Apologies! Many, many apologies for the delay in submitting this. I've been lazy as Hell, but after my R&R I hope I'm back in the groove. I guess we'll just have to see what you guys think.
I'm glad folks appear to be enjoying my yarn. as always please leave comments, as criticism, both positive and constructive, is inherently useful. Plus, I really like reading comments, so that's cool.
Once more, a shout out goes to Avicia for their suggestions and much-needed help with editing this.
The Tattooed Woman Volume 3 - Chapter 36: All That We See or Seem.
It was snowing when Ashunara and her company returned to the column. A light fall that lay crisp and white upon the ground and as she cast her eyes from the heavy clouds above to the landscape before her, she had to wonder what manner of sins such a virginal blanket might eventually hide.
Standing upon a hillock, she cast back the hood of her weather-cloak and drew a breath, savouring the clean crisp air. Her fighting braid had fallen loose during the day's hard march and the breeze stirred her hair, causing the mischievous silver strands to dance about her features. Impervious to such distraction, her dark eyes carefully surveyed the surround as she took in the terrain and features, like some canny predatory thing, ever watchful and wary of hunters and ambush.
Before her was the column, snaking along the glen like a great armoured serpent. Its pace was still woefully glacial, but it was no longer the disorganised rabble she had left behind only a few days previously. With a quiet grunt of grudging approval, she noted that it at least now looked like a military force, with orderly Companies marching in rank and file, skirmishers at the ready and scouting parties warily patrolling the flanks. At her side Nyx cut herself a slice of apple and sniffed, "Don't look so much like a dog's dinner now."
Ashunara pursed her lips thoughtfully as she nodded, "Doubtless some Warmaiden has managed to take charge," she snorted, "I wonder how much intemperate blood was spilt in the process."
The veteran passed her half an apple with an evil grin, "A fair portion no doubt, but given most of the clowns down there couldn't pour piss from a boot if the instructions were writ on the heel, and what with that mess actually now having something of a martial aspect to it, I'm guessing it weren't nobody we care about that got filleted."
The Captain bit into the fruit and chewed as she eyed the marching host carefully. After a few moments more she nodded again, "Doubtless you're right enough," she shook herself, "anyway needs must, and we have Company matters that requires attending to."
Suddenly all business, she turned to her standard bearer, "Muriah, I have a job for you."
The younger woman eyed her cagily, "Captain?"
"Oh, don't look at me so girl, 'tis a worthwhile errand and a needed one at that. I want you to go down to the column and speak to the quartermaster or vittler, if they have such a thing, and arrange for our resupply. And while you're there find out who's in charge. I'll need to pay respects, so make the needed arrangements, there's a good lass."
Muriah blinked, "Me? But I'm just..."
"You're my standard bearer and a member of my Company are you not? Now hop to it!"
"Yes, Captain, but, um... what supplies do we need?"
Turning slowly Ashunara gave the woman a flat gaze, and Nyx had to stifle a grin as she caught the Captain's lips momentarily curling ever so slightly, "Now were you not the one bemoaning about being used as a drudge? Well, here's me giving you a task requiring some responsibility and still you whine. I suggest you use your initiative and figure it out. Get it wrong and it's your arse. Dismissed!"
Turning back to the column Ashunara deliberately took no notice when Nyx caught Muriah's eye and gave a slight nod towards Lashelle, who was down by the campfire rummaging through her packs. The younger woman nodded her thanks and loped off. Sighing the veteran turned back to her Captain, "Were we ever that young?"
Ashunara chuckled, "Well, I might have been, but you? No chance. You were a grumpy curmudgeon when you marched from the womb, probably with shortsword in hand and scowling at the world."
"Hey! I resemble that remark. Besides," she grinned, "I've mellowed. Like a fine wine."
"More like a cheese."
"Oi!"
Stifling her grin, the Captain pointed off towards the flanks, "Send Varoona down to yonder Orcish camp and have her negotiate replacements for our losses. Mayhap have her take Adair with her. They both speak the Orcish tongue well enough. She knows my likes but remind her I favour good archers, all well blooded mind, no cubs out on their first raid."
"Will do, Captain."
"Very good, let's be about it then. I want to be done with this and away from here by tomorrow."
"And then, Captain?"
"Then we head out. If I have it aright there's a Drow army somewhere out there. Someplace between us and Miosgan Meadhba, just... waiting, waiting to swing in behind us or, more likely, cut in and divide the column, likely make attempt at seizing the baggage train. It's what I would do."
"And?"
"And we're going to find it."
Nyx grinned and deftly slid her dagger back into its scabbard, "Oh, is that all? And here was me thinking you were planning something daft."
The sly look Ash gave her was thoroughly vulpine, "As if."
...
The gardens of House Varro were a wondrous marvel of tall hedges and dark vines, flower beds and hidden ponds. During the day, many strange birds would nest in the trees and their melody was pleasing to the ear and spirit of those who listened. But after the sun set, during the hours of darkness when the gardens were all but still, it was the delicate and haunting scent of the night blooms that sometimes drew the Dark Elves from their chambers, to walk and even dance among the groves. Young lovers would take delight in the quiet nooks while poets and dreamers walked the paths or took their ease upon benches as they sought their muse in moonlight and shadow.
But not tonight. For this night Lady Aventine had issued command for the gardens to remain clear, and with good reason. For tonight it was no bird that landed in the flower beds, but a Dragon.
Cassie wiped a tear from her eye as she stood among the orchids and looked up into the night sky. The flight back from the tower had been more leisurely than the pell-mell madness of the initial journey and the insanity of violence that had engulfed them on their arrival but still she felt both sad and cold.
The previous eve Ellén had explained the necessity of their parting, "It is an errand, and I am loath to refuse, for the one who set my hand to the task has offered favour for my efforts, and I suspect that might come in handy in the days to come. But I'm told there is like to be some peril in the doing," she swallowed and gripped Cassie's hands tightly in her own, "should it come to pass that, well, you know..."
