[piosenniel]

Lyra's post - Essenia

Essenia scowled as she walked through the town, dark eyes showing only suppressed anger. So far that morning she had had to draw her knife on three Corsairs who could only think of one reason why a pretty young woman would be walking where she was. One of them had lost his left hand. She sighed; it was a shame when that sort of thing happened to men that were fighting for Umbar. She never had any regrets harming anyone else. If they were not from Umber then what was the point of them existing? Soon, she hoped, she would again have the chance to fight for her country.

Ahead Essenia saw a man with a well made cloak of expensive material. Something of the way he walked reminded her of her odious husband. Her heart began to beat faster, but she refused to put up her cowl. If Taine was meant to find her, he would. And she had her daggers, seven in various spots, with which she could take her life. Surprisingly she had no desire to kill Taine. Perhaps it was the only consideration she showed to her children, not to take away both of their parents. With little emotion she watched the man turned to take a side road. Essenia let out a breath she had not realised she had been holding. The bearded man was certainly not Taine, and not one of his friends either. In fact, though, that was another reason to leave the town. Fate would catch her, if it wanted, but there was no harm reducing the likelihood. On a ship or in a raiding party there would never be any chance of meeting Taine. Essenia nearly smiled at the thought of her husband getting his hands dirty with any sort of work, let alone fighting. The fool man could barely kill a spider. Her gaze darkened. Not even for the sake of Umbar. People like him were almost as pointless as outlanders.

“-for the glory of the Eye and the progression of Umbar. Fight the barbarians and turn them to the true path-“
The voice cut through Essenia’s thoughts. Glancing up she saw a man from one of the temples to the Eye, the usual fevered light burning in his own eyes. She was irritated by these men, who had chosen another’s glory over that of Umbar. They could very well talk about the progression of Umbar, but it came second to their Eye. She followed the Eye as well as any other in Umbar, it was a habit she had grown up with, but only so far as it benefited her land. Still, she pushed herself to the front of the small crowd.
“-guard the Priestess and help her in her mission. Conquer the lands of the Heathen and gain their support or provide their destruction. The Glory of the Dark Citadel to all who follow us. Make yourself known to the guards there. Glory to the Eye”
Essenia contemplated what the man had said. In truth she had heard only half of his announcement, but she felt the familiar excitement. New lands for Umbar, new glory for the Corsairs. Personal glory meant little to her, especially as she had to remain hidden. It rankled that she would, in fact, be serving the Dark Religion first and foremost, but the benefits for Umbar… Then she realised. No ships. No having to hide the nausea each time they bounced over a swell- the only remaining sign of her cosseted early life. For the second time in less than half an hour Essenia almost smiled.

[ June 05, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]