Report for Duty

[Tismri]

Stefan watched Cherilyn keenly as she took the offensive, his eyes taking in her face, her stance, and her sword all at once. Her attacks were simple, but lightning-fast. He blocked all of them with ease before attacking, stabbing toward her side before slashing upward. She was much more confident in her strikes than she had been in the past, her hold on the sword more comfortable than before. He was pleased at the progress she had made, but a part of him missed her prior innocence.

[Trinn]

In a moment Stefan turned the tide againt Cherilyn. His last parry hit hard and knocked Draumr away in a wide arc. It was all she could do back peddle and swing Draumr in closer to her body to block the slash aimed at her side. Their swords met with a muted clang. The vibration ran up Cherilyn's arm. She sidled to the left to avoid the next upward slash. It became clear that Stefan was stronger than her still, but she could counter strength if she put in a bit more speed. Diving, Cherilyn hit the ground and rolled, springing back up behind him. Draumr was a blue blur as she lashed out at Stefan's back.

[Tismri]

Stefan kept his eyes firmly fixed on Cherilyn as she blocked his attack, his concentration unwavering. He had trained long and hard with Trinn, and one of the things she had taught him was to look at his opponent, consider everything he knew about her, read her body language, and from that, try to guess how she would move. Although it had been years since they had last fought, or even seen each other, Stefan remembered enough about Cherilyn to make fairly accurate assessments. When she realized she couldn't match his strength, he noticed her movements speed up, faster than his eyes could follow. However, his instincts told him that she was going to attack him from behind, so he raised his sword arm and bent it backwards, Wyrda's blade parallel to his spine. Holding it in place, he spun around until he was facing her again, and then lifted the blade horizontal and lunged toward her.

[Trinn]

Cherilyn cursed to herself as Stefan easily moved to block her. It was almost as if he could read her mind! She bit her lower lip as he started on the offensive again. There were other tools here she could use, she suddenly realized. Hoping to startle him, Cherilyn reached out with her mind and pushed against his. As she did so, she parried with the edge of her blade and shoved the tip of his sword down toward the ground. That left her a very brief gap before he would have his sword back up. She took advantage of it and began lunging and feinting, hoping her mental assault had been enough to distract him. Cherilyn noticed that there spar had taken them a short distance past their camp, although the fire could still be easily seen. Both dragons watched them attentively, and she new Cordelia was paying attention to anything out of the ordinary. Hopefully the sounds of their false fight would not draw the attention of any hostiles.

[Tismri]

Stefan grimaced as he felt the prodding at his mind. His barriers were up immediately, despite the fact that he recognized her touch. Though a number of years had passed, the memory of his abuse at the hands of Galbatorix and his magicians remained, and it was hard for him to let anyone besides Jueru inside. It proved distracting enough that he lost his focus on Cherilyn, and though he never took his eyes off her, he could not longer predict her moves quite so easily. She landed a touch on his side, and he retreated from her, back on the defensive.

Suddenly an airy, trilling accent that belonged only to elves came from the darkness, words of the ancient language clear and precise. "You might want to avoid using mental combat until you're within friendly territory again." A rather tiny elf stepped out of the shadows, bow in hand. She stared at them with keen eyes for a moment. "You never know what scouts might be out this far. You're lucky I'm of Arya Drotting's army rather than Katriana's." Stefan turned to look at her more fully. She was telling the truth, as she was still speaking in her native language, but that didn't lessen his apprehension. She had been able to sneak up on them silently, and it was rather disconcerting.

"We will keep that in mind," he replied. "But how do you know we are not your enemies?"

"I saw you two land, coming from Bromsland," she replied. She kept ahold of her bow, and occasionally her eyes darted around their surroundings, watching for anything out of the ordinary. "This far east of the desert is still yet to be fought over, but it remains as more of a no-man's-land than anything, which is why I'm here."

"Very well," Stefan replied after a moment of silence. He sheathed Wyrda and gestured to their camp several yards away. "Feel free to join us if you wish, then. My name is Stefan, bond of Jueru. My companions are Cherilyn and Cordelia."

"I'm Fira," the elf replied. Though she looked tired, she gave a wary gaze to the campfire. "Thank you for your hospitality. A safe place to rest would be most welcome tonight."

[Trinn]

The sudden lilting elven voice caused Cherilyn to twirl around and bring her sword up to face the possible threat. She narrowed her eyes at the elf, looking over her carefully. If she had not hear the woman's voice first, Cherilyn would have thought she was looking at a tall dwarf. As Stefan conversed with the elf, Cherilyn removed the dulling spell from Draumr. Just in case. Stefan was being more cordial than she would have expected of him. It seemed in their time apart he had grown more eloquent in his speech, and he had mastered the ancient language. "Then you are welcome, Fira. Come, dinner should be ready by now."

Cherilyn led the way back to camp. Cordelia had perked up and was sitting on her haunches. This one is young for an elf, but it seems she has already missed death a few times. Cherilyn glanced towards the elf again, and in the firelight noticed the intense scarring on her left side. But underneath the scarring, Fira seemed to shine with youth and vitality. She wondered how young the elf truly was.

"Please, have a seat." she gestured to the tree roots that could serve as seats. Cherilyn sheathed Draumr and then began to portion out the stew. She gave their guest the first bowl, then Stefan and herself. The meat was soft and the vegetables tender and the broth burning hot. Cherilyn sat herself near Cordelia on the ground.

"Why have you traveled this far by yourself?"

[Tismri]

Despite the circumstances, Fira was glad to have a safer place to rest for the night. She'd spent many a night on this trip resting in trees, only for an hour or two each night. As a scout, she had to remain alert for anything unusual. With two allied dragons nearby, however, she just might be able to take in a full night's sleep. She followed the others, slinging her bow on her back. The closer she got to the campfire, however, the slower her steps became. After she took the bowl, she took a seat on a tree root as far away from the fire as she could while still sitting politely close to her hosts. She held the stew in both hands, taking in its warmth as Cherilyn asked her question.

"I'm a scout in the queen's army," she replied. "It's my job to venture out here looking for anything suspicious." She looked between the two Riders and their dragons curiously. "And what about you? It's unusual to run into anyone out here, much less Riders." Though she tried to keep her eyes on the others, her gaze kept getting drawn to the flames before her, and a shudder ran through her.

[Trinn]

Cherilyn set her bowl aside to let it cool. She considered Fira's answer and decided an elf out scouting this far wasn't too absurd. "Stefan and I are on a mission from New Doru Arabea. It will take us near the spine." Cherilyn spoke in the ancient language out of respect for the elf, and also to see how well Stefan could really keep up. "I would tell you more, but, I would rather keep our quest confidential for now. It's not that I don't trust you, but I'd rather not risk any sort of gossip." If the information fell into the wrong hands, then the enemy could reach the urgals before she and Stefan could. Or, they might try and intercept the two of them and either capture or slay them.

Noticing the way that Fira kept glancing at the fire, Cherilyn began to suspect there was something bothering the young elf. "Is the fire too hot?" she asked, gesturing towards the flames. The wary way Fira looked at the fire combined with the scar tissue that covered her on one side made it clear that the two were somehow connected. Somewhere sometime Fira had been caught in a blaze.

[Tismri]

"I understand," Fira replied to Cherilyn's answer. Some missions were better kept confidential, and she felt no need to press for more details. She concentrated on eating the stew, enjoying the warm food, a change from the rations she'd brought with her and the plants she could find. She started slightly at Cherilyn's question and bowed her head in shame.

"No...the warmth is not the problem," she said. "I just...Open flames bring back some bad memories for me. I can hardly stand to be around a candle flame. I was in an accident several months ago." She was hesitant to expand further, not wanting to think about the fact that her brother almost killed her. Such extensive scarring was unusual for elves, who were the best of healers in the land, but the magical fire had left her skin permanently marked.

[Trinn]

"I'm sorry to bring up bad memories." Cherilyn said. "I don't wish to cause you any discomfort." Standing, Cherilyn kicked dirt over a portion of the fire. Half of the flames died out, leaving only a small fire licking up towards the sky. "It's better this way anyway. We don't want enemy eyes spotting us due to a campfire." Cherilyn took her bowl, which had cooled a bit, and began eating. After a few mouthfuls, she asked another question that was on her mind. "I hope I am not being too forward, Fira, but how many years do you have? You glow like the embodiment of youth!" She hoped she didn't sound odd saying it. She glanced at Stefan, wondering if he noticed it as well. He had grown silent, and she wondered if was able to keep up with their conversation.

[Tismri]

Fira shrugged at the comment, not minding. This topic was at least better than thinking about her brother. The fact that Cherilyn was thoughtful enough to put out the fire made her more comfortable as well.

"I've not even two decades yet," she admitted. "I'm only seventeen, making me the youngest in the queen's service." She thought of how she'd had to argue and prove her skills before she was accepted. Many of the elves prized her youth, but without any real family, Fira felt that she had to prove her worth to herself, and fighting for her queen seemed the best way to her.

Stefan remained quiet during dinner, letting the girls talk. He listened with moderate interest to the details of the elf's life she was giving. He was more curious about her small stature than anything else. Most elves were a sight taller than men, averaging between six and six-and-a-half feet. But this little elfling with them wasn't even near five feet tall. Perhaps it had something to do with her youth, but he doubted it. However, he didn't feel particularly comfortable asking her about it, so instead he listened quietly, eating his stew. Every once in a while, he found his gaze drifting over to Cherilyn, taking in her image, noting the changes their time apart had given her, and how much she had remained the same. Then he would find himself staring and turn his attention elsewhere, but only for a few minutes before she captured it again.

[Trinn]

"Seventeen!" Cherilyn exclaimed. The elf was only a child! At least among elven standards. She was greatly surprised that Arya had allowed the girl to join any sort of fighting battalion yet. That did explain Fira's youthful glow though. "I am surprised, Fira, that you are out like this by yourself. From all that I've read of your culture, any elven children are greatly protected and groomed. They are like precious gemstones. From what I understand, elves do not have children very often, and when they do it is a very cherished happening."

Cordelia extended her neck and sniffed at Fira. So that is what I'm smelling. She smells like a new spring day, or fresh snowfall. Pure somehow, and crisp. Cherilyn was fascinated by Cordelia's description, and made a mental note to write it one her journal so that she could tell Tismri about it.

[Tismri]

Fira raised an eyebrow and Cherilyn's exclamation, as usual disliking the fuss. She was young, yes, but she was capable. She always worked hard to earn her place in elven society, although at her age they would still be more than happy to give her whatever she needed or wanted.

"I'm not too much younger than the queen was when she became the ambassador for the Varden," she pointed out. She'd finished her stew and set her bowl aside, drawing her knees close to her chest. "I don't like the feeling of not somehow earning my place in the world. I wouldn't feel right taking everything for nothing in return, and since I have no family..." Her voice broke and trailed off for a moment before she continued. "No family to speak of, I feel I must earn my keep for myself."

[Trinn]

Feeling guilty for her outburst, Cherilyn made sure to be more careful with her future words. "Of course. Forgive me, Fira. I fully understand how you feel." She did not press the issue, and though she wished to ask about Fira's family, Cherilyn resisted. Instead, she turned to business. "Fira, you've been on your own out here for a little while now I assume. Please, take the whole night to rest. Stefan, Jueru, Cordelia and I have previously agreed to take turns keeping a night watch." Cherilyn turned her eyes on Stefan, quiet brooding Stefan. "Hey you, which watch do you want?"

I'll take third. Cordelia said to her companions. I'm quite tired now and don't think I could stay awake for these first few hours. Cherilyn nodded, and lifted an eyebrow expectantly at Stefan.

[Tismri]

Fira smiled at Cherilyn's offer, more than glad to take a chance to receive a full night's rest. She only slept a few hours each night while scouting, and then only lightly, keeping aware of potential dangers and other movements besides.

"Thanks. The rest will do me much good." She glanced at the coals in the fire pit, still burning too brightly for her comfort and climbed into the large branches of a nearby tree. She often felt safer up there than on the ground, able to gain a vantage point on any situation. She lay on her back and gazed up at the stars overhead, still keeping aware of her surroundings as her restful night visions played out before her open eyes.
~~~~~

Stefan stirred from his thoughts when Cherilyn called out to him. He'd been contemplating how her hair was now a different length than it had been when they'd parted. It didn't change her beauty to him, but the different lengths enhanced it in various ways. He brought his attention to the question she'd directed at him.

"I'm still wide awake," he told her, standing to stretch his legs. After sitting in the saddle all day, walking around would do him some good. "I'll take the first watch." He glanced up at Jueru, whose eyes were drooping closer to shut with each passing minute.

I'll go...last, he said, pausing in the middle of his sentence to release a wide yawn. The flight had left him as tired as Cordelia, if not more so. He sidled a little closer to the blue dragon and was asleep before Stefan could quite reply. He smiled, the sight of the two dragons bringing him a measure of peace; then he turned to Cherilyn.

"I suppose I'll wake you in a few hours then," he told her.