Solace

by Celerous

Disclaimer: Like most other disclaimers, I don't own Guild Wars, I own my little Necromancer, Xin Yue Si. But besides that, please enjoy and don't forget to review!


The winds were cold, bearing the nauseating smell of the Charr that recently walked by the region. Yue Si raised her gloved hand in the wind, watching the skies and absorbing the surroundings for a minute.

"The Charr were here for a period, your guess was correct", quipped Zenmai, who stealthily approached from behind.

"I know."

"Then you must know they are bound for the Eye Of The North right?"

Yue Si turned, staring at Zenmai, long time Assassin companion from Cantha. Unlike other companions and well-renown heroes like Dunkoro, Talhkora and the others. She was usually left to her own devices and most would hardly hire her to battle, Yue Si, seeing that she had free time often called upon her to scout the vicinity for the enemy, while most others would rather have Aidan or the young Acolyte Jin; Zenmai had a profound effect on the Necromancer.

"Is Gwen awake?", Yue Si queried.

"Not yet, she still sleeps, troubled over Captain Langmar."

"We will head to Vloxen Falls after our business here..."

"And leave Captain Langmar to the Charr?", her eyes were dark, signaling that someone was listening.

"Maybe not. We'll head to Longeye's Ledge after intercepting the Charr heading towards the Eye."

A tiny rustle from the tents implied Gwen may have been overhearing the conversation, Yue Si didn't know, and held caution that she didn't hear anything that may be detrimental to the Party's already weakening constitution.

"It would be good for her not to read too much into our plans.."

Zenmai smiled, closed her eyes and leaned back against a tree.

"Know your enemy and know yourself, find naught in fear for 100 battles. Know yourself but not your enemy, find level of loss and victory. Know thy enemy but not yourself, wallow in defeat every time."

Yue Si stared somberly at the Assassin before looking away. She knew clearly what she was implying from this. The last battle against Varesh Ossa in Elona had cost a good deal of adventurers and heroes to take down, her young sister, Yue Feng, had been severely wounded by Varesh's Scythe and was still recuperating at Vabbi.

A single miscalculation, a wrong order that she gave. And now her sister lies at Vabbi, and she doesn't know if she will recover from that attack...

"Are you questioning my competency, Zenmai?", Yue Si quietly questioned.

"You're being overly paranoid, Yue Si."

"Really now? Your eyes betray you Zenmai, don't pull a fast one on me..."

"Yue Si, if I were truly dissatisfied with your command, I would have personally removed you from leadership prior to your formation of this squad. I merely want you to understand, that irregardless of whatever happened previously, you have to pick yourself up from it. Learn and then move forward. "

"Pick myself? Thousands of people fought against her that day and many of my friends paid for my indecisiveness!"

Zenmai silently shook her head. "People die everyday, you as a Necromancer should know that is part of your daily routine."

Yue Si gritted her teeth. It was not like her to get cold feet. Not at a time like this. Her indecisiveness, fear and worries were supposed to be abandoned to Grenth in her youth. Of all the times, now was not the time for them to resurface.

"Because you don't know yourself well enough, you fight a losing war..."

"NO! I fought fourteen long years to get to where I am. I know what I am capable of and I will NOT let myself be defeated by anyone!"

Sparks of green energy emanated from her staff and her hands. Zenmai turned to look in a different direction, her lesson didn't get through to her. She was young. She had many years to go before leading an Army to battle. It was far different from simply dragging minions with you to seek out enemies to destroy them.

Yue Si growled as she began to march in the direction of the Eye. Gwen sat quietly at the entrance of her tent. Zenmai turned quietly to stare at the girl seated at the corner.

"Come Gwen, we should head back to the Eye to muster its defenses."

"Mmm, give me a minute..."

The both began dissembling their tents. Gwen silently wore the rucksack and began trudging in the direction Yue Si went.

"You heard much didn't you?", inquired Zenmai.

She stared at Zenmai for but a minute, she opened her mouth to say something. But no words came...

"Never mind... for every moment we tarry, the Charr march closer to the Eye."

Yue Si shortly followed suit, after making sure that traces of their camp were carefully put out.

"I'm sorry."

Zenmai turned, watching Yue Si's downcast face. A little smile crept upon her face.

"I'm glad that you got that out of your heart. If its respite were just for a little moment, at least, you'll be able to walk forward without those burdens."

Yue Si stared in silence. A look of contemplation and it was difficult to discern her thoughts at that moment. She then shook her head and began walking faster to catch up with Gwen.


Authors Note: Thanks for reading, I appreciate any constructive criticism, please don't flame. Its my first piece of work since making the account in 2007ish and I will definitely continue this piece of work if it garners enough attention, even just one. And cookies to the person who reviews!

Also, if you do have any ideas please let me know and I will be more than happy to see if its feasible to put on page, any character requests on your side will also be nice! Thanks and see ya!