“I just don’t understand it,” Captain Orla Stormveil said as he rubbed the short beard on his chin. “I’ve heard of magi casting some sort of mumbo-jumbo spell to see magic, but it still requires the subject have EYES.”
Caharin was sitting in Orla’s private quarters in the barracks. In addition to the Captain, there was Liron Y’tara, an elderly cleric who had been the head healer of the Taerinian guard and the one to heal her after the accident, Marius Tharen, who hadn’t left Caharin’s side since the paladin found her in the rubble, and Valsar Asal’ni, a sorcerer from the new noble house of magi, who was obviously intimidated by both her family name and current appearance.
“That ‘mumbo-jumbo’ is a remarkable spell that enables the recipient to discern the spells cast by others. But this...it certainly is a mystery,” Valsar was saying as he attempted to cast various identification spells on her.
“It is not a mystery!” Caharin said, frustrated. “For the last time, Kenda Tu’ gave me his blessing!” She stood, pushing Valsar back. She strode hastily towards the door, ignoring Orla calling after her. She heard Marius follow, but she didn’t mind. With the exception of the captain, Marius was the only one of her comrades that didn’t treat her like a cripple. Her other elven senses had more than made up for her lack of sight, but for most, it was hard to notice anything but her scars.
“Caharin, your scarf?” Marius said timidly, once they were outside.
She took a few more steps, then paused. Turning slightly, she held her hand back towards him. He sighed and laid the dark, violet cloth across her open palm. He watched, as he had many times before, as she wrapped the cloth over her empty eye sockets and tied it behind her head, under her braided hair. Her hair was, with the exception of her lack of eyes, her most defining feature. Most grey elves had dark brown, dark grey, or even black hair.
After adjusting the edges to fit behind her ears, she turned to face Marius. “I am sorry, friend. I did not mean to be so...”
“Bitchy?” he finished.
“Irritable,” she shot back.
“Heh. You’ve never been one for patience. That sorcerer was definitely pretending to know more than he does. I can’t believe the captain didn’t pick up on it.”
“You smell liars better than Orla. You always have.” In the years spent with the city guard, Caharin learned that no one could recognize lies and cheats like Marius. He was often called upon to aid in disputes between merchants and families.
“That may be. If it’s true, then there’s something I just gotta know,” Marius said, feigning desperation.
“Which is?” Caharin grinned, putting her hands on her hips.
“What was Kenda Tu’ like?”
The question caught her off guard, and though she tried her best to hide her surprise, she knew Marius would notice it. “He is... stability. Focus. Confidence. Resolute. His presence made me question everything I knew about the world, but at the same time, gave me a sense of purpose and strength. Many think the gods are so far detached from our world that there is no point in worshiping them any longer, but that is not the case. They are our world, and they are in danger. It is our duty to aid them, and so I will.”
“Then I’m coming with you.” Marius stood tall and saluted. Caharin, hearing the snap of his boots and quick intake of air, visualized the soldier before her. As much as she would love to have his company on what would undoubtedly be a long campaign, she knew his place was here, with the Taerinian military. She, on the other hand, was not officially a soldier, and was free to pursue her own agenda.
“Orla would not approve. With the recent orc attack, Taerinian will need its military in full force. To leave now--”
“One less soldier isn’t going to make a difference,” Marius insisted.
“You are not a mere soldier, Maruis. Many of our people, Orla included, look to you for wisdom. You have an undeniable gift of insight.”
“You are not a mere soldier, Maruis. Many of our people, Orla included, look to you for wisdom. You have an undeniable gift of insight.”
