I'll Never Think You Weak

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

Elite Ranger

** Kae seldom came to the city anymore except to see Bess and check on the ranger and archers that resided there. It was also the first time other than going to the healing wards to see Eryn that she had come here with her sight as it was..... barely there. She could not see in shadows but the clarity it was had been was still gone and for the most part she was still blind.

But this day was different she felt as though she needed to check in with the Lord General and see what has been going on as of late and if she was needed to help train any new recruits. It would not be easy to keep the pretense that she could see but Lee's hard core training would make it less noticeable.... even those that knew of her current situation found it hard to believe that she could still fight as she had with almost no deficiencies that were obvious.

Baran knew the way so all she really needed to do was let the beast of a horse have his head and just sit there, which she did. The barracks were not so far ahead now and though she was a bit nervous this was her own sort of test to see how well she had trained. She could hear swords clashing in the arena and after dismounting and handing the reins to a stable boy she walked the short distance to the lists and watched... or so any would think when they saw her there leaning casually on a rail at the men within training hard as always and she was sure Maahes was watching as well... and to far away either.

Pagan and Phantom were training here as well always honing their skills and willing to share their knowledge, but it was Ademar who walked over to her with a smirk and made the quiet challenge that had her smiling as she climb the rail to enter the list... though he was her cousin they had not told him of her sight loss. So it would be a good practice perhaps. Pagan and Phantom tried to talk her out of it but could see that this meant more than they could know.... she needed to know if she could still do what was needed of the Elite Ranger and Knight she was.

She drew her sword and listened to hear where he was and the instant he moved she was ready... but as more gathered around she had to block them out and listen for Ademar... and let her other senses take over... as he moved to strike she blocked and turned ready in her stance once more. Would others see she was not as she once was... more careful... more centered in her concentration??


Lord General

His day had not been easy, the illness had taken three men, and no matter how hard the healers worked they could not get a handle on the decease. Maahes was in the midst of it all, with the immune system of a horse he had never once had a cold, but his heart ached for them--his family. All of the army was indeed his family, he loved them as brothers, fathers, and friends. So many he had grown close to, no matter how small the loss he would grieve deeply.

"I am tired of this..it is too cold in this winter month. I will close the barracks. Do not allow anymore in, we will be on a hold." He barked an order to one man who would quickly rise to meet his Lord's demands, moving up swiftly he was gone.

Maahes would take his rise then, pulling over bare arms the coat his wife had commissioned for him, large enough he could find the sleeves comfortable, but tight enough to move as he wished. He was indeed a tall man, and it had taken nearly all of the tailor's leather to get the length right. In all his years he had never found anything of shelf value to fit right, and nearly had to have everything altered. He was thankful for Jean-Claude, and never had there been a day he would have thought to have felt that way.

The path for home was a long one, out of his office into the streets, but when he found the face of Kae he had thought himself dreaming.

"You will catch your death." Was his humble remark, a rumble deep in his voice that rose from a massive chest. "What are you doing away from your home?" He was afraid to ask, the look across her face could write stories of how she could use a friend. He needed her too. He missed her dearly being at his side on the field or with his rangers period, but with her sight loss..how could he? Did she know that he had once been the guardian of a blind queen? In the battle of Avaria, he had fallen ill on the field left for dead, she took him in, took care of him, and it had taken him many months to learn she could not see him.

"Come..have dinner with an old friend?" His shy way of asking, a quiet suggestion.



Elite Ranger

Having finished her spar with Ademar to the cheer of the men who gathered to watch a woman defeat a well skilled knight. She was smiling though it did not reach her eyes as she left the field. " You did well Ademar just not well enough to best me yet." her cousin gave her a quick hug and then went back to practice. Kae was wearing her usual ranger garb of black leather pants, tunic shirt that laced in the front and her black knee high doe skin boots. She picked up her fur cloak and was walking slowly when she heard the familiar rumble of the Lion's voice... she gave him a small smile as she turned in the direction of his voice. " Ahhh Lord General how are you?" she asked looking at him yet not really seeing him. Did he know?? Could he tell she could not see? The questions swirled about in her mind and then he commented on her being out and away from home " I needed to come and see how things were going here.... I... I... there are to many memories there to stay for long. As far as catching my death... it will not happen... Argania is much colder than here in the winter but thank you your concern M'Lord." she could indeed use a friend and one who would not jump to judge her condition and label her as handicap in anyway. " Dinner sounds wonderful and with an old friend even better. I would be honored" once more she smiled and she fell into step beside him as they walked. Kae did not see the dip in the lane and when she walked into she stumbled and righted herself. If he did not know before he would not that was for sure. She would need to explain... and that she was not looking forward to for how could he have use for a blind Ranger and Knight?? But maybe she could pull this off and he not be the wiser not that she was intentionally deceiving him but wanted him to see she still had worth and merit and could perform her duties as she had before she lost her sight.


Lord General

His hand did find her own, and think it not of weakness. No, Maahes would come to place the lady's small digits into the bend of his arm, where so few were brave. With a simple flex of his arm he could capture it, crush it, and return it less then it was before. Yet, the Lord General did not so easily make her afraid--he never had.

"You say you needed to come see..but you can not. I can tell you all is well, Danae has taken a good portion of your duties, and does them with the same perfection. I can tell you, can you see with your memory?" He would start to express warm memories she could easily recall of Skye with all the snow fallen. There were new shops, and new faces; he had built a perfect army with the aid of her blind or not.

"Many times, Lady Ranger, have I wondered about you. Your children? They are well enough?" Would they survive the winter? He had almost lost his first born son to the cold of the frozen nights, and had it not been for the Winter Wolves he would not have his pride with him now.

Soon they would find the warmth of the tavern, the heated fires a welcome feeling, and the happy sounds could not be mistaken for the Briar Rose. Many eyes would follow the sight of the Lord General and Elite Ranger, but undone, stripped of titles they were simply Lord and Lady, deep passionate friends. She had held him while he suffered, and he had pulled her out of her darkness.

Her blindness mattered very little to him, would she be surprised?

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

her head turned in the direction he was standing as he took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. Kae's face turned sad when he spoke of her children " I am sorry you must not know... they died when the ship they were on was bound for Argania as the English and Maubrey attacked us here in the city." her voice held the pain she was trying so hard not to show or let on that even now it still hurt her badly and made her cry at night. Her arms ached to hold them once ore. though she knew it would not be until she herself was dead and with them once more.

She let him guide them along as they continued ot talk " Nay I canot see and I have asked Danae to take command, not because I wanted to but knew it was the right thing for my men... they need someone that cn lead them and until my sight returns I cannot not like I did." she would never admit but there was a time when he had scared her but once she got to know him that did not last long. They were cut from the same cloth almost.... both fierce, both had tempers, and both steadfast in beliefs.

" Aye I can see with my memory.. my eyes are what fails me not my mind." it was her attempt a humor.. which was no easy feat for her as she was alwys so serious.

He began todescribe all he was seeing and putting complete trust in him she closed her eyes and saw the images in her mind... crystal clear with his descriptions. She smiled...and it seemed to lighten up her face...he was someone she could talk to that did not look a ther as many did. He saw her as an equal in a way and not someone that would esily be backed into a corner.

Finally at their destination she could smeel the food coming from the kitchens of the Briar Rose and her stomach grumbled. how many withn would think it odd that the wolf and the lion were friends... however a force to be reckoned with in battle.

Kae was indeed surprised that he had said but a few words on the fact she was blind...could he see that she was as she had been? She may not be able to lead her men properly but she could help train them in ways that one who could see could not. " Maahes... I came to see you to ask a favor." she paused " I wish to help train the men... I know I cannot see....but I have not lost my skills and I could teach them about things they do not know because of my blindnes. What say you will you at least let me try?" it was her way of keeping some pride and dignity in this whole damn awful situation. She needed to be needed.

This was important to her. Would he be able to see that in her pale blue eyes?

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

"I am sorry to hear that," He spoke in a small voice, trying to recall if the news had reached him.

The world was indeed a busy place, for Maahes felt himself spread thin. In the times of peace he was now finally able to regain his own strength. There was much change in him, but having six children..a pirate wife would find him the same heart of a nation. He felt his life made up now for the troubled times of his past. However, never once had he looked back, and Ealora gave him that strength; Skye gave him that strength. After a few moments of listening, Maahes would sit across from her a man brought to his knees, though his body would never find the floor.

"Kaelyn." He started leaning forward, "You must understand the issue that I have with this." He had watched her will to live slip away over the past years, and had known about her children…it was dumb of him to ask.

"I worry only you do this to separate yourself from your troubles. But do not let me stop you. These are your men just as much as they are mine, but train them wisely for if they fall..it will be on both of our hands. Our soldiers, are husbands..fathers, sons, daughters. It is simply not one life we let go of, but many. Every time I see one of my own fall, a part of me dies with them. A star in the night somewhere does not shine as bright..I trust you. I know you can do this, I was one saved by a woman who could not see the color of my skin. Perhaps had she known I was what they call..Moor, others would have left me. She defended her home, and raised her child. In her I found the strength to come here. So do not take this as a sign of weakness..I know you are not weak."


He did respect her, for passing on her rank to Danae. He did not see the stubbornness in her, but the will to continue--how could he let that go? "But can you prove to me, you will not aim an arrow at my heart?" He smiled, "Aiming for a mark?" Of course he did not think she would kill him. No, but his steps were often mistaken for some wild animal. "Show me what you are able, and trust that I will not let you go, until you tell me you are ready." He would find somewhere for her, even if it meant on a more personal level with his men. Though of course he would have liked to have seen her married off, happy fat and pregnant again, but that was simply the man in him.


"Have you seen the man of science? The fruit who live now in the Ebony Hall? Perhaps he could help you.." It was a stretch, this much he knew, but he had seen Jean-Claude work miracles before including bringing his dead wife to life again. The man amazed him, but deeply brought chills to his bone. Would she be so willing to climb into the spider's web?

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

Kae knew it was not the most logical of requests but she had made it none the less. Her sight was better now than a few months ago.... she could make out shadows from a distance and details up real close.

" There is nothing to be sorry of it was a long while ago and though at times I still feel the pain of it and miss them I am here and will be for a long time... that I promise." her voice was firm in conviction and soft in tone.

" I know you may have an issue my friend but before thinking I cannot do what needs be done shall we put it to a test?" she teased knowing damn well he would knock her on her arse if he really wanted and not think twice about it. that was part of the reason they got along so well... both knew what the other was capable of and did not push the point.

" As far as the men... they follow your command over mine." she smirked " It was damn fun to spar against Ademar I can only imagine his reaction once he was told I cannot see as I once did." his next words sobered her greatly. " Do not for one moment think I do not feel the loss of any man, woman, or child. I risked my own life to save a child when the English broached the city..." her voice turned cool and she sat a bit taller in the chair. Shoulders tensed hands flexed on the table. " Maahes I do not take lightly any of this... I ask but for a chance."she lowered her head feeling a bit defeated... then he spoke of trust and she raised her head slightly. He had never out right said he trusted her but showed it more with his actions towards her.

" I can indeed prove to you I can hit what I aim for. I have been training with a man from the orient... his name is Lee and I have learned alot." she turned her head slightly to her left.

" For example two tables over there are four men drinking heavily.... the younger one is deeper into his cups for he slurrs his words more. The others are laughing at him." turning her head to her right " Over there... a couple are dining.... roasted beef with vegetables and two glasses of wine." Kae was pleased with herself for there were things he could not hear and smell that she could hence the fact she knew details many would not notice. It was her way of showing him she was not completely useless.

Her senses were more acute than normal and she was using it to her advantage. He spoke then of the man of science..." I do not know this man... and the only time I have been to the Ebony Hall was to seek out Danae." her voice once more softened as her stomach grumbled with hunger.

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

Maahes took back to his chair, the weight of the Beast causing the wood to cry under it's pressure, but never would it break.

"Kae, you do not need to ask me for a chance..You do not have reason to ever feel you must prove to me you are worthy. I may no longer put at the front lines, but you one of my elite." His voice rumbled from his chest, a mighty sound that could escape with easy fear riding along the rows.

"All that I ask is that when I ask you to fall back..you do it." Maahes took a deep breath as he ordered for them both, and the servant would be quick to pass along the request. "Keep her full" It was a different world they call came from, and though they lived under the same order as the rest, old habits of his homelands died hard. A woman's place was in her home, with her children, but so many here reversed those rolls. Even Lord General, found himself spending more time at home with his children then his wife. Ealora was on the voyage of the trade, starting her own market, living under her own rules again, and he could only love that about her. Though at times…..he questioned his own judgement, but she always came home safe.

"I have not heard of this Lee." But to say the least it did fascinate him, "Where does he live now? Here on the Isle? Or does he visit only when the markets rise." Over the past few years, there had not been a love stronger in bond then that he shared with the people, but it was of the only other orient heritage did he truly share a deep need to protect. Her name was Hope, and from the first day she wrapped her tiny fingers around his own, Maahes had devoted his life to being a guardian.

"Bring him to me. I wish for us to meet." For what kind of man would train the blind, with such precision and did not belong to his army. There food would arrive, and Maahes would wait until she finished to start in on his own. He would offer her the shirt on his back, if she would need it, or the plate before him just to see her put on a few more pounds..women around these lands were too thin.

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

Kae listened as he spoke with the deep rumble that was so him. To may it may strike fear at his gruffness but to her it was what made him the lion he was. When he spoke of when he asked her to fall back that she would... however it was not a promise she could make and keep and well she knew it. " Maahes we have been friends a long time to long for me to lie to you in this matter... if I can I will and if I feel I cannot then I will not... that is the best answer I can give right now." she was being more than honest with him. She knew herself better than to make a promise she knew damn well she would break if she felt it was for the right reasons.

She smiled as he ordered for them both and shook her head when he said for them to keep her full " I do not eat much these days...enough to survive and that is all." her voice was somber as she spoke ... trying to recall the last time the two of them just sat and talked??

" Lee resides with me at RavensCrest and yes I will bring him by to meet you... Dmitrii has met him and is a bit reserved... he has seen me hurt to may times to give blessings yet... you would think after Darius being dead so long now he would be happy to me once more with someone I care about." she gave Maahes a look that said Dmi was being over protective as usual where she was concerned.

Their dinner arrived and she more or less just pushed her food around in between taking a few bites... she may be thin but she had lost none of her strength. She sat and waited for him to eat and realized he waited for her to finish before he began... once more she shook her head softly and slowly and carefully began to search for her mug of ale on the table with her hands... trying to be as nonchalant about it as she could be. Letting out a deep breath trying not to get overly frustrated with such a simple task.

" Maahes I thank you for listening to me and giving me this chance.... now anytime you feel like testing me let me know." it was not a challenge and if he looked at her he would see her once more smiling as she had long ago. It was in her nature to push his buttons at times just to watch his reaction... most of the time his face just contorted like he ate something bad and others he would just simply laugh... that deep barrel chested laugh that made you stop to look at him. For it was not often when he would so and when he did it was infectious.

" So feel like arm wrestling..." one more jest from the Ranger Elite to the Lord General. Oh yeah she was feeling a bit froggy and it was nice.If any had seen them it would be unwise to let their friendly banter make then seem weak or that their guard was down... for that was never the case.

The table where the men were drinking heavily was getting a bit louder and unruly...Kae looked at Maahes and grinned in a mischievous way...question was would he be so willing for to have his back right now... as she had in the past. Hell when was the last time she had enjoyed a good bar fight...or him for that fact??

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

There was a big part of him that felt as if he were listening to his wife, the determination to prove herself a constant battle behind her own heart, that the proof to stand just as tall as he did was legendary. Of all the women on this Isle he had known her for as many years as he felt he could, with their first meeting in a camp it seemed much the same as this one.

"I am not giving you a chance, Kae." His voice a long deep boom that rose from his chest like rolling thunder, "The years of me testing you are over. If you say you can do it, then I believe you." Though he had to smirk at her offer of arm wrestling, but put up his elbow on the table anyway. Arms as large as trees, and biceps as big as her head many would have to question her sanity. However, the laughter that passed between them was enough to settle any wonderment of friendship.

"I do have something that I need help with." It took a lot for him to admit it, but there matters of his own heart that needed tended to. Things were not going well at the Asad household.

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

(delete please, posted to wrong thread)

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

Kae just watched him as they sat together then he spoke and at first his booming voice and words made her blink. That was until she grasped the meaning of them fully... Maahes was not going to make her prove she was still worthy of her title as Elite ranger.

Kae smiled slowly at him as he put his large arm on the table.... and then chuckled at his smirk for it was not often one saw General express such humor...Kae then put her arm on the table. Her sanity would be questioned indeed if one did not know them and the bond of friendship they had formed so many years ago. Locking her hand with his readying to wrestle..... both laughed and many heads turned to watch the scene.

Kae knew he could break her arm if he really wanted but yet it was still fun for two who were more often than not so serious to cut up a bit like children as they were now. " Whenever you are ready General... I promise not to hurt you." she teased with a smile and as they both got prepared for their fun battle.

It was then that in a single moment Kae grinned impishly and as she tightened her grip on his hand and fingers she reached over with her free hand and in a flash tickled the Giant and pinned his hand to the table " I Win!!" she giggled and all but jumped up and down like a school girl.

Then sobered as he spoke of needing help for it was rare when he said such " Maahes if I can help in anyway I will now what is this something you speak of?" her voice was soft and she looked peaceful for the first time in a long long time. If she could help she would or die trying.