Role

Chapter 3

Ahinu remembers every detail about that day. The smell of the air as
they hiked north into the Redhorn mountains. How the sunlight looked as
it glinted off Tara'bal's plate armor. He remembers the pain, most of
all, and the curious, coppery smell of blood in his nostrils. His own
blood, and hers. It is a memory only a felar could have, or one with a
similarly developed sense of smell. He hates everything about it.

It was him who approached the Tara'bal first. He bowed as he did to his
sensei and voiced his desire to claim a place in the Holy Brigade.
Visions swam in his mind's eye of the great things he would accomplish.
Perhaps he would be Captain some day? The thought pleased him more than
he cared to admit.

But...nothing happened. The Tara'bal remained motionless. It did not
speak or acknowledge him in any way, though he imagined that the flames
in its visor flare a little brighter. He repeated his pledge, louder
and more forcefully, in case the creature had not heard him the first
time. Still nothing.

He backed away, confused, and let Ashana approach. The two of them had
been excited during their trek through the mountains, but now she looked
preternaturally calm. Serene, almost. It was as if she understood
something about the significance of what they were doing that had eluded
him. Kneeling before the massive figure with her head bowed, she
professed in a quiet voice her willingness to serve.

The reaction was immediate. Though it made no sound, the Tara'bal bowed
its head and it was abundantly clear to both of them that Ashana's
pledge had been accepted while his had not. He was still trying to work
out why this should be when Ashana stood up from her kneeling position,
bowed her head, and was suddently bathed in sunlight that seemed to come
from nowhere and everywhere all at once.

Turning around, she gasped at the sight of him and made a strange
choking noise. Then, to his utter amazement, she drew her blade.