CHAPTER 2: Eyes of the Dead
"Maker keep us, Maker protect us, Maker keep us, Maker protect us…"
Kallian peeled her eyes open, groaning. A throbbing headache pounded at her temples, throwing her thoughts into disarray. Her right cheek was also so bruised it hurt down to the bone. She lay there with her eyes closed, trying to will the pain away. And the constant praying was grating on her nerves.
"Will you just stop?" she growled at the girl. She did. "Thank you," Kallian said irritably. She uncurled from her foetal position and got up, groaning again as the headache worsened.
God, she felt beaten and bruised all over.
"Oh, thank the Maker you've come to. We were so worried," said a voice.
Shianni was kneeling in front of her with two others.
She looked around with bleary eyes: the five of them were contained in a small, cold chamber with hardly any light.
"Where's that blasted shem?" growled Kallian, wincing as the bruise on her cheek throbbed. "I'm going to kill him."
Her cousin gave her a sad smile. "Glad you've still got some fight left in you."
"They locked us in here to wait until that… bastard is ready for us," explained Valora, shaking her head.
Kallian breathed out through pursed lips, thinking. Out of them all, she was the only one who could fight. Moreover, they would most likely come with armed men. Things were not looking good.
She pulled out the dagger hidden at her side.
"You brought that with you?" asked her cousin, eyes widening.
"Yes," Kallian said distractedly. Would it be of any use in this situation? "If there aren't too many guards, I could kill them."
Valora looked doubtful. "There's not much chance of that… I mean, remember the group Vaughn had with him?"
Nola chose that time to start praying again.
"Maker keep us, Maker protect us…" she chanted desperately.
"Oh great. Now this again," said Shianni exasperatedly.
"Look," said Elonna, her expression pained. "We'll… do what they want, go home, and try to forget this ever happened."
"She's right," agreed Valora reluctantly. "It'll be worse if we resist."
"It'll be worse if we don't!" snapped Shianni.
"Someone's coming!"
Kallian took her stance, cursing as the wedding dress stretched uncomfortably.
"If you see an opportunity, take it," she hissed to them.
Everyone nodded dubiously, except for Nola who was still praying on the ground.
Armoured footsteps made contact with stone and the door was flung open. As soon as they entered, Kallian's heart sank. There were too many. Even if she threw her dagger at one and killed him… what then? She would be facing four men armed with swords.
"Hello wenches," the leader said in a slippery voice. He reminded her of a snake. "We're your escorts to Lord Vaughan's little party."
"Stay away from us!" shouted Nola, standing up in defiance.
Kallian flinched as blood splattered onto her face and dress. Elonna dropped to her knees and stared at the rip in Nola's body.
"You… you killed her!" she said disbelievingly.
"That's what happens when you try teaching whores some respect," slithered the man. His dry lips were smiling but his eyes were cold. "Right," he said, turning to the four other shems. "You take that flower cowering in the corner over there. Horace and I'll take the homely bride and the drunk. You two, bind the last one. She's the scrapper."
No, she thought desperately as they dragged her cousin, Valora and Elonna out of the room. She made to follow them but two shems barred the way. Kallian eyed the wicked blades on their backs warily.
"Don't worry," said the one with the thick moustache. "We'll be perfect gentlemen."
Kallian scowled- she only had two options. If she threw her blade fast enough, she could take it out and kill the other. Or, she could try dodging their attacks… which seemed quite hopeless at the moment.
"Uh… hello?"
The shems turned around to face the newcomer.
Soris?
"Oh ho!" laughed Moustache. "A little elfling with a stolen sword!"
Her cousin stood there awkwardly with the weapon. Kallian's eyes glinted as she gazed at the long sword. Soris took one step forward and slid it towards her across the floor. She lunged for it and trained the tip on the shems. It was heavier than the wooden swords she practised with, but she would adjust.
"Na din'an sahlin!" she snarled.
"Oh, sod," said the shem, drawing his own sword and shield.
Kallian didn't waste time- she slashed his throat. She shivered as the blade met cartilage and bone. Blood arced through the air like a fountain and she stepped back.
To the left she saw Soris punching the shem's face. He yelped and ducked as the sword nearly lopped his head off. Kallian tried not to think about the body on the floor and cut down on the soldier. He raised his shield at the last moment and slashed at her.
The elf spun away and stumbled as she stepped on the hem of her dress. He took that gap to attempt a stab but Soris pulled at him from behind. Kallian regained her balance and drove her blade into his gut. The tip emerged at the other side.
He crashed to the floor, red liquid pooling under him.
The man was dead.
Now that it was over, she looked down at her hands. The enormity of what she had done was starting to dawn on her, numbness ebbing away. Her hands were slick with blood and shaking violently.
"Maker," breathed Soris, similarly affected.
The two of them stood panting, staring at the three corpses. Nola and the two soldiers.
Kallian looked down at the blood on her dress. It was now completely unrecognizable.
Then Soris broke the silence. "Are you… alright? Th-they didn't hurt you, did they?"
She shook her head. "No. But there's no time to lose," she said briskly. "We need to get to the others. Can you get another weapon?"
"That Grey Warden gave Nelaros and I his sword and crossbow. But that's all we have."
Kallian's head snapped up. "What? Nelaros is here?"
This is going to get messy…
"Yes! He's the reason why we're here. He lost it on those who wanted to hope for the best. I… didn't know what to do," said Soris, shoulders slumping.
"Thanks for coming," she said, throat constricting. Then she took in a deep breath. "Now let's find some weapons and get going."
"Nelaros is waiting down at the end of the hall. Let's figure this out with him."
Kallian nodded and bent down next to the soldier, disassembling the armour. She cursed as her shaking fingers fumbled with it.
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?"
"… stripping him?"
"…"
She pulled the last piece off him and gave Soris a look.
"Oh, right," he said, turning his back on her.
The chainmail didn't fit her perfectly, but the human wasn't as tall as the others and the design allowed it to be worn loosely. She looked down at her wedding dress for the last time, bloodied and torn. It was probably the most expensive thing she would ever own.
"Right, let's go."
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"See, I told you there'd be more. Elves run in packs, like rodents."
Kallian stood there, staring at Nelaros' body.
"Should we keep the knife-eared bitch alive?" said the other guard.
"Let's teach th-"
Kallian slammed into him full force, smashing his chin with the rim of her shield. There was a sickening crack as the jaw broke. The man howled in pain and doubled over. There was a metallic sliding sound as her blade cut through the armour into his chest. He died instantly.
She turned to see Soris overwhelmed by the other two and hurried to join him. With a feral growl, she struck one with the pommel of her sword. He staggered as the helm vibrated, dazed. She pierced the chest and slid the blade between his ribs. He screamed in pain and went down.
Together, she and her cousin dispatched of the rest with grim determination. When they were done, bodies lay everywhere, blood staining the wood and rugs.
She didn't even give them a second glance as she turned to the elf on the floor. His grey eyes stared up at the ceiling, empty.
Her cousin placed a hand uncertainly on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Kallian…"
The elf nodded slowly. She never imagined it would come to this. They had known each other for less than a day… and he had given his life for her. She bent down to lower the eyelids.
Kallian glanced down again at her betrothed.
Thank you, Nelaros. And… I'm so sorry…
The two sprinted through the corridors, past countless rooms as they tried to navigate their way through the maze like castle. Again and again, she cut through the guards- she was so numb now that it just felt like she was cutting meat. Though how they managed to stay alive was beyond her. Maybe it was the adrenaline rush… or maybe it was the terrifying thought that one slip up could mean they would never wake again.
Kallian wrenched her blade free from the man's abdomen and wiped it on the long rug on the wooden floor. Soris stood there, sweeping his eyes over the pile of dead men. He walked over to the door on the right wall.
"This must be it. I hope that elf was right," he said, gripping the handle. He pushed it open.
Her whole body tensed with loathing as she saw that sneering face. But more importantly… a shem was standing over Shianni.
He glanced over at her in surprise and stood, pulling up his trousers. A strange numbness enveloped her as she stared at the scene. Her cousin lay whimpering on the ground, face bruised and bloodied beyond recognition. Her clothes were viciously torn and dirtied. Drops of blood spotted the floor.
Vaughan's green eyes looked her up and down and she glimpsed a flicker of fear as he took in the blood on her form. But then he quickly recovered.
"My, my. What have we here?"
"Don't worry," said his snivelling companion. "We'll make short work of these two."
"Quiet, you idiot!" Vaughan snarled. "They're covered with enough blood to fill a tub! What do you think that means?"
Kallian only half listened as she fixed emotionless eyes on the shem. A brief look of uncertainty crossed his face.
She paused as images flicked past in her mind. Kallian had never had such violent thoughts before. Oh, she had imagined stabbing the guts of humans numerous times, as did most city elves. But today… today she longed to snap a shem's neck with her bare hands, listen to the crack of their dense skulls... and the things she would do to their faces...
These notions should have been disturbing, dishonourable. But they weren't.
He must have read the danger in her eyes, because the noble held up both hands.
"Alright. Let's not be too hasty here. Surely we can… talk this over."
Kallian burst out laughing, her voice harsh and raspy in the tense air. Everyone else exchanged glances but followed her, chuckling and laughing uncertainly.
Then she hurled her dagger at the man's chest. There was a solid thud as it sliced cleanly into bone and then the pericardium. Vaughan collapsed on the spot, the handle protruding out from his front.
"Get her!" said the dark haired man.
Kallian moved forward with cold purpose, feeling virtually nothing as she ripped open his belly. The entrails spilled from the wound as he died. Then she turned to the other two, who backed away. Soris attacked, slamming his shield against the man's face. Kallian swung her own shield and shoved the man to the ground. He didn't even have the time to scream as her blade sank into his flesh.
It was quick and clean. Single wounds and instant deaths.
Apart from Shianni's sobbing, there was no other sound in the room. Kallian walked over to her cousin, sheathing her blade. The red haired elf was shaking uncontrollably, as if she had the Hungry Shivers.
Kallian knelt next to her, placing a hand on her cousin's arm. Shianni had her face covered with her hands. Pulling the hands away, Kallian examined the injuries with cold fury mixed with helpless dismay. She sucked in her breath, feeling hands wring her windpipe tightly. The numbness in her dissipated.
And for the first time in seven years, Kallian Tabris wept. Tears spilled from her eyes, stinging tracks down her bloody cheeks. She knew words would never be enough. It would never be enough to turn back time. Her cousin would never smile the same way again.
The three of them stayed that way for a long while- Kallian kneeling, Soris standing in grave silence and Shianni shaking on the ground.
I'm so sorry… I failed you. I failed you…
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"You have returned!" said Valendrian, rushing towards them with Duncan. Then he stopped abruptly when he saw Kallian's bloodied armour. "Maker! Is that… is that blood?"
Soris shook his head, eyes weary. "Nelaros is dead. But the blood is mostly human."
Kallian supported Shianni as she staggered, face pale and drawn. Elonna and Valora followed behind them with hollow expressions.
"Maker preserve us!" said the Elder, taking in her cousin's appearance. "What happened?" he demanded, his voice strained.
"We had to kill our way through," explained Kallian in a flat tone. "It was the only way to survive."
"And what of Nola? Where is she?"
"Dead," said Valora, shaking her head. Moisture gathered in her eyes again.
Valendrian closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath. He sighed, and when he opened themagain, the lines around them seemed to deepen into crevices.
"Then we were right to fear… I wish we could have prevented this loss."
"Did anyone see you?" said the Warden suddenly.
Kallian jumped- she had almost forgotten he was there.
Soris nodded. "I'm afraid so… we need to get out of town for a while."
Duncan's expression turned firm and serious. "Then I might be able to help you, if that is truly what you wish."
But before anyone could respond, an elf ran up to the group, panting.
"The guards are coming!"
Valendrian drew himself up straight and tall, as composed as ever. "Don't panic. Let us see what comes of this."
A group of guards approached them, armour and weapons clanking. Kallian turned around to face them, her stomach dropping to the ground.
"I seek Valendrian, elder and administrator of the Alienage!" said the leader haughtily.
"Here, captain," said the Elder. "I take it you have come in response to today's disruption?"
"Don't play ignorant with me, Elder. You will not prevent justice from being done."
Justice? Justice did you say?
She opened her mouth but caught Valendrian's gaze. He shook his head warningly. With difficulty she closed it, the muscles of her jaws spasming.
"Two elves attacked the palace. They killed the Arl's son and some of the guards," he said, sweeping his gaze over Soris and Kallian. His eyes narrowed at the blood on their armour. "These two match the description. Guards, disarm them! They will wait in the dungeons until the Arl and the king return. The rest of you, back to your houses!"
Duncan chose that moment to step in, the gravity of his presence causing the men to falter. They eyed the crest on his armour.
"Pardon me. A word if you please."
"What is it Grey Warden? The situation is well under control, as you can see."
"Be that as it may, I hereby invoke the Grey Wardens' Right of Conscription. I remove this woman into my custody."
What?!
Soris' eyes widened and Kallian felt the panic with him.
"What about me?" he said, voice shaking. "Are you leaving me here to rot?"
Duncan's face seemed to age further as he replied. "I'm sorry, but this is not charity. The Grey Wardens need skilled fighters. To take you would be condemning you to certain death, and I would not."
The colour in her cousin's face drained completely as he heard the last words. "No… no, no, no! Don't leave me here!"
"You can't do this!" yelled Shianni, pulling away from Valora and Elonna.
Kallian looked around wildly as the guards seized Soris by the arms.
"No!" she bellowed, lunging forward. She tried to pry their fingers off him, even going so far as to bite their hands. One guard howled in agony and twisted away, clutching his fingers.
But Kallian didn't get far. Strong hands pulled her away from them, restraining her as she kicked and struggled.
"Fuck this! Let me go!" she spat, tears blurring her vision.
"Kallian, Shianni!" cried Soris as he was led away.
"Soris!" shouted Shianni, fighting against Valora and Elonna, who were also crying.
Valendrian drew her cousin into his arms, embracing her. Shianni dissolved into tears, her frail form racked with tremors.
Kallian finally slumped in Duncan's grasp, defeated. She felt stinging as the sweat and tears mingled on her dry skin. It was like losing her mother again…
Again and again, she remembered the faces of the dead. Nola, the guards, Nelaros, the shem nobles… they had come so far. This couldn't be happening… it just couldn't.
And she stood there leaning against Duncan's armour as the first needles of rain came striking down from the heavy grey sky. Grey… grey like the dead eyes of her betrothed.