Honor ch2

The Sheyon lady was dancing just out of range of a Gallan, doing everything in her power to keep just out of striking distance of the Gallan's flailing sword. Gallans are about seven feet tall, different shades of green, and although not so bright, your basic killing machine. They thrive on the flesh of cinendas, Hiatos, Miztics, etc, that they capture. They can only be killed by having their throats slashed. The upside is that they are incredably stupid and have no magical ability.1

Star yelled loudly, catching it's attention. She jumped forward ducking under the sword it swung at her and unsheathed the blade she slept with, hurling it at the thing's throat. Pinkish blood sprayed over the ground as the Gallan dropped like a load of rocks.2

"Of all the times", Star half-whispered to herself. "And if I know Gallans that was just a scout, part one of a ninety part thing."3

Maxi turned and their eyes met - We can go somewhere else...-4

It is my duty to my people to take care of any threat within my lands." Star sighed and Maxi "sent" her a sympathetic feeling. Star smiled, I'll live Maxi, I knew I'd be going on my tenth wind when I became lady of the pass."5

As the lady of Unicorn Pass Star had to take care of a vast, rugged area of woods. She had to protect the people inside and outside her borders. She just happened to have the largest, most rugged, most dangerous area of wooded mountains in the Miztic Realm. There were portals from natural magic all over, and less than pleasant things often came through them. The only thing that made this easier was that she shared ladyship of the pass with Lady Alana. She kept the order in the castle while Star protected. Whenever they wanted they could switch duties.6

Together Maxi and Star began to trace the Gallan's path. He had taken no pains to hide his trail, simply crashed through the undergrowth. Star had grabbed her bow before leaving, because it tended to be the best thing for taking out Gallans at minimal risk. After a brisk walk they arrived at a war scene that could have been heard throughout the universe.7

A young man, obviously not Miztic, fought alongside another Sheyon. The Gallans ran forward blindly hacking at him and he used speed and cunning to defeat them. The Sheyon was having a more difficult time staying out of range. On Gallan had used a bit of it's miniscule brain power and surrounded the Sheyon so it had no where to run. There were too many, all with swords,  for the Sheyon to kill. They lunged forward scoring marks on the Sheyon. It was surrounded and soon to die.8

***9

Steelan turned to see his Sheyon, Q'tor surrounded in a death circle. "Tor!" he yelled so loud that it felt as if his own throat may be ripped out.10

Then, as if called by his plight and emotions arrows flew, picking off Gallans, not one missing its mark. Another Sheyon charged the lines and the Gallans scattered, teased away from Tor. 'Tor galloped out of his deathtrap, helping the other Sheyon, and working together to distract the Gallans while they were picked off by arrows.11

As soon as 'Tor was safe (As safe as anything can be while distracting a feild of Gallans) Steelan had to turn and fight. Between the four of them, it took almost no time to clear the field of Gallans.12

Steel turned to see who had saved his Sheyon and started to see the Miztic girl from earlier. He covered his suprise as she didn't recognize him. Hello", he called. "Who are you?"13

"I'm the one who should be asking you Hiato-lad." She returned14

Behind her tense, battle ready stance Steel could read her body language to a degree. She was being more sarcastic than threatening, being careless due to exhaustion. He haad a feeling that if he attacked her just then she would have been easily defeated. However, she had a Sheyon and while she might be easily defeated her Sheyon and his Sheyon were giving himm a "don't you dare" look. He sighed, "I am Steel".15

For a moment she changed, he felt the exhaustion in her stance and mind lift to reveal a keen energy and intelligence behind her eyes. She seemed to look into his oul. He felt searched, but not in an uncomfortable way, more as though an old friend was asking a probing question. Then the moment pass leaving in its wake a tired Miztic girl and a confused Hiato boy.16

"My name is Star", she said wearily.17

"In the normal way of things we should challenge each other and face off in the name of our people." He informed her. She nodded to show she understood and knew this. "I'd rather make a blood truce and leave challenges for when we're more awake."18

She paused for a moment and for a moment he thought she might refuse, then, "It is a good suggestion." Shturned off in another direction the way he guessed she'd come. 19

Her Sheyon whickered worriedly and trotted after her mistress with 'Tor on her heels. Steel sighed and followed after them. They reached a cave covered in underbrush. Without speaking they both drew knives and slit their palms. Red blood welled up and dripped over the ground. There was a semi-theatrical flash of light as the magic took hold over the place. Now if anyone in their blood line or they themselves decided to fight the other in that place they would be expelled by the combined magic that thier blood held.20

With the flash of magic Steel's palm had healed as he saw had Stars. Steel followed Star into the safety of the nearbye cave and watched as she collapsed into the cave crevice. He followed her example and found his own cave crevice after pullng a bedroll from the packs on 'Tor. He curled up thinking; -I wonder how she came upon a Sheyon, 'Tor could... - his thought died in his mind.21

***22

When Star awoke she felt much better for all she thought she might be starving to death. She rolled carefully out of the crevice and loooked over to where Steel still slpet, and crept out of the cave. A mild search yeilded herbs and a rabbit. She found a pot in his pile of things and soon had a mouth watering stew going over a fire.23

After a whle Star heard his footsteps, she didn't turn around just listen. he stopped about three feet behind her and cleared his throat to announce his presence.24

"I figured you'd be hungry too." It was all she said, but he took it as an invitation, and sat down, cross legged about three feet away, near the fire.25

"Are you... why help me?"26

She tilted her head and looking at him, his eyes were clear and serious, and he obviously wanted a truthful answer.27

"Two things", she told him. "I have a duty to my people to protect them and I have never personally meta safe band of Gallans before, whather they were fighting a Hiato or not. Secondly, not that it should matter, but you have a Sheyon with you and even if i hadn't been about to attack the Gallan's camp I would have stopped to save the Sheyon which would have ultimatly insisted upon saving you."28

He nodded his understanding, but still looked slightly miffed.29

"Something yet bothers you?" She spoke in an inquiring tone.30

He paused and then spoke, "No offense meant, but I've never met a Miztic that will actually do their duty, and if you have a duty to your people as you say then you must also have a title."31

"Don't confuse old racism with actual people, sir. Just because I am Miztic doesn't give me instant reasoning to start lying and going behind other's backs. i am on of the Miztika, if you know what that means?" She paused waiting for him to nod in understanding. "I am also a Lady of Unicarn Pass so that is where my duty comes in."32

"I didn't think that the Miztika would reveal themselves with such ease." He said, testing her.33

"We don't, but now I've told you you understand my need for honor, don't you?"34

He nodded his understanding of her meaning, if she had told him and he hadn't understood the termMiztika he would have simply forgotten her claim, but since he did understand, he knew her word was trustworthy. The Miztika were an elite group of fighting Miztics bent on returningMistica to  he old ways. Not all of them followed the exact same code of honor, but they could all be trusted to keep a sworn word. In other words if they said they were going to protect something to the best of their ability it was safe or they were dead, and God help anyone who was trying to get it.35

He decided to take a chance, " Do you recognize me?" He inquired tentatively.36

"A lad froma dark place, hmmm? You were the one that woke me up and and began this whole fiasco." She sounded more amused than angry or irritated.37

"It wasn't intentional, but 'Tor said there was another Sheyon in the viscinity and I was curious."38

"Sure blame the Sheyon, but I can understand. Maxinai is a Lady on her own turf."39

"And you said your name was Star and you're Lady of Unicorn Pass, but that doesn't give your full title. How old are you?"40

"A question for a question, you tell me your full name and title and I'll tell you mine." She replied.41

"Fair enough", he spoke with amusement behind his eyes. "I am Prince Steelan Shee Seslanin of the Dark Kningdon, Lord of Cataran, and in answer to my other question, I am seventeen."42

I am lowaness Sapire Natuina of the Miztic, Lady of Unicorn Pass, advisor to the Miztika. Now, my two questions for you are what are you doing in Unicorn Pass, and what are your powers?"43

"answer your questions first as I did." He told her.44

She stifled a grin at his tactics. "I am out here in the middle of nowhere, because I am protecting my people, and as for magic, I'm blessed with air magic." She didn't bother to say empathy and mind reading, becasue she knew he was kiding something too.45

"Why are you out here when you're the higher ranking of the other lady of the pass?"46

"Miztic politics", she informed him. "Please don't make me explain why I left for the woods in the first place."47

"Well, my answers for your questions are metal magic and Miztic politics." She glared at him and his eyes laughed before he said, "I'm working on a treaty between our peoples and I got sent a mission to retrieve the Lady of the Pass. The problem now is that there are two of you and your King's specification was the blonde one. Every loody Miztic has blonde hair, so..."48

"Alana has black hair... and if you want to know why I'm out here in the middle of nowhere I have a new answer, the so-called king of the Miztics probably offered me this post so I wouldn't screw up the treaty."49

"Oh", he thought for a moment then his eyes laughed again. "What would you do to screw up the treaty?"50

"Depends on what your people are asking from mine, the point is the king is afraid of me." She paused then asked "What exactly does the King want from me?"51

"Ask your king", he said simply not wanting to tell her.52

"If she hadn't figured it out on her own, her Sheyon had. Steel felt the light brush of thoughts on his mind and looked up into the Sheyon Lady's eyes. - If you're wise lad, you'll listen. Star is too much for any man to handle and well-respected by the people  of miztica. I advise you to advise your king to refuse the Mistic kings offer for her marriage to one of you... she'll kill you. -53