The night fell silent over the large Alliance city. It’s towers and parapets awash with moonlight. The Lamplighters were busy applying their trade, taking no notice of the woman standing at the opening of an alley. She waited patiently, her arms folded beneath her chest and one foot propped up on the wall behind her. Her eyes were closed and head lowered as she listened for approaching footfalls. When she finally heard them, she lifted her head. Her quarry was closeby looking around and quietly cursing. There was no large cat with her this time, but she could smell the sweet pipe tobacco on the air.
Ginya’s lips turned up into a smirk. “Why have you been following me?” The monk asked as she stepped out of the shadows. “It’s very rude you know.”
The younger woman startled, her hand clenched into a fist. “This must be your first shadowing, hmm?” Ginya offered quietly. “Don’t feel bad, not everyone is perfect at their first job.”
Ginya’s Shadow lowered her eyes but didn’t say anything. The Mistweaver circled the woman, her movements fluid and nearly silent. “A bit of advice, if you’re going after someone, you have to make sure you’re quiet. You blunder around like a newborn camel. I’ve known you been following me for weeks. Even before I went to the Broken Isles.”
“Jida told me that you were very sure of yourself.” The younger woman said, her Tanari accent was thick and lilted. “But she did not say you were cocky.”
“Who said I was?” Ginny replied with a shrug. “No my dear, I’m not cocky. I’m just offering a bit of help so you don’t get yourself killed.” She had noticed that her own accent was slowly returning as well.
“So Jida did send you after all.” Ginya continued, folding her arms again. She circled once more, then stood before the woman. “What are you here for then? Spying on me? Making sure I behave? Or are you out to kill me? Go ahead, dearie, I’ve been dead before, it doesn’t frighten me.”
“I was sent to look after you. To learn from you. Jida said that you were one of her prized Medjai.” The girl said. Ginny looked away from her quickly to a guard rounding the bend. She put her hand on the woman’s shoulder and pushed them both into the darkness of the alley. Her Shadow nearly stumbled into hiding.
Keeping her hand on the woman’s shoulder, Ginya pointed a finger at her. “First lesson - never, ever mention your ties to the Medjai. Do you have a death wish?” Ginny hissed.
Medjai - the word for Jida’s “warriors”. A word she had likened to mercenaries and conmen. She was trained well, Ginny had killed men and women for coin and information for Jida’s “Medjai”. It wasn’t something the Monk cared to return to. But she did hold a small spark of pride for her heritage, as convoluted and as mixed up as it was.
Ginya let her hands drop. “What’s your name?” The monk asked her.
The girl ran a nervous hand through dark hair. “Saeada. Saeada Seng. I am your sister, by bond.” The huntress replied.
“You were the girl outside of Jida’s tent, weren’t you? The one who was there when I came home?” Ginny said with a nod.
“I was.” Saeada nodded. “I heard your fight with Jida. I heard all you said.”
“Well, then you know that I no longer kill. I’m no longer Medjai.” Ginny folded her arms again, Saeada smirked.
“You are Medjai, in your blood if not by your actions. I have heard stories of your fighting on Argus. The Demons you slew. You enjoyed it.” Saedie’s patronizing tone caused Ginny to favor her with a warning glare. One that Saedie picked up on, she smirked again.
“One should never enjoy killing, Demon or otherwise. To kill is to raise a beast you can’t defeat.” Ginny said simply. “I killed demons, yes. I didn’t enjoy it. I didn’t enjoy healing the young called to fight to save our World. I didn’t enjoy holding them while they died.”
“But the glory-” Saedie started.
“The glory is the lie!” Ginny hissed, cutting her off. “Glory is nothing but an excuse to make you feel better about yourself. We defeated one evil yes, but as is the Will of the Titans, another will show up. Then another and another, until we are all glory hungry savages.”
“Jida was wrong about you. You are not brave, nor skilled. You are a coward, hiding from who you truly are” Saedie hissed, she raised her fist to hit Ginny. Her body twisted, as she tried to land her punch.
The Monk caught her fist quickly, locking the Huntress’ wrist between her hands. She spun the woman, forcing Saedie’s arm back behind her, and Ginny twisted. The girl whimpered, her back up against Ginny.
“I will warn you only once.” Ginny hissed in her ear as her hold got tighter. “If you wish to stay at my side, you need to destroy your expectations of me. Stop assuming I’m different than I truly am.” She pulled up on Saedie’s arm again, the girl struggled.
“And Loa help you if you ever try to attack me again.”
The Mistweaver let Saedie go and pushed the other girl away. Saedie hit the opposite wall, raising her hands to stop herself. Ginny brought a scarf up over her mouth and nose. Then, without another word, Ginya Li Seng left her sister in the alley. Disappearing into the night.