Steel Wolf

Sandfall Bay

"The decision to resign from the Order is yours, of course," said Tanaya, as they made their way to the Kinnitt's Blade in the early morning hours. Tandala and Duulug strode beside her, hand-in-hand. "However, I must refuse your desire to join the Blood Shadows. This is for your own good, as well as my sanity. Every time we go into battle, I'll be worried more about my little sister than getting the job done. Mom and Dad would have my head on a pike if I let anything happen to you."

"Tanaya, I'm not a girl anymore. I've bested men your size using my bare hands. Imagine what I can do with swords." Tandala gazed upward at her sister with fire in her eyes.

"Come with me," Tanaya said abruptly, grabbing her by the arm, steering her out of line. She pointed to a random Royal Guard in armor, crooking her finger for the Guard to follow.

"Trooper, give me your swords. Both of them. Now," she ordered harshly. Instantly, the swords were held out for her to take. She grabbed them, backing a few paces away from Tandala. Holding the swords point up, her left hand shot out to release the sword, throwing it to Tandala. Tandala's hand flashed upwards and bounced off the sword's grip, causing it to spin. The tip of the sword nicked her upper arm, blood welling up. It clattered to the ground.

"Pick it up," Tanaya ordered her sister. Tandala bent to grab the sword, feeling Tanaya's sharp blade at the back of her neck. It was removed, Tanaya backing up a step.

"Pick it up," she snapped. Tandala picked up the sword, carefully watching the warrioress. "Attack me."

Tandala twirled the sword like a swashbuckler. Timing the spinning blade, Tanaya took a large step toward Tandala, spun and stepped behind her sister, her own blade resting on the younger woman's shoulder.

"Sister," she said gravely, removing the blade from Tandala's shoulder, lightly taking the sword from her grasp, "you are devastating in the use of fists and feet, but you don't know the first thing about handling a sword." She gave the swords back to the Guard, thanking him. "The sword is not for show. It is designed to end a conflict. You could easily have severed an artery when you dropped it the first time."

"You know how quickly I pick up on instruction, Tanaya," protested the former monk. "You had no trouble in accepting the help my sion provided over the last two months, either. You've taken a group of complete outsiders into your ranks, and rumor has it that an elf will soon join the Blood Shadows. Our help in fighting the trolls and brownies was invaluable; you know this. I think that y..."

"If you utter the phrase, 'you owe me,' dear sister," Tanaya bent slightly, coming eye-to-eye with Tandala, voice dripping with venom, "I'll toss you into the water and let you find your own way out. This is not play-yard at recess. This is life and death. Have you seen the graves on the other side of the city?"

"Tanaya Newlander! How dare you speak to me about life and death? Four of my sion are buried there!" shouted Tandala.

Tanaya straightened, narrowing her eyes.

"You certainly forgot your Order training quickly," Tanaya said softly. "Yesterday, it would've taken the sky falling down to rattle your cage. Here you are, whining at me like a child who was told to go to bed without dessert." She inhaled deeply, letting it out slowly.

"See me after dinner tonight, aboard the ship." Tanaya strode away without another word. Duulug, standing a few feet away, watching the confrontation, moved up next to Tandala.

"Hah'gahn say no, huh?" she asked as they watched Tanaya's retreating back.

"Well, choko," replied Tandala, using the orcish word for dear, "she didn't say yes."