It had been several days since Amber had proven her worth as a communications specialist. Walking through the forest past a few of the small villages had been a pleasant experience. There was usually a pool of clean spring water available near sunset. She always stopped to make camp before communicating with the others. The twelve villages had not always been her home. When she had been but a toddler, she had memories of rolling hills. Somehow, time and space had separated her from her past. Amber wasn't out to find her former family. The likelihood of that was slim. She was just out to make her way in the world.

Stepping out from the forest, she started walking through a flowing meadow of tall grasses and flowers. In the distance was paths and roads. Slightly elevated, she could make out small creeks meandering through the countryside. Yet there was no sign of humanity anywhere near her. Reaching the first path, she looked back at the looming forest. Perhaps people were afraid of the place. Not that they had reason to be. Shrugging it off, she turned and continued walking. It wasn't long until she saw a group of men approaching on horseback. They appeared to be in a hurry so she moved to the side and continued walking. To her alarm, the riders circled her instead.

"What do we have here?"

"A goddess come to torment us no doubt. You bring pleasure or pain?"

"You're dressed like you have would be of that sort. Come here."

Amber shied away from their hands and ducked under a horse. Stepping to the other side, she looked up at them apprehensively as they laughed and turned towards her again.

"We ain't going to hurt you."

Finding her voice, she nervously replied, "If you don't mind, I rather be on my way."

"That wouldn't be hospitable of us..." and one of them rode around her and scooped her up into his arms.

Gasping in shock as they went into a canter, Amber could barely think as they laughingly continued on their way. Desperation to get away, for some space, filled her senses. She saw a creek coming up as they neared and unthinkingly reached out to it with her mind, one hand outstretched towards it. Not thinking what she was doing, she drew the water up into spikes. All the men's horses impaled themselves on them. Some tried to rear out of the way but the spikes grew out catching them too.

Tumbling off and away, she rolled to a stop and propped herself up with wide eyes. The men were cursing and finding their way off their dying and dead mounts. The horses with blood dripping down the icy spikes a gory sight upheld for all to see. It left her numb inside. The shock was rather great. One of the men, the leader of the group, stood there glancing back and forth between her and the horses. Then without further ado, he pulled his sword and advanced on her.

She shrieked and crossed her arms in front of her, leaning back reflectively. Water followed her movements and encased the man before freezing solid. Amber just wanted everything to stop. The ice cracked as the man bulged his muscles. Breaking it, he glared at her. She stared wide-eyed back at him. How had she done that? How had death followed in her wake so easily. His men rallied beside him and they stood there. Slowly a sneer crossed over his face. "That all you got?"