Dragon Realm Cypress

The noon sun locked into place over the marching Silent Ones on the third day. Twenty hand selected by Vada, a mixture of veteran and some still green made up the platoon as well as the three priests for divine support. Each was trained to battle the creatures of the Night. Some have slain lycan and the lesser vampire, none were prepared for what was laid in Vada’s report. An entire village swallowed by smokeless ash. Slithering vines choking trees. Horrors, but it came with the territory of a Silent One, warriors ordained by the Red Angel.

Avalon drifted further away in a daze. Attempting to escape Woadhollow and the problems that it would bring. A past she once ran from. A past she wanted to never return to. A past she could never return to, and yet, here she was.

Her horse's reins slipped from her grip ever so slightly as Vada chatted on. Avalon lazily nodded, only half listening to her Blade Sister. The other half of her attention remained on the mission at hand. Their journey grew closer with every step. A three day trip that already felt like an eternity.

Avalon lifted her head and adjusted herself within the uncomfortable saddle. She glanced at Vada with a blank stare, who only answered back with a stink eye.

“Forgive me, what were you saying, Blade Sister?” asked Avalon. She tried hard to dodge Vada's scolding gaze.

“I was saying that you need to talk to him. Avalon, you know as well as I that an observer from Jedeoheim could halt everything we've accomplished here!”

Avalon nodded in agreement, but left it at that. She responded no further nor attempted to signal for the observer to ride up to them. Vada glowered until Avalon finally broke. “Fine! Fine, I'll talk to him!”

“Why are you avoiding this? He outranks us, and could shut us down is a single quill stroke...” Vada trailed off, weighing in on such power. She squirmed on her horse, passing a

meek smile to Avalon. “Come now, he's still just a man. He’s no Silent Master! Now that was a phantom to fear!”

“The Silent Master is dead. Elucard made the final blow himself. This Andros, he is still alive and well and can end us on a whim,” quipped Avalon. She slid her index finger across her throat and made a 'croaking' sound topped off with her eyes rolling back into her head.

Vada giggled, but quickly sucked in a breath of air as the sound of scrolls, quills, and bottles of ink rattled and brushed between them. Andros pursed his lips before pushing himself into their conversation.

“Ladies,” he started, continuing before either could respond, “Silver Wing Avalon, we have quite the trip to this Woadhollow. I would like to believe now is as good any time to discuss the training you are giving our White Wings.” He pulled out a leather bound journal from his saddlebag. Licking his thumb he flipped past several heavily written pages settling on a fresh one. “I’ve interviewed several of your trainees as well as your more seasoned men and women. I have to admit, I am more disturbed then interested in what you have been filling their minds with. However any attempts to speak to leadership, such as yourself, has been difficult.”

“You're right, my Gold Wing,” sighed Avalon. “I've been preoccupied with other matters. I’ve dug heavy into my work and your visit really has been a lower priority. Now with this Woadhollow mystery I-”

“I suggest you treat me as much of a priority as ridding this village of this possible Infestation,” jeered Andros. He paused briefly. “I still have a question that needs your attention. You may have Red Wing Saveen sold on the idea of using the assassin's choice blade as a Silencer, as opposed to the traditional claymore, but I would like an explanation to this disconcerting fact.”

“A ninjanto-designed Silencer is quicker, lighter, and more balanced than the brute force of the claymore Silencers,” proudly explained Vada. “We are training our Silent Ones to rely on subtlety and cunning for their tactics, instead of intimidation and strength,”

Andros had already taken out a pen and scribbled down Vada's dictation. He murmured each of her words slowly before looking towards Avalon.

“Would you like to add anything, Silver Wing?”

Taken aback and still unprepared for the impromptu interview, Avalon fumbled for her words. “Er, yes. You see, the Night is like a horde.

Disorganized, led only by the strongest of

their kind, though they possess no loyalty and follow for their own personal gain. They can't be stopped by our traditional means, only slowed down. They don't respond to our nature. They will brush us off and come back with ten times the savagery.” She recovered her composure, responding with the sharp answer. The Black Rabbits were villainous, chaotic, and had tainted her in the past, but their teachings provided an advantage for her Silent Ones. Jedeoheim could send ten thousand Andros’s, none would stand in her way.

“And changing our type of swords? That is your answer?” Andros responded snidely.

“A Silent One must match ruthlessness with ruthlessness. It is what the Night only knows,” Avalon said grimly.

“Exactly how far do you plan on taking this?” asked Andros, attempting to search Avalon's eyes for an answer he already knew.

“Until the Night buckles and breaks,” answered Avalon.

“We are not vengeful, Avalon. We slay for justice. We protect those that can not protect themselves. We act for her, the Angel of Righteousness. Lest not forget this,” lectured Andros. “Your words lack these values. You lead with malice within your soul,” he continued.

“My soul was blackened by my twelfth birthday and I lost it before my twentieth.”

“Jedeo would return you your soul- Had you ever wanted to save it.” Andros almost sneered. “Jedeo can not return what she does not have. The Rabbits sacrificed my soul to The Ash

Winged Angel long before Jedeo gained my servitude.” Avalon glared at Andros. “You lecture me about justice and righteous heroics? Jedeo struck down her first demon in hatred. Not to save mankind- but to punish those that wronged her.”

“Jedeo rose to heavens for her selfless deeds. She became the mortal goddess because she chose the Immortal Light over the Unforgiving Darkness,” Andros Argued, “You of all people should understand our scripture.”

“You carry a Silencer, Gold Wing, but you are no Silent One.”

“I beg your pardon?” scoffed Andros. Clearly flustered by Avalon’s jab.

“We are not the law. We are not of the cloth. We are the executioners. Our holy symbol is not a book, but a sword. Why is that?” asked Avalon. She did not let the man answer, “Because you read a book, you kill with a sword. Jedeo was a hero to mankind, but she was also a ruthless killer to her enemies. It is why she is so revered. She earned that reverence through her strength and cunning.”

“This is what you're teaching our students? Savagery and being a blackguard? You think so little of Jedeo that you twisted her lore to fit your demented teachings?”

Avalon moved in close to Andros, “Woadhollow was my home. Trust me when I say this, I seek no justice for this, for justice can only be granted conscientiously. Ethically. In a civilized manner.” Avalon’s words could slice open Andros’s throat. “This. This is personal.”

Andros shook his head. “I think it best if you-”

“Enough,” interrupted Avalon. The caravan halted before a tree line. Black, suffering, alien and unnatural. All how the range patrol described it. A frightening sight that would ward of any normal soul. Even the Silent Ones themselves were hesitant to enter. Their horse whined and fought to keep from entering the forsaken woods.

“What manner of unholy magic is this?” uttered Andros.

“We’re here to find that out,” responded Avalon.