SoW S5

Chapter Three

PART I

AN OLD FRIEND

This could not be happening! Senn had left her alone. Like she could ever feel at home here. All the doors were locked, and her belongings hidden from her. She could hear somebody walking by outside.

She sat up as someone burst through the iron door. "I am fine, I want to see who it is", a female Nestoris shouted over her shoulder as she walked into the room. "Oh, you are awake", she seemed startled. Lucria stood up. The Nestoris had a spear in her hand and her golden marking curled delicately around her body. "Uhm, I am Rivia...Nestoris", Rivia said.

Lucria had stepped closer, but she stopped suddenly when she heard the name. Memories flooded her mind and images flashed before her eyes. Lucria let out a gasp: "Rivia". Rivia squinted her eyes, trying hard to recognize the Voltaris in front of her. Then it clicked, "Wait, but you, you died, the last Voltaris perished at Hailstone". Rivia had her spear defensively in her hand. She lowered it and walked closer to Lucria.

"And you died at Mt. Velgrin, yet here we are", Lucria said, her voice sharp. "I- I never went to Mt. Velgrin, not after the Voltaris ambush", Rivia looked directly at Lucria. "You, you were there, weren't you?", Lucria nearly flinched at Rivia's harsh voice. "It does not matter if I was there or if I weren't", Lucria got defensive.

Rivia pointed her spear directly at Lucria's face. "My parents died in that attack!", Rivia cried. Lucria looked down, remaining silent. "I am sorry", Lucria soothed, trying to calm the Nestoris. "You have changed? Tell me you did not mean to do it", Rivia said.

"I missed you, Aurelius was broken too", Rivia's voice trailed off. "Rivia please", Lucria half begged. God, she hated it, begging for forgiveness, it made her seem so weak. There was a slim chance that this could heal the rift between her and Rivia, and if there was she was willing to do it. "One chance", Rivia said. Lucria looked up in hope, "I will give you one chance", she repeated.

Rivia made her way towards the exit. Suddenly Lucria grabbed her hand. The Voltaris cringed slightly, "Do not tell the others, alright", Lucria mouthed. She looked just like she used to, just well taller and with larger horns, Lucria thought. She awkwardly let go of Rivia's hand. She had been staring at the Nestoris almond eyes and her curly eyelashes. "You have gotten pretty tall Lucria, you know that?", Rivia said and walked out. I have gotten pretty tall, well at least several inches taller than her, Lucria grinned to herself.

PART II

THE BURIAL

Rivia walked over to Senn and his group. She nodded in greeting. "I left Nestoria as soon as I heard the news, I bring condolences from Aurelius and the rest of the Nestoris", she said. Senn had arranged a burial for the deceased Voltaris.

"Good to see you again", Theseus reached out his hand in greeting. He pulled her into a hug. It had been years since they'd seen each other. They were childhood friends, and they had their warrior assessment together. The assessment was a test for young ardoni warriors who had trained for years. In this test they would show their skill to the Masters and respected ardoni warriors. If they passed, they would be gifted weapons and even songs.

Both Theseus and Rivia had passed and that was how she got her spear and her Aggropunch. Theseus however took no interest in song and politely declined when offered a Mobilium.

"Who are your new friends", Rivia asked and pulled out of the tight hug. "Fae, Kylor, Val, Ria", he pointed out each individual ardoni when he said their name. She greeted them with respect, even though she already knew Senn. "I am Rivia Nestoris", she presented. "Now that everyone has been introduced, we should proceed with the ceremony", Senn said with a sad voice.

A trail of red light moved down toward the murky rivers, all the Voltaris walked in line. Their red markings were occasionally divided by ardoni from other clans. The sun was setting, and it bathed the ardoni in orange light. They dead had already been buried and many unlit gravestones set in the ground above.