To Each Their Own Battle - Entry I
It wasn't hard for me to find out where Abellinda, leader of The Shadow Blades and one who plays a vital role in taking down Nalokha, resided. After I decided to involve myself actively, I went there and introduced myself, stating my intentions as well. Seeing Abellinda with her child only convinced me more of how none in this land deserved the dire fate Nalokha could bring.
During conversation between Abellinda and one other, I was simply writing when a lady with blonde hair and white clothing ran into the house. Completely out of breath, she could only mutter one word: ''Nalokha..''
Abellinda got up from her chair and I pulled up my hood and mask, inquiring on where she had seen Naloka. ''In the ruins west of Bree-land..'' was the short-voiced answer. We, I believe we were five, ran outside and mounted our horses. I looked at Abellinda from beneath my hood after seeing her horse. ''Rohirric horses... We surely are the swiftest, Abellinda.'' Without a word she began riding. I followed, even though I knew damn well where we were headed. Ost Barandor, atop the cliffs of Starmere Lake.
Abellinda and I were the first to arrive outside the ruin. Carefully she peeked through the entrace and sent me a nod, indicating that it indeed is the Lady in Red. Others arrived. The blonde lady, the bald man that was also speaking with Abellinda before, and several of his companions. In a 'U' shape that did not look like a 'U' at all we entered the ruin, our eyes fixed on Nalokha who was standing atop the stairs. We waited down the steps, and Abellinda went up to speak with her.
I couldn't really hear anything, except for the irritating conversation between some others behind me. It began raining heavily, and an aura of dread was cast upon us as the ground began to rumble. I stepped onto the stairs, to go against the shaking, and the dread.. I do not know dread. Eventually Abellinda walked down the stairs and told us to attack, to kill her. Almost instantly, people ran past me, up the steps. Nalokha had moved into the middle of the ruin by now; a large plateau, perfect for a showdown. I went up and eyed the people now surrounding her. The arrows went loose but turned into dust before they even reached her.
Arrows didn't work, as I said to Abellinda. In reply, she charged at her with her sword, driving her back to the edge of the ruin. I had my sword pointed at her throat, the blade glimmering with white light. It was at that moment that a blonde lady tackled her, both of the falling off the ruin and onto the ground below. I sheathed my sword and hung fromt he ledge before dropping myself as well. The others ran around to reach us while I tried to get the lady off Nalokha, without succes. They both rolled off the cliff, tumbling down towards the river below. The others stared down the cliff while I already ran down towards the riverbank. I jumped into the water and swum after her. She was unconscious by the looks of it, and we were headed towards a waterfall. I wasn't planning on turning back and instead tried to use the current to get closer to her. We both fell, and I was lucky enough to hit the water instead of the rocks. She washed ashore shortly after, and I followed. She wasn't breathing. The shooting pain in my ankle annoyed me, but I had no time to concern myself with it. I placed my hands on her chest and began pressing down firmly, to get the water out of her lungs. After several moments, she coughed up all the water and then closed her eyes again. All the others arrived one by one after that, and I dropped myself back into the grass as they took care of the rest.
Most of my equipment is gone, but that is a small price to pay to save her life.
