Ew another chapter tell me what you think, this is my 2nd fanfic so IDK

3 - Isa

She wondered where Alistair went when he wasn't yelling at them because it seemed like it was all he did. They never spoke to him unless absolutely necessary, he smelt like old whiskey and rotting flesh, she wondered if it was him that was rotting away or something he ate. He paced proud, arrogant and cruel. Kol stared at him from the back Ernstead and Richon by her side, arms crossed.

She tapped her foot as he droned on. She wished to be fighting already rather than listening to the man.

People were getting nervous The Spring Court had struck an alliance and it had finally made its way down here. Hybern was it Prythian, numbers unknown. They'd be used in the war as well as their brothers still in the war-camps the only solace being their sisters weren't brought into most of the fighting.

She knew it was soon, Feyre should be hiking by now with Lucien, she hadn't seen or heard from Mor, not as she had before. No one had she'd left the Court of Nightmares for days now.

"We may be fighting a war in the coming months, you have grown weak down here it's time to train for battle."

The meeting adjourned with nervousness in everyone.

The training room grew busy as Richon and Kol traveled down the street weaved through the few people who were awake, breaking the silence Richon spoke, "So miss Kol, what's your actual name?" He asked pushing through. Kol thought for a moment think of the name she'd cast away months ago. She didn't think it really fit her anymore, with her short hair and leather she was Kol.

"My name is Charlotte," she said quietly Richon whistled, Kol nudged him as he grew the attention of others "Shut it."

They past by Reimand who was stationed in the usual spot, counting coins and enjoying the occasional click and shine of them. Kol knew now that he'd found out about Richon's meeting, scammed her with his price. Scumbag. Though she was a few hundred out of wallet with lodging paid for aswell as meals she had more than enough money saved away for the occasional drink or two after her duties.

They walked down a few stone steps, the crumbling cracked walls covered in thick ivy. Shadows moved and lurched in the flickering lamplight light on the steps they marched two by two in the dark there footsteps heard loud across the streets, people knew not to bother them as they pushed the heavy door open. The familiar scent had her reeling and scrunching her nose, a smell you could get drunk off just breathing the air around it.

With the summer heat, people grew restless and tired easily, ladies forgot the layers of fur and wool for lighter cotton and the Hewn colors of spring. Bright, but not too bright whites and blues. Men cut their hair short in the hot weather and seemed happier with the influx of summer wines that had been imported as well as the fruits that were in season, the fruit so ripe they burst flavor into one's mouth.

She heard the call of the others from the tables next to the walls they'd all fit in squeezing close together, a call from the bar was heard greeting her she waved slightly and made her way with Richon to sit down squeezing between Calum with Richon joining her on the same side of the bench. They all wore muted toned tunics and trousers, only her and Richon having worked at this hour. They all a few drinks tipsy, raised a glass to her a Richon smiling widely.

"Soot, Richon, finally, Tyrion has drunk a bit too much to be a good conversationalist I was about to fall asleep." Kjell faked a yawn leaning on Calum who pushed him upright again laughing.

Ernstead poured her a drink smiling "A taste of summer." she drank the sweet fruity fermented summer wine with a smile upon her lips.

As they laughed and drank Richon gave Kol a look of delight and yearning.

The alleys were once again empty save for the occasional early riser she heard the faint boisterous laugher of the men inside booming and loud. It was quiet and empty, Kol saw one of the abandoned buildings, at least a hundred years old, vacant for at least fifty. Dark and deserted. She huddled inside, pulling her cloak tighter around her body huddling alone. She put out her lamp and adjusted her sight to the moonlight above. Nothing moved but the rats as she closed her eyes letting herself take in the night. Before taking out a blank leather-bound journal.

She decided that her experience should be documented. This didn't happen often and no one would read it anyway, it was in the wrong language anyway. She took the ink out and wrote; she wrote for hours and didn't stop until her hand spasmed in pain from disuse in such a way, it was a different movement than holding a sword. The hands that once belonged to a scholar now belong to Kol the Illyrian.

After she stretched and got up, She thought for a moment, if she went to her room Richon would find her and demand to train so she decided against it. Heading towards the bathhouse located and built around the Hotsprings the wafted up steam and warm the air. No one would see her, it was so early that even most the went off to work were still in bed. The steam hitting her face Kol reminisced when she would take baths at home, Sara knocking on the door wanting to use the bathroom she would laugh and continue bathing, obnoxious at the time but missed greatly by Kol now. She wondering if her family missed her.

She undressed and sunk into one of the pools relaxing as dirt and sweat rolled off her body as she scrubbed herself down enjoying the scent of cinnamon and peppermint soap that wafted through the air she felt the scalding water relax her muscles. The chamber was small to keep in the heat but old and intricate carvings from long age adorned the walls. She sighed finding herself centered and allowed her thoughts to wander away from reality and into the unknown.

She wished to be here forever soaking in the water till he was nothing but prune to be fished out, alas she climbs out surveying her lithe body that had to grow muscles and strength over the months. She didn't know she could grow muscles after the starvation she'd endured in the war-camps, but she'd filled out her leathers and had to trade in her shoulder armor for bigger. Of course, she did have the smallest size, to begin with, but it made her proud to know how strong she'd become.

Her feet padded over the ground wrapping her chest lightly and throwing on the light tunic she brought with her. She smelt the air and her self, for once she smelt good smiling she threw the rest of her clothes on. Short hair dried fast she smiled, the only good thing about it.

She walked back alone, she often did, didn't mind it one bit. Methodically she stripped off into her leathers. She walked down finding the twins near the bottom of the stairs where the training rooms met the halls.

"We've trained for hours, Ernstead and Kjell are inside," the looked each other bored, "you can join them."

Kol took that invitation to leave and go inside the hall where sword clashed and loud voices were heard. While most of the guard was made of Illyrians there was the occasional other lesser fae who joined the ranks, she noted five on the side bench she met their gaze for a moment before looking away.

Kol attention cut to the fight in front of her as two large males a few years her senior battled, it was quick slashing that gave way into looking like a dance between two old masters. Kol met Kjell's open stare she smiled lightly, he waved her over. Leaning in he whispers to not disturb the others "Have you heard the news?"

Kol shook her head, "What," she said in harsh whispers and leaned in waiting to raise her eyebrows "No?"

Kjell shook his head in defeat "Summer Court's been attacked, a few of the war-camps were sent out one to guard the city and the other else-where, the court fought the attack." Kols heart studdered how long had it been since the attack to become rumors for Kjell to share? Nausea hit in waves drowning her under. She stood up.

"Excuse me."

She hurried out the door running up the stairs making her way through the labyrinth of corridors, the smell of hay wafted into her nose as she vomited out the wine she had the night before. Once nothing was held in her stomach she dry heaved knees digging into the ground.

She gulped in the air getting a hold of herself, and where she was. Looking around at the untouched stable. She forlornly got up; made her way to the brown maned mare stroking its the mane the mare leaned in for more closing its eye. Hands shaking Kol's face held no fear but in her eyes. Only the wind answered her by whistling a sad tune.

A war had started.