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Date Posted: 05:15:53 12/26/01 Wed
Author: Leigh
Subject: Re: Orignal Gemstone 12
In reply to: Leigh 's message, "Re: Orignal Gemstone 11" on 04:09:47 12/26/01 Wed

************

Aleria reared up on Nikita's command, nostrils flaring and eyes wide. Neighing fiercely he kicked with his forelegs at his opponent, knocking both beast and rider to the ground. He swung then to the side, just as his mistress had trained him to do, as Nikita thrust her sword into the fallen man's throat.

To her right Aella gave a battlecry, her dark eyes brutish a she jabbed her lance with deadly accuracy, twisting it as it pierced human flesh then yanked the weapon back as the soldier fell.

All around the battle raged. The ground seemed to writhe with motion as Scythian soldiers grappled with Vatian warriors. The men were stronger in built but the women were quicker. Nimble in their ability to dodge blows as they counterattacked. Mounted warriors sliced a path through the foray, hewing down opponents along the way. On the outer parameters Vatian archers circled, galloping at full speed around the battlefield. Their faultless vision, riding skill, and deadly aim combining to bring down more of their enemies.

This was the site that greeted Michael as he reached the hilltop from which Nikita had launched her attack. He pulled back on the reins, bringing his horse to a sudden stop as he searched the field for Nikita.

He located her colors, seeing the dark red banner flapping in the wind, then froze as he saw another flag nearby. Rhus. Nikita was battling her way over to him.

Michael dug his heels into the stallion's side as he drew his sword and raced down the hillside.

*

Nikita was in the thick of the battle now. All around her were soldiers, both Scythian and Vatians. There was barely enough room for Aleria to maneuver. She controlled his movements with one hand as she swung her sword with the other. Her muscles ached and her body felt as if it were on fire. All about there were sounds of metal clashing on metal and the grunts and moans of combatants.

Nikita pushed her way through, aiming for the rider she could see not more then ten feet away from her. She could tell by the flag bearer beside him that this was the man whom she sought. The one responsible for torturing Michael and stealing his lands. The one who had dared to suppose he could launch an attack against the Vatians. This, she knew, was Rhus.

He spotted her almost the same time she did him. And arrogant bastard that he was, he jerked his helmet off, allowing her to see his face completely as he leered at her. Nikita's eyes narrowed, filling with hatred as she tore her own headgear off, freeing her golden hair. From somewhere in the distance she could hear someone calling her name. Aella, she recognized, yelling over the din for her to wait. Nikita ignored Aella's plea as she kept her gaze locked on Rhus's. Even if she had wanted to wait for her doyan to reach her side, she would not have been able to delay for Rhus threw back his head and released a bellowing cry, and then charged towards her, plowing down all those before him.

Nikita pulled on the reins to swing Aleria round so that her sword arm faced the charging Scythian. But Aleria was only able to turn partially because of the thickness of the soldiers around him. Nikita was caught at an awkward angle as Rhus approached, his eyes red-rimmed and bloodthirsty as he swung his sword at her. She raised her arm, thrusting her sword up to absorb the blow, but the angle was wrong and the force of the blow too strong. She tumbled from the saddle.

"M'yrene!"

She landed heavily, breath forced from her lungs. Darkness encroached upon her. Nikita shook her head, tried to rise as one of her warriors jumped in front of her, shielding her with her own body as Rhus raised his sword again and swung it downward.

Nikita shouted as she saw the warrior's futile effort to dodge the blade. Rhus's aim was true. His sword connected with her shoulder causing the warrior to collapse. "No!" Nikita gasped, her heart torn at the knowledge that the woman had given her life to save hers. And in vain too it seemed. For as Nikita glanced up, Rhus sat atop his mount grinning victoriously at her as he once more raised his sword and swung downward.

The battle sounds around her ebbed into silence and the world stood still. Nikita's eyes glazed over, the battle around her melting away. Just before the world around her turned to complete darkness, her mind turned to Michael and a deep sorrow tore at her.

************

Nikita hovered at the edge of mortality. It was a strange sensation to be able to see herself laying on the ground, her eyes vacant, her face pale. Blood covered her upper right shoulder. "Am I... dead?" she wondered. "Is this what the eternities feel like?"

As she pondered these questions, she beheld Rhus climb down from his horse and march toward where she lay motionless upon the ground. He climbed over the other fallen bodies until he stood there at her feet, a look of triumph in his eyes, then grasped the hilt of his sword with both hands and raised it high above his head.

"So this is the end?" Nikita realized. Her sadness magnified, became unbearable as she thought of all she would leave behind. There were so many hopes and dreams that were still unfulfilled, especially her dreams of sharing a life with Michael. If only she could see him one more time. She wanted to be able to hold him just once more and ask his forgiveness.


And then, as if summoned by her desire, she saw him. Michael. Right there at the edge of the battlefield. Running. Her spirit quickened and took on an ethereal glow as she reached out to him.

Michael.

Instantly she was at his side. She tried to touch him, to let him know that she was there, right there beside him, but he didn't see her. Not her spirit anyway. Instead he was running towards where her body lay. His eyes full of fury.

Nikita tilted her head curiously, her spirit drifting effortlessly alongside Michael as he raced through the battlefield.

"Michael," she whispered, touching the angry lines on his face. "I'm right here."

His brows furrowed and panic filled his beautiful green eyes. "Ni-ki-ta!"

She turned, wondering what was causing his distress. Rhus stood with his sword still raised high over his head. He'd
spotted Michael though and was leering triumphantly at him.

"Bastard," Nikita growled. How dare he torment Michael so. "Do it and be done with!" she shouted. But of course, Rhus's mortal ears could not hear her...

Then, a familiar battlecry rent the air and Nikita beheld Aella leaping through the air, tackling a surprised Rhus in the midsection. Despite the morbidity of the situation surrounding them, Nikita found herself chuckling. "Ah, my sister," she smiled, watching Aella straddle Rhus and pummel his face with her fist, "Always my protector."

Beside her she felt Michael's spirit shift. Hope kindled within him as he pushed his way through the throng of battling bodies. It was then that Nikita noticed the armor he wore, and another smile curved her lips. The black leather had never looked as good on her as it did on him. She especially liked the way the pants hugged his powerful thighs and hips.

Aella.

Something was wrong.

Nikita turned, leaving Michael's side. In a blink of an eye she where her sister and Rhus were locked in an arm to arm hold. Between them, Rhus held a dagger, it's razor sharp point aimed at Aella's upper chest.

"No!" Nikita shook her head, trying in vain to wrest Rhus off of Aella. But it was no use. She was powerless to change the events unfolding before her. She watched in horror as Aella struggled to turn the blade away. But Rhus was too strong. Teeth gritted and hatred in his eyes, he thrust the blade home.

Aella gasped, eyes widening in wondering disbelief.

“Aella!”

Filled with sudden grief, Nikita saw Aella's spirit turn to her, even as her physical body collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

"M'yrene." Aella uttered her name, seeing her at last. The doyan looked down at her spirit, amazed, and then over to where her body lay atop Nikita's, shielding her even in death.

Nikita reached out, oblivious now to the battle, and touched her sister's cheek. Aella.

The doyan turned back, realization hitting her, and white anger filled her eyes. She gripped Nikita by the shoulders and shook her hard. "What are you doing?" Aella demanded. "You must go back, Nikita! Go back!"

"How?" Nikita asked, puzzled. "The veil has closed. There is no other way."

"No, that's not true." Aella turned, pointed to where Michael ran toward them and Rhus. "He is your path, Nikita. Look to him and live. If you love him as you say you do, then go back. Return to him and the world below."

"But what about you?" Nikita asked, touching Aella's arm. "How can I leave you here?"

Aella faced her, placed her hands on either side of Nikita's face. "I have watched over you all my life, Nikita. I will never leave your side. Even in death, I will always be near. You must believe that. She wiped the tears from Nikita's face and pushed her gently back toward the battle.

"Our destinies have been foreordained," Aella said quietly. "We know not the whys and the hows but we must trust that in the end, all will be as it is suppose to be. Now go, my sister. Live."

*

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