Hissra, as she had only recently come to call herself, skipped along in the large Demon's wake, playfully making a game of keeping in his shadow. She hopped from one large footprint to another, twisting and leaping as she struggled to keep up.

He was mad at her, she knew, though she was just as shocked as he when she had been dumped in his lap. And though she had met him before, the memory was faded and blurry. He was unfamiliar, strange and very much unlike her gate guard. But she had been afraid when he had dropped her and stormed out of the large tent; afraid of how the other Demons had stared. Their stoic features remained unmoving, horned heads turned. She'd wanted to sink into the shadow, but there were too many, so she ran.

The girl burst from the tent, narrowly avoiding another Demon who was just about to enter. Her eyes darted franticly about the encampment, curiosity pushed away in favor of fear. She did not know this place, did not know where to run to, where the best hiding holes were.

Then she spotted him, the one who had named her. He was at the gate, arms raised and pointed fiercely at her gate guard. She darted forward, silently ducking behind the Karashok, the tight knot in her chest loosening only when she had safely grasped the back of his leather belt. The argument taking place in their quick, hard tongue abruptly ceased and she huddled closer to the giant when they both glanced sharply down at her. Hissra looked away, biting her lip and blinking back the urge to cry. She didn't want to get in trouble, didn't want to get hurt. But the gate was closed and she couldn't escape.

Why had she wanted to come here?

There was a deep growl followed by a sigh and suddenly she was being tugged free of her death grip. She was placed in front of the other Qunari, tensing when a large hand ghosted softly over her filthy head. Her eyes met the Karashok's stern gaze and he nodded towards the man before her.

"This is Arvaarad. Go. Listen and obey."

"But-"

"You have questions?"

"Yes, but-"

"He will help you find answers."

"But I-"

His hand cut the air in a downward motion, silencing her. Hissra looked nervously to the Arvaarad and gulped. He was ignoring both of them, bulging arms folded tensely as he glared out into the distance. She hunched her shoulders, drawing a line in the warm, red dirt with her foot as she mumbled.

"But I wanted you to show me."

She heard the creak of leather and the shift of skin before there was once again a soft touch on her head. Her eyes snapped up to the Karashok's face. His features were hard as always, but his bright eyes seemed warm.

"I have to stay here."

"Because someone has to watch the gate." She recited seriously, tiny head bobbing in a nod. He nodded back solemnly before nudging her in the Arvaarad's direction.

"Go."

The girl stumbled cautiously up to the fuming demon, curiosity battling with uneasiness. The battle was won when something strange caught her eye. Or rather the lack of something.

"Where are your horns?" She blurted, finally realizing why he looked so odd to her.

The Arvaarad's scowl deepened as he stared down at her and she shifted on the balls of her feet. Her eyes trailed from the black tips of his horns to his face, her own reddening at his harsh stare.

"No!" She stammered, "N-not those ones! T-the ot-ther ones!"

She watched him earnestly, waiting.

His jaw twitched and then he turned heel, smartly prowling off. The child stood frozen for a moment, then quickly scampered after him.

And so she trailed after him for the next while, following him like a silent shadow as he went about his business. Until boredom began to plague her, that is.

Hissra hopped to another large footprint, trying to stretch to reach it. Her guide's shadow was retreating quickly, and she hurriedly tried to catch up, bright eyes fixed on the dusty ground and attention distracted by her game. She didn't see the other, larger shadow until it was too late.

The child's form collided bodily with something hard and unyielding, bouncing off it roughly and landing her on her bottom with a yelp. One of her hands skidded over something sharp and she gasped, eyes immediately clouding with liquid.

Hissra sat up quickly, curling protectively over her wounded limb. She clenched her jaw, forcing back whimpers of pain. Being hurt was dangerous. If others knew, they would steal your food or take the money you'd pick pocketed. It wasn't safe to show you were hurting. She blinked back her tears and made her eyes open wide. Her heart, already beating rapidly in her chest, began a frantic rhythm at the sight of two large, unfamiliar booted feet standing close to her. Then she looked up.

He was huge. Bigger than the Karashok, bigger than even the Arvaarad. But with the sun behind him and her sitting in his shadow, she couldn't make out much else. Then his massive form was kneeling next to her and she could see. He was wearing armor, decorated unlike anything the child had ever seen before. His horns were larger than any of the others. And though his face was the same still stone as the rest of the blue Demons, his eyes held a glint not unlike a giant cat. And they were looking right at her, his large, clawed had held out expectantly.

Hissra was petrified, held in place by his stare. But he didn't move; didn't speak. He just waited. And she stared right back, brow furrowed, lower lip protruding in a pout.

The child glared hard at him, searching his features for meanness, for ill intent. But he just looked back calmly. Then she looked away, hesitating a moment before slowly placing her hurt palm into the Arishok's hand.

AN: It's been ages! Enjoy!

~Delgodess