Ashe Among Flame

It is often the duty of Stalwarts of Valour to ensure that the citizens of Arcadia proper and the Celestine Woods are adequately protected from horrors or vagrants that wish to bring harm to the realm. The Stalwarts of Valour are the best suited for quick responses, agile assertion of a situation and capability on the battlefield. The elves who have tended the groves among the woods on the border of The Empire had warned Uther of evil and bewitching magic had corrupted some of the creatures in the woods causing them to be erratic and attack dwellers of the woods outside the laws of nature and the purpose of the survival of the fittest.
Uther was directed towards what was known has Mother’s Hallow, a Den of a Celestial Wolf Matriarch and her brood. Upon inspection Uther could tell that demonic energies persisted within the air, latching upon the stench of blood in the air. Uther also sensed something else…WHOOOOSH. A small projectile whispered passed Uther’s right side. Had he had not tilted his head the projectile would surely have found its mark. 1. .2. 3 more rounds were fired as Uther raised his bulwark and chased towards the source. Alas a trap. Uther’s leg was caught in some sort of pit trap as he fell into the Earth. A subtle yet stern voice crept in closer to the pit. “I’ll not have your kind disturbing these wolves any longer”. A shining woman, with a tattoo over right eye, black hair, caramel skin and a resolute face aimed her gun towards Uther as an Owl Falcon made perch on her shoulder. Uther exclaimed "If it is a fight you seek, a fight you shall have”. In a shot Uther leapt into the sky, as the girl was taken back. The sun had been eclipsed in the breadth of his wings”. “If it is you meddling with the demonic forces at play girl, a fight you shall have”. He girl cocked a smile…” That was my line”. Poof a puff of smoke, enveloped the girl. Smart thought Uther, blocking vision… alas Uther could peer through such circus trickery as his spear flew through the air, hitting its mark into the girl’s shoulder piercing her to a tree. Uther floated to the ground beside her and in that instant, she winked as a wolf attacked Uther from the back, the Owl Falcon attacked from above as the girl used a flurry of attacks with the axe attached to the rifling of her gun. After a few moments Uther exclaimed “ENOUGH” as the spear reformed into his hand and a beacon of light surrounded him. As such further visages of spears of revealing light took form and took aim at each of these foes. Uther took a moment to notice that the girl’s resolve did not falter in this moment, and a quick glance at the creatures allowed Uther to recollect that both beasts were natives to the Celestine woods, and were uncorrupted. Surly these beasts would not ally with someone who is an enemy of the woods. “Kill me if you want” the girl scoffed. Uther lay down his barrage but not his own spear. “What is your name?”. “Ashe Von Helsing”. “I am Uther the Consecrated, Stalwart of Valour, here to cleanse these demons”. The girl paused, holding her wounded shoulder. “Bit pompous”. “I thought you were here to turn of these beasts into untameable weapons” as Ashe walked towards the den. “You should rest, I will do you no harm unless I have cause” Uther stated. Ashe continued towards the den, “She deserves to be put to rest”. Uther followed alongside her and without saying a word they forged through. Within, on a single rest within the den, where a glint of outer world sunlight could pierce through was visible the sickly visage of a wolf turned most foul. With flaming green fur, rabid white eyes and lashing of libs and tentacles spurring its back, stood the might Wolf Matriarch. The fight was gruelling but before Uther lay the killing blow Ashe began to cry as she petted the wolf alongside her own (probably a child of the Matriarch) as she rested her forehead on the beasts as she cut its neck. “I will kill all who did this Uther”. Uther presided over her. “Yes, I believe that is only right”. “Though Ashe, are you fit to hunt down men?” Uther inquired softly. “Men?” responded Ashe as she wiped away the tears “they are my speciality”.
Over the next month the two raided and hunted as many as 25 members of a demonic cult, killing them and laying their abominations to rest”. In this time Uther shared his story and Ashe shared hers. She was a gutter rat, a child of little position or worth in the city of Vaulsgrad in the Empire. Joining the army as a gunner was the only way to improve her lot in life, that or indeed become a thief or killer. Although after 9 years of service Ashe felt there was not much difference between the two choices after being hired as nothing more than a mercenary to fight a trade/plantation war in the new world. That was where she found Rook, an old war forged designed to make practical gear like ammo, weapons, bridges etc. for the expeditionary force. Rook was a warfoged whom oddly attracted wildlife to him, for instance birds would roost in the bellows of his being! Ashe believed was because of his in-built nature to seek life being the spark in which ignited a warfoged. Uther did not know how this would be possible although he often marvelled at the relief and hope this appeared to bring to Ashe. Once Rook became considered “unfit for purpose” Ashe left the army along with Rook, for she felt he deserved more than being melted down and turned to scrap as was the philosophy of many in the capital and began travelling the wilderness in the Rosland Fields. They paid homage if necessary, to the Lord of Rael, not out of loyalty or devotion nor duty but to be left alone. Although many other travellers have come and gone in the time of the travelling settlement of Black Rook the tenants of peace with nature and living within your means have sustained shifting faces and altered places.
Uther often flew to the Celestine Woods to meet with Ashe as often as he could, as well as write and draw for her. The two fell in love. Alas she was not of the station of an Angel. Uther often yearned to be so much weaker than he was, as weakness allowed for the freedom of change. Being strong demanded oaths, duty and responsibility to be followed. Alas he and Ashe were different. She could disregard her tenants and make new ones. Uther in his folly did not realise that there were sacrifices to be made if he did so as well.