::Strength In Darkness::

Disclaimer: Not mine. Anything that's mine is mine though.

*

'Do not push it with me, m'gel. We are just trying to help you.'

Rapieratce's voice was strained with anger, and it was clear that he was trying not to shout at Daleria. Daleria just sat there, fuming, but knowing that she could not disrespect him. Her eyes were blazing, and one could almost see smoke pouring out of her ears. It was not a very pleasant conversation. Finally, Consellariel grew tired of the heated bickering and screamed for a stop.

'Stop it at once! We are all on the same side here! There is not point bickering over something as small as this issue. What matters now is that the safety of these shores are under threat, and we need to resolve that, nothing more. You cannot be personal here, Daleria, and the same goes for you, colonel. When we have to sacrifice, we have to sacrifice, and this is one of those times. I cannot let Daleria out of this mountain, even if I have to chain her here! Do you not realize, that even if she does throw herself away, that Seppak will stop at nothing? It is not only her that she wants! It is Salamandastron! Come to your senses, both of you!'

The small speech somehow or another managed to calm both the hares, and Daleria settled back down while Rapieratce regained his composure and returned to his seat. Sighing out loud, Consellariel leaned back in her own.

'This is a very touchy matter, I know, to both sides. You must all realize this. So please, do not make things even more complicated as they already are. If you are well enough, Daleria, you may rejoin training today.'

Daleria nodded silently, her eyes closed in stress, ears folded back.

'Do not put everything on your own shoulders, captain, it will soon be over.'

Daleria nodded again, still not opening her eyes. Consellariel sighed again.

'You have always been stubborn about this, and I know it very well, Captain. Take in consideration I will go to any costs to stop you now, Daleria, and that I will not hold back like I have for so long. I cannot afford for you to get yourself hurt again, not at the rate that you are going. I know that when it comes to matters like this that you will no longer listen to me, badger lady or no, and that you will do only what is right in your eyes, as you always have done, sacrificing yourself simply for others. You forget that we all can survive equally as well as you can, my dear. You cannot stop everything, you cannot effect everything, you cannot change everything. I will not let you out of this mountain, not even if you kick and scream, do you understand that?'

There was a muffled "yes marm" from the hare captain, but still Daleria did not look up.

'Fine then, I will see you all later. Colonel, I want to see you in the forge now, the rest of you, dismissed.'

Consellariel then left the rock hewn infirmary to Daleria's patrol and Taremin. After she was out of sight, Sergeant Longrunn sighed in irritation, his eyes flashing slightly, speaking in frustration to the still silent Daleria.

'You don't blinkin well care about what the Lady said about making sure to stop you, do you, Daleria? Listen, old gel, this won't get you anywhere. Just stay here, there's nothing bally else that you can do now. I just don't want you to get hurt, old gel. Take it easier, and you'll jolly well see that there's something else to this than giving yourself up. That's all I can say to you, captain. What will happen lies now in your own paws, wot.'

The rest of the company was silent, having all their thoughts already voiced by those who spoke. Shaking his head, Longrunn stood and left, closely followed by everyone else. Taremin knew that any other talk would be pointless, so went about her own work, leaving Daleria to her own ways.

*

Colonel Rapieratce stood at attention in the forge, Lady Consellariel looking him over. Signalling for him to sit, she sighed wearily.

'Seppak's force is very near, Rapieratce. In two days they will be approaching these very shores, with their hostages intact, of that I am sure. Our scouts say that a lone vermin messenger will be arriving in an hour or so, no doubt with some sort of a treaty asking for Daleria or something in that matter. I want you to watch over her as closely as you can, Rapieratce, do not let her out of your sight. I will be asking Remora to take over training in this case. If you see that she is going to run, I want you to take desperate measures this time, colonel.'

Rapieratce looked up at her.

'What kind of measures, lady?'

Consellariel handed him a small key in response, and he gasped when he looked at it.

'Surely you are joking, marm!'

A dead serious reply came back at him.

'I am not, colonel. If she shows any one indication of running, I want you to put her in a cell. Leave her in the prison cellars below for as long as it takes, colonel. I told her that I would not be holding back, and I will not. Do not hesitate, colonel. Hesitation could mean death.'