Godslayer Arc 1.27 Shopping

Miskara scowls as she glares at the dress in her hands.

That stupid Pakdar. Just staring at me because he only just realised how beautiful I am. I can’t believe him. As if I would ever be interested in dishonourable scum like him. I certainly don’t want his attention.

“Are you okay?” asks Sirakor as she notices the expression on her friend’s face

“Yeah,” replies Miskara as glances back over at Sirakor, “Just thinking about a certain person.”

“Whom?” inquires Sirakor.

“Just a couple of guys down in the Twelfth District,” answers Miskara, thinking of the Archmage Valen, “I ran into them whilst I was investigating something and I did the same another time. At that point, I did some investigating into them. Then I found out while they aren’t exactly the sort of people that folks like you or I would associated with, but they are loyal, reliable, trustworthy and competent. To the point that despite their many flaws, I would trust them with my life.”

“I see,” says Sirakor, “So dey are the ones you go to see?”

“Part of the time,” admits Miskara, “They are useful to be around. Their different viewpoints and perspectives to my own, along with their willingness to speak their mind, means that I get exposed to things I wouldn’t have thought of on my own.”

“Who are dese people?” inquires Sirakor as Miskara puts the dress down.

“They are called Valen and Drakvar respectively,” answers Miskara, “If there is an emergency, those two can be depended upon. Even if they aren’t the most respectable fellows.”

“If dey aren’t respectable, why would you even consider associating with dem?” asks Sirakor, sounding genuinely confused, pausing as she tries to figure out her best friend’s reasoning.

“Because while they aren’t respectable by our standards, there are other standards in the world that would consider them respectable,” explains Miskara as she begins to look at a shirt that has caught her eye, “And some of those standards are the standards that they hold themselves to.”

“But,” starts Sirakor, still sounding baffled by Miskara’s words, “But if dey aren’t respectable by de standards of the Ti’darkei Order, why should we, you, especially you, care if dey are respectable by other standards?”

In response to her friend’s question, Miskara laughs, leaving Sirakor even more bewildered.

“Knight Sirakor,” says Miskara, slipping back into the formal tones that she uses almost all the time as the Champion of the Ti’darkei Order, “The Ti’darkei Order might be the greatest Knightly Order in the South and one of the greatest in the world, that doesn’t mean that it is the only great Knightly Order on Lyatar.”

“So what other Knightly Orders could rival our own one?” demands Sirakor, both affronted by the idea that the Ti’darkei Order isn’t the only worthwhile Knightly Order in the world and shocked at its very own Champion suggesting such a thing.

“The Knights of the Good Sword, the Jord Order and the Right Hand of Farkas,” answers Miskara without missing a beat, “All of which are at least as great as the Ti’darkei Order. Actually, I would personally say that the Knights of the Good Sword are the superior and are the greatest Knightly Order in the history of Kith.”

“Miskara!” exclaims an outraged Sirakor as she glares daggers at her friend, “How can you say such terrible things!”

“Because I’m not blind to the truth,” retorts Miskara, “As the Champion of the Ti’darkei Order, it is my responsibility to not only acknowledge its grandeur, but also its short comings.”

I am so glad that I have had Sir Galamin to point that out to me. It made things so more clear for me. For that matter, I am glad that I have someone like him to act as mentor for me.

“Let’s move onto a different subject?” suggests Sirakor tensely.

“Yes, let’s,” agrees Miskara as she moves onto inspecting another shirt, a pale blue one with white linings, before picking it up, “I think this shirt would look good on me.”

“I concur,” says Sirakor after getting a look at the shirt, “But...”

“But what?” inquires Miskara as she cocks her head at her best friend.

“Isn’t it a bit big?” says Sirakor bashfully as she blushes slightly.

“Ah,” replies Miskara, the girl also blushing as she feels embarrassed at this turn in the conversation, “As you might have noticed, my size has increased somewhat.”

“How did dat happen?” asks Sirakor.

“Because I hide the full extent of my growth due to how...generous nature has been to me,” explains Miskara, “But not it has gotten to the point that it is too inconvenient and somewhat painful to try and pretend otherwise. You know about me getting some new armour right?”

“Yeah, dat makes sense,” agrees Sirakor before frowning, “But what I don’t get is why you tried to die any of it in de first place.”

“I didn’t want to get additional attention for my good looks,” answers Miskara with a sigh, “I get enough as it is and my beauty isn’t exactly something that I earned so I really don’t want any unnecessary attention because of it. But that is going to change now unfortunately. At least, it might help people take me more seriously if I look the part of the Champion.”

“Many people would want to have beauty like yours,” notes Sirakor.

“Most people wouldn’t want to be judged on their beauty instead of their hard work,” replies Miskara.

“I feel dat way as well,” agrees Sirakor, “Not dat I wouldn’t mind to be half as good looking as you are.”

“My apologises for that,” says Miskara for she can easily think of the two reasons for why she is so beautiful.

“Dat isn’t your fault so don’t worry about it,” replies Sirakor with a dismissive wave of her hand, “What I really want to do is see you wearing something other dan dat armour of yours.”

“Now that is something I can arrange for you,” promises Miskara with a smile at her friend.

Godslayer Arc 1.21 Revelations Part 1

Knight Sirakor waits impatiently with the Pages Kiri and Satri as the three of them sit at an outside table of the Radiant Dawn Restaurant. They have only been here for a couple of minutes, but Sirakor is already eagerly awaiting the arrival of her best friend.

To Sirakor, the unexpected development of Miskara wanting to meet them here is both exciting and worrying. Exciting because her best friend is finally doing something with her again and worrying because Sirakor has no idea why Miskara wants to meet the three of them here.

Engrossed in her thoughts as they wait for their order, Sirakor doesn’t notice Miskara arriving.

“Knight Sirakor, Page Kiri, Page Satri,” says Miskara as she takes a seat at their table, “Greetings.”

“Oh, Miskara, you’re here,” says Sirakor as she jumps slightly at Miskara’s sudden arrival.

“A pleasure to see you too Knight Sirakor,” replies Miskara, “Have you ordered yet?”

“Um, yes, we have,” answers Satri, “Sorry.”

“But the waitress is coming back right now,” says Sirakor as she notices the young female Kith coming back.

“Excellent,” says Miskara, “I will order and then we shall dine together.”

Sirakor is about to reply when she feels something being passed to her under the table. It feels like a note parchment.

A sudden burst of pain strikes her head and Sirakor grunts in pain even as she feels thoughts forming her mind.

ReAD thE nOte in PrIVaTe laTEr.

“Are you okay Knight Sirakor?” inquires Miskara and she and their other two friends look at her in concern.

“Yeah,” replies Sirakor as she puts the note in a pouch and another hand to her forehead as she gives Miskara a pained smile, “I’m perfectly fine.”

***

Miskara nervously waits on a rooftop of an old warehouse as Sirakor, Kiri and Satri approach the location that she marked on the note. As always whenever she is trying to remain unrecognised, Miskara is wearing her old grey and black hooded cloak that conceals her body and face.

It has worked so well in the past. Nobody has ever recognised me while I have been out and about in secret. I can’t wait to bring my friends in on my little secrets. It will be so great to finally be able to share such things with other people.

I mean, sure I’m sharing my secrets with that lot, but to be honest, I feel more like I’m sharing their adventures and secrets.

“So Miskara said to meet her here,” says Sirakor as she and the others come to a halt.

“What do you think she wants?” asks Kiri, “First showing up at your quarters, second having lunch with us at a restaurant and now dis.”

“No idea,” replies Satri, “Unlike you two, I have only known her for a few days.”

“Actually, I don’t know her dat well either,” says Kiri, “Sirakor is de only one of us who truly knows Miskara.”

I suppose I should go down now.

Activating her “swift mode”, where everything seems to be in slow motion to Miskara whilst she moves normally, Miskara jumps down from the rooftop, landing in front of her friends.

“Greetings,” says Miskara to her shocked friends.

“W-hat, oh hello-” Sirakor starts to reply, but is cut off with a yelp as Miskara embraces her in a hug.

“Are you okay?” asks Satri and she and Kiri just stare at Miskara and this unexpected move on her part.

“Why yes I am Satri,” answers Miskara with a smile on her face as she releases Sirakor from her embrace.

“Yes!” exclaims Sirakor as she gives Miskara a hug of her own, “You’re acting like your old self again!”

“Is Miskara acting normal freaking you out as well?” whispers Kiri to her fellow page Satri.

“Yeah,” Satri replies, also whispering, “Do you think she can hear us?”

“I can,” replies Miskara as she glances at them and both girls jump with shock.

“Huh?” says Sirakor as she lets go of Miskara and looks up at her.

“I want to do some explaining,” states Miskara.

“If it is about what is going on,” says Sirakor, “I can put two and two together. You want to hang out with us, but don’t want to ruin your reputation so you are doing it in secret. Hence why we are meeting here in de middle of some abandoned warehouses and you are wearing dat old cloak.”

“That is partially the case,” admits Miskara, “But I also wanted to share with you my private activities and some secrets about myself that I have told no one else.”

“Oh?” asks Sirakor, sounding very curious.

“First I want to show you something,” says Miskara as she pulls out a revolver from inside her cloak.

“A gun-what-” starts Sirakor as Miskara aims the revolver at the side of her head and pulls the trigger.

Miskara barely registers the impact of the bullet, feeling nothing more than a dull tap. The metal projectile drops to the floor as it bounces harmlessly off of the Champion of the Ti’darkei Order.

Letting out a weak smile at the stunned looks of the other three girls, Miskara says, “As you can see, I have a far few things to tell you.”

Godslayer Arc 1.20 Dorrin

Champion Miskara Stormmistress of the Ti’darkei Order shifts uncomfortably in her armour. She was already maturing enough that it was starting not to fit her anymore, but after she...manifested as the Ordic called it, Miskara’s armour definitely doesn’t fit her anymore.

By the Gods, I can’t stand this. I feel the same, but also different. I’m taller than before with more muscles too. Not only that, but my chest is bigger, my body curvier and my fur is so silky now.

Gah! I’m even stronger and tougher than before with superior senses. As if I wasn’t freaky enough already with my supernatural physical prowess.

At least people won’t notice. I mean, it has been a long time since anybody has seen me properly so that that I’m more mature and grown up won’t be that much of a surprise. And I kept my freaky abilities hidden well enough already so that the fact they are better isn’t too much of a problem.

What I am worried about the most is my new manifestation powers. I can sense the other Psychics around me if they are really close by. Not only that, but I can also sense what those near me are about to do next. Now that is totally freaky.

And there is more basic stuff. My memory is just...better as I can recall pretty much everything. Not to mention I can run the numbers in my head much easier now.

Other than that, there is just...well...you.

That is rude.

Shut up you! I don’t want to have voices in my head! I can’t afford to go crazy! Not with all of my duties!

“Miskara!” exclaims Sirakor as the young Knight runs up to her best friend, “Are you okay?”

No.

“Yes,” replies Miskara, “How are you Knight Sirakor?”

“I’m fine Miskara,” says Sirakor, “So what are you going to do now?”

“I need to speak with Sentinel Dorrin,” answers Miskara, “It is urgent business of the utmost importance.”

“Oh,” mutters Sirakor, seeming rattled by Miskara’s words.

I hope I haven’t worried her too much.

“I’ll speak with you again Knight Sirakor,” says Miskara as she walks past her friend, “I shall visit you in your quarters later.”

“Oh,” says Sirakor, sounding stunned by the idea of Miskara going to see her rather than it being the other way around, “Oh, okay then. I’ll you later I guess.”

Now to find Sentinel Dorrin.

Sentinel Dorrin is one of the oldest and most experienced members of the Ti’darkei Order. In fact, he is one of its founders. Like Grandmaster Alisarr, Sentinel Dorrin is a Jord and is generally accepted as the best fighter in the Order, capable of besting high grade Psychics despite lacking powers of his own.

And I can trust him to believe today’s events. Or least hear me out.

It takes Miskara a while, but she ultimately finds Sentinel Dorrin in Western Tower of Kar’mire Keep, working away at some paperwork at his desk.

“Champion Miskara,” says Sentinel Dorrin, greeting Miskara as she enters his office.

“Sentinel Dorrin,” replies Miskara, respectfully inclining her head towards him, “I wish to inform you of an extremely urgent matter.”

“Go ahead Champion,” replies Sentinel Dorrin, sounding and looking intrigued.

“All citizens in the Thirteenth District have been killed,” says Miskara, deciding to be straight to the point, “Sir Galamin and the Ordic-”

“I shall lead my Silver Guard down,” replies Sentinel Dorrin without hesitation as he practically leaps to his feet, “Thank you for bring this to my attention, but I shall deal with the matter now lass.”

“I understand,” replies Miskara, keeping her surprise at being so easily believed and understood hidden including the shock at being called lass rather than her title.

“Good, good,” mutters Sentinel Dorrin absentmindedly, “Do me a favour kid and keep this secret until I figured out how to deal with it.”

“As you wish Sentinel Dorrin,” replies Miskara as the older Kith leaves the room.

Well, with having done as much as I can with that situation, I should go and see if Sirakor is free. I might be a bit too early, but I have nothing better to.

As she turns to leave, Miskara pauses as she hears Sentinel Dorrin mutter something under his breath with her supernaturally good hearing

“War ha yoin gorr yoinn donnn segg te tirn Maser?” mutters Sentinel Dorrin in some foreign language.

***

“So where are we going?” asks Satri as she follows her mistress with Fatimir held in her hands.

“To see Knight Sirakor, Page Satri,” answers Miskara.

“Okay,” says Satri, clearly not expecting any further explanation whilst they aren’t in a private area.

Having been Miskara’s page for a few days now, Satri has quickly learned to expect Miskara to be extremely formal and professional whenever she isn’t in a private location, only dropping the act and actually acting like a normal person when she doesn’t think anybody else is watching.

Satri glances down at Fatimir. She and the spear-girl have become rather good friends despite the fact that Fatimir is an inanimate object who can only say “yes”, “no” or “I don’t know”.

Still it makes sense that she would be my friend as I am the only person to interact with her. Actually, I’m not sure if anybody outside of Miskara and I know of her existence.

Satri comes to a halt behind Miskara as the two of them arrive at Sirakor’s quarters, which she shares with another Knight, Tani Rekei.

“Is Sirakor in?” asks Satri in a quiet voice.

“Yes,” answers Miskara as she knocks on the door.

It takes a moment, but Sirakor opens the door and blinks in surprise as she realises who is standing before her.

“Urr-Misk-Champion Miskara,” says Sirakor as she recovers from the shock, “You’re here already, I was just talking to Uri and Tani about your planned visit. I didn’t realise you would be so soon.”

“My meeting with Sentinel Dorrin went much quicker than I expected Knight Sirakor,” replies Miskara, “Are you and Page Uri free right now?”

“Um, sure,” replies Sirakor, “We’re not exactly nothing anything right now I guess.”

“Good,” says Miskara, “I shall meet you, Page Uri and Page Satri at the Radiant Dawn Restaurant? You know the place?”

“Um, yeah, I do,” replies Sirakor, “Urr, what time?”

“In the next half an hour,” answers Miskara before turning and leaving, striding past Satri, “I shall see the three of you later.”

Satri and Sirakor watch as Miskara leaves them.

“Do you know what that is about?” Sirakor asks Satri.

“No idea,” answers Satri, “May I come into your quarters and spend my time with you until we leave?”

“Yeah, sure,” replies Sirakor, sounding distracted, “I see no reason why not.”

Godslayer Arc 1.12 Miskara

“Come back you idiot!” yells Miskara Stormmistress, Champion of the Ti’darkei Order as she unleashes a blast of electricity at the fleeing coward with spikey black hair, “Stopping running away from me!”

“Bye Shocker,” says the Pakdar as the electricity disappears harmlessly as it makes contact with him.

How does he keep doing that! I checked his records. Drakvar Blackborn isn’t a Psychic. Then again, a lot of what I’ve been hearing about him lately doesn’t add up with official records.

A lot of things don’t match up with official records now I think about.

Wait! Don’t get distracted! The idiot is getting away!

“Don’t call me Shocker!” shrieks Miskara as she lets off another bolt of electricity, but she is too late as Blackborn has already fled.

As the stray electricity blast smashes into the street, Miskara stomps her foot in frustration. This is the fourth time that she and Drakvar have clashed. The first time was a couple of weeks ago where he utterly humiliated her.

But at least that was in private so her honour and that of the Ti’darkei Order wasn’t stained. And Blackborn actually took her seriously during that encounter. In the three encounters they have had this week, Blackborn just ignores her, mysteriously nullifies her attacks and runs off without bothering to fight back.

He treats me like a joke.

With Drakvar gone, Miskara checks her cloak and straightens it so it fully conceals her again. She needs to remain unrecognisable. If she was seen attacking a worthless low life, people would ask questions about what she is doing and why she is doing that. And eventually somebody would find out...well, Miskara doesn’t even want to think about that.

I better get back to the Keep. I’ve wasted enough time on the Pakdar and I don’t want to raise any suspicions by being out for too long.

***

“Miskara!” says a female voice as Miskara approaches Kar’mire Keep, “You’re back!”

Miskara turns to see Knight Sirakor Justmover of the Ti’darkei Order. The girl short pale brown fur and long ginger hair that is tied back in a ponytail.

Just like Miskara, Sirakor is wearing the white and gold plate armour of the Ti’darkei Order, complete with the Ti’darkei Crest on the breastplate.

Also like Miskara, Sirakor is a Pyschic with a rating for a mid-tier Level 4 while Miskara is one of the two known Level 6s. While Miskara uses her headset to manipulate electric fields, Sirakor uses her energy projectors wristbands to create force fields.

“Greetings Knight Sirakor,” replies Miskara, keeping things formal and professional whilst out in public.

I am the Champion of the Ti’darkei Order, the second largest Knightly Order and as of such, I must prove myself worthy of holding such a title and hold myself to the highest standards. Being Sirakor’s friend can wait until we are private.

“So formal,” mutters Sirakor under her breath so that only Miskara can hear it with her supernaturally good hearing.

She has to understand that I can’t be seen being unprofessional. There were so many others that could have taken the position of Champion and instead I got it. I need to show people that I am deserving such an honour.

 “Where is your Page?” asks Miskara.

“Uri is waiting up in my quarters in de Keep,” replies Sirakor, “She is showing your page around.”

“Page Satri Roken?” inquires Miskara as they walk past the Knights guarding the gates into Kar’mire Keep, “So my new page has arrived?”

“Yes,” answers Sirakor, “Shall we head up to your quarters to meet her den?”

“Of course,” answers Miskara, noting that what Sirakor really means is “let’s go somewhere private where you’ll actually talk to me”.

There is a companionable silence between the two of them as they make their way to the upper levels at rear of the Keep, the location of both Miskara’s quarters and Sirakor’s quarters.

“So Miskara,” says Sirakor as they enter Miskara’s quarters and she closes the door behind them, “Now we’re in private, are you going to tell me what is going on?”

“I was just out on personal business,” replies Miskara evasively, not wanting to tell even her closest friend what she has truly been up to.

For her part, Sirakor just sits down on Miskara’s bed and sighs.

“Don’t worry Miskara, I get it,” says the Kith girl, “You’re just spending time as Miskara de adolescent girl rather dan Miskara de Champion of de Ti’darkei Order. And to do dat, you have keep it secret.”

Not the entire truth, but it will do. At least I’m not outright lying to my best friend.

“So what is Page Roken like?” inquires Miskara.

“I personally don’t know dat much about her, but my own Page Uri does,” replies Sirakor, “Dey are cousins as a matter of fact. Uri says she will be good for the job and I trust her judgement. Oh, and from what Uri told me, Satri will be more than capable of tolerating your eccentricities and keeping dem keeping secret.”

“I wouldn’t call myself eccentric,” mutters Miskara defensively.

“Neither would I if you were if you were just a normal person or even a normal Knight,” says Sirakor, “But ever since you became Champion, you have really changed your habits.”