Guild Wars 2

Swamp and jungle smells mingled as they arrived at Broken Arrow Waypoint. The volcano was still a fair distance away. Ajjai pulled a crystal from her pocket and attuned it to their location. A map was projected for the two Charr to see. She pointed to a camp south of their current location.

“We will make a pit stop there. Grimm should be waiting for us.” She told them and pocketed the crystal again.

“Grimm?” Euryale asked.

“He is also someone important to me, but he is her brother. When he heard I planned on looking for his sister he insisted on coming.”

Ajjai took a few steps forward before Valter picked her up. He set her on his shoulders. He tilted his head to see her from the corner of his eye with a small growl.

“Don’t let it get to your head Shrimpy. It’s just faster this way.”

She took a careful hold on his mane as he loped towards Firebreak Fort. The scout waved goodbye to them. His information was well worth the price she’d paid. She would have gotten better quality from Sriyil, but the Priory had her busy with a mission. Somehow she’d tracked Valter for her. The wily Asura could probably charm the dragons, if given enough time and resources.

A patrol greeted them as they neared the fort. They glanced curiously at Ajjai on Valter’s shoulders. The Charr opened his mouth to comment and thought better of it when both Valter and Euryale growled. Nobody needed to get involved in a fight now, not so near to the volcano. They would be fighting Inquest soon enough.

An Asura waved excitedly to them from the wall. He rushed out to meet them, nearly tripping down some steps. He stopped short of the Charr. He looked nervous until he saw Ajjai. His face lit up in a smile, his ears rising.

“You made it! I was beginning to worry.”

Ajjai hopped down to introduce everyone. “Valter, Euryale, I’d like you to meet my Krewemate, fellow genius, and inventor extraordinaire, Grimm Von Bolt.” Without waiting for everyone to exchange pleasantries she turned to him. “Which golems did you bring?”

“My usual trio, I also brought DOLPHA and REX. DOLPHA is waiting if we need her. I have EINS and RAMMUS.”

Ajjai sighed, shaking her head. “ATX-010 and AZR-100 are not ready. I told you. ATX is unstable and AZR isn’t much better. Are they in the fort?”

Grimm looked down sheepishly. “Yes.”

“How’d you manage that?” Ajjai had her hands on her hips as she leaned closer to Grimm. A look of suspicion and curiosity flitted across her face as her ears swiveled forward.

“I,” he hesitated, peeking to his Krewemate, “I didn’t tell them the whole truth.”

Ajjai gave him a narrow eyed look of disbelief. She looped her arm through his and they waddled towards the fort together. Valter and Euryale followed. The Asurans would have to power up all of the units. It would give them time to catch a second wind.

The Order members were eager to exchange news with the Charr visitors. Valter told them of recent festivals near his home. He shared what he could remember from a Lion’s Arch bulletin, mostly rankings of pit fighting teams. He recalled something about a new ship, to be named in honor of a departed hero. He glanced over to the Asurans while he was talking with the others. Someone from the fort was helping them power up IKE and BOWSER.

Once all of the golems were powered up Ajjai climbed onto REX and Grimm strapped himself in to his golem suit. The heavy machines stomped from the fort. Stealth and speed were not an option. They would have to reach the volcano, find a way down into the crater, and fight through however many Inquest decided to be in their way. Along their journey they would be looking for Takka.

~~~
As night fell Valter called a halt to their progress. They would have to reach the volcano tomorrow. He knew by the look Ajjai gave him that she would have pushed on recklessly. In this her heart was overriding her reason. Luckily he would not have to argue with her.

Grimm hopped down from his golem and stretched. “Ajjai, what’s for dinner?” Right on cue his stomach and that of the Charrs’ growled and gurgled with emptiness.

Ajjai hopped down from her golem, chagrined. "I’ll whip up something. Start a fire for me.”

She dug through her pack then looked around their campsite. Valter did not know when, but he was annoyed that she had disappeared when he turned around to ask her a question. Neither Grimm nor Euryale had seen her walk away. If she did not come back soon he was going to look for her.

Just as Valter was going to search for her, she returned. In one hand she held a fist full of herbs and the other held three rabbits by their ears. They were already dead. She held them up to Valter, frowning at him. He sighed and took the rabbits to skin and clean them for her. They would be little more than a snack for the two Charr, but she obviously had something in mind.

Valter glanced up as he worked on the rabbits. His pintsized friend was running the show, as usual. She had given Euryale orders to fill her pot with fresh water. Then she had turned to Grimm and had him recalibrating one of their messenger golems to fetch something for her. She was setting up a portable, and experimental, teleportation array. How they traveled with so many gadgets all the time he would never know. Maybe they kept them all in a dimensional rift.

Once Grimm had finished with the messenger golem Ajjai had taken it and was giving it very detailed instructions. Then she set it on the array. It crackled, glowing brightly as parts whirred and whined noisily. It darkened again. The golem was gone and the Asurans traded a look.

“Did it work?” Euryale asked as she eyed the array curiously.

Grimm shrugged. “We’ll know that if the golem returns. This is our first field test.”
“Why haven’t you tested it before?”

“Because he only just finished it,” Ajjai cut in with a scowl for the Charr. “He rushed it last night to have it ready to go today. We’ll be lucky if it does teleport it in the air or into a rock somewhere.”

“I did calibrate it to the pad in our lab!” Grimm said defensively as he spread his hands.

“Mistakes do happen.” She went quiet then smacked her hands to her cheeks. “What if it arrived in the pad? What if it blows up our lab?”

Valter was almost amused by the faces his friend made. She pouted and he patted her shoulder gently. He knew how much she loved the lab and her new Krewe. She looked over to him as he crouched at her side. A pout still puckered her lips petulantly.

“Your lab will be fine. Besides, if it blows up you’ll just get Sriyil to help you charm people for funds to build a new one.”

That worked. Her pout disappeared as her ears perked. “We could use a bigger bay for golem construction. Maybe Sriyil will help me get funds to expand our lab.”

Valter sighed. Now he’d given her an idea. Her plans and musings were interrupted as the golem returned. Grimm cheered, whooping at the success of the array. Ajjai gave a little sniff then set about cooking dinner. The golem had brought back some cuts of meat, which Ajjai cooked in a skillet as she prepared a stew with the rabbits. His stomach rumbled again at the aroma, but he knew better than to venture closer to the food. That would only cause him pain.

He moved to sit back next to Euryale. The female Charr was watching Ajjai, her ears flicking thoughtfully. She had a question, but she was not going to ask it. It made Valter curious as to what had made his friend curious.

At last she asked, “What was it you gave to Tribune Brimstone?”

Ajjai’s ears swiveled forward, but she did not look up. “Nothing. Just a momento.”

Valter snorted. “You Asuras don’t carry trinkets around. It was important.”

She was quiet. Her face took on a reflective quality. The memory held great significance for her. “My former Krewe and I invented a golem with a pilot interface. Snaff’s golemancery work was revolutionary and lost with his death. We were competing for Snaff’s Prize and, with it, the Snaff’s Savant title. We all got pins for winning. It has his face on it.” She paused before speaking in sentimental tones that Valter rarely hear her use. “I thought he might like it.”

Euryale looked over to Valter, but he was watching his little friend. She surprised him more and more. She and Sriyil were unofficial members of his warband, but no less important to him than Euryale or the others. Ajjai had a hard personality to get along with and he hadn’t, not a first, but she’d proved herself in battle to be as capable as any Charr. She’d even saved his hide a time or two he recalled. She was mean and a bully and he had no idea what to do about her when she wasn’t acting like herself.

He looked up as Grimm held out a bowl for him and Euryale. He smiled to Valter, evidently more comfortable around the two Charr now. He looked over his shoulder to Ajjai as she fixed a bowl for Grimm and herself.

“She is a kittene to get used to, but I like her.” He said softly so she wouldn’t overhear them. “She gets like this when she’s worried. She almost took off after Takka when I told her about the note she’d left me.”

Valter arched a brow. “What changed her mind?”

Grimm chuckled, spreading his hands. “Sriyil, of course, she suggested we get more help if we’re going to be tangling with the Inquest. You were the first person Ajjai thought of and, anticipating that, Sri told her where to find you.”

“How does she know so much?” He asked with a shake of his head.

“I suppose she has good connections with the Order of Whispers and they know whenever the Tribune sneezes.” He waddled back to Ajjai, sitting with her.

The meal passed quietly. Ajjai had prepared exactly enough to feed everyone. She volunteered to take first watch for the night and argued with Valter until he agreed. He would take second watch and then Grimm and then Euryale. He was reluctant to sleep though. Knowing Ajjai she would attempt to stay awake all night so they could sleep. Again, Grimm saved him from arguing further with her by setting the golems to watch. Each one had a built in alarm, to prevent theft, but with a minor adjustment could be used to awaken them in the case of danger.

Valter watched the two Asurans work. He would stay awake until he saw them sleep. He was not sure he’d be able to sleep, even with the golems standing guard. They were not alive and did not have senses the way a living thing did. He just hoped they’d be good enough to warn them of danger before it was too late. He sighed as he settled back on his blanket.

~~~
How or when Valter had fallen asleep he did not know. His nose twitched and he opened his eyes a sliver to peek around. He was momentarily confused to see the jungle around him when he remembered why he was there. Ajjai had asked for his help. Ajjai? He sat up to look for her and felt relief wash over him to see she was making breakfast. He almost felt guilty for assuming she might sneak off without them. It did look as though she had not slept much.

Grimm touched her shoulder, speaking softly to her. She shook her head. His ears drooped a bit and he looked over to Valter. The other male knew his friend well. So she hadn’t slept, but he knew better than to think she would slow them down. It would have to be a cold day in Ascalon before she’d jeopardize any mission by slowing her team.

Again, Grimm brought them their food. Valter nudged Euryale awake. She grunted and growled grumpily, but her mood improved the moment she was handed food. Valter caught Grimm before he walked away. He glanced pointedly at Ajjai, asking a wordless question.

The Asura sighed, shaking his head. “She was up and down all night. I heard her pacing at one point.” An ear twitched as he pursed his lips thoughtfully. “My sister is… delicate. She is a good necromancer, but not strong – in personality. Ajjai is overbearing at times, but she is protective of Takka. They’re good friends. She is just worried. We’ve all had bad brushes with the Inquest before and after joining our Orders.”

Valter didn’t stop him again as he walked back to eat with Ajjai. The Charr ate quietly while the Asurans murmured about something. Valter thought it had to do with the golems. He eyed them. The tiny race certainly knew how to make some grand machines, but he thought they still paled in comparison to the Iron Legion machines.

“Mm, that smells good!” A new, female voice pulled Valter from his reminiscing. An Asura waddled into the camp.

“Sriyil!” Ajjai bounded up to hug the taller Asura. “What are you doing here? I thought you were busy. Did you leave your team again?”

She giggled as she nodded. “I did, but I had to.” Her face sobered. “The Inquest is aware of Takka and what she’s after. She is at the volcano now and they are right behind her.”

Ajjai’s ears pinned back as she cast a look to the volcano. The quickest way down was through the research camp, but the golems would have a hard time on the stairs, if they could make it down at all. They would have to take a longer route, just for them.

“I can help with that.” Sriyil said, deciphering the look on her Krewemate’s face. “If you can help me with a little magical oomph I can move your golems safely. You’ll still have to reach them though.”

“We can cross the crater from the research camp.”

She nodded. “There are some indigenous creatures up there, but they shouldn’t give you too much trouble. I don’t have much time so let’s get started.”

Valter stared after the two females. Grimm followed to help them and was promptly sent to sit with the Charr. He sighed watching them hustle his golems into a tight circle. The markings were Sriyil’s but the magic was all Ajjai’s. The glyphs flashed and the machines disappeared. Sriyil waddled over to them with a cheeky little smile. Valter couldn’t help grinning back at her.

“I delivered my message, so I must go. Just remember I have an eye and ear on you guys.” Valter was surprised to receive a hug from her. She was the nicest, friendliest Asura he’d ever met and she proved it every time. “Find my Krewemate please.”

With a jaunty little wave the Asura disappeared. In and out so fast that Valter wondered if he’d imagined her. He glanced around; nope, definitely not imagined. The golems were gone. He and Euryale would have to –

Scrrrrape. Scrrrratch.

The noise drew his attention. Ajjai used the butt of her staff to draw another circle. A frown creased her brow as she concentrated. He was familiar with some of the markings she was using. She was going to teleport them.

“We’re not running?” Euryale asked his question.

“Part way. I was going to speak to another scout before reaching the volcano, but since Sriyil found us, we can’t wait. We’ll just stop at the research camp and move on to the golems.” She answered.

Euryale looked up to Valter. He shrugged. A shorter run was more ideal. They would no doubt have to fight once they ran into the Inquest. They would have more energy for that now.

Grimm readied his rifle, checking the sight on it. He had more ammunition on his tool belt. His turrets were with the golems, but he knew they were in good working order. His pistols were with him too, but his shield was on the golem BOWSER. He would have time to grab it before any fighting broke out. He muttered quietly to himself then nodded. He was ready.

In that time Euryale had also primed some spells for use. They had a bit of a run ahead of them after teleport, but they still might need to fight before they reached the golems or the Inquest camp. It paid to be ready. She patted herself to be sure her preferred weapons were within easy reach. She chuffed.

“Come.” Ajjai called them.

They stood around her. She thumped her staff in the circle. The marks on the ground glowed brightly and they reappeared at the research camp near the summit of the volcano. A scientist ran over to greet them, speaking quickly to the Asurans. Valter tuned her out. Apparently, Ajjai didn’t want to talk to her either.

“We’re leaving. We’ll be returning shortly. Keep an eye out for Inquest.” She clipped a warning to the scientist and look of panic crossed the scientist’s face. “Euryale, I need a lift.”

Euryale crouched for her to settle on her shoulders. The Asura’s fingers threaded gently through her mane to hold on. Valter put Grimm on his shoulders and they loped off. They were able to avoid most of the animals in their path. Rocks shifted behind them as they disturbed earth elementals, but they did not chase the small group. The imps and breezeriders chased them, but not very far.

The golems were ahead of them. Sriyil had marked a place with dense foliage to cover them until they could catch up. Grimm was more than relieved to see his inventions again. He was impatient to inspect them and nearly fell off Valter’s back in his own rush. The Charr chuckled as he set the Asura down. He ran over to his golems, walking around them several times before climbing into his suit and strapping himself in.

Ajjai did not move from Euryale’s shoulders. She crossed her arms as she scowled about something. Valter did not know if she was mad at Grimm or just mad because she was worried. He wanted to reassure her, but he knew she wouldn’t feel better until they found Takka. Though, he did think beating up a few Inquest would recover some of her humor.

“I’m ready!” Grimm called from inside his suit.

It thundered as it bounded towards them. The other golems followed in his wake.

“That way.” Ajjai pointed down the slope.

The curve of the hill gave way to a path inside the volcano. Again there was no stealth in their approach as the golems made enough noise to sound like a landslide. But, Valter was surprised, no Inquest attacked them. The camp was noisy too and even the volcano made sound to cover their advance. Steam hissed from a nearby vent.

Ajjai hopped down when the camp came into sight. She summoned her flesh golem. The sentries did not see them right away. One Asura crouched to take aim as another ran to set an alarm. They were too far away to stop him as a siren wailed, alerting the camp to their presence. Ajjai gave a soft growl and her masque made her eyes gleam. She was excited.

Euryale glanced at the small female then shot a look to Valter. He’d known battle would raise her spirits. The little Asura was a Charr at heart. He pulled his staff free to empower them as a line of warding temporarily cut their enemies off from reaching them.

As soon as the line dissipated Ajjai rushed forward with a yell. Her form changed, darkening as black wisps swirled around her. She siphoned the life force from the nearby Inquest in her death shroud. Those that remained standing were caught in the chains of torment that followed. They collapsed on the ground, writhing and screaming in pain. Euryale charged after her, not about to be outdone by someone less than half her own size.

Valter sighed and looked back to Grimm. The golem suit was slow and bulky. The girls would have the place cleaned out before he caught up. The light assault golem, REX, passed Grimm. It caught up with Ajjai and Euryale and began to blast the Inquest back with compressed air streams. Valter only barely caught some excited words from Grimm in his suit. He didn’t seem too upset about missing out a little action since his invention was evidently working very well.

They caught up with the women in a moment. Euryale was standing back from Ajjai, her arms folded over her chest as she watched the smaller female. The Asura was putting on a good bully routine. An injured Inquest scientist was at her feet. He scowled up to her.

“I’m not telling you anything!” He snarled then yowled when she pulled his ears.

“You’ll tell me or these ears are going to end up knotted behind your head!” She threatened, tugging harder on his ears.

“OW! All right!” Ajjai released his ears and he rubbed them as he glared at her. “The thief is at the heart of the volcano. A team followed her there. She stole an experimental power core from us and is planning to use the volcano to charge it. Inquisitor Dakk wants the core back and he’s going to keep her to teach her what we do to people who think they can steal from us.”

Ajjai lunged for the Inquest scientist with shriek, but Valter caught her first. He hauled her back and kept her from pummeling the male. She turned to swat at his arm, but he did not release her.

She snarled as she pointed a clawed finger at the scientist. “You’re lucky some people want to see you or I’d turn you into a shriveled little husk right here!”

He sneered at her. “Your Krewemate will be dead before you ever find her.”

Valter almost lost his hold on her as she twisted violently and lunged for the male again. Grimm reached him first, settling an amulet around his neck. The Inquest scientist disappeared, teleported by the charm on the necklace. Ajjai seethed, rigid in her stance. Grimm carefully sidled closer to her and rested a hand on her shoulder. Valter could only stare as she relaxed and nodded to her Krewemate. He would have to get him to tell him his secret. He could never get her to calm down that quick.

“Let’s move. Takka is ahead of us and I want to reach her before the Inquest do.”

The small Asura took off in a run. Grimm clambered back into his golem and lumbered after her. The other golems ranged between them at varying speeds based on their builds. Valter was reluctant to leave Grimm behind, but he wanted to be up with Ajjai. She got herself into too much trouble on her own. He glanced up to Grimm. The golem suit gave him a thumbs up. He grinned and loped off after Ajjai.

~~~
The tunnels leading to the cavernous crater of the magma chamber were small and narrow. Valter and Euryale had to stay on all fours to make it through without hitting their heads or scraping their horns on the rock above them. Ajjai was gone. She’d gotten too far ahead and had left everyone behind. Valter only hoped she did not get herself in trouble before they could help her. Before the Charr had gotten separated Grimm had said he’d look for a wider entrance to bring the golems through. It might be a long time before the cavalry arrived.

Valter huffed, entering the crater ahead of Euryale. They ducked behind a tumble of rocks to survey the situation. Ajjai was nowhere in sight, but there was a little horde of Inquest between them and another Asura, who stood dangerously close to the magma. He looked around again, trying to spot his friend. He took a breath to sigh his relief when her head popped up from behind some rocks opposite them. She looked at them then stared across the crater to her endangered Krewemate.

“Shrimpy, don’t do it.” Valter growled, watching her. She looked at him again and then to the Inquest. He shook his head when he caught her attention had returned to him.

For just a second he thought she might listen to him. He didn’t know why he believed it. She was going to do whatever she wanted to do because it was what she wanted to do and being an Asura she was right to do it. He should know that by now. They were an unstoppable force when they decided on something.

“What is she doing? She’s not going out there alone, is she?” Euryale asked at his side.

Valter groaned. “She is. She knows we need a distraction to move, so she’s going to be it. She is counting on us to come help her once we start moving.”

“She’s insane!” Ajjai was pelting across the floor before Euryale finished.

“I think they all are.” He muttered, grabbing his staff. “Let’s move.”

Ajjai laid out marks ahead of her, poisoning, chilling, and inciting fear in the Inquest. She had their attention now, like she had planned. It was just a matter of keeping the situation contained until Valter and Euryale arrived. That should be easy enough!

Two engineers dropped turrets before facing her. One Inquest remained focused on Takka while the others turned to face the new threat. Ajjai entered her death shroud to siphon the life force from the already weakened Inquest, but they were sturdier than those they had left behind to guard the camp. She dodged one crackling bolt, but was hit by a second one from the other turret. She gasped in pain as her side burned. She dodged again, narrowly avoiding being hit a second time. She tried to focus on the fight.

A blue shield blocked an attack she had not seen coming. Valter gave a low growl and spared her a quick glare to let her know he wasn’t happy with her. He turned to face the Inquest. Euryale put out a ring of fire, trapping two Inquest with her. She could handle herself. Valter worked with Ajjai, empowering her as she murmured quick curses to bleed her opponents. A few fled rather than face the small force. Charr were hard to deal with.

Grimm arrived in time to stop their retreat. EINS met them first and, for a time, the golem did pretty well. One of the Inquest landed a lucky grenade on the not-so-lucky golem. The golem stiffened as its circuits shorted out. It exploded in a burst of flames, taking the two Inquest with it. Grimm fired rockets from his suit, further driving back the Inquest. They slowly advanced until only the Inquisitor was between them and Takka.

Dakk snarled as he faced them. His pistol pointed at Takka across from him. “You’re here for her and I’ll make sure you don’t get her.” He snarled. “Just stay back, all of you.”

“If you harm her you’ll get no rest in the Mists when I’m through with you!” Ajjai snapped, her hands balled into fists as she bristled at the Inquisitor. “By the Eternal Alchemy, I swear it.”

He sniffed, his finger twitched on the trigger. REX and IKE fidgeted behind Grimm, momentarily distracting Dakk from the real threat. RAMMUS had shorted out only a few seconds ago. The golem whirled on the axis of its hips as it walked forward, plowing into Dakk. The Inquisitor screamed as he and the golem fell into the magma.

Ajjai put her fists on her hips and glared at Takka. She did not know if she should be elated she was unharmed or furious for the entire ordeal. She would have to be one of them first.

“What,” she exploded, “were you thinking? Do you have any idea how worried we became after reading your cryptic message?” Takka withered under her friend’s fury, cringing as large tears began to slide down her cheeks. Ajjai relented and hugged her tightly. “I’m so glad you’re all right! I was afraid we’d be too late.”

“I did not mean to worry you. I thought I would try another power source for my invention. It didn’t work anyway.” She showed them the ruined power core. Her hands were burnt, which made Ajjai squeal.

“Takka! Why didn’t you say anything? Grimm, bring one of you elixir kits. Her hands are burnt.” Ajjai ordered everyone around, taking command of the situation again.

Valter picked her up and gently set her on his shoulders. “Shrimpy, she’s safe now, but we’re not. We should leave before more of these pipsqueaks come along.”

Grimm carefully wrapped his sister’s hands then helped her into the back harness of his golem. He climbed into the pilot harness, reactivating the controls. They were ready to go now. The Charr loped ahead and Grimm followed in his golem.

Ajjai was quiet. She kept an eye and ear out for danger, but her thoughts were on Takka. She would probably look for another power source, leave another note, or none at all, and then they might never see her again. It would be best to speak to Grimm. Between the two of them Ajjai felt they could come up with a safe solution. Safe did not always get results, so they would have to work hard. Her frown bordered on a pout and she curled her fingers more tightly into Valter’s mane. She was lost in her thoughts.

Valter chanced tilting his head enough to see Ajjai. She’d been frowning, but now she looked tired and almost sad. He wouldn’t ask. She never answered him when he did. She might speak to him on her own though. He could probably entice her to speak by getting her to help him re-braid his mane. Despite the odd shape of her hands they were much smaller and more nimble than his own. She did better braids than he or Euryale managed.

There was little resistance as they made their escape. When they finally returned to the research camp another Asura attended to Takka’s hands. Ajjai had watched then stepped away to prepare at teleportation circle. The medic checked everyone else, treating their cuts and scrapes. She would have checked on Ajjai too, but the surly necromancer wouldn’t let her near. It worried Valter as he watched her. The golems were shuffled into a separate circle to be returned to the lab and they all stepped into the other one once it was ready.

~~~
Cool, salty air greeted them as they arrived in Lion’s Arch. Gulls screamed as they soared in the air. A Norn woman exited the inn to greet them. Ajjai stiffly followed her inside. She showed them their rooms. Takka and Grimm shared a room, Ajjai had her own, and Valter and Euryale were together as well. Grimm helped his sister into bed. The medic had insisted she rest. Ajjai disappeared quietly into her room. Valter looked after her, staring at her closed door. He decided to give her space. He would speak to her later. He followed Euryale as she stalked into their room. She huffed as she looked around then curled her lip at Valter.

“You’re still here? Go talk to her.” She growled at him.

“Shouldn’t I leave her alone for a little while?” Women were tricky and he wasn’t sure what to do.

“If she doesn’t want you around she’ll swat your nose. I’ve learned that!” Euryale rubbed her nose.

Valter grinned. “Thanks Eury.”

He left to find his friend. He hoped she would still be in her room. When he reached the door he leaned in to listen. It was quiet. He stepped back, wondering again if he should leave. He huffed and while he was debating it she opened the door.

Ajjai folded her arms as she glared up at him. Her armor was gone, replaced by light, comfortable clothes. “I thought I heard something grinding gears out here. You going to come in or what Pitters?”

She waddled away, leaving him at the door. He watched her move towards a chair in the center of the room. Something was wrong. He looked around, sniffing softly. Blood. She was hurt! She did not appear outwardly injured, but she had not let the medic see her either. She had hidden her pain.

Valter growled as he stomped over to her. “Why didn’t you let the medic look at you Shrimpy?”

She sighed deeply as she sat, shifting carefully to relax in her seat. “I don’t think she could have tended this.” She lifted the hem of her shirt for him to see.

A burn covered her entire right side from her ribs to her hips, blistered and raw. Thin rivers of blood came from the worst of them. There was one Charr-sized handprint in the ruined flesh where he had picked her up. The skin had pulled away, exposing the raw tissue underneath. She let her shirt fall to cover it again.

His nostrils flared. He was upset she had not said anything. He had no doubt he had hurt her when he had picked her up, but she had given no indication of pain then. He was mad she had not let the medic see it. He was mad she was injured. Most of all, he was mad at himself for not protecting her better. He roared his outrage in self-loathing.

Euryale, Grimm, and Takka rushed into the room. Other patrons came to see what the fuss was about, but a snarl from Euryale kept most of them away. Grimm waddled closer, his sister following a few steps behind him. Ajjai wouldn’t look at anyone.

Grimm turned to Valter. “What happened?”

“She is hurt, but she didn’t tell any of us.” He growled, waving a paw at Ajjai. He crossed his arms as he glared at her now.

Ajjai was still ignoring everyone.

“How bad is it?” Takka asked softly from behind her brother, worry coloring her voice.

“Very.”

Euryale walked closer. “Let us see.”

“Just go away!” Ajjai said sullenly. “I already sent for a specialist.”

Euryale would have pressed the matter, but Grimm knelt in front of his Krewemate, gently placing his hands on her knees. She looked at him for a long moment then nodded slowly. She turned her head towards the wall, gritting her teeth and gripping her seat. He carefully pulled her shirt up to see the injuries. His face crumpled and he looked up at her. It hurt she had not told him either. He glanced at the burns again, noting how the damaged skin had torn.

Grimm lurched to his feet. His ears pinned back as his hands balled into fists. He bristled as he faced Valter. He was the only one who had touched her since the fight.

“How could you?” His accusing glare focused solely on the big Charr. “How could you hurt her? She is my Krewemate! My family! You brutish oaf!” He hopped a step closer in agitation. “I thought you were friends! I thought she was part of your warband! –“

“Whoa!” This was news to Euryale.

“How could you treat your own family like this?” He raged at him.

Valter did not respond. He watched Ajjai. More than anything he hated himself for the pain she’d endured because of him.

Ajjai leaned forward to pinch the tip of Grimm’s ear. “Stop that. He is my friend and we are family. Don’t talk to him like that!” She groaned and leaned back to ease the stretching on the burns. She panted softly. “Just… just be quiet or go away.”

“Why didn’t you tell any of us?” Euryale finally asked her.

“Because Valter was right. We had saved Takka, but we still had to get ourselves out of danger.”

“Then why not let the medic see it?”

Ajjai’s lip curled into a snarl. “No way! I need an Inquest expert!”

Euryale looked over to Valter and he shrugged. Mysteries around the Asura he typically left Ajjai to explain. He did not know there could be Inquest experts. Euryale looked like she was going to ask more questions, but there was a knock at the door. She went to open it and stared down at the three Asurans who stood bickering in the hall.

One, Valter recognized, was Zojja, but the other two he did not know. Zojja was nose to nose with a male Asura. Another female stood back from the two. She looked annoyed by her associates.

Ajjai groaned and all conversation paused. “All of you stop fighting! You,” her hand encompassed all Asurans present, “I will tie your ears in a knot behind your head if you don’t stop. And you,” she pointed to Valter and Euryale, “don’t make me pull your whiskers out.”

Euryale covered her muzzle with her paws. She shot a glance over to Valter, but he was still fixated on his friend. Despite her brave front she was in a great deal of pain. He could see it in the tense lines of her face and the way her ears pressed themselves against her skull. She shifted gingerly in her seat.

Zojja crossed to her first, gently lifting her shirt to see the damage. She sighed, shaking her head. The other female came over. She carried two bags, no doubt supplies for whatever they might need to do. The male followed more reluctantly. He eyed Zojja then the Charr warily before looking at the burns on Ajjai’s side. His gaze flew up to Valter then.

Valter left the room with a loud sigh. He had only wanted to speak to his friend. Instead he had gotten distracted by her injury and now he was everyone’s enemy. He left the inn, wandering around Lion’s Arch. His thoughts were on Ajjai. She was a Charr in a tiny Asuran body. He knew her people had big personalities to match their big egos, but she did not quite talk like they did. She felt like a Charr.

He stopped on the bridge and looked across the bay. Despite being an Asura and so very different she had wheedled her way into his warband. There weren’t many he trusted as implicitly as he did her. A worried sigh escaped him. He was afraid for her and only hoped the other Asurans could help her. He sat on the bridge, staring at the fragments of sunlight rippling on the surface of the water as he thought of his experiences with Ajjai.

A small body waddled up beside him to sit quietly with him. He knew it was Sriyil. She knew everything almost as soon as it happened or within moments after it occurred, it was uncanny.

“Aja is tougher than she looks. She will be fine in a few days.”

Valter did not reply, still focused on the water. He was worried about her. She had never been so hurt before, not around him least ways. Seeing her in pain, fear gnawed at him. She could have died. They had not been friends for very long, but she was important to him. Their friendship was special. He looked down when Sriyil grabbed his paw. He met her bright eyes. A smile played across her lips. She was the most cheerful person he knew, especially among Asurans.

“She will be fine, Valter. You two will be fighting again in no time.” She reassured him again.

His gaze shifted over the bay again. “She looks so fragile and vulnerable. She is so fierce it frightens me to see her any other way.”

The Asura giggled at him. “She will be her normal, cranky self when the medicine wears off.”

“I should have paid more attention. I should have protected her better.” He yowled as she pulled his whiskers.

“Don’t make her cry, Valter. She’d be upset if you were hurt. “She shrugged. “You can’t change things now. Everyone made it out of there in one piece; be thankful for that.”

He smiled down at her. “Thanks Sriyil.”

“It’s what I’m here for!” She replied enthusiastically with a grin then added, “and snooping too.”

“Snooping on who?”

“No one at the moment, dear Valter.” She shook her head at him. “I came because Takka told me Ajjai was hurt.”

“No ulterior motives?” He asked dubiously.

She shrugged with a little smile, her ears rising with her shoulders. “I might have plans for later. I do have to make up for cutting out on a mission with my order.”

He chuckled.

“I hear Zojja is here, so maybe I can pick her brains about what happened to Ajjai and take that information back to the Priory.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Then again, there are others who owe me favors. I might just call in a marker.”

He shook his head at her. “Thanks again, for everything Sri.”

She smiled. “A warband is family, Valter, and family looks out for each other.”

Sriyil stayed with him for a while longer, watching the ships on the bay. Valter was not sure when she left, but only became aware of it when he turned to ask if she would like to get some food with him. He doubted anyone at the inn had eaten. Euryale might have, but he couldn’t be sure. She might have had her paws full with the Asurans. He got to his feet. He’d buy some food and return now. It was getting dark. He hoped they were done and he could see his friend again.

~~~
Author’s Note
Whew! That was a long one, but I hope you all like it. There is a tentative part three to this story, but it’s not been written (yet). If you made it this far, please feel free to give me some feedback! <3 Ajjai’s Dilemma - Part one to this story.