Silver Leaf Chronicles: War Beckons

[Noxious]

She kept her arm locked with Iano’s as he led her towards their house. Her feet seemed barely to touch on the ground as she walked, elated and pensive all at the same time and barely able to keep from a flighty run. Iano could feel the tug on his arm as she tried to lead him quickly, though without any hint at where they were headed she was restricted in her leading position. As they finally walked through the threshold of the home she released his arm to allow him to get his belongings. She took this time to busy herself glancing about the place. She picked up a few trinkets idly, not really looking at them, just busying her hands that seemed almost to quiver with the excitement of what to come. Twice she let her eyes roll towards Iano, beckoning him with a blood greedy smile to hurry his departure. She thought not of sleep or any preparations beyond the mental thrumming that was readying her for their trip. She was well rested, her lean body was already coiling itself with longing, her bow fingers tensing and then relaxing in a sort of catlike preparation for use of those spidery claws.

The joy on Iano’s face was mirrored by her own, her eyes searching his as a coy smile began to creep over those hungry lips. As soon as the words fell from him, ”to war,” her shoulders fell back and she flicked the door open quickly and was gone. She was running back towards the bastion; her foot falls were perfectly placed, quick and light. She took a moment to glance behind her and see that Iano, who must have been ill prepared for her bolt, was not yet in sight. It may seem like a game, and in truth it was, but it was a good way for her to stretch out her body, confirm to herself that her movements were still as agile as would be necessary in their coming battle. She didn’t slow as she raced towards a tree, feet seamless in their switch to the climb as she clawed and pushed quickly up the trunk until her arm lashed out and caught a branch to pull herself onto the higher branch, her movements would make even an Olympian drop their jaw in awe. As soon as she reached her selected destination her body stilled. She quickly drew upon serenity, calming her heart and her breathing until they seemed almost nonexistent and her body curled in towards the trunk of the tree. Her people were notorious for this ability, this chameleon trait that allowed her to slip into a sort of grey area in the black and white of human and nature separation. It was a thrilling sort of magic, one that linked the green of her tattoos in a small glow as she focused her mind into both a non-existence and a over indulgence of her existence, a oneness with her surroundings that pulled them into her and stretched her out, a state of mind and magic that had been cultivated and bred into her people until it was as meditation would be to monks, an inevitable. She watched from there as Iano came into view; he wasn’t running full speed and seemed to expect her to attack, ah he knew her well, but even as his eyes searched around, joyous and weary, he grazed over her form without a second glance.

As soon as he passed beneath her she stayed near the trunk and edged to face his back before her fingers wrapped around the branch beneath her and she dropped her weight silently to the ground in a crouching position. Her mind slipped off the focus of her invisibility and if he had turned now he would have seen the little thing with her coy smile showing the slightly pointed teeth still present as she raced after him, this time keeping a beast like canter, her form low to the ground as her spine arched in what would seem an awkward manner for a human, but seemed fitting on the exceedingly tanned form of the wild’har. Her fingers dug into the ground and pushed her to a start, hind legs falling behind only for a moment before she was pushing herself into a bound that had her, once again, tackling the Iano to the ground. She stood in front of him, facial expression unchanging save for a wink she tossed him before bolting off once again.

She beat him to the courtyard, not slowing as she rounded the corner that sent her right heel, encased in the thick snakeskin, sliding across the ground and her left fingers barely slipping over the stone walkway to control the speedy turn that sent her heavy beating heart right into the courtyard. She came to a complete halt as the others came into view, standing up straight and trying to manage a much more composed expression than her exceedingly giddy self felt. Her hand slid across the light sheen that had developed on the back of her neck from the brief workout leading her here, dampness upon her skin coveted even as it brushed against the lengthy locks of her less than pristine hair. She began to saunter up to the group, hearing Iano close behind, the coyness fading from the still exuberant smile as she fell into line with the group and Iano was soon coming to stand at her side. She nudged him playfully in the arm, though he was distracted by the woman standing in the leadership position near them. The woman leader seemed momentarily distracted with Iano as well and Lin habitually, with a forced noncompetitive and respectful lowering of her lashes, took the woman in.

She was unaware of the sword’s meaning and didn’t seem to focus in on it anymore than the rest of the woman’s features. Lin’s dark eyes moved from the woman’s head to her boots, her fingers continuing to flex by her side as she gauged the woman’s worth, even more critical considering it seemed this woman was to lead the rag tag group. Jadda Jadeborn she had said was her name and as she addressed them Lin attempted to pay attention, she at least knew when something important was being said and focused her overly strained attention box.

They would be fighting blackbloods, this was news. Not good, not bad, but news that she would have to mull over. She subconsciously toyed with the Orc tooth that hung from a band over her forehead, creating a crosshair when necessary that stayed with her. A personal kill, but not from a large group as this woman spoke of. Truthfully anyone not weary of an entire, albeit maybe mismanaged, band of Orcs was either an idiot or a God. Lin wavered towards both internalized self views, but really the fear won out enough to focus her thoughts. Orcs fueled the nightmares of misbehaving children that were threatened with truths of them eating the flesh of the defeated young; the adults that told these stories eyes would glaze with a shadowed fear if they had ever had contact with Orc’s themselves. Lin still remembered the first time she saw one up close and it made her lip curl in disgusted. If her people were the beauty and refinement of what beast bonding could bring to a race, lean, agile and quick; well then the Orc was the opposite end of the spectrum. Slower but more vicious than any other race she had come across. Once they had a hold of you, there was little point to do anything but pray. She could still remember the proximity and the smell of the thing as it bore down on her, wounded with multiple arrow flights and fighting savage and vicious as a cornered Devrik until finally blood spilled from its neck.

She mimicked the movements of a few others and glanced around at her group. It had been a long time since she had fought beside a larger number of people and the thought of it was something she felt unsure of, she wasn’t displeased with those around her, but she knew appearances were deceiving. Her expression was wavering between serious contemplation and the remaining excitement and promise of bloodletting, a pensive crook to her eyebrows accompanied by a mischievous smile still etched into those caramel lips. The smile became more prominent as it seemed she settled on a firm truth, this group was as good as any to die next to. She lacked any beliefs that her death would be in vain, or any belief that a death could be in vain, and she held comfort in this even as she knew they would not all return. Her eyes caught a few of the others; Dra’Lix- whose expression seemed to hold more of her pensive thoughts and very little of her excitement was offered a quick wink from those dark eyes that seemed to tug in light and sparkle with the thrill that pulsed through her, the rest were skimmed over rather quickly in favor of the tugging presence Linwe felt as Daisy approached her.

The woman, Lin’s new found muse, was greeted with the batting dark lashes over those eyes. Her previous expression once again slipped into something else- an added note of intrigue, of awe that had that mischievous smile parting to give way to an almost pleading look of honor and kinship. The expression remained as Daisy’s fingers, gentle yet coaxing, graced her lifeblood and name to the dark little hunter. Lin’s eyes focused hard on Daisy’s, shadowy and full of a longing for something wicked, blood, chaos, yet they paused in their fury as they stared into the warriors, calming into a connection of understanding. As Daisy spoke to the Wild’Har Lin found that she was not required to catch every word to feel the meaning of the process. She bowed her head to the woman so that her eyes fell to Daisy’s feet for a moment, a show of trust that transcended language when a hunter gave a blind opportunity for attack. Her own fingers, thin and tipped with the thick nails that came to points as sharp claws, already tainted with chunks of ground that she had acquired during her run, dragged two of the points across her own neck and she repeated the process, standing almost on tip toes to press streaks of blood and dirt upon the warrior.

”Lin”, her hand balled into a fist that came to rest over her heart as she bowed her knees just barely and canted that head to expose her neck, deep oak skin laced with a trickling red, in another silent communication of pack acquiescence. Her hand then snaked up slowly towards Daisy’s neck in attempt to rest her own on the woman’s self inflicted badge.

”It will bring honor to fight and die by your side Daisy. I could ask for no better companions to accompany me to death.” Her eyes flickered just briefly to Iano at the plural of companions and then came back to Daisy with the impish smile once again finding its way to those lips. She was aware of Daisy’s unhidden disdain for her wicked little Tindra, though she had little doubt that one could not prove their mettle to one such as Daisy. She let her hand drop to her side and continued to study Daisy’s face with an ill hidden awe and, after the slight fall in excitement at the mention of Orcs, the feeling seemed rejuvenated as she truly believed the words she had spoken to the human. When she had gone to seek fate, she truly had not expected to be going to battle with the eclectic war party she now was surrounded by.

[Hellis]

Iano was fast, but he wasnt quite as fast as his friend. She was naturally more athletic then the gold skinned corsair. That was not to say Iano could keep up. He was on her tail for good part of the race. Strong, graceful and every bit aware of his surroundings he moved past people and carts with ease, never once breaking his stride. Of course, depite his very . And that's when his friend pounced him. He cursed internally as she got the upper hand on him and sprinted of once more. That was a very Lin thing to do to be sure. But Iano wasn't going to stay idle. With little effort he flipped back up onto his feet and set off running after her again. Once they made it to the courtyard he slowed down and jogged into line.


----------------

The Measavir was magnificent. Jadda felt like she had found the missing piece she needed for her real squad. But she knew better then to take any of them lightly. The Tindra was a good example, the way his breath came out in small, controlled quips of air as if he was tasting it. She had seen dancers of his race do it as well. Provide your body with small bursts of oxygen to keep a light, eased state of mind. Focus only on one thing. The boy carried himself true to both his race and his mentor. She knew Iano had experience with orchs as well, she had been told as much. That was good as he could set an example for the others. But that was If their egos allowed them to learn from the smaller of the group. These people were all capable warriors, But wih skill came arrogance and pride. Her eyes looked into the Measavir that she had always wanted to meet one face to face. To Jadda, iy as like staring into the eyes of a beast. She could sense the sheer power of this female mammoth. Now that made her hopeful. Pure savage agressíon and hunting instinct with a inherited sense of confidence. What more did she need from a warrior? Well maybe a tactical and loyal mindset would have been nice.

But Jadda would not despense judgment just yet.. No she had a strange bunch under her command now and the first thing on her mind was to get them in line. The dark skinned woman straightened herself a bit extra as the last of the bunch oined, One her old tutor had not warned her about, the vagabond had entered the guild some time ago and hadn't said much about his past. But she knew of him trough the man that recommended him. He was some sort of tinkerer, highly intelligent and the dwarfs all seemed to enjoy discussing his new contraptions with him. No doubt, he was sent to join them so that the dwarves could have witnesses to his actual use. It was fine with Jadda, she would make sure the man earned his keep. And if he didn't, the man would find himself to be orch food.

…..

Iano was in a different mind state altogether now. He was almost bouncing on the ball of his feet from the anticipation. As the two huntresses shared exchanged he could only gin. He could feel the Measivirs eyes as the two swore to one another. She did not seem to approve all to uch of Iano. That was fine with him, people underestimaing him was common if not expeced by now. So he focused on the words of their esteemed captain. She had said Orchs. Black Bloods were nasty things, a group of species so while that no other race interacted with them. The Kerphuli was smaller then orchs, crooked and gray sin. Long ears and noses like that of goblin, but without the semblance of morality. They were the scoutys the archers and their cannon fodder. Then you had the Uruks or the Orchs. They were stronger then any man and vicious to a fault. Bloodthirsty, berserking monsters who never backed down. And then there were the Uruk-hai. Elite orch warriors, More intelligent, more composed. Wearing armor and better weapons while acting as the officers and herders of the overall horde.

Iano closed his eyes.

He breathed in,. The creature in his mind was a grey hulking humanoid covered in blood and scars. Wielding crude axes and swords.

He breathed out: Now he could see the pale skinned face and the broken teeth The Torn ears and a pair red eyes filled with fury. He breathed in. The biggest one of them, a huge uruk hair and wielding a giant axe. He could remeber sliding just barely underneath the swing.

Another breath: He had practically climbed its back while using the cleaver to hack it skull open. Blood was covering him as the creature went down. A giant smile on the Tindras lips and hiss and a pair of eyes vivid with life.

As he opened his eyes to reality again they had a seemingly different shine to them.


Jadda in the meanwhile got into another state of mind aswell. She could see some bondin already. Others were less impressed with one another If they were going to gget trough this they had to act like a cohesive unit. Thanfully, the stray cat of the group already offered herself up. And Jadda had to supress a smile, this provided a good opportunity.

“Your gift will come in handy later. The villagers are going to need a nudge to properly face the Orchs. As for when, the second you stood ibfront of me All of you belonged under my command. You, along with the Mage and the human will mae up the ones to adress the Militia commanders. You Will use your abilities to make sure they do not give us any trouble”

Her eyes rose to look at the massive healer.

“You. I know of neven and the gifts he bestow uon worshippers. We paid good money fro those gifts. Time to earn your krrp bih huy, You are oing to keep these people alive.”

“Iano. Your Mentor tells me you thought a Ruk-Hai one on one. How did you survive?”

Iano stared straight back at her, in a way that was most unsettling. Uruks wear plate, they are stong enough to move unhindered in it. It still makes them less likely to tun around in time. I simply beat him on his own terms. I got close.” The Tindra spoke, a grin on his lip that was illfitting of his kind. Almost twisted.

“Daisy, Maesevir are some of the fiercest warriors ever known and I can see that glean in your eye. Linwe, I will be counting on your keen eyes and your bow to slay any forward scouts on our journey. We do not want them to now we are coming. Both of you will be tracking down the Chieftain once we draw them out. Iano and I will be cutting a swathe trough the Orchs ranks once the battle comes, and you are going to use that in order ta him down.” Her vioce was clear and with authority that seemed nearly unchallenged in tone. Iano imply nodded.

[Hymusia]

The ball was rolling, or it seemed to be at the very least, while people were busy bonding and crap behind her them the woman in charge, Jadda her name was right? Was busy issuing orders. The half breed rat nodded lightly as she instructed the people in their mission, until it was made clear that her skills would be needed in a leadership role of sorts. Her previously languid eyes shot open and her jaw noticeably slacked. She was hoping to be out scouting, away from people, away from the group who were, in her opinion, as likely to kill her as any goblin or uruk out there. Furthermore she wasn't just in charge of kicking the militia into proper action but there were two others charged with the same fate, the Mandi-har she was attempting to get on with and the human that had only just joined them.

As Jadda moved on Mau took time to process the information, out of the group the three of them that had been chosen were probably the best suited to making people do what they wanted. She, well she knew her own talents, a mage always commanded respect (in her eyes) and the human...well she assumed he was something of note. Duo toned eyes turned to her would be 'squad' mates, the mage she'd seen plenty of, he looked strong and the fact that he wielded magic too was just...amazing really. Where as the human, he looked like he'd broken out of the place she'd spent a grand portion of her life, shabby, undeniably something attractive to human women no doubt, though his skills and talents alluded her.

Once Jadda seemed to seek confirmation of their understanding and acceptance of the orders she too gave a brief nod. She'd never really influenced a mass of people before but if nothing else she'd piss them off and lead them into battle by running into the front line of the enemy herself. Wouldn't be the first time she'd used that tactic, though usually that didn't work out well for either side and she was pretty sure the idea of the 'game' this time was as many survivors as possible. “Count on me Ma'am.” If only her tone sounded as confident as her posture looked.

However she gave no one any time to dwell on that and pirouetted, despite the stabbing pain, on the spot until she faced the way people had slipped out earlier. She waited to see if there was any more from Jadda before slipping into the hall and back out relatively quickly. In her hand she had a bright green apple, it looked pretty damn good in her mind, the tartness of green apples usually a little more pleasant for her than the damned sweetness of the red.

Swallowing her nerves she strolled right up to Daisy and her friend and waited for a lull in activity. When it came she cleared her throat and proffered the fruit to the behemoth woman. “I don't know what you were trying to tell me earlier but I know you were trying to cheer me up. So, thank you. Erm...I don't know if I'll get to understand you better as we work together but I hope so. You're kind of really amazing...So, er, this. It's a gift, to you, from me. To symbolise our friendship, from now on you're my family and I'll watch out for you on the battle field...or something.”

Mau was perhaps the most awkward person at making new friends, due to her severe lack of anything of the sort, she was friends with prisoners because, well they only had each other and she had been the only 'girl' there. She had gotten along with the Mandi slaves because again their chains united them. However since being out? She had contacts, her friendships were bought with cold hard cash and the coin was all that kept her and said individual linked in any such way. To genuinely try and make friends was, difficult, more so when it was with a woman who could crush her spine with a strong enough glare and who clearly had a very different culture to the only one Mau knew.

[inDefiance]

Wild blue eyes continued to stare right back, unblinking and mezmerized by the glistening feral pools of the huntress before her. Her tethered gaze traced the slow yet deliberate motions of the small wild-smelling thing; gasping as razor nails sliced flesh, sighing as slick crimson spilled and trickled down the lithe neck and pooled momentarily at her collarbone, clenching teeth as small dirty hands cupped gently the warm coppery smelling red, trembling as those small dirty hands then reached up to stain spilt life upon the she-beast's tattooed and pierced face.

Bushy lashes fluttered closed, capturing those wild blues; the whites of her eyes flashing briefly as those wild blues rolled upward as the warmth of the red was pressed upon her forehead. She who did not cry almost, almost let loose tears in the ecstasy of another hunter's knowingly reciprocated oath touched upon her.

This one knew the bound Darkness in Dayselay. She understood Daisy. There were no words. Not a single attempt to communicate with those fucking tricky sounds from a throat, tongue and mouth. Not a single fucking one. In that moment, in her breathing, expression, heartbeats, aura, scent and touch, the other spoke as a Maersevir to Daisy. Her jaw trembled as she leaned into that red touch. That warm red touch painting the pledge on Daisy's face was actually the half-breed's name etched upon Daisy's heart. Deeply did the she-beast inhale, marking the scent of this other's spilt life as the smaller huntress stated her name to Daisy.

“Lin.”

And the words, the oath, slipped from the smaller huntress' throat and slid into the ears of the larger huntress, weaving unbreakable strands between then. Daisy lowered her frame, hunkering down to meet Linwe's height as both tilted their chins up, exposing their tempting throats, pressing blood into blood at the warm wounds. Daisy sighed then gently, yet firmly she pulled at Lin's arms and spread them wide at shoulder height, fingertips pressing the only bodily contact between them. Eyes still closed Daisy inhaled deeply.

The smell of her breath. The scent around her leaf shaped ears. Nose nearly touching neck, she caught the scent of the sweat and dirt there. Along one muscular arm then the other from shoulder, armpit, bicep, elbow forearm, wrist and fingertips, Daisy took in the scent of the dirt and musky smell of Lin. Gliding around her taut body, driven by only her nose she took in the rest of Lin's scent. Heated cheeks and other parts, Daisy finally stood upright and bushy lashed lids allowed the wild blue eyes permission to take in the huntress before her. And so now, the wind would carry and bring Linwe's scent to Daisy, and Daisy would know that she was there, even blinded or in complete dark, Daisy would know Linwe was there. And so it was complete. The she-beast's heart beat with pride and relief. How long had it been? How long truly had it been since Dayselay had been like this:

Standing tall with a pack sister, ready for the hunt, ready to unleash the bitch and stab and stomp the living fuck out of what they were 'scented.' To run, to hunt, to kill, to die, to live for another in the name of blood red fury in those times of heightened sensory and amplified drive and know no matter what, that other had your back right till the end... A chill, a stampede of wild electric animals drove down her spine, tensing every muscle in her body.

Bring the Darkness then; Daisy was standing tall and standing proud as a sister Maersevir to another once more.

Fuck. Yeah.

Daisy then placed some of her upper teeth upon her lower lip just right and whistled her 'loud name' for Lin and repeated it once more. Two whistles. One low sharp one then another that started out mid range and lifted upward sharply. She whistled her loud name again and pounded at her chest. Then she motioned for Lin to sound out her own 'loud name' so that Daisy would be able to call her if and when the need arose during the hunt. A pleased smile held at her pierced lips as she waited for Lin's response.

Then she felt the smouldering gaze of another upon her. A sigh, then light whines and a series of disdainful whistles, breaths and clickings sounded out. One of the she-beast's giant paws wiped from her breast the smeared blood spilt and shared between the women. Rather unenthused and yet rather gratuitous, she flicked with her fingertips several times the warm crimson liquid, splattering random dots and globs upon Iano's face:

“Fiiiiiine... you are acceptable enough to run, hunt, kill and die with us... you... you whatever-the-fuck-you-are...”

“Daah....Shee...” she then quipped at him in a hasty and rather uninviting introduction.

---

Their Handler, this Jadda Jadeborn, was presiding over them and the she-beast did note that their Handler's eyes did slip appreciatively over the she-beast once or twice. It truly was a flattering moment for Daisy for she could see the pleasure cascading over the shorn-headed woman's features each time their eyes met. In response, Daisy tensed up and flared out her six foot, five-inch frame surging with much pride and satisfaction. Perhaps she would beg her this other woman to shear the blonde locks from her own head; in fact, it may even be an honour to Daisy.

Orchs and Uruk-Kai, she had hunted and fought in the past. They were savage warriors and cunning things... when lead by an iron-fisted prick. Oh how Daisy would love to cut that prick off from the orchs and bring them low. She and her sister Lin (and Iano) would show them just what kind of pack they had just tried to fuck with and--

Names were called out. Jadda had chosen her Alphas.

And Daisy's name had not been called.

A few mewls and a tilted head. What the actual fuck...? How could she have been over looked? A confused look still skewed her visage as she turned a cheek to better position her ear to the words of Jadda. No. She was correct in her hearing. Two males and the fucking mangy street rat (all so oh-so-sweet-scented-and-oh-so-pretty now) had been selected. And when she heard the tone of the acceptance from the fucking mangy street rat, she almost leapt in and strangled the little ingrate. The false words of acceptance... How could she speak of such an honour like her throat was straining against the ever tightening grip of a noose?!

A scowl, pushed down upon her brow, and her blue eyes sparked an inferno. Blood hot, she watched as the little thing scampered away, without even a glance of dismissal from their Handler. If daggers could shoot from those wild blue eyes...

But then her shoulders sank as low as her heart when she looked back at the owner and proper wielder of the Blade of Autumn. Their Handler just watched as the mangy street rat fled, a look as if she expected as much holding her dusky features together. What the fuck was wrong with these people?! Where was the pride, the honour, the unerring demand of the utmost respect for the hunt in this fucking Silver Leaves territory?!

But this was how it was done on the outside--

“FUCK THAT!!!” Daisy hissed and snarled. She nearly went to snap her spear in half over her knee as Jadda spoke next to the Tindra, Iano. She stopped short of breaking the worn and weathered shaft. No, it was not worth it to lose her head. Instead she turned her back on her Handler with great disrespect. 'Well, this is how they do it on the outside,' whistled, clicked and hummed Daisy with a mocking lilt and twang in her Maersevir speech.

Then finally, she addressed the last of the bunch, Daisy and Linwe, and slowly the she-beast wheeled around. The tone of voice Jadda commanded made Daisy feel like such an ass. Such an ass. Why the hell was she acting so infantile? Because she was not getting her way? Or because she expected too much of her own ways out here so far away from home? She straightened out her posture and made an internal resigned sigh. Fuck, was the she-beast ever acting like a she-cub. When Jadda was done with her commands, Daisy nodded and bowed low demurely, blonde tendrils concealing the hot pink shame at her cheeks. But regardless of making a fool out of herself, she would play her role in this pack as an inferior grunt and carry out her orders to a tee; the bow was mightier than the spear in this instance. Yet there was at least a consolation in that her sister hunter would be allowed the chance to shoot the prick off the orchs.

Stepping back with solid, deliberate steps, she waited until her Handler dismissed her then turned around. Face to face with the little mangy street rat.

Oh fuck this better be good. She was in no mood to--

An apple was being offered and Daisy lost it.

“You stole from the fucking great hall of eating AGAIN?!” Daisy hissed and bared her teeth at the diminutive thing, muscles tense and wild blue eyes screaming murder. The wound at the base of her neck gushed red angrily as her blood heated and heart pumped wicked anger. “You fucking dare hand me that tainted fruit--”

Immediately the aggression and anger was snuffed out with the compliment and the claim that Daisy was worthy to her to be considered family and that the little thing--


Or. Something.


That is what it said to her. To cheapen the oath that it had just claimed with two words of uninterested insincerity. Just like the half-hearted affirmation to their Handler. The she-beast was not having it.


Fuck. No.


A tremendous back hand did she give the green shiny fruit, swatting it out of Murrpau's hands, sending it skyward like a dove fleeing a hawk. The spear that ended so many lives screamed its thirst to Dayselay and it drove forward just like said eager hawk driven into single minded lust to kill a fleeing dove. This fucking thing would try to return the kindness that lay at Daisy's feet bruised, dirty and unused with this faux display of sisterly bonding?! The flashing blade of razor tipped murder at the end of her weathered wooden shaft was going to drive into this 'Alpha' and--

“FUCK!!!” Daisy hissed and clicked the at the back of her throat. The blade of her spear, missed its mark by the breadth of a hair and the she-beast leg go of the shaft and it flew harmlessly over Murr's shoulder. Only now had Daisy notice the purple shade around the puffed up lip and redder than normal ear; remnants and tell-tale sign of a survivor and toughened fighter.

This was her Alpha. She had no right to challenge her without first witnessing her fail on the battlefield or utterly fuck up the hunt. This was her Alpha by the say and savvy of their Handler. And unlike the other two chosen, she had to follow this one; this one was female. Hand picked Alphas were selected by hands that reached up all the way back to Mother. Daisy was a Maersevir and she had no choice but to follow her. All good Maersevir knew the Truths.

And another Truth was: as savage and bestial a Maersevir may be, they would never strike down anything in bloodlust or rage. Uncontrolled violence was for the fearful, weak and mad. Maersevir were none of those. Daisy was none of those.

But here she was again making a fool of herself. In front of her pack, her sister Lin, her Alpha and her Handler. She had to swallow it all down, the self-disgust, the humiliation and the weight of the unseeing eyes of Mother upon her. The words she 'spoke' next were the first and only words she could think of and they were spoken in a 'tone' of grave serenity.

“Do you dare expect kindness to be returned,” clicked and hummed the she-beast. Wild blue eyes averting direct eye contact with her Alpha's mismatched eyes so as to show non-aggression towards the diminutive thing.

“So shiny and sweet,” a thumb with the sharpened eyeball puncturing nail scraped across the intermingling blood upon her breast.

“Bruised, dirty, unused will it be tossed,” the she-beast's large paw reached out and pulled up the sleeve of the street rat, and that sharpened thumbnail pierced skin, carving a powerful symbol upon that toned forearm.

“Right back at your feet.” Blood drawn from drawn blood, Daisy wiped clean her name from the Mandi-Har, from her people on the Karlija's Isles and etched it upon the forearm of Murrpau.

“Daahhh... sheeee...” she said aloud, pain surging from her heart, her throat and her soul. She was still a Maersevir through and through, but a Maersevir for the Silver-Leafs alone now. No male would be her Handler and now no male would she ever answer to lest her Alpha permitted. Yes, Dayselay was a subservient to another once again, but this time it was on her own terms.

“You are Alpha to Daisy,” clicked, breathed, and whistled the she-beast, “you keep the beasts in line. Daisy obeys and will be ever loyal. But if you ever stray from your respectful place... know that Daisy will be right there to cut her Name from you right at the elbow. Right fucking there. Daisy has no home away from her Alpha and her Sisters. In my Darkness I shall persevere. You are Alpha to Daisy...”

To her knees was the she-beast felled, Dayselay, Daisy, Maersevir of this Silver-Leaf Pack, arms behind her, throat exposed glistening red like a unmistakeable target. Just like earlier this morning at the break of dawn. If there was any doubt before, then in this moment it should forever be erased:

“...and to Daisy you are Light...”

---

Over towards her spear did the she-beast march. Long powerful strides brought her past the shunning 'Mandi-Har' male and past the new comer human. A slight grumble and curt nod was all she afforded these other Alphas. In front of her beloved weapon now, she bent over rather unladylike as she reached for the shaft. As she straightened up at from the waist, she could feel the weight of the stony gaze from behind.

Wheeling around swiftly, she found herself locking eyes with the giant male named Bromer. Whatever could he have been staring at as she had bent over just now? Did he give a cursory thought as to how much he would have liked to have mounted the she-beast whist she was in that position? Fucking typical. She had felt his eyes fall upon her earlier, and even back then she could sense that he had a 'burning concern' as he stared unabashed at the Maersevir.

Two steps forward did the she-beast stride, arms wide and low by her hips, chest thrust out, still slick with red. “Oh...so you want some of this, asshole?” A bit sing-songy she clicked, whistled and grinned wide at him.

“You want to try to fuck with Daisy?” leaning her chin outwards (and upwards for once), a renewed hot gushing of crimson from her neck now, she snorted before dropping that which she had just picked up, as if to show she was no threat whatsoever, “Go on then, you get one chance to try to touch Daisy where you would like... and then Daisy breaks you.

Go on, asshole and show Daisy what you can do...”

[Hymusia]

Clearly she had messed up! She watched the anger, happiness and return to anger with a curious hike of her brow. What had she said? What was it that had set off the she-beast. It took her a good moment to recount her words and realise that the final two would make the sentiment seem insincere rather than simply the confusion of a woman who'd never before tried to make friends outside the shackles of oppression. She was here now, willingly here, these people were not sisters and brothers in chains, they were also freely here. Becoming friends with people was tricky work but he had put his faith in her, he was sure she could make it, he expected her to make it.

She wasn't going to ruin things again so when Daisy slapped away the apple Murr watched, when Daisy unleashed her spear Murr stood her ground. White hair fluttered in the draft caused by the speed and power behind the spear and a few white strands were forever severed from her head. Daisy was certainly not a beast with which to tangle and not a person to become enemies with. She would, if she could, sever Murr's head without the slightest resistance at all. Determined to make things right here she remained even as the apple came to a stop and the huntress before her glowered, perhaps noticing the bruising Mau was trying hard to hide.

Then Daisy did something odd, she grabbed her arm and began to cut her name with her thumbnail into her arm. Murr didn't flinch despite the pain that flared up, this was by no mistake a great honour and one that Daisy was reluctant in giving. Daisy was speaking and by tone alone she could tell she wasn't happy but there was respect there, respect that Murr didn't think she had earned but would give her dying breath to prove she deserved it. She looked at the wound then at the kneeling woman before her, throat exposed like an animal from a pack. This was something Murr knew from watching street dogs, the lesser's offered the alpha their throats in a sign of good faith and the alpha would prove their acceptance into the pack by not tearing it out.

Wary now though of getting things wrong she wasn't sure what her reaction ought to be here, for she was no dog and Daisy was no wolf, with a furrowed brow she thought only a second and then swiped her own fingers in her blood. Daisy and the other little huntress were bloody, cut themselves no doubt in some kind of ceremony. However Mau was their alpha and so such a thing was probably not for her to do. Yet she didn't want to be just Daisy's alpha dabbing her fingers in her own blood she didn't place her fingers to Daisy's face but to the inside of her wrist. “Mau..purr. I don't know your customs Daisy but one day I hope you'll teach me. For now I want you to know I meant it. You are my family as of now, I will protect you until my dying breath, I will hunt with you, I will fight with you and I will die with you when the time calls for it. I will not disappoint you, nor those giving me this chance. I will prove that you have not done this for nothing, that I am worthy of this respect you show me.”

She seemed to understand the significance of the mark and was rather proud of it in a sense so she rearranged her sleeve's and armour enough for the bloody mark to show and stay showing on their journey. She had never been good at reading but she was certain that it was Daisy's own name carved there and she would treasure such a mark until the grave. Turning to the other huntress and her friend she offered a polite, but stiff bow from her shoulders, manners were not something common to the woman and while the other two were hunters in their own right -from what she could gather- she wasn't sure if they would be as willing or desire in fact, to show the same level of respect as Daisy had. They were clearly different cultures, both from each other and from Daisy herself. Still, this was her new family, these were the people she'd fight tooth and nail to protect, at the risk of injury she'd be pulling them back from the front lines, from under the enemy, alone if needs be. No one gets left behind, no one is betrayed. We go together or not at all. The prison may not have taught me manners but it taught me how a family, how a pack works.

“I have not made the best impression so far, have I? I am Maupurr.” Offering her arm for a hand shake should the other not wish to copy Daisy's honour. “You are my family from now on, be it under the feet of the enemy, behind their lines or in front I will find you and I will get you back. I do not abandon my family and I will not shame them. I am honoured, even if I do not seem it.” Terror did give the impression of aloof she assumed but it was fear of messing up that had caused her uncertainty. Now it was that same fear that inspired her to sharpen up and prove her ability and the reason their commander had shown her such respect. She DID deserve it, there were things she could do that would make the peoples skin here crawl, while not amazingly powerful in the sense of the mage she certainly had a way with people. She could fight with a sword as well as she could like a cornered rat and she had the sneaky and efficient brain to make her a wonderful assassin should she ever choose that path. She had these qualities and it was these, not her manners, not her etiquette nor her status that they were going to want to see.

[LimeyPanda]

Dra’lix continued to watch from the rear of the group, happy to be as anonymous as he could be. Whilst he drew a few glances, most notably from the Wild’har lass, he was mostly able to fade into obscurity: which afforded him every advantage he could hope for. It allowed him to watch all sorts; from interactions, to pre-established friendships and even the more mysterious elements. Things like the giant, Bromer: or the subtly interesting but mostly mediocre looking crossbowman: All the men who hadn’t been a part of the scene in the meal hall. All of the people who remained as enigmatic as Dra’lix were attempting to be now…

Until Jadda declared that he was to be involved in some diplomatic front, along with the non-interesting Human and Murrpau, the same half born that he’d managed to accidentally insult.

Twice…

…Fuck.

Whereas others seemed to think this mission meant a modicum of leadership in the group, the Mandi-har saw it as a sort of burden he didn’t desire. It seemed almost madness to him that he’d be selected for a diplomatic mission, let alone one as important to the state of the group’s first mission. To list all the deplorable characteristics people would pick out before he even opened his eyes, we have; the dark skin colour of the Mandi-har, strange unnatural eyes which betray him being a half blood, a mage’s staff and the badge that meant he was a mercenary. Any single one of those facts was normally enough for people to not trust a person: combining all 4 of those facts basically slapped a sign on Dra’lix’s face which said ‘Do not trust.’

And it wasn’t like he had any other redeemable diplomatic qualities. He was a blunt, unsubtle ass. He wouldn’t be able to stroke egos or inspire people or even understand the more complicated emotions. He barely respected any man alive, including the likely patriarch of the village…All in all, Dra’lix felt revulsion at the prospect of being Diplomatic!

And what did he do? He simply nodded as he was given his order, shrugging off his objections and resigning himself to the task. He didn’t have any ability or rationalisation that would sway this woman, nor was he capable of doing any of the other tasks that had been levied out to individuals or groups.

It had not, however, occurred to him that he’d be considered a leader through this role, and as he watched the events unfold between Murrpau and Daisy, the Dark skinned mage felt a growing sense of terror. First of all, Murrpau fled from Jadda in some odd display of energy, Daisy’s eyes spoke of a rage which worried Dra’lix. Then she produced a green apple for the Huntress, Daisy. Dra’lix nodded, seeing her train of thought: She was attempting to replicate the action that Daisy had attempted before.

The Terror came when Daisy slapped the Green apple away in what appeared to be genuine anger. She looked as if she was about to slap Murrpau and Dra’lix felt the gathering of his resources as he muttered under his breath. Mostly curses that he wouldn’t be able to act quick enough to stop any attack but maybe if he was…

His panic melted as he saw Daisy stop, seemingly soothed by some self-realisation. Dra’lix sighed inwardly: thankful that he hadn’t had to do something. Luckily, most people wouldn’t be able to sense him summon forth any magical energy, but his muttering as well as the fact he had a ball of blue energy in his hands would likely be a cause of confusion and rumour. Clearing his throat he clenched his fist, dispersing the spell before it was shaped into anything and standing as if nothing had happened.

The Mandi mage paused as he thought inwardly on himself, realising with a stark horror that he was actually worried about the two people in the group he’d spoken with. In the matter of less than an hour, he was willing to put himself in some amount of risk in order to keep them from hurting each other. The awkward feeling of being stuck directly in a precipice of not knowing left Dra’lix feeling unlike himself. He felt like an outsider staring in to his own self. Would this be a universal thing? Would he soon be willing to expend time, energy and risk himself for more people in this band? He couldn’t believe it. He could spend a good ten minutes picking out flaw after flaw in both people. Murrpau had proven unsubtle, brash, arrogant and rude. She didn’t have a single understanding of conventions and was illogical to a fault. Daisy had proven impossible to understand, in more ways than one. She was marred by so many different customs and standards and had no idea about a real world that existed without them, expecting to be able to project those customs onto other, random people simply because that is the only thing she had ever lived with. Yet both of these flawed individuals…In an hour he had reached a point in which he would actually try and maintain their well beings, at risk of his own. It would not be impossible to venture that Daisy would gut him, should he defend Murrpau…Hell, and she’d probably gut him if he defended her. Murrpau was hardly a delicate flower either. She’d have been able to slip a shiv between his ribs if she so decided.

And yet here he was, the ‘ever selfish Mandi-har half born’, willing to take a blow to stop relative strangers from hurting each other? It showed a rather unsettling change in character really. The Mandi-har was thankful when what little attention he might have accidentally gathered and what little interest he’d aroused would soon wear off. He watched the end of the exchange, including the engraving and Daisy’s show of bowing before Murrpau. Dra’lix couldn’t stifle his smile that Murrpau was forming alliances…friendships perhaps. It hardly reflected on his social skills that a mute huntress with a terrifying presence that could drive away wolves was able to make friends better than he.

Words are hard.

When Daisy strode past him, giving a curt nod, Dra’lix simply returned the nod, still not fully fathoming the importance that had been put upon him by this role. He saw ‘Diplomat’, others seemed to see ‘leader.’

Eventually, Dra’lix was able to turn his eyes away from Daisy and Murrpau. Instead he had someone else he needed to talk to, despite how much less he would enjoy it. Slowly he weaved through the crowd and stood next to his fellow diplomat, the Human Griff. He didn’t say anything to the man, still finding him decidedly average and overtly uninteresting. He had, however, moved into a position that the man could try and talk to him. He would certainly not object to conversation, but had nothing to say to him.

Whilst standing next to the man he should be talking to, he couldn’t help glance at the two people he’d actually been interested in so far. Daisy had already seemingly started trouble with the giant of a man and Murrpau was attempting to make another friend with the pretty little Wild elf. Dra’lix’s lips turned back into a smile as he watched those two interesting people continue to be…well…interesting.

[custoscustodum]

“You. I know of Neven and the gifts he bestows upon worshippers. We paid good money for those gifts. Time to earn your keep big guy. You are going to keep these people alive.”

The giant held Jadda’s gaze as she issued her instructions, which provoked mixed feelings in him. In the first place, Bromer was surprised that she knew of his religious beliefs: clearly, his ability as a healer was something she’d need to know to lead him effectively, and it was no secret in the camp; but his faith was not something that he’d talked about very openly, partly because he was not much of a talker in general, and partly because his religion frowned upon proselytising, something which no doubt contributed to its remaining a minor faith, more akin to a group of cults than a major organisation. The healer’s initial surprise gave way to the special pleasure that comes from another’s understanding of a crucial aspect of one’s culture, and thereby one’s identity and very being. Unfortunately, this pleasure was soon replaced by shame, as he was reminded that he had been bought. Worse than that, as Jadda’s words highlighted it wasn’t even really him that had been bought, but rather his healing gifts. Just as the prize bull was purchased for something that it had (a somewhat ironic, but nonetheless apt, analogy, since what the bull had was exactly what Bromer lacked), so he was only valuable to the extent that he was a vessel of a desirable commodity. This knowledge, which had been all too present in his mind ever since he had been bought by the Leaves, left the giant not angry but shamed. Oddly, he’d never felt so shamed when he had been a slave, even though it was of course his healing and not anything intrinsic to his personal nature that had singled him out for purchase by his former master. Perhaps it was because he felt as though he’d had less choice in the matter back then; admittedly, he’d not had any choice in being bought, but somehow the fact that he was working to pay the debt back made him feel complicit in his subordination in a way that being a slave never had. Nonetheless, he was very grateful for being rescued from his previous circumstances, and as Jadda finished he was minded of this, and was overcome by a sense of duty both to earn his keep and to serve his new comrades-by-fiat.

None of the above showed on the giant’s face, however.

”I will earn my keep: these people will live, or I will die,” he rumbled. Then his free hand swept the hood of his cloak back from his head and he gave a firm nod.

Bromer waited and watched as events unfolded.

* * *

It all happened so quickly. Things had seemed to be going well: Maupurr was taking to her newly appointed role, and disaster had been avoided between her and the warrior woman (Bromer doubted that there would’ve been enough left of Maupurr to even try to heal had Daisy let loose). Suddenly there she was: combative and yet somehow conciliatory, her piercing blue eyes dancing with a fire that was half-invitation and half-threat. A few painful seconds passed, during which time Bromer managed to keep his composure as his pulse quickened. He was afraid. But that fear was not for his life, or for his health – if indeed he was right that Daisy was not too far from launching an attack on him, but he wasn’t even sure of that, so difficult was the Maersevir to read and so changeable was her apparent mood. Rather, he was afraid of letting down the group at this early stage, when it had only just become a group, before they had even left compound; letting them down would mean he had failed to repay his debt and his scales would remain forever imbalanced.

The eunuch’s eyes belied confusion and concern as he stared back into Daisy’s, and his eyebrows began to knit into a slight frown while he tried to work just what had happened, and with luck thereby find a way to defuse the situation.

He’d been staring at the warrior for a while, he realised – was that the problem? She’d reacted rather badly to the apple being offered, so it was not impossible that she took this peculiar form of umbrage at stares. In the giant’s defence, Daisy had been doing a lot to warrant attention, and the throwing of the spear was just the latest of a long list of such stare-worthy actions. Of course he was still staring, which, if it were the issue, was presumably not helping. Breaking away at this point, however, when she’d so clearly engaged his attention, might constitute some other kind of faux pas that he wasn’t in a position to guess at.

As he deliberated, Bromer’s eyes dropped to Daisy’s chest, which, in the context of the exchange that he’d still not understood, might have been unfortunate, but the reason for it was perfectly innocuous: the gash that she had cut into her chest was continuing to seep blood and it was only natural for the healer’s gaze to be drawn to the wound. He knew then what he was going to do.

There was a crash: the giant had let go of his staff and it fell to the floor. His eyes found the warrior’s once again as he took two long strides towards her, bridging the gap between them to only a short distance. Huge hands were extended forwards, slowly and deliberated, palm-upward, until they were within an arm's length of Daisy; it was a universally non-threatening gesture, or so he hoped. Bromer closed his eyes, lowered his head, and inhaled deeply, before speaking:

”Let me heal you.” His whispered words were like faraway thunder; just why he whispered, he wasn’t sure.

”I can stop the bleeding; you will keep the scars. I know they are important.”

Bromer sounded sincere, and he meant it; moreover, he looked like he meant it. Every one of the myriad marks that covered his body was important to him, insofar as it a particular moment of his lived experience: his life was in a sense etched into his flesh, and thus was part of who he was. In addition, the scars he’d gained from healing others were a testament to his gift, and through that to his faith.

The giant's eyes remained closed. Standing there like that with outstretched arms, he looked strangely peaceful.

[inDefiance]

Wild blue eyes flashed momentarily like jagged distant fingertips of lightning after catching glimpse of the bloodied handprint upon her wrists.

Oh, Daisy. Was the young huntress ever out of her element. Mere moments ago, she had meant to strike down her Alpha. But no, instead of rage-induced murder, she found something else as she was felled to her knees; she had made a blood-letting pledge to follow Murrpau into the heart of oblivion. Unfound loyalty to the stranger mangy street-rat. Even though the mismatched coloured eyes of her half-breed Alpha held an impenetrable sheaf upon them hiding all true intentions, cold like a snakes gaze yet ever glinting like that of a rat, Daisy knew that in the heart of her hearts those words from the rosy lips of the diminutive thing were from Murr's heart's blood. Daisy could smell it. But even more than that, Daisy could relate, Daisy could empathize.

The streetrat took care of itself, it would have sworn to never let anyone closer than they needed to be. A survivor. A shadow. A fuckin' ghost whispering at your ear, chilling your spine, before slicing your throat open. Sworn to sustain herself with an oath to do anything to stay alive. How unfamiliar it would be to be thrust into a position of meaning; a position of respect. How unfamiliar would it be to tell another that you had their back when it was a rarity to hear those words uttered right back at you. Sworn to sustain herself, for herself, by herself.

Daisy was a survivor as well. And she too swore upon many things. And now she broke several of them. All in the name of kindness and loyalty. Loyalty the she-beast knew. But kindness? It was unfamiliar ground, no doubt. So she could imagine how Murrpau felt knowing neither one. The words that Daisy heard from Murrpau, the smell of the change in disposition from uncertain and unwilling to that of confidence and camaraderie, made the pledge mean that much more to the giant blonde huntress.

And then once again had Daisy felt the electricity rush through her as Murr stood before her, not lowering herself to Daisy's level as she marked her with drawn blood. She spoke as Daisy always knew from an Alpha; motions, breath, scent and aura speaking to her louder and much clearer than any words from the throat, tongue, mouth and lips. A streetrat transcending. A voice of command. A voice of Light in her Darkness. A spark of flame for Death. Daisy was marked and accepted as a Maersevir huntress for this strange female. To run, hunt, kill, live and die for her pack sisters and her Alpha(and fine... the Tindra too) was the she-beast's pledge and oath as she proudly whistled her 'loud name' for Murrpau.

But of course, Daisy had high expectations for this one. She turned her back upon her family, ancestors and peoples completely when she became marked as 'One of Murrpau's.' But Daisy had been never more sure of her decision. For she saw Light because of this one. A smirk tilted up at the corner of her mouth as a single wild blue eye winked at the single fiery golden eye in the sky.

“You and Daisy... Tomorrow morning, bitch...” clicked and hummed the renewed Maersevir against the knowing sunshine.

---

But wait. What happened to 'Oh, Daisy. Was the young huntress ever out of her element?'

Well, the Maersevir had grown a bit too over-confident and cocky now that she thought she was all that since she found herself amongst huntresses. No male would she ever bow down to now. Especially not to this sloped foreheaded male in front of her. She would prove herself to all of them that no matter how big the opponent, even if bigger than the she-beast herself, she would never back down.

But this was Bromer. A healer. And a dutiful one at that. The stony gazes she had mistaken as lecherous leers of one with a throbbing need stiffer than the giant staff it held were actually the purposeful and merciful visual examinations of one who felt the urge and carried oath to heal the wounded. And so now it spoke as if it knew about the importance of scars and as this male reached out towards her life-spilling red wound, the she-beast smirked again and waited for the split second it laid its calloused hands upon her flesh. And oh would you look at this... it was trying to cast a spell upon her.

She was protected from magic, imbued by the seals and sigils upon her hide armour. Of course each consecutive mage-driven attack would render the next and the next piece useless until such time she would be defenseless against arcane assault. But by the time that happened the user of magic would already have found themselves victim to a Maersevir counter-attack. Fuck. Yeah. Besides, did this male not know that no one could heal a Maersevir? Healing magic from one of Light and Life was useless upon a huntress of Death and Darkness. After she allowed it its one and only opportunity to touch her where it wanted, less than a heartbeat later the gargatuan healer would be screeching in pain, trying to heal his own broken fingers and wrist as she--

The feeling was unbearable as much as it was indescribable. The giant's hand was pressed upon the she-beast's collarbone, seeming locked in position as her wound was being erased from her. No one she ever knew or heard of had ever before been able to breach a Maersevir's defenses against Light and Life.

Perhaps it was the fact that Bromer's healing magic did not truly erase the wound, rather the magic absorbed the damage and transferred the wound to the healer. But whatever the case, Daisy did not know nor care right now. Her head snapped back, wild blue eyes ever wilder, wider and bluer than ever, sending her helm flying from her head. Blonde tendrils flared out around her face like the petals of some exotic dangerous wild-flower as her back arched, all muscles bulging and on fire. Ripples of unseen heat broke from her large and tattooed powerful frame as she convulsed, still attached by the collarbone to the big healer's big hand. And then suddenly it was over.

Daisy crumpled to the ground like rocks from a landslide. Body at a temperature close to that of searing hot coals was the she-beast's body, breath stolen from her, breast unmoving without a heartbeat. Bromer had felled her. The she-beast lay there, dead from the touch of a giant. Bromer had killed Daisy trying to heal her.

Oh, Daisy...

---

Eyes. Unseeing eyes the colour of the void of oblivion. Waking her from slumber eternal.


Get up. Get up now, Huntress.

Fucking Mother... Daisy just wants to sleep.

You fucking apple. Die then.

Apple? There is no kindness in Death. Daisy sees that that is a Truth. Only Perfection, Mother...

Really... tell Mother about another Truth you seem to always see: you just bowed low before a male, my dear. You bowed down.

Fuck. No.

Fuck, yes, my dear. Eyes open. Eyes open now and tell Mother what you see, huntress...


Eyes. Wild eyes the colour of the looming tidal wave opening wide awake. Waking from slumber eternal.

“Daisy sees...” a giant's hand pulling at her left arm. A gargantuan male touching her sacred throwing left arm. Jagged fingertips of lighting chased her fist as it reflexively swung out, aiming unerringly towards the jaw of the offending gargantuan male. And it stopped short. “...nothing. Daisy sees nothing.”

And it was true. It was not an offending male before her she saw. How could she see offence when she was given a chance to wipe the slate clean? Instead of a strong fist to the jaw, Daisy cupped Bromer's jaw and leaned her cheek into his chest. For in the heartbeat after she saw nothing but a clean slate, she smelled opportunity. A male ally. A healer male ally. If made into a trusted friend who could harden her, teach her to stand up to healing magic... imagine the possibilities...

Imagine in the middle of the throes of pain and looming Perfection of Death being revived, long powerful thighs driving her upward once again. All because a pious male of Neven could heal her. Cheating death. A Maersevir rising from the threshold of Death, escaping to rise and fight once more. Time and time again. The she-beast would be unstoppable. Un-fucking-stoppable. Where could she go from there?

She pulled her body from his and pulled her scarred and tattooed bloodied hand from his chin. A fist thumped upon her chest. Where would she not go from there...?

“Daaaaahhhh... sheeee...” was the offer from her ragged throat, hoarse and broken, yet rippling with excitement and ecstasy all the same. She would not go back home to try to take over her own pack there. No. She would fight her way right to the top of the food chain in the Silver Leaves. Daisy would go to become Mother here.


Fuck. Yeah.

[Hymusia]

She'd heard that whistle before and while she didn't understand it's utter significance she knew it was indeed important. She'd never been a whistling artist but she was pretty sure she could mimic the highs and the lows and reproduce the sound when necessary. It was an appreciative nod returned to Daisy as she'd moved and a firm decision that went with it that she, once back from this mission, was going to study the plains out of some books. She was merely a rat sure and she couldn't technically read but she would threaten someone to read to her until she was satisfied. She'd learn about these people who were now her family, though the first and most important was going to be Daisy.

It was the noise that made her head jerk around so fast that her neck went into spasm, it was like no other she'd heard and as she rubbed her tense aching muscles in her neck her mismatched eyes narrowed to thin slits. Someone was going to die. Mau knew nothing about healing magics, when she thought of a 'healer' she saw a man with bandages and ointments. Nor, sadly, did she know anything about Daisy's culture, she knew so very little about how the world truly worked and how things were not always what they appeared to be that she saw only one thing with her jaded gaze. Bromer was looming over her friend, her only friend, somehow he had struck down the impressive she-beast, no doubt taking her kindness and using it as a weakness and now he stood over her, ready to take his prize.

Over Mau's dead body would that sort of thing ever happen to Daisy, her teeth ground against one another with a resounding snap and her posture shifted slightly away from the Tindra and the Wild-Har and towards the giant and Daisy. Her fingers flexed in the metal gauntlets as a snarl ripped from her throat, guttural and feral and very unladylike. She was going to sever a main artery and as the life drained from the giant's eyes she was going to remove his wedding tackle and ram it down his throat. Of course, she had no way of knowing the true intentions of the man nor his current 'state' of affairs in the trouser department. She had not had the time that the others had had together to get to know one another, by reputation or otherwise. Even if they were known in the city's her life rarely took her around those spoken well of.

A life of violence was all she'd ever known so as she leaned her weight on her front leg, ready to avenge her fallen sister, her friend, even if it was against their own group, she was quite unprepared for what the Maersevir did next. When she got up Mau's form relaxed in slight, certain that Daisy would rip off the man's head for felling her so. Instead Daisy caressed his jaw, Mau blinked rapidly and looked utterly confused, glancing to the two she was still somewhat awkwardly standing with as if they held answers. Then back to Daisy, she even spoke her name for him, which Mau realised right from the go, meant whatever dispute it was over. He was now a friend, an ally and killing him might anger her actual friend.

Her gaze lingered on Bromer for a good few moments, if his eyes caught hers she rose a hand, index and middle finger motioning to her eyes before the same hand pointed at him and then she nodded towards Daisy. I'm watching you and if you hurt her, I'll kill you. The latter signified by a quick draw of her index finger across her throat. Mau had had only ever had him and while she would never say so to his face he was more than a friend to her, he was family. Now that she'd made her first friend, on her own at that, the hordes of the underworld themselves had better tremble in their boots if they ever lay harm to her. Mau didn't see the best in people as she so rarely saw it, she was not forgiving and nor was she delicate. Whether Daisy saw it as a disgrace or not if a man (or woman) ever harmed her, Mau would rip out their eyes with her nails, vicious, feral, unrefined, rat-like perhaps but Daisy was hers.

When certain that Daisy was okay, and that the Giant needn't die for touching her, she released a deep sigh, a pent up breath she'd been holding and turned back to Lin and her friend with a smile on her face. Awaiting the Wild-Har and even the Tindra's response to her offer. If it was even to be considered that, surely it ought to have been an order, though despite the confidence and honour the she-beast's simple action had filled her with she was not going to force others to do the same as Daisy. If any of the group would it would be these two and if they decided against it, well that was all the same to her. She'd carry Daisy's name with pride until the end of her days, even if they never spoke or met again after today.

[Zhaliora]

Gweryhfin had left the forest in the early morning and headed for the Silver Leaf bastion in the city. She sighed as she slowly walked along the road into the city. “I hope that we are allowed to visit the forests, or have animals in the rooms. I do not wish to part from my friend for too long at a time. But, a life-debt is a life-debt. I can’t simply walk away from it to do what I want to do.” She lowered her head and her long red hair fell across her face and a traveller yelped in fear at her visage.

“Huh?” Gweryhfin brushed away the locks of hair and looked at the man before a small grin spread across her face. She bent her back, making her look like a humpback and let her hair swing freely. She started making low, growling noises and walked forward towards the man in a savage way “Hugabugauga…..” She waved with her arms and her hair flew around in large circles. “B-be gone…I-I-I am not afraid of you” the man stammered at her before he shortly thereafter fled from her, screaming.

“Hehe” she laughed warmly as she straightened her back and combed her hair with her gauntlet. “That makes it two on this road alone.” She was overly pleased with her performance of scaring the travellers. “I am sure they are in the city now, talking about the big red hairy monster that is stalking the roads.” Her entire face shifted into one big smile. “I guess this outfit together with my long hair can scare some people” she said aloud and looked down at her armour and the skulls that hung there. “I wonder if I should act like I did before inside of the city. It might be quite fun to see their reactions” she slightly tilted her head as she thought about it.

Gweryhfin finally arrived at the bastion gates.“Whaaa….it’s big” she thought as her mouth dropped open and she stood there and stared at the fortress. Being born in a small town and during her life she had only been in one city, but that city was small compared to Egrelia. “I hope I don’t get lost in this big fortress.” She steeled her nerves and walked up to the guards at the outer walls. They gave her a small glance before the returned to their duties. “Huh, I expected to be stopped and questioned. Guess they are used to people wandering about."

She now entered the village around the castle and looked around at the people there. They all looked, generic, boring and busy with their daily lives. No one even approached her. Her plan on scaring a few of them was thwarted by the lack of interest from the people around her. She grumbled quietly to herself before she proceeded upwards towards the castle. “Are the people here really that used to seeing strange people? *Sigh* How boring, I wanted something to do on my way there.”

When she came to the courtyard, she noticed a group of people standing around. At first she was planning on ignoring them, but she soon noticed that one of them was lying down on the ground, possibly wounded. But she also noticed that a man was crouching over her, seemingly intent on helping her. “I guess I don’t need to bother right now. And I swore to the commander that I would be here today. I can’t make further delays in my journey.” Gweryhfin looked up towards the castle and back at the group before she finally decided and walked up towards the entrance to the castle.

This time, some guards did stop her and ask her why she was here. “I am here to settle a life-debt to the commander. It has nothing to do with you grunts. Please send a message to the commander that Gweryhfin is here, and I’ll wait here.” She sat down on the ground just in front of the guards and took out her sword and lowered her head, letting her hair fall across her face again. The guards complained something, she did not listen, she was deep in trance.

She listened to the sweet humming of her sword, trying to figure out what it wanted her. She had done this quite a bit after she was given the sword. Whenever she held the sword, it felt like it was talking to her, some, distant voice that she was unable to understand what was saying. After all this time, she had still not been able to figure out what it was trying to say to her. Only that it’s humming got stronger or quieter sometimes when she said things to it, but that was the extent of her knowledge.

After she had been sitting there for quite a while, she was pulled out of her trance by a gentle tug on the shoulder. “The commander is currently busy with preparations, but Arafinwë will see you now” a voice gently told her and she looked up towards the voice. It was not one of the guards, she could tell that much, it was a female, probably an adjutant of some kind. “I see. Can you lead the way? I don’t know my way there.” The woman nodded and Gweryhfin got up and followed her into the Arafinwë's office.

“Ahh, Gweryhfin, good to see you.” “I am here as sworn to settle my debt” she said and fell down to one knee. “Yes, your life-debt, all right.” He got up from the desk and took out a small trinket from one of the drawers. “Here, this is the insignia of the Silver Leaves. Carry it with you at all times. It marks you as one of us and it lets you come and go inside the bastion as you please.” “I’ll honour the debt in full. What are your commands?” “I want you to join up with a squad of other recruits in the courtyard. They should be easy to find. They are quite the misfits.” “I think I saw them earlier.” “Good. That makes things easier. Report to Captain Jadda and give her this letter.” “It shall be done” Gweryhfin said and took the insignia and the letter and walked out of the room down to the courtyard.

“Guess I am stuck with a squad after all. I had preferred a solo role or a bodyguard role, but I did swear that I would do anything.” Once in the courtyard, she found the group again and walked over to them. At a closer inspection, they really were a bunch of misfits, but she did not mind, she might be able to make some non-animal friends for once. She walked up to a woman that she had seen been giving orders before and presented herself. “I am Gweryhfin Kringaz. I have been ordered to give you this letter and report to your squad.” She handed over the letter and sat down just like she had at the keep, listening to the humming of the sword.