The Eldars

37

Leean watches as Montani ruthlessly cuts down one evil one after another. Mant not far behind her. At the end of the day Leean himself only managed to kill two of the evil ones and finish off one Mant thought was dead, but wasn't.

He is in awe of Montani's skill and deadliness. Yet at the same time, there is something about Montani now, while she's like this, that terrifies the prince. He has no doubt that if he tried to stop Montani from killing an evil one that she would kill him, just to get to the evil one. That is what scares him the most.

When all the evil ones are done, Mant nods for him to head back to Teondae's house. Leean needs no second urging. He gathers his weapons that he let drop when he sat down to take a breather. He goes back to the house hoping to not run into Montani just yet, he's not sure how to deal with this side of her.

He too hears the words Teondae says to Montani in the entry way and he freezes. That's when he realizes that he is terrified of Montani. He scurries away to his room and draws a bath. Once the water is there he sinks into the hot water and lets his mind wander where it will as the water soaks his aches away.

For better or worse he is traveling with the scariest person in the world and she is his friend. He thinks. But how is he supposed to act like he did before with her? That is what occupies his mind for the remaining time he takes in the bath.

"Montani, you haven't changed. When they realize that they will accept you, all of who you are just like before." Mant says as they soak in the tub. It had taken some time to calm Montani down enough to coax her into the tub.

"Perhaps, Mant, but it won't be the same, it can never be the same as it was before." Montani whispers just loud enough for Mant to hear.

"I scare the monsters that scare everyone else," Montani continues.

"You don't scare me or the other Eldar, you know that Montani," Mant responds forcefully.

"Yes, I know and I am very thankful for that. I don't know what I'd do if it weren't for you and them." Montani wipes at the stray tears angrily. She has never liked crying, it has never solved anything.

"Montani," Mant begins pulling her close.

"The water is getting cold. I'm sure the food is as well, we should get out." Montani interrupts and stands up, breaking Mant's hold on her.

Mant hides the hurt her actions cause him. He knows it's just her reaction to her pain at the rejection of her friends, especially Leean.

He too stands up and grabs a towel. He dries off quickly and follows Montani out of the bathing room into their room to get dressed.

The both get dressed hastily and Mant stops Montani from leaving the room ahead of him. He takes her hand in his and entwines their fingers. As he does so he hears Montani let out her breath softly. She gives his hand a squeeze and they leave the room together.

"Montani, I don't think that's the way to the dining room..." Mant starts saying but his voice trails off as they enter a room that has things on display, some with glass covers over them.

Mant looks at Montani and she is staring fixated on one of the displays that is glass covered. Mant as he looks around finds himself fixated on another one.

"You found our treasure room," Teondae says but Mant can't tell what his tone is saying. It's almost amused but at the same time irritated.

Montani cocks her head as if she hears something and Mant notices a shocked look passes over Teondae's face at the same time.

Unsure what everything means, Mant tries to pull Montani back from her taking a step towards the glass display that she'd been staring at. "Montani, I think we've overstepped ourselves here." Mant says softly, but Montani just lets go of his hand and walks confidently towards the display case.

Inside the case lay a wrist guard for bowmen. Montani goes to touch the glass case and stops as if there is something stopping her. Mant and Teondae join her. "The wrist guard is special. One of the greatest treasures, made of Vacar and Eldar magic, it chooses it's owner." Teondae explains, but something in Teondae's voice makes Mant tense up.

"What are you not saying?" Mant demands and that gains Montani's attention.

"The last owner of the wrist guard was my brother." His words echo in the room as the other two just stare at him in shock.

Teondae opens the glass case and takes out the guard. He hands it to Montani, "You've heard the call, it desires you to be it's owner. Here take it, you will do it honor." Teondae turns to Mant next. 

"You too have heard the call of something in this room, perhaps not as strongly, but you have. Show me what it is?" Teondae says half in asking and half ordering the Eldar prince.

Mant slowly walks over to another case. Teondae joins him, surprise quickly hidden and no trace found in his voice, "So it has finally deigned to take an owner once more." Teondae opens the case and takes the item out.

"This item was one of the first created by Vacar and Eldar. Down through the ages it has been very picky about it's owners. It has had only three that I know of. The last was when the Vacar and Eldar split, never to work together again." Teondae hands Mant the dagger. It wasn't beautiful. Actually it looks rather utilitarian and used.

"A strike with this never misses." Teondae looks at Mant, "Be very careful at what you aim for when you use this. Once a strike has been started, it cannot be stopped for any reason. This dagger is both a blessing and a curse. Enemies will die by the blade, but loved ones can as well." Teondae's words make Mant's blood run cold. He looks over to Montani as she is messing with the wrist guard. Something makes him feel sick. He wants to set the dagger back, but finds instead that he tucks it into his belt.

Dinner that night was strained and silent as each member of the party is lost in their own thoughts.