Miriks shrugged the bag over her back. Liriks and Tamax followed suit, reluctance in their postures, but they did not protest any further. Miriks had been firm.
They were leaving.
The node was broadcasting their signal to the approaching Guardians, and if Miriks wanted to protect her new friends from their fury, she needed to remove herself and the node from the Drain, as soon as possible. Sekris and Canikos had left early in the morning for a raid on a nearby Cabal installation, they would most likely not return until after dark. Miriks looked over to where Kaltis hovered; Darxhis was nowhere to be seen, but she wouldn't seek him out. It would be a small pain, but a pain nonetheless. It would be easier without goodbyes.
And maybe one day she would return, to try and convince some.
"Come." She reached out, and both kiks took her hands in theirs, and they began the walk towards the steps. They drew several curious glances from Eliksni doing common work, but none commented or made moves to stop them. They ascended the steps, making their way to one of the several exits to the Drain. The guards, a pair of Wretches, noted their approach. The first straightened, grip firm on his weapon, and the other's bleary gaze sharpened upon seeing her. Miriks continued without pause, trying to show confidence. The guards stepped forward, blocking her path.
"Halt, Eliksa," said the first, distinguished by chains of dangling beads draping his helmet in the style of Winter.
"I wish to pass with my kiks."
The second answered, words slightly slurred together. "Wish is denied," He gave a harsh chuckle, and Miriks regarded him with distaste. He was entirely different than his companion, rough and bedraggled, and she could see the lack of care in his appearance.
She set her shoulders. "Why so? I am free to leave, yes?"
The second made to answer, but the first spoke over him. "No. I'm sorry, but the Captain has instructed all guards to reject your leaving, Miriks of None."
"The Eliksa to be spending more time on her consideration, yes?" The second closed two eyes, but the expression was not friendly; the other eyes were narrowed. "Maybe she becomes used to this place, yes, wants to stay with other Eliksni."
Miriks shuddered. Something was wrong with the rough guard's eyes and after a moment of analysis Miriks realized; he stank of danksleave. The familiar stench wormed its way into her mind, and Miriks shook her head to clear it away, forcing back unwelcome memories. She gestured to her kiks, and they nodded, letting go of her hands and retreated a small distance. They knew to stay away when sleave was involved.
She appealed to the first guard, thinking quickly. "Eliksni, I need to leave as soon as possible, please let us go."
He shook his head, beads rattling. "I cannot do that. Why do you have to leave, anyway? This is a good place, yes?"
"Yes, but-"
"Maybe she not truly houseless," the second drawled, stepping towards her slowly. "Maybe she is a spy."
Miriks did not try to protest; she hoped the sensible guard did not suspect such a thing. She spoke calmly. "I am to meet someone soon, and cannot be held beyond that."
The second guard laughed again, a grating sound; the years of breathing danksleave had begun the degeneration of his vocal chords. "Oh? We are not good enough for you?" He reached out with an upper arm and touched her face. Miriks forced herself not to flinch back, instead narrowing her eyes. "Maybe she will come to like us, yesss…"
The first guard spoke then. "Salix, cease this, or I'll report you to the Captain."
Salix chuffed a scoffing laugh. "Shut up, Paxhis, we both know he wants her too." His hand stroked her cheek, continuing lower until he was brushing her throat.
Miriks spoke deliberately. "If your hand continues on its path, you will lose it."
Salix's eyes were blurry as he barked a laugh, and he did not back away. "Ha! You are just a female, and I like this fire." He licked his lips. "It adds flavor."
"Mother!" Tamax called from behind, realizing what was occurring, and she could sense his readiness to defend her.
"Tamax, remain!" she shouted.
"Yes, remain, little one," Salix muttered, his foul breath making her sick. "You can have her back when I'm done." His hand continued lowering, brushing her collarbone.
Miriks bared her fangs.
In a twisting flash of movement she knocked his hand away from her breast, and then, in one smooth motion, Miriks focused her strength and shoved him backwards, sending the lanky guard reeling back. He fell to the ground in a crumpled heap, his arcstaff clattering to the ground beside his shocked figure.
Miriks spat at the dirt between his feet.
It took Salix a moment to realize what exactly had happened, eyes dazed and wandering from Miriks to his position on the ground. Then they sharpened and filled with rage. "You dregborn daughter of the pit!" he screamed, spittle flying from his jagged mouth. He leapt to his feet and swung his arcstaff in an indiscriminate sweep, motions driven by sleave's reckless energy. Miriks dropped under the blow, drawing her knives.
Paxhis had readied his own weapon and was looking for an opening to strike at his frenzied companion, but Miriks shouted out, "I claim Right of Virtue!" Not waiting for a reply, she reached out and slashed a strip from his ragged cloak, tearing it away and jumping back to avoid his next stab. Salix slashed again, recklessly advancing, and she used both blades to parry his blow into the ground. She dropped one knife and kicked upwards, her clawed foot taking him in the face, and she felt something give in his mouth. Salix stumbled backwards, spitting a tooth from his bloodied maw, then looked at her with an expression of the utmost loathing. "You won't live to regret that, kasina!"
She met his eyes and spoke slowly, winding the dirty strip of cloth around two fingers. "I have met humans with more honor than you."
The Eliksni howled and charged. His first thrust was quick, and the sparks of arc energy along the blade grazed her side, sending flickers into her muscles. But Miriks remained firm. She leapt forward, too close for another strike, and she slammed her open palm into his screaming face, shoving the rag into his open mouth. He choked, and with her remaining blade Miriks wrenched the spear from his grip. Hooking a foot behind his, she shoved the Wretch to the ground once again, sending him tumbling. This time, she followed him down.
Miriks planted her knee on his arm, halting his attempt to rise again. With one hand she gripped his throat, and the other held her blade to his scrabbling hand. "What a shame it would be," she stated casually as he struggled, "for you to lose one of only two hands. It would take cycles to grow it back, yes?"
The Wretch's eyes were wide and movements panicked -he having just remembered how to breath through his nose -but at her words, he froze. A small crowd of Eliksni had gathered, along with several other guards, who pointed staves in confusion at the pair of them. She pressed down slightly on her blade, drawing a line of blue blood, new ether leaking from the wound. Miriks bared her teeth once more. "All that time, useless to your Captain. It would be a wonder if he didn't leave you to the Cabal."
Salix looked at her with rising terror, and Miriks relished in it. She had once been helpless, and had time and time again found herself at the mercy of Eliksni like this. But those days were far behind her. She felt herself pressing the knife harder on the Wretch's wrist, and then she forced herself to relieve the pressure. Her life was different now, and she had been shown a new path. She had to live up to it.
Miriks lifted his head and slammed it into the packed earth, dazing him, his frantic strength leaving his form. "Learn your lesson," she spat, and Miriks released him. She stood, kicking away his arcstave and glaring at the surrounding guards.
Paxhis answered the unspoken question. "He is the problem, not she. Take him to the cave, to wait upon the Captain's verdict." A pair of Vandals approached and pulled the beaten Wretch up, restraining him with some arms while others held weapons at the ready. Salix still couldn't say anything, too stunned to remove the improvised gag as they carried him away. Once he was out of sight, Miriks allowed herself to relax, and looked to where Liriks and Tamax watched with wide eyes. She knelt, and they ran to her with cries of relief.
"Mother, that was amazing!" Tamax shouted, embracing her, "you beat him so easily!" She did not reply; as her adrenaline faded, she found she had no idea what to say.
Liriks said nothing, just clutched Miriks's side desperately.
Paxhis approached hesitantly, and Miriks regarded him, standing. "It is by your Captain's orders that I remain?"
He nodded.
"Then I will not push the issue." Miriks shoved down her rising frustration, gathered her bag again, and moved to walk back to the floor of the Drain.
"Eliksa, what-" Paxhis said, then hesitated. "What was the lesson you meant? For Salix to understand?"
She shrugged, not bothering to turn back. "It doesn't matter. Only that he learns something."
They reached the bottom of the stairs, and Liriks tugged on her mother's cloak. "Did… are you all right?"
"Eia, kika, do not worry for me."
"Mother…" Tamax began, hesitant. "So, that was a situation where violence is needed?"
She sighed. "Tamax, yes. Yes, it was. I… I should have tried harder to contain the conflict..."
"But you challenged him," Tamax finished.
Miriks narrowed two eyes. "Exactly, my observant kiko. It was not the right choice."
"But he deserved it," Tamax stated, a young growl edging his words. "And you did teach him a lesson, yes. That dreg." He spat the last word.
"A person's worth is not based on their status, Tamax. Remember, I am still a dreg, technically."
His eyes widened and he looked up at her in astonishment. "I'm sorry, mother!"
"It is fine, just remember, kiko."
If he would say anything else, he was interrupted by a figure running to them.
"Miriks!" It was Darxhis, and Miriks looked down at herself before facing him. The dust from her scuffle was all over her ragged garments, but her hands were taken by the kiks, and she decided to try and not care.
"Vel, Darxhis."
"I saw, from a distance." His eyes were wide, sincere. "Are you well? What happened?"
"I am well-"
"Mother destroyed a less-than-dreg! It was amazing!" Tamax jumped once, and Liriks looked torn between holding her mother safe and greeting her older Eliksni friend.
Miriks hushed Tamax with a hand. "We tried to leave, and were not allowed past. One was unable to restrain his desires, and was put in his place."
"Oh… I am glad you are safe. He did not... infringe on virtue?" The last phrase was hesitant, but Miriks was simply surprised he even knew the concept.
"He tried. He failed."
Darxhis sighed in relief and closed two eyes. "That, I am glad to hear." He opened all eyes again quickly. "Not that I ever doubted your skills in self defense. But, why to leave, Miriks? Is there anything I can help you with?"
Miriks sighed as the pressure mounted on her heart. She hadn't been able to save these, those good Eliksni, by simply leaving. She thought long and hard.
Darxhis tilted his head, concern visible in his gaze, as she considered all her options.
Miriks held out a hand. "Darxhis. If you truly desire to help me, pledge not to tell any of what I will tell you."
His hesitation was less than a blink, if it even was. Darxhis reached out and took her hand in his. "Anything, Miriks. I pledge."
She could not stop two eyes from closing. He was so quick to help, so selfless, so… true.
Miriks shook her head and met his gaze, eye for eye. "Meet me, southwest corner, after the raid teams return and the Captain has retired. I have much to explain."
Darxhis nodded solemnly, releasing her hand. "I should be done with predictions by then. I will meet you."
She tried not to miss the warmth of his hand. "Eia." A pause. "Thank you."
He bowed slightly, closing two eyes. "Of course. Fare well until then." He bowed again, lower, to each of the kiks, making Liriks giggle, then strode away without a backward glance.
Miriks brought her hand to her chest. This changed everything. Tonight, she would tell all. Tonight, she would speak of Light.