From: 698cunliffecj@deanery.wigan.sch.uk (Christopher John Cunliffe)
Subject: [PORC] Inexperienced Children

At the sight of Tenaka's magic, J'layah, Mea and Pilar ran into the room,
drawing weapons as they came. Tenaka smiled as he saw that J'layah was
using the Daedric katana he had given her. Now that it was to be used, its
own magic could come into play. How was she to know that the blade would
magically alter her perception of him with every use. He hope she would
kill at least a couple of whatever was coming. He thought that he now had
at least the respect of Twilight. The blade would give him the trust of
J'layah. Now he had only to affect Mea and Pilar.

He turned and looked at Twilight who had also drawn her weapon. He could
not tell is she had known the creatures were there before he fired, but it
seemed likely. Unlike the other three who were running in excitedly, she
was calm, seemingly resigned to what was going to happen. If Tenaka had had
to guess, he would say that whilst she could kill and dismember corpses,
she did not like it as much as she let on. The gift, or curse of
experience. The other three did not have it. They still found the prospect
of battle exciting. They longed to risk their lives. They were young yet.

He was like Twilight. He had thought in more battles than he could
remember. He had killed more men and creatures than he could count. He had
hoped that his latest assignment might put an end to the killing.
Recruitment should be peaceful – easy. But nothing was ever easy. He had
not expected to have to win their trust or respect, but judging by their
recent experiences, he would. He had been able to tell from the moment
J'layah waved her broken sword at him that they would not trust easily.

He saw a blood spattered arm fly from the end of the room, still slightly
on fire. He recognised it as an Orc's arm. He had nothing against Orcs,
generally – there were many in his Master's army – anybody of any race
could be a hero if they had the strength – but when they tried to kill him,
he took it personally. He drew his sword. Maybe there were none left. Mere
Orcs could and clearly had been killed by his magic. He stood at Twilight's
side. Twin spectres watching the scene, both outwardly calm, but both ready
to strike at a moment's notice.

The other three hardly noticed the two of them standing there and ran into
the darkness. Tenaka silently cursed and heard Twilight do so less
silently. They both looked at each other and he mouthed 'inexperience' to
her. She smiled and mouthed back 'children'. "After you, my lady," said
Tenaka, bowing.

She nodded and turned back to where sounds of combat could be heard. She
started walking towards it and Tenaka followed. This was going well. Soon
he would have not only her respect, but her friendship. He imagined that
that was a most difficult prize to gain. But it would be invaluable. If she
agreed to take the test, then the rest would too. When they reached the
battleground, there was little left to do. The three young women were
cleaning their blades on the remains of the Orc's clothing and sheathing
them. Tenaka and Twilight also put away their weapons. 

"This must be the way to go," said Tenaka, peering into the darkness.
"However, I would prefer it if were not surprised again. Kindly do me the
favour of guarding my body. I shall scout ahead for a few moments."

He sat down and retreated inside of himself again. As his spirit left his
body, he added a silvery glow to his path for a few seconds. Still one for
the dramatic, after all these years. Once great tales had been told of
Tenaka Khan. One day they would be again. He removed the lights and sped
down the corridor, into the darkness…