Here's chap 1. Again sorry for the length.
Straki looked out worryingly over the horizon, just outside the gate to the outpost. It had been 12 cycles since Hachit died and despite all his efforts, Jukco had managed to turn Chiatsa into a ruethless warrior. I have failed you my friend. Despite all I've taught her, she still ended up following Jukco.
"Still no sign of them?" Shasha asked, breaking his train of thought.
"No." he replied saddly. There was a big battle that day and Jukco himself lend the charge. While it wasn't the nicest thing to wish, he often wished Jukco would get killed and Chiatsa would come back. Shasha must have read his thoughts.
"You're wishing for Jukco's death again aren't you? You know it's ill omen to wish that for any of our kind."
"I know, but sometimes I feel it's the only way to get Chiatsa away from him. She's constently by his side. And as long as she is, we can't undo what Jukco has done to her."
"I'm afraid she may be too deep into his beliefs by now, my love. If she can change for the better, I'm afraid she'll have to do it on her own."
"I was afraid you'd say that. Look here they come."
"And as usual they have casalities, I'll go get ready." Shasha said glumly and she headed back in.
Straki scanned the group of warriors looking for Jukco and Chiatsa. He saw Jukco, mounted on his Sharpclaw in the front of the group. For a while he couldn't see Chiatsa and his heart started to sink. Then he saw her lagging behind slightly. I hope she's not hurt...
Chiatsa slowed down for a moment, looking over her shoulder. Then she took a moment to straighten her armor. Stupid armor never has fit me right. It's a wonder I can even fight in this. she thought. Jukco must have noticed she had dropped back for he had turned around and headed toward her.
"Chiatsa, something wrong?" he asked when he was beside her.
"Of course not, just making sure we weren't followed." she replied.
"Even Alpakians know better then that. And I know you better then that. You want to go back and kill some more." he said with a small chuckle.
"Now whatever give you that idea?" she said with a mischievious grin.
"You are a true warrior Chiatsa." he laughed Unlike your coward of a father. he thought with discuss making a face.
"What is it?" she asked, noticing the face he made.
"Nothing, so how many Alpakians did you kill today?" he said changing the subject. The one thing I couldn't change about her was her opinion about her father. Despite what I've told her, she still refuses to except that he was a coward. Yes he did give his life to save her, but that wouldn't have had to do that if he hadn't left the guild in the first place. he thought, having to work hard to surpress a sneer.
Chiatsa thought a moment about the question he had asked her. "You know, I killed so many today I've lost count." she replied finally with a malicious grin.
"Thats what I like to hear." he laughed as they approached the gate. He shot an annoyed look at Straki as they passed. Can't he ever get it through his head that he lost?
"Chiatsa.." Straki started.
"Don't start Straki!" Chiatsa snapped as she shoved him away, "Get out of my way!"
Jukco laughed loudly as he said, "As soon as you get yourself cleaned up and have something to eat, I want to see you in my tent."
"Yes sir!" she said as she ran off, knowing it had to be good.
Jukco turned toward Straki for a moment. "I trust Shasha is prepared for the wounded?"
"Yes sir, she went to prepare as soon as she saw you come over the rise." Straki replied trying to hide how hurt he was at how Chiatsa had just treated him.
"Good, tell her that I will be by to talk to them later tonight." Jukco said as he rode off.
"Yes sir, I will."
Straki had managed to catch Chiatsa before she want to dinner.
"Chiatsa? Can I come in?" he asked as he peeked through the door to her tent. She had just finished taking off her armor and was wiping herself down.
"You might as well," she said with a snort,"Something tells me you've came in anyway."
Straki stepped in, shuddering slight at the sight of her battle scars. She was of a darker color then most of their kind, very dark green. There were lighter spots where her scars are. And her eyes were a bright yellow. Unlike most females she was heavily built, and if it wasn't for her thinner waistline and her breasts you could've easily mistaken her for a male. He pause a moment wondering where he should start.
"Well are you going to say something? I know you want to." she said shooting him an annoyed look as she put on clean leather tunic and loin cloth.
"Well for one thing what you did to me earlier was uncalled for, not to mention rude."
"So? You were in the way."
"Still it would have been the polite thing to do if you said 'excuse me'"
"There is no room for politeness during a war Straki!"
"That's Jukco talking and your father taught you better then that!"
Chiatsa suddenly turned toward him, muscles taunt and eyes blazing with fury and...pain? Straki couldn't tell. If there was one thing she hated was when someone mentions her father, despite what his/her intentions are. Even after all these cycles it still hurts her to think of her father. he thought.
"You know better then to say that!" she said voice shaking. Her whole body was trembling and her tail thrushed around like and aggitatied cat's. There was a hint of tears in her eyes.
Straki, knowing full well she could kill him if she really wanted to, walked over to her and embraced her. Her whole body collapsed as she accepted it and broke down into tears.
"Why do you have to keep reminding me?" she sobbed
"To remind you."
"But why, it hurts so much.."
"I know it hurts, but if you forget what happened in the past, you will be doomed to repeat it. Yes your father made a mistake in not coming back with me when he had the chance. A mistake that cost him his life and nearly yours. But he was willing to give his life to ensure you survived. And you know that."
"But why did he quit the guild? If he hadn't he may still be alive today."
"I know, he had his reasons, some I believe he never told me, and I will now never know."
"He didn't trust Jukco with me thats why." she said grimly.
"No he didn't, he didn't want you to become involved in the war I believe. I didn't either."
"Well that was ultimiately my choice now wasn't it?" she said with a snort, pushing herself away.
"Yes it was, unfortunately." he muddered under his breath as the dinner gong rang.
Chiatsa pushed passed him and exited the tent. Straki sighed sadly and followed.
Dinner time was more of a party, with everyone celibrating their recent victory. Some managed to get a hold of some beer and many were drinking themselves into a stupor. Straki disapproved. What if we are attacked tonight? Most of us would be too drunk or hangover to fight effectively. He noticed that Chiatsa was refusing drink offers, something he was grateful for. An odd thought came to him. Well if we are attacked at least someone would be able to fight. He noticed Jukco wasn't particupating either. Make that 2 not including me.
He also noticed Chiatsa wasn't sitting next to Jukco tonight, and the local single males (most of them drunk) were hitting on her, and she was starting to get annoyed. This could be trouble. Finally one of the males pushed her too far and she tossed him into one of the nearby tents. The other males got the hint left her alone. Thank the gods she didn't toss the poor fool into a pole or something. I'm glad she has some sense, she could've killed him. Jukco laughed at the scene and motioned for her to come with him. Oh gods what is he going to do to her now?
Chiatsa followed Jukco to his tent What does he want? she wondered. "What is it you wanted to see me for sir?" she asked.
"Well for starters I would like to say I've been very impressed with your performence over the last few battles. So impressed, I've decided to promote you."
Chiatsa stared at him, mouth open. "But sir I am already the highest rank I could be without displacing you."
"Not true, there's another rank. One that is reserved for the very best." With that he opened a bag and pulled out a large black bundle and tossed it to her. As she unfolded it her eyes got very wide.
"This is..."
"A Dragonskin suit, straight from the Dragonlands itself. Covered with silk dyed black. Now can you guess what rank uses that?"
"A..a...Shadowhunter*?" she stummered, she could barely believe this.
"That's right, you been promoted to Shadowhunter. Go ahead try it on."
With only a moments hesitation, Chiatsa nearly tore off her tunic and put on the suit. It completely covered her from the neck down, only her claws and her head weren't covered. The dragonskin felt cool next to hers, and was deceptively soft. She moved her limbs around testing it's flexiablity, it comformed to her body shape perfectly.
"It.."
"Fits you like a glove." He finished for her, "Oh almost forgot, here." he toss her a much smaller bundle, a mask, "To complete the suit"
She put on the mask. It covered almost her whole face including her neck. There was an opening for her mouth and her eyes. There was also a small opening for her nose.
"I don't know what to say." she said
"Ah but I'm not done yet." he said as he pulled out sheathed sword and tossed it to her, "A Shadowhunter uses only the best weapons, and this is the best there is."
She unsheathed the sword. It was long and straight, its pomel was made of brass and was covered with black leather. The hilt was also brass and sported two prongs, one on side of the blade. The blade itself had an odd look to it, it looked like it was halfway transperet. Then it struck her.
"Why the blade is coated with Clearmetal*!"
"Thats right, it is also from the Dragonlands. Where only the dragons themselves have the ability to combine Clearmetal with other materials. And it will cut through anything, provided the user is strong enough."
"I really don't know what to say now."
"Well it won't matter cause your leaving for training in the Shadowhunter guild in the morning."
"So..."she said with malice in her voice, now over her shock, "this means I will be able to kill Alpakains at my lesure."
Jukco only nodded with a malicious smile on his face, and Chiatsa smiled back, she would have nothing better then that.
Shasha had just finished bandaging the last of wounded when Jukco came in. He motioned for her to leave, and with a sigh she left but she didn't go very far. She wanted to hear what he said to them. At once he started screaming at them.
"All your performences were pathitic today! You lot acted like a bunch of weaklings, not to mention your skills were sloppy! Why Chiatsa is better then the whole lot of you combined!"
This continued for sometime, and Shasha cringed at every degrading comment he made. He finally finished by saying "The lot of you had better improve or don't expect me and the others who are worth their salt to drag your sorry carcusses back!"
Shasha shuddered, to be left on the battlefield with scavengers picking at you is the worst why to die, Straki had told her. And she believed Jukco would resort to such measures. She jumped when Jukco burst out of the tent. He glared at her, he knew she had heard everything.
"You know.."she said weakly, "if you said something to encourge them once in a while, they would probaly fight better."
He suddenly went behind her and grabbed her, placing his claws at her throat. "Your place is to heal, not to give advice Shasha." he growled. She was scared, there was no one else outside so no one would know who killed her if he decided to do so.
"If you kill me you will have no one to heal your warriors." she managed to say.
"We can always get another healer," he laughed, "or we could do without and let the weak just die." he pressed his claws harder against her throat, drawing blood. Then suddenly he released her and she collapsed on the ground holding her throat. "Tell no one what has transpiered here tonight or else." he warned with a dangerous glint in his eye and walked off.
Shasha watched him disappear into the night. She started to sob with her face in her hands. He's gone mad. He's gone too far.
Chiatsa: so does this mean you'll be finally writing those last two chapters *glare*
Chiatsa, shuddup or I won't finish it at all, so there.
Chiatsa: *snort*
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