43rd day of the season of the scythe 2448

- Only you would charge alone into a group of opponents without asking questions! barked a familiar voice from the left.

Azena already knew who it was. She kept moving forward, expecting Fayne to catch up with her.

- What do you want me to say? she grumbled irritably. I know I was stupid, she continued, stuffing her hands in her pockets to try to control her frustration.

- Learn to be more careful, Fayne said in a much softer tone. The academy is safe, but...

- And that's why I'm going to be on the front lines and you'll be in a corner back there, Azena said dryly.

She immediately realized her mistake and sighed long and hard.

- I'm sorry... I know you were just worried about me.

- It's nothing, said the brunette after a moment of silence. It's not wrong. I don't want to be a soldier, but to be in a supporting role. Anyway... Let me see your back. I imagine it must be a nasty burn. That dragon did not miss you...

Azena could feel the breezes tickle the skin of her back. She grimaced at the thought that her uniform had been ruined, but she couldn't understand why she didn't feel any pain. That's when she realized that the energy she had siphoned off had probably completely healed her. The realization that she possessed a power as great as it was terrible made her shiver.

- N-No, she says. There's no need to... I'm just fine.

- Don't be silly, insisted Fayne, who had slowed down to get a better look of her friend's back.

She uttered a muffled scream and said nothing for a good thirty seconds. During that time, Azena mortified herself at the thought of having to explain it all to her. The stress, the anxiety, the fear... It seems the effects on her mind had worn off. It lasted a good half hour in total. Strangely, she felt a void inside her, as if she was only half living. She hated this feeling and wanted to get rid of it, but how? The answer came to her quite quickly and at the thought of it, she felt nauseated. Stealing vital energy from other people for this stimulus was out of the question. She disgusted herself for even thinking about it. She probably just needed to be patient and she would return to her original state.

- How is that possible? Fayne asked in shock.

Azena hesitated for a long time. She wasn't sure how to explain the situation to her. Fayne, brilliant as she was, connected the clues together on her own.

- That's... That's the element of life, isn't it? It's animancy, right?

Azena nodded, ashamed of the result of her lack of control.

- You mentioned that it was compared to the cycle of life and death... I guess it must be possible to heal by siphoning off another person's life energy without killing.

- You have excellent intuition as usual, Azena complimented. I hadn't really thought about it, but it makes sense.

- It also explains why the victim temporarily lost consciousness. His body must have felt in danger and would have shut down certain systems to protect itself while he recovered. I'm guessing you have realized the risk if you go too far, right?

- Yes, I do, muttered the half elf. It's not as if it was intentional. It stresses me out, you kno...

The end of her sentence was muffled by a high-pitched, overexcited scream. An adolescent human with spiky black hair, brown eyes streaked with gold and a confident, energetic gait rushed to meet the two friends.

- You know what? he asked, grabbing Fayne's shoulders as she struggled to figure out how to react to the sudden intrusion.

- Let go of her, you lunatic! barked Azena as she approached him to push him away.

- No, no, it's important! he continued, this time squeezing Azena's shoulders. We killed a stimilian! Can you believe it? A stimilian!

- A what? I don't care.

She gave him a violent punch to the side of the head. He released her immediately and momentarily lost his balance. Now on his knees, he raised his face and watched Azena with his exorbitant eyes.

- Why? he said with a touch of melancholy.

- Vorshienn, you're a damned bastard, Azrna grunted as she folded her arms.

- Azena, Fayne grunted with a displeased look.

- Bargghh, grunted Azena. All right, all right... I'll be polite... Please leave.

- But the debauchery of the stimilian fang will take place in a few days, Vorshien insisted.

- What's all this gibberish coming out of your ugly face? she asked, raising one of her fists menacingly. Besides, I asked you so kindly to get the hell away!

Fayne put a hand on her fist and looked at her sternly.

- That's enough now. Let him explain. I want to know what a stimilian is and what he's talking about. And frankly, politeness is useless if you get carried away in the moment that follows.

Azena wondered at the time if Fayne hadn't been deliberately interested in Vorshienn's nonsense to teach him a lesson. She grumbled, folded her hands behind her head and watched the scene with what little patience she had left. In the meantime the boy had gotten up and spoke more to Fayne than to Azena who he was now sulking, it seemed.

- A stimilian is a humanoid who acts much more instinctively than we do, but still has a certain logical intelligence. For example, they can speak aerindian, but often their vocabulary is limited. Since they have a predatory nature, they often tend to be dangerous and unpredictable, especially if they are hungry. They are carnivorous and often cause problems for travellers on the roads, so when this happens and the traveller succeeds in defeating the stimilian, it is customary for him to take the fangs back to the town of his choice and when this happens, to celebrate, however bizarre this custom may be, the town announces the preparations for the debauchery of the stimilian fangs. I happen to be in charge of passing on the message.

- How awful! Fayne exclaimed in horror. What a barbaric custom.

- Heh, the mayor of Atgoren likes you huh? commented Azena with an obvious mockery.

Vorshienn's face turned red and he gritted his teeth. Apparently, he was finally affected by Azena's unpleasant attitude. She waited impatiently for his reply, but a wood elf appeared and approached the young boy who was distracted by the new arrival.

- By the White Woodruff, Azena, what's wrong with you? Fayne asked. That's not funny.

- Every time I see him, he acts like a little pervert who only thinks about himself, the half elf replied. That pisses me off. He has no respect for others.

The newcomer laughed at Azena's comment and put an arm on Vorshienn's shoulder, which she used as an armrest.

- Don't take this baby seriously, she advised. He hasn't yet learned to control his hormones, but he has a good heart hidden behind all this disaster.

- You're such a good helper Erionda, Vorshien said with dry sarcasm.

- Oh you're welcome, replied the elf, pinching his cheek as if he were a child. You're always putting your foot where it shouldn't belong when it comes to women. Getting to the reason as to why I'm here, I heard that there's going to be a debauchery of the stimilian fang. Do you know who the duellists are going to be?

The Goldenheart team captain was slender, had the typical wood elf appearance: copper skin tone, sparkling forest green eyes, spiky short mint green hair and tattoos and piercings, a lot of which we're on her long pointy ears. She was at least half a head taller than everyone else that was present. From her body language, Azena could assume that she was lively and would easily have enough energy to run a marathon.

- Not yet, Vorshienn admitted. We've only just started to announce it. Let me guess, you'd like to be a part of it?

- Maybe, replied the elf with a mischievous soft smile. There's nothing wrong with a little glory once in a while.

Whatever she was talking about, Azena was intrigued. She lifted a finger as a sign of interest, but they didn't notice.

- Where's Arfen? Vorshienn asked. He'll have to give you a beating, miss rebel.

- She went hunting with... Rael! she exclaimed, clearly proud of herself.

- Ah that's clever. No wonder I could not find him all day. I was worried!

- He has such a good heart, that noble nice Rael, sneered Erionda. He's a good dragon, a great savior with white scales that glisten under the suns! He looks like a knight of Elthen. Anyway, I had to be able to talk to you alone. Rael always ruins my plans. He's so careful and protective of everyone around him.

- Because your gray drake is better? grumbled Vorshienn. He's such a bad influence on Rael.

- His name is Arfen, corrected the skotar captain, stroking the boy's hair. I forgive you.

Vorshienn sighed and pushed Erionda away as if she were a fly trying to bite him. This reaction surprised Azena, who had never seen Vorshienn refuse physical contact with a girl before.

- I give up, he said. Well, I'll put you on the list of duellists. But I warn you, this duel is not a game.

- Don't worry, the wood elf assured him. Oh! By the way, who killed that stimilian? Who's the great hunter?

- The blacksmith Melanh'tash Vlekhamnan. Apparently, she came to town drunk with a bottle of rum in one hand and a fang in the other, screaming that she was the queen of the world. Ah... also, she was dripping with blood... from her victim, of course. She had only minor injuries.

As Vorshienn sighed in exasperation, Erionda radiated admiration for the blacksmith.

- She's a real role model, she said in a dramatic tone.

- Yeah... Clearly..., murmured Vorshienn. A real woman... Maybe she had been bitten and delirious... you know...

- Or rum.

- Or both, Azena nodded.

Fayne blinked repeatedly, then finally said a word:

- Delirium? Biting? What exactly happened?

The rebel realized that she didn't know what delirium had to do with Melanh'tash's situation.

- You'll see about the duel, Erionda replied, laughing. Don't tell them anything Vorshienn.

Vorshienn rolled his eyes and stood up like a soldier.

- Well, I have a mission to accomplish, he said sternly. I salute you.

Once he was as far as the eye could see, Erionda turned her attention to Azena and Fayne and observed them closely. Fayne's face turned pink and she lowered her gaze to her feet as she tended to do when she was uncomfortable. Azena, on her side, squinted her eyes and stared at her defiantly.

- Ah! Erionda cried suddenly after a long moment of silence.

- What? Azena asked.

- I knew I recognized you. You're my little brother's friends.

- It took all this time? Seriously, you're a little slow right?

Fayne whispered "you too" in between coughs.

- What do you mean your little brother? Azena continued, ignoring Fayne.

- Of course, Teriondil never told you about me, Erionda assumed.

Azena and Fayne looked at her as if they had seen an extremely rare mythical creature like a unicorn.

- What? Erionda was slightly offended as she put her hands on her hips. Don't you see the resemblance? I'm not lying.

Now that Erionda mentioned it, Azena realized all the physical similarities between her and Teriondil: everything was there except that her sister was much taller, she had a more feminine face and more developed breasts and hips.

- Well, yeah, I can see that.

Meanwhile, Fayne regained all her confidence, and suddenly fired up.

- Do you know that Teriondil drinks this tea every day, which he brews with shelled twilight flowers, which is totally illegal and dangerous for your health? she asked. He worries me, but he acts as if this plant is harmless and a banality.

- Errr...,Erionda started blinking, looking confused. Well, he's been doing this since he was about eight years old and it never bothered him.

- At eight!?

- Well, yeah. It's fine. I drink it myself once in a while. It makes me a bit anxious, unlike him, though, so I don't do it often. It's just a food like any other. Some people don't digest it well.

- Who cares! barked Fayne completely shocked by the words of the wood elf. Don't you realize what that flower is?

- Well, it's used as a spiritual stimulant, a pain killer, an antidepressant or just to relax... I don't see why you bother. In general, it has very beneficial effects.

- I give up. You wood elves! Rah!

Fayne hurried to the academy promptly. Clearly, she was very angry. Erionda and Azena stared at each other for a long time without knowing what to say.

- Well, I don't understand what I've done wrong, Erionda said, swinging her arms in the air.

- Why didn't Teriondil tell us about you? Azena asked out of curiosity.

- Probably because we don't get along very well, she explained in a surprisingly monotonous tone.

- Ah, I'm familiar with this situation between brother and sister. Anyway... I'll... go... err...

Erionda smiled and gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder.

- That's fine. I get it.

She paused to look at the archer's back.

- You know your uniform is... completely ruined?

- Yeah, I'm aware of that. Well, maybe I'll see you at this... this...

- At the debauchery of the stimilian fang, corrected the elf. Nice back, by the way. It's pretty muscular for a girl. I guess you take your physical training seriously. That's good.

- Err... We-well... Yeah, stuttered Azena as her face turned completely red in embarrassment. That's it. The title of the event, I mean. Anyway, I'll see you... then...

- Ah, and tell your friend that she needs a cup of tea with dusk flowers! she shouted as she waved goodbye to the half elf as she walked away. I assure you that it is very beneficial to mental health!

Honestly, this elf didn't seem to be rational and Azena didn't want to get hit, so she chose not to relay this message to Fayne.

- Well, hell, to say that this is the sister of the peaceful Teri...

She caught up with Fayne who hadn't slowed down to wait for her. Breathlessly, she adjusted to the brunette's pace.

- Hey not so fast, said Azena, hoping that Fayne would calm down a bit.

The brunette said nothing.

- Are you really that offended? Azena asked. Come on, Teri's fine. He knows what he's doing.

- I guess, Fayne sighed. His sister is as lost as he is.

- We don't know that. Maybe we're the ones who are.

- I highly doubt it, Fayne grunted.

Uncomfortable because of Fayne's stubborn attitude, Azena tried to find something else to talk about. Because of the fresh memories of Erionda's last comment, she recklessly asked a question:

- Do you find Erionda to be of your taste since she's a wood elf?

- She's beautiful, Fayne replied with some admiration, but no. You really do have strange ideas that slip out of your mind sometimes. Who would think of such things?

Azena was stunned by her friend's answer. She gritted her teeth, slightly frustrated. However, she had to forgive her for her lack of open-mindedness because she knew that their native culture didn't teach them such things. It was a foreign concept to them.

- Should we mention Erionda to Teriondil? It's really weird that he never mentioned her. It's as if she doesn't exist for him.

- It's his choice, Fayne explained patiently and wisely. It's his private life, you know. I'm sure he knows about her at the academy... He simply chooses not to mention it.

Once in the academy, she suggested that they drop in to see some master who could fix Azena's uniform with magic. They found Saphia in Archlan's Hall nibbling on some fruit. She was happy to help them.

Back at their room, Fayne sat down in front of a small bucket filled with water and started to practice a slightly more complex water control technique than she was used to. She seemed to be trying to lift the liquid, but she wasn't exerting enough momentum to produce more than a semblance of a wave. She lowered her arms, grunted and stared at the slowly disappearing ripples.

For her part, Azena decided to try to study while she waited for Tyrath because she knew that the drake was coming to visit her to check on her after these disturbing events. And as she had predicted, the drake made a short visit during which she explained everything that had happened. Once he was gone, night fell.

- I'm going to bed, Fayne decided, frustrated that she couldn't master the technique she repeated over and over again without success. Good night Azena.

- Good night, replied her friend, who had leaned against their window sill to watch Tyrath disappear into the darkness of the sky.

She had omitted some details from her story because of Fayne's presence. From her response to Erionda's remark, she may not have been ready to hear that her childhood friend was attracted to women, and Azena did not want to create an unease that could obstruct their friendship. The half elf sighed at length as she gazed at the full brown moon shining among the stars.

✦×✦

The hours passed and she couldn't sleep. She got tired of having to stay quiet so as not to wake Fayne and decided to go and see if Teriondil was in the common room.

- It's a good thing I slept well yesterday, she whispered to herself.

She opened the bedroom door slowly and walked down the stairs as slowly as she could, hoping that no one would hear a creaking sound. When she reached her destination, she found her friend sitting in front of the fireplace as he usually would at night. Of course, he had a cup of tea in his hand and was sipping it.

- Jirnah, he said, keeping his gaze fixed on the dancing flames. Unable to sleep? he asked after Azena sat on his right.

- Oh you know, said the half elf. You know...

- Preoccupied with the events of the day?

- Oh... Did you see what happened too? Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

Honestly, she would've hoped he wouldn't have been there, but of course he had been. It was her first skotar game and it would have been strange if he wouldn't have shown up to support her.

- Fayne would have ripped my head off if I hadn't been there, he confessed with a warm smile. But you know that I showed up in good faith. I'm here to encourage you in your efforts.

- You're a good friend, Teri, Azena complimented.

She hesitated for a long time as she watched the wood elf take a sip of his magic tea as he called it, intrigued by its properties.

- You want some? he offered.

At the time, Azena's first instinct was to politely refuse this illicit drug with which she would never be associated, but something compelled her to think more deeply before making a decision. She thought back to Erionda's words that, in her opinion, drinking this tea wasn't so bad. Maybe a minimal dose would be perfectly safe, but should she take that risk? In any case, she had consumed it in the past and in large quantities and had come out of it intact, without any harmful side effects, which surprised her. The Daigornians talked about it as if it was the creation of a corrupt spirit with the sole purpose of tormenting and making people sick.

- Well, a little bit, she decided. On the other hand, hold your tongue about it. I already have a bad reputation because of my damn bad luck.

- It's all right, replied Teriondil. Anyway, it's not well seen around here. Honestly, I still don't understand it, but hey. I've always had a bit of trouble adapting to the culture around here.

He poured a second cup that he kept with him in case he had company and gently handed it to Azena.

- Be careful. It's very hot. I've just warmed it over the fire.

Azena smelled the aroma of the translucent turquoise beverage and noticed that the scent was not that bad. It reminded her of wild flowers and berries.

- Teri said, she began, hoping to ask him about his sister.

- Mmmm? mumbled the elf as she waited for the rest.

- Well...

She hesitated because a feeling of guilt came over her. Fayne had warned her not to discuss it with him. It was a question of privacy.

- Damn, she thought. I'll have to find another topic of conversation to hide the original one.

The thought of Erionda complimenting her back momentarily distracted her, but also gave her an answer to her dilemma.

- Regarding the culture of your people, I was wondering about your marriages.

- Marriage is a new concept for me, the wood elf confessed. It doesn't exist among our people. I had a hard time understanding it. I just don't see any benefit to this strange ritual.

Azena blinked repeatedly and took a small sip of the tea which was now at a reasonable temperature.

- What exactly do you mean?

- To be honest, it seems to me to be very restrictive and demanding. The two souls involved swear allegiance which I understand, but it seems a bit ridiculous to be chained to one individual for the rest of your life. It's unnatural.

- It's unnatural? asked Azena, who was simply bewildered by the idea of changing partners all the time like a whore. Explain in more detail.

- Of course it's unatural, insisted Teriondil, who seemed as surprised as the archer. You're not in touch with your inner self. It's not good for your health. Close your eyes and ruminate with me. Meditate on all the attractions you have experienced in your life and tell me what your instincts tell you.

He crossed his legs, closed his eyes and his breathing slowed down almost immediately. He had always been a master of medication. Azena sometimes envied him because she could hardly ever silence his thoughts. It was a constant racket in her head.

- Isn't that what makes us different from an animal?

- Realize that you are an animal. Our strength is our intelligence, that's all. That's how we survive. A tiger doesn't have that advantage, so nature gave it its strength, superior vision and agility. Now, free your mind from your worries and meditate.

Suddenly, a wave of laughter struck Azena without warning. Between a few chuckles, she snorted and the pig-like sound only fed her delirium. When she finally managed to calm down, her belly hurt and her eyes were watery.

- You're crazy, Teri. I can't take it anymore. It hurts.

Teriondil kept his eyes closed, but he showed a small smirk.

- One day, maybe you'll understand, he said.

Azena took a second sip of tea, exhaled deeply and felt a comforting heat wave disperse through her body.

- No, but seriously, do you all think like that?

- Most of us yes, Teriondil replied, as he also drank the tea. Few decide to dedicate themselves to just one person. Being polyamorous is quite common amognst my people. One way or another, we are flexible and open-minded. Basically, do what makes you happy.

- What about you?

- I don't know, he confessed, putting his empty cup of tea in front of him. A romantic attraction to another person would be a start. I feel as if my soul wants to wander, so I'm not sure if I want a serious relationship, you know?

- So, you've had sexual attraction before, right?

- I'm not certain, to be honest. My mind just isn't very keen on these things. But I do know they are completely natural.

- It's a strange image... But then, I understand you. I don't think I've ever been romantically involved either. I'm not even sure how one feels in this state. On the other hand, hormones... Yeah... Especially lately...

She avoided the elf's gaze and felt her blood rise to her cheeks. She'd never shared that kind of information with anyone before.

- I already knew about it, Teriondil told me.

Total panic. She stiffened and turned her face slightly towards him.

- How?

- I don't know about the romance in your case, but since I met you, you've always tended to pay more attention to women physically. You stare a lot, unless it's just mistrust of some kind and I'm wrong.

- Well... I didn't even realize it myself, Azena confessed, completely shocked by the revelation of her dreamy friend. However, now that I think about it, you're right. Oh, this is embarrassing.

- Don't worry, Teriondil laughed heartily. It's instinctual. You don't usually realize it unless you pay attention.

Azena, her face as red as a cherry, tried to forget her misery by drinking a big gulp of magic tea.

- Hey! Not too fast, Teriondil advised. I wouldn't want you to be overwhelmed by the euphoric effects.

- All right, Azena mumbled softly. I'm fine, sir! I have complete control of my body.

A strange feeling lured her to curl up in a ball on the sofa. Then a familiar humming gently rocked her mind. She felt so comfortable that she fell deeply asleep like a child.