Blood-Forged

200 and some odd years ago...

Uling gave the same explanation to Eun and Tejara that she had given to the royal family. Bored with hearing the same explanation twice, Ves’hil’n began inspecting Kliali’s weapon; even asking barely whispered questions about the Borderwood and life as a Ranger until Ka’shin’lai’s glare shut him up. Having been chided silently, Ves’hil’n plopped down in a chair and pouted up at the ceiling.

When Uling finished her explanation, Eun stood still, staring at the floor, the knuckles of his closed fist pressed to his lips as he soaked in the information. Tejara watched him with a deadpan stare, waiting for his response. Uling also waited for him to speak, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.

Eun narrowed his eyes, scrunching up his eyebrows before raising them and turning his head slightly to look at Uling. “Kon is sending a prince and its Swordmaster. What great warriors will Xoran send?”

“You’re looking at them!” Kliali announced, gesturing at himself and Uling.

Eun tilted his head towards Kliali, “as a Borderwood Ranger, you hardly count as a warrior of Xoran.” He looked back at Uling, disdain coloring his features, “ and you... can you even fight?” Tejara looked her up and down as Eun said that and had to agree. She was even more waifish and frail looking than the courtesans of Madam Minn’s brothel. Eun took a step towards Uling, turning his nose up at her, “and you are a mere soothsayer and you dare ask a prince to risk his life when all Xoran risks is you.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ka’shin’lai’s jaw tighten and his eyes narrow but the crown prince looked down at the floor and said nothing.

Ves’hil’n stood up, furrowing his brow, and said, “But Teacher, I want to-”

Eun shot the second prince a glare and he immediately clamped his mouth shut and sat back down, properly this time.

“Um...” Uling began nervously, “Kliali did misspeak a little bit. There is a third warrior from Xoran here and, while he’s not quite a prince, he is a nobleman.”

“And why is he not here?”

“His fragile wittle tummy is upset.” Kliali mocked in a high-pitched baby talk voice.

Eun raised an eyebrow. Uling slid in front of Kliali, arms out, blocking him from Eun’s view with a tight smile on her face, “Young Lord Xeit is suffering from a bout of food poisoning and is resting in his room at the moment.” Uling lowered her arms, face turning serious. “And as for my ability to fight... you’re right, I’m not strong. But I know magic beyond divination. I can heal... and more importantly, I can seal the Demon Lord.”