Typhen watched the scene unfold as gusts of wind buffeted the two figures, the weather seeming to mourn the passing of the man. It struck him as odd, the word "master", he had known of the people of the far north kept slaves, but gypsy folk were not so used to the idea. Women were not property, certainly not the ones he had known. Keeping any woman meant that she had to agree, and most Wandering Women would slit your throat if they felt the need. Still the moment was not right to decide such things, he waited patiently for her to say her goodbye.<br/><br/>He nodded as the man, spoke to him, for to deny a dying man his wish was to invite the gods' to smite you, especially Escolan... god of the dead.<br/><br/><b>"Typhen is my name, and by it I swear she will be taken care of." </b>This was a promise that went beyond simple obedience. Among Wanderers, a Name oath had a magic all it's own. Name oaths had brought down empires, broken castles, and ended dynasties. They were passed from father to son, and mother to daughter, and in the stories they transcended death itself.<br/><br/>A drum of thunder rolled in the distance, as the man finally breathed his last. A moment passed, and Typhen approached the woman. He knew they had moments before the raiders returned, they were only scared off for a moment by his surprise. Several raiders lay dead at nearby, and it was clear that this "master" had fought quite well.<br/><br/>"<b>We go, and unless you wish to die with him there is no time for burials." </b>Typhen said roughly. Softness was a virtue by the campfire, but not while in danger. He grasped the sword the man had dropped in his death throws, and then removed several items of jewelry the man bore, thrusting it quickly into her hand, he motioned for her to come with him.<br/><br/><b>"Come Serenity, I'll not let you come to harm. I made a promise, and while I yet live, I won't break it." </b>He said, taking her small hand into his and pulling when she wasn't moving fast enough. He tried to be gentle, but gentleness was not going to save her. Reaching and climbing aboard the small covered wagon, he took the reigns, and he brought the brown horses to a full gallop.<br/><br/><b>"Akvu, Bari!!!"</b>He cried the horses name in a mix of a spell and an urging. As behind them a small host of horseman appeared on a ridge in the fading distance. The storm above finally unleashed a torrent of rain, and the raiders clearly thought better of attacking.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>The wagons' pace slowed as they came to a small cluster of rocks below a flowing stream. The rocks formed a massive archway, and while the place was barren, the archway bore markings and symbols. The three rocks seemed to have been balanced by a giant, as they were many times the size of a man. The time on the road was spent in silence for the last hour, as they made there way to a higher elevation.<br/><br/>He brought the wagon to a halt.<br/><b><br/>
"Come down." </b>He ordered as he saw her hesitate.<b>"I'm not going to harm you,...the horses need rest, as do I. The door opens but once a day, and if we're to make it we'll need rest." </b>He said somewhat cryptically. He began feeding the horses, and saw she was still quite upset.<br/><br/><b>"He... fought well."</b>Typhen said, breaking the silence.<b> "-This Master Gardner." </b>He continued doing his best to console her, though it was not his normal nature.<br/><br/><b>"Dry your tears, and tell me, who you were to him, and what land do you come from?" </b>Typhen asked bluntly,<b>"If I am to protect you, I should at least know who I'm protecting."</b>