Enjoy

At this time of the night it was quiet in the tavern, Kol swirled her drink sat in her usual spot in the corner.

They were put on high alert today, it didn't mean much. The people of Hewn didn't want to fight for the Highlord. None were very loyal beside obvious obligation of being high lord, what had he done for them. She knew they'd be off to war in the coming months, a lot of them died and with obvious favoritism, they were probably in the front shields at most they would phrase it as such but it was obvious.

If her brothers fought she'd fight to though. It was obvious now no way out of the city without commotion anyway.

Kjell was invited this time, he was a funny male, good company. Had a pretty sick man bun Kol thought, she'd cut her own hair fortnight ago it looked a bit choppy it was fine though as it didn't get in the way. Kjell liked his hair a bit too much though, it bordered on being completely impractical. He had his elbow on the table tapping with his other juggling thoughts.

"I don't get it if you forgive him, why haven't you talked with him? Just rough him up he'd have learned the lesson by now." Kjell inquired, She had asked what to do about Richon, it had been a long time since I'd spoken with him. Talking wasnt really the Illyrian route to many things these things were settled by scuffling around and throwing a few good punches.

"I- I don't know I'm just angry," her blue piercingly icey eyes watched the dust on the ground fly and dance around as people came and went.

"Then perhaps punch him or something, you're acting like you're a female in a fight with another female, by Cauldron," He sighed rolling his eyes and leaning by in his chair stretching out, "He seems nice enough, what he did wasn't perhaps great, but the silent treatment is odd," He lean forward again his eye grew serious and hard like stone. " Listen Kol a war is coming, we don't have much information but if news got down to this hellhole then it's big"

Kol nodded, She knew it was big and felt bad about ignoring him but didn't think her fear was irrational or unjust. The Summer Solstice was in a few days, no one really particularly celebrated it in Hewn but it was the start to something big Kol knew and the others could feel run through their bones, war.

"I'll try," she promised to take a large gulp of her drink.

He decided to change the conversation, "Did you hear about what happened to your roommate Pyper?"

"No?" Kjell leaned in like a teenage girl about to spew gossip about a boy.

"Got almost killed today, got beat up by some guys, I heard he riled them up. Reckon he's trying to get out of going to the damn war." Kjell was a doer, Kol could see him fighting for any war, he wanted things done not said. Kjell thought those who didn't want to fight were cowards and traitors to their great ancestors who'd traveled to Pythian centries ago making a home in the mountains. Even if fighting meant leaving their sisters and wives.

It seemed possible, Pyper was afraid half the time. And, any guards getting beat up wasn't uncommon. Pyper wasnt particularly liked. Maybe She'd visit him later, at least she knew he wouldn't be obliterated during this war.

She heard Mor came through to interview the guards she guessed it was to keep busy and gather favor so the guard knew they weren't forgotten about so they still fight for their Highlord. there were a lot of them, but with the war coming to Kol didn't think she'd get to her number, she was safe for now. Getting involved with the plot was something she didn't want to be apart of, it would be messy and questions would arise that she would be able to answer it wasnt like she could read about it either, they had a totally different alphabet.

She had been spending more time with her sword in hand, Hewn was acting up like a child throwing a tantrum. Lots of screaming, and more than normal amounts of danger. This was the charm she guessed. A man started playing a lute-like instrument people started to quiet down to hear the tune strum, she wondered if guitars existed she hadn't played in years. It was nostalgic to think about what normally was now. Swords instead of pencils, fighting instead of school it made her heartache for Earth.

"Let's just get out of here," Kol got up and Kjell followed behind her "Your hair looks gross," she ran a hand through it messing it up as she went passed.

Kjell grumbled out something incoherent running a hand through his hair "Like yours looks better bastard," he grabbed Kols head roughing up her hair smirking, "I'm going up got a meeting with the higher up about civilian treatment and shit perhaps they'll let me off with a warning again." His wings stretched out there full length and before he flapped and took off upwards.

Kol wandered the halls and down the stairs to the training ring, the only reason there wasn't infighting was that it was settled quickly by beating the shit out of each other. Quick and easy, It was busier today as she stumbled down early morning rather than night when everyone slept.

Richon was there, sitting with his new acquaintances, older senior guards leaning against the wall arms crossed the older ones liked to play pranks on the younger guards and only a few were considered good enough to sit around with them. Richon's prank held him higher than being friends with the scarred girl. He'd been taught to rise up, and shake off what hindered further growth. He decided late that he enjoy her company.

They got up seeing her malicious intent in their eyes at weak prey. Wolves searching for the doe.

"Kol." They pushed her out of the way to the door, she hit her back against the wall she stroked a calloused hand over the pommel of the crow shaped blade. Taking a breath she watching them pass with a gloomy look. Baby. Anger burned up her chest and into her face that held an expression of indifference, why give them the time of day.

Turning she walked into the ring waiting for a sparring partner grabbing a blade in the process leaving her belt on the ground. She needed a break something to punch or slice, she inched for it now. Before violence felt unnecessary and somewhat brutish, now she needed it.

"Care for some practice Soot?" Richon's smoky voice vibrated into her skull she turned to narrow her eye before shrugging. Richon was stronger than her, he taught her how to fight. The pain was a welcome distraction anyways and she had a score to settle. He left her vulnerable and scared. Butterflies fled her stomach and anger washed in waves. She never wanted to feel that, not here, not anywhere. The water rushed beneath her skin shattered and yelled.

She gripped on the pommel, slowing her breath to calm the rage and crashing inside. She heard someone count down she stepped forward widening her stance. And looked forward with a vigor and strength at her friend. Her best friend. Calum the twins a Kjell had their place, but Richon was there first.

"3, 2, 1, FIGHT," Someone from the crowd yelled out the others near yelled out a cry of glee. Richon struck first she parried and moved in a crouching movement for one side to the other moving and dodging away moving backward watching Richon as he charged toward her once again putting her on the defense. it made her feel lucky to have short hair as he swiped above her head while she ducked and swiped at his feet. He moved away as they continued the deadly dance between the crow and the snake.

Her heart pounded in her ears as she was struck by the flat part of his blade she reeled back trying to gain some distance staggering. Richon sprang forward Kol's only thought was thrown backward as her boot heel caught on a rock and suddenly the world tilted crazily before. She found herself suspended in an instant letting her see the expanse of the room and Richon marching forward before her shoulder met rock. Scrambling back she hit a wall as another swipe came down. She moved away back aching and fueling her with pain. As Richon arched above her, she kicked out a leg desperately keeping his balance off and letting her regain ground ahead of her.

She pulled herself up and found the clinking of the blade on the blade in her ears her breath ragged on. Pivoting to parry again, and again she lost stamina, against one who'd trained since a child she'd fought well, as some who are supposed to be the same level she felt shame as sweat rolled.

"Come on Soot," She heard him mutter with darkened eyes "Better."

She saw an opening in his attack, small and unnoticeable to the crowd but to her obvious, and she knew to him it was as well.

Reaching in she maneuvered her self closer and struck it but didn't use it to her full advantage. Letting the fight continue. Pride was a petty thing. She got a few more good hut in letting the wave wash over her and let the anger expel itself from her with every strike her muscles felt the burn but weren't tired training had helped that. She breathed in the scent of him as he grew near. She looked out to the crowd Kjell fond his way nestled into the crowd watching with a watchful eye he smiled lightly as he caught her eye.

She was distracted and made the mistake. Not paying attention to what was in front of her Richon pushed her back the air sucked itself out of her lungs. He watched with a careful eye as he disarmed her and put a knee on her chest leaving her on the ground. He got up watching her before smiling.

"You got better Soot," He offered her his hand, "Truce?"

She hesitated before smiling lightly, "Truce."

They both got up and walked out of the ring, she fit her belt around her waist again. Then looked out for Kjell. She looked up at the ceiling thanking God, or Cauldron for the chapter of the wet and cold ended.

"So, you're Richon," Kjell sized him up, Richon did the same, "Not much are you?"

"Perhaps brother," Richon look up and down before deciding he approved of Kjell. Like he needed to, she would be with him anyway "So Soot how'd you meet him."

Before they could talk anymore the room quieted to hushed whispers as Mor walk in it the room serving with a watchful eye articulating only with it to say a Don't fuck with me. Most backed up slightly she had unfamiliar guards with her as she crossed her arms as of to say she wasn't impressed she was beautiful and if not perfect. She met Kol's eye and winked.

Her heart pounded and heat came to her face. Kjell crossed his arm unimpressed and Richon stayed silent. Grabbing her shoulder and squeezing it as if to say that it was for the best. She didn't understand. Mor seemed to snap out of it quickly and sauntered over hips swaying with confidence a poise. She came up to Kol close to her face looking her up and down before saying, "Follow me, 'Soot.'" She smiled lightly as if to calm Kol.

It didn't calm her.