Fate - First Reply A road is longer than it seems

[Riley]

“Did you hear the news?” Thorn canted his head to the side. The youngest elf in their little band.

Riley’s head swiveled for him. “What?”

“There was a revolution in Vel Anir. Dreadlords fighting dreadlords. Heard things have changed.”

“Holy fuk,” Riley breathed, shifting on her horse as they continued down the road, immediately thinking of her brother, Talus. And Zana. Were they okay? Alive? And why the hell hadn’t they told her?

She could've helped. Even if Kaius had never let her leave. And she doubted Arwyl would’ve wanted her to go, either. Since she’d known too much about their growing settlement. Not that she’d ever give them away.

“Is that why Arwyl is sending us closer to the city?” Maybe to pick up any fleeing elves. Elves that had escaped and were looking for sanctuary.

A shrug rippled through Thorn’s shoulders. “Probably.”

It started as a scouting mission but perhaps the prince was looking to bring back more for their numbers. Her fingers brushed the wooden signet Talus had given her. It rested on a cord around her neck. When she’d last seen Talus and a very pregnant Zana they’d said Vel Anir wasn’t safe. Something was coming to a head. Of course, it had never been safe since Riley was a runaway. Wanted and hunted.

But maybe not anymore?

Still, they’d said Grey would come find her when things settled down. Were they okay? Grey had never come. Her grip tightened on the signet, before releasing it. She’d have to try and find them, eventually.

Maybe after this mission.

Thorn studied her closely but Riley offered no further explanation. And he didn’t pry as they continued closer to Vel Anir.

 

[Talus]

Vel Anir had changed.

There was no question about it. Nothing that could change that fact. It had been just a short while since the Dreadlord Revolution, since the Guard had risen up and overthrown the Houses. There was a new government, a new power.

A whole swath of people who were now in charge of the ancient city.

There was no doubt about it. Nothing that could have changed the new reality. People who had once lived peacefully were now wrapped in a state of confusion. Dreadlords who had been secure in their position were now lost.

All because of the reality of the revolution. Thousands found themselves in a new world, their government replaced by one that they could never even have imagined. It had been chaos. A state that had extended beyond even the furthest reaches of Anirian Territory.

There were few who understood that fact.

Few who could ever even imagine it.

Those who had stood as pillars of the Guard, as exemplary Dreadlords had simply decided to leave. Much of what had once been was now gone. Fewer knew that better than Talus Morrid. Instigator of the Rebellion, hero of the new Republic, and brother to a wayward sister.

The air seemed to shimmer.

It seemed to shift.

An unnatural quality quaked within the air. drawing forward, backward, and the suddenly snapping into reality as Talus appeared within the air. His ghostly form shifting into reality as he splintered into being directly in front of his sister. "Riley."

He said, his voice soft.

 

[Riley]

Her horse bucked and Riley barely managed to stay on the saddle as a figure suddenly appeared in front of them on the road. The air seemed to pop and snap. Riley could feel the difference on her skin for just a moment and she knew the horse probably did too.

"For fuk's sake!" She swore, knowing Kaius would be shaking his head right now.

Hands pulled back sharply on the reins as her horse's hooves kicked the air in Talus' direction. Thorn already had an arrow knocked and pointed right at Talus' head. Her horse reared again until Riley was about to calm her down.

Were her ears playing tricks on her?

Hazels blinked.

"Gods damn it Talus."

She squinted and looked down at the figure.

"Talus?" Eyes snapped to her elf companion. "No, Thorn, don't. It's okay. I think." He hesitated in lowering his bow.

 

[Talus]

Talus glanced at the Elf who was holding a knocked bow in his direction, his eyebrow slowly raising.

With everything that had happened over the last few weeks an arrow was hardly the most threatening weapon. He had fought Dreadlords, Archon's, and House Guards. He'd been cut, stabbed, and nearly torn apart by magics. His patience for violence of any sort was...thin.

But this was his sister, and her companions were weary.

He tried to right the threat. Noting that perhaps the man, 'Thorn', and Riley called him was probably just trying to protect himself and his friend. Something he could not fault him for.

"Of course it's okay." Talus said softly, his hand coming up to push back the hood that half covered his face.

A smile flickered over the former Dreadlord's face. "I'm just here to talk to my little sister."

He glanced towards the Elf.

"Nothing else." He hoped the words were reassuring.

 

[Riley]

"Whoa, whoa," she patted her horse again, eyes flickering to Thorn. "Really, it's okay." The elf lowered the bow, his jaw set in a grim line. With one problem sorted, she turned her attention back to the larger one.

Her brother.

Hells, she was glad to see him breathing at least. With a fluid swing of legs, she slid off the saddle and marched over to her brother's larger form. Her hand balled into a fist and swung toward him, going to tap his shoulder unless he moved.

"Don't do that. Don't scare me like that."

And she wasn't just talking about him appearing out of the ether. She was talking about how no one ever told her what was going down. About how he hadn't asked for her help. About how she'd wondered if they were still alive.

And she was angry.

Thorn cleared his throat. "We might want to take this off the road."

 

[Talus]

”I’m sorry.” Talus said as Riley reached out and thwapped his shoulder. The punch landed with enough force that it pushed him back slightly, though the leathers of his armor took away any of the pain that he would have felt.

His head shook, a frown touching his face.

”Things moved faster than we had thought.” He said by way of explanation. ”The Hordes came from Kyslith, and after that…it was the perfect opportunity.”

That was what had sparked the Revolution. First the invasion came, and then after the undead had been swept away the Guard could not pass up the opportunity. It was probably one of the only reason they had succeeded in the first place. Catching the Houses so off Guard had let them sweep in. ”I would have told you, but…”

He frowned. It had probably been better than she’d not been in the city at the time. Particularly with everything that had happened.

His head shook. ”There’s nothing to worry about.”

Talus told the Elf.

”But it might be best if you come home with me.” The former Dreadlord told Riley, his tone offered as a suggestion and not a command.

 

[Riley]

She let her fist fall to her side, fingers slowly unwinding. She wasn't used to people apologizing to her. Least of all her brother. His words sucked the fight right out of her. Which was saying something for Riley. She didn't move away from him though. She continued to look up at him, trying to gauge how much had changed since they'd last met.

He seemed much older.

Thorn shrugged at Talus' offer as her eyes tracked up to the elf. He was letting her know it was her decision to make. "I'm glad you're alive and that you came to see me but we were headed toward Vel Anir on a," she paused rubbing at the back of her neck.

How much could she tell him?

Zana already had a vision and knew about Kaius. But she was taked with keeping Arwyl and his people safe. Their camp safe.

"Well, we were going to see if there were any liberated elves fleeing the city and needing safe harbor." Most likely escaped elven prisoners. If they'd been lucky enough to get out in the middle of the infighting. "Do you think I'm still wanted there? Is it safe if I return?"

She'd been a runaway but perhaps her record had been wiped clean now.

 

[Talus]

”There is an Amnesty.” Talus said simply. ”The Guard has offered it to all who are willing to keep the peace. Runaways, Dreadlords, Elves.”

As long as you weren’t a violent killer, they had decided it was best to offer everyone freedom. The Prisons had been all but emptied, and Vel Anir was enjoying it’s first slice of…well a whole new way of living. Even the Houses were enjoying the amnesty, as much as it wrankled Talus and some of the others.

A frown touched his lips for a brief moment. None of that mattered right now. He was here for Riley. ”Caravans are being organized for those who want to leave.”

Talus explained.

”But that will take a bit of time.” He reached up and ran a hand through his hair. ”I can take you into the city if you want.”

The former Dreadlord offered. ”But it’s still a bit…chaotic.”

Change didn’t come over night, and certainly not without it’s challenges.

 

[Riley]

Thorn cocked his head to the side. Riley's gaze flickered to the elf's. They shared a quick, silent look.

Even elves?

The runaway found her eyes traveling back to her brother's. "We have to go there," she said quietly. The city. She could see it written all over Thorn's face. They came to rescue elves. To offer the ones who wanted it a home with the prince. And now? If she and Thorn could actually walk into the city without being arrested or executed?

It was a hard reality to believe in.

How many recently freed elves would want to join Arwyl Minras's camp? Would he and Kaius be ready to accept them in? Suddenly her and Thorn's mission may have tripled in size.

And Riley knew without asking that Thorn was with her. They had to go to Vel Anir. To see for themselves. To spread the word among the freed elves that there was a place of sanctuary for them.

"We need to get you a horse," she spoke again to Talus. "Uh, coin's been tight. Do you have any?"

 

[Talus]

"Alright." Talus said with a slight sigh.

He had hoped that he'd just be able to convince Riley to go to his home, have a conversation with him about the future, but apparently she had a mission of her own. He shook his head for a brief moment, but deciding this would probably be for the best.

Though the amnesty had been declared in Vel Anir, things were still complicated.

If Riley and this...Elf were going to head into the city, it would probably be for the best if he was there alongside her. Most of the city was still on pseudo lockdown, and having 'Major Talus' along would certainly not hurt.

A small smile touched his lips. "No, I don't need a horse."

He told her, reminding himself that Riley had never much known his magic.

"I'll keep up." Talus said. "Don't worry."

 

[Riley]

And since she was trying to be proper, she climbed back up on her horse and looked between the two men. Chin tipped to Thorn. "That's Thorn. Thorn, as you may have heard, this is my brother, Talus." Thorn stared at the Dreadlord for a long minute before tipping his head just slightly.

"Let's go," she swallowed. Nerves twisting in her stomach. She was anxious to see Vel Anir.

They traveled the rest of the way without incident. A few days of setting up camp. As they drew closer, they spotted more and more people on the road leaving the city. More than she'd ever seen before. Wagons and crates stacked high with belongings. Faces a mix of downtrodden, angry, and hopeful. Though there may be a good amount of reform on the way, Thorn did get more than a few glares from the humans as they passed.

Riley moved her horse so she trotted next to the elf. "Maybe you should lie low until Talus and I can scout it out." Thorn thought about it for a moment and nodded.

"Might be a good idea."

Her nose scrunched up as they drew toward the city gates, Thorn pulling up the hood of his cloaking and making his way off the road. Riley's nose scrunched up. "What's that smell?" She looked to Talus. There were so many black shapes in the sky and it took her a moment to see that they were crows and vultures. Circling. Dozens of them.

 

[Talus]

The Revolution had not destroyed Vel Anir, nor had the undead Hordes that had come before it, but the damage of both was indisputable. The walls still held firm, a testament to the magics that had been crafted into them, but the towns around Vel Anir were all but a ruin. The same could be said of many buildings and blocks within the city itself.

It was a sight that no one was used to, and many found utterly abhorrent. In time it would be rebuilt, but it would take just that; time. Many of the refugees on the road would be taken in by still loyal Anirian cities, others small towns, and others…others would likely take their stipend and move far away.

Talus couldn’t blame them.

”Corpses.” He answered matter of factly as they made their way down the road.

There had been many deaths during all the Chaos, though it was not the Anirians that Riley smelled. No. They were given every right and proper burial. All at the expense of the Houses. It was the undead, dragged from the streets and thrown into great piles that were set to be burnt which assaulted Riley’s senses.

Guardsmen stood all around them. Some still pushing carts to help with the cleanup, others standing watch around the piles of corpses, and still others helping the refugees. ”There was an attack, like I said.”

He explained.

”It will be some time before things are…” Talus grimaced. ”Stable.”

 

[Riley]

Riley looked at the pile of corpses and shifted in her saddle. She had to switch to a subtle mouth-breathing. She didn't get squeamish easily but this...was something else.

"You and Zana came out of this alive? Without targets on your backs?" Riley spoke quietly down to her brother. Holy shit. Her eyes darted around, looking to see if any looked to Talus menacingly. Anyone making a move toward him.

Toward her.

Since, they would've if she'd come back to the city in the open like this before the revolution. She would've long been dragged by her horse by now and hung up in the square.

"This is all very...surreal." She couldn't stop marveling.

 

[Talus]

Talus chuckled, though there was no real amusement to it. "Well, it helps that we were on the winning side."

The Guard had seen to that.

It was a hard fight, and months of preparations, but the Houses had capitulated in the end. Only Sirl had really resisted, though after the...elimination of the more troubling members even they had been granted the amnesty.

A new and better day, that was the word that clung to it all.

"I know." Talus said, looking up at his sister as they ventured into the city proper. Many of the buildings here were damaged, some entirely collapsed, but the atmosphere was much more relaxed. People seemed to smile, mingle, carry on their days.

It was even jovial in some places, with laughter and optimism carrying the conversation. "What would you like to see?"

Talus asked.

"There is an Elven quarter beginning." Something even he could hardly believe. "The Guard is setting up aid stations, I think some of the restaurants are still opening too."

In case she wanted to get a meal.

 

[Riley]

Riley unsaddled to join her brother on the same level. Pausing to tie up her horse at one of the public spots, handing off some coins to the vendor. "Did they tear down the execution stage in the city center?" She hadn't seen yet.

Dark-brows nearly disappeared into her hairline at his last statement. "A fukin' elven quarter? Who would even want to stay here after everything we've done?" She still considered herself Anirian even if she'd decided to flee the machine long ago. Before she'd left, she'd been trained to do terrible things. And if she hadn't left, she hated to think what she would've done in name of country.

"I'd like to go there and to the," she swallowed, trying to hide her nerves, "....Academy."

 

[Talus]

"It was destroyed." Talus' voice seemed to tighten as he said the words. "During the fighting."

No one had torn it down, not really, it had suffered the same fate as most of Anir Square when he and the others had fought there. Even the cobbles there still bore the mark of battle. A fact that Talus tried not to remember.

Not after what had happened.

"Some Elves have been living here for years, Riley." He said finally, moving on from sorer subjects.

"This is their home." He shook his head. "As strange as that might be."

They had lived most of their lives in hiding. Tucking their ears under hats or bands. Something Talus couldn't even imagine. Yet they persevered, and now made a home for themselves on the edge of the city. He tugged on Rileys Horse's reins, pulling them to the west towards the Quarter.

"The Academy is miles from here." He reminded her. "But we can go there too."

It was changing, but slowly. Not something most wanted to speak about now.

 

[Riley]

It was destroyed.

"I'm glad," she spat. She'd follow him through the streets as they made their way to the elven quarter. She still couldn't believe it. War and battles might be fast but changing people's minds and mindsets, especially against prejudice? That took years, sometimes decades to do.

"How're they being protected? I doubt everyone is just so joyous and accepting of elves now."

Her head canted to the side as her gaze traveled up to her brother. "And what're you," she assumed Zana had made it too. Was still alive. "..and Zana doing now?"

Had she had the babies?

 

[Talus]

"The Guard." Talus answered almost instantly.

It had been a point of contention.

Pretending otherwise would have been a lie. There were still those in Vel Anir who would have seen Elves hanged from the gallows. So the Guard had stepped in, put down a firm claim, and simply said that all had a right to live.

That was how it would be now. "They posted around the Quarter and patrol the streets. Keeping things safe."

Talus answered, glancing up towards his sister as they approached the block that the Elves had claimed within Vel Anir.

"Zana and I are..." That was the rub of it...wasn't it? "Retiring."

He told her softly. "She's pregnant, Riley, and we...well we think it best that our Children are raised somewhere quiet."

Something the two of them had agonized over.

 

[Riley]

She stopped and just stared at him. Hazels widening. Her jaw fell open and she scurried to catch up, shaking off her shock.

"Are you fukin' serious?"

For the short time she'd known her brother she just never thought...that he would retire. At least not now. Not that it didn't make sense. She knew Zana was pregnant and probably ready to burst any minute. "So does that mean you don't trust it here? Who will keep things in line here with you two gone?"

Hand pushed thick strands of brown hair away from her olive-skinned face.

"Not that I'm not happy for you. I just hope that this," she motioned her hand around them. Not at the destruction just at the possibility, "lasts."

 

[Talus]

"I trust it." His voice was firm, strong. There was no lie to his words. "It's just not..."

He frowned for a brief moment. "It's just not what we've seen for our kids."

Talus explained softly.

He wasn't sure how to explain Zana's visions, how to tell Riley about all the things that he wanted. The former Dreadlord knew that this Vel Anir would succeed, knew that it would go well, but it wasn't the fate he was destined to.

"The People in charge here, Riley." Talus said calmly. "I trust them."

He smiled. "Some of them have treated me like family, accepted me even before all of this mess."

Talus waved a hand. "They wanted this long before I ever came along. They believe in a better Vel Anir. A place where everyone can live. I was just...I was just part of what allowed it to happen."

 

[Riley]

"Okay," she breathed. It was all she needed to hear. Besides, Vel Anir had long since stopped being her city. And even with the change and what was happening, she could never see herself coming back. At least not permanently. Her place was with Arwyl and more importantly, Kaius.

She stepped around a pile of rubble and tried not to start too long at some burning piles of undead bodies off to the side. Black, acrid smoke drifted high into the air.

Up ahead, she began to see more guards. And if she looked really hard, pointed ears beyond that.

"When is she due?"

 

[Talus]

Talus glanced over to his sister, offering a smile. "Four months."

It was a short while to build a house, but Talus was more than confident he could make it work. His magic was still in tact, and with that he could put things together.

He was pretty sure at least.

"It's going..." He chuckled. "Faster than I thought, but...well I couldn't be happier."

That was the utter truth. He'd never thought he had the opportunity for a family. Never thought he would have the chance. Five years ago he had been chained, a slave to a system that could never be broken. Now? Now there was no limit.

"It's very...different." Talus said as they moved through the throng of people into what was called the Elf Quarter.

Some of the Guard glanced at them as they moved, a few of them stiffening as they recognized Talus.

The people around them though seemed to utterly ignore them. They smiled, laughed, went about their business with ears unbound. They moved as they would in any other city, carrying groceries and other things, moving as though they always had these rights.

The buildings around them were half broken, cracked, but it hardly seemed to matter. The people here were more than glad of their new found place in Vel Anir.

 

[Riley]

"I'm happy for you both," a slow roguish grin curved on her lips slipping into a true smile. "Really. That means...wow, I can't believe I'm going to be a gods damned aunt!"

That was wild, wasn't it?

She never thought she'd be alive a year ago.

And now?

Things were so different. She wandered with Talus, going toward a message board. "Here, wait. Let me write a message down on how to contact Thorn. In case any elves don't like it here." She knew there would be some. Perhaps some only stayed because they thought there was nowhere else to go. Even though it looked as though a lot stayed because now they could.

The guard better make sure they didn't fuk this up.

 

[Talus]

"You will be." Talus said with a smile. A year ago he didn't even know he had a sister, and now here he was. He would be a father, a husband, and a brother. It seemed so odd, so surreal, and so right.

He wouldn't have complained even if offered the opportunity.

Talus knew that it would be hard, next to impossible, but he was looking forward to it all. This was the life that he wanted, that he had chosen. Something away from Vel Anir, something different than all the Chaos that reined around here.

His head dipped in a nod as Riley ran off to the notice board, quickly scribbling down a message.

He glanced towards one of the Guardsmen patroling the street. The man stopped by a small shop, having a quick word with the shopkeeper and letting out a laugh as she offered him a sweet bun. He smiled slightly, this was the Vel Anir he'd fought for.

It was far from perfect, but it was better.

 

[Riley]

She was happy to see what she was seeing. The smiles. Elves not looking around in fear. Not being hunted or strung up in the square. How was she going to explain this to Kaius and Arwyl? They wouldn't believe it. It was a dream and even if she was skeptical about it lasting, for now maybe she could let herself rest in this moment.

She returned to her brother.

"So where did you and Zana decide on living? Can I...is it okay if I come visit sometime."