Dont abduct me I'm Welsh!

Starting fires.

Mary woke to panic. Shuddering, she opened her eyes but still only saw darkness. She whimpered in distress. Val was there pushing into her awareness with a comforting warmth, a light guiding her away from the fear, his breath tickling over her golden curls. “It’s alright Mary. Rest, I am here.”

She thrashed about. “I can’t see you? Why can’t I see you?”

His arms tightened their hold about her body involuntarily, and she realised that she was cradled on his lap. She heard him swallow thickly. “Don’t you remember love?”

A sob caught in her throat, and she buried her face in to his chest seeking the comfort of his sent. Her cheek finding the strong smooth muscle of his pectoral and shoulder, his soft bare skin smooth as a velvet against her face.

He stoked her hair gently; she could tell he was forcing himself to keep his voice soothing and level. “You had a seizure, after that you lost your sight. But its alright I am taking you to Perran, he will know what to do. Your friend Jody, she is taking us to him in her vehicle.”

That explained the smell of sheep. Mary remembered now, waking up in hospital, her strange symptoms of the last few weeks. She began to shake.

Valdagerion bent down, concerned. "Are you cold?"

"No," She answered. She was afraid. “What’s wrong with me? None of this makes any sense.”

Val stiffened as if it was an accusation. He seemed to struggle with himself for a few moments before speaking again. “It will be alright Mary.” He promised firmly. “Perran will know what to do. He will fix this.” Mary sensed that he was trying to convince himself as much as her. The elf began to rock her gently as she sobbed in his arms, on her forehead she felt something warm and wet drop on to her. Was Val crying as well?



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“You alright mate?” Connor asked Louis with concern, patting his shoulder.

“I’m just awesome.” The American groaned. It surprised him that he had any sense of humour left, even sarcastic humour. Two sessions of remote viewing so close together, he felt like hell. They had sent him down twice more, just to be sure, as if once was not bad enough – assholes. And the last two time’s there had been some kind of force field waiting for him, shocking him back in to his body. It had dam near given him a heart attack first time; at least the last time he had braced himself for it.

“That meeting went on!” Connor commented.

Louis made a non committal hum. He hadn’t really been able to attend to what had been said, it had been like sitting in a rock concert with people’s thoughts and emotions battering at him. The antidote to the first drug had barely scratched the surface, when he moved it felt as if his head was still full of nails and broken bottles, and his mental walls were in tatters.

He decanted out another dose of the blue coloured drug, and began pumping his hand finding a vein. Louis felt Connor’s concern as if it was his own. He had taken a dose of the drug only half an hour ago.

Louis looked up blankly. “Stop worrying about me. You’re giving me a headache.”

“You’re reading my mind?”

“I’m trying not to, believe me!” Louis said as he eased the needle in to his arm, wincing at the sting.

“How long does it take to work?”

“How long is a piece of string? That’s why it’s an experimental drug.” He stood suddenly. “I need some air.” He said, escaping before anyone made anymore demands of him.

Louis staggered up and managed to make it out of the doorway in enough time to vomit up the merge contents of his stomach in to a near by bush. Lucky for his dignity no one was about, to busy setting up the submarine for tomorrow’s dive, or watching monitors no doubt. He was sorely tempted to curl up under the caravan like a mongrel going to die. Amber lights flashed illuminating in bursts the hive of activity that this quiet little spot by the lake had become in the space of a few hours with national security forces, and scientists of all sorts milling about. Their thoughts battered at him like waves of white noise, the more people, the worse it was. All he could do was wait until the drugs took effect. And he had been told that this was going to be a mission easy on him.

Fear and excitement permeated the very air. You didn’t need to be physic to feel it. But Louis was, and it was like being stood next to a subwoofer. He needed to put some space between himself and everyone for his own sanity. Louis walked past the lorries carrying field labs, the mini sub, and a host of other things that he only had a passing interest in. Leisurely he wondered out over the bridge like structure so he stood in the middle of the lake looking over the water, the camp behind him taking deep breaths of the cold air, his breath exhaling in a misty fog.

[The reservoir feeds Birmingham, that’s the second largest city in Brittan. If you wanted to send mind controlling worms, or poison a population it would be the perfect place to launch an assault.]

Dam, Louis has hoped that the distance between him and the camp would provide him with some relief, but it was just as bad. Sighing deeply he put his hands on the solid stone of the wall, and looked out over the still water trying his best to mediate.

[It’s a big lake how are we supposed to find anything down there. It will be like finding nessy, another non starter.]

Something was still down there alright, Louis did not know what. But something that was capable of cloaking itself even from his gifts. The truth was no one knew what they were dealing with, and it was making everyone nervous.

[Still nothing on any of the scanners. I wonder if there is anything actually alive down there. I know that young American said there was…. Still if there is… we could be famous, the first to make real contact.]

Louis could honestly say he cared nothing for any of this. He groaned and lay his head on the cold stone, scraping his fingers across its rough texture, anything to take his mind off the noise. This couldn’t be worse, he thought; then laughed aloud. For no sooner had he thought it, but it began to rain, cold stinging drops so unlike the fat balmy precipitation of Louisiana.

Mon Dieu, but he had never felt so home sick.

The voices suddenly faded, as if someone had just hit mute and he was filled with a sudden stillness. The drugs generally made the voices fade out gradually, like turning down the volume, this was different. And he raised his head in surprise. The silence was almost physical, like a body of water around him.

[You’re not the only one who wants to go home.] This was no overheard thought; this was directed at him, as clear as a silver bell.

His jaw then hit the deck as below seemed to be a faint golden light. Then rising from the water was a celestial figure, a beautiful woman with hair the colour of a summer moon, and stunning silver, violet eyes materialised from the dark depths.

Nom d’un nom; it was the lady of the lake herself! And why not this was king Arthur country.

But he recognised the eyes; it was the woman he had glimpsed before. Her body continued to rise, not causing a ripple but she stopped just before she revealed her nipples. She gazed curiously, and then smiled saucily up at him. Just as suddenly as he had materialised she disappeared back in to the depths.

“No wait!” Louis called after her. It was over in an instant, but Louis knew that her image would be indelibly written on to his soul.

“Merde!” Franticly he pulled off his shirt and shoes before diving in to the still black lake headless of danger, following the ever diminishing light. The water was so cold it stole his breath away. He looked about franticly, but the odd light and the mysterious woman had gone.

He broke the surface of the water with a gasp feeling utterly disappointed. Then jerked as he was sure that he felt a something warm stroke down his back in a gentle caress, it came again, encircling his ankle this time and soothing down his foot. Sinking back down, he looked again to no avail, but Louis would have swore that he heard feminine laughter echo around him. As much as he would have liked to stay out longer the cold was too much and he swam back to the shore.

Shivering almost violently with the cold, he trudged back to camp. He couldn’t have just have imagined that, it was too vivid surely?! Louis analysed his memories; the figure’s sudden appearance and disappearance, the odd light, she had not caused a ripple, and the rain had passed right through her like a ghost. What if it was just another side effect to the drugs?

“Merde!” He cursed again in French.

Connor’s face was a picture of dismay when he entered the caravan.

“What have you been doing?”

“Obviously I went for a swim.” Louis said.

“What, but its freezing out there!”

He didn’t really want to talk about it. As he walked back he had began to feel very silly; jumping in to a lake in the middle of winter after the vision of a girl, it was a crazy thing to do. It was not the first time following a ghost had got him in trouble, as a kid he had almost drowned following the spirit of a black boy in to the bayou; unaware that it was the ghost of a nigro slave who had drowned while playing so long ago. Likely his uncle dragged him out of that mess. No such help here.

“I’m off to bed. Sleep well Connor. Big day tomorrow, lots of excitement.”

When he lay down on the caravan’s narrow cot, his thoughts turned to the lady in the lake. Was she really the same person that he had seen in his first vision of the ship? And why speak to him? He knew he would never be able to forget her, meeting her eyes had been… electric. He had felt like that before. Mary. He recalled his time with the blond minx his talks with her; her poet’s style – unknowable longing, intelligence, melancholy, and a passion that did not know itself - innocent eyes like a child, her model smile. There was a connection there, instinctively he knew it – but what?

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The vehicle came to a stop, wondering what was going on Valdagerion gently laid Mary aside pulling an old horse blanket up over her slight form. She murmured and shifted but did not wake; no doubt exhausted.

Rillian came round to meet him as he slipped out of the vehicle. “Mary’s brother has called Darrah again. On the human news they have said that around the lake the area has been sealed off because of a contaminate. He said they are only letting approved personal pass through.”

“Kiyanna!” Valdagerion cursed, as if they needed more complications. Rillian proffered his wrist display, with a satellite image of the surrounding area and where the check points had been set up. It was not as bad as he had first feared. At a quick glance Valdagerion was able to pick out a hand full of places where they could slip by undetected. Rillian had similar plans.

“The mortals will not be able to come with us.” Rillian stated as if Valdagerion was going to argue that point. “They would be safest if they wait here and we go on ahead; they will only slow us down and be in the way.”

Valdagerion rubbed his face in thought, and then nodded. “Yes. That would be best.”

“Then we should go now.” Rilian urged. “The longer we dally, the tighter their net will become.”

“Let me inform Mary, and then we can go.”

He opened the door, Mary sat up already awake, her eyes seeking him out blindly. Valdagerion’s heart lurched. He hated to leave her now she was so vulnerable and afraid; how could he tell her that it was going to be ok, when he had no idea himself.

“I have to go.” He said softly.

“I heard.” Mary replied in a small voice biting her lip. Valdagerion eased himself inside the back of the vehicle, reaching forward to stroke a hand up her neck in an intimate caress. Her hand desperately griped his. She did not want him to leave her, but his brave little female was never going to admit that. He retreated to reason, hoping that she would appreciate his position.

“It is unavoidable. We must sabotage the human’s efforts at finding the ship so that Perran and Nearwen can take off without harm. Rillian and Darrah can not do that alone.” He rested his forehead on hers as he pressed close to her trembling form. “I wish there was another way.”

“I understand.” Mary sighed softly, reaching up to stroke his cheek. “Just come back safe to me ok?”

He kissed her fingers. “As if mere mortals could harm me.” He smiled stroking her neck again with his thumb, letting her feel the reassuring strength in his fingers. “You worry too much.” He hoped that his usual blithe arrogance would cover the concern he felt, but even blind he suspected that Mary saw right through him.

“Considering how we met, and the amount of times I have had to save your cute elf butt since then, I think I’m entitled to worry about you.”

This drew a reluctant chuckle from him and he pressed her back to the floor kissing her again with growing fervour, before nipping lovingly down her neck. Mary responded in kind, her legs fell open a soft welcoming cradle for his hips. By the void, he would never get enough of her, not if he lived for a million years.

Someone banged on the metal roof of the vehicle, Rillian was growing impatient. “Rhi’Arran, the night progresses.”

Valdagerion groaned in protest, and reluctantly lifted his mouth of the young woman’s lips. Mary let out a little throaty giggle. How amazing she was to be able to laugh in such a situation.

“You make me forget myself.”

Mary’s voice was warm and syrupy as honey. “Then remember this.” Valdagerion jerked slightly as Mary’s hand rubbed against his already swollen desire.

“Trying to keep me here?” He smiled in to her neck.

“Is it working?”

“Hmm.” He bit down gently over her shoulder making her moan softly as he put away her hand from his groin – as little as he wanted to. “We will finish this when I return.”

“Promise?”

He took her hands to his mouth to feel the curve of his lips as he smiled against them. “Le quahn ahr ese.” (You have my word.) Mary traced the sharp point of his fanged eye teeth making them tingle all over again.

The elf pulled himself off her supple form, and out into the frigid night air taking a few deep calming breaths he struggled to get his body under control. His ears pricked up as disputing voices reached his ears. He was not alone in that assessment. “That sounds like Jody and Rillian arguing.” Mary stated popping her head out.

“Rillian doesn’t argue.” Valdagerion said, but stayed still as they listened.

“Why won’t you say where you’re going?” Jody demanded.

There was no answer.

“Hey don’t ignore me!” Jody’s raised her voice airing her suspicions. “First it’s stealing blood, then your abducting Mary from hospital when she is clearly not well, and now you want me to sit here and wait while you go heaven knows where. It’s not safe for us to follow – what is with that bull shit!?”

“It’s none of your business mortal.” Rillian warned. “Just do as you’re told.”

“That sound’s like arguing to me.” Mary said wryly.

“I will resolve this.”

Swiftly he made his way over to where Rillian and Jody were stood in the headlights of the Landrover, their arms crossed and eyes blazing.

“Finally.” Rillian looked over his shoulder at Valdagerion faintly amused. You can drive it from here, it is simply awful. I have never piloted such an unresponsive craft in all my days!” Valdagerion caught the keys from the air that Rillian had casually tossed him. “We must not waste any more time.”

Jody approached him, annoyance clearly writ over her face. “I’m fed up of this weirdness. What is going on will someone just tell me?!”

Valdagerion laid a restraining hand on Rillian’s chest as he started forwards. “Mn suae gurhr bhen nhela.” [I will deal with this.] Then added. [That really was not the way to deal with mortal women.]

[And you being the expert.] Rillian conceded. [Be my guest, the female is infuriating!]

“There is no time for a proper explanation.” Valdagerion replied impatiently, but held the woman’s gaze imploringly. “Rillian, Darrah and I must leave now. But it is important that you stay here with Mary until we return.”

“Will I fuck. I am in half a mind to take her back to hospital right now until you give me a good reason not to. What is it, are you like drug dealers or illegal immigrants or something?”

Valdagerion puzzled over what she said. “Neither, I don’t think.”

“Then just what are you?”

“He’s an alien.”

“Mary!” Valdagerion exclaimed softly. Mary was using the sides of the Landrover to support herself, her eyes seeking them out blindly. He went to her swinging the woman up in to his arms. “What if you trod on something, or fell!” He scolded softly then deposited her on the car seat then bent brushing the gravel off the bottom of her dainty feet.

“What do you mean alien?” Jody was standing rigidly in the headlights, her eyes wide.

Mary laid a hand on Valdagerion’s broad shoulder. “You should go. I can explain to Jody.”

He made a low noise of assent and stood up, then laid a soft saluting kiss on the top of her head. “I will return to you soon.”

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After donning their black armoured suits the elf’s had left the car avoiding the road blocks and covered the countryside on foot, approaching the camp with the stealth and speed of their kind. The night held no secrets for Valdagerion’s sensitive eyes, and his ears were keen. Below only a skellington crew were awake, most of the human’s slumbering.

He prowled in the tree line, looking for the right spot away from the human soldiers line of vision of which to jump the obviously hastily erected wire fence. Somewhere above them Darrah watched ready to give cover fire if something went wrong. But with centuries of combat experience between Rillian and Valdagerion it was unlikely too.

Valdagerion swung easily up in to one of the trees, climbing up through the braches and then along before swinging out and with acrobatic grace arched through the air and over the wire fence landing in a crouch the other side hardly disturbing a leaf. He did not wait for Rillian, knowing that he was right behind him.

They moved through the camp with deadly stealth. Valdagerion paused at the base of a temporary structure, while Rillian crossed to crouch in the deep shadows of a large vehicle waiting with the deadly patience of a spider. A human soldier passed close by, and in a flash Rillian had dragged him soundless back in to the darkness.

A few moments later Valdagerion went to join him, watching as Rillian expertly bound and gagged the man who was still dazed from his memory’s being read by the elf.

[On the east side of camp there are the generators. Also behind these vehicles, and there are two by that caravan. If we take out those and sabotage the submarine over there then this camp will be rendered useless for some time.]

[How long?]

[That depends upon when they can summon assistance. There is one more thing.]

[I don’t like the sound of that.] Valdagerion frowned.

Rillian looked serious. [They have some kind of air missile on vehicles near by. If it was a military ship I would have no concerns, but since it’s a merchant vessel well….]

[I understand, we will see to them after this. Do you have their locations?]

[One is over there.] He nodded towards the shore of the lake where a large vehicle was parked. [The other is the other side of the lake.]

[It seems the mortal’s are taking this very seriously.]

[And so they should.] Valdagerion smiled. [They would take it even more seriously if they had any idea of what they were dealing with.]

The elf’s split up to cover more ground, speed their ally. As he worked Valdagerion reflected that human’s own technological development was in this case their weakness. With the elf’s ability to produce significant electric current it was almost too easy to sabotage the generators moving from one to another with blinding speed, seeking out their distinctive energy signatures in the air. The sensitive scanners and sensors fared no better within the mobile labs. It was with great satisfaction that Valdagerion could smell the tang of shorted electronics, and watched at the camp subsided in to deeper darkness as the power failed, providing the elf’s with more cover for their work even as the sleepy humans began to wake voicing their confusion as to what fault had caused the sudden power outage.

The submarine; and odd machine that looked much like some kind of primitive space ship stood alone under a flashing light waiting by the water. Valdagerion stood with Rillian for a moment admiring the human ingenuity. Primitive – but they had potential. Then watched as his friend stepped forwards brandishing his field blade, he stabbed it hard in to the glass that made up the front of the submarine. It barely made an impression, so he smacked the pommel hard and the blade sank home, then with a soft grunt twisted. There was the sound of glass cracking and a hairline fractures appeared radiating out ominously.

[There, it has been rendered useless.] Rilian confirmed. [Only the missiles now.]

The vehicle with the missiles upon it hulked down by the shore of the lake with a number of other vehicles – no doubt to be ready for if the ship took off. They approached cautiously, for they could sense two humans within it. There were other races who could clame superior skills when it came to camouflage and subterfuge, but few were as silent as elf’s. And with years of practice Rillian climbed on to the fighting platform and moved along it with the balance of a cat.

Valdagerion felt the slight crackle in the air as Rillian released his charge. But still the he remained on the vehicle and Valdagerion became impatient as time passed. [Kinyasha!] Rillian swore above him.

[What’s wrong?”]

[They have casings to prevent EMP damage.]

[I will help.]

[No wait.]

Valdagerion ignored him. He knew that Rillian would have liked more time to study the weapons but more human’s were now up, torch beams intersecting the camp, and they doubted it would be long before the soldier was found so discretion being the better part of valour Valdagerion hoped up to join Rilllian on the heavily armoured platform. Their combined weight making the vehicle groan. Freezing they listened tensely to the human’s, only separated from them by a sheet of steal. Rillian shot Valdagerion a meaningful glace but satisfied that they were as yet undiscovered they turned back to the job at hand.

[Just give me a moment to study the casements.]

[We are running out of time.] Valdagerion reminded after a few moments.

Rillian looked about and seemed to agree with this assessment, and joined Valdagerion in vigorously shocking the electrics. [Is this safe?]

[No idea.] Valdagerion replied blithely. [Do we have any choice?]

[I suppose not.]Rillian’s lips curved in a sardonic smile.

Valdagerion concentrated on building a charge. [Now.] He ordered. There was a whip like crack then an acrid sent rose to his nostrils, and he looked down. Oh dear, they had set fire to it; they might have gone a bit overkill. Well better sure it was rendered useless then not.

[I think now is a good time to leave.] Rillian said looking down at the rapidly spreading fire.

[Indeed.] They jumped down off the vehicle and watched as the fames leaped up, licking up at the missiles. There was a sudden ominous crackle, and dark smoke rose up in to the night sky, the elf’s watched impassively as the human’s within the armoured vehicle scrambled out, and attempted to fight the blaze with some kind of foam spray but to no avail. There was some pointing and arguing before the men ran away, waving others back as the fire really got going, the heat of it falling upon their faces.

[Time to go.] And as clandestinely as they had come, they disappeared in to the dark.

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“What now?” louis groaned, rolling over as a torch was shone in his eyes. He had been having a very present dream about a violet eyed woman. He was Lancelot, and she was the lady of the lake welcoming him down in to her pearly…

“Fire.”

“What where?”

Connor was jibbering excitedly about a power cut, and a sudden mass system failure with plenty of articulated hand gestures, only half dressed with his flannel pyjamas, a hoddie and work boots. Louis sat up, noticing the orange light that danced up the wall from the open door and through the mankey lace curtains of the caravan. Pulling on his clothes he followed Connor out in to the night.

“Why is so dark?”

“Powers out.”

It was not the only thing that was out; Louis’s physic gifts were oddly silent. He didn’t really need them; the atmosphere could be cut with a knife, alarm and confusion. Not really awake he followed Connor to where he could see the APC and its missile platform was burning.

That explained the fire he thought, but what of the power out, what had caused that? It seemed that the APC was the only thing on fire.

“Best get out of here boys.” Agent Davis advised as he approached them. “We are evacuating encase the fire causes the missiles to go off.”

Louis nodded, he took one last look at the burning vehicle, the dark smoke rising up in to the sky, the bright orange flames. He squinted against the light sure that he had seen something strange, two tall male figures distorted by the haze, their pale faces serious but calm, for a moment he thought that he knew one of them; then they were gone.

“Hey you waiting for an invitation or something?” Agent Boyd shouted at him.

“I thought I saw …..” Louis glowered at the Scots man who was now directing them towards safety. He had to admit he was seeing a lot of strange things, but the doctors had said that it might be a side effect of the drugs. Hell it could have just been a trick of the flame and heat.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Stupid yank.” The Scots man shook his head in exasperation.


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Mary guessed that she must have drifted off, cold she buried deeper in to her coat. It was impossible to tell how much time had passed in her own personal darkness.

“Hey, you awake?” It was Jody’s voice.

“Yeah.”

“You ok?”

Mary turned her face towards her friend’s voice. “Not really.”

“Stupid question.” Jody acknowledged.

“How about you?”

“Honestly I’m still a bit freaked out.” Jody admitted. “I’m still wondering where the cameras are.”

Mary laughed at this. “Yeah, I was freaked out at first to. But they are good guys. Honest, loyal, brave, chivalrous.”

“Like prince charming.”

Mary considered this, and said dubiously. “Yes. If prince charming was bossy, dangerous to appliances, and right sex pests – well that last bit might just be Val.”

“Doesn’t sound too bad.”

She had taken a very long time explaining to Jody about Val and exactly what he was, and how they had met, the whole affair in fact right up to exactly what they were doing now. Jody had been reluctant to believe any of it. Hell had Mary heard the story she wouldn’t have believed it either. But after a while Jody had to admit that in all the years that she had known Mary, that Mary had never been one to make up tall tales; and certainly not one so bizarre, and it made perfect sense of the males outlandish appearance and odd behaviour.

“Here.” Jody passed Mary over a can of something. “It’s just an energy drink, but it’s the only think I have in the car, and you look like you need it.”

Mary took a sip. She hated the taste of energy drinks but the sugar was welcome. “Thanks.”

Awkward silence fell, until Jody cleared her throat. “They look so….human.”

“I know, but there are a few…. Well some quite major differences.” Mary replied.

“But not where it maters right?” Jody asked salaciously.

“Trust you to concentrate on that!” Mary laughed.

“Well.”

“Let’s just say we are compatible, and he’s er… in proportion.” Mary smiled shyly. “When they get back I will have them show you.”

Jody stretched languidly. “Mmmh, really?”

“Urgh, not like that.” Mary snorted. “It’s just like in the story books they have pointed ears. And without the contact lenses they have eyes a bit like cats. They are like super strong and fast and..”

“Hot as hell.” Jody interrupted.

“Yeah, and that.”

“Well I think should give them a real valleys welcome.” Jody said enthusiastically. “After all it’s only good diplomacy.”




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[Two this time. And more armed men this time.] Valdagerion stated as they scanned the satellite camp that Rillian’s mind reading had discovered.

[Nothing we can’t handle.] Rillian answered confidently.

There was a thrill in this sort of work, the rush of adrenaline a welcome sensation to the warriors. Valdagerion’s mind worked with icy precision, calculating the distances to the vehicles, what kind of weapons the men carried, their probable range and arcs of fire. It was going to help that their attention had been drawn by the fire across the lake.

At least now they knew destroying the missile carriers was easy enough, they just had to get over bare ground and past twelve reasonably disciplined soldiers, who seemed to have put some form of defensive structure in place.

There were several temporary flood lights illuminating the area, and shining out across the lake. [Those need to go.] Valdagerion noted.

Human’s had poor eye sight in the dark, and the more advantages the elf’s had the better. Taking his time Rillian eased forwards, making his way to the nearest spot light getting hold of the wire, with a crackle and a static buzz first the light above him exploded in a burst of light.

“Hey, what’s….”

“You there stop…”

A quick burst of shorts echoed in the night, as the lights flickered before the generator whirred and then gave in. “Hold your fire.” Someone ordered. In the dark he now moved in to the cover of the vehicles as men ran past him towards the tree line.

[I think they saw me.] Rillian admitted, joining him not particularly phased. [That was close; I felt the breath of one of those bullets on my cheek.] Knowing Rillian he found it a good joke.

[Come, let’s get this done before they shoot at us again.]

Keeping low they moved towards the vehicles, and dispatched the second much as they had the first, and flames once again began to flicker even as the rain began again. However they had misjudged the human’s capabilities, as when he dropped down on to the ground, one of the now goggled soldiers happened to glimpse Valdagerion as he ducked between vehicles.

“Someone’s here!”

A shot glanced harmlessly off the edge of the armoured truck. [They have seen me.] Valdagerion warned Rillian urgently. [They must have some kind of night vision devise.]

He did not wait for an answer as chaos erupted, men scattering and firing in to the woods unsure where the fire was coming from. The elf’s only had seconds to finish their work, but seconds for an elf was a very different measurement to a mortal. It still changed the plan somewhat. Valdagerion jumped up on to the last vehicle and swung down through the hatch with a wicked smile. The two men within didn’t even have time to be surprised before Valdagerion had one’s head griped between his iron strong legs and with a twist nearly throttling him before throwing him to the ground. The instant he landed the elf delivered a punishing blow to the second laying him out over the other. He rubbed his knuckles as he looked about deciding how to do the most damage. The human’s helmet had been hard! With efficiency he ruined the electronics, and for good measure ripped out a number of wires. All this was done in ten heartbeats and then he was out, back in to the chaos.

He had taken a risk climbing back out of the hatch, but Rillian had his back coming from seemingly no where to take out the two soldiers who had their rifles trained upon Valdagerion’s form silhouette by the fire. Rillian moved fast his limbs a blur to human eyes he knocked the one down, and grabbed hold of the second soldier dragging him off balance on the wet ground, using him as a shield. He misjudged however as the first soldier’s riffle discharged and hit the man he had before him.

“Kinyaha!” Rillian swore aloud, and put his foot down hard on the man’s arm before kicking the rifle away.

[Is he dead?] Valdagerion asked.

Rillian looked down at the mortal. [It only hit him on the shoulder. Does it matter?]

[I suppose not.] Valdagerion said as Rillian lay the man down. [Let’s get out of here.]

[I will cover our retreat.] Rillian replied as he pulled a pin out of something he held in his hand.

[With what?]

[Never mind, just run. I will be right behind you.]

Rillian tossed something in to the first vehicle that landed with a metallic tinkle. But Valdagerion did not wait to see what as he deliberately ran towards the men so that anyone firing would probably hit one of their own. He wondered just what exactly Rillian had found. His question was answered when there was a blast that sent them all flying off their feet and bits of metal flying evrywhere.

He recovered faster then the humans staggering up despite his ringing ears. Looking back he saw Rillian was traped beneth a large chunk of smoldering vehical. Seeing his friend in trouble he ran back to him, adding his strenth to Rillian's, and tossing it aside. Rillian lurched to his feet with some difficulty, favouring his one side,

[Blast sent me sideways and then this thing landed on me.] Rillian explained wincing, still a little stunned from the blast. [I think I have dislocated my sholder.]

[And broke a few ribs.] Valdagerion judged as they began to make good their escape. [I wish you had warned me, I can’t hear a thing now.]

[I did.] Rillian replied with a small smile sharing an old joke as they made the safety of the tree line.

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A/N;

Firstly big thank you to Winters Scorn for Betaing chapter one and two for me so far. I really appreciate the work that she has put in.

Lovelyl ; MnMs ; daveb ; circe , eternallostlove, SecretQuill I’m not going to give away the plot, yet but there will be a number of sexy surprises for the characters. Thank your for your reviews they make my day, and I like how everyone is already speculating about other pairings. Its about to get more tense! Hold on to your seats.

mcgregor1 Great to hear from a new reader, glad your enjoying it so far. I love Rillian as well, big plans for him. He gets a big part fairly soonish.