The screams. They were etched into her mind with no sight of them ever leaving. Not like she cared much anymore. There was no reason for her to care about that anyway, what was done was done and she would do it again without hesitation. Pain was relative in this world, at least in the sense of physical pain. This she was born of and raised in that she could handle. What she could not handle was this emotional pain. A hole in her heart that seemed to unable to heal, no matter how much she tried to push the feelings down. Already, her shield arm was marred with tiny cuts, marks made as a means of distraction to attempt to save her heart from the pain she could not mend.<br/><br/>Perhaps, she should have gone to see him? Gone to see her prince and spoke to him about the woman they both loved and cared for. Perhaps…she should have…said…or done more….with him? But she knew it would be at a loss right now. She knew he had begun to knock back bottle after bottle and would be of no use to her. In fact, she was not sure she even wanted to see him right then. Ashamed of her actions, disgusted with how she had lost her cool once again. Killed someone in a fit of rage and not in combat. The last time she did that, he had not spoken to her for a long…long time. Right now, she wanted to cling to the happy memories and not think about the consequences her actions will have on her future.<br/><br/><span style="color: #4080BF"><span style="font-style: italic">It was a beautiful day, one of the few they could take the time to enjoy when not training or protecting the land. On the grassy hill, they sat, back to back a comfortable weight to each woman despite their difference in sizes and mass. The burly and sometimes referred to as manly fighter, and her agile archer counterpart. Like night and day they were, but still bonded together in such a way that no one in this world could drive them apart. Sisters in arms, blood shared and spilt in service of their kingdom, they were a duo to fear and most importantly respect. <br/><br/>“You ever wonder what you’re going to do after,  everything?” the pale archer asked as she pulled up a handful of grass and watched the blades get carried away on the gentle breeze.<br/><br/>“Hit people?” Ausan remarked with a chuckle. “What else is there to do?”<br/><br/>“Ugh, there is more to life than just hitting people. What about a family or children?” <br/><br/>A pause, the usually confident woman, cast her gaze to the grass between her legs though she honestly does not see it there. “I never think about that kind of stuff…”<br/>“Liar! I see how you look at a certain Prince,” the tease clear in the voice of the woman who now moved from her relaxed position to allow her to turn and look at her companion. <br/><br/>"You know it's not like that. He and I are friends and nothing more," goes back to binding her hand. Slowly, the bruised and often swollen knuckles are covered by the clean white of cotton. Adding a touch of softness that would otherwise never be there, "Besides, he does not see me like that. I'm...well...me..." One shoulder raised a lowered in a dismissive shrug as she prayed to the Goddess that the subject would change. <br/><br/>"Regardless. There is more to life than just this life of war, I mean that is why we're fighting right? To have that future. I want a huge family and want to reclaim the land of my people." <br/><br/>"You do that and I can just be the rough Aunt, who visits and teaches the kids to punch things." <br/><br/>"Fine, but you have to try and live beyond that ok? Eventually, you will run out of people to hit." <br/><br/>"Have you seen the people in this world? That's won't ever happen." <br/><br/>"Fine, but you'll get tired of it and want to just come home to someone who makes you feel...well...loved...wanted...desired. Don't you want that?" <br/><br/>Long pause and then with a clearing of her throat she stands, "Come on. The new recruits should be done trying to hide from us. Let's find them and show them why hiding is never a good idea." <br/><br/>"Fine, but think about what I said."</span></span><br/><br/>A log in the fire popped and shot a hot coal from deep within its embers to land on the ground before her. An omen perhaps? A sign from her Goddess? Ausan sighed and took some clean bandages and wrapped up her forearm, the tiny cuts would heal on their own and not even leave any scars. The wound on her side, however, that would be a different story. Maybe she should let that God help her? He had helped Sen not lose her eye, so he should be able to help her with the punctured wound in her side. With the labored breathing, she experienced after she…there was likely a hole in her lung.<span style="font-style: italic">Barth hadn’t noticed. So, it's probably not something that I need to have cared for by the Gods.</span>she thought with a tired mind and wondered where Cameron had gotten to? She needed her bandages changed and wanted to lay down for a bit.<br/><br/><div><hr style="height:2px; width:100%; border:0; color: black;background:black;"/></div><br/>Cameron had done something he never thought he would. He went to get help for Ausan. Not the kind where a sword was needed, but the kind where gentle words and perhaps even a hug could be used to break her out of the funk. At first, he had not been concerned at her being remorse and sullen, it was to be expected. However, what he had not expected, was her cutting herself. It was so unlike her that he panicked and rushed off to try and find help from the only person he knew that could, Barth. As luck would have it, the squire arrived in time to see two things.<br/><br/>One was the Prince meeting an end at the hands of those who should have been their allies and then being carried away into the night. No one ever paid attention to him, he was trained to be useful but unseen and sometimes that bugged the shit out of him, for it made him feel unimportant. Now, as they moved without so much as a glance in his direction, he thanked the Goddess that he was the unseen servant this night. But, that left him with the burden to get help with something that was more important than anything he had ever done in his life.<br/><br/>“I have to save the Prince!”<br/><br/>Back into the camp, he ran, strong young legs carried him through the crowd of those carried on his way back to Ausan’s tent when he practically ran into the back of Sen. “SEN! I mean...um…ugh we have to help! They took the Prince! They took Barth! Come!  Come with me!” hands gestured wildly for her to follow him before he was back on his race to Ausan.<br/><br/><div><hr style="height:2px; width:100%; border:0; color: black;background:black;"/></div><br/><br/><span style="color: #FF4000"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">"When you speak to me, know that you speak to the Flame, to the one true power that watches over the chosen." </span><br/><br/>Heldrith'thn winced, unable to protect his mind's eye from the fiery glory before him. There was no way of shielding himself from it, yet the agony of the sight filled him with an incomprehensible joy as it scorched him. <br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">"You are the chosen, the ones that shall inherit Soluunar. Your suffering will be avenged. Your devotion will be rewarded. Your pain shall be given to those who would oppress you, tenfold."</span><br/><br/>Tears leaked from the corners of the Tutar's closed eyes as he sat, trembling, fighting to bear it. It was nearly beyond him, withstanding such power, so raw and so close to him, yet still so far. It portrayed most effectively the strength of the Flame. The Flame that would lead the Tutar back to prominence. <br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">"Remember this, Priest, for it is of great importance. When you pray to me, this moment shall never be mentioned. The focus must be on the future, and this first meeting, nearly beyond your power as it is, must be forgotten. Preach to your followers, but speak not of it to me. This I ask of my devotee. This I command of him."</span> </span><br/><br/>Heldrith'thn remembered bowing low, saying that the will of the Flame would be done; although the request seemed strange to him, he of course followed it without question. Learned as he was, the divine fire was a power beyond his comprehension. Heldrith'thn would guide his people, but the path he walked would be lit by the All Knowing Flame. <br/><br/>He heard footsteps echoing in the Temple and turned away from the throne, still trembling from the recollection. It was the most uplifting and powerful memory in his ancient mind, and he'd often think back to it whenever he was in a period of indecision, tempted to sway from his sacred purpose. On this occasion there was much to think on, but it was not the time for weakness. Great things, great, terrible, incredible things would be happening, the most momentous of events ever since the Tutar were pushed back to the depths of Soluunar, and Heldrith'thn needed to remember his tasks. <br/><br/>"Grishnakh, <span style="font-style: italic">Mualikh'tha'n</span>, he who is chosen. May the Flame shine upon you," he said with a solemn raising of his head. "I trust that the arrangements have been made?"</span><br/><br/>The Chieftan was not sure about this plan or anything else that this priest had in store for the Tutar. A simple creature, the chief was more focused on the world at hand, the one that he could feel and see with his own four eyes. Like his dick. He knew the size was impressive, knew it brought pleasure to the females he bedded and spawned many offsprings, most importantly males. Males envied it and females fawned over it. What he did not know was what this fire had planned for them and why they were to be players in this game. On the other hand, he did enjoy having his ego stroked, much like he enjoyed it when a female stroked his dick, so being referred to as the chosen one was more than enough to placate him.<br/><br/>“As you requested the arrangements have been made, though there was some concern from the others. When I said it was ordered from you, they quickly complied, even if I would have enjoyed putting a couple in their places first,” he strode forth, he held high as he regarded the smaller male. “What is the next step?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF4000">Heldrith'thn nodded, gesturing to one of the acolytes, stooped and huddled over in a corner but ever watchful, waiting to be summoned. The diminutive Tutar walked over, his ragged robes trailing behind him as he extended a roughly hewn stone tray, upon which rested two iron cups. "They would not dare defy me, but their concern is expected. They do not understand such things, for it is beyond them." He took one of the cups in his hands and stared down into its deep, scarlet depths. "You, Grishnakh, like them you are a warrior, but I have foreseen your path. You shall be much more than a mere Chieftain - much more than a Tutar. You will stride upon the corpse of a fallen world, wielding power that shall rival the Cursed Gods themselves, in their lofty halls built upon the pain of our people." <br/><br/>He indicated the other cup, with a nod. "When the Ravine formed, the Dragons died. It is said that their blood flowed like a river, staining the depths of Soluunar and forming lakes that would eventually fade from existence. But before they vanished," he added, licking his lips as he looked back into the liquid, "what remained was collected and used to make a drink worthy of kings. Rare it is, but let us consume it now in preparation for the glory that is to come." <span style="font-style: italic">Saneir</span>was a strong beverage, but even as it scorched the throat it opened the mind. After he put down the empty cup, the High Priest breathed a rare sigh of contentment. <br/><br/>"The next step is simple, <span style="font-style: italic">Mualikh'tha'n</span>. You will send word to the other Chieftains. Every single one, even those rabble who assemble in secret and believe themselves too small to adhere to commands given by the Temple. Have them all brought to <span style="font-style: italic">Jugrydein</span>, the charred valley beneath us. Those who refuse, have them slaughtered, and nail their corpses to the walls outside their dwellings. Any women they leave behind are yours to do with as you wish. But remember, all must assemble here. Armed for war. Roumjain and the others will need to be sent forth once word has been given. They cannot linger." <br/><br/>The plan was an intelligent one, but it did not need much intellect in the ones who would execute it. As such, Roumjain was the perfect candidate. Smart enough to breathe and kill, but not for much else beyond that.</span><br/><br/>“Some of the females do look..appealing,” a cruel smirk curled at his lips at the thought of perhaps eliminating some of the males just for that. The cup was brought to his lips, the dark liquid slid down his throat like fire though he did not falter nor spill a single drop until it was indeed empty. “I will ensure your will is done,” voice perhaps a bit gruffer, if possible, thanks to the effects of the beverage on his throat.<br/><br/>“This power you promise me, will it make me akin to a God?” his goals lofty for a Tutar but what he wanted none the less.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF4000">"The Gods will tremble at the sight of you, Grishnakh. Continue to help me in carrying out the will of the Flame, and there is no limit to what you shall become."<br/><br/>He sent the acolyte away, bearing the tray and cups, and walked slowly to the front of the Temple, where he stood, staring out into the night. "The age of man is drawing to a close, <span style="font-style: italic">Mualikh'tha'n</span>. The Tutar shall rise, and never will we fall again."</span>