Tut tut, Liz getting sloppy in her old age? 
Nice, though a little bit unpolished, with a few places were different word use would have worked better, some word repetition. But overall I enjoyed it. Once she got into the cave, you seemed to be on more familiar territory with the character and the situation, and your writing reflected this.
Looking forward to the rest.
*claps* i won't comment on structure and word use, i couldent get even to this lvl, so i will leave that to others. but for my self, it reads very well, with a good flow to it.
Being critical, yes, I agree, Wordy. It even felt better writing the second half, I actually -felt- the difference. But, I am still in that mood, and am working on part three, so hopefully, that will come out a bit better.
Cool. Looking forward to seeing part three!
((I offer my sincere apologies for the long wait, but real life came in the way. Part three will not wait that long, that's a promise. Enjoy, and please, as always, constructive criticism is more then welcome. :-) ))
The moss-covered ground dampened the sound of her feet as she started with a steady walk, but soon, that turned into fast walk, and before long, a dead run through the forest, using this immanent feeling of evil as a beacon. Elizabeth and Tobias both slowed their pace as the sensation became so strong, that the air seemed thick with it. Surrounding the pair, the forest had become more... hostile, somehow. The trees that stood around them seemed somehow drained of life essence and stood looming over any who would be foolish enough to pass further. A shiver ran down Elizabeths back as she finally came to a halt, the sound of her footsteps fading. There seemed no other sound to replace it. No birds chirping or the sound of squirrels, as they jumped through the trees. Silence and death reigned here.
Instinctively, she reached into her coat on the right side, checking the blade as she had so many times. It calmed her, it had from the moment she had chosen it as her weapon. The blade and she were one, linked and bound to eachother through magic. When worn, it was invisible, until she called it into view through a magical incantation.
Satisfied with the results of her examination, she turned to Tobias, silently indicating with a nod of her head, for him to show her the entrance to the cave. Like a furry, ginger and white arrow shot from a bow, the fox leapt forward a few feet, and then glanced to his left, to the foot of the hill. Elizabeth crossed the distance and inspected the near-invisible opening in the rocks.
Thick falls of ivy covered the mossy rocks, and indeed an opening in the rocks, large enough to fit a human through comfortably. She pulled the ivy to the side with her left hand, uncovering the opening fully, and glanced as far as the light of the early morning would allow her. Keeping her eyes on the shadows further down the cave entrance, she whispered back. Thank you, Tobias, once again, I am in your debt.
Consider your debt repaid when you come out alive, milady. Came the formal reply.
She smiled into the darkness at his words. As always. Until we meet again.
With that, she started to make her way into the cave.
Inside of the cave, the air smelled even more of death and decay, nearly making her wretch as its familiar stench brought back memories more vividly then she had had since it happened so long ago. Annoyed with herself, she forced them away. This was exactly what he wanted. This was his tactic. Her arm raised, her hand turned palm up. Luminous. At her word, a small sphere formed, floating an inch or so above her outstretched hand. From the inside of the sphere, a soft light began to glow, just enough to serve her need and safely make passage into the cave.
The walls of the tunnel glistened in the faint light of the sphere as Elizabeth made her way through it, careful not to lose her balance on the slippery rocks. At points, it was barely wide enough to let a human through, but by passing sideways and holding her breath a few times, she managed to push through until finally, she encountered a glow that could not but come from a source inside the cave. The chamber she sought. With a gesture of the hand over which the sphere hovered, she dismissed it, its light dimming, and then disappearing. She took a moment to allow her eyes to adjust to the new light-source and the darkness now surrounding her. Once she could determine the way further into the tunnel, she took a deep breath, which she instantly silently cursed herself for.
Following along the wall to her right, she began her way forward, until the tunnel showed an opening into the room beyond. She came to a halt about five feet away from the entrance to the cave and shrugged her shoulders to shake off her long coat, letting it fall to the floor. Her clothes were those she had worn the night before. A gold-coloured top, a dark blue jacket combined with light blue jeans. The difference was that now, her jet-black katana was in plain view at her right hip.
Unconsciously, her left hand reached for the hilt, absently checking it as she crept forward, eyes fixed on the entrance.
About two feet away from it, she came to a halt. She was still in the shadows as the light source came from the right side of the chamber. Stone pillars appeared to rise up to, or spiralled down from the ceiling. Alcoves in the rock around the walls, as far as she could make out, threw enough shadows for her to blend in with, which would leave her invisible and more able to examine the situation at a closer proximity.
Just as she was about to move to the closest shadow in the cave, a deep, distinctly male voice spoke her name. Elizabeth MacGregor... It spat with obvious disdain.
He knew... of course he knew. Liz mentally cursed herself for not having checked for snares set up magically to warn anyone inside who set them that someone was coming. In this case, there was no doubt about who would be coming for him there. She drew a deep breath and took a step into the room, turning to face to the light source to her right. Alexander... its been a while.
He stood with his back to her, looking down at what appeared to be a small open fire, mostly hidden by the tattered cloak he was wearing. Indeed. Too long since Ive enjoyed your screams of agony. No one screams like you do. The cloaked figure turned to reveal the face of a man who seemed in the prime of his life, perhaps late twenties. His face was rugged in a handsome manner; a square jaw starkly outlined the lower part of his face, while fierce, pale blue eyes gazed at her from under a dark brow. A mean looking scar ran across his left cheek, from the corner of his eye, near his temple, to about an inch above the left corner of his mouth. His lips showed a small, but cruel smile. Then again, no one could endure what you can.
With some effort, Elizabeth forced away the memories of what his words implied. All too well she remembered the instances when he had won. Instead, she aimed to focus on the times she had managed to beat him and his weaknesses. Not today, Alexander. Not this time.
The smile on his lips grew a little. I knew something was different about you. The last time news of you reached me, you were still in mourning over poor old Arthur. Light has come back to your eyes... He paused a moment, their eyes locked on each other. Yes, I see you are nearly whole again. His smile slowly turned into a snide grin. Nearly. Tell me, whats he like? Would he squeal like Arthur did?
Remain calm. It sounded through her head. He wants you to lose your temper. He wants you to reveal. Within the cave the sound of a weapon being drawn rung through the air, echoing off the walls. She wanted to yell at him, tell him hed be in for a nasty surprise if he thought it was just her lover would stand by her to defeat him if it came to it, but she knew that giving away the importance of her two sisters, Jared and Juan would take away their edge. If it came to it. Goddess, I hope not...
In an attempt to hide her thoughts from him she leapt forward, her katana raised high over her head to strike hard at him, but he had anticipated that...
((You thought last time was mean? I thought I'd take that idea and roll with it this time. ;-) ))