[url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/246624086/0/0]Table of Contents[/url] Hayden Yegorov knocked on the door in front of him. The dull rap of his knuckles on the metal surface resounded in the empty hallway, and he looked around. Every room and passage in the building was identical, with the same undecorated walls and unimaginatively square design. No one knew the original purpose of the little fortress, or even if it was from the Golden Age, but it was the perfect place for a Warlord to rule. That, of course, didn’t stop Hayden from thinking it was drab. “Come in,” a voice called, muffled through the wall. Hayden looked to his…comrade. He was reluctant to use the word when describing the stout gunman. The man was practically bouncing on his toes, clearly eager for the upcoming war. That battle lust was a vile trait, and unforgivable in Hayden’s eyes. War was the source of all their problems, and he had no doubt it would continue to be so. “Shall we?” The stout guard teased, and Hayden realized he had yet to open the door. He reached up to scratch at his beard, but stopped himself. It was an annoying habit that he intended to break. “Shut up, Oliver,” Hayden hissed, grabbing the door’s handle and pulling it open. A gust of wind blew into their faces as they stepped inside, making Hayden shiver. The room would have been as bland as every other place in the building if not for the excessive amount of mismatched furniture. A delicately carved wardrobe stood in the left corner next to a cabinet, and a blocky chest sat with a second chair in the farther corner. A bed filled the corner to the right. Its frame had short legs, lowering the mattress so far that one would nearly fall into it if they tried to sit, and stretched upwards to form a canopy with blood-red cloth hanging down to match the sheets and pillows. Identical curtains dangled from the far wall where a bar had been unceremoniously welded to the ceiling, framing a large window. The shutters had been thrown open, letting in the biting cold and exposing a wide view of the town of Fairmont and the surrounding forest. It was nearly nightfall, and long shadows stretched over the ground. And there Lady Natalia sat in another chair, wrapped in a warm robe and resting her arms and chin on the windowsill. Hayden’s heart fluttered as she lifted her head and turned to look at them. She smiled slightly and waved them over. “Your head’s in the clouds today,” Oliver muttered under his breath as he nudged Hayden forward. The two guards moved to her left side, and Hayden took in the Warlord. Though it was the end of the day, she looked as if she had just woken up. Her long, raven-black hair was an uncombed mess, falling unchecked over her pale face and down her back. She wore a tired expression, and almost looked like a ghost. Even so, he thought she was beautiful. He took a steadying breath before speaking, “We’re ready to move out, my Queen.” “Good,” Natalia nodded. Her smile was gone, and she gazed out over the darkening scenery. “We await your word,” Oliver added with a hint of impatience, “We’ll leave soon as you’re ready.” Hayden shot him a scolding look for his rudeness, but refocused on Natalia when she queried, “Has Fargo reached Coal?” “He…yes, m’Lady,” Hayden answered. Natalia’s vacant stare never moved, and she barely nodded to acknowledge him. He had never seen her like this before. She had always been expressive and high-spirited. This sudden change worried him a lot. “My Lady?” he asked delicately, “Are you feelin’ alright? I can get the doctor if-“ “No,” Natalia refused, turning away from the window, “No…I’m just thinking.” “Can’t be good if it’s gettin’ you down,” Oliver deduced. Hayden had to agree, though the thought of siding with a brute like Oliver was repulsive. “Tell ya what,” Oliver said, leaning closer with an encouraging grin, “How ‘bout we just think about all the killin’ we’re gonna do later? Yeah?” Natalia smiled back, “Thanks, Olly.” “No problem, miss,” Oliver dismissed. “I was thinking of getting a cape…” Natalia pondered. She slowly extended a hand to grab one of the curtains, “Red, like these. Avery just looks so cute in hers.” “Ooh,” Oliver perked up, “I do like the blood color. Bet it’ll make ya look powerful.” “Go find me one before we leave,” Natalia commanded. “So we’re goin’?” Oliver pressed. “Yeah.” Oliver’s face lit up and he marched for the door, pumping a fist in the air, “TO WAR! That cape idea ain’t so bad, m’Lady! I might have to get [i]myself[/i] one!” Hayden waited until the stout man’s pounding footsteps and thunderous voice faded out of hearing, then looked to the Warlord. “I heard she took that cape from someone she murdered,” he notified, “You’ve been talkin’ about her a lot. She’s a bloodthirsty killer, you know.” Natalia was looking out the window again. “Nat,” he offered, using the nickname he’d called her by since they were kids, “If you aren’t feelin’ well…” Natalia shook her head, “I’m fine. Just thinking.” “About what?” Natalia brushed her hand over his wrist, “You worry too much.” “I’m supposed to take care o’ you,” Hayden reminded, glancing back at the open door, “Sorry for bein’ a little on edge, but I can’t help it when you surround yourself with all these…” He trailed off, unable to find a word that accurately conveyed his opinion of them. “They’ll be fine,” Natalia soothed, “They want simple things. Don’t you?” “Simple for them is a pile of bodies…” Hayden griped, “They should all be rottin’ in some dungeon.” Natalia giggled, her face lighting up with the small spark of amusement, and Hayden relaxed a little. The mirth lingered for a moment before fading away, and the Warlord looked back out her window. “They’re loyal,” she stated. “Only because you’re givin’ ‘em what they want,” Hayden argued, keeping his voice down, “Power and- and bloodshed. What happens when they decide they want more?” Natalia didn’t reply, so Hayden waited. After a while, Natalia glanced at him and smiled, plucking at his heartstrings with the playful look. “When are you gonna shave that itchy thing?” She asked. Hayden realized he had been scratching again and tore his hand away. Natalia laughed, brushing her hair out of her eyes. It had clearly been some time since she had last bothered to brush or cut it. “And what about you?” He retorted, “You could use a haircut.” Natalia gasped and clutched at her hair, then began giggling uncontrollably. Even Hayden couldn’t help but snicker. He’d missed spending time with her. Everything had become so difficult since her rise to power. Natalia’s tittering faded and she stifled a cough with her hand. “Eh,” she hiccuped, sticking out her tongue, “Sorry. Choked on a little spit, there.” Hayden tried to hold back his laughter, but failed. “Hey!” Natalia whined like a child, coughing again, “Show a little concern! Choking is dangerous! Thank the Traveler I survived!” Hayden reigned himself in and quieted. “That’s right!” Natalia declared, standing up with another masked cough, “Now get out so I can get dressed! We’re going to war!”