Outlawed (Accepting)

[GoldenStateOfMind]

Prince Stephan looked at the cuffs with raised eyebrows. He really wished he could just leave. But, no, he wasn't one to leave others to die. He almost protested, but then realized perhaps this would be best for both of them. "Ok, but be careful!" he said urgently, shaking his shoulder-length black hair back from his face.

[VanWen]

Rebecca clicked it shut loosely around his wrist so that if needed he could escape but to another person it wouldn't look like that. She cut a strand of her own long brown hair and slipped the key around it before tying it out of sight around her kneck. "You will have to ride double with me. We can pony your horse behind us." she said.

Arowin gulped down air trying not to cry and shook ehr head. "No. I didn't but he is alive. I heard him." she said with a trembling voice. "He wants the Prince in exchange for Chris." she continued.

[~Thor's Gurl<3~]

Emerald frowned. She knew how hard this must be for Arrowin. But Arrowin still had a chance at saving Chris. "So give him the Prince. One less thing we have to worry about on our part." she said with a shrug. "Don't worry Arrowin, we'll get Chris. I promise."

[GoldenStateOfMind]

Sam sneered at his captive. Normally he didn't play with his victims, but he couldn't resist. He unsheathed the knife and ran it's tip along Chris's cheek, cutting a long shallow wound. Chris screamed and raged, trying to hit Sam, but he was tied up, so nothing happened. The scream echoed off the trees and gave Sam pleasure.

Prince Stephan bit his lip while he watched Rebecca. "Are you sure about this?" he asked hoarsely, following her to her horse and giving Sinner a longing look. He let Rebecca mount first and pulled himself up behind her awkwardly, not sure where to hold on to the horse or Rebecca. He took Sinner's reins and handed them to Rebecca, where she could lead both horses. He was close to Rebecca, her long hair tickling his cheek, and he hoped she didn't look back because a deep blush was forming on his pale cheeks. He coughed slightly and looked away.

[VanWen]

Rebecca nodded and rode in silence ahead. They had soon caught up with Arowin when the crys where heard through the forest. She shivered in a slight terror but pushed it back down.

Arowin saw them come and smiled slightly, she was one step closer to getting Chris back. Then she heard the cries and her pure rage and dispair grew again. "NO!" she shouted into the forest, she knew Chris' voice and her voice trembled slightly. "Please no." she whispered more to herself. She looked at Emerald, pleading with her to help and take over. Arowin was in no fit state of mind to deal with something like this.

[~Thor's Gurl<3~]

Emerald flinched at the cries slightly. She looked over at Arrowin and a look of sympathy and understanding came to her face, along with pain. She nodded. "Go get Chris." she said softly.

[VanWen]

Arowin hurried to Rebecca and didn't even care when she refused to give the key. Instead she took Sinner's reins from her and handed them to Emerald and then lead ther chestnut thoroughbred with the prince and Rebecca on back towards where she had been. Now she was running, fearing for Chris.

[~Thor's Gurl<3~]

Emerald gripped the reigns in her hand and watched Arrowin ride off. She sighed, worrying for Chris as well. Her heart went out to Arrowin, she knew exactly how she felt right now. The horrible feeling of weather or not your love will come back or not, make it through the day or be in the ground by nightfall. Tears started to well up in her eyes as her thoughts led her to Casper but she blinked them back. No, she needed to be strong. For Arrowin, for the Hood, for Frank. And most importantly, for herself. She hated feeling small and weak like this. It made her feel vulnerable, and it made her feel even worse if others saw her crying. So she shook away the tears, though the thoughts wouldn't leave, and silently wished Arrowin good luck. Though Arrowin probably wouldn't need it.

[Mentally__Unstable]

"Wonder what its like to be a knight." Saya wondered.

[GoldenStateOfMind]

Chris bit his lip to keep from yelling again. He would tough it out and be brave, like a man. But as Sam cut him again, this time drawing a line of blood on his palm, he winced and helped. His emotional side had been rubbed raw lately, cut and bruised and scarred and now he was afraid he would never be himself again. He had let himself go, had fought with Emerald and had killed Chase, not only for the revenge Of seeing him hurt people, but because he was inwardly still slightly shocked that Arowin had been the one to kill his brother and he had wanted some form of revenge for that, too. He hadn't prayed in what felt like forever and was loosing his faith, which was a big part of him. It all had been too much.

Sam decided enough was enough after he had cut Chris's palm and put the knife away, leaving Chris alone. He sat with his back against the trunk and stared at the ground far below.

Prince Stephan leaned around Rebecca's shoulder and exchanged a worried look with her. Arowin was determined to have Chris back. "Maybe you should give her the key," he whispered, not wanting another death or injury on his plate, especially if it was him fault. Rebecca had been tortured enough during her stay at the castle. Th e Prince was beginning to see the Hood's motivation. Perhaps his uncle was unjust and cruel after all.