Chapter 44

**Merianna**

The first thing noticeable upon our arrival in a hastily constructed trench, was the noise.

The cacophony of sound that greeted us was deafening. It sounded like the earth was ripping apart or something. Looking above myself though, I found the source of the sounds flying right over our heads.

A massive ball of colourful energy came roaring overhead and exploded in an array of fire and debris once it touched the earth on the other side of our trench.

Nelia looked at me for a second, wide eyed and just as surprised as I was. We both then looked over to see Nana Ara seemingly developing a tick under her eye.

When she noticed us looking at her she sounded outraged. “Well I’m sorry that my potions don’t look nearly as graceful when they explode!” Turning her focus back to what went flying over our heads, she started developing a gleam in her eye.

“I will however take this as a prime time to do some studying.” She giggled.

“I pity the souls that might end up being taken in for questioning at our cells…” Nelia remarked worriedly.

“You and me both Nelia.” I said and waved her off as the Ga’s came to get her and set up an emergency treatment area. Nana Ara also wandered off with Noch and Fog as they scouted a safer side to jump out from.

“Now my lovelies!” Raska said as she clapped her hands together. “Just follow my lead. Unfortunately we can’t outright kill the Nirns what with the Council’s treaty with them … even though they are technically breaking it right now … but I have these!” She proudly held up a few long and short swords that seemed to have their sharp sections coated with something purple.

“Is that witchbane?” I asked as she handed me two long swords as mains and a short sword to put in my belt along with my other normal short sword.

“It does look like it doesn’t it.” She said gleefully.

“It’s not witchbane.” Jasnine said as she examined the swords she was handed.

“Nope! I had Noch forge some of Lilian’s paralyzing poison into these a long time ago when I needed them.” She said proudly.

Lillian… why oh why… I thought as I tried very hard not to bring Lilian’s image into my mind.

“Her poison worked so well on that mission! I was so proud! And on top of that, the coating never wore off over time, so they can be used again and be just as potent as the day the poison was first added!” She squealed in excitement.

Note to self: Don’t cut yourself.

While Raska gushed I noticed that the other groups had already jumped out of the trench and were now battling aboveground.

“Raska, I think it’s time we need to go.” I announced while readying myself.

Raska and Jasnine suddenly glanced around themselves and Raska cursed.

“I’ll show you how to extract it once we’re back.” Raska directed to Jasnine.

“Thanks! I’m sure that would come in handy eventually!” She genuinely looked happy that Raska will be showing her how to extract the venom from the worm monster later on. Yep, I will most definitely keep Nelia in her happy little ignorant bubble of Jasnine's saintliness.

“So for now little Merianna. The plan is to immobilize. Lilian’s poison is strong enough to keep anyone down for at least a few hours.” Raska said with an evil smile.

“Alright then, so follow your lead and only immobilize the Nirns. Got it.” I confirmed. Raska nodded her affirmation and then turned towards the main source of the battle.

All three of us quickly jumped out of the trench and straight into chaos.

The Nirns were all recognizable by their black hooded robes. There were a lot of them, if the Nirn village we broke into the previous time was any indication. Then I would say that the amount of Nirns on this battlefield just out of the borders of the coven’s village, was about the equivalent of two Nirn Villages.

Perfect, so this would mean that we’d need to be even more careful this time around since there was double the number than there was when I was with Jasnine. And lets not forget that they can always switch the main body of their hive-like power.

“So I’ve been wondering!” I yelled as I jumped on a Nirn and knocked him out. “Why is it just the three of us in a group? Where is Nana Ara?”

“Oh she’s with Fog and Noch. We decided a long time ago that we would split up like this if it were needed.” Jasnine yelled back as she blew fire into another Nirn’s face that promptly went rolling on the ground.

“We tend to get into each other’s way when we clump together. Especially Arasule and I.” Raska yelled back next as she pummeled someone’s face in.

That made a lot of sense actually...

I spied a red dress off in the distance and to my surprise, saw Junnie knocking Nirns out in an insane amount of speed with her bare hands. She clearly didn't need weapons to fight, I think her body was her weapon. I felt her strength first hand after all... it was frightening. And now I could see it put to practical use.

Turning back to my own fights, I made quick work of leaving shallow cuts on the Nirns around me, making them almost instantly drop to the ground like flies. Definitely not going to cut myself with these blades, and never going near Lillian again!

“So what do we do with the Nirns we have knocked out?” I asked as I jumped off to the next Nirns in my sight.

“Just leave them, the support team will tie them up and keep them sedated while we keep doing our job.” Jasnine said as she cut another Nirn’s cheek.

“Got it!” I yelled while diving between the legs of a staff wielding Nirn that was about to hit me over the head. I quickly made sure to cut his leg before jumping back up to my feet. He didn't stay standing for long.

The area truly looked like a battlefield, there were bodies of witches littered all around the area, beaten and bloodied. At least they all seemed to still be alive, which surprised me. I had suspected that the Nirns would just kill any witch they could set their sights on.

A big explosion suddenly erupted from the middle of a mass of bodies. Followed by a very familiar cackle and then a man yelling and another laughing along. Well Noch, Fog and Nana Ara seemed to be having a lot of fun.

A scream from my right pulled my attention immediately. Glancing around I noticed a young witch clutching her bleeding arm as she was trying to get away from a big dark figure looming over her. A dark figure that looked surprisingly familiar.

“Jasnine! We have an old friend!” I yelled over my shoulder.

I heard Jasnine curse softly behind me. “I suppose he wasn’t too happy with what we did to him last time.” She commented, and Raska laughed.

“Do we dive in?” I asked.

Before Jasnine could give any kind of answer, a cloaked figure came out of a mass of bodies and jumped onto our old friend’s back. Locking his arms around his neck, he hauled the massive leader’s head backwards, trying to throw him off balance. For a second there I thought, why would a Nirn be trying to take down his own leader? Before I noticed that his cloak was a different colour. A blast of dark energy from the leader sent the newcomer flying off his back. The guy landed nimbly back on his feet but his hood hand been blown off showing a head of black hair.

I quickly dodged a blast of fire that came hurdling in from my right and pulled my attention back to the fight at hand. The new guy seemed to have everything under control in any way. There was no need for me to flaunt myself to the Nirn beast of a man who most likely hated Jasnine and me enough to break a treaty and draw us out via a coven emergency. I was in no hurry to die, that was for sure.

Sticking close to Jasnine and Raska, I fought alongside them, making sure to jump from Nirn to Nirn like they were doing. The tricky thing with Nirns was the fact that they not only shared their energy, they also shared their sight. What one Nirn saw from their point of view could get sent to another through their coven link. This made things exceptionally harder, but it didn't matter much if the individual being attacked didn't have adequate battle experience.

Or that was what I thought as I dived towards a particularly weak looking target. Something suddenly came crashing into my side and sent me tumbling into the ground. Ending up on my back, I glanced a ball of energy flying right over my head before it crashed into the ground a few feet away and exploded.

Wasn't that supposed to hit me?

I was pretty sure that if I hadn't been sent into the ground, that that blast would have hit me. And most likely blown me into bits.

Then I noticed something heavy on top of me. Glancing down, I saw the black head of hair of the newcomer. He was lying over me, completely covering me with his body from my chest down.

“Are you alright?!” He asked as he leaned up, supporting himself on his forearms on either side of me.

And that was when I got a good look at his face. I was not one for looking at guys like all the other young training girls did around the Order. But....

I definitely felt my heart skip a beat when I locked eyes with him. His eyes were black. Where there normally would be colour, was completely black, with a hint of reddish brown shining through. It was uncanny, and striking. Especially coupled with his strong features, he had a strong chin, high cheekbones, and stubble growing in around his face. He was... handsome.

My little bubble burst though, the moment he gave me a self satisfied smirk. “Hello to you too gorgeous.”

That instantly ticked me off for some reason. “Thanks for saving me but, get off.”

“Oh there is no need to worry. We have a few minutes before the big guy gets back on his feet.” He said while leaning into my space even more.

I swear I could feel a muscle starting to jump under my eye. “I said, get off.” I repeated.

“Oh come now. You don't like me, even right after I saved you?” He moped.

Alright that was it. Three times the charm. My energy started crackling underneath my skin. “I said...” I pulled in the energy towards my chest, condensing it into a ball. “Get. OFF.”

I released the energy and only had a moment to register his wide surprised eyes, before I sent him flying backwards with the blast snapping and crackling around me. I might have overestimated the blast a little as I noticed several Nirns also collapsing to the ground around me, spamming sporadically.

Taking up my swords again I got back up to my feet quickly. Just in time as well. The Leader had caught sight of me and was studying me carefully. Slowly, a smile broke out on his face.

“I have finally found you, little one. I bet your friend is around here as well.” He said as he took looming steps over to me with shadows gathering around his feet. “It was smart of you to colour your hair, but your eyes are still the same.”

I had a sudden plan. It might be stupid, but might as well have fun. I tilted my head and gave him a genuinely confused look. “Excuse me?”

He frowned at my reaction. “You are the same girl that stole my wand from my home. I would recognize you anywhere.”

“A wand? I don't do wands, why on earth would I want a wand?”

He took a step back, checking me over once more and then suddenly, a ball of shadows came crashing into me from below. I lost my grip on one of the swords that went flying through the air as sections of shadows started restraining my movements. Using the sword I still had, I channeled my lightning through it and quickly sliced through the shadows with the light it produced.

“Do not play with me child. I would know your face and movements anywhere!” He barked with another surge of shadows.

I quickly pulled out one of my short swords and also channeled my energy through it. I was glad now that I had listened when Noch explained to me the best way to fight against shadowed attacks after I told him about the fight I had during Jasnine's bounty. He practically gushed about how my lightning would be the perfect weapon to use because it can also be used as Light energy that can counter dark Shadow energy.

It was definitely coming in handy right now.

The light that crackled off the blades cut neatly right through the shadows, making them dissipate into nothing but wisps.

“Well that wasn't me.” I countered back. “Wait a minute.” I said, pulling his attention completely to me as I saw someone moving out the corner of my eye. “Did she have white-blonde hair? And gray eyes?” I was really milking my performance at this stage.

He seemed to catch himself before sending another wave of shadows towards me. It didn't look like he wanted to answer, but he did anyway. “Yes.”

“Ah! That must have been my twin sister then!” I shouted with all the conviction I had in me. I did indeed have a twin sister, so that made the acting a little easier. Even though I was lying right through my teeth.

“Twin sister?” He looked genuinely confused, poor guy. This must mean that my acting skills had gotten much better.

“Yes, identical twin actually. Only thing that is different is that she has the blonde hair whereas I have black hair. She really stands out though with that hair of hers, guys just can't seem to get enough of her.” I added in with a pathetic sigh. Yet another truth mixed in with the lies.

“And where is this sister of yours?” He asked next. He seemed to be falling for the lie.

I pulled myself up straight with my weapons at the ready. “Why on earth would I tell you? You clearly don't want to just chat.”

He gave an aggravated sigh. It was so close to the ones that Fog and Noch usually give when they got tired of my antics that I almost laughed.

“That is true, I have come to pay back what was dealt out to me that night. If she is not here, I will then destroy you in her place!”

As he went to throw another attack my way, he suddenly stopped. With a frown, he looked down at his left leg where I could see a cut running down the side of his thigh's pant leg.

After that, his leg suddenly gave out and he went crashing into the ground. “W-What is this?!” He yelled in confusion.

“Something that Raska cooked up apparently.” The handsome black-haired guy said as he appeared behind him with the sword that I had dropped.

What caught me off guard wasn't the fact that he suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It was more the fact that he knew Raska, and knew how to use the sword she had given me. He clearly knew that it was laced with a paralyzing poison. Odd.

The leader squirmed on the ground, trying to get his body to move again and blast us to the moon. At least, that was what his facial expression was telling me.

“Merianna! You alright?” Jasnine shouted from my left.

Glancing her way I saw her and Raska jogging towards us over the paralyzed bodies of the Nirns, leaving grunts and groans in their wake. I also saw a whole armada of the support team rounding them up and restraining them. It actually seemed that the battle was finished. Everyone was milling about and assessing the coven members that were attacked.

“All good Jasnine.” I said as they finally arrived. Jasnine pulled me into a big hug where I heard some of my vertebrae click in my spine.

“I'm so glad you're alright! To think that you would win against him the second time around! Good for you!” She said proudly while letting me go and smirking down at the leader's enraged face. Oh yeah, he knew now that he had been played, no doubt, the daggers in his glare were unmistakeable.

“Well, it wasn't on my own this time, unlike when you left me to fend for myself that first time.” I glared up at her and she gave a guilty giggle. “He helped me.” I said pointing to the guy that was now walking around the fallen leader towards me.

Jasnine and Raska both blinked at the newcomer and exploded in enthusiasm at the same time. “Thyrion!!!”

I blinked up at them. Wait, what? Thyrion? As in the man that Strider talked to last night? THAT guy?! “Well now...” I murmured.

“Hi Raska, hi Jasnine. Nice to see that the two of you are still doing well!” He smiled. Although he had ticked me off on our first meeting, those dimples... he had DIMPLES!

“All well and alive! I see you have already met Merianna!” Raska beamed. She clearly found him charming. Even Jasnine was looking him up and down appreciatively, like she had finally found the perfect art piece she had been searching for her whole life.

“Oh, so her name is Merianna.” He said while smiling my way. I on the other hand, didn't find him endearing in that minute.

“Yes! She and her sister recently joined the Order but have been living with us for a few years now.” Jasnine said while giving me a sidelong hug, like a mother showing off her daughter to a handsome young man.

I was irked. I did not want a young man. I did not want any man. Yes I am sometimes attracted to certain men, but I had no interest in relationships.

“Well then, it's a pleasure to meet you Merianna, that's such a beautiful name. Very unique! I'm Thyrion, long time friend and sometimes resident of the Order.” He said with a flattering bow.

Jasnine and Raska both gushed at how he hadn't lost his manners over the years unlike most of the other men around. While I on the other hand, felt pretty sour. It was obvious that he was a relentless flirt, and what he normally shows is not what he normally might be.

Then I remembered what Strider had told me last night. “You do realize that Noch is in the area right?”

Thyrion suddenly straightened up and threw his hood over his head in a hurry. “Where is he? Is he far?” He asked nervously. Clearly I had struck a cord.

“He is -” I suddenly stopped as I noticed the person in question suddenly looming behind Thyrion. “Never mind.” I finished.

“Never mind what?! Where is -” Noch wrapped his arms around Thyrion's neck and secured him in a head lock before he could make a run for it.

“Thyyyyyrioooooooon.” He grated out as he intensified his hold.

Poor Thyrion was desperately trying to loosen Noch's hold on him, but it was all in vain. “H-hi.” he wheezed out.

“I have been looking for you... old friend.” Noch uttered menacingly with an evil grin spreading across his face.

Clearly there was some chemistry I had missed somewhere down the line.