"Chimi," dad said quietly from her right, "are you well?"
"Nay, I'm completely well toff and birdwatching," she said drily.
"You can do that posh talk when you're empress of Eiramoor." Father sat down on the edge of the bed. "Eleanor has everyone up in hurrah at you being Rasu Reborn."
She paused for a moment, "Careful, I might set you on fire."
He chuckled, "Glad you're taking the hard times well."
Chimi felt her stomach twist, "I'm starving."
"Go, eat, join your comrades."
"And you, father?"
"I've business to discuss with Egeon," he raised his eyes to the heavens. "A united Alba Steppe back under one single Emmerlain, it may be possible with you as our anchor, but I will have to see for myself. Do you believe you're Rasu Reborn?"
She took a rueful breath, "I don't know, it just felt like regular Starbrands."
"The Starforge is indeed a gift you may have. But also, if Eleanor is truly from Umbrae's mage court as our mages do believe, her word carries some gravitas."
She smiled to herself at Dad learning new words despite the fact that he made fun of her wanting to read. Your spear waits for you with Gibson's blades. He rose to his feet and gave her a stolid salute, "Well done, my child, my daughter. Soldier of Emmerlaine." He marched away.
She gripped his arm, "W-why did you keep me alive all this time?"
"Because you're my daughter, and I don't believe in Ravalel's nonsense," he said with that mountainous solidity to him. No wind or disaster could move this man.
"But the people?"
"They respect military strength and ability more than some new young god who talks to mortals too much," he rubbed her head. "Rest, my daughter. There's much yet to do."
She let herself drift off into unconsciousness.
Chimi's legs raced through the undergrowth of the snowed-in forest. Black tar splashed on her boots and up her gambeson armour as she ran from the Vileroot's lashing appendages as it chased her down. She ran for dear life, the acrid air burned her nostrils and her lungs, and the taste threatened to make her vomit with the occasional gag and cough.
She pushed herself on to keep going. If it caught her, she'd be dead. She'd be-
"Why did you leave us, Chimi...?" she heard Gibson.
"Gibson!" She looked around and found him splayed out on the ground, limbs severed from his torso.
"Chimi... you're the chosen one..." he had lost too much blood, his eyes were glazed over, his wounds were bound by black tar that crept across his skin. "You betrayed us!" he said in a daemon's voice, "Foul slut, you betrayed us all!"
She flinched back from him, "No!" she shrieked, "I wasn't born for this!"
"YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN BORN A MAN!" The Blades of Emmerlaine shrieked at her.
Each of the Blades hung from a tree by a noose made of black roots around their necks, empty... dead eyes glared down at her. Judged her to be unworthy.
"A man," they said, "A man, a man, a man..."
Chimi's arm went numb. She looked down to see a stump, then looked up at the Vileroot to see it swallow her arm whole-
Chimi sat up and winced at the minor pain in her arm, gritting her teeth and leaning her good shoulder against the Shimmerrrain tree. The celebrations had died down, dull fires warmed groups of tents scattered about down below, a mug of warm tea sat by her side, she didn't feel like needing to piss this night, so she left it.
The hunger had faded away, which wasn't the best sign, but took it in with all the other potential changes and glanced up at the heavens, the sea of stars, the great expanse.
She noted the guard camps that sat atop the hills, and thought she should be a part of that too, so she could learn more. Her shoulder still needed some rest.
Whoever healed it probably forced the healing, as more fae may come to attack them once they return to their Reis to find it destroyed. She needed to do something- winced at the pain. Now she thought about it, it's unusual to leave someone to sleep in the open air. Even under the holy Shimmerrain tree, what's going on? She sat up.
"Stay still, Chi." Ishi approached with a bowl of food. She sighed to herself, always the astute medic, Ishi sat down at the edge of the makeshift bed and spooned her some smelly broth into her mouth. "No bloody complaints, eat."
Chimi made an annoyed face at her and reached for the spoon, only for Ishi to swat her hand away. She reluctantly opened her mouth and allowed Ishi to spoon-feed her.
"Do you feel alright?"
"Alright enough to eat by myself-"
Ishi shoved the spoon back into Chimi's mouth, "That's enough out of you, cottonsocks."
Chimi swallowed the bland broth, "Bloodied cotton socks." She lay back down, "Besides," she remembered the flashes of nightmares. "That moment is still fresh... the fire on my skin, the heat control, the explosions."
She couldn't tell if her ears rang in her imagination or not.
Two horses approached, and Chimi looked around to see father, mother and Eleanor approach on horseback. Dad looked stoic as ever, fully recovered. Mother's face was covered with concern. Before the horse stopped, she stepped down and ran over to sweep Chimi up in a warm embrace. She didn't know why, but mother smelled of Starflowers.
"Well done, Chimi, well done," she whispered, "The Stars shine on you."
Chimi buried her face in her mother's warm shoulder.
Mum rubbed her back gently, "Rasu Reborn," she said proudly, "I'm so proud of you."
Chimi opened her eyes, "Is it true?"
"Yes." Dad said, "Unfortunately for us..." he glanced at Eleanor, "You are Her. But there is no prophecy, my daughter wishes to become the spear saint."
"She cannot." Eleanor said, "The gods will not allow it."
"Dad," Chimi said, "Would uniting the Steppe be possible if the prophecy is true?"
"For that." Eleanor interrupted, "You'd need to show them a miracle," she said. "Steppe culture dictates a show of valour, competence, strength or loyalty to-"
"Eleanor." Dad said, "We'll discuss your toff games in the morning." he stared her down.
She raised her hands, "I surrender, warchief." she said with dry sarcasm, "I shall retreat to the mages' tents for the night-"
Chimi saw a flash of metal reflect moonlight, and something struck something. A body tumbled over.
"ENEMY ATTACK!" she screamed.