Duality Risen

 

Sixteen

 

Tyrrandal found Chairon sitting on the edge of the bridge, staring down into the rushing waters of the river. It would flow into the ocean, fresh water mingling with saltwater. The rogue looked like he was contemplating jumping; instead he canted his head up to look at the kal’dorei.

“You know; the longer you wait for your friends, the greater a chance there is that Aljei gets away.” Chairon said.

Tyr smiled, but it wasn’t kind. “You think so? But then, you are a coward, aren’t you? You don’t want to face Mardruk if he’s alive.”

“Call me what you want, but it doesn’t change anything.”

Tyr frowned. Chairon just watched him. Finally, the blonde smirked. “What? Never been around a rogue before?”

“I’ve been around plenty of rogues.” Tyr said defensively.

“Just none like me, hm? Well, don’t be afraid. I don’t bite much.”

Tyr’s eyes narrowed. “It’s not your bite I’m afraid of. It’s those little knives of yours. I just want to make sure they don’t end up in my back.”

“Aw, now why would I go and do a thing like that after you lot went through the trouble of sparing my life?” Chairon asked sweetly. “What’s really got your panties in a bunch, Tyrrandal?”

The kal’dorei’s frown increased. Chairon smiled wider. “You want to know why I chose to be a rogue and not something else. Well, that’s simple. I didn’t have a choice.”

“What? Were you born into a family of rogues.”

“No. I was cast aside an hour after my birth for the dogs to feed on. I was found by a rogue, raised by a rogue, and so I am a rogue. The dynamics of it are really quite simple.”

Tyr’s face went blank. “You were abandoned?”

“Like garbage.” Chairon confirmed. “Don’t make that face. I don’t need pity, especially from a night elf.”

“I don’t pity you. You were bound to be an asshole whether your mother kept you or not.”

“Thank you for that vote of confidence.” Chairon rose from his perch and stretched. “I’ll take it to heart, Tyr.”

“Chai, you don’t have to stay with the guild, you know.” What was he saying? Tyr wondered. Even Chairon was looking at him funny.

“And do what?” Chairon asked. “What, would you give me a better life? Skulking the forest and tracking animals? Or would we wander the known world, seeking adventure and idiots who take on bosses twice their strength?”

Tyr frowned. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

“I’ll tell you this now, kal’dorei. I don’t do one-night stands and I don’t play the whore for anyone. You think you have feelings for me, but you don’t. You see a helpless, trapped victim and you just want to save me.”

Chairon had gotten close to Tyr, almost in his face. Tyr reacted on instinct to the danger Chairon represented – he recoiled at the same time he threw a swift left hook. The rogue dodged the strike easily, putting space between the two of them once more. An odd smile played on the blood elf’s lips. Tyr gave an odd snarling sound and turned on his heel, stalking away from Chairon.

Because if he didn’t, he was afraid he was going to kill the rogue. And right now, the group still needed him.