by James Hunt
"We've heard that one before too," The swordsman muttered. "We're not someone's lost lackeys. Beg all you want. Try to cow us by saying your friends are near. It doesn't matter. You're... lives... are... ours. Besides we have friends of our own. Somewhere..." he looked around unsure of himself.
"I am property of the General Killer of Zecair," Niyana stated boldly. It had worked before...
"Never heard of him, look this is getting tiresome," The swordsman sighed and nodded to the archer, who drew another arrow.
"Please," Niyana said in sincerity and bowed low to the ground. "You are right, please forgive me. I will do anything you ask, just please spare him." She begged. "I have seen what Zecairins do to their captives. He is one of our Clerics, we need his wisdom to pass on to our children."
"Alright," The swordsman said and knelt before Tarin. "I promise I won't kill him until I hear all he has to say about this Monastery. However, I'm sure he's trying to regain his strength as we speak. So if I have to put a knife or two into him to quiet him down a bit. It's his own fault." To make his threat certain he pulled a knife out from the back of his belt and showed it to Tarin.
"And what of your friend?" She looked to the archer pleadingly.
"Sharp, aren't you?" The archer smirked and kept his aim on Tarin's head.
"I make no promises," the swordsman shrugged and prodded Tarin in the kneecap with his knife.
"There's a Monastery not far to the west from us where a religious order of humans live." Tarin began calmly. "but it's a ruse. It is actually a training school for skilled soldiers. And they are very, very strong."
"That's it?" The swordsman asked.
"I am part of a patrol of leaf knights," Tarin said. The two scouts shifted uncomfortably. They didn't like Leaf Knights. "There are twenty-three of us, myself included, and her grace included. We have been watching these humans to determine their secrets. What we've seen leads me to believe they could defeat our group, and have soldiers to spare for yours." The swordsman sniggered, but took Tarin's words to heart and rubbed his chin in thought. It was clear this was starting to unsettle him. Tarin continued. "A religious order apart from society is not odd, but to have such skilled warriors is. They're too far from their borders to be part of the human King's army. There is more about them that is odd. Two weeks ago, we spotted a Zecairin woman amongst them, training with them." Both scouts exchanged glances.
"Interesting," The swordsman said. He looked at his knife and then looked at the old man's body as if deciding were to stick it. "What would your Leaf Knights do, now that you know our people are there?" Tarin's brow scrunched up in thought. "Tell me the truth. No fibbing now."
"Nothing good for us would come from an alliance between Humans and Zecairins," He answered.
"Perhaps not, but that did not answer my question." He took a firm grip on his knife.
"Destroy it!" Tarin blurted out. The swordsman laughed, and ran a hand over his slicked back brown hair.
"I know leaf knights are a tough bunch, but by your own estimations, you'd die trying to take that Monastery. But then, perhaps you are that foolish." He smiled at Tarin, but the serious look on the old elf's face told him he was being honest. And that drained the mirth from the Zecairin's face. He pointed the knife at Niyana. Tarin was about to protest, but his voice caught in his throat when the Zecairin put a calming hand on the old man's knee. "I heard you say one of them rescued you from Zecair."
"His name was Kreth," Niyana took her turn. "He killed The Unkillable, and took the name Killer before the High Patriarch." Both of these Zecairins did not like the sound of that. They looked long and hard at each other. The swordsman jovial nature was rapidly disappearing.
"How did you..." The swordsman started to blurt out, but stopped himself and rubbed his temples with one hand. Niyana's intimate knowledge of their political structure lent credentials to her story, and he needed time to mentally process that.
"That's too crazy to be made up," The archer growled and lowered his bow. "What the hell is going on back there. They must have their heads up a rhonox's ass! Let's take these two and head Ba*...AHHH!!" An arrow skidded off the top of his head, cutting a deep gash across his scalp and spraying blood into the air. The archer crumpled to the ground clutching his head. The swordsman spun around to find a shaking Lunarin girl fumbling to nock another arrow. But when Niyana leapt for his sword his attention refocused on her. Her reflexes were sharp, she had picked the right moment to try to disarm him, but his were just as sharp and he threw his fist into her face just in the nick of time. Instead of following through with his knife, he leapt backwards and disappeared into the shadows of the trees -- his magic cloaking spell hiding him from their sight.
"After him!" Niyana commanded. But Kelria's legs crumpled out from under her and she sank to the ground shaking. She sat there holding herself, trying to still the tremors of fear that wracked her. Niyana didn't give the girl another look and leapt up to give chase, but it was Tarin's firm grip on her arm that stopped her. Just one stilled look from him told her to reconsider her actions, and she relented.
Niyana picked up the archer's dropped weapon and relieved him of his quiver. He didn't protest and came free of it easily. She almost felt sorry for the man as he clutched the ruin of his head and tried to stop the bleeding. She helped Tarin to his feet and together they walked to their trembling savior. A calming hand from Niyana was all it took to still the girl's convulsions. Kelria met her gaze, but there was a torrent of emotions swelling up within her that suddenly burst free and she clung to her queen's leg and sobbed.
"I'm so sorry!" she pleaded. "I just couldn't..." she apologized. Niyana gave Tarin a knowing look, and the old man shook his head sadly.
"That shouldn't have been her responsibility," he sighed.
"No," Niyana agreed, and stroked the girl's head affectionately. "It is all right Kelria, we're safe. He won't be back. He most likely has news to tell his Captain." She said with certainty." Eventually the shaken girl calmed, and she uneasily rose to her feet. Niyana kept her hand on her shoulder and tried to meet Kelria's gaze, but the girl wasn't having it.
"Pick up your bow," Niyana commanded in a gentle voice, and Kelria did so. Niyana reached out to Tarin's wounded shoulder. "Forgive me. I have not done this in a long time." The Cleric turned away humbled and ashamed that his queen was using her powers to heal his wound. It took some effort on her part to mend the flesh as it seemed she too was still recovering. "What are you doing here Kelria?"
"I came to find you," Kelria managed to say, finding her voice. "I was sent away," she admitted ashamed. Tarin's brow furrowed.
"That's not right, unless..." and realization hit him. "Oh dear... that fool... We need to hurry. I am afraid my mate is being a pessimist again." He sighed. Niyana gave one cursory glace over her shoulder at the prone Zecairin archer, but found his body had already disappeared.
"A truce!" She called out. Her voice boomed through the trees. "Leave us be, and we shall not hunt you!" Whether they heard her or not, they were never seen again.
"Fine!" came a disembodied reply. Niyana couldn't help but smile, while Tarin scowled in disbelief. This pair was unlike most Zecairins she had encountered, she was grateful they were not eager to turn their blades on their captives.
"They are just as worried about this Monastery as we are. We better beat them there." Niyana concluded.
"This way then," Tarin set off at a brisk run. Niyana was surprised at how fast the old man was. Kelria saved her Queen the embarrassment of being left behind, by being the one bringing up the rear...
The camp was all but ready to move out when they heard a heavy panting echoing through the trees and growing louder. Each Leaf Knight exchanged a cold look with each other, but it was Iala that had the answer with a disgruntled scowl. She fixed Kalek with a disapproving look and wouldn't relent, to which he only turned his face away coldly. She didn't notice Tarin walk up on her casually.
"What is the meaning of
this?" He demanded coolly. Iala uncrossed her arms and turned around to face him, knowing that voice well enough to be unafraid to face it. She stared down the angry Cleric. But when a cloaked woman appeared behind him, dragging a panting Kelria along on her shoulder, her steely gaze shattered and she stared dumbfounded. The entire camp of Leaf Knights seemed to staggered backwards in disbelief in unison. Niyana kept the hood over her head and stared at the Captain from under its shadow. She gently helped Kelria collapse onto the ground from exhaustion, which she was all too happy to do, before returning her gaze to the Knight Captain.
Iala couldn't make sense of it. Purification never worked. It had to be a ruse.
Niyana lifted her hood down, and met the gaze of each elf gathered one by one.
"You doubt your eyes," She said calmly. "I do not blame you. I should not be alive. But what I did not tell you when you brought me here we last we spoke, was that I was carrying the soul of my beloved inside me. I wanted to return him home, as is our custom for those slain on the battlefield. I used my power to pull his essence into me. Those of you highly trained in the magics of our order recognize that ability." She gave Iala a questioning stare, and the fierce woman's posture slowly relented. She digested the meaning of it all, and each moment she grew more distressed and glum. "He alone, helped me bear the pain of the purification and sacrificed himself for me. I never asked him to." She let her words sink in.
"That is not why I am angry." She continued and chose now to let her anger show in her voice. "I am angry because my life was saved by an Yvarna! Not once... but TWICE!" she boomed. "My beloved died from the Yvarna mark keeping my identity a secret from his commander!" she bellowed. "My friend, slew a Zecairin scout that ambushed Tarin and I on the way back!" she gestured to the panting Kelria.
"Where were you...?" she growled icily, and pointed an accusing finger at Knight Captain Iala. The woman melted to her knees, and dropped her head to the ground in a submissive bow. The entire camp, shamed, followed her to the ground. Iala dared to glance up at the old Cleric, the deepest apology in her eyes, but he subtly shook his head disapprovingly.
"I understand," Niyana sighed, her anger gone. "Rise my kinsmen." She commanded. And slowly they did. "Your hearts were heavy. You were given a great burden. You lost hope of it ever being lifted. I understand." She reached out to the Knight Captain and offered the Lady Knight her arm. Iala took it eagerly, but with the poise of a disciplined soldier. "Thank you for finding me. Thank you for helping to save me." she said, and made her way around the camp, clasping arms with each Knight.
"I do not need to ask where your allegiance lies," She said with a smile as she spoke to them. "I was the Runaway Princess, a corrupted, honorless slattern of Zecks... But you caught me. You purified me. And so now I must be the Renegade Princess... because I choose to abide by our traditions and not to submit to my brother's tyrannical, misguided rule. As a member of the Royal Family, it is your duty to escort me to Eltheir in bonds for my defiance..."
"Your bloody nuts, we will!" one of the twins blurted out in defiance of her request. He immediately slapped his hand over his own mouth as he realized his vulgar challenge was in the earshot of his princess. But not soon enough to earn an elbow from his brother. Niyana could only smile.
"As a Knight myself, I have no right to ask you to rebel with me. But as your Renegade Princes, I am afraid that I must ask." She said.
"You are our Queen." Iala scolded her with a tearful scowl. Niyana gave the woman and heartfelt smile, and put a hand on her shoulder.
"I do not want your loyalty," she said in all seriousness as she approached the offending twin. "Loyalty can change hands."
"I ask for your trust," she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Trust can only be broken,"
"You have it," he blurted out without a thought. She looked around and met the faces of each person there.
"Aye!" came their calls one after another. Niyana kept her regal composure despite the warmth and pride in her heart from their confessions, even Kelria was awestruck at the transformation in her friend. A hand presented itself to her, and she looked up to find Iala's kind gaze. She was reluctant at first, but eventually took it and stood up.
"You did well," She commended her. "If you want to continue your training-" it was the sharp finger jab to Iala ribs, in the same spot Kelria had been stabbed, followed by the knowing, damning glare she gave the Knight Captain as she backed away that shattered Iala's resolve. "I am an Yvarna..." she whispered eerily. "We're not worth the effort..." she whispered again as she walked away.
She left the Knight Captain frozen in shock as she vanished and left them to their celebrations of camaraderie.
It was well into the night before Niyana found her friend again bathing in a quiet, moonlit pond. She was alone, as none of the Knights were allowed out of their posts. It was a clear night to be out and the moon was a bright crescent above them. Kelria heard her approached and moved to cover up, but when she saw who it was she relaxed and resumed her soak.
"There you are," Niyana said casually. She had dressed herself in a robe of sorts -- Tarin would need time to make something more tailored, assuming it wasn't too lavishly regal for his queen. She lifted up the hem, and stepped into the cool waters with a deep, blissful sigh.
"I've come with others, but I told them to wait until after I have spoken with you." Her queen said casually as she flexed her toes in the soothing waters. Kelria had a growing knot in her stomach what it was about. "I was upset that you had been dismissed, but most of the knights did not know you had been... most." The knot grew bigger in the girl's gut and she sank under the waters until it came up to her chin. Niyana sat down until the water covered her waist, and pulled her legs up to her chest. Her robe was getting soaked, but she didn't care. The calmness of the night air was their only company, and it was soothing as Niyana tried to find the words to say. "We've been through some terrible things haven't we?" She sighed. "Thank you, for all you've done for me, Kelria. I feel ashamed that I forced you into our travels. Will you forgive me?"
"Are you going to try and have your lascivious way with me anymore?" Kelria said, offended. Niyana couldn't help but smile.
"No, not unless that includes dunking you under for being a pest." She retorted.
"They you're forgiven." Kelria smiled. "My Queen," she added formally.
"To you my friend, I will always be Niyana."
"That's not appropriate, My Queen." She scolded Niyana. Her queen sighed in exasperation and put her chin in her hand and shifted a bit.
"I told Tarin the same thing... but this will take some getting used to."
"Oh I don't know," Kelria mused and leaned back to stare up at the night sky. "You sounded like you mastered it earlier."
"You really think so?"
"I was ready to go to war for you."
"Would you still?" Kelria paused to think about that.
"I cannot forgive them for what they did, but..." she started to say. "But I can't kill them so coldly. I had him in my sight for awhile, but I couldn't do it. I had to get really worked up to loose the shot. Shooting a target dummy is one thing."
"It's not easy to take a life," Niyana nodded knowingly. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, even if they are Zeks. I let them both go, remember?" Niyana watched her, sizing Kelria up in a way as the girl stared off into the distance.
"You were looking out for Tarin and me. If I had just shot them both, you wouldn't have had to. I'm... I'd be a burden in a fight."
"Do you think that is why they dismissed you?" Niyana said, finally hitting the target she had been dancing around all evening. Kelria stood up in the water and touched the bottom of her beast where the scar still was. "I know about that as well, you don't have to tell me." She said, trying to make it easier on the girl. Kelria tried to hold back, but the pain was still too fresh, and she started to sniffle.
"That hurt more didn't it? Worse than what the Zeks did to you... Worse than what I did to you..." Kelria onl
y nodded, barely keeping her composure, already her shoulders started to shake with silent sobs. Niyana rose gently and went to her. "Do you want me to have him whipped?" she asked, half joking. Kelria broke a sob and threw her arms around her friend.
"No," she whimpered, but manage to fight back the emotion. Niyana held her.
"I never had a sister, just brothers," Her queen admitted." I grew up a little rougher than perhaps a princess should be." She stroked the girls head. "I will always think of you as the sister I didn't have." Kelria lifted her head in shock.
"That is not appropriate!" she protested.
"You keep saying that," Niyana chuckled. Then she let her countenance turn serious for a moment and she whispered. "Then here is something that is very appropriate." A soft glow started to emanate from behind Niyana. Quickly it brightened into a myriad of colors as she released her wings to the open air. They sprouted out majestically behind her, and stroked the air whimsically. Kelria was struck in awe of the sight and couldn't help but stare. "Kelria of the Yvarna," Niyana began in an official tone of voice. "You have been my faithful companion. You have protected my secrets from our enemies at great personal risk to yourself from the curse of your mark," Kelria's broke away and lifted her hand to her mark on her neck. "you protected me from danger and sacrificed the peace of your own heart to do it. You showed bravery in all these feats, and a service to the Royal Lineage." A soft blue-white glow surrounded her Queen, and she lifted out her hand to Kelria.