Should I also mention that I'm a sucker for short chapters? I know it's frustrating for some people. I love the book "Holes" (Louis Sachar) and it's the short chapters that get me. So please be tolerant.
I thought the Amazon should give her own little account too. This is going to be VERY short as I don't want to spoil the Rogue's discovery of her master. So bear with me.
I do already have an ending in mind, so I know where I'm going. It's an annoying trait: I always write snippets of things and tie them all together at the end.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Celadon, this Amazon, and the plot blah blah blah… Blizzard owns the rest. I think we all got it.
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Chapter 1.5
This is almost shameful. Insulting. Yet nonetheless it's pitiful, and it's also amusing.
So out of all the ways I can respond to this, I laughed.
These battered young women are our rivalry in archery? They have no more spirit in them. My people have the more headstrong, independent, fearless character…
But then, maybe that's why they keep going to their deaths. Perhaps these Rogues' wits give them such reputation – the rivals of the Amazons.
That woman just tossed me a dirty glare… what was her name again? Kashya. That's right. The Mercenary Captain. The Captain of the Rogues that get sold as mercs for a bit of money and less mouths to feed.
I guess I'm in no place to judge. They're pretty messed up. I'm surprised that they even manage to stay together as a… Sisterhood. That's what they call themselves. Unlike my people; we're a tribe. It sounds so much more wild and barbaric, and I guess some of my people only added to that reputation.
I guess that's why I didn't fit in.
When other girls trained with bows and javelins and spears, when they were climbing trees and chasing animals to practice their physical strength, I turned to magic, the divine connection, and the disciplining of my mind.
Rumour has it that my father was a necromancer. That works.
I don't remember my mother, but from what I could tell from my sister, she was probably a typical Amazon. Yeah, that would explain the physical strength and marksmanship of my sister. She was always a favourite of the elders. She had the skills, the power and the will of an Amazonian warrior.
When Diablo rose again, my headstrong sister didn't hesistate to go and save the world, and the elders didn't hesitate in letting her go, either.
If it wasn't for that… if I'd stopped her, I wouldn't be here right now.
I was her older sister. I was meant to take care of her, protect her…
Now I'm here. What am I expecting? It's not like I can save her now. What am I doing here?
To escape the guilt, of course. To run away from that sorrowful place, to flee from accusing eyes.
I'm doing this to save myself. I'm such a selfish bastard.
Perhaps if I succeed, I'll feel better because I've done something for others. I'll feel better because people will speak of the Amazon who restored order upon the Sanctuary, and her motivation, that which fuelled her – her brave sister who perished before her.
Looking at these Rogues, I know I can do nothing for them. They've been beaten. But they offered me a merc, and if I've earned their respect, even as one of their rival Amazons, then maybe I shouldn't throw it away.
Whatever. Doesn't bother me. A little hireling tagging along doesn't hurt. Being a Rogue, at least they never get in the way, since they have their long-ranged attacks.
Now they're all lined-up in front of me. I'm tempted to just close my eyes and point at someone randomly.
I got ready to do exactly just that, when one of them caught my eye.
The small one in between two taller ones. She's gawking at me like I've got Blood Raven's head next to my own. Her posture tells me she's just trying to hideaway, but why the hell is she still gawking then? Strange child.
Wait, a thought just came into my head. That's it… maybe I can do something good after all.
I told her to come up to me. She has short, deep reddish-brown hair that doesn't even reach her shoulders. Her honey-golden eyes looked up at me… damn, she's little. About half a head shorter than me, and she's not standing upright… this kid's nervous. As boring as this is to me, she probably hasn't had anything more exciting happened to her.
"How old are you?" I'm guessing… mid-teens.
"I turn seventeen in two months." Close enough.
"She's the youngest here;" Kashya cut in quickly. She's such a mother hen; nags all the time and so protective of the Rogue's reputation. She'll never let an Amazon like me look down on them. "With the least experience. I'm sure it'll be of greater help if you take one of our older-"
There she goes, nagging again. I don't have the patience for this. "I'll take this one."
"But she's not ready…" She is such a mother hen!
"I'll make her ready." Jeez, by the name of Tyrael… for once I'm trying to do something good, and I'm regretting even having the thought of it now, if she keeps going on. Now, the kid… "Your name?"
"Celadon." Damn, is her voice quivering?
"You sure are green." Great, now I'm agreeing with the mother hen. "I probably don't need a mercenary, but since you're all so kind, I'll take this girl. For the sake of this Sisterhood, you guys really need someone stronger."
Yes, that's my plan. They need the stronger ones here to defend their remaining bit of territory. I'll take this kid and hopefully make her less wimpy and stronger. Who knows, I might even keep her for good if she turns out better than I can make out now. If I defeat Andariel with her, the Rogues can reclaim the Monastery and their morale will be higher, saving me from looking at a bunch of people moping around.
That is, if I can defeat Andariel. No matter; either way works. If I die, I can escape the guilt forever. If I survive, well… I'll just keep going until I can escape the guilt one way or another. Now… to Tristram to rescue some old man named Cain… great, this just keeps getting better and better.
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Hopefully this chapter characterises the Amazon a bit better.
Yes, I know. The Rogue spoke in formal past tense while the Amazon spoke in colloquial present tense. That's because the Rogue is recounting the story from the end, but here the Amazon is speaking on the spot. Think the Rogue is writing a journal and the Amazon playing this through in her head. Yeah? Got it? I hope so.
