Despite being on the first level of the Citadel, the massive courtyard remains hidden behind towering walls of stone and sediment. An elongated central patch of neatly trimmed grass stretches out for almost fifty-meters while maintaining a twenty-meter width. At the center of the grass is a large, ovular fountain in the shape of the Arcona emblem, with water running from the tips of each pointed edge. Vegetation grows along some of the walls, and an archaic clock-face is carved into the face of one of the entryways. A small group of rotating sharpshooters are scattered across the walls as the courtyard is supposed to serve as a safe place for Arconans to enjoy some quiet time, or to meet with visitors. It has served as the venue for multiple honor duels over time and there is a significant crater off to the side of the grass left behind as a result of a contest between Marick Arconae and Wuntila Arconae. The duel had taken place prior to either Arconae serving as Shadow Lords and in a quieter time before all Arcona knew was warfare.

Towards the back of the courtyard, closer to the base of the cliff that the Citadel is constructed upon, a tall tree shoots up from the stone, its shade guarding an entrance into the Citadel proper.

The sun was beautiful; it warmed flesh, stone and even the water. Though Aay'han had seen the courtyard before she had never really stopped to savour it. The summer season was gradually moving in, flowers had started to bloom and the heat had gradually started to amp up. This made the shade seem darker and even cooler than what it was normally.

Mayhap, it was because these observations were being made by the child Iridonian. It had been days of studying, days of catching up, days of feeling like she was one step behind. This perception had been looming for sometime now and unfortunately there was always a breaking point.

In that courtyard, on that fine waning spring afternoon, was when she snapped. For the umpteenth time she was dragged from the library, heading towards the medical facility. Skar had turfed her up from her seat and forced her to follow.

Truthfully the mind needed a reprieve but having the hulking Kaleesh tugging her through the sunshine had not been what she had in mind when she considered the abatement.

Eventually the Iridonian dug her heels into the ground and twisted her wrist, wrenching it from the calloused grip that tugged her along.

"Enough!" Her voice pierced the tranquillity of the courtyard. A sense of unease crept up on the onlookers who quietly but with haste backed up.

"Aay'han, you must," Skar hissed with frustration. Each day she needed to be seen for the next few weeks to ensure Nath had grown her correctly. The process was complex, more than the Kaleesh had realised. He figured if something was going to happen it would have already, but after looking into it a little he realised she could end up being geriatric within weeks if something was wrong.

"I don't want to!" Aay'han screamed, eyes flashing from warm chestnut to bright crimson.

"Don't make me force you." Rrogon tried to keep a level head and be reasonable. As he spoke his back straightened, shoulders rolling back in anticipation of the mounting challenge he could see coming from her.

There was no response. It was far too late as the child's rage had escalated and her palm had already flown out faster than lightning.

The pale flesh connected across the Kaleesh's masked visage, and in the deafening silence one could hear his cheek connect with the inside of the mask. As quick as it had happened the male growled, a deep, angry sound which vibrated from the muscle walls of his chest and up his throat.

Before the Iridonian knew it she flew back as the Obelisk's fist hit the mark. She was swept off her feet with the impact, a small plume of dust dancing upwards as she hit the floor with a grunt of displeasure.

Her rise back to her feet was fluid, rolling back and onto the balls of her feet once again. Blood flowed from the split lip, pouring languidly down her pale chin.

There was no hesitation now. The Krath leapt. She landed upon him, rage guiding her movements. Rrogon managed to keep his footing but her fingers were already pressing hard to his eyes in an attempt to swiftly incapacitate her opponent.