The journey north had been swift, the blessings of the Nehekharan gods allowing Rowhaine and the Ushabti to continue for days at a time without rest. Into their third day a band of Orcs made the unfortunate mistake of attack the small group, and it was during the maelstrom of combat that the start reality of what he had become struck him.
Around him his faithful warriors formed a barrier of flesh and muscle that killed at least one if not more with each strike. The Orcs were battering themselves against the wall of bronze, bellowing and frothing as they saw their comrades swept aside.
'They seem so......slow'
You sound surprised
'Watching them, seeing how they fight. They are skilled, powerful, and yet it is almost as if they are cripples to my eyesight, barely moving'
Your are blessed my love. You surely cannot be surprised you rank higher than the greenskin?
'I am not referring to the greenskins' Rowhaine thought, 'I mean the Ushabti. They are the most powerful in Nehekhara, they bear your blessings. I see them now facing down many time their own number. Not one of them has fallen. Yet they seem......' His thoughts trailed off as he tried to gather them into something that made sense. 'I assumed with the Ushabti I would have kinship, they are humans with the blessing of the Nehekharan gods, yet that is not the case is it? What have you done to me.....what have you made me into?'
Silence followed the question. Moments passed and Rowhaine moved. To the eyes of the battling warriors one moment he was stood still, they next he caught the blade of an Orc's choppa with a solid thud. The strike had been about to strike a killing blow on the Ushabti, however the beast's triumphant snarl changed into a whimper as it looked at the new comer. In truth the Orc's red eyes could only made an outline against the dazzling aura, however that was enough to tell it was in trouble.
A wrench and it fell back screaming, arm trying to stauch the torrent of blood from the hold that once was his shoulder. The scream stopped when the Orc's choppa, complete with arm, was returned to it's owner.
You are special, you are our champion Rowhaine. Yes the Ushabti are also that but in a lesser way. We bless them, give them strength, speed and many other things.
But in you we imbue our trust, our hope......and as such we imbue part of ourselves. We see many things my love, some things we cannot tell you, for part of you is still mortal. But the time is coming when a champion will be needed and this time we chose to act.
When the Dark Lord rose we did not know the exact details of what would happen, but our foresight showed us enough to know something was coming. That time we made a mistake, we trusted that the meagre blessings we granted would be enough. We were wrong and for that the Covenant was broken for many years.
Now it has been remade, we will ensure it does not happen again. You are our assurance of this.
Rowhaine felt a thrill, although whether it was down to excitement or horror he wasn't sure.
'How do you not know I will not abuse this power?'
The fact you ask such a question tells much. We know you Rowhaine. You are very unique man, a truly honourable one. Not the false honour that some fools stick to, where they will let a land perish because of whimsical promise made.
We know that you are a man that will do whatever is necessary for the greater good, will commit the necessary sacrifices, make the difficult decisions.
'You call me a man......but I don't think I am any longer....am I?'
The battle was breathing its last, and Rowhaine knew has he walked forward that this would be question he would not receive a response to.
********
With a grunt Phahotep struck the rock again with his fist. Solid granite yet the blessing of Geheb enabled him to crack it like an egg. Grasping the crack the Ushabti lifted boulder rammed it firmly into the cave entrance.
"No wights will be coming out of there tonight" he grunted with approval. The hills had many barrows, most of them empty after the ransacking over the years. This one however still had intact wards that suggested the inhabitant still slumbered within.
More days had passed and it would be not much longer until they were on the border of Sylvania. They had decided to take one of their few rest stops here, to gather their strength for their final march.
The talk was little, and Rowhaine knew the Ushabti were thinking of who they were soon to meet. With their powers there were few things that concerned them, however vampires, especially the elder ones, were certainly a worry. The bravery and loyalty meant that most were not worried of their own skins, but of their charge.
In this Rowhaine remained silent. To broach the subject would be an insult to their honour, to remind them that he was more powerful than them would make it seem as if he did not value their presence. Still the mood was dark and he had just made up his mind to start a conversation when Muhra raised his head, sniffing at the wind.
In the blink of an eye the Ushabti were on their feet, weapons bared as they circled around Rowhaine. The scent was barely there on the wind, but it was there.....and had been for the last half an hour. Rowhaine had silently musing over, the familiarity of it, and now it was close enough he called out.
"Princess Anya."
The Ushabti looked at their master quizzically, before looking over as the air shimmered. Like a mirage it seemed to collapse in on itself to reveal a young woman. At first glance it was plain to see that she was beautiful, but not in the soft way of women. Instead she held herself like a warrior, and it was the harshness of her gaze, the firmset of the jaw that added to her allure. Her skin was bronzed from the sun like all of the new people of Nehekhara, her hair jet black.
Immediately the Ushabti dropped to one knee, as was befitting a princess of Rasetra. As was also befitting that warrior city she was garbed in bronze vestments, holding a khopesh in her hand that was a smaller version Rowhaine carried. The lightness in the way she hefted weapon however spoke of something more to her.
"Champion," she returned with a nod. The atmosphere seemed to gain tension, and without moving or raising their heads the Ushabti somehow made it clear that such a welcome was not of the proper respect. A second later she dropped to her knee as was the warrior way.
"Rise, all of you," Rowhaine commanded. His position granted him privilege above all others with perhaps the exceptions of the Kings, and even then even the great Settra was tactful in how the matter was handled. He barked orders to the Ushabti, spreading the out in defensive pattern as he approached the Princess.
"My Princess, why are you here? And without an escort, it was a foolhardy venture." His harsh words brought a glimmer of anger to Anya's eyes, but she quelled it before responding.
"No more foolhardy that your own journey. Am I not Ushabti, blessed of Neru? Whilst the other cities may coddle their royalty this is not the way of Raestra. After our offer was rejected, I thought it pertinent to accompany you of my own accord." Before Rowhaine could answer Anya carried on, eager to explain before he could raise objections,
"You have brought only warriors. The strongest ones of no doubt, but warriors nonetheless. I come as a protector against the arcane. You know as well as I that the blessings of Neru are barely known even amongst our own, outside of Nehekhara it would be a great boon."
Rowhaine sighed. In truth he had intended in bringing the princess, and it was only a direct letter of pleading from her doting father that had made him choose otherwise. The princess was.....troublesome. A potent warrior as would be expected of Raestra, but also stubborn and blunt. Rumour had it that she had only chosen to follow Neru's path as it was the most difficult and arduous, as such there were only four Ushabti who currently could claim Neru's blessing. From what he knew of the Princess, Rowhaine had no doubt the rumour was right.
The problem now was how to curb her rash tongue, to maintain peaceful relations. Had he known she was coming he would have spent time beforehand coaching her, however now he needed a stop gap.
"I see you have mastered the Unseeing," he spoke after a moment, "if you are to accompany us, you must remain hidden. Your talents may be of use, however if so, I want them to be a surprise. You will make yourself unseen, and you will not reveal yourself in any fashion without my direct command. Is this understood?"
Anya dipped her head, hiding a small smile of triumph. In truth she thought the Champion would had forced her back to Nehekhara, perhaps instructing some of his bodyguard to escort her. Remaining unseen was a compromise she was happy to commit to.
*************
Rowhaine regarded the unusual vampire in front of him. Kenshiro. A name certainly not from around these parts of the old world, and he had a sneaking suspicion of the lands where such a name would come from. However the vampire came with the blessing of Sweeney, and he was one of the scant few that Rowhaine had any measure of trust in.
Do not worry. He does not see her. Neru's blessing is quite absolute
'Your answering a thought I have not had'
I know you my love
Asaph had returned as of late, and he could sense her interest in the vampire before them. However more indepth investigation would have to wait until later. It would not be long until they reach the border of Sylvania, and Rowhaine hopped that Nehklior had remembered to meet him there. That last thing that was needed was a flashy entrance on the back's of dragons.......
