Private Tales Read between the lines

[Zana]

"You're hurt!" Zana dropped to her knees beside him and ran her eyes critically over the tears in his armour where the dragons claws had tried to slice him to ribbons. Blood dribbled from the gaps in the metal. Panic seized her throat but she tried to remain calm and will her fingers to stop shaking as she hurriedly undid the clasps at the side of his breast plate so she could better examine it.

"I knew I should have stayed with you," she muttered under her breath as she tenderly swept away the rags of his shirt. "I have some medical supplies in my pack by Zandor, do you think you can walk that far?" she asked with great concern.

 

[Talus]

"I'll be alright." He said with a grunt.

The wounds in his side ached, hurt, but they were nothing that he hadn't dealt with before. Worse injuries had come a dozen times over in his years as a Dreadlord, and during the revolution he had been left a half mangled mess.

In comparison he'd gotten off easy here. "Just a few bandages."

He remarked.

"Then some rest." That was all he would need, that he was sure of. Magic still coursed through his veins, kept him upright. The same spirits that had so often sustained him in years before. They were a gift, one he would cherish till the end.

"I can walk just fine." Talus assured Zana. "Just fine."

 

[Zana]

Zana didn't look at all convinced and didn't take no for an answer when she begun to loop his arm around her neck and her own arm about his waist to help him walk.

"Fine is the word Dreadlords use when they are missing a leg and half their nose," she muttered though it was in humour. The wounds were not terrible in their looks but she was concerned the poison the dragon had infected these people with might already be travelling through Talus' body. "I think it is best if we head to one of the nearby towns and get you... checked," she might have made strides with her veterinary work but humans were a different kind of animal altogether.

As they walked back through the streets the bodies of those ill begotten creatures were beginning to ooze and turn into what appeared to be puddles of icy water.

 

[Talus]

There was something utterly off about this whole thing.

Nassau was a powerful Archon. Strong enough that others of his rank had actually feared him. The man had been a fixture within Vel Anir. A pillar of strength that most simply thought of as a pillar, rather than something that could ever be moved.

During the Revolution he had been absent, and after?

Most had simply wished that he was gone for good.

What had he wanted with this place? Why had he not tried to kill Zana and Talus directly? What in the fuck was the Archon plotting. Talus had absolutely no idea, and he couldn't help the spark of frustration that flickered through them. "I'm perfectly alright, my love."

He tried to assure Zana with a smile.

"Just need a little sleep." Talus remarked. "Maybe a good meal."

 

[Zana]

"We can do all that in the town over," Zana said in a tone that suggested the argument was over.

Zandor was exactly where they had left him and the supplies. She almost regretted bidding Grey to stay behind but she would rather the wolf stay with their twins than by her side. The direwolf had seemed to understand and had taken the job quite seriously; if he had thought it beneath him she didn't think he would have stayed. As it was the horse tossed his head and pawed the ground. The smell and sounds that had wafted to him had set him on edge and Zana had to speak softly to him for a few minutes to calm his nerves.

"Here we go," she murmured and took out the first aid kit then crouched to look more closely at the wound before tending to it with alcohol and bandages.

 

[Talus]

A hiss escaped Talus' teeth as a swab of alcohol was pressed against the gash on his side.

"That Dragon." He remarked bitterly. "Was not alive."

There was no other way of putting it. "Not really."

Not the way that most people thought of as 'living'. There had been an emptiness within it. Something that spoke of it's malformations. Lips thinned for a brief moment, his head shaking as he looked down at his beloved with confusion.

"Nassau doesn't have that power." He remarked. "Didn't, anyway. His magic was more..."

A frown touched his lips as he tried to remember. "More direct, destructive. Not..."

He waved a hand.

 

[Zana]

Zana very carefully tied the bandage off that she had wound about Talus' side with a wad of cleansed padding pressed against the bloody gash.

"I know," she said softly and then stood, carefully putting away her supplies and then cleaning her hands in more alcohol. "It's almost as though he was the face but not the power that orchestrated this," she turned to look back at the devastation before them. It was thoughtless. Chaotic. A whole city - gone.

"Do... Do you think he could be working with one of the others?" There were still a worrying list of Archons missing.

 

[Talus]

Talus was distinctly uncomfortable with the idea that Nassau was somehow only the face of all of this.

The Archon was distinctly one of the most powerful people in Vel Anir. It was said that he had sundered cities, brought down armies, and razed whole armadas with a simple wave of his hand. He was a pinnacle of power, the sort of strength that didn't even need to be spoken about.

Lips thinned as Zana asked her question, his head shaking. "I don't know, Honey."

He said softly.

"But..." Lips thinned to a tight frown. "This is a problem."

A problem that shouldn't have been theirs. "We need to tell Thawne, and maybe...maybe even Parliament back in Vel Anir.'

Though he suspected the neither he nor Zana would much want to travel back home.

 

[Zana]

Zana's instant thought was of the twins.

"We could write them a letter?" she suggested, knowing full well that they could probably travel far quicker than any letter they would write. Her shoulders slumped in a defeated way and gave a little sigh. It hadn't taken them long to get here from the portal stone, and it was a days ride from the stone nearest Vel Anir. She just had no wish to see those walls ever again. It had taken months to be able to close her eyes without seeing heads decorating the ramparts. Heads she had severed from their bodies.

She swallowed the rising bile.

"At least they would better be able to check you over in Vel Anir," she said begrudgingly. Medical healers would be better than any wise woman the nearest town had.

 

[Talus]

Talus let out a small sigh, clearly not any happier about going back to Vel Anir than Zana. They had left their old city behind, a remnant in their minds. That was what it was supposed to have been. Nothing more than a part of a lifetime that wasn't theirs.

Lips thinned. "Fuck that."

There were few times when Talus showed any signs of aggravation. He was a calm man by nature. Even when he'd been a Dreadlord.

"We'll go through and stop at Vel Orin." It was a small city, important only really because of it's proximity to the Portal Stone. "We'll send word from there and they can come meet us."

They had been the ones to send for Zana and Talus in the first place, meaning they could take the ride. Plus this way they'd at least be able to stay close to the Portal Stone. Meaning they could get back home faster.

 

[Zana]

A sad smile touched Zana's lips but she didn't disagree with his plan, though she strongly suspected they would get a letter back telling them to get their arses moving to the capital. Still, maybe Thawne would understand their reservations for returning. Their arrival might even cause unexpected... issues. And questions. Neither of them could walk down a street without being recognised and hailed or spat at.

"We can threaten not to turn up to the next anniversary if they don't," oh then they wanted their 'heroes' there on full parade to show off like pieces of meat. Zana had hated the last one aside from being able to see Ellie and any excuse not to go to the next was... well.

Content he wouldn't bleed to death until they reached their next destination Zana kissed him softly.

"Maybe you should ride with me, just to save your strength."

 

[Talus]

He scoffed. "We can threaten to reveal half a dozen state secrets too."

What were they gonna do? Send Dreadlord's after them?

The Republic was already sending them half the world away from home chasing Archons. There weren't many left in Vel Anir who posed more threat than Nassau. Least from what Talus and Zana had seen when they had left the city.

His head shook, dispelling some of the bitterness.

It was a reaction, he knew, but a part of him still felt that they should have...they should have gotten more. A thank you, a few awards and some money was all well and good...but it felt hollow. In the end Talus and Zana had made their own reward.

The family they so loved.

"Think that'll probably be for the best." He agreed with a not, his fingers caressing her cheek. Best to conserve what strength he had.

 

[Zana]

Zana leaned into that touch and pressed a kiss to the inside of his wrist, relief flooding down the bond. She would not have argued if he had preferred to walk but she was concerned about the wound given who had inflicted it. Who would work with someone like Nassau? That was... if he was working with and not for. The latter was a far more chilling thought.

"Let's get out of here, it gives me the creeps," the town felt worse than dead now. Like some hideous crime had been committed and robbed this place of every inch of happiness. Swinging herself up on to Zandor's back she held out a hand to help Talus on then turned the horse about and made for the portal stone.

"What do you think Nassau meant when he said the nation was 'theirs'?" Zana asked thoughtfully a few miles on. The conversation they had had with the dangerous man kept replaying in her mind.

 

[Talus]

The thought was not one that he really wanted to entertain, but he knew that he had to.

Nassau was a threat that could not be ignored. Not by Vel Anir, and truthfully not by Talus or Zana. The man was...well he was the type to eclipse the sun if he thought it would get him what he wanted. He didn't want to know what that sort could plan if left alone.

The very thought sent a chill down his spine. "I don't know."

He answered truthfully.

"Nassau isn't the type to kneel to others." At least from everything he had ever read about the man. "But I can't imagine he's working alone."

The man had been an Archon, and reportedly one of the most powerful ever alive. It had been a lucky thing that he'd not been in Vel Anir during the Revolution. "There were hundreds that fled during the chaos. He's exactly the sort to gather those to him."

Powerful, Charismatic, and worst of all; fanatical.

 

[Zana]

Which one was it? He the leader or the follower? In an odd way she would prefer it if he were the leader of some organised gang of displaced Dreadlords. There were not many Archon's she feared more than Nassau.

With those chilly thoughts lingering between them the pair lapsed into silence. The further from the town they got the warmer the climate, even though they were still in the Northern lands, and Zandor's step turned from a nervous hurried clip to a steady clop along the road, his head bobbing with every step and ears twitching.

"I don't ride you as much as I should, hm boy?" she asked and patted the horses neck as they drew close to the portal stone. "When we get back we'll go for a real gallop. Minus Talus," she whispered the last part.

 

[Talus]

Talus scoffed. "Bet I'd still win in a horse race."

Though that game, of course, would be rather cheated.

He had the mint of magic. The chip on his shoulder that would see him win more contests than most would ever want to admit to. He was faster, stronger, than any one of a dozen would ever want to actually see. Phase-walking was a magic that most had never even conceived of.

"There's plenty of fields I guess." He told his beloved wife, kissing her gently on the cheek. "But lets not spurn him with a fake competition, eh?"

A smile touched his lips as he teased.

 

[Zana]

Zandor snorted.

"I think you've already upset him," she tsked and then slid from the saddle to begin touching the various runes that would send them from here to the portal stone nearest their old home. As soon as she was off the horses back the stallion began to frisk sideways as though challenging Talus to a run there and then. Once she was done she clambered back into the saddle with a quiet, mirth-filled laugh.

Zandor didn't need much to guide him through the portal stone and on the otherside, challenge, he leapt into a flat out gallop along the forest road.

 

[Talus]

Talus chuckled.

Head shaking. His injuries weren't too severe, so running a few miles wouldn't cause too much of a problem. Though he needed to be weary of just how much of his own stamina he burned through, particularly after the fight with the dragon.

As Zana and Zandor stepped through the portal stone, Talus followed behind them. That odd sickening flip of his stomach roiling over him as the two were transported thousands upon thousands of miles within the single beat of a heart.

He stepped forth on the other side, flickering into the seasonably warm weather.

Already a dozen yards ahead of them ran his wife and her mount, the two bursting to the east towards their intended target. He smiled wildly, his form flickering. A wisp of blue smoke rising around him as he burst into a sprint.

 

[Zana]

Zana's laugh was filled with pure joy as she caught the flicker of blue in her vision. She didn't hold Zandor back and let him have his head as he charged forward giving her the time to just enjoy it. It was a pleasure so simple, so pure, she had almost forgotten it. Oh the twins gave them both joy in a whole other way but since their arrival they had not had time for themselves. Not like this. She felt... young again.

At the speed Zandor set it did not take them long to reach the nearest Anirian city. The horse was slick with sweat, his flank rising and falling rapidly with his breaths, but there was a lightness to his step and the way he carried himself showed he had enjoyed every single second of the hard ride. The two guardsmen at the gate did not take as kindly to the fast approach but once the dust had settled both snapped to attention.

Zana and Talus' faces were probably more well known than the kings own.

"G-generals! We didn't know you were coming."

 

[Talus]

Talus looked up at Zana. "When did we become Generals?"

He asked blankly.

To be fair to the soldier, there probably wasn't much else that could be conceived of calling the heroes of the Revolution. Neither of them had official title, and it was most certainly not general. There were only five generals, and Talus and Zana were not among their rank.

Not that the positions hadn't been offered, but that would have meant staying in Vel Anir. Commanding armies, and...getting involved in politics.

"We need rooms at a nice tavern." He remarked to the lad, not rudely, but quick enough."And maybe word sent to the Governor."

That was only polite. "Right, darling?"

Talus asked.

 

[Zana]

"I think it was given as an honorary thing," Zana murmured back. Many of the common soldiers had shouted it at the last anniversary festival when she had passed. Whether or not it came with real power to many people the heroes of Vel Anir's new Republic thought they deserved such a rank for their sacrifices. The little conversation between husband and wife had not gone unheard and the younger guard began to blush at having got the titles wrong.

"Y-yes, of course, the Governor. R-right this way My Lord and Lady, if you please?" he squeaked.

See, you've scared the poor boy now, Zana laughed along the bond though her face was the perfect serene mask. There were some habits that were too iron-clad to break from her years in the academy and under Silence.

Dismounting she joined Talus in walking along behind the nervous lad towards the centre of town. Shouts went up as they passed along with cheers and the calling of their names.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to this," she said softly beneath her breath as she awkwardly returned a wave.

 

[Talus]

Internally Talus wanted to cringe.

He had never joined the Guard to make waves. Had never stoked the Revolution for fame or any sort of status. He had done it because it seemed the right thing to do, done it because at the time it had seen like...seemed like the only option.

Walking through the city streets, hearing the hails and the almost worshipful cries made him want to curl into a ball.

Instead he just smiled, offered a wave or two. Keeping his expression as calm and positive as possible as they made their way through the city proper. "Me either."

He admitted.

"But at least it guarantees us a comfortable bed." Instead of a sleeping palette in some dingy tavern.

It was not long before they were escorted through the city and found themselves stepping through the walls of the central Keep. This place had been built as a fortress, a means of protection from something coming through the Portal stone. It still claimed that right even this day and age.

 

[Zana]

Zana paused to crane her neck up at the square tower that rose above them like a fist had punched its way out of the Earth. There was nothing pretty about it, but then the Anirians were not particularly known for art and elegance. That did not mean the keep was any less beauty, but it was the kind of deadly beauty one would recognise in a lion rather than the type of beauty one saw in a woman's smile.

A cold shiver ran up Zana's spine making her shudder.

"T-this way, if it pleases you both," the young guardsman called from the base of the large tower where he held open a door. Zana gave her horse reluctantly over to one of the stablehands who had come forward before following him and Talus through inside.

It was not much more welcoming inside though some poor woman had clearly tried in earnest with a few rugs and tapestries. Whoever the decorator was had just simply not been able to hide the fact the dark walls seemed to leech all light whether it came from the slender windows or the burning torches.

"Ah, the famous heroes of the Republic!" boomed a short man once they were ushered into the central meeting chamber. The young guard all but fled when he shut the door behind him. a crackling fire brought much needed warmth and light to the room which seemed about as homely as the keep could get. "What a honour you do us by visiting. Though, I wish I had had some forewarning in order to properly prepare a celebration in your honour."

 

[Talus]

It didn't take a genius to figure out that the man in front of them was Governor Fermin.

He had been a loyal Guardsmen Captain. Partaking in the revolution and personally leading a charge against a small fort held by a Dreadlord. He was a good man, at least from what Talus had heard, though a bit of a fool. "Lord Governor."

Talus said in greeting, his head ducking in a nod.

"Our visit was not planned." He said honestly. "And we apologize for...dropping in."

The Governor nodded his head. "But we required a place to stay and meet representatives of the Republic, and we could think of no place we would receive a warmer welcome."

A wide smile suddenly beamed across the other man's face.

"Of course! Of course! You do me the honor, you'll want for nothing. Never have to ask for anything! This city is yours as much as mine! The people are glad to have you, and I even more so!"​

 

[Zana]

Zana found herself warming to the Governor as the two men talked and a smile unknowingly twisted her lips to one side. It had only been a few years ago where she would have not paid a member of the Guard or any politician like this a second thought. As a Dreadlord she would have had every right to sweep in here and take over. Or rather, she would have thought she had and they would have been powerless to stop her. Now she saw them as what they were; people. Just like her.

"Would I be able to trouble you for some ink and parchment Governor? I must write to the Generals sooner rather than later," the press of what they had seen and who they had met was a weight that stopped her from fully enjoying this moment.

"Of course! Of course! I shall have it sent to your rooms, you must be tired after your journey. Please," a slim maid appeared at the door with her head bowed. "Kera please show our Honoured guests to the Guest Suites. You will join me for dinner later, won't you?" he asked hopefully and Zana gave a nod causing the man to beam and clap his hands. "Excellent, excellent. Oh! Please, go, don't let me keep you any longer!"