Vengeance and Honour (Arcill)

[Elissa Vuronia]

An ocean of blue engulfed the heavens within its shroud as it revealed its splendour to the world below. White fluffy clouds danced across the cloaked sky while the sun shone down its rays of joy and happiness to the world of man, a breath of life breezed across the land, which bore witness to another beautiful day. Nature was in full bloom as the trees once again revealed their pride while the flowers and grass brought tranquillity and harmony to those that would wonder this gentle place.

Nature continued to show the human eye just how beautiful it truly was. The trees and flowers revealed their full glory as if a rainbow of colours littered the grasslands. However the tree themselves revealed its yellow and orange coloured leaves. The wildlife was a happy and care free as the wind. All was just as quiet as a trickling lake, but a sound disturbed the gentle peace that nature had offered to anyone within its eternal serene beauty. Footsteps trotted a peaceful pathway that stretched out across the distant lands of although it was dusty, covered with weeds and old it was still used by different travellers, today a single traveller traversed its direction while keeping the path company with the sound of footsteps.

However footsteps weren’t the only ones to trotted across the peaceful path. The sound of hoofs were also heard as it gently walked beside the sound of footsteps, travelling across Natures beautiful creations was a young girl and a beautiful pale white stallion. The girl had black hair, which shone with health due to the power of the ever-bright sun; her eyes were a sea blue colour that was of the sky itself.

Her garments consisted of a silver tunic, which reached down to above the waist, brown cotton trousers, and soft boots. Finally to complete her ensemble, the strange wore a slightly dark green velvet hooded cloak which closed itself over her entire body. Elissa gently marched across the great plains of the Korcari wilds while enjoying the scenery which laid before her, her white stallion was named Amity which meant friendship in the ancient language.

A few years ago while Elissa was still being trained by her brother, she heard a noise. This noise was accompanied by a loud laughter of men, upon her arrival at the scene to her horror she saw a beautiful pure white stallion being tormented by a gang of youths. Pain gripped the horse in a tight grip as it was being tortured by these horrible men, immediately Elissa charged forward in anger in hopes to save the horse.

After a short battle she pushed them back. But the damage had been done, As she tried to calm this beautiful soul, he reared upwards trying to push her away. But Elissa was stubborn and eventually after gently grazing her shoulder, she stared hard into the eyes of the stallion and showed him love for the first time in his young life.

Ever since that day Amity trusted Elissa and together the two formed a bond that was stronger then any magic. Thoughts ran threw the young girl's mind, how was father? Has brother been fighting as usual? All these questions and more gathered around her mind, but her eyes looked focused as she marched northwards across the wilds. Beneath the fabric of her floor length cloak, her right hand grasped the hilt of her sword, as you never know what to expect out in the wilds.

It could anything from Darkspawn, to creatures that roam the lands. Anything can happen in a world filled with dragons, magic and mystery. As Amity walked slowly beside her, Elissa calmly but carefully kept her eyes open as she continued her journey to discover what life truly is.

[Arcill]

Since the day Arcill was exiled from the Frostback Mountains, he had come to live in the Korcari Wilds, seeking vengeance against those who had harmed him and his loved ones, boiling with hatred in mind. Among the Chasind people he had been taken in, and they had cared for him as he was wounded when they found him. He at first had been very suspicious, but once he got to know them, they became the very best of friends, most due to his close friendship to Rashka, she whom had found him stumbling into the Korcari Wilds.

Now there had passed almost a month since his arrival, and he had begun to plan out the future. He wanted revenge, first against those Avvars whom had destroyed his tribe, killed his family and who had killed his dear wife, and then secondly he wanted revenge against the people who had for centuries kept his kin from the lowlands. Staying among the Chasind Wilders had taught Arcill a great deal, and he had learned they were not as different then his people, as they too held hatred for the Fereldens. It was a sharing wish and behind it he had united them under his lead, showing off his great strength and how skilled he was to lead.

After hearing about a presence within the Korcari Wids, Arcill and his Chasind friends had left the camp to see who it was, knowing it was someone who was not supposed to be there. The scouts had noticed a woman and a horse ever since they had entered the Korcari Wilds and they had followed her in the distance, not allowing themselves to be seen or heard. They were experts in hiding and the wilds was their territory, often when a Ferelden came upon their land they would capture, kill them or eat them, but with Arcill in charge he wanted them to do different.

The day seemed perfect, there was almost none clouds on the sky and the sun shined bright and brought warmth to the wildlife. It was a great day for a hunt. With the Chasind scouts looking at the woman from the distance, they hid among the trees, clad in camouflage and dirt, put on by the resources they had found in the nature. Further away stood Arcill among another group of five Chasind`s, and they too kept themselves out of sight, looking through the branches of the trees as the woman and her horse walked through their land. With a nod, Arcill commanded the Chasind`s to surround her and the further into the land she went, the more closer they approached.

Arcill was clad in dirt and straps of leather, with a bare torso showing his strong features. His long hair slid down his back and only a low breeze could be felt upon his skin, with his dark eyes he looked at the woman, seeing that she was prepared as she held her hand on the sword. None the less, Arcill was not afraid; she was just a simple woman, a woman whom soon would become his prisoner. Carefully approaching while kneeling, Arcill`s gaze ventured from the woman and back at the Chasind`s who surrounded her, then as he came closer, he stood up and showed his presence, standing a few feet`s away from her with a glare that showed his hate for the Fereldens, with his sword in hand.

[Elissa Vuronia]

Nature's greatest creations stood proudly before Elissa's eyes. Even Amity her horse enjoyed the peace and tranquillity, he happily swished his tail and slowly plodded beside his new best friend. Every day Elissa would remind herself of a promise she had made to Amity, she vowed to him that no one would ever mistreat him and that she'd always be there to help him no matter what. And it was a promise she intended to live up, after all friends look out for one another.

But sadly Elissa did have any other friends apart from her own brother. Still it was good for her to be out and seeing things that are just waiting to be discovered, even though her journey to understand life seemed a bit long the teenage noble just kept moving on and perhaps one day she could find the answer she sought. Luckily her journey hadn't been stopped and no one impeded her travels, and even if they did she'd either defend herself or help them should they desire aid.

Before coming on this long journey Elissa knew full well that she'd have to be alone. Her brother couldn't come because he had a duty to his captain, her father and mother certainly couldn’t come because they had a commitment, and she smirked happily as Elissa began to think if only my brother was here to see me. He'd be quite surprised to see his little sister being accompanied by a white stallion, but her smile transformed into a gasp as a man appeared out of nowhere and stood blocking her path.

She noticed that his eyes revealed anger and wrath. But did he suddenly appear out of nowhere? Did he live in the Kocari Wilds? Or did this stranger follow her? At any rate this man looked like he was chiselled out of stone as his very physique made him look menacing and strong. Stepping back slightly she stared back into the man's eyes but once did she even flinch, seeing that the man that suddenly appeared before her seemed like someone who didn't look quite friendly Elissa removed her arms out from underneath her floor length cloak. Slowly she grabbed her cloak pin and gently undid it, so that it was very loose.

There she removed the cloak from around her shoulders and placed it on the saddle of her friend Amity. Not once did her eyes leave the stranger's eerie gaze, quickly she spoke but turned her voice towards her friend "Amity I need you to go to a safe place, I'll call you when its safe". The horse snorted out of its nose and quickly turned itself around and galloped at full speed towards the south direction.

She sighed in relief, as she let Amity run incase the man was a thief. But at least Amity would be safe, showing no fear to the angered man Elissa finally took two steps forward while speaking in total honesty"I don’t know who you are stranger but I do not wish to fight you, I mean you no harm". She said while pushing her hand away from the hilt of her sword. Elissa tried her best to calm the situation and let him know that she came to the Kocari Wilds in peace.

But she did wonder why he was so angry with her? All Elissa could do was remain calm, examine the situation and play it by ear. Should the time come for her to defend herself, she was more then ready to reveal just what a woman could do. There is however one thing that appeared in her mind, don’t underestimate your opponent, Elissa didn't feel nervous but she had a promise to keep to Amity and it was a promise she intended to keep forever.

[Arcill]

Blocking the path to the woman, Arcill stood still watching in the distance with a glare, breathing heavily of anger and hate. Oh how he hated the Fereldens, always would they step upon the land which was not theirs and always did they claim that it belonged to them, when it had never been theirs in the first place. Seeing that she removed her cloak, Arcill understood she was preparing herself for the worst and as she approached her horse, he noticed their connection and how much she cared for the animal. A good target to make her cooperate, Arcill thought to himself as he watched her send the horse south, into the grip of his Chasind Wilders who had surrounded her.

Once the woman spoke, Arcill listened and he understood her, but he decided not to answer. Instead he remained quiet and continued to glare, until he after a moment nodded to someone in the bushes near where she stood and then all of sudden the ambush was revealed. From the ground up, around the trees, through the bushes and from every direction, the Chasind Wilders stepped forth against the woman, holding their spears and clubs against her, threatening her.

"You wish to know who I am....Ferelden?..."Arcill spoke with a deep voice as his Chasind friends closed in on the woman, surrounding her, allowing her not to escape. Arcill himself began to move and slowly he approached, stepping through the grass, over the fallen tree trunks, avoiding the branches, still looking at her as he came closer, holding his sword in his hand loosely, but ready. "Oh you should know who I am....I am Arcill Ar Kattrin o Axehold... and I am your doom!" Arcill continued speaking, approaching the woman until he only stood a feet away from her, looking at her with icy eyes. Then after Arcill spoke, the Chasind Wilders went to grab her arms, wanting to bring her to the knees of their great leader.

[Elissa Vuronia]

Ever since she decided to go on this journey, Elissa vowed she would face any challenge and show no fear against the unknown. There was also something that her brother once told her that she still remembers to this very day, he said that the flames of life burned forever in her heart. Which meant that she should survive in a world that can sometimes be cruel, today was going to be one of Elissa's first challenges and it was going to be dangerous. Once again from out of no where Chasind warriors flanked her every escape and brought her into a place where there was no going back, despite this grave situation Elissa remained calm.

As her eyes turned to gaze at the new arrivals they soon turned to the muscular stranger who spoke in sure hatred, and confidence. He revealed himself to be Arcill of Axhold, and vowed to bring Elissa doom. At first she didn't know the name Arcill, nor did a place called Axhold ring any bells. But he made a grave error in judgement, never underestimate your opponent. She remained quiet but decided to give Arcill a reply with action and not words, when the word doom was spoken two chasind warriors went to both sides with the intent of grabbing her arms.

Elissa moved as fast as her body could go and immediately she raised both her arms and thrusted her elbows towards the east and west aimed at the faces of the two-chasind warriors. Then she heard a footstep close to her, using her own head she slammed it backwards into another warrior which stood behind her, gritting her teeth in sure focus she soon freed her sword using her right hand and clenched it tightly as the steel blade shone in the sun.

Another went for a full on offensive with a club. But Elissa noticed they were made of wood and simply aimed a sideways slice and watched as the steel blade sliced threw it like a knife cutting threw hot butter, one warrior aimed to pierce Elissa with a sharpened spear. It was however a close call. As the sharpened end thrusted towards her, she tried her best to dodge it the tip almost touched her chest.

With a sigh of relief she twirled around and slashed her sword downwards, which held the tip of the spear. She had hoped the sword would cut off the tip of the weapon, leaving only a staff in the attackers hands. And it paid off, slowly the tip fell to the ground causing a bemused warrior to attack her using the broken spear but she simply sliced it in two and aimed a hard punch into his face using the hilt of her sword.

Then using all her strength into her voice Elissa called out with all her heart. "AMITY!" She had hoped her friend was all right and hadn't been caught by the Chasind, but the mighty stallion neighed in response and galloped at full speed while a chasind struggled to hold on but was thrown off. The white stallion headed towards Elissa but stopped and reared its hoof with an intent to trample one of the chasind who was on the ground. Seeing this Elissa ran towards Amity while clotheslining a few other warriors and stood in front of the fallen Chasin and spoke "Easy my friend, you are not a murderer" Somehow Amity understood and backed away.

It was uncommon for a fighter to spare a life of an enemy. For there was a chance that he or she could try to attack again, but Elissa took that chance and turned to the remaining four chasin warriors. The first of the last four aimed a punch at Elissa's face but she counter attacked by slightly moving her body to the west and aimed a punch of her own into the guy's stomach. And followed by a side chop into the back of his neck sending him to the ground.

A second Chasind warrior and a third lunged at her. Instead she did the splits literally and aimed both her firsts into the section between both their legs with all her might; they quivered in pain as they crumpled to the floor. Then she stood back up on her feet and was finally grabbed from behind in a full nelson hold. Elissa struggled with all her might but instead used her foot and slammed it into the fourth warrior and then grabbed his arm and forced his own fist into the poor guy's face, followed by punch of her own.

With the final Chasin warrior down Elissa gasped for breath. All around her Arcill's men groaned in pain but were alive, some where knocked out while others moaned. Matching Arcill's gaze with her own she thrusted her sword back into its hilt and stood still in front of her horse who stood ready, as she caught her breath she spoke in utter disgust for Arcill. "Arcill of Axhold, I know naught why you hate fereldens like me. But as I have said before, I mean you no harm".

She pointed her head towards the groaning men and then turned her gaze back to Arcill. "You men will be sore for awhile but they will live. If you have any honour, then tell me why you and your men hate me so badly, when I have never even seen you before?" Things looked good, but it was also very dangerous. If Arcill attacked now Elissa didn’t have the stamina needed to defend herself against such a strong opponent.

Dealing with nine people was all right but dealing with another who was stronger then the others was another dire situation. Elissa hoped that Arcill would reveal his intentions while she did her best to recover from her ordeal.

[Arcill]

(No need to be afraid of this post, wont hurt your character. )

Standing near the woman, Arcill watched as the men went to grab her, but somehow they all failed when she fought them off. One after another they failed because of her great skills and athletics, she was very impressive with the sword and she embarrassed Arcill`s men. The woman had to be no doubt a noble, one whom had gained training through her spoiled youth, Arcill thought to himself. It seemed he had underestimated her, and it made him curious, how could all his men loose without being killed? Oh how poor trained his men was. Arcill sneered by looking at them, and he watched as they got hit, stumbled, kicked around, punched, trampled and more, even the woman`s horse seemed to be better than them, considering it broke loose from their grip in the south and ran back causing difficulties.

Once it was done, all his men lied on the ground moaning in pain and agony, as if she had beaten the crap of out of them. Looking at the men and then at her with an angry glare, he listened to what she said, but noticed she was exhausted by all that had happened. If he wanted to strike, now would be time, although instead Arcill began laughing before he replied with a deep and dark voice. “Hahahaha, impressive indeed.” Arcill looked at her with a smirk, as his gaze ventured across his men who lied on the ground, and then he stumped at the stomach of one them, angry because of their failure. For a moment he stood still looking down at them, before he suddenly moved like a snake turning his face toward Elissa, grabbing her by the throat and lifted her up against the closest tree with a slam, holding his sword close against her throat. “You know, I could have killed you right now if I wanted to….but you know what? Killing you gives me no satisfaction.” He whispered into her ear as he leaned in close, intimidating her, before he released his grip around her throat, allowing her to collect herself on the ground.

With his back turned against the woman, Arcill watched as the nine men stood up, slowly as they all were in pain. Just as one was about to stand up completely straight, Arcill who was boiling of hate snapped and with a strong punch he knocked the man of his feet again, showing clearly how unsatisfied he was. “You fought bravely, Ferelden....” Arcill spoke to Elissa with his back still turned, his great muscles and strength showing how tall and brutal he was. If she tried to attack him, he knew how he should handle her, because the woman in the Frostback Mountains was also known to be just as great as any of the men. “And for that I`ll spare your life, but you must come with us…” Arcill spoke again; ignoring her question. Knowing that he was not an honorable man, as he had never known such thing, growing up in the wild life of the mountains, where her people had forced his kin to live for centuries. Instead of forcing her to come with him now, he rather would allow her to decide, but if she chose leaving, he would need to capture her.

[Elissa Vuronia]

Tiny drops of sweat blanketed her face as she perspired after defeating Arcill's men. She breathed in and out heavily but slowly began to catch her breath, her body ached slightly but it was only to be expected as she had fought nine men single handily. Her brother had always warned her not to overdo things in battle otherwise it could be the end of you in a instant, but she did feel confident now that Arcill's thugs were lying down on the job. Elissa however still didn't move her eyes as they honed in on Arcill; he looked surprised and yet angry at the fact that his men were defeated.

But it was Elissa's turn to look surprised as Arcill laughed out and even gave her a compliment. However no matter what she could do, she was outmatched by Arcill's amazing strength, she gasped in desperation as she was literally picked up by her throat and slammed into a tree with a sword pointing at her neck. The young noble gripped Arcill's giant hands as her neck was slowly squeezed preventing her from breathing properly; she could feel death creeping closer.

It was not her time however as he spoke saying he would have taken great pleasure in killing her. But he whispered in her ear which made her feel luck as his mighty grip was pulled away from her neck causing Elissa to fall to both her knees clasping her neck in pain, she desperately gasped for air, coughed and spluttered. Elissa's determined did not falter as she realised that she was alive when Arcill's intent was to kill her, but why did he spare her? His became clear as strong warrior showed a sign of respect to Elissa.

Holding her neck slightly she slowly stood up and sighed in relief. Now she was really achy, at least Elissa was alive. Then something strange happened, Arcill basically gave her a choice to come with him somewhere. As her horse and best friend trotted over to check on Elissa, the young teen knew that she had no choice. But with Arcill's back turned she could have attacked him, there was however no honour in doing this.

After brushing herself down she responded with focus and confidence. "Very well, but no one will touch me or my horse" Elissa spoke in a serious tone, if she had refused to go with her then there was a chance that Arcill would retaliate because of his and make her go. Besides she was intrigued by this man, he hated all fereldens and seemed like he wanted to kill any he can see. But why though? Why was his hatred for fereldens so strong? Who was his exactly? And why did he let her live? Was it because of her skills in combat?

With a sigh she gently pulled Amity's reigns and spoke to Arcill who was beginning me quite an interesting man. "Lead the way" Perhaps now she can learn about Arcill and why he was consumed with hatred, but again she was relieved that she was still alive and her horse and friend Amity was untouched. Elissa had kept her promise to Amity but now the mystery of the mighty warrior Arcill had just begun.

[Arcill]

With his back still turned against Elissa, Arcill looked upon the men who slowly rose up from the ground. Then as he heard she accepted to come with them, he was surprised again, he had never expected a Ferelden to come with him willingly, but it sure was satisfying, considering that he then would not need to harm her further, or chase her through the wild. With a smirk slowly appearing on his face, he said nothing in return, but began walking ahead. The Chasind`s was in awe as they heard the woman accepted to come with him, but after having been beaten they were carefully avoiding her, even they watched her with a serious look, waiting on her to follow Arcill before they themselves went along.

Traveling through the Korcari Wilds, Arcill led Elissa and the men back on the trail toward where the Chasind`s had camped, a place where many Chasind`s now had been gathering since Arcill had been appointed their great leader. Why he in the first place led Elissa to the camp was a mystery to many of the Chasind`s who followed him, but Arcill had a plan, knowing that the woman was a noble even she had not told him she was. It could be useful to have a woman like her in the days to come, believing it would be beneficial should her family be rich or if she held a grudge against her own people and wanted to assist him.

The day was still bright and warmth, but the further into the south of the Korcari Wilds they went, the more the nature around them changed, from a beautiful landscape to a dark and unfertile land. The plant life had almost died and there was almost none animals to be seen around, only birds which flew across the sky searching for food. Ever since the Blight had ravaged the Korcari Wilds, it had changed the landscape, as it had done on other places in Thedas where the Blight had appeared. For decades the land would be unfertile and it would become a desert, or a frozen place. During and after the Blight, the Chasind people have had difficulties surviving, as the wild life around them had died out. Only on a few spots did they manage to survive, but only barely; hunting birds, searching for water elsewhere or by raiding the northern Ferelden villages outside the Korcari Wilds. The Chasind`s had grown unwary and they could not take it any longer, they wanted to live elsewhere, further north if they could, and since Arcill`s arrival he had brought them all hope. The Chasind`s was few now though they had survived by the ways they knew, a ¾ of their people had died out and many of them had become tainted, much like most of the animals.

Walking in front of the group, Arcill kept his gaze upon the landscape that surrounded them, knowing that a threat could appear wherever they went, having earlier experienced encounters with both Darkspawn and Blight Wolves. Looking back at Elissa and her horse for a short moment as they walked, made Arcill wonder, who was she really? Where in Ferelden did she come from? And what was she doing in the Korcari Wilds in the first place? As Arcill turned to look ahead once again, he heard noises in the distance and he stopped, ordering his men to do the same. Something or someone was coming closer. Unafraid Arcill stood still, with his gaze focused and curious, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

[Elissa Vuronia]

The battle had been won but the war was far from over. For reasons unknown to Elissa, she decided to travel with Arcill to where it was that he wanted to take her. Her eyes caught the glimpse of the man's followers who looked pretty nervous but at the same time she could feel their distrust of her, it must have been pretty embarrassing for them to lose to a nineteen year old girl. And they had Elissa outnumbered too, like her brother she was pretty stubborn and refused to give up. Now here she was travelling with the enemy, was she doing the right thing? Or was she simply falling for another trap?

Her instincts told her to push ahead. And all though her arms, legs, feet and neck ached she ignored it and pressed on, Amity slowly marched behind her but even Elissa could feel his nervousness around strangers. Especially ones who tried to capture him and kill his best friend, silence fell upon her and her new travelling companions, she enjoyed it as none of them even dared try to attack her or Elissa's horse. But if they did, then there would be trouble for Arcill's men.

As for Arcill himself he was still a mystery that sparked Elissa's curiousity. But her attention soon turned to her surroundings; all around her stood nothing but decays, devastation and destruction. The once lush greenery of the Korcari Wilds was gone. Leaving darkness, dead flowers and leaves, even the trees were nothing but empty shells of their former self what would cause this? She thought to herself as she continued walking, the weather was still warm so there was no need for her to don her floor length cloak.

She wiped away some sweat from her forehead using the back of her hand. But Arcill suddenly stopped and began to look around; Elissa stopped also and watched him like an eagle. Something made the mighty warrior stop and seeing his hand on the hilt of his sword clearly indicated that someone or something was coming, for this situation it was absolutely necessary to keep still and not say a word. Elissa did just that while only using her eyes head and ears to see, look and listen.

Using her eyes she looked in all directions and occasionally looked behind while the ears listened carefully for any noise that was out of the ordinary. It seemed like the time had come to fight once again, but it was going to feel strange fighting alongside those who wanted to capture her or even kill her. Whatever it was Elissa stood ready and slowly she moved her sword hand near the hilt, it was always said to keep your friends, close and your enemies even closer.

[Arcill]

As Arcill held his hand upon the hilt of his sword and listened to the noise that could be heard in the distance, he could hear that it became louder and louder the closer it came and the ground was trembling. The Chasind also became aware of the noise and even they were afraid they tried to stay ready for what was coming their way, looking at each other nervously and still in pain after what had happened earlier. Then suddenly Arcill could see a large shadow in the distance, a large and a brutal beast, one that had horns a foul teeth’s, it was an Ogre, one which had roamed the wild ever since the fifth Blight, whom had been searching for food and shelter.

Running against Arcill and his men, the Ogre roared as it prepared with his claws to attack. Arcill drew his sword from the belt and in a fighting stance he awaited the Ogre to come closer, the Chasind men became more afraid and began throwing their weapons against it, but when it did no harm, those who had none weapons left chose to flee, leaving only some Chasinds protecting Arcill and the woman. Those who remained pointed their useful weapons against the beast, waiting for it clash into them.

Once the Ogre arrived, it ran straight into two of the Chasind`s and immediately threw them of their feet with a slam. Arcill moved to the side and used his sword to slice the Ogre at its waist and foot, creating only a small wound at the large beast, before Arcill himself was hit by the arm of the Ogre and thrown into the tainted bushes. The three other Chasind`s who remained ran at the Ogre, attacking it in great rage. The Ogre grabbed one of them, killing him and then threw the man back at the two others, turning to face the woman and her horse with a great roar, which could be heard far into the wild, scaring the crows nearby. Lying in the bushes Arcill watched as the Ogre approached the woman, but before it could attack her, he ran and jumped at its back, thrusting his sword deep into the beast from above.

[Muire]

(OOC Arcill said it would be alright if I joined this thread, I hope you don't mind)

The tal vashoth trotted through the trees with all the silence and grace she had learned as tallis, her spear still dark with the latest of her former comrades to come after her. Foolish woman. The tal vashoth had offered mercy, but the tallis had wept. Victory in the Qun indeed. Her companion had been stronger, circling and trying to fight even after she'd been disarmed. Her the tal vashoth let live.

The sun glinted on her horns as she moved deeper in the Blight-ravaged woodlands, her thick white braid thumping lightly on her back. Even mostly bare, with only crossed breast-wraps and pieced-together leggings, she was an intimidating sight. So when several humans burst through the trees, unarmed and obviously fleeing, one of them shrieked and fell to the ground in his haste to stop.

The tal vashoth stared down at the quivering mass of human at her feet coolly. This one was weak, and so were his companions. But perhaps he would yet be useful. She stooped and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck before straightening to her full height, taking the man with her. Holding him against a tree at her eye-level with a hand pressed against his chest, his feet dangling well off the ground, she fixed her baleful yellow gaze on him.

"What are you running from?"

The man shuddered and whimpered as his companions fled, clutching at her hand so he wouldn't fall. She snorted. Pathetic. After several moments he managed to stutter out the word 'ogre'. Well, that was interesting. And indeed, she could hear a vicious roar in the direction the man had been coming from. With another snort and a disdainful look, she dropped her hand and let the human fall. He wasn't worth the time it would take to kill him, and there was bigger prey to be had.

She ran through the forest, lightly, silently, stopping only long enough to take stock of the situation when her prey was in sight. These humans were strong, facing down a much larger, stronger opponent with no fear. As she watched, one of them leaped out from where he had been laying and drove his sword deep into the creature's back. The perfect time to strike.

With every bit of speed the tal vashoth possessed she sprinted past the human woman between her and the ogre, bracing her spear for the blow to come. With a leap and a cry, the tal vashoth drove her weapon under the ogre's breastbone and up. The beast roared in anger under the dual attacks, swiping at the human man on its back and the tal vashoth pressing her spear deeper into its chest.

Something bestial strained in the tal vashoth's chest, and she roared back, unafraid, giving her spear a vicious twist. The creature's roar quickly turned from rage to agony, and she wrenched the weapon out only to thrust it into the beast's stomach. Again and again she stabbed the monster, dancing out of the way of its maddened blows, as the human attacked it from behind. Between them, it wasn't long before the creature fell down dead.

Flicking the tainted blood from her spear, she approached the man who had stabbed the monster. She narrowed her eyes at him. Large for a human, but still smaller than she. He was muscular, though, and there was no fear in his eyes. She liked that.

"You are strong," she told him. Then, with a sudden blur of movement, she slapped his thigh with the butt of her spear. She chuckled dryly. "But slow. Who are you?"

[Elissa Vuronia]

Death and decay had overwhelmed part of the once great forest, but destruction and wrath was coming. Elissa could hear her heart beating faster as she could slowly feel anxiety grip her in a tight vice, her determination and focus however remained unchanged. With the fingers of her sword hand twitching just above the black hilt of her sword, she narrowed her eyes and soon heard a noise. As the noise came closer, the louder it became and finally it made itself known in the form of an almighty beast, Elissa's eyes widened in astonishment. Its body was gigantic while its horned head roared in hunger, she could see drops of pure saliva dripping from its mouth as it saw its next food within her and the others.

Immediately she used her left arm and pointed it outwards to defend her loyal steed. Amity however was overcome by fear and reared itself upwards in pure terror, quickly it backed away as fast it could leaving Elissa to face it alone. Of course it looked like a sign of cowardice, Amity was after all a wild horse and was mistreated in the past thus making him cautious about life around him. It was just the nature of his personality and Elissa felt calmer that way knowing that her friend was away from something so beastly! It was the first time the young noble had seen such a beast and no many live to tell the tale of meeting one.

Its strength was soon revealed as it smashed into the Chasind warriors as though they were flies. She heard the sickening noise of crushing bones as some where sent flying, while others were completely destroyed by the terrifying might of this ogre like being. Arcill was a born warrior and she could see it as he met the creature head on but was swatted away with the giant size of his arms. More soldiers fell to their doom while others simply ran for their lives, leaving her and Arcill to fight the creature. As its hideous gaze turned to Elissa, She grabbed the hilt of the sword, pulled it free and stood ready to face it alone.

But Arcill was tougher then he looked as he courageously attacked the beast on its back. Making the creature cry out in pain, as his sword was plunged deep into its back. Elissa knew it was going to be her chance to aid him, after all she believed that Arcill seemed better as an ally and not an enemy in this battle. Quickly she ran as fast as she could to aid Arcill but not even her speed was a match for their newest arrival, a Qunari female arrived in the nick of time and aided Arcill by plunging her weapon into the beast.

Elissa felt helpless and watched as the two warriors combined their might to put down the beast. It fell to the ground with an almighty thud, causing the teen to relax her muscles and placed her sword back into its scabbard. Now that the danger had passed Elissa put two fingers into her mouth and whistled a small tune that was soon followed by the reply of a familiar sound of a horse. Amity galloped towards the direction of Elissa and gently stopped in front of her, as a smile crept up on her face she stroked her friend in a mere sign that the danger was over.

Then using her right hand she grabbed the reigns and gently pulled Amity with her as she headed towards Arcill and the new stranger. Elissa had always been fascinated by the Qunari and had always respected them for their knowledge and combat abilities. She showed great courage in facing the beast head on, but the young noble's eyes looked downwards in disappointment and sadness. Elissa had been too late in aiding Arcill as the Qunari stranger appeared in time to aid the mighty warrior, does that mean that she was a coward for not providing aid to Arcill in time?

As the two warriors spoke Elissa stood behind the Qunari stranger but not slightly a few feet away and waited.

[Arcill]

Thrusting the sword from above and deep into the beast, Arcill twisted the blade to cause more damage and as the Ogre bled by the wound it received, it grew wilder and tried to grab Arcill, wanting to throw him off. Arcill held on and the beast was unsuccessful, roaring and moving wildly in front of Elissa. Then after a short time struggling to hold on, another presence approached and came to their aid. It was a woman, but she was not human, nor was she an elf or a dwarf, Arcill had never seen such a creature, though she seemed strong and unafraid as she came attacking the beast with her spear, stabbing again and again into the flesh of the Ogre. It did not take long before the wounds of Ogre began to break him down and once it fell on the ground, the dust clouded around the dead beast with Arcill still standing on top of it, with his sword planted deep into its back.

Looking across the landscape from where Arcill stood, he could see as the dust settled that most of his Chasind`s friends had either run away or died fighting the Ogre, but now being there alone with Elissa and her horse which returned at her command, he could see more clearly the new woman appearing in front of him, whom surprisingly touching his thigh with the tip of her spear, almost making him scared that he would lose some balls as she did so. Looking at her with a serious glare, he still stood on top of the fallen beast and with his strength he pulled the sword out and jumped down back on the ground, facing the huge beast of a woman, one who clearly was taller than himself and who seemed stronger than any women he had seen. Being claimed to be strong but slow and then asked who he was, made him a bit angry, though he replied with a deep and dark voice. “I could have asked you just the same…” He said and began to walk around her, cleaning his blade from blood with a cloth he had attached to his belt, still staring at her as he went around. “I am Arcill of Axehold, but who are you? You are no human, no elf, nor a dwarf…what are you? And why did you interfere? ” Arcill spoke and asked curiously, wanting to know who she was and why she had aided him, when it was clearly he could have killed the beast all on his own.

Knowing that Elissa stood behind listening to the conversation, he rather kept his gaze fixed on the new presence, as he still did not know who she was, or if she would try and harm him. Either way if she did try, he sure would not make it easy for her.

[Muire]

The tal vashoth watched the human as he walked around her, wiping the blood from his sword. Trying to intimidate her? He was a very foolish human if he thought he could, but perhaps he was used to being able to bully people around. And he was asking questions without stopping to get answers. She sneered. A pointless method of intimidation, but he'd been very brave to face the ogre. She'd humour him for now.

"You would do well to ask one question at a time Arcill of Axehold. I am a kossith and Tal Vashoth. I have no name, nor even a purpose by which I may be known. I interfered because I had the opportunity to put a quick end to the beast." Turning from Arcill, the tal vashoth fixed her baleful yellow gaze on the human girl. "You, girl, you did not run. Who are you?"

She walked up close to the girl, barely more than a child, and very small. But she hadn't run away from the ogre, and was even armed. A warrior, then? Or an apprentice? The girl had a horse, too... Likely a noble, then.

"Can you use that?" The tal vashoth was doubtful, but she knew better than to underestimate a potential opponent. Even elves made fearsome fighters when well trained.

[Elissa Vuronia]

Many mysteries and wonders filled Elissa's path to the question of life. One of the mysteries now lies dead before her and the two warriors; what ever was that monstrosity? At least the creature was dead and could do no more harm to anyone, but it ripped threw the Chasind warriors as if they were nothing. It was a sight to behold, and hadn't the stranger appeared to help Arcill, Elissa would have had to step and provide him with support.

But the female stranger was pretty fast on her feet and the weapon she wielded did more damage to the monster. Once again Arcill seemed cautious over the stranger, at least he knows that Elissa didn't run from him as she did have a chance. Instead the girl knew that the Ogre was more of a danger then Arcill, she spoke as though she was a Qunari. But to Elissa's surprise she wasn't and claimed to be called a Kossith and something called a Tal Vashoth, still Elissa was grateful for her aid.

However the Kossith and Tal Vashoth's gaze turned directly to Elissa who seemed impressed that Elissa didn't leave. In a mark of respect to this stranger she spoke with the utmost confidence but was nervous of responding, if Arcill learned of Elissa's full name then he might exploit it and came after her parents and brother. But there were some things he could know and couldn't, turning her own gaze to the warrior Elissa stood calmly "My name is Elissa" Her voice sounding confident but cautious at the same time.

The warrior's eyes then turned to the sword, which glistened, brightly in the sun. It seemed that she had the blood of a warrior flowing threw her very veins, Elissa quickly looked down at her sheathed sword and then back to the Tal Vashoth and once again spoke "Yes", it was a short but clear answer with a hint of nervousness in her voice.