Annika peered through the forest her eyes hardly able to keep track of the whirl of violence and death. As a teenager she had witnessed the gladiatorial combats in which condemned prisoners fought to the death, she had seen blood and viscera then, but to be so close to the scene was an altogether different experience. It was only once the action was over that it occurred to her that Orion might fall and she would be left alone and without a weapon. She wasn’t exactly helpless but nor did she think she had a chance of prevailing over two battle hardened warriors. Shakily she came to her feet.

“Shedding blood in the defence of the Faith is no sin,” she quoted from the Omega Gospels. It sounded a little strange to her lips and she wondered if the mad Duke they were being sent to help had used the very same passage to justify his actions. Before she could say anything further a series of brutal shouts tore through the woods. Weird ululating hunting cries that no doubt came from other Vuldrock warriors.

“We should go,” she suggested but before she could speak a dozen Vuldrock burst into the clearing. Without thinking she grabbed Orion by the shoulder and reached out with her gifts.

Don’t move. Annika’s voice sounded in Orion’s mind. The thought voice had an edge of command to it that was enough to quash an immediate and unfortunate reaction. The Vuldrock at the edge of the clearing looked around in confusion, bestial faces suddenly perplexed.

WHAT IS HAPPENING? Orion’s voice thundered in her mind though his lips didn’t move. The Vuldrock suddenly seemed edgy, glancing around and hefting weapons.

Think quietly she thought/implored. Imagine you are small, beneath notice. The volume of Orion’s thoughts subsided somewhat though they still swirled and edied in confusion. All will be well, she thought reassuringly. Annika rather hoped that was true, she had been told of this technique but she had never actually used it. The barbarians fanned out in a rough line and began to sweep across the clearing. She could hear the thunder of Orion’s pulse, still primed for action and her own racing with fear. The Vuldrock walked toward them though despite the fact they were in plain sight, gave no indication of having seen them. A pair of the bearded warriors paused to examine their dead companions and looked around in confusion. One seemed like he was about to tread on Annika but then inexplicably stepped aside and walked around her, gesturing off into the brush and growling in his own language. After a brief debate the headed off into the woods, bodies low and weapons hefted in expectation of action. After a few minutes all was quiet. 

Annika released Orion and there was a faintly audible hiss in the air.  She sagged back slightly reciting a ritual of purification under her breath. Orion gave her an unreadable look.

“We must rejoice in the Pancreator’s favor,” she told him before coming unsteadily to her feet.She touched a fingertip to the symbol of the Celestial Sun that hung between her breasts and then made some effort to shake the twigs out of her braided hair.
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