Snippet #1490614

"Don't leave me like they did..."

North-Ridge

Lily broke the embrace she had held with Thanaros, tilting her head down to allow her hood to skew the view of her face. She didn't want the half-orc to see that she was crying. Thanaros raised a questioning eyebrow, and his following words were as gentle as the man could manage... "Leave you... Like they did?" He asked. "We.. I'm not going to leave you, Lily... We are.. comrades. Friends," Thanaros added, hoping to bring the cheer back to Lily's voice. He ever so liked her cheer, her good nature. It was a welcome relief from the dreary doom and nay saying some of the other legion held.

Lily lifted her head and looked at Thanaros, her face moist from the rain... Or tears. "Thank you, 'Ros... Thank you. You don't know what that means to me... It's been such a long time since I was... accepted? Yes, Accepted," She said, genuine appreciation in her voice. Thanaros merely looked the elf in the eyes and asked, "Girl... What happened to you?" He asked... Lily scanned the ground at her feet, avoiding the prying eyes of Thanaros... Or at least tried to. When the man placed a strong hand on her shoulder, she grasped it with her own slender fingers... She grasped them with a feeling of never wanting to let go. She didn't want to lose him, she didn't want to lose anyone in the Blackguard. Strangely enough, she felt more welcomed here than...

"The Bloodleaf clan..." She began shakily, grabbing Thanaros's hand even harder, "They... They just up and left me one morning! They always said they would, but I didn't believe them.. They said that I don't act how an elf is supposed to! I'm supposed to be focused and ready to kill anything in a moments notice! They told me I don't have the time to be friendly and happy. It was a sign of weakness!" She said, the floodgates opening. Tears, and they were tears this time, streamed from her face. "They were my only family I've ever known. And they left me to fend for myself..." She said... Obviously, this was not the full story, and only the beginning, but Thanaros refused to make the girl dig into her soul in order to tell him... He merely pulled the girl in for an orc sized hug, looking to comfort and console her. He felt like it was the right thing to do.

---

It was late, the eve before they were to move out into dragon territory. Caine took advantage of this oppertunity to catch a great nights sleep after a monster sized meal. If it was to be the last he was to eat, then it was going to be the best damn meal he ever ate. Same deal with the sleep. If this was the last time he was going to sleep, then he was going to sleep long and hard. The morning's announcement echoed throughout his head.

"Good morning. This is your general speaking. Those of you who do not have hauling, packing or preparatory duties are to refrain from any strenuous activities for the day. We need you well rested for tomorrow's march. That is all."

Caine was more than happy to oblige the general and was tip-toeing on the doorsteps of sleep before movement caught his attention at the flap of his tent. He turned his head and caught a glimpse of a familiar figure floating over the ground towards where he lay. "Mikana?" Caine asked, beginning to sit up. However, he was stopped mid-ways by a strong but gentle elven hand. The elf then hushed him with a finger against her lips with a simple, "Shh" A coy smile playing at her lips... A part of the announcement came to mind.

"refrain from any strenuous activities"

"... Sorry General," He muttered to himself with a grin.

---

Lily was situated besides Alistair, the harpy she had met in her first day in the Blackguard. She was more calm and had her normal cheerful quality about her this morning, going so far as to even giggle every now and then. She felt... Freer than normal. Damn strange considering she was an elf, the epitome of free.

"Did you enjoy the tea?"

"Hmm? Oh yes," She replied to Alistair besider her, "Yes, thank you. I had it this morning... If I die today, I'd want to die with the taste of tea in my mouth," She said with near insane enthusiam. Only an elf could talk about dying and still have a smile plastered to her face, especially if that elf was Lily. She turned her eyes forward in time to see Alistair hop into the portal. Then it was her turn... At least she thought it was. No doubt any one would argue with her if it wasn't. She was through and...

... Out the other side with only minor nausea. She scanned the sorrounding area. It looked to be a verdant green valley or pass with a blue sky over hanging. It was a pretty day and Lily couldn't help but be excited about that fact. Of course, there were no trees, which the elf had become accustomed to. Alas, one has to make do with what she had.

---

"Here, the dragons began anew their blight upon Norr. Here, begins their extinction."

"Damn right," Caine agreed with the Captain. He was a little further up in the line, however, Mikana was nearby. Turned out the elf was a Paladin, a word that conjures images of a white knight besting evil foes with a shining sword. Fairy tales of course, because Mikana with her elven skin and blackguard armor did not envision the typical notion of Paladin... However, it meant she was damn profiecent in what ever weapon she chose. He caught her glance and he nodded, which was replied with a silent but sweet smile and a wink. A gesture Caine couldn't help but smile back at.

As it was, it would no doubt only be hours before they would come upon their quarry... Something Caine waited for with suicidely anticipation... He still had three Children he had to pay back for slaying his comrades...