Guild Wars_ Ghosts of Ascalon - Matt Forbeck [52]
“So Prince Rurik founded Ebonhawke?” Killeen showed real interest.
Dougal shook his head. “Rurik died while crossing the Shiverpeaks. By the time the Vanguard came to Ebonhawke, a hero named Gwen Thackeray was in charge. She forged the city into what it is today, and she led its defense during its darkest times, right after the Foefire, which—as you might imagine—sent every surviving charr in Tyria into a rage. Under her guidance, the walls of Ebonhawke stood strong—so strong that they remain unbroken to this day.”
“Nothing lasts forever,” Ember growled.
“She still sounds like an amazing woman,” said Killeen.
“The greatest ever,” Riona said. “She was the finest hero of her age. She was just a child at the time of the Searing, and she spent years as a charr slave before she escaped. She joined the Ebon Vanguard and climbed its ranks to become its leader. She turned Ebonhawke from an outpost into a fortress, which still remains as the last hope in the War of Ascalon Independence.”
Ember snarled at this. “You mean the Ascalon Insurrection.”
Dougal tried to bring the conversation back on track. “Gwen fought the charr. She hated them for what they’d done to her and her family, but she changed her mind about them after she worked with Pyre Fierceshot to help bring down the destroyers.”
“Some woman,” Ember growled.
“Did you know that Logan Thackeray is related to Gwen?” Dougal said to Killeen.
“That would make sense,” said the sylvari. “He struck me as being very dedicated to his queen and country.”
“I’ve read Gwen’s journals,” said Dougal. “They’re kept in the Durmand Priory. She married a ranger in the Ebon Vanguard. His name was Kieran Thackeray. Logan is their direct descendant.”
“Heroism must run in his blood.”
“Oh, spare me,” Ember said, her voice barely a low sneer.
“Pardon me?” said Riona.
“I said spare me your human lies.” The charr’s voice was taut and tense. “Gwen the Goremonger killed scores of my people. She was no hero.”
“To us, she was,” Riona said. “Without her, the charr would have overrun Ascalon long ago. Where would we be then?”
“The distant memories you should be.” Ember’s fur bristled as she spoke. “Tyria belonged to the charr before you mice burrowed your way into our lands, and we will have it long after you’re all gone.”
Riona snorted. “You should think before your speak. Remember, we’re going to be your captors, kitty.”
Ember moved effortlessly and suddenly, bringing her elbow around hard. Her first swat knocked Riona off her feet. Ember followed her, weaponless, but with her claws extended from her paw. She raised her paw again, this time for a blow that would rip Riona’s armor off.
Before the charr could bring down her arm, though, Gullik’s hand snaked out and plucked the fur on the back of Ember’s neck. With a sharp yank, he hauled her back so hard that Dougal wondered if Ember’s head might separate from her shoulders.
Snarling, Ember spun and launched herself at Gullik instead. He brought his free arm around and smacked her across her snout hard enough to knock her from her feet. Ember yowled at the norn. Dougal stepped between the two, his black blade in his hand, ready to put it to use if the charr came up swinging.
“Wait!” Riona said. “Don’t do it! We need her!”
Dougal glared down at the charr. Riona had provoked the attack but now was trying to undo the damage. Perhaps she didn’t want to go back to General Soulkeeper and explain what had happened. To Ember he said, “Are you done?”
Ember’s mouth twisted, and Dougal thought she might be preparing to bite off his face. Then the fight went out of her, and she nodded at him without speaking.
“It seems,” said the charr, measuring her words, “that I must make a habit of apologizing to you, Dougal Keane.” She touched the corner of her mouth, and her fur came away spattered with blood. To Riona she said, “But you had best remember that you have your stories, and we have ours, and the two differ greatly.”
Dougal sheathed his sword and stepped away from the charr. Gullik, his earlier violence forgotten, hauled