From The Shadows »ᴄɵᴍᴘᴌᴇтᴇ(excl.part3)«

PART TWO - FOURTEEN

PART TWO – FOURTEEN [Edyrm's POV from now on until stated otherwise!]

With news of the drow moving, the need to get the interview's over for Kyra's guard was paramount. No-one knew what the drow were doing. Where they were going. What they wanted. And so, even though it was Re en' Cormea, Day of Hearts, I was giving an interview to a female Avariel elf dressed in a dark long sleeved shirt, and black trousers. I was surprised to find that I nearly forgot that she was Avariel until she moved her black wings. With her black hair, black eyes, porcelain skin and black clothing, they were unseen... until she moved.

"Why should I allow you to join your ranks, Harmu?" I demanded in English. Even though Kyra's Elvish was coming along with ease, she had forbidden all her guards to speak in Elvish a couple of weeks ago until she could talk it herself. Fluently.

I hid my smile remembering what had started it off. Aloiene had called her Mistress, something Kyra would have glared at her for if she had understood as she was still against the idea of having a servant. Even though she'd actually had one now for a couple of months. And now had another as having more guards meant more work for Aloiene. And so, Aloiene had a Suvreial, an apprentice, called Kolrien.

I watched Harmu calculate something in her head. To tell the truth or tell a lie. When she let out the smallest sigh possible, she responded. She came alive, with that, I knew I was about to get the truth. Her wings spread outwards and then relaxed, her posture didn't slump, but she seemed to have lost the stick that was holding her back straight. I mentally shook my head, I'd been hangout around with Kyra too long. Even my head was starting to sound like her.

"Van'Vasata told me the true reason behind why our Shorna wanted guards," Harmu started in a voice that spoke of the same as her hidden scars. Steel. Warrior. Victory. Even though she'd covered them, from research, I knew the scars she had. "Before he told me, I was going to apply with the knowledge that–" Her wings fluttered in nervousness. "I thought that if I surrounded myself with others who have my scars, I wouldn't feel so alone. And I know that I will be a valuable asset with keeping our Shorna safe as I can take to the air."

As I thought about scars, I thought of my own and then Haemir. Haemir had been trying to save elves from a purposefully ignited house fire from the drow. He'd ended up burning his right forearm, his healing magic not being able to prevent the harm. It had been soon after the weaving vines had appeared on his right forearm.

"What was your reason after Kharis told you the truth?"

Her black eyes met mine and held. "We all have secrets, Iome'Rilli. That is one of mine."

I looked at her for a moment. Saw in her eyes that nothing was going to make her tell me. She was a fighter and she was stubborn. It didn't help that telling me would seem to her like surrendering, and surrendering among the Averail culture was dishonourable.

"I have been with the Princess, from the start, Harmu," I told her, deciding that, knowing from research, she would be a good warrior to have on our side. I smiled. "She hadn't always been among us, she if she acts... unexpectedly, that is why. For the moment, while she learns Elvish, we are forbidden to speak in Elvish until she says otherwise."

"That's why you've been using names, not our Seraless'Eset?"

I nodded.

"But our names are only used between friends."

"Princess's orders."

She seemed to think about that. Then she gave a nod.

"She also has a cat called Kar, but Aloiene called him Small Fang in Elvish. Don't give him treats unless you want to be attacked."

She frowned at that, but said nothing.

"And don't over do it, but be careful with her. She is a High Mage. As you are now her guard you a forbidden by me, to tell anyone that piece of information."

Harmu nodded once again. I watched as this time, I lock of black hair fell, resting calmly on her chest.

"As you are now a guard you will hold rank of Guard Aerial Sergeant. You will have control over our two new scouts, Troqic, a wild, and Qara, a lythari, a pair bonded by the Elven Bond. And our aquatic, Zeang. Any questions?"

She nodded while looking shocked. "Why give me such a high rank?"

"Eltaor may have been with us since the start, but he is a follower, not a leader. Above you will be Haemir, and above him, me."

She nodded, trying to hide the shock she felt. "Who is under Haemir?"

"Eltaor, a star, and Soie, a sun."

I saw her lips twitch. "You accepted Soie? Are you sure that was the right thing to do? He's a Duke, a step under being a Ruler."

I grinned. "Our Princess will put him in place. Have no fear. And it was Laosx who commanded Soie to apply. Kharis told me that Soie was a guard, and that was that."

  

She chuckled, and as she did, I felt a strange stirring deep within.

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