Chapter 279: Old and New
The fire burned bright in the hearth, casting flickering shadows around the common room of the Westfall Inn. The heavy scent of woodsmoke filled the air, mouthwatering aromas of roasting meat woven throughout. There were few patrons tonight, most at their own homes preparing for the celebration tomorrow, the few present absorbed in their drinks.
Dusk had fallen by the time Korra and I stumbled into the village. Bilev, the innkeeper, had taken one look at our battle-worn and weary appearance before conducting us to a table and sending one of his maids to fetch the Glory Chasers. He’d raised an eyebrow at Korra’s inquisitor’s robes, but seemed to sense something was off, and kept his mouth silent, merely offering us a drink.
"Starlight!" Tana’s voice echoed frantically around the room as she burst through the door, Sorrin at her heels. Her gaze flittered through the haze of smoke, finally fastening on my torn, scarlet cloak.
They came up short a moment later, eyes widening at Korra, who sat beside me, tiredly leaning on her hand. There was the shriek of steel, and I jumped, heart pounding as the noise dragged across my ears, dredging up images of the blade demon we had only just survived. A gasp escaped me, and I pressed a hand to my throbbing chest, half-expecting to feel the jagged gash.
"Quick, Starlight, get away from her," Sorrin said, eyes narrowed, steel flashed in his hand as he leveled the tip of his naked blade at Korra’s chest, his aura rising to grip the room.
Reacting instinctively, Korra leaped to her feet, sending her chair skating away. Water surged, the crests sloshing with white foam as they curled about her body protectively. An aqueous serpent coiled around her arm, its watery eyes locked on the blade, and her fists blazed with blue light.
"W-wait!" I cried, exhaustion forgotten. "Please, don’t fight!"
Sorrin frowned, restraining his aura but not lowering his sword. Korra blinked and looked at her hands, then shrugged. The serpent dissipated into a puddle at her feet, which rapidly dissolved into nothingness. Although she remained standing, she adopted an indifferent air, unfazed by the gleaming steel inches from her breast.
"What’s going on?" Tana asked, her tone sharp, a spell on the tip of her tongue. "Starlight, she’s an inquisitor!"