Ambush!

"How did Mom live most of her life up in those mountains?" Dust grumbled as they made it past the snow-line the following day. They had a small forest to trek through before they reached the Sunrose Plains, which were fairly expansive in themselves from what Dust could see further up the mountain, but Dust and Fidget were both grateful to finally be out in the warm (in spite of Ash's magic).

"You can ask her when we rescue her," Kim shrugged. "Your fur not thick enough or something?"

"Oh, shush," Dust snapped irritably. "I've never been up a mountain before, okay?" No one bothered to mention the whole previous-life thing. Fifteen years was a long time and although Dust could remember visiting the Blackmoor Mountains before, he had no recollection of exactly how cold it was.

At the bottom of the mountains, a wide open plain stretched out ahead of them. On the horizon, the silhouette of a city was visible: Falun, the capital and only city of Falana.

"This world really is a lot bigger than I remember," Dust gulped. Even from before, he had no memories of ever seeing the other side of the Blackmoor Mountain range. The two Moonbloods also looked amazed at the sight stretching before them.

"I've never been this side of the mountains before," Ash exhaled. "It's incredible."

"Well, we can stand around and enjoy the view once we've saved Ginger," Kim said bluntly, hoisting his bag over his shoulder. "Let's keep moving." Dust and Ash nodded and Fidget finally emerged from under Dust's cloak (she made a few grumbled complaints about how her wings had been getting crushed but Dust argued that it was either that or go delirious from the cold again).

Dust had to take into account how different the area on the other side of the mountains was in comparison to what he was used to. The valleys of Aurora and Abadis Forest were completely different to the open plains before him. It was as if he'd stepped into an entirely new country.

"There're hardly any trees out here," he remarked quietly as they reached the plains, grass so tall it was reaching his midriff.

"Well, most of the rain gets dumped on the other side of the mountains," Kim explained. "Also, the ground that side's a bit more fertile than over here because of the volcanoes." Dust nodded and hummed in genuine interest. He asked why they hadn't built the capital city in the more fertile region. "Same reason," Kim answered. "The Everdawn Basin makes the ground rife with seismic activity. The valleys also make it difficult to build any settlements bigger than a village, anyway."

"Well, someone knows his geography," Fidget remarked. Kim made a dry comment about the nimbat not knowing more about Falana. "Hey, we nimbats just learn layouts of the land when we go flying. We don't exactly get lessons on why everything's the way it is."

Dust sighed and began moving forwards, ignoring Fidget's squeaks at him to wait up and keep his eyes open. Well, he listened to that last part. There were bandits around to worry about after all and as much as Dust may have initially said that the group weren't carrying much of value he knew that the Blade of Ahrah, Ash's magic tome and Kim's pistols were probably worth more money than a lot of people would see in a lifetime by themselves. Combined…well, a bandit would be set for this life and beyond.

"So, this Princess Elissa…" Ash spoke up once they were a fair distance into the Sunrose Plains. "Have you ever seen her?" Dust shook his head.

"No, not in person," he replied. "Her portrait makes it into the papers on her birthday every year, but that's really the only impression I've ever gotten."

"Well, what's her portrait look like?" Fidget asked. Dust scrunched up his face in an attempt to remember the latest portrait of the princess.

"She's a lion Warmblood, if that's any help," he recalled. "Red hair, gold fur. You know? Royal family usual. Think she has purple eyes, but that might have just been the colouring in the papers."

"Didn't realise it was that specific," Kim remarked dryly. "How're we supposed to meet up with her, though? I can't imagine she'd be let outside the palace without an escort, and the fewer people who see us the better."

"Elder Grey-Eyes did say he'd send word in advance of our arrival," Dust pointed out. "And if she's a secret Moonblood sympathiser she may already have a plan to sneak out. Probably has done on several occasions."

"Princess with a rebellious streak, huh?" Fidget smirked. "I like this lady already."

"Okay, that part of the plan's fine," Kim frowned. "But what about us? I think we already established that Moonbloods aren't welcome in Falun and Dust is a wanted fugitive."

"Thanks for the reminder," Dust grumbled.

"Kim has a fair point, Dust," Ahrah spoke. "If we plan to enter Falun we will need to remain unseen."

"Or at least come up with a disguise or something," Fidget suggested. "See, Dust? This is why we should have taken that stupid hat."

"I SAID NO TO THE STUPID HAT, FIDGET!" Dust snapped childishly. Ash giggled next to him, which only caused Dust to turn a shade of pale pink again. In turn, it made Fidget laugh her head off and tease the poor boy even more.

"We'll think of something," Ash said once she'd recovered from her fit of giggles. "I reckon if we come across any bandits we might be able to nick a few bits and pieces back."

"Ex-nay on the ealing-stay," Dust grumbled ("Does it count if it's already been stolen?" "YES!").

Speaking of the bandits, it wasn't at all long before the group began running into them. They were hard to spot in the tall grass but Fidget had keener eyes than one might initially realise and was quick to pick up out of place movements in the fields. By now, the group was truly starting to gel as a team in combat, and Dust was starting to get the hang of the Blade of Ahrah once more, and was even starting to practice a few aerial combos which Ash expressed some admiration for.

The sun soon began to beat strongly overhead as the day reached its midpoint. Used to the more temperate climate of the other side of the Blackmoor Mountains, Dust tugged at the collar of his cape as his ears drooped in discomfort.

"Ash, you wouldn't happen to have a cooling spell, would you?" he asked, also regretting the chain mail. Ash frowned and began flicking through her book.

"You Warmbloods really don't do well with temperature changes, do you?" Kim noted. "Personally, I find this climate quite agreeable."

"Oh, go easy on him, will you?" Fidget huffed. "For one, the kid's hardly used to it. Second, our body temperature remains constant! It doesn't change to match external conditions."

"I see," Ash nodded in understanding before she found a spell she was satisfied with. She muttered a quick incantation in what Dust could only assume was the Ancient Cynthak language, and within seconds Dust felt a pleasant cooling sensation wave over his body. He smiled and thanked Ash, who in turn flushed humbly. Kim called out for their attention a short distance away so the two teens and the nimbat jogged over to see what the fuss was about.

"Look here," Kim grinned. "Reckon I might have found us a decent spot to rest," he said, pointing to an old, very run down looking cottage by a lone tree in the middle of the plains. The cottage itself looked like it was older than the hills, overgrown with foliage and not exactly looking very stable on its feet. Dust frowned.

"Are we sure its safe?" he asked. "I mean, it doesn't look structurally sound and even if it is, how do we know the bandits aren't using it?"

"Dust has a point, Kim," Ash shrugged. The eighteen-year-old Moonblood rolled his eyes.

"We'll be fine," he reassured. "Besides, if you haven't noticed the bandits are completely avoiding this part of the Plains. I haven't seen a single one since we passed those shrubs over there."

"Maybe there's a reason they do that?" Fidget pointed out, her voice wavering from nerves ever so slightly. "I don't know, maybe there's a local monster around here? One that's particularly powerful? Or maybe this cottage is haunted? Because that is an entirely plausible possibility!"

"Uh, Fidget, I think if this place was haunted we'd be getting a more 'Sorrowing Meadows' kind of vibe from this place," Dust reckoned. "Although the monster thing is also entirely possible."

"Have we seen any trace of monsters?" Kim pointed out. "If anything, this place seems like a a safe haven."

"You're supposed to be the responsible adult here, Kim!" Ash argued. "Honestly, Dust and Fidget are honestly sounding more sensible than you."

"Hey! I'm technically the eldest here!" Fidget protested. Dust didn't know how old the nimbat had been when he'd first met her all those years ago when he'd first been Sen-Mithrarin but he knew that she had to be a good few years over fifteen. If he had to take a guess, she was definitely over eighteen but who knew what that meant in nimbat years?

"If you're so worried, cast a shield around the area or something, Ash," Kim suggested. "All I'm saying is that it's a good place to get out of the sun while it's hot, and a decent spot to have lunch and a nap if anyone needs it."

"I'm down for a nap!" Fidget suddenly perked up, causing Dust to roll his eyes at her.

"You were snoozing in my tunic all morning!" he huffed. "How are you still tired?!"

"Hey, these wings aren't as young as they used to be!" Fidget pouted.

"You're hardly ancient, even in nimbat years."

"Oh, shush!"

"Look, any way we slice it, we need to find some place to rest, even for half an hour," Kim insisted. "We've been walking since breakfast and I'm no Warmblood health expert, kid, but you look dead on your feet. Same goes for you, Ash — I'm, as you put it, the responsible adult around here and I'm not having the Team Mage and Elysian Warrior passing out on me."

Dust grumbled under his breath but nonetheless relented. Ash also mumbled a few words of disagreement but Kim admittedly had a point — they needed to at least take a break for lunch otherwise there was no way they would all be reaching Falun conscious. Reluctantly, the two teens followed Kim to the run-down cottage and ducked inside. The inside of the cottage was almost, if not just as rundown as the outside. Trees had begun to claim the walls as supports, ivy covered most of the interior and Dust was fairly sure he could see a bird's nest or two in the rafters.

"Can't imagine what it was like to live out here," Ash muttered as she tentatively sat down on a pile of rubble which looked as if it could have been the floor of someone's bedroom.

"Fidget, didn't you say there's only been bandit issues in these Plains for the last decade or so?" Dust asked as he began nibbling on a Louta Nut.

"More or less," Fidget nodded, snacking on a paw-full of Feeble Fruits. "Why?"

"This place looks like it's been abandoned for even longer than that," Dust replied. "I don't think the occupants here would have worried about the bandits that much."

"With a horse and cart you could probably make it to the city in minutes," Kim pointed out. "It's not a bad spot location wise for a couple of decades ago. Nice and quiet, but not too far from civilisation."

"Not much in terms of neighbours, though," Fidget noticed. "I didn't see any indications of other houses in these plains." Dust agreed — this cottage really was the Little House on a Prairie. Whoever had lived here must have liked their peace and quiet. With the bandits giving the place a wide berth and no signs of monsters, Dust found himself strangely relaxing…

Until the snap of a twig caught his attention, causing his ears to prick upright in alarm. The movement didn't go unnoticed by the Moonbloods.

"What is it, Dust?" Ash asked quietly. Dust shushed her as he listened closely, Fidget following suit. He hissed at the Moonbloods to keep a hand on their belongings and gripped Ahrah tightly, shifting into a defensive stance. Something was watching the group, and whatever it was did not appear to be friendly.

"Get out of the house," he whispered. Without hesitation, the Moonbloods exited the ruins of the cottage, closely followed by Fidget and Dust. Moments later, something darted across them, with a distinct sound of ringing metal whispering on the wind.

"Who's there?!" Kim shouted, his pistols at the ready. Ash prepared herself as Dust stood forward, bouncing on the balls of his feet in readiness for a fight. A flash of metal caught his eye and he swiftly moved to block it. As he did, he threw the attacker off balance and the group caught their first look at their assailant.

It was a rabbit Warmblood with sunset-pink fur and red hair framing two dark blue eyes. Her appearance was one of someone who had been through tough times: her clothes were tatty, comprised of a split skirt and crop top made of dirty yellow material and blue leggings. She was barefoot, and carried two knives in her hands. What nearly threw Dust off guard was the appearance of the knives.

"Dust!" Ahrah spoke. "Her weapons!"

"I know," Dust murmured. "Where did you get those?!" he demanded. The knives were the same colour as the Blade of Ahrah. The Warmblood growled.

"None of your business," she snapped. "Where did you get that blade?"

"None of your business," Dust retorted sharply. "What do you want?"

The rabbit Warmblood didn't answer and instead lunged forward, barely giving Dust enough time to dodge out of the way and for Ash to retaliate with a magic attack. Seeing no other way out, the group launched into a fight.

The young woman was fast, and made sure the others knew it. However, her attack patterns were also predictable and Kim was soon able to shoot a Stun Dart into her ankle when she tried attacking from a nearby tree for the fifth time. The shoot sent her tumbling to the ground, her knives clattering on the floor as she dropped them. Ash took the opportunity to examine one immediately.

"Don't touch those!" the rabbit Warmblood snapped. Ash ignored her.

"They aren't Elysian Blades," she said. "That much is certain." Dust frowned.

"Why do they look so similar?" he wondered. Ahrah floated from his hands to take a close look.

"They are made from the same metal as the Blades of Elysium," it explained. "But they lack the power. If I recall, these are Starsheen Knives, weapons made to mimic the Blades in terms of strength. They possess not the power that you wield, Dust.."

"How did you get these?" Fidget squeaked.

"My father gave those to me once I was old enough," the woman said shortly. "Now give them back." Dust frowned.

"You recognised the Blade of Ahrah, didn't you?" he asked. "What's your connection to the Blades of Elysium?"

"My father told me stories, that is all," the woman snapped. "What are you doing with it anyway?"

"I'll have you know that Dust is a certified Elysian Warrior, lady!" Fidget snapped proudly. The woman scoffed.

"That shrimp? He's nothing but a child!"

"This is going to become a recurring issue, isn't it?" Dust mumbled grumpily. Ash stepped in.

"It doesn't make a difference," she said firmly. "You saw his skills just now." The woman bit her tongue and pouted — she could hardly deny it.

"I heard tales of a Warrior that ended the war," she said. "Ever since I arrived here…rumour said that it was a white fox Warmblood who carried a glowing broadsword…"

"And that he'd died in the Everdawn Volcanoes, right?" Dust finished without skipping a beat. The rabbit Warmblood blinked in surprise.

"Yes," she frowned. "That sword was supposedly lost with him," she said, indicating Ahrah. "Where did you get it?!"

"My Master summoned me in a time of need," Ahrah spoke calmly. "He was fated to be my bearer since birth. I merely answered when called."

"Hmph," the woman huffed, less than satisfied with the answer.

"I am curious that you wield the Starsheen Knives, Miss," Ahrah continued. "Those who do have some connection to the Blades of Elysium. I would not object if you decided to join us."

"What?!" Dust spluttered in shock. That came out of nowhere.

"Are we completely ignoring the fact that she just tried to kill us?!" Fidget pointed out in frustration. Kim looked at the woman suspiciously.

"I'm with the nimbat," he agreed ("I HAVE A NAME!"). "How do we know she can be trusted?"

"Dust," Ash said. "Has the Blade of Ahrah ever been wrong before?" Dust scrunched up his face in an attempt to remember.

"No, but then again it's always let me make my own choices," he replied. "It's a guide, and I can't remember a time where it didn't help me do the right thing."

The young woman sighed and pushed herself into a seating position, her legs still feeling the effects of the Stun Dart.

"I know you may not trust me, but this country is in turmoil, even now," she said. "If an Elysian Warrior is working to put things right, then I'll follow," she added. "Even if you are just a kid."

"As we've already established," Dust grumbled sarcastically.

"I have no reason to doubt that your sword is lying," the woman said. "I'll join you, if you need the help." Dust thought for a moment — he had no reason to suspect that Ahrah would lie to him, so he trusted its judgement. That didn't mean he wouldn't keep a close eye on this woman, though.

"Alright," he agreed. "I really didn't want to drag anymore people into my mess, but like these guys have told me, I can't do this alone. I really could use all the help I can get."

"At least we got that through your thick skull," Fidget muttered.

"What's your name?" Ash asked.

"Taka," the rabbit Warmblood replied. "You can call me Taka."

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance," Kim muttered. "Thought I can't say much for your meet-and-greet methods."

"You camped out in my place!" Taka protested. "Sorry for being defensive!"

"You live here?" Dust spluttered.

"Well, it's rent free and I've beaten the stuffing out of enough bandits that they stay away from the place," Taka replied. "You don't get many travellers from the mountains nowadays."

It took a while for the effects of the Stun Dart to wear off, but once it did Taka was more than happy to share her dwelling with her new companions. Dust was starting to get used to have an increasingly large party with him, and something about Taka told him that Ahrah was right — she was going to be a useful ally.

It was annoying that he had to keep an eagle-eye on his food to make sure she didn't nick it from under his nose, however.


Quick note, I've been posting designs of the main characters in this story over on my deviantART account. My username there is the same as here, so check out my Dust: An Elysian Tail – Reborn from Ashes folders in my gallery to see the character designs. Characters features so far include:

- Dust (casual wear)

- Ginger

- Kalyn

- Ash

- Kim

- Taka

There are also some pictures I've drawn featuring characters and/or scenes from the story, so feel free to check those out. As a heads up, I may miss the update on Sunday, but I'll try my best to get the next chapter uploaded.