@Elf Lady Love ((In case you're curious, this (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=20717.msg328995#msg328995) is what Moony looks like))
"What do you
mean I can't work with him?!" Aya shouted at the soldier standing in front of her, blocking her entrance to the paddock. "He's more my horse than he ever was that prancing lordling's, and it's crystal clear that none of
you lot know what the
hells you're doing!"
She gestured widely at the three stablehands attempting to catch the blood bay stallion that raced around the paddock, wings bound firmly to his sides. How they'd even managed
that was a mystery to her, because it seemed pretty clear that none of them were very competent.
Darkmoon suddenly screamed a challenge and whirled on his pursuers, going after them with hellfire in his amber eyes. The stablehands shouted and ran for cover, the angry draquus at their heels.
Aya turned back to the soldier and quirked an eyebrow as though to say,
You see? "I'm telling you, if you don't let me in there
right now to calm him down, someone is going to get really hurt."
The armored man snarled at her, evidently unimpressed. "That so, girlie? And what use would we have for ye after that, huh? Go on, get." He waved a gauntleted hand at her. "I'll call my captain to come clear ye off if you don't start moving."
Aya bared her teeth and turned on her heel, mind racing.
Alright then. If they weren't going to be reasonable, she'd just have to improvise.
She suddenly feinted right, as though she was going to dart around the soldier, then spun on a dot and threw herself leftward, up and over the fence, directly in the path of the charging animal.
"That horse is going to kill them!"
Foggy had only just arrived when he saw the draquus charging at the stablehands. Gods, this really got out of hand. And what were the other soldiers doing? Just standing by and watching as the others ran for their lives? And one of them was chatting up a young girl, for that matter. How very irresponsible, he thought. He was about to step in in attempts to mediate the situation, when he saw a flash of color from the corner of his eye.
Wait.
The girl!
She was heading into the paddock at a full sprint, directly in line with the horse's path.
Without hesitation, the young soldier hopped the fence and darted in her direction, trying to reach a middle ground between her and the horse.
"Stop! Miss!" he shouted as got in between them. "You're in danger!"
"What the-- get out of the way!"
Aya gritted her teeth and shouted something about "idiots in fancy metal cans" as she raced forward and just barely managed to knock to foolhardy soldier aside an instant before Darkmoon was on top of him.
Planting herself in front of the stranger, she raised her hands to the raging animal and murmured calmly, "Whoa, boy, steady, steady. It's just me, easy now, it's me, it's Aya..."
Darkmoon's nostrils flared and he tossed his head, rearing and screaming a challenge. But he didn't charge. In fact, he didn't move from his place in front of her, other than hopping on his front legs a few times in half rears. It was clear to anyone who was familiar with horses that he wasn't just angry-- he was panicked, terrified.
"Easy, boy, easy," Aya crooned again, gently catching his head. For a moment it looked as though the draquus might tear her arm off, ears flat to his skull and wings straining against their bonds.
Then, abruptly, he sighed, and his head dropped low, pressing into her chest. Aya wrapped her arms around his neck, scratching his poll and whispering soothingly to him until his wild panting calmed to shuddering sighs, his flank still twitching with the occasional start.
Looking back over her shoulder, she cocked one eyebrow at the soldier who'd tried to "help" her. "What in all gods' names were you thinking?" she asked mildly.
Get out of the way!
Not a chance. Foggy spread his arms out in attempt to block her from the charging steed. After all, it was his duty to protect the citizens at all costs - even if it meant his life.
But it didn't happen that way.
He found himself on the ground, looking up at the young girl taming the draquus.
Damn, the other soldiers should have just let her in after all.
He was slightly dazed, both from being suddenly knocked to the ground by a small, young girl, and even more so from watching the animal go from panicked fury to a state of calm, but soon focused in on the girl as she spoke to him.
"Oh, you know," he said, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. "I thought you were in danger."
Aya giggled. In a moment she transformed from a creature of fury and determination to a young stable girl with sparkling amethyst eyes. Giving Darkmoon another fond pat, she moved away from him and bent to offer a hand to the soldier.
"Aya," she introduced herself, still smiling. "And thanks for the help-- even if I ended up saving your ass."
The man returned a bright smile and shook her hand. "You really did," he admitted with a laugh. "You're really good with him. I'm assuming he is actually your horse. Oh!"
His face grew a slight shade of red as he realized he was still shaking the girl's hand, but had not yet given a name.
"Foggy. Nice to meet you, Aya."
She laughed again, and a considerably calmer draquus snorted and nosed at her shoulder, evidently irritated that she was wasting her attention on this two-legger rather than fawning over him.
"You hush," she told the animal, shoving his head away. He snorted and jerked back, the very picture of offended, though he made not even a hint of a move to harm her or Foggy. Now that Aya was near, he seemed perfectly placid.
Looking back to the soldier, Aya shrugged. "Not mine, exactly. I was his groom for a long time-- practically raised him, actually, after his dam died." She sighed, glancing toward the paddock fence where the stablehands and the soldier that had been giving her a hard time were clustered, muttering to each other. "His...real owner sold him to you lot, two days ago." She frowned. "But none of this damn commandos-- ah, no offence-- have any idea what they're doing with him!"
"No offense taken. I agree!" he said, getting back up to his feet. "Sounds like we should hire you then. I don't think any of these men can tame him. Hell, I don't think I can."
He grinned again, and glanced up at the animal. "You know, when he's not charging at you with hell fire he's actually pretty cute."
As though in response to his words, the stallion pinned his ears threateningly at the soldier. Aya rolled her eyes and shoved his flank, making him snort and give her a baleful look.
"Knock off the attitude," she told him. Glancing back to Foggy with a small smirk, she added, "Maybe stay away from cute. He's a little touchy." Her smiled widened and she added happily, "I wouldn't mind workin' here-- but do you have the authority to just up and hire me like that?"
"Oh, I outrank all of these men. It would be no problem at all if that's something you want to do. Oh, and about that," he said, motioning to Darkmoon, "I'll keep that in mind."
He glanced over to the men in the surrounding area. The exhausted stablehands and the lower-ranking soldiers alike. They were all in awe over Aya's ability to tame the horse, and one soldier in particular made an effort to hide his glares.
He chuckled, nodding in the man's direction. "I bet that one gave you some trouble, didn't he?" he asked with a chipper tone. "It would be my pleasure to inform him that you are joining us first. Shall we go together?"
Aya positively beamed. "Oh, I'd love to see that," she chortled. Throwing one arm around Darkmoon's neck, she nodded to Foggy. "Lead the way, sir, we'll be right behind ya."
"Right this way, m'lady," he obliged.
He walked over to the armored man with his held head high, the girl and her horse following, and the opposing soldier looked a bit grim as they did.
"Afternoon, sir Francis," he said with a cheery grin. "This is Aya. I have officially hired her for today's little adventure. We will need somebody who can properly tame and manage this horse."
The soldier, shocked, went to speak, but Foggy spoke again before he could.
"Aya, meet Francis. We call him Fancy Francy around here."
"Pleasure, really," Aya smirked, leaning easily against Darkmoon's side. In her presence, the raging stallion was calm and sweet as a spring foal, even lipping affectionately at her hair and nuzzling for her attention.
She glanced at her new employer and quirked an eyebrow. "What exactly is this adventure of yours, anyway?"
"Fancy Francy" was more than just embarrassed, but rather than say anything he just walked away.
"Ah, yes. I probably should have mentioned that before I hired you," he said. "There's been a rather large number of Basilisks from the Draconi Forest making their way to the outskirts of Ketra. I've assembled a team to go eliminate the threat. If those beasts were to reach the city, well..."
He trailed off for a moment. "Let's not think about that," he concluded. "But, you have my word, I will make sure nothing happens to you or your steed."
"Well, he's not exactly mine, still," Aya sighed, but she offered a small smile quickly enough. "But thanks. We're not totally helpless though, y'know. We can take care of ourselves."
"Hmm, right," he nodded, his thoughts spinning. "I believe you."
He walked away from Francis and headed toward the stable, assuming the young girl and the horse would be following. "We will need to leave soon. Do you have everything you need, or do we need to stop by your home first?"
"Mmm..." Aya hedged, biting at her lip. On the one hand, heading home to grab a few supplies would be nice-- but on the other hand, her mother would never let her go on a mission like this.
"Nope, I'm good," she chirped easily, patting Darkmoon's flank.
Foggy's face lit up once more. That was easy enough.
"Wonderful," he said, smiling from ear to ear. "Then we best be off soon. Do you mind waiting here while I go get my horse? From there, we, and the few soldiers here, will meet the rest of my troops just outside of Ketra. Make sure you are ready."
Aya nodded, scratching at Darkmoon's whithers. "We'll, uh, be here," she said with an only slightly forced smile.
Oh, her mother was going to kill her.
Foggy acknowledged her response with a quick nod, and then moved into the stables to mount his horse. He really did not know what he was thinking, bringing along such a young girl that could prove to be a very dangerous mission.
But it couldn't be helped. The girls' horse would prove useful, and as it stands she was the only one who could control him. He really had no time for anything else. He.. Yes, he would just have to watch her very closely during their time together. It would not look good on him, or the Adelan military in general, if something were to happen under his watch.
A few minutes past and the soldier exited the stable, riding atop his faithful black steed.
"Aya, are you ready?"
"Aye, cap'n!" Aya gave him a jaunty mock salute and swung easily up onto the draquus's back. She eyed his horse as they approached, tilting her head.
"Beautiful creature," she noted, eyes softening slightly. "What's his name?" Darkmoon pinned his ears as they got closer, though he didn't make any other aggressive moves in the animal's direction.
"Oh, this guy?" he said with a charming smile. "This here is Storm. Quite the fearsome name, though he's really just a big pet at heart. We've been together for a little over a year now, since I joined up with the Black Brigade."
"Hello, Storm," Aya said, nodding to the horse. She seemed to eye his small movements carefully for a few moments, then nodded and looked up at Foggy again with a smile, her eyes suddenly much softer.
"You take good care of him," she noted. "He's very fond of you."
"I would hope so!" he responded with a hint of embarrassment. "We take good care of each other, as do you and him I assume."
He motioned to Darkmoon with a grin, and then waved the other soldiers over. "Okay, it's time we were off. Follow me, Aya."
With that, Foggy led her and the other soldiers out of the paddock, and toward the outskirts of Ketra.
The girl nodded, giving Darkmoon a gentle tap with her heels. The stallion didn't tend to like following, but he did so at her urging, falling into step just a few paces out of reach of Storm.
The travel to the outskirts of Ketra was not a very long one, and before they knew it they arrived to join with the rest of the troops. Foggy's confidence smile had faded slightly the more they pressed forward, until it was completely washed away and replaced with determination. There were no signs of the Basilisks, yet, which was good.
He had hoped there would be no more, but he found that such luck was often nonexistent. It was time to take care of the threat, but first.
"Aya," he said quietly to the girl. "Whatever you do, do not look the Basilisk directly in the eyes. You do know what will happen, correct?"
Sensing his tension, Aya nodded resolutely. She'd unbound Darkmoon's wings, of course, but for the sake of keeping pace with her new employer they stayed on the ground.
"I turn to stone," she replied softly. "Believe me, I won't look."
"Good," he said simply. "I would hate for something to happen to you. If you feel more comfortable doing so, use the horse to take flight. If something bad were to happen, use that flight to get away. That is an order."
He rested his hand on the hilt of his blade, waiting.
"You have a lot of bravery for one so young, Aya," he said, his head faced forward. "How old are you, anyway?"
"Understood, sir." Fiery she may be, but Aya wasn't stupid enough to disobey a direct order, not when there was no need to.
She did scoff a bit when he commented on her age. "I'm eighteen today," she said with a little flip of her hair. "And you're one to be commenting-- you can't be more than four or five years older than me."
His eyes widened a bit, and he shot the girl a glance. "Eighteen today?" he asked skeptically, ignoring her comment about his age. It was true, he wasn't much older - he joined the military at an early age. So, she was right. He had no room to talk.
"Wouldn't you rather be doing something else to celebrate your birthday, Aya?"
She laughed and shook her head. "Hey, I've got my horse, an adventure, and a new job." She shrugged, grinning at him. Her eyes seem to flicker with violet flames. "What more could a girl ask for?"
Darkmoon tossed his head and pranced a few paces and she chuckled again, patting his neck.
"So. Like I said, you don't look all that much older than me. How'd you get to be a...what are you again? Captain?"
"O-Oh. Actually no," he responded promptly. "I'm just the squad leader of today's mission. The only authority I have was assembling the team and commanding said team. We in the Black Brigade are flexible like that."
He turned his attention forward again, waiting for any signs of movement toward the city. "I joined the military at the age of sixteen," he explained, but then quickly shot one more look at her with a bashful smile. "Told them I was eighteen."
And then they came. Three separate basilisks slithered out of the edge of the forest and approached the front line of soldiers.
"Foggy, they're here!" a soldier alerted him.
The young soldier jolted his head back toward the frontline to see them advancing, tilting his head down slightly as not to meet their eyes. "Remember, Aya, don't look at their eyes."
Rushing forward, the man gave the command.
"Charge!"
Aya's eyes widened, then ducked quickly as she leaned low over Darkmoon's neck and more or less hid her face in his mane.
The draquus reared, screaming a challenge at the slithering creatures that dared approach, hooves tearing sharply through the air.
The battle ensued.
Foggy had handpicked his team, not for their excellence in strength and their valor, but in their ability to listen/ The bravest of them all would face these beasts head on, and in turn, get turned to stone. The man couldn't win a battle with a field of stone soldiers.
He rushed at one of the basilisks, but was met with a swooping tail that he narrowly dogged, nearly knocking him off of Storm.
Screaming another challenge, Darkmoon charged forward into the fray, eyes blazing. His hooves came down in the middle basilisk's spine, making it hiss and writhe in pain.
Aya kept her head down, trusting her mount. Draconic heritage gave the draquus resistance to the creatures' gaze, and she had to hope that it would be enough to help fend them off.
A fellow soldier had lost his footing and took a dive off of his galloping horse.
"Shit," Foggy murmured as he watched the man made impact with the ground. Without thinking, he and Storm charged over to aid the man. "Take my hand!" he called out as they neared, extending his arm.
The fallen soldier reached out to grab Foggy, but was unsuccessful as the giant creature whipped Storm. The horse let out a distressed whinny and reared on its hind legs, causing both Foggy and the man he attempted to save to take a tumble right in front of the beast.
With Aya clinging to his back, Darkmoon lunged forward and sank his teeth-- far too sharp for a typical horse-- into the back of the basilisk's neck, picking the creature up and flinging it away with a toss of his head.
Using the horse's body as cover, Aya rolled off him and crouched beside the two thrown riders. "You both alright?" she asked quickly.
Foggy was absolutely floored by Darkmoon's abilities, so much so that he did not immediately register Aya's question. Coming to, he shot her a quick look and nodded. "We're fine," he said assuringly. "Incredible creature, your horse."
Aya beamed proudly and glanced at the stallion, still standing in front of them with his wings flared protectively. "He is."
She looked back and held a hand down to Foggy. "Let's get you mounted again, c'mon." She whistler sharply for Storm; she hadn't gotten much chance to get to know the animal, but hopefully he'd still come.
Storm quickly rejoined Foggy, Aya, and the other soldier. Just before mounting the horse, Foggy gave the woman a quick nod and motioned for the other soldier to fall back for cover until he could get back on his own steed.
"Okay, m'lady," Foggy said as he leveled his sword hand. "I think it's about time we wrap this one up."
"At your order, Ser." Aya's grin was savagely bright, eyes crackling with energy.
This...she'd never felt anything like this. She swung easily up onto Moony's back and twined her fingers in his mane. The stallion reared and clawed at the air, calling a challenge to the remaining beasts.
And Aya laughed, wild and fierce.
Foggy watched the young woman in awe as she swung herself back into action with a fearless laugh. "You okay?" he asked with a soft chuckle.
Before she could answer, the basilisk from before slithered in their direction.
Aya was about to respond, but movement caught her attention and she quickly twisted her head. "Shut your eyes!"
The basilisk launched toward them, aiming for Darkmoon's throat. It seemed to have realized that its gaze held no particular power over him.
With a soft cry Aya found herself staring directly into its face. It was just for a moment, the briefest instant, but it was enough to freeze her in place, to feel the cold begin to seep into her fingers.
Or at least...it should have been.
"Aya, don't look!"
Foggy's words didn't reach her in time, and out of some sort of panicky fight-or-flight response, he lunged from Storm and onto the beast's back. Quickly, he drove his blade into the back of its head, but was met with an insant backlash, slinging the man through the air and back into the dirt.
Barely managing to shake herself out of her temporary paralysis, Aya gave a soft cry as she saw Foggy once more thrown from Storm's back.
Acting almost entirely on instinct, she threw herself forward as Darkmoon lunged, rolling from his back to crouch protectively in front of the soldier as her horse whirled and drove his hooves into the creature's back.
Having the wind knocked out of him, it took a moment for Foggy to regain his composure. This wasn't going as well as he anticipated, and the young girl he thought he would have to look after was constantly looking after him.
Sitting upright, he looked at Aya in disbelief. "Aya, are you okay? Didn't you just look in its eyes?"
"I--" She paused, blinking, shaking slightly. "I don't-- I can't have..."
She shook her head, trying to snap herself out of her state of shock. "Come on, I think there's only one left, we have to get it."
"You're right."
There would be time for that later, and right now the rest of his men had the remaining basilisk cornered. Whistling for Storm, the steed rushed to his side and in one quick motion Foggy whipped on top of him and charged at full speed.
Aya was a little less graceful than she had been as she sprang onto Darkmoon's back. Somehow she managed to hold her horse back from the thick of things, shouting that since the basilisks didn't affect him the same way they'd be keeping a lookout.
She bowed her head low over his neck, mind racing.
She'd looked at it. She'd looked right at it. And she'd felt something, sure, but she was still breathing.
That shouldn't be possible.
Foggy's eyes stayed level with just below the beast's glare as he and Storm charged in its direction. "Storm, now," he whispered to him as they closed in. Quickly, the horse turned and Foggy lunged once more.
As the young soldier flung through the air, Storm circled around. With as much precision as the man could muster, he sliced at the basilisk's neck as he passed by mid-air, landing firmly back on Storm with a heavy thud as he came down.
The giant beast hissed in pain before its head sunk to the ground. It was badly injured, but it was still alive.
Darkmoon did not relinquish the kill last gently. When Aya glanced back to see what had happened, he jerked his head from her grip and lunges for the dying creature, sharp fangs tore at the already gaping wound and he shook it, like a wolf with a rabbit.
Finally, the basilisk was dropped dead at his hooves. Aya stayed perched on his back, frozen and panting.
After the kill, Storm made his way over to Aya and Darkmoon as Foggy rode atop.
"Aya," the soldier called to her as they trotted over. "That was excellent work. How are you holding up?"
"I'm, um..." She took a breath, gaze a little fuzzy as she turned toward him. "I'm alright..."
His face grew concerned as he watched the girl. "Are you sure?" he asked, moving closer to get a better look at her. "Do I need to take you to the medic? I've never seen someone stare into the eyes of a basilisk and live to tell the tale. You are.. truly special."
"No," she responded immediately. "No, I'm not...I don't--"
She cleared her throat and looked away. "We should just...what comes next? Do you have to report in or something?"
Foggy watched her skeptically as the woman tried to find her words. He thought about pressing, but thought better and decided to go with her change of subject.
"I do," he said firmly. "I will need to report this to my commander. But it's strange.." his voice trailed off, taking another look around. "Our reports said three basilisks. Not two."
Oh dear.
Aya leaned a little lower over Darkmoon's neck. "Should we...I dunno, look around? Maybe the third one is hanging back somewhere..."
Foggy scanned his troops that remained in the field. A couple of minor injuries, but nothing too serious. Thank Gods.
"I don't want my men to have to face any more of those today if they can help it," he finally answered after some contemplation. "I'm going to send them back to base, and I'll continue the search myself. You are welcome to come along if you wish. Hell, I may need you."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Aya frowned. "What if it is out there? Can we really take it on just the two of us?"
Foggy gave her a confident smile, though he was not exactly confident.
"I was hesitant at first because I was too worried about watching over you," he admitted. "But you proved me wrong several times. If I can focus my full attention on just one, I should have no trouble at all."
That last part was a clever lie, but he wouldn't see any of his men face any more danger.
She nodded slowly. "If you're sure, Ser." She clucked to Darkmoon, urging him up alongside Storm. "Lead the way, then."
"Attention everyone!" Foggy called out to his men, rounding them up around him. "Good work today. It was with the combined forces of all of us that these deadly beasts were stopped before they could reach the city. You may not know it now, but you saved a lot of lives today. Thank you."
His eyes scanned over the troops he assembled with pride. "With that being said, I am going to take one more look around before heading in, but I will do it without you. I want you all to go home to your loved ones. I will not hear of anything else."
His men shot each other quizzical looks, and hesitated to disperse.
"Dismissed," he said with finality, and they finally began to clear.
Turning back to Aya, he grinned wearily and said, "Okay, it's done. Are you ready?"
She took a breath. "As I'll every be." She summoned up a slightly forced smile and nodded to him, stroking Darkmoon's neck. "I follow you, Ser."
Foggy simply nodded and turned toward the forest entrance. "We won't go far," he said through a heavy breath. "Just enough to confirm that the threat is over."
With a quick whisper in Storm's ear, the two dashed into the forest with Aya and Darkmoon in accompaniment.
Aya nodded, squeezing gently with her legs to urge Darkmoon forward.
His gait hopped beneath her. He wanted to fly. "Easy," she soothed. They had to keep pace with Storm.
After moving through the forest for several minutes, he pulled Storm to a stop, spinning his head in every direction for any signs of movement. Nothing yet. Maybe there were indeed only two, but he needed to be alert.
"Aya," he said giving her a glance. "Do you want to talk about what happened back there?"
The young woman suddenly jerked her head up at the sound of her name, having been drifting in her own thoughts. She cleared her throat and blinked at him.
"I-- um, how do you mean?" she hedged carefully.
"The basilisk," he reminded her absolutely. "You stared right at it. Yet, here you are."
Aya shook her head. "No. I mean, I must've just glanced to the side of it or something. There's no way it's possible I just..."
Storm moved closer to Darkmoon just enough for Foggy to place his hand on the woman's shoulders. "Hey. I'm sorry," he said with a breath. "What's important is that you're still here to sho-"
His words were cut off by the sound of slithering rustling through the grass, and a long, deadly hiss. Glaring off tot he side, he saw it coming.
The last basilisk.
"Shit!" Aya quickly dropped her eyes, and Darkmoon jerked away from Storm, wings flaring in a territorial display as he neighed a warning to the reptilian creature.
The basilisk moved closer before sliding off behind nearby trees, though still visible in Foggy's peripheral. It moved in a quick, more precise manner as it attempted to circle around the four of them. It was definitely smarter than the last two.
Great.
"Aya, if I distract it can Darkmoon attack from behind?"
Eyes still downcast, she nodded quickly. "Yeah, he can do that. You should probably hurry though," she muttered, the slow, creeping shiver of a hunted animal working its way up her spine.
"Right," he said quickly as he rolled off of Storm. "Storm! Go!"
As Storm darted to the side, Foggy ran right in front of the creature's path, eyes just below it's gaze. He swung his sword around fiercely and called it, "Hey! Over here!"
Aya and Darkmoon shot off, curving back to circle around the basilisk. The girl just barely felt confident enough to raise her eyes as it whipped around and hissed at Foggy.
"Now," she whispered to her mount, and the draquus charged forward, snaking his head down to grab the creature by the back of the neck.
Without hesitation, Foggy lunged forward and drove his blade through the basilisk's skin. The beast hissed from the pain coming in two directions, before whipping it's head around to attempt escape.
"Almost there!"
"Steady, boy!"
Darkmoon bore down, refusing to release the squirming creature.
Withdrawing his blade from the creature's skin, Foggy drove it into it once more, this time going straight through one of its eyes.
With another heinous cry, the basilisk flopped to the dirt, and Foggy stood next to it trying to control heavy breaths.
"Fucking right," he muttered, mostly to himself. He gave Aya a huge smile. "Great job!"
Aya smiled shakily in return. "Y-you did it!" she exclaimed, a little breathlessly.
Darkmoon whickered low in his throat and gave the basilisk one last good shake, then tossed the body away.
"We did it," he corrected her with a grin. "You are truly amazing, Aya. I'm glad I hired you. Don't worry, there will be a great reward for your services."
He whistled for Storm and the horse trotted his way back over to the soldier. After mounting, he looked to the girl and said, "We should report back now. Are you good to ride?"
"Oh! No, that's really not necessary--" She paused, huffed, then smiled. "Yeah. Um, thanks, Ser."
She nodded quickly. "I'm ready."
"I insist," he said firmly. "Nevertheless, we should go ahead and get going. Our base is in Ketra so it won't take us long to get there. I'll introduce you to my commander when we make our report."
With that, Foggy and Storm made their way out of the forest and headed toward the city.
Aya shrugged as she urged Darkmoon forward after the another horse. "Whatever you say..." she murmured, sounding a little distracted.
Had had happened back there? Was she...somehow immune to a basilisk's stare? Why?
And what was her mother going to do when she got home?
They had arrived city but were not yet back at the base, and he he led them back to the paddock where he first got "acquainted" with Darkmoon. After a quick word with the stable hands, he dismounted Storm and walked back to Aya.
"I'm sorry, but you will have to leave him here. For now.
He motioned toward the draaqus with an apologetic look.
Aya nodded as she dismounted, rubbing her horse's neck. "I'm sure he'll survive without me for a few moments, at least," she murmured teasingly, though she still seemed a little distracted.
"Are you okay?" he asked, eyeing her a little bit closer now. "You were awfully quiet on the trip back here, and you seem... a little off."
"Oh-- uh, I was just...processing," she replied quickly, forcing a smile. "I've never done anything like that."
"Like stare a basilisk square in the eyes and live to tell about it?" he asked teasingly. "You may be a first for that."
She huffed and shook her head. "I still don't-- there must have been something strange happening. Maybe it wasn't really looking at me or something."
"Sure," he smiled. "That must have been the case. I'm just glad you are okay."
He motioned for her to follow him out of the paddock, and began walking toward the exit. "Regardless, everyone will love to hear this story," he said over his shoulder. "They may try to recruit you after hearing this."
"Oh gods." She chuckled and rolled her eyes. "I might be able to talk Mum into letting me work as a hostler, but she'd kill me if I joined the military for-real like."
Foggy chuckled lightheartedly. "Your mother doesn't know you came with us today, does she?" he asked. "I may be in a bit of trouble too, then."
"Nah." She waved her hand at him with a lopsided smile. "You didn't make me come with you. It was on me."
With a smile, he replied, "Oh, but I won't see my new friend in any sort of trouble. Count on that."
Foggy was a bit simple-minded, but he preferred life that way. Always trying to be nice and polite, the opposite of the way he was raised, he desperately sought the good in people and didn't want to see anyone hurt, if he could help it. He felt the same toward Aya, the little he knew of her. But she was nice, and even after putting her in harm's way, she was still with him, and that was more than enough.
"You won't have to worry too much," he said cheerfully. "Jokes aside, I do not know if the Brigade would permit a woman to join the ranks. Stuck in there old ways, you know?"
Aya's lips thinned slightly and she raised one eyebrow. "Funny. Considering my mother is the Commander of the West Legion," she noted with a little roll of her eyes.
She didn't pretend to understand military politics, but she knew only a few outfits balked at the idea of employing women. Her mother and women like her had made sure of that.
"And that's the way it should be," he said in agreement with Aya. "I'll never understand why some units would be so opposed-"
Wait.
He peered over at her with his brows furrowed. "Your mother is Commander Almarin?"
Aya flushed as she realized her mistake. She laughed nervously and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Um, yeah. That's her."
Foggy looked upon the girl for several silent moments, not entirely sure what situation that put him in. In addition, it appeared the girl was now uncomfortable.
"Well..." he started, his voice trailing off his thought. "Now I know your last name. Let's head back to the base, Aya."
She breathed out a soft huff of relief, glad he wasn't going to make a big deal out of that. "Yeah, let's."
His joke about getting in trouble with her mother became all too real now, though he would accept full responsibility if it came to that. Besides, Aya handled herself well, and he would rather not think what would have happened if she and Darkmoon were not there.
He made his way out of the paddock, and into the streets of Ketra.
Aya followed him, a bit more of her natural energy returning to her. "So, where are we going exactly?"
"Our base is just outside of the Adela Castle," he responded as they walked. "I will introduce you to my commander, Cain, when we get there, and then we will make our report."
"Hmm." She tilted her head, confused by the way he emphasized the name. "You, uh...what's your commander like?"
"He is... different," he said, not wanting to elaborate too much. "Very judgmental, to say the least. But he's also an old friend, and he's great at his job, so I tend to overlook that."
"Ah." Aya hesitated, frowning a bit. "Is he gonna, um...I dunno, be angry? That you took me along?"
"I wouldn't think so," he replied honestly. "He trusts me. That should be enough. He's just... how do I explain?"
He placed his fingers on the edge of his chin, tapping gently as they progressed through the city. "Have you ever heard the saying 'civilized but not Serenian? Well, he takes that very seriously."
"Huh." She frowned again, but shrugged off the worry that was starting to tickle at the back of her mind easily enough. "Well, if you say so..."
She lengthened her stride a bit to try to catch up with him.
He nodded. No need to keep talking about that.
"So what's it like to be the daughter of Commander Almarin?" he asked, attempting to change the subject. "I've never actually met her."
Aya pursed her lips. She'd expected the question, it was usually the first that came after people learned her parentage. Most people knew her mother, in some way or another.
About half of them didn't even know she had a daughter.
"It's...I dunno. She's a mom." She shrugged. "She's a little strict, I guess."
"Looks like the apple didn't fall too far from the tree," he grinned, referring to how well she handled herself in the earlier battle. "And you work as a stablehand, correct? Has she ever asked you to join the military?"
She shrugged and shook her head. "No. The opposite, actually. I think she's worried about me getting hurt."
She shrugged again. "I think it might have something to do with my dad, whatever happened to him."
"That sounds about right," he answered openly and with a soft smile. "If I had a daughter, I wouldn't want her to do what I do. Nor a son, for that matter."
He wanted to, but chose not to question the girl about her father despite the opening. Better not to pry too deep into someone else's family affairs.
Aya made a noncommittal noise in the back of her throat and shrugged yet again. She felt suddenly restless, energy crawling along her skin as they walked.
"How much further?"
"Not much longer now," he replied reassuringly.
And he wasn't wrong as the two made their way through the city, they would soon find themselves upon the Black Brigade's base just outside of the Castle area. They approached a long, wide-opened courtyard area commonly used as hand-to-hand training grounds, and a little stone structure lay just past it.
Aya started walking a little closer to her guide as they approached the barracks; she always preferred open spaces, and though the courtyard was not exactly confining it still held a sense of restriction and expectation that made her...twitchy.
As they made their way through the courtyard, another man in a similar uniform to Foggy, exited the building ahead. His eyes lit up when he saw his comrade, and approached with a sly smile and eyes that turned curious when they landed on Aya. He gave her a quick nod of acknowledgement before returning his gaze to Foggy.
"Welcome back," he said as he stepped just before them. "How was it?"
"Mission accomplished, all thanks to Aya here," he reported happily as he motioned to his new companion. "Have the others made it back yet?"
"Ah. So you're the one," the man said, briefly ignoring the other soldier's question. "I heard you put on quite a show out there. Good thing you were there to keep our boy Fogart here in line."
Foggy grinned sheepishly before talking. "Aya, this is Cecil. Cecil, Aya," he introduced. "She's..." he stopped, considering. Maybe best not to reveal her identity if it's not something she wanted. "She's the stablehand I hired. She was the only one the draaqus had ears for."
The girl swallowed a little nervously and dipped her head to Cecil. "Hello, ser," she said politely, glancing to Foggy as though not quite sure what she should be doing. "I just, ah-- I've got a knack with animals, is all. Horses especially, and I've known Moony a long time."
"Lucky us," Cecil replied honestly, albeit a bit dismissively. "Foggy, you shouldn't keep Cain waiting any longer. Go and make your report."
"Right," Foggy concurred and motioned Aya to follow him just a little more. He gave his comrade another little nod of understanding and turned away from him, walking toward the fort.
From behind their backs, Cecil's eyes lingered on them in an almost burning speculation until they were out of sight, particularly on Aya.
Aya followed foggy warily. She thought she felt someone's eyes on her back, but she didn't quite dare turn around to check.
It was not long before they made their way inside the stoned shelter Foggy referred to as his base, and they were promptly met with yet another man in black uniform. He was tall, solidly built, and everything from his hair, skin-tone, and eyes were Adelan. His light smile turned into a smirk as the two entered, and he moved over to them with brisk purpose.
"Cain, I'm here to-"
"I am going to let it slide that you broke protocol this one time, Foggy," Cain interrupted, placing a hand on his comrade's shoulder. "You should have never sent the rest of your troops home, and all outside hires need to be run by my first."
Foggy eyes were unsure, but he breathed and tried for a smile. "You're right. I'm sorry. I just didn't want to see anyone hurt, and Aya here was very valuable-"
"It's their job," he cut in again. "You know that. It's fine, just don't let it happen again."
Cain swiftly placed his eyes on the girl, moving up and down as he studied her. "Aya, then," he said softly. "Interesting shade of eyes you have, Aya."
The stablehand dropped her gaze, uncomfortable but unsure why. "Um...thanks?" She cleared her throat and tugged on one braid. Was it warm in here, or was that just her?
Gods, she still felt on edge, the incident with the basilisk fresh in her mind. She shifted her weight a little nervously and glanced to Foggy, then back to Cain. "Ah, I know it's not exactly proper procedure, but...am I still hired?" she ventured cautiously.
"I don't know. You tell me," Cain retorted rather coldly, his eyes like stone as he locked into Aya's nervous gaze. "Do you want to still be hired? I couldn't imagine a stable girl would want anything to do with this."
Foggy felt like he needed to say something, but was a little stunned at his comrade's behavior. He wasn't sure why he was giving her such a hard time, considering the help she gave to the brigade. Finally, he cleared his throat, trying to break through their conversation. "Cain," he said firmly. "My report."
It felt like a thousand bees were buzzing in her ears, and it was too hot. Why was she so angry, but so afraid at the same time?
She wanted to cower from this man and his hostility she didn't understand. She wanted to punch him in his smug face. She wanted to run back to Moony, take to the air, and not look back.
Caught between a dozen impulses that she didn't understand. Aya looked to Foggy for help, eyes a little wide.
"Who are your parents, girl?" Cain asked sharply, ignoring Foggy's attempt to delude the conversation. "Are they both Adelan? I only ask because of your eyes. I've never seen anything quite like them before."
Her eyes? What the hell was Cain on about? Foggy couldn't shake the lingering feeling of dread that was swimming in his gut. Like something was about to happen.
He looked to Aya only to meet her pleading eyes. "Hey," he said quickly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay? What's the matter?"
Aya narrowed her eyes, feeling like she was trying to squint through a haze just to see clearly. "I-- m-my mother is Adelan," she stammered, then shook her head. "What does it matter?"
They were so loud, gods, why was everything so loud? She flinched back from Foggy's touch. Everything was just too much, she couldn't focus, it felt like she could hardly breathe.
"It matters to me," Cain came on rather strongly. "Why are you so nervous, girl?"
Foggy had all but had it with his comrade's attitude, moving in front of him to put space between the two. "That's enough," Foggy barked, eyes locked with Cain. "There's no need for this interrogation. What's the matter with you? We need to get the medic, she clearly doesn't-"
Cain shoved Foggy out of the way rather forcefully, tossing him a disappointed look before cupping his hands around Aya's arms. "And your father?"
"I-I don't know!" Aya was shaking now. She clenched her eyes shut against the light and the colors. Too much, too much, too much. "I never met him-- get off, let me go!"
She tried to struggle out of his grip, but while she partially felt stronger than she ever had in her life, none of that strength actually seemed to translate out of her mind.
What in the gods was happening to Aya?
"Cecil!" Cain barked out while keeping his grip on the woman. "Get in here! We've got a live one!"
"Cain, what the fuck are you doing?!" Foggy snapped, his face burning in anger. He moved to the two, grabbing Cain by the shoulders in attempts to rip him off of the woman.
"What are you— get the hell off me!" Aya shrieked, struggling against the man holding her. For the briefest moment her eyes flickered to Foggy's wide and full of fear and betrayal.
Why had he brought her into this? What was happening?
She clenched her eyes shut and felt lungs work like a bellows, hooves shifting nervously back and forth over the dry earth as she paced her paddock. The puny humans hadn't worked up the nerve to approach and bind his wings again, he was free.
Aya-girl. She was scared, in trouble. His eyes rolled and her nostrils flared.
The girl blinked, coming back to her self with a soft gasp. What the hells was that?!
By the time Aya had come back to, Foggy had yanked Cain away from her and tossed him to the ground, Cecil had come into the room, and the three were engaged in a cold, uncomfortable stare-off.
"Foggy," Cain seethed through his teeth. "You are dismissed."
"Not until you tell me what's going on!" the soldier snapped back, standing his ground between his comrades and the girl.
Aya found herself backed up against a wall, chest heaving with pants and eyes wild. Every sense was overloaded, panic clutching at her throat.
Like a hunted animal, she bolted, diving for the door.
"Aya, wait!"
Foggy broke away from Cain and Cecil's glares and chased after the young woman, his two "comrades" following in pursuit.
"St-stay away from me!" Aya backpedaled, looking around the courtyard wildly for a way out. "I don't want the job— just leave me alone!"
Too loud, too bright, too hot, too much!
"Stop her!" Cecil called out as they made their way back into the courtyard.
The other brigade members roaming about stopped and looked to see what was happening, some skeptical about "stopping" the girl that helped them earlier that day. But orders were orders, and several men went to surround her.
"Stand down!" Foggy yelled as he went after her.
"No, stop her!" Cecil repeated.
The entire courtyard was in disarray.
What did she do, why were the all so angry? Why couldn't they just leave her alone?
Aya spun in place, searching for a way out, but she was surrounded. She was panting, wild eyed and obviously panicked.
Basilisks were nothing compared to this madness.
"I said stand down!" Foggy yelled again as he ran over to the men circling around Aya.
"That is not your order to give!" Cain retorted sharply, as he and Cecil made their way to the other men.
Foggy eyed the two men frantically, and then back to the rest of the troops surrounding her with desperation. His heart began to thud in his chest in sharp jolts. Why the hells was this happening, anyway? What could he do? His eyes narrowed in frustration - he had no choice.
"Stand down," he said again, this time in a more commanding tone than one of a plea. "That is Commander Almarin's daughter you are harassing."
Aya stood frozen, trembling, her arms wrapped tight around her middle.
Darkmoon was close. Closer than he'd been. But people were speaking, and she couldn't focus on the feeling.
"M-my name is Aya," she stammered helplessly.
There were gasps and murmurs as the news of Aya's mother being Commander Almarin, and the men that were circling her hesitated, some even backing away.
Cain eyed Foggy suspiciously for a moment before asking, "Is this true?"
"Why would I lie about that?" he asked. "If if she finds out about this, it will be our heads." He looked around at the other still somewhat indecisive men. "It will be all of your heads. I would think wisely about what you do next."
He shot Cain another look, ashamed of the man he called his friend, with eyes that said "What the fuck was that about?
Aya was still shaking, overstimulated, though the panic was slowly abating.
Luckily for the soldiers, because it was at that moment that Darkmoon's shadow swept over them and the stallion dropped from the sky to stand in front of his girl, wings flared and eyes wide as he stared around at the people encircling Aya.
"Whoa!" She darted forward and threw her arms around his neck. "Easy, easy," she soothed. "I'm a-alright."
Foggy tensed a bit when Darkmoon showed up, but it appears his tactic had delude the situation a bit, thank gods.
"Is that the beast we recruited for today's mission?" Cain asked rather smugly, walking over to it without the slightest bit of fear. "And you are telling me this girl is the only one who could tame it? Foggy, you should really be ashamed of yourself - but I guess that's expected of a commander's daughter, no?"
Darkmoon pinned his ears back and whickered a low warning. Aya glared.
"Back off," she snapped. "All of you, keep away from us." What the hells was wrong with these people? And why did she still feel so weird?
"Cain, enough," Foggy snapped.
Cain looked as if he wanted to respond in a certain way, but kept it to himself for a moment. Finally, he forced a laugh. "Just a joke, Foggy," he sneered. "Don't take it so personally. Just think of it as.. an initiation."
The soldier stared at his comrade for a moment in disbelief. Initiation? Was he mad?!
He shook it off as Cain walked away, casting his gaze over to Aya and putting his hands up in defense. "Aya, it's okay," he said in attempts to calm her. "It's just me. No one is going to hurt you."
Aya flinched back from him and Darkmoon snapped at him warningly.
"What the hells is wrong with all of you?" the girl hissed, pressing closer to the horse's side. "I-I want to go home."
"Fine, Fine!" Foggy said rather quickly, his hands still up in a defenseless stance. "You are free to go home. No one is stopping you, and I won't let anyone come after you. You have my word."
The soldier was uneasy. Something more than Cain's strange behavior was making Aya uncomfortable, and he knew better than to press into it.
The girl looked from the man she'd thought might be her friend to the other soldiers and back. Slowly, she nodded, backing up.
Moony moves with her. She could fee his breath in her lungs. Gods, what was happening?!
Aya turned and tried to shoulder her way through to the exit of the courtyard. The massive draquus at her side probably helped a bit.
Foggy watched them go, his body remaining tense. He felt like he needed to go after her, to at the very least apologize, but it just didn't seem like a good time.
First things first.
He whipped around and shot Cain and Cecil another glare. "Just a joke?"
Aya had to return Darkmoon to his stable before she could head home herself, and it just about broke her heart. Her steps were slow and faltering, eyes still squinting against the brightness and the colors of a world that was suddenly so much more vivid than it ever had been.
"What's happening to me?" she whispered as she led the draquus to his paddock, leaning against his side and turning her face into his neck. The stallion rumbled low in his chest and put his nose against her shoulder in his best attempt at a gesture of comfort.
"Yeah, just a joke, Foggy," Cain said unconvincingly. "Why are you taking this so seriously?"
Foggy searched his fellow soldier's eyes for the truth, but knew he either wouldn't find it or not be able to distinguish it from a lie at this point. "You were just a little hard on her," he said, easing up a little bit. "I didn't see the point. She was one of the primary reasons we were so successful in our mission today-"
"Feel good being shown up by a girl, Fog?" Cecil chimed in with a smirk.
Foggy's eyes narrowed as he met Cecil's glance. "Whatever," he said dismissively. "I'm done for the day."
As Foggy made his way out of the courtyard, Cain and Cecil watched him go and whispered to one another.
"I don't care who she is related to," Cain whispered. "Find that girl and bring her to me; just don't let Foggy know. And... " he trailed off, an almost sinister smile creeping into his lips. "Have a little fun first.. if you want. I know how you like a woman with a little meat on their bones."
Aya left Darkmoon with a last affectionate pat, promising she'd come see him the next morning.
She started on her path home with the same almost faltering steps. The shadow of a dragon swooping over the city caught her attention for a brief moment, but only because the sudden darkness and gust of wind set her already over stimulated senses into a small tizzy.
She had to pause and lean against the wall of one of the alleys she'd cut through to make it home quicker, eyes clenched shut as she just focused on breathing.
What the hell was happening? She suddenly felt so small and young.
I need to talk to Mum. But the commander was on border patrol, she wouldn't be back for another few days at least. She need help before then.
Foggy's face burned as he walked through the streets of Ketra. You think you know someone, he thought as he moved in brisk, angry strides. He kept replaying the scene over and over in his head, trying to figure out some reason why his friends would act that way.
Deep down, Foggy knew the answer, but it was not something he wanted to admit. Not out loud, anyway.
'I should find Aya and apologize,' he ran over in his mind, eyes scanning all around him for any sight of her, feeling hopeless. She could be anywhere by then.
Cecil walked cautiously through the city, his boots clapping the cobbled-stone roads with each stride. He felt a little weary about going after a commander's daughter, but in his mind, she wasn't his commander. At least that's what he kept telling himself as he formed a mental image of what he could do, what he could get away with, to Aya before bringing her back to Cain.
No room for her kind in this world. If she couldn't answer to who her father was, then that was enough to take her out. That would make Commander Almarin a culprit too, but that was something for another day.
No sympathy. No forgiveness. No excuses.
He smiled as he turned the right corner at just the right time. There she was, leaning against the wall with her eyes closed shut. Almost out of instinct, his face softened and he raised his hands in a defenseless stance, walking slowly toward her.
"I do not mean to alarm you, m'lady," he said innocently. "I just came to apologize."
Aya snapped her eyes open with a sharp gasp and skittered backward before she'd even fully registered who was speaking to her.
Her eyes narrowed when she recognized the soldier and she backed up another step. "I don't want your apology," she spat. "Look, I already told your captain I don't want the job, can't you just leave me alone?"
Her head was pounding. She hissed, pressing the heel of her hand to her eye in an effort to relieve the growing migraine.
As soon as the woman took her eyes off him, he made his move. With agile feet, he was before the woman almost instantly and snatched up her arm, yanking her into him. "I said I wanted to apologize, girl," he hissed. "Now be a good girl and look at me when I'm talking to you, you mut."
What?
Aya tried to jerk away from him, her heart starting to race again. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing? Get off me!”
Cecil grinned wildly and yanked at her again. "I like a little struggle," he seethed before throwing the woman against the alley wall. He removed a knife from his waist and placed the tip of it at her throat, eyes staring coldly at her. "But you'd be better off without it."
Just around the corner, Foggy continued his stride through the Ketra streets.
Ayas eyes widened. She felt the cool metal against her throat and a shiver ran down her spine, bile rising in her throat at his words.
"You pig," she hissed. "You have no idea what you're dealing with."
Everything suddenly just...clicked into place. She put her hands against his chest and shoved— and Cecil was thrown back against the opposite wall of the alley, hard enough that the resounding CRACK echoed around them.
Cecil's neck snapped back and his head cracked against the brick, his back pummeled behind him, and then fell loosely to the ground like some sort of rag doll. Incredibly, he was still conscious, but just barely. He blinked, dazed and in utter shock. "What the.. fuckin' hells.." he groaned, trying to move but to no avail.
The sound of Cecil's body breaking against the wall could be heard a few streets over, and Foggy chased the sound. "What the fuck was that?!" he said aloud as he rushed to find the source of the noise. He turned the corner to see Cecil, broken and in agony on the ground, and Aya standing there burning in triumph.
"Aya?"
The stable girl turned to face this new threat, teeth bared in a defiant snarl.
Then she blinked. "Foggy?"
She took a step back, shaking her head. "Just-- just stay away!"
"Aya, it's me! I'm not going to hurt you."
Foggy stood frozen to the ground. He wasn't sure what was going on, wasn't sure of Cecil's behavior earlier, but he was still a comrade and he needed to check to see if he was even still alive. During his entrance to the scene, the other Brigade soldier slipped into unconsciousness.
And then Aya. She was terrified, or at least he thought, but something about her now terrified him to his core.
Aya took another step back. "You're not?" she demanded, voice shaking, tears gathering in her eyes. "Like your captain and his friend were just joking?" She pointed a trembling finger at the unconscious Cecil. "Like he wasn't about to rape me because I'm a mutt?"
She didn't realize she was shouting until her throat started to run sore, didn't realize she was crying until she felt the water trickling against the corners of her mouth. She stumbled back another step, feeling that strange surge of power coil tight in her core.
"Just leave me alone!"
Foggy's eyes went wide.
Rape? Mutt? He could feel his body shake with anger and heartbreak at the thought. He always had his suspicions about Cain and Cecil, but this?! This was too much; just too much! He couldn't believe that something like that could ever be true, but he looked on Aya and could see how broken she had become. Why would someone like her lie about that?
Tears of his own began to well up in his eyes as he took was unconscious step forward. "P-Please, Aya," he said, hardly able to even breathe at that point. "I didn't know."
Aya sniffled and glanced at the unconscious Cecil again. She didn't back away, but she didn't move toward Foggy either.
"I j-just want to go home," she whispered, arms wrapped tight around her midsection. The power was fading, the inferno in her veins fading back to a trickle of warmth, her senses becoming overwhelmed again.
"Let me take you home. I won't let anything happen to you."
Foggy moved a little closer despite his better judgement, most unrealized as he attempted to reason with her and make her understand. His chest moved in and out with heavy breaths of fear, heartbreak, and betrayal. He couldn't even look at Cecil as he inched closer.
Aya stared at him for a long moment, eyes nearly hollow. Then she sighed and dropped her head tiredly.
"Alright," she acquiesced softly. She cast another glance at Cecil, shuddered, and looked away quickly.
Foggy tried to smile but couldn't, though he was grateful for her cooperation. He took a few steps forward, slowly and cautiously, resisting the urge to give Cecil a second glance. "I'll walk in front of you if that makes you feel better," he added wearily. "Just tell me where we need to go."
Aya nodded slowly, waiting for him to get some distance in front of her. "We're on Balmore street," she murmured, hugging herself slightly.
"Balmore street," he repeated softly as he took the lead. "I think I know the area. Just let me know if I take a wrong turn anywhere."
He continued to move forward down the cobbled paths, peering over his shoulder occasionally to make sure Aya was still with him, though for the most part remaining silent.
"Mhm." Aya obviously wasn't much for conversation, trailing a few steps behind him as they turned down the street, heading toward her home. She was still shivering, her senses beginning to converge on her again.
He kept moving in silence for a few more minutes, biting his lip to ask against his better judgement.
But he couldn't help it.
"Want to talk about what happened back there?" he asked cautiously. "..Not that. Whatever it is that's going on inside of you."
Aya's eyes snapped up, watching his back.
"...No," she decided after several moments of silence. "I-- I'm still not sure I trust you, Foggy," she murmured. She almost apologized for it, but then held her tongue. She had every right to be hurt, angry, scared, suspicious.
Didn't make her feel any better about it.
Foggy's heart sank into his stomach, but he opted out of showing her his feelings on the matter. One thing at a time, he thought. He just needed to get her to her home and make sure she was safe, and then he could be off.
"You have that right. I probably don't deserve your trust after everything that happened," he said grimly. "Let's just get you home, okay? We are getting close, right?"
Aya nodded, realized he wouldn't see it, and murmured, "Yes."
Carefully, she moved to walk beside him and pointed. "The gray door on the left, near the end of the street."
Foggy was a little surprised to see her move to the side of him, but tried not to show it or do anything that may cause her alarm. "Great, let's get going, then."
He escorted the woman to the end of the street until they reached the door she had previously pointed out. Carefully, he turned to look at her, eyes struggling to meet hers. "I s'pose this is goodbye, then."
"I, um...yeah." Aya dropped her eyes, scuffing her toe back and forth over the cobblestone.
She may have said something else, but before she could the door swung open. Commander Loretta Almarin stood in the open doorway, smiling just slightly as she looked her daughter up and down.
"I thought I heard voices," she noted. Aya gaped at her, eyes wide. She laughed quietly. "I know, I'm supposed to be on duty until the end of the week. But you didn't really think I'd miss your eighteenth--"
She cut off, the soldier in her suddenly sensing the tension of the situation. Her eyes hardened as she looked to Foggy. "Aya? What's going on? Who is this young man?"
As if programmed into him, Foggy immediately straightened up and offered the woman a quick salute. "Fogart Sanderlin of the Black Brigade, ma'am" he said quickly, trying to bury nerves from the situation. "I escorted Aya here to ensure she got home safe."
Shit. Shit. Shit.
The commander stared at him for a long moment. "Black Brigade, huh?" Her eyes narrowed just slightly. "Under that Cedric man?"
Aya suddenly broke down and threw herself into her mother's arms, sobbing. Loretta staggered back a step, then wrapped her daughter in a tight hug and glared over her head at Fogart.
"What the hell have you done?" she hissed, eyes snapping dangerously.
"N-not him, not his fault!" Aya choked out quickly, gasping in an effort to speak through her tears. "He wast-trying to h-h-help..."
[OOC: Lol I just realized I have alot of NPC characters with names that start with C. The one you're looking for here is Cain.]
Foggy tensed as Aya threw herself into her mother, and felt an inch of panic rise inside him when the Commander was clearly angered. "S-She's telling you the truth," he spoke frantically. "I only wanted to help, but.. there was an incident. If you allow me, I can try to explain."
[Crap, sorry. Meh, Loretta has a lot of people to keep track of, it's probably pretty IC to mix them up]
The commander continued to glare at him, even as she twisted to usher Aya inside. "Go to your room, sweetheart. I think you should lie down," she murmured, before turning back to Foggy.
her eyes and mouth were hard as steel, power in every tense line of her body. "You have approximately one minute to explain just what the hells is happening here."
[Good point. I do need to expand my alphabet in NPCs though haha]
He gulped, but nodded. How in all hells was he suppose to explain this is one minute? He didn't even entirely understand what was going on himself!
"I hired Aya for a Brigade mission because she was the only one who could control the Draaqus. The mission was success, and she even saved my life. We went back to the base to make our report when my commander and another comrade gave her a hard time, and shortly after that we split ways."
He paused for a moment to take another breath. Something about Commander Almarin scared the absolute hells out of him.
"When I found her, she had an altercation with my comrade Cecil, and he was unconscious on the ground. She claimed he tried to harm her, and I have no reason not to have believed her, so I brought her here. I was planning on investigating their behavior as soon as I dropped her off at home."
Well. That sounded awful.
Loretta was silent for several long moments, just staring at him.
Then, abruptly, she stood to the side and gestured into the house. "Please come in."
The words were a request, but her tone was that of the Commander, making it clear that she was unused to being disobeyed.
Gods damn it.
Foggy nodded, and cautiously entered the home. She may not have been his direct commander, but she was still his superior.
"Sit. Please," Loretta ordered, gesturing to a small table in the middle of the half-open kitchen.
The inside of the house was surprisingly small, for a commander's abode. Two open and adjoining rooms, the main one which the door opened into and the kitchen tucked off to the side. A hall led into the back of the house, and a set of stairs could be seen at the end, perhaps implying more space above rather than sprawled out on the first floor.
The young soldier hesitantly took a seat, but chose to remain quiet. His chest moved in and out as he tried to control his nervous breathing. Sure, there were things he wanted to ask her, such as: did you know your daughter has the capability to knock a trained soldier out cold without touching him? But he decided against it, at least for now.
"You have to believe me," he said quietly, eyes now on the commander. "I would never do anything to harm your daughter."
“Mm.” The Commander simply stared at him, cold, calculating. “And why should I believe that, Fogart Sanderlin of the Black Brigade?”
Again her tone was at odds with her words: it should have been an accusatory question, but she sounded as if she genuinely wanted him to give her a reason to trust him.
Something inside Foggy snapped. Something he had burying inside him since the events at the courtyard.
"Because I'm not some racist piece of shit," he spat, his eyes locking with hers. "And I'm not the type of guy who's going to try to harm or push myself on some innocent girl! I've given my life life to Adela! I've always done everything I could for its people, and I.. and I've always done what I thought was the right thing to do, and.."
He paused, eyes trailing to the floor. "Maybe I don't know anything at all."
Loretta simply continued to stare at him. "Are you quite through?" she asked coldly as he trailed off. It wasn't clear if she was simply reigning in her emotions, or if she was genuinely as unfeeling as she seemed.
Yeah. He was through, or at least he wanted to be. He thought about it for several moments that felt like several minutes. Finally, he peered back up at her.
"What kind of power does Aya have? I've never seen anything like it."
The commander tensed slightly. "Aya is a beastspeaker," she replied tersely. "But that's not what you mean, is it?"
She glanced toward the hall, the stairs that her daughter had taken to reach her room. "What powers do you mean?"
"I'll put it this way," Foggy tensed. "Something happened to her, and Cecil is a trained soldier, one of the best I've ever known. She tossed him aside like some sort of rag doll... and from what I gather, without even touching him."
A flash of something close to fear flickered through the commander's eyes. "Thank you for the information," she said with a stiff nod. Then she softened slightly and added. "And thank you for getting her home safely. I can't say I'm thrilled she was given a position in the Black Beigadw without informing me, but that is hardly your fault."
She nodded again and gestured toward the door. "I recommend you file an incident report. I will be dealing with this in the morning."
Foggy's sigh of relief was very noticeable, though the commander's reaction to his news was a little telling. No matter, it shouldn't be any of his concern, and Commander Almarin was far better suited to deal with such things then he was.
He stood up rather quickly and nodded. "Ma'am," he said sternly before turning to the door.
An incident report, huh?
To who exactly?
Loretta nodded to him in turn, shadowing him as he moved back out onto the street.
Once he was outside and shut the door with brisk finality.
She needed to speak with her daughter.
The soldier could feel the wind from the door as she closed him out. Thank gods that was over, though he was still a little worried about Aya.
That could wait for another day, though. Right now he needed to file an incident report, as the commander had suggested, and on the way he would check in on Cecil. He had some very serious questions for his comrade.
Aya was curled up on her bed, crying quietly. She couldn’t even open her eyes, colors and lights too strong.
She could hear her mother climbing the stairs as though she had her ear pressed to the wood. She winced at the soft scream of the door opening, a crack of thunder to her overwhelmed senses.
Loretta sighed and sat beside her daughter, stroking her back. “Sweet girl. What happened?”
((Time skip? Maybe to Foggy giving his report/confronting Cecil and Cain??))
[You read my mind]
Cecil wasn't in the alleyway where Aya and he had left him earlier, so Foggy wearily traveled back to the Brigade base. Surely, he would be there. And Cain too. It was due time to get to the bottom of not only their behavior as of late, but the gut feeling the soldier had for a long time now.
He made his way through the seemingly empty court yard and toward the building in the back. Strange, that no one was around.
He was met with distaste upon entering the building. Sitting in the commander's chair was none other than Cecil, a little worse for wear, but breathing and looking very much pissed.
"Nice of you to show your face, Fog," he sneered.
"Where is Cain?" Foggy shot back immediately, uninterested in hearing anything he had to say at that moment.
"Cain's tending to some other duties right now," the man said dismissively. "He left me in charge."
Foggy's eyes narrowed. "Why you?"
Aya had explained what had happened to her mother as best she could, through much crying and sniffling. Loretta had remained silent, just listening, then gone to fetch her daughter a cup of tea.
Apparently they had a lot to talk about.
"Foggy, I really want to believe you, I really do," Cecil went on, ignoring his comrade's question. "But I don't know if I can. So, tell it to me straight. Are you really entertaining that mutt that, by some force of gods, almost broke my back?"
Mutt? There was that word again. So Aya was telling the truth.
"Why are you calling her mutt?!" Foggy barked, getting defensive. "It's because you called her that that she did that to you!"
"Oh, so you know what she did to me? Are you conspiring with this girl, then?"
"W-What? No! You're not listening-"
Cecil stood from his chair and walked over to Foggy until he was face to face with him. "I've listened enough," he hissed. "We don't operate with her kind."
"Her kind?!" Foggy asked through rising anger. "If that's the way you think, I don't know if I want to operate with your kind."
Cecil stared with fire in his eyes before a smirk crept up into his lips. "Soft as ever," he sneered. "Tell you what. Kill the girl and we'll pretend-"
The man couldn't finish his sentence before Foggy's fist connected with his jaw. Cecil spat blood from his mouth after his neck whipped around, and then he seethed through his teeth at his old companion. "You're going to regret that," he huffed with a snap of his fingers. "Throw'em in the cells."
Foggy eyed him skeptically for a moment before turning to make his way for the door. Unfortunately, by the time he turned around a heavy force came across the back of his head, knocking him out cold.
Aya stared at the cooling mug of tea clutched between her hands, her mother's arm around her shoulders as she leaned into the commander's side. As her mother had explained things, she found it gradually easier to get a handle on her newly augmented senses, though she was still plenty overwhelmed.
"My father was..."
Loretta sighed. "An angel." At Aya's incredulous expression, she smiled wryly and murmured, "I didn't believe it either, at first. But then he showed me his true form..." She shook her head. "There's no other word for his kind. Divine servants of the gods."
Aya shook her head in turn. "But-- but what does that make me?"
"Nephilim, as I understand it," her mother replied. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I wish I knew more, but there isn't exactly a lot of research on the topic." She stroked Aya's hair gently. "Baby, I don't want to make you relive this, but about what else happened today..."
Aya shuddered and shook her head. "It wasn't Foggy," she murmured, "it was another member of the Black Brigade. He-- he tried to hurt me. Said things..." She swallowed thickly. "F-Foggy was just trying to help me."
Loretta nodded. "Alright. I'll make a report in the morning. Those men aren't going to get away with this." She kissed Aya's forehead and stood. "Try to get some sleep. We can talk more tomorrow."
Foggy's eyes opened bleakly and a groan escaped his lips. His head was pounding, and not only that he felt like his entire body was trampled by a horse. It took him a minute to recollect his thoughts, his memory as to how he ended up in the Brigade cells.
That's right. He got into an argument with Cecil, and then.. someone knocked him out. More than just knocked him out, it would appear, as the bruises and cuts down the rest of his body was proof enough of that.
He tried to move but failed. He was restrained by chains and shackles the Brigade had bolted to the walls. "Damn," he winced as the chains rubbed tight against his wrist.
This was bad.
"What do you mean he never reported in this morning?" Loretta was livid, staring down a man some six inches shorter than her who had stopped her at the entrance to the Black Brigade base. "I am a Commander of the Adelan Dragonriders, and you are obstructing military business. Now I demand you immediately tell me where these three men are!"
She'd been asking after Fogy, Cain, and Cecil, but no one seemed keen on giving her information.
"Sorry ma'am," the man said most unapologetic-ally. "No one has heard from Lieutenant Sanderlin since yesterday evening, and the others you are looking for aren't here either. If that is your only business here, I suggest you leave."
The man crossed his arms, intent on keeping her at bay. "Rules are rules, ma'am," he said with no regard of the woman's ranking. "I can't let you pass."
Loretta bared her teeth, eyes flashing. "Very well," she hissed. "Give me your name and rank. You will also be reported for insubordiation."
The Commander had left her daughter at home, in bed-- as far as she knew. But Aya needed the comfort that only horses had been able to provide her so far in her life. So she'd flung a dark gray cloak around her shoulders and headed out toward Darkmoon's stable, praying that she wouldn't run into any members of the Brigade while she was out.
"Sorry ma'am," the guard said again. "Rules are rules. I can't give you any more information than I already have."
The soldier's eyes had a hard time meeting Loretta's, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep someone like her at bay - but it was for the greater good, as Cecil said. It couldn't be helped. "If you have no business here-" he started to say again, but was swiftly cut off by voice, approaching from behind Commander Almarin.
"Do you always disrespect your superiors like that?"
The soldier's eyes widened and his posture straightened up immensely. "Cai- Erm, Commander Vahn!"
"Let me out of here!" Foggy tried for a scream, but to no avail. No one could hear him. The cells in the Brigade's underground dungeons were designed for just that.
"Ah!" She turned to see Cain, eyes narrowed. "You're Cain Vahn, the captain here?" Loretta demanded.
About halfway to her destination, skirting as far around the Brigade's base as she could manage, Aya froze. Was that...? No, she couldn't have heard that.
But... Strange things were happening to her. Maybe it was possible?
With a nervous swallow, Aya closed her eyes and listened, trying to see if she could pinpoint the voice she'd heard.
Cain met Loretta's eyes and smiled gently at her. "You're correct, and you must be Commander Almarin. I'm surprised we've never met," he said with an almost smug innocence as he offered his hand. "What brings you here today? How can I help?"
"F-Fuck," Foggy groaned, flailing his arms about to send a rattling echo through the dungeons and his chains slapped against the stone wall. "I can't believe this is happening.. C'mon, Foggy. You gotta get out of here."
Aya found herself at the back of the base, already tense and shaky just being close to the building.
No, you can do this. Get ahold of yourself.
She knew the sound was coming from here. Could it have been... "Foggy?" she hissed, kneeling down toward what might have been a grate.
Loretta stared the captain down. "Where is your second? Cecil. I need to inform both of you that I'm reporting you for harassment, improper conduct, and assault."
Cain's brow furrowed at the woman's statement. "Is that what you have been hearing?" he asked, seemingly a little troubled. "Well, Cecil has been in charge while I was away, so he should be around here somewhere I would imagine. But, I believe you've been told wrong. It was lieutenant Foggy who acted out of line."
He sighed and placed a hand delicately on his forehead. "You must be referring to the stable girl," he went on. "I don't know what came over him, but he is in our custody now. Rest assured we do not take these matters lightly."
"Let me out!" Foggy screamed again, his voice cracking along with the chains that whipped against the stone wall. "...You don't have to do this." His voice softened and his eyes trailed absently to the ground. How in the hells was he going to get out of this? What could he possibly do, and what were they going to do?
Foggy?
His head quickly jerked up. Was he imagining things?
"...Aya?"
Loretta narrowed her eyes dangerously. "I'm going to give you a second chance not to lie to me," she said, voice soft but somehow still thunderous. "The stablegirl in question is my daughter."
"Foggy!" That was definitely him. Huh. Seemed like these overwhelming senses could actually be useful. "Are you alright? What happened?!"
Cain's false look of concern faltered and he was left with an annoyed smirk. "Your daughter," he repeated in a calculated tone. "Well, it's her word against ours, then. Do you have any proof?"
He wasn't imagining things. "Aya! Where are you?" he asked, a flicker of hope thumping into his chest. "They knocked me out and locked me up down in our prisoner cells. What's going on out there?"
The commander bared her teeth in a savage grin. "You're right. Currently, it is her word against yours. But you seem to be making a mistake in believing that I-- or any member of a tribunal-- would favor your word over hers."
She leaned forward slightly, looming over him. "Welcome to Adela. Our women are more powerful than you believe, and their voices stronger. I have no idea how you've made it this far in the military with your backwards, inbred attitude, but it stops here."
"I-- I don't really know," Aya stammered, glancing around nervously. "I was going to see Moony-- what the hells happened to you? How long have you been down there?"
"I.. I don't know," he said in a defeated tone. "I have no idea how long I've been down here.. last thing I remember was confronting Cecil and everything went black.."
He panted softly, trying to control his breath to take his focus off away the throbbing in the back of his head. "Aya," he called again after several moments. "How are you talking to me now? What are you near?"
It was a muffled laugh, but it was a laugh, and not a very nice one. Cain shrugged, and turned his back to her as he took a few steps into the courtyard. "I wouldn't know what you are talking about," he said in a cold, calculated voice. "But if I did, I would tell you I accept the challenge and.. watch your back."
"Um, it's a sort of grate?" Aya hissed back, looking around again. Gods, please don't let anyone see me... "It's in the back of the Bridage base."
Loretta didn't deign to dignify that with a response. She simply nodded and strode back out through the courtyard. "Very well. Since you will not comply, I will simply report to your superiors."
Back on the base?!
"Aya," his voice somewhat of a plead. "It's not safe for you to be here.. I don't know what they will do to you if I'm stuck down here."
Damn. What to do?
"You said a grate?" he asked in a harsh whisper. "Can you lift it?"
Yeah.
She didn't really want to think about that.
"Um..." Aya eyed the grate nervously. "I-- I can try." She reached out to wrap her fingers around the metal bars of the grate and pulled, grunting with the effort.
Iron snapped like dry twigs beneath her hands, clanging loudly as she jumped back with a startled yelp.
"W-What? What happened?!" Foggy asked, probably a little louder than he intended. "Are you okay?"
..That sound. Did she just snap the bars in half?
Cain watched Commander Almarin leave almost menacingly before making his way through the rest of the courtyard and into the building to find Cecil.
"We have a problem."
"I-I'm fine," Aya stammered, still staring at the warped grate. She shook her head. "Okay. I think If I mess with it a little more I can get down there and help you."
"Okay, just be careful."
His words were still buried in a whisper, but it echoed enough to where he was sure he was heard. Hopefully just by her, and no one passing by.
Aya nodded, though she knew he couldn't see, and carefully pried the hole she'd already made in the grate wider. Once it was about the width of her shoulders, she wriggled in, feet first.
"Okay. I'm-- uff-- I'm almost in," she grunted. "Where exactly are you?"
"I'm chained up in the prison chambers," he said quietly. "It's underground. I'm not sure how you are going to get to me from where you are at.. There are stairs in the back of the building that we use, but it's-"
The sound of footsteps echoed distantly, but picked up in volume as it grew nearer.
"Shhh, someone's coming," Foggy hissed quickly.
A few moments later and the steel door swung open to reveal Cecil. "Talking to ourselves now, are we?"
Dropping down into a dark room, Aya froze. Another voice, one she recognized-- one that sent shivers crawling down her spine.
"Cecil," Foggy seethed. "What the fuck are you doing?"
His voice was no longer any sort of plea for the truth, but rather a demand. His face was red hot with anger, and if he hadn't been chained up he wouldn't be able to resist the urge to lunge at the man and break his face.
"Oh, shut up, Fog," Cecil said dismissively as he walked toward him. "You were always a stick in the mud.
"Why are you doing this? Answer me, damn you."
"Answer me, damn you," Cecil mocked him in return. "Please. You know full fucking well why we are doing this, Fog. Running around with a little mutt like that stable girl. Sullying the Brigade's good name by letting hiring her own as one of us."
"...Does everyone know?" Foggy asked quietly, not really wanting to know the answer. "Does everyone know what you do besides me? ..Is everyone like you?"
The soldier laughed in a not-so-nice way, clearly amused. "Not everyone," he admitted. "But we are weening those people out. Just like we have to ween you out."
Foggy's teeth grinded against each other. "What do you mean by that?"
Cecil's face grew very serious, and he let out an exasperated breath. "I'm sorry to be the one who has to inform you this.. but we are arranging for your execution," he said, eyes absent of any emotion as Foggy tensed. "For the murder of Commander Almarin and her daughter, Aya. Can't let someone like that ruin the good name of the Black Brigade, can we?"
"Bullshit!" Foggy retorted in panic. "Aya- Er, I didn't kill anyone! You can't hang me for killing people I didn't kill! Killing people who are still very much ali-"
"Well, that won't be the case come morning," Cecil said sharply before turning on his heel and walking toward the exit.
Foggy let that muster for a moment, his chest burning. But, before Cecil could leave, he had to ask the question. "...Were you ever really my friend? The boy I grew up with?"
Cecil stopped but didn't turn around, contemplating for a moment, but didn't say a word and continued out the door.
The steel door slammed shut.
Aya pressed back against the wall, hand over her mouth and eyes wide. She listened carefully, though with every word Cecil uttered her stomach clenched tighter, roiling with nausea.
At least he talked long enough for her to get a pinpoint on his location. Once she heard the door slam shut, she ducked out of the little alcove she'd found herself in and hurried toward Foggy's cell, checking constantly over her shoulder for danger.
"Foggy?" She pressed her hand against the steel. "I-- I want to get you out, but I don't know how-- and my mother, I have to warn her, they're going to..."
He shook his head. "Cecil has the key," he muttered in near defeat. "Or Cain. Or maybe one of the other guards upstairs. Unless you-"
He sighed, not knowing what to tell her or what they should do, until a thought crossed his mind. "You broke through the grate right? Can you do the same for the bars?"
"Um..."
She stepped back and bit her lip as she eyed the bars. "M-maybe? I might be able to...bend them."
She glanced back over her shoulder, the tension of a hunted animal thrumming through her body. "It won't be quiet though."
She was right. No matter what she did it was going to draw attention to them, but it didn't matter at that point.
"Just do it," he responded after a few silent moments. "Get me out of here and I'll take care of the others when they come. We need to reach your mother before the others do. I have no doubt she can handle herself but I have no idea how many are going after her. The Brigade is a deadly force under Cain's authority, and.. he refuses to quit."
Aya shuddered, biting her lip again, but she nodded slowly. "Okay... Okay."
Quickly, she moved forward and grabbed the bars, gritting her teeth as she pulled. Iron creaked and groaned and bent beneath her grip.
She had to hurry. Panting, she wrenched a hole in the bars and staggered back, eyes wide. "W-we have to move. I have to help my mother, quickly!"
Wow.
It was the first time Foggy had witnessed Aya's remarkable powers face to face. He had so many questions, either for her or Aya's mother, but they would have to wait.
"Quickly," he said with a sense of urgency in his voice. "Help me get out of these shackles. They'll come for us soon."
She nodded quickly and darted forward, grabbing for his wrist. She just barely managed to check herself, pausing before she just starting yanking away at the manacles. With her new strength...
What if she hurt him?
Aya bit her lip and looked up at him, suddenly nervous. "Um. Hold still," she mumbled, and slipped her fingers beneath the metal of the shackles, carefully attempting to pry the iron bands apart.
Aya's strength was not of this world.
That much was sure.
Just as she bent his iron restraints enough for him to move, he slipped out of them with a wince. "I need a weapon," he panted. "There's an armory in the next room."
Aya nodded again, looking around warily. "Alright, hurry," she muttered, gesturing for him to lead the way as she glanced back over her shoulder, toward the stairs she was sure soldiers would be pouring down any second.
Free at last.
Foggy didn't waste time responding before rushing for the exit. He had to get to the armory before anyone came to check on him; surely they had to of heard the commotion that just went on. As soon as he reached the door, he flung it open and found the first sword he could find. Not the best weapon in the lineup, but sharp enough to cut through.
"This will do," he muttered under his breath before looking at Aya. "Is there another way out?" he asked. "How did you get to my cell without walking through the front entrance?"
Aya jerked her head back over her shoulder, fidgeting nervously. "Back that way. I came in through a broken grate..." She but her lip, considering. Could they reach the grate? She couldn't remember how high up it was.
"That may be our best option," he said quickly. "Take me there. If I can climb up it, i'll lift you. If we try to go through the front of the building we are as good as dead."
The stable girl had enough presence of mind to quirk up an eyebrow and snip, "How about I lift you?" She ushered him toward the small alcove that she'd dropped down into, glancing back at the stairs again nervously.
"If you're up for it, then by all means," he responded as he looked up at the crate she mangled open.
The sound of feet slapping the dungeons floors echoed, and it's presence grew stronger with each passing second. "We're out of time," he said quickly. "Now!"
Aya started to panic, eyes blown wide as she whirled to face him. "Go go go!" She shoved him toward the gate, trying to boost him up so he could climb out.
Foggy felt his weight lift like it was almost nothing, and soon enough he was crawling through the crate to get back out into the daylight. Whipping, he extended his arm for Aya. "Take my hand!"
She grabbed for him, feet scrambling as she tried to jump and catch the bottom edge of the grate with her free hand. Jagged metal and stone bit into her palm and she cried out, gritting her teeth against the sharp pain.
"Come on!"
He took the woman's hand and lifted her through the grate, bringing her back to the surface before slipping onto his back. Quickly, he got to his feet and scanned the area for any potential threat.
No one.
That felt... strange.
"Can you stand?" he asked, extending his arm to her. "We need to find your mother fast. Where would she be at this time of day?"
Panting lightly with fear and exhilaration, Aya gasped out, "If Cain blew her off, she'd head to the next up in the chain of command. Who does the Black Brigade report to?"
Everything about Commander Almarin made him sick. The fact that a woman could be held in such high regard in this society; the fact that a woman had the audacity to speak to him in such a demeaning manner. Loretta Almarin. Hard-headed, hardly useful. No better than a gimp dog that just refuses to die.
The commander is going to be problematic, that much he knew. Someone with that much authority couldn't be dealt with unnoticed. Even if an accident was staged, people would be sure to ask questions.
Sorry Foggy, he said under his breath as the wheels turned.
It's truly a shame that the boy he knew as his life-long friend, Foggy Sanderlin, went mad and murdered both Commander Almarin, and her poor daughter, Aya.
This would surely rock the nation, but Cain and his able men in the Black Brigade would be there to pick up the pieces.
"Is everything ready?" he asked one of his men.
Getting the confirmation he needed, Cain prepared to depart.
"Cain is the commander of the Black Brigade," was Foggy's worried response. "He's the highest up the chain you can go in our division. We report to him, but I am not sure who he reports to."
“Shit.” Aya squeezed her eyes shut and took a breath, trying to clear her mind enough to think. Her senses were still too heightened— it was worlds better than the day before, but still just a bit too much, making it hard to focus.
“Where does he even get off?” she growled, her voice suddenly low and dangerous and...almost echoing, as though three of her spoke instead of one. “We’ve never been isolationist, never tried to—to purge our numbers or whatever that bastard Cecil was saying. How can he even— this country has literally never barred women from the military or the throne, it’s practically what we’re founded on! How can he— it doesn’t make sense! How dare he?!”
The anger was hot in her chest, burning fire behind the amethyst of her eyes when she snapped them open. Her lips curled in a snarl, her whole body trembling with rage and power that she didn’t yet know how to control.
Silver white flames burst into existence around her, creating a halo of bright light. Her eyes suddenly widened and she yelped in surprise, jumping backward and patting frantically at the silvery fire in an effort to smother it.
Foggy watched in disbelief as the girl created fire right before his eyes.
What are you? was his initial thought.
"Aya, get back!" he said, snapping back into reality as he began assisting her to extinguish the flames.
In the middle of her patrol route was a lone member of the Black Brigade. Laying in the dirt with the appearance of someone in grave pain. He moaned, groaned, and pleaded for help while the eyes of his commander and fellow soldiers watched from the shadows.
"No, no it's fine, keep back, you'll get hurt--!"
Aya skittered back from him. Already the fire was fading away, though the faintest hint of that silvery white glow seemed to linger on her skin a few moments longer. While the fire hadn't burned her, she somehow instinctively knew that Foggy would not have been so lucky.
Breathing short and almost jagged, she glanced back the way she'd come, then in the direction Cain had left. "Which...which way is quickest? We have to find my mother, Foggy, we have to warn her before--"
Her voice cut off and she swallowed, clenching her eyes shut for a moment while her fingers curled into fists at her sides.
Well that certainly didn't go as planned.
Cain and his men were on the brink of capturing Commander Almarin, and all was going well until that damned dragon of hers showed up. Still, his team managed to injure her well-enough to send a message, just not the message he wanted to send.
If only he were able to make an example out of her.
Oh well, he thought. That time would come one way or another, if he had anything to do with it.
Luckily enough for him, he was not visible during the ambush, and his men were not in uniform - aside from the bait - so that would buy him some time while the Commander recovered.
Now, that dragon may be a problem.
"Foggy, come on." Aya shook the young captain's shoulder, panic creeping into the edges of her tone. "What's the quickest route to military headquarters from here? We have to move."
She glanced over her shoulder, tension in every line of her body. She was terrified Cain or one of his underlings would come back at any moment.
"R-Right," Foggy nodded. He was having a hard time wrapping his head around the girl's powers, the situation, and their limited timeline. It was almost too much. "I know the way," he assured her. "Follow me."
He turned heel and ran, hoping they could make it in time.
Time to confront Cain.
Aya took off after him, feeling her breath already beginning to come in sharp pants-- not from exertion, in fact she suddenly felt as though she could run miles and barely be tired, but rather from fear. Fear approaching panic.
Panic that quickly spiked in her chest when she heard the massive, keening roar, screeching to a halt and spinning on her heel as she watched a familiar shadow ascend to the sky from somewhere in the eastern quarters of the city. The dragon circled, then banked toward military headquarters... No. No, to the hospital.
Her eyes widened. "Vitala... Mother!"
Shit.
Foggy was pretty much in an all-out sprint, his heart pounding out of his chest as anxiety, adrenaline, and fear are pitted against each other, circling around like a toxin in his head.
He planted his foot into the dirt with a heavy thud to slow his pace, spinning around to see the dragon and then to Aya. "What is it, Aya?" he asked in between panting breaths.
"Vitala," Aya repeated, gasping though she was in no way short of breath. "That's-- he's my mother's dragon. He-- he wouldn't-- he was making for the hospital..."
That could only mean one thing. They were too late. Something had already happened to her mother.
Aya swayed on her feet, pressing one hand to her mouth as the world tilted sickeningly sideways. Oh gods, what have they done?