The Plan - 2

Nissa beckoned her two guard to approach the table. The same two guards who had followed her since she took up the mantle of Guardian through every conflict and stayed with her up to this moment. She then introduced them to Halvor.

"This is Gareth, and Anna... They have served me faithfully since the beginning and also are members of the Khazji."

Wynfir and Orla were surprised at the the two guards hidden roots. Nissa herself had only come to know about it a few days earlier when they approached her and confessed their lineage once they learned of her search for their people. It also helped that they cleared up any misunderstandings that could arise from the closeness of their people to one in her position.

After bowing to their introduction, they, in sync, slowly pulled back their right sleeve and showed the small group their forearms. Nissa sensed a small strand of magic pool into the center of their exposed limb, and a moment later a small tattoo of a white owl rippled into existence. Now it being a magical tattoo was cool and all, but its significance didn't mean much to anyone, until Halvor spoke.

"Your people didn't deem it necessary to come forth until now? What in Galea's name have you been doing?!"

Nissa's eyes widened as Halvor's emotions began to change from apathy to anger. 'Were they supposed to have something?' Nissa thought as the her two guards quickly knelt on the ground in front of Halvor in chastisement before Anna replied. "Great One, their invasion caught us off guard, and cut us off from our home. Of our original group, W-We are the last two..."

Her sincere words seemed to swiftly quench the burning flame of anger from Halvor; that slowly morphed into melancholy. Taking a slow breath, Halvor resumed his mask of apathy and replied softly "I understand... Will you lead me to your Exarch?"

Anna, and Gareth's eyes hesitantly looked to Nissa in reply to Halvor's question. Soon everyone else's gaze moved to Nissa and it was at this moment that she took a deep breath and sent a silent prayer to Galea for her plan to work.

"They can .... as long as I accompany you."

What followed was a round of exclamations from her mother and cousin with Halvor and Fenrir silently observing her as she held Halvor's gaze. Their protests continued to grow as her silence persisted.

"Our people need you here cousin!"

"Let Halvor handle it dear, it is not our concern."

"ENOUGH!"

Barked Nissa, silencing their protests for a moment as she took control of the conversation. Breaking eye contact with Halvor, she addressed her family first.

"This conflict is greater than just our people, its greater than you ... and me. By going, I have the opportunity to strengthen my Binding further which is Key to the survival of our world. So I must ask you to let me do this, and support me in my absence. Will you do this for me, Wynfir, Mother?"

As Nissa's eyes landed on Orla, she couldn't be sure if she was about to get the beating of her life or the warmest hug in existence. Her mother slowly moved forward and, thankfully, chose the later as she wrapped her arms around Nissa in a tight hug. "Foolish child, You need not even ask for my support. I-I understand... I will pray and await your return." Her soft spoken words were carried by a voice full of strength and emotion as Orla pulled herself back from their embrace to allow Wynfir his response.

Wynfir dramatically sighed as he unfolded his arms and said. "There goes my free time. I better get paid double for this." He joking muttered as Nissa replied with her own jab. "I don't remember promising to pay you anything." The small group shared a laugh, except for Halvor whose melancholy turned back to apathy.

Wynfir then continued once their laughter ceased. "Take as long as you need Nissa, Aunt Orla and myself will take care of things over here."

Giving him his own proper hug, Nissa then released him and finally turned to Halvor who was studying her during her passionate speech. She hoped he wouldn't object to her selfish request as she bared her resolve one more time to ask "Will there be a problem if I accompany you with Anna and Gareth?"

He slowly blinked in response and then turned to Fenrir who also was studying Nissa. The wolf seemed to realize something as he flashed his teeth in a recognized smile before turning to Halvor and answering his unsaid question.

"Five is less than twenty... We'll be fine, Boss!"

Nissa silently thanked Fenrir as Halvor hummed in response before turning his attention back to her and with no nonsense declared. "If you do not follow my every command, then I shall dump you back onto your doorstep without a second thought." She already expected some kind of similar condition from him so Nissa readily accepted it with a simple nod.

Once he had her assent, he turned his attention to the two Khazji and stated. "We leave tomorrow morning here, at the rising of the sun." Then without further preamble he quietly moved to the exit and left the room.

As much as she wanted to speak more with Halvor, Nissa knew she had little time to pass the baton of leadership fully over to her mother and cousin. So with confident steps, Nissa beckoned the group to follow her as she said. "Let us not waste the little time we have left."

The rest of the day passed by in a blur as she finalized the transfer of authority and spent the remainder of time sparing with Wynfir, chatting with her mother, or talking to her remaining friends. Nissa even squeezed in a visit to Jim who proudly gave her a parting gift in the form of her newly reforged manasteel spear! It was truly a beauty to not only behold, but to wield as well.

The seven foot Spear was re-crafted with hardened wood and reinforced cold cast manasteel. Along the inner side of the spear head, Jim had carefully carved gold inlays of patterns found amongst his people. One new detail that surprised her was the spear's ability to shrink its wooden shaft into the red gripped leather just below the spear tip; which could turn it into a large dagger for close quarters combat. The combination of its feather like weight and ability to channel her magic more smoothly, truly elevated its lethality to a completely new level.

Night quickly fell onto their Bastion of safety and Nissa's high strung emotions forced her to sleep at an acceptable time.

Before the first rays of the sun graced Dawns Hope, Nissa, Orla, Wynfir, Anna, and Gareth were all assembled in the appointed room. It didn't take long before Halvor's silver portal grew into existence and he stepped through to beckon them to follow him. Luckily, Nissa had already said her farewells to her Mother and Cousin and so after exchanging last minute words of encouragement with them, Nissa finally stepped into the mirror like gateway and prayed to Galea that she could find both the strength to protect her loved ones and find the ever missing Kai.