Fated Meeting

Maessha glanced at carriage's window, trees passing by as her lips bent into a smile. Tomorrow she would reach Elaria, tomorrow she would reach her sister and niece.

The sudden stop of the carriage dampened her mood.

"Forgive me but there seems to be trouble ahead." The stagecoach said.

What trouble could do this be? She will not let anything delay her meeeting with her dear sister. Stepping out of the carriage, it wasn't her that was delayed, there was another carriage that stopped right next to hers.

Just like Maessha had stepped out, the other passenger did as well. Her stare was immediately drawn to the gorgeous frost-giant. A skin as deep blue as the ocean, her body was extremely buffed but still had enough curves for her femininity to shine.

The frost-giant's gaze met hers.

Although their tribe is in a much better position now, her disdain for those that kicked them out still lingered. For Antani's sake, Ellamir is the first and last dark elf that Alara will tolerate. Thus, she flashed Maessha a stare filled with spite.

Maessha withdrew her gaze. The clothing that bared her muscles, it's gotta be an Amazon. No second guessing needed as to why she was mad at her.

Both walked to the congregation of volunteers from the small village nearby.

An elderly man holding a 'No Entry' sign in his hand, welcomed the two with a downtrodden expression.

Alara's irritation manifested in her tone, "I am in a rush. What's the reason for this barricade?"

"Let me apologize for the obstruction but Giant Hornets have infested the forest, it's not safe for anyone to travel past this point, we have sent people on another route to ask for help in Elaria but it would take them two more days to reach the city. Until then, I urge you to stop by one of our city's inn." The man said.

Maessha admired the man's drive to keep her fellows safe but she's not going to sit idly by in some remote village when she can use that time to travel and be well on her way to Elaria. It's not like a bunch of Giant Hornets will be a match against her magic.

"Forgive me but I am in a hurry as well. I am a mage, if you provide me with a horse then I shall eradicate these hornets for free."

Alara chuckled, "Hah, don't trust her, she'll burn your entire forest while she's at it. Give me the horse, I'll exterminate your hornets for you."

This slander when Maessha was simply trying to help is something she won't stand for.

"I have no quarrel with you, Amazon. Speak ill of me again and it will be your last."

Maessha's threat only managed to serve as a spark, igniting Alara's lust for battle. An excuse to beat the dark elf up.

"Oh, we have plenty of quarrels…" Alara brandished the spear holstered in her back. A gesture of aggression, Alara would skewer Maessha from where she stood. "...knife-ears."

Maessha's eye lids narrowed in contempt. This woman did not just call her knife-ears!

"You blue bitch. Want a quarrel? Allow me to serve you one."

Malice sprung forth from Meassha's skin. A shadow carrying her ill intent wrapped around Maessha, solidifying like armor.

No fucking way! Alara's eyes widened. Shadow armor. This woman, she is dark elf royalty! Could she be…Ellamir's sister!?

Still processing the reveal, Alara was surprised as her armored foe sprung backwards while sending a fireball straight into her face.

Her battle reflex kicking in, Alara ducked in order to avoid getting blasted in the face just like the tree branches that exploded from behind her.

Now that the fun has started, Alara could not bring herself to stop even after the revelation. One glance was enough to discern, her foe's armor is not on the same level as Ellamir's. Even so, Alara would test this dark-elf and find out how she differs compared to her sister.

Grabbing both spears with both hands, Alara lowered her stance. Her bent legs ready to close the distance between them. The awe inspiring battle of her sister and Ellamir during their festival, will she be able to recreate such?

Alara's legs sprung, lunging towards Maessha faster than a speeding cannonball. The dark elf could only gasp at such immaculate speed!

Unless you are a spellblade, melee are a spellcaster's naturally enemy, the time in which you can channel a fireball takes about the same as somebody stabbing you with their sword. Sure there are devestating spells that they can throw in short distances but their real art was decimating foes from afar.

Thus, Maessha's palms pointed to the earth, deploying a wall of solid dirt that even an ogre would have trouble bashing through.

Unfortunately, Alara's strength far surpasses that of any ogre's.

An audible whimper of surprise escaped from Maessha's lips as Alara shattered the wall of earth using her bare shoulder alone.

Before Maessha could deploy another defensive wall, the butt of Alara's spear slammed into her gut. It was blow so devestating, the force behind the blunt strike not only made Maessha feel the attack through armor, it also sent Maessha flying, speeding into one of the trees.

The Amazon's hit bludgeoned not only her shadow armor, but Maessha's pride. Shattering her image of her armor's invincibility. As Maessha tried to get up, she expected the Amazoness' belittlement. After all, their skirmish could not even be called a battle, it was more akin to a one-sided slaughter. Maessha was prepared for the insults.

What Maessha was not prepared for wad the blue hand that extended towards her, the Amazoness flashing her a smile. Maessha was confused, what game is this Amazoness playing?

"I need not your pity." Maessha's tone ladened with spite, she slapped the Amazon's hand away as she stood on her own.

"Well damn, you're as feisty as your sister."

The surprise disarmed Maessha of her armor, her malice receding along with it. The wide eyed dark-elf questioned with wonder.

"You know of my sister!?"

"Met her once, didn't like her back then, and the feeling was extremely mutual. I am Antani's sister."

"Get out of here! Are you truly!?"

How Maessha's lips arced into a wondrous, genuine smile already elevated her above Ellamir in Alara's book. Sorcery aside, the way she can show her true emotion at the drop of a hat, there was something different about this dark-elf, Alara was sure of it. Her hatred towards dark-elves remained, but since she already made an exception for Ellamir for Antani's sake, why not do the same for this dark-elf before her?

"Indeed I am, let me guess, you are traveling to Elaria to meet your kind and wonderful sister?"

The sarcasm was not lost on Maessha, causing her smile to fade. She knew Ellamir was sometimes difficult for others to be around, but she was still her sister.

"You do not need to phrase it like that. But yes, I am headed there to see Ellamir and her daughter, little Ellani."

"Ah, our lovely niece. Then I propose we travel together, having the same goal and all."

As if Maessha had already agreed to her proposal, Alara immediately demanded to the village chief to give them two horses so they can clear out their insect problem.

Unfortunately, the villagers only had one to spare.