(Continued from part one.)
Early one morning, Nehani crossed a shallow river, and on the other side discovered an orc encampment. There were only a few of them. Few enough that they didn't stand a chance. She took the first of them out quietly, under the cover of trees and darkness. She dispatched the rest in a hail of blood. A spear to the neck offered relative silence, but no shortage of mess. She did not, however, expect the mess she discovered next. In a deep trench, dug at the back of the camp, were about a dozen people. Some were dead already. Misused and left to rot. Among those that remained alive, there was a familiar face. The same young girl Nehani had plucked from destruction years before. The Escobar are not without their own brand of faith. Nehani took the reunion as a sign. And, while the others were escorted safely to the nearest town, this young girl's fate was again in question.
Feeling understandable responsibility for the girl, Nehani took her in. She kept her at her side, deciding to watch over her indefinitely. It was the beginning of a life-long partnership. Only then did Nehani finally decide to go home. She brought the girl to the Escobar village, overseeing her education and training. Upon hearing the tale of the young waif, the Chieftan proclaimed the child born of fire, a symbol of ravenous strength. The tribe embraced the girl as one of their own, adding the traditional titles to her given name, which she had confided in Nehani alone, as she still lacked the trust to form words for anyone else.
Zhain Dhenna Taskani reached the age of fifteen the following Spring, and the time came for her to make the same journey all warriors among the Escobar must face. Nehani insisted on accompanying her, but made a vow not to interfere with the lessons meant to be learned along the way. The two set out, not only to put to the test what Dhenn had learned, but also to carry out a search for the girl's family, not all of which were discovered among the ashes of her home so many years before. Dhenna remained convinced that some of her siblings had escaped the fate that befell her parents. The search began at the farm. It continues to this day.
Seasons turned, and the pair discovered that some of the Escobar who had departed to seek knowledge, had chosen to establish other villages instead of returning to their birthplace. Encampments and reservations that still held the spirit of the Escobar in their structure and beliefs, but not always in their methods. They came upon the Escidae people, deep in a forest much like the one Nehani's people resided in. There, the girls met a hunter. A woman named Som Ha Nuerta. A child of nature, bound to the green earth, her title was the word for "Vine." She was an herbalist, and taught Nehani many new remedies and medicines that could be made from the local plants and resources. Still mindful of the faith of her own tribe, Nehani felt certain that the elements were aligning in preparation for something greater. She asked Som to join their tiny caravan, now adding a new goal to theri list of chosen quests. They would seek out a child of the wind, and bring forth balance to the group. As it turns out, this goal went hand in hand with Dhenna's personal mission. But, that is another story...
They did find their fourth corner, and as a team, the women were uncommonly powerful. They returned again to the Escobar village, and a great feast was held to celebrate the adoption of these new warriors. Nehani's reputation was that of the Chieftan's favoured hand. Many warriors had returned with tales of adventure and things unseen. None before had returned with a band of new warriors to enrich their numbers. The girls were graced with a collective title to commemorate the induction. As a group, they were to be known as "Zahl Ehldhis Sahra Ivrhis." - The Coven of the Divine Fury.
Word of their efforts spread quickly. Far and wide, their stories were told. The force of the elements being applied to repel the orcs and bandits. It was no small deal to the superstitious folk, so long held prisoner by fear. The girls became a beacon of hope across their small region. One that attracted the attention of a very important person. The Commodore of the Fleet of the Tainted Grave was the subject of gossip and bedtime stories as well. The relative "Boogeyman" of the high seas, The Commodore headed a massive network of trade ships, smugglers, and armed vessels. The Fleet had gained notoriety quickly, and it seemed as if it's leader had discreetly tucked half the Western world in their pocket. Those who crossed The FTG were dealt with ruthlessly, and openly. Examples were made of those who disrupted their private enterprise.
And yet, this supposedly tyrannical overlord, while employing some of the seediest blackhearts to walk the earth, left in the wake of the organization a relative sense of hope. The Fleet's methods were violent and brash when whispered among those that feared and dispised it. But, there were many tales of the deeds they did after the smoke had settled and the blood had seeped into the ground. They did not leave behind destruction, as anyone might expect an army of pirates and mercenaries to do. Instead, they built schools... Museums and speacialty shops... They rebuilt villages that had been devastated by raids... Brought business to places too remote to trade with other lands... So, when the girls were summoned to come under the employ of The Commodore, they unanimously agreed to answer the call. From then on, they served as The Commodore's personal guards, gaining yet another title to add to their lengthy monacres. That of The Commodore's Elite Sentry.
After years of loyal service, and many adventures, Nehani was called to meet with the reclusive leader of The Fleet. She was offered the opportunity to take on a discreet, and very personal, mission. Her task was to retrieve a recently misplaced member of The FTG. For the first time in years, the girls were separated. Nehani was dispatched to locate the missing ally, and tracked them all the way to Bree. And, while Nehani has taken on responsibilities in her new surroundings, offering her loyalty and services to an allied group of sellswords, rogues, and outcasts... make no mistake. She is there to carry out her assignment. Perpetually on duty. No end of shift. No holiday. No time for recreation or merriment. So, do forgive her if she doesn't smile.
There is work to be done.
