The Alarming Sound

[Tismri]

Saenon's firm steps echoed throughout the dungeon as she strode past the cells. Her eyes narrowed as she observed the various prisoners being held there, some frightened, some angry, some having just accepted their fate. When she looked at them, she felt nothing. No pity, no compassion, not even satisfaction. She eventually stopped before a certain cell and opened the door.
In this cell was a special prisoner. He was captured from the Varden, and he would be very useful to Galbatorix once the king discovered his true name. Until that happened, Saenon had been given permission to do whatever she wanted to him, as a reward for being his captor. She had gotten him a little over two weeks back, him and his dragon, which seemed to be about four months old.
Stefan glanced up when the door opened. He knew what was going to happen. This woman came in every day. She was a magician, and she was brutal. It seemed like he was her test subject for whatever new experiment she came up with a new spell, and whatever it was usually meant causing him some sort of pain.
As she pulled out a dagger, he held in a groan. "Why?" he asked, somewhat groggily due to the drugs he had been given, "Why are you doing this to me?"
"Because I have to perfect this," she said, "You're the only one I can try it on, and I only have until the king discovers your true name. I have to get this right before then. Malthinae." Stefan suddenly couldn't move anymore. He gazed blankly at her, listless and stoic. He grimaced as Saenon sliced open his arm, then took a moment and healed it. He knew it would only get worse as the hours dragged on. He wasn't sure which was worse, the continual cutting and healing, or the times when she came in and made him see anything from feeling like he was covered in fire to watching himself kill Cherilyn. All his life was now was torture.
~~~~~
Tismri sate with Ismrolde deep in the Spine, away from all over human contact, hating herself for what she had just said to the Varden leader. Stefan and Jueru, two of her own students, had been captured by the Empire over two weeks ago. They had pursued his captors all the way to Uru'baen, but had then been fought and driven back. Since then, Tismri had been thinking about the events from every angle.
I don't advise you sent anyone to rescue Stefan and Jueru, she had told Nasuada. I believe Gabalbatorix is expecting the Varden to attempt to retrieve them. He will be waiting for us, and the result will only end with death and more captives. After telling Nasuada this, her opinion, she had left the Varden camp and come here. Never before had she felt such fury and rage at herself for saying anything, and yet she knew it was right.

[Trinn]

OOC: Oh noesssssssss Mind if I join?

Tilting her head at the captive below, Viel flared her nostrils to get the scent of the young dragon. She thought of him not as her kin, but as a subservient. She was perched on a tower, coiled around it as was her preference. There were other Empirial dragons around, keeping guard on the youngling. Too many times before had the Kings varden prisoners escaped. This time, things would be different. If anyone so much as looked at the dragon that was called Jueru the wrong way, she would eat them alive. For a moment, Viels eyes seemed to haze over as her mind focused on a conversation Vana was having with another general. It was the general Junya, and the two were discussing another attack on the Varden. Blinking, Viel returned her complete attention on the imprisoned dragon.
***

In the four months of weapons training that she'd had, Cherilyn was at last good enough with a lance to hold her own against a common foot soldier. That was enough, in her mind, for her to go to Uru'baen and steal Stefan away from Galbatorix's clutch. We will go tonight. There is no time to waste. she said to Cordelia as she fastened on gauntlets. She stood beside her dragon on the edge of the training field, carefully looking over a selection of lances and swords. Cordelia, who was now taller and strong enough to carry Cherilyn through the sky, watched her rider calmly.

You're sure this is a wise choice? Surely, Lady Nasuada will send out a rescue party. Stefan is one of us. At this, Cherilyn grimaced.

No, you saw the way Tismri looked when she came out of the pavilion. ...Stefan is without help. We are the only ones who seem willing to try and save him. Cordelia made a grunting sound deep in her chest, and then shook her head in agitation.

It is wrong that they do nothing! I cannot leave my kin to suffer at the hands of a wretch like Galbatorix! I am young, but my fangs are sharp and my talons ready. I will fight to my end to save them! This boosted Cherilyn's own spirits, and she took up a lance with a ready hand.

[Tismri]

OOC: Nope. I don't mind at all. *evil laughter*

Jueru whined as he suffered with Stefan, feeling what he was feeling, but unable to communicate because of the drugs they kept giving him. He glared up at the red dragon above him. She had been watching him unceasingly ever since their capture, and he sensed a roiling hatred from her. He started with surprise when all of Stefan's physical pain suddenly ceased.
~~~~~
"What is this all about, anyway?" Stefan asked as Saenon healed him for the dozenth time. He couldn't see the point of it.
"I have to find out if I can do something," she said with clenched teeth, finally giving him an answer as if she were tired of his continual questioning. She plunged the blade deep between his ribs and Stefan hissed in pain. "I have nothing more to say to you about it," she continued before chanting a long, complicated spell in the ancient language. Stefan knew the blade had gone deeper than it ever had before, and wondered if she would really be able to completely heal it. She mispronounced a word, cursed in the common tounge, then restarted the incantation.
"Either stop or just kill me," Stefan said, "I can't take this anymore."
"Shut up, you," Saenon said, before suddenly gasping in pain. Stefan felt his wound heal from the inside out. Saenon began to clutch her side. It was bleeding. She spit out a few words in the ancient language and the strange wound closed. It had been a mirror image of what she had inflicted upon Stefan, and he no longer felt any pain whatsoever. It was completely whole. Saenon examined both of them, a look of shock, then concern, then delight crossing her face before it sank back into deep thought. She began examining him all over, until she found an old battle scar on his arm.
"What are you doing?" Stefan asked, slightly alarmed. She ignored him and began her chanting again. Stefan watched, fascinated, as the scar completely healed, and at the same time Saenon's arm began to bleed. At that moment, however, the cell door opened.
"Saenon," said a voice, "You are to cease now. The king has found it. Let's bring Galbatorix's newest servant to him." Saenon's face turned blank and she nodded, healing her arm, then dragging Stefan out of the cell with her, out of the dungeon, up the stairs, down several corridors and halls, to Galbatorix's throne room.
~~~~~
Daemon was sitting alone just outside the Varden camp, holding an emerald colored crystal shaped like a flower in his hand. Some time ago, he had gone back to the Beors where the Varden had first captured him all those years ago. He hadn't known why at the time. While he was there, he had chanced upon this thing. It was one of the first flowers he had made, a present for his sister.
He could only imaging the pain he had caused her by letting her think he was dead. He had seen the betrayal in her eyes when she'd discovered he was alive, and fighting for the Varden. She was outraged, and had sworn she would kill him. And she'd tried.
He was thinking about her. He had heard that she was the one who had captured the Varden's new Rider, Stefan. No doubt she had tricked him with one of her illusions. He felt a little guilty, knowing he should have told the Varden everything about her and her abilities as a magician, but he was already struggling with feeling as if he'd betrayed her. Most of them didn't even know she was his twin sister. He had not even told Meera. But he began to feel that should change.

[Trinn]

The heavy doors to the throne room rolled open, revealing the captive and the magician. Galbatorix, who had been meditating on all the minds in his castle, opened his eyes to watch the two approach. There was the barest twitch of his lips, a malignant smile nearly forming. "I hope you haven't been too hard on your new comrade." he said to Saenon, bringing his hands together in a large fist. "Stefan..." he said, the name coming low from his throat. "Welcome young rider." And then Galbatorix did smile, one of smug satisfaction.

OOC: Jeriah, if you have this scene already planned out, you can rp Galbatorix. I don't have a problem with that
****

"What are you doing, Cherilyn?" Startled by the familiar voice, Cherilyn spun around to find Trinn standing behind her, watching her closely with narrowed eyes.

"I am preparing to depart for Uru'baen, to rescue Stefan." She said, looking Trinn in the eyes. The ancient shook her head and sighed.

"You cannot. You will be killed instantly, or taken prisoner just like Stefan. For you to go there, by yourself, would be useless." The words were harsh, and Cherilyn couldn't help but feel slighted, even if they were truthful. "Listen to me closely, Cherilyn. Stefan is a strong man, he is resourceful, he is a soldier. If they haven't killed him by now, he is alive and plotting his own escape. The empire is strong, and even with the Varden's swelling number of riders and soldiers, we cannot openly attack Uru'baen to retrieve him. It is simply too dangerous. Sometimes, the life of one must be sacrificed for the life of many. Do you understand?" Trinn's gruff expression softened, turning sympathetic. Cherilyn felt a lump rising in her throat, and her eyes stung from holding back tears. How could she just leave Stefan? He was her friend, her training partner, her fellow rider.

"I understand." she at last managed to say, her voice rough from the urge to cry. "Pardon me, Rider Trinn." bowing to the ancient, Cherilyn turned and hastened away from the training field, tears welling up in her eyes. Cordelia walked closely beside her, the dragon's head hanging in her own sorrow.

[Tismri]

OOC: All I really had what Galbatorix had Stefan's name. Basically for now he'll just be forced to do stuff for the Empire, and Saenon is one of the people he has to work with. And Vana or Junya would be cool, too. Eventually...well, he'll have to capture or kill Cherilyn. That's when things start getting really interesting...lol. And anyway, you make a much better Galbatorix than I do, I'm sure.

Stefan eyed Galbatorix coolly, expressing none of the mounting hatred he felt within him. This man was insane, but he had still performed indescribably horrendous acts. He remained silent and straight until Saenon shoved him to his knees, then knelt herself.
"I assure you, I have been nothing but cordial, your majesty," Saenon told him in a voice like ice. Stefan wondered just what her definition of "cordial" was. Saenon did not meet Galbatorix's eyes, but remained in her submissive pose. After her disaster at letting the Ismalian prince escape, she had been trying her hardest to gain the king's trust and respect again.
~~~~~
Eventually, Daemon stirred from his contemplation of the emerald flower, going back into the midst of tents. He caught the sight of the young woman Rider who had been studying with the captured Stefan. Whenever he looked at her or Trinn or Tismri, he felt a mounting guilt in him, knowing it was his sister who had taken him. He avoided speaking with any of them and instead sought out Meera. He felt if he didn't explain this all to someone, the guilt would eventually kill him.

[Trinn]

OOC: Okey dokey!

Noticing the way Stefan avoided his gaze, Galbatorix laughed darkly. He stood and strode towards the Varden rider, his armored boots clinking with each step. Reaching him, Galbatorix grabbed Stefan under the chin and forced his head up, forced him to look into his own dark eyes. "Are you ready to begin?" He asked in an eerily polite voice. "Do you have anything to say before you switch aliiances?" His fingers gripped Stefan's chin tightly, digging mercilessly into the young riders flesh. Galbatorix ignored Saenon. She had redeemed herself slightly in capturing Stefan, but the Ismalian prince.... That would have been better leverage against the varden then the whelp that cowered before him now.
***

Meera sat in a hard chair within her tent, dwelling on the past events. The woman who had captured Stefan was clever, and strong, enough so that she managed to evade several riders and magicians, not to mention elves and urgals. Meera flexed her hands, which tingled as she drew forth magic and ignited a little fireball in her palm. She stared thoughtfully into the purple flames, rolling the fireball around in her hands idly.

[Tismri]

Stefan did not even wince as Galbatorix's fingers dug into his chin. His jaw was set, his gaze straight, his fists clenched. He had suffered multiple battle injuries in the past, nearly lost his life in the seige of Feinster, faced countless horrors. But nothing hurt as much as knowing he was about to be forced to betray his friends and comrades, the people who had trained him and fought beside him. But there was no emotion on his face. His fate was what it was.
"I've only this to say: you may control my actions, but you will never have my alligence. Even if I am forced to fight for you, I will help the Varden bring you down." That said, he fell into utter silence as he accepted his fate.
~~~~~
Daemon wandered through the tents for a little while, contemplating and arguing with himself whether or not to do this. Finally, he found himself in front of Meera's tent. Normally, he would have smiled when he saw her. After all, she was the love of his life and knew more about him than most anyone in the Varden. She was everything to him. She was even trying to find a way to heal his heart from the stab he'd received so many years ago. But, right now, he couldn't summon the will to express it. The guilt he felt made him almost gloomy. He sat down slowly in a chair across from her, fingering the crystal flower in his hand.
"Weren't you ever taught not to play with fire?" he asked her, attempting humor.

[Trinn]

Galbatorix smirked at Stefan's words, before clearing his face of emotion to concentrate on his task. In his mind he worked over the name he had discovered, feeling the power of it. His mouth opened, and the first syllable rang out clear and strong. The spoken name embodied all the things that Stefan was, and it seemed to linger in the air even after Galbatorix was done speaking it. The air seemed to throb with the power of it, and Galbatorix knew that for Stefan, that feeling would be so much more intense. "Now tell me, Stefan, your allegiance lies with the emperor of Alagaesia, King Galbatorix." He demanded, again invoking the power of Stefan's true name.
***

Meera began to smirk at Daemon's humor, but when she looked into his face, her smile slipped and was replaced with worry. She clenched her fists, putting out the fireball. "What's the matter, Daemon?" She asked, the concern evident in her voice. Leaning forward she took his hands in hers. "Are you concerned about the young rider?"

[Tismri]

Stefan finally expressed some emotion upon hearing his true name spoken aloud. Learning exactly what he was was the most terrifying experience he'd ever had, and that was saying a lot. But still, he managed to keep it nothing more than a small wince. He tried to fight it with every bit of strength he had, but the words seemed to fall out of his mouth of their own accord.
"My alligence lies with the emperor of Alagaesia, King Galbatorix." His voice was dead, monotone, showing no emotion of any kind. He wanted to break down and cry, but he held firm, showing no weakness before the madman he now served.
~~~~~
Daemon gripped Meera's hands lightly and felt his own trembling. At her question, he found he couldn't meet her eyes.
"It was my fault, Meera. My fault that he was captured." That was all he could say right now. Now that the moment was here, how could he tell her that he'd kept a vital secret about the abilities of one of the finest magicians in the Black Hand from the Varden? He found he still wanted to protect the secret of his sister from them, as much as he had ever wanted to protect his scars.

[Trinn]

"Excellent. Now... I believe it's time to test our new friendship." Galbatorix said, laughing ominously. He released Stefan at last and walked towards his throne slowly, his hands clasped behind his back. "Saenon." he said without turning to look at her. "I've been informed that there are varden spys stationed in Narda. I would like you and rider Stefan to go there and eradicate them." He turned then, his features even more foreboding than before. "Do not fail me."
***

A chill crept down Meera's spine at Daemon's words. "What do you mean, it was your fault?" she asked, noticing how shaken he seemed. She gripped his hands tighter, to stop there trembling. "Please, tell me." It pained her to see him in such a state. His heart was not strong, and she was afraid it might fail him soon if she could not discover a way to heal it.

[Tismri]

Saenon bowed low before Galbatorix, having been silent the entire time. Then she stood and turned, followed by Stefan, who seemed to move mechanically, seemingly fighting every step. They didn't talk to each other on the way out of the castle to the courtyard where Jueru was being kept.
Jueru sat up and looked at Stefan intensely when he came into sight, a question burning in his mind to his Rider.
What happened? At Stefan's blank expression he whined and whipped his talk about.
Galbatorix is forcing me to serve him, he explained simply. He showed Jueru everything that had happened to him.
"If you value your Rider's life, you'll do what you're told, dragon," Saenon said. "It's only a matter of time before the king discovers your name as well, but until then I am sure coercion will work nicely." Jueru growled, but submitted as Saenon released his chains. Stefan saddled him and took his place, and Saenon followed swiftly after.
Where to? Jueru asked sadly.
Narda.
~~~~~
Daemon looked away from Meera as she asked for a further explaination, groaning. It was almost painful to make himself say the words.
"It's my fault because...it was...my...sister who captured him," he said. "If I'd told about her earlier and what all she could do, then maybe the Varden would have been prepared to deal with her." He lowered his head to his hands, the entirety of his guilty feelings hammering upon his mind. "I was selfish not to say anything and now it's cost us one of our Riders."

[Trinn]

Viel's burning eyes locked onto the two human forms moving towards the young dragon in the courtyard below. She recognized the varden rider and Saenon. As they mounted Jueru, Viel barked out a challenge to the humans, rather a warning. She would kill them all if they acted treacherously against Galbatorix. Saenon was known to be a loyal servant to Galbatorix, but then, so had been Einar and Marola. Remembering those riders betrayal stirred the fiery anger in her heart, and Viel again growled at them, flames flickering at the corners of her mouth. Yet she did not move to stop them.
***

Meera stared in shocked silence at Daemon as her mind processed his words over again. He had a sister? Her hands slid from his as he hid his face in shame. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Clearing her throat, she tried again. "Daemon.... I understand that you do not wish harm to fall on your sister, but... Daemon you must tell Nasuada of her now. You need to make things right. To guard against further attacks. This knowledge cannot be kept hidden!" Her voice had risen as she spoke, not in anger but in an anxiety to get this news to Nasuada as soon as possible. The fact that Daemon had not told her earlier of his sister left Meera feeling a little hurt. She thought they were able to trust each other with anything. But he had kept that from her. "Come on." she said, pushing her personal feelings aside as she stood. "We must go now to Nasuada." Her voice now took on an uncharacteristic severity, and even her countenance lost its usual charm and femininity, replaced with a grim expression. "Daemon, I will take you by force to Nasuada if I have to."

[Tismri]

Saenon glanced up coolly at the red dragon guarding Jueru. She knew she would have to inform Viel about their orders, as much as she would have loved to let Vana stew about not knowing what was going on. She didn't want to risk getting attacked by one of the Empire's most vicious dragons.
Don't harm us, she warned, Galbatorix has discovered this man's name and has given us a mission. Jueru gave Viel a distainful glare as he soared past her, wishing to attack her but not wanting to risk his Rider's life. Stefan's face remained blank; he felt emotions roiling inside him, but held them all at bay, knowing there was nothing he could do.
~~~~~
Daemon could not bring himself to move at all of Meera's promptings. He felt horrible, like the worst traitor in the world.
"She saved my life countless times," he said. "Every injury I received, she healed, despite...despite everyone telling her it would be better if I were dead. I would be dead if not for her, and I've betrayed her. My own twin! They were right, it would have been better if I'd just died." He ground his teeth, hating himself for all the pain he'd ever caused Saenon, after everythin she had done for him. In his hand, the crystal flower shattered, driving emerald shards into his palm.

[Trinn]

Meera stared in shocked silence at Daemon and the words he proclaimed. She couldn't imagine a life without him now. The very thought of him dead made her heart skip an unpleasant beat. The sound of the shattering flower made her flinch, and she was returned to the importance of Daemon's information. "Don't be stupid." She said, narrowing her eyes at him. "You're better off alive. Your twin has made her choice, and she's made it abundantly clear. I doubt she would hesitate to harm you now if she had to. You must make your choice now, Daemon." Meera gathered up her courage to say what she had to, made herself stand a little taller. "It's either her, Saenon, or the Varden...and me."
***

A low snarl rolled in Viels throat as she watched the trio depart. She could see the contempt with which the young dragon watched her, and she lifted her lips in a challenging display of fangs. Enough, Viel. The young one knows his place. The calm but stern words from Vana reigned in Viel's ferocity, and she shook her head to shake off her feelings of animosity.

[Tismri]

"You make it sound so simple," Daemon replied to Meera. He said it gently, but there was still a bitter tone in his voice. He went over to her and brushed a hand against her face. "You know I love you, and you know I choose the Varden. Why else would I have done all I have? But all that time, since I switched to the Varden, there has always been one person I hoped I would never see again. Saenon has been blinded by Galbatorix's regime and can't see the truth. I knew from the beginning that if she ever discovered I was alive, she would hate me for it. In betraying her, I've betrayed a part of myself. If she would just open her eyes and look past the illusions she has made around herself and think about me, she would understand." His voice shook as he thought of her. Then he sighed and turned away. He realized he was saying to Meera everything he really wanted to say to his sister.
"Saenon specializes at casting very realistic and dangerous illusions. Her magic itself is rarely harmful and she usually physically attacks while her enemies are distracted. Most of her spells can be countered by blocking the sound of her voice and not meeting her eyes. The majority of her illusions can be cast by her simply uttering the word 'dramur.' She also is an expert healer, when she is allowed to practice it. She is slightly shorter than I am, her hair is a reddish-blonde and her eyes are exactly like mine. Nearly all members of the Black Hand wear entirely black, including her." He finished describing her to Meera, feeling worse about himself than perhaps he should have with every word.
"You should tell Lady Nasuada about her," he finished. His hand moved instinctively to his heart as an ache that had as much to do with his emotional state as his physical welled up in there. "I don't think I could ever bring myself to do it." He sat back down as, blankly, he recalled long-buried memories with his sister.
FLASHBACK:
"Hold still, you," Saenon said, picking crystal fragments out of Daemon's back. He clenched his fists every time she touched him.
"It hurts," he hissed between his teeth. "Why don't you just take them out with magic?"
"Because, I tried. It didn't work. Something you did to it must enforce it against magical influence." She looked over his wound carefully. "I can't see anymore; there's too much blood in the way." She placed her hand on his back, and he sucked in a breath of pain. "Waise heill," she said. As she ran her hand along the strip of bleeding flesh around her brother's body, she became dismayed. She had missed hundreds of fragments; there was no way she was going to get them all out, and even if she did, it would leave yet another terrible scar on him.
"I'll keep working on it," she told him. "Occupy your mind with something else." There was silence for several moments as Daemon tried to keep his mind off the pain. He found his mind drifting toward the Varden. He had been told all his life that they were the enemy, they were evil, wrong for betraying the kind and gracious hand of King Galbatorix. But over the years, he had started to see with his own eyes that the king was anything but kind and gracious. He was cruel, to both his subjects and his prisoners. His favorite pets were those just like him, and who obeyed his every word.
"Sae, has it ever crossed your mind that we may be fighting on the wrong side?" he asked.
"Hmm?" Saenon asked, and he felt her hand start a little on his back. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, what if the king was actually the bad guy here, hmm. I'm not saying the Varden are the good guys, but we were never exactly given the chance to choose. We've been raised by the king's magicians...hmm. We've been told all our lives that his word is law and anyone not listening to him is wrong. But the more I think on it, the more I believe that, were I raised without bias, I would think the Varden had a nobler cause. Hmm..." He trailed off when he felt a sharp jab in his back and jumped with pain.
"Sorry," he heard Saenon mutter before saying, "Sure, it would seem noble to an outsider. Would make a romantic story, hmm? A brave, small group of rebels fighting against a powerful king they perceive as evil. But that's just a fairy tale, not reality. The Varden are a bunch of people with delusions of granduer, and we just need to show them that the king is not the tyrant they think and have propagated their children to believe."
"Like Jeshelle has propagated us to believe he is good?" Daemon asked.
"That's different," she insisted. "Now I don't want to hear anything else about it, okay? If the king caught wind of your words, he'd probably suspect you of treason."
"Right...well..." Daemon trailed off. The door suddenly burst open and Jeshelle entered.
"Saenon, what are you doing?" she asked, looking indignant. Daemon looked away from their mentor and surrogate mother and rolled his eyes.
"What does it look like? I'm healing my twin again," Saenon replied calmly. They both knew Jeshelle had an inordinate distaste of him. Daemon was certain he didn't want to know exactly why that was.
"You don't have time for that! He's not going to bleed to death, so let him be. You need to be practicing." She grabbed Saenon's arm and began to forcibly drag her from the room. Daemon reached into his pocket and pulled out the emerald green flower he had finally managed to make and tossed it to his sister. She caught it deftly and smiled.
"Happy Birthday, sis," Daemon told her.
"You too," she managed to say before Jeshelle slammed the door behind them.
END.

Saenon grimaced as the bitter memories of her brother subsided from her mind. She had been brought back to the present by Stefan shifting slightly and the dragon began to descend. It disconcerted her how quickly they'd made it to Narda. Usually from the capital the trip would take many days. On dragonback, they'd made it in mere hours. When Jueru landed, Saenon quickly slipped out of the saddle and onto the ground. Flight never was exactly a picnic with her.
Stefan remained in the saddle for a few moments, conversing with his bond.
It's best you remain here, Stefan told him. I don't want you to be guilty for betraying the Varden while you still have a choice in the matter.
And you, Stefan? Jueru asked, looking back and flicking out his tounge several times. Stefan had completely shut off all emotion: sadness, anger, happiness, resentment, depression, it was all nonexistant to his Rider now. Jueru couldn't help but wonder if Stefan had cast some sort of spell around himself to keep him from feeling anything.
I will do what I must. You know I cannot disobey. He joined the woman on the ground and strode off for Narda. Saenon followed closely, curious to see what he would do. Could a man really betray his comrades so easily? Did one's name really hold that much power?
Once inside the town, Stefan easily found the Varden, for though he had never been stationed there, they could always be found if one knew where to look. All the Varden looked up in surprise as he entered, having not received notice of anyone coming. He quickly drew his sword and began to mercilessly slaughter everyone in there. Saenon helped, distracting them with hallucinations of her own making, but allowed him to do all the dirty work this time. There would be more opportunities later, and she wanted to see how far he would go. She was impressed; he did not leave a single person alive.
Once his fight was finished, she turned to him and stared for several moments. "I would have preferred to keep one or two alive for a little while and have torn more names and locations from their minds," she told him coldly. Stefan returned her icy gaze with dead eyes, no feeling whatsoever. Saenon allowed herself a slight shudder as she looked away. If all the Varden soldiers could become as hard as this man, she was sure there was no way the Empire could win this war. He didn't say anything, but merely left and proceeded to return to his dragon.
~~~~~
Anjalique sat out in a sunny courtyard, staring up as the cloudless sky. On her lap sat curled the tiny hatchling she had named Katon. The dragon was among the most unique ever seen, a combination of pale green and pink. It really was quite beautiful. But Anjalique knew there was more to it than that; the dragon was a fierce thing right from the beginning, having bitten off the finger of a guard who had tried to help her up after she had received the silvery mark on her hand. She was sure that when the dragon grew older, it would be just as fierce and awe-inspiring as any dragon.