ILYAS
They had grown quiet. The bitter truths of the war weighed heavy on both men. “If I wasn’t here to try to take the fortress by surprise before Binding Day, what would you be doing these next two weeks?” Ilyas asked.
They were nearing the base of the monolithic fortress. The smells of smoke still hung in the air from Ilyas’ attacks earlier. The blizzard had mellowed into a steady, gentle snowfall, downy flakes catching in their hair and eyelashes.
“I was told to spend the holiday thinking about my choices and how my impulsivity keeps getting good men killed. Honestly, I was thinking of just watching the village beat the drums and drink myself silly. Maybe pour a cup out for those who aren’t with us anymore,” Willow said, voice heavy with melancholy. “What about you?”
"The only thing that makes me smile anymore. Ashan turns twelve this year and will soon start training in earnest if I don't miss my guess. Assuming Maevian allows it, I'll be teaching him." A small smile formed on his lips thinking of the young man with a Golden Gaze already, and darkening every few years. Ashan was going to be strong when he became an adult.
“Is he named after Asherah?” the Herb Faerie asked. “Aren’t you scared he’ll just turn into another warrior like us and her?”
Ilyas looked at him, not understanding the last question. "All of the cultures of Zenith are warriors. It is our purpose to protect the Mountain Fell from the Voidtouched. If he wasn't to be a warrior like us or Asherah, he would not be able to fulfill his duty to his people." He rolled his eyes. "Don’t tell me you believe your side’s story that we are all Voidtouched monsters intent on conquest?"
The walls of the fortress were only a hundred yards away. They slowed, then stopped before Willow answered. “What else is there to think, when for generations the duty to your people has included invading mine?”
Ilyas sighed and shook his head. "You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. No one has in the past." It was disheartening to know how true that was. He had been there and witnessed the attempts to prove who was truly the guilty party of this war. He had seen a great and noble cause take shape, and later watched it burn in the fires of vengeance until there was only ash.