Utgar watched his daughter with pride. She stood before him, straight as a sword, but not stiff. She was lithe, graceful, her beautiful frame flowing about her, her long black hair forming her face to perfection. It was dark, the room lit only by two braziers crackling with flame. Their light gleamed across her body, shining with sweat. She still breathed heavily beneath her leather armor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTaelord!\u201d Utgar\u2019s voice snapped the silence in two like a flash of lightning and thunder. He was pleased to see that his daughter did not flinch. She was strong. She was fitting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A massive kyrie entered the dark throne room. He bowed low to Utgar, his dark leathery wings briefly enveloping him. \u201cMy lord,\u201d he said, falling to one knee. He didn\u2019t mutter or purr like the others. His voice was full, powerful, betraying a sharp mind. He was Utgar\u2019s most trusted lieutenant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar sat back in his throne, surveying the two side by side. He smiled in the darkness. \u201cTaelord, you work my daughter too hard.\u201d His voice was quiet, almost playful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour daughter surpasses all of my men, my lord. I train her abilities further than theirs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar\u2019s smile widened. \u201cYour choice is wise. Do you find her a fitting soldier?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A pause. \u201cFar beyond. She attacks with a grace and thirst for blood none of us can surpass. Her blades are but blurs to our eyes. None can harm her on the field. Even I find her to be\u2026\u201d Taelord halted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFind her to be what, dear Taelord?\u201d prompted Utgar, silent laughter in his voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord stood rigid, eyes fixed on a point somewhere above Utgar. \u201cI find her to be a kyrie like no other, my lord. I find her to be your daughter, and worthy of all the fear you command.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd loyalty, I hope,\u201d added Utgar quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course, my lord,\u201d said Taelord. \u201cMy loyalty for you is matched only by my loyalty to your daughter.\u201d Taelord stopped abruptly, realizing he had said too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar only chuckled. \u201cIt is but natural to follow my daughter, Taelord. Do not be ashamed. I consider it an honor that she commands such a heart as yours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He sat back, observing the two outlined against the fires. \u201cAnd what say you, my daughter? You are untested. You have yet to face the alliance on the field of battle; you have yet to feel the chaos of war.\u201d Utgar purred the last word out, relishing its sound. \u201cAre you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy lord, I was ready to fight the moment I entered this world. I was ready to fight the moment my mother was slain by Jandar. I was ready to fight the moment I touched a sword. Show me where the alliance lies, and I shall strike them such a blow that they shall never recover. Their weakness shall be so great that we shall smite their ruin upon the land, and take Valhalla as rightfully ours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd you, Taelord? Do you agree that she is ready?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2026 yes, my lord. What she says is true.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou hesitate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you perhaps think of my daughter as more than a soldier, Taelord?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPerhaps, my lord Utgar. But she is nonetheless ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar smiled to himself in the shadow and smoke. He knew Taelord had feelings for his daughter. Feelings that could prove useful. But for now, he would let them pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTaelord, you are to select a small force of kyrie to accompany me. I wish to remain unnoticed. I go north. In the meantime, you will take my daughter and a regiment of your best troops, and search the swamps to the South.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor what am I to search, my lord?\u201d said Taelord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar smiled to himself. \u201cA clearing surrounded by the densest jungle. A perfect place to raise an army the likes of which Valhalla has never seen. When you have found such a place, report back here and await my return. If my mission is unsuccessful, as I believe it shall be, I will have a new mission for the two of you, one which will cripple the alliance before this new war even begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTaelord,\u201d Utgar added as the two kyrie turned to leave. \u201cKeep her safe. Come back with my daughter. Come back with my Runa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course, my lord.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Utgar watched his daughter with pride. She stood before him, straight as a sword, but not stiff. She was lithe, graceful, her beautiful frame flowing about her, her long black hair forming her face to perfection. It was dark, the room lit only by two braziers crackling with flame. Their light gleamed across her body, … Continue reading Chapter Four – In the Shadow and Smoke<\/span>