Three shadows in the forest convened as they watched the high castle walls for any activity. It was an overcast day. The sun's light was barely able to penetrate the thick grey clouds. It would probably rain any moment, but they hoped it wouldn't. After their mission, all they would want to do was get home and be among their comrades.
"Why the hell did Sabian pick today to carry out this damned mission?" one of them asked irritably, not talking to anyone in particular.
"Lord Sabian," another one answered in a correcting tone, "picked today because the sun isn't out. The light won't give us away so easily."
"Well, we could have killed her any other overcast day," the first one retorted hotly. "And anyway, if we're so worried about the sun, why not come at night? Admit it, Abirad; you have no idea why Lord Sabian planned things this way, do you?"
"And yet I have the good sense not to question his authority," the one called Abirad answered, keeping an air of dignity about him.
"Which is why" the first was about to say before Abirad cut him off.
"Why is why I will rise in rank and you will most likely be killed for either treason or because of your own stupidity in not following the orders that were given to you not only by myself, but by Lord Sabian himself. Now, shut up, Galatz, and pay attention."
"I see them!" the third shadow called, speaking for the first time.
"Good work, Tertius," Abirad said to his teammate. Sure enough, he could see two people on the castle wall, one a tall brunette man, the other, a beautiful blonde. Abirad grinned wickedly, showing his long fangs. "Let's go," he commanded. At his order, he and his counterparts jumped, leaping right into the branch that hung above them. From there, they sprang from the tree and into the air, high above the castle wall.
Meanwhile, Derek and Odette had been calmly chatting, enjoying the company of the other, despite the weather. There was a picnic planned, but Mother Nature had different plans, it seemed. Either way, they were just happy together and didn't really mind if their plans were canceled. There was always tomorrow, after all.
Derek let the comforting thoughts and joy from being with Odette flood his mind, leaving no room for anything else. He was reminded of the night they were married, the way the talked and laughed, completely blissful. It had been a year since Zelda attacked, and things hadn't been the same for them. Derek was more loving than he ever had been, and Odette was happier because of it.
In fact, the entire reason they were on the wall was so Derek could show Odette what he had done with the dungeon. Since they had moved in, Derek had been planning to fill in the dungeon, which was full of the cold lake water. Odette remembered being locked in it the night Derek saved her. Of course, she escaped not long after Rothbart trapped her there. For that, she was grateful. It was such a dismal place, which was only made worse by the fact that the cold water was well above the height of any human. Now that Derek had finished it, he was quite proud of it. It had taken so long because of the constant… distractions that kept coming up. Well, he was finished now, and he wanted Odette to see it.
They walked on the walkway, which had also been redone to ensure that it was safe. There was even a canopy added over it so that rain wouldn't be a problem for them as they walked to and from the former prison. Despite the day he had chosen, Derek was sure his surprise would be a success.
"I'm not telling you until we get there," he said again. He'd been repeating the same phrase over and over. Odette was truly curious. Derek had kept it under wraps since he started on it, not giving so much as a hint. Now that it was done, she wanted to see it for herself. Somehow, though, the walk along the path to it seemed be longer than normal.
"Well, you I wish you would just give me" she began. The end of her sentence was interrupted by splintering wood from above. Knowing the heavy oak wouldn't break easily, Derek instinctively jumped in front of Odette, using his arm to keep her from moving forward. Landing under the hole in the wooden canopy was a creature Derek had never seen before. It had long fangs, red skin, white hair, and piercing scarlet eyes. Appearing beside it were two more monsters that looked similar.
Derek felt around on his belt. He was unarmed. Before he could dwell on this, the first beast jumped at him. Before the monster could strike, however, a black cape flashed in front of Derek and intercepted the attack. The monster was knocked over the wall. The other two were frozen in place, giving the heroic figure a chance to turn and speak to Derek.
"Take this and protect her majesty," it said, handing him a sword. Now that he could see her face and hear her voice, Derek could hear that it was a young woman wearing a black cape. But how had she gotten there, and so fast? Taking the sword, he stared at her in awe. "And pray like hell I don't miss one," she added quickly as she turned to face the other monsters.
"Well, if it isn't the abomination," one of the beasts rumbled.
"Well, if it isn't a disgusting demon," the girl returned. She sprang forward with a speed that amazed both Derek and Odette. She collided with the demon, and in a quick move of creative and intelligently planned swordplay, she managed to throw the demon over the wall, sending it to join the other one.
"Tell the devil The Abomination sent you!" she called down to it, watching it fall to the ground and hearing it land with a sickening crunch.
As she turned around, however, it was apparent she had forgotten about the third demon. Before she was fully facing it, it had started to run at a speed that exceeded hers. Taking her off guard, it didn't seem to be raising its arms to attack, which, despite the shock, Odette found strange. But then, her confusing swiftly changed to disgust.
Using its full weight to render the girl immobile, it slammed into her and bit her on the right shoulder, causing her to drop her sword, sinking its long, yellow fangs into her flesh. She cried out in surprise and pain, but quickly regained control of herself. Using her left arm, she gave the demon a mighty punch to the face, causing it to immediately let go. Enraged, she hit the demon again, harder – although it seemed nearly impossible. With one last punch to the face, she sent it flying to the ground.
Before Odette could form a coherent sentence to thank her, the girl dropped to one knee, clutching her shoulder. She groaned in pain, swearing a little under her breath. When she stood up a moment or two later, her hand was stained with dark blood.
"Are you alright?" Derek asked for lack of anything else to say.
"It'll heal pretty fast, thank you," the girl answered calmly. "More importantly, are you two alright?"
"Yes," he answered. "Are you sure you don't need help?"
"Your offer is very kind, but no thank you. It should be fine. There are more important things."
"I really do insist you at least get it wrapped," Odette cut in. "It's the least we can do."
"Alright," the girl finally agreed. Derek was a little confused by the girl's abrupt change in tune, but said nothing. He was fairly sure it had something to do with Odette's insistence that the girl have the wound taken care of. Now that he thought about it, very few people called Odette 'her majesty.' This girl didn't look exactly like a princess or other high ranking noble, but she also didn't look like a peasant from Chamburg.
It was a little strange, but he said nothing.
However, his silence didn't mean he wasn't thinking about it, even as she was having her shoulder bandaged. It was a quick job for one of the castle's skilled nurses, and the girl's wound was quickly handled. She exited the castle's infirmary, thanking first the nurse, then Odette and Derek, who waited outside to give her some privacy.
"We should be thanking you," Odette replied. "Anyway, we didn't introduce ourselves properly. I'm Odette, and this is my husband Derek."
The girl bowed - not curtsied, but bowed, low and graciously. Again, Derek was surprised by this. It was obvious the girl was not from Chamburg, even if there had been evidence before.
"My name is Fiera," the girl returned when she stood back up. "It's very nice to meet you."
Fiera had long, dark hair that reached down to her shoulders, pulled back in a ponytail as it was. Her face was very beautiful, with high, proud cheekbones. But more striking than her beauty, were her eyes. They were a deep, glowing burgundy color. 'Purple' fell flat when describing their deep, rich color. She was athletic looking, and had tan skin, presumably from spending a life time outside exercising, or at least training to kill demons.
Her clothes resembled none Odette had ever seen before. Her shirt was a woodsy green color until about her elbow, where the fabric switched to a rich golden color and flared out from her forearms. She wore a solid black cape that was fastened by a golden clasp that was just off her left shoulder. Her look was completed with a black pants, a pair of grey leather boots, and a long sword that hung proudly on her belt.
"Even if the circumstances were a bit… strange," Derek chuckled, trying to keep his mood light, despite his confusion. Who was he to be suspicious? After all, she had saved both his life and Odette's and that made her a friend… right?
"Yes," Odette agreed. "It was lucky you were right there." She wanted to add her question of how Fiera even got there in the first place, but she was stopped when the girl said something that was quite shocking.
"It has nothing to do with luck, but everything to do with your past."