A pain or a pleasure? (Dark Knight)

[Nimiane Aragon]

The River Kinver. Famed for it's bounty of fish, increasing during the autumn months of the year for it followed a migratory route to the breeding ground in which they were born. Running through the depths of the countryside, there seemed no end to the glistening waters which slowly disappeared from view down the rocky pathways towards the mountains. Such a beautiful view, it seemed like a crime to commit such a ruthless murder here yet it could not be escaped. The man was threatening one of her friends and that was one thing she would certainly not take for her overwhelming loyalty and commitment to her friends would not allow it.

This time there was going to be no messing around. Her human form would do fo this kill, for it wasn't like there was anyone around to witness it so she did not need to mask herself. Sure having claws and teeth that could slice through bone gave you an advantage but control and technique she found a lot easier to persue in her original form. Looking up down from the ground meant that you were more susceptable to low blows although camoflage was easy especially when the target wasn't expecting it- there were equal pro's and con's concerning each.

It hadn't take Nimiane long to track this guy, for her heightened senses had allowed her to follow through smell alone, yet it hadn't been difficult to work out anyway. This man liked to fish, and what better time to do such a thing than on the month were the fish congregated to lay their eggs all at once? It was easy. But the difficult part was yet to come for she was yet to finish the job off and masquerade the murder cleanly to avoid herself being detected. Yet fishing was adept with all sorts of dangers, drowning, slipping and falling down the rocky hill's edge; the possibilities were almost endless.

"Sorry to reign on your parade but I think you'll find your a dead man walking. Nobody threatens my friends and lives to tell the tale." She hissed through gritted teeth, sword in hand and daggers at her disposal should the man try and make a hasty exit. "I'll make it quick if you don't struggle- I'm not in the mood for foreplay" She stated simply, weilding one of her jewel encrusted daggers round her fingers before sending the shiny blade straight through the man's head.

"Apologies of course but you brought this on yourself" She smiled, seeing no use for her sword and slipping it back into her belt. Well, that hadn't been as difficult as she had initially thought- in fact it had almost been a breeze.

Through respect though, she walked over silently, placing two delicate fingers on his eyelids and closing them as she did with all of her victims. All that was left now was to dispose of the body, and what better place to dump it than in the river? If anyone happened to find his body they would think nothing more than that he had fallen, banged his head on the rocks and died, it was as simple as that. "Cor, who ate all the pies?" Her face contorted slightly as she placed her arm around his neck and tried to lift him, she was not the strongest in the world and that combined with his dead weight was not helping her at all.

"Abredan framweardes" The man began to shake violently, fitting from side to side until he began to roll down the hill relentlessly until he hit the water. And that was it, job done. She just hoped there wasn't anyone around the witness the murder...

[The Dark Knight]

The Knight had been following Nimiane for days, watching her every move. He had failed to appear at the meeting they had agreed on, and he was mildly annoyed by that fact. He decided that he would just meet her, but he had to wait for the right moment. He had to have something to use against her, to put the meeting on his terms. Now he had just the blackmail he needed. He watched silently, from a distance as she murdered the man by the river and tossed the body in. He waved his hand in front of him and a portal opened, it looked like a doorway made of swirling shadow. He stepped in.

Another one opened a small distance behind Nimiane and The Knight stepped out of it, the portal dissipating once he had exited. "I don't like being stood up." He said, announcing his presence in a menacing voice.

[Nimiane Aragon]

It took Nimiane by surprise hearing a voice sound from behind her. She was almost certain she hadn't been followed as that was something she always looked out for prior to even leaving Camelot. Strange. Plus the mere tone in which was spoken and the brusk, grissly voice of an annoyed sounding man filled her in immediately who it was. Learning from past experience she knew this man was powerful and one certainly not to get on the wrong side off, but she didn't like being pushed around like a little homeless puppy.

"I don't like being stood up."

The statement was almost cold, and very matter of fact. There were no pleasantries, after all there was no need to be polite. Determined to hold her own though she wasn't going to be submissive yet finding a leveled balance between getting on his nerves and subsiding her tendancy to speak her mind was increasingly difficult. Something about him told her not to come across too strongly, for she would only get injured or shoved in the firing line if she spoke out of turn. Her strong will though was threatening to break from their confinement and she was struggling to hold her tongue.

"I don't like to be shoved, or told what I am and am not allowed to do" Maybe that was too much. To avoid an angry retort she decided to backpeddle slightly so she avoid a punch in the face. Maybe an 'apology' for missing their meeting was in order, just to sweeten the atmosphere. "I'm sorry I missed it. Circumstance meant that... I couldn't attend" Lies obviously, she had not gone because to be quite frank she found the man terrifying and the thought of confronting him again made her shudder- but she wasn't going to let on on that fact.

That combined with timekeeping skills lesser to be desired and an inability to keep to scheduled appointments meant the meeting was condemnd from the start. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I don't wish to be rude but I have to see a man about a chicken" A feeble attempt at getting out of his hair yet she knew it was almost pointless for he had already expended energy to make a point about her missed appointement. Yet it was worth a try right? She just hoped it wouldn't blow up in her face. She was still unsure about swearing her allegiances to him and she was hoping she could blagg her way through until a decision had been made or else it would have to be made for her.

[The Dark Knight]

The Knight chuckled evilly. "You won't go anywhere until I say you can go." He said simply. He continued, explaining his reasoning, "You see, if the word get around that a druid has been murdering Camelot's citizens you won't have the chance to even leave your village. The whole place will be burned down in a few days. And every man woman and child will be hunted down like dogs and their body's will hang in the gallows until even the carrion eaters don't want anything to do with them. Because, Nimiane, the good people of Camelot hate druids, almost as much as they hate me."

He took a small step towards her, "So, care to listen to what I have to say now?" He knew his words would anger her, but perhaps she would realize that it was the truth and she would keep her emotions in check.

[Nimiane Aragon]

Of course he wasn't going to let her leave. That would be madness. Instead he insisted on booming orders at her and made her feel as popular as the taxman on collection day. She knew Druids were not the most well liked people amongst Camelot but they were hardly ravenous and set upon world domination. They were mostly a peaceful race, keeping themselves to themselves and thriving amongst a close-knit community where they hid under the radar and got on with their own, private daily lives. It was only rare where one of them would go rogue and give them a bad reputation as a whole as they undertook their own agendas.

It was only in sole preservation of their safety did they ever commit murder or if danger was comprimsed and that could hardly be considered a crime? Surely anyone else in their position would do the exact same thing, or at least she liked to think so. What he said hurt, for she knew the druids didn't deserve the repuation that they had yet it couldn't be helped. They were either hated or seen as a large sum of money from those wishing to make a quick fortune so it seemed they couldn't win either way. Still, she didn't like to face the reality and hearing it come from him; it angered her.

"Do you know what it's like to be persued relentlessly by bounty hunters, who weigh you up on the amount of money you'll fetch? Judging your magical ability, bounding you in cuffs and ropes, disregarding your age or gender to die a very painful death? Were sold to be burnt at the stake, drowned or to be 'made an example of' just because we have magic and don't comply with the magicians guild. So you can understand why were naturally cautious over people like him who want to disclose our whereabouts so you'll have a hard time trying to make me feel bad, you may as well save your breath." She was angry over what he had said and trying to keep a cap on her cursing and shouting was proving difficult but she managed.

"Sorry. It's not your fault- I just don't like the way druids are outlawed by proxy, it doesn't sit well with me" She scoffed, trying to keep her emotions in check for as soon as the dark knight found a weak point he was sure to milk it for all he could. Not that it mattered anyway, he already had a hold over her, observing her little act of a precuationary measure in killing that traitor who was to tell the whereabouts of their current camp to the king.

"But seems as though I have no say in this, I have no other choice than to comply." She smiled half-heartedly, flicking her falling hair from her face and settling her curious eyes on the shady figure to hear what he had to say.

[The Dark Knight]

The Dark Knight nodded. "I do know what it is like to be hunted at every turn, having to constantly watch my back to avoid capture. I am the most wanted man within the walls of Camelot. The crown would like nothing more than to have my head on a silver platter." He said. He continued, "I have a proposition for you, work for me and I will teach you to defend your people. You have a natural skill with magic and murder, this much is apparent. But wouldn't you like to be able to master those skills, turn them into an art form?" He asked, he snapped his fingers creating a small flame.

He blew on it and it became a larger flame that formed into a phoenix, which quickly flew away and dissipated. "With the powers that I could teach you, your people will never have to fear the shackles, blades, or fires of Camelot again.

"The Brotherhood needs people like you. And your people may just need the Brotherhood. Not only would you have the ability to protect the Druids, but the entire Brotherhood would be at your side." He said, a small bit of emotion slipping through his barren voice. It was a voice that seemed to entreat her help, but as soon as it came, it was gone again. "So what do you say Nimiane?"

[Nimiane Aragon]

As she stood there, she began to see a different side to the ever elusive Dark Knight. So far all she had seen of him was a side that remained very reserved and secrective but now he seemed genuinely interested in helping her and her kind and that seemed like a very refreshing change. Normally anyone who met her that discovered she was a druid wanted to remain as far away from her as was humanely possible which never made her feel great, but not him. He was keen to help and being offered such a proposal was fairly difficult to apprehend for not many people wanted to fratinise with druids of all people. He was offering a sort of affiliation offering protection, a sort of if you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours kind of relationship.

"So what do you say Nimiane?"

For a second she just stood there not quite sure how to react. She had been short of bribed, threatened and shouted at since their meeting and now he threw this at her? Being in alliance with the Brotherhood would be a very good move for the druids for their protection would increase ten fold and they would become almost impregnable if ever attacked or found, she knew that much. They would of course remain at his disposle should he ever need help, but she had to get the rest of the community on board before she leapt at anything head first. But she was willing to help. He was provide her guidance and mentorship in curbing and controlling her magic and that was an offer she simply couldn't refuse.

"Well, you've convinced me. I believe an alliance between your organisation and the druids would be both very beneficial to each other, I would be inclined to back you all the way, for you to use my services as you will. Your experience and expertise I could use so to decline would proof foolish. I can't promise full co-operation from my people though but rest assured I will try. It would be in their best interests to co-operate and I'm sure they will but you have to understand many of the elders are set in their ways of peace and segregation so I'll have my work cut out." Nimiane swept the few falling strands of hair from her face as a chilling wind swept throughout the valley. Her mind was racing, already coming up with plans and failsafes to get the druids on her side.

"I warn you now though, I'm not an enterty to be taken lightly." She smiled, before carrying on. "But yes, I agree. I will join the brotherhood"

[The Dark Knight]

The Knight remained stoic and replied "Good." He was quiet for a moment, thinking of what his next step should be. "After you have spoken to your leaders, come find me in the slums of Camelot. There is an alleyway behind a small cottage, and there is a small hole in the left wall of the alley. Go there and follow the stairs down. The guards will be expecting you and will show you to my office. Then we can discuss the terms of your enlistment." He said and reached into the fold of his cloak and pulled a dagger in a jeweled sheath out of them. "For now I give you the rank of recruit. Show me that you are worthy and you will progress." He said and handed the weapon to her.

"Don't disappoint me Nimiane. It would be a shame to find that my faith in you has been misplaced." He said. For once his words were not threatening, they were just what they sounded like.

[Nimiane Aragon]

Nimiane nodded as she recieved the next location she was to travel too after convincing the druids to the alliance. She was unsure as to how long it would take and it rested heavily on her methods of persuasion. She would have to put it across clearly that she was working in the best interests of them, and in backing the Brotherhood it would possibly be one of the greatest moves they made towards their protection that they could have possibly done. How could they resist such a chance at security? Surely they would have no means to decline if they bothered or even cared about personal safety and preservation. It was almost a done deal.

Nimiane was greatful for the gift and smiled in appreciation, before running her delicate fingers over the reams of the jewel encrusted handle. She slipped it into her leather looped belt, into the now empty space as her dagger was currently embedded in the dead man's head. It fitted effortlessly into her belt and sat snug, ready to be pulled out in future moments of emergency. She muttered a 'thanks' and covered up the weapon with her cloak before resting her curious gaze back on the Dark Knight.

"Don't disappoint me Nimiane. It would be a shame to find that my faith in you has been misplaced."

Nimiane didn't like letting anyone down at the best of times, so now she had verbally contracted her allegiance she wouldn't consciously go back on her word. She was keen not to disappoint, in fact she was determined to impress him. "I assure your faith in me will be best placed, I'm not one to go back on my word." She assured him, before smiling and turning her back ready to walk away. "Oh, and I trust that my secret will be safe with you" She indicated towards the dead man who had been flung into the murky depths below, slowly floating away to re-join the network into the sea.

"Thank you." And with those words she parted, disappearing into the forest to meet with her horse, preparing herself for the next few days to come which would either make or break an alliance with the brotherhood.