Re: Strange Bedfellows (Zenke)

by **Zenke** Sun Jan 17, 2021 9:21 pm

Thankfully Rory was fast. Atleast as fast as Fayla. He was out the gates ahead of her, taking her words to heart. She kept on his tail, letting him run ahead and checked behind repeatedly for persuers. They would eventually follow, but heanta weren't the type to fire arrows when they could chase down their prey. It was more fun that way. She kept running, catching up with Rory and calling for him to slow down slightly. But she didn't let him stop. They were a few miles from the city before she finally slowed enough that they could get a drink of water from the packs.

It was hot, but not oppressively so. But Vala was used to it. Rory wasn't. She didn't drink much, just in case he needed it later. "We're only a few hours from the mountains." Vala said. "We can jog for a while, but there wont be a chance to sleep until we're well into the mountains. We can count on the fact that we're being hunted but they'll be on foot. I Just hope Umbra actually went home." She said. She kept moving, setting a pace a normal person would struggle to match. Rory was fast though, so he'd be fine.

"Well, this is kind of surreal. I never thought I'd be running through the burning wastes with you." Vala said as they ran. "Might as well take in the sights. I doubt you'll be back this way." She tried to smile but it was difficult considering the tension caused by being hunted by her own people. Of course, once they knew who she was, they wouldn't hurt her. Drag her to the warlord maybe. But they had to catch them first, and they wouldn't follow into Mondolin, not like a certain armored goon.

The time passed and the snowy peaks of the Kyrias mountains grew closer. The land began to change from the ashy wastes to sparse grass and stony hills. Soon the temperature started to drop and the grass turned to snow. Atleast the spruce trees ahead would provide cover. Vala stopped at the treeline, giving Rory a chance to get changed, while she climbed a tree as high as she could manage, to get a look at what followed. Their persuers threw up a cloud of ash as they ran, making it hard to tell how many followed, but there was atleast twenty, and they were less than half an hour behind at this point.

Vala scrambled back down the tree, landing in the snow beside Rory. "They're not far off. They'll split to cover more ground, probably groups of five, but the snow wont slow them. Are you able to fight?" She asked. She started to move through the woods, the snow atleast a foot deep, more in places. "If we get lucky we'll encounter them one group at a time."

by **Jun** Mon Jan 18, 2021 3:07 am

When they finally stopped, he actually sat down, panting. Rory coughed a little bit, and took a big swig of his water. Then he noticed that Vala took just a few small sips. Looking back at his water, Rory took another small sip before capping it off. Vala spoke about a plan, and mention Umbra again. "Speaking of, was it really necessary to bring up her past to get her to back off? I was going to agree with you that she'd done enough already..." It was a mean move. Though he did understand that it might have been necessary...though surely she wouldn't be that stubborn. He kept up the pace. If he was still at full health, he'd even encourage her to pick it up a bit. But sadly, his lungs still burned.

He deadpanned looked at her. "I'd never expected to even be here. Hopefully if I do mosey on this way, our countries will be friends...though I highly doubt that." It was a massive shot in the dark on that one.

They kept up the pace with few brakes. He did take a few light sips of water more than her, due to his throat, but it was still about two thirds full. There's surely be villages to resupply. As Vala stopped at a treeline in a relatively comfortable spot, clearly going into much...colder areas. Rory undressed and redressed into the appropriate attire. Luckily, the winter gear didn't impede his mobility too much. It still did a little bit, but he was comfortable fighting in it. Though if it was that important, he could strip it off, he put on his signature blue armor. She scrambled back down and gave him the sit-rep. "Yeah, though not likely for very long. My magic is more recovered than my body."

The pretty boy followed her. And almost immediately fell due to how deep the snow was. This was going to be a problem. "How likely are they to split up in a dense fog? Don't suppose there's an area with less...snow?" He had a small idea that might be useful. If backstabbing and infighting was as common as he hoped it would be...and pitched his idea to her and the specifics to his Illusive Fog...

by **Zenke** Wed Jan 20, 2021 4:49 pm

Vala was surprised Rory cared considering what had happened. "Trust me, I feel terrible. But it needed to be done. You have no idea how stubborn she is, Rory. I'm surprised she so willingly let you go. I was surprised to find her with you to begin with. She's changed. I thought it might have been for the worse, but now I'm not sure." Vala said. "It doesn't matter Either way. She has a life here. If i'm found helping you it wont matter, I'm a traitor to my people anyway, because of my relationship with Fayla. Umbra has something to lose."

Vala nodded at Rory's response to future visits. "Or at war. Which would be worse. Though even if our countries did become friends, I'd steer clear. There's always heanta who see a human and think, 'dinner.' even if they're supposed to be at peace." Vala replied. Vala nodded as filled her in on how well he could fight. "Some is better than none. I'm still fresh, so all you need to do is defend yourself." He mentioned his powers and she considered how they could use it. Going invisible wouldn't help in the snow, but his other powers would prove useful.

Rory asked if creating a fog would help, and if there was a way with less snow. Vala considered his words for a moment and nodded. "The fog will help. If we can disorientate them, I can take them out without killing anyone. Atleast, I'd rather not. Some of these heanta are just following orders." Vala said. As for the second the question, Vala considered it. "There's a cave system that will take us further into the mountains, and leave us out nearer mondolin." She said. There was a danger to going that way. "Only, its not the safest. Where there's a cave like that, there's probably a sleeping Arvaern. A dark stalker." If asked for a description, Vala would continue. "It's a big cat, with six legs and and a pair of barbed lashes. Only the brave or stupid would mess with one."

"It's up to you. We can take the cave or stay in the open. They sleep during the day, and we're both quiet, so we do find one it might not notice us. Or better yet chase away our tail. Or we can risk the fight." Vala said. She would let Rory decide. But kept moving either way. The caves were a ways off anyway, but they'd make it there before their pursuers caught up.

by **Jun** Sun Jan 24, 2021 11:25 pm

Rory had frowned, but nodded. It was also a fair statement of war, but hopefully things won't come to that.

Vala mentioned his fog would help and her preferences. He also nodded at that, completely understanding. "Only issue with my fog is that you'll also be affected. I won't be though. I would still be able to see no problem." But if she had a better understanding of what was around them than they did...

The hornless Heanta pointed out that there was a cave nearby that would cut their journey shorter, but there was a beastie there. The risk was obvious. Or they could risk the fight. Groaning and nearly at tears again, he decided on the beastie. "So long as I don't get another coughing fit, I think the beastie might be better..." Again, he allowed her to lead on, but first, he used his Illusive fog ability to coat the area around them in a dense fog, fifty yards in diameter. Visual distance for any normal person was only five feet, and at that range, a shadow.

If needed, Rory would be Vala's eyes to lead. When they got to the cave, he took a sip of water to hopefully cool off his throat, making it less likely for him to cough up a lung. And went in. Like his counterpart, he was silent, and they did get a glimpse of the sleeping beast, nearly making him panic. Gulping, the noble had put a hand on over his mouth and slowly moved with Vala.

He could also feel a cough coming as well, the hand over his mouth helping some. Once they were nearing the mouth, he rushed past her and into the opening, moving to the side as to not echo out his coughing fit. The smell didn't help him in there either. Now out in the open he was starting to get cold from sweating. "Don't suppose you know of an area nearby to place a camp?" Rory was paler than usual...

~

The Hammer Guy from earlier looked around. They had spent hours out here, looking for tracks. That damn fog did not help at all. They finally found them, and saw that they led right into a cave. Clenching his jaw, Hammer Guy did not want to go inside, knowing full well the risks. Not a single one of them were stealth specialists. He decided they would go around. It'll take a while to get to where the cave left off, but that way would be better than dealing with a fucking Arvaern.

by **Zenke** Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:35 pm

Vala took hold of Rory's shirt and nodded, letting him lead her through the fog and into the cave. She smiled encouragingly as they stepped in, not bothering to tell him to be quiet. She passed the Arvaern and noticed him tense up, but he managed to keep his cool as they slipped by. They made their way through the cave, Rory rushing past as they finally made it out the other side. Vala was paler then usual when they left. Even she knew when to be terrified, and being that close to an Arvaern was one of those times. "I've fought a Magma Mauler before, and that was less scary than standing two feet from that monstrosity." Vala admitted.

Rory asked about a campsite and Vala considered. "There's a decent place up ahead, plenty of trees around it. We can't risk a fire, we can get out of the wind." She said, pointing ahead. Vala let Rory lead, since the place wasn't hard to spot, and hid their tracks as they moved. She didn't mention that the Arvaern might follow them after nightfall because she wanted him to get some rest. At least with the other heanta about, there was something else for it to hunt on the mountain. When they reached the spot, Vala crushed down the snow, and dug out a furskin from the packs Umbra gave them. She lay it down so Rory could sit. "There should be another one. Snuggle up for a while. Get some rest. I'll keep watch." She said.

She dug out some food for Rory too. It was mostly meat, and some stale bread the slave had included for Rory. She took some of the Jerky and chewed quietly, watching the surrounding Area. "This reminds me of the time I got chased into Endaron by mercenaries." She said quietly. "Except when the Eldari scouts eventually found me, Fayla appeared and ordered them to let me go. That probably won't work if these heanta find us." Vala said. They hadn't made it easy atleast. If the Arvaern didn't tear them apart, the probably went around. Hopefully that was enough to lose them.

Maybe an hour passed, when Vala finally spotted movement. A lone heanta walking through the snow, watching everything around them for movement. They seemed to be going the other way. But something felt wrong to Vala, and when she noticed the heanta take a tentative peak towards her, she realised it was a decoy. "Rory! Their here!" She heard the sudden surge of movement, and a heanta with a large Hammer leapt into their hiding spot. Vala moved, the hammer slamming into the snow where she had been. "Did you humans really think you could escape!" He roared, hammer aimed towards Rory. Vala grabbed the hammer and pulled him out of the swing, but someone else tackled her aside.

She kicked them off, and someone else cursed. "She's no human." One of them said. Hammer man looked at her. "No horns. Na'Kora's wrath, you're Valatrix. You helped this human escape? Bloody traitor." He spat. "I'll only tell you this once. Walk away. The humans' under my protection." She said. The hammer man waved her words aside like they were nothing. "You're protection ain't worth nothing, Traitor. First the weakling bitch claims him, then Cairn, but I struck the blow that took him down. Not them. This human's mine, and I'm gonna kill and eat the little bugger." He said, turning towards Rory. "Kill the Hornless, and Roth Vandel's sure to reward us." He said to the other heanta with him. Vala looked around, spotting two more emerge from the snow.

"You don't want to do this." She said as the female who had played decoy walked up to surround her. "Trust me." The heanta grinned, fangs showing. This was a challenge to them. They attacked at once.

***

Ha'mar the Bonecrusher smiled at Rory as the four heanta behind him attacked Valatrix at the same time. He didn't wast time chatting, charging the boy and swinging his hammer down to crush him. He followed up with a forward kick, dropping into a spinning strike with his hammer. All he needed to do was break a few bones, and then he could pick the boy appart. He might stop to watch the Traitor die while he was at it.

by **Jun** Fri Jan 29, 2021 5:52 pm

Rory did as he was told, laying down on the fur skin, and getting out his own. He also ate a little of the stale bread. Not much, seeing as his stomach was still so sore and could throw up again any time. He still made a face from eating it. While dosing, he did faintly hear Vala speak of how she met Fayla a second time. That was a story for another time, as he tried to get some rest. And he did, though it was light enough that he could easily be jerked up.

He jumped up as soon as Vala yelled at him. The knight literally jumped out of the fur boots he had over his own shoes, and shrugged out of his fur coat to just be in his signature blue armor, his hand resting on his sword, but not yet drawn. As soon as Vala kicked one of her assailants away, it became clear who she was. His heart actually raced a little at what she said. But his head cleared as soon as Vala was attacked.

The boy drew his sword and got into his signature stance. Sword raised up and slightly behind him, like he was ready to lunge with it, pointing at the beast, left arm free and in front, knees bent, and his body at an angle. Unlike before, his eyes were focused, and seemed much more serious, like a switch had been flipped.

The Heanta didn't waste time and charged with an overhead swing. Rory dodged it by jumping to the right, spinning right into an upward swing at the arm, lightly cutting it. Only because he had to quickly backpedal to avoid the kick that followed. Knight Bloomfield ducked from the spin swing and lunged, again just barely cutting the flesh. He wasn't cutting deep enough!

The boy immediately charged with a flurry of attacks, getting in far too close too quickly. More light cuts and blocks. Ha'mar laughed in Rory's face as he pushed the boy away into the snow. Getting up, tears in his eyes, Rory coughed a little, but knew he had to finish this fast. Clenching on to his sword, he had an idea. And hoped the man was predictable enough to fall for it.

He ran straight at him. The Heanta again laughed as he adjusted his grip and swung with the hammer's full reach. Rory stopped just short of the guy's range, the hammer mere inches away from his nose. The shockwave broke the poor boy's nose, too. But despite that, he darted forward, only to duck again and back off.

Then charged again, keep an eye on the hammer as it again was swung horizontally at him. Rory's sword arm glowed blue as he took his swing. One vertical slash stalled it. A second slight slash stalled it some more. A third diagonal started the push back. The continued swing into the fourth was what knocked Ha'mar back and made him stumble backwards. Rory saw his opportunity, and took it.

Cutting off the hammer arm as both hammer and arm flew off as he slid and spun to continue facing his opponent, even as his nose throbbed with pain and blood running down his face. He darted again, using his superior speed to duck underneath the punch and cut off a foot, bringing the large man down to a knee. Jumping backwards and into a spin, Rory tried to take the man's head. Only for the Heanta to bite the blade with enough force to stop it.

Again, Ha'mar tried to back hand the knight in his ribs, only for Rory to spin away from it and grab his sword with his other hand. As he jumped, hands still on his sword, to avoid a fist, he spoke. "Sting, my Rose." The guard of the sword glowed as ten thorny, ice rose vines stabbed out of the guard and into Ha'mar's widening eye.

A vine stuck out of each ear, each nostril, out of the other eye, two out of the man's mouth, and the rest poked out of the skull somewhere. Rory landed with his right hand on the hilt, his back towards his now very dead opponent. He tugged the blade away from the man, the ice vines snapping. Turning, he faced Vala's opponents, at least one of which was still alive, and loudly exclaimed that Ha'mar was dead.

Despite about to faint, Rory's face was calm and looked like he was ready for round two. It was all a bluff, though. If any of them decided to leave, he would collapse after they did so. Or even after Vala finished them off...

by **Zenke** Fri Jan 29, 2021 7:34 pm

Vala's opponant's charged in unison, attacking as a team. Several weapons passed through where Vala had been as she slipped forward and slid past the closest one. Springing up she spun and slammed an elbow into the heanta's kidney, causing him to crumple with the pain. A blade narrowly missed her throat as she dodged back and was forced away from the injured heanta, and someone lunged, longknife intent on impaling her. Vala slapped the blade aside and countered with a quick job to the throat, the metal of her Drakna crushing cartilage easily. The heanta staggered past and fell to his knees.

Vala didn't wait, dashing forward as another heanta took a swing at her. She slipped past the sword and locked the heanta's arm in a grapple, snapping the bone loadly. She drove several punches into his ribs with her other hand, stopping when she heard several crunches. She let the heanta fall, just in time to duck under the spear of the heanta who's kidney she'd pulverised earlier. The female heanta struck at the same time. Vala caught the handle of the spear, pulling the deadly tip past her body and using the shaft to block the female's sword. It damaged the wood enough for her to easily snap it, and Vala spun towards the male, driving the spearhead through his lower leg.

His leg buckled and Vala jumped, driving her knee into his chin as he fell, cracking his jaw and sending him flying back. Vala seen Rory struggling with his own foe, but couldn't dwell to long on the fight as the heanta Female charged her, sword swinging. Vala side stepped the attack, and pain shot across her ribs as the female's clawed hand shot out and ripped several gashes across her midriff. Vala parried the follow up, sticking back with her own claws, ripping open a gash in the womans arm. Blood splashed across the snow as the two traded furious strikes, Vala at a disadvantage as the female match her in speed and kept her attacks at bay with the sword.

Something moved behind Vala, and the heanta with the long knife lunged at her from behind. She twisted out of the way, dropping into a sweeping kick and taking the female's leg out. The male tackled her and pinned her, forcing her to lash out with her claws and rip out his throat. Blood drenched her as She pushed him aside as the female rushed towards her. And then Rory called out. He'd won his fight. The female glared towards him and then looked pasted him. A smile split her face. Vala followed her gaze to find another group of their hunters charging towards them through the snow.

Vala lunged up, her fist glowing purple as she drove it up into an uppercut into the woman's gut. An explosion of energy detonated between Vala's hand and the woman, sending her flying through the snow. She landed several feet away and didn't rise. The fresh heanta were closing and fast. "Rory, get behind me." Vala said, moving to get between them. She might be able to talk them down, but she doubted it. They weren't slowing down. She took a fighting stance, unsure if she could actually pull this off. And then there was a flash of silver as a blurred shape hit the group from the side and zigzag'd through them. The blur came to a stop in the snow, as blood sprayed from the heanta as their bodies toppled. Vala's mother looked towards them.

She had long silver hair and purple eyes identical in color to Vala's. Her left eye was missing, and a pulsing stone sat in the socket. She was all sharp edges, and the momentary picture of rage on her face promised death to all that crossed her. Then her face softened slightly. "Hello, daughter." Celaena said, her hands flashed and two daggers shot past, finding their marks in the throats of the two heanta Vala hadn't killed yet. "Hi, Mom." Celeana walked towards them, inspecting Rory.

by **Jun** Sat Jan 30, 2021 12:11 am

Rory took two steps forward to try to do exactly as told when he face planted into the snow, out cold. He hoped there was a healer nearby to tend to his broken nose. And kept warm...

~

Rory woke up in a bed. Shirtless, but inside with a fire burning. He had bandages around his torso, and he noticed that his nose was feeling a lot better. Looking into a mirrior, he cringed at the sight of both his face and his torso. Though bruised, his nose looked like it'd been set back into place, and had a small bandage on it. His torso was still mottled in yellow marks, what wasn't bandaged up at least.

He had no idea where they were, but just looking outside in the shining moonlight, he could tell they weren't in Mondolin yet. His sword was next to his bed, as was the top half of his armor, and the extra clothes and supplies. A knock occured, and entered Vala. "What happened after I passed out?" He also noticed that he wasn't nauseas. Whoever healed him this time actually seemed to know what the hell they were doing...

by **Zenke** Sat Jan 30, 2021 12:55 am

Vala's mother was still inspecting Rory, and pointed towards him. "You're friend is unconcious." She said. Vala turned to see Rory face down in the snow. She quickly dropped down to see if he was alright, but only found that his nose was broken. "I see you're risking you're life for humans now." Celaena said, and Vala looked over her shoulder. "Come on, lets get him out of the cold." Celaena said, picking Rory up easily. "How did you know I was here?" She asked as they started to walk. "I'm the head of the sanguine dominion. I have eyes everywhere. Now, come on. I know a safe place."

***

The safe place, it turned out, was a secluded cabin further into the mountains. Vala couldn't see it, until it was suddenly there. Her mother gave no explenation as to what the place was and simply knocked on the door. She knocked again, then sighed and walked in. A woman sat in a chair, snoozing, but snapped awake and looked at her. "Get out, Hornless." She said. "This human needs healing and a warm bed." Celaena said, not budging. Vala watched quietly as the strange woman, a very elder heanta, blind with old age, waved her away. "Bah, fine. Put him down."

***

Vala tried to watch as the stranger healed Rory, but was promptly told to get out. "I need to concentrate, shoo little one." Vala backed out of the room and joined her mother. "Who's the boy." Celaena asked. "A friend. Who's the old lady?" Vala replied. "A stubborn old hag." There was a grunt from the other room. "I heard that, I'm blind not deaf." The woman shouted. "Helena. And old friend of your grandfathers. Is the human just a friend." Celaena asked. Vala blushed. "Yes. A friend of a friend who asked me to help him." Celeana nodded. "Korroth is dead, I hear. Good girl." Vala smiled at the compliment.

***

Hours passed, and the heanta had long finished her work, returning to her seat by the fire to grumble. The three heanta sat and stood in silence, until Vala finally asked if she could check on Rory. "Go on, go on then. Just don't poke at him, he's still tender." The woman grumbled. Vala entered the room to find Rory was awake. She shut the door behind her. Rory immediately asked what had happened after he'd passed out, and Vala told him about how her mother had found them, finished off the last of the heanta and brought them here, and everything that happened after, give or take a few details.

"We can stay until the morning. Helena's not fond of house guests and wants us gone after that. There's soup if you're hungry." Vala said. She sat down on the edge of the bed. "The good news is we wont need to worry to much about getting attacked on the way home. Mother took care of most of the hunting party." Vala said smiling at him. "I seen some of you're fight. Not allot, because I was busy not getting killed. But You fight well for a half frozen half dead human." She said.

"Now, soup or more rest? I'll get it for you if you want. My mother can be intimidating. And Helena is kinda spooky." She wispered the last part. Both women in the other room shouted "I Heard that!" In response. Vala giggled.

by **Jun** Sat Feb 06, 2021 5:21 pm

He was told what happened. The knight was relieved slightly, and gave a sigh. Rory blushed a little at Vala's comment and looked down and away. "Umbra was more troublesome..." After another comment about both women, who yelled at the redhead, he giggled with Vala. "You lot are so strange...Ah, I mean that in a good way! Umbra, you, your mother, Helena...you're all Heanta, you should be fattening me up to carve up and eat, and here you are...saving me, helping me. It...gives me a little bit of hope for the future...not a lot, but at least a little...some soup would be nice. Oh, and here's this back. I don't think I'll be needing it now." He grabbed the ornate necklace from his pocket, surprised it was still there, and handed it back with a smile.

He then let her go, of course. After a couple minutes, she came back in, and he started to eat. It certainly wasn't the best, and he cringed at the taste, but Rory still forced it down. After finishing, he spoke some more. "The bread and cheese was almost better...whoever cooked that probably shouldn't again..."

Setting the dishes off to the side, he needed to get a couple things off his chest. "Vala...I'm sorry for the way I treated you in Mondolin. I...really should have trusted Lil a little more. You can bet I will never forget this. I hope you can forgive me..." He had some tears in his eyes. Even though he stopped being hostile, and even did become a little friendly during that later part of her stay, it was still wrong of him to treat her with such suspicion.

But there was a little something as well. "Also...the comment you made earlier...plus some...little things I noticed then too...does...Fayla and Lil want to be a thing? Please be honest with me, even if they do, I have no intention on interfering with that. I've never interfered with Lil's other relationships in the past, I don't intend to start now. I do want her to be happy, after all, even if it's not with me. I'll cry about it, but I'll also be supportive. You have my word...whatever value you have in it..."

by **Zenke** Sun Feb 07, 2021 4:27 pm

Vala laughed when he blushed and mentioned Umbra was more trouble. "Never has a truer statement been said of Umbra." Vala said. Rory giggled along with her, and then went on to talk about how strange they seemed. Before she could respond, She heard Helena shout through the door, "Who say's I'm not." Vala glared at the door. "Private conversation, atleast pretend you're not eavesdropping." The only reply was a grunted "Bah." Vala looked at Rory. "I mean, in most cases you probably wouldn't be wrong. I can't really speak for helena, but my Mother and I have never been big into eating people. We don't keep human slaves, they're all heanta and treated more like servants. As for Umbra, she's always been a picky eater for as long as I've known her." Vala said. She took back her necklace, putting it back aorund her neck, and then went to get his soup.

Rory ate the soup, then complained about it. "I cooked that." Helena grumbed. Vala snorted."Thankfully I am not hungry." She whispered. Rory put his plate aside, and then started to speak. She sat on the edge of the bed as he apologized to her for his behavior in mondolin. Vala blushed slightly and smiled. "I did it for Lilian. I mean to begin with. But You can count on me being there if you need help again. And thank you, for apologizing." She said. "Of course I forgive you. And I need to apologize too. I didn't treat you well either." She said. Rory went on, asking awkwardly about about Fayla and Lilian, and told her not to lie. Vala scooted closer.

"Brutal honesty it is. I think so, yes. I noticed on the way back from Vultani, but I don't think Fayla knew how she felt. She's a bit dense. But She figured it out, told me they 'talked' about it." Vala said. She patted Rory's leg. "You might be a bit of cry baby, but you're a good friend. I like that about you. That's all I want for Fayla too. Not that I'm in love with her. You know what I mean though." Vala said. "On the plus side, you're cute. You'll find someone." Vala added. "I'm also sorry for aggressively flirting with you. It was a bad attempt at distracting you. I shouldn't have done that."

by **Jun** Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:05 am

Rory couldn't help but sweatdrop at the yell. That...wasn't reassuring, so he wasn't sure to laugh or cry. Still, Vala's comments pretty much solidified what he thought of at least her and her mother. Apparently she felt like she didn't treat him fairly either. With a shy smile, he held out a fist for a fist bump. "To fresh starts?"

The redhead scooted closer, going with brutal honesty. Well, he wasn't so sure if it was brutal, just plain honesty. He looked down, clearly down. "I wondered. I forgive you for that. If Lilian messes up, let me know. Just the same, if Fayla messes up, I'll let you know. Deal?" Assuming the really go through with it. But they clearly wanted each other, so he'll give it time.

"So...want to know what happened in Karcenak? That's what I was investigating and returning from when...this happened. Or is that something your mother would also like to know? Normally, I wouldn't do this, but...well...circumstances..." If so, he'd explain what he'd found out. It was interesting to be sure, and the repercussions of that yet to be really felt.

by **Zenke** Mon Feb 15, 2021 2:54 am

Vala bumped Rory's fist. "To fresh starts." He told her he forgave her for her behavior in mondolin. Vala smiled and nodded. "I'm glad." Vala said. "I’ll do what it takes to make sure they’re happy. So deal." Vala added. Rory went on to offer information on what happened in Karcenak, even oftering to tell her Mother. "You don’t have to tell us, but I wont say no." Vala nodded, and opened the door to wave Celaena in. The silver haired heanta joined them, closing the door. She eyed Rory, her demon matrix pulsing in its socket momentarily before she nodded. "Go ahead." She said.

Rory explained everything that he had learned in the city. Vala was interested to know who was involved, but if there was a Wyvern present, it was probably Asentari. And by the sounds of it, they had narrowly avoided a war in the freelands, one that could easily have started a larger conflict if the other nations got involved. If she met Rex again she'd have to ask him about it, he might know more. Celaena listened quietly until Rory finished speaking. "I appreciate you telling me that. I haven’t been able to slip a spy into the city, other matters have kept me busy." She said looking at Vala.

Looking back to Rory, she continued. "I offer you something in return. One of our villages was raided by a Red Fang band a few days ago. Its very rare that anyone would be bold enough to venture into Kyrias, but our villages are mostly populated by humans. It makes them easy pickings for bolder bandits. My spies tracked them back to Karem, and learned that their next target is one of Mondolin’s border villages. It would save me a great deal of trouble if they were met with a contingent of mondolin soldiers." Celaena told Rory. "Now, if that is all, you should both get some rest. Goodnight." Celaena left the room and closed the door. Vala watched her go then turned to Rory. ”That’s interesting. If she told you, it's out of courtesy and maybe because she can’t stop them before they attack. They probably would have come back to Karem victorious only to have their throats slit in their sleep a few days later. Either way they’d be dead, but now they won't harm any more innocent people" Vala said. She shrugged. ”Anyway, you should get some sleep. We’ll start early tomorrow, the sooner we cross into mondolin the better."

by **Jun** Mon Feb 15, 2021 10:18 pm

Rory gave the woman a salute. "I'll pass it along, ma'am." Though he quickly realized how awkward it was for him, a knight, to be saluting the leader of the Sanguine Dominion with the Knight's salute. He stopped and quickly looked at Vala in panic, like what the hell do I do?! But the silver haired woman didn't pay it any mind, and told them to get some rest.

He nodded in agreement, both at the extra information and getting back home faster.

~

He groaned awake, but did so with only a few complaints. Then he complained about the food again. Thanked Helena for everything, despite her bad cooking. And if Celaena was still there, thank her as well.

They were in a hurry. Luckily, things went well. Even well after the border, to which Rory tried to tell her that further escort was unnecessary. Though if she wanted to visit Lil, he wasn't going to question or complain about it. Along the way, he did complain about...most other things. The snow, the ice, the mountains, the forest, the food, the fire, and everything else. He was bitchy. Not as bitchy as he used to be...but still pretty bitchy.

Upon reaching the capital, the blond led them to Lil's and Andrea's workshop first. And lo and behold, Lilian was manning the front this time instead of Lucas. "Hi...Lil...I'm back! Thanks for sending rescue..." After an awkward wave, he pointed at Vala next to him...

by **Zenke** Fri Feb 19, 2021 12:43 am

The next morning came, and they prepared to leave. Rory ate his breakfast, complained and was ready to go. He thanked Helena for her hospitality despite her bad cooking, and she looked in his general direction. "Bah. You're welcome." She said, waving him out. Vala also thanked her. "Take care little Hornless. And don't come back here unless you're about to die. I don't like company." She said. Vala smiled and left. Celaena said nothing as she left the house. Rory turned and thanked her and she nodded. "Take care, young man. And if you get my daughter pregnant-."

"Mother!" Vala jumped a foot in the air insurprise, clapping a hand over her mothers mouth. Celaena pushed her hand away and laughed. "Easily wound up." She said. Her face turned stoney again. "You should stay away from Kyrias for a few more weeks." She said, then grabbed Vala in a tight hug. "I love you. Now go on, get out of here." Vala gave her one last squeeze. "Love you too. Don't do anything insane, like start a civil war." Vala said. Then they parted.

***

It took them several days of walking, with Rory's constant complaints, to reach Mith Silvanus. It would have been faster if he could just walk while he slept or not slept at all, but Vala didn't mind the pace. It gave them time to chat outside of his string of complaints. When they made it to the city, they made a beeline for Lilians shop. Lilian stood at the counter staring absently at the counter. Her worry was evident, but as Rory spoke she looked up. Her eyes widened as he declared that he was back nonchalantly, and she vaulted the counter, lunging across the room to tackle both of them in a hug.

"YOURALIVETHANKEROLATHWHATTHEHELLWEREYOUTHINKINGWHYDIDNTYOURUNFORHELPITHOUGHTYOUWEREDEADYOUIDIOT!" Lilian said through tears. Vala didn't understand any of it. Lilian took a deep sniffly breath and calmed down slightly. "Vala thank you!" Lilian said kissing Vala on the cheek. "Of course." She replied. Lilian seemed to refuse to let them go as she looked back at Rory. "Why didn't you run? Are you hurt? How did you get captured?" Lilian demanded.

by **Jun** Fri Feb 19, 2021 5:27 pm

Rory's face had turned several shades of red and couldn't believe what Vala's mother had said. He had zero interest in her in that way!

~

Lilian encompassed them both in a crushing hug while speaking excitedly. He was able to semi-interpret it as "you're alive thank something what the hell were you thinking why didn't you run for help thought you were dead you idiot". He sweatdropped at it, but enjoyed the contact nonetheless. After she thanked Vala and kissed her on the cheek, Lil turned to him and spoke.

"I contemplated running...but they were also slaughtering people, I thought maybe I could stall them long enough for them to get away then get away myself. I'm fine now. I was fighting a troublesome Heanta called Umbra when one of her colleagues, and I use that term loosely, hit me with a hammer. Felt like my insides got squeezed out, put back inside, then squeezed out again. Knocked me out.

Umbra was visiting me in jail when Vala came in. They helped me escape. Hammer guy is dead too, he pursued us and I got him. Also met Vala's mother. Anyways, I'm alive, I'm ok. And I really need to change clothes, let the higher ups know I'm back and well, and tell them what I found out...both what happened in Karcenak and that some of our border towns are going to be raided by the Red Fang soon.

Oh, and I need you to decouple my arm mounted crossbow's reload enchantment from my stash of arrows and make me a new one...we weren't able to recover it, but we did get my sword and armor back..." His cheeks had puffed out cutely. He dared not mention that he also thought that he would be even more of a laughing stock than he already was if he had ran.

by **Zenke** Sun Feb 28, 2021 11:28 pm

Lilian listened to Rory's story with confusion clear on her face. "A heanta beat you up then saved you from prison?" She looked at Vala, who shrugged. "I don't think Umbra meant him any real harm. She's a strange heanta." Lilian raised an eyebrow at Vala. "Tell me about her later. And what's this about a red fang attack?" Lilian asked. "They attacked one of our villages, so my mother told Rory about their next target. Speaking of, I'd gladly help if I can." Lilian shook her head. "No. You've helped us enough. I don't want to put you in anymore danger."

Lilian considered what she had learned then looked at Rory. "Go get cleaned up, we'll turn this news in. Then you're going straight to the medics. And home and sleep when they're happy. Vala, you can stay at mine as long as you like, you must be exausted." Lilian told Vala. "Yeah, I suppose I am." Vala responded. "I also have allot of news. I'd rather Fayla was here to share it, but she's not due back from Endoron for a week." Lilian looked at her curiously. "You can tell me later. Let me just go get Lucas, I can't leave the shop empty."

Lilian ran off to get her brother, then returned to them. "I told Lucas about you're crossbow Rory. He'll get dad to make a new one tomorrow. I'll decouble the enchantment later too. I'll bring Vala to mine and get my uniform on, then meet you at you're house." She said. "We'll have to explain how you got out. I know it should be safe, but lets not mention Vala came back with you." Lilian said. She ushered them out and went to get things done.

Thread End

by Sponsored content