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The Coming Storm (Zaila & Alvis)

Ananya felt both relief and regret wash over her at the same time. Relief because she'd proven herself, but regret because she'd pretty much signed her own death certificate by doing so. She had no doubt that there were men coming to get her... Cuttle had survived, she just knew it. As for Shard... She desperately hoped he'd survived too, but he was no where -near- as talented as Cuttle was and was most likely quickly dispensed.

Pushing those thoughts aside, she listened to the general, her body running cold when she heard both the order and the reward. That behemoth of a man was her protector?! Oh yes, he'd protect her... He'd protect her by keeping her tied to a pole all night! She winced, her stomach tightening in knots just before she was pulled from before the general, led out by a very angry Elrane. Saying anything at this point would probably only result in pain, but...she had questions and she needed them answered.

"Will I be allowed to walk around freely? Or...will I be tied down all the time?" It was the only major question she had at that moment, the others were lesser and could be answered another time.
 
"Do not walk without an escort. Walking freely without me will invite you to be used by the men, or taken by the Tenescowri. This is for your own safety." He said calmly. His anger was still there, but it had cooled, annealed into something he could use, rather than something that used him. He opened the flap to his tent, and put her in it. He followed. The tent was modest, a soldiers tent. As a captain he was afforded more room, and that left him rom for a few personal possesions. He stepped past Ananya, and lifted his breastplate off. His undertunic was soaked through with sweat from his night, and his back ached from the strength in the blows he'd faced from Cuttle. He rolled his shoulders, tryign to loosen them some. His armour was placed on a rack, and he looked at his bookcase. A part of him wanted to plunge into it, and find something within to calm his nerves, but he knew that nothing would suffice right now. "Sit down." He said quietly. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to think.
 
She listened as he explained the rules she would be placed under during her imprisonment. Really, they weren't so bad considering what her mind had been imagining. Nodding she followed behind him showing she comprehended as she was shuffled into his tent. Since she was still afraid of the man, and not exactly sure what to expect from him, she simply ambled off to the side and watched as his silhouette removed figures of armor from his form. It occurred to her that none of the men had asked just -how- she could see even though they could plainly tell she was blind just by looking at her eyes.

A shrug of her shoulders was delivered to this thought, answering her own inner question while the man prepared for bed that night. The tent was roomy enough, and had a bookcase, so she wouldn't be bored at least... It still was a cage though since she wasn't allowed to leave unless escorted. It was a rule, but a rule put in place because he knew what the men of the legion would do should they find a young girl wandering around. Escape seemed impossible as she considered this since watch was most likely done around the clock to prevent being caught off guard by an attack. No matter what time she ventured out she'd run into someone...

Her eyes turned back to him when he finally spoke, a gulp sliding down her throat as she settled into a chair to the side of her, crossing one leg over the other as the man rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was aggravated, she could tell, but she didn't want the silence between them to last... It gave the man time to think things and she couldn't have that so she decided to ask the one question that she'd wondered about just a few minutes ago. "You know...you haven't asked how I can see things despite my blindness." Her voice was more even now. It still held a trill of nervousness, but at least she could deliver an entire sentence without stammering.
 
Elrane sat on the edge of his bed, and started to remove the thick leathers from them.
"Does it truly matter? I do not know how your gift of truth sight works, but it does. Your eyes are the same. Though I must wonder just how much you can see." He stated calmly. He set the leg armour to the side, feeling much coller without it. He drew th pair of long bladed daggers out of his boots, and set them on a rack beside his bed. His sword followde them there. He realized he was likely going to have to find a more secure location to place them if he wanted to ensure that he wasn't murdered in his sleep by his newest responsibility.

Cuttle rode towards the next village. It wasn't as far as he'd remembered, buut then again, it had been nearly a decade since he'd been there. When the lights of the village were in sight, he was utterly exhausted. He dismounted, and wearil walked the horrses into town.
"Cuttle! What are you doing out at this time of night?" The village alderman, Heinrick, asked him. Cuttle blinked at him. "And wearing full armour? Cuttle, what's going on? What's happened?"
"Enoch village. It's gone. Burned to the gorund." Cuttle said quietly. Heinrick went pale.
"No. By who? By what?"
"The Panron Dominae has crossed the borders. Raiding parties are moving around, taking villages out. Heinrick, you need to get these people out of here. They'll be slaughtered. And...they took Ananya with them." The alderman swallowed.
"Did they know?"
"Yes. I need any Messenger Riders stationed here to meet me. I've work for them to do."
 
Her gaze had wandered, taking in her surroundings and pretty much just logging the location of things away so she could find them in a hurry, but it swept back towards Elrane when he was speaking again, lips pursing in thought to his question. It really -didn't- matter. As long as she exhibited it and used it to the Panron Dominae's advantage, they could care less as to how it worked. His last sentence had her smirking though, those milky eyes of hers following his every move as he loosed himself of his weapons, laying them all out in a nice little line.

Was he mad? She could very easily just pluck one of the weapons up and stab him through the heart in his sleep, but...where would she go after that? He'd warned that if she went into the encampment the men would take it upon themselves to use her in every way possible. Removing her protector from the picture pretty much sealed that fate for her. Realizing this, the smirk dropped and she pouted slightly, arms crossing over her chest as she looked around again, trying to find something to talk about. At least the man was being civil.

"Where will I sleep?" It seemed like an innocent enough question and she was genuinely curious whether he had an extra cot she'd be given or if she was forced to sleep on the floor. Another question tugged at her mind as well, so she posed it before he could answer the other one. "Also...if I escape and the men out there take advantage of me, wouldn't the general kill them? I'm asset to him now, a valuable one, so...if his own men are willing to most likely kill me, then they'd surely be severely punished or possibly be given to the Tenescowri right?" She watched him closely now, waiting to see if what he said in response was true and also paid close attention to his answer.
 
Elrane crossed to a large chest, trew it open. He pulled out an armload of furs, and dropped them on the floor near her. "You may sleep there. And in this camp, there are two hundred thousand Bekalites alone, not including the Betalklites, Urdomen, Seerdominae, or Scalandi. And then the Tenescowri...they are legion. What is one life, ten lives, even a hundred lives ot this army? Yes, they would be severely punished. But the army itself would not suffer overmuch. And while you will be useful to us, you are not indispensible. We have managed well enough without you before. We can continue if we must." Elrane said casually. He pulled the padding off of his torso, showing a few lurid bruises from impacts he'd taken. He was only glad Cuttle hadn't landed a blow, as the big man would have likely taken a limb from his body. "I will be honest with you seer, since there is no point in being otherwise. I am less pleased by my assignment than you are. Had I my way, you would be given into the charge of another to look to your welfare. Should you die, I would be released to my command once more, something I desire. But my loyalty is to the Dominae, and I will not sacrifice a tool of it needlessly. So I am then stuck with you, and you with me. Possibly for a very long time. When the Dominae wins this war, you will be taken back to our capital, and presented to our leader. From there, I have little notion of what will become of you."

Cuttle was seated in the tavern, drinking a large tankard of water.
"She needs to know. One of your riders needs to go to the capital now to alert the Empress that they've crossed the border." Cuttle explained. Heinrick nodded.
"I ride to Enoch, to see the devastation with my own eyes, and then I will ride to the capital myself. An eyewitness from one of her aldermen will carry more weight." He said. Cuttle nodded.
"Ride fast. And the village?"
"Will empty. They will make for Gol Lorhain. We will find our shelter behind it's walls, and wait for this to be over. Then, come and rebuild our homes and lives."
"Good man. Now, your messengers are coming with me, except for two, who are to ride to the next villages, bringing the the message. They'll be heading out as we find things that need to be reported. I'd ask for what members of the Legion you have, be I imagine they're going to be protecting your people on the march."
"Yes. Now, sleep tonight Cuttle. You're exhausted, and will need all your strength for the morning ride." Cuttle nodded. "A room is prepared for you upstairs. We'll provision you, and have a better mount for you."
"Thanks Heinrick."
"Just get her back, and don't get killed."
 
A bunch of furs came into her vision, pulled from a chest towards the side of the tent. Seeing them dropped was clue enough as to their purpose leaving her to only nod thin-lipped towards him as she settled onto the make-shift bed. They were thick enough to provide comfort from the ground, but it still wasn't as good as having an actually bed or cot to rest on.

Fingers played idly into her silver tresses as he spoke, his words already things she'd pretty much surmised herself. A small group wouldn't have need for someone like her. This unit was large, powerful, and expansive which left her chances of escape becoming fewer and fewer until they were nothing but inner musings. Hearing him speak so nonchalantly about her death, just as the general had, caused her spine to stiffen and her throat to go dry momentarily. She cleared her throat to moisten it again and continued to listen as he spoke about his distaste for the arrangement. He was callous if he wasn't even considering how much just this -day- had traumatized her let alone what this entire ordeal would do.

"Yes, well, you think I'm happy about it either? This entire day has been nothing but traumatizing for me, but...you don't care about that." It was pointless to complain about the situation or state how much she wanted to go home since both would arrive at no result other than him possibly getting angry. So, she decided to go another route. "What will my stay here be like? I mean...you're charged with protecting me, but will I be asked to point out traitors daily?" At least it would be something that kept her from thinking about the hopelessness of her current circumstances.
 
"Daily is hardly a requirement. Troops will simply repeat their vow of allegiance to the General with you in his presence. It would be weasy to pick out those who speak falsely. It may take a week to complete, and the days will be long. But then you will only be brought in to check on anyone new who arrives in th camp." Elrane explained. "I know you feel as though you day is so terribly damaging, but do know that you should not even think of ascape. It would take a Legion beyond reckoning to halt our advance, and even then, who knows you are even here? Your village is gone, dead or in the hands of the Tenescowri. That man you bartered to save, Cuttle? I've seen no man awaken from such blows in less than an hour, and the builing he was beside would collapse by then, burying him. Know this seer. No one is coming for you now."

Heinrich saddled his horse.
"But why do you have to go?" His wife, Esmerelle pleaded. He took her hand gently.
"Cuttle is a friend. A good man. And he has to keep looking for a way to help Ananya. I don't know why he's so bent on doing so, but he carried a warning to our people. We will live, rather than die. He's saved us all Esmerelle. If I can help his cause by telling the Empress I have seen teh destruction first hand, and speed her aid, than I have to do it. Please understand. You and the children will be safe on the march. I will see you in Gol lorhain." He told her. He pulled her close in an embrace, holding her for a full minute before letting her go.
"Ride hard. And come back to us as soon as you can love."
"I will. Ulric watch over you my love." He kissed her, and swung onto his horse. he kicked her into motion, and sped out of the stable, heading for Enoch. He'd be true to his word, and deliver the message.
 
Ananya pulled one of the furs up and folded into a makeshift pillow and settled her head onto it, trying it out to see if she'd wake up with an incredibly stiff neck in the morning. It was flat, but fluffy enough to allow her at least a little support so she leaned back up, her attention on the captain once more. All of it was stuff she'd already figured she would be used for, but hearing how long it would take and how monotonous it was going to be only soured her mood further.

Her thoughts had shifted into a daydream of being back home, playing a game of hide-and-seek with the little kids in the city. A smile curled on her lips as she let the image play through her mind only to have it shattered to pieces by the ending words in the man's statement. Her heart felt like it had sunk into her stomach and she felt sick. He couldn't be sure about that he just couldn't! Cuttle was a strong guy. He would have survived...he had to! Glistening tears started streaming down her cheeks, chin turning down so the man wouldn't see her in her moment of weakness. However, the girl knew she wouldn't be going to sleep dry-eyed that night.

Silence was all that greeted the man, her hope crushed effectually, and her spirit temporarily as well. She was trapped here...for as long as they wished her to be...and when she was completely used up and no longer in need, she'd be killed. Frozen in these thoughts, she just stared towards the floor, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
 
Elrane just smiled slightly. She was alone now, and she'd do what was needed. Perhaps time would harden her into something more useful. While many in his unit would have ravaged her blind, and repeatedly, the thought did not appeal to him. He was a man of arms, simple and straight forward. He served the Paron Dominae to his abilities, and did so without complaint. But he longed for the feel of his men behind him, and a foe before him, charging to war, and the letting of blood. It was what he lived for. It was what he'd die for someday. But that was all secondary now. He sighed, and swung onto his bed. He folded his arms under his head, and stared at the ceiling. he wished that Cuttle could have lived, simply to fight him again. The big man had been a challenge. A worthy foe. And those were few and far between. He let sleep claim him.

Heinrich rode to the edge of the ruined village. It still smouldered, and the stench of deah filled air, as well as burned flesh. Torn bodies littered the ground, and the sheer scale of the horror sent his mind reeling a moment, trying to grasp it all. A woman was hung by her wrists from a tree, blood running from between her legs, and her throat slashed. Her death had been neither swift, nor merciful. To her, dying had been the greatest gift of all. He rode to her, feeling tears running down his face, cut through the ropes with his knife, letting her fall to the ground. She deserved better, but he had to ride hard now. The Empress would indeed need to know of this. He heard a slight clicking noise, and his mind raced to connect the sound with something familiar. He nodded, realizing what it was. A crossbow. His eyes widened, and he kicked the horse into motion, as a far louder clack filled the air, and he felt a hammerblow to his side, sending him from his horse. He landed hard on his arm, feeling the bone break under him. His horse sped away into the night, and he staggered to stand, and draw out his knife. Heinrich was nothing of a fighter, but he would meet his end on his feet. He saw a pack of five soldiers, all of them wearing the light armour etched with the symbol of the Panron Dominae. One was calmly reloading the crossbow, while the other four advanced. Heinrich took a wild swipe at one, but another kicked, hitting the embedded crossbow bolt, dropping him to the ground. His world was suddenly filled with clubs and boots, hammering down on him. He screamed in denial, as the soldiers all laughed. Heinrich's death was neither swift, nor merciful.
 
Ananya had to consider the positives in her current situation. The protector she'd been assigned to was told he could do whatever he pleased with her so long as it didn't damage her ability, yet...he hadn't made good on that part of the reward. Other soldiers would have jumped at the opportunity to violate her, given she was still very innocent, but...Elrane didn't. It was a trait she actually -liked- in the man, despite everything that had happened. With this on her mind, she also settled down and slipped off into her dreamworld which, unfortunately, was filled with screams and rivers of blood that she'd seen when running through the city. Nightmareland was more like it...

The entire night was spent tossing and turning, hour upon hour brought into unrest by the horrific images that plagued her mind. Finally, the sunlight of early morning peeked through, stinging her lids and urging her awake. She winced and yawned, stirring herself back into consciousness and pulling up into a sitting position so she could look around and try and get her composure situated.
 
Elrane was up, pulling on a fresh shirt. His mind was already going to what needed to be done today. The answer he came back with was very little. Normally, he'd have his company in the fields, doing drill for the next four hours, followed by a mock skirmish with Betaklites, and Urdomen, honing their skills. Now...all he had to do was wait for the command of the general to bring Ananya forward. It was to be a boring day. A very boring day. He getured with a hand to a plate set at the foot of his bed.
"There's food there for you. Eat. You'll need all the strength you can muster." He said calmly, impartially. He would remain calm through this ordeal, this trial put before him.

Cuttle was up with the dawn, getting his horse acked. They'd given him the best they had, an animal that was the size of a warhorse, large hoofed, and powerfully built. He ran a hand along it's shoulder, and swung into the saddle. He was an infantryman at heart, and didn't have the kind of connection that Cavalrymen were always reputed to have with their mounts. Cuttle had a plan in his head. A small plan that seemed prone to failure. But it was all he had at the moment. There was a village on the way to a small fort, one that had been largely abandoned with the dismissal of the Legion, but there would likely be a few men left behind to garrison it, and any of them he could rally would be of great help. He kicked his horse into motion, and a gorup of six messenger riders followed him out.
 
Ananya yawned and stretched, sweeping her gaze around the room until it landed on Elrane. He was already getting dressed and she was just waking up. Rubbing her eyes, she moved the furs from her legs and stood from the bed, moving over to where he'd mentioned there was food. The silhouette of the food laid out came into her vision, fatigued legs bringing her over to the table by the foot of the bed before settling down at it in an indian style position.

She took a cloth and grabbed some bread and dried meat, consuming both items in about fifteen minutes time. Her stomach still growled, wanting the bountiful meal she usually had back in the village. Bread, crepes, fruits, eggs. Her stomach growled even louder as she thought of it, an arm clutching it to try and stifle the sound. Finished, she folded the cloth and put it at the side of the table before moving over to where her furs were and made the bed, more out of habit than anything.
 
Elrane lifted his sword from the rack, adn belted it on. The daggers returned to his boots. While he wanted to leave the tent, he supposed that he shuld ultimately keep an eye of Ananya, in case she tried something, or someone else tried to get to her. He blew out a sigh, and turned to her.
"What do they call you? I can continue to call you seer, but you may prefer a different title." He said to her plainly. Even standing idle, his back was at rigid attention, ramrod straight. It seemed the concept of relaxation was foreign to his body. His hand idle traced the ragged scar tissue that marred his palms, remembering the day he'd earned his place among the officers of the Bekalites. A place among warriors. How far had he fallen now?

"Uh, Cuttle, I mean this in no offense, but what do you hope to find at this fort? It's got maybe three soldiers in it." One of the messengers cut in.
"Then I want to pull them loose, and have them go with me. A keep doing this until we've got a force big enough to do the job. Any other questions?" Cuttle answered bluntly. Messengers grated his nerves, all they needed to know how to do was stay in their saddle, and carry a saatchel. Not a fighter among them. They only carried light sabres, weapons that could scare off a peasant, and maybe a few bandits, but nothing like what they would be in for if the Panron caught up to them. The thought that he'd essentially be fighting along did nothing to comfort him. He was effectively behind enemy lines right now, adn that meant staying on the move wherever possible.
 
Since she had nothing else to keep her attention on she was limited to watching as Elrane went about his duties. The routine way he carried them out was kind of interesting. Even his body language made it impossible for someone to peg him as anything -but- a soldier. In a way she felt sorry for the man since it was clear he'd had a life of military training. He probably came from a military family; a strict father, a demure mother. Then when he came of age he was thrown into the family business, trained to be a great warrior like his father. A pang on concern struck her inwardly, but it was quickly diminished by the reminder of who he was and why she was with him.

A low growl resonated in her throat, paused by his question which pretty much caught her off guard. Asking her if there was something else he could call her sounded foreign coming from such a hardened man. "Oh, um...Ananya." At this point it really wasn't necessary to lie about her name since they'd find it out in due time somehow anyway. "You can call me either really, but... I -do- like my name better." Her momentary anger was sufficiently quelled and she was calmed again, fingers smoothing out the furs to her bed.

"Captain?" A soldier from the encampment dipped into the tent. Ananya gulped and stepped off to the side, averting the face of the newcomer. Her steps were ambled. It was a way of making it look like Elrane had the time of his life with her the night before and also a way of keeping the other men from wanting to get at her. The man looked in and as soon as he saw his captain he saluted before relaxing again. "Captain, sorry for the intrusion, but the general seeks the seer immediately." At the mention of her, his eyes had traveled off to the side, eyeing the girl up and down hungrily which caused Ananya to shiver. She didn't need to look up to know what was occurring. Heat rose to her cheeks, tinging them pink as she glared into the floor, inwardly screaming for the man to leave the tent so she could escape from his lust-filled gaze.
 
"I will bring her along mementarily. Dismissed soldier." Elrane said to the man. He turned, adn seemed to have to axert a bit of an effort to take his eyes away from Ananya. He walked from the tent, and Elrane sighed, irritated. The army needed a fight to keep it occupied, and not spend all it's time using camp followers and prisoners for amusement, especially with the Tenescowri around. A large battle might thin them out some. "Well then. It seems your first day is to begin now Ananya. Come." He said calmly, holding the tent flap open.
 
The girl still didn't look up even after the soldier was dismissed, a gulp sliding down her throat as the feeling of being surveyed remained. It lasted for about a minute more until the soldier finally left the tent, leaving Elrane alone with her once more. Now that she was out of the hungry gaze, and not being watched, she moved to the middle of the room and grabbed another piece of dried meat, listening as the captain sighed. He was irritated; not just about this arrangement, but about the lack of battle he was getting out of being placed -into- it.

"Yes, I know." She finished off the piece of dried meat and moved through the tent flap into the bright sun of the morning. The sudden influx of light caused her eyelids to sting and, wincing, she walked further into the encampment before pausing and waiting for Elrane to lead her back to the general's tent since she didn't want to risk getting lost. While she waited for her protector, a brazen soldier came up behind her and whispered something crude in her ear which caused her cheeks to get hot with embarrassment. It was along the lines of "Too bad the Captain got a nice piece like you. You wouldn't be walkin' if you were given to me." He'd laughed cruelly after delivering his message and walked away as if nothing had happened.
 
Elrane stepped out of the tent, and shot a hand out, wrapping it around the back of the neck of the soldier. He started, and tired to turn, but muscle like steel cables rolled in Elrane's arm, and the soldier left the ground.
"Peons should know their place, and know better then to speak to that which they lack the right to do so with." Elrane said, his voice cold, and slick, like sun kissed ice.
"Sir! Gods! Let...let me..." The soldier tried to speak, but the fingers digging into his neck made it hard.
"Let the word go out soldier. Anyone who is found to try anything with my charge, unless expressly ordered to by myself, will be given to the Tenescowri. Or perhaps I shall simply send you back to explain everythig to our Lord himself." The soldier went still, cold sweat on his face at the thought of facing their Lord. "Understood?"
"Yes sir!"
"Then be gone. And never look me in eye again." Elrane heaved, throwing the man a few paces forward to sprawl across the ground. He picked himslf up, and scrambled away. lrane watched him go, and then turned back to Ananya. "Follow." He said to her, heading towards the General's pavillion.

"You guys see that?" Cuttle asked, pointing. The messengers nodded.
"Signal fires, at the fort. Are they calling for aid?" The lead rider asked.
"No, wrong colour smoke. That's a signal they've found something. They want someone to investigate."
"So, we should go do that then." Cuttle looked at him, the glance showing the respect one might afford a child.
"And if the Panrons have taken the fort, and are using that to lay a trap?" The rider went pale.
"I, uh, hadn't thought of that."
"Apparently not. Form up. Wedge. We'll appraoch to a safe distance, and see what we can."
"And if it is a trap sir?"
"Hate for them to go to all that trouble for nothing then."
 
Ananya's fingers had curled into fists, ready to deliver a rapid and strong blow to the man's face, but she was beat to it by Elrane coming to her aid. The action had been too quick for her to follow, but once she heard the man's strangled words she knew he was being choked and probably held up by the hold as well. Curious, she turned and brought her attention to the altercation, a smile tugging at her lips to see a lesson effectually dealt to the man. What's more is she could see the man's aura diminish just slightly which meant Elrane had achieved his goal of striking fear into the man.

Hearing that word would be spread about the price for touching her raised her spirits a bit and she was feeling a little more optimistic about her time here. At least she was with someone she didn't need to worry about being violated with and he would do his hardest to keep her safe from the less honorable of the soldiers. The man was released and a command was given to her which she quickly followed. His adrenaline was pumping which meant disobeying him now would only resort in force. "Thank you," she whispered before falling into step behind him as they walked over to the general's pavillion.
 
"Seer Ananya, my duties are taken seriously. And your safety is the only thing I have left. Harm will not sind you with me at your side." he told her plainly. A ragged looking man approached them when they wre nearly to the pavillion.
"And so the vaunted seer comes to the general's side at last. Mayhap I could speak to her-" He said, but Elrane cut him off.
"Anaster, See yourself off, else I do so for you." He warned coldly. The man looked at Elrane, no fear in him.
"You know who I am, and what I command Elrane."
"First Child of the Dead Seed, and you command the rabble of Tenescowri. You hold no power in this army, and not in my eye. Remove yourself from my sight, else I shall remve your head with my bare hands." Anaster laughed aloud, the sound tinged with a hint of madness. His eyes were tinged with a sickly yellow colour in the whites, and he grinned ferally.
"To meet me unarmed, you would be mad. This you I fear you? I hold the regard of our Lord, and you would not dare to-" Elrane cut him off with a soldi backhand blow. Blood mixed with spittle flew in the air from the blow. Alrane hadn't moved his body, making the blow one of supreme negligence. Anaster staggered back. He turned back, and grinned. "Mayhap I speak to the General. Perhaps new arrangemetns could be reached for the protection of the seer. You could be released to your command." Anaster laughed again, and walked away, wiping the blood from his mouth.

The ride was kept to a canter. Cuttle kept his eyes on the walls of the fort. He saw a small number of forms moving along them, and prayed to Shallya that they would be of the legion, and not his enemies. As they came near, the gates swung open.
"Cuttle! Gawds damn me lad! Whot brings ye this far oot?" A man there announced. Cuttle grinned.
"Stormy! Ulric's eye, am I glad to see you!" He called back. it was going to be a good day after all.
 
The man's flat tone didn't offend her at all. His duty was to protect her, and only that, so she knew he was only doing it -because- it was his duty. Still, she felt it necessary to show her appreciation. "I know," she replied softly, steps halting when someone approached them. The silhouette of his clothes tinged on that of a beggar and she wanted the man carefully. When he spoke, a shiver crept up her spine. It was the voice you heard from someone who has gone mad and thinks only along insane lines. Instinctively, she moved closer to Elrane, pressing into him and peeking out from behind him at the strange man as Elrane tried to warn him off.

The man wasn't having it and seemed to want some kind of battle before he could sufficiently walk away. A sickening slap filled the air, cutting off the man's words and causing Ananya's shoulders to bristle. It made her glad that she hadn't experienced such from Elrane yet and hopefully wouldn't in the near future. The man seemed satisfied with the response and finally walked away leaving Ananya free to breathe again now that the threat was gone. Now there were two men that would happily snatch her up should she try and escape Elrane's side. It was even scarier now because the man had made mention of going to speak to the general about changing of assignments.

Once the strange man was out of earshot, she moved around and stood in front of Elrane, her milky eyes looking up and pleading. "Don't let the general assign me to him... please." She knew Elrane cared nothing for her safety, were he not assigned to do so, but she hoped she could tug at what little compassion the man still held.
 
"There is little hope of that. The Tenescowri have no ability to sustain a vauble tool. Only their madness. You would be too weak ot be of any use. The general knows this. And beneath his madness, so does Anaster. That being said, keep well clear of him. his madness gives him great power, but it knows no fear of consequence. Now come, before the General is impatient with our absence." Elrane explained, and stepped around her. Her eyes were all together unsettling to gaze into. He'd only seen eyes like that once before, and the memory did not comfort him in the least. He supressed a shudder as two Seerdominae parted the flap that allowed them access to the General's pavillion. Once this was completed, they would likely resume the march, heading for their destination. Elrane could see that nearly a thousand soldiers wre assembled, and more coming in all the time. It seemed his estimation of the generals plan was correct.

They rode to the gate, and Cuttle dismounted, and clapped his friend on the shoulder.
"Cuttle, wot are ye doin' here? Ye'd retired! Gone hoom tae live oot ye're life in te quiet! And nowe, ye're coomin' 'round mah post with riders in tow! What the devil ye be aboot nowe?" Stormy asked. Cuttle sighed.
"Panron Dominae crossed the border, burned through my village. Took a few hostage. All but one are likely write offs by now. But one of them...well, she's a problem." Cuttle explained.
"This be the wee lass ye spoke av on te march through Scalandi land?"
"That's her. And they've got her, and know what she's about. So, Stormy, I'm going to need some help."
"Och, aye, ye will. And we con't well leave te fort unmanned though! Got four that can go wit ye. As loong as ye can spare a rider te send a report."
"What they're there for. Let's get to it then Stormy."
 
His words calmed her enough, but his warning was something she'd assumed on her own anyway. The man knew he was outranked by Elrane, but the madness the man suffered would prevent him from seeing the wrong in his actions should he ever actually get his hands on her. "I know...Trust me. I won't be going anywhere near him." She shuddered when he did, but she wasn't exactly sure what the purpose of his was. Hers was mostly fueled by fear and the image of being defenseless before the madman with no one around to help her.

Nodding, she slipped in after him into the tent and looked around at all the men gathered. There had to be a thousand of them which, considering the grand number, did nothing to minimize the amount of room within the enormous tent. Every man would have to say the allegiance and every man would have to be tested. She felt tired just thinking about how much time it would take and how boring it would be, but at least it kept her from being tortured or physically hurt in other ways to try and get information from her. Now she had only wait for the event to begin, her senses heightened, milky hues watching each and every aura closely so she could focus on whoever it was that was called forth first.
 
Elrane stepped up beside the General's throne. The other man nodded to him.
"Prompt. Well done Captain. Is your seer ready?" He asked.
"I would imagine so. She seems to be." Elrane answered.
"Good. Soldiers! Advance by squad. Recite your pledge." The first group stepped forward, and dropped a knee before them.
"We pledge our alligence to the Panron. We shelter in his wisdom. We are his strength, and his Sight guides through this life. Our foes fall before us, and their bones are broken beneath our feet. Glory and praise to the Panron Dominae." The group spoke in one voice, no word out of place, the sound mixing, and making the air shake, as though there was something more to it thatn simple words.

The messengers rode behind the five men.
"Glad you came along Stormy. Wouldn't have been the same without you." Cuttle said casually.
"Och, lad, did ye expect anythin' boot? Ah'm not aboot tae let ye go an' have awl te fun fer yeself! 'sides, the lads here could use the extra help." Stormy waved an arm to the other men around them. The other heavies all grinned.
"Since we're just helpless little kids without daddy Stormy along." One of them jeered.
"Say thot one moore time lad, and ah'll shove yer head up yer horse's arse, adn ye can ride that way." Stormy warned, popping a knuckle. The group burst out laughing.
"Some things never chage there Stormy. Thank Ulric." Cuttle said, shaking his head.
 
Ananya remained toward the back of the men when Elrane left her side to join the general at his throne. Her attention remained on them only for a second so she could nod to show she was ready before it was placed entirely on the first squad that moved forward. All the men said the pledge at once which, beside the power behind the words, also seemed to create some kind of unseen unrest within the tent, as if power was summoned by their allegiances alone. She watched intently as they pledged, all their auras remaining true all the way throughout the pledge.

The second squad was called, the same process repeated, but this one carried three liars. "Not all of them are true," she stated after the men had pledged and walked over to the squad, moving along the lines and picking out one man from each line. "The three I've picked have lied in their allegiance." She wasn't sure what fate lied in her discovery, but she imagined it was anything but pleasant.
 
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