As a follow up to The Night’s Watch, tune in to learn who the imperial assassins might have been after.
CW: needles at 4:51
Join Dax as she shares a story from the War of Seven Hells. This is the third in a series of short episodes that give a peek into what was going on hundreds of years before the show begins.
Thank you all so much for sticking with us!! We can't wait to be back early next year.
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Transcript by Dax
Upbeat piano intro ends [00:28]
Peaceful, ambient music fades in [00:35]
Dax: She looked up at them as they slept. The bright silver tattoos decorating their clean-shaven head were a stark contrast to their ebony skin. She sighed happily at how cute the small points of their ears were, and debated whether to kiss those soft lips or to leave them peacefully sleeping for now. Deciding sleep was more important at times like these, she stood from the cot and pulled the tunic over her head. Quietly slipping into the pants she’d carelessly strewn on the floor the night before, she tip-toed to the tent’s opening and peered out. It wasn’t quite dawn yet, the sky dark and peaceful.
Dax (as the lover): You’re awake so soon?
Dax: She turned around to see Venya tying off a midnight blue robe and their devilish smile caused her to blush slightly. She watched them walk toward her, felt the warmth of their arms as they wrapped them around her waist. They nuzzled their head into the side of her neck and whispered,
Dax (as Venya): We have a few hours before we need to leave, why not stay a bit? Or are you so ready to be rid of me?
Dax: She smiled and lifted her arms to lay around Venya’s neck. She leaned forward and brushed their lips with a gentle kiss before pulling back.
Dax (as Kyra): [higher-pitched femme voice] I had another one of those dreams, my love. It worries me that the closer we get to the castle, the more frequent they come. It has…unnerved me.
Dax: Venya’s brow creased with worry and gently shifted a lock of hair away from Kyra’s face.
Dax (as Venya): Perhaps you should rethink my offer to speak with Verina? I know she specializes in healing but perhaps that’s what you need? Perhaps you’re just stressed. This whole campaign is not what any of us expected, which was silly of us in retrospect.
Dax: Kyra grabbed Venya’s hand, held it to her cheek for a moment and then gently brought it down. She stepped away and left the tent without another word. She quickly walked to the edge of the encampment, looked over her shoulder to make sure she wasn’t being followed, and then took off running. She followed the pathway that led out of the valley, the only sounds were her boots crunching against pebbles and her breath panting. When she got to the top she stopped and took a moment to catch her breath before continuing on.
She loved Venya. She understood they were only trying to help, but they didn’t understand what she was seeing. It wasn’t stress, but Venya was… useless when it came to understanding dreams. Even Verina, who had some basic skill in interpreting them, was unsure what the cause could be or even what the dreams might mean. She had offered some tonics to help with sleep but they didn’t seem to do any good.
Kyra suddenly stopped. She looked around and realized she didn’t know where she was. She’d been so focused on her thoughts that she hadn’t paid attention to her surroundings. Normally she would circle the encampment and scout the perimeter before everyone else awoke, and check-in with the lookouts for any unusual activity. However, today she hadn’t run into any and now she knew why.
Music shifts to a tense, mysterious melody [03:46]
Dax (as Kyra): Great. Why did I have to get lost today?
Dax: She sighed and then took a deep breath as she scanned the area.
Dax (as Kyra): [deep breath] I think I came from that way, so perhaps if I just head in that direction I’ll get back to where I started. Or at least, somewhere recog – ow!
Dax: She stopped short as a sharp pain emanated from her neck. She reached up to feel the spot, thinking she’d been stung by a bug. Her eyes widened when she felt the shaft of a dart. She ripped it from her neck and looked down at the sharp needle. Tossing it, she took off running where she believed camp was, though she didn’t get far before she felt her body collapse and her sight grow dark.
Music shifts back to peaceful, ambient tune [05:08]
Dax: Back at the encampment, Venya had already curled back up onto the cot. Kyra’s warmth still permeated the blankets and furs, so they took the opportunity to enjoy it. They were just drifting back to sleep when they heard a voice outside the tent.
Dax (as Eriluc): [slightly deeper pitch] Venya, it’s Eriluc. We’ve discovered something. Are you awake?
Dax: Venya sat straight up, pulled the robe tighter across their body and then nearly flew to the tent flap. They whipped it open and looked down at the Dwarf standing there, slightly out of breath from his jog down the cliffs.
Dax (as Venya): Please, come in Eriluc. What troubles you?
Dax: Venya watched as Eriluc strode into the tent and went straight for the large table in the center. It was laden with maps, battle markers, and notes strewn about haphazardly from the last meeting. They closed the tent flap and walked closer as the Dwarf started clearing space. They were surprised when all he produced was a small slip of paper. They read its contents and then looked at him.
Dax (as Venya): I’m not sure what this is. Where did you get it?
Dax (as Eriluc): Slade and I were up on the cliffs, and they spotted a pair of Adar-Kai nearby. We caught them before they could get close to the camp but they were very clearly imperial assassins. This was all they had on them.
Music shifts back to the tense, mysterious melody [06:39]
Dax: Venya’s brow creased as their companion talked, and then slowly they realized the meaning of the words on that tiny piece of paper. They quickly began to pull on their armor, ignoring the blush on Eriluc’s cheeks when they tossed their robe aside. Venya grabbed their sword and turned to their friend.
Dax (as Venya): She’s already gone out, alert the scouts! I want her caught before something happens. And awake the General – we need to get this camp moving now.
Dax: Venya dashed out of the tent before Eriluc could respond and ran toward the edge of the encampment. Before heading up the path out of the valley, they pulled a small feather out of one of the pouches at their hip. They whispered a chant and crushed the feather in their hand. When the chant was finished, they opened their hand to reveal a pile of what looked to be silver dust. Venya exhaled gently, blowing the dust out into the wind and watched as the dust coagulated and formed a silver, translucent bird.
Dax (as Venya): Find Kyra.
Dax: The bird took off and Venya followed. With each step their heart pounded, worry straining their features. They knew what would happen if the Emperor caught her, what a risk that would be to the rebellion.
Dax (as Venya): Oh, please be safe my love. I couldn’t bear it…
Dax: It wasn’t long before Venya realized the bird had taken them off course. They wondered if Kyra had been distracted and lost her way, or if she’d intentionally chosen a new path this morning. It would be unusual for her to change her routine without telling anyone, but Venya also admitted that it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility. After all, Kyra had always been an independent soul and wasn’t always fond of keeping others apprised of her innermost thoughts.
Dax (as Venya): Where are you…?
Music shifts to a soft, tragic melody [08:33]
Dax: Kyra was nowhere to be found. Venya then saw the bird hovering and jogged over to see what it had spotted. The ground was lightly disturbed, and partially buried in the dirt and debris was a silver dart. Venya wrapped their hand in some cloth and stooped down to pick it up. Looking at it closely, the blood drained from their face. It was empty, but Venya recognized the sigils carved into the metal. They wrapped the dart in the cloth and stowed it in their pouch. They turned to the bird again.
Dax (as Venya): Which direction? Can you at least tell me that?!
Dax: The bird merely hovered and then settled down in the dirt, the silver sparkling dust that made up its form dissipating in the wind.
Dax (as Venya): No! You have to find her. You found this, but it’s only her blood. You must know where she was taken?! There has to be a direction!
Dax: The spell dissipated, the bird disappearing into the abyss from which it had been summoned. Venya punched at the ground before standing up. Looking around once more, they called out to Kyra. When no response came they raced back to the camp.
Dax (as Venya): [sigh] Seems Slade found the bait, and we fell right into their trap. Hold on, Kyra. I’m coming for you. Just hold on!
Music fades out [09:53]