Blackfridayrule

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Sure!

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Ridahne didn't get an answer at first, but she knew her partner's moods a bit better by now, and she could see Darin was upset. Ridahne was about to soothe Darin and call her off. Ridahne had come to terms long ago with this kind of treatment, and it didn't rile her as much as it used to anyway. Someday Astra would know the real story. Even though Astra was not ready for that yet, Ridahne was not ashamed. At any rate, none of it was a lie, and that was enough for her. A half truth, but not a lie. But then the trees began to rustle and creak with their sudden movement, and the room shook and tilted. Ridahne dropped into a more balanced stance, ready to run or brace or whatever she needed to do. And though she had no idea exactly what was happening, the little tingle of something in the back of her mind made her sure that it had to do with Darin. Ridahne locked eyes with Darin, giving her an urgent look. What are you doing?

To her relief, the shifting and lurching stopped, and the room fell into a relieved silence. This was insane. This was absolutely insane, and she had no idea what this young human girl was really capable of. A cold thrill ran down her spine, tempered by the fact that she knew Darin's nature and knew that she would not use this power for dark deeds. Still, it was awe inspiring to see how much power Darin had, and yet her full power was not yet counted. For a moment, she thought they might be dismissed, and for one fleeting second she thought she might be wrong about her assessment that the council knew. But then they were singled out, and Ridahne knew it was all over.

Darin slid behind her, and Ridahne reached a cool hand back to grip her arm gently and in solidarity. I've got this. This she knew how to navigate, and if doing so would offer her companion some peace, she'd be glad to serve. She spoke quietly, but with a hard, dangerous edge. "If you knew half the story of who I am, and how I came to be Sol-Slayer, you would not think it wise to play games with me and mine. I will be the pawn of no Sol, no Councilor, no King. I have suffered abuse at the hands of people who play with the lives of their dedicated servants like a cat bats about a mouse before finally striking and consuming it. I will not suffer it again." Her voice was steadily rising into almost a shout. "If you want words with me, or with Darin, you will speak plainly, you will speak directly, and you will not manipulate us into giving out information we don't want to reveal. I am Ridahne Torzinei and I have spoken!" With that, she pounded her fist against her chest with a hollow thump, and stamped her foot in a forward motion--an Azurei warrior's gesture of challenge.

Ridahne let the slap of her bare foot against the floor ring out for a moment in the silence that followed before taking a breath and adding in a slightly cooler tone, "We've had a very difficult road," she explained. It was not an apology for her outburst--she'd stand her ground on that one. But they deserved to understand her, at least. "Astra is under attack. No, I do not speak of war. There is a disease in her midst that seeks to destroy its host. If you'd like to know what they're capable of, ask yourself what kind of person can bring an Azurei eija-alihn two steps from death. Beware the Red Hand. They nearly killed me to get to Darin, but it is my fate to see to it that she is protected at all costs. From murderers, and from people who would seek to manipulate her for their own causes and gains. If you want my trust, and hers, you'll have to earn it. We had hoped to remain anonymous, and you all must swear to both of us, swear upon the Tree, that anything discussed in this room tonight does not leave it without the express permission of the Seed-Bearer. Have I made myself clear?" She was firm, but her wrath had cooled a little.

Of Blood and Bastards

Rohaan saw something in Ash's eyes that he recognized. The blaze of them, the absolute certainty, the force of will. Yes, he knew it. He'd felt the same thing, or something quite similar, when he was twelve. They'd made port after an especially long stint out at sea, and since the local tavern was crowded and busy and no one would notice a quiet individual, Berlin let him sit openly with the rest of the crew and the company down in the pub instead of hiding in some small animal form on or around Berlin's person. He'd given himself a form with shaggy hair that obscured his eyes and sat in the corner of their little table, nursing a small weak beer. But then he'd seen a man walk in, one that Rohaan instantly recognized despite never having known the details of his facial features, not in any way that could be expressed in words. When he saw him, he just knew. Rohaan nearly torched the tavern in his fear and anger, but instead Berlin sensed his mood and pressed him for details. When Rohaan explained who the man was, and what he'd done to him not that many years ago, Berlin coolly stated that they would wait, they would follow the man after he left, and pursue him to some dark alley where he might take a drunken piss. They did. And it was one of the few times Berlin did not make any effort to hold Rohaan back.

He saw that same murderous fire in Ash. The thirst for violent justice. And as if for the first time he really considered exactly what she stood to lose by Thoburas being there. For all he knew, the people she loved were probably already gone. But if they had any chance of saving them, they'd need to move swiftly and decisively. He would help her. And he would see this elf dead.

The connection severed, and Rohaan released a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. It was good to be rid of him. The man irritated him deeply, in the way that bits of corn between the teeth were annoying and frustrating. But seeing Ash's unrestrained reaction was like a breath of cool air after being shut in a stuffy room. He actually laughed, an honest laugh. "Where's the fun in that?" He smiled and said, "I'll make no promises." He followed after her, his long legs easily keeping pace. "So I've got an idea. Unless I can slither in there as a venomous snake and bite his ankle and have done with it all, or just burn him to a crisp, then I suggest we throw a diversion at him. You seem handy with a knife. I'll go in and engage, you know, maybe try to rip out his throat if I can. But while I've got him occupied, you sneak in and stab the sonovabitch. If that goes awry and he turns and starts to attack you, then I will bite him." That last bit had a sinister note, a grim relish. "Seems simple enough, yeah?"

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Ridahne remained silent through the rest of the hurried walk there, and while everyone was chaotically trying to sort out what to do. She needed a moment to read these people. She'd had dealings with the Council of Seven Winds once before, briefly. She'd been called in to track down a known and dangerous murderer that had somehow escaped from imprisonment and was attempting to flee. Ridahne found him, of course, and the Council had briefly thanked her, paid her, and sent her with a tribute to her Sol for allowing the use of her eija. She did not have extended dealings with any of them, not like she had with the Court of Sols. Ridahne knew the manners and moods of all five Sols to some degree or another, but she did not know these people, their temperament, or their priorities. She needed a moment to sort them out.

It seemed to her like they just wanted answers, wanted to know what had just happened in their own city. That was fair enough, and they had a right to understand what happened as best as anyone could. But Ridahne wasn't entirely certain they had a right to know who Darin was. Clearly, they had not heard enough information about her, or they would have called off all pretense and gone right to business. Or maybe that was the Azurei way. Maybe the Eluri were less direct in these things. At any rate, they did not give away that they knew, though they seemed to at minimum have a strong guess that either she or Darin knew something or were involved in some way. But Ridahne wanted them to come out and say it. She was about to stamp her foot on the floor and shout for silence, but the president quieted them all first and called order.

Ridahne didn't miss a beat. "What do you want? It's the middle of the night, we'd both much rather be in bed, so what do you want with us? You can debate the identity of the Seed-Bearer all you like after we've gone, but you have us here for some reason or another, so out with it." Her tone wasn't hostile, but it was agitated and had a hard edge to it. She wasn't in the mood to play games and would much prefer if they'd just be more direct. Still, she wasn't about to play their hand too soon, and spoke in a way that could feign ignorance without outright lying.

It was like they hadn't even noticed Ridahne beyond being a second body standing next to the young human. Their eyes had mostly been on Darin, and since Ridahne had been quiet, she melted into the background until the moment she spoke. They looked at her, and of the group, two of their faces suddenly changed. One with a sense of shock and hesitant awe, the other with a cold horror. The second was the Azurei, a middle-aged man. Both he and the other could read ojih, and they read hers. Ridahne's eyes locked on the Azurei in defiance.

"We stand in the midst of a traitor to Azurei and her people," the man said icily, but with a fair measure of control. "There stands the Sol-Slayer." Murmuring broke out, but Ridahne groaned and rolled her eyes, clearly tired of this but resigned that it would keep happening.
"Fine, yes, I am she. The full tale is one I don't have the time or patience to tell you all now, though perhaps if I did, you wouldn't be staring at me like that. And forget apprehending me the moment this little soiree is over, kinsman. Do you think the Sota-Sol doesn't know where I am? I was banished, I did not escape. Even were you to tie me up and present me to her, she would not accept your gift. She knows my fate and is content. Let that be enough for you." Ridahne's words were so strong, and her will was so unwavering in this that the Azurei man fell silent, even though his mouth worked soundlessly for a while as he tried to think of something to say. She addressed the council as a whole now. "I didn't come here to assassinate anyone, in case you're wondering," she said sardonically, "We're just passing through and don't want any trouble. So again I ask, what do you want from us?"

Of Blood and Bastards

Rohaan snorted derisively. "Wouldn't put it past you. And anyway, I haven't lived as long as I have in absolute reckless defiance of the law because I trusted powerful men to keep their word, or to not try and screw me at every turn. A man like me has to expect it or find himself an ornament of the gallows."

At Karl's flippant remark about him being Rohaan's only friend among men, he laughed with the kind of confidence earned with secret knowledge. "You like to pretend you know much, Valdemar, and in some things that might hold true. But not when it comes to me. There's a lot you don't know. And only a fool would underestimate me." As surprising as it might be, Rohaan had very few nonhuman friends of note. Allies, maybe. People that had earned the use of his second name, but were not trusty enough to be truly called his friends. Ironically, the only people still alive that were privileged the use of his first name, Rheoaan, were humans. Berlin was one of them, and his daughter Kirra was the other. Berlin had become something like a father to him, and therefore Kirra was considered his sister in all but blood. They were all the family he had left.

Rohaan gave a sour, mock-offended frown at Ash, but it melted away into a wily grin. "Don't you worry about me keeping up. I take care of myself just fine." And that was true enough. But it did not need to be expressly mentioned that the shape of his being, and therefore his ability to use speed, scent, hearing, and strength to his advantage, were all very flexible.

"Aye, we're resistant. And anyway, illusion magic is more or less sorta what we do. Not the same, maybe, but still we're experts at spotting illusions and physical deceptions, magical or otherwise." He looked to Ash. "That means though, if I tell you something, and your eyes tell you something else, you have to trust me. Deal?"

Rohaan turned back to Valdemar. "Well, as much as I'd love chatting with you all day, Valdemar, it seems I've got a job to do. Tell my dear sweet Captain we'll be seeing each other soon enough, I'm sure he'll be overjoyed," he said, voice blazing with sarcasm. He stood, stretching a little, and he began checking a few of the leather pouches on his bandolier as if making sure he was stocked for a journey. Whatever he kept in there, he was apparently satisfied, because he nodded once to himself and said to Ash, "Ready when you are, then."

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

No worries!

Of Blood and Bastards

"I see no reason for you to have any concerns..." Rohaan was not subtle in his mocking tone. "Obviously, since you're not the one walking into a magical cult session blind. What's another dead shifter to you, after all?" It was a good thing Rohaan really wanted this elf dead for his own reasons, or he would have outright refused by now. He was not a thing to be played with, and he was not a soldier to be ordered about. He served no master and would suffer no rule.

Rohaan smiled, but it had a cold edge. "Did you expect any less of me? All the same, I'd give you a similar warning. Not all the tales they tell about me are true, but I'll leave it to you to guess which ones are. However you slice it, it takes a special kind of arrogance to cross Rio Ja'aisen. As for what lies under the glove?" He outright laughed. "I don't have to ask your permission, nor do I have to wait to find out. Not that it's any personal interest of mine. I already know how corrupted you are, and I need nothing else to show me that." His voice softened a little, though it was still cold. "But your loyal followers have yet to know...nor would they like to know that their Emperor has been dabbling in the "uncouth and detestable" art of magic, either directly or indirectly." Magic was often frowned upon, and free magic humans were sometimes and in some regions considered no better than elves and the like. The shifter did not mention that, if pushed hard enough, he would have no guilt about laying fiery siege to Last Vigil, nor would he lose any sleep over making it his personal mission to see to it that traded goods belonging to the empire never made it to harbor.

Rohaan did not, however, rise to the jibe about the Vokurians serving and worshiping Malachor. It wasn't the worst thing he'd had thrown at him, nor did it have any basis in truth. Rohaan spoke truly when he said he'd never heard of him, and unlike most shifters humans came in contact with, Rohaan had not been bred in captivity, nor was he born in human lands at all. He came from far away, where a small tribe of his people still lived in freedom as they'd done of old. Rohaan knew the old traditions, customs, languages, and beliefs. They did not worship Malachor, either by that name or any other.

"Look," Rohaan said at length. "I've got a personal interest in seeing this Thoburas dead, so I'll do it. You don't get to dictate my methods, and I'm sure as shit not retrieving any god-body-bits, artifacts, or whatever else for you. That wasn't part of the deal and you won't go making it so. I'm going to gut that murderer bow to stern, and then we're going to make for Last Vigil, fulfill the bargain, and be rid of you. I'll add, too, that if Ash here decides she wants to play hero and go in there too, I'm not going to stop her and I'm not responsible for her. If she gets herself killed, that's her problem and yours, not mine, and in no way does that negate the terms of our deal. My task was to find her and bring her to you, not to play babysitter. Understood?" He was speaking to Karl, but his eyes were on Ash, as if warning her that any bravery on her part was not his place to fix if it went awry. Not that he wouldn't give it an attempt to keep her from harm--it's not like he wanted her dead. Truthfully, he'd much rather see her on the throne than her father. But he wouldn't kill himself over it.

"Now, if you know about what this asshole is capable of, and what he might try and do to me if he finds me, or what kind of wards or whatever else I'll have to contend with, I suggest you fork over the information. You might find that your messenger is far more capable of finishing his task if you do."

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Somehow, even in a moment like this when she was bristling and on edge, the first thing she thought about when Darin said the trees were alive were the red palms that grew outside Nailih's home. Nailih, who had first put the seed of doubt in her mind that her Sol was crooked and corrupt. What did those palms think of her deeds that night? Would they forgive her now, if she ever returned? What about the juniper bushes that secluded her while she killed Takhun? Ridahne visibly shivered, some of her ire melting away into a numb horror. Some, but not all. She'd always known plants and trees were alive, and like all elves, she was taught the importance of balance in nature, of the sanctity of life. But she'd never guessed they had thoughts of their own.

A man called out her name and Ridahne turned so sharply that the two fabric-bound strands of hair tipped with bone pendants whirled and slapped her face. She stared down Mr. Armin with her fiery golden eyes, though those two little embers cooled a little as she recognized him. A breath she didn't know she'd been holding slipped past her lips. Ridahne took another slow, deep breath and made an effort to compose herself a little. She was of the same mind as Darin, and just wanted to get out of here. Ridahne gave Mitaja a quick pet and a soft word of thanks before releasing her to trot back to the stables. "Quite peaceably," she said with a small nod, making a show of her empty hands. "We wish no harm and no trouble."

They followed Mr. Armin, but Ridahne hung back slightly so she could have a few quiet words with Darin. "Remind me to thank them for that. I trust them far more than anyone else out there. It's not that I think anyone would want to do you harm, those are ordinary folk with ordinary cares. But individuals can be unpredictable, and that lot was frightened. Royalty--elected or otherwise--have reputations to uphold, and broad implications for each and every little action. Even if they wanted to harm you, I doubt they would, or they'd have a riot on their hands. The council is reasonably safe, I believe. But they may have their own motives for sweet words and kind deeds. Stay on your guard. What's more...I don't have the same senses about people that you do, but I've seen a thing or two and I've got a feeling that they already know who we are. They're a smart, well informed bunch and they were very quick to find us just now. I'll bet my left hand they know, but are being polite, or secretive for their own reasons. Do with that information what you will," she advised.

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

If it was any other time, Ridahne might have laughed in surprise at the use of the ancient Azurian dialect. She knew it, and some remote clans still used it regularly. But it wasn't the time for that, and she did not spare it any more thought before switching to it herself. "Trees can...do that?" She was stunned, though she supposed she shouldn't be, considering both of them were tightly wound in the fate of a highly powerful, magical, sentient tree. But that was the tree, not just any tree....right? Ridahne's two khukri blades softly reflected the glow of nearby uloia, and in that soft light they did not look so sinister as when they reflected moonlight in the hands of their ghostly owner in the dark. They seemed things of beauty, like poetry in metal form, and yet they still had a dangerous air. Ridahne was not keen to lower them.

"I'll put them down when this brick takes a step back..." she hissed. The warrior was bristling like a challenged wolf. Her training had a lot to do with it, but so did their run in with the Red Hand. That experience had changed her, even if just a little. She stared down the burly man who'd come forward and a memory unbidden came of hands around her neck. She took a breath. This was Lihaelen, not the road, and the man did not appear armed. Ridahne shook off the feeling, or tried to. She seemed to have a change of heart about her blades, though, and slowly, hesitantly, brought them behind her back to skillfully slip them into their quiet leather sheathes under her shirt. It was like she never had them. Her hands, though, stayed down. Down, and very close to the hidden handles of her knives. "If we need a diversion, and to give them all something else to talk about, I can always tell them that I am Ridahne Sol-Slayer, Oathbreaker. That will give them all something to chew on for a long time, and encourage them all to leave us alone out of fear. Besides, they might assume that the Seed-Bearer wouldn't associate with someone so heinous and rule you out. Say the word and I'll do it." Ridahne left the option in Darin's hands.

Ridahne took a step forward towards the stranger; though he was large, she was just barely taller, albeit a great deal slimmer. "It's not wise to harass an Azurei's apprentice. Forgive my unfriendliness," she said with a bit of an edge, "But we've had a hard road, and my trust in strangers is thin. My apprentice and I are passing through Lihaelen. We did not come to cause trouble with its residents...but all the same, I advise that you keep your distance. There's no reason for either of us to do anything rash, after all." It was an attempt at a cover as to why she'd reacted as she did, and it was true enough. Even if these people were not agents of the Red Hand, Ridahne saw no reason why they couldn't cause mischief of their own. She just wanted to get herself and Darin back inside, but turning and bolting wouldn't help their case either.

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Ridahne's dreams strayed somewhere over cool waters and splashing in the waves with her brother as children. She slept harder and more peacefully than she had in a long time, though that did not abate her natural watchfulness. Tsara, her mentor, taught her to have awareness while she slept, and would sneak into her room and, if Ridahne did not catch her, would slap her awake until she learned. Ridahne did learn. And though she was peacefully and soundly asleep when Darin awoke, all it took was the sound of the door opening to rouse her. She couldn't help a small cry as she jolted upright, whipping one of her knives out from behind her back where it sat in its sheath.

The room was empty besides herself, but she thought she caught what she assumed to be Darin leaving the room and rushing down the hall. Ridahne could feel something, like an electric tingle in the air she did not understand but was keenly aware of. Something was happening, something profound and related to the Seed, like when she'd had a dream about what Darin did in the fields in the rain. Ridahne pulled out her other knife and followed out into the hall after her. Outside, she looked up and saw the trees strangely warped, and though she could not sense what Darin was clearly sensing, Ridahne knew enough to know something was happening. People were terrified, such a thing had never been seen before and could possibly be seen as some kind of ill omen. She did not sheathe her blades.

The trees relented, straightening to their usual shape with a gentle hiss and swish of branches and leaves as if they'd been stirred by a powerful but fading wind. The murmuring immediately began. The residents of Lihaelen were trying to sort out what ad happened when an omnipresent voice echoed from the surrounding forest, announcing with unbridled glee the presence of the Seed Bearer, like an excited dog barking and baying at the sight of his loving master. Ridahne's heart skipped a beat. There was some chance that this would all be fine, that no harm would come of it. But Ridahne was not trained to expect that kind of optimism. People started looking around. Their eyes fell on the bewildered human and the panicked Azurei with her knives in hand. They all stared. Ridahne was at Darin's side instantly, and she gave a loud, sharp whistle. Moments later, Mitaja appeared from the nearby stables. She'd been sleeping, but she knew her master's call when she heard it. Ridahne spoke to her hurriedly in Azurian, instructing her to "take the rear". Mitaja was well trained, and whenever Ridahne moved, Mitaja mirrored her. Together, the two stood on either side of Darin like two orbiting sentinels. Anyone wanting to speak to Darin would have to get through her first. That said, she was aware that not everyone would want to hurt Darin. Most people would be overjoyed and honored, though they in their eagerness might crowd Darin, and neither of them needed that.

"Darin," Ridahne hissed, trying to keep her voice down. "What just happened? Do you...know?" Ridahne realized Darin didn't always understand what happened around her. But clearly the elf had missed something.