Growls, snarled, and bared fangs were watched carefully by Vitaliya’s ‘dull’ eyes. To her intense satisfaction they created a mask that seemed to hide most to all of her intentions. Windows to the soul, some would say. Her windows were tightly shuttered to the outside world, but she could see out of them quite clearly. She had moved forward, ignoring the pathetic excuse for a guard at the border and stopped only when Eleanor placed herself in front of her. Dull eyes narrowed warningly until the other woman’s words issued from her lips.

Vitaliya’s lips peeled back in a sickening sneer. Her laughter was a short barking ‘ha.’ Your body betrays you, wench. Clearly my words are more accurate than I thought. Her tone shifted to sing-song sweet, dripping with venom from needle sharp teeth. Or they wouldn’t have bothered you so much. Face snapped back from her mocking expression to one of intense purpose. She was not about to let this woman stand in her way. Once more she jumped to the side to continue her campaign into Iromar.

A rageful snarl ripped from her when once again her path was impeded by Eleanor’s annoying persistence. You are going to have to try harder than that. She snapped at her, voice bored but still wickedly sharp and cutting. You’re puffed up pelt doesn’t scare me. Agile, graceful, and quick, Vitaliya slipped to the side, her body brushing tauntingly against Eleanor’s. She may have stepped too close but no lowly mud walker was going to stop her from this.