(Forest) Looking For A Centaur

[Lana Jacoby]

As a widening evil smirk spread across her ethereal features which were bathed half in dark shadow and half in white moonlight Lana's wand remained poised as she stated "give up the game girl, there are no more of them, it's simply you two, alone and unarmed, defenceless." Her eyes sparkled as she felt a thrill of excitement course throughout her poised body, ready to launch itself upon her prey like a cat; she would enjoy their torture immensely.

Watching with idle curiousity as the girl tried her very best to find her wand once more she flicked it further out of reach with a casual wave of her wand. "Good plan girl," she complimented, "yet not good enough." As the girl continued to rabbit on to save her own skin Lana glared ferociously at the centaur rolling her eyes at him.

"Enough talk," she screeched "Incarcerous," she bellowed sending tough binding ropes to ensnare the burly centaur, the thick rope cut deep into flesh and her satisfied smile deepened.

Allowing the girl just enough time to absorb the horrorific torturous ropes, Lana advanced speaking chilling words, "now for you, sectumsempra" Lana's cold calculating glance chose the girl's legs; so she couldn't flee.

[Jac Shaw]

Cursing when her wand was flicked properly out of sight, Jac glared at the witch. "You shouldn't have done that," she said angrily, "that was a very nice wand." She glared hotly at her, her eyes turning the same hot red as her fiery hair. Jac didn't let on that she was scared. She could tell this lady was a few hairs short of a full beard and it scared Jac. She needed to get away from her and she needed to get the centaur away too.

Enough talk

Her voice echoed through the vastness that was the forest. Jac could only hope that other centaurs would hear it too and come running or even better, though perhaps not, werewolves. Suddenly ropes shot at the centaur and began to suffocate and cut him. Jac cried out, "no!" and ran to his side, trying to pull the ropes off. "Let him go," she cried, trying to get her fingers under the ropes around his neck, "he's done nothing to you!" Her voice was cracked with worry.

She stood up and tried to pull on the ropes that way but unexpectedly a surging heat shot through her thigh. She screamed and bucked under her own weight. She pulled her leg out from under her and saw there was a deep gaping slash in her thigh so deep she could see the bone. She flung her head back and made another cry of pain. Never before had she felt such pain, such horrific pain that tears fell from her eyes and that her hair began changing from colour to colour like a kaleidoscope.

Trying to stifle the bleeding, Jac glared at the woman who seemed to be enjoining the scene in front of her. "Why are you doing this?" she cried, exasperated, "we didn't do anything to you and you attack us ..." Her voice cracked again as pain shot through her leg.

[Valunce]

"Your threats and degrading words mean nothing to me witch, I've nothing to fear from you as the stars have fated me for higher things, and fate shall protect the girl too." Valunce stated philosophically feeling quite calm and controlled; his voice remained low and level, a voice from which the girl could take comfort from. Yet he knew his calm wouldn't last eternally; panic would soon ensue when the wand was directed towards him; if only he could disarm her somehow, she seemed to poised and prepared though ready with magic he could do little against. The icy hand of fear drifted over him once again.

Realising the girl was doing all in her power to protect he smiled grimly, if only he could one day thank her; perhaps by instructed her how to read the stars properly; an invaluable skill; no matter what this crazed human before him foolishly stated without prior knowledge and expertise of any kind he deemed. Realising the girl was using his height and length as a bulwark against the witch's boring eyes, he hoped she would find her wand soon; before it was too late, though he couldn't see how her inexperience could contend with the older witch's ruthlessness. As the witch silenced them both by screeching enough talk, he deemed it was now or never so set his hasty plan into motion, he galloped forward wanting to meet her head one and smash the wand from her grasp, breaking it in two would ensure she couldn't use harmful spells against them.

Yet he didn't make it an inch forwards as ropes coiled around him, tightening considerably around his broad chest and encircling his powerful thighs, tripping him; Valunce fell heavily to the floor quite powerless. Struggling valiantly he tore at his bindings to no avail, a noose inexorably slipping around his neck and pulling tighter...

[Lana Jacoby]

Watching with avid curiousity and amusement as the centaur writhed in pain and the girl screamed in pure agony, she knew that anyobody within the vicinity of miles could hear that, yet her lust for torture wasn't finished. "This is just too tragic," she screeched with mirth. Revelling in their pain and suffering she wanted to prolong it as long as possible, only then would they do as they were told, only then would the girl be bent completely to her will; she had to be a mere ruined wreck of her former self and soul.

Eyes glinting maliciously she slowly glided serenly past the tossing centaur who continued to fight his bonds. "You should have done as you were told, you need to learn girl." Lana stepped ominously closer looming dangerously over the cowering girl, casting her darkness upon her.

"Crucio," She breathed delightedly savouring the glorious word upon her lips, loving the effect it had upon her victim.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac was still trying to ebb the flow of blood out of the gash in her leg. No matter what she did, how she lay, sat, the flow wouldn't lessen in any way. Neither would the tears that were now glistening on her cheeks. She now understood why Prof Darrows always warned not to go into the Forbidden Forest, she had now damned herself and the innocent centaur to death, if she was that generous.

Jac glanced at the centaur through washed out blue eyes. Why had she wanted to out do her brother? Why did she always want to prove to everyone that she wasn't useless and helpless? Why had she been so stupid to bring this on herself? The ropes seemed to twist tighter. Jac lunged forwards, her blood soaked cloths dragging in the moist dirt of the Forest floor, and tried again to help get them off. "Please," she cried, tears flowing again, "please just let him go. He's done nothing -"

Instantly a bolt of pain surged through her entire body. Jac screamed again, her body contorting as the bolt of pain surged again and again, unyielding, through her body. She was trashing around on the floor, her mouse brown hair catching leave and dirt. She lay on her back writhing in pain and covered in blood.

[Nicholas McNiven]

McNiven was walking around the edge of the forest, he had become to enjoy the darkness and possible danger that lay around ever bend, it was his type of thing the unpredictability and the possible chance of staring death in the eyes every day. things had been quite recently and he had nothing better to do then try and spy on what maybe happening up at the castle. It was then when he heard the ear piercing sound of someone screaming, but it was not a scream of terror or even joy, it was one of pain.

Looking quizzically into the darkness McNiven had the urge to do some good and help the person who was in pain. Even though the forest was warm and the air close McNiven pulled up his hood and wrapped his cloak around him. He picked his way through the undergrowth carefully making sure not to stumble or tear anything.

Once he was in a suitable position McNiven stayed low and surveyed over the scene. He could see two humans and a centaur of all creatures, however he was struggling. Straining his eyes McNiven noticed that he was bound up and the tall figure was torturing the person on the floor. McNiven was half tempted to walk away at that point, it was the fault of them both for getting into this predicament and he had no right to risk his own life to save a student. But as the ear piercing cries of the girl continued McNiven winced. ‘If only to keep the silence’

Drawing his wand McNiven stood up and slowly walked over towards where the other stood. He did not recognise the torturer and was glad about it he hated having to stand up against people he knew, it actually made him feel guilty occasionally.

“Expelliarmus!”

[Lana Jacoby]

Cackling delightedly Lana licked her lips, savouring her hapless victims piercing screams. Sending another surge of dark energy to excruiating effect once again Lana giggling in girlish delgiht, relishing wholeheartedly in the girl's pure pain and terror. Begrudgingly she had to admit the girl was putting up a decent resiliance.
"All I ask is your undivided loyalty, I need somebody to..." at the last instant she heard the disarming spell unleashed upon her. Diving aside she caught herself before landing upon the grimy ground beneath her iron shoe. Whirling around to face her assailant she smiled happily seeing an older man, perhaps more capable of defending himself.

"Good evening," she welcomed "I was simply torturing this little girl, wouldn't you like to join in the fun?" She asked sliding into a duelling pose, "no? Oh what a pity, perhaps you'll be a worthier advesary?" Without waiting for a reply she skipped lightly aside in case of an incoming spell and uttered one of her own favourites; "sectumsempra," at the man's unprotected wand arm. She didn't want to kill him; yet.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac had never been on for false hope or absurd optimism but she knew she had to get out of this, she had to. She was going to be an aunt, her other sister was getting married soon too, her brother was bound to make her godmother of his next child, her family needed her and she wouldn't let them down. She fought the pain surging like electricity through her hot veins. It stung and bit hard on her every muscle and all she could think of was getting to her family.

Just as she thought she couldn't handle anymore, it stopped, the pain stopped. Jac could feel her body twitching from the abruptness of the pain and it's cease. She closed her eyes and lay still, trying to gain control of her body. "You can hurt me all you want," she said as strongly as she could manage, "but I will never follow you anywhere." She hadn't seen the man or noticed his presence but when the evil voice was no longer addressing her, Jac rolled her head to the side and opened her sore eyes.

A tall man was standing a way off, the centaur still writhing on the floor. My wand! She, as quickly as she could, got to her feet, shaking everywhere. Her muscles felt as though they had been wrenched from her body and thrown back in the wrong place. She stood up, her face clenched in concentration, and straightened. She looked at the man, uncertain of what he was going to do. "No?" she heard the lady say as thought she were on the other side of the forest. Jac took the chance and ran at her, all pain forgotten, and tackled her.

Jac had strength and ploughed it into the lady with all she could muster. She sat on top of the lady and grabbed her wand hand. "Accio wand," she said, whirling the wand above her head. Her wand came flying and she cought it mid air. She quickly turned her own wand at the lady's cheek and growled, "Petrificus Totalus." Jac quickly jumped off her and stumbled backwards. Not looking at the man, checking whether or not he was hurt, Jac ran over to centaur, crashing in a heap next to him. With tears in her eyes, she whispered, grasping the ropes best as she could, "Diffindo." She cut him a little as he struggled. This made her cry harder, "you need to keep still, please, this is all my fault." She sniffed and tried again, "Diffindo."

((I hope that's ok coz my fingers kinda got the better of me and i got a little carried away))

[Valunce]

Mustering all his upper body strength Valunce slowly, inexorably dragged the binding ropes constricting his wind pipe, pushing them onto his chest he thought belatedly, I may just die a little slower now. Knowing struggling was utterly useless, as how could brawn beat magic? Valunce calmed himself down, his snorts lowering slightly to heavy rasping breathing. Mind calming sufficiently to think he immediately feared for the safety of the girl; his worst fears were quickly realised as the damned witch began her torture. Anger bubbled dangerously at the surface and it took all his centaurian self-control and former teachings to remain still and quiet. The poor girl's screams of immense pain resounded for miles. Squeezing his eyes tight shut Valunce let his body go limp as the ropes stopped their inexorable advance, yet remained steadfastedly securing him; clearly the witch was too focused upon the torture she took a fiendish delight in. Sickened that anybody could be so unnecessarily cruel tears forced their way through his closed lids, sliding slowly down his grizzled face; contorted in anger and anguish for his companion.

Mercifully he'd fallen away from the pair, and his back was away from them; there was no way he could view the horrors; though he kept his eyes firmly closed nevertheless. Events quickened and being unable to view them; solely hear Valunce feared the worst, until the girl's voice pierced his deafened ears. Remaining stock still to enable his freedom, Valunce tottered to his hooves instantly as the bonds fell limply to the dank ground beneath. Body covered in developing bruises Valunce struggled up regardless speaking soothing words in a croaked, parched and breathless voice. "You did...your best...you're...blameless." Valunce panted, yet on seeing the positively dangerous gleam in the eyes of the two injured humans he spoke out before either could do anything rash that they would later regret, "we must...escape quickly...on my back." He ordered Jac, leaving no real room for argument.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac could have flung her sore arms around the centaur’s neck as he stood up. She had, indeed, done her best considering but she could have thought of a way to undo the bindings without cutting him too. She didn't look away from the centaur, she could still only half believe all that had happened that night and still it was not over. She would have time later to think of it, now, her main focus was getting out alive.

He ordered Jac to get on his back. Jac saw the look in his eyes and didn't say anything but obeyed. She walked quickly to his back and did her best not to pull out any hairs as she heaved her light frame onto his back. She swung a leg over and sat up straight. Her head reeled and throbbed nastily and she collapsed, unconscious on the centaurs back. Here she knew she was safe, now she knew she would survive. So she let the dark take her hand and lead her on, she allowed her aches and pains to consume her and take over, into darkness, into nothingness. She slept.

[Valunce]

Glancing nervously at the fallen witch with her devilish eyes, Valunce pawed the earth nervously crooking his knee to allow Jac to more easily gain a seat upon his broad back. It felt uncanny, she weighed nothing to him, yet he could easily feel her presence and light touch. Never had anyone or anything ridden upon his back before, most centaurs being proud beings who felt threatened if not overwhelmed by the sheer audacity of humans, would feel terribly ashamed bearing one on their back, to Valunce it mattered not, only that he was ill used to it.

Feeling her weight become a little more dead he made certain she was safe and secure, so she wouldn't fall from his back when he began his sudden flight for freedom. Casting one last nervous and hateful glance towards the witch he sprang away ignoring the man escept for the slightest inclination of his handsome head.

Springing away lightly over a straggling bush in their path, he picked up speed yearning to be as far away as possible from the terrible being left behind. Thundering along Valunce kept up his tremendous pace for a long while, only feeling moderately safe when there was a large distance between them. Flanks shivering with sweat and fright, Valunce's nostrils flared as he breathed deeply coming to an undignified halt with his hooves scrabbling uncertainly at the ground to cease his rapid flight.

Breathing long and deeply Valunce peered about, careful and aware of the slightest sound other than his own breathing and the girl's lightened one. The trees were thick here, and the damp ground was strewn with softened, decaying leaves. Faint sunlight shimmered feebly through the closeknit branches with countless insects crawling upon them. Head swivelling from side to side, Valunce's sharp bright eyes narrowed as he strained to find any threat; satisfied there was none he pondered a moment, his large chest rising and falling at a slower rythm now.

He could take the girl back now directly, assuredly she would be missed, but he wanted to be sure she was safe from harm first. So unhooking her nigh on death grip around his shoulders, he slipped her gently from his back, carefukl not to wake her. Setting her down carefully in a pile of clustered leaves forced up against a large oak, he smiled down at her, in a her sleep she seemed so very peaceful, he couldn't see humans as warlike and treacherous at all when they slept so fitfully. Checking her over for injuries he saw none other than the large deep cut in her unprotected thigh, the blood had successfully clotted, though Valunce guessed there had been a considerable stream slidding off of his back for a while. Slinging a small pouch from around his waist he thumbed through its contents choosing the msot suitable herbs to help. Running his coarse tongue over a special leaf with secret properties which grew only here; according to the elders, Valunce stuck it over the sliced skin, sticking it gently with extreme, tender care. Adding a few herbs and ointments around the damaged leg, he finished his work and looked grimly down at the poor girl. "She'll live," he breathed a deep sigh of relief unaware that he had spoken aloud.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac felt hands on her, almost awake but not enough to wake. She had a vague idea that she should wake up but the sleep was soo nice. She nestled down, groaned when something poked into her back but she soon forgot it as she became very comfortable. "Just five more minutes," she groaned, becoming more and more aware that she was cold and that her leg was throbbing.

Her eyes opened a crack and could feel the cold damp that was soaking her cloths. Her leg was throbbing painfully now and she pulled her face tight. "What time is it?" she asked to no one in particular. She hadn't realised she was in the Forest but when she heard an owl hoot her eyes snapped open. She sap up, alert, aware. She looked around and breathed heavily. "What ... where ..." she reached for her leg, grabbed her leg and frowned. "Where are we?" she asked the centaur who was still with her.