{All non-player characters and the Guild Wars universe belong to NC Soft and Arena Net. I am just representing my own character through the story. Thank you.}

Chapter 3

Gradually the survivors of the tragedy began to clear away. They filed into their shelters and Signa could see in their slow, belabored steps the despair of losing one's home; yet, in their eyes, she could see a renewed fire. Yes, these people were strong. They would live on.

For a minute longer she lingered before turning her gaze away from the people and towards the man who had called for heroes, Tydus. He gestured to the four that had accepted the call and retreated into a tent not far away. With due haste, Signa followed the rest of the heroes in entering and entered the tent last.

The tent was crowded with soldiers, all surrounding Prince Rurik in the center, pouring over a map with nothing but a candle for light. Tydus kneeled by the prince and whispered something. Rurik nodded and waved away his officers who wordlessly left the tent to their own shelters. Signa gazed at the two men before her curiously. As a girl she had played with Rurik in his gardens but it had been many years since they had seen each other. He was a grown man now with a short, yet rugged, beard; heavy armor covering him head to toe; and the look in his bright blue eyes of a man inspired. Tydus to, carried this look. Signa was surprised, now that she saw him up close, to see that he was actually quite young. His bulky stature and heavy armor betrayed her for upon closer inspection he did not look a year older than 25. The only sign he carried of experience in battle was a scar, scrawled across his left cheek ending at his chin.

"I am indebted to you all for your great service to our country," Rurik began, interrupting Signa's observations, "It takes great heart to lay down one's life for the good of others." Rurik looked fondly upon them all, his eyes lingering on each and every person. Signa mused that he looked upon her longest of all and wondered if he did indeed recognize her from those long years past. "As our people rebuild it will be your duty to protect the citizens and to push back the charr forces. Tydus here shall be your commander. He will assign you your missions and pass on your reports to myself. As for me I shall travel to the capital of Rin and pray that my father has not been succumbed to the fate of so many here. If he is indeed alive then I will seek his council on what the people shall do. A tent has been set up a few yards out and to the right for all of you. Please go and get a good night's rest. Once again I thank you." Rurik bowed lowly and humbly.

The men and woman around her bowed back and Signa bowed as well. Soon they were all shuffling out of the tent. As she was about to leave a hand fell upon her shoulder. Quickly she turned to find that it was none other than Rurik. "Signa, my friend," he whispered gently, "Though I am beyond relieved and glad to see you after so many long years, I fear the reason why you come alone."

At his words Signa was reminded of the catastrophe that had befallen her only hours earlier. She pointed her gaze down as if seeking to find solace in the cold dirt. "All dead," she finally managed to choke out, "Every last person. They are all dead Rurik, even my father—"

"I understand," Rurik interjected, "I am glad then that at least you survived. Let us hope that one day your clan can be revived." Solemnly he let her go. Signa nodded to him, overwhelmed by his care and walked out into the chilled night.

Eventually she located the tent she was to share with her newfound companions. She felt shy suddenly, what if these weathered adventurers found her unworthy? What if she did not fit in? Quickly Signa chased away these thoughts. She had never truly fit in, her abnormal height and abilities had seen to that.

Without further thought she moved away the tent flap and entered. The tent was large and had four cots set up. The other three had been whispering quietly about their future. The woman, Signa remembered she had called herself Zleeda, smiled upon her entry and announced "Ah she's here! Come, come sit down. We were just waiting for you so we could get started."

"Started?" Signa asked.

"She wants us to have introductions," whispered the one whose name was Q.

"Of course we should have introductions!" Zleeda announced, "If we will be adventuring together for what may be the rest of our lives then we might as well get acquainted!"

"Sensible enough," muttered the other man, "I will start. As I said before my name is Kalen Mort-Arthur which in your land would be condensed into the name Morthaur. I myself hail from the land of Carpathia. It is a continent far across the seas from here. I am a traveler and was seeking adventure here when the searing occurred. All else that should matter to you is my skill with a sword." Curtly he nodded, finished with his story. Signa scratched her head still trying to put together her image of him. He was a very well-built man with bulky golden armor. He had short cropped white hair and his skin was tanned and covered in the scars of battle.

"I'm next!" shouted the woman. Signa smiled at her, she reminded her of a young child in her orphanage that was always bright and happy no matter what the circumstance. Zleeda had bright red hair drawn into two, whip-like pigtails and darker skin. "My name is Zleeda," she started, "I was born and raised here in Ascalon city and have been training as a warrior for FOREVER! My mother and father were both really great warriors! That is 'til…" Zleeda looked down for a moment her eyes glazed over and different from the jubilee that was just inherent in them; however, just as soon as the happiness had disappeared it reappeared and there was no sight of the sorrow that Signa had just seen, "Never mind that," she continued, "There really isn't much about me! I'm just an Ascalonian through and through."

"Right then I suppose that it's my turn," said the quiet man in the corner, "My name is Q Tan. It is of course not my real name, but it is the name that everyone calls me by. I'm a ranger of the west and was here on business with Zleeda when the catastrophe occurred. I know in my heart that my forest home is no more otherwise I would not be here. I only hope that my bow shall do these people well." Q looked to Signa. Signa observed that he had bright green eyes, light leaves shining on a summer day, and long brown hair tied in a pony-tail.

"Signa?" Zleeda asked expectantly.

"Hm? Oh!" Signa exclaimed, realizing that the three of them were looking at her expectantly for her story. "Well," Signa began. She felt nervous; the events of the day were still so vivid in her mind wracking her body in sorrow. She forced herself to take a long, shaky breath before starting, "My name is Signa Talon, and my last name was given to me by the leader of the Silvertree clan when he found me as an infant in the woods with nothing but this talon pendant for a clue as to who put me there." At this Signa pulled out her treasured pendant from her bosom. This trinket was all she credited her identity to. "He took me in to the village orphanage where I was raised with all the other children. I went and trained in the magic of the elements with Ariana Stormbringer in the mountains to the west of my forest home for two years. I had only just got back when the valley that my village resided in was being attacked. Foolishly, I pleaded my leader whom I considered to be my father to let me go with the other warriors and confront this menace. He finally let me go and in the heat of battle I found myself trapped in a cave when the catastrophe happened. When I finally came to my senses and escaped the cave, all was gone. My village had been reduced to ruin and my dear father, brothers, sisters, and clan members were all dead. I, I want to show the charr all this suffering that they wrought upon me and bring it upon them a hundred times over." Signa clenched her hand into a fist.

The tent was silent for a while. Signa hardly noticed the sympathetic stares coming from her new companions. Her mind's eye was filled with blood, gore, and fire.

"Well," Zleeda finally said, "It is late. We should all be getting to bed. I hope that we shall all become good friends in the future. May Lyssa keep your dreams free of darkness." The two men nodded at this and shuffled into their own cots. Signa followed after and lay down in her cot. Once she lay down she realized just how exhausted she was. Her body ached and she felt that her limbs had been tied down with lead weights. She was asleep almost before her head hit her pillow.