Already he had begun to rethink his plot. Could he still kill a man as easily as he had in his youth? No, it wasn't one man that bothered him it was the the fact that it may be a family...he could taste the bitter past at the thought of doing such a horrid act again. So, he waited now. Here sitting at the lobby of the Seventen Headquarters waiting for his young lieutenant to his treason to arrive so that he may begin to plot the next part of this show. He was after all little more than a ringmaster to a circus of traitors.

Ilityia shrugged herself off the Chrove, erse hurting like nothing else. The brute she was now riding, Spondola, earned his name. He was one of the biggest Chroves in their stable, and Ilithyia because of her height, was one of the few who could ride him. Nonetheless, her was sore in places that ought not be named everytime she was astride him.

"Ah, there you go Ponny, we'll get you settled down." However, before she could completely get him unsaddled, a stable attendant showed up and finished the job for her. Sighing, Ilithyia left Ponny to the untender ministrations of her fellow recruit. What did one do to become so ill favored as to tend to the Chroven?

Walking into the main hallway, Ilithyia was ready to call it a day, until her night shift. Then she saw Alstair sitting on a bench, head hung low, normal vibrancy diminished. The feelings she had been suppressing and trying to forget about suddely rushed up and consumed her one again.

"Mr. Murdoh...?"

Alstair looked up giving a wan smile.
"Madam Ilythia. I believe we need to talk." He said with a low voice that seemed tired even if it was only the afternoon. "I need your wisdom in a matter madam."

Ilithyia sat next to him, concern blooming in her eyes.

"What's wrong? And please, call me Iliah." She hadn't been called Iliah since before Bunnhold, but it seemed to fit. Madam was entirely too formal and stuffy.

"Ilyia..." He said awkwardly. "I may have to kill once again. A family...it would not be so complicated if I could think of another way. But, this blasted mind of mine only thinks of bloodshed!" His voice grew bitter as memories flooded back and the scar upon his right side throbbed in agony.

"If there was only another way." He groaned.

Very slowly, a kind of calculating coldness took over her mind. This was not discussion for the barracks of the Seventen. They needed privacy.

"Mr. Murdoh... before we continue this conversation, please let us find a more suitable place to talk. I'd rather not have the wrong ears listen in." Alterior motives might have had some influence, but she would never admit it. Never.

Nodding Alstair stood from his spot.
"Then to where we first talked of wicked things." He said with a warm smile as he offered an arm. "This may take some time...perhaps I should request a room for the night?"

Blushes were her fiercestly loyal companion, and it did not fail her now. However, she nodded, aware what the implecations were. Brushing at her uniform, her eyes were averted to hide their flames.

"Yes, a private room would suffice, I think. We could have the ability to talk far more freely than we could out in the open." She looked at herself, and then back to him. "Again, I also think we should change. We want to be less... conspicuous than these uniforms can give us right to." She had a particular dress in mind; the recent heat made her new purchase very attractive in deed.

Alstair nodded.
"It would be best. You may change I will wait here." He said calmly as he adjusted the cuffs of his uniform. "I do not worry if I am seen like this."

He looked at Ilythia with the expression of one lost amidst his own thoughts.
"Do hurry though. I would like to arrive early. They are a very popular inn."

Ilithyia smiled warmly, and stood herself, slinkily imagining the dress. She hadn't worn it since te final fitting, but that was only a bit ago. Ilithyia was ready to try it out for real.

"It won't take me but a moment, Mr. Murdoh." Before she left, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and a comforting smile. "Please, sir, we'll have privacy soon and you can tell me what preys upon your thoughts." Then she walked off, swaying a little.

Her dress was still folded neatly, the glassy green and vibrant blue shimmering like gems on the top of her other dress. The exotic design was barely socially acceptable, the hem long enough and the folds sensual but not revealing... unless she retied some of the fold. then it was all to risque. However, she slithered into it,t he silky texture sending hsivers up her skin, the flowy billows brushing against her leg or arm at the hint of a breeze. Yes, she was finally happy with what she wore. Piling her hair in a messy bun, she walked out, head held high.

"I'm ready, Mr. Murdoh."

Alstair looked at first with marked surprise at Ilythia and then with pleasure.

"You look beautiful my dear." Alstair said feeling the fires once again becoming stoked within his body. "I take we are off then?"

Without another word Alstair opened the door with a deep polite bow his right arm across his chest and facing the ground as if he was a servant attending a Lady to the ball.

Smiling through the heat fon her face, Ilithyia lowered her eyes, demurely folding her hands. His reaction made thoughts explode inside her head, things that she had been battling against since they had met.

"You do me too much credit, Mr. Murdoh." She walked beside him, laying a hand on his arm, smiling into his eyes. "Now, let us continue on."

Smiling Alstair stood once more and began to escort Ilythia to the place that had first offered him shelter upon his return. Already He could picture the soft glow of the Paper tiger's lantern's playing off of Ilythia casting her into something almost fae and magical.

Perhaps this is what I have been in need of...

Smoothing her skirts, Ilithyia walked on, in high color and very charmed. The streets of Vienda, although more familiar to her now, were still magical at night, especially with Alstair's heat radiating on her skin. She felt his presence, and the pulsing desire flowed like a tide though her veins.

They reached the paper tiger shortly, and Ilithyia allowed Alstair to lead her. She kept her eyes lowered, infatuated with the sensation of giving up control.

Alstair stopped at the counter of the bar and looked about with a cautious expression.
"A room for two please." He said politely and without much putting any money upon the counter. "I assume the fact I am seventen means I still can rest her without paying?"

Ilithyia grinned slightly at the thought. Ilithyia didn;t look anything like a member of the Seventen right now; in fact, if she looked like anything more than a charmed teen she'd be surprised. So here was the older, devlishly powerful officer and his charmed, innocent companion. Oh the fun that could be had with that scene! Batting her eyelashes sweetly, she stared adoringly at Alstair, placing a hand on his sleeve.

"Oh, Mr. Murdoh, this is delightful!" She wondered if he would play along; they were going to talk in the room, of course (of course), but everyone else thought that other things would be happening. Too bad I really do want him to ravish me, said a little voice inside her head that she quickly silenced.

Smiling as the attendant handed him the key Alstair led Ilythia upstairs to the indicated room. Once inside Alstair moved his shoulder slowly rotating it with the occasional 'pop' he looked at Ilythia with a warm smile.

"Will this suit your tastes Ilyia?" he asked with a final soft pop.

Ilithyia looked at Alstair's shoulder, and quickly stepped forward and placed her hands on it, concern once again flooding her features.

"Yes, it's fine. But how is your shoulder? Our sparring match couldn't have been kind to it." Ilyia was leaning near it, her face hovering a scant few inches from his, completely absorbed in his presence. Her fingers alighted on the fabric where she remembered the scar.

Alstair smiled at her concern.
"It's nothing a mere wound from my past." He said reassuringly. "Let us first discuss the matters at hand Ilyia. I may need you to take someones life soon."

There was no way to hide that fact. She was his most loyal companion and it was bound to happen sooner or later...He just wished it had been later.

Ilithyia felt a frost travel down her body at his words, and stepping away from him, sat down on the edge of the bed, wringing her hands. I knew that he would have to, but why? What had he said back at the barracks?

...a family. Oh Alioe...

"Mr. Murdoh, tell me everything you can. Why would you have need to kill? There is always another way." She shook her head, goosebumps rising on her skin. She had a feeling she was the last step between those poor people and death. I am the last defense.

Slowly at first Alstair recounted his meeting with Siduri and how he would be able to spy upon the internal affairs of local politicians. Of how to get him into an advantageous position would mean Siduri assuming Hadrian Siordanti's position and how it may mean his death if he could not create a better option...

"Ilyia what is your take on this? I have Faith in you that you can find a bloodless path where I could not." He said hopefully. As he stared at her intently.

Iliah's hands were tap tap tapping on her knee, and she was deep in thought. Biting the inside of her lip lightly, her mind was racing, tumbling through hoops of questions of power and mortality. Why do I get myself into these things? she pondered, only to have the reply because you want to save everyone and make sure no one ever gets hurt. it's why you joined the Seventen and why you're sitting here in the devil's lap. She studied things at every angle, weighing and consuming her own fears.

"You promised Siduri power; his mentor, Siordanti, is a link to that power, not a blockade. Make Siduri see that. Maybe there's a higher position that Siduri can fill... he's a clerk. There's always something bigger." She wanted to stand and pace, but she was too absorbed with the thought. "Maybe... remove someone else. Some herbs with simulate illnessess. Take out someone who has to be replaced immediately. Get him moved up, with Siordanti's blessing. Having a high up politician under your eyes might come in handy."

She wrapped her arms around herself, realizing what she was saying and doing. I am decinging who dies and lives. I have that power. I can't believe what I'm doing, who am I to make that choice? Her skin was cold, and she shivered and couldn't stop. Yet she wouldn't stop. She had to save them, whoever they were.

Alstair nodded as the gears began to spin once more.
"We can do that...I think you may have a point Ilyia." Alstair said sitting down next to her and staring at the wall thought. "Win this man's trust...I may have a near bloodless solution. Ilyia. I need you to make an attempt at this man's life." He said finally in a clear voice. He could feel the passion of life tickle his mind once again.

"Throw a spell at him that will seem like a gunshot at night when I give you the order. I will take care of the rest. Just be sure that you are not caught." As he said that last bit Alstair could feel genuine worry in his voice. It caught him by surprise that he could feel this way for someone that should have been a mere pawn...

She smiled, relief and restlessness settling over her. She had saved them. A family meant children, and now the babes were safe, even if she was selling her soul. And thats what Ilithyia was doing, she realized. She was giving herself over to darkness so save the light. I am strong enough to do that much at least. So she lowered her head and sent a silent prayer to the goddess, hopes tied to it like a silver string.

Alioe, I had held my soul and innocence in stead for you. But now I have to turn from you in order to do your work. Forgive me. Shaking the trepidation from her like dew, she looked Alstair in the eyes, making sure to hide her fears, her own utter helplessness in his hands.

"I'll be careful, Mr. Murdoh. I am not a Seventen for nothing." She said it with as much courage as she could.

Alstair smiled pleased.
"Thank you Ilyia. I can put my faith in you..." His voice was warm now filled with the feeling of a man reprieved of a damming sentence. "I must ask you to be careful and not get caught. I do not wish you to be hurt. Also, I may do things that you will not approve of but, it is for the greater good."

Alstair looked Ilythia smiling.
"I think Ilyia you may be my salvation." He whispered.