Clear the Mind.

Sonya was scared but knew if she panicked she was dead. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and focused her powers. They went to throw her but Sonya froze in place as she flipped kicking the guy at the door, catching him under the chin and sending him falling backwards out the door. Sonya landed on the ceiling. It took every ounce of her power to cling to the metal frame of the train car but it was enough to catch them by surprise. She took several steps and then fell to the ground.

She tried to fling the cattle prod away with her powers but the man held it firmly making it near impossible as it only wavered slightly. Not to mention the other two still behind him. Suddenly Sonya felt another witch.

“Heads Up.” A females voice said as she came out of nowhere and tossed a rope at the other two. She wore a harlequin mask that covered her face and a hood over her hair.

“Snake...” The woman who had just tried to kill her screamed, dropping the crowbar and fell to the ground trying to pull the rope off of herself. It was clear that she thought it was a snake which meant the Witch was an enchantress who could manipulate the minds of others. Sonya had no clue who she was but was glad to have any help she could get.

Sonya went for the one with the prod as she pulled the crowbar back toward herself while the other man man at the witch. The crowbar wasn't ideal for fencing but it would do she thought as the crowbar clashed against the cattle-prod. Luckily only the end of the taser was electrical since she was holding a metal crowbar but she wasn't as fast as he was as he twirled it around and caught her in the knee sending her down and knocked the crowbar away.

Sonya saw the knife lying beside a crate and flung it toward the guy with her power. He threw up his arm to stop it from hitting his face and didn't even flinch as it went through sticking out the other side of his forearm. He simply dropped the cattle prod and pulled out the knife tossing it out the open door and drew another knife made of what looked to be obsidian. Sonya was filled with fear as she realized what he was. A slayer. He could have killed her already and then gone for Jakov but he wanted her to suffer first.

“Catch.” The harlequin said as she threw the crowbar at him which he caught easily. “Now.” She yelled.

Sonya threw all of her **** into the Crowbar forcing it against his chest and taking him off of his feet and out of the open door. Sonya felt her fear fade as she smiled. With any luck he would be dead where he fell but at the very least they where safe.

Sonya turned and got up seeing the other witch had the guy who Sonya had stabbed in the leg pinned, his head under her boot with his arm pulled back in her grasp while the woman sat in the corner looking at the rope in terror as if waiting for it to slither toward her. She let one go of the one and waved her hand toward the other. The woman stood up as he shook her head looking at the rope and then looked around in a daze as if looking for the snake.

“You two have a choice. You can stay and play a little longer and join your friends or you can run and hide.” The witch mused. They looked at each other and then took off toward the door. The man limping as fast as he could.

“Who are you?” Sonya said as she got up looking at the witch. She turned and pulled back a hood and took off the mask.

“The name is Zelda.” She smiled doing a grand bow. She was the witch from the station that Mikhail had being eyeing. The Harlequin where a strange lot who preferred to use their powers to awe and amaze the common folk. They wore the mask to protect their identity while they preformed for the public. Most witches saw them as simple fools but this witch at least knew how to fight so she wasn't a fool.

“You handle yourself pretty well for a harlequin.” Sonya was still on her guard not sure if she could trust her or not though she had Sonya's respect at-least. Sonya was already sore from one fight and didn't want to have to fight the witch but it was better safe then sorry.

“I picked up a few things at the Academy.” She gave a little shrug and a smile as she sat on a box.

“You're a paladin?” Sonya smirked as she held her side.

“Oh dear, me? No. One would have to graduate first. I guess you could say I was dishonorably discharged but then I never held a rank above cadet so I am not really sure. The harlequin where the ones who helped me with my anger management issues.”

“You get kicked out for fighting?” Sonya laughed which hurt to do.

“I know, irony right, that was the whole point of me joining in the first place. Guess I was over qualified for the job.” She shrugged as she came forward. “So are we going to go a few rounds or are you going to let me take a look at your broken ribs.”

“Are you reading my mind?” Sonya said letting her guard down. Sonya had been taught how to resist an Enchantress but had never had to actually use it.

“No, your body language. But I can read your palm to if you like.” Zelda smiled. The whole fortune telling thing was a load of manure but it hadn't stop enterprising witches from saying they could do it all the same.

“I need to go check on my lord.” Sonya shook her head. She needed to make sure their was not another Slayer on-board.

“Very well. I will accompany you.” She held out her hand. Sonya reluctantly agreed and they headed towards the car. Sonya hurt but she had just went toe to toe with a slayer and lived so that was saying something. They headed across and Sonya saw the duke was seated while reading a book.

“Hey Sonya, I found...” The Duke began to say but stopped and stood up. The guards where already on their feet and hands on their weapons. “What happened.”

“I had a little run in with a Slayer.”

“Who is...” Gregor began to ask.

“Zelda.” Zelda smiled doing a little bow.

“She is an Enchantress.” Sonya nodded. “She helped me.”

“Here, sit down.” Mikhail said as he helped Sonya sit.

“I felt her being attacked and came as fast as I could to help.” Zelda replied.

“Is he...” Gregor began to speak.

“Dead, not sure but he was nice enough to get off of the train.” Zelda cut him off again.

“We need to...” Gregor began again.

“Search the train. I totally agree.” Zelda smiled.

“Stop that.” Zelda and Gregor said at the same time. If it didn't hurt, Sonya could almost bust out laughing at Zelda mocking the old man. Most imperials guardsmen received extensive training to prevent witches from reading their minds. So either Zelda was really good or Gregor was really that simple minded. Maybe a little of both.

“Thank you for your help Miss?” The duke smiled.

“Just Zelda your highness. I have no family or real trade.” Zelda did a playful bow. “Um, apple.” Zelda said as she stood back up and took an apple off of the dining tray and took a bite out of it. “Well I should get going back to my seat. I am making the men uncomfortable. Not that I don't enjoy it but I get bored easily.”

“Would you like to join us for dinner.” Jakov asked.

“Your highness I don't think that is a good idea.” Gregor spoke.

“I do not remember having to ask permission from my body guard to have a guest for dinner to thank her, you are here for my security which from what I have seen today is very lacking Gregor given the events that just expired. You may not answer to me but what will my uncle think given what has just happened.” The duke sounded furious.

“Very well my Lord. I will search the train myself but I will leave Mikhail here to watch over you and her.” He said looking at Zelda. Mikhail nodded in response. Sonya could tell Gregor was not to happy but a scolding from the duke was nothing compared what the imperial family would do if anything happened to Jakov.

“I would love that, they don't really feed us animals in the front. In the mean time I can tend to her injuries, or at least help ease her pain.” Zelda smiled.