Nessa

Nessa was a rogue. Probably the best one in Amarath. At least no one had ever proven it was different. She was silent, fast, and accurate. That made truly respected member of underground society. Citizens, and royalty of Amarath knew her as well. They demanded her services extremely often. She was very dangerous opponent, skilled in using daggers, and blades. In addition to this her looks took a great advantage of her, let's say, potential victims. With her slim figure, red hair and big blue eyes, one didn't manage to sigh before having a dagger, or blade stuck between ribs. Her blades were her pride. She inherited them from the only person who has ever cared for her. But let's start form the beginning.

Nessa didn't know her parents. But she suspected that they were probably drunks, who just left her on the street to die. Amarath didn't care much for children. It didn't care for anyone at all. The unwanted, unloved, abandoned simply died. The age didn't matter. These were the words she heard from the one, who had spared her life by taking her off the street. Rhys, didn't actually know what had made him take care of this child. Maybe it were these blue eyes that captured him. Or maybe it was his heart. He never figured it out. But he came to love Nessa as his own child, and he promised himself to make her not only capable of surviving in the city, but to make her the Queen of the Underground. And so he did. During long exhausting trainings he taught her to fight, to steal and to show no mercy to her opponents.

"You show mercy, you die" he said to her while knocking her off her feet.

"Why did you hesitate?!!" he shouted standing upon her with the blade next to her throat.

" Because I cannot hurt you!!!" she answered with tears falling from her eyes – "I just CANNOT!!!"

" Listen Girl" – he always called her Girl when he wanted to teach her sth – "A warrior cannot hesitate!! His life depends on his decisions. Once you fight somebody, you must be decided to kill him. It doesn't matter whether you provoke or are provoked. The result of a duel can be only one. Last one standing. That's life Nessa. You just have to accept it. And remember, next time you hesitate, I will hurt you. Learning demands wounds. Remember that."

And so she remembered. There were some scars which didn't allow her to forget. As the time past, more scars appeared on Rhys' body, showing that lesson has been learned. Rhys was proud to see what he has created. He was watching her, as she trained alone with invisible opponents. Her blades whirled cutting the air. It was a deadly dance, a stunning look. Such precision, speed, and beauty captured in one small person. She stopped her dance for a moment to throw a dagger. And a second one. Perfect hit. Rhys thought to himself, that he really wouldn't like to annoy her in a dark alley. He loved her so much. An he was so proud…

Days passed by, and Nessa slowly built her reputation in Amarath. Starting from beating the crap out of importunate males hitting on her and ending on realizing different kinds of orders coming from her principals. Her relationship with Rhys grew stronger, as she still needed his support and advise. And he was there whenever she needed him. He watched her back during every task she realized. He helped her to heal her wounds as well as heal her pride. Until the day she found him with the dagger in his back.

That was the day when sky cracked in two….

Nuada

"Brother, please, try to understand, Golden Army was the worse option to choose! We've hurt so many innocent people!!! We should be glad that they're able to forgive us and they accept our peace request!!!" – a young Elvin woman shouted. She held an arm of an elfish man, trying to gain his attention. They were very much alike, almost identical. But her appearance was clean, almost ethereal, her face was full of light. His face and posture showed a lot of tension and anger.

"What are you saying Nuala, we should be grateful that THEY want to forgive us?!!!! Don't you remember why the Golden Army was created??!!! Should I remind you?!!" he shouted back freeing his arm from her grasp and turning face to her. "It all happened because of humans! ALL!!! If it hadn't been for their greed, we could coexist together WITHOUT EVEN SINGLE THOUGHT of the Golden Army. They broke earlier agreement and we had to stop them!!! – he shouted.

"Now please excuse me my sister, I have to go to my training. I have a feeling that my skills will be needed sooner than you think.." the turned his back on her and left the room.

"Nuada ..- she whispered – "please don't…."

Leave me alone Nuala. Everything has already been said and done – these were the words she heard in her mind.

But brother what will you do? – she asked again

Nuala, forgive me, but you wouldn't approve of it anyway. Now leave me…please…. I love you very much…Never forget it..

After this words Nuala felt that her brother has shielded himself from her. Two teardrops fell from her eyes. "I love you too, Nuada" – she said to herself.

At the same time Nuada started his training. He had to release the fury. He took off his tunic and grabbed his sword and spear. He started his dance. He imagined the faces of friends who died because of people. He recalled his father's words saying that the war has to be stopped, and that magical creatures and humans have to coexist with each other. How could he trust them?!!! Two blades went through imaginary opponent. Then she spear slashed the throat of another one. But what hurt him the most was Nuala's attitude towards the issue. He couldn't understand. She lost some of her friends too. Her close maiden was raped and murdered by bunch of stinky humans. How could she have compassion for those hollow creatures? He threw the sword aside and started training with his lance. He whirled, killing invisible opponent, ducking their blades, smashing them to the ground. Then he stopped.

" I have to leave" – he spoke to himself – "I have to calm my nerves and get clear perspective. The anger is a wrong counselor. I need to think it over. Once I do, I will return, and I will solve this, no matter the cost."

Forgive me my sister…

"C'mon Mr Wink, we haven't got all day! – Nuada smiled watching his companion climb up a hill. "We have to find you some place to hide. I don't expect humans will allow a troll in their city…" As he spoke the word "Humans" his eyes narrowed and lips stretched with scornful smile. "I have a pleasant feeling that I will free the Earth of some of those creatures, my Friend. They just can't help provoking me…"