[ORDER] Prompt 1

The group wandered away from the Keepers’ domain. With the way they had left things, the Keepers left it to Cailu to guide them to the next territory. Cailu hesitated before they reached the next clan. He explained to the empyrian and the two vayrons to be wary of this clan. They were the least trusting of the clans so far. When Cailu said everything he wanted, he gestured for them to walk forward. 

A strong group of armoured haedians greeted them with hostile expressions. Garmr immediately felt a kinship with the angry-looking haedians. Herja felt the same, but she did better at holding her expression neutral. While Alowyn felt very afraid. She inched backward feeling unwelcome and she only paused when she was next to Cailu. The haedians frightened her further, by locking their gaze on her retreating form. 

“H-hello,” Alowyn stuttered, frozen under their scrutiny. 

The elder at the head of the group growled before sizing up the two large vayrons. Both met his eyes without any fear. There was a brief flicker of something like satisfaction that crossed the aged haedian’s expression. However, it faded and it would be the last they saw something on the old one’s face that didn’t relate to anger. 

“Which God do you walk with?” The elder asked with a dry tone. 

For Garmr and Herja, the answer was easy. However, when they glanced at their small companion it was clear the question was harder for her. Whether it was because she didn’t know any, they weren’t sure. 

“Do you walk in the shadow of Oris?” The elder asked again in a colder tone. 

Herja and Garmr scoffed, causing the haedians to step forward with a threatening growl. Alowyn squeaked at the approach and pulled herself smaller. 

“What are you afraid of?” Herja whispered urgently to the terrified empyrian. 

“This feels off, it feels wrong,” Alowyn hissed back quietly. 

“They’re just asking if you believe in Oris or not,” Garmr grunted with a shrug. 

Alowyn quickly shook her head, “It doesn’t matter what you answer, they are set in their ways.”

“They’ve hardly said anything,” Garmr snapped, “How can you judge them?”

“Because they’ve already judged us,” Alwoyn spit back, her fear fueling the outburst. 

“Alowyn, do you know who Oris is?” Herja asked. 

Murmurs rippled through the group of haedians. Alowyn looked at them before turning her wide eyes on the other female. 

“Why would you ask that?” Alowyn rambled, “In front of them and so loudly. If you’re trying to cause a problem, keep me out of it!”

“Do you know who Oris is?” The elder’s chilling voice pierced through their conversation causing Alowyn to shake. 

“Wyn,” Herja tried again, “It's a different question, easier really.”

“No, it isn’t.” Alowyn hissed, “If I know and don’t follow then they're angered. What they’ll do with that I don’t know. But, if I don’t know, then they’ll be angered because how dare I not know their beloved god!”

Alowyn’s hysteria was growing with every question sent her way. She could admit she felt out of control. The emotions and level of fear were something she hadn’t experienced before. Alowyn was used to the calm, but right now she was far from that state of mind. 

“Alowyn,” Garmr exclaimed, “You’ve fought me, you’ve fought other haedians, and you’ve protected many against a battle!”

Garmr’s goal was to knock some sense into the empyrian that was clearly not handling this clan well. Garmr put his paws on her shoulder and physically shook her, hoping it would jog something in her mind. 

“This is different,” Alowyn whispered, staring at the elder haedian. 

Garmr and Herja turned back to the elder to try distracting them with another topic, but it was no good. The elder of this clan was set on Alowyn and her knowledge or lack of it. Herja admitted that what Alowyn was afraid of made sense, they couldn’t be sure what would happen. However, they couldn’t think of anything else to do besides remain calm and answer the questions posed. 

“Well?” The elder barked, “Do you know of Oris?”

Alowyn flinched at the haedian’s sharp tone, but managed to answer, “Yes, I know of the god of chaos and the void.”

Garmr and Herja relaxed slightly because it was one hurdle they managed to pass. However, both knew that Alowyn didn’t follow Oris, her kind and gentle nature led them to assume it was closer to Empyria. 

“Do you walk with Oris?” The elder barked again. 

“We do,” Herja and Garmr said, trying to pull the attention away from Alowyn. 

“I wasn’t asking you,” The elder hissed, “We’ll come back to you after she answers.”

Alowyn shrunk into herself again, but managed to squeak out, “No.”

The haedians seemed to rise up, angered by her words and attitude. 

[805]