The First Lesson

    From almost the moment they left the cabin behind, Malaca and Kyliska were plunged into a world of fog and mist. Although the light coming from the windows of Feh’menthar’s cabin reached far into the gloom, it too eventually started to fade as Malaca lead them further into the mysterious lands known as the Dark Marshes. Although the two were traveling only along its southernmost border, even here it was difficult to navigate and even harder to see.

    Malaca moved almost like a ghost, gliding across the uneven terrain as if she could see every bump and dip in the rough ground. She hopped across roots or traveled with her feet in a line down their length, while Kyliska stumbled along behind at a much slower pace. Now and then she would almost disappear entirely, the foggy mists seeming to swallow her up and her camouflage armor hiding her from sight. She would always return though, a comforting presence in an increasingly isolated world, there to guide Kyliska as they traveled, her heat-outline quickly becoming familiar to Kyliska’s newly enchanted eyes.

    As they passed through what must have been the hundredth bog, Kyliska felt her boots slipping on a wet stone, her leg sliding down and into the murky water, the liquid filling her boot and chilling her toes almost immediately. Ahead, Malaca stopped still at the sound of the splashing water, perched on a huge tree root with her head tilted. A second later she turned to look back at Kyliska, her eyes glowing dimly in the gloom as she observed the other struggling in the marsh-water.

    “I believe it is time for your first lesson, Kyliska,” Malaca said in an amused tone.

    Kyliska grunted and replied, “I do hope that lesson is how to get out of here!”

    Malaca grinned, walking carefully over to the edge of the bog where Kyliska struggled, balancing on a large root that jutted out into the questionable water. She reached out, a hand grasping Kyliska’s to pull her up, “Getting out is not always the most difficult part. Getting dry is actually quite hard. You should take off your boots and wring out your socks before we continue. I can instruct you while you do so.”

    Kyliska shivered slightly as she removed her boots and her socks. She did as Malaca suggested and wrung out her socks. “I guess I did not really think through how difficult this environment might be,” she said.

    Malaca smiled, sitting on the root beside the other elf and watching her, “It can be quite harsh, and this is only the beginning, but your first lesson will help alleviate some of this. I want you to look more carefully at your surroundings, using your new sight. It takes some time to adjust to, but there are mysteries here you will spot.”

    The Sura pointed to the surface of the water, her finger moving in line with the root upon which she sat, “The trees sink their roots deep, but in places where there is water the ground washes away, and the roots are exposed. Water flows beneath them and tiny creatures live and die in the fetid water. Where their decomposing forms and matter becomes trapped, the water is warmer. You can see the outlines of the tree roots if you look very carefully and focus with the eye-spell. Can you see the roots?”

    Kyliska focused and looked around at her surroundings. She was able to see the roots as Malaca indicated. She was still getting used to the eye spell, but it was interesting to see what it could do for her and help her out in Dark Marshes. “I do see them! I would never have even thought to look for them though. This will definitely take some getting used to,” she said.

    “It does, but I trust that you are capable of handling it, Kyliska. I would never have agreed to bring you here if I thought you would not be strong enough to survive this,” Malaca replied. “It takes a certain type of individual to live in this place, one with the inner strength to push forward and the raw, unwavering will and fire within them to survive. I see that within you, as it was within your mother.”

    The Sura paused for a moment, rising and nodding at Kyliska, “Once your boots are back in place, let us continue. Try to only walk along the surface of the roots when the ground is wet. It is how you will avoid getting soaked again. We should make a campfire once we’ve found the others to dry your feet lest you get one of the many infections these swamps offer to the unwary.”

    Kyliska nodded as she put her socks and boots back on. They were still damp and cold but were slightly better than before. “Yes I do think I share many qualities with my mother. I miss her greatly. I am also looking forward to meeting the others. I think this will be a welcome change from my life in Faetheril for now.”

    Malaca grinned, “Excellent. We are near our destination actually, but it is time for your second lesson now. Your eyes are your most valuable assets in this place. I want you to find their camp, and I will follow you. Let us see how you do, and if you remember the things I’ve already told you.”

    Kyliska nodded again, nervous now. She wanted to be able to prove herself to Malaca but she had no idea how to find their camp. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them she concentrated and looked around. She could see roots that were growing and she was careful to walk on the surface as Malaca mentioned. She was cautious as she ventured towards where she thought the camp might be. She blinked a few times and then smiled as she could see what she thought were other Sura by the heat outlines. She looked back to Malaca and spoke, “I think the camp is this way. I can see heat outlines, but I’m not positive,” she said.

    Malaca nodded, smiling again, “Very good. What will you do to ensure it is those you seek?”

Kyliska thought for a moment before speaking, “I see your heart?” she asked.

The Sura grinned, “You’re doing well. They will not be able to hear you from here though, if they are in fact friends. You will need to speak up!”

Kyliska smiled and spoke louder, “I see your heart!”

In the distance, a gruff voice responded, “I hear your heart!”

Malaca nodded at Kyliska, gesturing towards the distant sound, “It seems they are friends then. Well done, Kyliska. You have found our camp and the remainder of my Claw. Let us go and meet them, shall we?”

Kyliska smiled. “Yes we shall, I am glad that I did that properly, I was nervous I must admit!”

“Do not fear, I had told them I may bring you back with us if you were willing,” Malaca encouraged. “They are eager to meet the daughter of Sassariel, and I suspect they will have much to teach you.”

Kyliska slowly made her way towards the heat outlines that she saw. As she got closer she could begin to make out the actual forms of Malaca’s Claw members. It appeared that there were four Sura at the camp; three males and a female from what she could tell. They all stood as Kyliska and Malaca approached. Kyliska was nervous as she examined the Sura before her. One male stepped forward and smiled at her.

Malaca grinned, slipping past Kyliska and reaching out to take the Sura’s hand in her own. He was lean and the same height as the Claw leader, his armor as equally detailed and form-fitting as Malaca’s own. He grasped her hand in his, and they leaned forward, their lips meeting in a quick kiss as Malaca turned and nodded at Kyliska, “Thelven, this is Kyliska.”

Thelven nodded, his red eyes studying Kyliska thoughtfully for a moment from beneath a tangle of black hair that was tied back in a ponytail on his head. His smile widened, and when he spoke it was with an even and low tone, “It is a pleasure to meet you, daughter of Sassariel. We were hoping you would choose to come with Mal, and I’m glad to see that you wish to learn more of your people. You are welcome amongst the Claw.”

Kyliska smiled back, “It is nice to meet you as well, Thelven. I am sorry I have not come sooner to learn more about my heritage, but I am here now and I am ready to learn. I know you live a very different life than I do back in Faetheril. I want to see what my mother fell in love with here.”

Malaca grinned at this, giving Thelven’s hand a squeeze before releasing him and gesturing to the elf standing beside him, “Let me introduce you to the others. This is Desterion Sunwind.”

The elf that she had gestured to stepped forward, smiling broadly at Kyliska before dipping into an informal bow. Wearing much lighter leather armor with a tunic beneath it, Kyliska could clearly see the end of a bow and quiver of arrows peeking up behind his short cropped black hair. His skin was not as pale as the other Sura, and Kyliska could immediately tell that he was more akin to her than she would have believed. When he spoke, his voice was full of energy and it immediately soothed her nerves a bit, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kyliska! We’ve heard much about the legendary daughter of Sassariel, but to meet you in person is amazing! I hope that you find much here amongst the fetid marshes to love as we have, and that we can answer all of your questions!”

Kyliska blushed slightly at hearing her mother being talked so highly of. She brushed away some of her blonde hair away from her face. “Hello Desterion, nice to meet you as well! Was my mother really a legend to your people? It is odd hearing her talked so highly of. And I also fear that I have a lot to live up to!”

Desterion grinned, “Oh of course she was! It was her deeds that orchestrated the near-destruction of the last of the Aurali kings! She nearly brought upon us a golden age with her sacrifice, and you should be proud! From what I can see, you are doing very well living up to her reputation.” He winked at her, taking a step back to stand amongst the others.

Kyliska smiled at him, “There are some things we might have to agree to disagree on. I know the Sura see things differently but she was a traitor to my people. She did not even tell me of my true heritage, I only found out about it after her death,” she paused and took a deep breath. “I’m not even sure what to believe anymore to be honest. That is partly why I am here. I want to learn about this culture as well, to learn as much as I can before heading back home.”

“Well spoken,” Thelven said with a smile. Beside him another figure stirred, stepping forward. This Sura was a bit smaller than the others, her long black hair framing her pretty pale face as she smiled at Kyliska with her disturbing red eyes glowing faintly above the expression. Thelven gestured at her, his tone still warm, “This is Kyra, our Claw’s expert in all things having to do with magic.”

Kyra smiled dipping her head once and resting what appeared to be an enchanted polearm on the ground as she leaned on it, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Hopefully you will not take after our boring boys here and only want to focus on combat.”

She moved forward, circling around Kyliska and studying her for a bit, the padded cloth dress she wore fluttering with her movements and exposing thigh high boots through the almost scandalously high slit in the side of the dress. She leaned in towards Kyliska, almost whispering, “It would be fun to teach you all of the many things I know.”

Kyliska admired Kyra’s outfit and smiled, “Nice to meet you Kyra! I love your outfit. I must admit though that I do like combat very much, and I am a little less into girly things, but that dress looks great on you!”

Kyra nearly purred, grinning at Kyliska and whispering in her ear, “It looks great off of me too…”

Malaca abruptly cleared her throat, interrupting the whimsical elf and causing her to withdraw back to the group. The Claw leader gestured towards the last of the Sura present, nodding at him, “This is Dezos.”

As Kyliska blinked in surprise, a monster of a Sura stepped forward. Much larger than the others and wearing only leather pants and a tank top that left all of his bulging arms exposed, Dezos was an imposing figure. This was not helped by the fact that he wore a typical Sura combat mask, his red eyes glowing from the dark slit in the front, a slash of what looked like red war paint across the front of the emotionless facade. As Kyliska squirmed nervously in place, he stared her down, no greeting issuing from the darkness behind the mask, his body rigid and one hand resting on the hilt of a short sword at his belt.

After a moment, he turned away from Kyliska, saying nothing to her but grunting at Malaca, his tone curt and short, “Her boots are wet. She’ll be a liability.”

With that he passed beyond the line of Sura, to tend to whatever business he had at the camp. Malaca offered Kyliska a smile and a wink, “He’s not as surly as he seems; he just needs to get to know you more first.”

Kyliska forced a smile, “Of course. Well I am very happy to meet all of you! And yes I am sorry about my boots, I tripped and fell on my way to camp. I still have much to learn about the dark marshes and I am sure you will all be great teachers!”

Malaca nodded, “Yes, we need to get your feet dry so that you don’t suffer from one of the many ailments that the swamps bring with them. We will rest here for a time and make a fire so that you can dry off while I explain how we will teach you.”

With that, the Sura gestured towards the group. Immediately Kyra and Desterion disappeared into the swirling mists around them, reappearing a few minutes later with a few pieces of wood that looked soggy and useless for a fire. Malaca had them set the wood down in a small pile in a cleared area beneath a weeping willow tree, her hands reaching into a pouch to take out a small bundle shaped like a brick. Curious, Kyliska watched as the Claw Leader placed the brick in the center of the wet wood, striking flint and steel to it and causing it to flare up brightly with fire.

“We use these prepared and dried peat blocks to help us start a campfire in the wild,” Malaca explained as she noted Kyliska’s look. “We prepare them in Surevar and provide them to all of our Claws when they go out. We can start fires other ways of course, but this is a simple, magic-free method. This flame will burn hot enough to ignite wet wood and should dry your boots nicely.”

As Kyliska smiled and sat beside the fire, she noted that the searing light from the flames bothered her eyes more than she’d expected. The entire world looked red if she stared into the fire too long, and she took care not to do so as she removed her boots for a second time, propping them up next to the heat. As she finished, she was startled to note Dezos standing on the other side of the fire, staring at her through the wall of flames that made her eyes water and forced her to look away. His stare behind his mask was unwavering, as if to say the pain from the fire was nothing to him. He ensured that she saw him before turning and silently walking away from the campfire and into the swirling mists beyond.

Malaca moved closer to Kyliska, taking a seat beside her and setting a tin cup close enough to the fire to warm it. She dropped a bag of what seemed to be herbs or tea leaves into the cup, smiling as she nodded at the other elf, “You’ll be dry in no time, and it’s a good time for me to have a hot drink. It’s a chilly day even for the Dark Marshes.”

Kyliska smiled, "I'm glad I picked this day to start my training then!" She laughed.

Malaca smiled at this, “Hopefully you enjoy the experience. Each member of the Claw has been selected to provide us with their expertise in a specific field. Together we make a team, almost a family that can overcome any obstacle. Claw members remain close, even when they are not on patrol, and it is key to ensure that their personalities do not clash. Our Claws are vital for the survival of our people and for Surevar’s safety, and you will find that we try our best to help one another and to improve ourselves so we don’t let one another down.”

"I can already tell how close you all seem to one another. Well other than Dezos. He seems to like to keep to himself. He can be a bit intimidating. I do not think he likes me being here. But everyone else has been very welcoming!" She said.

Malaca waved a dismissive hand, “Dezos is simply a grizzled old veteran and worries that newcomers will endanger the others. While he may be gruff, he’s as dependable as anyone and I would trust him with my life, as you will come to do. As each of the Claw will be instructing you on various aspects of our lives, it is up to Dezos to teach you survival skills in the swamps. He’s an absolute expert on this topic.”

Kyliska shrugged, "Well if you trust him then I will too. I can see his point, I am an outsider and really no one knows anything about me. But I do promise you I am not a spy for Faetheril. I am really just curious and I am so thankful that you are all so willing to teach me." She looked down for a moment, "Things have happened recently that I needed to get away from. I lost my love and my sister hates me. Seeing your Claw so close is something that is so special. Hold onto that."

Malaca smiled at this, nodding at the Claw members as they spoke quietly amongst themselves, “These people here are my best friends, and Thelven has been my husband for more than eight hundred years. We have been through wars, disasters, famine, and death and have been under the threat of destruction for much of that time. You will not find a family that is closer than we are. I would give my life for each of them, as they would for me. What you will find, if you are willing to open your mind and learn, is that you too can be a part of this, a part of us. You can find the family you need here, amongst people who respect you for who and what you are, and what you can do.”

Kyliska's expression became warmer, "They would really accept me as one of their own? I sometimes wish I could live in Faetheril and here. I am open to learn I promise you that, I just do not know if I can stay here forever. It is so much to leave back home even with my personal issues."

“You do not have to choose now, Kyliska,” Malaca said gently. “We can teach you of our ways here in the swamps, and you will see for yourself if you think this is a life worth living. I cannot take a non-Sura to Surevar, however there is much you will see away from our grand city that will open your eyes I think. Unfortunately, your first lesson must be a harsh one, and taught by Dezos. If you cannot survive here, you cannot travel with us. I would ask that you be patient and accept what he has to tell you, and promise you that future lessons will be more palatable for you.”

Kyliska laughed slightly, "I will be OK. I can handle a lot and have been through a lot myself. I respect Dezos as well as the rest of the Claw and what they will teach me. Maybe I can even prove myself to him where he will like me more one day soon!"

Malaca smiled and nodded, “I’m sure he will. Go to him now and you can begin right away. Your boots look dry enough at least. I will await you here and spend some time speaking with Thelven.”

Kyliska nodded, standing up and making her way towards Dezos. She put on a bright smile and spoke, "Hello Dezos! Malaca thinks it might be a good idea if you train me first."

Dezos stared Kyliska down, saying nothing for a moment. He glanced past her, seeing Malaca and Thelven speaking quietly near the campfire and Desterion and Kyra having their own conversation. With a grunt he turned and walked away, beckoning for Kyliska to follow him into the swirling mists of the swamps.

Kyliska put on a brave face and began to follow Dezos into the swamp. For some reason she felt a need to try to prove herself to him. It was probably due to the fact that he clearly did not like her. She knew she had a lot to learn and he was not accepting of her being here. She would show him she was serious about this though!

Once they were far enough from the campfire for the light to no longer penetrate the thick mists, Dezos paused and turned around, facing Kyliska. His mask gazed upon her silently, weighing and measuring her. When he finally spoke, it was begrudgingly, “First lesson. You made us have to light a fire with your incompetence. Firelight attracts beasts in the swamps and causes camps to be attacked. Malaca was being pleasant about it, but you put us all at risk. Don’t do it again.”

Kyliska tried to keep her smile bright, "Yes I know I made a mistake in falling but this is the first time I have ever been in the dark marshes! Now I know what to look out for."

Dezos merely grunted, turning away from Kyliska and approaching a nearby group of reeds that jutted up from the murky swamp water. He crouched down, pausing by it for what seemed like forever but was probably only a minute or two. His hand snapped out suddenly, snatching something out of the air.

The large Sura got up, turning back towards Kyliska and reaching out to take her hand in his, with her hand palm upward. He deposited what appeared to be a type of dragonfly in the palm of her hand. Staring down at her with his expressionless mask, his voice echoed dully from within it, “Eat that.”

She looked down at the insect and spoke, "What is that, why should I eat it?"

“It’s a bug. Because I told you to,” Dezos replied gruffly. “If you can’t follow instructions we can just drop you back off at the edge of the swamp and be done with you now.”

Kyliska sighed, "Alright I'll eat the damn bug; you could try explaining why because that would help me learn." She put the bug in her mouth as Dezos instructed.

Dezos watched as she chewed the rather disgusting tasting dragonfly, his mask a silent wall between them. Once she had managed to choke down the creature, he replied, “The swamp is full of midges. They bite everyone traveling here. You have two options; cover yourself in mud all the time, or take precautions so you don’t get their diseases. You eat those dragonflies and they will give you a temporary immunity to several local fevers. Eat one every few days. They’re always in the reeds.”

He paused, studying her silently for a moment, “There is always a reason for everything we do in the swamp, and if you do not study carefully, you will die or drag the others down. I won’t allow that.”

Kyliska nodded, "I understand. I will try to pay close attention and not ask too many questions. I am used to other elves trying to betray me so this is something new. I would have never just listened to someone blindly like that in Faetheril. I'm sorry."

Dezos grunted again and shrugged, “This is not Faetheril. Sura do not stab each other in the back or leave each other to die. Let that be your second lesson. I may think you’re too soft from the palaces of Faetheril and that you will weigh us down, but I will still fight to the death to keep you alive while you are part of this team. See to it that you do the same for the others.”

"I will. I do have a sense of honor and protecting those that are close to me. I am a fighter Dezos. I can handle a lot I am not like other nobles from Faetheril. I never seemed to fit in there actually. I revel in combat, it is where I am most at ease and happy," she said with a smile.

Dezos didn’t respond to this, merely grunting and turning from Kyliska. He beckoned for her to follow, bringing her to a cluster of rocks that stood out from the swampy muck nearby. He picked up a stick and pointed with it towards the rocks, his voice slightly less gruff, “You see these loose rocks? I’m sure Malaca has taught you to travel across the roots, but you should never step on smaller stones. Watch and learn.”

He thrust the stick forward, prodding the loose piles of stones. Instantly a black snake lunged from the muck, its fangs sinking into the stick. Dezos chuckled, flicking the stick and throwing the snake off, “Every time.”

Kyliska gasped, "I did not know about the snakes! They seem vicious! I definitely do not want them biting me. Are they poisonous?"

Dezos chuckled again, “Everything in the swamp is poisonous in some way or another. Speaking of that…”

He turned, walking with her towards a weeping willow that hung over a fetid pool of water. He crouched down beside it, beckoning for her to do the same. Along the tree’s bark a row of mushrooms grew, some of them red, some yellow, a few of them having landed in the soil beneath the tree and sprouting there as well. He pointed at the yellow ones, “These you can eat. You eat any other type of mushroom in this place and you can have fun puking your guts out.”

Kyliska laughed, "I will keep that in mind. I do not want to get sick in the swamps! It's amazing how some things can be so harmful here yet others are helpful to our needs."

Dezos grunted, rising and gesturing, “The swamp is full of useful resources. If you learn it and know it, it will be your best ally. Fail to heed its warnings and it’ll take you quick as that. I can’t show you everything here, but you’re starting to get the idea. You watch the others as they work, and you’ll get the rest of it. Learn quickly is all I can tell you."

Kyliska nodded and smiled, "I will do my best. I do not want to get myself or the other members hurt. Thank-you Dezos."

Dezos shrugged, “I’m just following Malaca’s instructions. I think this is a good start. I will show you more as we go, but at least you won’t die outright now. If you stick around, you’ll end up an expert out here in the wilds eventually.”

He paused, turning to gaze at her from behind his mask, “You screw up and you can get members of our team killed. Make sure you pay close attention. I won’t let the others get hurt for a green recruit, got it?”

Kyliska shivered slightly, "I understand. I do not want anyone to get hurt because of me."

“Good, see that you don’t. Come on, let’s get back to the others. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover for the next mission from what I hear,” Dezos replied, already moving purposefully back towards the camp.

Behind him, Kyliska trailed after more slowly, noting that the distant campfire had already been extinguished and the experienced Sura fighters of the Claw were prepared to move out. It was going to be a difficult learning experience, maybe the hardest she’d ever faced, but at the same time it would bring her full circle and complete who she was. As she joined the group and saw them nod at her in acknowledgement, she knew for the first time what it felt like to belong somewhere.