Over the past year, our casualties inflicted by the Purists have risen markedly. Initial hopes that the Purist element had been eradicated have proven to be unfounded. The recent decrease in their activity coincided with the emergence of an individual known as the Edess Kul. The true identity of this figure remains unknown; however, our limited intelligence suggests that he is responsible for the significant enhancements in the Purists’ tactical operations. While the capture or elimination of Edess Kul is of paramount importance, it is unlikely to yield an immediate reduction in the effectiveness of the Purists’ assaults. Intelligence indicates the presence of a robust leadership cadre within the Purists’ military structure. It is of utmost urgency that we deploy every available Territorial Army regiment to this region if we are to dismantle and neutralize this insurgency. As much as it is difficult to admit, it may also be prudent to seek the assistance of the Mareian rangers. Their formidable record in dealing with similar operations is well-documented. Even the presence of a few advisors could significantly bolster our efforts against this threat to the Empire. – Communique from Colonel Mi Dalan, 10th Territorial Regiment, to General Youl Jo, Commander Territorial Armies
ELA
A familiar peace settled over Ela as she slid the black leather hood over her head. Following her ritual, Ela took a last look in the mirror before placing the metal plate over her face. As she fastened the mask, the memories of her old life were pushed back in her mind. The pain of losing her one true love. The betrayal of those she once called friends when they sided with the bitch against her. Putting on the mask let Ela channel all those feelings in her goal to destroy the person responsible for her pain. Ela buckled on her sword belt. She wasn’t the sword dancer Marteen or Pallus was, but she was among best among the Purists. She looked back at the mirror. Yes, she was the Edess Kul, and this day she would finally deal with that bitch Illana.
The Faithful guarding her tent saluted as the Edess Kul stormed out. The Faithful were her elite. All were veterans of the Reclamation War. All mercilessly drilled with the new muskets until they were the equal of any Republic or Kingdom soldiers. The Faithful were the core of the trap the Acolytes were going to spring on this day. Her forces would crush the Capitol Army and whatever was left of those ragtag defenders that bitch managed to throw together.
Two of the Faithful flanked Ela as she made her way through the camp. Both didn’t bother hiding their scowls. The Faithful were not happy about being ordered to let Rin and his little friend slip into her tent. Ela was ecstatic when she learned Rin was back in the Empire. After the bitch, Rin was the one person she wanted to suffer. Everything was coming together even better than Tanus laid out when he explained the plan all those years ago…
Tyrell stood with the other Acolytes halfway up the central tower. Workers swarmed over the wooden tower. The Prior overseeing the construction assured the Acolytes all four towers would be completed in time. Ela motioned for the Faithful to wait at the base of the tower. The less people on this monstrosity, the better. As she walked out onto the platform, the Acolytes moved to open a clear walkway. She looked out at Lisandra. She hated this city. She hated it the first time she came here. She hated it even more now. The smoldering fires in the city warmed her.
“As we expected, the Capitol Army returned in force,” Tanus said, handing Ela a spyglass. “The Chancellor is nothing if not predictable.” The mask made it harder to look through the spyglass, but Ela managed to focus on one of the skirmishes. Her musketeers were trading fire with the green-uniformed soldiers of the Capitol Army. This was probably the first time elves used muskets on each other in battle. Finally, the elves would break free of the chains binding them since the Daemon War. The Purists would bring that same freedom to the dwarven lands and the human lands. All peoples, purified of their destructive traditions, forged into a new harmony with each other and the world. This battle was just the next step in that goal.
“Everything is going to plan,” Tyrell said.
“Part of the plan was having our people in the Crystal Palace seize the Crystal Blood and hold her for purification,” Remi said. “Why did you alert the Heroes to our insiders?”
“It’s a gamble,” Tyrell said.
“The Faithful could have just killed them,” Tanus said.
“We would have lost too many of the Faithful accomplish our goals. Rin was terrifying with a bow. He will be even worse with those new guns the humans are using,” Ela said. “Rin may get back in time to stop our people. If that is the case, we have other means to ensure the bitch ends up where we need her.”
She turned back to watch the battle. Tyrell stepped closer to her. Ela frowned beneath her mask. Normally he was very careful not to do anything that would even hint at their relationship. The other Acolytes knew, of course. The Acolytes kept no secrets from each other. Still, none of them wanted to find out how the common Purists would react.
“Why are you standing so close?” Ela asked.
“Rinaldo Acciaio,” Tyrell answered.
“What about him?” Ela asked. Her scar ached with familiar pain.
“It’s the first time you’ve encountered any of them,” Tyrell answered. “You played your part beautifully last night, but we both know that you weren’t ready to confront one of them.” Ela gripped the railing and took slow, deep breaths.
“Why are you bringing this up now?”
“Because you refused to talk to me when we were in private, and I don’t want you to lose control today,” Tyrell said, a hint of concern in his voice. It was the most he could show in public. Ela looked at her lover for a long moment.
“I am in control. The Capitol Army is falling into our trap. We will end this day celebrating over the corpses of Illana and Rin and the rest of the so-called Heroes,” Ela said, through gritted teeth. The pain grew. It felt like Ela’s head was going to split at the line Rin’s arrow drew on that horrible night. The night they all chose the bitch.
“You’re not in control,” Tyrell said, “I can feel my spell fracturing.” Ela’s hand darted to the hilt of her sword. The pain was horrible. She wanted it to stop. Blood would make it stop. Tyrell put his hand on the small of her back. The pain lessened as he reinforced the failing spell in her head.
“You’ve done what’s needed for the moment. The troops saw the Edess Kul. If you’re suffering, please go back to your tent. Tyrell can join you there after a discreet time,” Tanus said.
“Yes, we can direct our people for the next few hours,” Remi assured her. Ela looked at her fellow Acolytes. The camaraderie she felt for these men was very different than what she had with those who betrayed her. Different, but just as strong. She didn’t need to pretend to be invulnerable with them. They knew her problems, but they tried to help her instead of just locking her away in some castle hundreds of miles away.
“Thank you,” Ela said, and strode off the platform as though it were her idea. She turned to one of her Faithful guards.
“Send a runner to Prior Jutus. He needs to withdraw faster if we’re going to have the Capitol Army in place at the proper time.” The Faithful saluted and sprinted away. Ela walked back to her tent at a leisurely pace. It wouldn’t do for the common troopers to think anything was wrong with their revered leader. The thought buoyed Ela as another wave of pain wracked her. The Purists revered her. They didn’t care the rest of the world thought she was too broken to be allowed in proper society.
Her tent was deserted except for Tyrell. She dismissed her Faithful guards and stepped into meeting room of the tent. Tyrell waited patiently as Ela removed the mask and hood. He smiled at her with a hint of lust in his eyes. That warmed her. Ela was surprised the first time she saw that look, and even more surprised when she let Tyrell seduce her. Ela was still unsure about why she let this human into her bed. It was different than with Ral, but there was something comforting about being with this man.
“How bad is the pain, love?” Tyrell asked as he took her head in his hands.
“Manageable, but getting worse,” she answered. “Why is it hurting so soon?”
“Seeing Rin fractured the spell worse than I anticipated,” Tyrell said, “Damn that man for doing this to you.” Ela surprised by him by chuckling.
“What is so amusing?”
“I always think of Rin as a boy,” Ela answered, “It’s strange to hear you refer to him as a man.” She couldn’t stop the groan of pain.
“Sorry, love. Let’s get you fixed up,” Tyrell said. He drew a knife from his belt and opened a cut on the top of her arm. He let the blood well up before dipping his finger in. She felt him trace blood along the scar.
“This will be worse than normal,” Tyrell said, looking deep into her eyes, “I need to clear away the old spellframe before setting the new one.”
“Do it,” Ela said. The blood on her face and arm burned as Tyrell used its power to amplify his own magic. He murmured in Old Republic and the world went black.
The dream began. First the cave. The bitch on the table surrounded by Ela’s traitorous friends. And Ral. Her love. Her soulbond. Something was wrong in their connection. Something Ela never felt in the years she and Ral shared the bond. But she couldn’t focus on that. They were surrounded by Cull’s Red and Black. Almost two hundred against nine. Cull was talking. What was he saying? Ela couldn’t remember. She remembered holding the arrow on the Black leader. Anguish and sorrow from Ral flooded their bond. Ral stabbed Jevin in the back. Their leader went down from the poisoned blade. Ral grabbed the bitch and sprinted towards Cull. No one could do anything. No one, except Ela. She moved her arrow just six inches. Pain flooded their connection as the arrow sank into Ral’s back. He dropped the bitch. Ela couldn’t believe what she did. She shot her soulbond. She expected anger and betrayal through their connection. Instead, all she felt from Ral was love and forgiveness. And pride? She couldn’t handle that. She shut all of it away, knocked another arrow, and started killing Cull’s fanatics as Rin ran towards the bitch on the cavern floor.
Ela’s eyes snapped open as the hated memory faded. The odd sensations of Tyrell’s magic crawled through her mind. It didn’t take away the memories but pushed them into a small part of her mind where she didn’t have to deal with them. Tyrell’s face was suddenly in front of her.
“I’m sorry love,” he said, “From the way you were thrashing, it must have been bad.” Ela thought about it for a long moment.
“Yes and no,” Ela said, “Painful, but it made me remember exactly why we must purify this city.”
