Rylla

Nirzav slowly woke. He spit sand . At least he was on land, a beach. When the Ricochet sank he was sure he was going down with her. They were under water when he had finally freed himself from the tangled ropes. He could just make out Rylla’s nymph helping her from her entanglement. Good. He would have hated her not surviving after the two of them joined forces to escape the lair they had been in. Escape may be too harsh a word, vacate or abandon might be better. It’s not that the clan was a bad place. It was just time to leave. And when he found out that Rylla was ready to leave also, they decided to go together. They had been friends and comrades for sometime now.
The two had bought passage to the Tangled Wood. They thought that it would be easier to find placement within their own element. What they didn’t realize was that the Ricochet would be traveling clockwise and thus be taking the long way to the Wood.
The trip had been a pleasant one until they neared the Labyrinth. They were attacked by a pirate ship and the Ricochet was sunk.
He glanced a few feet over and saw Rylla. She was still. He watched and noted that she was breathing.
“Rylla?” He said as he began to rise.
“Why don’t you just stay where you are friend.” Warned a voice from further up the sand.
“May I sit?” He asked looking in the direction of the voice.
“Yes, but slowly, - please.”
“Trust me with my soreness speed is not an option.” He was heartened to hear a chuckle.
After he sat he saw the object of the voice, a large centaur among what looked like two dozen.
“Thank you, May I see to my friend?”
“We have already made sure she was alive and stable. She has a broken wing. We immobilized it and have sent for a healer. You may see to her once our commander arrives and agrees.”
Nirzav nodded. If they had already checked them out, he and she could have been restrained also. Instead, they have been afforded a measure of trust. Either these were foolish or confidant, either way he would not break that trust. It was then he noticed a water skin next to him.
“May I?” He indicated the skin.
“Of course.”
He took a long drink.
“You might want to slow dow…” He was interrupted by Nirzav coughing.
He smiled. “Should have know better. My name is Nirzav and my friend is Rylla.
We were on a ship that was attacked by pirates and sunk.”
“I’m Lancegait, Sargent of the centaur regiment here on Lulungomeena. My Vice-Commander,
Schwa, will be here shortly. Until then, rest.”

---

Merit spoke softly as she approached Rylla. She was flanked by three centaur warriors.
“I’m Merit. I’m the healer for the Inverness clan. I’ve been told you’ve broken your wing?”
Rylla nodded. “It’s throbbing and I can’t move it.”
“Don’t try. Let me check it.” As she carefully looked over the injured limb, Rylla spoke, mostly to distract herself.
“I hear we washed up onto an island?”
“Lulungomeena,yes.”
“Are we prisoners?”
“Goodness, no. The clan here is reclusive and careful. But, caring.” She looked up at the nearest centaur. “Who set this?”
“I did. Master Healer.”
“Your name?”
The centaur hesitated, unsure. Did he step out of bounds? Do it incorrectly? “Canterfield.”
She nodded and smiled. “Canterfield, you did a good job. Perfect actually.
Have Cayuga send you to me. You show ability. I think you are worth further training.”
His tail flicked as he suppressed a grin. “Yes ma’am. Thank you.”
Merit then returned her full attention to her patient. She began to cast a spell to aid the healing.
“This will help. I could just cast a quick heal spell. But, I feel that a slow healing spell along with natural healing has a better chance of returning the limb to its original strength.”
When she finished casting the spell a wavering occurred in Rylla’s coloration.
“Oh, you have a color mask.” Merit said quietly.
“Yes, I’m not happy with my birth coloration nor genes. The permanent mask was cheaper and more certain than a color reset spell.”
“And gene change spells are not cheap either.”
Rylla nodded her agreement.
“Well, you chose well. This mask suits you nicely. Don’t worry no one need know. “
“Thank you, on both counts." She paused, then said. "Nirzav and I are looking for a new place to stay. Do you think there is room for us here? So far, everyone we’ve been in contact with has been helpful and kind.
“Well, it’s not my place to say, but I’d be surprised if you and your mate weren’t not allowed to stay.”
Rylla laughed. “Nirzav and I are not mates, just good friends. We don’t see each other in that way.”
Merit grinned apologetically, “ Sorry, we all just assumed. But, if you two did want to apply, only Masters are allowed full membership in the clan. ”
“That’s fine we are both Master level.”
“Well, then let’s get you fixed up and over to Zorast, that is the nearest settlement, and see if things work out.

---

Nitentia rapped on the door frame and peered in.  'Knock, knock
anyone awake?"
Rylla folded the pamphlet as she looked up and smiled,
"Hi Tia , yes I'm awake. Not that this," She raised the paper. "is helping."
Nitentia chuckled as she entered the room. '"The rules and regulations
of Clan Inverness and the Island of Lulungomeena. Best sleep aid on the island."
"You mean it doesn't get any better passed the first three pages?"
"No, I'm afraid not. It's a good thing I came now to check on you rather then later you, would be sound asleep."
Rylla yawned. "I think you're right. So where is Merit?"
"She went back to Ampezist. She said that you were ready to be released from her care."
"So, now you're my watchdog." She jested. The two had become close friends over the past few days. She knew Nitentia would not take offense.
Nitentia rolled her eyes, "How's the wing?"
"Better, still stiff, but doesn't throb any more."
"Good. Now you can actually see some of the island before deciding on if  to stay or not. What about Nirzav, Is he close to a decision?"
"He's wavering. Part of him still wants to return to the Woods. We're from the same place."
" I can tell." She pointed to her eye.
"Well yes, but what I mean is that we are from the same lair."
"Really? How fun. So, you've known each other for a long time."
"All of our lives, he, my sister and I were always together."
"Sister? Where is she now?"
Rylla became quiet.
"Sorry , I should not pry."
"No, it's okay, really." Nitentia closed the door moved to sit next to her friend.
Rylla gathered her thoughts then spoke," The three of us were inseparable. We did everything together, even training. Once  we were ready to strike out on our own, we applied to the same lair and were hired. Things were good for  awhile. Nirzav and my sister became closer
and eventually mates. I do care for him, but more like a brother. I’ve never seen him the way my sister did.”
“Did?"
"After our children were born, their three and my three, they were chosen by the lair leadership for exaltation.”
“An honor for ones so young.”
“True, but my sister decided to go also. She didn’t want the children to go alone. Nirzav was/is heartbroken. We left soon after. There were just too many memories there for us to stay.”
“And you found your way here, I understand. No one will fault either of you, if you decide to stay or go. But, I do hope you do stay and start new memories here.”
Rylla smiled. “Thanks. Now can you paraphrase this for me?” She held up the paper. “I’m certain I can’t read another word.”
Nitentia nodded.. “I’ll also help familiarize you with the residents.” She cast an illusionary
picture of a brown guardian in copper armor. “This, is Diath….”
______
Rylla along with Nirzav were under probationary membership in Clan Inverness and living in Zorast.
Once they were offered citizenship, Rylla accepted. However, the lifestyle of Lulungomeena did not agree with Nirzav and he moved on.

---

Rylla is mate to Qen

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