Ste Yuj

[Echo]

She had not wanted to leave, she had wanted to fight. She had wanted to kill the ones who had done this to her. Instead the commander was calling for an all retreat! When Nia heard of this weakness she would be out raged! Lexa had made a deal with the devils in the mountain, and there was nothing Echo could do about it. She knew that she should be heading home soon, but she always wanted to go back and fight. Take down as many as she could! Blood for blood! She'd watched them kill many of her own, and slowly drain her blood from her!

Every step hurt, for she was weak and still of bare feet. She knew she needed food, and rest before she was able to take on the mountain. She was being guarded, to make sure she would not try to go back. Being vocal had left whomever was in charge of this section untrusting of her. They ere not of the Ice Nation--if they were then they could know that she was Echo! One of Nia's favorites and not to be mistreated! She was a strong warrior! She was to be obeyed! Not forced to walk away from the fight that the commander was too cowardly to fight!

It was then she noticed one of her own. Thenn . For a second she was glad to see her friend, before she remembered how he had abandoned years of his training because he had lost someone. Everyone has lost someone, but he had given up, and stopped fighting. Still, in her weakened state she was too tired to turn her back to him and ignore him in effort to shame him. She noticed too that he had a sword with him. Was now when he picked it up again? Now after so long? Why? She said nothing, just watching him, while hiding her emotions behind her warrior's face. She was glad to see him, but he had given up on everything she believed in--honor and unyielding loyalty to the life of a warrior.

Why was he here?

[Thenn]

Moving on from what happen had been hard but he had finally got there, an endeavour which seemed as insurmountable as climbing over an ever growing mountain, but he got there nonetheless. But the occasional dream of the memory always seemed to have set him back for a few moments. He glanced over to his sword which made him think briefly of his warrior life. Now every and most grounders are trained to fight and defend themselves, but there are some who are trained to solely be warriors from a very young age. Thenn was one such, but now is a scout. Losing Rurik did take its toll. May we meet again Rurik. He thought. A saying he picked up from the Sky People. He’d spent many hours on his scouts following their movements and listening to their conversations unbeknownst to them. That was when they first arrived here though. Its harder to go for so long without being noticed by them now. What’s even harder nowadays is to go without having to put up your sword in defense. A task he could manage steadily enough. But at present it seemed he must become the warrior he was once again, even if only for a night. Not only the warriors, but many grounders of different duties were called to arms. The commander of the coalition needed as much feet approaching the Mountain as she could get.

Thenn would have just volunteered to stay behind in his village back in Azgeda hiding behind the excuse of “protecting his village” which is just as important and noble. Some would say that isn’t an excuse but just as much as a priority. For Thenn though it was definitely an excuse. No… NO. Not this time. They HAVE Echo…. It was true. Echo was a captive of Mount Weather. Thenn and Echo have been friends for quite some time. If Thenn wasn’t with Rurik odds are he might be with Echo. The three trained together for the warrior life. Echo was a fellow citizen of the Ice Nation, and a friend.

The pair did have somewhat of a falling out after Thenn decided to give up the warrior life. Echo became cold and distant. Honestly, Thenn didn’t put too much of an effort to mend their broken relationship. He assumed she was like the others who lost respect for him. Maybe she was embarrassed to be seen with him. He hoped there was something more to it, but never got around to asking. None of this matters now, I’m coming Echo, I’m coming. I will prove to you the warrior I still am. Or maybe the warrior who didn’t abandon you… could that be it Echo? Is that why? Thenn gave a shake of his head and got focused. It all went by so fast , he was already approaching the mountain with the rest of the coalition. His heart began pounding, flashes of Rurik skipped through his mind. He heard his voice, he heard his screams… Looking around he began to sweat. Am I really doing this? No! Focus Thenn, never forget Rurik, keep him in your heart, but not in your thoughts especially not now. You lost him, but I won’t lose Echo to. Thenn gave another shake of his head, took deep breaths and calmed down. The waiting didn’t seem to help though. He was ready for the battle to commence.

All of a sudden a retreat was called. Lexa had made a deal… Thenn was confused but also a little relieved that fighting would not take place on this night, which made him feel guilty and weak. But it still meant Echo would be free. With all the blood the Mountain Men has spilled… there should be a battle tonight, even as much as I don’t want it to happen, that is what must be. I wonder what our Queen will think of this move. The mountain seemed to be organized chaos. The captives of the mountain were spilling out the front doors of their stronghold. The coalition was in a retreat. However many grounders were making their way towards the captives, Thenn included. Echo, Where are you? He scanned the field, glancing over her a couple times before fixing on her voice. He wasn’t surprised; it looked as if she wasn’t ready to leave just yet. Blood for blood after all.

As he approached he noticed the guard that was forming around her. They weren’t even Azgeda. She must not be enjoying that… He made eye contact with her. What did they do to her in there? Those bastards. She looked almost broken. He could tell her spirit wasn’t but physically she looked drained. Thenn was so thankful to see her, however he didn’t where any of his emotion as usual. He approached Echo along with her supposed security detail. Moving with grace and his solemn look, it gave him an appearance of somebody somewhat important. “I am Thennos of Azgeda, direct attendant to Queen Nia…” A lie of course, but these ones won’t know any better. They looked like some lowly dregs that just got orders barked at them. “… This one is of my nation, I’ll continue the escort from here. She will not be of any trouble.” They glanced at each other for a few seconds then one just gave a nod. It seemed as if they didn’t care who Thenn was just as long as someone else took open responsibility for her so they can get home as quick as they could.

He walked over to her with his sword in hand still. His heart broke a little to see her like this. For a split second he saw Rurik stand next to her with his arm on her shoulder. At that moment he could hold it in anymore he dropped his sword and embraced her with a hug. “Echo… I- I- I am so sorry…” Thenn wasn’t sure how Echo would react to this. Thenn surprised himself. All this time after Rurik’s death he maintained such an emotionless persona. “I’m here, you see Echo. I was ready to fight for my nation, for the coalition but above it all for my friend…” His voice faltered, but no tears were flowing. Suddenly he got angry. “Are you ashamed of me now Echo? No that’s right you weren’t ashamed of me you were just embarrassed to be seen with me.” Thenn noticed the eyes surround him. Quickly he picked up his sword and sheathed it to his side. “Come on let’s get moving to our own before some else deems it fit to give us both an escort. No fight will happen here tonight Echo, but don't worry the doom of the Mountain Men will come. Our Queen will demand it.” His tone sounded almost bitter. But did he really have a right to be bitter with her? He came to her side and put his arm out to help support her while she walked. Hoping she would accept it.

Echo