Lovely young May stepped into the world new, and under watch. Her long blond tendrils softly framed her soft face. Her long legs lifted her up high enough she couldn't be missed. Standing before an empty castle of Brittony she wondered if she could make it home.

Crisp blue eyes explore the building if only it was possible. She could imagine dancing around wonderful halls of marble, and gold. Plush chairs to cushion her gentile frame. May remains looking over the castle playing out a future of happiness, and glee.

Shoulders gently rolling forward in foolish young laughter. She was in a trance of imagining her prince, and mighty blessings from around.

It had been along time since past that the band had started out.
7 they had been. Now only 2 remiain.
At least that was Ruathams count. Nee Saa she did not worry about numbers. She worried about the hunt.

In truth that is all that ran Ruatham as well. His shaman had sent the band to hunt.
He had never failed before....so he had also never quit before.

All along the southern journey the others had grown weaker. Weaker in Spirit to what was asked of them.

Bring back the spirit of the earth and make her one with you or the curse of the Gods will strike you and our people from the land. Find nothing and their rage will be so complete, that not one trace of you will remain. Or there blessing so great when you suceed that no thing you wish will be beyond your grasp!

With that word Ruatham had left on the journey, the others vowing they to would go. The others though lacked faith. And in the end only one remained with a knowledge that if he failed, all was as dust for him and his clan.

Today he sends up his only companion once again. Fly, Nee Saa. Fly and find me our target! With that he throws his arm up and releases the hawk to find what ....

In fact, what? Only the Gods knew! The shaman never said. But Ruatham knew he had the will of the Gods and a wiser friend than any other in Nee Saa. Today especially he felt the power of earth and wind in his ka, his center.
Today was going to be a good day to hunt!
As NeeSaa slowly gained altitude Ruatham called, Find what the Gods demand Nee Saa, find us both what will bring us all we wish !
As if she had understood him away she did glide toward a flash of red and brown in a covering of green.
A flash so quick that Ruatham nearly lost it when he reached down for his spear.
Praise the Spirits, that NeeSaa had sharper eyes!

The chill ran from her neck through her back when May had realized momentary dreams of future spoils and comforts had been spotted. She wore such a cover to mask what was beneath, but even they hadn't protected her from the birds masterful eye.

Head down, and maintain the path to the Heart of the Flame she would have remained masked easily. Bit's of her real red locks slipped to the birds sharp eye as she spun most playfully. The call of the soaring wizard alerted May to her failures.

Quickly she halted her pleasures, and straightened who she was. Surely this land of Brittony could help hide even her flaming nature from the hunter. Spying some rock structures to the east she rushed for them. The hairs upon her arm beginning to tingle. A warning that she was far from the heart, but closer to battle.

Twenty paces from the rock structure was a tree line providing the most practical of covers from sky eyes. At least until she could break into the sea. Who was tracking her though? Why did they wish to capture her?

Nee Saa had lead on a line as winding and full of changes as a celtic rune!
But she had known where the quarry was all the way until her flight lead Ruatham to the Briton Hill fort.
There she had returned to the young warrior and sat with as confused a look as you can understand from a falcon.

Ruatham had noted the likely destination before he ever arrived. It was of little help though.
Not Likely they will be fond of strangers heh girl?
Even less likely they will want me searching the huts.
Whatever we follow it has a knack for being aware of us.
Sitting down he began to absentmindedly to give the falcon bits of fish for her efforts this day.

So far it had not been easy. NeeSaa had been on target all day, but Ruatham still had to deal with rocks, ravines and trees. Ohhhhh, How he wished he too could have flown! Whatever it was that Nee Saa followed must surely have flown! By the Gods! What a pace they followed at...and still no sight of the target by Ruatham himself.

Now it was up to him.
Well NeeSaa, whatever you've sighted for me, it must not be too strange. Eh?
Otherwise, why would it be allowed in the village? Maybe it comes and goes often? What do you think?
Nee Saa just picked up her head and blinked at him with one glittering eye. Such a fathomless look as many women held.
Returning to her feast she left the warrior wondering as he cut himself a slice of apple and chewed it while he figured what to do.
OK...I have it. We camp here in a copse of woods and tomorrow I send you up to look again. If it's there I will follow and you just come to me whenever I get near, OK? The falcon happily ignored him and sat preening then shook out her feathers, as though saying, Sure. I don't care.
With such optimism as this was Ruatham constantly favored! Why do the Gods delight in tormenting me so! , he said through gritted teeth.

That night as he slept a dream he had. A very vivid and enchanting one.There was a flow of green cloths and glints of gold chain. A scarf covered face with the two most stunning eyes! But every time Ruatham got close enough to see clearly through the dappled woodland shadows the face shifted and the being ran away!
The lyrical chimes of sweet laughter taunting him as he continued to come.

When he woke in the morning near the small rivulet with the almost musical waters and the fire gone cold he was not very rested. Sure and the vision was slipping through his waking grasp as he tried to focus the sight of the face in his mind.
Calling to NeeSaa he decided to leyt the dream go.
Come girl. We have to find this Spirit of the Earth that will bring us.... blessings so great that no thing you wish will be beyond your grasp!
I'm afraid if we don't soon..I may go mad. Then a sudden flash of a bit of last nights dream
....those stunning eyes!

As soon as the falcon took wind and had climbed she turned three times and headed toward the sea!
Oh, what is this?? Maybe I can trap it on the coast! Maybe today this will end!

The fabric of her skirts were tied up out of the way as she moved. Not stopping unable to gain a loss to the air eyes following her. She had reached the tree line long past. Stepping quickly and unstoppable like a deer in sprint. Turning to the west to the ocean she dove in. Swimming to the south. Past the southern tip of Brittony she would head home. Where she knew her own territory. A queen of a kingdom empty of life. She swam liks a dolphin. Quick and slick. Making perfect time in passing the ocean by.

The entire time the heart of the fire quest she thought of. Wondering where this heart of the fire maybe. Confusing the sea life with blond and red blending, and separating in the waters.

When she finally reached land, her home land. She again ran fiercely fiearce like a lepard. Heading to her home where she had only just left. If the pursuer continued it would be here she would make her stand.

It would be here she would fight this threat.

The distance she rounds a sandy dune seeing the blessing sight of Bretagne. The rustic and delapitating exterior was still a wonderful sight to her. V lining straight for it now she ran as fast as she could. Her heart pounding in her chest, and seeking the cover even one so bright could gain.

The sight of his companion NeeSaa chasing out over the water following a shimmering wake of foam sent a twisting of disapointment through Ruatham.

The falcon dutifully returned again and again as if to say What are you waiting for!
Of course, Ruatham had never learned to swim well at all.
Most certainly he had never been able to learn how to fly!

It would do no good yelling at NeeSaa so he spent his time searching for a boat and a fisherman to sail it.
Since he had arrived after the fleets had left for the morning he lost half a day almost.
When the first boats arrived he had to buy the entire days catch before they would take him out again.
Of course he ended up leaving most for the village anyway.

But NeeSaa and the goal! All they could ever hope or wish for was riding on this!

It took more silver still to convince the captain to follow a Falcon, a bird that wasn't even a sea farers bird!
The grumbeling from captain and crew was near worry enough for Ruatham. So he stayed awake with no sleep agfter the second day on the water. The Captain was forced to keep his word but the crew were talking of "losing the ballast." Ruatham knew full well that "ballast" was him.

Finally after a week of water the fishing boat sighted land.NeeSaa headed to the Isthmus right away and the crew cheered. Dead on his feet but afraid to show it, Ruatham just stood with his back against the mast. The only thing holding him up. The crew beached and let Ruatham ashore. They climbed out to find water for their return and Ruatham stumbled up the beach to follow Nee Saa.
Curse words to every God he knew over "the feathered demon" and the "will-o-wisp dream"

Oh Yes, he had dreamed. Every time he closed his eyes for the briefest of time the other ones filled his drowsy vision. When I find those I will stop and oblivion can have me for all I care!
For a man with so little sleep Ruatham made it rather far into the tree line before he collapsed.

His last thoughts were: Nee Saa where have you left me now. Oh....those enchantress eyes ..are....coming..aga..nnzzzzzz

His snoring covered the piercing calls of Nee Saa, who had finally chased their prey to its home.

May spent some time with in her castle. Reclaiming the throne of the Gauls. With a blow horn she blew the warning to call her people back to their homes. Expanding wouldn’t happen soon enough for this young queen. Not alone at least.

She could still hear that bird of prey. So early in the morning she snuck from her castle still in full disguise. Slipping towards the waters front to look upon her follower. Seen a man, ever so attractive, laying in rest. She quietly snuck up closer.

Gaining a view of him. Her heart stopped upon glories praise. To find the heart of the flame before her. Why would he be hunting her though? Lifting a stick she would find out. Quickly running with a jump May jumped on his holding the stick to his throat.

“Who are you?” She spoke firm, and callus. Demanding a form of respect.

A sudden blow to his chest and a weight like large cat.
A voice making demands.
Not even had his eyes opened when Ruathams instincts took over.

He rolled over taking his attacker with him and kept roling away to get seperated.
As he had rolled on top with the move he pushed a knee up between himself and whatever had woke him. It was placed well enough to hear an angry curse from them as he used the force to push himself away.

Clearing some room to see his attacker in full.

What in the...! His mind was stunned to see he faced off against a fierce looking female warrior rising up before him.
But so fine and well formed a figure. A body to make the Immortals jealous.
Regretfully he took too long looking at her irresistable charms and was not even aware as she came leaping toward him. For a second time he was surprised as he was taken down by her.

This lovely cat like grace and power. She had him down again and this time as his head rang from falling backward and striking the ground the woman dropped on his chest. She landed on top of him and her knees quickly pinning his arms.
He was unable to leverage and get up again, her balance was so perfect. And the muscles so sleek and full of hidden power in their glorious curves.

When he didn't stop squirming he found a stick at his throat again but with much more force. A warm feel as a drop of blood slid through his beard and down the side of his neck
Why the blasted falcon would not help was a serious thought to Ruatham. The bird never let him get surprised before!

As she challenged him again the voice sounded hard as a spear but one made of honey and spice.
The words were to be remembered for the rest of his life as the first sounds of his heart being taken.

QUOTE:
Who are you?

I am Ruatham. I am a man who today surrenders himself to you.
He wasn't sure if it was also clear in his voice how complete that surrender was, body and soul.

He could only hope he was not so obvious.
If staying with her even meant oblivion for surrendering his quest he felt it would still be worth the price. All he suddenly wanted was the knowing of her better before he died.

To cover his emotion in his voice he said angrily: Dam it Nee Saa ! What did you let me get into?
Looking up into her face past a veil of hair he tried to read her eyes for what her reaction to his words may be.

Then he was speechless as he saw again the eyes. The eyes from his dream. They were hers!

Above where the two people had been struggling all that was heard was a falcons call.
Maybe the bird was laughing at him. Or maybe even the Gods.
The woman was obviously not laughing.

With an enthralling and thrilling battle to come. May found her chest quickly drawing breaths. Her heat pounding firmly with passion. Looking upon the man now surrendering to her. Completely unaware that her blond wig came loose now showing her vibrant strands of red. Her stick pressing into his neck until the slightest crimson of his own showed it’s teasing head.

She remained to quiet as he cursed his birds, but her mind was far from silent. Finally she lifted from his frame. Stepping towards her castle. “Come I have much to accomplish. If you surrender you shall do my bidding.” With her back towards him she let her eyes close. Showing all to much her pleasure of feeling his firm body under her. Her eyes would release full knowledge of her pleasure if she had let him see. Her lips curled another destroyer of her secret enjoyment.

“My lands are this way. If that is your tracker call it in. My people are frightened, and I wish to show control of oneself. The flight of your friend might make them think they will soon be eaten.” Her voice was firm, but soft to show a teasing hint of interest.

First this young warrior would have to prove himself to her. Slow across the waters he really was, but a very pleasurable roll in wills he was as well. “There are lands not far from here. They carry wine. I wish to be brought the finest of wines.”

Each step she took towards her castle causing her hips to sway. While her hand lifted finally to remove the blond wig she had worn. As they approached their castle with her wig removed the twenty off serfs peeked from their tattered dwellings. May encouraged them to look and stare with slight winks, and nods as she brushed past to her castle.

Her personal guard now appears having not even notice his queen slip passed him. With her free hand slightly raised, and lowered she settles him. Even as he still took presence next to Ruatham defensively with his queens presence.

“Prepare a room for this warrior Ruatham. He surrenders himself to me, and will require a nights rest.” She sent off a serf servant. Still moving with swaying hips to the throne room.

The tattered pillars, and dust evident it had been empty a long time. Until recently all life hid from raiders, and outcasts.

By the morrow the truth would be found. The sworn of hearts burned gual to the ground. All peasants and serfs lay slaughtered around. The hopeful and only one time trusting queen looks in horror the the lives lost. Her people all gone by the acts of one selfish and lowly man. Taking of their limited coffers, and leaving but the request of marriage? Why would this queen even be able to survive. Let alone marry such a man? The heart of the flame extinguished, and left the death with a mockery. Alone the queen would have to bury these people. Before allowing her body as well to join in the graves of the weak.