Layrion sat smiling as Alina showed her for the fifth time how to tie the flowers together in the firelight, complaining in her childlike innocence how this would be easier with the light of the sun. Layrion had waved off the Human adults efforts to explain to the child why she was unable to see them during the day, simply telling the girl that the firelight made her more comfortable. It took a few days, but Alina finally seemed to find a peace in Layrion’s night time visits, especially when her mother would let her stay up late to see the Icchorian.
Layrion had been coming to see the Humans a few nights every month for the past year, learning about their way of life and teaching them things about her own people. Such as the Humans fishing the waters for something they called fish, a meat that her kind did not partake of. When she introduced it to Ammy and the others, they were shocked, Yggdrasil shaking his head in awe at the things Humans did. She had not brought the other three before the Humans, feeling that having her presence there was enough of a risk on the village. Thus far, the Hunters had not noticed anything amiss in the village, and she intended it to stay that way.
It was during these peaceful years of learning that Ammy found something of interest buried in one of the books of the great library. A short passage detailing a vast underground cavern that had once housed three great houses of Icchorian Clans, but had been abandoned many centuries before during a battle of invading Hunters. She had brought it before the others, her eyes glowing at the prospect of a challenge. No word marked its location on a map, but Ammy was determined to find them their home. She spent the better part of the first two years researching and traveling across the land, visiting ancient ruins and scouring vast mountain ranges. Rune was often at her side, providing assistance where he could. Yggdrasil had set out East, meeting with various Clan Heads that were outside the influence of the Council of Elders. He wanted to see their views outside the heart of the war that plagued their land, how they coped with the blood lust and the Human lives that were necessary to their survival. He came back every so often to report of his findings and share with Layrion who was in favor of the peace she proposed.
Years passed in this way, and soon young Alina was eighteen and to be married. Her husband was her childhood sweetheart, Kiran, and Layrion could not be any happier to see them come together. Both had grown up with Layrion, learning from her and proud to include her as a friend. Layrion often teased Kiran of his bold introduction to her as a ‘future hunter’ when he was five, not knowing who he boasted too. He often brushed her off, saying childhood naivety was an easily forgivable sin.
Theirs was the first wedding in recorded Human history to be attended by not just an Icchorian, but a high ranking Elder of the Council. She stood in pride, honored that their wedding was held at night so that she might attend. She offered her blessing, giving her loyalty to them in friendship. Many came to the event, distant families invited to share in the happiness shared in the small village, quite different than any to ever exist before.
It was in this way that in Leben Festung a harried messenger dressed still in travel clothes fell into a meeting room, panting from exhaustion. Several gathered warriors looked up from the maps they had been consulting to plan their next raid in the search for pockets of Icchorian camps.
They waited until the man had caught his breath, panic written across his face.
“A report Sires….an Icchorian….spotted south of here…..”
The all stood. “How far?”
“Less than 100 miles in the village of Meissen. It’s…..it’s the Elder Layrion.”
A ruckus broke out, each yelling at the absurdity of such a notorious Icchorian being so close to them without detection. How could that even be possible with their patrols?- they yelled, the messenger cowering before them. An elderly gentleman, not dressed as a warrior, slammed his staff on the ground for silence.
“Tell us what you saw.”
“She was attending a wedding of two of the villagers. They were very familiar with her, greeting her as family.”
Chaos broke out again, disbelief being the forefront of their objections. No Icchorian would willingly befriend a human and not eat them within the day. They only sought violence, not friendship. The older gentleman silenced them again. “Continue.”
“She gave her blessing to them. It seems the entire village knows her, knows what she is. They….they call her Lady.” Silence fell at this, the older man slowly running a finger down his staff in thought.
“So they have become accustomed to the Icchorian way… and she has allowed this.” He looked around. “This is a rare opportunity for us.”
The warriors looked around at one another. “How so Sir Hendrick?”
“She has let her guard down around them. We can use this to our advantage. Were there any others with her?”
The messenger shook his head. “No, just her alone.”
“Then we will watch, learn her patterns when she comes and determine when best to corner her.”
“And what of the village Sir?”
“They are of no consequence. There is no telling how long they have harbored her. Traitors breed in their midst.” The warriors nodded in agreement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Layrion read the letter once more from her sister. She was on her way back with Rune, they would meet up with Yggdrasil before coming back to her. They had found the cavernous ruins that would be their home. Layrion smiled, she could tell Ammy was excited from how slanted her writing was. Clearly this was everything she had hoped it would be.
She sat back, sighing gently. She was due to leave for the village soon, but decided to leave a little later to savor the walk there. Normally she tried to be near the village edge as the sun set, but today the leaves had started to change and the chill from the northern mountains had begun to set in. It was very nice to take the time to appreciate a slowly healing world.
After seeing the villagers tonight, she would meet up with Ammy and her other clansmen, and determine what they would need to move into their new home. A lot of work was laid out for them, but one day Layrion may be able to invite her Human friends to see what Icchorians dwelled in. It would be quite the learning experience, one that made her excited.
She set out into the forest as the sun sank beneath the horizon. Breathing deeply she allowed her mind to wander, listening to the sounds of the forest life that no longer feared her. Alina was now with child, and was nearly ready to bring it to the world. Layrion had offered several times to let Yggdrasil read the child’s gender, but Alina laughed her away, stating mystery was half the fun. This took some explaining, as Icchorians never left anything unknown if they could help it. The Humans were understandably astounded that such a thing was even possible, and expressed reservations even trying to understand it.
Layrion smiled, whatever her dear friend was to have, she knew that they child would grow up loved and well taken care of.
It was as she stepped over a fallen tree, admiring the moss that was a dark green in the fading light that she first smelled the piercing, achingly familiar smell. Blood.
She straightened, her senses sharp as she pinpointed the smell- the village of Meissen.
She sprinted forward, her sharpened teeth bared at the smell of blood. As she drew near, smoke mingled with the blood, and the sky was alight with a blaze that held no goodwill. Bursting into the clearing she came to a stop, taking in the destruction that she had not seen in years. The huts that had slowly become cottages in time were ablaze, burning for sometime. In the darkness Layrion could hear the cries of the villagers she had come to know, their suffering and pain tenfold to her keen senses. Screams, darkness and fire. Everything she had valued was again being taken from her.
A harsh wind blew, kicking the nearby flames higher. The biting snap of embers popping nearby awoke Layrion from her memories and she began moving quickly. Rushing to one of the closest homes she peered inside to see a fallen beam that had yet to burn through on one of the men who was a guard. He was sheltering the body of one of the children of the village. He looked up at her, eyes widening.
“Lady Layrion…...please help me.”
She dug her armored claws into the wood, heaving it up to allow the man to crawl free, carefully holding the child to his chest. She let the beam fall, ignoring the leaping flames as she picked them both up, hurrying into the night. Finding a tree she set them down, turning again back to the village. “Stay here. My clansmen will be here soon.” She knew that as the fire grew, Ammy and the others would see it soon.
Listening carefully, she was able to pick up another weak cry beyond the house she had entered. With speed she crossed the village and turned down the central square. It was here that the apparent attack had started. There were several bodies laid out, each armed in the guards rudimentary weapons that failed to provide protection against what had attack them. Her eyes scanned quickly, seeking any sign of life from the villagers. A muffled crying drew her gaze, and her heart stopped to see the red hair that was dulled in the firelight.
Alina was on the ground, her back to Layrion- but even from this distance, the Icchorian could see the blood the seeped from her back. She moved forward slowly, able to make out the figure of Kiran in her lap. The young woman’s shoulders shook with her sobs, now muffled against the body of her husband. Layrion came to kneel in front of her.
“Alina...we have to leave.”
The girl continued to cry, brushing the hair from Kiran’s face. “He fought so hard...so hard. I can’t leave him…” Suddenly she winced over, crying out in pain gripping her rounded stomach.
Layrion grew alarmed. The child was due any day...it would not survive these conditions much longer. She was unable to see how badly injured Alina was in the light, but looking now, she seemed to have blood on her right temple, and a gash down her right shoulder. “Alina please. Come with me. We have to get you to safety.”
Alina looked up, her green eyes pleading with Layrion. “I can’t leave him.” Layrion was silent as the two stared at one another, then she nodded.
“Can you walk?”
Alina sagged in relief. “I think so.” She slowly laid her husband down, using Layrion’s offered hand to slowly right herself. Once Layrion was sure she could stand, she bent down to pick up Kiran. Alina adjusted his hand to sit comfortably in his lap, tears rising to her eyes. “Let’s go.”
Layrion had to move slowly, to ensure that Alina was able to walk without aid. They turned the corner to the path back into the woods, spotting the Guard and boy she had pulled out earlier. Time seemed to slow as they moved across the small field, the flames licking thickly behind them. Layrion felt an anger in her. This was no accident, no thieves or marauders did this. This was an act of war- and with corpses still intact and blood soaking straight to the ground, it was not the work of Icchorians. Humans had attacked their own- and she knew it was because of her.
Alina collapsed against the tree, her breathing labored as her hand clutched her stomach. “My baby… Layrion my child.” Layrion set Kiran down and approached her. As she was about to reach out, movement was heard in the trees behind them.
Ammy burst through, whip drawn and eyes scouring the scene. She quickly found Layrion and Alina and rushed forward. “Sister! What has happened?!”
The guard grunted, stiff at the appearance of an Icchorian he did not know. “The Hunters came and demanded we give them Madam Layrion.”
“We refused.” Alina hissed through her pain. “They only wanted violence. They had no place here.”
Yggdrasil and Rune stepped through, both silent at the sight. Layrion beckoned Yggdrasil forward. “Do what you can, look to her child.” She stood, turning to the guard. “Did they leave? Or are they close by?”
“I do not know my Lady. I’m sorry.”
Layrion waved his apology away, looking now to Rune. “You and I will head out. Ammy and Drasil, you will check for any other survivors and take everyone away from here. Move them to the cave. We will be back by morning. Go quickly and as quietly as you can.”
Rune bared his teeth in anticipation of a fight, turning his gaze to the blazing village. “No good can come from Humans.” He murmured, his voice taking on a malicious tone as he looked down at the three Humans at his feet. “No life can be found with you.”
“Enough Rune. Go.” Layrion growled lowly, and he turned back into the woods. She watched for a moment as Yggdrasil held his hand over Alina’s stomach, whispering words of encouragement to her. With that image in mind, the Icchorian turned her back to them, letting the darkness of the woods surround her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Layrion circled the burning town, now on the side that faced Leben Festung, where the Hunters had come from. “They entrusted their lives to the Hunters for protection. Only to be destroyed at the hint of a peaceful community.”
“Typical of a race short lived. They fear what they do not understand.” Rune peered at the ground. “It was a large group. This village didn’t stand a chance.” He did not miss the way Layrion clenched her golden claws.
“We follow them. They will die.”
Rune grinned, pupils narrowing as he let the thrill of a chase fill him. This is what being Icchorian was about. Using their own natural power and strength to ensure their will. And it was this aspect of Layrion that he was loyal too. He stood, taking a deep breath and focusing his senses into the darkness. Humans were skilled and strong...but they were weak and deplorable at hiding in their environment. He easily could tell where they were.
“They didn’t even split up. All of them are over that hill to the west. Exposed and waiting for us I’m sure. Could be a trap.”
Layrion stood, flexing her claws. “It will not matter. Let’s go.”
Rune laughed, following behind her as he loosened up for the sprint up the hill. This will be fun.
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