Vada kneeled before her Silent Master, weary and defeated. Her once crisp Black Rabbit clothes were now old and tattered. Her sagging eyes were a testament to the fact that she had gotten little or no sleep in the years that she spent hunting her former blade sister. She held quiet as Ryjin studied her.

Finally she broke the silence, “Master I–”

“Is she dead?” Ryjin said, not letting Vada finish.

Vada lowered her head. She did not have a real answer for that question. Her mission was to find and kill Avalon. Neither of which she was sure she did. All she knew was that after hunting her down for over three years, she was tired and wanted to go home.

“Master I tracked Avalon to the desert realm of Scorch. There I learned she was captured and sold as a slave to be thrown into the arena pits. I heard rumors of one called “Night Whisper.” I could never get close enough to this gladiatrix to see if she was Avalon, but she fought like her.”

“Is she dead?” Ryun asked once more.

“If she is Night Whisper, she will die a gladiatrix or die serving as a slave,” Vada replied, her head still lowered as Ryjin glowered over her.

“Vada you have been gone for too long. I welcome you home. However you should know that in the time you were gone, you were replaced as the First Blade.”

Vada bowed. She knew that with her absence, the clan would have a new High and First Blade. She was no fool. It just meant she would have to prove herself all over again—a task she was ready for.

“My Silent–” Legion appeared in the entrance, Inle by his side. A look of surprise covered his face when he saw that Vada had returned. He stepped further in the quarters, ushering Inle to follow.

“My Silent Master, Inle has returned from his mission,” he continued, trying to keep from asking questions about Vada and her pursuit of Avalon.

Vada looked up, eager once more to be a part of the inner workings of her clan. She studied Legion, but found him hard to read. He seemed to have love, loss, regret, and confusion swirled together in an emotional mess deep within his eyes. Vada was unsure what to make of it, but it was clear that she had missed more than she knew.

The Silent Master nodded toward Vada, “You may leave us.”

Legion quickly caught her arm and objected, “My Master. This is Vada, she was the former First Blade. I must insist that she stays. Not only does she need to get caught up on the status of our clan, but I value her opinion.”

Inle’s eyes lit up at the idea of being in the presence of some type of legendary former First Blade.

“Very well; Vada you may stay,” Ryjin said quietly.

Vada nodded, showing her thanks. Legion gave Vada a quick summary of what she had missed before having Inle give his report.

“I have returned from Lost Dawns to say that the mission was a success.” Inle held up the glinting gold signet as proof, “I defeated the Mage King, his wolf, and a former White Cloak. Showing them that no matter how hard they fight, they will alway be a step down from a Rabbit.”

“A daring power play, Inle. It is true, this will show King Koda that the Rabbits still hold power over Long Whisper, but we must do something about our recruitment situation,” grinned the Silent Master.

“If I may,” Vada started, “I heard through my travels that King Dallin of Varis and King Aric of Estinia are going to war with each other and that King Koda is already gearing up to aid Dallin. Perhaps we can use this knowledge to our advantage.”

Legion nodded as if forming an idea, “What we need is to do is form an allegiance with Estinia. Find a way to sell our services and, in exchange, gain recruits from their soldiers.”

“Master, I will travel to Estinia and put this plan into motion with your permission,” Inle said quickly, eager to prove himself once again.

Ryjin nodded in approval of Inle’s request.

“Master, I seek permission to join him!” Vada pleaded, not willing to let her chance to prove herself a new pass.

“Very well. The both of you must prepare to leave at tomorrow’s first light,” Ryjin said, dismissing them.

***

“You just got back today, and now you’re leaving?” Elisa whined as she plopped backwards on Vada’s cot. She was thrilled to have her best and only friend in the clan back. But Vada was about to disappear just as suddenly as she had reappeared.

“Elisa, I need to do whatever it takes to get in the good graces of the Silent Master again,” Vada said as she packed a large bag.

Elisa strolled over and swiped the bag over her head, “At least tell me about this mission that’s so important.”

“You know I can’t tell you that, now give me back my bag!” Vada frowned as she reached to snatch back her belongings from her persistent friend.

Elisa began tossing the contents out in a successful effort to annoy her friend, “Can’t or won’t?”

Vada grabbed her bag back, her reach as a human was longer than that of her shadow elf friend, but the damage was done, she had to repack, “Both.”

Elisa stole the bag back and jumped onto the cot, holding the bag high in the air, “Well, I’m going to make sure you can’t pack until you tell me something! You forget I held Lost Dawns in terror for a year, this will be nothing!” she said, giving a smarmy grin.

“Elisa Moonshard, you are insufferable! Alright, you broke me. Inle and I are traveling to Estinia to strike an alliance and gather Rabbit recruits from its army. I’ll probably be gone for a while, so you’ll have to hold down the fort. Now give me back that bag!”

Elisa’s eyes widened with the news. This was exactly the type of thing Wiccer needed to hear. The sound of the door sliding open shook her back to reality. Inle stood at the entrance.

“Vada, Legion wishes to see you.”

Vada nodded, walking out. Inle slowly walked into the quarters, approaching Elisa, “I spent a bit of time at your former home.”

“My home?” Elisa asked, unsure of Inle’s intentions.

“You spent a good of time with the White Cloaks,” Inle said as he backed Elisa into a wall

“I was their prisoner, if that’s what you mean.”

“That must have been a terrible time for you,” Inle came in close so that she could see his bright silver eyes underneath his mask.

“I managed,” Elisa squirmed trying to get past Inle

Inle thrusted his hands against the wall, trapping Elisa, “I think you and I both know how you managed.”

“I’ve got to go,” Elisa said, trying to push Inle away from her.

Inle smiled fiercely under his mask, letting Elisa quickly walk away from him, “Don’t go too far, shadow kin.”