“I don’t trust them.” The Watch Captain crossed her arms, youthful features narrowing in suspicion as she glared at the lithe figures in front of them. Tash glanced sidelong at her companion; eyebrow raised and a small smile on her face.
“Aleya, you don’t trust anyone.”
The Aelf huffed, but didn’t respond, piercing gaze still locked dead ahead. Tash followed it once more, her own eyes resting on the object of her friend’s distaste. Sylvaneth. The Tree-Kin stood in a crowded mass, shifting like leaves in the breeze as they quietly conversed, twinkling ethereal features glanced up at the Aelves every now and again. Whispers and chatter circulated around the glade from Sylvaneth and Aelf alike. Although Avelorn had brokered peace with Alarielle’s Wargroves, the Watch Sisters did not so easily forgive…or forget. Tash remembered so many years ago like it was just yesterday, the flicker of despair in her heart as she watched her Everqueen retreat, the desperate pull of longing when the sacred Sylvaneth retreated with her. Her tears had felt bitter then, fresh as dew, even though such feelings had long faded, just seeing the hued bark of these avatars of war brought a whole new surge of emotion. It felt odd. Unknown. Tash wasn’t sure she liked the feeling.
“You know how they treated us, Tash, you know why we can’t trust them.” Aleya’s voice sprung her out of thought, snapping her attention to her agitated partner once more.
Tash sighed long, hard. “I know, Aleya. I know, but right now, we need all the help we can get, and they have agreed to aid us, does that count for nothing?”
Her friend snorted harshly at her words, Tash turned to face her, but instantly blanched as she did so. The Watch Captain’s eyes blazed with a cold fire, and her fists were clenched, shaking in the still air. “It doesn’t count for anything! “Aleya’s sudden fury made Tash jump. “Avelorn may have forgiven them, but we were there Tash, you and I both saw how our KIN treated us!” She spat with barely contained disgust, the bow on her back sparked and hissed with her as she spoke, blue light crackling along its length as if sensed its owner’s anger. “We may be at peace, Tash, but what right do they have to fight alongside us? Those who left us, failed us, those who, who…” Her sentence stifled quickly; her anger faded. Her fists unclenched. For a moment, Tash saw Aleya not as a Watch Captain, not as a brave warrior, but as a frightened girl, scared of being alone, of being abandoned by those who had sworn to watch over her. Yet all too quickly the image was gone, the moment passed, and the Aelf she had always known reappeared in front of Tash’s vision once more.
Before either could do anything to capitalise on their conversation however, a shifting of oak caught their attention. Coming towards them walked a lone Branchwraith, tangled vines and small sprites decorated her form as she moved. The rest of the Sylvaneth behind her had now ceased their hushed tones, staring idly at the small contingent of Watch Sisters. Aleya braced, hand resting on the bowstring slung over her shoulder, Tash glanced between the two uneasily, the tension in the air was palpable. The Wraith halted quietly, regarding them with shimmering sapphire eyes. “My Sisters. Alarielle’s blessings upon you.” The Dryad spoke between wood cracked lips, each syllable sounded like creaking bark, whistling and groaning as she uttered the unfamiliar words with some difficulty. Sylvaneth did not normally communicate with such rudimentary levels of speech, unlike those Kurnothi in Avelorn, Tash mused, the Wargroves were not used to her mortal kind.
Tash noted Aleya visibly bristle at the Branchwraith’s use of ‘Sister,’ and quickly she grabbed her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze as she did so. The gesture was small, but enough. Aleya calmed slightly before replying, “blessings of Alarielle be upon you as well, cousin.” Both Sylvaneth and Aelf bowed slightly; but did not take their eyes off each other.
“We come to offer our aid, and our assistance in helping you defend our most sacred Leylines” The Branchwraith gestured to the large object behind the two Aleves, a glowing rock that pulsed with arcane energy as blue lines snaked and crept across the ground from its form. “Such sites are a bountiful source of life magic, and whilst we do not doubt your zeal in its defense, the foe that is soon to arrive will surely best you.”
“Perhaps you underestimate my Sister’s skills, Wraith.” Aleya’s retort was like a hidden dagger, the statement itself was not outwardly hostile, but the implication was there. The Dryad tilted her head slightly, her expression betraying nothing, if she had taken heed of Aleya’s barbed words, she did not show it.
“I meant no insult Aelf, merely fact. You will falter without our aid, and we give it you gladly, to show our support for the city of Avelorn, and to strengthen our bonds of kin.”
“You know not what we have suffered on our own, how much we have already endured. What makes us think we need you now?”
“You think you are the only one to know suffering Aelf? That we did not share in our Goddess’s pain when your race faltered before her? Contrary to many of your beliefs, old wounds can heal, pain subsides in time, forgiveness, like the trees themselves, blossoms when nurtured. My people believe in peace, tell me. What do you believe in?” She offered a delicate hand outward, the gesture all too clear.
Tash glanced at Aleya, the Watch Captain had fallen silent, seemingly stunned into inactivity. The Branchwraith’s words hung in the air. For agonizing seconds, the three figures were motionless, time slowed as each grappled with the gravity of the situation. Suddenly, one roused. Aleya unslung her bow quicker than the eye could follow, Tash’s eyes barely blinked before she was already moving, her heart knew Aleya was headstrong, but she wouldn’t possibly do anything like this. The Wraith slinked her hand back slightly and hissed, ethereal energies swirling around her in those precious seconds as she prepared to defend against the ferocious attack…
But it never came.
The Branchwraith’s magic faded as quickly as it had come, green smoke spiraling away and dissipating in an instant. Tash’s eyes glanced down, fearing the worst, yet only surprise writ her features at the sight in front of her. Aleya was on one knee, head bowed, her Watchbow sparking cautiously in her grip as she held the item aloft in respect. “Alarielle watches over us both, cousin, if this foe is truly as dangerous as you say, then by Sigendil’s light, Avelorn will take any help it can get.” The Sylvaneth’s expression grew soft at the Watch Captain’s words, and Tash could have sworn she even smiled before responding to the eloquent gesture.
“Rise, my kin, you more than any need not need to kneel before me, your faith is noted and accepted. In unity, will we fight together. Our blood will spill together, and by Alarielle’s will, will we triumph together.” The Wraith uttered her final words, Aleya rising from the ground before they both bowed once more. Tash could barely contain her grin as the Sylvaneth walked away from the two Aelves. Only when they were out of earshot did she at last speak.
“Who knew you were such a diplomat!” Tash whooped with glee and giggled, Aleya rolled her eyes at her friend’s joy, seemingly trying as hard as she could to not smile as they both turned to walk towards the dormant Leyline behind them, rejoining their resting kin.
“I made the most tactically astute decision, Tash, besides it is good to strengthen ties with potential allies.” Aleya collected herself immediately as she noted Tash’s giant grin not disappearing, hastening to act dour, “of course, I still do not trust them.”
“Ha ye right!” Tash punched her arm, causing the Aelf to wince in surprise.
“Ow! What was that for?”
Tash didn’t respond, leaning in and kissing Aleya suddenly, their lips meeting in barely suppressed joy. A few of the other Aelves around them blushed in their direction and respectfully turned their backs, some laughed among themselves with small smiles. It was no secret the two had always been more than ‘friends.’ Tash pulled away from Aleya, her partner had turned a fierce crimson at the public display of affection. She desperately tried straightening her cloak, refastening her bow clumsily over her shoulder as her fingers embarrassingly bumbled around. “I hate it when you do that without warning me.”
“No, you don’t.”
Aleya at last let out a little smile as she moved away from Tash, not giving her the satisfaction of seeing her grinning face as she spoke over her shoulder. “No. No, I don’t.”
