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 9

The throbbing in the half-elf's head slowly subsided as the day went on. Ellie rarely imbibed heavily. She started to recall why as she prepared for her much anticipated bath. Gasqule's friend owned the local tavern and had managed to restore some of his small business back to working order with the help of the soldiers who desired a place to relax during the evening. The tavern also boasted of a small back room, actually more of a small shack attached to the back, where one might relax and wash away the dust from the road.

She recalled the events of the previous day as she slowly removed her leather jerkin. They had attempted to ask a few of the villagers where they might locate a tavern. Their inquiries were met with either total indifference or outrage that they would dare to even approach them. Regardless of the reaction, none would offer them directions. The scars of Venom's massacre ran deep.

She slipped off her black tights hanging them carefully over a small chair in the room on top of her deep purple dyed leather jerkin. Her feeling towards Venom was a puzzle but also ran very deep. She knew whom she was, yet her heart reached out to the all but broken woman, now wasting away in that hellhole of a cell. During the course of the evening, her and Zaphrina brought Venom a meal. They both believed it was unlikely the guards would not think or bother with such a chore. She was glad to have any company right now, even that of the glib elf mage.

The tall dark woman quietly accepted the offering with a polite thank you. It pained Ellie to see those fiery eyes once so full of life now vacant. Zaphrina was even visibly moved as well at her plight. She also made it known that she still didn't trust Ellie. In fact, she suspected Ellie was somehow involved but she wasn't quite sure how. The little elf mage had no idea how right she was. Ellie was involved, may all the gods and goddesses in the heavens help her she knew she was.

She removed a towel from a closet tucking the heavy dagger between the folds laying it near the tub filled with hot steamy water. Many years of experience had taught her the wisdom of being prepared at all times. Her thoughts continued to turn back towards Venom. She had only known her lovely tall dark skinned friend for a short time but she still felt a strong bond with her, one that she could not comprehend or that she had ever felt with another person. It was all so confusing.

She lowered her young lithe figure into the steamy water. The soothing liquid flowed over her skin soothing her tired muscles, hopefully her tired soul as well.

" I see you are as beautiful as ever, " she heard a voice say as she relaxed attempting to put the recent events behind her.

Upon hearing the voice, Ellie's eyes sprung open as she grabbed her dagger, spinning about in the direction she believed she had heard the voice originate.

In the corner near the water damaged cabinet stood an old man with a long flowing beard and long white hair reaching his shoulders. The man was also wearing a massive purple robe of silk with intricate embroidery in gold thread. He stood there with a smug smile and with not a slight amount of appreciation for the sight before him upon his wrinkled face. Ellie scowled as she lowered her dagger snatching up the nearby towel stepping out of the warm water.

"Are you using your powers for voyeurism now mage?" Ellie asked as she wrapped the towel about herself.

"Not at all," the old man replied, " this is the first time I've had a chance to speak with you since this fiasco began."

"True," she agreed as she swiftly snatched up her clothes and headed for a convenient dressing screen in the far corner, "nothing has gone the way you planned so far."

"Yes." the old man answered, " I knew Venom was sent to murder me, that's why I laid the trap for her, which she fell in to so easily. Erasing her memory would have made her a potent weapon for my cause. The pain the of the process is so great I can't believe she found the strength to jump out that window let alone run. It might have gone better if you would have caught up with her before that priest found her. Who would have thought someone would attempt to rescue a person in the alleys of Madwand."

" You would have to know him," Ellie replied sullenly, " and I did manage to get close to Venom."

" A stroke of genius on your part my dear," the mage congratulated her, " you truly are one of the best of your profession."

" It wasn't part of the plan," Ellie said quietly, the mention of her profession ripped through her like a barbed arrow. The damn little elf mage was right; she was a thief, a spy and a liar, living off others and usually just one step ahead of the authorities. That was the reason the mage Primerian had approached her. Her task was plain enough. She was to manipulate this Venom person to do the mage's bidding to further his cause whatever that was. A cause that he had not seen fit to inform her of. Then, the gold was good and besides she knew this person to be a black-hearted villain of the first order. "She just stepped in and helped me for no reason." She mumbled more to herself. So when did it get so complicated. Ellie never gotten attached to target before.

" Be that as it may," Primerian continued ignoring Ellie's obvious discomfort, " I believe with the situation the way it is, it is time for a new strategy." He turned facing the now fully clothed half-elf as she stepped out from behind the screen. " I have a new mission for you."

" And what of Venom?" She demanded.

"What of Venom," Primerian repeated, "she will pay for her crimes. " The mage paused shortly stroking his beard. "It wasn't a complete loss. We did manage to capture a blood thirsty killer without so much a as one drop of blood lost or injury incurred."

" Did she have a choice?" Ellie screamed. " You saw fit to hit her with one of your all powerful spells and completely change her life, took away her identity."

" Do you really think she would have changed if she had a choice," Primerian replied sarcastically. "Honestly girl, I've never seen you defend a person so adamantly."

"Maybe," the half-elf said quietly turning away from the mage, " you had to see her on the road or in the streets of Madwand saving that knight," she said reflectively. "Venom saved the light warrior's life without a second thought, like it was simply in her nature. Maybe that's the real Venom." Ellie turned back glaring at Primerian. "But she never got that chance to choose, you took that away from her. Who are you to sit in judgment of anyone?"

The mage was shortly stunned by the half-elf's sudden verbal attack. He had used the little thief more then once because of her agility both physically and mentally. Her glib tongue proved more then once to be the difference between success and failure. Primerian had never seen her behave in such a manner. Who was this young upstart to question him?

"Fortunately this argument is inconsequential," he said regaining some of his composure. "Venom has been captured and will no doubt soon die for her atrocities. Whether my actions were right or wrong is of little importance when one considers the overall picture. Now I have comprised a new plan which should place a serious crimp in the nefarious schemes of certain individuals."

"Then you'll do it without me," Ellie snapped.

"What do you mean?" Primerian inquired, still amazed they were even having this conversation in the first place.

"I mean I'm not going anywhere," Ellie stated folding her arms across her chest in defiance. " I'm staying here with Venom until this mess you stirred up is over one way or another."

"Don't be foolish," the mage said as if scolding a misbehaving child, " what can you possibly hope to accomplish here and what if the sea-bitch gets her memory back somehow. How much do you think this blind loyalty of yours will mean to the likes of a killer like her. Now my new idea should disrupt their plot effectively and net you a tidy sum to boot."

" I don't give a dragperg about your idea!" Ellie exclaimed. " And I don't care what I can and cannot do. I am staying here. Another thing," She added glaring at him, "don't call her that name again."

"Are you threatening me?" Primerian asked in total disbelief. He had never heard his little thief talk in such a way. "What is she to you anyway?"

"None of your damn business," Ellie said in a low voice. Truth was, she didn't know the answer to that question herself. If she did some of this might actually make sense.

"And what if she or your other new friends find out who you really are." Primerian threatened, " Do you think they'll just smile and forgive your lies and treachery?"

Ellie's face turned as deep crimson as Venom's luxurious cloak. Her left hand instinctively dropped to the hilt of her ever dependable and ready sword. " I don't care about that or anything else," Ellie said slowly enunciating every syllable of every word. " Get it through that white hair covered head of yours I'm staying here. If you teleport me wherever you want me to go against my will. I'll do my best to get back here and do my best to mess up whatever devious new scheme you've hatched. Now do we understand each other?"

The mage had become totally flustered with the confrontation unable to even reply to her statement. He waved his hands about causing a mist to rise from the floor engulfing him. The mist cleared. The arch-mage Primerian was gone.

It wasn't often someone denied the mage a request let alone presumed to threaten him. This was one of those times. The young thief surprised herself. She rarely if ever had made such a strong stand on her convictions. Then again, it had been a long time since she had held any convictions or cared about someone beside herself.

She had seen Venom in the tavern when they first met and then again, during a few of the fights they had been in together. Her actions were selfless and what more like she pointed out to her former employer, it seemed so natural, so right for her to behave in such a fashion.

The air in the small bathing room was stifling she had to get out. Tying her still damp hair into a loose ponytail the half-elf flung open the door causing it to crash against the wall as she rushed out of the room. Zaphrina and Terrell were sitting at a table next to the room. The young priest had been attempting to show Zaphrina a diagram explaining the theory of vibrations and manna. Ellie barely noticed them as she stormed silently by.

" I thought the bath was suppose to relax you," Zaphrina chided.

"Not now," Ellie shot back angrily as she continued out of the tavern in a huff.

She left the pair staring at each other from across the table in dismay. Terrell and Zaphrina were unsure whether to follow the minstrel or not.

Ellie rushed forward headlong on her course as they pondered their choices unsure exactly where she was going or what she was going to do. How dare that pompous mage presume she would just up and leave Venom? Even in her rage, though she had to admit the conjecture was not without reason. This time, with Venom it was different. Ellie was so wrapped up in her own thoughts she nearly slammed into a small plump man as she hurriedly turned a sharp corner.

"Hold on girl," a voice she recognized belonging Gasqule's friend Ragul, " settle down if you keep charging around like that you're liable to end up in trouble."

She studied the small man with his small pudgy form and round face. He had been the one who denounced Venom upon their arrival. Since that time he had been one of the few citizens who had shown her or the others any courtesy at all. The young light warrior apparently did choose his friends well.

" I apologize," she said, "I was lost in thought for a moment."

"I can't say I blame you," Ragul said sympathetically, "what with the way you and your fellows have been treated. Still, you must understand the horror that person locked up put this town through. You and your friends have made it clear where your sympathies lie."

" I understand," she said in a subdued tone. No reason to anger the only ally they had in this backwater town.

"On the other hand," he continued, that person is nothing like the one that terrorized this town so recently. Send me to dragperg if I know what to do about it though. I am a simple soul and these moral issues are far too complicated for me."

" I understand," Ellie smiled, "and you are not all that simple, Gasqule chooses his friends very well." The last comment made the man's face to turn a deep beet red brighter then the shock of red hair crowning his head. " I don't suppose you have any horses around here one might use for an afternoon ride do you?"

"As a matter of fact," Ragul replied, " several new mounts just arrived to replenish the stock that was massacred. They're being kept at a makeshift stable and corral we threw up. Do you ride?"

"Yes," the half-elf answered, "I hail from Weston, in my territory we learn to ride almost before we learn to walk. I don't suppose I could borrow one for a short time along with maybe a saddle and tack."

" I don't see why not," Ragul, replied shrugging his shoulders, " I own the stables here as well."

"Impressive," Ellie complimented him as they headed for the large tent currently serving has the stables for now, "you've come a long way for the son of a stable keeper."

"The Cormier family helped a great deal when I told them I wanted to strike out on my own," Ragul acknowledged. " They loaned me the funds to invest which I have put to good use. Now I'm paying back every Sidanthrian coin I borrowed."

"I believe you are," Ellie agreed as she nimbly leaped over the swiftly erected fence encircling the horses as Ragul slowly lowered his bulk over as well.

One gray stallion in particular caught her eye as they entered the corral. He seemed proudly defiant with his stance and noble head held erect. She liked that.

" His name is Ghost," her pudgy companion said noticing her admiration of the animal, "beautiful creature but he can be a real handful."

"Maybe," Ellie said as she stroked his muzzle appreciatively, "not for a daughter of Weston though, he'll do very well," she said turning toward the tent where the riding gear was stored.

" Gasqule told me about what happened in the city and on the road, " Ragul said abruptly.

"Did he?" Ellie replied as she began to expertly saddle Ghost and set his bridle.

" I know how much it pained him to lock your friend in that hole. He really didn't want to do it."

"I know that," she replied struggling to keep her own feelings in check.

" She may have changed," Ragul said as she mounted her steed," she may have even done some good too but does that make up for all the deaths she is responsible for?"

" Like you said, " Ellie responded turning Ghost towards the gate, "this is too complicated and who are we to decide if someone should get a second chance or not."

She spurred her mount into a full gallop entering as the young half-elf rode out of the corral into the open grassy plains. Leaving Ragul behind to ponder her words, they definitely did merit some thought.

Ellie had a sense of freedom with the wind blowing through her long honey-blonde hair and the feeling of her mount surging beneath her. A freedom she had not experienced for a long time. It was true in her territory it was unheard of for anyone not to have a horse and be able to ride. There was a point of pride that the small territory boasted of having the finest Calvary in all of Iamoore.

To her, riding was as close as one could get to the gods. It was independence, freedom from pain, of worry. Nothing mattered, just her trusty steed. How easy it would be to just keep on riding and not look back.

She could ride right out of Lamoore, away from everything, away from Venom. There was the problem. In times past she could have fled easily, she had done so before when things got difficult many times. This was different.

Venom was condemned to die of this she was certain. She found herself actually saying a silent prayer to Velia the goddess of justice as she rode through the plains. She prayed she would help them in their predicament. After all, who are we to decide a person's fate? That was best left to the deities above.

Topping a small mound, she noticed a large cloud dust being thrown into the air Far off in the distance. Next, she heard the loud guttural howl of a large number of low voices sounding more like a pack of wild beasts growing in ferocity as they approached. She knew all to well what that sound was.

"Orcs," she thought, " a blood party and big one from sounds of it too." She moved her mount on cautiously to see if she might make out the size of the party.

The sight almost caused the expert rider to fall off her mount as they came into her view. It was a blood party aright but the like she had never seen before. From the mass of green bodies surging through the high grassy plains, it was as if an entire tribe was on the move. Worse, the blood party was on a direct course for the town of Lamoore.

The young half-elf quickly turned her mount around heading back for the town, slapping the reins back and forth to urge every fraction of speed she could muster. Ghost sensing her urgency pushed himself even harder.

She began screaming as loud as she could as she raced past the soldiers reconstructing the gate of the barricade. "Orcs," she shouted," big blood party headed this way. The soldiers immediately ceased their work and rushed for the tent where they had been stationed for the last couple of days to retrieve their weapons.

She reached the center of town seeing Zaphrina and Terrell speaking to Gasqule. They had been concerned about her bizarre actions and finally decided to consult with the young light warrior concerning the matter. They all turned in her direction as she flung herself from her mount barely allowing the steed to halt dashing up to them.

"Orcs," she repeated, " a blood party the biggest one I have ever seen and they're headed this way."

Her three companions immediately forgot about the discussion concerning the young half-elf at this vital news. After her sudden outburst, Zaphrina had finally confided in her Terrell her concerns about Ellie who seemed to share the same view. Both decided it was perhaps best to bring Gasqule in on their thoughts. Now all this was forgotten at the advent of a possible orc raid.

"How many did you see?" Gasqule asked. "Are you sure it was an orc blood party?"

"To many to count," Ellie replied quickly, "and I knows orcs when I see them."

"Great," Zafrina retorted, "what's next a freak tidal wave or maybe a social visit by Malice.

"It would appear the most logical course of action," Terrell offered, " would be to notify the commander. His battle skills and intellect may be questionable however he is in charge of this particular regiment."

Before any could reply as if on cue Yazoun came running up to the group." What is all the shouting about?" He demanded annoyed at having his noon interrupted

"Doesn't anybody listen," Ellie exclaimed exasperatedly, "there are orcs headed this way and they are looking for blood."

"That's impossible," Yazoun, stuttered, "they rarely attack Archeon at all and never this time of year."

"Well there attacking now," Ellie retorted, "better get your troops."

Yazoun could feel his heart thudding rapidly against his chest. He had up to now managed to be stationed well within the limits of the empire far from combat. He had never faced even the possibility of battle before, let alone with the likes of orcs, this was too much.

" I take it you're not exactly experienced," Zafrina asked, "in coordinating troops and strategy."

"Not really," the commander confessed fearfully, he could see his small number of troops and the militiamen already rallying for him to lead them into battle and certain death, most likely his own. The punishments for cowardice in the Archeon military made death seem attractive. Suddenly, he turned to Gasqule.
"You're a light warrior the one who captured Venom. I give you the honor of leading our troops in defense of the city."

"My aren't we generous," Zafrina remarked disdainfully, " I suppose you'll bravely guard the space beneath your bed." The remark earned the elf mage a harsh look from the knight.

"I'll do it," Gasqule stated as he rising to his full height, " you will need to come as well to help. From what Ellie said we'll need every person we can get."

"It might be better if ride to get reinforcements," Yazoun offered.

"They wouldn't be here in time, "Gasqule considered. "It would be better to have anyone who can tote a weapon in the force now. Yazoun swallowed hard turning to get his weapons. He was trapped.

"Tell me," Ellie inquired as she walked swiftly by the light warriors side, "how many battles have you been in much less led."

"This will be my first," Gasqule admitted, "but with the will of Velia we shall prevail."

Ellie stopped suddenly. Gasqule marched bravely forward still trying desperately to figure a brilliant strategy to win the day. "This is insane," Ellie muttered as Terrell and Zafrina caught up to her.

"I agree with you for once," the elf mage concurred, " we are all probably dead, my luck, I get the chance to die among humans again." She turned to Terrell. "No offense."

"None taken," he said, " however I do concur with your assessment of the futility of the situation. I fear however I am at a loss as to the remedy for this predicament."

"There is only one person in this entire town with enough experience to even stand a chance of winning." Ellie stated firmly.

"And in all this mass panic," Zafrina added, " she seems to have been forgotten."

A determined looked formed on Ellie's face as she turned and headed for the jail. "Not by everyone," she said, then glanced hurriedly back at Zafrina and Terrell. "Stay here," she ordered, "I'll be right back.

"Where might she be off to?" Terrell asked.

"You may be the most intelligent human I've met," Zafrina remarked, " but you've got a great deal to learn. I say we stay here and wait." Terrell continued to look puzzled until the full impact of the conversation finally became apparent, the glimmer of comprehension glinting in his soft brown eyes.

"And if anyone can pull something like that off," she responded to his wordless question, "it would be our little so called minstrel."

Ellie threw the door to the jail wide open as she rushed in, startling the soldier sleeping in his chair almost causing him to topple flat on his back. "What the dragperg are you doing?" the soldier demanded regaining his balance.

"There's an orc blood party headed this way," Ellie said sounding frightened, "they need every strong man available to defend the town."

"I need to guard the prisoner," the guard replied nervously, he had no desire to enter into a fray with orcs.

"She's locked up and not going anywhere," Ellie reminded, "besides what is it that they do to you soldiers if they even think you've displayed any cowardice at all."

The soldier felt a hard lump in his throat. The thought of the punishment inflicted was almost too terrible to contemplate. "I'll stay and watch your prisoner," Ellie offered, "it's the very least I can do while you men fight for our lives."

"I'm taking the keys," he informed her as he gathered up his weapons and helmet, just in case you get any ideas."

"Wait," Ellie said as she cut a small lock of hair off and thrust it into his hands. For good luck and a safe return," she said softly presenting him with a long intoxicating kiss. The soldier gained his composure enough to wrap his arms around her slender waist. Ellie returned the embrace wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.

At length she separated from the guard with a smile of admiration on her lips. The guard tipped his helmet as he puffed out his chest and strutted towards the door. "Archeon does raise brave sons." Ellie said her voice dripping with admiration.

The guard pulled his stomach in even further as he opened the door and left the jail. "And really stupid ones," Ellie giggled, playfully spinning the key ring around her finger.

Her features suddenly reverted becoming serious as she rushed towards the Iron Gate leading to the cells in the back. She hurried back to the cell where the tall dark woman had been confined for the last few days. She saw her sitting cross-legged on the pile of straw that served for a bed amidst this squalor. Her shoulders and head were bent down in utter dejection. It looked like she was carrying some heavy weight. Her bright silken cloak pulled up in her lap. Ellie searched for the correct key, finally opening the cell.

This action caught the attention of the tall dark woman who quickly jumped from her mat." What do you think you're doing?" Venom demanded as the young half-elf rushed into her cell.

"There are a band of orcs attacking the town," she told her, "neither Gasqule nor the current fool of a commander are capable of or have any experience leading a force into a battle."

"You haven't been paying attention the last few days," she replied in a low voice, "I am Venom, the one they call the sea-bitch. What good can I possibly do?"

"Don't call yourself that!" Ellie exclaimed. "You can do a lot of good you've done a great deal already. Nothing says you can't"

"I deserve to be in here," She stated. "I don't remember how but I've caused these people and most likely many others a great deal of hurt. This town doesn't need me not after what I've done to them. You would be best without me too."

Ellie raised her eyes up to the heavens. She was fast running out of patience. "Look I know that too," she shouted. "If I could I would be out of here in a second." She said completely frustrated. "But I can't." The forlorn look of total defeat and resignation etched in her friend's eyes just agitated her even further.

She grabbed Venom by the collar of her blouse, pulling herself up to venom's face. Ellie could almost detect a small glint of the old ice blue flame in those eyes once again. Venom curled her fingers into a tight fist at the sudden and unexpected assault.

The sudden movement did not escape Ellie's expert eye. "That's right," she yelled directly into her face, "hit me, and lay me out on this filthy ground. It would be the first sign of actual life or backbone you've shown since we got here." She let loose of the tall woman's collar as her lower lip trembling with emotion.

"You can stay here feeling pity for yourself," Ellie snapped, "but if you do it will just be like you attacked this town all over again. This time you might save the town but you seem to prefer to wallow in your own feelings of guilt." The woman called Venom suddenly rose to her full awesome height of over six feet, as her ice blue eyes ignited themselves.

" I suppose that Gasqule has taken the troops in to the field," Venom contemplated.

"Yes," Ellie replied, "but I've seen the orcs, they're outnumbered and the troops they do have are mostly untrained. They will be slaughtered. If you feel guilty about what happened here I don't blame you. Now do something about it."

" I have a few ideas that just might turn the tide in our favor," Venom replied as she exited the cell door with Ellie close on her heals. "Did Terrell and Zafrina go off with them?" The ice blue flame sparked into those cold vacant eyes once again as the tall dark warrior considered the battle before her.

"No," Ellie answered as they entered into the office of the jail, "I asked them to stay where they were until we got back."

"Good," Venom replied, then she glanced back at her companion, "you were that sure you could convince me to act."

"No," Ellie admitted, "I was desperate."

"So I noticed," Venom answered, feeling her collar where Ellie had grabbed her.

"I think I have the key somewhere for that chest," Ellie said as she fumbled about searching the ring.

"Don't bother," Venom remarked bracing her foot against the chest. She wrapped her two hands around the large lock. Then with a sudden jerk, tore the bolts attaching the lock out of the chest and throwing open the lid of the chest. Ellie could almost swear she heard the sword scream with joy at the sight of its mistress.

"Just how strong are you," Ellie asked incredulously at the sudden display of strength.

"Strong enough," Venom commented as she spun her blade expertly sliding the weapon into its sheath. "I haven't forgotten that incident in the cell either."

"It was only done with best of intentions," Ellie replied apologetically as they exited the building.

"I'll keep that in mind," Venom said as they rushed down the street, most of the town people had already taken refuge or left for hopefully safer territory.

Zafrina was the first to notice the pair running towards them. "She did it," Zafrina thought happily," the little scheming half-breed did it."

Venom spotted her companions and noted the exhilaration upon their faces at the sight of their friend. Venom was glad to see them as well if only the circumstance were not so dire.

"Where is the wagon we came here in?" Venom queried.

"I believe that our conveyance is currently being held at the local stables such as it is," Terrell replied.

"I need you and Terrell to get to the Archeon camp," she commanded," and gather up as many spears as you can, twelve should do if you can manage it. Ellie and I will make our way to the stables and get the wagon. We will all meet at the outskirts of the town."

"Right," Zafrina replied as she grabbed the young priests large coarse robe pulling him along, "come on," she said. "It's time for us to be heroes again." With those words, the pair raced towards the camp as Ellie led Venom towards the stables.

Chapter 10

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