Talarine: Ally to the Angels

Chapter 22

Tal stopped as soon as a noise outside caught her attention. Thankfully she was at a stopping point as she had to let the armor 'rest'. She had pulled her hair back into a pony tail and was wearing her smithing outfit when she saw Imperius enter with Anaurael. Surprised Tal didn't know what to say as they greeted her, "Sister. Archangel Imperius." She greeted them in return. "I was not aware of you coming down so soon or anytime soon. Please forgive me if I seem a touch startled, but what may I help you with?" When Anaurael told her what she wanted to do, Tal about froze. Tal looked to Imperius and he only nodded, which had her sighing. "Sister, as deeply honored as I am, would the heavens not be a better and safer place for you to learn to smith?" When explained that Imperius was also here to help forge something along with Tal, She knew that something was up she looked to Imperius once more and he shook his head.

To her that signaled that it was better not to ask anymore questions. The motions between the two were so minor that Anaurael didn't notice at first; Tal looked back to her and sighed. "I can teach you the mortals basic smithing. But I have a special type of smithing that I am unsure if Imperius would allow me to teach it to you." When she spoke those words both seemed to look at her with curiosity. I walked into this one. She thought and so began the explaination of Valkrien forged Armors and Weapons. When she was finished with the explaination she remembered her armor and she turned to gather it up and placed it on the workbench. "Sorry about that. Xypherius mentioned wanting to see me in armor so I am working on some." At this mention Anaurael was eager to see what it looked like. "It isn't completed yet as I feel something is missing. But before we begin I would suggest tying or binding back your hair." She looked to the armor upon the workbench and saw a nearby maniquen.

"Why?"

"It will keep your hair from getting into your face as you work. Oh and put this on." She handed Anaurael several things. "My own Master told me safety first." Tal placed some of the armor upon the Maniquen and tightened it. "Worry not the door to my house is over there. Go on in and I will finish putting this up. The blackout curtains are drawn tight so nothing will get through and no one will see you." She said after tighting it up the armor. "TREIAN!" Tal called out as her second came running up. "Run parimater around my house and make sure that no one draws close to forge or home. Anaurael is visiting to learn some smithing and I want all areas covered."

"Yes Tal. Anything else?"

"Yes, bring me my usual ingrediants for my tea." Treian nodded and left as Talarine explained that he was her second and with that she, Anaurael and Imperius quickly busied themselves, when Tal wasn't working on the armor she was aiding Anaurael with the smithing after she was dressed and prepared. She taught her what she could and Imperius was quick to take over. Tal went back to the armor and went to look at the drawings only to throw the drawings into the flames. Imperius had Anaurael stop so he could walk over to see what was frustrating her so. When he noticed that she had upset herself and walked over to help Anaurael again he made a slight few changes without her noticing but Anaurael did. It was the least he could do for her aiding with Anaurael's smithing training. He wet back over as Anaurael started to ask questions about the swords that hung upon Tal's wall. Tal sighed, "Yes I made each of those by hand. Xypherius carries a dagger with him and so far no evil has been able to touch him well that I know of." Tal corrected herself. A howl sounded and Tal tensed up. "Something is coming. Sister I am afraid that you have been here long enough. Whatever is coming I don't want it to harm you. Maybe some other day I will teach you more about Valkrien weapons." Tal handed over a large leatherbound book. "A gift for you, read it with Itherael one day I think you will enjoy it." Imperius was quick to take her away as Tal removed her safety gear and rushed out of the forge as Xypherius came down to cool it down.

*****

Tal raced towards her pack, unlike the former pack they could all still hear each other no matter how far apart they were, but they could also block the others out if truly needed.Tal felt the wind brush through her fur as twigs, branches, leaves and thorns all brushed by her racing form. She 'saw' what they saw and upon her arrival what was seen was discussed.

So it wasn't a normal wildfire

Looks like the work of a rouge magic user.

Or an untrained one.

Those are few and far between around here.

Xypherius! Talarine's voice cut through the commotion. Causing the powerful angel to appear.

"What is-" he stopped short as he went rigid. "Tal remove yourself and the pack to the tree line. I will return momentairly with others." Doing so the wolves pulled back at his request. Tal refused to go to far and rested upon a boulder that jutted out of the ground.

When Xypherius returned it was with the Nephalem, the friends of the Nephalem and the Heroes. The scoundrel wasn't paying much attention until Tal walked up to Xypherius. She was in human form and he was tempted to go up to her. Well was until a rather large husky marked wolf came walking up with fangs bared towards him. "Treian try not to scare him to much." Tal spoke calmly. Even as a human her voice held the Alpha's command and Treian obeyed by pulling back. "This is your final warning Scoundrel. Dare to approch me or Anaurael again and my pack will tear you apart. My pack is bound to some of the Angels from the Heavenly Host and we will not hesitate to tear you apart. This IS your last warning and I will not give you another." Tal spoke looking into the eyes of the scoundrel, she spoke the message loud and clear for all to hear and the Heroes were in silent agreement that Talarine was not to be messed with.

Izarius came down at that moment and entered at the end of the warning. He saw her looking to the scoundrel and smiled as Xypherius repeated what was spoken. Then he looked to Talarine who noticed his arrival and softened the hard look she had held. "Archangel Izarius? Is there something I can help you with?" She asked politly. Those who were worthy of being treated kindly would be treated as family by the pack, but Talarine refused to call him brother until she had his permission; it was her way, and would remain that way for as long as she lived.

Izarius asked his question about the soulstones and it had her thinking. "I...I am unsure. But you are correct in seeing me about this. Can you get one for me?" When one was produced a chorus of snarls and snapping jaws sounded from the forest and from Treian. Tal quickly raced into the forest and came back after excussing herself for a moment. When she rearrived she sensed the demonic energy radiating from it and growled. The scent of it was quickly tested and soon the other wolves could smell the burning brimstone scent that came from it. It has a scent. This one is Brimstone, who is trapped in this stone?

Xypherius repeated what Tal spoke and Izarius was amazed. "Andariel."

Treian tried next but he picked up nothing and they realized that Only Tal could pick up the scents of the demons within the soulstones. Bring another and have Treian try again. I have a hunch that maybe we can only pick up the scent after one of us has smelled it. Another was brought and it was confirmed, when Treian picked up Baal's scent on the next stone, her pack had the ability to pick up on the scents of the demons in one stone every wolf. Tal rubbed her nose upon her leg to get the scent out of it but it wouldn't leave until Izarius moved closer to speak with her. She picked up on his scent and her ears went forward. She told Xypherius and it was quickly spoken to him he was now utterly amazed and when he finally left he went straight to Imperius about what he had learned.

******

"So the scent of any Angel counters that of any demon?" Xypherius asked as Tal walked into the forge.

"And it appears that we can store the scents for future reference. Which is giving me an idea."

"And what would that be?" Xypherius asked as his wings waved gently around.

"If I can get the scents of Anaurael and the Archangels stored away all of the pack and future members of the pack will be able to recognize which angel is which and what area they belong to."

Xypherius thought for a moment, "That is an interesting idea. But would you not need all the angels?"

"Maybe, but I dont think so. If possible see if Tyrael or Itherael or even Anarius could give us some insight into it."

"I will see what is possible." With that he left her be to finish the Armor only for her to turn and be surprised to see that it had been changed to fit a whole new plan. "Well...Looks like you win this round Imperius." She smiled as she set to work once more. She looked up to her father's sword and smiled. Thanks to Imperius a new plan had been set into motion and soon the armor would be complete.