It had been almost a week since Kyliska first departed with Malaca to join with her Claw and learn more of the Sura ways. The intervening days had been filled with rough living, learning about a new and hostile environment, and a number of rebuffed attempts to get through the gruff exterior that Dezos presented whenever he was dealing with Kyliska. Even still, the time had been an amazing experience and education for the half-Sura, and Kyliska knew that she would learn even more from the rest of the Claw. Her confidence in her ability to survive and prosper in such a hostile place had increased as she familiarized herself with the Dark Marshes, and most importantly, her boots and clothes were now mostly dry and muck-free!
The wonder of the situation all came to an abrupt halt as Malaca held up a clenched fist, bringing the traveling Claw members to a halt. Kyliska instantly felt tension ripple through the group as they crouched down, going from an amicable chatter to utter silence in the blink of an eye. Try as she might, Kyliska could not see what it was that had disturbed the Sura Claw Leader so much.
Malaca remained in place, still as a statue made of stone as she peered into the swirling, confusing mists that drifted through the marshes. Even in the middle of the day it was virtually impossible to see more than twenty feet, and this close to the evening visibility was cut even further. Like a ghost Malaca suddenly moved, her pale skin disappearing into the swirling white fogs, not a sound coming from her boots as she glided gracefully across the tops of roots.
Once she was gone, the others remained in place, Thelven frowning grimly and slowly and silently drawing his daggers. Kyliska noticed that the other Claw members were also beginning to draw weapons, as if readying for battle. She opened her mouth to speak, but just as she was about to ask, Malaca returned silently from the fog, shaking her head slowly at Thelven when he glanced in her direction.
She gave a series of hand-signals that Kyliska had been taught meant that she wanted the Claw members to follow silently and to prepare themselves for conflict before turning and heading back into the mists ahead of them. As Kyliska began to move, she could feel the rest of the Claw moving with her, as if they were a single organism focused on the dangers ahead. It was a comforting feeling to have them around her, knowing that the best the Sura had to offer were prepared to handle any dangers that lay in the darkness before them.
As they moved, Malaca was a lithe shadow ahead of them, always on the move, always silent. She nimbly jumped from root to root or across larger and safer boulders, leading them towards what she had found. As they moved, the mists ahead of them became strange to Kyliska’s newly enchanted eyes, the fog looking almost like a blood red mist that slowly became brighter as they traveled.
"What in the name of Aura IS that?" Kyliska said in disbelief.
Dezos settled in beside Kyliska as she spoke, his voice a venomous hiss that was barely heard, “Be silent! Do you want to get us all killed? Look and focus for a moment. It’s fire in the mists. You’re seeing the heat reflecting back.”
Across a murky puddle Thelven looked back and nodded at Kyliska, confirming the masked Sura’s words. The clinging mists had cloaked what she was seeing, the light broken a thousand times over by the swirling clouds. Ahead, Malaca paused, her entire body extremely tense as she peered into the glow. From her place beside Dezos, Kyliska could barely make out thicker red lines amongst the dancing red and orange glow. The outlines of people standing in the mists? Or something more sinister?
Kyliska stopped in her tracks and whispered, "I'm sorry...I wonder what is causing it...."
“An attack most likely,” Dezos growled. “Our lands are often raided by humans coming from the south. They come here seeking glory and end up putting our people to the sword. Malaca will determine if it’s safe to proceed after she’s had enough time to assess the situation. There could be enemies there. You should be prepared to slaughter them if so.”
A smile played across Kyli's lips, " Oh I have no issues with killing humans do not worry."
Dezos shrugged, not seemingly impressed with this, “You’ll get plenty more here, trust me.” He drew his own weapons, including a short sword and a dagger in his free hand, his masked face expressionless as he watched Malaca intently.
In the gloom ahead, Malaca suddenly rose up, and Kyliska noted she’d been holding two twin short swords in her own hands. Her voice rang out, piercing the silence of the swamp around them, “I see your heart!”
“I hear your heart!” the reply came back from the glow ahead.
Dezos grunted, slamming his blade back into his sheath and looking over at Kyliska, “Guess we’ll have to wait to see until next time whether or not you’re useful in a fight.”
Kyliska felt the urge to punch him playfully for some reason but knew he would not take kindly to that. She was slightly disappointed that it was not humans up ahead. She was looking forward to the fight. She shrugged at Dezos as they followed Malaca.
As the Claw emerged from the mists they entered into a scene of utter chaos. Two Sura elves watched them balefully from behind strung bows as the group walked into a clearing that was filled with light painful enough to make several of the Claw look away. Beyond the sentries, a cottage very similar to Feh’menthar’s burned in an inferno, a dock leading out to a larger lake amongst the marsh’s various streams also burning, the thick smoke rising into the air. The heat of the blaze had burned away much of the mist and it was easy to see the crumpled forms of bodies lying in the dirt around the clearing.
Malaca strode towards the nearest of the two sentries, her gaze affixed on him from behind her combat mask. Her voice echoed from it as she spoke softly, “What happened here?”
“Humans,” the sentry spat. “One of their lords came through. We think it was about an hour ago, maybe less. Killed the fishermen here and continued on into the swamp. We sent a second Claw out to shadow them and pick off stragglers while we looked for survivors.”
Malaca nodded, her voice sounding strained, “Who’s in charge here?”
The sentry was about to answer when beyond the group the flames consuming the fishing cabin shot upwards, sparks flying as part of the roof collapsed. Amazingly, a figure emerged from the blaze, a body limp in his arms and a child clinging to his neck. Wearing a combat mask similar to the other Sura at the site, he was taller than many, a black cloak billowing out behind him in the wind stirred up by the flames as he dashed from the burning structure. He quickly moved to safety, gently laying the limp form on the ground before him as the child released her grip from his neck and stood beside his kneeling form.
“Aura save us,” Malaca whispered, her hand coming up to push her mask out of the way. She turned back to the others, gesturing at them, “Secure the perimeter. There may be other humans about from their ‘honorable’ crusade.” With that she dashed over to the kneeling form, sinking to her own knees as they worked on the silent body lying before them, the child clinging to the cloak of her rescuer and crying quietly.
Kyliska followed Malaca and knelt down next to the unmoving body. She looked to Malaca with concern on her face. "Isn't there anyone that we can call upon to heal him? I have dabbled in some healing spells in Faetheril but I am not efficient at them."
The Sura on the other side of the wounded elf looked up at Kyliska in surprise. He paused for a moment, pushing his battle-mask up and out of the way and affixing his gaze on her. His eyes glowed with the red markings of the others, but had a hint of violet in them that made his gaze striking. Black hair was visible around the corners of his mask, contrasting with his pale skin. This close, Kyliska could see that he was leaner than the other Sura, but just as fit, his tightly corded muscles contained in a form-fitting black leather body-suit that had firmer patches of leather armor affixed to it by dulled metal hooks. The armor, while simpler in design, was well cared for and bespoke of a warrior who valued equipment that would get the job done rather than one who sought to boast of his wealth. When he spoke, his voice was low but there was a commanding presence in his tone that left no doubt of his importance to the Sura, “If you’ve the means to help with the healing, then by all means do so. He’s been pierced with a lance by the looks of it.”
Malaca nodded, echoing the words of the stranger, “We have no healers here, Kyliska. The few clerics of Aura that we have remain in Surevar. We face grave dangers without such support as we are forced to do by the actions of the Faeril.”
Kyliska nodded and frowned slightly, "I will do what I can but I warn you this is not my specialty." She placed her hands onto the open wound and closed her eyes. A faint glow appeared below her hands and started to illuminate the wound. Kyliska's breathing started to increase and it was obvious that she was putting in a lot of effort to save this Sura. Just as suddenly as the light came it disappeared and Kyli fell back slightly and opened her eyes.
"I do not know if I did anything of use. But I did everything that I am qualified to do. I hope at the very least I could take some of the pain away..." Her voice trailed off.
The Sura on the ground before them sighed, as if relieved of a great burden. His wounds continued to ooze blood, his eyelids fluttering a few times before his last breath left him. The elf that had rescued him frowned, bowing his head and murmuring over the fallen elf, “And so our bodies return to the dust, while we return to the embrace of Aura.”
He paused for a moment, and Malaca bowed her head as well, the small child clinging to the Sura’s cloak crying pitifully into the fabric. After a moment Malaca raised her head, reaching out to gather the child into her arms as she stared at Kyliska, “The humans hunt us. They come into our last refuge here, and hunt us like animals for their games of honor. It has been so for eons, and those sitting in Faetheril behind their magical wards do nothing to help us, even though we are all the blood of the Aurali.”
“Malaca, I am sure the child does not wish to hear our venom spoken after seeing her father pass,” the other elf said. Malaca nodded, gathering the child up in her arms and rising, turning towards the other Sura silently and leaving Kyliska puzzled as to why she would defer to the stranger when she was a Claw Leader.
When she was gone, the other elf smiled at her, his head tilting to one side, “I apologize for my sister’s harsh words, but she was merely trying to educate you I suspect. You are Kyliska then? She spoke of her plans to teach you if you were willing to take her up on the offer.”
Kyliska wiped away some tears from her face and stood up to look at Malaca's brother. "Yes I am Kyliska, I am so sorry I could not save your friend. I really did everything I could..."
The Sura reached out, placing a hand on Kyliska’s shoulder, “You eased his pain, which is more than any of us could do and something I greatly appreciate. I am Velnor Delephur, and am Malaca’s brother. It is an honor to meet you, Kyliska.”
Kyliska smiled at Velnor, "It is a pleasure to meet you as well."
Velnor nodded, gesturing at the burning buildings nearby and the fallen Sura, “It is my regret that we must meet under such circumstances however. It was only through fortunate luck that I had lead my Claw to this region in the first place. I had hoped to meet up with my sister’s Claw to retrieve reports from her relating to things happening further south. Now I fear the two Claws that traveled with us will need to pursue humans through the marshes for many days to avenge the tragedy here.”
"I cannot believe all that happens to the Sura. I heard stories but I never knew the truth of the matter. I feel terrible for ever contributing to any of this," Kyliska said sadly, on the verge of tears again.
“You cannot know what the rest of the world holds from a gilded cage,” Velnor said. He smiled to take any sting out of the words before the look faded as he glanced around the camp. “Unfortunately you now see the world for what it really is. What you see here is not unusual; the humans have been destroying our lands and cities since they first began to form into primitive tribes in the forests of Auralon. We have fought the great fall for all that time, and the lords like those in Faetheril close their ears to our cries and seek shelter behind their walls and their magic. In time, they come to believe their sanctuaries are safe, and that we rabble are the enemy. It is good that you can see for yourself, and decide on your own what you feel is right. It honors your mother’s memory that you do so.”
Kyliska smiled slightly, "Yes that was my main reason for taking my Father up on his offer. I really do not know much outside of Faetheril. I have seen parts of Althera and the like but I never knew what you and your people have been through." She paused and looked to him, sadness on her face, "This is terrible though. I could go back and tell them the truth of all of this, make them see what you are going through and that you are not the enemy!"
Velnor shook his head sadly, “They would neither believe you, nor allow you to speak. We threaten their ways with our freedom, and the mighty lords in their glorious spires will not allow you to stand in the way of their luxury and dominance. The lives of fishermen in a little cottage in a swamp somewhere mean nothing in comparison to that. You are noble to think of trying to do something though. Most who grow up in a privileged place in Faetheril would never consider what you’ve just said.”
Kyliska sighed slightly, "It just isn't fair. I know I grew up a lot differently than you and your people but truthfully I never felt truly at home there. Although I have not been with Malaca and her Claw long, I feel a kinship to them. They trust each other; that is something that comes along very rarely in Faetheril."
Velnor nodded, “We come to rely on one another out here. We are all that we have, and if you cannot rely on the Sura next to you then there is no power in this world or beyond that can save you. My sister’s Claw are a good bunch; I’ve worked with them many times and know each of them will stand by me in a crisis. You are fortunate that you have such an amazing group to educate you on our ways. Better still though is that you are intelligent enough to allow yourself to be educated and that you are willing to make your own decisions about things. It is a rare person who can break from the mold of their birth to come to see the world for what it really is. You are an extraordinary person, as was your mother.”
Kyliska blushed slightly, "Well my birth is both here and in Faetheril that could be why I'm more open to learning. When I first came here I thought I would stay a while and then go back home, but to be honest I'm not entirely sure how I feel now. I cannot unsee what has just happened. I....I think I can understand why my mother did what she did..."
“Unfortunately, I suspect this is not all you will see,” Velnor said, glancing over at Kyliska again. “From what I hear of you, you will be able to handle this though. In relation to this incident, once we have laid our people to rest we will hunt down the perpetrators. I cannot allow them to approach anywhere near Surevar. It is my duty to lead Claws against them until I or they are dead. I suspect my sister will want to join us in this hunt.”
Kyliska smiled slyly, "I look forward to getting some revenge for what has happened. I am no stranger to battle or fighting and I want to help."
“That is good to hear, as these raiding parties are usually lead by a few heavily armored knights with their men-at-arms,” Velnor replied. “We will need all the skilled fighters available to corner them and destroy the group before more atrocities like these can be committed. I must gather my Claws together and get us started on the task. If my sister does decide to come along, I look forward to fighting beside you. If not, I would welcome you to come and visit Surevar once Malaca believes you are ready and approves your entry into our city. I think you will be pleasantly surprised to see the other side of our life here.”
Kyliska smiled warmly at Velnor, "Thank you for your kindness and I do hope I can help the Sura out in some way. Good luck if I do not see you."
Velnor offered Kyliska a smile and a dip of his head in respect, “I am sure we will meet again, Kyliska. It has been my pleasure.” With that the Sura Claw Leader brought his hands to his lips and let a shrill whistle into the air. Instantly seven Sura seemingly materialized from nowhere, moving towards him from around the burning cottage and from the misty edges of the clearing. They had been so silent and professional that Kyliska had no idea they’d even been there. The two sentries who had challenged them earlier lowered their bows and joined the group. Velnor offered Kyliska a wink and a mischievous smile before giving his Claw various hand signals. Instantly they faded into the mists, Velnor amongst them as they passed from sight, Kyliska’s last view of him being his black cloak fluttering with his movements before the mists swallowed him.
As Kyliska stood staring after the group, Malaca’s voice spoke quietly over her shoulder, “My brother is one of the best we have out here. That he is this far from Surevar means he is very concerned about this intrusion into our domain. I think it would be best that we trail them in the event that they need assistance. I’ve sent Dezos to take the child back to a Claw that can escort her to Surevar. As such, you will be getting lessons from the others until he returns to us. With one of our Claw gone, we will need your very best performance to ensure the safety of our small group. Are you with us on this?”
Kyliska did not need a moment to think, she replied, "I'm in..." She was very impressed with Velnor and also very heartbroken over seeing what had happened to the Sura that she could not save. She wanted to help seek retribution.
Malaca grinned at this and nodded. She turned and signaled to the others, waiting until they’d gathered around her to begin. She picked up a branch, drawing in the soot-stained dirt, “Velnor has three Claws that he’s dispatched. From what the sentries told me, one of them was sent to closely follow the trail of the human invaders and to ambush them if possible. The other was sent to follow further behind, to be reinforced by Velnor himself. We will follow my brother and his second Claw and ensure they are not taken from behind and then join them in the main attack. I want everyone ready for combat. Let’s move.”
The others wasted no time with a response, drawing their weapons and heading towards the mists where Velnor had passed. Malaca nodded at Kyliska, drawing her twin blades and moving with them, gesturing for the other to follow.
Kyliska smiled, not realizing how much she had missed battle. It had been some time and she did not care for humans especially after what Rose had done. She had no problem in killing as many of them that they needed to. Kyliska took out her sword to get ready for a fight. It was not her usual weapon of choice. She usually used a much bigger two handed sword but did not bring it on her trip.
****************************************************
The Claw traveled for over an hour through the murky swamp, each of the Sura alert and taking care to check their surroundings for threats as they moved. With Kyliska in the middle of the group, Malaca lead them deeper into the swirling mists, somehow tracking the other Claws ahead of them even though there was no discernible sign of their passing from what Kyliska could see.
As they crossed a shallow, murky stream and began moving downhill through the dense foliage, a shrill scream rang out through the swamps. It was the sound of a horse crying out as if wounded, and the noise instantly set the entire Claw on edge. Weapons at the ready, they began to advance more cautiously, remaining in constant visual contact with one another even as they navigated over obstacles.
Ahead of them, shouts rose up and the clash of steel could be heard. In front of Kyliska, Malaca became tense and her fist shot up, giving the signal to advance quickly. She drew her twin blades, dashing through the mud of the marshes with the rest of the Claw on her heels. As the mists parted, they came upon a scene of carnage; three human men in heavy plate armor covered in long tabards bearing the emblem of a moon with a sword behind it were swinging greatswords at Sura fighters who they had clearly ambushed from the forests. The site of the battle itself was littered with the still forms of humans who were dressed as retainers, clearly the men commanded by these knights, as well as the still forms of several of their mounts. Kyliska also noted with horror that more Sura lay amongst the dead; the ambush by the knights had hit one of Velnor’s Claws very hard indeed.
Malaca wasted not even a breath on a warcry, darting into the fray with the other members of the Claw charging in after her. Kyliska felt her heart race as she brandished her own shortsword, one of the knights whirling around to swing his weapon at her as they responded to the new group of attackers.
Kyliska parried the blow, her entire arm going numb from the sheer force behind the greatsword. A piece of metal spun off her own blade, cutting her arm as it flew free and Kyliska immediately realized she would be over-matched by the attacker’s strength and armaments. She roared, slamming her body into the knight in an attempt to throw him back only to rebound off his armored form. The human responded by grunting and slamming his plate-encased elbow into her shoulder, driving her backwards with pain shooting up her arm. He brought his sword up, only to stumble backwards as a blast of purple light struck him in the chest and burned his tabard.
Kyliska risked a glance over her shoulder and saw Kyra behind her. The Sura was grinning wickedly, chanting and waving her bladed polearm in the air. The tip of the weapon glowed with a baleful purple light as she spoke the words of a spell, and Kyliska grinned as she brought her weapon up and slammed it against the human’s greatsword, driving back his next attack. The air around him suddenly glowed, a thousand tiny purple fireflies buzzing and biting. They glowed with the same light of Kyra’s weapon, and Kyliska knew she had the support of the Claw behind her as she began hacking away at the knight before her.
A second knight charged in from her flank, only to stumble as the air behind him shimmered with black smoke and Malaca suddenly appeared in mid-air above him, her form slamming into his back and her blades shrieking as they bit through the metal of his armor. He roared, reaching back and grabbing the Sura’s leg before tossing her from his back.
Malaca never hit the ground, disappearing back into a puff of black smoke and reappearing some feet from the human, upright and with her blades whirling around her as she settled into a combat stance. Kyliska could only admire her agility as the human charged her, the sounds of blades meeting in mid-air echoing over the battle.
She turned, having little time to focus as her own opponent attempted to swat away the magical insects buzzing in his face. Distracted, he swung clumsily, allowing Kyliska time to dodge free of the attack. As she moved, she heard the sound of a bowstring snapping and a black-feathered shaft appeared in the human’s arm, the arrow-head having pierced his armor and driving the shaft deep into his flesh. Kyliska grinned, knowing that Desterion was also with her and that her enemies had no chance against them now. She lurched forward, her blade deflecting another wild and much weaker swing from the human before she knocked his weapon aside and slid in under his guard. Her shorter weapon was insufficient to pierce the metal of his armor, but the tip slid in nicely under his gorget, piercing his throat and causing his lifeblood to splash out onto her arm.
As her opponent fell, she stepped over his body, intent on aiding the others. She stopped instantly though, watching in awe as Thelven ran up to the third knight and dodged a swing of his weapon, the agile Sura practically climbing up the man’s armored form before using his shoulders as a handhold to throw himself up into the air. He flipped over the bulky knight, his daggers plunging into the man’s neck from behind as he came down.
With the second knight down, all eyes turned towards the third. Malaca had successfully slashed his armor enough to severely hinder his movement, bits of metal fallen free on the ground as he continued to swing at an elf he could not possibly hope to hit. Each time he got close, she disappeared in a puff of dark black smoke, reappearing behind him and slashing him in the back before dancing around him. She did this one final time, her weapon slamming hilt-first into his chest at close range and bashing in the armor, causing him to fall backwards into the dirt, his weapon flying free.
On his back and with his armor crushing part of his chest, the man wheezed painfully, clearly still clinging to life where he lay. Malaca sheathed her swords, beckoning to Kyliska to come to her, “You see now some of the many enemies we face. These noble lords of the humans come to ‘cleanse’ our home on a regular basis. Arrogant, rich, and thinking they are invincible, they and their retinues slaughter any Sura they can find until we can hunt them down. They do this for their own honor and glory and for tales to share over their ale in their rich halls far from here. Look now on the face of a murderer.” She brought her boot tip forward, sliding the man’s helmet off his face even as she removed her own combat mask and glared down at him.
The man looked up at them, pale and nearly out of breath, his injuries obvious severe as he glared hatefully at the masked Sura around him. He spat at them once, and Malaca turned towards Kyliska, “We do not take prisoners in the Dark Marshes. Those without honor die as they have lived. Do you understand?”
Kyliska nodded as she stared at the human laying on the ground before them. Her heart was pounding with rage and she could barely think straight. She wanted this human to die along with his friends for what they had done. "He needs to die for this. Can I have the honor?"
Malaca grinned, nodding at Kyliska, “I see you have learned the lessons we sought to teach you well. You honor your mother’s memory and your father with your words. His life is yours to take then.”
Kyliska smiled, her eyes cold as steel as she stared at the human. "I will take great pleasure in this. You have chosen poorly this day by coming here and attacking my people. You will pay for these mistakes with your life." She reached down and picked up his sword, which was much heavier and better made than her short sword. In one quick motion she brought down the humans own sword down with all of her strength straight through his heart. She watched as he took his last breath, the smile never leaving her face.
She was sorry for what transpired here today but she was glad that they were at least able to get some revenge. As she stared down at the human, Malaca’s hand came to rest on her shoulder, her voice a whisper in her ear, “It has been my honor to fight beside you this day, Kyliska.”
As she spoke, figures appeared in the swirling mists. At first the Claw and the surviving Sura fighters tensed, but then a voice called out through the fogs, “I see your heart!”
“I hear your heart!” Malaca replied, relief in her voice; they’d had enough fighting for the moment.
The figures drew closer, Velnor leading them as the other two Claws moved to secure the perimeter. He studied the scene for a moment, nodding at his sister before speaking, “It pains me that they were able to take some of our people; they had a much larger retinue than we expected and by the time we saw they were circling back they’d already hit our rear guard. I’m glad you were here to stop them though.”
Malaca grinned and nodded at Kyliska, “It was not just me. Our new friend was instrumental in the defeat of these dogs, and the honor of the final kill is hers.”
Velnor paused, studying Kyliska for a moment before offering her a salute, his hand over his heart, “You have done us a great service this day then, Kyliska. More than that, you have proven yourself as truly possessing the spirit of the Sura. When your training is complete, the gates of Surevar will be made known to you.”
Kyliska smiled, this time out of happiness. "Thank-you so much for your kind words. I am looking forward to my training and seeing Surevar. I am honored that you trust me enough to show me where our people live."
Velnor dipped his head in a bow before turning and signaling to his Claws. “I shall await your arrival when your training is complete then. Good hunting to you, daughter of Sassariel!” With that he strode off into the mists, his black cloak fluttering with an errant breeze and dozens of skilled Sura trailing him silently.
Behind Kyliska Malaca grinned, her words carrying to the other, “It seems you have impressed my brother. A difficult thing to do, believe me when I tell you that. It is rare that he extends such an offer to an outsider. An honor you should be proud of, Kyliska.”
Kyliska blushed slightly and laughed slightly, "He is quite impressive himself...."
Malaca laughed at this, clapping a hand on Kyliska’s shoulder one more time before turning towards the others, “Come, let us gather up the wounded, see to the dead, and then meet with Dezos so our new member’s training can continue. Throw the humans to the carrion birds and see to your equipment. We move out in thirty minutes!”
Kyliska paused for a moment, "Just one second, I need something before we do that." She knelt down to the human she had just killed and pulled his sword from his unmoving body. "I do believe this is mine now."
Malaca grinned at Kyliska, nodding in silent approval, “The victor has the might and right to take what they wish. To the survivors go the spoils, and the Sura are always the survivors. You will make a fine Claw Leader one day, Kyliska.”
With that she turned, heading towards the others to oversee the cleanup of the battle site and to plan the next stage of Kyliska’s training.
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