The Ashen Fortress

[Miranda Frost]

Intoxicated or not, Miranda was a woman of action.  Miranda's grinning face lowered, shrouding itself behind the protective walls of her  collar. November's dilemma was a concerning one, but according to the flyer she took from the wall, the event has happened quite a while ago. No updated flyers were posted showing new crimes dealt by his blade. For all intents and purposes, it would seem that this man, her brother, had committed this catastrophe to draw her out, or rather reel her in. Many have probably forgotten or overlooked this crime due to the battle with volvagia, whose menacing reach  had once stretched over the Ashen plains. Life here was hard enough, but now people were starting to rebuild. It would be safe for Miranda to seek a home or base of operations. This.... group Dawn spoke of.... could give her what she needed to confront November. Miranda would finish her drink and exhale her burning breath, leaving the ruined glass on the bar as she stood, a thick golden coin materializing in her hand. 

 "Barkeep, for the drinks... and for whatever this young lady needs", she said before turning to the younger woman, nodding her thanks to her. "I will assume I'll bump into you in the near future. Best of luck to your.... endeavors".

 Dawn would nod, and wave, her attention shifting to the food that was being served to her, and with that cue, she turned to leave, her footsteps shaking the nearby tables as she left the tavern. She'd take a moment to breath in the sulfaric air, its pungent odor assaulting her nostrils. Honestly, she'd prefer to remain in the tavern. The heavy scent of cigars was preferable to the hot, boiling stink of the Ashen. Oh well, Miranda had grown used to it. This place had almost made her feel welcome. Of course, "Welcome" was suggestive. This plane of existence had seemingly tried to end her on multiple occasions. Of course the Ashen's attempts were unsuccessful, but only because of the comrades she held close at that particular time.

 Sighing she held her hand out, her ability as a prime shining brightly in the palm of her hand. Slowly before her a rusted motorcycle of questionable design built itself before her, each piece fitting in where it needed to, with each functioning just enough to  get her to where she needed to go. It would be foolish of her to leave something behind that just any secondary could steal and make off with. Nothing in this world is free, and this includes the use of Miranda's Omnilinium.  She reached over, her steel hand gripping the half melted hand gripping the handle bars. Her heavy foot would come down upon the crank, the engine stubbornly roaring to life. With the twist of the handle she was off.

 The mountains were only just in the distance, and one of them held the fortress the young woman spoke of. Her eye narrowed, focusing on the inclining path of ash as it began to wind around the first mountain. It was quiet, but then again most days seemed to be with the dragon horde pacified and scattered, otherwise this area would be crawling with those flaming chickens.

 An hour or so would pass, and the fortress in question was within sight. When close enough to the main path leading up into its clutches, Miranda clamped on the breaks and slowed her approach to a halt. Her vision revealed its placement high upon its rocky face, but what was more interesting was its infrastructure. It seemed to be carved out of the mountain rather than built upon it, similarly to how the nearby North village was built inside a nearby group of smaller peaks, using them as natural walls. Interesting to say the least.

 Miranda slipped from the seat of her bike, only for it to fall to pieces without her presence. She was serious about not leaving scavenging secondaries to feast on her scraps. She was just as serious about climbing these god forsaken steps. Steep as they were, they led right up to the fortress entrance. By the time she did reach the entrance, it seemed the alcohol she had consumed earlier had lost its effect. She wasn't in the mood for any shenanigans. Even though she didn't expect a warm welcome, attacking her would seem like a fatal plan to those who knew her well. To those who don't, well... guess there's a first for everything. 

 Stepping upon solid stone was a relief for her. The ash roads of this plane was quite boring and somewhat annoying.  Cautiously stepping beneath the stone arches leading into the main courtyard, she noticed a fairly... simple fountain. Curiously it reminded her of the Nexus's fountain, but this wasn't the only thing she noticed. Someone was sneaking up upon her, hoping to close in through her  blind spot. The great thing about her eye, was that she didn't need to direct it at someone to look at them. This could be said about this woman as she silently slid her knife around Miranda's collar.

 "You know... Its rude to turn your blade on someone you hardly even know"