Wolf and The Dog Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

	Two days passed before he was administered. He stayed alone in a room with his thoughts till then. The new barracks hall looked exactly the same in every way. Yet everything was different. The smell, atmosphere and the students. Eihger felt all the eyes glaring at him as he walked down the middle of the row with his bag on his back. He played it tough, but inside he was devastated.
	How he left his battalion was such a disgrace. He wondered how he could ever be forgiven. What his friends were thinking. If they even cared about him at all. So isolated and pillar in the hall. He stood alone amongst strangers.
	They weren't informed formally as to why the newcomer arrived, but rumors traveled fast. Some exaggerated, others on the mark. None of that mattered, Eihger would be seen as a shameful new entry to the green battalion.
	His new bed was the lower bunk somewhat in the middle of the hall, a bit closer to the entryway. He knelt next to the footlocker and began loading his belongings. All the while he heard whispers behind his back. Not a single soul approached him yet.
	The first direct contact with a green battalion member came from his bunkmate who was relaxing on the top bunk. A black hand swatted at him as he prepared to mount his bunk to rest. Over the edge peered back at him with vivid red eyes and feathery white hair. She was none too pleased to see him.
	“Oh, Stupid male.” Insulted the drow. Her words sharp and harsh. She hadn't quite taken to the new language. “Yu und me, I lead yes?” She hissed.
	“You sound like a moron.”  Eihger shook his head condescendingly.

	The drow cocked her head and rolled off the bed. Impressively limber and graceful, she reached the ground with her feet barely making a sound. She curled her lip and narrowed her gaze angrily at the new student. Eihger was a bit advantaged as the language now being spoke was his native tongue.
	A lithe creature, she wasn't quite as petite as Aiya, being rather developed. Her face was more true to her elven nature, with distinct more regal features. Where Aiya's face was rounded in features, hers was sharper giving a false sense of maturity. A beautiful creature as the drow were proud to flaunt.
	Even as she bend over slightly jabbing her finger into Eihger's chest, it was clear that she was shorter then him, not by much. She continued to hiss at him. Eihger held up his hands calmly, if he needed he would strike and lock her arm under his own. It appeared she was marking her territory more than wanting to attack him.
	“I care no yu sae.” She continued in her broken words. “care no yu from. Yu male, I female. Yu und me. Yes?” She glared.
	“Under you?” Asked Eihger. She nodded. “I just got here, would you like to get to know each other first?” He cajoled with a raised eyebrow. She slapped him.
	“Filthy human.” She shook her head and climbed the bunk to rest, grumbling in her drow words silently.

	The others lost interest as soon as the drow returned to her bunk. Not much else happened. Murmurs began again as they resumed their  conversations. Eihger rubbed his face. If he had the energy or desire he could have fought her. Though he did not know if others would jump in todefend their own.
	He yielded and allowed himself to seethe. In an act of defiance, when he laid down, he kicked the mattress above him. It was met with an exasperated growl. This made him feel vindicated. Eventually another did approach his side amicably.
	“I see you met Reminilen already.” He spoke fluently. The man was a tall and large boy for his age, Well squared features in his face. His hair was a very dark, almost black, though he had pale blue eyes in contrast. “Don't worry she's just trying to be scary. She's harmless.” He spoke accompanied by a swatting palm from the drow.
	“Another Oslander?” Eihger asked. His interest piqued. “Where do you come from?”
	“The Gaterfwe Highlands. Bern Gliesen and you are?” He extended his hand to greet Eihger
	“Eihger Letheron.” Eihger answered, accepting his hand. Bern looked at him perplexed.
	“Letheron? Thats not an Oslish name.” He  recoiled
	“I'm from Weissgen, but my family wasn't.” Explained Eihger. Bern acknowledged with a soft 'Aah'
	“Well. I don't care what you did in the other battalion, but I'm captain here so, don't fuck up, do what I say, and we'll stay friends.” He smiled.

	Training was different. He had grown so used to the others strength and weaknesses that they learned to work around each other. He performed his maneuvers as if he was just starting. His combat form had become poor in their eyes and they saw him as a performance transfer.
	While Green wasn't the worst they weren't the most performing of the four battalions. They took to Eihger's methods and actions with a manner of disdain. Feeling that he was bringing them down. He was entirely capable, just not used to the culture of abilities from these people.
	He was like a gear from a worn machine placed into another. He worked perfectly with his old group because he had worn with them in the same way. These new people he clashed with because they had worn another. Both parts unbroken and functional, just just didn't fit.
	While sparring with quarter staffs his partner was his bunk mate. Between forms she would tap his shin with her staff while the instructors lectured. It distracted and annoyed him. A vindictive smile took over her face as she tripped him causing all eyes to dart to him. He hated her.
	She was not the only one to do so. He would be tripped in armor runs. His food would be knocked from his hands. Instructors had to break up one of his fights as he continued to beat another harasser till his knuckle bleed. The first couple of months were hell for him. He stood alone.

	Though all was not lost. During the free days he had he was still able to vanish into the library to study. His times overlapped with his old battalion, allowing him to meet with his friends periodically. They had new bruises on their faces and cuts. He had his. Aiya would greet him with a hug every time.
	They spoke about new events and topics as if he were only away temporarily. They spoke of who broke and was removed, and in rarer instances, who died. All with a similar phlegmatic expression. Aiya noticed it took more to irk a smile out of him than from before. She began to worry.
	Days continued on and not much improved with Eihger. Though winning the fights they started with him  prevented them from antagonizing. He needed to make an effort to befriend anyone. Change the cycle of anger somehow. Yet he had no idea. Even Bern maintained a distance from him.
	The drow continued to belittle him, and he would insult her back. Eihger began to think that perhaps she enjoyed the back and forth they had with how often she would insult him. He never gave her an easy fight though. His wit needed to stay sharp to deal with her taunts.
	The others in the battalion began to entertain themselves with their arguments and fights. Two unofficial cliques began to form. One behind Eihger the other around Reminilen. Though hardly allied with Eihger, they just joined in the insults less against Eihger.
	This was how they bonded, he came to find. The harshness, the infighting. One could see why the matriarchal drow had such a problem in a heavily testosterone filled room all the time. Though most of the time their fights ended with Eihger being slapped. She was a quick one, he had to admit.
	She managed to get her upper hand when the language changed to Druch, the tongue of the drow. Everyone remembered the pleased cackle from her when they announced it in the classroom. So pleased with herself.
	“Now all of you get to sound like inelegant barbarians!” She spoke with a posh smugness.

	The balance of power shifted in her favor from then on, till Eihger quickly became compete enough to contend. They had a strange way of strengthening each other. Their desire to spite and outdo one other pushed them to greater heights.
	Eihger reveled in his time away from them. The whole battalion. Sometimes he just needed to be with his old friends. He would meet them at the library whenever he could. Aiya was fast becoming a young woman in his eyes with their separation. Almost two full years passed.
	While others had grown faster and others experienced things differently, Aiya was beginning to notice Eihger in a new light. She wasn't sure how to act about it. She had known him most of her life, and saw him as a family member, yet there were thoughts. She wasn't sure how to go about them. None of them were. A gross oversight in the curriculum they thought until Anatomy became a subject.

	Their individual endeavors continued. Eihger had found more tomes about the Asmar. Stories and folklore. He found a peculiar manuscript that wasn't myth or hearsay. It was a fighting manual. Fragmented and faded it spoke of different fighting styles. Finally, something that denoted them as a reality.
	He brought this to Gord and Aiya who were surrounded with many books themselves as they continued their own fascinations. It was the first time in months Aiya saw Eihger with such a wide smile. He placed the parchment on the table and explained what it was. The bent over, enthusiastic to look at it.
	“Thats an impressive find. We found some interesting things as well.” Gord said. Eihger Asked what it was. Overly pleased, Aiya and Gord began speaking over each other till finally Aiya took the lead.
	“It not much, but we found eight different books that explain Elven origin as 'the fabrication'.” the Elfess gleamed
	“Yeah, the Gods arrived, and then made the races that inhabit the world.” Eihger agreed vexed.
	“Thats the thing.” Gord interjected. “Most religious origins involve some manner of gods appearing. Literally showing up. Then.” He smiled and slid a book over. “You'll like this one...”

	Gord slid over a clearly elven book. The text was ancient. An ancestral language to Orylsian elvish. Then they opened a book they had scribbled many notes and translations into and showed Eihger. He took a moment to read over the translation key and find the entry they wanted him to read.
	His eyes widened once he came across the paragraph. To Aiya and Gord they felt as if they had presented him with a wonderful gift. Truly it was something of great interest to him. Though the translation was rough it was clear in this particular text that Asmar and Elves had the same origin.
	The  book wasn't a novel or a story. It was a historical text. One of accounts and contemporary retelling. Annals to be referenced. Eihger exclaimed his disbelief in less than polite words. The others laughed. Then a black hand  gently placed itself on the page blocking him from reading more.
	Aiya reflexively curled her lip. She had heard Eihger complain about the drow. She was none to amicable to her, herself. The drow positioned herself to look directly into Eihgers eyes with her venomous smile.
	“Wasting your time with research again?” She teased.
	“Fuck you.” He growled.
	“Don't threaten me with a good time.” Purred the drow. Reminilen leaned back and placed her hands on his shoulders, then rubbed them. “None of you think this is a pointless errand?”
	“Leave.” Growled Aiya.
	“This library has existed for centuries. With scholars that research here for their entire livelyhoods.” She entirely ignored the elfess. “You don't think they would come to the same conclusions you will? You're wasting your time.” Reminilen derived a strange thrill in feeling Eihger's skin craw as she touched him. Petting a snarling wolf she described it as.
	“Its not about that its about self discovery!” Aiya stood, to shout at the drow. “Finding out who you are!” She added.
	“Who I am?” Reminilen laughed, placing her hand on her chest with her fingers fanned. “I am Debrajien Qaulithe Reminilen!” She boasted. “Daughter of Qaulithera Reminilen. Heiress to the Reminilen clan. And you are simple peasants.”
	“You're a nobody, thats why you were abandoned here.” Aiya attacked with pure hatred in her heart.

	Reminilen faltered. A feat Eihger wasn't capable of. Her proud look suddenly flashed into sadness for a brief moment. Her response she was ready to give vanished in her mind. She recalled visions of her mother with a knife to her throat. Cold and alone on the surface for the first time, in pouring rain. Her mother tested her defiance.
	The young drow refused to show cowardice in front of her mother, even as the knife pressed deep against her neck. Her mother telling her to 'Return strong or not at all.' She had told no one this. Not even those who presumed she was their friend. She couldn't figure how the elf knew. 'She has to be lying' She thought to herself.
	The inter-turmoil was apparent on her face as she recovered. She wanted to hurt the smug elfess. To cut her deep. She fought to keep herself from trembling. Eihger smiled in victory. His friend accomplished what he could not.
	“No one loved you either thats why you are here.” Was all she could muster.
	“Eat me, bitch.” Aiya spat.

	Reminilen placed her hand under Eihger's chin, gripping it with her finger and thumb. His arm went out against her chest in the event she made a sudden move. She saw the look in Aiya's eye's and figured out how to hurt her the most. The drow narrowed her eyes and lowered her voice to a smoldering velvet siren call.
	“I would love to, but I don't like virgins.” She turned Eihger's face towards hers. “Otherwise I would have plucked yours from you long ago.” She kissed him. A deep long and passionate kiss. Eihger jumped and threw her off of him. She licked her lips. Like a slow poison, all she had to do now was wait.
	“Walk away. Now.” He snarled and took up a low guard.  The drow saw the look of betrayal and jealousy on the elf's face. Her work was done.

	A wash a relief as she parted. The drow was sure to display a sultry gait as she did, not pleased to have been bested by an angry low breed, yet pleased anway. She was everything the drow aspired to be, subversive, assertive, conniving, and ruthless. They would have been proud to see the scheme she executed. Then she suddenly realized that no one would notice. She was only one of three drow in that school.
	Memories of her family came back to her. Her twin sister playing with their friends. How her mother scolded them angrily for being so kind and trusting. Molding them to be powerful and efficacious leaders in their adulthood. So why was she outcast and her sister was not? What did she do wrong to offend her mother so? Why wasn't she happy?
	  She vanished into the deep recesses of the library to rest herself against a pillar. Her limber black fingers crawled through her hair, gripping tightly and hid away her face. She slid against the pillar crumbling to the ground.
	“Why did you reject me?” She muttered to herself.

	Returning to their research was difficult, and met with some tribulations. Aiya couldn't keep her hands steady. She placed them under the table out of view. She didn't know how to feel. Excited? Angry? Jealous? Thoughts crept into her mind as Gord and Eihger continued where they left off. Her hands rubbed together nervously and she chewed her lip.
	Eihger was her friend, but what Reminilen said to her, and what she did to Eihger... She couldn't concentrate. Now she was the inattentive one in the conversation. Eihger asked her if she was alright, she stayed hidden away in her mind. The young man reached over the table to jostle her shoulder. She snapped back to life.
	“Hey, there was something I wanted to show you.” She perked up with her usual cheery smile.
	“What is it?” Eihger asked.

	Aiya stood from the table and gestured for Eihger to follow. After parting with Gord, instructing him to look after the books. For a few minutes they weaved deeper into the Library till Eihger figured she wasn't trying to show him a book. All manner of thought flooded through her mind.
	She didn't know if the drow was trying to seduce her friend in her bizarre cultural ways. He had been gone for some time, and their meetings grew shorter and shorter. Most of his conversations would be about that damn drow. 'Are they secretively an item?' she though, and pressed it to the back of her mind.
	Aiya positioned herself in front of Eihger, and placed her arms on either side. Hesitant to embrace him, just yet. Her smile was gone, but her interest was greatly apparent. Her eyes warm and her lips slowly parted with a quiver.
	“I..” She stuttered.

	The young woman leaned in and closed her eyes, then stopped for a brief moment, and continued along her path to kiss Eihger. Her arms wrapped around him, and his soon followed. This was much more than the innocent peck they shared less than a year before. It was passionate, emotional.
	Their hands rolled around on each others backs and they pressed closer exploring each other entirely. Eihger couldn't quite explain it, but he felt, right. Complete, as if their bonding like this had been overdue. He cared deeply for his friend, and she felt right in his arms. His tension and stress dissolved, like a long struggle in his mind ended.
	Aiya was a torrent of emotion, unable to pick out just one particular thought. She was full of bliss, a part of her was always curious what this moment would be like. Then she began to doubt herself. 'Am I only acting because of her?' She thought to herself. She loved Eihger and had a clear idea of what he was to her. In an instance that idea of him was shattered and changed. He had become something else entirely.
	No longer the friend she would play with and grew up with. This change wasn't uncomfortable or wrong, but it was unknown. She filled her mind with self doubt and concern. Doubt in herself, she didn't know why. Perhaps because it felt rushed, as if it should have waited for a more natural moment?
	She pushed herself away. Her face was warm and red; her body trembled in excitement, but she didn't know what to do. Eihger looked at her curiously, still holding onto her.
	“What am I doing?” She looked away. “I-I shouldn't have done that.” The elfess stammered.

	Aiya darted away from a confused Eihger. He stared at her and tried to follow. She was nimble, and didn't want to be followed. There was a pain in his chest, and sinking feeling that turned his gut black. He worried that he did something wrong. He had no idea the battle that raged in her mind. He only knew how he felt, if she didn't feel that then she didn't feel whole or at peace. The idea of that made Eihger's heart break.

	It was the night before their free day, and many of the students took liberty to return to their halls at their leisure. They were afforded such freedom this long into their stay. The drow sulked back to her bunk. She undressed herself and crawled in between the sheets.
	Not long after she heard the heavy footsteps of Eihger returning to his. His breath was heavy, his clothes rustled in a way that denoted a sluggish posture. She rolled her eyes and peered over at him. His face was entirely defeated. She had gotten what she wanted. She thought she would take pleasure in his misfortune. There was no pleasure in this victory.
	“What happened to you?” She asked in a careless voice as she attempted to maintain pretenses.
	“She rejected me.” Eihger responded dejected. “What did I do wrong?” He fell onto his mattress, shaking the entire bunk.

	Debrajien wasn't quite expecting that response. A few horrible comments came to her mind, yet after old wounds were reopened with her she couldn't help but feel an empathetic sense of pity. She poked her head over the edge, her white hair falling past her head. Then spied on the young boy. He wasn't watching so she allowed herself a concerned frown.
	Eihger was face down in his bed with his head resting in his crossed arms. Her lips curled to the side of her face, not sure how to react. The drow contemplated reassuring the boy. Despite her sharp wit, she  was shocked to realize she didn't know how to. She let out a deep sigh. The girl the boy dotted on for so long, so annoyingly, had broken his heart. This was the victory she dreamed of, yet, nothing. She felt his sadness and returned to her bed.

	Weeks passed and Eihger did not see Aiya once. He asked Gord about her and he gave very cryptic explanations as well as receiving off glances. Eihger began to recall himself from social activity when he didn't need to. In classes and training he was very vocal. Yet in private there was nothing. Reminilen worried. She missed fighting with the asmar. It had become a routine.
	One day the drow took matters into her own hands. Tiered of the silence she tracked down Aiya in the Library. The silent drow stalked her through the aisles, cornering her. Aiya backed into the bookshelf, gripping a heavy tome to hurl at her assailant. Aiya showed no fear, her eyes fixed on the drow, ready to strike when needed. She wanted this fight, yearned for it.
	She was caught off guard but she was eager. Her breath steadied. She checked herself mentally. Her shoulder was stiff from a club strike the day prior, her knees hurt from the ruck march two days before. Other bruises from falling off a rock while climbing. Yet she was ready.
	“We need to talk.” Debrajien said to the elf.
	“I have nothing to say to you.” Aiya waved her head antagonistically.
	“Oh, please. If I wanted to fight you, you'd already be on the ground.” She crossed her arms and leaned against a shelf.
	“Then what do you want?” She slowly let go of the book, keeping her good arm ready.
	“Your friend, Letheron. What did you do to him? Hes been moping around for ages now.”
	“We... I..” She stuttered not exactly sure how to describe what happened.

	The truth was, she didn't know why she overacted. Why she hadn't said a word to her closest friend in weeks, or why she went out of her way to avoid him. Even if she did she had no reason to tell the person who had been cruel him for so long.
	“You two did something and you freaked out. That's all I pieced together.” She placed her finger on her lips and mused. “Did you two finally break the seal?” She winked.
	“No!” Barked Aiya. “He's my friend, he's like family to me.”
	“Oh? So what then? He forced himself on you?”
	“Not that its your business but I kissed him.” Aiya conceded. “ I shouldn't have done it, it made things complicated.”

	That was it. That was the big mystery. Debrajien was disappointed. She hoped for some delicious gossip to spread around, or some convoluted failed reciprocation of love. Delicate elven sensibilities were tickled; nothing more. So Aiya overreacted and panicked.  Reminilen narrowed her gaze and her normal lyrical voice flattened to a gruff.
	“Really?” The drow glared. Aiya began to defend herself but was quickly stopped. “Get over yourself!” She commanded. “If that's really what the problem is you truly are a dumb bitch.”
	“Fuck you!” Hurled back Aiya.
	“Get the fuck over yourself.” She repeated “Ooh Letheron and I kissed, I like him and he likes me this is so weird wah wah wah.” Mocked the drow with exaggerated expressions.
	“It's not that simple, Reminilen.” Aiya spat.
	“Yes, dear, it is.” Debrajien added exasperatedly. She pinched the bridge of her nose with her thumb and index finger. “If you like him it is that simple. Goddes knows he likes you. He wont shut up about you.”
	“Really?” A smile started to show on her face.
	“Yes!” She blurted. “ Take it from me sweety.” The drow stepped close to Aiya. With a pleased smile she continued. “As one female to another. Don't give a damn about what others think. Take what you want, and be happy. Anything more is unnecessary and pointless. If not, the only one getting in your way is you.”

	Debrajien turned and left, leaving Aiya to mill over her lecture. Aiya smiled. Somehow she felt better about herself. The feelings she had in her heart weren't that confusing anymore. She cared deeply for Eihger, and always had. Her own perception is what prevented her from actualizing it. The drow had a point, she was getting in her own way of happiness.
	She felt, liberated now. She needed to find Eihger and apologize. Her thoughts turned to how he must have felt when she rejected him. The turmoil it must have caused him. All because she was complicated something for no reason. Before the drow left Aiya called out to her.
	“Reminilen!” She called, The drow stopped. “Tell Eihger I would like to talk to him. Oh, and Remmy.” The drow recoiled at her new pet name. “Thanks.”

	She never could understand why others made their personal lives so complicated. For the Drow passion was so simple. Bizarre, but in their purest forms. If they liked the other person they pursued them. No other question was needed. At least that's what she could remember from the short time of her life living underground.
	The fact was, she didn't know, she only inferred on how to be herself. She had made up an idealized vision of what her people were like. When she would return to her clan she would be strong, and she would get answers. Until then one last fight needed to end. She crept up on Eihger as he moped in his bed.
	“I talked to your little friend.” She groaned apologetically. “She says she's sorry for being a dumb bitch and wants to talk.” She smiled mockingly. Eihger snapped at her for insulting Aiya.
	“I didn't ask you to do that.” Eihger questioned expecting mischief.
	“No, but you were getting so annoying with your melancholy. I missed us fighting like the good ole days.” She climbed into her bunk weightlessly, not even stirring the frame before a genuine smile could betray her. “Now we're even.”
	“That is unusually kind of you.” Posed the asmar, still dubious. “Whats your angle?”
	“No angle, just stop whining. You'll bring the rest of us down with you.”
	“Thank you.” Eihger muttered sincerely.

	Debrajien covered her face and allowed herself a warm smile. It felt nice to help, she didn't know why. It was so unusual for her kind to care about such things. Normally they derived more enjoyment from plotting and backstabbing. Yet she was able to sleep so soundly knowing she helped her hated rival. She rationalized it as she would soon be able to spite him and it would be all the sweeter.

	In the late hours of the night, footsteps rustled to the sound of glittering metal. Debrajien felt a harsh poke at her side that violently awoke her. She looked at the helmet clad instructor with her blurred and spotty vision. He ordered her to follow him. Hastily she threw her clothed on.
	He was led to a long stone bench and instructed to wait. The armor clad man entered the room and quickly exited Telling Reminilen to enter. She did, with her rigid and poised body. With martial pride she entered the chamber and gave her greeting to the School Master.
	“Recruit reporting to the Master!” She barked.
	“Please take a seat Reminilen.” He gestured kindly. “You are not in trouble, I would like to say right away.” Rurgen spoke. She sat on a chair opposite his desk. She sat straight up, hands flat on her thighs. “No please, be at ease.”

	There was a slow deflation of her posture as she relaxed. Her mind still foggy from being wakened suddenly. She wondered why she would have been summoned if she had not been caught of anything she did wrong. The tall drow with his long flat white hair calmly walked around the desk to sit on it before Debrajien. He smiled.
	“Something about being out at night is relaxing, isn't it, Reminilen?” He posed. “The stillness of  the air. Eyes relaxed, able to see without the pain of so much light.” He leaned towards her with a curious smile. “Reminds me of being back home in the deep, doesn't it?” His gazed fixed on her eyes.
	“Respectfully, Master Lex, You didn't wake me to reminisce?” The young drow asked cautiously.
	“No no, of course not. Word has reached me that you caused a bit of trouble for two of my students.” He continued to smile. Debrajien felt uneasiness build in her. “Masterfully done, I must add.” He stood to look out the window overlooking his domain. “What do you feel for Letheron?”
	“Contempt, Master Lex.” Responded the reluctant drow.
	“And Reats?” He posed.
	“Respectfully, Master Lex, what does this have to do with anything?”
	“Ah that defiance.” He smiled. Then he continued and ignored her question. “There are very few of our kind in this fortress. One could forget who they are in here. It's important we don't. After all what is one without heritage?”
	“Nothing Master Lex.” Answered Reminilen.
	“Exactly. Everyone here brings their culture and their ways, it strengthens this school. Why not find pride in who you are.” He turned to her with his hawkish gaze. “What you are.” He emphasized. “Would you agree?”
	“Yes Master Lex.” A smile was repressed on her face.

	She began to feel a sense of pride build in her again.. Pride in who she was and what she was. She had worried it had faded from her, never being around others of her kind  Advice she gave to Aiya was ignored by herself. She was beginning to care what others thought of her. Thats why she allowed herself to be so wounded.
	It wasn't the elf's words, she rationalized. Her losing that sense of authority and character was what was making her soft. Those feelings of empathy were conflicting in her nature. She was a Drow, a devious creature in the dark. A mythical elven monster that prayed on the weak. One that lesser races feared. Listening to Rurgen speak reminded her. She grew a devious smile on her face, Rurgen  reflected it back.
	“I would like for you to keep pushing the two away.” Rurgen added bluntly.
	“Whats in it for me? Master Lex.” She tilted her head to the side arrogantly.
	“Good.” He purred, pleased with her behavior. “I can introduce you to something far greater than yourself.” He poised.
	“Not interested.... Master Lex.” She spoke with her usual indifferent tone, slowly forgetting her place.
	“You know, your mother was defiant like you. Your father as well.” He sat back on the desk, folding his hands together.

	Debrajien's ears bounced at the mention of her mother. She tried to hide the look of excitement on her face but she was caught. Rurgen knew from that moment he had won. She showed weakness and he would now exploit it.
	“What do you know about her? Master Lex.” She asked with a careful slowness.
	“Why I trained her, personally, some two hundred years ago. I know a great deal about her, and you remind me so much of dear Qaulithera.” He raised an eyebrow. “I'm sure you have questions.” Debrajien nodded to his comment with wide eyes. “Help me, and I help you.”

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	The Adventurer’s Guild was the first idea for them to return to. If there was to be a large number of sell-sword hopefuls, it would be there. They believed that they would be cleared of any wrong doing by the haughty Kren back in Daersin. They were wrong.
	Not only was their membership suspended, but upon more fabricated claims by Kren they were entirely expelled. He had made up lies about them, saying they were stealing and forging false completion papers. Needless to say the two did not leave quietly.
	However, upon returning to the capitol the Marshal, true to his word, paid them handsomely. A large sum, far more than their payment from the holy knights, whom refused payment. Four golden Scellins. More money than they had ever had before. More of a nudge to form the warband than for them to celebrate.
	Though Celebrations were in order. Eihger and Aiya took the liberty of gracing many taverns with their presence, attempting to drink many out of the establishments. In their minds they won, but in reality the two bumbled around the town in a drunken stupor a few nights. Aiya took graciously to drink for a while.
	The Marshal gave a stern deadline for them. The army marched in three months. Out of work, out of luck, but not out of money, they began trolling through rough alleys, taverns and town squares looking for volunteers for their band.
	“Your take of the loot and adventure!” Aiya advertised with a joyfully deceptive smile.

	The idea was to gather a group and train them decently enough to survive a few skirmishes before becoming dependable in a full scale battle of thousands. They managed to wrangle a good dozen to their cause. They met outside the walls to practice with weaponry and drill.
	In their full armor they pressed what they had learned into the aspirants as if they were the faceless instructors of Helkesen-Gai. Aiya circled their little line like a hungry hawk waiting to strike.
	“Knees bent! Stop locking your arms!” She shouted as she corrected their bodies with a stick. “Lets go over the form again.” She dropped to a proper stance with her stick. “ Remember, thrust, retract, thrust, parry. Begin!”

	The group of farmers and brigands  began with poor coordination. Not striking at the same time, some dropped their guard. Aiya grumbled and quickly understood why the instructors were so keen to yelling right away. She joined their ad hoc formation to demonstrate once more.
	Eihger returned with five more people, all carrying large wooden boxes, or a bundle of wrapped poles. He placed them on the ground. Training weapons were inside. Crude wooden swords and staffs. There were two blunted metal ones. He picked those out and tossed them to the wayside. They clanged together loudly. Aiya froze and shot her stare towards it.
	“It wasn't easy getting these and we have to return them, but at least they'll have better equipment than branches.” He said with a laugh.
	“You mean we aren't going to war with just hopes and dreams?” She responded to Eihger after she barked at the men to continue. They shared a cute chuckle. Eihger tossed her a staff, which she dutifully caught.
	“Should we show them how its done?” Spoke the asmar as he grabbed a staff himself.
	“Bring it, I'll knock you on your ass.” Boasted the proud elf with a cocksure grin.
	“Wouldn't that be something.” He goaded in responce

	The two of them made their way to the front of the group. Eihger explained to them 'This is how you fight'. They assumed their best stances. Eihger a low stance, and Aiya a high guard. They circled each other with strong focused gazes hidden behind their helmets.
	Aiya struck first with a high downward swing, which Eihger parries with a rough swipe away from him. Aiya followed through with bringing about the other end of the pole to Eihger's legs. He responded with a back end parry himself. Eihger lurched forward with power behind his legs to strengthen another blow.
	By now Aiya was extended out, and Eihger's pole pressed against his side. Both perfectly countering each other. Aiya advanced to bring about another swing. She was close enough that Eihger held out an arm and aggressively slammed it against her chest to throw her to the ground.
	 Their warband began tossing in curt cheers of support for one fighter or the other. She was pushed back, but held her stance, though noticeably jostled. Not content to lose the demonstration she took advantage of his exposed side, jutting the reserve end of the staff into his side.
	They continued and exchanged blows back and forth to the clacking sound of wood against their armor. Over and over they parries and counter attacked, a clear victor not emerging, for neither would back down when struck. A good spar.
	It was interrupted when a group of men approached from the city. The lead man was a tall blonde with fair features. Clad in a heavy set of matte plates with a gray-gold designs a thin hawk with its wings outstretched over his heart. It mimicked the build of Eihger and Aiya's, though he didn't wear arm guards or leg guards, only greaves.
	At his side was a longsword, and a large heater shield on his back. His brown pants underneath were thick and bloused over his greaves.  Another at his side wore the same style of armor, though in bare metal. Two more behind them looked like regular citizens.
	“As I live and breath!” The man spoke.

	Their fight ended abruptly at the familiar voice. Aiya lifted her visor at the stranger then here eyes widened, and a large cheek to cheek smile formed on her face and she pulled the helmet off. It thudded against the ground before Eihger. He turned to watch Aiya charge after the man.
	She threw out her arms and lept into the man, holding onto him tightly. She kissed him repeatedly on the cheeks kicking up her feet. Suprised, the man lifted her up shaking her as Eihger walked towards him with a pleased grin on his face.
	“Ohsman!” Aiya proclaimed. “By the gods its good to see you again!” Eventually she dropped and attempted to regain her composure. Their trainees were a bit taken aback by her behavior.

	Eihger, however had a strong stride to his estranged friend. He held out a hand for him to grab. They joined at the wrist and pulled each other close and wrapped an arm around each others back. A warrior's embrace. With a wide smile of his own he looked over his old friend with nostalgia. Their calm greeting suddenly broken with an enthusiastic shout.
	“How the fuck have you been?” Eihger beamed with joy.
	“Been around. I heard a rumor that an Asmar and an Elf were hiring mercenaries. I just had to see for myself, and here you two are!” Returned Gord with equal exuberance. “I can't believe it, how long has it been?”
	“Two years.” Eihger answered.

	They conversed for a while, sharing stories of adventure and lack of adventure. All of them pleased to be reunited. He introduced another person from Helkesen-Gai, though they weren't familiar with him. He was from a different battalion. Gord just happened upon him in his travels and they had been companions ever since.
	Average in features with short brown hair, in the exact same style as Eihger and Gord. He introduced himself as Faren Kress. Capable in his own right, he just was not someone they had encountered all that much in training. Very serious and forward in his demeanor.
	 It was natural that they would join forces and share their knowledge with their recruits. Word spread quickly that four members of Helkesen-Gai were leading a warband. In a few days their numbers doubled and their work load of training and keeping order increased.
	It was a stressful endeavor, one they had not fully anticipated.  Aiya kept Eihger's spirits up. Always smiling in the way that she did. She would tilt her head back, making her ears appear lower. Closed eyed and adorable. Eihger's typical response was to grace her with a quick peck on the lips. There were some that found their obvious displays of affection as annoying, or distasteful.
	A month had passed, and contention began to build in the ranks. Eihger called together the group of unit leaders and the veterans of Helkesen-Gai to discuss matters. They sat on wooden stools in a circle in their little camp they had created. Aiya at Eihger's right, Gord to his left.
	They spoke about training progress and direction. There was something poetic about them finally falling into this position after so many years of being the student. Like children forming a club, none of them truly knew what they were doing, yet they tried.
	“I'm not pleased with how we have things organized.” One of the sergeants said. A gruff old farmer himself. “We train, and wait.”
	“That's how things are going to be. That is life at war.” Eihger responded.
	“We aren't at war we're sitting around swinging sticks. Mind you effective stick swinging.” The old man complained. “And I, personally don't like taking orders from a young pup like you.” A comment directed towards Eihger
	“What are you trying to say?” Aiya asked in defense of her partner.
	“Well he's a damn dekua, for starters.” He said, a few others agreed with him. Eihger did his best to retain a calm and assertive gaze. Aiya on the other hand, was not so forgiving.
	“You are free to leave!” She spat angrily. Gord  agreed, though less angrily.
	“Thats another point, why is a woman second in command?” Another sergeant pointed out.
	“We don't even have weapons or armor!” Another added.

	They continued to go back and forth on many topics, such as payment, food, and back to leadership. They were very displeased with Aiya being so high ranked. She defended herself but with met with indifference or condemnation. The sergeants did not want her. The only ones out spoken for her were Gord and Eihger.
	Faren was very quiet as they bickered. Gord, Aiya, and Eihger did all they could to stem the growing dissent. Yet he seemed very pleased to sit back and watch things unfold. It wasn't until the arguing meet to a fever pitch did he inject.
	“We'll put it to a vote.” Faren finally spoke. Appeasing the group. “I nominate myself as second.” He gathered a surprised look from the three friends.
	“We're not voting.” Injected Eihger
	  “So all in favor of Reats as the second?”

	Eihger and Aiya's hands went up anyway. No one else stirred. Gord looked at them with a reluctant expression. He loved them dearly. He grew up with them, and struggled with them. Yet he was a practical man. He saw the group falling apart for such a trivial position in his mind. He abstained from his selection of Aiya.
	“All in favor of myself?” The remaining hands raised. Gord slowly raised his hand, met with vile scorn from Eihger and Aiya. Pleased, Kren lowered his had. “Then its settled, I will act as second in command to Letheron.”

	Aiya grumbled in disbelief. She felt utterly betrayed by her close friend. Eihger held his arm across her chest in an attempt to reign her in. She curled her lip in anger. A part of Eihger wanted to unleash her, watching her fight for. He remembered Theodrik's words about their arrogance. So he attempted to quell this issue another way.
	“I'm sorry Reats. You're a capable fighter, but clearly you can see the men have issues.” He spoke with regret deeply seeded in his voice. “We have to be pragmatic. Faren is just as capable.”
	“No offense.” A sergeant added. “You are strong, but, a battlefield is not a place for a lovely lady like you. You should be home, mothering children for your man.”
	“Well, I can't do that!” Admitted Aiya.

	Eihger let go of Aiya. She stood before the group, wrath in her eyes. In her anger she revealed a secret known only to Eihger. Due to the condition of her breed she was incapable of motherhood. He wasn't quite aware how much she concerned herself with it. She would never bring up the subject in conversation.
	Now before them all she stood bare, and her companion could see it plainly. It cut deep at her. Such a simple ability that all women were capable of she wasn't. She felt lesser because of it. That the identity she thought she was meant to have would be forever denied. So she fought on determined to not lose her place. It was all she had as a person, to fight.
	To her being seen as Eihger's equal was all that mattered. She was willing to fight for it, she was ready to kill for it. While she was content to scream her anger away, Faren made an unapologetic comment.
	“So you can't even get that right?” The engaged Aiya stormed over to Faren and brutally slugged him in the smug face. He spat a bit of blood, returning a strike. The group jumped to their feet instantly.

	Before it could escalate, she was retained by Eihger, and Gord held off Faren. She kicked and screamed like a wild animal being restrained. Faren Insulted her in response to his injury. He was content to antagonize the poor elf.
	“I will fucking kill you!” Aiya screamed. Eihger gripped her from heind, holding her at the waist retraining her. He spoke in soft eleven words in the hopes of soothing her.
	“Its a duel then.” Agreed Faren.

	Rage consumed her. She was so on edge recently. Little things were setting her off, and it was difficult for Eihger to protect her from herself to say the least. She hastily agreed to the duel. Stating the winner took second in the band. Faren agreed but with one stipulation.
	“No mercy. We fight to the death, just as you wanted.”
	“Then you fucking die today!” She spat with a vicious bloodthirsty smile.

	Eihger protested but she had made up her mind. They took to a small training ring prepared for duels and sparing matches for the recruits. Aiya rolled her shoulders preparing herself for the fight. She didn't allow fear or concern to enter her mind. Only anger clouded her judgment.
	She was held off in the corner by Eihger who continued to talk her down. Not trying to deter her from the fight. He needed to relax her mind so she could focus on more than being angry.
	“I'll be fine.” She grunted.
	“No you won't. You're pissed he's calm. He has the advantage” He said. “Go go in there like this, he's going to murder you.”
	“I know what I am doing.” She stopped and took a deep breath. “He can't take a punch worth shit.” She was partially listening to her friend.
	“Listen to me!” Snarled Eihger. He began speaking Kosveken The language she enjoyed spouting her anger in. He grabbed her back plate and yanked her closer to him. “Take a moment to calm. Look at that heater” Smiled Eihger. “You know exactly how he's going to fight.”Encouraged Eihger.
	“Yeah.” Agreed Aiya with fervor.
	“You know the weaknesses.” Aiya responded again with more zeal. “You can fuck him up bad. How you going to do it?” He posed sneeringly.
	“Use a reverse low guard. Swipe at his legs, make him defensive. Then attack high.” She responded with a shake in her voice. She was started to realize what she had gotten herself into. “I got this, I got this.” She repeated to herself.
	“No mercy, no quarter. I love you.” He slapped her back encouragingly, pulled her helmet over her head and tapped it. “I believe in you.”

	The clamor of spectators grew, not just from the recruit, but other passerby on the road, and merchants from the city. Aiya suddenly felt small. Her armor didn't feel to fit right. Her bun was too big and pushed on her helmet uncomfortably. She walked towards Faren in her guard, ready to strike.
	Faren held his sword over his head and his shield up to the side of his face. He was calm, and reserved. He held his stance perfectly. He moved forward with little weight on his legs, and a slight bend to keep himself from losing his form.
	They stared at each other through their vision slits. Aiya could hear her heavy breath drown everything else out. She was nervous now. Her anger slowly subsiding. Fraen wasn't much larger than her, roughly the size of Eihger. The elf knew she had to be nimble. Faren wouldn't wear out as easily as the untrained Kharothi, or the hulking Kren.
	Faren readied a strike. A high hammer stab towards Aiya. She lurched backwards to evade, countered with her low swipe for his legs. Faren dropped his heater to block. Aiya stabbed with the reverse only to be struck with Farens fist.
	She ducked under his next swing pushing back to gain range, adopting a mid guard with her point leveled at him. She thrust a couple times as a feign. Faren ignored them. Instead he pushed her blade away with his shield and lunged with a couple of swings and stabs.
	Attentively, Aiya managed to avoid them. Her natural reflexes working to her advantage. It was something peculiar. In the heat of a fight she felt as if time slowed, and she was able to move more freely and react. Though her body could only move so fast.
	There was a small opening, she stabbed with her leaf blade and impacted soundly on his breastplate with a loud 'pok' The crowd cheered. Pressed out of the way with a strike from the heater, Faren changed his stance.
	His shield was in front of him raised high and his sword held overhand, palm up, and pointed straight at Aiya. She held her weapon upright and back for a high strike. It landed square on the heater, to which she strafed towards his left out of the way of his stab.
	As she retracted for another low thrust with the reverse of her weapon Faren quickly grappled her blade, wresting it from her grip. She let go, opting to draw her longsword. Faren immediately advanced towards her as she was vulnerable.
	Several harsh stabs and strikes in order to push her off her footing. She managed to avoid a few, several, however made very accurate connections. She had no offhand, only her blade. As Faren continued to press she deflected many of his strikes. She gripped her blade swinging it harshly to invert it catching Faren in the neck with her crossguard. Pressing on, the cross guard was hooked behind his head and she pulled him forward.
	He fell to the ground, dazed and disoriented. He rolled and parried a few attacks while prone. Aiya still stabbed at him with the blade in her hands. She caught him again in the breastplate denting it violently.
	Faren was becoming nervous as she gained an advantage. However, she was getting sloppy, letting anger flood her mind again. There was an opening. She hefted her sword to a high guard for a finishing strike. In her hubris Faren plunged his blade into her thigh, just under the fauld of her waist.
	She stumbled and he rose to his feet landing strike after strike on her. Punching her face with his crossroad until the visor popped from its rivet. Eihger clenched his teeth and reached for his sword. Though Aiya recovered when he swung for her face. She went low, and tackled him. In reciprocation she threw her pommel into his face over and over. His fist flew to her gut. His blade able to cut into the pit of her arm.
	They broke apart and Faren discarded his helmet. Aiya was limping and bleeding. He only needed to draw out the fight and she would be finished. He readopted his high stance and shuffled away from Aiya. He  covered where where polearm was, preventing her from recovering it.
	Her vision blurred and her armor felt heavy. She favored her right side and couldn't concentrate. She stabbed wildly with her sword hoping to distract him. He relented and pushed back from his position hoping to draw out the fight. Aiya was over her weapon. She needed it back. As a last ditch effort to save her life, she threw her sword at Faren.
	As he deflected the makeshift javelin Aiya rolled to the ground grabbing her weapon. As Faren lunged with his blade she turned quickly, bringing the spike of her weapon deep into his chest. Faren froze, and Aiya felt a sharp pain in her gut as well. Faren collapsed in pain, and Aiya rolled him off of her. Pulling his sword from her gut.
	Cheers erupted and Eihger couldn't take it anymore, he hopped the wooden fence and rushed for his friend. She stood, pressed her hand to her gut firmly. She let out a bloodcurdling howl and fell over. Eihger hastily tore her armor off, undoing straps and bindings with slapdash. He looked at her and pressed his hand to her neck.
	She was still alive, unconscious but alive. He sloshed away the blood on her abdomen to see she had no wound. The relief was bitter sweet. Her eyes fluttered open and she tried to meet him with a pained smile.
	Gord had likewise tended to Faren who needed help immediately. The elf demanded she be taken to her feet. With an arm over Eihger's neck she limped towards Faren. Aiya fell to her knees and held her hands against his wound.
	“Listen to me you shit.” She whispered in his ear. “I am your god now.” With the last bit of her energy she healed him and fell unconscious.

	The fight was settled, but the dispute was not. There were still many who did not accept Aiya as the second. No manner of fighting bullheadedly was going to change this. The elf laid infirm for a few days. Eihger at her side. While he was gone Gord was left in charge. Ohsman understood why, and didn't question it.
	When Aiya awoke she found herself in the horribly small room they were renting. She had bandages over her arm and leg. She reached for them and was met with sharp pain, as well as Eihger holding her down.
	“Took you long enough.” He teased. It was pleasing for her to hear him so cheerful. “Unfortunately they counted it as a draw. But Faren said he'll respect your claim.”
	“Fuck him in his perfectly formed jaw.” She whined. “What happens now?” She spoke in a soft high pitch.
	“Well, in a few days We go before the Marshal and try to join. Try not to fix your wounds. I don't know how you survived. Don't ever do that again.”
	“Yes papa...” She groaned sarcastically.

	Eihger smiled and leaned in to kiss his companion. He rested his forehead on hers and began muttering kind welcoming words to her in Orlysian. She uttered back a response. She was so scared in the fight but when she looked into his vivid green eyes; somehow she knew she would be alright.


	The time had come. Three months of hastily training farmers, beggars, bandits and criminals into a decent fighting force ready to join the war. They mustered outside the Marshal's Hall. Eihger's band mingled with the soldiery. Theodrik greeted them.
	He wasn't wearing his gleaming plate. He wore, instead, a scratched and well fought in suit. Matte steel with a bit of rusting, this plate was meant for fighting, and he looked as if he had just come from one. Eihger and his leaders were invited into the hall.
	They were brought to a large room with several candle chandeliers dotting the roof and open windows to draw in light. Suits of armor and weapons were on display around the walls. At the center of the room was a long wooden table where they were to take their seats. At the head of the room was a large ornate throne. The Marshal took a seat at the head of the table that sat beside the throne itself.
	Then another figure entered the hall. All stood before the man. Eihger and the other members of Helkesen-Gai did not stand until they understood the king was in attendance. Even even then there was a begrudging laziness to it.
	Hessen and his knights were present. They stood to the side, away from the table, however they were there to pass judgment on the mercenary bands to be reviewed for the king. There were a couple other bands aside from Eihger's A cavalry band, and one of crossbowmen. The Marshal and the king went over the strength and value of the units, as well as the price. The Marshal would pass his judgment and then Hessen. The king would agree.
	When it came time for Eihger to present his band for review there was a sense of pride amongst his followers. Despite their contention of leadership, they set those aside for this moment. Theodrik looked over the docket.
	“The Wolf raiders?” Theodrik mused at the name. Gord Said it was his idea. “Very well. Fifty men in total, no doubt well trained by your Lieutenants. Its a bit small, but we could use you for your namesake, raiding grain stores and the like.” He looked over the few sitting at the far end of the table. He smiled. “Well I have no grievances with this lot. I have fought with their leaders, and find them worthy. Sir Thomas would you agree?”

	Hessen stepped forward. There was a vindictive stare in his eyes, as he locked them with Eihger. The young man wondered what Hessen's angle was. At any moment he could lay claim to his suspicion, but he had no evidence, only hearsay. He clenched his fist in anticipation.
	“The boy himself is hasty, even disrespectful. I saw him myself disobey direct orders from the Marshal himself.” Boasted the smug knight with pride. “Then there is the matter of his harlot.” Theodrik grimaced at Hessen's charged words. “The only reason she was at that battlefield was because she bewitched my mind with her womanly wiles.” He shook his head arrogantly. “I must admit, in my weakness I succumbed, but I have prayed and received Kalharen's forgiveness for my trespass.”
	“Lies!” Spat Aiya. “I never touched you!” She rose from her chair.
	“Is that so?” He grinned. “I still remember the tenderness of your lips. It plagues me to this day, but with our god's strength I will not falter again, witch.”
	“Aiya, please tell me.” Eihger whispered into her ear. “Did you”
	“I may have kissed him, but I didn't do anything.”
	“The Cantor himself says you solicited him to extra marital congress in exchange for your service in his hall.”
	“Damned lies!” She pleaded
	“Think, your majesty,” He addressed to the king. “Why would a Cantor of a knightly order need a bodyguard when he has knights? She weaved her deceit to such a position. She is not a warrior, she is a slut unworthy of your service. Along with the rest of these dogs.”

	The king leaned forward at these egregious claims. He called the Marshal to his side to talk quietly. Theodrik defended Aiya, speaking of her prowess that he saw first hand. He defended Eihger against his disobedient outbursts saying that he acted in the interests of the king.
	When Hessen overheard, and saw the king begin to agree with the Marshal he quickly added
	“Let us no forget the mysterious relationship the boy had with the translator. How much is he paying you?”
	“Bullshit!” Eihger shot from his seat. “He signaled you for the attack. I saw it with my own eyes.” Eihger finally admitted.
	“Any proof of this?” He waited a moment . “No? I thought as much. Wild claims for one in his position.”
	“All our conversations hinged on you wanting to battle. King of Varvistahd, and Marshal Theodrik, this man has betrayed you.”

	There was a great feeling of unease washing over the room. Gord and Faren watched as the group fought over claims of betrayal. They were concerned what they were getting themselves into was far more than they anticipated. So they spoke behind Eihger and Aiya's backs.
	“If you chose to fight with them then you turn yourself from our patron god, and fight without our order.” Threatened the knight in an effort to solidify his position.

	The King milled over this thoughts for a moment. Every second that passed Eihger and Aiya felt daggers in their backs. Already there was a fight for leadership at the top. Anything more and there would be even further breakdown. The Marshal attempted to defend the group on last time. The king held up a hand and silenced the man.
	“Even if these accusations are not true, I do not need these kinds of rumors filling our enemies minds.” He spoke. “The band is too small, and its leaders perverse and untrustworthy. These are the kind of rumors that will cause our enemy to grow bold and the Empire to seek its claim to these lands.” He sat back in the chair. “I have made my judgment.”
	“Will you accept the band without these two, my lord?” Gord added boldly.
	“I will consider it. Meet with me again tomorrow. Till then we are done here.”

	Betrayal, crushing and debilitating betrayal. He could understand from Faren, but Gord Oshman. Their friend for the longest six years of their life. For him to up and run away with the warband Eihger and Aiya built was unthinkable. Who was he to just usurp command and to turn on his closest friends the moment adversity showed its ugly head?
	All filed out of the room. Theodrik expressed his condolences. He fought for Eihger and Aiya, he truly did. Hessen's position afforded him so much leverage over the king. Hessen was a warrior of their god, Theodrik was but a soldier. There was little he could do.
	Outside Gord and the others were waiting. Gord tried to not look the two in the eye. He felt he understood fully what he had done. Aiya snarled at him. Eihger refused to speak.
	“I'm sorry, but we worked too hard to let this go. This is our chance and I know you understand. “ They continued their silence. Gord pressed nervously. “Its the most pragmatic answer to this. When the king clears you of any wrong doing you can join us.”
	“Oshman.” Aiya hummed peacefully. She hugged her friend. “I will love you as family. I will remember you well.” She rested her head against his. With soft pursed lips she whispered in his ear. “But if I ever see you again, I will murder you with a god damned smile on my face.” She kissed him tenderly on the lips and moved away.

	No more needed to be said. She shook her head and turned. The two of them stood alone in a crowd as it shuffled away from the hall. Aiya was tense. Clenching her fists as she listened to the sloshing of chain and the heavy patter of boot steps.
	It wasn't the events that caused her so much discomfort. She couldn't pinpoint what it was that was causing her such undo duress. Eihger noticed this and reached for her hand. She griped his tightly and rested against him. They remained even long after all had left.
	“Well...” Droned the defeated man. “That could have gone better.” He chuckled.
	“You're wasting your time with me.” Aiya began with a heavy heart.
	“What?” Eihger scrunched his face in contempt at her words.
	“You don't have a future with me. I'm not the warrior you need me to be, and I can't give you children.” She looked away. “What am I? I'm holding you back.” She shrugged. Her tone entirely flat. “Its only pragmatic.”

	The distress she was feeling cut deep into Eihger. There were wounds she received that he foolishly hadn't noticed. Far from his mind was how the battle might have affected her. He cursed himself silently for being so blind.
	Eihger turned and embraced his friend. His arms wrapped tightly round her. Her arms were limp at her side. Aiya did all she could to stifle the swelling in her throat. His hand placed against the back of her head cradling her into his shoulder.
	“I don't care about that, Aiya.”  He hummed silently. “I want you. If being a great warrior means I have to leave you, I don't want it.”Eihger kissed her head, comforting her. “Where we go, we go together, and if that means we won't have children, I call it a fair trade.” He smiled.

	Aiya relaxed at his words. Her arms reached up to embrace her companion. She fought her tears. No matter how sad she was, she tried to remain strong. Her teachings serving her well, remaining stoic when she was hurt. Though with Eihger such tensions felt unnecessary.
	She allowed her moment of sadness to pass through her. In his arms she felt safe and loved. There was much she needed to confide into him. Now, more than ever, they had time. Time to pick up the pieces and move on. She leaned away to look into his calming green eyes and smiled.
	“Well, I'm in need to fuck, and drink this entire town away.” She laughed, forcing herself to move from sadness.
	“It'll be easy since They never got the gold from us.” Eihger raised his eyebrows coyly.
	“Really?” Gasped  Aiya. “You cheeky fuck.” The elfess smiled viciously, thinking at their new rival's lament

	They departed the keep with a new kick in their step. Their moment of defeat was over, and a new adventure was sure to begin. Afterall, they thought, there was always another battlefield somewhere. They just needed to find it.