The past The Present from Nihrvanah

Something in the chaos reminded Nihrvanah of a glimpse in her past, but then the enemy at the gates grew more urgent, wave after wave attacking the Fortress of Ta’Vaalor.

http://bit.ly/2kG1NMW

Category: Towns
Topic: Ta’Vaalor

Date: 02/06/2017 01:59 PM CST

From: LTLPRPRINCESS

Subj: The Past… The Present

She had been coddled a good deal of her early life, sheltered by her mother from the overly militaristic ways of her father and elder brothers. Her mother, Lareina, had always wanted a girl after conceiving three males and watching her twin sister delight in the birth of her daughter. While her sons started training early in life, sparring against each other in their estate’s courtyard with their father, Vezeret, overseeing them, Nihrvanah was often treated to afternoon teas with her mother, or various shopping trips to fill either her wardrobe with gowns, or her jewelry boxes with ostentatious accessories or trinkets. Her mother intended to raise her as a maiden first, and a soldier second, treating her with special attention as her father seemed entirely lost when it came to raising a girl. The agreement was made, and Lareina was given the opportunity to do with Nihrvanah as she wished until she was a certain age.

Nihrvanah reached that age the prior week and training began that day. Her mother watched from the balcony overlooking the courtyard, removing herself from sight so her little girl could focus on the task at hand. She watched as her daughter shook nervously in front of her father, his dour presence intimidating to this delicate flower. She watched as a spear was thrown to her daughter’s feet and Nihrvanah was commanded to pick it up. She watched as her daughter did just that and heard the whimpering as her father directed her to defend an incoming blow. It was not a hard one, nor a difficult one to deflect, but Nihrvanah was soft, having never seen her brothers in action. Lareina sighed as she watched Nihrvanah cry and drop the weapon, cowering away in fear of Vezeret. She watched as her sons laughed at the girl who feared what they embraced so easily, taunting her with seemingly harmless jabs as brothers were wont to do.

She watched as Nihrvanah continued to walk backwards, head lowered yet looking for an exit, and she watched as her husband’s patience broke with the girl, grabbing her before she could run. She swore she would not interfere, but she heard her husband’s rising temper in his voice as he yelled at the girl, her sobs intermingling with his tirade. She couldn’t just stand around, not now. Her baby was being threatened and she had to rescue her. She ran through the balcony doors, hurrying down the steps and out into the courtyard in time to watch her husband and sons fall silent as an audible snap followed by a pained scream erupted from Nihrvanah. Vezeret released her from his grasp, took a step back with regret in hus eyes as he looked up to see his wife standing before him, her expression one of cold anger as she saw the result of his wrath. Her daughter curled up on the ground, holding her now oddly angled arm tightly to her chest, tremors wracking her body.

Lareina said nothing as her husband, already an elf of few words, stumbled across an apology, his voice fumbling as he attempted to express contrition. She remained silent as she gathered her daughter in her arms and carried her inside, away from the patriarch of the family and their dutiful sons.

That was the last time Vezeret was allowed to train Nihrvanah.

*****

She cursed to herself as the rain began to pour, bringing with it the stench of decay. There was no senior enlisted around for her to get commands from, not even the Champion or Pereus could be found. Where were they? she wondered as she stared at the courts, bustling with squires, citizens, and visitors who knew what was coming, but had no idea what to do. She swore silently as she realized no orders would come unless they came from her.

Within moments, she called for volunteers to man the walls defenses, calling for the gates to be guarded. Valero and Legonilas she sent to Annatto; Krystalena was given charge of triage with Dantineth to assist. She escorted Pfui and a few others to the Drake, relieved that he was ever vigilant in this role. She took Vermilion gate, knowing full well that when the waves got stronger, she would be overrun. In the back of her mind, she could hear her brothers’ taunts, accusing her of being weak, of being soft. She wasn’t fit for this role, but no one else was stepping up. Tonight’s success, or failure, would be on her shoulders, the gravity of which weighed heavily upon her already.

They came. Wave upon wave of undead were thrown upon them, their puppeted lives expendable to sword and shield. She knocked them down with an elemental wave, and sung a song to speed her actions as she swung her blade in a rapid pace, back and forth, cutting the enemy down. Another attack came and she raised her voice, her screech sending waves of sonic disruption to cull the beasts before her. The path was clear before her but she was weakened by the attack. She ran to the courts for healing, and upon seeing Whirlin and several others representing the Hand of Arkati, silently thanked whatever supreme force saw to send such reinforcements. She told them to take Vermillion, to see to pushing back the enemy along Timmorain Road. They easily acquiesced and she went to back up Annatto. The road was being overrun, so many waiting to make their assault against her home.

She stood before them, scythe of flames held out before her, as her voice prepared to lash out at them. Her cry was released against them, bringing death and utter decimation. Twice they attacked, twice she annihilated them with her scream. The raspy voice of Vengeance, angered at the loss, threatened the towns defenders, telling them they would pay. In a moment of blind arrogance, Nihrvanah’s only response was “Come at me!” Once the words left her lips, she knew she made a grave mistake, challenging a being far more powerful than her, the depths of which led to a slaughter amongst her people and those visitors who volunteered their much needed aid. Again Vengeance taunted them, accusing their, her, arrogance of being the cause of her comrades’ deaths. She knew it was not wrong.

The cycle continued: resurrection, respell, fight, death. Demons were brought forth, slaughtering those in their wake. Both gates saw denizens of the Old City. Griffins and deathworms worked their way past the walls, either over or under, threatening those outside the safety of the Hall of Arkati. She stood, still recovering enough energy to join the fray, thinking about how she failed everyone, her commands not enough to battle that which sought their destruction. Just as she was about to step out the Hall to continue the fight, Vengeance called out with another taunt thrown to spit in their faces: “Where is your Champion? Where are your defenders? Oh yes… dead!” Shortly after, as if this was all a game to it, it withdrew its forces.

There was small celebration in the streets, for tonight’s battle had been won. She could not enjoy the time, though, not even when her comrades spoke encouraging words about how she led them through it all. Her only response was a shake of the head and a wistful glance away, her mind racing with what was to come next, the expectations she had failed to reach, the deaths on her hands. She left them to their drinks and joy as she headed home to prepare for the lectures on her failures she knew would be coming.

OOC: I did most of this on a tablet at the Doctor’s which resulted in stupid autocorrects I didn’t catch until I posted like 3 times. I think I got them all, but can we please get an edit button? That would be great.