New Opportunities
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Kalina tightened the strings on the hood of the fur cloak wrapped around her small body as the wind picked up and whipped snow furiously around her in the cold night air. She glanced over briefly at the caravan she agreed to escort and protect in exchange for the necessary company on the road north past Ormpur. She looked up at the starless, moonless abyss above her and trudged on, lost in thought.
What did you want, love? She thought to herself. Why did you make that choice? Who tricked you? Who was involved? What were you looking for, dear? Power? I could have given you that. We were on the brink of taking over this gods-forsaken place, I with the Knights in my pocket, and you as the glorious Lieutenant of the Black Dragon Knights. We had the strongest army in the land available to us, and all we needed to tip the scales in our favor was make up a few stories and stir up a few arguments. Oh, if only I had understood my own actions then; maybe I could have told you instead of sputtering ‘I don’t know.’ Yes, yes, I had feelings for that hard-to-resist man; but I understand now. Don’t you see? I was sealing the deal. I had already made myself invaluable and he would never have fired me, but that night only sealed the lid on the coffin! But if you wanted power, then I must have been wrong about you, but I don’t think I was wrong. Oh, Uthger, I wish we had had one last talk….
You pathetic, foolish girl! Came another voice in Kalina’s head. It carried the sound of a familiar voice that had guided her through the years, eventually twisting itself into what most would call their conscience. She constantly argued with this voice, but it always proved right in the end. You succumbed to one of your own weapons! You’re right, you were on the eve of total power and control in this land, and you squandered your opportunity for some pathetic would-be! Uthger was right, and even told you so! Your so-called Captain is a manipulator! You knew this, foolish girl, and still let him control you, and look where it’s gotten you!
Oh, shut up Alan! Kalina screamed defensively in her mind at the voice. I know I screwed up; I can reclaim what I had!
If you do, I will be pleasantly and thoroughly surprised. I never thought you would fall so easily; you had always shown me such potential!
Shut up I said!
The voice laughed. Enough of the past, what’s done is done. You’ve been dormant too long. You need to get back into action. Let’s look at your current situation. You’re firmly planted in the CK, good girl. You’re heavily suspected and openly accused of being a bad little girl. This is to be expected. There’s a way out of their suspicions, however. There’s a way to get them off your back.
Kalina smirked. What are you thinking of?
What are your weapons, Kali? The voice asked. She ran through her list like an obedient student reciting her multiplication tables.
Good. Now you’ve already proven you can’t handle some of these weapons without endangering yourself, so you're going to refrain from using that weapon. Now, there’s a certain man I want you to focus your attention on…. The voice turned into a picture of a man standing tall and filled with unchecked, foolish pride. He wore dark armor with a morning star clipped to his side and a shield slung over his back. A small chain wrapped itself around his neck, and his gauntleted hand lifted the pendant up from under his armor and showed her a symbol. A smirk visibly formed on her lips as the voice went quiet and her trek north continued.
