A Patrol of Sorts

[D'rorah Philosophy]

[green]"Yes, well, I couldn't very well let you succumb to the darkness now could I D'rorah? I would have had to then kill you and you know he would never let me hear the end of it."[/green]

[blue]"You are quite correct, Mister Bishop. I can think of one or two people who might have been displeased at hearing news of my death... and who would likely have been decidedly more difficult about it after hearing that it was at your hands."[/blue]

Really, her statement about the swords had not been made completely in earnest. D'rorah had understood that, in using them as her primary weapons in this war, there was a possibility they would be damaged. She handed the hilt full of bent metal to him quietly with a nod.

[blue]"Really, do not trouble yourself overly about it. I am quite certain that my father would greatly prefer the sword were a pile of ash rather than the instrument of my destruction."[/blue] As he attempted to fix it, she watched, knowing the process would be rather involved. [blue]"Perhaps while restoring it you might me amenable to fashioning a new set for me as well. [blue]"A blade infused with Elemental Light might have certain advantages in the current climate."[/blue]

Her eyes next fell to Bryan. Though he was the one she had known the shortest length of time, he was the one of whom D'rorah had fullest knowledge. Already he had saved her twice from her own personal hell of corruption. In the legends, everyone always spoke of the Shadow Warriors as the protectors of the Elemental Masters... but it seemed that thus far those roles had been reversed between D'rorah and Bryan. Of course, the fortune that no one one of the Mage's minions knew him to be an Elemental Master was largely responsible for that. [blue]Thank you for coming as quickly as you did[/blue], she replied mentally.

For the moment she paid little attention to the strange sensation of yet another voice in her head. Zane's mental presence was something she assumed with dissipate with time, but she wasn't entirely certain. Given that he had played the role of surrogate Elemental Master to her for those few precious moments while she teetered between light and darkness, there was a possibility that the connection would always be there. She would have to look into it more, determined that Mallan's fate would not befall Zane was well. For one, the circumstances were slightly different... as Mallan had joined with a second Shadow Warrior who had no Elemental Master at all to anchor her. For another, she did not intend to allow him far enough away from either herself or Keaira to kill himself should the drive to do so arise within him.

Silren's response to D'rorah's rebuke was not wholly unexpected... but even while it was delivered, it seemed almost calculated. Her level of caution regarding Silren elevated slightly... considering it had already been elevated, D'rorah found herself promising to take great care around the Slytherin student. Nearly everything about this evening unsettled her in some way. From this point forward, she would have to keep close watch upon Silren... a task that would be slightly easier given that Zane and Keaira were prefects of her house.

[blue]"Miss Chalis, your concerns are well placed. I wholly agree that the student body of Hogwarts should be informed of the danger lurking in the forest. However, your anger is entirely misdirected in this matter. The secrecy is the express demand of the Headmistress. I only patrol the boundary of the forest in the hopes that I might prevent any more needless death or suffering than her edict of silence has already caused."[/blue] And, though she did not often allow emotion to show on her face, her features showed genuine regret at this last statement. Many people thought D'rorah cold and likely cruel in her logical calculation of the events around her... but she did have emotions. They were merely well controlled. [blue]"We can only take upon ourselves as much responsibility as we are allowed. And, I do hope you were not harmed. Truly, it is quite atypical that the Shadows should be this close to the perimeter... it was almost as if they were called here..."[/blue] She trailed off, her mind already beginning to churn over everything that had happened.

She decided she was recovered enough to try standing. Slowly, D'rorah rose to her feet, feeling a bit unsteady as always after such an ordeal. [blue]"Miss Chalis is correct, it would be best to return to the castle before the daylight is completely faded,"[/blue] she agreed. Her eyes fell to the horizon, where the very last embers of sunlight were slowly burning themselves out against the hills of Scotland. Even though her legs felt slightly shaky, she allowed no part of it to show through as she drew herself up to her full height. Quickly, she gathered up her overrobe and cloak from where they lay on the ground. The overrobe she quickly slipped into. The cloak she tossed to Bryan for the walk back. He was obviously cold and hadn't had time to think of his own comfort before running down to save her. She would be cold regardless of how she bundled up, for her chill came from within... at least one of them would be able to have some measure of comforting warmth. Satisfied that things were as they should be, she turned to resume the path toward the castle that she had been intent on taking before any of this had happened. [blue]Mister Bishop,[/blue] she thought silently, not even looking at him, [blue]Please meet me in the astronomy tower this evening. You and I will have much to discuss.[/blue]

[Zane Lucifer Bishop]

As Zee was first taking the sword from D'rorah's hand, the unknown Slytherin spat a bitter retort to the admonishment she'd received. Glancing over his shoulder at her as he moved off by himself to attempt the restoration, the left corner of his mouth curled up slightly. She had a tongue on her, that was for sure. He didn't really agree with her statements, sure that none of this had been D'rorah's fault, but he couldn't help but see aspects of himself in her prideful disdain of being saved. She was certainly in the right house. His efforts with the blade fruitless, he had returned to where the others remained with it wrapped securely in his cloak. The adrenaline and strong blood flow that remained with him from the fight kept him from feeling the cold too much.

Just before D'rorah clarified the situation for 'Ms Chalis,' a shadowy image flashed briefly through his mind. He only caught a glimpse in his mind's eye and the colors and proportions seemed off somehow, the entire scene quite hazy. Still he was able to recognize the corridor just outside the Slytherin commons. A figure in a green dress was approaching the entrance, subtly followed by two very recognizable characters. Why he seemed to have a sudden notion about himself and Keaira watching Ms. Chalis, Zee had no idea. He stared at the unknown girl for a few moments as D'rorah stood. She was intriguing surely, but not so much for him to think it necessary that he and Keaira keep an eye on her. He was vaguely disturbed at the notion of ideas coming to him unbidden, the whole thing reminding him of the persistent sadistic voice that flared up every now and again.

Before he could think too long on the subject D'rorah set them in motion and Zee acquiesced, though he pointedly remained at the back of group, between everyone else and the unpredictable woods. Carrying the katana carefully, Zee was considering how he could make it whole once more when D'rorah's voice softly broke through his thoughts. Shaking his head to himself as he thought of his conversation with Susan and how the tower continued to be an important place for him, his lips turned up crookedly once more.

Of course D'rorah. Don't we always?

[Bryan Kelley]

At Zane's response to D'rorah, Bryan couldn't quite help arch a brow. He did not know much of Zane's history with the group aside from what he learned from D'rorah. Even then, Bryan was not one to dwell on the past action of a person, especially when the acquaintance with them had just begun. So his thoughts towards the Slytherin were less darker compared to that of some of the other light fighters, as Bryan preferred to judge Zane based on his own observations and dealings with the boy. Bryan remained silent and listened to the conversations. He did not feel he had anything to add, let alone say, so he remained silent for a most part.

He glanced at D'rorah when she had replied back mentally to him. A slimmer of a smile appeared in response before his focused turned to the Slytherin girl when the girl spoke bitterly in response to D'rorah. Some has a bee in their bonnet, he thought in passing. He did not know quite what had just passed before he had arrived on the scene. He only knew there had been an attack of the shadows, but what was going on before that? Well, Bryan didn't know, but one would assume that people would stay away from the forest. The forest had always been stated to be dangerous, that had never been kept a secret. Some people were just too stupid or hard headed to actually take such things into account.

His gaze transferred back to D'rorah when she had spoken, most of what she said news to him but at that point Bryan was no longer surprised about the things he did not know about going on in the school. Instead, he went with the flow of things. He glanced at Silren when she spoke about wanting to get back to the school and then D'rorah confirming this course of action. However, his attention was on D'rorah as she brought herself to her feet, aware that the Ravenclaw was weaker from her ordeal though looking at her now it was almost impossible to tell from the force of will she exerted over herself.

"Oh, thanks,"

[/color] he stated when she tossed him her cloak. He was still largely unaware of the cold mentally but his body was still aware of the February chill. He slid the cloak over his shoulders. The cloak was not particularly long on him, the height difference between D'rorah and him being only about two inches. The cloak over his shoulders, Bryan followed suit of the group and started the trek back to the school.[/size][/blockquote]

[Silren Chalis]

Standing at the forest’s edge, Silren waited while the others gathered their senses and stood to head back towards Hogwarts. As she lingered, a few cues from earlier pieced themselves together. By the way D’rorah and Zane conversed with one another; Silren caught that Zane more or less deferred to D’rorah. That one part of information began to unravel a small web that she did not realize was formed. So there was a system to their little group. She began to wonder who fell where. The other boy, having sat fairly quiet the entire time, assured Silren that either he was new or he stood incredibly low on the rank. Marking his face down, she added him to her list. Of course, she would find absolute proof before taking his life.

It was always interesting to her how social groups of people developed ranks and it was apparent to her that D’rorah was at the top, at least between these three. She had originally thought that it would be more necessary to remove Zane from the situation but Silren quickly began rethinking the idea. Even though Zane proposed more of a nuisance with his protective abilities it seemed that D’rorah was a key figure in their unity. Checking her occlumency once more she thought, “It seems that removing D’rorah first is necessary. I imagine they will fall apart without her.” Remembering the list, Silren recalled that D’rorah’s name was first on the list. “She must have understood the necessary order,” she thought; the ‘she’ referring to Dark Phoenix. Silren’s admiration of the powerful mage crept a little higher; it always felt good to be working for someone who knew what they were doing.

As the others gathered their belongings and began walking back towards Hogwarts, Silren confirmed her suspicion of order as D’rorah took the lead. Waiting a few moments, she fell in beside Zane. Not only was she uncomfortable with the idea of walking next to the person who was now so obviously suspicious of her but she was also a little annoyed at the girl and her tongue; not to mention the power Zane held added to a certain attraction factor. A few minutes after reaching the castle, when it seemed that each of them would go their different ways, Silren spoke up, “Would you mind walking with me back to the dorms?” and with a softer voice for just Zane added, “I do not feel… comfortable with D’rorah.” She did not necessarily ask for protection but she also believed that if it involved boys that the use of a fearful attitude was valuable or fun in certain situations. After all, don’t boys thrive on feeling that they are the protectors?

Turning to the others in the hall, Silren first curtsied towards D'rorah in her now tattered dress and cloak, "It was a most interesting evening D'rorah." Turning towards the boy, whom she still had not heard mention of his name she performed a smaller curtsy and added, "Perhaps in the future I will be favored with your name." Straightening, Silren addressed both of them, "Good night," as she finished without trying to be too curt she did not offer Zane a bow as if she were expecting him to stay with her.

[D'rorah Philosophy]

D'rorah had nodded at Bryan's thanks for the cloak and returned her attention to the rest of the group. She walked silently on her way to the castle, mind already mulling over the events that had just transpired.

As they approached the castle, she heard Silren asking Zane to accompany her back to the Slytherin dormitories. And then, in a voice she could not hear, but picked up through her mental connection with Zane, she heard the added sentiment that she was not comfortable with D'rorah. Even though D'rorah just just saved her life not ten minutes ago, so supposed she would understand her aversion to the Shadow warrior. Likely, she had no idea what had really happened... perhaps she was even trying to figure out which side D'rorah was on. Ah well, none of that could really be helped for now. Of that much she was certain.

"[blue]Yes, Miss Chalis. The evening was quite... interesting.[/blue]" D'rorah allowed no emotion to show on her face, no indication that she had heard her whispered comment to Zane. She realized as Silren addressed Bryan that she was unsure of who he was. Perhaps that was for the best, anyway... she knew his face, but with all the students at Hogwarts, she would have little reason to encounter him again. It was better that as few of the Lightfighters names were associated together as possible, really.

"Yes, Good evening," added D'rorah to the group before turning and heading off in the direction of the staircase, bound for the Ravenclaw common room and her dormitory.

[Zane Lucifer Bishop]

Having taken up his place in the back of the marching order, Zee was a little surprised when Miss Chalis fell in beside him. It somewhat nullified the entire point of him walking in back, but as they drew nearer the castle and a second assault seemed much less likely, he relaxed and desisted in glancing over his shoulder to ensure no dark creatures were following. Turning his head toward her as she spoke, Zee couldn't keep a small crooked smile from his face, clearly flattered. Merely nodding, to her request and explanation, he regarded the latter somewhat skeptically. Though she may be uncomfortable with D'rorah after seeing the girl in Shadow form, he had displayed himself in an equally unnatural state, his entire being encapsulated in glowing metal. Though his appearance likely made him look much more the guardian rather than emulating D'rorah's frightening countenance. Still, she was not going in the same direction as D'rorah anyway, so he hardly saw the need for a guardian. He could only account for her desire by assuming it stemmed more from an attraction than anything else. She was a Slytherin after all. Attraction to power was a given. And besides, he was Zane Lucifer Bishop.

"I'll meet you later D'rorah."

With a final salute to Bryan, he headed toward the descending stone steps, assuming the Slytherin girl would follow. He waited until they had reached the dungeon floor before speaking, turning to her with a flourish of the black-wrapped blade leading into an extravagant bow.

"I'm afraid in all the excitement I never did introduce myself, for which I offer my most profound apologies. I am Zane Lucifer Bishop, but Zee works just as well. And if it is not an overly burdening request, I would be pleased to have something other than 'Miss Chalis' to know you by."

[Bryan Kelley]

As they entered the castle, Bryan pulled the cloak from off his shoulders and folded it in half before handing it back to D'rorah with a smile. The walk back to the school, had allowed most of the adrenaline disappear from his veins, clearing his mind to think more clearly. It was good that D'rorah had presence of mind to give him her cloak, as half way to the castle the winter cold had finally caught up to him.

When they came to a stand still in the school, Bryan listened at the three spoke. He couldn't help feeling that D'rorah's choice of the word interesting had been an understatement, but given his newness to everything, it was not surprising he would think it a little more than just interesting. However, Bryan had yet to resent D'rorah for usurping his life at the school and drawing him into this war on darkness. Once he was sure it had not been a big joke, he had been willing to do his part, as was apparent each time he had saved the Shadow Warrior from corruption.

As Silren addressed him, Bryan only inclined his head and offered her a slight smile. It was clear to him she was not really expecting to receive his name just then as she was starting to move already in the direction of the dungeons. "Night guys,"

[/color] he stated quietly to them, returning Zane's salute before he turned to head back to the Gryffindor tower. He was aware through most of the night that Zane and D'rorah must have been having some sort of conversation but he had ignored the feeling, having no reason, despite curiosity, to be privy to it. Instead, he went to his dormitory to try and get some ink stain out of his bedding.[/size][/blockquote]

[Silren Chalis]

Being already prepared to leave, Silren did not miss a beat when Zane decided to begin their journey down to the halls of the Slytherin sanctuary. Matching his speed she fell in casually beside him as they walked in silence. The quiet was greatly appreciated for it gave her time to think on the many possibilities and information she had gleaned over the encounter. Subconsciously she gracefully kept in stride with Zane but her mind was caught up in thoughts as it showed on her face. Her eyes were fairly distant as she mulled over how she was going to handle the lightfighters. She knew she could not kill Zane in the immediate moment, for it would be too obvious to anyone else that she had performed the deed.

A few minutes later, after having brushed away a bit more dirt off of her dress, her thoughts were pleasantly interrupted by Zane’s words; which was an odd fact for her. As he introduced himself with a more personal name, Silren could not help a smile of satisfaction cross her face that may very well have been taken as a pleasantry. She had to admit; he was quite charming and eloquent. Being impressed with Zee, Silren decided that she would keep this one around until last, if she could; he would be fun. Smiling pleasantly, she turned to face him as they walked and introduced to him a more personal name, “There are no apologies necessary, Zee. Though you may have the pleasure of calling me Silren,” she let her smile turn to a playful one at the idea of having enough control over Zee to let him do anything.

After waiting a moment and deciding that the best course of action would be to talk about the abnormal scene at the Forbidden Forest, Silren went on to ask, “I hate to pry but I cannot erase the recent scene that has written itself into the forefront of my focus. Where have you learned those spells and what were those creatures in the forest and what was overtaking Miss Philosophy?” As she began the questions she let herself get carried away adding a little curiosity and fear with a small tinge of anxiousness to her tone. Silren also let the personal use of Zane’s name before, stand out against the formal use of D’rorah’s. Even as she waited though, Silren could not help but mentally fawn over Zane's ability and presence.

[Zane Lucifer Bishop]

"Silren it is then, and I am much obliged."

Flashing a grin as she confided her name to him, Zee continued to lead the way to the Slytherin common room. Of course he had no intention of engaging in any serious flirtation with this girl, attractive as her figure and bearing may be. He planned on dropping her off at the common room then heading off to Great Hall for a quick supper. Such activity, though certainly something he was naturally inclined toward, would greatly hurt Keaira, to say nothing of how it would jeopardize their budding relationship, and thus was out of the question. Before long however Silren spoke again, inquiring as to the atypical occurrences she'd just witnessed. Zee was caught off guard, not having considered how strange it would all seem to someone uninvolved in the Shadow War. He'd yet to find himself in the position to have to divulge or conceal the truth from an ignorant student. Fortunately, lying was probably what Zee was best at. There was no awkward pause following Silren's question, Zee's mind working quickly to fabricate an explanation of sorts. An amused crooked smile formed on his face, his stride unbroken.

"I'm not exactly certain what they are, but they're similar to dementors, so not something you want to go about picking fights with. D'rorah nearly suffered what amounts to their version of the dementor's kiss. Instead of leaving behind an empty shell of a body when they take your soul, they turn you into one of them. As for my own, let's call them talents, I doubt very much you'll find anything similar in any book of spells. It's not something I learned, it's just something I do."

He shrugged as if it weren't that big a deal and stopped as they had reached the common room. He opened the portal for her, holding it open for her to enter, not planning to do so himself.