Mirror Mirror

[Tismri]

OOC: Yeah...not feeling too title creative at the moment. So I named it after Weiss' theme song. lol

Weiss stared into the mirror for a long moment. The cut on her eye had almost healed completely. Her vision was perfect again, and there was no evidence of damage done to it at all. The only thing that really remained was a scar over her eyelid, oddly uneven between the upper and lower. She could still remember the excurciating pain when the enemy had struck the blow. Adonis had effectively blinded her during the fight.
As she thought of it, Weiss realized just how lucky she was that she and her friends had made it out alive, though she felt the cost was too high, and their mission was largely unsuccessful. She couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed in herself; how had her little sister been able to kill a Shade, and here she was defeated by an elf! Though, truth be told there were a number of Shades on his side, both sides had effectively held even numbers. Reflecting on it just made her frustrated.
Once she was done contemplating, Weiss left her room, bringing her rapier with her. She was still trying to refill the energy in its gems, even going so far as asking for assistance from a few friends. It was finally nearing its full capacity. She made her way to the throne room, where she was met by Lifaen and a few other elves from their disastrous mission. They had received word that Arya Drotting wished to give them a new mission, now that they were mostly recovered.

[Max452]

In silent contemplation, Arya sat upon her throne, awaiting the group of elves that she had sent for. She and Firnen had just returned from Illeira, aiding and assuring Nasuada that the elves would stand with her in this war. Her mind recalled the yawe that was tattooed on her shoulder; a reminder of her duty to all races, but it was now more prominent as she adorn the diadem upon her crown. Although her features betrayed nothing of her emotions, Arya was indeed worried over the reports she had heard. The Shade Rider was building a Shade army, and to her horror, trying to gather Eldunaris. This was not acceptable! A shameful act against nature, it was! This Rider would plague the land with more darkness than the Black King that had died sixteen years ago.

As her thoughts drifted to that final battle, Arya could not help her thoughts drifting to Eragon. She missed him dearly. Apart of her, regretted that she did not go with Eragon and Saphira...but the more sensible part reminded her of her duty to her people, and so, Arya would sacrifice comfort for the wellbeing of others. It was her duty as a Queen and a Rider. It was always her duty, a bitter, unchecked, thought drifted in her mind before she squashed it quickly. Thankfully, the doors to the throne room opened before she allowed her mind to betray her again.

[Tismri]

Weiss entered the room following after Lifaen. He was always considered to be more of the leader of their group, and they allowed him to handle any sort of negotiations and receive their missions. It wasn't a spoken agreement, but it more silently happened. As they entered, they all knelt before their sovreign, twisting their hands over their chests in the gesture of fealty.
"Arya Drotting, we are ready to receive our orders," Lifaen said. "Send us where you will, and we will carry out your bidding."

[Max452]

"Rise." Arya replied softly; she terribly disliked it when people knelt before her. Her emerald eyes briefly scanned, but observed all, individuals before her. Weiss and her group had just recently recovered and Arya did not want to send them out so soon, but time and resources were scarce. The Shade's army was growing stronger each day and Arya could feel disunity amongst the lands; for balance and peace to be restored, they must act quickly.
"Weiss." Queen Arya's penetrating eyes were directed at the appointed leader. "I am glad that you and your have recovered swiftly. Your last report of the influx of Shades have troubled Queen Nasuada and I, and both of us have now issued teams to go and investigate these matters further. As you know, it is difficult to successfully create Shades, and yet, we find ourselves seeing these abominations covering the land with blood. There are many possibilities on how they are achieving such abominable feats; I am more concerned on the power source. Find out what you can, Weiss. We had last received reports that the Beor Mountains have too seen an increase sightings of the Shades. Baragh is were you will go. Be weary and careful; the enemy is delving in power that is not meant to be trifled with." Arya warned them all before imparting her blessing and wish. "May the stars watch over you all."

[Tismri]

The gathered force received their orders from their queen in respectful silence. Upon hearing it, they bowed once more before departing.
"It shall be done, my queen," came the reply as they turned to leave.
***
About a week had passed before they made it to Buragh. Once there, they were greeted cordially, of cautiously, by the dwarf rulers.
"Welcome, elves," the clan leader greeted them. He seemed a bit nervous, Weiss noticed. "Thank you for coming so quickly. There have been sightings of Shades on the borders of our land. If that is true, we could never hope to defeat them."
"Where exactly have they been sighted?" Lifaen asked. Weiss could tell he was trying to be patient. She knew enough about him to know that he was from a time when relations between dwarves and elves were rather stretched, though she never did hear what the source of the conflict was.
"Ah, forgive me," the dwarf continued, "All the sightings have been to the north, and most to the east." He took a map and pointed to the area. Weiss memorized its location immediately.
"Very well," Lifaen replied. "We will be on our way. We should deal with this as quickly as possible." He turned to leave, but the dwarf asked a curious question.
"May I ask why there is a young human woman in your ranks? I am only wondering; it is unusual for humans to join what otherwise seems to be an exclusively elven force."
"Lady Weiss is half-elven," one of their companions responded. "And she is one of the best duelists in Du Weldenvarden. She is the daughter of Lord Baenlin." Weiss blushed at the mention of her heritage. She never did care to flaunt her title, though she knew when it was necessary to use it.
"Come," she called, "The longer we linger, the more damage the Shades may cause." With that, they headed out of the city to find the source of evil in the mountains.
***
As they neared the location of the Shade sightings, the elves grw almost perfectly silent as they moved to surround the areas. Weiss had a rather bad feeling about it all, as the place seemed too quiet. Lifaen seemed so tense, she was afraid he might snap up at any moment and start attacking anything that moved.