Lessons (Open)

The journey north had been long and tiring. But worst of all, Miral Nerys was exposed and vulnerable, and she knew it. As soon as she moved north past Karem, Miral regretted offering to escort her charges to the foot of the Kyrias Mountains. She had found them wandering through a forest just south of Karem, and she took it upon herself to guide them to where they were going. Her desire to help temporarily overruled her usually overwhelming sense of caution, though the scales soon tipped once she fully realized what she had agreed to undertake. But she had made a promise, and despite the increasingly tight feeling in her chest as she traveled north, Miral was determined to fulfill her promise. So she brought her charges to where they wanted to go, and they happily continued their expedition despite Miral's warnings about the area. They gave her some gold for her trouble, and she began to trek south again.

By this time though, a stiff wind was bringing cold and snow down from the mountains, and the conditions were severely hampering her progress. She pulled her cloak around her tightly and shivered, deciding to take some shelter to let the storm pass. She remembered a small village she had passed earlier in the day, and decided that she would try there first. She had Inara revert back to her staff form, as her lifelong friend was struggling in the unfamiliar climate, and this also granted Miral a walking aid through the thickening snowfall. She reached the village soon after, and was relieved to find that it had an inn with vacancies. She walked in and sheepishly approached the counter, clumsily fiddling with her money as she tried to pay for a room. She immediately rushed over to the large hearth and let Inara return to her normal form to acquire some warmth. Once warmed up sufficiently, Miral and Inara went upstairs to their room to rest.

Miral sensed the danger approaching and broke from her regenerative trance in darkness, with the only light source coming from a flickering orange source outside. She got dressed quickly and ran to the window and gasped. A large part of the village was ablaze. She could hear screams and fighting nearby, and she saw a village militia just outside the front door to the inn fighting a bandit. Miral took aim and stuck the bandit in the head with an arrow from her bow, before climbing out the window and deftly scaling the wall to ground level. The militia thanked her. "Thank you, mi'lady." Miral looked at the man with apprehension beginning to crack her features. "What's going on?" The man looked around in concern. "Bandits. They attacked in the night. They're burning the- AAAAGGGHHH!" The man was cut off by an arrow hitting him square in the chest, and he crumpled to the floor. Miral spun and loosed an arrow with lightning precision, hitting the archer in the head. She rushed over to the man, but he was already dead. She looked up to see a unit of bandits storming around a corner in front of her. She pinged the leader in the chest before turning and running for her life.

Miral charged around a corner and ran straight into a wall of steel. She fell backwards in stunned heap on the ground. She looked up to see a colossal individual in heavy armor standing over her. She hadn't seen someone this imposing in a very long time, and she almost didn't register the Unit of bandits that had trailed her approaching from the side. She as completely transfixed on the massive man and simply shrank back against the wall behind her.

Snow and wind and darkness were no obstacle to the mountain of a heanta known as Korroth. He trudged forward through the snow, each step taking him closer to his pray. Who was very far south. Korroth's single minded desire to end life would probably result in a few deaths between now and then, but he was disiplined enough to not go to the nearest village to slaughter its occupants. That being said, the nearest village was the directly in his path, so he would pass through it.

As he came closer to the village, he noticed flames rising from the thatch roofs of some of the buildings. It appeared he arrived just as someone else decided to attack the village. Unconcerned by this he continued down the road. The din of battle reached his ears, the sounds of death and screaming appealed to him. He sensed a fight coming his way, and the anticipation had him reaching for his weapon.

And just like that, a small form rounded the corner in a blur of green and slammed right into Korroth. She bounced right off, landing on her ass. He watched with mild surprise as she stared up at him. He could see the fear in her eyes, but as a unit of bandits came charging after her, he assumed they were the cause. She threw herself against the wall, cowering. A pathetic display, but his attention moved from her to the five men who glared at her. They noticed him almost instantly, flinching back almost involintarily. "Na'Kora's pussy he's a big lad." One of them said.

"You a heanta big man? You want to help us sack this town and earn some coin?" Another asked. One of the men sneared. "Great idea. As long as i get to sack this little bitch." He said, aiming a kick for the woman on the floor. Korroth was hardly disgusted by the man's intention for the girl, and there was nothing chivilrous about him. He had just heard enough mindless chatter and chose that exact moment to draw his long knife and slice the leg from under the man as he kicked. He toppled backwards screaming, and Korroth's armored foot smashed down on his skull crushing it.

At that moment, a terrible aura of fear hit everyone around him. One of the men dropped his weapons and joined the girl on the floor, cowering. Another charged him, only to end up in Korroth's vice like grip. Korroth crushed his throat and threw the man into the other two, knocking them down. As they struggled to free themselves, he smashed a foot down, caving in a chest, and stabbed the other in the face. Another quick slice finished the man who was cowering.

Korroth turned to the girl, and drew his bardiche. But before he could do anything else, an arrow plinged off his armor. He turned to face a bandit archer who was nocking another arrow in his bow. He drew back and fired again, as Korroth started to walk, the arrow hit his leg and richoched away. The man nocked a third arrow, and Korroth went from a walk to a run to a charge. He ducked his head and brought it up, driving his horns into the man's chest and goring him. He threw the man over his shoulder, screaming and spraying blood all over korroth's armor.

Korroth turned around to finish the job but the man bled out faster than he expected. Several more bandits rushed him, an the towns own malitia men ran to aid, but they assumed Korroth was on their side, and that was their mistake.

Miral had not seen power like this in a long time. She looked up at Massive Man and he stared back with a gaze as cold as death. It was as if the very environment around her also cowered in his presence. As she sat against the wall paralyzed with fear, Miral had just enough wherewithall to realize that he was an Heanta, and she wondered if there were others like him out there. The bandits that had pursued her stopped at the sight of Massive Man in their path.

The bandits attempted to recruit Massive Man, which even Miral had to admit was smarter than trying to fight him. At the same time, one of them aimed a kick for her, but Massive Man suddenly had had enough of the negotiations and cut the bandit's standing leg out from under him. Miral curled up tighter as Massive Man stomped the fallen bandit's head into the ground. He then turned to the rest, and Miral began to try and crawl away. But then her blood suddenly turned to ice, and the light of the fires in the village seemed to suddenly rise high into the sky. For a moment, Miral was no longer in the village. She looked around, trying to find out what was happening, and she realized with sudden dread where she was.

The burning forest of Harodiel extended in all directions. Miral looked around in terror and saw a face in the foliage nearby. It was Kira, her Kira, and Artem. They were lying on the ground, their cold, dead stares gazing nowhere in particular Miral recoiled in shock, tears streaming down her face, just in time to see Onyxus rear his head over the trees and unleash his flame breath on her. Miral dropped to the ground in a ball and screamed.

The sounds of somebody else screaming brought Miral back to the present. Miral raised her head and chanced a look around. Inara was back in her normal form, and she was desperately tugging at Miral's cloak. Massive Man was a few yards away, and he had just gored an archer with his horns. Miral had Inara revert back to staff form, and rose shakily to her feet, wiping tears from her eyes. She tried to run, but more bandits arrived, while what was left of the village militia came from another direction. Miral was caught in the middle of a fight, and Massive Man was too.

Korroth’s bardice ripped through the air as the bandit and militia forces seemed to converge on him, and he dealt considerable damage in that one strike. Limbs and heads and half severed torsos flew through the air, and there was no mercy to his blade. Bandits and Militia forces dropped around him, causing screams and angry shouts. One man told him to watch his swings, and Korroth’s fist found his face, bursting it open and spraying blood. The Militia realised that Korroth may not actually be on their side and suddenly gave him a lot more room. He had been caught in this fight by accident, and as long as they kept their distance he kept his focus on the bandits.

A sword slammed into Korroth’s side, steel scraping over steel as a bandit tried to slash him open. Korroth grinned, eyes flashing, and brought his bardiche overhead, splitting the man down the centre. He pushed forward and ripped the bardiche upward, the curved back of the weapon catching in on a man’s sternum as it ripped through his guts. Korroth swung the weapon, man and all, to the side and he slipped free from the bardiche, slamming into his allies. While there was many bandits, they started to realise there wasn’t enough to stop Korroth even as arrows sparked off his armor. The majority pulled back, leaving a single brave man who tried to throw himself on Korroth and drive a knife into his neck between helm and shoulder plates.

Korroth’s massive hand caught the man by the collar even as he felt the steel break his chainmail and pierce into his neck, deep enough to draw blood. Korroth let out a roar of rage and ripped the insect free of him, and smashed him into the ground. The man tried to push himself up and flee, and Korroth’s foot smashed down on his back. Bone crunched and the man screamed in agony, even as Korroth lifted his foot and slammed it down again and again. Crunching bone turned to meaty thumps as he pulverised the man’s spine and ribcage.

He glanced around at the bandits, who were now actively retreating and the militia who were hellbent on making them pay. Korroth spotted the cowering Girl watching the fighting, and several bandits converging on her. They’d cut their losses, but they wanted to take something with them. It made sense, if Korroth had been routed so easily, he would at least try to kill some people on his way out. Not that he would flee. He’d rather die then sink so low. However, they had pissed him off and would not leave here.

Korroth started to walk forward as the bandits surrounded the woman and drew his longknife. He threw it, impaling the furthest man, and as they turned to look at him, he brought his bardiche around in a sweeping blow to slice one of the men in half at the waist. Two of the men charged, and the third attacked the woman. Korroth swung his bardiche and cut one man’s legs off at the knees. The other drove his spear towards Korroth’s shoulder, and it caught in the plates and found its way through the chainmail into his flesh. The man looked triumphant, until Korroth reached up, snapped ripped the spear free and snapped it.

The man tried to back up, but to late as Korroth spun the spear head around and drove it down through the top of man’s shoulder into his heart. If the bandit who had attacked the girl was still alive, he would catch him and snap him in half like a twig over his knee. If the girl was alive, he simply glared at her. He knew he should just kill her. She was weak and cowardly, though if she had fought off the bandit and killed him Korroth would at least consider sparing her though he wasn’t sure why.

What followed was a bloodbath, the likes of which were normally reserved for the darkest nightmares a person could have. Miral watched in horror as Massive Man ripped through the bandits with reckless abandon. His armor protected him from a majority of his enemies attacks, while his own attacks ripped his foes asunder with brutal efficiency. The militia, who up until now believed that Massive Man was here to help, now also started to back off to give Massive Man room. Especially after one of them scolded him for not being careful with his swings, and was promptly cut down.

Miral was starting to shake her visions, though flashes still occurred intermittently. She suddenly realized that the bandits were retreating, and the militia was chasing them off. But a handful of men advanced on her, determined to take some sort of compensation for then losses they had suffered. One of the men was suddenly impaled by what looked like a longsword, splashing blood in Miral's face and over the front of her clothes. One of the remaining men advanced on her, while the other two moved to face Massive Man. The huge warrior cleaved one man's legs clean out from under him, while the other one connected with a spear thrust that succeeded in penetrating Massive Man's armor. The victory was short-lived however, as Massive Man picked the man up and broke him over his knee.

The third man turned in shock when Massive Man dealt with his allies, and something in Miral took control of her limbs in that instant. Using the distraction of Massive Man, Miral suddenly swept the man's legs out with her staff, putting him on his butt. Then, she followed up with a swift smack to the face, knocking the man out cold. Miral wasn't sure what came over her and allowed her to do that, but she also had no time to dwell on it. Massive Man advanced on her, and the feeling of dread and hopelessness returned with a vengeance. She backed slowly away, her staff dropping from her shaking hands. Inara returned to her normal form and stood before Korroth, hissing at him with malice. The ocelot was defiant and brave, and Miral silently pleaded for mercy from the Gods.

The bandit was dealt with by the girl, and Korroth felt a moment of hope that she might put up a bit more of a fight, but as soon as she realised he was advancing on her, she dropped her staff to the ground and began to cower again. His face twisted with disgust at the sign of weakness, and he stepped forward, but the staff turned into an animal of somekind, and began to hiss at him. Probably the only courageous creature in one hundred miles of this decrepid town. Korroth raised his Bardiche, preparing to sweep the animal from his path.


There was fire everywhere, the village was burning, and somehow Vala had nearly slept through the whole thing. Typical of her body to finally decide enough was enough and force her to take a nap when the bloody place was attacked. The redhead was up and dressed in minutes, strapping on her Drakna. She strung her bow, and stepped out into Chaos. People were running in every direction, and there was pockets of fighting in every direction. A bandit dashed out of an alley chasing a woman, and got a hold of her hair, but Vala put an arrow through his neck. The woman stared at her in awe. "Don't gawk, run!" Vala snapped a bit too harshly. She was still tired, and a tired Vala was a cranky Vala.

Vala pushed further into the chaos, shooting any bandits on sight. One caught her from the side but she dodged his grab deftly, and punched him across the jaw. She found herself in the town square. The place was littered with bodies, bandits and militia men alike, and as she scanned the place she felt a strange dread. Something bad had happened, but why she felt a sudden spike of fear she couldn't explain. Until she spotted the massive heanta stabbing a man in the neck with half a broken spear. There was no mistaking that Armor, even drenched in blood. Actually, given the nature of its owner that was probably how it looked most of the time.

Korroth had come. She had made a very big mistake coming this far north. She should leave and run. She started to back away. Vala stopped herself, as she spotted a small animal snarling up at the beastly heanta. Her eyes scanned the background, and she spotted someone else. An eldari?  "I'm going to regret this." She said. She drew back her bow, and aimed for the back of Korroth's head.

Just as he went to attack, the arrow hit the back of his helmet. It bounced away harmlessly, but none the less attracted his attention. Vala was already moving, running forward at full speed, her fist glowing energy. Korroth turned his full attention on her, and raised that wicked bardiche to cut her down the center. She side stepped the attack, and lunged forward, her fist slamming into the armor plates at his shoulder. Energy exploded, the metal crushed. He didn't even flinch. His counter attack was instantanious, the back of his gauntlet smashed into her ribs.

Vala ended up on her back at the feet of the eldari, who was cowering. She wasn't surprised. Korroth was massive. What was she thinking! "Valatrix of the Hornless clan." He stated. "Nope, not her." Vala said. She jumped up to her feet, backing off. She grabbed the eldari by the arm. "I don't know why your still here but for the love of Na'Kora and Na'Sora and what ever other gods there are, run!" Vala said, and started to pull the woman from the town.

Korroth didn't chase. Simply shouted after her. "Run little Hornless. You and your eldari freind will meet my steel soon enough. Unless knightfall gets to Shor first." That almost made her stop. He was right, they would have to fight one day. But the trembling Eldari she dragged behind her didn't look like she'd keep running without Vala. Best to get her to safety first. So she kept running. And running. Until the fires were distant or the Eldari finally demanded to stop.

Miral closed her eyes, and waited for death. It did not come. Whether the Gods were listening or not, Miral did not know. But she heard and metallic thunk, and opened her eyes. Massive Man had halted his advance, and Miral caught the sight of an arrow skittering away harmlessly. Massive Man turned to find the source of the unexpected intrusion, and Miral saw the source approaching rapidly.

A red-haired girl was charging the behemoth that had just turned the bandits and the town militia single-handedly. She dodged Massive Man's attempt to split the difference with his bardiche, and hit him with a punch to the shoulder. The punch apparently had some sort of magical power backing it, because it caused a large dent in Massive Man's armor. The giant warrior was largely unmoved, though it was still the best hit anyone got on him that day. The girl was swiftly back-handed and sent flying, landing in front of Miral. The Eldross could not believe the courage, or stupidity, of this girl, but right now she was the only one between Massive Man and Miral right now.

Miral began to shakily get to her feet as Massive Man addressed the interloper as Valatrix of the Hornless Clan. Miral knew the Clan name, though the only member she was familiar with was Celeana, who was the leader of the Sanguine Dominion. The girl denied it, though Miral suspected that she was not telling the truth. The girl then turned to her and pleaded with her to run. Miral needed no second invitation, and nodded shakily, whispering to Inara. "Inara, come." The ocelot ran alongside Miral as she followed the girl. Massive Man called after them, but Miral was too busy keeping track of the girl ahead. She was fast, and though Miral in her younger days might have kept up, she was struggling now.

Eventually they stopped when reached a forest of ash trees, a sign that they were heading into warmer southern climes. Miral stopped and leaned against a tree panting. Though she normally looked slight anyway these days, right now she looked downright frail. She looked to her savior and mustered what strength she had left, which was a lot easier now that they were out of range of Massive Man. "Th-thank you. For s-saving m-me" She tried and failed to square her shoulders and control her shaking, so she simply leaned against a tree, while Inara remained at her feet staring warily at the girl.

When they finally stopped the eldari leaned against a tree. Vala was breathing pretty hard but managed to keep herself straight and alert, listening to the sounds of the night. The woman stayed quiet for a moment while she recovered, but Vala was more concerned about Korroth. Had he followed? Or worse, would he slaughter the entire town. It dawned on her that she'd abandoned the humans to Korroth's wrath. She was about to go back, when the woman spoke and Vala remembered she was there.

She could hear the fear in the eldari's voice as she spoke, which confused Vala for a moment because she could tell that fear was directed at her. Of course, Korroth had known her, meaning the woman knew she was a heanta. And why would a heanta save an eldari from another heanta if not for some terrible reason. Vala laughed. She'd been through this before. "Your welcome, eldari. Trust me I know it seems weird that I saved you from another heanta, but my intentions are nothing but pure. I'm actually really good freinds with an eldari, Fayla Shor. You probably know her. What's your name? And where did you get the cat?" She asked. She sat down on the ground a few feet away, to appear less threatening. If one could consider all 5'5" of her threatening.

Miral considered the Heanta's words for a moment, while also using the pause to settle her nerves down. Inara began to relax a little too, which meant it was working. She regarded the Heanta directly now, with color returning to her cheeks and her trembling starting to diminish. "I am not an Eldari. I am an Eldross, though I understand why you thought that. My name is Miral." She gestured at her Animal Companion. "This is my joined companion, Inara." Inara inched forward as the Heanta sat on the ground, and began sniffing at the Heanta's feet, trying to get a feel for her and make up her own mind about their savior.

"I have heard of the granddaughter of Dalrodir Shor, though I have never met her." Miral cocked her head slightly as she began to try and understand more about the situation. "The... man... referred to you as Valatrix of the Hornless Clan. Are you a relation to Celeana? I knew of her from her involvement in the Onyxus event, but I know not of you, Valatrix." Miral sat down at the base of the tree she had been leaning against and eyed Vala with curiosity.

Vala tilted her head to the side as the woman said she was infact an Eldross and not an eldari. She'd been so used to Fayla with her green eyes, she'd kind of forgotten that green eyes were an eldross trait. "I'm sorry It's been a long time since I've seen an eldross. I guess I should have known because of your companion, but the one I met didn't have one." She said. She'd also met him under extremely dire circumstances since he was a heanta slave and she was in the process of being murdered.

So she had heard of Fayla, of course, and she'd known Vala's mother from the Onyxus battle. The dragon that had destroyed the eldross. It was possible this poor woman's life had been destroyed by that dragon, which might explain her fear in the face of Korroth. Then again, Korroth was a scary bastard. "Korroth isn't a man. He's a monster. Don't forget that, because there is nothing in him that can be bargained with, coerced or convinced against taking life." But she nodded. "I am Celaena's daughter. You call me Vala." She said. She'd noticed the Ocelot sniffing at her feet, and when it seemed less tense, she held out a hand, fingers extended, for the animal to sniff, but didn't try to shove her hand it its face.

She frowned into the night as she caught her breath, before finally speaking again. "It's possible Korroth will decide to hunt you, Miral. I can handle him, but I think you might want to go somewhere he can't get to you like sunshield hold. I have a freind there, if that's what you want to do." Vala said to her. She hoped Miral would agree, or at the very least choose to go far away and not offer to help against Korroth. Vala doubted the woman was much of a fighter by the way she'd handled the assault on the town, and she didn't want Miral to get hurt, or have to babysit her either.

Vala apologized for mistaking Miral for an Eldari, but the Eldross' interest was piqued somewhat by the Heanta's mention of an encounter with an Eldross that had no animal companion. "That's not as rare an occurrence as you might think these days. What was their name, this Eldross?" Miral took on a slightly faraway look, as if lost in thought. It used to be unheard of, but as the world began its descent into chaos again, the danger of traveling in the wilds increased. It was clear to Miral, especially after the destruction of her people, that civilization and the soul of Asmir were growing further apart every day.

Vala then spoke of Massive Man, and the very mention of his name sent a chill down Miral's spine. Korroth. She hoped she would never have to encounter the monster again. She looked at Vala when the Heanta explained her lineage. "I see. Well, thank you Vala. I owe you my life. We both do." Miral looked down as Vala reached down to let Inara sniff her hand. The ocelot did so, and bowed her head respectfully. Miral allowed herself a weak smile. "Inara thinks you are young and reckless, but she respects you for your bravery." If asked how she could read Inara so well, Miral would explain about the telepathic connection between an Eldross and their Companion.

The conversation then moved on to what would happen next. Vala mentioned the possibility of Korroth pursuing Miral still. She looked around at their surroundings and agreed that staying north was not a good idea. "You make a good point. I don't usually come this far north. I escorted some explorers to the foot of the mountains, because I thought it was the right thing to do." Vala mentioned Sunshield Hold as a possible destination, and Miral agreed, given that she was familiar with the Hold, having stayed there before during storms. "Yes, I'm going to head south immediately. I have an old friend who is a member of the Order. His name is Shran. Who is this friend of yours?"

"Calrados Insari. He saved my life from an assassin and it cost him his own. He had been taken captive by the heanta, held as a slave in Av'Eden. I didn't understand why he would stop to save one of the poeple who held him captive from another, but I know better now. Its not in the Eldross' nature to ignore suffering, is it?" It made sense. The eldross were the first to respond to Onyxus, and it had cost them everything. No one else was that quick or that willing.

Vala stood up and shrugged. "I only learned his name because it turns out he was my best friend's father." She said. Miral told Vala she owed her her life, and Vala shook her head but smiled. "No, you don't. I wouldn't be here if not for an eldross. I'm just paying back the dept." She said, even though she'd saved Fayla's life countless times. And vice versa, but that was hardly the same at this point. "My friend is Kairi Thorne. A human in the sunlight order. She's a good woman." Vala said. She looked back towards the village in the distance, the smoke rising. It would be dawn in a few hours, and there probably wouldn't be much left of the place.

"We should get moving just to be safe. Who knows if we're being persued. I'll escort you as far as Zendar. The roads are safer past there." Vala said although Miral probably knew. She'd known Vala's mother, had been around for the Onyxus incident. "How old are you, Miral? Did you ever meet my grandfather?" Vala asked, curious.

Miral recognized the name immediately when Vala spoke. "I do know the name. He was a respected Ranger among my people. I... was unaware that he had died." Miral bowed her head in sorrow as Vala continued, mentioning that she didn't really know why Calrados had saved her at the cost of his own life. "My people believed that Asmir is not just the earth beneath our feet, but also includes all life on it. That's why we mediated so many of the conflicts throughout history." There was also the possibility that the loss of his Companion had influenced his decision-making, but Miral pushed that thought aside.

Vala also mentioned that Calrados was the father of Fayla Shor, which ignited bit of hope in Miral's heart. "I'm glad that he has made a family for himself in these dark times." Vala also refused the credit for saving Miral, stating that she owed Calrados for her own life, before describing her friend in the Order. Miral's eyes glinted with recognition. "I understand. I have not met her, but I do know Kairi Thorne by reputation at least."

Miral looked around at the same time as Vala, as if suddenly remembering the situation they were in. It had been quite a while since she had encountered someone who she felt even a slight bit comfortable around, but Vala projected an aura of confidence despite her apparent youth. Miral nodded at her offer. "I normally prefer to travel alone, but under the circumstances I am glad for the company." They began walking, and Vala suddenly asked about Miral's age, and if she had ever met her grandfather. Miral smiled sadly. "I've been alive for almost seven-and-a-half centuries. Though it might not seem it from my display tonight." Miral's expression changed, looking back at her life before.

"I only met him once. During the Kishin Dola crisis. There was a summit called between the Heanta and Eldari, with my people mediating. Ren was there, along with Dalrodir Shor. The representatives bickered like children, but when the two of them spoke, everyone listened. Your grandfather was fearsome, even when simply speaking." Miral looked at Vala for a moment, as if analyzing her. "I saw much of him in your mother, and I see the same strength in you. The same confidence, the same honor."

Vala shrugged. "Age doesn't make a fighter. Even if you were once skilled you've been around a long time, and you aren't expected to keep that up forever. Its also not uncommon for even seasoned warriors to quake in their boots in the face of Korroth. I felt it too, and nearly wen't running. He's as scary as a dragon who's had their gold stolen." She said, and imediately regretted mentioning dragons. She hoped Miral wouldn't notice or become to upset about it.

Miral had seen her grandfather, but never actually spoke to him. She said she seen allot of him in Vala. Vala smiled. "I see. Most people talk about how ruthless he was. Or bloodthirsty. He killed allot of heanta to unite the clans. He killed allot of people by uniting the clans too." She said. But he'd done it for his people. Saved them from themselves. For a time, but the tensions between the clans.. There could be a civil war brewing now. "I need to stop Korroth, and find out what Saivene is up to." She said to herself.

She looked at Miral. "We should pick up the pace. When we've got a few hours of travel behind us you can stop and rest. I can keep watch, I don't need to sleep much." She said. Well, that would be true, but she'd only gotten a small amount of sleep. But the sooner she made it back to Zendar, the better. Especially if Knightfall was after Fayla.

Miral cocked her head slightly and did not respond as they moved. Vala had a point. But Miral's decline was not simply due to age, something she was well aware of. This Korroth brought out the worst in her, and it had almost cost the lives of not ust Miral and Inara, but it also endangered Vala. Miral was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't even notice Vala mentioning dragons in her description of Korroth. They continued on.

Vala then remarked how she had heard that her grandfather had been a ruthless and bloodthirsty being. Miral pondered this for a moment, reaching back into murky depths of the past for clarity. "His methods were certainly blunt. However, Ren had a great appreciation for the bigger picture. While the ends cannot always justify the means, your grandfather did what he believed to be right. Uniting the clans was costly, but in the long run it saved a great many lives." Miral heard Vala mumble something to herself about stopping Korroth, and somebody called Saivene. "I'm not sure if anybody can stop something like that."

Vala then suggested they up the pace, offering to keep watch when they stop for rest. Miral nodded in agreement. "Agreed. The further we get away from this place the better." She looked at Vala as they sped up. "Though, you should also get some rest too anyway. My people do not sleep like others do. We are fully aware of our surroundings while we rest." They moved briskly through the night, and Miral hoped they would reach a resting place without further incident.

Vala smiled in appreciation. "I'm kind of glad you see it that way. Many people don't. He made the heanta stronger, and ultimately more dangerous because of the clan's unity. Granted with recent happening I don't think its going to last. I'm one step away from being the cause of a civil war. I think that's why Korroth is looking for me. My mother's too powerful, too influential. If I were killed, well, she'd stop at nothing to set that right." She nodded. "Yep. I better not die." Vala shrugged when Miral questioned if anyone could stop Korroth. "He hasn't faught me yet. I'm big trouble in a compact package, and he's going find that out the hard way." She might seem overconfident, but any doubt would probably get her killed as surely as overconfidence.

"Oh, I didn't know that. Well, I don't think Fayla shares that particular trait with you. She's almost impossible to wake up." She said. "Actually, I am too. I should probably avoid sleeping until we're well in the clear, I could be out for hours." She said. "Unless we find somewhere well hidden." After that she fell silent and focused on walking through the darkness. As the sun began to rise a few hours later, Vala was watchful for a suitible sleeping spot. Somewhere up high would be the best bet. If they could see Korroth coming, it would make it hard for him to corner them.

Vala spotted a tor in the distance, a rocky outcrop that rose suddenly from the ground, the top of which was ringed with large rocks. She pointed it out to Miral. "That looks defensible. It looks like its got a bit of cover too, and we'll see Korroth or anyone else approaching from a good distance away."

Miral nodded. "It's probably because there are not many who were alive at that time." Miral gazed inwardly for a moment. "History becomes distorted when you look back at it." Except whenever Miral looked back, of course. It was all still crystal clear to her. Vala then spoke about how her own existence might end up being the cause of more war. Miral shivered at the mention of Korroth's name, but Vala didn't seem to be fazed at all by the prospect, though Miral wondered just how much of that was just bravado.

They eventually spotted a tor with a fairly secure place in top to rest. Miral nodded. "I hope so." Miral sent Inara up first, and the ocelot made quick work of the upward climb. Miral followed Vala up, and they set up camp. Miral scouted the surround, making sure they were in the clear, before settling down and sinking into her trance-like state that the Eldross used to recover energy. At the edge of the treeline, a lone sentinel watched the two, biding his time as the shadows of the trees veiled his presence.

Miral's dreams were always the same. Full of fire and pain. But there was something different this time. This time when she scoured the wreckage of her former homeland for the bodies of her wife and son, she instead found a new sight among the desolation that was once Harodiel. Miral ran over to the body, moved the charred wood out of her way, and gasped. It was Vala. The Heanta looked back up at her with a glassy stare, claw-marks perforating her chest. Tears streamed down Miral's face, before she recoiled in horror as Vala suddenly stared at her, pain etched on her face. "You could have saved me! You could have... stopped... this..." Vala's body went limp again, before Miral realized that something was wrong.

Miral's dream faded away and she returned to consciousness and opened one eye just enough to see. Vala was still asleep, and Miral silently cursed herself for not paying attention to their surroundings. She was about to try to return to her trance, when she spotted knife emerging from the shadow of one of the rocks. Miral shot to her feet and called out. "Vala!" She picked her bow and started to nock an arrow when the shadow suddenly burst into form as a man. An Heanta. The man was quick and he reached Miral just as she was about to take aim. "What-" She was cut off as the man lunged at her, knocking her to the ground. He attempted to drive his twin knives into her chest, and she was using her bow to try and stop the blades reaching her. But the man was stronger than her by a good bit, and the knives continued their slow descent.

After they reached the Tor Vala had good look around, but her focus was on the treeline. There was no sign of Korroth following them. Not yet atleast. But they'd see him coming. They set up camp and Miral settled down. Though she told Vala it was ok to sleep, the events of the night past were to fresh in her mind for her to willingly settle down. She'd already been tired when everything started, and if she settled into a proper sleep she might be out for hours. So she decided to stay awake, sitting with her back to a rock and watching the treeline.

Before she knew it, her eyes had closed. And then there was a cry of warning and Vala snapped back to attention. Someone rushed towards Miral and tackled her, trying to stab her with a pair of vicious knives. Vala recognized the silver hair and scolwed. Of course he was after her too. Vala lunged after him and aimed a round house kick to the back of his head. He was a legend amoung heanta, but not nearly as scary. She didn't hesistate to follow up her onsluaght with a barrage of rapid punches that unleashed bursts of energy from her fists, to drive him away from Miral.

Vala put herself between Miral and Knightfall. Her claws slid out and she glared at him across the Tor. "Keep back Miral he's not big as Korroth but he can be just as dangerous." She said. She gave Knightfall another glare. "I heard you were clever. If that's true you should turn around and walk away. Because win or lose, your dead eitherway." She said. He must know that Celeana would hunt him to the ends of the earth and rip him limb from limb if he actually succeeded.

Knightfall was inching closer to eliminating the meddler. He didn't usually try to overpower his opponents, but he possessed superior strength to this one and it would serve him well to finish things quickly. He saw the fear in her eyes as he pressed down on his knives, and felt her desperate strength begin to fail. But then he saw a movement out of the corner of his eye. The bitch had woken. Before he could fully react, Vala had closed and swung a powerful kick towards his head. He could only check the kick with his arm, and the force knocked him from the Eldross. The descendant of Ren the Hornless followed-up swiftly, barraging him with blows which he was forced to check with his knives.

Miral regained her feet to see Vala facing off with the other Heanta. Inara arrived back from her patrol and hissed at the intruder, baring her teeth. Vala warned her to stay away, and Miral wondered just how many more of these nefarious characters she knew about. Knightfall simply stared when Vala threatened him. "Your threats mean nothing, child. I have seen braver souls than you fall to my blade. Your mother's wrath is of no consequence." Miral took aim at Knightfall as he locked eyes with him. "You have been noted, Eldross. You'd better learn to grow eyes in the back of your head." Knightfall bowed to Vala and sheathed his weapons. "Until we meet again, Hornless." With that Knightfall sank back into a nearby shadow, and was gone. Miral looked to Vala and nodded sheepishly. "I'm sorry I did not react quicker. I became... distracted."

Vala gave Knightfall a cold smile. "Then you're a bigger fool than most would think you. Run away, coward." She sneered. He threatened Miral, then vanished in a puff of shadow. Vala shook her head, as Miral spoke. "Its fine. Its my fault, I should have expected that. Korroth mentioned Knightfall when we were fleeing." She said with a frown. "We should get out of here, just in case he comes back. I'm sure I could take him, but I'd be worried about you getting caught in the middle of that." She said.

She did pause to consider his threat. She began packing up as she spoke again. "You're rather unlucky, being seen by two deadly heanta killers in one day." Vala said. "The sooner you get away from the better I would think." She almost laughed and shook her head. When Miral was ready they would depart for Zendar without stop. Hopefully Fayla was there.

Miral exhaled deeply and began packing up the camp. She looked at Vala with wide eyes. "That is the Knightfall that Korroth spoke of?" Miral shook her head in disbelief at the information she had received in the last day or so. "One is a behemoth clad in steel, the other is a shadow who is one with the darkness, and you have dealt with both before? They are both after you?" The Eldross shoulder her belongings and gestured to Inara to come. "I do not know whether to admire you or fear you, Vala of the Hornless Clan."

They left quickly, and they made good time, with no sign of pursuit. When they reached the southern Free Lands, Miral was able to utilize some of her shortcuts and secrets to hasten their arrival to Zendar. Miral followed Vala in through the gate and acquired some food for the trip to Sunshield Hold. If offered, Miral would decline a room at the inn. "I can rest better in the wilds. But thank you." Miral looked at Vala inquiringly."What will you do now?"

Vala shook her head. "Never before, no. Neither had reason to go near me before now, nor would they dare. They both work for the warlord though, so you can see why there might be a civil war if they actually manage to kill me." She said. "I'm not opposed to being admired or feared, in the right circumstances. But I think you know by now you've nothing to fear from me." Vala smiled. A few more hours of quick paced walking and they arrived at Zendar. She did offer Miral a room in the inn, she and Fayla spent so much time in Zendar they got discounts on their lodging, but she declined, and asked her what she intended to do now.

"I need to warn Fayla about the danger, then I'll probably pass out for the next twelve hours. I've been awake too long. Fayla's gonna have to stick close, I'm sure Knightfall's stupid enough to try sneak up on me again, but he won't get near me. Once I'm recovered, We'll take the fight to them. Its well known they don't get on well, where as we've been working together for years. We have the advantage there." She said. She looked towards the inn. "Before you go, you should atleast come and meet Fayla. I'm sure she'd like to meet you." Vala said with a smile. She started to walk towards the inn and nodded for Miral to follow.

Vala spoke of her situation with Knightfall and Korroth. She spoke honestly, and Miral's fears were allayed somewhat. The Heanta then explained her immediate plans, involving warning her friend and then dealing with the two. Miral nodded, still amazed by Vala's calmness and confidence. "I see. You know... if I was not already aware of your heritage, I would say you had lost your mind." Vala then suggested that Miral stays to meet Fayla before she left for the Hold. Miral hesitated for a moment, as she pulled her hood up over her head. "It would be an honor. But I must go. I am not comfortable in these surroundings, and wish to catch a friend at the Hold if I can." Miral bowed her head before grasping Vala's hand with both of hers, a traditional Eldross gesture of friendship. "Thank you, Vala. For everything. Farewell" Miral turned and left, with Inara brushing against Vala's leg as she passed.

Fayla fiddled with her glass of juice as she waited. Normally she was the one who was late. She sighed and looked towards the door. She had some interesting stuff to tell Vala, though no doubt it would be overshadowed by something that happened to Vala, like another attempt on her life or something. Some people get all the fun. Then a figure entered the inn and began looking around. It was a Heanta that she recognized immediately. Fayla waved before scolding her with a tone of mock-concern. "What time do you call this? I was worried sick about you! Kinda."