No artist could have captured the sky that evening. It was bold and bright, like someone had splattered tubes of paint across the sky, streaked and colorful. Clouds of calm pink and orange lazily lay in place, and the sun, bidding adieu for the night, blushed red and fell from sight. It was dark, then, and the traveller bid himself go on, eyes set straight in the deepening dark, his feet on the ground pounding out a solemn rhythm. Beneath a sheen of gray-violet fur, the shadows under his eyes were vast, his back hunched from weariness. His fingers clenched again. He knew it would be a long night. The trees were tall, looming above him, blackened silhouettes in the night. The clouds, plump and gentle at sunset, had grown wispy, dancing about him like ghosts. But in the night, in the forest, beneath the trees and among the clouds, Ryrizn Desang was not afraid. He never was.

Cydossa crouched low on her hands and knees in the dirt, red eyes gleaming in the vanishing sun. It was a beautiful evening, indeed, and one could easily get caught up in the view, forgetting everything else about the world. Cyd brushed a bit of her white hair away from her face, smiling softly. A beautiful sunset could almost certainly be interpreted as a sign of good fortune. She pulled herself to a standing position, softly running her fingers over the various tools and instruments hanging from her belt. A few more minutes, and it would be dark; then the fun could begin.

No doubt he was not alone in the wood. The gentle rustle of fallen leaves were not from his feet, and every now and then, a twig snapped that sent his hand racing for the hilt of his sword. Behind him, padding slowly and complaining with a soft yowl, yon faithful companion followed- and he reminded himself that there was more than one to protect. Clicking his tongue impatiently, he stopped so she could catch up, scolding her in a loving tone, picking her up to carry. She purred in gentle ease, letting her good eye droop, resting as her master plodded slowly on, eyes wide now for danger.

Cyd squinted into the sun as it sank the last bit into the horizon. Stars were beginning to pop out among the clouds, which were slowly losing their color, and behind her the moon hung just above the trees. Cyd leaned against a tree, listening. A soft sound caught her ear " almost a cry, followed by a soft click. She sighed. Would yet another night be wasted? "Who's there?" she called into the night.

His eyes narrowed, clutching Kraini closer to his chest as he glared into the darkness. Kraini gave another whimper, feebly trying to open her damaged eye to see what monster had caused him to stop his endless traveling. Trying to calm him, she purred gently, scratching at his ruff, pleadingly. 'Go on, master, go on. No danger lies before us, for none can fight as you do...' she encouraged silently, and glancing down at his companion, he nodded curtly, trusting her as he always had. "It is only I, Ryrizn Desang, passing through the forest," he said calmly, not straining to make his voice heard, although he was perhaps not so quiet that she'd be unable to hear. Kraini gave another soft purr.

She could see him now " an imposing figure, to say the least. She didn't care, as long as he proved peaceful. And the sooner he was gone, the better. The graveyard was only a little bit from here, and she didn't need anyone around who might see her. "Ryrizn," she repeated. "Where are you headed, then?" Cyd tucked her tool belt beneath her cloak " questions were best avoided altogether " and stepped out of the protective shadows of the trees.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and he tipped his head slightly, as if apologetically. Kraini looked up at him, nervous. 'What shall you say, Master?' she asked with her eye, and he turned his head a fraction to the left. No need to explain to her their circumstances. Secrets were best kept what they were. "We are just passing through," he repeated, lifting a graceful brow as he first set eyes on her. What sort of witch was this, who crouched in the shadows in the darkness of night? he thought, somewhat amused, but half-curious. But then, he had his secrets, and she would have hers.

Cyd nodded pleasantly, but her mind immediately began to race. She suspected that Ryrizn Desang was hiding something, and the thought made her spine tingle. "I'm Cydossa," she replied after a moment. "Cyd, if you like." She turned around, retrieving a shovel that she had left leaning against the tree's straight trunk. "I'm merely…passing through, as well. Wasn't really expecting to see anyone else out tonight," she added casually.

I'll warrant you didn't," Ryrizn said, wryly smiling with a nod of his head. Cydossa, he thought. An interesting name- probably from farther out, he assumed- although he wasn't one to judge the origin. "And this is Kraini- my... companion." Describing Kraini to others was a task he disliked taking on. Much more than a companion or a pet, Kraini was like a second half. Like a... familiar of sorts, who he couldn't imagine life without, even when she grew bothersome. Kraini gave a disgruntled yowl from the crook of his arm. She disliked being disturbed.

Cydossa raised an eyebrow, leaning against the pole of her shovel. "Pleasure to meet you both, then." She studied Kraini for a moment, then asked, "So where are you coming from?

Kraini lifted her felid head to reciprocate Cydossa's stare, and then with a quiet 'Humph', she buried her face back into his arm. He smiled indulgently, lifting his other arm to stroke her back lightly. "We come from a land far away- war-stricken and weak now, but once a strong empire," he said. His voice was clearly distasteful, half sad and half irritated. "And you?"

I'm from around here," Cyd replied simply. She stared up at the moon, now a good height above the trees. "My home isn't far, actually." She turned back Ryrizn and his companion. "Do you often travel at night? Must be easier in the light.

I see," Ryrizn said softly. But in the night, it was impaired seeing at the most. He glanced at her, frowning. "There are those that would seek me in the light. I cannot let anything happen to me while Kraini is still with me," he said simply, running his hand down her spine. She purred into his arm.

I must be missing the importance of that thing, Cyd thought to herself. He certainly seemed intake with it. "Well," Cyd shrugged, smirking playfully. "This is a pretty safe area to be in…if you're a honest person. It sure bites for the rest of us, though.

Almost as if sensing her thoughts, Kraini lifted her head suspiciously, her blind eye pointed towards Cydossa. A soft growl rumbled from the depths of her chest, and, impatient, Ryrizn shushed her, smiling apologetically. "Kraini is... anti-social, at times," he offered, and shrugged. "I don't suppose that this honesty you speak of includes secrets of a dark, mysterious past with dragons and wizards, mages and potions?" he asked, eyes sparkling for just a minute with the jest.

Cyd laughed softly. "Only if it also includes a less-than-honest means of keeping bread on the table," she shot back. "In all truthfulness, though, no one else around here gives a second glance to travelers. And I can assure you that I'm not going to risk alerting anybody, since that would also tell someone where I was tonight." She shifted her shovel from one arm to the next before continuing. "Apparently, neither of us are eager to have our presence here tonight known. We haven't been discovered yet; let's keep in that way, shall we?" With that, Cyd turned and began walking in the direction of the graveyard. She wouldn't start anything, yet, though �" not until she was sure that Ryrizn was well on his way.

Aha. She too had a secret- and it would appear that the answer lay within the wrought-iron gates of the graveyard. Kraini gave an ominous mew, her own good eye brightened by his thoughts, and he laughed softly, letting her jump from his arms to weave at his feet. "I don't suppose that you've become the second Dr. Frankenstein?" he asked calmly, nodding at his shovel. "For he too snuck into graveyards in the dead of night."

Cyd's head jerked back around toward Ryrizn, and she gave him an icy glare. "I thought you said that you were just passing through," she hissed, pointedly ignoring his question.

Indeed I am," he said, restraining a wayward hand that twitched towards his sword. He raised an eyebrow. "Why? Hit a nerve that you thought no newcomer could touch?" Kraini purred slightly, arching her back as she peered through the darkness towards Cydossa.

Cyd's grip tightened on her pole and her eyes narrowed defensively. "Maybe I just don't like strangers who ask too many questions," she answered.

I asked," he said, somewhat amused, "A good total of three questions- two of which you readily answered. Forgive me for assuming you would not take offense from the third." His smile was dazzling, if not somewhat sarcastic. "But in this case, we shall leave you to Igor's gruesome work and push onwards_ Fare thee well, Cydossa of the Graveyard." He gave a bow, and reached to pick Kraini up off the ground. She hissed slightly in Cydossa's direction as he turned.

Cyd stood silently for a moment, watching Ryrizn as he walked away. She said nothing, but as soon as he was well enough away not to notice, she quietly began to steal after him. The manner in which he had left made her wary; suppose someone asked him the right question, paired with the right amount of gold, enough so that no fear of anyone who might find him would stop him from telling that he had seen her? Cyd shuddered. She would follow him, at least for a bit, hopefully unnoticed.

At first, he suspected nothing. He assumed the stranger had returned to her grave-mauling and shovel, and perhaps forgotten all about him. He wasn't, to be honest, though, actually listening for her- he had been talking softly to Kraini as she rested in his hold, walking forwards, one hand on the hilt of his sword, but relaxed. It was Kraini who alerted him to the presence, and when she sat up, ears pricked in warning, he let her jump to the ground and whirled, sword unsheathed and eyes flashing. "Who goes there?" he challenged, his stance suddenly strong. Enter Ryrizn, knight once more.

A million colorful words fluttered through Cyd's mind at that moment, but she chose to use none of them. "Just me again," she muttered. Her hiding skills needed some serious brushing up before her next trip to the city. And now she needed an excuse to be following him… "Listen…" she began, making every effort to keep her frustration from leaking into her voice. "You're right- I was being overly paranoid. But it's not good for you to be traveling at night," Cydossa paused, mentally kicking herself for what she was about to say. She had to get out of this mess somehow. "As I said, my home is not far from here. I can offer you a place to stay for the night, as I wasn't planning on being back until morning.

Ryrizn took a moment to share a bemused glance at Kraini, who only hissed in irritation. 'Pay her no heed, Master. It is best to continue on...' her silence spoke. He frowned mildly. "We are all paranoid in the darkness," he allowed. "But I am surprised at such at offer- I was unaware, you see, that you cared." Kraini purred in agreement, glaring momentarily at Cydossa with her single, shining eye. "Nevertheless, you'll not have to worry, Miss Cydossa. Kraini and I are well equipped to travel without light, and have done so for a good time. And with that, I bid you adieu, and may the gravestones not come alive and swallow you down." He swept a second bow, sheathing his sword and allowing Kraini to take her place again at the crook of his arm. Kraini was well aware of something strange about this woman, and Ryrizn was appropriately cautious.

Cyd held back a hiss of frustration. "May I travel with you, then?" She asked, gritting her teeth and trying to sound calm at the same time. "At least until the next town. I have things that I could be taking care of there, and why not kill two birds with one shot?



...to be continued.