Memories and Nightmares (Kura and Elyna)

[Kura Wolfsdotter]

2nd Saun 716

Kura wanted to scream, to rage, to force the vision before her to bend to her will and cease to be. But she couldn't. She had never been able to, not in the decades she had been having this nightmare. Sighing to herself, Kura stepped forward, the steel chains that adorned her Imperial uniform clanking as she walked. The battle was the same as it always was, the terrible night when Princess Valtharn, someone Kura had considered a friend, had turned traitor, had tried to murder her own mother. Every night for the past four decades she had relived that battle, watching a woman she had grown up with slaughter their people like cattle. Sometimes she even found herself joining in, laughing madly as her arrows felled people she was sworn to protect.

Thankfully, she was spared that horror this time, and was allowed to wander the field, watching as her people butchered each other, no matter how she tried to pull them apart. It took her a moment to realize that oddity. Valtharn had been alone in her treason, but this time it was hundreds of black armored soldiers fighting each other. Then another oddity penetrated her mind. These soldiers, they weren't Imperials. The armor style was all wrong. Eventually she noticed symbols on the fighters. Roses and wolves, bears and lions, dragons, compasses, and scales. After a while, she even picked out apparent sides. Roses and Compasses fought Wolves, Bears, Dragons, and Scales while Lions fought everyone.

None of these odd devices meant much to her though. The wolves, she figured, could be servants of her mother, but she had never seen that particular wolf emblem before. But still, while the soldiers were alien to her, the field was definitely that dark Imperial plain that her life had begun to unravel on so many, many Arcs ago. This was a mystery she had to solve, and so she went further into the mess.

[Elyna]

Her sword flashed in her hand. Elyna stood, surrounded on all sides by men and woman in clashing colours. Lunging at her, trying to take her down. She’d lost her horse earlier in the battle, and there was no sign of the Skyriders of the Iron Hand. It was chaos. Utter frenetic melee.

The woman strode forward, lifting her weapon in a block. She kicked at the woman who had attacked, wearing the badge and colour of Endor. The woman fell back into the heaving crowd and vanished, defeated. But there was no time to pause, Elyna spun without moving her feet. Leaving them planted as her shield was lifted and rattled hard against her arm with impact. It was a man from Gawyne who had attacked. The spikes of his maul embedded in the wood. With his backward swing, the shield was pulled against her arm, yanking it aside and leaving her open. It was then that she curled, following the path of her arm and ducking the second swipe that landed where she’d been standing. Straightening the Skyrider pushed the blade up and sliced him from hip to chest. He too fell back without complaint, felled.

Turning once more, the battle continued and she was forced to block and strike without break. Sweat broke across her brow and slid down the inside of her helmet. It was then that she spotted, across the battlefield, a woman moving quietly through the throng. She didn’t wear a badge or the colours of a Rynmerian. She wasn’t even wearing any armour.

The Skyrider shoved her next attacker aside and sprinted, ducking under another swung, weaving through the battling press of bodies till she was in shouting distance of the woman, “run!” she shouted. Her arm was caught and she turned to slid her sword through the warm body and the Andaris woman dropped, gurgling.

“Get out of here!” She warned, still struggling forward, trying to reach the woman before someone else saw and took advantage. Why was this lady here? Wandering through the crowd?

[Kura Wolfsdotter]

Kura turned sharpy as she heard someone call out, the face and voice unfamiliar. But so far, none of the soldiers had even remotely reacted to her presence. It was like she hadn't even been there. So, she reasoned, this one was no dream-soldier, but was real. After only a moments pause, Kura turned towards the voice and ran after it, hoping to make sure the woman who was calling for her didn't get killed in his melee.

Still, most of the soldiers ignored her, like she was a ghost. That was definitely an uncomfortable thought, but she was glad they weren't interested in her. Made her life much easier in this situation, so she was grateful for it. Still though, she had no desire to end up on the business end of a sword, so she was careful as she ran, ducking and dodging around the small fights. Since the woman seemed to be headed towards her, it didn't take all that long before she got to her.

"Come on!" she said, reaching out and grabbing the woman's wrist, noting the compass sigil she wore. "They aren't real! We need to get out of here!: she shouted over the din of the battle, trying to the pull the other woman away from any of the fights going on around them. If this was partially her dream, then the horrible notion that Valtharn could be lurking around presented itself rather alarmingly. They needed to move before her traitorous old friend showed up.

[Elyna]

Relief struck as the woman closed her hand around Elyna wrist. The feeling was quickly overwhelmed with confusion though and the woman turned, blocking another attack and silencing the Gawyne who had tried to strike her from behind. Not real? It certainly felt real and the Skyrider was unwilling to take the chance that it wasn’t. She followed where she was led because she wanted no part in this fight. There was no side that she belonged to, it was carnage and pointless death. She just wanted to stay alive.

The pair broke from the centre of the melee before the woman finally managed to catch her breath, “do you need a weapon?” She demanded, turning to look back the way they’d come. Scanning the seething mass of bodies for anyone who thought they might try their luck and come after the two women. As she waited for a response, she checked her person and came up with a long knife, more like a short sword which she offered to the woman without thought.

“What do you mean they aren’t real?” She rubbed her face and her hand came back clean. It was then that the Skyrider paused once more and studied the battle again. Carnage yes…but where was the blood? She checked her person and her clothes were clean, unruffled by the physical exertion despite the sweat she could feel pooling at the back of her neck. Her brow furrowed in confusion, “why are they fighting?” She hoped the woman could shed some light.

[Kura Wolfsdotter]

Kura sighed in relief as the woman followed without question. At the question of a weapon, she shrugged. "It may not matter. They don't seem to care about us as long as we don't antagonize them." she said, though she took the knife regardless. Better to be safe than sorry. Kura looked around at the woman's next questions. "I've relived this battlefield hundreds if not thousands of times. It's also been close to fifty arcs since this battle happened." she said, before frowning. "But it wasn't like this. I don't know these soldiers, and the battle was one against many." she said, before she grimaced.

"And we need to keep moving. I don't see anyone familiar, and it's better that I don't." she said, leading the way away from the battlefield. However, as they turned, the dream changed and Kura had to skid to a halt to avoid running into a boulder. Pausing, she looked around and grimaced. "Great. Mountains. Where the hell are we?" she asked no one in particular. The mountains they were in were completely unfamiliar, and view, while specatular, didn't overlook any Imperial territory.

[Elyna]

Relieved that the woman accepted the knife, Elyna turned to survey the battlefield. No matter what was promised she edged back from the fray and the chaos. Still, as predicted no one approached and tried to cut the pair of them down, “what is the battle for?” She looked back over her shoulder, sword still held ready in her hand. The point was tipped toward the ground, resting lightly in the dust.
One against many? How could one person fight an entire army? The Skyrider paused in her actions to consider the stranger more carefully. Fifty years ago? She didn’t look old enough to live for fifty years. There was something in her presence that caused the young woman to pause. Was this another Mortalborn? Elyna shook her head, reluctant to assume anything.
“These are the armies of Rynmere,” she called back, gesturing to the different tabards. Looking down at her own clothing she found it blank. Any insignia wiped away and the colour a pale grey. She had no name. Her noble lineage sacrificed for a different life, for hope. Spinning on her toes the woman chased after the blonde, “what was your name?” She called out, skidding to a halt behind her. Elyna peered beyond, frowning “its’ the burning mountains,” she explained and looked upward, “I usually see them from higher though…much higher.”
Shielding her face from the beating suns Elyna scoured the skies for signs of flight, “there!” She pointed to the distance, “Volarean!” She pressed two fingers to the corners of her mouth and whistled, summoning the winged beasts. With a shriek they extended their wings and wheeled, circling back toward the peak of the mountain.
“Can you fly?”

[Kura Wolfsdotter]

Rynmere. An island nation to the west. Ruled by humans and had powerful noble families, though that was as far as her knowledge went. "I don't why they fight. I didn't dream them up. Something weigh on your mind, soldier of Rynmere?" she asked, her tone slightly amused before the girl asked for her name. "Kura Wolfsdotter of the Eternal Empire. Pleased to meet you, if only because it means I'm not alone." she said.

When the girl called down the flyers, Kura blinked in surprise then shook her head. "We don't have such in the empire." she said, before a storm of arrows flew over the rocks ahead of them. "Duck!" she shouted, lunging at the other girl and trying to pull her to the ground. The arrows passed through the flyers without damaging them and one thunked into the ground next to her. Reaching out, Kura pulled it out and grimaced. "Imperial. We need to run. Now." she said, dragging the girl to her feet and pushing her towards where it looked like the Volareon were going to land.

However, before the got very far, Kura felt a hand grip her shoulder and spin her around. "Kura! Good to see you, old friend. What are you doing here?" Valtharn asked cheerfully, though her black armor was blood spattered and her sword was dripping blood to the hilt. Valtharn let out a manic laugh and turned to face the other girl. "And just who are you, besides a degenerate foreign bitch." she said, her merry tone matching neither her cruel words nor the sadistic glee in her eyes as she stepped towards the other girl.

[Elyna]

“Civil war threatens us,” Elyna replied with her gaze fixed on the horizon, “a waste of life to satisfy the ego of folk who should not better,” the Skyrider sounded almost philosophical and unlike her usual self. The moment quickly ended though as she was pressed to the ground and shielded from the volley of arrows. They thudded into soft earth around them, throwing up small clouds of dust which choked her. Run? The Volarean would land soon and they would be able to find safety on swift wings. Run towards the creature, now she understood, Elyna pushed herself to her feet and followed at the woman’s heels determined not to be left behind.
The woman spun to a halt and turned to face their newest arrival and Elyna straightened, studying the warrior with caution. Brows narrowed in shock. How had she managed to offend someone that she had never met? Her companion seemed less than pleased to see her and the Skyrider edged back, feet dragging in the dust as they tried directing her companion towards the Volarean as it landed and flexed long wings. Her sword held comfortably in her hand she skimmed the woman’s stance from head to toe. Sizing her up as an opponent. She was protected with thick armour, she would be harder to hit but she would also be slower. It would be a gamble. It would be dangerous to fight her.
To answer or not to answer? Elyna considered her options, “I am Elyna Burhan. First Daughter of Pavoo, Baron of Burhan. Sargeant of Xiur Skyriders and I don’t like your tone. I don’t like your face either. I’ll consider myself grateful that I don’t have to see it in the mirror every day.”
She looked to the other woman for instruction. Run or fight?

[Kura Wolfsdotter]

Kura grimaced as Elyna decided to insult Valtharn back, but fortunately the redhead only laughed. "Not bad, not bad. You actually have a bit of spine to you. I like that." she said, leaning toward Elyna as she spoke, before she let out a burst of manic laughter. "Yes, yes, a bit of spine. I wonder how much. I suppose I'll find out when I rip it out of you." The red-tressed womans tone was still cheerful and friendly, her expression still happy as she raised her sword to attack Elyna, only to scream in pain and stumble back as Kura used the arrow she had picked up to stab her in the back of the knee.

"Run, run now! It won't slow her down for long." Kura shouted at Elyna as she rushed towards the winged creatures the other woman had called down. Before she could get very far though, she felt a sharp pain in her back that stopped her legs working as she collapsed to the ground. Valtharn had already pulled out the arrow and thrown it at her. Rolling over onto her side, Kura grimaced as she saw Valtharn stand up.

"Not bad, Kura. But, old friend, you were never up to my level in a fight. And that little trick, just to save this foreign wench. I think I'll make you watch as I play with her. I won't kill you, Kura. I could never do that to my best friend. But this wench, her cries of agony, the sweet sounds of her death, they'll be your companion for the rest of your long life." Valtharn was almost purring as she spoke to Kura before turning to Elyna and raising her bloody sword. "Well, then wench? Shall we begin." she said, before lunging to attack the skyrider.

[Elyna]

Ever reluctant to turn her back on an enemy, the Skyrider had taken a few careful steps back. Talk of having her spine removed was unsettling to say the least. There was fighting talk and there was banter but that was something else and oddly specific. As though the solider before her, had done it before. The sword felt heavier in her grip, the hilt warm against her palm. The laughter and her movements spoke of someone who wasn’t necessarily hinged in the same way that she, Elyna was. She wet dry lips and kept her own movements steady and guarded. Waiting for the familiar flap of Volareon wings behind her. Elyna wasn’t a fool, if there was a chance to run then she would take it.
She sped away with Kura, only to skid to a halt as the woman was felled. With a growl, the Skyrider turned back, stepping around the woman on the ground. That was a nasty trick. Teeth grit, Elyna advanced, “get on the Volareon,” she ordered Kura. She took up her stance before the newcomer and ignored all the poison that spouted and dripped to the floor. The Skyrider had never been one to goad, it wasn’t too much breath. Instead she levelled her gaze and turned sideways onto their attacker. It seemed there was only way out of this nightmare, and that was to fight.
The woman stepped forward and raised her sword in a sweeping arc. They clashed with a ring of metal and with more speed that reality would allow her, Elyna drew the weapon back and pushed it forward towards an unguarded middle. Above all, the felt calm and centred. Aware of her surrounds and focused on the task at hand.