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Description
         Raje watched Gweyn leave, unsure of what to do after seeing the woman so distraut over the news of Ellis' death.
"It's hard to lose a subordinate, Raje," Aodohan said, clapping his hand on her shoulder as Raje began to move towards the door.  For a moment she stood still, her gaze lingering on the door.
"So, when I'm the one that is brought back for a prye, will anyone have that kind of reaction?" Raje asked in a whisper.  "If I can be brought back at all..."
"What are you getting at, Raje?" Aodohan asked roughly, causing Mallec and Ceara to look over.
"They'll probably do the same to me... skewered on a pole and paraded around like some..." Raje gasped and the color drained from her face, followed by a deep flush before she regained her composure.  "I mean, yes, sir, I understand.  I'm going to... go back to the inn, if I may," Raje said with a tremor in her voice, leaving before anyone could make a remark.
"What in the world was that about?"  Marrec asked, walking next to Aodohan and looking towards the door as it swung shut.  Aodohan gave a small sigh, for he had seen that kind of bravado in the field before.  "Ceara, make sure no one bothers Raje for a while," he said before going back to his map table.
"Yes, sir," she replied, exchanging a worried look with Marrec before going into the commons of the Blades' outpost.

Raje struggled to keep her pace calm and her breathing under control as old memories threatened to resurface with all the horror of when she first saw them.  She was dimly aware of entering the Inn, and tried to remind herself to greet Tieve.  But the moment she saw Tieve look her way she knew it would be impossible to hide it from her, so she gave a curt nod and headed for the stairs, nearly stumbling on a table when her eyes blurred for a moment.
"Are you okay, Raje?" Tieve asked, placing a hand upon Raje's arm.
"I... I must just be tired," Raje replied without looking at her and continued to the stairs.  The world seemed to tilt as she climbed the stairs, and her armor began to feel far too heavy as she made her way to her room, fumbling with the buckles and straps with shaking hands, nearly falling when she made it to the room.  The door slammed shut as she fell back against it, still struggling with the stubborn armor that seemed to refuse to come off, and as a massive sob racked her body she fell to her knees, forgetting the half undone armor.  The memories of her hometown bore down, all the grisly details being relived even as she tried to stay in control, but she could feel herself sobbing, and the sound of her crying seemed to almost come from someone else, someone that she could never comfort.  Just as she was about to scream out, something soft enveloped her head, and she heard a gentle voice comforting her as soft hands stroked her hair.  With the despiration of a child trying to escape a nightmare she clung to the warmth, letting it seep into her and drive away the hellish images of death and dismemberment.  After a few mintues her sobbing began to fade, but she kept her face buried.  There was no way that she wanted to face whoever it was that found her like that.  She had worked so hard, and now someone had seen her true nature.
"What happened, Raje?" Tieve asked, still stroking her hair.
"... Ellis was killed, but... I hate to sound heartless, but that's not what had me so... it made me remember what happened to my hometown," Raje's muffled voice was barely audible, but the way Raje clung tighter when Tieve tried to shift away made her resume stroking her hair.
"Gywen must have taken the news hard... Poor Ellis...  but why would that remind you of your town?" Tieve asked.
"Ellis... was like I was to my brother, somewhat.  I never aimed to become a fighter, but my brother... he taught me how to use the sword and shield, at least to defend myself... He was amazing.  Everything I've done, it's just child's play comapred to..." Raje choked back a sob and clung to Tieve, her shoulders shaking with the tears.  After she calmed down, she pushed away from Tieve and undid the remaining straps and buckles on her armor, setting it all on a shelf next to a heavy, locked chest.
"What are you doing, Raje?"
"Well, you might as well see the whole secret," Raje said, pulling a key from a hidden pocket sewn into the leg of her undergarmet.  With a click the key opened the lock on the chest, and Raje beconed Tieve over to the chest.  Inside was a dress made from some of the finest materials Tieve had ever seen, folded carefully so that there was not a single wrinkle, and stitched so finely that it seemed that the cloth simply fused together.
"Oh, my... what is this?"
"The dress my mother made for me... he said that he would escourt me to every ball when we finally had peace, wearing this dress, which matched the suit mother made for him... Help me put it on, I'll be more comfortable being my old self in it," Raje said, carefully removing the dress from the chest.
"Your old self?"
"I never wanted to fight.  I helped my mother around the house, I was learning to play music, cooking, all those things you take for granted," Raje explained as she unfolded the dress and began to put in on.  She twitched it into place as the fabric began to settle, and then turned her back to Tieve, so that she could lace up the back.  "I've learned to to it myself, but since you're here, I would appreciate the help," she said with a small smile.
As Tieve began pulling the laces taut, Raje continued.  "My family had olive groves, if you have ever heard of those.  We did well with them, so life was fairly comfortable.  Fomors weren't all that active in our lands for a long time, so we live at let live.  Our town did have it's own guards and a small militia, and my brother was amoung the most well known of them.  I don't know what happened, but one day the fomors began attacking traders that tried to get to our town."  Tieve had finished lacing up Raje's dress, and she turned around to face Tieve, pulling her hair out of it's usual ponytail as she took a brush out of the chest and began going over it gently.
"At first we were able to talk to the different fomors.  We found out that they were trying to keep humans in the north from killing their brethern by cutting off trade to them.  They didn't believe our delegates when they said that our town's goods couldn't be used for warfare, so we brought them samples of our olives, and the other products we made.  They did relent for a few months after that, but then the began attacking the traders again.  This time they told us that our goods were being used in raw material trades, and in turn we tried to get the traders to only trade in goods that wouldn't threaten the fomors.  As you can imagine, the traders from the north were not happy, and even threatened us with calling the royal army from this area.  In the end, we were forced to start sending our own guards and militia out to keep trade going, and the fighting started in earnest," Raje kept her tone calm and the brush strokes even, but the way she scowled when the sounds of soldiers from the Royal army drifted up to them made it clear that she was not fond of them.
"You mean... your town came under attack because of us?" Tieve asked, her dismayed expression underscoring her worried tone.
"Yes, and no.  Honestly, we could have closed off trade and still kept our town going.  Our family was vouching for that option.  But the larger Houses wanted to keep their profits... so greed is what ultimately caused the attack.  That, along with overconfidence in our protections, and underestimating the value of our goods to your war.  Apparently the traders were making huge deals with some of our goods.  A barrel of our olive oil could purchase full plate for three people, along with high grade weapons, or so I heard... after," Raje said, squeezing the brush handle with a white knuckled grip.
"But... we just want to find paradise, not cause suffering... why must it be like this?" Tieve asked, looking past Raje as if imploring an answer from an unseen being.
"Tieve, the world works like this... everywhere.  I wandered for a while after my town was gone, and I saw humans doing things to other humans that... well, I won't trouble you with that.  But I will say, I am very grateful for what lessons my brother gave me.  Sometimes I have wondered who the real monsters are," Raje replied, taking Tieve's hand.  "But then there are people like you, scattered about this world, who make me realize that it's not all bad."
For a few moments Tieve just looked at Raje, but then her eyes teared up and she hugged Raje, hiding her face in Raje's dark hair.  Raje simply smiled and held her gently.
"I came up here to make sure you were alright, and now I'm the one being comforted... I feel a bit silly now," Tieve said without moving.
"No, you're just helping me cope with being reminded of my past.  It's a hard story to bear alone, to be honest, so at least now there is one other person who knows the real me, not the battle hardened brute I become when I put on that armor," Raje replied with a smile.
"You are not!  You might be a little rougher, but you are still kind," Tieve said, pushing back.
"You haven't seen me fighting.  Not when I really let lose.  Just trust me that there are two very different sides," Raje said.  "If it's not too much of a bother, could you get some tea, or at least something soothing to drink?"
"Oh, of course.  I'll be back as soon as I can," Tieve said, pushing herself up and heading for the door.  "And I think you look much better."
Raje smiled as Tieve slipped out the door, and then resumed brushing her hair.  As long as she was going to wear the dress her mother made, she was going to look her best in it.  When her hair shimmered in the light, she set down the brush and reached for a thin box that was nestled at the bottom of the chest, and with a grin at the thought of how Tieve, or anyone else might react, she flipped open the lid and smiled into the small mirror inside.

Description
         Raje watched Gweyn leave, unsure of what to do after seeing the woman so distraut over the news of Ellis' death.
"It's hard to lose a subordinate, Raje," Aodohan said, clapping his hand on her shoulder as Raje began to move towards the door.  For a moment she stood still, her gaze lingering on the door.
"So, when I'm the one that is brought back for a prye, will anyone have that kind of reaction?" Raje asked in a whisper.  "If I can be brought back at all..."
"What are you getting at, Raje?" Aodohan asked roughly, causing Mallec and Ceara to look over.
"They'll probably do the same to me... skewered on a pole and paraded around like some..." Raje gasped and the color drained from her face, followed by a deep flush before she regained her composure.  "I mean, yes, sir, I understand.  I'm going to... go back to the inn, if I may," Raje said with a tremor in her voice, leaving before anyone could make a remark.
"What in the world was that about?"  Marrec asked, walking next to Aodohan and looking towards the door as it swung shut.  Aodohan gave a small sigh, for he had seen that kind of bravado in the field before.  "Ceara, make sure no one bothers Raje for a while," he said before going back to his map table.
"Yes, sir," she replied, exchanging a worried look with Marrec before going into the commons of the Blades' outpost.

Raje struggled to keep her pace calm and her breathing under control as old memories threatened to resurface with all the horror of when she first saw them.  She was dimly aware of entering the Inn, and tried to remind herself to greet Tieve.  But the moment she saw Tieve look her way she knew it would be impossible to hide it from her, so she gave a curt nod and headed for the stairs, nearly stumbling on a table when her eyes blurred for a moment.
"Are you okay, Raje?" Tieve asked, placing a hand upon Raje's arm.
"I... I must just be tired," Raje replied without looking at her and continued to the stairs.  The world seemed to tilt as she climbed the stairs, and her armor began to feel far too heavy as she made her way to her room, fumbling with the buckles and straps with shaking hands, nearly falling when she made it to the room.  The door slammed shut as she fell back against it, still struggling with the stubborn armor that seemed to refuse to come off, and as a massive sob racked her body she fell to her knees, forgetting the half undone armor.  The memories of her hometown bore down, all the grisly details being relived even as she tried to stay in control, but she could feel herself sobbing, and the sound of her crying seemed to almost come from someone else, someone that she could never comfort.  Just as she was about to scream out, something soft enveloped her head, and she heard a gentle voice comforting her as soft hands stroked her hair.  With the despiration of a child trying to escape a nightmare she clung to the warmth, letting it seep into her and drive away the hellish images of death and dismemberment.  After a few mintues her sobbing began to fade, but she kept her face buried.  There was no way that she wanted to face whoever it was that found her like that.  She had worked so hard, and now someone had seen her true nature.
"What happened, Raje?" Tieve asked, still stroking her hair.
"... Ellis was killed, but... I hate to sound heartless, but that's not what had me so... it made me remember what happened to my hometown," Raje's muffled voice was barely audible, but the way Raje clung tighter when Tieve tried to shift away made her resume stroking her hair.
"Gywen must have taken the news hard... Poor Ellis...  but why would that remind you of your town?" Tieve asked.
"Ellis... was like I was to my brother, somewhat.  I never aimed to become a fighter, but my brother... he taught me how to use the sword and shield, at least to defend myself... He was amazing.  Everything I've done, it's just child's play comapred to..." Raje choked back a sob and clung to Tieve, her shoulders shaking with the tears.  After she calmed down, she pushed away from Tieve and undid the remaining straps and buckles on her armor, setting it all on a shelf next to a heavy, locked chest.
"What are you doing, Raje?"
"Well, you might as well see the whole secret," Raje said, pulling a key from a hidden pocket sewn into the leg of her undergarmet.  With a click the key opened the lock on the chest, and Raje beconed Tieve over to the chest.  Inside was a dress made from some of the finest materials Tieve had ever seen, folded carefully so that there was not a single wrinkle, and stitched so finely that it seemed that the cloth simply fused together.
"Oh, my... what is this?"
"The dress my mother made for me... he said that he would escourt me to every ball when we finally had peace, wearing this dress, which matched the suit mother made for him... Help me put it on, I'll be more comfortable being my old self in it," Raje said, carefully removing the dress from the chest.
"Your old self?"
"I never wanted to fight.  I helped my mother around the house, I was learning to play music, cooking, all those things you take for granted," Raje explained as she unfolded the dress and began to put in on.  She twitched it into place as the fabric began to settle, and then turned her back to Tieve, so that she could lace up the back.  "I've learned to to it myself, but since you're here, I would appreciate the help," she said with a small smile.
As Tieve began pulling the laces taut, Raje continued.  "My family had olive groves, if you have ever heard of those.  We did well with them, so life was fairly comfortable.  Fomors weren't all that active in our lands for a long time, so we live at let live.  Our town did have it's own guards and a small militia, and my brother was amoung the most well known of them.  I don't know what happened, but one day the fomors began attacking traders that tried to get to our town."  Tieve had finished lacing up Raje's dress, and she turned around to face Tieve, pulling her hair out of it's usual ponytail as she took a brush out of the chest and began going over it gently.
"At first we were able to talk to the different fomors.  We found out that they were trying to keep humans in the north from killing their brethern by cutting off trade to them.  They didn't believe our delegates when they said that our town's goods couldn't be used for warfare, so we brought them samples of our olives, and the other products we made.  They did relent for a few months after that, but then the began attacking the traders again.  This time they told us that our goods were being used in raw material trades, and in turn we tried to get the traders to only trade in goods that wouldn't threaten the fomors.  As you can imagine, the traders from the north were not happy, and even threatened us with calling the royal army from this area.  In the end, we were forced to start sending our own guards and militia out to keep trade going, and the fighting started in earnest," Raje kept her tone calm and the brush strokes even, but the way she scowled when the sounds of soldiers from the Royal army drifted up to them made it clear that she was not fond of them.
"You mean... your town came under attack because of us?" Tieve asked, her dismayed expression underscoring her worried tone.
"Yes, and no.  Honestly, we could have closed off trade and still kept our town going.  Our family was vouching for that option.  But the larger Houses wanted to keep their profits... so greed is what ultimately caused the attack.  That, along with overconfidence in our protections, and underestimating the value of our goods to your war.  Apparently the traders were making huge deals with some of our goods.  A barrel of our olive oil could purchase full plate for three people, along with high grade weapons, or so I heard... after," Raje said, squeezing the brush handle with a white knuckled grip.
"But... we just want to find paradise, not cause suffering... why must it be like this?" Tieve asked, looking past Raje as if imploring an answer from an unseen being.
"Tieve, the world works like this... everywhere.  I wandered for a while after my town was gone, and I saw humans doing things to other humans that... well, I won't trouble you with that.  But I will say, I am very grateful for what lessons my brother gave me.  Sometimes I have wondered who the real monsters are," Raje replied, taking Tieve's hand.  "But then there are people like you, scattered about this world, who make me realize that it's not all bad."
For a few moments Tieve just looked at Raje, but then her eyes teared up and she hugged Raje, hiding her face in Raje's dark hair.  Raje simply smiled and held her gently.
"I came up here to make sure you were alright, and now I'm the one being comforted... I feel a bit silly now," Tieve said without moving.
"No, you're just helping me cope with being reminded of my past.  It's a hard story to bear alone, to be honest, so at least now there is one other person who knows the real me, not the battle hardened brute I become when I put on that armor," Raje replied with a smile.
"You are not!  You might be a little rougher, but you are still kind," Tieve said, pushing back.
"You haven't seen me fighting.  Not when I really let lose.  Just trust me that there are two very different sides," Raje said.  "If it's not too much of a bother, could you get some tea, or at least something soothing to drink?"
"Oh, of course.  I'll be back as soon as I can," Tieve said, pushing herself up and heading for the door.  "And I think you look much better."
Raje smiled as Tieve slipped out the door, and then resumed brushing her hair.  As long as she was going to wear the dress her mother made, she was going to look her best in it.  When her hair shimmered in the light, she set down the brush and reached for a thin box that was nestled at the bottom of the chest, and with a grin at the thought of how Tieve, or anyone else might react, she flipped open the lid and smiled into the small mirror inside.