The Legend of the Apprentice
The rain was always soothing. The sounds of drops hitting the freshly softened ground, wafting the soothing smell of wet dirt and fresh plants into the air. The fire in front of him burned bright under the cover of the makeshift covering he had created using the tree and a cloth from his belongings. He sighed under his hood as he warmed from the chill of the evening coming down upon him.
A twig snapped before he heard panting and running. He stood slowly and saw a figure running toward him, he saw the person collapse on the path a few feet away, the rain making it difficult to see who or what was lying in the road. Holding the hilt of his sword he moved into the rain with silent, quick feet.
"Please…" The voice was soft, tired…and female.
"Please…help me…" He wasn't sure if she was pleading to him as he knelt beside her, he was sure she was barely conscious now.
He pulled her hood back, revealing a young woman. Her dark brown hair covering her face some but brilliant green eyes peered up at him before they shut. He picked her up, finding the action an easy one. Perhaps she hadn't eaten in some time. He wondered as he got her to the fire.
He laid her down beside the fire, onto his blanket before peeling off her dampened cloak. From what he could make out she had bruising and scaring around her wrists and ankles. Her tunic was worn as were her pants underneath. Her shoes were no longer a protection fron the wet and cold, they were over worn and tattered, filled with holes.
Wondering if she had a fever he placed his hand onto her head. Once his flesh touched hers that symbol in his hand glowed…as did a dark red one upon her neck.