Commingled

Paradise Lost

"There is neither friendship nor rivalry so strong as that between siblings"

---

"Invar, there's no easy way to say it but, your sister, she's missing." Invar felt his heart hasten its beating.
"How do you know that? Maybe she's just taking a few extra days. You know Sari, she likes to hunt in the deeper forests. She's been gone longer than this before. Remember two autumns ago when —"
"Invar! Listen to me. One of the patrols found this on the morning watch." His father handed Invar a bronze arm brace bearing the sigil of house Talaus. "Only me, you, and Sari have one and seeing as we're both wearing ours there's no one else this one could belong to."
"How do we know this is genuine!? Any half-decent smith could —" Invar's father grabbed him by his shoulders.
"Invar! Listen to me! The patrol didn't find a body, Sari could still be out there. You're not doing anyone any favors making excuses."

Invar let out a huff, covered his mouth and nose, and nodded.
"Listen to me carefully Invar. We are going to find Sari. Even if we have to turn over every stone from here to the coast, we'll find her. But to do that, I need everyone on hand. Do you understand me? Everyone. You need to pull it together if we're going to find your sister. Understand?" Invar let out another huff and returned his gaze to his father's.
"Good man. Now get yourself to the stables. Corporal Dmerti and his scouts are waiting for you there. Go with them and help them with the search. Understood?" Invar straightened his back and dropped his arms to his sides.
"Yes sir" Invar said as he raised his fist to his chest. The constable let out a faint smile.
"Dismissed." Invar turned and marched to the stables, dropping his posture and picking up his pace once out of sight.

Invar nearly tripped over an uneven floor-stone in his rush.
"What could have happened? Why would a bandit leave her arm brace at her camp?" None of that mattered right now. All that mattered was finding Sari, or at least finding out what happened to her. Invar hastily regained his composure as he reached the stables. "Reporting, as ordered." Invar said, raising his fist to his chest with a pant.
"Mount up soldier, you're on point." Dmetri said. "The faster we start, the better our chances." Invar and the scouts mounted their horses and spurred them onward. The beasts let out their grunts as they came to a gallop. The usual laws against such speeds didn't matter now, not to the constable and certainly not to Invar. The party took off after their lead and were soon on the old imperial highway. The highway would take them the better part of the way to the woods, were they could begin their search in earnest.

Heart of Darkness

"The sun's light feeds the forest's darkness"

---

It was noon by the time the party reached the forest's edge. The heat of the sun almost making the men forget the autumn chill as they dismounted their steeds. The deception was dispelled as they entered the forest and were left with nothing but the wind and shade. It wasn't long before they found Sari's camp, or what was left of it. The scouts dismounted and began to search the camp for any signs of what might have happened.
"This water is stagnant, nobody's used it in days." one of the scouts said as she spat out a sip.
"These apples are completely rotted, fruit flies and all." another said. Invar made his way to the fire pit. Its stones were cold to the touch but he noticed a patch of fresh soot under the leaves.
"Someone's used this fire pit in the last few days." Invar shouted out.
"Tracks! Horse tracks." Came Dmetri's voice from behind a knoll. The party gathered around the corporal. Sure enough there were tracks, fresh ones. No more than a few days old. The scouts fanned out to search for more tracks.

Sari always took her horse hunting with her. Those tracks could very well be her's. Maybe she had left and returned to camp to light a fire before moving on. But Why? Maybe she was driven off by bandits? No forest beast could chase her off. Whatever the reasons, following the tracks was their best bet. If they didn't lead to Sari, they might at least lead to someone who saw her. The scouts mounted up and set off in the direction of the tracks, fanning out to cover the widest possible area, though Invar remained close by Dmetri's side.
"Do you think we'll find her, corporal?"
"I fancy our odds. Your sister's no damsel. For all we know she's just roughing it out here." Dmetri said with a chuckle.
"What do you reckon the story is with the recent fire and tracks?" Dmetri cocked his head for a moment and shrugged his shoulders.
"Hard to say. Not much reason to light a fire if you're not staying."
"You think it was Sari who lit it?"
"No way to know. Tell you what; you can ask her about it once we find her. Fair deal?"
"Fair deal."
The party followed the tracks till the sky turned blood red before finally making camp for the night.

Rude Awakenings

"The thorns of a rose are sharper than those of a cactus"

---

Invar had hardly succumbed to sleep before he was shaken awake by the shouts of his comrades.
"Up! Up! Arm Yourselves!"
"We're under attack!"
"They're in the darkness"
"They're mounted!" Invar peeked through the flaps of his tent, his knees quaking from shock and cold. Before he could act, one of the attackers charged the scrambling defenders, trampling them and knocking them down in an instant. The assailant turned at lightning speed and struck down another scout with a quick blow to the neck before returning to the cover of darkness. Now only Dmetri remained to defend the camp. For two agonizing minutes it was quiet.
"Arkn keep me" Dmetri whispered to himself as the sound of hooves grew closer. His shield and stance did little to blunt the charge and the corporal was knocked on his back.
"Ara's blood! CE—" a blow across the face cut Dmetri's curses short. Two of his teeth landed just outside Invar's tent. This was it. Invar was alone, there was no chance but flight. He'd have to run down the ditch where he couldn't be charged. He dashed out of his tent before tripping on a tent string. Alone and grounded, there was little to do but keep his face to the ground as the thundering hooves grew louder.

Invar awoke with a throbbing pain in his head. The sun's rays irritated his tired eyes and the rushing of the nearby river left his ears ringing. It took him nearly a minute to realize his hands were bound to a tree in a part of the woods he had never seen before. He began to pant as he realized he was either alone or in the hands of his attackers, he couldn't decide which was worse.
"What's my play here? They could have taken me anywhere in the forest by now. Even if I cut these bonds I'm still lost and alone." Invar's breathing quickened for a moment before he was able to regain his composure. "Think. This river has to be the Vosti. Ara's bones, I could be in Likovia for all I know! Half-breeds're probably the one's who attacked. It doesn't matter. The Vosti flows out of the forest to Nilskri, from there I can get a horse and backtrack my way home." Invar's planning was interrupted by a rustling in the nearby bushes. Invar could feel his heart rate pick up as the sound moved closer. Why couldn't he just break these gods-damned binds? Invar grunted as he struggled to wrestle himself from his bondage until at last the rustling stopped. Invar looked up to see a masked centaur towering over him, knife in hand.

The centaur let out a huff, leaned down and cut the binds. Without wasting a second, Invar kicked the centaur's leg and rolled into the river. He was swept away in an instant. He looked back to see the centaur regain its composure and take off after him. But it was too late. The river was too fast. Even at full gallop the monster couldn't catch him. Now he just had to focus. He needed to land on the opposite bank of the river where he could slip off into the forest.
Easier said than done.
Invar struggled to keep himself facing forward. The water was near ice-cold and his head hadn't quite stopped ringing. Just as Invar was losing control he saw it. His chance. A tree branch hung just over the river. It approached him quicker and quicker. Invar reached his hands out to grab his lifeline but had failed to notice the rock beneath it.

Invar woke to a hand slapping him across the cheek. The ringing in his head drowning out the river's roars and the snowbird's songs. A quick feel around with his tongue revealed he had lost a couple teeth. These concerns were quite literally overshadowed by the sight of the masked centaur from before, knife still in hand. To his surprise, once the centaur saw he was awake, it backed away, hands in the air. It leaned down and placed its knife on the cold forest floor. The two stared at each other in silence for what felt like half an hour. Finally, the centaur reached behind its head and pulled off her mask.
"Impossible..."
"Hello Invar."

Brave New World

"Bitter medicine cures ills. An abundance of sweets causes them."

---

Invar sat against the rock and stared into his captor's eyes.
"You're not going to try to kill yourself in the river again? I think you'd succeed this time."
"Sari? How in the —"
"Look. You;ll need to save your questions. Right now we need to get to someplace safe where we can rest. On your feet, soldier boy." Sari said as she gave him a light kick. Invar sat still whether from shock, injury, or anger he didn't know. Sari let out a sigh as she rolled her eyes. She leaned down, picked up her brother in her arms, and set off down the river bank.
"I don't know if I should be disgusted or embarrassed"
"Shut up or you're walking." Sari said without looking down at her brother.
"I'm sorry, how in the tri-fold hell are YOU the wronged party here?" Sari dropped Invar into a bush without hesitation.
"Get up. We still got a ways to go oh self-righteous one."
"Y'know, my ears were just starting to stop ringing."
"Cry me an ocean. Just do it after we get somewhere safe." Invar pulled himself up and dusted off. Taking off after his sister. "Keep up will you brother? I want to get to safety before the sun sets."
"You might recall I have half the legs you do. Why is that again?"
"Tri-fold hell, Invar. Later."

The pair followed the Vosti until the sky bled. With their remaining daylight they managed to spot a plume of smoke piercing the canopy. Sari cantered up a hill for a better look. Invar hobbled up after her.
"Hunter's shack. Perfect" Sari said with a smirk.
"Yeah. Perfect place to alert anyone within a day's ride of an aberration roaming the woods."
"Not to worry, They won't be going anywhere. Not tonight."
"Ah. The smokehouse."
"Precisely. You're up, brother." Invar made his way to the a rack where a fresh buck was being drained. He spattered a few handfuls of blood across his face and the torn parts of his clothes.

Satisfied he looked the part, Invar made his way to the lodge itself.
"Help! Somebody help!" The hunters wasted little time coming out to see what the commotion was about.
"Calm down lad. What's troubling ye?"
"A pack of wolves! My sister! She's still out there! I'm begging you, please help her!" The hunters grabbed their bows and followed Invar out of the clearing. The moment the group entered the clearing Invar grabbed the bow of the hunter closest to him and pinned him to the ground.
"Now!" Sari rushed out from her hiding place, knocking down the two remaining hunters. With the other hunters down, Invar began to choke out the one he had pinned. Sari gave one hunter a swift kick with her hind leg, knocking him out. The last hunter scrambled to get up but no sooner had he reached his feet than Sari struck him across the face with her club.
"Just like old times eh brother?"
"I don't recall you being a centaur back in training, sister." Sari let out a huff.
"Come on. Let's get these lads situated." The pair dragged the hunters to the smokehouse and locked them in for the night.

Answers

"The truth is a surgical knife, even as it cuts it does only healing."

---

After locking the hunters in their smokehouse for the night, the siblings made their way into the lodge. Sari may have had to duck to get in but the lodge was an otherwise ideal resting stop. Invar threw a fresh log onto the fire and smiled as the night's chill washed away. Sari lay herself down in front of the fire and let out a long sigh.
"Ok. Deal's a deal. Ask your questions. Express your outrage. Do whatever you think you have to do."
"First things first; food. I don't think I've eaten since you kidnapped me." Invar rummaged through the kitchen area. "Lots of good food here. You still eat human food? Maybe I can find a carrot or some oats for you." Sari snarled to herself. "Maybe next time we go home invading we should choose a farm instead."
"Would you rather be out in the cold? We're kind of on the run here."
"No. You're on the run. I'm just along for the ride, gods know why. Besides, you owe me an outrage, remember?" Sari let out a huff and narrowed her eyes. "Next time maybe we should just stay in our own house. Mother and Father would be happy to see you after all this time. Where you even planning to see them again?"

Sari lowered her head and sat silent.
"Sari Talaus was supposed to disappear." Invar's eyes narrowed. "Life was supposed to start over. No attachments. Free." Invar let out a short huff as he clenched his fist. "I can't explain it. I don't remember ever deciding that this was what I wanted. I just remember waking up one day wanting it more than anything. I couldn't get it out of my head that this was the only way I'd ever be free of—"
"Free!? Free of what? A loving family? A normal life!?"
"What do you want me to say Invar? Yes! I wanted to be free of everything. Free to live as I wanted; no expectations, no smiling for the public, no horseshit."
"Poor choice of words, sister."
"Did you know that father was leaning on me to marry Risau?"
"The Judge's brother?"
"That one. Never mind the fact that he's been married before. Or that he's got two decades on me. Or the fact that he's a brainless fool who'd be starving in a gutter if it weren't for his brother."
"You can always say no. That's your right."
"Tell me that again after father spends a year and a half pressuring you to marry someone like Ekatri." Invar shuddered. "And like I said, I never decided I wanted this. It's like I was watching someone else decide for me. I don't even remember becoming a centaur."

Invar loosed his grip as his breathing returned to normal.
"Well congratulations. You regret leaving your family and profaning yourself. High honors to you sister." Invar said raising his clasped hands over his head.
"Save your banter. I need your help brother."
"That's why you gave me a concussion and chased me into a rapids?"
"First off, you jumped into that river of your own accord."
"Right, I definitely wasn't motivated by the masked monster wielding a knife standing over me."
"Fine. I should have taken my mask off first. Happy?"
"Not really."
"Regardless, like I said, I need help. I want to reverse this. I want to be human again." Invar paused for a moment.
"You think that's even possible?"
"It has to be. I went from human to centaur, there has to be a way back."
"If you're so confident of that, why do you need me?"
"Because I don't know where to look. Like I said, I don't remember becoming a centaur. If I did, I'd start there."
"I hate to break it to you sister, but I'm not an expert on abominations."
"No, but you can talk to one without being attacked on sight."
"So, what? We wander around until we chance upon an expert in dark magic who's not a complete psychopath? Sounds like a solid plan to me."
"It should. There's a university in Kohefsvena. There's bound to be an expert there. You just need to find one and learn how to change me back."
"And they'll just let a soldier from a rival kingdom into their capital?"
"If you can pass for a Likovan. Those hunters didn't seem too concerned. Besides, you have any better ideas?" Invar let out a sigh.
"No."
"So. Will you help me?" Invar ran his hands across his head and let out a sigh.
"There's no choice here. We'll do it your way."
"Thank you. Now, you should get some rest." Sari said as she got up and made her way to one of the rooms.
"Tri-fold hell"

Abroad

"A man's wisdom can only go as far as he has."

---

Invar woke early in the morning. He half considered taking off on his own. He knew roughly where he was. He could make it home if he really wanted to. But he had made a promise to his sister. He had to see it through. He began packing all the food he could find into the knapsacks and pouches littered throughout the lodge. Jerky, hardtack, and pemmican, anything that wouldn't spoil. Sari woke up soon after everything useful was packed. The siblings let out the hunters, swore them to secrecy, and set off on their journey.
"You sure it was smart to leave all our money there for the hunters, brother?"
"I'd say they deserve it. Besides, it's not going to be useful for me in Kohefsvena. I can't out myself as Buvostian remember? And I doubt you'll be doing much shopping given the circumstances."
"Fair enough."
"Besides, they might be a touch more willing to forgive our little home invasion, and remember their oath of secrecy."
"I wouldn't count on it."
"I don't either. But it doesn't hurt the odds." Invar said with a smirk.
"We'll need to find some camping equipment before sundown. News of a home invasion in the border woods won't matter but a string of them heading straight for the capital is going to draw eyes."
"Maybe we can rent out a stable for you."
"Funny."
"I'm sure we'll find something."

The siblings had made their way to the top of a hill overlooking a small farming village. The reds and oranges of the fallen leaves clashed against the cloudless sky. The sun almost made them forget the autumn chill, it took a gust of wind to remind them. The only sound to be heard was the rustling leaves.
"We shouldn't stay up here too long, sister. Someone's bound to notice."
"At this distance the most they could make out is two riders. But I agree, we're safer the more we move."
"We'll need to get supplies before we head off. We've burned half our daylight already. We're not going to get another chance today." Sari's eyes shot up.
"Look there! I'll bet my right leg that's a tannery."
"Which one?"
"The one on the south-east corner. Behind the town hall."
"No, I meant... never mind." Sari shot Invar a glare.
"What's the plan for this one? Taking over an under-staffed lodge is one thing, but robbing a village tannery?"
"Yeah. Direct approach won't cut it."

The two siblings gave each other a glance.
"Stealth approach it is."
"Shame. You always used to be better at this than me, sister." Sari let out a chuckle.
"Who says I'm not still better?"
"Oh by all means. Go on Sari. Sneak right on into town, break into the tannery, and make off unseen. I'd genuinely love to see that."
"If we weren't in a rush I just might. Tragically we don't have time to experiment here." Invar paused for a moment.
"Maybe we do."
"What do you mean?"
"Think about it; neither of us has a good shot of getting in and out unseen. But one of us might in the event of a big enough distraction."
"Big? As in horse sized?"
"More like raging monster sized, but yeah."
"Soak your head."
"Tell me it's a bad idea. You're more than a match for the what, twelve guards that might be in that village. And with an attack, no guard is going to pay much mind to whether or not some shopkeep loses a couple tents worth of leather. Everyone and their mother will be looting."
"It's a bad idea. How long do you think it'll take for news to spread of a lone centaur attack on a peaceful village? Not as long as it'll take us to get to the capital, I know that much."
"Well we've got three options; One of us goes in alone, probably gets caught, and the other is left alone with nothing to show for it. We do it my way, maybe you pick up some bruises and maybe the capital cares enough about this village to send valuable soldiers hunting down a rumor of a lone centaur. Or we can forgo getting leather altogether and quite possibly freeze to —"
"Alright! Alright. Tri-fold hell, Invar. We'll do it your way. But I don't like it."
"Complain about it when we're sitting in warm leather tents tonight, sister."

Raid

"Destitution and honesty make poor housemates."

---

Invar made his way to the town, his palms sweating in the autumn chill. His plan wasn't a great one, but it was the best one they had. The town was a quiet place. No more than a hundred buildings in total. The townsfolk seemed not to pay him much mind, travelers must be a common sight in this area. Invar heard the clatter of bone chimes as he made his way to the town square to wait for his moment. The Old Believers of his own town had been driven out long before he was born but he had heard stories about them and their bone chimes. The sound made the hairs on his neck stand upright. Still, he had to be ready and, more importantly, inconspicuous. He saw very few children and even fewer young men. He took careful note of every guard he spotted;
"This one hasn't been in a fight in years. His arm is practically leaking out of his bracers."
"This one's missing an eye, probably an ear too judging from the burns on his face. Wonder they're letting him serve at all." Invar took careful note of the local's speech. It was close enough that he had little trouble understanding, but he'd need to be more familiar with it or risk outing himself as foreign."

Once he had scoped the town to his satisfaction, Invar made ready to signal the attack. He made his way back to the town square and spotted the main bell. He ducked into an alley, carefully checking to make sure he had an escape ready and that nobody had spotted him. When he was certain of his anonymity, he grabbed a hunk of coal from a nearby barrel and hurled it at the bell. The chunk had nearly hit the guard manning the bell, Invar's head was still not completely recovered from the events of the last few days after all, but in the end his aim was true and the bell let out its ring. Without a moment's hesitation Invar made his way down the narrow backstreets to the tannery as the confused guards rushed to the square. The townsfolk were pouring in after the guards, perhaps expecting the crier had some breaking news. Now was the time. He made his way to the tannery, awaiting his sister's arrival.

Before long the voices from the town square turned from confusion to panic.
"Over zen hills!"
"Kentauri!"
"Form Ranks!" As the battle commenced, the townsfolk fled. People made their way into whatever building was closest. Invar played the part of a frightened townsman well, tripping over himself as he made his way into the tannery.
"What's ongoing, boy? What's the commotion?"
"Kentauri! ...en zen market!" Fear shot across the tanner's face.
"Arkn shield us. Get back here, boy." the tanner said as he motioned Invar behind the counter. Invar scrambled behind the counter, letting every bit of his fear come through his performance. He sat behind the tanner as he quickly scoped out the shop. There! Right under the counter, the perfect pieces. Only issues left were to get it out and signal Sari to get out of the fight before she got hurt.

"Sorry about this, old man." Invar said as he put the tanner into a choke hold. The old man soon fell limp and Invar leapt to his feet to retrieve the leather. The leather must've weighed as much as he did, but there wasn't time to sort it out now. He'd have to worry about that later. Invar hoisted the leather over his shoulder and kicked open the back door.
"Where's that damned horse?"
Invar scanned the back roads and saw nothing. The horse must've been spooked and fled.
"Taho's gaze!" Invar quickly lugged his haul towards the town square. Sari was keeping the guards off her remarkably well. She could probably keep this up for hours, but one lucky hit is all it would take for that to end. They had to leave now.

"Ara's Blood! Kentauri!" Invar screamed. Sari quickly glanced over to see Invar drop the leather and curl up into a defensive position, subtly pointing to his head once he saw Sari had caught sight of him. Sari smirked and began to charge at Invar, knocking him down and snatching up the leather before fleeing the town. Invar slowly picked himself up, careful not to appear uninjured. The remaining guards scrambled around the town square, checking on their fallen comrades, dispatching ravens, and securing the area. It wasn't long before there was a guard standing over Invar as well.
"Ye alright, boy? What was en yer skull to come outside during an attack? Yer lucky te be standing!" The guard said as he helped Invar to his feet.
"Arkn was my shield today. Gods be praised." Invar said, holding his side.
"Ye need anything, boy? Any bones broken?"
"I don't think so. The gods were kind today. Just need to find my horse and I should be ready to go on."
"Best luck to ye then." the guard said as he turned back towards the square. Invar couldn't help but smile. His plan had worked and both he and his sister were alive and had shelter. All that was left to do was find that damned horse and rendezvous with Sari. After about two hours of searching, Invar found his horse cowering in a storage shed.

As Invar left the storage shed, he noticed some guards in the square talking with a heavily armed stranger. She was dressed in black leather with a steel breastplate. Her hair was jet-black and she stood half a head over even the tallest of the guards. A white bird stood alert on her left shoulder and a red cape was draped over her right. On her back she had a two-handed blade. Invar couldn't hear what they were discussing but noticed that the woman was calm and collected, in stark contrast to the guards wild gestures. Invar decided to leave through the north end of town and circle around rather than risk being seen and remembered by the guards. Once outside the town, he returned to the hilltop where they had first spotted the town.

Sari was waiting just behind the hill, leather at her feet.
"You certainly took your sweet time, brother. We need to put some more distance between us and town before we'll be safe to set up camp."
"You can thank this idiot for the wait." Invar said motioning to his horse. "Bastard fled the scene as soon as you showed."
"He doesn't seem to like me much."
"Well give him some sympathy, he has to see one of his own kind twisted into some aberration. That'd be enough to make any of the gods' creatures uneasy, wouldn't you say?"
Sari huffed and shook her head. "Let's go, we're running out of daylight."
"We should move east. Avoid the roads for a few days, until the fear calms down."
"Shame there wasn't a way we could get the leather without alerting the whole region to our presence."
"Your presence. Besides, there's plenty of other threats for them to worry about out here. Even if they do send help over, we're not staying here. If anything this is good."
"We'll see." Sari said as she turned and started east.
"You will." Invar said, following after her.

Light in the Darkness

"No amount of darkness can drown out the smallest candle's light"

---

The siblings traveled eastward till there wasn't enough light to travel by.
"This spot is going to have to do. I'll set up the tents, you go check out the surrounding area. Make sure we weren't followed." Invar said as he dismounted his horse.
"Followed? I thought you said they'd never go off looking for a centaur that attacked a town unprovoked. Having second thoughts?"
"I'm an optimist, not an idiot. We can't be too careful at this point."
Sari dropped her supplies off and made her way west as Invar tied his horse to a nearby tree. The horse seemed far more relaxed after Sari disappeared over the hill. Invar couldn't help but feel the same way. The leather was heavy and made for a strong shield against the wind and cold. Sari's tent naturally took some imagination to set up. The standard design wouldn't suit her anymore. After pitching the tents Invar gathered some nearby stones to form a fire pit. He decided on pitching a small open-topped tent around the fire. It wouldn't make the light invisible, but it would help. He set the dried scat in the pit and ignited it, letting out a deep sigh as the chill melted from his body.

Sari soon returned with a decent sized hare in tow.
"Figured we could both do with some fresh meat. We'll get sick of jerky and biscuits eventually." The horse panicked at Sari's approach. "A lady could get the idea you don't like her." Sari told the horse with a chuckle. "I see you've learned to keep chicken horse hitched?" Invar took the rabbit and began to carve away its skin.
"Fire tent's a bit small, but if you crawl and duck maybe your human half can fit."
"Your consideration is touching. I didn't see any signs of being followed, in case you were curious."
"See? We're perfectly safe. Come on, get a bit of the cold out." Sari did indeed need to crawl and duck for any of her to fit in the fire tent.
"Tight squeeze. Next time I pitch the tents."
"If you think you can handle it."
"Soak your head, Invar. I'm still just as capable as I ever was."
"That why your ass is sticking two meters out the back of this fire tent? Because I've never met anyone who's had to do that before."
"Very funny. That rabbit almost done?"
"Soon."

The siblings finished their dinner and retired to their tents for the night after dowsing the fire. Invar lay awake, staring at the stolen roof he slept beneath. Part of him wondered if the old tanner was alright but a bigger part of him wondered what he would tell the armored stranger if she really was some sort of mercenary interested in hunting them down. Had she seen him when he saw her? Would that even matter? Had Sari missed something when she went back to check for signs of following? No. They were safe. Sleeping comfortably, safe from mercenaries just like they were safe from the cold. They'd set out tomorrow and reach the capital within the month, then they'd cure Sari and return home. There was nothing to worry about. Invar breathed out a sigh and almost missed the steam rising from his mouth.

Good Intentions

"Take care that you do not feed foxes, or your neighbors will as well."

---

The siblings arose at first light and made short work of the task of packing. They filled their bellies with some of the softer bits of hardtack they brought from the lodge and made their way south. The wind was biting, more than yesterday. Not a cloud could be seen in the sky and waves rippled through the lifeless grass like a typhoon. The journey south was hard and slow-going. Both thought it best to avoid the old Imperial highway for a few days to let people forget about the attack. Still, the unpaved terrain made for poor traveling and the siblings often undershot their intended progress by as much as half due to winds, rains, and, finally, snow. The first snow wouldn't be too much to deal with, there was still a week before the first large storm ought to hit. Still, it reminded them of the severity of their situation. Tents would survive the early winter, but if they couldn't find a cure before the month was out, they might not survive to the next spring.

The siblings set up camp at the edge of the woods, the glow of civilization visible over the horizon. "We should be about a day's ride from the capital. You know what you're going to do once you get there, brother?"
"Roughly."
"Roughly!?"
"I don't exactly have a map of the city or a list of the university scholars, but I know where to look. We'll find our lead. Don't you worry."
"And they're going to just let you have access?"
"I'm pretty sure I've got the half-breed's tongue down pat. Once I find a promising scholar, I have a visit with him. If he won't see me at the university, I'll just have to make a home appointment. All else fails, the library has to have something."
"You that confident you can read Likovan?"
"They use the same alphabet. It shouldn't be a headache to figure it out."
"I guess we don't exactly have time to burn. You'll head in tomorrow morning?"
"No point in sneaking in if they'll let me walk through the front door. Draw a lot less suspicion."
"Alright." Sari said with a sigh. "Just make sure you don't do anything stupid. I won't be able to help you in there."
"Don't worry about me, worry about keeping yourself out of sight. Or better yet, worry about poor Alvar here. He has to put up with you alone for the next day or so."
"Funny... Get yourself to bed, you'll need your rest for tomorrow."
"Likewise. Goodnight, sister."

The siblings quickly packed their camp as a gentle snow began to fall. Sari loaded the leather on her back and took off into the forest to stay hidden until Invar returned from the city. Invar shivered, perhaps not so much from the snow as from the task at hand. Invar smelled the salty air before he ever saw the sprawling port city. The city's walls towered above any building Invar had ever seen before and he could see spires within the city stretching higher still. These structures must have survived from before the Great Conquests. No other city on the continent could boast such magnificence. The walls only grew larger as Invar approached the gatehouse. There were merchants, townsfolk, and travelers making their way in and out of the city in bigger numbers than Invar had ever imagined possible.
"This is going to take longer than I thought..."

A Chance Encounter

"The patient farmer will feast while the impatient nobleman starves."

---

Invar stood at the entrance to the great city, trying not to stand out as he inwardly marveled at its size. He slowly made his way into the stream of people heading into the city. He heard smatterings of Likovan, Draxu, and other tongues he had never heard before. He even heard his own tongue on more than one occasion. He may not need the facade after all. As he approached the gate a guard draped in black fur stopped him.
"Hald Plazi. Verum in yi hyer kommen?"
"Ovi... komme hyer...studjie?" The guard's stern expression collapsed into laughter.
"You will study Likovan language, yes? Relax boy, I only have fun with you. This is open city, Welcome foreigner. Cause no trouble." The guard waved Invar through the gate with another chuckle.
"So much for not being outed." The city was almost more impressive inside the walls than out. Multi-story buildings flanked wide stone streets with awnings spanning overhead. The city was remarkably warm, many were even walking the streets without the usual winter garb. Through the canopy of awnings and laundry left to dry, Invar spotted the central spire. That would be where he would begin his search.

Invar nearly lost himself in the maze of streets, doubling back on at least three occasions. Eventually however, he encountered a problem. Between him and the spire lay a separate gate, this one closed and manned by far less friendly looking guards. Still, there couldn't be anything to stop him from getting in, he'd have to try. Loosening his neck, Invar approached the guard.
"Kon ovi... enkomme? Ovi... studjie linva Likvasi."
"You have passport, foreigner?" Before Invar could panic he felt a hand on his shoulder and heard another voice from behind him.
"He doesn't. Forgot it in his lodgings. It's my fault, Pytrosk, I was overeager to show him the city." The guard's expression softened.
"Snow on rocks, Anya. Only be more careful next time, yes? And you, foreigner, you will practice Likovan speak. Will make your life easier." The guard opened the gates and the two passed through before the guards shut the gates behind them. Invar finally worked up the courage to turn and face his mysterious benefactor; a tall woman with jet-black hair and a white bird on her shoulder.

The woman grabbed Invar by the arm and led him down the street.
"Come a long way, haven't you? I don't believe we've been properly introduced. Come, I know a place we can speak privately." Invar remained silent as the woman led him into a massive domed building. The foyer gave way to the view of the largest collection of books Invar had laid his eyes on. Two unarmored guards watched the entrance. Invar was soon pulled away and into the westward hallway towards a small chamber. As they entered the chamber, the woman shut the door behind them and placed her bird on a perch before taking a seat behind her desk.
"Anya Notryv, at your service. May I ask your name?"
Invar swallowed. "Dmetri. A pleasure."
"A fellow Buvostian then? What village do you hail from?"
"Invria. It's small, you've probably never heard of it."
"On the contrary, I have a cousin who lives there. His name is also Dmetri. Do you know him? I believe he's a corporal in the town watch."
Invar loosened his neck.
"I actually received a letter from him just a month or so ago. Said he was ambushed by a centaur."
"Praise Arkn he survived."
"Indeed. The gods were kind to him. Shame they couldn't kill the centaur though."

Invar nodded his head and avoided Anya's gaze.
"You know, Dmetri, Just a few weeks ago there was another centaur attack, not too far from the border."
"The border regions are dangerous indeed."
"Truly. Not particularly notorious for hybrid attacks though."
"I suppose not." Invar said, his eyes darting in and out of contact with Anya's.
"Have you ever seen a hybrid of any sort Dmetri? Something like a centaur, naga, or harpy?"
"I've only heard stories ma'am. Never seen one myself, gods be praised."
"Gods be praised indeed. Pray you can keep that streak Dmetri. A hybrid encounter isn't something I'd wish on anyone."
"Have you encountered one before, ma'am?"
"Four. Managed to take down two centaurs and one naga in my travels. Fought a harpy once but wasn't able to take it out of the sky. Still, I lived. More than most could say."
"You have a lot of experience then?"
"Probably more than anyone this side of the sea." Anya said as she leaned in and rested her chin in her hands. "Why do you ask?"
"You said the border region has a rampaging centaur. I'd like to be as prepared as possible to deal with one if I find one on the way home."
"Of course. Come with me." Anya rose from her seat and escorted Invar out of her office.

The two were soon back at the rotunda library. The guards raised their firsts to their chests as Anya led Invar past them. The library was magnificent; The floor shined with a dazzling light and the domed ceiling seemed to stretch as high as the sky itself.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Anya asked with a smirk. "My colleagues say this is from the old elven period, one of the only surviving structures of its kind."
"I've never seen anything quite like it..."
"I'll admit, I occasionally still get teared up seeing this place when the sun is shining through the stained glass. Shame it's so cloudy today." The two continued down to the far end of the rotunda before Anya stopped and retrieved a green book from one of the upper shelves. Placing the book on the table with a great deal of care, Anya opened to the foreword.
"This is the most comprehensive tome we have on those monsters. If there's something you want to know about them you'll find it here."
"Do we know where they come from?"
"Let's see..." Anya filed through the pages until she arrived at a page that made her eyes light up. "Here."

Invar leaned over the table to see the page Anya had pointed out.
"Hybrids like centaurs aren't actually created by the gods. The god's are too good for that to be the case. No hybrids are created by men and elves abusing magics." Anya said, pointing to the text and graphic illustrations of screaming people and hooded figures with glowing red eyes.
"Makes sense. How's a beast like that supposed to raise... children? Whatever you'd call them."
"A small blessing we don't need a name for them. Hybrids are made, not born. The twisted souls give themselves over to darkness, give up their very humanity."
"Who are these hooded figures? They're the ones turning people to these monsters?"
"Not unwillingly, but yes. We call them Dark Weavers in academic circles. They preform surgery and sorcery to turn two separate beings into a single abomination."
"How do we know this? What monster came forth and confessed their creation?"
"None. The weavers themselves may be apostates and workers of misery, but even I can appreciate their note-taking methods."
"How do we have their writings? Where did they keep them?"
"Well, the writings I found were in a mountain cave to the northwest."
"You found these writings?" Invar asked as he raised his gaze to meet Anya's.
"About seven years ago actually. Wasn't able to kill all of them unfortunately but I did manage to save one of their manuscripts. It was a great help in writing this book."
"Gods be praised for your good fortune, ma'am."
"Indeed. But come, you must be tired. I'll take you to the inn, you look like you've been on the road for too long Dmetri." Anya said as she took Invar's arm and began to walk him out of the library.

A Way Forward

"Hope is both the greatest gift and greatest curse the gods have given man."

---

Anya soon led Invar to the inn and escorted him inside. She greeted the innkeeper warmly and handed him a small pouch of coin before exchanging a few more words and a laugh or two.
"You're room is third on the left, Dmetri. I wish you luck in your journey. Nidra guard your dreams."
"Eternal gratitude, ma'am." Invar said, bowing his head.
Anya returned the gesture and turned to depart before whispering something else to the innkeeper and chuckling. The innkeeper called out for a barmaid to escort Invar to his room. After arriving, Invar gave the barmaid a bow before eventually needing to shoo her out of the room. This wasn't the time. He almost wanted to stay the night though. But no, he finally had a lead and he needed to act on it as soon as possible for his sister's sake. Comfort would have to wait.

Once he was sure there was nobody within earshot, Invar squeezed himself through the window in his room onto the snow-covered backstreet. Dusting himself off, he made his way for the main gate. The guards seemed perfectly happy to let him out, or at least happier than they were to let him in, and he was soon at the market square near where he first entered the city. The sun was already beginning it's descent. Invar would have to move fast if he was to reach the forest before nightfall. The stream of people into the city had abated and Invar found himself nearly alone apart from the guards and a handful of beggars and lowlifes that weren't allowed in. Shrugging off the cold Invar made his way to the forest. Looking for any sign Sari might have left for him. After an hour of searching, he noticed a plume of smoke rising over the canopy into the darkening sky. He set off for it immediately. Even if it wasn't Sari, he wouldn't last the night without some sort of shelter.

Once he made it to the camp, he breathed a sigh of relief and a chuckle at the sight of his sister struggling to set up her tent; Getting her hind legs tangled in ropes and such.
"Capable as ever, eh sister?" Sari looked over and widened here eyes before letting out a laugh.
"Back already, brother? Big city not to your liking?"
"Perfectly passable. Tragically we have urgent business to attend to."
"You have a lead?"
"Yes. I found out how centaurs are made, and the group that's responsible. If anyone could change you back, it'd have to be them." Sari let out something between a sigh and a laugh.
"I'll be damned. You pulled it off."
"No, no, sister. The whole point of this was for you not to be damned. But yes, I did." Invar said with no small grin on his face.
"Tell as many ill-fated jokes as you want, brother. You've earned it." Sari said, shaking her head, her smile unabated.
"I'll tell no such jokes. I speak only the truth, dear sister." Sari tried and failed to wipe the smile from her face.

The siblings slept soundly that night and rose fresh and ready for their journey to the mountains. The light snow did little to dampen their spirits as they packed their belongings and scarfed down their breakfast. Even Alvar seemed to be in a better mood than usual. The siblings made sure not to let their guard down however, choosing to remain off the highway to avoid detection as they made their way northwest.
"What do you suppose you'll do once your human again?"
"I suppose we'll have to make our way home, won't we?"
"Father may never let you out of the house again after this. You sure you're willing to risk that?"
"Father's never been able to stop me from doing what I've wanted to do. Besides, I could do with a fair stretch of home life, at least until the snow thaws."
"I suppose we'll need a cover story for what we've been up to, won't we sister?"
"Sooner or later." Sari said with a shrug.
"Let's say we were both kidnapped by bandits. They brought us far to the east. But they made the mistake of kidnapping me. After I escaped, I freed you and together we made our way home." Sari let out a hearty laugh.
"Ah yes, my brother, the great hero." Invar puffed out his chest and raised his chin.
"At your service, madame." Both siblings let out a laugh.

Precipice

"No one drop of water causes a flood."

---

The siblings traveled through the first storm of winter, their high spirits carrying them through days of miserable conditions. Finally, the clouds departed and the siblings beheld the Kucnika mountains. The wind seemed to cease its biting as the sunlight adorned the mountainsides and warmed the sibling's red cheeks. The cloudless sky as blue as the sea. The sight would have brought joy even without the knowledge that these mountains held salvation within. Urgent as their timetable was, the siblings wouldn't help but take time to admire the scene.

Invar noticed Sari wiping at her right eye after hearing a faint sniffle.
"If you think they're so beautiful this far out sister, what do you say we get a closer look?" Without turning her head, Sari nodded her head and let out a sigh.
"Best idea you've ever had, brother." The siblings made their way across the expanse between them like a ship cutting through the waves. The snow seemed to melt before them as they climbed the first of the foothills. They had almost failed to notice the sun's descent. Close as they were, the climb would have to wait until tomorrow. The siblings unloaded their kit and made quick work of the task of pitching their tents. The hardtack almost tasted good in light of the circumstances. Invar managed to track down enough dry wood to make a fire for the night. No need for a dried scat fire tonight. If anything they wanted to be visible. With luck, these Dark Weavers would come to them.

That morning, the siblings awoke to a gentle snowfall and a white-clouded sky. Invar reignited the fire and heated the last of their rabbit jerky as a celebratory breakfast.
"So how was your last night as a centaur, sister? Do you think you'll miss being able to sleep standing up?"
"Tent's not that big, and no, not one bit." Sari laughed.
"Didn't think so. Shall we get a move on? The mountain is still quite the challenge in and of itself."
"Race you up?" Invar let out a chuckle as he mounted his horse. The trek up the mountain was treacherous, even in the gentle snowfall and lack of wind. The winding paths upwards were frozen over and there were points simply too steep to climb without proper kit. The siblings had to turn back and seek alternate paths on several occasions. Yet through it all, they maintained their high spirits. After hours of climbing, backtracking, and a few close calls, the pair finally reached the top.

The celebratory mood was quickly dispelled as a lone voice pierced the calm.
"Dmetri. How pleasant to see you again."
Invar felt his heart sink and his breathing quicken. "Anya?"
"Who's Anya?" Sari asked, grabbing her sword hilt. Anya sat atop a small boulder, relaxed and collected as she fiddled with a small knife.
"I see you remembered our little chat in the city. Well done."
"Who are you? Why are you here?" Sari asked, unsheathing her weapon.
"Anya Notryv, at your service, beast. As for why I'm here? Well, your companion knows well enough."
"What's this about, Invar?" Sari asked, keeping her eyes glued to Anya.
"Ah, Invar. I was wondering what your real name was." Invar drew his own weapon as his breathing picked up once again.
"Put the weapon down, boy. It's not worth dying for an abomination." Anya said as she sheathed her knife and leaned forward.
"Nobody needs to die. We're here to correct a mistake, that's all."
"Funny, that's precisely why I'm here as well." Anya said as she stood up and drew her sword.

Anya leaped down from the boulder and charged. Sari met her charge and locked blades. The two clashed a half dozen times before Anya dropped and cut at Sari's right foreleg. Sari let out a cry of pain as she kicked Anya back. Anya quickly returned to her feet and retrieved her blade. Before Anya could wind up for another charge, Sari was upon her, striking at her in a fury. Sari's speed was only outmatched by Anya's. Parrying, blocking, and dodging every blow, Anya sidestepped and landed a hit across Sari's right foreleg. No sooner had Anya landed her strike than Invar had unleashed his own barrage on Anya. Anya's speed was hampered, she seemed almost shocked that Invar would dare to fight her. Moving with a speed he never thought possible, Invar managed to land a hit across Anya's left eye. Anya let out a scream as she backed away, dropping her weapon and grasping at her eye before falling to her knees. A smile shot across Invar's face as he raised his sword and rested it on Anya's neck.
"It's over. Submit."

The snow and wind picked up as Invar stood over his foe, blood pouring from her eye.
"Submit, Anya. We need to get that eye treated or you'll lose it."
"I underestimated you, Invar. I didn't want it to go this way."
"I imagine not. Now subm—" As Invar was talking, Anya slapped the sword away with her wrist, lodging the blade into her leather bracer. Before Invar could dislodge the blade, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He let out a scream and looked down to see Anya's dagger embedded in his abdomen. Before he could retaliate, Anya swept his feet out from under him, landing him on the cold stone floor of the mountaintop.
"I was debating whether or not to kill you after I killed the centaur. Thank you for making my decision easier, Invar." Anya said as she picked up her sword and rose to her feet.

Invar's breathing became erratic. He could feel his warm blood leaking out of his side. He looked up at Anya, her figure becoming ever more obscured by both the snow and Invar's own fading vision. As she raised her sword, Invar heard a hard clomping rapidly approaching. Anya seemed to hear as well. She turned to face the source of the noise. With her good eye off Invar, he swept at her legs just as Sari's silhouette became visible. Anya may not have been knocked off her feet, but she stumbled and her defense was down. Sari charged Anya and trampled her beneath her hooves. Invar looked on as Anya struggled to her feet, only to collapse back to her hands and knees, coughing up blood.
"Get up, brother! We need to get you out of here!" Invar let out a cough.
"No blood. She didn't get anything important, I'll be fine."
"That won't matter if we don't get you somewhere warm to heal. This storm is only going to get worse."
"What about Anya? What do we do with her?"
"What about her? Look at her." Sari said as she gestured to Anya, laying face down in the snow. "If you want I'll run her through on our way past but right now we need to worry about you." Sari extended her hand.
"Can't take any more chances. Do it." Invar said, taking his sister's hand. Invar clenched his teeth as his sister helped him to his feet

Sari bandaged Invar's wound as best she could. They'd have to cauterize it soon, but this would help them last long enough to find a cave or some other shelter from the winds. They approached Anya, still breathing and wincing as she lay in the snow, unable to get to her feet.
"Wait here." Sari said as she picked up her sword. "And look away if you have to."
"No. I'll do it."
"You sure?"
"We're here to get your life back. If she has any last minute surprises, I don't want you to lose that chance. I'll take the risk. Besides, look at her. How hard could it be?" Sari nodded and handed Invar her sword. Invar made his way over to Anya's shivering and huffing body.
"You're care for this beast is sickening, Invar." Anya uttered through her grunts.
"Taho take you." As Invar raised his sword above Anya's neck for a quick stab, Anya hurled herself to the side with her last bit of strength, vanishing from sight as she was swallowed by the flowing river of snow.
"Ara's bones!"
"Death by sword or falling off a mountain makes little difference at the end of the day, brother. What matters now is getting that wound treated." Invar nodded in agreement as he felt his head go light.

Finality

"No amount of time will heal a scar."

---

Invar suddenly awoke in a small cave stripped of his armor and shirt. The cave was cold and damp but the small fire gave of enough light to see the blizzard outside. The pain in his side had not abated, nor had it stopped bleeding. The bandage was soaked in warm blood and the once white linens were dark as clay. Sari soon appeared before him, red glowing rod in hand.
"Thank the gods you're awake. Didn't want to have to be the one to wake you for this." Sari said as she raised the iron to head level.
"Believe me, sister. You'd still be the one with the easy job here." Invar said between coughs.
"Fair enough. Catch." Sari threw Invar his leather bracers and an empty water skin. "Let's get this over with sooner rather than later." Invar placed the skin in his mouth and bit down with his molars before grasping the bracers in his two hands. Once he had lain down flat, Sari restrained him with her forelegs. Sari turned her eyes to Invar's.
"Ready?" Invar took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and nodded. The pain of the stabbing was sharp, but Invar would've rather been stabbed a hundred times than this. Through his own groans of pain he heard his own flesh sizzling like meat on a spit. His legs flailed as the iron continued to melt his skin away. It seemed like hours had passed before the iron was finally removed from his skin. Even so, the burning sensation remained.
"That's it. You're done. It's over. Okay? You did it." Sari said, placing her hands on his shoulders. Invar's breathing finally calmed, though it remained heavy. He let go of his bracers and spit out the water skin. "You did good, brother. You were right, she didn't hit anything important, you should be fine." Sari said as she returned to her feet. Invar let out a sigh as his breathing returned to normal and laid his head on the floor. "Get some rest brother. We're almost done." Invar crawled his way to his bedroll, falling asleep almost before he had made it in completely.

The following morning the blizzard had abated, replaced with a sky devoid of anything but the pale blue of winter. Invar groaned as he stood up for the first time and his discomfort continued through breakfast, dressing, and packing, but he was alive, and right now, that was enough. The siblings departed their cave and made their way to the summit. The climb was treacherous as the previous day, with ice and steep slopes forcing them to backtrack. Invar's side gave him grief as he climbed up the steeper portions of the path while Sari seemed to wince ever so slightly at each step her front legs took. The pain was easy to ignore as they approached the summit of the mountain. Finally they were there. The summit. This place they had always been moving towards, even if they didn't know it. As they climbed to the top they encountered five hooded figures standing in a circle.

It was them, it had to be. The 'Dark Weavers.'
"Welcome, children." Came a voice from among the crowd. "What do you seek from Taho's children?" The voice was young, yet refined. Invar couldn't picture a face to match it.
"You have to know why we're here, I want my humanity back!" Sari said marching towards the circle, which remained motionless.
"What are you doing!? We need to be diplomatic here!" Invar whispered as he grabbed Sari's hand.
"It's quite alright, child. Emotions are often fickle things, driving us to work against our own benefit." Came a second voice from the circle.
"And of all emotions, anger proves the greatest detriment." Said a third voice.
"But still, it can prove useful. Would you not agree child?" Said yet another voice.
"For it was anger that brought you to us before. And anger has carried you here yet again. Came the final voice. Sari fell silent.
"Do not think we have forgotten you, Sari Talaus. The children of Taho have long memories."
"Far longer than yours, it would seem."
"Why don't I remember you? Why don't I remember deciding to come to you in the first place?"
"Our lord heard the curses uttered towards your life, child. He saw your displeasure, your drive, your desire for freedom."
"It is people like you who our lord seeks to help. He bestows upon them new life."
"In your anger you opened your mind to him. He bought you to his children where we gave you freedom."

"With respect, we were wondering if Sari could return. She want's to be human again. Can you make that happen?" Invar asked as he stepped forward.
"The children of Taho bring creatures unity of form and soul. You would ask us to undo this?" Sari nodded.
"Yes."
"We may not pull two from one, only the contrary. Sari Talaus and her horse were once two beings, now they are one. We can no more change this than one can grow two men from one child."
"But Taho's children are thankful for you, and can provide another way back to your lost life." The hooded figures turned and stepped outwards, revealing Anya's broken body in the snow. Her breathing was faint, but present.
"This one has caused us much grief and robbed the world of many of our lord's creations."
"But you have laid her low, you have avenged the deaths of our brothers and sisters."
"For this, we offer you a way to the old life you seek."
"What is this 'way?'" Sari asked.
"You and Anya will become as one, just as you became one with your horse all those months ago."
"Your form will be human to all mortal eyes, and you can return to your old life as you wish."
Sari swallowed. "And Anya?"
"She will be a part of you as much as your former horse is now. Her body and soul one with yours but her mind supplanted by your own."
"So, dead then."
"In a manner of speaking. You only require her legs to return to your human form, do you not?"

The siblings stood in the snow with their mouths hanging open. Sari looked at Anya's shivering body on the ground.
"It's the only way, sister..." Invar said as he grasped Sari's hand. "We've come too far already. They're offering you your humanity back. You can't say no to this! Not now!" Sari remained silent as a tear rolled down her left cheek.
"Anya tried to kill you Sari. We thought she had killed herself for Arkn's sake! What choice is there here!? She deserves this, dammit! YOU deserve this!" Sari remained silent as the night as she began to shake her head, her cheeks stained with tears and her hooves shivering in the snow. "Sari" Invar said as he clasped his free hand to Sari's "even if you don't take up their offer, they'll kill Anya anyway. You won't be saving anyone. Please sister..." Invar squeezed his sister's hand a s tears began to stream down his face as well. "Be human. Come back to us. Come home."

Sari turned and smiled to her brother before leaning down to embrace him as the two began to openly weep.
“You know what we have to do, brother.” Sari whispered as they embraced. “I’m not asking you to like it, I’m just asking for your help, one last time.” Invar thrust his eyes shut and squeezed his sister tight as he nodded his head. The siblings released their embrace as Sari turned to the five hooded figures.
“I’ll do it.”
“As you wish, child.” The first voice replied.
Two of the weavers escorted Sari towards the circle.
“You’ll need to help Anya, she’s too weak to survive the procedure as it stands.” Invar said, following his sister.
“The ‘monster hunter’ is strong enough, she will survive long enough.” One voice retorted.
“Really? She’s lost an eye, been trampled, fallen off a mountain, and nearly frozen to death in the span of a few hours. If you operate without helping her, she’ll die of shock the moment you cut her open.”
“If she dies during the operation, I’ll die too. That wouldn’t help anybody.” Sari said as two weavers began to remove her armor.
“Very well, child. It is a risk, but you are right. The subject’s expiration would doom the procedure. You two! Bring life back to this dying vessel.”

The two remaining weavers knelt around Anya and laid their hands of her as they chanted in a strange tongue. Anya’s breathing began to become heavier until her eyes opened. She tried to squirm free of the binds but was unable. When Invar saw that Anya was awake, he quickly charged the lead weaver, striking him across the face with his sword hilt. Sari quickly kicked one of her attendants away as she unsheathed her sword and engaged her second. With the other weavers rushing to subdue Sari, Invar made his way to Anya as the remaining weavers drew their weapons.
“What have you done, Invar?” Where am I?”
“At the moment we’re trying to save your life. So if you’re done being a bitch we could use a hand with that.” Invar said as he cut the ropes binding Anya.
“What is this?” Anya asked as she looked up at her old foe.
“A second chance.” Invar said extending his hand to Anya. “Sari gave hers up to give it to you. I suggest you take it.” Anya looked over to see Sari fighting off the Dark Weavers before looking back up at Invar and finally taking his hand.
“This isn’t over.” She said as she came to her feet.
“Not yet it’s not.” Invar said as he handed her the knife she had stabbed him with only hours before.

Invar and Anya charged into the weavers fighting to restrain Sari. Both were weakened from their injuries but fought with ferocity nonetheless. The weavers were surprisingly skilled with their blades, parrying and dodging strikes like masters. The blades rang like temple bells across the mountaintop as the wind once again began to sing.
Invar could feel himself growing faint from fatigue as the fighting went on. The weavers had to be tiring too, right? They seemed to be vivacious as the moment the fight began. Hammering their blades against his ever weakening defense. Out the corner of his eye he spotted the first weaver he had struck down was rising to his feet and drawing his sword.
“Anya! On your left!” Invar shouted as he blocked a thrust at his arm.
Anya kicked her foe in the nethers and turned her head to get a good look before turning back forward and kneeing her opponent. The weaver twirled his sword as he approached Anya, his previously calm demeanor a distant memory. Anya charged the weaver and locked swords with him, both combatants growling through their teeth. Invar stumbled at the next strike from his opponent. His heart felt ready to burst out from his chest. All the while his opponent appeared fresh as when they had begun. The pain in his side throbbing like a second heart. This had to end now. Invar raised his arm as his opponent struck, embedding the sword in his forearm. As he screamed, he plunged his own sword through his opponents neck and loosed it with a tug to the side. The world seemed to slow as Invar watched the head fall to the snow-covered ground, landing almost gracefully in the soft powder.

Invar couldn’t even feel the pain in his arm as he turned his head to see behind him. Invar saw as Anya began to get the better of her new opponent, cutting him at the knees before lopping off his head in one fluid motion. Invar finally turned to see Sari.
“Centaur! Eyes left!” Anya called out from behind. Before Sari could react, her opponent shredded her legs with a swift strike from a dagger his off hand. As Sari fell to her knees with a screech, her opponent raised his sword with a grin. Then it happened. Like the first strike of lightning. The all too familiar sound of a blade burying itself in flesh. As Sari looked up, she saw the blood drip from the neck, a dagger hanging out its side. The corpse fell to the ground, throwing a puff of powder into the air as the snow turned red.

For a time the three stood there silently, the snow collecting on their clothes. Invar at last broke the silence with a grunt as he dislodged the sword from his arm. Sari struggled to her feet as she kept her eyes firmly fixed on Anya. Finally, after staring Sari down for what seemed like minutes, Anya dropped her blade. Invar made his way to his sister as she leaned down to embrace him and the two began to weep.
“I’m sorry, Invar. I know this isn’t what you wanted.” Invar couldn’t bring himself to speak and so he squeezed his sister ever tighter.
“Why?” Came Anya’s voice. “Why throw away your chance to be human again?”
“I didn’t.” Sari said after a moment of silence. “Today I proved that I’m not a monster. No matter what I look like or what people like you think.” Anya clenched her fist.
“So what now? We’re all supposed to be friends now? Is that it?”
“She did you a favor, Anya.” Invar said as he turned to face her. “She helped you wipe out the weavers, not to mention saving your life. She’s twice the human you are.” Anya let out a huff, turned and left down the mountain. “What will you do now? You know you can never come home now.”
“Well, you came to accept me right? I wouldn’t say it’s impossible.” Sair said with a slight smirk.
“Well, on the not so off chance that the town isn’t as open minded as me…”Invar reached into his pocket and pulled out Sari’s armband. Sari let out a chuckle as Invar fastened it to her forearm before leaning down and hugging her brother once again as the sun began to set.

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This story is still undergoing edits. Feedback is deeply appreciated.