[center][h2]Festival of the Red Leaves[/h2][/center] [center][b]Intermission I[/b][/center] Eleanna sat on what must’ve been the shoddiest, most uncomfortable stool in the whole Great Daman Desert. It was made out of roughly cut, uneven sandstone and she was sure that if she made any sudden moves, her pilot jumpsuit would pay the price. So, she made sure to remain calm as she leaned on the small table and looked her present company in the eye. He had the pristine, clear eyes of a proper Paladin, accompanied by the pale skin that only those that came from the snowy regions of the world could ever attain. Obviously, those pristine eyes and skin were currently marred by the fading burn scars caused by excessive soul burning. “So in short, you’re asking me to seek out your master, Benea, so that I can seek out an alliance and strengthen the position of your nation?” Eleanna asked, scratching her chin and scrunching up her nose in thought. Really, these Paladins were something else. In the last couple years, she’d had to refuse the requests of at least a dozen of them and had to execute a couple others, and yet they still kept coming like moths to a flame. They weren’t even all that impressive at combat… “Yes, that's right. You told me that if I won any of the stages of the Festival, you’d listen to my request. You’re bound by your word to seek Lady Benea!” Rac nodded, a satisfied grin on his face as he crossed his arms and leaned back on his rather comfortable looking Silvan Leather chair. “You’re cocky. I should’ve killed you when I first met you.” Eleanna sighed. “What’s wrong with me these days…” “I know what’s wrong, you haven’t received the Kiss.” “I’d rather eat a bowl of my own vomit than be touched by Benea once more. Don’t tempt your fate, I may be bound by my word but I still am powerful enough to make you disappear.” “Bah, all empty threats. I know your type, Lady Eleanna. All you care about is open battle and renown. You wouldn’t do lame stuff like employ assassins or secret services.” Rac rolled his eyes and placed his hands on the small sandstone table, leaning in so that he was practically pushing his forehead against Eleanna’s. After a moment, Eleanna chuckled and shook her head. “I swear, every time we meet you sound more and more like a Daman. Fine! I’ll meet with your Goddess, but not to request an alliance. I will seek retribution for the humiliation she caused me and will only consider making peace with her if she lives through it.” Rac furrowed his brow for a while, balling up his fists before sighing and relaxing. “I guess that’s good enough. At least there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. I seriously considered attacking you as soon as you said you wanted to hurt Lady Benea, but then I realised you’ve got several burly Lionkin outside this room, and I wouldn’t be a match for a single one of them.” “Smart boy. Now scramble, I’ve got to refuel.” Eleanna ordered, motioning towards the curtains covering the doorway with her head. Rac wasted no time getting up and leaving the humble quarters. Soon after that, a Wolfkin child walked in carrying a big tray packed to the brim with the various delicacies of the Desert. “Whew! Thank you, Little Fyan!” Eleanna’s stomach growled, with Fyan’s growling shortly after. The child blushed and looked uncomfortable, but Eleanna just laughed and deftly took the tray with one hand and picked up the child with the other. Walking over to her favorite sleeping corner, she sat down cross legged, set the tray down in front of her and the child on her lap, and gave Fyan a thumbs up. “Same as always. Do a good job and I’ll let you and your sister have some food.” The wolf-eared child nodded meekly and got to work, grabbing some of the pickled cactus and feeding it to Eleanna, who cooed in delight at the explosion of flavours and the smokey feeling in the back of her nose. She pet and nuzzled the little boy’s hair as she swallowed her first mouthful, knowing that a little bit of luxury was merely a necessity at this point, in order to replace the soul she’d burned during the first stage of the race. She felt a chill go down her spine as Fyan offered her a roasted vegetable. She resisted the urge to gag and quietly ate the accursed thing, relishing the struggle she felt deep within her heart. [hider=Summary] Eleanna meets with Rac after the first stage of the Red Leaf Race. He makes his request, which is for Eleanna to meet with Benea and ask for an alliance. She accepts to meet with Benea, but tells him that she’ll only request an alliance if she lives through her vengeance. Rac is satisfied for the moment and leaves. [/hider] [hider=Might] 5 Might Remaining [/hider]