DEMON'S VENOM: PERU, LIMA - LIMA AIRPORT: 4 JUL 2013
The flight from Nanda Parbat was long. It had taken almost a full day to arrive at Lima, Peru. Sah-him and Tayir Alfiniq were too tired to take in their new surroundings. They just blindly followed their new Fasir, al Hamsa.
Hamsa was escorting them to their assigned Branch of the League. Daghn al Ghul. The Demon's Venom. They would spend the next six months as apprentices. Their mentors were responsible for their Shadow Warrior training. At the end of six months, they would be Eadi. Shadow Warriors.
This would not be the only training they received. Sah-him needed training on his gift. His sight. The Ruya. He wanted a better understanding of his gift at the end of those six months. He wanted to understand what he was.
During their first flight, Hamsa directed them to change into civilian clothing. They changed League planes three times during their travel to Lima. They slept poorly, if at all. The lack of sleep was catching up to them now. They struggled to grab their gear and stumble after their new Fasir.
"Come," Hamsa ordered the two of them one last time as he exited the plane. "We are nearly there." He strode toward a small private vehicle parked at the bottom of the stairs. A man leaned casually against the side of the vehicle, waiting for them.
Sah-him followed Hamsa down to the car. He was exhausted. He struggled with his bags. Tayir was right behind him. They placed their bags in the trunk of the vehicle and climbed in the back seat. Hamsa nodded and then climbed into the passenger side of the car. The other man climbed into the driver's seat.
"Welcome back, Hamsa," Haraq greeted Hamsa.
"Thank you, Haraq," Hamsa returned the greeting. Haraq served as his second in command for this Branch. When Hamsa was away, Haraq took over his duties. "Take us to the Fort. We will save their orientation for tomorrow."
"It will be done, Fasir," Haraq replied with a slight smile. He started the car and drove into the night.
Lima was still shrouded in darkness. The city sparkled in the early hours of morning. The street lights illuminated the night sky. Sah-him and Tayir were too tired to do more than stare blankly out the window. They were just trying to stay awake. They would crash once they arrived.
The care arrived at a parking garage. Hamsa and Haraq directed the tired pair towards a concealed tunnel entrance. From there, they shuffled their newest Apprentices down into the tunnels beneath the city. Haraq showed them the location of the restroom and their quarters. Then told them to rest. Someone would come get them tomorrow. Well, later today. Until then, they were expected to rest.
Tayir disappeared into his room. Sah-him sank onto his bed mat. He pulled off his boots and curled up to sleep. He didn't even take off his clothing.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
DEMON'S HORN: ITALY, ROME - ROME AIRPORT: 4 JUL 2013, 1 PM
The flight from Nanda Parbat was short. Only a few hours. Aldire and Dafdae had departed a day later than the other trainees because of length of the trip. They quickly collected their bags and exited the aircraft after their Fasir; al Khafifa. Khafifa was escorting them to their assigned Branch of the League. Qarn al Ghul. The Demon's Horn. She directed them to change into civilian clothing soon after boarding the plane. She warned them that they would be exiting the craft in a large airport. A friendly man greeted them at the bottom of the stairs.
"Khaba, it is good to see you," Khafifa greeted the man with a smile.
"Fasir," Khaba replied with a smile. He walked beside Khafifa toward a small private vehicle parked nearby. "I see we have gained members."
"We have," Khafifa replied. She turned to the two new apprentices. "Secure your baggage," she directed Aldire and Dafdae. "Khaba will take us to the Temple."
"It will be done," the girls chorused as they moved to secure their gear in the trunk of the car. Khafifa waved them to enter the back seat as she climbed into the front. Khaba started the car.
"Welcome back, Fasir," Khaba said as he started the car.
"I prefer being home," Khafifa replied. "Has all been well here?" she asked.
"Yes, you were not gone long," Khaba replied with a smile. "Some are seeking guidance on planned hunts. Most of the Solstice visions need additional direction."
"They usually do," Khafifa replied. "I am still glad to be back. If I am away too long, things go wrong," Khafifa said with a smile. "Will you settle the apprentices? she asked him. "I will collect their mentors."
"I will," Khaba replied.
"Good," Khafifa replied. "It is best to complete orientation quickly. The sooner started, the sooner done."
"It will be done, Fasir," Khaba replied with a slight smile.
Rome was a bright and bustling city. The city glowed in the sunshine. The great monuments bustled with tourist activity. Aldire looked at the passing town with interest. It was so very different than Hong Kong. Dafdae sat next to her in fascination.
They arrived at a parking garage not far from the Vatican City entrance. Khafifa and Khaba directed the pair towards a concealed tunnel entrance. They entered the code for entry and ushered Aldire and Dafdae inside before sealing the entrance behind them.
From there, they shuffled their newest apprentices down into the catacombs beneath Rome. Once they had arrived at their destination, Khaba showed them the location of the restroom and their quarters. They had placed their gear in their new rooms.
Khaba led them back to the meeting room. "You will both wait here until the Fasir returns," Khaba told them.
"It will be done," they chorused before they sank to the carpeted ground to kneel.
After watching them for a moment, Khaba departed the room.
They sat in silence for a time before Aldire spoke up. "Is it normal to be excited and afraid at the same time?" she asked her classmate.
"I hope so," Dafdae replied. "Hong Kong was so overwhelming, but I was glad to be outside of Nanda Parbat. This place... It seems quieter than Hong Kong. That quiet... It makes me nervous."
"I get that," Aldire replied. "Hong Kong was overwhelming. But I miss the others. I'm afraid to do this without them."
"You mean Sah-him and Qadar," Dafdae replied with a nod. She had seen how the three of them were constantly together throughout training. Except in Hong Kong. But Sah-him seemed to work well without them beside him. "But you did well in Hong Kong. You did not have them there then. Sah-him seemed to do fine without you both by his side. Even Qadar operated well for his teacher. I am sure it will be the same here."
"Right," Aldire replied. "I... Hong Kong was different. We weren't alone. Not really. I knew they were close by. But this... They are so far from me now. They will be gone for so long."
"You are still not alone," Dafdae replied with a smile. "I am here. But I still want a sperate room," she teased.
Aldire smiled back at her. "You are here. That is a comfort. You can keep your room," she replied with a grin.
Khafifa entered the room with two other people. One was a man and one was a woman. Both were wearing League uniforms. One woman had blue piping on her left shoulder pad. The other man red piping.
Aldire and Dafdae immediately stood erect. Showing their respect for the presence of the Fasir. Khafifa nodded to them both.
"You may both relax. Today, I will escort you through the facilities here at the Demon's Horn. It is not often that I receive two new apprentices. But the Demon's Horn is the best place for you both. Especially to learn about technology," Khafifa told them with a nod to Aldire. "I have passed your training reports to the mentors. But your training will not start until tomorrow. I will be showing you around the Temple today and the Qas will finish your orientation." She gestured to the man with red piping.
"I am Ikram," the man introduced himself. "I will be training al Dafdae in the Warriors Path. The Majahid. Once you complete your apprenticeship, you will have the fighting skill needed to assume a role as Eadi for any branch." He nodded to the woman next to him.
"I am Mai," the woman introduced herself. "I am to train al Aldire in the Technology Path. The Hasub. Once you have completed your apprenticeship, you will be a Journeyman Hasub. You will be trained as far as a mentor can assist. Additional training from the outside world may be required. Only experience can enhance your learning from there. You can achieve the rank of Master Hasub after seven years."
"I am al Dafdae," Dafdae introduced herself to her mentor, Ikram.
"I am al Aldire," Aldire introduced. Mai nodded at her.
"Again, welcome," Khafifa said. "You will begin your apprenticeships tomorrow. Meet your mentors here. This is the Meeting Room." When she received nods from the two apprentices. She turned to Ikram and Mai. She dismissed the two mentors. They left the room. "Now, follow," Khafifa told the two apprentices. "We will walk for the facility tour."
Khafifa walked around the large Meeting Room. "We will start here. This is the Meeting Room. This is where we gather. Large groups of the Horn will meet in the larger room," Khafifa explained. She pointed to the smaller rooms. "These smaller rooms are also meeting rooms. They are numbered to allow smaller groups to coordinate their meetings. The Qas and groups of Eadi use them for hunts and training."
Khafifa led them out of the meeting room to the hallway. She led them down the hallway to the area reserved for the Qas. "This is our Sacred Place. Our Qas keep this place. It is for all of us to use. We have five Qas here at the Demon's Horn. Qas Ghataa is the oldest of our Qas. Qasisa Tawaraa is his second. Qas Taena, Qasisa Katm, and Qasisa Waqa' are also our Qas.
"The Qas maintain a copy our library. This includes all information about past hunts from all branches, historical information, information from the outside world on specific topics, like technology, languages, and history. They have resources and computers for you to use while typing your reports," Khafifa told them. She pointed out the rooms for the computer stations. "If you have any questions, the Qas can help you answer your questions. When you have completed a hunt, you will report to me and file a report. These computers are available for this purpose. The Qas will ensure it is filed properly. A Qas will complete your orientation today after our tour of the Temple." The three of them left the Sacred Place and followed Khafifa.
"This..." Khafifa said as her arms took in the large room. "...is our Dining Area. Every Shadow Warrior is in the duty rotation. The Support Staff ensure we eat, we have clothes, we have weapons, and the common areas are clean. Your duty rotation will assist the Support Staff in these duties. The only ones exempt from rotation are those recovering from injury. All members of the Horn are on duty rotation for the kitchen, security, and laundry."
"If you are in residence at the Temple, you are in rotation. As apprentices, you will not be tasked with security. But I will task you with the other duties. Here..." he pointed to a board on the wall inside the common dining area. "...is the posted duty schedule. The schedule is posted weekly, but changes occur daily. Check the schedule when you get your morning meal. You will report to the Demon Support personnel in charge of that section at the indicated time. They will direct your duties."
Khafifa allowed them to check the schedule. She knew that they had only arrived that morning and would not be on it yet. They both surged forward to check the schedule. But looked confused that their names were absent.
"We are not on the schedule," Aldire said with some concern. She wanted to be ready to assist.
"Correct," Khafifa replied. "You arrived this morning. The schedule is completed weekly. But you will be added tonight for tomorrow." She led them out of the Dining Area and down the hallway to another common area.
"This is the main hallway. You can locate each of the main areas from this hallway, including the training areas, the armory, and the forge," Khafifa said. She turned them down that hallway. The hallway wound through the stone for some time before it opened up to additional rooms. Khafifa stopped at a door. "This is one of the practice training areas. This is the larger area. Three smaller areas and a range are also available," she said. "They are open to use for all Shadow Warriors. You will use them with your mentors." She let them look inside.
Inside they could see two Shadow Warriors sparring with knives in one corner of the large open area. A second pair were sparing with quarterstaffs. Khafifa turned and led them to another doorway further down. "This is our Range," she told them. Inside she turned on a light switch to illuminate the range. It was several enclosed archery ranges side by side with a short wall between them. Each range had a small device that appeared to shoot rubber balls in it. There were no standing targets.
Once they had time to view the range, Khafifa flipped the switch off and led them down to the end of the hallway. Near the end of the hallway were several doorways. Each one labeled with the symbol of a weapon. Khafifa opened the door with the symbol of a sword. "Each of these doors leads to a different armory. The armory contains weapons that are currently available for your use. After our orientation tour, you will both return to these rooms select your preferred arms. You will use these arms for your entire stay as apprentices," Khafifa told them. "Store your arms in your quarters. You will maintain them. Supplies for maintaining them are within each armory."
"It will be done," they replied in chorus.
"Damaged weapons will be sent to the forge. Replace any broken weapons with those from the Armory," Khafifa told them. She led them to the door at the end of the hall. "This is the forge," Khafifa told them as she motioned them to look. The furnace was lit but not blasting. No one was currently working in the forge. "Broken weapons are placed in this room for repair or to melt down and reforge into new weapons. Demon Support will make new weapons," she told them. She then pointed out the area that held several broken and damaged swords at one side.
Khafifa led them out of the weapons hallway. She finally led them to the last of the public areas. They returned to the main hallway. They walked away from the Dining Area to a series of narrower hallways. "These are the restrooms." She gestured to the two smaller doors. "Khaba showed them to you. Over here..." she led them across the hallway to a large double door, "...is the Bathing Room." He motioned them into bathing room. It was like the one at Nanda Parbat. But smaller. The water was only about waist deep. Steam filled the room flowing from the pool. "A hot spring feeds this pool. It is slightly warm to bathe in, but it is much better than a cold bath."
Khafifa led them back out of the Bathing Room to the main hallway. "That hallway leads to your quarters," Khafifa indicated to the hallways beyond the restroom and bathing room. "Go and collect your arms and supplies now. Move them to your quarters. When you have completed that task, return to Meeting Room Two."
"It will be done," they chorused before Khafifa left them outside the bathing room.
"Come," Dafdae said with a smile. "I remember the way to the Armory."
"Good," Aldire replied. "I hope they have all of my preferred weapons."
"If they do not, you can request that some are made or shipped from Nanda Parbat," Dafdae replied. "Most of the weapons are forged at Nanda Parbat. The Sagh are located there. Usually only one or two are located at a headquarters. They facilitate the transfer of broken weapons. They are good to know wherever you are assigned."
"That's good news," Aldire replied. "Let's go."
They both turned and headed back down to the Weapons Hallway.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
DEMON'S VENOM: PERU, LIMA - THE FORT: 5 JUL 2013
Sah-him slept late. He felt groggy from sleeping late. He panicked. He tried to remember where he was, what he had been doing, what he missed. Then the memories flooded back. The long flight. The short naps on the planes. The collapse into a bed mat in a strange room.
Alone. I'm alone again. Sah-him felt disoriented. Adrift. No! I'm not alone. They are with me. Always. We are separate. But not alone. I can last for now.
Sah-him got up and stretched. He scanned his room. He hadn't even looked at his room the night before. It was bare. The bed mat was in one corner. An empty shelf-unit in another corner. It looked like the shelves were for his clothing and armor. Empty weapon stands stood next to it. Shelves were set in the walls for gear and books. The back of the door had four hooks on it. Everything was empty. There was no window. The walls and the floor consisted of stone.
Small. Functional. Lonely. Sah-him thought with a sigh. That depressing thought spurred him into motion. He put his gear and clothing away. He had no weapons. All his weapons had been returned at Nanda Parbat. But he did have a book. His father's journal. He set it on the highest shelf. He set the thumb drive next to it with his father's message. They had a place of honor. I haven't forgotten you, Dad.
Sah-him ventured to the restroom for his morning routine. He was finishing up when Haraq found him.
"Good, you are awake," Haraq said. "I have come to fetch you."
Sah-him nodded. He followed Haraq out of the bathroom and back down the hall to Tayir's room. Haraq retrieved Tayir and then led them both to a large carpeted room lined with smaller rooms. He deposited them in one of the smaller rooms.
"You will both wait here," Haraq told them. "Hamsa will return shortly with your mentors." Then he departed.
Sah-him let out a breath of air. "I feel like… I don't know… like training is starting all over again," he told Tayir. Venting his frustrations.
Tayir nodded. "I know the feeling," he replied. "This is the part where we learn about our special skills. That is the part I am most afraid of learning," he said.
"Afraid?" Sah-him asked. "I don't know how to use my gift, but I've been trying. I'm not afraid of it."
"Yeah," Tayir replied. "My gift is different. My gift… it killed my family. I killed my family…" Tayir let his voice fade. Heartache apparent.
Sah-him didn't know what he would do if his gift was responsible for the death of his family. He felt guilty enough surviving when his dad died. "I… I can see how that would hurt," Sah-him replied quietly. "I can see why you are afraid. But if you don't learn, how will you learn to control it?" he ask Tayir.
"I do not know," Tayir replied sadly. "I learned how to shut it off. But... To use it? That makes me afraid."
"Fear can be a good thing," Sah-him told him. "Use it. You are named after the Phoenix. Become one. Rise from the ashes of your old life."
"Very insightful," Hamsa said as he entered the room with two other people. A man and woman. Both wearing League uniforms. The man had purple piping on his shoulder pads. The woman had orange piping on her shoulder pads.
Sah-him and Tayir immediately stood erect in the presence of the Fasir. Hamsa nodded to them both. "You may both relax. Today, I will escort you through the Demon's Venom. You are both apprentices with special skills. Most Eadi do not require training in your skills," Hamsa told them. "Your mentors have your training reports. Your apprentice training will begin tomorrow. We will tour the Fort today." He gestured to the woman.
"I am al Najwa," the woman introduced herself. "I will be training Tayir Alfiniq in the mystical arts of magic to become Barkih. Once you complete your apprenticeship, you will be able to control your magic. You will have all the skills needed to perform as a Journeyman Barkih. You can return to the Venom for extra training under a Master Barkih for one year. This will allow you to progress in rank from Journeyman to Master," She nodded to the man next to her.
"I am al Namla," the man introduced himself. "I am to train al Sah-him in the sensing arts of the Ruya. You will be trained as a Journeyman Wahy. You can serve in any branch of the League once your apprenticeship is over. Five years of field experience can bring you to the rank of Master Wahy. To teach the next generation."
"I am Tayir Alfiniq," Tayir introduced himself to Najwa.
"I am al Sah-him," Sah-him introduced himself to Namla.
"Good," Hamsa said. "They will begin your apprenticeship training tomorrow. You will meet them in the large Meeting Room." When he received nods from the two new members. He turned to Namla and Najwa. "Dismissed," he told the two Masters. They bowed and left. "Now, come," Hamsa told the two remaining apprentices. "We will walk the rest of this tour."
Hamsa walked them on a tour of all the facilities at this headquarters of the Demon's Venom. He highlighted the duty rotation roster in the Dining Area. He spent extra time at the Sacred Place and highlighted the three Qas assigned to the Venom. He briefly highlighted the training rooms, armories, and the forge. He led them to the bathrooms and the Bathing Room before dismissing them to collect weapons.
"Alright," Sah-him replied. "We can do this task easily enough."
"Yeah," Tayir replied. "I hope I remember where my room is."
"I know where mine is," Sah-him replied. "Yours is next to mine."
"Good," Tayir replied. "I'll stick to you."
They both turned and headed back down to the Weapons Hallway.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
DEMON'S SPINE: NEW ZEALAND, CHRISTCHURCH - THE CHURCH: 4 JUL 2013
Qadar was wired from the long flight. They had taken four flights to get from Nanda Parbat to Christchurch, New Zealand. Even with the multiple flights, it had taken over a day to reach their destination. Samita had been unable to sleep much during the flight. She was dragging in exhaustion. However, Qadar had been able to drop off almost instantly on each flight. Unfortunately, they had arrived just after nightfall. Qadar resigned himself to being too awake to sleep.
During their first flight, Qirsh directed them to change into civilian clothing. Something they were thankful for when they changed League planes. He warned them that they would be exiting the aircraft in a busy airport. After they changed, Qadar missed the familiarity of his League uniform.
Al Qirsh was escorting them to their assigned branch of the League. Shakwa al Ghul. The Demon's Spine. They would spend the next six months as apprentices. Their mentors were responsible for their guiding Shadow Warrior training. At the end of six months, they would be Eadi. Shadow Warriors. Qadar hoped that he would get more than just warrior training. He knew that Aldire was enhancing her technology training. Sah-him had that whole sight thing he was training on. Qadar just wanted to feel useful. He knew he would be useful as a Shadow Warrior. He wanted to do more for them.
"This way," Qirsh directed them off the plane. "We will finish our travel overland." He guided them toward a small private vehicle parked at the bottom of the stairs. A man waited for them next to the car.
"You have returned, Qirsh," Alhariba greeted Qirsh.
"Thank you, Alhariba," Qirsh replied stiffly. "We must return to the Church quickly. The tour and the orientation of the apprentices can wait until morning. I have an answer from Ra's about the Cult of Blood."
"It will be done, Fasir," Alhariba replied with a grim face. He started the car and drove into the night. The city of Christchurch was settling down for the night. People were slowly disappearing into their dwellings as the vehicle moved through the city.
Qadar noted the city parking garage they entered. But instead of heading to the upper levels. Their vehicle descended to the lowest sublevel of the garage. Alhariba entered a code in a hidden security panel. The solid stone wall ascended and the maneuvered the vehicle into a small hidden parking level.
From there, Qirsh and Alhariba guided the two down a series of the tunnels. Alhariba showed them the location of the restroom and their quarters. Then told them to rest. Someone would come get them the next day. Then he rushed off to join his Fasir to hear the latest orders from Ra's al Ghul.
Samita disappeared into her room. Qadar explored his room before he finally felt tired enough to sleep.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
DEMON'S SPINE: NEW ZEALAND, CHRISTCHURCH - THE CHURCH: 5 JUL 2013
Alhariba retrieved Qadar and Samita the next morning. He showed them where to eat and where to wait for Qirsh to find them. Then he departed a second time. Qadar and Samita ate a quick morning meal and then waited in the large room for Qirsh.
Qadar was bouncing on his feet. But with his silent companion, he kept his more vocal bouncing to himself. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore.
"I'm ready," Qadar told her.
Samita just raised an eyebrow at him and his antics.
"I know," Qadar continued to narrate to her. "This is just more weapons training. I get that. But… We are halfway there. We can do this. I want to do this. Aldire and Sah-him will need my support. I won't let them down."
Samita just gave him a sad smile and shook her head.
"You think I'm over thinking it," Qadar continued. "You're probably right."
"Good. You are here," Qirsh said as he stormed into the large Meeting Room. They both snapped to standing when Qirsh entered with a second man. He had two red stripes on his shoulder pads.
"Fasir," they greeted their assigned leader.
"This is Asim," Qirsh introduced the second man. "He will be your mentor. He will give you a tour of the facility. You will meet the Qas after your orientation tour."
"I am Qadar," Qadar introduced himself to his new mentor.
"I am al Samita," Samita introduced herself to her new mentor.
"Thank you, Fasir," Asim nodded at Qirsh. "They are in good hands."
"Good. I'll leave you to it," Qirsh replied before he strode out of the Meeting Room.
"You will need to forgive him," Asim told them. "He is in a rush to carry out Ra's' orders. He is usually not so abrupt. Today will only be about familiarizing yourselves with the Church. We will not begin your apprenticeship training until tomorrow."
"As our Fasir said, I am Asim," the man introduced himself a second time. "I will be evaluating you both for the next month or so. This evaluation is to help the Fasir to place you with the proper mentor. I am more of a master mentor. I will be determining the best path for you. The Warrior's Path. Majahid. The Raven's Path. Ghurab. The Command Path. Qayid."
"You have both been sent to the Spine to be evaluated for POSSIBLE inclusion in the rank of the Qayid or Ghurab. That is my task," Asim told them with a grin. "If you do not gain inclusion, do not fear. You may be evaluated again in one year if that is your desire."
"What are the Qayid and Ghurab?" Qadar asked curiously.
"To explain the Qayid and the Ghurab, it is best to start with an explanation of the Majahid," Asim started. "All Shadow Warriors are Eadi. Yet there are some who are more skilled than others. They all start as Eadi. Once you have completed your apprenticeships at the end of the solar cycle, you will be an Eadi regardless of your path."
"In three years, a service Eadi earns his Journeyman stripe. In seven years, the Eadi earns his Master stripe. If an Eadi has no other skill trained, they are Majahid. The Warrior's Path," Asim continued. "But other paths also maintain their warrior skills. In this sense, all Shadow Warriors are the soldiers in the army of the League."
Qadar nodded. Samita just looked stunned with her eyes wide open.
"As an army, the League requires commanders. That is what the Qayid are. If you have leadership skill, it is trained and honed," Asim told them. "An army also requires intelligence. That is what Ghurab are. If you have exceptional infiltration skill, it is further trained and honed."
Asim paused to allow them to absorb that information. "If you are accepted as Qayid, you will receive a different mentor. If you are accepted as Ghurab, you will receive a different mentor. Your mentor is to assist you in learning about your chosen path. Be that the Command Path, the Warrior's Path, or the Raven's Path."
"Now, let me put faces with the training reports I have reviewed," Asim said with a hint of a smile.
"I am Qadar," Qadar introduced himself to Asim.
"I am al Samita," Samita introduced herself.
"Well met to you both," Asim replied. "Again, we will begin your apprenticeship evaluations tomorrow. You will meet me here… in the large Meeting Room." When he received nods from the two new apprentices. "Now, follow. It is time to experience the Church," Asim told the two apprentices. "We will walk the rest of this tour."
Asim walked them on a tour of all the facilities at this headquarters of the Demon's Spine. He highlighted the duty rotation roster in the Dining Area. He spent extra time at the Sacred Place and highlighted the four Qas assigned to the Spine. How they had materials for the many languages in the Spine. He briefly highlighted the training rooms, armories, and the forge. He explained that they would be visiting these rooms often. He led them to the bathrooms and the Bathing Room before dismissing them to collect weapons.
"Well… that was exhausting," Qadar told his fellow apprentice. "At least we can have arms now."
"Yes," Samita replied. "I feel better being armed."
"I know," Qadar replied. "I just wish I could carry my sword all the time. Nothing makes me feel safe like having a sword."
"I prefer knives," Samita said with a smirk. "Easier to draw without gaining the attention of the room."
"Oh, I see how it is," Qadar snarked. "Kill me before I even get my sword out…"
"Of course," Samita replied with her quiet smirk.
They both turned and headed back down to the Weapons Hallway.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
USA, WA, STARLING CITY - LANCE HOME: 5 JUL 2013
Sara Lance stood by the car as her mother packed the last of her bags in the trunk. The loading van had left. It pulled out and headed down the road. I know I can't convince her to stay anymore, Sara thought. I wish I knew why she was so determined to leave us.
"I guess this is it," Sara said sullenly to her mother.
"I guess so," Dinah replied as she came around to Sara. "I know I can't convince your father to leave that awful department of his," she started. "But I was hoping to get you to come to Central City University with me." She still hoped that she could convince her remaining child to leave this dreadful city.
"You know I can't, Mom," Sara replied. "I already explained why."
"That girl," Dinah said with vehemence. Why the hell would my child want to be associated with that wicked family, I have no idea. "She has no business in this family. She is best left behind with the rest of the bad memories." This evil city is full of bad memories. Worse than Gotham.
"Mom," Sara whined. "I refused to abandon Thea. I love her. I will continue to support her every way I can." What is mom's problem with Thea? The child has done nothing to her. Ever.
"She isn't family!" Dinah spat. "She is a reminder of THAT damn family!" I will forever curse the Queens. They killed my child. I am justified in my hate.
"No, she is family! My family." Sara replied with equal vehemence. "She is a 12-year-old girl who LOST her father, her two brothers, AND my sister. She is in pain. I am in pain. We need each other. I INTEND to be there for her. If you can't or won't, then leave."
"Humph," Dinah replied. She is not MY family. She is no innocent. She is related by blood to those damn Queens. "I won't stay where I am not wanted." I can't believe that my blood would choose that girl over her family. Absurd!
"Mom," Sara sighed. I shouldn't have said that. I don't want to drive mom away. Why is she making this so hard? Why is she making me choose? If I must choose than it is Dad and Thea. They need me. Mom doesn't. "It's not that we don't want you… but you don't want us. I am tired of you ignoring dad and me. So, GO… Live your life! Let us live ours. But THIS is OUR family. You choose not to be a part of it. Goodbye, Mom."
Dinah had a shocked look on her face. She really wants to choose others over blood. She schooled her face to the mask of a teacher. "Very well. Goodbye, Sara," Dinah said with dignity. Then she marched around to the driver's side of her car and climbed inside. She started the car and pulled away from the curb. I can't wait to leave this damn city behind me. Everything will be better in Central City. I'll make sure of it. Then I can forget that this city exists.
Sara watched her mother drive away. She sighed. Why do I feel like I will only see my mother again on her terms? She is only going to go to Central City, isn't she? Damn it!
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~