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"Will you two just kiss already?" Abrianna grumbled at me.
"What?" I asked, digging cotton from my ear, "Can't hear you."
Leylas had just fallen to her trance, looking over the beginnings of Rosohna. I carried her back to her bed, and now Abrianna decided to interrogate me.
"Just kiss!" Abrianna insisted.
"We've been a bit busy. Rosohna is not secured," I retorted, "You think there's time for that?"
"I think if the tension gets any stronger, I'll press your faces together myself," a new voice added as I walked towards my ramshackle office.
"Deirta, don't encourage her," I griped, "Don't you have a watch to take?"
"I'm on my way, yes, but this conversation is so interesting," the younger Drow replied.
Deirta was new, just barely in her second century, only joining us just after we moved to construct Rosohna. She was strong and steadfast to the newly-surfaced Drow and to Leylas, begrudgingly named the Bright Queen by those around her. "I don't like it," she had complained privately, "Why do we need titles?" "Because soon there will be too many to not," Abrianna had replied.
I plopped myself behind my desk, "This isn't nearly as important as what we are working on. We have plenty of time," I said, "Now go take your watch, child."
Dierta huffed but left. Abrianna remained, watching.
"The Bastion is nearing completion, General," she said, "Would you come with me and look over the remaining plans for the training grounds?"
I grimaced at the title, "I prefer Captain. It's what I've been called these past years anyway."
Abrianna thought for a moment, "We have the Bright Queen… What about 'Dusk Captain,' no? Opposites? She on the surface, you behind, watching?"
"Eh. Whatever."
"But to our topic, Quana," Abrianna said pointedly, "You must be honest with yourself."
I sighed, "I did tell her once."
"Yes, and she was dead already. Doesn't count."
Running a hand down my face, I replied, "When Rosohna is secure enough for children, I'll tell her."
"I'll take it," Abrianna said, "But if she says something first, don't lie."
We spoke no more words on the topic. Days blurred to weeks, to months, and to years. The walls of Rosohna grew and grew, expanding into the wastes. The first children were born within the walls, and Abrianna gave me a hard look each time. I ignored it. There was still so much to be done. Watch members to be trained, small raids to push back.
Leylas and I… we did grow closer. Not speaking any words, but physically. Small touches when unnecessary, lingering handshakes, longing looks. Sparring that would end in a pile on the ground, neither of us willing to get up immediately. Abrianna took to smacking her head into a wall when we did so. More than once there was an invisible force tripping me, likely from Dierta, though not to the effect she intended.
Then, in Blightshore, at the base of the Penumbra Range, another piece of the Luxon was found. South of Ghor Veles, it was barely within the range of the two Luxon we already had. Finally, something exciting. Leylas and I, Bright Queen and Dusk Captain, mounted our moorbounders to collect it. We expected a fight, but the land was much emptier than when we last were there, before the Calamity, when it was called Miskath Strand. It was strange, though. The environment carried the curses of those battles.
We came to the location the scouts found. There was a small collection of tents, and from within it came a Hollow One, holding the Luxon.
"I am Alastor," the Hollow one said, "We found this, but cannot seem to use it. I know you seek them. I give it to you."
I hopped from my moorbounder, "We thank you kindly," I said, reaching a hand out, "I am Quana, Dusk Captain."
Alastor took my hand and shook it, then handed me the Luxon, "I hope it serves you well, Dusk."
"What do you seek from us?" Leylas asked as I returned to my moorbounder, not yet mounting it.
Alastor thought for a moment, "A promise. Keep your armies away from these lands."
Leylas frowned. We were planning to send missions over, to see what the area had to offer. After a moment, she nodded. "I cannot promise to stay away-" Alastor reached for his sword, "-But I will promise to keep our blades sheathed towards you and yours, so long as you do the same."
Alastor looked behind him to the group. They outnumbered us… almost. A fight would be bad. A long moment passed, the group murmuring. Then Alastor nodded, "Alright," he said, "That is acceptable."
We split then, Alastor and his group returning to their tents and us returning home.
As we walked, I said, "That went better than I hoped."
Leylas nodded, "I am always glad to prevent bloodshed when none is necessary."
Crossing the Penumbra went well, and we were back to Rosohna in no time.
We were greeted with a scene reminiscent of the first battle of Rosohna, though this time, hundreds of giant spiders from the Vermaloc were being beaten back by the Aurora Watch. Those in The Coronas, an area whose walls were not finished, were in great danger.
I tossed the Luxon to one of the Watch with us, "Take it! Run it to safety! We will fight here, from behind!" I shouted.
The soldier nodded, then took off in a wild ark around the battle. Leylas and I looked at each other and grinned before charging toward the battle. It ended swiftly, but for me… for me, I was ended as well. Having lept from my moorbounder to protect Leylas who had been pulled from her, I lost my height. My sword slew those around us, but I suffered fatal wounds. As the sounds of battle faded from around us, I looked up at Leylas. She was crying softly.
"Do not," I coughed, "Do not fear this end. You know I will be back."
"I have so much to tell you," Leylas whispered.
"It can wait," I replied, my voice weakening. I could feel the pull of beyond, and my vision was dimming.
Gently, ever so gently, Leylas showed me the words she wished to say.
"I will be waiting."