Naveen

Talon:

I growled softly before heading to the one place I figured I could find sanctuary. Where I wouldn't have to think. Where I could simply lose myself in my work. I made myway down to the training grounds, lifting off one of the weapons prepared and settling myself into a spar with one of my men.

Rina:

I felt a sudden hatred of the place I was held in. There was no freedom for me here. I didn’t even have the comfort of wearing my own clothes. It added to my anger toward Talon. I knew it had been gracious of him to bring us all here, but we were trapped, fully at his mercy if he wanted to leave. I was tired of doing nothing, sure I could train and learn, but I wanted to be out there again, doing something, anything. I wanted another assignment. But for that I had to wait for Brian and his men to arrive or send word.

Talon:

I paused in my sparring as one of the two Giants came to me. He smiled his simple smile and beckoned me over. "Something dropped into the arena! You come and kill yes?" He seemed giddy and it brought a smile to my lips so I nodded.

Calan:

I watched Rina move past, noting the anger on her face. "I take it your talk with Talon did not go well then?" I asked, closing the book I held in my hands and taking long strides to catch up to her.

Rina:

I turned to face him. "How do you know I was talking to Talon?" I demanded with unnecessary rudeness. Had Talon told people what had gone on between us the night before? I sighed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude." I apologized guiltily.

"Because I am his second. I know where all of your people are in this place." I grabbed her arm and made a pinching motion with my fingers. As if pulling off a skin tight bit of clothing a mark that had been invisible thus far came away, squirming for a moment before vanishing. I let her go before bowing my head. "It is no trouble for rudeness. You are in an unfamiliar place, with nothing to do but rely on others. I can understand."

Rina:

I was taken aback. “What did you just do? Were you tracking me? Did you take it off?” I asked, looking down at my arm now. I was still partial to magic. Even though I had been living with a witch for months now, that didn’t mean I wanted it used on me.

"I removed the mark. Yes I was. And as I said. I removed the mark." I answered her questions in turn with a small nod. "You are an unknown, all of you are. I apologize if this made you uncomfortable. I didn't know if you were trust worthy I'm afraid. I still do not. However...Talon seems to trust you so I will remove it from you. It must remain on the rest of your people but I can remove it before you all leave." I rolled my shoulders.

Rina:

“Thank you.” I rubbed my arm where it had been. My cheeks colored a little as it occurred to me that he probably knew I had spent half the night in Talons rooms. “Probably not a bad idea to track some of them. I don’t even trust them all.” I nodded, trying not to think about it.

"I am glad you seem to have grown close to my Lord. He needs people, no matter if he might not wish it. And yesterday was a terrible day for him. It is not often that one loses who they are and becomes another one to protect their history." I said, without even glancing her way.

Rina:

“Yes that is pretty terrible.” I said dully. “At least he stepped up to it. He didn’t run away from his responsibilities…”

"Didn't he though? His place is here with his people, ruling and leading....and yet he went out into your world. We have no need of allies, your people can not make the journey into our lands. We gain nothing from this alliance. So how is he not running away?" I spread my hands in a helpless gesture. "He does a good job of being Talon. But he can nod hide who he really is."

Rina:

“Why should he be locked in? This place seems to have been doing fine while he was away. He should be allowed to go where he wants and help who he wants.” I said defensively, even though I had been infuriated that Talon had been hired to help us in the beginning.

"Because our people are dying. We are long lived, but we do not create children easily. A child is rare. Twins are even more rare. Triplets and more are impossible. In my time I have seen two sets of twins. Before Talon and Savien were born there was only the Twins. Before the Twins it has been seven hundred years since twins were born. Currently we have five children. Talon should be here to help raise them. Protect them from the creatures of the mountain and mists." I turned my eyes to look at her. "He is not locked in. We are locked in. But we are the only ones capable to survive here. And we are not without our own sense of curiosity and wonder."

Rina:

“Why can’t you have children? Surely there are other elves, you can’t breed with them?” I asked, it was blunt, like I was referring to cattle, I winced a little at my own rudeness.

"Because we have been changed." I held out my hand to show her the white lines in my skin. "We made a pact with The Great Lady. She changed our people, tied our destiny with the moon. We no more can mix our blood with humans as we can with other elves. This is why I did not stop you both last night. A bastard child would be worse than you can imagine. But you can't get pregnant from any of the elves here."

Rina:

I flushed both with embarrassment and anger. “I do not intend to.” I said icily. Maybe it was the whole race that made my blood boil. They certainly knew just how to push my buttons.

I turned my eyes to her, "You misunderstand and I am sorry that you have gotten angry over my words and inability to properly explain. I am sorry." I bowed my head to her before lifting my head to look into her eyes. "But I can sense that you have lingering emotions over the matter. Please, I am here to serve."

Rina:

“I don’t have any emotions over the matter.” I snapped. “I was keeping him company yesterday, that’s all. I won’t be doing it again. I’m sure he wont be missing my company either.”

"You would be wrong on that. Talon might not. Savien on the other hand...he cares deeply. But he is not good at expressing himself in this way. His true feelings come from other places. We elves feel we share emotions best not through words but through deeds. And as a warrior people...we spar to lay everything at someones feet." I turned my head to look past her and the mist collecting out the window.

Rina:

I took a deep breath. “I can understand that, being a warrior myself, though you may not see me as one.” I said coolly.

"No. I see you as one, but of a different style than us. Your spirit burns bright like the sun, we are of the moon. You could do well to learn from Talon you know. He is one of the best fighters we have." I considered a moment. "Would you like to see how Talon, lord of our people, and mistwalker fights? A creature of the mists has taken residence in the Arena. He has gone with the Twins to take care of it."

Rina:

I hesitated. “I suppose.” I said softly. I did want to, despite being furious at him, I still wanted to see him. And surly it would be something to watch him fight a creature like that.

"Then follow me. I do warn you though...Do not try to interfere. Talon is good, but the creatures of the mists punish even the slightest mistake. And you affect his decisions strongly." I said as I started to lead her towards the Arena.

Rina:

“I wont. I wont pretend to think that there is anything could do against a creature like that.” I said as I followed him through the halls.

I paused outside to giant doors made of stone and iron. I set a hand on one of the door and gave a small grunt as I forced it open and stepped into the arena beyond.

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