"The Vanguard?"
Eleanor nodded. "Apparently we're short on soldiers, not really a surprise you know. Your leader, was it Ondaron? He pledged you to the cause of fighting the Charr and defending Ascalon. A lot has changed." Eleanor looked at the ground, kicking the ashes into small clouds, rising slowly, steadily, before falling back to the earth. Kotetsu was silent, watching the young warrior turn into a child again.
She wiped her eyes, and looked up. "We won't last. There are too many Charr, and not enough of us. Ascalon is ruined." Kotetsu shook his head. "Giving up that easily? You're better than that. You don't want to fight for what you lost? Don't want to keep going? That's not the Eleanor I know. That's the Eleanor I thought I'd never know."
Anything she might have responded with was cut short. "Kotetsu! Come here." Ondaron beckoned to him. "We're heading back to Ascalon City to meet Sir Tyrus, acting commander of the defense here. As we will be placed into the Vanguard, I suggest you get together with a few of your new comrades. Spread the word, we start moving in an hour."
The wasteland never seemed to end. The flowing rivers that many had envied were now nothing but pits of tar. The waving grass reduced to ashes, the only thing resembling life were a few scattered packs of boars, Striders, and the occasional Devourer. Another young warrior ran up to him. It was the one with the hammer that bashed in the Charr's face. She nearly knocked him down, peering into his face. He didn't mind that part much; her short white hair and pretty face of her own were nice to look at as well, though his wife was little more than a foot away. Korah watched, intrigued. The warrior beamed. "Hi!" "Uh, hi." "My name's Regalia. Regalia Remora." Kotetsu took a step back. "Name's Kotetsu. Oda Kotetsu. This is Korah. My wife." He seemed to emphasize that last part, and Korah giggled. Regalia bid them good bye and bounded off, nearly knocking over a young cleric. He saw Hikari and Tasari in the distance, running between the groups and meeting new people.
Eleanor smirked. "That's one of our younger members. Damn good with a hammer though, and stronger than a lot of our veterans. She's a little eccentric at times, but don't let it fool you. She's vicious. Lost her parents in the Searing, and her fiancé in the Charr attack that followed. Come to think of it, he was an archer in the army as well." Kotetsu nodded. "Anyone else I should be aware of?" Her eyes gleamed. "I should introduce you all to the normal ones anyway." She gave a sharp whistle. Several of the Vanguard ran up immediately.
Regalia nearly knocked her over. "What is it, boss? Huh, huh, boss?" "You already have been introduced, go smash something." "Kay!" Eleanor sighed. "Ok, let's go down the line here." A mage walked forward. Korah gave a huff. The mage had short white hair, hanging in longer lengths in the front, with a skin-tight outfit that didn't leave much to the imagination, with a piercing gaze and a serious tone. Eleanor nodded towards her. "This is Videl Victoria. She specializes in controlling flames, but dabbles in other areas, just to be prepared. I have to keep her nearby; otherwise half of our men would be dead. She doesn't take to flirtation lightly. Not that you have to worry about that." She nodded to Korah. "Off with ya now, go burn something." Videl let out a quiet giggle, quite seductively before sauntering off.
Eleanor shook her head. "Damn good mage. Ah who's next. You there, c'mon up." What looked to be a small child in simple clothing stepped forward, her eyes fixed on her feet. Eleanor tipped her head up. "Look up now, let them get a good look at ya." Korah cooed, obviously overtaken by the child's charm. She had bunned up hair, with a sweet face, a look of innocence and of wonder as she stared back at them. She was short, barely coming up to their necklines. "Sweet, ain't she? She's only 16 though. If you've got a cut, or missing limb, or a bad case of poison, I'd suggest looking this young one up. She's shy, but she's damn good at what she does. This is Kotetsu and Korah, Min. Kotetsu, Korah, this is Minshana Obscura. Run along now." Minshana gave a quick bow, and ran off.
Eleanor turned. "Ah, you there. Mei." Another young lady stepped forward, holding what looked like a blood-stained axe. Eleanor giggled. "This is 'Furious' Mei. She's an absolute demon with an axe. She can shred through the Charr like nobody's business. She's not too good at holding places though. She prefers chasing them down and gutting them." Mei nodded. Her hair was short like Regalia's, but a deep shade of red. She was taller, looked older, and had a fierce look in her eye. Her face was impassive, and was well built. She wore what looked to be patched together ring mail. She nodded her head, and walked off. "She's not much for words; she's more or less an action person."
The last two came forward together. Eleanor nodded, and looked back at Kotetsu and Korah. "These two are a little different." Korah frowned. "Different? How?" "They're lovers." They let out a wicked grin as Korah's eyes widened. "Oh. Oh I see. There's nothing weird about that. I mean, if they love each other, there's nothing wrong with that." Eleanor let out a slight laugh. She nodded towards them. "The necromancer to your left is Felicia. She didn't have a last name, so she entitled herself Regalia of Pain." She flicked her green hair out of her face, revealing a grotesque scar that, while oddly out of place, enhanced the allure of her face. Her clothing was nearly as tight as Videl's, but had interlocking plates of what appeared to be reinforced hide and bone, providing flexibility and protection from arrows. "The mesmerizer next to her is Naomi. She also didn't have a surname, and gave herself a title. She is Regalia of Grace." Naomi;s hair had an orange hue to it, carefully brushed into an exquisite form, reaching down to her shoulders. Her outfit was much less telling than Videl's or Felicia's, and seemed more of a theatre costume. In her left hand she held a small mask, which she had removed upon being called over. Eleanor waved them off. "Now go on. Get, before Korah here has a heart attack." They turned to each other, giggling at Korah, and walked off, gossiping and laughing, throwing glances back at Kotetsu and Korah.
Eleanor turned to them. "So, what do you think?"
Kotetsu nodded, silently, though seemed disturbed by his new comrades. Korah stood there, blinking. She shook her head, her brown hair flailing in the wind. She seemed hard pressed to find something to say. She turned to Eleanor, disbelief in her eyes.
"And you say that's the normal ones?"
Eleanor nodded. "You get weird people in the Vanguard, but they all joined for the same reason, really. Many lost families and homes in the Searing. This old soldier is currently raising a pet Devourer. It's nearly eaten several of us, but he's training it good. It's down to two attempted meals per week now." Korah frowned again, shaking her head. Eleanor removed her helmet, letting her red hair flow in the wind. She shook it out, brushing it out of her eyes. "This is an old helmet. Doesn't quite fit perfectly either. I was planning on replacing it soon, but others need it more than I do. I can wait. Hey, Korah. Why's he bundled up like that? Can barely see his face."
Korah nodded. "We didn't take much with us when we left our home, just a set of clothing, our weapons and tools, and some bags to carry water and food. I'd change myself right now, but it doesn't exactly offer a lot of privacy out here at the moment." Kotetsu pulled off his hood, waving out his hair. "I was a bit more eager for food, and that Charr force didn't exactly give me much time to change afterwards." He pulled off the bulky fur jacket, and unattached the extra padding strapped onto his pants. Korah smiled and whistled appreciatively. Eleanor shook her head. "Oh wow, it would have taken so long to pull off a jacket and some padding." He shrugged, using his hands to comb the hair out of his face. He took a small band from one of his bags and tied it around his head, keeping his shoulder-length hair out of his eyes. He blew a few wisps of his black hair out of the way as Eleanor poked him. "Studded leather. Reinforced hide, with some steel interlaced in, as well as the buckles. Are these Drake scales?" She pointed at the pants. He pulled one off and held it up for her. "Yes. Ondaron got the crazy idea to go hunt some drakes a few months ago. It was a success for the most part. Nearly got killed though. Not enough for a full suit for everyone, but enough where everyone covered what they thought was their most exposed spot." Eleanor frowned. "Your tush?" Korah chuckled as Kotetsu feigned indignity. "If you don't like it, don't look. It's that simple."
Eleanor chuckled and nodded. She took a look around at where they were, and suddenly stopped. Her eyes snapped to the right. Regalia and the others under her stopped as well, listening intently. Korah took out her Cane, stepping back from where they were looking. What's that? Kotetsu knelt down, studying a peculiar mark. Looks like a paw print. Not from a bear, definitely not from a Charr. It's too small, and not heavy enough. Hmm. Kotetsu looked up, and walked towards the noise. He climbed over the hill and peered down, seeing a small cat-like creature, nursing what appeared to be a badly cut leg. What is that?
Eleanor kneeled down next to him. "I don't believe it. It's a Melandru's Stalker. I thought they were wiped out with the Searing." Minshana popped her head over the hill. "They nearly were. Some survived, however they are much more cautious and dangerous now than before. They are extremely protective now, and territorial. It looks like this one got into a bad fight." Kotetsu nodded at the young cleric, turning back to the animal. That gash…there's something wrong about it. Minshana frowned. "That isn't an ordinary cut." Her young face scrunched up in thought. The animal looked up at them, and stood with much effort. It seemed to swing back and forth on its legs, apparently looking very dizzy. Poison!
"It's poisoned!" Minshana jolted up, chanting, a divine glow surrounding her. Kotetsu held up his hand. "Stop." Minshana glared at him. "What? Why? It will die!" Kotetsu shook his head. "Trust me." The creature watched him intently. He took out his bow, Minshana apparently fuming at him. The creature's eyes darted to it, watching intently. He placed it on the ground, along with his quiver, knife, and belt. He took out two vials, and slowly walked down the hill towards the young cat. It growled, though collapsing onto its stomach, unable to stand.
"It's ok, I won't hurt you." He knelt down next to the creature, extending a cautious hand, nuzzling its neck, the growl turning into a purr, and than falling silent. He peered into the eyes, yellow, fierce, but glazing over. He took one of the vials, opening the creature's mouth and emptying the contents into its mouth. It was too weak to resist, accepting the liquid with visible reluctance. "Good cat." He nuzzled the neck with his hand again. He opened the other vial, coating the gash with the liquid. The creature growled, flinching. It's eyes closed, and its breathing steadied. He scooped the cat into his arms and walked back to the others. Minshana was in a huff and refused to say anything. The rest were equally puzzled, but said nothing. Eleanor gestured towards a building in the distance. "We will stay at the Grendich Courthouse for the night. After that we will journey to Piken's square and finally to Ascalon City, where we will reorganize, and Tydus will give us our next assignment."
Night fell as they entered the Courthouse. Several soldiers rushed forward with some water, while others ran to get supplies for a meal.
"What will you call him?"
Korah sat down, leaning on Kotetsu's shoulder. Eleanor was having supper made; Regalia and Mei were posted watch at the Courthouse. Kotetsu rubbed his chin. The gash was looking much better than it had earlier, and the Stalker was breathing much more steadily, even with what seemed to be a purr here and there.
"Mitsuhide."
"Your master?"
"Yes."
Korah scooped the little cat into her arms. She ran her hands through the fur. "Welcome to the family, Mitsuhide."