ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

Turn Of The Wheel

by Ellianora

Rating: this tale would be gen/alt/uber

Disclaimer: The characters are of my own creation an as such my property. Even though the two main women resemble a pair we all know and love they do have some differences.

Violence: The story does contain violence and some of it can be quite graphic so be warned.

Sex: Not too much here only a little hugging and kissing. A developing relationship between a person who is attempting to discover who she is and one who is hesitant to trust another with their heart and soul

Feedback: I have been working on this project for sometime and any comments would be greatly appreciated.

I would like to thank Trisha and Lesley for their time and patience in reading my work and putting up with my artistic tantrums.:)

Chapter 2

The blonde haired youth strode boldly through the crowded streets of Madwand's' seaward district. With his polished shiny chain armor and white cloth tunic he tended to stand out from the usual denizens inhabiting the seedy, crime infested area near the docks. Embroidered upon the pristine tunic was an emblem depicting an exploding yellow sun crossed by two swords. This symbol denoted him a member of the order of the lady or a light warrior as they were more commonly referred to, followers of Velia, Defender of Justice. Girded around his waist was an ornate and finely crafted scabbard decorated with strips of gold and inlaid with semi-precious gems he wore proudly. The scabbard and the sword sheathed in it were a gift from his father upon completion of apprenticeship.

The young man only recently had been inducted into their lofty ranks, following a grand family tradition of service to the lady. His father was one of the orders greatest and most respected officers. Even his oldest brother had already been promoted to captain, soon to be establishing his own temple.
The middle brother was making a name for himself in battles even now raging against the Great Kingdoms, followers of the black-hearted goddess Malice, nemesis of Velia and justice. Gasqule was the youngest of the lot, eager to prove himself worthy of the family name Cormier.

This exuberance had caused him more then a few problems in the course of his training for the order. He had been cautioned; there was such a thing as being too zealous. Gasqule ate, slept and lived by the strict interoperation of the rules of the order. He knew each one by heart; a defender never ever lied or turned down a cry for help. A follower also never attacked a foe from behind nor did he initiate combat, always giving a foe a chance to surrender before battle. His brothers had tried in vain to impress upon him there was a time when it was better to be more practical. Gasqule was confident though if a light warrior adhered to these basic commandments he couldn't possibly fail, thus becoming a shining example to others. Gasqule Cormier squared his broad shoulders thinking of the awesome responsibility a Light Warrior shouldered. Gasqule only wished when the others had ridden off to fight in the war he had not been given the privilege of guarding the fortress.

He was surprised when the commandant had offered him a very important assignment, one which none of the order to date had even dared to even attempt. There was rumor that the black-hearted pirate called Venom would be arriving in Madwand. They wanted him to capture this vile being, and bring her to justice. This was a task truly worthy of a Cormier. They even allotted him a couple days leave in order to visit a close friend in Lamoore, not more then couple days ride from Madwand.

Gasqule shuddered remembering the day he arrived at the sleepy seaside town only to learn Venom had raided the village prior to his arrival. He still felt ill at the very thought of the atrocities he learned had been inflicted by this pirate. It was rumored she worshipped Lovitar the pain maiden and enjoyed hearing the screams of her victims almost as much as the ice queen herself. The sight had steeled his resolve to stop this person at all costs, either by arresting her or if she refused then with her body brought in draped across the cantle of his saddle, one or the other.

Gasqule had started his search investigating the various dives surrounding the waterfront, the sort of places a person like this Venom would frequent though without success as of yet. Most of the patrons of the taverns did know of her, and judging from the strong reaction the mere mention of the name Venom brought the their faces, this person had a most vile reputation even among thieves and murderers. A person so despicable even for the likes of them must be a villain among villains.

Still, his search to date had failed to yield any tangible results, though some people had seen her a few days ago. That was the last any had seen of her and she was not the kind to keep a low profile. It was as if she had vanished from the city completely, even the inkeep at the Drunken Sailor where she had taken a room informed him that she was paid up for at least two more days. Perhaps she had heard that one of the orders was hot on her trail and left to avoid a confrontation. The sea bitch was after all, a bully and all bullies were cowards deep down.

"This Venom was no exception." Gasqule thought as he paraded past a small
well where he peered down briefly to gaze at his reflection, that of a clean-shaven ruggedly handsome youth.

Gasqule was almost ready to give up his search though he hated to leave the city unsuccessful on his very first mission, still, if she was too much of a coward to face a Light Warrior there was little he could do. Suddenly he heard a low whisper beckoning him into one of the dark narrow alleys behind the shops and taverns lining the street. He stared down the alley seeing a small thin body crouching in the shadows. Gasqule had put the word out to all of the street urchins that there was shiny piece of silver waiting for any who could inform him where to find the pirate called Venom. A couple had even volunteered they would do it for free, snickering as they did so, no doubt wanting to see this notorious person captured as well.

" Do you still want to know where to find Venom?" A youthful voice asked.

Gasqule could barely restrain himself from dashing into the alley where the filthy lad stood. "Do you know where she is?" He asked barely able to contain the quiver of excitement in his voice. " Are you sure it's her?"

"Big lady with dark skin and a bright red cloak, yeah I am pretty sure its her, kind of hard to miss."

Gasqule ignored the boy's snide remark." So tell me lad where is she?"

"First," the boy said thrusting out his grimy little hand, "think there was talk of a silver piece." Apparently, he was not one of the urchins who offered to do it for free.

The Light Warrior fumbled hurriedly through his peruse, finding only a
gold tossing it to the boy whose eyes went wide with amazement. Snatching it up he shoved the precious coin into his ragged trousers.

"Now lad tell me where this person is, where is she lurking about?"

"She just went into the Moon tavern with a couple of people, not the
sort you usually find down here either."

The young warrior failed to hear the lad's last remark as he thanked him absently hurrying off to the tavern. Strangely enough, it was the one he had last searched. His heart beat with excitement anticipating the chance to finally prove himself.

Another small figure unmasked from the shadows behind the boy As Gasqule left hurriedly.

"Is he gone?" the one behind ask," Did you tell him what he wanted to know?"

"Yep." the other replied. " Too bad, he pays well."

" Ya don't know," the other said," he might beat her."

"Mebbe," the other replied

The two looked at each other then laughed at the ridiculousness of their own words.

The tall dark woman and her new companions entered the small dirty tavern. The dismal place stank of stale cheap ale, smoke and sweat, causing the three to wrinkle their noses in disgust. The dark woman had walked directly to this tavern, as if she frequented it often. If she did, she had to question her own tastes.

" Excuse me," Terrell said interrupting her thoughts." but why are we visiting such an establishment with, shall we say its questionable appearing clientele?"

"You told me to follow my instincts," the woman replied. "So I did, I can't help where we ended up."

"That's true," Ellie, reminded him hiding her small purse in the folds of her tunic.

As the trio made their way across the dirty stained wooden floor, a loud thundering voice bellowed out as they approached. The three turned to see a huge large bellied scraggly bearded man clad in filthy leathers glaring menacingly at them, his hand dropped to one of the two large swords hanging off an oiled, weathered belt wrapped around his rotund but muscled gut. The woman noticed he was flanked by two smaller men to his left, there was also another man creeping further away to a far corner, wearing a large gray cloak, possible concealing a small crossbow or several throwing blades.

"Well, if it ain't the sea bitch herself," the man slurred through half-rotted teeth. "You got nerve showing up after leaving me and my pals in a lurch a couple of nights ago, we barley got away with our lives no thanks to you." He glared over at the Oghan priest and half-elf bard." Traveling with an odd crowd these days ain't ya, new plaything?" He said motioning to the two standing slightly behind her.

" Now see here sir, "Terrell began indignantly," I take issue with that state-,

"The tall woman raised her hand silencing the priest, now was not the time. "Sea-bitch, not the most complimentary name in the world," she thought. She noticed Ellie had slipped away inching closer to the one ruffian in the corner; good, the minstrel did have some battle sense.

"Look," the tall woman began congenially. "Whatever happened I apologize," though she wondered what type of business her and such a sleazy bunch would have been involved in. "I'll just buy you all a drink and pay you for your nights work."

"And what if I don't like that deal," the man growled menacingly.

"Then I'll have to kill you." The woman said calmly. She had decided to follow her instincts praying to all the gods they were right. The man did a step back, coming out of his menacing stance.

"Besides," Terrell said," the woman can't be held accountable for her actions in her present condition."

"Huh," the tall man said with a dumbfounded look on his face. "What do you mean, she sick?"

"Not now Terrell," the dark woman thought. She could almost kill him herself.

"Not physically but she as experienced amnesia, a most unusual case almost a select mind wipe, can't even remember her name. Although," Terrell placing a finger under his chin," a similar case was cited in...."

"You don't know who the Dragperg you are?" The man started menacingly
Forward again.

"No, but I do now how to use this," her hand dropped to her sword.

"Her name is Venom the sea-bitch," A loud noble baritone voice boomed out over the bar from the entranceway.

"Now what", the woman thought. At least now, she had a name, Venom, great name. The patrons of the bar glanced over at the entranceway starring at a young blonde knight wearing a full chain suit with a bright white tunic. He stood proud and erect with his feet slightly parted and one hand raised pointing accusingly at the woman he had called Venom.

"I hate to interrupt this dispute among murderers," he declared swaggering through the door to where Venom stood. " I am here to take this person in to face justice for her crimes." The man fixed his steel gray eyes upon the woman. She met his look with her own ice blue stare. The sheer intensity of her gaze forced Gasqule to avert his eyes, and with that her hand dropped to the hilt of her sword. She also noticed the young minstrel observing the situation unfolding before her with a look of what Venom perceived to be puzzlement and concern.

Terrell was completely confused, he had never imagined the person he had aided could be responsible for so much pain and suffering as this Venom person was accused of. The years spent in cloistered study had never prepared him to deal with complexities of human interaction.

Venom read the anxiety in the half elf's face, she also glimpsed the urchins gathering near the entrance, watching in morbid anticipation while one was taking coins from the others. She relaxed her grip on the hilt of "Havoc's Tears. Regardless, she was not going to allow herself to be arrested for things she didn't even know she did.

"So tell me," Venom said offering him a pleasant smile," do I get the privilege of knowing the name of the person who will capture me?"

The young man actually seemed to stand even more erect puffing out his chest," I am Gasqule Cormier of the Order of the lady from the mother temple of Sidanthra, now will you surrender yourself to me, or must we fight first." The young man demanded.

"Oh I'll probably resist," Venom said matter of factly, " First though would you mind letting me have a last drink," she said reaching for a tankard sitting on the bar.

"I see no harm in such a request," Gasqule replied as he approached the bar, "please feel free,".

The woman nodded motioning the barkeep to fill the tankard with ale, which he promptly did. Venom turned raising her tankard to toast the young knight. Gasqule riveted his eyes on the tankard wary of any sudden moves. He never saw her left hand twitch as the fist slammed into his face, sending him flying into one of tables, breaking under his weight leaving him sprawled unconscious on the dirty wooden planks of the tavern floor.

"Apparently," Venom remarked tossing the tankard to the side," smarts are not highly prized in you order,"

The scraggly bearded man determined this was his chance and started to draw his blade. Before his sword had cleared the scabbard Venom spun about her blade already drawn placing its sharp lethal tip on his exposed throat. The man in the corner began to raise his crossbow when he felt a sudden jab between his ribs from behind. He turned to see a slender blonde half-elf holding a sword with its tip pressing against his midside. He prudently dropped the weapon.

Beads of sweat began sprouting on the scraggly bearded man's brow. "The drink, and pay will be good enough, " he stuttered fearfully," after all things happen, no harm done, right."

A small cruel smile appeared on Venom's lips, "Yes, no harm done, " she replied in that same cold even tone as she slowly removed the blade from his neck and reached in her purse tossing him a few coins, "that enough?"

The man nodded not even bothering to count the coins." Sure no problem, right?"

"Yes right but I think I'll leave before my would-be captor awakens." She motioned for Ellie and Terrell to follow. The half-elf did a good job; she seemed to know her way around in a fight. Walking outside she could see the urchins crouching in a corner arguing.

"No way," One said," you lost he isn't dead.

"Did you see that punch?" Another argued," he probably is, besides since when did you know her to leave someone alive?"

The other nodded, Venom winced, exactly what kind of person was she?

"You did pretty good in there," she complimented Ellie.

"Thank you," the half-elf replied. "I grew up on the borders and we are all trained for the militia, plus it helped my father owned a tavern and had a rather adventurous clientele. I am afraid though that these people might hurt the young knight," she said glancing back," are you really Venom?" she asked, turning her gaze back to her tall dark companion.

"Don't know for sure," the woman accused of being Venom shrugged. "I guess so but I'll be damned if I am going to pay for anything I can't remember doing."

Ellie nodded still glancing nervously back at the fallen knight. Venom rolled her eyes in frustration. Stopping at the entranceway of the tavern, she turned around to face the crowd.

"If anything happens to the young man sleeping on the floor," Venom said menacingly. "You will answer to me understand?" The crowd nodded in silent acknowledgment, turning back to their drinks, ignoring Gasqule. "Is that better," she asked Ellie who replied with a nod and wide smile.

"I guess I talked somewhat out of turn," Terrell said timidly," I am truly sorry for my infraction..."

"Terrell," Venom ordered coldly, " just shut up, not one word."

The small priest was about to say something when Ellie grabbed his arm "It would be best to do what she says, "Ellie advised, "That was really stupid."

Terrell looked down at the street, nodding silently. He started to wish he had never left the temple of Oghan. Books and scrolls were easier to understand then people.

Chapter 3

Back to FanFic Index