-last edited on Apr 11, 2019 18:12:08 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 11, 2019 18:11:45 GMT
Chapter 92
Skirj found the house and was about to open the door when a thought came to him. “Who is he?”
His name is Renthian. He hurts people because he enjoys it. That is what he does; it is why there is no one here.
Skirj nodded and opened the door. A crossbow bolt flew over his head, barely missing. He ran towards where it had come from, weaving a shield of magic around himself, and found no one. The sound of footsteps echoed from farther back in the house and he followed them into a back room. A second crossbow bolt bounced off his shield and he saw a dark figure ducking down at the back of the room. Sword drawn, Skirj ran toward where he had seen it, but it was gone. There was a half-shut trapdoor a few feet away and Skirj crept toward it, wary of more attacks. He sent a spell down to clear any would-be attackers out of the way, and then leapt down it himself.
The cellar was lit by a single, flickering torch, and Skirj was able to see a cloaked man in a wooden mask huddling in the corner. “Are you Renthian?”
The man said something, but Skirj could not hear it. “Speak up!”
Taking off his mask, the man spoke again. “This is a dream.”
“What are you talking about?”
The man began to weep. “You are the man from my nightmares, but you’re real. You’re here. How can you be here?”
“Septimus, what is he talking about?”
I have no idea. Smash him.
Skirj raised his sword to do so, but then there was another voice in his head, the one that had told him to take the scroll. Don’t do it, Skirj.
“Who are you?” he whispered, but before it could reply the voice was gone and Septimus returned.
Who are you talking to? Just smash him! This man deserves no mercy.
Skirj looked at the man, and then at his sword, and then at Septimus’s stone, in a pouch on his side. Could he really do this? Was it all worth the cost?
Do it, Skirj.
He swung his sword.
When the spell was complete, Skirj and Septimus, in his new Renthian-body, left the house. Septimus had to make the portal; Skirj wasn’t strong enough without the stone. When they stepped through, there was someone waiting for them in the fortress, a lean, graying goblin dressed in ragged furs. He turned to face them as they entered. “Hello, son.”
-last edited on Apr 13, 2019 20:10:30 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 13, 2019 20:10:03 GMT
Chapter 93
As soon as Skirj reached the house, he threw open the door and dashed to his father’s office. Sure enough, Skorj was there, sitting on a roughly-carved wooden stool and filing through a stack of papers. He looked up when Skirj entered. “What do you want, boy?”
Skirj opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn’t find the words. His father scowled at him. “Well?”
Meeting Skorj’s eyes, Skirj took a deep breath, and asked, “Is it true what they’re saying about you?”
Setting aside his papers, Skorj shrugged. “What are they saying?”
“They said . . . they said you’re the one who smashed Gorle, that you framed the half-breed.”
There was a long pause before Skorj replied. “I did what I had to.”
Skirj felt tears welling up in his eyes and tried to fight them back. “What you had to do? Father, Skrag was banished! He would have left the same day!”
Skorj looked his son in the eyes, and Skirj saw a manic gleam in them. “You don’t understand. Smashing Gorle put me one step closer to becoming chief! It’s only a matter of time now, you see. Soon, I will be in charge, and then nothing will stop us.”
Suddenly afraid, Skirj began to back away. “You . . . you can’t be chief. You’re the warlord. That can never happen, and you know it.”
A vicious grin suddenly split Skorj’s face. “You’re thinking too small, son. Soon, they will see that they need me. Just wait.”
Skirj ran from the room almost as quickly as he had arrived. He felt sick, betrayed, and horrified. What had happened to his father, the war hero, the unstoppable general? Skirj wondered if Skorj had ever really been any of those things.
Two days later, the trial was held. Skorj was convicted of treason and sentenced to banishment.
The next day, a cold winter morning, Skirj stood with the rest of the tribe as they watched their warlord, his father, walk away into the mountains. His mother stood next to him. She was crying, and trembling. Once, she tried to run to him, but he held her back. Skirj, fifteen years old, was not crying. He did not feel sad, only hollow and broken. When Skorj was no longer visible, the rest of the tribe began to leave. Someone pulled Skirj’s mother away, but Skirj did not move. He simply stood, alone.
-last edited on Apr 14, 2019 19:24:08 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 14, 2019 19:23:45 GMT
Chapter 94
Vincent Caloon looked around at the other bandits, huddled up in the cave, waiting for the Lion Knights to come and arrest them. We need to do something,” he grumbled.
“Like what?” asked Rathael, on Vincent’s left.
“I don’t know. But there are only two of them and a dozen of us. How could they stop us?”
“Think for a second,” snapped Rathael, “Those two slew the dragon. Maybe if we could take them on all at once, but the entrance is only wide enough for two or three to get through at a time. We don’t even have weapons! I don’t know about you, but I’d rather take my chances in the dungeons. At least there’s a chance they’ll let us out eventually.”
Still not placated, Vincent scowled. “Well, someone needs to do something. I–”
Almost as if summoned by Vincent’s words, a portal appeared in the center of the cave, silver with flecks of red. The bandits all jumped to their feet as two men stepped through it. The first was a goblin, well into his middle years, equipped for war. The second was a rather plain-looking human, dressed in gray robes. As soon as they set foot into the cave, Vincent felt slowed, as if moving through water. Judging from the expressions of the other bandits, they were experiencing the same effect. Rathael began to crouch down to pick up a rock.
“Greetings. My name is Septimus, and this is my associate, Skorj. Do not be alarmed; I have merely cast a spell on you to keep you from doing anything too hasty. We have come to offer you a deal – your freedom, and more, in exchange for a simple service.”
As he finished speaking, Rathael finally managed to throw the rock. It streaked toward Septimus, then stopped, and hung in the air. Septimus smiled. “Do not do that again. I could destroy every one of you with a click of my fingers. Now, who is your leader?”
No one stepped forward. Pursigon was smashed, and there had never been a proper command structure below him. But someone had to take charge. Vincent stood up straight and, mouth slowed slightly, said, “I am.” To his delight, no one raised an objection.
Septimus looked at him, clearly assessing his capabilities. “Very well. How would you like to help me conquer the world?”
-last edited on Apr 16, 2019 18:08:25 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 16, 2019 18:07:34 GMT
Chapter 95
As soon as the bandits surrendered, Legolie, Isabel, Jayden, and Caisara had begun taking shifts moving stolen goods out of the cave and watching the bandits. When everything was out and secured, the bandits were moved into the cave. Legolie, worrying about her kingdom, had set off immediately after Leinad’s brief funeral, heading south. Isabel had been chosen to carry the news, and as much of the stolen loot as she could, back to the Lion Knights, so they could take in the bandits. From there, she would continue to the City on the River, now empty except for the two children they had rescued from the raided village. That left Jayden and Caisara watching the bandits until they could be safely transported to their imprisonment. Fortunately, the bandits had stored up plenty of food, and Jayden and Caisara left a few days’ worth inside the cave.
The first day passed as they stood at the mouth of the cave, silent mostly, listening for any sounds that might indicate rebellion. They took turns sleeping in four shifts. On the second day, late in the morning, Jayden could no longer take it. “I’ve been thinking.”
Caisara turned to look at him, and signed, About what?
“Who I was, who I am, who I will be. Before I fought Fovos, I talked to her briefly. She said some things that I can’t get out of my head. Caisara, I don’t want to be Jayden Crow, Dragonslayer, anymore.”
Who do you want to be?
Jayden sighed. “I . . . don’t know. But I want to show you something.” He reached down to a pack he had taken from the bandits and pulled out a large, roundish, sand-colored object. “It’s a dragon egg, probably from a desert dragon. I found it hidden in the room where I fought Fovos.”
He looked at Caisara expectantly, but she just frowned. “What’s wrong? I’m not sure why I took it, but if you think I should try to take it back to where it came from, I–.”
Caisara motioned for him to be silent. It’s too quiet. Something’s wrong.
Jayden realized he was right. They hadn’t heard anything from the bandits in too long. “I’ll give it a look.” He stepped into the cave and walked a short distance to where they had put the bandits. There was no one there. “Well, this is bad.”
-last edited on Apr 17, 2019 19:47:36 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 17, 2019 19:47:18 GMT
Chapter 96
It was the evening of the third day of Legolie’s journey home. She had just crossed the river and was thinking about setting up camp for the night. One more day’s walking would bring her to the forest, and the day after that she would arrive home. As she surveyed the landscape, her thoughts began to drift, and she remembered . . ..
Legolie, seven years old, was sitting on the floor in her family’s home. To her right was her father, King Elohir, with Legolie’s baby sister, Awena, in his lap. Across the room, her older brother, Esglaol, practiced dueling. Legolie glared at Awena, but her younger sister, barely a year old, did not see. Elohir, however, did notice, and gave her a stern look. “Not this again, Legolie.”
Defiantly, Legolie met his gaze. “I hate her.”
Elohir frowned. “We’ve talked about this. What happened to your mother was not Awena’s fault.”
“If she hadn’t been born, Mom would still be alive.” Legolie grumbled this sentence softly, knowing it was the same argument she’d made so many times before.
Before Elohir could respond, a reed-thin man in perfectly neat livery entered the room. “Your majesty, the emissaries have arrived. They wish to speak with you immediately.”
The king let out a long sigh. “Tell them I am attending to urgent business. I will be with them as soon as possible.”
“Yes, your majesty.” Ckoro Egas gave a long bow and then withdrew. Legolie stuck her tongue out at him as he walked away. She turned to look at her father, and in that moment his face gave her pause.
He looked so old. The creases in his face seemed deeper than usual, and the faint gray in his hair suddenly stood out. Legolie felt as if she could see his responsibilities weighing on him, dragging him down. Without thinking, she said, under her breath. “I never want to be queen.”
Her father must have heard, for he met her eyes. “You won’t be. When I’m gone, and that won’t be for a long time, Esglaol will inherit. You’ll never have to be queen Legolie, I promise.” He stood up. “I have to go. Will you watch Awena?”
Legolie nodded and took the baby as he left. She watched him straighten up as he stepped through the doors, no longer Elohir, her father, but Elohir, the king.
-last edited on Apr 18, 2019 18:08:48 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 18, 2019 18:08:29 GMT
Chapter 97
The campsite Legolie picked was nestled into some foothills, hidden slightly, but positioned so that she could see anyone approaching. Short sword in one hand, she set down her pack and began searching through it for the rations she had packed from the bandits’ stolen supplies. If Leinad were here, he would have had something cheery to say. For that matter, so would Link. Her mind drifted back . . ..
The crunch of leaves alerted Legolie that someone was close. She spun around to face him, but there was nothing. Carefully, she continued to make her way forward, listening carefully. The rustling came again, this time to her left, but she saw no sign of her pursuer. Suddenly, she heard pounding footsteps coming from behind. She turned as quickly as she could, raising her blade just in time. With a clack, Link’s wooden practice sword bounced off her own. Legolie grinned. “Too slow.”
Link smiled back as Legolie attacked, forcing him back a few steps, but he countered and soon she found herself on the defensive. She took another step back and ran into a tree. Link’s grin widened; he could see victory. He raised his sword again, but Legolie ducked under it and rolled to the side. She charged at Link with a feint and he fell for it, realizing his mistake too late as Legolie sword smacked against his ribs. “You win.”
Breathing heavily, they walked over to a fallen log to rest. “I totally let you win, you know,” said Link.
Legolie rolled her eyes. “As if.”
Their conversation was interrupted by approaching footsteps. It was Ckoro Egas, his head lowered solemnly. He bowed low as he approached.
Instantly, Legolie knew something was wrong. “What is it?” She asked hoarsely.
Ckoro Egas took a deep breath. “We have just received news that the royal barge overturned on the way back. There were no survivors.”
Legolie felt numb. They had all been on that barge, returning from a brief diplomatic journey. Awena was only ten, and Esglaol, five years Legolie’s senior, had been training with the generals to one day lead the army. And their father . . .
Legolie shut her eyes, knowing what Ckoro Egas was going to say next. “Legolie, you are queen now.”
-last edited on Apr 19, 2019 19:12:38 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 19, 2019 19:11:55 GMT
Chapter 98
The sun was just touching the horizon as Legolie finished her meal. There was something on her face. She reached up to brush it off and found a tear. Leinad had said she was strong, but she didn’t feel like it. Every time things got too difficult, she ran, and found something to distract herself. She had always been that way. How could she be expected to change? And yet, how could she not? Legolie had to be the person people needed her to be. She didn’t have a choice. Once, she had run from that . . ..
The forest was beautiful from above. It was mid-Autumn, and from the top of this tree Legolie could see an endless sea of reds and golds and fiery oranges. Up here, she felt free, like she could escape from the responsibilities that had been weighing her down for three years. She heard footsteps from below and glanced down. Fingolfin waved. “Your majesty, you should come down. People are wondering where you are.”
“Let them wonder. I’m their queen, and if I wish to sit in a tree, I shall do so.” Legolie knew she was being immature, but she didn’t care. Sometimes, she just needed a break from everything. It was all so much. What did they expect?
Fingolfin called out again. “I’m coming up.”
“Fine.”
A few minutes later, Fingolfin sat next to Legolie, staring out across the forest. “It’s a beautiful view.”
Legolie nodded.
“I think I managed to get them off your scent. You could stay here for a while, if you want.”
Legolie crossed her arms. “Well, I do. I’m not right for this job, Fingolfin. You were Esglaol’s friend. You know he would have been a million times better than I’ll ever be.”
Fingolfin sighed. “We can’t change the past, Legolie. I want them back, too, but they’re gone, and we’re here, and we just have to make the best of it.”
“I can’t do it, Fingolfin. I can’t make the hard decisions. I can’t be responsible for,” she waved her hand over the trees, “all of this.”
“I think you’re wrong about that. You can do this, Legolie. But you’ll never know if you don’t try.”
There was a long pause. “Tell Ckoro I’ll be there in twenty minutes, and not a moment sooner. But whatever they’ve got for me had better not be boring, or I won’t come back down next time.”
-last edited on Apr 20, 2019 18:08:42 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 20, 2019 18:08:19 GMT
Chapter 99
Footsteps passing by Legolie’s campsite, startled her awake. Lying flat to stay hidden, she looked out and saw a large group of soldiers passing through the foothills. She readied her sword, wishing, not for the first time, that she had taken a replacement bow from the bandits. Of course, against a force this size – there had to be at least fifty of them – she wouldn’t stand a chance, with or without a bow. But if she was going down it would be with a fight.
The soldiers stopped suddenly, and she heard a voice call out, “We’ll stay here for the night!”
That voice, Legolie thought, so familiar. She stood up, “Ckoro Egas?”
A figure at the head of the column jumped, and then began looking around rapidly. “My queen! We were on our way to find you. Where are you?”
Legolie stepped out of her hiding place, giving the soldiers nearest to her a fright. “I was on my way back. We beat the bandits. Ckoro, I’m ready to be queen.”
For a second, Ckoro did not respond. “Let’s have this conversation somewhere else.”
A few minutes later, Legolie found herself across from Ckoro in a tall, sloping tent. A woman in a green dress, who Legolie did not recognize, stood behind him. “Who’s she?”
“Oh, yes. Your majesty, this is Elowyn, a healer from the west. She’s the one who convinced me to come find you. Elowyn, this is Queen Legolie.”
Legolie was still a little confused, but she set it aside for the moment. “Listen, Ckoro, I know it hasn’t been easy, keeping me in line, making me be a queen. But I’m ready now. No more running, no more hiding, no more adventures. This is it.”
Instead of responding, Ckoro took a handful of letters and handed them to her. “These are for you.”
Legolie began reading through them. With each one, she sank a little lower in her chair. When she was finished, she looked at Ckoro. “So, the Riders want to move those Falkrions into the Falcon castle?”
“Yes.”
“And the Dragon Knights and dwarves don’t want them to for some reason?”
“Yes.”
“And now they’re all about to fight some big dumb war?”
“Yes, your majesty.”
Legolie gave a long sigh. “It looks like I’m going to have to go on just one more adventure. Ckoro, Let’s go stop a war. Oh, and, uh, you too, Elowyn.”
-last edited on Apr 21, 2019 19:07:26 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 21, 2019 19:07:11 GMT
Chapter 100
Hithrol crested the hill and found Tinunclus standing there alone, looking out over their army. He cleared his throat as he approached. “The Riders are ready. I checked with Hyplaeuse and Briagorn; their groups are ready, too. We’re just waiting on your command.”
“Then I shall give it. We march!” Hithrol raised one hand into the air and a small ball of red energy shot into the sky, the signal to begin. Below, their army began to move.
At midday, the army stopped to eat. Hithrol found himself standing next to Terra. There was a look of determination on her face as she took a bite of the rations. Determination, and a touch of sadness. “Are you okay?” asked Hithrol
Terra looked up as if surprised to hear him speak. “I’m fine. I’ve just . . . been thinking about Skrag lately. He never got to see the Falkrions, you know. I miss him.”
Hithrol nodded. “I feel like I didn’t make enough effort to reach out to him the last few years. If I’d done a better job, might I have been able to save him?”
“What if I’d never gone searching for the Falkrions at all? Could I have done something?” Terra shook her head. “But it’s all in the past now. What about you? Are you okay? It’s not my sister waiting for us in that castle.”
“Alis and I have always had a complicated relationship. The first time we saw each other again, after our father was smashed, she was trying to smash me. I don’t want to fight her, Terra, but this has to be done.” Neither of them said anything for a while as they finished up their meal, but Hithrol finally broke the silence. “Are you still having those dreams?”
Terra nodded slowly. “I can’t shake them. Sometimes, during the day, I remember them, and I get so scared. We must win this war, Hithrol.”
“I know exactly what you’re talking about. It’s like they’re haunting me. They never really go away. But when the battle is over, things will be better. I can feel it. We just have to make it until then.”
Terra grimaced. “I remember the first time I saw real war, back when we were fighting against Kelrin. It terrified me. Now, I’m terrified by the thought of not fighting a war.”
LordTigress : Any thoughts on those Legolie flashbacks? I really enjoyed diving into her character to see what made her the person she is now.
I think you did excellent work with those chapters. Legolie didn't really strike my interest all that much until you introduced those glimpses of her younger years and her struggles. They were poignant scenes, and they provided some more in-depth understanding of her character and stance in the story. You went into detail, but didn't write too much so that it got boring; it seems like the perfect amount of flashbacks, and because of it I understand and appreciate her character much more. Well done! :3
LordTigress : Any thoughts on those Legolie flashbacks? I really enjoyed diving into her character to see what made her the person she is now.
I think you did excellent work with those chapters. Legolie didn't really strike my interest all that much until you introduced those glimpses of her younger years and her struggles. They were poignant scenes, and they provided some more in-depth understanding of her character and stance in the story. You went into detail, but didn't write too much so that it got boring; it seems like the perfect amount of flashbacks, and because of it I understand and appreciate her character much more. Well done! :3
Thank you! I started hinting at Legolie's struggle with leadership at the end of Half-Breed because I wanted to have a reason she spent so much time not on the throne. As her role in Dreamspinner became more important, I decided I needed to dive in deeper to wrap up her character arc in a satisfying way.
Personally, I do like Legolie as a character, but I could probably say the same about literally any of my characters. My favorites change pretty much just based on whichever ones I'm thinking/writing about at the time.
-last edited on Apr 23, 2019 19:37:28 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 23, 2019 19:37:04 GMT
Chapter 101
With the sun just beginning to set on the horizon, Queen Virida, accompanied by several of her advisors and generals, made her evening rounds along the castle walls. She stopped every few feet to talk to the soldiers, reassuring them that everything was going to be all right. After weeks spent waiting for the inevitable battle, many were restless. Worse, others had become complacent. Either way, these daily visits helped keep them focused.
Virida was almost finished when she saw Gyr Taluk running towards her. He had declined to join her this evening, instead electing to run sword drills alone in the courtyard. The soldiers were not the only restless ones.
When he reached Virida, Gyr said, simply, “They’re back.”
Virida did not need to ask who. She simply bid farewell to the soldiers and headed straight for the nearest staircase.
Several minutes later, Virida and her retinue were arrayed in the throne room as Alis entered with a rather quick bow. “How did your mission go?” asked the queen.
“Very well. Korin, Cloventail, Therin, and I were able to get a rough estimate of their numbers, as well as a general idea of the equipment they’re bringing.”
Inwardly, Virida breathed a sigh of relief. With this information, they would hopefully be able to prepare countermeasures for whatever tricks the Riders and their Falkrions were planning. “I trust that you weren’t seen?”
Alis shook her head. “We were careful to stay high enough that we wouldn’t be noticed.”
“Excellent. You can make a full report to the generals tonight.” Speaking to the room, she added, “Everyone is dismissed. Alis, can you stay for a moment?”
When it was just the two of them in the room. Virida walked over to Alis and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, for one thing, we’re about to fight your brother and your friends.” Alis didn’t respond, and Virida continued. “You look tired.”
“I haven’t been sleeping well. Nightmares.”
“I could have Magister Centauri examine you. He was able to get rid of mine.”
“No! I won’t have anyone poking around in my head! Never again! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a report to make.” Alis walked away, leaving Virida alone.
I think you did excellent work with those chapters. Legolie didn't really strike my interest all that much until you introduced those glimpses of her younger years and her struggles. They were poignant scenes, and they provided some more in-depth understanding of her character and stance in the story. You went into detail, but didn't write too much so that it got boring; it seems like the perfect amount of flashbacks, and because of it I understand and appreciate her character much more. Well done! :3
Thank you! I started hinting at Legolie's struggle with leadership at the end of Half-Breed because I wanted to have a reason she spent so much time not on the throne. As her role in Dreamspinner became more important, I decided I needed to dive in deeper to wrap up her character arc in a satisfying way.
Personally, I do like Legolie as a character, but I could probably say the same about literally any of my characters. My favorites change pretty much just based on whichever ones I'm thinking/writing about at the time.
That's understandable. It's hard not to get attached to your characters, especially when you apply so much personality and background to them. My favorites often change like that, too.
-last edited on Apr 24, 2019 20:14:41 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Apr 24, 2019 20:14:14 GMT
Chapter 102
Skirj was awoken by a knock at his door. Blearily, he realized he had fallen asleep at his desk again, poring over the book from the temple and various other documents in search of the knowledge he needed to save Skrag. There was something here, he knew there was, if only he could find it.
The knock came again, this time accompanied by a voice. “Skirj, I want to talk to you.”
“Come in, father.” The door opened to reveal Skorj, dressed in armor and a gray tunic emblazoned with the symbol of a silver hand closing around a red eye. “That’s new,” remarked Skirj. “What do you want? You’ve hardly spoken to me since you arrived here.”
“I’ve been busy. Look, son, I can’t begin to understand your obsession with that half-breed, but I am willing to help you with it. However, before I will do so, there are bigger things at stake, which you must understand.”
Still half-asleep, Skirj shook his head to clear it. “What are you talking about?”
Instead of replying, Skorj looked back over his shoulder. “Septimus, get in here.”
Septimus glided in, his face shadowed by the deep hood of his cloak. “I have decided it is time to tell you the true reason you are here. Events are about to unfold that will shake the world to its core and I am giving you the opportunity to be a part of them.”
“I repeat: What are you talking about?”
“Four and a half years ago,” began Septimus, “the Keeper of Souls destroyed me. It is time I returned the favor.”
“You can’t be serious. How would you do that?”
Septimus smiled under his hood. “With this.” At his cue, Skorj held up a vial of shimmering green liquid. “Juice of the Dragonsbane plant.”
Instinctively, Skirj shied back. He knew what that stuff could do to him if he touched even a drop. “But . . . it was all destroyed, by the Arachnidians.”
Skorj laughed. “Not all of it, boy. There are hidden places that they cannot venture.”
Septimus took a few steps forward. “With this, we can be unstoppable. I will smash the Keeper and take its throne. When I have control over the souls of all the smashed, I can use them to take the world as my own, with your father at the head of my armies. And then I will bring back your brother. Help us, Skirj.”
I think you did excellent work with those chapters. Legolie didn't really strike my interest all that much until you introduced those glimpses of her younger years and her struggles. They were poignant scenes, and they provided some more in-depth understanding of her character and stance in the story. You went into detail, but didn't write too much so that it got boring; it seems like the perfect amount of flashbacks, and because of it I understand and appreciate her character much more. Well done! :3
