Valrún Black

Aloy twisted around, glad to see that Valrun was safe. Her eyes didn’t miss the blood dripping from his hands though (already considering how to take care of it) but it was just a split second thought that she knew would have to wait. For now, they had to find Kotallo and Hekarro. Kotallo wouldn’t be far from his side, and Regalla would try to kill Hekarro if not both of them. Aloy scrambled up the rubble path, making sure not to get ripped by the metal of the Slitherfang as she looked at the boy and Ivirra jump to create a path.

“Stay alive!” Aloy shouted, as she raced away from his side, rushing past the group of soldiers fighting Rebels. She twisted through, avoiding the attacks as she could hear the clash of metal in the throne room. “Find the Chief!” One of the soldiers said, as Aloy volted over a pillar that had collapsed. Her first view was Kotallo, and for a brief second, it looked like one of the Rebels was getting the upper hand over him. “Kot–,” Before she could finish the words as she turned toward him, some more rubble fell down and she had to jump out of the way, rolling to the side as she shifted to put her hand out, her leg pushed out to stop herself and finally she saw Hekarro.

As much as she wanted to race forward and put herself between Hekarro and Regalla, there were far more pressing concerns. “Fuck!” Aloy said as she saw the giant jet fell from the cables holding it up. She grabbed her pullcaster, and threw it toward one of the pillar to lodge it into place and then moved around another pillar to catch the ancient plane. She cried out in pain as the pullcaster started to bite into her hands, as she struggled to hold it up. “KOTALLO!” She shouted, as she knew in a few seconds the plane would drop.

Just as she predicted, she couldn’t hold it anymore. It sliced deeper into her palms as she let out and the plane dropped. She threw her hand up, covering her face as rocks flew from the crash and dust, but when she looked up, Hekarro and Kotallo were on her side and Regalla on the opposite. She glared, grabbing her spear as her own blood started to coat the weapon and watched. Regalla didn’t attack, though. She paused and after her speech, she ran off.

Valrún fought alongside the clansmen, working in tandem to take down every last rebel remaining in the hall while Aloy continued on to the throne room. His arrow took down one of the last who tried to get the upper hand with a Desert clan warrior, but the boy didn’t wait for any thanks when the ground shook. Using his Focus, he saw the fallen rubble and one of the Ten fallen to its side, the Marshal helping Hekarro to his feet. With Ivirra already ahead, he followed the Lowland woman over another downed pillar to race into the throne room. 

Regalla’s vitriol was as venomous as the downed Slitherfang’s as she vowed all of their deaths for standing with the Chief. Valrún lifted his chin as he came to Aloy’s side, ready to risk his life to protect all that he knew with his Commander. But the once High Marshal turned and fled with all those from the Arena now come to bear arms against her. 

The four warriors who survived the Kulrut tensed to follow but sheathed their weapons at the Chief’s lifted hand. The Lowland woman, Ivvira, stood among two Desert clan men, and another woman of Lowland clan. At Hekarro’s order, they stood at attention as they were each named Marshal and given instruction to ensure the Arena was cleared of any remaining rebels. With the four dispersed, Kotallo immediately came forward to reassure himself of Hekarro’s health only to have the Chief lift a hand to stave him off.

“I have failed,” Hekarro said gruffly. Hearing the words, Valrún cast his face to the ground. It didn’t seem right for him to be here listening to his Chief’s shame. “I should have finished Regalla. But now she will be back with more machines, and stronger than ever.”

Valrún felt no surprise at all when he felt Aloy shift at his side and promise to help. While the pair conversed, the boy watched with veiled interest as Kotallo opened his mouth to protest the huntress being sent away before he clicked his teeth shut and turned away. He wondered if he wasn’t the only one to wish to join Aloy this day. 

“What you need is there. Take it.” Hekarro murmured, honoring Aloy with a bow.  “Your deeds today will be remembered like those of the Ten.” As the man turned away, Val watched as the Marshal kept Aloy in his sights until their gazes met, then dipped his head in an equally respectful bow.

     the werewolf only let out a chuckle.

“  ruler, not really. they kind of do their own thing, i just sorta guide them.” he says. caspian may be a prince, but that title does not really mean anything to him. the dark haired wolf looked over. bowing? he shakes his head towards the other. 

“ no need for bowing. this is not medieval times my friend. “ caspian states. the werewolf then looked out the windows. indeed the other werewolves do their own thing. caspian only goes there if they need help. other than that, he lives normally. 

“ we live in houses just any other human. “  caspian was sitting on the chair now with his paperwork in his hand. he spends his day here in his office.

“Those guards listened,” Valrún pointed out. If that wasn’t leading, the boy wasn’t sure what was. And what was a ruler but another name for leader?

With Caspian’s relaxed stance, the little hound took his time admiring knick knacks around the room with interest. Despite his desire to touch things and pick them up, he had manners enough to know better and kept his hands linked carefully behind his back to prevent any wandering fingers. 

“But you’re not human,” the boy added, glancing over. He tapped the side of his nose. The nose knows! Unbothered, Val continued. “I’m not either, though.” And he spent some of his time in a house, others in hollowed trees, and others still slogging through bogs with a Näcken for fun. Before Caspian could get too invested and ask the expected question, the boy held up his hand. “I don’t know what I am, so there’s no use asking. I think I’m a bit of a mutt.”

Aloy noticed a few other soldiers responding to the same orders that she had given to Val. She hoped they would be smart enough to not get directly in the way. The Slitherfang was a deadly gigantic machine. It was fast, and it moved with an agile twist and turn that arrows could easily miss with a wave of its armor. In truth, amazement filled Aloy; how it moved and weaved that one could almost forget Hephaestus made it of metal. Her arrows chipped away slowly, making sure each marked count as she only had some many dry ice arrows.

The loud bam of the machine made her twist around to see one of the lowland clan soldiers up there. “Perfect!” Aloy shouted, as she looked back at the machine that was now stunned as it twisted and hissed against the ground. Aloy lowered herself down onto the ground, a set of three arrows within her bow. She watched here Valrun attacked while she aimed directed at the jaws of the beast and hit the target right now. She could see a bit of white smoke, so figured two more arrows might do the trick. “Careful!” Aloy shouted, but Valrun was already moving away, so she didn’t have to worry about the ice burning him.

She raced to the side as the slitherfang had its attention on Valrun and she slide down along the ground. Aloy glared, as she pulled a few more arrows. “I got you Val, give me a moment,” Aloy spoke through the focus as she looked closer toward the Slitherfang. Even though Val was in danger, the distraction allowed Aloy exactly what she needed. She ran to the side, finding the grinders, and drew back the last few arrows she had. Her eyes focused, the world going slow, and she shot the arrows.

A hissing shriek left the fang’s jaws as the white smoke started to steam from its mouth and its gears, and what looked like ice sparking around its gears. HA! It was going to burn against wires and metal and hopefully tear it up from the inside and slow it down as well. “HEY!” Aloy shouted, as she grabbed a bomb from her belt and leaned back, throwing it at the head of the beast. The explosion caused the snake to shake its head and turn to look at Aloy. “That’s it, come on your little shit,” Aloy growled, as she ran back toward the tower. She dodged just in time, as the snake’s metal eyes were just near her face. Way too close for Aloy’s preference, but she ran around the tower as the Snake started to move up around it.

“TAKE THE SHOT!” Aloy shouted as she pulled out her spear. If it got stunned, she would be able to get close enough and take it out. Just as she pulled back, she heard the slam of the ballista and the Slitherfang crying in pain. It fell to the ground, twitching as Aloy ran toward the machine. She looked at the red eyes as she twisted the blade around.

One swift move and she lodged it into the snake’s metal plates, ripping it off to get to the processor. The snake knocked her backwards as she growled and got back up and saw it started to recover. “Oh, no you don’t!” Aloy said, and jumped up and with all her force slammed the spear into the processor.

A deadly scream came from the jaws as the snake reared up and Aloy had to cling to dear life on her spear that was lodged in the processor. Its eyes were flashing as it as twisting and turning around, hitting the side of the arena. Wood splinters flew around and Aloy tried to lean in close to the head of the snake until it finally crashed down to the ground. Dust billowed all around as she cough, slightly stunned. She pulled back her spear, the lights dead in the eyes and the machine was down. “Val!” Aloy called out through the focus. “We have to go,” she said, as she got to her feet and not giving time to recover. She had to find Regalla!

Valrún managed to free himself from behind debris as Aloy grabbed the Slithefang’s attention. The boy watched in awe as she fired more arrows at the machine and tossed a bomb at its face, giving Ivirra the opening she needed to strike it with the ballista again. He was just running over to help when she made the final strike, killing the machine until it finally lay limp in a pile of rubble. 

With the arena now silent, the din of battle carried from the grove. Valrún nodded with seriousness and raced up the rubble path, scaling the Slitherfang’s body to reach the broken platform where he’d last seen Kotallo and Hekarro. All around, clansmen fought with rebels, and the boy didn’t hesitate to leap into the fray to ensure Aloy had a clear path. 

As the ground started to shake, she struggled to keep her balanced as she looked over to Valrun, who had dropped down into the arena. The moment the Slitherfang burst through the hole and Aloy just growled. She was really getting tired of these Slitherfangs! “Get back!” Aloy shouted, throwing her hand up as she moved over toward Valrun and pushed him behind a boulder that had come from the ground. She glanced over, seeing one of the other soldier’s caught in the slitherfang’s spray of acid and cringed. The scent of burning flesh burned her nose as she turned back to Valrun.

“Find high ground. As high as you can get, if possible. If not, keep distance between you and the Slitherfang. That machine is fast and will not hesitate to attack. IT’s a horrible breakdown, but use your focus and look for any part of it that shimmers gold. Those are weak points. If you can hit the canisters, they will always explode. I’ll keep its attention,” Aloy said, as she threw her hand toward the side. “Go,” she said, as she twisted around, grabbing her bow and throwing it down so that it would pop open and she shifted around the boulder. “HEY YOU BIG WORM!” Aloy shouted, grabbing a bomb and throwing it at the machine as it exploded with shards of ice. The slitherfang twisted around, hissing in anger at the attack as she smiled.

“Yeah, you! Come on, come get me!” she shouted, as she finally had its attention. To get to Hekarro, she first had to deal with the slitherfang. She ran to the side as the snake immediately launched itself as her, as she slid against the ground and got behind one of the pillars. She immediately notched several of her arrows, adapted with the ice containers, and twisted around to shoot it at the machine. If she could do enough, it would get into the wires, and cause the dry ice to start to freeze the wires and slow down the machine. Easiest way to do that…. an open mouth or those grinders.

She tapped on her focus, making a connection with Val’s. “Valrun. I’m going to try to freeze the slitherfang from the inside. If I can do that, it will slow it down, so watch for white smoke,” Aloy said, as she twisted around and fired more arrows at the mouth of the machine, a few hitting the grinders that pulled the ice arrows into its gears.

This was why he’d chosen her to follow. Did she even know how many she inspired? Valrún looked over as one of the Kulrut combatants unquestionably leaped to follow her orders. Following the Lowland Clan’s gaze, he spotted the ballista. That was definitely high ground! But he’d leave it to her while he stayed with Aloy. 

Looking to the towers situated around the Arena, Valrún broke off at a run towards one of them as Aloy kept the Slitherfang busy. With his bow slung over his shoulder, he scaled the rocky outcropping, leaving bloodied handprints with each handhold he found in the stone. Adrenaline pumped fast enough that he didn’t feel the sting of it in the heat of the moment.

Once he was situated under cover along the tower, Valrún pulled his bow from off his shoulder and lined up his shot. As promised, the activated Focus highlighted certain parts in a vibrant gold, making it impossible to miss. Pulling back on the bow, he let loose his arrow and heard the ding of it strike across one of the canisters. With Aloy firing at it so consistently, the single arrow was of little consequence to the machine in comparison to the huntress pestering it endlessly. 

Valrún pulled another from his quiver and released, rewarded when this time, the canister exploded. However, it also pulled the Slitherfang’s attention straight to him. On a gulp, the boy struggled to abandon his post as the snake raced for the tower. As it rose up to strike, a ballista spear slammed against it, sending the machine straight to the ground where it twitched and writhed. Looking up, the boy spotted the Lowland woman manning the weapon and heard her shout out. “I need to reload! Once I have, lead it this way again!”

With time granted to him now, Valrún hopped down onto the arena sands and plucked up a fallen warrior’s spear to strike at the downed machine. He’d only managed a few swings before the Slitherfang was rising back up. Tossing the spear straight at its face, the boy pulled his attention away from his Commander and raced for the nearest cover away from the tower he intended to use again.

Another icy arrow from his Commander had the machine locking up, giving  Valrún time to fire a few more arrows at more canisters. The trio worked in tandem, each drawing its attention until each of its strikes were ineffective.

“It’s reloaded!” the boy heard the Lowland woman shout. No longer in a position to lead it back there with how he was now pinned, taking cover from spit toxins,  Valrún trigged the Focus at his head to contact Aloy.

When it came to Valrun, she had seen him multiple times. His capabilities far exceeded some of these other warriors she saw, but with the wounds she worried it would damage them more and she didn’t want him to lose his hands. “Val,” Before she even had a chance to answer though, he quickly told her not to answer. Her hand reached out and touched his shoulder. “I know you will. All I ask is you be careful,” Aloy asked, as she looked toward him.

“I know you’ll do what is needed,” Aloy said with a smile, as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a focus. “Look, I don’t have much time to teach you with this, but if things go badly, this will help you out,” Aloy opened up her palm and held it out toward him. “Place it on your temple. There will be a slight poke, but it won’t hurt much,” Aloy said. “The focus when you press it will help you see body signatures, including the machine’s weak spots. Remember our first fight?” Aloy said, as she let it process. “That’s how I knew where to hit that Scorcher’s weak points immediately. You can also call me,” Aloy said, as she did a small rundown. “I’ll explain what more it can be used for after the kulrut. Just know that I’ll be able to keep an eye on you, and you can keep an eye on me too. That way, you can know if I need help, alright?”

She hoped that maybe that would help ease his worry. The focus would provide them both a means of protecting each other. Aloy quickly return to the battlements of the Arena, as she ignored the sounds of the Arena. She reached over toward the heavy machinery of the weapon. IT wasn’t her usual go to weapon, but it would be useful in this fight. She didn’t pick it up for now, as she watched the boundary around the arena. For the first ten minutes, it was quiet. Hekarro’s voice boomed in the distance, though very hard to tell what he was saying as she walked til suddenly, something caught her eye. The shifting of the trees, the billowing of dust that looked like smoke. Immediately, she rushed over to the machine gun they gave her and readied herself.

The moment she saw the machines, she fired. There was no need ot wait, the danger was here. The machine gun fired, blasting off against the machines. She registered multiple different machines, as she hated that they had the ability to override these machines! The fight went on, as her machine gun smoked and she dropped it. Her eyes scanned the area. “There’s no way that’s all Regalla sent, she’s smarter than that,” Aloy said, as she glanced at Dekka who agreed. Then the rumbling happened. “Shit!” A burrowing machine, something large. “We can’t stop it!” Aloy shouted, as she raced down as she watched it heading toward the Arena. “Keep guard up here,” Aloy shouted to the others as she raced toward the Arena. “Get back!” Her shouts came, as she slide into the Arena as the area raced in to try to get people back, but that’s when the Rock-breaker shot up.

Aloy’s shouts died off as it threw her backwards with the blast. She hit the wall, her vision darkening for a moment as she shook her head. Her hand reached back to touch her head, looking at her palm. No blood, good, but damn it hurt. However, she had to ignore that for now. She glanced around, seeing some of the other soldiers having been knocked out as she looked up, seeing Regalla at the top of the battlement. Where were Hekarro and Kotallo!? She ran forward, trying to drag some of the soldiers back from the giant hole.

She nudged her focus with her shoulder. “Val! Can you get down here and help?” But then the ground started to rumble again.

The Focus was a strange apparatus, and one that left brightly lit colors floating just in front of his vision. In the first instance, Valrún swiped at them with alarm. They were...like the visions in the Grove! He listened to her rundown of the basics, practiced placing a call shortly, and then walked back to the Arena. 

Preferring the height as a vantage point, the boy chose a spot near where the Chief and Marshal stood high in the stands while others crowded close in anticipation. While Hekarro’s voice boomed around the Arena, the boy played with the Focus attached to his brow. As promised, if he turned to the right, he could see Aloy’s form through the stone walls to where she paced the battlements. Assured of her safety, he let his gaze drop down to where machines were let loose in the Arena. Just as she’d promised, Valrún saw the way they lit up with specific parts highlighted, their weaknesses exposed. Awed, he found himself enraptured in watching the way the parts of a Clawstrider worked together to allow it to move. 

The warriors had barely descended into the Arena when Valrún noticed more signatures popping up to the right. Regalla was here, he realized. And that was a lot of machines. Sitting stiffly in his seat, his attention was split around the Arena as well as what was going on at the battlements. He tracked Aloy’s movements above all, relieved to know she was fighting with ease and taking machines down fast.

But with the Focus on, Valrún spotted the signature of something burrowing underground and heading towards the arena with haste. He was already on his feet by the time Aloy burst inside, interrupting the Kulrut. Did she know the gravity of what she’d just done? She was as much a combatant as the others!

But before he could offer any warning, the machine burrowing below shot up from the ground. Rock and sand blasted up, tossing machines and fighters alike, Aloy included. Valrún gripped his spear tight enough that his hands began to bleed underneath the bandages when he watched a machine unlike any he’d seen before rising up to destroy the area where the Chief and Marshal stood. Just in time, Kotallo knocked Hekarro away, sparing both of them the fate of being grinded into dust by vicious saws. 

Out of the open maw the machine had come and gone, Regalla and her rebels rose up to overtake the Arena. Planting his feet, the boy gritted his teeth and tossed his spear, catching one of the rebels in the back as he made to climb up after his Chief. With a cry, the warrior fell to his death, and Valrún tugged his bow from his back. He was just about to start shooting at others when he heard Aloy’s voice in his ear. The boy jolted with alarm but recovered quickly as he answered. “I’m coming!”

Without hesitation, Valrún ran down the stands to answer the call of his Commander, avoiding confused clan warriors who were struggling to understand just what had happened. “Defend the Chief!” the boy demanded of them as he ran, his words triggering some to take up their arms and engage with the rebels. Unable to fight with them, he continued and dropped down into the Arena to join Aloy. 

when asked , caspian laughed. “all of us have the wolfblood in this place. some are not born with it, and some are gifted.” the werewolf prince says. he was curious about the boy though.

the canine monarch smiled. this place wasn’t it used to be back then. “ telmar has changed so much , and i wasn’t around to even see it evolve.” he says. he looked over towards a map of the ocean then back at the boy.

caspian looked out of the window and the back at the other. observing the wolves walking doing their own things.

Valrún glanced out a nearby window and took in the people walking by. All of them, huh? That was a big pack! Did they hunt together? Sleep together? Flop down in piles of warm fur in winter to keep warm? 

Unfamiliar with Telmar, the boy gave a noncommittal shrug. He was used to being unfamiliar with new lands, following his nose to whatever perked his interest in his travels. It looked like a place like any other in his mind. People lived and carried on with their own concerns. 

The Kulrut would be underway soon, and after talking with Hekarro, she knew what she needed to do. She was still reeling over the display earlier this morning. Still, there were far greater things to worry about and that was the fight that Regalla would bring and she needed to be ready. She had checked in with Dekka, all the weapons prepared, and the other soldiers defending the walls. She had one last thing to check on and then she stayed at the wall to wait for the danger.

She had spotted Valrun coming over as she stared at him. Ready for battle? Her eyes glanced at his hands, worried about the damage he could do with them if he continued to use them. “Valrun, your hands,” she breathed, as she reached over and took them, turning them upward to see if there was any clear fluid or blood seeping into the cloth. It was dry, so hopefully it meant he hadn’t done too much to them.

“I know you want to fight, but I think it might be best if you stay in the Arena,” Aloy admitted as she looked toward him. “It’s not because I don’t think you can handle it, but we need your hands to heal. If anything dangerous comes to the arena, make sure to help anyone who needs it.” Aloy couldn’t help but wonder how to do this whole thing.

Valrún frowned as he heard Aloy’s hedging tone and felt disappointment rise. He knew she’d accepted him into her squad, knew that she understood what he was capable of after fighting with him in the Arena the day prior, so it certainly wasn’t for lack of trust in his capabilities. 

“I don’t need to watch the Kulrut.” The real battle would be out here if Regalla showed up. Those in the Arena would be defended by the warriors out here, Aloy included. It felt wrong to not be under his Commander’s leadership when she would be out here leading the charge. 

The boy looked down at his hands with frustration. “If they weren’t burned, would you have let me fight at your side?” he asked quietly. He supposed it didn’t matter either way. It was not his place to question his Commander. He had to remind himself as well that even the Marshal would not be out here fighting at her side but overlooking the proceedings with the Chief. 

he gestured for the guards to let go of the boy . then he gestured the guards to leave them both alone. soon the guards did what they were told by their prince. caspian sighed. he wasn’t strict when it comes doing like this.

“ sorry about them, they can be.. protective.” the werewolf says.

he’s a prince , but this was still pretty new to him. the werewolf raised a brow. a scent? was he — a wolf too? the dark haired male looked over to him showing his face finally.

“ a scent ? are you one of us?” he asked. the prince walks over to the table where the coffee and snacks were.

taking a cookie he hands it over to the boy.

Knowing better than to challenge the other canine by looking at him head on,  Valrún dipped his head in a grateful nod as he accepted the cookie and nibbled at it. Not bad! 

“Maybe a distant cousin,” he replied, “but I’ve run with other wolves. It’s why I knew the scent. I should have been more tactful in my approach. I’m sorry.”

With the guards gone, the redhead rubbed absently at his arm and lifted his gaze to admire the room. It was warm, not just in temperature, but in the overall air of it. Valrún quite liked the comfort it offered and took another bite of his cookie. 

@ofdeathandfear

liked for a one liner.

        “    the guards found you at my doorstep,  may i ask why ?  “  the telmariene asked. he was standing by the fireplace while not gazing towards the other.  

was this stranger even human ?  probably not.   

Valrún shuffled in place, eager for the waiting guards to stop clenching his arms with such bruising force. The amber-eyed teen kept his own gaze downcast, his red hair badly in need of a trim dropping across his forehead. When one of the guards gave a painful squeeze at his silence, he fought to keep the growl from his voice. After all, this was not his territory, not his place to take offense.

“I followed a scent I was curious about.” There. That didn’t reveal too much, did it? The youth couldn’t be sure if even the guards knew of their master’s nature, and it wasn’t his place to reveal it if they were unaware. 

Refreshed, paint washed off (as her markings were not permanent like the others) and completely cleaned off, she stood among the Tenatkh as herself now. However, she was still wearing her Tenatkh armor she had been given. It was a useful armor and for now that she was among them, she might as well keep it.

She stood in the back, away from the others as the choice for Valrun hd come. She knew after would be the preparation of the Kulrut. Her mind reeled in all the thoughts, trying to put together what to expect, and how to prepare to ensure that Regalla didn’t interrupt. At the sound of Valrun’s voice, her mind immediately silent itself as she wanted to see who he chooses. It was important for him and the rest. She rolled her eyes at Tekotteh’s announcement, as she wanted to punch him again, but not here. However, she smirked as she saw the busted big lip of his where she had punched him and a bruise on his face on display.

Valrun’s boisterous voice was wonderful to hear. Aloy heard his strength finally and was glad to see him not deterring. As Valrun spoke, she also assumed it was Atekka, the lowland commander. Good, she would take care of him and ensure he was trained well.

What Val did next confused Aloy as much as the Tenatkh. She stared at him as he gave respect to the other commanders and came in front of her. Her eyes went wide as she found herself stunned. Clan Sunwing?? All the other titles were familiar, but she wondered when they started giving her group of allies a clan name. She stared at Valrun and then up at all the other Tenakth. It was rare to be taken off guard like so; she was always composed but she had never had such a display in front of so many people.

Aloy glanced back down to Valrun, as he practically devoted his life to her and she didn’t know how to react. Even now, she was still trying to get used to Varl, Zo, and Erend joining up with her to aid her in her fight. But this…

She took a breath, gathering her wits and restoring her composure again. “As long as it’s your choice, Valrun, you can join me,” Aloy said, as she reached down and offered her hand toward him in hopes he take it and stand up. She really didn’t want him on his knee in front of her. She was no god or king. She was just… Aloy. Just Aloy, nothing more.

“It is,” Valrún replied, loud enough for all to hear. Looking up, he locked his arm with hers despite the bandaged burns on his hand and stood in front of her. With pride. Tekotteh’s sneer and storming away as others banged their spears against the ground in celebration didn’t so much as register to the boy who finally found it easy to smile. 

“Let it be known by all, he is NoClan no more, but Valrún of Sunwing Clan!” With Hekarro’s proclamation, the cheers joined the banging of spears. “And now, we prepare for the Kulrut!”

----------

With so much activity all around and last-minute preparations to make, Valrún scarcely saw Aloy at all. Sticking instead to the Marshal’s side, the boy readily followed orders given to him to help prepare the battlements outside the Arena. 

By the time he did see the redhead, the injured boy had his bow in hand and spear strapped along his back. “I’m ready to fight with you.” It didn’t matter to him that it still hurt to string his bow, the deep burns on his hands preventing good range of motion. It hadn’t even occurred to sit this one out and simply watch the Kulrut when his Commander would be out there defending the Arena against Regalla and her rebels. 

Aloy brushed her hand up against her brow,  so she knew they still had some treats within the room she could eat before sleeping. With all that was going to happen, sleep was most likely needed. Valrun needed his rest too, no doubt after today. She through the crowd, glad to move without having to stop and talk with everyone, and stared at the food with delight on her mind. Valrun’s hand fitted within hers and squeezed it lightly, following over til they served them with a gourmet amount of food. She took a plate, as she had a thought on her mind.

Before she could voice it, though, it seemed Kotallo already knew what she was thinking of. She smiled as she took a bite of some of the sweet fruit and nodded. “I think it would best, it’s going to be a long day tomorrow,” Aloy said, and a part of her gut instinct told her something bad was going to happen. She hoped her thoughts were wrong, but she just couldn’t shake it. “You can stay if you want Valrun, I’ll be in the room,” Aloy offered, as she reached over and touched his arm, allowing him the chance to stay.

Her feet turned and remembered the direction by to the private quarters they had offered them. She moved through the crowd, slipping through and avoiding any conversation until finally the sounds died down and she was finally back in the room. She took a breath, closing her eyes. Despite how many people were there, and the friendly conversation, she still felt a lingering loneliness? A part of her wondered if Varl was back at the base or if perhaps he finally given up on her and left back to the Nora lands. And Zo, it would only be natural for her to return to Plainsong. Even here, with a ton of Tenatkh who held an interest in the champion who defeated Grudda; she still felt lost in the mire of the world. Her eyes downcast, as she had finished eating on her walk and set her plate to the side and settled down on the bed. Soon, Val would pick a clan and she would travel alone once more. Despite her comfort in being alone, she also wished for companionship, even if she didn’t admit it.

Aloy was silly, Valrún decided. Silly to think he wanted to stay here among so many when she had to know the lack of experience with socializing contributed to feelings of anxiety. She had to know because he saw the same in her; how she shied away from contact and neatly avoided getting too close to others, the ways she looked for escape routes at the first hint of a crowd gathering. Very silly to assume he wouldn’t be right on her heels.

After Aloy slipped away, Valrún dipped his head in silent thanks to Kotallo before following her. Halfway back to their shared suite, the redhead caught sight of the Chief watching him. Automatically, Valrún dropped his gaze. He fingers worried at the bandages along his hands for a moment before he abandoned tracking Aloy and headed over to bow his head to the tall man.

“Chief Hekarro,” Valrún said with the seriousness of one delivering grave news. “I have made my decision.” When he lifted his gaze, the boy was surprised to find him smiling down on him knowingly.

----

The clans gathered en masse the next morning, filling the throne room to the brim. Hekarro sat on his throne, bent forward with his elbows resting on his knees while Kotallo stood at military ease at his side. The three clan commanders stood on the opposite side. Tekotteh glowered from his position, but Drakka smirked with pride while Atekka matched Kotallo’s stance and neutral expression. 

“I call upon Valrún NoClan to step forward and state his choice of clan for all the Tenakth as witness.”

Before Valrún could even move from Aloy’s side, Tekotteh’s voice snapped out in the hushed silence. “Sky Clan will honor no choice made by this No Clan to rejoin her ranks.”

“Sky Clan is here as witness, Tekotteh. You’ve made your feelings on the NoClan clear,” Hekarro said, his baritone voice calm despite the bite to his tone. “Now serve as witness and allow the choice to be made.”

Taking a bolstering breath, Valrún stepped with his head held high from the crowd. The boy turned to look his old Commander in the eye for the first time without flinching away from the scowl there. Kotallo, Marshal of the Tenakth, had advised him not to lower his gaze to the likes of Tekotteh. Never again would he. When he looked away from the sneering Sky Clan Commander, his gaze found Kotallo’s and found the Marshal smiling subtly. Their secret.

As tradition bade, the boy bowed and dipped to one knee in front of his Chief. “I have made my decision, Chief.”

“Speak it now, loud for all to hear.”

With a nod, Valrún stood and twisted towards those gathered. Purposefully, the boy avoided Aloy’s gaze and stared at a point in the back of the room where blooms of flowers curled among the vines. “My choice of commander is brave and fearless. She is a leader who inspires greatness and loyalty among all who meet her.” Lowland clan members shifted with anticipation, and he spotted several smiles and murmured excitement among them. He took another breath and continued. “My commander has more than herself in mind in every decision she makes. She fights for all.”

The boy turned then to the waiting clan leaders and gave a deep bow to both Atekka and Drakka before turning away from them altogether and stepping back into the crowd. Murmurs of confusion went up all around as the boy walked without hesitation to where Aloy stood and dropped to one knee and bent his head. 

“My choice is Aloy, leader of Clan Sunwing, Tamer of Machines, Wallbreaker, Desert Flame, Despite the Nora. It is to her I devote my life, my bow, my spear.”  Valrún risked looking up to meet her gaze. “If she will have me.”