheek in his left hand and wiped the tears away with his thumb.
Kailah smiled pitifully as she burst into more tears. Cam gathered her to his chest and let her cry. Tears of shame and anguish soaked his shirt but he didn’t care, his Caster was hurting and this was the only way he could comfort her right now.

“Oh come on!” Cam cried as Kailah laid down a winning hand yet again. Kailah laughed at his misfortune as she raked the meager pot of two coppers, a shirt button, and a flower, towards her.
“You suck at this.” Kailah teased picking up the flower and tucking it behind her ear.
“You have got to be cheating somehow.” Cam accused her trying to be stern but the sight of her made him laugh destroying his efforts. As per required she still wore the hat and had to stay in her cell, but the jailor had been kind and allowed Cam to move in a table, two chairs, and a deck of cards and let him stay inside with her during visiting hours.
“Uh-huh, quit whining and deal, loser.” Kailah teased as Cam picked up the cards to shuffle. Cam sighed as he shuffled the cards and dealt.
“I’m running out of stuff to bet, what you want next my shirt?” Cam grumbled putting the deck down.
“Well, what an entertaining sight.” A voice floated to them from the bars. Both of them shot out of their chairs at the sight of Councilwoman Xerkieda. She was a tall thin woman with almond shaped dark green eyes, traits of the elves that lived in the Werst Forest. Her angular features were accented well with her long pointed ears that peaked out from her long golden hair. She smiled at the two of them, not at all friendly.
“Councilwoman.” Cam bowed, “Greetings and fair day to you.”
“Likewise, Sword. Kailah, dear, how are you faring?” Xerkieda asked all but brushing off Cam’s existence.
“I am well, Councilwoman.” Kailah replied politely though Cam could tell she was just about as nervous as he was.
You didn’t get on the Council as a Caster without being very powerful or ruthless, and Xerkieda fit both of those perfectly. Xerkieda was the strongest Psyche Caster in the Order and perhaps the Chaos as well. Psyche Casters used magics such as Telekinesis, and the like to attack or defend. Also, if the Caster was powerful enough they could cause illusions that would have an effect on reality.
Xerkieda was one such Caster. If rumors were to be believed, she was like a viper, she dealt in the shadows. She had a hand in every shady business within her district of Central and others within the other eleven. You didn’t cross her and live long to boast about it.
“What can we do for you?” Kailah asked in place of Cam. The Council Casters were notorious for treating the common Swords like dirt, beneath their notice.
“I just came by to see how you were doing.” She replied in a bored soft tenor voice as she gazed around the cell completely ignoring Cam’s presence.
“I’m fine, my Sword, Cameron, is keeping me company.” Kailah supplied politely.
“Ah, yes, Cameron Ganvez.” Xerkieda said finally looking at him, though Cam would have preferred to be ignored than sneered at.
“Gantervez.” Cam corrected bowing slightly.
“You’re the Sword that killed the Phantom caster Shalia, pity she was an amazing Caster.” Xerkieda sneered turning away from him and walking towards the window.
Cam couldn’t help but flinch at her barb. He knew it really wasn’t his fault that Shalia had died, but that didn’t ease the pain.
“Is there something specific you wanted, Councilwoman?” Kailah asked. Her voice took on a hard edge but still remained polite on the surface. She didn’t much like this woman hurting her Sword, even if the wound wasn’t physical.
“You do realize, youngling, that you have more enemies than supporters on the Council.” Xerkieda said offhandedly while staring out the window to the courtyard beyond.
Kailah stiffened slightly, “Yes, I realize this. The question is, which one are you?”
Xerkieda chuckled which grated on Cam’s nerves, “That is a question, one loaded with possibilities.”
She turned to face the both of them and her green eyes flashed with amusement and plotting. She smirked and walked slowly toward the entrance, Cam sidestepped quickly out of her way unconsciously putting himself between her and Kailah.
Xerkieda stopped just before walking through the door, “I am neither, youngling, in this play I am merely an observer. For now at least.”
Cam let out the breath he had been holding after Xerkieda disappeared down the corridor. He ran a nervous hand through his hair as he turned to face Kailah. She looked like she was going over something complex in her head.
“What do you think?” Cam asked her sitting back down in his chair, the card game forgotten.
Kailah thought for a bit more then shook her head as she sat down, “Dunno, I believe her when she says she’s neutral.”
“What do you know about her?” Cam asked leaning back in the chair and crossing him arms.
Kailah shrugged, “Not too much, she’ll bide her time and wait for an opportunity to secure her own position. Whether that’s good or bad for us is anyone’s guess. She’s not one to rush into things.”
“Despite the fact that you’re hell-of -a-scary powerful Caster, why is the Council so interested in you?” Cam asked leaning forward resting his elbows on the table.
Kailah shrugged, “I showed signs of magic when I was three, the Order found me before the Chaos. When they discovered I could do multiple elements the Council took a keen interest in me, well, one council member in particular.”
Cam’s curiosity was piqued, “Who?”
“Surkaust.” Kailah almost spat the name.
Cam shuddered in revulsion. Of all the council, he disliked him the most, the guy was just plain creepy. Surkaust was a Blood Caster. Nasty things happen when Blood Casters fight, usually in the gory department. Cam had fought a Chaos Blood Caster once with Shalia, the only thing that had saved the two of them was another Sword named Anthony who had sacrificed himself for the victory. Cam shook his head at the memory; they had never found all of him.
“Of all people, why him?” Cam asked, “He’s a Blood Caster, what could he possibly want with an Element Caster?”
Kailah shrugged, “Something about a prophecy having to do with creating the most powerful force to destroy the Chaos once and for all or some nonsense like that.”
“Heh,” Cam snorted, “I’ve never heard of anything like that, I’m all for destroying the Chaos but I doubt it’ll be in whatever way he had planned. But besides Mr. Insanity what makes the rest of the Council want you?”
“Mainly, I think, because Surkaust wants me. The Council, as you know, is made up of currently twelve members. Each member has their own districts and therefore Pairs, the more Pairs loyal to them the more power and influence they have with the Emperor and in the political game.” Kailah explained leaning forward onto the table, “Usually depending on what district you live in dictates with whom your loyalty lies, with the Emperor above all other ties.”
“Right, Maltoris has control over all the unattached Swords due to him being Commander of the Imperial Army. Though, personally I think he has the loyalty of all the Swords, attached or not, including Councilwoman Hatima. With her, he politically controls the northern districts of Kalm and Baughk.” Cam nodded.
“Most of the Psyche Casters follow Xerkieda as well as most of the offshoots of that type, same goes for Surkaust and the Blood Casters. Element Casters tend to lean toward Jorvis.” Kailah paused drumming her fingers on the table.
“Councilman Trep is a loner, even though he is a Sword. Same goes for Quells.” Cam mused.
“No I’ve heard recently they’ve sided with Maltoris on issues more so than not. But in general they are separate from his party.” Kailah nodded. She pursed her lips in thought and leaned her chin on her left hand.
“To-shire, he’s hooked up with, Kamstor, Horflin, and who else?” Cam asked numbering them off on his fingers.
“Bashgin, the Force Caster.” Kailah supplied.
“Right him, so that leaves, Gin.” Cam said, “You don’t hear much about him.”
“He’s a quiet one; he doesn’t make any big waves like Surkaust and To-shire. He’s definitely patient, guess it goes with being a half-breed.” Kailah mused nodding her head.
Cam snorted, “I’ve know quite a few Halves but they definitely weren’t patient. Most of them had anger management issues. But boy were they fun to hang with.”
“Are the ones you know all Swords?” Kailah asked.
“Yeah, why?” Cam asked.
“Well, to be an efficient Air Caster you can’t have ‘issues’.” Kailah said getting up to get the water pitcher.
Cam laughed, “I guess that’s true. I guess we can only wait and see who our allies and enemies will turn out to be.”
Kailah shook her head slowly as she answered sitting back down with her glass, “You’re guess is as good as mine.”
After a while of silence Cam shrugged picked the deck back up and leaned back in his chair, “Well, things definitely aren’t dull with you around.”
Kailah snorted, “Things were just fine until I attached to you.”
“Oh really?” Cam said in mock surprise, “You’re telling me, that my delectable charm hasn’t swept you off your feet?”
He dealt the cards while Kailah stared at him through lowered eyelids, like she was appraising him.
“What charm? The first time we met after we attached, you burst into my room while I was changing. Then you yelled at me and stormed off.” Kailah said picking up her cards and arranging them in her hands.
“If I remember correctly you threw a pitcher at me, plus other heavy objects and something sharp. And I did apologize.” Cam said in an accusing tone changing out some of his cards.
Kailah shrugged, “I was slightly distraught at the time, I am a lady and you are a guy who saw things that shouldn’t be seen nonchalantly.”
“Lady my foot, you’re no more lady-like than Esma.” Cam laughed as he laid down his hand, “Full House!”
“For your information, just because I can kill you in multiple ways doesn’t make me any less a lady, just makes me versatile.” Kailah said pointing her finger at him.
“Yeah, yeah. What you got, ‘lady’?” Cam sneered.
“Royal Flush.” Kailah said laying her hand down.
“Crap!”

And now there's a bitch in it. Xerkieda seems very cold to just about everyone, sword and Caster alike. She's just one of those characters whom everyone seems to hate. You just know that she's gonna cause trouble for Cameron. I hope she eventually gets her comuppance, though i barely know her.
Without meaning to be rude, but Kailah didn't actually answer Cam's question.
As always, I enjoy every moment of this. keep it up mate!

explanation sorta :P its just the tip of a rather bloody iceberg.....dun dun dun

and as always thank you for the comments

Are you sure you know her?


Kailah’s punishment ended without any more surprising visits from esteemed persons. Cam was happy to not have anything to do with the Council on a good day as it was. Chelry and Esma threw them a ‘Welcome back’ party a few days after Kailah got out, well, Chelry threw it and Esma just attended.
“Oh yeah, whatever happened to that Body Caster?” Cam asked sipping on some wine after the party. Kailah had passed out sometime around midnight.
Chelry chuckled softly as Esma stared out the window into the gloom of two-in-the-morning.
“He happily turned himself in.” Chelry replied, “You two seem to be getting along better now.”
Cam smiled, “Yeah, she isn’t so bad. She definitely isn’t an airhead like Shalia was. She’s sharp; I actually have to try to pull one over on her. And boy is she a card shark!”
“I have heard the rumors that ya’ll are fifty-seven to four?” Chelry said raising his eyebrows.
“No!” Cam said indignantly, “It’s only twenty-seven to thirteen.”
Chelry laughed, “Like that’s much better.”
Chelry started to fidget, fair warning sign that he was about to broach a touchy subject. Cam took another sip of wine and braced himself.
“You do know what today is, don’t you?” Chelry asked softly looking at Cam with concern.
Cam stared down at the drink in his lap, “Yeah, it’s been five years. I couldn’t protect her like I should have.”
“Have you had any leads on the Mistress?” Esma asked turning her attention back to the conversation.
Cam shook his head, “No, not in five years, not even a rumor.”
Kailah groaned and rolled over on the couch next to Cam. The cover slipped off her shoulder and Cam smiled as he put it back on her. Kailah smiled in contentment as she snuggled deeper into the cushions.
“Is there any way to find out?” Chelry asked.
Cam shook his head, “No, short of storming through Chaos territory. In the beginning I would have, had Maltoris not grounded me.”
“And now?” Esma asked staring at him intently.
Cam met her gaze and held it for a minute. Her gold eyes pierced him as he thought on the answer to that question. He dropped his gaze back to Kailah’s face.
Cam shrugged, “For some reason, it doesn’t hurt as much now. Revenge isn’t as dire a need as it was before.”
Esma stared at him a second longer then turned her gaze back out the window seeming uninterested once again. Cam finished off the rest of his glass and stood up and stretched.
“Well, I should get her to her bed. Thanks for the party.” Cam said holding out his hand to shake Chelry’s. Chelry stood up and clasped Cam’s hand almost swallowing it.
“Glad, you’re both ok.” Chelry said dropping his hand as Cam turned and scooped Kailah into his arms. Kailah curled close to his chest to keep warm but didn’t wake.
Chelry showed them to the door and waved as Cam walked down the hallway toward the East wing the two of them lived in.
“He’s healing well.” Esma commented as Chelry came back and sat down on the couch next to her.
“I think we have Kailah to thank for that.” Chelry mused stroking his beard, “I haven’t seen him smile like that since before Shalia died.”
“I may not understand emotions the way you humans do, Chelriman. But I do think that I would be…agitated…if something happened to you.” Esma said slowly trying to find the correct words. Being a Galic Elf, emotions were something somewhat foreign to her.
Chelry smiled, “As would I, Esma. As would I.”

Cam carried Kailah back toward their apartment they had moved into that morning. As Caster and Sword both lived in the same apartment, this saved on room and allowed unattached Swords and Casters to have rooms of their own.
Chelry and Esma’s apartment was in the Northern wing of the Compound close to the new recruits bunkers. Cam smiled in fond, sometimes hilarious, memory of his days spent in the bunkers. He crossed the courtyard that sat in the middle of the four wings of the Compound to the East wing.
Cam got the door opened without disturbing Kailah and locked it behind them after he had entered. The apartment wasn’t extravagant. They hadn’t been in it for long so furnishings were somewhat bare and basic. Most of their stuff was still in boxes, waiting to be unloaded.
There were two separate bedrooms, a common area, a kitchen, and a bath. Cam walked softly to Kailah’s room and put her on the bed. He thought for a minute then shrugged and began taking off her shoes. Once he got her shoes off he went to the closet and pulled out the extra blanket and threw it over her.
Seeing her sleeping face Cam was reminded of Shalia. Surprisingly the pain wasn’t as intense with the memory this time; it was more a dull ache rather than a torturous hell. He had often carried Shalia back like this and tucked her into bed after some party or practice session.
A strand of hair fell over Kailah’s face and Cam tucked it back gently into place. Cam looked at her tan face in what moonlight filtered in through the doorway. Cam sighed and walked out of the room to his.
He stripped off his clothes and got into bed to see what sleep he could get in the remaining hours before dawn. Usually on this night he would be passed out drunk so he wouldn’t have to live through the memories. But even still, they would haunt him when he woke.
As he drifted off into sleep, memories of Shalia’s death, which usually plagued him on this night, were replaced by memories of Kailah’s laughter and the goofy hat she had worn as they had played cards during her week of incarceration.

Cam woke just a little before dawn. Taking a deep breath he rolled over and stretched, his joints popping. He sighed and stared at the ceiling, this was the first time he had woken up on the day after the anniversary of Shalia’s death without a hangover, or woken up period.
Cam got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Once he was done he headed back to his room to get dressed, after he was clothed he headed to the kitchen to find something to eat. Kailah’s door was still shut so he assumed she was still asleep and tried to be quiet as moved around in the kitchen.
Today the two of them had Pair training. New Pairs usually went to training their first month together, to be able to attune to each other and fight better. The two of them had to go because it was part of Kailah’s probation. Since she had lost it and Cam hadn’t been able to prevent it, the two of them had to go to school.
Surveying the cupboards and finding them practically bare, Cam decided to make a grocery list. Most Pairs tended to not be home often because of various contracts they take up, but Cam and Kailah were grounded till her probation was over, so groceries were a must till they could work again.
He started some coffee going in the coffee maker and then headed to Kailah’s room to wake her up. Dwarves were amazing engineers, Cam mused, none of the race had a lick of magic but with what they came up with you’d think they were magicians.
Bearded, short-tempered, and bordering on severely anti-social, the dwarves preferred to stay in their mountain halls and invent than deal with other races. Most of the technology of the day came from the dwarves that shared their mountain home with the Galic elves. The Galic elves lived in the forest on top of the Galic Mountains and left the dwarves to themselves in their tunnels under the mountain.
Cam knocked on the door to Kailah’s room and got no reply. He knocked again and still didn’t receive an answer. He tried the handle, it was unlocked. He opened the door slowly and peeked into the room, ready to shut it should anything heavy come his way.
“Kailah?” Cam asked softly as he opened the door wider.
The light from the common area lamps filtered into her room. He crossed the floor to her bed and looked down. She had the covers over her head and was curled tightly into a ball.
Cam chuckled, “Hey, princess, it’s time to get up.”
He tried to pull back the covers but she gripped them tighter and growled at him.
“Come on, we have training today.” Cam sighed and yanked on the covers.
Kailah sat up when the covers were pulled off and Cam took a step back in surprise. Her hair was a mess, she hadn’t taken it down from the pins the day before but a lot of strands had broken free. The strands that were only partly free fell over her face like a mass of angry tendrils. She glared at him, yanked the blanket from his hands, and laid back down.
Cam chuckled as he shook her, “Get up-ouch!” Cam pulled his hand back from her shoulder slightly blistered. Kailah sat back up and turned to face him.
“Go, away.” Kailah’s fire personality growled at him. Her eyes had the red glow that he had seen when she had flipped out before.
Cam shook his hand, “Not a morning person I take it?”
Kailah took a deep breath and seemed to get herself under control, “Is there coffee?”
Cam nodded and Kailah got up and shooed him out of the room. She closed the door behind him with a bang. Cam thought about retorting but then the sting of his hand reminded him of whom he was dealing with. He shrugged and headed for the kitchen. Pulling out a coffee cup and inspecting it, finding it clean he poured Kailah a cup of coffee and put it on the kitchen table. He then poured himself one, fixed it how he liked it, and sat down at the table and waited for her.
A few minutes later Kailah shuffled into the kitchen. Her hair was brushed down and she wore a pair of pants and a white tunic shirt. She spotted the cup on the table and sat down in front of it across from Cam. After she added cream and sugar she blew on it to cool it off before taking a sip.
“So, is this a regular occurrence where you wake up ready to kill?” Cam asked as head leaned forward and propped his chin on his hand.
“I don’t do before sunup very well.” Kailah replied drinking some more of her coffee, “Never have.”
Cam nodded, “And the whole, heating up and burning people?”
“Sorry.” Kailah grumbled, “I don’t really know why, but the fire personality is closer to the surface than the others. I think it has something to do with me being more proficient at Fire Casting than the others. Coffee calms me down though.”
“So when I come to wake you up in the morning I should bring a cup with me to ward off fiery wrath?” Cam asked smirking at the glare he got from her.
Kailah shrugged, “Wouldn’t hurt.” She drained the last of her coffee then got up to get more.
“We have training today. Don’t know if you heard me before when you were trying to fry me.” Cam said taking another sup of coffee.
“Yeah, I heard.” Kailah replied over her shoulder.
“When we were given that contract before all the mess with the Body Caster, how were you planning to ‘connect’ with me?” Cam asked her as she sat back down at the table.
Kailah shrugged, “I’d figured we’d do it on the way.”
Cam almost choked on his coffee, “What?”
“What, what?” Kailah asked confused.
Cam sighed, “You, obviously don’t know anything about attachment.”
A slight look of indignation crossed Kailah’s face, “Well I was training to be in council so I didn’t need to know. Why, what am I missing?”
“Ok, you do know that when a Caster and a Sword attach, some of the Caster’s power goes to the Sword, creating a connection between the two of them?” Cam asked putting his cup aside. Kailah nodded looking at him slightly confused.
“Well, the connection is always present; a Caster can transfer more power to the Sword causing them to have abilities similar to the Caster. When Shalia and I were a Pair if needed she could transfer some of her Phantom power to me and I could create a double of myself during battle. It didn’t last very long, though, and it was very taxing on Shalia.” Cam explained.
Kailah listened in silence as he continued, “The connection is also a stop-gap measure for when the Caster’s powers go out of control. Like with what happened with the Body Caster. If we had been attuned I could have ‘hypothetically’ stopped you without-“ He paused and the both of them blushed at the memory, “…without…such measures.” Cam coughed and took another swig of coffee.
“Why did that work, by the way?” Kailah asked curiosity superseding her embarrassment.
Cam shrugged, “It was unexpected. I could have probably knocked you over the head and that might have worked. Probably wouldn’t have hurt as much too. I’ve had some fiery kisses but….”
“Well, you did kind of kiss a live torch.” Kailah snickered drinking more of her coffee.
Cam laughed, “So, yeah, this isn’t something we could have learned ‘on the way’.”
“Oh…” Kailah said softly in understanding, “Is it hard to learn?”
Cam shrugged, “It wasn’t too hard for Shalia and me, but I’ve heard that every Pair is different. It’s just a good idea to have someone else there to help if something goes wrong.”
Kailah nodded silently as she pondered Cam’s words. Cam drained the rest of his coffee then stood up from the table.
“Well, it’s time to go. I figured we’d go grocery shopping after training, the cupboards are pretty bare.” Cam walked to the sink and rinsed out his cup. He set it on the drying wrack and turned to leave the kitchen. Kailah nodded and finished off her own coffee then followed him to the common area after cleaning her cup.
Cam went to his room to get his boots and was putting them on as a knock sounded on the door. Curious Cam got up after putting on his other boot to see who was there.
“Yes?” Cam asked as he opened the door, “Oh, morning Chelry.”
Cam stepped back and let the giant through followed closely by Esma. Cam nodded at Esma as she passed him without a glance.
“Morning to you too, sunshine.” Cam grumbled as he closed the door, “We were fixing to head to training.”
“Yeah, Esma and I thought we’d tag along, we don’t have any contracts at the moment.” Chelry said sitting on the couch in the common area.
“It would be entertaining if something were to go amiss.” Esma supplied before Cam could ask anything. Esma said it in such a matter of fact tone that it took a second for Cam to process what she had said.
“I jest,” Esma said before Cam could say anything back, “Chelry insisted we act as your supporters, I merely wish to observe.”
“Ok, whatever.” Cam said slowly still not sure if she had been joking or not. Kailah emerged from her room doing up her hair, she wore something similar to the outfit that she had worn when they first met after their joining. The only difference was the black corset vest was a dark red corset dress that laced up the front but remained opened past her belt.
“Oh, thought I heard you guys, good morning.” Kailah said smiling at them as she finished putting her hair into a pony tail. Esma nodded in greeting as Chelry said good morning back.
“Well, let’s get this show on the road.” Cam said heading out the door.

Click, click, boom.

The training ground was mostly empty except for the squad of unattached Swords practicing their drills under the ever watchful and critical eye of their commander. Cam smirked at the memories of his own commander and training days.
“Well, looky here.” A voice drifted to them from the left, “Haven’t seen you around at Shad’s lately, Gantervez.”
“Been busy, Don.” Cam replied as a man about the same build as him walked over followed by another man, this one of a slighter build.
Don snorted shaking Cam’s hand then noticed Kailah. He did a slight bow, “Pleasure to meet the Caster that finally tamed Gantervez.”
“What?” Kailah asked with a laugh and a curious glance at Cam.
Don whistled in appreciation, “Dang, if I’d known they made ‘em this gorgeous I would attend the Joinings more often.”
“You’d join with anything in a skirt.” The slighter man said with a smile on his face while Kailah blushed at the compliment.
“Morning Skiff. How’s the wife?” Cam asked the guy shaking his hand as well.
“Same ol’ thing, pregnant again though.” Skiff said grinning.
“Again? Man, you should slow down, that makes what? Eight?” Cam asked raising his eyebrows in surprise, “I don’t see how you deal with a wife and eight children and manage to stay somewhat sane.”
Skiff laughed, “Yeah, why do you think I’m hanging with this loser?”
Cam laughed as Don cried in indignation. Chelry and Esma nodded in greeting at Don and Skiff then headed on to where Cam and Kailah would be training.
“Don, Skiff, and I are old bunker mates and drinking buddies.” Cam explained turning to Kailah. He held his hand up in a mock gesture of conspiracy, “Don’t believe a word Don tells you, he’s a notorious liar and a flirtatious bastard.”
“Gantervez, I’m hurt! You have no respect for people’s feelings.” Don said in mock shock at Cam’s words. Skiff just leaned back at his post and chuckled.
“Uh-huh, the day you develop feelings is the day the Emperor gets rid of all taxes.” Cam smirked as he smiled at his old friend.
“I have feelings, Gantervez, they’re just buried!” Don said smiling back at him, “Seems your trainer is here, we should go for drinks sometime soon and catch up.”
“I’d like that.” Cam said shaking each of their hands again, “Skiff try to keep this guy out of trouble.”
Skiff rolled his eyes, “You always did ask the impossible, Gantervez.”
“Hey, I can take care of myself!” Don cried as Cam and Kailah headed over to Chelry and Esma.
“Sure, sure.” Cam said patronizingly over his shoulder as Skiff laughed. Kailah followed Cam trying not to chuckle.
“Friends of yours?” Kailah asked him as they came to where Chelry and Esma were waiting.
Cam grunted, “Yeah, we were in the same bunker during training. Don and Skiff haven’t ever attached, so like all the rest of the unattached they become regular soldiers of the kingdom. They also accompanied Shalia and me on missions sometimes.”
“You used to drink with them often?” Kailah asked stopping beside Chelry. The trainer was making his way over to them.
“Yeah, they were the only two who would let me drink myself stupid after…” Cam paused, “…after Shalia died.”
Further questioning was cut short as the trainer approached, “Good morning, class.” The trainer was a middle-aged man about five ten, medium build. He had the same grey eyes as Maltoris and spoke in the same thick Northernlands accent.
“Good morning, trainer.” Kailah said bowing slightly, “My name is Kailah, Element Caster, and this is my Sword.”
“Cameron Gantervez.” Cam spoke for himself bowing also.
“Yes, well, my name is Salforis, and to start with we’re going to be working on sensing the connection.” Salforis said as he smiled pleasantly at the two of them, “Will you two also be joining us?”
“No, we are merely observing.” Esma said coldly as she walked off toward a bench. Chelry bowed to Salforis and followed after her. Cam chuckled as Salforis shrugged and turned back to the two of them.
“Now, imagine that there is a string connecting to two of you at some point. Most find it easiest to imagine a string tied around a finger.” Slaforis began.
Cam thought back to the time that Shalia and he had trained their connection. She had analogized it to the red string of fate that tied two lovers together or something like that. Cam chuckled at the memory of the trainer turning bright red and getting flustered.
Cam could already feel the connection between himself and Kailah; it was like a buzz in the back of the head. Power flow from your Caster was an indescribable sensation; you had to be careful how much you took though, because it was possible to drain the Caster to the point of death.
Cam didn’t really know what it felt like for the Caster though, Shalia hadn’t ever told him. He glanced at Kailah and saw a puzzled look on her face.
“What?” Cam asked.
“Do you sense the connection, Caster?” Salforis asked her softly.
“I think so.” Kailah replied hesitantly.
“What do you feel?” Salforis urged.
“I feel,” Kailah’s facial features became more puzzled, “I feel…hungry.”
At that Cam’s stomach growled loudly as did Kailah’s. She blushed in embarrassment as Cam laughed. Chelry chuckled from where he sat next to Esma.
“I also feel something else, but I can’t describe it.” Kailah said as Cam continued to chuckle.
“That feeling is the connection. The sensation will become more powerful the more power you put through it. You should be careful the amount you pour in, you can overload the Sword.” Salforis cautioned ignoring Cam’s laughing fit.
“What would happen to Cameron if I did?” Kailah asked concern fringing her voice.
“I’ll die.” Cam answered before Salforis could, “Think of it like a wineskin, it can only hold so much before it bursts. I’m the same with power, I can only hold so much before I lose control of it and it kills me.”
“Is there a way to keep that from happening?” Kailah asked Salforis who was slightly ruffled that Cam took over his role of explaining.
“Yes, the Sword is able to, somewhat, limit the amount of Power poured in. Also the Sword can take power from the Caster.” Salforis explained.
“Think of it like a water tap that I control, I can turn it on full blast or turn it down to a trickle, but I can never turn it completely off.” Cam took up the explanation ignoring Salforis’s glare.
“Wouldn’t that eventually fill you up?” Kailah asked confused.
“If I don’t burn it off yes, but my body naturally burns the power off at a very slow rate. That’s what makes a Sword able to connect to only one specific Caster.” Cam explained.
“How does your body burn it off?” Kailah asked him, Salforis was pretty much forgotten.
“Same way that I would burn off food, exercise it off.” Cam replied.
“I see, so we’re in training to see how much power you can hold?” Kailah asked raising her eyebrows.
Cam laughed, “No, we’re training to attune so that I can take power without thinking about it too much and without disrupting you.”
“Does taking power from me-“ Kailah gasped as a shock went through her body. She felt slightly lightheaded afterward and swayed.
Cam caught and steadied her, “That’s what it feels like when I take power. And that was only a small amount.”
Kailah’s face was slightly flushed from the experience, “So, the more you take the stronger the sensation?”
Cam nodded, “What did it feel like? Shalia would never tell me.”
“Um, well, it didn’t hurt, it was more surprising.” Kailah dodged answering the question, “It felt like someone dropped an ice chip down the back of my shirt.”
Kailah lied, truth be told it felt good, really good, but she didn’t know how to describe it. Cam pursed his lips in thought.
“Now that you know the sensation we’ll be practicing for the next few days on Cameron taking out very small amounts of power, so you can become accustomed to the sensation and it won’t come as much of a shock.” Salforis said trying to reassert himself as the teacher.
“Once she’s used to that, then what?” Cam asked, “I need to be able to know how to stop her, should her powers go wacky, again.”
Kailah glared at him and crossed her arms over her chest as Chelry chuckled from where he and Esma sat watching.
“That will come with time, once she’s ok with the power draining, we’ll move on to the stop-gap measure.” Salforis grinned at them mischievously.
“O….k…” Cam wasn’t sure he was going to like that training by the way Salforis was grinning.
“Oh, come on Cameron, it can’t be that bad.” Kailah said cheerily.


-yeah that's right up there with, "What could possibly go wrong."-

Well that is interesting. with the arrivals of Don and skiff to the scene it becomes a lot cooler or rather makes light of the mood. personally i like Don's attitude. He knows how to ah... "Compliment" the female counterparts... okay fine, he's a bloody flirt. skiff seems to be the more easygoing of the two from this and quite frankly he seems very likeable. though i would give the same advice to him that cam did.



Though i suspect the real question is how the wife and co. deal with him... lol.



This raises a lot of questions, though personally i get the incling that it was something similar to an orgasm. (Please excuse sexual reference) thats just my guess for the record... and a guess at that (I have no idea what those feel like anyways...)

I am also rather looking forward to the next installment, because from the last line, we can all just tell that something bad is just waiting to happen. Heeheehee!!! hope the next installment comes soon. keep this stuff up Dreamer!

and here's some more

* * * * *

Cam landed with a thud on the cobblestones of the training ground. He honestly didn’t know if getting up again was a good idea or not. He groaned as he shoved himself to his knees.
“Ok, princess, you asked for it this time.” He grunted as he stood back up and faced off against Kailah. His hair sizzled where Kailah had burnt it.
Kailah stood about ten feet away with a ring of fire swirling around her. She smiled at him like a little kid toying with a bug.
“Come, come, Cameron. You’re making this way too boring.” She laughed as she cast the fire toward him.
Cam took power from her and managed to wrap a layer of cold around himself as the fire approached. The air around him steamed as the two opposites met and he used the cover to approach her. He ducked under the next stream of fire that she shot at him and closed the distance between them.
He emerged out of the steam face to face with Kailah. Her eyes widened in surprise as he reached out his left hand and placed it on the back of her neck just below her hairline. His right hand he curved around her side and gripped her at the small of her back.
Cam pulsed out a burst of power from his hands into Kailah where his hands were placed. The red glow vanished from her eyes and the ring of fire died. Kailah’s eyes rolled up into the back of her head as she passed out and Cam caught her. He gently let her down to the ground then sat down next to her with a huff.
Cam twisted the ends of his singed hair between his fingers and pursed his lips in aggravation. About thirty seconds later Kailah jerked awake. She sat up slowly holding her head.
“Ow, that hurt.” Kailah said softly as Cam helped her sit up.
“Yeah, I think of all your personalities, Princess is the one that takes the most effort to stop.” Cam sighed looking around the ruins of the training ground.
They had been training everyday for the better part of three weeks. Salforis had caught a stray ice-blast a week in and was recovering in the medical ward. Cam had assured him that he knew the basics enough to continue the training without Salforis. So here they were practicing the stop-gap measures.
“Why does the stop-gap measure have to be so….embarrassing?” Kailah asked blushing.
Cam shrugged, “Those are your weak points according to Salforis. Shalia’s was her solar plexus. Talk about awkward putting your hand in between a girl’s boobs. Every Caster is different.”
“I think that’s enough for today.” Cam said getting up then offering Kailah a hand. She took his hand and he pulled her to her feet. The two of them were alone in the training ground, Esma and Chelry had been called to the South to help with a medical emergency a week ago. Cam was sure Esma had enjoyed watching him get his butt kicked by Kailah while she was here though.
Kailah groaned, “Oh, I really don’t like the stop-gap measure.”
Cam chuckled, “Yeah, I’m sure a shock to the nerve points isn’t a lot of fun. Shalia was always grouchy after the practice.”
“I get why we need it, that incident with the Body Caster was proof enough, but doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Kailah grumbled as she stretched a little.
“Well if it isn’t the amazing duo.” Don’s voice drifted to them from their right. He was leaning against one of the post that was still left standing in the courtyard. Skiff wasn’t with him.
“Hey Don, where’s Skiff?” Cam asked walking over.
“At home with the family. I was just headed that way; Morsha’s cooking is the best.” Don said clasping Cam’s outstretched hand, “Ya’ll done practicing for the day?”
“Yeah, just finished up.” Cam said dusting off his pants.
Don snickered, “She seems to be schooling you quite well.”
Kailah grinned as Cam protested, “Hell no! I let her do that last blast.”
Don laughed, “Oh, so the getting blown half-way across the courtyard was all part of your plan?”
“It wasn’t half, more like a quarter.” Cam grumbled.
“How’re you today, darlin’?” Don asked turning to Kailah and holding out his hand, “And may I say how beautiful you look this afternoon, the stars will surely hide themselves in embarrassment to be compared to you this evening.”
Kailah shook her head as she let Don kiss her hand in greeting, “I’m fine, flatterer, I’m sure you say that to all the women you meet.”
“Madam, you wound me, I only speak truth and only say such things to the pretty ones.” Don grinned bowing slightly.
“Yeah, you should have seen it the first time he tried it on Esma, hit her about here.” Cam said holding his hand about a foot above his head, “What did she call you after that, I can’t remember.”
“Oh, Pashkik.” Don grinned, “She still calls me that every time we meet. You’d think she’d let it go, eh?”
Cam laughed, “Yeah, right. Well, we need to get back to the room and you have a dinner date, tell Skiff and Morsha hi for us.”
Don nodded as Kailah and Cam started to leave, “I will. Take it easy you two.”
“Bye, Don.” Kailah said over her shoulder at him. They walked in silence for a few minutes heading to the apartment.
Kailah couldn’t hold it in any longer, “Ok, what does Pashkik mean?”
Cam laughed, “Slug.”
 


lawl i'm starting to like Don....wait...

Hah! Don is such a charmer, and he's got a right hang of it. I like him, but he seems a bit too nice, so i reckon he's a massive plot device.
I can understand to a degree what cameron meant about the awkwardness a guy must feel in such positions as Shalia's weak points. I shall not elaborate, other than when it happens, the sensible guys whip their hand away, apologise immediately and run for their dear life... just in case.
Sorry for taking so long to reply on this, I have had zero time what with exams. keep it up dreamer.
(sorry, i like the smileys!)